Russian Ark is some piece of filmmaking – a 90-minute, 1-take continuous shot through the Hermitage Museum is St Petersburg, Russia. Taken on it’s technical merits alone, it’s amazing, and if I had anything more than the most rudimentary knowledge of Russian history, I’d probably be able to comment on the confusing narrative component of the film. But I don’t, so I can’t, but reading up on the articles on the film’s website is helping me fill in those gaps and provide some context for what I’ve seen while the movie is fresh in my head. What I can say is that the closing ballroom scene is one of the most remarkable things I’ve seen on screen in a long time. If you’re not up on your Russian history, however, I wouldn’t recommend going to see this as it doesn’t make the slightest attempt to let the non-scholar understand what’s going on. Unless you’re prepared to accept great gobs of confusion and resultant boredom as part of the viewing experience, which I was.

Robert Smigel’s cartoon about corporate media monopolies was aired once on SNL, and then removed from later airings. Hmm, wonder why? But thanks to the wonders of the internet, you can see it here.

There’s a complete Britt Daniel live show from the 40W Club in Athens, GA from 2000 available here.

np – Richard Thompson / The Old Kit Bag

Shit, Barry White isn’t supposed to die.

Everyone in a position to do so, make some sweet love in his honour. Rest easy, Barry.

(Thanks to Done Waiting for the pic).

Tanya Donelly says that her next solo album “could be a weird one, so be ready for that” and it “makes the last record look like hardcore. It’s mellow. I mean, like Chet Baker mellow”. Beautysleep didn’t exactly break the Richter scale, so the new one – due out late 2003 but more likely early 2004 – promises to be, uh, mellow.

I was going to go see Russian Ark this afternoon, but slept right through the start time. Whoops. It’s playing at the Bloor all weekend though, so I’ll probably catch it tomorrow afternoon.

I went to see another apartment this afternoon, this one in a pretty fancy-pants condo complex by the Art Gallery of Ontario. It was a reasonable size, big enough for my needs, anyway, and while at the very upper limit of my budget, still within my price range. I even got an application and brought it home, but on further reflection, I am going to pass on it. Little things sank this one, but sort of important things. First, there was nowhere to lock up my bike – I’d have to haul it up and down the elevator 11 floors every time I came and went. And it was not a big elevator. Also, no laundry, no supermarkets anywhere nearby, ridiculously expensive parking (in case I inherit the car down the road)… And all in all, a bit too yuppie for me. Going to see another place tomorrow morning.

Oh yeah, finally picked up Hail To The Thief. This one’s gonna take a little time.

np – Jeff Tweedy / Live At The Vic, Chicago IL. Jan 9, 2003

I wrote a poem on a dog biscuit

And your dog refused to look at it

So I got drunk and looked at the Empire State Building

It was no bigger than a nickel

And if it don’t improve

Then I have to move

I never thought that I would end up here

Maybe I should just change my style

But I feel alright when you smile

I stayed at home on the Fourth of July

And I pulled the shades so I didn’t have to see the sky

And I decided to have a Bed In

But I forgot to invite anybody

And when I fell asleep

The neighbors had a peep

I never thought that I would end up here

Maybe I should just change my style

But I feel alright when you smile

–Dean Wareham, Galaxie 500 – “Fourth Of July”

Happy Independence Day to those readers who are inclined to celebrate it.

Thanks be to Patrick, who sent me a big ol’ stack of Wilco bootlegs. I got two Jeff Tweedy solo shows, two Wilco shows and one disc of Wilco, Uncle Tupelo, Golden Smog and Coffee Creek (the Anodyne-era UT lineup doing all covers under a secret name – they played four shows in total, ever) all doing Neil Young covers. Quality varies across the board, but there’s some good stuff here. Somehow I am amassing quite the collection of Wilco boots. They are becoming my Grateful Dead. Except I don’t drive around the country following them around. And I bathe. But besides that stuff, they are my Dead.

Zounds! Rhino is remastering and reissuing Television’s classic Marquee Moon on September 23 complete with bonus tracks.

np – Wilco / Memorial Chapel, Union College – Schenectady, NY Apr 27, 2002

God, hockey just pisses me off. Being a Leafs fan may well be THE most futile pastime in the history of professional sport. The Avalanche sign Kariya, Selanne, and what are the Buds doing? NOTHING. Oh wait, they’re waiting to see if 40-year old Doug Gilmour can play next season. Well they’ll see if he can WALK after knee surgery first, then worry about playing.

And now for something completely different – Minister struck by lightning after asking for a sign from God.

np – The Replacements / All Shook Down