The Sean Schofield Music Train

I have never known a vestry with the musical taste that ours possesses.  From David Freund’s eclectic collection to Ed Greene’s penchant to quote George Clinton or Chuck D at any given time, we’re a pretty groovy crew.  But they can’t hold a candle to Sean Schofield who recently provided me with two new discs, Jack Johnson’s “Sleep Through the Static” and Counting Crows’ “Saturday Nights and Sunday Mornings”.  There’s not much better than Jack Johnson if you need to get mellow.  Soothing voice, gentle rythyms and just enough beat and soul to remind you what it’s all for.  I am glad to hear that his lyrics are no less politically and socially informed.  While I won’t quote any, his take on mindless consumption and responsibility-free living are spot-on.  As for Counting Crows, I’ve only had one listen to the new stuff–”Saturday Nights and Sunday Mornings” means something different to people who don’t lead worship regularly.  For normal people, it might mean dinner or a movie, followed by a nice sleep in and a crossword puzzle.  For a rock star, it might mean fuzzy adventures with supermodels and hangovers.  For me, it’s gear-up, anxiety, compulsion, excitement, connection and then reflection and withdrawal.  Not always in that order.  So excuse me for not really getting jiggy with the title.  Sean told me last night that CC’s singer, Adam Duritz, was apparently depressed when he wrote this album, so it’s quite introspective.  This is like me saying two weeks ago that Boston didn’t look like it had enough goal-scorers to beat Montreal.  Adam Duritz is depressed (so far as I’ve understood him through his music, that is to say, on the surface at best) like the sky is blue.  It’s a natural state of being.  Just so that we know what to expect. 

And kudos and welcome to Keno Davis, the new coach of the Friars.  I was sorry that Lee Walker didn’t get more of a look, as he had a good year with the East Greenwich JV girls.  I thought I was old when Playboy centerfolds started to be younger than me.  Now I feel old when PC hires a guy who’s 37.  What’s next?  “What time is the early bird special?”