May 31st, 2008 by Evil Kitten

picture taken from MichaelHolloway.com

Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar is located in Printer’s Alley in the heart of downtown Nashville, Tennessee. It’s an amazing little place that I discovered years ago, when my dad was playing the blues around town. I happened to go see Josh Garrett and the Bottom Line there last weekend, and let me tell you, the place has only gotten better. It’s being managed by Peter Berger, former saxophone player for Stacy Mitchart and Blues U Can Use. Last Saturday night was the last night of Mardi Gras in May, an annual event for the bar.

We got there around 8:00 P.M. and had some great cajun food. Their menu is rich with cajun and creole dishes that will make your mouth water. They have the best dirty rice north of Louisiana, and their gumbo will make your toes curl. I always get their fried fish with garlic mashed potatoes and dirty rice, and have yet to be disappointed. The rest of my party was equally satisfied with their choices.

The house drink is called Blues Juice, and I can only guess at what’s in it. I am pretty sure there’s some rum, blue curaco, and either orange or pineapple juice. It definitely borders more towards the tropical side in tastes. Their southern hurricanes are amazing too (and were on $5 special along with Jager bombs). They’ve got tons of beers to choose from and even sell hurricanes by the pitcher!

As far as decor goes, they always make it up nice. There were beads and masks on every table, and the band tossed out more beads during their set. They have a huge souvenir and cigar shop, a fun little dance floor, and enough seating for everyone. The good thing is that the club is actually two levels which makes for a good seat no matter where you are.

A couple of fun Bourbon Street Facts: Gretchen Wilson waited tables here before she made it big. She used to get up and sing with some of the bands (my dad’s included) and was always just the biggest sweetheart. Also, the Governor of Louisiana has made Bourbon Street Blues & Boogie Bar in Nashville, Tennessee the most northern parish of Louisiana. Quite the honor!

All in all, you can’t go wrong if you make Bourbon Street a must-do on your next Nashville vacation. Check the calendar to see who’s playing, and check them out beforehand too. It makes for a much more satisfying experience.

May 31st, 2008 by Evil Kitten

Everyone in the world knows my love for Battlestar Galactica. There’s no way I’d ever miss an episode, especially not in this fourth and final season. In fact, I took vacation on the weekend that BSG was not showing new episodes. Thanks for that little break, Sci-Fi Channel! Last night, however, the episodes were back and in full force. Last night’s episode was action packed and full of surprises. First off, how is nasty, smelly old Tigh going to get beautiful, amazing, wonderful Six (played by the most beautiful woman in the world, Tricia Helfer) pregnant? I cannot possibly figure out why they would even get the ball rolling in that direction. Couldn’t they just have said that Doc found some semen or something? That would make more sense.

The great thing is that Lee is now interim President. He’s going to do a great job, and his bono-lookalike lawyer friend Romo was definitely spot-on with that observation. I like the lengths that he went to in order to get him to see it, too. I’m also glad that Admiral Adama is finally admitting how he feels about Laura. That should make for some interesting times when she gets rescued.

One thing I didn’t like was in the previews for next week they show Deanna saying “How do you not know about the five when you’re one of them,” then cutting to a picture of Laura looking surprised. It’s obviously creative editing on BSG’s part but it irritates me that they want you to think that. It’s so not her. She’s not the last.

All in all? The last two episodes have been much better than the few before that, and next week’s is promising, that little editing spoof notwithstanding.

May 29th, 2008 by Evil Kitten

image taken from myspace page
Click here to view their website and hear some tunes!

I was in Nashville visiting the folks over the weekend, and whenever I’m there we try to get down to Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar (which I’ll be doing a review on tomorrow) to see whatever band is playing that night. Sometimes it’s very “meh” and other times it’s actually phenomenal. This past Saturday night, the four of us all rolled up and met some friends there. We hadn’t heard of this band previously, but it didn’t matter because we were there for many other things. We usually get there about an hour before the band starts to give us time to have dinner before the music starts playing.

They were a little late coming on stage, which annoyed me because I usually don’t like to start drinking until the band plays, and I was ready for my Blues Juice. I noticed a few things when the band was setting up. First off, a full horns section (sax, coronet, and trombone) but no pianist. That’s a different combination! Josh Garrett plays guitar, and he has a bassist and drummer of course in addition to the horns.

When he started playing, it was complete magic. He took command of the stage, worked the crowd, and completely transformed the place into a party. It was the last night of Bourbon Street’s famous “Mardi Gras in May” and I swear that it felt like I was on the real Bourbon Street in New Orleans, partying with my friends and drinking hurricanes (I was drinking hurricanes, but that’s beside the point). Highlights of the night were his song “Champagne and Reefer,” the title track off of his new CD, “Changed Man,” and “I’ve Got My Mojo Working.”

Not only is he an amazing musician (and the rest of his band as well), he’s an excellent performer. He’s charismatic, fun, and really knows how to work the crowd. If you go to see Josh Garrett and the Bottom Line you will definitely have an amazing time, especially if you love the blues. Check out his website and his album, which can be bought off of his MySpace page.

May 28th, 2008 by Evil Kitten

Get it here on Amazon.Com

I have waited for this album for a very, very long time. This album captures the REM-ness that REM hadn’t really had in their last few albums (don’t get me wrong, I loved “Around the Sun,” but this is much different). Michael Stipe and Mike Mills have brought back those amazing melodies and countermelodies with interlacing lyrics that I loved so much back in the day. To this day, “Fall On Me” is one of my favorite REM songs and this reminds me a lot of that song. Highlights on the album are “Supernatural Superserious,” “Living Well Is the Best Revenge,” and “Hollow Man.” I liked the lyrics to “Horse to Water” but reading them before hearing the song disappointed me. I was almost hoping for slow and creepy, and instead it was a loud, angry song. It completely changed the tone and meaning for the lyrics for me once I heard them.

All in all, get this album. Put it on your iPod, and walk around in the beautiful late spring/early summer afternoon weather. Hit up a college campus while “Supernatural Superserious” is playing. You won’t be disappointed, and guaranteed you’ll get caught singing along.

May 28th, 2008 by Evil Kitten

Working at home gives me a lot of time to be able to watch television. Much to Eric’s dismay, most of that time is spent on MTV Jams, MTV hits, or some other atrocious music channel. I know that it’s bad music for the most part, but I just get really sad if I do not have some sort of music going. It’s like a curse, or better yet, an addiction. Yes, it’s true. My name is Kellie, and I’m addicted to music. There are a few shows that I do not miss whenever they are on.

It’s probably no surprise to anyone that I am a die-hard Battlestar Galactica fan. Anyone that’s known me for more than ten minutes can tell you this. I didn’t get on board with BSG until the third season, when Eric brought over some of the Season one and two DVD’s and I pretty much inhaled them one after another. I love this series so much for so many different reasons. My favorite character is by far Kara “Starbuck” Thrace (played by Katee Sackhoff). She’s everything I want to be in a woman: tough, intelligent, beautiful, not afraid to get what she wants, and doesn’t take crap from anyone.

The struggle of Cylon vs. human in an epic struggle for survival makes for great drama. Season Four has been explosive in a way that makes me ready to tune in every Friday night waiting for what would happen. I have laughed, cried, gotten angry, and really sympathized with these characters during their trials, tribulations, and triumphs. I cheered when Callie died, and I rejoiced when Starbuck and Lee had a tender moment upon her return. Yes, I’m one of those fangirls that believe that Lee and Kara are meant to be lovers rather than brother and sister.

Before I go off on another tangent and this becomes a “Why Kellie loves BSG” post, I should move on to other TV shows. Though nothing will ever take the top spot over BSG, I also enjoy other shows. Doctor Who has been great this season, and it has the added benefit of being on right before Battlestar Galactica. Friday nights are like an awesome two-for-one special. I like Ugly Betty and Grey’s Anatomy, Scrubs (though I’m pretty sure it’s finished now), ABC soaps, and Heroes. I haven’t seen a new episode of Heroes in forever though.

I like Reality TV such as American Idol, Dancing with the Stars, Wife Swap, Supernanny, and various VH1 and MTV shows. I love Flavor of Love and Rock of Love. I just can’t help it! If I had to pick one guilty pleasure, it would probably be Degrassi: The Next Generation (Friday nights on The N). I watched the original when I was a kid, and I admit that I tune in on Friday nights to see what the gang does.

Are you appalled yet? Stay tuned to see what I say next!

May 27th, 2008 by Evil Kitten

So, now that I’ve decided that this Amazon gig might be in the works, I have decided to do a few articles here in my little blog place. My first article is going to be about the most important thing in my life: music. My father is a professional blues bassist, and I started playing instruments as a small child. From that, my love of music just grew and grew.

My favorite bands are ones that I’ve been listening to for years. The top five are tried and true for me, with songs and lyrics that make up the soundtrack to my life.

1. Better Than Ezra — This will always and forever be my favorite band. I remember the first time I really took notice of the band. They were on 120 minutes (remember that show?) and it was Travis’ birthday. They were having a concert that week in Nashville, and my best friend and I decided to go. I was definitely not disappointed. We met the band, and from then on it was complete and total love. I have seen them in concert thirteen times and own every CD they’ve ever put out. My favorite three songs by Better Than Ezra: Laid (A remake of the James song), Breathless, and WWOZ (Yes, off of Friction, Baby. What a great CD that was!).

2. REM — I’d not really taken the time to appreciate REM until I started dating my current boyfriend. He is a Superfan, and owns all of their CD’s. I quickly rediscovered them though, and I haven’t looked back. At times they rival Better Than Ezra with the frequency that I listen to them, but they’ll always be a strong #2. I love their meaningful, insightful but cryptic lyrics. I love the harmonies and counter-melodies that only REM can provide. My favorite three songs by REM: Fall on Me, Begin the Begin, and Disturbance at the Heron House.

3. Angie Aparo — I’m sure you’ve never heard of him, and he is a close third to REM and Better Than Ezra. I wish I could describe his music. It’s defintely magical, and almost haunting. It’s soulful and it’s moving. You might remember the song Faith Hill sang a few years ago, called “Cry.” He wrote that song, and actually performed it on one of his albums (which is how she found it). That’s not even the deepest song, and it has amazing, powerful lyrics. Can you imagine? It only gets better from there. My favorite three songs by Angie Aparo: Hush, Child You’re the Revolution, and It’s Alright.

4. Tori Amos - She’s brilliant, she’s beautiful, and she can sing and play piano. What more could you ask for? Her lyrics are deep, some taken from very personal and tragic experiences in her own life, including when she was raped after a concert. You can’t listen to this music without feeling something stir within you, though usually it’s that dark, disturbed place inside you singing along with the music. My favorite three songs by Tori Amos: Little Earthquakes, Pretty Good Year, and A Sorta Fairytale.

5. Ben Folds (Five) — He’s foul-mouthed, angry, loud, and at times obnoxious. I love his cover of “Bitches Ain’t Shit” and I love the way he captured the emotions in “Brick.” He’s an amazing pianist who uses classical influences (as seen in “Philosophy,” with samplings of George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” sprinkled throughout). With the band or without, his music is a treat and the lyrics give great messages. He writes about personal things, such as the suicide of his little sister, his daughter, and the love of his life (one of them). My favorite three songs by Ben Folds: Landed, Learn to Live With What You Are, and The Luckiest.