A New Era Has Dawned, It's The End Of The World As We Know It

In my last post I alluded to a third thing that I had been doing that not only was taking up my time (in addition to my wife’s condition and helping build a website for my friends band) but also my creative time. It was my attempt to explain why I hadn’t been writing very much lately. Well, the time has come now to speak about just what that third thing is. I have (finally) joined the ever growing number of podcasters in the world. Some time back I acquired a portable digital recorder (as a Christmas gift from me to me) and after playing with it for a bit I started to record a podcast with my best friend and virtual brother Tommy. Then I downloaded some free editing software (Audacity) and after also playing with it I finally was ready to unleash my creation on the unsuspecting world. Needing a name for the podcast my decision was easy, I would name it after this blog, notmovingpictures, which itself is a nod to the band Rush.

Tommy and I have recorded three episodes but since my wife had her surgery we just haven’t had the time to do any more, so far at least. The podcast will be the two of us talking about music, concerts old and new, writing lyrics for Tommy’s band Alloy and whatever else we decide to delve into at any given moment. To be sure, I feel that so far we are still trying to find our rhythm, after all, I haven’t done anything like this since my radio days in the latter 90s so please be patient. I want it to be a conversation between the two of us and to show our humor more than we have so far. Episode one dealt with our history and Tommy’s trip to see Megadeth and Motorhead (sort of) while in episode two I spoke of going to see Van Halen in 1984 and how I ended up spending the night in a hooker motel……….with another dude. Have no fear, it was all innocent, nothing untoward was going on, at least not on my part. To hear the full story you’ll need to go to www.notmovingpictures.podomatic.com where you can stream, download or even get the podcast on Itunes.

But wait! There’s more! Not only have I started notmovingpictures as a podcast (and a continuation of the blog) starting today, Tuesday the 2nd of April I am also launching a second podcast, one dedicated to playing music, called 10 For Tuesday. Allow me to explain how it came to be. Every time I try to find a music podcast that has just a portion of music that I like I invariably end up disappointed. Usually I find myself scrolling through the episodes hoping that I come across a morsel of sonic goodness that will appease my auditory hunger for a short time only before becoming frustrated at what is offered and unsubscribing form said podcast and starting the search all over again. Finally it dawned on me that if I can’t find what I like then I need to create what I like. If others come across it and like it then all the better for don’t be fooled, the music I am playing is all for me, there will be nothing that I do not approve of myself. Basically it will feature music from different genres, decades and styles. Whatever I have come across that I like and has stuck with me and it will all be mixed together no matter how different is from song to song. Don’t be surprised to hear Ska, Americana, Metal, New Wave, Punk and whatever else I feel like playing.

10 For Tuesday will be a free form music podcast with the motto of Less Talk, More Music. That’s right, unlike radio you won’t have to hear me prattle on taking up your precious time and instead can enjoy music, sweet music. The first episode features songs by Alejandro Escovedo, Amy Cook, The Ruts, The Skids, Chuck Prophet, The Crombies and more so if that sounds like something you’d like feel free to go to www.tenfortuesday.podomatic.com and download, stream or subscribe to it on Itunes, just like notmovingpictures. My hope is that if I can’t do it every week I will at least do an episode every two weeks. Maybe that way I can stay creative and focus my writing on all of my stories and (dare I imagine it) my movie script ideas. Ah well, time will tell how it all goes but truthfully the point is to just do it, no matter what the consequences. Whether it is adored by millions or reviled by an equal number it matters not, so long as I enjoy myself. So do me a favor and check them out, enjoy the content, drop a comment or two but ultimately be kind with your (hopefully) constructive criticism. Now I need to figure out how to really make it easier to do. Wish me luck, I’m going to need it.

Written and Published by Don Leach. May not be used without permission from the author.

Alejandro Escovedo performs Sister Lost Soul at the Cain's Ballroom plus Amy Cook

The first video is the only one I shot of Al's performance basically due to me not bringing extra batteries with me. I've learned my lesson. Since the batteries were so low I only got part of the song. The 2nd is from the lady that was in front of me and she also shot the videos that I posted earlier. Either way it was a great performance.





For an extra benefit I've put up another Amy Cook song from the same night, "I Wanna Be Your Marianne" which of course was shot by the same lady. Eventually I'll be able to sneak my camera in (with extra batteries) and put up some of my own. By the way, her bass player was awesome, I wish I could find out who he is.

Finally Pictures From Alejandro Escovedo's Show

The good news is that the cord that connects my camera to my computer finally decided to cooperate and actually let me pull the pictures and sole video from it. So here are a few of the better pictures that I was able to take of that incredibly wonderful performance. These shots say it a lot better than I ever could so I'll let them speak for themselves.

Amy Cook At The Cain's Ballroom

Amy Cook opened for Alejandro Escovedo on his stop at the Cain's Ballroom on August 30th. I had heard some of her songs but didn't really think they were anything that I was interested in and so I felt like I would have to endure her set in order to get to Al who was the performer I was there to see. After watching her performance though I was completely won over. Her songs seemed to take on a new dimension when played live that I didn't initially hear. She was a perfect appetizer for the main musical course of the evening and I definitely would go to see her again, even if Alejandro isn't there.

Moon Rise

Alejandro Escovedo at The Cain's Ballroom 8/30/2010

My wife and I were lucky enough to see Alejandro Escovedo and The Sensitive Boys this past Monday at The Cains Ballroom 2nd stage on the last night of their current tour which lasted about 3 1/2 weeks. This was my third time seeing Al and my wife's first time. We got there with enough time to get a seat and then opener Amy Cook took the stage. Right off the bat her microphone wasn't working so while it was getting fixed she came out and stood in front of the audience and did an acoustic Bob Dylan cover. Once her mike was fixed she took the stage with her band and proceeded to surprise me. I had heard some of her songs and decided that I wasn't interested but I have to say that those songs sounded so different when performed. There was some element missing that showed up live. She and her band showed that they really cared about the music they were playing.



Once Al hit the stage it was clear that it was going to be a special night. He played against guitarist David Pulkingham musically and the entire band displayed an intensity that most artists never reach. It was an amazing show! It's very unusual in today's world to see a band perform music that they pour their heart and soul into on a nightly basis. The songs were written on a very personal level and once preformed live they become living, breathing things. They change and grow constantly depending upon the mood of Al and the band. Sometime they are slower, sometimes faster, sometimes different instruments are used, whatever feels right at the time.



The wife first moved over to stand by the left side of the stage with a few other people because she couldn't stay seated once Al started playing. I joined her there and it was apparent that more and more people would be drawn to the front of the stage instead of staying in their seats. It was a wonderful opportunity to take some good pictures but unfortunately I'm having issues with my camera connecting to my computer. For now I have to use the pictures I took with my cellphone.



Al played for almost two hours and he left it all on the stage. I don't think he could have managed another song because he had already put his body and soul into every moment of every song and was more than likely emotionally drained. During the first song of the encore, a slowed down cover of Mott The Hoople's "I Wish I Was Your Mother" that was performed by Al and David the mood was so intense and personal that the lady behind me was crying. That's the kind of night it was.



It would have been nice to hear "Five Hearts Breaking" and my wife would have liked him to have played "The Ballad of the Sun and the Moon" but honestly when you have put out as much music as Al has it's hard to perform every song that every fan wants to hear. Especially since he likes to play a lot of his newer music. He played at least six songs from his latest CD, Street Songs of Love and three or four from the previous one, Real Animal. Honestly, whatever AL wants to play is fine with me, I'll listen to any and all of it.



If you ever get the opportunity I advice you to jump at the chance and go see Alejandro Escovedo in whatever form he is playing. He's well worth the money. I don't think I'll have any problem convincing the wife in the future to see him again, no matter where he's playing. He's that good.