If you guys have been holding out on me about Andrew Bird, I’m on my way to beat you up. I stumbled across the song below while looking for something totally different, and forget the subject matter (as pertinent as it is), it’s my favourite sort of ballad. He plays the violin, his latest project has been recording in canyons etc to explore the acoustics … you might possibly find the music depressing, but it makes me happy. Leonard Cohen does too; I never understand why he’s sometimes called Leonard slit your wrists Cohen. Erm. If melancholic jazzy blueness is your flavour, you’ll like it. It’s one of those rare things, a lovely earworm. The link about Dr B is well worth a read; though not pleasant, it’s as objective an article as possible.
The backstory
“I observed a man hunched over a cup of Mountain Dew and a chimichanga at a public cafeteria in Arkansas. “I bet he’s been in a mental institution” I thought. As it happened. I was correct. My brother, who is autistic, had his art supplies taken away from him by health care workers, Ostensibly as a means of discipline.
Dr. B (Bruno Bettleheim) godfather of Autism and its diagnosis, concluded that autism is instilled by The mother. He was, in my opinion, a bad man.”
Andrew Bird – Tea and Thorazine
I can tell by the way you take your infusion
you’ve spent some time in a mental institution
oh what a dream life would be if only…
they let you keep your etch-a-sketch
you laugh like a banshee gesticulate your delirium
they treat you like a corpse keep you full of candy lithium
what a dream life would seem if if you could see
the world from inside an etch-a-sketch
I can tell by the way you reach your conclusions
you’re the director of a mental institution
oh what a dream life would be if only…
it hadn’t been for Doctor B.
animate yourself an alternate reality
consummate a self-pleasing artificiality
you can have yourself a tea
animate yourself an alternate reality
consummate a self-pleasing artificiality
you can have yourself a tea
I can tell by the way you take your infusion
you’ve spent some time in a mental institution
oh what a dream life would be if only…
they let you keep your etch-a-sketch
More of my waffling
What is it about Mountain Dew? Daniel Johnston wrote a song to/about it while he was hospitalised. A cursory google reveals a lot of panicky info about it, largely about Brominated Vegetable Oil and the neurotixic Phenylalanine (present in Aspartame) – but that shit is in pretty much all the hyper processed junk food available. I’m going to spare you that rant, but I will say this: Mediterranean diet. It’s not a weight loss fad, it’s the way people tend to eat round the Med. Follow that even vaguely and Dr Oz will never pester you again.
I think Andrew Bird is awesome. He’s talented and oh yes, very easy on the eyes! You know I automatically like him since he’s a violinist.
This is how I came across him:
“Andrew Bird as Dr Stringz”
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And you didn’t tell me about him … it’s been a lovely friendship Dy, but you’d better warn Lucy and wear a crash helmet … ;)
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This, my friend, made me laugh! I borrowed Craig’s helmet so I’m ready to rumble!
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(I like gratuitous violins too.)
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He kinda reminds me of young David Byrne….but he’s way cuter. (I’m not a Talking Heads fan…apologies to anyone who digs them.)
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Grrrrrrr you’re rubbing salt in the wound now, grandma!
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ha ha ha ha!!! You bet I’m grandma – what, I’m 6 mos. older than you, you mere youth!
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At least I still have all my own teeth.
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;)
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I have no idea who Andrew Bird is. I did however have a laughing fit over
“I bet he’s been in a mental institution” I thought. Started my day off right :)
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I was thinking about the circadian rhythm post you did the other day and the relationship between echo, sound, and our bodies’ natural rhythms..you must be “attuned” to the rhythmic echo reverberating from the violin and how it settles for a siesta in your aura…a sensory thing..
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I am going to find another word for aura, because I was frightened by one at an early age. Well, actually it was an old lady trying to inspect and heal mine. Anyroad up … what a lovely concept – I assume it works for pretty, sad boy ballads and growly old men ones too?
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Maybe the violin is healing your ( aur..I mean artist formerly known as Prince) What concept, my friend? I didn’t get much sleep and I need a repeat on things…please
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The aura concept (artistformerlyknownasprince). Me too re sleep.
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Ohhhhh ok, yes and maybe shorten that baby to (afkap)
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Lol afkap – I like that word.
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afkap it is then :)
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I’ll take the tea, please. Hold the thorazine.
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I’m doing alright with it as a prn for sleep at the moment. *pours tea*
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For sleep – yes. Perfect. Old school meds still work.
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Sorry about the Andrew Bird. Not sure if I have this song but I especially like his older stuff.
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You are forgiven, because when I heard the song, I immediately thought you’d like his style too.
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My kids introduced me to him!
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Your kids have wonderfully redeeming qualities!
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