Comment Archives: stories: Best of the East Bay: Arts & Culture
Re: “Best Podcaster: Blogger most dedicated to social change”
Britt is a fantastic woman and member of our community
Re: “Best Country Artist: Phantom trucker honky-tonk legend”
Hi there; I'm dying to hear Kevin Blackie Farrell. Do you have any more information on him or his cd. Perhaps who his publishing house is? Since I live in Canada, it's not likely I'll be able to see him in person, but I'd love to know more !! Buck
Re: “Best Street Musician: And most accomplished cimbalom player”
As the Director of Art Officially Favored, I have to say that after almost 3 years of taking on this project and bring it back to life, I have to say... Michael is the greatest musician in the world today, on the stature of Piazzolla, Mozart and Tom W. Best, Martin Yernazian
Re: “Best Reggae Club: Most savory slice of Jamaica”
Check out IrieOne.com for the ultimate source of reggae clubs throughout the US.
Re: “Best Street Musician: And most accomplished cimbalom player”
I am fascinated by Michael's music, as is anyone who is fortunate enough to hear him. However, before I ever heard a note, I was astonished at his intelligent commentary on the political state of this nation. He is absolutely brilliant -- and his music is just icing on the cake... sheila
Re: “Best Street Musician: And most accomplished cimbalom player”
I have been following Michael's music since 1983, when I saw him play on the UC Berkeley campus. His inventiveness and commitment as a musician, poet, and political gadfly have been major contributions to Bay Area culture. An American Original... Michael has literally taken his music to the The People; millions have seen him play: not as a commodity or product one must pay to share, but as a free experience that becomes part of our inner journey. Really looking forward to seeing his film, Art Officially Favored (see the artistgeneral.com website). Michael: Thank you for sharing your creative spirit so generously!
Re: “Best Street Musician: And most accomplished cimbalom player”
Michael Masley, Mr. Mike, Artist General -- oh man, where to begin? His music is like Celtic angels at frolic in the endless gold afternoon of some Pagan heaven. It wafts through the urban air in a shimmering cloud of stoned bliss, and it's totally legal (so there, DEA)! His bow-hammers are just the tip of his inventive iceberg. Nameless auto parts? Jumbo industrial rubber bands? Egg slicers, fer cryin out loud! If it makes a sound, he'll make it into an instrument. Then we come to his politics, frothing explosions of culture-jamming e-poetry that lacerate the powers-that-be with fixated lunatic clarity. Someone give this guy a foundation grant, a lucrative SecondLife career or a Cabinet position. We'd all benefit.
Re: “Best Street Musician: And most accomplished cimbalom player”
22 years i've been hearing M2 , stumbling across him all over the place... and sure enough, at spring by the seaside in santa cruz heard his ethereal vibes winding through Pacific Garden... thanks Michael
Re: “Best Street Musician: And most accomplished cimbalom player”
Yah but he's a kommunist and he doesn't believe in Jesus nor "W" so then he's also a heathen. I know! I knew him when.
Re: “Best Street Musician: And most accomplished cimbalom player”
A Berkeley moment - climbing out of the BART station to the sound of Michael's music. His sound always stops me, puts a smile on my face, and helps me keep it there as I finally go on.
Re: “Best Street Musician: And most accomplished cimbalom player”
I was in San Francisco one day and I heard this soothing sound. Not knowing where it was coming from, I began to trace it. Getting closer and closer. Then, I was standing in front of what I thought was the most incredible and talented musician playing his bow-hammer cimbalom. Coming from the music business, I knew that day that I wanted to do what I could to help spread the word. Michael and I spent about a years together making a video and working on a couple of projects prior to my leaving for Europe to pursue other opportunities. However, to this day, that sound, talent and creativity will always be considered the “best in the world”, not just the Bay Area. Thanks for the memories Michael. of
Re: “Best Street Musician: And most accomplished cimbalom player”
Michael plays outside because no building can possibly contain him. His astral audio molecular structures transcend terra firma and project into the cosmos. Listening to his music inside would be like Ulysses listening to the Sirenes without being lashed to a mast. No cranial structure could receive the complexities of his polytonal, multi-melodic, rhythmicisity inside a man-made structure. Skulls would crack like coconuts, eyes would pop out like squeezed balloons and down would come the walls like Jericho...
Re: “Best Street Musician: And most accomplished cimbalom player”
Michael Masley--M2--seems too good for this world; his music seems to come from another place--or maybe the best place we can imagine for this tired Earth, this dreaming planet--the best dream of it. In addition to his musicianship, Michael has developed an acute political awareness: he strives for truth, clarity and beauty as he strives to create a better world through his art and his commentaries. He can be sharp, biting, witty and tender--qualities we find expressed in his surprising, yet supernal music, as well as in his politics, and his relationship to other sentient beings. He brings out the best in us. He nourishes.
Re: “Best Street Musician: And most accomplished cimbalom player”
I met Micheal several years ago in Northern Michigan where he is originally from, when he would come back to visit his family. We had a mutual friend. I love his music and find him to be a true artist without compromise to his work. He is also a inspiration in living your art and having faith in it. Micheal is a ' Shaman', with his music having a altered reality healing quality to it. A great guy besides. Love You Micheal.
Re: “Best Street Musician: And most accomplished cimbalom player”
Michael is a Berkeley institution. In an increasingly corporatized world, we have a man doing his own thing, a beautiful thing, a worthy thing, a difficult thing. He deserves recognition and support!
Re: “Best Street Musician: And most accomplished cimbalom player”
I ran into Michael in the 80's on Telegraph Avenue. His music was captivating, so I bought a tape at the time, and later when I ran into him again on the street, I bought his CDs. I've always enjoyed his music. Plus, he's a damn nice guy.
Re: “Best Rapper: An unexpected blend of humor and humility”
REC LEAGUE!!!
Re: “Best Emerging Metal Club: Where classy meets dirthead”
When me and my friend come up. There is only one place. The LAVA NIGHTS at the Uptown. 100% guaranteed bangover!
Re: “Best Actor: Creating principled characters”
We have always been inpressed by Peter's amazing range and versatility. His talent on stage is only topped by friendship.
Re: “Best Actor: Creating principled characters”
HEY BRANDON WATSUP? I BET YOU'RE PROUD OF YOUR DAD! DO YOU HAVE BROWN OR BOND THIS YEAR? BARRETT!!!