Spinning Platters Picks Six: An Early Educated Guess At Bridge School

bridgeschool
Photo From Last Year's Big Event

So, Neil Young’s Bridge School Benefit is October 24th-25th. For those that aren’t already aware, Neil and Pegi Young have a school for the developmentally disabled. Every year, they put together an acoustic show with a few friends in the business.  In the past, these friends have included Tom Waits, Paul McCartney, Green Day, Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Ministry, and, well, the list can go on for miles.  Today, I am going to try to predict six of the bands playing.  They usually announce the bill about six weeks in advance, so we have a bit more time, and as some acts get confirmed, I will revise the bill. Well, on with the show: Continue reading “Spinning Platters Picks Six: An Early Educated Guess At Bridge School”

M. Ward at the Fox Oakland, 5/16/09

M.Ward considers what exactly to do with the pieces of a broken heart. Might I suggest composting?
M.Ward considers what exactly to do with the pieces of a broken heart. Might I suggest composting?

Dear M. Ward,

I went to your show this weekend at the Fox, and I have to be honest with you, I was a little apprehensive about seeing you again. The first time I saw you was in Brooklyn a few years ago (or at least long enough for me to forget the name of the venue). I had just started to listen to End of Amnesia after discovering Transistor Radio, and I was completely enamored of what I heard.  There was no song that could do wrong on either album. I enjoyed the dark moodiness of your songs dispersed by charming tract about inanimate objects, and instrumentals.  The show was equally compelling, especially when guest star Jim James came onstage to lend a hand.

It’s hard to top such an exciting show that manifested all my warm fuzzy feelings of the time.

Which brings me back to the topic at hand. Saturday night’s show at the Fox. Continue reading “M. Ward at the Fox Oakland, 5/16/09”