So... Where Were We?

I woke up this morning to the news that after more than a decade, musician David Bowie had finally released a new song (appropriately titled "Where Are We Now?") on this... his 66th birthday!

Being a fan, I was excited to give this a listen...



... but actually clicked it off less than a minute into it. 


A very gloomy, downbeat song after all this time, and definitely not what I expected. Sure, I am used to Bowie venturing into some odd sonic territories... at his best, that's what makes him David Bowie! But at first, second, and third listen, there is something very awkward and dreary about this one... makes it hard to listen to (not unlike the latest from fellow rock veterans Bob Dylan and The Rolling Stones). 

I will say that Bowie earns points for continuing to be experimental. Apparently the song deals with the city of Berlin, where the artist lived in the late 70s, and perhaps looks at how much he and the city have changed since that time (it has a very regretful, sad feeling to it).

Following his tremendous rise in early '70s, Bowie moved to Berlin, Germany, to exorcise his rock and roll excesses, which included a heavy drug addiction. He recorded three very interesting, experimental albums with producer Brian Eno (Low, Heroes, and Lodger), and set the template for much of the electronic sound and style that would emerge in the 1980s. Listening to the song (and watching the video) from that perspective, I am somewhat more sympathetic... it gets better towards the end actually. There is a very heavy conceptual thing happening in the video, directed by Tony Oursler... it wouldn't feel out of place as a video art installation, which is cool. 

At the moment, I'm also intrigued by the upcoming album. The cover design takes one of those 70s Berlin albums, Heroes, and simply places a blank square over top with type that reads "The Next Day" (the new album title). I'm a little more prepared to see the brilliance in that minimalist move, following last year's graphic design class. 

As for the song... I have to say that it is hard to listen to work by an artist you admire, and admit to yourself that you're not really sure you dig it (I'm ok with melancholy, but prefer a little more melody to balance things out). Maybe I'll have to give it more time... 

In any event, I'm relieved to hear that David Bowie is back. Happy Birthday to one of the true originals, who apparently still has a few tricks up his sleeve...

Related Links:

www.davidbowie.com

"Everything We Know About New David Bowie Album 'The Next Day,'" Flavorwire.com, January 8, 2013

"David Bowie: The Next Day. That album cover design." Barnbrook Blog, January 8, 2013

"Born To Rock," Blue-eyed Soul Productions blog, January 8, 2012

Pure Movement

For a couple who barely left the neighborhood this weekend, we sure got a lot accomplished! It's funny how the prospect of moving can light a bit of fire under your feet... we set about organizing our current place and I swear, it's the most comfortable I have seen it! Things can get a little overwhelming when you let clutter take over, and I'm pleased with how Sarah and I finally took the time to get on top of that. I hope we can continue to keep good feng shui in mind while starting our new home--I work so much better as a result.

So we have two apartments that have really caught our eye--both nice places that I can see us living in... I guess it might come down to location. Hopefully we can figure things out by the end of the month.

Tonight we drove down to Scotia's Freedom Park to meet friends and family for a free, live dance performance of the Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company. It was held outside, close to the banks of the Mohawk River, and the evening benefitted from pleasant late summer air. The dancers were good--they did one work that related to the river, some audience participation for children, as well as a couple Latin-themed numbers... I thought those worked best... I mean, how can you not respond to that music?

On the way home Sarah and I reviewed the performance, and thought it was funny that we both watch dance with more of a critical eye these days. We're not professional dancers, but I guess when you are continually exposed to So You Think You Can Dance and The Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, you become conscious of the high bar being set by some performers. 

I mentioned last week that I found my way out to the Berkshires via Jacob's Pillow. I had been dating a dancer (who subsequently broke my heart), and was curious to learn more about that world. Sure, I had taken some classes back in Rochester--swing, ballroom, and with such modern dance groups as Garth Fagan Dance, but I knew there was a whole other level of understanding... this girl used to talk in such an insightful way, that I hoped to gain that same level of original thought. Well, imagine my surprise when I arrived at the Pillow and watched a documentary on the Paul Taylor Dance Company... and heard many of her once inspired words repeated right back to me. Not only that, but I got to see a whole other level of dance... I mean the kind that is weightless... joyful... effortless... I'm not saying that old girlfriend wasn't a good dancer (I guess she was in some technical kind of way), but there is something about honest expression and, in this case, originality that I guess you either have or not.

Ok, maybe I'm just bitter... that girl really did a number on me in the disrespect department (if I were to choreograph the experience, I would use this song). But I hate to taint a blog intended to be about the beauty of dance, so I'll just say... lesson learned about sticking up for myself.

Sarah and I both love dance, and I look forward to learning more... perhaps some more modern dance lessons... it really is one of the most pure art forms. When you're losing yourself in honest, creative movement... that's what I want to be and experience in my life. Moving on...

www.sinopolidances.org