Smile, Richmond, You Unhappy Lil Bastardos!

Another day, another unhappy Richmonder (Richmondite? Both are showing up as spelled incorrectly). While watching this video a few thoughts come to mind.

• There's a baseball team call the Richmond Flying Squirrels? I remember seeing Bob Dylan play a Richmond minor league ballfield back in 2004. Was I in Squirrely Stadium and didn't know it. Shit, I wish I'd taken a picture.
• When coaches get "thrown out" of ball games, where do they go? I never see the Bouncer Ref walking people off the field and to their cars. Having a cameraman follow the coach all the way to his car would be fun for nothing more than to see what kinda car a minor league coach drives these days.
• Isn't it great that he can scream, kick things, and even twirl around OUT OF ANGER and be given a standing ovation by the fans? What other job in the world is it acceptable to literally scream in someone's face and be cheered on by clients?
  

One Forgives, One Doesn't

I listen to this every year now, today. It is one of the Crowes songs that really put out it's hand. I recommend the live one.

3 Things to Love About China!

China has been in the news, well, a lot in the past decade, but I'm going to break down some highlights I found particularly amusing from the last week or so:

1. Blowin' In the Idiot Wind - Bob Dylan went to China, and what do you know, he did it for the money! He also let the Chinese government approve his setlist. The fact that he didn't say, "Lay, you Commie bastards, lay, lay across whatever song I feel like singing because I'm as American as Coca Cola and no one tells me what to do," really pissed off NYT's MoDo. Honestly I was surprised she expected more from him. Has she ever seen Richard Gere in "Red Corner"? Speaking out can get you kilt! Ten times worse than Maggie's Farm, I can assure you. In China you sing what the government tells you to, get your buttload of money (which we've been giving them in the first place), or stay home in the U.S. remembering that time you didn't go to China.

2. Taking Care of Yourself is a Full Time Job - The U.S. government talked smack on China regarding their "negative trends" towards human rights aka stepping their restriction up on lawyers, activists, bloggers, journalists, and pretty much anyone speaking Chinese. Then China released a report a few days later stating the U.S. was a poor, racist, and violent country that didn't have much business pointing it's finger at anyone else. TRUE! But, um, what's your point, China? We're Americans! You know we get crazy!

3. Time Travel is Not an Option - "TV dramas shouldn't have characters that travel back in time and rewrite history. They say this goes against Chinese heritage," unlike the West where Time Travel is a deep, rich part of our heritage. I remember traveling in time as a little boy, and I'm sure I'd be a completely different person (aka Chinese) without those experiences.

Kurt Cobain Does a Jared Leto Impersonation

I heard today (April 5) was the day Kurt passed away 17 years ago. Can't believe it's been that long. So grateful for his contribution and inspiration. Not sure I'd be doing this if it weren't for him. He gave us all permission to create no matter what our skill set and reminded me that dreams are possible. Thanks for that. This made me recall a short piece of film I shot when I heard they were making a film celebrating his life. I made it to explore the character and explore creative possibilities. I never sent it to the studio or to anyone but thought I'd share it now...
- Jared Leto

The Armpit Collection XXXVII: Put God Away

Why did you choose to end the album with “It’s time to put God away”?

Because it really is! And it's a culmination song. It's a time-suspending song. You have to put it at the end. Can I just say this is a great record?

This record struck me very clearly with how good it sounded. There's a calm nature to not only the sound, but the opening line. "I started out in search of ordinary things." Sometimes we revel in the abstract because of a disconnect or inability to express realistically. Those journeys may begin with a pining for normalcy, clarity, a direct path to understanding. The relativity of ordinary offers similar comforts among us.

There's a very humble way about Callahan's approach that I find comforting, and that I feel sets this record apart from most singer/songwriter efforts. It doesn't feel forced. He can relish in the weird or intrigue without being contrived. Lyrically speaking, there is great literalism.

Armpit-technically, this album should be an addition to the 21st C. Singer/Songwriter Dilemna. Looking back, it makes more sense for Eagle to be included, than Wicked Grin.

This post was spurred by the release of Callahan's newest, Apocalypse.

VA/MD "Big Bad City"

Here is a wonderful music video featuring my good friends, VA/MD, produced by yours truly. Watch it in HD if your internet connection allows it. Feel free to leave compliments in the comments.