1. Not one, but two albums featuring the Britten violin concerto. The first is by one of my favorite violinists, James Ehnes. He's Canadian, he's cute and his interpretations are always incredible. I've listened to both the Britten and Shostakovich concertos and love them--and I'm very particular when it comes to these two works.
Play it, Gil.
The other is a new album called 1930s Violin Concertos by the affable Gil Shaham, which is part of a fascinating series of 20th century violin pieces he has released on his own label, Canary Classics. This one also includes the Stravinsky, Berg and Barber concertos. Shaham is like the Old Faithful of violinists--he always delivers, no matter what the genre or era. And he just seems like a really nice guy. I've seen him live twice, and I love how he always gazes up adoringly at the conductor while waiting for his entrance.
2. Love Angel Olsen. I discovered this gal while listening to KCSN 88.5, one of the best radio stations ever. Whenever I tune in, there's a song playing that blows me away, and I have to Shazam it. Angel Olsen has a voice like an abandoned farmhouse on a Midwestern plain, a place where you go to drink beer with your friends in a thunderstorm. It's the kind of music you do your chores and daydream to. I'm really loving the song, Hi-Five on her new album Burn Your Fire for No Witness.
The haunting Angel Olsen.
3. Love Los Angeles when it cools down and rains. Apparently, we are experiencing one of the worst droughts ever. But it did rain a few spots in the last week, and I finally got to wear my Christmas-present sweaters.
Photo by Asim Bharwani.
4. Love the documentary, Birth of the Living Dead. Night of the Living Dead is one of my all-time favorite flicks, and this doc was a fascinating peek into how a low-budget indie from Pittsburgh, inspired by the Civil Rights movement, the Vietnam War and the general tumult of the '60s, swept the world and changed popular culture. Lots of amazing graphics, too.
5. Love Notebook, an online film magazine. This is a wonderful site for the film-obsessed, especially for those passionate about foreign films. I go here often to check out film poster art. These are from a Polish film from 1961, Mother Joan of the Angels.
6. Love the web site The Selvedge Yard. I love the tagline, "A historical record of artistry, anarchy, alchemy and authenticity." Fun.
I specifically love these photos of the Rolling Stones, which a lady randomly found at a Florida flea market. I actually really like the Rolling Stones. I think Brian Jones was a fascinating character, and I'm convinced he was murdered. I like Mick and Keith. Bill Wyman and Ron Wood--meh. But my secret favorite has always been Charlie Watts.
7. Love this piece I cam across on WaNeLo--I Left My Mind in San Francisco. It's weird, because I know I come across as way more of a San Francisco/NYC type, yet they've never called to me like L.A. But San Francisco is so beautiful, and I wish I could make it up there more often.
8. Love (and kind of don't love) Season 3 of Sherlock. It's exploded, it's all over the internet, so I don't want to go too much into it, but I love it and I hate it. I hate it in the way I hate TV shows when they understand where their appeal lies, then crank up the volume to 11, almost parodying themselves. Sherlock is staring to do this, indulging in its camera stylings and hyper-self-aware jokes. But still, there are bursts of writing that take my breath away.
And the plethora of Sherlock fan art and Tumblrs is staggering.
The Tesco bag--I die!
9. Love Tulip Magnolias. I see these beautiful trees all around the neighborhood. The flowers are paper-y and origami-like, and I believe the trees do come from China and Japan. My friend Don let me get up close and personal with the one in his yard.
The lovely tulip magnolia tree at Don and David's house.
10. Love Brite Spot in Echo Park. Loving this place for breakfast on Sundays! This is gentrification done right. Preserve the historical integrity of the institution, but serve up Stumptown coffee and Brussels sprout hash. Brussel sprouts hash? Or Brussels sprouts hash. Not sure. But Brite Spot is cozy and delicious.
A little slice of old school L.A., lovingly updated.
That's all for now, but stay tuned, because I'm pretty sure I have more fun stuff coming up soon!
1 comment
I only comment on blogs when they strike me as much as yours did. This one was a lesson in American culture from some like me that has one herself, called Coffee with Alice "America Through the Eyes of an Italian Woman." Thank you for teaching me something new, especially the documentary. Alice
www.alicecarbone.com
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