We've had a great week. Kindergarten went to the San Diego Symphony and saw a terrific program: the orchestra played soundtrack hits from Harry Potter, E.T., Raiders of the Lost Ark and Star Wars. They did this bit, too, where they invited a movie composer, whose name I have forgotten, on stage. He showed a clip from a Christian Slater film with no music on the big screen. And then the orchestra played two different pieces of music live to the film clip. The first was all upbeat and the second sort of sinister, the idea being that the music played can change how you feel about a character or the scene or whatever is happening on screen. I thought it'd be over their heads (they were the youngest in a crowd that went up to 5th grade) but when we got home, my daughter explained it to my husband pretty accurately, so hey. Very cool. Then this past weekend, my daughter tried skiing for the first time. And she did pretty well, or so I am told, I missed the whole damn thing.

Star Wars Opening Theme
Star Wars, Imperial Walk Theme

I know many of you have really dug the Soft Lightes that we've played here. You should know, the new CD "Say No to Being Cool , Say Yes to Being Happy " will be released today, February 13th on Modular records. Buy it! It is gonna be fabulous for the whole family and they are nice people, too.

SoftLightes, "Heart Made of Sound"

And since I haven't posted in awhile, here are just some random yet magically delicious songs that you may like. The Billy Bragg / Wilco track is one of our most favorites from the Mermaid Avenue CD (the first one) of Woody Guthrie words. I found the Hanky and Panky on some Swedish blog, it's very weird, but silly. And Aretha needs no intro.

Aretha Franklin, "Mockingbird"
Hanky and Panky, "Ha Ha Ha Ha!"
Billy Bragg and Wilco, "Hoo Doo Voo Doo"