Archive for December, 2007
home on new year’s eve
Here’s “Home”, another 2007 notable (there are so many) from the album Trading Twilight for Daylight by Great Northern.
I do hope you have a beautiful New Years Eve, Day, week and, well - year! Enjoy, have fun, be safe (’Home’ with friends seems both a fun and safe bet). Thanks so much for visiting and for your support this year. I look forward to sharing more music, commentary (for what it’s worth), information about all the things out there to care about (some people do have real problems - really), and of course more Green Tees. Take good care, be well, and warm wishes for much love and peace to you…
what’s a girl to do
Another notable 2007 debut release, the CD Fur and Gold , by Bat for Lashes.
Amateur video, entrancing song. “Trophy”.
day too soon
Here’s one from one of my all-time favorites, Sia Furler, who recorded a new CD this year, although it won’t be available until 1.8.08 (how’s that for staying current?). The song is entitled “Day Too Soon” and was recorded at the KCRW studios in Los Angeles on 10.24.07, a day too soon as it turned out. Well, not really, but I had tickets to see her the following night at the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach, located in the northern region of San Diego County, when those pesky fires forced the show to cancel. Seems some people have real problems. The shows’ been rescheduled just in time for my birthday week, and it’ll be the fourth or fifth time I’ll see her perform live (both solo and with Zero 7), but as you’ll soon witness, she is a performer to behold every time. At first giddy, goofy and charmingly childlike - when she goes into songstress mode she morphs into a serious chanteuse with an amazing voice. Boy can she belt ‘em out. The real reviewers put it a lot better than me:
“Classy dinner party fare executed with left-field flair” ZOO (Day Too Soon Review)
“Like a chocolate cake doused in rum, it’s sweet, but packs a kick” VARIETY (Live Review)
Enjoy, and click here to browse while listening.
And another, entitled “Buttons”, from the January release entitled “Some People Have Real Problems”. Indeed.
pressure suit
Wild that another year is almost over. Like most, it’s been a fast, slow, sad, happy, challenging and healing one, and I’m very excited and energized about the new one ahead. It’s gonna be a great ‘08!
For whatever reason, I’ve been sharing more of the old than the new lately (musically speaking, that is). I believe in honoring the past, for better (smiling memories) or worse (lessons learned and character strengthening, yada yada yada), but it’s time to step into the moment (or in this case the year) and bring it back to the now. Here’s the first of some of the ‘bests’ (in my humble opinion) of this almost-over year. I’ve already posted some favorites from earlier in the year earlier in the year, so you may want to revisit the “have you heard?” archives for a look back at ‘07 (musically speaking, that is).
Do enjoy Pressure Suit, by Aqualung, whether you have one or not. If you do have one though, best appreciate it. A good fit is hard to find.
Ugh… the video is no longer available for sharing so here’s a not-too-shabby live-on-Letterman version. You can still view the video on You Tube, and its sounds just beautiful, but I can’t post it.
Bright and Watery Christmas
Santa will have lots of bright lunar light for his flight tonight on this full moon Christmas Eve. What better fit for the occasion than the uniquely eccentric John Waters serving as guest deejay on Morning Becomes Eclectic talking Christmas, life, and petty theft with Nic Harcourt, and spinning songs from his CD, A John Waters Christmas. The piece is a couple of years old but that matters not, it’s still pure and obscure holiday entertainment - perfect listening while baking the Christmas batches. Enjoy and have a very merry.
May as well howl while you’re at it…
Click to link to MBE’s John Waters Christmas. There’s a ‘media player setting’ link on the upper right for those of you who may be in need.
War is Over
Since this week begins on the eve of Christmas Eve I thought this song appropriate. It’s prefaced by a few interview clips with John Lennon, sharing his thoughts on peace and love and world leaders, etc. He may not have had different questions (what ARE we trying to do?) or much different to say today… No violence, no violent minds or households, no starving children, no frustration, no fear. Amen.
My thoughts go out to our soldiers in Iraq at this time of year when they and their families must miss each other so. When they are moving targets as we shop at Target and brave merely the mall and its crowded parking lots and walkways, some people have real problems. Godspeed to them. I’m grateful for the comfort I’m able to live in, from my personal freedom to going to a movie, to dinner, to my warm cozy bed with a roof over my head. We live in what could easily be considered obscene abundance by some as compared to so many. We are blessed. Be joyous and be well, and enjoy a safe and peaceful holiday week.
this is all from the Imagine Peace website
click on the poster for a printable link.
everybody’s gotta learn sometime
One of my favorite covers ever, by Beck, from a memorable movie about erasing memories, written by one of my favorite screenwriters ever, Charlie Kaufman. Unlikely, but if you’ve never seen Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, or Adaptation, or Being John Malkovich, or… (well, you can view his entire filmography here), I highly recommend committing some time and attention to them. Keep an eye open also for Kaufman’s newest writing and debut directorial effort, Synecdoche, New York, to be released in ‘08. A few reviews of the script are out there, and so far no surprises and loads of adjectives such as “ambitious, epic, astounding, sublime, scary” and ”completely illogical”. For me, utter intrigue as to what he might accomplish by adding his own direction to his own inimitable writing.
Bonus feature and some fun film trivia for you: This is from the movie “Being John Malkovich” and is on the director’s commentary. Apparently an extra on the film got drunk, and decided to throw one of his beer cans at John Malkovich. The director (Spike Jonze) liked the scene so much that he left it in the film. The extra got his SAG card and a pay raise since he now had a line in the movie. Just goes to show that for better (the extra) or for worse (Malkovich), life can throw some interesting surprises (and beer cans) at you every now and then, just when you least expect it.
whale rider
It was a rainy weekend in Southern California and I rented some films to watch. The only one I did was Whale Rider. I’d seen it before so I knew it was worth a revisit. It got my eyes almost as misty as the skies (in the good and touching kind of way). If you’ve never seen it (or even if you have), and are wandering through your neighborhood video store wondering what to rent, check Whale Rider out. It’s an inspiration.
here it comes
There are some exciting developments taking shape behind the scenes at Green Tee, in spite of my recent hiatus from blogging and designing, and generally relegating this important part of my life to the back burner. I take that as a sign that it’s meant to be, and I’m grateful for the light shining in my direction, and soon you’ll too see what’s cooking. Until then please have a look at the current offerings. Thanks so much to those of you who’ve ordered and purchased tee’s this week! It IS the gift that gives twice and I’ll be so pleased to offer the first report on the amounts that will have been donated to the worthy Quarterly Causes because of your purchase. The amounts won’t be earth shattering, but to quote a Chinese proverb “it is possible to move a mountain by carrying away small stones”.
Here it Comes; a song by the Doves, well in tune with my mood this Sunday evening. I hope you enjoy. May your week be wonderful, and your time in the sun forthcoming and everlasting.
the greats finale
Yesterday was Little Richard’s 75th birthday. In his and others’ honor, I bring you this stage full of legends, including the birthday boy, in addition to Ray Charles, Fats Domino, BB King, Jerry Lee Lewis and who knows who else was there. Amazing! Thanks to my brother for sending it. Have a great day, long live rock & roll, and shop here!
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