A Lazy Wet November Day

Not to be confused with U2s opening line from Angel of Harlem, which reads 'A cold and wet December Day'. I am a month early for that line. But none the less, the title of todays blog came to my mind immediately as I look out the window of my room as I type. It is cold, it is wet it is November, but most of all I am being lazy. I am putting off what I should be doing now. Updating this blog has been on my mind now for a few days, I have much i could discuss, much I could impart, but instead I shall give a brief run through of all that is significantly worthy of mention. I have done much. Despite this being wrote in an attempt to stave off my real work, I will put a lot of effort and attempt to write that elusive great treatise on all that is good with this world.

A lot has happened these past fee weeks, there is much to write home about. My musical quest to find new and exciting bands and albums has taken me full circle. Listening to the local Indie Station, Phantom Fm, I have been introduced to many new and up and coming Irish Bands, and through a colleague of mine who champions all the weird and wonderful in musical circles.

The little I know about Fight Like Apes tells me that  i was a fool for missing their gig last week. They do seem to be where it is at. They have been described as having the energy and drive of a guitar band yet they achieve this without any guitars. 

While I was in San Francisco the previous week I came across the second hand section of some hippy music store in Haight-Ashbury. There I found a copy of the latest new pornographers album, 'challengers' for half nothing ($7 to be exact). I purchased it as a result of much bigging up from the musically aware colleague. I love it. I swore I would go see them next time they are in Dublin, knowing they were soon to be arriving, Again I missed them, yes they played last week.  

Now for where the circle enters the equation. Also in this cool hippy store I found the latest release from the greatly missed and departed artist Gram Parsons. Country music at its best. This was a double live cd of his newly created band 'The flying burrito brothers'. The band were supporting the Greatfull dead on their tour in 1969. The release is taken from their two dates in the Avalon Ballroom, and it is truly magnificent. My next 2 purchases came in the form of Old and Established artists who have released new albums, so again it is nothing new. The Boss and Magic, again a fine fine album, and finally Robert Plant and Alison Krauss. This is the finest album I have heard from this Country/Blues/Folk/Whatever Genre you care to include. The singing is great, Mr Plant better known from his Led Zeppelin screaming than soft melodic tuneful singing with the women who has won more grammy's than any female artist. 

So this musical quest has brought about 2 new and cool indie bands, and 3 old favorites. Full circle it is. I have also taken to listening to Mr Bob Dylan on the themetime radio hour. He is a surprising talented radio person.  I was not sure he would come across as well as he does, his knowledge is not in question, but his presentation skills quite possibly, based on his last few appearances in concert.

Bye for now