I'd Rather be doing.........

This week I did something I thought I'd never do. I signed up with an online dating site. Now it's not the pay kind, but based on advice of a friend who did it she thought it was worth the effort as she had some nice dinner dates etc, and really I'm not looking for walking down the aisle (unless David Tuterra is going to be my wedding consultant!) After having gone through the process all I have to say is I really would rather be on the beach with Matt Bellamy. Outside of the fact that one has to write briefly about themselves, sell yourself with a photo, cause really folks that's what everyone is looking at, not what you write about how nice, kind, funny or smart your are), the sheer weirdness of having info about you online like this still strikes me as creepy. Now if I was someone that would get lots of interest just from a photo, I don't know maybe it would work, but I'm not. And then again, it's creepy if you're just picking someone off a photo, cause ew...well strip clubs exist for a reason. Now my dear friend Aimee has been my wing girl through this, and I won't give up since she put a lot of effort to sit with me and read my profile and review the "they could be your match" listings, but right now, I'm still in the eww state, and really doubt this will move beyond that. I mean will this really have the effect that I wanted which would be for Russell Crowe, Matt Bellamy or Matthew MacFadyen to email me with a "where have you been all my life ?" I know, unrealistic, but really when I get an email from someone saying "Hi, you look like a cutie" I mean, read my profile I don't think it would indicate in any way, shape or form that "cutie" is a phrase I'd enjoy being called. Enough bitching, back to work, and back to hoping maybe one day I'll get to hang on the beach with the Bells.

Breaking Up is Hard to Do....

I have a confession to make. Last night I got together with my ex. I know I know, not a good thing on most accounts, but actually this was fine,see the hook up was with my musical ex Josh Groban. Now for those who don't know me, my musical taste runs slightly all over the place. Favorite bands growing up The Who and Queen. Also loved Barry Manilow even enjoyed Hurricane Smith singing "Babe, What would you Say" (I dare you to remember that one!). The 80's were ruled by Duran Duran. Currently a 5 ft. 4" Brit named Matt Bellamy (he of Muse fame- I'm not talking about the whole Kate Hudson thing "lalalalala I can't hear you!") holds my heart in his hands, but the Grob, well, his voice does things to me. Ever since I came across his cute little 18 year old self talking to Larry King "So, Josh, this singing thing, you like it?" and saw a clip of him on Ally McBeal (never really watched the show-honestly-dancing baby puhlease)I just have been amazed by the beauty of his voice. Yes, he sings schmaltzy songs but I honestly have to say voice wise, his baritone, vibrato, control and depth of sound is brilliant. Well all was right in my Josh world, except I kept missing him in concert early on. So stints at the Wang Center and Great Woods (or whatever the hell it's called now) were missed. That said I made up with in it what about '07 by seeing him twice (Boston and CT at Mohegan Sun), then an appearance with the Pops performing on a PBS Chris Botti Special (Botti not so much interested in-but did also see Sting and John Mayer (and Steven Tyler who should have stopped at singing Cryin' instead of also doing "Smile") -so that was cool for the most part!-but I digress. Well what's the verdict. He was lovely in concert. Great voice, totally likable, if I were 25 I would so go after him, but honestly he seems like a good guy. Now I wasn't that thrilled with some of his music on his Awake album (Josh note to self Paul Simon already did Graceland, stop with the world music influence stuff) but I liked a good number of cuts on it. Then came his recent work "Illuminations" (I think) Heard it streamed on line and hated it everything...thanks Ric Rubin Mr. Producer of everyone. Sometimes folks should just sing, not write music, but you know what hey Josh do what you want and if you keep singing like you do, sure I'll find a cheap tkt to see ya but I may not buy your albums.

As far as the concert itself, personally certain artists should remain in smaller venues. I believed this with him in '07 and still do today after last night. The thing is is that regardless of offering an "intimate stage" in the middle of the floor, there really is not way to create intimacy at venues like the TD Garden. It was so funny but when the concert started all I could think of was how strange it was to come back to see a show maybe 1/2 to 2/3 full with a small stage compared to the sold out sweating and head banging crowd at Muse (sigh-you spoiled everything else for me boys). The Grob should play here in venues like The Wang or The Opera House. Two three nights and you'd have the audience size you had a the Garden (then again one night vs. two or three in one place). And honestly you could have saved yourself 15 minutes of jogging from one stage to the other which translates to at least 3 more songs to sing. Also if you're in a bigger venue, even if you say you want to be intimate you're selling seats in balcony far away seats (yes there were folks there), so you MUST have some type of video screen that will help the audience see you up close. At this concert and his past concert I saw he's had awful and I mean AWFUL visuals, ballerinas dancing, machines marching during a song called "Machine" well you get it Literal to the point of ridonculus! Then again why do I think Machines marching during "Supermassive Black Hole" is cool...ok I'll stop mixing musical genres.

So Josh when all is said and done, thanks for the one nighter...I miss you, and was happy to have you for a bit, but now you go about your business and I'll go about mine. I'll love ya but won't always like your music and when the next tour comes, if you're playing greatest hits from your first three albums, count me in....