strickiOnline

The Genius of Bill Withers

2011-02-05T00:45:00.000+13:00

Marc and... Cilla!

2010-12-06T07:47:00.002+13:00

Surprisingly sweet...

Hi - Remember me?

2010-10-19T20:12:00.001+13:00

Awwww - Tim Buckley... (Thankyou YouTube)

Just to get you in the mood...

2009-12-13T20:30:00.004+13:00

Bob's got a Christmas album out don't you know?

This is a lot of fun; the polka's perfect, the blonde wig's a grower, and he sure throws a helluva party...

Abby's walking

2009-10-07T22:01:00.002+13:00

In the last few days Abby's started to walk on her own. She's currently 13 months old, and today also marks the 12 month anniversary of us bringing her home.

It's been a very special year.

RIP Willy DeVille

2009-08-26T21:10:00.003+12:00

All my heroes are dying... John Martyn, Lux Interior and now Willy.

I think this may well rock

2009-08-18T21:10:00.002+12:00

I don't know anymore... maybe it could suck too?

Crawling

2009-07-18T11:37:00.002+12:00

Abby started crawling last month - clever girl.

Padma loves Hamburger

2009-04-14T22:57:00.002+12:00

Padma from Top Chef is my TV Girlfriend. So, ummmm... this is quite good.

RIP John Martyn

2009-01-30T22:12:00.027+13:00

John Martyn: 11/9/1948 - 29/1/2009

I'd been thinking about and listening to a bit of John Martyn lately.
I'd discovered his 1977 album One World last year and included it in my top 5 albums, and a couple of weeks ago recommended Solid Air and One World to my older brother.

Criminally unknown (the Amazon page for Solid Air has only 15 customer reviews - compared to 279 for his friend Nick Drake's Pink Moon), but a truly unique talent - no one sounds like John Martyn.

Solid Air (1973) is his classic. A folk/blues/jazz masterpiece that I believe compares to Astral Weeks.

If you like acoustic folk/blues, literally played like no one else, then have a listen to these couple of tracks from the album - and then search out and buy the album.

I promise you, you won't be disappointed.

(and then try One World as your next stop...)

More info:
www.johnmartyn.com
Big Muff [fan site]
John Martyn [All Music Guide]

Songs of the Year '08

2009-01-26T22:42:00.012+13:00

Same as last year, didn't manage to get the songs of the year up until the next year. But I have been kinda busy y'know?

It also dawned on me recently that the internet has become the sole media outlet for discovering new music for me - no longer the radio, TV, magazine or music store... All of these songs were discovered via various music blogs.

1. The Will of Love: Tooter Boatman
This is without a doubt the sweetest and catchiest song I heard all year. The perfect rockabilly/shuffle. Thanks Diggin it!

2. Northeast Texas Women: Willis Alan Ramsey
The bad news: Willis Alan Ramsey released only one classic album in 1972... then gave up on the music business.
The good news: rumours are, his second album "Gentilly" is due Feb 09.
BTW: Northeast Texas Women is a perfect Little Feat-ish funky swamp groove.
Cheers The Rising Storm.

3. Martha Scanlan - Went to see the Gypsy
Easily this year's most beautiful obscure-Dylan-cover-that-recounts-a-possible-meeting-with-Elvis song. I think her voice/delivery makes this the most moving thing I heard all year.
Hats off to Cover Lay Down.

4. Hayes Carll - I Got a Gig
"...looking like a homeless Cheers on meth..."
More funny funky singalong goodness from yet another outrageously talented Texan. Hayes Carll's new album Trouble In Mind came out last year and easily made a lot of album of the year lists.
Take a bow SongsIllinois.

5. James Hunter - Carina
This song is from an album (The Hard Way) stacked full if soulful 60's grooves, perfect for summer bbqs. Grab a Carona and sway to this.
'On Ya Elsewhere.

Again, I have gathered up all these little diamonds into one pouch for y'all to enjoy - right here.
(Follow the link to the Rapidshare page, click "Free user", wait the allotted seconds then click "Download". Easy.)

Whoo-pah!

2009-01-13T15:05:00.006+13:00

This is the funniest thing I've seen all day dude...

Steve - this is for you.

Top 5 Albums of the Year

2008-12-15T21:30:00.048+13:00

Ok here goes... My top 5 albums - not necessarily released this year, but albums I discovered and loved this year are:

1. T.Rex: Electric Warrior

See earlier rave...

2. Ryan Bingham: Mescalito
If you love Steve Earle, Joe Ely and Townes Van Zandt. If you daydream of sitting in Austin drinking frozen Margaritas, eating BBQ Brisket and Elgin sausage. If you like to wear your shirts with snaps and wished you'd bought those boots at Allen's Boots on South Congress. Then... this is for you too!

3. Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson: Rattlin' Bones
Extremely strong album of alt-country duet singing. Great songs and Shane Nicholson's vocals are a stand out.

For someone who loves all kinds of country, but don't really get Kasey Chambers - I loved this album.

4. John Martyn: One World
I loved Solid Air, and this is almost as good. More expansive/experimental and less folky, but a wonderful album. Recommended.

5. (Tied): Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris: All the Roadrunning / The Black Keys: Attack and Release
All the Roadrunning got brutal reviews in this country when it was released, so I approached it with a fair amount of caution, but it seems to be a case of the same reviewers who love anything released by Emmylou are obviously quite keen to ignore/slag anything in Mr Dire Straits' name. This is a very nice album.

I've never been that bothered with listening to much Black Keys - I imagined they had a similar sound to the John Spencer Blues Explosion (who I find just shout too much). But this is an excellent and very soulful modern blues record. Recommended.

Albums I re-discovered in 08:
I used to love these records - then got sick of them, but guess what - after 20 years I love them again. Go figure? Absence really does makes the heart grow fonder.

- Paul McCartney and Wings: Band On the Run
- Dire Straits: Dire Straits
- Jackson Browne: Running On Empty
- Fleetwood Mac: Rumours

End Of Year Special Treat Mixtape:
A tasty little morsel from all of the above - especially for you...
(Follow the link to the Rapidshare page, click "Free user", wait the allotted seconds then click "Download". Easy.)

Abby and the Big Red Ball

2008-12-02T20:51:00.001+13:00

...and we got

2008-11-09T09:28:00.005+13:00

John Key - the "boy trader of Wall St". Voted in on the premise: "well if he can make himself a millionaire, then he can make the country rich" - WTF?

I think Green Party Co-Leader Jeanette Fitzsimons summed the election up best during her speech last nite: "I wonder in 20 years time if there will be people who look back at 2008 and say 'I'm really glad I voted for tax cuts rather than for the future of our children."

Time to think about the Green Card Lottery again.

He's Coming!

2008-10-29T22:15:00.013+13:00

Less than a week now until America elects the most inspiring President in our lifetime.

Here are a couple of links to help you get in the groove and get ready to celebrate!

Yes We Can remix: Very funky MP3 mashup of a Barack speech and a Lee Dorsey/Alan Toussaint groove. Recommended.

Barack and Basketball: Barack just chillin', talking B-ball and shooting some hoops. He's pretty good too.

My daughter Abby

2008-10-16T11:29:00.010+13:00

I'm a new Dad!

We have been lucky enough to adopt a beautiful 6 week old girl that we have named Abby.

She's been home just over a week, and I must admit the first 3 or 4 days were nothing short of "shock and awe".

We're now slowly adjusting to parenthood and the contrasts of either a smiling or screaming baby. But how good is this... at 7 weeks old she has now slept thru the night - twice in a row!

I came across some excellent children's music by a woman called Elizabeth Mitchell a few months ago on the Cover Lay Down blog. So when Abby arrived I downloaded her album You Are My Sunshine from iTunes and we pretty much haven't listened to anything else for the last week. The great thing about her music is it's also great for adults to listen to; pretty acoustic folksinging versions of children's classics and rock classics (eg: Bob Marley, Bo Diddley, Neil Young, Cat Stevens).

If you have small children, know someone with small children, or if you just love pretty songs, you should definitely check these out.

Downloads:
3 Little Birds [mp3]
Little Wing [mp3]

Note: Change in download method - follow the link to the Rapidshare page, click "Free user", wait the allotted seconds then click "Download". Easy.

God Bless Paul Newman

2008-09-30T15:22:00.001+13:00

Elsewhere

2008-09-29T09:09:00.007+13:00

I have quite a few music blogs that I read regularly, but I can thoroughly recommend Graham Reid's Elsewhere site for the sheer spread of stuff he covers.

His Music From Elsewhere page provides reviews and samples from worthwhile new releases. Essential Elsewhere is essential albums for a well rounded music collection, and Absolute Elsewhere contains a stack of excellent articles/essays about artists from Led Zep to Benny Hill.

See for yourself...

It's like the 90's never happened...

2008-09-18T20:48:00.004+12:00

Quick heads up for all you children of the 80's wanting to replace your vinyl/tapes. This blog has these albums available at the moment:

The Jam – Sound Affects (1980)
Tom Waits – Heartattack & Vine (1980)
UB40 – Signing Off (1980)
The Teardrop Explodes – Kilimanjaro (1980)
Specials – More Specials (1980)
Steve Winwood – Arc of a Diver (1980)
The Pretenders - Pretenders (1980)
Einstürzende Neubauten – Kollaps (1981)
Siouxsie & the Banshees – Juju (1981)
Heaven 17 – Penthouse & Pavement (1981)
Go-Gos – Beauty & the Beat (1981)
Motörhead – No Sleep ‘Til Hammersmith (1981)
Soft Cell – Non Stop Erotic Cabaret (1981)
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark – Architecture & Morality (1981)
Brian Eno & David Byrne – My Life in the Bush of Ghosts (1981)
Black Flag – Damaged (1981)
X – Wild Gift (1981)
Psychedelic Furs – Talk, Talk, Talk (1981)
Human League – Dare (1981)
Gun Club – Fire of Love (1981)
Bauhaus – Mask (1981)
Bobby Womack – The Poet (1981)
Tom Tom Club – Tom Tom Club (1981)
Rush – Moving Pictures (1981)
ABBA – Visitors (1981)
ABC - The Lexicon Of Love (1982)
Prince - 1999 (1983)
Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five - The Message (1982)
Elvis Costello & The Attractions - Imperial Bedroom (1982)
The Cure - Pornography (1982)
Dexys Midnight Runners – Too Rye Ay (1982)
Simple Minds – New Gold Dream (81, 82, 83, 84) (1982)
Madness-The Rise And Fall(1982)
Donald Fagen - The Nightfly (1982)
Haircut One Hundred – Pelican West (1982)
Kate Bush - The Dreaming (1982)
Orange Juice - Rip It Up (1982)
Michael Jackson - Thriller (1982)
Birthday Party – Junkyard (1982)
Venom – Black Metal (1982)
Bruce Springsteen – Nebraska (1982)
Associates – Sulk (1982)
Iron Maiden - The Number Of The Beast (1982)
Duran Duran – Rio (1982)
Violent Femmes - Violent Femmes (1983)
Malcolm McLaren – Duck Rock (1983)
Def Leppard – Pyromania (1983)
REM – Murmur (1983)
The The – Soul Mining (1983)
Tom Waits - Swordfishtrombones (1983)

I met the Walrus

2008-08-23T14:46:00.006+12:00

Take a look at this - I met the Walrus.

Ernie "L" Plate

2008-07-13T18:12:00.002+12:00

Scootering again!!

2008-07-13T17:59:00.009+12:00

See my shiny new cherry-red 150cc Scooter. She sure is pretty.

Some may say it's a mid-life crisis moment, but I'm sticking with the fact that petrol is $2.18 a litre.

Tell the rambler, the gambler, the back biter...

2008-05-04T00:23:00.025+12:00

Because its Sunday, why not a religious music post? Hold on, don't go changing that channel just yet...

Run On for a Long Time - Bill Landford & The Landfordaires [mp3].
This song will be familiar from the Moby sampling: Run On. But trust me, this is what you really need to get you on the straight and narrow. Essential.

Footnote: Bill Landford and his Landfordaires are even more mysterious than Robert Johnson. "On December 15 1949 Bill Landford and his band walked into a recording studio, cut a few tracks ... and walked out again. Nothing was heard from him again." Check out the comments in this blog entry, for the very little information there is available.

Christian's Automobile - The Dixie Hummingbirds (intro by DJ Bob Dylan) [mp3].
The song itself is fine novelty gospel tune, but it's the DJ chatter by Bob Dylan that bookends the tune - that's what we're really after here...
"Most American car horns beep in the key of F, Ker-Thunk" indeed.

For more info on Bob's Theme Time Radio Hour, see the Beeb.

I need TV when I got T-Rex?

2008-03-08T22:06:00.019+13:00

I've just discovered T.Rex. Sure I'd heard and loved Bang a Gong and Children of the Revolution but had never gone much further. Until, thanks to a recommendation from Graham Reid's Elsewhere blog, I got hold of Electric Warrior - their/his bona fide masterpiece. It's very cool.
Mambo Sun [mp3]

Glam Rock Bonus from Marc's mate Dave:

Hang On to Yourself [mp3]

...from Ziggy (which I picked up again recently, after I naively lent it to Laurent Rayner 26 years ago... and never saw it again). I got goosebumps after listening to this amazing record again after all that time.

Top 5 Songs of the Year (2007!): NUMBER 1

2008-02-01T21:32:00.001+13:00

Crap! It's taken me till February to get my number 1 song from 2007 up!

No time for crafted wordy intro: Rancid frontman Tim Armstrong's solo poppy ska dubby 3 minutes 40 seconds of pure gold. This song is very very cool and arrived at the end of 07, courtesy of Elise's Dad Glenn.

Grab this now! and skank all around the room.

Number 1: Tim Armstrong - Into Action [mp3]

Free tracks from his excellent album A Poet's Life available from his label Epitaph.

Sleevefaces

2008-01-27T18:34:00.000+13:00

This is much fun...

more goodtimes here...

Top 5 Songs of the Year: 3 & 2

2007-12-26T12:20:00.000+13:00

Number 3: April March - Chick Habit [mp3] Damn catchy, retro-sounding track, from the soundtrack to Tarantino's Death Proof. I never failed to get a kick out of hearing this song when it turned up on my iPod this year.

Number 2: Jimmy La Fave - Truth [mp3] Great rocker from an outstanding latest album from Jimmy Lafave (Cimarron Manifesto). There is not a single miss-step on this record - dare I say it, it's a better record than his stunning debut: Austin Skyline. Recommended.

Number 2: Romantica - The National Side: Two number 2's this year. See earlier rave.

Top 5 Songs of the Year: 5 & 4

2007-12-12T10:53:00.000+13:00

Number 5: Eric Lindell - Feel Like I Do [mp3]
Sensational album (Change in the Weather) by young white New Orleans blues guy. The catchy-ist track from a very rootsy groovy album.

Number 4: Robert Plant & Alison Krauss - Rich Woman [mp3]
Funky opener from an almost faultless album: shame about Trampled Rose (surely there were hundreds more Tom Waits tunes begging to be covered?) and the overcooked and unnecessary Fortune Teller. But with two Gene Clark covers and a few more stunning songs, I'm a happy guy.

(Note: I wanted to use Please Read the Letter, but hosting space wouldn't allow - buy it and check it out for yourself.)

Elise and everyone

2007-11-13T20:11:00.000+13:00

More Elise pics:

Top left: Elise and Aunty Adrienne. Top right: Elise with Uncle Ian and Mum.

Middle left: Elise and Uncle Glen. Middle right: Me and E.

Bottom: Mum, Dad and Elise.

Isn't she lovely...

2007-11-13T19:52:00.000+13:00

We've just come back from a couple of nights in Wellington, where we got to meet my beautiful 7 week old great-niece Elise.

We're moving...

2007-10-28T17:07:00.000+13:00

We have bought a new house and are moving back to central Auckland. Western Springs to be more precise. Moving date is 30 November 07. Very exciting - the new place feels very homely and we're looking forward to settling in over Christmas.

Photos and a couple of disparate "house" related mp3s below:

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young: Our House [mp3]

The Traveling Wilburys: Poor House [mp3]

PS - ignore the ugly furniture, it's the current owner's.

Holiday Snaps

2007-09-08T16:13:00.000+12:00

We have just gotten back from 12 days on the Sunshine Coast in Australia, and it was quite nice!

Surveying the Maroochydore beach 2 days after the worst storm in 100 years.

My nephew John and his fiancee Anna.

My nephew Glen and his friend Ed.

Mooloolaba beach at sunset.

Whale watching on the Steve Irwin boat.

Surf Club Dinner: A pot of XXXX Gold and the $11.95 Roast.

Just to prove that Adrienne does put sunblock on.

Another stunning day in the pool.

Song of the year so far...

2007-08-01T21:53:00.000+12:00

Check out The National Side from Romantica. This could well be the greatest song about football ever? It's easily my song of the year so far - so damn catchy.

Believe it or not, you can't help but sing along to lyrics like: "I have a brother like Gary Lineker, put it past you like salt on vinegar" - trust me, take a listen!

The whole album (America) is really good too.

The National Side [mp3]
The Gulf of Mexico [mp3]

Spoilt!

2007-06-21T21:24:00.000+12:00

We are a little bit spoilt here in NZ.

I took this photo in early January this year at a gorgeous place called Shakespear Bay that we discovered about an hour north of Auckland. Up until a couple of weeks ago this was just another photo from that amazing day we had at Shakespear Bay. And then the wind and cold and rain came... this photo is now my Desktop photo cause I love it so much!

The Good News and The Bad News

2007-06-04T22:06:00.000+12:00

The Good News:
After having ongoing problems (intermittent powerdown, blue screens of death etc) with our not very old (18mths) PC, we decided to take the plunge and buy an iMac.

It is very beautiful and we love it almost as much as we love our cats.

The Bad News:
I thought it might be a good idea to get the old PC serviced and keep it as a second machine.

After much searching finally found what appeared to be a reputable HP repair agent. Long story shortish:
Them: "...we need to reformat the hard drive and that will fix your problem."
Me: "Really? Ok, but before you do that, I need to get all my passwords, emails, email addresses off it. So don't do anything and I'll pick it up tommorow."
Them: "Ok."

Sure enough I go to collect the box and find my hard drive has been reformatted!!! ...along with the aforementioned passwords, emails, email addresses etc.... Aaaaarrrggggghhh!!!

So I Need Your Help!
If you are a friend or family or both... please email me (stricki@xtra.co.nz), so that I can save your lost email address to my shiny new and very empty Mac address book. Thanks.

Look forward to hearing from you!!!

Watch the 1st Episode of Flight of the Conchords

2007-06-04T21:50:00.000+12:00

I thoroughly recommend you set aside 27:49 mins and watch the first episode of the Flight of the Conchords series on HBO.

It reminded me a lot of a Wes Anderson movie.

These guys deserve to be quite big and reasonably famous.

Old Crow Medicine Show

2007-05-01T12:27:00.000+12:00

I discovered these guys a few weeks ago thanks to eMusic, and I've been listening to them a lot lately. Sure, this is not much of a stretch for me: Old Time Blues Folk Country with lotsa fiddles and banjos - but it becomes a real treat when its executed this well. I defy you not to continue humming this stuff.

Old Crow Medicine Show - Wagon Wheel [mp3]
Old Crow Medicine Show - Tell it to me [mp3]

Old Crow Medicine Show website and Amazon page.

Re-Assessing Musical Pariahs - 1

2007-03-24T12:53:00.000+12:00

Cracklin' Rose you're a store bought woman,
but you make me sing like a guitar hummin'...

I was never a Neil Diamond fan - in fact it was always so easy to despise the man and his music. But maybe it's the getting older that makes you appreciate songs that were ever present in your golden years? Either that, or as you get older you start to challenge the general consensus of what and who were considered important music/musicians and what and who were considered joke music/musicians.

Sure the man had a predilection for big hair (on his head and chest), but no artist survived the 70's without photographic evidence of their style faux pas.

So, I picked up the Essential Neil Diamond a few months ago expecting to add 2 or 3 songs to a mix CD, and surprised myself by handpicking 14 great songs for my own special Neil Diamond compilation CD.

Here's 2 songs I know you know (and probably think you hate), but try listening again with fresh ears (and singing along!) to the melodies, the huge catchy as hell choruses and yes, the occasional cheesy cheesy lyric.

Neil Diamond - Cracklin Rose
Neil Diamond - Forever in Blue Jeans

Neil's website.

New Wilco CD, free MP3...

2007-03-06T22:35:00.000+13:00

Wilco have their new album Sky Blue Sky coming out 15/5/07 in the US (I'm sure it'll also be out in NZ around this time).

I guess I haven't really stayed in touch with Jeff Tweedy and the guys as much as I should have since Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (which all hype aside was a very fine album - even with the experimental noise breaks). The live album that came out last year: Kicking Television - Live in Chicago was also apparantly very impressive (Q Magazine named it #16 on their list of the “20 Best Live Albums” of all time).

They have an mp3 from the new album available on their site. It’s called What Light, (really nice dylan-y tune with a big catchy chorus - recommended). If you want to hear it or download it, go to their web site.

what?

2007-02-27T08:32:00.000+13:00

Very clever typography animation of this Samuel L Jackson scene from Pulp Fiction...

This is very cool, check it out here.

The creator is Jarratt Moody.

Top 5 Albums of 06

2007-01-19T22:01:00.000+13:00

A bit late with this, but better late than never...

My number 5 album of 2006 is Jeffrey Foucault - Ghost Repeater. A great bluesy/folk discovery from songs:illinois. Who says sharing music on the internet doesn't encourage you to buy?

Number 4: Calexico and Iron and Wine - In the Reigns. Two of my favourite indie/alt country artists hang out and make beautiful music together. My only complaint - it wasn't long enough.

Number 3: Caitlin Cary and Thad Cockrell - Begonias. (another songs:illinois tip) Amazing album of country/soul duet singing. It has some top shelf originals and a shimmering cover of Warm and Tender Love.

Number 2: The Detroit Cobras - Baby. (thanks to Big Rock Candy Mountain) An incredibly catchy and infectious blend of Garage Rock and 60's Soul. This is a party album for people with immaculate taste. I had this album easily pinned as my number one album of the year from when I bought it in early Jan 06, until I picked up this next album in November 06.

I really couldn't imagine anything surpassing it, until...

NUMBER 1: Fat Freddy's Drop - Based on a True Story. Could this be the greatest New Zealand album ever? It was self released in 2005 and slowly and honestly worked away at becoming a huge hit here in NZ - no record company hype, just word of mouth.

The sheer range and quality displayed on this album is astounding; a stunning mix of reggae, dub, sweet soul, triphop and pacifika hip hop.

After somehow avoiding it for most of 05, I finally picked up a copy to ease my curiosity and to see if everything the NZ press was saying was true. From the first 10 seconds of the opening bars of "Ernie", I knew this was going to be an album I was going to LOVE. That feeling hasn't happened for a very long time. So for that reason alone, this is my number 1.

Fat Freddy's Drop: This Room

The Greatest Truck Driving Song Ever?

2006-10-20T22:30:00.000+13:00

I have put in the hours and have done the research, and I believe Water in the Fuel by Fred Eaglesmith could well be the greatest truck driving song ever?

What's that you say? "Willin?, Six Days on The Road? White Freight Liner Blues? Truckstop Girl". Sure all great songs, but... why don't you just download it and see for yourself?

Also check out the stunning album this song came from: Lipstick Lies and Gasoline, and the Fred website.

PS - Stop on over at the new "An Inconvenient Truth" add on the right of page and sign up. Don't worry, it won't cost a thing/hurt a bit. Please see or rent the movie, you owe it to your children.

Willie's stash...

2006-09-24T20:58:00.000+12:00

Willie Nelson got busted for possession earlier this week.

Dumbass Looosiana cops - all the cops in Texas know not to harrass Willie, he's a goddamn National Treasure!

Check out Willie's stash here, and some commentary from Bill Maher's website here.

(thanks to Darryl for the tipoff on this story)

Sunshine Coast Holiday Snaps

2006-09-17T22:09:00.000+12:00

Been back a couple of weeks now from our short (9 night) stay on the Sunshine Coast in Oz.

Boy it sure was beautiful - can't wait to go back again soon.

Chillin on the balcony

We had a great day at Australia Zoo, 5 days before Steve Irwin was tragically taken from us. His Zoo was a highlight of the trip - a must see.

Roos in the top paddock

Crickey! It's a beauty!

Noosa Beach

My nephew John is living on the Sunshine Coast with his girlfriend Anna. It was very cool to get to catch up with them while we were on holiday.

With John at Noosa

...and this!!

2006-05-22T21:55:00.000+12:00

Joni and Johnny 'ferchristsakes!

Go ahead, make a wish and type it in their Search field: You Tube.

For Steve and Sam.

You really should see this...

2006-05-22T21:45:00.000+12:00

I haven't quite figured out what the concept of YouTube is supposed to be? It seems to have hundreds of thousands of homevideo clips (that I can't really imagine anybody wanting to look at), but... it also seems to have uploads of fantastic pieces of never-before-seen musical history, just like this.

Tony Joe White on the Johnny Cash show.

For Bettina.

Edgy!! The Gourds - Gin and Juice

2006-05-07T17:59:00.000+12:00

Last time I promised you edgy, and when I think about it this is maybe not real edgy... but it does contain profanity?

...and besides, this would have to be one of my top five songs of the past 5 years - easy!

I've only heard a couple of other hillbilly versions of rap songs:

- The Unholy Trio doing PE's Bring the Noise (on an excellent Bloodshot Records compilation)

- some obscure irish folky (who was playing support for the Cowboy Junkies) doing LL Cool J's: I Need Love

- and this one.

But all three versions are/were superb.

Enjoy! The Gourds: Gin and Juice (composer: Snoop Dogg) [Right Click and Save As]

Buy The Gourds - Shinebox at Amazon.

btw - did i mention they were from Austin?

Jack Johnson ?!

2006-04-17T22:18:00.000+12:00

Ok... hold on...
I'll admit that I've never really had that much time for this guy, until... I recently heard the Curious George soundtrack.

I guess he always seemed a bit "lite" musically, but maybe lite is just perfect for a Curious George soundtrack?

His naive simplicity has grown on me and the songs on Curious George are tiny gentle folk gems.

I also like the fact he sings about NICE things: sharing, recycling, good people etc... without making me feeling lame.

I think I mainly didn't like him because he gets to wear jandals, surf and play guitar for a living - bastard!

Check out these tunes and I promise to keep you free from John Denver, Marie Osmond and Ben Harper. (I'll be digging deep for something "edgy" next time...)

Jack Johnson - The Sharing Song
Jack Johnson - We're going to be friends (hey, a White Stripes cover!)

MUCH MORE IMPORTANT USABILITY COMMENT:Sorry, EZ Archive is not actually easy - in fact it is slow, clunky, not very user-friendly and also CRAP! So I have resorted back to hosting the songs myself, so the links are now back to: "Right Click and Save As". I'm going to a lot of trouble here so I hope both of you take advantage of these fabulous free songs. PS - if you want any of the previous tracks that you probably couldn't download, flick me an email or leave me a comment. Ta.

Toots and Willie

2006-04-06T21:39:00.000+12:00

Without a doubt, the coolest old geezers on the planet.

Tough combination to beat for me this:
Country and Reggae... a little C'n'R for your listening pleasure.

Toot's True Love album from a couple of years ago had a few treats, the Willie track (Toots and Willie: Still is Still Moving to Me) was pretty good, the Ryan Adams wasn't too bad, and the Rachael Yamagata (who?) track was sublime, but for me a lot of the versions pale next to his classic originals. Better to pick yourself up a Toots compilation (from a reputable label) or a copy of Funky Kingston.

And while I'm on the the topic of Dread Cowboys, here's a very cool song from probably the best ska/reggae complilation: Young Gifted and Black - The Ultimate Trojan Compilation. (Two full discs without a dud!).

Midnight Rider - Paul Davidson: This song is a slice of Reggae/Southern Rock (kinda reminds me of the Allman Brothers?... maybe it's the title?). Try this for an extremly infectious boogie with a hell of a groove.

IMPORTANT USABILITY COMMENT: Sorry, should have explained that I have started using EZ Archive for (free) song storage, so the links are no longer "Right Click and Save As", they are now: "normal Left Click and when the window opens choose "Save to Disk"". Apologies for any mixed up confusion?

While My Guitar Gently Weeps, indeed...

2006-04-04T21:56:00.000+12:00

In case you were sitting around wondering: "Well godammit, just who is the greatest living ROCK! guitarist?", here's the answer. (yes Theresa, you will need broadband.)

Be warned: you have to get thru the first half of the Glenfield RSA band, but once they've shuffled out of the way, he steps out of the shadows.

BTW - that thing he does with his guitar right at the end, I swear it looked like it turned into a flock of doves?

My boy Buster

2006-03-14T07:30:00.000+13:00

Everybody loves a comfy pillow.

February?

2006-03-07T22:53:00.000+13:00

anyways... here's the poster to the great Townes movie I mentioned in my top five. Keep your eyes peeled cause you never know just where it might show up.

...but probably not at you local multiplex or VideoEzy.

Top Five Movies of '05

2006-01-30T18:02:00.000+13:00

Just so this doesn't drag on as long as the top five songs did, here are the five best movies/dvd's I saw last year (in the following order):

1. The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou: Wes Anderson never disapoints. This movie charmed the socks off me; beautiful, poignant, surreal and very funny.

2. Garden State: I probably fell in love with Natalie Portman more than I fell for the movie as a whole. So?

3. Be Here to Love Me: A very definitive portrait of the late great Townes Van Zandt.

4. Napolean Dynamite: sure, I bought the cap before I'd heard of the movie, but the movie was still flippin' sweet.

5. Sideways: I really struggled to come up with a number 5, but this was a pleasant couple of hours at the movies.

ONE is the loneliest number that you'll ever do

2005-12-22T20:21:00.000+13:00

You have been very patient, haven't you?

It's been quite hard to pin this to just one song this year, so... I've rounded it off to best artist/band/entertainer. And the guy/band I could not hear enough of all year long, is: Sam Beam/Iron and Wine. (Big Thanks to Craig for the Iron & Wine tip off.)

Here's a couple of songs from Our Endless Numbered Days, that you really should listen to. (btw: don't we all want a beard just like that?)

Iron and Wine: Free until they cut me down

Iron and Wine: Passing afternoon

twos

2005-12-18T00:03:00.000+13:00

Calexico: Alone Again Or.

As soon as I heard this song it felt like an absolutely-timeless-never-get-sick-of-it-classic-rock-tune (kind of like For What its Worth or The Weight), but I'd just never heard it before?

It's actually a straight cover of a Love song. Buy Forever Changes on Amazon.

Dylan photos

2005-12-17T00:08:00.000+13:00

Thought i would just interrupt the top 5 songs countdown with these fine Dylan photos I stumbled across on a spanish blog...

With Patti Smith - I don't know if I'm totally convinced this is him, but it sure could be... and besides when have you ever seen a photo of bob looking so damn happy and... innocent?

'63 NYC coffeehouse

sliding in at number three

2005-12-16T22:53:00.000+13:00

Number 3

The Mother Truckers: Put the Gun Down.

Thanks to Peter and Steve for dragging my ass out to the Hole in the Wall on a Tuesday night to see this band! They ROCK! (...and twang).

Check out their site and buy their rekkid - its got plenty more....

Number 4

2005-12-16T22:46:00.000+13:00

Burke Ingraffia: Independence, Louisiana

Obscenely talented good friend of my good friend Steve. This song is an extremely beautiful folk-tinged ballad with a classical bridge.

Burke is not signed to a label but releases his own CDs.

Visit his site and buy a copy of this folky, funky and jazzy album: Independence, Louisiana.

If this world was right: Willie Nelson is sitting at home right now, blowing a j and surfin the interweb, he stumbles on my blog and downloads this track. The tune knocks him on his ass! he tracks down Burke, records this song, it becomes a number 1 crossover hit all around the world (which it so would be - are you listening Willie?), and Burke gets to retire to somewhere nice and write loads more beautiful songs for us all - just for kicks.

top 5 of '05

2005-12-16T22:38:00.000+13:00

Everywhere you look at the moment someone's compiling a best of list... so here's mine. The best 5 songs I heard this year (but not necessarily released this year).

At number 5:
Modest Mouse: Float On. Indie pop favs wouldn't normally be my thing but I found this tune, and most of the album "Good news for people who like bad news", pretty damn infectious.

Buy Good news for people who like bad news at Amazon.

very sad news...

2005-11-25T12:40:00.000+13:00

Just read on the Ickmusic blog that Chris Whitley has passed away from Lung Cancer. He was only 45.

He always seemed to be a hugely misunderstood artist. He debuted with one of the all-time great Alt-Country, Southern Gothic, Americana yada yada... albums: Living with the Law. His followup was the noisy, but not very listenable: Din of Ecstasy. As a result of this album, the music press and most listeners seemed to write him off as too unpredictable and seemed to disregard everything else he did. Kinda dumb really because the next album Terra Incognito was superb and although it had some crunchy stuff, it was a very fine rootsy record (a reviewer on Amazon described it quite well as "Robert Johnson and the Spiders from Mars") . He also released Dirt Floor a couple of years later which was even more stunningly-acousticy-bluesy than his debut - but to little or no attention.

A couple more records have followed in the last few years that I haven't kept up with, but 3 out the 4 records I mentioned above are indespensible (and each is unique) in my stack of cds.

I was lucky enough to see him play live 6 or 7 years ago at Antones in Austin. He was support for Warren Zevon and was the highlight for me that night. Playing solo, he was laying down huge sheets of sound with his guitar and vocals, delivered some of my favourite songs and a great show.

I've included a song from Dirt Floor: Wild Country - Chris Whitley.

Buy Living with the Law or Terra Incognito or Dirt Floor at Amazon.

Read the notice from his daughter and his brother on Chris's site.

The obituary on Rolling Stone.com.

You Know Yer Indie

2005-11-15T17:56:00.000+13:00

Found this on meryn cadell's journal... this is my result:

You're an Indie Pop Kid. You like songs about
relationships and the prettiness of nature.
You're sentimental, but not certainly not emo.
Oh, and if you aren't an English Major, you
should be.

You Know Yer Indie. Let's Sub-Categorize.
brought to you by Quizilla

ok, you got me.

GRIT

2005-11-03T23:33:00.000+13:00

I always wanted a tattoo - especially one as cool as "GRIT" ... but damn it if the girly Strawberry Margarita doesn't blow my look.

The 3 Meat Plate, Artz BBQ, South Austin

2005-11-03T23:26:00.000+13:00

The question I get asked a lot... well often enough so that I would comment on it is: "Texas BBQ?"

Well in this case Texas BBQ is from left to right:
Coleslaw, Bread, Potato Salad, Beans, BBQ Sauce, Baby Back Pork Ribs, Elgin Sausage, Brisket.

Oooooweeee!

The Dolphin Pool, The Shedd Aquarium, Chicago

2005-11-03T23:24:00.000+13:00

cool blue

Disc Golf with Steve: Zilker Park, Austin Texas

2005-11-03T23:17:00.000+13:00

A couple of athletes, obviously in peak condition.

"Three for me... right?"

Views from the John Hancock Building, Chicago

2005-11-03T23:11:00.000+13:00

Out the window views from The Signature Lounge bar on the 96th floor of the John Hancock Building (Chicago's 2nd tallest building). sure was pretty.

Chicago Buildings

2005-11-03T23:07:00.000+13:00

The Sears Tower - Chicago's tallest.

Windows

The Bean: Millenium Park, Chicago

2005-11-03T22:59:00.000+13:00

Me and the end of The Bean.

Us off The Bean.

Me the Missus and the Mouse

2005-11-03T22:55:00.000+13:00

We're Back!!!

2005-10-30T20:41:00.000+13:00

Had a very cool holiday. Austin went by in a blur, way too fast to put a blog update together. I even managed to get 4 hours sleep on the way home - not bad for 20-something hours of travel time. Cheers to my buddy Steve for the Tylenol recommendation and also for looking after us so damn well while we were in town!

Just been looking round the room for something to sell before the credit card bill gets in...

Saw a few bands while we were away - they ran a little like this:

Kelly Hogan @ Schubas, Chicago "10/10": even better live than I hoped she was going to be. Beautiful voice, great song selection. Even the missus came away a fan!

The Kings of Leon @ Stubbs, Austin "4/10": confirmed my theory that industry proclaimed "hot thangs" are usually pretty suck. Tickets gratis courtesy of Steve.

The Mother Truckers @ The Hole in the Wall "10/10": playing for tips to about 8 people but just the most energetic and wild honky-tonk guitar rocking twang. So good Adrienne bought the CD.

Keller Williams @ Stubbs, Austin "7/10": precociously talented one man band ie plays a bass riff - loops it, a drum part - loops it, electric guitar you guessed it… loops it etc until he has the band set up then plays long jammy pieces with his acoustic before breaking into song. I don’t normally have much patience for Jam bands but this guy was like a very smiley bouncy hobbit all over the stage – lotsa fun. Some fun covers too: Quinn the Eskimo, Pancho and Lefty, Redemption Song, the Joker all tricked out and very different – good night out that. Cheers again to the ever-"connected" Steve for the free entry and the VIP balcony view.

--------------------------------------------------------

Holiday snaps to follow soon...

--------------------------------------------------------

Also as promised - Travelogue of Tunes: part 2

Dublin Blues - Guy Clark (right click and "save as")

Guy Clark is the other half of the Texas Singer-Songwriter royalty that arrived fully formed in the mid 70's with his pard'ner Townes Van Zandt. This is a great great song about... well about feeling shitty in Dublin I guess, but it starts with a very cool line that goes something like "I wish I was in Austin, in the Chilli Parlor Bar, drinking MadDog Margaritas and not caring where you are..." 'nuff said.

Buy Dublin Blues on Amazon or Real Groovy. Check out Guy's site.

Still more from Chicago...

2005-10-17T09:21:00.000+13:00

Sounds like we missed one of the great League tests - go you Kiwi's!!

Chicago's still pretty cool, Adrienne's at her last full day of conference today (she's only heading for the morning session to deliver her presentation tommorow). She's come down with a bit of a cold which was either aircon on the plan or in the hotel room, but hopefully she'll be getting better over the next day or two. I'm gonna need to make sure she rugs up when we head out onto the river tonite on a skyline boat cruise put on by the conference.

I've had a pretty good couple of days at the Art Institute and on an Architectural bus tour. Saw Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House very cool and lots of stunning Mies Van De Rohe buildings - Mies is the man!

The weather is still unseasonably stunning - tho getting a little chilly in the shade, I think its getting ready to turn - but should last until we fly out to Austin on Tuesday morning.

Looking forward to getting into Texas, losing the big city vibe and chilling a little more. The texas leg is the hopefully gonna be the relaxing part of the trip.

Later
Ian

Trip update...

2005-10-14T07:52:00.000+13:00

Had the hell flight over - felt like death when we finally arrived.

LA was fun and the weather was nice - even D'land was worth a look - nice.

Arrived in Chicago last nite. Had a little wander around this morning even the few blocks of what we've seen so far is pretty amazing. Beautiful looking city! - I'd never thought hi-rises and big buildings could look so good. So far we's very impressed with Chicago!

I'm heading off to the Institute of Art this pm.

See ya!
Ian

Travelogue of Tunes: Part 1

2005-09-27T23:17:00.000+12:00

Most friends and family here in NZ know this already, but I should make the announcement for those of you reading from foreign shores... We're off on holiday to the States!

We fly out 10 Oct: spend 2 nites in LA LA land - including 1 day at the happiest place on earth, no not Tijuana... Disneyland, OK. Then 6 nites in Chicago and 6 nites in Austin!

Lucky lucky lucky us. My darling wife is attending a Nursing conference in Chicago and her bum of a husband gets to tag along and hang in Chicago, and then, and then, and then... after conference we're heading back to The LIve Music Capital of the World: Austin, Tejas. YeahYeah!

So in celebration I'm going to hook you up with a travelogue of tunes, starting today with:

Oh! Chicago - The Yayhoos: (right click and "save as")
The Yayhoos are a side project for: Dan Baird, former lead-singer and guitarist for the Georgia Satellites and Eric "Roscoe" Ambel, Steve Earle's Dukes lead guitarist.

This one's title kinda says it all, so the reference doesn't need much explaining, but... I challenge you to name another song this year that out-riffs this churning ode to Chi-town (and Cindi), seriously?!

Check out the Yayhoos on the Boodshot Records site and buy their CD Fear not the Obvious from Amazon.

PS - I didn't get this up as quick as i was hoping so the other travalogue tunes may have to follow when we get back. But stay tuned cause they are goodies and... they match the cities we're going to! (crazy huh?)

You never know, I may even get an internet cafe update in?
Later...

Fresh Freddy

2005-08-29T23:13:00.000+12:00

I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal labotomy...

2005-08-13T00:38:00.000+12:00

(Just so nobody thinks i'm playing favourites...)

My other nephew, John. Just about to finish study after many hard years of paying his dues in Dunedin and now Welly. Woohoo!

Please note: Photos of Laura and my other 23 nieces and nephews, may or may not follow.

Its Twofer errr... Friday

2005-08-12T21:54:00.000+12:00

Ok, time for some new sounds - hope you all enjoyed the little splash of Meryn?

After a quick dig around the mp3s I came across these two: a Jimmy Reed classic that twangs, and just to prove I’m no one trick pony; a little light and groovy reggae.

So… as recommended by my buddy Steve from Austin a few years ago, one of his favourite bands around town at that time was The Weary Boys. Finally got hold of their debut and yeah, Steve was right, these guys tear it up.

Followed by some Delroy Wilson, the Cool Operator. I first heard of Delroy being name-checked by the Clash on “(White Man) In Hammersmith Palais” many years ago. This track is as perfect a piece of soulful 70’s reggae as you are likely to hear. This is from a $9.95 Music Club (MCI) compilation "Cool Operator: 19 Classic Tracks” that floated around the bargin bins 6 or 7 years ago - but seems to be a little tricky to find right now. If you do see it, snap it up as it's got 18 more tracks as sublime as this one.

The Weary Boys – Runnin Hidin

Delroy Wilson – Cool Operator

(you know what to do… right click and "save as")

Check out the Weary Boys website here and read some more about the late great Delroy here.

100 percent acrylic...

2005-06-20T21:58:00.000+12:00

i stumbled onto Meryn Cadell's online journal a couple of weeks ago and it got me to reminiscing about how much I loved this "happy, arty, funny, sad and downright pretty" cd around 10+ years ago when it first came out.

bfm started playing the single The Sweater and I was totally hooked. i remember seeing karen hay playing the video for it one night on Radio with Pictures and I was convinced that it was only a matter of moments before the song and Meryn became ABSOLUTELY HUGE!!!

but... as the world (more often then not) just doesn't get it... they didn't get it (not including myfriendben who was always guaranteed to get it).

so anywho, buy this cd - amazon has it. (oh and bookmark the journal cause she's still just as interesting...)

The Sweater (right click and "save as")

Gleny!

2005-05-15T12:47:00.000+12:00

My nephew Glen, currently studying Film at university in Wellington.

awww... he's all growed up!

Coming soon...

2005-04-20T23:32:00.000+12:00

MP3's to download!

I've been spending a lot of (ok... too much) time checking out MP3 blogs of late and they have inspired me to have a go in this space.

I think I've sorted how to get this to happen, so I just need to set aside some time for the techy stuff and then... sho'nuff, we'll have some songs for you to download, appreciate and maybe even go out and buy?

But until then check out these MP3 blogs:

DVD Review #01 - Heartworn Highways

2005-03-25T21:31:00.000+12:00

Obscure but essential music documentary from the 70s, featuring the cream of the Texas singer-songwriter set. Filmed in low key surroundings (including small clubs, recording studios, pickin' parties around kitchen tables) in around Nashville are: Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, Steve Earle, Steve Young and loads more...

The film itself is sensational but the extras contain some amazing footage saved (thankfully!) from the cutting room floor: Townes in his cabin nailing "Pancho and Lefty", some skinny 19 year old kid that nobody had heard of called Steve Earle blowing everyone away with "Mercenary Song" and an amazingly never-released stunner called "Darling Commit Me".

The only miss-step is 5 minutes of pointless auditorium redneck rock from Charlie Daniels. But the other 150 minutes of never-before-seen footage of some true legends in their prime, more then makes up for it. This movie is an extremely strong 18/20.

I picked up Heartworn Highways (eventually) at Real Groovy.

But discovered it at Amazon (and hey, the exchange rate is still pretty good) .

Separated at birth?

2005-03-12T17:11:00.000+13:00

On the Left: Frodo Baggins - melodramatic Hobbit.
On the Right: Hamish Marshall - NZ Cricket's latest Test Century maker.

Go Frodo!!!

Movie Review #04 - Sideways

2005-03-12T15:59:00.000+13:00

8/10 - Very nice little movie this. Paul Giamatti was a superb walking-open-wound of a man, Thomas Haden Church was his likeably irritating buddy. Virginia Madsen and Sandra Oh got to play real (and hot) women. Lots of clever setups and some very funny dialogue.

I found the plot remarkably similar to one of my all time favourite movies: post-breakup guy and cocky best friend hang out and have adventures, with the best friend trying to help the post-breakup guy snap out of it. Movie finishes with cocky friend ending up looking a little pathetic and post-breakup guy getting the girl. Very much a 40-something Swingers (see below).

2005-03-10T23:48:00.000+13:00

Michael is he cute? Invite him in if he's cute...

Other Blog Places

2005-02-10T21:21:00.001+13:00

Some other (better) blogs I've found lately:

Trout Fishing in South Central Wisconsin:
Great graphics and cartoons and evaluation copies (knowwotImean?) of a nicely eclectic array of songs.

Public Address:
New Zealand community weblog. Thoughts and opinions from some of our more informed and interesting journalists.

2005-01-12T21:38:00.000+13:00

Out and about in Melbourne - December 2004

2005-01-12T21:25:00.000+13:00

Pretty Melbourne Aggies

2005-01-12T21:21:00.000+13:00

Park Curvy

Gigs

2005-01-09T22:42:00.000+13:00

Have been spoilt a little for live music of late...

Gillian Welch and David Rawlings (November 18 Auckland):
Amazing show!! Saw them live 5 or 6 years ago for an Austin City Limits taping and they were very nervous with a small but impressive song catalogue. Now seasoned and very charismatic performers with a large and impressive song catalogue! David's guitar was stellar and Gillian's songs sublime.
Excellent nite: 12 out of a possible 13.

Bonnie Prince Billy (September 10 Auckland):
An intimate and passionate performance. Lots of moving songs about death and incest. Small sweaty packed club swaying and rocking. Instant convert.
STRONG NINE out of ten.

RoundEmUp!...

2005-01-09T22:21:00.000+13:00

Merry Christmas and Happy 2005!!

Just got time for a quick round up of the good things and bad things that have come my way over the past couple months, since the last blog...

Good:

Lost in Translation - fine movie, I thought it lived up to the hype nicely.
The Incredibles - Ok movie, but didn't quite match the hype, but still worthwhile.
Steve Earle Live in Austin DVD - excellent concert flick
Christmas holidays - 2 weeks of em!!

Bad

Not too much that's bad of late - so no need to start complaining. Wait wait I knew there was something:

Auckland's rainy/cloudy summer. We've seen a grand total of 4 days sun in the last 5-6 weeks!!
Christmas holidays - now officially over!!

Photos to follow soon.

Later...

Good Work George and Tony...

2004-10-31T06:17:00.000+13:00

Something to reflect on as we head into our free and peaceful weekend:

“The first scientific study of the human cost of the Iraq war suggests that at least 100,000 civilians have lost their lives since their country was invaded in March 2003. More than half of those who died were women and children killed in air strikes, researchers say. Previous estimates have put the Iraqi death toll at around 10,000 - ten times the 1,000 members of the British, American and multi-national forces who have died so far. But the study, published in The Lancet, suggested that Iraqi casualties could be as much as 100 times the coalition losses.” NZ Herald 29/10/04

George and Tony - Keeping the world safe from Terrorism!

CD Review #02: Iron and Wine - Our endless numbered days

2004-10-18T22:32:00.000+13:00

Have been listening to the new Iron and Wine cd again and again… have come to love it very much. I'm a sucker for that folky (but not too twee) stuff: Nick Drake, John Martyn, Scud Mountain Boys: “Massachusetts”, Beautiful South, Belle and Sebastian...

This is as pretty and as perfectly formed
as this kind of music gets.
21 out of a possible 22.

Rosey Fiery Cross

2004-10-18T22:23:00.000+13:00

CD Review #01: Bonnie Prince Billy: Bonnie Prince Billy Sings Greatest Palace Music

2004-10-18T22:12:00.000+13:00

Now this gets me mad and then I start to rant... but here goes:

Great songs + Great arrangements = Great CD !!?

Well you would think so, but anybody reading the hip and dark "oh-no-anything-but-country!" indie/alternative reviewers would think the backing here was Shania or Garth's band. When instead this is actually a very tasty steel guitar straight country sound. Although I can appreciate the lo-fi brilliance of "I See a Darkness" etc, this album just puts his already stunning country-folk songs in a straight country (not “New” Country you dickheads!) setting. Hell, I love straight country! (oops - forgot to finish with a hat waving "YEAH!"). Damn this is a fine CD!

4.5 out of 5

Movie Review #03 - The Bourne Supremacy

2004-09-23T15:54:00.000+12:00

4.5 out of 5: Thoroughly enjoyed the Bourne Supremacy last nite - extremely cool taut-tense-action-thriller. Makes you long for the retirement of those flabby pointless Bond and MI franchises. The kiwi supports were surprisingly good too: "Bourne, he is dead?" "Dah meight"

Movie Review #02: Mystic River

2004-09-21T08:45:00.000+12:00

Hmmmm maybe 3 out of 5. Sean Penn doing his well respected but repetitive Intense-Sean-Penn-Thang. Tim Robbins was pretty good, but the whole thing seemed a little spoiled by a kind of weird "Gangs of New York" type ending, totally throwing the naturalistic vibe of the rest of the film.

Welcome Home Tids...

2004-09-06T22:42:00.000+12:00

Our girlcat Tiddles has returned home! After running away from the new house 11 weeks ago, we had just about given up any hope of seeing her again. Needless to say she is going to be an "inside" cat for the next few weeks.

Majestic Queenstown

2004-09-06T22:33:00.000+12:00

We've just got back from a weekend in Queenstown...our own little piece of the Swiss Alps right here in NZ. If / when you visit, this place is a must see!

my beanie baby...

2004-09-06T22:29:00.000+12:00

Queenstown NZ 04sept04

Reasons Why I Love Austin # 01

2004-08-15T22:24:00.000+12:00

My buddy Doug from Austin sent me a link to the Austin City Limits Festival on in September: ACL Festival

If me and my baby lived in Austin, we would be seeing the following, all in one weekend!
Solomon Burke
Ryan Adams
Toots and the Maytals
Los Lonely Boys
The Pixies
Modest Mouse
Elvis Costello
Wilco
Calexico

God Bless America...