Also, recently whilst in a local furniture store, it was pointed out by the proprietor that artists were in lofts above and behind his store.   Who knew?? And, it just so happened that there was that very night (Saturday, February 13) the Ballard Art Walk.  Very impressive works at that.  Seattle you are so lucky to have so many talented individuals. The Ballard Art Walk is now the second Saturday of every month.  Check that out - it’s amazing to watch the artists at work.

Note:  There are plenty of lists of what’s going on here - Seattle Weekly and The Stranger - just to name two resources - do a great job of that so I’m only pointing out a couple that struck my particular fancy.  Enjoy~

In 2009, I lost my mother but gained a grandson.  Bittersweet.  As the saying goes, one ending did indeed bring another beginning. Life has its twists & turns and mostly it’s good so I’m trying to slow my roll and pay attention to what is truly important.

Thanks everyone for a great 2009!  Here’s to a new year filled with fabulous sounds, enticing art and creative cultural events.

In closing - the Beatles did capture the best - “Love is all you need~”

JanKeira

Indeed, this year has been full of strange perceptions about the arts around us - both my own and that of the general public.  We like what we like, no doubt.  We are each individually drawn to certain types of art, music, architecture, plays, movies, literature, or to none of that and only sports if you are a sports fanatic.  (And if you’re a sports fanatic and you’re reading this - thank your girlfriend for me.)  We all have a built-in sensibility that makes us gravitate toward one thing or another.  Stuff just turns our crank.  That’s it.  We have no control over it.  Fortunately (or unfortunately), my very own personal crank is turned by waaaay more types of things than many people because I get to participate and be involved in such a wide variety of things.  Sometimes those things make my spirit soar, sometimes they make me gag and the worst is no reaction at all.  Artists strive to never have that “meh” reaction from listeners/viewers.

Today, the weekend after Thanksgiving, people are running around shopping - trying to bag the fabulous deals out there.  I am sitting at home listening to some new music, discovering new visual artists and hope to continue bring you new insights about the cultural world in Seattle.  Sometimes I do a great job, sometimes not so much.  But, it is  my blog and I’ll do it my way, thank you very much.

So, thanks to you, my readers, friends, family - everyone - for making this a fun, interesting, crazy job.

God bless you all as I give thanks for you now.

I can’t decide whether or not to see the film.  It seems like it might follow the book but the book is a made-up world and sometimes fantasy films just don’t quite measure up. Look at Lord of the Rings.  In many ways the movies caused more folks to actually read the books but the books and movies are often nothing alike.

This week I will decide.  Then I’ll let you know.

BETTY DAVIS’ NASTY GAL AND THE PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED IS IT LOVE OR DESIRE COME OUT TODAY!

I’ve heard these albums and I am a decider.  I decided they are absolutely FUNKALICIOUS!

Finally, after days and weeks and months and years of work, Light In The Attic is proud to present the seminal reissue of Betty Davis’ previously only bootlegged Nasty Gal and the never before released Is It Love Or Desire.

Miles Davis’ ex-wife and the queen of sexified funk, Betty Davis’ third album Nasty Gal found her living large in the 1970s. A new record label, a series of high profile relationships, and intensely sexualized live performances made her a rising star. It seemed like everything was aligned to take the music world by storm. So Betty and band got back into the studio where she would act as writer, producer, and performer, creating what she thought would be her definitive release…

What emerged was the unapologetically uncompromising, self-referential 1975 album Nasty Gal. Now - thirty-five years later - Light In The Attic Records is proud to announce the first official CD reissue of this final label-release by unparalleled funkstress Betty Davis.

Get a hold of this sexy funk gem HERE.

MP3: Is It Love or Desire

After cutting two notorious discs for the Just Sunshine label and for Island Records, Davis went to work on her most personal and expressive record yet. After capturing 10 hard-hitting tracks in 1976 at the remote Studio In The Country (Louisiana), a creative difference with her then label caused the platter to be unexpectedly shelved. Davis would cut one final album before retreating from the music business, eventually dropping out of the public eye completely.

Is It Love Or Desire is a little-known gem in the Davis catalogue. Mastered from the original tapes, and untouched for over 30 years, this release features detailed liner notes by Oliver Wang (Soul Sides, Betty Davis and They Say I’m Different re-issue contributor), the originally intended artwork housed in a lavishly packaged digipak, rare photos, archival material, and recent interviews with Davis and her skin-tight band Funk House.

Purchase this undiscovered classic HERE.

LITA MADE A BETTY DAVIS EXCLUSIVE LIMITED-EDITION POSTER AND YOU’VE GOT A CHANCE TO WIN IT RIGHT HERE!

LITA’s good friend Vincent Cook (he who designed both Rodriguez releases, our Doug Randle release, AND a good deal of the Jamaica to Toronto series), so inspired by our amazing new Betty Davis releases, crafted the above beautiful, limited-to-a-100 copies.  Yes, you can buy this gorgeous little treasure on our website (RIGHT HERE) or, if you’re feeling up to it, you can enter to win one of these amazing posters right here, right now.

What do you have to do?  Just send what you deem the sexiest, raunchiest, most tittilating Betty Davis lyrics (from any of her releases) to noah@lightintheattic.net

So here’s the rub:

1.  Buy the poster HERE.

2.  Or send your favorite line ‘o’ raunch to noah@lightintheattic.net and wait in eager, nervous anticipation for the news that you’ve won. 

Get to it. and he LITA’s blog master, will pick his fav and award not one, but TWO winners of one of these brilliant posters.

IT’S BETTY DAVIS WEEK AND THERE’S A LOT GOING ON AT OLD LIGHT IN THE ATTIC

We’re as excited as good be about our new releases of Ms. Betty Davis’ Nasty Gal and Is It Love or Desire? and we’ve unleased the hounds of music love to help put together a truly fantastic week of content for you, our ardent fans, to enjoy.

Come join us at LIGHT IN THE ATTIC.

For you, a schedule of our Betty Davis Week Extravaganza:

MONDAY: 

Alex Healy - Betty Davis virgin - reviews Betty Davis’ self-titled debut

TUESDAY

Nasty Gal & Is It Love or Desire? album GIVEAWAY
Alex Healy - Betty Davis virgin - reviews Betty Davis’ They Say I’m Different

WEDNESDAY

Interview with Funk House (Betty Davis’ backing band) keyboardist Fred Mills
Interview with John Ballon, Betty Davis scholar

THURSDAY

Interview with Oliver Wang, Betty Davis scholar and Soul Sides founder
Interview with Joost Burger, Betty Davis archivist and super-fan

FRIDAY

Another, super secret giveaway

MONDAY

Alex Healy - Betty Davis virgin - reviews Nasty Gal
Interview Vincent Cook, Betty Davis limited edition poster designer

TUESDAY

Alex Healy - Betty Davis virgin - reviews Is It Love or Desire

P. O Box 31790 — Seattle, WA 98103 — www.lightintheattic.net

It’s all happening Saturday, September 19th at Lofi - beginning at 3pm until 8pm - entry $3 and 10 Bucks early entry at 2pm~

Since LITA is sponsoring it, they’re also giving a 25% discount on all things Light In The Attic, and giving away an exclusive 45 with the purchase of $40 or more.  Such a deal.

http://www.bigdigseattle.com/

The Big Dig Record Show

His passion for life and music comes through loud and clear in both his records - the first “Sketches of a Real Life” are exactly that - bits and pieces of a life reproduced through story songs.  In 2009, his sophomore record “One Door Open” is wider and deeper on an emotional and musical level if that can be possible.  Doerr captures the human condition with all its warts but doesn’t make us seem ugly, just human.  For such a young man, his depth of emotion and connection with others is amazing.  Each song on this new album has something to say from the opening cut You Can See to the final cut Still Remain are a winding path of delicious melodies and lyrics that are treasures.

I heard Doerr perform a number of these songs live a few times.  Watching him perform live you can see how much of his soul he pours into his work.  My favorites on his new album are Choice for the hooks and pointed lyrics (and being the reason for the title of the album) and One Regret, the sexiest song on the entire record.   

Check him out at http://www.benjamindoerr.com/ and on MySpace, Facebook and the usual places.  His album can be purchased online, at record stores or at his shows.  If you get a chance to see him perform, I would highly recommend it.  Enjoyable as all get out.

Check this out:  http://www.happyhourofthedead.com/

If you live nearby, please, please show up at Mokas in Seattle next Saturday, September 5th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm - bring cash & a dirty car.  Zombies will clean, ahem, attempt to clean your car while making dough for the indie film.

http://www.mokascafe.com/

September, however, will bring about my re-entry phase and so, I will be back.  Just like the Governator.