Paul McCartney: Target Field, Aug. 2, 2014

My wife, my parents and a number of friends and I went to Paul McCartney's show at Target Field in Minneapolis. It was amazing! Sir Paul did 39 songs (40, if you count the Jimi Hendrix tribute), and he was in spectacular form. His voice was great, his energy was high, you could tell the week of rest he'd had between shows rejuvenated him. I've never seen him dance or smile so much (and he's an entertainer, he does this kind of stuff regularly), and he actually wiggled his bottom at one point. He was feeling the love!

It's been FOREVER, and my apologies

Hi there, folks.

Like so many bloggers, I'm afraid I let my blog go dark for a long time there.

The reasons were many. First, I've just been so busy with real life. Honestly, since my job has me at a computer for so many hours each day, it gets difficult to want to sit in front of a monitor during my free time. Second, a lot of the music I've been listening to the last year or so has either been stuff I've blogged about, OR is new stuff that I haven't really digested. I try to be a reasoned opinion giver, having taken the time to let music settle with me before I give opinions on it.

The third reason isn't as fun or even as understandable, perhaps, but it was a factor in my taking a break: I was getting so many requests from people who just wanted links to the music I was discussing. As I've said since the beginning, I don't provide downloads. I strongly encourage everyone to buy music, or to go through sites where artists and companies get compensated when the music is enjoyed (be it Spotify, YouTube, etc.).

New acquisition: Beach Boys new vinyl

Howdy all.

It's been more than a month since my last post. Sorry about that. Between work, a week of vacation and a general malaise, I haven't been too inspired to hop on and blog about music. Hope everyone can understand that, as I'm sure we've all been there.

On Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving in the United States, when shopping becomes insane and people camp out in front of stores to take advantage of sales in preparation for Christmas), there was a Record Store Day event. I didn't go to this event, as I was visiting family at the time.

When I got back into town on Monday night, I stopped by the local indie music store to see if any goodies were left. As luck would have it, there were two great pieces still waiting to be picked up. One was a "Hallelujah" 45, with the A-Side as the original Leonard Cohen recording and the B-Side featuring Jeff Buckley's cover. Both versions are amazing, and having it as a new 45 RPM record is pretty groovy.

The other piece I picked up was actually the one I was most interested in (Rolling Stones, White Stripes, Bob Dylan and many others were very enticing ... but they'd already sold out). I was able to buy a copy of The Beach Boys' vinyl release of "Surfin' Safari" / "409" / "Isn't It Time" (the single version, not the album version) / "From There to Back Again."

It's pretty awesome! I thought I'd share my good fortune with you folks, as those of you who'd find this blog entry can appreciate my pleasure at snagging this item (and the "Hallelujah" piece, too).

OK, that's all I have for now. Hope to be back in the blogging swing, soon. I hope everyone out there is doing OK, and that your lives / health / jobs are all going well.

Spending some time with The Band

The Band ... Wow. Now THAT is a band. (Now is the time for a collective groan.)

I've been listening to The Band a lot lately. It's been time well spent!

I came to the group years ago (like, oh, around 2000) through the usual path ... I was getting into Bob Dylan, and I kept reading about The Basement Tapes and the group that Bob recorded them with. There were no Lennons or McCartneys in this group. No George Harrison, no Ringo Starr. No Clapton. No superstars.

The Band were musicians. Veterans of the road. Rhythm and blues, country and western, rockabilly, rock and roll, gospel ... Throw that in a blender, add some Walt Whitman, some Bach, some Canadian winter and a dash of Arkansas moonshine -- out comes The Band.

Album review: Giving Bob Dylan's "Tempest" a spin

Some artists seem forever chained to their pasts, no matter their efforts. Sure, there are revivals. There are periods of renaissance. There are reinventions. But all of those phases seem to go back to an original idea of what an artist is, or represents.

Bob Dylan is one such artist. His name is forever tied to folk and the folk tradition, roots music, the songs of the past. And with a new album out, called "Tempest," much of his history is being discussed by rock critics and fans ... and non-fans, too. And some of that history is seemingly embraced, as Bob performs material that evokes "old-time" music from long-gone eras when wax and radio were magic and spiritual and life-affirming and scary ... Music wasn't just streamed, picked and chosen, praised for hooks or breasts or being bizarre.

Dylan "Tempest" post is coming

Hi all,

I've got almost half of a blog entry finished on Bob Dylan's new "Tempest" album.

I've got my preamble written. All that's left is giving the album a listen and giving my thoughts in the comments area, as I've done with my past "live blogging" entries.

It's my hope to get that done tonight!

I'm definitely looking forward to giving the album a listen in its entirety. Should be very cool!

See you then.

Unwell, unproductive

Greetings, all you fantastic blog readers and friends o' mine.

For the life of me, I just haven't been able to get back into a regular groove here. I'm sure you all can understand how it is, though ... I'm sure doctors don't want to be diagnosing patients on days off. Police don't want to handle disturbances on their days off. And me? Well, my job keeps me in front of computers for 10-12 hour bursts each day, so it is sometimes just difficult to get the energy to sit down during my free time to write.

But I love writing. And I love writing about music. And I appreciate each and every read and comment that my stuff gets. I don't take that lightly. Thanks to all of you who stop in, and those of you who share thoughts are doubly appreciated.

Let's see, let's take a moment to do an update here.

Sock it to me, wild honey!

In 1967, The Beach Boys were having some bad luck. After the critical acclaim "Pet Sounds" received and the chart success enjoyed by "Good Vibrations," fans and observers alike were primed for the massive payoff that was promised with the "SMiLE" project.

But "SMiLE" didn't happen, and "Smiley Smile" was issued in its place. A bunt instead of a grand slam? Perhaps. Carl Wilson described it that way, and it seems appropriate.

New review(s) a-comin'!

Hi all,

I have Tuesday (today) off from work, and most of my housework stuff has been done ...

So that means I should have time for a new music review! Woo! It's been so long ... will I remember how to write? Did I ever know how to write? Is writing still hip? We'll find this, and more, later!

Yay!!!!

Sorry that it's taken so long for me to get cracking. I didn't think it'd be worth writing more "hey, work has been busy and there's a lot going on in my life" entries. I'm looking forward to getting back into the groove of doing what I love most:

ENJOYING MUSIC.

Join me, won't you?

Like lint on a record, stuff keeps popping up

Hi all,

I know, you keep hearing this stuff from me. I've been busy. Surprise, surprise. Bit of a broken record, eh?

Even on my days off, I've found plenty to occupy my time. I'm not done with the blog, I promise, but I've just been overwhelmed with the day-to-day shenanigans of my work life.

Bear with me. I promise, more music is on the way.

Thanks!

Sorry I've been out of touch

Howdy, all.

As my last post made clear, I was on vacation for a couple weeks. Honestly, as much as I should have logged on to post a couple things ... I was kind of enjoying being away from the computer. My real-life job is computer-intensive, so it was nice not looking at a screen too often during my break away.

Anyway, I had a great vacation and got some rest and spiritual healing. And during my drives, I listened to a lot of music that stirred some ideas in me. The Styx album "Brave New World," Bob Dylan's "Oh Mercy" and Queen's "Queen II" might get some love on my blog here soon, if I get some time to sit down and tackle them properly!

I hope you're all well, and I'll chat with you again soon!

Going on a vacation

Woo hoo! Soon I'll be enjoying two weeks away from work. I haven't had any real vacation time away from work since I got married back in October. I'm crispy around the edges and totally looking forward to some rest, some good times, some fun and some whatever-I-feel-like-doing goodness.

I hope that'll mean a couple blog posts, too.

I've been staying pretty busy with work and everything else. By the time I get home, or even during lulls at work, I find myself pretty much tired of staring at computer screens ... so my blogging has suffered. I offer you my most sincere apologies.

It's my birthday

Howdy, all.

Today marks another anniversary of my continued existence on this planet. Yay!

I don't have much to say, except that it's been an interesting ride so far!

Um ... so, here's some Beatles music:

Happy July Fourth

Based in the United States as I am, I have the good fortune for a lot of things.

A lot of liberties, freedoms and opportunities come my way because of where I live ... and I don't take that situation lightly. It's easy to take things for granted, but I know so many in the world lack the ability to do things because of government rules, poorer economies, geographic situations, etc.

July Fourth is Independence Day for the United States, and I wish everyone in the U.S. a fun (and safe) holiday. Bust out some great music, hang out with friends and family and have yourselves a memorable time!

For readers who live outside the United States, I wish you all a happy July Fourth as well ... and I hope your days are pleasant, happy and fulfilling (and also full of music).

Beach Boys at No. 23 on Billboard

"That's Why God Made the Radio" continues to do well! Three weeks in, and it is selling enough to still be in the Top 30! In this modern age, when many artists (not just classic ones) slide right off the Top 200 after a week or two, the No. 23 placing is pretty fantastic! (Want proof that they're at No. 23? You can see it HERE [Click Words].)

The album debuted and peaked at No. 3, then went to No. 14, then No. 23. A fantastic showing for a fantastic album by a fantastic group. It's pretty fantastic, in case you couldn't tell.

Congrats Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, Bruce Johnston and David Marks!

Blogging: Ups and downs

My blog celebrates its first birthday/anniversary later next month (around the middle of July), and it's been pretty dang successful. I define success in, "Wow, a lot of people are visiting my blog and I didn't expect that."

Truth be told, when I started this li'l blog, I figured I'd be lucky to get a handful of visits a month. Maybe a hundred visits in a year. Something like that. And honestly, traffic wasn't the point. But everyone has an ego, and I did have that hope that others would find my words worthwhile.

Washing away that work vibe

I'm working today, and I doubt I'll get much time to do a proper blog entry.

But that got me thinking ... Listening to music at work isn't rare, by any stretch. Some folks hear it over the intercom at some stores. Others get radios at their desks. Some do the headphones thing. CDs. YouTube. MP3 players. Those iPhones and iPods. Music is more portable and present than ever.

I figure that's a good thing. I certainly rely on music a lot to keep me balanced and get me through the days.

If you listen to music at work, how do you do it? Does your place of business allow it? I'm curious just how permissive different fields are, and different countries are, with the practice of listening to music while working.

Just for fun: 70 for Brian Wilson's 70th

It struck me that it might be fun to assemble a list of 70 songs that Brian Wilson wrote/sang and share this list as a possible fan's guide to Brian Wilson. Since he's 70 years old today, 70 songs seems like a good number. 

No such thing as "free music"

I was reading some stuff online and came across an article that I think addresses music downloads (and those who choose to download "free" music rather than pay for it) pretty well.

I would ask everyone who visits my blog (especially those who are looking for download links) to read it, as it is AT THE VERY LEAST food for thought. Check out the rest of this post to read it.

Happy 70th birthday, Brian Wilson!

Brian Wilson's 70th birthday is today, two days after Sir Paul McCartney's own 70th. What a week for popular music, right?

Brian is on tour with The Beach Boys as they continue their reunion run. The latest Beach Boys album "That's Why God Made the Radio" debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 charts. Critics and fans alike have applauded both the album and the tour.

So, basically, Brian's 70th comes at a time when he's doing well professionally and is seeing the fruits of his labors being loved at sold-out venues. Not too shabby!