God's Pocket

God's Pocket by Pete Dexter, 1983.

Read this very quickly in late August 2015.

This book came highly recommended to me because I came from Philadelphia where this murder mystery novel takes place in a working class neighborhood. It was everything I was expecting. I couldn't put this book and was totally entranced.

Dexter was a former newspaper columnist in Philadelphia who became a novelist writing about the nasty underside of Philly. He himself hand some bad personal encounters with the local mob and neighborhood gangs because of his newspaper articles.

This is the first and only one of his novels I've read but I'm looking forward to reading some more of his work.

Open Eyes - Orgone Bliss

An Orgone Bliss mix of music from the Sixth Decade which I count as approximately 2006 to 2015. Psychedelic and shoegaze drone.

1. The Apples In Stereo - Open Eyes (New Magnetic Wonder, 2007)
2. Spiritualized - I Am What I Am (Sweet Heart Sweet Light, 2012)
3. The Dandy Warhols - Plan A (The Dandy Warhols (The Dandy Warhols Are Sound, 2009)
4. The Flaming Lips - Silver Trembling Hands (Embryonic, 2009)
5. Opossom - Blue Meanies (Electric Hawaii, 2012)
6. Dead Meadow - Between Me And The Ground (Old Growth, 2008)
7. Tame Impala - Endors Toi (Lonerism, 2012)
8. Dr. Dog - Where'd All The Time Go? (Shame Shame, 2010)
9. Black Lips - Modern Art (Arabia Mountain, 2011)
10. Youth Lagoon - Mute (Wonderous Bughouse, 2013)
11. Black Moth Super Rainbow - Twin Of Myself (Eating Us, 2009)
12. Wooden Shjips - Loose Lips (Vol. 2, 2010)
13. The Out Crowd - Be Good  (Then I Saw The Holy City, 2006)
14. The Brian Jonestown Massacre - The Clouds Are Lies (Aufheben, 2012)
15. Of Montreal - Sink The Seine (Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer, 2007)
16. The Black Angels - Bad Vibrations (Phosphene Dream, 2010)
17. Baby Woodrose - Dandelion (Third Eye Surgery, 2012)
18. The Smoking Trees - Close Your Eyes (Acetates, 2013)

Why Are You Still Crying - Heartache

The Heartache series continues across the decades.

Greta Garbo in the pic. I watched in a silent film the other day, A Woman Of Affairs, and she was amazing even without ever saying a word. She was Heartache.

1. George Harrison - Behind That Locked Door  (Al Things Must Pass, 1970)
2. Neil Young - Ways Of Love (Freedom, 1989)
3. Emmylou Harris - Goodbye (Wrecking Ball, 1995)
4. Passenger - Heart's On Fire (Whispers, 2014)
5. Tift Merritt - Drifted Apart (Traveling Alone, 2012)
6. Chris Isaak - Forever Blue (Forever Blue, 1995)
7. Leonard Cohen - Hey, That's No Way To Say Goodbye (Songs of Leonard Cohen, 1967)
8. Hem - I'll Dream Of You Tonight (Funnel Cloud, 2006)
9. A.A, Bondy - Lover's Waltz (American Hearts, 2007)
10. Jay Farrar, Jim James, Anders Parker & Will Johnson - Careless Reckless Love (New Multitudes, 2012)
11. Nanci Griffith - You Made This Love A Teardrop (Storms, 1989)
12. Richard Thompson - I Misunderstood (Rumor & Sigh (1991)
13. Grant Lee Buffalo - Fuzzy (Fuzzy, 1993)
14. Sarah McLachlan - I Will Not Forget You (Solace, 1991)
15. Winterpills - Hankerchiefs (The Light Divides, 2007)
16. Over The Rhine - I Want You To Be My Love (Drunkard's Prayer, 2005)
17. Elton John - Love Song (Tumbleweed Connection, 1971)

Strange Overtones - Eno Cycle

Volume 9 of the Eno Cycle with more Brian Eno as artist, producer, songwriter, collaborator and general influencer.

1. Brian Eno & David Byrne - Strange Overtones (Everything That Happens Will Happen Today, 2008)
2. David Bowie - Hallo Spaceboy (Outside, 1995)
3. Brian Eno - Fractal Zoom (Nerve Net, 2014)
4. Grace Jones - Cannibal Dub (Hurricane, 2011)
5. Sinead O'Connor - Emma's Song (She Who Dwells..., 2003)
6. Massive Attack - Protection (Protection, 1994)
7. U2 - A Sort Of Homecoming (The Unforgettable Fire, 1984)
8. Talking Heads - The Big Country (More Songs About Buildings and Food, 1978)
9. Daryl Hall - Survive (Sacred Songs, 1980)
10. Mars - Helen Fordsdale (No New York, 1978)
11. James - Basic Brian (Wah Wah, 1994)
12. Brian Eno - Sky Saw (Another Green World, 1975)

Spirits Drifting - Eno Cycle

And still more Eno doing what Eno does. The Eno Cycle Vol. 8.

1. Brian Eno - Spirits Drifting
2. Cluster and Brian Eno - Steinsame (Cluster & Eno, 1977)
3. David Bowie - Moss Garden (Heroes
4. Syd Straw - By This River (Pink Velour, 2008)
5. Daniel Lanois - Still Water (Acadie
6. Blur - Strange News From Another Star (Blur
7. U2 - Miss Sarajevo
8. Roy Orbison - In The Real World (Mystery Girl
9. Laurie Anderson - Love Among The Sailors
10. Bob Dylan - Two Soldiers (World Gone Wrong, 1993)
11. Dido - Day Before We Went To War (Girl Who Got Away, 2013)
12. Damien Dempsey - It's All Good (Seize The Day, 2004)
13. Peter Gabriel - Heroes (Scratch My Back, 2010)
14. Brian Eno and John Cale - The River (Wrong Way Up, 1990)
15. James - Skindiving (Laid, 1993)

The Great Pretender - Eno Cycle

More Eno. Vol. 7 of the Eno Cycle. Brian Eno as artist, producer, songwriter, collaborator, etc.

1. Brian Eno - The Great Pretender (Taking Tiger Mountain, 1974)
2. David Bowie - Warszawa (Low, 1977)
3. Robert Wyatt - At Last I Am Free (Nothing Can Stop Us, 1982)
4. Laurie Anderson - Poison (Bright Red, 1994)
5. Harold Budd & Brian Eno - Their Memories (The Pearl, 1984)
6. Michael Brook - Hybrid (Hybrid, 1985)
7. Jane Siberry - Temple (When I Was A Boy, 1993)
8. Cluster & Brian Eno - Ho Renomo (Cluster & Eno, 1977)
9. Damon Albarn - You & Me (Everyday Robots, 2014)
10. The Walkabouts - Train To Mercy (Dead Man Rise, 1992)
11. Slowdive - Sing (Slovlaki,1993)
12. Marrianne Faithful - Going Home (Give My Love To London, 2014)

You Make My Dreams Come True - Backyard Wedding Party - Hour 9

The end of the party. The final hour.

1. The Strokes - Last Night
2. The Rolling Stones - Start Me Up
3. INXS - Need You Tonight
4. The Knack - My Sharona
5. Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers - American Girl
6. Nick Lowe - I Knew The Bride (When She Used To Rock And Roll)
7. Roy Orbison - Pretty Woman
8. Hall & Oates - You Make My Dreams
9. The Cure - Just Like Heaven
10. Broken Bells - After The Disco
11. Alt-J - Every Other Freckle
12. Beach House - Myth
13. Fleet Foxes - Lorelai
14. The Cure - Lovesong
15. The Human League - Don't You Want Me
16. UB40 - Here I Am (Come And Take Me)
17. Roxy Music - More Than This
18. Crowded House - Don't Dream It's Over

Some Kind of Wonderful - Backyard Wedding Party - Hour 8

And the all day backyard wedding party went into the night. The 8th hour.

1. Stereo MC's - Connected
2. Cornershop - Brimful Of Asha
3. Empire Of The Sun - Walking On A Dream
4. Arcade Fire - Reflektor
5. Daft Punk - Instant Crush
6. Phoenix - Lisztomania
7. Fitz & The Tantrums - Break The Walls
8. Future Islands - Seasons (Waiting On You)
9. No Doubt - Just A Girl
10. Amy Winehouse - Valerie
11. Joan Jett - Bad Reputation
12. Iggy Pop - Lust For Life
13. Grand Funk Railroad - Some Kind Of Wonderful
14. Jonathan Richman & The Modern Lovers - Roadrunner
15. Elvis Costello - Pump It Up
16. Harry Nisson - Jump Into The Fire
17. R.E.M. - It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)

Get Down Tonight - Backyard Wedding Party - Hour 7

The party keeps on going... got a bonfire going too.

1. K.C. & The Sunshine Band - Get Down Tonight
2. Lady Gaga - Poker Face
3. Beyonce - Single Ladies
4. The Black Keys - Gold On The Ceiling
5. Billy Idol - Mony Mony
6. The Ramones - Rockaway Beach
7. Neil Diamond - Cherry Cherry
8. Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels - Jenny Take A Ride
9. James Brown - Out Of Sight
10. Thelma Houston - Don't Leave Me This Way
11. The Beach Boys - Do It Again
12. The Supremes - You Can't Hurry Love
13. The Four Tops - I Can't Help Myself
14. Michael Jackson - Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'
15. Donna Summer - I Feel Love
16. New Order - Blue Monday

Dancing Queen - Backyard Wedding Party - Hour 6

The sixth hour and the party is going strong. Some folks are dancing and some folks are hanging out in the beer garden. Everyone is having fun.

1. Outkast - Hey Ya
2. Gnarls Barkley - Crazy
3. No Doubt - Hella Good
4. Goldfrapp - Ooh La La
5. The Black Keys - Fever
6. Talking Heads - Girlfriend Is Better
7. Fine Young Cannibals - Good Thing
8. The B-52's - Good Stuff
9. Deee-Lite - Good Beat
10. ABBA - Dancing Queen
11. Earth, Wind & Fire - September
12. Ramsey Lewis Trio - Wade In The Water
13. Eddie Floyd - Knock On Wood
14. Martha & The Vandellas - Dancing In The Street
15. The Beatles - I Saw Her Standing There
16. The Beatles - Twist And Shout
17. The Beach Boys - Dance, Dance, Dance
18. Bee Gees - You Should Be Dancing

Happy - Backyard Wedding Party - Hour 5

After dinner cranking up the sounds. About midway through the hour the dancing started.

1. 4 Non Blondes - What's Up
2. Lorde - Royals
3. Sia - Chandelier
4. M83 - Midnight City
5. Phoenix - 1901
6. The Postal Service - Such Great Hights
7. Deee-Lite - Groove Is In The Heart
8. Pharrell Williams - Happy
9. Owl City - Verge
10. Madonna - Express Yourself
11. Lady GaGa - Just Dance
12. LCD Soundsystem - Daft Punk Is Playing In Our House
13. Daft Punk - Get Lucky
14. Mark Ronson & Bruno Mars- Uptown Funk
15. James Brown - Get On The Good Foot
16. K.C. & The Sunshine Band - That's The Way (I Like It)

Stand By Me - Backyard Wedding Party - Hour 4

The dinner hour.

1. Cat Stevens - Morning Has Broken
2. Simon & Garfunkel - The Only Living Boy In New York
3. Frank Sinatra - I've Got You Under My Skin
4. Ben E. King - Stand By Me
5. The Delfonics - Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)
6. John Coltrane & Johnny Hartman - My One And Only Love
7. Neil Young - Harvest Moon
8. George Jones - Walk Through This World With Me
9. The Four Tops - Still Water (Love)
10. Earth, Wind & Fire - That's The Way Of The World
11. The Beach Boys - Don't Worry Baby
12. The Beatles - Because
13. Israel Kamakawiwo'ole - Over The Rainbow
14. Richard 'Groove' Holmes - Misty
15. Peggy Lee - Fever
16. Etta James - At Last
17. Mazzy Star - Fade Into You
18. Band Of Horses - No One's Gonna Love You
19. Oasis - Wonderwall
20. Fleet Foxes - Tiger Mountain Peasant Song

Rain Falls Like Mercy

Rain Falls Like Mercy by Jake Todd, 2011

I read this book in a week in August 2015.

This book was an interesting crime mystery novel that takes place during World War II that focuses on the emotional lives of the characters while they experience the historical events that shape their destinies. It's about the violence of crime and the violence of war and the investigation of a young girl's murder that is overwhelmed by the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The book had a very gripping narrative style and sometimes got into some grisly detail.

At the time I read this book I didn't realize that it was the third book of a trilogy about a particular family. It didn't really make a difference to me to enjoy this book as a standalone novel but perhaps there was some background information that may have been helpful but I would not have known as I was reading the book. Perhaps I will look up the earlier novels.

Hot Fun In The Summertime - Backyard Wedding Party - Hour 3

The third hour has moved to the beer garden after gathering for the ceremony. The BBQ dinnner is scheduled for about an hour later so there is plenty of time for a happy hour.

1. The Eagles - One Of These Nights
2. Sly & The Family Stone - Hot Fun In The Summertime
3. Bob Marley & The Wailers - Jamming
4. Ray Charles - What'd I Say Parts 1 & 2
5. Van Morrison - Brown Eyed Girl
6. Tom Jones - She's A Lady
7. The Allman Brothers Band - Melissa
8. Grateful Dead - Sugar Magnolia
9. Gipsy Kings - Bamboleo
10. Calexico - Epic
11. Grizzly Bear - Two Weeks
12. Vampire Weekend - Step
13. Father John Misty - I Love You Honeybear
14. Hozier - Take Me To Church
15. Fleet Foxes - He Doesn't Know Why
16. Bon Iver - For Emma
17. Wilco - You And I

Sea of Love - Backyard Wedding Party - Hour 2

The second hour includes the wedding ceremony music. Early in this mix the guest took their seats and awaited the arrival of the bride. The wedding party entered the ceremony area to The Drifter's This Magic Moment. The bride walked down "the aisle" to Cat Power's version of Sea of Love. They walked from the ceremony to David Bowie's Heroes. The ceremony songs were selected by Sean and Ashley. The crowd greeted the couple and moved to the beer garden to the music on the second half of this set.

1. T. Rex - Hot Love
2. Paul McCartney - Every Night
3. The Delfonics - La-La Means I Love You
4. The Flamingoes - I Only Have Eyes For You
5. R.E.M. - At My Most Beautiful
6. Cyndi Lauper - Time After Time
7. The Drifters - This Magic Moment
8. Cat Power - Sea Of Love
9. David Bowie - Heroes
10. The Ronettes - Be My Baby
11. Percy Sledge - When A Man Loves A Woman
12. The Jackson 5 - I'll Be There
13. The Dells - Oh What A Night
14. Talking Heads - This Must Be The Place
15. The Beach Boys - I Can Hear Music
16. Elton John - Tiny Dancer

Having A Party - Backyard Wedding Party - Hour 1

This is the first hour of music that was played at Sean and Ashley's picnic wedding last Saturday. Early in the wedding planning process they decided to use a sound system playing an iPod playlist and they asked me to provide the music. I initially put together a group of mixes and posted them online where they could listen to them. I spent several weeks playing around and tweaking the playlist. I've deleted those mixes and will be putting up the music that was actually played at the wedding.

We had two sets of speakers. One set focused the music toward the tent and the dance area and the second set which had a separate volume control was facing the improvised beer garden area.

This is the music that was playing as the guests were arriving. Most people at this time were hanging out in the beer garden where there was a beer trailer with multiple taps and another area with tables of wine.

This party goes on for over 9 hours and here is the start. Here is how it went.

1. Grateful Dead - Uncle John's Band
2. Led Zeppelin - Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
3. The Rolling Stones - Tumbling Dice
4. Marvin Gaye - How Sweet It Is
5. Stevie Wonder - You Are The Sunshine Of My Life
6. The Supremes - I Hear A Symphony
7. Sam Cooke - Having A Party
8. The Ramsey Lewis Trio - The 'In' Crowd
9. Electric Light Orchestra - Mr. Blue Sky
10. Creedence Clearwater Revival - Hey Tonight
11. The Clash - Brand New Cadillac
12. The La's - There She Goes
13. Neil Young - Cinnamon Girl
14. My Morning Jacket - One Big Holiday
15. Arcade Fire - Keep The Car Running
16. Hall & Oates - I Can't Go For That (No Can Do)
17. Fleetwood Mac - Everywhere