It's Her Royal Highness' Matched Luggage

Dear fellow passengers/travellers:

I cannot begin to list the number of things I would rather be doing than standing in the check-in queue as you rifle through you luggage to decide what you now need to jettison because you have gone over you weight limit restrictions.

I am reminded of the drink driving safety message: If you think you're over the limit then you probably are.

I am also reminded of the stern announcement from that famous hero of the silver screen, Lonestar: Take only what you need to survive.

Therefore I propose the installation of 2 queues, one for morons with calculation difficulties and one for me.

In lighter news I am currently in transit at LAX awaiting my connecting flight to Toronto. The Qantas A380 is the smoothest flight going around. Sitting here with a coffee in hand and the latest issue of Esquire to read - fresh off the news stand. I love L.A.!

Till next time...

When you go will you send back a letter from America?

On Wednesday I set off for North America, my first lengthy period away from work since 2006. My original plan for the trip (concocted late last year) was audacious to say the least, involving hiring a car for the bulk of it and a week in the Cuban summer drinking Papa Dobles like Hemingway.

Things have changed considerably since then and whilst I have sadly cast aside my Havana nights and cities like Philly and Chi-Town the trip is still as exciting as ever. One that, predictably, has more of a music focus.

I have the great fortune of seeing Pete Yorn in New York City and U2 in Dublin. The side trip to Dublin alone WILL be a tale to tell. I am also looking forward to checking out a local blues band in Memphis and a bit of country whilst in Nashville - perhaps even visit the Grand Ole Opry itself.

Of course my holiday wouldn't be complete without hearing what catchy new tunes Mr Gillespie has cookin'.

I'll try to keep you all updated on my travels as I traverse the highways of the New World. Until then, here's something that will get the Scottish blood pumping:



See you on the other side.

When it's cold outside, i've got the month of May

The fifth in my monthly review of musical purchases and downloads for 2009. My look at April can be found here.

The start of May began with a trip back home and a visit to my old record store. More on my former life can be read in my post at The Music Blogs. Returning to Atlantis Music makes me hark back to the halcyon days of being absorbed in music for 8 hours a day. I do miss it but I know that life moves on and you must depart when it makes the most sense. I still remember getting that giddy sensation Friday mornings when the new release stock would arrive. There was nothing better.

Albums

Bob Evans - Goodnight, Bull Creek!

Much like Canadian Dallas Green, Bob Evans (real name Kevin Mitchell) has a continuous knack of releasing albums that are worlds apart from what he became famous for. His band Jebediah were snotty pop punks (good ones at that) however his Bob Evans persona reveals melodic delights and a songwriting craft that guys like Brian Wilson and Neil Finn have made careers out of. 'Your Love' is what a perfect pop song should sound like. A seriously underrated talent.

Manic Street Preachers - Journal For Plague Lovers

The catharsis for The Manics and their fans over the disappearance of lyricist Richey Edwards came with 1996s Everything Must Go. But it is only now we can finally have closure. Interpreting the last writings of Richey and forming them into listenable songs is a monumental achievement given the subject matter but the trio have recorded an album that avoids sounding like a nostalgia piece.. Journal is less a sequel to The Holy Bible and more of a companion piece - less caustic and doomed.

Eskimo Joe - Inshalla

With every album they release, Western Australian natives Eskimo Joe continue to distance themselves from their days as goofy popsters. The first couple of tracks on their fourth album Inshalla sound like they are wading into The Tea Party territory but that is a red herring. It is a good album but it will still see them up against it in terms of cracking the overseas market. Best track on it is 'Losing My Mind', the one song missing from the latest U2 album. Bono should call the authorities.

Singles/EP's

Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson - Relator

From the "This shouldn't work but somehow does" department. Actress Johansson's voice is limited at best but makes for a nice foil when she duets with Pete Yorn on this great country number. The forthcoming joint album 'Break Up' (his second for the year) could be worth a listen.

Take me where the April sun gonna treat me so right

The fourth in my monthly review of musical purchases and downloads for 2009. My look at March can be found here.

Two things I have noticed thus far about this exercise. I have been purchasing less than I normally would but as explained, this will ramp up in the next few months. The other (and more important) result in all this is that I am really taking the time to enjoy the albums. Revisiting them a lot more than what I was doing over the last two years. This is what happens when you go from listening to music all day at work down to listening only on your way to and from work.

On to April:

Albums

The Doves - Kingdom Of Rust

This trio of lads from up North took their sweet time following up the excellent Some Cities album but the payoff makes up for their absence. Working with a sonic palette that puts them on the same grandiose scale as U2 and Coldplay (without the bombast) The Doves deliver the a rich sounding album that builds upon each listen. Sadly without a soppy ballad to plug on Grey's Anatomy they won't break big time but those that care little about McDreamy will find more than enough rewards in the title track and the stunning 'Winter Hill'.

My favourite album this year thus far.

Singles/EP's

Missy Higgins - More Than This (EP)

While Melissa Higgins continues to work over the U.S. audience with her second album On A Clear Night the Aussie singer/songwriter releases an iTunes EP of various covers she has recorded of late. The Roxy Music title track is fine but the best versions are her takes on Patty Griffin's 'Moses' and the standard 'I'm In Love Again'. The less said about her rendition of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers' 'Breakdown' the better.

Eskimo Joe - Foreign Land

I love how they try and up the ante on every album they release. First salvo from the West Australian rock outfit. The best (and by default) only song about the late great Heath Ledger:

May our thoughts be with you

For Australia and New Zealand, April 25th 1915 is a day we are immensely proud of. Proud of the soldiers (most of them just kids) who went to a foreign land to defend us and the Mother Country from the enemy.

Sadly we lost 8,000 young men and our Nation's innocence in the Gallipoli Campaign. We commemorate ANZAC Day not only for the soldiers who lost their lives on the shores of Turkey in World War I but to take the opportunity to thank all the men and women who have spent a lifetime defending Australia so we are free.

I also like to reflect and think of family members who served other countries over the years as well. My Great Grandfather on my Father's side apparently worked closely with the Tartan Pimpernel which, even if it isn't true (it's all classified), is a great tale nevertheless. My Mother's family came from Malta and if any Nation knows about bravery it is them.

Now I usually waffle on about music so let's get on to that. There are numerous songs about war both for and against. But to recognise the sombre occasion I present to you one of my favourites. It isn't about the ANZAC's which may ruffle feathers but the theme is universal.

It is also both profoundly sad and beautiful at the same time.

Houses On The Hill - Whiskeytown

Well I found a bunch of letters that were written for the fella who broke your momma's heart
And the envelope folds, smelled of her ancient perfume
I'll bet she didn't know how to respond before the blankets of snow
Caught him out wandering alone with no place to go

There were stars in the sky
There were houses on the hill
And there were bottles of pills that were easy to buy
To keep her warm from the oncoming storm

Well I found them in the northwest corner of the attic in a box labeled "tinsel and lights"
Didn't know what I was I looking for maybe just a blanket or artifacts
Eisenhower sent him to war, he kept her picture in his pocket that was closest to his heart
And when he hit shore, must have been a target for the gunmen

There were stars in the sky
There were bunkers on the hill
And there were caskets to fill where he would lie
Shrouded in the red white and blue with the stripes

There were stars in the sky
There were houses on the hill
And there were bottles of pills that were easy to buy
To keep her warm from the oncoming storm

And we'll both be safe 'til St. Patrick's Day

The third in my monthly review of musical purchases and downloads for 2009. My look at February can be found here.

As if in response to my slow start (musically) for 2009, I am now receiving emails from long forgotten mailing lists touting the return of bands who have remained on my radar. It seems the next few months will see me parting my hard earned for new material by the Dave Matthews Band, Manic Street Preachers, Jen Cloher and so on.

Before that, here is what March threw up.

Albums

Robert Palmer - At His Very Best

Whilst I didn't acquire his entire back catalogue as I threatened last month, I did wisely pick up the best of the smooth Mr Palmer. I was never one for the 'Addicted To Love' and 'Simply Irresistible' side though. For the gold stuff, crank up 'Johnny & Mary' or 'Looking For Clues'.

Mary Gauthier - Mercy Now / Between Daylight And Dark

Being on the Lost Highway label (Ryan Adams, Donavon Frankenreiter) I should have picked up on Mary Gauthier much earlier than this. Her songwriting is her greatest asset (though she is no slouch on vocals) as she relays tales of woe that come from a troubled life she has already lived through. Martha Wainwright could learn a lot from her.

Grifters Inc. - A Creature Of The Night

Aussie Hip-Hop is an acquired taste, especially for those who don't reside on the Island. These days I much prefer to hear my fellow countrymen rap than Lil' fucking Wayne. Grifters Inc. may be indie but the production and rhyming on 'A Creature Of The Night' is just as good as their bigger label brethren.

Keep an eye on these lads.

Singles/EP's

The Strokes - Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)

After hearing once again Robert Palmer's version of the Marvin Gaye classic, I decided to search out other renditions and came across this one from a few years ago. Eddie Vedder turns in a great guest performance as well.

The Lemonheads - Luka

I must have been on a cover versions trip because I also dug out this great take of the Suzanne Vega hit. Mind you, Evan Dando could sing the 'terms and conditions' section on an entry form and I would still rate it as brilliant.

So You Know It's Got Soul

Because Van Morrison is a cantankerous (yet brilliant) old bastard who refuses to release any of his visual performances on the interweb without a Van Halenesque watermark smeared over the screen, I give you the following.

Let me state for the record, the definitive version of 'Caravan' can be found on the concert film 'The Last Waltz', but kudos to this band who I discovered by chance. To say it is an admirable version is understating it just a little.

Bravo to The Quiet: