Random Notes Time Again:
1. Billy Squier
so I have the ol' clock radio set to ZPS again because I cannot get Jack on it any longer on... cosmic interference or whatever... and I wake up Saturday to Billy Squier's Lonely Is the Night, which I haven't heard in a while... and I think about this and the time it was released, like 1981 and it strikes me that it's no wonder this was huge back then: it sounds just like ZEPPELIN. A younger leaner more modern Zeppelin [no 'I come from the land of the ice and snow....'] but it sounds JUST LIKE ZEPPELIN, especially that drummer Bobby Chouinard. Yeah, he wore that stupid red jacket when I saw Squier open for Queen in 82, but he has that John Bonham plod and that sound down COLD. Said so at the time, too, I believe.
Poor Billy, he could've had it all if he hadn't gone DANCING AROUND IN A PINK TANK TOP AND TIGHTS in 83.
2. Rhythm Guitars and CCR
Been listening to two bands in which rhythm guitar players are critical, The Grateful Dead and Creedence Clearwater Revival. And I don't just mean double tracking power chords to thicken up the sound. Bob's important for laying down nice full chords so Jerry can noodle around all over the place. And the GREAT TOM FOGERTY of Creedence. Wow. The guy is usually hanging in the left speaker buried under the inventive bass lines of the under-rated Stu Cook, usually holding one chord to the drummer Doug 'Cosmo' Clifford, in effect holding the rhythm, which is what you expect the bass player to do. But that frees John Fogarty to scream and howl and do the same with his great lead lines, knowing his bottom is covered.
The other thing about CCR [who never had a #1 single. Think about that! All those classic and enduring songs: Proud Mary, Bad Moon Rising, Fortunate Son, Down on the Corner, Who'll Stop the Rain, Travelin' Band and NOT ONE hit #1!] ... wow i just blew my own mind and lost my point. You can listen to the evolution of that band in a hurry. Think some more! This band put out 7 albums in 4 years. In 1969 alone they put out 3! [Bayou Country, Green River, Willy & the Poorboys] In 1970 they put out two classics: Cosmo's Factory and Pendulum. Now I have been enamored of Pendulum for a long, long time since my folks had it on 8-Track. Theme from Rude Awakening #2 may be their Revolution 9, but the rest of the album is SOLID. They're just getting tighter and tighter by this record, John stretching out on saxes and Tom playing organ, but it turned out to be their last gasp. Tom left after this record was released and the other three released Mardi Gras in 1972, but to say it was a disappointment doesn't scratch the surface, though it did have Sweet Hitch-Hiker and Someday Never Comes on it.
3. Reunion Aftermath
I guess I have gotten all this reunion angst out of my head, but I've had some weird dreams the last few nights with the members of the class of 85 [don't worry you look like your younger selves] and other people from my past of that period. Let's just say if several of us meet in a bar in Toronto, it's going to be a weird night!
4. Trace Adkins New Video/Song
Has anyone else seen the video for this or heard this Honky Tonk Bodonkadonk? I was flipping by CMT and caught an eyeful of this... While there was/is something to be said about Big & Rich blowing up the mold again and bringing country music up into the 1990s, this is just getting STUPID. Do we need 'Country Music' videos with guys with huge bling-bling rings and girls doing stripper ass bounces in hot pants, tight shorts and microskirts with their G stings hanging out? Does the new 'Country Outlaw Movement' have to resort to the crass lowest common denominator like this? I mean this isn't funny, like Toby Keith TRIES to be [missing more and more] nor does it strike me as tongue in cheek, it just strikes me as STUPID.
5. Hockey Notes
I got my NHL package for cable, so you know where I am most nights.... I have decided I can't watch the Pens anymore. It's just too painful to watch. This also means I am not getting the new/old Pens logo tattooed on me anytime soon... maybe that Red Wings logo? I hope Mario is telling Sid the Kid how awful the team was when he arrived in Pittsburgh... oddly, I heard their minor league team is tops in the AHL at 8-0. Looks like we need some call ups! But then when Marc-Andre Fleury was up, he still didn't have any defencse in front of him and the Pens continue to get called for penalties in the last five minutes of the game and in overtime. ... okay, I am done with that for now.
I have also noticed a distinctive LACK of Central time zone teams. Only Dallas, Minnesota and Chicago [with the worst camera positions in the NHL] play in the Central time zone! [Bring back Winnipeg!] Colorado is close in the Moutain zone, everything is East Coast or West Coast.
Anyway, let me tell you who I am watching: the LA Kings. Yeah, it's west coast and they're on late, but damn they are playing good hockey right now. That team has been decimated by injuries the last couple of seasons and Jeremt Roenick is not playing well, but every one else is: Alexander Frolov, Pavol Demitra [ya think the Blues should have kept him and cut or bought out Keith Tkachuk?], Craig Conroy, Derek Armstrong, Brown... it remains to be seen how the two young netminders will hold up, but like Minnesota, running them every other night my work out. AND the Mighty Ducks of Anahiem WITHOUT Sergei Fedorov. Everyone else is picking up the pace, especially Joffery Lupol and Teemu Selanne.
On the east coast I am watching two teams for budding young stars: the Washington Capitals Alexander Ovechkin and the Carolina Hurricanes' Eric Staal. These two kids are lighting their teams lamps all over the place. Just Friday Staal had the hat trick to lead the Canes to a 8-6 victory over Philly and then Saturday he put up four assists against the Pens. Ovechkin is a wonder on a hapless Washington team. God help us when the Caps get some talent around him!
Tampa Bay is off to a slow start but look like they are turning the corner, Philly hanging around at .500? Jaromir Jagr is fun to watch again in NYC and they have a really good rookie goaltender in Henrik Lundqvist. And Detroit, despite losing Derian Hatcher, Darren McCartey and Ray Whitney, remain a MACHINE. I was watching the Avs/Canucks last night and it appears cast offs Pierre Turgeon and Patrice Brisboise have found second life under the new rules in Colorado. With Milan Hejduk back after missing the first three weeks, that team is suddenly dangerous again.
Disappointed in Calgary and Edmonton's seasons so far. Edmonton had their spark plug Ryan Smith out for a few games, but Calgary has no excuses.
Monday, October 24, 2005
Who Are Video Games Aimed At?
I'm watching the tube today and I see the commecrcials for Blitz [I am not sure it is NFL Blitz, I think the NFL would disapprove and distance from this] with Former NFL great turned cocaine snorter Lawrence Taylor talking about this new game. I saw a brief review in the paper too. This game is about injuring players on the other team, going out to clubs, getting in fights, etc. etc. Basically living the STEREOTYPICAL out of control athlete lifestyle. [I think anyone who wants to glorify this shit needs another good look at North Dallas Forty.] Then I sart paying attention to the rest of the commercials for video games, all the blow 'em up, shhot 'em ups, all rated M ['for Mature'] and I just start wondering who these games are really aimed at.
Don't get me wrong, when Atari was all we had, it was cool to get down with Uncle Rich and play Slot Racers and Asteroids and stuff. And Nintendo was cool, we'd get twelve packs onFriday night and do Techmo Bowl all night. When I started on Sega Hockey, it kept me entertained. I still have a hockey game on my computer and I am re-re considering Playstation 2 so I can get a hockey game NOT made by EA Sports. And I admit I had fun playing Halo. I am sure if I was a football of basketball guy I would get into those games, but I am not.
But I ask the question: What is the point of games like Blitz and Grand Theft Auto [the premise of which is to STEAL CARS and KILL COPS]? Will we find a connection between games that glorify violence for violence's sake and rises in violent crime by younger persons? Are we creating our own problems by further blurring lines between right and wrong and reality and fantasy in impressionable youth?
I am just curious. I am not coming out for outright banning something like this. I just wonder what is the point? I know - escapism. But what are you escaping from playing a criminal or a thug in a video game?
I'm watching the tube today and I see the commecrcials for Blitz [I am not sure it is NFL Blitz, I think the NFL would disapprove and distance from this] with Former NFL great turned cocaine snorter Lawrence Taylor talking about this new game. I saw a brief review in the paper too. This game is about injuring players on the other team, going out to clubs, getting in fights, etc. etc. Basically living the STEREOTYPICAL out of control athlete lifestyle. [I think anyone who wants to glorify this shit needs another good look at North Dallas Forty.] Then I sart paying attention to the rest of the commercials for video games, all the blow 'em up, shhot 'em ups, all rated M ['for Mature'] and I just start wondering who these games are really aimed at.
Don't get me wrong, when Atari was all we had, it was cool to get down with Uncle Rich and play Slot Racers and Asteroids and stuff. And Nintendo was cool, we'd get twelve packs onFriday night and do Techmo Bowl all night. When I started on Sega Hockey, it kept me entertained. I still have a hockey game on my computer and I am re-re considering Playstation 2 so I can get a hockey game NOT made by EA Sports. And I admit I had fun playing Halo. I am sure if I was a football of basketball guy I would get into those games, but I am not.
But I ask the question: What is the point of games like Blitz and Grand Theft Auto [the premise of which is to STEAL CARS and KILL COPS]? Will we find a connection between games that glorify violence for violence's sake and rises in violent crime by younger persons? Are we creating our own problems by further blurring lines between right and wrong and reality and fantasy in impressionable youth?
I am just curious. I am not coming out for outright banning something like this. I just wonder what is the point? I know - escapism. But what are you escaping from playing a criminal or a thug in a video game?
Sunday, October 16, 2005
The Penguins SUCK [and Other Hockey Notes]
How can a team with John LeClair, Mark Recchi, Ziggy Palfy, Sergei Gonchar, the Next Great One Sidney Crosby and, oh yeah, Mario Lemieux suck THIS BAD? Easy. Same story as the Pens of the late 90s-early 00s: NO DEFENSE, SHAKY GOALTENDING. All the money under the cap and they got al these offensive players and the best defensive player you can get is a couple of Blackhawks cast offs in Steve Poapst [not bad, but not scaring anybody] and scrappy Lyle Odelin? The goalie you got to keep the kids out of the net [also from Chicago] is injury prone and - surprise! - all ready on the shelf with a knee injury. Hey guys, Chicago wasn't lighting up the league before the lockout, why are you taking their cast aways? But I could live with this if the team was playing smart... but they're not. I've watched three and a half of these debacles and these guys are taking BAD penalties and throwing passes right up the middle of the ice where the other team can intercept them. My friend Marty is coaching 10 and under this year and a bunch of 5-10 year old KIDS know you don't throw the puck up the middle of the ice!!! You use the boards to get the puck out! TWICE in about five minutes Friday night I watched the Pittsburgh D trying the long bomb pass and get intercepted and Philly's Simon Gagne and Peter Forsberg taking advantage and scoring. So what does this lead one to think? Pittsburgh coach Eddie Olczyk has got to go. OR he has to take the asylum back from the offense happy inmates and implement DISCIPLINE. But I don't think he will be able to do either. Tampa Bay [reigning Cup champs] coach is all ready tired of seeing his players floating waiting for the long bomb outlet pass at the red line or deeper and is forcing his player to play like the red line is still in the game. Take notes, Eddie!
Meanwhile, Marty's Nashville Predators are 5-0-0 with three shootout wins. I told Marty for years they were building a team right down there, on a five year plan [and he got to tell the GM at Fan Fest this year] and they are proving me right, that last season's playoff run was no fluke. Marty was right about Tomas Vokun being the goaltender of the future there, though... Frame that autographed jersey now, Marty.
In a surprise announcement Saturday, Brett Hull announced he's hanging them up... that's sad for the hockey world, but maybe god for the broadcast booth at OLN. Brett apparently was not having fun anymore and, true to his book, hung them up when the game stopped being fun. The League will miss The Mighty Mouth; now we only have Jeremy Roenick to give the league color and personality. Hull never lost the child in home that loved to play the game and I will miss that boyish grin. Personally, I was never a fan until he came to Dallas; the more I saw of him speaking his mind, the more I liked him, and I continued to cheer for him in Detroit. Thanks for the memories, Brett!
How can a team with John LeClair, Mark Recchi, Ziggy Palfy, Sergei Gonchar, the Next Great One Sidney Crosby and, oh yeah, Mario Lemieux suck THIS BAD? Easy. Same story as the Pens of the late 90s-early 00s: NO DEFENSE, SHAKY GOALTENDING. All the money under the cap and they got al these offensive players and the best defensive player you can get is a couple of Blackhawks cast offs in Steve Poapst [not bad, but not scaring anybody] and scrappy Lyle Odelin? The goalie you got to keep the kids out of the net [also from Chicago] is injury prone and - surprise! - all ready on the shelf with a knee injury. Hey guys, Chicago wasn't lighting up the league before the lockout, why are you taking their cast aways? But I could live with this if the team was playing smart... but they're not. I've watched three and a half of these debacles and these guys are taking BAD penalties and throwing passes right up the middle of the ice where the other team can intercept them. My friend Marty is coaching 10 and under this year and a bunch of 5-10 year old KIDS know you don't throw the puck up the middle of the ice!!! You use the boards to get the puck out! TWICE in about five minutes Friday night I watched the Pittsburgh D trying the long bomb pass and get intercepted and Philly's Simon Gagne and Peter Forsberg taking advantage and scoring. So what does this lead one to think? Pittsburgh coach Eddie Olczyk has got to go. OR he has to take the asylum back from the offense happy inmates and implement DISCIPLINE. But I don't think he will be able to do either. Tampa Bay [reigning Cup champs] coach is all ready tired of seeing his players floating waiting for the long bomb outlet pass at the red line or deeper and is forcing his player to play like the red line is still in the game. Take notes, Eddie!
Meanwhile, Marty's Nashville Predators are 5-0-0 with three shootout wins. I told Marty for years they were building a team right down there, on a five year plan [and he got to tell the GM at Fan Fest this year] and they are proving me right, that last season's playoff run was no fluke. Marty was right about Tomas Vokun being the goaltender of the future there, though... Frame that autographed jersey now, Marty.
In a surprise announcement Saturday, Brett Hull announced he's hanging them up... that's sad for the hockey world, but maybe god for the broadcast booth at OLN. Brett apparently was not having fun anymore and, true to his book, hung them up when the game stopped being fun. The League will miss The Mighty Mouth; now we only have Jeremy Roenick to give the league color and personality. Hull never lost the child in home that loved to play the game and I will miss that boyish grin. Personally, I was never a fan until he came to Dallas; the more I saw of him speaking his mind, the more I liked him, and I continued to cheer for him in Detroit. Thanks for the memories, Brett!
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
NHL on OLN
Yeah, like everyone else I said "Who?" when I heard OLN was going to be televising the NHL. But three games into this, I have to say they're doing it pretty well. They were smart enough to hire Bill Clement to anchor the whole deal, Kieth Jones and Neil Smith assisting at NHL central [missing John Bucciograss and Barry Melrose, but if OLN is smart they will go for them when their contracts are up] and get John Davidson to do color. I'd like more of Dr Mike Emerick and I was skeptical with Marv Albert's son Kenny, but he's been okay.... TONS less annoying than his old man. Aside from a few technical glitches [a/k/a getting th bugs out], OLN seems to have put a priority on the NHL, and not just Colorado/Detroit/Dallas/Philly.. last nights HEARTBREAKING Pittsburgh/Buffalo tilt was a great example of how the NHL can be if the refs keep calling the penalties and let the players adjust. The fact that Pittsburgh lost it in the last 30 seconds is [almost] meaningless.
Yeah, like everyone else I said "Who?" when I heard OLN was going to be televising the NHL. But three games into this, I have to say they're doing it pretty well. They were smart enough to hire Bill Clement to anchor the whole deal, Kieth Jones and Neil Smith assisting at NHL central [missing John Bucciograss and Barry Melrose, but if OLN is smart they will go for them when their contracts are up] and get John Davidson to do color. I'd like more of Dr Mike Emerick and I was skeptical with Marv Albert's son Kenny, but he's been okay.... TONS less annoying than his old man. Aside from a few technical glitches [a/k/a getting th bugs out], OLN seems to have put a priority on the NHL, and not just Colorado/Detroit/Dallas/Philly.. last nights HEARTBREAKING Pittsburgh/Buffalo tilt was a great example of how the NHL can be if the refs keep calling the penalties and let the players adjust. The fact that Pittsburgh lost it in the last 30 seconds is [almost] meaningless.
Thursday, October 06, 2005
Wabbit Season! Duck Season! HOCKEY SEASON!!!!
Finally, the NHL cranks back up! Watched the Stars/Kings and Rangers/Flyers last night. If they KEEP calling the rules book the way they are now, then I am 111% IN for the New Look NHL. Actually, it looks like the return of firewagon hockey from the 70s and 80s again. Lots of north-south/end to end play and the two line pass becomes a dangerous risk/reward weapon. Watch as goals against averages never get near 1.9 again. Jeremy Roenick looks good out there with Pavol Demitra in LA. And Jaromir Jagr shows some signs of fire in his belly. Defensemen better learn positioning again or get extra padding for sitting in the penalty box.
They'rw previewing NHL Center Ice on my cable, so I watched the Pens/ Devils the other night [as well as catching a bit of the Pens/Bruins Oct 8] ... how can you go sign a pile of offensive guys and the best free agent defenseman [face it - Gonchar is there because he KILLED the Pens with his shot from the point] is ex-Hawk Steve Poapst?
Dragnet in NYC
So peple are concerned that the 'Terroroist Threat' to the NYC subway is not credible and the extra security measures are a hassle... but think about this: IF something happened there like what happened in the London Underground, and the public found out that the government was aware of a threat and did nothing, they'd be screaming bloody murder again. Sometimes you just can't win.
Finally, the NHL cranks back up! Watched the Stars/Kings and Rangers/Flyers last night. If they KEEP calling the rules book the way they are now, then I am 111% IN for the New Look NHL. Actually, it looks like the return of firewagon hockey from the 70s and 80s again. Lots of north-south/end to end play and the two line pass becomes a dangerous risk/reward weapon. Watch as goals against averages never get near 1.9 again. Jeremy Roenick looks good out there with Pavol Demitra in LA. And Jaromir Jagr shows some signs of fire in his belly. Defensemen better learn positioning again or get extra padding for sitting in the penalty box.
They'rw previewing NHL Center Ice on my cable, so I watched the Pens/ Devils the other night [as well as catching a bit of the Pens/Bruins Oct 8] ... how can you go sign a pile of offensive guys and the best free agent defenseman [face it - Gonchar is there because he KILLED the Pens with his shot from the point] is ex-Hawk Steve Poapst?
Dragnet in NYC
So peple are concerned that the 'Terroroist Threat' to the NYC subway is not credible and the extra security measures are a hassle... but think about this: IF something happened there like what happened in the London Underground, and the public found out that the government was aware of a threat and did nothing, they'd be screaming bloody murder again. Sometimes you just can't win.
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
Class
We were discussing one person who did not show and decided some people do want to disconnect from their pasts, trying to hide what they were from people now in their lives or something. But there was none of the posturing or bragging that seemed to go on at the 10 year reunion; we were just people sharing a common past coming together to relive a few memories and catch up.
If I had my time again
I would do it all the same
And not change a single thing
Even when I was the blind
For the heartache and the pain
Got a course throughout my years
How I learned to be a man
Through the laughter and the tears
Situation no win
Rush for the change of atmosphere
I can`t go on so I give in
Gotta get myself right outta here
Now I`m fully grown
And I know where it`s at
Somehow I stayed thin
While the other guys got fat
All the chances that are blown
And the times that I`ve been down
I didn`t get to high
Kept my feet on the ground
Situation no win
Rush for the change of atmosphere
I can`t go on so I give in
Gotta get myself right outta here
And of all my friends
You`ve been the best to me
Soon will be tha day
When I repay you handsomely
Broken hearts are hard to mend
I know I`ve had my share
But life just carries on
Even when I`m not there
Situation no win
Rush for the change of atmosphere
I can`t go on so I give in
Gotta get myself right outta here
-Rush; Big Audio Dynamite II