Apple Foot

Successful evening

I realized that now I have a Zipcar account, I can finally take in the annual drum corps competition in Lynn (it's not impossible to get there by public transport, but it's a pain). I didn't stick around for scores (looked like it was going to be a long time before they got to the scores), but definitely enjoyed the evening. The Spartans are back (actually, they were back last year), and they look like they never left. The Scouts looked really sharp. That's clearly a corps with a lot of practice time under its belt. The Crusaders did a great job. Carolina Crown was the most fun, with a rock theme and a lot of well-thought out stage business. Those three corps will certainly be in the final 12 this year.

All the way home I was cursing my vanity. I've got new contacts ordered, and I probably shouldn't be driving with these, as they're the wrong prescription. I considered wearing the glasses tonight, but just couldn't. On the up side, a man asked for my phone number. I didn't give it to him, of course, but it was still fairly flattering. Maybe I shouldn't be flattered: he described both me and Malden as "beautiful"--but then English wasn't his native language.

Recently Misinterpreted (Division of Pop Music)

I am one of those people who never quite gets song lyrics right. I've been enjoying Glee, which appeals to my inner band nerd--didn't I always think my friends and I would burst into song and dance routines admired by the masses? I've discovered a side benefit to watching this show: somehow, I understand the lyrics when the Glee Clubbers sing. Maybe it's the heavy auto-tuner, but as I listen to songs that have long been a blur of voice with a chorus and maybe a bridge, I'm actually understanding the words.

Case in point: Billy Joel's "Piano Man", which for thirty years I thought ran thusly:

Sing us the song of the Piano Man
Sing us the song tonight
Well, we're all in the mood for a melody
And you've got a spinet alright.

I've never quite decided if the use of "spinet" in a pop lyric was charmingly quirky or pretentious. Turns out it's neither one.

Old forgotten words or ancient melodies

I just think this is a lot of fun. I don't think I much liked Toto the first time around, but I've grown very fond of this tune a capella (via Metafilter).

Bohemian Rhapsody

Fooling around, I discovered the NYU N'Harmonics excellent cover of Bohemian Rhapsody.

Christmas Music

This is kinda cool. Back in December, I was one of the millions of people who discovered Straight No Chaser's 1998 rendition of the 12 Days of Christmas. Seems getting 6 million hits on YouTube in less than a month can get you a record contract for Christmas music.

I've mentioned that I became a fan of collegiate a capella back when I had friends in the Wellesley College Tupelos (I know, I'm a nerd), so I actually want to buy this!

Overdue

It's been a great year in Boston sports. Maybe this is the year the Boston Crusaders finish on top of DCI?

Evelyn Rothwell

I hadn't even realized she was still alive.

So, of course, I'm listening to the Barbirolli Society's Oboe Concertos (vol 2).

I wish I'd known more oboe music my first time around, back in high school. I think the only famous oboist I'd heard of back then was Heinz Holliger, and I didn't particularly care for his style. I'd've especially been interested in a lady who made her name in classical music so many years ago, when the few females in orchestras tended to be harpists. And I like her tone. Wish I'd had her recording of the Marcello concerto when I was trying to prep the hideous thing for regional try-outs.

Beer Bottle in C

In my continuing effort to bring forth many posts which say "Cool!" and link to a YouTube video, I bring you (via Minnesota Public Radio) the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra playing a beer jingle, on bottles. Only in Australia.

A cappella

One of the (un)fortunate effects of having broadband is that I can now view YouTube with impunity. Faithful readers of my on-again, off-again blog will now be forced to suffer through numerous embedded videos with "Gee, cool!" posts.

Back at school, several friends were in an a cappella group (Wellesley College Tupelos), and I really enjoyed listening to them. Some of the other groups I saw perform with them were pretty cool, too (notably, the Tufts Beelzebubs--I think they have their own cult). Having rediscovered this world online, I'll spend the next several days digging through sites like Acapella U, The Collegiate A Cappella Podcast. Anyway, here's Indiana University's own Straight No Chaser performing a Christmas medley (I'm not sure the Hanukkah joke is totally cool, but the rest is funny) (via Metafilter).

Musical equipment for sale

The consignment shop in town often has musical instruments in the window (mostly guitars), and I always look, because someday they're going to be selling a professional grade oboe for pennies, and I don't want to miss out. Anyway, this week I see a clarinet in the window. It's got two reeds fanned out on the black velvet, and when I look closer I see a reed still attached to the mouthpiece. The display of the reeds suggests they're considered a selling point: act now, and you get--not one--not two--but THREE reeds of unknown provenance! Ick.