Happy Birthday...Happy Birthday.

I'm teetering between 'I can't belive they are two already' and 'oh my god, they're only two'...either way, i'd like to give a HUGE birthday shout-out to both Lo and O.

Fatherhood is an amazing thing. Amidst brother vs. brother steel-cage grudge matches, high-decibel tantrums that make the neighborhood dogs whine and an impromtu emergency-room visit/hospital stay...there have been so many moments where I have never felt more blessed.

At least for me, there is no greater adventure than being a parent and I couldn't ask for two better kids to go on it with. It isn't the 'Cars' soundtrack, but as both seem to appreciate busting the occasional move to a good new wave tune...enjoy some Altered Images to the left in their honor.

HAPPY 2ND BIRTHDAY ME BOYOS!!!

WILCO 15-FEB-08

I actually got out of the house last Friday and attended Night #1 of Wilco's 'Winter Residency' at the Riviera. For those of you who don't follow the band, they are midway through a five night stand where they are 'attempting' to play every song recorded as part of an official Wilco release...LIVE.

Considering the band has nine studio albums (counting both 'Mermaid Avenue's and 'Being There's as a double-album) and a line-up vastly different than what it started with...it really is a cool concept, especially for fans that have followed them for a while.

It ended up being a great show that, after a slight cooling of my interest in the band based on their most recent album, kind of rekindled my love of both their music and seeing said music played live. My favorite Wilco tune of all time ('Shot in the Arm') was the second tune of the set and the version of 'Can't Stand It' (w/ a horn section!)from the same album was amazing.

My only complaints would have to be the setlist heavy in material from 'Sky Blue Sky' and the sound itself that seemed way too loud/muddy. Oh, the subzero temperatures outside kind of sucked too. The setlist for the Saturday show was even better, so my guess is these shows will follow suit.

As all the reamaining shows are sold out, you can actually listen to tomorrow night's show via a LIVE broadcast on WXRT...93.1FM on your Chicago radio dial or streaming on the web HERE.

SUPER POST-GRAMMY WRAP-UP COVERAGE!

Okay, actually, I watched 'Rock of Love 2' on VH1 instead. Thanks to the magic of the WWW, I was able to boil it down to the following:

Despite becoming the UK equivalent to Britney in the crazy department, (unlike Britney) Amy Winehouse IS talented and swept enough awards to prove it.

They didn't nab statues of overall Record or Song of the Year nods, but the Foo Fighters (rightfully) grabbed 'Best Rock' honors and injected some life into the ceremony.

Finally, as overblown as I think Ye is, he grabbed 'Best Rap' and threw down a burner of a performance w/ Daft Punk on what I still may think is the jam of the year (despite me not feeling the album at all).

Whee! Pretty much all I needed to know. See you next year!

Don. Cornelius.

Props to my main man (Heyyy) Peter (What's Happening?), for tracking down what may be the most awesome piece of video i've seen since the shower scene in 'Sixteen Candles'. Watch and learn kids...

That's right. OBAMA/CORNELIUS 2008!

Plus Bonus Party Cut Redux!

In what should be a snow day, I braved the elements to head into work...now i'm regretting it. As i'll be heading right back home after a presentation I have this morning, here's a quick treat to go along w/ my last post. STAY SAFE!

Rev. Organdrum w/ RHH bassist Jimbo Wallace (AKA 'The Jimbos') on the upright doing an extended lounge version of the RHH classic 'The Devils Chasing Me'...

REVEREND ORGANDRUM

'Hi-Fi Stereo'

This album hit the radar at an opportune time, as i've been deep into a month-long obsession w/ instrumental surf, exotica, space-age pop, lounge...basically, just about anything w/ a retro bent to it. Seriously. I've been devouring everything old and new from Man or Astroman?! to Esquivel...Yma Sumac to Los Straitjackets...The Bomboras to Martin Denny...and so on.

Reverend Organdrum is the side-project of everybody's favorite psychobilly provocateur, Jim Heath (better known as Reverend Horton Heat). Rounded out by Tim Alexender on the Hammond organ and drummer Todd Soesbe, this album is in stark contrast to the Rev's main gig...but just as fun. Replacing frantic roots-rock odes to vice and sin are more cool, composed (mostly) instrumental covers of everything from surf, 60's soul, jazz, blues and even vintage movie themes.

The whole album is a great listen from front to back, but stand-outs for me include a hauntingly twangy take on Henry Mancini's 'Experiment in Terror', spot-on renditions of a couple of Booker T. & The MG's classics in 'Can't Be Still' and 'Time is Tight' and a velvety version of The Rascals 'Groovin'.

Rather than post a track straight off of the actual album, enjoy a sample of the trio's blistering live jam on Duane Eddy's 'Moovin' N' Groovin' to the right. The album has been out since 8-Jan, so you can purchase it via your favorite methodology...hop to it!

Blech.

What a freaking week. Both boys went to the ER last Monday...Owen was released w/ Bronchitis, but Logan was admitted to the hospital for almost three days w/ pneumonia. Everybody is at home and doing well after a period of inhaler/roid rage.

Worst part of everything, due to Lo's recent obsession w/ the Disney/Pixar flick 'Cars', I think I heard the following tune at least 47 times...

...and I think I started to like it. Then again, I didn't actually have to see the band itself when it's in the movie. Seriously, exactly WTF is a Rascal Flatt?! More poop on the way later this week. Stay healthy.