|
| Main | Music Reviews | Journal | Links |
|
|
December 23, 2002 Drove to Chicago to visit the folks over this past weekend. Had a good visit and exchanged presents on Saturday night. Perhaps the most insightful thing about gift giving that I've learned recently is that there are basically two ways to shop for a (material) gift. The first way is to purchase something you, the giver, think the receiver will appreciate and need. The second way is to give something that means a lot to you, the giver.
With the first type of present, the person doing the giving takes the risk of not knowing what the other person needs. With the second type of present, the giver takes the risk that the receiver will not appreciate something that means a lot to the giver.
So this Christmas, I purchased both kinds of gifts. I now know that it helpful to have more than one gift giving strategy in mind when shopping for holiday presents. In fact, I purchased items that I thought the receiver would appreciate, until it came to the more difficult people to shop for. When I got stuck, I turned to music. I ended up purchasing two Putumayo CD's for these two relatives. One of the CD's is Putumayo's Reggae Around the World, a CD in my collection that has a good collection of reggae from various countries. Generally, happy music. And the other CD, World Instrumental Collection is not in my collection, but I liked what I heard when I previewed the music at buy.com.
The only condition to this elegant solution to gift giving is that the giver needs to be able to explain why the gift was given and how it is significant to the him or herself. In my case, this is a problem because I will not see the relatives when they open the CDs, but I'll have to explain what they mean to me some other time.
December 5, 2002 When my daughter and I first began to dance to Patty Griffin's "One Big Love", I thought there would never be another song that could produce such spontaneous random acts of dancing and such joy. Then I bought Emm Gryner's Asian Blue a few weeks ago after seeing her in Chicago. The performance was great; she played alone, the first song on guitar, the rest on keyboards. And for the first time in my life I asked someone for a "signature thingy"--the words I used to ask Emm to autograph the CD jacket. I am not an autograph person, and I don't understand the type of person who collects autographs as a hobby. Collecting autographs in order to exchange them and make some cash makes sense, but to have an autographed framed poster or CD jacket seems pointless. But I am now in the league of people who collect autographs. I have the Asian Blue CD in the shelf with the rest of our CDs, which means that at any moment, our one-year-old could rip it out and ... I'm not sure what would happen, but the point is that I am not going to archive the CD and jacket because Emm signed it for me.
So I bought Asian Blue from Emm and ever since then my favorite dance/pop song is "Symphonic".
In other news... the LION's little elves have completed the second annual CD Sampler, with hits from Emm Gryner, Patty Griffin, Holly Cole, Joan Jones, Emmylou Harris, and Natalie Merchant. Please contact the webmaster for more information.
October 30, 2002 I purchased some Bose speakers yesterday at Circuit City. Fascinating news, right? Well, minutes after the purchase I asked if they used the same technology that is used in the Bose Wave Radio, where sound is sent through a tube 80 inches long before it exits a side speaker. It turns out that the speakers I bought yesterday is not a Bose Wave speaker. In fact, Bose doesn't even make a wave speaker that one can purchase. The only way to get this technology is to purchase the Wave Radio (or receive it as a gift, as I did). So now I wonder if the quality of the other Bose speakers is as good as the wave technology? After all, the reputation of the company is based on the innovations in the Bose Wave Radio. The speakers I bought have an innovation they call "Direct Reflect", and that seems to be a fancy way of saying that their speakers direct the sound out at an angle so that the sound bounces off the wall and returns to the center creating a larger "sweet spot". Personally, I'm not enchanted with this innovation. I'm going return the speakers this weekend.
October 23, 2002 Is it a goal in life to be independent? Should it be a goal?
September 12, 2002 My list of indespensible CDs by female artists: (1) Flaming Red, (2) Girl Versions, (3) Living With Ghosts, (4) Public, (5) Science Fair, (6) Starlight Criminal, (7) Temptation, (8) Wrecking Ball.
If you were to come up to me on the street and ask me what one or two CDs you should buy, I'd have to know what kind of music you prefer. So what would my Desert Island CD be? If I had to choose one, at this point in my life (assuming my 2001 Sampler CD and 2002 Sampler CD are out of the question) I would choose Science Fair. I enjoy the music as much as any of the CDs above, but Science Fair is a metaphor for independence, autonomy, strength, creativity, and will. I'm not talking about the lyrics now, I am talking about how Emm produced the CD in the Sping of 1999, on her own, in various locations, and stood up to the (major) record label that had just dropped her. Because of this, it speaks to me.
Do I have a list for male artists? I don't have one at the moment. I like the Beatles, Sting, U2, and I think Mark Knopfler is a genius with the guitar. But I am not prepared to write a list for male artists at this time.
September 6, 2002 Upon hearing my wife's opinion of my 2002 CD Sampler, I felt compelled to rip out a few tracks from my first cut. In compiling the first cut, I think I tried too hard to make a composition that flowed perfectly and had distinct character. This was not achieved. Even in the new arrangement of tracks, I do not think I have created the perfect compilation as closely as I did on last year's CD Sampler. If you are interested in getting a copy of either CD, or getting a listing of the tracks, please contact me at tumbarello@lionreviews.com.
August 27, 2002 Spent some time in the past few days listening to arrangements for my second edition of my CD sampler. I called last year's 2001 CD Sampler, so I imagine I'll call this year's the 2002 CD Sampler. Not a lot of imagination there. I guess that is because I want the focus to be on the music instead of my dynamic title.
I've tried several different arrangements and even tried a theme approach, which I quickly dropped. One thing I know for certain is that this is not going to be a "Best of" CD collection. I want songs that have meaning together and flow as if they were arranged with intention. The process is still young, and there is much work to do. When finished, I'll publish the track listing here.
August 23, 2002 Spent several hours over the weekend hooking up the new computer. So after this experience with myjackrabbit.com, am I ready to endorse the internet company? Well, I think the machine is great and it came with quality parts, as far as I can tell from reading the manufacturers of the Motherboard, CD Rom, CDRW, and hard drive. But in terms of the company's communication and speed of delivery, I'd have to say that myjackrabbit.com performed slightly below average. They did not ship my monitor until after I received the new PC. And the new PC took about two weeks to arrive. If speed of delivery is everything, try a different company. Otherwise, if you are interested in a low priced computer with name brand components, you have my blessing to go with myjackrabbit.com.
Yesterday, I started the process of creating a new CD Sampler. I had to throw out one song because the words expressed too much head over heels love while the rest of the songs on this CD were more contemplative or about relationships that were broken. I may scratch the current arrangement and create a new arrangement.
August 14, 2002 She gets better and better. I'm sure there is a better way to phrase that last sentence, since the music I listen to is recorded on CDs and these recorded tracks are always the same, but nevertheless, she does get better. Same song, same singer, same performance, yet somehow she gets better. If I had to be brutally honest, I would admit that I must be mistaking my taste (which can change) for her music (which cannot change), but I cannot admit this fact. I have my Music Review Matrix and my CD reviews that are dated--both of which compel me to put the blame on her, rather than me. With this easy fix, I am off the hook, because she takes responsibility for changing. That's why she gets better and better. My tastes don't change.
Now this is absurd. The arrogance of the man who says his tastes cannot change. And I have to live with that guy!
Here is the translation: Emm Gryner is phenomenal. I like her more and more each time I hear her.
I received Girl Versions and Dead Relatives over the weekend and I cannot believe how beautiful and emotional she sings. Her writing on Dead Relatives is good. Dead Relatives is not her best work, but "Parting Song" may be the most mature song she has ever recorded with a band. In her solo CD, Girl Versions, she collects 10 rock songs and interprets them with her piano and occasional cello. With this artistic production, I am forced to empathize with lyrics that were once noise and shouts, and take these lyrics seriously, like Ozzy Ozbourne's "Crazy Train": "Maybe it's not too late / To learn how to love / And forget how to hate." Coming from Emm, I hear the passion expressed by these male artists.
Musically, it has been a tumultuous week.
August 8, 2002 I've been doing a lot of listening to Emm Gryner's Science Fair lately. At times I think that I like it more than her Public. This would be alright, but then I get thinking about the (rediculous?) Music Review Matrix and the implications if I grow to like one CD more than another one that has more points on the matrix. Would that require a reordering of the universe, and potential rift in the space-time continuoum which would destroy any particle lighter than a black hole? I hope not.
It is instructive for me to change my mind on what music I prefer, from day to day and week to week. It would be like changing my mind on a philosophy that doesn't work any more or changing my mind on what ice cream I like or the best way to choose a watermelon. It is helpful because we are not static creatures, and once I can appreciate this, then any anxiety about what I like more from day to day matters less, and what I like today, now, matters more.
The song that has really struck me as being richer than I previously thought is Boy Races.
July 29, 2002 It has been a strange couple of weeks. I've been a bit overwhelmed the past few weeks to make any entries here, but I understand that there is at least one set of eyeballs looking for a journal update, so that is encouraging.
I was checking my email from home yesterday and saw an email with the subject "Do you want to sell your web site?" I thought about it for a minute, then following the link to their page which wanted me to put down my name, email address, and the dollar amount that I'd want for lionreviews.com. Before going any further, I did some research at http://groups.google.com and found out that this company is most likely a spammer, trying to get people to opt in to some subscription offer. Thanks, but no thanks.
Ordered a new computer yesterday through myjackrabbit.com (shameless plug here). It will take about 10 to 12 days for it to come in, but I couldn't beat the price. Even with shipping costs, it would have cost me more to build this myself with the same parts. I will reserve recommendations on this company until I have set up the system and taken it for a test drive.
No music purchases lately. I think my music budget is down to nothing until this computer is paid off.
July 3, 2002 Spent last night fixing the blinds in the family room, listening to Sun-60's Headjoy CD. Actually, when it finished, I listened to track 3, "Lay Down", for probably an hour and a half. Big musical accomplishment for Joan Jones and her band. Then at 10:15 p.m. I went outside to watch the fireworks over the lake. In retrospect, I should have opened the window so that I could have heard the music. But on the other hand, the air conditioning was on and it was about 80 degrees outside, and the neighbors may not appreciate hearing Joan Jones repeat the same song for the duration of the fireworks.
I was thinking yesterday about what makes a CD stand out. For me, what makes a CD NOT stand out is when one song is so exceptional that it depresses the accomplishment of any other songs on the CD. On Headjoy, I enjoy "Lay Down" more than any other track on the CD. I enjoy it so much more than the other tracks, that while the other tracks may be well performed, they are pedantic in comparison.
From this premise, there are two conclusions: (1) a CD must either contain 12 or 13 tracks of similar quality so that I can equally appreciate all the songs, or (2) a CD will contain one or two songs that stand out, which will force me to punish the rest of the songs on the CD, in terms of my perception of their quality. In the first case, there are two scenarios: (1) all 12 or 13 songs are exeptional or (2) all 12 or 13 songs are mundane. I do not care much for CDs that contain 12 or 13 that are trash. But finding CDs with 12 exceptional tracks is like finding a gem. Blood on the Tracks, Joshua Tree, Born to Run, Temptation, Flaming Red, for me, these are genuine gems.
Of course there are more gems out there, and you may have your personal favorites. With music, we all can get along, because there is no right answer. Imagine if I stood on my pedistal and scolded someone for liking Clint Black. That would be almost as rediculous as me pointing my finger at someone and telling them that they must agree with me that "Flaming Red" is a better CD than "Living With Ghosts"--anyone who believes otherwise must be an idiot. I have done this once, and hope that the message was received appropriately, since I meant to communicate through overstatement, that what one apprecaites is personal and good.
June 27, 2002 Is there anything better than dancing with a smiling one year-old baby in your arms?
June 20, 2002 Received Joan Jones' Starlight Criminal CD a few days ago in the mail. It is by far the best 75 cent CD I've purchased from half.com. Actually, it is the only 75 cent CD I've ever purchased from there. The music is notably mature and she sings about relationships as if they were complicated--like real relationships are. I will have more to say about this CD in the weeks that follow. For other 75 cent CD's go to half.com and look up Joan Jones or Sun60, her previous band. The cheap CD's may have holes punched in the barcode, which indicates that they were given to industry professionals for promotional use, but I have purchased those in the past and have no hangups purchasing them now. If the artist didn't want a free copy cirulating out there, then the artist shouldn't have given it away in the first place. Besides, with most artists, their main source of revenue is not from record sales, but from concerts and tours. I got to get off of this soap box.
There, that's better.
June 4, 2002 Are human being natural music-makers?. If a child grew up in the wilderness with the apes, would that child develop music? If a culture was discovered that never had contact with the "outside" world, would that culture have music? I believe the answer to the first question is "maybe" and the answer to the second question is "yes". Music is a natural outgrowth of communication. When words are not adequate, we turn to music. At least that's my opinion.
Then the question naturally arises: who are the music-makers in a particular culture? The music-makers should be those people in a culture who can most effectively communicate in melody what is beyond communication in spoken language. I would like to think that these gifted individuals would be a cross between a shaman, a therapist, a philosopher, and someone who can use the musical tools developed in a culture. So what is the criteria of the music-makers in the American culture. Perhaps a small bit of talent, a lot of sex appeal, marketing, and a great deal of luck. Of course there is hard work and perseverance. Imagine the music that will never be heard because of the saturation of mass media (television) in our culture. Could it be that we have musically gone backwards because of forward progress in other areas of our culture?
May 10, 2002 With the internet, is it ever possible to make a bad music purchase? These days, it is possible to preview every track from a CD; it is even possible to download every song from a CD before a purchase. The world has sure changed in the last 6 years and I'm sure it will change even more in the next 6.
May 5, 2002 I saw The Third Man yesterday with my mother. When it finished, I thought "That was okay, but nothing special." Then I reflected on what I was thinking during the movie, while I was watching it. I realized that while the movie was playing, I was constantly thinking, trying to piece together the mystery, or during critical moments, trying to figure out how the director shot certain shots or created an effect with lighting, or at times, thinking about the characters and the depth of their most subtle actions.
The movie was flawless. It was fast paced, intelligent, rich. But when it finished, I thought it was okay, but nothing special. What was going on in my head here?
Perhaps my problem at the end was that the climax of the movie is off camera. Yes, that is right. If you have seen the movie, you know the scene I am talking about. This climactic moment is off camera. A director may not be able to get away with this trick today. You may ask why is it a trick? Because the audience is forced to work, in order to achieve closure or a resolution at the end. Brilliant.
May 3, 2002 This should not be a very profound proposition, but here it is: given one million years, I cannot make you listen to a song the same way that I listen to a song.
On a somewhat related topic, I like vanilla ice cream, but other people like chocolate ice cream.
Which brings me to the conclusion that my music appreciation matrix is a farce. But I'll keep doing it anyway. Because if you like the music I've proposed, you might like other music that ranks high on the matrix. Of course this is pure vanity, for me to think that I can turn you on to my music. If it is confessed and public, is vanity still vanity?
April 28, 2002 I don't watch MTV and I don't know about the antics of any rock band. That's why it is hard for me to have a negative or positive opinion about any artist which is influenced by the media. The other day on a discussion list I am on, there was some Jewel bashing. Many contributors were bashing her personality or the way she interviews. But what about the music?? And another person on that list included Sting on a list of artists that they can't stand. I believe the person wrote that they couldn't stand Sting because in his latest works, he seems full of himself. I'm glad I don't have the exposure to media that these other music fans have, because then my bias towards an artist might be influenced by something other than the production and writing of their music.
April 21, 2002 Took my daughter to Borders Books today to see Patty Griffin perform a few songs. It was great to hear her play, but she started with "Chief" and my daughter put her hands over her ears for the entire song. Later in the short set, twice actually, when Patty sang a long high note, my daughter made a yawning noise. Did I feel embarassed? A little. We sat on the floor, at the side of the first row of chairs.
April 10, 2002 Received the new Patty Griffin CD, 1000 Kisses on Monday. I cannot review it yet. The CD is too new. My first impression is that it would have been much improved if some of the tracks sounded more like they did when I saw her at the Arc, in Ann Arbor, with Doug Lancio--with more of the Daniel Lanois patented haunting sound.
April 8, 2002 I'm not a music expert and some of my writing testifies to this fact. I try to use what knowledge I have about music and literature to make sense of the instrumentation and lyrics in songs. I think that a song is far more organic than a scoring matrix allows. Roger Ebert does not use a matrix to describe the elements in a movie. It would be absurd. But here I am, using a matrix to describe my gut reaction to music. Why do I do this if it is absurd? I think I will give it a try for now because it makes sense to rate some of these musicians & lyricists relative to each other, so if my friend in Chicago says, "Dave, I liked the introspection in Emm's Public, what other artists are writing this kind of music", I'll be able to send him to the matrix so he can discover more artists who rate high in this category.
On a somewhat related topic, there is a site I like visit to preview the first 30 seconds of each track on most pop CDs out there, cheap-cds.com. Saved myself a bundle checking out if an artist is a one-hit wonder or not.
April 3, 2002 It is hard to write the first draft of the matrix, but I assume that after I get these first 10 albums in the matrix, with values that are permanent and acceptable, then filling out the values for future albums will be much easier. These first 10 are among my favorite CDs, so that's why their scores look inflated.
| index | music reviews | journal | links |