Thursday, November 11, 2010

Torch Songs for Tough Guys


You know a show is good when is sticks with you for weeks. I had been going through on of those phases when i listened to alot of Afghan Whigs and then the Dulli show came up and well sometimes things just work out that way, he's one of those guys that i can relate to on many levels, another of those artists who has been grossly overlooked in my opinion, talent just oozing from the guy, a guy like Paul Westerberg, a guy who's lyrics hit home like Craig Finn's early stuff or Patrick Stickles or Stephen Merritt, a guy like Darger or Mondrian, like Henry Miller or Nelson Algren or Celine, overlooked and under-rated and here i sit still listening to his music and in particular an album called Live at Triple Door, torch songs for tough guys, stripped down and soul baring, a brilliant record, a record that needs to be heard (i'm looking at you Ms. Daisy), a record that reminds me of many of my vices past and present and future and lately it's been like an infection and pushing and pulling me in different directions...

Greg gave up the smokes and the hard shit and while i talk a good game i'm still working on it, today was one of those rare days when i get a break and had a few hours of nothing and what did i do? hit the casino at 8am, lost ten straight hands of blackjack, got some of it back from a one armed bandit and went home to take a nap, see the last thing i need is help with my vices but lately those lyrics have just been hitting home a bit to much but having run the streets long enough i've learned a little bit, like last night sitting at the dive bar, sitting next to a beautiful brunette, my M.O., for years i've been a sucker for dark hair and light eyes and this one sat in this bar with the art stars, with girls who tattoo themselves and pierce themselves and talk loud and make scenes all hoping to attract attention, she on the other hand was understated elegance, with her thrift store dress and easy smile, she was quiet and polite, the polar opposite of every other female in the bar, even more dangerous was the fact that i think she took a liking to me, she watching me just as much as i her and had i been dumb enough to open my mouth i would have told her how dangerous she was to me and how i had to much to lose, but i was smart, i got out before i got myself in trouble cuz if there's anything i know about it's how to get in trouble with the fairer sex, i bought her a drink and left before the bartender got it to her, didn't get her name, didn't want to talk, hit the door and drove home to the boyos...

See i've learned something, granted it's nice to feel that electricity and i've never been one to shun a bit of flirtation but at the end of the day sometimes i try to do what's right, of course i know some of you out there are probably saying to yourselves she was just wondering why the gigantic moron kept gawking but it wasn't like that at all, really and believe it or not i can be quite charming and polite when i try it's just that i don't try that often...

but the big news today is that i bought the new Keith Richards autobiography cuz if there's anyone who can teach me about chivalry it's Keef, that and a few other things i'm sure but it's been well documented that Mr. Richards is actually quite the family man, unlike Sir Mick... we will now resume with our regularly scheduled programs. Oh yeah and buy that album.

8 comments:

daisyfae said...

got it. i take direction pretty well.

and like you, i'm trying to get better about enjoying the 'electric' without getting in trouble... when there are little faces that can get caught in the crossfire? i'm highly likely to buy a drink and run for the door, too...

sybil law said...

I am definitely a guy's girl, overall, and I can flirt when I want to (most of the time I don't), but I don't DO anything. No way.
I do have my own lines I don't cross; that's one of them.
Still - it sure can be fun to flirt.
Oh and I plan to get that book, too! I'll wait for your review.

Rassles said...

I'm so glad I don't live too close to a casino, because I would be there constantly. And I don't really know what kind of girl I am at the bar. I'm just kind of there holding court.

The Unbearable Banishment said...

Good Christ, I love casinos. I've never EVER placed a bet online but I love casinos. Love the atmosphere. The harsh reality vs. the sense of possibility. But I don't do blackjack. Snoozeville.

And fuck Keith Richards and his book. All that complaining about Mick. As if he'd be anything at all without him. Have you heard his solo projects? I saw The Red Barbarians at the Richfield Coliseum. Ick. And the nerve of him complaining that Mick thinks he "runs the band." Jagger kept that band together while Keef was whacked out of his mind on smack, coke, booze and God knows what else. Of course he runs the band. He's clean. Fucking ingrate.

nursemyra said...

Hmmm.... he may be a fucking ingrate but I'm still curious to read your review when you've finished reading Keith's book

Kono said...

Nurse- that's the UB who believe Keef is a fucking ingrate, i happen to like the man, much more than Sir Mick, but i'm an amiable guy and can agree to disagree with UB, besides my favorite Stone is Brian Jones but Keef is a close second and obviously his lifestyle is something i'm a bit interested in.

Gulfboot Johnson said...

Mick's solo work is great isn't it? Twat!

Kono said...

Daisy- you're a smart woman.

Sybil- i'll be honest it's in the book queue which is quite long and i never really know what i'm gonna read next but when i do read it i'll give my critical analysis thereof.

Rassles- fucking casino's are like crack to me, i love cards and gambling and watching the patrons, it's just another vice i get to struggle with and enjoy and i'm kinda glad it's there but sometimes i wish it wasn't. I'm learning i like them more early in the morning too.

UB- the harsh reality vs. the possiblities is exactly what i like, i'd play poker as well but i don't have the money and it's annoying to sit with a bunch of twentysomething kids in sunglasses thinking they're the next Phil Hellmuth or Joe Hachim... as for the Stones i can agree to disagree, i got alot more in common with Keef than Mick hence my position, though i'd say that when you think of a Stones song the first thing to come to mind is the guitar riff and not the lyrics, mention Jumpin Jack Flash to someone and they'll immediately air guitar the intro.

Nurse- i'll let you know what i think when it finally gets read.

Gulfboot- i love you.