Something Creative » music

Yep, I’m Still Around

Nil17 — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 19:46:30 +0000

Oh my goodness! It has been a busy week around here. Wednesday we made a trip to the clinic for Magnus who was feeling punky & out of sorts. Sure enough he has an ear infection so we got a ‘scrip called into the pharmacy & off we went. I decided to reward my little guy for being so good at the doctor with a quick trip to Starbucks. He loves their petite vanilla bean scones…plus mommy wanted some Passion Tea Lemonade. We were standing at the counter ordering when I felt a warm, wet liquid hit me. I look at Magnus, who is in my left arm, just in time to get hit with a second wave of him throwing up. Delightful…nothing like needing a change of clothes for two people & not having them. Needless to say we did a quick cleanup in the bathroom, grabbed hoodies from the Jeep so we could go home w/o wearing our icky clothes and forgot about the treat.

I did get to go out later that afternoon when Abe got home to finish running my errands. Abe was wonderful & kept both kids for the hour I was out. I hit Verizon for a portable wifi device & then Wal-mart for the antibiotics. There was a lot of standing in line which tested my patience. Walking to checkout I spied the women’s section & something in bright pink. A quick detour showed that yoga pants (the nice ones from Danskin) were not only in my size (I was hoping) but a very reasonable $12. I knew time was running short so into the self-check lane, a quick stop at Subway & off to home. Everything was well under control when I got home (much to my relief but not to my surprise). Marit was ready to eat so everybody had dinner & we vegged out on the couch. I tried on my new pants and after a ~~little~~ LOT of obsessing decided they don’t look awful & I can wear them in public w/o being openly ridiculed.

Wednesday night was not a good night. Magnus was up a lot with his ear ache & Marit decided she didn’t want to sleep her normal 4 hour cycles. Thursday dawn found me blearily dealing with diaper changes & finding all the stuff I needed to take along for a day at my sister-in-law’s house. Her usual daycare helper was gone so I went over to lend a hand with the 5 kids she watches. Add in my 2, her 1 & the one kid that comes after school is out & it was chaos. All of us were exhausted when we crashed at home later that night.

In the meantime (great, now that song is gonna be stuck in my head for the rest of the day…) I was listening to Falling Deeper by Anathema & trying to formulate a review for Dante’s Prog Blog Inferno. I was procrastinating as I much prefer to be the silent editor & gal Friday over there. However there was much insisting that I get with the program & just write already.

Friday morning I was able to sleep a little later & we had a nicely relaxed start to our day. Errands & browsing for home decor with my sister-in-law Jilli in the afternoon went fine & the kids were great. We ended the night with dinner out at Tinner’s (mmmm… egg & cheese burger), dessert at PeachWave (blueberry cheesecake fro-yo is teh nomz) & eventually home to tuck the kids in bed. I attempted to write my review that night but didn’t get more than the opening paragraph done.

We were out again on Saturday morning & moving considerably more slowly. Abe helped my brother & sister-in-law pick out doors for their basement which is slowly being finished. Then the guys went to unload the doors & do “man stuff” while we girls (Marit included) went to the giant craft show at the convention center. I popped Marit into her sling & into the hoard we went. There was a lot of nice stuff but I was mainly there to browse. I did find a very cute dress, knit hat & headband w/flowers for Marit in one of the doll clothes booths. I looked in some of the other booths for a Halloween costume but didn’t get anything. I may have to look again & get one of the fairy dresses…they are too cute for words.

After all our roaming about was done we spent the night in & relaxed. I finally managed to write my review & then it was bed where we all got a pretty decent night sleep. Today is football day & the Vikings haven’t totally fallen apart….yet. This week should be a quiet one though we are hoping for a visit from Grandma B. Hope you all have restful weekends & can face the week ready to tuck & roll as each day comes.

Prog Rocking In the Free World

Nil17 — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 19:50:16 +0000

It has been a busy, fulfilling few weeks. Having Marit & adjusting to life with a new baby keeps me busy. Magnus is growing like a weed. He isn’t walking yet but he takes steps when nobody is paying attention. Pretty soon he’ll be running everywhere.

Too keep myself from getting bored I’ve jumped feet first into helping my good friend Rick start a new blog. Last week he brought Dante’s Prog Blog Inferno online.

If you love prog rock music, want to find new bands, check out great videos & a lot more go visit. It is quickly becoming a highly popular destination for information on all things prog rock. Rick is passionate about music & it shows. His reviews are honest, entertaining & I guarantee you’ll find something new to add to your music collection.

That’s what’s new with us…baby days & prog nights.

Echoing Sounds

Nil17 — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 19:01:32 +0000

I know it has been AGES since I’ve posted. Some day soon I will try to collect myself enough to actually write something. Until then I’m going to horrify entertain you with the playlist I was blasting yesterday while baking with my mom. (Okay, okay…SHE baked— I grabbed ingredients, pans etc.)

Joe Satriani - Crushing Day
Joe Satriani - Flying In A Blue Dream
McBride And The Ride - Amarillo Sky
Marvin Gaye - Me & Mrs Jones
30 Seconds to Mars - The Kill
Audioslave - Like A Stone
Bad Company - Bad Company
Blue October - Congratulations
Blue October - Sound of Pulling Heaven Down
Boxcar Willie - Convoy
Dave Matthews Band - American Baby
Def Leppard - Photograph
Def Leppard - Hysteria
Duffy - Hanging on too Long
Dire Straits - Walk Of Life
Elton John - Bennie And The Jets
Elton John - Love Her Like Me
Eric Clapton - Layla
Eric Clapton - Cocaine
Eric Clapton - Bell Bottom Blues
Fleetwood Mac - Tusk
Fleetwood Mac - The Chain
Jeff Austin Black - Summer Nights
Jimmy Buffett - Son Of A Son Of A Sailor
Jimmy Buffett - A Pirate Looks at Forty
Jojo - Too Little Too Late
Juice Newton - Queen Of Hearts
Marty Casey & Lovehammers - Trees
Modest Mouse - Float On
MUSE - UPRISING - MUSE
Nina Simone - I Put a Spell on You
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band - Fishin’ in the Dark
Oleander - Unwind
Paul Simon - You Can Call Me Al
Peter Gaberial - Sledgehammer
Reverend Horton Heat - Eat Steak
Reverend Horton Heat - Bales of Cocaine
Rick Fisher - Lifelike
Rick Fisher - Morgan La Fay
Rod Stewart - Young Turks
Rolling Stones - Sympathy For The Devil
Santana d Dido - Feels Like Fire
Silversun Pickups - Lazy Eye
Soundgarden - Black Hole Sun
Spoon - You Got Your Cherry Bomb
The Cure - Friday I’m In Love
The Cure - Just Like Heaven
Gin Blossoms - Follow You Down

Music

Nil17 — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 19:14:40 +0000

I’ve been on a huge music kick lately. I’m discovering new artists & giving another listen to some old favorites. Part of the reason is a dear friend is back to working on his music after a hiatus. I’m including a link to his ReverbNation page where you can find info & listen to what is one of my favorite musicians. Ricky Dean Fisher PS— go to CD Baby & buy some other great tunes like Sunrise Child or the full length album Acoustic Song Book Chapter I: Bittersweet !

Rhythm & Blues

Nil17 — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 02:58:34 +0000

I have nothing terribly interesting to say so instead I’m going to promote some very cool music that I’ve been listening to as of late. I got on ReverbNation a few months ago (Shadow Gallery started using the site & I’m always happy to play the fangirl). It’s free to sign up & you can fan bands, find new music, keep up with concerts in your area and a ton of other things.

As an avid tweeter I am following several different artists on Twitter & found that I could keep up with what they are currently promoting on ReverbNation. I have since listened to some truly great bands, downloaded some tracks & even messaged with some of the artists. Following is a list of some of the music currently blasting through my house. Follow the links for something new to tantalize your ears.

Matt Powers — California native Matt has been playing bass for years. His solo recordings are solid rock/Indie pop that will stick with you.

TRIO (therhythmisodd) — a Swedish prog rock group that I was recently introduced to via Twitter. Check them out as they are great musicians with a new look at what progressive rock should be.

Hooks & Ladders — Floridians Chris & Nick started playing acoustic rock to counter their normal hard rock/metal sound. Mellow & memorable…worth the listen.

Gary Shukoski — based in San Diego, CA Gary records some great prog/experimental rock. I catch myself singing/humming his tunes while puttering about the house.

Star Ark — the brain child of Neil Flavelle; this mix of alternative/experimental rock comes from Melbourne, Australia. I find new vibes with nearly every listen.

Ashbury — a Tucson, AZ rock band with staying power. Their first album was released in 1983…give ‘em a listen & see why “Endless Skies” is a much sought after album. Look for a new album in 2011.

So what’s playing on your device of choice? What new music/artist/band has grabbed your attention recently. DO share as I’m always willing to find some new aural stimulation.

On Tour

Nil17 — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 17:00:00 +0000

One of my favorite bands is going on tour. Of course life being what it is I’m unable to attend any of the tour appearances. The tour preview is on the East Coast this coming weekend. (Too bad I don’t have a sack of money lying around…Magnus would enjoy the concert as much I me.) The official tour starts October 3—in the Netherlands. Ah well, some day I will be at a Shadow Gallery concert with my little rocker in tow. (Magnus has been listening to SG since he was in the womb & he loves it.) Follow this link to listen to Shadow Gallery on their ReverbNation page. If you are in Europe this fall check out one or more of the shows listed below.

A Little Night Music

Nil17 — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 16:21:43 +0000

Last week was the regional fair. There were a lot of musical acts performing & we decided to check out the Friday night concert. Lifehouse was the main act with The Spill Canvas as the opening act. The Spill Canvas is a local band that I was just introduced to a couple weeks before the concert. After listening to their new album I was very excited to see them live. I’ve been aware of Lifehouse for several years & so we decided that this would be a great time to take Magnus to his first concert. (Okay his first concert since he was born. We attended RockFest 2010 in Kansas City, MO this past May. He bumped & grooved in my belly throughout that event.) Anyway here are some photos of us in the grandstand before the concert. Enjoy!

Baby Talk

Nil17 — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 20:39:27 +0000

While I’m assuming anybody who knows me knows that I am pregnant I haven’t really talked much about being pregnant. Partly because life (as you well know) has been a crazy disaster of insanity but also because I don’t want to bore ya’ll with the minutiae of the pregnancy. I figure if you call yourself a part of my life in even a small way you know what a big deal it was for us to discover that we were expecting. In fact words can’t describe the feeling we had (have still) when we got a positive test. Anyway this post if going to be full of crazy talk about Baby Fred (we don’t know the sex but my 7 year old nephew Squash has decided he thinks our names are boring & that Fred is a much cooler name), how I’ve been feeling about being pregnant, the fact that my brain is turning to mush & other fun things. Indulge me as I really don’t talk in depth about this very much….mostly I’ve limited it to an occasional status update that I’m tired/feeling fat/sad/cranky/going to the doctor. Today I had my 4th doctor’s appointment, my 2nd ultrasound & a glucose test. The doctor’s appointments have been very routine & the doctor is very pleased with how I am doing. I have excellent blood pressure & have maintained my weight to my pre-pregnancy weight. I’m astonished by this particular feat but very thankful because I’d hate for someone to mistake my pasty whiteness as some sort of exotic giant water mammal when Baby Fred makes an appearance. I had another ultrasound (I’m guessing ‘cuz I’m nearly 35 & the size of a 3rd world hut) & Baby Fred looks good. Well what I could see…Baby Fred is as active as ever & very camera shy. In a bid to keep us guessing about looks, Baby Fred managed to hide behind both hands before impressing us by hiding behind a foot. Good to know the little one is flexible but rather frustrating as I’d like a picture. Of course I can’t complain too much….after all I’m liable to hide behind my hands too when someone attempts taking a picture of me. We got to see the bones in the arms & legs which was cool as well as the heart beating. Heart rate is very good & strong. All the fingers & toes are in place so barring a bizarre in utero accident I fully expect to be able to count them one by one in a few weeks. I am scheduled to have another ultrasound in six weeks just to check on growth etc. They aren’t expecting anything out of the ordinary but are being cautious since I fall in the “high-risk” category. The best thing is feeling how active Baby Fred is lately. Over the last two weeks the belly acrobatics have increased dramatically. What was an occasional flutter or bump has morphed into a serious punchkick routine. The other day I was lying on the couch reading Chaucer when suddenly my book was jolted so hard I lost my place on the page. I’m not sure if that was a judgement of my reading material or a warning that giant books rested on my belly are fair game for Baby Fred to punt about. Baby Fred also enjoys the music that plays throughout the house. We’ve played a variety of music to see what type of reactions we get. Classical usually results in a sort of swaying, rocking motion. 80s music causes a boppy sort of Molly Ringwald/George Michael dance which is entertaining but quickly starts to feel uncomfortable. Rock (especially metal & prog rock) sends Baby Fred to new heights with all sorts of wiggling, jamming & punchkicking. Since we are going to RockFest in KC next month we’ll see what happens there. Mostly I’m doing well being pregnant….though I am always exhausted it seems. Health-wise things are normal & though I have caught every virus/bacteria that has come along that is to be expected. At least I’m building Baby Fred’s immunity to colds, stomach flu, bronchitis etc. I got my glucose test back & I’m completely normal (well at least my blood sugar is normal) so that means one less concern. I guess now the only thing to do is keep on with what I’ve been doing, find a few baby items (I’ve got nothing right now but a swing, a pac ‘n play & my old baby quilt) and hope that things continue to go this smoothly.

“Digital Ghosts” by Shadow Gallery : A Review

Nil17 — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 02:39:41 +0000

The very first note of this album will capture you completely & won’t let go—from the lofty harmonies through the driving beats & furious guitar solos to the exquisite finish, “Digital Ghosts, the new album from Shadow Gallery, is a revelation. I’m a huge fan of music. I have a decent & ever-growing collection of music…listening to shuffle on my playlist can make you feel a little crazy. However, there’s a paucity of progressive rock in that collection of classical, rock, pop, blues & even a zydeco CD. I’ve listened to some Rush & know a couple songs but not many. I’ve heard of Yes & Dream Theater but couldn’t tell you anything about them. So how do I come to be reviewing “Digital Ghosts” a week before the North American debut? Hold on before you go get your pitchforks & torches (yes, I can hear the SG faithful rustling & murmuring). The truth is I’m a major fan! In fact, after really giving a listen I talked to the friend who had turned me on to Shadow Gallery & asked, “How did I go this long without listening to this”? I first picked up on the buzz on Twitter (follow Shadow Gallery @shadowgallerymu) & decided I needed to find out what all the chatter was about. So being the curious girl I am I fired up my Google & off I went. Long story short I hit up their website www.shadowgallery.com & read some of the background etc. (ok I read the whole site) and I went to Youtube & searched out anything they had (you can subscribe to Shadow Gallery’s channel at www.youtube.com/shadowgallerymusic). Finally, I went to Grooveshark & created a playlist of every SG song available…and put it on repeat. After two days of non-stop SG at work I was hooked. Since then I’ve kept up with every announcement, video teaser & mp3 clip. So on to the album! “Digital Ghosts” is nothing short of perfection. The vocals are rich & layered with harmony throughout. Brian Ashland’s voice lends itself effortlessly to the soaring heights of the music. He’s an excellent choice to provide the lead vocals going forward. The music is everything you’d expect from these guys. There’s not one false moment throughout the entire album. Not only have Gary Werhkamp, Carl Cadden-James, Brendt Allman & Brian Ashland lived up to the expectations & hype; they have surpassed it. These guys have taken progressive/symphonic rock/metal & flown to the stratosphere. “With Honor” kicks off this powerful, emotional ride with anthemic music & lush harmony. Setting the tone “…foreign lands of sinking sands so strange & unfamiliar…holding to the code of honor we vowed to defend….with honor we will not walk away….” this song reaches out & shakes you awake. It is a non-stop ride into “Venom”, a classic guitar-fueled metal song with the gritty vocals of Clay Barton (Suspyre) & Carl Cadden-James. It growls “I am the bringer of the rain and the foreteller of the pain, the end of days is near at hand/when God returns your just reward gets paid in metal”. Then proving that any expectations are there to be shattered, SG starts “Pain” with a quiet, ballad-style guitar & stripped down vocals before adding in thudding drums & a truly excellent melt-your-face guitar solo. Here Shadow Gallery digs deep into the sense of loss & pain to which we can all relate. ”Clinging on so tight/I bled my hands/I draw the shades & hang my head…love’s the air I need to breathe…on the battlefield you were never there beside me…” From there “Gold Dust” swells with synthesized keyboards and hope. It’s filled with the promise of reuniting across time & space with a loved one—“You & I lie awake for hours separated by the world/well I can’t see you ~ you can’t see me but somehow I can feel you stand inside my soul”. Creating a feeling of flight in spirit “moonbeams on my ways & always in my skies…you float/you’re a dream/you take my hand and we roam/we run, we rock ‘cuz you are the one” Shadow Gallery takes us on a cosmic trip. The second half of the album opens “Strong”— which is a good old-fashioned rock song. Exploding with all of Shadow Gallery’s musical strength “young & proud/hard & loud/ on the wing/everything/what gives you strength/what gives you courage for tomorrow…concrete running through our veins…in the dark/from the heart”. When the chorus of “One for all, All for One” starts up it’s impossible not to raise a fist & make the vow. In the title track, “Digital Ghost”, the band evokes hope in the face of grief. The opening cadence creates the feeling of a drum line…Shadow Gallery is marching forward & we are privileged to be invited along. The band expresses vividly the idea that there is more out there than what we can see. “I believe in the afterlife…through Heaven’s hallowed hall…charismatic countenance upon a distant fading sky”. ”Ashes to ashes they say, then dust to dust…the circle remains here my friend, guarded with trust…we will suffer no last goodbye” reaffirms the sense that those we have lost (like Mike Baker) are still with us in mighty spirit. Closing out this powerhouse album is “Haunted”. Another song that starts slowly with a lone piano & simple vocals “who waits for me/who waits so long/and shall I wait for dawn…or shall I sink into myself…” Looking for answers among all the questions that haunt the quiet dark nights yet “Maybe in time I’ll fly away & trade these wings in for a life/a life where I am stronger and a place where there’s no sleepless nights…”. The lyrics are filled with longing that is compounded as the song fades out. Each song is a testament to the true genius of these guys—a showcase for their mighty talents and yet you are never left with a sense that any of them are “showing off”. The lyrics are powerful & stirring. Although the overall tone of the album is somewhat dark & deals with “loss” as a general theme it is also a steadfast statement for moving forward in the face of loss. I defy you to listen, truly listen & not walk away feeling stronger & better for it. The music & lyrics combine to form a sublime experience that will live inside listeners long after they turn the CD off. In the words of Shadow Gallery it is indeed filled with “enduring anthems crossing time & crossing minds”. *Author’s Note* all lyrics are used with permission of Shadow Gallery © 2009

A Thousand Kisses Deep

Nil17 — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 23:01:46 +0000

Sitting bound to my desk today my mind is wandering to where I would like to be instead. As y’all know I’m a northern girl…born & raised in Minnesota. I’ve lived here my whole life & I belong here like I could never possibly belong anywhere else. Don’t get me wrong I love to travel & have many cherished dreams of living as a gypsy if I could. However, for a dyed in the wool Yankee I have some very Southern sensibilities. I love the South…2 of my favorite trips in college were to Mississippi. Now I know you are wondering what I’m on about…bear with me & I’ll take you on my daydream travels.

One thing I’ve always wanted is a big old fashioned farm house….like something out of the deep South. Something you expect to see surrounded by giant trees dripping with Spanish moss. I want the 2-3 stories, open floor plan on the main floor with spacious bedrooms on the 2nd floor & an attic filled with steamer trunks where my kids could play. It’s a white house with blue trim & a bright blue front door. There’s a deep shaded porch on 3 sides with a wide rail all around. There are always a couple black labs laying there, watching & guarding our life. The kids run through, chasing & yelling while playing some game or trying to catch lightening bugs on hot summer nights. There are a couple rocking chairs (likely designed by Abe) but tucked in a corner is a well-used hammock. That’s where I am today…

Because I love music there’s always something playing. Depending on the mood I’m in or the mood I want to be in you can find a melange’ of styles in my collection. I’m always excited to find something new that moves me in some way. I have my favorites like anybody…the music that pulls at me, tugs me to the dance floor or running for some kleenex. Since the weather here today is gray & cloudy I’ve pulled up some quiet slow music to flow with the pace of my day. At my desk right now I’ve got all sorts of paper sorted into their tidy little piles, pens are strewn about & I’ve got posty notes everywhere. (I love pens…especially my fountain pens & my passion for posty notes is legendary.) The phone keeps ringing & my headset is firmly attached to my left ear.

My mind (or at least a large part of it) is off on that porch on a lazy rainy autumn day. The kids are in school (naturally—this is my fantasy after all…I can put people wherever I want them) & I’ve got the day to myself. So, I throw some Leonard Cohen on the record player (a real honest-to-goodess record player…vinyl just fits better here than an iSomethingorother) open the long wide windows & with a very large coffee, a dog-eared paper back & the afghan from Grandma B I curl up in my hammock. One of the labs will inevitably jump up to share my space. With the deep brooding tones of Cohen floating out into the gray misty day I stare out at the trees…letting the leaves blur around the edges until they appear like an Impressionist canvas. Of course I tear my eyes away & start to read either “Gone with the Wind” or “The Thornbirds”. A day of petulant skies calls for something filled with love & loss. The sound of the rain dripping from the eaves, the call of geese flying south & the gently motion of the hammock combine to lull me to sleep. My dreams will swirl with the color, light & sound of my story—drawing me into the world as a character. After napping I’d find a little something to drink & then crawl back into the hammock with my pink fountain pen, my fleur de lys embossed leather journal and do some writing. The pen scratching its pink life onto the creamy pages….words flowing into a meaning that the reader will be left to discover.

As the day melts to early evening a milky sun slides down to the west & I get up to greet the kids and make dinner. As the kids do their homework (ok, now I’m certain this has reached fairy tale proportions as there is no way the kids would actually be doing homework—more likely they’d be reading, watching Looney Tunes or playing a video game) I will be in the kitchen, barefoot & dancing between counter and stove. A homemade spaghetti sauce bubbles in one pot & noodles cook in another. Garlic & butter melt into bread under the broiler while I uncork a bottle of wine. I’m sure to be singing along with Leonard Cohen as I set the table….something like “A Thousand Kisses Deep” or “In My Secret Life” or my favorite “Dance me to the End of Love”.

Well that’s my trip to fantasy land for today…I need to go cook some dinner & find my fountain pens….