Thursday, December 12, 2013

After Further Review....The Play IS Good .....


Back in the "old days," I looked forward to reading concert reviews in what is now considered ancient tablet....a newspaper. It was very interesting to read a show review & form my own opinions.
I'm going to post a review for a show I saw Tuesday night (12/10/13) with my daughter Abby and my "niece" Annie. These girls usually have the latest music pegged & it's rather exciting to check out the new talent. So....read on if you are interested in the music, if not, get back to work...  ;)

For the second time in 14 months, we enjoyed the alternative/indie music of Alt-J & Grouplove at a sold-out St. Louis Pageant theatre. As I observed a room full of wide-eyed youngsters, I wondered if they shared the excitement felt by their forefathers who heard The Doors for the first time. Morrison & the boys left many audiences wondering "what the heck did we just hear??"
















Annie, Christian Zucconi lead vocals/guitar (Grouplove), Thom Green, drummer (Alt-J), Abby, Bassist for Grouplove (name unknown), Hannah Hooper, lead vocals (Grouplove)


Interestingly, the table has turned in this game of music. Last year's show had the virtually unknown Alt-J opening for Grouplove, but Tuesday night's session featured Alt-J as the headliner. It's intriguing how fickle the business of music & fans can rapidly change the picture.

Looking more mature than 14 months ago, it was apparent that time is agreeing with both bands.

The 21st Century California Hippies, also known as Grouplove, performed with a much cleaner & less distracting stage production, allowing their music to shine without the props. I appreciate less production and more product... I'm too old to be entertained by much more than the music.
Lead singer, Christian Zucconi, was 
flawless in his "Cope" t-shirt, belting out one of my favorite lines from their song "Shark Attack" -   "I am what I am...a natural disaster." The band is very artistic & talented with a great sense of humor, which is always very welcome.
Check out the video for "Shark Attack"  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXHrfIZe484


Hanging sharply at the other end of the spectrum is the gripping music of Alt-J, a band hailing from Leeds, UK. On a chemistry level the two bands interact, project & share with very kind-spirited personalities. But that is the only comparison.

Alt-J's precise, tribal output of music is most impressive once you get past the haunting sensations created by the voice of lead singer, Joe Newman. His unique voice prompts the listener to take time to acquire the Alt-J taste, however, he did whistle as clean as a bird Tuesday night as well. I was astounded by drummer, Thom Green, who replaced one of the cymbals on his drum kit with a tambourine, incorporating it into his extraordinary, syncopated rhythms. Newman's guitar, bassist Gwil Swainsbury & keyboardist Gus Unger-Hamilton blend their instruments into a unique ground-breaking sound which is quite consuming & it'll leave you wondering "what the heck did I just hear??"

Enjoy them before all the wanna-be bands start ripping off the sound for themselves.

Alt-J's song "Breezeblocks" is not for the faint of heart (a breezeblock is a cinder block). I find the music is absolutely fascinating - listen for the sound of the Fisher-Price toddler piano:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVeMiVU77wo



Hey--you only have a week to ensure your copy of Recipe Records, Recipe Records-the 60s Edition or Recipe Records-a Culinary Tribute to The Beatles will arrive for Christmas giving. Order today!! www.reciperecordscookbook.com


Rock On,

Lanea Stagg
Recipe Records Cookbooks
www.reciperecordscookbook.com
blog:  www.rockblocks3.blogspot.com
radio:  www.blogtalkradio.com / Recipe Records
lanea@reciperecordscookbook.com



Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Do You Wanna Know A Secret?

When my children were small, I joined various playgroups & mommy clubs which resulted in outrageous conversation. I met rogue moms who used the power of the MOON to discipline & potty train their toddlers. Gasp!
Soon, I began to notice that occasionally my toddler would become a crazed maniac .. and it coincided with a full moon. Is there something to this?  I dunno.

Best selling author, Susan Masino, has written a fascinating book which examines various cosmic wonders. Masino shares her research of our mystical universe & more in her latest book The Secrets of the Universe. The book examines universal laws, synchronicity, positive manifestation, healing with light and numerology.

Don't miss our chat on the radio show tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. CST. You can hear the recorded show at this link as well.




I asked Susan to look into the universe & share some tips with us for a peaceful holiday season, because I think this time of year is among the most stressful for folks. Here are Susan's Top 5 Tips For a More Peaceful Holiday Season: 


1-Remember to take care of yourself first. Take some quiet time to relax, recharge and reflect on what means the most to you during an always hectic holiday season.

2-Forget perfection. Everyone wants to have the perfect holiday, with the perfect decorations, food, gifts,...Nothing is ever perfect and thinking things have to be perfect makes the holiday season that much more stressful.

3-Focus on family. Getting together with family is the most important part of the holiday season. Work on staying in the moment, and savoring the time that you do have together.

4-Give thanks. Especially over the holiday season, we don't realize how much we have to be thankful for. Being grateful and truly enjoying what you do have, is a great trait to pass down to your children.

5-Another way to truly enjoy a peaceful holiday season is to do what you can for others less fortunate. Donating gifts, providing goods to a food pantry, volunteering to serve a holiday dinner somewhere, any help that you can give someone to make their days a little brighter is what the holidays are all about.


Check out more at:  www.susanmasino.com  & she's on Facebook!


My Music Nugget of the Week:

Ray Stevens always seemed like a goofball to me (well The Streak WAS moronic) ...  but I recently heard this song & was pleasantly surprised to hear he was the artist. The song seems pretty fitting for this time of year.  Enjoy...

Ray Stevens  "Everything Is Beautiful"



Peace & Love,

Lanea Stagg
Recipe Records Cookbooks
www.reciperecordscookbook.com
blog: www.rockblocks3.blogspot.com
radio: www.blogtalkradio.com - Recipe Records
lanea@reciperecordscookbook.com