A LOW Point In My Life...

Most of my friends have always known me to be a fan of sad songs. Blame it all on my classic country upbringing. I'd like to credit some of it to the Cowboy Junkies Trinity Sessions record. My girlfriend at the time HATED that record. More for me! Anyway, in tracing things back, the Velvet Underground played a heavy part in that laid back sound that is now often referred to as "slowcore" or "sadcore" music. I'm not saying that it's good to be sad. I tuned in to an interview with Margo Timmins on KCRW's "Snap" (hosted by the late Deirdre O'Donoghue) radio show in the late 1980's where she commented on the importance of feeling all emotions every so often as to not lose touch with their meaning and to stay in proper balance with those meanings. We all have soundtracks to our lives. We (and our music) can be aggressive, upbeat, depressed, indifferent... whatever. So, with that said... I recently emerged from some sort of hibernation which allowed me to not realize that a band called Low existed. I checked out an advance copy of their January 2005 release and was blown away. I cannot tell you how easy it was for me to embrace this trio from Duluth, Minnesota. Needless to say, I have been submersed in this band as of late, and I have some catching up to do.

When you're done making fun of me, feel free to check out the top five Low tracks that keep making me hit the repeat button.

"Don't Drop The Baby" from Lifetime Of Temporary Relief (2004)
A rarity from their recent box set, with quirky lyrics about the proper handling of infants. This one cracks me up, but at the same time, it reminds me of "Put Your Big Toe In The Milk Of Human Kindness" from Rob Wasserman's Trios record (featuring Elvis Costello on lead). Very jazz-standard meets vaudevillian-croon. Have I mentioned that I am in LOVE with Mimi Parker's voice? I think she could tell me to go to Hell and I would just melt (well, you know what I mean).

"Dinosaur Act" from Things We Lost In The Fire (2001)
Great melody and nice, vivid words. "And putting your foot down, the nail shot up like a bright red snowflake." Not the prettiest picture in the gallery, but I like it. More for me. ;-)

"Over The Ocean" from The Curtain Hits The Cast (1996)
Simply beautiful. Sure enough, this one is one of their more popular tracks... appearing as a video on their rarities box set as well as showing up on both of their two live albums.

"Just Stand Back" from The Great Destroyer (2005)
An upbeat track that reminds me much of the Blake Babies. Something about the line, "...I can turn on you so fast" that, depending on your footing, can leave you uneasy or give you a little boost of strength. In my case, I am feeling stronger every day.

"When I Go Deaf" from The Great Destroyer (2005)
Okay, just when I'm feeling stronger about things... I hear this track, and it tears me up. A song about losing your sense of hearing. I know, I know. I would be lost without sound. In this song, the singer embraces the inevitable by acknowledging that he would have to stop writing songs (perhaps the saddest thing ever), yet he and his lover would probably not fight any longer. Oh, the pro's and con's. And, just when the lyrical bottom seems to drop out on this faint acoustic ballad, the band explodes into a loud sonic triumph. Amazingly brilliant.

Tissues are available upon request.

Feel free to share your top five or relative comments.

We're Idaho! (tribute to Ralph Wiggum)

Days like this remind me of some of the old road trips that my buddy Michael and I used to take out of state. Maybe it has to do with the chill in the air, or just being behind the wheel. Anyway, Mike and I had some great times, which are very well documented. Some of the memories that always stick with me involve the music we listened to or discovered at the time. Often we would visit Record Exchange when we made it up to Boise. We would even buy new stuff and get into it on the way home. Good times. What follows are some of my favorite musical memories with "Lefty":

Patty Griffin "Not Alone" from Living With Ghosts (1996)
I was already heavily into Patty's music at this time, and Mike and I had already experienced the film Niagara Niagara, which featured this song. Beautiful stuff. I brought this CD on one of our first trips, just to find myself falling asleep (as a passenger) while driving south into Nevada, and waking up to this album. I guess it was played over a couple times because it was so damn good. Glad to have turned Mike onto something new without forcing it. I love sharing good stuff.

The Beta Band "Dry The Rain" from The 3 E.P.s (1998)
Fresh off a viewing of High Fidelity, it was necessary to pick up the album from which this song came. Groovalicious, to say the least. Could be about 12 minutes longer, though.

Jimmy Page & The Black Crowes "Custard Pie" from Live At The Greek (2000)
The first trip to Boise: ...driving in the dark, in the middle of nowhere... with "ICE" displayed on the outside tempature readout. We decided to pull over and try to sleep, but it was too DAMN cold! So, we got back on the road with fumes in the tank. Idiots. Thankfully this Zeppelin set rocked us to safety.

Jayhawks "A Break In The Clouds" from Smile (2000)
I think this was Mike's introduction to this band. We both took a sincere liking to this one early on. I think he even bought a `Hawks CD at the RX. It helps to have that whole Wilco, Golden Smog background happening. I must say... the complete Jayhawks catalog is required listening. In fact, I'd base a whole road trip on the return of Jen Gunderman, if that ever happens.

Robert Bradley's Blackwater Surprise "Baby" from Time To Discover (2000)
Quite possibly the Holy Grail of road trip memories. I just found this song on a KGSR radio station compilation CD. When we got to Boise, and did some shopping at the RX, I found the full-length CD in the used bin and took a chance. I remember falling in love with the song all over again, and to be there the first time Mike heard it was classic. Since then, this song ALWAYS makes me happy. It's an instant cheer-up. I even played it at the last show I did in October to a packed house at the Liquid Lounge. I highly recommend anyone with soul to check this CD out. It will always be a favorite of mine, and it will always be tied into good times.

Feel free to share your favorite road trip soundtracks.

(Just Like) Starting Over

As the scenery in my life changes over time... so does my zip code. Yes, it's that time again. Moving out of tha LBC and into the OC. It's funny, I've always been the one called when it was time to help a friend move because I've always had a truck. So, who do I call? ME! This'll be fun. I can't wait to get the place set up, though. If anyone wants to help, I'll buy the beer!

Here's five songs to put "us" in the mood:

Mary Margaret O'Hara "Rain" from Apartment Hunting (2002)
Not so much a song about moving, but rather a song from a soundtrack to a movie about moving. Still with me? This tune gets me every time. Some beautifully `verbed guitar work and Mary's trademark vocal delivery seal the deal. Her music is an acquired taste... and thankfully, I've acquired it! Ask me to include her stuff on a mix CD if you're curious.

Billy Joel "Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)" from The Stranger (1977)
A song of hope if ever there was one... expecially if your name is Anthony. Well, regardless, I'm movin' out just about as quickly as Billy Joel can wrap a car around a tree, but hopefully not as often.

Elvis Costello "Home Is Anywhere You Hang Your Head" from Blood & Chocolate (1986)
It's true. I've been happy living in a house, a townhome, a studio in the ghetto... I can be happy anywhere. Now that I think about it, Mr. Costello's music has roomed with me at every abode. Where's your half of the rent, "Elvis"?

Ja'net DuBois - "Movin' On Up" from The Jeffersons (1975)
Did I mention that the place I found is on the second story? Did I also mention that I was buying the beer if any of you help me lug my stuff up those stairs?

Elvis Costello "So Like Candy" from Mighty Like A Rose (1991)
I'm only including this one for the reference to getting back some albums (that she managed to ruin) from a lover who felt it necessary to say the following: "My darling dear, it's such a waste". The singer adds, "She didn't say `goodbye', but `I admire your taste'." I'm not saying that I'm living this particular line. But, as Woody Allen claimed in Annie Hall - and I'm paraphrasing - "All the books on Death & Western Thought are mine... and all the books on cats are yours."

A Toast In Rememberance...

Got word over the weekend that my Aunt Fran (center in the above picture) was killed in an automobile accident in Florida. My heart goes out to my cousin, Kim. She didn't get a chance to say goodbye... something I was fortunate enough to have when my parents passed away. Music always has a place in my life, no matter how hard the times can be. In fact, music can often act as a warm hug and a necessary forced smile. Just enough to know that everything will be alright, somehow.

"You're Always Going Too Soon" Matthew Jay (2001)
"...all this time has fallen through me since you've been gone."

"Goodbye" Emmylou Harris (1995)
"...most Novembers I break down and cry."

"Black" Pearl Jam (1991)
"...and now my bitter hands cradle broken glass of what was everything."

"Road" Nick Drake (1972)
"...you can take the road that takes you to the stars now, I can take a road that'll see me through."

"Life Without You" Stevie Ray Vaughan (1985)
"...all the love you've passed our way. The angels have waited for so long. Now they have their way. Take your place."

I'll post a happier top 5 soon... Please drive safely.

Soundtrack For 11/17/04

Folks who previously read this post... I apologize. I accidentally deleted my text. So from memory, here's what I pretty much conveyed:

CD's brought to work today:

Smile - Jayhawks (2001)
7 Park Avenue - Pete Ham (1997)
Love Is Hell - Ryan Adams (2004)
The Tigers Have Spoken - Neko Case (2004)
Kimi Ga Suki * Raifu - Matthew Sweet (2003)

I had also typed some text for each of them. If I wasn't so lazy at the moment, I'd type it all over again... but that takes thinking. ;-) Forgive me.

Please share what you're listening to.

Just Wondering...

Found myself watching "Wonderland" this evening. Great film! It explores the darker side of John Holmes' life. A time which tied him into the murder of several people in the Los Angeles area. Great cinematography, and above all... a kick ass soundtrack! Today's list: top 5 songs in this film.

"Shooting Star" Bad Company (1975)
"Drift Away" Dobie Gray (1973)
"Stranglehold" Ted Nugent (1975)
"Quinn The Eskimo" Bob Dylan (1970)
"If You Could Read My Mind" Gordon Lightfoot (1970)

Readers out there are welcome to offer their own top 5 songs in any particular film you choose. Play along!

Chillin' With Dylan

Breaking away from the "current events" trend of my postings, I've opted to get back to the music today. Bob Dylan ranks as the singer-songwriter of our time by the standards of many. He may not be singing with Outkast or writing material for Snoop's next record, but his influence is evident in the world we live in. Sure, he may not be "hot" according to Paris Hilton, and it may be hard not to mock his voice when he comes up in casual conversation, but Bob Dylan is important.

From the archives of my massive music collection... I've uncovered five Bob Dylan songs that I would prefer not to live without. And, for the first time, I will tell ya why.

"Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You" from Nashville Skyline (1969)
From Bob's "nasally" period. The one album where he sounded like this. Fifteen years after owning Bob's Greatest Hits album, the hits became less important than the deep album cuts. This album was purchased during a personal roots revival period, and was further vitalized by this track's background appearance in the John Cusack film High Fidelity.

"If Not For You" from The Bootleg Series, Vol. 1-3: 1961-1991 (1970)
Of course, this song has long been a favorite of mine ever since I picked up George Harrison's All Things Must Pass. However, this version is the quintessential take... an alternate, informal run-through with the legendary Beatle. Needless to say, the pairing of George's guitar and Bob's yearning vocal on this recording is nothing short of jaw-dropping. I bought this set before I was a hardcore Dylan fan, mainly because my collection demanded more "bootleg" material. Glad I did.

"Like A Rolling Stone" from Before The Flood (1974)
Yeah... this one is a "hit", I know. The difference is in the performance. I recall getting wrapped up in a film called New York Stories, which was comprised of three short films by different directors. One of the films starred Nick Nolte as a tortured artist. During one angry painting scene, his boom box is blasting this amazing, rocking cover of "Like A Rolling Stone". A cover? Nope. I soon discovered that it was Bob, backed by the Band, recorded live in concert (captured on Before The Flood). This would only lead in to researching more facets of Bob's career and ultimately The Last Waltz (thank goodness). Like I need to keep opening more doors...

"Tangled Up In Blue" from Blood On The Tracks (1975)
Of all things, I blame KLOS for this one. It was summertime in the mid 80's, and I was driving near PCH. "Tangled..." came on and I spent the next five and a half minutes in awe as the details of this song-story rushed past me. I'll never forget hearing, "Early one mornin' the sun was shinin', I was layin' in bed. Wond'rin' if she'd changed at all. If her hair was still red." Loose ends always make for great beginnings... middles.. and ends to songs. When was the last time you heard a song go longer than five minutes on the radio?

"Most Of The Time" from Oh Mercy (1989)
Now, decidely the one Bob Dylan song that moves me like no other. Thank you Nick Hornby for High Fidelity. This song appeared in the film adaptation of the book, in a very poignant and emotional scene. That's all it took. This masterpiece of a song has the best bass line ever, so don't blame me if you play this one over and over again. The lyrics are desperate denials of our hero's baggage, and his inability to cleanly cut his ties. "I don't even care if I ever see her again. Most of the time." Brilliant and infectious. A perfect drinking partner for the broken-hearted.

Separated At Birth?

After taking over a month off from the daily Hi-Fives blog entries, I've decided to give it a go once again. Let's see if I can handle posting only once a week.

This week's topic revolves around the declining health and premature death announcements of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. Even in a coma, he's been able to milk his share of headline fame for the past week or so. Now that everyone's paying attention, here are five songs for this fading foreigner:

"Goodbye Cruel World" Pink Floyd (1979)
"In My Time Of Dying" Led Zeppelin (1975)
"Leaving Here" High Numbers a.k.a. the Who (1964)
"O Death" Ralph Stanley (2000)
"Slipping Away" Rolling Stones (1989)