Loving Adele

Whenever a new vocalist steps into the American musical arena, music critics and DJs are tempted to classify the vocal style or to make comparisons. It's only natural, I suppose, as we all tend to relate that which is new to that which is familiar. British singer-songwriter, Adele Adkins, is one such artist--relatively new on the music scene, at least in this country. There is a problem with Adele, however. Her voice and style are incomparable and difficult to categorize.

For a music lover with completely eclectic musical tastes like mine, classification of Adele's album titled simply 19 is easy. I have filed it under "Music I LOVE." Adele is an "old soul," writing with sophistication and musical awareness well beyond that of her twenty-something contemporaries.

I first discovered Adele when she appeared on SNL. Like most Saturday nights, I had fallen asleep shortly after the opening monologue and first sketches. Luckily, I woke up just in time to see Adele singing "Chasing Pavements." The song seemed very familiar to me, and I was sure I'd heard it before. And yet, I could not place it. That's the thing about this music; it seems comfortably familiar and fresh all at the same time.

Adele's 19 is a rich collection of soulful ballads and laidback, yet sophisticated pop tunes. Adele proves herself to be both a serious musician (playing bass and acoustic guitar) and a playful young adult. Her lyrics are thoughtful. With the exception of one Bob Dylan cover, all of the selections were written or co-written by Adele. The musical arrangements are multi-layered. One of my favorites, "Cold Shoulder," features snare drum riffs reminiscent of a marching band. Listen carefully and you'll even hear a glockenspiel. The use of orchestral strings adds a level of maturity and elegance that sets this music apart from the offerings of two other young female singers, Colbie Caillat and Sara Bareilles. The music is fresh and unpredictable with clever use of changing rhythms and tempos. But what stands out, above all else, is Adele's richly unique voice. It's an amazing blend of that smoky, developed voice of a seasoned blues singer and the youthful, almost angelic tones of an adolescent girl. .

"Chasing Pavements" is getting some airplay on stations here in San Francisco. But, I don't think it will be a huge hit. This is music for more refined tastes. If you loved Corinne Bailey Rae ... check it out. If you prefer a steady diet of Brittney or Madonna, skip this one. You just won't get it.

Favorite tracks:
Chasing Pavements
Best for Last
Cold Shoulder
Make You Feel My Love (B. Dylan)

Our 44th President... Our Hope

President Barack Obama... So wonderful to say that...

America has a new President... And, all day long I've been hoping to have a moment of quiet time to sit and reflect upon what this historic day means to me.

It's 10:00 PM... A typical Tuesday in a typical work week. I left the office late and arrived at the muni station only to find that the trains were delayed. Tomorrow will be a busy day...An important meeting with a new client... Lunch with a business colleague... Much to do!

Barack Obama is the 44th President of the USA!

There is change and hope in the air. You can feel it. It's like knowing the showers are coming because of the chill in the air and the way the breeze smells of rain. In the midst of all that is amiss in our country and in our world, we take pause to celebrate. We celebrate our collective faith in the leadership of a great man, a man who is like us, a man who has known the challenges of poverty, a man who believed in America's promise. Barack Obama has inspired a people--weary and dejected-- to raise our voices once again and to believe in the ideals of democracy.

Today is a day that will go down in history. Not only has the greatest country on Earth inaugurated her first African-American president, but the citizens of that same nation have also found a great unity. There is an overwhelming sense of synergy all about. You can literally feel it on the streets. This is a moment of serendipitous elation. As a nation, we have many challenges ahead. We will have to weather a multitude of storms. But, there is a mighty captain at the helm of our ship.

I have never felt such pride in being an American. My personal vote has never meant more to me. Today is a great day for President Barack Obama and for America!

Oh happy day! Talking 'bout a happy day!

I didn't grow up in the city. Sturgis, South Dakota--population 6000-- is a small town by most standards. And, for the first 31 years of my life. Sturgis and nearby municipality, Rapid City, were home. In a million years, I would never have imagined that one day I would live in San Francisco. I guess stranger things have indeed happened because here I am.

Now, on most days, I am thrilled to live in the city. I mean, what's not to love? City life has so much to offer--art museums, theatre, amazing shopping, fabulous restaurants, and cultural diversity. If you have been blessed with even the slightest sense of adventure or a mild case of curiosity, living in a city like San Francisco is like feasting on a smorgasbord of interesting encounters of every kind imaginable. I have lived in this beautiful city almost five years now, and I still find myself in awe of all it is and can be.

It's clear; I love city life. I have come to believe that i was truly born to live in this city. But there are days like today when I long for Sturgis-- population 6000. On days like these I am irritated by the thing that makes a city a city... People!

Please do not misunderstand. I like people. Really... I love people. I might even go so far as to say that I NEED people. That may actually make me one of the luckiest people in the world. On most days that is... But today... Today some people are really getting on my freakin' nerves.

Street musicians... If I wanted to hear some overweight wannabe punk rocker sing "Walk the Line," I'd tune into the Season 8 American Idol auditions. At least then I have the satisfaction of hearing Simon Cowell tell the poor soul the truth. "That was dreadful!" And seriously, the didgeridoo isn't exactly a solo instrument. Oh, and the dreadlocks and rasta hat don't make you seem counter-cultural or interesting. They simply scream "Unemployed!"

Public Transportation... Those slivers of light between our bodies? Yeah... That's our breathing room. It doesn't mean there's room for you to get on the train. What's the deal? Hasn't anyone heard about the concept of "Personal Body Space?" I sure hope that's the handle of that man's umbrella that's poking me in the ass.

Dining Out... Dining in a restaurant is supposed to be a quiet, relaxing experience. And, it can be. But, all too often there is a table where at least one patron refuses to use an "indoor voice." Is what you have to say so interesting that you feel the need to broadcast it throughout the entire place? Doubtful!! And, please...I shouldn't be able to hear you chewing at my table. I think they should issue permits or licenses allowing a few select people the privilege of dining in public. McDonald's--Now that's dining for the masses... Otherwise, if you haven't read Emily Post, order in!

It appears that I am on a roll...and I could go on forever. But, I'll save myself the time and frustration of enumerating all of the ways people bug the shit out of me. Besides, I have to psyche myself up for the Muni ride home. At least... It's FRIDAY!

Namaste...
Jerome

Tuesday of the Most Stressful Day of My Life

Into every life, some stress must fall. It just sort of goes with the territory, right? I mean, life moves along at the speed of light. The obligations and duties are countless. Family... Career... Friends... Keeping a house... Running errands... Doing the laundry... Preparing meals... Seems there isn't a lot of time left over for simply "being." In a world that literally spins through space, how do we carve out some space for ourselves?

My mother likes to tell me that everything happens for a reason. I think she honestly believes that. Perhaps it's an expression of her faith in some power beyond our world that acts in mysterious ways. I'm sure Mom would call that power God. While I do believe in God, I'm finding that my belief is a bit more far reaching and has a broader scope now than it once had. I do not subscribe to my mother's philosophy. I think that many things that happen to us and around us are truly random. Those things may happen as a result of our own poor choices or as a result of our interaction with someone who happened upon our paths. Whatever their cause, I am hard-pressed to believe that some God is playing a cosmic game of chess with our lives. I do believe, however, that each moment of our lives is an opportunity to learn a lesson.

This week I'm learning about shrugging off stress and keeping my eyes focused on what truly matters in life. I have to take a certification exam for work on Friday. I've been studying for months, and even so, I'm feeling some anxiety. I'm down to the last few dollars in my checking account and pay day is a few days away. I've got a writing deadline for some freelance work looming overhead. To top it all off, I lost my wallet tonight.

I should be freaking out and incensed at the inconvenience of having to cancel credit cards, order a new gym ID card, and stand on line at the DMV to get a new drivers license. Instead, I'm realizing that a little bit of hassle can truly make one stop, look, and listen. I will have to make adjustments in my life for a few weeks. But, I am capable of making those adjustments. I am savvy enough to solve these problems. In the grand scheme of things--especially in these times of economic hardship-- I'm pretty lucky.