Armchair Apocrypha: Andrew Bird

When Maggie and I went to see The Magnetic Fields at The Old Town School Of Folk Music the opening act was some guy named Andrew Bird. So this skinny guy in an old thrift store suit walks out and starts playing the violin, recording it, then playing it back while playing a saw, recording that, then playing them back together and then he starts whistling and so on and on. But this was no novelty act, this guy was just simply amazing. So I got his new album Armchair Apocrypha.


Amazing! Here's one of my favorites: Imitosis. And yes, that word is an A. Bird original!


Here's another song from the new CD: Spare-Ohs

Lucinda Rocks!

Once and The Swell Season

Maggie and I just bought tickets for The Swell Season. They are the two lead characters in the movie Once. We saw it a few months ago, loved it, and then went on line to learn more about the music, artists, etc, and found out they had played at Old Town the night before!!! We were sick. So when I heard on the radio today that they were coming back for a show at The Vic I bought a couple tickets.

The movie is just amazing. If you haven't seen it you need to. Here is where it's playing in the Chicago area. I love how it is a musical without feeling like a musical. The characters are well developed and the act of creation is somehow shown on film, a real feat. My class is writing about their creative identity and creativity in general. I wish I could show them this movie. Anyway. Can't wait until Nov. 24th!

Hurt

Jimi

I watched The Raconteurs and Cat Power on Austin City limits tonight. Jack White and band were playing a song that reminded me of The Band of Gypsies playing Machine Gun at the Fillmore East on New Years Eve 1969. Not sure the name of their song, but it was darn good. Felt like it was one of those songs best heard live. Jack White is uber-cool and I really started liking him when he did some songs for the Cold Mountain soundtrack.

I found this version of Jimi playing at The Isle of Wight. The Filmore East versions, with Buddy Miles on drums instead of The Experience's Mitch Mitchell, are by far the best (they played more than one show). When I put this song on I am completely transported. I know it sounds cliche, but no other music does this to me. Get the "Live At The Fillmore East" 2CD set and put your headphones on and enjoy.

I hesitate to put this out there as THE song because the Fillmore version is much more powerful, but I still like this.