Mellotrons

Coming back from the store yesterday, Mary Beth and I saw a blue heron just hanging out on our block, in the grass near the curb. We even drove right up next to it and it was just hanging out sitting there. They're apparently not uncommon in the area, but I'd never seen one. At least just sitting around in the middle of the city. I went up to the workplace for "anime and junk food" day though there was no pretense of anime this week. We just went back and forth between watching Trailer Park Boys and Review. Oh yeah, and at one point we watched something called, I forget the name. But some cartoon (in the Family Guy realm of things) about a national park and it was pretty godawful. Pretty much just a string of racist jokes. We only watched one episode, I don't think most of us thought it was very good. But the other shows were good. Especially rewatching Review. Though I wonder if it started losing fans as the awkward and painful factor gradually ramps up and ramps up. I left early so I could go to the Mellotron show last night! Mary Beth and I went up to Crosstown and they were right about it being sold out (they ended up opening a second show for tonight) because it was packed. The performers had their two Mellotrons in the middle of the room (it was Duets for Mellotron). I was also pleasantly surprised. For the most part the music was really good. Pretty soundtracky (makes sense as one of the guys makes soundtracks and we've seen him on speaking panels about making movie soundtracks) and there were a couple things that sounded pretty Philip Glass-ish. There were only a couple songs that were a little corny, one had a Mellotron "pre-set" kinda sound of the tape playing that Spanish guitar sort of lick. A little goofy, but not bad or anything. And there were a couple mildly atonal type pieces. They also had cameras on the interior of the machines that were being projected on the walls so you could see the tape moving as the machines were being played. I'd wanted to talk to Justin about the festival I want to have there next year, but it was too crowded and he was busy filming so I didn't get a chance.I should email him today.