Elvis, Colin, and Jeff

A couple weeks ago, I really delved into the music of Elvis Perkins and I have no idea why it took me so long. The first song I discovered of his was "While You Were Sleeping" and the lyrics coupled with the way they're sung is absolutely beautiful. I've been listening to the albums Ash Wednesday and the self-titled Elvis Perkins in Dearland. Both are highly recommended and here's a track from the self-titled album-- "I Heard Your Voice in Dresden".

Around that same time, I became mildly obsessed with Colin Meloy's live solo album, Colin Meloy Sings Live!. (Meloy is the lead singer of the Decemberists, for those who aren't familiar with his name) While I can go through the album and hardly find a mediocre track, the standout song is "The Engine Driver". I always enjoy seeing lead singers of my favorite bands performing solo. Whether it be Jeff Tweedy of Wilco, Josh Ritter, Bruce Springsteen, or others, the concept of a solo show without the comfort of a backing band provides a whole new sense of intimacy that makes for great new interpretations of songs. Not to mention, the storytelling in-between songs can be humorous, insightful, or both. When I saw the Decemberists in February, Colin Meloy came out solo to sing a cover of Joni Mitchell's "A Case of You" at the start of the encore. The way the performance stopped the chatty Friday night crowd dead in its tracks was proof of Meloy's talent.

And one last song while on the topic of solo performances. Here's the aforementioned Jeff Tweedy with a new Wilco song "Open Your Mind" . Side note: The man can put on nice clothes, yet he always somehow looks disheveled. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Big Man

I'd be remiss if I didn't share my thoughts on the death of Clarence "Big Man" Clemons last month, seeing as Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band are at the very top of my "Favorite Bands" list. I can't say the news came as a complete shock, as Clemons had been suffering from various ailments over the years. That being said, it didn't make it any easier to absorb the fact that the soul of the E Street Band was completely altered on June 18, 2011. To me, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band are more than just a band...more than just a live show...more than songs on a record. If you've been to a concert of theirs, I hope you know what I mean. Unlike a band such as Oasis, which includes actual brothers and still can't get along, Bruce and Clarence had a bond that transcended their 3+ hours on stage. But let me talk about those hours on-stage first....The moments I'll never forget were when the band would walk out and Bruce would lead Clarence over to his spot on the left side of the stage. Or when after each show, Bruce and Clarence would be the last ones off the stage together and you never really thought to yourself that this was an act being put on. These two guys had a genuine bond that is so rare in rock and roll, let alone life itself. Now, as Springsteen points out in his eulogy for Clarence, he wasn't always the easiest man to get along with and it was well-documented that he could be very difficult towards those around him (he burned through several marriages). Like a marriage, though, Springsteen was with Clarence through the good times and the bad, knowing full well that if one were to lose the other there would be an impossible void to fill. And that's where the E Street Band stands today: with an impossible void to fill. Do I think they'll quit making music? Not a chance. Do I think they'll quit touring? As long as Bruce has a microphone available, nope. I do, however, know that when they get back on the road it will be incredibly different. There won't be that moment when Clarence plays his first notes on sax during a show, causing the crowd to scream in appreciation. I know I'll never hear that unforgettable sax solo on Jungleland quite the same way again; the one that caused goosebumps on several occasions. And when Bruce introduces the band, I know I'll keep naively waiting until the end for Clarence to be called out as "the biggest man you've ever seen".

Hello, friends

Alright. I've decided to give this blog another try after almost a year without a post. I'll probably stick mostly to music-related posts with some sports mixed in (and who knows what else). Concert reviews, songs/bands I'm in to, Jay Cutler and Kristin Cavallari's engagement news, stuff like that. Hopefully you'll be able to find some things on here that you enjoy or haven't seen before and if not, well, then I've failed. Thanks for taking the time (if you're still reading this), it's much appreciated.

Here's a few songs I've been listening to this morning. The first song is "Beach Comber" by Real Estate. Some may prefer Jimmy Buffett as their summer soundtrack but here's a song I associate with summer just as much: "Beach Comber" Real Estate

Next up, is a band I just discovered this week and I'm really loving this single: "Little Talks" by Of Monsters and Men. I would say it's for fans of Mumford and Sons, Florence and the Machine, and Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes. I also love the band name and the logo with this video: "Little Talks" Of Monsters and Men Also, fun fact--they're Icelandic.

Lastly, this is a song going all the way back to 1928 by Floyd Ming and his Pep Steppers, titled "Indian War Whoop". I can't help but feel a rush of happiness and the urge to dance when listening to this song. And, really, what more can you ask for in a song? "Indian War Whoop" Floyd Ming and his Pep Steppers