From an interview with Bob Dylan that just came out today:

Bill Flanagan: A lot of performers give God credit for their music. How do you suppose God feels about that?

Bob Dylan: I'm not the one to ask. It sounds like people just giving credit where credit is due.

That pretty much sums it up, I'd say. I love this answer.

Record Store Day!!!

Today is record store day. For those of us for who which every Saturday is record store day, the public acknowledgement of our obsession is duly noted and quite appreciated. I frequent two record stores. One focuses almost completely on used, mostly 20 years and older records, and some used cd's. The selections good there, as I've found quite a few slabs of black wax worthy of my collectioin there, the prices on some of the more obsure titles seem a little high to me. (A 1980 album by David Allen Coe was $10). The combination of the high prices, with a slightly grumpy proprieter, make my visits to this record shop few and far between.

My main record store of choice, and my destination for record store day is Any Frequency in Monticello, IL. It's a small store in the downtown area and stocks most of the new releases as well as a modest selection of used offerings on cd. I go there mainly for new titles on vinyl. There is always a stack of stuff I'd like, so I have to restrain myself, and my wallet before leaving the store. Monticello is a great little town, so making the trip there every couple of weeks is nothing but a pleasure.

The best thing about the store, and small businesses in general, is the personal attention given to the customer. My wife and I have developed a great friendship with the owner of the store, and we always enjoy catching up while we peruse the stacks of new music. I never have to ask if the store will be stocking newest Bob Dylan release on vinyl, because I know there will already be a copy tucked away (along with any promotional stuff the store got) waiting for me in the back. That's the kind of service that is hard to come by these days. So, if you get the chance, find a a independent record store in your area, and see what they've got. I'm sure you'll find something.

http://www.recordstoreday.com

"Feel a Change" Revisited...

...Not long ago I introduced the second new song, I Feel A Change Comin' On, released to the public from Bob Dylan's new album, Together Through Life. I feel I should clarify, because I, in my first encounter with the song, dismissed it as light. Of course, maybe that isn't such poor description, if presented without the insinuation of inferiority to past work. The song is in fact light, in a breezy sort of way. I'm really coming around to the music. The interplay between instruments is wonderful, and the playing sounds effortless.

On first listen the style reminded me very much of Spirit On the Water, from Dylan's last album, Modern Times. It's not that I dislike, Spirit On the Water, but I've always felt that while the song had potential, it was a lacked focus and was probably a shell of what it could be. First of all, in the first few bars of the song, there is what appears to be a wrong note played on the piano, which is mentally distracting, and unlike some other errors in playing on Dylan records, detracts from the enjoyment of the song. The song also goes on too long. At half the playing time, the song would be great, but half way through I start looking for the the next button.

I Feel a Change Comin' On doesn't suffer from such problems. While musically, the two songs are related, Change feels much more alive and current. Even though Dylan is a working within musical forms long since past, this record sounds like today. It's a new interpretation for 2009. I can't wait to hear more. It's less than two weeks now!

Neil Not So Young...

I picked up Neil Young's newest, Fork In The Road this past Tuesday, and still, after two whole days to digest it, haven't a clue what to think about it. At first, I thought it pretty much sounded like a mix of Greendale and Living With War. The repetitive blue rock of Greendale, mixed with emotionally topical Living With War mixed together doesn't on its surface sound like a compelling record.

Maybe it's not.

As I said before, I haven't yet made up my mind. First of all, the politically naive politics of Living With War were quite off putting, but Fork In The Road, while equally naive, is much more adventurous and far less dogmatic. Essentially, Fork In The Road doesn't sound like a collaboration with Michael Moore. At the very least, the lyrical content of Fork In The Road isn't tripe Young will be ashamed of releasing a few years down the road.

The topic of Fork In The Road is Neil Young's project car, the Lincvolt, a classic car Young has spent gobs on, converting it to a fully battery operated vehicle. The lyrics shift throughout the album, covering Neil's ideas on energy policy, the thrill of driving, as well as a few few lyrical diversions. In general, the energy policy lyrics feel forced and unnecessary. Neil is at his best on this record when when he's describing the allure of cars, speed, and the road. Ultimately, the idea of an old jalopy powered by batteries is much more compelling than some boring little Japanese Hybrid, so I appreciate Neil's desire to "go green" without abandoning he American desire to travel across country in a big car, ala Kerouac. Of course, the idea of spending, probably a million dollars retrofitting an old car to run on electricity, probably generated at a nuclear power station or something, just highlights th silliness of the whole "green" fad, but I digress.

The most notable exception to the car theme, is "Light A Candle". The track also stands out as the only acoustic number, starting off with Neil along on acoustic, and later adding a really gorgeous pedal steel. The lyrics start off well enough, but then seem a little too...something. I can't really put my finger on it, but the song seems a little too, communally driven to get too excited about. The lyrics start off:

Instead of cursing in the darkness,
Light a candle for where were goin,
There’s something ahead, Worth fighting for.

That of course, is a nice enough sentiment, and the imagery, while fairly straightforward, is compelling enough, the song then falls into using we too much, and talking about changing history...together. Maybe it's the antisocial side of my coming out once again, but idea of the collective masses coming together to change history and all of that is about as exciting as watching a weeks coverage of a political convention. Ages, Kingdoms, and Interest Groups come and go, often repeating the same patterns, but Neil Young only happens once, and I'd like to hear what's inside of him, instead of hearing what he thinks about the news of the day. If I want that I'll tune into Hannity or Olberman. I understand Neils passion for what believes is right, but I don't think his passion makes for great records. Even though a record like Fork In The Road dosen't even come close to records like After The Goldrush or Zuma, I'll be listening to it for a while, because it's Neil Young and I love to hear him fiddle with the Bigsby and use that bizarre voice of his.

You sing, "Just singin' a Song, Won't Change the World", on the song titled with the same lyric on the new record. To that I say, stop trying to change the world with your song's Neil, and just sing already!

I had the chance to get out and shoot some pictures for the book on Mansfield I’m working on. It was really bright, so the conditions were challenging to get good exposures, but I did get a few shots worthy of consideration for the project.

It’s always interesting going out with professional looking camera. The large lens tends to scare people. I was walking through what I guess would be considered the seedier side of Mansfield, replete with old cars, and dilapidated houses. As I entered an alleyway, I noticed a sound of a motorcycle engine. A man then proceeded to tail me down the alley, cutting in and out of yards and eventually cutting across the road in front of me. By this point I stopped taking pictures and picked up my pace. Oh, the pains of art!

New Dylan Tune..

...I Feel a Change Comin' On.

Not sure what I think yet. I'm glad it's not the "OMG, Barack is so cool" song that I irrationally feared it might be. Really, that would quite out of character for Dylan. The song is actually about love. Sounds pretty good I guess.

It Looks Like Spring...

IMGP0300
Originally uploaded by susanelectro

...and my Chihuahua says, "finally"!

Cumberland Blues

Falls-Corbin, KY
Originally uploaded by susanelectro

If it's good it must end so they say. So it was for my break from academics and responsibility. For our final primavera break, my wife and I decided to venture to Kentucky to visit my uncle in Southeastern Kentucky. I've been going there my entire life, so it feels strangely familiar when I'm there. It's like entering some other dimension where I live somewhere else. It really is quite relaxing to be somewhere else without the anxiety that is typically synonymous with travel.

One of my favorite spots in the area is Cumberland Falls. Unless my past knowledge deceives me, Corbin Kentucky's largest water fall happens to be the second largest water fall in America, only second to Niagara. Of course, can we really consider something touching Canada to be truly American? I guess so, but in no way does some big giant round-shaped water fall thing make the simple majesty of Cumberland Falls and less...Majestic! If you are ever in the area please do pay the falls a visit. Kentucky is not just for Hillbillies any more. I'm looking at you Calipari!