(5273,1,'2010-06-03 17:37:09','2010-06-03 22:37:09','Now seems like an opportune time . . .\n\nI bought R.E.M.\'s first EP, Chronic Town, when it came out and thought I had found God. I loved Murmur, Reckoning, but then watched, with greater and greater dismay, as this obscure little band\'s audience grew, grew beyond obsessed people like myself, grew to encompass casual fans, people who had heard a song on the radio and picked up Green and listened for the hits. Old people liked them, and stupid people, and my moron neighbor who had sex with truck drivers. I wanted these phony R.E.M.-lovers dead.\n\n\nYou actually asked me the question: \"Are you taking any steps to keep shit real?\" I want you always to look back on this time as being a time when those words came out of your mouth.\n\nNow, there was a time when such a question - albeit probably without the colloquial spin - would have originated from my own brain. Since I was thirteen, sitting in my orange-carpeted bedroom in ostensibly cutting-edge Lake Forest, Illinois, subscribing to the Village Voice and reading the earliest issues of Spin, I thought I had my ear to the railroad tracks of avant garde America. (Laurie Anderson, for example, had grown up only miles away!) I was always monitoring, with the most sensitive and well-calibrated apparatus, the degree of selloutitude exemplified by any given artist - musical, visual, theatrical, whatever. I was vigilant and merciless and knew it was my job to be so.\n\nI bought R.E.M.\'s first EP, Chronic Town, when it came out and thought I had found God. I loved Murmur, Reckoning, but then watched, with greater and greater dismay, as this obscure little band\'s audience grew, grew beyond obsessed people like myself, grew to encompass casual fans, people who had heard a song on the radio and picked up Green and listened for the hits. Old people liked them, and stupid people, and my moron neighbor who had sex with truck drivers. I wanted these phony R.E.M.-lovers dead.\n\nBut it was the band\'s fault, too. They played on Letterman. They switched record labels. Even their album covers seemed progressively more commercial. And when everyone I knew began liking them, I stopped. Had they changed, had their commitment to making art with integrity changed? I didn\'t care, because for me, any sort of popularity had an inverse relationship with what you term the keeping \'real\' of \'shit.\' When the Smiths became slightly popular they were sellouts. Bob Dylan appeared on MTV and of course was a sellout. Recently, just at dinner tonight, after a huge, sold-out reading by David Sedaris and Sarah Vowell (both sellouts), I was sitting next to an acquaintance, a very smart acquaintance married to the singer-songwriter of a very well-known band. I mentioned that I had seen the Flaming Lips the night before. She rolled her eyes. \"Oh I really liked them on 90210,\" she sneered, assuming that this would put me and the band in our respective places.\n\nHowever.\n\nWas she aware that The Flaming Lips had composed an album requiring the simultaneous playing of four separate discs, on four separate CD players? Was she aware that the band had once, for a show at Lincoln Center, handed out to audience members something like 100 portable tape players, with 100 different tapes, and had them all played at the same time, creating a symphonic sort of effect, one which completely devastated everyone in attendance? I went on and on to her about the band\'s accomplishments, their experiments. Was she convinced that they were more than their one appearance with Jason Priestly? She was.\n\nNow, at that concert the night before, Wayne Coyne, the lead singer, had himself addressed this issue, and to great effect. After playing much of their new album, the band paused and he spoke to the audience. I will paraphrase what he said:\n\n\"Hi. Well, some people get all bitter when some song of theirs gets popular, and they refuse to play it. But we\'re not like that. We\'re happy that people like this song. So here it goes.\"\n\nThen they played the song. (You know the song.) \"She Don\'t Use Jelly\" is the song, and it is a silly song, and it was their most popular song. But to highlight their enthusiasm for playing the song, the band released, from the stage and from the balconies, about 200 balloons. (Some of the balloons, it should be noted, were released by two grown men in bunny suits.) Then while playing the song, Wayne sang with a puppet on his hand, who also sang into the microphone. It was fun. It was good.\n\nBut was it a sellout? Probably. By some standards, yes. Can a good band play their hit song? Should we hate them for this? Probably, probably. First 90210, now they go playing the song every stupid night. Everyone knows that 90210 is not cutting edge, and that a cutting edge alternarock band should not appear on such a show. That rule is clearly stated in the obligatory engrained computer-chip sellout manual that we were all given when we hit adolescence.\n\nBut this sellout manual serves only the lazy and small. Those who bestow sellouthood upon their former heroes are driven to do so by, first and foremost, the unshakable need to reduce. The average one of us - a taker-in of various and constant media, is absolutely overwhelmed - as he or she should be - with the sheer volume of artistic output in every conceivable medium given to the world every day - it is simply too much to begin to process or comprehend - and so we are forced to try to sort, to reduce. We designate, we label, we diminish, we create hierarchies and categories.\n\nThrough largely received wisdom, we rule out Tom Waits\'s new album because it\'s the same old same old, and we save $15. U2 has lost it, Radiohead is too popular. Country music is bad, Puff Daddy is bad, the last Wallace book was bad because that one reviewer said so. We decide that TV is bad unless it\'s the Sopranos. We liked Rick Moody and Jonathan Lethem and Jeffrey Eugenides until they allowed their books to become movies. And on and on. The point is that we do this and to a certain extent we must do this. We must create categories, and to an extent, hierarchies.\n\nBut you know what is easiest of all? When we dismiss.\n\nOh how gloriously comforting, to be able to write someone off. Thus, in the overcrowded pantheon of alternarock bands, at a certain juncture, it became necessary for a certain brand of person to write off The Flaming Lips, despite the fact that everyone knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that their music was superb and groundbreaking and real. We could write them off because they shared a few minutes with Jason Priestley and that terrifying Tori Spelling person. Or we could write them off because too many magazines have talked about them. Or because it looked like the bassist was wearing too much gel in his hair.\n\nOne less thing to think about. Now, how to kill off the rest of our heroes, to better make room for new ones?\n\nWe liked Guided by Voices until they let Ric Ocasek produce their latest album, and everyone knows Ocasek is a sellout, having written those mushy Cars songs in the late 80s, and then - gasp! - produced Weezer\'s album, and of course Weezer\'s no good, because that Sweater song was on the radio, right, and dorky teenage girls were singing it and we cannot have that and so Weezer is bad and Ocasek is bad and Guided by Voices are bad, even if Spike Jonze did direct that one Weezer video, and we like Spike Jonze, don\'t we?\n\nOh. No. We don\'t. We don\'t like him anymore because he\'s married to Sofia Coppola, and she is not cool. Not cool. So bad in Godfather 3, such nepotism. So let\'s check off Spike Jonze - leaving room in our brains for… who??\n\nIt\'s exhausting.\n\nThe only thing worse than this sort of activity is when people, students and teachers alike, run around college campuses calling each other racists and anti-Semites. It\'s born of boredom, lassitude. Too cowardly to address problems of substance where such problems actually are, we claw at those close to us. We point to our neighbor, in the khakis and sweater, and cry foul. It\'s ridiculous. We find enemies among our peers because we know them better, and their proximity and familiarity means we don\'t have to get off the couch to dismantle them.\n\nAnd now, I am also a sellout. Here are my sins, many of which you may know about already:\n\nFirst, I was a sellout because Might magazine took ads.\nThen I was a sellout because our pages were color, and not stapled together at the Kinko\'s.\nThen I was a sellout because I went to work for Esquire.\nNow I\'m a sellout because my book has sold many copies.\nAnd because I have done many interviews.\nAnd because I have let people take my picture.\nAnd because my goddamn picture has been in just about every fucking magazine and newspaper printed in America.\n\nAnd now, as far as McSweeney\'s is concerned, The Advocate interviewer wants to know if we\'re losing also our edge, if the magazine is selling out, hitting the mainstream, if we\'re still committed to publishing unknowns, and pieces killed by other magazines.\n\nAnd the fact is, I don\'t give a fuck. When we did the last issue, this was my thought process: I saw a box. So I decided we\'d do a box. We were given stories by some of our favorite writers - George Saunders, Rick Moody (who is uncool, uncool!), Haruki Murakami, Lydia Davis, others - and so we published them. Did I wonder if people would think we were selling out, that we were not fulfilling the mission they had assumed we had committed ourselves to?\n\nNo. I did not. Nor will I ever. We just don\'t care. We care about doing what we want to do creatively. We want to be interested in it. We want it to challenge us. We want it to be difficult. We want to reinvent the stupid thing every time. Would I ever think, before I did something, of how those with sellout monitors would respond to this or that move? I would not. The second I sense a thought like that trickling into my brain, I will put my head under the tires of a bus.\n\nYou want to know how big a sellout I am?\n\nA few months ago I wrote an article for Time magazine and was paid $12,000 for it I am about to write something, 1,000 words, 3 pages or so, for something called Forbes ASAP, and for that I will be paid $6,000 For two years, until five months ago, I was on the payroll of ESPN magazine, as a consultant and sometime contributor. I was paid handsomely for doing very little. Same with my stint at Esquire. One year I spent there, with little to no duties. I wore khakis every day. Another Might editor and I, for almost a year, contributed to Details magazine, under pseudonyms, and were paid $2000 each for what never amounted to more than 10 minutes work - honestly never more than that. People from Hollywood want to make my book into a movie, and I am probably going to let them do so, and they will likely pay me a great deal of money for the privilege.\n\nDo I care about this money? I do. Will I keep this money? Very little of it. Within the year I will have given away almost a million dollars to about 100 charities and individuals, benefiting everything from hospice care to an artist who makes sculptures from Burger King bags. And the rest will be going into publishing books through McSweeney\'s. Would I have been able to publish McSweeney\'s if I had not worked at Esquire? Probably not. Where is the $6000 from Forbes going? To a guy named Joe Polevy, who wants to write a book about the effects of radiator noise on children in New England.\n\nNow, what if I were keeping all the money? What if I were buying property in St. Kitt\'s or blew it all on live-in prostitutes? What if, for example, I was, a few nights ago, sitting at a table in SoHo with a bunch of Hollywood slash celebrity acquaintances, one of whom I went to high school with, and one of whom was Puff Daddy? Would that make me a sellout? Would that mean I was a force of evil?\n\nWhat if a few nights before that I was at the home of Julian Schnabel, at a party featuring Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro, and at which Schnabel said we should get together to talk about him possibly directing my movie? And what if I said sure, let\'s?\n\nWould all that make me a sellout? Would I be uncool? Would it have been more cool to not go to this party, or to not have written that book, or done that interview, or to have refused millions from Hollywood?\n\nThe thing is, I really like saying yes. I like new things, projects, plans, getting people together and doing something, trying something, even when it\'s corny or stupid. I am not good at saying no. And I do not get along with people who say no. When you die, and it really could be this afternoon, under the same bus wheels I\'ll stick my head if need be, you will not be happy about having said no. You will be kicking your ass about all the no\'s you\'ve said. No to that opportunity, or no to that trip to Nova Scotia or no to that night out, or no to that project or no to that person who wants to be naked with you but you worry about what your friends will say.\n\nNo is for wimps. No is for pussies. No is to live small and embittered, cherishing the opportunities you missed because they might have sent the wrong message.\n\nThere is a point in one\'s life when one cares about selling out and not selling out. One worries whether or not wearing a certain shirt means that they are behind the curve or ahead of it, or that having certain music in one\'s collection means that they are impressive, or unimpressive.\n\nThankfully, for some, this all passes. I am here to tell you that I have, a few years ago, found my way out of that thicket of comparison and relentless suspicion and judgment. And it is a nice feeling. Because, in the end, no one will ever give a shit who has kept shit \'real\' except the two or three people, sitting in their apartments, bitter and self-devouring, who take it upon themselves to wonder about such things. The keeping real of shit matters to some people, but it does not matter to me. It\'s fashion, and I don\'t like fashion, because fashion does not matter.\n\nWhat matters is that you do good work. What matters is that you produce things that are true and will stand. What matters is that the Flaming Lips\'s new album is ravishing and I\'ve listened to it a thousand times already, sometimes for days on end, and it enriches me and makes me want to save people. What matters is that it will stand forever, long after any narrow-hearted curmudgeons have forgotten their appearance on goddamn 90210. What matters is not the perception, nor the fashion, not who\'s up and who\'s down, but what someone has done and if they meant it. What matters is that you want to see and make and do, on as grand a scale as you want, regardless of what the tiny voices of tiny people say. Do not be critics, you people, I beg you. I was a critic and I wish I could take it all back because it came from a smelly and ignorant place in me, and spoke with a voice that was all rage and envy. Do not dismiss a book until you have written one, and do not dismiss a movie until you have made one, and do not dismiss a person until you have met them. It is a fuckload of work to be open-minded and generous and understanding and forgiving and accepting, but Christ, that is what matters. What matters is saying yes.\n\nI say yes, and Wayne Coyne says yes, and if that makes us the enemy, then good, good, good. We are evil people because we want to live and do things. We are on the wrong side because we should be home, calculating which move would be the least damaging to our downtown reputations. But I say yes because I am curious. I want to see things. I say yes when my high school friend tells me to come out because he\'s hanging with Puffy. A real story, that. I say yes when Hollywood says they\'ll give me enough money to publish a hundred different books, or send twenty kids through college. Saying no is so fucking boring.\n\nAnd if anyone wants to hurt me for that, or dismiss me for that, for saying yes, I say Oh do it, do it you motherfuckers, finally, finally, finally. ','dave eggers, once a year, like clockwork',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5272-revision','','','2010-06-03 17:37:09','2010-06-03 22:37:09','',5272,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/03/5272-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(5274,1,'2010-06-03 21:05:12','2010-06-04 02:05:12','In this age of freemp3forafacebookfriendoremailaddressexchange\r\npleaseupdateyourstatusandleteveryoneknowyou’retakingthetimeout\r\nofyourbusydaytolistentothissongwhichistherockingestuneverplease\r\ncometoourshoworbuyatshirtatleasepleasepleasepleasepleaseplease\r\nmusic it’s easy to forget what the experience of listening to music used to be like. \r\n\r\nWhy, back in the day, I would ease the shrink wrap off the vinyl, put the record on the turntable and sit back to see what hit me from the Klipsch speakers I spent way too much of my disposable income to own. I was even enough of a fanatic that I bought loose plastic covers to replace the shrink wrap – gotta protect the album art – god forbid you were one of the dolts who simply slit the shrink wrap and left it intact on three sides and risked warping the record.\r\n\r\nAfter an initial misstep and an aborted first listen to “Grace Potter and the Nocturnals” new, self-titled record – I realized the error of my wavs. Here’s what happened . . .\r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4072/4642315846_56d2ccccf5.jpg\">\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n\r\nPicture a late night – post work computer session. Finally I’ve got some time to concentrate on this new record that I’ve been anticipating for so long.  I <strike>gently place the needle on the record</strike> launch iTunes and hit the play button and wait in anticipation and it hits me – “Hunh” followed by nasty guitar licks as the opener “Paris” courses through my headphones. About thirty seconds in I begin to realize that something is wrong and I experience a growing discomfort. I’m sitting in my bedroom, it’s dark out and I’m listening to this via headphones while sitting in the chair. Travesty.  Stop\r\n\r\nFast forward to the next day. I’m in the car with an extended drive through the Green Mountains of Vermont. Summer is in the air, the windows are down and I start it all up again – better, much better.\r\n\r\nOver the last few months the story coming from the band is that, finally, this record captures their sound in the “Now”. If the goal was to bottle the energetic live performances of GPN the record is an overwhelming success. \r\n\r\nFree from the studio embellishments and multi-track layering that added complexity but sometimes distracting elements to “This Is Somewhere”, “Grace Potter and the Nocturnals” does a stellar job of trimming the sound back to it’s essential elements. Sure, there’s a layered chorus here and there, an additional driving piano medley, a handclap back beat, but overall the record is a faithful to the sound the band creates on stage. Lyrically the songs explore themes of sexual tension and heartbreak as well as an underlying message of hope against a backdrop of bleakness\r\n\r\nBehind the simplicity of the sound lies a stellar achievement – channeling the legendary high energy of a live show when the band is kicking it hard onto tape without losing the essence of the performances. \r\n\r\nThe power-charged romps of “Paris”, “Medicine”, “Only Love” and “Hot Summer Night” benefit the most from this treatment.  The compressed vocals of “Paris” along with the dual guitar crunch finally create the definitive version of a song that’s been churning around for a few years. The New Orleans boogie vibe of “Medicine” recalls Fleetwood Mac while “Only Love” and “Hot Summer Night” burn with the intense energy of Grace’s vocal performance and are quickly becoming my go-to high energy choices.\r\n\r\nThe record doesn’t lose its footing in the mid-tempo numbers. Once again Grace’s voice carries “Low Road” and Catherine Popper’s complex underlying bass lines bring mystery to the trippy lines of “Oasis”. The biggest surprise on the record is the transformation of “That Phone” from the sassy, teenage payback <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCx5mL_1fdE\">version first heard at Bonnaroo</a> to a more mature soulful shouter a-la Sharon Jones. A tonal shift that does a world of good for a song that was already a keeper. On paper, \"Goodbye Kiss\" shouldn\'t work - breakup song with a reggae ska shuffle beat? But somehow it pulls it off.\r\n\r\nThe records first single, “Tiny Light”, changes from a flowing ballad into a balls out rocker at the end that highlights Scott Tournet and Benny Yurco’s charged interplay. While the song itself certainly highlights the talents of the band it\'s a difficult musical thread for a newer fan to unravel. “Colors” takes its place among Grace’s increasing collection of impressive, soaring ballads although I prefer when she pours on the emotional pain.  Throughout the record Matt Burr’s drums are prominent and follow the urgency of rhythm the songs demand. Never a showy drummer – Matt’s complimentary style does wonders for the record.  Above all though, these tunes are a workout for Grace’s vocal talents which, staggeringly, are just getting better over time.\r\n\r\nNot every track on the record is a standout. “Money\", for all it’s opulent song craft, suffers from being lyrically disconnected from any other song on the album and represents the downside of Grace’s exploration with song co-writing.  Similarly, “Things I Never Needed” paints an alt-twang picture of heartbreak that resonates as a standalone track but its musical roots feel slightly out of place on this record. \r\n\r\nPersonally, I’ve battled with “One Short Night” since I first heard the song accidentally leaked from a DayTrotter session months back. Lyrically – I love it – the imagery of risking love on a foolish mistake – “prowling like the devil that I’m trying to hide” is stellar. Still, I’m not sure the song has ever found it’s true musical footing. The addition of the keyboard line to ground the melody doesn’t offer the musical heft the lyrics demand. Every time I hear the song in concert it seems to exist outside of the rest of the show. <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ok-CvnzzxPg\">The recent acoustic version</a> reveals the excellent heart of the song still waiting to arrive.\r\n\r\n“Grace Potter and the Nocturnals” is a record that demands motion - this is not a record for the sedentary. The songs here practically beg you to throw your windows open on the world and turn it up. The band and producer Mark Batson have crafted an excellent record that captures the urgency and feel of a band poised for an explosion.\r\n\r\n\r\n(Addendum: Do you know how hard it is to be a music journalist? Do any of you have a clue? Answer: It ain\'t that hard)\r\n\r\n','review : grace potter and the nocturnals',0,'','publish','open','open','','review-grace-potter-and-the-nocturnals','','','2010-06-06 15:59:11','2010-06-06 20:59:11','',0,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/?p=5274',0,'post','',14),(5275,1,'2010-06-03 19:10:57','2010-06-04 00:10:57',' In this age of freemp3forafacebookfriendoremailaddressexchangepleaseupdateyourstatusandleteveryoneknowyou’retakingthetimeoutofyourbusydaytolistentothissongwhichistherockingestuneverpleasecometoourshoworbuyatshirtatleaseplease music it’s easy to forget what the experience of listening to music used to be like. \n\nWhy, back in the day, I would ease the shrink wrap off the vinyl, put the record on the turntable and sit back to see what hit me from the Klipsch speakers I spent way too much of my disposable income to own. I was even enough of a fanatic that I bought loose plastic covers to replace the shrink wrap – gotta protect the album art – god forbid you were one of the dolts who simply slit the shrink wrap and left it intact on three sides and risked warping the record.\n\nAfter an initial misstep and an aborted first listen to “Grace Potter and the Nocturnals” new, self-titled record – I realized the error of my wavs. Here’s what happened . . .\n\n<!--more-->\n\nPicture a late night – post work computer session. Finally I’ve got some time to concentrate on this new record that I’ve been anticipating for so long.  I gently place the needle on the record launch iTunes and hit the play button and wait in anticipation and it hits me – “Hunh” followed by nasty guitar licks as the opener “Paris” courses through my headphones. About thirty seconds in I begin to realize that something is wrong and I experience a growing discomfort. I’m sitting in my bedroom, it’s dark out and I’m listening to this via headphones while sitting in the chair. Travesty.  Stop\n\nFast forward to the next day. I’m in the car with an extended drive through the Green Mountains of Vermont. Summer is in the air, the windows are down and I start it all up again – better, much better.\n\nOver the last few months the theme coming from the band is that, finally, this record captures sound of the band “Now”. If the goal was to bottle the energetic live performances of GPN the record is an overwhelming success. \n\nFree from the studio embellishments and multi-track layering that sometimes added a complexity but sometimes distracting element to “This Is Somewhere”, “Grace Potter and the Nocturnals” does a stellar job of trimming the sound back to it’s essential elements. Sure, there’s a layered chorus here and there, an additional driving piano medley, a handclap back beat, but overall the record is a faithful to the sound the band creates on stage. Lyrically the songs explore themes of sexual tension and heartbreak as well as an underlying message of hope against a backdrop of bleakness\n\nBehind the simplicity of the sound lies a stellar achievement – channeling the legendary high energy of a live show when the band is kicking it hard onto tape without losing the essence of the performaces. \n\nThe power-charged romps of “Paris”, “Medicine”, “Only Love” and “Hot Summer Night” benefit the most from this treatment.  The compressed vocals of “Paris” along with the dual guitar crunch finally create the definitive version of a song that’s been churning around for a few years. The New Orleans boogie vibe of “Medicine” recalls Fleetwood Mac while “Only Love” and “Hot Summer Night” burn with the intense energy of Grace’s vocal performance and are quickly becoming my go-to high energy choices.\n\nThe record doesn’t lose it footing in the mid-tempo numbers. Once again Grace’s voice carries “Low Road” and Catherine’s complex underlying bass lines bring mystery to the trippy lines of “Oasis”. The biggest surprise on the record is the transformation of “That Phone” from the sassy, teenage payback version first heard at Bonnaroo to a more mature soulful shouter a-la Sharon Jones. \n\nThe records first single, “Tiny Light”, changes from a flowing ballad into a balls out rocker at the end that highlights Scott Tournet and Benny Yurco’s charged interplay. While the song itself certainly highlights the talents of the band it’s may be a difficult musical idea for a newer fan to follow. “Colors” takes its place among Grace’s increasing collection of impressive, soaring ballads although I prefer when she lays on the emotional pain.  Throughout the record Matt Burr’s drums are prominent and follow the urgency of rhythm the songs demand. Never a showy drummer – Matt’s complimentary style does wonders for the record. \n\nNot every track on the record is a standout. “Money, for all it’s opulent song craft, suffers from being lyrically disconnected from any other song on the album and represents the downside of Grace’s exploration with song co-writing.  Similarly, “Things I Never Needed” paints an alt-twang picture of heartbreak that resonates as a standalone track but its musical roots feel slightly out of place on this record. \n\nPersonally, I’ve battled with “One Short Night” since I first heard the song accidentally leaked from a DayTrotter session months back. Lyrically – I love it – the imagery of risking love on a foolish mistake – “prowling like the devil that I’m trying to hide” is stellar. Still, I’m not sure the song has ever found it’s true musical footing. The addition of the keyboard line to ground the melody doesn’t imply the musical weight the lyrics need. Every time I hear the song in concert it seems to exist outside of the rest of the show. The recent acoustic version reveals the excellent heart of the song still waiting to arrive.\n\n“Grace Potter and the Nocturnals” is a record that demands motion - this is not a record for the sedentary. Throw your windows open on the world and turn it up. The band and producer Mark Batson have crafted an excellent record that captures the urgency and feel of a band ready to explode.  Let’s ride the shockwaves.\n\n(Addendum: Do you know how hard it is to be a music journalist?)\n\n','review : grace potter and the nocturnals',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5274-revision','','','2010-06-03 19:10:57','2010-06-04 00:10:57','',5274,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/03/5274-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(5276,1,'2010-06-03 19:15:29','2010-06-04 00:15:29',' In this age of freemp3forafacebookfriendoremailaddressexchangepleaseupdateyourstatusandleteveryoneknowyou’retakingthetimeoutofyourbusydaytolistentothissongwhichistherockingestuneverpleasecometoourshoworbuyatshirtatleaseplease music it’s easy to forget what the experience of listening to music used to be like. \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWhy, back in the day, I would ease the shrink wrap off the vinyl, put the record on the turntable and sit back to see what hit me from the Klipsch speakers I spent way too much of my disposable income to own. I was even enough of a fanatic that I bought loose plastic covers to replace the shrink wrap – gotta protect the album art – god forbid you were one of the dolts who simply slit the shrink wrap and left it intact on three sides and risked warping the record.\r\n\r\nAfter an initial misstep and an aborted first listen to “Grace Potter and the Nocturnals” new, self-titled record – I realized the error of my wavs. Here’s what happened . . .\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n\r\nPicture a late night – post work computer session. Finally I’ve got some time to concentrate on this new record that I’ve been anticipating for so long.  I gently place the needle on the record launch iTunes and hit the play button and wait in anticipation and it hits me – “Hunh” followed by nasty guitar licks as the opener “Paris” courses through my headphones. About thirty seconds in I begin to realize that something is wrong and I experience a growing discomfort. I’m sitting in my bedroom, it’s dark out and I’m listening to this via headphones while sitting in the chair. Travesty.  Stop\r\n\r\nFast forward to the next day. I’m in the car with an extended drive through the Green Mountains of Vermont. Summer is in the air, the windows are down and I start it all up again – better, much better.\r\n\r\nOver the last few months the theme coming from the band is that, finally, this record captures sound of the band “Now”. If the goal was to bottle the energetic live performances of GPN the record is an overwhelming success. \r\n\r\nFree from the studio embellishments and multi-track layering that sometimes added a complexity but sometimes distracting element to “This Is Somewhere”, “Grace Potter and the Nocturnals” does a stellar job of trimming the sound back to it’s essential elements. Sure, there’s a layered chorus here and there, an additional driving piano medley, a handclap back beat, but overall the record is a faithful to the sound the band creates on stage. Lyrically the songs explore themes of sexual tension and heartbreak as well as an underlying message of hope against a backdrop of bleakness\r\n\r\nBehind the simplicity of the sound lies a stellar achievement – channeling the legendary high energy of a live show when the band is kicking it hard onto tape without losing the essence of the performaces. \r\n\r\nThe power-charged romps of “Paris”, “Medicine”, “Only Love” and “Hot Summer Night” benefit the most from this treatment.  The compressed vocals of “Paris” along with the dual guitar crunch finally create the definitive version of a song that’s been churning around for a few years. The New Orleans boogie vibe of “Medicine” recalls Fleetwood Mac while “Only Love” and “Hot Summer Night” burn with the intense energy of Grace’s vocal performance and are quickly becoming my go-to high energy choices.\r\n\r\nThe record doesn’t lose it footing in the mid-tempo numbers. Once again Grace’s voice carries “Low Road” and Catherine’s complex underlying bass lines bring mystery to the trippy lines of “Oasis”. The biggest surprise on the record is the transformation of “That Phone” from the sassy, teenage payback version first heard at Bonnaroo to a more mature soulful shouter a-la Sharon Jones. \r\n\r\nThe records first single, “Tiny Light”, changes from a flowing ballad into a balls out rocker at the end that highlights Scott Tournet and Benny Yurco’s charged interplay. While the song itself certainly highlights the talents of the band it’s may be a difficult musical idea for a newer fan to follow. “Colors” takes its place among Grace’s increasing collection of impressive, soaring ballads although I prefer when she lays on the emotional pain.  Throughout the record Matt Burr’s drums are prominent and follow the urgency of rhythm the songs demand. Never a showy drummer – Matt’s complimentary style does wonders for the record. \r\n\r\nNot every track on the record is a standout. “Money, for all it’s opulent song craft, suffers from being lyrically disconnected from any other song on the album and represents the downside of Grace’s exploration with song co-writing.  Similarly, “Things I Never Needed” paints an alt-twang picture of heartbreak that resonates as a standalone track but its musical roots feel slightly out of place on this record. \r\n\r\nPersonally, I’ve battled with “One Short Night” since I first heard the song accidentally leaked from a DayTrotter session months back. Lyrically – I love it – the imagery of risking love on a foolish mistake – “prowling like the devil that I’m trying to hide” is stellar. Still, I’m not sure the song has ever found it’s true musical footing. The addition of the keyboard line to ground the melody doesn’t imply the musical weight the lyrics need. Every time I hear the song in concert it seems to exist outside of the rest of the show. The recent acoustic version reveals the excellent heart of the song still waiting to arrive.\r\n\r\n“Grace Potter and the Nocturnals” is a record that demands motion - this is not a record for the sedentary. Throw your windows open on the world and turn it up. The band and producer Mark Batson have crafted an excellent record that captures the urgency and feel of a band ready to explode.  Let’s ride the shockwaves.\r\n\r\n(Addendum: Do you know how hard it is to be a music journalist?)\r\n\r\n','review : grace potter and the nocturnals',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5274-revision-2','','','2010-06-03 19:15:29','2010-06-04 00:15:29','',5274,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/03/5274-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(5277,1,'2010-06-03 19:25:36','2010-06-04 00:25:36',' In this age of freemp3forafacebookfriendoremailaddressexchangepleaseupdateyourstatusandleteveryoneknowyou’retakingthetimeoutofyourbusydaytolistentothissongwhichistherockingestuneverpleasecometoourshoworbuyatshirtatleaseplease music it’s easy to forget what the experience of listening to music used to be like. \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWhy, back in the day, I would ease the shrink wrap off the vinyl, put the record on the turntable and sit back to see what hit me from the Klipsch speakers I spent way too much of my disposable income to own. I was even enough of a fanatic that I bought loose plastic covers to replace the shrink wrap – gotta protect the album art – god forbid you were one of the dolts who simply slit the shrink wrap and left it intact on three sides and risked warping the record.\r\n\r\nAfter an initial misstep and an aborted first listen to “Grace Potter and the Nocturnals” new, self-titled record – I realized the error of my wavs. Here’s what happened . . .\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n\r\nPicture a late night – post work computer session. Finally I’ve got some time to concentrate on this new record that I’ve been anticipating for so long.  I gently place the needle on the record launch iTunes and hit the play button and wait in anticipation and it hits me – “Hunh” followed by nasty guitar licks as the opener “Paris” courses through my headphones. About thirty seconds in I begin to realize that something is wrong and I experience a growing discomfort. I’m sitting in my bedroom, it’s dark out and I’m listening to this via headphones while sitting in the chair. Travesty.  Stop\r\n\r\nFast forward to the next day. I’m in the car with an extended drive through the Green Mountains of Vermont. Summer is in the air, the windows are down and I start it all up again – better, much better.\r\n\r\nOver the last few months the theme coming from the band is that, finally, this record captures sound of the band “Now”. If the goal was to bottle the energetic live performances of GPN the record is an overwhelming success. \r\n\r\nFree from the studio embellishments and multi-track layering that sometimes added a complexity but sometimes distracting element to “This Is Somewhere”, “Grace Potter and the Nocturnals” does a stellar job of trimming the sound back to it’s essential elements. Sure, there’s a layered chorus here and there, an additional driving piano medley, a handclap back beat, but overall the record is a faithful to the sound the band creates on stage. Lyrically the songs explore themes of sexual tension and heartbreak as well as an underlying message of hope against a backdrop of bleakness\r\n\r\nBehind the simplicity of the sound lies a stellar achievement – channeling the legendary high energy of a live show when the band is kicking it hard onto tape without losing the essence of the performaces. \r\n\r\nThe power-charged romps of “Paris”, “Medicine”, “Only Love” and “Hot Summer Night” benefit the most from this treatment.  The compressed vocals of “Paris” along with the dual guitar crunch finally create the definitive version of a song that’s been churning around for a few years. The New Orleans boogie vibe of “Medicine” recalls Fleetwood Mac while “Only Love” and “Hot Summer Night” burn with the intense energy of Grace’s vocal performance and are quickly becoming my go-to high energy choices.\r\n\r\nThe record doesn’t lose it footing in the mid-tempo numbers. Once again Grace’s voice carries “Low Road” and Catherine’s complex underlying bass lines bring mystery to the trippy lines of “Oasis”. The biggest surprise on the record is the transformation of “That Phone” from the sassy, teenage payback version first heard at Bonnaroo to a more mature soulful shouter a-la Sharon Jones. \r\n\r\nThe records first single, “Tiny Light”, changes from a flowing ballad into a balls out rocker at the end that highlights Scott Tournet and Benny Yurco’s charged interplay. While the song itself certainly highlights the talents of the band it’s may be a difficult musical idea for a newer fan to follow. “Colors” takes its place among Grace’s increasing collection of impressive, soaring ballads although I prefer when she lays on the emotional pain.  Throughout the record Matt Burr’s drums are prominent and follow the urgency of rhythm the songs demand. Never a showy drummer – Matt’s complimentary style does wonders for the record. \r\n\r\nNot every track on the record is a standout. “Money, for all it’s opulent song craft, suffers from being lyrically disconnected from any other song on the album and represents the downside of Grace’s exploration with song co-writing.  Similarly, “Things I Never Needed” paints an alt-twang picture of heartbreak that resonates as a standalone track but its musical roots feel slightly out of place on this record. \r\n\r\nPersonally, I’ve battled with “One Short Night” since I first heard the song accidentally leaked from a DayTrotter session months back. Lyrically – I love it – the imagery of risking love on a foolish mistake – “prowling like the devil that I’m trying to hide” is stellar. Still, I’m not sure the song has ever found it’s true musical footing. The addition of the keyboard line to ground the melody doesn’t imply the musical weight the lyrics need. Every time I hear the song in concert it seems to exist outside of the rest of the show. The recent acoustic version reveals the excellent heart of the song still waiting to arrive.\r\n\r\n“Grace Potter and the Nocturnals” is a record that demands motion - this is not a record for the sedentary. Throw your windows open on the world and turn it up. The band and producer Mark Batson have crafted an excellent record that captures the urgency and feel of a band ready to explode.  Let’s ride the shockwaves.\r\n\r\n(Addendum: Do you know how hard it is to be a music journalist?)\r\n\r\n','review : grace potter and the nocturnals',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5274-revision-3','','','2010-06-03 19:25:36','2010-06-04 00:25:36','',5274,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/03/5274-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(5278,1,'2010-06-03 20:53:22','2010-06-04 01:53:22','   \r\nIn this age of freemp3forafacebookfriendoremailaddressexchangepleaseupdateyourstatusandleteveryoneknowyou’retakingthetimeoutofyourbusydaytolistentothissongwhichistherockingestuneverpleasecometoourshoworbuyatshirtatleaseplease music it’s easy to forget what the experience of listening to music used to be like. \r\n\r\nWhy, back in the day, I would ease the shrink wrap off the vinyl, put the record on the turntable and sit back to see what hit me from the Klipsch speakers I spent way too much of my disposable income to own. I was even enough of a fanatic that I bought loose plastic covers to replace the shrink wrap – gotta protect the album art – god forbid you were one of the dolts who simply slit the shrink wrap and left it intact on three sides and risked warping the record.\r\n\r\nAfter an initial misstep and an aborted first listen to “Grace Potter and the Nocturnals” new, self-titled record – I realized the error of my wavs. Here’s what happened . . .\r\n\r\nPicture a late night – post work computer session. Finally I’ve got some time to concentrate on this new record that I’ve been anticipating for so long.  I gently place the needle on the record launch iTunes and hit the play button and wait in anticipation and it hits me – “Hunh” followed by nasty guitar licks as the opener “Paris” courses through my headphones. About thirty seconds in I begin to realize that something is wrong and I experience a growing discomfort. I’m sitting in my bedroom, it’s dark out and I’m listening to this via headphones while sitting in the chair. Travesty.  Stop\r\n\r\nFast forward to the next day. I’m in the car with an extended drive through the Green Mountains of Vermont. Summer is in the air, the windows are down and I start it all up again – better, much better.\r\n\r\nOver the last few months the theme coming from the band is that, finally, this record captures sound of the band “Now”. If the goal was to bottle the energetic live performances of GPN the record is an overwhelming success. \r\n\r\nFree from the studio embellishments and multi-track layering that sometimes added a complexity but sometimes distracting element to “This Is Somewhere”, “Grace Potter and the Nocturnals” does a stellar job of trimming the sound back to it’s essential elements. Sure, there’s a layered chorus here and there, an additional driving piano medley, a handclap back beat, but overall the record is a faithful to the sound the band creates on stage. Lyrically the songs explore themes of sexual tension and heartbreak as well as an underlying message of hope against a backdrop of bleakness\r\n\r\nBehind the simplicity of the sound lies a stellar achievement – channeling the legendary high energy of a live show when the band is kicking it hard onto tape without losing the essence of the performaces. \r\n\r\nThe power-charged romps of “Paris”, “Medicine”, “Only Love” and “Hot Summer Night” benefit the most from this treatment.  The compressed vocals of “Paris” along with the dual guitar crunch finally create the definitive version of a song that’s been churning around for a few years. The New Orleans boogie vibe of “Medicine” recalls Fleetwood Mac while “Only Love” and “Hot Summer Night” burn with the intense energy of Grace’s vocal performance and are quickly becoming my go-to high energy choices.\r\n\r\nThe record doesn’t lose it footing in the mid-tempo numbers. Once again Grace’s voice carries “Low Road” and Catherine Popper’s complex underlying bass lines bring mystery to the trippy lines of “Oasis”. The biggest surprise on the record is the transformation of “That Phone” from the sassy, teenage payback version first heard at Bonnaroo to a more mature soulful shouter a-la Sharon Jones. \r\n\r\nThe records first single, “Tiny Light”, changes from a flowing ballad into a balls out rocker at the end that highlights Scott Tournet and Benny Yurco’s charged interplay. While the song itself certainly highlights the talents of the band it’s may be a difficult musical idea for a newer fan to follow. “Colors” takes its place among Grace’s increasing collection of impressive, soaring ballads although I prefer when she pours on the emotional pain.  Throughout the record Matt Burr’s drums are prominent and follow the urgency of rhythm the songs demand. Never a showy drummer – Matt’s complimentary style does wonders for the record.  Above all though, this record is a workout for Grace’s vocal talents which, staggeringly, are just getting better over time.\r\n\r\nNot every track on the record is a standout. “Money, for all it’s opulent song craft, suffers from being lyrically disconnected from any other song on the album and represents the downside of Grace’s exploration with song co-writing.  Similarly, “Things I Never Needed” paints an alt-twang picture of heartbreak that resonates as a standalone track but its musical roots feel slightly out of place on this record. \r\n\r\nPersonally, I’ve battled with “One Short Night” since I first heard the song accidentally leaked from a DayTrotter session months back. Lyrically – I love it – the imagery of risking love on a foolish mistake – “prowling like the devil that I’m trying to hide” is stellar. Still, I’m not sure the song has ever found it’s true musical footing. The addition of the keyboard line to ground the melody doesn’t imply the musical weight the lyrics need. Every time I hear the song in concert it seems to exist outside of the rest of the show. The recent acoustic version reveals the excellent heart of the song still waiting to arrive.\r\n\r\n“Grace Potter and the Nocturnals” is a record that demands motion - this is not a record for the sedentary. Throw your windows open on the world and turn it up. The band and producer Mark Batson have crafted an excellent record that captures the urgency and feel of a band ready to explode.  Let’s ride the shockwaves.\r\n\r\n(Addendum: Do you know how hard it is to be a music journalist?)\r\n\r\n','review : grace potter and the nocturnals',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5274-revision-4','','','2010-06-03 20:53:22','2010-06-04 01:53:22','',5274,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/03/5274-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(5279,1,'2010-06-03 20:55:26','2010-06-04 01:55:26','   \r\nIn this age of freemp3forafacebookfriendoremailaddressexchangepleaseupdateyourstatusandleteveryoneknowyou’retakingthetimeoutofyourbusydaytolistentothissongwhichistherockingestuneverpleasecometoourshoworbuyatshirtatleaseplease music it’s easy to forget what the experience of listening to music used to be like. \r\n\r\nWhy, back in the day, I would ease the shrink wrap off the vinyl, put the record on the turntable and sit back to see what hit me from the Klipsch speakers I spent way too much of my disposable income to own. I was even enough of a fanatic that I bought loose plastic covers to replace the shrink wrap – gotta protect the album art – god forbid you were one of the dolts who simply slit the shrink wrap and left it intact on three sides and risked warping the record.\r\n\r\nAfter an initial misstep and an aborted first listen to “Grace Potter and the Nocturnals” new, self-titled record – I realized the error of my wavs. Here’s what happened . . .\r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4072/4642315846_56d2ccccf5.jpg\">\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n\r\nPicture a late night – post work computer session. Finally I’ve got some time to concentrate on this new record that I’ve been anticipating for so long.  I gently place the needle on the record launch iTunes and hit the play button and wait in anticipation and it hits me – “Hunh” followed by nasty guitar licks as the opener “Paris” courses through my headphones. About thirty seconds in I begin to realize that something is wrong and I experience a growing discomfort. I’m sitting in my bedroom, it’s dark out and I’m listening to this via headphones while sitting in the chair. Travesty.  Stop\r\n\r\nFast forward to the next day. I’m in the car with an extended drive through the Green Mountains of Vermont. Summer is in the air, the windows are down and I start it all up again – better, much better.\r\n\r\nOver the last few months the theme coming from the band is that, finally, this record captures sound of the band “Now”. If the goal was to bottle the energetic live performances of GPN the record is an overwhelming success. \r\n\r\nFree from the studio embellishments and multi-track layering that sometimes added a complexity but sometimes distracting element to “This Is Somewhere”, “Grace Potter and the Nocturnals” does a stellar job of trimming the sound back to it’s essential elements. Sure, there’s a layered chorus here and there, an additional driving piano medley, a handclap back beat, but overall the record is a faithful to the sound the band creates on stage. Lyrically the songs explore themes of sexual tension and heartbreak as well as an underlying message of hope against a backdrop of bleakness\r\n\r\nBehind the simplicity of the sound lies a stellar achievement – channeling the legendary high energy of a live show when the band is kicking it hard onto tape without losing the essence of the performaces. \r\n\r\nThe power-charged romps of “Paris”, “Medicine”, “Only Love” and “Hot Summer Night” benefit the most from this treatment.  The compressed vocals of “Paris” along with the dual guitar crunch finally create the definitive version of a song that’s been churning around for a few years. The New Orleans boogie vibe of “Medicine” recalls Fleetwood Mac while “Only Love” and “Hot Summer Night” burn with the intense energy of Grace’s vocal performance and are quickly becoming my go-to high energy choices.\r\n\r\nThe record doesn’t lose it footing in the mid-tempo numbers. Once again Grace’s voice carries “Low Road” and Catherine Popper’s complex underlying bass lines bring mystery to the trippy lines of “Oasis”. The biggest surprise on the record is the transformation of “That Phone” from the sassy, teenage payback version first heard at Bonnaroo to a more mature soulful shouter a-la Sharon Jones. \r\n\r\nThe records first single, “Tiny Light”, changes from a flowing ballad into a balls out rocker at the end that highlights Scott Tournet and Benny Yurco’s charged interplay. While the song itself certainly highlights the talents of the band it’s may be a difficult musical idea for a newer fan to follow. “Colors” takes its place among Grace’s increasing collection of impressive, soaring ballads although I prefer when she pours on the emotional pain.  Throughout the record Matt Burr’s drums are prominent and follow the urgency of rhythm the songs demand. Never a showy drummer – Matt’s complimentary style does wonders for the record.  Above all though, this record is a workout for Grace’s vocal talents which, staggeringly, are just getting better over time.\r\n\r\nNot every track on the record is a standout. “Money, for all it’s opulent song craft, suffers from being lyrically disconnected from any other song on the album and represents the downside of Grace’s exploration with song co-writing.  Similarly, “Things I Never Needed” paints an alt-twang picture of heartbreak that resonates as a standalone track but its musical roots feel slightly out of place on this record. \r\n\r\nPersonally, I’ve battled with “One Short Night” since I first heard the song accidentally leaked from a DayTrotter session months back. Lyrically – I love it – the imagery of risking love on a foolish mistake – “prowling like the devil that I’m trying to hide” is stellar. Still, I’m not sure the song has ever found it’s true musical footing. The addition of the keyboard line to ground the melody doesn’t imply the musical weight the lyrics need. Every time I hear the song in concert it seems to exist outside of the rest of the show. The recent acoustic version reveals the excellent heart of the song still waiting to arrive.\r\n\r\n“Grace Potter and the Nocturnals” is a record that demands motion - this is not a record for the sedentary. Throw your windows open on the world and turn it up. The band and producer Mark Batson have crafted an excellent record that captures the urgency and feel of a band ready to explode.  Let’s ride the shockwaves.\r\n\r\n(Addendum: Do you know how hard it is to be a music journalist?)\r\n\r\n','review : grace potter and the nocturnals',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5274-revision-5','','','2010-06-03 20:55:26','2010-06-04 01:55:26','',5274,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/03/5274-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(5280,1,'2010-06-03 20:55:35','2010-06-04 01:55:35','   \r\nIn this age of freemp3forafacebookfriendoremailaddressexchangepleaseupdateyourstatusandleteveryoneknowyou’retakingthetimeoutofyourbusydaytolistentothissongwhichistherockingestuneverpleasecometoourshoworbuyatshirtatleaseplease music it’s easy to forget what the experience of listening to music used to be like. \r\n\r\nWhy, back in the day, I would ease the shrink wrap off the vinyl, put the record on the turntable and sit back to see what hit me from the Klipsch speakers I spent way too much of my disposable income to own. I was even enough of a fanatic that I bought loose plastic covers to replace the shrink wrap – gotta protect the album art – god forbid you were one of the dolts who simply slit the shrink wrap and left it intact on three sides and risked warping the record.\r\n\r\nAfter an initial misstep and an aborted first listen to “Grace Potter and the Nocturnals” new, self-titled record – I realized the error of my wavs. Here’s what happened . . .\r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4072/4642315846_56d2ccccf5.jpg\">\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n\r\nPicture a late night – post work computer session. Finally I’ve got some time to concentrate on this new record that I’ve been anticipating for so long.  I gently place the needle on the record launch iTunes and hit the play button and wait in anticipation and it hits me – “Hunh” followed by nasty guitar licks as the opener “Paris” courses through my headphones. About thirty seconds in I begin to realize that something is wrong and I experience a growing discomfort. I’m sitting in my bedroom, it’s dark out and I’m listening to this via headphones while sitting in the chair. Travesty.  Stop\r\n\r\nFast forward to the next day. I’m in the car with an extended drive through the Green Mountains of Vermont. Summer is in the air, the windows are down and I start it all up again – better, much better.\r\n\r\nOver the last few months the theme coming from the band is that, finally, this record captures sound of the band “Now”. If the goal was to bottle the energetic live performances of GPN the record is an overwhelming success. \r\n\r\nFree from the studio embellishments and multi-track layering that sometimes added a complexity but sometimes distracting element to “This Is Somewhere”, “Grace Potter and the Nocturnals” does a stellar job of trimming the sound back to it’s essential elements. Sure, there’s a layered chorus here and there, an additional driving piano medley, a handclap back beat, but overall the record is a faithful to the sound the band creates on stage. Lyrically the songs explore themes of sexual tension and heartbreak as well as an underlying message of hope against a backdrop of bleakness\r\n\r\nBehind the simplicity of the sound lies a stellar achievement – channeling the legendary high energy of a live show when the band is kicking it hard onto tape without losing the essence of the performaces. \r\n\r\nThe power-charged romps of “Paris”, “Medicine”, “Only Love” and “Hot Summer Night” benefit the most from this treatment.  The compressed vocals of “Paris” along with the dual guitar crunch finally create the definitive version of a song that’s been churning around for a few years. The New Orleans boogie vibe of “Medicine” recalls Fleetwood Mac while “Only Love” and “Hot Summer Night” burn with the intense energy of Grace’s vocal performance and are quickly becoming my go-to high energy choices.\r\n\r\nThe record doesn’t lose it footing in the mid-tempo numbers. Once again Grace’s voice carries “Low Road” and Catherine Popper’s complex underlying bass lines bring mystery to the trippy lines of “Oasis”. The biggest surprise on the record is the transformation of “That Phone” from the sassy, teenage payback version first heard at Bonnaroo to a more mature soulful shouter a-la Sharon Jones. \r\n\r\nThe records first single, “Tiny Light”, changes from a flowing ballad into a balls out rocker at the end that highlights Scott Tournet and Benny Yurco’s charged interplay. While the song itself certainly highlights the talents of the band it’s may be a difficult musical idea for a newer fan to follow. “Colors” takes its place among Grace’s increasing collection of impressive, soaring ballads although I prefer when she pours on the emotional pain.  Throughout the record Matt Burr’s drums are prominent and follow the urgency of rhythm the songs demand. Never a showy drummer – Matt’s complimentary style does wonders for the record.  Above all though, this record is a workout for Grace’s vocal talents which, staggeringly, are just getting better over time.\r\n\r\nNot every track on the record is a standout. “Money, for all it’s opulent song craft, suffers from being lyrically disconnected from any other song on the album and represents the downside of Grace’s exploration with song co-writing.  Similarly, “Things I Never Needed” paints an alt-twang picture of heartbreak that resonates as a standalone track but its musical roots feel slightly out of place on this record. \r\n\r\nPersonally, I’ve battled with “One Short Night” since I first heard the song accidentally leaked from a DayTrotter session months back. Lyrically – I love it – the imagery of risking love on a foolish mistake – “prowling like the devil that I’m trying to hide” is stellar. Still, I’m not sure the song has ever found it’s true musical footing. The addition of the keyboard line to ground the melody doesn’t imply the musical weight the lyrics need. Every time I hear the song in concert it seems to exist outside of the rest of the show. The recent acoustic version reveals the excellent heart of the song still waiting to arrive.\r\n\r\n“Grace Potter and the Nocturnals” is a record that demands motion - this is not a record for the sedentary. Throw your windows open on the world and turn it up. The band and producer Mark Batson have crafted an excellent record that captures the urgency and feel of a band ready to explode.  Let’s ride the shockwaves.\r\n\r\n(Addendum: Do you know how hard it is to be a music journalist?)\r\n\r\n','review : grace potter and the nocturnals',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5274-revision-6','','','2010-06-03 20:55:35','2010-06-04 01:55:35','',5274,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/03/5274-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(5281,1,'2010-06-03 21:04:21','2010-06-04 02:04:21','In this age of freemp3forafacebookfriendoremailaddressexchange\npleaseupdateyourstatusandleteveryoneknowyou’retakingthetimeout\nofyourbusydaytolistentothissongwhichistherockingestuneverplease\ncometoourshoworbuyatshirtatleasepleasepleasepleasepleaseplease\nmusic it’s easy to forget what the experience of listening to music used to be like. \n\nWhy, back in the day, I would ease the shrink wrap off the vinyl, put the record on the turntable and sit back to see what hit me from the Klipsch speakers I spent way too much of my disposable income to own. I was even enough of a fanatic that I bought loose plastic covers to replace the shrink wrap – gotta protect the album art – god forbid you were one of the dolts who simply slit the shrink wrap and left it intact on three sides and risked warping the record.\n\nAfter an initial misstep and an aborted first listen to “Grace Potter and the Nocturnals” new, self-titled record – I realized the error of my wavs. Here’s what happened . . .\n\n<img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4072/4642315846_56d2ccccf5.jpg\">\n\n<!--more-->\n\nPicture a late night – post work computer session. Finally I’ve got some time to concentrate on this new record that I’ve been anticipating for so long.  I gently place the needle on the record launch iTunes and hit the play button and wait in anticipation and it hits me – “Hunh” followed by nasty guitar licks as the opener “Paris” courses through my headphones. About thirty seconds in I begin to realize that something is wrong and I experience a growing discomfort. I’m sitting in my bedroom, it’s dark out and I’m listening to this via headphones while sitting in the chair. Travesty.  Stop\n\nFast forward to the next day. I’m in the car with an extended drive through the Green Mountains of Vermont. Summer is in the air, the windows are down and I start it all up again – better, much better.\n\nOver the last few months the story coming from the band is that, finally, this record captures their sound in the “Now”. If the goal was to bottle the energetic live performances of GPN the record is an overwhelming success. \n\nFree from the studio embellishments and multi-track layering that sometimes added a complexity but sometimes distracting element to “This Is Somewhere”, “Grace Potter and the Nocturnals” does a stellar job of trimming the sound back to it’s essential elements. Sure, there’s a layered chorus here and there, an additional driving piano medley, a handclap back beat, but overall the record is a faithful to the sound the band creates on stage. Lyrically the songs explore themes of sexual tension and heartbreak as well as an underlying message of hope against a backdrop of bleakness\n\nBehind the simplicity of the sound lies a stellar achievement – channeling the legendary high energy of a live show when the band is kicking it hard onto tape without losing the essence of the performances. \n\nThe power-charged romps of “Paris”, “Medicine”, “Only Love” and “Hot Summer Night” benefit the most from this treatment.  The compressed vocals of “Paris” along with the dual guitar crunch finally create the definitive version of a song that’s been churning around for a few years. The New Orleans boogie vibe of “Medicine” recalls Fleetwood Mac while “Only Love” and “Hot Summer Night” burn with the intense energy of Grace’s vocal performance and are quickly becoming my go-to high energy choices.\n\nThe record doesn’t lose its footing in the mid-tempo numbers. Once again Grace’s voice carries “Low Road” and Catherine Popper’s complex underlying bass lines bring mystery to the trippy lines of “Oasis”. The biggest surprise on the record is the transformation of “That Phone” from the sassy, teenage payback version first heard at Bonnaroo to a more mature soulful shouter a-la Sharon Jones. A tonal shift that does a world of good for a song that was already a keeper.\n\nThe records first single, “Tiny Light”, changes from a flowing ballad into a balls out rocker at the end that highlights Scott Tournet and Benny Yurco’s charged interplay. While the song itself certainly highlights the talents of the band it\'s a difficult musical thred for a newer fan to unravel. “Colors” takes its place among Grace’s increasing collection of impressive, soaring ballads although I prefer when she pours on the emotional pain.  Throughout the record Matt Burr’s drums are prominent and follow the urgency of rhythm the songs demand. Never a showy drummer – Matt’s complimentary style does wonders for the record.  Above all though, this record is a workout for Grace’s vocal talents which, staggeringly, are just getting better over time.\n\nNot every track on the record is a standout. “Money, for all it’s opulent song craft, suffers from being lyrically disconnected from any other song on the album and represents the downside of Grace’s exploration with song co-writing.  Similarly, “Things I Never Needed” paints an alt-twang picture of heartbreak that resonates as a standalone track but its musical roots feel slightly out of place on this record. \n\nPersonally, I’ve battled with “One Short Night” since I first heard the song accidentally leaked from a DayTrotter session months back. Lyrically – I love it – the imagery of risking love on a foolish mistake – “prowling like the devil that I’m trying to hide” is stellar. Still, I’m not sure the song has ever found it’s true musical footing. The addition of the keyboard line to ground the melody doesn’t imply the musical weight the lyrics need. Every time I hear the song in concert it seems to exist outside of the rest of the show. The recent acoustic version reveals the excellent heart of the song still waiting to arrive.\n\n“Grace Potter and the Nocturnals” is a record that demands motion - this is not a record for the sedentary. The songs here practically beg you to throw your windows open on the world and turn it up. The band and producer Mark Batson have crafted an excellent record that captures the urgency and feel of a band ready to \n\n\n(Addendum: Do you know how hard it is to be a music journalist? Do any of you have a clue? Answer: It ain\'t that hard)\n\n','review : grace potter and the nocturnals',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5274-revision-7','','','2010-06-03 21:04:21','2010-06-04 02:04:21','',5274,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/03/5274-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(5282,1,'2010-06-03 21:05:12','2010-06-04 02:05:12','In this age of freemp3forafacebookfriendoremailaddressexchange\r\npleaseupdateyourstatusandleteveryoneknowyou’retakingthetimeout\r\nofyourbusydaytolistentothissongwhichistherockingestuneverplease\r\ncometoourshoworbuyatshirtatleasepleasepleasepleasepleaseplease\r\nmusic it’s easy to forget what the experience of listening to music used to be like. \r\n\r\nWhy, back in the day, I would ease the shrink wrap off the vinyl, put the record on the turntable and sit back to see what hit me from the Klipsch speakers I spent way too much of my disposable income to own. I was even enough of a fanatic that I bought loose plastic covers to replace the shrink wrap – gotta protect the album art – god forbid you were one of the dolts who simply slit the shrink wrap and left it intact on three sides and risked warping the record.\r\n\r\nAfter an initial misstep and an aborted first listen to “Grace Potter and the Nocturnals” new, self-titled record – I realized the error of my wavs. Here’s what happened . . .\r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4072/4642315846_56d2ccccf5.jpg\">\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n\r\nPicture a late night – post work computer session. Finally I’ve got some time to concentrate on this new record that I’ve been anticipating for so long.  I gently place the needle on the record launch iTunes and hit the play button and wait in anticipation and it hits me – “Hunh” followed by nasty guitar licks as the opener “Paris” courses through my headphones. About thirty seconds in I begin to realize that something is wrong and I experience a growing discomfort. I’m sitting in my bedroom, it’s dark out and I’m listening to this via headphones while sitting in the chair. Travesty.  Stop\r\n\r\nFast forward to the next day. I’m in the car with an extended drive through the Green Mountains of Vermont. Summer is in the air, the windows are down and I start it all up again – better, much better.\r\n\r\nOver the last few months the story coming from the band is that, finally, this record captures their sound in the “Now”. If the goal was to bottle the energetic live performances of GPN the record is an overwhelming success. \r\n\r\nFree from the studio embellishments and multi-track layering that sometimes added a complexity but sometimes distracting element to “This Is Somewhere”, “Grace Potter and the Nocturnals” does a stellar job of trimming the sound back to it’s essential elements. Sure, there’s a layered chorus here and there, an additional driving piano medley, a handclap back beat, but overall the record is a faithful to the sound the band creates on stage. Lyrically the songs explore themes of sexual tension and heartbreak as well as an underlying message of hope against a backdrop of bleakness\r\n\r\nBehind the simplicity of the sound lies a stellar achievement – channeling the legendary high energy of a live show when the band is kicking it hard onto tape without losing the essence of the performances. \r\n\r\nThe power-charged romps of “Paris”, “Medicine”, “Only Love” and “Hot Summer Night” benefit the most from this treatment.  The compressed vocals of “Paris” along with the dual guitar crunch finally create the definitive version of a song that’s been churning around for a few years. The New Orleans boogie vibe of “Medicine” recalls Fleetwood Mac while “Only Love” and “Hot Summer Night” burn with the intense energy of Grace’s vocal performance and are quickly becoming my go-to high energy choices.\r\n\r\nThe record doesn’t lose its footing in the mid-tempo numbers. Once again Grace’s voice carries “Low Road” and Catherine Popper’s complex underlying bass lines bring mystery to the trippy lines of “Oasis”. The biggest surprise on the record is the transformation of “That Phone” from the sassy, teenage payback version first heard at Bonnaroo to a more mature soulful shouter a-la Sharon Jones. A tonal shift that does a world of good for a song that was already a keeper.\r\n\r\nThe records first single, “Tiny Light”, changes from a flowing ballad into a balls out rocker at the end that highlights Scott Tournet and Benny Yurco’s charged interplay. While the song itself certainly highlights the talents of the band it\'s a difficult musical thred for a newer fan to unravel. “Colors” takes its place among Grace’s increasing collection of impressive, soaring ballads although I prefer when she pours on the emotional pain.  Throughout the record Matt Burr’s drums are prominent and follow the urgency of rhythm the songs demand. Never a showy drummer – Matt’s complimentary style does wonders for the record.  Above all though, this record is a workout for Grace’s vocal talents which, staggeringly, are just getting better over time.\r\n\r\nNot every track on the record is a standout. “Money, for all it’s opulent song craft, suffers from being lyrically disconnected from any other song on the album and represents the downside of Grace’s exploration with song co-writing.  Similarly, “Things I Never Needed” paints an alt-twang picture of heartbreak that resonates as a standalone track but its musical roots feel slightly out of place on this record. \r\n\r\nPersonally, I’ve battled with “One Short Night” since I first heard the song accidentally leaked from a DayTrotter session months back. Lyrically – I love it – the imagery of risking love on a foolish mistake – “prowling like the devil that I’m trying to hide” is stellar. Still, I’m not sure the song has ever found it’s true musical footing. The addition of the keyboard line to ground the melody doesn’t offer the musical heft the lyrics demand. Every time I hear the song in concert it seems to exist outside of the rest of the show. The recent acoustic version reveals the excellent heart of the song still waiting to arrive.\r\n\r\n“Grace Potter and the Nocturnals” is a record that demands motion - this is not a record for the sedentary. The songs here practically beg you to throw your windows open on the world and turn it up. The band and producer Mark Batson have crafted an excellent record that captures the urgency and feel of a band poised for an explosion.\r\n\r\n\r\n(Addendum: Do you know how hard it is to be a music journalist? Do any of you have a clue? Answer: It ain\'t that hard)\r\n\r\n','review : grace potter and the nocturnals',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5274-revision-8','','','2010-06-03 21:05:12','2010-06-04 02:05:12','',5274,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/03/5274-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(5283,1,'2010-06-03 21:20:41','2010-06-04 02:20:41','In this age of freemp3forafacebookfriendoremailaddressexchange\r\npleaseupdateyourstatusandleteveryoneknowyou’retakingthetimeout\r\nofyourbusydaytolistentothissongwhichistherockingestuneverplease\r\ncometoourshoworbuyatshirtatleasepleasepleasepleasepleaseplease\r\nmusic it’s easy to forget what the experience of listening to music used to be like. \r\n\r\nWhy, back in the day, I would ease the shrink wrap off the vinyl, put the record on the turntable and sit back to see what hit me from the Klipsch speakers I spent way too much of my disposable income to own. I was even enough of a fanatic that I bought loose plastic covers to replace the shrink wrap – gotta protect the album art – god forbid you were one of the dolts who simply slit the shrink wrap and left it intact on three sides and risked warping the record.\r\n\r\nAfter an initial misstep and an aborted first listen to “Grace Potter and the Nocturnals” new, self-titled record – I realized the error of my wavs. Here’s what happened . . .\r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4072/4642315846_56d2ccccf5.jpg\">\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n\r\nPicture a late night – post work computer session. Finally I’ve got some time to concentrate on this new record that I’ve been anticipating for so long.  I <strike>gently place the needle on the record</strike> launch iTunes and hit the play button and wait in anticipation and it hits me – “Hunh” followed by nasty guitar licks as the opener “Paris” courses through my headphones. About thirty seconds in I begin to realize that something is wrong and I experience a growing discomfort. I’m sitting in my bedroom, it’s dark out and I’m listening to this via headphones while sitting in the chair. Travesty.  Stop\r\n\r\nFast forward to the next day. I’m in the car with an extended drive through the Green Mountains of Vermont. Summer is in the air, the windows are down and I start it all up again – better, much better.\r\n\r\nOver the last few months the story coming from the band is that, finally, this record captures their sound in the “Now”. If the goal was to bottle the energetic live performances of GPN the record is an overwhelming success. \r\n\r\nFree from the studio embellishments and multi-track layering that sometimes added a complexity but sometimes distracting element to “This Is Somewhere”, “Grace Potter and the Nocturnals” does a stellar job of trimming the sound back to it’s essential elements. Sure, there’s a layered chorus here and there, an additional driving piano medley, a handclap back beat, but overall the record is a faithful to the sound the band creates on stage. Lyrically the songs explore themes of sexual tension and heartbreak as well as an underlying message of hope against a backdrop of bleakness\r\n\r\nBehind the simplicity of the sound lies a stellar achievement – channeling the legendary high energy of a live show when the band is kicking it hard onto tape without losing the essence of the performances. \r\n\r\nThe power-charged romps of “Paris”, “Medicine”, “Only Love” and “Hot Summer Night” benefit the most from this treatment.  The compressed vocals of “Paris” along with the dual guitar crunch finally create the definitive version of a song that’s been churning around for a few years. The New Orleans boogie vibe of “Medicine” recalls Fleetwood Mac while “Only Love” and “Hot Summer Night” burn with the intense energy of Grace’s vocal performance and are quickly becoming my go-to high energy choices.\r\n\r\nThe record doesn’t lose its footing in the mid-tempo numbers. Once again Grace’s voice carries “Low Road” and Catherine Popper’s complex underlying bass lines bring mystery to the trippy lines of “Oasis”. The biggest surprise on the record is the transformation of “That Phone” from the sassy, teenage payback version first heard at Bonnaroo to a more mature soulful shouter a-la Sharon Jones. A tonal shift that does a world of good for a song that was already a keeper.\r\n\r\nThe records first single, “Tiny Light”, changes from a flowing ballad into a balls out rocker at the end that highlights Scott Tournet and Benny Yurco’s charged interplay. While the song itself certainly highlights the talents of the band it\'s a difficult musical thred for a newer fan to unravel. “Colors” takes its place among Grace’s increasing collection of impressive, soaring ballads although I prefer when she pours on the emotional pain.  Throughout the record Matt Burr’s drums are prominent and follow the urgency of rhythm the songs demand. Never a showy drummer – Matt’s complimentary style does wonders for the record.  Above all though, this record is a workout for Grace’s vocal talents which, staggeringly, are just getting better over time.\r\n\r\nNot every track on the record is a standout. “Money, for all it’s opulent song craft, suffers from being lyrically disconnected from any other song on the album and represents the downside of Grace’s exploration with song co-writing.  Similarly, “Things I Never Needed” paints an alt-twang picture of heartbreak that resonates as a standalone track but its musical roots feel slightly out of place on this record. \r\n\r\nPersonally, I’ve battled with “One Short Night” since I first heard the song accidentally leaked from a DayTrotter session months back. Lyrically – I love it – the imagery of risking love on a foolish mistake – “prowling like the devil that I’m trying to hide” is stellar. Still, I’m not sure the song has ever found it’s true musical footing. The addition of the keyboard line to ground the melody doesn’t offer the musical heft the lyrics demand. Every time I hear the song in concert it seems to exist outside of the rest of the show. The recent acoustic version reveals the excellent heart of the song still waiting to arrive.\r\n\r\n“Grace Potter and the Nocturnals” is a record that demands motion - this is not a record for the sedentary. The songs here practically beg you to throw your windows open on the world and turn it up. The band and producer Mark Batson have crafted an excellent record that captures the urgency and feel of a band poised for an explosion.\r\n\r\n\r\n(Addendum: Do you know how hard it is to be a music journalist? Do any of you have a clue? Answer: It ain\'t that hard)\r\n\r\n','review : grace potter and the nocturnals',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5274-revision-9','','','2010-06-03 21:20:41','2010-06-04 02:20:41','',5274,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/03/5274-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(5284,1,'2010-06-03 21:21:17','2010-06-04 02:21:17','In this age of freemp3forafacebookfriendoremailaddressexchange\r\npleaseupdateyourstatusandleteveryoneknowyou’retakingthetimeout\r\nofyourbusydaytolistentothissongwhichistherockingestuneverplease\r\ncometoourshoworbuyatshirtatleasepleasepleasepleasepleaseplease\r\nmusic it’s easy to forget what the experience of listening to music used to be like. \r\n\r\nWhy, back in the day, I would ease the shrink wrap off the vinyl, put the record on the turntable and sit back to see what hit me from the Klipsch speakers I spent way too much of my disposable income to own. I was even enough of a fanatic that I bought loose plastic covers to replace the shrink wrap – gotta protect the album art – god forbid you were one of the dolts who simply slit the shrink wrap and left it intact on three sides and risked warping the record.\r\n\r\nAfter an initial misstep and an aborted first listen to “Grace Potter and the Nocturnals” new, self-titled record – I realized the error of my wavs. Here’s what happened . . .\r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4072/4642315846_56d2ccccf5.jpg\">\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n\r\nPicture a late night – post work computer session. Finally I’ve got some time to concentrate on this new record that I’ve been anticipating for so long.  I <strike>gently place the needle on the record</strike> launch iTunes and hit the play button and wait in anticipation and it hits me – “Hunh” followed by nasty guitar licks as the opener “Paris” courses through my headphones. About thirty seconds in I begin to realize that something is wrong and I experience a growing discomfort. I’m sitting in my bedroom, it’s dark out and I’m listening to this via headphones while sitting in the chair. Travesty.  Stop\r\n\r\nFast forward to the next day. I’m in the car with an extended drive through the Green Mountains of Vermont. Summer is in the air, the windows are down and I start it all up again – better, much better.\r\n\r\nOver the last few months the story coming from the band is that, finally, this record captures their sound in the “Now”. If the goal was to bottle the energetic live performances of GPN the record is an overwhelming success. \r\n\r\nFree from the studio embellishments and multi-track layering that sometimes added a complexity but sometimes distracting element to “This Is Somewhere”, “Grace Potter and the Nocturnals” does a stellar job of trimming the sound back to it’s essential elements. Sure, there’s a layered chorus here and there, an additional driving piano medley, a handclap back beat, but overall the record is a faithful to the sound the band creates on stage. Lyrically the songs explore themes of sexual tension and heartbreak as well as an underlying message of hope against a backdrop of bleakness\r\n\r\nBehind the simplicity of the sound lies a stellar achievement – channeling the legendary high energy of a live show when the band is kicking it hard onto tape without losing the essence of the performances. \r\n\r\nThe power-charged romps of “Paris”, “Medicine”, “Only Love” and “Hot Summer Night” benefit the most from this treatment.  The compressed vocals of “Paris” along with the dual guitar crunch finally create the definitive version of a song that’s been churning around for a few years. The New Orleans boogie vibe of “Medicine” recalls Fleetwood Mac while “Only Love” and “Hot Summer Night” burn with the intense energy of Grace’s vocal performance and are quickly becoming my go-to high energy choices.\r\n\r\nThe record doesn’t lose its footing in the mid-tempo numbers. Once again Grace’s voice carries “Low Road” and Catherine Popper’s complex underlying bass lines bring mystery to the trippy lines of “Oasis”. The biggest surprise on the record is the transformation of “That Phone” from the sassy, teenage payback version first heard at Bonnaroo to a more mature soulful shouter a-la Sharon Jones. A tonal shift that does a world of good for a song that was already a keeper.\r\n\r\nThe records first single, “Tiny Light”, changes from a flowing ballad into a balls out rocker at the end that highlights Scott Tournet and Benny Yurco’s charged interplay. While the song itself certainly highlights the talents of the band it\'s a difficult musical thred for a newer fan to unravel. “Colors” takes its place among Grace’s increasing collection of impressive, soaring ballads although I prefer when she pours on the emotional pain.  Throughout the record Matt Burr’s drums are prominent and follow the urgency of rhythm the songs demand. Never a showy drummer – Matt’s complimentary style does wonders for the record.  Above all though, this record is a workout for Grace’s vocal talents which, staggeringly, are just getting better over time.\r\n\r\nNot every track on the record is a standout. “Money, for all it’s opulent song craft, suffers from being lyrically disconnected from any other song on the album and represents the downside of Grace’s exploration with song co-writing.  Similarly, “Things I Never Needed” paints an alt-twang picture of heartbreak that resonates as a standalone track but its musical roots feel slightly out of place on this record. \r\n\r\nPersonally, I’ve battled with “One Short Night” since I first heard the song accidentally leaked from a DayTrotter session months back. Lyrically – I love it – the imagery of risking love on a foolish mistake – “prowling like the devil that I’m trying to hide” is stellar. Still, I’m not sure the song has ever found it’s true musical footing. The addition of the keyboard line to ground the melody doesn’t offer the musical heft the lyrics demand. Every time I hear the song in concert it seems to exist outside of the rest of the show. The recent acoustic version reveals the excellent heart of the song still waiting to arrive.\r\n\r\n“Grace Potter and the Nocturnals” is a record that demands motion - this is not a record for the sedentary. The songs here practically beg you to throw your windows open on the world and turn it up. The band and producer Mark Batson have crafted an excellent record that captures the urgency and feel of a band poised for an explosion.\r\n\r\n\r\n(Addendum: Do you know how hard it is to be a music journalist? Do any of you have a clue? Answer: It ain\'t that hard)\r\n\r\n','review : grace potter and the nocturnals',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5274-revision-10','','','2010-06-03 21:21:17','2010-06-04 02:21:17','',5274,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/03/5274-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(5285,1,'2010-06-03 21:36:59','2010-06-04 02:36:59','In this age of freemp3forafacebookfriendoremailaddressexchange\r\npleaseupdateyourstatusandleteveryoneknowyou’retakingthetimeout\r\nofyourbusydaytolistentothissongwhichistherockingestuneverplease\r\ncometoourshoworbuyatshirtatleasepleasepleasepleasepleaseplease\r\nmusic it’s easy to forget what the experience of listening to music used to be like. \r\n\r\nWhy, back in the day, I would ease the shrink wrap off the vinyl, put the record on the turntable and sit back to see what hit me from the Klipsch speakers I spent way too much of my disposable income to own. I was even enough of a fanatic that I bought loose plastic covers to replace the shrink wrap – gotta protect the album art – god forbid you were one of the dolts who simply slit the shrink wrap and left it intact on three sides and risked warping the record.\r\n\r\nAfter an initial misstep and an aborted first listen to “Grace Potter and the Nocturnals” new, self-titled record – I realized the error of my wavs. Here’s what happened . . .\r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4072/4642315846_56d2ccccf5.jpg\">\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n\r\nPicture a late night – post work computer session. Finally I’ve got some time to concentrate on this new record that I’ve been anticipating for so long.  I <strike>gently place the needle on the record</strike> launch iTunes and hit the play button and wait in anticipation and it hits me – “Hunh” followed by nasty guitar licks as the opener “Paris” courses through my headphones. About thirty seconds in I begin to realize that something is wrong and I experience a growing discomfort. I’m sitting in my bedroom, it’s dark out and I’m listening to this via headphones while sitting in the chair. Travesty.  Stop\r\n\r\nFast forward to the next day. I’m in the car with an extended drive through the Green Mountains of Vermont. Summer is in the air, the windows are down and I start it all up again – better, much better.\r\n\r\nOver the last few months the story coming from the band is that, finally, this record captures their sound in the “Now”. If the goal was to bottle the energetic live performances of GPN the record is an overwhelming success. \r\n\r\nFree from the studio embellishments and multi-track layering that sometimes added a complexity but sometimes distracting element to “This Is Somewhere”, “Grace Potter and the Nocturnals” does a stellar job of trimming the sound back to it’s essential elements. Sure, there’s a layered chorus here and there, an additional driving piano medley, a handclap back beat, but overall the record is a faithful to the sound the band creates on stage. Lyrically the songs explore themes of sexual tension and heartbreak as well as an underlying message of hope against a backdrop of bleakness\r\n\r\nBehind the simplicity of the sound lies a stellar achievement – channeling the legendary high energy of a live show when the band is kicking it hard onto tape without losing the essence of the performances. \r\n\r\nThe power-charged romps of “Paris”, “Medicine”, “Only Love” and “Hot Summer Night” benefit the most from this treatment.  The compressed vocals of “Paris” along with the dual guitar crunch finally create the definitive version of a song that’s been churning around for a few years. The New Orleans boogie vibe of “Medicine” recalls Fleetwood Mac while “Only Love” and “Hot Summer Night” burn with the intense energy of Grace’s vocal performance and are quickly becoming my go-to high energy choices.\r\n\r\nThe record doesn’t lose its footing in the mid-tempo numbers. Once again Grace’s voice carries “Low Road” and Catherine Popper’s complex underlying bass lines bring mystery to the trippy lines of “Oasis”. The biggest surprise on the record is the transformation of “That Phone” from the sassy, teenage payback version first heard at Bonnaroo to a more mature soulful shouter a-la Sharon Jones. A tonal shift that does a world of good for a song that was already a keeper.\r\n\r\nThe records first single, “Tiny Light”, changes from a flowing ballad into a balls out rocker at the end that highlights Scott Tournet and Benny Yurco’s charged interplay. While the song itself certainly highlights the talents of the band it\'s a difficult musical thred for a newer fan to unravel. “Colors” takes its place among Grace’s increasing collection of impressive, soaring ballads although I prefer when she pours on the emotional pain.  Throughout the record Matt Burr’s drums are prominent and follow the urgency of rhythm the songs demand. Never a showy drummer – Matt’s complimentary style does wonders for the record.  Above all though, this record is a workout for Grace’s vocal talents which, staggeringly, are just getting better over time.\r\n\r\nNot every track on the record is a standout. “Money\", for all it’s opulent song craft, suffers from being lyrically disconnected from any other song on the album and represents the downside of Grace’s exploration with song co-writing.  Similarly, “Things I Never Needed” paints an alt-twang picture of heartbreak that resonates as a standalone track but its musical roots feel slightly out of place on this record. \r\n\r\nPersonally, I’ve battled with “One Short Night” since I first heard the song accidentally leaked from a DayTrotter session months back. Lyrically – I love it – the imagery of risking love on a foolish mistake – “prowling like the devil that I’m trying to hide” is stellar. Still, I’m not sure the song has ever found it’s true musical footing. The addition of the keyboard line to ground the melody doesn’t offer the musical heft the lyrics demand. Every time I hear the song in concert it seems to exist outside of the rest of the show. The recent acoustic version reveals the excellent heart of the song still waiting to arrive.\r\n\r\n“Grace Potter and the Nocturnals” is a record that demands motion - this is not a record for the sedentary. The songs here practically beg you to throw your windows open on the world and turn it up. The band and producer Mark Batson have crafted an excellent record that captures the urgency and feel of a band poised for an explosion.\r\n\r\n\r\n(Addendum: Do you know how hard it is to be a music journalist? Do any of you have a clue? Answer: It ain\'t that hard)\r\n\r\n','review : grace potter and the nocturnals',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5274-revision-11','','','2010-06-03 21:36:59','2010-06-04 02:36:59','',5274,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/03/5274-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(5286,1,'2010-06-06 15:58:18','2010-06-06 20:58:18','In this age of freemp3forafacebookfriendoremailaddressexchange\npleaseupdateyourstatusandleteveryoneknowyou’retakingthetimeout\nofyourbusydaytolistentothissongwhichistherockingestuneverplease\ncometoourshoworbuyatshirtatleasepleasepleasepleasepleaseplease\nmusic it’s easy to forget what the experience of listening to music used to be like. \n\nWhy, back in the day, I would ease the shrink wrap off the vinyl, put the record on the turntable and sit back to see what hit me from the Klipsch speakers I spent way too much of my disposable income to own. I was even enough of a fanatic that I bought loose plastic covers to replace the shrink wrap – gotta protect the album art – god forbid you were one of the dolts who simply slit the shrink wrap and left it intact on three sides and risked warping the record.\n\nAfter an initial misstep and an aborted first listen to “Grace Potter and the Nocturnals” new, self-titled record – I realized the error of my wavs. Here’s what happened . . .\n\n<img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4072/4642315846_56d2ccccf5.jpg\">\n\n<!--more-->\n\nPicture a late night – post work computer session. Finally I’ve got some time to concentrate on this new record that I’ve been anticipating for so long.  I <strike>gently place the needle on the record</strike> launch iTunes and hit the play button and wait in anticipation and it hits me – “Hunh” followed by nasty guitar licks as the opener “Paris” courses through my headphones. About thirty seconds in I begin to realize that something is wrong and I experience a growing discomfort. I’m sitting in my bedroom, it’s dark out and I’m listening to this via headphones while sitting in the chair. Travesty.  Stop\n\nFast forward to the next day. I’m in the car with an extended drive through the Green Mountains of Vermont. Summer is in the air, the windows are down and I start it all up again – better, much better.\n\nOver the last few months the story coming from the band is that, finally, this record captures their sound in the “Now”. If the goal was to bottle the energetic live performances of GPN the record is an overwhelming success. \n\nFree from the studio embellishments and multi-track layering that added complexity but sometimes distracting elements to “This Is Somewhere”, “Grace Potter and the Nocturnals” does a stellar job of trimming the sound back to it’s essential elements. Sure, there’s a layered chorus here and there, an additional driving piano medley, a handclap back beat, but overall the record is a faithful to the sound the band creates on stage. Lyrically the songs explore themes of sexual tension and heartbreak as well as an underlying message of hope against a backdrop of bleakness\n\nBehind the simplicity of the sound lies a stellar achievement – channeling the legendary high energy of a live show when the band is kicking it hard onto tape without losing the essence of the performances. \n\nThe power-charged romps of “Paris”, “Medicine”, “Only Love” and “Hot Summer Night” benefit the most from this treatment.  The compressed vocals of “Paris” along with the dual guitar crunch finally create the definitive version of a song that’s been churning around for a few years. The New Orleans boogie vibe of “Medicine” recalls Fleetwood Mac while “Only Love” and “Hot Summer Night” burn with the intense energy of Grace’s vocal performance and are quickly becoming my go-to high energy choices.\n\nThe record doesn’t lose its footing in the mid-tempo numbers. Once again Grace’s voice carries “Low Road” and Catherine Popper’s complex underlying bass lines bring mystery to the trippy lines of “Oasis”. The biggest surprise on the record is the transformation of “That Phone” from the sassy, teenage payback version first heard at Bonnaroo to a more mature soulful shouter a-la Sharon Jones. A tonal shift that does a world of good for a song that was already a keeper. On paper, \"Goodbye Kiss\" shouldn\'t work - breakup song with a reggae ska shuffle beat? But somehow it pulls it off.\n\nThe records first single, “Tiny Light”, changes from a flowing ballad into a balls out rocker at the end that highlights Scott Tournet and Benny Yurco’s charged interplay. While the song itself certainly highlights the talents of the band it\'s a difficult musical thread for a newer fan to unravel. “Colors” takes its place among Grace’s increasing collection of impressive, soaring ballads although I prefer when she pours on the emotional pain.  Throughout the record Matt Burr’s drums are prominent and follow the urgency of rhythm the songs demand. Never a showy drummer – Matt’s complimentary style does wonders for the record.  Above all though, these tunes are a workout for Grace’s vocal talents which, staggeringly, are just getting better over time.\n\nNot every track on the record is a standout. “Money\", for all it’s opulent song craft, suffers from being lyrically disconnected from any other song on the album and represents the downside of Grace’s exploration with song co-writing.  Similarly, “Things I Never Needed” paints an alt-twang picture of heartbreak that resonates as a standalone track but its musical roots feel slightly out of place on this record. \n\nPersonally, I’ve battled with “One Short Night” since I first heard the song accidentally leaked from a DayTrotter session months back. Lyrically – I love it – the imagery of risking love on a foolish mistake – “prowling like the devil that I’m trying to hide” is stellar. Still, I’m not sure the song has ever found it’s true musical footing. The addition of the keyboard line to ground the melody doesn’t offer the musical heft the lyrics demand. Every time I hear the song in concert it seems to exist outside of the rest of the show. <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ok-CvnzzxPg\">The recent acoustic version</a> reveals the excellent heart of the song still waiting to arrive.\n\n“Grace Potter and the Nocturnals” is a record that demands motion - this is not a record for the sedentary. The songs here practically beg you to throw your windows open on the world and turn it up. The band and producer Mark Batson have crafted an excellent record that captures the urgency and feel of a band poised for an explosion.\n\n\n(Addendum: Do you know how hard it is to be a music journalist? Do any of you have a clue? Answer: It ain\'t that hard)\n\n','review : grace potter and the nocturnals',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5274-autosave','','','2010-06-06 15:58:18','2010-06-06 20:58:18','',5274,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/04/5274-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(5300,1,'2010-06-06 13:26:36','2010-06-06 18:26:36','In this age of freemp3forafacebookfriendoremailaddressexchange\r\npleaseupdateyourstatusandleteveryoneknowyou’retakingthetimeout\r\nofyourbusydaytolistentothissongwhichistherockingestuneverplease\r\ncometoourshoworbuyatshirtatleasepleasepleasepleasepleaseplease\r\nmusic it’s easy to forget what the experience of listening to music used to be like. \r\n\r\nWhy, back in the day, I would ease the shrink wrap off the vinyl, put the record on the turntable and sit back to see what hit me from the Klipsch speakers I spent way too much of my disposable income to own. I was even enough of a fanatic that I bought loose plastic covers to replace the shrink wrap – gotta protect the album art – god forbid you were one of the dolts who simply slit the shrink wrap and left it intact on three sides and risked warping the record.\r\n\r\nAfter an initial misstep and an aborted first listen to “Grace Potter and the Nocturnals” new, self-titled record – I realized the error of my wavs. Here’s what happened . . .\r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4072/4642315846_56d2ccccf5.jpg\">\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n\r\nPicture a late night – post work computer session. Finally I’ve got some time to concentrate on this new record that I’ve been anticipating for so long.  I <strike>gently place the needle on the record</strike> launch iTunes and hit the play button and wait in anticipation and it hits me – “Hunh” followed by nasty guitar licks as the opener “Paris” courses through my headphones. About thirty seconds in I begin to realize that something is wrong and I experience a growing discomfort. I’m sitting in my bedroom, it’s dark out and I’m listening to this via headphones while sitting in the chair. Travesty.  Stop\r\n\r\nFast forward to the next day. I’m in the car with an extended drive through the Green Mountains of Vermont. Summer is in the air, the windows are down and I start it all up again – better, much better.\r\n\r\nOver the last few months the story coming from the band is that, finally, this record captures their sound in the “Now”. If the goal was to bottle the energetic live performances of GPN the record is an overwhelming success. \r\n\r\nFree from the studio embellishments and multi-track layering that added complexity but sometimes distracting elements to “This Is Somewhere”, “Grace Potter and the Nocturnals” does a stellar job of trimming the sound back to it’s essential elements. Sure, there’s a layered chorus here and there, an additional driving piano medley, a handclap back beat, but overall the record is a faithful to the sound the band creates on stage. Lyrically the songs explore themes of sexual tension and heartbreak as well as an underlying message of hope against a backdrop of bleakness\r\n\r\nBehind the simplicity of the sound lies a stellar achievement – channeling the legendary high energy of a live show when the band is kicking it hard onto tape without losing the essence of the performances. \r\n\r\nThe power-charged romps of “Paris”, “Medicine”, “Only Love” and “Hot Summer Night” benefit the most from this treatment.  The compressed vocals of “Paris” along with the dual guitar crunch finally create the definitive version of a song that’s been churning around for a few years. The New Orleans boogie vibe of “Medicine” recalls Fleetwood Mac while “Only Love” and “Hot Summer Night” burn with the intense energy of Grace’s vocal performance and are quickly becoming my go-to high energy choices.\r\n\r\nThe record doesn’t lose its footing in the mid-tempo numbers. Once again Grace’s voice carries “Low Road” and Catherine Popper’s complex underlying bass lines bring mystery to the trippy lines of “Oasis”. The biggest surprise on the record is the transformation of “That Phone” from the sassy, teenage payback version first heard at Bonnaroo to a more mature soulful shouter a-la Sharon Jones. A tonal shift that does a world of good for a song that was already a keeper. On paper, \"Goodbye Kiss\" shouldn\'t work - breakup song with a reggae ska shuffle beat? But somehow it pulls it off.\r\n\r\nThe records first single, “Tiny Light”, changes from a flowing ballad into a balls out rocker at the end that highlights Scott Tournet and Benny Yurco’s charged interplay. While the song itself certainly highlights the talents of the band it\'s a difficult musical thread for a newer fan to unravel. “Colors” takes its place among Grace’s increasing collection of impressive, soaring ballads although I prefer when she pours on the emotional pain.  Throughout the record Matt Burr’s drums are prominent and follow the urgency of rhythm the songs demand. Never a showy drummer – Matt’s complimentary style does wonders for the record.  Above all though, these tunes are a workout for Grace’s vocal talents which, staggeringly, are just getting better over time.\r\n\r\nNot every track on the record is a standout. “Money\", for all it’s opulent song craft, suffers from being lyrically disconnected from any other song on the album and represents the downside of Grace’s exploration with song co-writing.  Similarly, “Things I Never Needed” paints an alt-twang picture of heartbreak that resonates as a standalone track but its musical roots feel slightly out of place on this record. \r\n\r\nPersonally, I’ve battled with “One Short Night” since I first heard the song accidentally leaked from a DayTrotter session months back. Lyrically – I love it – the imagery of risking love on a foolish mistake – “prowling like the devil that I’m trying to hide” is stellar. Still, I’m not sure the song has ever found it’s true musical footing. The addition of the keyboard line to ground the melody doesn’t offer the musical heft the lyrics demand. Every time I hear the song in concert it seems to exist outside of the rest of the show. The recent acoustic version reveals the excellent heart of the song still waiting to arrive.\r\n\r\n“Grace Potter and the Nocturnals” is a record that demands motion - this is not a record for the sedentary. The songs here practically beg you to throw your windows open on the world and turn it up. The band and producer Mark Batson have crafted an excellent record that captures the urgency and feel of a band poised for an explosion.\r\n\r\n\r\n(Addendum: Do you know how hard it is to be a music journalist? Do any of you have a clue? Answer: It ain\'t that hard)\r\n\r\n','review : grace potter and the nocturnals',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5274-revision-14','','','2010-06-06 13:26:36','2010-06-06 18:26:36','',5274,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/06/5274-revision-14/',0,'revision','',0),(5287,1,'2010-06-01 15:04:19','2010-06-01 20:04:19','<a href=\"http://panther.iclips.net/mountainjam\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/livemountain.png\" alt=\"livemountain\" title=\"livemountain\" width=\"640\" height=\"200\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5236\" /></a>\r\n\r\n4:00 this Friday!','mountain jam live broadcast on friday',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5235-revision-2','','','2010-06-01 15:04:19','2010-06-01 20:04:19','',5235,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/01/5235-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(5288,1,'2010-06-04 08:24:05','2010-06-04 13:24:05','<strong>UPDATE: Come back at about 3:00 PM when we crank up our usual \"Live Chat\"</strong> - don\'t forget - GPN is on VH1 this morning - check your local listings.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://panther.iclips.net/mountainjam\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/livemountain.png\" alt=\"livemountain\" title=\"livemountain\" width=\"640\" height=\"200\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5236\" /></a>\r\n\r\n4:00 this Friday!','mountain jam live broadcast on friday',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5235-revision-3','','','2010-06-04 08:24:05','2010-06-04 13:24:05','',5235,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/04/5235-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(5296,1,'2010-06-05 09:44:35','2010-06-05 14:44:35','','more on the chocolate',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5295-revision','','','2010-06-05 09:44:35','2010-06-05 14:44:35','',5295,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/05/5295-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(5297,1,'2010-06-05 09:44:44','2010-06-05 14:44:44','<script type=\'text/javascript\' src=\'http://www.wcax.com/global/video/videoplayer.js?rnd=783324;hostDomain=www.wcax.com;playerWidth=648;playerHeight=405;isShowIcon=true;clipId=4845054;flvUri=;partnerclipid=;adTag=null;enableAds=false;landingPage=null;islandingPageoverride=false;playerType=STANDARD_EMBEDDEDscript\'></script>','more on the chocolate',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5295-revision-2','','','2010-06-05 09:44:44','2010-06-05 14:44:44','',5295,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/05/5295-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(5289,1,'2010-06-04 13:36:13','2010-06-04 18:36:13','<strong>UPDATE: Come back at about 3:00 PM when we crank up our usual \"Live Chat\"</strong> - don\'t forget - GPN is on VH1 this morning - check your local listings.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://panther.iclips.net/mountainjam\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/livemountain.png\" alt=\"livemountain\" title=\"livemountain\" width=\"640\" height=\"200\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5236\" /></a>\r\n\r\n4:00 this Friday!\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n\r\n<div style=\"width:550px\"><style>.mcrmeebo { display: block; background:url(\"http://widget.meebo.com/r.gif\") no-repeat top right; } .mcrmeebo:hover { background:url(\"http://widget.meebo.com/ro.gif\") no-repeat top right; } </style><object width=\"550\" height=\"800\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://widget.meebo.com/mcr.swf?id=EAaYGNxFls\"></param><embed src=\"http://widget.meebo.com/mcr.swf?id=EAaYGNxFls\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"550\" height=\"800\" /></object><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"http://www.meebo.com/rooms/\" class=\"mcrmeebo\"><img alt=\"Create a Meebo Chat Room\" src=\"http://widget.meebo.com/b.gif\" width=\"550\" height=\"45\" style=\"border:0px\"/></a></div>','mountain jam live broadcast on friday',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5235-revision-4','','','2010-06-04 13:36:13','2010-06-04 18:36:13','',5235,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/04/5235-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(5290,1,'2010-06-04 13:37:34','2010-06-04 18:37:34','<strong>UPDATE: Come back at about 3:00 PM when we crank up our usual \"Live Chat\"</strong> - don\'t forget - GPN is on VH1 this morning - check your local listings.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://panther.iclips.net/mountainjam\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/livemountain.png\" alt=\"livemountain\" title=\"livemountain\" width=\"640\" height=\"200\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5236\" /></a>\r\n\r\n4:00 this Friday!\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n\r\n<div style=\"width:550px\"><style>.mcrmeebo { display: block; background:url(\"http://widget.meebo.com/r.gif\") no-repeat top right; } .mcrmeebo:hover { background:url(\"http://widget.meebo.com/ro.gif\") no-repeat top right; } </style><object width=\"550\" height=\"415\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://widget.meebo.com/mcr.swf?id=EAaYGNxFls\"></param><embed src=\"http://widget.meebo.com/mcr.swf?id=EAaYGNxFls\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"550\" height=\"415\" /></object><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"http://www.meebo.com/rooms/\" class=\"mcrmeebo\"><img alt=\"Create a Meebo Chat Room\" src=\"http://widget.meebo.com/b.gif\" width=\"550\" height=\"45\" style=\"border:0px\"/></a></div>','mountain jam live broadcast on friday',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5235-revision-5','','','2010-06-04 13:37:34','2010-06-04 18:37:34','',5235,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/04/5235-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(5291,1,'2010-06-04 13:42:42','2010-06-04 18:42:42','<strong>UPDATE: Come back at about 3:00 PM when we crank up our usual \"Live Chat\"</strong> - don\'t forget - GPN is on VH1 this morning - check your local listings.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://panther.iclips.net/mountainjam\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/livemountain.png\" alt=\"livemountain\" title=\"livemountain\" width=\"640\" height=\"200\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5236\" /></a>\r\n\r\n4:00 this Friday!\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n\r\n<div style=\"width:550px\"><style>.mcrmeebo { display: block; background:url(\"http://widget.meebo.com/r.gif\") no-repeat top right; } .mcrmeebo:hover { background:url(\"http://widget.meebo.com/ro.gif\") no-repeat top right; } </style><object width=\"550\" height=\"800\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://widget.meebo.com/mcr.swf?id=EAaYGNxFls\"></param><embed src=\"http://widget.meebo.com/mcr.swf?id=EAaYGNxFls\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"550\" height=\"800\" /></object><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"http://www.meebo.com/rooms/\" class=\"mcrmeebo\"><img alt=\"Create a Meebo Chat Room\" src=\"http://widget.meebo.com/b.gif\" width=\"550\" height=\"45\" style=\"border:0px\"/></a></div>','mountain jam live broadcast on friday',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5235-revision-6','','','2010-06-04 13:42:42','2010-06-04 18:42:42','',5235,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/04/5235-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(5292,1,'2010-06-04 13:59:26','2010-06-04 18:59:26','<strong>UPDATE: Come back at about 3:00 PM when we crank up our usual \"Live Chat\"</strong>\n\n<a href=\"http://panther.iclips.net/mountainjam\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/livemountain.png\" alt=\"livemountain\" title=\"livemountain\" width=\"640\" height=\"200\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5236\" /></a>\n\n4:00 this Friday!\n\n<strong>UPDATE: Click thel \"Live Chat\"</strong>\n<!--more-->\n\n<div style=\"width:430px\"><style>.mcrmeebo { display: block; background:url(\"http://widget.meebo.com/r.gif\") no-repeat top right; } .mcrmeebo:hover { background:url(\"http://widget.meebo.com/ro.gif\") no-repeat top right; } </style><object width=\"430\" height=\"800\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://widget.meebo.com/mcr.swf?id=rSbkYGkxmQ\"></param><embed src=\"http://widget.meebo.com/mcr.swf?id=rSbkYGkxmQ\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"430\" height=\"800\" /></object><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"http://www.meebo.com/rooms/\" class=\"mcrmeebo\"><img alt=\"Create a Meebo Chat Room\" src=\"http://widget.meebo.com/b.gif\" width=\"430\" height=\"45\" style=\"border:0px\"/></a></div>','mountain jam live broadcast on friday',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5235-autosave','','','2010-06-04 13:59:26','2010-06-04 18:59:26','',5235,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/04/5235-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(5293,1,'2010-06-04 13:44:57','2010-06-04 18:44:57','<strong>UPDATE: Come back at about 3:00 PM when we crank up our usual \"Live Chat\"</strong> - don\'t forget - GPN is on VH1 this morning - check your local listings.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://panther.iclips.net/mountainjam\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/livemountain.png\" alt=\"livemountain\" title=\"livemountain\" width=\"640\" height=\"200\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5236\" /></a>\r\n\r\n4:00 this Friday!\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n\r\n<div style=\"width:430px\"><style>.mcrmeebo { display: block; background:url(\"http://widget.meebo.com/r.gif\") no-repeat top right; } .mcrmeebo:hover { background:url(\"http://widget.meebo.com/ro.gif\") no-repeat top right; } </style><object width=\"430\" height=\"800\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://widget.meebo.com/mcr.swf?id=rSbkYGkxmQ\"></param><embed src=\"http://widget.meebo.com/mcr.swf?id=rSbkYGkxmQ\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"430\" height=\"800\" /></object><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"http://www.meebo.com/rooms/\" class=\"mcrmeebo\"><img alt=\"Create a Meebo Chat Room\" src=\"http://widget.meebo.com/b.gif\" width=\"430\" height=\"45\" style=\"border:0px\"/></a></div>','mountain jam live broadcast on friday',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5235-revision-7','','','2010-06-04 13:44:57','2010-06-04 18:44:57','',5235,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/04/5235-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(5295,1,'2010-06-05 09:45:02','2010-06-05 14:45:02','<script type=\'text/javascript\' src=\'http://www.wcax.com/global/video/videoplayer.js?rnd=783324;hostDomain=www.wcax.com;playerWidth=648;playerHeight=405;isShowIcon=true;clipId=4845054;flvUri=;partnerclipid=;adTag=null;enableAds=false;landingPage=null;islandingPageoverride=false;playerType=STANDARD_EMBEDDEDscript\'></script>','more on the chocolate',0,'','publish','open','open','','more-on-the-chocolate','','','2010-06-05 09:45:02','2010-06-05 14:45:02','',0,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/?p=5295',0,'post','',5),(5294,1,'2010-06-04 13:59:44','2010-06-04 18:59:44','<strong>UPDATE: Come back at about 3:00 PM when we crank up our usual \"Live Chat\"</strong>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://panther.iclips.net/mountainjam\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/livemountain.png\" alt=\"livemountain\" title=\"livemountain\" width=\"640\" height=\"200\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5236\" /></a>\r\n\r\n4:00 this Friday!\r\n\r\n<strong>UPDATE: Click the [Keep on Reading . . .l button to join the \"Live Chat\"</strong>\r\n<!--more-->\r\n\r\n<div style=\"width:430px\"><style>.mcrmeebo { display: block; background:url(\"http://widget.meebo.com/r.gif\") no-repeat top right; } .mcrmeebo:hover { background:url(\"http://widget.meebo.com/ro.gif\") no-repeat top right; } </style><object width=\"430\" height=\"800\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://widget.meebo.com/mcr.swf?id=rSbkYGkxmQ\"></param><embed src=\"http://widget.meebo.com/mcr.swf?id=rSbkYGkxmQ\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"430\" height=\"800\" /></object><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"http://www.meebo.com/rooms/\" class=\"mcrmeebo\"><img alt=\"Create a Meebo Chat Room\" src=\"http://widget.meebo.com/b.gif\" width=\"430\" height=\"45\" style=\"border:0px\"/></a></div>','mountain jam live broadcast on friday',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5235-revision-8','','','2010-06-04 13:59:44','2010-06-04 18:59:44','',5235,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/04/5235-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(5298,1,'2010-06-04 01:48:17','2010-06-04 06:48:17','In this age of freemp3forafacebookfriendoremailaddressexchange\r\npleaseupdateyourstatusandleteveryoneknowyou’retakingthetimeout\r\nofyourbusydaytolistentothissongwhichistherockingestuneverplease\r\ncometoourshoworbuyatshirtatleasepleasepleasepleasepleaseplease\r\nmusic it’s easy to forget what the experience of listening to music used to be like. \r\n\r\nWhy, back in the day, I would ease the shrink wrap off the vinyl, put the record on the turntable and sit back to see what hit me from the Klipsch speakers I spent way too much of my disposable income to own. I was even enough of a fanatic that I bought loose plastic covers to replace the shrink wrap – gotta protect the album art – god forbid you were one of the dolts who simply slit the shrink wrap and left it intact on three sides and risked warping the record.\r\n\r\nAfter an initial misstep and an aborted first listen to “Grace Potter and the Nocturnals” new, self-titled record – I realized the error of my wavs. Here’s what happened . . .\r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4072/4642315846_56d2ccccf5.jpg\">\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n\r\nPicture a late night – post work computer session. Finally I’ve got some time to concentrate on this new record that I’ve been anticipating for so long.  I <strike>gently place the needle on the record</strike> launch iTunes and hit the play button and wait in anticipation and it hits me – “Hunh” followed by nasty guitar licks as the opener “Paris” courses through my headphones. About thirty seconds in I begin to realize that something is wrong and I experience a growing discomfort. I’m sitting in my bedroom, it’s dark out and I’m listening to this via headphones while sitting in the chair. Travesty.  Stop\r\n\r\nFast forward to the next day. I’m in the car with an extended drive through the Green Mountains of Vermont. Summer is in the air, the windows are down and I start it all up again – better, much better.\r\n\r\nOver the last few months the story coming from the band is that, finally, this record captures their sound in the “Now”. If the goal was to bottle the energetic live performances of GPN the record is an overwhelming success. \r\n\r\nFree from the studio embellishments and multi-track layering that sometimes added a complexity but sometimes distracting element to “This Is Somewhere”, “Grace Potter and the Nocturnals” does a stellar job of trimming the sound back to it’s essential elements. Sure, there’s a layered chorus here and there, an additional driving piano medley, a handclap back beat, but overall the record is a faithful to the sound the band creates on stage. Lyrically the songs explore themes of sexual tension and heartbreak as well as an underlying message of hope against a backdrop of bleakness\r\n\r\nBehind the simplicity of the sound lies a stellar achievement – channeling the legendary high energy of a live show when the band is kicking it hard onto tape without losing the essence of the performances. \r\n\r\nThe power-charged romps of “Paris”, “Medicine”, “Only Love” and “Hot Summer Night” benefit the most from this treatment.  The compressed vocals of “Paris” along with the dual guitar crunch finally create the definitive version of a song that’s been churning around for a few years. The New Orleans boogie vibe of “Medicine” recalls Fleetwood Mac while “Only Love” and “Hot Summer Night” burn with the intense energy of Grace’s vocal performance and are quickly becoming my go-to high energy choices.\r\n\r\nThe record doesn’t lose its footing in the mid-tempo numbers. Once again Grace’s voice carries “Low Road” and Catherine Popper’s complex underlying bass lines bring mystery to the trippy lines of “Oasis”. The biggest surprise on the record is the transformation of “That Phone” from the sassy, teenage payback version first heard at Bonnaroo to a more mature soulful shouter a-la Sharon Jones. A tonal shift that does a world of good for a song that was already a keeper. On paper, \"Goodbye Kiss\" shouldn\'t work - breakup song with a reggae ska shuffle beat? But somehow it pulls it off.\r\n\r\nThe records first single, “Tiny Light”, changes from a flowing ballad into a balls out rocker at the end that highlights Scott Tournet and Benny Yurco’s charged interplay. While the song itself certainly highlights the talents of the band it\'s a difficult musical thred for a newer fan to unravel. “Colors” takes its place among Grace’s increasing collection of impressive, soaring ballads although I prefer when she pours on the emotional pain.  Throughout the record Matt Burr’s drums are prominent and follow the urgency of rhythm the songs demand. Never a showy drummer – Matt’s complimentary style does wonders for the record.  Above all though, this record is a workout for Grace’s vocal talents which, staggeringly, are just getting better over time.\r\n\r\nNot every track on the record is a standout. “Money\", for all it’s opulent song craft, suffers from being lyrically disconnected from any other song on the album and represents the downside of Grace’s exploration with song co-writing.  Similarly, “Things I Never Needed” paints an alt-twang picture of heartbreak that resonates as a standalone track but its musical roots feel slightly out of place on this record. \r\n\r\nPersonally, I’ve battled with “One Short Night” since I first heard the song accidentally leaked from a DayTrotter session months back. Lyrically – I love it – the imagery of risking love on a foolish mistake – “prowling like the devil that I’m trying to hide” is stellar. Still, I’m not sure the song has ever found it’s true musical footing. The addition of the keyboard line to ground the melody doesn’t offer the musical heft the lyrics demand. Every time I hear the song in concert it seems to exist outside of the rest of the show. The recent acoustic version reveals the excellent heart of the song still waiting to arrive.\r\n\r\n“Grace Potter and the Nocturnals” is a record that demands motion - this is not a record for the sedentary. The songs here practically beg you to throw your windows open on the world and turn it up. The band and producer Mark Batson have crafted an excellent record that captures the urgency and feel of a band poised for an explosion.\r\n\r\n\r\n(Addendum: Do you know how hard it is to be a music journalist? Do any of you have a clue? Answer: It ain\'t that hard)\r\n\r\n','review : grace potter and the nocturnals',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5274-revision-12','','','2010-06-04 01:48:17','2010-06-04 06:48:17','',5274,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/04/5274-revision-12/',0,'revision','',0),(5299,1,'2010-06-06 13:25:04','2010-06-06 18:25:04','In this age of freemp3forafacebookfriendoremailaddressexchange\r\npleaseupdateyourstatusandleteveryoneknowyou’retakingthetimeout\r\nofyourbusydaytolistentothissongwhichistherockingestuneverplease\r\ncometoourshoworbuyatshirtatleasepleasepleasepleasepleaseplease\r\nmusic it’s easy to forget what the experience of listening to music used to be like. \r\n\r\nWhy, back in the day, I would ease the shrink wrap off the vinyl, put the record on the turntable and sit back to see what hit me from the Klipsch speakers I spent way too much of my disposable income to own. I was even enough of a fanatic that I bought loose plastic covers to replace the shrink wrap – gotta protect the album art – god forbid you were one of the dolts who simply slit the shrink wrap and left it intact on three sides and risked warping the record.\r\n\r\nAfter an initial misstep and an aborted first listen to “Grace Potter and the Nocturnals” new, self-titled record – I realized the error of my wavs. Here’s what happened . . .\r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4072/4642315846_56d2ccccf5.jpg\">\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n\r\nPicture a late night – post work computer session. Finally I’ve got some time to concentrate on this new record that I’ve been anticipating for so long.  I <strike>gently place the needle on the record</strike> launch iTunes and hit the play button and wait in anticipation and it hits me – “Hunh” followed by nasty guitar licks as the opener “Paris” courses through my headphones. About thirty seconds in I begin to realize that something is wrong and I experience a growing discomfort. I’m sitting in my bedroom, it’s dark out and I’m listening to this via headphones while sitting in the chair. Travesty.  Stop\r\n\r\nFast forward to the next day. I’m in the car with an extended drive through the Green Mountains of Vermont. Summer is in the air, the windows are down and I start it all up again – better, much better.\r\n\r\nOver the last few months the story coming from the band is that, finally, this record captures their sound in the “Now”. If the goal was to bottle the energetic live performances of GPN the record is an overwhelming success. \r\n\r\nFree from the studio embellishments and multi-track layering that added complexity but sometimes distracting elements to “This Is Somewhere”, “Grace Potter and the Nocturnals” does a stellar job of trimming the sound back to it’s essential elements. Sure, there’s a layered chorus here and there, an additional driving piano medley, a handclap back beat, but overall the record is a faithful to the sound the band creates on stage. Lyrically the songs explore themes of sexual tension and heartbreak as well as an underlying message of hope against a backdrop of bleakness\r\n\r\nBehind the simplicity of the sound lies a stellar achievement – channeling the legendary high energy of a live show when the band is kicking it hard onto tape without losing the essence of the performances. \r\n\r\nThe power-charged romps of “Paris”, “Medicine”, “Only Love” and “Hot Summer Night” benefit the most from this treatment.  The compressed vocals of “Paris” along with the dual guitar crunch finally create the definitive version of a song that’s been churning around for a few years. The New Orleans boogie vibe of “Medicine” recalls Fleetwood Mac while “Only Love” and “Hot Summer Night” burn with the intense energy of Grace’s vocal performance and are quickly becoming my go-to high energy choices.\r\n\r\nThe record doesn’t lose its footing in the mid-tempo numbers. Once again Grace’s voice carries “Low Road” and Catherine Popper’s complex underlying bass lines bring mystery to the trippy lines of “Oasis”. The biggest surprise on the record is the transformation of “That Phone” from the sassy, teenage payback version first heard at Bonnaroo to a more mature soulful shouter a-la Sharon Jones. A tonal shift that does a world of good for a song that was already a keeper. On paper, \"Goodbye Kiss\" shouldn\'t work - breakup song with a reggae ska shuffle beat? But somehow it pulls it off.\r\n\r\nThe records first single, “Tiny Light”, changes from a flowing ballad into a balls out rocker at the end that highlights Scott Tournet and Benny Yurco’s charged interplay. While the song itself certainly highlights the talents of the band it\'s a difficult musical thred for a newer fan to unravel. “Colors” takes its place among Grace’s increasing collection of impressive, soaring ballads although I prefer when she pours on the emotional pain.  Throughout the record Matt Burr’s drums are prominent and follow the urgency of rhythm the songs demand. Never a showy drummer – Matt’s complimentary style does wonders for the record.  Above all though, this record is a workout for Grace’s vocal talents which, staggeringly, are just getting better over time.\r\n\r\nNot every track on the record is a standout. “Money\", for all it’s opulent song craft, suffers from being lyrically disconnected from any other song on the album and represents the downside of Grace’s exploration with song co-writing.  Similarly, “Things I Never Needed” paints an alt-twang picture of heartbreak that resonates as a standalone track but its musical roots feel slightly out of place on this record. \r\n\r\nPersonally, I’ve battled with “One Short Night” since I first heard the song accidentally leaked from a DayTrotter session months back. Lyrically – I love it – the imagery of risking love on a foolish mistake – “prowling like the devil that I’m trying to hide” is stellar. Still, I’m not sure the song has ever found it’s true musical footing. The addition of the keyboard line to ground the melody doesn’t offer the musical heft the lyrics demand. Every time I hear the song in concert it seems to exist outside of the rest of the show. The recent acoustic version reveals the excellent heart of the song still waiting to arrive.\r\n\r\n“Grace Potter and the Nocturnals” is a record that demands motion - this is not a record for the sedentary. The songs here practically beg you to throw your windows open on the world and turn it up. The band and producer Mark Batson have crafted an excellent record that captures the urgency and feel of a band poised for an explosion.\r\n\r\n\r\n(Addendum: Do you know how hard it is to be a music journalist? Do any of you have a clue? Answer: It ain\'t that hard)\r\n\r\n','review : grace potter and the nocturnals',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5274-revision-13','','','2010-06-06 13:25:04','2010-06-06 18:25:04','',5274,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/06/5274-revision-13/',0,'revision','',0),(5301,1,'2010-06-06 15:58:37','2010-06-06 20:58:37','In this age of freemp3forafacebookfriendoremailaddressexchange\r\npleaseupdateyourstatusandleteveryoneknowyou’retakingthetimeout\r\nofyourbusydaytolistentothissongwhichistherockingestuneverplease\r\ncometoourshoworbuyatshirtatleasepleasepleasepleasepleaseplease\r\nmusic it’s easy to forget what the experience of listening to music used to be like. \r\n\r\nWhy, back in the day, I would ease the shrink wrap off the vinyl, put the record on the turntable and sit back to see what hit me from the Klipsch speakers I spent way too much of my disposable income to own. I was even enough of a fanatic that I bought loose plastic covers to replace the shrink wrap – gotta protect the album art – god forbid you were one of the dolts who simply slit the shrink wrap and left it intact on three sides and risked warping the record.\r\n\r\nAfter an initial misstep and an aborted first listen to “Grace Potter and the Nocturnals” new, self-titled record – I realized the error of my wavs. Here’s what happened . . .\r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4072/4642315846_56d2ccccf5.jpg\">\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n\r\nPicture a late night – post work computer session. Finally I’ve got some time to concentrate on this new record that I’ve been anticipating for so long.  I <strike>gently place the needle on the record</strike> launch iTunes and hit the play button and wait in anticipation and it hits me – “Hunh” followed by nasty guitar licks as the opener “Paris” courses through my headphones. About thirty seconds in I begin to realize that something is wrong and I experience a growing discomfort. I’m sitting in my bedroom, it’s dark out and I’m listening to this via headphones while sitting in the chair. Travesty.  Stop\r\n\r\nFast forward to the next day. I’m in the car with an extended drive through the Green Mountains of Vermont. Summer is in the air, the windows are down and I start it all up again – better, much better.\r\n\r\nOver the last few months the story coming from the band is that, finally, this record captures their sound in the “Now”. If the goal was to bottle the energetic live performances of GPN the record is an overwhelming success. \r\n\r\nFree from the studio embellishments and multi-track layering that added complexity but sometimes distracting elements to “This Is Somewhere”, “Grace Potter and the Nocturnals” does a stellar job of trimming the sound back to it’s essential elements. Sure, there’s a layered chorus here and there, an additional driving piano medley, a handclap back beat, but overall the record is a faithful to the sound the band creates on stage. Lyrically the songs explore themes of sexual tension and heartbreak as well as an underlying message of hope against a backdrop of bleakness\r\n\r\nBehind the simplicity of the sound lies a stellar achievement – channeling the legendary high energy of a live show when the band is kicking it hard onto tape without losing the essence of the performances. \r\n\r\nThe power-charged romps of “Paris”, “Medicine”, “Only Love” and “Hot Summer Night” benefit the most from this treatment.  The compressed vocals of “Paris” along with the dual guitar crunch finally create the definitive version of a song that’s been churning around for a few years. The New Orleans boogie vibe of “Medicine” recalls Fleetwood Mac while “Only Love” and “Hot Summer Night” burn with the intense energy of Grace’s vocal performance and are quickly becoming my go-to high energy choices.\r\n\r\nThe record doesn’t lose its footing in the mid-tempo numbers. Once again Grace’s voice carries “Low Road” and Catherine Popper’s complex underlying bass lines bring mystery to the trippy lines of “Oasis”. The biggest surprise on the record is the transformation of “That Phone” from the sassy, teenage payback<a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCx5mL_1fdE\"> version first heard at Bonnaroo</a> to a more mature soulful shouter a-la Sharon Jones. A tonal shift that does a world of good for a song that was already a keeper. On paper, \"Goodbye Kiss\" shouldn\'t work - breakup song with a reggae ska shuffle beat? But somehow it pulls it off.\r\n\r\nThe records first single, “Tiny Light”, changes from a flowing ballad into a balls out rocker at the end that highlights Scott Tournet and Benny Yurco’s charged interplay. While the song itself certainly highlights the talents of the band it\'s a difficult musical thread for a newer fan to unravel. “Colors” takes its place among Grace’s increasing collection of impressive, soaring ballads although I prefer when she pours on the emotional pain.  Throughout the record Matt Burr’s drums are prominent and follow the urgency of rhythm the songs demand. Never a showy drummer – Matt’s complimentary style does wonders for the record.  Above all though, these tunes are a workout for Grace’s vocal talents which, staggeringly, are just getting better over time.\r\n\r\nNot every track on the record is a standout. “Money\", for all it’s opulent song craft, suffers from being lyrically disconnected from any other song on the album and represents the downside of Grace’s exploration with song co-writing.  Similarly, “Things I Never Needed” paints an alt-twang picture of heartbreak that resonates as a standalone track but its musical roots feel slightly out of place on this record. \r\n\r\nPersonally, I’ve battled with “One Short Night” since I first heard the song accidentally leaked from a DayTrotter session months back. Lyrically – I love it – the imagery of risking love on a foolish mistake – “prowling like the devil that I’m trying to hide” is stellar. Still, I’m not sure the song has ever found it’s true musical footing. The addition of the keyboard line to ground the melody doesn’t offer the musical heft the lyrics demand. Every time I hear the song in concert it seems to exist outside of the rest of the show. <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ok-CvnzzxPg\">The recent acoustic version</a> reveals the excellent heart of the song still waiting to arrive.\r\n\r\n“Grace Potter and the Nocturnals” is a record that demands motion - this is not a record for the sedentary. The songs here practically beg you to throw your windows open on the world and turn it up. The band and producer Mark Batson have crafted an excellent record that captures the urgency and feel of a band poised for an explosion.\r\n\r\n\r\n(Addendum: Do you know how hard it is to be a music journalist? Do any of you have a clue? Answer: It ain\'t that hard)\r\n\r\n','review : grace potter and the nocturnals',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5274-revision-15','','','2010-06-06 15:58:37','2010-06-06 20:58:37','',5274,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/06/5274-revision-15/',0,'revision','',0),(5302,1,'2010-06-07 05:28:49','2010-06-07 10:28:49','A Summers Eve with Grace Potter and the Nocturnals\r\n2010-06-05 / 9:30 Club / Washington, DC\r\nRecorded by: Ned Struzziero\r\n\r\n<strong>Setlist</strong> - <a href=\"http://www.sendspace.com/file/rqb66z\">download MP3 Archive</a>\r\nMedicine\r\nSweet Hands\r\nOasis\r\nMoney\r\nOne Short Night\r\nOnly Love\r\nTiny Light\r\n2:22\r\nAin\'t No Time **\r\nColors**+\r\nOver Again**\r\n[wpaudio url=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/audio/overagain930.mp3\" text=\"Over Again\" dl=\"0\"]\r\nGrace Talk\r\nAh Mary\r\nHot Summer\r\nHeart of Glass\r\nIf I were from Paris\r\nNothing but the Water\r\nEncore\r\nApologies\r\nWhite Rabbit\r\nStop the Bus^\r\n\r\n**Acoustic- Just Grace, Scott and Benny\r\n+ Grace on piano\r\n^W/ Cortez the Killer lyrics from Grace','9:30 Club : 06/05/10',0,'','publish','open','open','','930-club-060510','','','2010-06-07 05:28:49','2010-06-07 10:28:49','',0,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/?p=5302',0,'post','',10),(5303,1,'2010-06-06 20:11:25','2010-06-07 01:11:25','A Summers Eve with Grace Potter and the Nocturnals\n2010-06-05\n9:30 Club\nWashington, DC\n\n\nRecorded by:\nNed Struzziero\n\nMedicine\nSweet Hands\nOasis\nMoney\nOne Short Night\nOnly Love\nTiny Light\n2:22\nAin\'t No Time **\nColors**+\nOver Again**\n\nDisc 2\n\n12.Grace Talk\n13.Ah Mary\n14.Hot Summer\n15.Heart of Glass\n16.If I were from Paris\n17.Nothing but the Water\nEncore\n18.Apologies\n19.White Rabbit\n20.Stop the Bus^\n\n**Acoustic- Just Grace, Scott and Benny\n+ Grace on piano\n^W/ Cortez the Killer lyrics from Grace','',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5302-revision','','','2010-06-06 20:11:25','2010-06-07 01:11:25','',5302,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/06/5302-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(5304,1,'2010-06-06 21:30:19','2010-06-07 02:30:19','A Summers Eve with Grace Potter and the Nocturnals\n2010-06-05 / 9:30 Club / Washington, DC\nRecorded by: Ned Struzziero\n\n<strong>Setlist</strong> - download MP3 Archive\nMedicine\nSweet Hands\nOasis\nMoney\nOne Short Night\nOnly Love\nTiny Light\n2:22\nAin\'t No Time **\nColors**+\nOver Again**\n[wpaudio url=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/audio/overagain930.mp3\" text=\"Over Again\" dl=\"0\"]\nGrace Talk\nAh Mary\nHot Summer\nHeart of Glass\nIf I were from Paris\nNothing but the Water\nEncore\nApologies\nWhite Rabbit\nStop the Bus^\n\n**Acoustic- Just Grace, Scott and Benny\n+ Grace on piano\n^W/ Cortez the Killer lyrics from Grace','9:30 Club : 06/05/10',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5302-revision-2','','','2010-06-06 21:30:19','2010-06-07 02:30:19','',5302,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/06/5302-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(5305,1,'2010-06-07 05:39:19','2010-06-07 10:39:19','Is it getting hot in here? Seriously, someone’s got to crack a window if we’re going to keep the new Grace Potter disc on. The Vermont native and her retooled band punch up their barroom blues with slinky riffs, jazzy noir-like changes and, my goodness, sex - how does anyone stuff this many coos, oohs, moans and screams into 13 songs? In the rare moment when Potter isn’t dead sexy, she’s deeply soulful: between manic rock romps (“Paris,” “Hot Summer Night,” the Led-Zep-fronted-by-Janis-Joplin-outro of “Tiny Light”) comes an r & b gem, “Low Road.” Download: “Paris.”\r\n\r\nThis is the full review - but <a href=\"http://www.bostonherald.com/entertainment/music/reviews/view.bg?articleid=1259755&srvc=rss&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+bostonherald%2Fentertainment+%28Entertainment+-+BostonHerald.com%29\">here\'s the link</a>\r\n\r\nGPN Score: <strike>92</strike> 95\r\n','boston herald review',0,'','publish','open','open','','boston-herald-review','','','2010-06-07 07:21:04','2010-06-07 12:21:04','',0,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/?p=5305',0,'post','',4),(5306,1,'2010-06-07 05:39:06','2010-06-07 10:39:06','Is it getting hot in here? Seriously, someone’s got to crack a window if we’re going to keep the new Grace Potter disc on. The Vermont native and her retooled band punch up their barroom blues with slinky riffs, jazzy noir-like changes and, my goodness, sex - how does anyone stuff this many coos, oohs, moans and screams into 13 songs? In the rare moment when Potter isn’t dead sexy, she’s deeply soulful: between manic rock romps (“Paris,” “Hot Summer Night,” the Led-Zep-fronted-by-Janis-Joplin-outro of “Tiny Light”) comes an r & b gem, “Low Road.” Download: “Paris.”\n\nThis is the full review - but <a href=\"http://www.bostonherald.com/entertainment/music/reviews/view.bg?articleid=1259755&srvc=rss&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+bostonherald%2Fentertainment+%28Entertainment+-+BostonHerald.com%29\">here\'s the link</a>\n\nGPN Score: 92\n','boston herald review',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5305-revision','','','2010-06-07 05:39:06','2010-06-07 10:39:06','',5305,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/07/5305-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(5307,1,'2010-06-04 21:05:21','2010-06-05 02:05:21','<strong>UPDATE: Come back at about 3:00 PM when we crank up our usual \"Live Chat\"</strong>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://panther.iclips.net/mountainjam\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/livemountain.png\" alt=\"livemountain\" title=\"livemountain\" width=\"640\" height=\"200\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5236\" /></a>\r\n\r\n4:00 this Friday!\r\n','mountain jam live broadcast on friday',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5235-revision-9','','','2010-06-04 21:05:21','2010-06-05 02:05:21','',5235,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/04/5235-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(5308,1,'2010-06-07 05:39:19','2010-06-07 10:39:19','Is it getting hot in here? Seriously, someone’s got to crack a window if we’re going to keep the new Grace Potter disc on. The Vermont native and her retooled band punch up their barroom blues with slinky riffs, jazzy noir-like changes and, my goodness, sex - how does anyone stuff this many coos, oohs, moans and screams into 13 songs? In the rare moment when Potter isn’t dead sexy, she’s deeply soulful: between manic rock romps (“Paris,” “Hot Summer Night,” the Led-Zep-fronted-by-Janis-Joplin-outro of “Tiny Light”) comes an r & b gem, “Low Road.” Download: “Paris.”\r\n\r\nThis is the full review - but <a href=\"http://www.bostonherald.com/entertainment/music/reviews/view.bg?articleid=1259755&srvc=rss&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+bostonherald%2Fentertainment+%28Entertainment+-+BostonHerald.com%29\">here\'s the link</a>\r\n\r\nGPN Score: 92\r\n','boston herald review',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5305-revision-2','','','2010-06-07 05:39:19','2010-06-07 10:39:19','',5305,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/07/5305-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(5309,1,'2010-06-07 11:10:21','2010-06-07 16:10:21','<a href=\"http://www.relix.com/reviews/cds/2010/06/07/grace-potter-and-the-nocturnals-grace-potter-and-the-nocturnals\">Relix review</a>\r\n\r\n<blockquote>Grace Potter and The Nocturnals takes the band’s namesake further into sultry-frontwoman territory—with growling bar-blues jams, a few run-throughs of Mother’s Finest-worthy funk-rock and some more tender country-tinged ballads that showcase Grace Potter’s ability to slowly soar to impressive high notes and hang out there for a while.</blockquote>\r\n\r\n<strong>GPN Score</strong>: 85\r\n\r\n','relix review',0,'','publish','open','open','','relix-review','','','2010-06-07 11:10:21','2010-06-07 16:10:21','',0,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/?p=5309',0,'post','',2),(5310,1,'2010-06-07 11:10:14','2010-06-07 16:10:14','<a href=\"http://www.relix.com/reviews/cds/2010/06/07/grace-potter-and-the-nocturnals-grace-potter-and-the-nocturnals\">Relix review</a>\n\n<blockquote>Grace Potter and The Nocturnals takes the band’s namesake further into sultry-frontwoman territory—with growling bar-blues jams, a few run-throughs of Mother’s Finest-worthy funk-rock and some more tender country-tinged ballads that showcase Grace Potter’s ability to slowly soar to impressive high notes and hang out there for a while.</blockquote>\n<strong>\nGPN Score</strong>: 85\n\n','relix review',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5309-revision','','','2010-06-07 11:10:14','2010-06-07 16:10:14','',5309,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/07/5309-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(5314,1,'2010-06-07 14:40:00','2010-06-07 19:40:00','<a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/gp/bestsellers/music/ref=pd_dp_ts_m_1\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/10witharrow1.png\" alt=\"10witharrow\" title=\"10witharrow\" width=\"640\" height=\"161\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5316\" /></a>\r\n\r\n#10 at Amazon today','10 with an arrow',0,'','publish','open','open','','10-with-an-arrow','','','2010-06-07 14:40:36','2010-06-07 19:40:36','',0,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/?p=5314',0,'post','',1),(5315,1,'2010-06-07 14:38:53','2010-06-07 19:38:53','','10witharrow',0,'','inherit','open','open','','10witharrow','','','2010-06-07 14:38:53','2010-06-07 19:38:53','',5314,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/10witharrow.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(5316,1,'2010-06-07 14:39:43','2010-06-07 19:39:43','','10witharrow',0,'','inherit','open','open','','10witharrow-2','','','2010-06-07 14:39:43','2010-06-07 19:39:43','',5314,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/10witharrow1.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(5317,1,'2010-06-07 14:38:31','2010-06-07 19:38:31','','10 with an arrow',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5314-revision','','','2010-06-07 14:38:31','2010-06-07 19:38:31','',5314,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/07/5314-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(5318,1,'2010-06-07 14:40:00','2010-06-07 19:40:00','<a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/10witharrow1.png\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/10witharrow1.png\" alt=\"10witharrow\" title=\"10witharrow\" width=\"640\" height=\"161\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5316\" /></a>\r\n\r\n#10 at Amazon today','10 with an arrow',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5314-revision-2','','','2010-06-07 14:40:00','2010-06-07 19:40:00','',5314,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/07/5314-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(5319,1,'2010-06-07 17:52:22','2010-06-07 22:52:22','Grace Potter & the Nocturnals is aggressive. It is dirty. It is unapologetic in its swagger. It is everything a self-titled album has to be. If you are going to name the album after the band, it better mirror the band’s heart and soul. This album does that and more.\r\n<a href=\"http://www.honesttune.com/content/view/2418/27/\">\r\nHonest Tune</a>\r\n\r\n','there\'s no story. there\'s no emotional communication. just sex. and rock and roll. ',0,'','publish','open','open','','theres-no-story-theres-no-emotional-communication-just-sex-and-rock-and-roll','','','2010-06-07 17:52:22','2010-06-07 22:52:22','',0,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/?p=5319',0,'post','',3),(5320,1,'2010-06-07 17:52:19','2010-06-07 22:52:19','Grace Potter & the Nocturnals is aggressive. It is dirty. It is unapologetic in its swagger. It is everything a self-titled album has to be. If you are going to name the album after the band, it better mirror the band’s heart and soul. This album does that and more.\n<a href=\"http://www.honesttune.com/content/view/2418/27/\">\nHonest Tune</a>\n\n','there\'s no story. there\'s no emotional communication. just sex. and rock and roll. ',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5319-revision','','','2010-06-07 17:52:19','2010-06-07 22:52:19','',5319,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/07/5319-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(5322,1,'2010-06-08 05:40:01','2010-06-08 10:40:01','<a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/albumcover.jpg\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/albumcover.jpg\" alt=\"albumcover\" title=\"albumcover\" width=\"320\" height=\"320\" class=\"alignleft\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0038QK5UI?ie=UTF8&tag=hollywoodreco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0038QK5UI\">Amazon</a>, <a href=\"http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPreorder?id=372316060&s=143441\">iTunes</a>, <a href=\"http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Grace+Potter+%26+the+Nocturnals+%5B6/8%5D+-+CD/9911169.p?skuId=9911169&id=2090407\">Best Buy</a> or, preferably, your own local record store if you\'ve still got one. Less that 10 bucks - you really don\'t have any excuses.\r\n\r\nIt\'s already generating a <a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/category/review-gpn/\">stack of positive reviews</a>.\r\n\r\nWhile you\'re at it - <a href=\"http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewMovie?id=371159102&s=143441</a>!\r\n<a href=\"http://itunes.apple.com/album/grace-potter-the-nocturnals/id374815284?v0=9988&ign-mpt=uo%3D1\">\r\n<img src=\"http://a1.phobos.apple.com/us/r30/Music/0a/cb/5a/mzi.eytjfxrl.170x170-75.jpg\" alt=\"\" /></a>','buy this record',0,'','publish','open','open','','buy-this-record','','','2010-07-19 13:34:36','2010-07-19 18:34:36','',0,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/?p=5322',0,'post','',53),(5323,1,'2010-06-08 05:36:41','2010-06-08 10:36:41','','albumcover',0,'','inherit','open','open','','albumcover','','','2010-06-08 05:36:41','2010-06-08 10:36:41','',5322,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/albumcover.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(5324,1,'2010-06-08 05:39:19','2010-06-08 10:39:19','<a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/albumcover.jpg\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/albumcover.jpg\" alt=\"albumcover\" title=\"albumcover\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5323\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0038QK5UI?ie=UTF8&tag=hollywoodreco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0038QK5UI\">Amazon</a>, iTunes, <a href=\"http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Grace+Potter+%26+the+Nocturnals+%5B6/8%5D+-+CD/9911169.p?skuId=9911169&id=2090407\">Best Buy</a> or, preferably, your own local record store if you\'ve still got one. Less that 10 bucks - you really don\'t have any excuses.\n\nIt\'s already generating a <a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/category/review-gpn/\">stack of positive reviews</a>.','buy this record',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5322-revision','','','2010-06-08 05:39:19','2010-06-08 10:39:19','',5322,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/08/5322-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(5325,1,'2010-06-08 05:39:30','2010-06-08 10:39:30','<a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/albumcover.jpg\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/albumcover.jpg\" alt=\"albumcover\" title=\"albumcover\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5323\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0038QK5UI?ie=UTF8&tag=hollywoodreco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0038QK5UI\">Amazon</a>, <a href=\"http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPreorder?id=372316060&s=143441\">iTunes</a>, <a href=\"http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Grace+Potter+%26+the+Nocturnals+%5B6/8%5D+-+CD/9911169.p?skuId=9911169&id=2090407\">Best Buy</a> or, preferably, your own local record store if you\'ve still got one. Less that 10 bucks - you really don\'t have any excuses.\r\n\r\nIt\'s already generating a <a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/category/review-gpn/\">stack of positive reviews</a>.','buy this record',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5322-revision-2','','','2010-06-08 05:39:30','2010-06-08 10:39:30','',5322,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/08/5322-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(5326,1,'2010-06-08 05:39:39','2010-06-08 10:39:39','<a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/albumcover.jpg\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/albumcover.jpg\" alt=\"albumcover\" title=\"albumcover\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5323\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0038QK5UI?ie=UTF8&tag=hollywoodreco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0038QK5UI\">Amazon</a>, <a href=\"http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPreorder?id=372316060&s=143441\">iTunes</a>, <a href=\"http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Grace+Potter+%26+the+Nocturnals+%5B6/8%5D+-+CD/9911169.p?skuId=9911169&id=2090407\">Best Buy</a> or, preferably, your own local record store if you\'ve still got one. Less that 10 bucks - you really don\'t have any excuses.\r\n\r\nIt\'s already generating a <a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/category/review-gpn/\">stack of positive reviews</a>.','buy this record',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5322-revision-3','','','2010-06-08 05:39:39','2010-06-08 10:39:39','',5322,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/08/5322-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(5327,1,'2010-06-08 05:44:27','2010-06-08 10:44:27','<a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/albumcover.jpg\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/albumcover.jpg\" alt=\"albumcover\" title=\"albumcover\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5323\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0038QK5UI?ie=UTF8&tag=hollywoodreco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0038QK5UI\">Amazon</a>, <a href=\"http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPreorder?id=372316060&s=143441\">iTunes</a>, <a href=\"http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Grace+Potter+%26+the+Nocturnals+%5B6/8%5D+-+CD/9911169.p?skuId=9911169&id=2090407\">Best Buy</a> or, preferably, your own local record store if you\'ve still got one. Less that 10 bucks - you really don\'t have any excuses.\n\nIt\'s already generating a <a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/category/review-gpn/\">stack of positive reviews</a>.\n\nWhile you\'re at it \n<a href=\"http://itunes.apple.com/album/grace-potter-the-nocturnals/id374815284?v0=9988&ign-mpt=uo%3D1\">\n<img src=\"http://a1.phobos.apple.com/us/r30/Music/0a/cb/5a/mzi.eytjfxrl.170x170-75.jpg\" alt=\"\" /></a>','buy this record',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5322-autosave','','','2010-06-08 05:44:27','2010-06-08 10:44:27','',5322,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/08/5322-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(5328,1,'2010-06-08 05:40:01','2010-06-08 10:40:01','<a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/albumcover.jpg\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/albumcover.jpg\" alt=\"albumcover\" title=\"albumcover\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5323\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0038QK5UI?ie=UTF8&tag=hollywoodreco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0038QK5UI\">Amazon</a>, <a href=\"http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPreorder?id=372316060&s=143441\">iTunes</a>, <a href=\"http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Grace+Potter+%26+the+Nocturnals+%5B6/8%5D+-+CD/9911169.p?skuId=9911169&id=2090407\">Best Buy</a> or, preferably, your own local record store if you\'ve still got one. Less that 10 bucks - you really don\'t have any excuses.\r\n\r\nIt\'s already generating a <a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/category/review-gpn/\">stack of positive reviews</a>.','buy this record',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5322-revision-4','','','2010-06-08 05:40:01','2010-06-08 10:40:01','',5322,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/08/5322-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(5329,1,'2010-06-08 05:44:40','2010-06-08 10:44:40','<a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/albumcover.jpg\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/albumcover.jpg\" alt=\"albumcover\" title=\"albumcover\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5323\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0038QK5UI?ie=UTF8&tag=hollywoodreco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0038QK5UI\">Amazon</a>, <a href=\"http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPreorder?id=372316060&s=143441\">iTunes</a>, <a href=\"http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Grace+Potter+%26+the+Nocturnals+%5B6/8%5D+-+CD/9911169.p?skuId=9911169&id=2090407\">Best Buy</a> or, preferably, your own local record store if you\'ve still got one. Less that 10 bucks - you really don\'t have any excuses.\r\n\r\nIt\'s already generating a <a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/category/review-gpn/\">stack of positive reviews</a>.\r\n\r\nWhile you\'re at it - buy the Fillmore concert video too!\r\n<a href=\"http://itunes.apple.com/album/grace-potter-the-nocturnals/id374815284?v0=9988&ign-mpt=uo%3D1\">\r\n<img src=\"http://a1.phobos.apple.com/us/r30/Music/0a/cb/5a/mzi.eytjfxrl.170x170-75.jpg\" alt=\"\" /></a>','buy this record',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5322-revision-5','','','2010-06-08 05:44:40','2010-06-08 10:44:40','',5322,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/08/5322-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(5364,1,'2010-06-11 05:32:06','2010-06-11 10:32:06','\"I\'m telling you, some of these songs fell out of us so quickly like I\'ve never seen or ever hope to be able to see again. The demo for the song ‘Oasis\' was a reggae song or a hip-hop thing, and we thought, ‘How is this going to make sense to our fans that have heard us for years?\'  Benny and Scott had this guitar piece going that was so endearing and wonderful, and all of a sudden, the hook just formed and the song took shape and we were ready to record it. And every single song on this album was the second or third take at the very least. ‘White Rabbit\' we recorded in the same session and that was the first take. There were a lot of first takes on this record. The word synergy can\'t be overused to describe what was happening.  In fact, I don\'t know if we went into the studio now if it would come out just the same.\"\r\n\r\nvia <a href=\"http://blurt-online.com/features/view/644/\">Blonde on Bonds</a>','blurt it out',0,'','publish','open','open','','blurt-it-out','','','2010-06-11 05:32:06','2010-06-11 10:32:06','',0,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/?p=5364',0,'post','',2),(5330,1,'2010-06-08 05:45:58','2010-06-08 10:45:58','<a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/albumcover.jpg\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/albumcover.jpg\" alt=\"albumcover\" title=\"albumcover\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5323\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0038QK5UI?ie=UTF8&tag=hollywoodreco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0038QK5UI\">Amazon</a>, <a href=\"http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPreorder?id=372316060&s=143441\">iTunes</a>, <a href=\"http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Grace+Potter+%26+the+Nocturnals+%5B6/8%5D+-+CD/9911169.p?skuId=9911169&id=2090407\">Best Buy</a> or, preferably, your own local record store if you\'ve still got one. Less that 10 bucks - you really don\'t have any excuses.\r\n\r\nIt\'s already generating a <a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/category/review-gpn/\">stack of positive reviews</a>.\r\n\r\nWhile you\'re at it - <a href=\"http://itunes.apple.com/album/grace-potter-the-nocturnals/id374815284?v0=9988&ign-mpt=uo%3D1\">buy the Fillmore concert video too</a>!\r\n<a href=\"http://itunes.apple.com/album/grace-potter-the-nocturnals/id374815284?v0=9988&ign-mpt=uo%3D1\">\r\n<img src=\"http://a1.phobos.apple.com/us/r30/Music/0a/cb/5a/mzi.eytjfxrl.170x170-75.jpg\" alt=\"\" /></a>','buy this record',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5322-revision-6','','','2010-06-08 05:45:58','2010-06-08 10:45:58','',5322,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/08/5322-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(5331,1,'2010-06-08 08:08:49','2010-06-08 13:08:49','<strong>iTunes: </strong>\r\n#6 - 3:00 PM\r\n<strike>#7 - 11:45</strike>\r\n<strike>#8 - 10:30</strike>\r\n<strike>#9 - 9:15</strike>\r\n<strike>#11 - 8:30</strike>\r\n\r\n<strong>Amazon: </strong>\r\n#10 - 9:15\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/music/vermont_group_reaches_peak_pCMZJlIcuNx9x3qd1KhRSP?CMP=OTC-rss&FEEDNAME=\">NY Post</a>\r\n\r\n<blockquote>Top to bottom, this CD features an eclecticism that projects blues/rock swagger with a hint of funk. Buzzed about at the annual South by Southwest Festival, Potter and company, who perform at Webster Hall on Saturday, deserve the hype.\r\n</blockquote>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://twangville.com/3789/editors-pick-grace-potter-and-the-nocturnals/\">Twangville</a>\r\n\r\n<blockquote>there’s no mistaking a solid effort overall bolstered by performances of Tournet and Burr in songs like “Paris (Ooh La La)”, “Oasis”, and “Medicine”. Grace Potter and the Nocturnals “got the medicine that everybody wants”. Somebody call the doctor I’ve got GP&N fever.\r\n\r\n...\r\n\r\nThere’s a big difference between functioning as a jam-band and being a band that really jams. Grace Potter and her Nocturnals have turned in a record that proves they are the latter.</blockquote>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://popdose.com/cd-review-grace-potter-and-the-nocturnals-grace-potter-the-nocturnals/\">PopDose</a>\r\n\r\n<blockquote>Even though their influences are featured throughout, their sound is fresh, especially with so much of what is sold to the general public as music is being created through the computers used to record the artists. There is no auto tune here. These aren’t studio wizard musicians providing the right fills where needed. This is a tight knit band playing music that sounds great coming out of your car speakers or headphones, but will sound even better when it’s blowing you away live.</blockquote>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n','today\'s release and review updates',0,'','publish','open','open','','todays-release-and-review-updates','','\nhttp://twangville.com/3789/editors-pick-grace-potter-and-the-nocturnals/','2010-06-08 20:23:42','2010-06-09 01:23:42','',0,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/?p=5331',0,'post','',2),(5332,1,'2010-06-08 08:08:03','2010-06-08 13:08:03','<a href=\"http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/music/vermont_group_reaches_peak_pCMZJlIcuNx9x3qd1KhRSP?CMP=OTC-rss&FEEDNAME=\">NY Post</a>\n\n<blockquote>Top to bottom, this CD features an eclecticism that projects blues/rock swagger with a hint of funk. Buzzed about at the annual South by Southwest Festival, Potter and company, who perform at Webster Hall on Saturday, deserve the hype.\n</blockquote>\n\n<a href=\"http://twangville.com/3789/editors-pick-grace-potter-and-the-nocturnals/\">Twangville</a>\n\nthere’s no mistaking a solid effort overall bolstered by performances of Tournet and Burr in songs like “Paris (Ooh La La)”, “Oasis”, and “Medicine”. Grace Potter and the Nocturnals “got the medicine that everybody wants”. Somebody call the doctor I’ve got GP&N fever.\n\n\n','today\'s release and review updates',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5331-revision','','','2010-06-08 08:08:03','2010-06-08 13:08:03','',5331,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/08/5331-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(5333,1,'2010-06-08 08:08:49','2010-06-08 13:08:49','<a href=\"http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/music/vermont_group_reaches_peak_pCMZJlIcuNx9x3qd1KhRSP?CMP=OTC-rss&FEEDNAME=\">NY Post</a>\r\n\r\n<blockquote>Top to bottom, this CD features an eclecticism that projects blues/rock swagger with a hint of funk. Buzzed about at the annual South by Southwest Festival, Potter and company, who perform at Webster Hall on Saturday, deserve the hype.\r\n</blockquote>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://twangville.com/3789/editors-pick-grace-potter-and-the-nocturnals/\">Twangville</a>\r\n\r\n<blockquote>there’s no mistaking a solid effort overall bolstered by performances of Tournet and Burr in songs like “Paris (Ooh La La)”, “Oasis”, and “Medicine”. Grace Potter and the Nocturnals “got the medicine that everybody wants”. Somebody call the doctor I’ve got GP&N fever.\r\n\r\n...\r\n\r\nThere’s a big difference between functioning as a jam-band and being a band that really jams. Grace Potter and her Nocturnals have turned in a record that proves they are the latter.</blockquote>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n','today\'s release and review updates',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5331-revision-2','','','2010-06-08 08:08:49','2010-06-08 13:08:49','',5331,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/08/5331-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(5334,1,'2010-06-08 08:10:50','2010-06-08 13:10:50','iTunes: #11\r\nAmazon: #10\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/music/vermont_group_reaches_peak_pCMZJlIcuNx9x3qd1KhRSP?CMP=OTC-rss&FEEDNAME=\">NY Post</a>\r\n\r\n<blockquote>Top to bottom, this CD features an eclecticism that projects blues/rock swagger with a hint of funk. Buzzed about at the annual South by Southwest Festival, Potter and company, who perform at Webster Hall on Saturday, deserve the hype.\r\n</blockquote>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://twangville.com/3789/editors-pick-grace-potter-and-the-nocturnals/\">Twangville</a>\r\n\r\n<blockquote>there’s no mistaking a solid effort overall bolstered by performances of Tournet and Burr in songs like “Paris (Ooh La La)”, “Oasis”, and “Medicine”. Grace Potter and the Nocturnals “got the medicine that everybody wants”. Somebody call the doctor I’ve got GP&N fever.\r\n\r\n...\r\n\r\nThere’s a big difference between functioning as a jam-band and being a band that really jams. Grace Potter and her Nocturnals have turned in a record that proves they are the latter.</blockquote>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n','today\'s release and review updates',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5331-revision-3','','','2010-06-08 08:10:50','2010-06-08 13:10:50','',5331,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/08/5331-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(5335,1,'2010-06-08 08:19:29','2010-06-08 13:19:29','<strong>iTunes: </strong>\n#9 - 9:15\n<strike>#11 - 8:30\nAmazon: \n#10\n\n<a href=\"http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/music/vermont_group_reaches_peak_pCMZJlIcuNx9x3qd1KhRSP?CMP=OTC-rss&FEEDNAME=\">NY Post</a>\n\n<blockquote>Top to bottom, this CD features an eclecticism that projects blues/rock swagger with a hint of funk. Buzzed about at the annual South by Southwest Festival, Potter and company, who perform at Webster Hall on Saturday, deserve the hype.\n</blockquote>\n\n<a href=\"http://twangville.com/3789/editors-pick-grace-potter-and-the-nocturnals/\">Twangville</a>\n\n<blockquote>there’s no mistaking a solid effort overall bolstered by performances of Tournet and Burr in songs like “Paris (Ooh La La)”, “Oasis”, and “Medicine”. Grace Potter and the Nocturnals “got the medicine that everybody wants”. Somebody call the doctor I’ve got GP&N fever.\n\n...\n\nThere’s a big difference between functioning as a jam-band and being a band that really jams. Grace Potter and her Nocturnals have turned in a record that proves they are the latter.</blockquote>\n\n\n\n\n','today\'s release and review updates',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5331-autosave','','','2010-06-08 08:19:29','2010-06-08 13:19:29','',5331,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/08/5331-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(5336,1,'2010-06-08 08:15:22','2010-06-08 13:15:22','iTunes: #11\r\nAmazon: #10\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/music/vermont_group_reaches_peak_pCMZJlIcuNx9x3qd1KhRSP?CMP=OTC-rss&FEEDNAME=\">NY Post</a>\r\n\r\n<blockquote>Top to bottom, this CD features an eclecticism that projects blues/rock swagger with a hint of funk. Buzzed about at the annual South by Southwest Festival, Potter and company, who perform at Webster Hall on Saturday, deserve the hype.\r\n</blockquote>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://twangville.com/3789/editors-pick-grace-potter-and-the-nocturnals/\">Twangville</a>\r\n\r\n<blockquote>there’s no mistaking a solid effort overall bolstered by performances of Tournet and Burr in songs like “Paris (Ooh La La)”, “Oasis”, and “Medicine”. Grace Potter and the Nocturnals “got the medicine that everybody wants”. Somebody call the doctor I’ve got GP&N fever.\r\n\r\n...\r\n\r\nThere’s a big difference between functioning as a jam-band and being a band that really jams. Grace Potter and her Nocturnals have turned in a record that proves they are the latter.</blockquote>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n','today\'s release and review updates',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5331-revision-4','','','2010-06-08 08:15:22','2010-06-08 13:15:22','',5331,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/08/5331-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(5351,1,'2010-06-09 17:48:10','2010-06-09 22:48:10','\"I always think about the band now,\" says Potter. \"When I wrote a song like \'Apologies,\' I was writing for myself and a piano. I wasn\'t thinking about how people I spend my life with were going to play it. It was a much more personal thing. And now I write with the intention of knowing what great musicians are capable of achieving. It was really fun for me to know that I could stretch much farther than just that girl-crying-into-her-piano act. I could write lines and riffs that I can\'t play on piano but two guitars playing together can, and create rhythms and biorhythms and polyrhythms. All these things that I can\'t do on my own. It takes a village and now I have a village.\"\r\n\r\nWith the release of her band\'s last studio album (2007\'s This is Somewhere) almost three years behind her, Potter is anxious to roll out the new material with her new creative cohorts.\r\n\r\n\"The wait was so worth it,\" she says. \"It has been a year now since Benny and Kat joined the band, so we\'ve had that full time to marinate in these juices and understand exactly what kind of band we are. Now that the juices are flowing and the machine is running smoothly, it\'s clear that it took all that time to get here. I am chomping at the bit to get it out and to have the world hear the new thing.\"\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.ascap.com/playback/2010/06/RADAR_REPORT/GlamorousJams.aspx\">Glamorous Jams</a>','ascap glam jam',0,'','publish','open','open','','ascap-glam-jam','','','2010-06-09 17:48:10','2010-06-09 22:48:10','',0,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/?p=5351',0,'post','',2),(5337,1,'2010-06-08 08:19:43','2010-06-08 13:19:43','<strong>iTunes: </strong>\r\n#9 - 9:15\r\n<strike>#11 - 8:30</strike>\r\n\r\n<strong>Amazon: </strong>\r\n#10 - 9:15\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/music/vermont_group_reaches_peak_pCMZJlIcuNx9x3qd1KhRSP?CMP=OTC-rss&FEEDNAME=\">NY Post</a>\r\n\r\n<blockquote>Top to bottom, this CD features an eclecticism that projects blues/rock swagger with a hint of funk. Buzzed about at the annual South by Southwest Festival, Potter and company, who perform at Webster Hall on Saturday, deserve the hype.\r\n</blockquote>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://twangville.com/3789/editors-pick-grace-potter-and-the-nocturnals/\">Twangville</a>\r\n\r\n<blockquote>there’s no mistaking a solid effort overall bolstered by performances of Tournet and Burr in songs like “Paris (Ooh La La)”, “Oasis”, and “Medicine”. Grace Potter and the Nocturnals “got the medicine that everybody wants”. Somebody call the doctor I’ve got GP&N fever.\r\n\r\n...\r\n\r\nThere’s a big difference between functioning as a jam-band and being a band that really jams. Grace Potter and her Nocturnals have turned in a record that proves they are the latter.</blockquote>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n','today\'s release and review updates',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5331-revision-5','','','2010-06-08 08:19:43','2010-06-08 13:19:43','',5331,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/08/5331-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(5338,1,'2010-06-08 10:41:09','2010-06-08 15:41:09','<a href=\"http://andrewliptak.wordpress.com/2010/06/08/shes-got-the-medicine-that-everybody-wants-grace-potter-and-the-nocturnals/\">Complete review</a>\r\n\r\n<blockquote>At the end of the day, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals is simply a stunning album from a stunning band. Not content to recycle their prior successes, the band has once again reinvented themselves to attain a better, brighter and richer sound throughout their new album, with songs that are truly inspiring, interesting and most importantly, fun to listen to. It’s clear that they’re on the upwards path, but this new lineup shows that the group is maturing, and they’re bringing out a whole new sound that will really make heads turn.</blockquote>\r\n\r\n','worlds in a grain of sand review',0,'','publish','open','open','','worlds-in-a-grain-of-sand-review','','\nhttp://andrewliptak.wordpress.com/2010/06/08/shes-got-the-medicine-that-everybody-wants-grace-potter-and-the-nocturnals/','2010-06-08 10:41:09','2010-06-08 15:41:09','',0,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/?p=5338',0,'post','',1),(5339,1,'2010-06-08 10:41:05','2010-06-08 15:41:05','<a href=\"http://andrewliptak.wordpress.com/2010/06/08/shes-got-the-medicine-that-everybody-wants-grace-potter-and-the-nocturnals/\">Complete review</a>\n\n<blockquote>At the end of the day, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals is simply a stunning album from a stunning band. Not content to recycle their prior successes, the band has once again reinvented themselves to attain a better, brighter and richer sound throughout their new album, with songs that are truly inspiring, interesting and most importantly, fun to listen to. It’s clear that they’re on the upwards path, but this new lineup shows that the group is maturing, and they’re bringing out a whole new sound that will really make heads turn.</blockquote>\n\n','worlds in a grain of sand review',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5338-revision','','','2010-06-08 10:41:05','2010-06-08 15:41:05','',5338,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/08/5338-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(5340,1,'2010-06-08 09:31:42','2010-06-08 14:31:42','<strong>iTunes: </strong>\r\n#8 - 10:30\r\n<strike>#9 - 9:15</strike>\r\n<strike>#11 - 8:30</strike>\r\n\r\n<strong>Amazon: </strong>\r\n#10 - 9:15\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/music/vermont_group_reaches_peak_pCMZJlIcuNx9x3qd1KhRSP?CMP=OTC-rss&FEEDNAME=\">NY Post</a>\r\n\r\n<blockquote>Top to bottom, this CD features an eclecticism that projects blues/rock swagger with a hint of funk. Buzzed about at the annual South by Southwest Festival, Potter and company, who perform at Webster Hall on Saturday, deserve the hype.\r\n</blockquote>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://twangville.com/3789/editors-pick-grace-potter-and-the-nocturnals/\">Twangville</a>\r\n\r\n<blockquote>there’s no mistaking a solid effort overall bolstered by performances of Tournet and Burr in songs like “Paris (Ooh La La)”, “Oasis”, and “Medicine”. Grace Potter and the Nocturnals “got the medicine that everybody wants”. Somebody call the doctor I’ve got GP&N fever.\r\n\r\n...\r\n\r\nThere’s a big difference between functioning as a jam-band and being a band that really jams. Grace Potter and her Nocturnals have turned in a record that proves they are the latter.</blockquote>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n','today\'s release and review updates',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5331-revision-6','','','2010-06-08 09:31:42','2010-06-08 14:31:42','',5331,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/08/5331-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(5341,1,'2010-06-08 10:44:11','2010-06-08 15:44:11','<strong>iTunes: </strong>\r\n#7 - 11:45\r\n<strike>#8 - 10:30</strike>\r\n<strike>#9 - 9:15</strike>\r\n<strike>#11 - 8:30</strike>\r\n\r\n<strong>Amazon: </strong>\r\n#10 - 9:15\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/music/vermont_group_reaches_peak_pCMZJlIcuNx9x3qd1KhRSP?CMP=OTC-rss&FEEDNAME=\">NY Post</a>\r\n\r\n<blockquote>Top to bottom, this CD features an eclecticism that projects blues/rock swagger with a hint of funk. Buzzed about at the annual South by Southwest Festival, Potter and company, who perform at Webster Hall on Saturday, deserve the hype.\r\n</blockquote>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://twangville.com/3789/editors-pick-grace-potter-and-the-nocturnals/\">Twangville</a>\r\n\r\n<blockquote>there’s no mistaking a solid effort overall bolstered by performances of Tournet and Burr in songs like “Paris (Ooh La La)”, “Oasis”, and “Medicine”. Grace Potter and the Nocturnals “got the medicine that everybody wants”. Somebody call the doctor I’ve got GP&N fever.\r\n\r\n...\r\n\r\nThere’s a big difference between functioning as a jam-band and being a band that really jams. Grace Potter and her Nocturnals have turned in a record that proves they are the latter.</blockquote>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n','today\'s release and review updates',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5331-revision-7','','','2010-06-08 10:44:11','2010-06-08 15:44:11','',5331,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/08/5331-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(5342,1,'2010-06-08 14:20:14','2010-06-08 19:20:14','<strong>iTunes: </strong>\r\n#6 - 3:00 PM\r\n<strike>#7 - 11:45</strike>\r\n<strike>#8 - 10:30</strike>\r\n<strike>#9 - 9:15</strike>\r\n<strike>#11 - 8:30</strike>\r\n\r\n<strong>Amazon: </strong>\r\n#10 - 9:15\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/music/vermont_group_reaches_peak_pCMZJlIcuNx9x3qd1KhRSP?CMP=OTC-rss&FEEDNAME=\">NY Post</a>\r\n\r\n<blockquote>Top to bottom, this CD features an eclecticism that projects blues/rock swagger with a hint of funk. Buzzed about at the annual South by Southwest Festival, Potter and company, who perform at Webster Hall on Saturday, deserve the hype.\r\n</blockquote>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://twangville.com/3789/editors-pick-grace-potter-and-the-nocturnals/\">Twangville</a>\r\n\r\n<blockquote>there’s no mistaking a solid effort overall bolstered by performances of Tournet and Burr in songs like “Paris (Ooh La La)”, “Oasis”, and “Medicine”. Grace Potter and the Nocturnals “got the medicine that everybody wants”. Somebody call the doctor I’ve got GP&N fever.\r\n\r\n...\r\n\r\nThere’s a big difference between functioning as a jam-band and being a band that really jams. Grace Potter and her Nocturnals have turned in a record that proves they are the latter.</blockquote>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n','today\'s release and review updates',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5331-revision-8','','','2010-06-08 14:20:14','2010-06-08 19:20:14','',5331,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/08/5331-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(5343,1,'2010-06-08 18:15:56','2010-06-08 23:15:56','Courtesty of <a href=\"http://www.wptz.com/video/23836548/index.html\">WPTZ</a>','video from today in burlington',0,'','publish','open','open','','video-from-today-in-burlington','','','2010-06-08 18:15:56','2010-06-08 23:15:56','',0,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/?p=5343',0,'post','',4),(5344,1,'2010-06-08 18:15:29','2010-06-08 23:15:29','','video from today in burlington',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5343-revision','','','2010-06-08 18:15:29','2010-06-08 23:15:29','',5343,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/08/5343-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(5345,1,'2010-06-08 20:06:56','2010-06-09 01:06:56','They Might Be Giants + Dan Zane + Grace Potter and the Nocturnals - Robot Parade indeed.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.lifeisgood.com/festivals/music-events/\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/lifeisgood.png\" alt=\"lifeisgood\" title=\"lifeisgood\" width=\"640\" height=\"422\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5346\" /></a>\r\n\r\nFamily Friendly <a href=\"http://www.lifeisgood.com/festivals/music-events/\">Life Is Good Festival</a> in Canton, MA September 11th and 12th','dan zanes might be a giant at the life is good festival (oh yeah, with gpn)',0,'','publish','open','open','','dan-zanes-might-be-a-giant-at-the-life-is-good-festival-oh-yeah-with-gpn','','','2010-06-08 20:06:56','2010-06-09 01:06:56','',0,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/?p=5345',0,'post','',8),(5346,1,'2010-06-08 20:02:29','2010-06-09 01:02:29','','lifeisgood',0,'','inherit','open','open','','lifeisgood','','','2010-06-08 20:02:29','2010-06-09 01:02:29','',0,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/lifeisgood.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(5347,1,'2010-06-08 20:04:37','2010-06-09 01:04:37','They Might Be Giants + Dan Zane + Grace Potter\n<a href=\"http://www.lifeisgood.com/festivals/music-events/\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/lifeisgood.png\" alt=\"lifeisgood\" title=\"lifeisgood\" width=\"640\" height=\"422\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5346\" /></a>\n\nFamily Friendly <a href=\"http://www.lifeisgood.com/festivals/music-events/\">Life Is Good Festival</a> in Canton, MA September 11th and 12th','dan zanes might be a giant at the life is good festival (oh yeah, with gpn)',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5345-revision','','','2010-06-08 20:04:37','2010-06-09 01:04:37','',5345,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/08/5345-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(5348,1,'2010-06-08 20:06:36','2010-06-09 01:06:36','They Might Be Giants + Dan Zane + Grace Potter\r\n<a href=\"http://www.lifeisgood.com/festivals/music-events/\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/lifeisgood.png\" alt=\"lifeisgood\" title=\"lifeisgood\" width=\"640\" height=\"422\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5346\" /></a>\r\n\r\nFamily Friendly <a href=\"http://www.lifeisgood.com/festivals/music-events/\">Life Is Good Festival</a> in Canton, MA September 11th and 12th','dan zanes might be a giant at the life is good festival (oh yeah, with gpn)',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5345-revision-2','','','2010-06-08 20:06:36','2010-06-09 01:06:36','',5345,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/08/5345-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(5349,1,'2010-06-08 14:28:15','2010-06-08 19:28:15','<strong>iTunes: </strong>\r\n#6 - 3:00 PM\r\n<strike>#7 - 11:45</strike>\r\n<strike>#8 - 10:30</strike>\r\n<strike>#9 - 9:15</strike>\r\n<strike>#11 - 8:30</strike>\r\n\r\n<strong>Amazon: </strong>\r\n#10 - 9:15\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/music/vermont_group_reaches_peak_pCMZJlIcuNx9x3qd1KhRSP?CMP=OTC-rss&FEEDNAME=\">NY Post</a>\r\n\r\n<blockquote>Top to bottom, this CD features an eclecticism that projects blues/rock swagger with a hint of funk. Buzzed about at the annual South by Southwest Festival, Potter and company, who perform at Webster Hall on Saturday, deserve the hype.\r\n</blockquote>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://twangville.com/3789/editors-pick-grace-potter-and-the-nocturnals/\">Twangville</a>\r\n\r\n<blockquote>there’s no mistaking a solid effort overall bolstered by performances of Tournet and Burr in songs like “Paris (Ooh La La)”, “Oasis”, and “Medicine”. Grace Potter and the Nocturnals “got the medicine that everybody wants”. Somebody call the doctor I’ve got GP&N fever.\r\n\r\n...\r\n\r\nThere’s a big difference between functioning as a jam-band and being a band that really jams. Grace Potter and her Nocturnals have turned in a record that proves they are the latter.</blockquote>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n','today\'s release and review updates',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5331-revision-9','','','2010-06-08 14:28:15','2010-06-08 19:28:15','',5331,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/08/5331-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(5350,1,'2010-06-08 08:04:56','2010-06-08 13:04:56','<a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/albumcover.jpg\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/albumcover.jpg\" alt=\"albumcover\" title=\"albumcover\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5323\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0038QK5UI?ie=UTF8&tag=hollywoodreco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0038QK5UI\">Amazon</a>, <a href=\"http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPreorder?id=372316060&s=143441\">iTunes</a>, <a href=\"http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Grace+Potter+%26+the+Nocturnals+%5B6/8%5D+-+CD/9911169.p?skuId=9911169&id=2090407\">Best Buy</a> or, preferably, your own local record store if you\'ve still got one. Less that 10 bucks - you really don\'t have any excuses.\r\n\r\nIt\'s already generating a <a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/category/review-gpn/\">stack of positive reviews</a>.\r\n\r\nWhile you\'re at it - <a href=\"http://itunes.apple.com/album/grace-potter-the-nocturnals/id374815284?v0=9988&ign-mpt=uo%3D1\">buy the Fillmore concert video too</a>!\r\n<a href=\"http://itunes.apple.com/album/grace-potter-the-nocturnals/id374815284?v0=9988&ign-mpt=uo%3D1\">\r\n<img src=\"http://a1.phobos.apple.com/us/r30/Music/0a/cb/5a/mzi.eytjfxrl.170x170-75.jpg\" alt=\"\" /></a>','buy this record',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5322-revision-7','','','2010-06-08 08:04:56','2010-06-08 13:04:56','',5322,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/08/5322-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(5352,1,'2010-06-09 17:47:45','2010-06-09 22:47:45','','ascap glam jam',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5351-revision','','','2010-06-09 17:47:45','2010-06-09 22:47:45','',5351,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/09/5351-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(5353,1,'2010-12-06 05:49:23','2010-12-06 10:49:23','Hey there - yeah, Grace is nice to look at - but <a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/08/buy-this-record/\">GO BUY THE NEW RECORD</a>\n\n<strong>Paris - VH1 Divas</strong>\n<embed src=\"http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:uma:video:vh1.com:602760\" width=\"512\" height=\"319\" wmode=\"transparent\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" flashVars=\"configParams=id%3D1653349%26vid%3D602760%26uri%3Dmgid%3Auma%3Avideo%3Avh1.com%3A602760\" allowFullScreen=\"true\" allowScriptAccess=\"always\" base=\".\"></embed>\n\nPlus, um, uh, ok, I got nothing. Grace wraps herself in the flag, literally. \n\n\"What are you protesting\"\n\"What have you got\"\n\n<img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/harp/gflag1.jpg\" alt=\"flag 1\" />\n\n\n<img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/harp/gflag2.jpg\" alt=\"flag 2\" />\n\nPhoto Credit: <a href=\"http://russharrington.com/\">Russ Harrington</a> via Harp Magazine. Looks like a slideshow of the photo shoot was supposed to exist on the site but I\'m getting errors.\n\n\n<a href=\"http://harpmagazine.com/articles/detail.cfm?article_id=6727\">From Harp Magazine\n</a> Read Grace\'s thoughts behind her choices at the link.\n\n\n<ul>\n	<li>Neil Young-Ohio</li>\n[audio:http://www.thisissomewhere.com/audio/protest/ohio.mp3]\n\n	<li>Billie Holiday- Strange Fruit</li>\n[audio:http://www.thisissomewhere.com/audio/protest/strangefruit.mp3]\n	<li>Marvin Gaye - What\'s Going ON</li>\n[audio:http://www.thisissomewhere.com/audio/protest/whatsgoinon.mp3]\n\n	<li>The Rolling Stones- You Can\'t Always Get What You Want</li>\n[audio:http://www.thisissomewhere.com/audio/protest/getwhatyouwant.mp3]\n\n\n	<li>Rage Against the Machine â€œKilling in the Nameâ€</li>\n[audio:http://www.thisissomewhere.com/audio/protest/killinginthename.mp3]\n</ul>','grace potter top five protest songs',0,'','inherit','open','open','','131-autosave','','','2010-12-06 05:49:23','2010-12-06 10:49:23','',131,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/09/131-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(5354,1,'2008-03-08 08:27:19','2008-03-08 16:27:19','<a href=\"http://harpmagazine.com/articles/detail.cfm?article_id=6727\">From Harp Magazine\r\n</a> Read Grace\'s thoughts behind her choices at the link.\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Neil Young â€œOhioâ€</li>\r\n[audio:http://www.thisissomewhere.com/audio/protest/ohio.mp3]\r\n\r\n	<li>Billie Holiday â€œStrange Fruitâ€</li>\r\n[audio:http://www.thisissomewhere.com/audio/protest/strangefruit.mp3]\r\n	<li>Marvin Gaye â€œWhatâ€™s Going Onâ€</li>\r\n[audio:http://www.thisissomewhere.com/audio/protest/whatsgoinon.mp3]\r\n\r\n	<li>The Rolling Stones â€œYou Canâ€™t Always Get What You Wantâ€</li>\r\n[audio:http://www.thisissomewhere.com/audio/protest/getwhatyouwant.mp3]\r\n\r\n\r\n	<li>Rage Against the Machine â€œKilling in the Nameâ€</li>\r\n[audio:http://www.thisissomewhere.com/audio/protest/killinginthename.mp3]\r\n</ul>\r\n\r\nPlus, um, uh, ok, I got nothing. Grace wraps herself in the flag, literally. \r\n\r\n\"What are you protesting\"\r\n\"What have you got\"\r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/harp/gflag1.jpg\" alt=\"flag 1\" />\r\n\r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/harp/gflag2.jpg\" alt=\"flag 2\" />\r\n\r\nPhoto Credit: <a href=\"http://russharrington.com/\">Russ Harrington</a> via Harp Magazine. Looks like a slideshow of the photo shoot was supposed to exist on the site but I\'m getting errors.','grace potter top five protest songs',0,'','inherit','open','open','','131-revision','','','2008-03-08 08:27:19','2008-03-08 16:27:19','',131,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2008/03/08/131-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(5357,1,'2010-06-10 05:52:11','2010-06-10 10:52:11','<object width=\"640\" height=\"385\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/ZwfruarAts4&hl=en_US&fs=1&\"></param><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\"></param><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\"></param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/ZwfruarAts4&hl=en_US&fs=1&\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\"></embed></object>\r\n\r\nSweet! I guess the artscape of <a href=\"http://www.massmoca.org/\">MASSMoCA</a> got Mallory Harryhausen all inspired.','massmoca stop motion grace potter video',0,'','publish','open','open','','massmoca-stop-motion-grace-potter-video','','','2010-06-10 05:52:11','2010-06-10 10:52:11','',0,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/?p=5357',0,'post','',4),(5358,1,'2010-06-10 05:51:32','2010-06-10 10:51:32','<object width=\"640\" height=\"385\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/ZwfruarAts4&hl=en_US&fs=1&\"></param><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\"></param><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\"></param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/ZwfruarAts4&hl=en_US&fs=1&\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\"></embed></object>\n\nSweet! I guess the artscape of <a href=\"http://www.massmoca.org/\">MASSMoCA</a> got Mallory Harryhausen all inspired.','massmoca stop motion grace potter video',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5357-revision','','','2010-06-10 05:51:32','2010-06-10 10:51:32','',5357,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/10/5357-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(5359,1,'2010-06-10 10:31:01','2010-06-10 15:31:01','<object width=\"640\" height=\"505\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/oGJ2A6miWjI&hl=en_US&fs=1&\"></param><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\"></param><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\"></param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/oGJ2A6miWjI&hl=en_US&fs=1&\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" width=\"640\" height=\"505\"></embed></object>\r\n\r\nvia <a href=\"http://7d.blogs.com/stuckinvt/2010/06/grace-potter-and-the-nocturnals-179.html\">Stuck In Vermont</a>','stuck in vermont captures the fun',0,'','publish','open','open','','stuck-in-vermont-captures-the-fun','','','2010-06-10 10:31:01','2010-06-10 15:31:01','',0,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/?p=5359',0,'post','',5),(5360,1,'2010-06-10 10:30:50','2010-06-10 15:30:50','<object width=\"640\" height=\"505\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/oGJ2A6miWjI&hl=en_US&fs=1&\"></param><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\"></param><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\"></param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/oGJ2A6miWjI&hl=en_US&fs=1&\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" width=\"640\" height=\"505\"></embed></object>','stuck in vermont captures the fun',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5359-revision','','','2010-06-10 10:30:50','2010-06-10 15:30:50','',5359,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/10/5359-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(5361,1,'2010-06-10 16:34:35','2010-06-10 21:34:35','<style type=\"text/css\">\r\n.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }\r\n.flickr-yourcomment { }\r\n.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }\r\n.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; }\r\n</style>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"flickr-frame\">\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/benobriensmith/4688238683/\" title=\"photo sharing\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4042/4688238683_0f011ca39e.jpg\" class=\"flickr-photo\" alt=\"\" /></a>\r\n</div>\r\n				\r\n<p class=\"flickr-yourcomment\">\r\n	We\'ve spotted him dancing out of control.\r\n</p>','security - keep an eye on that dude in the yellow hat',0,'','publish','open','open','','security-keep-an-eye-on-that-dude-in-the-yellow-hat','','','2010-06-10 16:35:24','2010-06-10 21:35:24','',0,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/10/security-keep-an-eye-on-that-dude-in-the-yellow-hat/',0,'post','',8),(5363,1,'2010-06-09 04:59:45','2010-06-09 09:59:45','<a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/albumcover.jpg\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/albumcover.jpg\" alt=\"albumcover\" title=\"albumcover\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5323\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0038QK5UI?ie=UTF8&tag=hollywoodreco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0038QK5UI\">Amazon</a>, <a href=\"http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPreorder?id=372316060&s=143441\">iTunes</a>, <a href=\"http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Grace+Potter+%26+the+Nocturnals+%5B6/8%5D+-+CD/9911169.p?skuId=9911169&id=2090407\">Best Buy</a> or, preferably, your own local record store if you\'ve still got one. Less that 10 bucks - you really don\'t have any excuses.\r\n\r\nIt\'s already generating a <a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/category/review-gpn/\">stack of positive reviews</a>.\r\n\r\nWhile you\'re at it - <a href=\"http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewMovie?id=371159102&s=143441</a>!\r\n<a href=\"http://itunes.apple.com/album/grace-potter-the-nocturnals/id374815284?v0=9988&ign-mpt=uo%3D1\">\r\n<img src=\"http://a1.phobos.apple.com/us/r30/Music/0a/cb/5a/mzi.eytjfxrl.170x170-75.jpg\" alt=\"\" /></a>','buy this record',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5322-revision-8','','','2010-06-09 04:59:45','2010-06-09 09:59:45','',5322,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/09/5322-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(5362,1,'2010-06-10 16:34:35','2010-06-10 21:34:35','<style type=\"text/css\">\n.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }\n.flickr-yourcomment { }\n.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }\n.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; }\n</style>\n\n<div class=\"flickr-frame\">\n	<a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/benobriensmith/4688238683/\" title=\"photo sharing\"><img src=\"http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4042/4688238683_0f011ca39e.jpg\" class=\"flickr-photo\" alt=\"\" /></a>\n<br />\n	<span class=\"flickr-caption\"><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/benobriensmith/4688238683/\">Chuch St. Crowd Left</a>, originally uploaded by <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/people/benobriensmith/\">Ben O\'Brien Smith</a>.</span>\n</div>\n				\n<p class=\"flickr-yourcomment\">\n	We\'ve spotted him out of control.\n</p>','security - keep an eye on that dude in the yellow hat',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5361-revision','','','2010-06-10 16:34:35','2010-06-10 21:34:35','',5361,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/10/5361-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(5365,1,'2010-06-11 05:31:31','2010-06-11 10:31:31','','blurt it out',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5364-revision','','','2010-06-11 05:31:31','2010-06-11 10:31:31','',5364,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/11/5364-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(5366,1,'2010-06-11 06:01:31','2010-06-11 11:01:31','<a href=\"http://www.pbase.com/robk47/gpn\">Entire Set</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.pbase.com/robk47/gpn\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/rktwo.jpg\" alt=\"Music Grace Potter and the Nocturnals Portrait\" title=\"Music Grace Potter and the Nocturnals Portrait\" width=\"640\" height=\"651\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5367\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.pbase.com/robk47/gpn\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/rkone.jpg\" alt=\"Music Grace Potter Portrait\" title=\"Music Grace Potter Portrait\" width=\"600\" height=\"750\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5368\" /></a>','rob klein images from boston',0,'','publish','open','open','','rob-klein-images-from-boston','','','2010-06-11 06:02:03','2010-06-11 11:02:03','',0,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/?p=5366',0,'post','',2),(5367,1,'2010-06-11 06:00:43','2010-06-11 11:00:43','The Burlington Vermont based American rock band Grace Potter and the Nocturnals poses on the roof of the House of Blues in Boston, Friday, May 28, 2010. From left to right are guitarist Benny Yurco, frontwoman Grace Potter bass player Catherine Popper, guitarist Scott Tournet, and drummer Matt Burr.  (AP Photo/Robert E. Klein)','Music Grace Potter and the Nocturnals Portrait',0,'','inherit','open','open','','music-grace-potter-and-the-nocturnals-portrait','','','2010-06-11 06:00:43','2010-06-11 11:00:43','',5366,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/rktwo.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(5368,1,'2010-06-11 06:01:03','2010-06-11 11:01:03','Frontwoman Grace Potter holds a sign for the Burlington Vermont based American rock band Grace Potter and the Nocturnals show at the House of Blues in Boston, Friday, May 28, 2010.  (AP Photo/Robert E. Klein)','Music Grace Potter Portrait',0,'','inherit','open','open','','music-grace-potter-portrait','','','2010-06-11 06:01:03','2010-06-11 11:01:03','',5366,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/rkone.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(5369,1,'2010-06-11 05:59:54','2010-06-11 10:59:54','','rob klein images from bosto',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5366-revision','','','2010-06-11 05:59:54','2010-06-11 10:59:54','',5366,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/11/5366-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(5370,1,'2010-06-11 06:01:31','2010-06-11 11:01:31','<a href=\"http://www.pbase.com/robk47/gpn\">Entire Set</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.pbase.com/robk47/gpn\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/rktwo.jpg\" alt=\"Music Grace Potter and the Nocturnals Portrait\" title=\"Music Grace Potter and the Nocturnals Portrait\" width=\"640\" height=\"651\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5367\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.pbase.com/robk47/gpn\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/rkone.jpg\" alt=\"Music Grace Potter Portrait\" title=\"Music Grace Potter Portrait\" width=\"600\" height=\"750\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5368\" /></a>','rob klein images from bosto',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5366-revision-2','','','2010-06-11 06:01:31','2010-06-11 11:01:31','',5366,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/11/5366-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(5371,1,'2010-06-11 08:18:35','2010-06-11 13:18:35','<object width=\"640\" height=\"385\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/4BOHBPcPz-I&hl=en_US&fs=1&\"></param><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\"></param><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\"></param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/4BOHBPcPz-I&hl=en_US&fs=1&\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\"></embed></object>','on the balcony in london',0,'','publish','open','open','','on-the-balcony-in-london','','','2010-06-11 08:18:35','2010-06-11 13:18:35','',0,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/?p=5371',0,'post','',3),(5372,1,'2010-06-11 08:12:59','2010-06-11 13:12:59','<object width=\"640\" height=\"385\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/4BOHBPcPz-I&hl=en_US&fs=1&\"></param><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\"></param><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\"></param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/4BOHBPcPz-I&hl=en_US&fs=1&\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\"></embed></object>','on the balcony in london',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5371-revision','','','2010-06-11 08:12:59','2010-06-11 13:12:59','',5371,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/11/5371-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(5373,1,'2010-06-11 08:46:56','2010-06-11 13:46:56','Grace called \"Goodbye Kiss\" a \"happy break-up song\" and I\'m happy to stretch that metaphor a bit further than it was intended.\r\n\r\nThis will be the last update to \"This Is Somewhere\" for the foreseeable future. I\'ve spent the last two and a half years updating this blog almost every day and now I need to step away from it and get back to the offline world for awhile. \r\n\r\nIn the meantime I encourage you to participate over at the <a href=\"http://www.gracepotter.com/forums\">Grace Potter and the Nocturnals Forums</a> to help build the rapidly growing fan community. By all accounts the new record looks to be the big push that the band we\'ve all loved for years needs to get them in front of the bigger audience they richly deserve. I\'m happy to have played whatever small role I did in that success.\r\n\r\nI was privileged to be at the <a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2009/03/30/try-just-a-little-bit-harder/\">first</a> live <a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2009/03/30/white-rabbit-and-woodstock/\">show</a> that Grace, Scott, Matt, Benny and Cat played together as a new band. I remember speaking to Justin afterwards who asked me how everyone sounded together - I told him how amazed I was at how smooth the whole sound was - like something just clicked in place. Turns out it did.\r\n\r\nI\'ll see you on the road.\r\n\r\nkc\r\n\r\n\"<strong>Goodbye Kiss</strong>\" - final video in the acoustic series\r\n<object width=\"640\" height=\"360\"><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=12369582&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=0&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=947d5d&amp;fullscreen=1\" /><embed src=\"http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=12369582&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=0&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=947d5d&amp;fullscreen=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\"></embed></object>','I really hate to say it, but I’m gonna say it anyway',0,'','publish','open','open','','i-really-hate-to-say-it-but-i%e2%80%99m-gonna-say-it-anyway','','http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2009/03/30/try-just-a-little-bit-harder/\nhttp://www.thisissomewhere.com/2009/03/30/white-rabbit-and-woodstock/','2010-09-25 15:40:17','2010-09-25 20:40:17','',0,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/?p=5373',0,'post','',56),(5374,1,'2010-06-11 08:30:26','2010-06-11 13:30:26','Grace called \"Goodbye Kiss\" a \"happy break-up song\" and I\'m happy to stretch that metaphor a bit further than it was intended in this post. \n\nThis will be the last update to \"This Is Somewhere\" for the foreseeable future. I\'ve spent the last two and a half years updating this blog almost everyday and now I need to step away from it and get back to the offline world for awhile. \n\n\n\"<strong>Goodbye Kiss</strong>\" - final video in the acoustic series\n<object width=\"640\" height=\"360\"><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=12369582&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=0&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=947d5d&amp;fullscreen=1\" /><embed src=\"http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=12369582&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=0&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=947d5d&amp;fullscreen=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\"></embed></object>','I really hate to say it, but I’m gonna say it anyway',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5373-revision','','','2010-06-11 08:30:26','2010-06-11 13:30:26','',5373,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/11/5373-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(5375,1,'2010-06-11 08:38:19','2010-06-11 13:38:19','Grace called \"Goodbye Kiss\" a \"happy break-up song\" and I\'m happy to stretch that metaphor a bit further than it was intended in this post. \r\n\r\nThis will be the last update to \"This Is Somewhere\" for the foreseeable future. I\'ve spent the last two and a half years updating this blog almost everyday and now I need to step away from it and get back to the offline world for awhile. \r\n\r\nIn the meantime I encourage you to participate over at the <a href=\"http://www.gracepotter.com/forums\">Grace Potter and the Nocturnals Forums</a> to help build the rapidly growing fan community.\r\n\r\n\r\n\"<strong>Goodbye Kiss</strong>\" - final video in the acoustic series\r\n<object width=\"640\" height=\"360\"><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=12369582&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=0&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=947d5d&amp;fullscreen=1\" /><embed src=\"http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=12369582&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=0&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=947d5d&amp;fullscreen=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\"></embed></object>','I really hate to say it, but I’m gonna say it anyway',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5373-revision-2','','','2010-06-11 08:38:19','2010-06-11 13:38:19','',5373,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/11/5373-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(5376,1,'2010-06-11 08:38:24','2010-06-11 13:38:24','Grace called \"Goodbye Kiss\" a \"happy break-up song\" and I\'m happy to stretch that metaphor a bit further than it was intended in this post. \r\n\r\nThis will be the last update to \"This Is Somewhere\" for the foreseeable future. I\'ve spent the last two and a half years updating this blog almost everyday and now I need to step away from it and get back to the offline world for awhile. \r\n\r\nIn the meantime I encourage you to participate over at the <a href=\"http://www.gracepotter.com/forums\">Grace Potter and the Nocturnals Forums</a> to help build the rapidly growing fan community.\r\n\r\n\r\n\"<strong>Goodbye Kiss</strong>\" - final video in the acoustic series\r\n<object width=\"640\" height=\"360\"><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=12369582&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=0&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=947d5d&amp;fullscreen=1\" /><embed src=\"http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=12369582&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=0&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=947d5d&amp;fullscreen=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\"></embed></object>','I really hate to say it, but I’m gonna say it anyway',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5373-revision-3','','','2010-06-11 08:38:24','2010-06-11 13:38:24','',5373,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/11/5373-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(5377,1,'2010-06-11 08:45:49','2010-06-11 13:45:49','Grace called \"Goodbye Kiss\" a \"happy break-up song\" and I\'m happy to stretch that metaphor a bit further than it was intended.\r\n\r\nThis will be the last update to \"This Is Somewhere\" for the foreseeable future. I\'ve spent the last two and a half years updating this blog almost everyday and now I need to step away from it and get back to the offline world for awhile. \r\n\r\nIn the meantime I encourage you to participate over at the <a href=\"http://www.gracepotter.com/forums\">Grace Potter and the Nocturnals Forums</a> to help build the rapidly growing fan community. By all accounts the new record looks to be the big push that the band we\'ve all loved for years needs to get them the bigger audience they richly deserve. I\'m happy to have played whatever small role I did in that success.\r\n\r\nI was privileged to be at the <a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2009/03/30/try-just-a-little-bit-harder/\">first</a> live <a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2009/03/30/white-rabbit-and-woodstock/\">show</a> that Grace, Scott, Matt, Benny and Cat played together as a new band. I remember speaking to Justin afterwards who asked me how everyone sounded together - I told him how amazed I was at how smooth the whole sound was - like something just clicked in place. Turns out it did.\r\n\r\nI\'ll see you on the road.\r\n\r\nkc\r\n\r\n\"<strong>Goodbye Kiss</strong>\" - final video in the acoustic series\r\n<object width=\"640\" height=\"360\"><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=12369582&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=0&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=947d5d&amp;fullscreen=1\" /><embed src=\"http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=12369582&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=0&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=947d5d&amp;fullscreen=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\"></embed></object>','I really hate to say it, but I’m gonna say it anyway',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5373-revision-4','','','2010-06-11 08:45:49','2010-06-11 13:45:49','',5373,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/11/5373-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(5378,1,'2010-06-11 08:46:32','2010-06-11 13:46:32','Grace called \"Goodbye Kiss\" a \"happy break-up song\" and I\'m happy to stretch that metaphor a bit further than it was intended.\r\n\r\nThis will be the last update to \"This Is Somewhere\" for the foreseeable future. I\'ve spent the last two and a half years updating this blog almost everyday and now I need to step away from it and get back to the offline world for awhile. \r\n\r\nIn the meantime I encourage you to participate over at the <a href=\"http://www.gracepotter.com/forums\">Grace Potter and the Nocturnals Forums</a> to help build the rapidly growing fan community. By all accounts the new record looks to be the big push that the band we\'ve all loved for years needs to get them in front of the bigger audience they richly deserve. I\'m happy to have played whatever small role I did in that success.\r\n\r\nI was privileged to be at the <a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2009/03/30/try-just-a-little-bit-harder/\">first</a> live <a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2009/03/30/white-rabbit-and-woodstock/\">show</a> that Grace, Scott, Matt, Benny and Cat played together as a new band. I remember speaking to Justin afterwards who asked me how everyone sounded together - I told him how amazed I was at how smooth the whole sound was - like something just clicked in place. Turns out it did.\r\n\r\nI\'ll see you on the road.\r\n\r\nkc\r\n\r\n\"<strong>Goodbye Kiss</strong>\" - final video in the acoustic series\r\n<object width=\"640\" height=\"360\"><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=12369582&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=0&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=947d5d&amp;fullscreen=1\" /><embed src=\"http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=12369582&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=0&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=947d5d&amp;fullscreen=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\"></embed></object>','I really hate to say it, but I’m gonna say it anyway',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5373-revision-5','','','2010-06-11 08:46:32','2010-06-11 13:46:32','',5373,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/11/5373-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(5379,1,'2010-06-11 08:46:56','2010-06-11 13:46:56','Grace called \"Goodbye Kiss\" a \"happy break-up song\" and I\'m happy to stretch that metaphor a bit further than it was intended.\r\n\r\nThis will be the last update to \"This Is Somewhere\" for the foreseeable future. I\'ve spent the last two and a half years updating this blog almost everyday and now I need to step away from it and get back to the offline world for awhile. \r\n\r\nIn the meantime I encourage you to participate over at the <a href=\"http://www.gracepotter.com/forums\">Grace Potter and the Nocturnals Forums</a> to help build the rapidly growing fan community. By all accounts the new record looks to be the big push that the band we\'ve all loved for years needs to get them in front of the bigger audience they richly deserve. I\'m happy to have played whatever small role I did in that success.\r\n\r\nI was privileged to be at the <a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2009/03/30/try-just-a-little-bit-harder/\">first</a> live <a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2009/03/30/white-rabbit-and-woodstock/\">show</a> that Grace, Scott, Matt, Benny and Cat played together as a new band. I remember speaking to Justin afterwards who asked me how everyone sounded together - I told him how amazed I was at how smooth the whole sound was - like something just clicked in place. Turns out it did.\r\n\r\nI\'ll see you on the road.\r\n\r\nkc\r\n\r\n\"<strong>Goodbye Kiss</strong>\" - final video in the acoustic series\r\n<object width=\"640\" height=\"360\"><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=12369582&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=0&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=947d5d&amp;fullscreen=1\" /><embed src=\"http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=12369582&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=0&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=947d5d&amp;fullscreen=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\"></embed></object>','I really hate to say it, but I’m gonna say it anyway',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5373-revision-6','','','2010-06-11 08:46:56','2010-06-11 13:46:56','',5373,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/11/5373-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(5380,1,'2010-07-19 13:33:33','2010-07-19 18:33:33','<object width=\"512\" height=\"288\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.hulu.com/embed/jKSST11yEKfts7IEzdlYUQ\"></param><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\"></param><embed src=\"http://www.hulu.com/embed/jKSST11yEKfts7IEzdlYUQ\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\"  width=\"512\" height=\"288\" allowFullScreen=\"true\"></embed></object>\r\n\r\n(ED: We are allowing one post per month)\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/03/dave-eggers-once-a-year-like-clockwork/\">Dave Eggers</a> has been calling me recently. I wake up (rarely with my hair on fire by the way) and read the latest reference to the sell out. So depressing . . . \r\n\r\n<strong>Summary:</strong>\r\n- \"Paris\" on that damn Kardashian show was lame because the Kardashian\'s are lame\r\n- \"Paris\" on Leno was cool because the band rocked and also Ellen Page was on the same show and she was in \"Juno\" and Diablo Cody is cool because she also wrote \"United States of Tara\" and I\'ll be meeting Brie Larson next week but that\'s another story.\r\n- On the other hand, \"Paris\" on Leno was lame because Leno is lame and I\'m with Coco\r\n- You\'re allowed to get dressed up for Leno because it\'s late night TV and you only get one shot\r\n- \"Paris\" the video is lame because everyone is dressed up and that\'s not right is it?\r\n- \"Paris\" the video is lame because it got released on Hulu first and everyone knows that Hulu used to be free and now they\'re going to make me pay to watch a bazillion hours of TV shows f*** them I\'ll go back to BitTorrent\r\n- \"Paris\" the video is cool because it\'s all glammy and shit and the song is kind of sexy and tongue in cheek anyway\r\n- \"Paris\" is actually ok because the acoustic video they did is better why can\'t they play it that way?\r\n- \"Paris\" the video sucks because Grace looks at the camera all the time and sometimes she has a guitar and sometimes she doesn\'t and that damn \"French\" lyric is in there and where the hell are the crows? The song was better with the crows.\r\n\r\n\"Oh how gloriously comforting, to be able to write someone off.\"\r\n\r\n<object width=\"640\" height=\"385\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/21F6siv1o2U&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1\"></param><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\"></param><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\"></param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/21F6siv1o2U&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\"></embed></object>\r\n\r\nBut then I watch the video up there of the band performing live at the XPN Festival and damn it but they all seem to be having a grand time playing that song. When I check out the crowd they all seem to be totally digging it and I think back to the 10 or 12 times I\'ve seen them play this \"shitty song\" live and it seems to me that it was always pretty fucking incredible and I wonder why people think that one record or one song or one video is some sort of \"defining moment\" in a bands life?\r\n\r\nMy only real complaint about this video is that no matter how many text messages I sent to Scott/Benny for more \"information\" about the \"extras\" in the video I got no reply. I mean, I\'m a reporter here right? This is just totally unacceptable.\r\n\r\n<object width=\"640\" height=\"360\"><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=12203628&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=0&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=947d5d&amp;fullscreen=1\" /><embed src=\"http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=12203628&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=0&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=947d5d&amp;fullscreen=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\"></embed></object>\r\n\r\n','ode to the crows that no longer caw',0,'','publish','open','open','','ode-to-the-crows-that-no-longer-caw','','\nhttp://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/03/dave-eggers-once-a-year-like-clockwork/','2010-07-19 13:49:21','2010-07-19 18:49:21','',0,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/?p=5380',0,'post','',12),(5381,1,'2010-07-19 13:04:34','2010-07-19 18:04:34','<object width=\"640\" height=\"385\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/21F6siv1o2U&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1\"></param><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\"></param><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\"></param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/21F6siv1o2U&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\"></embed></object>\n\n(ED: We are allowing one post per month)\n\n<a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/03/dave-eggers-once-a-year-like-clockwork/\">Dave Eggers</a> has been calling me recently. I wake up (rarely with my hair on fire by the way) and read the latest reference to the sell out. So depressing . . . \n\nSummary:\n- \"Paris\" on that damn Kardashian show was lame because the Kardashian\'s are lame\n- \"Paris\" on Leno was cool because the band rocked and also Ellen Page was on the same show and she was in \"Juno\" and Diablo Cody is cool because she also wrote \"United States of Tara\" and I\'ll be meeting Brie Larson next week but that\'s another story.\n- On the other hand, \"Paris\" on Leno was lame because Leno is lame and I\'m with Coco\n- You\'re allowed to get dressed up for Leno because it\'s late night TV and you only get one shot.\n- \"Paris\" the video is lame because everyone is dressed up and that\'s not right is it?\n- \"Paris\" the video is lame because it got released on Hulu first and everyone knows that Hulu used to be free and now they\'re going to make me pay to watch a bazillion hours of TV shows f*** them I\'ll go back to BitTorrent\n- \"Paris\" the video is cool because it\'s all glammy and shit and the song is kind of sexy and tongue in cheek anway\n\n','ode to the crows that no longer caw',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5380-revision','','','2010-07-19 13:04:34','2010-07-19 18:04:34','',5380,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/07/19/5380-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(5382,1,'2010-07-19 13:21:58','2010-07-19 18:21:58','<object width=\"512\" height=\"288\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.hulu.com/embed/jKSST11yEKfts7IEzdlYUQ\"></param><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\"></param><embed src=\"http://www.hulu.com/embed/jKSST11yEKfts7IEzdlYUQ\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\"  width=\"512\" height=\"288\" allowFullScreen=\"true\"></embed></object>\n\n(ED: We are allowing one post per month)\n\n<a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/03/dave-eggers-once-a-year-like-clockwork/\">Dave Eggers</a> has been calling me recently. I wake up (rarely with my hair on fire by the way) and read the latest reference to the sell out. So depressing . . . \n\n<strong>Summary:</strong>\n- \"Paris\" on that damn Kardashian show was lame because the Kardashian\'s are lame\n- \"Paris\" on Leno was cool because the band rocked and also Ellen Page was on the same show and she was in \"Juno\" and Diablo Cody is cool because she also wrote \"United States of Tara\" and I\'ll be meeting Brie Larson next week but that\'s another story.\n- On the other hand, \"Paris\" on Leno was lame because Leno is lame and I\'m with Coco\n- You\'re allowed to get dressed up for Leno because it\'s late night TV and you only get one shot.\n- \"Paris\" the video is lame because everyone is dressed up and that\'s not right is it?\n- \"Paris\" the video is lame because it got released on Hulu first and everyone knows that Hulu used to be free and now they\'re going to make me pay to watch a bazillion hours of TV shows f*** them I\'ll go back to BitTorrent\n- \"Paris\" the video is cool because it\'s all glammy and shit and the song is kind of sexy and tongue in cheek anyway\n- \"Paris\" the video sucks because Grace looks at the camera all the time and sometimes she has a guitar and sometimes she doesn\'t and that damn \"French\" lyric is in there and where the hell are the crows? The song was better with the crows.\n\n\"Oh how gloriously comforting, to be able to write someone off.\"\n\n\n<object width=\"640\" height=\"385\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/21F6siv1o2U&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1\"></param><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\"></param><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\"></param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/21F6siv1o2U&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\"></embed></object>\n\nBut then I watch the video up there of the band performing live at the XPN Festival and damnit but they all seem to be having a grand time playing that song. When I check out the crowd they all seem to be totally digging it and I think back to the 10 or 12 times I\'ve seen them play this shitty song live and it seems to me that it was always pretty fucking incredible.\n\n<object width=\"640\" height=\"360\"><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=12203628&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=0&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=947d5d&amp;fullscreen=1\" /><embed src=\"http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=12203628&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=0&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=947d5d&amp;fullscreen=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\"></embed></object>\n\n','ode to the crows that no longer caw',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5380-revision-2','','','2010-07-19 13:21:58','2010-07-19 18:21:58','',5380,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/07/19/5380-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(5383,1,'2010-07-19 13:28:57','2010-07-19 18:28:57','<object width=\"512\" height=\"288\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.hulu.com/embed/jKSST11yEKfts7IEzdlYUQ\"></param><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\"></param><embed src=\"http://www.hulu.com/embed/jKSST11yEKfts7IEzdlYUQ\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\"  width=\"512\" height=\"288\" allowFullScreen=\"true\"></embed></object>\n\n(ED: We are allowing one post per month)\n\n<a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/03/dave-eggers-once-a-year-like-clockwork/\">Dave Eggers</a> has been calling me recently. I wake up (rarely with my hair on fire by the way) and read the latest reference to the sell out. So depressing . . . \n\n<strong>Summary:</strong>\n- \"Paris\" on that damn Kardashian show was lame because the Kardashian\'s are lame\n- \"Paris\" on Leno was cool because the band rocked and also Ellen Page was on the same show and she was in \"Juno\" and Diablo Cody is cool because she also wrote \"United States of Tara\" and I\'ll be meeting Brie Larson next week but that\'s another story.\n- On the other hand, \"Paris\" on Leno was lame because Leno is lame and I\'m with Coco\n- You\'re allowed to get dressed up for Leno because it\'s late night TV and you only get one shot\n- \"Paris\" the video is lame because everyone is dressed up and that\'s not right is it?\n- \"Paris\" the video is lame because it got released on Hulu first and everyone knows that Hulu used to be free and now they\'re going to make me pay to watch a bazillion hours of TV shows f*** them I\'ll go back to BitTorrent\n- \"Paris\" the video is cool because it\'s all glammy and shit and the song is kind of sexy and tongue in cheek anyway\n- \"Paris\" the video sucks because Grace looks at the camera all the time and sometimes she has a guitar and sometimes she doesn\'t and that damn \"French\" lyric is in there and where the hell are the crows? The song was better with the crows.\n\n\"Oh how gloriously comforting, to be able to write someone off.\"\n\n<object width=\"640\" height=\"385\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/21F6siv1o2U&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1\"></param><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\"></param><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\"></param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/21F6siv1o2U&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\"></embed></object>\n\nBut then I watch the video up there of the band performing live at the XPN Festival and damnit but they all seem to be having a grand time playing that song. When I check out the crowd they all seem to be totally digging it and I think back to the 10 or 12 times I\'ve seen them play this \"shitty song\" live and it seems to me that it was always pretty fucking incredible and I wonder why people think that one record or one song or one video is some sort of \"defining moment\" in a bands life?\n\nMy only real complaint about this video is that no matter how many text messages I sent to Scott/Benny for more \"information\" about the extras in the video I got no reply. I mean, I\'m a reporter here right? This is just totally unacceptable.\n\n<object width=\"640\" height=\"360\"><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=12203628&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=0&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=947d5d&amp;fullscreen=1\" /><embed src=\"http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=12203628&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=0&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=947d5d&amp;fullscreen=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\"></embed></object>\n\n','ode to the crows that no longer caw',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5380-revision-3','','','2010-07-19 13:28:57','2010-07-19 18:28:57','',5380,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/07/19/5380-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(5384,1,'2010-07-19 13:29:15','2010-07-19 18:29:15','<object width=\"512\" height=\"288\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.hulu.com/embed/jKSST11yEKfts7IEzdlYUQ\"></param><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\"></param><embed src=\"http://www.hulu.com/embed/jKSST11yEKfts7IEzdlYUQ\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\"  width=\"512\" height=\"288\" allowFullScreen=\"true\"></embed></object>\r\n\r\n(ED: We are allowing one post per month)\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/03/dave-eggers-once-a-year-like-clockwork/\">Dave Eggers</a> has been calling me recently. I wake up (rarely with my hair on fire by the way) and read the latest reference to the sell out. So depressing . . . \r\n\r\n<strong>Summary:</strong>\r\n- \"Paris\" on that damn Kardashian show was lame because the Kardashian\'s are lame\r\n- \"Paris\" on Leno was cool because the band rocked and also Ellen Page was on the same show and she was in \"Juno\" and Diablo Cody is cool because she also wrote \"United States of Tara\" and I\'ll be meeting Brie Larson next week but that\'s another story.\r\n- On the other hand, \"Paris\" on Leno was lame because Leno is lame and I\'m with Coco\r\n- You\'re allowed to get dressed up for Leno because it\'s late night TV and you only get one shot\r\n- \"Paris\" the video is lame because everyone is dressed up and that\'s not right is it?\r\n- \"Paris\" the video is lame because it got released on Hulu first and everyone knows that Hulu used to be free and now they\'re going to make me pay to watch a bazillion hours of TV shows f*** them I\'ll go back to BitTorrent\r\n- \"Paris\" the video is cool because it\'s all glammy and shit and the song is kind of sexy and tongue in cheek anyway\r\n- \"Paris\" the video sucks because Grace looks at the camera all the time and sometimes she has a guitar and sometimes she doesn\'t and that damn \"French\" lyric is in there and where the hell are the crows? The song was better with the crows.\r\n\r\n\"Oh how gloriously comforting, to be able to write someone off.\"\r\n\r\n<object width=\"640\" height=\"385\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/21F6siv1o2U&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1\"></param><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\"></param><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\"></param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/21F6siv1o2U&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\"></embed></object>\r\n\r\nBut then I watch the video up there of the band performing live at the XPN Festival and damnit but they all seem to be having a grand time playing that song. When I check out the crowd they all seem to be totally digging it and I think back to the 10 or 12 times I\'ve seen them play this \"shitty song\" live and it seems to me that it was always pretty fucking incredible and I wonder why people think that one record or one song or one video is some sort of \"defining moment\" in a bands life?\r\n\r\nMy only real complaint about this video is that no matter how many text messages I sent to Scott/Benny for more \"information\" about the extras in the video I got no reply. I mean, I\'m a reporter here right? This is just totally unacceptable.\r\n\r\n<object width=\"640\" height=\"360\"><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=12203628&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=0&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=947d5d&amp;fullscreen=1\" /><embed src=\"http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=12203628&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=0&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=947d5d&amp;fullscreen=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\"></embed></object>\r\n\r\n','ode to the crows that no longer caw',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5380-revision-4','','','2010-07-19 13:29:15','2010-07-19 18:29:15','',5380,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/07/19/5380-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(5385,1,'2010-07-19 13:29:20','2010-07-19 18:29:20','<object width=\"512\" height=\"288\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.hulu.com/embed/jKSST11yEKfts7IEzdlYUQ\"></param><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\"></param><embed src=\"http://www.hulu.com/embed/jKSST11yEKfts7IEzdlYUQ\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\"  width=\"512\" height=\"288\" allowFullScreen=\"true\"></embed></object>\r\n\r\n(ED: We are allowing one post per month)\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/03/dave-eggers-once-a-year-like-clockwork/\">Dave Eggers</a> has been calling me recently. I wake up (rarely with my hair on fire by the way) and read the latest reference to the sell out. So depressing . . . \r\n\r\n<strong>Summary:</strong>\r\n- \"Paris\" on that damn Kardashian show was lame because the Kardashian\'s are lame\r\n- \"Paris\" on Leno was cool because the band rocked and also Ellen Page was on the same show and she was in \"Juno\" and Diablo Cody is cool because she also wrote \"United States of Tara\" and I\'ll be meeting Brie Larson next week but that\'s another story.\r\n- On the other hand, \"Paris\" on Leno was lame because Leno is lame and I\'m with Coco\r\n- You\'re allowed to get dressed up for Leno because it\'s late night TV and you only get one shot\r\n- \"Paris\" the video is lame because everyone is dressed up and that\'s not right is it?\r\n- \"Paris\" the video is lame because it got released on Hulu first and everyone knows that Hulu used to be free and now they\'re going to make me pay to watch a bazillion hours of TV shows f*** them I\'ll go back to BitTorrent\r\n- \"Paris\" the video is cool because it\'s all glammy and shit and the song is kind of sexy and tongue in cheek anyway\r\n- \"Paris\" the video sucks because Grace looks at the camera all the time and sometimes she has a guitar and sometimes she doesn\'t and that damn \"French\" lyric is in there and where the hell are the crows? The song was better with the crows.\r\n\r\n\"Oh how gloriously comforting, to be able to write someone off.\"\r\n\r\n<object width=\"640\" height=\"385\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/21F6siv1o2U&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1\"></param><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\"></param><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\"></param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/21F6siv1o2U&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\"></embed></object>\r\n\r\nBut then I watch the video up there of the band performing live at the XPN Festival and damnit but they all seem to be having a grand time playing that song. When I check out the crowd they all seem to be totally digging it and I think back to the 10 or 12 times I\'ve seen them play this \"shitty song\" live and it seems to me that it was always pretty fucking incredible and I wonder why people think that one record or one song or one video is some sort of \"defining moment\" in a bands life?\r\n\r\nMy only real complaint about this video is that no matter how many text messages I sent to Scott/Benny for more \"information\" about the extras in the video I got no reply. I mean, I\'m a reporter here right? This is just totally unacceptable.\r\n\r\n<object width=\"640\" height=\"360\"><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=12203628&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=0&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=947d5d&amp;fullscreen=1\" /><embed src=\"http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=12203628&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=0&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=947d5d&amp;fullscreen=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\"></embed></object>\r\n\r\n','ode to the crows that no longer caw',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5380-revision-5','','','2010-07-19 13:29:20','2010-07-19 18:29:20','',5380,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/07/19/5380-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(5386,1,'2010-06-10 18:40:21','2010-06-10 23:40:21','<a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/albumcover.jpg\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/albumcover.jpg\" alt=\"albumcover\" title=\"albumcover\" width=\"320\" height=\"320\" class=\"alignleft\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0038QK5UI?ie=UTF8&tag=hollywoodreco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0038QK5UI\">Amazon</a>, <a href=\"http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPreorder?id=372316060&s=143441\">iTunes</a>, <a href=\"http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Grace+Potter+%26+the+Nocturnals+%5B6/8%5D+-+CD/9911169.p?skuId=9911169&id=2090407\">Best Buy</a> or, preferably, your own local record store if you\'ve still got one. Less that 10 bucks - you really don\'t have any excuses.\r\n\r\nIt\'s already generating a <a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/category/review-gpn/\">stack of positive reviews</a>.\r\n\r\nWhile you\'re at it - <a href=\"http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewMovie?id=371159102&s=143441</a>!\r\n<a href=\"http://itunes.apple.com/album/grace-potter-the-nocturnals/id374815284?v0=9988&ign-mpt=uo%3D1\">\r\n<img src=\"http://a1.phobos.apple.com/us/r30/Music/0a/cb/5a/mzi.eytjfxrl.170x170-75.jpg\" alt=\"\" /></a>','buy this record',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5322-revision-9','','','2010-06-10 18:40:21','2010-06-10 23:40:21','',5322,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/10/5322-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(5387,1,'2010-07-19 13:33:33','2010-07-19 18:33:33','<object width=\"512\" height=\"288\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.hulu.com/embed/jKSST11yEKfts7IEzdlYUQ\"></param><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\"></param><embed src=\"http://www.hulu.com/embed/jKSST11yEKfts7IEzdlYUQ\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\"  width=\"512\" height=\"288\" allowFullScreen=\"true\"></embed></object>\r\n\r\n(ED: We are allowing one post per month)\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/03/dave-eggers-once-a-year-like-clockwork/\">Dave Eggers</a> has been calling me recently. I wake up (rarely with my hair on fire by the way) and read the latest reference to the sell out. So depressing . . . \r\n\r\n<strong>Summary:</strong>\r\n- \"Paris\" on that damn Kardashian show was lame because the Kardashian\'s are lame\r\n- \"Paris\" on Leno was cool because the band rocked and also Ellen Page was on the same show and she was in \"Juno\" and Diablo Cody is cool because she also wrote \"United States of Tara\" and I\'ll be meeting Brie Larson next week but that\'s another story.\r\n- On the other hand, \"Paris\" on Leno was lame because Leno is lame and I\'m with Coco\r\n- You\'re allowed to get dressed up for Leno because it\'s late night TV and you only get one shot\r\n- \"Paris\" the video is lame because everyone is dressed up and that\'s not right is it?\r\n- \"Paris\" the video is lame because it got released on Hulu first and everyone knows that Hulu used to be free and now they\'re going to make me pay to watch a bazillion hours of TV shows f*** them I\'ll go back to BitTorrent\r\n- \"Paris\" the video is cool because it\'s all glammy and shit and the song is kind of sexy and tongue in cheek anyway\r\n- \"Paris\" the video sucks because Grace looks at the camera all the time and sometimes she has a guitar and sometimes she doesn\'t and that damn \"French\" lyric is in there and where the hell are the crows? The song was better with the crows.\r\n\r\n\"Oh how gloriously comforting, to be able to write someone off.\"\r\n\r\n<object width=\"640\" height=\"385\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/21F6siv1o2U&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1\"></param><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\"></param><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\"></param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/21F6siv1o2U&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\"></embed></object>\r\n\r\nBut then I watch the video up there of the band performing live at the XPN Festival and damn it but they all seem to be having a grand time playing that song. When I check out the crowd they all seem to be totally digging it and I think back to the 10 or 12 times I\'ve seen them play this \"shitty song\" live and it seems to me that it was always pretty fucking incredible and I wonder why people think that one record or one song or one video is some sort of \"defining moment\" in a bands life?\r\n\r\nMy only real complaint about this video is that no matter how many text messages I sent to Scott/Benny for more \"information\" about the \"extras\" in the video I got no reply. I mean, I\'m a reporter here right? This is just totally unacceptable.\r\n\r\n<object width=\"640\" height=\"360\"><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=12203628&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=0&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=947d5d&amp;fullscreen=1\" /><embed src=\"http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=12203628&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=0&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=947d5d&amp;fullscreen=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\"></embed></object>\r\n\r\n','ode to the crows that no longer caw',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5380-revision-6','','','2010-07-19 13:33:33','2010-07-19 18:33:33','',5380,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/07/19/5380-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(5388,1,'2010-07-19 13:47:38','2010-07-19 18:47:38','<object width=\"512\" height=\"288\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.hulu.com/embed/jKSST11yEKfts7IEzdlYUQ\"></param><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\"></param><embed src=\"http://www.hulu.com/embed/jKSST11yEKfts7IEzdlYUQ\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\"  width=\"512\" height=\"288\" allowFullScreen=\"true\"></embed></object>\r\n\r\n(ED: We are allowing one post per month)\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/06/03/dave-eggers-once-a-year-like-clockwork/\">Dave Eggers</a> has been calling me recently. I wake up (rarely with my hair on fire by the way) and read the latest reference to the sell out. So depressing . . . \r\n\r\n<strong>Summary:</strong>\r\n- \"Paris\" on that damn Kardashian show was lame because the Kardashian\'s are lame\r\n- \"Paris\" on Leno was cool because the band rocked and also Ellen Page was on the same show and she was in \"Juno\" and Diablo Cody is cool because she also wrote \"United States of Tara\" and I\'ll be meeting Brie Larson next week but that\'s another story.\r\n- On the other hand, \"Paris\" on Leno was lame because Leno is lame and I\'m with Coco\r\n- You\'re allowed to get dressed up for Leno because it\'s late night TV and you only get one shot\r\n- \"Paris\" the video is lame because everyone is dressed up and that\'s not right is it?\r\n- \"Paris\" the video is lame because it got released on Hulu first and everyone knows that Hulu used to be free and now they\'re going to make me pay to watch a bazillion hours of TV shows f*** them I\'ll go back to BitTorrent\r\n- \"Paris\" the video is cool because it\'s all glammy and shit and the song is kind of sexy and tongue in cheek anyway\r\n- \"Paris\" is actually ok because the acoustic video they did is better why can\'t they play it that way?\r\n- \"Paris\" the video sucks because Grace looks at the camera all the time and sometimes she has a guitar and sometimes she doesn\'t and that damn \"French\" lyric is in there and where the hell are the crows? The song was better with the crows.\r\n\r\n\"Oh how gloriously comforting, to be able to write someone off.\"\r\n\r\n<object width=\"640\" height=\"385\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/21F6siv1o2U&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1\"></param><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\"></param><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\"></param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/21F6siv1o2U&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\"></embed></object>\r\n\r\nBut then I watch the video up there of the band performing live at the XPN Festival and damn it but they all seem to be having a grand time playing that song. When I check out the crowd they all seem to be totally digging it and I think back to the 10 or 12 times I\'ve seen them play this \"shitty song\" live and it seems to me that it was always pretty fucking incredible and I wonder why people think that one record or one song or one video is some sort of \"defining moment\" in a bands life?\r\n\r\nMy only real complaint about this video is that no matter how many text messages I sent to Scott/Benny for more \"information\" about the \"extras\" in the video I got no reply. I mean, I\'m a reporter here right? This is just totally unacceptable.\r\n\r\n<object width=\"640\" height=\"360\"><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=12203628&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=0&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=947d5d&amp;fullscreen=1\" /><embed src=\"http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=12203628&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=0&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=947d5d&amp;fullscreen=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\"></embed></object>\r\n\r\n','ode to the crows that no longer caw',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5380-revision-7','','','2010-07-19 13:47:38','2010-07-19 18:47:38','',5380,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/07/19/5380-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(5389,1,'2010-07-20 20:57:58','2010-07-21 01:57:58','<object width=\"640\" height=\"480\"><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=13490362&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=0&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=947d5d&amp;fullscreen=1\" /><embed src=\"http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=13490362&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=0&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=947d5d&amp;fullscreen=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\"></embed></object>','i always get interested in girls who aren\'t right for me',0,'','publish','open','open','','i-always-get-interested-in-girls-who-arent-right-for-me','','','2010-07-20 20:57:58','2010-07-21 01:57:58','',0,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/?p=5389',0,'post','',7),(5390,1,'2010-07-20 20:57:46','2010-07-21 01:57:46','<object width=\"640\" height=\"480\"><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=13490362&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=0&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=947d5d&amp;fullscreen=1\" /><embed src=\"http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=13490362&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=0&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=947d5d&amp;fullscreen=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\"></embed></object>','i always get interested in girls who aren\'t right for me',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5389-revision','','','2010-07-20 20:57:46','2010-07-21 01:57:46','',5389,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/07/20/5389-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(5391,1,'2010-07-20 20:57:50','2010-07-21 01:57:50','<object width=\"640\" height=\"480\"><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=13490362&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=0&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=947d5d&amp;fullscreen=1\" /><embed src=\"http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=13490362&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=0&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=947d5d&amp;fullscreen=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\"></embed></object>','i always get interested in girls who aren\'t right for me',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5389-revision-2','','','2010-07-20 20:57:50','2010-07-21 01:57:50','',5389,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/07/20/5389-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(5392,1,'2010-08-09 12:52:04','2010-08-09 17:52:04','<strong>Review: \"The Last Goodbye\" - Williamstown Theatre Festival</strong>\r\nAugust 5 - 20 \r\n<a href=\"http://wtfestival.org/2010/lastgoodbye\">Williamstown Theatre Festival</a>\r\n\r\nThe sense of impending doom that pervades the familiar story of Romeo and Juliet hangs heavy over the Williamstown Theatre Festival\'s world premiere production of \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\". Those familiar with the life, music and ultimate passing of Jeff Buckley may be tempted to approach this project with a sense of trepidation - as I did initially. Jeff\'s body of work was emotional, poetic and powerful. His songs speak to the power and confusion of love and hold a special place in the musical hearts of many - defining specific moments of their lives and relationships.  \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\" then, stands as a bold statement. The risk is that a combination of these two iconic stories could end as an interesting but failed gimmick - trust me when I say that it does not. It is a fully realized and powerful vision that brings new emotional and musical life to the classic story. Ultimately, the pairing of the doomed couples fate with Jeff\'s lyrics and music make for a heady mix of musical tragedy and catharsis that left me emotionally spent. \r\n\r\nThe setting is a vaguely modern visual world, echoes of New York city street scenes of walls plastered with posters and a long balcony that spans the stage. The plays action takes place on the streets and balconies of this modern/ancient town. The Capulet\'s are imagined as moneyed aristocrats with a sense of entitlement while the Montague\'s are more of the downtown art-scene crowd. \r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/romeoandbenvolio.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\n\r\nDamon Daunno\'s portrayal of Romeo walks the fine line between romantic and goofy in an entirely endearing way. It doesn\'t hurt that he can bear a passing resemblance to Buckley and delivers Jeff\'s falsetto passages with effortless grace.  I knew this production was going to work when Damon and Nick Blaemire (as Benvolio) combined vocals on my favorite Buckley tune \"<strong>Forget Her</strong>\" as Romeo contemplates ending his relationship with Rosaline.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>\r\nWhile this town is busy sleeping,\r\nAll the noise has died away.\r\nI walk the streets to stop my weeping,\r\nShe\'ll never change her ways.\r\n\r\nDon\'t fool yourself, she was heartache from the moment that you met her. (Benvolio)\r\nAnd my heart is frozen still as I try to find the will to forget her, somehow. (Romeo)\r\n</blockquote>\r\n[wpaudio url=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/ForgetHer.mp3\" text=\"Forget Her\" dl=\"0\"]\r\n\r\n\r\nThe character of Rosaline has been amplified a bit. As played by Celina Carvajal she appears wearing knee high leather boots and a very short minidress. Let\'s just say it\'s apparent why Romeo was attracted to her. Celina joins in the song with Damon and Nick adding a few lines from \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\" and a seductive dance that might make Romeo think twice about his decision. (Note, I saw Celina deliver a show stopping version of \"<a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUFz_UDEPEI\">Have Mercy On A Criminal</a>\" at the WTF Cabaret a few weeks back - girl has some serious vocal chops).\r\n\r\nKelli Barret\'s Juliet has the decidedly modern feel of a strong-willed girl who desperately wants love - and is unafraid to embrace it when it arrives. More on Kelli later . . .\r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/mercutio.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\nOther standout performances include Jo Lampert\'s turn as a powerful and riveting androgynous Mercutio. Her rendition of \"<strong>Eternal Life</strong>\" to close out the first act is a bravado combination of music, physical and vocal delivery that reinforces one of the plays recurring musical motifs\r\n\r\n<blockquote>Eternal life is now on my trail\r\nGot my red glitter coffin man, just need one last nail\r\nWhile all these ugly gentlemen play out their foolish games\r\n<strong>There\'s a flaming red horizon that screams our names</strong></blockquote>\r\n\r\nLampert\'s performance and personality are so strong that if  Mercutio had not met such an untimely death we might have ended up seeing a show called \"Mercutio & Juliet\"\r\n\r\nAshley Robinson as Tybalt delivers a powerful, rock and roll anger version of \"<strong>Haven\'t You Heard</strong>\"  as he fumes about Romeo\'s appearance at the Capulet\'s party.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>\r\nParanoia will write the world prayer \r\nMake sure that you fit in the right holes \r\nBut when you take his offer, you\'re done for \r\nDone for, done for, oooh...\r\n</blockquote>\r\n\r\nI also enjoyed Jesse Lenat\'s interpretation of the Friar as a good-hearted mystical street preacher who may have ingested a few too many illegal substances back in the day. Jesse and the cast create a tribal rythm of love and sex to Romeo & Juliet\'s marriage day with \"<strong>New Years\' Prayer</strong>\"\r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/friar.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\n\r\nThe strong presence of choreographer Sonya Tayeh comes to the forefront during this scene of orgiastic pleasure and marraige consumation. The characters, whose dance movements are often confined to constrained and angular gestures that reflect their inner tension and turmoil, are freed and encouraged to . . . \r\n\r\n<blockquote>\r\nFeel no shame for what you are\r\nFeel no shame for what you are\r\nFeel it as a waterfall\r\nFall in light\r\n</blockquote>\r\n\r\nGiven that many Buckley fans will be interested in song choice and plot points I would be remiss if I did not mention the integration of other songs into some of the key plot elements. Damon sings \"<strong>Everybody Here Wants You</strong>\" to Juliet after the famous balcony scene as her parents demand she come inside for the night. \r\n\r\n<blockquote>Twenty-nine pearls in your kiss \r\nA singing smile \r\nCoffee smell and lilac skin \r\nYour flame in me \r\n\r\nI\'m only here for this moment \r\n\r\nI know everybody here wants you \r\nI know everybody here thinks he needs you \r\nI\'ll be waiting right here just to show you \r\nHow our love will blow it all away </blockquote>\r\n[wpaudio url=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/Everybody.mp3\" text=\"Everybody Here Wants You\" dl=\"0\"]\r\n\r\nHis delivery and emotion are perfectly matched to the scene.\r\n\r\nKelli sings a moving version of \"<strong>Lover You Should Have Come Over</strong>\" from the balcony of her house while looking down on Tybalt\'s funeral even though her mind is focused on Romeo.\r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/romeoandjuliet.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\n\r\n<blockquote>Looking out the door i see the rain fall upon the funeral mourners\r\nParading in a wake of sad relations as their shoes fill up with water\r\nAnd maybe i\'m too young to keep good love from going wrong\r\nBut tonight you\'re on my mind so you never know\r\n</blockquote>\r\n[wpaudio url=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/Lover.mp3\" text=\"Lover You Should Have Come Over\" dl=\"0\"]\r\n\r\n\r\nand sings \"<strong>What Will You Say</strong>\" while contemplating suicide rather than living without her love. She perfectly captures the anger towards her parents at their plan to marry her off to Paris while not knowing that she is already married to Romeo. Kelli bares her emotions and much of her body as she strips away clothes and anger to reveal her pain inside.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>It\'s been such a long time\r\nAnd I was just a child then\r\nWhat will you say \r\nWhen you see my face?\r\nTime feels like it\'s flown away\r\nThe days just pass and fade away\r\nWhat will you say \r\nWhen they take my place?\r\n\r\nIt\'s funny now\r\nI just don\'t feel like a man\r\nWhat will you say \r\nWhen you see my face?\r\nMy face...\r\n\r\nMother dear, the world\'s gone cold\r\nNo one cares about love anymore\r\nWhat will you say \r\nWhen you see my face?\r\n\r\nFather do you hear me?\r\nDo you know me?\r\nDo you even care?\r\nWhat will you say \r\nWhen they take my place? </blockquote>\r\n\r\nRandom other things that moved me\r\n- \"Grace\" - Romeo sings after hearing of Juliet\'s death\r\n- \"Corpus Christi Carol\" - Sung by Paris and cast after Juliet drinks the poison\r\n- \"Dream Brother\" - Capulet\'s party - especially \"Fate is going to find your love in a glass of champagne\"\r\n\r\nFinally, you may be wondering if Jeff\'s most often heard song, his emotional and fragile reading of Leonard Cohen\'s \"<strong>Hallelujah</strong>\" appears in the play. It does and it\'s presented as a heartbreaking coda to the final act and voiced by Nick Blaemire, who has perhaps the purest voice in the cast, as well as the rest of the company.\r\n\r\nShakespeare\'s words say\r\n\r\n<blockquote>\r\nA glooming peace this morning with it brings;\r\nThe sun, for sorrow, will not show his head</blockquote>\r\n\r\nand Buckley via Cohen echoes\r\n\r\n<blockquote>It\'s a cold and it\'s a broken Hallelujah</blockquote>\r\n\r\nIndeed. \r\n\r\nI didn\'t think this song still had the power to move me to tears. I was wrong. \r\n\r\nJeff Buckley\'s lyrics and music and Shakespeare\'s text merge beautifully and fluidly in this production. Fans of Shakespeare will appreciate this new take on the classic tale and fans of Buckley will be moved as they see Jeff\'s songs inform and comment on the inner emotions of these well-loved characters. More than once I found myself saying \"perfect\" to the song and lyrical choices.\r\n\r\nKudos to Michael Kimmel and Kris Kukul who created this remarkable show with the support of the Willliamstown Theatre Festival and the hard work of Lauren Fitzgerald, Stephen Sanders, Jeff\'s mother Mary Guibert and countless others. I have been fortunate enough to see first hand the passion poured into this show and can only hope that it continues on to reach a larger audience wherever it may be.\r\n\r\n---------------------\r\n<strong>Photos</strong> by Sam Hough and T. Charles Erickson\r\n\r\n<strong>Other Buckley songs appearing in the show:</strong>\r\nYou And I\r\nAll Flowers In Time\r\nWoke Up In A Strange Place\r\nDream Brother\r\nI Know We Could Be So Happy\r\nMorning Theft\r\nNightmare By The Sea\r\nOpened Once','There\'s a Flaming Red Horizon That Screams Our Names',0,'','publish','open','open','','theres-a-flaming-red-horizon-that-screams-our-names','','','2010-09-11 11:06:47','2010-09-11 16:06:47','',0,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/?p=5392',0,'post','',8),(5393,1,'2010-08-09 11:45:28','2010-08-09 16:45:28','The sense of impending doom that pervades the familiar story of Romeo and Juliet hangs heavy over the Williamstown Theatre Festival\'s world premiere production of \"The Last Goodbye\". Those familiar with the life, music and ultimate passing of Jeff Buckley may be tempted to approach this project with a sense of trepidation - as I did initially. Jeff\'s body of work was emotional, poetic and powerful. His songs speak to the power and confusion of love and holds a special place in the musical hearts of many - defining specific moments of their lives and relationships.  \"The Last Goodbye\" then, stands as a bold statement. The willingness to risk this combination of two iconic stories could read as an interesting but failed gimmick - trust me when I say that it does not. It is a fully realized and powerful vision that brings new emotional life to the classic story. Ultimately, the pairing of the doomed couples fate with Jeff\'s lyrics and music make for a heady mix of musical tragedy and catharsis that left me emotionally spent. \n\nThe setting is a vaguely modern visual world, echoes of New York city street scenes of walls plastered with posters and a long balcony that spans the stage. The plays action takes place on the streets and balconies of this modern/ancient town. The Capulet\'s are imagined as monied aristocrats with a sense of entitlement while the Montague\'s are more of the downtown art-scene crowd. \n\nDamon Daunno\'s portrayal of Romeo walks the fine line between romantic and goofy in an entirely endearing way. It doesn\'t hurt that he bears a passing resemblance to Buckley and delivers Jeff\'s falsetto passages with effortless grace.  I knew this production was going to work when Damon and Nick Blaemire (as Benvolio) combined vocals on my favorite Buckley tune \"Forget Her\".\n\n<blockquote>\nWhile this town is busy sleeping,\nAll the noise has died away.\nI walk the streets to stop my weeping,\nShe\'ll never change her ways.\n\nDon\'t fool yourself, she was heartache from the moment that you met her. (Benvolio)\nAnd my heart is frozen still as I try to find the will to forget her, somehow. (Romeo)\n</blockquote>\n\nThe character of Rosaline has been amplified a bit. As played by Celina Carvajal she appears wearing knee high leather boots and a very short minidress. Let\'s just say it\'s apparent why Romeo was attracted to her. Celina\' joins in the song with Damon and Nick added a few lyrics from \"The Last Goodbye\" and a seductive dance that might make Romeo think twice about her. (Note, I saw Celina deliver a show stopping version of \"Have Mercy On The Criminal\" at the WTF Cabaret a few weeks back - girl has some serious vocal chops).\n\nKelli Barret\'s Juliet has the  decidedly modern feel of a strong-willed girl who desperately wants love - and is unafraid to embrace it when it arrives. \n\nOther standout performances include Jo Lampert\'s turns in a powerful and riveting androgynous take on Mercutio. Her rendition of \"Eternal Life\" to close out the first act is a bravado combination of music and vocal delivery that reinforces one of the plays recurring musical motifs\n\n<blockquote>Eternal life is now on my trail\nGot my red glitter coffin man, just need one last nail\nWhile all these ugly gentlemen play out their foolish games\nThere\'s a flaming red horizon that screams our name</blockquote>\n\nLampert\'s performance and personality are so strong that if  Mercutio had not met such an untimely death we might have ended up seeing a show called \"Mercutio & Juliet\"\n\nI also enjoyed Jesse Lenat\'s interpretation of the Friar as a good-hearted mystical street preacher who may have ingested a few too many illegal substances back in the day. Jesse and the cast at a tribal rythm of love and sex to Romeo & Juliet\'s marriage day with \"New Years\' Prayer\"\n\nThe strong presence of choreographer Sonya Tayeh comes to the forefront during this scene of orgiastic pleasure. the characters whose dance movements are often confined to constrained and angular gestures that reflect their inner tension and turmoil and freed and encouraged to \n\n\n<blockquote>\nFeel no shame for what you are\nFeel no shame for what you are\nFeel it as a waterfall\nFall in light\n</blockquote>\n\n\nGiven the musical interested this play will generate I would be remiss if I did not mention the integration of other Buckley songs into some of the key plot elements. Damon sings \"Everybody Here Wants You\" to Juliet after the famous balcony scene as her parents demand she come inside for the night. \n\n\nTwenty-nine pearls in your kiss \nA singing smile \nCoffee smell and lilac skin \nYour flame in me \n\nI\'m only here for this moment \n\nI know everybody here wants you \nI know everybody here thinks he needs you \nI\'ll be waiting right here just to show you \nHow our love will blow it all away \n\n\nKelli sings a moving version of \"Lover You Should Have Come Over\" from the balcony of her house while looking down on Tybalt\'s funeral even though her mind is focused on Romeo\n\nLooking out the door i see the rain fall upon the funeral mourners\nParading in a wake of sad relations as their shoes fill up with water\nAnd maybe i\'m too young to keep good love from going wrong\nBut tonight you\'re on my mind so you never know\n\nand sings \"What Will You Say\" while contemplating suicide rather than living without her love. She perfectly captures the anger towards her parents at their plan to marry her off to Paris while not knowing that she is already married to Romeo.\n\nIt\'s been such a long time\nAnd I was just a child then\nWhat will you say \nWhen you see my face?\nTime feels like it\'s flown away\nThe days just pass and fade away\nWhat will you say \nWhen they take my place?\n\nIt\'s funny now\nI just don\'t feel like a man\nWhat will you say \nWhen you see my face?\nMy face...\n\nMother dear, the world\'s gone cold\nNo one cares about love anymore\nWhat will you say \nWhen you see my face?\n\nFather do you hear me?\nDo you know me?\nDo you even care?\nWhat will you say \nWhen they take my place? \n\nFinally of note, Ashley Robinson as Tybalt delivers a powerful, rock and roll anger version of \"Haven\'t You Heard\"  as he fumes about Romeo\'s appearance at the Capulets party\n\nParanoia will write the world prayer \nMake sure that you fit in the right holes \nBut when you take his offer, you\'re done for \nDone for, done for, oooh...\n\nFinally, you may be wondering if Jeff\'s most often heard song, his emotional and fragile reading of Leonard Cohen\'s \"Hallelujah\" appears in the play. It does and it\'s presented as a heartbreaking coda to the final act.\n\nShakespeare\'s words say\n\nA glooming peace this morning with it brings;\nThe sun, for sorrow, will not show his head\n\nand Buckley via Cohen echoes\nIt\'s a cold and it\'s a broken Hallelujah\n\nIndeed.\n\nKudos to Michael Kimmel and  Kris Kukul who created this remarkable show\n','There\'s a Flaming Red Horizon that screams our names',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5392-revision','','','2010-08-09 11:45:28','2010-08-09 16:45:28','',5392,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/08/09/5392-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(5394,1,'2010-08-09 11:47:24','2010-08-09 16:47:24','<strong>Review: \"The Last Goodbye\" - Williamstown Theatre Festival</strong>\nAugust 5 - 20 \n<a href=\"http://www.wtfestival.org/\">Williamstown Theatre Festival</a>\n\nThe sense of impending doom that pervades the familiar story of Romeo and Juliet hangs heavy over the Williamstown Theatre Festival\'s world premiere production of \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\". Those familiar with the life, music and ultimate passing of Jeff Buckley may be tempted to approach this project with a sense of trepidation - as I did initially. Jeff\'s body of work was emotional, poetic and powerful. His songs speak to the power and confusion of love and holds a special place in the musical hearts of many - defining specific moments of their lives and relationships.  \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\" then, stands as a bold statement. The willingness to risk this combination of two iconic stories could read as an interesting but failed gimmick - trust me when I say that it does not. It is a fully realized and powerful vision that brings new emotional life to the classic story. Ultimately, the pairing of the doomed couples fate with Jeff\'s lyrics and music make for a heady mix of musical tragedy and catharsis that left me emotionally spent. \n\nThe setting is a vaguely modern visual world, echoes of New York city street scenes of walls plastered with posters and a long balcony that spans the stage. The plays action takes place on the streets and balconies of this modern/ancient town. The Capulet\'s are imagined as monied aristocrats with a sense of entitlement while the Montague\'s are more of the downtown art-scene crowd. \n\nDamon Daunno\'s portrayal of Romeo walks the fine line between romantic and goofy in an entirely endearing way. It doesn\'t hurt that he bears a passing resemblance to Buckley and delivers Jeff\'s falsetto passages with effortless grace.  I knew this production was going to work when Damon and Nick Blaemire (as Benvolio) combined vocals on my favorite Buckley tune \"<strong>Forget Her</strong>\".\n\n<blockquote>\nWhile this town is busy sleeping,\nAll the noise has died away.\nI walk the streets to stop my weeping,\nShe\'ll never change her ways.\n\nDon\'t fool yourself, she was heartache from the moment that you met her. (Benvolio)\nAnd my heart is frozen still as I try to find the will to forget her, somehow. (Romeo)\n</blockquote>\n\nThe character of Rosaline has been amplified a bit. As played by Celina Carvajal she appears wearing knee high leather boots and a very short minidress. Let\'s just say it\'s apparent why Romeo was attracted to her. Celina\' joins in the song with Damon and Nick added a few lyrics from \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\" and a seductive dance that might make Romeo think twice about her. (Note, I saw Celina deliver a show stopping version of \"Have Mercy On The Criminal\" at the WTF Cabaret a few weeks back - girl has some serious vocal chops).\n\nKelli Barret\'s Juliet has the  decidedly modern feel of a strong-willed girl who desperately wants love - and is unafraid to embrace it when it arrives. \n\nOther standout performances include Jo Lampert\'s turns in a powerful and riveting androgynous take on Mercutio. Her rendition of \"Eternal Life\" to close out the first act is a bravado combination of music and vocal delivery that reinforces one of the plays recurring musical motifs\n\n<blockquote>Eternal life is now on my trail\nGot my red glitter coffin man, just need one last nail\nWhile all these ugly gentlemen play out their foolish games\nThere\'s a flaming red horizon that screams our name</blockquote>\n\nLampert\'s performance and personality are so strong that if  Mercutio had not met such an untimely death we might have ended up seeing a show called \"Mercutio & Juliet\"\n\nI also enjoyed Jesse Lenat\'s interpretation of the Friar as a good-hearted mystical street preacher who may have ingested a few too many illegal substances back in the day. Jesse and the cast at a tribal rythm of love and sex to Romeo & Juliet\'s marriage day with \"<strong>New Years\' Prayer</strong>\"\n\nThe strong presence of choreographer Sonya Tayeh comes to the forefront during this scene of orgiastic pleasure. the characters whose dance movements are often confined to constrained and angular gestures that reflect their inner tension and turmoil and freed and encouraged to \n\n<blockquote>\nFeel no shame for what you are\nFeel no shame for what you are\nFeel it as a waterfall\nFall in light\n</blockquote>\n\n\nGiven the musical interested this play will generate I would be remiss if I did not mention the integration of other Buckley songs into some of the key plot elements. Damon sings \"Everybody Here Wants You\" to Juliet after the famous balcony scene as her parents demand she come inside for the night. \n\n\nTwenty-nine pearls in your kiss \nA singing smile \nCoffee smell and lilac skin \nYour flame in me \n\nI\'m only here for this moment \n\nI know everybody here wants you \nI know everybody here thinks he needs you \nI\'ll be waiting right here just to show you \nHow our love will blow it all away \n\n\nKelli sings a moving version of \"Lover You Should Have Come Over\" from the balcony of her house while looking down on Tybalt\'s funeral even though her mind is focused on Romeo\n\nLooking out the door i see the rain fall upon the funeral mourners\nParading in a wake of sad relations as their shoes fill up with water\nAnd maybe i\'m too young to keep good love from going wrong\nBut tonight you\'re on my mind so you never know\n\nand sings \"What Will You Say\" while contemplating suicide rather than living without her love. She perfectly captures the anger towards her parents at their plan to marry her off to Paris while not knowing that she is already married to Romeo.\n\nIt\'s been such a long time\nAnd I was just a child then\nWhat will you say \nWhen you see my face?\nTime feels like it\'s flown away\nThe days just pass and fade away\nWhat will you say \nWhen they take my place?\n\nIt\'s funny now\nI just don\'t feel like a man\nWhat will you say \nWhen you see my face?\nMy face...\n\nMother dear, the world\'s gone cold\nNo one cares about love anymore\nWhat will you say \nWhen you see my face?\n\nFather do you hear me?\nDo you know me?\nDo you even care?\nWhat will you say \nWhen they take my place? \n\nFinally of note, Ashley Robinson as Tybalt delivers a powerful, rock and roll anger version of \"Haven\'t You Heard\"  as he fumes about Romeo\'s appearance at the Capulets party\n\nParanoia will write the world prayer \nMake sure that you fit in the right holes \nBut when you take his offer, you\'re done for \nDone for, done for, oooh...\n\nFinally, you may be wondering if Jeff\'s most often heard song, his emotional and fragile reading of Leonard Cohen\'s \"Hallelujah\" appears in the play. It does and it\'s presented as a heartbreaking coda to the final act.\n\nShakespeare\'s words say\n\nA glooming peace this morning with it brings;\nThe sun, for sorrow, will not show his head\n\nand Buckley via Cohen echoes\nIt\'s a cold and it\'s a broken Hallelujah\n\nIndeed.\n\nKudos to Michael Kimmel and  Kris Kukul who created this remarkable show\n','There\'s a Flaming Red Horizon That Screams Our Names',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5392-revision-2','','','2010-08-09 11:47:24','2010-08-09 16:47:24','',5392,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/08/09/5392-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(5395,1,'2010-08-09 11:51:49','2010-08-09 16:51:49','The Last Goodbye, WTF 2010 Aug.5-20\r\n\r\nconceived and adapted by Michael Kimmel\r\nmusic and lyrics by Jeff Buckley\r\norchestrations, music direction and \r\narrangements by Kris Kukul\r\ndirected by Michael Kimmel\r\nchoreography by Sonya Tayeh\r\n\r\n\r\n© T Charles Erickson\r\nphotoshelter.com/c/tcharleserickson\r\ntcepix@comcast.net','romeoandbenvolio',0,'','inherit','open','open','','romeoandbenvolio','','','2010-08-09 11:51:49','2010-08-09 16:51:49','',5392,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/romeoandbenvolio.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(5396,1,'2010-08-09 11:55:08','2010-08-09 16:55:08','Jo Lampert','Last Goodbye',0,'','inherit','open','open','','last-goodbye','','','2010-08-09 11:55:08','2010-08-09 16:55:08','',5392,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/mercutio.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(5397,1,'2010-08-09 11:48:38','2010-08-09 16:48:38','<strong>Review: \"The Last Goodbye\" - Williamstown Theatre Festival</strong>\nAugust 5 - 20 \n<a href=\"http://wtfestival.org/2010/lastgoodbye\">Williamstown Theatre Festival</a>\n\nThe sense of impending doom that pervades the familiar story of Romeo and Juliet hangs heavy over the Williamstown Theatre Festival\'s world premiere production of \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\". Those familiar with the life, music and ultimate passing of Jeff Buckley may be tempted to approach this project with a sense of trepidation - as I did initially. Jeff\'s body of work was emotional, poetic and powerful. His songs speak to the power and confusion of love and hold a special place in the musical hearts of many - defining specific moments of their lives and relationships.  \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\" then, stands as a bold statement. The willingness to risk this combination of two iconic stories could read as an interesting but failed gimmick - trust me when I say that it does not. It is a fully realized and powerful vision that brings new emotional and musical life to the classic story. Ultimately, the pairing of the doomed couples fate with Jeff\'s lyrics and music make for a heady mix of musical tragedy and catharsis that left me emotionally spent. \n\nThe setting is a vaguely modern visual world, echoes of New York city street scenes of walls plastered with posters and a long balcony that spans the stage. The plays action takes place on the streets and balconies of this modern/ancient town. The Capulet\'s are imagined as monied aristocrats with a sense of entitlement while the Montague\'s are more of the downtown art-scene crowd. \n\nDamon Daunno\'s portrayal of Romeo walks the fine line between romantic and goofy in an entirely endearing way. It doesn\'t hurt that he bears a passing resemblance to Buckley and delivers Jeff\'s falsetto passages with effortless grace.  I knew this production was going to work when Damon and Nick Blaemire (as Benvolio) combined vocals on my favorite Buckley tune \"<strong>Forget Her</strong>\".\n\n<blockquote>\nWhile this town is busy sleeping,\nAll the noise has died away.\nI walk the streets to stop my weeping,\nShe\'ll never change her ways.\n\nDon\'t fool yourself, she was heartache from the moment that you met her. (Benvolio)\nAnd my heart is frozen still as I try to find the will to forget her, somehow. (Romeo)\n</blockquote>\n\nThe character of Rosaline has been amplified a bit. As played by Celina Carvajal she appears wearing knee high leather boots and a very short minidress. Let\'s just say it\'s apparent why Romeo was attracted to her. Celina\' joins in the song with Damon and Nick added a few lyrics from \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\" and a seductive dance that might make Romeo think twice about her. (Note, I saw Celina deliver a show stopping version of \"Have Mercy On The Criminal\" at the WTF Cabaret a few weeks back - girl has some serious vocal chops).\n\nKelli Barret\'s Juliet has the  decidedly modern feel of a strong-willed girl who desperately wants love - and is unafraid to embrace it when it arrives. \n\nOther standout performances include Jo Lampert\'s turns in a powerful and riveting androgynous take on Mercutio. Her rendition of \"Eternal Life\" to close out the first act is a bravado combination of music and vocal delivery that reinforces one of the plays recurring musical motifs\n\n<blockquote>Eternal life is now on my trail\nGot my red glitter coffin man, just need one last nail\nWhile all these ugly gentlemen play out their foolish games\nThere\'s a flaming red horizon that screams our name</blockquote>\n\nLampert\'s performance and personality are so strong that if  Mercutio had not met such an untimely death we might have ended up seeing a show called \"Mercutio & Juliet\"\n\nI also enjoyed Jesse Lenat\'s interpretation of the Friar as a good-hearted mystical street preacher who may have ingested a few too many illegal substances back in the day. Jesse and the cast at a tribal rythm of love and sex to Romeo & Juliet\'s marriage day with \"<strong>New Years\' Prayer</strong>\"\n\nThe strong presence of choreographer Sonya Tayeh comes to the forefront during this scene of orgiastic pleasure. the characters whose dance movements are often confined to constrained and angular gestures that reflect their inner tension and turmoil and freed and encouraged to \n\n<blockquote>\nFeel no shame for what you are\nFeel no shame for what you are\nFeel it as a waterfall\nFall in light\n</blockquote>\n\n\nGiven the musical interested this play will generate I would be remiss if I did not mention the integration of other Buckley songs into some of the key plot elements. Damon sings \"Everybody Here Wants You\" to Juliet after the famous balcony scene as her parents demand she come inside for the night. \n\n\nTwenty-nine pearls in your kiss \nA singing smile \nCoffee smell and lilac skin \nYour flame in me \n\nI\'m only here for this moment \n\nI know everybody here wants you \nI know everybody here thinks he needs you \nI\'ll be waiting right here just to show you \nHow our love will blow it all away \n\n\nKelli sings a moving version of \"Lover You Should Have Come Over\" from the balcony of her house while looking down on Tybalt\'s funeral even though her mind is focused on Romeo\n\nLooking out the door i see the rain fall upon the funeral mourners\nParading in a wake of sad relations as their shoes fill up with water\nAnd maybe i\'m too young to keep good love from going wrong\nBut tonight you\'re on my mind so you never know\n\nand sings \"What Will You Say\" while contemplating suicide rather than living without her love. She perfectly captures the anger towards her parents at their plan to marry her off to Paris while not knowing that she is already married to Romeo.\n\nIt\'s been such a long time\nAnd I was just a child then\nWhat will you say \nWhen you see my face?\nTime feels like it\'s flown away\nThe days just pass and fade away\nWhat will you say \nWhen they take my place?\n\nIt\'s funny now\nI just don\'t feel like a man\nWhat will you say \nWhen you see my face?\nMy face...\n\nMother dear, the world\'s gone cold\nNo one cares about love anymore\nWhat will you say \nWhen you see my face?\n\nFather do you hear me?\nDo you know me?\nDo you even care?\nWhat will you say \nWhen they take my place? \n\nFinally of note, Ashley Robinson as Tybalt delivers a powerful, rock and roll anger version of \"Haven\'t You Heard\"  as he fumes about Romeo\'s appearance at the Capulets party\n\nParanoia will write the world prayer \nMake sure that you fit in the right holes \nBut when you take his offer, you\'re done for \nDone for, done for, oooh...\n\nFinally, you may be wondering if Jeff\'s most often heard song, his emotional and fragile reading of Leonard Cohen\'s \"Hallelujah\" appears in the play. It does and it\'s presented as a heartbreaking coda to the final act.\n\nShakespeare\'s words say\n\nA glooming peace this morning with it brings;\nThe sun, for sorrow, will not show his head\n\nand Buckley via Cohen echoes\nIt\'s a cold and it\'s a broken Hallelujah\n\nIndeed.\n\nKudos to Michael Kimmel and  Kris Kukul who created this remarkable show\n','There\'s a Flaming Red Horizon That Screams Our Names',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5392-revision-3','','','2010-08-09 11:48:38','2010-08-09 16:48:38','',5392,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/08/09/5392-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(5398,1,'2010-08-09 11:55:29','2010-08-09 16:55:29','<strong>Review: \"The Last Goodbye\" - Williamstown Theatre Festival</strong>\r\nAugust 5 - 20 \r\n<a href=\"http://wtfestival.org/2010/lastgoodbye\">Williamstown Theatre Festival</a>\r\n\r\nThe sense of impending doom that pervades the familiar story of Romeo and Juliet hangs heavy over the Williamstown Theatre Festival\'s world premiere production of \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\". Those familiar with the life, music and ultimate passing of Jeff Buckley may be tempted to approach this project with a sense of trepidation - as I did initially. Jeff\'s body of work was emotional, poetic and powerful. His songs speak to the power and confusion of love and hold a special place in the musical hearts of many - defining specific moments of their lives and relationships.  \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\" then, stands as a bold statement. The willingness to risk this combination of two iconic stories could read as an interesting but failed gimmick - trust me when I say that it does not. It is a fully realized and powerful vision that brings new emotional and musical life to the classic story. Ultimately, the pairing of the doomed couples fate with Jeff\'s lyrics and music make for a heady mix of musical tragedy and catharsis that left me emotionally spent. \r\n\r\nThe setting is a vaguely modern visual world, echoes of New York city street scenes of walls plastered with posters and a long balcony that spans the stage. The plays action takes place on the streets and balconies of this modern/ancient town. The Capulet\'s are imagined as monied aristocrats with a sense of entitlement while the Montague\'s are more of the downtown art-scene crowd. \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/romeoandbenvolio.jpg\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/romeoandbenvolio-300x273.jpg\" alt=\"romeoandbenvolio\" title=\"romeoandbenvolio\" width=\"300\" height=\"273\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-5395\" /></a>Damon Daunno\'s portrayal of Romeo walks the fine line between romantic and goofy in an entirely endearing way. It doesn\'t hurt that he bears a passing resemblance to Buckley and delivers Jeff\'s falsetto passages with effortless grace.  I knew this production was going to work when Damon and Nick Blaemire (as Benvolio) combined vocals on my favorite Buckley tune \"<strong>Forget Her</strong>\".\r\n\r\n<blockquote>\r\nWhile this town is busy sleeping,\r\nAll the noise has died away.\r\nI walk the streets to stop my weeping,\r\nShe\'ll never change her ways.\r\n\r\nDon\'t fool yourself, she was heartache from the moment that you met her. (Benvolio)\r\nAnd my heart is frozen still as I try to find the will to forget her, somehow. (Romeo)\r\n</blockquote>\r\n\r\nThe character of Rosaline has been amplified a bit. As played by Celina Carvajal she appears wearing knee high leather boots and a very short minidress. Let\'s just say it\'s apparent why Romeo was attracted to her. Celina\' joins in the song with Damon and Nick added a few lyrics from \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\" and a seductive dance that might make Romeo think twice about her. (Note, I saw Celina deliver a show stopping version of \"Have Mercy On The Criminal\" at the WTF Cabaret a few weeks back - girl has some serious vocal chops).\r\n\r\nKelli Barret\'s Juliet has the  decidedly modern feel of a strong-willed girl who desperately wants love - and is unafraid to embrace it when it arrives. \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/mercutio.jpg\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/mercutio-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"Last Goodbye\" title=\"Last Goodbye\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-5396\" /></a>Other standout performances include Jo Lampert\'s turns in a powerful and riveting androgynous take on Mercutio. Her rendition of \"Eternal Life\" to close out the first act is a bravado combination of music and vocal delivery that reinforces one of the plays recurring musical motifs\r\n\r\n<blockquote>Eternal life is now on my trail\r\nGot my red glitter coffin man, just need one last nail\r\nWhile all these ugly gentlemen play out their foolish games\r\nThere\'s a flaming red horizon that screams our name</blockquote>\r\n\r\nLampert\'s performance and personality are so strong that if  Mercutio had not met such an untimely death we might have ended up seeing a show called \"Mercutio & Juliet\"\r\n\r\nI also enjoyed Jesse Lenat\'s interpretation of the Friar as a good-hearted mystical street preacher who may have ingested a few too many illegal substances back in the day. Jesse and the cast at a tribal rythm of love and sex to Romeo & Juliet\'s marriage day with \"<strong>New Years\' Prayer</strong>\"\r\n\r\nThe strong presence of choreographer Sonya Tayeh comes to the forefront during this scene of orgiastic pleasure. the characters whose dance movements are often confined to constrained and angular gestures that reflect their inner tension and turmoil and freed and encouraged to \r\n\r\n<blockquote>\r\nFeel no shame for what you are\r\nFeel no shame for what you are\r\nFeel it as a waterfall\r\nFall in light\r\n</blockquote>\r\n\r\n\r\nGiven the musical interested this play will generate I would be remiss if I did not mention the integration of other Buckley songs into some of the key plot elements. Damon sings \"Everybody Here Wants You\" to Juliet after the famous balcony scene as her parents demand she come inside for the night. \r\n\r\n\r\nTwenty-nine pearls in your kiss \r\nA singing smile \r\nCoffee smell and lilac skin \r\nYour flame in me \r\n\r\nI\'m only here for this moment \r\n\r\nI know everybody here wants you \r\nI know everybody here thinks he needs you \r\nI\'ll be waiting right here just to show you \r\nHow our love will blow it all away \r\n\r\n\r\nKelli sings a moving version of \"Lover You Should Have Come Over\" from the balcony of her house while looking down on Tybalt\'s funeral even though her mind is focused on Romeo\r\n\r\nLooking out the door i see the rain fall upon the funeral mourners\r\nParading in a wake of sad relations as their shoes fill up with water\r\nAnd maybe i\'m too young to keep good love from going wrong\r\nBut tonight you\'re on my mind so you never know\r\n\r\nand sings \"What Will You Say\" while contemplating suicide rather than living without her love. She perfectly captures the anger towards her parents at their plan to marry her off to Paris while not knowing that she is already married to Romeo.\r\n\r\nIt\'s been such a long time\r\nAnd I was just a child then\r\nWhat will you say \r\nWhen you see my face?\r\nTime feels like it\'s flown away\r\nThe days just pass and fade away\r\nWhat will you say \r\nWhen they take my place?\r\n\r\nIt\'s funny now\r\nI just don\'t feel like a man\r\nWhat will you say \r\nWhen you see my face?\r\nMy face...\r\n\r\nMother dear, the world\'s gone cold\r\nNo one cares about love anymore\r\nWhat will you say \r\nWhen you see my face?\r\n\r\nFather do you hear me?\r\nDo you know me?\r\nDo you even care?\r\nWhat will you say \r\nWhen they take my place? \r\n\r\nFinally of note, Ashley Robinson as Tybalt delivers a powerful, rock and roll anger version of \"Haven\'t You Heard\"  as he fumes about Romeo\'s appearance at the Capulets party\r\n\r\nParanoia will write the world prayer \r\nMake sure that you fit in the right holes \r\nBut when you take his offer, you\'re done for \r\nDone for, done for, oooh...\r\n\r\nFinally, you may be wondering if Jeff\'s most often heard song, his emotional and fragile reading of Leonard Cohen\'s \"Hallelujah\" appears in the play. It does and it\'s presented as a heartbreaking coda to the final act.\r\n\r\nShakespeare\'s words say\r\n\r\nA glooming peace this morning with it brings;\r\nThe sun, for sorrow, will not show his head\r\n\r\nand Buckley via Cohen echoes\r\nIt\'s a cold and it\'s a broken Hallelujah\r\n\r\nIndeed.\r\n\r\nKudos to Michael Kimmel and  Kris Kukul who created this remarkable show\r\n','There\'s a Flaming Red Horizon That Screams Our Names',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5392-revision-4','','','2010-08-09 11:55:29','2010-08-09 16:55:29','',5392,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/08/09/5392-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(5399,1,'2010-08-09 11:56:34','2010-08-09 16:56:34','','Last Goodbye',0,'','inherit','open','open','','last-goodbye-2','','','2010-08-09 11:56:34','2010-08-09 16:56:34','',5392,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/friar.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(5400,1,'2010-08-09 11:55:34','2010-08-09 16:55:34','<strong>Review: \"The Last Goodbye\" - Williamstown Theatre Festival</strong>\r\nAugust 5 - 20 \r\n<a href=\"http://wtfestival.org/2010/lastgoodbye\">Williamstown Theatre Festival</a>\r\n\r\nThe sense of impending doom that pervades the familiar story of Romeo and Juliet hangs heavy over the Williamstown Theatre Festival\'s world premiere production of \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\". Those familiar with the life, music and ultimate passing of Jeff Buckley may be tempted to approach this project with a sense of trepidation - as I did initially. Jeff\'s body of work was emotional, poetic and powerful. His songs speak to the power and confusion of love and hold a special place in the musical hearts of many - defining specific moments of their lives and relationships.  \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\" then, stands as a bold statement. The willingness to risk this combination of two iconic stories could read as an interesting but failed gimmick - trust me when I say that it does not. It is a fully realized and powerful vision that brings new emotional and musical life to the classic story. Ultimately, the pairing of the doomed couples fate with Jeff\'s lyrics and music make for a heady mix of musical tragedy and catharsis that left me emotionally spent. \r\n\r\nThe setting is a vaguely modern visual world, echoes of New York city street scenes of walls plastered with posters and a long balcony that spans the stage. The plays action takes place on the streets and balconies of this modern/ancient town. The Capulet\'s are imagined as monied aristocrats with a sense of entitlement while the Montague\'s are more of the downtown art-scene crowd. \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/romeoandbenvolio.jpg\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/romeoandbenvolio-300x273.jpg\" alt=\"romeoandbenvolio\" title=\"romeoandbenvolio\" width=\"300\" height=\"273\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-5395\" /></a>Damon Daunno\'s portrayal of Romeo walks the fine line between romantic and goofy in an entirely endearing way. It doesn\'t hurt that he bears a passing resemblance to Buckley and delivers Jeff\'s falsetto passages with effortless grace.  I knew this production was going to work when Damon and Nick Blaemire (as Benvolio) combined vocals on my favorite Buckley tune \"<strong>Forget Her</strong>\".\r\n\r\n<blockquote>\r\nWhile this town is busy sleeping,\r\nAll the noise has died away.\r\nI walk the streets to stop my weeping,\r\nShe\'ll never change her ways.\r\n\r\nDon\'t fool yourself, she was heartache from the moment that you met her. (Benvolio)\r\nAnd my heart is frozen still as I try to find the will to forget her, somehow. (Romeo)\r\n</blockquote>\r\n\r\nThe character of Rosaline has been amplified a bit. As played by Celina Carvajal she appears wearing knee high leather boots and a very short minidress. Let\'s just say it\'s apparent why Romeo was attracted to her. Celina\' joins in the song with Damon and Nick added a few lyrics from \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\" and a seductive dance that might make Romeo think twice about her. (Note, I saw Celina deliver a show stopping version of \"Have Mercy On The Criminal\" at the WTF Cabaret a few weeks back - girl has some serious vocal chops).\r\n\r\nKelli Barret\'s Juliet has the  decidedly modern feel of a strong-willed girl who desperately wants love - and is unafraid to embrace it when it arrives. \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/mercutio.jpg\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/mercutio-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"Last Goodbye\" title=\"Last Goodbye\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-5396\" /></a>Other standout performances include Jo Lampert\'s turns in a powerful and riveting androgynous take on Mercutio. Her rendition of \"Eternal Life\" to close out the first act is a bravado combination of music and vocal delivery that reinforces one of the plays recurring musical motifs\r\n\r\n<blockquote>Eternal life is now on my trail\r\nGot my red glitter coffin man, just need one last nail\r\nWhile all these ugly gentlemen play out their foolish games\r\nThere\'s a flaming red horizon that screams our name</blockquote>\r\n\r\nLampert\'s performance and personality are so strong that if  Mercutio had not met such an untimely death we might have ended up seeing a show called \"Mercutio & Juliet\"\r\n\r\nI also enjoyed Jesse Lenat\'s interpretation of the Friar as a good-hearted mystical street preacher who may have ingested a few too many illegal substances back in the day. Jesse and the cast at a tribal rythm of love and sex to Romeo & Juliet\'s marriage day with \"<strong>New Years\' Prayer</strong>\"\r\n\r\nThe strong presence of choreographer Sonya Tayeh comes to the forefront during this scene of orgiastic pleasure. the characters whose dance movements are often confined to constrained and angular gestures that reflect their inner tension and turmoil and freed and encouraged to \r\n\r\n<blockquote>\r\nFeel no shame for what you are\r\nFeel no shame for what you are\r\nFeel it as a waterfall\r\nFall in light\r\n</blockquote>\r\n\r\n\r\nGiven the musical interested this play will generate I would be remiss if I did not mention the integration of other Buckley songs into some of the key plot elements. Damon sings \"Everybody Here Wants You\" to Juliet after the famous balcony scene as her parents demand she come inside for the night. \r\n\r\n\r\nTwenty-nine pearls in your kiss \r\nA singing smile \r\nCoffee smell and lilac skin \r\nYour flame in me \r\n\r\nI\'m only here for this moment \r\n\r\nI know everybody here wants you \r\nI know everybody here thinks he needs you \r\nI\'ll be waiting right here just to show you \r\nHow our love will blow it all away \r\n\r\n\r\nKelli sings a moving version of \"Lover You Should Have Come Over\" from the balcony of her house while looking down on Tybalt\'s funeral even though her mind is focused on Romeo\r\n\r\nLooking out the door i see the rain fall upon the funeral mourners\r\nParading in a wake of sad relations as their shoes fill up with water\r\nAnd maybe i\'m too young to keep good love from going wrong\r\nBut tonight you\'re on my mind so you never know\r\n\r\nand sings \"What Will You Say\" while contemplating suicide rather than living without her love. She perfectly captures the anger towards her parents at their plan to marry her off to Paris while not knowing that she is already married to Romeo.\r\n\r\nIt\'s been such a long time\r\nAnd I was just a child then\r\nWhat will you say \r\nWhen you see my face?\r\nTime feels like it\'s flown away\r\nThe days just pass and fade away\r\nWhat will you say \r\nWhen they take my place?\r\n\r\nIt\'s funny now\r\nI just don\'t feel like a man\r\nWhat will you say \r\nWhen you see my face?\r\nMy face...\r\n\r\nMother dear, the world\'s gone cold\r\nNo one cares about love anymore\r\nWhat will you say \r\nWhen you see my face?\r\n\r\nFather do you hear me?\r\nDo you know me?\r\nDo you even care?\r\nWhat will you say \r\nWhen they take my place? \r\n\r\nFinally of note, Ashley Robinson as Tybalt delivers a powerful, rock and roll anger version of \"Haven\'t You Heard\"  as he fumes about Romeo\'s appearance at the Capulets party\r\n\r\nParanoia will write the world prayer \r\nMake sure that you fit in the right holes \r\nBut when you take his offer, you\'re done for \r\nDone for, done for, oooh...\r\n\r\nFinally, you may be wondering if Jeff\'s most often heard song, his emotional and fragile reading of Leonard Cohen\'s \"Hallelujah\" appears in the play. It does and it\'s presented as a heartbreaking coda to the final act.\r\n\r\nShakespeare\'s words say\r\n\r\nA glooming peace this morning with it brings;\r\nThe sun, for sorrow, will not show his head\r\n\r\nand Buckley via Cohen echoes\r\nIt\'s a cold and it\'s a broken Hallelujah\r\n\r\nIndeed.\r\n\r\nKudos to Michael Kimmel and  Kris Kukul who created this remarkable show\r\n','There\'s a Flaming Red Horizon That Screams Our Names',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5392-revision-5','','','2010-08-09 11:55:34','2010-08-09 16:55:34','',5392,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/08/09/5392-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(5401,1,'2010-08-09 11:59:37','2010-08-09 16:59:37','<strong>Review: \"The Last Goodbye\" - Williamstown Theatre Festival</strong>\nAugust 5 - 20 \n<a href=\"http://wtfestival.org/2010/lastgoodbye\">Williamstown Theatre Festival</a>\n\nThe sense of impending doom that pervades the familiar story of Romeo and Juliet hangs heavy over the Williamstown Theatre Festival\'s world premiere production of \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\". Those familiar with the life, music and ultimate passing of Jeff Buckley may be tempted to approach this project with a sense of trepidation - as I did initially. Jeff\'s body of work was emotional, poetic and powerful. His songs speak to the power and confusion of love and hold a special place in the musical hearts of many - defining specific moments of their lives and relationships.  \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\" then, stands as a bold statement. The willingness to risk this combination of two iconic stories could read as an interesting but failed gimmick - trust me when I say that it does not. It is a fully realized and powerful vision that brings new emotional and musical life to the classic story. Ultimately, the pairing of the doomed couples fate with Jeff\'s lyrics and music make for a heady mix of musical tragedy and catharsis that left me emotionally spent. \n\nThe setting is a vaguely modern visual world, echoes of New York city street scenes of walls plastered with posters and a long balcony that spans the stage. The plays action takes place on the streets and balconies of this modern/ancient town. The Capulet\'s are imagined as monied aristocrats with a sense of entitlement while the Montague\'s are more of the downtown art-scene crowd. \n\n<a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/romeoandbenvolio.jpg\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/romeoandbenvolio-300x273.jpg\" alt=\"romeoandbenvolio\" title=\"romeoandbenvolio\" width=\"300\" height=\"273\" class=\"alignone size-medium wp-image-5395\" /></a>Damon Daunno\'s portrayal of Romeo walks the fine line between romantic and goofy in an entirely endearing way. It doesn\'t hurt that he bears a passing resemblance to Buckley and delivers Jeff\'s falsetto passages with effortless grace.  I knew this production was going to work when Damon and Nick Blaemire (as Benvolio) combined vocals on my favorite Buckley tune \"<strong>Forget Her</strong>\".\n\n<blockquote>\nWhile this town is busy sleeping,\nAll the noise has died away.\nI walk the streets to stop my weeping,\nShe\'ll never change her ways.\n\nDon\'t fool yourself, she was heartache from the moment that you met her. (Benvolio)\nAnd my heart is frozen still as I try to find the will to forget her, somehow. (Romeo)\n</blockquote>\n\nThe character of Rosaline has been amplified a bit. As played by Celina Carvajal she appears wearing knee high leather boots and a very short minidress. Let\'s just say it\'s apparent why Romeo was attracted to her. Celina\' joins in the song with Damon and Nick added a few lyrics from \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\" and a seductive dance that might make Romeo think twice about her. (Note, I saw Celina deliver a show stopping version of \"Have Mercy On The Criminal\" at the WTF Cabaret a few weeks back - girl has some serious vocal chops).\n\nKelli Barret\'s Juliet has the  decidedly modern feel of a strong-willed girl who desperately wants love - and is unafraid to embrace it when it arrives. \n\n<a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/mercutio.jpg\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/mercutio-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"Last Goodbye\" title=\"Last Goodbye\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignone size-medium wp-image-5396\" /></a>Other standout performances include Jo Lampert\'s turns in a powerful and riveting androgynous take on Mercutio. Her rendition of \"Eternal Life\" to close out the first act is a bravado combination of music and vocal delivery that reinforces one of the plays recurring musical motifs\n\n<blockquote>Eternal life is now on my trail\nGot my red glitter coffin man, just need one last nail\nWhile all these ugly gentlemen play out their foolish games\nThere\'s a flaming red horizon that screams our name</blockquote>\n\nLampert\'s performance and personality are so strong that if  Mercutio had not met such an untimely death we might have ended up seeing a show called \"Mercutio & Juliet\"\n\nI also enjoyed Jesse Lenat\'s interpretation of the Friar as a good-hearted mystical street preacher who may have ingested a few too many illegal substances back in the day. Jesse and the cast at a tribal rythm of love and sex to Romeo & Juliet\'s marriage day with \"<strong>New Years\' Prayer</strong>\"<a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/friar.jpg\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/friar-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"Last Goodbye\" title=\"Last Goodbye\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-5399\" /></a>\n\nThe strong presence of choreographer Sonya Tayeh comes to the forefront during this scene of orgiastic pleasure. the characters whose dance movements are often confined to constrained and angular gestures that reflect their inner tension and turmoil and freed and encouraged to \n\n<blockquote>\nFeel no shame for what you are\nFeel no shame for what you are\nFeel it as a waterfall\nFall in light\n</blockquote>\n\n\nGiven the musical interested this play will generate I would be remiss if I did not mention the integration of other Buckley songs into some of the key plot elements. Damon sings \"<strong>Everybody Here Wants You</strong>\" to Juliet after the famous balcony scene as her parents demand she come inside for the night. \n\n<blockquote>Twenty-nine pearls in your kiss \nA singing smile \nCoffee smell and lilac skin \nYour flame in me \n\nI\'m only here for this moment \n\nI know everybody here wants you \nI know everybody here thinks he needs you \nI\'ll be waiting right here just to show you \nHow our love will blow it all away </blockquote>\n\nKelli sings a moving version of \"<strong>Lover You Should Have Come Over</strong>\" from the balcony of her house while looking down on Tybalt\'s funeral even though her mind is focused on Romeo\n\n<blockquote>Looking out the door i see the rain fall upon the funeral mourners\nParading in a wake of sad relations as their shoes fill up with water\nAnd maybe i\'m too young to keep good love from going wrong\nBut tonight you\'re on my mind so you never know\n</blockquote>\n\nand sings \"<strong>What Will You Say</strong>\" while contemplating suicide rather than living without her love. She perfectly captures the anger towards her parents at their plan to marry her off to Paris while not knowing that she is already married to Romeo.\n\n<blockquote>It\'s been such a long time\nAnd I was just a child then\nWhat will you say \nWhen you see my face?\nTime feels like it\'s flown away\nThe days just pass and fade away\nWhat will you say \nWhen they take my place?\n\nIt\'s funny now\nI just don\'t feel like a man\nWhat will you say \nWhen you see my face?\nMy face...\n\nMother dear, the world\'s gone cold\nNo one cares about love anymore\nWhat will you say \nWhen you see my face?\n\nFather do you hear me?\nDo you know me?\nDo you even care?\nWhat will you say \nWhen they take my place? </blockquote>\n\nFinally of note, Ashley Robinson as Tybalt delivers a powerful, rock and roll anger version of \"<strong>Haven\'t You Heard</strong>\"  as he fumes about Romeo\'s appearance at the Capulets party\n\n<blockquote>\nParanoia will write the world prayer \nMake sure that you fit in the right holes \nBut when you take his offer, you\'re done for \nDone for, done for, oooh...\n</blockquote>\n\nFinally, you may be wondering if Jeff\'s most often heard song, his emotional and fragile reading of Leonard Cohen\'s \"<strong>Hallelujah</strong>\" appears in the play. It does and it\'s presented as a heartbreaking coda to the final act.\n\nShakespeare\'s words say\n\nA glooming peace this morning with it brings;\nThe sun, for sorrow, will not show his head\n\nand Buckley via Cohen echoes\n\nIt\'s a cold and it\'s a broken Hallelujah\n\nIndeed.\n\nKudos to Michael Kimmel and  Kris Kukul who created this remarkable show\n','There\'s a Flaming Red Horizon That Screams Our Names',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5392-revision-6','','','2010-08-09 11:59:37','2010-08-09 16:59:37','',5392,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/08/09/5392-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(5402,1,'2010-08-09 12:00:53','2010-08-09 17:00:53','<strong>Review: \"The Last Goodbye\" - Williamstown Theatre Festival</strong>\nAugust 5 - 20 \n<a href=\"http://wtfestival.org/2010/lastgoodbye\">Williamstown Theatre Festival</a>\n\nThe sense of impending doom that pervades the familiar story of Romeo and Juliet hangs heavy over the Williamstown Theatre Festival\'s world premiere production of \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\". Those familiar with the life, music and ultimate passing of Jeff Buckley may be tempted to approach this project with a sense of trepidation - as I did initially. Jeff\'s body of work was emotional, poetic and powerful. His songs speak to the power and confusion of love and hold a special place in the musical hearts of many - defining specific moments of their lives and relationships.  \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\" then, stands as a bold statement. The willingness to risk this combination of two iconic stories could read as an interesting but failed gimmick - trust me when I say that it does not. It is a fully realized and powerful vision that brings new emotional and musical life to the classic story. Ultimately, the pairing of the doomed couples fate with Jeff\'s lyrics and music make for a heady mix of musical tragedy and catharsis that left me emotionally spent. \n\nThe setting is a vaguely modern visual world, echoes of New York city street scenes of walls plastered with posters and a long balcony that spans the stage. The plays action takes place on the streets and balconies of this modern/ancient town. The Capulet\'s are imagined as monied aristocrats with a sense of entitlement while the Montague\'s are more of the downtown art-scene crowd. \n\n<a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/romeoandbenvolio.jpg\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/romeoandbenvolio-300x273.jpg\" alt=\"romeoandbenvolio\" title=\"romeoandbenvolio\" width=\"300\" height=\"273\" class=\"alignone size-medium wp-image-5395\" /></a>\n\nDamon Daunno\'s portrayal of Romeo walks the fine line between romantic and goofy in an entirely endearing way. It doesn\'t hurt that he bears a passing resemblance to Buckley and delivers Jeff\'s falsetto passages with effortless grace.  I knew this production was going to work when Damon and Nick Blaemire (as Benvolio) combined vocals on my favorite Buckley tune \"<strong>Forget Her</strong>\".\n\n<blockquote>\nWhile this town is busy sleeping,\nAll the noise has died away.\nI walk the streets to stop my weeping,\nShe\'ll never change her ways.\n\nDon\'t fool yourself, she was heartache from the moment that you met her. (Benvolio)\nAnd my heart is frozen still as I try to find the will to forget her, somehow. (Romeo)\n</blockquote>\n\nThe character of Rosaline has been amplified a bit. As played by Celina Carvajal she appears wearing knee high leather boots and a very short minidress. Let\'s just say it\'s apparent why Romeo was attracted to her. Celina\' joins in the song with Damon and Nick added a few lyrics from \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\" and a seductive dance that might make Romeo think twice about her. (Note, I saw Celina deliver a show stopping version of \"Have Mercy On The Criminal\" at the WTF Cabaret a few weeks back - girl has some serious vocal chops).\n\nKelli Barret\'s Juliet has the  decidedly modern feel of a strong-willed girl who desperately wants love - and is unafraid to embrace it when it arrives. \n\n<a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/mercutio.jpg\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/mercutio-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"Last Goodbye\" title=\"Last Goodbye\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignone size-medium wp-image-5396\" /></a>\n\nOther standout performances include Jo Lampert\'s turns in a powerful and riveting androgynous take on Mercutio. Her rendition of \"Eternal Life\" to close out the first act is a bravado combination of music and vocal delivery that reinforces one of the plays recurring musical motifs\n\n<blockquote>Eternal life is now on my trail\nGot my red glitter coffin man, just need one last nail\nWhile all these ugly gentlemen play out their foolish games\nThere\'s a flaming red horizon that screams our name</blockquote>\n\nLampert\'s performance and personality are so strong that if  Mercutio had not met such an untimely death we might have ended up seeing a show called \"Mercutio & Juliet\"\n\nAshley Robinson as Tybalt delivers a powerful, rock and roll anger version of \"<strong>Haven\'t You Heard</strong>\"  as he fumes about Romeo\'s appearance at the Capulet\'s party\n\n<blockquote>\nParanoia will write the world prayer \nMake sure that you fit in the right holes \nBut when you take his offer, you\'re done for \nDone for, done for, oooh...\n</blockquote>\n\nI also enjoyed Jesse Lenat\'s interpretation of the Friar as a good-hearted mystical street preacher who may have ingested a few too many illegal substances back in the day. Jesse and the cast at a tribal rythm of love and sex to Romeo & Juliet\'s marriage day with \"<strong>New Years\' Prayer</strong>\"<a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/friar.jpg\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/friar-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"Last Goodbye\" title=\"Last Goodbye\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignone size-medium wp-image-5399\" /></a>\n\nThe strong presence of choreographer Sonya Tayeh comes to the forefront during this scene of orgiastic pleasure. the characters whose dance movements are often confined to constrained and angular gestures that reflect their inner tension and turmoil and freed and encouraged to \n\n<blockquote>\nFeel no shame for what you are\nFeel no shame for what you are\nFeel it as a waterfall\nFall in light\n</blockquote>\n\n\nGiven the musical interested this play will generate I would be remiss if I did not mention the integration of other Buckley songs into some of the key plot elements. Damon sings \"<strong>Everybody Here Wants You</strong>\" to Juliet after the famous balcony scene as her parents demand she come inside for the night. \n\n<blockquote>Twenty-nine pearls in your kiss \nA singing smile \nCoffee smell and lilac skin \nYour flame in me \n\nI\'m only here for this moment \n\nI know everybody here wants you \nI know everybody here thinks he needs you \nI\'ll be waiting right here just to show you \nHow our love will blow it all away </blockquote>\n\nKelli sings a moving version of \"<strong>Lover You Should Have Come Over</strong>\" from the balcony of her house while looking down on Tybalt\'s funeral even though her mind is focused on Romeo\n\n<blockquote>Looking out the door i see the rain fall upon the funeral mourners\nParading in a wake of sad relations as their shoes fill up with water\nAnd maybe i\'m too young to keep good love from going wrong\nBut tonight you\'re on my mind so you never know\n</blockquote>\n\nand sings \"<strong>What Will You Say</strong>\" while contemplating suicide rather than living without her love. She perfectly captures the anger towards her parents at their plan to marry her off to Paris while not knowing that she is already married to Romeo.\n\n<blockquote>It\'s been such a long time\nAnd I was just a child then\nWhat will you say \nWhen you see my face?\nTime feels like it\'s flown away\nThe days just pass and fade away\nWhat will you say \nWhen they take my place?\n\nIt\'s funny now\nI just don\'t feel like a man\nWhat will you say \nWhen you see my face?\nMy face...\n\nMother dear, the world\'s gone cold\nNo one cares about love anymore\nWhat will you say \nWhen you see my face?\n\nFather do you hear me?\nDo you know me?\nDo you even care?\nWhat will you say \nWhen they take my place? </blockquote>\n\n\n\nFinally, you may be wondering if Jeff\'s most often heard song, his emotional and fragile reading of Leonard Cohen\'s \"<strong>Hallelujah</strong>\" appears in the play. It does and it\'s presented as a heartbreaking coda to the final act.\n\nShakespeare\'s words say\n\nA glooming peace this morning with it brings;\nThe sun, for sorrow, will not show his head\n\nand Buckley via Cohen echoes\n\nIt\'s a cold and it\'s a broken Hallelujah\n\nIndeed.\n\nKudos to Michael Kimmel and  Kris Kukul who created this remarkable show\n','There\'s a Flaming Red Horizon That Screams Our Names',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5392-revision-7','','','2010-08-09 12:00:53','2010-08-09 17:00:53','',5392,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/08/09/5392-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(5403,1,'2010-08-09 12:02:05','2010-08-09 17:02:05','<strong>Review: \"The Last Goodbye\" - Williamstown Theatre Festival</strong>\nAugust 5 - 20 \n<a href=\"http://wtfestival.org/2010/lastgoodbye\">Williamstown Theatre Festival</a>\n\nThe sense of impending doom that pervades the familiar story of Romeo and Juliet hangs heavy over the Williamstown Theatre Festival\'s world premiere production of \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\". Those familiar with the life, music and ultimate passing of Jeff Buckley may be tempted to approach this project with a sense of trepidation - as I did initially. Jeff\'s body of work was emotional, poetic and powerful. His songs speak to the power and confusion of love and hold a special place in the musical hearts of many - defining specific moments of their lives and relationships.  \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\" then, stands as a bold statement. The willingness to risk this combination of two iconic stories could read as an interesting but failed gimmick - trust me when I say that it does not. It is a fully realized and powerful vision that brings new emotional and musical life to the classic story. Ultimately, the pairing of the doomed couples fate with Jeff\'s lyrics and music make for a heady mix of musical tragedy and catharsis that left me emotionally spent. \n\nThe setting is a vaguely modern visual world, echoes of New York city street scenes of walls plastered with posters and a long balcony that spans the stage. The plays action takes place on the streets and balconies of this modern/ancient town. The Capulet\'s are imagined as monied aristocrats with a sense of entitlement while the Montague\'s are more of the downtown art-scene crowd. \n\n<a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/romeoandbenvolio.jpg\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/romeoandbenvolio-300x273.jpg\" alt=\"romeoandbenvolio\" title=\"romeoandbenvolio\" width=\"300\" height=\"273\" class=\"alignone size-medium wp-image-5395\" /></a>\n\nDamon Daunno\'s portrayal of Romeo walks the fine line between romantic and goofy in an entirely endearing way. It doesn\'t hurt that he bears a passing resemblance to Buckley and delivers Jeff\'s falsetto passages with effortless grace.  I knew this production was going to work when Damon and Nick Blaemire (as Benvolio) combined vocals on my favorite Buckley tune \"<strong>Forget Her</strong>\".\n\n<blockquote>\nWhile this town is busy sleeping,\nAll the noise has died away.\nI walk the streets to stop my weeping,\nShe\'ll never change her ways.\n\nDon\'t fool yourself, she was heartache from the moment that you met her. (Benvolio)\nAnd my heart is frozen still as I try to find the will to forget her, somehow. (Romeo)\n</blockquote>\n\nThe character of Rosaline has been amplified a bit. As played by Celina Carvajal she appears wearing knee high leather boots and a very short minidress. Let\'s just say it\'s apparent why Romeo was attracted to her. Celina\' joins in the song with Damon and Nick added a few lyrics from \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\" and a seductive dance that might make Romeo think twice about her. (Note, I saw Celina deliver a show stopping version of \"Have Mercy On The Criminal\" at the WTF Cabaret a few weeks back - girl has some serious vocal chops).\n\nKelli Barret\'s Juliet has the  decidedly modern feel of a strong-willed girl who desperately wants love - and is unafraid to embrace it when it arrives. \n\n<a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/mercutio.jpg\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/mercutio-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"Last Goodbye\" title=\"Last Goodbye\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignone size-medium wp-image-5396\" /></a>\n\nOther standout performances include Jo Lampert\'s turns in a powerful and riveting androgynous take on Mercutio. Her rendition of \"Eternal Life\" to close out the first act is a bravado combination of music and vocal delivery that reinforces one of the plays recurring musical motifs\n\n<blockquote>Eternal life is now on my trail\nGot my red glitter coffin man, just need one last nail\nWhile all these ugly gentlemen play out their foolish games\nThere\'s a flaming red horizon that screams our name</blockquote>\n\nLampert\'s performance and personality are so strong that if  Mercutio had not met such an untimely death we might have ended up seeing a show called \"Mercutio & Juliet\"\n\nAshley Robinson as Tybalt delivers a powerful, rock and roll anger version of \"<strong>Haven\'t You Heard</strong>\"  as he fumes about Romeo\'s appearance at the Capulet\'s party.\n\n<blockquote>\nParanoia will write the world prayer \nMake sure that you fit in the right holes \nBut when you take his offer, you\'re done for \nDone for, done for, oooh...\n</blockquote>\n\nI also enjoyed Jesse Lenat\'s interpretation of the Friar as a good-hearted mystical street preacher who may have ingested a few too many illegal substances back in the day. Jesse and the cast at a tribal rythm of love and sex to Romeo & Juliet\'s marriage day with \"<strong>New Years\' Prayer</strong>\"\n\n<a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/friar.jpg\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/friar-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"Last Goodbye\" title=\"Last Goodbye\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignone size-medium wp-image-5399\" /></a>\n\nThe strong presence of choreographer Sonya Tayeh comes to the forefront during this scene of orgiastic pleasure. the characters whose dance movements are often confined to constrained and angular gestures that reflect their inner tension and turmoil and freed and encouraged to \n\n<blockquote>\nFeel no shame for what you are\nFeel no shame for what you are\nFeel it as a waterfall\nFall in light\n</blockquote>\n\n\nGiven the musical interested this play will generate I would be remiss if I did not mention the integration of other Buckley songs into some of the key plot elements. Damon sings \"<strong>Everybody Here Wants You</strong>\" to Juliet after the famous balcony scene as her parents demand she come inside for the night. \n\n<blockquote>Twenty-nine pearls in your kiss \nA singing smile \nCoffee smell and lilac skin \nYour flame in me \n\nI\'m only here for this moment \n\nI know everybody here wants you \nI know everybody here thinks he needs you \nI\'ll be waiting right here just to show you \nHow our love will blow it all away </blockquote>\n\nKelli sings a moving version of \"<strong>Lover You Should Have Come Over</strong>\" from the balcony of her house while looking down on Tybalt\'s funeral even though her mind is focused on Romeo\n\n<blockquote>Looking out the door i see the rain fall upon the funeral mourners\nParading in a wake of sad relations as their shoes fill up with water\nAnd maybe i\'m too young to keep good love from going wrong\nBut tonight you\'re on my mind so you never know\n</blockquote>\n\nand sings \"<strong>What Will You Say</strong>\" while contemplating suicide rather than living without her love. She perfectly captures the anger towards her parents at their plan to marry her off to Paris while not knowing that she is already married to Romeo. Kelli delivers on the emotiona\n\n<blockquote>It\'s been such a long time\nAnd I was just a child then\nWhat will you say \nWhen you see my face?\nTime feels like it\'s flown away\nThe days just pass and fade away\nWhat will you say \nWhen they take my place?\n\nIt\'s funny now\nI just don\'t feel like a man\nWhat will you say \nWhen you see my face?\nMy face...\n\nMother dear, the world\'s gone cold\nNo one cares about love anymore\nWhat will you say \nWhen you see my face?\n\nFather do you hear me?\nDo you know me?\nDo you even care?\nWhat will you say \nWhen they take my place? </blockquote>\n\n\n\nFinally, you may be wondering if Jeff\'s most often heard song, his emotional and fragile reading of Leonard Cohen\'s \"<strong>Hallelujah</strong>\" appears in the play. It does and it\'s presented as a heartbreaking coda to the final act.\n\nShakespeare\'s words say\n\nA glooming peace this morning with it brings;\nThe sun, for sorrow, will not show his head\n\nand Buckley via Cohen echoes\n\nIt\'s a cold and it\'s a broken Hallelujah\n\nIndeed.\n\nKudos to Michael Kimmel and  Kris Kukul who created this remarkable show\n','There\'s a Flaming Red Horizon That Screams Our Names',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5392-revision-8','','','2010-08-09 12:02:05','2010-08-09 17:02:05','',5392,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/08/09/5392-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(5404,1,'2010-08-09 12:05:02','2010-08-09 17:05:02','<strong>Review: \"The Last Goodbye\" - Williamstown Theatre Festival</strong>\nAugust 5 - 20 \n<a href=\"http://wtfestival.org/2010/lastgoodbye\">Williamstown Theatre Festival</a>\n\nThe sense of impending doom that pervades the familiar story of Romeo and Juliet hangs heavy over the Williamstown Theatre Festival\'s world premiere production of \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\". Those familiar with the life, music and ultimate passing of Jeff Buckley may be tempted to approach this project with a sense of trepidation - as I did initially. Jeff\'s body of work was emotional, poetic and powerful. His songs speak to the power and confusion of love and hold a special place in the musical hearts of many - defining specific moments of their lives and relationships.  \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\" then, stands as a bold statement. The willingness to risk this combination of two iconic stories could read as an interesting but failed gimmick - trust me when I say that it does not. It is a fully realized and powerful vision that brings new emotional and musical life to the classic story. Ultimately, the pairing of the doomed couples fate with Jeff\'s lyrics and music make for a heady mix of musical tragedy and catharsis that left me emotionally spent. \n\nThe setting is a vaguely modern visual world, echoes of New York city street scenes of walls plastered with posters and a long balcony that spans the stage. The plays action takes place on the streets and balconies of this modern/ancient town. The Capulet\'s are imagined as monied aristocrats with a sense of entitlement while the Montague\'s are more of the downtown art-scene crowd. \n\n<a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/romeoandbenvolio.jpg\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/romeoandbenvolio-300x273.jpg\" alt=\"romeoandbenvolio\" title=\"romeoandbenvolio\" width=\"300\" height=\"273\" class=\"alignone size-medium wp-image-5395\" /></a>\n\nDamon Daunno\'s portrayal of Romeo walks the fine line between romantic and goofy in an entirely endearing way. It doesn\'t hurt that he bears a passing resemblance to Buckley and delivers Jeff\'s falsetto passages with effortless grace.  I knew this production was going to work when Damon and Nick Blaemire (as Benvolio) combined vocals on my favorite Buckley tune \"<strong>Forget Her</strong>\".\n\n<blockquote>\nWhile this town is busy sleeping,\nAll the noise has died away.\nI walk the streets to stop my weeping,\nShe\'ll never change her ways.\n\nDon\'t fool yourself, she was heartache from the moment that you met her. (Benvolio)\nAnd my heart is frozen still as I try to find the will to forget her, somehow. (Romeo)\n</blockquote>\n\nThe character of Rosaline has been amplified a bit. As played by Celina Carvajal she appears wearing knee high leather boots and a very short minidress. Let\'s just say it\'s apparent why Romeo was attracted to her. Celina\' joins in the song with Damon and Nick added a few lyrics from \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\" and a seductive dance that might make Romeo think twice about her. (Note, I saw Celina deliver a show stopping version of \"Have Mercy On The Criminal\" at the WTF Cabaret a few weeks back - girl has some serious vocal chops).\n\nKelli Barret\'s Juliet has the  decidedly modern feel of a strong-willed girl who desperately wants love - and is unafraid to embrace it when it arrives. \n\n<a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/mercutio.jpg\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/mercutio-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"Last Goodbye\" title=\"Last Goodbye\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignone size-medium wp-image-5396\" /></a>\n\nOther standout performances include Jo Lampert\'s turn as a powerful and riveting androgynous Mercutio. Her rendition of \"Eternal Life\" to close out the first act is a bravado combination of music and vocal delivery that reinforces one of the plays recurring musical motifs\n\n<blockquote>Eternal life is now on my trail\nGot my red glitter coffin man, just need one last nail\nWhile all these ugly gentlemen play out their foolish games\nThere\'s a flaming red horizon that screams our name</blockquote>\n\nLampert\'s performance and personality are so strong that if  Mercutio had not met such an untimely death we might have ended up seeing a show called \"Mercutio & Juliet\"\n\nAshley Robinson as Tybalt delivers a powerful, rock and roll anger version of \"<strong>Haven\'t You Heard</strong>\"  as he fumes about Romeo\'s appearance at the Capulet\'s party.\n\n<blockquote>\nParanoia will write the world prayer \nMake sure that you fit in the right holes \nBut when you take his offer, you\'re done for \nDone for, done for, oooh...\n</blockquote>\n\nI also enjoyed Jesse Lenat\'s interpretation of the Friar as a good-hearted mystical street preacher who may have ingested a few too many illegal substances back in the day. Jesse and the cast at a tribal rythm of love and sex to Romeo & Juliet\'s marriage day with \"<strong>New Years\' Prayer</strong>\"\n\n<a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/friar.jpg\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/friar-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"Last Goodbye\" title=\"Last Goodbye\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignone size-medium wp-image-5399\" /></a>\n\nThe strong presence of choreographer Sonya Tayeh comes to the forefront during this scene of orgiastic pleasure. the characters whose dance movements are often confined to constrained and angular gestures that reflect their inner tension and turmoil and freed and encouraged to \n\n<blockquote>\nFeel no shame for what you are\nFeel no shame for what you are\nFeel it as a waterfall\nFall in light\n</blockquote>\n\n\nGiven the musical interested this play will generate I would be remiss if I did not mention the integration of other Buckley songs into some of the key plot elements. Damon sings \"<strong>Everybody Here Wants You</strong>\" to Juliet after the famous balcony scene as her parents demand she come inside for the night. \n\n<blockquote>Twenty-nine pearls in your kiss \nA singing smile \nCoffee smell and lilac skin \nYour flame in me \n\nI\'m only here for this moment \n\nI know everybody here wants you \nI know everybody here thinks he needs you \nI\'ll be waiting right here just to show you \nHow our love will blow it all away </blockquote>\n\nHis delivery and emotion are perfectly matched to the scene and his extra \"Everybo\n\nKelli sings a moving version of \"<strong>Lover You Should Have Come Over</strong>\" from the balcony of her house while looking down on Tybalt\'s funeral even though her mind is focused on Romeo\n\n<blockquote>Looking out the door i see the rain fall upon the funeral mourners\nParading in a wake of sad relations as their shoes fill up with water\nAnd maybe i\'m too young to keep good love from going wrong\nBut tonight you\'re on my mind so you never know\n</blockquote>\n\nand sings \"<strong>What Will You Say</strong>\" while contemplating suicide rather than living without her love. She perfectly captures the anger towards her parents at their plan to marry her off to Paris while not knowing that she is already married to Romeo. Kelli bares her emotions and much of her body as she strips away clothes and anger to reveal her pain inside.\n\n<blockquote>It\'s been such a long time\nAnd I was just a child then\nWhat will you say \nWhen you see my face?\nTime feels like it\'s flown away\nThe days just pass and fade away\nWhat will you say \nWhen they take my place?\n\nIt\'s funny now\nI just don\'t feel like a man\nWhat will you say \nWhen you see my face?\nMy face...\n\nMother dear, the world\'s gone cold\nNo one cares about love anymore\nWhat will you say \nWhen you see my face?\n\nFather do you hear me?\nDo you know me?\nDo you even care?\nWhat will you say \nWhen they take my place? </blockquote>\n\n\n\nFinally, you may be wondering if Jeff\'s most often heard song, his emotional and fragile reading of Leonard Cohen\'s \"<strong>Hallelujah</strong>\" appears in the play. It does and it\'s presented as a heartbreaking coda to the final act.\n\nShakespeare\'s words say\n\nA glooming peace this morning with it brings;\nThe sun, for sorrow, will not show his head\n\nand Buckley via Cohen echoes\n\nIt\'s a cold and it\'s a broken Hallelujah\n\nIndeed.\n\nKudos to Michael Kimmel and  Kris Kukul who created this remarkable show\n','There\'s a Flaming Red Horizon That Screams Our Names',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5392-revision-9','','','2010-08-09 12:05:02','2010-08-09 17:05:02','',5392,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/08/09/5392-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(5405,1,'2010-08-09 12:07:47','2010-08-09 17:07:47','<strong>Review: \"The Last Goodbye\" - Williamstown Theatre Festival</strong>\nAugust 5 - 20 \n<a href=\"http://wtfestival.org/2010/lastgoodbye\">Williamstown Theatre Festival</a>\n\nThe sense of impending doom that pervades the familiar story of Romeo and Juliet hangs heavy over the Williamstown Theatre Festival\'s world premiere production of \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\". Those familiar with the life, music and ultimate passing of Jeff Buckley may be tempted to approach this project with a sense of trepidation - as I did initially. Jeff\'s body of work was emotional, poetic and powerful. His songs speak to the power and confusion of love and hold a special place in the musical hearts of many - defining specific moments of their lives and relationships.  \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\" then, stands as a bold statement. The willingness to risk this combination of two iconic stories could read as an interesting but failed gimmick - trust me when I say that it does not. It is a fully realized and powerful vision that brings new emotional and musical life to the classic story. Ultimately, the pairing of the doomed couples fate with Jeff\'s lyrics and music make for a heady mix of musical tragedy and catharsis that left me emotionally spent. \n\nThe setting is a vaguely modern visual world, echoes of New York city street scenes of walls plastered with posters and a long balcony that spans the stage. The plays action takes place on the streets and balconies of this modern/ancient town. The Capulet\'s are imagined as monied aristocrats with a sense of entitlement while the Montague\'s are more of the downtown art-scene crowd. \n\n<a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/romeoandbenvolio.jpg\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/romeoandbenvolio-300x273.jpg\" alt=\"romeoandbenvolio\" title=\"romeoandbenvolio\" width=\"300\" height=\"273\" class=\"alignone size-medium wp-image-5395\" /></a>\n\nDamon Daunno\'s portrayal of Romeo walks the fine line between romantic and goofy in an entirely endearing way. It doesn\'t hurt that he bears a passing resemblance to Buckley and delivers Jeff\'s falsetto passages with effortless grace.  I knew this production was going to work when Damon and Nick Blaemire (as Benvolio) combined vocals on my favorite Buckley tune \"<strong>Forget Her</strong>\".\n\n<blockquote>\nWhile this town is busy sleeping,\nAll the noise has died away.\nI walk the streets to stop my weeping,\nShe\'ll never change her ways.\n\nDon\'t fool yourself, she was heartache from the moment that you met her. (Benvolio)\nAnd my heart is frozen still as I try to find the will to forget her, somehow. (Romeo)\n</blockquote>\n\nThe character of Rosaline has been amplified a bit. As played by Celina Carvajal she appears wearing knee high leather boots and a very short minidress. Let\'s just say it\'s apparent why Romeo was attracted to her. Celina\' joins in the song with Damon and Nick added a few lyrics from \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\" and a seductive dance that might make Romeo think twice about her. (Note, I saw Celina deliver a show stopping version of \"<a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUFz_UDEPEI\">Have Mercy On A Criminal</a>\" at the WTF Cabaret a few weeks back - girl has some serious vocal chops).\n\nKelli Barret\'s Juliet has the  decidedly modern feel of a strong-willed girl who desperately wants love - and is unafraid to embrace it when it arrives. More on Kelli later . . .\n\n<a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/mercutio.jpg\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/mercutio-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"Last Goodbye\" title=\"Last Goodbye\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignone size-medium wp-image-5396\" /></a>\n\nOther standout performances include Jo Lampert\'s turn as a powerful and riveting androgynous Mercutio. Her rendition of \"Eternal Life\" to close out the first act is a bravado combination of music and vocal delivery that reinforces one of the plays recurring musical motifs\n\n<blockquote>Eternal life is now on my trail\nGot my red glitter coffin man, just need one last nail\nWhile all these ugly gentlemen play out their foolish games\nThere\'s a flaming red horizon that screams our name</blockquote>\n\nLampert\'s performance and personality are so strong that if  Mercutio had not met such an untimely death we might have ended up seeing a show called \"Mercutio & Juliet\"\n\nAshley Robinson as Tybalt delivers a powerful, rock and roll anger version of \"<strong>Haven\'t You Heard</strong>\"  as he fumes about Romeo\'s appearance at the Capulet\'s party.\n\n<blockquote>\nParanoia will write the world prayer \nMake sure that you fit in the right holes \nBut when you take his offer, you\'re done for \nDone for, done for, oooh...\n</blockquote>\n\nI also enjoyed Jesse Lenat\'s interpretation of the Friar as a good-hearted mystical street preacher who may have ingested a few too many illegal substances back in the day. Jesse and the cast at a tribal rythm of love and sex to Romeo & Juliet\'s marriage day with \"<strong>New Years\' Prayer</strong>\"\n\n<a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/friar.jpg\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/friar-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"Last Goodbye\" title=\"Last Goodbye\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignone size-medium wp-image-5399\" /></a>\n\nThe strong presence of choreographer Sonya Tayeh comes to the forefront during this scene of orgiastic pleasure. the characters whose dance movements are often confined to constrained and angular gestures that reflect their inner tension and turmoil and freed and encouraged to \n\n<blockquote>\nFeel no shame for what you are\nFeel no shame for what you are\nFeel it as a waterfall\nFall in light\n</blockquote>\n\n\nGiven the musical interested this play will generate I would be remiss if I did not mention the integration of other Buckley songs into some of the key plot elements. Damon sings \"<strong>Everybody Here Wants You</strong>\" to Juliet after the famous balcony scene as her parents demand she come inside for the night. \n\n<blockquote>Twenty-nine pearls in your kiss \nA singing smile \nCoffee smell and lilac skin \nYour flame in me \n\nI\'m only here for this moment \n\nI know everybody here wants you \nI know everybody here thinks he needs you \nI\'ll be waiting right here just to show you \nHow our love will blow it all away </blockquote>\n\nHis delivery and emotion are perfectly matched to the scene.\n\nKelli sings a moving version of \"<strong>Lover You Should Have Come Over</strong>\" from the balcony of her house while looking down on Tybalt\'s funeral even though her mind is focused on Romeo\n\n<blockquote>Looking out the door i see the rain fall upon the funeral mourners\nParading in a wake of sad relations as their shoes fill up with water\nAnd maybe i\'m too young to keep good love from going wrong\nBut tonight you\'re on my mind so you never know\n</blockquote>\n\nand sings \"<strong>What Will You Say</strong>\" while contemplating suicide rather than living without her love. She perfectly captures the anger towards her parents at their plan to marry her off to Paris while not knowing that she is already married to Romeo. Kelli bares her emotions and much of her body as she strips away clothes and anger to reveal her pain inside.\n\n<blockquote>It\'s been such a long time\nAnd I was just a child then\nWhat will you say \nWhen you see my face?\nTime feels like it\'s flown away\nThe days just pass and fade away\nWhat will you say \nWhen they take my place?\n\nIt\'s funny now\nI just don\'t feel like a man\nWhat will you say \nWhen you see my face?\nMy face...\n\nMother dear, the world\'s gone cold\nNo one cares about love anymore\nWhat will you say \nWhen you see my face?\n\nFather do you hear me?\nDo you know me?\nDo you even care?\nWhat will you say \nWhen they take my place? </blockquote>\n\n\nFinally, you may be wondering if Jeff\'s most often heard song, his emotional and fragile reading of Leonard Cohen\'s \"<strong>Hallelujah</strong>\" appears in the play. It does and it\'s presented as a heartbreaking coda to the final act.\n\nShakespeare\'s words say\n\n\n<blockquote>\nA glooming peace this morning with it brings;\nThe sun, for sorrow, will not show his head</blockquote>\n\nand Buckley via Cohen echoes\n\n<blockquote>It\'s a cold and it\'s a broken Hallelujah</blockquote>\n\nIndeed. After all the times I\'ve heard this song I didn\'t think it had the power to move me to tears again. I w\n\nKudos to Michael Kimmel and  Kris Kukul who created this remarkable show\n','There\'s a Flaming Red Horizon That Screams Our Names',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5392-revision-10','','','2010-08-09 12:07:47','2010-08-09 17:07:47','',5392,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/08/09/5392-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(5406,1,'2010-08-09 12:16:56','2010-08-09 17:16:56','<strong>Review: \"The Last Goodbye\" - Williamstown Theatre Festival</strong>\nAugust 5 - 20 \n<a href=\"http://wtfestival.org/2010/lastgoodbye\">Williamstown Theatre Festival</a>\n\nThe sense of impending doom that pervades the familiar story of Romeo and Juliet hangs heavy over the Williamstown Theatre Festival\'s world premiere production of \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\". Those familiar with the life, music and ultimate passing of Jeff Buckley may be tempted to approach this project with a sense of trepidation - as I did initially. Jeff\'s body of work was emotional, poetic and powerful. His songs speak to the power and confusion of love and hold a special place in the musical hearts of many - defining specific moments of their lives and relationships.  \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\" then, stands as a bold statement. The willingness to risk this combination of two iconic stories could read as an interesting but failed gimmick - trust me when I say that it does not. It is a fully realized and powerful vision that brings new emotional and musical life to the classic story. Ultimately, the pairing of the doomed couples fate with Jeff\'s lyrics and music make for a heady mix of musical tragedy and catharsis that left me emotionally spent. \n\nThe setting is a vaguely modern visual world, echoes of New York city street scenes of walls plastered with posters and a long balcony that spans the stage. The plays action takes place on the streets and balconies of this modern/ancient town. The Capulet\'s are imagined as monied aristocrats with a sense of entitlement while the Montague\'s are more of the downtown art-scene crowd. \n\n<a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/romeoandbenvolio.jpg\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/romeoandbenvolio-300x273.jpg\" alt=\"romeoandbenvolio\" title=\"romeoandbenvolio\" width=\"300\" height=\"273\" class=\"alignone size-medium wp-image-5395\" /></a>\n\nDamon Daunno\'s portrayal of Romeo walks the fine line between romantic and goofy in an entirely endearing way. It doesn\'t hurt that he can bear a passing resemblance to Buckley and delivers Jeff\'s falsetto passages with effortless grace.  I knew this production was going to work when Damon and Nick Blaemire (as Benvolio) combined vocals on my favorite Buckley tune \"<strong>Forget Her</strong>\" as Romeo contemplates ending his relationship with Rosaline.\n\n<blockquote>\nWhile this town is busy sleeping,\nAll the noise has died away.\nI walk the streets to stop my weeping,\nShe\'ll never change her ways.\n\nDon\'t fool yourself, she was heartache from the moment that you met her. (Benvolio)\nAnd my heart is frozen still as I try to find the will to forget her, somehow. (Romeo)\n</blockquote>\n\nThe character of Rosaline has been amplified a bit. As played by Celina Carvajal she appears wearing knee high leather boots and a very short minidress. Let\'s just say it\'s apparent why Romeo was attracted to her. Celina joins in the song with Damon and Nick adding a few lines from \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\" and a seductive dance that might make Romeo think twice about his decision. (Note, I saw Celina deliver a show stopping version of \"<a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUFz_UDEPEI\">Have Mercy On A Criminal</a>\" at the WTF Cabaret a few weeks back - girl has some serious vocal chops).\n\nKelli Barret\'s Juliet has the  decidedly modern feel of a strong-willed girl who desperately wants love - and is unafraid to embrace it when it arrives. More on Kelli later . . .\n\n<a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/mercutio.jpg\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/mercutio-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"Last Goodbye\" title=\"Last Goodbye\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignone size-medium wp-image-5396\" /></a>\n\nOther standout performances include Jo Lampert\'s turn as a powerful and riveting androgynous Mercutio. Her rendition of \"Eternal Life\" to close out the first act is a bravado combination of music and vocal delivery that reinforces one of the plays recurring musical motifs\n\n<blockquote>Eternal life is now on my trail\nGot my red glitter coffin man, just need one last nail\nWhile all these ugly gentlemen play out their foolish games\nThere\'s a flaming red horizon that screams our name</blockquote>\n\nLampert\'s performance and personality are so strong that if  Mercutio had not met such an untimely death we might have ended up seeing a show called \"Mercutio & Juliet\"\n\nAshley Robinson as Tybalt delivers a powerful, rock and roll anger version of \"<strong>Haven\'t You Heard</strong>\"  as he fumes about Romeo\'s appearance at the Capulet\'s party.\n\n<blockquote>\nParanoia will write the world prayer \nMake sure that you fit in the right holes \nBut when you take his offer, you\'re done for \nDone for, done for, oooh...\n</blockquote>\n\nI also enjoyed Jesse Lenat\'s interpretation of the Friar as a good-hearted mystical street preacher who may have ingested a few too many illegal substances back in the day. Jesse and the cast at a tribal rythm of love and sex to Romeo & Juliet\'s marriage day with \"<strong>New Years\' Prayer</strong>\"\n\n<a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/friar.jpg\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/friar-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"Last Goodbye\" title=\"Last Goodbye\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignone size-medium wp-image-5399\" /></a>\n\nThe strong presence of choreographer Sonya Tayeh comes to the forefront during this scene of orgiastic pleasure. the characters whose dance movements are often confined to constrained and angular gestures that reflect their inner tension and turmoil and freed and encouraged to \n\n<blockquote>\nFeel no shame for what you are\nFeel no shame for what you are\nFeel it as a waterfall\nFall in light\n</blockquote>\n\n\nGiven the musical interested this play will generate I would be remiss if I did not mention the integration of other Buckley songs into some of the key plot elements. Damon sings \"<strong>Everybody Here Wants You</strong>\" to Juliet after the famous balcony scene as her parents demand she come inside for the night. \n\n<blockquote>Twenty-nine pearls in your kiss \nA singing smile \nCoffee smell and lilac skin \nYour flame in me \n\nI\'m only here for this moment \n\nI know everybody here wants you \nI know everybody here thinks he needs you \nI\'ll be waiting right here just to show you \nHow our love will blow it all away </blockquote>\n\nHis delivery and emotion are perfectly matched to the scene.\n\nKelli sings a moving version of \"<strong>Lover You Should Have Come Over</strong>\" from the balcony of her house while looking down on Tybalt\'s funeral even though her mind is focused on Romeo\n\n<blockquote>Looking out the door i see the rain fall upon the funeral mourners\nParading in a wake of sad relations as their shoes fill up with water\nAnd maybe i\'m too young to keep good love from going wrong\nBut tonight you\'re on my mind so you never know\n</blockquote>\n\nand sings \"<strong>What Will You Say</strong>\" while contemplating suicide rather than living without her love. She perfectly captures the anger towards her parents at their plan to marry her off to Paris while not knowing that she is already married to Romeo. Kelli bares her emotions and much of her body as she strips away clothes and anger to reveal her pain inside.\n\n<blockquote>It\'s been such a long time\nAnd I was just a child then\nWhat will you say \nWhen you see my face?\nTime feels like it\'s flown away\nThe days just pass and fade away\nWhat will you say \nWhen they take my place?\n\nIt\'s funny now\nI just don\'t feel like a man\nWhat will you say \nWhen you see my face?\nMy face...\n\nMother dear, the world\'s gone cold\nNo one cares about love anymore\nWhat will you say \nWhen you see my face?\n\nFather do you hear me?\nDo you know me?\nDo you even care?\nWhat will you say \nWhen they take my place? </blockquote>\n\n\nFinally, you may be wondering if Jeff\'s most often heard song, his emotional and fragile reading of Leonard Cohen\'s \"<strong>Hallelujah</strong>\" appears in the play. It does and it\'s presented as a heartbreaking coda to the final act.\n\nShakespeare\'s words say\n\n\n<blockquote>\nA glooming peace this morning with it brings;\nThe sun, for sorrow, will not show his head</blockquote>\n\nand Buckley via Cohen echoes\n\n<blockquote>It\'s a cold and it\'s a broken Hallelujah</blockquote>\n\nIndeed. After all the times I\'ve heard this song I didn\'t think it had the power to move me to tears again. I was wrong. \n\nJeff Buckley\'s lyrics and music and Shakespeare\'s text merge beautifully and fluidly in this production. Fans of Shakespeare will appreciate this new take on the classic tale and fans of Buckley will be moved as they see Jeff\'s songs inform and comment on the inner emotions of these well-loved characters. More than once I found myself saying \"perfect\" to the song and lyrical choices.\n\nKudos to Michael Kimmel and  Kris Kukul who created this remarkable show with the support of the Willliamstown Theatre Festival and the hard work of Lauren Fitzgerald, Stephen Sanders, Jeff\'s mother Mary Guibert and countless others. I have been fortunate enough to see first hand the passion poured into this show and can only hope that it continues on to reach a larger audience\n','There\'s a Flaming Red Horizon That Screams Our Names',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5392-revision-11','','','2010-08-09 12:16:56','2010-08-09 17:16:56','',5392,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/08/09/5392-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(5407,1,'2010-08-09 12:18:00','2010-08-09 17:18:00','Damon Daunno, Kelli Barrett','Last Goodbye',0,'','inherit','open','open','','last-goodbye-3','','','2010-08-09 12:18:00','2010-08-09 17:18:00','',5392,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/romeoandjuliet.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(5412,1,'2010-08-09 12:36:58','2010-08-09 17:36:58','<strong>Review: \"The Last Goodbye\" - Williamstown Theatre Festival</strong>\nAugust 5 - 20 \n<a href=\"http://wtfestival.org/2010/lastgoodbye\">Williamstown Theatre Festival</a>\n\nThe sense of impending doom that pervades the familiar story of Romeo and Juliet hangs heavy over the Williamstown Theatre Festival\'s world premiere production of \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\". Those familiar with the life, music and ultimate passing of Jeff Buckley may be tempted to approach this project with a sense of trepidation - as I did initially. Jeff\'s body of work was emotional, poetic and powerful. His songs speak to the power and confusion of love and hold a special place in the musical hearts of many - defining specific moments of their lives and relationships.  \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\" then, stands as a bold statement. The willingness to risk this combination of two iconic stories could read as an interesting but failed gimmick - trust me when I say that it does not. It is a fully realized and powerful vision that brings new emotional and musical life to the classic story. Ultimately, the pairing of the doomed couples fate with Jeff\'s lyrics and music make for a heady mix of musical tragedy and catharsis that left me emotionally spent. \n\nThe setting is a vaguely modern visual world, echoes of New York city street scenes of walls plastered with posters and a long balcony that spans the stage. The plays action takes place on the streets and balconies of this modern/ancient town. The Capulet\'s are imagined as monied aristocrats with a sense of entitlement while the Montague\'s are more of the downtown art-scene crowd. \n\n<img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/romeoandbenvolio.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\n\n\nDamon Daunno\'s portrayal of Romeo walks the fine line between romantic and goofy in an entirely endearing way. It doesn\'t hurt that he can bear a passing resemblance to Buckley and delivers Jeff\'s falsetto passages with effortless grace.  I knew this production was going to work when Damon and Nick Blaemire (as Benvolio) combined vocals on my favorite Buckley tune \"<strong>Forget Her</strong>\" as Romeo contemplates ending his relationship with Rosaline.\n\n<blockquote>\nWhile this town is busy sleeping,\nAll the noise has died away.\nI walk the streets to stop my weeping,\nShe\'ll never change her ways.\n\nDon\'t fool yourself, she was heartache from the moment that you met her. (Benvolio)\nAnd my heart is frozen still as I try to find the will to forget her, somehow. (Romeo)\n</blockquote>\n\nThe character of Rosaline has been amplified a bit. As played by Celina Carvajal she appears wearing knee high leather boots and a very short minidress. Let\'s just say it\'s apparent why Romeo was attracted to her. Celina joins in the song with Damon and Nick adding a few lines from \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\" and a seductive dance that might make Romeo think twice about his decision. (Note, I saw Celina deliver a show stopping version of \"<a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUFz_UDEPEI\">Have Mercy On A Criminal</a>\" at the WTF Cabaret a few weeks back - girl has some serious vocal chops).\n\nKelli Barret\'s Juliet has the  decidedly modern feel of a strong-willed girl who desperately wants love - and is unafraid to embrace it when it arrives. More on Kelli later . . .\n\n<img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/mercutio.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\n\nOther standout performances include Jo Lampert\'s turn as a powerful and riveting androgynous Mercutio. Her rendition of \"Eternal Life\" to close out the first act is a bravado combination of music and vocal delivery that reinforces one of the plays recurring musical motifs\n\n<blockquote>Eternal life is now on my trail\nGot my red glitter coffin man, just need one last nail\nWhile all these ugly gentlemen play out their foolish games\n<strong>There\'s a flaming red horizon that screams our name</strong></blockquote>\n\nLampert\'s performance and personality are so strong that if  Mercutio had not met such an untimely death we might have ended up seeing a show called \"Mercutio & Juliet\"\n\nAshley Robinson as Tybalt delivers a powerful, rock and roll anger version of \"<strong>Haven\'t You Heard</strong>\"  as he fumes about Romeo\'s appearance at the Capulet\'s party.\n\n<blockquote>\nParanoia will write the world prayer \nMake sure that you fit in the right holes \nBut when you take his offer, you\'re done for \nDone for, done for, oooh...\n</blockquote>\n\nI also enjoyed Jesse Lenat\'s interpretation of the Friar as a good-hearted mystical street preacher who may have ingested a few too many illegal substances back in the day. Jesse and the cast at a tribal rythm of love and sex to Romeo & Juliet\'s marriage day with \"<strong>New Years\' Prayer</strong>\"\n\n<img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/friar.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\n\n\nThe strong presence of choreographer Sonya Tayeh comes to the forefront during this scene of orgiastic pleasure. The characters, whose dance movements are often confined to constrained and angular gestures that reflect their inner tension and turmoil, are freed and encouraged to . . . \n\n<blockquote>\nFeel no shame for what you are\nFeel no shame for what you are\nFeel it as a waterfall\nFall in light\n</blockquote>\n\nGiven that many Buckley fans will be interested in song choice and plot points I would be remiss if I did not mention the integration of other songs into some of the key plot elements. Damon sings \"<strong>Everybody Here Wants You</strong>\" to Juliet after the famous balcony scene as her parents demand she come inside for the night. \n\n<blockquote>Twenty-nine pearls in your kiss \nA singing smile \nCoffee smell and lilac skin \nYour flame in me \n\nI\'m only here for this moment \n\nI know everybody here wants you \nI know everybody here thinks he needs you \nI\'ll be waiting right here just to show you \nHow our love will blow it all away </blockquote>\n\nHis delivery and emotion are perfectly matched to the scene.\n\nKelli sings a moving version of \"<strong>Lover You Should Have Come Over</strong>\" from the balcony of her house while looking down on Tybalt\'s funeral even though her mind is focused on Romeo.\n\n<img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/romeoandjuliet.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\n\n\n<blockquote>Looking out the door i see the rain fall upon the funeral mourners\nParading in a wake of sad relations as their shoes fill up with water\nAnd maybe i\'m too young to keep good love from going wrong\nBut tonight you\'re on my mind so you never know\n</blockquote>\n\nand sings \"<strong>What Will You Say</strong>\" while contemplating suicide rather than living without her love. She perfectly captures the anger towards her parents at their plan to marry her off to Paris while not knowing that she is already married to Romeo. Kelli bares her emotions and much of her body as she strips away clothes and anger to reveal her pain inside.\n\n<blockquote>It\'s been such a long time\nAnd I was just a child then\nWhat will you say \nWhen you see my face?\nTime feels like it\'s flown away\nThe days just pass and fade away\nWhat will you say \nWhen they take my place?\n\nIt\'s funny now\nI just don\'t feel like a man\nWhat will you say \nWhen you see my face?\nMy face...\n\nMother dear, the world\'s gone cold\nNo one cares about love anymore\nWhat will you say \nWhen you see my face?\n\nFather do you hear me?\nDo you know me?\nDo you even care?\nWhat will you say \nWhen they take my place? </blockquote>\n\nRandom other things that moved me\n- \"Grace\" - Romeo sings after hearing of Juliet\'s death\n- \"Corpus Christi Carol\" - Sung by Paris and cast after Juliet drinks the poison\n\nFinally, you may be wondering if Jeff\'s most often heard song, his emotional and fragile reading of Leonard Cohen\'s \"<strong>Hallelujah</strong>\" appears in the play. It does and it\'s presented as a heartbreaking coda to the final act. as sung by Nick Blaemire, who has perhaps the purest voice in the cast, as well as the rest of the company.\n\nShakespeare\'s words say\n\n<blockquote>\nA glooming peace this morning with it brings;\nThe sun, for sorrow, will not show his head</blockquote>\n\nand Buckley via Cohen echoes\n\n<blockquote>It\'s a cold and it\'s a broken Hallelujah</blockquote>\n\nIndeed. \n\nAfter all the times I\'ve heard this song I didn\'t think it had the power to move me to tears again. I was wrong. \n\nJeff Buckley\'s lyrics and music and Shakespeare\'s text merge beautifully and fluidly in this production. Fans of Shakespeare will appreciate this new take on the classic tale and fans of Buckley will be moved as they see Jeff\'s songs inform and comment on the inner emotions of these well-loved characters. More than once I found myself saying \"perfect\" to the song and lyrical choices.\n\nKudos to Michael Kimmel and  Kris Kukul who created this remarkable show with the support of the Willliamstown Theatre Festival and the hard work of Lauren Fitzgerald, Stephen Sanders, Jeff\'s mother Mary Guibert and countless others. I have been fortunate enough to see first hand the passion poured into this show and can only hope that it continues on to reach a larger audience wherever it may be.\n\n---------------------\nOther Buckley songs appearing in the show:\nYou And I\nAll Flowers In Time\nWoke Up In A Strange Place\nDream Brother\nI Know We Could Be So Happy\nMorning Theft\nNightmare By The Sea\nCorpus Christi Carol\nGrace\nOpened Once','There\'s a Flaming Red Horizon That Screams Our Names',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5392-revision-16','','','2010-08-09 12:36:58','2010-08-09 17:36:58','',5392,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/08/09/5392-revision-16/',0,'revision','',0),(5408,1,'2010-08-09 12:21:10','2010-08-09 17:21:10','<strong>Review: \"The Last Goodbye\" - Williamstown Theatre Festival</strong>\nAugust 5 - 20 \n<a href=\"http://wtfestival.org/2010/lastgoodbye\">Williamstown Theatre Festival</a>\n\nThe sense of impending doom that pervades the familiar story of Romeo and Juliet hangs heavy over the Williamstown Theatre Festival\'s world premiere production of \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\". Those familiar with the life, music and ultimate passing of Jeff Buckley may be tempted to approach this project with a sense of trepidation - as I did initially. Jeff\'s body of work was emotional, poetic and powerful. His songs speak to the power and confusion of love and hold a special place in the musical hearts of many - defining specific moments of their lives and relationships.  \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\" then, stands as a bold statement. The willingness to risk this combination of two iconic stories could read as an interesting but failed gimmick - trust me when I say that it does not. It is a fully realized and powerful vision that brings new emotional and musical life to the classic story. Ultimately, the pairing of the doomed couples fate with Jeff\'s lyrics and music make for a heady mix of musical tragedy and catharsis that left me emotionally spent. \n\nThe setting is a vaguely modern visual world, echoes of New York city street scenes of walls plastered with posters and a long balcony that spans the stage. The plays action takes place on the streets and balconies of this modern/ancient town. The Capulet\'s are imagined as monied aristocrats with a sense of entitlement while the Montague\'s are more of the downtown art-scene crowd. \n\n<a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/romeoandbenvolio.jpg\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/romeoandbenvolio-300x273.jpg\" alt=\"romeoandbenvolio\" title=\"romeoandbenvolio\" width=\"300\" height=\"273\" class=\"alignone size-medium wp-image-5395\" /></a>\n\nDamon Daunno\'s portrayal of Romeo walks the fine line between romantic and goofy in an entirely endearing way. It doesn\'t hurt that he can bear a passing resemblance to Buckley and delivers Jeff\'s falsetto passages with effortless grace.  I knew this production was going to work when Damon and Nick Blaemire (as Benvolio) combined vocals on my favorite Buckley tune \"<strong>Forget Her</strong>\" as Romeo contemplates ending his relationship with Rosaline.\n\n<blockquote>\nWhile this town is busy sleeping,\nAll the noise has died away.\nI walk the streets to stop my weeping,\nShe\'ll never change her ways.\n\nDon\'t fool yourself, she was heartache from the moment that you met her. (Benvolio)\nAnd my heart is frozen still as I try to find the will to forget her, somehow. (Romeo)\n</blockquote>\n\nThe character of Rosaline has been amplified a bit. As played by Celina Carvajal she appears wearing knee high leather boots and a very short minidress. Let\'s just say it\'s apparent why Romeo was attracted to her. Celina joins in the song with Damon and Nick adding a few lines from \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\" and a seductive dance that might make Romeo think twice about his decision. (Note, I saw Celina deliver a show stopping version of \"<a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUFz_UDEPEI\">Have Mercy On A Criminal</a>\" at the WTF Cabaret a few weeks back - girl has some serious vocal chops).\n\nKelli Barret\'s Juliet has the  decidedly modern feel of a strong-willed girl who desperately wants love - and is unafraid to embrace it when it arrives. More on Kelli later . . .\n\n<a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/mercutio.jpg\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/mercutio-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"Last Goodbye\" title=\"Last Goodbye\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignone size-medium wp-image-5396\" /></a>\n\nOther standout performances include Jo Lampert\'s turn as a powerful and riveting androgynous Mercutio. Her rendition of \"Eternal Life\" to close out the first act is a bravado combination of music and vocal delivery that reinforces one of the plays recurring musical motifs\n\n<blockquote>Eternal life is now on my trail\nGot my red glitter coffin man, just need one last nail\nWhile all these ugly gentlemen play out their foolish games\nThere\'s a flaming red horizon that screams our name</blockquote>\n\nLampert\'s performance and personality are so strong that if  Mercutio had not met such an untimely death we might have ended up seeing a show called \"Mercutio & Juliet\"\n\nAshley Robinson as Tybalt delivers a powerful, rock and roll anger version of \"<strong>Haven\'t You Heard</strong>\"  as he fumes about Romeo\'s appearance at the Capulet\'s party.\n\n<blockquote>\nParanoia will write the world prayer \nMake sure that you fit in the right holes \nBut when you take his offer, you\'re done for \nDone for, done for, oooh...\n</blockquote>\n\nI also enjoyed Jesse Lenat\'s interpretation of the Friar as a good-hearted mystical street preacher who may have ingested a few too many illegal substances back in the day. Jesse and the cast at a tribal rythm of love and sex to Romeo & Juliet\'s marriage day with \"<strong>New Years\' Prayer</strong>\"\n\n<a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/friar.jpg\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/friar-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"Last Goodbye\" title=\"Last Goodbye\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignone size-medium wp-image-5399\" /></a>\n\nThe strong presence of choreographer Sonya Tayeh comes to the forefront during this scene of orgiastic pleasure. The characters, whose dance movements are often confined to constrained and angular gestures that reflect their inner tension and turmoil, are freed and encouraged to . . . \n\n<blockquote>\nFeel no shame for what you are\nFeel no shame for what you are\nFeel it as a waterfall\nFall in light\n</blockquote>\n\nGiven that many Buckley fans will be interested in song choice and plot points I would be remiss if I did not mention the integration of other songs into some of the key plot elements. Damon sings \"<strong>Everybody Here Wants You</strong>\" to Juliet after the famous balcony scene as her parents demand she come inside for the night. \n\n<blockquote>Twenty-nine pearls in your kiss \nA singing smile \nCoffee smell and lilac skin \nYour flame in me \n\nI\'m only here for this moment \n\nI know everybody here wants you \nI know everybody here thinks he needs you \nI\'ll be waiting right here just to show you \nHow our love will blow it all away </blockquote>\n\nHis delivery and emotion are perfectly matched to the scene.\n\nKelli sings a moving version of \"<strong>Lover You Should Have Come Over</strong>\" from the balcony of her house while looking down on Tybalt\'s funeral even though her mind is focused on Romeo.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/romeoandjuliet.jpg\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/romeoandjuliet-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"Last Goodbye\" title=\"Last Goodbye\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-5407\" /></a>\n\n<blockquote>Looking out the door i see the rain fall upon the funeral mourners\nParading in a wake of sad relations as their shoes fill up with water\nAnd maybe i\'m too young to keep good love from going wrong\nBut tonight you\'re on my mind so you never know\n</blockquote>\n\nand sings \"<strong>What Will You Say</strong>\" while contemplating suicide rather than living without her love. She perfectly captures the anger towards her parents at their plan to marry her off to Paris while not knowing that she is already married to Romeo. Kelli bares her emotions and much of her body as she strips away clothes and anger to reveal her pain inside.\n\n<blockquote>It\'s been such a long time\nAnd I was just a child then\nWhat will you say \nWhen you see my face?\nTime feels like it\'s flown away\nThe days just pass and fade away\nWhat will you say \nWhen they take my place?\n\nIt\'s funny now\nI just don\'t feel like a man\nWhat will you say \nWhen you see my face?\nMy face...\n\nMother dear, the world\'s gone cold\nNo one cares about love anymore\nWhat will you say \nWhen you see my face?\n\nFather do you hear me?\nDo you know me?\nDo you even care?\nWhat will you say \nWhen they take my place? </blockquote>\n\nFinally, you may be wondering if Jeff\'s most often heard song, his emotional and fragile reading of Leonard Cohen\'s \"<strong>Hallelujah</strong>\" appears in the play. It does and it\'s presented as a heartbreaking coda to the final act. as sung by \n\nShakespeare\'s words say\n\n\n<blockquote>\nA glooming peace this morning with it brings;\nThe sun, for sorrow, will not show his head</blockquote>\n\nand Buckley via Cohen echoes\n\n<blockquote>It\'s a cold and it\'s a broken Hallelujah</blockquote>\n\nIndeed. After all the times I\'ve heard this song I didn\'t think it had the power to move me to tears again. I was wrong. \n\nJeff Buckley\'s lyrics and music and Shakespeare\'s text merge beautifully and fluidly in this production. Fans of Shakespeare will appreciate this new take on the classic tale and fans of Buckley will be moved as they see Jeff\'s songs inform and comment on the inner emotions of these well-loved characters. More than once I found myself saying \"perfect\" to the song and lyrical choices.\n\nKudos to Michael Kimmel and  Kris Kukul who created this remarkable show with the support of the Willliamstown Theatre Festival and the hard work of Lauren Fitzgerald, Stephen Sanders, Jeff\'s mother Mary Guibert and countless others. I have been fortunate enough to see first hand the passion poured into this show and can only hope that it continues on to reach a larger audience wherever it may be.\n','There\'s a Flaming Red Horizon That Screams Our Names',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5392-revision-12','','','2010-08-09 12:21:10','2010-08-09 17:21:10','',5392,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/08/09/5392-revision-12/',0,'revision','',0),(5409,1,'2010-08-09 12:22:04','2010-08-09 17:22:04','<strong>Review: \"The Last Goodbye\" - Williamstown Theatre Festival</strong>\r\nAugust 5 - 20 \r\n<a href=\"http://wtfestival.org/2010/lastgoodbye\">Williamstown Theatre Festival</a>\r\n\r\nThe sense of impending doom that pervades the familiar story of Romeo and Juliet hangs heavy over the Williamstown Theatre Festival\'s world premiere production of \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\". Those familiar with the life, music and ultimate passing of Jeff Buckley may be tempted to approach this project with a sense of trepidation - as I did initially. Jeff\'s body of work was emotional, poetic and powerful. His songs speak to the power and confusion of love and hold a special place in the musical hearts of many - defining specific moments of their lives and relationships.  \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\" then, stands as a bold statement. The willingness to risk this combination of two iconic stories could read as an interesting but failed gimmick - trust me when I say that it does not. It is a fully realized and powerful vision that brings new emotional and musical life to the classic story. Ultimately, the pairing of the doomed couples fate with Jeff\'s lyrics and music make for a heady mix of musical tragedy and catharsis that left me emotionally spent. \r\n\r\nThe setting is a vaguely modern visual world, echoes of New York city street scenes of walls plastered with posters and a long balcony that spans the stage. The plays action takes place on the streets and balconies of this modern/ancient town. The Capulet\'s are imagined as monied aristocrats with a sense of entitlement while the Montague\'s are more of the downtown art-scene crowd. \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/romeoandbenvolio.jpg\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/romeoandbenvolio-300x273.jpg\" alt=\"romeoandbenvolio\" title=\"romeoandbenvolio\" width=\"300\" height=\"273\" class=\"alignone size-medium wp-image-5395\" /></a>\r\n\r\nDamon Daunno\'s portrayal of Romeo walks the fine line between romantic and goofy in an entirely endearing way. It doesn\'t hurt that he can bear a passing resemblance to Buckley and delivers Jeff\'s falsetto passages with effortless grace.  I knew this production was going to work when Damon and Nick Blaemire (as Benvolio) combined vocals on my favorite Buckley tune \"<strong>Forget Her</strong>\" as Romeo contemplates ending his relationship with Rosaline.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>\r\nWhile this town is busy sleeping,\r\nAll the noise has died away.\r\nI walk the streets to stop my weeping,\r\nShe\'ll never change her ways.\r\n\r\nDon\'t fool yourself, she was heartache from the moment that you met her. (Benvolio)\r\nAnd my heart is frozen still as I try to find the will to forget her, somehow. (Romeo)\r\n</blockquote>\r\n\r\nThe character of Rosaline has been amplified a bit. As played by Celina Carvajal she appears wearing knee high leather boots and a very short minidress. Let\'s just say it\'s apparent why Romeo was attracted to her. Celina joins in the song with Damon and Nick adding a few lines from \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\" and a seductive dance that might make Romeo think twice about his decision. (Note, I saw Celina deliver a show stopping version of \"<a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUFz_UDEPEI\">Have Mercy On A Criminal</a>\" at the WTF Cabaret a few weeks back - girl has some serious vocal chops).\r\n\r\nKelli Barret\'s Juliet has the  decidedly modern feel of a strong-willed girl who desperately wants love - and is unafraid to embrace it when it arrives. More on Kelli later . . .\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/mercutio.jpg\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/mercutio-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"Last Goodbye\" title=\"Last Goodbye\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignone size-medium wp-image-5396\" /></a>\r\n\r\nOther standout performances include Jo Lampert\'s turn as a powerful and riveting androgynous Mercutio. Her rendition of \"Eternal Life\" to close out the first act is a bravado combination of music and vocal delivery that reinforces one of the plays recurring musical motifs\r\n\r\n<blockquote>Eternal life is now on my trail\r\nGot my red glitter coffin man, just need one last nail\r\nWhile all these ugly gentlemen play out their foolish games\r\nThere\'s a flaming red horizon that screams our name</blockquote>\r\n\r\nLampert\'s performance and personality are so strong that if  Mercutio had not met such an untimely death we might have ended up seeing a show called \"Mercutio & Juliet\"\r\n\r\nAshley Robinson as Tybalt delivers a powerful, rock and roll anger version of \"<strong>Haven\'t You Heard</strong>\"  as he fumes about Romeo\'s appearance at the Capulet\'s party.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>\r\nParanoia will write the world prayer \r\nMake sure that you fit in the right holes \r\nBut when you take his offer, you\'re done for \r\nDone for, done for, oooh...\r\n</blockquote>\r\n\r\nI also enjoyed Jesse Lenat\'s interpretation of the Friar as a good-hearted mystical street preacher who may have ingested a few too many illegal substances back in the day. Jesse and the cast at a tribal rythm of love and sex to Romeo & Juliet\'s marriage day with \"<strong>New Years\' Prayer</strong>\"\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/friar.jpg\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/friar-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"Last Goodbye\" title=\"Last Goodbye\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignone size-medium wp-image-5399\" /></a>\r\n\r\nThe strong presence of choreographer Sonya Tayeh comes to the forefront during this scene of orgiastic pleasure. The characters, whose dance movements are often confined to constrained and angular gestures that reflect their inner tension and turmoil, are freed and encouraged to . . . \r\n\r\n<blockquote>\r\nFeel no shame for what you are\r\nFeel no shame for what you are\r\nFeel it as a waterfall\r\nFall in light\r\n</blockquote>\r\n\r\nGiven that many Buckley fans will be interested in song choice and plot points I would be remiss if I did not mention the integration of other songs into some of the key plot elements. Damon sings \"<strong>Everybody Here Wants You</strong>\" to Juliet after the famous balcony scene as her parents demand she come inside for the night. \r\n\r\n<blockquote>Twenty-nine pearls in your kiss \r\nA singing smile \r\nCoffee smell and lilac skin \r\nYour flame in me \r\n\r\nI\'m only here for this moment \r\n\r\nI know everybody here wants you \r\nI know everybody here thinks he needs you \r\nI\'ll be waiting right here just to show you \r\nHow our love will blow it all away </blockquote>\r\n\r\nHis delivery and emotion are perfectly matched to the scene.\r\n\r\nKelli sings a moving version of \"<strong>Lover You Should Have Come Over</strong>\" from the balcony of her house while looking down on Tybalt\'s funeral even though her mind is focused on Romeo.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/romeoandjuliet.jpg\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/romeoandjuliet-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"Last Goodbye\" title=\"Last Goodbye\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-5407\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<blockquote>Looking out the door i see the rain fall upon the funeral mourners\r\nParading in a wake of sad relations as their shoes fill up with water\r\nAnd maybe i\'m too young to keep good love from going wrong\r\nBut tonight you\'re on my mind so you never know\r\n</blockquote>\r\n\r\nand sings \"<strong>What Will You Say</strong>\" while contemplating suicide rather than living without her love. She perfectly captures the anger towards her parents at their plan to marry her off to Paris while not knowing that she is already married to Romeo. Kelli bares her emotions and much of her body as she strips away clothes and anger to reveal her pain inside.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>It\'s been such a long time\r\nAnd I was just a child then\r\nWhat will you say \r\nWhen you see my face?\r\nTime feels like it\'s flown away\r\nThe days just pass and fade away\r\nWhat will you say \r\nWhen they take my place?\r\n\r\nIt\'s funny now\r\nI just don\'t feel like a man\r\nWhat will you say \r\nWhen you see my face?\r\nMy face...\r\n\r\nMother dear, the world\'s gone cold\r\nNo one cares about love anymore\r\nWhat will you say \r\nWhen you see my face?\r\n\r\nFather do you hear me?\r\nDo you know me?\r\nDo you even care?\r\nWhat will you say \r\nWhen they take my place? </blockquote>\r\n\r\nFinally, you may be wondering if Jeff\'s most often heard song, his emotional and fragile reading of Leonard Cohen\'s \"<strong>Hallelujah</strong>\" appears in the play. It does and it\'s presented as a heartbreaking coda to the final act. as sung by \r\nNick Blaemire, who has perhaps the purest voice in the cast, as well as the rest of the company.\r\n\r\nShakespeare\'s words say\r\n\r\n<blockquote>\r\nA glooming peace this morning with it brings;\r\nThe sun, for sorrow, will not show his head</blockquote>\r\n\r\nand Buckley via Cohen echoes\r\n\r\n<blockquote>It\'s a cold and it\'s a broken Hallelujah</blockquote>\r\n\r\nIndeed. After all the times I\'ve heard this song I didn\'t think it had the power to move me to tears again. I was wrong. \r\n\r\nJeff Buckley\'s lyrics and music and Shakespeare\'s text merge beautifully and fluidly in this production. Fans of Shakespeare will appreciate this new take on the classic tale and fans of Buckley will be moved as they see Jeff\'s songs inform and comment on the inner emotions of these well-loved characters. More than once I found myself saying \"perfect\" to the song and lyrical choices.\r\n\r\nKudos to Michael Kimmel and  Kris Kukul who created this remarkable show with the support of the Willliamstown Theatre Festival and the hard work of Lauren Fitzgerald, Stephen Sanders, Jeff\'s mother Mary Guibert and countless others. I have been fortunate enough to see first hand the passion poured into this show and can only hope that it continues on to reach a larger audience wherever it may be.\r\n','There\'s a Flaming Red Horizon That Screams Our Names',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5392-revision-13','','','2010-08-09 12:22:04','2010-08-09 17:22:04','',5392,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/08/09/5392-revision-13/',0,'revision','',0),(5411,1,'2010-08-09 12:35:00','2010-08-09 17:35:00','<strong>Review: \"The Last Goodbye\" - Williamstown Theatre Festival</strong>\nAugust 5 - 20 \n<a href=\"http://wtfestival.org/2010/lastgoodbye\">Williamstown Theatre Festival</a>\n\nThe sense of impending doom that pervades the familiar story of Romeo and Juliet hangs heavy over the Williamstown Theatre Festival\'s world premiere production of \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\". Those familiar with the life, music and ultimate passing of Jeff Buckley may be tempted to approach this project with a sense of trepidation - as I did initially. Jeff\'s body of work was emotional, poetic and powerful. His songs speak to the power and confusion of love and hold a special place in the musical hearts of many - defining specific moments of their lives and relationships.  \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\" then, stands as a bold statement. The willingness to risk this combination of two iconic stories could read as an interesting but failed gimmick - trust me when I say that it does not. It is a fully realized and powerful vision that brings new emotional and musical life to the classic story. Ultimately, the pairing of the doomed couples fate with Jeff\'s lyrics and music make for a heady mix of musical tragedy and catharsis that left me emotionally spent. \n\nThe setting is a vaguely modern visual world, echoes of New York city street scenes of walls plastered with posters and a long balcony that spans the stage. The plays action takes place on the streets and balconies of this modern/ancient town. The Capulet\'s are imagined as monied aristocrats with a sense of entitlement while the Montague\'s are more of the downtown art-scene crowd. \n\n<a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/romeoandbenvolio.jpg\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/romeoandbenvolio-300x273.jpg\" alt=\"romeoandbenvolio\" title=\"romeoandbenvolio\" width=\"640\" class=\"alignone size-medium wp-image-5395\" /></a>\n\nDamon Daunno\'s portrayal of Romeo walks the fine line between romantic and goofy in an entirely endearing way. It doesn\'t hurt that he can bear a passing resemblance to Buckley and delivers Jeff\'s falsetto passages with effortless grace.  I knew this production was going to work when Damon and Nick Blaemire (as Benvolio) combined vocals on my favorite Buckley tune \"<strong>Forget Her</strong>\" as Romeo contemplates ending his relationship with Rosaline.\n\n<blockquote>\nWhile this town is busy sleeping,\nAll the noise has died away.\nI walk the streets to stop my weeping,\nShe\'ll never change her ways.\n\nDon\'t fool yourself, she was heartache from the moment that you met her. (Benvolio)\nAnd my heart is frozen still as I try to find the will to forget her, somehow. (Romeo)\n</blockquote>\n\nThe character of Rosaline has been amplified a bit. As played by Celina Carvajal she appears wearing knee high leather boots and a very short minidress. Let\'s just say it\'s apparent why Romeo was attracted to her. Celina joins in the song with Damon and Nick adding a few lines from \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\" and a seductive dance that might make Romeo think twice about his decision. (Note, I saw Celina deliver a show stopping version of \"<a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUFz_UDEPEI\">Have Mercy On A Criminal</a>\" at the WTF Cabaret a few weeks back - girl has some serious vocal chops).\n\nKelli Barret\'s Juliet has the  decidedly modern feel of a strong-willed girl who desperately wants love - and is unafraid to embrace it when it arrives. More on Kelli later . . .\n\n<img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/romeobenvolio.jpt\" alt=\"\" />\n\nOther standout performances include Jo Lampert\'s turn as a powerful and riveting androgynous Mercutio. Her rendition of \"Eternal Life\" to close out the first act is a bravado combination of music and vocal delivery that reinforces one of the plays recurring musical motifs\n\n<blockquote>Eternal life is now on my trail\nGot my red glitter coffin man, just need one last nail\nWhile all these ugly gentlemen play out their foolish games\n<strong>There\'s a flaming red horizon that screams our name</strong></blockquote>\n\nLampert\'s performance and personality are so strong that if  Mercutio had not met such an untimely death we might have ended up seeing a show called \"Mercutio & Juliet\"\n\nAshley Robinson as Tybalt delivers a powerful, rock and roll anger version of \"<strong>Haven\'t You Heard</strong>\"  as he fumes about Romeo\'s appearance at the Capulet\'s party.\n\n<blockquote>\nParanoia will write the world prayer \nMake sure that you fit in the right holes \nBut when you take his offer, you\'re done for \nDone for, done for, oooh...\n</blockquote>\n\nI also enjoyed Jesse Lenat\'s interpretation of the Friar as a good-hearted mystical street preacher who may have ingested a few too many illegal substances back in the day. Jesse and the cast at a tribal rythm of love and sex to Romeo & Juliet\'s marriage day with \"<strong>New Years\' Prayer</strong>\"\n\n<a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/friar.jpg\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/friar-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"Last Goodbye\" title=\"Last Goodbye\" width=\"64\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignone size-medium wp-image-5399\" /></a>\n\nThe strong presence of choreographer Sonya Tayeh comes to the forefront during this scene of orgiastic pleasure. The characters, whose dance movements are often confined to constrained and angular gestures that reflect their inner tension and turmoil, are freed and encouraged to . . . \n\n<blockquote>\nFeel no shame for what you are\nFeel no shame for what you are\nFeel it as a waterfall\nFall in light\n</blockquote>\n\nGiven that many Buckley fans will be interested in song choice and plot points I would be remiss if I did not mention the integration of other songs into some of the key plot elements. Damon sings \"<strong>Everybody Here Wants You</strong>\" to Juliet after the famous balcony scene as her parents demand she come inside for the night. \n\n<blockquote>Twenty-nine pearls in your kiss \nA singing smile \nCoffee smell and lilac skin \nYour flame in me \n\nI\'m only here for this moment \n\nI know everybody here wants you \nI know everybody here thinks he needs you \nI\'ll be waiting right here just to show you \nHow our love will blow it all away </blockquote>\n\nHis delivery and emotion are perfectly matched to the scene.\n\nKelli sings a moving version of \"<strong>Lover You Should Have Come Over</strong>\" from the balcony of her house while looking down on Tybalt\'s funeral even though her mind is focused on Romeo.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/romeoandjuliet.jpg\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/romeoandjuliet-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"Last Goodbye\" title=\"Last Goodbye\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-5407\" /></a>\n\n<blockquote>Looking out the door i see the rain fall upon the funeral mourners\nParading in a wake of sad relations as their shoes fill up with water\nAnd maybe i\'m too young to keep good love from going wrong\nBut tonight you\'re on my mind so you never know\n</blockquote>\n\nand sings \"<strong>What Will You Say</strong>\" while contemplating suicide rather than living without her love. She perfectly captures the anger towards her parents at their plan to marry her off to Paris while not knowing that she is already married to Romeo. Kelli bares her emotions and much of her body as she strips away clothes and anger to reveal her pain inside.\n\n<blockquote>It\'s been such a long time\nAnd I was just a child then\nWhat will you say \nWhen you see my face?\nTime feels like it\'s flown away\nThe days just pass and fade away\nWhat will you say \nWhen they take my place?\n\nIt\'s funny now\nI just don\'t feel like a man\nWhat will you say \nWhen you see my face?\nMy face...\n\nMother dear, the world\'s gone cold\nNo one cares about love anymore\nWhat will you say \nWhen you see my face?\n\nFather do you hear me?\nDo you know me?\nDo you even care?\nWhat will you say \nWhen they take my place? </blockquote>\n\nRandom other things that moved me\n- \"Grace\" - Romeo sings after hearing of Juliet\'s death\n- \"Corpus Christi Carol\" - Sung by Paris and cast after Juliet drinks the poison\n\nFinally, you may be wondering if Jeff\'s most often heard song, his emotional and fragile reading of Leonard Cohen\'s \"<strong>Hallelujah</strong>\" appears in the play. It does and it\'s presented as a heartbreaking coda to the final act. as sung by Nick Blaemire, who has perhaps the purest voice in the cast, as well as the rest of the company.\n\nShakespeare\'s words say\n\n<blockquote>\nA glooming peace this morning with it brings;\nThe sun, for sorrow, will not show his head</blockquote>\n\nand Buckley via Cohen echoes\n\n<blockquote>It\'s a cold and it\'s a broken Hallelujah</blockquote>\n\nIndeed. \n\nAfter all the times I\'ve heard this song I didn\'t think it had the power to move me to tears again. I was wrong. \n\nJeff Buckley\'s lyrics and music and Shakespeare\'s text merge beautifully and fluidly in this production. Fans of Shakespeare will appreciate this new take on the classic tale and fans of Buckley will be moved as they see Jeff\'s songs inform and comment on the inner emotions of these well-loved characters. More than once I found myself saying \"perfect\" to the song and lyrical choices.\n\nKudos to Michael Kimmel and  Kris Kukul who created this remarkable show with the support of the Willliamstown Theatre Festival and the hard work of Lauren Fitzgerald, Stephen Sanders, Jeff\'s mother Mary Guibert and countless others. I have been fortunate enough to see first hand the passion poured into this show and can only hope that it continues on to reach a larger audience wherever it may be.\n\n---------------------\nOther Buckley songs appearing in the show:\nYou And I\nAll Flowers In Time\nWoke Up In A Strange Place\nDream Brother\nI Know We Could Be So Happy\nMorning Theft\nNightmare By The Sea\nCorpus Christi Carol\nGrace\nOpened Once','There\'s a Flaming Red Horizon That Screams Our Names',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5392-revision-15','','','2010-08-09 12:35:00','2010-08-09 17:35:00','',5392,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/08/09/5392-revision-15/',0,'revision','',0),(5410,1,'2010-08-09 12:28:53','2010-08-09 17:28:53','<strong>Review: \"The Last Goodbye\" - Williamstown Theatre Festival</strong>\nAugust 5 - 20 \n<a href=\"http://wtfestival.org/2010/lastgoodbye\">Williamstown Theatre Festival</a>\n\nThe sense of impending doom that pervades the familiar story of Romeo and Juliet hangs heavy over the Williamstown Theatre Festival\'s world premiere production of \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\". Those familiar with the life, music and ultimate passing of Jeff Buckley may be tempted to approach this project with a sense of trepidation - as I did initially. Jeff\'s body of work was emotional, poetic and powerful. His songs speak to the power and confusion of love and hold a special place in the musical hearts of many - defining specific moments of their lives and relationships.  \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\" then, stands as a bold statement. The willingness to risk this combination of two iconic stories could read as an interesting but failed gimmick - trust me when I say that it does not. It is a fully realized and powerful vision that brings new emotional and musical life to the classic story. Ultimately, the pairing of the doomed couples fate with Jeff\'s lyrics and music make for a heady mix of musical tragedy and catharsis that left me emotionally spent. \n\nThe setting is a vaguely modern visual world, echoes of New York city street scenes of walls plastered with posters and a long balcony that spans the stage. The plays action takes place on the streets and balconies of this modern/ancient town. The Capulet\'s are imagined as monied aristocrats with a sense of entitlement while the Montague\'s are more of the downtown art-scene crowd. \n\n<a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/romeoandbenvolio.jpg\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/romeoandbenvolio-300x273.jpg\" alt=\"romeoandbenvolio\" title=\"romeoandbenvolio\" width=\"300\" height=\"273\" class=\"alignone size-medium wp-image-5395\" /></a>\n\nDamon Daunno\'s portrayal of Romeo walks the fine line between romantic and goofy in an entirely endearing way. It doesn\'t hurt that he can bear a passing resemblance to Buckley and delivers Jeff\'s falsetto passages with effortless grace.  I knew this production was going to work when Damon and Nick Blaemire (as Benvolio) combined vocals on my favorite Buckley tune \"<strong>Forget Her</strong>\" as Romeo contemplates ending his relationship with Rosaline.\n\n<blockquote>\nWhile this town is busy sleeping,\nAll the noise has died away.\nI walk the streets to stop my weeping,\nShe\'ll never change her ways.\n\nDon\'t fool yourself, she was heartache from the moment that you met her. (Benvolio)\nAnd my heart is frozen still as I try to find the will to forget her, somehow. (Romeo)\n</blockquote>\n\nThe character of Rosaline has been amplified a bit. As played by Celina Carvajal she appears wearing knee high leather boots and a very short minidress. Let\'s just say it\'s apparent why Romeo was attracted to her. Celina joins in the song with Damon and Nick adding a few lines from \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\" and a seductive dance that might make Romeo think twice about his decision. (Note, I saw Celina deliver a show stopping version of \"<a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUFz_UDEPEI\">Have Mercy On A Criminal</a>\" at the WTF Cabaret a few weeks back - girl has some serious vocal chops).\n\nKelli Barret\'s Juliet has the  decidedly modern feel of a strong-willed girl who desperately wants love - and is unafraid to embrace it when it arrives. More on Kelli later . . .\n\n<a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/mercutio.jpg\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/mercutio-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"Last Goodbye\" title=\"Last Goodbye\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignone size-medium wp-image-5396\" /></a>\n\nOther standout performances include Jo Lampert\'s turn as a powerful and riveting androgynous Mercutio. Her rendition of \"Eternal Life\" to close out the first act is a bravado combination of music and vocal delivery that reinforces one of the plays recurring musical motifs\n\n<blockquote>Eternal life is now on my trail\nGot my red glitter coffin man, just need one last nail\nWhile all these ugly gentlemen play out their foolish games\n<strong>There\'s a flaming red horizon that screams our name</strong></blockquote>\n\nLampert\'s performance and personality are so strong that if  Mercutio had not met such an untimely death we might have ended up seeing a show called \"Mercutio & Juliet\"\n\nAshley Robinson as Tybalt delivers a powerful, rock and roll anger version of \"<strong>Haven\'t You Heard</strong>\"  as he fumes about Romeo\'s appearance at the Capulet\'s party.\n\n<blockquote>\nParanoia will write the world prayer \nMake sure that you fit in the right holes \nBut when you take his offer, you\'re done for \nDone for, done for, oooh...\n</blockquote>\n\nI also enjoyed Jesse Lenat\'s interpretation of the Friar as a good-hearted mystical street preacher who may have ingested a few too many illegal substances back in the day. Jesse and the cast at a tribal rythm of love and sex to Romeo & Juliet\'s marriage day with \"<strong>New Years\' Prayer</strong>\"\n\n<a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/friar.jpg\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/friar-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"Last Goodbye\" title=\"Last Goodbye\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignone size-medium wp-image-5399\" /></a>\n\nThe strong presence of choreographer Sonya Tayeh comes to the forefront during this scene of orgiastic pleasure. The characters, whose dance movements are often confined to constrained and angular gestures that reflect their inner tension and turmoil, are freed and encouraged to . . . \n\n<blockquote>\nFeel no shame for what you are\nFeel no shame for what you are\nFeel it as a waterfall\nFall in light\n</blockquote>\n\nGiven that many Buckley fans will be interested in song choice and plot points I would be remiss if I did not mention the integration of other songs into some of the key plot elements. Damon sings \"<strong>Everybody Here Wants You</strong>\" to Juliet after the famous balcony scene as her parents demand she come inside for the night. \n\n<blockquote>Twenty-nine pearls in your kiss \nA singing smile \nCoffee smell and lilac skin \nYour flame in me \n\nI\'m only here for this moment \n\nI know everybody here wants you \nI know everybody here thinks he needs you \nI\'ll be waiting right here just to show you \nHow our love will blow it all away </blockquote>\n\nHis delivery and emotion are perfectly matched to the scene.\n\nKelli sings a moving version of \"<strong>Lover You Should Have Come Over</strong>\" from the balcony of her house while looking down on Tybalt\'s funeral even though her mind is focused on Romeo.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/romeoandjuliet.jpg\"><img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/romeoandjuliet-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"Last Goodbye\" title=\"Last Goodbye\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-5407\" /></a>\n\n<blockquote>Looking out the door i see the rain fall upon the funeral mourners\nParading in a wake of sad relations as their shoes fill up with water\nAnd maybe i\'m too young to keep good love from going wrong\nBut tonight you\'re on my mind so you never know\n</blockquote>\n\nand sings \"<strong>What Will You Say</strong>\" while contemplating suicide rather than living without her love. She perfectly captures the anger towards her parents at their plan to marry her off to Paris while not knowing that she is already married to Romeo. Kelli bares her emotions and much of her body as she strips away clothes and anger to reveal her pain inside.\n\n<blockquote>It\'s been such a long time\nAnd I was just a child then\nWhat will you say \nWhen you see my face?\nTime feels like it\'s flown away\nThe days just pass and fade away\nWhat will you say \nWhen they take my place?\n\nIt\'s funny now\nI just don\'t feel like a man\nWhat will you say \nWhen you see my face?\nMy face...\n\nMother dear, the world\'s gone cold\nNo one cares about love anymore\nWhat will you say \nWhen you see my face?\n\nFather do you hear me?\nDo you know me?\nDo you even care?\nWhat will you say \nWhen they take my place? </blockquote>\n\nRandom other things that moved me\n- \"Grace\" - Romeo sings after hearing of Juliet\'s death\n- \"Corpus Christi Carol\" - Sung by Paris and cast after Juliet drinks the poison\n\nFinally, you may be wondering if Jeff\'s most often heard song, his emotional and fragile reading of Leonard Cohen\'s \"<strong>Hallelujah</strong>\" appears in the play. It does and it\'s presented as a heartbreaking coda to the final act. as sung by Nick Blaemire, who has perhaps the purest voice in the cast, as well as the rest of the company.\n\nShakespeare\'s words say\n\n<blockquote>\nA glooming peace this morning with it brings;\nThe sun, for sorrow, will not show his head</blockquote>\n\nand Buckley via Cohen echoes\n\n<blockquote>It\'s a cold and it\'s a broken Hallelujah</blockquote>\n\nIndeed. \n\nAfter all the times I\'ve heard this song I didn\'t think it had the power to move me to tears again. I was wrong. \n\nJeff Buckley\'s lyrics and music and Shakespeare\'s text merge beautifully and fluidly in this production. Fans of Shakespeare will appreciate this new take on the classic tale and fans of Buckley will be moved as they see Jeff\'s songs inform and comment on the inner emotions of these well-loved characters. More than once I found myself saying \"perfect\" to the song and lyrical choices.\n\nKudos to Michael Kimmel and  Kris Kukul who created this remarkable show with the support of the Willliamstown Theatre Festival and the hard work of Lauren Fitzgerald, Stephen Sanders, Jeff\'s mother Mary Guibert and countless others. I have been fortunate enough to see first hand the passion poured into this show and can only hope that it continues on to reach a larger audience wherever it may be.\n\n---------------------\nOther Buckley songs appearing in the show:\nYou And I\nAll Flowers In Time\nWoke Up In A Strange Place\nDream Brother\nI Know We Could Be So Happy\nMorning Theft\nNightmare By The Sea\nCorpus Christi Carol\nGrace\nOpened Once','There\'s a Flaming Red Horizon That Screams Our Names',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5392-revision-14','','','2010-08-09 12:28:53','2010-08-09 17:28:53','',5392,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/08/09/5392-revision-14/',0,'revision','',0),(5413,1,'2010-08-09 12:42:06','2010-08-09 17:42:06','<strong>Review: \"The Last Goodbye\" - Williamstown Theatre Festival</strong>\nAugust 5 - 20 \n<a href=\"http://wtfestival.org/2010/lastgoodbye\">Williamstown Theatre Festival</a>\n\nThe sense of impending doom that pervades the familiar story of Romeo and Juliet hangs heavy over the Williamstown Theatre Festival\'s world premiere production of \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\". Those familiar with the life, music and ultimate passing of Jeff Buckley may be tempted to approach this project with a sense of trepidation - as I did initially. Jeff\'s body of work was emotional, poetic and powerful. His songs speak to the power and confusion of love and hold a special place in the musical hearts of many - defining specific moments of their lives and relationships.  \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\" then, stands as a bold statement. The willingness to risk this combination of two iconic stories could read as an interesting but failed gimmick - trust me when I say that it does not. It is a fully realized and powerful vision that brings new emotional and musical life to the classic story. Ultimately, the pairing of the doomed couples fate with Jeff\'s lyrics and music make for a heady mix of musical tragedy and catharsis that left me emotionally spent. \n\nThe setting is a vaguely modern visual world, echoes of New York city street scenes of walls plastered with posters and a long balcony that spans the stage. The plays action takes place on the streets and balconies of this modern/ancient town. The Capulet\'s are imagined as monied aristocrats with a sense of entitlement while the Montague\'s are more of the downtown art-scene crowd. \n\n<img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/romeoandbenvolio.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\n\n\nDamon Daunno\'s portrayal of Romeo walks the fine line between romantic and goofy in an entirely endearing way. It doesn\'t hurt that he can bear a passing resemblance to Buckley and delivers Jeff\'s falsetto passages with effortless grace.  I knew this production was going to work when Damon and Nick Blaemire (as Benvolio) combined vocals on my favorite Buckley tune \"<strong>Forget Her</strong>\" as Romeo contemplates ending his relationship with Rosaline.\n\n<blockquote>\nWhile this town is busy sleeping,\nAll the noise has died away.\nI walk the streets to stop my weeping,\nShe\'ll never change her ways.\n\nDon\'t fool yourself, she was heartache from the moment that you met her. (Benvolio)\nAnd my heart is frozen still as I try to find the will to forget her, somehow. (Romeo)\n</blockquote>\n[wpaudio url=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/ForgetHer.mp3\" text=\"Forget Her\" dl=\"0\"]\n\n\nThe character of Rosaline has been amplified a bit. As played by Celina Carvajal she appears wearing knee high leather boots and a very short minidress. Let\'s just say it\'s apparent why Romeo was attracted to her. Celina joins in the song with Damon and Nick adding a few lines from \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\" and a seductive dance that might make Romeo think twice about his decision. (Note, I saw Celina deliver a show stopping version of \"<a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUFz_UDEPEI\">Have Mercy On A Criminal</a>\" at the WTF Cabaret a few weeks back - girl has some serious vocal chops).\n\nKelli Barret\'s Juliet has the  decidedly modern feel of a strong-willed girl who desperately wants love - and is unafraid to embrace it when it arrives. More on Kelli later . . .\n\n<img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/mercutio.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\n\nOther standout performances include Jo Lampert\'s turn as a powerful and riveting androgynous Mercutio. Her rendition of \"Eternal Life\" to close out the first act is a bravado combination of music and vocal delivery that reinforces one of the plays recurring musical motifs\n\n<blockquote>Eternal life is now on my trail\nGot my red glitter coffin man, just need one last nail\nWhile all these ugly gentlemen play out their foolish games\n<strong>There\'s a flaming red horizon that screams our name</strong></blockquote>\n\nLampert\'s performance and personality are so strong that if  Mercutio had not met such an untimely death we might have ended up seeing a show called \"Mercutio & Juliet\"\n\nAshley Robinson as Tybalt delivers a powerful, rock and roll anger version of \"<strong>Haven\'t You Heard</strong>\"  as he fumes about Romeo\'s appearance at the Capulet\'s party.\n\n<blockquote>\nParanoia will write the world prayer \nMake sure that you fit in the right holes \nBut when you take his offer, you\'re done for \nDone for, done for, oooh...\n</blockquote>\n\nI also enjoyed Jesse Lenat\'s interpretation of the Friar as a good-hearted mystical street preacher who may have ingested a few too many illegal substances back in the day. Jesse and the cast at a tribal rythm of love and sex to Romeo & Juliet\'s marriage day with \"<strong>New Years\' Prayer</strong>\"\n\n<img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/friar.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\n\n\nThe strong presence of choreographer Sonya Tayeh comes to the forefront during this scene of orgiastic pleasure. The characters, whose dance movements are often confined to constrained and angular gestures that reflect their inner tension and turmoil, are freed and encouraged to . . . \n\n<blockquote>\nFeel no shame for what you are\nFeel no shame for what you are\nFeel it as a waterfall\nFall in light\n</blockquote>\n\nGiven that many Buckley fans will be interested in song choice and plot points I would be remiss if I did not mention the integration of other songs into some of the key plot elements. Damon sings \"<strong>Everybody Here Wants You</strong>\" to Juliet after the famous balcony scene as her parents demand she come inside for the night. \n\n<blockquote>Twenty-nine pearls in your kiss \nA singing smile \nCoffee smell and lilac skin \nYour flame in me \n\nI\'m only here for this moment \n\nI know everybody here wants you \nI know everybody here thinks he needs you \nI\'ll be waiting right here just to show you \nHow our love will blow it all away </blockquote>\n\nHis delivery and emotion are perfectly matched to the scene.\n\nKelli sings a moving version of \"<strong>Lover You Should Have Come Over</strong>\" from the balcony of her house while looking down on Tybalt\'s funeral even though her mind is focused on Romeo.\n\n<img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/romeoandjuliet.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\n\n\n<blockquote>Looking out the door i see the rain fall upon the funeral mourners\nParading in a wake of sad relations as their shoes fill up with water\nAnd maybe i\'m too young to keep good love from going wrong\nBut tonight you\'re on my mind so you never know\n</blockquote>\n[wpaudio url=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/Lover.mp3\" text=\"Lover You Should Have Come Over\" dl=\"0\"]\n\n\nand sings \"<strong>What Will You Say</strong>\" while contemplating suicide rather than living without her love. She perfectly captures the anger towards her parents at their plan to marry her off to Paris while not knowing that she is already married to Romeo. Kelli bares her emotions and much of her body as she strips away clothes and anger to reveal her pain inside.\n\n<blockquote>It\'s been such a long time\nAnd I was just a child then\nWhat will you say \nWhen you see my face?\nTime feels like it\'s flown away\nThe days just pass and fade away\nWhat will you say \nWhen they take my place?\n\nIt\'s funny now\nI just don\'t feel like a man\nWhat will you say \nWhen you see my face?\nMy face...\n\nMother dear, the world\'s gone cold\nNo one cares about love anymore\nWhat will you say \nWhen you see my face?\n\nFather do you hear me?\nDo you know me?\nDo you even care?\nWhat will you say \nWhen they take my place? </blockquote>\n\nRandom other things that moved me\n- \"Grace\" - Romeo sings after hearing of Juliet\'s death\n- \"Corpus Christi Carol\" - Sung by Paris and cast after Juliet drinks the poison\n\nFinally, you may be wondering if Jeff\'s most often heard song, his emotional and fragile reading of Leonard Cohen\'s \"<strong>Hallelujah</strong>\" appears in the play. It does and it\'s presented as a heartbreaking coda to the final act. as sung by Nick Blaemire, who has perhaps the purest voice in the cast, as well as the rest of the company.\n\nShakespeare\'s words say\n\n<blockquote>\nA glooming peace this morning with it brings;\nThe sun, for sorrow, will not show his head</blockquote>\n\nand Buckley via Cohen echoes\n\n<blockquote>It\'s a cold and it\'s a broken Hallelujah</blockquote>\n\nIndeed. \n\nAfter all the times I\'ve heard this song I didn\'t think it had the power to move me to tears again. I was wrong. \n\nJeff Buckley\'s lyrics and music and Shakespeare\'s text merge beautifully and fluidly in this production. Fans of Shakespeare will appreciate this new take on the classic tale and fans of Buckley will be moved as they see Jeff\'s songs inform and comment on the inner emotions of these well-loved characters. More than once I found myself saying \"perfect\" to the song and lyrical choices.\n\nKudos to Michael Kimmel and  Kris Kukul who created this remarkable show with the support of the Willliamstown Theatre Festival and the hard work of Lauren Fitzgerald, Stephen Sanders, Jeff\'s mother Mary Guibert and countless others. I have been fortunate enough to see first hand the passion poured into this show and can only hope that it continues on to reach a larger audience wherever it may be.\n\n---------------------\nOther Buckley songs appearing in the show:\nYou And I\nAll Flowers In Time\nWoke Up In A Strange Place\nDream Brother\nI Know We Could Be So Happy\nMorning Theft\nNightmare By The Sea\nCorpus Christi Carol\nGrace\nOpened Once','There\'s a Flaming Red Horizon That Screams Our Names',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5392-revision-17','','','2010-08-09 12:42:06','2010-08-09 17:42:06','',5392,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/08/09/5392-revision-17/',0,'revision','',0),(5414,1,'2010-08-09 12:42:34','2010-08-09 17:42:34','<strong>Review: \"The Last Goodbye\" - Williamstown Theatre Festival</strong>\r\nAugust 5 - 20 \r\n<a href=\"http://wtfestival.org/2010/lastgoodbye\">Williamstown Theatre Festival</a>\r\n\r\nThe sense of impending doom that pervades the familiar story of Romeo and Juliet hangs heavy over the Williamstown Theatre Festival\'s world premiere production of \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\". Those familiar with the life, music and ultimate passing of Jeff Buckley may be tempted to approach this project with a sense of trepidation - as I did initially. Jeff\'s body of work was emotional, poetic and powerful. His songs speak to the power and confusion of love and hold a special place in the musical hearts of many - defining specific moments of their lives and relationships.  \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\" then, stands as a bold statement. The willingness to risk this combination of two iconic stories could read as an interesting but failed gimmick - trust me when I say that it does not. It is a fully realized and powerful vision that brings new emotional and musical life to the classic story. Ultimately, the pairing of the doomed couples fate with Jeff\'s lyrics and music make for a heady mix of musical tragedy and catharsis that left me emotionally spent. \r\n\r\nThe setting is a vaguely modern visual world, echoes of New York city street scenes of walls plastered with posters and a long balcony that spans the stage. The plays action takes place on the streets and balconies of this modern/ancient town. The Capulet\'s are imagined as monied aristocrats with a sense of entitlement while the Montague\'s are more of the downtown art-scene crowd. \r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/romeoandbenvolio.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\n\r\nDamon Daunno\'s portrayal of Romeo walks the fine line between romantic and goofy in an entirely endearing way. It doesn\'t hurt that he can bear a passing resemblance to Buckley and delivers Jeff\'s falsetto passages with effortless grace.  I knew this production was going to work when Damon and Nick Blaemire (as Benvolio) combined vocals on my favorite Buckley tune \"<strong>Forget Her</strong>\" as Romeo contemplates ending his relationship with Rosaline.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>\r\nWhile this town is busy sleeping,\r\nAll the noise has died away.\r\nI walk the streets to stop my weeping,\r\nShe\'ll never change her ways.\r\n\r\nDon\'t fool yourself, she was heartache from the moment that you met her. (Benvolio)\r\nAnd my heart is frozen still as I try to find the will to forget her, somehow. (Romeo)\r\n</blockquote>\r\n[wpaudio url=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/ForgetHer.mp3\" text=\"Forget Her\" dl=\"0\"]\r\n\r\n\r\nThe character of Rosaline has been amplified a bit. As played by Celina Carvajal she appears wearing knee high leather boots and a very short minidress. Let\'s just say it\'s apparent why Romeo was attracted to her. Celina joins in the song with Damon and Nick adding a few lines from \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\" and a seductive dance that might make Romeo think twice about his decision. (Note, I saw Celina deliver a show stopping version of \"<a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUFz_UDEPEI\">Have Mercy On A Criminal</a>\" at the WTF Cabaret a few weeks back - girl has some serious vocal chops).\r\n\r\nKelli Barret\'s Juliet has the  decidedly modern feel of a strong-willed girl who desperately wants love - and is unafraid to embrace it when it arrives. More on Kelli later . . .\r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/mercutio.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\nOther standout performances include Jo Lampert\'s turn as a powerful and riveting androgynous Mercutio. Her rendition of \"Eternal Life\" to close out the first act is a bravado combination of music and vocal delivery that reinforces one of the plays recurring musical motifs\r\n\r\n<blockquote>Eternal life is now on my trail\r\nGot my red glitter coffin man, just need one last nail\r\nWhile all these ugly gentlemen play out their foolish games\r\n<strong>There\'s a flaming red horizon that screams our name</strong></blockquote>\r\n\r\nLampert\'s performance and personality are so strong that if  Mercutio had not met such an untimely death we might have ended up seeing a show called \"Mercutio & Juliet\"\r\n\r\nAshley Robinson as Tybalt delivers a powerful, rock and roll anger version of \"<strong>Haven\'t You Heard</strong>\"  as he fumes about Romeo\'s appearance at the Capulet\'s party.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>\r\nParanoia will write the world prayer \r\nMake sure that you fit in the right holes \r\nBut when you take his offer, you\'re done for \r\nDone for, done for, oooh...\r\n</blockquote>\r\n\r\nI also enjoyed Jesse Lenat\'s interpretation of the Friar as a good-hearted mystical street preacher who may have ingested a few too many illegal substances back in the day. Jesse and the cast at a tribal rythm of love and sex to Romeo & Juliet\'s marriage day with \"<strong>New Years\' Prayer</strong>\"\r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/friar.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\n\r\nThe strong presence of choreographer Sonya Tayeh comes to the forefront during this scene of orgiastic pleasure. The characters, whose dance movements are often confined to constrained and angular gestures that reflect their inner tension and turmoil, are freed and encouraged to . . . \r\n\r\n<blockquote>\r\nFeel no shame for what you are\r\nFeel no shame for what you are\r\nFeel it as a waterfall\r\nFall in light\r\n</blockquote>\r\n\r\nGiven that many Buckley fans will be interested in song choice and plot points I would be remiss if I did not mention the integration of other songs into some of the key plot elements. Damon sings \"<strong>Everybody Here Wants You</strong>\" to Juliet after the famous balcony scene as her parents demand she come inside for the night. \r\n\r\n<blockquote>Twenty-nine pearls in your kiss \r\nA singing smile \r\nCoffee smell and lilac skin \r\nYour flame in me \r\n\r\nI\'m only here for this moment \r\n\r\nI know everybody here wants you \r\nI know everybody here thinks he needs you \r\nI\'ll be waiting right here just to show you \r\nHow our love will blow it all away </blockquote>\r\n\r\nHis delivery and emotion are perfectly matched to the scene.\r\n\r\nKelli sings a moving version of \"<strong>Lover You Should Have Come Over</strong>\" from the balcony of her house while looking down on Tybalt\'s funeral even though her mind is focused on Romeo.\r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/romeoandjuliet.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\n\r\n<blockquote>Looking out the door i see the rain fall upon the funeral mourners\r\nParading in a wake of sad relations as their shoes fill up with water\r\nAnd maybe i\'m too young to keep good love from going wrong\r\nBut tonight you\'re on my mind so you never know\r\n</blockquote>\r\n[wpaudio url=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/Lover.mp3\" text=\"Lover You Should Have Come Over\" dl=\"0\"]\r\n\r\n\r\nand sings \"<strong>What Will You Say</strong>\" while contemplating suicide rather than living without her love. She perfectly captures the anger towards her parents at their plan to marry her off to Paris while not knowing that she is already married to Romeo. Kelli bares her emotions and much of her body as she strips away clothes and anger to reveal her pain inside.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>It\'s been such a long time\r\nAnd I was just a child then\r\nWhat will you say \r\nWhen you see my face?\r\nTime feels like it\'s flown away\r\nThe days just pass and fade away\r\nWhat will you say \r\nWhen they take my place?\r\n\r\nIt\'s funny now\r\nI just don\'t feel like a man\r\nWhat will you say \r\nWhen you see my face?\r\nMy face...\r\n\r\nMother dear, the world\'s gone cold\r\nNo one cares about love anymore\r\nWhat will you say \r\nWhen you see my face?\r\n\r\nFather do you hear me?\r\nDo you know me?\r\nDo you even care?\r\nWhat will you say \r\nWhen they take my place? </blockquote>\r\n\r\nRandom other things that moved me\r\n- \"Grace\" - Romeo sings after hearing of Juliet\'s death\r\n- \"Corpus Christi Carol\" - Sung by Paris and cast after Juliet drinks the poison\r\n\r\nFinally, you may be wondering if Jeff\'s most often heard song, his emotional and fragile reading of Leonard Cohen\'s \"<strong>Hallelujah</strong>\" appears in the play. It does and it\'s presented as a heartbreaking coda to the final act. as sung by Nick Blaemire, who has perhaps the purest voice in the cast, as well as the rest of the company.\r\n\r\nShakespeare\'s words say\r\n\r\n<blockquote>\r\nA glooming peace this morning with it brings;\r\nThe sun, for sorrow, will not show his head</blockquote>\r\n\r\nand Buckley via Cohen echoes\r\n\r\n<blockquote>It\'s a cold and it\'s a broken Hallelujah</blockquote>\r\n\r\nIndeed. \r\n\r\nAfter all the times I\'ve heard this song I didn\'t think it had the power to move me to tears again. I was wrong. \r\n\r\nJeff Buckley\'s lyrics and music and Shakespeare\'s text merge beautifully and fluidly in this production. Fans of Shakespeare will appreciate this new take on the classic tale and fans of Buckley will be moved as they see Jeff\'s songs inform and comment on the inner emotions of these well-loved characters. More than once I found myself saying \"perfect\" to the song and lyrical choices.\r\n\r\nKudos to Michael Kimmel and  Kris Kukul who created this remarkable show with the support of the Willliamstown Theatre Festival and the hard work of Lauren Fitzgerald, Stephen Sanders, Jeff\'s mother Mary Guibert and countless others. I have been fortunate enough to see first hand the passion poured into this show and can only hope that it continues on to reach a larger audience wherever it may be.\r\n\r\n---------------------\r\nOther Buckley songs appearing in the show:\r\nYou And I\r\nAll Flowers In Time\r\nWoke Up In A Strange Place\r\nDream Brother\r\nI Know We Could Be So Happy\r\nMorning Theft\r\nNightmare By The Sea\r\nCorpus Christi Carol\r\nGrace\r\nOpened Once','There\'s a Flaming Red Horizon That Screams Our Names',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5392-revision-18','','','2010-08-09 12:42:34','2010-08-09 17:42:34','',5392,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/08/09/5392-revision-18/',0,'revision','',0),(5415,1,'2010-08-09 12:46:24','2010-08-09 17:46:24','<strong>Review: \"The Last Goodbye\" - Williamstown Theatre Festival</strong>\nAugust 5 - 20 \n<a href=\"http://wtfestival.org/2010/lastgoodbye\">Williamstown Theatre Festival</a>\n\nThe sense of impending doom that pervades the familiar story of Romeo and Juliet hangs heavy over the Williamstown Theatre Festival\'s world premiere production of \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\". Those familiar with the life, music and ultimate passing of Jeff Buckley may be tempted to approach this project with a sense of trepidation - as I did initially. Jeff\'s body of work was emotional, poetic and powerful. His songs speak to the power and confusion of love and hold a special place in the musical hearts of many - defining specific moments of their lives and relationships.  \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\" then, stands as a bold statement. The willingness to risk this combination of two iconic stories could read as an interesting but failed gimmick - trust me when I say that it does not. It is a fully realized and powerful vision that brings new emotional and musical life to the classic story. Ultimately, the pairing of the doomed couples fate with Jeff\'s lyrics and music make for a heady mix of musical tragedy and catharsis that left me emotionally spent. \n\nThe setting is a vaguely modern visual world, echoes of New York city street scenes of walls plastered with posters and a long balcony that spans the stage. The plays action takes place on the streets and balconies of this modern/ancient town. The Capulet\'s are imagined as monied aristocrats with a sense of entitlement while the Montague\'s are more of the downtown art-scene crowd. \n\n<img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/romeoandbenvolio.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\n\n\nDamon Daunno\'s portrayal of Romeo walks the fine line between romantic and goofy in an entirely endearing way. It doesn\'t hurt that he can bear a passing resemblance to Buckley and delivers Jeff\'s falsetto passages with effortless grace.  I knew this production was going to work when Damon and Nick Blaemire (as Benvolio) combined vocals on my favorite Buckley tune \"<strong>Forget Her</strong>\" as Romeo contemplates ending his relationship with Rosaline.\n\n<blockquote>\nWhile this town is busy sleeping,\nAll the noise has died away.\nI walk the streets to stop my weeping,\nShe\'ll never change her ways.\n\nDon\'t fool yourself, she was heartache from the moment that you met her. (Benvolio)\nAnd my heart is frozen still as I try to find the will to forget her, somehow. (Romeo)\n</blockquote>\n[wpaudio url=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/ForgetHer.mp3\" text=\"Forget Her\" dl=\"0\"]\n\n\nThe character of Rosaline has been amplified a bit. As played by Celina Carvajal she appears wearing knee high leather boots and a very short minidress. Let\'s just say it\'s apparent why Romeo was attracted to her. Celina joins in the song with Damon and Nick adding a few lines from \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\" and a seductive dance that might make Romeo think twice about his decision. (Note, I saw Celina deliver a show stopping version of \"<a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUFz_UDEPEI\">Have Mercy On A Criminal</a>\" at the WTF Cabaret a few weeks back - girl has some serious vocal chops).\n\nKelli Barret\'s Juliet has the  decidedly modern feel of a strong-willed girl who desperately wants love - and is unafraid to embrace it when it arrives. More on Kelli later . . .\n\n<img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/mercutio.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\n\nOther standout performances include Jo Lampert\'s turn as a powerful and riveting androgynous Mercutio. Her rendition of \"Eternal Life\" to close out the first act is a bravado combination of music and vocal delivery that reinforces one of the plays recurring musical motifs\n\n<blockquote>Eternal life is now on my trail\nGot my red glitter coffin man, just need one last nail\nWhile all these ugly gentlemen play out their foolish games\n<strong>There\'s a flaming red horizon that screams our name</strong></blockquote>\n\nLampert\'s performance and personality are so strong that if  Mercutio had not met such an untimely death we might have ended up seeing a show called \"Mercutio & Juliet\"\n\nAshley Robinson as Tybalt delivers a powerful, rock and roll anger version of \"<strong>Haven\'t You Heard</strong>\"  as he fumes about Romeo\'s appearance at the Capulet\'s party.\n\n<blockquote>\nParanoia will write the world prayer \nMake sure that you fit in the right holes \nBut when you take his offer, you\'re done for \nDone for, done for, oooh...\n</blockquote>\n\nI also enjoyed Jesse Lenat\'s interpretation of the Friar as a good-hearted mystical street preacher who may have ingested a few too many illegal substances back in the day. Jesse and the cast at a tribal rythm of love and sex to Romeo & Juliet\'s marriage day with \"<strong>New Years\' Prayer</strong>\"\n\n<img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/friar.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\n\n\nThe strong presence of choreographer Sonya Tayeh comes to the forefront during this scene of orgiastic pleasure. The characters, whose dance movements are often confined to constrained and angular gestures that reflect their inner tension and turmoil, are freed and encouraged to . . . \n\n<blockquote>\nFeel no shame for what you are\nFeel no shame for what you are\nFeel it as a waterfall\nFall in light\n</blockquote>\n\nGiven that many Buckley fans will be interested in song choice and plot points I would be remiss if I did not mention the integration of other songs into some of the key plot elements. Damon sings \"<strong>Everybody Here Wants You</strong>\" to Juliet after the famous balcony scene as her parents demand she come inside for the night. \n\n<blockquote>Twenty-nine pearls in your kiss \nA singing smile \nCoffee smell and lilac skin \nYour flame in me \n\nI\'m only here for this moment \n\nI know everybody here wants you \nI know everybody here thinks he needs you \nI\'ll be waiting right here just to show you \nHow our love will blow it all away </blockquote>\n\nHis delivery and emotion are perfectly matched to the scene.\n\nKelli sings a moving version of \"<strong>Lover You Should Have Come Over</strong>\" from the balcony of her house while looking down on Tybalt\'s funeral even though her mind is focused on Romeo.\n\n<img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/romeoandjuliet.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\n\n\n<blockquote>Looking out the door i see the rain fall upon the funeral mourners\nParading in a wake of sad relations as their shoes fill up with water\nAnd maybe i\'m too young to keep good love from going wrong\nBut tonight you\'re on my mind so you never know\n</blockquote>\n[wpaudio url=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/Lover.mp3\" text=\"Lover You Should Have Come Over\" dl=\"0\"]\n\n\nand sings \"<strong>What Will You Say</strong>\" while contemplating suicide rather than living without her love. She perfectly captures the anger towards her parents at their plan to marry her off to Paris while not knowing that she is already married to Romeo. Kelli bares her emotions and much of her body as she strips away clothes and anger to reveal her pain inside.\n\n<blockquote>It\'s been such a long time\nAnd I was just a child then\nWhat will you say \nWhen you see my face?\nTime feels like it\'s flown away\nThe days just pass and fade away\nWhat will you say \nWhen they take my place?\n\nIt\'s funny now\nI just don\'t feel like a man\nWhat will you say \nWhen you see my face?\nMy face...\n\nMother dear, the world\'s gone cold\nNo one cares about love anymore\nWhat will you say \nWhen you see my face?\n\nFather do you hear me?\nDo you know me?\nDo you even care?\nWhat will you say \nWhen they take my place? </blockquote>\n\nRandom other things that moved me\n- \"Grace\" - Romeo sings after hearing of Juliet\'s death\n- \"Corpus Christi Carol\" - Sung by Paris and cast after Juliet drinks the poison\n- \"Dream Brother\" - Capulet\'s party - especially \"\n\nFinally, you may be wondering if Jeff\'s most often heard song, his emotional and fragile reading of Leonard Cohen\'s \"<strong>Hallelujah</strong>\" appears in the play. It does and it\'s presented as a heartbreaking coda to the final act. as sung by Nick Blaemire, who has perhaps the purest voice in the cast, as well as the rest of the company.\n\nShakespeare\'s words say\n\n<blockquote>\nA glooming peace this morning with it brings;\nThe sun, for sorrow, will not show his head</blockquote>\n\nand Buckley via Cohen echoes\n\n<blockquote>It\'s a cold and it\'s a broken Hallelujah</blockquote>\n\nIndeed. \n\nAfter all the times I\'ve heard this song I didn\'t think it had the power to move me to tears again. I was wrong. \n\nJeff Buckley\'s lyrics and music and Shakespeare\'s text merge beautifully and fluidly in this production. Fans of Shakespeare will appreciate this new take on the classic tale and fans of Buckley will be moved as they see Jeff\'s songs inform and comment on the inner emotions of these well-loved characters. More than once I found myself saying \"perfect\" to the song and lyrical choices.\n\nKudos to Michael Kimmel and  Kris Kukul who created this remarkable show with the support of the Willliamstown Theatre Festival and the hard work of Lauren Fitzgerald, Stephen Sanders, Jeff\'s mother Mary Guibert and countless others. I have been fortunate enough to see first hand the passion poured into this show and can only hope that it continues on to reach a larger audience wherever it may be.\n\n---------------------\n<strong>Photos</strong> by Sam Hough and T. Charles Erickson\n\n<strong>Other Buckley songs appearing in the show:</strong>\nYou And I\nAll Flowers In Time\nWoke Up In A Strange Place\nDream Brother\nI Know We Could Be So Happy\nMorning Theft\nNightmare By The Sea\nOpened Once','There\'s a Flaming Red Horizon That Screams Our Names',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5392-revision-19','','','2010-08-09 12:46:24','2010-08-09 17:46:24','',5392,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/08/09/5392-revision-19/',0,'revision','',0),(5416,1,'2010-08-09 12:51:23','2010-08-09 17:51:23','<strong>Review: \"The Last Goodbye\" - Williamstown Theatre Festival</strong>\nAugust 5 - 20 \n<a href=\"http://wtfestival.org/2010/lastgoodbye\">Williamstown Theatre Festival</a>\n\nThe sense of impending doom that pervades the familiar story of Romeo and Juliet hangs heavy over the Williamstown Theatre Festival\'s world premiere production of \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\". Those familiar with the life, music and ultimate passing of Jeff Buckley may be tempted to approach this project with a sense of trepidation - as I did initially. Jeff\'s body of work was emotional, poetic and powerful. His songs speak to the power and confusion of love and hold a special place in the musical hearts of many - defining specific moments of their lives and relationships.  \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\" then, stands as a bold statement. The willingness to risk this combination of two iconic stories could read as an interesting but failed gimmick - trust me when I say that it does not. It is a fully realized and powerful vision that brings new emotional and musical life to the classic story. Ultimately, the pairing of the doomed couples fate with Jeff\'s lyrics and music make for a heady mix of musical tragedy and catharsis that left me emotionally spent. \n\nThe setting is a vaguely modern visual world, echoes of New York city street scenes of walls plastered with posters and a long balcony that spans the stage. The plays action takes place on the streets and balconies of this modern/ancient town. The Capulet\'s are imagined as moneyed aristocrats with a sense of entitlement while the Montague\'s are more of the downtown art-scene crowd. \n\n<img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/romeoandbenvolio.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\n\n\nDamon Daunno\'s portrayal of Romeo walks the fine line between romantic and goofy in an entirely endearing way. It doesn\'t hurt that he can bear a passing resemblance to Buckley and delivers Jeff\'s falsetto passages with effortless grace.  I knew this production was going to work when Damon and Nick Blaemire (as Benvolio) combined vocals on my favorite Buckley tune \"<strong>Forget Her</strong>\" as Romeo contemplates ending his relationship with Rosaline.\n\n<blockquote>\nWhile this town is busy sleeping,\nAll the noise has died away.\nI walk the streets to stop my weeping,\nShe\'ll never change her ways.\n\nDon\'t fool yourself, she was heartache from the moment that you met her. (Benvolio)\nAnd my heart is frozen still as I try to find the will to forget her, somehow. (Romeo)\n</blockquote>\n[wpaudio url=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/ForgetHer.mp3\" text=\"Forget Her\" dl=\"0\"]\n\n\nThe character of Rosaline has been amplified a bit. As played by Celina Carvajal she appears wearing knee high leather boots and a very short minidress. Let\'s just say it\'s apparent why Romeo was attracted to her. Celina joins in the song with Damon and Nick adding a few lines from \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\" and a seductive dance that might make Romeo think twice about his decision. (Note, I saw Celina deliver a show stopping version of \"<a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUFz_UDEPEI\">Have Mercy On A Criminal</a>\" at the WTF Cabaret a few weeks back - girl has some serious vocal chops).\n\nKelli Barret\'s Juliet has the decidedly modern feel of a strong-willed girl who desperately wants love - and is unafraid to embrace it when it arrives. More on Kelli later . . .\n\n<img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/mercutio.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\n\nOther standout performances include Jo Lampert\'s turn as a powerful and riveting androgynous Mercutio. Her rendition of \"Eternal Life\" to close out the first act is a bravado combination of music and vocal delivery that reinforces one of the plays recurring musical motifs\n\n<blockquote>Eternal life is now on my trail\nGot my red glitter coffin man, just need one last nail\nWhile all these ugly gentlemen play out their foolish games\n<strong>There\'s a flaming red horizon that screams our name</strong></blockquote>\n\nLampert\'s performance and personality are so strong that if  Mercutio had not met such an untimely death we might have ended up seeing a show called \"Mercutio & Juliet\"\n\nAshley Robinson as Tybalt delivers a powerful, rock and roll anger version of \"<strong>Haven\'t You Heard</strong>\"  as he fumes about Romeo\'s appearance at the Capulet\'s party.\n\n<blockquote>\nParanoia will write the world prayer \nMake sure that you fit in the right holes \nBut when you take his offer, you\'re done for \nDone for, done for, oooh...\n</blockquote>\n\nI also enjoyed Jesse Lenat\'s interpretation of the Friar as a good-hearted mystical street preacher who may have ingested a few too many illegal substances back in the day. Jesse and the cast at a tribal rythm of love and sex to Romeo & Juliet\'s marriage day with \"<strong>New Years\' Prayer</strong>\"\n\n<img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/friar.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\n\n\nThe strong presence of choreographer Sonya Tayeh comes to the forefront during this scene of orgiastic pleasure. The characters, whose dance movements are often confined to constrained and angular gestures that reflect their inner tension and turmoil, are freed and encouraged to . . . \n\n<blockquote>\nFeel no shame for what you are\nFeel no shame for what you are\nFeel it as a waterfall\nFall in light\n</blockquote>\n\nGiven that many Buckley fans will be interested in song choice and plot points I would be remiss if I did not mention the integration of other songs into some of the key plot elements. Damon sings \"<strong>Everybody Here Wants You</strong>\" to Juliet after the famous balcony scene as her parents demand she come inside for the night. \n\n<blockquote>Twenty-nine pearls in your kiss \nA singing smile \nCoffee smell and lilac skin \nYour flame in me \n\nI\'m only here for this moment \n\nI know everybody here wants you \nI know everybody here thinks he needs you \nI\'ll be waiting right here just to show you \nHow our love will blow it all away </blockquote>\n\nHis delivery and emotion are perfectly matched to the scene.\n\nKelli sings a moving version of \"<strong>Lover You Should Have Come Over</strong>\" from the balcony of her house while looking down on Tybalt\'s funeral even though her mind is focused on Romeo.\n\n<img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/romeoandjuliet.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\n\n\n<blockquote>Looking out the door i see the rain fall upon the funeral mourners\nParading in a wake of sad relations as their shoes fill up with water\nAnd maybe i\'m too young to keep good love from going wrong\nBut tonight you\'re on my mind so you never know\n</blockquote>\n[wpaudio url=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/Lover.mp3\" text=\"Lover You Should Have Come Over\" dl=\"0\"]\n\n\nand sings \"<strong>What Will You Say</strong>\" while contemplating suicide rather than living without her love. She perfectly captures the anger towards her parents at their plan to marry her off to Paris while not knowing that she is already married to Romeo. Kelli bares her emotions and much of her body as she strips away clothes and anger to reveal her pain inside.\n\n<blockquote>It\'s been such a long time\nAnd I was just a child then\nWhat will you say \nWhen you see my face?\nTime feels like it\'s flown away\nThe days just pass and fade away\nWhat will you say \nWhen they take my place?\n\nIt\'s funny now\nI just don\'t feel like a man\nWhat will you say \nWhen you see my face?\nMy face...\n\nMother dear, the world\'s gone cold\nNo one cares about love anymore\nWhat will you say \nWhen you see my face?\n\nFather do you hear me?\nDo you know me?\nDo you even care?\nWhat will you say \nWhen they take my place? </blockquote>\n\nRandom other things that moved me\n- \"Grace\" - Romeo sings after hearing of Juliet\'s death\n- \"Corpus Christi Carol\" - Sung by Paris and cast after Juliet drinks the poison\n- \"Dream Brother\" - Capulet\'s party - especially \"Fate is going to find your love in a glass of champagne\"\n\nFinally, you may be wondering if Jeff\'s most often heard song, his emotional and fragile reading of Leonard Cohen\'s \"<strong>Hallelujah</strong>\" appears in the play. It does and it\'s presented as a heartbreaking coda to the final act. as sung by Nick Blaemire, who has perhaps the purest voice in the cast, as well as the rest of the company.\n\nShakespeare\'s words say\n\n<blockquote>\nA glooming peace this morning with it brings;\nThe sun, for sorrow, will not show his head</blockquote>\n\nand Buckley via Cohen echoes\n\n<blockquote>It\'s a cold and it\'s a broken Hallelujah</blockquote>\n\nIndeed. \n\nAfter all the times I\'ve heard this song I didn\'t think it had the power to move me to tears again. I was wrong. \n\nJeff Buckley\'s lyrics and music and Shakespeare\'s text merge beautifully and fluidly in this production. Fans of Shakespeare will appreciate this new take on the classic tale and fans of Buckley will be moved as they see Jeff\'s songs inform and comment on the inner emotions of these well-loved characters. More than once I found myself saying \"perfect\" to the song and lyrical choices.\n\nKudos to Michael Kimmel and  Kris Kukul who created this remarkable show with the support of the Willliamstown Theatre Festival and the hard work of Lauren Fitzgerald, Stephen Sanders, Jeff\'s mother Mary Guibert and countless others. I have been fortunate enough to see first hand the passion poured into this show and can only hope that it continues on to reach a larger audience wherever it may be.\n\n---------------------\n<strong>Photos</strong> by Sam Hough and T. Charles Erickson\n\n<strong>Other Buckley songs appearing in the show:</strong>\nYou And I\nAll Flowers In Time\nWoke Up In A Strange Place\nDream Brother\nI Know We Could Be So Happy\nMorning Theft\nNightmare By The Sea\nOpened Once','There\'s a Flaming Red Horizon That Screams Our Names',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5392-revision-20','','','2010-08-09 12:51:23','2010-08-09 17:51:23','',5392,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/08/09/5392-revision-20/',0,'revision','',0),(5417,1,'2010-08-09 12:52:04','2010-08-09 17:52:04','<strong>Review: \"The Last Goodbye\" - Williamstown Theatre Festival</strong>\r\nAugust 5 - 20 \r\n<a href=\"http://wtfestival.org/2010/lastgoodbye\">Williamstown Theatre Festival</a>\r\n\r\nThe sense of impending doom that pervades the familiar story of Romeo and Juliet hangs heavy over the Williamstown Theatre Festival\'s world premiere production of \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\". Those familiar with the life, music and ultimate passing of Jeff Buckley may be tempted to approach this project with a sense of trepidation - as I did initially. Jeff\'s body of work was emotional, poetic and powerful. His songs speak to the power and confusion of love and hold a special place in the musical hearts of many - defining specific moments of their lives and relationships.  \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\" then, stands as a bold statement. The willingness to risk this combination of two iconic stories could read as an interesting but failed gimmick - trust me when I say that it does not. It is a fully realized and powerful vision that brings new emotional and musical life to the classic story. Ultimately, the pairing of the doomed couples fate with Jeff\'s lyrics and music make for a heady mix of musical tragedy and catharsis that left me emotionally spent. \r\n\r\nThe setting is a vaguely modern visual world, echoes of New York city street scenes of walls plastered with posters and a long balcony that spans the stage. The plays action takes place on the streets and balconies of this modern/ancient town. The Capulet\'s are imagined as moneyed aristocrats with a sense of entitlement while the Montague\'s are more of the downtown art-scene crowd. \r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/romeoandbenvolio.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\n\r\nDamon Daunno\'s portrayal of Romeo walks the fine line between romantic and goofy in an entirely endearing way. It doesn\'t hurt that he can bear a passing resemblance to Buckley and delivers Jeff\'s falsetto passages with effortless grace.  I knew this production was going to work when Damon and Nick Blaemire (as Benvolio) combined vocals on my favorite Buckley tune \"<strong>Forget Her</strong>\" as Romeo contemplates ending his relationship with Rosaline.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>\r\nWhile this town is busy sleeping,\r\nAll the noise has died away.\r\nI walk the streets to stop my weeping,\r\nShe\'ll never change her ways.\r\n\r\nDon\'t fool yourself, she was heartache from the moment that you met her. (Benvolio)\r\nAnd my heart is frozen still as I try to find the will to forget her, somehow. (Romeo)\r\n</blockquote>\r\n[wpaudio url=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/ForgetHer.mp3\" text=\"Forget Her\" dl=\"0\"]\r\n\r\n\r\nThe character of Rosaline has been amplified a bit. As played by Celina Carvajal she appears wearing knee high leather boots and a very short minidress. Let\'s just say it\'s apparent why Romeo was attracted to her. Celina joins in the song with Damon and Nick adding a few lines from \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\" and a seductive dance that might make Romeo think twice about his decision. (Note, I saw Celina deliver a show stopping version of \"<a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUFz_UDEPEI\">Have Mercy On A Criminal</a>\" at the WTF Cabaret a few weeks back - girl has some serious vocal chops).\r\n\r\nKelli Barret\'s Juliet has the decidedly modern feel of a strong-willed girl who desperately wants love - and is unafraid to embrace it when it arrives. More on Kelli later . . .\r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/mercutio.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\nOther standout performances include Jo Lampert\'s turn as a powerful and riveting androgynous Mercutio. Her rendition of \"Eternal Life\" to close out the first act is a bravado combination of music and vocal delivery that reinforces one of the plays recurring musical motifs\r\n\r\n<blockquote>Eternal life is now on my trail\r\nGot my red glitter coffin man, just need one last nail\r\nWhile all these ugly gentlemen play out their foolish games\r\n<strong>There\'s a flaming red horizon that screams our name</strong></blockquote>\r\n\r\nLampert\'s performance and personality are so strong that if  Mercutio had not met such an untimely death we might have ended up seeing a show called \"Mercutio & Juliet\"\r\n\r\nAshley Robinson as Tybalt delivers a powerful, rock and roll anger version of \"<strong>Haven\'t You Heard</strong>\"  as he fumes about Romeo\'s appearance at the Capulet\'s party.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>\r\nParanoia will write the world prayer \r\nMake sure that you fit in the right holes \r\nBut when you take his offer, you\'re done for \r\nDone for, done for, oooh...\r\n</blockquote>\r\n\r\nI also enjoyed Jesse Lenat\'s interpretation of the Friar as a good-hearted mystical street preacher who may have ingested a few too many illegal substances back in the day. Jesse and the cast at a tribal rythm of love and sex to Romeo & Juliet\'s marriage day with \"<strong>New Years\' Prayer</strong>\"\r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/friar.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\n\r\nThe strong presence of choreographer Sonya Tayeh comes to the forefront during this scene of orgiastic pleasure. The characters, whose dance movements are often confined to constrained and angular gestures that reflect their inner tension and turmoil, are freed and encouraged to . . . \r\n\r\n<blockquote>\r\nFeel no shame for what you are\r\nFeel no shame for what you are\r\nFeel it as a waterfall\r\nFall in light\r\n</blockquote>\r\n\r\nGiven that many Buckley fans will be interested in song choice and plot points I would be remiss if I did not mention the integration of other songs into some of the key plot elements. Damon sings \"<strong>Everybody Here Wants You</strong>\" to Juliet after the famous balcony scene as her parents demand she come inside for the night. \r\n\r\n<blockquote>Twenty-nine pearls in your kiss \r\nA singing smile \r\nCoffee smell and lilac skin \r\nYour flame in me \r\n\r\nI\'m only here for this moment \r\n\r\nI know everybody here wants you \r\nI know everybody here thinks he needs you \r\nI\'ll be waiting right here just to show you \r\nHow our love will blow it all away </blockquote>\r\n\r\nHis delivery and emotion are perfectly matched to the scene.\r\n\r\nKelli sings a moving version of \"<strong>Lover You Should Have Come Over</strong>\" from the balcony of her house while looking down on Tybalt\'s funeral even though her mind is focused on Romeo.\r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/romeoandjuliet.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\n\r\n<blockquote>Looking out the door i see the rain fall upon the funeral mourners\r\nParading in a wake of sad relations as their shoes fill up with water\r\nAnd maybe i\'m too young to keep good love from going wrong\r\nBut tonight you\'re on my mind so you never know\r\n</blockquote>\r\n[wpaudio url=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/Lover.mp3\" text=\"Lover You Should Have Come Over\" dl=\"0\"]\r\n\r\n\r\nand sings \"<strong>What Will You Say</strong>\" while contemplating suicide rather than living without her love. She perfectly captures the anger towards her parents at their plan to marry her off to Paris while not knowing that she is already married to Romeo. Kelli bares her emotions and much of her body as she strips away clothes and anger to reveal her pain inside.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>It\'s been such a long time\r\nAnd I was just a child then\r\nWhat will you say \r\nWhen you see my face?\r\nTime feels like it\'s flown away\r\nThe days just pass and fade away\r\nWhat will you say \r\nWhen they take my place?\r\n\r\nIt\'s funny now\r\nI just don\'t feel like a man\r\nWhat will you say \r\nWhen you see my face?\r\nMy face...\r\n\r\nMother dear, the world\'s gone cold\r\nNo one cares about love anymore\r\nWhat will you say \r\nWhen you see my face?\r\n\r\nFather do you hear me?\r\nDo you know me?\r\nDo you even care?\r\nWhat will you say \r\nWhen they take my place? </blockquote>\r\n\r\nRandom other things that moved me\r\n- \"Grace\" - Romeo sings after hearing of Juliet\'s death\r\n- \"Corpus Christi Carol\" - Sung by Paris and cast after Juliet drinks the poison\r\n- \"Dream Brother\" - Capulet\'s party - especially \"Fate is going to find your love in a glass of champagne\"\r\n\r\nFinally, you may be wondering if Jeff\'s most often heard song, his emotional and fragile reading of Leonard Cohen\'s \"<strong>Hallelujah</strong>\" appears in the play. It does and it\'s presented as a heartbreaking coda to the final act. as sung by Nick Blaemire, who has perhaps the purest voice in the cast, as well as the rest of the company.\r\n\r\nShakespeare\'s words say\r\n\r\n<blockquote>\r\nA glooming peace this morning with it brings;\r\nThe sun, for sorrow, will not show his head</blockquote>\r\n\r\nand Buckley via Cohen echoes\r\n\r\n<blockquote>It\'s a cold and it\'s a broken Hallelujah</blockquote>\r\n\r\nIndeed. \r\n\r\nAfter all the times I\'ve heard this song I didn\'t think it had the power to move me to tears again. I was wrong. \r\n\r\nJeff Buckley\'s lyrics and music and Shakespeare\'s text merge beautifully and fluidly in this production. Fans of Shakespeare will appreciate this new take on the classic tale and fans of Buckley will be moved as they see Jeff\'s songs inform and comment on the inner emotions of these well-loved characters. More than once I found myself saying \"perfect\" to the song and lyrical choices.\r\n\r\nKudos to Michael Kimmel and Kris Kukul who created this remarkable show with the support of the Willliamstown Theatre Festival and the hard work of Lauren Fitzgerald, Stephen Sanders, Jeff\'s mother Mary Guibert and countless others. I have been fortunate enough to see first hand the passion poured into this show and can only hope that it continues on to reach a larger audience wherever it may be.\r\n\r\n---------------------\r\n<strong>Photos</strong> by Sam Hough and T. Charles Erickson\r\n\r\n<strong>Other Buckley songs appearing in the show:</strong>\r\nYou And I\r\nAll Flowers In Time\r\nWoke Up In A Strange Place\r\nDream Brother\r\nI Know We Could Be So Happy\r\nMorning Theft\r\nNightmare By The Sea\r\nOpened Once','There\'s a Flaming Red Horizon That Screams Our Names',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5392-revision-21','','','2010-08-09 12:52:04','2010-08-09 17:52:04','',5392,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/08/09/5392-revision-21/',0,'revision','',0),(5418,1,'2010-08-09 12:55:28','2010-08-09 17:55:28','<strong>Review: \"The Last Goodbye\" - Williamstown Theatre Festival</strong>\r\nAugust 5 - 20 \r\n<a href=\"http://wtfestival.org/2010/lastgoodbye\">Williamstown Theatre Festival</a>\r\n\r\nThe sense of impending doom that pervades the familiar story of Romeo and Juliet hangs heavy over the Williamstown Theatre Festival\'s world premiere production of \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\". Those familiar with the life, music and ultimate passing of Jeff Buckley may be tempted to approach this project with a sense of trepidation - as I did initially. Jeff\'s body of work was emotional, poetic and powerful. His songs speak to the power and confusion of love and hold a special place in the musical hearts of many - defining specific moments of their lives and relationships.  \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\" then, stands as a bold statement. The willingness to risk this combination of two iconic stories could read as an interesting but failed gimmick - trust me when I say that it does not. It is a fully realized and powerful vision that brings new emotional and musical life to the classic story. Ultimately, the pairing of the doomed couples fate with Jeff\'s lyrics and music make for a heady mix of musical tragedy and catharsis that left me emotionally spent. \r\n\r\nThe setting is a vaguely modern visual world, echoes of New York city street scenes of walls plastered with posters and a long balcony that spans the stage. The plays action takes place on the streets and balconies of this modern/ancient town. The Capulet\'s are imagined as moneyed aristocrats with a sense of entitlement while the Montague\'s are more of the downtown art-scene crowd. \r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/romeoandbenvolio.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\n\r\nDamon Daunno\'s portrayal of Romeo walks the fine line between romantic and goofy in an entirely endearing way. It doesn\'t hurt that he can bear a passing resemblance to Buckley and delivers Jeff\'s falsetto passages with effortless grace.  I knew this production was going to work when Damon and Nick Blaemire (as Benvolio) combined vocals on my favorite Buckley tune \"<strong>Forget Her</strong>\" as Romeo contemplates ending his relationship with Rosaline.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>\r\nWhile this town is busy sleeping,\r\nAll the noise has died away.\r\nI walk the streets to stop my weeping,\r\nShe\'ll never change her ways.\r\n\r\nDon\'t fool yourself, she was heartache from the moment that you met her. (Benvolio)\r\nAnd my heart is frozen still as I try to find the will to forget her, somehow. (Romeo)\r\n</blockquote>\r\n[wpaudio url=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/ForgetHer.mp3\" text=\"Forget Her\" dl=\"0\"]\r\n\r\n\r\nThe character of Rosaline has been amplified a bit. As played by Celina Carvajal she appears wearing knee high leather boots and a very short minidress. Let\'s just say it\'s apparent why Romeo was attracted to her. Celina joins in the song with Damon and Nick adding a few lines from \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\" and a seductive dance that might make Romeo think twice about his decision. (Note, I saw Celina deliver a show stopping version of \"<a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUFz_UDEPEI\">Have Mercy On A Criminal</a>\" at the WTF Cabaret a few weeks back - girl has some serious vocal chops).\r\n\r\nKelli Barret\'s Juliet has the decidedly modern feel of a strong-willed girl who desperately wants love - and is unafraid to embrace it when it arrives. More on Kelli later . . .\r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/mercutio.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\nOther standout performances include Jo Lampert\'s turn as a powerful and riveting androgynous Mercutio. Her rendition of \"Eternal Life\" to close out the first act is a bravado combination of music and vocal delivery that reinforces one of the plays recurring musical motifs\r\n\r\n<blockquote>Eternal life is now on my trail\r\nGot my red glitter coffin man, just need one last nail\r\nWhile all these ugly gentlemen play out their foolish games\r\n<strong>There\'s a flaming red horizon that screams our names</strong></blockquote>\r\n\r\nLampert\'s performance and personality are so strong that if  Mercutio had not met such an untimely death we might have ended up seeing a show called \"Mercutio & Juliet\"\r\n\r\nAshley Robinson as Tybalt delivers a powerful, rock and roll anger version of \"<strong>Haven\'t You Heard</strong>\"  as he fumes about Romeo\'s appearance at the Capulet\'s party.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>\r\nParanoia will write the world prayer \r\nMake sure that you fit in the right holes \r\nBut when you take his offer, you\'re done for \r\nDone for, done for, oooh...\r\n</blockquote>\r\n\r\nI also enjoyed Jesse Lenat\'s interpretation of the Friar as a good-hearted mystical street preacher who may have ingested a few too many illegal substances back in the day. Jesse and the cast at a tribal rythm of love and sex to Romeo & Juliet\'s marriage day with \"<strong>New Years\' Prayer</strong>\"\r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/friar.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\n\r\nThe strong presence of choreographer Sonya Tayeh comes to the forefront during this scene of orgiastic pleasure. The characters, whose dance movements are often confined to constrained and angular gestures that reflect their inner tension and turmoil, are freed and encouraged to . . . \r\n\r\n<blockquote>\r\nFeel no shame for what you are\r\nFeel no shame for what you are\r\nFeel it as a waterfall\r\nFall in light\r\n</blockquote>\r\n\r\nGiven that many Buckley fans will be interested in song choice and plot points I would be remiss if I did not mention the integration of other songs into some of the key plot elements. Damon sings \"<strong>Everybody Here Wants You</strong>\" to Juliet after the famous balcony scene as her parents demand she come inside for the night. \r\n\r\n<blockquote>Twenty-nine pearls in your kiss \r\nA singing smile \r\nCoffee smell and lilac skin \r\nYour flame in me \r\n\r\nI\'m only here for this moment \r\n\r\nI know everybody here wants you \r\nI know everybody here thinks he needs you \r\nI\'ll be waiting right here just to show you \r\nHow our love will blow it all away </blockquote>\r\n\r\nHis delivery and emotion are perfectly matched to the scene.\r\n\r\nKelli sings a moving version of \"<strong>Lover You Should Have Come Over</strong>\" from the balcony of her house while looking down on Tybalt\'s funeral even though her mind is focused on Romeo.\r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/romeoandjuliet.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\n\r\n<blockquote>Looking out the door i see the rain fall upon the funeral mourners\r\nParading in a wake of sad relations as their shoes fill up with water\r\nAnd maybe i\'m too young to keep good love from going wrong\r\nBut tonight you\'re on my mind so you never know\r\n</blockquote>\r\n[wpaudio url=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/Lover.mp3\" text=\"Lover You Should Have Come Over\" dl=\"0\"]\r\n\r\n\r\nand sings \"<strong>What Will You Say</strong>\" while contemplating suicide rather than living without her love. She perfectly captures the anger towards her parents at their plan to marry her off to Paris while not knowing that she is already married to Romeo. Kelli bares her emotions and much of her body as she strips away clothes and anger to reveal her pain inside.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>It\'s been such a long time\r\nAnd I was just a child then\r\nWhat will you say \r\nWhen you see my face?\r\nTime feels like it\'s flown away\r\nThe days just pass and fade away\r\nWhat will you say \r\nWhen they take my place?\r\n\r\nIt\'s funny now\r\nI just don\'t feel like a man\r\nWhat will you say \r\nWhen you see my face?\r\nMy face...\r\n\r\nMother dear, the world\'s gone cold\r\nNo one cares about love anymore\r\nWhat will you say \r\nWhen you see my face?\r\n\r\nFather do you hear me?\r\nDo you know me?\r\nDo you even care?\r\nWhat will you say \r\nWhen they take my place? </blockquote>\r\n\r\nRandom other things that moved me\r\n- \"Grace\" - Romeo sings after hearing of Juliet\'s death\r\n- \"Corpus Christi Carol\" - Sung by Paris and cast after Juliet drinks the poison\r\n- \"Dream Brother\" - Capulet\'s party - especially \"Fate is going to find your love in a glass of champagne\"\r\n\r\nFinally, you may be wondering if Jeff\'s most often heard song, his emotional and fragile reading of Leonard Cohen\'s \"<strong>Hallelujah</strong>\" appears in the play. It does and it\'s presented as a heartbreaking coda to the final act. as sung by Nick Blaemire, who has perhaps the purest voice in the cast, as well as the rest of the company.\r\n\r\nShakespeare\'s words say\r\n\r\n<blockquote>\r\nA glooming peace this morning with it brings;\r\nThe sun, for sorrow, will not show his head</blockquote>\r\n\r\nand Buckley via Cohen echoes\r\n\r\n<blockquote>It\'s a cold and it\'s a broken Hallelujah</blockquote>\r\n\r\nIndeed. \r\n\r\nAfter all the times I\'ve heard this song I didn\'t think it had the power to move me to tears again. I was wrong. \r\n\r\nJeff Buckley\'s lyrics and music and Shakespeare\'s text merge beautifully and fluidly in this production. Fans of Shakespeare will appreciate this new take on the classic tale and fans of Buckley will be moved as they see Jeff\'s songs inform and comment on the inner emotions of these well-loved characters. More than once I found myself saying \"perfect\" to the song and lyrical choices.\r\n\r\nKudos to Michael Kimmel and Kris Kukul who created this remarkable show with the support of the Willliamstown Theatre Festival and the hard work of Lauren Fitzgerald, Stephen Sanders, Jeff\'s mother Mary Guibert and countless others. I have been fortunate enough to see first hand the passion poured into this show and can only hope that it continues on to reach a larger audience wherever it may be.\r\n\r\n---------------------\r\n<strong>Photos</strong> by Sam Hough and T. Charles Erickson\r\n\r\n<strong>Other Buckley songs appearing in the show:</strong>\r\nYou And I\r\nAll Flowers In Time\r\nWoke Up In A Strange Place\r\nDream Brother\r\nI Know We Could Be So Happy\r\nMorning Theft\r\nNightmare By The Sea\r\nOpened Once','There\'s a Flaming Red Horizon That Screams Our Names',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5392-revision-22','','','2010-08-09 12:55:28','2010-08-09 17:55:28','',5392,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/08/09/5392-revision-22/',0,'revision','',0),(5419,1,'2010-08-09 12:56:42','2010-08-09 17:56:42','<strong>Review: \"The Last Goodbye\" - Williamstown Theatre Festival</strong>\r\nAugust 5 - 20 \r\n<a href=\"http://wtfestival.org/2010/lastgoodbye\">Williamstown Theatre Festival</a>\r\n\r\nThe sense of impending doom that pervades the familiar story of Romeo and Juliet hangs heavy over the Williamstown Theatre Festival\'s world premiere production of \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\". Those familiar with the life, music and ultimate passing of Jeff Buckley may be tempted to approach this project with a sense of trepidation - as I did initially. Jeff\'s body of work was emotional, poetic and powerful. His songs speak to the power and confusion of love and hold a special place in the musical hearts of many - defining specific moments of their lives and relationships.  \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\" then, stands as a bold statement. The willingness to risk this combination of two iconic stories could read as an interesting but failed gimmick - trust me when I say that it does not. It is a fully realized and powerful vision that brings new emotional and musical life to the classic story. Ultimately, the pairing of the doomed couples fate with Jeff\'s lyrics and music make for a heady mix of musical tragedy and catharsis that left me emotionally spent. \r\n\r\nThe setting is a vaguely modern visual world, echoes of New York city street scenes of walls plastered with posters and a long balcony that spans the stage. The plays action takes place on the streets and balconies of this modern/ancient town. The Capulet\'s are imagined as moneyed aristocrats with a sense of entitlement while the Montague\'s are more of the downtown art-scene crowd. \r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/romeoandbenvolio.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\n\r\nDamon Daunno\'s portrayal of Romeo walks the fine line between romantic and goofy in an entirely endearing way. It doesn\'t hurt that he can bear a passing resemblance to Buckley and delivers Jeff\'s falsetto passages with effortless grace.  I knew this production was going to work when Damon and Nick Blaemire (as Benvolio) combined vocals on my favorite Buckley tune \"<strong>Forget Her</strong>\" as Romeo contemplates ending his relationship with Rosaline.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>\r\nWhile this town is busy sleeping,\r\nAll the noise has died away.\r\nI walk the streets to stop my weeping,\r\nShe\'ll never change her ways.\r\n\r\nDon\'t fool yourself, she was heartache from the moment that you met her. (Benvolio)\r\nAnd my heart is frozen still as I try to find the will to forget her, somehow. (Romeo)\r\n</blockquote>\r\n[wpaudio url=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/ForgetHer.mp3\" text=\"Forget Her\" dl=\"0\"]\r\n\r\n\r\nThe character of Rosaline has been amplified a bit. As played by Celina Carvajal she appears wearing knee high leather boots and a very short minidress. Let\'s just say it\'s apparent why Romeo was attracted to her. Celina joins in the song with Damon and Nick adding a few lines from \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\" and a seductive dance that might make Romeo think twice about his decision. (Note, I saw Celina deliver a show stopping version of \"<a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUFz_UDEPEI\">Have Mercy On A Criminal</a>\" at the WTF Cabaret a few weeks back - girl has some serious vocal chops).\r\n\r\nKelli Barret\'s Juliet has the decidedly modern feel of a strong-willed girl who desperately wants love - and is unafraid to embrace it when it arrives. More on Kelli later . . .\r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/mercutio.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\nOther standout performances include Jo Lampert\'s turn as a powerful and riveting androgynous Mercutio. Her rendition of \"<strong>Eternal Life</strong>\" to close out the first act is a bravado combination of music and vocal delivery that reinforces one of the plays recurring musical motifs\r\n\r\n<blockquote>Eternal life is now on my trail\r\nGot my red glitter coffin man, just need one last nail\r\nWhile all these ugly gentlemen play out their foolish games\r\n<strong>There\'s a flaming red horizon that screams our names</strong></blockquote>\r\n\r\nLampert\'s performance and personality are so strong that if  Mercutio had not met such an untimely death we might have ended up seeing a show called \"Mercutio & Juliet\"\r\n\r\nAshley Robinson as Tybalt delivers a powerful, rock and roll anger version of \"<strong>Haven\'t You Heard</strong>\"  as he fumes about Romeo\'s appearance at the Capulet\'s party.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>\r\nParanoia will write the world prayer \r\nMake sure that you fit in the right holes \r\nBut when you take his offer, you\'re done for \r\nDone for, done for, oooh...\r\n</blockquote>\r\n\r\nI also enjoyed Jesse Lenat\'s interpretation of the Friar as a good-hearted mystical street preacher who may have ingested a few too many illegal substances back in the day. Jesse and the cast at a tribal rythm of love and sex to Romeo & Juliet\'s marriage day with \"<strong>New Years\' Prayer</strong>\"\r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/friar.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\n\r\nThe strong presence of choreographer Sonya Tayeh comes to the forefront during this scene of orgiastic pleasure. The characters, whose dance movements are often confined to constrained and angular gestures that reflect their inner tension and turmoil, are freed and encouraged to . . . \r\n\r\n<blockquote>\r\nFeel no shame for what you are\r\nFeel no shame for what you are\r\nFeel it as a waterfall\r\nFall in light\r\n</blockquote>\r\n\r\nGiven that many Buckley fans will be interested in song choice and plot points I would be remiss if I did not mention the integration of other songs into some of the key plot elements. Damon sings \"<strong>Everybody Here Wants You</strong>\" to Juliet after the famous balcony scene as her parents demand she come inside for the night. \r\n\r\n<blockquote>Twenty-nine pearls in your kiss \r\nA singing smile \r\nCoffee smell and lilac skin \r\nYour flame in me \r\n\r\nI\'m only here for this moment \r\n\r\nI know everybody here wants you \r\nI know everybody here thinks he needs you \r\nI\'ll be waiting right here just to show you \r\nHow our love will blow it all away </blockquote>\r\n\r\nHis delivery and emotion are perfectly matched to the scene.\r\n\r\nKelli sings a moving version of \"<strong>Lover You Should Have Come Over</strong>\" from the balcony of her house while looking down on Tybalt\'s funeral even though her mind is focused on Romeo.\r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/romeoandjuliet.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\n\r\n<blockquote>Looking out the door i see the rain fall upon the funeral mourners\r\nParading in a wake of sad relations as their shoes fill up with water\r\nAnd maybe i\'m too young to keep good love from going wrong\r\nBut tonight you\'re on my mind so you never know\r\n</blockquote>\r\n[wpaudio url=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/Lover.mp3\" text=\"Lover You Should Have Come Over\" dl=\"0\"]\r\n\r\n\r\nand sings \"<strong>What Will You Say</strong>\" while contemplating suicide rather than living without her love. She perfectly captures the anger towards her parents at their plan to marry her off to Paris while not knowing that she is already married to Romeo. Kelli bares her emotions and much of her body as she strips away clothes and anger to reveal her pain inside.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>It\'s been such a long time\r\nAnd I was just a child then\r\nWhat will you say \r\nWhen you see my face?\r\nTime feels like it\'s flown away\r\nThe days just pass and fade away\r\nWhat will you say \r\nWhen they take my place?\r\n\r\nIt\'s funny now\r\nI just don\'t feel like a man\r\nWhat will you say \r\nWhen you see my face?\r\nMy face...\r\n\r\nMother dear, the world\'s gone cold\r\nNo one cares about love anymore\r\nWhat will you say \r\nWhen you see my face?\r\n\r\nFather do you hear me?\r\nDo you know me?\r\nDo you even care?\r\nWhat will you say \r\nWhen they take my place? </blockquote>\r\n\r\nRandom other things that moved me\r\n- \"Grace\" - Romeo sings after hearing of Juliet\'s death\r\n- \"Corpus Christi Carol\" - Sung by Paris and cast after Juliet drinks the poison\r\n- \"Dream Brother\" - Capulet\'s party - especially \"Fate is going to find your love in a glass of champagne\"\r\n\r\nFinally, you may be wondering if Jeff\'s most often heard song, his emotional and fragile reading of Leonard Cohen\'s \"<strong>Hallelujah</strong>\" appears in the play. It does and it\'s presented as a heartbreaking coda to the final act. as sung by Nick Blaemire, who has perhaps the purest voice in the cast, as well as the rest of the company.\r\n\r\nShakespeare\'s words say\r\n\r\n<blockquote>\r\nA glooming peace this morning with it brings;\r\nThe sun, for sorrow, will not show his head</blockquote>\r\n\r\nand Buckley via Cohen echoes\r\n\r\n<blockquote>It\'s a cold and it\'s a broken Hallelujah</blockquote>\r\n\r\nIndeed. \r\n\r\nAfter all the times I\'ve heard this song I didn\'t think it had the power to move me to tears again. I was wrong. \r\n\r\nJeff Buckley\'s lyrics and music and Shakespeare\'s text merge beautifully and fluidly in this production. Fans of Shakespeare will appreciate this new take on the classic tale and fans of Buckley will be moved as they see Jeff\'s songs inform and comment on the inner emotions of these well-loved characters. More than once I found myself saying \"perfect\" to the song and lyrical choices.\r\n\r\nKudos to Michael Kimmel and Kris Kukul who created this remarkable show with the support of the Willliamstown Theatre Festival and the hard work of Lauren Fitzgerald, Stephen Sanders, Jeff\'s mother Mary Guibert and countless others. I have been fortunate enough to see first hand the passion poured into this show and can only hope that it continues on to reach a larger audience wherever it may be.\r\n\r\n---------------------\r\n<strong>Photos</strong> by Sam Hough and T. Charles Erickson\r\n\r\n<strong>Other Buckley songs appearing in the show:</strong>\r\nYou And I\r\nAll Flowers In Time\r\nWoke Up In A Strange Place\r\nDream Brother\r\nI Know We Could Be So Happy\r\nMorning Theft\r\nNightmare By The Sea\r\nOpened Once','There\'s a Flaming Red Horizon That Screams Our Names',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5392-revision-23','','','2010-08-09 12:56:42','2010-08-09 17:56:42','',5392,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/08/09/5392-revision-23/',0,'revision','',0),(5420,1,'2010-08-09 13:03:06','2010-08-09 18:03:06','<strong>Review: \"The Last Goodbye\" - Williamstown Theatre Festival</strong>\r\nAugust 5 - 20 \r\n<a href=\"http://wtfestival.org/2010/lastgoodbye\">Williamstown Theatre Festival</a>\r\n\r\nThe sense of impending doom that pervades the familiar story of Romeo and Juliet hangs heavy over the Williamstown Theatre Festival\'s world premiere production of \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\". Those familiar with the life, music and ultimate passing of Jeff Buckley may be tempted to approach this project with a sense of trepidation - as I did initially. Jeff\'s body of work was emotional, poetic and powerful. His songs speak to the power and confusion of love and hold a special place in the musical hearts of many - defining specific moments of their lives and relationships.  \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\" then, stands as a bold statement. The willingness to risk this combination of two iconic stories could read as an interesting but failed gimmick - trust me when I say that it does not. It is a fully realized and powerful vision that brings new emotional and musical life to the classic story. Ultimately, the pairing of the doomed couples fate with Jeff\'s lyrics and music make for a heady mix of musical tragedy and catharsis that left me emotionally spent. \r\n\r\nThe setting is a vaguely modern visual world, echoes of New York city street scenes of walls plastered with posters and a long balcony that spans the stage. The plays action takes place on the streets and balconies of this modern/ancient town. The Capulet\'s are imagined as moneyed aristocrats with a sense of entitlement while the Montague\'s are more of the downtown art-scene crowd. \r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/romeoandbenvolio.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\n\r\nDamon Daunno\'s portrayal of Romeo walks the fine line between romantic and goofy in an entirely endearing way. It doesn\'t hurt that he can bear a passing resemblance to Buckley and delivers Jeff\'s falsetto passages with effortless grace.  I knew this production was going to work when Damon and Nick Blaemire (as Benvolio) combined vocals on my favorite Buckley tune \"<strong>Forget Her</strong>\" as Romeo contemplates ending his relationship with Rosaline.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>\r\nWhile this town is busy sleeping,\r\nAll the noise has died away.\r\nI walk the streets to stop my weeping,\r\nShe\'ll never change her ways.\r\n\r\nDon\'t fool yourself, she was heartache from the moment that you met her. (Benvolio)\r\nAnd my heart is frozen still as I try to find the will to forget her, somehow. (Romeo)\r\n</blockquote>\r\n[wpaudio url=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/ForgetHer.mp3\" text=\"Forget Her\" dl=\"0\"]\r\n\r\n\r\nThe character of Rosaline has been amplified a bit. As played by Celina Carvajal she appears wearing knee high leather boots and a very short minidress. Let\'s just say it\'s apparent why Romeo was attracted to her. Celina joins in the song with Damon and Nick adding a few lines from \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\" and a seductive dance that might make Romeo think twice about his decision. (Note, I saw Celina deliver a show stopping version of \"<a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUFz_UDEPEI\">Have Mercy On A Criminal</a>\" at the WTF Cabaret a few weeks back - girl has some serious vocal chops).\r\n\r\nKelli Barret\'s Juliet has the decidedly modern feel of a strong-willed girl who desperately wants love - and is unafraid to embrace it when it arrives. More on Kelli later . . .\r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/mercutio.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\nOther standout performances include Jo Lampert\'s turn as a powerful and riveting androgynous Mercutio. Her rendition of \"<strong>Eternal Life</strong>\" to close out the first act is a bravado combination of music, physical and vocal delivery that reinforces one of the plays recurring musical motifs\r\n\r\n<blockquote>Eternal life is now on my trail\r\nGot my red glitter coffin man, just need one last nail\r\nWhile all these ugly gentlemen play out their foolish games\r\n<strong>There\'s a flaming red horizon that screams our names</strong></blockquote>\r\n\r\nLampert\'s performance and personality are so strong that if  Mercutio had not met such an untimely death we might have ended up seeing a show called \"Mercutio & Juliet\"\r\n\r\nAshley Robinson as Tybalt delivers a powerful, rock and roll anger version of \"<strong>Haven\'t You Heard</strong>\"  as he fumes about Romeo\'s appearance at the Capulet\'s party.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>\r\nParanoia will write the world prayer \r\nMake sure that you fit in the right holes \r\nBut when you take his offer, you\'re done for \r\nDone for, done for, oooh...\r\n</blockquote>\r\n\r\nI also enjoyed Jesse Lenat\'s interpretation of the Friar as a good-hearted mystical street preacher who may have ingested a few too many illegal substances back in the day. Jesse and the cast at a tribal rythm of love and sex to Romeo & Juliet\'s marriage day with \"<strong>New Years\' Prayer</strong>\"\r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/friar.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\n\r\nThe strong presence of choreographer Sonya Tayeh comes to the forefront during this scene of orgiastic pleasure. The characters, whose dance movements are often confined to constrained and angular gestures that reflect their inner tension and turmoil, are freed and encouraged to . . . \r\n\r\n<blockquote>\r\nFeel no shame for what you are\r\nFeel no shame for what you are\r\nFeel it as a waterfall\r\nFall in light\r\n</blockquote>\r\n\r\nGiven that many Buckley fans will be interested in song choice and plot points I would be remiss if I did not mention the integration of other songs into some of the key plot elements. Damon sings \"<strong>Everybody Here Wants You</strong>\" to Juliet after the famous balcony scene as her parents demand she come inside for the night. \r\n\r\n<blockquote>Twenty-nine pearls in your kiss \r\nA singing smile \r\nCoffee smell and lilac skin \r\nYour flame in me \r\n\r\nI\'m only here for this moment \r\n\r\nI know everybody here wants you \r\nI know everybody here thinks he needs you \r\nI\'ll be waiting right here just to show you \r\nHow our love will blow it all away </blockquote>\r\n\r\nHis delivery and emotion are perfectly matched to the scene.\r\n\r\nKelli sings a moving version of \"<strong>Lover You Should Have Come Over</strong>\" from the balcony of her house while looking down on Tybalt\'s funeral even though her mind is focused on Romeo.\r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/romeoandjuliet.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\n\r\n<blockquote>Looking out the door i see the rain fall upon the funeral mourners\r\nParading in a wake of sad relations as their shoes fill up with water\r\nAnd maybe i\'m too young to keep good love from going wrong\r\nBut tonight you\'re on my mind so you never know\r\n</blockquote>\r\n[wpaudio url=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/Lover.mp3\" text=\"Lover You Should Have Come Over\" dl=\"0\"]\r\n\r\n\r\nand sings \"<strong>What Will You Say</strong>\" while contemplating suicide rather than living without her love. She perfectly captures the anger towards her parents at their plan to marry her off to Paris while not knowing that she is already married to Romeo. Kelli bares her emotions and much of her body as she strips away clothes and anger to reveal her pain inside.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>It\'s been such a long time\r\nAnd I was just a child then\r\nWhat will you say \r\nWhen you see my face?\r\nTime feels like it\'s flown away\r\nThe days just pass and fade away\r\nWhat will you say \r\nWhen they take my place?\r\n\r\nIt\'s funny now\r\nI just don\'t feel like a man\r\nWhat will you say \r\nWhen you see my face?\r\nMy face...\r\n\r\nMother dear, the world\'s gone cold\r\nNo one cares about love anymore\r\nWhat will you say \r\nWhen you see my face?\r\n\r\nFather do you hear me?\r\nDo you know me?\r\nDo you even care?\r\nWhat will you say \r\nWhen they take my place? </blockquote>\r\n\r\nRandom other things that moved me\r\n- \"Grace\" - Romeo sings after hearing of Juliet\'s death\r\n- \"Corpus Christi Carol\" - Sung by Paris and cast after Juliet drinks the poison\r\n- \"Dream Brother\" - Capulet\'s party - especially \"Fate is going to find your love in a glass of champagne\"\r\n\r\nFinally, you may be wondering if Jeff\'s most often heard song, his emotional and fragile reading of Leonard Cohen\'s \"<strong>Hallelujah</strong>\" appears in the play. It does and it\'s presented as a heartbreaking coda to the final act. as sung by Nick Blaemire, who has perhaps the purest voice in the cast, as well as the rest of the company.\r\n\r\nShakespeare\'s words say\r\n\r\n<blockquote>\r\nA glooming peace this morning with it brings;\r\nThe sun, for sorrow, will not show his head</blockquote>\r\n\r\nand Buckley via Cohen echoes\r\n\r\n<blockquote>It\'s a cold and it\'s a broken Hallelujah</blockquote>\r\n\r\nIndeed. \r\n\r\nAfter all the times I\'ve heard this song I didn\'t think it had the power to move me to tears again. I was wrong. \r\n\r\nJeff Buckley\'s lyrics and music and Shakespeare\'s text merge beautifully and fluidly in this production. Fans of Shakespeare will appreciate this new take on the classic tale and fans of Buckley will be moved as they see Jeff\'s songs inform and comment on the inner emotions of these well-loved characters. More than once I found myself saying \"perfect\" to the song and lyrical choices.\r\n\r\nKudos to Michael Kimmel and Kris Kukul who created this remarkable show with the support of the Willliamstown Theatre Festival and the hard work of Lauren Fitzgerald, Stephen Sanders, Jeff\'s mother Mary Guibert and countless others. I have been fortunate enough to see first hand the passion poured into this show and can only hope that it continues on to reach a larger audience wherever it may be.\r\n\r\n---------------------\r\n<strong>Photos</strong> by Sam Hough and T. Charles Erickson\r\n\r\n<strong>Other Buckley songs appearing in the show:</strong>\r\nYou And I\r\nAll Flowers In Time\r\nWoke Up In A Strange Place\r\nDream Brother\r\nI Know We Could Be So Happy\r\nMorning Theft\r\nNightmare By The Sea\r\nOpened Once','There\'s a Flaming Red Horizon That Screams Our Names',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5392-revision-24','','','2010-08-09 13:03:06','2010-08-09 18:03:06','',5392,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/08/09/5392-revision-24/',0,'revision','',0),(5421,1,'2010-08-09 13:04:53','2010-08-09 18:04:53','<strong>Review: \"The Last Goodbye\" - Williamstown Theatre Festival</strong>\r\nAugust 5 - 20 \r\n<a href=\"http://wtfestival.org/2010/lastgoodbye\">Williamstown Theatre Festival</a>\r\n\r\nThe sense of impending doom that pervades the familiar story of Romeo and Juliet hangs heavy over the Williamstown Theatre Festival\'s world premiere production of \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\". Those familiar with the life, music and ultimate passing of Jeff Buckley may be tempted to approach this project with a sense of trepidation - as I did initially. Jeff\'s body of work was emotional, poetic and powerful. His songs speak to the power and confusion of love and hold a special place in the musical hearts of many - defining specific moments of their lives and relationships.  \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\" then, stands as a bold statement. The willingness to risk this combination of two iconic stories could read as an interesting but failed gimmick - trust me when I say that it does not. It is a fully realized and powerful vision that brings new emotional and musical life to the classic story. Ultimately, the pairing of the doomed couples fate with Jeff\'s lyrics and music make for a heady mix of musical tragedy and catharsis that left me emotionally spent. \r\n\r\nThe setting is a vaguely modern visual world, echoes of New York city street scenes of walls plastered with posters and a long balcony that spans the stage. The plays action takes place on the streets and balconies of this modern/ancient town. The Capulet\'s are imagined as moneyed aristocrats with a sense of entitlement while the Montague\'s are more of the downtown art-scene crowd. \r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/romeoandbenvolio.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\n\r\nDamon Daunno\'s portrayal of Romeo walks the fine line between romantic and goofy in an entirely endearing way. It doesn\'t hurt that he can bear a passing resemblance to Buckley and delivers Jeff\'s falsetto passages with effortless grace.  I knew this production was going to work when Damon and Nick Blaemire (as Benvolio) combined vocals on my favorite Buckley tune \"<strong>Forget Her</strong>\" as Romeo contemplates ending his relationship with Rosaline.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>\r\nWhile this town is busy sleeping,\r\nAll the noise has died away.\r\nI walk the streets to stop my weeping,\r\nShe\'ll never change her ways.\r\n\r\nDon\'t fool yourself, she was heartache from the moment that you met her. (Benvolio)\r\nAnd my heart is frozen still as I try to find the will to forget her, somehow. (Romeo)\r\n</blockquote>\r\n[wpaudio url=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/ForgetHer.mp3\" text=\"Forget Her\" dl=\"0\"]\r\n\r\n\r\nThe character of Rosaline has been amplified a bit. As played by Celina Carvajal she appears wearing knee high leather boots and a very short minidress. Let\'s just say it\'s apparent why Romeo was attracted to her. Celina joins in the song with Damon and Nick adding a few lines from \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\" and a seductive dance that might make Romeo think twice about his decision. (Note, I saw Celina deliver a show stopping version of \"<a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUFz_UDEPEI\">Have Mercy On A Criminal</a>\" at the WTF Cabaret a few weeks back - girl has some serious vocal chops).\r\n\r\nKelli Barret\'s Juliet has the decidedly modern feel of a strong-willed girl who desperately wants love - and is unafraid to embrace it when it arrives. More on Kelli later . . .\r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/mercutio.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\nOther standout performances include Jo Lampert\'s turn as a powerful and riveting androgynous Mercutio. Her rendition of \"<strong>Eternal Life</strong>\" to close out the first act is a bravado combination of music, physical and vocal delivery that reinforces one of the plays recurring musical motifs\r\n\r\n<blockquote>Eternal life is now on my trail\r\nGot my red glitter coffin man, just need one last nail\r\nWhile all these ugly gentlemen play out their foolish games\r\n<strong>There\'s a flaming red horizon that screams our names</strong></blockquote>\r\n\r\nLampert\'s performance and personality are so strong that if  Mercutio had not met such an untimely death we might have ended up seeing a show called \"Mercutio & Juliet\"\r\n\r\nAshley Robinson as Tybalt delivers a powerful, rock and roll anger version of \"<strong>Haven\'t You Heard</strong>\"  as he fumes about Romeo\'s appearance at the Capulet\'s party.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>\r\nParanoia will write the world prayer \r\nMake sure that you fit in the right holes \r\nBut when you take his offer, you\'re done for \r\nDone for, done for, oooh...\r\n</blockquote>\r\n\r\nI also enjoyed Jesse Lenat\'s interpretation of the Friar as a good-hearted mystical street preacher who may have ingested a few too many illegal substances back in the day. Jesse and the cast create a tribal rythm of love and sex to Romeo & Juliet\'s marriage day with \"<strong>New Years\' Prayer</strong>\"\r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/friar.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\n\r\nThe strong presence of choreographer Sonya Tayeh comes to the forefront during this scene of orgiastic pleasure. The characters, whose dance movements are often confined to constrained and angular gestures that reflect their inner tension and turmoil, are freed and encouraged to . . . \r\n\r\n<blockquote>\r\nFeel no shame for what you are\r\nFeel no shame for what you are\r\nFeel it as a waterfall\r\nFall in light\r\n</blockquote>\r\n\r\nGiven that many Buckley fans will be interested in song choice and plot points I would be remiss if I did not mention the integration of other songs into some of the key plot elements. Damon sings \"<strong>Everybody Here Wants You</strong>\" to Juliet after the famous balcony scene as her parents demand she come inside for the night. \r\n\r\n<blockquote>Twenty-nine pearls in your kiss \r\nA singing smile \r\nCoffee smell and lilac skin \r\nYour flame in me \r\n\r\nI\'m only here for this moment \r\n\r\nI know everybody here wants you \r\nI know everybody here thinks he needs you \r\nI\'ll be waiting right here just to show you \r\nHow our love will blow it all away </blockquote>\r\n\r\nHis delivery and emotion are perfectly matched to the scene.\r\n\r\nKelli sings a moving version of \"<strong>Lover You Should Have Come Over</strong>\" from the balcony of her house while looking down on Tybalt\'s funeral even though her mind is focused on Romeo.\r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/romeoandjuliet.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\n\r\n<blockquote>Looking out the door i see the rain fall upon the funeral mourners\r\nParading in a wake of sad relations as their shoes fill up with water\r\nAnd maybe i\'m too young to keep good love from going wrong\r\nBut tonight you\'re on my mind so you never know\r\n</blockquote>\r\n[wpaudio url=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/Lover.mp3\" text=\"Lover You Should Have Come Over\" dl=\"0\"]\r\n\r\n\r\nand sings \"<strong>What Will You Say</strong>\" while contemplating suicide rather than living without her love. She perfectly captures the anger towards her parents at their plan to marry her off to Paris while not knowing that she is already married to Romeo. Kelli bares her emotions and much of her body as she strips away clothes and anger to reveal her pain inside.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>It\'s been such a long time\r\nAnd I was just a child then\r\nWhat will you say \r\nWhen you see my face?\r\nTime feels like it\'s flown away\r\nThe days just pass and fade away\r\nWhat will you say \r\nWhen they take my place?\r\n\r\nIt\'s funny now\r\nI just don\'t feel like a man\r\nWhat will you say \r\nWhen you see my face?\r\nMy face...\r\n\r\nMother dear, the world\'s gone cold\r\nNo one cares about love anymore\r\nWhat will you say \r\nWhen you see my face?\r\n\r\nFather do you hear me?\r\nDo you know me?\r\nDo you even care?\r\nWhat will you say \r\nWhen they take my place? </blockquote>\r\n\r\nRandom other things that moved me\r\n- \"Grace\" - Romeo sings after hearing of Juliet\'s death\r\n- \"Corpus Christi Carol\" - Sung by Paris and cast after Juliet drinks the poison\r\n- \"Dream Brother\" - Capulet\'s party - especially \"Fate is going to find your love in a glass of champagne\"\r\n\r\nFinally, you may be wondering if Jeff\'s most often heard song, his emotional and fragile reading of Leonard Cohen\'s \"<strong>Hallelujah</strong>\" appears in the play. It does and it\'s presented as a heartbreaking coda to the final act. as sung by Nick Blaemire, who has perhaps the purest voice in the cast, as well as the rest of the company.\r\n\r\nShakespeare\'s words say\r\n\r\n<blockquote>\r\nA glooming peace this morning with it brings;\r\nThe sun, for sorrow, will not show his head</blockquote>\r\n\r\nand Buckley via Cohen echoes\r\n\r\n<blockquote>It\'s a cold and it\'s a broken Hallelujah</blockquote>\r\n\r\nIndeed. \r\n\r\nAfter all the times I\'ve heard this song I didn\'t think it had the power to move me to tears again. I was wrong. \r\n\r\nJeff Buckley\'s lyrics and music and Shakespeare\'s text merge beautifully and fluidly in this production. Fans of Shakespeare will appreciate this new take on the classic tale and fans of Buckley will be moved as they see Jeff\'s songs inform and comment on the inner emotions of these well-loved characters. More than once I found myself saying \"perfect\" to the song and lyrical choices.\r\n\r\nKudos to Michael Kimmel and Kris Kukul who created this remarkable show with the support of the Willliamstown Theatre Festival and the hard work of Lauren Fitzgerald, Stephen Sanders, Jeff\'s mother Mary Guibert and countless others. I have been fortunate enough to see first hand the passion poured into this show and can only hope that it continues on to reach a larger audience wherever it may be.\r\n\r\n---------------------\r\n<strong>Photos</strong> by Sam Hough and T. Charles Erickson\r\n\r\n<strong>Other Buckley songs appearing in the show:</strong>\r\nYou And I\r\nAll Flowers In Time\r\nWoke Up In A Strange Place\r\nDream Brother\r\nI Know We Could Be So Happy\r\nMorning Theft\r\nNightmare By The Sea\r\nOpened Once','There\'s a Flaming Red Horizon That Screams Our Names',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5392-revision-25','','','2010-08-09 13:04:53','2010-08-09 18:04:53','',5392,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/08/09/5392-revision-25/',0,'revision','',0),(5424,1,'2010-08-09 13:07:51','2010-08-09 18:07:51','<strong>Review: \"The Last Goodbye\" - Williamstown Theatre Festival</strong>\r\nAugust 5 - 20 \r\n<a href=\"http://wtfestival.org/2010/lastgoodbye\">Williamstown Theatre Festival</a>\r\n\r\nThe sense of impending doom that pervades the familiar story of Romeo and Juliet hangs heavy over the Williamstown Theatre Festival\'s world premiere production of \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\". Those familiar with the life, music and ultimate passing of Jeff Buckley may be tempted to approach this project with a sense of trepidation - as I did initially. Jeff\'s body of work was emotional, poetic and powerful. His songs speak to the power and confusion of love and hold a special place in the musical hearts of many - defining specific moments of their lives and relationships.  \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\" then, stands as a bold statement. The willingness to risk this combination of two iconic stories could read as an interesting but failed gimmick - trust me when I say that it does not. It is a fully realized and powerful vision that brings new emotional and musical life to the classic story. Ultimately, the pairing of the doomed couples fate with Jeff\'s lyrics and music make for a heady mix of musical tragedy and catharsis that left me emotionally spent. \r\n\r\nThe setting is a vaguely modern visual world, echoes of New York city street scenes of walls plastered with posters and a long balcony that spans the stage. The plays action takes place on the streets and balconies of this modern/ancient town. The Capulet\'s are imagined as moneyed aristocrats with a sense of entitlement while the Montague\'s are more of the downtown art-scene crowd. \r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/romeoandbenvolio.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\n\r\nDamon Daunno\'s portrayal of Romeo walks the fine line between romantic and goofy in an entirely endearing way. It doesn\'t hurt that he can bear a passing resemblance to Buckley and delivers Jeff\'s falsetto passages with effortless grace.  I knew this production was going to work when Damon and Nick Blaemire (as Benvolio) combined vocals on my favorite Buckley tune \"<strong>Forget Her</strong>\" as Romeo contemplates ending his relationship with Rosaline.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>\r\nWhile this town is busy sleeping,\r\nAll the noise has died away.\r\nI walk the streets to stop my weeping,\r\nShe\'ll never change her ways.\r\n\r\nDon\'t fool yourself, she was heartache from the moment that you met her. (Benvolio)\r\nAnd my heart is frozen still as I try to find the will to forget her, somehow. (Romeo)\r\n</blockquote>\r\n[wpaudio url=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/ForgetHer.mp3\" text=\"Forget Her\" dl=\"0\"]\r\n\r\n\r\nThe character of Rosaline has been amplified a bit. As played by Celina Carvajal she appears wearing knee high leather boots and a very short minidress. Let\'s just say it\'s apparent why Romeo was attracted to her. Celina joins in the song with Damon and Nick adding a few lines from \"<strong>The Last Goodbye</strong>\" and a seductive dance that might make Romeo think twice about his decision. (Note, I saw Celina deliver a show stopping version of \"<a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUFz_UDEPEI\">Have Mercy On A Criminal</a>\" at the WTF Cabaret a few weeks back - girl has some serious vocal chops).\r\n\r\nKelli Barret\'s Juliet has the decidedly modern feel of a strong-willed girl who desperately wants love - and is unafraid to embrace it when it arrives. More on Kelli later . . .\r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/mercutio.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\nOther standout performances include Jo Lampert\'s turn as a powerful and riveting androgynous Mercutio. Her rendition of \"<strong>Eternal Life</strong>\" to close out the first act is a bravado combination of music, physical and vocal delivery that reinforces one of the plays recurring musical motifs\r\n\r\n<blockquote>Eternal life is now on my trail\r\nGot my red glitter coffin man, just need one last nail\r\nWhile all these ugly gentlemen play out their foolish games\r\n<strong>There\'s a flaming red horizon that screams our names</strong></blockquote>\r\n\r\nLampert\'s performance and personality are so strong that if  Mercutio had not met such an untimely death we might have ended up seeing a show called \"Mercutio & Juliet\"\r\n\r\nAshley Robinson as Tybalt delivers a powerful, rock and roll anger version of \"<strong>Haven\'t You Heard</strong>\"  as he fumes about Romeo\'s appearance at the Capulet\'s party.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>\r\nParanoia will write the world prayer \r\nMake sure that you fit in the right holes \r\nBut when you take his offer, you\'re done for \r\nDone for, done for, oooh...\r\n</blockquote>\r\n\r\nI also enjoyed Jesse Lenat\'s interpretation of the Friar as a good-hearted mystical street preacher who may have ingested a few too many illegal substances back in the day. Jesse and the cast create a tribal rythm of love and sex to Romeo & Juliet\'s marriage day with \"<strong>New Years\' Prayer</strong>\"\r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/friar.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\n\r\nThe strong presence of choreographer Sonya Tayeh comes to the forefront during this scene of orgiastic pleasure and marraige consumation. The characters, whose dance movements are often confined to constrained and angular gestures that reflect their inner tension and turmoil, are freed and encouraged to . . . \r\n\r\n<blockquote>\r\nFeel no shame for what you are\r\nFeel no shame for what you are\r\nFeel it as a waterfall\r\nFall in light\r\n</blockquote>\r\n\r\nGiven that many Buckley fans will be interested in song choice and plot points I would be remiss if I did not mention the integration of other songs into some of the key plot elements. Damon sings \"<strong>Everybody Here Wants You</strong>\" to Juliet after the famous balcony scene as her parents demand she come inside for the night. \r\n\r\n<blockquote>Twenty-nine pearls in your kiss \r\nA singing smile \r\nCoffee smell and lilac skin \r\nYour flame in me \r\n\r\nI\'m only here for this moment \r\n\r\nI know everybody here wants you \r\nI know everybody here thinks he needs you \r\nI\'ll be waiting right here just to show you \r\nHow our love will blow it all away </blockquote>\r\n\r\nHis delivery and emotion are perfectly matched to the scene.\r\n\r\nKelli sings a moving version of \"<strong>Lover You Should Have Come Over</strong>\" from the balcony of her house while looking down on Tybalt\'s funeral even though her mind is focused on Romeo.\r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/romeoandjuliet.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\n\r\n<blockquote>Looking out the door i see the rain fall upon the funeral mourners\r\nParading in a wake of sad relations as their shoes fill up with water\r\nAnd maybe i\'m too young to keep good love from going wrong\r\nBut tonight you\'re on my mind so you never know\r\n</blockquote>\r\n[wpaudio url=\"http://www.thisissomewhere.com/images/lastgoodbye/Lover.mp3\" text=\"Lover You Should Have Come Over\" dl=\"0\"]\r\n\r\n\r\nand sings \"<strong>What Will You Say</strong>\" while contemplating suicide rather than living without her love. She perfectly captures the anger towards her parents at their plan to marry her off to Paris while not knowing that she is already married to Romeo. Kelli bares her emotions and much of her body as she strips away clothes and anger to reveal her pain inside.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>It\'s been such a long time\r\nAnd I was just a child then\r\nWhat will you say \r\nWhen you see my face?\r\nTime feels like it\'s flown away\r\nThe days just pass and fade away\r\nWhat will you say \r\nWhen they take my place?\r\n\r\nIt\'s funny now\r\nI just don\'t feel like a man\r\nWhat will you say \r\nWhen you see my face?\r\nMy face...\r\n\r\nMother dear, the world\'s gone cold\r\nNo one cares about love anymore\r\nWhat will you say \r\nWhen you see my face?\r\n\r\nFather do you hear me?\r\nDo you know me?\r\nDo you even care?\r\nWhat will you say \r\nWhen they take my place? </blockquote>\r\n\r\nRandom other things that moved me\r\n- \"Grace\" - Romeo sings after hearing of Juliet\'s death\r\n- \"Corpus Christi Carol\" - Sung by Paris and cast after Juliet drinks the poison\r\n- \"Dream Brother\" - Capulet\'s party - especially \"Fate is going to find your love in a glass of champagne\"\r\n\r\nFinally, you may be wondering if Jeff\'s most often heard song, his emotional and fragile reading of Leonard Cohen\'s \"<strong>Hallelujah</strong>\" appears in the play. It does and it\'s presented as a heartbreaking coda to the final act as sung by Nick Blaemire, who has perhaps the purest voice in the cast, as well as the rest of the company.\r\n\r\nShakespeare\'s words say\r\n\r\n<blockquote>\r\nA glooming peace this morning with it brings;\r\nThe sun, for sorrow, will not show his head</blockquote>\r\n\r\nand Buckley via Cohen echoes\r\n\r\n<blockquote>It\'s a cold and it\'s a broken Hallelujah</blockquote>\r\n\r\nIndeed. \r\n\r\nI didn\'t think this song still had the power to move me to tears. I was wrong. \r\n\r\nJeff Buckley\'s lyrics and music and Shakespeare\'s text merge beautifully and fluidly in this production. Fans of Shakespeare will appreciate this new take on the classic tale and fans of Buckley will be moved as they see Jeff\'s songs inform and comment on the inner emotions of these well-loved characters. More than once I found myself saying \"perfect\" to the song and lyrical choices.\r\n\r\nKudos to Michael Kimmel and Kris Kukul who created this remarkable show with the support of the Willliamstown Theatre Festival and the hard work of Lauren Fitzgerald, Stephen Sanders, Jeff\'s mother Mary Guibert and countless others. I have been fortunate enough to see first hand the passion poured into this show and can only hope that it continues on to reach a larger audience wherever it may be.\r\n\r\n---------------------\r\n<strong>Photos</strong> by Sam Hough and T. Charles Erickson\r\n\r\n<strong>Other Buckley songs appearing in the show:</strong>\r\nYou And I\r\nAll Flowers In Time\r\nWoke Up In A Strange Place\r\nDream Brother\r\nI Know We Could Be So Happy\r\nMorning Theft\r\nNightmare By The Sea\r\nOpened Once','There\'s a Flaming Red Horizon That Screams Our Names',0,'','inherit','open','open','','5392-revision-28','','','2010-08-09 13:07:51','2010-08-09 18:07:51','',5392,'http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/08/09/5392-revision-28/',0,'revision','',0),