Becky's Greatest Hits Vol. II

If you know me and this blog, you know there's one band I really, really like: Wilco .  Sure, I've gotten mad at them from time to time, but overall ours is a love affair that will never die. So while I'm trying to acquaint a friend to the best of Wilco, I thought I'd share my favorite cuts off my favorite records.  And a little history of my love of this awesome American band. First off, I have to give credit where it's due.  I discovered Wilco through Bill Flanagan, an MTV/Vh1 writer and director who regularly contributes to CBS Sunday Morning.  He mentioned Wilco every time they released a new record until finally in 2007 I downloaded Sky Blue Sky.  It still remains my favorite of all their records, so I'll start there...... To people that call it "dad rock" all I can say is, those dads ain't wrong.  Best tracks on the record: Either Way, Shake It Off, Hate It Here, What Light and it's a cross between my two faves: Im...

Set up like a bit of a quirky screwball rom-com, this little indie flick actually delves into the complexities of divorce, blended families and complicated romantic choices.  It's a little strange for me to see my dream man, Ethan Hawke , in a role in which he's not that loveable, but I guess we can't win 'em all.  Besides Ethan this film has a stellar cast and a 6 degrees of separation that I can't deny: written and directed by Rebecca Miller who is also married to Daniel Day-Lewis .  I'm glad I have a husband that understands me when I tell him the loooong intricate story of how Rebecca, Daniel and Ethan all hang out together and how they actually call her "Becky" IRL.  On a totally unrelated note, given the number of times I've posted on Ethan and Daniel I feel like it's long past due that one of them should give me a call!!!!!  

actually, Gil..... the revolution will be televised then by social media it will be quickly trivialized while the dark-skinned people are marginalized and the light-skinned people are criticized and the unknown dead are immortalized yes, by god the revolution will be televised (With respect to Gil Scott-Heron , RIP)

Music, food, wine and beer in Downtown Mount Holly , NC.  David Childers will be playing Friday night at 7 pm.

I just love the day after a good show.....when the music keeps playing in your head.  I see a lot of shows, so this happens to me a good bit.  But after a reeeealllly good show, it is especially true. This was the case last night after seeing Brian Wilson's 50th Anniversary of Pet Sounds.  The music of this phenomenal record is brought to life by the 10 or so musicians surrounding Brian on stage recreating the entire Pet Sounds record as well as other Beach Boys hits of the 60's.  I was really looking forward to "Caroline No" which is my favorite cut from the album.  Brian may not be able to hit all the high notes anymore, but Al Jardine's son, Matt, sure can.  I wasn't let down, and the lyrics keep running through my head all day today. "Where did your long hair go Where is the girl I used to know How could you lose that happy glow Oh, Caroline no Who took that look away I remember how you used to say You'd never change, but that...

All the reviewers are comparing it to Sky Blue Sky and calling it "pastoral" and talking about a return to roots.  I can't say I disagree.  Given that Sky Blue Sky is my fave Wilco album, this new one does take me back to the sound of Wilco I love.  Current fave track is "If I Ever Was a Child" but check back next week.....that could easily change.  I also really love "Someone to Lose" because it reminds me a lot of Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.  But for as much as I love Wilco I will still sometimes have a moment of realizing just how much.  This came to me a few days ago as I sat stuck in my morning commute.  There I was, one of many, sitting in my simple little Toyota listening to Jeff ponder about the complexities of youth and isolation.  And I suddenly realized, yeah.....that's it.....we're all average.  Back then in detention and even now in this traffic jam.  There's nothing that exceptional about any of us, despite what all that s...

Carolina Gator Gumbo & David Childers tonight at Petra's...... 1919 Commonwealth Avenue

  "Now that I know him, to give him money isn't charity He gives me some knowledge, I buy him some shoes And to think blacks spend all that money on big colleges Still most of y'all come out confused...." 

Dear Cable Television: I can't believe I put up with you as long as I did.  There's no doubt we had become, over time, one of the most toxic relationships of my life.  Like most long-term relationships that come to an end, there are a few threads that will still hold us together......most notably your WiFi service.  But other than that, we're done.  Don't come to me peddling your free previews and awesome great deals.  I'm done listening to your false promises.  I've met someone new, and his name is Roku.  And he cares about what I like.  He gives me choices.  He let's me be me.  He's introduced me to all kinds of new things.......even if it's old news to everyone else....... The Get Down: My jury is still out on this one, but it does seem to be highly authentic of the 1977 birth of hip-hop era.  Homeland: A very intriguing post-911 political thriller series.  It's not usually my taste, but I think I could easi...

You still have time to catch the Yiasou Greek Festival in Charlotte .  It's running through Sunday afternoon and features all kinds of homemade Greek food (they even have a drive-up), dancing, kids' rides, tours of the church, music.....and did I mention the food? 

Farwell Albatross with Mercury Dimes, The Menders & Smelly Felly tonight at Petra's 1919 Commonwealth Avenue

Every day I feel a little more like Phoebe Buffay.   But not the Phoebe Buffay toward the end of Friends.  Not the one who got a little too snipey.  I mean the Phoebe that was street-smart but still sweet, a hippie who still liked nice things, the girl who would always tell you the truth even if it hurt.  First she baked Rachel cookies and then told her that Paulo hit on her.  She only ate meat when she was pregnant.  She liked furnishings from Pottery Barn but hated to admit it. Every day I feel a little more like Andy Rooney. Not because I really agreed with his old-man curmudgeony opinions, but more because he had the nerve to say so.  He was always whining in that upstate New York accent along the lines of "you know what I don't understand.......?"  I find myself saying that more and more lately and not having an answer.  And also?  I want to let my eyebrows just go crazy wild shithouse like his.  That took s...

Here are my recent review picks to check out over at the ever-awesome My City Magazine : Farwell Albatross (photo by Stephen Arce) Temperance League (photo by fan)

A show with a lot of hype that might actually be living up to it for once.  This is every bit as full of the 80's nostalgia that you've heard....right down to the opening music and titles.  It will suck you in from the first episode and make it hard not to binge watch it all in one night.  With throwback scenes that put you in mind of The Goonies, E.T., Twin Peaks, and The X-Files it's hard to get too scared when the series keeps itself fairly light and doesn't get too graphic.  But it is scary.  And addictive.  You've been warned.