Alameda's a fine place, but I just wish it was more of a music town. Jim Morrison went to high school here, we have a gem of a music shop on Webster, and there are a couple places to hear live music on a random night, but *music* isn't part of this town's fabric.

Judging by the nasty tones emanating from current civic discourse, some folks could simply benefit with more music in their lives. They just don't know it yet! Now it's my turn to be an idiotic world improver, and so I dub this project: Sonic Discourse.

My first therapeutic recommendation goes to those allowing others to get under their skin. This is an unfortunate waste of energy and guaranteed loss of sanity. Why let people get to you, especially when you know that's why they do it? Don't you mind them..... "Grinnin' In Your Face".

This legendary Son House tune is revitalized on James Blood Ulmer's new record he made down in N'Awlins w/ Vernon Reid. (itune link for JBU's version) It's a swampy and spooky version with a deep blues swing. But if you are feeling *really heavy*, rather than taking somebody to court, just crank up Government Mule's version from their first album (listen to snips) and let it segue into "Mother Earth". For when it all comes down, a soulful sonic bludgeoning will harden your heart.

Don't mind... people grinnin' in your face
Just bear this in mind
A true friend is hard to find
Don't mind... people... grinnin' in your face
(itune link to Son House's original version)

My second fix is for the folk(s?) deriving pleasure from getting under the skin of others. Are you clever, witty, and sometimes cruel on the blogs? Do you like to parse details to death? Feel heroic when exposing the weaknesses of people you've never met? Need a new hobby? We don't want you to die from Bitter Persons disease, we just want you to be a better neighbor.

So for you clever/mean folks I prescribe a Frank Zappa binge. If you pay attention - and I know you can - you will be delighted and challenged by the compositions and musicianship AND endlessly entertained and humoured by Frank's lyrics and conceptual continuity themes.

You will learn to revere his mastery of plucking the feathers off of anything and everything. He parses with a poignant precision matched only by Ambrose Bierce. Nobody escapes from the big Z. Not even you. When you least expect it... just when you think he's been with you all the way.... HE WILL GET CHOO. And it will hurt, because you will know it's true. Even though you never heard it coming. And you will be humbled. And then you might be nicer to people. And perhaps Alameda will be a better place.

I'm not sure which album would do the trick, but to get you going try Hot Rats, Chunga's Revenge, Us Against Them, or (my favorite) You Can't Do That Onstage Anymore Volume I.

Until next time... this has been a public music therapy announcement from Boegerweb.