Street Fighter II

Ronda Rousey won her match in 14 seconds. With an armbar too, not a KO. That's very impressive. In honor of this I'm playing Street Fighter II (though I've also been playing it for the last week since chess is getting frustrating).  Twin Peaks will be done tomorrow, Alabama Shakes performed on SNL so I'm looking forward to watching that.  Today I had a fun drum lesson, then went down to Midtown Comics in Times Square and did my sometime-a-month comic reading journey.  I thought the Darth Vader comic wasn't written that well, but the Legendary Starlord//All New X-Men crossover was pretty entertaining. I also thought All New Captain America was very impressive, good characterization and a very engaging story that immerses you (apparently immersive isn't actually a word?).  After that I went to Guitar Center and messed around on drum machines and synths and electronic drum sets which is always fun.  It's already March! I always forget how much shorter February feels even though it's only a few days.
In case you haven't heard all of Alabama Shakes' debut album Boys & Girls listen to the entire thing, it's great and one of the best rock albums of the last few years.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZ5pqykFMDY

Twin Peaks

I'm almost done with Twin Peaks! I plan on finishing it tomorrow because I have to write a semi-report about it Sunday, or at least the first two episodes.  After Twin Peaks I'm looking forward to House of Cards season 3, and then maybe I'll start watching The Sopranos finally if I have time before Game of Thrones starts.  I've been really wanting to rewatch The Wire, but I feel like I need to get through new things first. But it's always so good. But supposedly so is the Sopranos.
Anyway, saw some great music today, all the bands at Bacchanal Battle of the Bands were great and impressive and intimidating, but in a good way where now I want to go practice and play a bunch. I'm so tired.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MD-7ly19vTE&feature=youtu.be
Moonlight Feels Right, by Starbuck, via ?uestlove. That marimba solo is amazing.

Radio Radio

Lots of radio today, lots of music. which is all great. Also Twin Peaks! and I got some Krispy Kreme. Good day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOWwN3T2xkc
Radio Radio, by Elvis Costello

pineapple

Pineapple chunks are delicious but very acidic.  My mouth feels like I've been licking batteries for a half hour.  I feel great though because I jogged two miles today, which I consider an accomplishment because I can't remember the last time I did that.  Tomorrow is the first Club Soda! Be sure to tune in, it's gonna be a great playlist.  8pm-10pm Thursday!
Today's song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzauF0VkECQ
Five Hundred Miles, by Carey Mulligan, Stark Sands, and Justin Timberlake, from the Inside Llewyn Davis soundtrack.
A great movie, go see it!

Much Ado About Nothing

I re-watched the Joss Whedon version of Much Ado About nothing in lieu of reading it, and damn if I didn't enjoy it just as much the 2nd time.  It's extremely comfy.  I like the Kenneth Branagh version too, but I think the Whedon version is more intimate.  If I could pick and choose actors from each version that would be great.  Clark Gregg was perfect, Denzel Washington was the best as always, I'd move Keaton to a more serious role, maybe the Friar? Nathan Fillion plays the constable perfectly.  I think I'd take the female lead from the Whedon with Kenneth Branagh as Benedic.  Keanu can stay because he's great now.
All this Shakespeare (two days of Shakespeare) has really been enriching my life, I even went on a treadmill today for the first time in I can't remember how long.  Went a solid 10 minutes (7 minutes), convinced myself I'd take a break and that break turned into Better Call Saul and popcorn, but still I feel accomplished.  I'm going to try to turn this treadmill thing into an actual habit because I think the last time I had a good cardiovascular system was in 10th grade.
I got a bunch of new music today, Alvvays have a very good debut album that everyone should listen to.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzlc8yXqxSs
Alvvays, by Allvays, full album.
I also am finally getting deeper into Art Tatum after a long intrigued circling of his work.  Like most artists I won't get archivally into it for a while, but this 2cd set I got is a good start.  He's pretty amazing, and a great third favor to the Neapolitan mix of James P. Johnson, Fats Waller, and Art Tatum.
I'm going to try to figure out who is which flavor in that ice cream.
I'd say Fats Waller is strawberry for his flamboyant showmanship and striking personality.
James P. Johnson is vanilla for being not as uniquely remarkable as the other musicians, but always dependable and enjoyable.
Art Tatum is chocolate for being so rich in virtuosity (#witty) and deep and such.  If spearmint were a flavor in Neapolitan rather than chocolate I'd say he's more like spearmint for being always striking and refreshing.

Now I want ice cream but it's time for bed and that would be a bad idea.
Any Art Tatum selection is going to be amazing, so I'll go with the song he played in his first cutting contest with James P. Johnson and Fats Waller that stunned them both, and everyone in the room.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaPeks0H3_s
Tiger Rag, by Art Tatum. from the Jazz Classics CD.

Richard II

I read Richard II tonight, it was great, reading is great, Shakespeare is great, food is great. Now I want to reread A Song of Ice and Fire since it's based on it, but it's 3AM so reading should probably be postponed for now.

KING RICHARD II

They shall be satisfied: I'll read enough,
When I do see the very book indeed
Where all my sins are writ, and that's myself.
Re-enter Attendant, with a glass
Give me the glass, and therein will I read.
No deeper wrinkles yet? hath sorrow struck
So many blows upon this face of mine,
And made no deeper wounds? O flattering glass,
Like to my followers in prosperity,
Thou dost beguile me! Was this face the face
That every day under his household roof
Did keep ten thousand men? was this the face
That, like the sun, did make beholders wink?
Was this the face that faced so many follies,
And was at last out-faced by Bolingbroke?
A brittle glory shineth in this face:
As brittle as the glory is the face;
Dashes the glass against the ground
For there it is, crack'd in a hundred shivers.
Mark, silent king, the moral of this sport,
How soon my sorrow hath destroy'd my face.

In honor of reading about the past, and Richard's reflections of his past, here's Neil Young with Journey Through the Past, this one from the Inherent Vice soundtrack where I first heard it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYRkaUOWg8A

The Oscars

The Oscars were great.
These posts are getting shorter.
I am so tired.


Haiku!

In honor of Whiplash, a great movie, have some Bird.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuK6XfyDOBo
Salt Peanuts, by Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie, live at Massey Hall.

Warmth!

It's going to be 40 degrees tomorrow! It's so much warmer out! In honor of this tropical weather, some great music from the Pedrito Martinez group.  Saw them at Subrosa last semester (with a different pianist) and they were amazing.  Definitely a great group to watch out for.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vf28FvyLwwI
The Pedrito Martinez Group, Memorias, Live at PASIC 2012

Crumb Cake

I forgot to make a post last night, but it was a good night of exercise and cookies, which always go well together.  Right now it's snowing quite heavily outside, which makes the alleyway view from my window much more heavenly.  I got a care package from back home for my birthday consisting of cookies, hot cocoa mix, cigars, and crumb cake.  I can't explain how much I enjoy crumb cake. It's one of my favorite things in life.  So much so that I try not to eat it very often, I don't want to lessen the mystique or the impact.
Made some more music last night and cobbled together five songs to make an EP.  I've also been playing lots of online chess and I'm confident I'm getting close to beating the computer.  One day Boris, one day.  These snowflakes are exquisite but the wind looks a little offputting so I think I'll stay inside and watch boxing today.  Oscars tomorrow!
Today's music is the EP I made. Promoting myself on my own blog, very classy!
https://soundcloud.com/kotj-4/sets/the-ableton-trial-ep
The Ableton Trial EP, by KOTJ

C'est Bon Bon Vie

What a great birthday! Had Jazz class which was fun as always, watched some great new episodes of shows I like, then got all dressed up and went to Dizzy's Coca-Cola Club at Lincoln Center! Saw the T.S. Monk sextet, they were amazing.  He was really impressive on drums and the pianist and bass player were also both awesome, the whole band was great.  Also Robert Glasper was at the concert in the audience, which is cool in itself.  But last year when I saw Thundercat for my birthday Robert Glasper was also there (and played), so this marks two years in a row that me and Robert Glasper have been in the same place on my birthday. Which makes me think that somehow I need to see him perform or run into him in a deli next year on my birthday just to keep the tradition alive.
Dinner at Dizzy's was real good, hung out with my Aunt and Uncle and Friend, and after even got an unexpected candled cake and present! After the show T.S. Monk came up to our table because my Aunt somehow makes things like that happen, and he talked about his passion for jazz and said happy birthday and I got butterflies.
After that me and Lizzy walked around the blistering cold of the meatpacking district.  More like the meat locker, am I right! Because it was cold. Freezing cold.  My ears almost froze off.  We went to one strange alleyway bar which was unfortunately closed, then went to a rooftop club which was unfortunately awkward, then went to Bathtub Gin which was fortunately cool.  The rooftop club featured as many security as patrons, making out patrons, antisocial patrons, and bartenders who were very annoyed with me for ordering water. The whole vibe was like "exclusive trendy rooftop club that you have to be cool enough to be allowed into, except there's no one here and there is no dancefloor".  The view and music were nice though so it was cool, I'd like to go back there in the summer.
Bathtub Gin was nice, little speakeasy style place, not a lot of room but we sat in a bathtub which was actually preferable to a chair for me because how often do you get to sit in a bathtub.  Some of the people there were hilariously drunk.  Also reserved seating and tables seems to be a big thing in New York, which is weird to me because it's barely a thing in Oakland.  Also I think Anthony Mackie was there.  I decided against asking him questions about the set of Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
On the train ride back an older gentleman talked to us about his various plays and movies which were debuting and starring young pop stars, and I spent the whole conversation trying to figure out if it was true and determined by the end that it wasn't.  I think.  It was one of those things where you try to be nice and humor the person then they say weird things about Africa and you're like alright this conversation can end now.  Thankfully wasn't stabbed though.

In honor of the great T.S. Monk for playing for us and talking with us after the show, here's some older T.S. Monk from his time as an R&B artist! This was before he followed in his father's jazz footsteps.  Also he told an interesting story that Thelonious Monk is actually Thelonious Monk Jr., making him T.S. Monk III.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peDtzPBmHoY
Bon Vie Vie, by T.S. Monk, from House of Music

Birthday!

Short post, late night, birthday tomorrow, fun hopefully!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbMzoSVKp1Q
Oh Honey, by Delegation, from Delegation.

Music make you lose control

Made some music today, played some music tonight.  Some of the vibes were happening, some weren't, but it's always a preferable experience to most everything else I've experienced.  Music is either overtaking my classwork or thankfully part of my classwork, so this last semester has been pretty sweet so far (if less conventionally academic). I need to get more into French music, I have a lot of Edith Piaf and the Cafe Essentials collection but I need that archival knowledge. I don't know if it will be of any "use" since people seem to not be that into old French music these days outside of brunch atmosphere, but hopefully I can bring it back.  If not for myself, than for all the accordion players out there.
In honor of a long day of music I'll give three selections tonight. The first two are great songs with a nice C-F chord change that's fun to jam on.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNpLSaCirj8    
Are You Sure Hank Done it This Way?, by Waylon Jennings, from Dreaming my Dreams.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RYngWSa8IE
Kiss You All Over, by Exile, from Mixed Emotions

The third is a nice French group I saw at Birdland last semester, led by Dorado Schmitt.  He's a great guitarist and violinist, and this whole band was incredible.  It even featured three of his sons on guitar, who were all amazing!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQeSkqRCxQg
How High the Moon, by the Django Reinhardt Allstars, led by Dorado Schmitt live at the Montreal Jazz Festival.

It's cold.

Well, it's cold in New York. Last night was exceedingly cold, thankfully I was inside most of the night watching the SNL 40th anniversary special with good friends, but outside the temperature slowly crept from 10 degrees to 2 degrees.  With strong chilly winds the walk back was rough, but we stuck through it on home.  Thankfully today it's a nice warm 19 degrees.
The fact that I woke up relieved to see it was 19 degrees outside says a lot.  Needless to say seeing stories and pictures about "warm summer days in the middle of February!" back home has me jealous.  But oh well, I'll take the rockin' pneumonia along with the boogie woogie flu.  Plus it's a good excuse to drink as much hot chocolate as I do.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvJ78hYI6wk
Rockin' Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu, by Johnny Rivers, from "L.A. Reggae"

Reflections on last night (and more)

          Spent Valentine's day volunteering at the Blues Symposium, which was a rousing success.  The presentation on the 1969 Ann Arbor Blues Festival was impressive to say the least, especially coming from recent and current WKCR personnel. I missed the Bessie Smith salon unfortunately, though I'm sure it went well. I had a drum lesson that also went well, and retired back to my room for a sandwich and bout of television that were equally enjoyable.  Went out to Industry City Distillery for the Symposium after party and some phenomenal brass band funk music from Lucky Chops Brass Band.

 Before getting to the Distillery and after disembarking the N train at 36th street I went to the nearest restaurant I could find as I was very hungry despite the earlier sandwich.  La Familia, walked in because it looked more promising than McDonald's. Some of the staff didn't speak English, some did. One patron was very drunk, you could see it in his eyes and in his drink, he spoke to me briefly and later came to my table and spoke to me at length.  He talked about the neighborhood, how it wasn't nice and whether I lived there, that techies were moving in.  A sense of estrangement was in his voice that I think encapsulates these areas, or at least my generalized stereotyped at first glance take of them.  But a discussion of rich techies and impoverished neighborhoods is better for another time and a more astute expert.
He made passes at the waitress, failed, and noted that the girls here don't like to be touched.  I ate grilled steak and salad, arriving at my table from the bar the same time as he did.  I offered some but he declined, later he offered me a beer and I declined. He seemed like a regular at La Familia, as the staff talked cordially with him but also apologized about him to me.  I wasn't bothered at all and tried to make this known but to no avail.  I overheard myself referred as gringo in their debate over whether he was bothering me, apparently I've regressed in my Spanish to the point where people think I can't speak Spanish (I can't). He often asked if I was alright, at first I wondered if I seemed strange or skittish but realized hopefully his concern was a result of the staff's accusations.  He'd helped translate my order to the waitress, and I felt indebted to him.  Some really great Spanish techno/reggaeton was playing over the speakers, it was the first time I've wished I had Shazam on my phone.
He asked me where I was from, I said California, he said he meant in New York, I stuttered over the Upper West Side.  For some reason I was hesitant to say so, I felt embarrassed about it. Another sentiment better left for the techie/impoverishment discussion.
He wasn't from the La Familia neighborhood and asked if I knew any good nightclubs in the area, I said it was my first time there and I was going to a bar, he asked if it was a good bar and I said "hopefully", which got a laugh.  He left the bar and came back too quickly to have been smoking, too cold for getting some air.  His jacket was still on his chair, I took off my hat and let my hat hair further my estrangement.  He sat back down at my table and asked about the bar I was going to.  He mentioned hearing about a neighborhood called Williamsburg that was supposed to be cool, I said that it had a lot going on, but refrained from connecting its history to this neighborhood's.  I either never asked or can't remember his name.  The waitresses further reprimanded him in Spanish and called him to come sit back at the bar.  The waitress he'd made a pass at was very cute.
 I started to get uncomfortable with the attention of the whole restaurant (the patrons numbered me at my table near the door, my new friend, another regular sitting at the bar and about twelve empty tables), and rationalized my discomfort by feeling that I didn't want to miss the show. The band was supposed to start ten minutes ago, and I was two snowy blocks away so I asked for a to go box, paid, finished my water and left a nice tip for the misplaced concern of the wait staff.  He offered me the Modelo as I paid, I declined explaining I had to leave to this bar.  He asked me the name of the bar and where it was, I feigned that I couldn't remember the exact name and address and gave two faulty but close to accurate answers so I could feel that I didn't completely lie and wasn't a total asshole. I shook his hand to leave, he gave the staff an angry look and tone and said this place was boring him anyway and he'd meet me at my bar later.  I left and felt bad but also glanced over my shoulder to make sure he wasn't following.
I got to the bar, which wasn't really a bar, instead was two pieces of paper taped to a nondescript warehouse door saying "Lucky Chops!" and "In here!", or something along those lines.  Entering and being further paper-sign-directed to a service elevator taking me to floor 6R, I felt less bad about giving a faulty address since a real address would have left him similarly separated from the bar and I.  I might have missed the entrance if I didn't happen upon it, and the event cost 10$ I wasn't aware of anyway so leading him into a fiscal and structural trap maybe would have been more of a dick move.
Plastic bag of grilled steak and broccoli in hand I followed the sounds of tuba to the bar entrance, paid and received a red sharpie "x" on my hand, and proceeded to a great time with great people.  It was a quintessentially "Brooklyn" venue, if the quintessentials of Brooklyn are now the warehouse party techie aesthetic and not the impoverished working class aesthetic.  Though thankfully this party was more hipster than techie.

Venturing back to Columbia with friends I passed La Familia again, now shuttered but with lights on and possibly people inside.  I briefly drunkenly considered entering.  In the subway station the same cute waitress who called me gringo walked in and smiled at me, carrying a "Feliz dia de San Valentin" heart-shaped balloon.  I thought about talking to her or asking about the balloon, but remembered that I can't speak Spanish and that the WKCR crew and La Familia crew didn't really know each other, and I wasn't up to the job of being the social bridge.  I'm not sure what train she got on or what stop she got off at, I'm not sure of his name or what nearby neighborhood he was from, but I ate the rest of the steak and broccoli on the train ride back and saved the carrots for a microwave.







That was a lot of pompous verbosity, here's something more regular of what this blog will be.  A great sad song for Dia de San Valentin, this goes out to everyone like my WKCR friend from last night who remarked something to the effect of "It's Sunday now, Valentine's day is over, thank God".
"Dark Shadows", by Charlie Parker, off of Ornithology.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVuj-xKwZ9w