"Chaos And Creation In The Back Yard,"

This is what I'm going to be buying today on my way home!

From the Press kit:

Paul McCartney's 20th studio recording since The Beatles, marks an end to a nearly four-year hiatus since his last studio recording, 2001's platinum certified "Driving Rain." The new 13-track album is co-produced by Nigel Godrich (Radiohead, Travis and Beck) and McCartney, and was recorded in London and Los Angeles over the course of the past two years. Its release coincides with the September 16th launch of McCartney's all new 37-city "US" Tour, his fastest selling concert tour ever.

"Chaos And Creation In The Back Yard" is a return to the basics for McCartney. The album successfully fuses his undeniable song writing talents with his unparalleled musicianship. In fact, McCartney is credited with playing the majority of the instruments on the album, which is somewhat reminiscent of "McCartney" (1970) when he was credited with playing all of the instruments. They include the drums, guitar, bass, keyboards, as well as many of the less traditional instruments such as block flute, harmonium and flugelhorn.

"Chaos And Creation In The Back Yard" is a mix of up-tempo piano driven McCartney instant classics such as 'Fine Line' and 'Promise To You Girl' and more introspective darker tracks such as 'At The Mercy,' 'Too Much Rain' and 'Riding To Vanity Fair.' One of the many highlights is a track entitled, 'Jenny Wren,' which Paul describes as "daughter of Blackbird," as well as 'Follow Me,' which McCartney debuted at The Glastonbury Festival, while on his '04 Summer European Tour.

But "Chaos And Creation In The Back Yard" would not have been either if not for the suggestion of now legendary Beatles producer Sir George Martin. Familiar with Nigel's credentials and with his published desire to work with an established artist, Paul made the call that finally put the two together in the studio. The collaboration seemed an unlikely one and thus the rumors began. What type of album was McCartney making?

"I did not want to rush this album," said McCartney, who despite repeated inquiries, touring commitments and pressure from his record label, managed to maintain his focus. "I think it was worth the wait though. The music became more interesting over time and I'm really proud of what we did."

The results are evident throughout. The songs are sonically robust, the instrumentation and orchestration first rate and the chemistry between Paul and Nigel apparent. The album has an organic feel reminiscent of Paul's first solo release, "McCartney," (1970) and some of The Beatles later recordings.

"We really made a lot of it up as we went along," added McCartney. "I'd try something and if it didn't work I'd try something else until it did. It was like making a go-cart in the backyard."

"When Paul and I got together we had a common goal," said Godrich. "We wanted to make a great album that was true to Paul. I think that's exactly what we did."

Ice Cream with the Bishop - Sunday night, the children of the parish got to have ice cream with Bishop Benjamin of Berkeley.

Bishop Benjamin should be a stand-up comic, but he's not just funny, he's truly loving and warm and friendly. We enjoyed our time thoroughly. It's neat for the kids (and for me) to get to know the Bishop as not a stiff and formal hierarch, but as a real person.

He has a cat, he used to have four, but as he said "My nephew left them out and the coyotes got them. I've left my nephew out, but the coyotes have left him alone"

He told us about reactions to his vestments "I watched a guy in St. Louis run into a pole while staring at me";
"Kids sometimes say, 'Look Mom, it's God' - I answer 'no, but I work for him'";
"Someone asked where I was from, I answered Hollywood. He nodded and said, oh ok"
and the visual of someone telling him "Cool outfit" and then watching as he approached the Cathedral in San Francisco, the bells started to ring, his vestments were brought out to the doors of the church, and all the hubbub made me giggle all night.

He also discussed how traveling helps us to learn the cultural differences around the world "I have friends who can't believe we eat cheese. You know, we take milk from a cow, and then let it sit until it is stinky and blue, then we eat it. Have you ever smelled parmesan, it smells like an unwashed eight year old
In that same discussion, I learned that Cedric would try seal meat. Who knew?

Left to right: Cedric, Bishop Benjamin and our priest, Father John Pierce.

I hope everyone's interactions with their spiritual leaders is as satisfying.

"Do not regard the feelings of a person who speaks to you about his
neighbor disparagingly, but rather say to him: "Stop, brother! I fall
into graver sins every day, so how can I criticize him?" In this way
you will achieve two things: you will heal yourself and your neighbor
with one plaster. This is one of the shortest ways to the forgiveness
of sins; I mean, not to judge. 'Judge not, and ye shall not be
judged.' (Luke 6:37)"


- St. John Climacus
["The Ladder of Divine Ascent," (Boston: Holy Transfiguration
Monastery, 1978), Step 10: On Slander or Calumny]