-- SEX POLITICS RELIGION ARTS -- SERIOUS AND HUMOROUS --
It is just a place to come with an open mind,
though ours are not always-Please tell us if they're not!
Even if not perfectly politically aligned with a particular voter, Obama presents several factors with which McCain cannot compete, the largest being "sex appeal". Despite the fact, most will not consciously admit that such a thing could possibly be a motivator for their vote for such an important office, psychologically, it is unavoidable and powerful.
A recent article in The Nation said, "Barack and Michelle Obama channel some of the style of the current early-'60s revival--sleeveless sheaths and chunky pearls, Ocean's 11 and Mad Men--without the alienation. America, they say, you can be cool and sexy again, "back!" and swinging, but secure this time. Those "excesses" of the '60s that Barack mentioned, those family fractures across the demographic board, they can all be resolved through hot married love."
Clearly, this is reflective of a deep attraction that many Americans share. Much like some of Hollywood's top stars, it is the kind of sex appeal that crosses many borders, both geographically and psychologically. Obama is old enough that young men don't feel threatened. He is young enough that old men can admire his virility and obtain a vicarious thrill. And because he is married to an attractive woman and he expresses a clear sense of family values and religiosity, even moderate Christians have no basis for accusations of sexual opportunism, while the right wing can find nothing true over which to judge him, at least of a sexual nature. As for women, gay and bisexual men (even those who simply fantasize), Obama's attraction is self-evident.
The fact he is black, it goes without saying, but I will say it, conjures certain stereotypes that cannot possibly hurt. He sizes up in every category, at least in the voter's imagination.
All of this reasoning stands firm even without considering his opponent. However, McCain couldn't possibly be in a worse position to compete with these factors. McCain's only sex appeal is his wife, and that certainly makes most voters wonder why a beautiful women like Cindy, would favor him sexually. He is a walking poster child for Viagra, which is probably why he shied away from questions given him earlier about Viagra versus birth control. No doubt he has lost the sexual stamina he might have had as a young man. This perception of impotence inevitably parallels a sense of political impotence. Just add to that, McCain's numerous "senior moments", and it is no wonder. The same would never be suggested about Obama.
America seems to secretly admire virility in its politicians, while outwardly condemning it. There seems to be no other explanation for the incredible support Clinton enjoyed while he was otherwise being impeached for his poor sexual judgment. Deep down, most people understand naughty urges , because almost everyone has had them. Europeans are more comfortable with a conscious recognition of this, but Americans at least still pretend to disdain sex while simply doing it or fantasizing about it while watching various entertainers.
Politicians, unlike other entertainers, are highly sexual beings. Anyone who has ever worked on a political campaign can tell you about the sexual attraction to power. When we add to the power, objectively powerful bases, Obama's physicality, intellect, smile, generally gentle yet bold demeanor and his race; it is no wonder many people feel a tingle that may cloud their other political motivations.
Brian Eno Music is many things to many people, what it is not- is static. It lives and evolves. And like the music itself, the means through which it is distributed are also in flux and perhaps never more so.
And what is change? (besides being a political slogan adapted by every single candidate).
Change, as a positive notion, is a continuity of sincere effort to release and let go of inefficient thought patterns from the past. Change is the agency of transformations and of growth. Some of us
change as a result of "seeing the light". Others change only when "feeling the heat".
In this article we see a little bit of both types of incentives for change. Some visionary, and some reactionary. Yet one thing is certain, change is inevitable. Change or die; and even then, the body in the ground will change.
Now here is a gentleman who knows a thing or two
about changes...
David Bowie's performance on A&E's Live By Request
Back in that bleak midwinter, the January of our discontent if you will, the social music service known as Last.fm announced that it would be launching something called the Artist Royalty Program that allows artists to reap royalties each time one of their songs is played through the site's ad-supported streaming music feature or Web radio. (They just have to upload their music first.) This is good news particularly for independent artists. As the music industry struggles to
find a relevant model that embraces the technological and economic realities of the last quarter century, this method (Championed in the UK by We7, a download service founded by Peter Gabriel) is emerging as viable.
On Wednesday July 9th, Last.fm announced that the Artist Royalty Program has launched and that over 450,000 tracks have been uploaded in tangency with it. In a press release the day of the launch Last.fm co-founder Martin Stiksel said of independent artists, "We're leveling the playing field by offering them the same opportunities as established bands to make money from their music. The young musician making music in a bedroom studio has the same chance as the latest major label signing to use Last.fm to build an audience and get rewarded".
Rupert Murdoch Politically savvy artists should take note that Last.fm is an alternative to using MySpace as a promotional hub. (MySpace has been owned by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp since 2005). Last.fm is owned by CBS Interactive. Try the service yourself at http://www.last.fm/music.
Kudos to Last.fm, this service benefits artists but it also benefits consumers!
At the moment it's available only in the U.S., U.K., and Germany,other countries are slated to be added later.
Peter Gabriel
How does such a service work? Let's have a look at We7. Site users can download legal MP3 versions of tracks with advertising attached to the beginning of songs. Four weeks after downloading the track, the user can then download a version without the ad. Artists get paid by the advertisers, music lovers get free tunes, and advertisers reach music fans.
Seems reasonable enough.
After all, artists do need to generate income from their art or eventually no one will be able to afford to be an artist.
We7 major investor and founder, Peter Gabriel, has been involved in several innovative music startups of late, including The Filter, an automatic playlist generation program that is also free to download. He and Brian Eno were major financial backers of OD2, a "digital service provider" that has formed the foundation of many European online music stores. Both Gabriel
and Eno penned the manifesto for MUTHA ("Magnificent Union of Digitally Downloading Artists"- a musician's union formed to give artists a collective voice in the development, implementation and general direction of new models in music distribution ) .
“When you have to make a choice and don't make it, that is in itself a choice.”
--- William James, American Philosopher, Psychologist, and Pragmatist
If you haven't tried the Filter, give it a go at http://www.thefilter.com. In less than a minute, entertainment recommendations appear before your very eyes. It's a great way to discover new
ways to feed your brain! Looking back on the older methods of music distribution, one arguably positive service they performed was to filter amateur or just plain poor music from public consumption. Internet distribution offers so many choices that recommendations can be quite a time saver. After all, of the over 20 million music sites on MySpace, how many would you say are listenable?
“The artist is the only one who knows that the world is a subjective creation, that there is a choice to be made, a selection of elements”
--- Anais Nin
“I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.”
--- Jimmy Dean (Yes, the sausage guy)
Duly Consider and Considerable Sounds are TM of this publication and are subject to liabilities thereof
What is new in the world? Nothing. What is old in the world? Nothing. Everything has always been and will always be. -Sai Baba
The Universe is expanding, eventually it will be a cold dark place. In time, there will be too much space between the elements of subatomic particles to exist as matter, all matter will become energy, the universe will cease to exist. Time is just a line between 2 notions. Our first subject is a notion of something old. In music and art, time is relative too. Something that originated in a prior time can be quite new and exciting if you never encountered it before. I am imagining contemporary renditions of some "baby boomer" classics-
Bob Dylan: Like A Kidney Stone...
Herman's Hermits: Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Walker...
Ringo Starr: I Get By With a Little Help From Depends...
Roberta Flack: The First Time Ever I Forgot Your Face...
Abba: Denture Queen...
Paul Simon: Fifty Ways to Lose Your Liver...
Willie Nelson: On the Commode Again...
Johnny Nash: I Can't See Clearly Now ....
Papa's Got A Brand New Colostomy Bag...
I Am Woman, Hear Me Snore...
Or A Whiter Shade Of Gray...
Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. This old advice offered to brides is well known, but where did the tradition come from? Well ,the often forgotten next line reveals the origin.
Something old, something new Something borrowed, something blue And a silver sixpence in her shoe.
A sixpence is a coin that was minted in Britain from 1551 to 1967. It was made of silver and worth six pennies. So this wedding tradition is definitely English, as is Procol Harum. SOMETHING OLD-
Did Someone say Procol Harum?
The British rock band, formed in the 1960s, who arguably laid the foundation for all progressive rock, symphonic rock, and art rock. They are best remembered for "A Whiter Shade of Pale" released in 1967, which is a staple item on classic rock polls. Procol Harum, largely known for their symphonic style, were equally adept at the blues, and pure pop. What makes this music so special? The velvet vocals of Gary Brooker, the Bach influenced keyboard lines provided by Hammond organist Matthew Fisher, Robin Trower's guitar musings, and the incomparable lyrics of Kieth Reid which tie the repertoire together.
Those familiar with the band's voluminous catalog hopefully will have some memories stirred, and those who are unfamiliar hopefully have some fertile grounds to explore.
2 of my favorite lyrics (though they all are quite interesting), are from the "Shine On Brightly" album:
Glimpses Of Nirvana Words by Keith Reid
In the darkness of the night, only occasionally relieved by glimpses of Nirvana as seen through other people's windows, wallowing in a morass of self-despair made only more painful by the knowledge that all I am is of my own making ...
When everything around me, even the kitchen ceiling, has collapsed and crumbled without warning. And I am left, standing alive and well, looking up and wondering why and wherefore.
At a time like this, which exists maybe only for me, but is nonetheless real, if I can communicate, and in the telling and the bearing of my soul anything is gained, even though the words which I use are pretentious and make you cringe with embarrassment, let me remind you of the pilgrim who asked for an audience with the Dalai Lama.
He was told he must first spend five years in contemplation. After the five years, he was ushered into the Dalai Lama's presence, who said, 'Well, my son, what do you wish to know?' So the pilgrim said, 'I wish to know the meaning of life, father.' And the Dalai Lama smiled and said, 'Well my son, life is like a beanstalk, isn't it?'
Held close by that which some despise which some call fake, and others lies And somewhat small for one so tall a doubting Thomas who would be? It's written plain for all to see for one who I am with no more it's hard at times, it's awful raw They say that Jesus healed the sick and helped the poor and those unsure believed his eyes - a strange disguise Still write it down, it might be read nothing's better left unsaid only sometimes, still no doubt it's hard to see, it all works out
Shine On Brightly Words by Keith Reid
My Prussian-blue electric clock's alarm bell rings, it will not stop and I can see no end in sight and search in vain by candlelight for some long road that goes nowhere for some signpost that is not there And even my befuddled brain is shining brightly, quite insane.
The chandelier is in full swing as gifts for me the three kings bring of myrrh and frankincense, I'm told, and fat old Buddhas carved in gold And though it seems they smile with glee I know in truth they envy me and watch as my befuddled brain shines on brightly quite insane.
Above all else confusion reigns And though I ask no-one explains My eunuch friend has been and gone He said that I must soldier on And though the Ferris wheel spins round my tongue it seems has run aground and croaks as my befuddled brain shines on brightly, quite insane
At various points, the Musicians who performed with Procol Harum include : •Gary Brooker • Geoff Dunn • Matt Pegg • Josh Phillips • Geoff Whitehorn • Keith Reid •Dave Ball • Graham Broad • Dave Bronze • Mark Brzezicki • Alan Cartwright • Chris Copping • Matthew Fisher • Mick Grabham • Bobby Harrison • David Knights • Dee Murray • Tim Renwick • Ray Royer • Don Snow • Pete Solley • Henry Spinetti • Jerry Stevenson • Robin Trower • Ian Wallace • B.J. Wilson • Guy Stevens • Bill Eyden • Tim Renwick
Their studio albums include: Procol Harum • Shine On Brightly • A Salty Dog • Home • Broken Barricades • Grand Hotel • Exotic Birds and Fruit • Procol's Ninth • Something Magic • The Prodigal Stranger • and The Well's on Fire . (Also Secrets of the Hive, a "best of" double CD released in 2007) They also have the live recordings:
Procol Harum Live with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra and One More Time - Live in Utrecht 1992.
Douglas Adams's second book in the Hitchhiker Trilogy, "The Restaurant At the End of the Universe," was inspired by the song "Grand Hotel", from Procol Harum's album of the same name; according to his account in "The Salmon of Doubt: Hitchhiking the Galaxy One Last Time" - a posthumous collection of previously unpublished material which was published in 2001. Why should this be in your MP3 player? The melancholy vocal delivery of Brooker, combined with the brilliant poetry of Keith Reid, the dark humor, excellent orchestrations, dramatic drumming, imperial Hammond organs, and virtuous guitar explorations should merit your attention.
SOMETHING NEW-
The Mayfire
Bolero Punk Often new musical trails are blazed by combining existing genres that have not previously been deemed compatible.
This band is led by guitarist Cattarina “Cat” Tasso - who refers to herself as a “Chilean girl playing a Canadian guitar”—The May Fire is a staunchly independent act with an ironclad D.I.Y. ethic. Their style mixes musical and cultural influences from three different countries (co-guitarist Nachito and drummer El Pipe are Columbian, and bassist Rob Gwin hails from Connecticut,USA). The band shifts through grunge, indie, latin, and punk gears in a calculated and quirky manner.
Cat Tasso
Cat Tasso
“Moving to San Francisco from Los Angeles did something to me,” said Tasso in a recent interview with Deirdre H. Jones for Guitar Player Magazine. “I was so mad that the weather was cold and gloomy all the time that my style began to morph to reflect my dark surroundings. My guitar playing became sullen and loud and more to the point. The volume became a wall that I could feel as much as hear. Now I love my sound, so I think the weather grew on me!”
"In Chile, I would stay up late with my parents, and listen to opera, as well as boleros and tangos from Argentina. My mom taught me a little Spanish riff on the guitar when I was 12, but I mostly studied classical piano. I quit piano because I didn’t like to practice, and I picked up the guitar again after somebody mysteriously left some old guitar lesson books in my mailbox." "My style is messy and raw. It’s decent by accident. It developed through time as I tried to figure out why my power chords weren’t cool. There’s nothing too complicated about power chords, but I discovered that you need to have a special mojo when you play them. When I heard David Gilmour on Pink Floyd’s Animals, my mind understood life in a completely different way. I think maybe he brainwashed me. In the May Fire, I typically play the body of the song and the riffs, and Nachito dresses things up with his solos and tones. He can play with a lot of precision, but he can also be strange and moody."
The Spanish Bolero is a noticeable influence on the songwriting though it is heavily filtered through a punk lens. The steady pulse is prominent, this is dance music. But it is not limited to dance music. It's unusual combination of flavors, akin to an aguardiente flavored toffee candy dusted in a fine habanero powder, makes this something new. Their music is available here.
SOMETHING BORROWED-
Bryan Ferry's Dylanesque I am a longtime fan of Ferry's approach to music, I've always believed he possessed one of the most unique voices in modern music. The fact that he did not get the gig with King Crimson allowed Roxy Music to flourish. I had the pleasure of seeing him do an entire evening of Cole Porter tunes a few years ago with a full orchestra. Truly stunning. Bryan is no stranger to "borrowed" songs but this CD is remarkable and a "must have". Here is a clip of "Just Like Tom Thumb Blues" from the David Letterman Show.
Though I imagine the purists may believe Dylanesque is sacrilege or perhaps view this CD as simply blasphemous, but the Roxy Music singer vastly refines Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues and All Along the Watchtower with an edgy agitation and his personal classicist touch. His treatment reveals both flaw and beauty in the songs of Bob Dylan gone previously unseen. A breathtaking and exquisite listening experience. Cue it up!
SOMETHING BLUE-
The extraordinary Chicago Blues Festival has grown leaps and bounds since it's inception twenty-five years ago and now spotlights over ninety performances on six stages from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. The Chicago Blues Festival is undeniably one of the biggest and best Blues events on the planet, attracting hundreds of thousands of people from all around the globe to Grant Park, year after year.
This Year the Festival is June 5-8, 2008.
Admission into the Chicago Blues Festival in Grant Park is Free!
All the concerts are free admission.
Food and beverage tickets are sold in strips of 12 for $8.00.
The Main Stage at the Petrillo Music Shell events are as follows:
Thursday, June 5, 2008 "Catfish Blues"
6:00-7:00 - Big Time Sarah and the BTS Express 7:10-8:20 - Duke Robillard's Tribute to Louis Jordan featuring Plas Johnson and Red Holloway 8:30-9:30 - Johnny Winter w/James Cotton
Friday, June 6, 2008 "Sweet Home Chicago"
6:00-7:15 - "Blasts From the Past" featuring Ruby Andrews, Cicero Blake, and Sugar Pie DeSanto with Willie Henderson 7:25-8:25 - Eddy "The Chief" Clearwater's West Side Strut with special guests Lonnie Brooks, Jimmy Johnson, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Otis Clay and Billy Branch 8:35-9:30 - Koko Taylor and Her Blues Machine
Saturday, June 7, 2008 "Let the Good Times Roll"
5:00-6:00 - Lil Ed and the Blues Imperials 6:10-7:05 - Barbara Lynn with Lil' Buck and the Buckaroos 7:15-8:25 - Theodis Ealey 8:35-9:30 - Buckwheat Zydeco
Sunday, June 8, 2008 "Everyday I Have the Blues"
5:00-6:10 - Karen Carroll w/ Charlie Love and special guest Lurrie Bell 6:30-7:25 - Magic Slim and the Teardrops 7:35-8:05 - Little Willie Littlefield 8:15-9:30 - B.B. King
Other stages include:
The Front Porch Stage-
Thursday, June 5, 2008 "Catfish Blues"
11:00-12:15 - Blues in the Schools w/ Katherine Davis, Erwin Helfer, Eric Noden and the Stone Academy Blues All Stars 12:45-2:00 - Professor Fernando Jones Columbia College Blues Ensemble 2:30-3:45 - David Honey Boy Edwards and Friends (Billy Branch, Louisiana Red, Paul Kaye, Aron Burton, and Johnny Yard Dog Jones) 4:15-5:30 - Pinetop Perkins with more friends (Willie Smith, Bob Margolin, Bob Stroger, Kenny Smith) 6:00-7:00 - Inetta Visor
Friday, June 6, 2008 "Sweet Home Chicago"
11:00-12:00 - Keith Frank and the Soileau Zydeco Band 12:30-1:30 - Little Willie Littlefield 2:00-3:15 - Jo Jo Murray and Joy Hills 3:45-5:00 - Peaches and the Groove Shakers 5:30-7:00 - Tear Drop Sessions
Saturday, June 7, 2008 "Let the Good Times Roll"
11:00-12:00 - Shorty Mack and the Magnificent R&B Blues Band 12:30-1:30 - Liz Mandville and the Blue Points 2:00-3:00 - Charles Hayes and the Hayes Family Band 3:30-5:00 - Recapturing the Banjo Project featuring Otis Taylor, Don Vappie, and Guy Davis 5:30-6:30 - John Hammond 7:00-8:00 - Milwaukee Blues All Stars ftg Stokes and Milwaukee Slim
Sunday, June 8, 2008 "Everyday I Have the Blues"
11:00-12:30 - Victory Travelers 1:00-2:00 - Marie Knight 2:30-3:30 - Tony Joe White 4:00-5:30 - Davell Crawford 6:00-7:30 - LaVelle White
At the Louisiana Bayou Station and Social Club stage-
Thursday, June 5, 2008 "Catfish Blues"
11:30-12:30 - Louisiana Red 1:00-2:00 - Nuwki Nu 2:30-4:00 - Keith Frank and the Soileau Zydeco Band 4:30-5:30 - Little Willie Littlefield
Friday, June 6, 2008 "Sweet Home Chicago"
11:30-12:30 - Little Arthur’s Backscratchers ftg. Reginald Cooper 1:00-2:00 - Les Getrex and Creole Cookin' 2:30-3:30 - Omar Shariff 4:00-5:30 - Bryan Lee & the Blues Power Band
Saturday, June 7, 2008 "Let the Good Times Roll"
11:30-12:30 - Little Willie Littlefield 1:00-2:00 - Guy Davis and the High Flying Rockets 2:30-3:30 - Bumble Bee Bob 4:00-5:00 - Omar Shariff
Sunday, June 8, 2008 "Everyday I Have the Blues"
11:30-12:30 - Geraldine and Donald Gay 1:00-2:00 - Davell Crawford 2:30-3:30 - Paul Geremia 4:00-5:00 - John Boutte
At the Gibson Guitar Crossroads stage-
Thursday, June 5, 2008 "Catfish Blues"
12:00-1:30 - Patricia Scott w/J.W. Williams 2:00-3:30 - Big Ray and Chicago's Most Wanted 4:00-5:30 - Sharon Lewis and Texas Fire
Friday, June 6, 2008 "Sweet Home Chicago"
12:00-1:30 - West Side Tribute to Jumpin' Willie Cobbs featuring Joe B Band 2:00-3:30 - Larry Taylor's West Side Blues and Soul Band 4:00-5:30 - The Taylor's Family Band
Saturday, June 7, 2008 "Let the Good Times Roll"
12:00-1:15 - Keith Frank and the Soileau Zydeco Band 1:45-3:15 - Chick Rogers 3:30-5:00 - PG Man
Sunday, June 8, 2008 "Everyday I Have the Blues"
12:00-1:15 - Rodney Brown's salute to Louis Jordan 1:30-2:45 - Big James Montgomery and the Playboys 3:15-4:30 - Charles Wilson
On the Mississippi Juke Joint stage-
Thursday, June 5, 2008 "Catfish Blues"
12:00-2:30 - A Day with Jimmy Burns featuring the Chicago Blues Round Robin 3:00-4:00 - L.C. Ulmer 4:30-5:30 - Jimmy Burns Blues Band 6:00-8:00 - Jam hosted by Jimmy Burns
Friday, June 6, 2008 "Sweet Home Chicago"
12:00-12:30 - Rising Star Fife and Drum featuring the Thomas Family 1:00-2:30 - Afrissisppi 3:00-4:00 - Sam Lay 4:30-5:30 - L.C. Ulmer 6:00-8:00 - Jam hosted by Kenny Smith
Saturday, June 7, 2008 "Let the Good Times Roll"
12:00-12:30 - Rising Star Fife and Drum: featuring the Thomas Family 1:00-2:00 - Theodis Ealey (Brothers Reunion) 2:30-4:00 - Juke Joint Duo: Cedric Burnside and Lightnin' Malcolm 4:30-5:30 - T-Model Ford 6:00-8:00 - Jam hosted by Rosa's All Star Jam Band Featuring James Wheeler
Sunday, June 8, 2008 "Everyday I Have the Blues"
12:30-1:00 - Rising Star Fife and Drum: featuring the Thomas Family 1:30-3:00 - Juke Joint Duo: Cedric Burnside and Lightnin' Malcolm 3:00-4:30 - T Model Ford 5:00-7:00 - Jam hosted by Kenny Smith
There are also more stages with performances throughout the festival.
The festival’s final night will be a majestic event with headliners that include Little Willie Littlefield, Bobby Parker and Karen Carroll with Charlie Love and special guest Lurrie Bell, and of course, B.B. King.
B.B. King, oft referred to as the King of the Blues, has honored stages worldwide, and now, at age 82, continues to tour as often as he did in his salad days. King has not played the Chicago Blues Festival since 1988, so this year will be a welcome return! Born Riley B. King, B.B. (Blues Boy) King has recorded more than fifty albums, many of them classics. With his agile left-hand vibrato and haunting vocal-like string bending, he is easily one of the most identifiable guitarists in the time space continuum, and of course nothing less than royalty in the blues world.
King has been an influence on an incalculable number of musicians, including Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and George Harrison; he has won numerous awards including a NARAS Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award, honorary doctorates, and in 1984, was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame.
Duly Consider joining Little Willie Littlefield, Karen Carroll, Bobby Parker, Buckwheat Zydeco, Lil’ Ed and the Imperials, Koko Taylor, Eddy “the Chief” Clearwater, James Cotton and Johnny Winter this June. More information about this free festival can be obtained at www.chicagobluesfestival.us!
“Blues music is easy to play, but hard to feel”-Jimi Hendrix
Duly Consider and Considerable Sounds are TM of this publication and are subject to liabilities thereof
