Sparrowman’s Perch

Folks, I just want to encourage you to listen to or especially come to a MountainStage show. If you come, for about $15 you get to hear five bands and also see how a “live recorded” radio show is done. Tonight, I got to hear and see Mary Chapin Carpenter. I love her voice and her style. She did her new stuff which was good, but I still like her old music.

One of the things about going to MountainStage is that you get to hear bands that you might not do so otherwise. I saw the name of “Elvis Perkins in Dearland” and originally thought nothing of it. Elvis??? After the first song and through the rest of their set, I must say, I was as happy to have heard them as I was with Mary. Great sound and they’re interesting to watch too. The recently debuted album is called “Ash Wednesday”. Unfortunately, they didn’t have any CDs with them to sell tonight so I’ll have to get one from Amazon or somewhere! They have some concerts coming up for those of you in the southeast.

I’ll finish with what Larry Groce says, “Get out there and see and hear some live music!”

Link: Elvis Perkins http://elvisperkins.net/ (with links to Elvis’ MySpace account and Dearland’s account)
Link: Lineup of tonight’s Mountainstage
http://www.events.wvu.edu/concerts/06-07/mstage_0415/index.shtml

“My belief is that what comes across on the television is a capture of my enthusiasm and my passion for wildlife.”

“I have no fear of losing my life - if I have to save a koala or a crocodile or a kangaroo or a snake, mate, I will save it.”

- Steve Irwin

I still cannot believe that Steve Irwin is dead.  I remember hearing of this during a newsbreak on late night radio.  I was starting to fall asleep.  I woke up the next morning thinking that the thought was just a dream, but the morning news confirmed the bitter reality.

Many of you already know of the fascination that I have with the guy and his show.  Okay, yes, he was definitely a ham but I believe his enthusiasm for animals did represent a real concern for them.  I didn’t get to see some of the last shows of the Crocodile Hunter since I gave up standard cable some years back.

I’m going to miss some of his catch phrases:
Crikey!
Look at the size of it!
You wouldn’t want to muck with it!
Danger, danger, danger!

I hate to say it but I always wondered what creature would “get” him—not necessarily killing him but injuring him.  It could have been one of the many highly venomous poisonous snakes of Australia or of course, a croc.  A sting ray?  I knew that folks actually could pay to swim with them.  It just shows how we as humans must be mindful of the power of such large creatures when we try to interact with them.

Unfortunately, some folks out there took it upon themselves and sought some sort of revenge for his death by killing and maiming stingrays.  Not long after Steve was killed, authorities found the remnants of about 10 of these animals.  (CNN story) It is a shame that some did not get it about his whole life message of animal conservation!

I watched snippets from various media sources of the memorial service today.  I’m amazed at his little daughter, Bindi.  One, in how big she is, and two, her ability to deliver such wonderful words about her daddy to the 5,000 people.  What saddens me is in seeing this family without Steve.  

I also have a fascination with couples who are active in a common “mission”.  On top of that, the whole family had involvement—however, some more than what should have at particular times.  

Anyhow, he was one of the media personalities that I really did want to meet eventually.  I wish I had about one tenth of his enthusiasm.  With that I’m sure his words will remain true in the years to come:  “There’s one thing I want to be remembered for, it’s my passion and enthusiasm for wildlife.”

Crikey, man.  It’s too damn soon.  “Rest in peace” just does not sound like an appropriate thing to say for someone like Steve Irwin.  My thoughts and prayers go out, big time, for his wife, Terri, and the two young ones, Bindi and Bob.

Animal Planet’s Memorial pages:
http://animal.discovery.com/fansites/crochunter/steve/steve.html

Further information for any who wish to contribute :
http://www.wildlifewarriors.org.au/

More on the memorial service from the BBC:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/5363342.stm

Crocodile Hunter/Australia Zoo website:
http://www.crocodilehunter.com.au/

I was listening to WYEP FM (Pittsburgh, PA) over the net and I heard a voice and some sounds that I’ve not heard in quite some time.  Could it be?  Yes!  They’re back!  Eddie Brickell and New Bohemians are back and out with a brand new album, Stranger Things.  It was just released today.  From what I understand, all of the old New Bohemians have returned as well.  I emailed one of you today about this; I thought I’d post this here for anyone else who may be interested. 

 Hmmm…, I wonder what I’m going to buy this weekend?  (Yes, I actually do buy music.  I do believe in supporting the music that one likes, whether it be recorded or especially live.)

Yes, it felt a bit like Monty Python the other night at 123 Pleasant Street.  A friend from Maryland was visiting me for a few days and we decided to check out some activity in Mo-town.  We saw a poster at the Blue Moose of a band (picture at left) that was in town and we decided to check them out.  They were the Asylum Street Spankers.  You’d think that someone smashed together a bluegrass band with the remnants of a defunct punk group.

This group was different.  Try to classify them and you are left shaking your head since they were able to mix and match all sorts of musical genres: country-western, alternative, modern pop, 1920s and ragtime, swing and jazz, even a bit of rap.  

The flyer said that this group was “irreverent”.  True enough, this performance is not for youngsters or for anyone who can’t stomach some dock-workers’ poetry.  (Hmm…, I saw another friend of mine from church there.  Then again, he saw me there, too.   Hmm.  But we’re Episcopalians and we are everywhere.  But so are Roman Catholics.)   After one of their tunes, one band member said, “and that was Sick!”  He was actually introducing another member named…, Sick (the guy with the mohawk). 

Nonetheless, I found them to be entertaining.  At times during a song in a 1920’s style about a body decaying in the ocean, I imagined those Edward Gorey drawings of (PBS’ Mystery) dancing around in some weird beach setting.  Another musical entity was “where country-western murder meets gangsta-rap”.    Sometimes I couldn’t help but to think that Dr. Demento  would love some of this.  Sure enough, one of their songs, “Stick Magnetic Ribbons on Your S.U.V.” (sung to the tune of  “Tie a Yellow Ribbon around the Old Oak Tree”) is currently #5 on the Doctor’s Top Funny Five List!

More importantly, they were tight, talented and versatile.  At the end of the performance there were piles of instruments on and in front of the stage.  They played them all and they played them well–add to that their vocal abilities and harmonies. 

I almost felt the need to go to confession after it was over though.  (Yes, we Episcopals have that, but not as a sacrament).  The performance really was something completely different.  My buddy and I had a good time although we were more in a mood for some loud rock. 

Check out their blog on MySpace—they have some streaming audio samples there, but again, they’re not for all audiences to say the least.
http://www.myspace.com/asylumstreetspankers