Book Club, Ghost

What's better then live music?

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to sneak out of the house on a week night, head to The Earl in east Atlanta, have a few drinks with friends, and see a great show. It was the LP release party for local modern folk band Book Club.

I was fortunate enough to get an early copy of their debut album, Ghost, a few weeks earlier from our dear friend Nick, who produced it on his new label. (Just one of the many perks of knowing the Lufts, here is another.) Carson and I had been listening to it daily.

I have always loved good folk music with beautiful harmonies between a male and female vocalist.......there is just something so romantic and lovely about the sound! In an interview in Creative Loafing Robbie was quoted as saying, "I'm just trying to make simple and honest songs." How refreshing!

Check them out for yourself........here, and here.

Core Of Nature

Core of Nature

I will wear the sun,
Ancient light through these woods,
Woods that I walk through alone
I will take my rest
With all creatures who dwell,
Under the smallest of green
I'll remain no more than is required of me
Until the spirit is gone
I will long to see all that waits to be known
And all that will never be known

Enter the core of nature,
No earthly mind can enter,
But I will wear the sun,
Bound to others,
We see many things

I will train my feet to go on with the joy
A joy I have yet to reach
I will let the sounds of these woods I have known
Sink into blood and to bone
I'll remain no more than is required of me
Until the spirit is gone
I will long to see all that waits to be known
And all that will never be known

Enter the core of nature,
No earthly mind can enter,
But I will wear the sun,
Bound to others,
We see many things

I will wear the sun,
Ancient light through these woods,
Woods that I walk through alone
I will long to see all that waits to be known
And all that will never be known

image: chief and crown
poetry: Midlake, Courage of Others

Something Old, Something New

This past December while I was shopping for Christmas presents I discovered Fantasyland Records. I needed to find a place that would have some of the more obscure bands on Cuyler's list. I was puzzled when I was told that one of the CDs I was looking for was only available on vinyl, in fact the only new music they sell is on vinyl?

I thought of records as being antiques.... collectibles. The patient shop owner explained how popular vinyl is, how great the sound quality is, and how people have lost some of the genuine experience of buying and owning music because of the internet. It made sense! I couldn't stop thinking about it, talking about it.

So, this past weekend we bought our very first record player, hooray!!

We had fun cruising around the Guitar Center searching for the right one for us. Carson experimented with tambourines, bongos, yukalaylees, and strummed the guitars. She danced around in the disco lights while we found one that was reasonably priced, great looking, and came highly recommended (Numark TTUSB). It's easy to use and we can even back up our vinyl onto our computer- Perfect!

Next stop, Fantasyland Records....... to begin our very own record collection. As soon as we walked in the door Carson began fingering through the records in a bin on the floor, checking out the covers. She ran up and down the aisles while we listened to the music and made our selections.

It's funny how you set out to do something for one reason and realize later that it means so much more. A record player is such an exciting new addition to our home, for us and for her. What better tool for teaching our child to love music? It was a day we will remember always....I feel certain of it!

photos: our fancy new record player and my first few album picks (some of my favorite CDs that are scratched beyond use)

suggestions? post a comment and tell me your favorite album or a great resource for used records???