It’s been a few weeks—my schedule has been a bit of a mess, with many enjoyable events getting in the way of reading, writing, and listening to new music. Some concerts with college roommates (Stereolab, My Morning Jacket) and having guests from France and the United Kingdom the last few weeks have been a lot of fun. Delicious dinners, exciting soccer games, and many great conversations were had! But the guests have left, the house is quieter, and the daylight has seemed to shrink even more today than yesterday. Still, on this late Sunday afternoon, it’s all about catching up on new music, film, books, and not so much about current events because let’s face it, we all know how awful it is and it keeps getting worse because our elected officials won’t put an end to this madness… so why add more stress when I can get lost in the new Tortoise or The Necks record with my furry feline friends?
I also had a ‘lil bout with carpal tunnel (see my brace in the photo above). Ouch! 🫳
Here are some photos from the last few weeks that include live music by BALTHVS, My Morning Jacket, a pair of Portland Hearts of Pine soccer matches, a view from Strawbery Banke in Portsmouth, sharing oysters with international friends in Portland’s Old Port, Feu! Chatterton, a band from Paris, gifted to me this week by my French guests, Elodie and Leo in the window at home, and a piece of the Berlin Wall near the waterfront in Portland, Maine.
Playlist
Here are nine new pieces of music from the greater jazzphere, and one track from 2021 by guitarist Chris Schlarb and drummer Chad Taylor… because it fits perfectly in this set of music.
Makaya McCraven, Sweet Stuff
SML, Taking out the Trash
Carlos Dafe and Adrian Younge, Um Pouco de Paz
GARY BARTZ AND NTU, ONE HUNDRED WAYS
Sven Wunder, Misty Shore
Tortoise, Layered Presence
Chicago Underground Duo, The Gathering
Oren Ambarchi, Johan Berthling, & Andreas Werlin, Panj
Chris Schlarb & Chad Taylor, Time No Changes (Part One)
Nala Sinephro, The High
A Nice Surprise
Look who made the NHSPCA 2026 calendar!
Leo and Elodie are Mr. and Mrs. January 2026. We couldn’t be prouder. Besides these two knuckleheads, the calendar is full of many more adorable photos of so many pets and all for a great cause! If you want to purchase one, here’s the info: nhspca.org/product/the-nhspca-2026-calendar
Thanks for reading. - JB