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!

 

The Butch Walker Ameliorative Effect Works!

You know all those miracle diets and cures that are too good to be true?  Well, Bibi is here to tell you, the Butch Walker Ameliorative Effect works and not just for me.  I had been talking about Butch to a fellow staffer, gave him the BWMT II.2 (I think--have to start keeping better records on that) last week.  Today, he made a special effort to let Bibi know that he LOVED the cd!

Bibi about halfway up the Pyramid of the Sun, Teotihuacan

He'd had a tough morning, lots of drama before he even made the drive to work.  Put the BWMT II.2 in the cd player in the car and by cut 7 (The Weight of Her), he felt SO MUCH BETTER!  I could have told him this would be true.  And why not?  He'd already heard

Mixtape (Butch--I will always love this song, even if you no longer sing it in your shows)
Bodegas and Blood (if this one doesn't perk you up, check your pulse.  You may be in more serious trouble than you realize)
Sweethearts (just want to squeal--this one is SO great!)
Day Drunk (raucous, rocking bar singalong here--millions of snapshots shoot through my brain....goodbyyyyyyyye)
Synthesizers ((I can stay out ALL night, like Sacajawea in a paint fight--OOOH!)
Closest Thing to You (Butch at his romantic best, best, best:  Cause I see your face when they turn out my light.  His voice--OMG!)

Very gratifying to Bibi that someone else feels the so positive effect of Butch's voice and songs.  After G told me this, I was energized for the rest of the morning.  And then, for lunch, had to share with y'all.

Highly recommend listening to Butch Walker to make your afternoon go WAY better.

Love ya, Butch!  Thanks for being there!

Butch Walker: He's the Best for a Monday Morning

Yes, it's agreed by all who matter--these are some cool guys I met in front of AC/DC's hotel in Paris, Manu, Didier and Robert--and I think they would go along with Bibi:  there is nothing finer in Carolina (or Texas) on a grey and dreary Monday that is also the first class day (yikes!  what a stomach-churning combo!) than listening to Butch Walker to make the day somewhat less foreboding.  Just hearing:   And I don't want to remember, but I don't want to forget, That no one will believe me if I say:  So honey don't you call now, don't pick up the phone now, don't you know we're better off this way? mellows me out.  That lovely, lovely voice, the Todd Rundgren vibe in the words...we can be in love for just one day...so I met you by the bathroom to escape....Aaaaahhhh! 

Sometimes, listening to Butch sing, Bibi thinks that Butch so loves to hear his voice.  Not saying it in a "he's so full of himself" way.  What a gift he has!  Not just the sound/texture/shading of his voice, but the lyrics he writes, the phrasing he uses.  (sigh) AND, he's sharing it with us, his lucky, lucky fans!!!

Here's Butch reportedly singing Ponce de Leon Ave. sometime in the past.

It's a different look from the one he currently has, but the voice is still as fab as ever!  Of course, the camera adores Butch as much as ever--that hair! those eyes, those cheekbones, that thoroughly adorable nose!--though, emphatically, he's so much more than a pretty face.

Love you, Butch!

Butch Walker: Post-Show Blues

Every day's a Monday now that the show has come and gone, right?  Bibi's been really busy at work and suffering from a diagnosis-proof toothache, living on Advil, and a lack of Butch Walker shows.  Guess, toothache or not, had to unfold this way for the fans lucky enough to see Butch in Chicago.  Like Tom Petty says:  waiting is the hardest part--until the new album hits and the supporting tour.  The BWAE (Butch Walker Ameliorative Effect) has been put to the test all week, helping Bibi through the pain, but really!  Just want it to go away and never come back!

Confession:  haven't been upholding my duties as a fan.  Want to make a new mixtape cd--the songs that Butch sang on December 30 at the Double Door, sans the new ones, of course--and have run out of the Butch cards I give out to those whom I want to become familiar with Butch's work.  Did get more card stock today and think/hope I'll be up to putting together the setlist for the new batch of cds later today.  There's a new indie-looking eatery next to the library and wanted to offer them the BWM II.2 (without the s and f words), but need to make a few more of those, as well.  Geez, really behind in carrying out the fan oath of purpose and obligations!  Did I even remember to pay dues recently? Priorities, Bibi!  lol

Did talk up (through the mist-inducing pain) Butch, the recent show, his talent, his persona on stage to two new people at work--that's when I realized I was out of cards and BWM II.2.  Bibi loves Butch's work and understands about the use of the s/f words--they fit in the flow, meaning of the songs, are not hate-inspired, mongering--but the idea is to introduce Butch to simpatico listeners, not give them the opportunity to get hung up on details. 

My competency with the phone camera at the show was really challenged.  Show pics would make very effective ppt-like effects while I'm talking about Butch.  But, have been able to let folks see photos other people took; some are quite good.  Very appreciative of those.  LOVE this pic someone took on NYE while Butch was singing....you know the song lyrics this gesture fits....tick, tock, tick, tock....ok, Race Cars and Goth Rock. 

Thinking that next time I see Butch, will try to get closer to the front, just for the sake of pictures.  Given different factors, Bibi's strategy had been to leave the struggle, time consumption of being at the front, difficulty of going to the bathroom or getting drinks to others, but re-thinking that.  Not something that ever bothered Bibi at AC/DC concerts--and have the pictures to prove it (ha, ha)--but with Butch playing such small venues, seems absurd not to have great pictures of him performing.  Plus, the camera LOVES Butch and the Internet needs more pictures of him looking totally fab.

Who could argue with that need?

Love you, Butch!

Butch Walker: December 30, Double Door in Chicago

Bibi is just quivering in antici-----pation about the upcoming show!  Think about it: only 2 weeks and I FINALLY will get to see Butch Walker in person, on stage, total fan heaven!  Sure, have to get through the pre-Christmas craziness (for Bibi, the shopping is DONE, c'est fini, over with, finished, nada mas, forget about it, anybody else gets a lotto ticket, period), the Christmas tree is almost a work of art, but it's a work of art in progress until December 24 when SARITA GETS HERE!!!!  This year's tree is huge--at least 2 1/2 feet taller than last year.  It's kind of funny.  Putting the same number of ornaments on the tree as I usually do and the tree looks pretty full, so I wonder how I managed to put all those ornaments on a much smaller tree in the past.  Picking up around the house also a WIP, including updating the curtains in the dining room and my room.  Should go smoothly enough (tip to readers to help you transcend and actually enjoy these necessary, but sometimes tiresome holiday tasks:  listen to Butch Walker music for the relaxing and life enhancing Butch Walker Ameliorative Effect to work its magic.  Has worked for me several times in the recent past, don't see why it won't be a major positive factor now.)  Dentist visit on Wednesday, commencement on Friday and a Winter Solstice party with Stitch n Bitch crowd, visit Jimmy on Saturday--the wreath is ready and I have the ornament for the cemetery tree ready--start baking ginger cookies on the 23rd, wrap 2-3 presents and write 2-3 Christmas cards each day, should all fall into place.  OK, the Christmas cards are a bit later than hoped, but, hey.  Everyone should get their card around December 25.   Thought I could encourage myself on these two areas by making hot chocolate each evening after dinner to sweeten the deal, so to speak. 

Went over the fam's earlier today for homemade menudo--it was EXCELLENT--Nana has not lost her touch and Abel, Lydia (Nana's neighbor) and I decorated the tree.  Abel is such a sweet, cute little kid and he was so happy to be allowed to help us. 

Made me think about the children in Connecticut.  So, so sad.  True to his just-like-you-and-me attitude, Butch has tweeted his shock and disbelief; has been very affected by this unfathomable event.  Bibi was so happy to see a picture of his little boy and Frank the dog on his blog.  Butch seemed very happy, too.

It's that time of year:  thinking about family, loved ones close by, loved ones far away in distance, maybe due to issues from the past.  Maybe we can cover those distances during the upcoming holidays.  Hope the terrible recent events can give us reason to consider how important others are to and for us and maybe, maybe we can grab hold of each other and hold on tight for as long as we can.

Butch Walker in Chicago, December 30, 2012

Make it quick as a kitten jumping on and off the dining table:  PLEASE, Butch--play Sweethearts at the show on December 30!  PLEASE!  As part of "gettin' into it" this morning, listened to the fave (Say It Isn't So, now up to 6829 views) and it went down so easy, the office seemed very light  and airy, none of that usual oppressive Monday gloom--the Butch Walker Ameliorative Effect at work.  I thought, well, why not go through the entire Episode 54 (Live From Daryl's House) and update the stats while you're at it?  Multi-tasking, right?  Always try to play the cuts in order of appearance, otherwise, it's just chaos in Bibi's otherwise oh-so-ordered world (HAH!), but somehow, got stuck on Sweethearts.  Such an underrrated gem!  So adorably likable (like Bibi) and ineffably sweet in all the positive ways.

Bibi loves this one! 

Wouldn't it be the coolest if Butch played this song at the show AND made it one of those fan participation things that he's done in the past where a deleriously lucky fan gets to sing with him?  Total "fan"tasy, right?    Seen a couple of those videos and the poor girls were so Butch-struck that they could barely stand, so maybe Butch doesn't do that anymore.  But, still, what a concept!  What a song!  Hold me to your chest 'cause I can feel your heart jumping!  Tell me about it!

Love you, Butch! 

Butch Walker's Upcoming Shows in Chicago

Every Christmas season, Bibi swears she will NOT succumb to those sentimental Christmas movies one more time and yep, here she is just crying while most of Bedford Falls fills up George  Bailey's house, adding their donations to the basket of money, start singing carols, miraculously his hero brother shows up and everyone toasts to the richest man in town.  Get it?--George is engulfed by so many friends, who love him--the richest man in town and everyone realizes how lucky they are to be alive, including the viewers who watch this every year.  Gets Bibi every time.  (tiny litle sniff here)

So, hmmm....where has Bibi been?  During the Thanksgivng break, LOTS of big blog about action to be taken on behalf of Butch, spreading the word about his shows in Chicago . . . and then?  Loss of nerve, loss of focus, just plain loss of words?  No, actually Bibi was a bit under the weather after a regrettable encounter with leftovers.  But, during her few coherent, waking moments, she spent a lot of time thinking about the Butch review requests to the NYTimes, the NYorker and Rolling Stone.  In fact, the NYTimes version is just about done.  It's concise, makes cogent points that any subscriber to the Times would make, it's affable, reasonable with a dash of fan fervor mixed in; looking good.

Guess we can credit The Butch Walker Ameriorative Effect for the recovery Bibi made over the week, although it would have worked faster if Bibi had been able to even make the effort to listen to music.  After what remained of the work week was finished, had to run the errands, get a few Christmas decorations to fit in with this year's color scheme, so cranked up The Spade.  MAN...WHAT A RECORD!!! 


Opens with a great, crunchy guitar riff, the drums jump in and PUNCH IT Chewy!, we're into Bodegas and Blood for real.  Damn, it's good...no, IT'S GREAT!!!  Just the beginning, too.  The whole album is an unbelievable, pounding powerhouse of songs.  One after the other:  Every Single Body Else, Summer of ‘89, Sweethearts, Day Drunk, Synthesizers, Dublin Crow, Closest Thing To You I’m Gonna Find, Bullet Belt, Suckerpunch--all terrific, knockout examples of what Butch does so well--write, collaborate, sing, play guitars and banjolin in a fucking fantastic way that draws you kicking and screaming (in a rocking live-show way) into a totally energizing, full out immersion listening experience.  I've tried to pick a fave cut.  Got it down to Bodegas, Summer of '89, Sweethearts, Synthesizers, Closest Thing, Suckerpunch--you see the problem.  How can so many be THE favorite?  I listen to this cd a lot and it continues to please.  No fast forward, no skipping songs, just straight through every time I get in the car.  Don't play it at work--the f and s words, you know.  Truly, truly a great album, world!

FYI:  Bibi is not an iPod person.  It's not just the ears; don't really get that whole shut out the ambient noise thing.  Tried, but really, don't I need to hear what's going on in my surroundings at all times?  Sure, I'm in boring places as much as the next cat, but Bibi has found that a very good rule to live by is:  alert is better than not.  Crossing the street, waiting at a ___'s appointment, driving long distances, seems like being able to hear is better than not.  Also, have never been able to crank up the volume on an iPod like I can in the car.  Note to anyone thinking about buying a Miata:  the speakers are very good and if you have to drive places, there is NOTHING so satisfying as the pleasure of the top down with the music blasting while you're speeding down the highway.  Yep, your hair is a fucking mess, but you can always put on a ski cap and maybe a vest, and just try kinda hard to make it not look like ya tried at all.

OK, soldiering on with the review requests--want to send them out this week.  Will let you know!

And just because, here's a pic of Butch during the filming of the video for Summer of '89 with character actor Seymour Cassel. 

Adorable!