Even Nobel Prize Leaureates Like Katzenjammer.
Paul Krugman, bad-ass keynesian economics prof at Princeton, New York Times op-ed columnist, Nobel Prize leaureate and one of the most popular bloggers in the world, puts up a video of Demon Kitty Rag as his Friday Night Music relief moment away from the more or less wonkish (and these days pretty dreary) analyses of coming Greek defaults and the Medicare-busting Ryan budget.
“A commenter recommended this group”, he writes, “and they’re just what I needed to cheer me up after a cold, very rainy day in southern California.” Glad to be of service, professor Krugman!
Tweet
Leave a Reply
VISIT THE SHOP!
8 Responses
Please, please schedule a tour to Denver and the rest of the States. I’ll follow you everywhere; I’d give anything to become your first-ever 68-year-old male American groupie.
If only I still lived in Europe….
My Email to Mr. Krugman:
From: Paul []
Sent: Sunday, April 15, 2012 8:30 AM
To: Paul R. Krugman
Subject: For once, I agree!
RE: April 13, 2012, 10:18 pm:
Friday Night Music: Katzenjammer
Hi Paul,
I normally don’t take a fancy to the groups you dig up on the web for the Friday night Krugman pick of the week.
This one, I loved not only for the music but the pure energy- the movements of the head, the body rhythm and the facial expressions.
From your blog, I linked to watch the complete interview with two of the members that preceded the video on your blog.
I thought they were children until the camera zoomed in. That’s what happens when you are 57- they all start looking like kids.
The poor acoustics (live performance) of your video does not do justice to their talent. Here is the studio version- wonderful. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezDxRz70MAw
Anytime they feel another instrument is needed to enrich the piece, a member will learn to play the instrument. Violin was most difficult to learn. Most of their songs are written by one man who teaches them by playing/singing his guitar.
My favorite fast tempo song … Wow, the energy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vyTP4ANNGE
My favorite slow tempo (Can’t decide which I like better):
Studio: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpV1uz4AB_U
Live: bit faster tempo, more energy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSRxWVegp7s
They are terrific, so thank you- I’m hooked.
If they only had any idea of who you are and the honor you bestow them by selecting them on your blog. Kids.
Enjoy the remains of your weekend and hope the workload eases soon.
Paul Cohen
Avon, CT
USA
Prof. Krugman is wont by now to post videos of his preferred musical groups on Fridays on his weblog. I noticed the link to this news webpage for the wailing cats, posted by a Krugman column commenter.
I agree with Mr. Cohen above: very entertaining performance, albeit the video posted by Prof. Krugman has poor acoustics. Let’s hope the publicity through Prof. Krugman translates into paying gigs for the group. From the venues listed, it appears that one must be in Europe this year to see the group in live performance.
Prof. Krugman’s post is how I found out about you guys.
I must have have watched two dozen videos this weekend (and purchased Le Pop on Itunes). I’ve rarely been so awed by a band.
Some of the tunes have the quality of being instantly familiar yet original, even upon the first listening, which attests to a rare sort of magic.
Please do not come to the USA. We don’t deserve you. ;-)
You guys are so inspiring, I took my mandolin out of storage and started practicing again.
To those worried about the acoustics of an impromptu, unplugged session with a wandering microphone, just consider the situation.
sice friday night i love katzenjammer.
an economist from south america, chile.
We like Krugman, but we LOVE Katzenjammer! When are these people coming to the USA?!
Tally another new born fan (too old to count the years).
Check out the HD version of the song Krugman linked(and turn it up…)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ag2nX6zSrAE
I too spent more time than I expected in youtube. When a band sounds at least as good live, if not better than in studio you got musicians.
Their ability to jump genres is fantastic.
I also found about you from Krugman, and spent most of yesterday afternoon listening to your videos on youtube.
I am amazed at your musical ability. How is it possible that you are all able to play so many instruments so well?
As others have said, please come to the US!