goodbye 2006

I'd love to post my opinions about the 10 best albums, 10 best films, 10 best books, 10 best hamburgers, etc. of 2006, but I don't have the time and/or money to come up with even 1 worthwhile Top 10 list. in light of this fact, I am going to ramble off a haphazardly numbered list of what I remember liking about 2006:

1. The New World – was it the best film of 2006? or 2005? depends on who you ask, but most intelligent folks that I follow would say this is the best film of 2006. I haven't seen a film like this in a while, or ever. Comes close to Wings of Desire if you've seen that.
2. Sufjan Stevens in concert – I'm still at a loss for words on this one. Unbelievable night of songs, strings, and beauty. My Brightest Diamond (the opening act) is one not to miss.
3. New York City – My first visit to the Big Apple is one that I don't plan on forgetting, getting to see major landmarks, visiting numerous art galleries, and eating great. Can't wait to go back.
4. Washington DC – Not as much time as I spent in NYC, but Sarah and I had a great day trip into the District. Got to see some amazing Rembrandts and El Grecos.
5. Andrew Peterson Christmas Concert – A free show in December outside of Greenville. Wasn't sure what to expect, though Joel has been raving about this show for years. Needless to say, Sarah and I were both floored and plan to never miss another tour again.
6. The Office (BBC & NBC) – I can't get enough of this kind of uncomfortable comedy. It drives Sarah up the wall. I got NBC Season 1 for Christmas and already have Season 2 on order from Amazon.
7. Rembrandt – currently my favorite artist. I read 2 interesting biographies on his life and work.
8. Gnarls Barkley - St. Elsewhere – This is crazy pop music at its best.
9. Josh Ritter - The Animal Years
10. The Decemberists - The Crane Wife – Just got this for Christmas but it's already getting heavy rotation
11. Sufjan Stevens - Music For Christmas – I already had vol. 1-3, and 4 & 5 are a great addition. *honorable shout-out goes to The Avalanche, Sufjan's collection of outtakes from his incredible Illinois album. good stuff, but worth just getting the good stuff from iTunes.
12. Alexi Murdoch - Time Without Consequence
    
13. Theolonius Monk with John Coltrane - Live at Carnegie Hall – I got this in early 2006, though it was released in mid-2005. Gosh, what a brilliant find! Can you imagine being the guy at the National Archives who dusted this thing off and played it back for the first time?!?
14. Junebug – don't miss the performance of Amy Adams (nominated for an Oscar last year)
15. Movies about words – We rented and liked from best to worst: Wordplay, Spellbound, Akeelah and the Bee, Word Wars
    
16. TV on DVD – We've watched a lot of Monk, Scrubs, and House M.D.
    
17. Netflix – without this, we probably would have watched reruns of That 70s show the whole year

so here's to 2006! (see Sarah's blog to get more about our lives this year)

hello 2007!

an irish merry christmas: #2

So if you saw the below video, you probably saw that I alluded to recordings that were made of all four songs. Well, I got them mixed this afternoon and posted them for your listening merriment! Enjoy!

1. Masters In This Hall
2. Good Christan Men Rejoice
3. Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella
4. O Come All Ye Faithful

an irish merry christmas

On 12/17/06, we did a set of 4 Irish songs merged with Christmas Tunes at the Clemson Presbyterian Evening Service. The above video (taken by Sarah) is from "O Come All Ye Faithful", though you won't hear the melody since we're in the Irish tune the whole time.

We recorded the music that night, so I hope to be posting the mixes pretty soon for everyone's holiday enjoyment as you're trying to pick out those last minute gifts and prepare for late night Christmas Eve services!

If you're trying to figure out who is in the video, here's the band members from left to right:

Fiddle - Kristin Miesbauer
Penny Whistle, Guitar - David Conley
Bodhran, Percussion, Cello - Robyn Davis
Mandolin, Percussion - Jimmy Agan
Accordion, Guitar - Luke Brodine
Guitar - Chris Topping

what a view

foliage
Originally uploaded by Luke and Sarah.

I can't take credit for this photo... neither can I take credit for this blog...

p.s. please take a moment to welcome Sarah to the blogosphere by visiting her blog and leaving a comment!

sufjan - austin city limits

I apologize that I didn't announce this since I knew about it way ahead of time, but Sufjan Stevens was on Austin City Limits last night, followed by Calexico. It was past my bedtime, so I had to tape it. He did only four songs, mainly because his arrangements are so expansive that there isn't enough time to rush through a 7-song set. I was hoping for "Predatory Wasp" or "The Transfiguration", which were the best at the Atlanta show I went to (see this post).

If you missed it, they posted "Casimir Pulaski Day" on the ACL site here, and then a fairly lengthy interview clip here. I'm sure it'll end up on YouTube at some point, so I'll keep my eyes peeled.

Already hoping that this might be in my stocking this year!

Update: Here's a (shaky) video of the song "Predatory Wasp", which I wish would have been on ACL!