Remember Graceland?

Ran across it on my ipod and had to jump out of my top-rated shuffle to play the whole album. I had forgotten how consistently good it is. It was a long time ago that I was listening to it on tape cassette. I have a tendency to rate albums by whether or not they have the "interrupt" problem - all good songs except that one excruciating sucker that interrupts your listening pleasure by forcing you to skip over it every time. Graceland doesn't. And every song to song transition just fits.

Of the many albums that succeed in that department, I've still got Rodrigo y Gabriela's 11:11 on top of my list. The album starts by hitting you over the head with a brick (Hanuman) and moves through every song to an ending so unearthly that when it has faded away you wonder what happened and where you are... it releases me from a dream every time.

But back on topic, anyone know what Paul Simon's doing now? Maybe it's time for a google search.

Rodrigo y Gabriela

Two nights ago at the Byham Theater in Pittsburgh. Left work on the North Shore, zigzagged past Heinz Field and the ballpark, then over the Sixth Street bridge and cheap parking right across from the theater. Five minutes to drive, and five dollars to park. Supper and cosmos at Olive and Twist.

Then across the street to hear first the Alex Skolnik Trio. What a great electric bass, tall and skinny, with the body ending inches beneath the bridge, on a 3 foot spike. Played by a tall thin floppy haired guy who looked like a peanuts character. They played a "little jazz tune by Judas Priest". I could listen to everything produced by Judas Priest and never recognize that song.

But the evening revolved around the utterly fantastic music of Rodrigo y Gabriela. I don't even know where to start in explaining how amazing it was. So I won't. Another few days to recover my senses, and I'll try again.

An Upcoming Show

... is Rodrigo y Gabriela at the Byham Theater in Pittsburgh. March 3rd, I think. I'm psyched to have tickets and just heard this news from Al:

"You are seriously in luck! I just found out the Alex Skolnick Trio is the opening act, with Alex sitting in with RYG."

Time for some serious preview listening!

After the Hiatus

For 4 months I've been silent, but have not been living in silence...

some highlights of my endless commuting have been:

Rodrigo y Gabriela - Hanuman, found for free on Amazon, led me to listen obsessively to the entire album - it's amazing. To quote a friend of Al's, they're badasses.

Sean Paul - where the heck have I been for the past decade?? I'm thoroughly enjoying Trinity, especially Yardie Bone and Eye Deh a Mi Knee, though I have a soft spot for the version of Give It Up To Me with Keyshia Cole.

Queen Ifrica - love this Yad to the East, can't wait to listen to the rest of Montego Bay!

Radiohead - got a bunch of music from a friend and really want to listen, but I keep getting stuck replaying Packd Like Sardines in a Crushd Tin Box. Moves straight into Pyramid Song so nicely.