Listening to...

This Woman's Work

...written by Kate Bush, sung by Maxwell.

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Listening to...

One of my favourite foods is the chickpea. Humus, falafel, or just straight out of the can! Well, today I got a taste of a newest garbanzo on the market. My dear friend, Sarah, who took me under her wing when I first moved to Brooklyn, just sent me a link to her sister, Genevieve's band, The Chickpeas! [That's her on the album cover.] I love the name so I had to have a listen.

Genny's voice reminds me of the lead singer of the Cranberries, who I loved back in the day. The music is folksy, and seems to be a perfect soundtrack to a lazy Sunday. Have a listen to all the songs on Woe is Me here. You can even buy the whole album for $5.99 here.

[Sarah's very talented husband, Nico, designed the Chickpeas' website.]

I hope you'll check out Genevieve and the Chickpeas, and tell me what you think.

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Listening to...

...the audio version of Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger of The Time Traveler's Wife fame. 

I have moaned about my commute to work almost everyday since I started back in September and mentioned to anyone who would listen that I miss being able to walk to work each day.  My current commute is anywhere from 35-90 minutes one way, which is made worse by the drivel that emanates from the radio morning shows.

In an effort to curb my complaining and read more books, I decided to give audio books a try.  Well, after a few false starts with missing cds, getting the wrong book, etc, I was finally able to get my hands on Her Fearful Symmetry, a book I've had on my *to read* list since it was released.  This morning I began listening to it and I'm officially hooked!  I've only listened to 1.5 discs out of 12, but the story is great, the woman reading is captivating, and I'm not stuck listening to the same songs over and over between what feels like hours of unending radio talk about nothing.

I think audio books are going to be in regular rotation in the car, especially since I can request them from the local library.  A free indulgence is always a good one! 

And now I'm actually looking forward to driving to work in the morning!

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Baby-making music

Maxwell making the crowd swoon.

On Friday, E and I attended our first concert together. As an anniversary present, I bought us tickets to see Maxwell with opening acts Common and Chrisette Michele at the Air Canada Centre. We had 3rd row seats: the best I've ever had! We were right next to the stage that if we reached out, we could touch the artists as they danced near us!

We missed Chrisette Michele, but loved every bit of Common's and Maxwell's sets. The crowd was full of well-dressed women screaming for Maxwell's affection with a spattering of couples here and there; fitting for the sexy crooning of Maxwell's incredible voice. It was an amazing concert that reminded me of why E always has Maxwell on his "staying in tonight" playlists.

Common so close we could see the beads of sweat of his shiny head.

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Listening to...

Lipbone Redding and the Lipbone Orchestra. I first heard him play at Bar Tabac on Smith St on a rainy Monday a few months ago. During our dinner, I kept hearing this great trombone solo in many of his songs. Little did I know then that that was Lipbone...making those sounds with his LIPS! His music is like blue-eyed soulful bluegrass...or some sort of hybrid of music that you feel in your bones. My favorite song of his that night was, "Dogs of Santiago," which I've overplayed on my "Walk to Work" playlist.

He's playing again at Bar Tabac on Monday, June 29, 2009. If he ever comes to your neck of the woods, you definitely should check him out.

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