Two Words, One Answer.
out there
 Out There: In the Wild in a Wired Age $16.95 Let me start by saying that I am a huge fan of Ted Kerasote. This is a short book about his experience out on the Horton River with his friend who brings a remote phone. I felt like I was out there with him experiencing the beauty and surprises along the way. Ted has a great writing style that allows his readers to laugh along with him and also feel his uneasiness when talking on the remote phone while he is out in the wild. Returning back to civilization was hard and I felt disappointed that the trip ended but I believe that was the point, to know the actual difference. I would also highly recommend any of his other books especially Merle's Door. It is truly my favorite. Also, Ted has a couple books coming out in 2010 and I can hardly wait. He is personable, knowledgeable, and a gentle spirit that offers his wonderful perspective so that we may explore and learn to be in harmony with nature.  Out There, The Evil Within: Tome 1 - Issues 1-6 (Out There (DC Comics)) $12.95 If you're looking for an adventure, this is one book that you should have. The creative team behind Crimson is back. The caricature-like artwork greatly done by Humberto Ramos, and the clear and fast-paced story-telling of Brian Augustyn make for a book that is simple and captivating. The story takes place in El Doarado City (E D City as its resident would call it), where the residents (namely the parents and town officials) made a deal with a sinister character named Dreadalus, to keep their city prosperous and safe in exchange for some favors. The favor was pretty simple -- to help Dreadalus invade Earth. Four highschool kids, a woman reverend, and a really big guy is their city's only hope. Join our unlikely heroes as they try to fend off a much more powerful adversary.  Out There $11.98 Being cheap, i debated endlessly about picking up this album. I listen to a lot of "out" playing, always love Shepp, and can even enjoy Ayler (on his good days), but for some reason the little sound samples offered here seemed a bit scary (Ron Carter's beautiful but melancholy cello most likely) this is not the case at all. Dolphy's Out There takes a bucketload of Mingus (Eclipse is a tune of his, The Baron is in his honor, and Dolphy's pre-boppish clarinet work immediately brought some of his sessions to mind.), a bunch of Monk (off kilter rhythms and heavy swinging dissonant notes abound), a touch of Bird (mostly the crazy counter intuitive alto lines on the first cut), and puts itself in a place both before and after bop, and both within and outside of the norm. The first half of this album really tears and makes you listen hard, then Dolphy lays off and delivers shimmeringly melodic sounds on Eclipse (a Mingus Piece) and the hauntingly beautiful Sketch of Melba. The rest is what I can only describe as slightly mind-bending bebop, with weird inside-out lines underscored by an unusually beautiful and centered tone for the avant-garde. Dolphy's flute is fantastic (too many sax players just pick up flutes and assume they've got it) and his clarinet and alto work is fantastic, almost vocalized, soulful, and varied. Roy Haynes is so good you don't even notice (aside from his solos) until the third or fourth play through, which is how a great drummer ought to come across. Ron Carter's work seems to extend Dolphy's tonal vision, but Dolphy emerges clearly as the leader. The day I got this I listened to it straight through three times, so be prepared to bask in this album's ability to make you think and simultaneously put you at ease for hours. |
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