Dude, that song just sucked!

I can’t tell which is funnier, this long-hated cheesebag-anthem turned into a much more interesting, atonal mess in front of thousands of paying customers or the hilarious soldiering on of the Van Halens as they look at each other from inside the trainwreck. Eddie tries to transpose on the fly and match the wildly fucked up keyboards but the great thing there is the difference in pitch is non-musical - about 1.5 semitones sharp. So there’s no frets he can choose to fix the problem! And Wolfgang is 13? Jeez, he's bigger and taller than Eddie.
I would say, the pre recorded synsthesizers are a bit out of pitch, but that's just me. Hope you guys get it fixed before St. Louis. Ick

Three From My Childhood.

Three people very popular with my mother and therefore important figures in my childhood died this week.
RIP Theresa Brewer

Theresa Brewer was born on May 7, 1931 in Toledo, Ohio and starting at five years of age was touring with the "Major Bowes Amateur Hour," a popular radio show of the era.Changing her name to Teresa Brewer, at 16 years of age she appeared on a talent show called “Stairway to the Stars” and two years later was recording with London Records where her “Music, Music, Music” topped the Hit Parade in February of 1950.Signed by Coral Records Teresa’s “Til I Waltz Again With You” gave her a second #1 hit in 1953, followed by another chart topper, “Ricochet” in November of that year. Recording more than 600 songs during her career, Teresa Brewer visited the Hit Parade numerous times. Among her hits were “Sweet Old Fashioned Girl”, “Bo Weevil”, “Jilted”,“A Tear Fell” and “Mutual Admiration Society”. Her versions of “Pledging My Love”, “Empty Arms”, “Tweddle Dee” and “Let Me Go, Lover” also were hits. During her career, she played most of the major night clubs in New York, Chicago, Las Vegas and elsewhere and was presented with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.At her home in New Rochelle, New York, with her four daughters at her bedside,Teresa Brewer died on October 17, 2007, she was 76 years of age. Visit Teresa Brewer’s fan club website here.
Joey Bishop
AKA Joseph Abraham Gottlieb
Born: 3-Feb-1918Birthplace: Bronx, NYDied: 17-Oct-2007Location of death: Newport Beach, CACause of death: Natural Causes
Gender: MaleReligion: JewishRace or Ethnicity: WhiteSexual orientation: StraightOccupation: Comic, Actor
Nationality: United StatesExecutive summary: Rat Pack member
Joey Bishop grew up in South Philadelphia, and started his comedy career doing vaudeville. Still known as Joey Gottlieb, he was briefly in a comedy group that called itself "The Bishop Trio", named for the group's driver. When the act broke up, Bishop kept the name for himself.
His sitcom, The Joey Bishop Show, ran from 1961-65, with Bishop playing a showbiz schmooze-type who (in the second season) became host of a TV talk show. When he hosted a talk show in real life, also called The Joey Bishop Show (1967-69), his sidekick and comic foil was the young Regis Philbin. As a running gag, Bishop routinely needled Philbin on the air, but the gags ended when Regis stalked off the set during a live broadcast, and stayed away for several days.
Bishop seems generally the least-remembered member of the Rat Pack, five cool stars and pals of the 1950s and 60s (the other four were Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., and Peter Lawford). He appeared in the Rat Pack movies Oceans Eleven (1960) and Sergeants Three (1962). He said or did something that annoyed Sinatra (it's unclear exactly what) and was booted from the pack while their next film, (Robin and the Seven Hoods), was in pre-production. Rat Pack
TELEVISION The Joey Bishop Show Joey Barnes (1961-65)
FILMOGRAPHY AS ACTOR Mad Dog Time (8-Nov-1996) Betsy's Wedding (22-Jun-1990) The Delta Force (14-Feb-1986) Valley of the Dolls (15-Dec-1967) Who's Minding the Mint (26-Sep-1967) A Guide for the Married Man (25-May-1967) Texas Across the River (26-Oct-1966) Johnny Cool (2-Oct-1963) Sergeants 3 (10-Feb-1962) Pepe (21-Dec-1960) Himself Ocean's Eleven (10-Aug-1960) Onionhead (1-Oct-1958) The Naked and the Dead (6-Aug-1958)

Deborah KerrA cultured actress renowned for her elegance and dignity, Deborah Kerr was one of the leading ladies of Hollywood's Golden Age. Born Deborah Kerr-Trimmer in Helensburgh, Scotland, on September 30, 1921, she was first trained as a dancer at her aunt's drama school in Bristol, England. After winning a scholarship to the Sadlers Wells Ballet School, Kerr made her London stage debut at age 17 in Prometheus. Meanwhile, she developed an interest in acting and began getting bit parts and walk-ons in Shakespeare productions. While continuing to appear in various London stage plays, Kerr debuted onscreen in 1940 and went on to roles in a number of British films over the next seven years, often playing cool, reserved, well-bred young ladies. Her portrayal of a nun in Black Narcissus (1947) earned a New York Film Critics Best Actress award and led to an invitation from Hollywood to co-star opposite Clark Gable in The Hucksters. She remained in Hollywood, playing long-suffering, prim, proper, ladylike types until 1953, when she broke her typecast mold by portraying a passionate adulteress in From Here to Eternity, a part for which she had fought. Kerr's range of roles broadened further after that, and she began to appear in British films again. In 1953, Kerr debuted on Broadway to great acclaim in Tea and Sympathy, later reprising her role in the play's 1956 screen version. That same year, she starred as an English governess sent to tutor the children of the King of Siam in one of the most popular films of her career, The King and I. Kerr retired from the screen in 1969, having received six Best Actress Oscar nominations without an award, although she did receive an honorary Oscar in 1994. She had been honored with a special BAFTA award three years earlier in Britain, and, in 1998, she was further honored in her native land with a Companion of the Order of the British Empire. Kerr, who graced the screen one more time in the The Assam Garden in 1985, is married to novelist/screenwriter Peter Viertel. A cultured actress renowned for her elegance and dignity, Deborah Kerr was one of the leading ladies of Hollywood's Golden Age. Born Deborah Kerr-Trimmer in Helensburgh, Scotland, on September 30, 1921, she was first trained as a dancer at her aunt's drama school in Bristol, England. After winning a scholarship to the Sadlers Wells Ballet School, Kerr made her London stage debut at age 17 in Prometheus. Meanwhile, she developed an interest in acting and began getting bit parts and walk-ons in Shakespeare productions. While continuing to appear in various London stage plays, Kerr debuted onscreen in 1940 and went on to roles in a number of British films over the next seven years, often playing cool, reserved, well-bred young ladies. Her portrayal of a nun in Black Narcissus (1947) earned a New York Film Critics Best Actress award and led to an invitation from Hollywood to co-star opposite Clark Gable in The Hucksters. She remained in Hollywood, playing long-suffering, prim, proper, ladylike types until 1953, when she broke her typecast mold by portraying a passionate adulteress in From Here to Eternity, a part for which she had fought. Kerr's range of roles broadened further after that, and she began to appear in British films again. In 1953, Kerr debuted on Broadway to great acclaim in Tea and Sympathy, later reprising her role in the play's 1956 screen version. That same year, she starred as an English governess sent to tutor the children of the King of Siam in one of the most popular films of her career, The King and I. Kerr retired from the screen in 1969, having received six Best Actress Oscar nominations without an award, although she did receive an honorary Oscar in 1994. She had been honored with a special BAFTA award three years earlier in Britain, and, in 1998, she was further honored in her native land with a Companion of the Order of the British Empire. Kerr, who graced the screen one more time in the The Assam Garden in 1985, is married to novelist/screenwriter Peter Viertel. Kerr, who in recent years had Parkinson's disease, died Tuesday in Suffolk, in eastern England, her agent, Anne Hutton, said Thursday in London. She was 86.

October 20 1977

The first interview I ever attempted was in 1973, when a shy skinny kid met another shy skinny kid. My high school radio station signed on in September of 1973. Before then, we wrote to all of the record companies and asked them to send us product. MCA responded with sending us "Pronounced Lynyrd Skynyrd" and Wishbone Ash. Later that year LS opened up for ZZ Top in Davenport. I called the MCA office and arranged an interview with Ronnie Van Zant. I was later told we were the only station that asked for an interview. I was never so frightened in my life and he wasn't very at ease either. He thought it was EXTREMELY cool that the high school had a radio station. It became a better interview after that. I was amazed at how young he looked. LS blew ZZ off the stage and that was hard to do back then. They became superstars with "Secong Helping" and the rest is history. On October 20 1977, I was living and working in Muscatine Iowa playing just about anything I wanted at 99+Stereo, KFMH. While on the air one morning, the AP and UPI teletype machines went crazy with the word that their plane had went down and there were fatalities. I really liked the band but the latest two releases "Nuthin Fancy" and "Gimme Back My Bullets" were unfocused and sloppy. They were in a rut. "Street Survivors" was ther rebirth. They sounded happy, reigned it and very very tight. I played it a lot on the air when we first got the LP. My favorite song was "I Never Dreamed" and next was "I Know A Little". All of us on staff were amazed at how good the band had become again. Then, they were gone. That was the first time I had ever interviewed anyone who had died. The music world is still effected by their influence. Look how big these guys are with rock and country listeners. They would have been superstars. October 20, 1977, I remember it very well.

RIP Ronnie, Steve and Cassie

Randy's One Hit Wonder

Every once in a while one song from a certain band will grab me. that doesn't necessarily mean I will like the rest of the material, but, nonetheless dig that one song. Here is one that I just heard.

"Burning House of Love" by X

The first picture is of them in 1985 when the song was recorded. If I am not mistaken, KSHE played this in the beginning of 1986. The above picture is them today, same guys, same band. Impressive. I always thought they were a bit too punk for me, but the one song is nothing but snarling, cooking rock and roll and still on my playlist today. Apparently the band is still together and doing gigs in the LA area. Named after the lead singer Exene Cervenka, X also features John Doe on guitar. "Burning House of Love" is about all this band had, to me anyway. Great song!

Robert Duvall

This could be a "Brush With Greatness" deal, but I don't have the actual proof that I met him, so be it. Charlie Brennan interviewed Robert Duvall this morning. There was great commotion. My sales bud Sherman and I tried to corral him in the building but couldn't. We thought he went out the back way. I had an appointment (that I postponed becasue of Charlie's great interview), so I left via the front door. As I am leaving the building, someone has stopped Mr. Duvall to get a picture, right in front of me. Me, not being shy, I walk up to him and I say, "Mr. Duvall, I just want to say thank you." "No, thank you", he replied. "Uh, no sir, thank you for your body of work", I said. "Well, thanks", he said and that was that. It's a mystery world, ain't it? How fun. Robert Duvall. Damn.

The Website "AOR Channel"

My juke box for album tracks pulled this one on me this Friday night...

"Unchained" by Van Halen
"Children of The Sun"-Billy Thorpe
"Broken Arrow"-Robbie Robertson
"I Hear You Now"-Jon and Vangelis
"Tragedy"-Argent
"Whenever You Are On My Mind"-Marshall Crenshaw

I couldn't have programmed it better myself.

Don Daniels

What you are about to read is what us radio people know as ratings. This is for the Kansas City market. This is what we call the summer "book". The bible that is Arbitron. My point is take a look at who made the one of the largest gains.

#30 Kansas City, MO
Updated 10/19/2007
Summer '07 ARBITRON Quarterly Report
12+ Mon-Sun, 6a-12mid
Pop: 1,553,300
Station Format Owner Fall 06 Win 07 Spr 07 Sum 07
KPRS Urban Carter 6.7 6.4 6.5 7.4
KCMO Classic Hits Cumulus Partners 4.5 5.6 4.7 5.7
KFKF Country Wilks 4.1 5.2 5.4 5.2
KMXV Top 40/M Wilks 4.0 4.5 4.7 5.2
KMBZ-A News Entercom 5.1 4.8 5.8 5.0

Yeah, that would be KCMO FM programmed by one of the best in the business, Don Daniels. Don hired me in 2002 to do mornings at KCFX (the flagship station of the Chiefs). His philosophy was very forward thinking at the time. Maybe ahead of his time. When I walked in the door, he said basically..."you know what you are doing, now go do it...we'll meet everyday but you da man." The morning show went from 12th to 6th in about a little longer than a year. New management comes in, Don is transferred and not long after that I am gone. How I miss working for a guy like that. I tip my cap and take a drink for Don Daniels (not his real name) and the love and admiration he inspires in his people. He is successful because he believes in one simple rule..treat others as you would want to be treated. I would work in Bozeman Montana just to work for him again. Congratulations, my brother!!!

More top 100

Being motivated by another survey in a previous post about the top 100 albums of all time, I have decided to create my own. I am doing them in reverse alphabetical order, and there are no greatest hits compilations allowed. The list starts with ZZ Top on a previous post and then continues. This is post number 3 on the subject. And now, on with the show... This CD got me through a nasty summer last year. This is the latest addition to the list of 100. Stevie Williams is a bass player from Manchester UK. I got exposed to this release last year while working at the internet jazz station that Dvaid Meyers headed. I immediately fell in love, it took my CD player captive and it didn't let go till I hit Nashville. From the title track to "Low Fi", Every thing on this CD really cooks. Tasty arrangements and wonderfully crafted tunes make this a late entry into the top 100. This is the best release of 2007 from someone you have never heard of.

Performance A That's a bass? Really?

Songs B+ Just as tasty as could possibly be. Who is this guy?

Sound A "Lo Fi" with its intended record scratches is a very nice touch. Well done.

Production B+ Crisp, clean and mean

Staying Power B- Who knows? No one knows this guy anyway.

Continuity B+ Maybe one song. Maybe. You should have seen the look on my fathers face when I brought THIS one home. He took one look at the cover and shook his head. "Frankenstein" did not sound like anything else being played on the radio. Holy cow, what was that sound? Everyone I knew loved the song and the big bad synthesizer deal. I loved Ronnie Montrose's playing, Dan Hartman's singing and the rest of the package. well produced, well done and just a damn fun record when you were 17. "Free Ride" is everywhere and maybe the best Doobie Brothers song ever. "Hangin' Around " summed up to me what this album was about. Fun stuff and my first exposure to Ronnie Montrose. He rocks and so does Edgar on this one. Too bad their weren't more hits, there should've been.

Performance A "we all had a real good time.."

Soungs and songwriters B- tight ass power pop here

Sound A Rick Derringer produced it.

Production A- Very well done. Sounded great on the 8 track.

Staying power A Are ya kidding me?

Continuity B+ "Autumn" was about the only filler tune.

This may be one of the classiest recordings ever. How can a guy keep re-inventing himself over and over? He took a break after recording "Talking Back To The Night" in 1982 and then blew my face out with this. There is really not one bad song on this album. A stunning example of a craftsman at his finest and counting on his friends (Joe Walsh, Nile Rogers, Chaka Khan), to bring out the best in him. Funk (Higher Love), rock and roll (Freedom Overspill), one of my top 25 songs of all time (The Finer Things) and heartache (My Love's Leavin) make this one of the best albums of the last 25 years.

Performance A+ Top notch musicianship everywhere here

Songwriting A Exquisite stuff with great variety.

Sound A Bingo almost perfect, Also available on MFSL gold disc.

Production A Steve and Russ Titelman produced this

Staying Power B+ Should be better than this, but only "Finer Things" gets much airplay

Continuity A+ Absolutely no filler. Nada

Bubbling Under The Top 100
Steve Winwood-Arc of a Diver
Johnny Winter-Still Alive and Well

Baseball

As much as Major League Baseball tries to pull me out of my love for the game, something happens that pulls me back in. The possiblitity of a Colorado/Cleveland World Series thrills me to no end. I hope no one (other than baseball fans) tune in. That's what MLB gets for being greedy enough to relegate the NL Divisional and Championship Series to TB(fuggin)S. Baseball sold more tickets than ever this year, but that doesn't matter, it will continue to shoot itself in the foot when it comes to broadcast rights. TBS? Not even ESPN? WTF? Still, true baseball fans like me will be glued to the action because these have been the two best teams in the playoffs. The Rockies may have one of the best defenses ever (that's the stuff that wins games). They certainly have my favorite manager (see post below). What is not to like about Cleveland? They beat the Yankees. 'nuff said. And if you, Manny Ramirez pulled the shit you pulled last night with any pitcher from the 60s or 70s, you would have a baseball in your ear next time up. If you would have done that with Gibson, he would have tackled your ass by the time you got to first base and beat you with his glove. Or, at least the next guy up would have paid for your stupid fucking pompous ass gesture with your team losing. Prick. Do what Matt Holliday did. Hit the home run. Run the bases.

So, I am rooting for a Denver/Cleveland Series. I have been to both cities. Denver wins by an avalanche (I kill me). Go Cleveland!!!

I Was Kyle

This is an old story, but I love it. Enjoy it if you haven't heard it before...

We all know or knew someone like this!! One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class was walking home from school. His name was Kyle. It looked like he was carrying all of his books. I thought to myself, "Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? He must really be a nerd." I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friends tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on. As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him. They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt. His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him. He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes. My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him as he crawled around looking for his glasses, and I saw a tear in his eye. As I handed him his glasses, I said, "Those guys are jerks. They really should get lives." He looked at me and said, "Hey thanks!" There was a big smile on his face. It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude. I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived. As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen him before. He said he had gone to private school before now. I would have never hung out with a private school kid before. We talked all the way home, and I carried some of his books. He turned out to be a pretty cool kid. I asked him if he wanted to play a little football with my friends. He said yes. We hung out all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him, and my friends thought the same of him. Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books again. I stopped him and said, "Boy, you are gonna really build some serious muscles with this pile of books everyday! He just laughed and handed me half the books. Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends.. When we were seniors we began to think about college.Kyle decided on Georgetown and I was going to Duke. I knew that we would always be friends, that the miles would never be a problem.He was going to be a doctor and I was going for business on a football scholarship. Kyle was valedictorian of our class.I teased him all the time about being a nerd.He had to prepare a speech for graduation.I was so glad it wasn't me having to get up there and speak.

Graduation day, I saw Kyle. He looked great. He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school. He filled out and actually looked good in glasses. He had more dates than I had and all the girls loved him. Boy, sometimes I was jealous! Today was one of those days.
I could see that he was nervous about his speech. So, I smacked him on the back and said, "Hey, big guy, you'll be great!"He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled." Thanks," he said. As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began "Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years. Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach...but mostly your friends... I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them. I am going to tell you a story." I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told the story of the first day we met. He had planned to kill himself over the weekend. He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his Mom wouldn't have to do it later and was carrying his stuff home. He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile."Thankfully, I was saved. My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable." I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment. I saw his Mom and dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile.Not until that moment did I realize it's depth.

Never underestimate the power of your actions. With one small gesture you can change a person's life. For better or for worse. God puts us all in each others lives to impact one another in some way.Look for God in others.

Euchre

In the comments section of a previous post, someone brought up the game of Euchre. I have been playing Euchre for as long as I can remember. the above hand, by the way is the best hand you can have if you get it. When I worked in the shops at John Deere, J.I.Case and such, during our three breaks we would get all night, we would fill those breaks with as much Euchre as possible. We would play while we were eating lunch, play in the bars on Friday night (while comsuming "red beer"), play at home with the family, it didn't matter. Apparently, the game came from Germany and since the Quad Cities was rife with Germans, ergo the games popularity. Not a lot of people from St. Louis play the game. It is difficult to explain the rules but Wikipedia does it justice here.

I am a champion Euchere player, by the way.

Now, on the farm, we used to play pitch, which would be considered Euchre's second cousin, I guess. Nights were filled with cards on the farm. Rummy was a huge game with us but a lot of the time, we would play pitch and my grandfather would mysteriously win most of the time. He just kicked our ass constantly or he cheated, which could be entirely possible. After the homework, the chores and the radio, there wasn't much else to do. So you played cards. Pitch and Rummy on the farm, in the middle of nowhere. Here's the deal on pitch.

Arrggh!

It's about 2:30am. I have been out driving for a bit and now I am sampling a Chardonnay. I blew it. Dammit, I can't beleive the show sounded as bad as it did. The Mizzou game ended at the wrong time and in the wrong way (no matter what, Mizzou can't hang with the big boys and I feel a letdown coming with either KSU, KU or CU. I hope Pinkel doesn't finish 7-5). The game ended at 9:37, which meant I had to take care of whole lot of business real fast. I wasn't comfortable for the first 45 minutes and felt real uptight. I give myself a C. After I found out a couple of things about the board, it felt better. So, in the beginning it was a D, after about 45 minutes, I'd give it a B, so there ya go. Loved the music, and basically had a blast but very very disappointing for me, technically anyway. I ain't going to sleep anytime soon, that's for sure. Dammit.

Beer and Clamato Juice?

From:http://blogs.mediapost.com/raw/?p=296

Anheuser-Busch’s EVP/CCO Bob Lachky let us in on an ongoing product test of a new product, Chelada, a blend of Bud and Clamato. Clamato? Clam juice?He says it’s big in the Latino culture and predicts it will be huge in ‘08. Lachky alluded to something apparently similar, Sneaky Pete’s? I never heard of this but beer and clam juice has never piqued my interest. Said he used to drink them in college. Personally, I never got past tequila, salt and lemons. Anybody drink Buds and clam juice ever?
Anyway, Cheladas will go up against Miller Chill, already out in the marketplace. Miller Chill contains salt and lime but Cheladas will push the envelope further, adding … Clamato. It sounds so bad it’s got to be good. (Sorry, Smuckers.)

In the Quad Cities, we used to call this "Red Beer". Not with clamato juice but with tomato juice.

We would order a beer and a small can of tomato juice, pour the beer into the glass and have a drink. You then filled up the beer to the top with tomato juice. Shoot pool, drink away. I don't ever remember having hangover with this stuff but then I don't remember a whole lot from those days. Cheers!

Backstage Pass Number 13

May, 1983. Talked with Bob backstage about the Detroit Tigers, rock and roll and other stuff. He smoked one cigarette after another, constantly. It's too bad that he didn't realize what that would do over the years. He was very accomodating and very nice. Too bad I didn't have a camera or something for him to sign. My girlfirend was very impressed. Hell, she should have been. One of the guys who knows my life better than I do.

For My Radio Friends

You know, now that I think of it, I may have lost my radio mojo when I lost my Koss. The years with something else just didn't quite feel right. If you will notice in the picture below, the date is 1981 and what am I wearing around my neck? Yep, thought so. Last weekend, I decided that if I was going to get back on the air, I might as well go all the way. The package arrived today. They are beautiful.

For The Fans of Bob (myself very much included)

This is a link to the ten most incomprehensible Bob Dylan interviews ever. With video evidence, even. How funny.

Booing Kurt Warner

I was reading the paper this morning when it was noted that certain fans of the Rams booed Kurt Warner when he entered the game yesterday taking over for Matt Leinart and leading the Cardinals to a win over the Rams. Why on God's green Earth would anyone ever boo Kurt Warner? The guy gave his heart and soul to this city year after year only to be shown the door. He still has a residence here and still spends a lot of $$ and time for charity causes in the St. Louis area. With thugs in the NFL like Travis Henry, Pacman Jones, etc etc, the league would do well to start putting guys like Kurt Warner in their marketing campaigns. But, taht's not the image they are looking for. Shame on everyone who booed Kurt Warner, you were all drunk.

More top 100

This was junior year in high school encapsulated. I don't think I listened to much else. I was turned on to Wishbone by my cousin Bob, who had eclectic tastes in music to be sure. The first thing I heard by them was the debut "Wishbone Ash" with "Blind Eye" and such. When I first purchased this, I was always looking for the hidden meaning in songs. It was a very confusing time for me, Jesus was calling and I wanted to party. So, the song "The King Will Come" probably meant a lot more to me than it should've. While this relaese holds the classic "Blowin Free" it's "Leaf and Stream" and it's beauty that became my favorite from the album. Wishbone Ash is still going strong and coming to St. Louis. This is a top 25 album of all time for me.

Performance A- Twin guitars and an incredible drummer nails this
Songs and Songwriting B+ "Sometime World" "The Warrior" and the ones already mentioned
Sound B- One guitar in each headphone was very cool. Stereo done well.
Production B- A bit muddy but got cleaned up later
Staying Power C Not many of these songs stand the test of time but for 1972, they were beautiful
Continuity B One filler song. Not bad.

A comeback album that really wasn't. The band had broken up after "drama" and just pieces of the band (with Trevor Rabin leading) were around to form "Cinema". Jon Anderson heard what they were doing, wanted to be a part of it and "Cinema" became Yes (mach 8). the first song released was "Owner of A Lonely Heart" which gave Yes it's only number one song and made their way from progressive rock gods into pop music icons. The video for OALH blended in well with the others on MTV and Yes was back. While, I liked "Owner" what got me in this release was it's crisp production and great songwriting. "It Can Happen" "Leave It","Changes" "Hold On" are all great songs. This was one of the eighties' best releases.
Performance A The addition of Trevor Rabin was a great one for Yes
Songs and Songwriting B+ Great stuff here, a capsule of the eighties
Sound A Nice and crisp, very well done. Just sounded good
Production A One of the best sounding records ever
Staying Power B you don't hear anything other than Owner anymore
Continuity B A couple of fillers but overall a great effort

What a delight "Roundabout" was on the radio. All 3 minutes of it. The first time I heard Yes was on our old AM station in Davenport when they played "Your Move". I thought that was a great song, then "Roundabout" came on and dazzled me. This was one of my major influences and made me a real fan of the band. The album cover was trippy and the music inside was delicious. I loved "South Side of The Sky' because it was frightening . "Heart of The Sunrise" was what I visioned an acid trip to be (even though I had never had one). "Roundabout" sounds just as fresh now as it did then.
Performance A Never had I heard drumming or a performance like that
Songs and Songwriting A- "Roundabout" Long Distance Runaround" and others were just powerful for a sixteen year old under the headphones.
Production A These songs jumped off the vinyl.
Staying Power A Two of the songs are still played on album radio, there others are too long
Continuity A Each song was done well.

Honorable mention
Jesse Colin Young-Song for Juli
Yes-The Yes Album
Gary wright-The Dream Wever

Sunday Afternoon

There were a number of things I had planned to do today. I didn't do any of them, it's just friggin hot. I have never been as run down as I have been lately. I think it's due to the oppressive heat that has hit the region. I swear the AC hasn't cycled off in about three weeks. The only turning of the leaves here in St. Louis has been from green to brown. Everything is burnt, my rose bush, peonies, azailias and other plants have just parched. Hard to believe that it is almost mid October and the temperatures are still in the 90s. Not good.

There's something about a reunion of Ben Stiller and the Farrelly brothers that audiences didn't want to see. Stiller and the Farrellys' "The Heartbreak Kid" pulled in a modest $14 million during opening weekend, coming in at No. 2 behind "The Game Plan," which remained the top flick for the second-straight weekend with $16.3 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.
Paramount and DreamWorks had expected more from "The Heartbreak Kid," which reteamed Stiller with Peter and Bobby Farrelly. The trio collaborated on 1998's smash "There's Something About Mary." The studios had gotten positive reaction from audiences at advance screenings, but reviews for "The Heartbreak Kid" came in much harsher than expected, said DreamWorks spokesman Chip Sullivan. "We were surprised," Sullivan said. "The reviews hurt us. We love the movie. We've seen it play great. But I think reviews do matter on an R-rated movie."
An update of the 1972 comedy written by Neil Simon and directed by Elaine May, "The Heartbreak Kid" stars Stiller as a man who marries an incompatible bride, then meets the perfect woman on his honeymoon.

Here's an idea, quit making the same Ben Stiller movie over and over again. He plays the same character. Item number 2, anything that has Carlos Mencia is it, I will never see and how about...yes, STOP THE FUCKING REMAKES!!!

Adventurer ends 13-year human-powered world trip

Adventurer Jason Lewis on Saturday arrived in Greenwich, ending a 13-year round-the-world trip using only the power of the human body.
The 40-year-old completed the final leg of his 46,000-mile odyssey by pedalling his 7.9-metre boat Moksha up the River Thames.
Ending a journey that included capsizing in the Atlantic, breaking both legs, being chased by a crocodile and being arrested on suspicion of spying, Lewis then disembarked and carried Moksha across the Greenwich Meridian line at the Royal Observatory with the help of supporters.
Lewis set off from the same spot -- zero degrees longitude -- bound for Portugal in July 1994. The 16-leg journey included hiking, kayaking, mountain biking and hiking.
"I'm overwhelmed. It's pretty amazing," an emotional Lewis told reporters as he crossed the meridian. "Thirteen years coming to an end. It's been a big, long journey. It's good to be back."
Lewis has twice crossed the English Channel in Moksha as well as the north Atlantic, the Pacific and parts of the Indian Ocean. The boat capsized in the Atlantic.
In the United States, he suffered two broken legs when he was run over by a car while crossing the country on rollerblades. He was chased by a crocodile in Australia and was arrested in Egypt on suspicion of being a spy after illegally crossing the border from Sudan.

Now there is a great news story.

Love These Artworks

*IMAGINE YOU ARE AT A PARTY on the tenth floor....**YOU'VE BEEN DRINKING....* (not that you would....)*AND THEN YOU HAVE TO VISIT THE BATHROOM....**You open the door....* *NOW, REMEMBER, THE FLOOR IS JUST A PAINTED FLOOR!

New Mellencamp Stirs It Up

JENA, La. - A video in which rapper-actor Mos Def asked students around the country to walk out Oct. 1 to support the "Jena Six" escaped comment by this town's mayor. But when John Mellencamp sang, "Jena, take your nooses down," he took issue.

"The town of Jena has for months been mischaracterized in the media and portrayed as the epicenter of hatred, racism and a place where justice is denied," Jena Mayor Murphy R. McMillin wrote in a statement on town letterhead faxed on Friday to The Associated Press.
He said he had previously stayed quiet, hoping that the town's courtesy to people who have visited over the past year would speak for itself. "However, the Mellencamp video is so inflammatory, so defamatory, that a line has been crossed and enough is enough."
Mellencamp could not comment immediately because he was on a plane from California to Indiana and had not heard about McMillin's comments, publicist Bob Merlis said late Friday.
A brief note from Mellencamp posted Thursday on his Web site says he is telling a story, not reporting. "The song is not written as an indictment of the people of Jena but, rather, as a condemnation of racism," it says.
Nooses hung briefly from a big oak tree outside Jena High School a year ago, after a black freshman asked whether black students could sit under it. A white student was beaten unconscious three months later, in December.
Six black students, four of them 17 years old and legally adults, were arrested. Five were initially charged with attempted murder, although that charge has been reduced to aggravated second-degree battery as four of the older youths have been arraigned. The only youth tried so far was convicted, but that conviction was overturned on appeal and the case was sent to juvenile court.
Mellencamp's song opens, "An all-white jury hides the executioner's face; See how we are, me and you?" As he sings, images of Jena, the high school and the tree are followed by video from the 1960s, including civil rights marchers, police beatings, and President John F. Kennedy and the Rev. Martin Luther King speaking. Still images include one of a protest sign reading, "God demands segregation," a stylized drawing of people in Ku Klux Klan robes and an older image of a black man in shackles, begging.
"I do not want to diminish the impression that the hanging of the nooses has had on good people," McMillin wrote. "I do recognized that what happened is insulting and hurtful."
But, he said, "To put the incident in Jena in the same league as those who were murdered in the 1960s cheapens their sacrifice and insults their memory."
At McMillin's request, the Jena Town Council voted unanimously on Tuesday to create an interracial committee to study racial relations and suggest solutions to any problems.JENA, La. - A video in which rapper-actor Mos Def asked students around the country to walk out Oct. 1 to support the "Jena Six" escaped comment by this town's mayor. But when John Mellencamp sang, "Jena, take your nooses down," he took issue.

"The town of Jena has for months been mischaracterized in the media and portrayed as the epicenter of hatred, racism and a place where justice is denied," Jena Mayor Murphy R. McMillin wrote in a statement on town letterhead faxed on Friday to The Associated Press.
He said he had previously stayed quiet, hoping that the town's courtesy to people who have visited over the past year would speak for itself. "However, the Mellencamp video is so inflammatory, so defamatory, that a line has been crossed and enough is enough."
Mellencamp could not comment immediately because he was on a plane from California to Indiana and had not heard about McMillin's comments, publicist Bob Merlis said late Friday.
A brief note from Mellencamp posted Thursday on his Web site says he is telling a story, not reporting. "The song is not written as an indictment of the people of Jena but, rather, as a condemnation of racism," it says.
Nooses hung briefly from a big oak tree outside Jena High School a year ago, after a black freshman asked whether black students could sit under it. A white student was beaten unconscious three months later, in December.
Six black students, four of them 17 years old and legally adults, were arrested. Five were initially charged with attempted murder, although that charge has been reduced to aggravated second-degree battery as four of the older youths have been arraigned. The only youth tried so far was convicted, but that conviction was overturned on appeal and the case was sent to juvenile court.
Mellencamp's song opens, "An all-white jury hides the executioner's face; See how we are, me and you?" As he sings, images of Jena, the high school and the tree are followed by video from the 1960s, including civil rights marchers, police beatings, and President John F. Kennedy and the Rev. Martin Luther King speaking. Still images include one of a protest sign reading, "God demands segregation," a stylized drawing of people in Ku Klux Klan robes and an older image of a black man in shackles, begging.
"I do not want to diminish the impression that the hanging of the nooses has had on good people," McMillin wrote. "I do recognized that what happened is insulting and hurtful."
But, he said, "To put the incident in Jena in the same league as those who were murdered in the 1960s cheapens their sacrifice and insults their memory."
At McMillin's request, the Jena Town Council voted unanimously on Tuesday to create an interracial committee to study racial relations and suggest solutions to any problems.



Here is the video. May be one of his best songs ever, but I have long ago lost any connection I have had with John Mellencamp. He is not a pleasant person. When he released "Our Country" as the theme song to Chevy a year ago, a little more of that bond slipped away. Then when he bitched about the song not getting any "airplay", that really set me off. John, the reason you didn't get any airplay was because by that time, it was Chevy commercial for everyone else.

Your thoughts?

Three of Randy's Top 100

What can you say about the depth of this masterpiece from Neil? I did not get familiar with this until about 1972. I heard "Heart of Gold" on the radio and somehow confused it with "Down By The River" (the first version I heard of THAT was done by Buddy Miles on a late night am radio program somewhere). Don't ask how, but I bought this one instead of "Harvest". This reminds me of sixteen, the endless cruising on a Friday night listening to "Cowgirl in the Sand" or "Cinnamon Girl" for God's sake. By purchasing this at just about the same time I got "Harvest", this was always album one in my two album Neil Young package.

Performance A First rate playing and singing

Songs A Masterpieces in "Cinnamon Girl" and "Down By The River"

Sound B+ Play it loud!

Production B Again, this was made to be played loud and it sounded great

Staying Power A- D'uh.

Continuity B No filler here.

"Heart of Gold","Old Man", "The Needle and The Damage Done". There is your triple play, thank you good night. This is the release that really turned me into a fan. Album two of Neil's best, "Out On The Weekend" was my favorite. This is sophomore year in high school nailed.

Performance B+ Neil and the band were a bit sloppy

Songs A Some of his best ever

Sound B- A warmer mix than "everybody Knows" and a bit muddy for me, but it sounds warm

Production B Sounds like it was recorded in a barn (which it was)

Staying Power A I played "Old Man" and "Heart of Gold" in Nashville

Continuity B- A couple of fillers, but I'll take his highs anyday

The first time I heard "LaGrange" I was standing in the road in front of my house talkin to my friend Gary in his souped up Vega and when it came on the eight track, I had never witnessed anything like it. That was the meanest nastiest song I had ever heard and I wanted more right then. It starts with "Jesus Just Left Chicago/Waiting For the Bus" and doesn't stop until "Have You Heard" ten songs later. Hell, "LaGrange" didn't even come on until track eight. "Beer Drinkers, Hell Raisers","Move Me On Down The Line" and the rest makes this one cook. Extra points for the spread of Mexican food on the inside of the album cover

Performance A- These guys played their asses off

Songwriting B When in Texas..

Sound D Muddy muddy the remasters did not help much

Production C This was a very bare bones operation

Staying Power A "LaGrange" has been played non stop for the past thirty five years

Continuity B- A bit of filler "Master of Sparks" but not too bad

Honorable Mention:

Apostrophe-Frank Zappa

Eliminator-ZZTop

The Post Below

Whenever you start talking "best" of anything, it had better really be the best. I know, maybe I'm old school, but I don't consider Madonna, Micheal Jackson or The Beastie Boys to be anywhere close to my definition of the term "rock and roll". However, the inclusion of the "Saturday Night Fever" Soundtrack did not bother me. I was on the radio and in the clubs when it came out, I know the influence on culture it had and even though it violates one of my qualifications for making my list, it should have probably been listed higher.
Well, as a very qualified observer of the rock and roll culture for the last 45 years or so, I thought I would put together MY collection of MY top 100 albums of all time. Using the criteria used in the other test, I will list them a few at a time, in an order that will consist of reverse alphabetical because quite honestly, I couldn't put it together any other way. Remember, this is my list and the numbers were compiled by me in my warped cranium. Enjoy the list.

The Top 100 LPs of All Time?

What a great argument. What is garbage to one is priceless to another. This is a pretty solid list. One glaring discrepancy I would have is the lack of titles from The Moody Blues, the Doobie Brothers and "Security" by Peter Gabriel and "Born To Run" should have switched places.


Here is the competition and how it's judged.
In a world where record companies seem happy to sell consumers songs by the single via a low-resolution, non-surround sound download - AVRev.com wanted to point out the importance of the album concept. Inspired by the Sabermetric system used by Bill James in his baseball abstracts that attempt to make seemingly subjective elements more scientific in comparison - the AVRev.com staff compiled a set of categories to rate the Top 100 Rock Albums of all time.

We offer a link below for readers to download the same sheet to see how your favorites do. You can even post them on our forum and discuss them with other music and audio fans.The JudgesThe team of judges include: AVRev.com publisher Jerry Del Colliano Jr., AVRev.com Music Editor Charles Andrews, 5.1 music executive David Delgrosso, Xhifi's President Howard Schilling, Definitive Audio's Eric Ward, Bel Canto's President John Stronczer and record industry veteran and high-resolution enthusiast, Ted Cohen.
The Categories
Performance: (100 Points) Simply put, how well did the band or artist play on the record? Technical ability, soul and beyond.
Songs and Songwriting: (100 Points) How good are the songs on the record? Were they great originals, killer covers, reinterpretations that were better than the original? All would spike the score in this category.
Sound: (50 Points) - How good does the record sound? Did it ever get released in a high-resolution or surround sound format? If so, that would get a few extra points. Was the record a breakthrough record for recording techniques or does it just plain sound good on a CD? These are all factors in a high score for sound.
Production: (50 Points) - Great sound doesn’t always match with great production (think Wall of Sound from Phil Spector). Slick production, unique instrumentation, development of important "sounds" all factor into a high score in this category.
Staying Power: (50 Points) - To be a truly great album, the record needs to be as relevant today as it when it came out.

Concept/Continuity: (50 Points) - This is the X Factor category where albums that are great from the first note to the last get the highest grades. Think of The Police's Synchronicity and the stiff song "Mother" as an example of a great record with one bad track. Records that are great from top to bottom receive the best grades here.

Here is the link.

A Very Sweet Treat

I had an appointment in downtown Kirkwood and wrapping that up early, I went to see Tom at my favorite place to buy music, Now Hear This in downtown Kirkwood. Tom and I have been doing business for about 21 years and he has proven reliable and getting me just about anything. The new Bruce Springsteen "Magic" was on my mind and I was excited when he had a copy. He also pointed me to another new release from John Fogerty. So, (doing something I have been doing since the dawn of time) , I spent money I didn't have for music. And I bought the John Fogerty.

I tasted the new Springsteen on the way to see the "Rat Pack" in concert at the Fox (the stage show of one night in Vegas circa 1961) I played the first four songs, nothing quite hit me. That's okay, most of the time that's a good sign. Except when it comes to the new Who record.

I put the John Fogerty in on my way to work yesterday and wham, bam, thank you so much for playing our game, song one, side one knocked me out. Here's the video to his first single (which will never get played on the radio). John has found Jesus and he's pissed about the war. At least he's consistant with his thoughts and with his music. His band has Kenny Aronoff on drums and Benmont Tench from the Heartbreakers killing me with his stuff. So far, I like about 90% of it, but I will check in with another report later. First impressions...a masterpiece. One of the biggest thrills in my life was meeting John Fogerty after his show at the Fox in 1997. My brother was a huge fan of CCR. He served two tours in Viet Nam and I rememeber one thing he told me when I first got into radio. He said..."if you ever get to meet John Fogerty, just tell him how much his music meant to us punk kids ever there." Of course, there would never be a chance to meet John Fogerty, he was retired to a farm in Oregon or something. In 1997, I told John Fogerty what my brother (who had since passed) said and I swear his eyes welled up. He said it always meant a lot coming from a vet. We had our picture taken, (but it qualifies as absolutely the worst piece of shit picture I have ever taken and even though it's with him, no thanks, no one will ever see it)
and he signed my album. You'll have to look closely, but there it is. Joyous experience and so is this release. This guy makes it sound effortless.

Clint Hurdle

This is how I remember Clint Hurdle. Clint came to the Royals in 1978 allegedly having more tools than George Brett. He was quicker, faster, etc. For reasons that I don't want to get into, I know that life was pretty tough for Clint. There are certain things a man should never have to defend. Clint and I had a few in our days in KC. He worked nights and so did I. He was gone from the Royals very quickly and faded away until this year. Clint is the manager of the Colorado Rockies, who now hold a 2-0 lead over the Phillies after taking two of two in Philadelphia. Nice work. I always liked Clint and I am rooting for him. His bench coach, Jamie Quirk is another great guy back from the early eighties version of the Royals. Those teams were in the playoffs year after year. There is hope for us all. Even though Ryan Howard of the Phils is from St. Louis, I am pleased that Clint is enjoying life.

Great new website

Hey radio guys, found this one today when looking through the referrals to this blog here.

Dan Kelly is a good radio guy and I have added his blog link to your right, he now has a permanent link here. I can only imagine the profound greatness he must feel. He likes to spotlight those classic rock stations who do it right, knowing that it is about the local content and local connection to the audience. That formula has worked well for the past 35 years. So take a visit to a site that really looks good.

Seven Bridges Road

From the dr. sardonicus website: (shit, the dude knows as much about this music as i do)

He has a great blog and you can go there by going here: dr. sardonicus. His handle is also one of my favorite albums of all time

The oft-covered "Seven Bridges Road" was written and originally recorded in 1969 by Steve Young, not to be confused with the former NFL quarterbacking great. This Steve Young was a well-traveled young man. His family moved around throughout the South as he grew up. He moved away to New York City where for awhile he was part of the Greenwich Village scene that included Bob Dylan, and in the mid-60's moved to Los Angeles where he was in a band with Stephen Stills.In between those coastal jaunts, Young lived for a time in Montgomery, Alabama, where he received the inspiration for "Seven Bridges Road". From Young's recollections, the "Seven Bridges Road" was a popular Montgomery hangout, although he couldn't remember the road's actual name:I lived in Montgomery , Alabama in the early 60's and had a group of friends there that showed me the road. It led out of town and after you had crossed 7 Bridges you found yourself out in the country on a dirt road. Spanish Moss hung in the trees and there were old farms with old fences and graveyards and churches and streams. A high bank dirt road with trees. It seemed like a Disney Fantasy at times. People went there to park or get stoned or just to get away from it all. I thought my friends had made up the name "7 Bridges Road" . I found out later that it had been called by that name for over a 100 years. That people had been struck by the beauty of the road for a long time, however , this is not the official name of the road. It is a "folk name".Hank Williams Jr. has said that the "Seven Bridges Road" is the road that leads to Oakwood Annex Cemetery, where his father is buried. This doesn't seem likely, though, as Oakwood Annex is located in a residential neighborhood in north Montgomery. Another suggestion is that the reference is to Woodley Road, a road leading from Montgomery's southern outskirts into the countryside. Upon this road are seven bridges.Steve Young recorded "Seven Bridges Road" for his debut LP, Rock, Salt, and Nails, which today is considered to be a classic of the "outlaw country" genre. The song was almost instantly recognized as a classic, and it soon was covered by Joan Baez, Rita Coolidge, and Tracy Nelson. Here is a recent interview with Steve Young. Here is the song via Youtube, no video but great audio. The best of the early versions, though, was the one Fairport Convention alum Ian Matthews recorded in 1973 on his Valley Hi album, produced by ex-Monkee Michael Nesmith. Matthews and Nesmith came up with an arrangement that featured an a capella introduction, as well as a gorgeous steel guitar solo.In 1980, the Eagles sped up Matthews' version and in so doing came up with a major hit single; this is the "Seven Bridges Road" everybody knows today. The covers slowed as the Eagles' version came to be acknowledged as definitive, though artists as diverse as Firehouse, Ricochet and Dolly Parton have all released versions of "Seven Bridges Road" in recent years. To my ears, though, Ian Matthews still takes first prize. Valley Hi is a disc well worth seeking out for fans of country-rock and folk-rock.Steve Young is still writing and recording today. As is often the case, Young never became a star. He spent much of the 70's battling drug and alcohol problems, yet he overcame those difficulties and remains a vital artist. Young recorded this live version of "Seven Bridges Road" in 1991. In Young's hands, the song is a wistful, melancholy remembrance of times past, and a haunting counterpoint to the version that album rock radio has burnt into our heads over the years.

Thanks, doc. I, too think the Ian Matthews version is excellent. There is something about those five part harmonies that the Eagles pull off so well, though.
Great post.


Here's a news story about Ian Matthews and Southern Comfort done many years ago.

Brush With Greatness Number 15

One of my favorites, here. How cool was it to interview Joe Walsh? He looks like my high school science teacher rather than the second best American guitar player ever (with apologies to Stevie Ray).
He was very interesting, funny and incredibly smart.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (again)

A couple of weeks ago, our midday guy Charlie Brennan was interviewing Peter Tork of The Monkees and Charlie made a stink about The Monkees not being in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I like Charlie and sometimes I think he does stuff like this just to get a rise out of people. If The Monkees go in before Three Dog Night, The Doobie Brothers, The Moody Blues, Chicago Neil Diamond, The Band or even Paul Revere and The Raiders, I will officially give away my albums. That would be a travesty.