October 12th, 2006
The third movement of this string quartet is nice and eerie. It mainly consists of the two violins (I think; I’m not sure) weaving two haunting, sinuously dissonant, sort of atemporal, melodies. Later the viola and cello join in and things get a bit more organized sounding (as they all sort of go tumbling down to earth and then scatter again). But the part with just the violins is the part I really like. Perfect Halloween music. Or for any other time.
This is on a CD called Portrait on Deutsche Grammophon. The String Quartet is performed by Marijke van Kooten, violin I; Heleen Hulst, violin II; Karin Dolman, viola; and Hans Woudenberg, cello.
Posted in CD review | Comments Off on Ruth Crawford Seeger: String Quartet (1931): III. Andante
September 27th, 2006
Paul Westerberg just came out with his first children’s record, the soundtrack to Open Season. Who could disagree about everyone’s constitutional right to arm bears?
Posted in Replacements/Westerberg | Comments Off on “Right to Arm Bears”
September 19th, 2006
Excluding the Bible (or any other holy book you wish to name) for now to avoid controversy, the greatest book ever written is Playing the Piano for Pleasure by Charles Cooke. The book was published in the 1940s. Cooke was a writer for The New Yorker at the time (and even mentions some of his interactions with the greats at the magazine at the time, such as James Thurber). I happen to be an amateur pianist and it’s the most inspirational book I’ve ever read. Here is a sample:
Every piano, upright or grand, long owned or newly bought, is literally a treasure chest, waiting to give forth its inexhaustible gifts, to elevate and enrich the lives around it. No truer words have ever been spoken than those of Anton Rubinstein, when, in the fullness of his years and wisdom, he said: “The piano is a lovely instrument. You must fall in love with it, with its sound, and then be tender with it to make it, in turn, be sweeter to you. Herein”—and he laid his hand on the piano—“lies divine beauty.”
James Thurber, himself, had this to say about the book: “An invaluable book for amateur pianists when it first came out, and still invaluable.” Others who complimented the book include Virgil Thomson, Walter Damrosch, Deems Taylor, and Ernest Hutcheson.
It’s the best book ever written.
Posted in Piano | Comments Off on The greatest book ever written
September 18th, 2006
An introduction to some great New Orleans funk and piano music:
- “Big Chief”, by Professor Longhair
- “Tipitina”, by Professor Longhair
- “Go to the Mardi Gras”, by Professor Longhair
- “I’m Walkin'”, by Fats Domino
- “Walking to New Orleans”, by Fats Domino
- “Jambalaya (On the Bayou)”, by Fats Domino
- “Cissy Strut”, by The Meters
- “Sophisticated Cissy”, by The Meters
- “Fire On The Bayou”, by The Meters
- “Look-Ka Py Py”, by The Meters
- “Hey Pocky A-Way”, by The Meters
- “Africa”, by The Meters
- “Funkify Your Life”, by The Meters
- “Soul Sister”, by Allen Toussaint
- “From A Whisper To A Scream”, by Allen Toussaint
- “What Do You Want the Girl to Do?”, by Allen Toussaint
- “Lady Marmalade”, by LaBelle
Posted in Playlist | Comments Off on New Orleans Funk and Piano Music
September 17th, 2006
Capitalism explained on The Wire: “On Getting Paid”.
Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Capitalism explained
September 17th, 2006
- 1956: “Bad Penny Blues” by Humphrey Lyttelton (produced by George Martin)
- 1968: “Lady Madonna” by The Beatles (produced by George Martin)
- 1968: “Lady Madonna” by Fats Domino
Sorry I can’t give iTunes links to these, but they’re not available (no Beatles on iTunes for now). The Beatles and Fats Domino recordings are easy enough to find. You can buy “Bad Penny Blues” here. It’s worth it.

Posted in Piano, The Beatles | Comments Off on Evolution of a great piano riff
September 16th, 2006
Posted in Nonsense, Replacements/Westerberg | Comments Off on When the Shit Hits the Fans by the Replacements
September 15th, 2006
This was a really good show. It was in a fairly small place, this old ballroom. Glenn Tilbrook played some really great guitar solos. Jools Holland sang this one really good slow song that I didn’t know. I know it’s not on any Squeeze album, so maybe it’s on one of his solo albums. Chris’ voice sounded really hoarse and he only sang lead on a couple of songs (I know he doesn’t sing lead very much anyway, but still.)
Next Sunday, I’m seeing Hüsker Dü here in Madison.
Set list in mixed-up order, except where indicated
Posted in Concert review | Comments Off on Squeeze concert—Eagles Ballroom, Milwaukee, Wisconsin—November 24, 1987
September 14th, 2006
Not only is Ricky Jay in a Bob Dylan video, but, I just noticed, he’s also in the Sex Pistols documentary The Filth and the Fury.
Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Hey, it’s that guy from Deadwood! (Part 2)
September 13th, 2006
Since my name is “Paul”, I suppose I should like the original Big Star version of “September Gurls” the most. But Michael Steele sounds more like she really knows what the song is about in the Bangles cover.
Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Why I love Michael Steele