Memphis

December 9, 2009
Rock was born from the Blues and Memphis delivered it. As our holiday party for Music Together of Park Slope, we went to see this new Broadway musical and I was definitely inspired by the voices and story on stage. It is about a culture clash divided along racial lines and the few who fought to bridge the gap. A white disc jockey is determined to bring black music to the masses and refuses to compromise his morality in the face of unrelenting hatred. He falls in love with a black woman and though his crazy antics are what bring…

The Dead Are Alive!

December 9, 2009
I saw Furthur play at Hammerstein last night and was feeling nostalgic for a time before I was born. Grateful Deadians Bob Weir and Phil Lesh led a great Dead cover band through a classic set, drifting from heavy blues to deep funk and utter confusion to euphoric resolution: I: Truckin > Dire Wolf > Doin That Rag > Ramble On Rose > Reuben and Cerise > Looks Like Rain > Cosmic Charlie II: King Solomon's Marbles > He's Gone > New Potato Caboose > The Other One > Days Between > Scarlet Begonias > Fire on the Mountain >…

The Road

December 5, 2009
From start to finish, this film emotionally abused me. I have never felt so consistently sad watching a movie; The World presented here is bleak and life seems to lack any purpose beyond simple survival. Through flashbacks and dreams of the life before, we become aware of the contrast and how much has been lost -- not just in terms of human life, but in terms of human values. Aside from anything that sustains life, which includes food, shelter and love, everything precious is now worthless. I found one of the most devastating scenes to be a flashback sequence of…

Phish Surprise!

December 3, 2009
Alaina and I were in line to buy tickets to The Road when the call came: would you be interested in seeing Phish at MSG tonight? We quickly postponed our apocalyptic film plans for one of my all-time favorite concert experiences. This was no ordinary ticket miracle-- it was free, courtesy of a friend of a friend at Bank of America and their corporate luxury box, including food and drinks and an amazing view perched near the ceiling. Tempted though I was to call out our hosts on their shameful industry-leading financial support of CO2 coal-burning operations, I opted instead…

3:10 To Yuma

December 2, 2009
Who doesn't have a fascination with the Wild West? I hate murder more than anything in the world but justice can be sweet... This movie (2007 remake) tells the story of an outlaw captured and taken to prison while his henchmen attempt a violent rescue. At once a villain and a hero, he is confronted by an Everyman, a broke rancher playing a mercenary guard for morality. It is a head-to-head, psychological chess match between two great actors, Russell Crowe as corrupted Ben Wade and Christian Bale as family man Dan Evans. Westerns are about Honor more than anything else,…

Thanksgiving

November 30, 2009
I am wrapping up a nice week-long vacation for the harvest, including the feast known as Thanksgiving, which was spent at The Amazing Elias' home in Armonk, NY. Every year they offer a beautiful bounty and great in-law company, which includes their three rapidly expanding grand-families. I am fortunate to have married into such a wonderful family, which also includes my mother-in-law who recently built an amazing home in Warwick, NY at the site of our wedding, The Land. The house is beautifully designed on the vanguard of eco-friendly building and is inspiring to be inside. There is a piano…

Voodoo and Zombies

November 25, 2009
Last night we went to see a great production of Eugene O'Neill's The Emperor Jones at The Irish Rep. It is primarily one man's descent from "Emperor" into a voodoo-induced nightmare and John Douglas Thompson is awesome and terrifying in his psychosis. The scenery dances and puppets play ghosts as the audience journeys inside a head of madness. We then came home and watched Shaun of The Dead. I have never seen a movie that combines comedy, tragedy, love and horror in the same way. How scary would life be if the undead wandered the streets consuming human flesh? How…

Birthday Supergroup

November 24, 2009
As a birthday wish of Anje's, six of her friends assembled a band for her annual party at Monkeytown. We chose a setlist of 70's, 80's and 90's tunes and had an amazing time playing for a raucous crowd. It is rare for me to play the bass these days, but having played every day in high school and college, I was immediately reminded of how much I love this instrument. It is fun to rock. Many Thanks to Anje, Blake, Dan, Zach, Andy, Josh, Graham and Lucas for making this happen. Black or White Sultans of Swing Money For…

A Football Move

November 18, 2009
I subject myself to sports because I like winning, but I have to accept that sometimes I lose. Some victories are sweeter than others and some losses are more bitter. Sunday's Patriots game was among those all-time terrible losses that will live with me forever. Playing the undefeated Colts, The Pats took an early lead and held it until :20 seconds remained in the game... I could not sleep on Sunday night and since then the pain has lingered but subsided. True, it will never be as bad (I hope hope hope) as losing the 2007 Superbowl with :34 seconds…

Work?

November 18, 2009
I am fortunate that I have a job that pretty much just entails playing music with kids all day. Like any worthwhile job, it has its challenges, but I take so much joy from it because they give so much joy. It is so natural for them and they express themselves so beautifully; it inspires me so i do my best to inspire them. I work in different areas of early childhood music, from classes with parents and under-4 year olds to preschool settings and individual lessons. Sometimes I record our adventures on my iPhone. I wanted to share some…