CurtBlog

Although this is obviously an attempt to cash in on the O Brother phenomenon, it's a pretty cool soundtrack in it's own right.  T-Bone Burnett once again helps with the music direction.  Alison Krauss has some cool cuts, along with Jack White (The White Stripes).  who knew he could sing americana type stuff?  if you've seen the movie, you'll appreciate the music even more.

one of my favorite scenes in the movie takes place in a church just before war is declared, where the congregation is singing a rousing rendition of an old time gospel number called “I'm Going Home”  strains of “I don't care to stay here long...” (in reference to the hope of heaven) fade away as the news comes in that war has been declared and more immediate concerns take one man after another out  into the street.  it's a poignant moment and interesting juxtaposition.  on the album it is sung by the Sacred Harp Singers at Liberty Church, along with Idumea.another traditional tune.  the group is getting lots of attention.  when the songs begin, you feel a bit lost until you realize (at least if you are someone like me who grew up sight-singing) that they are singing the notes of the scale (do re mi) rather than words.  in looking at some other information on the group, they sing from the old “shaped” notes that I remember from childhood, where different notes of the scale have different shapes.  it's pretty rousing stuff and i'm excited that other people are recognizing the power and beauty of this old form.

http://www.bushin30seconds.org

Most of the music I bought this year I liked.  Didn't buy a ton, but there were very few disappointments.  Here in no particular order are my favorites of 2003.  I realize some of these probably came out in 2002, but I bought them in 2003.

Massive Attack - 100th Window
Radiohead - Hail To The Thief
Tiesto - Nyana
Interpol - Turn on the Bright Lights
Martina Topley Bird - Quixotic
Fountains of Wayne - Welcome Interstate Managers
BT - Emotional Technology
Over The Rhine - Ohio
Sleeping At Last - Ghosts
Lamb - Between Darkness and Wonder
Freeland - Now and Them
ATB - Addicted To Music
Tricky - Vulnerable

i've worked every day since Dec 28th, so I'm glad I get to fly home tomorrow.  it will be short weekend in Chicago, but at least a full day where I don't have to work or travel.  i need it.  but meanwhile, i need some sushi.

Unfortunately, due to all the traveling I did this year, I didn't make it to the cinema as often as I usually do.  One nice thing is that a few blocks away from my place in Chicago is a great art house theater that gets a lot of good stuff.  I'm looking forward to frequenting it more once I'm back in town.

At any rate, my list of 2003 favorites is rather sparse as there are still a number of films making the top 10 critic's list that I haven't seen yet.  But based on what I have seen, here are some standouts of 2003.

Cold Mountain
Return of the King
Lost in Translation
Mystic River
Kill Bill Vol 1
Dirty Pretty Things

One thing I did do was take advantage of my Netflix membership.  I watched over 60 Netflix DVDs this past year.  So I was seeing a lot of films, just not in the theater.  And I was able to catch up on a lot of stuff I've been wanting to see, although that list seems to grow faster than I can watch.  Here are some favorites out of that group.

Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
Being John Malkovich (1999)
La Notte (1960)
Secret Agent TV series
Vatel (2000)
Tape (2001)
The Scent of Green Papaya (1993)
Ghost World (2001)
The Sound of Music (1965)
Wonder Boys (2000)
Merci Pour Le Chocolat (2000)
8 Women (2002)
Under The Sand (2000)
Spirited Away (2002)
Frida (2002)
Jean de Florette (1986)
The City of Lost Children (1995)