Regina Spektor-part 2

Regina was the subject of my first blog post, but she is certainly worth my revisiting. Last night I saw her perform at Tonic in NYC. It was a benefit for PAX an organization against gun violence and I neglected to procure a ticket ahead of time. But then the magic of craigslist came through and after a brief moment of panic that the seller wasn't showing up to meet me, I obtained my pass and headed over to the show.

I can't overstate just what a talent Regina Spektor is. She is that rare performer that can hold the attention of a packed room and while she is singing a song, a listener becomes almost hypnotized, thinking that they must be dreaming since no one actually is this good.

It was encouraging to see that her personality appears to be largely unchanged since the first time I saw her perform a few years ago. She is very self-effacing, shy and modest when talking to the audience, but when shhe turns to the piano and opens her mouth to sing, a tiger is released. ROWWWR!

On this night, not only did she break out her simultaneous "chair-drumming"/piano-playing/singing for "Poor Little Rich Boy" but she actually strapped on a guitar for a few numbers. If you haven't checked her out already, what are you waiting for?

Peace Sells, but Who's Buyin'?

Fresh off his politically charged (by holding up a peace sign for almost the WHOLE SONG...woooooo) "One Hand in My Pocket" perfomance, J.D. continues to raise eyebrows around the rock star mansion (which may have been rejected by Ozzy for being too Goth) with his comments, cockiness and general weirdness. Which all makes for fascinating T.V. and at least gives him more personality than the other wooden would-be's.

Last night he snowed Jordis (think a younger Linda Perry (4 non-blondes; and now producer to many a pop star) sans the top hat which she must've lended to Daphna) into "giving" him "We Are the Champions" to sing at the next show-down. Moments later, as he sings the song to himself and realizes he can't hack it, he then bugs Jordis to trade songs with him, somehow manipulating the situation to try an make her think he's doing her a favor. Thankfully, she resists, that way we get to see him squirm and possibly deliver the worst rendition of "We Are the Champions" since that forty-something former frat-boy you saw do it at Applebee's Karaoke night.

Stay tuned!

the CAT's got SKILLS

just returned from a family vacation in the Catskills (NY) at a resort called Sunny Hill. It used to be known as Sunny Hill Farm and my older brother's been going up for 30 consecutive years and is now bringing his babies (the circle of life!).

I really had a great time, as did the wife, nanc. The best thing about such a vacation is there really is nothing you HAVE to do. You wake up each morning and depending upon the weather you plan your day. Should I go swimming? fishing? running? play golf? horseshoes? cards? pinball? yahtzee?

So now its back to the grind. My freelancing has picked up again (thankfully) - so no rest for the weary as the newspapers pile up and TiVo'ed shows go unwatched and delete themselves.

"Rock Star INXS"

I'm a sucker for most reality show fare, so I make no exception for Rock Star INXS, where the remaining members of the group pick from a number of hopefuls to replace their overly horny or depressed lead singer who hung himself while doing something else to himself.

First comment on the show: it claims to have done an exhaustive worldwide search for candidates. While they all prove to be decent singers and performers, if I were say the drummer in the band, I might think "there are the BEST singers out there? ! ? Krikies!!!" (or whatever expletives Aussies like to use).

Second comment: Brooke Burke is pretty annoying. Both pretty AND annoying.

Comment 3: Dave Navarro is almost as pretty as B.B. and not as annoying. He's a'ight in my book.

Comment 4: Is this REALLY the best way INXS had to replace Michael Hutchence or is there something else going on here? I mean the surviving Doors plucked Ian Astbury from the Cult and Freddie Mercury's left-overs in Queen picked up Paul Rodgers. You tellin' me INXS couldn't convince Terence Trent D'Arby or Richard Ashcroft of the Verve or ANYBODY who has some cred and maybe not much going on, to front their group? C’mon Farriss brothers and you other guys, give us a break...

Last Comment: There’s NO FRIKKIN’ way a woman gets picked to front this band. She couldn’t sing half the old song lyrics without sounding like a lesbian - not that there’s anything wrong with that.....

ICON4

Well tomorrow illustrators from all around the world will gather in San Francisco for the fourth Illustration Conference. I had attended no. 2 in Santa Fe, NM and no. 3 in Philly, PA and was looking forward to seeing San Francisco, but then practicality spoke up and felt that 2 grand might be better spent elsewhere. I hope all who attend have a great time and learn more about the insane career we have chosen and return to their drawing boards, canvases and computers with a renewed sense of purpose. Many of my illustrator friends might remember the great break dancing battle in Philly, where I made a fool of myself and had a great time at it. So, I'd like to think that ICON4 will be a teensy bit less fun without me.