Romancing in January

I've always been a big fan of melancholy melodic love songs. This Esther Phillips song is no exception! This song was introduced to me via Track 15 on mixed cd: "Nothing Serious 4" per my cool cat friend at work.

Best Show Experience of 2008, I'm betting

As I am formulating my thoughts, I'm pretty sure Zooey Dechanel of the band 'She & Him' is performing a beautiful song such as "You Really Got A Hold On Me" as she is scheduled to perform a second night (tonight!) at the SF North Beach venue, Bimbo's 365.  I was fortunate to have sneaked a photo despite the no camera policy.  Let's just say that really cheap periwinkle sleeveless blouses come in handy in hiding bulges.

Last night marked the attendance of my 4th musical show of the year, three of which have regrettably fallen on hapless Sundays.  Despite the odds, I enjoyed the fact that 'She & Him' got on stage at 9.30ish, staying on a little past and hour.  I was able to sleep well throughout the Sunday night without suffering the normal feverish chills I have experienced from other shows (as the result of extreme temperature conditions from other shows - Cough! Cut Copy).

Things were short and sweet, at least for me.  I remember looking over at Phil - hoping to find unbridled enthusiasm.  Instead, the man had a few half smiles.  Looks like the show had a lot of boyfriends with blank stares.

I was left yearning for more.  Zooey's voice was a bold boom, low and well honey like.  M. Ward's second voice when present added a subtle beautiful melancholy sound.  BTW, I think M.Ward is something of a music god.

I really feel that my having listened and seen "She and Him" is indeed opening the door to my appreciation to many things beyond your standard 'electronic',  'sub-pop' sounds.  I beginning to enjoy the winey twang of the steel guitar accompanied by of the clanging of the piano.

I love enjoying life.

If I Ever Feel Better

It seems like there are some of us who have had a hapless 2008 - counterintuitive to chinese superstition - well it is modern day - this poem/song makes me feel, well - better:

They say an end can be a start
Feels like I've been buried yet I'm still alive
It's like a bad day that never ends
I feel the chaos around me
A thing I don't try to deny
I'd better learn to accept that
There are things in my life that I can't control

They say love ain't nothing but a sore
I don't even know what love is
Too many tears have had to fall
Don't you know I'm so tired of it all
I have known terror dizzy spells
Finding out the secrets words won't tell
Whatever it is it can't be named
There's a part of my world that' s fading away

You know I don't want to be clever
To be brilliant or superior
True like ice, true like fire
Now I know that a breeze can blow me away
Now I know there's much more dignity
In defeat than in the brightest victory
I'm losing my balance on the tight rope
Tell me please, tell me please, tell me please...

If I ever feel better
Remind me to spend some good time with you
You can give me your number
When it's all over I'll let you know

Hang on to the good days
I can lean on my friends
They help me going through hard times
But I'm feeding the enemy
I'm in league with the foe
Blame me for what's happening
I can't try, I can't try, I can't try...

No one knows the hard times I went through
If happiness came I miss the call
The stormy days ain't over
I've tried and lost know I think that I pay the cost
Now I've watched all my castles fall
They were made of dust, after all
Someday all this mess will make me laugh
I can't ewait, I can't wait, I can't wait...

If I ever feel better
Remind me to spend some good time with you
You can give me your number
When it's all over I'll let you know
If I ever feel better
Remind me to spend some good time with you
You can give me your number
When it's all over I'll let you know

It's like somebody took my place
I ain't even playing my own game
The rules have changed well I didn't know
There are things in my life I can't control
I feel the chaos around me
A thing I don't try to deny
I'd better learn to accept that
There's a part of my life that will go away

Dark is the night, cold is the ground
In the circular solitude of my heart
As one who strives a hill to climb
I am sure I'll come through I don't know how
They say an end can be a start
Feels like I've been buried yet I'm still alive

I'm losing my balance on the tight rope
Tell me please, tell me please, tell me please...

If I ever feel better
Remind me to spend some good time with you
You can give me your number
When it's all over I'll let you know

If I ever feel better
Remind me to spend some good time with you
You can give me your number
When it's all over I'll let you know

If I ever feel better
Remind me to spend some good time with you
You can give me your number
When it's all over I'll let you know


"If I Ever Feel Better" sung by french band "Phoenix"