Good Reading....

Hey everyone!! I know I haven't posted a lot lately.  I started a new job!  I started dating again!  And I came down with a cold that has been fucking kicking my ass!  But don't feel sorry for me...one of the things I love to do in my down time is read.  I've read the first two books of the Shades of Grey series.  It hasn't impressed me that much but then again I'm not really one for romance novels.  I was expecting hot and dirty and I got Cinderella....oh well.  That's all I'll say on that matter as I know there are many fans of the books and I really don't want to offend anyone.
The book I'm reading right now though is fucking incredible!  I picked it up in a funky little bookstore in Seattle, Left Bank Books at the Pike Place Market. The book is Sex at Dawn - How we Mate, Why we Stray, and What it Means for Modern Relationships.  It's written by Christopher Ryan, PhD and Cacilda Jetha, MD so you can imagine it's not a novel.  I came across a passage yesterday when I was reading that I think many of you will REALLY fucking enjoy, so I just have to share!
The following is excerpted from Sex at Dawn:

Lots of upright, proper Americans were scandalized by the way Elvis moved his hips when he sang "rock and roll."  But how many realized what the phrase rock and roll meant?  Cultural historian Michael Ventura, investigating the roots of African-American music, found that rock 'n' roll was a term that originated in the juke joints of the South.  Long in use by the time Elvis appeared, Ventura explains the phrase "hadn't meant the name of a music, it meant 'to fuck.'  'Rock' by itself, had pretty much meant that, in those circles, since the twenties at least."  By the mid-1950's, when the phrase was becoming widely used in mainstream culture, Ventura says the disc jockeys "either didn't know what they were saying or were too sly to admit what they knew." 

Though crusty old Ed Sullivan would have been scandalized to realize what he was saying when he announced this new "rock and roll all the kids are crazy about," examples of barely concealed sexual reference lurking just below the surface of common American English don't stop there.  Robert Farris Thompson, America's most prominent historian of African art, says that funky is derived from the Ki-Kongo lu-fuki, meaning "positive sweat" of the sort you get from dancing or having sex, but not working.  One's mojo, which has to be "working" to attract a lover is Ki-Kongo for "soul." Boogie comes from mbugi, meaning "devilishishly good."  And both jazz and jism, likely derive from dinza the Ki-Kongo word for "to ejaculate."

Hahahaha! Isn't that fucking great?  Can you understand why I fucking LOVE this book?  This excerpt gives a whole new meaning to sex, drugs and rock n roll..... sex, drugs and more fucking sex!  No wonder I'm so turned on by the music I listen to!  So in closing, I hope you all go out (or stay in) this weekend and fucking "rock and roll"......... ; )

Seattle Rocks and so does Legion Within

I recently travelled to Seattle, just because I could.  I fell in love with this artsy and creative city immediately. I did fall out of love with my GPS while I was there, but once I figured out where I was going it was all good.  I met a friend there and we took in some shopping on Pike Street, just a bit further uptown than the Pike Place Market (though I had to check that out too).  There were tons of funky little boutiques and when we saw Edge of the Circle Books, this crazy little occult bookstore, we had to check it out.

Edge of the Circle books also provides tarot card readings.  My friend, who is a musician decided to get a reading done.  The reading uncovered the core of what was blocking his success in his music.  It opened his eyes to new possibilities and what he needed to do to move forward.  His tarot card reader, Raven as it turned out is a musician as well.  She is the bass player for Seattle Goth band Legion Within.

Don't you just fucking love it when you don't expect to find new music and you do?  I sure as hell do.  I of course picked up one of their CDs and was blown away by how talented this group is.  Being new to Gothic music, I don't have much of a base to compare to, but I fucking know what I like and I do like Legion Within.

Their 2009 album Mouth of Madness features haunting vocals and is accentuated by a darkwave industrial rock sound.  What is it about fucking Seattle that inspires so much originality?  Music is constantly being re-invented there and I fucking love it!! Legion Within is no exception.  Oh hell, check em out for yourself...here's the title track from the album I bought, Mouth of Madness...

So now you see what I mean.  This band appeals to more than just goth fans, though I'm sure that's where their biggest fan base is.  You can check out more Legion Within at the links below and I've added the link for Edge of the Circle books too.  I have a couple of witch friends who would LOVE it!!

Legion Within on Reverbnation
Legion Within on myspace
Legion Within on facebook
Buy Mouth of Madness on cdbaby

Edge of The Circle Books - Seattle's resource for Paganism and the Occult

To Be or Not To Be

Hey everyone!  I've heard some more great music this week and I can't wait to tell you about Legion Within!  I met the bass player, Raven in this funky occult bookshop and picked up their album!  It's pretty fucking awesome stuff.  But first I have to share something else I learned in Seattle....

I met someone there who's music I enjoy very much.  I knew he had read my blogs in the past so I asked his opinion.  I love getting feedback on the blogs....it's my own art and I guess I like to know who I appeal to, how I can make improvements, etc.   Anyway, in talking about Cat's Litter Box, he felt it was redundant.  Hmmmmm, that's unusual feedback.... in what way is the Litter Box redundant?  He said it was too positive... if I only had good things to say why would anyone want or trust my opinion.

Well, I don't know if you can imagine, but that got my back up a little bit.... okay scratch that, it fucking got my back up a lot.  This forum is for me to share the music I enjoy and in doing so, to support the artists I enjoy.  I feel there is enough fucking negativity in this world and I don't want to be a part of adding to it.  Sure, there is music in this world (not a lot) that I would rather not listen to.  You won't hear about that music or the artists from me.

I love music.  It been with me through my happiest moments and my worst ones.  When I felt I was all alone, I would hear a song that spoke to the very feelings I was having and I knew someone out there understood me.  Whether I like something or not, there is someone out there that appreciates and relates to it.  So I sure as hell am not going to bash it.

So, I just want to express one thing.  To those of you who don't like this blog because it's too positive...here's some negativity for you.... Fuck off and go read something else.  I'll be back soon to talk about Legion Within and it will be positive because I like the way they fucking play.......... ; )

Callin The Kettle Black

Don't you just fucking love it when you hear a song for the first time and you connect with it immediately?  You can't help but move something, whether you gotta tap your foot, your hand, bob your head or do what I do ...all of the above, plus shake my ass and clap my hands.  That's the reaction I had when I heard C-Leb and The Kettle Black for the first time!  The song was Can't Get That Low and it fucking rocks.  You gotta take a listen....

I tend to get a little excited when I hear new music that I like.  I buy at least one album a month, sometimes more.  I have to limit myself though...a limited income plus the fact that like everybody else I have other shit to buy too... you know, like concert tickets and tee shirts and such.  But when I come across a band like C-Leb and The Kettle Black it doesn't matter how many albums, tickets or tee shirts I've purchased that month...I will buy their album immediately after hearing that one song.

And holy fuck baby, I am so glad I did.  The Kettle Black only took one listen to become one of my all time favorite albums.  It definitely ranks up there with The Black Crows ~ Shake your Money Maker, Dire Straits ~ Brothers In Arms, Lynyrd Skynyrd ~ Pronounced 'Leh-'nerd 'Skin-'nerd...these were also albums I only had to listen to once to fucking love them.  To be ranked as one of my favorite albums means that I will listen to this album over and over again until it is emblazoned in my mind.  I'm well on my way to having The Kettle Black synced onto my brain's internal mp3 player.  That way if my plane ever goes down and I end up stranded on that deserted island, with no power to plug in my devices, I will be able to listen to their album in it's entirety in my head.  In my opinion it never hurts to be prepared.  Take a listen to some more tracks below, you'll see what I mean...this whole album is fucking awesome!

C-Leb and The Kettle Black consist of C-Leb - amazing vocals and mouth harp, he's so fucking cool; Jazz Turnbow - keeper of the beat and very fucking sexy, I'm gonna ask Santa to bring me Jazz this year for Christmas; and Jesse Strasbaugh - killer slide guitarist, I love Jesse, Jesse has serious playing and writing skills!

C-Leb and The Kettle Black hail from Seattle and like so many Seattle bands and musicians before them (Jimi Hendrix, Heart, Nirvana, Pearl Jam just to name a few) they have reinvented music to make it their own, only this time in the form of Urban Blues.  Their soulful sound gets into your bloodstream pumping adrenaline throughout your entire body, taking you over and filling you with energy and excitement.  The lyrics are smart and honest and speak of the everyday difficulties of trying to get fucking by or in the case of Hott Mess of just trying to get fucked (sorry, couldn't help myself *giggles*).

I am so glad I got to hear these guys early... and the chance to connect with a couple of the members personally.  These guys are currently unsigned and taking the Indie route.  I don't think that's gonna be the case for long.  Somebody has got to recognize the huge talent these guys present and offer them major dollars to make their music.  I am going to name drop like crazy when these guys are huge... and oh yes, they will be huge.......... ; )

Visit C-Leb and The Kettle Black on their official website and catch all their links here ----> http://c-lebsounds.com/