My two favourite piano-based pop singers, Ben Folds and Regina Spektor, will be performing together on tonight’s Late Night with Conan O’Brien.  The song, “You Don’t Know Me”, is the first single from Ben’s album Way To Normal, which came out on Tuesday.  When I saw Ben back in June, he played a fair number of songs from the new record and I’m really excited for it (yeah, I haven’t heard it yet, even though it’s up in its entirety on his MySpace page, once I get Internets at home I’ll be a much better informed blogger).  Somebody make sure to upload that one to YouTube so I can watch it later (I don’t have TV at home, either).

You Don’t Know Me by Ben Folds & Regina Spektor (MP3)

I was lucky enough to attend Redfest again this year (I missed Jack’s Mannequin last year, but saw Flogging Molly in ‘06) and it was fantastic.  The lineup was Kalai, Brother Ali, and Matisyahu.  I was bummed about missing Matis on the Unity Tour with 311 last summer, so there was no way I was missing this one.  Unfortunate transport issues mean I missed the bulk of Kalai’s set, only realizing towards the end that they closed with a cover of “Voodoo Child (Slight Return)” so I can’t comment on them.

I did catch all of Brother Ali’s set, though.  Since everybody’s favourite Hasidic Jewish reggae mic master headlined, I guess it’s worth noting that Ali is Muslim.  He’s also white and from Minnesota, if you must know.  I only mention these details because he did, otherwise I’d only feel obligated to tell you that he is ably-tongued and amiable, and that he put on an enjoyable hip hop set and got us pumped for Matisyahu.

Matis, for his part, did not disappoint, but a lot of credit has to go to the backing band.  It didn’t seem like there was any kind of setlist, rather, as my bandmate Dave pointed out, “They just played, and sometimes songs happened.”  Like the opening song: jam for a bit, do some of a new song, jam some more, do a slowed-down verse of “Dispatch the Troops” over whatever the band is playing at the time.  A lot of the show was like that, with portions of other songs showing up when it feels right.  The encore featured a new song, and based on that I’m super excited about the release of Light later this year.

Sorry if this review feels a little weak, I’ve been away for too long.  I’m hoping to be sharper for the next Matisyahu show, Nov 26 at Harry O’s.

On Monday, keyboardist Richard Wright became the second founding member of Pink Floyd to pass away, following Syd Barrett’s passing in July of 2006.  Though most people think of either the troubled Syd Barrett, or Roger Waters and David Gilmour, who’s fueding lead to the band’s ultimate demise, but Wright’s keyboards were a major part of what defined Pink Floyd’s sound, and the part that I’m personally most able to get lost in.  So, in Wright’s memory, I’m including “Astonomy Domine” from the debut album Piper at the Gates of Dawn because Wright shared lead vocals with Barrett, and “The Great Gig In the Sky” from Dark Side of the Moon, because it was composed solely by Wright, and is also one of my favourite all time Pink Floyd songs.  Enjoy them.

I found out today about Bernie Mac, and then my mum was reading CNN and told me about Isaac Hayes. Truly sad.

Isaac Hayes Wikipedia Entry

So, it seems I’ve been notably absent from LtM.  It’s been my turn to be busy and unable to update.  The last week of July I moved into my new apartment, and I finally got my very own computer but I no longer have internet access at home.  The new apartment is occasioned by me getting married this past Tuesday.  I’m still technically on honeymoon, so this will be short.

I don’t know when I’ll be back up to full updating power, but here’s hoping.  I’m going to see Chris Conley (of Saves the Day) and Matt Pryor (of the Get Up Kids) do an acoustic show tonight.  I should bring you word of that when I rejoin the real world on Monday.

The other really exciting news is that I’m in a band now.  It’s pretty slammin’.  We’re called Birds Without.  We’ve got a website.  I’m not on any of the recordings yet, but I’ll be playing in all the upcoming shows.  The songs are great, and I really like our live arrangements.  I play guitar, mostly, but also shaker.  It’s good times.

Anyhow, honeymoonin’.  Gotta go.  I love you all.

Birds Without official | Birds Without MySpace

Well, its been a long, long time. I’d tell you to head over to my personal blog to find out about why I’ve been gone for so long, but I haven’t had time to write over there either. But I had to share this with you, immediately. Tricky has a new single. I got le tingles when I read about it, its sweet, awesome, with cherries, or bananas if you prefer. Tastes good.

September 9th Available in the U.S. Head over to knowlewestboy.com to stream, the album, see a pretty picture of Tricky and get more information. Or stay here to listen to the new single, I don’t care.

Tricky // Knowle West Boy

Tricky - Council Estate (Drums of Death Remix)