Spring Has Sprung
I feel like this year the blog has been a bit more morose than I intend. It’s been a fairly unkind year for folks I’ve hoisted on a pedestal of being super-fond of, no doubt. First Stan Musial passes (not unexpected), then Roger Ebert, then Scott Miller. In between all that my mother mercifully finally went to a better place after a 13-year fight with Alzheimer’s Disease.
So yeah, 2013. Thanks for all that, but can you sort of knock it off for a bit now? Thanks!
In the meantime, I’d planned to post back in April all about the Leisure Society, who are my current favorite going concern of a band. They’ve got a new record out in the UK and Europe called Alone Aboard The Ark. Amazon originally listed it for a US release on April 9th. I was going to fill the blog with all sorts of Leisure Society nonsense to try to convince everyone of their inherent wonderfulness…and then just before the 9th arrived, the record label (Full Time Hobby) moved the release date here in the States back to July.
I’m hoping that was done to coincide with the Leisures first ever tour of North America, or at least am dreaming as much.
Even so, I feel like we need to take the black silks off and open the curtains, so to speak. Time to get a little air and light and happy on tiny speck of the internet.
Thus, this is a treat. It’s a very professionally made, full-concert video of The Leisure Society performing a pre-release show in France back in February (I think). It shows off their newest, more streamlined lineup. Will Calderbank seems to have departed for Mumford & Sons on a permanent basis, but but the rest of the group–multi-instrumental genius Mike Siddell, flautist/keyboardist Helen Whitaker, Sebastian Hankins on drums–is there with Nick Hemming and Christian Hardy and new bassist Jon Cox. This performance is absolutely splendid and mesmerizing, featuring many tracks from the new record but also plenty from their first two discs as well.
I love this band. This concert is why:
If 10 minutes of that doesn’t have you smiling, you’re reading the wrong blog.
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It’s Derby Day! It’s Derby Day Music!
Making my own fun on Derby Day, mostly because I’m buried under an avalanche of work right now, but still. In a few hours I’ll be pouring a Pappy Van Winkle 23 Year, I’ll be checking my wagers, and I’ll be all about the 139th Kentucky Derby.
Meanwhile, to pass the hours until post time, I’ve got four music mixes to share at you, made by folks who are all about the ponies, all about great music artfully mixed, and all about having a wonderful Saturday in May!
You want to hear these. Trust me. We’re talking “free music mixes, made by folks who are either professional DJs or who could/should be if that kind of work paid the rent/mortgage.”
In the order I received them, and recommended listening order today!
Beth Clauss breaks first from the gate:
British Invasion 2013 Derby Mix
The stallion lucky enough to run alongside her, Tim Clauss, stalks her pace through the backstretch:
Tim Beam Sings: 20 Years At The Derby
Flying on the outside as they come to the top of the stretch, it’s Chris “Dyno” Whitey:
CW 139 Derby Mix: When Bold Ruler Met Something Royal
(You racing fans will know what happened there…)
Finally, flying down the stretch, moving like a tremendous machine, it’s Dan and Marc’s always much-beloved annual Derby Mix:
Close Encounters Of The Kentucky Derby Kind
I vouch for none of the child-friendliness of any of these musical creations, but can say that Tim’s mix definitely isn’t kid-safe, and Whitey’s mix could induce…uncomfortable…questions.
Still, great tunes, making my work fly by here. These can be streamed or downloaded or both at your leisure.
Oh, and I’m saying Itsmyluckyday or Goldencents…but I’ll be using Overanalyze underneath about 4 horses in an exacta part wheel.
Good luck to all, and happy Derby Day!
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Popnarcotic 