Friday, February 27, 2009
Something New This Way Comes....
Coming soon, an announcement of something new, exciting, challenging, scary, refreshing, unbelievable, unfathomable, and just downright cool. It's the story of a boy who gets to go home again. As Led Zeppelin would say .."it's Celebration Day". Margaritas for everyone. Stay tuned to this channel for more details.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Academy Snub
Was waiting for the Academy Awards "In Memorium" set to come on and after 10pm, it finally happened. Where was Don LaFontaine? He probably did more for the Oscars and movies than half the people shown. "In a world far away..." he's probably a bit steamed. I know I was. Was George Carlin in the movies? I think he was ("Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure", "The Aristocrats"). No mention of him, either. Overall, I thought this show was not very good. Too much crap, not enough substance. I haven't seen "Slumdog Millionaire" yet. It had better be good to win that many awards.
Here's Don doing his thing...
Here's Don doing his thing...
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Call Me A Sissy, Then...
For all those crazy guys who go 'noodling' for catfish and & stick their arms down the fish's throat!! This would be 'all the catfish you can eat.' Each year, a few people were drowning or disappearing mysteriously in Huadu's Furong Reservoir (China). It was not until recently, when the son of a government official went swimming, in the reservoir and was drowned, that the secret was revealed. It is a 3 meter long man-eating catfish whose head alone is 1 metre wide! After cutting up the catfish, people were surprised to find the remains of another man inside! Swimming in the reservoir is now forbidden because it is feared another similar man-eating catfish is still lurking in the waters.
Thanks, Deb
I used to "noodle" when I was a kid. But, I'll be a sissy and use a pole from now on. 
Thanks, Deb
The Brilliance of Bruce
Around the first of December, word got to me that Bruce was releasing a new collection of recordings, roughly a year and a half after his wonderful "Magic" release (which, on first listen, I dismissed). It seemed to be too soon for him. He hasn't released LPs in this close proximity for years and I wondered if the old boy still had it in him. There were three videos that came out before the CD, "My Lucky Day","Life Itself" and the title track which piqued my interest and gave us a glimpse as to what this was about. "Working On A Dream" may be the best collection of songs since "Born In The USA" 25 years ago. He's back to his working class roots and although "The Rising" was fine, it seemed he was trying too hard to make a statement. His favorite subjects on this release are love, loss and work. These are things he knows well.
The disc opens with the weakest track "Outlaw Pete" although it has grown on me a bit. Rarely does a CD start with an 8 minute tune about a killer and on first listen, really put me off. But, like his best stuff, you have to get to know the song.
"My Lucky Day" is typical, lyrical Bruce. "..in the dark of this exile, I felt the grace of your smile, honey you're my lucky day...". The big man nails it in the middle and this is a great Bruce song. Video here
"Working On A Dream" is the one he sang at the Superbowl and this would feel comfortable on "Tunnel of Love". It an ode to the workingman and the woman he loves. Can't get much more basic than that. Instead of the whistle in the middle eight, I would have preferred to hear Clarence more than what's there. Video here
"Queen of the Supermarket" would fit on "Born To Run". He even drops an f-bonb on this one. He's in love with someone who is unobserved and plain, an observation he's been so keen on for years..."though a company cap covers her hair, nothing can hide the beauty waiting there."
"What Love Can Do" maybe the most pedestrain on the disc, but still a fine song written from the heart, with a great harmonica and violin middle eight and delivered with passion and soul.
"This Life"...probably my favorite on the disc and the one where he sounds like Roy Orbison. This would have been a hit in the mid 60's with key changes at the most oppoortune times. Wonderful music and word song "...this life, this life and then the next, with you I have been blessed, my universe at rest." Wow!
"Good Eye" is Bruce, his harmonica, and his imitation of John Fogerty. He pulls it off well, some rhythm and blues for a long, cold winter
"Tomorrow Never Knows" is Bruce getting a little bit country, again, he pulls it off with great songwriting chops with a shuffle beat and a fiddle ..."where the time goes, tomorrow never knows". He needs to do some work with Alison Krauss or someone of that ilk. Nashville Bruce.
"Life Itself" This is the darkest, deepest track on the CD and another one of my faves, the video is outstanding ..."why do the things we treasure most, slip away in time?".
"Kingdom of Days" is his love song to Patti. ..."and I count my blessings that you're mine for always, we laugh beneath the covers and count the wrinkles and the grays"..
"Surprise, Surprise" is a birthday song to someone and one I played last week. "May the rising sun caress and bless your soul for all time". Thanks, Bruce you, too.
"The Last Carnival" is tough to listen to. It's his tribute to Danny Federici, who died last year. It was Danny that asked Bruce to join HIS band. Emotional and very moving. It also features Danny's son on accordion. "Moonrise...the light that was in your eyes has gone away."
"The Wrestler" reminds me of Dylan. It fits the movie so well, just like "The Streets of Phildelphia" did. This is the coda to the disc .."have you ever seen a one armed man punching at nothing but the breeze, then you've seen me."
My only complaint is there isn't enough Clarence on the disc, but, from what I hear, he's not well. I will put this among the top five he has ever done. At this point in his career, it's hard to call it a masterpiece, but as close to one as someone of his age can get. It's an incredible disc from, in my opinion, the only songwriter in my lifetime that can approach what the Beatles did. He's that good.
The disc opens with the weakest track "Outlaw Pete" although it has grown on me a bit. Rarely does a CD start with an 8 minute tune about a killer and on first listen, really put me off. But, like his best stuff, you have to get to know the song.
"My Lucky Day" is typical, lyrical Bruce. "..in the dark of this exile, I felt the grace of your smile, honey you're my lucky day...". The big man nails it in the middle and this is a great Bruce song. Video here
"Working On A Dream" is the one he sang at the Superbowl and this would feel comfortable on "Tunnel of Love". It an ode to the workingman and the woman he loves. Can't get much more basic than that. Instead of the whistle in the middle eight, I would have preferred to hear Clarence more than what's there. Video here
"Queen of the Supermarket" would fit on "Born To Run". He even drops an f-bonb on this one. He's in love with someone who is unobserved and plain, an observation he's been so keen on for years..."though a company cap covers her hair, nothing can hide the beauty waiting there."
"What Love Can Do" maybe the most pedestrain on the disc, but still a fine song written from the heart, with a great harmonica and violin middle eight and delivered with passion and soul.
"This Life"...probably my favorite on the disc and the one where he sounds like Roy Orbison. This would have been a hit in the mid 60's with key changes at the most oppoortune times. Wonderful music and word song "...this life, this life and then the next, with you I have been blessed, my universe at rest." Wow!
"Good Eye" is Bruce, his harmonica, and his imitation of John Fogerty. He pulls it off well, some rhythm and blues for a long, cold winter
"Tomorrow Never Knows" is Bruce getting a little bit country, again, he pulls it off with great songwriting chops with a shuffle beat and a fiddle ..."where the time goes, tomorrow never knows". He needs to do some work with Alison Krauss or someone of that ilk. Nashville Bruce.
"Life Itself" This is the darkest, deepest track on the CD and another one of my faves, the video is outstanding ..."why do the things we treasure most, slip away in time?".
"Kingdom of Days" is his love song to Patti. ..."and I count my blessings that you're mine for always, we laugh beneath the covers and count the wrinkles and the grays"..
"Surprise, Surprise" is a birthday song to someone and one I played last week. "May the rising sun caress and bless your soul for all time". Thanks, Bruce you, too.
"The Last Carnival" is tough to listen to. It's his tribute to Danny Federici, who died last year. It was Danny that asked Bruce to join HIS band. Emotional and very moving. It also features Danny's son on accordion. "Moonrise...the light that was in your eyes has gone away."
"The Wrestler" reminds me of Dylan. It fits the movie so well, just like "The Streets of Phildelphia" did. This is the coda to the disc .."have you ever seen a one armed man punching at nothing but the breeze, then you've seen me."
My only complaint is there isn't enough Clarence on the disc, but, from what I hear, he's not well. I will put this among the top five he has ever done. At this point in his career, it's hard to call it a masterpiece, but as close to one as someone of his age can get. It's an incredible disc from, in my opinion, the only songwriter in my lifetime that can approach what the Beatles did. He's that good.
The Top 25 Most Influential LPs
Over at the Pole Hill sanitarium (Dr. Sardonicus' website) he posed a question I thought would be very difficult to answer. His question is....what would be the 25 most influential LPs of your life (his list has the top 15 but, there is no way on God's green earth that I could narrow it down that far)? Now, I take that as being not necessarily the Top 25 of your life but the top 25 most influential LPs that helped form your musical background more or less. This is hard. I would probably rule out anything that I listened to after the age of 22 or so, because, by then, my listening preferences were pretty much well formed, that leaves a few of my favorites out...
So, here they are...In alphabetical order....
Allman Bros Band-Eat a Peach
Beatles-Abbey Road
Jeff Beck-Blow by Blow
Blue Oyster Cult-debut
Chicago II
Creedence Clearwater Revival-Cosmo's Factory
Crosby, Stills Nash and Young-Deja Vu
Derek and the Dominoes-Layla and Other Love Songs
Doobie Brothers-Captain and Me
Jonathan Edwards-Have A Good Time For Me
Marvin Gaye-What's Going On
Jimi Hendrix-Smash Hits
Elton John-Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
King Crimson-In The Court of the Crimson King
Love Sculpture-Blues Helping
Dave Mason-It's Like You Never Left
Led Zeppelin-Houses of the Holy
Mahavishnu Orchestra-Birds of Fire
Moody Blues-Every Good Boy Deserves Favour
Potliquor-Levee Blues
Queen I
Bruce Springsteen-Born to Run
Steely Dan-Aja
Robin Trower-Bridge of Sighs
Wishbone Ash-Argus
Yes-Fragile
...and there are about 10 that tied for honorable mention. This was really hard to discard some old, great faves like Sly, Humble Pie, Deep Purple, Amazing Blondel, Elvin Bishop, Bonnie Raitt, John Prine, Cat Stevens, Al Stewart, Shooting Star, Neil Young, The Stones, Jethro Tull, Iggy and the Stooges, ELP, Dan Fogelberg, etc.
And, if you'll notice, most of them were released in that 1970-73 range where I was influenced so much by music. Sometimes, these groups were my best friends, I spent hours with them.
So, here they are...In alphabetical order....
Allman Bros Band-Eat a Peach
Beatles-Abbey Road
Jeff Beck-Blow by Blow
Blue Oyster Cult-debut
Chicago II
Creedence Clearwater Revival-Cosmo's Factory
Crosby, Stills Nash and Young-Deja Vu
Derek and the Dominoes-Layla and Other Love Songs
Doobie Brothers-Captain and Me
Jonathan Edwards-Have A Good Time For Me
Marvin Gaye-What's Going On
Jimi Hendrix-Smash Hits
Elton John-Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
King Crimson-In The Court of the Crimson King
Love Sculpture-Blues Helping
Dave Mason-It's Like You Never Left
Led Zeppelin-Houses of the Holy
Mahavishnu Orchestra-Birds of Fire
Moody Blues-Every Good Boy Deserves Favour
Potliquor-Levee Blues
Queen I
Bruce Springsteen-Born to Run
Steely Dan-Aja
Robin Trower-Bridge of Sighs
Wishbone Ash-Argus
Yes-Fragile
...and there are about 10 that tied for honorable mention. This was really hard to discard some old, great faves like Sly, Humble Pie, Deep Purple, Amazing Blondel, Elvin Bishop, Bonnie Raitt, John Prine, Cat Stevens, Al Stewart, Shooting Star, Neil Young, The Stones, Jethro Tull, Iggy and the Stooges, ELP, Dan Fogelberg, etc.
And, if you'll notice, most of them were released in that 1970-73 range where I was influenced so much by music. Sometimes, these groups were my best friends, I spent hours with them.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
R I P Louis Bellson, Hometown Boy Makes Good
I met him as a kid when he did a demonstration on how to play at a music store. He grew up in Moline and came back frequently. He was one of the guys who got me interested in time keeping and playing drums. I loved his quote about the double bass drum and I wish that more rock drummers felt that way. I always (for some reason) admired the fact he was married to a black woman (don't ask me why), that woman being Pearl Bailey, a legend in her own right. Can you imagine sitting around THAT house after the sun went down? Wow. Thanks Louie, for putting Moline on the map. Here's the obit:
LOS ANGELES – Big band and jazz drummer Louie Bellson, a master musician who performed with such greats as Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Benny Goodman and his late wife, Pearl Bailey, has died. He was 84.
Bellson died Saturday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles of complications of Parkinson's disease following a broken hip in November, according to his wife, Francine.
Bellson's career spanned more than six decades, performing on more than 200 albums with jazz greats including Tommy Dorsey, Harry James, Oscar Peterson, Woody Herman, Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie and Louis Armstrong.
It was through Ellington that he met Bailey, the great singer and Broadway performer. They married in 1952, and when she died in 1990 at age 72, he told the Philadelphia Daily News that "I just lost my best friend."
He was designated as a "master of jazz" in 1994 by the National Endowment for the Arts, which said he "ranks among the foremost big-band drummers of the swing and post-swing eras and is best known for his precise technique and the invention of two pedal-operated bass drums."
Bellson wrote more than 1,000 compositions and arrangements in several genres, including jazz, swing, orchestral suites, symphonic works and ballets. As an author, he published more than a dozen books on drums and percussion.
His final recording, "Louie & Clark Expedition 2" with trumpeter Clark Terry, was released last year.
Bellson was born in 1924 in Rock Falls, Ill., son of Italian immigrants whose family name was originally Balassoni. He told Jazz Connection, an Internet magazine, that he was entranced by the sound of drums when his father took him to a parade when he was 3. His father, who eventually opened a music store, taught his son to play drums and other instruments.
Bellson was still in his teens when he pioneered the double bass drum set-up, and two years later he went on to win the Slingerland National Gene Krupa drumming contest.
"I've been of the opinion that all a drummer really needs is one bass drum, a snare drum, some tom-toms, a ride cymbal, a crash cymbal, sticks and brushes," Bellson told Jazz Connection. "If you can't do it with that, you better go back to the drawing board. The extra bass drum is frosting on the cake. It doesn't mean that every drummer needs to play two bass drums. For me, it works."
There are tentative plans for a Los Angeles-area memorial service, followed by a funeral and burial in his boyhood home of Moline, Ill., according to his Web site.
Bellson died Saturday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles of complications of Parkinson's disease following a broken hip in November, according to his wife, Francine.
Bellson's career spanned more than six decades, performing on more than 200 albums with jazz greats including Tommy Dorsey, Harry James, Oscar Peterson, Woody Herman, Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie and Louis Armstrong.
It was through Ellington that he met Bailey, the great singer and Broadway performer. They married in 1952, and when she died in 1990 at age 72, he told the Philadelphia Daily News that "I just lost my best friend."
He was designated as a "master of jazz" in 1994 by the National Endowment for the Arts, which said he "ranks among the foremost big-band drummers of the swing and post-swing eras and is best known for his precise technique and the invention of two pedal-operated bass drums."
Bellson wrote more than 1,000 compositions and arrangements in several genres, including jazz, swing, orchestral suites, symphonic works and ballets. As an author, he published more than a dozen books on drums and percussion.
His final recording, "Louie & Clark Expedition 2" with trumpeter Clark Terry, was released last year.
Bellson was born in 1924 in Rock Falls, Ill., son of Italian immigrants whose family name was originally Balassoni. He told Jazz Connection, an Internet magazine, that he was entranced by the sound of drums when his father took him to a parade when he was 3. His father, who eventually opened a music store, taught his son to play drums and other instruments.
Bellson was still in his teens when he pioneered the double bass drum set-up, and two years later he went on to win the Slingerland National Gene Krupa drumming contest.
"I've been of the opinion that all a drummer really needs is one bass drum, a snare drum, some tom-toms, a ride cymbal, a crash cymbal, sticks and brushes," Bellson told Jazz Connection. "If you can't do it with that, you better go back to the drawing board. The extra bass drum is frosting on the cake. It doesn't mean that every drummer needs to play two bass drums. For me, it works."
There are tentative plans for a Los Angeles-area memorial service, followed by a funeral and burial in his boyhood home of Moline, Ill., according to his Web site.
Monday, February 16, 2009
The Day Before The Big 5-3
It's the eve of another one, guys. Bruce has a great song on his new CD called "Surprise, "Surprise"...
"Well today is your birthday. We've traveled so far we two. So let's blow out the candles on your cake, and we'll raise a glass or two. And when the sun comes out tomorrow, it'll be the start of a brand new day. And all that you have wished for I know will come your way"
I thought I would have some fun on Monday night and get out my Billboard Hot 100 Charts of the seventies. I put the ten years into my hat and pulled out 1973. I was getting ready to turn 17 and here were the top songs on this day, 1973.
10. "Don't Expect Me To Be Your Friend"-Lobo (karaoke version)...hey, man this was OUR song
9. Rocky Mountain High- John Denver (lost my virginity to this one) I still think there's some resemblance to me at that time
8. Also Sprach Zarathustra-Deodato I still love the long version on the Ipod
7. Love Train-O'Jays Soul Music at it's utmost zenith, never better than this one
6. You're So Vain-Carly Simon I bought this album just for the cover
5. Crocodile Rock-Elton John This guy certainly helped get me through high school
4. Could It Be I'm Falling In Love-Spinners (see OJays comments) one of my all time favorites, I never get tired of this song (Midnight Special version)
3. Last Song-Edward Bear (well, they can't all be great)
2. Dueling Banjos-Eric Weissberg er, uh, great movie
1. Killing Me Softly With His Song-Roberta Flack A song written about Don McLean. One of the all time greats. She just turned 70! Still gives me chills.
"Well today is your birthday. We've traveled so far we two. So let's blow out the candles on your cake, and we'll raise a glass or two. And when the sun comes out tomorrow, it'll be the start of a brand new day. And all that you have wished for I know will come your way"
I thought I would have some fun on Monday night and get out my Billboard Hot 100 Charts of the seventies. I put the ten years into my hat and pulled out 1973. I was getting ready to turn 17 and here were the top songs on this day, 1973.
10. "Don't Expect Me To Be Your Friend"-Lobo (karaoke version)...hey, man this was OUR song
9. Rocky Mountain High- John Denver (lost my virginity to this one) I still think there's some resemblance to me at that time
8. Also Sprach Zarathustra-Deodato I still love the long version on the Ipod
7. Love Train-O'Jays Soul Music at it's utmost zenith, never better than this one
6. You're So Vain-Carly Simon I bought this album just for the cover
5. Crocodile Rock-Elton John This guy certainly helped get me through high school
4. Could It Be I'm Falling In Love-Spinners (see OJays comments) one of my all time favorites, I never get tired of this song (Midnight Special version)
3. Last Song-Edward Bear (well, they can't all be great)
2. Dueling Banjos-Eric Weissberg er, uh, great movie
1. Killing Me Softly With His Song-Roberta Flack A song written about Don McLean. One of the all time greats. She just turned 70! Still gives me chills.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Ipod Jukebox
As I was sitting down this morning, catching up on some correspondence, working on some written stuff, and adding pages to the book I'm writing (oh boy!), I decided some tunes would be in order this beautiful Sunday morning. God has given us a gorgeous day and I will repay the favor by going to Mass at 6pm tonight, sprained ankle and all (Oops, I did it again)..... 
It's time to check in on the old IPOD jukebox and find out what tasty treats Randy has in store for us today...
Crying-Roy Orbison
Mercury Blues-Steve Miller
29 Palms-Robert Plant
Isn't She Lovely-Stevie Wonder
A New Rock and Roll-Mahogany Rush
Rock Steady-Sting
Dangerous-Doobie Brothers
Tomorrow Never Knows-Phil Collins
The Boxer-Emmylou Harris
Detroit Breakdown-J. Geils Band
No, No, No-Deep Purple
Angel of Death-Hank Williams
I'm Leaving-Taxxi
French Foreign Legion-Frank Sinatra
Long, Lonesome Highway-Michael Parks
Ghost Town Parade-Les Dudek
Wild Night-Van Morrison
What A Fool Believes-Kenny Loggins
Young Lust-Pink Floyd
Blue-Joni Mitchell
Brightest Star-Santana
Travelin Band-CCR
Help Me Rhonda-Beach Boys
Nice mix, wouldn't you agree?
Saturday, February 14, 2009
ARoid and the Hall of Famers
Cheaters don't get in...period. That includes you, Mr. Bonds, Mark McGwire, Alex Rodriguez, Andy Pettitte, Roger Clemens, Miguel Tejada (jeez, guy, you've been in this country for ten years, please speak english)anyone who cheated is out, I don't care what the circumstances were.
Bud Selig (the commissioner of baseball) makes 18 million a year...let's divide that by 52, shall we? That's $346,153.84 a week. What does he do? Stands by idly as the game gets trashed under his watch. Hey, I'd do it every year for what he makes in a week. I could, you know. Very easily...
Roger Goodell is the commisioner of the NFL and he has decided to take a pay cut. I would do his job for the pay cut, but at least he's doing something. Mr. Goodell, I hope you do something about the preening and grandstanding that happens in the NFL after every play, but I know these guys are mostly thugs and don't know better.
One last thing, calculus and alcohol do NOT mix...please don't drink and derive.. hey that's all I got, I'm here all week.
Bud Selig (the commissioner of baseball) makes 18 million a year...let's divide that by 52, shall we? That's $346,153.84 a week. What does he do? Stands by idly as the game gets trashed under his watch. Hey, I'd do it every year for what he makes in a week. I could, you know. Very easily...
Roger Goodell is the commisioner of the NFL and he has decided to take a pay cut. I would do his job for the pay cut, but at least he's doing something. Mr. Goodell, I hope you do something about the preening and grandstanding that happens in the NFL after every play, but I know these guys are mostly thugs and don't know better.
One last thing, calculus and alcohol do NOT mix...please don't drink and derive.. hey that's all I got, I'm here all week.
Randy's Top 100
Blondel...Amazing Blondel
This is another gem that I first heard at a "head shop" in the Quad Cities in 1973. The previous releases from these guys were very baroque and had a very comfortable madrigal feel, almost a middle ages quality. Blondel featured basically two guys....Eddie Baird on vocals and guitars and Terry Wincott on vocals, guitars, percussion, flute, recorders, pianos and something called a crumhorn. The manager of the band recruited some cat named Steve Winwood to play bass and another guy named Simon Kirke to play drums. That caused a certain musical change in the band and behold "Amazing Blondel" was born. This is some of the finest, most well played music I have ever heard. The songs are elegant, well crafted and the addition of Paul Rodgers on "Weaver's Market" rounds out this release that up until 1995 was unavailable on any format. I remember one time when my son, who was about 13 at the time heard this release and fell in love with it. At college, he played this for a music major and she said as far as a musical statement was concerned, it was as close to perfection as she had ever heard. I am not sure what that's about, but I know that when I die, if I have a few minutes to play whatever I want, I want this CD played. "The Leaving of The Country Lover", "Young Man's Fancy", "Easy Come, Easy Go", "Sailing", "Festival" and "Weaver's Market" make this CD in my top ten of ALL time. If I were to give this a ranking, it would nestle in at about number 7 all time on my list. That's how much it's affected me in my life...and see, you've never heard of them. Here's their website and you know if brother Randy says it's good...
If I could ever dedicate a song to my son, it would be this one...
Young Man's Fancy
Composed by Edward Baird
Here's to my acquaintance, and companion
Lift your glass
I love you, and leave you
I do, give you, all my best
Here's to lovely lasses
Who, by now, are sleeping sound
We miss you and kiss you
We will, until we can no longer hope
And I would spread the softest ground,
For you to walk around,
If I could be your right hand,
I'd bless the seed that I would sow,
And hope it would grow
Into a sight to hold you
And we could make the richest thing
To make your songbird sing
A tale to haunt the evening,
Then I would give you every note
Of every song I ever wrote
For you to ring forever.
...he knows it, that's all that counts. What a record, what an impact on my life. It's a top ten , kids, maybe one you should seek out.
Comedy Hall of Fame
Five charter members, thanks for your vote....
George Carlin, Lenny Bruce, Richard Pryor, Bob Newhart and Bill Cosby.
The people have spoken, very cool, great choices.
George Carlin, Lenny Bruce, Richard Pryor, Bob Newhart and Bill Cosby.
The people have spoken, very cool, great choices.
Over Rated Part 4
Jefferson AirplaneYeah, yeah, Grace was beautiful and all that, but I never got them. I actually liked the Jefferson Starship better, so call me weird. I thought Dragonfly, Red Octopus and Freedom at Point Zero were much better recordings than anything these guys came up with. "You and Me and Poniell" WTF? Marty Balin's voice is still electric but I guess I was behind the times and not really with it becasue outside of three songs "Go Ask Alice", "Pretty As You Feel"and "Somebody To Love", the rest was acid induced drivel. I remember when KSHE had a party for the release of "We Built This City"(ick)in 1985 and Grace was less than pleasant (much less, almost Rod Stewartish). Hey, you wanted me to post more about music than anything else, so be careful what you wish for. Meh, average band at best
Sony's Newest Piece of Shit
Probably not suitable for work, but indeed, very very funny and very true
Sunday, February 08, 2009
Sunday Stuff
So, who was it that flew the helicopter over the one year anniversary service for the six dead in Kirkwood? On a beautiful, starlit night while the choir was singing, someone, somewhere had the absolute gall to fly a helicopter over the service, drowning out the choir and basically putting the kabosh on a thoughtful service. Many were pissed including myself. What news organization would be so thoughtless as to do something like that? Inconsiderate, reprehensible behaviour on a night where thousands came togther to remember those killed that surreal night 366 days ago. Yes, I knew everyone one of those people including the killer...
Mystery solved, it was the St. Louis County Police, hovering a helicopter in tribute of the fallen officers. All well and good, but there was nothing in the program, nothing noted and no one knew what was up. Not complaining but at least we should have been told
"A picture postcard
A folded stub
A program of the play
File away your photographs
Of your holiday
And your mementos
Will turn to dust
But that's the price you pay
For every year's a souvenir
That slowly fades away
Every year's a souvenir
That slowly fades away"- Billy Joel
**************************************************************************************************************************** I am getting to where I can not stand ESPN. During all of these steriod accusations, where have they been? Coming up with fancy names for themselves, reminding everyone that nothing happens west of Philadelphia and telling us over and over that the biggest basketball rivalry is between Duke and North Carolina ad nauseum. A friend of mine, who goes by the name of Sid Dithers and who writes for a local media website had this to say about the whole A-Fraud deal...and he says it SO much better than I can...
The Entertainment and Sports Programming Network...A PANTHEON of inconsequential blather and entertain-less entertainment, held to a journalistic standard of........well...........NOTHING!!! ESPN...ESPN II...ESPN Desportes...ESPN 360...ESPN News...And about 57 other incarnations of this sham-of-a-franchise that has added the sum total of NOTHING to the fleeting IDEA that IS "sports journalism", an oxymoronic phrase if there ever was one...While it has palpably worsened under the soul-less umbrella of Disney, ESPN has managed to peddle its "style over substance" presentation into a money-printing franchise...And rather than REPORT sports in a way that even approaches true journalism, ESPN has managed to CHANGE the way sports are played by the narcissistic athletes themselves...
***There were NO real, impactful football players like Terrell Owens and the like prior to ESPN...There were no basketball players who learned to do nothing but slam-dunk and chest-thump prior to ESPN...There were VERY FEW unsportsmanlike home run posers in baseball prior to ESPN...Or more specifically, THERE WERE NO ROID-HEADED, JACKED-UP CHEATERS CHEMICALLY-ENHANCED TO HIT NOTHING BUT 700 FOOT HOMERS PRIOR TO ESPN!!!*** Is 'The Sidster' BLAMING ESPN for the steroid scandal in baseball and other sports???...Not exactly, but their ridiculous coverage of the sensationalistic built ratings, increased revenues and allowed teams to spend money faster and with more selfish zeal than does Nancy Pelosi masturbating in the mirror...ALL while instigating the deterioration of sport fundamentals and the promotion of false hope to the disillusioned youth of today, ESPECIALLY the black athlete... But THAT is another thread...What THIS thread is specifically about is Alex Rodriguez and the whole steroid story...And HERE is the gist of Sid's angst...
***WHERE was ESPN in uncovering THIS story, even as far back as 1994???*** As far as I can determine, HERE is what these mindless vermin have "focused" on RATHER than to actually INVESTIGATE "ONE" alleged news story regarding steroids...
*Sitting for hours and days on end, thinking up nicknames for ONE ANOTHER!!!
*Sitting around for MONTHS on end developing NEW "promos", featuring the wacky ESPN "Boss Jocks" as the 'comic relief' they were TRULY hired as...In fact, THIS MONTH, ESPN produced a feature with NOTHING but old ESPN Promos...Does it get ANY BETTER than THAT???
*Hiring one empty-headed, bombshell female after another, to work the sidelines and stalk naked millionaire athletes in the shower after games, adding NOTHING to the broadcasts...Errr..I mean "BROAD"-casts...
***And best of ALL, assembling an ENTIRE staff of jug-headed siccophants who have MADE CAREERS out of MAKING FRIENDS and HANGING OUT WITH THE PLAYERS THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO OBJECTIVELY COVER!!!***
Case and Point...STEROIDS!!!
Over the last decade, as baseball players began to develop biceps larger than a normal baby's torso, NOT ONE investigative piece came from ESPN concerning ANY allegation of steroid use, EVEN BEFORE STEROIDS WERE BANNED!!!... I am NOT referring to QUESTION pieces where lame-*ss, lazy anchors generically pose hypotheticals about a player's size or productivity, but ACTUAL in-your-face reporting designed to uncover the totally naked emperor...I am referring to hounding, tenacious reporting and NOT taking the lies of "NO" for an answer, ruffling feathers in the process...
Are we to believe that the briantrust at ESPN did not SEE what was happening to the modern-day ball player???...Are we to believe that these fraudulent miscreants didnt "hear" things from their "boys" regarding WHO was juicing and who wasnt???...Are we to believe that NOT ONE REPORTER was leaked information about ANYTHING concerning this OBVIOUS and BLATANT story over the course of TEN FRIGGN' YEARS???...Are we to accept that NOT ONE producer or reporter decided to 'go after' just ONE of these New York Yankees or Boston Red Sox who attained sudden and magical home run power or age-defying success on the pitching mound???
WHAT a f*cking JOKE!!! When the A-Rod story broke yesterday, there was comical irony inherent in the announcement...A fat, dumpy woman (which means she's CLEARLY the smartest one in the bunch!) from Sports Illustrated actually followed up on a lead that turned into the confirmation on A-Rod, NOT any of the 'jesters-of-hijinks' from ESPN...In 2003, when he won the American League home run title and the AL Most Valuable Player award as a shortstop for the Texas Rangers, Alex Rodriguez tested positive for two anabolic steroids, four sources have independently told Sports Illustrated...ONLY FOUR (4) sources...No biggie...And it gets better because the ugly, chinless reporter actually hunted A-Rod down to get a quote, working at night yet!!! When approached by the reporter on Thursday at a gym in Miami, Rodriguez declined to discuss his 2003 test results... "You'll have to talk to the union," said Rodriguez, the Yankees' third baseman since his trade to New York in February 2004... When asked if there was an explanation for his positive test, he said, "I'm not saying anything."...No to overstate the obvious, but WHERE was ESPN???...I guess they were all in Hawaii "chillin" at the Pro Bowl...WHEN F*cking Katie Couric is HARDER in interviewing A-Rod than ANY POS at ESPN, you KNOW your department has issues...But they WILL have cool Hawaiin shirts for their overblown broadcast of a NOTHING sporting event...It is important to acknowledge that A-Rod on steroids is NOT NEW "news"...It WAS 'swept under the carpet' NEWS...But since it is NOW "fashionable" to jump on A-Rod because of Joe Torre's recent portrayal of him in his book, it was A-Rod's name being "leaked" as ONE of the 104 guys who tested positive for steroids in 2003...And you can BET that all the maggots at ESPN will LEAP at the opportunity to bury A-Rod now that THEY dont have to worry about breaking the "clubhouse code" of all their *sshole friends in the locker room...
WHAT a bunch of P*SSIES!!!
"Boo-Ya!"..."Scotty" van Pelt-meister!...Pete "I NEVER Criticize a Red Sock" Gammons...Buster "Nothing Exists in America west of NYC" Olney...
"Hey Sid, what about Outside The Lines?...Bob Ley is the "Morley Safer" of ESPN"...
PLEASE!!!...OTL, as well as ANY of the lame bullsh*t from Jeremy Schaap, are mostly puff pieces, a bunch of non-evasive pontificating...Journalism is NOT the rhetorical asking of questions without answers or a forum to opine ad nauseum in the popular, contemporary 'Cliffs Notes-ish One-Sentence Samba' that masquerades as "editorial"...
The bottom line is that the steroids story is the BIGGEST story in the history of sport---ANY sport!!!...And for an ENTIRE NETWORK, a network EXCLUSIVELY dedicated to SPORTS NEWS, to TOTALLY MISS what is essentially 11 or 12 "Watergates" in one place, is spectacularly incompetent and inexcusable...
And furthermore, to be "SCOOPED" by an unattractive female from a fading forum like 'the magazine' is even MORE embarrassing...I have another idea for SI...How's about a story on discriminating hiring practices at ESPN???...Its hard to believe that the females are as incompetent as the males, but they ARE...
But the GOOD news is that Stuey and Scotty and Buster and Pete and Chrissy and Karlster all the roid-headed ex-players who critique the nightly happenings will STILL be able to have cocktails with their "bro's"...And as we ALL know in "sports journalism", THAT is the most important thing!!!
Well done Disney!!!...And way to go ESPN!!!...You NEVER disappoint!!!!
************************************************************************************************************************** The Grammy's are tonight and I am rooting for Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, Coldplay ("Viva La Vida" is their "Dark Side of the Moon"), Burce Springsteen and Ne-Yo.
********************************************************************************************************************** Walter Milton Dwayne Midkiff died the other day. We knew him as Dewey Martin, drummer for The Standells "Dirty Water" and most notably the only drummer that Buffalo Springfield ever had. Martin worked as an itinerant drummer for many of country music's greatest artists, including Carl Perkins, The Everly Brothers, Patsy Cline, Charlie Rich, Faron Young and Roy Orbison among others. In 1963, he travelled to Las Vegas with Faron Young's band and then Los Angeles where he decided to stay. During late March/early April 1966, Martin was working with The Dillards at the Ice House in Pasadena when Doug Dillard told him that his services were no longer needed and gave him a telephone number for a new group that needed a drummer. The band was Buffalo Springfield. Martin became the last member to join the legendary group at its founding. Along with Stephen Stills and Richie Furay, he was one of only three musicians to stay with the group from its inception in April 1966 to its disbandment on May 5, 1968. During his time with the group, Martin also did session work for The Monkees. In concert, he sang covers of Wilson Pickett's In The Midnight Hour and Richie Furay's "Nobody's Fool" and "Good Time Boy". The latter appeared on the band's second album, Buffalo Springfield Again. He also sang Neil Young's "Mr Soul" as the introduction to Young's "Broken Arrow" on the same album and backing vocals on the band's biggest hit, "For What It's Worth". In 2008, Dewey Martin joined the cast of Matt Alan's live Internet radio program, OUTLAW RADIO. His unique personality, fascinating stories and quirky wit soon endeared him to the show's worldwide audience. Martin apparently died on January 31, 2009, and was found dead the next day by a roommate in his Van Nuys apartment, longtime friend Lisa Lenes said. She said Martin had health problems in recent years and she believed he died of natural causes. He was 68. Martin and the groups bassist, Dewey Palmer, have both passed.
GTO Judge Commercial
My man Brian has a GREAT blog and on his latest post, he did a marvelous job chronicling his affection for Paul Revere and The Raiders. Another band that should be in the rock and roll hall of fame before RUN DMC but I digress...on his blog, he posted this TV commercial for a car that I actually owned...a 1970 GTO Judge.
Very cool commercials for this one of a kind car...
This is exactly what my car looked like...(and I did this frequently)
Very cool commercials for this one of a kind car...
This is exactly what my car looked like...(and I did this frequently)
Song In My Head
One of the bad things about having an Ipod is the fact that every once in a while, I'll get a song in my head and it won't get out. Yes, I know they are called "earworms" but really, having this song in my head is a blessing and a curse.
The blessing is that it is a great song, dedicated to John Lennon when he was having his immigration troubles and a curse because IT WON'T GET OUT OF MY HEAD!
This was his follow up to "Laughter In The Rain" and I remember an interview where Neil Sedaka said he didn't care if it became a hit or not, he just wanted to weigh in on the subject with song. It wasn't a hit, it only reached number 22 in May of 1975.
Someone did a great job with putting together a video for it. Now, it's your earworm. No tag backs!
The blessing is that it is a great song, dedicated to John Lennon when he was having his immigration troubles and a curse because IT WON'T GET OUT OF MY HEAD!
This was his follow up to "Laughter In The Rain" and I remember an interview where Neil Sedaka said he didn't care if it became a hit or not, he just wanted to weigh in on the subject with song. It wasn't a hit, it only reached number 22 in May of 1975.
Someone did a great job with putting together a video for it. Now, it's your earworm. No tag backs!
Friday, February 06, 2009
Thursday, February 05, 2009
My Top Ten Favorite Country Songs...
10. I Hate Every Bone In Her Body But Mine
9. I Ain't Never Gone To Bed With an Ugly Woman But I've Woke Up With a
Few
8. If The Phone Don't Ring, You'll Know It's Me
7. I've Missed You, But My Aim's Improvin'
6. Wouldn't Take Her To A Dogfight 'Cause I'm Scared She'd Win
5. I'm So Miserable Without You It's Like You're Still Here
4. My Wife Ran Off With My Best Friend And I Miss Him
3. She Took My Ring and Gave Me the Finger
2. She Gets Better Lookin' with Every Beer
And the Number One Country song is...
1. It's Hard To Kiss The Lips At Night That Chewed My Ass All Day
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Wednesday Night Stuff
They are remaking "Bonnie and Clyde", not surprising since Hollywood is bereft of ideas. They are casting Hillary Duff in the Faye Dunaway role. Faye was quoted as saying "Couldn't they get a real actress?" Hillary "fought" back with..."none of my fans know who she is". That's because none of you fans would know an actress if she bit them in the butt. I think I am going to be sick. Hillary Duff? Ick.
Raleyisms... a watched phone never rings. January and February are just months to get us to March.
Hey Christain Bale, you been hanging with Chris Berman again?
This is cute but definately NSFW
Raleyisms... a watched phone never rings. January and February are just months to get us to March.
Hey Christain Bale, you been hanging with Chris Berman again?
This is cute but definately NSFW
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Truer Words Have Never Been Said
I don't know who Bill McMahon is, but he is spot on with this observation on his blog...
The Problem with Ryan Seacrest
Bill McMahon
"On-Air with Ryan Seacrest" is a microcosm of what's wrong with radio right now. The problem has nothing to do with the show being created in Hollywood and syndicated to local radio stations across the country. The trouble is the show's content. It's ordinary, average, and forgettable. Mindless, soulless, lowest common denominator stuff the media, including most cookie cutter morning radio shows, are saturated with -- vacuous interviews with celebrities hyping their latest projects, a steady stream of superficial celebrity news and Hollywood gossip clipped from the pages of People, Us, and The National Enquirer and read breathlessly with much manufactured enthusiasm and amazement by Ryan and his cohorts. This is sad stuff.
Here's what's really scary. In the past few months, "On-Air with Ryan Seacrest" has spread to approximately 140 markets, including most of the 50 largest cities in America. How did this happen? The show has no record of ratings success. The content is no different and no better than the average local radio morning show. Okay, Ryan gets more and better celebrity guests, but who cares. There's absolutely nothing special about his interviews -- no intimacy and no revelations. Listeners can get the same information by reading the press release for the new movie, CD, book, or other project the celebrity guest is hyping. Make no mistake about it; these are not Howard Stern-like interviews. There are no surprises in Ryan's fawning and shallow conversations. The show is not live, but that probably doesn't matter given its content. It's just a bunch of unoriginal recycled bits from Ryan's morning show in Los Angeles, which by the way, is not even the highest rated show on KIIS FM. So, what's going on here? Why is this show spreading? It's definitely not a virus.
"On-Air with Ryan Seacrest" exists for two primary reasons neither of which has anything to do with what comes out of a radio’s speakers or making radio listeners’ lives better. First, Ryan Seacrest is famous -- not for extraordinary talent, not for producing amazing radio content, not for producing stellar Arbitron numbers. Ryan Seacrest is famous for being the host of American Idol. Ryan Seacrest is famous for his boyish good looks. Ryan Seacrest is famous for hanging out with Simon Cowell. Second, "On-Air with Ryan Seacrest" is cheap programming -- a money-saving alternative to paying local personalities in 140 markets. So radio station operators blinded by fame and celebrity and driven by the need to reduce expenses are programming this drivel. Yikes!
Radio is in deep doo doo right now. Radio needs to create relevant and original content to survive. Radio needs rebels, mavericks, characters, passionate artists and innovators. Radio needs people to challenge the status quo not perpetuate it. "On-Air with Ryan Seacrest" is the status quo -- a very ordinary and average version of it. Exactly what radio doesn't need right now.
Radio is headed for extinction if things don't change quickly. How did it come to this? Lee Abrams provided some pretty good answers in a recent interview conducted by Al Peterson at NTS MediaOnline. Here's what Lee had to say about the radio business and the source of great ideas. "Radio was one of the last great bastions of creative thinking. There were no rulebooks, you could come up with a new format idea in your basement, take it out and try it somewhere, and if it worked you were in business. Unfortunately the radio business, which was once a place with very few rules, evolved into a business with a whole lot of rules.... all great ideas start emotionally then you use science to determine whether or not you're full of it. In most big media today everything starts scientifically and the whole emotional component gets left out entirely."
Lee's description of how radio's best programming ideas came to be and where great ideas begin sounds remarkably like what's happening on the Internet today. All kinds of goofy original ideas are being created. There is lots of experimentation going on. People are creating stuff in basements and garages all over the world and putting it out there in cyberspace to see if it flies.
This is exactly how many of radio's most successful formats and shows came to be. Rush Limbaugh created the show he wanted to listen to -- a show reflective of his ideals, his values and beliefs -- a show that broke the rules and challenged the status quo. He discovered there were lots of listeners just like him who were looking for a place to hang out and connect with like-minded people who shared their conservative values. Howard Stern created the show he wanted to listen to. Lee Abrams created a format with the music he wanted to hear. Both discovered lots of listeners just like them who liked what they liked.
Now radio creates stuff for some mythical target audience defined by simplistic and superficial research. No one breaks the rules or challenges the status quo. There's no experimentation. No risk taking. No new ideas. No innovation.
There is lots of cloning and copying. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of Rush Limbaugh and Howard Stern wannabes trying to duplicate everything these originals do. Nearly every morning show has a boy and a girl. Most are obsessed with presenting "pop culture" defined by superficial and sensational celebrity news and Hollywood gossip delivered by the girl. They talk about the same current events and news stories. Try finding a radio morning show this time of year that isn't talking about American Idol. Yes it's the top-rated show on television, but it's watched in less than 20% of homes with TVs. Radio morning shows across the dial and around the country use the same show prep services for their inspiration. Formats, music, and imaging -- all the stuff of radio programming -- have become fully homogenized at a time when the real world -- fueled by abundant entertainment and information choices made available by technology and the Internet -- has become anything but homogenized.
The problem with "On-Air with Ryan Seacrest" and far too much of the programming heard on the radio these days is that it's not distinctive, it's not relevant, and it's not essential to listeners because it doesn't make their lives better. That's why mobile phones, iPods, and computers are far more important in people's lives than radios.
His blog
Game...set...match, Bill. Thank you for saying it better than I can
The Problem with Ryan Seacrest
Bill McMahon
"On-Air with Ryan Seacrest" is a microcosm of what's wrong with radio right now. The problem has nothing to do with the show being created in Hollywood and syndicated to local radio stations across the country. The trouble is the show's content. It's ordinary, average, and forgettable. Mindless, soulless, lowest common denominator stuff the media, including most cookie cutter morning radio shows, are saturated with -- vacuous interviews with celebrities hyping their latest projects, a steady stream of superficial celebrity news and Hollywood gossip clipped from the pages of People, Us, and The National Enquirer and read breathlessly with much manufactured enthusiasm and amazement by Ryan and his cohorts. This is sad stuff.
Here's what's really scary. In the past few months, "On-Air with Ryan Seacrest" has spread to approximately 140 markets, including most of the 50 largest cities in America. How did this happen? The show has no record of ratings success. The content is no different and no better than the average local radio morning show. Okay, Ryan gets more and better celebrity guests, but who cares. There's absolutely nothing special about his interviews -- no intimacy and no revelations. Listeners can get the same information by reading the press release for the new movie, CD, book, or other project the celebrity guest is hyping. Make no mistake about it; these are not Howard Stern-like interviews. There are no surprises in Ryan's fawning and shallow conversations. The show is not live, but that probably doesn't matter given its content. It's just a bunch of unoriginal recycled bits from Ryan's morning show in Los Angeles, which by the way, is not even the highest rated show on KIIS FM. So, what's going on here? Why is this show spreading? It's definitely not a virus.
"On-Air with Ryan Seacrest" exists for two primary reasons neither of which has anything to do with what comes out of a radio’s speakers or making radio listeners’ lives better. First, Ryan Seacrest is famous -- not for extraordinary talent, not for producing amazing radio content, not for producing stellar Arbitron numbers. Ryan Seacrest is famous for being the host of American Idol. Ryan Seacrest is famous for his boyish good looks. Ryan Seacrest is famous for hanging out with Simon Cowell. Second, "On-Air with Ryan Seacrest" is cheap programming -- a money-saving alternative to paying local personalities in 140 markets. So radio station operators blinded by fame and celebrity and driven by the need to reduce expenses are programming this drivel. Yikes!
Radio is in deep doo doo right now. Radio needs to create relevant and original content to survive. Radio needs rebels, mavericks, characters, passionate artists and innovators. Radio needs people to challenge the status quo not perpetuate it. "On-Air with Ryan Seacrest" is the status quo -- a very ordinary and average version of it. Exactly what radio doesn't need right now.
Radio is headed for extinction if things don't change quickly. How did it come to this? Lee Abrams provided some pretty good answers in a recent interview conducted by Al Peterson at NTS MediaOnline. Here's what Lee had to say about the radio business and the source of great ideas. "Radio was one of the last great bastions of creative thinking. There were no rulebooks, you could come up with a new format idea in your basement, take it out and try it somewhere, and if it worked you were in business. Unfortunately the radio business, which was once a place with very few rules, evolved into a business with a whole lot of rules.... all great ideas start emotionally then you use science to determine whether or not you're full of it. In most big media today everything starts scientifically and the whole emotional component gets left out entirely."
Lee's description of how radio's best programming ideas came to be and where great ideas begin sounds remarkably like what's happening on the Internet today. All kinds of goofy original ideas are being created. There is lots of experimentation going on. People are creating stuff in basements and garages all over the world and putting it out there in cyberspace to see if it flies.
This is exactly how many of radio's most successful formats and shows came to be. Rush Limbaugh created the show he wanted to listen to -- a show reflective of his ideals, his values and beliefs -- a show that broke the rules and challenged the status quo. He discovered there were lots of listeners just like him who were looking for a place to hang out and connect with like-minded people who shared their conservative values. Howard Stern created the show he wanted to listen to. Lee Abrams created a format with the music he wanted to hear. Both discovered lots of listeners just like them who liked what they liked.
Now radio creates stuff for some mythical target audience defined by simplistic and superficial research. No one breaks the rules or challenges the status quo. There's no experimentation. No risk taking. No new ideas. No innovation.
There is lots of cloning and copying. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of Rush Limbaugh and Howard Stern wannabes trying to duplicate everything these originals do. Nearly every morning show has a boy and a girl. Most are obsessed with presenting "pop culture" defined by superficial and sensational celebrity news and Hollywood gossip delivered by the girl. They talk about the same current events and news stories. Try finding a radio morning show this time of year that isn't talking about American Idol. Yes it's the top-rated show on television, but it's watched in less than 20% of homes with TVs. Radio morning shows across the dial and around the country use the same show prep services for their inspiration. Formats, music, and imaging -- all the stuff of radio programming -- have become fully homogenized at a time when the real world -- fueled by abundant entertainment and information choices made available by technology and the Internet -- has become anything but homogenized.
The problem with "On-Air with Ryan Seacrest" and far too much of the programming heard on the radio these days is that it's not distinctive, it's not relevant, and it's not essential to listeners because it doesn't make their lives better. That's why mobile phones, iPods, and computers are far more important in people's lives than radios.
His blog
Game...set...match, Bill. Thank you for saying it better than I can
Monday, February 02, 2009
"Official" Superbowl
It was a great superbowl but I was certainly puzzled by a number (or lack) of calls. The "roughing the passer" call against Arizona when clearly, later in the game Warner was hit worse. The "lack" of a call on James Harrison when he punched Larry Fitzgerald. Like John Madden said.."he should have been ejected". The excessive celebration on Santonio Holmes when he "sprinkled the powder" on his hands and threw them in the air after the final touchdown. Finally, the lack of a review on the final play of the game when Warner was sacked. It looked like to me his hand was moving forward. It just seemed like the Cardinals were punished for the same things the officials ignored with the Steelers. GREAT game, excellent commercials and it was truly "Boss time" for 12 glorious minutes at halftime.
This was my favorite....
This was my favorite....
Brrrruuuuuuuuuccccccccceee!!!
Sunday, February 01, 2009
Kiss of Death for Kurt
I find it hard to "root" for anyone in college or professional sports anymore because they have become nothing but promotional and marketing machines. Professional sports more so than college where every tackle is then followed by preening and prancing around, trying to make your opponent feel bad. The lack of sportsmanship is only equalled by the "officials" lack of having any control of any game. Woof, woof, trash talking is the rule instead of the exception. One guy stands out from them all...Kurt Warner. Kurt is by all accounts, a great father, a great Christian and a guy who handles himself with great humility. I read in the paper this morning everytime his family goes out to a restaurant, somebody from the family picks someone else in the restaurant and the Warner family buys their meal anonymously. Yesterday, I guess it was a table of 20 Steeler fans that got their meal gratis. Brenda Warner used to live on food stamps. She thought it was weird getting their meals comped when recognized by an owner. "We are rich, why don't owners take care of those people who need it most?" So, whether it's an old couple or someone who looks like they are down on their luck, the Warner's will see to it they get a good meal, free and anonymously. So, in less than 90 minutes, I'll be rooting for Kurt to win another Super Bowl. If he doesn't, he'll probably blame himself. If he does, he'll give the credit to the team. Since I am rooting for Kurt, place your bets on the Steelers. I seem to be good like that.
See, I told ya. Nice job, Kurt, you played your guts out.
Road Trip
With me having a bit of free time on my hands this week, my friend Jay Philpott suggested a road trip to clear the air between our ears. Our excuse was to go see a sick friend in Omaha, so, why not? The sick friend is a cat named Steve Brill, who has been in the business about as long as I have. One of my first contacts with Steve was when he and Smash did the afternoon show at KSD in 1998 and took me on one day. Word crept out of the Emmis building that I had packed my bags and was headed across the street to go to work at The Rock! Steve pounced on it and yapped at me all afternoon. It was glorious to hear my name all day on a competing station. All is fair in radio, and we made peace many years ago. I thought it was extremely entertaining and fun radio. You know, the way it used to be. Steve just had his chest opened up and his ticker repaired. Jay picked me up at 7:30 on Thursday and bypassing Kansas City, we made it to Omaha about 2:30. 
I saw Michelle Matthews who was the night gal at the Rock, she is now the Operations Manager for Clear Channel Omaha. She is doing much better than I am and I am proud of her. I also met Lester St. James who is her PD and someone I have admired for years. Out to dinner on Thursday night at a restaurant in Omaha that featured St. Louis style pizza (what the hell is that?) and Toasted Ravioli. I guess we weren't as far away as we thought. We left Omaha on Friday morning and stopped at a Runza restaurant in Nebraska City because Jay had never had one before. Jay, being a big fan of food like me, was thoughly impressed. 
Friday afternoon was spent at Hooter's, meeting my old friend Skid Roadie and stopping at Ponak's to have dinner with two of my best friends in the world; my buddy Corky and Van McClain of Shooting Star. While there, an old girlfriend bought me a round and it was great to see her, she looked fantastic. Heading out of town, we went by Minsky's to get a couple of half baked pizzas to bring home. While ordering, the woman behind the counter asked my last name and when I gave it, the gentleman next to me remebered who I was and we chatted for a bit. Funny, isn't it, how after all these years, people still remember? It was very nice. Thanks, Jay, for a great two days. You are a very good friend and it was just what I needed.
I saw Michelle Matthews who was the night gal at the Rock, she is now the Operations Manager for Clear Channel Omaha. She is doing much better than I am and I am proud of her. I also met Lester St. James who is her PD and someone I have admired for years. Out to dinner on Thursday night at a restaurant in Omaha that featured St. Louis style pizza (what the hell is that?) and Toasted Ravioli. I guess we weren't as far away as we thought. We left Omaha on Friday morning and stopped at a Runza restaurant in Nebraska City because Jay had never had one before. Jay, being a big fan of food like me, was thoughly impressed. Friday afternoon was spent at Hooter's, meeting my old friend Skid Roadie and stopping at Ponak's to have dinner with two of my best friends in the world; my buddy Corky and Van McClain of Shooting Star. While there, an old girlfriend bought me a round and it was great to see her, she looked fantastic. Heading out of town, we went by Minsky's to get a couple of half baked pizzas to bring home. While ordering, the woman behind the counter asked my last name and when I gave it, the gentleman next to me remebered who I was and we chatted for a bit. Funny, isn't it, how after all these years, people still remember? It was very nice. Thanks, Jay, for a great two days. You are a very good friend and it was just what I needed.
R I P
Billy Powell. Wow, was there ever a band that had a bigger black cloud follow it around more than Lynyrd Skynyrd? Of the original guys and replacements, a number of them have died. That includes Hughie Thomasson, original member of The Outlaws (who, in their own right has had their share of deaths). Gary Rossington is the only orignal member left (Atimus Pyle didn't join until later on and he's in prison). Billy had heart trouble and had an appointment with his doctor the day he died. He was found dead with the telephone in his hand, calling 911. Billy was last heard on Kid Rock's "All Summer Long" that was all over the radio earlier this year. Many say it was the three guitar solo on "Free Bird" that established it's place in rock and roll. To me, it was the opening sad keyboard provided by Billy that set the tone for that song. What would "Sweet Home Alabama" be without Billy? He gave his life over to Christ later in his career so, to the believers, he's in a much better place. Dead at 56. Done way too soon.
Here's a one minute ten second clip that shows how he made the song his own.
John Updike, writer, novelist, poet and cartoonist. His "Rabbit, Run" started me along a path that followed me throughout my life. His writings were rich and filled with a great usage of words to paint a picture. I always wanted to write like him and hoped someday I would. This house is full of John Updike's works. He seemed to be a friend who I could count on. He also peened the "Witches of Eastwick". A two pack a day smoker, he died of lung cancer at the age of 78. I am going to go back and re-introduce myself to Rabbit.
Here's a one minute ten second clip that shows how he made the song his own.
John Updike, writer, novelist, poet and cartoonist. His "Rabbit, Run" started me along a path that followed me throughout my life. His writings were rich and filled with a great usage of words to paint a picture. I always wanted to write like him and hoped someday I would. This house is full of John Updike's works. He seemed to be a friend who I could count on. He also peened the "Witches of Eastwick". A two pack a day smoker, he died of lung cancer at the age of 78. I am going to go back and re-introduce myself to Rabbit.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Ruh roh
This is "allegedly" Michael Phelps. I don't think that's real good for your stamina...'ear, man.Guitar World's Top 50 Guitar Solos
Not a bad list, not quite like mine, but close. I think "Sultans of Swing" should be higher, but this kind of stuff is pretty subjective.
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