Was once a podcast with Elwood D. Pennypacker (@oldtimeelwood on the Twitter) that went by the old expression "Punk Isn't Dead, It Just Goes to Bed at a More Reasonable Hour".
Wednesday, June 09, 2010
Norah Jones @ Prospect Park
Norah Jones @ Prospect Park Brooklyn, NY - June 9, 2010
In June 2003, I saw Norah Jones for the first time in a soaking Philadelphia rain. Now, almost 7 years to the day, I see her in full concert for only the second time...and again in a steady, soaking rain. In between these gigs, Norah has done herself pretty well - becoming a music world heavy after her stunning debut record, settling into a popular but not overwhelming rhythm through a few more solo records, some major collaboration (including with some old schmo named Ray Charles), and a couple of side projects dabbling in country and some silly grungey punk-rock for the rock club crowd. Her last major solo record, last year's The Fall, was promised as a "Tom Waits"-y turn from her usual major sellers. Assuming that meant a more sinister hobo-ish facade to her Jazzy blues and country, Norah didn't deliver. But she did make a more modern sounding (and more guitar-based) record while retaining her delicate, sometimes almost too-good-to-be-true sense of what the music is all about.
Polka-dotted and flowered-haired, Norah fittingly kicked off Celebrate Brooklyn's 32nd season at the Band Shell in Prospect Park as a fairly new Brooklyn resident (she can stay, most of these chatty, "look I'm so funny I need to shout something out that I think is witty" yipsters can go, just leave the money). She showed some of that Brooklyn grit by playing most of The Fall (including "Back to Manhattan" which sounded beautiful despite ill-fitting). She ignored Come Away With Me till the very end, playing a sparse version of the Big One, "Don't Know Why", before concluding the set with "Lonestar" and the encore with the first LP title track. "Sunrise", "What Am I To You" and "Creep On In" were trotted out from Feels Like Home, and Not Too Late, a semi letdown that was also too quickly forsaken, wasn't entirely forgotten when Norah played the underrated "Sinkin Soon" which is way more Tom Waits-y than anything on The Fall.
Never content to just do her own work, even after three albums of almost all originals, Norah had her still newly revamped play some Cash ("Cry, Cry, Cry" for the Sun Records lovers) and Neil Young. She spent a lot of time on electric guitar but still looked to old country and the standards for inspiration. Norah is taking little pokes in progress as time goes on but she is still, and always will be, the gem of her generation, the great communicator of a variety of sounds, speaking to the music world on a plain and simple level. Like a Brooklyn girl should.
The Sonic Parthenon Playlist: Rest of the Year 2009
The Antlers I liked this band's music every time I heard it and then immediately did nothing about it. That's all changing right now. Let this band be the one to help usher in the new decade.
Cold Cave The gears have finally turned to me now discounting the buzz on the hipster blogs rather than looking to them for more new sounds. So I snubbed this band. Then I finally gave them a shot just last week. Hey, this is good. And it's not like it's their fault there are too many beards and fake eyeglasses around.
Norah Jones - The Fall The decade-review will attempt to do her more justice but every snob - Indie hipster or rock blues country folk purist alike - can suck a lemon. Before this slightly sonically different album, Norah put out three nearly-pitch perfect LP's. Her choice of singles have always been solid and "Chasing Pirates" passes the muster with flying colors.
And in the bringing it back department Pavement - "Cut Your Hair" It took the entire decade but there turned out to be a single Pavement song in the canon that I like. Just in time for the reunion. Pretenders - "Mystery Achievement" In order to impress a girl (or two), I went to Lilith Fair in 1999 which may not be what immediately comes to mind when someone thinks of what my first ever concert could be. Nevertheless it was. I was glad to go for Sarah Mclachlan whose overall body of work remains some of my favorite singer-songwriter material. I was also glad to see Sheryl Crow when she could still rock. And it was also a show for The Pretenders whom I discounted as another classic rock band. Oh no - Ms. Hynde and the boys put on a real humdinger. And all these years later, I discover their best song.
In one of the biggest media crimes of the decade, Public Radio International has axed Fair Game (I figured something was up when the show was in repeats for way too long on either side of Memorial Day). Read here and here for the details - though interestingly, the cancellation is yet to be acknowledged on the show web site. The podcast is still being updated with old shows and segments.
As it is noted in places on the links, the comedy on the show was mixed at best. All of Faith's cohorts were pretty annoying (the program could feel like a bad imitation of The Daily Show for radio). But Faith herself is/was a fantastic host. Smart, well-informed, asking very pointed, and very substantive questions, especially by public radio standards, she tooks things to a new level. It also helped that she is absolutely cute as a button in every way possible.
As with most good public radio shows, Fair Game provided informative news segments on issues and trends, and it was also a great source for interviews on independent cinema. But most important of all, it was one of the best sources for new Indie music. The bookings were sensational. Even the artists that I personally did not care for, I respected their presence on the show. Except when they ignored my request for the Dirtbombs and kept the CD I sent. But that was under their old music coordinator so who knows.
Just one post after needlessly referring to Norah Jones as El Madmo, the "punk" (but not really) outfit she's playfully in - actually called El Madmo - is going to have its first record released by Conor Oberst. This is not a joke. It seems like a lot of jokes are happening lately (the Flaming Lips' movie finally being shown, 81 dollars for a hamburger in New York) but these are just crazy times.
And who called it back in 2003 when he wanted and got Norah covering AC/DC? Pennypacker, that's who.
El MadmoNoJo (whose run of secret Living Room appearances are probably done forever what with the very public 10th Anniversary celebration) hits Hollywood in the very sketchy-looking My Blueberry Nights, a Wong Kar-wai film that also stars Cat Power, Jude Law, Natalie Portman, and David Strathairn, which made an infamous debut at the Cannes Film Festival last year.
However the movie ultimately turns out to be, and however critics find Norah's acting debut, she's taking it in all stride, like she seems to do with everything that happens to her. What a gal.
Songs: “Mistaken For Strangers”; “Apartment Story”.
Along with Camera Obscura and the Hold Steady, the National dominated 2007. This triumvirate of bands took up, arguably, the most blog time, the most listens, and the most energy. In the case of the National, it was the most blissfully dark. The band’s penchant for salty and raw but nevertheless dramatic lyrics coated in a garden of lush sounds – spanning a line from Joy Division to Bruce Springsteen – makes them a true standout. The boys are a thinking band, a thoughtful band, a deliberative band but also a no frills, unfiltered, savage excursion into base feelings about the bleak state of the world, the urges of human behavior, and maybe even the melancholia of the good things in life. In addition to having one of the records of the year and two of the best singles of the year (“Apartment Story” should find itself in the Top 10 singles of the decade in a few years) the Brooklyn-by-Cinci boys put on a heck of a show and they even made Terminal 5 sound good on its opening night. "Apartment Story":
“Need Your Needs” by Georgie James Very late in the year, this sugary, peppy, dance-rock single made a big impact on the SP earbuds. Stay tuned for more of it in 2008.
Norah Jones
Record: Not Too Late
Song: “Thinking About You”
Norah’s been long forgotten by the Indie crowd (if she was ever really accepted) but that didn’t stop her from putting out a decent LP that has a lovely title track and a single – “Thinking About You” - that would probably win the old fashioned Best Single by a Female Vocalist award. And that would have been her fourth win in six years.
“North American Scum” by LCD Soundsystem This one is finding it’s way on a lot of year-end best-of lists and for good reason, James Murphy’s production project doubles as a good rock n’ roll band. And best of all: Murphy sounds like he’s singing with a cold.
Okkervil River
Live Show
Record: The Stage Names
Song: “Our Life Is Not Like A Movie But Maybe”
In a great year for band singles, Okkervil’s “Our Life…” rivals the National’s “Apartment Story” for single of the year and also has a best-of-the-decade slot in its future. It is one of the greatest post-break-up analysis songs ever written and Will Sheff sings it with an unmatched passion. The live scene delivers on all the goods – it is truly knee shaking. And oh yeah, The Stage Names is one of the best albums of the year.
Pianos A hell of a year for the Lower East Side venue: The Hard Lessons, the Love Me Nots, and Looker put on excellent shows. And they have a nice, accommodating person working the live space door.
“Postcard to Nina” by Jens Lekman A very sweet, very introverted bit of romantic comedy by Indie darling Lekman. His affable attempt to masquerade as his lesbian friend’s boyfriend in front of her old fashioned family makes for a fun 4 minute romp, aided and abetted by a heavy dose of blue eyed soul in the background. It was quite the year for soul music as led by the ladies mentioned elsewhere and producers like Mark Ronson. But this Swedish single may have trumped them all. Stream
“Radio Nowhere” by Bruce Springsteen Magic was a turkey, sorry. The opening salvo though was the Boss’ best single in 25 years, which made the ensuing LP all the more disappointing when it turned out to be so bad. But it’s always better to have Bruce around than not. He’s Bruce. And you’re not. Video
Jay Reatard
Live Show
Record: Blood Visions
Song: “Blood Visions”
You may notice no account of the Black Lips in this year-end review. Well that’s because everyone else has them covered (and boy have they been put into overkill. Remember when they played every couple months to no one? That was a long time ago). Next up in the garage punk-turned-hipster-cavalcade is Jay Reatard, though unlike the Black Lips, it remains to be seen if he will embrace the hipsters back. Jay is a tough, tough dude. But despite the uninviting atmosphere, he puts on a hell of a show in support of a more than decent punk record. He also sports some damn fine vocals. SPTV at CMJ:
“Rehab” by Amy Winehouse Blah blah blah blah, it’s all about Mark Ronson OK? And the Dap Kings. That’s it. Other than that, she should win an award for Best-Description-Of-My-Pathetic-Life-Turned-Smash-Hit-Single. Whatever. Video
Josh Ritter
Live Show
The Historical Conquests may not have been the totally perfect follow up to Animal Years (Pre-Camera Obscura and Hold Steady, the best album of last year), but Josh can do it live. SPTV Insta-Clip
“Rock N Roll Backlash” by the Woggles The last of the pocket of Little Steven pushed singles, the razzle dazzle nitty gritty Woggles did what they do best: make fun songs. Still best to see them live though. Sample
Rodrigo Y Gabriela by Rodrigo Y Gabriela Another 2006 release but that didn’t stop the duo from packing headlining Roseland at CMJ. Perfect, consistent guitar. Bravo. "Tamacun" live
Carina Round
Live Show
Record: Slow Motion Addict
Songs: “Come To You”, “Stolen Car”
It was a smashing year for British siren Carina Round as she toured in support of her superior follow-up record. “Come To You” and “Stolen Car” are two of the best songs heard this year. And she’s a darling live singer.
Norah Jones @Bryant Park New York, NY - July 6, 2007
Per Good Morning America's free "concert series", Norah did a three song performance in the shadow of the Ghostbusters building (AKA the New York Public Library). As the horror that is morning television prevented the performance from being a true concert, the band sounded fine and maybe the notable news is seeing Norah playing electric guitar for "Come Away With Me". With a Fender around herself, is it possible that this is the first step in Norah's much talked about path to yet another side project, that of the semi-punk Rock n Roll lore of a couple years ago?
