So I was excited, but bitching, a few days ago, and now see why A.A. Bondy doesn't have a club date yet in the Bay for his tour.

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass 2011

Yes, it's free, and one of the coolest festivals in the country, but call me spoiled -- I'm still a tad disappointed. Hate having to fight the crowds that weekend, so maybe, just maybe, Bondy will pick up a small venue before he heads to Portland.

Don't judge! Look at this mess...













I did stay home last year, but I suppose I am inevitably going to fight the crowds this year anyway, given the fact that Bondy is playing, as well as the rest of the awesome lineup.

Kris Kristofferson and Merle Haggard! M. Ward! Chris Isaak! Robert Plant! Thurston Moore! All among other regulars I never tire of like Gillian Welch. I've heard good things about Devotchka too for years -- this may be a good opportunity to finally get a good listen.

But truly, after Bondy, I am most excited (and most surprised to see on the lineup list) for Conspiracy of Beards. Conspiracy of Beards is a male a capella choir which performs only the songs of Leonard Cohen, often reworked so as not to be exactly joyous, but so you don't want to kill yourself at the end of the set.

I saw Conspiracy of Beards long ago when they first formed, at the Starry Plough, and they were fantastic. What a great break for them!

Now to cross my fingers for all of the folks I want to see to play on the same day!

YEEEEEEEEEE!

Song Premiere: A.A. Bondy's 'The Heart is Willing'



















(A.A. Bondy at The New Parish in Oakland, 9.7.2010, photo by moi)

New album, Believers, coming next month!

And there will be a tour, but boo -- no dates in the Bay! Really?

A.A. "Neil Young" Bondy, The New Parish, Oakland, 9.7.2010













His last show at Cafe du Nord in January was a sedate affair; holy RAWK this time around. This is 'A Slow Parade' -- wait for it. (Or, if you're familiar with this song, you can forward to about 4:28 to see what I mean...)



But though it was different, it was excellent once again. First time in Oakland for Mr. Bondy -- hopefully not the last.

And hot damn, what an awesome venue.

A. A. Bondy at Cafe du Nord, 1.20.2010







































While Bondy isn't much for stage presence -- his banter was limited (and though sincere, quite awkward) and he kept lowering the lights until the entire stage was black with a tinge of red -- it really didn't matter. His dreamlike, heartfelt lyrics, soulful delivery, and sweet melodies punctuated with big Neil Young-esque chords (on one of two Sunburst guitars) didn't need any additional accoutrement.

I'd been waiting for the show to buy his first album on vinyl, American Hearts, and my friend bought the second (When The Devil's Loose, which made my tops for 2009), and both Bondy and his merch/roadie/sound/lighting guy were just sweet as pie and pleased as punch, thanking us for supporting the show and the records. Good people.

What a lovely way to end a rainy San Francisco night where earlier we actually got into the Monk's Kettle right away, and tucked into creamy mac and cheese and Fuller's London Porter on nitro tap. Yum!

Just wanted to slip in a quick post about the bests of 2009. Quick, and short.

Overall, 2009 was meh. From what I am hearing from other folks, I'm not alone in this sentiment. Maybe that contributes to my reluctance to do a bests list this year, but you know me -- I can always find a little patch of goodness in the general ickiness.

My focus is usually music, and this year I have three albums that are tops. I'm sure I will be reminded of more, but it is true that every year my list gets smaller. I don't know if that means, a) I'm getting more discriminating, or b) I'm getting old.

I suppose it could also be, c) I'm having too much fun to sit in front of my record collection and computer and come up with a whole damn list. Yeah, let's go with that one! :)

I'm also going to let youtube do all the work. Ha, I'm not only old, but lazy! (I mean, um, discriminating and busy...)

1) Bat for Lashes: Two Suns

Her debut in 2006, Fur and Gold, is a gorgeous and more spare album; in Two Suns she broke out the dark disco, and it is equally terrific. Comparisons to Kate Bush are not wrong.

'Daniel'



2) Neko Case: Middle Cyclone

One of the greatest voices of our generation.

'This Tornado Loves You'



3) A.A. Bondy: When the Devil's Loose

The latest 2009 purchase. Been listening to him nonstop. Seeing him live next week, and I am so excited!

'The Mightiest of Guns'



Best show was Echo and the Bunnymen, hands down. Live vicariously through me here.

And as I am on the eternal quest for less toxic things that I use everyday, I also want to give some love to two products I found this year that have changed my life, yo.

1) Griffin Remedy hair and body products, in San Francisco, CA

They really can't be beat. Local, with an ingredient list that is comparable in goodness to the natural bodycare veteran Aubrey Organics, but at a third of the price -- the bodycare clerk at Berkeley Bowl said they are the only other brand besides Aubrey that she recommends wholeheartedly. But Aubrey makes my hair slack and limp -- Griffin Remedy made my hair so shiny and healthy that the person who cuts my hair asked what I was using. They don't yet have their haircare line on their website, but if you call them you can order direct. *love*

2) Grateful Body moisturizer, in Berkeley, CA

Another local, all-natural standout. Oily-skinned ladies, holla -- the moisturizer for "oil-rich" skin does NOT make you feel like you need to wash your face, nor is it full of alcohol; in fact, this moisturizer will change the way your skin feels, and how you feel about your oily skin. It's pricey, so I use it very very sparingly, but even an itty bit makes your skin feel wow. One look at the ingredient list that reads like an herb and flower garden and you won't be able to say no to yourself.

Got some bests of your own? Blogged about them (or not)? I would love to hear about them (or be directed to them) in the comments.

Looking forward to the standout joys of 2010!

I can't get enough of this:



Just ordered A. A. Bondy's second album on Fat Possum, When The Devil's Loose, from my local joint, Amoeba Records.

BTW, it's the holidays -- a good time to remind folks to give their local record stores some love.