Just another yahoo in Brooklyn, right? Well, not quite, the yahoo in question, Matisyahu, brought his traveling band of Hasidic reggae artists to Brooklyn Arena this past Thursday. Okay, that's not true, Brooklyn Arena doesn't exist, but if it is built I'd like to think that Matisyahu will fill it. I've followed him since his music debut a few years back with 'King Without A Crown.' He's since come back and showed us that he's not a gimmick and certainly not a one hit wonder. NBC even picked his hit 'One Day' as their anthem for the Vancouver Olympics. Not bad for a Jewish kid from New York.
Matis, as he's known to his true fans, came out to a huge cloud of smoke. No, not that type of smoke, although there was plenty of cannabis floating in the air. The stage was filled with smoke, so much so that it was difficult to see the 6-4 singer. This, however, was an intimate venue. When I say intimate, I mean I was leaning against the stage and Matisyahu had to step over my jacket to go back and forth on stage. 'Hey Matisyahu, a little less of the stepping on of the fingers, okay pal?" One might say, where there is smoke, there is Matisyahu. He came on wearing his jeans and leather jacket. Sidebar here, when he started out, on the scene, he would come on stage in full Hasidic regalia: the suit, with the hat, and the tzis tzis. People would stare in disbelief and then he would start beat boxing. Either he got permission from the Grand Rebbe or he just decided jeans were more comfortable - or both.
He did an interesting mix, and it's really his own thing now. He's now a talented reggae artist who happens to be a Hasidic Jew. Nice transition indeed. I recognized 'King WIthout A Crown' and 'One Day,' the rest of it is all sort of a blur, he just weaves from one song to the next. This concert, part of his Festival Of Light Concert series in Brooklyn, featured a giant spinning illuminated dreidel over head for the kids to enjoy. It also featured a giant menorah, which Matisyahu lit to the delight of the crowd. As Little Kim might say, if she were Jewish, 'Get your menorah's up!" If she were Jewish she'd also go by 'Lil Rebecca, but that's another story.
So check out Matisyahu on matisyahuworld.com and see when he's coming to a music hall near you. He mentioned that his giant spinning dreidel is available for weddings and bar mitzvahs. Well, he didn't, but it should be. Happy Channukah Everyone!
Monday, December 21, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
Tonight's Random Thoughts...
In an effort not to abuse my Facebook status privlidges by updating very minute, I'm condensing my thoughts from tonight into a handy blog entry:
Celtics 11-game win streak comes to an end against lowly Philadlephia, minus newly acquired Allen Iverson. Saw the 3rd quarter, Celtics blew a 15-point lead. Poor officiating at the very end, no reason to call phantom fouls when it counts, makes me believe Tim Donaghy a little bit more every game I watch. Dear Rasheed Wallace: shape up or ship out, there's a reason you have a reputation as a technical-magnet, stop F*$&ing arguing every call, what are you 5 years old?
It's only fitting that on the day after the last day of Channukah I go buy my Jewish Christmas tree. Well, the tree is nondenominational, and I am Jewish, so by power of the 3rd deductive property, it's a Jewish Christmas tree.
I saw Matisyahu last night at the Williamsburg Music Hall. I got to meet him this summer, very cool guy. Concert was nice, very intimate, although I hate the young kids, college and high school, who show up stoned and drunk and flail their arms all over the place. If you're 115 pounds and you smack into me, you better watch out or I will deck you. Okay, that's not true, because then I'll get kicked out - but I'll really wanna deck you, and that isn't good. By the way, who asks for a guitar pick? how lame is that?
Tom Dreesen on David Letterman tonite. The show began with Tobey Maguire, a good actor, but not a great interview - you knew Dave was reaching for the next segment. Dreesen comes on to talk about Frank Sinatra, and Dave interrupts with his story about Red Foxx saying '5 people, I ain't doing a show for 5 goddamn people.' My point being, this is why I love Dave, he's funny and irreverent and does what he wants. There's nothing like some profanity in late night tv, wish there was more of it.
Back to Matisyahu, if you're in your 30's, and young guys approach and start hitting on you, don't say you're old enough to be their mother, it'll only encourage them.
Peace out....
Celtics 11-game win streak comes to an end against lowly Philadlephia, minus newly acquired Allen Iverson. Saw the 3rd quarter, Celtics blew a 15-point lead. Poor officiating at the very end, no reason to call phantom fouls when it counts, makes me believe Tim Donaghy a little bit more every game I watch. Dear Rasheed Wallace: shape up or ship out, there's a reason you have a reputation as a technical-magnet, stop F*$&ing arguing every call, what are you 5 years old?
It's only fitting that on the day after the last day of Channukah I go buy my Jewish Christmas tree. Well, the tree is nondenominational, and I am Jewish, so by power of the 3rd deductive property, it's a Jewish Christmas tree.
I saw Matisyahu last night at the Williamsburg Music Hall. I got to meet him this summer, very cool guy. Concert was nice, very intimate, although I hate the young kids, college and high school, who show up stoned and drunk and flail their arms all over the place. If you're 115 pounds and you smack into me, you better watch out or I will deck you. Okay, that's not true, because then I'll get kicked out - but I'll really wanna deck you, and that isn't good. By the way, who asks for a guitar pick? how lame is that?
Tom Dreesen on David Letterman tonite. The show began with Tobey Maguire, a good actor, but not a great interview - you knew Dave was reaching for the next segment. Dreesen comes on to talk about Frank Sinatra, and Dave interrupts with his story about Red Foxx saying '5 people, I ain't doing a show for 5 goddamn people.' My point being, this is why I love Dave, he's funny and irreverent and does what he wants. There's nothing like some profanity in late night tv, wish there was more of it.
Back to Matisyahu, if you're in your 30's, and young guys approach and start hitting on you, don't say you're old enough to be their mother, it'll only encourage them.
Peace out....
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
SantaCon with a WeaponDrawn...
Okay, no weapons were drawn, but booze was certainly running amok. SantaCon, that annual right of passage for drunk Santas reared its head this past Saturday. Emanating from all points not-Manhattan, the Santas, elves, Ms. Claus, Naughty Claus, and even a few Hannukah Harry's (you're welcome) joined the festivities. For yours truly, this was my 2nd SantaCon adventure. Last year was mostly a midtown adventure, having no idea that hundreds upon hundreds of people know about this and actively take part. I had thought it would be 50 santas in the back of a bar, hanging out - like they did last week. But no, this is the 'Real Deal' Holy-Santa-Field.
The day began for some of us at at an artists loft in Astoria, with DJ music, and people hanging out. The party then shifted towards the Astoria Beer Garden, albeit very briefly, before it headed downtown to Stone Street, where the real party started. Here's the funny thing about this festivity, no one has tipped off the Jews that they are allowed to participate. It's a holiday bar crawl, you can be whatever you want to be, as long as its holiday-themed. I think many of my chosen brethren choose not to go since they don't want to dress up as Santa or elves, which is fine - but put on a bleepin' blue menorah hat with a Matisyahu shirt and you're all set. Trust me, I'm on a expert on this stuff.
So the Financial District led to the 4,5 train, which led to drunken inappropriate Christmas carols and drunk women dancing on the subway poles (which by the way, is pretty awesome, and by that I mean awesome in a I-wish-my-girlfriend-would-appreciate-this-girls-talent kind of way). But I digress. Only a few weird looks on the subway, but they understand, we're in New York, it's not like we were panhandling (that was later). So the train ride led us to Washington Square Park, that bastion of liberal NYU elitism. Not really, it led to hundreds of Santas gathered around drinking and singing, and doing the 'who wants to start a chant and hope everyone appreciates it and joins in.'
The Washington Square Park led to the open container tickets. Ha! oh college kids, you can't drink a Bud Light in public, even at SantaCon. They don't teach that at Orientation?That's why god invented soda bottles not filled with soda.
After the WSP, we were all led to Crash Mansion, which is a club that was pimped out for such an occasion. They even carded at the door, can you believe that? asking thousands of people dressed as Santa for the IDs? I thought voting for Bloomberg again prevented this type of thing. But alas, the Crash Mansion led to the more drinking and then at this point some of us remembered it was sundown and we had to go home and light our menorah candles.
Happy Holidays. And for a sneak peak at the action, check out the link below:
The day began for some of us at at an artists loft in Astoria, with DJ music, and people hanging out. The party then shifted towards the Astoria Beer Garden, albeit very briefly, before it headed downtown to Stone Street, where the real party started. Here's the funny thing about this festivity, no one has tipped off the Jews that they are allowed to participate. It's a holiday bar crawl, you can be whatever you want to be, as long as its holiday-themed. I think many of my chosen brethren choose not to go since they don't want to dress up as Santa or elves, which is fine - but put on a bleepin' blue menorah hat with a Matisyahu shirt and you're all set. Trust me, I'm on a expert on this stuff.
So the Financial District led to the 4,5 train, which led to drunken inappropriate Christmas carols and drunk women dancing on the subway poles (which by the way, is pretty awesome, and by that I mean awesome in a I-wish-my-girlfriend-would-appreciate-this-girls-talent kind of way). But I digress. Only a few weird looks on the subway, but they understand, we're in New York, it's not like we were panhandling (that was later). So the train ride led us to Washington Square Park, that bastion of liberal NYU elitism. Not really, it led to hundreds of Santas gathered around drinking and singing, and doing the 'who wants to start a chant and hope everyone appreciates it and joins in.'
The Washington Square Park led to the open container tickets. Ha! oh college kids, you can't drink a Bud Light in public, even at SantaCon. They don't teach that at Orientation?That's why god invented soda bottles not filled with soda.
After the WSP, we were all led to Crash Mansion, which is a club that was pimped out for such an occasion. They even carded at the door, can you believe that? asking thousands of people dressed as Santa for the IDs? I thought voting for Bloomberg again prevented this type of thing. But alas, the Crash Mansion led to the more drinking and then at this point some of us remembered it was sundown and we had to go home and light our menorah candles.
Happy Holidays. And for a sneak peak at the action, check out the link below:
Monday, December 7, 2009
Terry Gilliam in da 'ouse
'We are the knights who say...Action!' I had to chance to sit inches.. INCHES away from Director Terry Gilliam. The sole American member of Monty Python, and director of such films as Brazil and The Adventures of Baron Munchausen brings forth his latest project, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus.' The film, starring Heath Ledger in his last role, is the tale of Doctor Parnassus and his traveling circus group... and a few other things.
Click on the link below to view the excerpts:
Click on the link below to view the excerpts:
Thursday, December 3, 2009
A Cause for Keys
Alicia Keys played the Nokia Theater in Times Square on Tuesday night. Neither rain, nor sleet, nor being injected with a dead virus would keep me from this show. Thankfully it wasn't raining or sleeting. Dead virus aside, Alicia Keys rocked the house. Ms Keys, in town to promote her forthcoming album and raise awareness for World Aids Day, took the stage with her 13 piece band and showed us how it's done. The concert was simulcast live on Youtube, although in the digital age, that isn't saying much. I was able to simulcast it live on Youtube from my press seat, but I didn't announce it.
Alicia ran through her hits like Fallin', No One, Superwoman, and added a few more that I didn't recognize but enjoyed nonetheless. She was joined by her opener, the new crooner Jermaine Paul. This guy has a little bit of Al Green in him, and a little bit of Tracy Chapman, and I don't mean that in a he-sings-like-a-girl way. I mean it in more of a when-he-plays-guitar-it's reminiscent-of-Fast-Car, way. Or maybe it was more like Richie Havens when he sang Freedom at Woodstock, take your pick.
Ms. Keys and Jermaine Du-Paul (that's his new nickname) sang their song, and then Alicia invited 5 people to Africa with her. Well, not right then and there, first you have to donate to her cause, then you have to go online and then fill out a form. After that, however, you are free to be chosen to join Ms. Keys in Africa to support her cause. You might want to get a shot first.
To close things up, she went into her new solo rendition of 'Empire State' because clearly people are sick of hearing her sing it with what's-his-name. It was at this very moment that some of us savvy media types conjectured if Mr. Brooklyn himself could find a way in his heart to perhaps make a surprise appearance and complete the duet. It was just a thought, so as Alicia broke into the original version of the song, who do you think wandered onstage? Oh (pause) My (pause) God, or for those you born after 1990, OMG! Jay-Z enters to sing his chorus, and the crowd goes wild. If this were pro wrestling, it would have been like Stone Cone Steve Austin coming out to smack Vince McMahon. If it were an adult movie it would have been like Jenna Jameson appearing on screen at any given moment. Whatever it was like, it was awesome, and props to both of them for putting on a great show for a good cause. Go ahead, text 'Alive' to 90999, and tell them I sent you.
Here's an excerpt from the show:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IgiSDrV-Ko
Alicia ran through her hits like Fallin', No One, Superwoman, and added a few more that I didn't recognize but enjoyed nonetheless. She was joined by her opener, the new crooner Jermaine Paul. This guy has a little bit of Al Green in him, and a little bit of Tracy Chapman, and I don't mean that in a he-sings-like-a-girl way. I mean it in more of a when-he-plays-guitar-it's reminiscent-of-Fast-Car, way. Or maybe it was more like Richie Havens when he sang Freedom at Woodstock, take your pick.
Ms. Keys and Jermaine Du-Paul (that's his new nickname) sang their song, and then Alicia invited 5 people to Africa with her. Well, not right then and there, first you have to donate to her cause, then you have to go online and then fill out a form. After that, however, you are free to be chosen to join Ms. Keys in Africa to support her cause. You might want to get a shot first.
To close things up, she went into her new solo rendition of 'Empire State' because clearly people are sick of hearing her sing it with what's-his-name. It was at this very moment that some of us savvy media types conjectured if Mr. Brooklyn himself could find a way in his heart to perhaps make a surprise appearance and complete the duet. It was just a thought, so as Alicia broke into the original version of the song, who do you think wandered onstage? Oh (pause) My (pause) God, or for those you born after 1990, OMG! Jay-Z enters to sing his chorus, and the crowd goes wild. If this were pro wrestling, it would have been like Stone Cone Steve Austin coming out to smack Vince McMahon. If it were an adult movie it would have been like Jenna Jameson appearing on screen at any given moment. Whatever it was like, it was awesome, and props to both of them for putting on a great show for a good cause. Go ahead, text 'Alive' to 90999, and tell them I sent you.
Here's an excerpt from the show:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IgiSDrV-Ko
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