Bridges and Lebowski in NYC

It is a major week for Jeff Bridges fans and Jeff Lebowski fans alike. The former just released his self-titled debut album. The latter is a fictional character of course, brought to life in the Coen Brothers’ film “The Big Lebowski” which is celebrating its 10^th anniversary with a Blu-ray DVD release.

Lebowski Fest, which originated in Kentucky, is also taking place in NYC this week where fans come dressed as their favorite characters,  or, the characters they most aptly resemble. There was no shortage of Walters, Dudes, Maudes and Jesuses at Chelsea Piers last night where the first night of Lebowski Fest kicked off with a bowling party. Go to the Lebowski Fest website to find out when the fest is happening in your town.

Walking into a bowling alley filled with multiple versions of the film’s characters probably elicits the same brain activity that is found in a child entering the Harry Potter exhibit. It’s magical. In a more fortunate magic place, a White Russian wouldn’t cost $9 but, still, with unlimited bowling, a costume contest and trivia at a reasonable price, I was able to abide and purchase a few.

Unlike most places in NYC, the LF crowd isn’t clicquish. Arriving late with only one other friend in tow, I had to find a lane so I could roll. I ended up with the cable repair man and a couple of other guys. The crowd was diverse despite their likemindedness and from all parts of the US (Iowa, California, Oregon to name a few). The real Liam was there too.

Tonight marks night two of Lebowski Fest and it is going to be as epic as the film has become. Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, Julianne Moore and John Turturro will participate in a Q&A before the screening of the film. This reunion is an historic one, man.

And, let’s not forget about Jeff Bridges’ album featuring original songs and covers. The stand out for this listener is “Maybe I Missed the Point” written by John Goodwin. Rosanne Cash and Ryan Bingham appear on the album. Bingham, you might remember, wrote (with T-Bone Burnett) and performed “The Weary Kind”, Crazy Heart’s burdensome theme. Burnett produced this effort and out of 4-stars, I give it a solid 3 as a critic but 4 as a fan of an artist of whom I could not be a greater admirer. “Falling Short”, written by Bridges is another track to pay attention to, especially since he penned it himself.

This is a great week to be in NYC, to be a fan of Bridges and Lebowski, man.

New Year (Day) - 1/1/11

"The time is now." That statement can apply to many different situations, plans of action, thoughts and decisions. Right at this moment, it applies to my decision to stop everything and write this first blog entry of 2011. This is the first entry in a while and there is much to say, if it is assumed that anything I have to write is worth saying or reading. It may not be but I would implore you to read on anyway.

The plan is to write daily. Or, almost daily. I might even write more than once a day. What about? Oh, it could be anything. I love film and music as you might know and now that I'm living in NYC, I will be seeing my share of plays and musicals as well.

I live in NYC. That is the most unexpected occurrence of the most recent two months. As a kid, I would watch Letterman and Regis and Kathie Lee and long to be in the city. Now, I work for Bloom Avenue, a start-up and have relocated here. I did not dream that at the end of last year I would be in a new job and a new city (on the East Coast) but I am here and I am happy. This unexpected and almost spontaneous change in the holding pattern I was in has given me new life and I need to say again, I am happy.

Having just read Delivering Happiness by Zappos founder Tony Hsieh, I have a different perspective on happiness than I used to and also have a different perspective on customer service. This is so important and I have already reached back to some of the ideas in the past few days. I am grateful for Tony's book and also for the conversation I was allowed to eavesdrop on that let me find it. I am also grateful that I can feel happiness in such an uncharacteristically uninhibited way that I was able to read about it without rolling my eyes. I can also pass happiness along and fully intend to do so.

I cannot say that life is perfect. I miss my family and don't have much going on socially but I can see past these things and have plenty to do and a mind and heart that are more open to new and unplanned events than they have ever been before. I have met some cool people already; sharing a bottle of wine with a couple on their first date just because we all seemed to enjoy conversing and chatting with a total stranger over coffee because I was able to say hello. These are not unusual events where I am concerned but have been rare of late, until very recently when the weight of dismay with everything was lifted.

Let's talk Broadway. The blizzard of December 2010 caused me to miss a play I REALLY wanted to see but I am making up for it and catching it tomorrow, 1/2/2011. Today, I caught the matinee of Steven Sondheim's "A Little Night Music". I skipped this one last time I was in NYC and would have missed it altogether had it not been for a chance encounter with John Lithgow on the Subway. He recommended it. And, I am delighted that he did! I was scared to say anything when I recognized him but we ended up having a conversation that was lovely and I ended up seeing a great musical today.

Bernadette Peters and Elaine Stritch are closing out the show in just seven days so I was lucky to get the tip to see it when I did. Stritch is a legend and the performance was as described...legendary. Her lines were delivered flawlessly and it was a guaranteed laugh whenever she brought her wisdom and "advice" to the stage.

Peters is an actress that I do not think I've truly appreciated until now. That can be the case when one has only seen selected performances and then encounters an actress in a starring role on Broadway. I think I can only really name one Peters role which was in "The Jerk". I laugh to myself now thinking of that film but also know that there is much more to the actress than a film that was made over 25 years ago.
"Send in the Clowns" made me cry. Literally, I did not expect to cry at all, and I felt tears. There was a vulnerability and truth to her character that came out just then. An earlier speech by Henrik, the son of Peters' former lover referred to the "truth" as something all of the characters lacked. It was at this moment in the play that one truth was exposed.

It is the first day of 2011 and I have accomplished more than I did on most days in 2010 or even 2009.

Please visit often and I will too. Happy New Year. Smile about something today. It is not too late.

NKOTB? OMG!

Well, things are starting to come full circle. The first "boy band" (yes, there were The Beatles, The Monkeys but I still don't consider them the same as they played instruments, wrote their songs and seemed to have more integrity than those we called boy bands in the 90's) that I was into, New Kids on the Block (NKOTB) is supposed to be making a comeback. Will they have success? I dunno but I think I have a dormant crush on Jordan and secretly like Jon too. I always thought I had a better chance with him.

I wonder if they have "the right stuff" to make something happen as they hit 40-years old (yeah--Jon is gonna be 40). There is no way they'll be as much a disaster as the "Man Band" VH1 tried to make happen with guys were were popular after NKOTB was gone.

Anyway, this news entertained me and I thought some readers may find it interesting. If any of the guys have gone grey, I might be down to give them a listen or at least a look!

The Hardest Part

I've been really feeling musical lately and been really more into writing again than I had been. The happier I am, the less I tend to find words and the need to express myself. Prior to the new year I was traveling all over and too busy to wallow in anything but now I'm home and no less busy but somehow much more victim to insomniac tendencies, distraction and overall discontent.

The song I can't get out of my head today is by Coldplay. I wish I still had "Say" in my head because that day was a better day. Today has gotten better but frankly was dark for a while. Might be because I can't see out any windows so I have a smaller space to let my mind wander. I purged a lot of emails and contacts today and feel a bit more cleansed. I'm ready for the next hour, when I can breathe again.

The Hardest Part

And the hardest part
Was letting go not taking part
Was the hardest part
And the strangest thing
Was waiting for that bell to ring
It was the strangest start

I could feel it go down
Bittersweet I could taste in my mouth
Silver lining in the clouds
oh And I
I wish that I could work it out

And the hardest part
Was letting go not taking part
You really broke my heart
And I tried to sing
But I couldn't think of anything
And that was the hardest part

I could feel it go down
You left the sweetest taste in my mouth
You're a silver lining the clouds
Oh, and I
Oh, and I
I wonder what its all about [x2]

Everything I know is wrong
Everything I do it just comes undone
And everything is torn apart
Oh and thats the hardest part
Thats the hardest part
Yeah, thats the hardest part
Thats the hardest part

West Virginia Welcomes John Corbett

Where have I been? Well, I've been busy with work (my day job) and pursuing my dreams (music interview podcasting). The former has had me traveling for the past couple of week snad the latter has provided me the chance to go to West Virginia for an extraordinary long weekend filled with music and a look at the mountain state. I'll write more about it later but I can say that I am inspired as a look out the window of the home office I am stationed at and see only trees...no buildings, no people, just natural beauty.

One of many highlights was meeting John Corbett at a concert he did to benefit the building of a skate park in the city of Fayetteville. He was a cool guy and I'll be posting an interview with him sometime soon at piratepods.com. Click on his name to see a few pics of John the musician.

More to come...

Live Earth

Live Earth was seen by over 10 million people on line and in person on 7.7.07. If you didn't catch this unprecedented international call to action for the environment, it is not too late to catch the performances, the interviews and some damn cool PSA's.

Check out MSN's coverage here.

I've seen a lot of the coverage so far and here are my recommendations:

PSA's -- check out as many as you can handle watching. There are some good tips and fun stars involved. Two of my faves were Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Cameron Diaz and Josh Lucas. Their messages: turn it off or unplug it when you're not using it. Before you leave your computer for the day, try shutting down and saving energy!

Missy Higgins (AUS) -- this is a good intro to the Australian singer-songwriter if you haven't heard her already

Interviews -- some of them are a bit mundane so pick and choose. I found the one with Spinal Tap entertaining, James Blunt's and Keane's were thoughtful and Robert Kennedy Jr.'s was angry.

Genesis (UK) -- it was a bit sad to see the size of the audience at their show but if you're a fan, it is nice to see them again

SOS All Stars (UK) -- Awesome drumming :)

12 Girls Band (CHI) -- Pretty cool instrumentation

Shakira (GER) -- How does she move like that?

The website is organized by country and there are a ton of things to see from acts you already know to acts more locally famous than internationally. Check it out, take care of the Earth and be wel.

Wake up, Maggie...

Rod Stewart, even at 62, can still rock and bring a crowd to their feet. From his old classics like “Maggie May” and “Every Picture Tells a Story” to other more recent cover songs, the Rod Stewart catalog makes for an evening of singing and dancing and even a little reflecting (“Reason to Believe” and Cat Stevens’ “Father and Son” and even "Maggie May" will do that to you). He’s a little toned down, even with regards to wardrobe, than he used to be and his voice is a little less strong but when Stewart took the stage at Cox Arena in San Diego Saturday night, none of that mattered. He still brought enthusiasm and a bit of a Brit Football rebel attitude and humor with him and the overall enthusiastic crowd was ready for him.

I was so lucky to have 2nd row seats and to see Rod up close as he made it around to our side of the stage periodically. The picture shown here was taken with my cell phone. I wish I had brought my regular camera but when the ticket says “No cameras”, I take it seriously.

Basically, just wanted to give Rod Stewart, one of my favorite guys, a shout-out and that’s all I have to say about that.

Five for Fighting Interview!

As my piratepods.com alter-ego, Pirate RC, I had the opportunity to chat with John Ondrasik, better known to fans as Five for Fighting.

This was an honor and a wonderful interview for me as I have been a fan for years and have a lot of respect for John's songwriting. You may know Five for Fighting best for the song "Superman (It's Not Easy)" which received a major break following 9/11 when John performed the song about the everyday man as a hero at the Concert for NYC at Madison Square Garden. "100 Years" is also a song you might recall hearing on television commercials if not on the radio. Five for Fighting's newest album, Two Lights, is a compelling work that offers a mix of ballads and rock songs with quality lyrics containing humor and some serious messages as well.

John has started a charity website that offers anyone the chance to upload videos set to Five for Fighting music, or not, offering their point of view on the world. Every time you click on a video and watch it, money is donated to selected charities. Whatkindofworlddoyouwant.com gives back and entertains. Inspired by the song "World", it is worth a look and the song is definitely worth a listen.

If you have a chance, give my interview a listen by clicking here. While you're at piratepods.com, please browse around and give a listen to our other interviews too. Enjoy!

Taylor Hicks, Taylor Hicks

Taylor Hicks' album dropped on Tuesday and sales for the week are not yet reported but given Idol hopeful Chris Daughtry's fortune on the charts, the outlook is good. In fact, he is close to having the number one debut by a new artist, ever. We'll see. Even if he doesn't come out on top, Taylor should be proud of this album. He had to compromise his style minimally and made an album that has a great, upbeat, fun sound. Plus, two of the songs are his own that he wrote in his pre-Idol days proving he is more than that show. His voice is strong, the instrumentation is great and I can't wait to see him on tour!
Rather than go on and on (which I could), I'll list each track and a very short review of it. Let's see if I can be brief.

1. The Runaround: Very fun track when done live. Try not to dance! She done him wrong. "...and to think that I sat there singing you a love song...I give you everything. All I get from you is your runaround."

2. Dream Myself Awake: Rob Thomas penned this one and it reminds me of a track that would have been on Matchbox20's "Mad Season" album. Nice track. "Do me wrong, do me right, do me any way you want tonight..."

3. Heaven Knows: The Ray Charles track. It is a great song. Get ready for the horns, the drums, the keys...it's all there. Go ahead, clap along. "Heaven Knows I've tried..."

4. Gonna Move: Kicks off with nice bass line. It is about up and moving away and doing what you really want to do. "...Then I joined the college ranks. There they said they'd teach me how to think...after awhile, reading those books was making me lose my smile. And I knew in order to not conceal I had to play my music and express how I feel. I'm gonna move away from here. You can find me if you want to go there."

5. Wherever I Lay My Hat: Hat's off to Marvin Gaye and the other writers. One of the slower songs on the album about the guy the girl sits and cries over though he'll never change. "I'm the type of guy who gives the girls the eye, everyone knows. But I love them and leave them, break their hearts and deceive them, everywhere I go. Don't you know I'm the type of man who is always on the roam? Wherever I lay my hat, that's my home."

6. Give Me Tonight: Taylor has a writing credit on this one. If there is a sexy song on this album, this is it. It reminds me of a jazzy, less pop version of "Just Got Paid". The lyrics are more late-twenties than early-twenties but it is on the same level. "There was magic in the air, you were trying not to stare but I caught you, caught you cold. Now there's nothing you can do...but if you give me tonight..."

7. Just to Feel That Way: A nice song about taking a chance on love and feeling that way. By the end of the song, you know why you've let yourself get hurt. "...it's worth it, for even one day, just to feel that way."

8. The Maze: Sounds like he's in love...caught up in her maze. We've all been in someone' maze at one time or another.

9. Places I've Been: I know why I love Diane Warren. She writes great love songs.

10. Soul Thing: A Taylor Hicks original. This is a fun song about Soul and the biz. Seems to be autobiographical to a point. "When the tough get going, the muses visit me...they always say to me: It ain't no groove thing. It ain't no country twang. It's a simple refrain. It's a soul thing." Gotta love the muses.

11. The Deal: Of Taylor's original songs, this is one of my favorites. "I know livin' with me ain't easy...I'm here to show you, baby, this love is real." It's about making it happen if the love is real...just going for it.

12. The Right Place: Bryan Adams was the author of this song. It shows Taylor's voice range on the higher side and is a nice ballad to wrap things up. The last dance so to speak.