i am a camera

My favorite bass player

2011-03-24T19:37:00.000-07:00

Colin Moulding of xtc is my favorite bass player. His excellent melody, counterpoint, and rhythm are inspirational. I guess it doesn't hurt to have one of the best songwriters to accompany many of them.

Here are three of my favorites:

Bees Knees

2011-03-02T08:10:00.000-08:00

From an interesting connection in the B section of my itunes, here are three songs that share a certain sense of energy. I can't find the version of the BLK JKS song that is the same as the Mystery EP that I have. The sonic palette of this music is thrilling.

From the future to the past. Black Blade is one of those Blue Oyster Cult songs that doesn't get old for me. I wore this tape out as a kid.

Finally, the Buzzcocks. I particularly like the sound of the bass in this song. It reminds me of Joe Jackson's "Look Sharp."

Celebrate

2011-02-25T16:20:00.000-08:00

48 Minute Crash Echo

2011-02-10T10:17:00.000-08:00

Echo-Static - Watching Confusion from Brian Dell on Vimeo.

2011-02-09T21:15:00.000-08:00

Three more

2011-02-08T22:39:00.000-08:00

Another three for today.

Three Songs a Day

2011-02-07T21:56:00.000-08:00

I'll be acting as a DJ for a while. I'm just going to post links to three videos that I feel the day is calling for. Sometimes the video might be relevant, but I am mostly linking to these for the tunes. Feel free to dim the screen, put on some headphones and enjoy...well I won't promise enjoyment, but it should be thought provoking.

2/7/11

Lemons in the front yard

2007-02-03T18:08:00.000-08:00

Does it really happen?

The recipe calls for the zest of one lemon and I walk out--in my moccassins--to the tree in the front yard and pull one from the back where the dew hasn't evaporated.

I hear Modest Mouse in a discount clothing store while shoppers pick through purses following a familar Doobie Brothers tune. I can't imagine they had this in mind when they wrote the song, but then again, according to wikipedia the did, once upon a time, sell minivans with their music. Perhaps this is part of their master plan.

Al Shaver's Genius

2007-01-28T19:42:00.000-08:00

I've been enjoying a long stretch of calm the last little while, but I have fallen out of touch with some friends and for that I will make amends. I used to think you made amens not amends, perhaps I should do that as well. My mom bought us TiVo for Christmas. Once you use TiVo, watching television is never quite the same. The novelty hasn't worn off, so we are watching a lot of it lately. I am thrilled that I can watch Minnesota Gopher hockey in southern California where I can pause the game and walk to the store in my shorts for some snacks. My allegiances to sports teams have tended to follow the wind and my current zip code. Gopher hockey, however, sticks with me. I like the fact that a strong majority of the team is from Minnesota, where I even watched some of them play in high school. There is only one non-Minnesotan on the team this year, but I can let that slip because he is one of the best goaltenders in the nation. This seems like a unique situation in sports--when a team actually represents their state. I wouldn't be surprised to see the gophers in the Frozen Four. They are having a great season, but have just hit some bumps.

As a kid I used to stay up late listening to Al Shaver call the Minnesota North Stars games. This I am realizing was a unique and formative experience.

Here is an example of Al Shaver's genius.

Minneapolis as An Adolescent

2006-10-30T21:35:00.000-08:00

A while ago I went to a therapist. I told her that I am not always on--I am very inconsistent. She asked if I was okay with being inconsistent and I said of course, I've been that way all my life. It's no surprise to me. Here I am writing not feeling the need to apologize for my lack of activity. I am just an inconsistent person. I'm also terrible at multi-tasking, I pay little attention to detail, and am not particularly organized. I keep looking for a job description that doesn't include those desired attributes.

D is still hurting. We ordered cable so we might rest and get better. TV feels like radio now. I'm just trying to find something different and all I get is the same shows played over and over. I don't think I'll ever be compelled to set a VCR again.

I've been out of touch with some people--sorry. I am feeling a bit of energy, which probably explains why my itunes downloading activity has increased--or is that the cause. I bought XTC's Black Sea which is now the third time I have officially paid for the album. My cassette wore out and my record is in Minnesota. I couldn't wait. I really think Travels in Nihilon would be a great song to remake. You might think I'm crazy, but there are some great subtleties to that song that could be brought out.

Speaking of Minnesota, I went back last week for my Mom's wedding. We had a blast playing football in the street. I miss my brothers--they are great people. I am truly lucky to have two of the best people I know as my brothers.

It really feels like Minnesota has changed since I left. The city has become so upscale, and the country has become so "red state." I remember when Minneapolis was a gritty working town. It felt colder then, but more welcoming. It seems like the middle class, which felt before like all of Minnesota, is disappearing. There are such extremes of wealth and poverty in the city that it makes me worried.

I was in Minnesota during what I believe was an adolescence and I missed it's coming of age. You can see the Minneapolis I remember in this Husker Du video. I miss it.

Best Guitar Player in Spirit

2006-08-31T00:44:00.000-07:00

Welcome back B. It wasn't hard for me to think of an answer to Dirk's earlier comment. The best guitar player in spirit has to be Nick Drake. These days I am learning about sadness, pain, and loss and finally seeing that they lie right alongside happiness, joy, and love. All of these things are always with us--just like Nick.

I found this touching video because it uses a great Nick Drake song and the dog reminds me of Ginger. Ginger used to wake me up at 6 every morning to go for a run even in the frozen months. Ginger, Rosie, Ceasar--I miss you.

Hawaii

2006-08-16T15:12:00.000-07:00

We got married on August 4th at Shipwreck Beach! Hawaii was a magical, magnificent place. We spent a whole day snorkeling in the pouring rain, swimming with a sea turtle and dodging some big fish that seemed intent on tasting our toes. It is impossible to put into words the incredible happiness I felt--a breath of fresh air, a smile.

Morning Breakfast

Afternoon Snorkel at Anini Beach

The best living guitar player

2006-07-31T21:03:00.000-07:00

Adrian Belew may be the best living guitar player. OK--I've checked and it's official. The guitar seems to move him--it comes to life and plays the player. One of the best shows I have ever seen was his Inner Revolution tour at the Barrymore in Madison. We had front row seats and watched as the music smiled on us. The highlight for me that evening was The Rail Song. Of course you can catch Adrian with King Crimson as well these days. There you can see the perfect compliment to Adrian in Robert Fripp who seems to will the guitar, while the guitar wills Adrian. Here is a clip that just belew me away.

Flaming Lips

2006-07-25T22:17:00.000-07:00

The show was great. As I left the show I wasn't overly excited. I was expecting the energy level to be high, but I found the mood to be slightly somber. As I reflect on the show I realize that the songs and performances were powerful in a different way. The emotional songs are sticking with me. They did a great job capturing the uncertainty and troubles we are collectively in at the moment. Acknowledging the confusion and pain while asking everyone to help support each other. It was refreshing to see a band perform with honest emotions rather than the usual overly enthusiastic act that has become the standard at a rock show. The more I think about it, the more I appreciate the experience. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't a downer--we had a lot of fun. A few highlights: Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots Pt. 2 (a crazy instrumental with 20,000 glow sticks flying like a food fight), and My Cosmic Autumn Rebellion (a beautiful sing-a-long). They closed the show with a cover of "War Pigs" with images of Bush, Rumsfeld, etc, and bombs. I think they meant to send a message that wasn't altogether pretty. They were shooting a DVD so you might get to see the show as well. Until then, here is a clip from the show. (Please excuse the quality--I'll do better next time--this was just made with my portable camera).

2006-07-23T08:55:00.000-07:00

Flaming Lips Tonight

Tonight we are going to see the Flaming Lips at the Hollywood bowl. The Bowl is a great outdoor amphitheater where you bring a picnic to eat either at you bench or at picnic spots around. It has been a magical experience everytime. You might be able to see the white Hollywood sign just to the right of my head.

I have been quite a fan since Transmissions From the Satellite Heart which is quite a masterpiece. The new album At War with the Mystics was a life changing experience for me. I stongly suggest seeing the documentary Fearless Freaks to shed light on the album. I am ready to be moved.

As a follow up to an earlier post, here are the top songs on my Mac mini iTunes:

The Will Always Negates Defeat (The Flaming Lips)
Given to Fly--live (Pearl Jam) --I know I'm as surprised as you.
Haven't Got a Clue (The Flaming Lips)
My Cosmic Autumn Rebellion--The Inner Life As Blazing Shield Of Defiance And Optimism As Celestial Spear Of Action--(The Flaming Lips)
The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song--With All Your Power (The Flaming Lips)
Everybody I love You (Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young)
Vein of Stars (The Flaming Lips)
The W.A.N.D (The Flaming Lips) Yes it's on here twice because I bought the single before the album. And yes, both make it into the top--one has one profane word erased. Total listens:67
Mr. Ambulance Driver (The Flaming Lips)
It Overtakes Me/The Stars Are So Big...I Am So Small...Do I Stand A Chance? (The Flaming Lips)
We Have Heaven (Yes)
Five Per Cent For Nothing (Yes)
Pompeii Am Götterdämmerung (The Flaming Lips)
Elephant Talk (King Crimson)
Goin’ On (The Flaming Lips)
Discipline (King Crimson)

This is what I have been listening to lately. Much more positive, but it wouldn't make a great set unless you were on the way to a Flaming Lips show!

iTunes

2006-07-23T08:19:00.000-07:00

My brother and sister-in-law gave me a gift card for iTunes for my birthday. I love getting music--it is a thrill that shouldn't feel quite as good as it does. I sometimes feel like the record industry has created an addictive drug that I must continue to consume. I used to swallow up radio, but there is almost nothing interesting left on air. Now I am struggling with choices. 99 cents is a great deal for a song, but I am hesitant to buy an album for $9.99. So I am stuck trying to find songs that I would not ever want to buy the whole album. This is very difficult. I find that I end up buying songs for nostalgia that used to play on the radio. I won't admit just yet what I bought. I've got $15 left to spend--suggestions are welcome. I also find the tracking of my listening habits on iTunes a little disturbing and a bit fascinating. My iPod used to be connected to a laptop, but is now connected to my Mac mini.

Here are my most played songs from the laptop:

Chest Fever (The Band)
Extraordinary Machine (Fiona Apple)
Wings of Thorn (Guided by Voices)
Universal Truths and Cycles (Guided by Voices)
Jesus Hairdo (Charlatans UK)
Stagnation (Genesis)
Huffer (The Breeders)
Storm Vibrations (Guided by Voices)
Carbon Monoxide (Regina Spektor)
Father and Son (Johnny Cash and Fiona Apple)
Forever for Her is Over for Me (The White Stripes)
Looking for Someone (Genesis)
Don't Change (INXS)
The One Thing (INXS)
Hold my Life (The Replacements)
We're Going to be Friends (The White Stripes)
Frosty the Snowman (Fiona Apple)
Dog and Butterfly (Heart)
All Used Up (Sloan)
Have a Heart (Bettie Sereveert)

I know you are saying "camera, where is all the Zeppelin, Yes, and Floyd you speak so fondly of?" I don't have an answer. But this would make a great radio set.

2006-07-12T22:11:00.000-07:00

Something about Dirk's class going swimmingly made think of my days at Roosevelt Junior High. You can see a clip of what is now the middle school. There was a pool at the school which meant that swimming was included in gym class. I'm not sure if everyone today goes through this rite of passage, but I remember fondly the tight fitting (almost spedo-style) matching suits everyone wore. When I did a google search for an image of Junior High school swimming suits, two of the first three sites were from Minnesota, so perhaps this is a regional thing. I couldn't find an appropriate image and I don't think I will post the pictures from my junior high yearbook. Wearing those suits was such an uncomfortable experience, but I still savor the slinky skintight memories.

Not much has changed except there are more computers--well I should mention that we had the original apple computers when I was there and I learned to program in the powerful language BASIC in my math class. Now that I mention it I see how this whole train of thought connects. My math teacher in eighth grade--who taught us programming--was also my swim coach. I also distinctly remember a film about the metric system that made me very ashamed to be using those dirty English units. I'm glad we got away from all of that.

2006-07-05T23:22:00.000-07:00

You can't stop rock and roll.

Fishbone is Red Hot

2006-07-05T18:10:00.000-07:00

In the past few weeks we went for a great hike in the Malibu canyons with Robert and Stephanie. We hiked through some thick brush up a river bed to a waterfall. There are some photos on The Barrington Blog.

I had a streak of luck this weekend. Robert, Phil, and I entered a limit hold 'em tournament and I managed to make 5th place of 77 which paid quite well. A few things I learned about poker tournaments: 1) people get mad when you beat them 2) most 70 year old women are extraordinary poker players 3) some people are mean 4) some people are nice 5) you really do have to know when to hold them and when to fold them 4) it helps to be able to count and 6) I think a straight beats two pair.

The tournament was at Hollywood Park in Inglewood. I decided to go the night before to check out the horse racing in part because I wanted to see the place, but also because the price of admission included a Fishbone concert after the racing.

I don't know if I can explain just how exciting Fishbone was. They brought such an amazing and positive energy--and when I say energy I mean intense energy, the kind usually reserved for rants and aggression. I think positive aggression best describes Fishbone. I was filled with genuine excitement and a renewed energy to fight for peace. Fishbone is red hot. I am glad I didn't find a ticket for the sold out radiohead show that night. I would have been amazed and depressed; instead I was awakened and inspired.

I got to chat with Dirk today--it has been far too long. I am happy for him. We talked about a musical project involving large prime numbers--who doesn't love the sound of large prime numbers?

2006-06-29T22:33:00.000-07:00

"This is a call to all my past reservations"