Entries Tagged 'Music & Books' ↓

Prairie Roots…

I stumbled across Leeroy Stagger, a songwriter from Saskatoon Canada in 2006. He’s great. I also discovered an interesting scene there with other artists like Five Star Homeless, The Deep Dark Woods, and The Cracker Cats to name a few. Their local genre is described as Prairie Roots, a blend of Rockabilly, Honkytonk, Roots, Country, and North Americana.
Here’s a sample, enjoy…

Five Star Homeless-

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=103444665

The Deep Dark Woods-

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=34558309

Cracker Cats-

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=40295886

& LeeRoy Stagger-

http://www.myspace.com/leeroystagger

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If you missed it, check out the last post that was sent to me by a friend. It’s about a community bike shop in North Philly-tj

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Stage 17; 08/02/2008 Dark Regions Ride…

This week we’re going to do a flat ride with a couple of twists We’re going the increasingly popular area between Coxton, Newton, and Ransom to ride through a beautiful, densely wooded road with about 1 ¼ miles of unpaved surface, and then return on some familiar ground.

I know the bridge entering Coxton claims to be out for a month. It’s OK. Checked on it 07/31 and is OK. 40.7 miles. Shorter options on this route too…

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/pa/wilkes-barre/465938173800

A Fan You May not Always Recognize…

It’s Tour de France time. Naturally you would expect nearly every riding enthusiast who stops by a bike shop during the race to share who their favorite rider is, or to ask a question about tactics or equipment.

Increasingly though, we meet up people who are not the classic riding enthusiast but have become a fan of the Tour de France. They may casually ride a bike. They may not ride a bike at all, but they love the 3 week long French production which is the Tour de France. It has become a ritual for them and they love it as much as a cyclist who rides 150 miles or more each week. And their conversations are interesting. They’ll share a story like having been stationed in France with the US Army, or marveling over the lush French countryside, or mimicking Brit Phil Liggett’s unique stylings of the days’ events. For many it is their ‘Arm Chair’ vacation!

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So, So Talented; Fionn Regan…

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=13833092

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Mocanaqua
In 1778, a young Frances Slocum was kidnapped by Delaware Indians from her home near Forty Fort. Raised with the customs and language of the Delaware, Slocum was renamed “Mocanaqua,” meaning “little bear,” and later married a chief of the Miami tribe. For 59 years her brothers searched for her, only to find her in 1837. By that time she was so accustomed to the Indian way of life she found her brothers’ way of life odd.

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Nothing New Just Tried and True…

Here are the Directions for This Week’s SMR…

The Saturday Morning Ride is headed south this week. Join us as both courses wind their way down the W. Kirmar Parkway to Vandermark St.
The shorter ride will continue through Newport, and into Nanticoke. We’ll cross the river, head north on Rt.11, and return to the city.

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/pa/wilkes-barre/430129424

Shorter Ride; 26.37 miles

The longer option will continue down lower Middle Rd. through Glen Lyon, Glen Lea, Mocanaqua, cross river @ Shickshinny, and return to city on Rt. 11

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/pa/wilkes-barre/954538117819

Long Ride; 38.18 miles

Two Cool for You to Consider…
Let me tell you about two separate artists who are well, just cool. I’ve been listening to some form of music from Brit Paul Weller and Canadian Daniel Lanois for years. I’m kind of like a patron to their musical experimentation and always look forward to the next destination to which the sound will take me to.

I first started listening to Weller when he was the frontman for The Jam, a power pop trio that symbolised the English Mod movement. Mod music was sort of a bridge from late 70’s Punk spilling into 80’s New Wave. Paul abruptly ended the Jam to develop an entirely different smooth sound with The Style Council. He continues today as a solo performer. 22 Dreams, his latest album dropped this week.

I’ve included a link to a reissue of one of hist best works, 1993’s Wild Wood…
http://216.69.135.140/MP3Players/Weller/WildWood/Wimpy.html

Daniel Lanois, (Lan-wa) is best known for his successful association with U2 as one of the producers of The Unforgettable Fire, The Joshua Tree, and others.
Lanois’ own music is ambient, sparse, complex, full. His latest, here is what is, is presented as a collection of sound and dialog. I’ve included Daniel’s Cool Water live recording of The Maker from 1993 here, http://redfloorrecords.com/CoolWater.htm

Two things about the totally hip Weller and Lanois. Both are revered in their own countries yet relatively unknown in the ‘States and rarely perform.

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“Smart, intrepid, unreadable-”
CNN senior political analyst Candy Crowley on Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton

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SMR Stage 9: (06/07/2008); We’ll Take You to Higher Ground…
7:30 AM Start time!

OK, for those who have been wondering, the wait is over. This week we hit the hills. We’ll cover the West-side, then give Oberdorfer a shot, the legendary NAIL and then have some options from there before returning to the city.

Here are the directions for this week’s SMR…
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/pa/plains/474700220172

The Revolution has Begun…
Locally, people are beginning to look to bicycles and public buses as an alternative form of transportation. To make this a reality, better consideration has to be given to our local transportation infrastructure. Safe streets and paths designed with commuting in mind, along with racks for bikes on our buses are just a few things that would decrease short-distance trips in a car. So, next time you consider making a short trip into work, or the market, or to visit a friend, ask yourself, ” Couldn’t I be doing this on my bike?”

Congratulations to our 2008 Cycling Graduates!
Ryan Duddy, Andrew Judge, Eric Thatcher, Oliver Williams, and Jason Young.

Digi-folk Paradists; The Flight of the Conchords…
HBO’ s outrageously funny The Flight of the Conchords has been a nearly 10 year odd-yssey that has taken the pair of Kiwi songsters from Wellington, NZ to Australia, to London and the BBC, and finally to America.
The storyline is simple, just a couple of blokes trying to make it in New York. The episodes are funny, the music is solid, and the lyrics are quite clever. Along the way the Conchords manage to spoof many genres and musicians like Prince, Marvin Gaye, Pet Shop Boys, Marc Bolen, with one episode and song about a pretty freaky David Bowie.

Here Singing Foux de Fa Fa, The 4th most popular folk parody duo in New Zealand, Jermaine Clement and Bret McKenzie, The Flight of the Conchords…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUVagbFcSUU

SMR Stage 7: 05/24/2008; Two Ride Options This Week…

This the last week for an 8:00am Start. Beginning Saturday May 31st, SMR rides will begin at 7:30am.

Here are the directions for this week’s SMR…

The Saturday Morning Ride is headed south this week. Join us as both courses wind their way down the W. Kirmar Parkway to Vandermark St.

The shorter ride will continue through Newport, and into Nanticoke. We’ll cross the river, head north on Rt.11, and return to the city.
Shorter Ride; 26.37 miles
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/pa/wilkes-barre/430129424

The longer option will continue down lower Middle Rd. through Glen Lyon, Glen Lea, Mocanaqua, cross river @ Shickshinny, and return to city on Rt. 11
Long Ride; 38.18 miles
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/pa/wilkes-barre/954538117819

Mark your calendar for a special night of Bluegrass music at the Mauch Chunk Opera House in Jim Thorpe next Saturday May 24th. The Punch Brothers will perform featuring Chris Thile, formally of Nickel Creek, along with a group of extraordinary accompanying musicians. Show starts at 8:30pm.

Will the reader please to cast his eye over the following lines, and see if he can discover anything harmful in them?
Conductor, when you receive a fare,
Punch in the presence of the passenjare!
A blue trip slip for an eight-cent fare,
A buff trip slip for a six-cent fare,
A pink trip slip for a three-cent fare,
Punch in the presence of the passenjare!

-Excerpt from a Mark Twain short story “Punch, Brothers, Punch”

Interesting Giro d’Italia Tidbits…

My favorite Grand Tour is the Giro d’ Italia which runs this year from May 10th until June 1st. So far we’ve see an American leader in Christian Vande Velde, a spill which has sidelined Christian’s team mate, David Zabriskie, and the last minute inclusion of a stacked Astana squadra.

The beautiful Italian countryside, the mountain passes which can challenge rider’s with wintry conditions, and the Tifosi make the Giro an awesome event . (Tifosi is a word somewhat exclusive to the Italians loosely translated as a fanatical sports supportor, or super-fan).

Here are some things to know if you intend to join the Giro’s Tifosi…

• The Maglia Rosa, or pink leader’s jersey is pink because Italy’s main sporting newspaper, La Gazzetta dello Sport, the originator of the Giro, prints its newspaper on pink paper stock.

• In 1924, Giro organizer’s allowed a woman, Alfonsia Morini Strada, to compete which caused a sensation in Italy. Alfonsia completed that year’s Giro defeating two men. Ironically, Strada, Alfonsia’s last name, means Road in Italian.

• American Andy Hampsten won the Giro in blizzard conditions in 1988. (Andy’s 1988 signed 7-11 jersey will be on display @ A-Town after the ride).

• The greatest Giro winner’s are Alfredo Binda, Fausto Coppi, & of course Eddy Merckx. In his day, (1926-1929) Alfredo Binda was so daunting that the Giro organizers asked that he not compete in the 1930 edition of the great race. Binda was paid the same amount as the eventual winner’s first place winnings to sit the race out.

SMR Stage 6: 05/17/2008 Coxton River Loop w/return…

We’ll first head North along the river to West Pittston, cross the Susquehanna to Pittston. The group then turn left off Rt.11, and complete the Coxton-Ransom loop. The ride will return via Susquehanna Ave. and back to the city via the Wyoming Valley Levee-Trail System.
We need to keep it moving on this route, a flat 34.99 miles. There will be longer options for those interested.
Here are the directions for this week’s SMR…
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/pa/plains/707810876631
Start time; 8:00am sharp!

Unity is Strength. Knowledge is Power. Attitude is Everything.
Join us on Saturday May 10th as we join the LIVESTRONG Army with a ride that day to raise awareness and funds for the fight against cancer.
Donations to the Lance Armstrong Foundation are appreciated but not required. All participants are encouraged to wear something yellow.
LIVESTRONG wristbands will be given out as long as supplies last.

Piano Jazz; Marian McPartland with Elvis Costello…
I received a brown envelope from a friend last week. Neatly tucked inside of it were three CD’s. One was of an artist that I’ve been listening alot to. The second was a duplicate which means that we have similar tastes. The third was unexpected and most appreciated.

NPR’s Piano Jazz, hosted by Marian McPartland is something I enjoy. Marian’s interview style is easy, and her ability to accompany a singer or to still play a duet at 90 years old, in incredible.
This recording with her guest Elvis Costello is special. You may not necessarily think of Costello as the stately troubadour which he has become. As you listen to him explain his influences, (his father was part of a Big-Band) you begin to understand his character. As Elvis (real name Declan McManus) has aged, he is better able to interpret many of his own songs which he wrote 20-30 years ago.
Some of his standards done with McPartland are My Funny Valentine and Almost Blue. He performs Gloomy Sunday alone on acoustic guitar- A+

Title; Piano Jazz: McPartland/Costello (Jazz Alliance label)
Recorded for: NPR series, Piano Jazz -2003
US Release: 12 July 2005

Hear Piano Jazz Sunday’s on WVIA @ 7:00pm
http://www.npr.org/templates/rundowns/rundown.php?prgId=24&agg=1

SMR Stage 4: 05/03/2008; W-B to Rt.92 Boat launch w/return…

We’re headed for a cruise up along the river on Rt. 92 this week. The main group will go as far as the the boat launch with return. Option to hit hills or ride up to Falls too. 29.35 miles.

Here are the directions for this week’s SMR…     Start time; 8:00am sharp!

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/pa/wilkes-barre/394033178

The ride has been listed on Map My Ride.com. Use this link, then go to notes for a ride cue sheet. There are several other interesting options like ride elevation. Tell us what you think-tj

Springtime Waffle Sandwich; Devolder & Boonen…

The Belgian tandem of Stijn Devolder and former World Champion Tom Boonen from team Quickstep have been raging this spring.

Devolder, formally of team Discovery, prevailed with a stunning solo ride with 25km (15.5mi) remaining to clinch a prestigious win at the Tour of Flanders. The pair rode a tactically perfect race challenging America’s chosen classics’ rider, George Hincapie.

Boonen then went on the following week to win over formidable spring classic rivals Fabian Cancellara and Alessandro Ballan at Paris-Roubaix. The race finished with the three riders entering the Roubaix Velodrome after 295.5km (183.6mi.) to contest the exciting finish.

Oops!

In a somewhat embarrassing moment in front of his countryman at Wednesday’s Scheldeprijs Vlaanderen, Boonen raises his hands in victory only to realize that team Highroad’s excellent young sprinter, Mark Cavendish, has just swooped in for the win.

SMR Stage 2: 04/19/2008 Ride; Duryea Loop…

New Feature!

We’re headed to Duryea this week. The ride has been listed on Map My Ride.com. Use this link, then go to notes for a ride cue sheet. There are several other interesting options like ride elevation. Tell us what you think-
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/pa/wilkes-barre/350112821

Little Rock’s American Princes will appear next Wednesday April 23^rd at Test Pattern 334 Adams Avenue Scranton. Show starts @ 7:00pm

http://216.69.135.140/MP3Players/AmericanPrinces/OtherPeople/Wimpy2.html

A couple of us saw perhaps the solo acoustic performance of a lifetime last night (8 April), given by Mr. Nick Lowe, at the Sellersville Theater 1894 near Quakertown.

Pitch perfect, effortless expression in his delivery. See him if you get the chance. We listened to a similar set to this one recorded by last year by NPR during the first leg of this tour…

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14324500

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Here’s what the papers have been saying about Nick Lowe lately:

“Peerless.” - The New York Times

“Lowe’s voice and phrasing were fabulous to a revelatory degree … concerts
really don’t get much better than this.” - Washington Post

“Nearly perfect.” - Boston Globe

“Simply one of the best songwriters working right now.” - Boston Herald

“Live concerts don’t come any more bare-bones than Nick Lowe’s solo acoustic set at Club Soda Saturday night. Nor do they come more thrilling.” - The Montreal Gazette

“A master songwriter … Lowe’s genius is in the way he balances a detached sarcasm with a clear-eyed vulnerability.” - The Ann Arbor News

Thank you for making the 2nd Annual Bike Social a success!

I have always appreciated Johnny Cash but never realised what long coattails (literally and figuratively) John Carter’s daddy wore during the 60’s & 70’s until I stumpled upon a DVD with some of the highlights from the Johnny Cash TV Show. This show, which ran from 1969-1971 showcased what would now be referred to as alternative music. Johnny was an innovator and not afraid to take chances like combining greats such as Carl Perkins & Eric Clapton with Johnny and the Tennesee 3, or a young Joni Mitchell performing a duet with ‘the man in black.’

Even more interesting was Ray Charles’ superb rendition of Cash’s own ’Ring of Fire’, and the recreation of a Jimmy Rodgers blues tune with Louis Armstrong himself on trumpet!

Other artists like Bob Dylan, George Jones & Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lynn, Neal Young, and Stevie Wonder give great performances too. 

It’s obvious that Cash’s show broke many barriers and challenged the changing views of society during this turbulent time. This piece easily illustrates the respect and admiration he developed with fellow musicians.

Check this one out if you get the chance-tj.