joe








Losing my Apostrophe

 Posted 8/10/08
By Joe O'Donnell
 Apparently I am losing my apostrophe. Strange word anyway, difficult to spell and it hardly rolls off the tongue.

Still it was mine for a long time, and my ancestors for even longer. I have the apostrophe because back in the mists of Irish history the initial letter O was placed in front of a name to denote ancestry, literally the letter meant grandson. So I am O Donnell, meaning grandson of that scoundrel Donnell, or something like that. I believe the English put all the letters together and threw in the apostrophe because they liked things buttoned up and neat, and because they thought the Irish were a bit sloppy overall- but that is another story. The Irish Times (which I can now read for free on the Internet, though a few years ago I would have had to pay hundreds of dollars a year to have the paper flown across the sea to me) offers the following history lesson: "Ireland was one of the first European countries in which a system of fixed hereditary surnames developed. The earliest names appear to be those incorporating 'Ó' or its earlier form Ua, meaning 'grandson.' According to Fr. Woulfe, an early authority on Irish surnames, the first recorded fixed surname is O'Clery (Ó Cleirigh), as noted by the Annals, which record the death of Tigherneach Ua Cleirigh, lord of Aidhne in Co. Galway in the year 916. It seems likely that this is the oldest surname recorded anywhere in Europe." Sorry about that tradition stretching back to 916 stuff. Sadly the same technology that allows me to read the Irish Times for free, does not really like the apostrophe all that much. So in the world of online airline reservations, hotel bookings on Expedia, and paying that pesky little mortgage over the Internet instead of with a stamp, I am ODonnell. Soon I may be Odonnell.

The apostrophe is an unrecognized digit. To qoute the great novelist Kurt Vonnegut (hard to spell but no apostrophe): So it goes.

A whirlwind weekend
By Carla Jean Whitley
Posted 06/16/08

What a whirlwind. And what a great weekend!

I'd do it again in an instant, but it might be best for my sleep schedule that I've got a year to prepare for my next City Stages. After almost 11 hours at the festival Saturday, I was a slow starter Sunday morning. I piddled around my apartment with Reg's Coffeehouse in the background, listening to songs from City Stages musicians and debating who I should see Sunday night.

The truth is, no one could beat my Saturday experience. It was easily the best day I've had at City Stages in my four festival visits. I ended up skipping Marc Broussard in favor of Guys with Guitars (including local boys Elliot Morris and Jon Black). Our seats were so close to the stage, and the guys just sounded so good--we couldn't bear to leave.

Ingrid Michaelson followed with what was truly the festival highlight. She's played Birmingham frequently over the past several months, but for a variety of reasons this was the first time I made it to one of her shows. And oh my word. If you weren't there, you missed out. She sounded amazing, but there was more to it than that. Some performances carry a certain magic, and this was one of them. I blinked back tears as she brought three teenage girls onstage to join her in singing "The Chain," and I fought them again as she covered Radiohead's "Creep." She connected with the audience in a way few can, and I've spent today listening to tracks on her myspace site. You can find that at myspace.com/ingridmichaelson.

And I've just finished listening to the one Andrew Bird track on my still-unfinished City Stages 2008 playlist. He closed out Saturday night on the Legacy Credit Union Stage, and his performance was amazing despite sound problems. Bird is a multi-instrumentalist who, using loops, his voice, a violin, a glockenspiel and whistling, creates a fuller sound than some full band's I've seen. But by the end of his set, I found it hard to keep my eyes open! It was a long day of music, but man, what a day of music!

Prior commitments kept me from the festival until around 7 on Sunday night. And the more laid-back pace of the evening was appropriate after days of loud music and late nights. Not that I didn't find both of those yesterday! I caught the tail end of Shooter Jenning's set before wandering toward The Flaming Lips. I'll admit, I went for the spectacle, not the music. A friend and I positioned our chairs close enough that we could catch a glimpse of what was happening, but far away enough that I had to stand on my tip-toes to really get a sense of the action. (What can I say? I'm short--but I also hate crowds!)

You've seen photos by now, I'm sure, enough to know that it was a sight. But after three or four songs, we'd had enough confetti and streamers. Time to move on to Robert Earl Keen--and wrap up the night.

I'll be interested to see final numbers on attendance, ticket sales and City Stages' finances, but I can say this now: My hope was justified. My optimism was not without cause. I'm marking June 19 to 21, 2009 on my calendar right now, because I'm ready and excited for City Stages 21.

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Decision time
by Carla Jean Whitley
Posted 06/14/08, 5:34 p.m.

This is when it gets interesting.

It's 5:30 p.m., and the streets of downtown are filling up. Groups of friends are parting ways based on who wants to see which act when. As for us? Half my group will be listening to Dave Barnes, while the other girls catch Moon Taxi.

The first part of the day was much simpler. I had a clear plan: Act of Congress, Jon Black, The Dexateens (who were great, by the way! They're a Tuscaloosa-based Southern rock band that often performs in Birmingham. You can also download their latest CD, Lost and Found, for free and legally at skybucket.com.). Then it got a little hairy: Grace Potter or Erin McCarley? (Grace won out, but I'm still convinced I missed something special by skipping Erin's performance.)

And so it will go for the remainder of City Stages Saturday. My friends and I will be split between Al Green and Ingrid Michaelson, then again between Andrew Bird and Ben Harper. I think Marc Broussard might be the only act tonight that we can all settle on.

It's a good thing I only came in with a few dollars in cash. Otherwise, my CD collection would be growing significantly ... and it may yet, but it'll have to wait until after tonight.

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Jon Black
by Carla Jean Whitley
Posted 06/14/08, 3:01 p.m.

We're two bands in and the crowd is slowly starting to grow. I spent the past half-hour at the Miller Lite Stage bopping my head in time with Jon Black's rock. I know him best from his work on Red Mountain Church's CDs, which you can find at redmountainmusic.com. Those hymns are heart-gripping renditions of ancient songs, and while his solo work is completely different, it's equally attention-grabbing.

Keep an eye out for Black's latest CD, and read more about him at whoisjonblack.com. And get on down to City Stages! I knew I would run into friends during Black's set, and between songs I told them how sad I think it is that so many people miss the early part of the festival. The headliners draw the crowds, sure, but there's so much excellent music planned throughout the day. Why miss a minute of it?

And speaking of--what am I doing in front of a computer? I'm off to hear The Dexateens.

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Act of Congress
by Carla Jean Whitley
Posted 06/14/08, 1:52 p.m.

One down, and hours to go.

During Act of Congress' lunchtime set at Java and Jams yesterday, I texted several friends and let them know what they were missing.

Technology changes everything, I suppose; just a few years ago, I wouldn't have been able to silently alert my friend Jacob to the incredible "newgrass" music playing just across the street from his office. I returned to my own office enthused and ready for a weekend of music.

It's only appropriate, then, that today kicked off with the same band. Again, I couldn't resist messaging my friends to let them know what they were missing out on. The band's set mixed covers--The Strokes' "Heart in a Cage," which I caught during soundcheck, Coldplay's "Clocks" and a wonderful rendition of the '80s favorite "Take On Me"--with their own original tunes. You can find some of those on their EP, available now, and you should look forward the band's upcoming LP, Declaration. That album releases Sept. 5.

But there's hope for my friends who missed this set, as there is for you. Act of Congress is a Birmingham band, and you'll find them playing throughout the city. Check actofcongressmusic.com for upcoming tour dates. On with the show ...

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Open to close
by Carla Jean Whitley
Posted 06/14/08

As we walked toward a parking deck--AKA the City Stages VIP area--last night, my friend Rebekah turned to me and asked who attends this festival. It's her first year at City Stages, and though I can't claim expert status (this is only my fourth!), I was able to offer a preview of the weekend.

"You'll see everyone here," I explained. "When I interviewed them for the magazine, the festival organizers described City Stages as an event that brings together everyone in Birmingham--and it's true."

We spent the first hours of the festival atop that parking deck, sipping beers and listening to Sean Kingston, then Anthony Hamilton. The VIP area is as much a microcosm of the city as anywhere, but we really saw Birmingham as we moved on to our evening's main events: first Citizen Cope (which seemed to be especially popular among the 18-and-under set) and then Old Crow Medicine Show.

We left the Legacy Credit Union Stage last night totally satisfied by the band's folk-bluegrass-Americana blend. Nothing could ruin a night spent with toe-tapping music--not the teenagers behind us, not the beer and other unidentified substances spilled on our legs, not the wait to get out of the parking deck. It was a perfect, breezy evening of music.

And now, I'm looking forward to a full day of the same, if slightly less breezy. I've set up my chair in front of Act of Congress, who were playing "Heart in a Cage" during their soundcheck. Others on my priority list today include Jon Black, The Dexateens, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, Marc Broussard, Ingrid Michaelson and Andrew Bird. I've never tried City Stages from open to close, but I think today will be worth every moment.

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My Hope
by Carla Jean Whitley
Posted 06/13/08
I have hope for City Stages.

It seems few can agree on the future—or even the present—of the city’s music festival. Some folks argue the best years are behind us, and that this year’s line-up is a disappointment. Others say City Stages 20 is the best yet.

I’m not qualified to offer an unbiased opinion, but then, I’m not sure who is. We all have our preferences, and if your favorite band isn’t playing this year, sure, you may be disappointed. Several of my favorite musicians have played over the years (Patty Griffin in 2002, Nickel Creek in 2003, Ryan Adams in 2005). None of this year’s headliners make my list of personal favorites. But I’ll tell you this: My City Stages schedule is highlighted with more “must see” acts than my New Orleans Jazz Fest schedule was earlier this year.

I sat in a downtown coffee shop this afternoon and listened to one of those bands for the first time. A friend recommended Act of Congress to me months ago, before Laser’s Edge closed. He compared them to Nickel Creek—lofty praise in my book. And after listening to half an hour of originals, instrumentals and a heart achingly gorgeous cover of Radiohead’s “High and Dry,” I can see where he was coming from. I definitely hear echoes of Nickel Creek’s self-titled album.

You can find them on the Legacy Credit Union Stage tomorrow at 1 p.m.—and you can find me in the crowd. I have hope for City Stages, and that hope will keep me at the festival all weekend long.

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The Photo Shop
by Joe O'Donnell
Posted 5/23/08
I am one of those people who just know enough to be dangerous about an alarming number of things. Take Adobe Photoshop for example. We began utilizing the tools of desktop publishing at Birmingham magazine probably 15 years ago now. Before that we used to do something barbaric called paste-up that involved late nights and sharp blades imbedded in pencil-like instruments, if I recall correctly. It seems like a long time ago. I know relatively little about Photoshop, other than that the names of the people in small type that are credited as the software opens have already made more money than I would make in two lifetimes. >The photo manipulation software continues to make big news in media since in our image-obsessed world, publishers are manipulating the celebrated in ways not even nature or the finest plastic surgeons ever intended. Follow this link to some fascinating evidence.
http://jezebel.com/gossip/photoshop-of-horrors/heres-our-winner-redbook

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New Material
by Joe O'Donnell
Posted 5/1/08
 There is a certain point when you become self-aware enough to realize that you are repeating yourself. The same stories. The same jokes. Inflicted upon the same person—in most cases my wife. We were having dinner the other night, having a nice time, just talking, reminiscing, discussing future plans—the best kind of conversation you can possibly have. The twilight was receding into dark. The streetlights came on outside the restaurant’s windows, and inside the lights dimmed. At this point, I would say: “Did someone dim the lights in here, or am I having a stroke.” It would be difficult calculate the number of times I have said this. The number, I think, would scare me. So I looked across at my wife, and I said to myself, this woman deserves new material. This thought coalesced in my brain at practically the exact moment that the man sitting at the next table said to his two dining companions: “Did someone dim the lights, or am I having a stroke.” When people steal your old material, it’s time for some new stuff.

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The Realm of the Young
by Joe O'Donnell
Posted 4/25/08
Just turned 48 today. The funny thing about getting older is that it is hard to remember you are aging until someone reminds you. Aside from intense aches in the body, I walk around figuring I am about 27 or so—still with plenty of time, plenty of promise. So don’t remind me I am 48, let my left or right knee do that (or the mirror) do that. That is after all their job.

Last night, prior to turning 48, I asked my daughter Anna, 14, to help me do a Facebook page. As part of old, old media, the magazine and by extension its editor are working hard at understanding the possibilities of newer media (witness the web site you are viewing). She rolled her eyes. But two of our 20-something reps are working on a Facebook page for the magazine, and I need to become its friend, after all.

So I ventured into the realm of the young, Anna as a reluctant guide. I barely got started before 9:30 p.m. rolled around—bedtime for the elderly. But you can see the beginnings of the page here http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=513910952. Where my picture is supposed to go, there is a question mark (which is probably just as well).
I woke up to the following message from my 23-year-old daughter: “Um, I must say I am more than a little disturbed. I am hoping this is Anna posing...otherwise, what the heck are you doing??
Caught again. A poser in the realm of the young.
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Hat Tricks
by Joe O'Donnell
Posted 4/22/08
Hats have always intrigued me. I usually just try them on in store when no one is looking, but I bought two just the other day. I was in San Francisco-cold on suddenly windswept and shaded streets. A guy on the corner was selling hats, in an opportunity knocks lesson in capitalism. Ten dollars later I was in possession of a fedora with a satiny sash around its crown. And a frigid evening wind was kept at bay—just in time for the opening pitch of a San Francisco Giants game. I watched from the stands, fedora on head as if I was in a photograph from the 1940s. I wandered around in the concourse, past the food stands and souvenir stands. The Giants cap for an infant called to me from behind the bobble heads and I bought one for my new grandson. Two hats, four hours apart, and a personal hat-buying record that should stand the test of time.

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A Place of My Own
by Joe O'Donnell
Posted 4/10/08
I always wanted a Place, a little spot to call my own…maybe a few tables and chairs, light streaming in through a window. Maybe my own table, that I shoo others away from when I walk in the door. But since all of that stuff requires four walls, a roof, and maybe some cash to go along with it, I am settling for a virtual place.

I will be working and writing most every day, filling the virtual air with a conversation that I certainly don’t want to be one-sided. I’ll also be asking friends, associates and others who wander into this place to share some thoughts as well. So please use the link below to join in the conversation via email. Anytime. We are always open.

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January Birmingham, Alabama

  

 
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