Pick #1
"Moving in Stereo" by The Cars - The Cars are way cool. This video
always reminds me of Phoebe Cates in the movie "Fast Times at Ridgemont
High". Good old Judge Reinhold in his pirate outfit. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_p6a7CiP2bM
Pick #4 "I
wanna be sedated" by The Ramones. My favorite band ever! These guys are
the best. I recommend all of their albums. Too bad and so sad that most of the band
members have passed away. Gabba Gabba Hey!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMD7Ezp3gWc
Feb.23
Pick #1 – “Psycho” by Puddle of Mudd- Yes, I know it’s a bit mainstream but I like the words.
Pick #2 – “Spit it out” by IAMX from the album “The Alternative” – Good pop electronic stuff. When I watch this video, I flash back to Chitty Chitty Bang Bang…here comes the child catcher…..lollypops anyone? I highly recommend the album. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPNmc71b7iE
Feb 16: Pick #1 – “Sex onSaturday” by Jinnrail – You know when a song sticks in your head? You download it and play it over and over and over? This is one ofthose songs, the most played song on my Ipod right now. I wish every day was Saturday. Well, maybe every other day. I am getting older. I couldn’t find the video on youtube so I have the link to the Jinnrail web site.http://www.jinnrail.com/MUSIC.htmlThe song is on the album that looks like a glass containing an alcoholic beverage, of course.
Pick #2 – “Miserable” by Lit – I was a fan of this song by lit before the music video, starring Pamela Anderson, came out. After watching the video, I liked the song that much more. I knew Pamela was a big star but I didn’t realize how big. Make sure you watch the entire video, the end is the best. This one goes out to all the ladies in the audience …
Pick #3 – “I will follow you into the dark” by Death Cab for Cutie – Quirky, mellow pop music. Don’t cry when the bunny dies. Sorry if I bummed you out. (Refer to last week's pick, “beer,” to feel better.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfBw0IWwO5U&feature=related
Pick #4 - "Mamas Room" by Under the Influence of Giants" - Most excellent Abba/Bee Gees groove. This one has a beat and I can dance to it. I give this one an 8 Dick. I am referring to Dick Clark, FYI. Great album. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18mPuMIxRlU
Feb. 9
Pick #1 “Beer” by Psychostick – OK, I know this is dumb but I love what the band is saying…..
Pick #4 “We Danced Together” by The Rakes – These Brits are good. This is from their second album. The first one is the best. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxGx5gybf8k
Feb. 2
Pick #1: Ozzy Osbourne, “Black Rain” from the CD “Black Rain”. Many years ago I sadly hung up my black heavy metal concert tees and cut my hair. I thought heavy metal was dead. The only glimmer of metal came from reunion tours with aged rockers in spandex, chugging Geritol between sets. Say it ain’t so. Then what do you know, Ozzy Osbourne puts out a ROCKIN new album. Yep, the metal God from Black Sabbath, the bat head-biting Blizzard of OZ, is back. This album is one of my many guilty pleasures – just check out the single… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9jOznuGMrk&feature=related
Pick #2: Cheap Trick, “If You Want My Love” from the CD “One on One". These guys are the best. I have seen them in concert a few times and they never disappoint. This one goes out to the love of my life. She likes this song as well… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnYwV0ccbqU
Pick #3: MIA, “Paper Planes” from the CD “Kala”. Who knew you could make a catchy tune out of the sound of a convenience store robbery going terribly wrong?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sei-eEjy4g
Jan 26
Pick #1: Calvin Harris "Merrymaking at My Place" from the CD "I Created Disco"
This song makes me want to move and if you knew me that is saying something.I recommend the entire album
Pick #2: The Dandy Warhols "The Last High" from the CD "Welcome to the Monkey House"
"Bob" and "Tommy Tucker" turned me on to the Dandy Warhols. They are most excellent. This song is dreamy, trippy, toe-tappy. It just makes me feel good without any artificial substances. Think Amy Winehouse.
*seriouslike, this boy scours the airwaves and finds all the best new and retro rock n roll--lend an ear, you won't regret it. You can sample, of course, at iTunes.
LIVE MUSIC REVIEW posted 2/23/2008
Four Metal Bands at Balls Bluff Tavern on Saturday 02/16/08 by DJ Stevie R
So, I was walking my dogs last Saturday afternoon and spotted a sign outside the Balls Bluff Tavern: “4 Metal Bands Tonight." Since my first musical love was 80s metal—Judas Priest, Metallica, Def Leppard--I had to go.
What a mistake.
I took my wife, Bob, and Tommy T. We grabbed a table and some beers and after much instrument tuning the first band began to play. I think their name was “Yard Work” from Richmond. (At least that’s what it sounded like he said.) The cacophony that erupted from the speakers was literally painful--way too much sound for such a small space. No melody, just overdriven noise. My wife emptied packets of Equal so she could shove the empty packets in her ears. The rest of us tore up napkins and fashioned ear plugs. The lead singer was singing but the vocal could not be heard over the wall of noise.
The crowd seemed to consist only of the members of the bands waiting to play. A few dudes stood in front of the band and slightly swayed, weird. Thankfully the set was short and I optimistically waited for the next band. The second band was “blah blah blah” from Sterling. (At least that’s what it sounded like he said.)
Once again the wall of noise assaulted us. We left halfway through the “blah blah blah” set. I give props for the bands efforts. They were enjoying themselves, but this was no Def Leppard or Krokus. In fact this was not heavy metal, but industrial metal, and unfortunately, very bad industrial metal. Of course I’ll return to the Bluff for live acts. But if a sign for "metal" appears again, my dogs and I will just steer clear, and you should too.
LIVE MUSIC REVIEW posted 2/4/2008
Joe Daniel at Balls Bluff Tavern on Saturday 02/02/08 by DJ Stevie R
Rasta darts
Dancing to Joe at the Bluff
Bar scene
My decision to review Joe Daniel at the Balls Bluff Tavern was a matter of convenience. Balls Bluff Tavern is very conveniently located in the heart of the Leesburg downtown. (eds note: The entrance is in the alley that runs parallel to and west of King St between Market and Loudoun, right behind the parking garage.) That being said, I can walk to and from the tavern. This is a very good thing.
I've been to Balls Bluff Tavern only once before. There was no live music playing and only a few people in attendance. It was dark, dank, and smoky. I was not impressed. So when I decided to check out Joe Daniel, I wasn't expecting much. I was pleasantly surprised. The bar was crowded with 20-somethings mixing and mingling and the music was good. Joe Daniel has a great voice. Joe played acoustic guitar while he sang and was accompanied by an electric guitar player and a man on a bongo (Mr. Jewel). The band performed original and cover songs. Just think Jack Johnson, Robert Cray, or John Mayer . The performance appeared to be more of a jam session but that was OK. Not a high energy performance, more blues rock and the chicks dug it. That's what counts. There was impromptu dancing and no cover charge, all and all a good Saturday night out. They even had PBR in bottles. Now if I could just get the smell of cigarette smoke out of my sweater . . .
Acclaimed fiction writer John Rolfe Gardiner, of Unison, has kindly permitted us to link to his wonderful new website[TLR SOUL RATING®: 3.5]where he provides free audiofiles of his own readings of several of his stories. Gardiner is the author of five novels and three story collections, the winner of the Lila Wallace writers award the O'Henry prize, and has appeared in the Best American Short Story anthology. His latest fiction includes "North of Ordinary," which appeared in a recent issue of The American Scholar, and is set in a local Bible college very much like Patrick Henry in Purcellville.
What We're Reading in Leesburg *NEW*
Thanks to Lucy, the manager of Leesburg's Books-a-Million, TLR will be bringing you an EXCLUSIVE monthly list of the bestselling books in town. Here's what sold in January 2008:
Fiction
1) Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
2) The Shooters by Web Griffin
3) Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs
4) Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez*
5) Home to Holly Springs by Jan Karon
6) The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory
7) Atonement by Ian McEwan*1
8) Wheel of Darkness by Douglas Preston
9) World Without End by Ken Follett2
10) Down River by John Hart
_____________________________
*Recommended by TLR's editor
1Read the book, skip the movie.
2Better yet, I'd guess, is World's End by TC Boyle
Non-Fiction
1) Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
2) Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
3) Chosen By a Horse by Susan Richards
4) I Am America and So Can You! by Stephen Colbert
5) Womens Health Perfect Body Diet by Cassandra Forsythe
6) Leesburg, VA by Mary Fishback
7) In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan
8) Boom! by Tom Brokaw
9) Jim Cramer's Stay Mad for Life by James Cramer
10) Lone Survivor by Marcus Luttrell
ON MY SHELF:
Must reads:
3 short but superb recent novels that you can and should read — no excuses, just do it. 1. Out Stealing Horses by Per PettersonBill’s grade: A 2. On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwanBill’s grade: A+ 3. Bad Girl by Mario Vargas Llosa Bill’s grade: A -bh
Sculpture
One of my favorite pieces by Dan, my favorite sculptor --bh
