Fact, Vegas and Sebastian
Anything you see in a dream, that doesn't exist, should be created. If I have a dream of
an LED clock, for example - I should devote my life to making it. That's why you dream it...
Unless you dream of a baby-killing machine, then you just need medical help.
Okay, onto the weekends mighty events.
This last Saturday Sarah and I went to Las Vegas.
We both had a great time walking around and gambling and whatnot. However, this activity with only two people, can get to be a drag after a bit if you're not big gamblers. So my discovery #1 - Always have a central event when going to Vegas.
For that event we chose to see the Cirque du Soleil show KA.
I can't tell you how freakin amazing the show was. The basic story is pretty much a video game storyline. Two twins who are the son and daughter of the emperor are the main characters. One day their river barge is attacked by a group of ninja and the barge is destroyed, the Emperor and Emporess killed, and the twins seperated. The spend the rest of the showing trying to find their way back to eachother and defeat the ninja warlord. Pretty standard stuff, except the execution of it.
The set, costumes, stunts, machinery - everything, was mind blowing. Escape sequences involving complex gymnastic manuevers on verticle platforms, pyrotechnic explosion set off by fiery arrows and matrix-like battles with intense wirework made this show a visual spectacle unlike anything I'd ever seen live.
If you're in Vegas, throw down the $99 and go see this show.
Now the ride home was the only bummer of the whole trip. I could barely keep awake and Sarah was just as tired as I was. We rotated driving and made it back safe, but learned a valuable lesson. Bring another couple so that you could get a room and stay the night.
On Sunday night, my good friend
Andy picked me up to go to the Belle and Sebastian show at the Wiltern in Hollywood. Both Andy and myself are new fans of Belle and Sebastian, we mainly came for the opening band, The New Pornographers. Both bands were amazing, but I was especially impressed by Belle. They were so damn talented. Everyone in the band, all 7 of them...or was it 8, play like 3 instruments. Not at the same time, mind you, but to create different effects on different songs. But I guess when you've been playing together for over 10 years, you acquire a cornacopia, as it were, of skills. Andy came up with names for all the funny dances that each of them did, I hope he posts them, cuz that's some funny stuff.
They were so charming fun, I would go see them again in a heartbeat...and their album is on repeat in my iTunes right now.
So it was one hell of a weekend, pictures will be added shortly.
Okay. Here's the low down with John Mayer, in my humble opinion.
He is an exceptionally talented young man who's past songwriting efforts have boxed him into a somewhat formulaic, albeit catchy-as-hell, genre built around stirring up romantic fantasies in young teenage girls...until now.
His full capabilities have always been showcased in his live performances, as is plainly seen by his freestyling solo's on his DvD. Of late, he has been able to shine through by being a guest musician for larger ticket performers in varying genre's.
But with the release of the John Mayer Trio's live album 'Try!', we're finally able to listen to a side of John that has been lurking behind the teen-pop love songs that he is known for.
This album kicks so much ass, it's unbelievable. Amazing, ripping guitar solos, bluesy covers of some of his hits as well as a handful of new material that clearly indicates his spectacular skills as a guitarist, vocalist and frontman. I don't think his current fans will be in any way disappointed, and those snobs who always wrote him off as a young David Matthews will finally have to face the facts that he one of the most talented musicians currently playing in mainstream pop.
Buy the album today, please. I'll even link it for you.
