this deserved its own post. It's amazing. And i'm well aware that I use that word alot, but I really really mean it this time.......Recently I have rediscovered some of those beautiful female singers of the nineties, think Alanis, Shawn Colvin, Paula Cole, Tracy Chapman, and came across this cover of a Tori Amos song "Flying Dutchman" by a youth choir in new york city. This one is for my "mr holland opus" loving teacher of a roomate. :) these kids sing like nothing else. It's shockingly beautiful. Hahaha and check out the girl in tye-dye, a born performer :)
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Monday, June 9, 2008
You heard it here first, Edition 4, Volume II
And it continues...le sigh....
1. Everyone remembers that lovely but overplayed "now I'll go to Bosstoooon" song from awhile back. It was fun, poppy, and that perfect balance of melancholy and beautiful. Well Augustana is back with another sweet song. Sweet and Low, to be exact. It's suprisingly better, similarly comforting in its 'manufactured sounding', but its awesome. So booyah. (Although my father would dissaprove, his recipe for a silly pop song is one that goes into its chorus within less than 30 seconds - and this one definitely falls into that category).
2.O.M.G. Cute boy slightly acoustic soul-pop. My weakness. My ultimate 'I will never grow out of this'. It's so clean and sincere and innocent. Well, Jason Mraz falls into this group and borders on vulgarity sometimes, but thats a story for another time. So, his name is Matt Duke. He's amazing. And cute. So there. Try "Sex and Reruns" and "I've got atrophy on the brain".
3. Sia is an artist that I found threw the weird self torture that persists when I can't rip myself away from A&E's documentary-esque show titled, and is pretty self explanatory as, Intervention. Her style is ecclectic, a little bit Annie Lennox, a little bit Jewel, and a little bit just plain awesome. The most chill, and haunting, of her songs is Breathe Me.
4. About a year ago now, I was rocking out to their alternative sound, but for some reason have not revisited them untill I was reminded of them by alternative portland radio. (Thank you KNRK for your ever revealing wisdom. I am dying a little bit inside each morning when I don't get to listen to Gustav and the Jon Stewart minutes. That was the only good thing about that house, the huge stereo that blared as a I got ready naked and alone). Ok, focus, the band. My Morning Jacket. One of my fav is Run Thru (a little bit trippy, not gonna lie), but others of late are "Touch me, I'm going to Scream" as currently being played on the best station in portland, right ali?
5. Some of my music is so far back in my emails, I don't even remember where I found it, those are kinda the most fun to research or share. This one is Esthero, apparently been around a long time, but her/their song "Never gonna let you go" makes me really really wish that 'my' ipod could have withstanded my several drops so I could still see the face and actually still put my music on it. And the more I listen to it, the more I just want to dance around for hours in my newly 'acquired' soft as hell holynames sweats. Holllah.
7. And a giant shoutout to the new music by Coldplay (what I wouldn't give to be able to write music like you can) and some of my "I haven't had the time that your greatness requires, to listen and appreciate" groups such as the new Radiohead, Weezer, Counting Crows, Jewel (doing that country soul thing she does so well) and the Kooks. They all have new or soon to be released stuff. I am ashamed. I'll leave it at that.
.
1. Everyone remembers that lovely but overplayed "now I'll go to Bosstoooon" song from awhile back. It was fun, poppy, and that perfect balance of melancholy and beautiful. Well Augustana is back with another sweet song. Sweet and Low, to be exact. It's suprisingly better, similarly comforting in its 'manufactured sounding', but its awesome. So booyah. (Although my father would dissaprove, his recipe for a silly pop song is one that goes into its chorus within less than 30 seconds - and this one definitely falls into that category).
2.O.M.G. Cute boy slightly acoustic soul-pop. My weakness. My ultimate 'I will never grow out of this'. It's so clean and sincere and innocent. Well, Jason Mraz falls into this group and borders on vulgarity sometimes, but thats a story for another time. So, his name is Matt Duke. He's amazing. And cute. So there. Try "Sex and Reruns" and "I've got atrophy on the brain".
3. Sia is an artist that I found threw the weird self torture that persists when I can't rip myself away from A&E's documentary-esque show titled, and is pretty self explanatory as, Intervention. Her style is ecclectic, a little bit Annie Lennox, a little bit Jewel, and a little bit just plain awesome. The most chill, and haunting, of her songs is Breathe Me.
4. About a year ago now, I was rocking out to their alternative sound, but for some reason have not revisited them untill I was reminded of them by alternative portland radio. (Thank you KNRK for your ever revealing wisdom. I am dying a little bit inside each morning when I don't get to listen to Gustav and the Jon Stewart minutes. That was the only good thing about that house, the huge stereo that blared as a I got ready naked and alone). Ok, focus, the band. My Morning Jacket. One of my fav is Run Thru (a little bit trippy, not gonna lie), but others of late are "Touch me, I'm going to Scream" as currently being played on the best station in portland, right ali?
5. Some of my music is so far back in my emails, I don't even remember where I found it, those are kinda the most fun to research or share. This one is Esthero, apparently been around a long time, but her/their song "Never gonna let you go" makes me really really wish that 'my' ipod could have withstanded my several drops so I could still see the face and actually still put my music on it. And the more I listen to it, the more I just want to dance around for hours in my newly 'acquired' soft as hell holynames sweats. Holllah.
7. And a giant shoutout to the new music by Coldplay (what I wouldn't give to be able to write music like you can) and some of my "I haven't had the time that your greatness requires, to listen and appreciate" groups such as the new Radiohead, Weezer, Counting Crows, Jewel (doing that country soul thing she does so well) and the Kooks. They all have new or soon to be released stuff. I am ashamed. I'll leave it at that.
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Sunday, June 8, 2008
You heard it here first, Edition 4, Volume 1
Wow. So I thought it hadn't been that long since I last posted one of these oh so important music review thingies that I work so hard on, but then I looked at the last one and it was over 2 months ago! Sheesh, not only have I been denying all of my lovely readers (I got a hit from Estonia and the US Virgin Islands in the past few days - how random) but I have also let my emails to myself, at work - that i then drag into my personal folder with all sorts of 'look into this' reminders whenever I think of someone or some song, get really really long. So I have decided to split my suggestions into three volumes. So here we go. I am bursting with excitement over several of these and feel that the collection as a whole is very diverse and summer-playlist ready. Enjoy.
1. Ok. First, is the new Janet Jackson. Called Feedback. Enough Said. I love it. It makes me want to run faster. Thank you Janet. And I wouldn't mind if she remixed it with Missy Elliot. I'm just sayin.
2. I have a small place in my heart for old rockers. Older guys who keep rocking, even though they have families and probably don't sell as many albums, and they just do it cause they love it, and they do it right. Busch frontman, hello Mr. Gavin Rossdale (aka mr gwen stefani), has a new album and he definitely holds his own. It's all about respecting your elders.
3. This next one is pretty silly, but oh so hilarious and catchy - pure pop bliss. And I want her style. At least some of it.
dedicated to sarah davidson :)
4. Everything that comes out of rockafella records seems to be fabulous right now, think Jay-Z, Kanye, John Legend, so its no wonder that this Motown throwback girl is rockin it. It's a fun summer, catchy song that has me smiling about America. One of my rare patriotic moments.
American Boy - Estelle
5. Originally done by one of my favorite singer/songwriters - Joseph Arthur, this song called "In the Sun" has been covered by many people throughout the nineties and up untill today. This version has REM, Chris Martin, and was done for a benefit concert/album for Katrina. It reminds me of those people/bands combined, throw in a little U2, and a sprinkling of tear-jerking. The joseph arthur version is a little bit more haunting, but this one is excellent as well (plus I just love Michael Stipes voice).
6. Her album "under rug swept" is one of my favorite overall albusm of all time, so when I heard this song, I was completely brought back to my sophmore year of college, with my jacque, on the third floor of mehling, with that album always in our stereo. Literally. that album, one by gavin degraw, and one by OAR. that was a great year for music in our room. Her new one is called "Underneath". I never get tired of her brilliance. I don't want to overwhelm this blog with videos, so I will let all you go find this on youtube. The video is a little weird, but good-weird.
7. Thank you jesus for VH1, I found this gem of a song, with a suprisingly fun video, over break at my mothers house. Its called chasing pavements, by Adele. Part of the new british invasion into pop music. But she's my favorite so far. More authentic than the others I think. But thats jusy my humble opinion. Enjoy.
8. I tip my hat to Hanley, one of my like minded music friends, for reccomending this group in her "music edification" blog. Thank you Hanley Helen. The New Pornogrpahers. Wooot. Its called 'Sing my Spanish Techno'.
More (Vol 2) to come on my lunch break tomorrow. Off for my second run of the day, ten minute runs, mind you, but I'm getting back into it, slooowwly but surely, so I can do THIS in september with Curly. I can't wait for her to get back from her year in Germany!
ps: Guess what's in one week? :)
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1. Ok. First, is the new Janet Jackson. Called Feedback. Enough Said. I love it. It makes me want to run faster. Thank you Janet. And I wouldn't mind if she remixed it with Missy Elliot. I'm just sayin.
2. I have a small place in my heart for old rockers. Older guys who keep rocking, even though they have families and probably don't sell as many albums, and they just do it cause they love it, and they do it right. Busch frontman, hello Mr. Gavin Rossdale (aka mr gwen stefani), has a new album and he definitely holds his own. It's all about respecting your elders.
3. This next one is pretty silly, but oh so hilarious and catchy - pure pop bliss. And I want her style. At least some of it.
dedicated to sarah davidson :)
4. Everything that comes out of rockafella records seems to be fabulous right now, think Jay-Z, Kanye, John Legend, so its no wonder that this Motown throwback girl is rockin it. It's a fun summer, catchy song that has me smiling about America. One of my rare patriotic moments.
American Boy - Estelle
5. Originally done by one of my favorite singer/songwriters - Joseph Arthur, this song called "In the Sun" has been covered by many people throughout the nineties and up untill today. This version has REM, Chris Martin, and was done for a benefit concert/album for Katrina. It reminds me of those people/bands combined, throw in a little U2, and a sprinkling of tear-jerking. The joseph arthur version is a little bit more haunting, but this one is excellent as well (plus I just love Michael Stipes voice).
6. Her album "under rug swept" is one of my favorite overall albusm of all time, so when I heard this song, I was completely brought back to my sophmore year of college, with my jacque, on the third floor of mehling, with that album always in our stereo. Literally. that album, one by gavin degraw, and one by OAR. that was a great year for music in our room. Her new one is called "Underneath". I never get tired of her brilliance. I don't want to overwhelm this blog with videos, so I will let all you go find this on youtube. The video is a little weird, but good-weird.
7. Thank you jesus for VH1, I found this gem of a song, with a suprisingly fun video, over break at my mothers house. Its called chasing pavements, by Adele. Part of the new british invasion into pop music. But she's my favorite so far. More authentic than the others I think. But thats jusy my humble opinion. Enjoy.
8. I tip my hat to Hanley, one of my like minded music friends, for reccomending this group in her "music edification" blog. Thank you Hanley Helen. The New Pornogrpahers. Wooot. Its called 'Sing my Spanish Techno'.
More (Vol 2) to come on my lunch break tomorrow. Off for my second run of the day, ten minute runs, mind you, but I'm getting back into it, slooowwly but surely, so I can do THIS in september with Curly. I can't wait for her to get back from her year in Germany!
ps: Guess what's in one week? :)
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Friday, June 6, 2008
No one will ever date us if we keep ON like this....
And, we're BACK
Me: Well, he was kind of cute, adorable actually
Ali: yeah
Me: except he had a lisp
Ali: but thats not a big deal, you could just make out with him and fix that, strengthen his tongue and all
me: ummmmm
Ali: we can never go out together
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Me: Well, he was kind of cute, adorable actually
Ali: yeah
Me: except he had a lisp
Ali: but thats not a big deal, you could just make out with him and fix that, strengthen his tongue and all
me: ummmmm
Ali: we can never go out together
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Thursday, June 5, 2008
Other things I need to place somewhere
The tangible power of being extremely tall (excentuated by heels), mostly blonde and redheaded, and for the most part good looking - is beyond avoidable. The attention we get when we migrate in groups of such nature is extremely interesting to watch unfold. To see the thoughts splash across their faces as they notice what can't help but be noticed. They check for heels, they check for others, as if to see where these giants are coming from, its rather hilarious. But mainly its our ridiculousness, sometimes loud and abrasive and so very there, but also (hopefully?) endearing. It gets me every time.
Body language on the bus. I could watch people all. day. long.
How sad (in its rarity and ability to excite) yet nice it is to get a compliment from my grandmother. Even if it is about my complexion (ha, I know, righ?), when all I really want is for her to stop telling me I'm going to get Elephantitis in South Africa. Thank you grandpa for standing up for me (and for South Africa), even if your attempt at positive input was drowned out by the time it reached us in the backseat of your oldsmobile. Why must she be so difficult to plug into? And hey grandpa, where did your awesome pimped out truck go? Don't tell me you traded it back in for this old person car.
Sue Taylor has the ability to look at me and know exactly what I am thinking. To have her so 'in your face support' is breathtaking and confirms that what is going on up there is not totally crazy. She uses her pointer finger a grab of the forearm to tell you how much she adores you. I am lucky to get a much coveted reference letter. And when her baby boy is graduating from highschool, one who I witnessed as the most sensitive and intelligent boy throughout all of his years in 'my family' and his bumpy ride through the much too white seattle prep highschool, the only appropriate thing to do is stand up and scream for him. That's how we roll. Thank you to Benaroya Hall for your lovely acoustics, we couldn't have done it without you. Goodluck at Hampton Bennett!
The so very bizarre-ness of my family's comfort with nakedness. Walking around the house in pajama bottoms and bras, or completely naked except for a clutched towel after showers, without a thought. Stripping down right there and then to try on an outfit and requesting a fasion consultation while being in the midst of a telephone call, just inches away from being in plain view of the kitchen windows of the family next door. We bare all, for better or for the worse. It gives me hope, to see that comfort, and good God does it make me laugh. If the neighbors only knew.
*That is all that needed to be spewed out. Many of them are unfinished thoughts and maybe not understandable to everyone, but all have been swimming around.
PS: A few days with cable and ready to use internet has fueled my list of "you must check these out" musicians and songs, so please ready yourself for another edition of my beloved (probably only to me) music blog. It is either going to be massive or split into many blogs. It will offset the dark and rather too personal blogs of late.
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Body language on the bus. I could watch people all. day. long.
How sad (in its rarity and ability to excite) yet nice it is to get a compliment from my grandmother. Even if it is about my complexion (ha, I know, righ?), when all I really want is for her to stop telling me I'm going to get Elephantitis in South Africa. Thank you grandpa for standing up for me (and for South Africa), even if your attempt at positive input was drowned out by the time it reached us in the backseat of your oldsmobile. Why must she be so difficult to plug into? And hey grandpa, where did your awesome pimped out truck go? Don't tell me you traded it back in for this old person car.
Sue Taylor has the ability to look at me and know exactly what I am thinking. To have her so 'in your face support' is breathtaking and confirms that what is going on up there is not totally crazy. She uses her pointer finger a grab of the forearm to tell you how much she adores you. I am lucky to get a much coveted reference letter. And when her baby boy is graduating from highschool, one who I witnessed as the most sensitive and intelligent boy throughout all of his years in 'my family' and his bumpy ride through the much too white seattle prep highschool, the only appropriate thing to do is stand up and scream for him. That's how we roll. Thank you to Benaroya Hall for your lovely acoustics, we couldn't have done it without you. Goodluck at Hampton Bennett!
The so very bizarre-ness of my family's comfort with nakedness. Walking around the house in pajama bottoms and bras, or completely naked except for a clutched towel after showers, without a thought. Stripping down right there and then to try on an outfit and requesting a fasion consultation while being in the midst of a telephone call, just inches away from being in plain view of the kitchen windows of the family next door. We bare all, for better or for the worse. It gives me hope, to see that comfort, and good God does it make me laugh. If the neighbors only knew.
*That is all that needed to be spewed out. Many of them are unfinished thoughts and maybe not understandable to everyone, but all have been swimming around.
PS: A few days with cable and ready to use internet has fueled my list of "you must check these out" musicians and songs, so please ready yourself for another edition of my beloved (probably only to me) music blog. It is either going to be massive or split into many blogs. It will offset the dark and rather too personal blogs of late.
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Drained
Going home to seattle, to see my family, has a way of completely ripping my heart out of my chest. Yet at the same time, it takes it and places it amongst the things I love and reflects back to me why I keep coming back. But regardless of the nostalgia and love, especially in connection to a celebration of one of the brightest of the Jesse folk, it is utterly draining to experience (even for only two full days) how immensely not ok my family is. The emotional chaos involved in being the most mature and patient person is only outdone by having to be the parent to my childlike mother. To see the ways in which she self medicates, self destructs, and lets the rage and self pity take over her psyche, all in blatant view of my baby sister, breaks my heart a thouseand times over. I really thought we had made more progress than this. I really thought that she was maybe turning the corner. But apparently I have been fooling myself. So much of it is not because of my father, and not because of the divorce, but because of her. And as she stomped into her room and slammed the door, acting younger than the child she was fighting with, I flashbacked to my highschool experience and was reminded of the reality that the worst is yet to come.
ps: sorry this is so dark, I guess I'm just keeping it real.
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ps: sorry this is so dark, I guess I'm just keeping it real.
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Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Maria, the last fourteen in pieces
My baby sister. 14 years old. Graduating from 8th grade. Moving on to Holynames. All very huge milestones in life, and especially in the Jesse Family. She's joining the ears pierced club, she's getting "grandma's bustline" that we are eternally grateful for, and she's becoming one of the Jesse Women. A great group, a tall group, and a proud clan. And as she is learning great things about life, I am continually learning new things about her. Because we don't live in the same house or even in the same city, it breaks my heart a little bit each day to know that I am not learning these things day by day, but having them all come to the surface on a weekend trip home is almost kind of better. All the more exciting and touching. One thing I've witnessed so far this weekend is that she is absolutely adored by so many people. Not that I ever doubted or not known that, but to see it come pouring out in letters and hugs and palanka's and requests to attend her graduation is pretty amazing. And if you even knew how slappable her little tushy was, you would adore her too. Also, she is a really good writer. And I mean really good writer. Full of (to me) 'cute by hindsight' teenage angst and childhood trauma, she's writes a little bit older than her years and I am very very proud of that.
Another aspect of our lives as sisters is how much of our existence is reflected by our relationship with the Taylor family. To be seen as daughters and sisters by them is so clear in Ed's sudden yet biting remarks that leave everyone with wide open grins and Sue's 'bordering on anger' eyes when she insists on our intelligence and beauty. And the lasting reminder of my sister, and my family, is the way in which Evan and Maria will never stop laughing. They laugh constantly, without provocation, and listening to themselves giggle apparently is the funniest part. In our eyes, they will never ever ever cease to be the giggling girls in the back of the car. Regardless of age or distance, the Jesse's and the Taylors will remain a constant reminder of my baby sister, of her laughter and her intelligence and of our bond.
"When I am with my girls, we laugh and laugh and laugh, like a long spaghetti noodle, floating down your throat, with what seems like no end"
-Maria Kathleen Jesse
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Another aspect of our lives as sisters is how much of our existence is reflected by our relationship with the Taylor family. To be seen as daughters and sisters by them is so clear in Ed's sudden yet biting remarks that leave everyone with wide open grins and Sue's 'bordering on anger' eyes when she insists on our intelligence and beauty. And the lasting reminder of my sister, and my family, is the way in which Evan and Maria will never stop laughing. They laugh constantly, without provocation, and listening to themselves giggle apparently is the funniest part. In our eyes, they will never ever ever cease to be the giggling girls in the back of the car. Regardless of age or distance, the Jesse's and the Taylors will remain a constant reminder of my baby sister, of her laughter and her intelligence and of our bond.
"When I am with my girls, we laugh and laugh and laugh, like a long spaghetti noodle, floating down your throat, with what seems like no end"
-Maria Kathleen Jesse
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