I Christmas Alone....the winter mix

Aimed at the first snow of the winter I am just about on time with the delivery of my winter mix, a depressing collection of songs to keep those cold days more bitter than sweet. A note: The idea for this mix was born during the making of Creature Comforts as I would come across songs I liked, but kept saying, "Too sad" as I tossed them back on the heap.

So for no reason other than my own amusement I offer you, "I Christmas Alone...Just Quietly Awesome" my attempt at one of the most depressing Christmas CDs of all time. I should also note the contributions of Bob Marley & The Wailers of all people, who curated this mix with me as I found several old songs of theirs that were just as sad as anything else you'd want to hear at 3 AM on a snowy night while you stare at the windows with a drink in hand, just waiting for the sharp scrape of a plow to come along and cut everyone's dreams of a snow day down to bare asphalt. Enjoy!







Tracks below....








Tracklist:

1. Intro - Throw A Blanket Over Me
2. There She Goes - Bob Marley & The Wailers
3. Long, Long Winter - Curtis Mayfield
4. The Rains Came - Big Sambo & The Housewreckers
5. If At Last - ???
6. Can't Believe That You're Gone - Denny Beline & The Blues Busters
7. Here Today - The Beach Boys
8. I'm Not Bitter - The Minus 5
9. Eyepennies - PJ Harvey (w/ Sparklehorse)
10. It Hurts To Be Alone - The Wailers
11. In The Station - Armando Piazza
12. Bodies & Minds - Great Lake Swimmers
13. Secrets - Edison Woods
14. View From Below - The Minus 5
15. Winter's Going - Bonnie Dobson
16. Thunder In My Heart - Timmy Shaw
17. My Cup - Bob Marley & The Wailers
18. How Can You Be So Cold - Lee Mitchell
19. Nobody Cares For Me - Lloyd Henriques
20. Send Me That Love - Bob Marley & The Wailers
21. Sing It Again - Beck
22. Outro - We Need The Eggs......






(...I'm sorry to you for my body...and my mind.) Read more!

1/1/11......it begins.

I've got news. The Grainbill is going B I G in 2011. As Adam Mundy would say, 'Stay Tuned'.......................... Read more!

A Full Explanation of Subtlety, Balance, and Moderate ABV Levels is in order so that people that talk loudly and proudly start to get it...

Maybe I'll get on here and do that one day.

Hey Grainbill, I still love ya kid.

I'm tired of people mistaking balance for boredom. One day they'll get big boy tastebuds and understand. Read more!

Creature Comforts - Fall of 2010

The planned fall mix and what actually ended up becoming the fall mix are two entirely different things, although the theme has more or less remained intact. What started as a collection of thoughts and ideas from my friends followed often by songs that those same friends have shared with me turned, originally out of neccessity, into a look at what my own creature comforts seem to be. Fall is a time of year for me that I find hard to put fully into words. The way that this season changes is more satisfying or awakening or inspiring to me than the others and it always marks the coming of my ideal climate and favorite holidays. ("And hoodies, everybody loves hoodies" - Harvey Globetrotter, B-Reel) One day I'll move to where it's fall all the time.

To all those friends I called, recorded, or threatened to call and record: Maybe next time, my technology game is not yet at the level to pull it all off properly. Some of the songs are just too good for me to not lead in with a few words from the friends that showed them to me...so they'll have to wait. Others are here though, along with songs and artists that I really love listening to. Hope you enjoy. Tracklist will be down below. As always, I suggest some headphones and going in without the tracklist the first time around.


Creature Comforts - Dr. Joel (Fall 2010)















Intro - Comforts
Market Fresh - Broken Social Scene
Michigan Girls - Califone
Dynamite Walls - Hayden
Street People - Bobby Charles
Jesus Was A Capricorn - Kris Kristofferson
I Still Miss Someone - Gram Parsons' International Submarine Band
He Don't Love You (And He'll Break Your Heart) - Levon & The Hawks
Better Day - Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee
Mykonos - Fleet Foxes
Eugene - Andrew Bird
Cosmos & Demos - Devendra Banhart
Island Cottage - Sea Oleena
Early Morning - Troyka
The Wild Kindness - Silver Jews
Gotta Cheer Up - Cotton Jones Basket Ride
Ferdinand The Imposter - The Band
Christ For President - Billy Bragg & Wilco
Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window - Bob Dylan
Outro - Learn Cheap...and Spin on the Wheel Read more!

PITTSBURGH!

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Events, Events, Events

Welcome To American Craft Beer Week! For many of us every week is American Craft Beer Week: We're going to our local brewpub, drinking some of our favorite beers at home or out with friends, brewing our own beer, reading through brewery websites and books and blogs. This week is about expanding those ideas and extending the reach of the overall message of all things American Craft Beer. I can hear my buddy Hoge from Highland Brewing Co right now, perched atop a bar in the Outer Banks, "Thanks for coming out here tonight to drink American...Craft...Beer!" This week breweries across the country are celebrating with special events, special beers on at their pubs, and a host of other great ways to toast this beer we all love so dearly.

Just as we approach Philly Beer Week very soon there's still time to get out this week and drink some great beer before a little rest for the insane amount of events for PBW 2010. Here's what I'm up to....

Weds, May 19 - 6pm to ? - Beer & Cheese Night @ Craft Ale House w/ New Holland Brewery & Calkins Creamery

Jay from Calkins and myself will be on hand tasting beer & cheese with a nice list of pairings for the night. Calkins will be showcasing some of the delicious products from their farm in Honesdale, PA and I will be featuring some great beers including one which will be tapped for the first time in the Philly area.

Fri May 21 - Beer Academy @ Bella Vista Distributors - $5 (includes class and samples)

A discussion and presentation on all things New Holland. I'll dive into the history of our brewery and brewing philosophy, present our portfolio and speak on our ideas, plans, and motivations in a rousing fashion. Call Bella Vista for any other details.
*I'll also be grabbing a piping hot bowl of pho beforehand if anyone cares to join me...email me

NEXT UPDATE: Philly Beer Week 2010, my plans, my events, and my deep thoughts..... Read more!

Aristan Spirits

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