The live Moby concert on Soundcheck yesterday was a breath of fresh air: Moby centerstage wearing a Flipper t-shirt and playing guitar, with two vocalists, one with a child under 2, a violinist, and a harmonica player. You can listen to the webcast by going to Soundcheck WNYC, and looking for the Moby program on 5.4.10.
Last time I saw Moby it was mixing sounds at a huge mixed media audio-visual super-party at the Rose planetarium. This time, with one to two voices and 2-3 instruments at a time, with simple, haunting lyrics and great harmonies, it was a totally different picture. Moby told John Schaeffer that he likes sad songs even though he's a happy guy. Also, he's bought a house in the Hollywood...
Patti Smith strode into Great Hall wearing pink socks, jeans, short boots, a white shirt, and a black leather jacket. "I grew up in the 50s where most people were getting rid of old stuff," she began, talking about finding a first edition of Dickens, having guardianship of Artur Rimbaud's calling card. Author Jonathan Lethem, who recalled going to CBGB's as a teen, asked knowing questions, and the conversation flowed as though these two hadn't just met, Patti complimenting his (Ramones) sneakers. With her hands in play, Smith went on, "I don't think of myself as a musician but more as a writer and performer," recounting not only how Mapplethorpe mentored her when they were at Pratt but also how becoming part of a...
Summery day. Drifts of tree pollen and cherry blossoms in the air. New Yorkers baring arms, legs, tattoos. Mayday protest for workers’ rights in Union Square, cheek by jowlwith fresh arugula and fiddleheads at the greenmarket. Masses of strollers with ice cream...
