Album Review: Jason Collett - Motor Motel Love Songs

I recently acquired Jason Collett's album, Motor Motel Love Songs.  I wasn't familiar with Collett, but I rather like this album.  It has a good "sound", and a solid selection of songs.  On the other hand, nothing that really stands out (high or low).  Not exactly remarkable, or gripping...  Overall, it kind of reminds me of Tom Petty's album Echo.  Maybe mashed up with a little bit of Uncle Tupelo's Anodyne...  But not quite as good as either.

After a litte research, I see that Jason Collett is Canadian, from Ontario.  And the Motor Motel is a 2003 compilation of songs from his prior 2 albums, reflecting  13 of those first 24 songs.

Jason's web site says of Motor Motel Love Songs says:
Toronto man about town Jason Collett unfolds his sleeve to reveal a happily bleeding heart on this collection of material from past releases. Collett’s voice is brimming with warmth, and he has a cigar box full of stylistic implements with which to accompany it. Together with a gaggle of talented pals, he sells his material at a reasonable and honest price — it’s like a set of pleasantly this-or-that rockers on a late-night left-of-dial radio station.

The review at allmusic summarizes thusly:
In the end, Motor Motel Love Songs is as graceful as the fading light of day, and as comfortable as the predictable old creaks of a trusted pickup truck.

Amazon's customer's ratings give it 3.6/5 stars.

Pleasant....  comfortable...  Yeah, I'll agree with that. 

Affected Sunset, Table Rock Lake

 

So....  I found a image manipulation app for my iPhone today, Snapseed.  Just playing around with it a bit, and I'm rather pleased.   Above is another sunset photo from last week's trip to Branson / Table Rock Lake.  I mean, it's obviously manipulated, but sometimes that's ok, too. Right? 

Same session as this one. 

 

Below is the "straight from phone" version...

 

Large version of the tweaked one HERE.

 

Time Between The Times

Another from last week's trip to Branson.

This view of Table Rock Lake was taken after sunset, but before it was fully dark.  Certainly not daytime, but not yet night-time...

Table Rock Dam

Here's a very "postcard" image of Table Rock Dam, from last week's trip to Branson.  Or maybe "snapshot" would be more appropriate?  Regardless, they don't all have to be "Fine Art".

Table Rock Dam.  Designed and constructed 1954-1958, and operated by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, Table Rock Dam was created to provide flood control for the White and lower Mississippi Rivers and to generate hydro-electric power. And Table Rock Lake, of course.  The building on the far side of the dam,past the spillways, is the power house. Housing 4x hydroelectric generators, providing 200 MW of electricity.  It would take 100x wind turbines to provide as much power (and a steady wind!). Lareger version of this image is HERE.

The dam was just about a mile from the conference hotel, you can see it on the far right hilltop.

2013 Chevy Malibou

I was on a business trip last week, spent a few days at The Chateau Branson, MO.  I made the tripacross Missouri in a rented Chevy Malibou.  And decided to take a "glamour shot" of it. Taken about 8:30pm, nearly dark... 

Overall, I'd say the Malibou did great, but it didn't really win me over.  I considered the Malibou the last time I was buying a car (2008),but the styling has changed quite a bit since then.  Just not my idea of ideal.   But it drove fine, I really can't complain.

I rented (as usual) from the local Enterprise place.  They do a good job overall.  Good price (no airport surcharges), the folk are usually really nice.  Never had any real problems.

Sunset, Table Rock Lake

 

I'm just home from a business trip to Table Rock Lake, near Branson, MO.  I managed to get away for a little bit one evening toenjoy a bit iof the surroundings.  Including this rather nice sunset over the lake.  One of several images taken with my iPhone camera.  I posted one direct to facebook yesterday...

Tell Me Why?

 

Taken on the wooded walk through the grounds at Fallingwater,Frank Lloyd Wright's Western Pennsylvania masterpiece.  Taken somewhere near the Bird's Eye View.  It was late afternoon (~4pm) on a very sunny day, very contrasty.  But I liked the views of the deep green leaves against the dark trunks. 

 

Here's another attempt, but I don't like this one as much:

 

 

Sweet Moses!

One of the fun stops in our July visit to Cleveland was Sweet Moses.   Just over a mile from Sharon & Rick's place, but we drove down, as it was shortly before closing when the mood struck.  Just before 11pm on a Sunday niight and the place was PACKED!!

But worth it!

This image is handheld, braced against a lightpole or something....  Pretty crisp,huh?

Halls Of Fame

During last month's "Rust Belt Tour",we made excursions to the RockAnd Roll Hall Of Fame and the Pro Football Hall Of Fame.  [yes, I am that far behind on photo processing].

I'll highly recommend both!  We spent over 1/2 a day at each, and could've spent much longer.  I didn't take a lot of inside photos, as I was too busy being a tourist!  (you're welcome). 

The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame is in downtown Cleveland, on the Lake Erie waterfront.  Very cool architecture:

 That's my wife and my Sister-In-Law above.  It was trying to rain.  Heading in, I was a bit concerned thatit seemed a bit.... well...  small.  But not to worry, it is jam packed with stuff!  Including the special Rolling Stones exhibit!

 

 

A coupleof days later, we made the short trip to Canton, Ohio for the Pro Football Hall Of Fame. Fortunately, one of the first things you see is a short video explaining "why Canton?".  Which is good,because my son had asked me that very question during the drive.  I won't spoil it by disclosing the answer....

As it worked out, we were at the Pro Football HOF about 10 days before the 2013 induction ceremony.  So there was a bit of a buzz about the place. And lots and lots of displays, interactive and static. 

 

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Again, I highly recommend both HOFs, if you're remotely interested in Rock Music or NFL Football.  Of course, I'm not "remotely" interested, I'm massively interested!!  As is my son.  I'm pretty sure my wife enjoyed them both,too...

 

Dark and Abstract

But still Cleveland...

Havin' some fun with intentional camera movement, haven't done that in a while...  My son really liked the top one.

 

But is it art??  And will it blend?

Look Out Cleveland...

I'm typically behind on processing photos...   Here's a couple from our recent Rust-Belt vacation. Cleveland and; Pittsburgh.  This is the Cleveland skyline, as seen from the roof of Sharon and Rick's place.  A litte bit before sunset:

 

And a few hours after dark:

 

A large panorama is here.

I had only been to Cleveland a few times in the past, and only on business.  We had a really nice visit,and got a great feel for the city.  Thanks to S&R for the hospitality!

Post tilte is from the song by The band...