I'd like to think of myself as a pretty decent, even tempered guy. When someone shits on the Beatles I tend to not be so nice. I was in a frustrating argument on Facebook with a guy who shit on the Beatles left and right. Talking about lack of music theory, and how easy it is to play.

Then I find out he plays.....Death Metal. I don't really feel the need to defend the Beatles anymore after learning that. Talk about a fucking black hole in music.

JBL

Awesome lineup this year. Particularly if you're a fan of jam music - a few good options there. I see myself spending a lot of time at Lafayette Square on Thursdays this year.

It isn't the first music of the year, that would be the BPO, but I always love going to concerts. Tonight we are going to see the mummified remains of The Dead, plus Warren Haynes. I love me some Warren Haynes!! I love hippie music in general. Hippie women? Not so sure, although (e:Ajay) has always encouraged me to expand that way.

• (e:Heidi) - I did see the message you left for me in chat. Sadly I won't be able to make it to Pearl Street as we already have plans for the time. But thank you very much for offering and keeping me in mind.

I just remembered something. Those of you who I got tickets for, the Bartok is this Saturday at 8 PM!!!! (Well, after the freaking variations on "Twinkle Twinkle"). I'm really excited.....

By the way, are we doing anything previous to the concert? Meeting somewhere in Allentown? You guys want to do that afterwards? I'm just throwing some ideas out there.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.

I also have a question for the women here - have any of you ever been offended that someone held the door open for you? One day on a date I remember getting yelled at for it...."I can do it myself!!!!!!!!" Have any of you heard of that before? Why is it insulting or anti-woman to hold a door open? Because I do it without thinking I'm sure I exacerbated the situation even further during the evening.

It was surreal, like some rad-fem nightmare. Dear God how have I gotten myself into these situations? You all know that wasn't the last. How about some fucking mercy? Can you imagine how polite the dinner conversation was? Apparently I'm a glutton for punishment. Okay, last year's "Black Tuesday" - many of you remember how a girl shit on my job as being boring - I was semi prepared for that because I know on Valentine's Day there are going to be some really bitter girls. Sometimes you're thrown for a loop.

Anyone seen a show there? Is it okay? Thinking going there Sunday evening for Keller Williams.

Bob Goulet, singing "Soliloquy" from Carousel. All I have to say is, WOW, what a voice. Incredible. Performers like this are becoming rarer and rarer these days. RIP!

I have revisited this album recently, and I like it much more today than when I first procured it. I don't know why, but when I first heard it I was really underwhelmed.

Anyhow, I don't know whether I was mistaken the first time, or am just now experiencing a weakening resolve, a la the chick at the bar pounding shots some douche bought her. But I digress....

This is sort of a pattern for me, especially with the Radiohead albums post-OK Computer. I give it a listen, pick it apart from various angles, and decide it's not quite up to my insane expectations.

Maybe it is simply a matter of, when I am on the fence, being realistic and learning to appreciate something for what it is, instead of what I want it to be. Maybe it's a metaphor for how you feel about your job, your present situation, your family, or your girlfriend.

Maybe my mind is wandering. They're a very clever band. Not all Wuss-Rock is this tolerable. Fucking emo, it is making me want to start confiscating iPods.

Peeps -

If you are thinking of going to the Square tonight, you definitely want to check out Charlie Hunter. He is just a fantastic musician, and you will not be disappointed. He is a favorite of Larsons of all ages, and we know our music.

It's beautiful out. Let's enjoy it before we descend into grayness.

Jason

After many years, I have to finally stop ignoring the part of their work that I don't like. I love The Bends, and OK Computer, and they will always be two of my favorite albums, but I'm not all that happy about the direction they've taken since then. I think some of it is very interesting music, in an academic sense. Some of it is pleasing, some of it is not. Thom Yorke is wasting his vocal talent on manufactured bleeps and bloops. His solo albums are borderline unlistenable.

Now some people really like the "new" Radiohead. They are more or less unaware, or uninterested, in the rock music they've made. I don't HATE them, but I can't call Radiohead my favorite band any longer.

The crown now belongs to a band from Manchester, England called Doves. I'm sure I've written about them before. Anyhow here's an Amazon link, in case you want to sample:

I can honestly say that I enjoy their entire body of work. They write some very fascinating, diverse songs. Like earlier Radiohead, I never get sick of Doves. There isn't a lot of music out there that inspires me anymore, but they always deliver. In fact, they are in studio now working on a new album, which I cannot wait to hear. I am 100% convinced of how good they are, and am fascist intolerant when it comes to divergent opinions on this.

Someone also has introduced me to a band from Athens, GA called Of Montreal. I have read about them, and a thousand other bands, in SPIN but never gave them a serious listen until recently. Having listened through two of them albums, The Sunlandic Twins and Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer? I have to say I really enjoy them.

Bands have been increasingly looking to the 80's for inspiration for some reason......the glam, the synths, the artificial percussion, everything. I think introducing New Wave concepts into rock music is an appealing idea, but most bands overdo it, succumbing to the over-the-top indulgences of New Wave, and the 80's in general. Of Montreal pulls it off quite nicely, actually, for my tastes. It is candy coated, but it won't rot your teeth completely. The songs sound very pleasing to a fan of indie rock.

I'm told some of their earlier albums have been very Dance-Pop, and some of you might like that. I don't, and I won't listen to it, so you'll have to decide on your own whether or not that part of their discography is worth a damn. What I will say is that they are a very creative, motivated group. I can appreciate that.

Enjoy your weekend bitches!

Luv,
Jason

That's the phrase Maynard Ferguson often used to describe the trumpet, and I wholeheartedly agree. Nobody will ever be able to tell me otherwise. It is a sad day because one of my favorite musicians died, but it has triggered many fond memories from childhood and from my school days.

I remember the first time I heard Maynard Ferguson. That moment I decided that playing the drums would never be adequate for me and I immediately switched over to the trumpet. I couldn't believe how powerful his playing was, and his range was nothing short of stratospheric. I couldn't believe how clean his upper register was. Unless you are a trumpet player, you probably will never understand how difficult it is to develop these skills if you are not naturally blessed with them. I wanted to play like Maynard, and it gave me the motivation to play every day until either my lips were bleeding or I couldn't make any noise out of my horn.

The world has lost one of the greatest jazz musicians in history. This much is not to be debated. When he made his debut with Stan Kenton's orchestra in '50 nobody at that time or at any previous time could play lead like Maynard. He had range and power that no other player possessed. From that moment on, lead playing took a quantum leap forward.

Don't get me wrong, Miles will always be number one for me and for many other trumpet players, he could play through a garden hose and make it sound amazing, but Maynard was in a class of his own when it came to high octane, aggressive soloing and lead playing. I also am constantly amazed when I hear Don Ellis, someone I very much would have liked to see had he not passed away at a young age.

To me Jazz will always be the ultimate form of musical expression. I'm saddened that there aren't too many big bands anymore. There are only so many trios and smaller ensembles I can listen to before wanting to hear something more layered and orchestral in nature. Seeing Maynard was always a special experience for me because his band was always top notch, and I would always get goosebumps and even a little emotional after hearing the first few seconds of heavenly bliss come out from the horns. It's a completely different experience from checking out a rock band.

On the bright side, God's got one whale of a new lead player.

I'll miss you Maynard! RIP!