Rich Banks's Open Salon Blog

Dun dun tah-dah dun dun dah dah dah

Wed, 3 Feb 2010 18:02:47 -0500

Style got me thinking about the Olympics, and I found this clever version of the Olympic theme on YouTube. That's all I got.

Blair Hansen's Real World

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 07:01:24 -0500

Blair Hansen first got my attention in 2004, at my very first South by Southwest, where she was one of the first acts I saw, and where I happened to run into her just outside the convention floor a couple of days later. I recall being impressed by her self-titled Blair Hansen CD and later by her sophomore effort, Smile, when I listened to it in 2005. I remember being struck by Blair's vocal talent, and I enjoyed being on hand for her SXSW debut.

After taking a break from recording, Blair is back with Real World, a warm set of indie rock anthems of above average musicality. Her strong native vocal ability still stands out, but where Blair Hansen and Smile were more confessional, singer-songwriter, Real World is backed up by folk rock arrangements of hook-laden pop tunes performed by an impressive band. I listen to a lot of recordings and artists in this genre, and Real World easily measures up.

It comforts me that I like so many of the tunes on Real World. It is as though Blair Hansen found a songwriting and arranging groove and stayed in it, song ofter song. Her vocal influences range from Janis Joplin to Heart to The Dixie Chicks, and her arrangements are informed by a musical culture of California folk rock. I would be hard pressed to pick my favorite. I like the plaintive innocence of the title track, but I like the lyrical romanticism of Take Me even better.

If it were not pursuing a career as a indie rocker, Blair Hansen's voice could easily find fame in any number of genres, from stylized pop, to blues, to Nashville country. Here's hoping Blair's voice finds its place in the crazy, crowded, mixed up melee that comprises the indie music scene!

Geraldine Carmen Skaggs Banks Smith

Fri, 8 Jan 2010 16:01:24 -0500

Geraldine Carmen Smith passed away on January 2, 2010 after a brief battle with cancer. A long-time resident of Longview, Geraldine "Jerry" was born in Irving, Texas, on August 14, 1933, to Keith and Florence Skaggs. She was a great-granddaughter of french settlers Lucy Santerre and Charles Voirin, who were among the original pioneers of the Irving comunity. She married Elbert Banks in 1953 and raised two children with him.

Born during the Great Depression, Geraldine grew to become hard-working and self-reliant. She was accustomed to making do with very little and facing life’s adversity without complaint. Nevertheless, she was always generous with what she had and was willing to make any and all sacrifices for the sake of her children. A working mom before working moms were common, she helped support her family for many years working as office manager at Industrial Steel Warehouse in Longview.

Despite her humble roots, she was known for her quiet dignity and grace, qualities that seemed to come naturally to her. She also had a quick wit and dry sense of humor that continued (or manifested itself) throughout her final days. In her later years, she was cared for by thoughtful friends who would often look in on her or share their dinner. And no matter what they had prepared, she would honor their attention with gratitude and appreciation. Her friend was once overheard to say "If I had brought her lizard soup, she would have enthusiastically accepted it as though it was her favorite."

Gentle and unassuming, Geraldine never spoke an unkind word. Accepting by nature, she reserved her harshest judgments for herself. She took responsibility for her shortcomings and never stopped working to improve herself. She was a long-time member of Alcoholics Anonymous and helped many others to achieve sobriety.

Geraldine was preceded in death by her husband, Elbert Ernest Banks of Longview, her mother and father, Florence and Keith Skaggs of Longview, and her brother, O.K. "Buddy" Skaggs of Phoenix, Arizona.

She is survived by her sister, Ruth Ponce and husband Gilbert, of Phoenix, Arizona; her son, Richard Banks and wife Laura of Pflugerville, Texas; her daughter, Charlotte Coyne and husband Kirk of Lewisville, Texas; her grandchildren, James Clay, Tiffany Clay, Travis Banks, Haley Coyne, TJ Coyne, and Jordan Coyne; great-grandchildren, Kama and Cheyenne Clay; a niece Cathleen Ponce; and a nephew, Val Ponce.

She faced her life and her death with fearlessness, courage and dignity. Her determination and resolve were inspiring to those who were near her in her final days. She will be remembered with love and respect by all who knew her.

Snow

Thu, 3 Dec 2009 20:12:45 -0500

I know that Snow is a recurring theme in my blogging, but not because I have much actual experience with the stuff. It snows about once every decade or so in central Texas, and the populace mostly hides out for the afternoon until it is completely gone. I do, however, listen to more than my share of Christmas music, and recently I heard a clever rendition (by Kevin Koelbl and Heidi Godt) of the immortal holiday song Snow, from the even more immortal movie White Christmas. At just about the same time, our own Troy Kimmell started predicting snow for Friday (Monday would have been preferred, but hey).

Anyway, please enjoy the original, delightful version of Snow. Hopefully, tomorrow's snow won't degenerate into sleet or ice, and I, too, will be enjoying the snow. Wish me luck!

Punk Evening

Tue, 1 Dec 2009 22:12:54 -0500

Spotted Mind's Punk Rock Girl post got me thinking about punk rock, and besides, I've got nothing but rage going for me tonight. This song, an unauthorized rendition of Red Jumpsuit Apparatus's Face Down resonates. Check it out:

If I am not mistaken, you can still download the free, legal mp3 file here.

I'll be back to thinking happy thoughts about granddaughters and grandpuppies in a day or two, but not tonight.