adele

Thursday’s Random Thoughts

matt b redmond3 Comments

1. I don’t want to live in a world with no black bomb birds.

2. Normally after I see a band/singer live in concert, I want to listen to their music. But after seeing U2 and Josh Ritter live, I’ve just wanted to listen to Adele. And Ray Charles.

3. Well, at least I write good.

4. I don’t believe in forced baptisms or conversions. But I do believe in forced Harry Potter readings.

5. My son keeps telling me it’s unfair there are not more “punch bugs” on the road. And I don’t even know how to respond except to say, “I know.”

6. I’m very, very particular about what coffee I will drink – it has to be inexpensive, brown and hot or lukewarm.

7. So I’m reading The Count of Monte Cristo and the whole time I’m thinking, “This is incredible! Why didn’t I read this for the 7th time earlier!”

8. Taking the kids to the beach next week. Thinking about going on vacation afterwards.

9. I’m pretty sure the answer to our country’s financial problems are jet-packs and rocket-launchers.

10. This bacon-free list is brought to you by Thursday morning’s sausage and biscuits.

Linkage

matt b redmond2 Comments

1. My friend Anita has some great non-sentimental, realistic, hopeful mom-writing on her blog. Check out Overwhelmed By Blessing.

2. Enjoy them but just know Farmer’s Market Can’t Change the World.
3. What about “The Blogs“, defenders of SGM/CJ Mahaney keep referring to?
4. Some reality on one of the plans for dealing with America’s debt problem.
7. Has Mission Become Our Idol? Part One and Two
9. As I type this I am waiting to buy tickets to see Adele live in the ATL. Here is her incredible performance at the 2011 iTunes Festival.
10. I know I’m not ‘supposed’ to like Ann Coulter but sometimes we all need a little perspective.

Thursday’s Random Thoughts

matt b redmond1 Comment

1. In the past couple of weeks I’ve noticed something interesting. My blog is getting lots of hits from Germany and Russia. Though I am sure this is totally unrelated, I’m reading a book on communism and one on fascism.

2. Question: can you publicly rebuke someone for publicly rebuking a public statement?

3. My desire to write about bacon on Thursdays is pavlovian.

4. Looked at how much it cost to go see Adele in the ATL. Whoa.

5. My wife keeps getting better looking. Me? Not so much.

6. My son refuses to believe that Superman would not suck his thumb. Great, another lawyer. (Wink at my friend, Anita.)

7. “Missional” can be a helpful word as long as we don’t use it as a hammer against critics or a hedge against criticisms.

8. So, I’m actually thinking about buying a gun and learning to hunt. But it has to be a pretty gun.

9. When my wife forgets to buy bacon, it puts stress on our marriage. And our lunch.

10. Wait. Do you need a concealed carry permit if you get a belt with dual holsters and a couple of colt revolvers?

Midweek Music: Springsteen’s ‘The Promise’

matt b redmond3 Comments

Summertime weather has hit Birmingham with highs at 90. Sweating is easy. The night air is no longer crisp. It hangs on your before it drips back into the darkness. The honeysuckle is intoxicating. And for some reason, every year, at this time and for the next couple of months I want to hear the voice and songs of Springsteen. With windows down. Roof open. Volume up.

The only album that has been able to pull me away from Adele’s ’21’ is Springsteen’s The Promise. Released late last year but recorded back in ’77 – ’78, it is a double album of songs from the Darkness On the Edge of Town sessions. I just picked it up a few days ago. So far, I’ve found it to be nothing but great after about 5 listens. But I’m one of those who rarely hears a song by The Boss and does not like it.

Below is a trailer for the album.

“Ain’t Good Enough For You” is Springsteen doing classic soul pop.

And the first tune on the album, “Racing In the Street” is incredible. Below is a live version from ’78. Recorded in Jersey.

What about you? What do you feel like you have to listen to in the summer?

Midweek Music: Have You Ever Gotten Obsessed With An Album?

matt b redmond2 Comments

Have you ever gotten obsessed with an album?

In case you haven’t noticed I’m a little obsessed with the new Adele album, 21. I keep trying to listen to other stuff, but it’s no use. Yesterday, I tried Rubber Soul and the whole time I just wanted to get back to 21. For now, I’m stuck in a vortex having listened to her album at least 40 times since buying it about a month ago.

Have you ever gotten so stuck on album you listened to it non-stop for this long or longer? I need to know so I know I’m not crazy….

Midweek Music: 10 Albums I May Be Listening To In 10 Years

matt b redmond5 Comments

I would highlight a new artist but all I really want to listen to is Adele’s newest album. So here are 10 albums from 10 different artists I think I may be listening to 10 years from now:

1. 21 by Adele – I can’t stop listening to this album. It gets better every time I listen to it. It’s a sonic, vocal and musical masterpiece.

2. Moondance by Van Morrison – Flawless throughout, I never tire of these songs. So many moonlit nights had air filled with the sound of Van singing these tunes.

3. Live at Royal Albert Hall by Bob Dylan – This is easily my favorite Dylan album. These 2-disc piece of history marks his move from acoustic troubadour to bluesy pop icon.

4. Abbey Road by The Beatles – Genius.

5. Lady In Satin by Billie Holiday – Lady Day’s last recording, recorded just weeks before her death and released just after, it is a stunning, hypnotic piece of art. Though technically not her best singing, it is her singing that makes this one her best.

6. Blue Train by John Coltrane – Almost every sermon I’ve ever preached should should this album as a footnote.

7. Pet Sounds by The Beach Boys – I get chills every time Sloop John B starts. Every. Single. Time.

8. Nebraska by Bruce Springsteen – Americana. Gothic. Haunting. Beautiful. Stories.

9. Dusty In Memphis by Dusty Springfield – I’m not sure there would be a Duffy or an Adele without Dusty. Every song is incredible and full of heart-rending soul-deep beauty.

10. Mack the Knife: The Complete Ella in Berlin by Ella Fitzgerald – I bought this on my birthday while living in St. Louis.  Autumn was in full swing, winter winds not far behind. And I can’t listen to this album without that moment. That was 10 years ago.

Sure, I could list more…what are some of yours?

Midweek Music: Adele

matt b redmond1 Comment

One day I was sitting in a Barnes & Noble and I heard this incredible music playing. I couldn’t sit still while listening. It was old. Timeless even. But sounded new. My first thought was how this sounds like Duffy and Dusty Springfield. Before I left I checked with the music section. It was Adele’s newest album, 21.

I’m tempted to call this album flawless. And I am not the only one. Right now it is the number one album on iTunes and getting rave reviews everywhere.

Below is the official video for the opening tune. You can thank me later.