Why are we alive?: Feb 17, 2009

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Leonard Cohen releasing new live dvd

http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/149088-leonard-cohen-to-release-live-album-dvd

http://exclaim.ca/articles/generalarticlesynopsfullart.aspx?csid1=129&csid2=844&fid1=36497

The Louvin Brothers

Everything that I would write about them, most of it would be here:

http://www.slipcue.com/music/country/countryartists/louvinbros.html

Also,

http://www.myspace.com/officialcharlielouvin

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louvin_Brothers

http://www.stateofmindmusic.com/entry/564/A-Word-with-Charlie-Louvin-/

Q: What do you think it was that drew people to the Louvin Brothers' music?

Charlie Louvin: I think it was the songs. We sang about life. Life is certainly no bed of roses, and it's not always easy. I don't care if you're rich or poor, or a banker or a bum. Life is not kind to you sometimes.

Some country gospel for your ass.

One more here with ref below...
http://www.blueridgeinstitute.org/ballads/old97.html

I'm glad they're doing good things.

Very inspirational, and within our own city.

http://illegalsigns.ca/topics/ad-nauseam/

Time to get a good camera!

Also, very cool video found here... helps understand both sides:

http://illegalsigns.ca/2009/02/05/kect-tv-report-on-illegal-billboards-in-los-angeles/

Just one thing, and I'm sure there is a good reason for this; why are billboards posted on exterior walls worse than the ones mounted on roofs straight into the sky line?

#27

When I knew we were lost, I was confused.
Questions of future, love, trust, all bemused.
But it was just time, our time to move on.
Empty dopamine IV drip forgone.
Now comes good reason, and we were recused.

Is it always better to know the truth?

Sometimes it helps you sleep better knowing the full truth of a matter. Sometimes it drives you crazy with sorrow. I think I'm going to get a good night's rest tonight. Intentions are a weird thing... It takes a maturity to get to them, to reach those intentions, and sometimes that maturity comes with a cost. That's life, right? Sometimes you only get one shot. Either way, better to know the truth to help you in the future.

Neko Case - Favorite

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPkIOS0TXp8

Lyrics: http://www.allthelyrics.com/lyrics/neko_case/favorite-lyrics-585823.html

Wise, found favorin' heaven
And I at your side
But I never felt sorry
For those shimmering lies
When I laid down and cried
I was faking
And I said Amen

Overanalyzing the song of the day: Andrew Bird - Sovay

Original: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-R0-b74Uwo

Live: http://www.last.fm/music/Andrew+Bird/_/Sovay

Lyrics: http://www.lyricstime.com/andrew-bird-sovay-lyrics.html

Q: Speaking of titles, what's the meaning of the word "Sovay"?

Andrew Bird: Well, I always prefer to misunderstand songs. I think a lot of great things come out of misunderstandings. That's why I love Charlie Patton. I'd rather not get a lyric sheet. I'd rather misunderstand what he's saying and have it be a spark for a new song. So anyway, in this case, 'Sovay' was from an old English Childe ballad Sovay, Sovay, all along the day something about some highwayman or something but I never bothered to research it, and I never knew what it meant; it was mysterious. I was working on this song, and suddenly that word popped out. I was looking for a new word to describe unprecedented circumstances, and that word had not been defined for me, so it fit the bill and it sounded good. It's a new word.

Wikipedia of "Sovay": http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sovay

Of the original versions: http://www.informatik.uni-hamburg.de/~zierke/martin.carthy/songs/sovay.html

Carthy version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkpujKDSTTo

Andrew Bird's version is quite different from previous ones.. basically seems like he likes and used the word and tried to incorporate it into the song/meaning, which he often does.

The song also seems to be cut into two different parts, with the first part describing escape plans, escape from whatever... then word washes ashore... a new hope? A finality?

That you're riding on a para-success
Of a heavy-handed metaphor
And a feeling like you've been here before

But then something changes... word washes ashore... most likely distressing, changing... And great how Bird uses the word Sovay to sound like waves coming up on shore...

I don't really want to go to a word-for-word analysis here (but I will in the future.. ), and ultimately it's your interpretation that matters... so many different factors, in any song really, that will influence your take home meaning/message. And so that's why I thought it appropriate as an opening overanalyzing song of the day... cuz in the end, it's what you take from it.

The second part; fighting a losing battle because you have to(?): The Ride of the Valkyries always conjures up the German invasion during WWII. Which, could mean that you're in for a 'rough ride', to put it loosely and vaguely. But, in the end, although we've been here before, "i swear this time" it'll be different..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ride_of_the_valkyries

Such a vague song... gorgeous too. Identity, fight, conitinue to fight, loss, heavy-handed metaphors.

Lisa and Derek's wedding

A great night by any standard. First off, the wedding was superb; live band, great friends, great food, beautiful venue, and some crafted speeches. The after-party was something to remember as well; an indoor game of football that had many on the floor, some of us running into bathtubs, and others tackling each other on couches.

ummm.. if anyone doesn't want their picture here, just ask and I'll remove it asap!