New Life...

My cousin, to whom I'm very close, brought her second baby into the world yesterday. With that occasion in mind I started this poem, of which I've only just begun.

As the sun rises on the chilly morn,
And the cars all line the streets.
The passengers with their coffee cups,
Bump to the urban beat.

The men in orange work the roads,
And Toil in the dirt.
As a lady passes through a crosswalk,
In a short black hounds tooth skirt.

We putter here and sometimes there,
The truth far from our sight.
A crying baby brings me pause,
And the cars fade in to night.

Professors utter empty words,
Unbecoming of a princess.
The street preachers mumble in the street,
Making far too much of less.

The sun sits high upon its breast,
The rocks warm to the front.
I sit in the shadow,
And the crickets whimper for want.

We putter here and sometimes there,
The truth far from our sight.
A crying baby brings me pause,
And the crickets fade from sight.

Born Under a Bad Sign...

...Been down since I begin to crawl.

I picked up the "Born Under a Bad Sign" record by Albert King today. It came out 1967, and basically revived the dying blues brand, leading to a resurgence in old-fashioned blues aesthetics. King was a huge influence on Stevie Ray Vaughan, and it shows. I can hear licks all over the album that most people would probably associate first and foremost with Stevie, but King was able to convey the same emotion with less notes. He probably lacked the virtuosity of a player like Vaughan, but was able to create more personable grooves that mastered depth and space. That's what's so great about the blues. On the outside, it would be easy to dismiss the style as one dimensional and limited, among the ranks of the great players, every possible emotion is covered within the same scales of eight beautiful notes.

A Gift From On High...

Well, my 7th intersection with one Bob Dylan was very successful. The venue was beautiful, the band sounded great, and I even scored some Dylan's 1984 "Real Live" on vinyl, which fills a void in my record collection. The trip couldn't possibly have been better. We stayed in a Holiday Inn in Cincinnati which functioned as the perfect place to take in political coverage. The airwaves were ripe with coverage from my home state with Obama and Biden in town and all. Of course the highlight of the trip was the 5 or 6 minutes in which Dylan played my absolute favorite, "I Believe In You". It was really something to see him play something from the Gospel period which I was cheated out of due to my late arrival to this world. Anyways, Bob treated me to a little taste of that last night, for which I am grateful.

Off To See The Dylan...

Tomorrow I'll being Bob Dylan for the first time in nearly a year. I've seen him live about 5 or 6 times, and relish the opportunity. I became absolutely obsessed with Dylan right out of high school and was able to catch his set in the magisterial Fox Theater in St. Louis in 2006. I kind of figured with Dylan's age and my pocketbook that would be my only chance to see him, but I got bit by the Bob bug and couldn't help but keep coming back. Not only is Bob and absolute legend, and probably in the top 3 or so songwriters of modern music, but he has always been really exciting to see live. He generally has come out with a different setlist every night which makes multiple viewings equally exciting. Although the the sets have grown a tad more stagnant since I first saw him in 06', he still breaks out the occasional head turner. I've yet to see a true rarity in concert, so I'm pulling for something special tomorrow night. Recently he's played "I Believe In You" from his gospel era a few times, and I'd be absolutely ecstatic to hear that. His Gospel music probably is his most important stuff to me, which can't be said for most folks. I'd definetly love to hear that one.

Don't let me change my heart,
Keep me set apart
From all the plans they do pursue.
And I, I don't mind the pain
Don't mind the driving rain
I know I will sustain
'Cause I believe in you.

A Song...

Verse:
I don’t need a God of Wonders.
I ain’t got a sea to part.
All I needed was redemption.
But you knew that from the start.

In my own ambition,
All I found was poverty.
When you knew that all I needed.
Was a shot of honesty.

Chorus:
So come, and rescue me.
From Gallows and from Calvary.
I can’t promise I’ll go joyfully.
But Come, and rescue me.

Verse
I’ve looked among the scriptures.
And among the hallowed stacks.
“That’s all well and good Kid”,
You said, “but My love is all you lack.”

“Those books will get you just so far,
Then you’ll have to swim.
Through the plague of doubt
And the wages of sin!”

Chorus

Verse
I’d been battered on the rocks,
With the foam all in my mouth.
The current had me by throat.
To the east and west and south.

I knew that I was drowning,
And there was no good way out.
I was rollin’ towards the falls.
And All that I could shout! Was…

Mad Props to Kobe...

In light of my last post, I thought I'd share a little tib-bit of the Olympic coverage I caught was just great, and at the same time, very sad. NBC's Chris Collinsworth was doing a little op-ed piece about Kobe Bryant. Now, I'll admit, I've never been a huge fan of Kobe Bryant. I'd admire his ability, but have always been a tab put off by his attitude, so I was fully expecting his answers to fall a little short of what I would expect and hope for.

Now there are two facets to this interview. First, of course, are Kobe's responses, but even more interesting, and mildly disturbing, are the questions. The segment of the interview in question reads as follows:

Collinsworth: Where does the patriotism come from inside of you? Historically, what is it?

Kobe: Well, you know it’s just our country, it’s… we believe is the greatest country in the world. It has given us so many great opportunities, and it’s just a sense of pride that you have; that you say ‘You know what? Our country is the best!’

Collinsworth: Is that a ‘cool’ thing to say, in this day and age? That you love your country, and that you’re fighting for the red, white and blue? It seems sort of like a day gone by.

Kobe: No, it’s a cool thing for me to say. I feel great about it, and I’m not ashamed to say it. I mean, this is a tremendous honor.

Now, first of all, I was really amazed at this specific line of questioning. Not specifically that this sentiment exists, because I know it does, but that instead that it would rear its head in the context. I just never thought I would hear something like that hidden within American Olympic coverage. I just really don't understand the way reporters are going out of the there way to be beyond objective. When I'm listening to a Cubs game on the radio in the Chicago area, I don't expect Ron Santo to go out of his way to compliment the Brewers or Cardinals. I want him to be all about the Cubs, so likewise I would much prefer a similar style of reporting when it comes to our great country, and our athletes. Anyways, I gained a lot of respect for Kobe. I don't know what he's like on a personal level, but this is the kind of thing I want all the little impressionable little boys watching T.V. to hear. Thanks a lot Kobe.

P.S. Kobe also mentioned how great it was to first get his jersey for Team U.S.A. He said he put it out on his bed and just gazed at it. He may be cocky but he's humble when it counts.

The Greatest Man That Ever Lived?

I just downloaded the I-tunes single of the new Weezer track "The Greatest Man that Ever Lived". It's like Weezer mixed with Queen and I hate to say it but...It's epic. You should totally check it out. It's totally ridiculous and fun complete with choir arrangements and T.I. styled rap. Download and enjoy here.

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Now playing: Weezer - The Greatest Man That Ever Lived (Variations On a Shaker Hymn)
via FoxyTunes

Demo Collection Released...

I put together a collection of demos and covers and scraps like that which can be downloaded for free here. There is a little bit of everything on it and might be interesting if you don't mind lo-fi tracks and lots of mistakes. I plan on properly recording a lot of this stuff at some point and have already re-recorded some of it, but in case that never happens you can hear it here. There are certainly some bizarre tracks and some stuff that's just downright bad, but at least you can see how far I've come (or how little; you decide). I started off with a cover of "Behind Blue Eyes" I did with Daniel McIlvain a long time ago. It pretty much speaks for itself. I ended with a demo of, "I Cried Unto the Lord (and he heard me)", which will definitely be on the album whenever I get it out. In between are all kinds of songs, some full demos, others snippets which I've done over the past few years. Enjoy.

New Website...

It's finally finals week. With all of my final papers turned in, I can do some things I've been putting off. I just re-designed my website and it looks pretty cool. Also, I'm planning on putting out a digital EP which I'll be releasing for free. I'll hook you up with the link when I get it put together.

www.micahmccoy.com

Pork and Beans...

Today was really a pretty awful day but when I got home I found that a 30 second clip of the new Weezer single, Pork and Beans, had surfaced on Amazon. Although Weezer's last three albums were good fun records, none of them reached the majesty of their first two, Blue and Pinkerton. From the sound of this single Weezer is back, and I couldn't be more excited. The single comes out April 22. If it leaks before then you'll be able to find it here.

Dig!!!, Lazarus, Dig!!!

I had mentioned in a previous post, purchasing the new Nick Cave album, Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!! I've only been able to listen to it three or four times, but so far I'm totally blown away. Nick's lyrics have always been bizarre but this album takes the absurdity and shoots it full of speed and hallucinates. The result is pure joyous ecstasy. The humor is witty and graphic as ever, and the album has a vitality you'd expect from an artists third or fourth release. Nick Cave may be well in to his career, but he's still going very strong.

Psalm 3

This is one of my favorite pieces of literature, much less the Bible, ever. I liked it so much I wrote a song about. The language is so elegant, yet forceful at the same time. When troubles hit it's really comforting to think of Almighty God hearing your plea for help. To me, the sentiment is very important; so important I set this Psalm to one of my favorite melodies I've ever written.

1Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.

2Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.

3But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.

4I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.

5I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.

6I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.

7Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.

8Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.

Blindsided...

The week hadn't been great, but I was getting by ok. I had gotten outside a bit, which makes life so much better. With warm weather and the sun out, I had become slightly more motivated and had finally begun to get more excited about things in my life. Monday night my wife and I went out and saw the band Cursive. We had such a great time and really just enjoyed the night. Yesterday I skipped class and bought the new Nick Cave album. Release days are so great for me. I literally mark my calendar for album release, so yesterday was great...

...then this morning my wife got a call. She sounded upset and told us that a friend of the family, a woman the same age as my parents, had died of cancer over the night. I knew she had been in poor health, so technically, It wasn't surprising. Still, I haven't had to deal with a whole lot of death and I still don't quite know what to make of it. I guess it's just that someone falls and keep going. It's jarring. That's all I can really say about it. I firmly believe there's something more, so it's not that part that bothers me. There has to be justice ultimately. Otherwise, why I am I getting up in the morning. This is where faith comes into play, and it's days like this that faith is tough.

Of every earthly plan that be known to man, He is unconcerned,
He's got plans of His own to set up His throne.
When He returns.

When all else fails...

It's spring break and I'm realizing how wore out I am. It's been a really interesting and fun winter, but I'm oh so ready for warm weather. I'm sick of politics, Illinois isn't in the NCAA tournament, and I really just want to get outside. This time of year I typically start really listening to music again and working on some of my own stuff. You'd think that winter would be the perfect time to write and listen to music, but there's nothing like taking an acoustic out on the front porch or going on a run with my shuffle (loaded with all the new music I've compiled over the winter but haven't really digested). Bob Dylan is my absolute favorite but after awhile you can tire of anything so I haven't listened to much Bob in like a year, but he's starting to come back into the rotation. I've always loved his gospel stuff and this song is one of my absolute favorites.