Spafford Review

Spafford, a jam-band founded in Prescott, Arizona, has the all the ingredients to make it big.  Consisting of lead guitarist and singer Brian Moss, drummer Nick Tkachyk, bassist Jordan Fairless, and keyboardist Andrew “Red” Johnson, Spafford boasts talent, precision, and a willingness to push the envelope. 

Influenced by bands like Phish and The Disco Biscuits, Spafford harnesses its collective prowess by indulging in several unique jam segments per show.  Their jams cover many genres, including funk, space, psychedelic, and rock.  Most jams culminate in an epic crescendo in the form of a merciless guitar peak.

Spafford’s live catalogue includes original songs as well as a variety of covers.  Recognizable cover tunes such as  Down Under, Stuck In The Middle With You, Midnight Rider, and Send Me On My Way are sprinkled throughout shows .  As a nod to their Jam-Band forefathers The Grateful Dead and Phish, Spafford will also bust out songs like Dark Star, Eyes of The World, Slave To The Traffic, and Harry Hood.

The band’s original songs are catchy and full of energy.  Electric Taco brings the funk, Galisteo Way rocks the house, and Beautiful Day is a show-stopping ballad that has heartfelt lyrics and a strong vocal performance.

Tastefully incorporating electric elements, Spafford utilizes moden technology without using it as a crutch.  Synthesizers layer select jams, creating an atmospheric soundscape fraught with psychedelia.

While many jam bands are notorious for poor vocals, Spafford boasts multiple members capable of carrying a tune.  Brian Moss handles the lead on most songs, and Johnson delivers a touching performance on Beautiful Day.

The most appealing part of a Spafford show is the band’s exuberance.  The four guys on stage are having as good of a time as anyone in the audience.  When they sync up to create an especially memorable passage of music, one can see the giddiness in the band members’ reactions.

The intimate setting of smaller venues such as Tempe’s Sail Inn only adds to the mystique of a Spafford show.  But with each concert, Spafford inches closer to playing larger and more far-off venues.  According to my ears, it is only a matter of time before they are touring the country.

High quality recordings of Spafford's live performances are available free of charge at:
https://archive.org/details/Spafford

2/16/14 Sunset

Everyday the sun rises and sets.  And everyday the sequence has the potenital to produce awe-inspiring visuals.  The colors emitted by the sun and reflected through the clouds are among the most breathtaking sights visible to the human eye.  Yesterday’s sunset was one to remember.  Here is its evolution, as captured by an iPhone 4:

    Thick clouds populated the sky throughout the day, and the evening hours saw more of the same.

       The sun peaks out from under a dark, massive cloud.  Only a couple minutes until sunset.

 The sun has set, and the vibrant colors have begun to flourish.

                         
                                The once-obstructive cloud is now a canvas for the sun's rays.

"A Serious Man" Review

The Coen Brothers’ "A Serious Man" is a dark, cynical, and comedic take on one man’s spiritual crisis.  It is perhaps the Coen’s most personal and thought provoking work.  The film is a contemplation on the role of religion in a conservative Jew’s life.  Other themes explored are relationships, adultery, and morality.  “A Serious Man” poses many questions and provides few answers. 

The premise centers on the battle of Larry Gopnik, played by Michael Stuhlberg, vs. fate. Larry's life is spiraling out of control, and he will do anything to fix it.  His job at his risk, his family is breaking down, and his health is in question. Larry struggles through life-changing hardships, attempting to sail stormy seas by a vessel of religious faith. Stuhlbarg’s performance as  a victim of the universe reeks of desperation, just as it should.

Larry's Neighborhood

The setting is the midwestern Suburban Hell of the 1960s.  Larry lives with his spiteful wife and his two ungrateful children within the confines of a     generic, boring neighborhood.  The unraveling that ensues is enough to question the family man ethos.

Aaron, Larry's only son, receives the second-most screen time of the film.  He battles typical problems of a 13 year-old such as studying for his Bar Mitzvah, dodging the drug-dealer he is indebted to, and trying to get his father to fix the poor television reception.  Aaron and his friends provide comedic relief through some of the funniest dialogue in the movie.

 The Coens are masters of capturing different time eras, and "A Serious Man"is their take on the '60s.  The soundtrack includes '60 classics "Somebody To Love" by Jefferson Airplane and "Machine Gun" by Jimi Hendrix.

The set-designs costumes, lighting, and unique camera shots help make the film a knock-out visually.  There is a visual darkness to the film that aids in the storytelling.

Sy Abelman greets Larry

Sy Abelman, played to perfection by Fred Melamed, steals every scene he appears in.  Sy is Larry’s worst nightmare.  He is a devout Jew, secure in his faith, and is also in a relationship with Larry’s wife, Judith.  Sy's emotions jump off the screen.  He is unrestrained and never phased in the slightest.  Sy is a vintage Coen Brothers character who will not soon be forgotten.  

There is a focus on Judaism and its culture throughout the film.   When Larry voices his issues to close friends and family, their responses are invariably, "Did you talk to the Rabbi?"  Other than providing the Coens with an opportunity to indulge in ambitious camera shots, the Jewish motif will appeal to anyone who has ever practiced a religion.  The theme is more about the concept of religion than it is about the religion of Judaism.



Thought provoking films can be highly rewarding.  They are the most ambitious endeavors and possess the most potential for greatness.  A Serious Man is a thought provoking film that explores the meaning of life, God, and religion.  Pair that with the film’s penchant for gorgeous shots, witty dialogue, and an outstanding soundtrack, and that is a recipe for an elite film.  The plot will not appeal to everyone.  There is no steadfast beginning and end to the story.  The film's themes loom larger because of the plot's uncertainty.  

3.5 / 4 Stars

Derek Jeter's Retirement Announcement

I have zero memories of a Yankee team without Derek Jeter.  Over an 18 year span, Captain Clutch has been promoted from my favorite shortstop to my favorite Yankee to my favorite athlete of all time.  His departure from baseball leaves a hole that will never be filled.

Never again will an iconic Yankee throw his batting gloves to my 10 year-old self.  Excitement over defensive plays deep in hole, into the stands, and around home plate cannot be re-captured.  Passion for an Elementary School book report on Derek Jeter: The Life You Imagine is a distant memory.  The exuberance of an 11 year old watching his hero hit a walk-off homerun in the World Series is a thing of the past.

Last year, with the Yankees in the midst of a 9 game homerless streak, Derek Jeter returned from an extended stint on the disabled list.  His road back to the playing field was full of detours, but he was finally in the lineup.  He hit the first pitch he saw over the right field wall, breaking the homerless drought, and igniting the Yankees offense.

Derek Jeter will always be polarizing to stat-heads and intangible enthusiasts.  The sabermetric people will argue that Jeter’s defense is at best below average.  They will also say that Jeter does not hit for enough power to be a cream of the crop type player.  Traditionalists will praise Jeter for his leadership in the club house, clutch hits, and ability to make unforgettable plays such as "The Flip:"

Jeter’s legacy lays between the two extremes.  Any Yankee fan will tell you that Jeter made the plays he was supposed to make.  And although any teammate would want him at the plate in a clutch situation, Jeter didn’t always come through when the game was on the line.

The Mount Rushmore of quintessential Yankees includes Ruth, Dimaggio, Mantle, and Jeter.  Each Yankee played a long Hall-Of-Fame caliber career, won numerous championships, and captured iconic status as “The Yankee” of his time.  It takes exceptional play on the field as well as a charismatic personality off the field to join such a special group.

During an era when everything is public and athletes are held to a higher standard than ever before, Jeter has set the bar for how an athlete should carry himself.  Other than a small rift between Steinbrenner and Jeter during the 2000 season, Jeter has kept himself clean of controversy.  He has lived in New York City for nearly 20 years and has maintained a sterling reputation.

The steroid era puts a shadow over most players, but Jeter is one who most presume is innocent.  He is a ripple of light among waves of darkness.  Throughout MLB court hearings and government investigations, Jeter was the poster child for everything that was still right about baseball.

Critics will say that Jeter announced his retirement for attention.  Why announce it before the season?  He just wants ESPN to fawn over him for 162 games, right?  Or maybe he did it for the fans.  He did it for the fans who might want to see Jeter for one last time, or maybe even for the first time ever.  This announcement puts everyone on notice:  The most important baseball player of the last 50 years is retiring, so get your tickets now.