Music

Eighth Annual Ralphies are up!

My friend and colleague Ed Cook is the author of Ralph the Sacred River and the Eighth Annual Ralphies are up! Go and see what his picks for books, music, and movies are this year. As usual, I do not feel that I have much to offer in terms of top reading, listening, and viewing, but I will give it a go anyway.

In terms of music, one year I said that I had stumbled across The Shins and was told that was “old” and that I was way too behind. Oh well. (Still like them, BTW.) I followed the world to Esperanza Spalding and do not regret joining that bandwagon for a minute! If you like jazz, give her a try. (Close runner up: Renaud Garcia-Fons.)

As are as books are concerned, I read a lot this year, but most of it seemed to be strategic plans, thesis proposal forms, and applications. My pick is an oldie but a goodie, made better by the fact that I read it with my 7-year old son. The Hobbit is a classic and I am eager to see the new movie adaptation. But the fact that a novel with no images kept a 6, then 7 year old occupied and captivated speaks volumes in today’s context of iPads and iPods. In non-fiction I will strongly recommend Wrong: Why experts* keep failing us–and how to know when not to trust them *Scientists, finance wizards, doctors, relationship gurus, celebrity CEOs, … consultants, health officials and more by David Freedman. First, there hasn’t been a title like that since 1792. Second, it is a great study in “critical thinking” (and the lack thereof) and perfect for classes, even if it is not terribly penetrating. (I doubt that you will learn anything new, but it is nice to have someone else do the homework for you.)

Finally, I was unable to see many movie in the theatre but Netflix, iTunes, and Comcast have been my friend. I can whole heartedly name Cowboys & Aliens as my top pick. There were some fun animated and “hero” movies this year, but the combination of my two favorite genres (leaving out only spies, and Daniel Craig covers that with his presence) made C&A an easy favorite. Great fun and a nice twist on classic movies, with enough nods to antecedents to keep geeks thoroughly engaged. (Super 8 was a nice runner up for me and is Ed’s pick, but JJ Abrams would you please cut it out with the lens flare already!)

So, those are mine, or at least are a few that come to mind. What are yours? Go let Ed know at Ralph the Sacred River.

Music to translate by

Jun 16th, 2011

by Christian Brady.

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This summer I have got to get more work done on TgRuth. Those who know me know that translation is not my favorite activity and working late into the night is for, well, its for grad students. Last night, however, this song came on (and I quickly put the whole album on) and I just grooved.

Enjoy one of the greatest, Adam Again. Gene Eugene is missed.

Finding the Lost Dogs

Jun 13th, 2011

by Christian Brady.

1 comment

The previous post regarding Daniel Amos put me in mind of another great group whose concert I attended, The Lost Dogs. I had posted this piece on my old site, but never at Targuman. So, for your enjoyment, a reflection on Christian music and growing up.

I was lost on the twisting, narrow state routes of Pennsylvania and cursing all the while that I would be late, but I was finally going to see the Lost Dogs. This inimitable group was originally comprised of one member from each of four groups that have formed the foundation of Christian alternative music for over 20 years: Derri Daugherty of The Choir, Terry Taylor of Daniel Amos, Gene Eugene of Adam Again, and Mike Roe from the 77s. The lyrics and music of these four groups probably informed my adolescent Christian life as much as the Bible; they certainly helped me through some of the toughest years of my life.

Growing up a good Christian kid I liked the music I heard on the radio but I just listened too closely to the words. When I found myself singing “Cocaine” to myself in class I realized that what went in often stayed in and only gradually bubbled out. So I looked to the Christian bookstore, the only one within 20 miles, unlike today with a Family Bookstore in every strip mall, and there I found Fireworks, Bob Bennett, and Chuck Girard. I liked them well enough, and still listen to them some days, Bennett’s “Mountain Cathedrals” has become my 7 year old daughter’s favorite ever since the night she could not sleep and it was the only song I could remember, but it all seemed too much like a sermon. Today I would say it was too schmaltzy.

I don’t think I really wanted simply a Christianized version of what was on DC101, although Nashville was happy enough to provide it, but I did want something that didn’t seem quite so out of step musically and lyrically. I was between Petra and Stryper, a rock and spandex. Then came the silly irreverence of Steve Taylor. I still remember the program that included a quote from his father, “For this we paid for three years of seminary?” It was at his concert in 1985 that I first heard the Youth Choir who would later become simply “The Choir.”

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Daniel Amos is on Tour

Jun 13th, 2011

by Christian Brady.

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Some of my readers may remember Daniel Amos, one of the earliest Jesus groups from the 70s and one of the few still around. Granted, it has been more than 10 years since they have toured and that long since their last original album, Mr. Buechner’s Dream. Still, they are alive and kicking and making great music. I am very excited to be able to see them in person.

*DANIEL AMOS ON TOUR*
2011 Tour Featuring: Terry Taylor, Jerry Chamberlain, Greg Flesch, Ed McTaggart and Paul Averitt

Few bands with roots that stretch back to the 70s still create timely, relevant music. Most of them are nostalgia acts, recycling the faded glory days of yore when they were writing and performing important music. Not so with Daniel Amos. Fueled by the songwriting genius and inimitable voice of Terry Scott Taylor, the twin guitar attack of Jerry Chamberlain and Greg Flesch, the rock-solid drumming of Ed McTaggart and the low end… and high harmonies of new bassist Paul Averitt, Daniel Amos is making music that is just as fresh and vital as the their glory years. Sure, on this new tour they will reach back into their storied past for the nuggets and the “shoulda been” hits, but rest assured they will be playing 21st century music right up there with the likes of Radiohead, Wilco and Flaming Lips.

Daniel Amos hasn’t toured in more than ten years, but the upcoming summer tour of 2011 is a rare chance to experience not only the great music but also the onstage spectacle of one of the truly great bands, still in their prime after 35 years.

999 albums on the wall, take one down…

Mar 4th, 2009

by Christian Brady.

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I just bought the new U2 album No Line On The Horizon (pretty good, but not great) and I thought I would check iTunes to see just how many albums I actually have. The total? 999 Makes me want to buy just one more album (or track, actually, since iTunes simply records each song’s album as an “album” even if I only have one track).