I had a great time talking with Maryanne. She has been on my radar since 2009 when she was with a band called Rocket Powered Cadillac. When I went to see the band, I was invited to the show by my friend Danny who was dating the drummer, a young lady named Pinky. My reason for mentioning this is interesting. You see, Pinky and Danny have since gotten married. I served on the USS Santa Fe with him, they say the submarine community is small, but the odds of both of us being stationed here again in Hawaii were pretty incredible.
Maryanne has an album out that you can take a listen to here.
This week I have been in a bluesy mood. My go to of the moment is Muddy Waters, I’m guilty of streaming most of his catalog as I only have Folk Singer on vinyl. I talked about my interest in blues in this blog post and while most of my listening is jazz, classic rock, and soul; the blues have had a hold on me since my time at Virginia Tech.
My copy of Muddy Waters – Folk Singer is an Analog Productions reissue and it sounds pretty damn good. It sounds the most holographic of the albums I’ve listened to this week. If you’re feeling blue or don’t have anyone to drink 3 fingers of scotch with. Mr. Waters makes for great company. Inversely, if you have a hankering for a “Big Leg Woman” then he also knows what you’re talking about.
The first of blues reissues that I’ve purchased, but surely not the last.
If you enjoyed this post, please subscribe. I love to hear your feedback, so leave a comment.
Today is the last day of not listening to records. I figured it’s only fitting that I write a follow-up to my post from a couple of weeks ago. I’ve learned a few things since then; the most prominent being that my outlook on the day changes when there’s no analog detox when I get home.
Before you think, I’m going to show my analog loving ass. Let me say that streaming has revolutionized the way we listen to music. Countless albums at our fingertips, where ever we want to listen to them. That’s a something that wasn’t in mind when I was a kid.
I don’t think anyone that didn’t use dial-up to connect to the internet can fully grasp that paradigm shift, it took 40 minutes to download that “hot” new single at 128 kbps in 1996. The average album has 11 tracks; that adds up to 6 hours and 40 minutes. Comparatively, I can download the entire HBO series True Blood (36 episodes with a file size of 43.2 GB) from iTunes in 3 hours and 36 minutes, albeit with an internet connection that’s over 300 times faster.
Enough nerd, I’m not here to talk about connection speeds. Two weeks ago I said, “I will clean, catalog, and organize them; just no listening. As I write this, I’m using my underutilized Sonos bridge, fed to my preamp via optical cable.” Since then, I’ve learned that temptation is quite the challenge. Every time I go to turn on the preamp and amp my Superscoutmaster whispers to me, “Come on buddy, just one side…you don’t have to tell the readers.” I wanted to know just how bad my love jones for records is, so I had to see this experiment through to completion.
The temptress…
All of this listening required me to get the CD books out of the car. Yes, my car still has a CD player. I say that because my 2015 Dodge Ram did not come with as standard. It did have an SD card slot, 3 USB 2.0 ports, Bluetooth, and satellite radio (which isn’t available here in Hawaii). The first thing I noticed was how disorganized my CD’s had become since my Mcintosh CD/Bluray player got stolen. I don’t listen to them much outside of the car anymore. An upgrade may be in order shortly. I came across a few albums I forgot that I bought, a deluxe version of Giant Steps, Chuck Brown – We Got This (his last live CD), Melody Gardot – The Absence. It was like striking digital gold.
Over 20 years of collecting CD and all I have to show are these
As much as I appreciate the huge cover art, liner notes, and pictures of music on vinyl; I tossed almost every CD jewel case I had. Aside from my newest additions to the collection, every CD resides in my iTunes library and its backup. I consider that an exercise in downsizing.
My DAC (digital to analog converter) inside of the McIntosh C50 is good, but not great. I have been on the fence of upgrading it since building my current system. There is a divide in my fiscally responsible self and the audiophile. Sadly they share the same wallet. The two schools of thought are the Chord 2qute ($1,795 from various vendors) and the Wyred for Sound DAC-1 LE (direct from W4S $1,124 with Femto clock). You can tell which prefers which by the price of each piece of gear. I have not heard the two units in a shootout but heard them in two different systems. I do not trust my month’s old aural memory, so I’m still on the fence. Upgradeitis doesn’t strike me often, so I’m in an unusual space.
For now, I’m going to turn on my phono stage and get it ready for tomorrow. I’d hate for that first listen to be a cold start. My time spent getting reacquainted with CDs, iTunes, and Tidal has been good. But we both know that I will always feel, dropping the stylus on a clean record is several times better.
I hope you enjoyed this post. If you did or did not, leave a comment and let me know your thoughts. Don’t forget to subscribe to our here mailing list so you can get the latest posts straight to your inbox.
I’ve been waiting for this album since I heard a whisper of it being made. I’m a pretty big Vanessa Fernandez fan and am looking forward to having her as an interviewee on Living in Stereo. So, if you’re reading this Vanessa…now you know. When The Levee breaks is a 45 RPM 3 LP album of Led Zeppelin covers. The album sounds phenomenal and my only gripe is that there isn’t more music. There are bonus songs on the vinyl version (gasp), as it should be. Take a listen to Kashmir in the video.
If you enjoyed this post, please subscribe here to get all of our posts sent to your inbox. There’s a contest coming up soon, and the only way to get in on it is to subscribe.
“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life” –Pablo Picasso
While I was thinking of the title of this post, Rick James – Maryjane was playing in my head. On repeat. I hate when that happens. As I wrote in my last blog post I’m not playing any records this week, in favor of streaming and other digital sources of music. I thought it would be an interesting experiment, but every time I look at my turntable I sigh.
I did not say I wouldn’t listen to live music, which is what is taking me to Next Door on the 17th to see Maryanne perform, and what has brought me to Chinatown as I write this. I don’t come down here often, especially after moving to the east side of Oahu. In 2009, [I’ve been back since then] I was in Chinatown to see a band called Rocket Powered Cadillac. That night was the first time I’d heard Maryanne Ito. I was invited by the drummer of the band Pinky, who has recently returned to Oahu.
A flyer circa 2009 from Rocket Powered Cadillac
“I’m in love with Maryjane, she is my main thang; she makes me feel alright; she makes my heart sing…”
It feels good to type that and get the song out of my head for a few minutes. While I love a good Rick James song it’s not the cause for this post. I wonder how many times Maryanne has been serenaded with Rick James lyrics?
Maryanne Ito, a local singer/songwriter/mother/insurance agent/bartender, a great person among other things, has decided to join me in the listening room for an interview. I’m extremely excited, and can’t wait for you to see it. Today I’m visiting her at one of her side hustles.
Mihoko and Friends playing the Dragon
Let’s start with what happened earlier this week. I called Maryanne to confirm our meeting and she had been called on to work the bar for a music venue in Chinatown close to Waikiki called, Hank’s which is neighbored by a venue I’ve been before, “The Dragon Upstairs” Rosetta and I went to see a jazz ensemble a few months ago. I remember the bartender had a stiff pour, British accent, and effervescent smile.
Articles written about the Dragon posted downstairs
You could walk by The Dragon Upstairs, and it’s downstairs sister bar Hank’s easily. You shouldn’t; you would be doing yourself a disservice. Mihoko & Friends were performing tonight just as the last time I was here. In the spirit of putting more experiences under my belt, I visit Hank’s. From outside I can hear Rolling Stones – Wild Horses, one of my top ten favorite tracks from the band. Now I have no excuse not to go in.
The band whose name I didn’t write down
“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life”, a framed quote on the wall close to the entrance, it spoke volumes to me. Perhaps it was the gin and tonic or the band’s rendition of Purple Rain. Most likely it was the juxtaposition of Prince, gin and tonic, good vibes, and the fact that there’s a random quote from Pablo Picasso on the wall.
A gin and tonic sans cucumber, and a drink token from Steve who bought a round
Behind the bar, I see Maryanne with big hair, and a beaming smile, providing libations to those filling the bar. It’s nice here, they have Hendricks. Not wanting to disturb her flow I sit in the corner and look over the crowd while the band takes us on a trip through the late 70’s. Eventually, I pull out my camera to catch Maryanne in action, as seen below.
My drink of choice is Hendricks Gin and tonic with a few slices of cucumber in the glass. There were no considerations given to my fufu garnishment. Gin and tonic drinks smooth with our without cucumber. The band is playing Bob Dylan – Feel My Love, and I am definitely in the groove. Not as much as some of the regulars like Addy. She came from the west side of the island to visit her old stomping grounds. For those of you who aren’t accustomed to island life, it is a chore to travel the 22 miles from Ewa (pronounced eva) to Chinatown. I liken it to choosing a new residence since that’s what I’m working on right now.
Everyone needs something to believe in, and I believe that’s a good drink.
There’s an energy here, both upstairs and down that is hard to put a finger on. I don’t want to try. I prefer to enjoy the music. So, if you’re in Chinatown on the island of Oahu; stop by Hank’s and The Dragon Upstairs. Get some jazz, funk, soul, and classic rock all served with Aloha. There is a fine selection of musicians and good stiff drinks poured at both venues “just don’t tell Dave”.
And if you see Maryanne, tell her Tom said Aloha.
If you enjoyed this post, subscribe here and receive all of our posts in your inbox. Leave your comments below and share what you think.
The virgin vinyl selection for this week is the follow-up album to his classic, Giant Steps. Coltrane Jazz, an album that only flows and takes the music back to a sound more like the standards. No less Coltrane in the expression, but a far cry from albums like Offering at Temple. An album which is definitively not one of my favorite things.
Sign up for our mailing here list and have every post delivered to your inbox! If you enjoyed the video please leave some feedback, I look forward to hearing from you as always.
This week I’ve decided not to listen to any records. I will clean, catalog, and organize them; just no listening. As I write this, I’m using my underutilized Sonos bridge, fed to my preamp via optical cable.
If you have been reading for a little while, you know I love records. In case Vinyl for The People wasn’t enough foreshadowing. I deny myself the pleasure of vinyl listening for six days. What will come of this, perhaps my head will implode from bits and bites? In which case, it was nice writing to you all.
Let me say that I am not anti-digital. I have a far more extensive digital collection than I do a record collection. The disparity between digital and analog is in part due to growing up during the golden age of Napster. I’ve bought hundreds of CDs, but some albums that didn’t pass the $19.95 value test in the early to mid-2000’s. Of those albums, the ones I cherished most are among records.
Digital and analog, Ying and Yang
I could call this practice for shipping my belongings to San Diego. Leaving Hawaii is bittersweet, I’ll miss the Aloha, food, views, and people. Going back to the mainland has distinct advantages, Amazon Prime, pizza delivery (Dominos nor Papa Johns deliver to our house), a variety of record stores, airfare. But some things are worth more than others.
Santa Fe returns to Pearl Harbor, 2009
Being in the military brings a unique point of view. I’ve done my share of stuff begrudgingly. A transoceanic move from New Hampshire to Hawaii, transferring to a different submarine because they “needed” me, and cleaning up real “shit” under the sinks in my kitchen (Galley for you Navy types). What I’m saying is San Diego is not a place I would like to avoid. My girlfriend, however, is not coming with her sailor. Choosing to come when she feels is right. While saddened by this fact, I am glad that we talked about that before we go to the juncture of moving. That is a story with a few parallels surrounding my ex-wife. I’ll make due.
At least, this time, I have records.
If you enjoyed this post or any my others, please subscribe and comment. I love your feedback!
