Friday randomness...or where I ask my f'list tons of questions.

[didi75]

That's great news about Dan Radcliffe taking on such a challenging role in Equus. Good for him. Maybe by that time I can make a trip to London to actually see it.

MusicListening to The Decemberists now, I realize that last summer I was much more obsessed with music than I am now. I don't know if that's because there's a clear lack of good

Comments

[annearchy]

I'm no fan of manufactured musical acts, or people who can't sing except in the studio. Give me a musician who has earned his/her chops the hard way, touring 100-200 days a year. Oh and if there's good songwriting to go with the voice and/or music, even better. Just my preference. I'd rather pay $15 -$20 to see a touring musician in a small club than $100 (not just for the money angle) to see some big act that only plays stadiums once every 3 years.

[didi75]

I agree about people who can't sing except in the studio. That's probably my biggest complaint about some pop music. But there are also a lot of great singers/performers who don't necessarily have writing talent. Sometimes those big stadium acts are amazing, but it's more intimate and rewarding to see a phenomenal act in a small venue.

Thanks for putting in your .02 cents! :)

[annearchy]

You're welcome *clings to sister not-at-Lumos person*

[didi75]

Thanks! I would love to hear some new stuff.

My parents are doing fine. Their area is pretty safe, I think. There haven't any report of bombings close to them, besides the bridge that was taken out in the first few days -- that was actually closer to my inlaws. It seems like the fighting is more concentrated in the south now, which is pretty far from my parents. I hope it doesn't escalate further, though.

Are you home from your trip? How was the ice cream competition? Schlitterbaun? Any amusing family reunion stories?

[avidbeader]

Let's see...I'm listening to the new Paul Simon album. Some of the new Nelly Furtado. A little indy band I discovered through a Doctor Who video on YouTube called There There.

As for the other, I guess it comes down to how much one values interpretation vs. creation. I agree about the over-manufactured bubblegum that often passes for pop music these days; I want to hear music by those capable of playing and singing well in a live venue as well as in the studio.

I do tend to be more attracted to music artists who write their own material. Not quite so much in the actor/writer area, because you've got the director in between and almost any show or movie is fundamentally a collaborative effort from the start.

[didi75]

Thanks for the music recs. I love Paul Simon. I haven't heard his new album, but I'll take a listen.

>i>almost any show or movie is fundamentally a collaborative effort from the start.

Good point. It's funny, but when you've got an actor directing, it always seems like they would rather be recognized for their directing, even if they also acted in the film. Ex., Clooney's acceptance speech at the Oscars (or was is the GG?). It's almost as if it's considered the more serious of the two crafts. I definitely value both. It's hard to tell sometimes whether it's the writing, acting, or directing which make the film/shot good. I guess it's all of it.

[didi75]

Damn tags.