Physical Connection Series: Part II

On July 11th, I posted the first installment of this series. With an optimistic outlook I thought it would be no big deal to relinquish my iTunes account for indie record stores. Boy was I fucking wrong... Here's where it all went to shit. In spite of there being three record stores in my neighborhood, the problem became finding a record store that actually carried the album(s) I was in search of...

On the day of the physical release of Frank Ocean's Channel Orange (7/17/12), I happily walked into THREE record stores only to walk right back out unsuccessful in my task. Two of them were out of stock and one of them hadn't even got the albums in yet. I called yet another record store thinking I could stop on my way home but instead had a tragic conversation with one of the workers who was confused and thought the album didn't come out until the week after. Pissed off and frustrated I went home. Broke down and bought it on iTunes. *hangs head in shame*

About three weeks later, I returned to one of the record stores in my neighborhood and by some miracle they had the physical CD. So I bought it. I spent $25.98 (11.99 on iTunes and 13.99 for physical) for one album. Frustration.

A similar experience happened to me yet again tonight. In anticipation of today's paycheck, I made a short list of albums I wanted to buy - Passion Pit's Gossamer, Stars' The North, Dinosaur Jr.'s I Bet On Sky and Grizzly Bear's Shields. I walked away with half of my list. When I asked the worker at the record store if I just wasn't looking in the right spot, a woman (I presumed an owner) popped her head out of the office, said they did not have either album but could order for me. And then disappeared just as fast as she appeared. I came home. Opened up my computer and waved the white flag of surrender. This time without the shame. Thank you iTunes.

This challenge has been nothing but disappointment from day one...

In Olden Days

Two weeks ago I watched Woody Allen's delightful new movie, Midnight in Paris. The movie made me positively glow with happiness, a real feel good story that's very well written. In the movie, there is a scene where Owen Wilson's character goes to a party and meets F. Scott Fitzgerald and his lovely, but crazy wife, Zelda. Wilson's character is a bit confused at the environment around him including the familiarity of the music being played at the piano by a gentleman he learns to be Cole Porter. I didn't recall ever hearing the song before but immediately following the movie's end got myself to Spotify to hear more. To my utter delight the first item on the list of tracks for Cole Porter, Anything Goes. It is no dramatization to say I jumped off my couch, grabbed my wallet and bought myself a ticket to see the Broadway Revival of Anything Goes starring Sutton Foster.

I waited two whole weeks for this moment, but last night was the night. I sat in my seat, row B seat 107 smack dab in the middle of the orchestra section of the Stephen Sondheim Theater, in eager anticipation. When the curtain lifted and the first scene began I couldn't help but smile as if I had just seen Santa Claus in the flesh. Sutton Foster took the stage after a few moments and the crowd applauded (side note: if you haven't had the chance to hear this woman sing, I dare say your life is not complete. A bit dramatic I know, but do yourself a favor and watch the video below...). It felt as if seeing this show on this day was all part of a greater scheme. I've been over the moon for nostalgia the last few weeks and this only furthered my obsession. Foster took the stage in the most magnificent gold top, long black skirt and black fox (faux?) fur boa. A natural brunette, hidden under a gaggle of blonde curls, she dripped 1934. For two and a half hours I drooled over dresses and hats and gloves and SHOES. And of course the singing and dancing. Being in a theater, watching this particular show, for those few hours made me feel warm and happy and so curious for a past I didn't have the pleasure of living.

I could gush for pages about the rest of the show, but I will spare you the musings of an absolute music(al) nerd and just say, whether for the music, the costumes, the dance or for the voice! Please do yourself a favor and go see Anything Goes (starring Sutton Foster until April 2012 - new cast May 1st - Sept 9th to be announced).

Sutton Foster and cast perform "Anything Goes" for the 2011 Tony Awards

SPIN: Radiohead (Finally) Confirm 2012 U.S. Tour

Well sort of...ten dates have been listed and I can't help but notice the northeast (read: NYC) is absent. Stay tuned, I suspect more dates will be added...

Radiohead confirm 2012 tour on Spin.com