As noted in the December 2005 edition of Mil Mania, I continue to include news in every issue to keep readers up to date on the latest happenings with the three acts most prominently featured on www.artistinsane.com. However, I now also choose one additional artist — in some cases a new discovery I’ve recently made, in others an individual or group whose work I’ve long appreciated — to make a one-time appearance here. And, as with all aspects of Mil Mania, feel free to offer suggestions.
This month’s featured artist...is a song instead. And, since that’s a mighty small piece of work to consider, I’ve chosen two separate songs (by different artists) to fill this section.
The first is...
The Last to Know by Del
Amitri — Quite honestly
I simply don’t know
enough about this group’s
other work to “endorse”,
if you will, their entire
catalog by making them a
“Featured Artist”. However, I was thinking recently about how much I appreciated their hit song, “The Last to Know” and with that pondering began the idea of sharing that appreciation here. And when, in an almost eerie sense of timing, it came over the sound system while shopping at Home Depot just a few days ago, I pretty much forgot what I was in the store for as I stopped mid-aisle to listen anew. Again, I was reminded of what a great piece of literature it represents in its ability to wholly engage one’s sympathies in the direction of the singer...then turn them completely with the surprise twist of truth that explains the singer’s sorrow.
If you’re not familiar with the song, you can hear a sample at this page on Amazon.com and/or read the lyrics here.
……………………..
And the second…
The Origin of Love by
John Cameron Mitchell
— The soundtrack album
on which this track ap-
pears was given to me by
a friend, and although the
overall work didn’t prove
my cup of tea, yet I remain ever grateful to her for introducing me to this song. Based on a speech by Greek playwright Aristophanes in the Symposium, it offers the explanation for all mankind’s search for one’s “other half” and shares its tale via music that crashes and whispers and takes one on a theatrical and deeply moving journey. Truly, I count this a master work of hopeless romanticism and an endlessly beautiful metaphor, no matter how closely any listener’s actual beliefs regarding “kindred spirits” may or may not align with its philosophy. It’s downright embarrassing how many times I hit repeat on the CD player in the weeks after discovering this now longtime favorite...and I dare you to check it out and resist doing the same.
That said, lest the song is “Greek to” you , you can hear a sample at Amazon.com and/or read the lyrics by clicking here. However, I encourage you to seek out the piece in its entirety to enjoy the full effect of this very complete experience.
……………………..
Third Eye Blind has just kicked off a full summer tour schedule of shows throughout July and August. Check 3eb.com, The Village Churchyard or SJ.com for more info.
Brian Fitzpatrick played two shows in mid-July — and to borrow a phrase from one of my high school history teachers I am “chagrined and mortified” to have missed them. As I’m sure I could make up an excuse that would sound far more plausible than the truth, I’ll just share here that half of the reason was one of my pet rat’s need for surgery two days prior...which meant essentially peering into her small temporary home pretty much 24/7 to be sure she didn’t scratch or bite at her incision area. In any case, there’s another Fitzpatrick performance scheduled for August 11 so here’s hoping the stars align to allow me to attend that one! (If you want to go, too, just visit Brian’s page at myspace.com for more info.)
In the meantime, I’ve heard little other news on the Fitzpatrick front...here’s hoping for more SOON!
Michael McDermott — As regular readers already know, this year’s birthday/CD release celebration is now underway. In accordance with that, I’ve recently created a myspace page to help spread the word about it. Just go to www.myspace.com/celebration3 to check it out — and if you’re a myspace member, add this event page as a “Friend”! More importantly, though, just pick a lyric from the new album…
…and buy Michael a birthday/congrats card. Send both to the address available at www.artistinsane.com/birthday2007.htm and I’ll put them together into a collective finished product I truly believe will prove quite worthy of “Noise”.
In other McDermott news, Michael at last returns to the East Coast for a string of dates at NYC’s Living Room in August — which I hope to attend (dates and times are available at www.myspace.com/michaelmcdermott). Watch the next issue (or two) for links
to reviews, photos and more.
