poppydawn

"The Porter Wagoner Show" was one of my first introductions to performed music, as well as my intro to one of my musical heroes (Dolly) when I was but a wee little kid. I can't even describe how important that was to me.

Thank you, Porter.

The old hometown looks the same as I step down from the train

And there to meet me is my mama and papa

And down the road I look and there runs Mary hair of gold and lips like cherries

It's good to touch the green green grass of home

Yes they'll all come to meet me arms areached smiling sweetly

It's so good to touch the green green grass of home

The old house is still standing though the paint is cracked and dry

And there's that old oak tree that I used to play on

Down the lane I walk with my sweet Mary hair of gold and lips like cherries

It's good to touch the green green grass of home

Then I awake and look around me at these four grey walls that surround me

And I realize that I was only dreaming

For there's a guard and there's that sad old padre arm in arm we'll walk at daybreak

And again I'll touch the green green grass of home

They'll all come to see me in the shade of that old oak tree

As they lay me neath the green green grass of home

I'm almost finished with the last book (yes, I'm just that slow). I'm just not seeing it. In fact, at one point during towards the end it's mentioned that Dumbledore and whats-his-name-supposed-gay-loverman were "best friends". While I do know that writers create rich backgrounds for characters with details that don't necessarily make it onto the page, I'm thinking this reeks of an unnecessary publicity stunt.

Then again, maybe I'll see something in the final 100 pages that convinces me otherwise.

Homemade, homegrown basil pistachio pesto that is crazy delicious. Slow rise, slack dough. As crust, thin with a satisfying crackle on the tooth.

 

I have a very open mind when it comes to food, but mustard on pizza just sounds wrong. I'd try it though.

Pistachios in pesto? YUM! I used to cook professional (and will be going back to it, someday), and I've never heard of subbing pistachios for the pine nuts. Walnuts, yes. I love pesto on pizza, especially veggie pizzas with lots of other green stuff.

As much as I love mustard, that's what kept me from ordering that pizza for so long. I thought there was no way it would be good. But it was! It was a really strong, coarse-grain deli mustard with a smidge of traditional pizza sauce. It worked incredibly well with the smoky sausage and fire-grilled shrimp.

I just ate leftover grilled chicken, pesto, portabella, gorgonzolla pizza from last night. True story.

I think you managed to fit all my favorite foods onto one pizza.

A friend took me to lunch at my favorite restaurant today and I finally tried their latest pizza - The Belle Isle. It's shrimp, andouille, cheddar, and spicy mustard on a crispy crust. Although I love each item individually, I was skeptical about them together. Oh, I was wrong. It was divine. Who knew?

My husband goes through phases where he does the traditional thing. I love it when he does, but time and convenience usually win over the hot factor and he always goes back to the new-fangled razors.

Hm. He's birthday's in a few weeks. Maybe he'll be getting a fancy-schmancy old-fashioned shaving kit with some goodies from Lush.

I live in Belleville, Illinois. You know, Jeff's hometown. And even here, people don't know Wilco.

Case in point: I went to a framing shop downtown today to pick up my print from the Columbia show and drop off my print from the KC show. The woman working in the framing department was probably late 30s/early 40s and judging from her accent, a local. She asked me where I got the prints, and I told her that when "the band" (assuming she'd know who I was talking about) does shows, they do limited edition prints and I collect them, blah blah blah.

Her: Well, what kind of music do they play?

Me: Ummmm ... Jeff Tweedy, the lead singer's, from here. In Belleville. Their new album has a song that takes place right here on Main Street. They've won several Grammys...

Her: But what kind of music do they play?

Me: Uhhhhhhhh ... Tweedys? Do you know any Tweedys? Do you remember a local band called Uncle Tupelo?

Her: No. They're probably not my kind of music. So Wilco's local?

Me: Well, no. They're based in Chicago.

Etc. etc. etc. I didn't even attempt to describe the music because it would have been lost on her. I thought there was a better chance of her saying, "Oh yeah! Jeff! We used to pick on him in high school. I'd wondered what he's been up to," than there was of adequately answering her question.

Eventually she started talking about certificates of authenticity, and how I should see if I can get them for the prints in case we'd happen to lose them in a fire or burglary. "If the band ever makes it big, these prints might be worth some big bucks!"

I guess it's true. Nobody likes you where you're from. Or even knows who the hell you are, in this case.

Incidentally, if you have had your face rocked at any point by Bon Jovi, please seek prompt medical attention. It is highly probable you have contracted something doctors are referring to as "super-chlamydia.

My husband works for a company that's owned by Nestle. We'll be handing out whatever Nestle products he can get for cheap on Halloween.

Those three bags of mini Reese's PB Cups in the living room that he claims are for trick-or-treaters? Those are mine.

My favorite:

Dropped acid, Blue Oyster Cult concert, fourteen years old,

And I thought them lasers were a spider chasing me.

On my way home, got pulled over in Rogersville Alabama, with a half-ounce of weed and a case of Sterling Big Mouth.

My buddy Gene was driving, he just barely turned sixteen.

And I'd like to say, "I'm sorry", but we lived to tell about it

And we lived to do a whole lot more crazy, stupid, shit.

And I never saw Lynyrd Skynyrd but I sure saw Molly Hatchet

With 38 Special and the Johnny Van Zant Band.

One night when I was seventeen, I drank a fifth of vodka, on an empty stomach, then drove over to a friend's house. And I backed my car between his parent's Cadillacs without a scratch.

Then crawled to the back door and slithered threw the key hole, and sneaked up the stairs

And puked in the toilet.

I passed out and nearly drowned but his sister, DD, pulled me out.

And I never saw Lynyrd Skynyrd but I sure saw Molly Hatchet

And the band that I was in played "The Boy's are Back in Town".

Skynyrd was set to play Huntsville, Alabama, in the spring of 77, I had a ticket but it got cancelled.

So, the show, it was rescheduled for the "Street Survivors Tour".

And the rest, as they say, is history.

So I never saw Lynyrd Skynyrd but I sure saw Ozzy Osbourne with Randy Rhoads in '82

Right before that plane crash.

And I never saw Lynyrd Skynyrd but I sure saw AC/DC

With Bon Scott singing, "Let There Be Rock Tour".

With Bon Scott singing, LET THERE BE ROCK!

Considering that Wilco has had so many shifts in lineup over the years, I don't think it would be a bad thing for Bird to contribute. I think the shifts in personnel might be one of the things that has allowed Wilco's sound to grow and evolve. This could be the next evolution.

A.B. has been in a lot of bands. When I saw him in April, he played with a full band. Opening for Wilco last week, he was solo. He was in Squirrel Nut Zippers, then Andrew Bird's Bowl of Fire before starting his current band and doing the one-man-band stuff. He's got a long and varied history, like Wilco.

I think they suit each other, and I'm definitely interested in seeing what they might create together.

His sexual orientation was likely part of his character bio--the groundwork Rowling laid for each of the characters before writing the first book of the series. It's just part of who he was, and the fact that it never factored into any of the books in an overt way doesn't make it any less true. Every character has a rich background--the surface of which isn't even scratched in the actual work. So for her to acknowledge, after the fact, that he was gay just means that it somehow came up--maybe as suggested by the above post. She knows her characters in ways even the most impressive student of the series never will.

That was my thought exactly. This is a pretty common thing that writers do. Without all that background, it's difficult to create characters that have some depth.

Funny, when I read the Potter books, I pretty much picture McKellen-as-Gandalf as Dumbledore.

Me too. I was actually surprised that McKellen wasn't cast as Dumbledore when Richard Harris died.

I'm about halfway through the last book, so now I'm going to have the gay stuff in my mind through the rest of the book. Not that the news surprised me. I mean, the man wore purple robes ...

What's all this city bashing about? It has nothing to do with Jay, you wouldn't understand. I can't wait not to see you when they decide to come back. Wilco playing a show at the Fox Theater was quite a treat, Jeff was so damn nervous playing a venue like that when he grew up going to shows there, and having the known it's past history. Half the Wilco songs you probably love have references to St. Louis and will never know!

 

Hail Hail Rock And Roll!

No real city-bashing from me; it was tongue-in-cheek in light of the recent KC bashing. If I really hated StL, I would have left the area a long time ago. I've got the best of both worlds - idyllic small-town living that's 15 minutes away from downtown StL. We love it, even though the city definitely has its problems.

Wilco's St. Louis shows are awesome, because so many old fans, friends, and relatives come out. It's a unique atmosphere that I've never seen replicated at any of their other shows with the possible exception of Columbia and Chicago. That show at the Fox really was a great one, partially because Jeff was so openly awed at playing such a revered venue in his hometown.

I always roll my eyes when critics were writing about how much of a Chicago song "Heavy Metal Drummer" is, considering The Landing is in St. Louis. The local references run deep in their music. That's the most obvious one.

The BF5 cover of "Video Killed the Radio Star" rocks my ass off. A few years ago I managed to injure myself while dancing in my kitchen to it. It's just that much fun.

Another vote for starting at the beginning. Better yet, see him live. I had a hard time getting into his recorded stuff until I saw him opening for Weezer.

I don't think the Fox was sold out, but I couldn't see, I was 2nd row.

I was in the first row of the mezzanine for that one. First show after 32 hours of labor and a c-section, so I didn't want to rock out too hardcore by the stage. I was afraid my innards would become outards. You're right - it wasn't quite a sell-out, but it was packed. I know the last shows at The Pageant sold out pretty fast.

I was wondering about that the other day as well. Beginning to think it is a territorial pissing w/ Jay? Doesn't he live in StL. Or maybe Jeff doesn't like StL, I don't.

Jay lives in St. Louis, but I don't think that would keep Wilco away. Although he lives here, Jay doesn't play here very often. He's part owner of a venue, but it's small enough that it wouldn't be the place Wilco would be playing.

I'd actually wondered if the lack of St. Louis shows had more to do with Jeff's mom's death last year. She was always a big presence at their local shows. Surely it would be difficult for him to come home to play and not have her there.

What a craphole. The last time I was there I couldn't wait to leave. hehehehe

I know! That's why I moved from StL to Belleville five months ago. Don't believe all those old Uncle Tupelo songs; it's a lovely little town.

All the photos of the KC show are awesome! Thanks so much for sharing them.

Yep, no St. Louis area shows since March, '06. Although I'm not sure why. They always sell out within minutes.

I was shocked to get a smile and the info right straight.

Also: the "wall" was a disappointment. Kinda like "Miracle Drug" or "A Man & A Woman."

i actually reconnected w/ that song on the drive to be there for my grandpa's surgery. the other one still blows.

I don't think I would have liked "Miracle Drug" at all if not for the fact that it was released while I was in the throes of postpartum depression. "Freedom has a scent like the top of a newborn baby's head" ... that line damn near killed me at the time. Now, it gives me the willies.

I have photos of my friends and me, standing in front of the U2 paraphenalia wall at Sun Studios. There's also a photo of us from the same Memphis trip, standing in front of a promo poster for "I Am Trying to Break Your Heart", which had just been released. Nerds.

One of the best albums ever. Period. I'm thrilled to read this news, although it makes me feel oh so very old.

Thanks alot guys. I never really talked about it on the internet or to strangers before but I guess it's nice to share it. Thanks again you guys are great.

I'm sorry. I skimmed the list earlier and totally missed this. I'm glad you've had SBS to help you get through your loss. And I'm really, really sorry.

Ah, let's see ...

1. Wilco

2. The Clash

3. Johnny Cash

4. White Stripes

5. The Replacements

6. Springsteen

7. U2

8. R.E.M.

9. The Ramones

10. Rolling Stones

11. Patti Smith

I'm drawing a blank from there.

I keep thinking that's a bird on a branch in your avatar, poppy. And I like it.

It does look like a bird, doesn't it? It's all artsy and shit.

It's one of Glenn's drumsticks laying on my daughter's Wilco shirt. I got both of them after partaking in a veggie on wheat at Shakespeare's, matter of fact.

Vegetarian Hot Pockets - for people who don't like meat but still want diarrhea.

with everything!

If not everything, many things. Examples:

Thai pineapple fried rice ... *drool*

As for pizza, gimme veggies. I'm not a vegetarian, but I love nothing more than a big pile o' veggies. All-time favorite is the veggie on wheat crust from Shakespeare's Pizza in Columbia, MO. Current favorite is the veggie pie at Fletcher's in Belleville, IL. It's a thin crust with red peppers, red onions, fresh mushrooms, artichoke hearts and fresh Parmesan, cooked in a wood-fired oven. Ah, bliss. Add a cold Honker's Ale and I'm good.

Yep. She's my little rock and roll.

(Sherriff Glenny tshirt, made by Tweedy's Gurl, signed 2 years ago by the whole band.)

Awesome! She looked so excited, bouncing around the parking lot before the show. I love seeing young'uns hyped about good music.

OK. I'm really a bit of all right.

I'd rather head down to Festus and Kimswick to see dinosaur bones or do some fishing.

Just as long as I can sit on the bank, sans fishing pole. I'll bring a bag of those burgers covered in slaw and bbq sauce from the Stoplight Cafe.

Blondie-Parallel Lines-First record I asked my parents to buy me.

Me too, and on my list for the same reason.

Sgt. Pepper - The Beatles - I swiped my mom's copy when I was 10 or 11 years old and my whole world cracked open.

The River - Bruce Springsteen - I discovered it in 1985, when I was 13 years old. I'd stay up all night (or until I conked out from exhaustion), holding my boom box on my lap, headphones cranked up full-blast, lost in New Jersey.

The Joshua Tree - U2 - Not so much at the time, but this album has been with me through my life since its release. From the heartbreak of dealing with my U2-loving bipolar childhood best friend to feeling my inutero daughter kicking and tumbling in time to "Where the Streets Have No Name", this album seems to punctuate important moments in my life.

All Shook Down - The Replacements Not their best by any means, but it was the one that introduced me to the 'Mats. It was good enough to hook me, albeit too late to see them live.

London Calling - The Clash I discovered this about 23 years after the fact. I'd always listened to The Clash, but I clung to this album when I was pregnant in 2003. It was a great way to channel my fear about bringing a child into such a screwed up time in the world. Never mind that babies have been born during much worse times in history. Regardless, I think this album taught me how to fight for my child.

Yankee Hotel Foxtrot - Wilco I'd been a Wilco fan from the beginning, and a UT fan (went to school in Columbia, MO, 1991-1995), but this is the one that spoke to me. Specifically, it got me through dealing with the intensive therapy for anxiety and panic disorders and agoraphobia. As fucking cheesy as it sounds, I honestly believe "War on War" (specifically, the '04 "Austin City Limits" performance) once kept me from doing something really horrible to myself. It was playing in the background when I was about to do something ... hearing "You've got to learn how to die if you wanna wanna be alive" made me stop. Changed my life, and possibly saved it.

And now that I've made everyone uncomfortable ...

Forever Your Girl - Paula Abdul and the self-titled 1982 Scott Baio album - I owned both of these pieces of shit, and they both got destroyed in freak accidents. The Paula Abdul tape got stuck in the door of my 1980 Mustang. The Baio vinyl was the victim of a heavy alarm clock that my cat knocked off the nightstand. How did these incidents change my life? They showed me that God loves me and wants to protect me from really shitty music.

That's where my daughter and I were standing, at the rail.

 

Huh. Well don't be shy and demure the next time.

She was in a white t-shirt with a few buttons, wasn't she?

Okay, no more uncharacteristic politeness from me ever again. It's not worth it. Next time I'll follow my instincts and yell, "Via Chicago!", then accost whoever looks.

I'll make it up to you; come see the band next time they're in St. Louis, and I'll give you my patented UT/Wilco tour. Cicero's (which isn't there anymore), Mississippi Nights (which isn't there anymore), The Landing, Casino Queen, Jeff's dad's house ...