say hey everybody! here's hoping that today finds you and yours spreading good vibes. although i'm a bit sleepy i'm still basking in the glow of tony bennett after last night's concert at the bowl. that's about the only afterglow i get these days. of course, there's still a bit of a haze following me around. i should really avoid drinking the ENTIRE bottle of wine when i go out on week nights. shout out to my companion for the evening who joined me via chunhwa/denwa/tienwa. sorry that my celly so rudely dumped you before the conclusion of the performance. i don't know how they do it, these vocalists that i've seen lately, and how they can continue to sound so good. you go to see someone like tony bennett and figure, yeah, the guy's 76 years old, probably can't sing that well but will do his best for his fans. he comes on stage and right away starts belting tunes and sticking his notes. tony didn't sound good, he sounded fucking terrific. the selection of his songs was great and i think everyone appreciated that tony let the very accomplished members of his band pass the melody around, taking turns to lead. the highlight of the evening for me (other than getting utterly smashed) was his cover of some great ellington tunes; in a mellow tone, caravan, mood indigo, and it don't mean a thing (if it ain't got that swing). it don't mean a thing was punctuated by an amazing drum solo. i'm not ashamed to admit that i creamed my jeans.
twice.
hehe.
on the walk back to the crib after the performance i heard some guy ask his companion, "so who is duke ellington? was he a singer or a composer?" i nearly lost it. good thing i had thrown out my empty wine bottle because i would have cleaved this fool's head with it while screaming, "ELLINGTON IS THE FUCKING KING, HE PLAYED THE FUCKING PIANO AND WAS THE GREATEST BAND LEADER AND COMPOSER IN ALL OF JAZZ YOU STUPID MOTHERFUCK!!!!" kind of like when rob took his telephone and busted out ian's teeth in that movie, high fidelity. just thinking about makes me crack my knuckles. i should get off my musical high horse though. there's still plenty of cats that know tons more about swing than this fool.
i think i'll take this opportunity to have my afternoon smoking break. back in a jiff...
well, looks like things for my trip to new york are taking shape. got myself a hotel to crash at for my first nite there since benson can't host me till sunday. heard from david in long island, who's returned from his world tour that included stops in thailand and hong kong before ending in france for film school. and i will have some delightful company my first night there to accompany me to birdland for some live music. looks like jitterbug may make the drive up to join me at another gathering of internet folk this weekend. and we will go dancing, oh yes. fiscal responsibility will have to take a back seat until my return from vacation at the end of the month. my credit card companies be loving me long time.
got about another hour in my office before i head downtown for my class. makes me tired just thinking about it.
twice.
hehe.
on the walk back to the crib after the performance i heard some guy ask his companion, "so who is duke ellington? was he a singer or a composer?" i nearly lost it. good thing i had thrown out my empty wine bottle because i would have cleaved this fool's head with it while screaming, "ELLINGTON IS THE FUCKING KING, HE PLAYED THE FUCKING PIANO AND WAS THE GREATEST BAND LEADER AND COMPOSER IN ALL OF JAZZ YOU STUPID MOTHERFUCK!!!!" kind of like when rob took his telephone and busted out ian's teeth in that movie, high fidelity. just thinking about makes me crack my knuckles. i should get off my musical high horse though. there's still plenty of cats that know tons more about swing than this fool.
i think i'll take this opportunity to have my afternoon smoking break. back in a jiff...
well, looks like things for my trip to new york are taking shape. got myself a hotel to crash at for my first nite there since benson can't host me till sunday. heard from david in long island, who's returned from his world tour that included stops in thailand and hong kong before ending in france for film school. and i will have some delightful company my first night there to accompany me to birdland for some live music. looks like jitterbug may make the drive up to join me at another gathering of internet folk this weekend. and we will go dancing, oh yes. fiscal responsibility will have to take a back seat until my return from vacation at the end of the month. my credit card companies be loving me long time.
got about another hour in my office before i head downtown for my class. makes me tired just thinking about it.
colette:
Duke Ellington rocks, but are you familiar with Jelly Roll Morton? I am a huge piano fan. I have played classical since I was in the fourth grade...my piano teacher was born in 1902 so all her musical influences were great. Her idea of rock and roll was Gershwin or ragtime. She was a beautiful wonderful creature, and the only person I ever cried for when she died. She gave me an appreciation for and love of music that is incomparable and I love her every day fo it. She also was an extreme diciplinarian and scared the shit out of me!
