SOUNDTRACK: REGGIE WATTS-Tiny Desk Concert #227 (July 12, 2012).
I know Reggie Watts from Comedy Bang Bang, but his name sounds familiar, like he’s been around for a long time. And he has, although not in ways that I am familiar. He’s been in a million bands (none of which I’ve heard of) and done a number of short films and concerts (prominently as of 2004). Interestingly he was born in Germany to French and American parents. And, yes, he lived his early life in Montana.
In his early bands, Reggie sang (he has a beautiful voice). In recent years he has become sillier, doing improv and a lot of looped vocals. he also has a lot of funny comedic lyrics. But not all of them. In this Tiny Desk concert, Reggie does three songs (with funny intros). The first one “Song #4” is a “proper” song.
The other two are improved. The middle one, about NPR is very funny (if you know your NPR). In all of the songs he samples his voice creating bass lines and whatnot (he does amazing beat box work). The set is really impressive that one guy can make so much beautiful music.
Although normally I enjoy just listening to the Tiny Desk shows, this is one that demands watching, just to see how he does it all.
[READ: September 6, 2013] “Motherhood”
Manguso writes about being a mother and how sleep deprivation as a new mom is actually somewhat enjoyable (I suppose she means in retrospect). She doesn’t say anything all that new about being a mom and the experiences of waking up at the slightest sound (or lack of sound) from your children. Although of course it’s original to everyone when it is their child.
And she does make some interesting observations about how when the baby is first-born you rush to help him or her at the first cry but as they get older you feel even more protective of them. I also enjoyed the idea that maternal love is in no way a softening or weakening force but is actually a courageous act–sacrificing yourself for someone else. (more…)
