Music

Anything music.

There are 322 posts filed in Music (this is page 16 of 33).

Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett

Two 70s icons checked out today. Farrah Fawcett, sex symbol and actress, succumbed to cancer this morning at the age of 62. Before anyone could properly mourn her, news came that Michael Jackson had also died – heart attack at the age of 52.

Around 1979, these two among the most famous celebrities ever. Farrah as a pinup and Charlie’s Angels actress, and Michael for his never-ending string of hit singles. When I was ten it seemed that every boy on the block had a Farrah poster and a Michael Jackson album.

It seems that when your childhood icons pass away a little part of you goes with them.

Kodachrome

Kodachrome will be no more. Check out some reminiscences, the Kodachrome Project and Kodak’s Kodachrome Sildeshow.

Kodachrome (YouTube)
Paul Simon

When I think back on all the crap I learned in high school
It’s a wonder I can think at all
And though my lack of education hasn’t hurt me none
I can read the writing on the wall

Kodachrome
You give us those nice bright colors
You give us the greens of summers
Makes you think all the world’s a sunny day, oh yeah!
I got a Nikon camera
I love to take a photograph
So Mama, don’t take my Kodachrome away
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The Way I Are

The Way I Are
Timbaland (featuring: Keri Hilson, D.O.E.) (YouTube)

I ain’t got no money
I ain’t got no car to take you on a date
I can’t even buy you flowers
But together we can be the perfect soulmates
Talk to me girl

Oh, baby, it’s alright now, you ain’t gotta flaunt for me
If we go Dutch you can still touch my love, it’s free
We can work without the perks just you and me
Thug it out ’til we get it right
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Raleigh’s proposed downtown amphitheatre

My wonderfully pleasant experience at Cary’s Booth Amphitheatre this weekend got me wondering if Raleigh’s proposed downtown amphitheatre could be as good.

Probably not. It turns out that Raleigh is negotiating with Live Nation to run the facility. Live Nation is the company responsible for trashing Walnut Creek. Thus, we can reasonably expect the smaller downtown amphitheatre to be trashy but on a smaller scale.

Perhaps part of Booth Amphitheatre’s charm is that it’s preferred promoter is not Live Nation but Outback Concerts. Since Raleigh and Live Nation can’t seem to hammer out any kind of deal after a year of negotiations perhaps the city would be wise to give Outback a look.

Cary’s Booth Amphitheatre: the place rocks

Sunday’s Elvis Costello show at Cary’s Koka Booth Amphitheatre was civilized in every sense of the word. We drove right up, parked so close to the gates that we didn’t need a shuttle to reach them, waltzed through the security check collecting smiles as we went, and were comfortably settled on the lawn in no time. Our spot on the lawn had a great view of the stage, the sound was perfect – not too loud or soft, and decent food could be ordered ahead for pickup. The management even sent me a customer survey afterward to see how they did.

And you know what? I gave them marks that were off the charts! The facility runs circles around the Raleigh-owned dump with the pretentious name of Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion at Walnut Creek.

Cary does amphitheatres the way they should be done. Raleigh has a new standard to beat should it ever get its proposed downtown amphitheatre started.

Zydecopious

The family and I went to see Zydecopious play at Seaboard Music Friday evening. My parents and brother’s family joined us and a bunch of our neighbors for the free show at Seaboard Station next to Peace China. Hallie and her cousin Hadley got the dancing started and by the time the show wrapped up there were dozens of couples dancing to the zydeco music.

The kids had been looking forward to this show for a week because we’ve been talking it up. Travis has played his zydeco CDs non-stop for the whole week. We knew they would love it but I have to say I didn’t realize just how much they’d love it. I’ve never seen happier faces on Hallie or Travis then I did Friday night. Both got time on stage playing the rubboard and tambourine and both clearly relished being onstage.

Now we’ll have to see when we can see them play again. It was a fantastic way to spend a Friday!

Relax (Take It Easy)

Relax (Take It Easy) (YouTube)
Mika

Took a right to the end of the line
Where no one ever goes.
Ended up on a broken train with nobody I know.
But the pain and the longings the same.
Where they’re dying
Now I’m lost and I’m screaming for help.

Relax, take it easy
For there is nothing that we can do.
Relax, take it easy
Blame it on me or blame it on you.
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The Carolina Mudcats and the messages in music

Last Sunday the family and I enjoyed a day at the ballpark, watching the Carolina Mudcats demolish the Tennessee Smokies 10-2. It seemed like a very family-friendly place, right down to the Mudcats letting all the kids round the bases after the game.

It was almost perfect except for one tiny detail. You see, there are a lot of short breaks in baseball that are routinely filled by music played played by folks in the stadium sound booth. Most of these songs were familiar 80s hits that put a smile on my face but there was one particular rap song that played over and over, making me more annoyed every time I heard it.
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A tale of two stadiums

While we were enjoying yesterday’s baseball game, Kelly pointed out something quite true.

“This just makes me all the more angry at Walnut Creek,” she said offhand.

Kelly was referring to the rampant price-gouging that occurs at the Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion at Walnut Creek (that’s its $20 name. Locals know it by its $2 name of “Walnut Creek”). Go see a show at Walnut Creek and you pay $6 per ticket for parking (wiping out any incentive to carpool). Expect to pay $10 for a shitty beer, a few bucks for a bottle of water, and if you want a souvenir T-shirt you’ll be parting with two Ben Franklins at least. It’s out of control.

By comparison, the Mudcats game cost some money to get there, as it’s a 30 minute drive out of town. You pay $4 per car for parking, but then the concession prices are reasonable ($3.50 for a pretty good-sized ice cream, for instance). Ticket prices are affordable at just $6 for general admission seats. The kids had a great time and so did we.

Kelly and I have seen more concerts and show this year than we have in a long time, but with the exception of Buffett none of those were at Walnut Creek. And we’ll not set foot in that place again if we can possibly help it.