I had just a spot of time this morning to post on the whole art vs. commerce debate – a subject I imagine I’ll come back to time and again – and while I appeared to have enough time to get all ponderous on that subject, I didn’t have time to eke out a few housekeeping items:
* I’ve done a little updating on the blogroll. Mainly to add the folks around town that I’ve been reading regularly, but also to create a long-delayed section for some non-Chicago folks I’ve met at various music fests.
* I was busy on the TOC blog last week with reviews of Sharon Jones and Dan Wilson. The post on Wilson was rather painful to write. I don’t enjoy writing a bad review of an artist I really like, and while I really have more of a problem with his new album than his live show, when the live show is mostly made up of material off the new album, it’s tough to write anything but. I still seem him next time he rolls through town, but it’ll be with some hesitation.
In addition to those posts on music, I also found some time to talk about last week’s episode of Heroes, and these ads I saw for two re-releases that made me double-check what year it was.
* I’m not one to delve too much into the personal here, but I found myself quite happy and fulfilled over the long Thanksgiving weekend as it was filled with the things for which I’m most thankful: lots of good times with co-workers, family, my lady, and friends, along with generous dollops of movies, books and music (big ups to Rory Lake’s Karaoke Dreams at the American Legion FDR Post 923).
I can’t imagine my life without these people and things, in part because each always gives me a little lesson in who I am, and who I’m hoping to be.
And apparently that person does a kickass version of “Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting.”
posted a comment to the dan wilson post.
If only you didn’t leave before the entire American Legion Hall busted out into an impromptu conga line while Hot Rod (the bartender) sang “Copacabana.” If you had been there for this, it definitely would have made your list.
Smussy: Yeah, I still think that song is pretty hook-less. Mainly because he had to work so hard to get the audience to sing it.Sarah: Did you hear Hot Rod ask me to sing Friends in Low Places? This was BEFORE “Saturday Night’s…” I felt bad that the list was so long that I wouldn’t get up there again but honored that I was getting requests.Either that or he makes requests of everyone, and now I feel like the guy who says “Hey, I think that stripper really likes me.”
xounterpoint: oh, i don’t think that counts as a way to tell if a song has a hook, though. in fact, i think that’s a horrible way. especially when you’re looking at a park west crowd (shy and/or snobby) who is made up of teenage girls (where i was sitting: shy and/or snobby) and oldish XRT peeps (shy and/or snobby) who were there to see sondre lerche. not to mention that chicago has this weird big city/small town thing going for it that lends people to be shy and/or snobby about singing along with artists. 🙂 seriously, though. i see it at a lot of shows i go to. people are simultaneously too cool for school/chicken to sing along.all philosophical arguments to judging a hookiness of a song. if you don’t like that song, you don’t like it. but i don’t think lack audience participation is a good indicator, imo.