Author: garystevenbaker

Project 2018: March Album Review

Posted on by garystevenbaker

The first two albums selected for this project were random draws from the list, but one thing we agreed upon for this project was that when Vance Joy dropped his new album we would plug it in immediately. Is that because we are huge Vance Joy fanboys? Not quite, yet. But I was please to hear that the TBA deadline was sooner rather than later and when it was released in late February, our March selection was solidified.

vance

Before this I didn’t know much about Vance Joy. I just knew that he sang that catchy little tune “Riptide” that my timid little ukulele student learned for the Middle School talent show. She got up there, rocked it out, and won! I was amazed. Since then I’ve learned Vance Joy is the stage name of Australian singer-songwriter James Keogh. James Keogh is exactly the artist you would expect having grown up in the Indie Folk revival of the late 2000s – early 2010s.

Again, I ordered the physical copy and I’m so glad I did. The handwritten lyrics and drawing inside the liner really add both depth and lightness to the album. On first listening I had two thoughts. First, there are some very strong, anthemic singles on this album. Second, see previous paragraph (Mumford & Sons, etc) lightened up with a little ukulele.

Thank God this album came out when it did. Aimee Mann in January and Ben Wendel in February absolutely emotionally wrecked me. This album was a welcome change. It was uplifting. Most of the songs are about a good relationship. Love. Most of the songs are in a triple meter giving it a floating feeling. The songs are short and concise. I needed all of those things.

By the second song, “Lay It On Me”, the first single released from the album, I was already planning my next move. There is a driving, syncopated, continuous guitar lick that I want to learn. It is soon joined by a horn line that reminded me of Iceland’s Of Monsters and Men (of Little Talks fame). It’s Triumphant in nature, which set the tone for the whole album. The third song, “We’re Going Home”, the third single released from the album – right before the album release, I thought was surely a hit if there ever was one.

The flow softens in the fourth song “Saturday Sun” with a ukulele number with a fun horn-like vocal background. “Take Your Time”, the fifth song is the perfect modern love song. It’s a cry we’ve all felt, a sentiment we’ve all wanted to express. It’s a wedding vow and a rib tattoo in the making.

The whole album is about a man in love. “Alone with Me” is another that really speaks to it. The ninth song, “Crashing Into You” gives us the only hint of previous darkness. The penultimate song “Bonnie and Clyde” focuses not on the duo, but on the sentiment of time. You never know when your last moment is. You never know when your last moment together is. You never know when you last good moment is. You never know.

This album is staying in my collection. As a minimalist, that should say a lot. Its overall uplifting spirit fills a void in my collection. I have plenty of angry, sad, and stark. I needed this one.

Up next, a respected former teacher’s selection: Sting – Ten Summoner’s Tales (1993)

Sting

Project 2018: February Review

Posted on by garystevenbaker

I have just returned from space camp. #nasa2018 . The North American Saxophone Alliance’s Biennial Conference. This is a time and place where saxophonist from all over the world gather to nerd out over all things saxophone. There are concerts, recitals, debuts, lectures, networking opportunities, and of course – gear. Oh, the gear! Horns, and mouthpieces, and cases, and…just wow. This year it was held on the beautiful campus of the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, which was a treat in itself aside from the frigid temperatures from the recent cold snap.

nasa

 

It was serendipitous that February’s album review was over Ben Wendel’s “The Seasons”.

Ben Wendel

I listened throughout the month and it got me in the right frame of mind for the experience.

This selection was made by my friend Bob Fuson, a saxophonist who performed and lectured at the conference. The Seasons is the only album on our list to not yet manifest itself in a physical copy because the artist chose to publish these works one at a time by medium of video. They are easily accessible on the link above or on YouTube.

Of course, Ben Wendel is not on to anything new here. Other composers like Vivaldi and Tchaikovsky have also tackled “The Seasons”. But here the approach is different. Wendel presents for us twelve chamber duos, one per month, featuring himself paired with an artist he admires. The duos range from multiple saxophones in unison to bassoon and bass. Some mimic a jazz standard, others a classical sonata, and still others a complicated etude. The videos present each piece in a stark audience-free performance in a unique venue. The whole aesthetic from dress, to locale, to font is very modern and pleasing.

Rather than break the whole thing down one piece at a time I just want to give an overview and some highlights. First of all, this work is called “The Seasons” and I believe it should be consumed as such. One, two, but no more than three at a time. A suite that you have to sort of compile yourself. It’s not easy listening in some places, although there are palate cleansers throughout.

The first three for me just screamed “New York”, Ben Wendel’s current home. The songs are busy, but not offensive. February had me in awe with Wendel trying to keep up with Joshua Redman on his own tune! March featured a switch to bassoon in a highly thematic piece.

Other highlights for me included the duo with vocalist Luciana Souza, and the groove set up by pedal delay with guitarist Gilad Hekselman. The lows for me were August, a tedious etude-like performance with fellow saxophonist Mark Turner, and December a duo with trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire. But August is like that. It’s hot. It’s a time to set things in order. Get ready to go back to school. Focus. December was reflective, almost mournful, as it was for me this year as well. At more than nine minutes it was the longest piece. After Christmas is gone and we are waiting for the New Year doesn’t it seem like December hangs on a bit too long?

One thing I learned about myself during this listening was that I have a hard time telling what is theme and what is improvisation in this setting. It’s not an easily identifiable “two verses, a chorus, then alternate solos” like we often see. That was a stretch for me. Something I can work on in the future.

The end of February brought the release of Vance Joy’s sophomore album “Nation of Two”, so that is what I will be reviewing in March. I purchased a physical copy and listened on the long drive to Cincinnati. Join me?

vance

 

 

 

 

Project 2018: January Review

Posted on by garystevenbaker

Earlier I discussed my Project 2018, which is to get to know a new album every month. The album for this month, chosen at random from our complied list, is Aimee Mann’s “Mental Illness” from 2017.

Mental

The selection instantly came with a bonus: my friend James, who selected the album for this project, mailed me a physical copy on CD. Sure it’s available on streaming, but I like to see the album laying around, sparking my memory, keeping the thoughts churning. It decorates my stereo like a trophy letting visitors know that there is music in this home. I like to hold the insert in my hand. Read the lyrics. Ponder the fonts, the photography, the art work. I want to know who played the cello on track number six. Plus I love mail, so that made one day in our snowy January awesome.

Before this, I was only marginally aware of Aimee Mann. I knew she had quietly, consistently been rocking away for a long time, leaving a distinguished discography fueled by her talent as a lyricist. But even one song on the tip of my tongue? Shamefully no. Still however, this album is not what I was expecting from Aimee Mann.

This album is stark. It begins sparsely, with only a guitar and an ethereal voice reminiscent of an early Stevie Nicks. Upon first listening the first four tracks created an compartmentalized, confused mental space. The first track begins “Looking into the face of a Goose Snow Cone.” What am I supposed to do with that?! What does that mean? (Remember that the parameters of this project include the stipulation of no research before the first listening) The sleighbells create an enchanting, wintery atmosphere that soon turns to cabin fever where self doubt and distrust creep in. The second and third tracks are loveless waltzes that spin a floating dizziness.

A theme begins to emerge for the logical listener. Track three: You Never Loved Me. Five: Lies of Summer. Final: [My Heart Is a] Poor Judge. Relationship heartache, betrayal, and all of the dark emotions you internalize when something ends. All of the hindsight and what ifs you needlessly torture yourself with.

The album does not become a tedious folk singer/songwriter compilation. It grows in complexity with interesting arrangements, piano, and strings. The final two tracks are perhaps the most accessible. The second to last track offers our first taste of driving drums and bass. The final track starts like it could be the best Elton John piano rock ballad that never was recorded. It is soon joined by a soaring string section that provides the perfect countermelody like a heart breaking, thoughtful Ben Folds story piece. From me, that is highest praise.

I think I will be spending some more time with this album. I love a good sad song, and this album is filled with them. My favorite line comes from Track nine: Philly Sinks.

Well, you can put in your oar

But you’re hoping for more.

And if the rowing gets dull

Just knock a hole in the hull

and let ocean swallow you down.

 

I am!

Posted on by garystevenbaker

I just finished reading “You are Badass at Making Money” by Jen Sincero.

Bad2

It was an impulse buy a few hours before boarding a plane this summer. It was a quality purchase for the sole fact that my other book purchase was far too heavy to read on vacation. And yes, I said “just finished” meaning I’ve been nibbling on this book for eight months. A bite here, a bite there. It was a lot to take in. I took notes. I meditated.

Let me say that nothing about this purchase makes any sense to me. Growing up I was always taught to never talk about money. Carrying around a giant GREEN book with the word ASS on the dust jacket no less than four times that bragged about my prowess in all things financial does not exactly line up with that upbringing, especially not for airplane reading. Also no one wants to publicly read some cheerleady self-help book. And that’s exactly what this book is.

In my haste I also failed to read the fine print at the bottom that this was the second in the series of “Badass” books. The first was about general awesomeness – or so I surmise from title. This one focuses on finances. What this book is not is your typical personal finance book that starts by telling you to put down the four dollar coffee and ends by telling you to get a second job or invest in index funds. This book focuses on you. YOU are a Badass the title says, with YOU being the biggest word on the cover. It’s about getting your mind right, dreaming big, going for it, and never giving up.

There is some New Age thought sprinkled throughout, but try not to roll your eyes and just go with it. Accept it as part of the journey. The subtitle is “Master the Mindset of Wealth”. It’s not about budgets and line item drudgery; it’s about lining up your mind with your goals. Surrounding yourself with like-minded people. Preparing your mind for the changes to come.

One particular section that resonated with me was about your cheering section.

“Everyone talks about how you know who your true friends are when you’re desperate and things really bottom out. But I want to send a shout-out to the friends who stick by you when you’re kicking ass. When you’re stuck in the the suckhole and people come to your rescue, they get the opportunity to feel helpful, to save the day, to be a hero. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a beautiful, essential thing to take care of one another, and I’m hugely grateful to everyone who’s ever helped me when I was down in the dumps, but I think more needs to be said about friends who selflessly cheer you on when you’re totally killing it. Especially if they’re not doing so great themselves.” – Jen Sincero

I’ve had suckhole moments this last year, and it was great to have my friends by my side. But I’ve also had killing it moments this last year too, and it was kind of lonely [and obvious] looking around and not seeing your friends cheering you on. “I’m not competing with anyone. I hope we all make it.”, a popular platitude goes. Cheer for me. I’ll cheer for you.

I’ve always been interested in person finance, estate planning, etc. And I understand why I was asked to not talk about money growing up. But I think we should be talking about it more. You don’t have to be gross about it. You don’t have to say the numbers out loud if that makes you uncomfortable. But let’s get a conversation going. Let’s dream big, point the ship in the right direction, and cheer for each other along the way.

Project 2018

Posted on by garystevenbaker

Last week on my first blog post I discussed New Year’s Resolutions, goals, and projects. Whether you are a resolution, goals, or project kind of person, it’s always good to have something to look forward to in the year to come.

In the final days of 2017, plenty of time was spent in reflection. A great deal had happened over the year, including some big changes in my life. I meditated on the people who were positive influences in my life. I sketched out some goals. I completed a Personal Year-in-Review. I looked into December of 2018 and asked my future self what I did that made this year my best ever.

One thing that makes it onto my list every year is music. More. More listening, more playing, more creating, more discussion. I asked Santa to help me out with a new turntable set up this year and he came through and even included a few of my favorite records.

While planning my small, well-crafted personal music library, I decided to look up some of the best albums of 2017. I found a few lists. Top Ten. Top Twenty. Then, a Top Fifty! All reviewed and compiled by the same person. Personal reviews, not just sales metrics. I was enamored of this list. Not because of the content, but simply because it existed. One person had listened to fifty albums in one year – all new releases – and knew them each well enough to write a brief, meaningful summary and was brave enough to rank them. The content was incredible, too, with a wide mix of genres and audiences.

Did I listen to fifty albums last year? Of course. Did I listen to fifty(!) new albums from 2017 alone? No. But it seemed so doable. An hour a week at most for one spin. Relatively inexpensive with sharing and streaming services. I looked at a schedule of who was releasing albums in 2018. I shared the idea with a friend, positing it as a goal for an indefinite future date. He suggested a pilot year. One a month, instead of one a week. I liked the idea of a pilot year. Also a friendly partner gives you both leeway and accountability.

We set up parameters.

  • Only albums we are not intimately familiar with
  • No research before listening (to avoid prejudice)
  • Minimum two spins before discussing
  • Mix of genres
  • Mix of years, but must include one new release

We decided for the selections that I would select four albums, he would select four albums, and then we would solicit suggestions for four albums from musicians or music lovers that we mutually respect.

Our list looks like this:

  • Tori Amos – Native Invaders (2017)
  • The Beach Boys – Pet Sounds (1966)
  • Beastie Boys – License to Ill (1986)
  • Eno•Hyde – Someday World (2014)
  • Aimee Mann – Mental Illness (2017)
  • Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young – Deja Vu (1970)
  • Joy Division – Unknown Pleasures (1979)
  • Eddie from Ohio – Actually Not (1993)
  • Periphery – Select Difficulty (2016)
  • Sting – Ten Summoner’s Tales (1993)
  • Ben Wendel – The Seasons (2017)
  • Vance Joy – Nation of Two (2018, release date TBA)

I’m excited.

First out of the hat (Vance Joy excluded until his album drops), was Aimee Mann. That was suggested by a friend of mine, who promptly mailed me a physical copy. (Thanks, James! I love new music and I LOVE mail!) Her album is available streaming if you want to play along at home. Look for a review soon!

Aimee

With a project lined up, I have a lot of goals for 2018, too, so look for more on that as well.

Resolutions, Goals, and Projects

Posted on by garystevenbaker

It’s a new year. With that comes the inevitable question: “What’s your New Year’s Resolution?” There are the standard answers like lose weight, quit smoking, control my temper. All good things, but they fall into the same category of things we “give up” for Lent – things we should be doing anyway. But, if trading this year’s calendar for last year’s gives you enough head space to freshly tackle one of these, God speed!

A few years I set some easy resolutions for myself like: “Never use an even number on the microwave.” :00s and :30s are for sheep. I’ll make up my own numbers, thank you very much. That Lean Cuisine will taste just as terrible at 3:33 instead of 3:30, so why not? Another year I resolved to not start smoking. Having never smoked, it seemed pretty easy to accomplish, and it was.

Some people are turned off by the word resolve and instead set goals for themselves. Psychology can show us that just telling someone your resolution can feel like you’ve already accomplished something, and take the steam out of your progress. A well-set goal has metrics that are hard to argue with. Either you reached them or you didn’t. Or, a little softer, you are closer to them or not.

Still others decide on a project. Either one of their own design, or one to participate in with a group. Declutter. Minimize. Book Club. Learn something new. Take up a new hobby. Practice a discipline. A project comes with flexibility as well as accountability. How much of each depends on how you structure your project.

I’ve done several projects over the years as well. Learn to figure draw. Learn a new language. And this year I am going with another project. More on that in my next post.

Are you setting any resolutions, goals, or projects for yourself this year? I’d love to hear about it.