Get Rufus

Another week of concerts. I got a last minute ticket for Ani Difranco in Tripod, and she was great. But the event of the month (and one of the best of the year) was Rufus Wainwright in Vicar Street. My fourth time seeing him, this time was the best, I think. He did every song from the new album, plenty of the old ones that I love, a John McCormack cover (in the authentic, microphone-less style), and a few Judy Garland ones too! His version of ‘Get Happy’ in the encore was just inspired, he should wear tights and heels more often…

So many great Canadians to love

Went to see Feist last night in Tripod... and remembered my camera!

She was great, her voice is as good (if not better) live as it is on record. Great band too.

So, yay for Feist!

Concerts and movies and sushi - oh my!

My weekend of culture began on Friday night with a visit to the National Concert Hall (avec Sib 2) to see the RTE Concert Orchestra perform ‘Music to be Murdered By’, an evening of Bernard Hermann (and other) scores. It was… perfect. It started off with the overture from North by Northwest, which always makes me smile (and want to run around!), there was also music from Laura, Anna Karenina, Marnie, Taxi Driver (Patch was delighted) and the Suite from Vertigo…my favourite…

Just after the interval, they played the Psycho Suite for Strings Prelude, and when it came to the ‘stabbing violins’ bit (you know, the shower scene!) all the lights went out! There were a few laughs, but then I think everyone felt a bit unnerved! The lights slowly came back on, in red, on the stage… very cool…



Must remember to wear less black in the NCH though…when I went to the loo, an old lady asked me if I was in the orchestra…

The rest of the weekend was spent in the IFI, keeping out of the rain thanks to the GAZE film festival. Saw, I dunno, loads of movies, but I think the highlight was one called Follow My Voice: With the Music of Hedwig. It's a documentary about a tribute album made in aid of the Harvey Milk School, and featured...everyone I love! Rufus Wainwright, Sleater-Kinney, The Breeders, Yo La Tengo, Frank Black, The Polyphonic Spree... And Yoko Ono. Well, I don't love her, but she was pretty funny.

And I got another chance to check oooot the fabulous Iseult and the Goods in Bleu Note on Sunday night (clickit!) Another great gig, some new tunes, and a packed house! Not too shabby!

Between all that and enough food to feed an army (sushi in the Hop House - nyom!), it wasn't a bad weekend at all really...

She loves me!

We all went out on Monday night to the Sugar Club for the roomie’s birthday. She had been hyping up a singer called Kate Walsh that none of us had ever heard of, but as of today, I’m in love. You think there are only so many singer-songwriter types that you can listen to, but add this one to the top of the pile, she’s wonderful. A beautifully sweet voice, lyrics that are simple but never trite, she had me at… A minor, I think it was. Check it. http://www.myspace.com/katewalsh



She signed my newly-acquired CD "Alice - Lots of Love, Kate". If that isn't a marriage proposal, I don't know what is...

Knee is slowly getting better, went to the phys on Saturday, she wiggled it around a bit, hooked it up to a machine, gave me some exercises to do and told me to come back in a week. Need to get it sorted ASAP cos I’ve decided to go on a little trip to the T dot O dot in a few weeks. I know I can’t afford it and I’ve been there before but it’s a good place to both relax and have fun in, and I’m staying with the cuz again so it’ll be ok. You know when sometimes you just have to get away? I guess Toronto is that place that’s familiar but just different enough to sort me out for a few days. That sounds like I’m dumping on the entire city… Oh well!

Mountains of Fountains

Went to see Fountains of Wayne last night with the concert buddy. Thanks to standing beside some big-ass speakers, we’re both pretty deaf today. You know the way Charlie Brown’s teacher used to talk, all muffled and tuba-like? That’s how everyone sounds to me today. But it’s all good, we got our fill of peppy power pop from New Jersey. You know them, you do!

I know the Stacey’s Mom video has Rachel Hunter, but this one has a boat! And Drew Carey! No contest…

Rocking. Rolling. Sitting.

Now that was a GOOD weekend!

Went to see Cansei de Ser Sexy on Saturday night, and God, were they good! It’s been a while since I was at a gig where there was so much energy, and you could tell that the band were really feeling it too. They came bouncing onto the stage throwing sweets out at the crowd, the set was brilliant (they included a cover of the L7 tune Pretend We’re Dead! Aaargh!) and we left absolutely buzzing. I went straight home to the waiting guitar and headphones! I LOVE when a concert blows my mind!

Also have to mention Tilly and The Wall, who were the support. Tap-dancing percussion is my new favourite thing!

Yesterday was the most wonderful lazy Sunday. Walking and chatting, bookshop browsing, a bit of dinner and music all evening. The simple things are the very best.

When blue, rock out

Went to see Kristin Hersh last night in TBMC - was exactly what I needed. She had a band with her this time (when I saw her in 2001 she was on her tod) and she was in a rockin' mood, for sure.


She did a fair few tunes from the new album (Learn to Sing Like A Star) which sounded fantastic, and lots of oldies too. They even finished up with a 50 Foot Wave encore (the band was the two guys from 50FW along with the McCarricks) so my head was blown off in the very best way. She didn't do Spain, but she did do Your Ghost (sigh!) and a really hefty version of Your Dirty Answer (myself and the Sailorboy sang along merrily to that one). She just keeps getting better...

JAPW part two

She came back! We didn’t scare her off after the last time! She brought the band along too. And I still love her…

In other news… CHRISTMAS PANIC! WAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

In better news, I was so very happy to hear of the arrival of baby Naomi Denise last Wednesday. 6 pounds and 13 ounces of beautiful little girl. Much love to Mom and Dad (Arwen and Uri) – keep those photos coming!

I can't hear you

Well it’s been a musical week. Got to see the Raconteurs on Monday night with the Snowflake, we had a rockin’ time. Always forget what a great venue the Olympia is, we had a great view, the sound was terrific (still kinda deaf actually), and they did a cover of Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down) which was amazing. I don’t care what people say about Jack White (just shuddit Clicky!) the man sure can play guitar.

And then away to Marlay Park yesterday eve to see Beck and Radiohead. Beck is currently touring with his own puppet show in tow, all little versions of him and his band, also playing along. The puppets are the stars of the screens, as you can see his this here clip .

Radiohead were great, as per. Thom Yorke was in fine form, after his brief (unknowing) encounter with Emma, Nell and Lin in the Centra on Wicklow Street yesterday. I wonder if he’ll ever know how close he came to danger…

JAPW

Went to see Joan As Police Woman last night in Crawdaddy – great gig! It was just Joan solo (Joanonherown!), and she was fantastic! And we got to meet her afterwards… :)

www.joanaspolicewoman.com

Now Hear This

Went to see this band last Thursday night in Eamonn Doran’s. They surely did rock. Check ‘em.

www.audiofictionband.com


Yeah, I know, Eamonn Doran’s. I got plenty of flashbacks to the late ‘90’s… sadly the price of beer hasn’t stayed the same.

Counting down...

Hot damn! Yee haw! Etc! Just one and a bit more days of work, and then it's sweet, sweet holiday time! Two weeks of chilin' out back home, down on Rancho Relaxo (as Kel calls it), and maybe a little bit of skipping around town. Over two weeks there will be three concerts (Pixies! Scissor Sisters! Sleater-Kinney!), a wedding, a 21st, and the christening of baby Cathal. And so much sleep, it's almost indecent! I love sleep! I know very few people that gain more pleasure from buying sheets and duvet covers and pillowcases than I. Mmm...pillow...

Yeah, it probably will be indecent.

Oh, and the soiree was a great success. In that nobody gatecrashed, nobody was injured, nobody was sick, but everybody got a little bit merry! And who knew that we could party until 4.30 am? Amazing! Even more astonishing was the fact that I wasn't absolutely dying the next day. Such an anomaly is most welcome!