Birds all sing as if they knew.

Ellie Greenwich, October 23, 1940 – August 26, 2009. Legendary co-writer of numerous pop songs from the '60s, when it was rare for a woman to be on the behind-the-scenes end of the music business, and much more rare for a woman to succeed there. And by "legendary," I mean legendary. Ms. Greenwich penned tunes such as "Chapel of Love," "Leader of the Pack," "River Deep - Mountain High," and so on. As a performer, she was the lead-and-background singer of the "girl group" The Raindrops, a duo made up of Ellie and her husband/songwriting partner, even though the group allegedly featured two females--album artwork featured a photo of Ellie's sister Laura, who otherwise had nothing to do with the band. On the rare occasion of public performances, Laura appeared onstage but merely lip-synched into a dead microphone. Ellie Greenwich was also credited with the discovery of Neil Diamond, and even provided background vocals on a number of his songs. Even if '60s pop music isn't your thang, you have to admire the sheer volume of her body of work, and the fact that she made a name for herself in a boys' club like the record industry of 40-some years ago. RIP.

Did I ever tell you how lucky you are?

I had a dream last night that I got a Dr. Seuss tattoo, and I woke up thinking that this was a very interesting idea--I am a big Dr. Seuss enthusiast, maybe that explains things. Maybe not. But anyway, in case you're a fan too, I wanted to share this, Who's Who & What's What, a 157-page "directory" of Dr. Seuss characters with descriptions. No images, but still very interesting reading. This was compiled by someone at Dartmouth, and it's possible that person is my soulmate.

Empty walls.

Another new apartment means more empty walls I need to fill. This would do nicely, I think.

And, from the same shop, this. I collect fortune cookie fortunes and I always get excited by related art projects / themes. The shop in question is Lucky Bluebird Art and it makes me so, so happy, something I dearly needed today.

A little shameless self-promotion never hurt anybody.

Very excited about the opportunity to play at Java Central -- many thanks to Ralph there for having us. The show is Labor Day weekend, so if you aren't at a cookout you should come & listen. 

In the middle of the night, everybody loves everybody.

"Take Off Your Sunglasses" by Ezra Furman and the Harpoons, who opened for Ida Maria tonight at the Basement. I'd never heard them before, and I like what I heard. The Basement, though, turns out to be the worst place ever to see a show. There are very few good places to stand because it is an actual basement, meaning there are support pillars all over the place, and they block the view of the teeny tiny stage, especially if you are a rocknroll kid and you are standing up close, next to the speakers. Then your view is obscured by the pillars AND the speakers, and you go home totally deaf. Yup.



In lieu of a craptastic cell phone camera picture (I have it here, but some tall kid's striped hooded sweatshirt is taking up most of it, and the aforementioned speaker is taking up the rest), enjoy Ida Maria here in a non-deaf-making acoustic recording.

I, for one, can't wait.

...but I'll have to, at least until Christmas day, for the new Sherlock Holmes movie. I am a hardcore Sherlock Holmes enthusiast already (the lit, of course, and also the old BBC show starring Jeremy Brett = perfection), and I love it when my very favorite things are thrown into the spotlight for everyone to enjoy. However, I have a bit of a complaint already. That gravely voice you hear at the beginning of this trailer? That's Mark Strong, a British character actor you might not know by name, and who absolutely should have been cast in the lead of this movie. tHe would have made the best Sherlock Holmes ever--maybe even giving the Jeremy Brett incarnation a run for his money.

(You've probably seen Mark Strong before, and often: Stardust, RocknRolla, Body of Lies, to name a few. And, yes, I'm a little bit in love with him. What?)

Blog love.

red nails; wrong city is the most breathtakingly gorgeous photo blog ever.

The whole night.

I don't really have any place to wear a dress like this, but I think its general fabulousness might somehow lead to invitations. How much fun is this? By Glamarita.

Out the way.

Columbus band Bird & Flower.

Rawr.

My cat, lounging on me while I attempt to read Milan Kundera. I know, this doesn't really belong on my blog. Then again, it's my blog, so.