Clouds of Fluff

It's your birthday! Happy birthday-your-first-day-on-Earth day!

Here's to a day filled with good eats , good drinks, good company, and good music---party 'til you drop!

Hugs from Kansas (which aren't so special to M. Christine I just realized...but hugs from south of KC in any case).

If you were at the Wichita show, I think they closed with Let's Not Carried Away which I think is slated for the new album (???).

Patient With Me is another one we heard at the JT solo show in Tulsa (were you there)....

Think Side With The Seeds might be another one...here's the list at wilcoworld.com (news section):

"Some of the 18+ plus tracks recorded and being considered for inclusion are "Impossible Germany", "Shake it Off", "Glad it's Over", "Side with the Seeds", "Walken" and "Either Way". "

Of course, who knows what will actually make the album. (besides the obvious of course!)

I'd be interested in that link as well.

One of the most tragic and assanine uses of our justice system. I can only hope the attention this is getting will help this young guy out soon.

The prosecutor is a real piece of "work".

This line in the article really struck a nerve with me: At the same time this trial was under way, a local high school teacher, a white female, was found guilty of having a sexual relationship with a student -- a true case of child molestation. The teacher received 90 days. Wilson received 3,650 days.

WTF?

Split Enz fan here as well.

Okay, just a few more things, then I promise I'll quit!

Places to visit for info and stuff:

http://www.farewelltotheworld.com/

http://www.myspace.com/crowdedhouse

Another article thought I'd share, from LA Times:

Crowded House stands out in the Coachella crowd

"I just wanted to be in a band again," says lead singer Neil Finn.

By Randy Lewis

Times Staff Writer

January 26, 2007

There's "Something So Strong" about New Zealand rock band Crowded House after all: The group that disbanded a decade ago is re-forming for a new album and tour that will begin at this year's Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival.

While most of the headlines regarding the latest Coachella talent lineup announced Monday focused on the one-night-only reunion of rock-rap group Rage Against the Machine, fans have been buzzing worldwide about the resurrection of Crowded House.

After charting hits with Crowded House in the late '80s and '90s, including "Don't Dream It's Over" and "Something So Strong," the group's lead singer and chief songwriter Neil Finn decided to retire the band so he could concentrate on a solo career and on sibling projects with his brother Tim Finn, who also joined Crowded House briefly. Both had previously been members of Australia's Split Enz, which did a reunion tour in 2006.

But after the suicide of Crowded House drummer Paul Hester in 2004, Finn says he slowly came to the realization that "I just wanted to be in a band again. And what other band could it be, really?"

Speaking from Auckland, New Zealand, where he's been finishing the new album with bassist Nick Seymour, Finn told The Times today that he and Seymour came together again after Hester's death, and last year began working on new songs. They also spent time revisiting the band's past for "Farewell to the World," a 10th anniversary expanded DVD release of the film of their final concert at the Sydney Opera House, which came out earlier this month.

"It just feels like something good and true," Finn said. "We sought each other out in the shadow of Paul's passing. That helped us reconnect and gave me a reminder of what bands are and what they bring, with the sharing of the load between everybody, and the humor of not being the only guy at interviews and photo shoots. It all started to feel very natural to me."

The new album, due in the spring, will be called "Time on Earth," signaling the fleeting nature of life, a theme that came into sharp focus for Finn and Seymour with the loss of Hester.

"In ways I can't really elaborate on, Paul's presence looms large on the record," Finn said "I didn't want to make a record that was wallowing in anything.... We were moved to write and to do things that remembered him to some degree, to acknowledge what happened. It affected us both very deeply and it still resonates very strongly. I dream about him a lot, and it will always to some degree haunt me. But ultimately it's an act of free will and choice, and you have to recognize that too."

Keyboardist Mark Hart, who toured and recorded with Crowded House, also will be taking part in the reunion tour, but Finn said there were no plans for his older brother, who has a solo album due soon, to join in. He and Seymour have been holding auditions in New Zealand and Australia and will continue the search for a new drummer with additional tryouts in Los Angeles in the next couple of weeks.

"It's pointless trying to find another Paul, because there isn't another Paul," he said. "It will be different, but hopefully it will be something that can grow and develop.... I'm very concerned that we do this properly so that it becomes a real band, and not just a brand."

Acknowledging rampant skepticism about the ever-rising tide of band reunions, Finn said, "There are people who may choose to see it in cynical ways, and I can't blame anybody

And they actually were from Kansas. You know, where everyone thinks evolution is "just a theory."

Well, not everyone.

But, yes "Kansas, where evolution has been outlawed and the monkeys are in charge." ~ bumper sticker

...or something like that.

Even more terrifying is the youtube clip of Donnie talking about his ministry...and he has a song.

And to make the horror complete he's gone and took a perfectly good Psychedelic Furs' song (interesting choice ) and made it his organization's theme song, "Looove Gooood's Way..."

This does have to be a joke, doesn't it?

I'm a big fan of Ray's music and I would highly recommend getting the first one as well.

The first one is a "go to" album for me. Love it. Gotta love the soulfulness of it. (Something about his voice reminds me of another favorite, legendary artist, Otis Redding.)

His more recent one I find I have to be in the right mood to want to listen straight through (I do love depressing music...but yes second album is a bit darker, more mellow than the first to be sure.)

Was just listening to "Three More Days" this a.m. That song probably resembles Ray's first album more than anything else on 'Til The Sun...

Rufus and Scissor Sisters...sure, but Queen and Morrissey (with "?Questionable?" by his name) (wtf?)...who would've known.

Why isn't Willie Nelson on that list?

And shocking to me is what is considered "Safe Music"...Cyndi Lauper?! (They obviously aren't aware her sister is gay and she recently recorded with Ani DiFranco, huh?)

People are unreal. Truly.

Boy, am I in bad shape - I've only seen "Little Miss Sunshine" out of all these films.

LOL Me too. (Nice little film though...I love Steve Carrell (sp?) and, really, everyone's performance was really top notch IMHO).

Yet another article, here.

Still not sure what to think. I trust Neil to do this with grace...and respect...on some level I think it's a way of honoring Paul, and it gives Nick (and Mark) some credit for their contributions (instead of just a Neil Finn and friends tour or something)...but yes, feels a bit strange without Paul now...even though he left CH awhile before they officially were done as a group...he was still a part of the FTTW concert...and without a doubt, a major contribution to what was Crowded House to me. And I guess some of the conflict is not wanting to see them end up a part of the nostalgic (sometimes cheesy) 80s reformations that are happening so much now...

But I can say at this point, I want to be there when it happens again.

And Samorama, I haven't been able to bring myself to watch the DVD just yet, although have seen a few clips...the ones of Paul get me...will definitely be bittersweet viewing. (And I just looked at your blog...do hope you are back home comfy and getting some good rest soon!)

Sounds like the crowd and venue lent themselves well to what is so magical about a Jeff Tweedy solo show. What a great setlist!

Glad to hear it went so well. Tell us more!

Oops, sorry...missed this thread.

Just posted something about all this in the Coachella thread. (Please forgive my redundancy, my redundancy.)

I highly doubt this.

 

edit: Um ... OK ... or maybe I don't(?)

Confusion and excitement...and I dunno...pick an emotion...abound ...but here's where it was first "leaked" for anyone that is interested:

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,,...18-2902,00.html

And for more info. you can check out www.frenzforum.com where a kinda confirmation was given (Crowded House section) by fanclub manager (among other hats he wears), Peter Green.

Looks like maybe the guys will be putting a toe in to test the waters (??) in California come April.

Thanks for posting the setlist. (in order)

Highlights for us were Gun and Patient With Me (was really glad Jeff went ahead and decided to do the latter despite what seemed like an understandable hesitation)

Roll on May 15th!

A few pics courtesy of atomicblooz

Very well put creativetype. Still trying to wrap our heads around the evening. I can say that Jeff gave us a really great show in spite of it all.

Here's the setlist (in no particular order) that hubby and I came up with on the 4 hour ride home. (Please excuse any errors/typos/wrong titles, etc....not sure why I'm not in bed yet...)

Sunken Treasure

Blue Eyed Soul

Mountain Bed

Patient With Me

HMD

Screen Door

Gun (!)

ITTBYH

ITMWLY

Ruling Class

Theologians

Shot In The Arm

Is That The Thanks

Airline to Heaven

Jesus, etc.

ELT

I Can't Keep From Talking

Late Greats

Acuff Rose (sans PA)

Thanks everyone for the updates...headed out here soon. Decided to go back after the show (as opposed to staying overnight) so we can beat the snow too.

(LOL I'm sure glad to be surrounded by fellow VCers that understand the determination to make it to the show...despite the weather, distance, etc....not sure "normal" people understand!)

See you there...safe travels all!

We will be coming from north and west of Tulsa (by a few hours from Kansas)...I'm wishful thinking that the 40 degree weather Tulsa is due (LOL according to the weather peeps) will help melt things off by Friday...at least a bit.

Been looking at OK road conditions daily here (just FYI):

http://www.dps.state.ok.us/weathermap.html

(Bummer about missing G. Love though!)

How are things in Northeast Oklahoma? Saw some brutal pics of an accident on the news last night...but think it was out west.

The plan is for atomicblooz and myself to be there...barring weather (heard there's more "snow" in the forecast for the weekend now), or a familial complication/illness.

MWB, thanks for posting about the eateries...was hoping someone would remind us about what's good to eat in those parts.

You Can Make Him Like You ~ The Hold Steady

This Old Guitar ~ Neil Young

Hummingbird ~ Wilco

Speeding Up To Slow Down ~ Better Than Ezra

Somebody Some Morning Sometime ~ Billy Bragg & Wilco

Walking on the Spot ~ Crowded House

You Can't Beat Jesus Christ ~ Johnny Cash

Wine Women & Song ~ Harvey Danger

Effigy ~ Uncle Tupelo

Hard To Love ~ Old Crow Medicine Show

Hold You In My Arms ~ Ray Lamontagne

Part of Me, Part of You ~ Finn Brothers

Come Anytime ~ Hoodoo Gurus

Woven Birds ~ Calexico

Friends ~ Ryan Adams

Feast of Wire ~ Calexico

OMG

Think I'll quit my bitchin' about having to scrape the frost off the car in the a.m.

And yes, very Dr. Seussish.

awww, I'm so sorry. I use my faux-pod so much, I know how heartbroken I would be if this happened to me...

Just a thought...do you think it's dried out completely yet? Or did it suffer other damage as well...I'm basically talking out of my ass...but was just a thought (trying to be hopeful).

My only complaint is they sell beer in glass and not plastic so there is a lot of noise when people toss their bottles in the trash and could cause some distraction for the listener and the artist when playing solo acoustic.

 

I'm there and I'll be the one about half way back on the floor with a mic stand 12 feet up in the air with a DAT on a wire.

"Yes, could you please cradle your beer bottles into the trash can as if you are putting your children to bed..."

Seriously, will look forward to another great recording then.

And creativetype, let's hope all this ice/snow melts by next Friday...I think it's expected to be even worse down your direction than here from the look of the map...safe travels everyone, in any case.