Rock Candy: April 2006 Archives

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Sunday, April 30, 2006 - 19:23:59

Boondogs brought us there; the Afterthought opens grandly

I checked out the Boondogs last night for the day two of the Afterthought's grand opening with a companion who was new to their music. Companion's opinion mirrored mine: they have an easygoing, literate, ambient sound reminiscent of the Smithereens or Edie Brickell. Kinda Euro, kinda roots-pop... after we were able to finally get seats close enough to see the band as a whole, we closed our eyes and seat-bopped a little, and were transported into a happy place, a trance-like rock plane inhabited by 12-string and acoustic guitar, whammy bar, snappish high hat and snare, upright bass, keys, shaky percussion things.

Listen to their album "Fever Dreams" with headphones, Alone. It's like pure poetic time travel. A lounge-like mental magic carpet ride.

The group has a saga-like history with success, disappointment, hope, redemption and all of that, best checked out on their website www.boondogs.com.

--AmyB

Posted by at 07:23 PM | Permalink | Comments [0]

Saturday, April 29, 2006 - 16:13:36

AmyB's Gettin' Out: Saturday night

Hope you didn't wash await, or start to melt, after that monsoon today. Here's Amy Brawner with what to do tonight, after the jump:

Posted by at 04:13 PM | Permalink | Comments [0]

Sports Column: J.R. and Henry translate Houston Nutt

J.R. and Henry: Nutt says it best when he says nothing at all

Do you remember country singer Keith Whitley’s hit song “When You Say Nothing At All?” Maybe you've heard Alison Krauss' cover of it, or heard it on "Notting Hill." It spea

In front of the Little Rock Touchdown Club on Tuesday at P.A.R.K., Keith Jackson’s blessing of a facility, Arkansas head football coach Houston Nutt spoke about the state of the program. Fifteen minutes into Nutt’s speech, and after identifying his theme, we thought of that song.
It quickly became clear that Nutt’s intention on Tuesday was to come into the room, hype up the crowd with talk of desire and a hunger to win, and leave without having to address any critical issue facing the program, including the big one – who’s in charge of the offense?
Instead of getting to the heart of this issue (he did mention his rationale behind using green jerseys though), Nutt embarked on an Otis Kirk-like journey down the depth chart. Within moments, fifth and sixth string players were getting love from the head coach that would’ve made Rudy jealous.

Was this what we paid for? Not really. The barbecue was good.

But interspersed between the “specials” and “working hards” and “efforts” were some real gems. And for those of you unfamiliar with Nutt’s favorite phrases, we proudly offer the Houston to English translation of some of the high points of his speech.

HDN: “We’ve had two rough years. Six straight years I didn’t hear much from you. Everything was pretty good.”

Translation: “Love me the way you loved me in 1998 and 1999. After all, I did take the Hogs to two New Year’s Day bowls and even beat Texas. If that ain’t enough to achieve coaching immortality, what is?”

HDN: “I know everybody wants to see the ball slung all over the field, and everybody can stand up and cheer. As former quarterback, I love to throw the football, and we're going to get better."

Translation: “I was sort of a big deal at Little Rock Central. Trust me.”

HDNn: “John [McDonnell], I rub on him, touch him, listen to him. Here’s a man with 42 national championships. Forty-two! I just want one.”
Translation: “Maybe if I mention that McDonnell’s won a bunch of national championships, fans will forget that the football team sucks.”

HDN: “I’ve never seen a group so hungry who worked so hard, and that’s because they want to win for you.”

Translation: “Let’s see, I’ve already talked about being special and bouncing around. I’ll go with hungry this time.”

HDN: “When he says get there with a few of his own adjectives, it can be intimidating, especially the first time around. Reggie is getting better, and our kids have learned he isn’t going to beat them up.”

Translation: “I’m scared of Reggie.”

HDN: “It was tough . . . embarrassing. There’s no other way to say it. We do owe them. We owe them a big one.”

Translation: “If we lose by less than 53 to USC, it’s a moral victory.”

HDN: “Because of Matt Jones, we were labeled an option team” and thus weren’t able to recruit quality receivers.

Translation: “It’s not my fault we can’t recruit, it’s that elusive first round draft pick’s fault. Oops, did I forget to mention the ‘cloud?’”

HDN: “Can we turn the cameras off?”

Translation: “I’m about to say something that isn’t really important or interesting, but since I asked for the cameras to be turned off, you’ll think you’re getting some inside scoop.”

HDN: “We are a Kenoy Kennedy away.”

Translation: “Just wait until next year.”

HDN: "I was told by Broyles and Bill Gray not to say nothing."

Translation: “I’ve had back to back losing seasons and have no authority whatsoever.”

HDN: “Back in the days of the Southwest Conference, when we had starting lines from Little Rock we won titles.”

Translation: “Don’t forget that I was sort of a big deal at Central.”

HDN: “We want to get back to a bowl . . . and we’re going to do it.”

Translation: “If I can get the Hogs to Shreveport, you should be thrilled. They have casinos.”

Nutt’s magic act may have just worked though. Most people present probably walked away with a renewed sense of enthusiasm what with all the action verbs.

And that was Nutt’s mission. Like a seasoned politician, he spoke for 45 minutes and managed to avoid having to say anything that matters.

But the players are hungry and they want to win. So do the coaches. They want to get back to a bowl game “nine times” more than the fans. Nine times! We feel better, coach. We were afraid it was only eight.

J.R. and Henry blog this column at Little Rocking every Wednesday and Saturday.

Posted by at 03:49 PM | Permalink | Comments [1]

Friday, April 28, 2006 - 15:14:08

AmyB's Gettin' Out: Thank Huck it's Friday

AmyB's really bringing it today with the club scene to-do list. And, if you find yourself even slightly offended by some of the crass band names of today, just move along (though things are more tame than they were Wednesday):

With the burgeoning Argenta District comes a few new little places to check out …Cornerstone Deli, Reno’s and the Argenta Coffee House at 304 Main St., where Tim Anthony and guests appear tonight. You know: funk, R&B, soul and jazz. There’s a $5 cover.

Also, if you haven’t caught a whiff of it yet, there’s an art happening every Friday at Main and Broadway in Argenta from 8 p.m.-midnight….it’s called The Scene. The concept is pretty cool: Artists hang out, create, paint, sculpt, etc. The Scene provides the material, and sell it, in exchange for 25% of the price of the work. From the website:

"All work created at the scene is to stay – on site, for sale for a minimum of one month. Artists receive 75% of the sale price of work created there. The Scene does not compete with galleries. No work may be displayed for sale unless it was created at the Scene.
Art films, models, paint & sculpting materials are provided.
Donations are appreciated.

Posted by at 03:14 PM | Permalink | Comments [1]

'Da Vinci Code' ticket sales get boost from Vatican

According to this Reuters story, the Vatican today has stepped up its efforts to keep people from going to see "The Da Vinci Code," which opens May 15 and stars Tom Hanks. Nice. You can't buy promotion this good (or, maybe you can; maybe you can pay the Vatican to publicly denounce the film so more people will actually go see it).

Officials at the Vatican say Dan Brown's book is full of anti-Christian lies and the urge Catholics to boycott the film, since it most likely will carry the same lies. You know, the fictional line (the book is FICTION, Vaticanites) that Jesus and Mary Magdalene ran off and that Leonardo Da Vinci and others were part of a secret organization that was started by them. Or something like that. Hell, I haven't read the book. I've just heard about it. Now, I'm for sure going to read it. Thanks, Vatican, for the rec. I'm also for sure going to see the movie now.

The latest broadside came from Archbishop Angelo Amato, the number two official in the Vatican doctrinal office which was headed by Pope Benedict until his election last year.

Amato, addressing a Catholic conference in Rome, called the book "stridently anti-Christian .. full of calumnies, offences and historical and theological errors regarding Jesus, the Gospels and the Church."

He added: "I hope that you all will boycott the film.

You betcha. And that special on the Gospel of Judas, I'll boycott that too. Right.

I think I'll check out "The Last Temptation of Christ" this weekend at the videostore while I'm at it. I'll invite my old pal Gov. Huckabee over to watch and discuss it.

Posted by at 12:08 PM | Permalink | Comments [2]

Crooner Buble lined up for Alltel Arena July 12

Michael Buble, whose taken that Sinatra torch that Harry Connick Jr. occasionally carries when he's not acting or leading his band, will bring his smooth voice to Alltel Arena on Wednesday, July 12. Showtime will be 8 p.m., and tickets for the theater setup will be $66.75 and $51.25. Alltel's theater alignment is what it used for Alison Krauss, Blue Man Group and other shows that aren't designed to take up the entire "lower bowl."

Buble (pronounced boo-blay, if you haven't been keeping up), according to the press release from the promoter, has sold out concerts worldwide and has two platinum albums. He's also appeared recently "The Late Show With David Letterman," which definitely screams cool. "The King of Cool With the Dark Velvet Voice Will Leave You Breathless," the release screamed. Apparently, chicks dig him.

Tickets go on sale Friday, May 5, at 10 a.m. through Ticketmaster (Harvest Foods stores, Celebrity Attractions' office at Third and Spring, charge by phone at 975-7575 and www.ticketmaster.com) or the arena box office. There is a six-ticket limit per person the first day of sale.

Posted by at 11:57 AM | Permalink | Comments [0]

To do Friday: Paisley and Evans, an airborne organist, controversial film

Country crooner Brad Paisley appears with pretty girl/pretty voice Sara Evans "Fly" and newcomer Eric Church tonight at Alltel Arena. Showtime is 8 p.m. Tickets are priced at $29.50 and $39.50 plus service charges through Ticketmaster or the arena box office. The arena is expected the lower bowl filled.

Joseph Galema, the U.S. Air Force Academy and senior music director and academy organist, will perform at the third annual Robert Y. Ellis Memorial Concert tonight at 7:30 p.m. at St. Mark's Episcopal Church. Admission is free.

The Quapaw Quarter United Methodist Church steps out where others dare not go with their Faith and Film Series, and the program starts back tonight with a showing of "Brokeback Mountain" at 7 p.m. Admission is free, the movies are followed by discussion of the faith issues they raise, and soft drinks and popcorn are provided. Hard to beat that. Obviously, about everyone knows about "Brokeback Mountain" so leave the youngsters at home. The church is at 1601 S. Louisiana.

Out of town, there's a free outdoor concert at Henderson State in Arkadelphia featuring NuFusion, while Texarkana's big Jump! Jive! and Jamfest! gets underway today and runs all weekend (Marcia Ball, Ruthie Foster and others performing).

Posted by at 11:50 AM | Permalink | Comments [0]