Fred Loose Dirt

My Top Ten Records of 2011

2011-12-02T20:32:00.000-08:00

10. Frank Turner "England Keep My Bones" On this record, we hear Frank tell us that "anyone could take this stage." We also hear him mention Elvis, gramophones, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Whiskey, his grandmother, blood, the blues, Thames, Mississippi, Patty Hurst, Cowboy Boots, nightmares, Hemingway, King William, Bruce Springsteen, blood, desire, mud, blood, beer, decomposition, bars, drinking too much, pirates, hitchhiking, redemption, faith, friendship, blood, our souls and rock 'n roll. So we also know that, in a perfect turnabout, he'd be a great addition to my favorite spots on the internt where I find friends who want to talk about music.

9.Wilco "The Whole Love" You know I love this band. If you don't, then "Hi, my name is Fred. I love Wilco." We also know that they evoke passions, both positive and negative, amongst many of us that love listening to music. But I'm telling you, and now you've been told, this is one of their best records. Yeah, I get how "The Art Of Almost" and "One Sunday Morning" put off and perplex some/many of you. Didn't "Misunderstood" "Sunken Treasure" "Via Chicago" and all of YHF do that very same thing?

8. Tim Easton "Since & w/ the Freelan Barons" The only thing that perplexes me more than Centro-matic not being as huge as Wilco is Tim Easton not being as big as Centro-matic.

7. Deer Tick "Divine Providence" This is a record that is about as sophisticated as the humor in a Junior High locker room. There is the sound of a guy puking, someone calling someone else a douchebag, and, most importantly, rock and roll. I usually don't go for albums like this, but the raw power of Rock 'n Roll is here in all it's glory. It is really undeniable. I'm reminded of The Replacements when they were at their most reckless and awesome.

6. Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings "Soul Time" I just got this a few days ago, and I've played it 100 times.

5. Tom Waits "Bad As Me" I loved this record instantly. If I were more of a man, I would wish to be Tom Waits. The "Most Interesting Guy In The World" guy wishes he could be Waits. Chuck Norris shows Waits his soft, white underbelly. Waits is every beat poet crossed with every ideal about masculinity. Then he wrote the songs on this record.

Anyone one of the following records could have been in my top spot:

4. Glossary "Long Live All Of Us" I keep pulling for these guys to take a step up and become a national touring act. If anything can get them there, this record can. I think they can.

3. The Low Anthem "Smart Flesh" I'm late to the Low Anthem party; This record is my entry point for 'em. I had already heard it prior to seeing them at "Hardly Strictly Bluegrass," but after seeing these songs live, I came to love them more and more with each listen. I like these guys for a lot of the same reasons I like Califone, who had my #1 record from last year.

2. Centro-matic "Candidate Waltz" This is a concise, sharp record that sounds brand new. Nothing is too long, and everything makes you want more. I liked the last few Centro records quite a lot, and this is leaps and bounds better. But by this record's standards, I go "on and on."

1. Joe Henry "Reverie" Henry recorded "Reverie" in his home studio, and with the windows wide open. The noises from outside nearly become another instrument in the line-up of "Reverie's" all acoustic arrangements. What is captured here is magic. Sparse and raw, it somehow manages not to sound at all primitive, thanks to Henry's layering of Jazz, Folk, Blues and Classic Rock influences. The only record that I can think to compare this to is Donald Fagan's "Nightfly," but that one falls short by comparison. Perhaps that is because "Nightfly is much more polished than "Reverie." Still both bring the sense of an era, passing of time, the love of music and claustrophobia (or wide open windows). It is all full of complexity, sophistication (and dichotomy). As always, Joe Henry's lyrics can stand as poetry, and his vocal delivery is nuanced and complex, perhaps his best ever. This is a record that I'll be listening to for a long, long time.

Ineffective New Orleans Gate

2011-10-19T19:59:00.001-07:00

Ineffective New Orleans Gate, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

Andrew Jackson

2011-10-19T19:51:00.001-07:00

Andrew Jackson, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

I'm going through my New Orleans photos from last year

The Eye of London

2011-10-16T19:06:00.001-07:00

The Eye of London, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

I took this last Christmas when I was in England with my family.

Jayhawks at HSB slideshow

2011-10-09T15:50:00.000-07:00

Whole Love

2011-10-06T21:09:00.001-07:00

Whole Love, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

It plays perfectly

Welcome To Hardly Strictly Bluegrass 2011

2011-10-04T19:05:00.001-07:00

Welcome To Hardly Strictly Bluegrass 2011, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

I had a great time at the festival, and took a bunch of photos that you find here.

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass 2011

2011-10-04T06:41:00.001-07:00

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass 2011, a set on Flickr.

The whole photo set.

Mark Olson

2011-10-03T23:14:00.001-07:00

Mark Olson, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

Jocie Adams of The Low Anthem

2011-10-03T22:36:00.001-07:00

Jocie Adams of The Low Anthem, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

Two Cow Garage: Rocking for over a tenth of a century

2011-09-05T08:33:00.000-07:00

Slobberbone

2011-08-25T18:05:00.001-07:00

Slobberbone, a set on Flickr.

At the Roxy

Califone

2011-08-19T19:21:00.001-07:00

Califone-6, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

Califone at The Satellite in Silverlake, CA

2011-08-15T19:54:00.001-07:00

Califone at The Satellite in Silverlake, CA, a set on Flickr.

Pliny The Elder

2011-08-04T20:57:00.001-07:00

Pliny The Elder, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

Happy IPA day!

Open Borders in Thousand Oaks

2011-08-04T11:30:00.001-07:00

Open Borders in Thousand Oaks, a set on Flickr.

Art and Music comes to Thousand Oaks

These doors will eat you

2011-08-03T22:44:00.001-07:00

Some of the Art displayed at Open Borders-6, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

L.A. Street Food Fest

2011-07-16T18:22:00.001-07:00

L.A. Street Food Fest, a set on Flickr.

Here are pictures of *some* of the food we ate at the LA Street Food Fest.

One more Jackson Browne picture

2011-07-10T18:00:00.001-07:00

One more Jackson Browne picture, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

Jackson Browne B&W

2011-07-07T19:08:00.001-07:00

Jackson Browne B&W, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

Stellar's Jay in flight

2011-07-03T17:12:00.001-07:00

Stellar's Jay in flight, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

Hamilton of British Sea Power

2011-04-08T17:54:00.001-07:00

Hamilton of British Sea Power, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

Give Way

2011-04-03T18:03:00.001-07:00

Give Way, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

I've been going through my photos from London

Tonight's sunset

2011-03-30T21:25:00.001-07:00

Tonight's sunset, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

The Tube

2011-03-29T22:00:00.001-07:00

The Tube, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

This is a photo that I took in December while in London

Empty tip jar

2011-03-12T22:39:00.001-08:00

Empty tip jar, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

Table

2011-03-11T23:08:00.001-08:00

Table, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

Light

2011-02-26T16:24:00.001-08:00

Light, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

For The Record

2011-02-09T22:24:00.001-08:00

For The Record, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

Orca Rugby

2011-01-29T18:38:00.001-08:00

Orca Rugby, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

From "The Eye Of London"

2011-01-02T09:55:00.001-08:00

From "The Eye Of London", originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

Dream big in 2011

2011-01-01T13:34:00.001-08:00

Dream big in 2011, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

Ghost Shirt Has A New Record Out

2010-11-26T19:11:00.001-08:00

Ghost Shirt Has A New Record Out, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

Go to ghostshirtmusic.bandcamp.com/album/daniel

and listen. If you aren't stingy, then you might name your own price and download

Gulf Coast

2010-11-01T18:13:00.001-07:00

Gulf Coast, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

Joey and Kelly Kneiser

2010-11-01T00:23:00.001-07:00

Finale, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

From the finale performance of "I Shall Be Released" at Wigginstock

Raising of the Patriot Flag in Jackson Square

2010-10-28T08:03:00.000-07:00

Raising of the Patriot Flag in Jackson Square, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

Jem, filtered

2010-10-19T21:52:00.001-07:00

Jem, filtered, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

Paying attention

2010-10-17T18:28:00.001-07:00

Paying attention, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

San Francisco Fence

2010-10-06T22:29:00.001-07:00

San Francisco Fence, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

Raisin' your kids right

2010-10-04T10:15:00.001-07:00

Raisin' your kids right, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

Parent of the Year

2010-10-04T09:53:00.001-07:00

Parent of the Year, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

When out in a crowd, and your infant is getting cranky, give them a jagged edged Tecate beer can to suck on

iPod reaching for vinyl

2010-09-25T18:06:00.001-07:00

iPod reaching for vinyl, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

This Machine Kills Fascists

2010-09-14T19:16:00.001-07:00

This Machine Kills Fascists, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

Wood and Wires

2010-09-09T16:36:00.001-07:00

Wood and Wires, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

Viewing a Photography Exhibit

2010-07-19T18:57:00.001-07:00

Viewing a Photography Exhibit, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

The feeling we experience while we look at a picture is not to be distinguished from the picture or from ourselves. the feeling, picture, and ourselves are united in one mystery.
- Rene Magritte

Camarillo Fire

2010-07-14T16:30:00.001-07:00

Camarillo Fire, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

As seen from Thousand Oaks on 7/13/10

Peter Case Day

2010-07-10T12:54:00.000-07:00

I'm guessing that if you did a google search for the word "rejuvenated," you would find a review of Peter Case's new record "Wig!" before sifting too far into the results. Nearly every review that I have read uses this word to describe the singer/songwriter within a few paragraphs of the article, if not in the first sentence.

And you can see why; where his previous record was a quiet collection of folk songs, "Wig!" is a roaring collection of garage-y blues.

Before taking the stage of McCabe's Guitar Shop on Friday night, the emcee read from a newspaper a report that the Santa Monica City Council had declared that day, "Peter Case Day."

The former Plimsouls/Nerves singer then took to the stage of McCabe's Guitar Shop with a passion that would have made his younger self proud. Supported by Ron Franklin on guitar and harmonica and DJ Bonebrake on drums, Case played most of the new album, and a good number of songs from his solo records, including including "I Shook His Hand," "Hidden Love," "Walking Home Late," & "Cold Trail Blues." Case also played stunning versions of Chuck Berry's "Nadine" and Dylan's "Pledging My Time." One highlight was a new take on a song from his first solo record, a song titled "New Old Blue Car." Another one was "Banks of the River," the opening song from "Wig!". After that song, a fan yelled out, "Play that one again!" Between each song, Case would tell a quick anecdote, or provide some background on the song he was about to play. Once, while switching guitars and momentarily losing the cable he needed to connect the amp, Case remarked, "I guess the roadies got Peter Case Day off."

Before playing the last song "House Rent Party," Case was presented with the proclamation from a Santa Monica City Councilman.

How did you spend your Peter Case Day?

Hillside and sky

2010-06-20T13:19:00.001-07:00

Hillside and sky, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

Photography

2010-06-12T15:58:00.001-07:00

Photography, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

Reflections at the Getty

2010-06-07T19:14:00.001-07:00

Reflections at the Getty, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

Contemplating Christ

2010-06-07T10:45:00.001-07:00

Contemplating Christ, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

From my recent visit to the Getty with my sister and brother-in-law. The rest of the set is here

The Getty Center

2010-06-07T09:47:00.001-07:00

The Getty Center, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

Fools on Parade

2010-05-03T16:30:00.000-07:00

This photo was taken on the steps of the US Post Office in Simi Valley. The couple with the gauged earrings are talking with a man who is holding a large photo of Obama with a Hitler mustache.

His cohort is here, with a sign that exhorts us to impeach Obama in order to save NASA.

I was concerned that they were blocking the way of people entering or exiting the Post Office, so I decided to go inside to complain. I support their right to say whatever they want to, but people should be able to mail their letters without being accosted in such a manner. The Postal employee told me that they had called the Simi Valley Police Department, and beyond that, there was nothing much else to do. I was told that I could call the police and report that they were harassing me.

As I was leaving, I heard gauged earring woman tell the Obama-with-the-Hitler-mustache-sign-holding-guy, "We're totally with you!"

So I said, passing by, "I'm not," which elicited a "stop drinking the Obama Kool-Aid," comment. I stopped to consider if I wanted to respond, and it was then I noticed the Lyndon Larouche sticker on the bottom of the placard. The thought that came to my mind left my mouth before I could weigh the prudence of it:

"Why don't you guys just admit it? You're pissed that a Black Man is President."

That brought immediate protest that this was not the case. The gauged earring woman told me that she was against Socialism. "That's just unfair!" the Larouche sticker guy said.

"You have a Lyndon Larouche sticker; You have no defense to someone that points out your racism."

I asked the woman, "Did you just mail something in the Post Office? You realize that you've just taken advantage of "Socialized Mail Delivery,", right?" I turned to the Lyndon "Obama=a monkey" Larouche supporter, and said, "NASA is SOCIALIZED SPACE EXPLORATION!"

With that, I made a Kool-Aid drinking hand motion, rubbed my tummy and walked away.

You can keep your electronic book machines

2010-05-03T10:30:00.001-07:00

You can keep your electronic book machines, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

Fairness

2010-04-30T18:03:00.001-07:00

Fairness, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

From the letter we received from the school notifying us of the award, "This quarter the school recognized students who have shown the character trait of fairness; these are students who show the ability to be open-minded or are willing to listen to others"

Soup

2010-04-27T22:59:00.001-07:00

Soup, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

I'm a very lucky man to come home and find this dinner

Your Turn

2010-04-21T22:20:00.001-07:00

Your Turn, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

Jem is always wanting to chase a ball that you throw.

Vinyl

2010-04-18T23:00:00.001-07:00

Vinyl, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

I've started rebuilding my vinyl record collection, and listening to real records. I had forgotten the joy of the ritual of carefully pulling the record out of the sleeve, cleaning the dust off, moving the tonearm to the record, the sound of the needle contacting the record and the warm sound of the music that results.

Prince Charming

2010-04-08T19:39:00.001-07:00

Prince Charming, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

Our decision to become a foster family for Collie Rescue was a short lived one: We've become completely enamored with this sweet old man, and are going to adopt him.

Jem and his ball

2010-04-08T19:06:00.001-07:00

Jem and his ball, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

Outside LACMA

2010-04-06T21:24:00.001-07:00

Outside LACMA, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

Time and Lines

2010-03-31T22:55:00.001-07:00

Time and Lines, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

Everybody Needs A Foot For A Pillow

2010-03-29T20:37:00.001-07:00

Everybody Needs A Foot For A Pillow, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

Hawk On A Wire

2010-03-26T17:17:00.001-07:00

Hawk On A Wire, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

Jem

2010-03-25T21:27:00.001-07:00

Jem, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

My little girl turns 21

2010-03-16T22:23:00.001-07:00

My little girl turns 21, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

I want to high five this guy

2010-02-28T21:28:00.000-08:00

Prince

2010-02-28T08:00:00.001-08:00

Prince, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

We now have our first "Foster Collie" from Southland Collie Rescue. This 10 year old guy needs to find a new home, because his family was foreclosed on and can't have him in their new apartment. He's with us in the mean time.

Daffodis

2010-02-26T20:39:00.001-08:00

Daffodis, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

Daffodil Hill

2010-02-26T20:12:00.001-08:00

Daffodil Hill, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

Goose

2010-02-21T16:36:00.001-08:00

Goose, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

Zach

2010-02-21T16:11:00.001-08:00

Zach, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

We went up to visit my mother for her birthday, and she was pet-sitting this 14 year old gentleman. My wife wanted to kidnap him.

Radishes with Salt

2010-02-17T21:38:00.001-08:00

Radishes with Salt, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

Jem

2010-02-16T19:21:00.001-08:00

Jem, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

Happy Valentine's Day

2010-02-14T09:15:00.001-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

Jack's 14th Birthday trip to Amoeba Records

2010-02-13T17:03:00.001-08:00

Jack's 14th Birthday trip to Amoeba Records, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

Favorite Frank Turner Shot

2010-02-10T20:48:00.001-08:00

Favorite Frank Turner Shot, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

I edited one of my shots to come up with this.

cheat sheet

2010-02-09T20:12:00.001-08:00

cheat sheet, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

I want to see people, like my nephew, who don't have insurance, get health insurance. I want people to be able to keep their coverage even if they lose their jobs. I want people to be able to get coverage, even if they had the misfortune of being sick. I want this written on the hand of every elected democrat, so that they remember to do what I have written here.

Cecil The Cat

2010-02-05T22:02:00.001-08:00

Cecil The Cat, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

Frank Turner at The Hotel Cafe

2010-02-05T17:28:00.001-08:00

Frank Turner at The Hotel Cafe, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

More here

Lars' Pup Shelia

2010-01-22T22:33:00.003-08:00

Lars' Pup Shelia, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

My friend came by for beers and brought his puppy

Lars' Pup Shelia

2010-01-22T22:33:00.001-08:00

Lars' Pup Shelia, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

My friend came by for beers and brought his puppy

A. A. Bondy

2010-01-18T15:43:00.001-08:00

A. A. Bondy, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

Rest of the set here

Makin' Soup

2010-01-11T17:07:00.001-08:00

Makin' Soup, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

I've got broth made from Christmas' turkey. Adding onions, diced potatoes, garlic and these carrots and celery.

Having this in your music collection is vital

2010-01-05T21:59:00.001-08:00

Having this in your music collection is vital, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

How about this disk?

2010-01-05T21:47:00.001-08:00

How about this one?, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

You should have this one too.

Do you have this CD?

2010-01-05T21:33:00.001-08:00

Do you have this CD?, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

It's one you should have.

A mix of favorite 2009 songs

2010-01-01T15:27:00.001-08:00

Putting Christmas Away

2009-12-29T21:46:00.001-08:00

Putting Christmas Away, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

camera

2009-12-26T22:22:00.001-08:00

camera, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

Angel Tree Top

2009-12-18T22:13:00.001-08:00

Angel Tree Top, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

Ornaments

2009-12-17T21:16:00.001-08:00

Ornaments, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

Opening a beer

2009-12-14T21:51:00.001-08:00

Opening a beer, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

Pretty Sweet Tunes

2009-12-11T15:50:00.001-08:00

Pretty Sweet Tunes, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

Merry Christmas Hologram

2009-12-07T23:09:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas Hologram, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

Last year, a friend at work gave me these "3D" type glasses that you put on to look at Christmas lights. They show this "Merry Christmas" image at each light. I placed one of the lenses over my camera lens and took this photo

Christmas Bike

2009-12-06T21:24:00.003-08:00

Christmas Bike, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

tractor

2009-12-06T21:24:00.001-08:00

tractor, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

Life has its twists and turns

2009-12-06T11:28:00.001-08:00

Life has its twists and turns, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

Jack and his Great-Grandmother

2009-11-27T09:19:00.001-08:00

Jack and his Great-Grandmother, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

Pliny The Elder

2009-11-19T18:02:00.001-08:00

Pliny The Elder, originally uploaded by freeloosedirt.

If I could only drink one beer from now on, this would be it. It is named for the Early Roman Empire author, naturalist, philosopher and naval officer. PtE developed the first botanical name for Hops and died trying to rescue friends and family during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.