Welcome to the pond

Top Five on Friday–10/15/10

2010-10-15T21:45:00.000-07:00

Top 5 artists to listen to while you exercise

1) Los Lobos. They usually have some great upbeat tunes, especially the Mexican dance tunes. I always quicken my step if I’m walking and listening to “How Will The Wolf Survive?”

2) Afro Celt Sound System. Their upbeat songs are perfect for exercise.

3) The Ramones. Fast, loud, nasty.

4) BeauSoleil. They really get your toes a’tapping.

5) Natalie MacMaster. Most of her stuff is fast reels and jigs, perfect for getting yourself moving.

Sunday Scribblings–10/10/10

2010-10-10T19:10:00.000-07:00

Essential

Tell us what is essential for you today - but only tell us the essential bits.

Time. Friends. Music. Finishing. Enjoying. Seeing. Doing. Being.

Top Five On Friday–10/8/10

2010-10-08T23:15:00.000-07:00

It’s Friday:

Top 5 songs with names in the title

1) “To Sheila” by Smashing Pumpkins
2) “Alison” by Elvis Costello
3) “Jimmy Jazz” by The Clash
4) “Jack Haggerty” by Touchstone
5) “Konstantine” by Something Corporate

Tuesday Tunes–10/5/10

2010-10-05T23:45:00.001-07:00

This week’s topic is music videos.

1. What is your favorite music video?

Probably “Weapon Of Choice” by Fatboy Slim. You can’t go wrong with Christopher Walken dancing around in a hotel.

2. Do you think that videos are as important today as they were when Mtv started out?

I think they’re much less commercially important than they were in the 80s and 90s, but just as much, if not more, artistically important. Some of the most creative, interesting music videos I’ve ever seen have come out in the last four or five years. They’re far more interesting than the old “concert footage” standby. Music videos can now supplement an artist or band’s creativity instead of just advertising the latest hit single.

3. In your opinion, which artist consistently does or did the best videos?

Lately, I’d have to say OK Go. Every time they create a video, there’s an instant buzz as people wonder what wacky concept they’ve come up with this time. The latest concept is dogs and furniture.

Flickr Fun Saturday – 9/25/10

2010-09-25T20:20:00.000-07:00

Today we’re looking at all sorts of houses:

By the pond.
A Doll’s House.
Bright.
Charming.
Grand.
Grander.
Keep out.
Elegant.
White.
Strange.

Top Five On Friday – 9/24/10

2010-09-24T23:55:00.000-07:00

Top 5 songs that you have liked "forever"

I’m very tired, but I’ll do this anyway.

1) “Baba O’Riley” by The Who
2) “Colossus” by Afro Celt Sound System
3) “Last Goodbye” by Jeff Buckley
4) “I Wish” by Skee-Lo
5) “If It Isn’t Love” by New Edition

Top Five On Friday – 9/17/10

2010-09-17T19:45:00.000-07:00

From the Music Memoirs:

Top 5 recent musical discoveries

~ This can be bands, songs, albums a mixture of all of them

1) “The French Song” by Joan Jett
2) Sonic Youth
3) Charles Mingus
4) “The Rare Ould Times” by Flogging Molly
5) Steve Shelly, drummer for number 2. He’s awesome! Check him out in this clip. He really gets going three minutes in.

Trying Ubuntu

2010-09-13T20:30:00.000-07:00

I’ve always heard a lot about Linux and the Ubuntu flavor of Linux. I love that it’s a completely free operating system. I love that you can run it off a CD or a USB drive. After reading Makeuseof’s article about why every Windows user should have an Ubuntu Live CD, I was convinced to download the ISO and burn one for myself. Of course, I had to try the OS out myself from that CD.

That led me to finding out about the program Wubi last week. Wubi is a neat way to install Ubuntu on your computer without partitioning your hard drive. It creates a virtual disk on your main drive and run the OS off of that. Give it enough drive space and it will run as smoothly as a regular installation. I tried that out this weekend and was very impressed. However, I’ve decided that Ubuntu, while cool, is really not for me after all.

Why is that? One word: Winamp. You can’t generally install Windows-only programs on Linux unless they have a Linux version. You can also try using Wine, a program which can convert some Windows programs to Linux format. I tried it with Winamp, but the Winamp Media Library doesn’t work. I tried finding another music program for Linux that could do most of what Winamp can do, but the program that came closest stopped working for me. Therefore, I’m back to Windows 7 again.

Oh, there are definitely things I like about Ubuntu. Finding and installing (most) software is a breeze. I really wish Windows had a similar capability. Linux makes it easy to try out different pieces of software. I also like the way the desktop is organized with multiple information bars. I like the split between menus, especially the ‘places’ menu. I like the fact they’re available with one click instead of several. I really like the idea of having several desktops, although I’ve discovered that Windows has similar programs available (I’m now using Dexpot for this purpose).

If I wasn’t so picky about programs I’ve used for a long time, I could definitely make the switch to Ubuntu if I so chose. It’s just a little harder to use than Windows, but not so hard that a good Google search or question in the Ubuntu Forums can’t set things right. For average, everyday computer use, I think it would be perfectly great. It would be especially great for someone who doesn’t want to pay over $100for an operating system. Just take a little time to learn it, and you’ll be rewarded.

Birthday

2010-09-08T18:55:00.000-07:00

Today is my blog's eighth birthday. Just thought you should know that.

Flickr Fun Saturday – 9/4/10

2010-09-04T19:30:00.000-07:00

This Monday, Anthony Bourdain will be in Paris (on TV, at least). So we are going there, too:

Cigarette break.
Starting the morning.
Eiffel.
Cemetery.
Meal.
Louvre.
Parking.
Beauty all around.
Moulin.
Essential.

Top Five On Friday – 9/3/10

2010-09-03T16:55:00.000-07:00

Labor Day weekend Five:

Top 5 albums you'd recommend to a friend

Kinda depends on the friend, doesn’t it? Well, I’ll give it a shot.

1) Mingus Ah Um by Charles Mingus. This is my latest purchase. Get the remastered version with unedited songs, or better yet get the Legacy Edition with Mingus Dynasty on the second disc.

2) Tomorrow The Green Grass by The Jayhawks. Is it rock? Is it country? Who cares? It’s good!

3) All Things Must Pass by George Harrison. Harrison gets an entire album to himself, and makes the most of it.

4) Wolf Tracks: The Best of Los Lobos by Los Lobos. Get to know the best American rock band out there and see their sound evolve over 20 tracks.

5) Colour Me Free by Joss Stone. Old school soul, R&B and more by a rising star. This album is pure fun.

Tuesday Tunes - 8/31/10

2010-08-31T15:06:00.000-07:00

Today's tunes:

What new or upcoming releases are you eagerly waiting to buy?

School of Seven Bells' latest album Disconnect From Desire came out last month, and I'd definitely like to buy it. It sounds amazing. I'm also looking forward to Pete Yorn's new self-titled album later in September. It's supposed to be a rocker, which I always love from Pete.

Aside from those, I'm not sure what else is coming out this year that I like. Maybe next year we'll get an Afro Celt Sound System album? I sure hope so!

Tuesday Tunes – 8/24/10

2010-08-24T23:45:00.000-07:00

Tunes:

Tell us about your favorite "musical things" from this summer; concerts, albums etc.

Well, the only concert I’ve seen all year was just a few days ago when I saw Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. That was a good one, for sure. I had lots of fun and really got into it and felt the energy.

As far as albums, I’ve mostly been buying up Beatles albums this summer. My top pick out of those would be A Hard Day’s Night. Not a bad song on that album! I also bought Robert Randolph’s new one and a compilation of jazz pianist Erroll Garner. Both are absolutely amazing. I’d have to give the crown to Robert Randolph, though, because he released his best album yet.

The biggest news for me this summer when it comes to music is the new Ipod Classic that I bought. I can now carry my entire music collection with me in my pocket. It’s the best!

I love rock and roll (and rock and roll concerts)

2010-08-22T23:55:00.000-07:00

The title of this post should clue you in that I saw Joan Jett and the Blackhearts perform today. They were playing at the Lane County Fair. For the price of admission, I got to see a very famous performer sing and play her heart out.

The stage was set up in a corner by the food booths, and it was standing room only. No seating at all. I arrived about a half hour before the start of the show to claim a spot. Of course, I’m so short that there’s really no good spot to be in to see everything. The half hour went by fairly quickly and Joan and her band came on promptly at 4.

What was the show like? Well, it rocked! Joan played all the hits, even Runaways stuff. She’s not afraid to give the crowd what they want to hear. I was feeling the music, singing along, shouting, everything. I had an awesome time, and Joan puts on a great show. I could only see the top of her head, though. I couldn’t see most of the other musicians at all. But, oh, I could hear them! I snapped some shots with my cell phone camera, the only camera I had available and working. They didn’t turn out the best, but you can kind of see Joan.

Other than that, I walked around, took more photos with my camera, and ate stuff. I haven’t been to the fair for a very long time. I might go back if they get someone like Joan Jett to play again.

Here are some photos:

Flickr Fun Saturday – 8/21/10

2010-08-21T18:35:00.000-07:00

Flickr Fun is back! I really enjoy taking pictures of fountains, so that’s today’s theme:

One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight

Top Five On Friday – 8/20/10

2010-08-20T22:00:00.000-07:00

Time for Top Five:

Top 5 songs with "time" in the title

1) “Time” by Pink Floyd
2) “The Longest Time” by Billy Joel
3) “Strict Time” by Elvis Costello
4) “Further In Time” by Afro Celt Sound System
5) “A Matter Of Time” by Los Lobos

Can’t forget Morris Day and The Time:

Top Five On Friday – 8/13/10

2010-08-13T21:55:00.000-07:00

Top Five:

Top 5 albums you would buy right now if you had the money

You mean besides the three Beatles albums I bought on Amazon today?

1) “Ah Um (Legacy Edition)” by Charles Mingus. I’m starting to get into jazz, and I’m REALLY liking this guy and this album in particular.
2) “Kind of Blue (Legacy Edition)” by Miles Davis. Another great jazz album to buy.
3) “Dream Letter” by Tim Buckley. I usually prefer his son Jeff, but I’m now starting to “get” Tim too.
4) “Disconnect From Desire” and “Alpinisms” by School of Seven Bells. Both great albums.
5) “You Made Me Realize EP” by My Bloody Valentine. This is extremely hard to find, but extremely great.

Tuesday Tunes – 8/10/10

2010-08-10T23:25:00.000-07:00

Tunes:

Tell us your most played:

Go to your music player/last.fm etc and tell us

Your top 3 artists, songs and albums.

Artists: The Beatles, BeauSoleil, Elvis Costello.
Songs: “Get Back” by The Beatles; “Glass Onion” by The Beatles; “Don’t Worry Baby” by Los Lobos. Funny, I don’t remember listening to Glass Onion that much.
Albums: last.fm doesn’t have data for my most played albums, but you can bet the Beatles are somewhere on that list.

Now tell us:
What music player do you use on your computer?

I always use Winamp. I’ve been using it since my first computer.

Do you own an mp3 player? What kind?

I own a recently-purchased iPod Classic.

Have you named your mp3 player?

No, I haven’t. “The Beast” might be a good name for it, though.

Sunday Scribblings – 8/8/10

2010-08-08T23:55:00.000-07:00

half-way

I thought I would embed a video from a YouTube search for “halfway.” It’s a short film called “Only Halfway Home” about Levon Helm. I don’t really have time to watch it tonight, but I’m sure it will be good:

Youtube Wednesday – 8/4/10

2010-08-04T20:15:00.000-07:00

Ok, here’s a video. It’s a performance of “I”m Happy Just To Dance With You” by The Beatles, led here by George Harrison, from the movie A Hard Day’s Night. It sounds a bit slowed down to me, which is strange. I love John in the beginning. Such a typical class clown.

Tuesday Tunes – 8/3/10

2010-08-03T14:15:00.000-07:00

As always, brought to you by Music Memoirs:

This week's topic is introductions: Tell us about your musical self, what you love about music, your favorite bands, if you play any instruments etc.

My name is Russ. I’m 30 years old, born and raised in the state of Oregon, and I love music. I don’t know what my first musical memory is, but I think it had something to do with a Disney album. I also have vague memories of hearing Jimmy Buffett and Anne Murray, although these early experiences didn’t shape my later musical tastes.

As an older child and teen, I was very much interested in radio. I owned quite a few cassettes too, but I listened to a lot of radio too. I always tuned in to the popular Top 40 station and listened to whatever was playing big on radio or MTV. I was a big MTV watcher as a youth. Around the age of 9 or 10, I got interested in rap and hip hop music. It was quite different back then. I think I just wanted to listen to something different from my parents. I claimed to HATE rock and roll, although I think I secretly liked it.

The less said about my hip hop days, the better. I listened to a lot of good stuff in the genre, but also a lot of crap. I also continued listening to whatever was popular on radio. My favorite CDs were the Jock Jamz collections. Embarrassing, really. Of course, I HATED country.

Around my senior year of high school, I started getting into other styles of music. Jazz, for instance. It was a short-lived fascination (although I’m getting back into it now). I was particularly drawn to tunes by the Gershwins after seeing a musical that included many Gershwin compositions. Later that year, I bought a sampler of modern Scandinavian folk music. I instantly fell in love with that, and during my first year of college I was listening to and buying many of the albums on that compilation. To make a long story short, that led to explorations in other types of “world” music including Celtic, Cajun and others. One thing kind of lead to the next.

A few years later, I started getting interested in rock music for the first time. A buddy of mine was learning guitar and showed me some songs he really liked. For some reason, at that point in my life I was more receptive to it and I’ve never looked back.

I do like to explore new genres and bands, yet I’m also kind of set in my ways musically. I don’t get into the whole indie rock scene where you worship bands that aren’t even signed to a label yet. I think I’m a generation too old for that sort of thing. Some of my favorite artists today include:

Afro Celt Sound System, Jeff Buckley, BeauSoleil, Smashing Pumpkins, Elvis Costello, The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, David Gilmour, Altan, The Who, Nickel Creek, Neil Finn, and Los Lobos. Those are just some of the artists I have in my collection.

I own somewhere between 200 and 300 CDs. I prefer to buy my music. I like having a physical copy with pretty liner notes. I also like the ritual of buying music. It’s not always fun to get exactly what you want when you want it. The hunt, the anticipation, is where the thrill is for me.

Genre-wise, I’m pretty open, but I tend to prefer Classic Rock, Celtic, Nordic, and Singer-songwriter. Celtic would have to be my favorite genre. It’s just so much fun to listen to.

I don’t play any instruments, unfortunately. I’ve tried playing guitar, and I own a tin whistle, but I seem to have no musical talent whatsoever. I guess some people are put here to appreciate music instead of making it.

What do I love about music? How long do you have? That could be an entirely new post. Most of all, I like melody. A song must have a strong melody if I’m going to really enjoy it. I like hearing all the little details, the way each instrument plays a part in the whole. I like music made with passion, and without any desire to become commercially successful. I appreciate musicians who play because they love it. Lastly, I love music because of how it makes me feel. I can’t explain that, but that’s why they’re called feelings.

That was a long, rambling explanation of my history and present with music. What does my future hold? More music, of course. Stay tuned as I tell you what I’m listening to along my journey, as I always do on my blog.

Top Five On Friday – 7/30/10

2010-07-30T08:40:00.000-07:00

Time for Top Five:

Top 5 songs by one of your favorite artists

I don’t talk much about Robert Randolph and the Family Band, so I will today.

1) “Walk Don’t Walk.” This is off their new album and it always makes me smile. It’s a Prince cover.
2) “Going In The Right Direction.” Tons of energy and a positive message.
3) “Thrill Of It.” A sentimental favorite, since it’s the first Robert Randolph song I ever heard.
4) “Ted’s Jam.” Just a rollicking good time.
5) “Squeeze.” The Family Band’s best instrumental. Robert’s guitar really sings here.

Tuesday Tunes – 7/27/10

2010-07-27T11:42:00.000-07:00

Tuesday Tunes:

Here's a musical either or. Tell us which you like better.

Musician's/Band's biography or Musician/Band's biopic

I like the biography better, because biopics tend to be formulaic. There was even a parody movie about them called “Walk Hard.”

Discovering a new band or rediscovering an old band

I think discovering a new band is always more fun. It’s like falling in love for the first time.

Listening to the radio or watching Mtv

Radio wins by default. Do they even play music on MTV anymore?

Concert photos or a magazine spread

I’m thinking concert photos. They’re more “real.”

Sunday Scribblings – 7/25/10

2010-07-25T23:42:00.001-07:00

Letter

Although most people use email or text messaging these days (as do I), I still enjoy receiving actual letters in the mail from friends and family. I like the element of surprise, that thrill you get when you see something with your name on it. I also enjoy the physical part, holding it in your hands and looking at the other person’s handwriting (if they did hand-write the letter). I don’t really send or receive letters too often, except from or to a few people. We may live in an era of technology, but nothing can replace a good old-fashioned letter. They look a lot nicer than a text, and you can keep them forever.

I took a Bite of Eugene

2010-07-24T21:52:00.000-07:00

Today, I decided to check out a new event here in Eugene called the Bite of Eugene. A good number of restaurants and other food providers set up in the city park and people walk around, buy and nibble. Admission is free! I think it’s a really cool thing, and I had a good time (even with the heat of the day). Of course, I took pictures:

A big duck, for no reason.

I started with the Cuban sandwich at the Nosh Pit. I've wanted to try this for a while now, and it was more than worth the wait! Pork, ham, cheese, pickles, mustard, on pressed, grilled bread. It was slammin'!

This is a peanut butter fudge mini-cupcake. It, too, was delicious. So rich, you only want a small one.

There was entertainment in addition to the food.

This was a yummy Strawberry Agua Fresca. Creamy, thick, refreshing. It was just what I needed to beat the heat.

Off The Waffle was there too. I really enjoyed my sugar-coated Belgian waffle.

Last, but not least, I had a Maple Bacon cupcake. I've decided that I don't really like maple bacon. Crazy, I know.

A nice view of the park before heading home