Napalm Death’s forthcoming album Utilitarian includes an appearance from John Zorn on track “Everyday Pox“. This isn’t the first time Zorn has appeared with Napalm Death – Mick Harris was the drummer in Zorn’s Painkiller trio (with Bill Laswell) and a split 7″ flexidisc was released in 1990.  Utilitarian comes out February 28, 2012, and is up for pre-order now.

~Dan – np: Zakarya – 413A

Mandala (a musical palindrome) by Daniel Starr-Tambor

With more than 62 vigintillion individual notes, “Mandala” is the longest palindrome in existence. Composed using the first nine partials of the Natural Harmonic Series repeating at the accelerated tempos of our solar system, Mandala would continue without repetition for over 532.25 septendecillion years. In homage to “Art of the Fugue” by J.S. Bach, “Mandala” has been crafted to include the “musical signature” of its author: the stereo imaging is arranged to reflect the exact position of the solar system at the moment of his birth, from the perspective of the Sun as it faces the constellation Libra, so that each note chronicles his birthday on every planet.

Have a great weekend!

~Dan – np: Damien Jurado – Maraqopa

Well, yes, based on Ben Folds’ twitter, Ben Folds Five is in the studio working on a new album with Darren Jessee and Robert Sledge that may hit as soon as spring!!  Ben must be on break from NBC’s The Sing Off… this news makes me happy!

It's happening fo sho - Day 1 in studio with Robert and Darren through March #NewBenFoldsFiveRecord http://t.co/l4lLupJG

—
benjamin folds (@BenFolds) January 25, 2012

Spring release @Andy_Hampshire #NewBenFoldsFiveRecord

—
benjamin folds (@BenFolds) January 25, 2012

~Dan – np: Damien Jurado – Maraqopa

Well on 1/24/2012, he posted…

New Album of Songs

I’ve decided to cobble together some unfinished records and make some new recordings as well. I’m past the point of pain from the writing, past the preciousness that keeps me from finishing songs, and past the point of thinking each track can change my life. So, with that remarkably confident build-up, in case anyone is still out there reading this, I love you for listening, and I hope to please you with this next work.

All I can do is try to be truthful in the songs. My instrument (vox) ain’t exactly what it used to be, but I’ll try to hide that from you with magical over-tracking, just like all the cool kids do now :)

Peace be with you. I expect to take a month, and then maybe get it out this Spring or something, no need to wait, right?

Now be patient and kind or I’ll crawl back into my hole! Oh, and Happy 2012. Peace be with us all.

Wow, no news and then hopefully a new album by Spring?  Yay!

~Dan – np: Damien Jurado – Maraqopa

4 8 15 16 23 42 Lost numbers

The Mess We’ve Made hits April 24th.

Stay tuned at http://badveins.net/ and Facebook…

~Dan – np: Frank Zappa – Joe’s Garage

Some excellent Las Vegas shows were taken in, though… and here is my mega, 4-part review…

First up was the Cirque du Soleil show BeLIEVE from Criss Angel on Tuesday night (1/17).   I’ll say it now, that I’ve been a fan of Criss Angel before most of you had even heard of him (long before the TV show, long before “the Loyal” were dreamed up).  I’m not trying to gain “street cred,” but merely setting up a background for my ultimate opinion on the show…

I got into Criss Angel via his first album, Angel Dust’s 1998 debut Musical Conjurings from the World of Illusion – which was a collaboration between Criss Angel (on vocals) and hard-industrial artist Circle of Dust (music).  The album was later re-branded as a Criss Angel release called System 1 (nixing the Angel Dust moniker).  Klayton (Scott Albert aka Circle of Dust aka Celldweller) was still involved in the System 2 & 3 in the trilogy (and even in Criss’ Mindfreak Broadway show and the A&E Mindfreak TV series), but it definitely became more of a Criss Angel project, and less of a Circle of Dust/Celldweller project.  That’s all fine and good.  It became what Criss was… a loud, audacious rocker magician.  There’s a place for everything in this world of entertainment.

I was curious when I heard a few years ago that he was pairing with Circue du Soleil.  I love Cirque shows; so I thought it’d be a given show to see.  Well, Cirque still has its name associated with the BeLIEve show, but apparently toned down the acrobatic/dance/surreal aspects of the show, as it was distracting from the magic side.  What was left was more resembling the A&E Mindfreak show set on a stage… it wasn’t very Cirque-y anymore, but that was probably a-OK with me.

My thoughts… the “clowns” were only “meh.”  The set design was gorgeous.  Some of my favorite tricks were the metamorphosis, dove tricks, and swallowing razor blades and a string only to pull them out on the string (HOW!?).   The Celldweller score was great, the pyro was flashy/bodacious.  It does come off as a bit cheesy/corny/”metal,” but that’s part of what Criss Angel’s always been; so that wasn’t a shock.  One thing I will say, though, on this night’s performance, it did seem like there were too many similar tricks (teleportation/metamorphosis).  Yeah, sure, it’s cool… but how many times do I need to see Criss or one of his characters show up somewhere unexpected?

Bottom Line for Criss Angel’s Believe: I enjoyed it.  Drop the price $20, and I’d like it more.  3.5 of 5 stars.

BeLIEve snippets*
*- much of this show has been somewhat “de-Cirque’d” as it were.
the above was not what was presented when I saw it.
Criss Angel/Cirque website

On Wednesday (1/18), I decided to follow Criss with some more magic.  This had to be Penn & Teller.  The hour prior to show was featuring the Mike Jones Duo (Mike on piano, and Penn on upright bass).  I’m a fan of Penn Jillette via his skepticism slant, his Crackle show, his Penn Point show, his book (God No!), and their recent Discovery show P&T Tell a Lie.  I’ve yet to see the Bullshit series on Showtime (but I will!), but what I had seen via short internet clips – I knew I’d like.

Prior to the show on Wednesday, they invited everyone in the audience to come check out the big wooden box on stage and sign an envelope.  The box was solid, no false bottom / trap door that I could see.  The opening of the box was facing the crowd, and when the show started, Penn came out, shut the door, and only moments later Teller showed up inside the box.  WTF!?

Some of my favorite tricks were cell fish, metal detector, slight of hand, ball and string, phony psychics (with the audience signed envelope), helium, the ring trick with Grace, sawing woman in half (better than Criss Angel), goldfish/coins, cow barn camera, nail gun (wow! Penn’s memory!), American flag burning, flower shadow, and the magic bullet.

OK, those were basically all of the tricks.  There were honestly no slow parts.  I found it all profoundly interesting and genuinely entertaining.  Some tricks, I had an idea how they were done.  Other tricks were simply feats of the mind.  And some tricks are still driving me mad…

Bottom Line for Penn & Teller: If you love magic, go see this show.  Utterly brilliant.  They tip their hand a bit, but still mess with you.  4.5 of 5 stars.  I would see this again, without flinching.

the official P&T trailer
ignore the cheesy music (by Rio), this show rocked
Penn & Teller website

Friday night (1/20), it was date night… the sensual Cirque du Soleil show Zumanity.  This is the “sensual side” of Cirque du Soleil.  No, it was the HOT side.  We had 2nd row seats… luckily we escaped the torment of the Cirque “clowns” (barely).

The show started out with a beautiful wind dance mixed with an African dance.  The first bit of acrobatics was with a pool performance (see to the right) by two gorgeous beauties.  Up next was quite amazing… a hula hoop woman who did amazing work on stage, then hula hooped in the air, then hula hooped in the air while doing contortions, and then hula hooped about 20-30 hoops at one time in the air.  Her school girl outfit didn’t hurt either.

There were many aerial artists – all amazing, all sexy… even a “little person” aerial ropes artist.  There was a pole dancer; an extreme balance guy; a sensual balancing couple; a 2-man cage fight over a girl that turned into a lurid, long homo-erotic kiss (saw it coming a mile away, but it was hot); the rose guy’s striptease that worked the crowd into a frenzy; an amazing contortionist; some great audience participation with the clowns in between set changes; an S&M metal hoop guy (blindfolded during parts of his act); and the show culminated in a sexy bath dance number.

Bottom Line for Zumanity: Ya hozna!  Hot, sexy, and amazing Cirque acrobatics.  4.75 of 5 stars.  I would see this again, without flinching.  This is what a Cirque show in Sin City should be!  Pay extra and get a good seat – yum!

the official Zumanity trailer
fairly representative of the show
Cirque du Soleil / Zumanity website

The final show of the Vegas week was the water-borne Cirque du Soleil show O on Saturday (1/21).   The $70 million dollar pool/theatre was quite amazing.  The show was full of some pretty stunning feats – aerial acrobats, outrageous acrobatic diving, floor work with the raising and lowering underwater set, the usual Cirque clowns, a swinging balance girl… but it was all held together by a very confusing/odd storyline (more confusing and odd than other Cirque shows I’ve seen).

The most amazing feats were definitely the diving numbers and the balancing swing woman.  The other acrobatics were made a little bit more interesting than other normal Cirque shows simply due to the water element.  We even had one visible mistake (an acrobat fell off the aerial boat), but they swam to safety and rejoined the crew later.

Bottom Line for O: Pricier than the rest – I left confused but magically entertained.  4 of 5 stars.

the official O trailer
fairly representative of the show
Cirque du Soleil / O website

Best show: Zumanity, with P&T close behind.  If you compared the budgets of both shows, P&T’s was more economical from both an artist creation and audience wallet perspective (high quality entertainment, with a lot of thought and not a lot of exorbitant, unnecessary cash outlay).

Most Frivolous Vegas-y show: O for sheer audacity of grandeur.  BeLIEve for sheer audacity of ego.

Next time I go to Vegas, I’d take in Zumanity and Penn & Teller again in a heartbeat.  I’d also plan to save time for Mystère and Kà - the other non-band-oriented Cirque du Soleil shows in Las Vegas.  I might go see the Beatles’ Cirque show (LOVE), but I am not as keen on the Elvis one (Viva).

~Dan – np: Frank Zappa – Zoot Allures

One of my good friends from Cincinnati, Ashley Peacock, is back in the saddle making music again. His new band is called the Chance Brothers (Ash is “Butch Chance” and Todd Gilbert is “Bobby Chance”). The recorded their debut album over the holidays, and they just released the first single online – “Ruby.”

Check it out here:

Their album will come out in 2012… Follow them here:

• Facebook
• Twitter

If you’re in the Cincinnati area, they play the 86 Club on Saturday, January 28th (FB Event).

~Dan – np: Frank Zappa & Captain Beefheart – Bongo Fury

Fire Make Thunder marks the fourth undertaking for the collaborative duo known as OSI. Formed in 2002 by Jim Matheos (Fates Warning, Arch/Matheos) and Kevin Moore (Chroma Key, former Dream Theater keyboardist), OSI is a long distance partnership, both musicians typically writing and recording alone and sending song ideas back and forth for further elaboration. Written and recorded throughout most of 2011, this latest release once again reflects the eclectic influences of both Matheos and Moore.

Fire Make Thunder is slated for a March 27th release via Metal Blade Records. Today OSI unveils the artwork and the tracklisting for their fourth release.

Track listing:
1) Cold Call
2) Guards
3) Indian Curse
4) Enemy Prayer
5) Wind Won’t Howl
6) Big Chief II
7) For Nothing
8) Invisible Men

Additionally, OSI has released an exclusive audio medley from Fire Make Thunder, which features audio samples from the upcoming release. The medley as well as pre-order opportunities can be accessed HERE (Pacificlectic NOTE: they have the CD for a really great price or a shirt/CD combo).

Returning as the band’s session drummer is Gavin Harrison of Porcupine Tree, this time co-writing one of the tracks with the band. All other instruments and programming were performed by both Matheos and Moore, while vocals and lyrics were handled exclusively by Moore.

All of the recording for Fire Make Thunder, with the exception of drums, was done by Moore and Matheos at each musician’s respective home studio with drums being recorded at Harrison’s home in London. Final overdubs as well as some additional writing/arranging was completed in July 2011 in Jamaica, Iowa, where the band mixed alongside engineer Matt Sepanic at Sound Farm Studio and Recording Environment. Mastering was handled by renowned engineer Roger Siebel. The record was produced by both Moore and Matheos.

We reached out to OSI for comments on the album. Our calls have not been returned.

1/24 Update from Twitter re a vinyl edition (in Europe… which I’ll totally spring for on the shipping):

@Jonopuppy There are plans in the works for a limited vinyl release in Europe. Don't know the release date yet though.

—
OSI (@osi_band) January 25, 2012

For More Information Please Visit:
http://www.osiband.com
http://www.metalblade.com/osi
http://twitter.com/osi_band
https://www.facebook.com/pages/OSI/203893353038854
http://www.youtube.com/osivideos
https://plus.google.com/101327182573580737209
http://www.myspace.com/osiband

~Dan – np: Frank Zappa – One Size Fits All

NEW MERCH FOR 2012 FROM SECRET CHIEFS 3

WOM042 – Traditionalists: Le Chanson de Jacky / The Western Exile Exile 7″

La Chanson de Jacky

In 1965 Jacques Brel wrote and recorded a fiery three verse chanson exploding with the anxiety, bravado and panic faced by someone stretched to a midpoint  across the abyss — to find oneself suspended between mediocrity and genius, villainy and heroism, doom and eternity, etc. In 1967 the nearly equally inimitable Scott Walker brilliantly re-interpreted Brel’s Chanson in English, to equal parts controversy and acclaim in the Anglosphere. In 2012, both versions of the tune have collided in an Anglo-Franco alliance, revealing perhaps an ever-implicit third dimension. It’s a stunt simultaneously ill-advised and absolutely necessary for a band like Secret Chiefs 3: Traditionalists to undertake — and one that could only be pulled off with someone uniquely qualified to take command of the vocals. Who other than the maestro Mike Patton, in this day and age, to do justice (and then some) without insult to such a preposterously Spartan legacy?

The Western Exile

One of the main themes from Secret Chiefs 3′s 2004 album “Book of Horizons” receives a more spaghetti-seasoned marination in the crimson blood-soaked cemeteries of occidental exile. Not a chump re-mix, this is an entirely new thunderhead-evoking arrangement and recording, back-dated with a few more horsemen of the Apocalypse casting shadows over the Cowboys and Indians for cinematic effect. Already a well-proportioned auditory and philosophical compliment to its flipside, this recording is also one of the precious few Secret Chiefs 3 recordings graced with the voice and viola of Anonymous 13.

Read more about the 7″ and purchase here.

Also available: three new Secret Chiefs 3 t-shirts:

Secret Chiefs 3 also available on 12″ vinyl  (US customers only)

Secret Chiefs 3: First Grand Constitution & Bylaws 12″ vinyl

Secret Chiefs 3: Second Grand Constitution & Bylaws: Hurqalya

2012 West Coast Tour Dates

• Jan 24 – Denver CO – Bluebird Theatre
• Jan 25 – Santa Fe NM – Santa Fe Brewing Company
• Jan 26 – Phoenix AZ – Crescent Ballroom
• Jan 27 – Los Angeles CA – El Rey Theatre
• Jan 28 – Santa Ana CA – Constellation Room
• Jan 29 – San Diego CA – The Casbah
• Jan 31 – San Luis Obispo CA – Club SLO Brew
• Feb 1 – Santa Cruz CA – Moe’s Alley
• Feb 2 – San Francisco CA – Great American Music Hall
• Feb 3 – San Francisco CA – Slim’s
• Feb 4 – Sacramento CA – Harlow’s
• Feb 6 – Eugene OR – WOW Hall
• Feb 7 – Portland OR – Dante’s
• Feb 8 – Seattle WA – Neumos
• Feb 9 – Bellingham WA – The Wild Buffalo
• Feb 10 – Vancouver BC – Rickshaw Theatre

~Dan – np: Frank Zappa – One Size Fits All

Got my ticket for Radiohead at Key Arena at Seattle.  Anybody else have luck getting tickets?  If not, good luck on eBay, StubHub or other scalper sites.  The sale method took an even greater step to cut down on scalpers (no physical tickets, no print at home either).  Buyers have to show up with ID & credit card.  Might be interesting at the gates…

Outside of the two weekends at Coachella, here are their West Coast dates:

• April 9 – Key Arena, Seattle, WA
• April 11 – HP Pavilion, San Jose, CA
  
• April 12 – Santa Barbara Bowl, Santa Barbara, CA

~Dan – np: Frank Zappa – Chunga’s Revenge

(Dylan on the far left)

Dylan Carlson is creating his first major solo project outside of earth.  There will be a limited edition lp/dvd/book and cd/dvd/book (500 of each format) and a special pressing of 150 copies (lp only) with personalized ex libris by Simon Fowler (who will also do the cover and end papers). The illustrations will be by Kiyo Lappalainen. The limited edition books will be pop-up style. There will also be an open edition with regular flat printing in a cd booklet and flat lp printing.

The recording will combine field recordings from various megalithic and other sites of human/fairy encounters across the UK, also the use of ritual and folkloric magical practices. The expedition will be filmed by Clyde Petersen. These recordings will be layered with Dylan’s interpretations of classic Scotch-English ballads about human/fairy encounters from early modern England and Scotland (15th-18th century). It will also feature guest vocalists to sing the songs.

This is not being done through a label, as earth’s output has, but is a labor of love/obsession of Dylan’s. Being primarily of Scotch-English descent, this is an historical journey to his personal and cultural past, embracing music/folklore/the occult dimension and history. This is also result of personal experience’s of ‘the other side’. His blog has details, if interested. The field recordings will be accomplished in April-May of 2012. The rest of the recording/mastering will be finished in summer and early fall, the artwork is an ongoing process, already begun. Dylan is planning to have it all done for a May 2013 release. Join in the restoration of magic, a return to a world of spirits. Where all objects have a will of their own and a language they speak in, and we have learned how to speak with them again. It will be titled “Coleman Grey presents Falling with a Thousand Stars and Other Wonders from the House of Albion.”

You can join in on the Kickstarter HERE.  Despite the May 2013 release date, this project needs funding by February 12th, 2012.

~Dan – np: Frank Zappa – Burnt Weeny Sandwich

Is it the cover for the 4th album?  OSI responded on twitter with…

Actually, <*--redacted--*>. Hope that clears things up. RT @pacificlectic: Is this OSI's 4th album cover? wp.me/pfu9K-2yQ

—
OSI (@osi_band) January 13, 2012

I guess we’ll find out soon enough.  It comes out on Metal Blade soon (last we heard was March 2012).  O.S.I. is Kevin Moore (Chroma Key, ex-Dream Theater) and Jim Matheos (Fates Warning).

This in from the Mooreatorium…

OSI guitarist Jim Matheos revealed some details on OSI’s upcoming fourth studio album in an interview posted today by the music website Hit Channel. In the interview, which was conducted on Jan. 2, Matheos revealed that Metal Blade Records was expected to release a press this week about the album, along with audio samples, song titles and pictures. He also said that there are no guest musicians on the upcoming album and that the band is considering the possibilities of live shows sometime this year.

“You know it’s coming out in March and there is supposed to be a press release coming from Metal Blade next week and basically they asked me not to tell anything about it before the press release because I guess they want to get all the attention when it comes out,” Matheos said. “Kevin and I are really happy with it, but that’s all I can say. There will be a bunch of information released next week as far as titles, pictures and some samples coming out next week on OSI website and on Metal Blade as well.”

Regarding the use of guest musicians, Matheos said: “Not in this one. We decided for this one that Kevin and I we’re gonna take care of everything, except for the drums that neither of us can do. It just turned out that way, we felt comfortable with the material that we were writing and he felt comfortable with all the vocals. You know a lot of times in the past we liked some of the songs that Kevin didn’t felt comfortable doing lyrics and vocals for them for whatever reason so we brought a guest vocalist here and there. For this one it didn’t work out that way so it’s just Kevin, Gavin and I.”

Regarding the possibility of an OSI tour, Matheos said: “You know it’s like the Arch/Matheos thing. It’s hard to put together. We’re talking about it, we may do a couple of shows this year but we’ve talked about it in the past also and has never happened so far and I can’t make promises. I will do everything I can to do it cause I think it will be a great show.”

Full interview link: interview-jim-matheos-fates-warning-osi-arch-matheos

~Dan – np: Frank Zappa – Uncle Meat

From the stage, singer Karin Bergquist mentioned that they had stopped by and recorded in-studio with The Portland Sessions.  TPS wasn’t up and running yet, but it is now posted… enjoy all 26 minutes!

They play “The King Knows How” (dedicated to Elvis), “Oh Yeah by the Way,” the new song that I’m unofficially calling “On The Sacred Ground,” the Good Dog Bad Dog classic “Latter Days,” and end it with a Q&A.

Follow Over the Rhine: WEB / FB / Tw
Follow The Portland Sessions: WEB / FB / Tw

~Dan – np: Year of the Rabbit – Year of the Rabbit

From the Kevin Moore news website, The Mooreatorium…

Experimental rockers In Progress revealed the cover artwork today for their upcoming EP, titled North Atlantic Echoes, which features Kevin Moore (Chroma Key, O.S.I., ex-Dream Theater) on three tracks.  The artwork was done by Sweden-based artist Alessandro Falca, who handled the artwork duties for Moore’s Shine album in late 2010.

“Kevin introduced us to [Alessandro] after Jake [Rosenberg] and I expressed our appreciation of it,” said band member John Dillon of Falca’s work on Shine.  “Alessandro worked closely with us on the art direction, and Jake and I are really excited with the end result.  Just as cool as the cover is the artwork on the interior of the package and the disc itself, which you’ll just have to wait to see when the record starts coming off the presses!”

For more information on In Progress, visit their Facebook page.
For more information on Falca, visit his company website.

“Burn It Down“: temporarily removed from SoundCloud by InProgress

“Plan B” (demo) featuring Kevin Moore on vocals: downloadable, too

This and the 4th O.S.I. album out soon on Metal Blade.  It’s going to be a Kevin Moore-tastic year!

~Dan – np: Year of the Rabbit – Year of the Rabbit

Per Damien, the song won’t be on the record, but will be out on a 7″ vinyl…

..and yes, it was as cramped as it looks. i remember, being only able to hear the cymbals. it was awesome!

—
Damien Jurado (@damienjurado) January 03, 2012

a live performance of "static to be sold". a song that will not be on my new record - listen/see it here- liveandbreathing.com

—
Damien Jurado (@damienjurado) January 03, 2012

@pickathon "static to be sold" will be released as a 7" on secretly canadian. date tba.

—
Damien Jurado (@damienjurado) January 03, 2012

On February 21, Secretly Canadian will be releasing the upcoming Damien Jurado LP, Maraqopa, another collaboration with musician/producer and Cottage Grove-Oregon resident, Richard Swift.

Go HERE for more info on Maraqopa.  You can pre-order it HERE on CD or vinyl.  There’s also a free mp3 download of “Nothing is the News” here:

~Dan – np: Wussy – Funeral Dress

Pumpkin Stout Tiramisu

…

Makes 12 large servings

Ingredients: makes a 9″ x 13″ pyrex sized tiramisu sheet

• 6 egg yolks
• 1 ¼ cups white sugar
• 16 oz. package of mascarpone (soft Italian cheese)
• 2 cups heavy whipping cream
• one (1) 12 oz. package of lady fingers (about 40 of 4″ cookies used)
• ½ cup (4 oz.) pumpkin stout
  I used Corvallis-based Flat Tail Brewing’s Feathertop Imperial Pumpkin Stout, which was aged on vanilla beans and sweet cinnamon bark
• ¼ cup strong coffee (espresso or strong batch of french press)
• cocoa powder (for dusting) or semi-sweet chocolate bar (for grating or curling)

Steps:

1. Combine egg yolks and sugar in the top of a double boiler, over boiling water.  If you don’t have a double-boiler, here are some alternatives.  Reduce heat to low, and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and whip yolks until thick and lemon colored.
2. Add mascarpone to whipped yolks. Beat until smooth.  Using a hand mixer will help.
3. In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream to stiff peaks (also with a hand mixer). Gently fold into yolk mixture and set aside.
4. Take half of the lady fingers (about 20 cookies) and line the bottom and sides of a large glass bowl (9″ x 13″ pyrex).  Mix the stout & coffee together and then brush about half of the mixture over top of the lady finger layer. Brushing (versus dipping the cookies or pouring the liquid) gets some of the flavor into the cookies, but it doesn’t turn into a soaking mess.  Spoon half of the cream filling over the lady fingers.
5. Repeat ladyfingers (remaining 20 cookies), stout/coffee, and filling layers. Garnish with cocoa powder or chocolate curls. To make the chocolate curls, use a vegetable peeler and run it down the edge of the chocolate bar.
6. Refrigerate several hours or overnight.  Enjoy!

I think this would be great with any darker beer… a coffee stout, like Eugene-based Oakshire’s Overcast espresso stout would be amazing – and I think I’ll try that next.  Also, if they make the imperial chocolate pumpkin porter Big Black Jack next fall, I may have to try it with that as well.  Since craft beers vary by region, if you can’t find the exact beers above, I’m SURE you’ll find something suitable.  The best part of the recipe… you get plenty of beer to drink while you’re making it.

This is a mainly music-based blog. If you stumbled in on a recipe search, check out my other recipes at THIS LINK.

~Dan – Mike Patton – The Solitude of Prime Numbers

Oh no, don’t do it, Nellie!

Regarding Nellie, she’s hitting the road in early 2012 with her new show I Want To Live!  Catch it if it comes nearby!  I’m hitting Eugene and Portland!

• 1/25 – Minneapolis, MN Dakota
• 1/26 – Minneapolis, MN Dakota
• 2/9 – Lafayette, IN Duncan Hall
• 2/10 – Elgin, IL Elgin Community College Arts Center
• 2/11 – Elgin, IL Elgin Community College Arts Center
• 2/12 – Louisville, KY Bomhard Theater
• 2/25 – Park City, UT Eccles Center
• 2/28 – San Francisco, CA Rrazz Room
• 2/29 – San Francisco, CA Rrazz Room
• 3/2 – Eugene, OR Shedd Institute
• 3/3 – Kirkland, WA Kirkland Performing Arts Center
• 3/4 – Portland, OR Alberta Rose Theatre
• 3/7 – Chico, CA Laxson Auditorium
• 3/8 – Santa Cruz, CA Kuumbwa Jazz Center
• 3/9 – Hollywood, CA Catalina Jazz Club

Happy New Year to all ~157,000 page viewers this year (bots included).  See you all in 2012!

~Dan – np: Ani DiFranco - Which Side Are You On?

As said before… I’ve been buying less music… or, at least a lot less mainstream (major label) music. This is also my fourth year now that I bought more instrumental CDs than vocal CDs. I think as I get older, I am drawn more towards jazz and other instrumental forms of expression. Hopefully my spilling out of music that I like finds interest with someone else. But if not, thanks for stopping by… check out the artists’ webpages, Facebox pages, yadda yadda yadda. Some of these also made it on to my 2011 Mix CD (free streaming/download).

OK, now on to the best of what’s hit my ears this year…

	Cyro Baptista’s Banquet of Spirits plays John Zorn’s Masada Book Two: Book of Angels, Vol. 17 (Caym) :: The Masada Book two series is some of my favorite music coming out of Tzadik.  Banquet of the Spirits is the touring band of Latin percussionist Cyro Baptista, a long time Zorn collaborator.  Each track touches upon a different world tradition, steeped in Zorn’s klez-jazz score.  Lyrical and moving and fun!
	Artichaut Orkestra – T For Teresa :: Featuring four young musicians  from Toulouse, Artichaut Orkestra mix jazz, klezmer and classical music, blending rock energy with improv.  This is their debut record, and I’m definitely looking forward to more coming from them in the near future.
	Curtis Macdonald – Community Immunity :: To be honest, this was an impulse purchase.  One of my favorite record labels is Greenleaf Music – founded by my favorite living trumpet-player Dave Douglas.  I was picking up some new music from DD and figured, “eh, what the hell!”  I was impressed with Curtis’ melodic compositions and emotive alto sax playing.
	Mogwai – Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will :: Stunning double-disc set from post-rock’s Scottish kings.  I’ll still probably forgo seeing them live again (too loud, beyond their needs), but they put out some amazingly beautiful music.
(3 CDs)	John Zorn – Nova Express / At the Gates of Paradise / A Dreamer Christmas :: Three discs made the cut of the six Zorn releases in 2011.  Nova Express combines quirky atonal classical lyricism with a touch of the cut up techniques of Naked City and virtuosity of the Masada songbook. Zorn scored this for Joey Baron (drums), Trevor Dunn (bass), John Medeski (piano), and Kenny Wollesen (vibes).  Paradise features the same band as Nova Express, brings some Medeski organ into the mix and adds more of Zorn’s “mystical” ambiance.  The Dreamer Christmas album was an oddity for me.  Why would a Jewish jazz musician put out a Christmas album?  Because he can!  The Dreamers is one of my favorite Zorn-assembled ensembles: Joey Baron (drums), Cyro Baptista (percussion), Trevor Dunn (bass), Marc Ribot (guitars), Jamie Saft (keys), and Kenny Wollesen (vibes).  Very accessible, but not smooth jazz!  Adventurous!  Mike Patton joins them on the final track for a croon-y “chestnut roasting.”  The holiday album was also put out as a 12″ vinyl and a 7″ single – both with gorgeous artwork and design by Chippy.
	yMusic – Beautiful Mechanical :: The yMusic Ensemble had a kickstarter earlier this year for their debut album – with songs composed by Son Lux, Annie Clark, Shara Worden (aka My Brightest Diamond), Saraha Kirkland snider (who penned a favorite album Penelope last year), and Gabriel Kahane.  Their string-heavy, indie chamber rock approach excites me.  Being the musical backdrop for My Brightest Diamond’s All Things Will Unwind album (my #2 vocal album in 2011) doesn’t hurt.
	Peter Mulvey & David Goodrich – Nine Days Wonder :: Peter Mulvey has toured all over the US and the world for about 2 decades.  Some of the first times I saw him in concert, he had “Goody” with him on backing guitar.  They don’t get a chance to tour together much lately, but they did find some time to hole-up inside a studio to write and record some instrumental guitar duets.  While I love Peter’s vocal storytelling, it’s nice to hear his and Goody’s instrumental interplay tell a different story.
	Goddamn Electric Bill – Jazz :: GdEB is the one-man brainchild of Jason Torbert.  He hits the spot for organic electronic meets post-rock for me.  Ambient at times, melodic other times.  His latest work has featured some vocals, but he’s primarily a groove-induced soundscape kind of guy.  Chirps and glitches, too.  Excellent stuff!
	The Dead Kenny G’s – Operation Long Leash :: The Dead Kenny Gs is a duo started by saxophonist Skerik and drummer/vibes Mike Dillon in 2004.  shortly thereafter, they started adding Brian Haas, keyboard genius, when he is able, as well as Brad Houser, bassist from another Skerik band – Critters Buggin.  They push through the jazz/rock minefield to fight “injustice, cheese, and dishonesty in music, and society.”
	Talkdemonic – Ruins :: Portland-based chamber-indie-post-rock… goodness.  So much sound from two people.  If you’re in Portland, they’re playing a big NYE show tonight… if in Eugene, they’ll be through our way (at Sam Bond’s) on Feb 24th.  Not to be missed!
	Mike Patton – The Solitude of Prime Numbers :: I had to put this album as #13.  This chiefly instrumental album is a tribute to the book (by Paolo Giordano) and film of the same name.  The score is 16 tunes spread out over a 53 tracks, with the only tracks with content being 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29, 31, 37, 41, 43, 47, and 53. *slow clap* Clever, Mr. Patton!  For people who bought the CD, you can thank me for entering in the info to CDDB (t’was a pain).  The score/album fits more with his prior score for A Perfect Place – more accessible when compared to Patton’s usual schizophrenic output.  The packaging design is also brilliant – a gorgeous die-cut leaf that fold outwards.  I’d always recommend getting physical releases from Ipecac versus the digital download version.
	Garage A Trois – Always Be Happy, But Stay Evil :: Skerik, Stanton Moore, Marco Benevento (who replaced Charlie Hunter) and Mike Dillon make their way through Oregon quite a bit.  They are a sight to see – you don’t know exactly what kind of show you’ll get, but it’s definitely a fun time.  Fun, groove-oriented “new jazz.”
	Explosions in the Sky – Take Care, Take Care, Take Care :: If not jazz, this list is also overtaken by post-rock.  it’s a love of mine, and Explosions in the Sky are one of the best in that game.  Epic, sweeping guitars crashing over a hearty drum & bass end.  This is another album where I’d recommend the physical edition – the  case can be unfolded to form a model of a house, where if viewed from the inside, the view from the door of the house is overlooking a tornado across a plain.
	Erik Friedlander – Bonebridge :: I started 2011 seeing Erik perform his John Zorn-penned Volac album in its entirety… brilliant and moving.  Later in the year, he came out with Bonebridge – a new band/concept that takes his Broken Arm Trio (with Trevor Dunn & Mike Sarin) and adds slide guitar player Doug Wamble to the mix.  What you get is a perfect chamber-Americana-jazz album.  I hope there are more where this came from…
	Kevin Moore - Shine (Küçük Kıyamet Soundtrack) :: Kevin Moore’s main projects are the trippy/sample-heavy Chroma Key & heavier prog collaboration band O.S.I. (with Jim Matheos). Shine is the soundtrack to the 2006 Turkish film Küçük Kiyamet (“Little Apocalypse“).  It came out in early 2011 after a successful Kickstarter in 2010.  The next album from O.S.I. comes out in February 2012 on Metal Blade.  I can almost guarantee it will be my Top album of 2012, and I haven’t heard a shred of it yet.
	Reptet – At the Cabin :: This Seattle-based jazz sextet is fuuuuuuuuuun – both on record and in the live setting.  I wish the distance on I-5 between me and them wasn’t 5-6 hours, as I’d see them far more often if I could.
	Matt Chamberlain, Viktor Krauss, Dan Phelps – Modular: Sonic Explorations :: Gorgeous soundscapes from Matt Chamberlain, Viktor Krauss, and Dan Phelps.  The Modular Project is the collaboration of the aforementioned musicians working together to “discover what the spontaneous and organic manipulation of sound can yield. Inspired by the world around them, they set out to discover what it might sound like when continents shift, clouds form, and roots push through soil.”  The track, “Everest,” features one of my favorite cellists – Eyvind Kang (who has worked with Secret Chiefs 3, John Zorn, Bill Frisell, Mike Patton).  It’s a great mix of cello, vibes and soaring atmosphere.  The album is only available digitally or on vinyl (it’s a luscious triple-gatefold!)…
(3 CDs)	Dave Douglas - Three Views: GPS Series – Rare Metals, Orange Afternoons & Bad Mango :: Originally released as the “Greenleaf Portable Series” (download only), these three different releases in 2011 finally got a proper physical (boxset) release.  Dave’s prolific writing comes out with different bands on each record: Rare Metals features Dave’s most recent band Brass Ecstasy; Orange Afternoons features a specially put together quintet with Ravi Coltrane, Vijay Iyer, Linda Oh, and Marcus Gilmore; and Bad Mango paired Dave’s trumpet with So Percussion’s marimba, drumset, glockenspiel, musical saw, toy bells, shruti box, crotales, and more.  Three very different records tied together with Dave’s fantastic playing.
	Tides From Nebula – Earthshine :: This Polish post-rock group won my heart in 2009 with their debut, Aura (in 2009).  They continue to tease me with emails or news that says “tour” until I open and can’t pronounce the names of the cities that they’re hitting.  Drat!  At least their music will keep me company!  Earthshine is perfect for those fans of Explosions in the Sky, Mogwai, and the like… and seeing as it beat out both those groups on my 2011 list, well, that should tell you something as well.
	Michael Kelsey – Submerged :: Michael Kelsey is a HUGE amount of what I miss from the Midwest music scene.  He’s a musical genius – rarely paralleled on the frets.  Seeing him live (which I did any chance I could) was a site to behold.  His records do their best to capture his virtuosity, but they usually fail to capture his energy, too.  Catching fire in a bottle is tough.  Regardless, this one is a gem and also marks his first all instrumental affair.  Check him out, and if you live within a state or two from central Indiana, I count you a lucky one.  Go see him if he stops by your town.
	Earth - Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light 1 :: More riff-oriented and melodic compared to the prior drone doom albums, Earth bring a cello into the mix for the first time and create an ominous soundscape that is both elegant and dreadful.  The follow-up, Angels & Demons 2, comes out in Feb 2012… and you can almost guarantee it’ll rise to the top of my list next year as well.

Note: Ric Hordinski’s Arthur’s Garden (which made it on my 2011 Mix) is technically a 2012 release, hence its absence above.

Where do I get most of these jazz and other instrumental releases?  My #1 favorite source for jazz is Downtown Music Gallery in New York.  Manny and Bruce and their great staff are superb… and being the official distributor for John Zorn’s Tzadik doesn’t hurt my affection for them.  I usually do a monthly Tzadik order (if the releases strike my fancy), and they have a ton of other non-Tzadik jazz and avant-garde releases as well.

And, no, I’m not affiliated, I don’t get a commission, and beyond my initial “big tax refund / gotta get caught up on Zorn order of 2005,” I haven’t gotten a discount with DMG.  I just love and support what they do.

Enjoy the New Years’ weekend!! Be safe! See you in 2012.

My Other Favorites of 2011 Recaps:

• Fave Concerts & Photos of ‘11 are recapped *HERE*
• Fave EPs/Vinyl/Live/DVDs/more of ‘11 are *HERE*
• Fave Vocal Albums ‘11 are *HERE*
• Old Years:
  • 2010: Instrumental, Vocal, EPs/etc, Concerts,
  • Best of the 2000s Decade (1-10, 11-20, 21-25)
  • 2009: Instrumental, Vocal, EPs/etc, Concerts
  • 2008: Instrumental, Vocal, EPS/etc, Concerts
  • 2007: Vocal, Instrumental, Concerts
  • 2006 & 2005

~Dan – np: Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross – The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

Science!  Be safe out there while you’re celebrating the ringing in of 2012!

~Dan – np: Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross – The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

OK, now on to the best of what’s hit my ears this year…

Honorable Mentions: Iron & Wine – Kiss Each Other Clean, Tres Mts – Three Mountains, Pomplamoose – The Album You Bought At Our Show (Thanks for That), MC Frontalot – Solved and The Roots – Undun.

	Björk – Biophilia :: It started with an iPhone / iPad app… I was skeptical, but it turned out to be a really cool app and a really cool album.  I don’t think the actual music broke any new ground for Bjork, but her willingness to approach technology and manifest an album initially with a new format is what will keep her in the forefront for me.
	Elysian Fields – Last Night on Earth :: Brooklyn-based sultry art rockers Elysian Fields don’t really tour outside of NYC often.  Jennifer Charles and Oren Bloedow find their way to Europe on occasion, but most U.S. fans only really have their studio albums to sate their musical desires.  This is their sixth full-length album in their near 16-year career.  Well crafted, well produced, lush vocals and folk meets dusky jazz.
	Blackfield – Welcome to My DNA :: I was disappointed that I couldn’t make it out for this tour.  The album is good, albeit a little disjointed compared to their other two albums (probably due to Aviv Geffen doing more of the writing versus Steven Wilson who was busy with his solo album – see #9 below).  Nice orchestration and a solid offering from Blackfield.
	Dream Theater – A Dramatic Turn of Events :: I almost didn’t buy this album.  I’m glad I did, but I’m still pretty pissed at the band for choosing to continue without founder/drummer Mike Portnoy after he expressed an interest in a short hiatus/breather.  They picked up a drummer I like (Mike Mangini, who i saw play with Extreme in 1995), but a BIG piece of what I loved about DT (after Kevin Moore left in 1994) was Mike Portnoy’s energy.  With his absence, I’m liking them less and less.  The album is good, but it’s way more bitter than sweet to me.
	Foo Fighters – Wasting Light :: Dave Grohl is a modern rock genius.  He rocks, he hooks, he continues to put out great music.
	Steven Bernstein’s Millennial Territory Orchestra – MTO Plays Sly :: A trumpet-led tribute to Sly and the Family Stone with guests vocalists.  This superb collection is less funk, but still quite enjoyable.  My favorite is the Antony-sung “Family Affair.”
	Florence + the Machine – Ceremonials :: Soulful baroque-rock chanteuse won me over with their first album Lungs, even though I didn’t pick it up this year.  Her second album solidifies her as more than a fluke.  The album is dancey and dark.  Great for fans of Tori Amos & Kate Bush!
	Incubus – If Not Now, When? :: Incubus took some time off so guitarist Mike Einziger could work on his degree at Harvard and singer Brandon Boyd could put out some art as well as his solo album.  They regrouped and put out an album that had a similar vibe to the ocean-groove Morning View.  They aren’t breaking new ground, but they still have a solid position in my ears.
	The Jelly Jam – Shall We Descend :: The supergroup of Ty Tabor (King’s X), John Myung (Dream Theater) and Rod Morgenstein (Dixie Dregs) finally found some time to hit the studio!  The result is an excellent rock album…
	Chevelle – Hats Off to the Bull :: Chevelle are a sleeper in my collection.  I almost write them off and then with each album, I think how stupid it’d be to write them off.  Great hard rock with a vocalist that reminds me of Maynard (Tool, etc).  I really need to see this band live – I’ve yet to have a the chance…
	My Brightest Diamond & Murat Eyuboglu – Letters to Distant Cities :: A short spoken word album, featuring the words of Mustafa Ziyalan.  Words spoken by Shara Worden (My Brightest Diamond), backing music by Murat Eyubolu, with two songs sandwiching the poetry – one by MBD and one by Clare & the Reasons.  A great arty piece.
	Jason Ludwig – Tanglings :: Jason Ludwig returns to the Cincinnati music scene after his 2010 band break up (Noctaluca) with two full-length albums (Tanglings and Lost in Love).  Tanglings is my favorite of the two, but they’re both quite excellent.  Well-produced, well-arranged, creative singer-songwriter that reminds me of a cross between the pop of Glen Hansard (of the Swell Season and the Frames) and the creative of Daniel Johns (of Silverchair). If you don’t like these albums, I’d be surprised.
	Hotel Lights – Girl Graffiti :: Darren Jesse was the drummer for Ben Folds Five, and wrote one of my absolute favorite songs for them – “Magic” from The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner.  He puts down the sticks and picks up the guitar and vocal duties for Hotel Lights.  This is HL’s 3rd album, and he continues to impress me with his versatile skills.  Poppy indie rock.
	Eisley – The Valley :: The long gap between The Valley and their last album was trying for the band.  After many contract dispute with their former label (Warner), they were finally set free.  Many bands don’t make it out of contract disputes alive – it’s easier to break up sometimes.  Well, thankfully it’s difficult for Eisley to break-up, as they’d still see each other at holidays and family get-togethers (the band consists of 3 sisters, a brother, and a cousin).  The Valley picks up where 2007′s Combinations left off.  Alt-pop-rock goodness.  Vocal duties traded off between sisters Sherri & Stacy…
	Tori Amos – Night of the Hunters :: This was Tori’s first album on classical label Deutsche Grammophon.  I was skeptical at first, not because of the classical bent.  I knew she could handle that… I was skeptical due to the first artwork that looked plastic (which sadly stayed) and her last studio album was a lackluster (IMO) holiday album (blech).  Tori enlists her daughter Natashya on some vocals, and delivers one of my favorite Tori albums since 2002′s Scarlet’s Walk.
	David Bazan – Strange Negotiations :: Continuing in his solo expressions after the official ceasing of Pedro the Lion, David Bazan manifests wit, a sharp tongue, and a questioning mind into his DIY-indie rock.  This year, he toured quite a bit, solo and with a band.  An album last year (Curse Your Branches), an album this year, and another on the way.  He’s slogging away, trekking all over the country, and making some great music on the way.
	Steven Wilson – Grace for Drowning :: Porcupine Tree frontman Steven Wilson is a hard worker.  Whether he’s producing albums for others or making albums & touring with PT, Blackfield, No-Man, Storm Corrosion, or solo – he’s always busy each and every year.  This year brought his second solo album and a small tour.  The album is a bit more stripped down from his other projects.  It is reminiscent of Pink Floyd in spots – specifically this song “Home in Negative.”  He also rocks out a bit in the almost two hour double album… check out the video for “Track One” here (it’s a bit bleak then startling).  Gorgeous work.
	Wussy – Strawberry :: Well, I was super happy when I found out that Wussy was putting out their fourth full-length studio album this year. They’re a fantastic rock quartet made up of Chuck Cleaver, Lisa Walker, Mark Messerly, and Joe Klug. They write catchy, poppy choruses and meld it perfectly with Midwest Americana-meets-indie-rock grit (or “Midwestern drone” as their press says).   Vocal duties are traded off with Chuck (of Ass Ponys) and Lisa (of Magic Words).
	Radiohead – The King of Limbs :: I could probably put an “indie” icon next to Radiohead… I think technically they put TKOL out by themselves.  But they’re a huge superpower of a band.  I like this record, but I’ll admit that it’s still sinking in… I need to give it some more spins.  This album spawned a seven 7″ vinyl remix set.  The video for “Lotus Flower” also spawned a silly “Thom Yorke dancing” meme… one of my favorites being the tennis/fish and the “Single Ladies” editions.
	Jeffrey Foucault – Horse Latitudes :: Jeffrey Foucault is a favorite Americana artist that I got turned on to by singer-songwriter/storyteller Peter Mulvey.  Jeffrey and Peter work together in the band Redbird (with David Goodrich and Jeffrey’s wife Kris Delmhorst).  I didn’t pick up Jeffrey’s albums until the past year and a half.  He’s definitely more on the cusp of country than I tend to traverse, but I dig his authenticity, poetic wit and charm.  He’s a delight on stage and a fantastic John Prine-esque songwriter for the new generation.
	Opeth – Heritage :: Mikael Åkerfeldt hangs up the cookie monster vocals and “Swedish death metal” rattle and puts out a solid heavy metal album that is a tribute to his progressive metal ancestors.  I’ll admit, I miss the heavier side, but it’s still good to see Mikael evolve.
	Over the Rhine – The Long Surrender :: For those that don’t know Over the Rhine, they started out as a four piece in Cincinnati in 1989 and put out their “post-nuclear, pseudo-alternative, folk-tinged art-pop” indie debut ‘Til We Have Faces in 1991. After about a decade as a four-piece, Ric Hordinski (guitars) & Brian Kelley (drums) left.  Karin Bergquist (vocals) & Linford Detweiler (keys) carried on the Over the Rhine flame throughout the years… moving away from a rockier feel to a more folky-pop-Americana thing. What I like about Over the Rhine is they continually change and evolve into a different band with each album and each outing. I’ve seen them rock out, I’ve seen them jazz it up, I’ve seen them happy, I’ve seen them somber, I’ve seen them celebratory, and I’ve seen them tell stories that will make you laugh and cry.
	dredg – Chuckles and Mr. Squeezy :: I love this band.  I hate the album title, but I love the band.  Modern progressive rock, tons of talent, thoughtful lyrics, none of that “prog wankery” that is generally detestable.  While it’s hard for them to follow-up the stunning The Pariah The Parrot The Delusion (from 2009), this new album does a hearty job of maintaining their quality rock standards.
	My Brightest Diamond – All Things Will Unwind :: Shara Worden (aka My Brightest Diamond) took some time off since her last album – 2008′s A Thousand Shark’s Teeth.  She put out some stunning collaborations in the past three years (see #15 above) including her first kiddo; so the lapse in studio work was a-OK.  On this album, Shara teams up with NYC-based ensemble yMusic to create a lush backdrop for her gorgeous voice.  I can’t praise this album enough!
	Puscifer – Conditions of My Parole :: Tool / A Perfect Circle frontman Maynard James Keenan makes wine and makes other music in his time off from Tool and APC.  I loved Puscifer’s debut and the subsequent EP, but this album tops it all.  It’s a brilliant record, recorded in one of his wine cellars with his friends – featuring backing vocals from Carina Round.  It’s self-released by Puscifer music with a small distribution partner (available in indie shops, primarily).  The tour this year was great (I caught Seattle), and I’m glad they’re heading out in the spring again (I’ll be at Portland).

Check out the 2011 Mix for some samples, click the Amazon buttons for other samples, and support the music if you like what you hear!

My Other Favorites of 2011 Recaps:

• Fave Concerts & Photos of ‘11 are recapped *HERE*
• Fave EPs/Vinyl/Live/DVDs/more of ‘11 are *HERE*
• Fave Instrumental Albums ‘11 are coming soon
• Old Years:
  • 2010: Instrumental, Vocal, EPs/etc, Concerts,
  • Best of the 2000s Decade (1-10, 11-20, 21-25)
  • 2009: Instrumental, Vocal, EPs/etc, Concerts
  • 2008: Instrumental, Vocal, EPS/etc, Concerts
  • 2007: Vocal, Instrumental, Concerts
  • 2006 & 2005

~Dan – np: Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross – The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

Favorite EPs of 2011

• Savanna Coen – Strength
• Auragami – everything. Now.
• Works Progress Administration – 4×4
• Amanda Palmer/Ben Folds/etc – 8in8
• Celldweller – Wish Upon A Blackstar 4
  

Favorite Vinyl-only Release of 2011

• Secret Chiefs 3 (FORMS & Ishraqiyun) – Saptarshi / Radar 7″
• Chamberlain/Krauss/Phelps – Modular: Sonic Explorations 12″
• John Zorn’s The Dreamers – The Christmas Song/Santa’s Workshop 7″
  fave non-vinyl-only issue: My Brightest Diamond – All Things Will Unwind 12″ (is luscious)
  

Favorite DVDs of 2011

• Fantômas – The Director’s Cut Live
• Kevin Smith – Red State
• Morgan Spurlock – POM Presents the Greatest Movie Ever Sold
• Tucker & Dale vs. Evil
• Sigur Rós – Inní

Favorite Internet Only Releases of 2011

• Derek Webb – Democracy Vol 2 (monthly series from March to December)

Favorite Live Albums of 2011

• Sigur Rós – Inní
• Dave Douglas & Brass Ecstasy – United Front (live at Newport)
• Damien Jurado – Live at Landlocked
• Medeski Scofield Martin & Wood – In Case the World Changes Its Mind

Favorite Podcasts in 2011 (they’re free, yo! Search for them on iTunes)

• George Hrab - Geologic Podcast
• Keith Olbermann - Countdown on CurrentTV
• Rachel Maddow – The RM Show on MSNBC
• Bill Maher‘s New Rules
• Adam Carolla - The Adam Carolla Podcast, Ace on the House and CarCast
  
• Kevin Smith & Scott Mosier – SModcast
• Kevin Smith & Ralph Garman - Hollywood Babble On
• The Skeptics Guide to the Universe
• CNN’s Political Notebook
• Marc Maron – WTF Podcast
• Dan Savage – Savage Lovecast

Best Cover Art & Packaging in 2011 

• Steven Wilson - Grace For Drowning (special edition)
• Chamberlain/Krauss/Phelps – Modular: Sonic Explorations 12″
• Over the Rhine – The Long Surrender (special edition)
• My Brightest Diamond – All Things Will Unwind (colorful, lovely cover art)
• Mike Patton – The Solitude of Prime Numbers (stunning die-cut leaf design)
• John Zorn’s The Dreamers – A Dreamer Christmas (vinyl, designed by Chippy)

Favorite Indie Releases in 2011 (DIY all the way)

• Jason Ludwig – Lost in Love and Tanglings (Cincinnati/Austin-based, former Noctaluca frontman)
• Savanna Coen – Strength EP (13yo Eugene singer with a voice beyond her years)

Best Re-issues in 2011

• Dream Theater – Metropolis Part 2: Scenes From A Memory (on vinyl)
• Ben Folds – Best Imitation of Myself (hits w/ some new BFF songs)
• Toad the Wet Sprocket – All I Want (hits, rerecorded)
• Various Artists/Sufjan Stevens – On Joyful Wings (tribute album to Seven Swans)

Worst Music News in 2011 (for me at least)

• Faith No More‘s reunion tour didn’t hit the U.S. proper, again… and the promised Mondo Cane U.S. Tour didn’t happen.
• Dream Theater not wanting to take a short break/hiatus, and thus kicking out Mike Portnoy, one of the best parts of that band…

Best Late-Getter in 2011 (something that came out before 2011)

• Florence + The Machine – Lungs (from 2009)

Best Musical Novelty / Ingenuity in 2011

• F*ck That! Erin McKeown’s Anti-Holiday Album
  
• Weird Al Yankovic – ALpocalypse

Best Soundtrack in 2011

• Kevin Moore – Shine (for Küçük Kıyamet)
  
• The Book of Mormon

So, yeah, this was the catch-all post… check back later this week for the more traditional year end wrap-up festivities…

My Other Favorites of 2011 Recaps:

• Fave Concerts & Photos of ‘11 are recapped *HERE*
• Fave Vocal Albums ‘11 are coming soon
• Fave Instrumental of ‘11 are coming soon
• Old Years:
  • 2010: Instrumental, Vocal, EPs/etc, Concerts,
  • Best of the 2000s Decade (1-10, 11-20, 21-25)
  • 2009: Instrumental, Vocal, EPs/etc, Concerts
  • 2008: Instrumental, Vocal, EPS/etc, Concerts
  • 2007: Vocal, Instrumental, Concerts
  • 2006 & 2005

~Dan – np: Ani DiFranco - Which Side Are You On?

Second day in the studio mixing John Zorn music... Mike Patton, John Medeski and Trevor Dunn sounding astonishingly powerful! Zorn rocks!!!

—
Marc Urselli (@MarcUrselli) December 27, 2011

wow long day in the studio... 12 hours later this Zorn record is a life-changing experience... Patton, Baron, Dunn & Medeski killed it!

—
Marc Urselli (@MarcUrselli) December 28, 2011

Mike Patton, Trevor Dunn & John Medeski together on a future John Zorn release?!  Excellent!  It’s not listed on the Tzadik upcoming releases page, yet…

~Dan – np: Steven Bernstein’s Millennial Territory Orchestra – MTO Plays Sly

My favorite concerts of 2011:

1. Puscifer :: Paramount Theater :: Seattle, WA {7 Nov} [review with photos] – brilliant new album, fantastic stripped down/meets over the top tour!
2. U2 & Lenny Kravitz :: Qwest Field :: Seattle, WA {4 Jun} [review with photos] – one of the biggest tours ever doesn’t disappoint
3. My Brightest Diamond :: Mississippi Studios :: Portland, OR {6 Nov} [review with photos] – Shara’s gorgeous voice works well even in a solo setting
4. Peter Mulvey :: three shows :: Eugene/Creswell/Corvallis, OR {10-12 Nov} [3-show review with photos] – yes, I’m an addict, but I can’t pass up any chance to see Peter in my neck of the woods…
5. Godspeed You! Black Emperor :: Crystal Ballroom :: Portland, OR {18 Feb} [review, no photos] – surreal and amazing!
6. The Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger (Sean Lennon & Charlotte Kemp Muhl):: The Woods :: Portland, OR {28 Jan} [review with photos] – pure pop brilliance, Sean takes after his father…
7. Nels Cline Singers :: Doug Fir Lounge :: Portland, OR {30 Jan} [review with photos] – avant garde guitar experimentation…
8. Eddie Vedder (of Pearl Jam) & Glen Hansard (of The Swell Season) :: Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall :: Portland, OR {14 Jul} [review with photos] – Glen is a great singer-songwriter, and Eddie is an amazing performer (this time, mainly on ukelele)…
9. Explosions in the Sky / MusicFest NW :: Pioneer Courthouse Square :: Portland, OR {10 Sep} [no review] – I had to scuttle from this show to a follow-up MFNW show, but this was definitely a highlight…
10. Pomplamoose :: Doug Fir Lounge :: Portland, OR {27 Oct} [review with photos] – the youtube stars make good with a real tour… A+!
11. Over the Rhine :: Aladdin Theater :: Portland, OR {17 Nov} [review with photos] – OTR will always be a favorite
12. Opeth :: Roseland Theater :: Portland, OR {16 Oct} [review with photos] – no cookie monster screams, I missed them, but Opeth still doesn’t disappoint.
13. Erik Friedlander plays John Zorn’s Masada Book Two (Book of Angels, Volume 8: Volac) :: The John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts :: Eugene, OR {8 Jan} [review with photos] – an amazing cellist playing a amazing book of melodies
14. Toad the Wet Sprocket :: Downtown Bend Celebration :: Bend, OR {8 Jul} [review with photos] – anytime Toad or lead singer GLen Phillips are playing in my radar, I’m going!
15. Jeffrey Foucault :: Cozmic Pizza :: Eugene, OR {20 Oct} [review with photos] – Jeffrey is quickly becoming a favorite songwriter of mine, full of grit and charm…

Runners-Up: Reptet at Luckey’s (Jan), Elton John at Matthew Knight Arena (Feb), A Perfect Circle at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall (June), The Dead Kenny G’s at Sam Bond’s Garage (July), and Jason Webley & Mood Area 52 at WOW Hall (Oct).  Even after honorable mentions, I cut some GREAT ones… 2011 was a great year.

My favorite concert photos of 2011: (in chronological order)

(all images are free to use under a creative commons designation,
simply identify Daniel Temmesfeld with a
photo credit and link to pacificlectic.com.

Past Favorite Concerts Lists:

• Favorite Concerts 2010
• Favorite Concerts 2009
• Favorite Concerts 2008
• Favorite Concerts 2007

Favorite music of 2011 will be coming soon… EPs/DVDs/etc, vocal albums, instrumental albums…

~Dan – np: Steven Bernstein’s Millennial Territory Orchestra – MTO Plays Sly

Check out 2009′s mix over here and 2010′s mix over here.  No major theme this time like some of my prior mixes (4 Elements & A-to-Z mixes)… the only rule I placed before myself was that everything is current (i.e.- released in 2011).  This year’s mix ended up mellower than most mixes from me.  There are a few rock songs, but whilst re-listening, it’s definitely less rocky.  I hope you enjoy.

The following songs were put on the mix from mostly lossless sources where possible and for promotional purposes only (read: free direct market advertising to people who decidedly love music). Most of the artists on this compilation are independent (put out the music themselves) or signed to smaller, independent labels. If you like what you hear, check out their music / support them with your wallet if you are able. The artists’ Webpage, Facebook, and Amazon links are available for each song below. I’ve also included concert review links if I’ve seen the artist recently.

Download the ZIP File (136M) available *HERE*, extract then drag & drop the mp3 files to your iTunes (or other playback software).

All Songs Streaming Playlist (click arrows to skip back & forth… for individual songs find them below. Note: Track 20 has explicit content.)

«°¤°» ¤ ¤ «°¤°»

01 Puscifer “The Green Valley” from Conditions of My Parole

«°¤°» ¤ ¤ «°¤°»

02 My Brightest Diamond “Be Brave” from All Things Will Unwind

«°¤°» ¤ ¤ «°¤°»

03 Ric Hordinski “My Pretty Bagatelle” from Arthur’s Garden

«°¤°» ¤ ¤ «°¤°»

04 Goddamn Electric Bill “Sin” from Jazz

«°¤°» ¤ ¤ «°¤°»

05 Radiohead “Codex” from The King of Limbs

«°¤°» ¤ ¤ «°¤°»

06 Garage A Trois “Assault on Precinct 13” from Always Be Happy, But Stay Evil

«°¤°» ¤ ¤ «°¤°»

07 dredg “The Tent” from Chuckles and Mr. Squeezy

«°¤°» ¤ ¤ «°¤°»

08 Tres Mts. “Makes Me Feel” from Three Mountains

«°¤°» ¤ ¤ «°¤°»

09 Chamberlain/Krauss/Phelps “Everest” from Modular: Sonic Explorations

«°¤°» ¤ ¤ «°¤°»

10 Jeffrey Foucault “Passerines” from Horse Latitudes

«°¤°» ¤ ¤ «°¤°»

11 Peter Mulvey & David Goodrich “Drumlin Trail” from Nine Days Wonder

«°¤°» ¤ ¤ «°¤°»

12 Steven Wilson “Home in Negative” from Grace for Drowning

«°¤°» ¤ ¤ «°¤°»

13 Wussy “Pulverized” from Strawberry

«°¤°» ¤ ¤ «°¤°»

14 Pomplamoose “Telephone” from The Album You Bought At Our Show…

«°¤°» ¤ ¤ «°¤°»

15 David Bazan “Wolves at the Door” from Strange Negotiations

«°¤°» ¤ ¤ «°¤°»

16 John Zorn “Song of Experience” from At the Gates of Paradise

«°¤°» ¤ ¤ «°¤°»

17 Over the Rhine “Days Like This” from The Long Surrender

«°¤°» ¤ ¤ «°¤°»

18 Elysian Fields “Sleepover” from Last Night On Earth

«°¤°» ¤ ¤ «°¤°»

19 Kevin Moore “Hypnogogic” from Shine

«°¤°» ¤ ¤ «°¤°»

20 Childish Gambino “Heartbeat” from Camp (warning: explicit content)

«°¤°» ¤ ¤ «°¤°»

Near misses from the mix: something from Earth’s Angels of Darkness Demons of Light 1 & Opeth’s Heritage (songs are too long) and Azealia Bank’s “212″ (infectious as hell)… plus songs from several other albums that’ll still be on my Best of 2011 lists (coming soon).

Let me know what you think… If you enjoyed what you heard, please support the music.  Definitely feel free to pass the link the mix along:

http://tinyurl.com/MixyD2011

~Dan – np: Florence + the Machine – Ceremonials

there are no torrents, free mp3 or other downloads available

~Dan – np: Various Artists – Pacificlectic 2011 Mix (free)

Made by Mark Hall-Patch. Maybe some of these “musicians” would get a little more street cred with some evil band logos.

~Dan – np: The Roots – Undun

Last afternoon’s show was by Cellophoria – a cello quartet made up of Eugene Symphony musicians.  Dale Bradley, Jeffrey Eaton, Ann Grabe, and Anne Ridlington all play with the Eugene Symphony.  They also have vast non-ES experience with the Eugene Opera Orchestra, Oregon Mozart Players, the OSU/Corvallis Symphony, Oregon Bach Festival and many varied teaching and playing opportunities.  They obviously keep busy, which made their ability and willingness to set aside a foggy afternoon for us into a true treat!

Their gorgeous set in a gorgeous setting…

Setlist: about an hour

• Slavic Dance [Dale Bradley]
• Prelude in E Minor, Op. 28, No. 4 [Frederic Chopin, arr. Laszlo Varga]
• Four Scottish & Irish Tunes [arr. Dale Bradley]
  ….Arran Boat Song
  ….Road to Lisdoonvarna
  ….Star of the County Down
  ….Skye Boat Song
• Every Breath You Take [Sting, arr. John Reed]
• Ashokan Farewell [Jay Ungar, arr. David Faulkner]
• Gagliarda del Principe di Venosa [Carlo Gesualdo, arr. Árpád Pejtsik]
• Chaconne from Partita No. 2 in D Minor For Unaccompanied Violin, BWV 1004 [J.S. Bach, arr. Laszlo Varga]
• Bagatelle No. 5 from Bagatelles for 2 Violins, Cello and Harmonium, Op. 47 [Antonin Dvorák, arr. Rosalynn Heuer]
• Generations [Dale Bradley]
• Eleanor Rigby [Lennon/McCartney, arr. B. Lanier]
• All Through the Night [arr. Dale Bradley]

The sound in the high, vaulted wood ceiling living room was superb.  Full from good food and good music, it was a splendid late Fall/lazy Sunday afternoon.

That was presumably my last show of the year (unless something pops up between now and 12/30).  2011 year-end concert and album “best of” recaps coming up soon.  Next show for me… Pojama People play the music of Frank Zappa with FZ vocalist Ike Willis at Sam Bond’s on 1/7.

~Dan – np: Childish Gambino – Camp

http://glenphillips.bandcamp.com/track/the-next-day-2

From the 12/13/11 show at Soho in Santa Barbara. Closest I will make it to a holiday song this year. More of an OWS support ditty with a seasonal reference in the chorus… Be happy, be well.

Also, rest in peace, Christopher Hitchens.  You were great.  God is Not Great.

~Dan – np: Wussy – Strawberry

World metal phenoms Secret Chiefs 3, led by Mr. Bungle guitarist Trey Spruance, is hitting the road this winter with Cambodian/Los Angeles fusion pop band (and former Web of Mimicry labelmates) Dengue Fever.  Confirmed dates below, more details will be posted shortly:

• Jan 24 – Denver CO – Bluebird Theatre
• Jan 25 – Santa Fe NM – Santa Fe Brewing Company
• Jan 26 – Phoenix AZ – Crescent Ballroom
• Jan 27 – Los Angeles CA – El Rey Theatre
• Jan 28 – Santa Ana CA – Constellation Room
• Jan 29 – San Diego CA – The Casbah
• Jan 31 – San Luis Obispo CA – Club SLO Brew
• Feb 1 – Santa Cruz CA – Moe’s Alley
• Feb 2 – San Francisco CA – Great American Music Hall
• Feb 3 – San Francisco CA – Slim’s
• Feb 4 – Sacramento CA – Harlow’s
• Feb 6 – Eugene OR – WOW Hall
• Feb 7 – Portland OR – Dante’s
• Feb 8 – Seattle WA – Neumos
• Feb 9 – Bellingham WA – The Wild Buffalo
• Feb 10 – Vancouver BC – Rickshaw Theatre

If you’ll be at either Oregon date, let me know.  I’ll be there for both Eugene and Portland!  Last time I saw them was 2008 (Aug 2008 – Doug Fir, Portland); so it’s been a long time coming…

~Dan – np: Marketa Irglova – Anar

Many times, he trots out on his own… which is usually more intimate.  But the chance to see Bazan with a backing band shouldn’t be passed up.  He’s really able to let the rock come forth in his songs.  His doubtful, questioning, reflective lyricism work just as well behind a dirty, loud guitar as it does with just him and a guitar in a living room.

Last night at Sam Bond’s, after delightful indie-rock quartet opener Shay Roselip’s short set, Bazan came on to do what I thought was just sound check.  Nope… boom goes the dynamite, his mighty three-piece kicked into a tune from Pedro the Lion’s Control… “Second Best.”

Setlist: ~85 mins

• Second Best [Pedro the Lion]
• Wolves at the Door
• Bless This Mess
• How I Remember
• I Do [PTL]
• Of Up and Coming Monarchs [PTL]
• Q&A #1
• Gas and Matches [Headphones]
• Eating Paper
• Magazine [PTL]
• Climb That Hill [Tom Petty]
• Bearing Witness
• Q&A #2
• Virginia
• People
• Cold Beer and Cigarettes
• Big Trucks [PTL]
• Criticism as Inspiration [PTL]
• Q&A #3 with lifetime pass drawing
• Strange Negotiations
  No encore

The setlist was similar to other shows on this tour… a great mix of Pedro the Lion tunes, a Headphones tune, a Tom Petty cover and a lot from his two solo albums & EP.  Strange Negotiations, this years effort, will definitely be somewhere on my Best of 2011 list (still formulating).

Being the last stop of the 40+ date tour across the country, his voice showed some wear – especially on the “right on” part of “Cold Beer and Cigarettes.”  He powered through it, dropping the notes to a more suitable weary-throat range.  His band, made up of Alex Westcoat on drums and Andy Fitts on bass, blistered away with David.  Despite the aforementioned vocal strain, their musical chops were evident last night.

They were driving through the night to make it home to Seattle by sun-up.  If you missed them on this tour, David hinted at a new album being done by March 1st, with it coming out sometime in 2012.  So the chance of more tours in 2012?  High possibility!

The Appropriate Linkage:

• David Bazan’s Site
• David Bazan’s Social Media Links (see below)
  
• Shay Roselip’s MySpace / Soundcloud
  
• My Other Related Reviews~
  • House Show (Eugene, OR – Sep 2011)
  • Sam Bond’s Garage (Eugene, OR – Mar 2010)
  • Mississippi Studios (Portland, OR – Nov 2009)
  • House Show (Eugene, OR – Jul 2009)
  • The Indigo (Eugene, OR – Dec 2007)
• Sam Bond’s Garage’s Website / Facebook

This was the last date of the tour… see other dates below.  I’m sure David will be out again in the Spring…

Next show for me… Cellophoria private house concert on 12/18.

~Dan – np: Marketa Irglova – Anar

David Bazan + Band Tour – Fall 2011

11/01 Tue – Spokane WA - A Club
11/02 Wed - Boise ID - Neurolux
11/04 Fri - Colorado Springs - The Black Sheep
11/05 Sat - Lawrence KS - Bottleneck
11/06 Sun - Omaha NE - The Waiting Room
11/07 Mon - Iowa City IA - Blue Moose Taphouse (upstairs)
11/09 Wed - Milwaukee WI - Cactus Club
11/10 Thu - Indianapolis IN - White Rabbit Cabaret
11/11 Fri - Newport KY - Southgate House
11/12 Sat - Grand Rapids MI - Ladies Literary Club
11/13 Sun - Pittsburgh PA - Brillobox
11/14 Mon - Hoboken NJ - Maxwell’s
11/15 Tue - Baltimore MD - Ottobar
11/17 Thu - Charlottesville VA - The Southern
11/18 Fri - Norfolk VA - Jewish Mother
11/19 Sat - Charlotte NC - Evening Muse
11/20 Sun - Columbia SC - New Brookland Tavern
11/21 Mon - Knoxville TN - Pilot Light
11/26 Sat - Athens GA - Caledonia Lounge
11/27 Sun - Nashville TN - Mercy Lounge
11/29 Tue - St Augustine FL - The Original Cafe Eleven
11/30 Wed - Tampa FL - Crowbar
12/01 Thu - Tallahassee FL - Engine Room
12/02 Fri - Oxford MS - Proud Larry’s
12/03 Sat - Memphis TN - Hi Tone
12/04 Sun - Norman OK - Opolis
12/06 Tue - Albuquerque NM - Low Spirits
12/07 Wed - Tucson AZ - Solar Culture
12/08 Thu - Las Vegas NV - Beauty Bar
12/09 Fri - Costa Mesa CA - Constellation Room
12/10 Sat - Santa Cruz - Crepe Place
12/11 Sun - Sacramento CA - Blue Lamp
12/12 Mon - Arcata CA - Jambalaya
12/14 Wed - Eugene OR - Sam Bond’s Garage

http://www.mta.me/

Related, here’s a the London tube map created by Kyle Bean in colorful (colourful) drinking straws…

click for more

~Dan – np: Florence + the Machine – Ceremonials

Derek Webb’s Democracy Vol 2… This month, it is “Falling Slowly” by The Swell Season. It starts out not as expected, a little more rough around the edges compared to the original.  I love this song, though – and I think Derek does it justice.

For those not in the know, Democracy Vol 2 is a continuation of the covers project Derek started last year. The fans get to nominate songs and then vote once the nominations are tallied. Here’s what he’s done in 2010 and 2011 to date (you can still go back and buy this volume):

• January 2010: The Beatles – While My Guitar Gently Weeps
• February: Coldplay – Fix You
• March: Bob Dylan – The Times They Are A-Changin’
• April: Gnarls Barkley – Who’s Gonna Save My Soul
• May: Sufjan Stevens – Chicago *a personal fave*
• June: U2 – Where the Streets Have No Name
• July: Huey Lewis & the News – Power of Love
• August: The Beatles – Eleanor Rigby *a personal fave*
• September: Simon & Garfunkel – The Sound of Silence
• October: Radiohead – Karma Police *a personal fave*
• November: Leonard Cohen – Hallelujah
• December: Robert Robinson (traditional hymn) – Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
• January 2011: off
  
• February: off
• March: Cee-Lo Green – F**k You *a personal fave*
  
• April: Bon Jovi – Livin’ On A Prayer
• May: The Beach Boys – God Only Knows
• June: U2 – One
• July: Dallán Forgaill (traditional hymn) – Be Thou My Vision
  
• August: Simon & Garfunkel – Bridge Over Troubled Water
• September: The Beatles – Revolution *a personal fave*
• October: Rich Mullins – Creed
• November: The Swell Season – Falling Slowly
  

~Dan – np: Childish Gambino – Camp

Democracy Vol. 2 is a series of subscription based albums of cover songs that Derek will be recording annually, starting January 2010. Those who participate will not only receive the exclusive album, but will democratically decide what songs Derek will record.

Ever wished you could hear Derek cover your favorite Beatles song? Or Backstreet Boys song? Or even re-record your favorite old Caedmon’s Call song? Here’s your chance. Songs will be nominated and voted down to 10. Derek will record them (demo quality) and deliver them digitally (320kbps MP3s), one song per month for 10 months (March to December). Don’t miss your chance to be part of this unique collaborative project with Derek Webb!

New French based music service Deezer.com (comparable to Spotify) are rolling out their services in 200 countries in the coming months and a new Radiohead single surfaced, entitled, ‘The Daily Mail & Staircase’. Cover art is included, expect the tracks don’t stream till the release date: December 19th.

Amazon.com has the mp3/digital download single online as well now, listed for $1.98 with the same release date.  Here are “The Daily Mail” and “Staircase” from Radiohead’s From The Basement session:

~Dan – np: The Beastie Boys – Hot Sauce Committee Part 2

http://www.millertheatre.com/

I always enjoy him talking about his process… of the “people who love what I do and people who hate what I do,” I’m in the love crowd.  He’s definitely not for everyone.  But if you dig avant-garde, experimental composed music and live near NYC – I’d highly recommend this show!

~Dan – np: Chevelle – Hats Off to the Bull

PUSCIFER’S CONDITIONS OF MY PAROLE TOUR 2012
All shows on sale Friday, Dec. 16.  VIP ticket packages available simultaneously at http://puscifer.frontgatetickets.com

The new Puscifer album, Conditions of My Parole, is available now at Puscifer.com, Amazon.com, iTunes and at independent record stores.  Conditions of My Parole is a brilliant record; so I think you should go buy it if you haven’t yet.  It’s at the top of my pile for 2011 releases (by far).

Check out my review (with photos) from the 1st date of the 1st leg of the tour in Seattle (11/7/11) over HERE.  They’re heading out in late winter 2012 on a 2nd leg…

February 2012
23  Austin, TX – Long Center for the Performing Arts
25 Baton Rouge, LA – River Center Theatre
26 Memphis, TN – Orpheum Theatre
28 Nashville, TN – Andrew Jackson Hall
29 Louisville, KY – Brown Theatre

March 2012
1 Pittsburgh, PA – Byham Theatre (new date)
3 Cincinnati, OH – Taft Theatre
4 Indianapolis, IN – Murat Theatre
6 Kansas City, KS – Kansas City Music Hall
7 Omaha, NE – Omaha Civic Auditorium
10 Edmonton, AB – North Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
11 Calgary, AB – Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
13 Vancouver, BC – The Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts
14 Portland, OR – Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
16 San Francisco, CA Palace of Fine Arts (new date)
17 Riverside, CA Fox Performing Arts Center (new date)
18 Escondido, CA – California Center for the Arts

I’ll be at the Portland gig!  More dates may still be announced.

~Dan – np: Mike Patton – The Solitude of Prime Numbers

In memory of Frank Zappa’s birth (Dec 21st, 1940) and his untimely death from prostate cancer (Dec 4th, 1993) – “Zappadan” is like Ramadan… but with more 32nd notes.  Start early, and listen to one Frank Zappa album a day for the month of December.  Dig through his vast collection and pull something out you maybe haven’t spun in a while.  I’ve got his most-complete discography below…

“You can’t always write a chord ugly
enough to say what you want to say;
so sometimes you have to rely on a
giraffe filled with whipped cream.“

~Dan – np: Frank Zappa – Ship Arriving Too Late To Save A Drowning Witch

Frank Zappa’s mostly-complete Discography (ZFT-approved releases)
Comprehensive list here: http://globalia.net/donlope/fz/lyrics/

Freak Out!1966		Absolutely Free1967		Lumpy Gravy1967		We’re Only In ItFor The Money1968
Cruising With Ruben & The Jets1968		Uncle Meat1969		Mothermania1969		Hot Rats1969
Burnt Weeny Sandwich 1970		Weasels Ripped My Flesh 1970		Chunga’s Revenge1970		Fillmore East, June 1971 1971
200 Motels 1971		Just Another Band From L.A. 1972		Waka/Jawaka 1972		The Grand Wazoo 1972
Over-Nite Sensation 1973		Apostrophe (‘) 1974		Roxy & Eslewhere 1974		One Size Fits All 1975
Bongo Fury with Captain Beefheart 1975		Zoot Allures 1976		Zappa In New York 1978		Studio Tan 1978
Sleep Dirt 1979		Sheik Yerbouti 1979		Orchestral Favorites 1979		Joe’s Garage Act I 1979
Joe’s Garage Acts II & III 1979		Tinseltown Rebellion 1981		Shut Up ‘n Play Yer Guitar1981		Shut Up ‘n Play Yer Guitar Some More1981
Return Of The Son Of Shut Up ‘n Play Yer Guitar1981		You Are What You Is 1981		Ship Arriving Too Late To Save A Drowning Witch 1982		Shut Up ‘n Play Yer Guitar (The Box Set)1982
The Man From Utopia 1983		Baby Snakes 1983		London Symphony Orchestra, Vol. I 1983		The Perfect Stranger 1984
Them Or Us 1984		Thing-Fish 1984		Francesco Zappa 1984		The Old Masters, Box I1985
Frank Zappa Meets The Mothers Of Prevention 1985		Does Humor Belong In Music? 1986		The Old Masters, Box II 1986		Jazz From Hell 1986
London Symphony Orchestra, Vol. II 1987		Joe’s Garage Acts I, II & III1987		The Old Masters, Box III 1987		Guitar 1988
You Can’t Do That On Stage Anymore, Vol. 11988		You Can’t Do That On Stage Anymore, Vol. 2 – The Helsinki Concert 1988		Broadway The Hard Way 1988		You Can’t Do That On Stage Anymore, Vol. 3 1989
The Best Band You Never Heard In Your Life 1991		You Can’t Do That On Stage Anymore, Vol. 4 1991		Make A Jazz Noise Here 1991		You Can’t Do That On Stage Anymore, Vol. 51992
You Can’t Do That On Stage Anymore, Vol. 61992		Playground Psychotics 1992		Ahead Of Their Time 1993		The Yellow Shark 1993
Civilization Phaze III1994		London Symphony Orchestra, Volumes I & II 1995		The Lost Episodes 1996		Läther 1996
Frank Zappa Plays The Music Of Frank Zappa: A Memorial Tribute1996		Have I Offended Someone? 1997		Mystery Disc 1998		EIHN (Everything Is Healing Nicely) 1999
FZ:OZ 2002		Halloween 2003		Joe’s Corsage2004		Joe’s Domage2004
QuAUDIOPHILIAc 2004		Joe’s XMASage2005		Imaginary Diseases 2006		MOFO (Deluxe 4-Disc)2006
MOFO (2-Disc)2006		Trance-Fusion2006		Buffalo2007		The Dub Room Special!2007
Wazoo2007		One Shot Deal 2008		Joe’s Menage2008		LUMPY MONEY 2009
Philly ’762009		Greasy Love Songs2010		Congress Shall Make No Law2010		Hammersmith Odeon2010
				Note: This list doesn’t include some of the mp3 download only Frank Zappa / Zappa Family Trust Vault issues.
Feeding The Monkies At Ma Maison2011		Carnegie Hall2011