California's wasted on me.

[kv0925]

Musical stuff update!

I think I mentioned that on our New England vacation earlier this year, most of our driving was done to the soundtrack of a couple of mp3 cds that I made years ago, and I was reminded that I really missed listening to Toad the Wet Sprocket. After we got back, I saw on the Net that they had reunited and recorded a new album, and were doing a Kickstarter to fund the production and distribution. NICE, thought I, I will have to get in on that! But I didn't at the time, and pretty much forgot about it until I saw on their Facebook this week that the Kickstarter was about to end, so I jumped in and contributed. They started out with a goal of $50k and ended up breaking the $250k mark, which I think is just plain awesome. I love the idea of artists who played such a big part in the soundtrack of my life--as Toad did, for a good number of years--getting some direct love (and cash!) from their fans instead of losing it to greedy record execs, you know? Anyway, this morning I got my download code for the album, New Constellation, and I've been listening to it today at work. I am very pleased to report that it is really quite good. Very Toad-like, which may seem to have been expected, but was by no means a sure thing since they'd been split up for so long. Good stuff, I am pleased. I contributed at the level to get a physical cd as well, so I'll look forward to that!

I don't make it to many concerts these days (I actually missed Toad themselves at a little show at the Hard Rock Hotel a couple weeks ago, darnit), so I always look forward to the Food & Wine Festival at EPCOT, which has a concert series that generally includes a number of artists I like--and since it's EPCOT, the wife and kids don't mind humoring me to go out there. This year's lineup has plenty of returning favorites (Night Ranger, Sister Hazel, Dennis DeYoung of Styx fame, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy) and some changes--new this year: Spin Doctors! That is outstanding, I loved those guys in their heyday so I definitely plan on seeing them. :)

Aaaand.. I guess that's about it, actually. Back to work!

Comments

[cinnamonbite.livejournal.com]

The first time I saw Night Ranger was at Disney. In the 80s. I think it was...was it Night of Joy? Or was it some metal thing? I know I saw Stryper at Night of Joy. I don't know why I saw Night Ranger there.

[cp.livejournal.com]

I saw Damn Yankees back when they were around and touring, so that was at least one guy from Night Ranger. ;) I've seen them 2 or 3 times at EPCOT now. It's not the same as a full concert, of course, but if you catch a couple shows (each dand does 3 shows/night) you get a decent variety of hits. They have to do "Sister Christian" every set, though--I'd imagine that would get old at some point!

Hmm, maybe they were at Grad Nite, did you ever go to that? The only band I remember from my Grad Nite was Return To Zero, a band with a couple of guys who were in Boston. Not a bad show, actually. :)

[cinnamonbite.livejournal.com]

GRAD NIGHT! That was it!

[audamy.livejournal.com]

Oh, I had almost forgotten about Toad the Wet Sprocket. I went through a period where I literally could not stop playing "Somethings Always Wrong". So now I really need to download some of their songs again.

[cp.livejournal.com]

The Dulcinea and Coil albums are both pretty consistently awesome, in my opinion. I definitely recommend the new one too, it's got some good stuff!

[audamy.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the recommendation. I'll definitely have to check it out.

[liquidmistletoe.livejournal.com]

Oh man, I am totally jealous of that Food & Wine Festival at EPCOT- that lineup is right up my alley! I think I am going to have to go listen to Toad the Wet Sprocket or Spin Doctors now...

[cp.livejournal.com]

It is pretty awesome! Like I said in another comment, it's not like a true concert since the bands do 3 short shows each night with some repetition of material (their biggest hit or two) in each set. But it's a small amphitheater-type venue, so every seat is fairly close to the stage--a nice way to see a band! Plus it's at EPCOT! :) I never make it out there as many times as I'd like each fall to see every band I like, but hopefully I'll be able to make it to a few this year.

[bender-927.livejournal.com]

I've never heard of them. :P They have an interesting name for sure. And I'm glad fans such as yourself are generously contributing. That's awesome.

[cp.livejournal.com]

*jawdrop* No way! They were fairly big in the early 90s, I know you aren't THAT young. ;) The name actually comes from an old Monty Python sketch. This was probably their biggest radio hit:



A favorite of mine:



Oh, and this one too:



And.. oh, that's enough for now. If you've a mind to check them out, the Dulcinea and Coil albums are the best. :)

[bender-927.livejournal.com]

lol. I was born in '89, to be fair.
Of the three, I think I liked the first most, but none of it's really my style. :P

[cp.livejournal.com]

Jeez, now I do feel old. You young whippersnapers with your hippity-hop and blubstep music, whatever that is. ;) I appreciate that you listened, anyway. But I like to consider my tastes eclectic, so let's trade--give me a few links to some of your current favorites? I will spare you links to the bluegrass I like these days. ;)

[bender-927.livejournal.com]

lol. You're only as old as you feel...? Idk if that worked.

I've been beating my brains out trying to think of three songs to represent me with no success. I like lots of music!

[cp.livejournal.com]

Depending on the day I feel either 12 or about 453. ;)

[bender-927.livejournal.com]

You look alright for four hundred. :P
If I can think of music I swear by, I'll let you know.

[cp.livejournal.com]

But I look AWFUL for 12. ;) And please do!

[musicpsych.livejournal.com]

Can you send me some bluegrass links? :)

[cp.livejournal.com]

I had a mind to do the occasional musical post here to share some favorites along different themes. I did one a while back about songs I like that tell historical stories of some sort--you can check that out here (http://cp.livejournal.com/466362.html). I included a few Steeldrivers songs in there, who are a bluegrass outfit I really like. But I think I'll put together another post soon with a bluegrass focus, if you like. :)

[musicpsych.livejournal.com]

Thanks for linking me to that post. I like the bluegrass I've heard, though it's probably a limited amount compared to what's out there. I really liked the Steeldrivers songs you posted - I'll have to check out more of their songs.

[cp.livejournal.com]

They're really good--I got turned on to bluegrass in general when I lived in Nashville, and I discovered the Steeldrivers on a night at the Grand Ole Opry there. Very good stuff. I'm still contemplating a bluegrass post, it's just been a busy time at work--stay tuned! :)

[girlguitarist.livejournal.com]

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy! I didn't know they were still together. I'd love to see them!

[cp.livejournal.com]

I know! I for one really enjoyed the swing craze of the 90s, so it's fun to see a band like that. I saw them once at EPCOT a few years back, they put on a great show.

[fairwells.livejournal.com]

I remember Toad. Glad to hear they're back together :) I'll have to check out their latest music. I also don't go to many concerts as I used to because most of my bands don't tour a lot like they used to.

[cp.livejournal.com]

Yeah, there are certainly a lot of bands I'd love to have seen in their heyday who really aren't out there anymore. Pink Floyd comes to mind, but I did at least see Roger Waters on The Wall tour last year. :)

[fairwells.livejournal.com]

That's so awesome you saw Roger Waters. Michael would have especially loved to see that tour. Me too :)

[musicpsych.livejournal.com]

I try to not get carried away with Kickstarter. I always look at the most expensive "rewards" first, even if I can't afford them, though I tend to go for the more reasonable items. It's interesting to see the different packages people put together and what monetary value they place on them. I've mostly used it to support projects that friends have done. It is pretty great that, like you said, there's a direct link between the artist and fans.

[cp.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I definitely like the idea of Kickstarter, but I think this was the first one I actually got in on. Actually, there was the thing a while back on another Kickstarter-like site where money was being raised to purchase (and eventually restore into a museum) the Long Island property where Nikola Tesla had a laboratory. I couldn't resist that one, and am thrilled that it was successful. :)