REVIEW: dredg @ Wonder Ballroom (Portland, OR – 11/9/10)
FYI… PHOTOS of the SHOW at the BOTTOM
Call me a focused, but I showed up shortly before dredg‘s 8:35pm start time and left immediately after*. Frontman Gavin Hayes came on and said something along the lines of “we’re hypocrites,” and they kicked into their first song “Ode to the Sun” – a bombastic lead off from Catch Without Arms. I’m not sure what he was referring to regarding the “hypocrites” comment, maybe it was just the mood he was in…
As one of the several openers, they only got an opener-sized slot, but they made the most of it…
Setlist: about 45 mins
- Ode To The Sun
- Same Ol’ Road
- Pariah
- Jamais Vu
- Upon Returning [new song]
- Bug Eyes
- Saviour
- Lightswitch
- Down to the Cellar
Their new album, as of yet untitled, comes out March 29, 2011. If it’s anything like The Pariah, The Parrot, The Delusion – it’ll be awesome. Great melodic prog-ish rock. Gavin tweeted on Nov 5th that the album was done (with compelling photographic proof):
a few more photos below
The Appropriate Linkage:
- dredg’s Site
- dredg’s Social Media Links (see below)
- My Other Related Reviews~
- Hawthorne Theater (Portland – Apr 2009)
- Wonder Ballroom (Portland – Aug 2009)
- Wonder Ballroom’s Site / Facebook
 |
 |
 |
*– or perhaps call me dickish… I love music, but I don’t generally enjoy the 4 or 5 band “rock tours” – especially when 3-4 of the bands are underwhelming and the crowd is annoying (see POV video below). I will apologize, as I didn’t give Circa Survive a fair shake (or a shake at all). I’m sure they’re great. Sorry, after a 4 hour round-trip drive, a couple sour beers at Cascade Brewing and dredg was what I cared about. And I’m getting old (rock bands! get off my lawn!). Sorry. It is what it is. If the Circa Survive kids troll my comment section… well, it’s understood.
“POV Rock Concert“
~Dan – np: A Perfect Circle – The Thirteenth Step
dredg PHOTOS
all pictures (cc) 2010 Daniel Temmesfeld,
you may use freely under a creative commons attribution
(click for larger)
Over the Rhine swing through Oregon
Over the years, Over the Rhine has achieved indie cred, gained notability and had the opportunity to open up for Bob Dylan, Adrian Belew, The Cowboy Junkies and many more. They have been featured in Paste Magazine’s Top 100 Living Songwriters and Indie Rock A-to-Z lists. They span genres from folksy singer-songwriter pop to jazzy, sultry gospel to rustic, storytelling Americana. Whichever “sound” Over the Rhine produces, husband-wife duo Linford Detweiler and Karin Bergquist live their lives in their songs. They are a treasure for those who know their work: the gentle tinkling of the keys, melodic strumming on an old acoustic guitar, pontifications and allegories of their daily life on the farm outside Cincinnati and the ambrosial poetic words from Bergquist’s microphone oozing through the cracks amongst the notes. Detweiler makes being a musical beat poet a realistic modern possibility. Bergquist’s provocative voice is offset by her down-to-earth charm and humor. That charm makes what they do seem more tangible, real and relatable. They could very well be in your living room, singing for you alone.
Fresh off their “Across the West” train tour, Over the Rhine’s stop in Eugene & Portland will be a special, intimate duo show — featuring an array of songs from Detweiler & Bergquist’s 20 year history and their forthcoming album, The Long Surrender (due out 1/11/11).
Eugene (Mon 11/15): doors at 7pm, show at 7:30 pm at WOW Hall
For more info: http://wowhall.org/events.php
Portland (Wed 11/17): doors at 7pm, show at 8pm at Aladdin Theater
For more info: http://aladdin-theater.com/show_page.aspx?eventid=1901
I’ll be at both. If you see me shooting away near the stage, come and say “hi” during the break or afterwards.
~Dan – np: Mephista – Entomological Reflections
dredg review soon…
dredg was excellent last night in Portland…
Setlist: about 45 mins
- Ode To The Sun
- Same Ol’ Road
- Pariah
- Jamais Vu
- Upon Returning [new song]
- Bug Eyes
- Saviour
- Lightswitch
- Down to the Cellar
Review & more photos by Thursday…
~Dan – np: Eisley – Combinations
Steven Wilson’s TAPE EXPERIMENTS 1985-1986
Porcupine Tree frontman Steven Wilson is always putting out something… this week, he announced he’s making available Tape Experiments 1985-1986 on vinyl via Tone Float.
It was originally intended as a pre-order bonus to his Insurgentes dvd movie release (but withdrawn in favor of a much more recent piece of music), Steven Wilson decided to make his two and four track tape experiments from 1985/1986 available via Soundcloud (free legal download link).
Those tracks are now being released as 180 gram black vinyl album, entitled Tape Experiments 1985/1986. In tie with the flaws of the original grimy cassettes they were taken from, the album is designed with the 70s vinyl bootleg records in mind (and in particular the legendary takrl label), complete with an insert cover. The release date is November 29, 2010, and the album is available exclusively from the Tonefloat store.
~Dan – np: Eisley – Combinations
God of Shamisen – Smoke Monster Attack
God of Shamisen, led by shamisen master Kevin Kmetz, is putting out their second album – Smoke Monster Attack.
Teaming up with producer Billy Anderson, God of Shamisen returns with Smoke Monster Attack, their second album. Featuring some new tunes along with some interesting video game cover songs, the band is back to its genre-bending ways. Featuring Kevin Kmetz on the Japanese shamisen, Karl Schnaitter on guitar, Mark Thornton on bass, and Lee Smith from the band Estradasphere on drums. The band goes all over the place, from an aggressive new arrangement of the traditional “Jongara Bushi,” to the Indian-inspired mellow breakdowns of “Last Shamisen Master Attack,” to a wild metal cover of the “Star Wars” theme. The album is only available digitally, and features guest musicians Rick Walker (percussion), Rich Doucette (sarangi) and Takemi Hirohara (shamisen on “Tiger Feint Attack”). http://www.godofshamisen.com/
- Metal-Jongara Attack
- Dragon Quest Attack
- Last Shamisen Master Attack
- Tar Bomb Attack
- Sandcastle Attack
- Final Fantasy Attack 2010
- Tiger Feint Attack
- Star Wars Attack
- Dragon String Attack (Super Short Version)
Much of this material is actually from their sessions for EMI Japan, which never surfaced outside of Japan. They’re also releasing it in lossless FLAC format on LobeFood (not available yet).
Release date: November 23, 2010
~Dan – np: Ikue Mori – Painted Desert
There is no free mp3 download or flac torrent for this album on this blog (nor will there ever be). If you like music, support the artists. Buy it!!
Jónsi – ‘Go Live’ CD/DVD
Jónsi‘s Go Live is the film / live cd double pack of his hugely-acclaimed solo show,and it’s now available to pre-order now direct from www.jonsi.com/go_live with a release date of the 29th of November. It was filmed exclusively at the final dress rehearsal in London in March 2010 in front of a specially invited audience, Go Live includes rampant live renditions of every song from Jónsi’s debut album Go, as well as never-before-heard versions of all the unreleased material he’s been playing on tour, plus a ton of candid behind-the-scenes footage from the road.
In all there are no fewer than five unreleased songs on Go Live – namely ‘icicle sleeves’, ‘stars in still water’, ‘saint naive’, ‘new piano song’ and ‘volume pedal song’ – as well as several exclusive musical interludes and a definitive live version of ‘sticks & stones’, which Jónsi wrote and performed for the closing credits of the movie How to Train Your Dragon.
The whole Go Live package comes beautifully wrapped in a hardcover cd-sized book, which includes both discs and a 16-page booklet featuring pictures taken by the band on a tour that’s taken in four continents throughout 2010. Intended as a finely crafted companion to Go and Go Quiet, Go Live is being pegged at a special low price:
cd + dvd: $20 / £15 (plus postage)
digital download: $15 / £10
pre-order now
Both film and cd run at around 75-minutes running time, with the cd taking in Jónsi’s complete live set in order of play, and the film playing more fast and loose for cinematic effect.
full tracklistings are as follows:
| ‘go live’ dvd contents: | ‘go live’ cd contents: | |
| 1. hengilás | 1. stars in still water * | |
| 2. icicle sleeves | 2. hengilás | |
| 3. kolniður | 3. icicle sleeves | |
| 4. tornado | 4. kolniður | |
| 5. sinking friendships | 5. tornado | |
| 6. go do | 6. sinking friendships | |
| 7 boy lilikoi | 7. saint naive | |
| 8. new piano song | 8. go do | |
| 9. around us | 9. boy lilikoi | |
| 10. volume pedal song | 10. animal arithmetic | |
| 11. grow till tall | 11. new piano song * | |
| 12. around us | ||
| 13. sticks & stones * | ||
| 14. grow till tall | ||
| filmed live at 3 mills studios, london, 26 march 2010. | all songs recorded live at ancienne belgique, belgium, 29 may 2010, except * recorded at the dome, brighton, 14 september 2010. |
Jónsi, you had me at “go”… but here’s a video snippet for those not sold on it yet…
~Dan – np: Moqita – Moqita
El Ten Eleven on Daytrotter
The few websites that aren’t RSS feed-able that made it to my “must check every day” list… Daytrotter is great, and they just hit us with a live in the studio session with post-rock heros El Ten Eleven…
Go here for the free music:
http://tinyurl.com/elten11-daytrotter
1) The Sycophants Are Coming! 2) Living on Credit Blues
3) Indian Winter 4) Falling
Past Daytrotter Sessions I’ve blogged about and dug (links and free music not guaranteed on these old blogs): A Weather, Tegan & Sara, Clare and the Reasons #2, CocoRosie, Portland Cello Project, Matisyahu, Tori Amos, The Swell Season, David Bazan #2, Copeland, Bad Veins, Nellie McKay, Clare and the Reasons #1, My Brightest Diamond #2, Damien Jurado, Talkdemonic, Aimee Mann, Ani DiFranco, Bad Veins #1, Kaki King, Holy Fuck… and David Bazan, My Brightest Diamond, Erin McKeown.
~Dan – np: dredg – Catch Without Arms
RECIPE: Pumpkin Vodka Cocktail (via last November)
Since Thanksgiving is coming up soon… and there’s still some time to infuse some vodka – here’s my post last year for a pretty amazing Pumpkin Vodka cocktail recipe!
Enjoy!
~Dan
REVIEW: Yard Dogs Road Show @ WOW Hall (Eugene, OR – 11/5/10)
FYI… PHOTOS of the SHOW at the BOTTOM
Great show last night by local bellydance favorites / friends Audralina & Luminessah followed-up by a melting pot of sights and sounds from the headliner – Oakland’s Yard Dogs Road Show. [I have to apologize, as due to a “user error” I lost about half of my photos when transferring to my computer. Luckily Margarita was also snapping away.]
Opener Dela Project suffered the most from the lack of photos due to my error… sorry! They were a great gypsy-folk duo… nice sound and a wide array of instruments including saw, wood block, cello, as well as a traditional bag of tricks. Up next was a beautiful set of bellydance numbers by Lila, Regina & Ali of Luminessah with Audralina doing a couple of songs as a set break.
The bellydance set was more intimate than the last time I saw a MEDGE show at WOW Hall. Both Luminesseh and Audralina danced on the floor (not the stage), surrounded by candles and tunes coming from DJ Layla. Layla mixed it up for Luminessah’s last song (total improv!!).
The capper for the night was the Yard Dogs energetic set. I had never experienced the Yard Dogs, but they were equal parts street band, roaring ’20s flapper show, burlesque, hipster steam-punk, and rock circus – including a sword (and chair leg) swallower. It was a completely fun experience, and a nice set-up on the WOW Hall stage. The YDRS banners seemed to box the group in pretty tight on stage, but they pulled it off amazingly.
many more photos below
The Appropriate Linkage:
- YDRS’s Site
- YDRS’s Social Media Links (see below)
- Luminessah’s Site
- Luminesseh’s MySpace / Facebook / Twitter
- Audralina’s Site
- Dela Project’s Site
- Dela Project’s MySpace
- WOW Hall‘s Site / Facebook / Twitter
|
|
|
~Dan – np: Elliott Smith – An Introduction to…
LUMINESSAH, AUDRALINA &
YARD DOGS ROAD SHOW PHOTOS
all pictures (cc) 2010 Margaret OBrien (emobie photography)
& Daniel Temmesfeld, you may use freely
under a creative commons attribution
(click for larger)
Higher Resolution (15 pics)
Limited to 1200 pixels wide or tall (42 pics)
Kevin Moore’s “Shine” artwork
As reported about 2 months ago… Kevin Moore (Chroma Key, O.S.I., ex-Dream Theater) is putting out SHINE – the score to the Turkish film Kucuk Kiyamet (2007). The Kickstarter micro-funding goal was easily met, and production is underway. Here is a 6-panel digipack classic Penguin Books-style mock up of the artwork done by Alessandro Falca of Conte di San Pietro:
Alessandro is also currently working on the poster and T-shirt design. The digipack is now finalized and will go to the manufacturer next week. Kevin is hoping to ship preorders late November or early December (2010).
Find out more about the project at:
http://www.chromakey.com/ShineProject/Shine.html
~Dan – np: dredg – The Pariah, The Parrot, The Delusion
Zappa Plays Zappa’s Apostrophe
Dweezil Zappa is taking his Zappa Plays Zappa tour de Frank out again… this time, they’re going to tackle Apostrophe in its entirety. This one of my favorite records by Frank Zappa… featuring tale of Nanook wandering through the tundra, urged “Don’t Eat the Yellow Snow.” Other absolute faves are “St. Alfonzo’s Pancake Breakfast,” “Cozmic Debris,” and the groove-tastic instrumental title track jam.
No PacNW dates yet… I’m hoping a few are added as things get rolling along…
Nov 06, ’10 London, UK London Roundhouse
Nov 07, ’10 Belgium, BE Leuven Het Depot
Nov 08, ’10 Paris, FR Olympia
Nov 09, ’10 Hengelo, NL Hengelo Metropool
Nov 11, ’10 Oslo, NO Sentrum Scene
Nov 12, ’10 Stockholm,SE Filadelpia Church
Nov 13, ’10 Gothenburg,SE The Concert House
Nov 14, ’10 Malmo, SE The Concert House
Dec 1, ’10 San Francisco, CA Warfield
Dec 2, ’10 Reno, NV The Knitting Factory
Dec 3, ’10 Hollywood, CA The Music Box
Dec 4, ’10 Hollywood, CA The Music Box
Dec 5, ’10 San Diego, CA House of Blues
Dec 6, ’10 Phoenix, AZ Comercia Theatre
Dec 8, ’10 St. Louis, MO The Pageant
Dec 9, ’10 Indianapolis, IN The Vogue
Dec 10, ’10 Milwaukee, WI Turner Hall
Dec 11, ’10 Chicago, IL Congress Theater
Dec 13, ’10 Quebec City, QC Grand Theatre
Dec 14, ’10 Montreal, QC Metropolis
Dec 15, ’10 Toronto, ON Queen E Theatre
Dec 16, ’10 Albany, NY The Egg
Dec 17, ’10 New York, NY Beacon Theatre
Dec 18, ’10 Philadelphia, PA Keswick
Dec 19, ’10 Boston, MA House Of Blues
Find out more info at:
http://www.zappaplayszappa.com/tourdates.html
In related Frank Zappa news, the Zappa Family Trust is releasing another legendary Halloween show from the Vault in memory of FZ’s 70th birthday. It’s the 1978 Hammersmith Odeon show (3 CDs), and it features some pretty cute FZ cover art…
~Dan – np: dredg – The Pariah, The Parrot, The Delusion
Derek Webb – Democracy Vol 1 #10
One a month in 2010…
Derek Webb‘s Democracy Vol 1 is rolling along… This month, it is “Karma Police” by Radiohead. Nice organ-y version, seems a little bit odd tempo’d… or maybe that’s my brain interpreting Derek’s tonal affectations of Thom Yorke.
Oh, and if you missed it, Derek Webb put out his instrumental album Feedback on Tuesday (11/2). Check out my take on it HERE.
For those not in the know, Democracy Vol 1 was part of the Stockholm Syndrome pre-order package, but it is now a stand-alone item over at the DW store. Only $6 (USD) and you get the following (plus future releases):
- January: 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
- June: U2 – Where the Streets Have No Name
- July: Huey Lewis & the News – Power of Love
- August: The Beatles – Eleanor Rigby
- September: Simon & Garfunkel – The Sound of Silence
- October: Radiohead – Karma Police
- November: TBD
- December: TBD
Volume 2? You decide!!!
~Dan – np: Thelonious Monk – Brilliant Corners
Democracy Vol. 1 is the first in 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 12. Derek will record them (demo quality) and deliver them digitally (320kbps MP3s), one song per month for 12 months. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this unique collaborative project with Derek Webb!
Jónsi – Live at Origami
Sigur Rós frontman Jónsi abruptly canceled a run of intimate acoustic in-store dates after playing just one performance in the Go Closer series.
“Standing there nose-to-nose with fans in the cold light of day the other day in Origami Records, Los Angeles, he had the sudden and undeniable realization that this is not the environment in which he flourishes,” said his management in a statement. “To those of you who saw it in Echo Park, cherish it, because it ain’t going to happen again.”
Well, luckily the Los Angeles performance was recorded… here are two videos caught by Jack Schlinkert (director) and Max Sweeney (add’l camera).
“Stars in Still Water”
“Go Do”
~Dan – np: dredg – The Pariah, The Parrot, The Delusion
SKS & MBD’s “Lotus Eaters” video from ‘Penelope’
I got Penelope in the mail yesterday… wow, I love it. It’s the piece of art that Sarah Kirkland Snider wrote with the voice Shara Worden (My Brightest Diamond) in mind. The video for “The Lotus Eaters” just got released. It’s a haunting, lovely song that I think is a cornerstone of the album. You know, the album that’s only been in my hands for 12 hours. I can’t get enough of it. :)
The Lotus Eaters
video by Murat Eyuboglu + David Sarno
Shara was 7 months pregnant when it was being filmed. Penelope is out now. It’s a beautiful, beautiful, gorgeous, gorgeous record. Shara’s operatic-meets-indie-rock voice rule the day. Go get it from Amazon or from New Amsterdam Records directly.
~Dan – np: Sarah Kirkland Snider & Shara Worden – Penelope
California Guitar Trio this weekend (11/7)
The California Guitar Trio (CGT) celebrates its twentieth anniversary with the release of Andromeda in October 2010 on Innerknot Records. “Andromeda represents a culmination of all our work together in the past 20 years,” says guitarist Bert Lams. “We have released numerous CDs over the years, but there’s none like this one,” Lams continues. “Andromeda is the first album containing nothing but original material, combined with improvised pieces. The integration of structured, thought-out pieces with the loose and spontaneous improvisations is something we’ve never done before.”
CGT is Paul Richards of Salt Lake City, Utah; Bert Lams of Affligem, Belgium; and Hideyo Moriya of Chiba, Japan. The trio first met in England in 1987 while studying with iconic King Crimson guitarist Robert Fripp. After touring together as part of Fripp’s League of Crafty Guitarists, the three guitarists convened in Los Angeles and founded The California Guitar Trio in 1991.
On Sunday, November 7th, They’re bringing their amazing guitar chops to the stage at Cozmic Pizza / The Strand in Eugene, OR. If you live nearby, it’s a show not to be missed!! Per Cozmic’s webpage, the show starts at 7pm. It’s only $12, and there’s great food and drink and fantastic music!
CGT Info: http://cgtrio.com/
Cozmic info: http://cozmicpizza.com/
Unrelated Sidenote… Beats Antique just put out a freebie 2-song Día de los Muertos remix EP. Check it out on bandcamp!
~Dan – np: Sarah Kirkland Snider & Shara Worden – Penelope
REVIEW: Nellie McKay @ the Shedd (Eugene, OR – 10/29/10)
I wasn’t able to attend the Nellie McKay show at the Shedd in Eugene on Friday (due to Sufjan Stevens in Portland the same night). I was completely torn, but I’ve had the opportunity to see Nellie several times since living here in the PacNW (four times in 3 years) and Sufjan far fewer times (i.e.- none).
I did send someone in my place… here are some lovely photos and a write-up of the show taken by guest blogger Margarita O’Brien from Emobie Photography…
many more photos below
Margarita’s write-up of the show:
Let’s face it. I just love Nellie McKay. I am extremely grateful that The Shedd here in little ol’ Eugene, Oregon, keeps managing to bring her back. She has serious musical talent, diversity, and a quirky, silly sense of humor that I dig. That makes a great show when she’s solo, but holy cannoli, there was a five piece backup band! THAT makes for a phenomenal, knock-your-socks-off show.
The introductions for the band members were extremely silly (“And just released on bail for jay walking…”) and the crowd was enthusiastic so I will likely have the names completely wrong and I am seriously sorry about that, ‘cause these guys were the bomb diggity. It was seriously hard to hear with the laughing and cheering. Corrections greatly appreciated!
Guitar: Terry Park?
Bass: Willy Harvey
Sax: Mark Fischer?
Trumpet: Willy Mario?
Drums: Benjamin Barnum?
“That’s right! We have two willies!”There are few things I tire of more quickly than a show with a “sound” that never changes.
Me-“Is this still the first song? Good Glory, it’s long.”
Dan-“This is the fifth song.”
Me-“*Giant Eye Roll*”This exchange could not happen at a Nellie McKay show. She skillfully flutters her way through Big Band, Reggae, Jazz, Blues, Pop, sweet old Doris Day tunes (and a number of Ella Fitzgerald tunes this time). The band was right there with her making everything fuller, brighter, grander, and making it difficult for some folks to stay put in their seats.
The crowd was fairly enthusiastic and really seemed to love “Mother of Pearl.” This is Eugene after all. There were even a couple zombies dancing around at the end.
Go See Nellie! She’ll make you think. She’ll make you laugh. She might make you whistle.
Setlist:
- Bruise on the Sky
- Sentimental Journey [Doris Day]
- Do Do Do [Doris Day]
- Caribbean Time
- Dispossessed
- Meditation [Doris Day]
- Georgy Girl [The Seekers] (dedicated to Barbara Billingsly)
- Vote for Mr. Rhythm [Ella Fitzgerald]
- Bluebird
- No Equality
- The Portal
- Dig It [Doris Day]
- It’s Alright With Me (with skat)
<<intermission – costume change>> - A-Tisket, A-Tasket [Ella Fitzgerald]
- Beneath the Underdog
- Crazy Rhythm [Doris Day]
- Early Autumn [Ella Fitzgerald]
- A Wonderful Guy [Doris Day]
- Don’t Fence Me In [Ella Fitzgerald] (with group whistle)
- Mother of Pearl (crowd favorite)
“I’m Sarah Palin and I approve this message” - Adios
- ¡Bodega!
“Support the Arts, but sponsor a Bodega.” - Coosada Blues
- I’ve Got Rhythm (impromptu instrumental as she ran to get her notes)
“Don’t worry folks, they’re professionals!” - Broadway Melody
- Really
- Unknown Reggae (veggie anthem)
- Encore: Zombie
Nellie’s 10/29 KLCC interview is here:
http://klcc.org/audio/NellieMckay102910.mp3
Nellie is out supporting her latest album, Home Sweet Mobile Home. Check it out here:
More 2010 Tour Dates:
Oct. 30th SF Jazz Festival – San Francisco, CA
Nov. 1st Kuumbwa Jazz Center – Santa Cruz, CA
Nov. 4th The Roxy – West Hollywood, CA
The Appropriate Linkage:
- Nellie McKay’s Site
- Nellie’s Social Media Links (see below)
- Emobie Photography (on Facebook)
- My Other Nellie McKay Reviews~
- Berbati’s Pan (Portland – Mar 2010)
- Jazz Alley (Seattle – Sept 2009)
- Doug Fir (Portland – Aug 2008)
- The Shedd (Eugene – Oct 2007)
- The Shedd’s Site / Facebook / Twitter
|
|
|
~Dan – np: William Ryan Fritch – Library Catalog Music Series: Music for Honey and Bile
NELLIE McKAY PHOTOS
all pictures (cc) 2010 Margaret O’Brien – emobie photography,
you may use freely under a creative commons attribution
(click for larger)
Higher Resolution (14 pics)
Limited to 1200 pixels wide or tall (33 pics)
Derek Webb’s worship album – FEEDBACK (an atheist’s perspective)
So, overnight (midnight CST), Derek Webb put out his new album Feedback. I’ve been a fan of Derek Webb since I first got into his band Caedmon’s Call back in 1996. They’re a christian band… and I’ve since “left the church,” as it were. I mentioned this in my review of his show in Portland this past spring… even as an atheist, I find his music to be well conceived and well executed. He’s not a discriminatingly judgmental person. If he writes a judging lyric, it’s usually full of fingers a-blazin’ at himself first.
He also tackles many issues that I think are relevant and important to everyone (not just christians). “What Matters More” from 2009’s Stockholm Syndrome is one of my most favorite songs he’s put out (that album was stellar all around)…
Anyway… back to his new album Feedback. Feedback is a self-proclaimed “worship album.” I first heard about that moniker and was worried. I mean, what does an atheist desire to hear in a “worship” album? Not much, that’s what. I’ve heard many since leaving the church (Jars of Clay, Leigh Nash from Sixpence, other miscellaneous compilations with Derek and/or Caedmon’s Call), and… no offense is meant when I say this, but they really make me cringe. It’s the “subject matter,” and I know it’s not intended for me… so I move on. No harm, no foul.
Well,when I found out it was an instrumental worship album, well, again… no offense is meant, but it made me really happy. I’ve listened to the album in full by now (10pm PST on Nov 1st is midnight CST on Nov 2nd), and I dig it. It’s an “instrumental album based on the Lord’s Prayer.”
Worship is a complicated idea. Arguably, it’s what we all do, 24 hours a day (regardless of what we’re worshipping). And I’m aware of a lot of “worship product” in the marketplace I sometimes occupy. So I was cautious when I first started receiving the coordinates that would lead me to make ‘Feedback’. It was immediately conceptual and ambitious, so much so that I genuinely wasn’t sure I could do it. But this seemed to be the perfect posture in which to create something worthy of being called a “worshipful” piece of art. So I studied, meditated, struggled and prayed my way through this creative process, and it’s easily the most challenging thing I’ve done in my career. But I believe it’s been worth it, even just for the ways it’s stretched both my creative process and my faith as a follower of the Way. –Derek Webb
I could definitely see this being created (and used by listeners) in a worshipful manner. I also love the general aesthetics of it. It’s definitely got some electronic elements, but it has a more sweeping feel as well. Some of it feels like a mix of a happier ambiance of Amiina/Sigur Rós meets an acoustic-electronic bridge in a Sufjan Stevens song meets a gentle Ric Hordinski lyrical guitar solo (I am in a Monk mood). It’s a great quality instrumental album from a man who I loved via his witty voice from the get go. It’s nice to see him expand outside his comfort zone.
While I don’t want to make a big deal about the christian and atheist thing… the slant of the record’s purpose (worship) makes me look at it from that angle. I don’t think it needs to be that way. But in the way the album is framed from a songwriting, production, and marketing point of view… yes, I definitely see this album as a conduit for worship. As an atheist, I take it as a conduit into introspection and the worship of the divine as I see it – music.
Here’s a trailer for the short films that accompany the album:
Find out more at:
http://www.derekwebb.com/
Oh, today is also November 2nd – aka Election Day. Regardless of who you vote for… don’t forget to do just that… VOTE. It’s important.
~Dan – np: Monk (Ric Hordinski) – Quiver
Let’s do the time warp again… (Jónsi)
So, another time-lapse video from Jónsi‘s Wiltern show in Los Angeles… this time longer…
Film by Henry Jun Wah Lee and Kim Reid
I don’t know if there was a special project to do time-lapse shots for this tour, but I’m digging it! Nice behind the scenes, soundcheck and in-concert shots included.
Nellie McKay 10/29 Eugene show at the Shedd photo blog coming tomorrow…(?)
~Dan – np: Mogwai – Travel is Dangerous EP
A Weather on Daytrotter
Slight delay in the Nellie McKay photo blog from her Eugene show on Friday. I’ll post it once the write-up by Margaret is done.
The few websites that aren’t RSS feed-able that made it to my “must check every day” list… Daytrotter is great, and they just hit us with a live in the studio session with Portland’s indie rockers A Weather… Happy Halloween from Daytrotter:
Go here for the free music:
http://tinyurl.com/aweather-daytrotter
1) Giant Stairs 2) Happiness 3) Midday Moon
Past Daytrotter Sessions I’ve blogged about and dug (links and free music not guaranteed on these old blogs): Tegan & Sara, Clare and the Reasons #2, CocoRosie, Portland Cello Project, Matisyahu, Tori Amos, The Swell Season, David Bazan #2, Copeland, Bad Veins, Nellie McKay, Clare and the Reasons #1, My Brightest Diamond #2, Damien Jurado, Talkdemonic, Aimee Mann, Ani DiFranco, Bad Veins #1, Kaki King, Holy Fuck… and David Bazan, My Brightest Diamond, Erin McKeown.
~Dan – np: Mogwai – Mr Beast
REVIEW: Sufjan Stevens @ Schnitzer (Portland, OR – 10/29/10)
FYI… PHOTOS of the SHOW at the BOTTOM
So, the last few months has been a flurry of unexpected, yet superbly exciting information coming from Sufjan Stevens and Asthmatic Kitty. First was the tour announcement (on Aug 9th), then a week and a half later came the immediate release of the
All Delighted People EP, and less than a week later came the news of the new full length album The Age of Adz (pronounced ‘odds’). Outside of the orchestral The BQE piece, Sufjan had been silent for a couple years (which we recently found out was due to nervous system health issues). Within the past two months, he came roaring back in 2010 with a North American-spanning tour and two new adventurous albums (the “EP” is 58+ minutes).
The new music from Delighted and Adz is a little less accessible compared to Seven Swans or his “State” albums, but a little more poppy/accessible compared to BQE or Rabbit. I think the new music strikes a nice balance between the adventurousness and electronic-ness in his past music… possibly “A Sun Came! updated for the Sufjan listener in 2010.” While I don’t think it’s a repeat of A Sun Came! (at all) – that’s the best Sufjan repertoire comparison I can muster. It’s sweeping and glitchy, quiet and loud. But how would it translate into a live show?
Before we could find out, labelmate DM Stith hit the stage. He only played 20 minutes, but was a good warm-up. Nice singer-songwriter fare, with Sufjans’ horn section on “Thanksgiving Moon.” I’d heard DM’s music via AK samplers and free downloads. It never struck me as solidly as Sufjan has, but in the live setting, he seemed to carry himself well. After he did his tunes, he left to go put on shiny pants for Sufjan’s band. I was slightly disappointed that he left after only 20 minutes, but that disappointment soon went away as the anticipation for Sufjan mounted.
Sufjan and his 10 piece band hit the stage around 10 ’til 9pm in shiny outfits. His band was comprised of DM Stith on keyboards, two drummers, a 3-member torn section, a guitarist, bassist, and two backup singers/dancers. After a short hello, they went immediate into “All Delighted People” and didn’t stop with the new material until 10:30. I’d been listening to the new material for the past week, and glad they played some personal favorites: Heirloom, Futile Devices, The Owl and the Tanager, and the 20+ minute Impossible Soul.
Sufjan’s “slow jam” dancing to “I Walked” was charming. The projected graphics and dark, hallowed lighting during “Vesuvius” made my friend mention that it seemed like a weird, ancient worship service. The auto tune hip-hop near the end of “Impossible Soul” is one of my favorite parts, and it really worked in the live setting. I wish cameras had been allowed near the end, as a large luminescent diamond descended*, and Sufjan busted out the jams in front of the back-lit, strobe-diamond facade. While that was his most “rockstar moment,” most of the show, he was talkative, yet unassuming and grateful to the audience.
* Amanda McAuley got some photos of it (some shown below), plus I found an “Impossible Soul” part 2 video snippet – see alphaleonis’ youtube for more from the show.
Setlist: about 2 1/4 hours
- All Delighted People
- Too Much
- Age of Adz
- Heirloom
- I Walked
- Futile Devices
- Vesuvius
- The Owl and the Tanager [Sufjan solo with backing vocals]
- Get Real Get Right [with story about Royal Robertson]
- Enchanting Ghost
- Impossible Soul
- Chicago
- Encore: Concerning the UFO Sighting Near Highland, Illinois [Sufjan solo piano]
- Casimir Pulaski Day
It was a brilliant show. He was quirky and subdued, gentle and cacophonous, amusing and bewildering, and all around charming. He saved the old tunes for last, and only three Illinois tracks made the cut. I got goosebumps as he hit the intro for “Concerning the UFO Sighting.” While the older tunes were nice (and I wish there had been more sprinkled in), I can honestly say that the new tunes hold their own. There’s a reason Sufjan has a piece of our hearts. Seeing the new songs live definitely elevated those albums to being amongst my favoritesfor 2010. After seeing them performed live, I think they fit better within his catalogue, too. I hope it’s not another 3+ years until I get to see Sufjan and his band of musicians again.
Sidenote: Sufjan’s one of the only artists who could have pulled me away from a reported, equally awesome Nellie McKay show in Eugene (check back tomorrow for Nellie McKay photos from Margaret O’Brien – who went in my place).
many more photos below
The Appropriate Linkage:
- Sufjan’s Site / Asthmatic Kitty
- Sufjan’s Social Media Links (see below)
- DM Stith’s Site
- DM Stith’s MySpace / Twitter
- Alphaleonis’ balcony YouTube videos from the Portland 2010 show (far away, but good sound quality)
- Amanda McAuley’s Flickr shots from Portland
- Related Reviews~
- Chris Young‘s Portland 2010 review on OMN (with my photos)
- BrooklynVegan‘s Chicago review (10/15/2010)
- My MusicNow Fest 2007 (Cincinnati – Apr 2007)
- PCPA/Schnitzer’s Site
|
|
|
Check out more tour dates below.
~Dan –Dave Douglas & Keystone – Spark of Being: Expand
SUFJAN STEVENS PHOTOS
all pictures (cc) 2010 Daniel Temmesfeld,
you may use freely under a creative commons attribution
(click for larger)
Sufjan’s 2010 Tour Dates
- Tuesday, 12 October – Metropolis Theater, Montreal QC
- Wednesday, 13 October – Massey Hall, Toronto ON
- Thursday, 14 October – Royal Oak Music Theater, Royal Oak MI
- Friday, 15 October – Chicago Theater, Chicago IL
- Saturday, 16 October – Orpheum Theater, Minneapolis MN
- Sunday, 17 October – Uptown Theater, Kansas City MO
- Tuesday, 19 October – The Long Center for the Performing Arts, Austin TX
- Wednesday, 20 October – McFarlin Memorial Auditorium, Dallas TX
- Friday, 22 October – Mesa Arts Center – Ikeda Theater, Mesa AZ
- Saturday, 23 October – The Wiltern, Los Angeles CA
- Tuesday, 26 October – The Paramount Theater, Oakland CA
- Thursday, 28 October – Orpheum Theater, Vancouver BC
- Friday, 29 October – Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Portland OR
- Saturday, 30 October – The Paramount Theatre, Seattle WA
- Monday, 1 November – Kingsbury Hall, Salt Lake City UT
- Tuesday, 2 November – Paramount Theatre, Denver CO
- Thursday, 4 November – Hilbert Circle Theatre, Indianapolis IN
- Friday, 5 November – Bijou Theater, Knoxville TN
- Saturday, 6 November – The Tabernacle, Atlanta GA
- Sunday, 7 November – Thomas Wolfe Auditorium, Asheville NC
- Wednesday, 10 November – Kimmel Center, Philadelphia PA
- Thursday, 11 November – Orpheum Theatre, Boston MA
- Sunday, 14 November – Beacon Theatre, New York NY
- Monday, 15 November – Beacon Theatre, New York NY
-Eyvind Kang
-Frank Zappa
Amazon.com mp3 downloads
Creative Commons
This blog and concert photos therein are licensed under a Creative Commons License. Available with Attribution for Non-Commercial, Non-Derivative Use.
pacificlectic : concert reviews & eclectic music news 