Butch Walker, Chart Whisperer

Bibi--and her vast following--already know that Butch Walker is a fantastic musician, song writer, singer, total rock star on stage, and a remarkable music producer.  A recent online review of Fall Out Boy's new Butch-produced album,

Save Rock and Roll, also gives Butch a thumbs up.

The production, by chart-whisperer Butch Walker, polishes everything until it's in your face and gleaming: the apocalyptic strings of "The Phoenix," the louche bottom-feeding of "Where Did the Party Go," the Adele-aping intro of "Just One Yesterday."

http://www.grantland.com/blog/hollywood-prospectus/post/_/id/74544/fall-out-boy-returns-trying-to-save-rock-and-roll

Believe it or not, Bibi had pondered the producer/artist relationship while listening to the cd.  For Bibi, this partnership that results in enjoyable/salable/resume-building output is part of that whole creative process that fascinates the outsider (me).  Given that Butch is so talented on his own, the process by which he works with FOB--Butch is not a focus or a player in and of the work, only a participant at a certain level--for the end product is so ineffably mysterious.  Not something that easily lends itself to explication.  Even if Bibi were present while it was going on, would she really understand how the generation of a finished record comes about?  Combining the raw written lyrics, sounds of the instruments, the abilities and personalities of the artists, the way in which everything is put together and voila:  a new album now exists?  Just makes Butch seem so much cooler than ever.

One of the new staff members told me he and his friend were talking about the new FOB album (they really like it) including the more technical areas of who did what.  Butch's name came up as the producer and the staff member thought, wait, isn't that the guy Bibi talks about?  Bibi feels so satisfied with the level of fervor she puts into getting Butch's name and work out there for others when she hears stuff like this.  It's what fans do--talk about the star, their abilities, talents, existence--but still, just made the day go that much better, hearing that Butch is known and appreciated by others.

Love ya, Butch!

Butch Walker: So easy to look at

Recently started following Butch Walker Australia on fb.  They often post great pictures of Butch, some I've seen, some are new to Bibi.  Here's one they posted today

It's from that really funny video of Brendan Urie as a besotted fan who paid $25,000 for a BW pre-order and to spend time with Butch.  It's a spoof on American Psycho with Butch doing an EXCELLENT take on another of Bibi's faves, Christian Bale.  OK, ok, here's the video: 

Won't speak on Brendan's future acting role opportunities, but I have always thought Butch would do better than just okay if he decided to act for a living.  He's definitely got the face and in the music videos in which Butch has played a role, he's shown a well-developed confidence, a flair for expression and timing sense.  Not sure about the tie in this video, but otherwise, Butch is very effective, exceedingly watchable. 

Fan question:  Do y'all think Butch wears these clothes in any day-to-day setting? 

Love ya, Butch Walker!

Hey, Butch Walker: Waiting on summer tour information, please

Like it or not, the truth is just like Tom Petty says:  the waiting is the hardest part. 

This was true even when AC/DC was on their monster tour and Bibi got to see them six times.

 Now that they're on hiatus and I've discovered Butch Walker--AND that unbelievable week of March 11, 2013, is past--the waiting is on, and on, and on....Oh, well, fans have to take the good with the bad, just part of the life. 

Some of the good in the last couple of weeks has been hearing others--that I introduced to Butch's music--talk about Butch.  For example:  D from the office now has Butch on one of his playlists in his computer at work.  Not only did D buy The Spade from ITunes, he includes it in his daily listening. N, gave her one of the first Butch Walker Mixtapes, said she watched a really bad Gerard Butler movie (besides the Guy Ritchie movie and The 300, there are good ones?) that had a BW song at the end!  (It's Synthesizers.)  I was so impressed!  She did listen to the mixtape cd and she recognized Synthesizers.  I felt so fulfilled:  one of the basic tenets of the fan rules and by-laws was well-accomplished--spreading the word.

Butch seems to be in Georgia right now, enjoying family life.  Great idea:  charging up for the highly anticipated summer tour.  The new album by Fall Out Boy, produced by Butch Walker, was released today and Butch tweeted to say it had a Top 10 single and was the Number 1 Album.  So cool for him and F O B.   More good to accept, right?

But that waiting thing....ugh! 

Hope we get news soon on the tour dates, locations.  Decided against buying tickets for the early June Fall Out Boy stop in Houston.  What if it conflicted with traveling to or attending one of the dates for Butch?  Of course, no question what Bibi would do, but can't throw $$ around like no big deal, even with that HUGE tax refund on its way.  lol

I know.  You're saying to yourself:  Bibi--been patiently listening to you go on and on.  Where are some Butch pics?  OK, you're right.  Here's one of Bibi's faves that Butch tweeted the other day: 

Just like Bibi thought, especially when she got to see him so close up in Dallas and Austin:  great handsI  Well, er, um, in this picture, really, really great right hand.  Bibi is such a fan.

And here are couple from Vice Bar in Austin: 

He's fabulous in color--even more so in person--and oh, so cool in black n white, n'est-ce pas?

Love ya, Butch!

March for Babies 2013

This picture vividly illustrates how Bibi prefers to spend her leisure time.

One of the very few deviations from this behavior--besides attending Butch Walker shows--is Bibi's participation in the March for Babies event at the end of April each year.  GRRRRR...Stop rolling on the floor laughing this instant!  Yes, I actually walk the entire distance!

If you'd like to donate to this admirable and worthwhile cause (March for Babies, not Bibi napping), you can go to http://www.marchforbabies.org/Bibilovesangus

To date, Bibi has raised $50!  And she only began yesterday!  So, join the millions around the USA who will be supporting this effort:  you can donate or, why not meet Bibi at UH on April 28, 9 am and we will struggle our way through the countless red wagons, baby carriages and dog walkers to the finish line, ensemble, as the French say?

Love ya, Butch! er, um, and, of course all the rest of the avid Bibi followers.

                                         

Bibi was standing just to the right of the mic when she made this snippet video of the totally fabulous Butch Walker.  When you hear someone yell "alright!", that's Bibi.

The Butch Walker Ameliorative Effect--Proof Positive

Now that I have your attention (ha, ha), Bibi will once again tout the fabulously positive Butch Walker Ameliorative Effect.  You might say:  proof, please.  OK.  The "year" for Bibi and her fellow staff members begins at the end of August.  Although the fog of memory makes it less than pristinely clear, it seems that Bibi watched Episode 54 of Live From Daryl's House in mid or end of August.  While in many respects the flow of life did not change for Bibi, some did, in a significant way, from that point in time.  She began blogging about the wondrous Butch Walker and keeping track of the views of Say It Isn't So from that episode of LFDH at the end of August.  Began buying his cds, his dvd, his book with no thought of:  should I listen to Butch on YouTube or buy just a few mp3s before investing in him so heavily? For Bibi to invest in anything from a fiscal or emotional pov is a huge, involved decision process with lots and lots of research, time spent thinking about it, weighing the pros and cons, and FINALLY deciding yes or no.  When it came to Butch Walker, though, almost immediately, snagged a stock of blank cds to make mixtape cds to distribute to (even vaguely) interested parties, started mentioning Butch on Facebook.  Sure, there was some backlash, accusations of deserting Angus, etc., but Bibi was totally ensorcellee (enchanted, bewitched).  Started listening to Say It Isn't So (here's your chance to do so) 
The Butch version of Say It Isn't So: fab-u-lous!

daily, or more, along with Butch's cds and the BW Mixtapes.  What Bibi noted and passed on was that listening to Butch Walker music was a wonderfully effective way to get past negatives--people, situations, unavoidable tasks, that energy draining ennui--throughout the day.  You feel better, you're singing along, whatever you're working on is more fun, more satisfying and your output is just so much better.

Bibi's job is not so bad as "working at American Apparel, selling women's clothes to guys," but it could rank right up there.  The point is, Bibi's work performance is evaluated annually and review time was this past week.  Bibi's eval always comes out ok, pretty good and the number assigned to that performance is well within the keeper range.  This year, the number for this year's eval was significantly higher than last year's!  What other explanation could there be besides the Butch Walker Ameliorative Effect? 

Oh, Butch!  If you only knew how valuable you and your music are!  Thanks again, guy, for being such a great talent and being there!

Love you!