The Useless Critic 2.0

Hey, So the name « Esperanza Spalding, » is now getting an enormous amount of attention on the internet, and I have to confess before she won that little Gram Gram statue, I had no idea who she was. Did a Jazz musician really win Best New Artist this year? Anyway, I love the double bass, I love the bass guitar, I love compositions for the bass and bass guitar, so this bassist seems like she would be a perfect fit for someone like me. However, despite my obsession with Bassies, I am not that big of a Jazz fan. In this live song, she is rather awesome though. There is energy, and there is also what some people refer to as SOUL. Whether you like Jazz or not, this song and performance is awesome. But in this video below, I really lose a lot of the sensual energy. I think the bass is extremely well-played, but the arrangement is just not for me. She has a good voice, but it is not sitting well with me because of that silly Je ne sais quoi. She is definitely worth checking out though. QATFYG...

I almost forgot about this! Because I can't see Metric in Pittsburgh on Tuesdsay ( :( ) I AM seeing Miss Nellie McKay- a very, very talented singer/songwriter who played the sister in "P.S. I Love You" and grabbed my attention with her debut album, a must-hear, "Get Away From Me." she just released- just, as of Oct. 13- her tribute to Doris freaking Day, Normal As Blueberry Pie. Here she is, being all adorable and smarmy, and like my one friend stated, Regina Spektor-ish. AND SHE'S PLAYING AN UKULELE! Dance break! ... Anyway, she will be playing at Cleveland for two engagements at the jazz bar Nighttown. November 23rd and November 24th for 20 dollars, both shows beginning at 7 p.m. NO REASON TO BE MISSING THIS.