HIGHLY Suspect

MUSIC:

Rocking Hard, Fresh Out of Brooklyn

HIGHLY 

Suspect

And, there is more from this new band, with a fast start out of the gate. Listen to this.

http://www.highlysuspect.net

HIGHLY Suspect is unsigned, but probably not for long.

ROCK ON!

Enjoy,
Cooking Lounge

New Destination in the Bowieverse: "Where Are We Now?"

MUSIC:

Could not resist posting about music legend and cultural icon David Bowie's recent release, "Where Are We Now?." New Bowie after nearly a decade! More Bowie to add to the soundtrack of your next dinner party (try Cooking Lounge Good Food ideas).

David Bowie did more in the 70's and 80's than any other successful artist to encourage freaks, geeks and outcasts to love and embrace their uniqueness with performances and near anthems of individuality, decadence and darkness wrapped in trademark chameleon personas. Every album was a seductive invitation to a new destination in the Bowie Universe (Bowieverse). Even Wall Street took notice in the 90's and started trading on the power of Bowie's genius, as asset-backed securities with Bowie Bonds.

Bowie's voice is haunting in "Where Are We Now?", hallowed and graveled with a dark resilient joy (a pulsating light) permeating every lyric uttered - 

...joy of survival...joy of  living... joy of remembrance in hedonistic days-gone-by...

The lyrics and accompanying music video are drenched in symbolism and open to all kinds of interpretation. The seemingly lo fi video - mise en scene desktop set, grainy slow motion black and white frames, and puppets with supper imposed heads (is this a comment on individuality?) - does what David Bowie does with deft, pull you into the Bowieverse to share his current revelry. 

Not the best singer but a master vocalist, "Where Are We Now?" is distinctively Bowie, memorable and melodic, with the ever present Bowie melancholy shocked with rays of light.

Enjoy,
Cooking Lounge

Dave Brubeck, Jazz Icon - Take Five

MUSIC:

Dave Brubeck was a Jazz Icon. Hard to believe "Take Five" was first recorded in 1959. The legendary musician lived 91 storied years. "Take Five" is still a perfect playlist selection for almost any dinner party, definitely an all time favorite track. Great music is timeless.

Imagine when the Dave Brubeck Quartet played the song in a smoky, dark nigthtclub, the Village Gate. Take five everyone...swirl a cocktail, hug a loved one and enjoy the heavenly gift of Dave Brubeck's talent.

Cooking Lounge

Interview_Margo Patisserie Cafe_Almond Croissant

FOOD:
Flaky, buttery croissants are a hard to find french staple, done properly, even in New York City. 
Margo Patisserie is a cozy cafe tucked away at the corner of Driggs & Fillmore Place, in uber locale of the moment, Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Margo Patisserie is unpretentious, laid-back and authentic with selections from sweet to savory, along with outdoor seating and free wifi. Margo Patisserie caught my attention when I needed a quick afternoon bite. I went for a coffee and pain au chocolat (which was excellent) but kept staring at an empty row, flecked with pasty flakes, that had held almond croissants. Ummmm, almond croissants - not too sweet, moist, filling and rich. A few weeks later, I stopped and tried the almond croissant...one of the best ever. Supporting small, artisanal food businesses is good for the taste buds. Here's a video we shot with the owner, Margo, about making almond croissants at Margo Patisserie Cafe. The music is Tres Tres Chic from Mocean Worker. Have a look.

video:wbj

Enjoy,
Cooking Lounge

Raphael Saadiq, "Radio" - Moving forward channelling Chuck Berry

MUSIC:
HAPPY NEW YEAR! First post of 2011.
Lately, I am struck by the trend of acts going "retro" in the quest to prove true musicianship and vocal artistry. WTF, was it that long ago when we expected artists to be able to carry a tune, and OMG play an instrument too. With Lucy Pearl back in 1999, I knew then Raphael Saadiq is the embodiment of 360 degree artist from vision to execution.
New video from the amazing Raphael Saadiq, whose upcoming album Stone Rollin takes him in a new direction. The single “Radio” features a similar style of retro-update to his last album, The Way I See It, but he went back further this time – past funk and soul, to rock n roll and swing dancing era.  Look out for Stone Rollin, due to be released on March 22nd.  source giantstep.net. 
As far as dance era, I was def feeling 60's Twist and Frug with "Radio" and not much Swing. The "Radio" music video is stripped down, classy and cool with echoes of Chuck Berry in Raphael Saadiq's performance. The film production worked the soundstage for maximum number of looks. Sorry the embedded video has a commercial but here you go.

Enjoy!
Cooking Lounge.

minimalist power_ Kanye West_ Saturday Night Live - October 2, 2010

MUSIC:

There's a buzz about Kanye West's performances on Saturday Night Live last night. Gawker posted 2 videos, "Power" and "Runaway." Minimalism was the stand-out and strength of "Power" for me.  Less is more in a form synonymous with excess.  Watch "Power" now! Here's the link: Gawker TV.
Enjoy!
Cooking Lounge

Honeychiles' Po Boys

FOOD:

Jesse Crawford, co-owner
photo:wbj

Oyster po' boy and Fish po' boys at Honeychiles'
photo: wbj

Jesse Crawford, one of the owners, was behind the counter at Honeychiles' when I went in after a show in Williamsburg (see music post below).  Went in with a couple of friends wanting a good, filling, and fast meal to soak up the beers before bedtime). Honeychiles' name brought a big smile to my face thinking about all the sunshine in this southern term of endearment.  I could hear the distant lilt of grandmothers and aunts in Virginia. Perfect place on a summer night for seafood po' boys and a cold beer.  Honeychiles' is inside the Charleston, a rocker bar on Bedford Avenue and North 7th.  The food was the attraction not the insouciant, tattooed and just-so-coiffed bar patrons. The oyster po' boy was crunchy on the outside with a juicy, briny, fresh oysters crowding an pretty average italian roll slathered with a lemony remoulade sauce and shredded iceberg lettuce.  My friends found the fish po' boys equally good even a bit large because they had to skip out on the bread and go for the fish.  There are other items on the menu worth trying. Honeychiles' has been getting lots of press for it's punk meets New Orleans comfort food m.o. Go early to avoid the 'scene' and grab a table and a cold one. 
MUSIC:

NOT BLOOD PAINT

Not Blood Paint
In early August, I saw Not Blood Paint at Cameo in Williamsburg. Cameo is a backroom performance space behind The Loving Cup Cafe on North 6th Street.  A raw room with high ceilings, lots of concrete and brick so not the best acoustics but still a good room.  Never felt like the music was bouncing all over the place.  Met up with Leisa Arndt from TrashCan Magazine and our friend Carlos to see Not Blood Paint (NBP).  TrashCan is a new online mag where Leisa wrote a music review for NBP.  A few weeks later FREE WILLIAMSBURG, posted an article, "Not Blood Paint: Band Most Likely to Start a Cult",  that peeps in on the NBP's fanatical followers and straight-out-of-bushwick cred.  Wondering if NBP is this art hood's Fischerspooner?. Not Blood Paint made me think of Bowie during his Ziggy Stardust days.  NBP had crazy presence with a theatrical and choreographed performance that would have kept you caught in the onstage antics and projected visuals if they weren't such a solid  band with each member in the mix on vocals. 
Enjoy,
Cooking Lounge!

Fennel, Orange, Olive and Mint Salad

It's been a while since I posted.  I made this dish for a friend's brick oven pizza party in late spring.  Give this a try for a cook-out, potluck or an easy meal for you.
FOOD:
Fennel, oranges and olives tossed in sherry vinaigrette with mint is a refreshing summer salad popping with bright flavors.  I think this salad works with seafood to grilled meats to artisanal pizza; and, with some finessing (toss with_______) can be a really nice, mediterranean inspired entree.  
Adjust the main ingredients to fit your taste and add your favorite oil based dressing.

photos:wbj

Here's what I did. 
Trimmed 2 bulbs of fennel.  Sliced fennel lengthwise.  Cut off the bottom so the bulb easily separates. Pick your favorite seedless orange (approx 6).  Slice off the top and bottom so ends are flat. This makes it easier to separate into segments.  Peel removing as much of the pith as possible.  Divide into segments.  Toss in pitted olives ( I used katamala, approx 8 oz) and chopped fresh mint. The host of the party had a crazy selection of oil and vinegars.  I went with a combo of vintage sherry vinegar (Gran Capirete 50 year old) and with a newer, more acidic sherry vinegar from the same maker and virgin olive oil with a little salt and pepper.  Done!  Served the Fennel, Orange, Olive and Mint Salad on a bed of baby arugula for color, extra bite and as a filler to stretch the salad.
LIFESTYLE:
Periodically, Cooking Lounge will have Lifestyle posts, advice or links from Larry Betz on health and fitness.  Yeah, you know so you can eat more and eat better.
Larry Betz, CSCS, has over 30 years of training experience, from gymnastics to a variety of martial arts and weight training. Larry is a certified expert on overall health, strength and conditioning after study with some of the top coaches in the world. 
Some of his certifications include: CSCS (Certified Strength Conditioning Specialist), Exercise Science from The Swedish Institute of Health Science, Holistic Health Counselor from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, NSCA-CPT, Titlist Performance Institute (golf fitness instructor).  Check back soon for links and more.
MUSIC:
Step-up your game; keep your music FRESH.  
Here are some links.  Find your summer jams.

http://www.discobelle.net/
http://pitchfork.com/
http://prettymuchamazing.com/
Enjoy!
Cooking Lounge

Nneka – Afropean global soul

MUSIC: 

Nneka is a fairly new artist to American audiences; but, she is gathering a bundle of accolades in the US.  This camera-ready Nigerian raised artist, currently based in Hamburg, Germany, has her eyes on the States.  “Concrete Jungle” is Nneka's 3^rd release since 2005, after critical success in Europe and Africa. Nneka’s website.
 

Nneka is in a Top 10 list of artists to watch from SXSW 2010 compiled by Flavorpill.  Nneka is the stand out for CL; because, she is not so prefab, not so slick (yeah, yeah she's a label artist).  Her music is raw, from-the-gut worldbeat and change focused.  

In a way, Nneka is a combo of Zap Mama  and Erykah Badu (note: making headlines w/ her new video,"Window Seat") with some American-style folk rebel in the mix. Nneka will get you all irie.

Check out the “Heartbeat” video filled with Nigerian street life scenes.

 

Feel her spirit in this short docu video, "Who is Nneka?".

Enjoy!

Cooking Lounge