knowing nolen.

Today's a good day for a little Jimmy Nolen, no? Expected high of 94 in Austin and I'm off work. Get down.

lost someone.

This song came to me while I was at work today. I can't stop listening to it. How sad is this tune? I wish I could sing just so I could belt this out.

it's finally time this happened.

SXSW 2011. Land of dreams and kebabs and happy hours at Taverna and pedi cabs. Home of new musical discoveries and nightmarish hipster visions. Yes, this festival has it all and then some.

This year, SXSW was a total thrill ride for me. Yes, I needed several pep talks in the St. David's parking garage daily to keep going (thanks, Yaelie) but we made it through. We lived like queens through the streets of Austin. Nothing is better than walking into Stubb's without having to wait because YOU HAVE A PLATINUM BADGE (thanks, LP). A month later, I've had time to reflect.

This year, one person dominated my entire experience. No, not Kanye. I didn't even attempt to the get to the power plant. I'm talking about the most amazing performer I've ever seen live.

Charles Bradley.

I am planning on another post later to truly showcase my deep, deep love for this man. But I must share this gem with you first. Y and I dancing, in earnest, to his performance at Cedar Street Courtyard with the Menahan Street Band.

Obvi, we have no idea we are being filmed. This is also apparent because I am clearly dressed like a 4th grade boy ready for recess. Who wears horizontal stripes on camera, America? And Old Navy jeans from 2003 made into jorts?

SOMEONE WHO DOESN'T GIVE A F AND JUST WANTS TO DANCE.



We are FEELING it. It's like a religious experience. The first few seconds are just me with a giant grin, watching Charles and his unbelievable hip work. Are we dead serious with those moves? Also, Y and I synced up. How.

Some things I love:

Y's amazing YELLING during the song.
Y's arm slice.
My inability to do anything but gape at Charles.
My spirit fingers.

Some things I hate:

Clothing choice on my part.
That this is on the web.
That we aren't a meme yet.
What I did in front of the amazing and hard-working musicians of the Menahan Street Band/Daptone Records/Truth and Soul.
That I can't watch this video at work to get my daily fix because YouTube is blocked there.
That Charles isn't performing in my living room right now.

Sorry, I just wrote an entire post about a video that is barely a minute long and is starring me. BUT IT'S MY BLOG.

tight person of the day: sweet emma barrett

Another day, another tight person. I am ready to unleash all over this blog again. I haven't given it the proper attention for some time, but things have really been busy here in Austin, Tejas. I want to kick it off again with an amazing woman, someone truly deserving of recognition here at Is This Tight.

The beautiful and talented Sweet Emma Barrett. Just look at her. The jingle bells around her legs!? I can't even deal. These bells led her to be known as the Bell Gal, also a super tight nickname, in my opinion.

Sweet Emma is from Nawlins, and rose to fame singing and playing piano with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band (also worth a post). She recorded several tight albums in the sixties, including this one, a personal fave of mine.

She suffered a stroke but kept right on tickling. The thing is, she's a total diva in the best sense. I am in awe of her when I watch videos of her performing. To me, she just seems to personify the New Orleans spirit and what the music from that iconic town means to me. Sassy, funky, soulful, and unique. She wasn't afraid to play those dirty bars and did it her whole life. I hope you love watching her as much as I loved Google image searching her.

ain't no way

I have tears coming out of my eyes right now.

christmas series #13: ray charles and betty carter

First of all, I still get creeped out by the resemblance between Jamie Foxx and Ray.

Secondly, I am super into how many Bettys there are in music. Betty Carter is another Betty in a long list of ballers. She's an incredibly talented jazz singer.

In conclusion, I know that everyone and their dawg has covered this song but it remains a personal favorite of mine during the holidays. I also think this is one of the best versions. How smooth? These two BAMFs made an album together in 1961 that included this classic duet. I don't know about you, but this album gives me reason to believe that Santa is real. BECAUSE IT'S MAGICAL AND IF IT'S MAGIC THEN SANTA IS REAL BECAUSE SANTA IS MAGIC.

It's safe to say that this album helped out with Betty Carter's popularity, although she is a really gifted vocalist. You should look up her stuff sometime. Ray, of course, never really stopped being popular but I'm still mad that an actor with two Xs in his name won an Oscar for playing him. (PERSONAL JAMIE FOXX RANT PART #322. It's why I couldn't include a picture of Jamie above side by side with the Ray one, even though that makes perfect sense.)

"Baby, It's Cold Outside" really puts me in a winter mood. Even though it's literally 80 degrees in Austin today and I saw a girl wearing a tank top and jean shorts. Hopefully Santa doesn't get confused by the warm weather and the big man still knows we are here waiting. If it's cold where you are, enjoy this slowed down and exciting version of a great song. Listen to the fire place ROAR!

Ray Charles and Betty Carter - Baby It's Cold Outside

saturday santa tribute

I am folding laundry and feeling Christmas-y. But I didn't want that Charlie Brown feeling, so I pumped up the volume. Have fun!

christmas series #12: desmond dekker

I now present to you the return of the Christmas series. Today I saw a woman wearing this shirt:

UGH. Sorry, I just thought it was funnier to show the dog version. ANYWAY, it reminded me that I needed to get started sharing the most delightful holiday soul/all-around baller music I can find.

Desmond Dekker was a Jamaican reggae singer, who also looks like a total baller in a tux. (See Exhibit A.) He also has an album called Double Dekker. PUNNY. You might know him by his hit, "Israelites." It was a smash hit in 1968 and was pretty groundbreaking at the time, considering it was popular and sounded that authentic and tight. "Christmas Day" was also released in 1968, at the height of Desmond's popularity in the USA.

Heat up the Swiss Miss and enjoy the delightful sound of Desmond and his band, The Aces. I LOVE his song talking explaining the birth of Jesus H. and also the amazing back-up singing. Then that incredible "Joy to the World" part comes out of nowhere. How good is Desmond? Desmond passed on in 2006, but listening to this song during the holidays will surely help keep his memory alive.

Desmond Dekker & The Aces - Christmas Day

tight image of the day

daily LOLdog hilarity

something to cure the mondays

Love you, Paul.

look at this zen monkey.

It's impossible to look away.