Musical instruments and the new security measures

Cabin baggage ban hits musicians

For a musician, this is pretty scary news. I want to prevent terrorist attacks as much as anyone, but baggage handlers as a whole do not know how to handle valuable and fragile items. I traveled to my cousin’s wedding one month after 9/11, but they still allowed my violin as a carry-on. I just had to open it up for inspection and explain some of the items in the case (like bow rosin). It was a minor inconvenience compared to the thought of spending several hours wondering if my violin was going to be there waiting for me in one piece at my arrival.

On my way back, the national guardsmen at the Bentonville, AR airport were actually joking with me about weapons hidden in violin cases. I just smiled and said nothing; it seemed like the best response.

What I listened to in 2005

Not all of these songs/albums came out in 2005, but I don’t claim to be ahead of the curve when it comes to popular music.

Albums:

  • Björk: Medúlla
  • Brazilian Girls: Brazilian Girls – a birthday gift from a friend. Cool irreverent fun.
  • The Delays: Faded Seaside Glamour – this was a lifesaver last February when Summer seemed years away.
  • The Ditty Bops: The Ditty Bops – They showed up at CBGB’s 212 Lounge to play after a friend’s band and I was completely charmed.
  • Elliot Smith: From A Basement On The Hill
  • Handsome Boy Modeling School: White People
  • Beck: Midnite Vultures

Songs:

  • “Wishing on a Star” – original recording by Rose Royce & covered by Luka Bloom
  • “Give Me Your Love” by Curtis Mayfield from the Superfly soundtrack. The whole soundtrack is excellent, but this is the track I’m most taken with.
  • “Wichita Lineman” by Glen Campbell. This song is included on a couple of Top XXX Song lists not to mention covered many times, but I didn’t ever take note of it until going to see a comedy troup from Great Britain who used it in a sketch.

One of my resolutions for 2006 is to blog about music throughout the year instead waiting to the end.