Thursday, February 19, 2009

Idol Thoughts...

So, I think they got it right. For once, I'm relatively satisfied with how America voted thus far despite my reservations about "roughneck" Michael Sarver. There is little question that Alexis Grace and early-favorite Danny Gokey deserved a spot in the Top 12; Sarver's performance on the other hand, was a notch above an average karaoke outing. In fact, most of Tuesday's performances were just plain painful -- and that is being kind.

But, I can't help but feel bad for Anoop "Dog" Desai, who contrary to Randy and Kara's comments, I thought nailed his performance. Desai took a lot of unfair criticism from the judges -- namely that he sang "sharp" and that the song [Angel of Mine] was "dated." Maybe I missed something, but in my humble opinion, he was the best performance of the night. It goes to show that whitebread American teens will never vote a non-white or non-African-American into the finalist round -- regardless of ability. That is a real shame. I hope he makes the "wild card" round.

But while I still can't fathom why or how Danny's buddy, Jamar was eliminated prematurely a few weeks back, I am somewhat relieved that we are almost in the clear of Tatiana Del Toro (barring the "wild card"). Del Toro, the delusional megalomaniac whose aura represents the worst traits of mankind, must be eliminated not necessarily because she can't sing, but because a spot in the final round would only bolster her repulsive sense of entitlement. However, win or lose, I have a hunch that Del Toro succeeded in achieving her ruthless quest for attention and do I dare predict that she will earn some second-rate record deal or maybe a spot on another reality show. That, or end up going postal...

Other thoughts:

-they seriously need to turn down the reverb on the mic -- it's bad enough that it looks like a cheap, plastic Fisher-Price toy, they could at least spare us from the cheesy karaoke effects;

-apparently America still has a love affair with corny songs about "hope," "friends" and "heroes" -- most of which have religious undertones (did you see the size of that cross on the back of Sarver's shirt?!? Low blow, but it worked!);

-Simon proved yet again that he is ALWAYS right; and

-Kara gets hotter by the episode!!! Evil or not, she is smoking!!!


Saturday, February 7, 2009

Van The Man To Play "New" Beacon in March

Van Morrison has added two shows at the Beacon Theatre in New York City, NY on March 3rd and 4th.

Accompanied by two different bands, Mr. Morrison will play two sets per show: one of "Astral Weeks" cover to cover, the other of rarely played Van Morrison classics.

American Express Card members can purchase pre-sale tickets beginning
TODAY through Thursday February 12th at 10PM.

If you don't have an American Express card you can still purchase tickets when they go on sale to the general public next Friday, February 13th at 9AM EST through Ticketmaster.

Click Here To Purchase American Express Early On Sale Tickets Now!

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Bluegrass Breakdown

From a good friend and part-time contributor of The Weight:

It comes as no surprise that New York City spawned some of music's greatest movements and housed several legendary world-class venues. However, there is one spot I guarantee most of the natives have overlooked. For years, The Weekly Bluegrass Jam was held each Wednesday night at the Baggott Inn (W. 3rd St.), but after the bar's demise (incidentally, it has become a makeshift jazz club), Sheriff Bob & Co. have loaded the covered wagons and voyaged down the block in search of a new frontier: The Grisly Pear. The Grisly Pear (MacDougal St./Bleeker St.), which happens to serve a wider (and better) beer selection than the Baggot (try the Chimay, Lindemans Framboise Lambic; various English bitters, or course, the obligatory Guinness), is a perfect choice of venue. Part "O Brother, Where Art Thou?," part Pete Seeger, and a splash of hippie-drum circle, the Weekly Bluegrass Jam is an absolute for any fan of the folk/Americana scene -- well, at least as close as it gets for a downtown Manhattan dive...Instruments are welcome.

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=184502766 http://features.csmonitor.com/backstory/2008/11/18/bluegrass-music-echoes-from-honky-tonks-of-new-york/

For continued listening, try bluegrass brunch at Superfine down under the Manhattan Bridge overpass in Brooklyn; or trade the mighty Mississippi for the less romantic Gowanus Canal at Jalopy on the working class waterfront of Redhook, Brooklyn. Anybody been? Anybody wanna go?

*The Grisly Pear also hosts a worthy Tuesday "trivia night" for those less musically inclined...