Pop, It's in the Hymnal Book

Been an action-packed last few days. A real bender. College is ending. No time to cry. Just time to soak it up as much as possible. Here's a late night hymn that might make Sunday morning a little easier to handle. Water + Nature Valley + This Mash . . and maybe a to-do list. Or not. God Bless.

McQueen or De Niro

This is beautiful.

All Day, Like Sunlight

Hold UP. I am working on finding the right 'device' to embed music without the visuals of Youtube.

Also, just heard this tonight. Am I late on it? Really enjoyed this number. Helps with the pool game. And the warm-up/pre-game, whatever you kids call it. Disc golf tomorrow, get excited. Go Gamecocks. Go Beavers.

Warning: Avalanche

 Josh McDaniels, I like you. You're fire and passion you showed after your Denver Broncos beat the NE Patriots (and more importantly your mentor, Bill Belichick) last year was compelling. You were the youngest coach in the NFL at the time and you guys were off to a 6-0 start. Since then, it has been remarkably downhill. And Peyton Hillis - this year's best pickup in the fantasy market - is why. Why did you trade Hillis for a dud like Brady Quinn? And then draft Tebow? Jeez. This guy (Hillis) is posting huge numbers for me. But, I really like him because he - like Fitzpatrick - plays for a losing organization. He is also white. How refreshing it is to have a white RB in the league again who runs people over (oh, how I miss Mike Alstott)...and yes, I like Toby Gerhardt too. I would have voted him for the Heisman last year if it had been in my power. One last thing. Bill Simmons? Hot damn. Most applicable nick name you have given. God job, Bill. Hillis' nickname: The Avanlanche (White & Runs Downhill.) Let's go Browns...and for that matter, Bills and Chiefs too. Have a good night out folks. 

Seasonal Transitions

A buddy of mine is a big fan of the Derek Trucks Band.

Fusion of summer to winter soul. Southern blues with a garnish. And a hint of rockabilly. I don't even know what that means. But props to the bartender at the Aardvark who made us her first White Russians tonight. Not too shabby.

Marcia, Marcia, Marcia...

I was lucky enough to have attended this commencement at UT last spring. Needless to say, graduation ceremonies are not the kind of event one looks forward to. But, Marcia Gay Harden delivered a quality speech last spring and it ended with a bang. It was a pretty inspiring moment, and while I am a Horned Frog for life - - this was one of those times that could make anybody want to be a Texas Longhorn.

Musical Beignets

Don't have much to say today. Just thought I'd post a classic. This number fails to grow old. The vocalizations really have a spiritual tilt to them and seem to take this song over the mountain. Also, if you are bored and want to know a piece about the lesser known of the duo: http://www.artgarfunkel.com/ Check out the list of books he has read - and as always, enjoy.

Ride the Closing Sax. And Ride Hard.

I am not terribly familiar with this group, but I know some of you are. This one of my favorite songs they do (and one of the few that I know). Anywho, the saxophone in the last third of the song is really satisfying. It's like your driving a Cobalt speed boat. In Space. With Shades on.

SunDance

Thursday. Have a good one.

One quick note: This song was used for a hot minute in James Franco's most recent film, 127 Hours. My jury is still out on how much I liked the movie (will need to see it again at some point), but I can say that this song was used for one particular montage and it was incredible! On either the 2nd or 3rd day of Ralston's dilemma (climber who's arm was caught in boulder), he wakes up realizing he has to start thinking pro-actively about getting himself out of this situation. In doing so he says, 'Alright - Let's do this' - - - Bill Withers' "Lovely Day" comes on and Boom - its a really wonderful moment where music and film make love. The montage ends with Ralston thinking only about water. Soon enough he is imagining babes on the beach, gushing waterfalls and Soda, all while "Lovely Day" is rocking the theatre. I can't recommend the movie - but if you do go see it - look for that scene!

Bon Iver - Skinny Love (Das Kapital Rerub) [HQ]

I couldn't wait to post this. Courtesy foremost of the newly found Skeetbeatz, amongst other internet providers, I came across this mashed-rerub of one of my favorite musicians.

The Skinny: Justin Vernon, the front man for Bon Iver (French for 'Good Winter') released one of the most incredible albums I have ever heard, For Emma, Forever Ago in 2007. This album exploded. Even Peter Gabriel found one particular song ("Flume") so brilliant, he chose to cover it.

Now -- maybe Bon Iver is a one-and-done show, but let's hope not. I hear mixed reactions when I talk to people about what they think of his recent collaborations on the new Kanye West album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.

But if there is anything that Bon Iver's work has done, it has indefinitely laid a musical foundation for many genres. (ie Peter Gabriel, Kanye West)...and now - - the mash culture. Enjoy.

Pulp Fiction: Christopher Walken

Lucky Us. Watched Tarantino's Pulp Fiction in class today. Enter Christopher Walken. If you've got a few, take 5 and enjoy.

The Beauty of the Green Line

Ah, Wes Anderson. The 41-year-old Houston native is such an interesting filmmaker. His first film, Bottle Rocket, additionally launched the careers of fellow Texans Luke & Owen Wilson.

Side Note: The Wilson brothers' father managed a radio station in Dallas which was the first to air episodes of Monty Python's Flying Circus in the United States.

Sometimes I feel like Wes Anderson is incredibly upfront and authentic in his filmmaking, and other times I feel as though it might be something so flawless, that it is hard to grasp. By no measure am I bandwagonner either - - Anderson has a style that incorporates music of the neo-folk era, wide-pan shots, colors - right down to the exact measure of hue, saturation and brightness, and a narrative that flows like a dried & aged red wine. But enough advertising. Let me preface this clip.

Jackson Browne's "These Days" has always been a favorite number of mine. In this classic scene from The Royal Tenenbaums we see Luke Wilson (The Baumer, a failed tennis star) meeting his sister Margot (Gwyneth Paltrow) at this bus station. If you've seen the film, you know that they are hopelessly in love. But forget the narrative of the context and focus on the music as you stroll through the clip. "These Days" is covered by Nico (1938-88) and is so beautifully and eloquently covered, enriching the song in a way that would make Jackson Browne proud. Enjoy.

The Bearded & The Beleaguered

In today's NFL, it doesn't get much worse than being employed by one of the NFL's worst organizations (regarding wins/losses). The 2-9 Bills released once-thought-to-be-franchise QB Trent Edwards, in addition to losing Marshawn Lynch to the Seattle Seahawks in the early part of the season. Undoubtedly, the 0-5 start for the Buffalo Bills has been rough. I feel for this city, who genuinely loves their football team. Recent developments of a new stadium being built in Los Angeles, California have ignited talks that the Bills might be one of the teams in contention for relocation. But this is a mute point. The love for the Bills in Buffalo is so adamant that the idea of them moving is next to impossible. If only to travel to Buffalo and witness/experience the passion that this chilly New York town has for a team that is notoriously known in recent years for being under .500, would be a genuine experience.  

Center: Ryan Fitzpatrick. I can't find his jersey online anywhere. 

A graduate of Harvard and young-journeyman back-up QB to the likes of Carson Palmer, Trent Edwards - Fitzpatrick epitomizes admiring qualities. Some highlights, that I find most notable: 

Great beard.

Married to a former Harvard soccer player (team captain Liza Barber). (2 sons).

Rumored to have completed the Wonderlic Test (NFL common-sense-exam) 

in 9 minutes. Only missed one. 49/50. How about that, Vince Young?

He's doing an admirable job QBing a team that constantly plays hard to win. They've taken numerous opponents (Ravens, Steelers caliber) to OT.

The Bills aren't a program in need of rebuilding. Some secondary assistance and beefing-up the O-line will always prove beneficial to a struggling, young team. But - continue to groom Fitz, let Chan Gailey stay, and C.J. Spiller will become a preeminent back. Let's go Bills.

God Bless & God Speed.