Amoeblog

Photographic Memory, Part 2

Posted by Job O Brother, September 14, 2009 12:01pm | Comments (1)
This is another installment of music and/or movies that I’m reminded of when looking at old photos of myself, my family and my friends. It was brought to you by the letter E and the number 8. And through a generous donation from the Karen Silkwood Driving Academy. And from Viewers Like You.

angry kid
"I hate you."

Here’s a picture of the dude that’s writing the sentence you’re reading right now. It was taken while he was in Kindergarten. The expression on the boy’s face sets the tone for the rest of his scholastic experience.

I don’t know what happened to make me look so surly in a photograph. It could’ve been as simple as the photographer telling me to “Smile!” which is an order I have never responded to well. I mean, if someone wants me to smile, they should be creative about it. Try saying something like:

“I’ve bought you 8 pints of ice cream and a spoon!” or

“I managed to destroy every last recording of the song ‘Entry Of The Gladiators!'” or

“I am John Gavin, and I’m going to kiss you.”

Something that would make me smile for reals. Don’t just bark orders at me! Especially to portray an emotion. That’s too personal. I AM NOT A LABRADOR RETRIEVER, PEOPLE!

Bert Jansch, Coming Soon To Your Town!

Posted by Miss Ess, August 23, 2007 07:53pm | Post a Comment
As if you needed an excuse to visit that loveliest of all the lovely San Francisco venues, the Swedish American Hall, this coming Sunday it will be filled with the music of Bert Jansch.

bert jansch

Yes, that's right, Bert Jansch, oh -he- of- that- difficult- to- pronounce -last- name (last time I checked it was Yan-sh) will be making a rare-ish appearance here in our fair city.

bert jansch

Bert's one of those lucky people who came up in the U.K. in the late 50s/early 60s, so by the time he was a young man, he was in Swinging London's folk clubs impressing many a drunken lout.

My favorite records of his came out in the mid-to-late 60s:

Jack Orion (1966)     bert jansch jack onion


and
Birthday Blues (1968)  birthday blues bert jansch




If you like your folk music straight up with just a slight twist of mournfulness, Bert's a guy fordevendra banhart noah georgeson you.  His voice is so rich and warm.  It doesn't sound like anyone else's ever.  He's had somewhat of a comeback lately, with a great record released last year called Black Swan, produced by Noah Georgeson and with requisite omnipresent guest Devendra Banhart, among others.  From what I hear about his live shows, he's still got chops for miles.  Unfortunately, I can't make the show Sunday, so some of you will have to go for me and report back....Please?

The Jungle Book

Posted by Job O Brother, April 12, 2007 10:34am | Post a Comment

               INT. JOB'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

               JOB, (early 30's) sits at his desk. A BLACK CAT is curled in
               his lap.

               He's listening to music on shuffle; a new song playing every
               few minutes or so. Currently playing is an early song by
               Front 242 from their album "Geography", located in the
               Gothic/Industrial section of Amoeba Music.

               He's typing out his latest blog, in screenplay format.

               In the time it takes him to describe the music that's
               playing, it switches to a track from Clinic's latest effort,
               "Visitations"; an album he is still exploring and enjoying,
               though it doesn't immediately rock his world like their
               impish, catchy and pithy album "Walking With Thee", located
               in the Rock/Pop section of Amoeba Music; an album which
               samples one of his heroes, Laurie Anderson, also found in
               that section.