RUJ 1003 - Joanna Newsom at the 400 Bar.
Still on a roll. For the second night in a row I leave a concert not wanting to hear any other music. The new songs with live band arrangements are great. The band gives her more room to breathe than on the strings on the album, while still adding the right things in the right places. She plays just the right songs off of the first album. Who would have though a harp would sound more immediate in a rock club than recorded by Steve Albini? Like few other performers. She even managed to shut up often chatty 400 Bar crowd.
For no apparent reason, we concert-goers had to wait outside for a really long time to get in. I showed up around 10:15 for a 10 PM door and was outside for at least a half an hour. WTF? Mild temperature and gregarious people in line make situation enjoyable in true BWE/old Brit fashion.
RUJ 1004 - The Fountain.
After some family stuff and running holiday errands for most of the day I decided to take it easy in the evening and catch The Fountain. I’m a pretty big fan of Aronofsky’s other films but this one has gotten pretty mixed reviews. I enjoyed it, probably for many of the reasons the reviews have not. The meditative, circular approach that has been called monotonous I found interesting. I also think its the best way to tackle such ambititous topics as death, disease and grieving. I need time and space to let the ideas unfold. A more straightforward film would have felt brittle and hectoring. Interesting film with amazing visuals, which is enough to satisfy me these days. Again I left the venue under the spell of the experience.
RUJ 1004 - Jonestown: The Life and Death of People’s Temple
Interesting documentary about Jim Jones and People’s Temple with lots of interviews with survivors and ex members. There is also a lot of footage and tape recordings of when everything bad which is remarkable in and of itself. Besides being compelling (if ghoulish) drama, the complicated place the People’s Temple holds for its ex members is interesting. They seem to have a hard time reconciling the progressive aspects of the church and the strong sense of community with the horrible parts of its history. One constantly shades the other. There are no simple explanations here: idealism, desire for community, egotism, paranoia all mix in a compelling portrait of both a particular group of people and a 70s culture at odds with itself.
RUJ 1005 - Gogol Bordello at First Avenue
Still clicking along. I’m not sure if I’m getting lucky or if framing everything in terms of the Best Winter Ever gives everything the luster of greater significance. GB are full of energy, life, and theater with frontman Eugene Hutz serving as ringmaster and holy fool. (Plus he gets props for the Finnish flag on his guitar.) The recordings I’ve heard were good, but this was way better.
RUJ 1006a - Know Name Records Death Party (afternoon)
First stumble. The Dinkytown branch of Know Name records was having a going out of business party/concert with 8 or so bands, 2 of which I really wanted to see. Not really wanting to spend the entire day there, I tried to stop by when I thought the groups I wanted to see woud go on.
I guessed wrong in the afternoon, completely missing Dreamland Faces. Whatever band I saw was fine, but not the bliss that can only come from signing saw and accordian duets.
RUJ 1006b - Know Name Records’ Death Party (evening)
Almost missed it again. This time around I was trying to see Vampire Hands. I got there too early and was starting to wonder if I had messed up again, but persistance paid off. Great PiL/Cure-ish post punk, with heavy use of percussion, especially Toms, that carries the minimal tonal accompaniment along.
RUJ 1007.1 - British Advertising Awards at the Walker
This is a big event every year at the Walker but I’ve never gone before. BWE is for doing those winter things you never do. Wacky, and sometimes touching, commerce. I’m curmudgeonely Modernist enough that I find the whole thing a little troubling, but I am honest enough to admit it was interesting.
RUJ 1007.2 Joe and Janna’s Housewarming
A wonderful home and a good time. Congratulations and thanks!
RUJ 1007.4 Movie Night 226