Stuff You Slept On, Alternatively Titled "layzman's filler" -- shlara Edition

Shlara, also known as Gheorghe Muresan's favorite Gheorghie, sent what she deemed a "half-ass entry" in response to my request for layzman's filler, which means that one of you attempted what is at best an eighth-ass entry. But I guess that's what happens when you can only write one sentence a day. Foreshadowing! Anyway, here's a post about an album that Shlara thinks you should listen to.

I like this idea
I don't like doing a lot of work, though.
So you get a half-ass entry from me

Album: The Rip Tide by Beirut

Link #1: cheating with this Tiny Desk concert clip. It features 3 songs, 2 of which are from this album (East Harlem and Santa Fe)
Upside is you get so see the band's endearing nerdiness



Link #2: official video for Riptide (video is weird, song is good)



Why Gheorghies should listen:

It's got a modern 80s throwback feel to it. Angsty and also optimistic. If you like DeVotchKa, you'll like this Beirut album. It was on my regular rotation when I lived in NYC--nice way to tune out and stay zen while you're riding the subway. I think the band is technically labeled as "world folk music" and I'm pretty sure I heard one of their songs on XMU years ago and bought the album. The critics didn't like this album as much as their others, "too mainstream and cute." But that's just the way I like my fringe music: pop-y and cute. Top to bottom, all 9 tunes are good, but if I have to pick one, East Harlem is my fav song on the album.

Music Mondays with Shlara: Pretty in P!NK

Before we hear from the Jersey crew who attended the Old 97s/DBT show, I wanted to provide a recap of the show KQ and I saw on Thursday.

The Cougars in the Outfield (me, KQ, Duffy &  Roomie) caught P!NK at the Verizon Center. We had awesome seats (111 row G) and she puts on an UNBELIEVABLE show.

I usually attend rock & roll shows—just a band, speakers & maybe some multi-colored spotlights. So I was not prepared for this entertainment spectacle. She started the show by being slingshotted (is that a word?) (Editor's Note: it's no less a word than dipshittery - we'll go with it.) from 8 feet below the stage to 20 feet above the stage and proceeded to sing “Raise your Glass” while attached to this bungee cord and three ripped dudes who were hanging from a metal-sculpture would perform these cheerleader stunts with her, WHILE THEY WERE ALL SUSPENDED TWO STORIES IN THE SKY.

At least half of the show, she was doing some sort of legit acrobatic activity…ALL WHILE SINGING, for real. It was like a Cirque-rock show.

The dancers and band genuinely looked like they were having fun. She stopped several times to chat with people in the front row and sign some autographs. Even mentioned that she used to come to DC in high school to attend raves.

There were some interludes like one of those rock-musicals, where the cast/dancers act out stories to the music. For the most part, it was fine because she has super-talented people working with her. But there was this one interesting character, the “game show” host for the Truth About Love Show, who reminded me of one of our favorite Gheorghies. Let’s just say that when Whitney retires as Abe Lincoln, he has a future on P!NK’s tour.

She ended the show with “So What” while attached to these wires linked to the 4 corners of the catwalk in the building—you know the one on the ceiling? These wires were hooked onto this Judy Jetson-like skirt/belt and then she literally FLEW around the entire arena—all the way up to the 400 level, past EVERY section. Peter Pan-like. Never seen anything like it.

The video doesn’t do it justice:

Added bonus—it was the BEST people-watching crowd I’ve ever seen too. Old people, kids, gay couples, suburban moms on a night out, every shape and size you could imagine. And they were ALL dancing their hearts out before the show even started. P!NK brings people together…we need to send her to Gaza.

Music Mondays with Shlara

I love Friday Night Lights (the TV show), and I especially love Coach and Tami Taylor, so I needed to include a photo of them in all of their adorableness.

You know that song "Devil Town" that played at the end of one of the first few episodes of FNL?



Well, it was written by this guy Daniel Johnston--a local Austin music legend. His album cover art was made famous on a t-shirt worn my Kurt Cobain ("Hi, How are You?")

Check out the baby-faced Dave Grohl in this photo!!

Johnston's version of "Devil Town" is haunting:



I know you're wondering how I got here...
So, there was an awesome song at the end of GIRLS last night--and twitter told me it was my favorite Irish duo, Swell Season and Daniel Johnston, performing at SXSW a few years ago. Listen to this one--it's good:


I know you've heard me talk about Glen & Marketa...the movie Once.
This is their famous song, Falling Slowly:


And, this is classic Glen doing Van Morrison's "Astral Weeks" at Cochella a few years ago.
All of this sound is him, by himself.
I love Glen.

 

Music Mondays with Shlara, Part Deux

My Wednesday was spent at the 9:30 Club with Glen Hansard and his 14-person ensemble. You may be familiar with Glen from his band The Frames, or his minor role in The Commitments or his starring role in the hugely successful Irish indie hit Once.

Side note--if you like music and you have not seen the movie Once, you must stop reading this post and add it to your Netflix queue immediately. (Everyone focuses on "Falling Slowly" which is a beautiful song but my favorite from the film is "Leave")

This review will be completely biased because I love Glen--and, let's be honest, who doesn't love an angst-y, Irish ginger?

He's like an Irish Springsteen--he leaves it all out on the stage every night (Except the night a few years ago in Baltimore, when he admitted that they went on a bender the night before and he was hungover.) Glen's passion while performing demands the audience's attention, and he loves conversing with the audience in between songs--so its a very intimate experience, regardless of the size of the venue. They played 2+ hours and half-way through this show he noted how much he loves playing 9:30 Club, and after the show he tweeted that the evening was a "shot in the soul" so I'm not exaggerating here.

Glen famously dropped out of high school and started his career busking on Dublin's streets. He still has the heart and drive of a busker, despite his sustained success. Plus, he's legitimately talented. And yes, those are holes in his guitar (see clips below)--he wore holes in his guitar from strumming.

The band included his mates from The Frames, some additional strings, the horn section from the Levon Helm band and two women from a DC choir who joined him in performing at Sargent Shriver's funeral last year. They played some tunes from his new album, some Frames hits, and some covers: Justin Timerblake's Cry Me a River, Van Morrison's Astral Weeks, Springsteen's Drive All Night. They also wove a few covers into Glen songs: RESPECT and Redemption Song. I've been to other shows when he weaves in "Ring of Fire" and the "Pure Imagination" song from the 1970's version of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. He ended the show (as he does many shows) with the Irish pub song, "The Parting Glass" and shots of whiskey for the entire band.

He's the kind of performer that draws you in, wins you over and makes you a fan for life--even if you don't like his kind of music. You can't leave a show in which Glen is performing, and say you had a boring evening. Here's a sampling from YouTube:

This one is for KQ--Glen & Eddie Vedder singing the Once mega-hit "Falling Slowly"

  

And this is classic Glen performing Astral Weeks--it's just him and his guitar and ALL OF THAT SOUND



Second show was Dirks Bentley at Nats Park following Saturday's game when the Nats crushed the Brewers and Gio Gonzalez earned his 20th win. NATITUDE!!! That show sounded fine as we were leaving the park...but I'm not a big country music person, so I can't be 100% sure. We did notice a lot of people in the stands who seemed to be country music fans--there were some redic outfits pairing cowboy boots and shorts or sundresses. And I think some of the Nats players like Dirks, so I'm sure they had fun.

Next up on Music Mondays: Emmet Swimming (hello 90's) and then in a few weeks I'll review that TV show Nashville. Yes, it's country music, but there's no way I can hate a show with Tami Taylor as the lead. Even if she is playing a washed up country star.

[Hoping Clarence and Marls can add their recap of the NJ Springsteen show--assuming they remember the evening.]

Music Mondays With Shlara

Last week, I saw two bands on back-to-back nights in wildly different venues. Both presented a HUGE ensemble and featured many truly talented musicians. Equally enjoyable experiences for different reasons.

Thursday was Devotchka at 6th & I Street Synagogue. Friday was Bruce & The E Street Band at Nationals Park.

Devotchka (means “girl” in Russian)—they are from Colorado and started as a house band for burlesque shows. (The last time they were in DC, they played 9:30 Club and had these women dancing/twirling from these ribbons of silk fabric hanging from the rafters—very Cirque de Soliel). You may know them from the Little Miss Sunshine soundtrack. The band is four people: Nick is the lead singer, guitar player and keeper of the Devotchka sound, Tom is a classically trained violinist and also plays the accordion on some songs, Jeanie (the chick) plays the upright bass and the Sousaphone (and my friend Bill tells me she was in a Civil War reenactment band before Devotchka), and my favorite—Shawn—the drummer, percussionist, trumpet player and keyboard player. They dress formally and are usually color-coordinated.

Last week’s show was in the sanctuary of the historical synagogue in Chinatown—which also doubles as a concert venue. The band performs on what I would call the “altar” (as a Catholic) and the concert-goers sit in the pews. There’s no standing in the aisles—that big 9:30 Club bouncer is there to ensure everyone follows the rules. 6th & I sells soda, water and beer that they put in these branded tumblers with a lid—like a travel coffee mug. You can bring the beer to your pew.

Devothchka’s sound is unique—a little polka, a little mariachi, a little angsty Smiths—some people call it “gypsy punk.” And because of the special venue, they brought in some additional musicians—two more violins and a cello, another trumpet player, another percussionist, a clarinet player and an oboist. The additional musicians added depth to the sound, and with the dimly lit sanctuary, the crowd of obedient hipsters sitting quietly in the pews, you could really lose yourself in the music. Their sound is upbeat and engaging and haunting and oftentimes seems more European than American. And they are SO GOOD live—it was a treat to see them in such an intimate setting.

How It Ends:

We’re Leaving:


The next night, I went to see Bruuuuuce at the biggest venue in DC. I’m pretty sure everyone on this blog has seen the E Street Band, so I’ll just share a few observations:

• There were lots of old people attending the show who don’t get out much and are not familiar with the protocol on the Metro. I was actually scared that I was going to get trampled at some point.
• The people with seats on the field had a grove of port-a-potties at their disposal. They were set up in the Nats bullpen. Gross. And I hope it doesn’t impact Clippard for the next home stand, we need him on his game.
• Bruce looks incredible for 62—especially when you put him next to most of the Boomers sitting in the stands—its impressive.
• Someone in the crowd handed Bruce a slice of pizza at one point, and he took a bite…that was kind of gross too.

• Someone else had their 4-year-old son on the field (They did give him those HUGE headphones, to help protect his ears.) And the parents handed him over to Bruce during “Waiting on a Sunny Day” because the kid knew the words. Of course, as soon as Bruce put a mic in the boy’s face, he stopped singing. It was really cute.
• There must be like 25 people in the band at this point—I couldn’t see the entire stage from my seats, so it could be a bit smaller, but there are at least 20 people.
• The crowd could not get enough of Clarence Clemons’ son filling in on sax. Early on (I think it was during Hungry Heart), Bruce looked at Clemons junior and said, “You weren’t alive when this song came out” And there’s this really nice silent video tribute to Clarence during Tenth Avenue Freeze Out.
• He added “Viagra-taking” to the list of adjectives when telling the crowd they’ve just seen The E Street Band. Funny.
• They did a few classics in a reggae-ish style and some in a more blue-grassy style. I liked the interpretations.
• I was kind-of expecting them to play “Glory Days”—I mean, we’re sitting in a baseball stadium. Sadly, they didn’t—the only disappointment of the show.
• The E Street band has SO MUCH FUN doing these shows—it amazes me that they still perform like it’s their first tour. If you can’t have a good time with the E Street Band, you need meds.
• I saw them for the first time in 1985 (Born in the USA) at RFK stadium, with my mom. (I still have that concert t-shirt!) We sat next to a reporter from Rolling Stone and I remember him saying to me “You haven’t seen them before? You’re going to love this—they pour their hearts out for the fans.” He’s right and it was worth the $100 to sit in the upper deck on Friday.