NY Summer/ Usher, Keith Urban and Natasha Bedingfield

Today I had the day off from work, and not much planned. I heard on the news that there was a free concert at Columbus Circle to kick off the NFL season. On the off-chance that it wasn't too wildly crazy, I put on my sunscreen, hat, and took the train to 59th street, walked right through the police barricades and found myself a great spot where I could see all the performers - Natasha Bedingfield, Keith Urban and Usher. Wow!!

I kind of wish this summer would never end.

The fact that it was a tough crowd will be edited out for TV broadcasts, I'm sure. We were all in the hot sun for hours before the actual show started (it was supposed to start at 3, but it didn't start til after 4). There were lots of NFL propaganda videos and speeches that people were not happy about. Mayor Bloomberg got booed!!

Zach Levi from the TV show "Chuck" and Alyson Sweeney from "Biggest Loser" were the talking heads during the concert, and they were both great with the crowd - very personable and real. I was impressed.

Each musical performer had the obstacle of the fact that most people in the crowd were there to see one of them - not all of them. Usher had the biggest draw. That was pretty apparent. But, yeah, Natasha and Keith had to work pretty hard to get the Usher crowd's attention. They both encouraged the audience to sing along on their songs, and no one did. I'm sure it was different than their usual loving crowds. New Yorkers are tough, especially if they're waiting for Usher.

Also, neither Keith or Natasha are American, so I'm sure that was an additional obstacle.

Natasha Bedingfield came out in these rockin' white pants. She's very charismatic, and sings great. The folks around me were not too excited about Natasha though. On her song, "Pocketful of Sunshine" the chorus says "Take me away...." and everyone around me was saying "take her away!" She still was totally awesome though. If it rattled her, you would never know it. I came away a big fan.

Keith Urban sounded great. And his band was awesome. He seemed to win over the crowd - especially when he acknowledged how bad the pacing was "I'm sorry for all the pauses folks, it's Television" and did his guitar solo walking through the crowd. Everyone went crazy - despite the fact that no one knew his songs. By the end I even saw a few of the Brothers tapping their feet.

Usher was the last act today, and he was really great. Such a showman, catchy songs, exciting staging, etc... I liked him a lot more than I thought I would. The part where he strips off his shirt is RIDICULOUS (but he does have a smokin' 6-pack worth of abs)



After the concert, I went to see my friend Paul's band - Bacci - at Dinosaur Barbeque in West Harlem. That band is really unique and GREAT! Everyone loves them. I hope to see Bacci on the NFL stage in the next year or two.

This was a great summer, especially because of the great concerts I saw. Go New York!

Welcome to NYC

Found this letter to the editor in AM New York this morning. Kind of says it all. Last year I was one of the tourists. This year I am one of the locals. It's what I've been saying: Things Change!

Rats in the subway? How about rats in Grand Central?

August 15, 2008

Re 'Subway rats moving up,' Aug. 14: I was walking in Grand Central¹s main concourse to the Met Life building exit, when I heard a scream.

I saw the rat dashing between people as men ran away with their suit cases flying in the air. The rat stopped then ran up the escalators as frightened people pushed their way up the stairs. Soon after two MTA workers shut down the escalator and captured the rat.

New Yorkers walked past without a thought as tourists stood horrified. Welcome to NYC.

Carlos Melendez, Queens

On being creative.....

A busy work schedule, and living in this city of cities, can be quite an energy drain. Occasionally I have a day or two to just lay at home and do nothing so I can recover. On the other hand I am also fueled by the excitement and creative things I am working on (and, I must admit, caffeine and nicotine). It feels like everything I am doing involves sowing the seeds of change - both for myself and for others. That's a great place to be.

For the album I decided to write and record my own songs. It is so fun and exciting. There is no pressure about doing justice to a piece for the composer (it's just me!). All I do is write and perform what pleases my own voice and ear, and it can be changed at any time. It's surprising to see what is coming out, and I'm just going with it. The best part is that a little part of me doesn't give a shit if it's good or not (though it's gonna be hot!). I'm just doing my thing. Wow.

I've changed a lot here.

Designer sunglasses go with me everywhere. Cockroaches and mice don't scare me (as much). Who cares what other people think? I certainly don't.

There's no going back, really... is there?

food cart song

Words August 6, 2008

72nd Street and Central Park West

A rainy day
In Strawberry fields
Imagining
A better world

Yellow cabs drive by
green fields in the city
Wilted red roses
On the grey stone gritty

Flowers strewn
On a sign of peace
Guitars strumming
Gently weep

So many memories
We recall
(Walking by dogs ...
with Lauren Bacall)

like a modern pentecost
speaking in tongues
The many guests
To whom you have sung
On a radio station
Or a vinyl LP
songs like hymns
(Let it be)

Mother Mary sings
with Holy ghosts
in the rain -
a heavenly host

(Flowers strewn
On a sign of peace
Guitars strumming
Gently weep)

Water won't
wash the street
Blood stains

still

on the street