jahilia

Awhile back I heard an NPR segment about Stax's anniversary, and I really liked what I heard. My music collection is extremely lacking in this area, and I'd like to build it up, but have no idea where to start. I know a few big names (Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, etc.), what else would you recommend for someone that is completely unfamiliar with this genre?

Paul Westerberg

That is an awesome story!

About two years ago, someone on this board made a Ryan Adams YSI mix that turned me into a fan. Maybe they can repost it? I haven't yet

delved into his earlier stuff, but I love Jacksonville City Nights and Easy Tiger.

almost 100% of the time i feel that way, i go for Van Morrison's 'Astral Weeks.' its an album of unfathomable beauty that truly acts as a friend and will pull you through.

Yes

Not only will it pull you through difficult times, but it's so gorgeous that there's no worry of it being ruined afterwards. This album has helped me through some pretty hard times, but I still think of the sunrise every time I hear it. That sounds really hippie-esque, but there's really no other way I can describe it.

That looks interesting - I just put it on the Netflix queue.

Just finished Fishing with John - I wish they would make more of these. John Lurie (Lounge Lizards) takes famous friends to exotic locales to fish. It's pretty funny, but kind of hit and miss. It was worth it just for the ice fishing with Willem Dafoe episode.

Tonight:

I was really impressed with Joseph Gordon-Levitt in Brick, so hopefully this won't disappoint.

Another vote for Hesse. I'd also suggest Magister Ludi (The Glass Bead Game). Great novel.

My favorite Hesse is Steppenwolf. Siddhartha and Journey to the East were both good (I didn't fiinsh The Glass Bead Game), but I really identify with the philosophy in Steppenwolf. There's so many layers to that book, it's just amazing. I've re-read it about 7 times.

Nabokov is probably my favorite writer. If you haven't read Lolita, start with that - then move on to Pale Fire or Ada. You probably want to get through the stack you have, but a couple more can't hurt.

Geek Love-Katherine Dunn

house of leaves-mark z danielewski

Two of my favorite books. I think Foucault's Pendulum is the only book I've ever forced myself to finish - and it wasn't worth it.

Julian Barnes' "History of the World in 10 1/2 Chapters" has the story of the Ark told by an insect stowaway on the ship - this character also shows up in a couple other chapters too. Very funny and very well written.

Not what I was expecting at all (the review I listened to made it sound like some hardboiled Japanese mystery), but not bad. The translation is awkward at times, but the way the story is told is interesting. On the surface, it's about the murder of two prostitutes, told by the older sister of one of them. Yuriko (the dead prostitute) always possessed a monstrous beauty, but the jealousy the older sister feels has turned her into a monster as well. Actually, everyone in the book is grostesque in their own way, and they all blame their horrible actions on other people. I'm about halfway through, but I expect to finish it tonight.

Elvis Costello- I Want You---With Fiona Apple

Click

Wow- I'm not a huge Costello fan, but this is my favorite song of his - and her performance (I'm not a Fiona Apple fan either) is just amazing.

Paul Westerberg - "I take it you'll be taking me to Sheryl Crow". I might be hearing it wrong though, it may be "share a crow", which is probably the better lyric anyway.

But books like Time's Arrow, Rachel Papers and Money will always ensure I've got a soft spot for him.

For me it's London Fields, The Information and Experience. I've read each of those at least 4 times - London Fields more like 6 or 7 times. I'll have to go back and read some of his earlier stuff.

Just finished:

I think of myself of a big Martin Amis fan, but now that I think of it, I'm often disappointed when I finish one of his books. Especially this one. I guess I'll just keep re-reading London Fields and stay away from his other books.

Just started:

I'm not sure if this is the best argument I've heard against public health care or the best I've heard for it. Either way, it's a great film.

edit - though there are humorous parts, this is NOT a comedy

This looks really interesting - unfortunately, our library doesn't have it Let us know how it is, I may have to order it from Amazon.

Now that Vonnegut's gone, I think Denis Johnson night be the greatest living American author (I'm basing this opinion on this book alone). This book is just amazing so far. Highly recommended.

"No More Shall We Part" is my favorite, but I worship all others too. He's yet to put out an only mediocre album.

This is my favorite one as well, I also really love Let Love In, Boatman's Call, and Henry's Dream.

Julian Barnes - Metroland.

 

That dude can write.

I just finished History of the World in 10 1/2 Chapters - I loved it so much I immediately moved on to England, England - which was pretty disappointing. So, Metroland is good?

Has anyone read the new Martin Amis book, House of Meetings?

I listen to both of these more than any individual album by either band (though both London Calling and Rum Sodomy and the Lash are in my top ten perfect albums list).

I've had a bad run on Netflix movies lately - I can't remember the last time I liked something enough to give it a 4 or 5 star rating. Last night I watched The King, and loved it. I was continually surprized by the story, and both William Hurt and Gael Garcia Bernal were excellent. I really enjoyed the pacing of the movie too, leisurely but suspenseful at the same time. There's not many films where the camera can linger on the reflection of the sun on the water, or two characters sitting holding hands, or a guy drinking a beer, without it detracting from the action and pulling the viewer out of the film. Anyway, a really well done movie - I enjoyed it much more than The Departed, Blood Diamond, Babel, Little Miss Sunshine, Science of Sleep, The Prestige, blah blah blah.

Next up: Children of Men and Half Nelson

Tom Waits

Paul Westerberg

Nick Cave

"Give me your hungry, your tired, your poor, I'll piss on 'em...that's what the Statue of Bigotry says" --Lou Reed, NY

The first song that came to mind when I read this thread title was "Perfect Day" - "You made me forget myself. I thought I was someone else, someone good" gets me everytime. It's just so devastatingly honest and unexpected.

My favorite from "New York"

"Caught between the twisted stars the plotted lines the faulty map

that brought Columbus to New York

Betwixt between the East and West he calls on her wearing a leather vest

the earth squeals and shudders to a halt"

Others:

Townes Van Zandt - To Live is To Fly

"Days up and down they come, like rain on a conga drum

Forget most, remember some, but don't turn none away

Everything is not enough, nothing is too much to bear

Where you've been is good and gone, all you keep is the getting there"

Nick Cave - there are just too many great lyrics of his to quote, but here's a couple

"Are You the One That I've Been Waiting For"

Out of sorrow entire worlds have been built

Out of longing great wonders have been willed

They're only little tears, darling, let them spill

And lay your head upon my shoulder

"Song Of Joy"

And so I've left my home. I drift from land to land

I am upon your step and you are a family man

Outside the vultures wheel

The wolves howl, the serpents hiss

And to extend this small favour, friend

Would be the sum of earthly bliss

Do you reckon me a friend?

The sun to me is dark, and silent as the moon

Do you, sir, have a room?

Are you beckoning me in?

Tom Waits "Alice"

It's dreamy weather we're on

You waved your crooked wand

Along an icy pond with a frozen moon

A murder of silhouette crows I saw

And the tears on my face

And the skates on the pond

They spell Alice

"Time"

So put a candle in the window

And a kiss upon his lips

Till the dish outside the window fills with rain

Just like a stranger with the weeds in your heart

And pay the fiddler off till i come back again

Here's a few from my favorite lyricist, Paul Westerberg:

"You can dress to the eights, you can dress to maim

It'll make you feel great, this fortune and fame

Wearing too much makeup, not near enough clothes

It a wonderful lie, I still get by on those"

"It's A Wonderful Lie"

"You trade your telescope for a keyhole

Make way for the gray that's in your brown

As dreams make way for plans

See ya watch life from the stands

Come on I'll help you burn 'em to the ground"

"Runaway Wind"

"First the lights, then the collar goes up, and the wind begins to blow

Turn your back on a pay-you-back, last call

First the glass, then the leaves that pass, here comes the snow

Ain't much to rake anyway in the fall"

"Here Comes A Regular"

Finally got around to seeing this

I didn't care much for it at first, but in the three days since I've seen it I find myself kind of haunted by Dieter Dengler's story and many of the images in this film. I'm really looking forward to the release of "Rescue Dawn", though I've heard there's a chance it won't be released at all. Hopefully it will, I'd love to see what Herzog does with it.

My recommendation is that M. Ward LP, Post-War, it's mighty fine.

I'd recommend anything by M. Ward

I've just listened to Josh's 1972 again a few minutes ago and on closer inspection, find it somewhat "too easy" listening. The sound is a bit flat, it sounds like "living room" music. On the other hand, the guy's still got taste for fine compositions.

I agree with you. I would say Under Cold Blue Stars is just about perfect, but I haven't been impressed with his more recent stuff. I heard an interview he did on NPR and he said his latest album was (paraphrasing) "music you can put on while you have people over for dinner"

Josh Ritter - Animal Years

I love this one too.