Episode 229 - Remembering How to Do the Show

In this episode, I'm getting back in the swing of doing the show by talking about the newest book by Tana French then reviewing two concerts I went to (on back to back nights)--David Byrne and Jason Isbell! I hope you enjoy this one as much as I enjoyed making it! (Or more!)

Bandcamp: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com 
email: db@derekbrink.com

Time Index:

• 0:00 - Intro
• 9:56 - Happy Now
• 10:27 - Tana French: The Keeper
• 20:59 - That Weekend (Blue Tattoo)
• 21:31 - David Byrne and Jason Isbell
  • 21:31 - David Byrne
  • 51:16 - Jason Isbell
• 1:04:00 - Denouement
• 1:04:32 - Outro, including a follow=up on my tribute to Michael Feldman, back in November

Photos!

Here's the cover photo. I'm realizing suddenly that I didn't take any solo shots of the book. So...it looks pretty much like that. It's book shaped. Has words. A cover. Etc.

This photo gives you some idea of how immersive the David Byrne show was. This was at the very start, during "Heaven." The photo was taken by Patricia Acevedo, a friend of my friend Jim's. She was at the show, but much closer than we were. I'm glad she took this shot. I keep getting lost in it.

The rest of the photos were taken by me, up in the mezzanine. No less immersive there, I assure you. (The Stifel is a great venue.) This was during a lo-fi part of the show where all the band members had their names underneath them, and the names tracked with them as they moved--helpful for the coreo, I bet! Just follow your name!

A fun moment of dancing on the waves.

I like this picture. A good balance of a classic car, but they're singing on the surface of the moon.

This gives you some idea of how effective the screens were--they're right in the middle of a street scene. Right in the middle of traffic.

Then... A very different show! Jason Isbell at the Fox. Cool to see him playing that venue. They were enforcing a VERY strict "no photos" rule. I was in the very back row of the very highest section, and yet as soon as I took this picture, I had an usher RIGHT NEXT TO ME making sure I didn't take another! (It's Isbell's rule, and I get it...but also...relax. If people are FILMING, that's one thing...but let people take a picture or two. Some of us can't afford a $40 t-shirt, buddy.)

My $40 t-shirt.

I also bought this pin. Thought it looked cool. It's already on my jean jacket. :)

Episode 228 - the Fab 15 Supergroups

After many delays, your Uncle Derek and Papa Dave are finally BACK and this time we're counting down our Fab 15 Supergroups. This discussion solidified that we should really set ground-rules before making our lists...but it was still a lot of fun, and we hope you enjoy it!

Dave's Spotify playlist will probably go up a little late because I didn't tell him when I was posting the episode and it's the middle of a workday. But hey!

Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com 
Bandcamp: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com 
email: db@derekbrink.com 
Spotify Playlists: https://open.spotify.com/user/317eypfciiajkyay2kxloz3kreoa?si=f046115ad0514079 

Time Index:
0:00 - Intro
13:09 - The List Begins
13:09 - #15 - Chickenfoot / The Gloaming
19:12 - #14 - The New Pornographers / The Three Tenors
24:19 - #13 - Audioslave / The Million Dollar Quartet
31:49 - #12 - Velvet Revolver / Them Crooked Vultures
40:16 - #11 - Bad English / Velvet Revolver
44:00 - #10 - Asia / Temple of the Dog
50:36 - #9 - Highwomen / Mr. Big
58:29 - #8 - Highwaymen / Neurotic Outsiders
1:06:39 - #7 - Blind Faith / Cream
1:12:26 - #6 - Neurotic Outsiders / Boygenuis
1:15:03 - #5 - Damn Yankees
1:21:19 - #4 - Emerson, Lake, and Palmer / Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Sometimes Young
1:26:44 - #3 - Bad Company / Eagles
1:33:57 - #2 - Traveling Wilburys
1:42:25 - #1 - CSNY / The Highwaymen
1:43:03 - Honorable Mentions
1:59:49 - Intervention
2:00:19 - The Final 15 and choosing a #1.

No real pictures to post since this is a Fab 15...but here's the cover:

Episode 227 - On a Horse, Learning to Play the Banjo

In this episode, I talk about playing the banjo and the Beetlejuice movies. It's as classic as peanut butter and jelly. Biscuits and gravy. Peaches and Herb. Beetlejuice and banjos! It's a fun one. It turns out that I have a LOT of thoughts about Tim Burton. Enjoy!

Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com 
Bandcamp: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com 
email: db@derekbrink.com

Time Index:

• 0:00 - Intro
• 6:40 - Banjo Break #1 - 5 String Banjo
• 7:11 - Talkin' Banjos!
• 24:30 - Banjo Break #2 - Plectrum Banjo
• 25:00 - Yellin' about Beetlejuice...
  • 31:22 - Beetlejuice
  • 42:33 - Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
• 1:08:35 - Banjo Break #3 - Tenor Banjo
• 1:09:06 - Outro

Photos:

Here's your cover photo. On my screen the banjo strings are kinda blown out but I'm not good enough of a photographer to fix it. So we're all just going to have to die mad about that, okay?

This is me with my most recent two banjos--the Plectrum and the 5-String. This became my avatar on most social media.

These are the most recent two banjos, sitting together. They're friends.

And here's all three of the banjos you hear in this episode--the Three Amigos! (Apt since Steve Martin is a big reason that I like the banjo so much!)

Episode 226 - I Guess We're Doing Hot Picks Now

This week's episode is a little bit short, but no less sweet than usual. It's a fun one where I complain about the weather, then talk about new releases from Mumford & Sons, Mitski, and Squeeze. I had fun with it. You might too!

Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com 
Bandcamp: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com 
email: db@derekbrink.com 

Time Index:

• 0:00 - Intro
• 12:21 - Vagabond
• 12:52 - Music Reviews
• 31:23 - Slainte
• 31:53 - Outro

Photos! They're BACK!!!

Here's your cover photo! Neat, huh?

This is the new Mumford and Sons album. I think I was starting to say, but then got distracted, that I have no idea why an album called "Prizefighter" has a Zippo lighter as the cover photo...other than I assume they're going to be selling $200 Zippos as merch on tour... But I still like it.

...and here's what distracted me! I apparently bought one of the autographed copies and didn't realize it! That's pretty cool!

Newest album by Mitski, and my HOT PICK of the week! It's a really beautiful album that has made me want to explore her entire back catalogue. Well done.

And here's my potential HOT PICK of the whole damn year (at least so far). The newest album by Squeeze is a very cool, immersive listen and I really hope they bring the tour to St. Louis this time!

Episode 225 - The Muppet Movies Episode

In this episode I talk about the theatrically released Muppet movies, in chronological order. Because everyone loves the Muppets! Enjoy!

No time index, since it's just the one subject--and I should clarify that I am spoiling every movie, if you haven't seen them.

Bandcamp: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com 
email: db@derekbrink.com 

Songs used in the show:

• I Hope You're Happy
• Useless

Cover photo:

Episode 224 - The One Where I Bought an Autoharp

In this episode, I talk about recent releases from Geese and Wednesday, then I talk about buying an Autoharp. That's the show! Enjoy!

Sorry there's not a time index...but here are the links...although really there's not anything that corresponds to the Bandcamp page, since I'm just noodling...but whatever! Also, I'll probably get back to posting more pictures in the next episode. I'm kind rushing this one. :) 

Bandcamp: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com 
email: db@derekbrink.com 

Cover Photo:

Episode 223 - Bask in My Reflected Joy

In this episode, I pay my respects to Catherine O'Hara, then talk about my newest (vintage) guitar and the long-since-canceled TV show Andy Richter Controls the Universe. I had fun with this one! Enjoy!

Bandcamp: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com 
email: db@derekbrink.com 

Time Index:

• 0:00 - Intro
• 6:41 - I Go*
• 7:11 - Rest in Peace Catherine O'Hara
• 25:18 - Racing the Rain*
• 25:49 - Silvertone Guitar
• 38:20 - After the Storm*
• 38:51 - Andy Richter Controls the Universe
• 51:34 - Losing Sleep*
• 52:04 - Introduction to Racing the Rain
• 55:43 - Racing the Rain (Electric Version)
• 59:59 - Outro

*All songs except "Racing the Rain" were just me noodling on the guitar this week, so there's not much to download, unless you just wanna go to Bandcamp and find the full songs.

And here's your Cover-Photo: