And after that rant, I need to just chill and get in touch with my inner Pink. Whose video Stupid Girls, by the way, is awe-inspiring if a little raw. Stupid girl, stupid girls, stupid girls Maybe if I act like that, that guy will call me back Porno Paparazzi girl, I don’t wanna be a stupid girl Go to Fred Segal, you’ll find them there Laughing loud so all the little people stare Looking for a daddy to pay for the champagne (Drop a name) What happened to the dreams of a girl president She’s dancing in the video…

Oh, I might just have to have this. Amazon.com: Law and Order: 20th Anniversary Edition: Music: The Crazy 8’s Because the Crazy 8’s were my favorite, favorite, dripping wet with sweat favorite dance/party band in college and after. I was first introduced to their infectious brand of funky saxy ska at a show in… Springfield, OR at a place that was called “Edison’s Bar and Grill.” It was a funky place with books and boyhood memoriabilia that was nailed or glued or screwed down so bar patrons couldn’t swipe it, but it had a big stage and a big dance…

ionarts The start of the Gloria was more ceremonial than alarming. The opening orchestral jolts were not delivered with the expected energy. However, the first entry of the full chorus projected so much power that I was “electrified.” In the Laudamus Te, Shafer demonstrated that he could do anything with this huge body of voices. The movement was effervescently performed, with a marvelous lightness of touch. The singing was so gorgeous that the audience impetuously began to applaud at the movement’s end. My friend Debbie sings in the Washington Chorus, and I enjoy our long cozy chats by phone about…

Got an email from the Synergy Brass Quintet website folks – it seems this excelling classical musical group is trying to get their music on iTunes, and they’re asking for help from their fans. So if you like their music, go here and request that iTunes add them. If you don’t know their music, check it out.. http://www.musicianmp3.com/stream7.cfm?id=2921&Mode=New&CFID=8380&CFTOKEN=60274713″>If Ye Love Me, Keep My Commandments iTunes: Synergy Brass Quintet: If Ye Love Me, Keep My Commandments: Masterworks For Brass From The Baroque And Renaissance [2:17]

Here’s another CD I’ve really been enjoying, but under For My Ears Only. This is because it’s a rough, raw, almost cheekily punkish rock sound, and David’s CD collectioin runs more to James Taylor and Kenny G. Me, I may be middle-aged, but musically I’m in denial. 😉 The first thing you hear on this CD is that the singer doesn’t give a crap about singing in “Received English” – he’s a Yorkshire lad, they’re all Yorkshire lads, and they’re not having any of that elitist crrrap about singing like a BBC advert for the latest beer or ringtone or…

I admit it, I enjoy listening to Enya sing. Some of her music is special to me, but a lot of it can be too much of a new-agey muchness. Currently, I’m listening to a CD I picked up on a whim called Amarantine. We’ve been listening to this CD in the car the last few days, and today’s the first I’ve had a chance to rip it to iTunes and really listen attentively, rather than dividing my attention between half-heard melodies and watching the road roll by with David. I absolutely loved the song she did for the Return…

I’m in a very relaxed mood after a good meal.. and now listening to my ever-expanding collection of slack-key (ki ho’alu) guitar music. My latest aquisition is by Ledward Ka’apana. How I aquired it is another story. But it’s a nice CD, all instrumental, with a couple of interesting ’70’s-era standards thrown in for good measure – “Killing Me Softly” and “Love is Blue.” Both songs suffer from massive overplay – they were huge hits in their day, and have spent much of the last 2 decades in Muzak Hell. Ledward rescues them in his beautiful and sensitive arrangements. Strangely,…

The Grammys are tomorrow night – probably won’t watch. But we’re pulling for some people: Category 69 – Best Hawaiian Music Album (Vocal or Instrumental.) * Slack Key Dreams Of The Ponomoe Kapono Beamer [Kapono Beamer Enterprises, Ltd] * Sweet & Lovely Raiatea Helm [Raiatea Helm Records] * Kiho’alu – Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Ledward Ka’apana * Slack Key Guitar: The Artistry Of Sonny Lim Sonny Lim [Palm Records] * Masters Of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar – Vol. 1 WINNER! Various Artists Daniel Ho, Paul Konwiser & Wayne Wong, producers [Daniel Ho Creations] Okay, this is getting pretty obscure: FIELD…

A couple of years ago, right after we got the TiVo, I was in the habit of watching Adult Swim cartoons. One of them was this stylish, eye-catching Japanese anime import called Cowboy Bebop. I’ve always been interested in anime, but found most of the few imports I ran across to be too coldly Mr. Roboto-Gundam-Warrior for my taste. And no, never could get the whole idea of why winsome girl “heroines” all have to be dressed like pervo dreamgirlz. But Bebop was different. It had incredible music, eye-popping visuals, evocative direction and editing, and fascinating characters. It sucked you…

Greg Kot of the Chicago Tribune noted “Twenty great songs from 2005 that the Grammys missed” in this order: 1. “George Bush Doesn’t Care About Black People,” the Legendary K.O. 2. “When God Made Me,” Neil Young 3. “When the President Talks to God,” Bright Eyes 4. “Come Save Us,” Warlocks 5. “Devil in My Car,” New Black 6. “The Good Ones,” the Kills 7. “Here Comes a City,” Go-Betweens 8. “Bucky Done Gone,” M.I.A. 9. “Career Finders,” Perceptionists 10. “It’s for You,” Out Hud 11. “Everyday I Love You Less and Less,” Kaiser Chiefs 12. “Not About Love,” Fiona…