I was inspired to began this blog back in February 2008 following my seeing Van Halen perform in Portland OR and then here in Denver CO, beginning a serious time of downloading and listening to live concert recordings which persisted for the last 5 years. At the time I thought it would be fun using the blog to record my musical adventures during what I anticipated tom be a "year of Van Halen." Well one stretched into two, three and then five. This period was was unlike any other in my life, music being a constant feature, either live shows or the virtual concerts that mark almost every weekend. But like all phases in my life, which may last anywhere between 3 to 5 years in length, a time comes for me to search for something new. That does not mean the music stops (in fact, the next couple months are packed with live shows), it just means I am in search of something new to entertain and challenge me.
After a long period of time posting to this blog, I found myself wondering whether it was becoming more a chore than a pleasure, something I felt I was obligated to maintain as opposed to wanting to do. And the time, although it might have been once a week, began adding up and took me away from other things. So with this posting I officially end the "year of Van Halen" and embark on something less ambitious. Instead I will be using this blog to post the live shows I attend, sharing pictures and hopefully the music as well. In this regard, beginning next week and almost weekly thereafter I will be attending a bunch of shows by performers I have been wanting to see. Check in periodically download the complete concerts of some old and new acts that are making their appearance in Denver.
The weekend virtual concerts continue outside with the truck speakers blaring into the night. I've even begun doing shows in the garage, projecting big images onto the white wall, playing live shows from DVDs hooked up to a stereo and big speakers. That's a whole other experience. There's a persistent smell of cigar smoke in the garage now. The music playing is mostly the same, Van Halen, Nirvana, PiL, Echo and the Bunnymen, Sex Pistols and the doors, but it does include new bands like the Jezabels and Xylos. My preference at the moment is to find new and emotionally engaging music as well, which is why a number of the shows I will attend are of local/new bands. Always looking for something to inspire!
What follow are pictures from the recent Eiseman Hut trip, a beautiful location atop the Vail valley. Earn our turns we did! Here's an HD video of the weekend.
Fifty six years old
Like an Indian Summer
Coming to an end
In the hospital
Lay there while guests walk away
Flowers rotting death
Our slain young children
Outraged by senseless death and
When God won't fight back
