MOTHER'S FINEST

Went to the Mother's Finest concert, and it was packed. Most people I can remember at a Rhythm on the Rooftop event. We were stuck way in the back, near a stinky food caterer and a crowd of cackling concertgoers. I mean, they just wouldn't shut up, trying to outdo the music in their volume. Plus the sound system was not up to the task. We got up and left, but Chimo spied an area with some room closer to the stage and it was much better. In the end I had a really nice time.

DANIEL D.

The skies were cloudy and intermittent drizzle kept falling, and it didn't look promising for the free concert scheduled for Findlay Park, but I felt the pull and Chimo said he would come along, so we grabbed our folding chairs and umbrellas and headed off to enjoy some music. I am so glad we did. Although the crowd was understandably smaller than it usually is, those who came saw the lowcountry represent in a big way. I dare say that it may have been one of, if not the, best concerts I have attended there. All the musicians hailed from Charleston. The opening act was a saxophonist who was pretty good but whose name escapes me now, followed by young guitarist/vocalist Faith Lyn, who did some nice covers and a couple of original pieces, and I really enjoyed them both. But then I was knocked right on my ass. Smooth jazz violinist Daniel D. (Davis) strode to the mike and delivered an awesome performance, opening with a wonderful set of covers of Michael Jackson songs, including an awesome job on "Beat It." Backed by a really good group, the Urban Instrumentalists (I don't know if they were a quickly assembled bunch, but I hope he keeps them together), Daniel played a mix of smooth jazz, pop, and gospel covers that knocked my socks off. I liked every single song, even his rendition of Happy Birthday. In fact, the live performance may have been even better than the studio recording, because the ensemble brought a bit more funkiness to the groove. And his violin was stunningly beautiful, and even more interesting when he pulled it down from his shoulder and played it like a guitar. If you can't tell yet, I really dug this guy's groove and I enthusiastically encourage people to check them out. And I did something I have never done in more than a decade of attending these type of performances...I bought the cd. So that should tell you something. He is on facebook if you want to check him out.

ELLIPSE

For artists, and those interested in the creative process of one musical artist, let me encourage you to watch Everything In-Between: The Story of Ellipse (2010), a documentary following the two-year production of her album Ellipse, covering not only some of the writing, but the construction of her sound studio, the experimentation with sounds, mastering the new equipment, working with other musicians, and many of the numerous struggles that go into composing. She is quite talented, and a bit zany. I have much enjoyed her music, both solo and in Frou Frou. There is somethign to be said for finally letting a project go, because one could tweek and tweek forever. The photography, both by Heap and whatever camera people she employed, as well as whomever out the documentarty together, did a good job of quickly capturing glimpses and propelling the story along to the hectic and tiring final days. They captured what appears to be a very free spirit, and a talented one at that (who apparently plays a wide range of instruments as well as just about anything else she can lay her hands on. For those who have never played music or recorded, it also opens one's eyes to some of what occurs in the long process of producing a song or album. Hard work, inspiration, long hours, willingness to scrap or refine, and so much more.

SOUNDTRACK IN MY HAPPINESS

I just downloaded to a MP3 player about 600 songsnd I tried to assess about 30 songs that were tops in my mind, becasue they touched me, or had some special sound, etc. Of course, the following list is both incomplete and subject to change, but I love these songs and it is a good start. I love so many more, but this will give my friends an idea.

*“A Friend” Winans
*“A Little Sweetness” Nelson Rangell
*“Ain’t No Stopping Us” McFadden & Whitehead
*“Ascension” Maxwell
*“Back Together” Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway
*“Closer” Goapele
*“Fabulous” Jaheim
*”Funkin For Jamaica” Tom Browne
*“Georgie Porgie” Toto
*“I Apologize” Anita Baker
*“I Still Dream” Boney James & Al Jarreau
*“If I Break” Al Jarreau
*“In the Name of Love” Bobby Caldwell & Richard Elliot
*“Iris” Goo Goo Dolls
*“Jamaica Heartbeat” Acoustic Alchemy
*“Just in Case” Jaheim
*“Just Like Music” Erick Sermon
*“Kisses in the Moonlight” George Benson
*“Morris Brown” Outkast
*“Mr. Chow” Acoustic Alchemy
*“Native New Yorker” Odyssey
*“Nights Over Egypt” Jones Girls
*“Nite Life” Ronnie Laws
*“Oh People” Patti Labelle
*“One Night” Earl Klugh
*“Outstanding” Gap Band
*”Paradise” Winans
*“Pretty Wings” Maxwell
*“Somehow Our Love Survives” Joe Sample & Al Jarreau
*“Southern Cross” Crosby, Stills & Nash
*“Stomp” Kirk Franklin
*“What You Won’t Do For Love” Bobby Caldwell
*”When You Cry” Winans
*“When You’ve Been Blessed” Patty Labelle

ODi

The lovely Irish songstress ODi speaks to her adoring new fans after her concert at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Columbia. Bruce, one of her opening acts, stands next to her, while I am (luckily) obscured by Joey, with Chimo stalking in the rear. Taken by Fred. If you get a chance to see her live, do it.

ODi: UNEXPECTED PLEASURE

Every once in a while you take advantage of an unexpected offer, totally unaware of what you will experience, and you wind up being introduced to something really beautiful. Tonight my boys and I had the opportunity to see ODi, a gorgeous talented Irish singer-songwriter touring the South for the last month or so. She, backed by her English friend Dave, delivered a really enjoyable acoustic set, a mix of original pieces and covers that enthralled the audience at Columbia's Unitarian Universalist auditorium. I feel sorry for those people who didn't attend. Strumming their guitars to what felt like a cozy coffee-house crowd, the duo playfully explained their songs and then wound us around their fingers, having no trouble enticing everyone to sing along. They were funny and cute, and even when she forgot lyrics to one cover that they hadn't practiced much, no one cared, because her chorus was sparkling. They had such a nice presence and rapport on stage, an easiness that was enchanting. Her voice is a joy---sharp and strong with a tinge of edginess, yet still soft and inviting---that will easily find a following with folk and country audiences, and crossover pop as well, though at times it felt as if she were holding back. She could easily have overpowered that small crowd, her voice seemed to have untapped strength.

In addition to playing covers of songs by artists such as John Martin, Springsteen, The Beatles, and Pearl Jam, they offered a number of original works that were quite good, polished in fact. And as nice as they were to hear live, her songs are also excellent with studio accompaniment (especially the piano), so go get a copy of Maslow's Songbook or download some songs. You can also experience the very nice "One in a Million," "Leaving My Love in New York," and "Something Beautiful" as well as others online, and I encourage you to do so. My favorite song of the night was "What You Deserve." Also very nice were "Devil's Dance," "You Win But You Lose," and the title piece. There were several other good ones, but can't remember the titles. If she comes to your town, make sure you attend, because you will not be disappointed.

My benefactor this evening (and I thank him very much), Fred Ingram, played the opening set during open mike, and I think it was one of the best I have heard from him, especially in tandem with mandolin-playing Bruce Clark, who also played a few solo pieces. Most of Fred's set I have heard before, but a few new pieces really captured my attention. I definitely liked his "Sonnets" introduction to covering "In Your Eyes." I also enjoyed Bruce's "Karaoke" song.

You can go to ODi's Myspace site at http://us.myspace.com/odimusic
She has a UK site, but the link is not working for me.

ONCE (2006)

Every once in a while a small low-key film, possibly foreign, sneaks into your life and takes your breath away. On this Valentine's Day, another in which I have no significant other, I picked up the Irish movie ONCE (2006), written and directed by John Carney, and was simply blown away, captured by its quiet strength, elegant simplicity, melancholy undertones, and its homage to the pain and inspiration that comes from love, especially that of music. A broken-hearted Irish guitar-playing busker (played beautifully by Glen Hansard) finds attaction and inspiration from a single-mom immigrant Czech (also well acted by Marketa Irglova), and they form a quick partnership that sets both on a new path. The music (and I must get this soundtrack) is startlelingly beautiful and each song seems to be placed aptly in the best spot. So much of this tale is about how potent and communicative lyrics can be for those who want to hear them. The last movie from this part of the world to affect me the same way was the grand BILLY ELLIOT. Both are about following your dreams, finding love in the arts, and perservering. I can't imagine anyone going away from this movie without liking it.

Iranian Music

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLotJZoYF74&feature=player_embedded

NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT PERSIAN CATS

It is no wonder that Bahman Ghobadi’s award-winning (Cannes) and beautiful homage to the underground music scene in Tehran, No One Knows About Persian Cats, was banned from Iranian movie screens. If I were a fundamentalist cleric there, I too would fear the message this wonderful story about two young Iranians seeking to gather a band (Take It Easy Hospital) and obtain visas to play a concert in Europe (if not completely escape the oppression against the arts, and generally live a freer life). Ghobadi lovingly and humorously pokes fun at the truly terrible (and often frightening) realities of police and basij suppression of expression and freedom in Iran. Two scenes stand out: when Nader, the somewhat shifty, unreliable, yet enthusiatic music-lover and “fixer” who wants to be the manager of the group (played well by Hamed Behdad), is grilled by an official censor after thousands of dvds (and some alcohol) are confiscated from his apartment, and he humorously (and successfully) defends his case; and when the two protagonists, played by real-life artists Negar Shaghaghi and Ashkan Koshanejad, are stopped in their car because local thugs want to check the cleanliness of their pet dog (her yelp as the dog is dragged through the window was unnerving and totally convincing). Using a small crew and modern technology, Ghobadi followed the intrepid pair of aspiring musicians as they seek additions to their band. Their aspiring manager takes them to many secret locations—ranging from soundproofed cellars to ramshackle additions on rooftops, dairy barns to open fields—and in the process the viewer is introduced to a startling diversity of musical genres and sounds in the process (jazz, indie rock, heavy metal, traditional, even rap). I will try to buy the soundtrack cd, that's how impressed I was. I was stunned and pleased with the quality and variety of the music (perhaps I should have been embarrassed as well to not have expected there to be so many divergent voices). Since I am not an authority on Iranian music, I suspect some of these performers had some sanctions against them within Iran (and I wouldn't be surprised if many have alreeady fled); their appearances in the film must have come at a high level of bravery and danger to themselves. Another strong scene is when the pair is frustrated when they seek illegal assistance from a Mafia-looking pair who promise to provide them with fake official papers. What shines through most in this movie is the recognition that the urge to create (and this extends to the whole spectrum of artistic endeavors) cannot be contained by thugs in the end. What was also surprising, though, was the almost good natured way that victims of oppression accepted the challenges of playing their music and laughed in the face or danger. Thank God/Allah for rebellion. Thanks as well to brave movie makers and musicians who provided and entertaining, critical movie. I enthusiastically encourage people to check out this movie.

Rob Crosby

A consistent strong breeze issued off the Congaree River, cooling the rather large crowd that gathered to hear Rob Crosby and his band play tonight. The boys and I (along with two neighbors) attended the second event in the Rhythm on the River concert series put on at the Riverwalk Amphitheatre. The crowd was clearly excited to hear the local boy, and he did not disappoint them. The opening act was a woman (I think her name was Wells) who sang about three songs; she didn't have a commanding stage presence, but she did have a nice voice. Most of the music was a mix of country, folk, and blues, and most of it was very enjoyable. It is not my cup of tea normally, but I really liked the covers of James Taylor, Bob Dylan, and Carole King songs, plus several of his originals were really nice too. The song I enjoyed the most was a little piece called "Til the Last Shot is Fired." I also liked "Pray For Me"; the crowd favorite was probably "Rise Above It." My friend Fred was there and we got to chat. The kids mostly ran around along the river; we watched a black snake shimmy up a tree. A few greyhounds made an appearance, and you know me, I had to go greet them. Overall, a nice time had by all.

PRETTY WINGS

I have really been enjoying this new song from Maxwell, Pretty Wings. I particularly like the use of the chimes. I attach here a link to the Youtube video. I will keep my music notifications to a minimum, but I really like this one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mLfC2kkvPw

CONCERTS

Last night I attended a free concert on the river featuring the old-timey country band Sugarmountain Boys (bluegrass?), who were pretty good, followed by the new cd-celebration-party stylings of the very enjoyable Black Bottom Biscuits. I don't usually go for too much rockabilly, but it was a different sort of treat. They played an upbeat and entertaining mix of songs. My friend Fred, who grew up with three members of BBB, called my attention to their concert and I decided to give it a whirl. Glad I did. I was especially taken by several songs in their second set, which included many crowd pleasers (and they do seem to have a following locally) such as the delightful "Fish Beer," humorous look at the urbanization of the countryside in "Don't Pave My Road," and funny looks at lost love in "Double-Wide Love Left Behind," and "Even the Roaches Miss You." Can't remember for sure, but there was one song I really liked, I think called "Can't Stop the Lightning." What I enjoyed the most was their sense of humor, especially in the confesssional story-like songs. No doubt they sit around drinking beer and reminiscing when one of them tells a funny story and another writes down a few lines, and the next thing ya know. . .a song! Lead singer Arnie seems to be a bit of a goof, in a funny way, but that also lends to the charm of the band. They all play pretty well and I certainly enjoyed it. The only downside to the evening was the extreme heat and the fact that my boys missed it. We are broiling down here. I wanted to jump into the Congaree several times.

Not to overlook another concert I attended a week earlier, I caught the smooth jazz of guitarist Terence Young, who was absolutely excellent, at a concert in Findlay Park. He is better known in these parts as a gospel musician, but I was very impressed. There were some other local acts in the mix, a couple quite good, but he headlined and I am glad I didn't miss it. I definitely will try to catch him in action again. Next to The Soul Mites, he may be my second favorite local artist now.