Beetz in the City
January 3, 2010
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| Christmas in Colorado |
After spending Christmas in Colorado with Nate’s family, snow shoeing, eating, eating and eating we came home to New York to find sub-zero temperatures and my friend Sarah who I hadn’t seen for three years. She and her man Jassim arrived in New York for a visit over New Year’s Eve. Seeing her, it was like no time at all had passed.
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| New Year’s Eve NYC 2009 – Click for all pics |
Dinner at Almond then dancing to Los Lobos at City Winery. Can’t wait to see what 2010 brings. Whatever comes, I know it’s going to be good. And never, ever boring.
The Long Count at Brooklyn Academy of Music
October 31, 2009
After some wine (good), cheeses (good) and pork belly (meh) last night at Stonehome Wine Bar & Restaurant, Nate treated me to a show at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (aka BAM).
It’s a known fact that I <heart> The National. I have eagerly been waiting and half dreading the release of their next album after the always current, amazing, gut wrenching, get-stuck-in-your-head-for-weeks 2007 album Boxer. My hopes are high and my fingers are crossed that the follow up will be as good if not better. Last night we saw Bryce & Aaron Dressner of The National, coordinate a collaboration of rock & roll, imagery (by Matthew Ritchie) and vocals set to their original collection of compositions titled The Long Count.
After Shara Worden (My Brightest Diamond) slowly glided onto stage and opened the show between the twins with the voice of an angel, the sound quality crashed and burned on the second piece and sisters Kim and Kelley Deal (The Breeders, The Pixies) somehow made it through. I felt for those girls and their faulty microphones.
I didn’t read the program before seeing this show. On the 2 train heading home afterwards we scratched our heads at the show’s analogy of the world starting in 1976 after the Cincinnati Reds won the World Series, the significance of twins and the Mayan calendar that depicts the end of the world in 2012. I don’t know – I didn’t get all that and I’m sort of glad I didn’t have the background before seeing the show. Frankly, getting to hear Matt Berninger, lead vocalist for The National sing just one song in a relatively intimate venue – well that was delicious.
The Loudest Show I’ve Ever Seen
October 10, 2009
Music aficionado Kevin offered Nate and I two tickets to see the Psychedelic Furs last night. Having grown up listening to them, it was a real treat. Our group consisted of Kevin & Leo who live in Brooklyn and Torrey who was visiting from San Francisco. Get this – they all lived in Santa Barbara at one time. I’m starting to think it’s a prerequisite to hanging out with Nate. Anyhoo, we did our best Molly Ringwald dance impersonation throughout the show. It was so much fun. More photos.
Beforehand we met up with Torrey at her swanky hotel Grace near Times Square. From the bar we watched people swimming in the pool that sits in the lobby, which was kind of weird because well we were all wearing clothes and they…were not.
Ended the night with ears ringing atop the hotel Dream at the Ava lounge that looks over Times Square.
And at 1am on the 2 train heading uptown, everyone is sleepy. Everyone.
L’Inconnu Gets Well Deserved Attention
August 16, 2009
I like this artsy photo. Taken a few weeks back on a warm Friday night in Montreal at a little restaurant called L’Inconnu. That’s Nate. He works hard as a jazz trumpeter and vocalist. He was just pinged to open up for Diana Krall in Santa Barbara next weekend. A well deserved opportunity for a hard working man. Congratulations you.
Jazzfest
July 11, 2009
N. & R. made it to Montreal for the last weekend of Jazzfest. A six hour drive from Scranton PA and the skies have been clear here since. I thank you. Jazzfest is a well organized, roomy, fun time. Good food, good music, everyone is in a great mood and here for a fun time. Loving it.
Among others seen – Burning Spear (first negotiation with a scalper for concert tickets – success!), Bet E., countless other vocalists & musicians on the outdoor stages. Last night – N. played at Upstairs Jazz on Mackay. Excellent collective of musicians drawing the late night/early morning crowd in.
Bossa Nova
July 1, 2009
Saw Luciana Souza sing with guitarist Romero Lubambo at Club Soda on St Laurent tonight. Her opening song of So Danco Samba (my all time favorite Getz) was lovely and she and Romero scatted Brazilian style through two sets of bossa nova and two jazz song: You Go To My Head and But Not For Me. Hey, it’s Jazzfest, they have to do a couple classics.
In my opinion scatting is never ok and sets off a fit of laughter as inappropriate as giggling at a funeral but I can’t help it (i.e. sorry Kurt Elling for having to rush to the ladies room when you started to shoo boo bee boop at Birdland a few weeks ago). When Luciana did it tonight, it was more of a marvel at her telepathic ability to move her mouth as quickly and melodicly as a guitar being plucked in perfect tune.
With shows all over the city on outdoor stages and indoor venues starting at 1pm through midnight for the next ten days there aren’t enough hours in the day to take in all of Jazzfest. I’ll do my best.
Montreal Jazzfest
July 1, 2009
And so it begins.
Tens of thousands of visitors arrive in Montreal this week for the 30th annual Montral Jazzfest. Last night Stevie Wonder opened up the festival with a free outdoor concert. Tonight I’m going to see some Brazilian basso nova featuring Luciana Souza with my co-worker.
Photos from what is the city’s biggest festival of the year, to follow.
The Doves – Seeking New Drummer
June 4, 2009
I first heard The Doves while driving down a dirt road in Mexico at about 60mph with my Jersey turned British friend Danimal. At top volume we risked our lives for the sake of supplies like fireworks and limes for the crew back at the house we had rented for the weekend. Fond memories of a good time with a great soundtrack.
So, imagine my surprise when arriving at Le National here in Montreal – a movie house turned small music venue and watching the band get settled in with their instruments, only to hear off beat (literally) versions of familiar songs all night. I gave up trying to tap my foot in time because the drummer wouldn’t cooperate for more than half a song at a time. Disappointing but glad I saw them live.
Radio City Music Hall
May 5, 2009
Radio City Music Hall - Dark Was The Night
Where was I last Sunday night?
At Radio City Music Hall
Among others at the Dark Was The Night event: David Byrne, Sharon Jones, Bon Iver, My Brightest Diamond, Fiest and finally after missing them three times in three different cities The National. It is a show that will go down on a favorite page of my own history book.
