"The Experiment" : THE WEEKEND MIX

 

I've been wanting do this for years. Click play when you're ready and let her run.

Then, let me know what you think.  You'll get the idea.

Yay Or Nay? Discuss

(h/t whattawino)

Monday's PSA

In September of 2008, I created Burning Wood as a way to fill the void that was once a daily dose of music and conversation, but was now lost after closing up shop.  I was bored. I missed the interaction. Those early posts lacked focus. They were hastily slapped together as a way to get started on the trek into cyberspace. (I never had any patience. I still don't.)

Things seem to really come together in November of 2008. Something happened, and suddenly, as if being hit by a thunderbolt, I was inspired. I'll keep the specifics to myself, but I do know I shouted "Holy Crap!" (Sorry to be so mysterious, but the event itself is not the point.)

I had been posting anything, flinging it out, hoping something would stick. But then, soon after the "incident," my focus changed and Burning Wood became something more than just a junk drawer full of ideas and music. I realized I was writing for someone, as opposed to just writing to reach anyone.

Thank you.

I'm running out of gas.
 

There are periods in Todd Rundgren's career--1986-1988 and 2001-2003, come to mind---where as a fan, it felt like he was running on fumes. It made me angry. As a fan, I would defend his actions, but secretly I had hoped he would just disappear for awhile and get his act together. I'd have been satisfied with one great record every three or four years rather than this over-saturation of half-assed performances and guest-appearances. But should I blame the guy for not feeling inspired and still needing to pay bills? As it turned out, while he was putting on half-drunk solo shows from 1986-1988, he somehow managed to create one of his later masterpieces, 1989's "Nearly Human." Again, same pattern, and then another late career gem, 2004's "Liars."

I'm not closing up shop again. But I know I don't want to over-saturate this forum with half-assed performances and half-drunk solo shows and this is what I'm feeling at the moment. I'm waiting for that 2008 thunderbolt to pay another visit, hopefully sooner than later, so as not to waste too much time. While I wait, I ask you to hang around until the tank fills up.

To be brutally honest, I'm just not in the mood to post random videos or surf the web for the next boring, bearded, bullshit songwriter to trash. And I know you don't want a week's worth of Todd Rundgren posts.

Have the patience for me and I'll be back, fresher, wiser and maybe even taller.

And speaking of Todd Rundgren...

Songs Of The Week 4.0: 4/5-4/11

White Mountain- Genesis
I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself- Tommy Hunt
I Was Telling Her About You- Marvin Gaye
Do You Wanna Touch- Batmobile
Heartbeat- Bad Company
Blue Period- The Smithereens w/Belinda Carlisle
Axe Victim- Be Bop Deluxe

zip

The Weekend Mix, 4/11/14

The last two days here in N.Y.C. have been glorious. The weather inspired this mix. I don't drive, but if I did, I would blast this with the top down as I headed somewhere else.

It shifts gears, but to my ears, it sounds good all together.

Sorry for the delay. The irony here? The misery of the last 12 hours. But that's another mix.

zip

Miss Chrissie Hynde

If you hadn't already heard the news, Chrissie Hynde is releasing her first solo record. This is the first single. I like it.

Neil Finn In New York City

INT. - MAKESHIFT BAR, TOWN HALL, NYC

                                              

                                                CONCERTGOER:
How much for a water?

                                                MAKESHIFT BARTENDER:
$5.00

                                                CONCERTGOER:
You know, in a supermarket I could get 23 more of those for the same price.


THE END


(A shitty plastic bottle of Budweiser was $13.00, by the way.)


And so it goes. Nightlife in the Big Apple.

 (Crossing 42nd Street. The city can really be beautiful sometimes.)



But I'm not here to moan, not this time.

I want to rave and gush over Neil Finn's 150 minute performance last night, though I'm always apprehensive when writing about a concert that's already happened. What good does it do the reader unless there are more opportunities to catch the artist? And this time, I don't believe Neil Finn has many more dates on his tour.

(a view from the dizzy heights of Town Hall)


I will say this, Neil Finn has written more winners than losers. I've been a fan since I first caught Split Enz play live in 1980, either at Danceteria or the Peppermint Lounge, and I was still amazed by how many hits this guy has written.

I Got You
One Step Ahead
History Never Repeats
Message To My Girl
Don't Dream It's Over
Weather With You
Better Be Home Soon
Fall At Your Feet
She Will Have Her Way
Distant Sun
Locked Out
Four Seasons In One Day


All of the above made an appearance last night. The solo piano version of "Message To My Girl" was possibly the most beautiful 5 minutes of music I have ever witnessed.

This version is from 2010 and has its own charms.



Neil's new record "Dizzy Heights" remains in heavy rotation over here at Casa de Quack, and to see most of it performed on stage was a thrill. Lisa Tomlins, more than just a backup vocalist, was up front and handled every harmony perfectly. She and Neil's voices often became one, much in that Everlys way.

Another highlight for me was this deep cut from 2001's grossly underrated and forgotten release, "One Nil."




Both Split Enz and Crowded House had their days in the sun, and much of this material sounds a bit dated, though I highly recommend almost all of it. But it's Neil Finn's solo work, starting with his 1998 debut "Try Whistling This" right on to the aforementioned "One Nil," as well as the all-star collaboration "7 Worlds Collide" and his one-off family affair "Pajama Club" and his most recent "Dizzy Heights" that shows Finn at the top of his game. These are all very smart records with a treasure trove of brilliant songs to be savored and last night's show was a solid reminder that all of these recordings should not be forgotten.