The iPhone and its simple yet addictive apps have hijacked my nighttime reading ritual lately.  There is a pile of a dozen or so half read books staring at me every time I lay down to play my turn at Words With Friends or pop pigs with Angry Birds.  As of late I feel the newness and luster of these miniature time-sucking games wearing off and the stack of books calling again.   Here’s a few books which if I collected them would be at the top of the self.

Siddhartha: Herman Hesse

I have read this novel more times than any other I think.  Each read brings something new into my life.  No matter where I am in my degree of growth change there is always something to learn and apply.
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Fierce Invalids Home from Hot Climates: Tom Robbins

Tom Robbins puts more to think about in one sentence than most good writers can cram into a chapter.  This is by far one of the best books you will ever read.

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Demon Haunted World – Science is A Candle in the Dark: Carl Sagan and Ann Druyan

Basically short essays touching on most everything controversial and sublime about life.  Written by one of the few scientific geniuses of this world that could translate complicated ideas eloquently and simply enough so people like me can follow along.  Sagan is one the most thoughtful critical thinkers of the last 100 years, the world would be a better place if he was running it.

The Things they Carried: Tim O’Brien

The forward claims it’s fiction but I find that hard to believe.  It’s one mans account (told like a fiction story) of his Vietnam experience and how it tied into his life later. It’s been a while since I read this so I don’t remember all the details but I do remember not being able put it down till it was done.

Hearts in Atlantis: Stephen King

To stave of the boredom of a 45 minute bus ride everyday to and from junior high school I started reading Stephen King books.  I believe this habit started in the 6th grade.  Anyway, all these years later I have read everything he wrote before  2004 and a few that were published after and many of the books twice (The Stand, The Talisman, Bag of Bones, The Gunslingers, to name a few…).  Some reading snobs consider him kitsch and honestly, more times than not, I’m not into the content being that I’m not a horror fan, but his style of writing still amazes me.  Unlike many writers he consistently paints a vivid and interesting picture that makes you sink into the tale like it was a friendly, old couch.  Hearts in Atlantis is proof that he is one of the greatest writers alive.

Not that this is a breakthrough idea or something that millions of people haven’t already thought and are doing but I have recently decided to delve into the world of directly promoting my music on Youtube.  I have a few different reasons I think this may be a good idea. Number one, I want my music and sound out there to hook as many potential listeners as possible and Youtube has unprecedented viewership. The second reason is that I believe a song can live in more than just one incarnation, the the heavily produced album version might not connect with the same people that an acoustic version would.

I have also always loved the idea of “recording” my songs bare bones and live so it’s something that will come fairly effortless to me I think.  I will be doing this in tandem with recording cover songs.  Why? Because quite simply covers of popular artists garner lots of views and putting a link to my website under every video I upload is one of the easiest things to do. Also I love playing covers of the artists I know hundreds, sue me, it’s also a great way to practice.

Anyways be visiting back periodically as I’ll be uploading covers and originals wherever I’m feeling it.  Here’s the first original, No Show. More to come…. enjoy.

About a year ago I saw this fella and two band mates open for Dave Gutter of the Rustic Overtones and Evan Casas to a fairly empty Big Easy here in Portland.  I was floored by his voice, guitar skills, song arrangements and passion for the music.

I grabbed his CD that night, Bittersweet Batch, and I still find myself playing it from time to time. To me a great record is one that I’m continuously drawn to spin through no conscience decision of my own. With all the amazing albums that come out ever year it’s surprising how little I actually get attached to something new, it takes a lot I think.  I’d even consider adding it to my small but growing vinyl collection if it’s even available in that old timey format.  It would have a home next to recent buys Ray LaMontagne Trouble, Dr. Dog Fate, and pretty much every Iron and Wine record.  Vinyl is final as they say.

http://www.myspace.com/jessedee

Seriously, take a few and check em out and if he’s playing your neighborhood, go.  If you’re disappointed I’ll buy you a beer or two and try to calmly explain why your opinion is wrong.

On September 28, 2009 I had the honer of opening for one of my favorite acts, The Wood Brothers. It was “money sauce” as my roommate James would say.  Of course it was a slightly surreal feeling opening a show for a band I continuously and almost exclusively listened to and raved about for the two or three years previous.

This here is a video clip from the show of a yet unreleased song, “Dreamed”.  Singing harmony is Amanda Gervasi.  I have been helping her with her debut record At Sixes and Sevens for over a year, be looking for it this July.

Amazing performance at Port City Music Hall in Portland, Maine. Even more blown away by these guys after seeing them live. Hear their music at www.drdogmusic.com