"Black Jenny"

Well I tried to suppress it as long as possible, but there’s something about Spring time, the NBA and March Madness that brings it out. Not to mention all the dance parties we’ve been having as of late. We’ve all had many a discussion about “Black Jenny”, how she talks, the music she listens to, the pursing of the lips and bobbing to the beats. I lost that little piece of me that loves rap music and takes pride in knowing all the words to most EMINEM songs, not to mention the rap wars J and I used to participate in.

Well, I compiled a playlist recently that I listen to while working in the workshop and I must say it has brought back a joy in my life that I had forgotten. Songs like Chris Brown’s “Run It”, Ludacris “Number One Spot”, and Jay-Z’s “Dirt Off Your Shoulder”. Priceless pieces of lyrical magic that seem to be able to rhyme any two words together. I mean, where else would you hear the phrase “drove through the window the industry super-sized me”, “explora like Dora” and “you disagree take the Tyson approach and bite me”. Any musician that manages to combine Spanish-speaking girls with talking back-packs and ear biting wife beaters has my vote. I’ve always been a big believer in the idea that rap and hip-hop were the sounds of summer. I realize it’s not summer yet, but my iPod thinks it is, so who am I to say no.

Music Update

I'm not sure if this song is popular in the states or not, but I really like it. It's a little Scissor Sisters-ish, very happy and upbeat. It's by a guy called Mika and the song is Grace Kelly.

Dear Jackie,

James Morrison is the free song of the week on iTunes!

Enjoy.
Kristi

James Morrison

I'm not sure if this guy is big in the states yet, but just wanted to give you a heads up. James Morrison...I'm a big fan. To learn more go here. I also found a podcast on iTunes with more about him and a better listen to his music, but I don't think the album is on the USA iTunes store yet. I really like "Wonderful World", the video is on his website. Enjoy.

Guster with Boston Pops

I was talking about this with someone the other day. Take a look.

NSYNC*

I had a dream today when iTunes shuffled to Guster's "Fa Fa". It would have been so cool if someone had called me right as the chorus sounded. Then my ring tone and my shuffle would be in sync. Why didn't anyone call me?!

I realize that I'm probably the only person who actually listens to podcasts, but here's one to listen to.

Keane has an Under The Iron Sea podcast with clips from their new album and the stories behind the songs. Check it out, it's good. Listen to episode 2 for the story behind Is It Any Wonder and if you want to hear classic Keane sound try episode 4.

Annalise told me last night that The Killers were back in the studio so I decided to investigate. I found this article in which front man Brandon Flowers says their new stuff will make you "feel dirty." Not exactly sure what that means but I like it, and I can't wait to be drentched in filth.

ps. When I googled The Killers in google images it came up with everything from OJ Simpson to Hamburger Helper...amazing.

If anyone is interested there is a new Keane single on iTunes "Is It Any Wonder" from their upcoming album Under The Iron Sea. It has a very different sound from their debut, more electric than usual, but it's good.

Interesting bit of useless trivia.

I've been wanting the Daniel Powter cd for a while and have been slowly buying the songs one by one on iTunes. I am now the owner of the entire album and decided to do a little research about the man.

In reality my only goal was to find a single picture of him without some sort of hat on. When I started looking I found picture after picture with hat head. This got me thinking...what's wrong with his head? Why is he covering this up? Is he balding? Is he already bald? Does he have one of those Mikhail Gorbachev red splat marks on his melon?

The answer to all these questions is no. According to Wikipedia, when Daniel Powter was little he was hit by a car and left with a large scar on his head. He wears a hat to cover the scar, and has over 40 beanies in his wardrobe.

I'm sure all of you already knew this but I had to crack the code and inform everyone of my new found bit of useless trivia.

Enjoy.

Cubicle

Short post, Jenny, the song from that sweet Apple commercial is called Cubicle by French electronic duo Rinôçérôse. Enjoy!

ps. the download says explicit, but I downloaded it and have no idea why.

A Perfect Day

Jenny once said that she loves how after you go to a concert you have a renewed love for the band you went to see. Amen to that. I am officially declaring today Guster Day.

Three favorite facts from their bios:
Adam: was featured in a math book...that is amazing
Ryan: from Texas
Brian: used to be in a band called Toejamb...wow

Music of the Day

THE MEMBERS OF JOURNEY

A.K.A. "Ambassadors of Rock'n'Roll"

Twisted Logic

So I have a new re-found love for Chris Martin. I'll admit that up until his newest record I was a fair weather fan that only liked select songs. But, today I was doing a bit of web based research and found out that they have added tour dates to their X&Y tour, however they will not be gracing their amazing musical talents in this crap state.

The closest place they will be is Denver....this Sunday. I am seriously considering buying a ticket and driving down. Any takers? I will go alone if I have to.

I read Steve's blog today and in the first paragraph he quoted Paul....Simon. This got me wondering what quotes were online from Chris. Here's what I found that interested me:

"Einstein never wore socks. Geniuses don't wear socks... Do I? All the time."

"Eminem is amazing ... brilliant. I knew him when he was first starting out. He used to say to me, 'D'ya think I'll make it, Chris?' I used to say, 'Yeah, you'll make it, Em.' But he was always forgetting his name, he'd always have to remind himself by asking, 'My name is...?' 'My name is....?' The poor fella."

"I'd love to be a surfer, but I'm just rubbish. If I wasn't such a brilliant frontman of a brilliant band, I'd probably do this."

"If you came to see Cher, that was last night but weÂ’ll be doing her hits later." (during a live gig)

"Like if George W. Bush and China put on some Coldplay and went, 'Let's be friends.' That would be nice."

"No matter how big we become, we can never capture the Celine Dion fans. And no matter how good we get, we'll never be as beautiful and pretty as Westlife. So those are two markets we'll never get. Or wait, hold on a moment. To be honest...sometimes, when I look around in our wardrobe, I think "yes we do actually look as good as Westlife."

"We came in by helicopter just five minutes ago. No, Will and I turned up in a Ford Escort and they wouldn't let us in the car park! We couldn't park next to Posh's limo....We've got nothing! Will came in by bicycle and Guy's on a donkey. He's still in London, dammit!"

"We went to Ireland and Bono invited Will and Guy over for lunch. He said, 'Just jump in a taxi and say 'Bono's House,'' and it worked! So we might send him [a Christmas card] : 'Bono, Ireland'." (NME)
-I'm trying that!

Is it just me or do you love him even more now? If you were hoping for a kick-a pee your pants and fall on the floor blog entry from me today I'm sorry....but if you visit Jenny's you will get exactly that.

Kings to you J-Wall.

Bono, Person of the Year!

For those of you who have not heard, Bono has been named one of the persons of the year by Time Magazine! I would have posted the cover picture, but he didn't look as cool as he does in this one, plus he shares the cover with Bill Gates and his wife....(not sure what her name is).

Now, let me report on the concert, which was AMAZING! Kanye came first, and lets face it Salt Lake City, Utah isn't exactly the home of gangsta' rap, so he didn't receive much love from the crowd. Actually, most of the crowd wasn't even present for his killa performance. But!, have no fear, Kanye told us, " I can tell you rock, I could tell by ya charm." So he was feelin' us...and vice versa. I cannot stress enough how hot that man is....which is why I have included him in my photo montage.

Moving on. U2! Best performance I've seen! I may have only seen them one other time, but if it is even possible they were more amazing this time around. The stage was really cool, the main stage was a circle, and then they had another stage that was a huge ring, so people were in the middle (lucky ducks!). Needless to say every song was fantastic and the crowd was really into it. Jackie and I were a little worried because the guys next to us were really sucky during Kanye but they got more lively when U2 came out. (they were clearly not fans of Mr. West...suckas)

I have also included a picture of "The Edge" in the montage because he is my new celebrity crush. How can someone be so amazing at guitar! It boggles the mind...and makes him really hot! I could go on an on about this forever, but I'm sure everyone is tired of hearing it. So let me take this time to get on my soap box for a second.

Bono said something really profound during the concert regarding war and basically the struggles going on in the world. "Don't become a monster to kill a monster." I really like that quote and just thought all of you should hear it too.

Anyway, sorry to get all serious for a second there. The rest of my weekend was pretty good. Jackie and I made a little Chinese chicken salad, watched a little Love Actually. I did some Christmas shopping, bought a "black thing" as Jenny and I call them, although mine is more of an oatmeal color, and J I love it. I worked on my quilt which is not going well, I've had to rip out a ridiculous number of seams. I'm hoping that this section is the one where I will make all the mistakes and then the other three will work like clock work....here's hoping.

So...this has been a really long entry in the blog, better be off. Let me leave you with a quote about my new celebrity crush.

"A woman needs a man, like a fish needs a bicycle, and I guess I'm always going to need the Edge!"
-Bono, Trying to Throw Your Arms Around the World, Stockholm, 1992

Last Christmas I Gave You My Heart.....

Another day another eight hours to fill. Let me first address the most important thing that happened yesterday (aside from burning a cd with 2 versions of Last Christmas, amazing) the Mavs won! In an amazing spectacle of athleticism, our dear Mav-ies beat poor Nashy and his Suns....sucka!

Moving on, Saturday is quickly approaching, aka, Kristi gets to see Kanye and U2! Needless to say I'm a little excited to see "Jesus Walk" "Where the Streets Have No Name" and end up sitting down to break bread with a "Gold Digga'" (that was so sacrilegious) I found an interesting "fact" about Bono this morning and you are all lucky enough to learn it as well.

"The star was also nominated last month for a Nobel Peace Prize, one of 166 nominees that includes Pope John Paul the Second, Secretary of State Colin Powell and famed sitar master Ravi Shankar. Bono was asked about the nomination at the Hall of Fame induction, and he shrugged it off saying, "'Rock star' is already having the cream of the cake," but added, "although it would be nice to beat that bastard Ravi Shankar. That dude's free ride is coming to an end. F him."

Haha, so that isn't so much a fact as a portion of an article from The Daily Show web site...which I encourage everyone to visit as it will provide many laughs.

Peace.