The high A ball league Championship will begin next week, with The Quad City River Bandits awaiting the winner of the 2nd playoff birth which might be Cedar Rapids if they beat Peoria, otherwise Lake County will be the playoffs. You gotta love the grit of the teams fighting for that final spot. Unlike the Chicago Cubs who continue to lose to Milwaukee, 11th straight games the Brew Crew has won, and the second game that the fucking Cubs blew yet another lead. Had they held the fucking lead, they might be in the playoff hunt. But alas they have no luck and no relief pitching whatsoever. For the River Bandits, they won Saturday night with a 4-3 victory when Tyler Bates hit a base hit that scored Tyler Tolbert. In the five games that I have seen the QC bandits, they had a 4-1 record. Quad Cities will get the CR Kernels in the Championship.
At least the Cubs finally beat Milwaukee, although the bullpen and Rowan Wick, who's doing his best at being worst, damn near gave the game back to the Brew Crew (walking 3 in his 2nd straight shit outing). With two weeks left in the season, the reclamation projects have taken on interesting twist since the 2016 core players were traded. And the reality is that had the Cubs won the games they blew the lead in, they might be challenging for a playoff spot. They did lead the Brewers at some point all three games. The pitching has been a revolving door, even more so in the lack of relief department and nobody had been lights out. The constant walks, the constant gopher balls given up and every pitcher either getting on the shuttle back to Des Moines or kicked to the curb (so long Dillon Maples, who had a 2.59 ERA but the walks he gave up cost him, 25 in 31 innings pitched) and Miguel Rodriguez finally was shut down for the season. Wick was supposed to be in line to be the stopper but two crapping showings reveal he was no better than the departed Maples. Frank Schwingel, on the other hand has shown a comeback after being a journeyman, hitting a hard to believe .364 But the most interesting player is Patrick Wisdom, hitting his 27th home run, breaking the rookie record held by Kris Bryant and driving in three runs. With Wisdom, it's a all or nothing thing, he has a strike out rate at 40 percent and for the second straight game struck out four times before connecting on the game winner. Certainly it's great to get HRs, but that 144 (and counting) SO's at bat is pretty ugh. With those ugly K's, he won't get rookie of the year but for a feel good story, well at least he will have a record of his own when this season is over. The Brewers won 15 of the 19 games played with the Cubs but at least the Cubs won the final meeting between these two teams The Brewers will clinch the division title, but they will have to do it against a red hot St Louis Cardinals team that has won 8 games in a row and are determined to get a playoff spot. This should be a interesting series.
As for Jake Arrieta, he had yet another bad game as the Cardinals plummeted him for 5 runs, however, Tatis Jr, dropped a fly ball and threw a wild pitch at home, leading to the Cards scoring those runs first. With the Padres putting Jake on the DL once again, his showing in San Diego, 0-2 8.25 ERA, reveals that he is done. He's 5-14 this season and the feel good story of him returning to Chicago is long gone, replaced by the worst pitching of his career. The 2021 season has been his black eye in a stellar career.
Congrats to the Orioles, for losing another 100 games in a season again. Forever in the crapper till Spanos sells the team.
We have two hurricanes out in the ocean. One is named Pete, the other is Rose. Hmm.
Iowa creamed Kent State 30-7, The Iowa Defense still is dominating, but the offense is still spluttering, even tho Tyler Goodson had 153 yards rushing and scored three TDs. Spence Petras threw for a TD and completed 25 passes out of 36 for 209 yards. Not bad for a day's work but they still look tentative at times. As expected, Iowa State went to Vegas and cashed in, rolling over UNLV 48-3. For our Arizona teams, ASU felled to BYU and Northern Arizona ended their longest losing streak, beating Arizona 21-19 in Tucson, first time they beat the Wildcats since the invention or air conditioning (1932). It didn't help the Wildcats having two defense players get thrown out for targeting and two drives ending up with FG only. UA gets number 4 Oregon next week. Things are looking pretty grim for them as they should beaten NAU which hasn't been that great this season.. As for the ASU plastic forks, they may not be as good as advertised but they should do better against Colorado.
When you can't make classic albums anymore, the way to go is to reissue the classic rock albums, and bloat them up with bonus, tracks, studio chatter and the usual live concert or DVD. Since the major labels don't have the patience or time to groom a band for three or four albums, they opt to go with the anniversary packages of those great albums that I haven't cared much to buy again. Aerosmith has managed to get their Columbia masters back to them, so they will reissue them via Universal Music. I'm sure you'll forming at the mouth for that Just Push Play and Nine Lives albums with more cheese. Me, I haven't gotten rid of my first generation Columbia CDs and that Collector's choice of Draw The Line. And don't plan too.
Passings; Sarah Dash, part of Patti LaBelle and The Bluebelles and took part on the 1989 Steel Wheels Tour with the Rolling Stone and part of Keith Richard 1988 album died from natural causes. She was 75. She recorded as a solo artist for Kirshner and EMI records.
CD Finds:
Big In Iowa-Gentil Pete
Atlantic R and B Volume 7
Kate And Anna McGarragle-Dancer With Bruised Knees
The Fireballs.
Going to Davenport I got there late after arguing with my special someone, who played there yesterday and hurt herself on a faulty stool, a long story behind it being broken but of course guess who got the burnt of that frustration. And once again, trying to have a decent day, only to have some fucking moronic kid weaving all over the road behind me, with his 13 year old GF giving him a hand job in the process. And I have been very angry with the Creator about dealing with fucking morons that can't drive, red lights, semis in front and each bargain hunt becomes less fulfilling. Being later than usual, I didn't hit the goodwill and Salvation Army stores, but rather going to the Source Bookstore and Ragged Records, only to had to use the bathroom at the former thanks to my IBS problems. I did find Skeeter Davis's Pop Singles Collection on Taragon and on LP A Dream By The Moody Blues. Ragged had Volume 7 of the Atlantic R and B collection of 1949-1974, plus a Big In Iowa CD, The Fireballs' first album and Kate and Anna McGarragle's Dancer With Bruised Knees on Hannibal. If The River Bandits make it to the second round playoffs at home, I'll probably be back. But I do believe I need to really sit down and clean up the house and take inventory of the stacks of CDs yet to be filed away. I probably will be single in a day or two. I don't think neither one of us are happy, and love should not be this indifferent. But in the meantime, I got to miss out on my friend Kane Brown who played in Moline, I had to deal with his crappy pre recorded drum tracks during their soundcheck and us playing the free stage in Monticello back in July. Which seems like a long time ago.
The Big In Iowa CD came out in 2006 and features a new singer Eddie Gray in place of Bob Burns and the sounds is more honky tonk Jayhawks than Rolling Stones. The Fireballs first album balanced Buddy Holly type of songs and instrumentals and the instrumentals win out. Bulldog and Torquay being the highlights, the popularity of the instrumentals would be the exit of the original Fireballs vocalist and Jimmy Gilmer would replace him. The Atlantic Volume 7 has been the missing piece in my collection, but it is the weakest of the Atlantic box set. It gives too much emphasis to Robert Flack, not enough Aretha and too much of the Philadelphia soul to which Gamble Huff would take to the next level. The godawful Love Won't Let Me Wait is a poor way to end this look at Atlantic R and B and perhaps volume 8 should have been created to showcase the funk of Jimmy Castor Bunch or the disco beginnings of The Trammps. But it does gives us the funky Rock Steady (Bernard Purdie, we are not worthy) and Compared To What. Add Can I Change My Mind from Tyrone Davis to compliment Turn Back The Hands Of Time and it would be worthy.
Other finds.
Kate Bush-The Sensual World
Bob Seger-Like A Rock
LP
Heads, Hands And Feet-Old Soldiers Never Die
Tom Paxton-The Things That I Noticed Now
Heads Hands and Feet were the UK's answer to The Band but with a more loose rocking feel, tho Tony Colton prefers those grandstanding ballads. This is the band that featured Albert Lee, the wunderkind guitar extraordinaire and Chas Hodges, the counter to Colton's pop tendencies. One Woman was that song that eluded me for many years. Other highlight includes the Jack Of All Trades/Meal Ticket medley and Another Useless Day. HHF could rock with the best of them but they broke up after this album was released. A lost classic. The Tom Paxton is interesting for Albert Bouchard (BOC) playing drums on Bishop Cody's Last Request, which Paxton didn't rock with the best of them. The wordy 15 minute The Iron Man will try your patience. The Two and half minute All Night Long, is better. A curio album and a dollar find at the local Analog Vault.
45's
Polk Salad Annie-Tony Joe White (Monument MN-1104) #8 1969
Bertha Butt Boogie (part 1)-Jimmy Castor Bunch (Atlantic 45-3232) #16 1975
If You Talk In Your Sleep-Elvis Presley (RCA APB0-0280) #17 1974
Money Honey-Bay City Rollers (Arista AS-0170) #9 1976
White Horse-Laid Back (Sire 7-29346) #26 1984
One of those look what Goodwill had for 45's this week. I didn't think there would be much there since I was there a few days ago but somebody threw out their collection of mid 70s singles and a decent copy of Polk Salad Annie and White Horse. What strikes me funny is how The Bay City Rollers really rocked it up with Money Honey, their best attempt at glam rock and forget the faces and teen idol pinup shots and it just as rocking as T Rex or Slade. Jimmy Castor's Bertha Butt Boogie has been funky fun stuff and even Elvis puts together a nice hard r and b song in If You Talk In Your Sleep. He did have a nice run of rockers in the mid 70s, Promised Land was the next single.
Five Star Mud Football Game: Fun In The Mud
Cleveland 7 NY Giants 0
Polo Grounds: New York 10/25/53
I was watching the Chargers/Cowboys game from the new stadium that the Chargers and Rams share, it looked like a GD Ouija pointer with the fake turf and the Cowboys winning on a long FG to which we got to see Jerry Jones's ugly mug sucking face with the next person next to him. And people wonder why I hate the Cowboys. New stadiums look good, and players can mug around like the WWE and there's not a shred of personality anymore. Back in the dark ages, players have to play in elements and crappy old stadiums that seen better days. Even in 1953 the Polo Grounds looked like a wrecking ball away from being knocked down, rats big as linemen running around the locker room and field. With a lack of a drainage field and a baseball infield not covered and a driving rain turned the Polo Grounds into a mud field. And there wasn't much offense in this weather. Cleveland was undefeated, and New York was trying to find their way back to the top, but even with Charlie Cornerly, they weren't that great. Otto Graham, the HOF QB rushed for 41 yards and a mud splattered 4 yard TD run to decide this game. A very youthful Frank Gifford ran a couple kicks back for a few yards, but basically this was your defensive battle for both teams. Not much of a game but if you love a good mud game. This one can't be beat.
Record Reviews
Grateful Dead-Road Trips Volume 2 (the Carousel 2-14-68) (Real Gone 2021)
Disc 2 is Anthem Of The Sun done in one setting and not without various concerts spliced in and to be honest it is nice to hear these songs without distraction, tho Anthem Of The Sun remains trippy hippy dippy classic. You can tell they're still working on getting things squared away on Alligator and the 10 minute Caution Do Not Stop On The Tracks before concluding with a barrage of feedback noise that gives fond memories of Metal Machine Music, or perhaps Starship from the MC5. Phil Lesh mentioned that is one of his fave Dead concerts and perhaps he has a point. Anthem Of The Sun really can be mentioned as one of the early space rock albums and beat Hawkwind by about five years to make this spaced out effort. For bonus tracks, I like the economics of Beat It Down The Line, the magic mushroom hallucinations of Viola Lee Blues (all 20 minutes of it) and the second version of Dark Star. Not all of this album works, The Midnight Hour isn't that great. Certainly, Road Trips 2 is a classic concert of who the Dead were and certainly Pigpen was still singing the blues quite a bit. But you can tell the winds were changing, Quicksilver Messenger Service would take these space jams to their own level on the Happy Trails album. Which wasn't as classic as you think it is.
A-
The Moody Blues-A Dream (Nova Import 1976)
Tracy Deaton aka Tad told me about this album when we were discussing the Moody Blues and of course I remembered it and of course I would go find the album soon afterwards. Decca Records (the supreme record company) gave their blessing to a German label to compile the Denny Laine years along with early singles from Laine's replacements Justin Hayward and John Lodge to try to fit the pieces in before the classic 7 albums that came soon after. In some ways, we cannot overlook Laine's contributions to the Moodies,, and for that matter Mike Pinder who's songs revealed a forward into the future with Love And Beauty but also showing his R and B roots with I Really Haven't Got The Time. Those early singles would be on Prelude, a nifty London comp, that included the five bonus tracks from the Caught Live album, the Laine years were compiled into the hard to find Magnificent Moodies collection, tho Repertoire would issued the Go Now album, but their album pales to the London M.M. album due to less bonus tracks. As the Moody Blues MK 2 Lineup became the prominent lineup, the early stuff is forgotten or ignored. Which is a shame since Go Now and From The Bottom Of My Heart are classics in their own right. Perhaps nobody would have noticed if the latter did sneak up on a later overview tho Laine's primal screams at the end would reveal as am imposter of sorts. But the the R and B of Bye Bye Birdie and I Don't Want To Go On Without You would have clashed. It would have been fun to see Tony Clarke get a hold of these songs and segment them into the other songs as he did with the 7 classic albums. Hayward does have some great songs here as the newbie, Fly Me High and Cities would gave a great counterpart to Laine's music. Also telling, the importance of Mike Pinder being the bridge from the R and B band unto the new frontier of music cannot be overlooked. This may have never happened had Laine not gone solo and they stayed to a Rhythm n Blues cover band sound. I think think A Dream was made after This Is The Moody Blues came out to show the now forgotten side. To which it did have it's moment and makes a good companion to This Is, that is if you can find it.
B plus
2 comments:
Hi Crabby! Thanks for the name-check. Way back 40+ years ago I bought "A Dream" as a German import, but it sounded so unlike the Moodies I loved that I wasn't ready for it. I liked the minor Hayward tracks and the early experiments with the Mellotron, and "Go Now" of course, but not enough to keep the album.
Denny Laine and the Moody Blues 1 group is so different. The London album Go Now, wasn't that impressive and listening to A Dream you can tell the clash of sounds. I think Laine was suited better for Wings. A Dream is a curio that has faded into view, but I did find a copy for 9 dollars and it makes a interesting conversation piece.
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