The Common Tone

Since this blog has been lacking in its usual artsy quota lately I will get it back on track with an arts filled post. First and most important of the fine liberal arts is Music. This of course is not really a hard one for me to come up with a subject as I eat breathe and sometimes even listen to music. For today I will have a headliner: Jesse Cook and a back up band: Sanne Van Hek.

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It was the evening of July 16th. I had just finished playing on Victoria Row, right next to the Confederation Centre. I had walked up the block to the entrance of the theatre waiting for my friends who would be accompanying me to the Jesse Cook concert beginning in about 30min. We were all pretty excited as we had all been fans of Jesse Cook and his band for years and now, finally, we were getting the chance to see him here on our turf. As everyone knows that makes the concert that much more exciting. After the Confederation Centre had gotten the job done embarassing PEI with its introduction and thanking of the sponsors by a guy who should never have been given the job of public speaking in the first place, the concert got started. In short it was great. A lot of people think of Jesse Cook as a Chris Botti or Kenny G. I don’t entirely disagree, however if I were to rank the previously mentioned artists in order of artistic quality it would run from the latter to the former. With a large space between Botti and Cook.

The concert, all that cynicism aside, was incredible. If I could ever possess just half of that band’s performance energy and ability to involve the audience then I would be a happy musician. Every single person that came out of that Theatre most certainly felt better than they went in, and more connected to the band and the rest of the audience…guaranteed. The whole performance just had that feel. From the relaxed space in between tunes to the hand clapping (although somewhat excessive at times especially from one man down the aisle from me) to the Q&A session to the Acoustic bit at the end it was a comfortable concert. But what amazed me most of all was the unpretentiousness. The whole thing was without the pretences that you would normally find in a classical or a jazz concert. His music, naturally, reflected this and seemed to open people up, now the question that I have is: Is this a cause of the origin of the music (south american/middle eastern) or is the music effected by the band’s personality? I know for sure that it is a bit of both, but there is definitely something about that music that is just without pretence.

You can check out a couple Jesse Cook samples on the listening portion of my site “The Soundtrack” at the top of the page. There is also a small bio there as well.

Sanne Van Hek

Last Saturday I took a longer-than-it-should-have-been trip to halifax and back to pick up City Stages new artist in residence Sanne Van Hek. She is a trumpet player from Amsterdam who spent last year studying in Manhattan at NYU. I have heard much about her and am looking forward to hearing her play. I will get some recordings of a session so you guys can have a listen at a later date. Just keep checking the “Soundtrack” page.

End Music portion

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Film

Match Point

I guess you just have to look at the credits to know that this would be a good film. I mean how many times has Woody Allen failed? Not many, if any at all. And in this production he is teaming up with someone who most definitely knows his routine Letty Aronson. All I can say about the behind the scenes people is, beautifully written, beautifully placed and incredibly timed.

This was one of the rare movies which made me realize why film is an art form. Hollywood, accept it or not, just doesn’t have much artistry any more. They have the masses number, they know exactly what to give them, us, to squeeze the last penny out. I find myself going more and more to independant films now to get the passion that belongs in any art form. Thank god for films where the artistry is preserved; no, embraced. But this can only be portrayed or rather come about with a good story and great actors…

JONATHAN RHYS MEYERS (Chris Wilton) - Main Character. I had never heard of him before, which is actually funny as I look at his rather impressive filmography and whom he has worked with. As I said though, hollywood is usually not my regular viewing anymore. In this film his performance is incredible, I can guarantee that you will begin to ask yourself questions about his character 5 mins into the film.

SCARLETT JOHANSSON (Nola Rice) - Main Actress. Generally the only reason I ended up taking this movie home, because let’s face it guys, a gorgeous girl like that makes even the worst hollywood crap bearable. Although I am still not entirely convinced of her acting abilities, she is a pretty face and I didn’t find her subtracting from the overall feel. Admittedly the Americanisms that were written in for her started to get a little tired and annoying, but still bearable.

Set in London. Rich London so you are never struck with visual boredom. I won’t do a summary as there are far better ones available to you and I am far too lazy, plus it’s one of those “oh crap I gave it away films”.

So all I will say is: Watch it. Love it. Oh and go bad-guys!!!

end film

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Literature

Sad as it is, my literature section is looking pretty pathetic. I haven’t read a book, or finished one anyway, for far too long. I am currently trying to plough my way through a German Philosophy book and The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell.

The only thing I read right now on a regular basis is Poetry . The site might sound cheesy, and is to some degree, but I love reading the different styles. And how else would one get such a broad and random selection of poems, and some fed to you on a daily basis. Sure saves checking out 25 poetry books and getting bored of one person’s style only to give up on all of them. Check it out, it makes a great RSS feed for whatever as well. Plus who knows what might come out the other side of your pen next time it hits paper when you read this stuff!