Musings @musicandmeaning.com

Never feel alone -- you're really not alone.
"He had a theory that musicians are incredibly complex, and know far less than other artists what they want and what they are; that they puzzle themselves as well as their friends; that their psychology is a modern development, and has not yet been understood." – E. M. Forster

Archive for June, 2002


Tuesday, 25 June 2002

Those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer

Wow, already summer is upon us! Amazing.

Lately I’ve become more and more addicted to Says You!, the NPR panel-based wordplay quiz show. I thought I was keen on puns — boy was I ever wrong. Carolyn Faye Fox, you’ve won a place on my People List with your nabbing of the Most Punning Award. Not to just single her out, either. All of the panelists — even the pinch hitters — are, as Paula Lyons might say, "Excellent!"

BTW, if you’re a Says You! fan: I think I’ve come up with a pretty good way to tell who has the correct definition in the bluffing rounds. I figured it out a few days ago, so I’ll have to test my theory in the coming weeks. But it’s true… knowing who has the real definition does pretty much drain the fun out the mystery. In any case, I’m surprised that Richard and the panelists haven’t figured it out, either. Unless they have and they’re just not revealing their secret weapon… Maybe I could send the panelists some tips on how to be a better bluffer (and it’s true, Ms. Lyons really is called the Baddest Bluffer on the Block for some good reasons… one of those reasons would fit nicely into the alliteration).

Richard Buckner has three CDs in my player again. At least one of his CDs has been playing in there for over a year and a half straight now. Look for his new album, due out this fall. Coldplay has a new album released even sooner. Look for it later this summer.

Speaking of Richard Buckner, I specifically wanted to mention Eric Heywood. I admit I don’t know a lot of pedal steel players by name (maybe two?), nor have I heard many, but multi-instrumentalist Eric Heywood is undoubtedly up there with the most talented of them. If you haven’t heard his work (…you mean you haven’t run out and bought any Buckner or Son Volt CDs yet?), then please do yourself a favor and listen to him play sometime. Recently I tried Googling for him, but found no Heywood-based site. Anyone know of one?

Concert recommendations: Gillian Welch & David Rawlings play the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre in Los Angeles on 1 July (this Monday night). I won’t be attending, sadly, but it should be great. There’s no supporting act, so it’s all Gillian and David… they’ll perform two sets with an intermission in between.

Quote for the time being:

How could you be untrue to yourself
when nobody is watching?
Your life isn’t over —
the clock is still tocking.
One day you will wake up
and you’ll be able to forget the sadness,
get into the gladness of love;
and it’s waiting, you will not fight it.
While everyone dozes, you’re coming up roses.

— from Owsley’s "Coming Up Roses" on Owsley

Posted at 12:00 am | Filed under Music, Radio, NPR, etc. |