LaMontagne

So I was just sitting here watching Ely Stone on TV (not a show I watch, but just kinda ended up leaving it on...), and the program ended with Ray LaMontagne's "Let It Be Me" playing in the background. I realized that I never wrote the post I meant to write last week...

Last Tuesday I went to see Ray LaMontagne at Strathmore here in DC. I went by myself because having managed to miss out on seeing Ray in NYC last year even though I had tickets to the show, I wasn't going to miss him again. I'm glad I went.

Ray played a lot of songs from his new album Gossip in the Grain. I haven't bought the album yet, but I can already tell you that I love it. The styles of the songs run the gamut: from the lyrical and lovely "Let It Be Me," to the driving, bluesy (complete with harmonica) "Henry Nearly Killed Me," to the countrified ragtime "Hey Me, Hey Mama," to the beautifully written waltz "Roses and Cigarettes." While I often feel like I need to listen to a new CD several times before I can make a decision whether I like it or not, Ray's concert already assures me that his new disc will be in heavy rotation on my stereo. It's rare for an artist to be able to present so much new music in one sitting and have it be so thoroughly devoured by an audience, but Ray's new material is so good, I found it hard not to hear it and love it immediately. I'll be buying the album pronto.

Having previously only heard Ray on his studio recordings, I must admit that I was surprised at how well he commands the room. The albums tend to be pretty mellow, and while I've always liked him and found his stuff to be pleasant, I don't know that I was ever particularly moved one way or another. On the contrary, live, his voice really fills the room and allows you to listen to what he's singing about...the stories are loud and clear. And while his band wasn't exactly tight, they play with a loose electricity that adds a special something--maybe it's joy--to the music.

In short, I loved the show. Go see him if you have the chance.

Marc Broussard @ BB King's

Last Sunday night, I went to BB King's Blues Club on 42nd street in NYC to see Marc Broussard. It was a bit of a tedious night, as seating at the club is a bit tricky. You have to get there early to get a seat, so there's eating and opening acts to muddle through. The food was actually pretty good, but I'm just going to skip right past what I thought of the opening acts...

Marc finally took the stage at a little past 10pm, ad I was relieved that he was well worth the wait. Now I've seen Marc several times over the past few years, and I met him in the last year during an interview. I know how talented this kid is, and I very much wanted to see him in this intimate venue. However, I brought along my friend, AD who likes music, but it isn't really her thing...by the time Marc finally took the stage, I thought I'd lost her...

But then he came out, looking all sexy, and he opened his mouth. It is such a joy to listen Marc sing and watch him work the stage. I started swaying, AD started smiling, and the rest of the night was just delightful. My friend turned to me at one point ad said, "I didn't know you liked R&B?" I was like, "Well, when it's real R&B, YEAH!!"

The show was great, and he played about two hours--just long enough to get past midnight; the next day was his 26th birthday, and he wanted to ring in his day on-stage. He closed his final encore with a Donny Hathaway tune...

I highly recommend you check him out when he's performing anywhere near you.

Celestial Seasons

So I've yet to be one of those people who bear their souls via the blogosphere, but I feel like writing...

The fact of the matter is, lately, I've been kind of inexplicably happy. It's sort of a strange experience--I've been so blessed (in general) and particularly, of late. I had a lovely Thanksgiving eating a wonderful meal with my best friend, and then an evening of drinks and conversation with another of my closest pals. I've spent a large portion of my time lately with people I truly love and care about with all my heart....from concerts to karaoke, I can truly say I've been having a blast.

I've also been walking around in the cold, having snow blow all over me, thinking the city looks magical. I normally love Christmastime anyway, but this year I really feel lucky. I've seen the balloon inflation for the Macy's parade, and I purchased my first Christmas tree in Astoria--already decorated and glowing at me right now as I type...I've enjoyed the brisk winds and the sounds of the season throughout the stores. When I was in Grand Central today, I took a few minutes to stop and wait for the hourly Kaleidoscope show in the main concourse. And last night, my friend and I went to see the decorated tree at Rock Center. I know it's only the first time I'll be at the tree this season, but it was special...

So yeah, happy...but oddly, happy doesn't quite seem the right word? Not sure...I guess I just feel, in the midst of all the nice, that something is missing.

Sensuous Woman

So, I have friends in town, and since I know they like Margaret Cho, when I had the chance to get us cheap tix to her show Sensuous Woman, I snatched them up. I'm really glad I did. It was an interesting time; the venue, The Zipper Room, was funky and welcoming, and just stepping through the doors made you feel like you were in for an experience. The theatre itself is makeshift, but intimate and cozy--the seating in the space is junked bench seats ripped from cars and minivans. Bizarre, but surprisingly comfortable.

As for the show, all I can say is, I enjoyed it. Margaret made me laugh, and made me feel a little sad; but mostly, she made me feel celebratory about being a woman. The variety show is filled with odd acts of all types, but never once did you feel like you were laughing AT the performers, rather with them: it was a really fun ride. Also, I must say that I think Margaret rocks, and I think she has something special--grace. Her humor is filthy and racy, but it's also introspective and interesting. Mainly, I think she mostly wants to point out the best about people, and link the commonalities between us all.

On a side note, it was also a good thing that I got these tickets instead of tix to a Broadway play, because the stagehands strike began yesterday, so much of Broadway is dark. In fact, in a pure NY moment, on our walk across town, we walked by the theatre where The Color Purple is playing. Aside from the strikers themselves, there seemed to be something else going on in the picketer's corral: there was a crowd gathering, and we could hear singing. I recognized that voice; sure enough, Fantasia was out there, with (presumably) other members of the cast. They were singing their hearts out in the cold, supporting their stagehands. We stood as close as we could for a few songs, tried to snap some pics, and basically enjoyed a real NY moment.

American Gangster

Last year, my friend AD was an extra in a movie that was being shot in NY. I joked with her that she doesn't do things in a small way, because oh, no, she didn't do some little flick for her first film job, no...she worked on the new Ridley Scott film. The movie? American Gangster.

Last night four of us went to see the movie at the late showing; we're all working bizarre-o hours these days, so watching this long movie at the end of a long week had the potential to do us in. Luckily, the film was great. I don't like to give anything away, so suffice it to say: this dark, interesting, violent story was a thrill to watch. There were many "woah" and "wow" moments; the look of the film and the acting performances were so good, you didn't think about them. I was pulled in from the beginning. See it on the big screen.

Irritated?

Okay, so I've discovered something: I'm kinda boring. Turns out, to write an interesting blog, you have to have something to write about--something you're irritated about, and need to vent; something that is so cool you just want to share it with everybody; something fun you saw/did/want to do; or even some internal dialogue that might be interesting to the rest of the world.

But right now, Me? I got nothin. I've just been taking care of all my personal organizing of crap, and I haven't seen a show, or read anything of particular interest. The best thing I've been doing is walking around the city on these first crisp Fall days...

Aah, well, I'm sure something will happen...or maybe I'll just post a pic or two from my recent trips...

Movie Time in Astoria

So, I finally went to a movie in Astoria. This may seem like a little thing, but the fact is, I love going to the movies, and I haven't been much this year...

Since moving to Queens, I've only seen about four films--and all of them were seen with friends, in Manhattan. Now if you know anything about me, you know I mostly attend movies solo, so the previous statement is pretty strange...ANYWAY, it was a rainy afternoon, and the new George Clooney movie just came out, so I decided this was the perfect time to find the theatre off 35th Ave. I must say, this was a great idea.

I skated into the movie just in time to see a preview for the The Bucket List (which I soooo want to see--LOVE Morgan Freeman!), and then the movie started. The film I saw was Michael Clayton; I really enjoyed it. Now, I'd like to say that the plot was amazing, and I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, but then I'd be lying. What I CAN say, however, is that the whole film was like watching a master acting class. Tom Wilkinson was amazing, as was the rest of the cast. The story was interesting enough, but really, I just enjoyed watching these actors create their characters. And, of course, it never hurts to look at Clooney for two hours.

In any case, the movie was filled with shots of this fantastic city I live and work in, and I really enjoyed my time in the dark this afternoon. If you see the film, I hope you like it, too.