• The first album is Shakin’ The Rafters by the Abyssinian Baptist Choir, and I must say, with a start like this, I’m actually really excited for this journey. I will be the first to admit that I don’t regularly listen to Gospel music. It’s not that I don’t like it, it’s just not something I actively seek out. But this album, well…I’m listening to this right now. It’s just so good. It’s Gospel to the fullest. It’s praising Jesus to the fullest, and these people sing with Joy (that’s right, capitol J). But what is also great is that these songs just have a great groove. The arrangements feel like they are straight out of a 60’s R&B album and they really pull you in. The rhythm section is great and the voices…well…just go listen. It’s amazing. I highly recommend this album.
• The next album is Johnny Adams Sings Doc Pomus and well…this one just didn’t grip me. It’s a good album, don’t get me wrong. It’s quite a great pairing of singer and songwriter (not to mention Doctor Jon playing behind) but…eh. Just not gripping. I’ll probably revisit this when I’m in a more sentimental or mellow mood. I found myself thinking it just wasn’t what I was feeling. If I come back and get into it, I’ll definitely write something to the effect. If you’re a blues person, you should definitely give it a listen. Otherwise, it’s not one I’d reach for right away.
• The first Jazz Album of my adventure is At the Lighthouse by the Cannonball Adderly and this was another pleasant surprise. While the artist is certainly familiar to me, this particular recording was not. And I’m very very glad I found it. While my favorite album is still the live album, Mercy,Mercy,Mercy; Lighthouse has moved into a close number two. There is just so much joy and cheerfulness in this album, it’s infecting. This is definitely a better overall example of Adderly than Mercy is, in my opinion. So I understand why this was used, and personally, I’m very glad. If you like jazz in any way, this album is not to be missed.
• Next up is Best of the Classic Years by King Sunny Ade. “World” is a genre of music I tend to have an issue with because it just seems like such a jumble of different actual types of music. It’s why I’ve often shied away from it. Regardless, this album was pretty fun, it’s upbeat, has great guitar and rhythm work and is just…moving. There’s a soulfulness and joy that’s hard to deny and it’s just kind of a good way to get you moving in the day. I found myself moving more after putting this album on while working. I recommend it as long as you keep an open mind.
• Up next is one that I’m really kind of…meh…about. Dirt by Alice in Chains just didn’t grip me. I listened to it, but by the end, I was kind of ready for it to be over. I wasn’t a huge fan of the band when they were big, and I’m not a fan now. Just…yeah. It’s a solid rock album and at moments it hits a really great rock flow. But for the most part, it doesn’t stand well next to the company of the other albums so far.
• The last album the six pack is by far the most pleasant surprise: The Allman Brothers Band live album At The Fillmore East. Hot damn, this album is awesome. While I wasn’t a huge fan of the group, I totally respected their abilities and knew they were good. But for some reason, I just kind of missed it. This album, well, it’s the first album to open my eyes so wide I want to hear more. I actually wasn’t in the mood to listen to the group when I put it on, I just kind of clicked and and before I knew it, I was rocking out in my office as I was working. I ended up listening to this on repeat for like two and a half hours. I was sucked in completely. The guitar and bass work is outstanding and …just…wow. Hours later, I’m still floored by the listening experience. If you’re only going to listen to one album from this list, make it this. You won’t be disappointed.

So yeah, that’s the first six pack. Hopefully I’ll do these consistently and without having to do as many at once, but yeah, this is going to be a fun ride.

Anyway, I’ll write up more when I get back to Seattle.

Some of the tracks…a little weird, but some of them are just amazing. Personal favorites are “Icarus! the Angels Sing”, “Kraid, Rest Ye Merry Mother Brain”, and “Carol of the Belmonds.” It’s probably good I found this now as I will file it under Christmas music and not drive my friends nuts listening to this till next year.

So yesterday, my little sister got stuck at Chicago O’Hare International Airport. After being given the run around all day, she eventually was given a “possible” flight in the morning. Yeah, she was stranded.

Thus, at 8:10 pm last night, while playing with my new effects pedal (Christmas gift to myself), my dad called down “Want to go with me to Chicago?” Seriously. Without really thinking it through, my dad and I jumped in the car and headed for Chicago. Now, normally, not a bad idea, last night…kind of nuts. You see, between snow and freezing rain/ice all throughout the great lakes area, the roads were a mess. This, was not taken into consideration. All we knew was we had to get to Chicago.

So off we went. Mind you, when I went to get something from my sisters car, the ice was so slick on our driveway, I took one step outside and fell on my ass. Regardless…we were off. While Dad was concentrating on the road, I was busy trying to get some plans laid out. Mainly lodging and meeting up with Syd.

After everything was laid out (which took about an hour with my mom busy getting us hotels), we just made our way up to Chicago. Now, mind you, Chicago is about 5 hours away from my house; our trip would eventually take us just under 8. The roads were awesome…if they weren’t fully iced up, they were a nasty combination of freezing water and partial sluch. It did, however, provide an interesting list of shit that we saw run off the side of the road:

• Cars
• Trucks
• Semi-trucks
• A boat…seriously…a boat.

I mean, everything and everyone was all over the road. Thankfully, we made it ok. But it was quite an interesting trip. And yeah, no more flying through Chicago during the holidays.

[EDIT 2:21 AM]
I forgot to add the other fun part. In both directions, we also severe wind. While it was only kind of bad on the trip up, on the trip back it was crazy. The ice on the roads melted mid morning, so they were clear by the time we were on them, but the winds picked up to the point where trucks were being pushed into swaying out of their lanes. Seriously, truck trailers were being pushed into lanes that were to either side of them. My dad was fighting the wind for most of the trip.

So yeah, Ice, Snow and Wind. We weren’t too far off from our own R&B Band.

So why is Delta cold blooded? According to my roommate, the Delta Airlines “on hold” music was “Let It Snow.”

Seriously. I can’t make this stuff up.

Eastbound 520 from the 51st street overpass

520 Westbound from the 51st street overpass

I will say, I’m amazed at how…unprepared people are for snow/cold weather here in Seattle. I have friends who don’t have boots. This just seems…insane to me. Maybe it’s because I grew up in a place where it would snow occasionally, but it seems like boots should be one of those required pieces of footwear that people own. They don’t have to be the -20 degree rated boots I wear (I bought them for when I moved to Boston), but at least something snow worthy. Maybe I’m just crazy because I’ve had snow worthy boots since i was..oh…3. Even just a pair of hiking boots.

The other thing I was noticing, is that there are basic amenities that buildings around here lack that are everywhere back east and in the Midwest. For instance, lots of space and proper places to hang winter coats in restaurants. I was talking with a coworker who lived in Montreal and he and I talked about how just handling snow is not something Seattlites seem ready for. People were confused in the cafeteria that I was walking around in sandals and shorts. They actually thought I walked to work like this. Seriously. I had to explain that I walked to work and that my boots weren’t really a good idea in the office, and that my pants were wet from snow, so i brought shorts to be comfortable in. People’s minds were blown.

Then again, maybe I’m just expecting too much of people. Not everyone gets the opportunity to spend large amounts of time in the snow and cold. And unless you are subjected to a lot of it; it’s one of those things that can be quite offputting.

So now, I’m rectifying this. I’ve already downloaded all of the ‘A’ artists that i can get with my Zunepass. While it’s not all of the recordings, it’s a place to start. This is going to be interesting, but a lot of this stuff sounds pretty tight. Plus, if I want to make good music, I need to listen to the best, right?

So here we go.

I wish I could say this was an exaggeration. But my office is pretty empty. People sent “working from home” emails last night. Let it be known, there was no precipitation of any kind last night. It was completely “dry.” Of course, since we lack any kind of cold weather gear in this area, there is still black ice on the roads.

I just find this amusing given what it was like in Boston. Ice still on the roads two days after snow fall that had warming temps? I mean, sure, they turn the roads into salt flats. But at least people can get around. You’d think Seattle might, I don’t know, have some kind of ability. You know, just in case. Even Cincinnati was better than this, and when I was growing up there, it was sad. This is just…pathetic.