Autumn Souvenir

Some things I've been listening to, watching, reading of late... --Music-- Kenny Roby - Birds and Memories When looking at Roby's career, I now think of his solo work over his original outfit, 6 String Drag. Despite being a mere eight songs, his new record is another gorgeous collection of songs. The album closer, "Our Fading Fighter," is staggering. Chuck Berry Finally digging in. Brian Eno My biggest discovery/obsession of 2012. Rodriguez Second to Eno. The Beatles - Abbey Road This classic has shot to the top of my all-time list. Holiday - Ready, Steady, Go! A fairly unknown band from the 90's that a friend introduced me to. This record makes me smile. Richard & Linda Thompson I've always been a fan, but this year they've turned into a favorite. Just brilliant songs. --Movies-- Searching For Sugar Man Simply put, one of the best movies I've ever seen. Lincoln Daniel Day-Lewis will grab another Oscar. The movie is qu...

Over the past year or so, I've been fairly obsessed with music documentaries. Although some may (justifiably) claim that the sounds that grab my ear may be a bit narrow, when it comes to musicans' stories on film, there are no boundaries to what interests me. There's something about the pursuit of the art that captivates me. I can watch documentaries about folk, metal, punk, jazz, the flute; it really doesn't matter. I first learned of the artist Rodriguez a few years back while pacing the aisles of Amoeba in San Francisco. They were promoting his album and something about the cover drew me in. When I got home that night, I downloaded the record Cold Fact. I subsequently listened a few times, moved onto something else, and Cold Fact gathered digital dust. Fast forward to earlier this year and I read an article about the upcoming documentary Searching For Sugar Man . After reading a stellar review of the film, I recalled buying that record many years prior. A few ...

May you rest in peace.

A friend recently asked if I could make her a compilation of my ten favorite songs. There are few things in life I enjoy more than top ten [movies, books, records] lists, but I must say, I've never been asked for a short list of songs. Although this list will likely change before I hit publish on this post, I just scoured my iTunes and tossed together a list that'd be tough to beat. Here goes: It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train To Cry - Bob Dylan History Lesson, Part II - Minutemen One of These Things First - Nick Drake Hundred Dollar Pocket - Chappaquiddick Skyline Thunder Road - Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band Catch You Alive - Damnations, TX God - John Lennon You Ain't Goin' Nowhere - The Byrds The Wall of Death - Richard & Linda Thompson Tecumseh Valley - Townes Van Zandt

When considering the greatest and most influential human rights leaders of our time, there's little doubt that Burma's Aung San Suu Kyi sits alongside MLK Jr., Mandela and a handful of others. She has essentially surrendered her own life for the people of her nation, and after years and years under house arrest, "The Lady," is finally free and able to spread her courage and unwavering commitment to her country, to the rest of the world. Yesterday, I joined a few thousand others (mostly Burmese) and listened to the Nobel laureate share her experiences and vision for a people finally stepping away from decades of oppression. When she walked onstage I was overcome with the human spirit and felt that I was sharing the room with one of the greatest human beings to ever grace this planet. Here's her speech: