What I’m Listening To These Days

We went to see The Blind Boys of Alabama with John Hammond at the Carpenter Center tonight. Much to our surprise our seats were the front row–we could touch the stage. John Hammond opened and he’s a very talented guitar player. He also played the harmonica and I don’t know if it is because we were right there or what but I wish he hadn’t played the harmonica. It looked like he was eating the thing. The better half thought the sound/playing was off…it was a little too visceral for me.

The Blind Boys, however, rocked. They were outstanding. Jimmy Carter is the smallest and most delicate man but with a huge voice. He brought the house down or up–everyone was standing–he came off the stage and whipped everyone into a frenzy. I had no idea old men singing gospel could be so terrific.

Here’s what else is going on musically…

Here’s a decent article on The Thorns (my new boyfriends). I am really enjoying the album and, if it is possible, I’m trying to wear a hole in the CD. There’s even a Jayhawks cover–what could be better?

Something else I’ve been listening to is the new Lucinda Williams CD World without Tears. She rocks. I really love “Righteously”, but I also find myself drawn to “Sweet Side” and “Real Live Bleeding Fingers and Broken Guitar Strings” (that’s a mouthful). The other night I pulled into the driveway and refused to get out of the car until “Essence” was finished (from her Essence album). What’s a girl supposed to do? Jump out of the car instead of finishing singing (even if it is poorly) at the top of her lungs-doubtful.

The better half’s friend gave him a copy of Nick Drake’s Pink Moon and that is wonderfully haunting and what a shame that he offed himself shortly after recording….of course that was years and years ago so I shouldn’t start wearing the black now.

Hem-Rabbit Songs is another CD that I recommend. I really seem to be on an introspective/mellow listening track these days. Probably because I didn’t get A3′s La Peste for my birthday. I love that song “Too Sick to Pray”. And, there really is no excuse for me not running to the store for it.

We’re scheduled to see Buddy Guy and Los Lobos next Friday at Wolf Trap. Yes, we drive to Northern Virginia for shows. We’ve already bought tickets for the Tracy Chapman/Joseph Arthur show there in July. The Indigo Girls are appearing there in August and we may go to that show as well. Have I mentioned that there aren’t that many outdoor concerts in Richmond? What do we expect–radio stinks in this town and so does the city’s mindset on anything that may draw people to downtown, this in spite of the huge new convention center. One day I’ll be installing Satellite Radio in my car, I’m sure. We already listen to Music Choice constantly at home and that introduces us to tons of songs we’d never hear on regular radio. So, until the installation of Satellite Radio, the radio will be on the local NPR station and the CD player will be spinning.