September 28, 2007 by PT Rothschild.

THE JENN GRINELS SHOW & CD REVIEW

One of the rare moments occurs when you hear and see someone so fetching to the ear that the experience stands out, in and of itself. On Thursday night down at Cuppy’s, aka Java Jo’z, Jenn Grinels provided the audience such a moment. Hailing from San Diego, Jenn brought the coffee shop to a halt with her stunning vocals and original songs, although she did throw in a cover or two, and even these were done in a very original fashion. Jenn’s voice has a ‘torch song’ soulfulness to it that perfectly conveys the ‘lost in love’ lyrics that she writes. She is very polished in vocal delivery and though she has a very strong voice, she doesn’t overpower the mike. She ‘wowed’ the room and Jeremiah from Panda Media and I were right there to find out info on this extraordinary new discovery as soon as she packed up her guitar. The good news is that Jenn has agreed to roll back up here and sing for the next drum circle at Javas on October 9. Stay tuned for more details on this upcoming show.

Recently the IE Weekly did an article on the growing DIY phenomena that is rewriting the whole mainstream record industry. Jenn Grinels’ CD ‘Little Words’ shows just how much fun the DIY approach can be without the ‘suits’ looking over your shoulder determining this and that. The cover has an proletarian look to it that is professionally done. Inside the original artwork and hand written notes remind one of a bootleg, but then again this belies the professional intent with which this well crafted and very well mastered CD was done. I was loving the CD before I ever listened to it. Listening to it certainly didn’t diminish my expectations either. Jenn’s voice really has to be heard to be believed. It’s jazzy in its pacing, soulful in its delivery, heartfelt in its sensuous tone, and the poetic timing of the words speaks volumes. This is a singer that you know will be discovered, and soon I hope. Jenn is getting ready to embark on a west coast tour but if the drum circle night is her next appearance at Javas, I urge everyone reading these words who lives locally to be there for two reasons. Jenn puts on a heck of a show and really commands the stage when she is on it. The other reason is to pick up a copy of her CD and listen to her voice, which is head and shoulders above most singers you hear, signed or unsigned. As one North County Times reporter put it, she is one of the top singers on a very short list in San Diego, or anywhere else for that matter, and these old ears have heard a ton or two of songbirds over the years. It will be interesting to see how the future unfolds for this soon-to-be legendary singer.

Posted in Family Attractions, Music, News | Print | No Comments »

September 28, 2007 by PT Rothschild.

HILLARY & OBAMA WAFFLE ON ‘WAR’, NOT SO WITH RON PAUL


As most of the Democratic and Republican hopefuls for 2008 waffle on the invasion of Iraq, calling it a ‘war’, Republican Ron Paul was not budged in his denoucement of this illegal ‘war’ by calling this sow’s ear a silk purse. Sign up now to support the only candidate willing to tell the truth. Go to http://www.ronpaul2008.com/ and join the Rebel alliance. See archive story for Ron Paul’s eye opening voting record.

Posted in Our Favorite Things, News | Print | No Comments »

September 27, 2007 by PT Rothschild.

THE LATEST GRIND AROUND TOWN

Murrieta, CA – For those who wander off the Starbucks caffeine carpet, the ones who aren’t ‘sheeple’, a new roast is being brewed up in the form of being outside the can, as coffee doesn’t come in a box. At Cuppy’s, aka Java Jo’z, this past Tuesday, the word having gone out, promoted successfully by Ivan Promotions, that a drum circle would be held at the coffeehouse scene spot. As Johnny the owner readied the sound check, the first pickup truck pulled into the parking lot with a set of various types of drums showing from the truck bed. As the front patio crew sat in the cooling evening air, more cars and trucks arrived, along with people carrying (drum) sticks, metal bowls, and silver spoons. Before long the steady sound of people drumming on different surfaces and textures accompanied by Sean’s mini keyboards and Kaven’s dancing inside the coffee shop hit a groove. Johnny smiled at the crowd turnout on such short notice. All said, it was quite a night! The next Cuppy’s drum circle is set for Oct. 9^th in approximately two weeks as the Tuesday night slots get revamped.


Meanwhile across town at Bill Gould’s own coffee shop, Cloud 9, Peter Surowski is reinventing the chess club he had operated in his wife’s bookstore (now defunct) which was open to any and all chess players around the valley. This will be a ‘loose knit group of whoever shows up’ says Peter, and is an all ages event to be staged on Sundays to a modern jazz soundtrack in the background. “[The club] is just a bunch of people who love the game,” he said. “You can play chess against a computer all day, and that’s fine, but you’re only getting half of the games value. There’s value to interacting with other people.” The first meeting is set for Oct. 7^th and a match-up between Captain Tuesday and Aaron Householder, a six-year-old who won the Western States Chess Championship in his age group in March would surely pack the place if such a bout could be arranged. Where’s Don King when you really need him? For more info on this and the upcoming art show to be held there soon, please see bill@cloud9coffeecompany.com or call (951) 698-4386. Cloud 9 Coffee is located 25395 Madison Avenue in Murrieta, at the corner of Murrieta Hot Springs Road.

Posted in Family Attractions, Food, Music, News | Print | No Comments »