House Band: The Avett Brothers

Today I'm offering readers further evidence that I view the world through kaleidoscope eyes. I'm an off-kilter, bedazzled, jingly soul who uses music as an essential ingredient in the kitchen, so today I'm announcing The Greasy Skillet's first Unofficial House Band, The Avett Brothers. The blogsophere is a virtual world, so having an unofficial house band makes perfect sense to me.

At The Greasy Skillet we believe in a world that is devoid of airbrushed photos and artificial ingredients, and since there's something sincere and homegrown about The Avett Brothers, they are our first house band. In future posts we'll couple the music of the Avett Brothers with ruminations about food and perhaps, some recipes.

Until then, enjoy the video.



The following is from the band's myspace page and encapsulates what their music is about:

If you put your ear to the street, you can hear the rumble of the world in motion; people going to and from work, to school, to the grocery store. You may even hear the whisper of their living rooms, their conversation, their complaints, and if you're lucky, their laughter. If you're almost anywhere in America , you'll hear something different, something special, something you recognize but haven't heard in a long time. It is the sound of a real celebration It is not New Year's, and it is not a political convention. It is neither a prime time game-show, nor a music video countdown, bloated with fame and sponsorship. What you are hearing is the love for a music. It is the unbridled outcry of support for a song that sings to the heart, that dances with the soul. The jubilation is in the theaters, the bars, the music clubs, the festivals. The love is for a band. The songs are honest: just chords with real voices singing real melodies. But, the heart and the energy with which they are sung, is really why people are talking, and why so many sing along. They are a reality in a world of entertainment built with smoke and mirrors, and when they play, the common man can break the mirrors and blow the smoke away, so that all that's left behind is the unwavering beauty of the songs. That's the commotion, that's the celebration, and wherever The Avett Brothers are tonight, that's what you'll find.

feeling like cinnamon,

muddy

Gratitude

In my early elementary days I dreaded walking through the doors of school. I was an introvert and school was difficult for me. I was placed in a low-achieving reading group, and even at that age I felt a little shame about being separated from the brighter kids. I also had a slight speech impediment, which made it difficult to pronounce my th’s, my S’s, and I couldn’t say the word yellow, which is a real detriment in the second grade because we frequently read the Curious George books, and that damn man in the yellow hat gave me fits. Why couldn’t the bastard have name like Ray, Earl, or Jim Bob? I missed a lot of recesses because I had to work with a speech therapist.


I didn't really feel comfortable with school until my 4th-grade year when a teacher named Mrs. Brust changed my life. I had great teachers prior to that year, but none were quite like Mrs. Brust. My memory cheats me since it's been 30 years since I was last in her classroom, but I do remember the following:

• I remember her being tall and gangly.
• I remember her being a bit like Julia Childs
• I remember that she always wore a big smile.
• I remember that she laughed a lot.
• I remember her being a bit of a scattered brain.
• I remember that she loved telling stories.
• I remember she loved hearing stories.
• I remember she loved books.

The following are the most important things I remember about her class:

• I remember feeling like the most important person in the world when I talked to her..
• I remember searching our classroom library for my next book to read. Mrs. Brust would approach and say, "I know just the book for you." Then she would guide me to the book, pull it off the shelf, and hand it me. I would hold it like a gift as she told me all about the book, the one that was perfect for me.
• I remember she parked a love of reading in me.
• I remember she made me feel more confident.
• I remember she embraced mistakes and imperfections and turned them into things of beauty.
  

On this Thanksgiving, I'm grateful for all those who knew what was best for me and who steered me in the right direction. What are you thankful for on this holiday?

Happy Thanksgiving!

muddy

The Greasy Five: Turkey Music

If you're craving some music to accompany your Thanksgiving meal, head on over to NPR, where they'll be streaming Songs for Stuffing: A Thanksgiving Mix.

If you're a regular reader of this blog, you know that I compile songs about food and eating. I'm always looking for "foodie" songs to add to my Ipod, and with NPR's list, I discovered some new songs that had me scouring the web to listen to snippets. The following are five songs I plan on downloading in the near future:

1. "Making Pies" by Patty Griffin
2. "Slow Food" by Greg Brown
3. "Fried Neck Bones and Some Home Fries" by Willie Bobo
4. "Bread and Gravy" by Ethel Waters
5. "Frim Fram Sauce" by Nat King Cole

What's your favorite song about food?

happy eatin'
muddy