Friday, December 7, 2007
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Al Gore... Better be Walking to Bali
Not Enough Parking for Private Jets Going to UN Climate Conference
By Noel Sheppard | November 23, 2007 - 16:32 ET
As climate alarmists from all over the world head to Bali to talk about the sacrifices regular folks have to make to save the planet from global warming, it seems certain media will ignore all the private jets clogging the tiny airport.
As if it’s not enough that the United Nations Climate Change Conference is being held at what NewsBusters reported as "a truly beautiful tropical island paradise," the management of the nearby airport has issued a warning to attendees that they are going to have to park their private jets somewhere else.
I kid you not.
As reported by Bali Discovery Tours on November 3 (emphasis added):
Justin's New Baby
Look at the new addition to J-Bun's Hudson St home!
YOU ARE F@GS
--Michael L. Fowler
What will his name be?
What made you order a hedgehog? I think it's a great idea.
-Dylan Donahue
we are naming it Fow Fow after our favorite person "always cheerful" Fowler
-Nols
My vote is for Chronic the headiesthog
YOU ARE F@GS
--Michael L. Fowler
What will his name be?
What made you order a hedgehog? I think it's a great idea.
-Dylan Donahue
we are naming it Fow Fow after our favorite person "always cheerful" Fowler
-Nols
My vote is for Chronic the headiesthog
Where's Clive Owen Now?
Call me a dirty hippy if you will but if I wasn't at the office right now I'd be balling. With tissues, not dollars.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, there is only ONE female Yangtze turtle left on Planet Earth. An 80 year old female who's been living inside the Changsha zoo with all the other turtles is now being kept under tight security within bulletproof glass and constant surveillance. Luckily, scientists have found the last surviving 100 year old male living at a zoo in the city of Suzhou.
In China turtles represent longevity but can these two turtles stand the test to China's rampant development, pollution run off, and uncontrolled hunting that is endangering all wild species?
According to the Sydney Morning Herald the situation in China is grim.
-Almost 40 per cent of all mammal species in China are endangered
- 70 per cent of all non-flowering plant species and 86 per cent of flowering species are considered threatened.
And according to the New York Times, China has already lost half of its wetlands.
Pour some out for the Yangtze, unless Clive Owen comes running to the rescue.
Green Becomes Cool on Wall St.
Yesterday, the Wall Street Journal's Jilian Mincer covered the trend of green investing which has been sprouting up all over the Financial District. A wave of green advisers champion this effort by encouraging investors to diversify their portfolios by including a number of rapid growth green technology stocks and green mutual funds.
Up and coming Smith and Barney financial adviser Kati Macchiverna says,
Al Gore is one phenomenon, but If Leo makes a movie about the topic, the Patrick Batemans downtown must follow suit because after all, where does he get his glorious organic aftershave balm?
The capitalist financiers are the second to final group the hippies must conquer before dominating the earth with flowers and organic patchouli. Right wing oil thirsty Washingtonians are up next.
--GreenBean
Up and coming Smith and Barney financial adviser Kati Macchiverna says,
"Compared to average market returns, say you were invested in an index that performed pretty close to how the market performs over the course of the year, the returns on that would be much greater than if you were invested in socially responsible funds. They generally have returns closer to that of bonds (3-4%) opposed to market indexed funds (8-9%).
I would really be interested in finding out more about the green mutual funds, and other green indexes, the thing about those, like the article said, is that they tend to be pretty risky. There is so much new technology out there and people jump on these ideas and over indulge (take ethanol). When I finally get started it would be cool to have a bit of a specialization in green funds, I'm going to start checking that out."
Al Gore is one phenomenon, but If Leo makes a movie about the topic, the Patrick Batemans downtown must follow suit because after all, where does he get his glorious organic aftershave balm?
The capitalist financiers are the second to final group the hippies must conquer before dominating the earth with flowers and organic patchouli. Right wing oil thirsty Washingtonians are up next.
--GreenBean
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
The Rest of the World Has Turned Green... and the U.S.of A. is still Blushing
The Kyoto protocol, headed by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is a diplomatic effort to join countries all over the world in the fight against global warming. It's objective aims at reducing greenhouse gases which contribute to this frightful environmental threat. As you can see from this map, we are the only country that has outright disagreed with the effort, while Kazakhstan is still lagging.
The key for this map is as follows:
This past November, 2007, the Kyoto protocol required 36 countries to reduce greenhouse gases to levels specified in the treaty. This is ACTIVE progress towards a better Earth... will someone please tell me why America is not only annoyingly inactive in this effort, but actually counteractive with their refusal to join the Kyoto protocol. If the Bush re-election wasn't enough to make you jump ship, now may be the time to get in line for a long term visa.
According to a press release from the United Nations Environment Programme :"The Kyoto Protocol is an agreement under which industrialized countries will reduce their collective emissions of greenhouse gases by 5.2% compared to the year 1990 (but note that, compared to the emissions levels that would be expected by 2010 without the Protocol, this limitation represents a 29% cut). The goal is to lower overall emissions of six greenhouse gases - carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, sulfur hexafluoride, HFCs, and PFCs - calculated as an average over the five-year period of 2008-12. National limitations range from 8% reductions for the European Union and some others to 7% for the US, 6% for Japan, 0% for Russia, and permitted increases of 8% for Australia and 10% for Iceland."
--GreenBean
--all quotes excerpted from WikiPedia
The key for this map is as follows:
- green - signed and ratified
- yellow - signed, ratification pending
- red - signed, ratification declined
- gray - no position
This past November, 2007, the Kyoto protocol required 36 countries to reduce greenhouse gases to levels specified in the treaty. This is ACTIVE progress towards a better Earth... will someone please tell me why America is not only annoyingly inactive in this effort, but actually counteractive with their refusal to join the Kyoto protocol. If the Bush re-election wasn't enough to make you jump ship, now may be the time to get in line for a long term visa.
According to a press release from the United Nations Environment Programme :"The Kyoto Protocol is an agreement under which industrialized countries will reduce their collective emissions of greenhouse gases by 5.2% compared to the year 1990 (but note that, compared to the emissions levels that would be expected by 2010 without the Protocol, this limitation represents a 29% cut). The goal is to lower overall emissions of six greenhouse gases - carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, sulfur hexafluoride, HFCs, and PFCs - calculated as an average over the five-year period of 2008-12. National limitations range from 8% reductions for the European Union and some others to 7% for the US, 6% for Japan, 0% for Russia, and permitted increases of 8% for Australia and 10% for Iceland."
--GreenBean
--all quotes excerpted from WikiPedia
Sunday, December 2, 2007
WEEN: 23 Years of Entertainment for the Weirdoes
Its
December first marks one of the first real winter nights in N.Y.C. It’s fucking freezing outside as we race to find cabs to take us to Terminal 5, the new music venue located at
Ween’s been around for as long as I have been alive. They are a funky, chameleon like rock band who have adapted a century’s worth of music into their own unique style. They pull different elements together from swing music to metal to create their wildly eclectic and anarchic style. Their rainbow of vibes draws a very free-spirited and wide-ranging crowd. From older couples, balding retired frat boys, preppy financiers from
We found the non-VIP VIP spot, located a foot above the entire standing audience on the first floor right in front of the back bar. With a clear view in front of us, dancing room, and booze behind us, we decided we were never moving.
They went on around
As Justin and I ducked into the crowd to light up a bat we were warned by the friendly chubby bald men to our left, “Hey watch out, this place has crazy midget security guards.” Midget security guards?! The people who run this venue are genius! No stoner would ever expect a midget to come karate kicking the bowl out of your hand from two feet below you!
And now for the climax. Claude Coleman Jr.’s drum solo was out of this world. The first half was unbelievable and then he simply dropped his sticks and started banging the drums and cymbals with his own bare hands. I wish we could somehow figure out how to upload videos because then you will have some idea of how much the drummer was rocking out. He was unbelievable. He’s been with the band all along and this rockstar even teaches drums, guitar, bass and vocals at
My favorite quote of the night: I asked Dylan if I could borrow his lighter, and said “Is that cool?” To which he replied with squinty eyes and a wide smile, “Everything’s cooooool.”
Also side note, this random Brazilian dude in the bathroom line with me was wearing a really hot shirt by designer Robert Graham. Check them out here
---NINJA COURTNEYThursday, November 29, 2007
New Years' Eve Dance Party
Who doesn't love dancing to the beats of livetronica band, The New Deal?
Well get ready to dance dance dance to a new wave of musical progression as The New Deal morphs into The Join, an adventure featuring Darren and Jamie of The New Deal and several other artists from both the jam band and the electronica scene. Their first tour was with David Murphy of STS9 up the California coast line. Now they are touring with my favorite sexy rockstars of the Duo, who are about to begin playing a five day festival in Runaway Bay, Jamaica... oo lala. Catch them back in the city for New Years-- at the Highline Ballroom. If only Benevento was single, I'd throw myself on stage for a midnight kiss. Tickets are only 45$ which beats any stupid 200$ "open bar" lounge party you're planning to attend. Buy them hereoh and p.s. the new deal's "intro" on gone gone gone made it onto csi: miami!
Yes, I like that face you're making. --Ninja Courtney
Green Dream Jobs
Do you cry over wasted paper? Do you want to kick the sleazy sales guy in the face for constantly using Styrofoam cups? Capitalism not really your thing? Check out this awesome website for Green Dream Jobs!
--GreenBean
Graduating Green
Terra Mater, Alma Mater.
How Green Is Your University?
Everyone loves lists this time of year... and recently the Sierra Club ranked the top ten greenest universities.
1. Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH
2. Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
3. Warren Wilson College, Swannanoa, North Carolina
4. University of California system (10 schools)
5. Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
6. Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT
7. Berea College, Berea, Kentucky
8. Pennsylvania State University (24 locations)
9. Tufts University, Medford, MA
10. Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburg, PA
See the original article here
-GreenBean
1. Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH
2. Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
3. Warren Wilson College, Swannanoa, North Carolina
4. University of California system (10 schools)
5. Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
6. Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT
7. Berea College, Berea, Kentucky
8. Pennsylvania State University (24 locations)
9. Tufts University, Medford, MA
10. Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburg, PA
See the original article here
-GreenBean
Monday, November 26, 2007
Recycle Your Cork!
According to the Audubon Magazine, “Corks are 100 percent natural, recyclable, and biodegradable.” Wine and
Mail your wine corks to:
Wine
Yemm & Hart Ltd
Sources: http://audubonmagazine.org/features0701/habitat.html
---GreenBean
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Devendra Banhart Returns in Full Folk Swing
Ninja: Ruby Thursday
I pressed play and listened to Devendra Banhart’s latest album, Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon, today. It was not the first time; I bought the album soon after it came out and it stayed on permanent rotation for days afterward, ringing in my head even when it wasn’t coming out of a stereo. It is one of my favorite albums of the year- and of Banhart's- a musical masterpiece in many ways, including in its 16 tracks many different styles and directions of music, taking slow ups and downs with casual, eclectic grace.
Frequently called psychedelic folk or freak folk (which Banhart opines to be a ‘tacky’ description), Banhart’s music calls to the 60s in a way many artists strive for and rarely achieve. This album, in light of his growing repertoire, has harnessed a lightness of sound that feels like it comes from a place of harmony, and is balanced enough to prove his songs better and better as the CD goes through rotation two, three, and then countless times.
I first experienced track number 6, Seahorse, on youtube.com. The video itself is definitely recognizable as a work of Banhart’s unique artistry, and the song an intriguing ballad on which Banhart softly howls at the end: “Well I’m scared of ever being born again/If it’s in this form again/well I wanna know how why where & when & then/I wanna see you be the bright night sky/I wanna see you come back as the light.” Lauren Dukoff, Banhart’s frequent photographer, plays the flute on the song, and it is on a list of songs to be featured in an upcoming film starring Gael Garcia Bernal, of The Motorcycle Diaries and The Science of Sleep.
Banhart’s lyrics are poetry, and when he says that, to him, folk music is “music that is collaborating out of the moment,” it definitely stands as an indication of many of the songs on Smokey. The more you listen, the more you can hear different sounds coming out of the depths of Banhart’s songs, remnants of the moments in which the songs were recorded.
Of the 16 tracks, none are to be missed. Each has to be seen as an individual force– some of his drawings start out as songs, and some of his songs end up as drawings, Banhart says– and the CD as a whole is a story, maybe not a fairy tale, but definitely one with a completely satisfying ending.
Video for Seahorse:
Of Interest: MTV Cribs has a video featuring Banhart as he shows off his house in Topanga Canyon, CA, where Smokey was recorded; the same house was once called home by both Jim Morrison and Neil Young. Showing off different forms of artistic expression, from brightly colored, abstract sketches on plain paper to kernels of corn adorned with googly eyes, Banhart proves interesting to watch as well as listen to, which might be why he has been making a name for himself in both musical and social tabloids. The last minute, where Banhart briefly synpopsizes the death of artist Malachi Ritscher, is not to be missed. link to video
I pressed play and listened to Devendra Banhart’s latest album, Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon, today. It was not the first time; I bought the album soon after it came out and it stayed on permanent rotation for days afterward, ringing in my head even when it wasn’t coming out of a stereo. It is one of my favorite albums of the year- and of Banhart's- a musical masterpiece in many ways, including in its 16 tracks many different styles and directions of music, taking slow ups and downs with casual, eclectic grace.
Frequently called psychedelic folk or freak folk (which Banhart opines to be a ‘tacky’ description), Banhart’s music calls to the 60s in a way many artists strive for and rarely achieve. This album, in light of his growing repertoire, has harnessed a lightness of sound that feels like it comes from a place of harmony, and is balanced enough to prove his songs better and better as the CD goes through rotation two, three, and then countless times.
I first experienced track number 6, Seahorse, on youtube.com. The video itself is definitely recognizable as a work of Banhart’s unique artistry, and the song an intriguing ballad on which Banhart softly howls at the end: “Well I’m scared of ever being born again/If it’s in this form again/well I wanna know how why where & when & then/I wanna see you be the bright night sky/I wanna see you come back as the light.” Lauren Dukoff, Banhart’s frequent photographer, plays the flute on the song, and it is on a list of songs to be featured in an upcoming film starring Gael Garcia Bernal, of The Motorcycle Diaries and The Science of Sleep.
Banhart’s lyrics are poetry, and when he says that, to him, folk music is “music that is collaborating out of the moment,” it definitely stands as an indication of many of the songs on Smokey. The more you listen, the more you can hear different sounds coming out of the depths of Banhart’s songs, remnants of the moments in which the songs were recorded.
Of the 16 tracks, none are to be missed. Each has to be seen as an individual force– some of his drawings start out as songs, and some of his songs end up as drawings, Banhart says– and the CD as a whole is a story, maybe not a fairy tale, but definitely one with a completely satisfying ending.
Video for Seahorse:
Of Interest: MTV Cribs has a video featuring Banhart as he shows off his house in Topanga Canyon, CA, where Smokey was recorded; the same house was once called home by both Jim Morrison and Neil Young. Showing off different forms of artistic expression, from brightly colored, abstract sketches on plain paper to kernels of corn adorned with googly eyes, Banhart proves interesting to watch as well as listen to, which might be why he has been making a name for himself in both musical and social tabloids. The last minute, where Banhart briefly synpopsizes the death of artist Malachi Ritscher, is not to be missed. link to video
Thursday, November 8, 2007
What City Do you Belong In?
| You Belong in London |
 A little old fashioned, and a little modern. A little traditional, and a little bit punk rock. A unique soul like you needs a city that offers everything. No wonder you and London will get along so well. |
To Fax or Not to Fax?
if 1% of all paper faxes sent in the US were instead electronically sent, we'd save 73.5 million trees
check out other great ways to green your office environment at greenisuniversal.com
---greenbean
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Icelandic Yogurt-- 5 Active Cultures
all natural siggi'sskyr icelandic style strained low fat yogurt in "pear & mint" is amazing. the only ingredients are skim milk, pear, raw organic agave nectar, organic mint extract, live active cultures (Five total- S. Thermophilus, L. Delbrueckiee Susp. Bulgaricus, L. Acidohphilus, B. Longum, and B. Infantis), and vegetable rennet.
The cool mint flavor was strong and reminded me of delicious mint chocolate chip ice cream.
If you run a quick google search on this yogurt you'll find addicts abound searching NYC everywhere for these tasty cups.To sink your spoon into this pure deliciousness hit up these fine grocers:
In Manhattan:
In Brooklyn: Stinky's Cheese, Lassen & Hennigs, Blue Apron, and Marlow & Sons
According to aboutyogurt.com "Researchers around the world are studying the potential attributes of live and active culture yogurt in preventing gastrointestinal infections, boosting the body's immune system, fighting certain types of cancer and preventing osteoporosis... Additionally, the live and active cultures found in yogurt break down lactose in milk. This allows lactose intolerant individuals who commonly experience gastrointestinal discomfort when they consume milk products to eat yogurt and receive the nutrients contained in the milk product without the side effects of abdominal cramping, bloating and diarrhea."
(Brandy! That's great news for you! No more uncontrollable pooping!)
and sidenotes:
According to some woman's random blog...yogurt with lots of active cultures is great for the vagina! It helps prevent bad bugs from growing down there.
lastly, yogurt covered pretzels, while delicious, are not nutritious and include no active cultures.
---GreenBean
Green Investing
“GREEN INVESTING” SPECIAL FEATURE DEBUTS ON
INVESTOPEDIA.COM
From Forbes News Reports:
New York, NY (Tuesday, November 6, 2007) – Today Investopedia.com (www.investopedia.com), the leading Web site for investor education, debuts a special feature about “Green Investing.” The in-depth package includes a combination of more than 50 articles, commentary, terms and frequently asked questions, providing valuable information and insight about “investment activities that focus on companies or projects that are committed to the conservation of natural resources.” The special feature is available at:
http://www.investopedia.com/features/green-investing.aspx.
Highlights include:
· Articles, such as “What Does It Mean To Be Green?,” “The Biofuels Debate,” and “Evaluating Green Equity Investments”
· Commentary, offering perspective on topics like “Five Green Mutual Funds You Need To Know” and “Finding Profit in Hybrid Cars,” among others
· Most popular questions, ranging from “What are green investments?” to “What is a clean tech stock?” to “What is the carbon trade?,” plus more
· Terms to know, including “Green Tech,” “Energy Improvement Mortgage,” and “Sinful Stocks,” to name just a few
For this, and a wealth of invaluable investor and financial information, including Investopedia.com’s special feature on “Subprime Mortgages,” visit:
Wake up and smell the capitalism mixed with shade grown coffee.
--Green
Dove's Inner Beauty
Dove's New 'Onslaught' advertisement is quickly gaining notoriety on the web and in the ad world. It is a part of their "Campaign for Real Beauty," which focuses on making societal changes in the way we define hotness. It's worthy of a hat tip for continuing the fight against Barbie store boxed beauty in size zero fashion trends and it's ending resembles a hallmark card; furthermore, the photography is stunning.
-- click here to see the video & original article in Advertising Age- 'Onslaught'. The article points out a few hypocrisies surrounding the campaign- namely that Dove has a slew of products targeted towards "outer beauty" and the ad agency, Ogilvy Toronto also has Barbie as one of their premiere clients.
Get over it. Not everyone is going to be 100% pure in their agendas to better the world when there's a profit to be turned or bills to pay. The bottom line is their spending money on good deeds. It would be like chiding McDonalds for launching their salad and low-carb menu. A step in the right direction is always a good move. Their focus is admirable and I applaud Dove; furthermore the commercial is rad and I like how their soap smells.
--Green
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
The balls to walk
I’m truly enjoying the blogging going on over at Slate’s new all-female blog “The XX Factor.” The corniness of the name aside, the writers are raising excellent points across the board. A recent post about Paula Radcliffe by Emily Bazelon has sparked response from her fellow contributor June Thomas about what it means to be a strong woman and how that relates to both Radcliffe and Hillary Clinton.
Bazelon describes the “imperfect Hillary parallel” wherein
People are awed by a woman who has children and is back running on the track before the doctor can cut the umbilical cord. And why shouldn't they be, a woman such as Radcliffe has commit quite a feat. It’s not that I think we shouldn’t applaud Radcliffe for her dedication to her sport, but like Thomas, I still feel uncomfortable with the reason she is an emblem of success. Something about the idea of beating out the femaleness (Ok, no more “nesses,” I promise) out of a mother feels wrong and I believe it's at least partially missing the point of feminism. How can we make room for a myriad of types of women, without marginalizing anyone's choices? I’d like to know how other women answer these questions. How do you reconcile your passions with something like a biological clock?
-gleam
Have we been waxed by a Brazilian?
Bloomberg reported today that model Gisele Bunchen is requesting to be paid in any currency other than our dear greenbacks. This story is obviously the conjuring of a Brazilian reporter doing his best to make deadline on a slow news day. Unfortunately for us, its existence is as much of an indicator of the utter lack of global confidence in the dollar as the fabricated story itself.
-gleamClick to Give
All you have to do is click on this text... select each new tab and hit the "click to give" box-- and instantly, you are donating to save the world. GOOD FOR YOU!
Monday, November 5, 2007
Safe Sex, Not so Safe Fashion?
Brazilian Greenpeace activist turned fashion designer, Adriana Bertini has spent the past ten years creating dresses, skirts, and suits made entirely from quality test rejected condoms.
Props to Adriana for using condoms that would otherwise end up in a land fill and simultaneously raising AIDS awareness.
On whether or not she'd actually wear the dresses:
Katita says,"id love to say i would....but i dont think i could wear a condom dress"
Meet up for drinks with other Environmentally Bent Buddies...
The 2nd Tuesday of every month say Cheers! with others in the green community of NYC
See greendrinks.org for official detailsEvents:
Tuesday November 13, 2007 at "THE PARK"! 118 West 10th Ave at 18th street. see website for more info: www.theparknyc.com, a favorite venue of green drinkers! Come on down for a great evening of mingling and networking in the Atrium and Red Room
Tuesday Dec 11th for our BIG GREEN HOLIDAY PARTY at BLVD! 199 Bowery Street at Spring. See website http://www.blvdnyc.com/ We found a fab space big enough to hold everyone with many smaller rooms to mingle and mill about. We will have a Silent Auction and give away free Raffle prizes and organic appetizers. Great music and networking with your favorite Green Community in NYC.
Tuesday January 8th, 2008 at EyeBeam from 6-10pm
Tuesday February 12, 2008 from 6-10pm at "Greenroom", 205 Mulberry Street between Spring and Kenmare in Soho, NYC tel: 212.334.0288 see website : www.greenroomsoho.org
Tuesday Dec 11th for our BIG GREEN HOLIDAY PARTY at BLVD! 199 Bowery Street at Spring. See website http://www.blvdnyc.com/ We found a fab space big enough to hold everyone with many smaller rooms to mingle and mill about. We will have a Silent Auction and give away free Raffle prizes and organic appetizers. Great music and networking with your favorite Green Community in NYC.
Tuesday January 8th, 2008 at EyeBeam from 6-10pm
Tuesday February 12, 2008 from 6-10pm at "Greenroom", 205 Mulberry Street between Spring and Kenmare in Soho, NYC tel: 212.334.0288 see website : www.greenroomsoho.org
Greendrinks works with the venue to be sure the event is as green as possible from cups, napkins, signs, all from post-consumer content, to being a carbon-neutral event ( like last year). The food is donated from local organic restaurants, and the venue is cleaned with non-toxic cleaning products before and after the event.
Bartiromo proves all PR is good PR
Bill Carter of the Times writes today of the rapid ascent of Maria Bartiromo's career in the midst of the controversy surrounding her little jet ride with Citigroup CEO Charles Prince.
Though I'm currently feeling tender towards her as a woman who has risen to the top of a previously male-dominated career, as well as being a target of gawker's snarky wiles (and who isn't eventually) I'd also like to let her know that I am fickle and will revoke all prior tenderness should she make the slightest misstep, as I have been known to do for Hillary, Lohan, J. Reno and people with French botanically-inclined names...
-gleam
Turn down the thermostat and turn up the heat!
Green Sexy Toys
A few fearless ways to feel a bit more eco-friendly in bed
Ever thought about the toxins in your sex toys? Check the ingredients on your next anal beads purchase. Most sex toys are made with phthalates, a substance used to soften hard plastics like toxin releasing PVCs and provide that jelly feeling you may crave.. Recently there's been quite a stir over the toxicity and health risks of phthalates as they are currently banned by the EU in the manufacturing of children's toys and even more important minute levels of some phthalates have been linked to sperm damage in men. Tony Levine, founder of Big Teaze Toys, says he's made his products -- including the cutely discreet, soft-plastic vibra "I rub my duckie"--is phthalate-free from the start. "While working at Mattel as a toy designer, I was made very aware of the concerns of using only safe materials for children's products," he says. "This training has stuck with me ... We take great pride in using only the materials which meet strict toxicity safety standards for both the U.S. and the E.U."
Herbs to Spark the Passion: ginseng, kava kava root, damiana leaves, kelp, tribulus, ginko biloba, rhodiola rosea, and of course horny goat weedDouble click your mouse for other fabulously safe toys:
1. The rabbit, made famous on Sex&theCity -all new and made with eco-safe materials2. A whole slew of safe products on SmittenKitten.com
3. Organic lube
(from treehugger.com and various other news sources)
Friday, November 2, 2007
Muzzy Makes CNN's Top Ten!
Today's CNN article puts the Newfie at #7
No. 7. Newfoundland saves Napoleon
Napoleon Bonaparte owed his life to a nameless Newfoundland. As Bonaparte fled the island of Elba in 1815, where he was exiled, choppy seas pitched him overboard. A fisherman's dog jumped in after the drowning despot and kept him afloat. Napoleon lived to experience his own defeat at the Battle of Waterloo.
Ten dogs that changed the world
Newfies, known for jumping out of helicopters and rescuing drowning fishermen, are excellent swimmers. They come equipped with webbed feet and water resistant coats.
Famed photographer, Bruce Weber, published a book dedicated to the Newfoundland, called Gentle Giants
Lord Byron adored his pet Newfoundland dog, Boatswain. The monument to his beloved pet's memory still stands in the garden of Byron's ancestral home, Newstead Abbey, in Nottinghamshire, England. Click here to read his memorial
"A man is not a good man to me because he will feed me if I should be starving, or warm me if I should be freezing, or pull me out of a ditch if I should ever fall into one. I can find you a Newfoundland dog that will do as much." Henry David Thoreau
No. 7. Newfoundland saves Napoleon
Napoleon Bonaparte owed his life to a nameless Newfoundland. As Bonaparte fled the island of Elba in 1815, where he was exiled, choppy seas pitched him overboard. A fisherman's dog jumped in after the drowning despot and kept him afloat. Napoleon lived to experience his own defeat at the Battle of Waterloo.
Ten dogs that changed the world
Newfies, known for jumping out of helicopters and rescuing drowning fishermen, are excellent swimmers. They come equipped with webbed feet and water resistant coats.
Famed photographer, Bruce Weber, published a book dedicated to the Newfoundland, called Gentle Giants
Lord Byron adored his pet Newfoundland dog, Boatswain. The monument to his beloved pet's memory still stands in the garden of Byron's ancestral home, Newstead Abbey, in Nottinghamshire, England. Click here to read his memorial
"A man is not a good man to me because he will feed me if I should be starving, or warm me if I should be freezing, or pull me out of a ditch if I should ever fall into one. I can find you a Newfoundland dog that will do as much." Henry David Thoreau
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Do Not Eat. THROW AWAY!
Ever wonder what those little packets of beaded crap are always doing in your delivery package? They look small and cheap and bad for the environment... because they are. After a quick trip to howstuffworks.com
What are these little stupid bagged beads?
Silica gel is synthetically produced from silicon dioxide in the form of stupid little beads.The reason manufacturers use these beads is because they are a desiccant, which means it absorbs and holds water vapor.In fact, according to howstuffworks.com, silica gel is a particularly efficient desiccant because they can absorb up to forty percent of their own weight.
Silica gel can be regenerated and reused. Heating the silica gel (in the microwave) will dry off the absorbed moisture. Using these beads to dry flowers for arrangements is one good use.
Recycling Oeniophilas
According to the Audubon Magazine, “Corks are 100 percent natural, recyclable, and biodegradable.” Wine and Champagne cork recycling is a common practice in both Australia and Europe, but the U.S. lags behind. A company called Yemm & Hart, located in Missouri, recycles these corks and furthermore they are working to develop new materials from the corks.
Mail your wine corks to:
Wine Cork Recycling
Yemm & Hart Ltd
610 South Chamber Dr
Fredericktown MO 63645
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Upcoming Show: Dr. Dog
Hailing from Philadelphia, this barely kindergarten aged band, is now on tour for their 2nd album, We All Belong, available here
11/9/07
only $14
Dr. Dog @ the Bowery Ballroom, located at 6 Delancey St.
Save on the bogus ticket master charges & buy yours at the Mercury Lounge Box Office located at 217 E. Houston St. (corner Ave A & Houston); offices open from 10-7pm Monday-Saturday
Review to follow the mayhem which will surely ensue...
Dr. Dog's Official Website
Dr.Dog's Myspace page
-Ninja Courtney
11/9/07
only $14
Dr. Dog @ the Bowery Ballroom, located at 6 Delancey St.
Save on the bogus ticket master charges & buy yours at the Mercury Lounge Box Office located at 217 E. Houston St. (corner Ave A & Houston); offices open from 10-7pm Monday-Saturday
Review to follow the mayhem which will surely ensue...
Dr. Dog's Official Website
Dr.Dog's Myspace page
-Ninja Courtney
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Clare & The Reasons - Brooklyn, NY
Ninja: Jonathan Daniel
When one first presses play on The Movie, the debut release from Clare & The Reasons, his/her first reaction might be to compare Clare Muldaur’s voice to that of any of the great jazz singers from the Golden Age of music. One might also be tempted to compare the band’s instrumentation to that of Sufjan Stevens’ work. It is also possible that this person would even compare the musical arrangements (excuse me if I overstep my bounds) to that of a Mozart composition, or the tone choices and chord changes to the new Wilco album. However, if this person happened to be you, you would be wrong.
Now, I don’t mean to say that Clare & The Reasons don’t take inspiration from every crevice, corner, and vast open space of music history, or even that they don’t possess similarities to any of these artists - in fact, I think quite the contrary. What I am aiming to say is that it is nearly impossible to pin their music down into one specific genre: they combine as many influences as they can without turning each song into a complete mess (see: TV on the Radio’s Return to Cookie Mountain).
I first heard Clare sing at a performance - of let’s call it experimental classical music - put on by her husband, Olivier Manchon (Olivier also plays violin for The Reasons while at the same time specializing in the recorder and glockenspiel, and occasionally sitting behind the piano or wielding an acoustic guitar or musical saw to accompany his wife). That night, I was intrigued by both her voice and Olivier’s arrangements, but unfortunately did not have a chance to hear them play again until just recently when they graced the small stage of Rockwood Music Hall on New York’s Lower East Side.
I recognized most of The Reasons from Olivier’s performance, and was pleased to note the upright bass, cello, violin, viola, grand piano, electric guitar, and acoustic guitar strategically placed on the stage so that the musicians could play every band’s favorite game – “let’s see how many people we can fit on this small-ass stage”. Once Clare and her five Reasons had taken their places, the audience drew immediately quiet – they were ready to listen. For the following hour, the only sound in the small room was that of the band’s intricately woven instrumental melodies, with Clare laying down her voice as the maraschino cherry sitting atop a hot brownie sundae.
As usual I had no cash so I couldn’t purchase the album that night, and despite my attempts at bartering an empty glass of whisky and an ice cube for a copy, I went home empty handed. Nevertheless, I was determined to have the necessary $12 on me the upcoming Saturday, when they played at SoundFix in “Williamscool”, Brooklyn. I was so determined that I chose not to drink that night, and instead attended the show alone in the half-record store/half-bar venue.
Again, the moment it was clear they were ready to begin, a hush fell over the (this time much larger) crowd and those who failed to silence themselves were shushed before the first measure had been completed. I knew then that, beyond my own infatuation, this band had something special. No matter the venue - whether large or small, light or dark, crowded or empty (although so far always crowded), Clare & The Reasons commanded the attention of every single soul seated or standing in the room. Those who had heard them before quietly appreciated the fact that each musician is equally as talented in person as they are on the recordings, and those who were experiencing them for the first time slowly but surely realized the same.
Now, you may say that I give them too much adulation, and perhaps I do, but it has been a very long time since I have enjoyed a band this much, and so consistently to boot. Not only do they combine influences taken from nearly every genre of music, and not only do they possess the talent to do this, but they also make beautiful, catchy music that will not fail to put a smile on your face. Let’s call it classical jazz with a twist of rock n’ roll.
Highlights of seeing them live are similar to those of the album, including the more upbeat songs Pluto and Rodi, but also the slower ballads Love Can Be A Crime and Alphabet City. On the album are a couple of hidden gems that I am yet to hear them play live, a particular favorite of mine being Go Back. Played live are a couple others not featured on the album, the most memorable holding the title Why, Why Why, an old fashioned love song sung as a duet by Clare and the bass player, Alan Sherwood, which proves that the individuals in the band take themselves far less seriously than they do their music.
So go take a listen to them. I think you'll like what they do.
When one first presses play on The Movie, the debut release from Clare & The Reasons, his/her first reaction might be to compare Clare Muldaur’s voice to that of any of the great jazz singers from the Golden Age of music. One might also be tempted to compare the band’s instrumentation to that of Sufjan Stevens’ work. It is also possible that this person would even compare the musical arrangements (excuse me if I overstep my bounds) to that of a Mozart composition, or the tone choices and chord changes to the new Wilco album. However, if this person happened to be you, you would be wrong.
Now, I don’t mean to say that Clare & The Reasons don’t take inspiration from every crevice, corner, and vast open space of music history, or even that they don’t possess similarities to any of these artists - in fact, I think quite the contrary. What I am aiming to say is that it is nearly impossible to pin their music down into one specific genre: they combine as many influences as they can without turning each song into a complete mess (see: TV on the Radio’s Return to Cookie Mountain).
I first heard Clare sing at a performance - of let’s call it experimental classical music - put on by her husband, Olivier Manchon (Olivier also plays violin for The Reasons while at the same time specializing in the recorder and glockenspiel, and occasionally sitting behind the piano or wielding an acoustic guitar or musical saw to accompany his wife). That night, I was intrigued by both her voice and Olivier’s arrangements, but unfortunately did not have a chance to hear them play again until just recently when they graced the small stage of Rockwood Music Hall on New York’s Lower East Side.
I recognized most of The Reasons from Olivier’s performance, and was pleased to note the upright bass, cello, violin, viola, grand piano, electric guitar, and acoustic guitar strategically placed on the stage so that the musicians could play every band’s favorite game – “let’s see how many people we can fit on this small-ass stage”. Once Clare and her five Reasons had taken their places, the audience drew immediately quiet – they were ready to listen. For the following hour, the only sound in the small room was that of the band’s intricately woven instrumental melodies, with Clare laying down her voice as the maraschino cherry sitting atop a hot brownie sundae.
As usual I had no cash so I couldn’t purchase the album that night, and despite my attempts at bartering an empty glass of whisky and an ice cube for a copy, I went home empty handed. Nevertheless, I was determined to have the necessary $12 on me the upcoming Saturday, when they played at SoundFix in “Williamscool”, Brooklyn. I was so determined that I chose not to drink that night, and instead attended the show alone in the half-record store/half-bar venue.
Again, the moment it was clear they were ready to begin, a hush fell over the (this time much larger) crowd and those who failed to silence themselves were shushed before the first measure had been completed. I knew then that, beyond my own infatuation, this band had something special. No matter the venue - whether large or small, light or dark, crowded or empty (although so far always crowded), Clare & The Reasons commanded the attention of every single soul seated or standing in the room. Those who had heard them before quietly appreciated the fact that each musician is equally as talented in person as they are on the recordings, and those who were experiencing them for the first time slowly but surely realized the same.
Now, you may say that I give them too much adulation, and perhaps I do, but it has been a very long time since I have enjoyed a band this much, and so consistently to boot. Not only do they combine influences taken from nearly every genre of music, and not only do they possess the talent to do this, but they also make beautiful, catchy music that will not fail to put a smile on your face. Let’s call it classical jazz with a twist of rock n’ roll.
Highlights of seeing them live are similar to those of the album, including the more upbeat songs Pluto and Rodi, but also the slower ballads Love Can Be A Crime and Alphabet City. On the album are a couple of hidden gems that I am yet to hear them play live, a particular favorite of mine being Go Back. Played live are a couple others not featured on the album, the most memorable holding the title Why, Why Why, an old fashioned love song sung as a duet by Clare and the bass player, Alan Sherwood, which proves that the individuals in the band take themselves far less seriously than they do their music.
So go take a listen to them. I think you'll like what they do.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Lap-top Liberation In Rainbows
10.25.2007 by Miguel Castro
FROM
TO
As the music industry tries to salvage itself by suing pre-teens and attempting to establish a death grip over the Mp3 format, Radiohead has greased things up for major record labels.
How?
Because they don’t belong to one.
Authenticity has kept Radiohead one click left of being regarded as a full blown rock band. But somewhere between sad-bastard howls and landscape melodies, there lies intelligent design. And now, with the release of In Rainbows, a once a divisive and experimental hit-or-miss with audiences has become an aural enterprise that we can all stand behind.
Why?
Because they’ll let you pay whatever you want for their new album.
Rather than simply sticking with what works, Thom Yorke and his band of electronic troubadours have continued to push their own envelope. Since 1993 they have used each album as a step in their own evolution. Radiohead has been able to succeed where many have failed: A positive correlation between an increase in uniquity and popularity.
Their new album is no exception. The sonic evolution from Hail to the Thief (2003) to the 2007 release In Rainbows sounds as natural as the transition of monkey to man. Hundreds of subtle changes and adaptations over the past four years have brought this quiet storm into full bodied British thunder. But what’s more is that they have positioned themselves to become the revolutionaries of modern music.
When EMI’s contract with Radiohead expired in 2003, it made them the most popular free agent in the industry. For a group of guys who know how to rock a lap-top, this allowed them an opportunity to tout their big experimental balls.
On September 30th, John Greenwood announced the new album on the band’s blog. Set for release on October 10th, Radiohead cut out the middle-man, created a web page called InRainbows.com and launched their album from Greenwood’s kitchen – allowing fans to download the whole album for whatever price they want.
Greenwood told Rolling Stone Magazine,
Sound crazy?
It’s not.
The band stands to make more money than they ever would have under a contract, regardless of how much each fan chooses to pay for the album. More importantly, it establishes Radiohead as the peoples champion, the Anti-Metallica. We finally have a true contender in the fight for musical liberation.
Is the album good? I wouldn’t know. I don’t really listen to Radiohead.
But now I have good reason to.
FROM
TO
As the music industry tries to salvage itself by suing pre-teens and attempting to establish a death grip over the Mp3 format, Radiohead has greased things up for major record labels.
How?
Because they don’t belong to one.
Authenticity has kept Radiohead one click left of being regarded as a full blown rock band. But somewhere between sad-bastard howls and landscape melodies, there lies intelligent design. And now, with the release of In Rainbows, a once a divisive and experimental hit-or-miss with audiences has become an aural enterprise that we can all stand behind.
Why?
Because they’ll let you pay whatever you want for their new album.
Rather than simply sticking with what works, Thom Yorke and his band of electronic troubadours have continued to push their own envelope. Since 1993 they have used each album as a step in their own evolution. Radiohead has been able to succeed where many have failed: A positive correlation between an increase in uniquity and popularity.
Their new album is no exception. The sonic evolution from Hail to the Thief (2003) to the 2007 release In Rainbows sounds as natural as the transition of monkey to man. Hundreds of subtle changes and adaptations over the past four years have brought this quiet storm into full bodied British thunder. But what’s more is that they have positioned themselves to become the revolutionaries of modern music.
When EMI’s contract with Radiohead expired in 2003, it made them the most popular free agent in the industry. For a group of guys who know how to rock a lap-top, this allowed them an opportunity to tout their big experimental balls.
On September 30th, John Greenwood announced the new album on the band’s blog. Set for release on October 10th, Radiohead cut out the middle-man, created a web page called InRainbows.com and launched their album from Greenwood’s kitchen – allowing fans to download the whole album for whatever price they want.
Greenwood told Rolling Stone Magazine,
"We’re feeling a bit dazed from it all…It’s so mad that you can sit in your kitchen and launch this insanity…but [the album] seems to have gotten
everywhere."
Sound crazy?
It’s not.
The band stands to make more money than they ever would have under a contract, regardless of how much each fan chooses to pay for the album. More importantly, it establishes Radiohead as the peoples champion, the Anti-Metallica. We finally have a true contender in the fight for musical liberation.
Is the album good? I wouldn’t know. I don’t really listen to Radiohead.
But now I have good reason to.
Peter Bjorn and John
See me and Julio down by the school yard...
http://joespub.com/caltool/nicemedia/audio/Peter%20Bjorn%20and%20John%20-%20Me%20and%20Julio%20Down%20by%20the%20Schoolyard.mp3
Friday, October 19, 2007
Kings of Leon at Charlottesville Pavilion 9.26.2007
Listen to “Because of the Times” Because of the Sound
The Charlottesville Pavilion is a great place for bands to jam and especially tonight. The warm September night sets the stage for an enjoyable, carefree evening where work, soured relationships, and tomorrow’s midterm seem unnecessary. Leading up to the Pavilion entrance is a brick promenade lined with antique looking stores, restaurants and outdoor seating that mimic a European plaza. The Pavilion has stadium seating with lawn seating in the back. The music of the opening act, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, fills the air and permeates the nearby neighborhoods. I’m seated outside a local bar waiting for Kings of Leon to take the stage; that’s our cue to close out our tabs and open new ones within the Pavilion parameters.
I had started to seriously question the future of rock and roll until I heard Kings of Leon. The southern bred quartet reminds listeners not to confuse Nickelback for true rock and roll. My affinity for rock and roll started with Tracy Chapman and Jackson Brown vinyl. I’d sit next to the record player flipping sides until I fell asleep and awoke to the sound of the needle ticking.
My first introduction to my generation’s music was an Ace of Base tape and the rewind function of walkman. Next came “Jagged Little Pill” in CD form and with the ability to skip there was no need to listen to all the songs. Technology didn’t make music better, just more convenient. The beauty of the record player is that there isn’t a shuffle, repeat, fast forward or rewind function. I’d listen to the whole album tell a story.
The smell and feel of vinyl is lost on a culture obsessed with singles, diets and packaging everything in plastic. However, Kings of Leon’s latest album, “Because of the Times,” is a refreshing divergence from the whining punk-rock anthem of an over-privileged audience and seemingly self-loathing musicians. They are reminiscent of the 1970’s when bands didn’t make music to cater to the largest market segment, but rather focused on originality and making music for the sake of music.
Think men in tights (actually more like testicular strangulating blue jeans) singing nonsensical lyrics similar of Moody Blues with the rock and roll sound of the Rolling Stones. Kings of Leon are appreciated by an audience whose affection for rock and roll has taken its toll much like water prunes the skin after a long hot shower. These are the people I enjoy being around most. The younger folk crowd the front of the stage hoping that one of the performers will throw a piece of equipment, which they frequently do. I have a white John Pearse guitar pic that a fellow concertgoer I’d been eye fucking all evening caught for me.
Their sound is rooted in lead vocalist, Caleb Followill’s, ability to narrate the guitar riffs. Rather than using his Steven Tyler-esque histrionics to dominate, there is a balance between the music and vocals, in a dialogue that doesn’t require a response. The lyrical story unfolds with tempo changes, backup vocalists and electronic/acoustic variations. “On Call” and “True Love Way” illustrate the bands ability to fuse slow baseline development with bursts of rock punctuated by their southern twang.
“Ragoo” breaks from the bluesy tunes and tambourine calamity of the 2005 album “Aha Shake Heartbreak.” On their website, http://www.kingsofleon.com/home, drummer Nathan Followill describes their growth. "We weren't scared to try anything. I think that's the difference between this album and the last. We weren't timid at all. Every song showed us something we had inside of ourselves that we didn't know existed, which enabled us to be even bolder on the next song," said Followill.
“Because of the Times” is a testament to the versatile musicianship of Kings of Leon. They break from the structure of pop music (two lines, chorus, two lines) in favor of patterns, rhythms, and silences that create mystery in songs like “Knocked up.” The quieter moments allow listener appreciation for the individual contributions from the rhythm guitar, bass and drums.
The band entertained for two hours without much improvisation and none of the performers, all of whom are related (2 brothers and 2 cousins), interrupts the music with conversation. The audience doesn’t seem to mind. They sing along with “Knocked Up,” cheer when “Milk” begins, and chant for “Ragoo.” “Ragoo” is the only song they don’t play from “Because of the Times;” they didn’t play it in Washington D.C. the week before nor in Baltimore the following week. A few songs from the previous album, “Aha Shake Heartbreak” make the cut and the audience is satiated.
Kings of Leon represents the difference between good because it’s popular and being popular because it’s great. Perhaps I can look forward to my children discovering this hidden treasure in my itunes collection.
The Charlottesville Pavilion is a great place for bands to jam and especially tonight. The warm September night sets the stage for an enjoyable, carefree evening where work, soured relationships, and tomorrow’s midterm seem unnecessary. Leading up to the Pavilion entrance is a brick promenade lined with antique looking stores, restaurants and outdoor seating that mimic a European plaza. The Pavilion has stadium seating with lawn seating in the back. The music of the opening act, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, fills the air and permeates the nearby neighborhoods. I’m seated outside a local bar waiting for Kings of Leon to take the stage; that’s our cue to close out our tabs and open new ones within the Pavilion parameters. I had started to seriously question the future of rock and roll until I heard Kings of Leon. The southern bred quartet reminds listeners not to confuse Nickelback for true rock and roll. My affinity for rock and roll started with Tracy Chapman and Jackson Brown vinyl. I’d sit next to the record player flipping sides until I fell asleep and awoke to the sound of the needle ticking.
My first introduction to my generation’s music was an Ace of Base tape and the rewind function of walkman. Next came “Jagged Little Pill” in CD form and with the ability to skip there was no need to listen to all the songs. Technology didn’t make music better, just more convenient. The beauty of the record player is that there isn’t a shuffle, repeat, fast forward or rewind function. I’d listen to the whole album tell a story.
The smell and feel of vinyl is lost on a culture obsessed with singles, diets and packaging everything in plastic. However, Kings of Leon’s latest album, “Because of the Times,” is a refreshing divergence from the whining punk-rock anthem of an over-privileged audience and seemingly self-loathing musicians. They are reminiscent of the 1970’s when bands didn’t make music to cater to the largest market segment, but rather focused on originality and making music for the sake of music.
Think men in tights (actually more like testicular strangulating blue jeans) singing nonsensical lyrics similar of Moody Blues with the rock and roll sound of the Rolling Stones. Kings of Leon are appreciated by an audience whose affection for rock and roll has taken its toll much like water prunes the skin after a long hot shower. These are the people I enjoy being around most. The younger folk crowd the front of the stage hoping that one of the performers will throw a piece of equipment, which they frequently do. I have a white John Pearse guitar pic that a fellow concertgoer I’d been eye fucking all evening caught for me.
Their sound is rooted in lead vocalist, Caleb Followill’s, ability to narrate the guitar riffs. Rather than using his Steven Tyler-esque histrionics to dominate, there is a balance between the music and vocals, in a dialogue that doesn’t require a response. The lyrical story unfolds with tempo changes, backup vocalists and electronic/acoustic variations. “On Call” and “True Love Way” illustrate the bands ability to fuse slow baseline development with bursts of rock punctuated by their southern twang.
“Ragoo” breaks from the bluesy tunes and tambourine calamity of the 2005 album “Aha Shake Heartbreak.” On their website, http://www.kingsofleon.com/home, drummer Nathan Followill describes their growth. "We weren't scared to try anything. I think that's the difference between this album and the last. We weren't timid at all. Every song showed us something we had inside of ourselves that we didn't know existed, which enabled us to be even bolder on the next song," said Followill.
“Because of the Times” is a testament to the versatile musicianship of Kings of Leon. They break from the structure of pop music (two lines, chorus, two lines) in favor of patterns, rhythms, and silences that create mystery in songs like “Knocked up.” The quieter moments allow listener appreciation for the individual contributions from the rhythm guitar, bass and drums.
The band entertained for two hours without much improvisation and none of the performers, all of whom are related (2 brothers and 2 cousins), interrupts the music with conversation. The audience doesn’t seem to mind. They sing along with “Knocked Up,” cheer when “Milk” begins, and chant for “Ragoo.” “Ragoo” is the only song they don’t play from “Because of the Times;” they didn’t play it in Washington D.C. the week before nor in Baltimore the following week. A few songs from the previous album, “Aha Shake Heartbreak” make the cut and the audience is satiated.
Kings of Leon represents the difference between good because it’s popular and being popular because it’s great. Perhaps I can look forward to my children discovering this hidden treasure in my itunes collection.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Joan Osborne at the Summerstage (NY, NY) 9.29.07
Ninja: Jonathan Daniel
As I walked into Central Park, I was immediately confronted by a crazy man sitting on a bench asking to perform “unbelievable magic” for me.
“Now you see me,” he said before throwing a white towel over his face and screaming “But I disappeared right in front of your fucking eyes!”
I continued walking.
It didn’t take long before I could hear an announcer from the Rumsey Playfield introduce “the Grammy nominated Joan Osborne”, and a mother walking by me pushing a stroller ask her husband, “Who’s Joan Osborne?” To be honest, despite the twelve years since her first major label album release, and eight releases since, my only memories of her music include a couple of Dead shows and flipping through the radio presets in my mother’s car, catching part of “One of Us” on Z100.
I couldn’t afford admission into the show (ah, the life of a twenty-something New Yorker), so I found a perch outside the venue against an old oak tree (or spruce, or pine, or whatever it was) close enough to hear the music, as was a common practice of mine this summer. That’s a big perk of Rumsey Playfield (more commonly known as the Summerstage) – even if you can’t get into the actual venue, you can still hear the concert from a good distance away. And, on a beautiful day like this one, it’s that much more enjoyable.
It was a cloudless, almost-autumn day as her voice beautifully belted over an almost country-ballad version of the old Marvin Gaye hit “How Sweet It Is” to open up her set. Though she’s been compared to such musicians as Tori Amos and Sarah McLachlin, her voice is also reminiscent of an old Southern Gospel singer, and it fits well over the warm tone of an electric guitar and powerful, driving bass.
Though they only had about an hour to play, the band switched it up quite a bit between straight ahead rock, blues, and country. They were tight and followed each other well – each member getting their own chance to shine at one point or another. Joan’s (may I call you Joan?) powerful yet smooth voice is reminiscent of so many old soul and jazz singers, and it shined on every song, regardless of the genre. She certainly stands center stage here.
Of her ten-song set, the most recognizable were “How Sweet It Is” and her nineties near-chart-topping hit “One of Us” (it reached #4 on the Billboard Hot 100), the latter of which she chose to play one song prior to the closer. When the guitarist strummed that oh, so nostalgic melody, it brought me immediately back to fifth grade. The tune, though, was slightly altered from the MTV version, taking on a less poppy, more subdued (and, if I do say so myself, much more enjoyable) sound. I’m sure the audience was singing along inside.
To close her set, in true Rock AND Roll fashion, the last song was an upbeat, fast paced rocker designed to let the fans leave happy. After that old classic build up and crash down ending, the band left the stage for only one or two minutes before coming back to play an encore. I walked away from the Rumsey Playfield, toward Sheep’s Meadow to toss a Frisbee, singing along with Joan to “Proud Mary”, that classic Creedence tune. Cliché, yes, but nevertheless, I was refreshed.
As I walked into Central Park, I was immediately confronted by a crazy man sitting on a bench asking to perform “unbelievable magic” for me.
“Now you see me,” he said before throwing a white towel over his face and screaming “But I disappeared right in front of your fucking eyes!”
I continued walking.
It didn’t take long before I could hear an announcer from the Rumsey Playfield introduce “the Grammy nominated Joan Osborne”, and a mother walking by me pushing a stroller ask her husband, “Who’s Joan Osborne?” To be honest, despite the twelve years since her first major label album release, and eight releases since, my only memories of her music include a couple of Dead shows and flipping through the radio presets in my mother’s car, catching part of “One of Us” on Z100.
I couldn’t afford admission into the show (ah, the life of a twenty-something New Yorker), so I found a perch outside the venue against an old oak tree (or spruce, or pine, or whatever it was) close enough to hear the music, as was a common practice of mine this summer. That’s a big perk of Rumsey Playfield (more commonly known as the Summerstage) – even if you can’t get into the actual venue, you can still hear the concert from a good distance away. And, on a beautiful day like this one, it’s that much more enjoyable.
It was a cloudless, almost-autumn day as her voice beautifully belted over an almost country-ballad version of the old Marvin Gaye hit “How Sweet It Is” to open up her set. Though she’s been compared to such musicians as Tori Amos and Sarah McLachlin, her voice is also reminiscent of an old Southern Gospel singer, and it fits well over the warm tone of an electric guitar and powerful, driving bass.
Though they only had about an hour to play, the band switched it up quite a bit between straight ahead rock, blues, and country. They were tight and followed each other well – each member getting their own chance to shine at one point or another. Joan’s (may I call you Joan?) powerful yet smooth voice is reminiscent of so many old soul and jazz singers, and it shined on every song, regardless of the genre. She certainly stands center stage here.
Of her ten-song set, the most recognizable were “How Sweet It Is” and her nineties near-chart-topping hit “One of Us” (it reached #4 on the Billboard Hot 100), the latter of which she chose to play one song prior to the closer. When the guitarist strummed that oh, so nostalgic melody, it brought me immediately back to fifth grade. The tune, though, was slightly altered from the MTV version, taking on a less poppy, more subdued (and, if I do say so myself, much more enjoyable) sound. I’m sure the audience was singing along inside.
To close her set, in true Rock AND Roll fashion, the last song was an upbeat, fast paced rocker designed to let the fans leave happy. After that old classic build up and crash down ending, the band left the stage for only one or two minutes before coming back to play an encore. I walked away from the Rumsey Playfield, toward Sheep’s Meadow to toss a Frisbee, singing along with Joan to “Proud Mary”, that classic Creedence tune. Cliché, yes, but nevertheless, I was refreshed.
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