You know how, when you were a little kid, teenager, and maybe even into your 20s, when you didn't have much money and could only afford a few albums, you would listen to the few that you had over and over until you even memorized where all the skips were? I often wonder why I don't do that anymore. Is it because I'm older and more jaded about music? Is it because I am too self-conscious and competitive that I'm not open enough to other peoples' music? Is it that there are too many options out there, and that it's so accessible that I don't appreciate it anymore? Maybe the music that is out there doesn't do it for me?

I am happy and relieved to report that I have found a CD that makes me feel like a kid again. It's called Brandi Carlile, and it is by Brandi and her two band mates, twin brothers Phil and Tim Hanseroth. In the past few years, I have unfailingly been drawn to singers who, while performing under their own auspices, are considerably aided and abetted by a songwriter and/or arranging partner. (see Feist and Angela McCluskey). No matter what its provenance, this CD is a classic. Go and buy it!

This CD makes me believe in the future of pop music again. All the songs on the album are superb. I love the arrangements. I love the production. All three of the band members are incredibly talented, and the addition of the drummer on this album adds a whole dimension of space and emotion to the mix. The guitar lines are juicy and hooky, and the bass provides both anchor and urgent propulsion. And Brandi sounds like the child of kd lang and Roy Orbison and even looks like Elvis on the back of the CD. The harmony vocals are truly sublime. It is pure, ecstatic, drive-with-the-windows-rolled-down, ear candy that makes me remember why I love music in the first place. The whole CD makes serotonin go charging through my brain.

What I find particularly refreshing about this album is its sonic roundness and voluptuousness. From the chimey tone of the acoustic guitar to the enveloping lushness of the harmony vocals and Brandi's sparkly, rich alto, this album is not afraid to be beautiful. There is no hipster detachment here. And there is none of the neo-folk, yuppie, squeaky-clean angularity that sounds like background music for an IKEA showroom. So many of today's female singer-songwriters affect a breathy, little-girl voice, and deliver their lyrics in an oddly juvenile, matter-of-fact, hypersuburban accent ("My-eeee fa-the-errr".) Brandi sings with the frankness of Loretta Lynn and the machismo of Patsy Cline.

I am very fond of "In My Own Eyes" - I love the harmonies on the "hide me" part. I just melt everytime I hear that. I love the last "hide me" where Brandi just cries out with abject bewilderment and profound sadness. That is pure emotion and just great singing. I feel the pathos.

BUT I have to say "Throw it All Away" is the one that makes me want to scream. (I missed my chance to do this in my childhood and adolescence. My mom wouldn't let me go to concerts when I was a kid--I think I wanted to see the Osmonds or something-- because she read that people had been trampled at a Who concert. Maybe that's why I became a folkie-fear of being trampled) I can't wait to see them live somewhere (are they bringing a drummer on any tours?) so I can make a fool out of myself like one of those Beatles women.
posted by Lisa Moscatiello  # 12:51 PM | Perma Link   
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Fred and I had the pleasure of performing at the Lilith Grove Women's Center in Bear, DE last month. When I hear "women's center" and "potluck" I think, "Better eat first," with visions of taboulleh and brown rice dancing in my head. But this was a carnivorous pot luck, with chili and ice cream and festive adult beverages. In the photo are Lynn, who owns the property, and friends. We were happy to see a huge crowd of Lilith Grove-rs at the Blue Crab Grill in Delaware (another laid back and festive place with non-ascetic food). We'll be back in September! See you there!
posted by Lisa Moscatiello  # 2:12 PM | Perma Link   
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From the Baltimore Sun, March 2:



Despite rejection of a similar bill by House lawmakers last month, a Maryland State Senate committee took up yesterday the emotionally charged debate over whether Maryland should ban same-sex marriage in its constitution. Sen. Nancy Jacobs engaged in an impassioned debate with Jamie Raskin, a constitutional law professor from American University (and candidate for MD State Senate), over the influence of the Bible on modern law.

"As I read Biblical principles, marriage was intended, ordained and started by God - that is my belief," she said. "For me, this is an issue solely based on religious principles."

Raskin shot back that the Bible was also used to uphold now-outlawed statutes banning interracial marriage, and that the constitution should instead be lawmakers' guiding principle.

"People place their hand on the Bible and swear to uphold the Constitution; they don't put their hand on the Constitution and swear to uphold the Bible," he said.
posted by Lisa Moscatiello  # 10:50 AM | Perma Link   
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Hey, here's a video of a recent performance by the Ocean Orchestra, at the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage. This clip is unedited, complete with questionable references to commitment ceremonies, cold showers, and the exotic "Chinese paper cut dance."

Yes, I want to view this video!
posted by Lisa Moscatiello  # 8:21 AM | Perma Link   
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It's 11:10 am in Washington, and right now, as I type, my goddess, LA-based Talk Radio host Stephanie Miller is SOMEWHERE IN DC broadcasting her show. She's here for some radio conference. I heard her in my car on the way in to work, and I'm just heartbroken that I'm stuck here instead of out roaming around trying to get a glimpse of my hero!! I wonder where she's broadcasting from? I'll bet it's the studio of her DC affliate, Progressive Talk 1260 (they are so hip they don't even have call letters) Aren't they in Bethesda? Maybe I could start coughing now so I can take off and go down to Betheda and try to find Stephanie. My roommate Fred was telling me about going to see shows in the '80s and then trying to find out where the stars were most likely to hang out afterward (he met a very trashed Deborah Harry this way). I wonder if there are any shops in Bethesda that sell rawhide and boxed wine.
posted by Lisa Moscatiello  # 7:22 AM | Perma Link   
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Then check out this great Dusty Springfield site created by Andy Robinson. It is a treasure trove of Dustiana. I am grateful to Bev Stanton for linking to this from her site, which you should also check out, but I am just going to print out the name here because it may include some "adult" content (and I use that word very loosely): www.arthurlovesplastic.com
posted by Lisa Moscatiello  # 8:31 AM | Perma Link   
5 comments