Have I mentioned that we got a new A/V receiver a couple of months ago? Astute Gazette readers may recall this tragic post in which I documented our tragic inability to watch 3D movies at home because of our tragically old-and-busted equipment (which was really neither, but technology is a harsh mistress). It’s a Pioneer… Continue reading Ask and Ye Shall Receiver, or Not
Category: Music
Music Review: “Old Angel” by The Lost Dogs
If you’re seeking music that’s a bit out of the mainstream, something that defies easy characterization, perhaps an album of story-songs, let me direct you to The Lost Dogs’ 2010 album Old Angel, a musical tribute to “America’s Main Street,” Route 66. The proprietors of the iTunes Store haven’t figured out how to categorize The Lost… Continue reading Music Review: “Old Angel” by The Lost Dogs
Garth in Vegas
I can’t remember if I mentioned this, but we spent a couple of nights in Las Vegas on our way back from our recent San Diego vacation. The main reason we did this was to attend the Garth Brooks show at the Wynn Hotel. We’ve never been huge Garth fans – his confessed infidelity and… Continue reading Garth in Vegas
Tall City Bluesfest: Doing Midland Proud
Midland’s blues festival is off to a terrific start.
Del Castillo
During our recent visit to Fredericksburg, Texas, we caught a performance by Del Castillo, a band that was hitherto unfamiliar to us. The group was appearing at the Crossroads Steakhouse & Saloon, which is a relatively new (opened in early 2010) restaurant on Fredericksburg’s main drag (across the street from Hondo’s, if you’re familiar with… Continue reading Del Castillo
Trip Report: Sproul Ranch, Fort Davis, Texas
On Saturday, May 12, Debbie and I drove to Fort Davis to attend the annual fundraiser for the Marfa public radio station (KRTS 93.5). This year’s event was held at the H.E. Sproul Ranch, located about seven miles northwest of Fort Davis, and included a donated artwork sale, catered dinner, and barn dance. We never… Continue reading Trip Report: Sproul Ranch, Fort Davis, Texas
Random Thursday – The Weekend Edition
Readers note: I’ll be employing hash tags after each brilliant observation. Hash tags are the hipster’s way of connoting sarcasm, or implying irony, or providing context. All the Kool Kidz are doing it. #educatingn00bs I continue to be intrigued by the new image being cultivated by J.C. Penney. But I am a little puzzled by… Continue reading Random Thursday – The Weekend Edition
Book Review: “1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die”
Note: All songs mentioned below are linked to performances on YouTube, and the links will open in new browser tabs. A few weeks ago, during a post-dessert foray through Barnes & Noble, my eye lit upon a book resting on a table, notable for its thickness and heft, entitled 1001 Songs You Must Hear Before… Continue reading Book Review: “1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die”
Hypin’ Jorge
The band had just finished a very credible version of Merle Haggard’s classic Workin’ Man Blues [which is playing in the background as I type this…the newish version featuring Willie Nelson and Merle’s son Ben] and I mentioned to friends how great it was that young musicians continued to pay tribute to the greats of country… Continue reading Hypin’ Jorge
Tony Joe White / Dave Alvin: Subsonic Vocals
One of my Christmas gifts was an iTunes gift card, and I always use such windfalls as an excuse to look for music that’s a little outside the mainstream. Coincidentally, a song on SiriusXM’s Outlaw Country station caught my attention, and so I went searching for it. Although my car radio’s readout often truncates artist… Continue reading Tony Joe White / Dave Alvin: Subsonic Vocals