Just in the last few days, I happened to come across a copy of a CD called “UNH!” by Beau Hall. With my Zune being rather empty since I accidentally formatted it last night (whoopsie daisy), I figured I’d throw it on there and go for a walk. I’m really not sure what surprised me more, the music and how catchy it is, or the fact that I actually decided to do something physical. Regardless, I think it’s safe to say that I made the right decision putting it on there - it won’t be coming off any time soon.
“UNH!” is the latest release from Mr. Hall, although “latest” doesn’t necessarily mean “current” - it was released in 2005. Filled with more funk than any Caucasian man should be able to create, nearly every track seems to be a time capsule of the 70’s, with the wakka-chikka-wakka-chikka of days past. From his CDBaby.com page: “It’s the Rolling Stones meets Prince meets Jimi Hendrix with some INXS and Stevie Ray Vaughan mixed with Sly Stone, Maroon 5, Marc Broussard and Dave Matthews Band. Funky funky.” In my previous review, I went on about how the artist was lacking in soul; well where Mr. Tholen was lacking, Mr. Hall makes up in spades.
Today was going to be a great day. It’s Saturday so I get to sleep in - well it’s not like I wouldn’t sleep in during the week being that I have no job and all, but today I can sleep in and not feel guilty about doing so. My plan was flawless; I had everything planned out. I would wake up to the smell of fresh pizza and the sound of the birds chirping just on the other side of my window. I would go to my great-aunt’s 70th and great-uncle’s 90th mega-combo-birthday celebration for dinner while being re-introduced to family members who faintly remembered my being born, while I attempt to come up with yet another exit strategy before they figure out that I have no idea who they are. I would then come home, perhaps slightly tipsy if things went well, and start reviewing one of the 4 albums currently sitting in my “To listen to” folder while I marvel at how much I love getting to hear new music every day.
I had barely pressed the play button on my stereo and I knew I was going to be impressed. It’s very rare that I find music that I truly like (as evidenced by many of my reviews here on the site), and it’s even more rare that I find music that transports me to a different place in my mind. Creating a scene in my consciousness for an experience in the future almost never happens to me, yet Sometimes it Rains did the impossible: 30 seconds into the first song, I was already in my car, windows down, driving down the freeway, enjoying the summer.
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