9/26/2002 - Herbie Hancock Quartet at Humphrey's by the Bay.

I've seen Herbie Hancock play twice now. Both times he demonstrated
an endearing sense of humor and modesty. Both times he complained about
how cold it was. It was outside in the marine fog you see in San Diego
towards the end of summer. This time, the wind kept blowing sheets of music
off (out) from inside his piano - he kept playing - at one point turning
around to give the audience a smug smile and a thumbs up. When one member
of the audience handed him a clip (hair-clip?) like object, he grinned
and offered to bring the person on tour.

Also different this time - Mr. Hancock chatted with us (at us) about
the pieces beforehand. They started with a rendition of Dolphin Dance
that came out somewhat dark and moody (deliciously appropriate for a dark
and chilly evening) which showcased the saxaphone player. The piece
morphed into something beautiful which I couldn't identify.

The second piece in the set was a composition of said saxaphone player.
They followed that with a Bill Evans piece - described as "some pretty
hot stuff" and it was quite groovier than I remember Bill Evans. To give
you an idea of how - it turned into a great rendition of Chameleon! I
didn't think it could be done on an acoustic bass - the bass player was
all over his fret.

I don't have my notes with me now, so I can't identify the closing
number - but it seemlessly segued into Footprints which just made
my entire evening. We then made him come back out for an encore and
Maiden Voyage.

Thanks Mr. Hancock.


Also do any Japanophiles here know where this quote comes from?
Or if it's accurate?

"Tsuyoku nakereba ikiru koto wa dekinai,
Yasashiku nakereba ikiru shikaku ga nai."

I translate it as:
"Without strength one cannot live,
Without compassion one does not deserve to live."

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Whoa, haven't been here in a while. Unfortunately, I think this is about as often as I'll make it here until December.

Got Debian going on the new box! Running Window Maker and it's beautiful. It's even got a GPL numerical package (sort of like MATLAB) that I'll be able to do homework on this semester. Still working on the sound, though. For now it's OK cuz I just burn CD's at work.

Just 'discovered' Robert Cringley. Too bad I don't watch TV anymore, PBS still rules. I think I need to get a hold of his show where he builds his airplane in 30 days.

Concert report: 9/6

The Dave Wakeling show was sort of a bust. I got a nice nostalgic buzz from it, but too many kids. Mr. Wakeling was standing in for a younger mainstream person, so I got asked 'Dave Wakeling, who's that?' a few times. Also, it was a free show at the race track, so it was otherwise attended by the sort of people who hang out at the race track on Friday evenings, I found. (Del Mar is a generally snotty, icky place)

Mr. Dave and his five piece band (including a DJ) worked very hard, to their credit. Everybody was up and dancing in the pit as well. They played all their well known tried and true numbers.
Even joked about how he's been doing 'that Smokey Robinson cover for twenty years, but he's never showed up.'

Unfortunately, the band was limited in it's orchestration, and did not do their songs justice. Then there was the lame groupie-poser who got on stage because it was her birthday. Dave's joking "We are gonna 'Save Her for Later' " and one of the band members shooing her off the stage at the end didn't seem to phase her.

Not going to Del Mar Racetrack anymore.

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It's always nice to get rain in San Diego. It was pretty muggy, overcast and gross all morning.

Watch this space for news from the David Wakeling show on Fri! (just announced stand-in for whoever usually plays the 4o'clock Friday shows at the Del Mar racetrack)


9/4 Small things first.

Missed Profiles in Jazz: Horace Silver, (actually I only caught the last half of 'Song for My Father') But that's OK, concert made up for it (see below) Have I praised the jazz-only public radio station in San Diego enough? Anyway, what I was doing instead: thermodynamics looks like a lame chore of a class (easy, but tedious busy work) but the profs. a knowledgable older member of faculty (and peer pressure, peer pressure!) so I'll stay in.

Rescued a big momma grasshopper today. She was hanging out in the driveway in front of the Emergency Dept. That's bad place for little animals because they'll get trampled or driven over with a cot or something. She was the biggest I'd seen in the US, bright yellow with brown spots. She was also sort of lethargic (from the heat?) and seemed near death, but I moved her because it'd be pretty messy if she got stepped on.

Went to Jazz in the Park to see Charles McPherson quartet. Public Jazz Radio station hosts cheap concerts at the art museum in Balboa Park. They were tight tight band. Esp. loved their second set - w/ 'Seventh Dimension' and the incredibly fast closing number. The drummer, Charles' son Chuck, and piano player (didn't catch the name) were brilliant throughout. There was a wide variety of pieces - from pretty ballads to boppy numbers that sounded straight from 1964. I wish I knew what to say - I don't think I'm doing the experience justice here at all.

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Random stuff entry:

The 'efficiency experts' went home today. I wonder how much money my medical center/hospital blew to retain them. None of their recommendations weren't obvious to anyone who does real work here.

None of you are Harvard MBA's, right?

"Why Hip-Hop Sucks in '96"


Co-worker and I bonded over St. Etienne today.

X-Windows not recognizing my $20 video card.
Have to get a $30 video card, I guess.

Start classes again on Tuesday. It's gonna be a hairy semester. On a related note: co-worker tells me his sister claims she is 'furry'
hmm...

"Too much information, running through my brain"



"Tell me a story"

Back when W-Bush was running for president and story about alleged cocaine use broke, and people were comparing it to Clinton's alleged marajuana use, I was listening to public radio talk show at lunch. One older dude called to say something to the effect that:

'Back when I was in college, use of certain narcotics implied a hip awareness of current events and history, and a set of agreeable values, and a willingness to express them to the opposition.'

You could almost hear him winking. Gotta love NPR.

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Whew! What a week. Lots of testing at work, then computer arrives and I slooooowly put it together by night - those nights I didn't get out to see concerts!

8/22
Cornelius and South at Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach.

I caught the last four songs in South's set. Moody, harsh, driving guitar music - right up there with LikeMillions - except for their extensive use of keyboards and vibes. I am not certain if this is the electronica/post-rock/not-Radiohead South from England or the one from Virginia. What I heard fits the description of either one.

Cornelius put on an excellent show. I had not actually heard his new album, but it is a supposedly more of an organic, pop sort. As such, he brought along a four piece band - an amalgam of other indie band musicians from Japan. The re-creations of all the studio work from Fantasma were splendid. Much much recognition should go to the drummer - a woman who looked about 5'1" - the blondest Japanese person I'd ever seen. She wailed away at the drums through the entire set (you know what I mean if you heard the noisier tracks on Fantasma) and the three-song encore.

Cornelius is also among the funniest people ever. I imagine the visuals (videos) are his work, (lots and lots of fun pop-culture refs) and the band really played up the "this-is-noise-art-rock-but-we-are-gonna-act-like
-metal-heads" act, like when the guitarist stopped his air-catching power-cords long enough to play a vocoder solo, for example.

Belly Up is also quite a good venue. Seating in the back is elevated and has tables so you can get a good relaxed view of the stage. Crowd was nice. (maybe a little too well behaved) I don't know if that was just a feature of the show, though.

On a more personal note, the mixture of scents from cigarette smoke, Japanese hair products, over-charged air conditioner humidity, and the music all evoked vivid memories of summertime in Japan.


8/19
Jonathan Richman at the Casbah.

Jonathan Richman is among the funniest people ever (I, however, am not) Of course, he's had lots and lots of practice with his self-deprecating style of humor, (he's been at it for thirty years) but it still seems strangely un-polished and entirely acceptable. Perhaps it was genuinely spontaneous, but nobody there really seemed to care.

He played an entirely satisfying set with his acoustic guitar and single drummer. (Mr. Drummer was not so expressive, but it is no easy task keeping up with Mr. Richman) And songs off of Her Mystery Not of High Heels and Eye Shadow "I was Dancing in the Lesbian Bar," had us all singing along.

If they come to your town, both shows are highly recommended.

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"I don't want to sell anything, buy anything or process anything as a career. I don't want to sell anything bought or processed... or buy anything sold or processed... or process anything sold, bought or processed... or repair anything sold, bought or processed. You know, as a career, I don't want to do that."

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Well, the package is a new 'puter. Got good deal on used parts. Eventually, I'll pay for broadband or something - then who knows? Freenet?

If you like Ladytron, or Fantastic Plastic Machine, you may be pleased to know that their label, Emperor Norton, has a section on their website devoted to listening to mp3s. They'll even tell you that WinAmp is "ultra-reliable and has been test-driven by 30 million pirates"

Matador has a list of friendly neighborhood record stores that carry their music.

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My nephew (5mos.) likes Art Blakey.

Long drive home tomorrow.

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What's this? (What's this? There's something in the air...) So I go try D-Music and all this stuff of mine is already there?

Well. This place is nice.
I gotta get out more.

The stuff I need to get done before school starts again is actually building up.

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8/6
Something to be said about Tower Records/Borders in less urban communities. I've bought some music I haven't been able to find anywhere else. I'll 'liberate' these soon!

San Diego band that deserves attention: Like Millions

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