The last day in February is today and in some ways it's like the ending of winter. Here in the state we usually go by Dec 1 to February 28 as our winter, once March comes around we begin to think spring. Which means we go from icestorms and snowstorms to tornados and the rainy season that tends to flood the basement. Spring also means the forthcoming of birds, building their nest all over the foundation of the house and with the arrival of the dammed redwings divebombing anything that moves another sign of spring forthcoming.
This winter hasn't been the bitch like last year's was. Snow from Thanksgiving to April 1st, only to see it melt away by 10 inch rainfalls and contributing to the historic flood of last year that which I doubt we'll recover in this lifetime. Thankfully this winter after decemeber the training of snowstorms finally stopped and after a cold spell of 36 below one night this winter was much better getting around than last. No more repeat of 60 inches of snows and 25 inches of rain in may.
We been through a lot it seems, with a lousy economy done in by 6 years of Republican Me Myself and I's and two years of Nancy Pelosi and her in it for herself idealogy. And it seems like each and every company in town is following one another by laying people off left and right and the big idea is to include a one cent option tax. Funny how we wanted change back 2006 and we got it all right, but in the wrong direction. The flood didn't do shit for anybody but make most of CR a dark and creepy place where abandoned or unliveable houses remain and made this new government CR as inept as Moe Larry and Curly running this town. The Taxacrats keep trying to tax every damn thing they can think of, while the Republicants sit on their big fat merry go round and do nothing but bitch about how the Taxacrats got us into this mess. As I said before, 2008, Mother Nature did her damnest to destroy this Cedar Rapids but Kay Halloran and company seem to be doing a fine job of that themselves.
It seems that the only place that seems to be doing anything good is our friends at Kaplin University, formerly Hamilton Business College to which in this Great Depression 2, all you see everywhere is billboards for Kaplin, even e-commericals from Kaplin are online and on the afternoon television shows to which you will see no fewer than at least 10 commericals touting the wonderous things that Kaplin can do with you. I can't find a job cuz I got no expierence, got no expierence cuz I got no Job. I'm so tired, I hate my job bla bla bla. So, spend 5,000 more dollars per year to get a worthless two year degree like I did when I went to HBC, now Kraplin University. One year of worthless computer programming that didn't get me squat but a temp job that eventually became the job that I'm at today. Thanks to Kraplin University I'm now a Print Operator 2 and I owe it all to Kraplin University. RIIIIIIIGHT.
It's not that I don't care much for Kraplin or Kaplin but rather their commercials are so dammed annoying that you can't help but firebomb the damn place for flooding tv with their worthless rhetoric. The business world is cut throat and a two year Kraplin degree won't even get you in to even clean the fucking toilets at these places. And with the downturn of places to work, there isn't much to consider since they won't pay you more than 9 bucks an hour and you're paying back a loan for worthless courses. I'm sure Kaplin is alot better teaching things now than HBC did back in my day. Out of all the 35 computer programmers that gradurated, only one did get a job soon after while the rest of us ended up going the temp route or still work two jobs to pay off their damn debt to HBC. And so Kaplin has all this income to flood radio and TV and the net to promote their programs, to show dumbwitted 20 somethings about I CANT GET A JOB on these commericals and we all know these talented actresses and actors have never set foot into Kaplin. They wouldn't know Kaplin from Ebonics. But in this day and age Kaplin has all these wonderful programs that could make you become a security guard up at my place of work for 5000 a year, so you can make 7.50 an hour guarding our workplace.
And you'd think that in this depression and age we would get better workers?!? Seems like our temp pool gets dumber and dumber as the years progress on. Appently, somebody in the other department was smoking a joint in the smoke shack, another gang banger was drinking a 40 Oz in the parking lot. If that's the case, well if they came from Kraplin University, we're certainly getting our money's worth from these halfwits.
Perhaps Kaplin isn't that bad but then again, it's nothing different than what Kirkwood is putting out. And Kirkwood is probaly cheaper but one could probaly sue Kraplin for false advertising for not getting you that quality job in computer programming. But in this day and age, you're probaly laid off from computer programming since that none of the CEOs and big shots don't take their own pay cut for the sake of the company.
You're on your own. And that's the one thing that Kaplin doesn't teach you after you get your diploma from there.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Top Ten Of The Week-Remembering Randy Bewley
Some bands make a return engagement this week in Top Ten Land but don't
hold it against me. It's simply of bands that I wanted to listen to.
Plus a couple nods to the latest installment of Little Steven's
Underground Garage new Coolest Songs In The World Volume 8. I'm still
surprised that I'm still collecting the overlong digipak myself. But
first, a moment of silence to Randy Bewley, guitarist from Pylon who
passed away due to a heart attack. Pylon was the more underground
Athens band in the early 80s that brought us the B-52s and REM.
Sometimes Vanessa Hay pops in here to say hello. Randy will be missed.
1. Already Gone-The Eagles 1974 I suppose I'm losing my street cred by adding another overplayed classic from this band but this is my favorite Eagles song in their history. Not even Sheryl Crow could screw this song up but I'm sure she'll take her best shot at it.
2. Escape The Nest-Editors 2007 With the hoopla surrounding Coldplay and Radiohead I'm shocked that this band never made it big on the charts. I think they sound a bit more danceable than The Killers ever did and that includes their debut. Even Mark Prindle gave them a favorable review. Perhaps that was the kiss of death. Mark Prindle knows more than you do Bob Lefsetz (sometimes).
3. A Round-The Gimmecaps 1991 Side project of Wilco bass player/guitarist John Stirratt who made this album but didn't see it get released till about six years later probaly to capitalize on John's Wilco fame. Kinda sounds more in tune with the Danny Whitten led Crazy Horse years. But then again I don't expect too much of y'all out there to go find it.
4. Days-David Bowie 2003 Mr Major Tom's albums of the the past couple decades sucked except for Reality which bombed and pissed Bowie off to the point that he hasn't made anything new since then, but Little Steven thought so much of this song that he included it on the latest installment of Coolest Songs In The World Volume 8 which you can get at your local FYE store, if your local FYE store is still in business. Not to be confused of the same name song by The Kinks.
5. Together And Free-Climax Blues Band 1977 This was the followup to their number one smash Couldn't Get It Right and it bombed on the charts. But they're still getting their royalties from Couldn't Get It Right to which they must have gotten it right in the first place. Later they scored with 1980 MOR hit I Love You, which played at many a wedding in the 1980s.
6. Parachutes-Cold play 2000 For all their recorded output they were up and down. I did like Viva La Vida, didn't care much for X and Y. Liked A Rush Of Blood To The Head, and didn't care much for their debut album to which I finally got around to hear. Too much of the dreaded R word for comparison.
7. Turn To Stone-Joe Walsh 1974 Two versions of this you know about. The first one comes from his Barnstorm album and a bit more prog rock, the second a minor hit from So What. One of a few songs that my side project is trying to figure out how to play.
8. Chinese Burn-The Len Price 3 2007 This UK Band owes more to The Kinks/Who than the Coldplay/Radiohead that UK Bands tend to favor. Which is why I prefer The Len Price 3 for their following true rock and roll roots and not the flavor of the month cowpie that you hear on the radio.
9. Red Firecracker-The Jayhawks 1989 Since Gary Louris and Mark Olson made their CSPS concert last week, I've been pulling out their Jayhawks albums of long ago and realize how good their first two albums still are after all these years. This is the most Crazy Horse sounding and it seems like every Americana band had their share of Neil Young/Crazy Horse albums.
10. Dream Again-Franz Ferdinand 2009 I think this week's top ten we have had more songs from this decade in quite a while. Which all goes to show that I haven't given up on the music of today if you can believe that. But with the music industry in a tailspin and all we get to hear on the radio is Sheryl Crow and that GD Bad Day song from Daniel Prowter, no wonder nobody gives a shit about music today. FF has survived three albums on a major label so they are that rare occasion. And the jury is still out on FF, if people will remember them 10 years from now it's hard to say. Tonight: Franz Ferdinand is them trying to do something different and they miss more than they hit, but give them enuff time and by the time you get around to track 11 you get to hear this moody piece that does feel a bit out of place with the dance music. Give them credit for trying to be a bit different. That's all we ask for.
And Peter (easy rider) Fonda turned 69 on Monday. Another reminder of how time is flying by.
Mark Prindle counterpoint on....
Franz Ferdinand - I HATE THIS BAND. Scottish hookless disco-rock with arrogant, weedy vocals. To me, they represent everything that's wrong with today's so-called "rock" music, and it boggles my mind that ANYBODY IN THE WORLD finds this shit appealing.
1. Already Gone-The Eagles 1974 I suppose I'm losing my street cred by adding another overplayed classic from this band but this is my favorite Eagles song in their history. Not even Sheryl Crow could screw this song up but I'm sure she'll take her best shot at it.
2. Escape The Nest-Editors 2007 With the hoopla surrounding Coldplay and Radiohead I'm shocked that this band never made it big on the charts. I think they sound a bit more danceable than The Killers ever did and that includes their debut. Even Mark Prindle gave them a favorable review. Perhaps that was the kiss of death. Mark Prindle knows more than you do Bob Lefsetz (sometimes).
3. A Round-The Gimmecaps 1991 Side project of Wilco bass player/guitarist John Stirratt who made this album but didn't see it get released till about six years later probaly to capitalize on John's Wilco fame. Kinda sounds more in tune with the Danny Whitten led Crazy Horse years. But then again I don't expect too much of y'all out there to go find it.
4. Days-David Bowie 2003 Mr Major Tom's albums of the the past couple decades sucked except for Reality which bombed and pissed Bowie off to the point that he hasn't made anything new since then, but Little Steven thought so much of this song that he included it on the latest installment of Coolest Songs In The World Volume 8 which you can get at your local FYE store, if your local FYE store is still in business. Not to be confused of the same name song by The Kinks.
5. Together And Free-Climax Blues Band 1977 This was the followup to their number one smash Couldn't Get It Right and it bombed on the charts. But they're still getting their royalties from Couldn't Get It Right to which they must have gotten it right in the first place. Later they scored with 1980 MOR hit I Love You, which played at many a wedding in the 1980s.
6. Parachutes-Cold play 2000 For all their recorded output they were up and down. I did like Viva La Vida, didn't care much for X and Y. Liked A Rush Of Blood To The Head, and didn't care much for their debut album to which I finally got around to hear. Too much of the dreaded R word for comparison.
7. Turn To Stone-Joe Walsh 1974 Two versions of this you know about. The first one comes from his Barnstorm album and a bit more prog rock, the second a minor hit from So What. One of a few songs that my side project is trying to figure out how to play.
8. Chinese Burn-The Len Price 3 2007 This UK Band owes more to The Kinks/Who than the Coldplay/Radiohead that UK Bands tend to favor. Which is why I prefer The Len Price 3 for their following true rock and roll roots and not the flavor of the month cowpie that you hear on the radio.
9. Red Firecracker-The Jayhawks 1989 Since Gary Louris and Mark Olson made their CSPS concert last week, I've been pulling out their Jayhawks albums of long ago and realize how good their first two albums still are after all these years. This is the most Crazy Horse sounding and it seems like every Americana band had their share of Neil Young/Crazy Horse albums.
10. Dream Again-Franz Ferdinand 2009 I think this week's top ten we have had more songs from this decade in quite a while. Which all goes to show that I haven't given up on the music of today if you can believe that. But with the music industry in a tailspin and all we get to hear on the radio is Sheryl Crow and that GD Bad Day song from Daniel Prowter, no wonder nobody gives a shit about music today. FF has survived three albums on a major label so they are that rare occasion. And the jury is still out on FF, if people will remember them 10 years from now it's hard to say. Tonight: Franz Ferdinand is them trying to do something different and they miss more than they hit, but give them enuff time and by the time you get around to track 11 you get to hear this moody piece that does feel a bit out of place with the dance music. Give them credit for trying to be a bit different. That's all we ask for.
And Peter (easy rider) Fonda turned 69 on Monday. Another reminder of how time is flying by.
Mark Prindle counterpoint on....
Franz Ferdinand - I HATE THIS BAND. Scottish hookless disco-rock with arrogant, weedy vocals. To me, they represent everything that's wrong with today's so-called "rock" music, and it boggles my mind that ANYBODY IN THE WORLD finds this shit appealing.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Rock N Roll and Gary Louris with Mark Olsen
I haven't been to a concert in about ten years. Last time I think it was The Blue Rags and that was May 20, 1998; I know that cuz I got the poster in front of me. When Bruce at the pawn shop told me that Gary Louris and Mark Olsen, was coming to CSPS I agreed to join up with him there. That was Monday when I pop into town.
Tuesday, I got hit bigtime with the flubug that has been going around. I hate winter, last month it was the damn cold that stuck around for the first twenty days and then this week the damn flu. I spent Tuesday in bed and slept away most of the day and night and felt well enough to go to work the next day but come Thursday I wasn't doing too well but I did slept in for a couple hours before phoning Bruce to get me a ticket, cuz I was going to go see Gary and Mark even if I looked like death warmed over.
Gary and Mark were the cornerstone of the fabled Jayhawks, who made a fabled debut that's hard to find but a Twin Tone album Blue Earth and the first two American Recordings albums were their high water mark. They have such perfect harmonies on those songs such as Waiting For The Sun and Two Angels alternative rock hits of the early 90s and then radio quit playing them, Mark left the Jayhawks and Gary carried on with a couple more albums before pulling the plug on The Jayhawks and settling into a solo career. Mark married Victoria Williams, did a couple albums together and then got divorced. But Gary did help out on Mark's last album which paved the way for their brand new effort called Ready For The Flood, released on New West Records.
I've never been to CSPS but it looks like one of those turn of the century opera houses. Good harmonics and a pleasant place to get together it seems. It was only Gary and Mark and their voices blended in beautifully. As if there was a third voice harmonizing with them. They were meant to play together, to sing together and they played most of the songs off their latest although I wasn't familar with the album. But in a nice gesture, Mark announced that all the proceeds sold from the album at CSPS would go for flood relief. And they did play some of the older and familar Jayhawks songs such as Waiting For The Sun and Two Angels and Blue, their biggest hit. They saved it for last.
I think Mark was suffering from either a cold or flu since he wasn't too receptive at the autograph booth but he was gracious enough to sign the flyer that I had. But I did get to shake Gary's hand after he signed it and he did managed to come up and talk to us before moving on to Chicago for the next show. I can see why people speak highly of Gary when he plays on their albums. Excellent guiarist that fits the mood perfectly.
Gary did mentioned that it's much easier to play in a acoustic setting rather than a electric setting and from tonight's show I can see why. I never did see The Jayhawks when they touring here in the early 90s but when I hear the harmonies that these two guys did tonight, they reminded me of The Everly Brothers of the 50s and Simon And Garfunkel. But what they did tonight at CSPS was just about picture perfect.
Tuesday, I got hit bigtime with the flubug that has been going around. I hate winter, last month it was the damn cold that stuck around for the first twenty days and then this week the damn flu. I spent Tuesday in bed and slept away most of the day and night and felt well enough to go to work the next day but come Thursday I wasn't doing too well but I did slept in for a couple hours before phoning Bruce to get me a ticket, cuz I was going to go see Gary and Mark even if I looked like death warmed over.
Gary and Mark were the cornerstone of the fabled Jayhawks, who made a fabled debut that's hard to find but a Twin Tone album Blue Earth and the first two American Recordings albums were their high water mark. They have such perfect harmonies on those songs such as Waiting For The Sun and Two Angels alternative rock hits of the early 90s and then radio quit playing them, Mark left the Jayhawks and Gary carried on with a couple more albums before pulling the plug on The Jayhawks and settling into a solo career. Mark married Victoria Williams, did a couple albums together and then got divorced. But Gary did help out on Mark's last album which paved the way for their brand new effort called Ready For The Flood, released on New West Records.
I've never been to CSPS but it looks like one of those turn of the century opera houses. Good harmonics and a pleasant place to get together it seems. It was only Gary and Mark and their voices blended in beautifully. As if there was a third voice harmonizing with them. They were meant to play together, to sing together and they played most of the songs off their latest although I wasn't familar with the album. But in a nice gesture, Mark announced that all the proceeds sold from the album at CSPS would go for flood relief. And they did play some of the older and familar Jayhawks songs such as Waiting For The Sun and Two Angels and Blue, their biggest hit. They saved it for last.
I think Mark was suffering from either a cold or flu since he wasn't too receptive at the autograph booth but he was gracious enough to sign the flyer that I had. But I did get to shake Gary's hand after he signed it and he did managed to come up and talk to us before moving on to Chicago for the next show. I can see why people speak highly of Gary when he plays on their albums. Excellent guiarist that fits the mood perfectly.
Gary did mentioned that it's much easier to play in a acoustic setting rather than a electric setting and from tonight's show I can see why. I never did see The Jayhawks when they touring here in the early 90s but when I hear the harmonies that these two guys did tonight, they reminded me of The Everly Brothers of the 50s and Simon And Garfunkel. But what they did tonight at CSPS was just about picture perfect.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Top Ten Of The Week-Happy Birthday Jenna B
Jenna turned the big 28 on Monday, which means she's still two decades
behind me. She works in our Inserting department, gets to hear me call
her bad names when we play Uno, and likes to go partying after work.
Hope this doesn't sound like one of those cheesy Match.Com single ads
but she's a sweetheart. I'm too old and not her type. But we still
like her. Happy Birthday Jenna.
I've been stuck with the damn flu this weekend so if I seem a bit out of it you can blame the drugs and the lack of food. If there's anything good bout this is that we do lose weight.
The Songs Of The Week.
1. Quarter To Three-Gary U.S. Bonds 1961 One of those Outer Space recordings, it sounded like it was from outer space, this song gave Gary his first number one hit and gave us Gene "Daddy-G" Barge on saxophone to which I'm sure Clarence Clemons learned a thing or two from him. The CD that I bought that has this actually has Gary Bond's autograph. But whoever had this cd didn't think it was worth keeping. CD Crabby, Home of the discarded CDs of yesterday.
2. You May See Me Walkin-Ricky Skaggs 1981 The first top ten country single from Mr. Skaggs. And for the first five years being on Epic Records, Skaggs was no stranger to the top ten country songs of the week. Sony Music doesn't care much for Ricky anymore, so most of his albums are now in cut out bins, but a UK label Gottdiscs issued Skaggs' first two Epic albums, to which they sure will be collector's items. Gottdiscs closed up shop last year. Their loss, our gain.
3. Power Of Love-King's X 1988 They have been around putting out albums non stop for over twenty years and most if not all of their albums have been keepers with perhaps the exception of the Please Come Home Mr. Balbous album that never did much for me. Their first album is a bit rough around the edges but they do have this nice little number you can sing along. Then again, you might you have other things to do than listen to good music.
4. Tears Of The World-Uriah Heep 2008 Dinosaur band alert. Yes the Heep is still around and they made this album that Universal did put out (why? I donno, perhaps as another tax write off?) and actually this version of Heep has been around for almost twenty years with the exception of the drummer who got replaced. I'm surprised that Best Buy even had a copy of this album.
5. Keep Me In Your Mind In 59-Austin Wright 1959 Perhaps I'm just wasting space on putting this tune up, I know most if not all of you know who the hell Austin Wright was. Don't ask me, I found this on a CD compilation called Stompin 4, a collection of late 50s-early 60s rock and rhythm and blues from unknowns. And yup, I found this in the Clarence bins at HP Books too. Look, it's simple folks, the Crabb Top Ten is to entertain you and also make you go seek out the obscure. And teach you a thing or two about music of the past six decades. This CD may have been part of the inventory of Ratz Records. Seems like whoever had those cds have pawned them up at HP books. May could have been from the old Relics from years past but I doubt that.
6. Take It Easy-The Eagles 1972 Happy now? A familiar song from overplayed classic rock land. BTW, Wally world has gotten the Eagles catalog on sale for 7 dollars as I guess the deal that The Eagles did with Wally World is now lapse and Wally World is trying to clear inventory. Which isn't a bad thing. But I do miss the Bernie Leadon/Randy Meisner version of the Eagles more than the money making tandem of Joe Walsh and T.B.Schmidt.
7. Trying To Get To You-The Eagles 1954 But I betcha y'all don't remember this little doo wop group that had a minor hit on Mercury. And Elvis noticed since he covered this song.
8. Delta Lady-Leon Russell 1970 And I can't believe this was the guy that arranged most of the sessions of Gary Lewis And The Playboys, Brian Hyland or the Crickets without Buddy Holly. Sure Joe Cocker does a cool version but Leon's version was much more wilder.
9. La la la la la-The Blendells 1964 These guys were on the same label with The Premiers (Farmer John anybody?) and like The Premiers got on a major label Reprise. You can find this on the DCC compilation Toga Rock or East Side Sound. Supposedly a cover of a Motown hit, though dammed if I know who did it.
10. Tend My Garden-The James Gang 1970 The beginning of this record reminds me of a sunrise and one of the most beautiful introduction in the history of classic rock. But of course Classic Rock Radio doesn't play it but old time underground FM stations did back in the mid 70s. It's amazing nowadays that we have all these types of musical outlets but the playlist are so damn narrow that you can't hear a good song such as this one since it don't fit the format. Which is why I miss the Underground FM stations. They had no format. The DJ's played what they wanted to hear and that's how we got hooked on variety.
There was a reason why we call it the good old days.
Some CD reviews of note or catching up.
Coldplay-Parachutes (EMI) 2000 Finally got to hear this record and I don't think much of it. They got better with the next album and their latest but this is pretty wimpy.
Dancehall Stringbusters-Crunchy Guitar Instros From The 60s (Sundazed) An uneven collection of guitar instros from the early 60s mostly on the Swan Label. Best numbers comes from Link Wray (Jack The Ripper) to which one would wish that Sundazed would get the Raybeats version on CD before we're dead and gone.
Ramsey Lewis-Goin South (Verve Reissue of the Cadet 1967 album) In glorious digipak, this is the album that introduced me to Ramsey Lewis, via a 45 that I got for 9 cents at Ben Franklin in Waterloo around 1968. I have no idea why I collected Ramsey Lewis 45s but I always enjoyed Ramsey's boogaloo take on One Two Three, the Len Berry number. EWF's Maurice White plays drums on this album.
I've been stuck with the damn flu this weekend so if I seem a bit out of it you can blame the drugs and the lack of food. If there's anything good bout this is that we do lose weight.
The Songs Of The Week.
1. Quarter To Three-Gary U.S. Bonds 1961 One of those Outer Space recordings, it sounded like it was from outer space, this song gave Gary his first number one hit and gave us Gene "Daddy-G" Barge on saxophone to which I'm sure Clarence Clemons learned a thing or two from him. The CD that I bought that has this actually has Gary Bond's autograph. But whoever had this cd didn't think it was worth keeping. CD Crabby, Home of the discarded CDs of yesterday.
2. You May See Me Walkin-Ricky Skaggs 1981 The first top ten country single from Mr. Skaggs. And for the first five years being on Epic Records, Skaggs was no stranger to the top ten country songs of the week. Sony Music doesn't care much for Ricky anymore, so most of his albums are now in cut out bins, but a UK label Gottdiscs issued Skaggs' first two Epic albums, to which they sure will be collector's items. Gottdiscs closed up shop last year. Their loss, our gain.
3. Power Of Love-King's X 1988 They have been around putting out albums non stop for over twenty years and most if not all of their albums have been keepers with perhaps the exception of the Please Come Home Mr. Balbous album that never did much for me. Their first album is a bit rough around the edges but they do have this nice little number you can sing along. Then again, you might you have other things to do than listen to good music.
4. Tears Of The World-Uriah Heep 2008 Dinosaur band alert. Yes the Heep is still around and they made this album that Universal did put out (why? I donno, perhaps as another tax write off?) and actually this version of Heep has been around for almost twenty years with the exception of the drummer who got replaced. I'm surprised that Best Buy even had a copy of this album.
5. Keep Me In Your Mind In 59-Austin Wright 1959 Perhaps I'm just wasting space on putting this tune up, I know most if not all of you know who the hell Austin Wright was. Don't ask me, I found this on a CD compilation called Stompin 4, a collection of late 50s-early 60s rock and rhythm and blues from unknowns. And yup, I found this in the Clarence bins at HP Books too. Look, it's simple folks, the Crabb Top Ten is to entertain you and also make you go seek out the obscure. And teach you a thing or two about music of the past six decades. This CD may have been part of the inventory of Ratz Records. Seems like whoever had those cds have pawned them up at HP books. May could have been from the old Relics from years past but I doubt that.
6. Take It Easy-The Eagles 1972 Happy now? A familiar song from overplayed classic rock land. BTW, Wally world has gotten the Eagles catalog on sale for 7 dollars as I guess the deal that The Eagles did with Wally World is now lapse and Wally World is trying to clear inventory. Which isn't a bad thing. But I do miss the Bernie Leadon/Randy Meisner version of the Eagles more than the money making tandem of Joe Walsh and T.B.Schmidt.
7. Trying To Get To You-The Eagles 1954 But I betcha y'all don't remember this little doo wop group that had a minor hit on Mercury. And Elvis noticed since he covered this song.
8. Delta Lady-Leon Russell 1970 And I can't believe this was the guy that arranged most of the sessions of Gary Lewis And The Playboys, Brian Hyland or the Crickets without Buddy Holly. Sure Joe Cocker does a cool version but Leon's version was much more wilder.
9. La la la la la-The Blendells 1964 These guys were on the same label with The Premiers (Farmer John anybody?) and like The Premiers got on a major label Reprise. You can find this on the DCC compilation Toga Rock or East Side Sound. Supposedly a cover of a Motown hit, though dammed if I know who did it.
10. Tend My Garden-The James Gang 1970 The beginning of this record reminds me of a sunrise and one of the most beautiful introduction in the history of classic rock. But of course Classic Rock Radio doesn't play it but old time underground FM stations did back in the mid 70s. It's amazing nowadays that we have all these types of musical outlets but the playlist are so damn narrow that you can't hear a good song such as this one since it don't fit the format. Which is why I miss the Underground FM stations. They had no format. The DJ's played what they wanted to hear and that's how we got hooked on variety.
There was a reason why we call it the good old days.
Some CD reviews of note or catching up.
Coldplay-Parachutes (EMI) 2000 Finally got to hear this record and I don't think much of it. They got better with the next album and their latest but this is pretty wimpy.
Dancehall Stringbusters-Crunchy Guitar Instros From The 60s (Sundazed) An uneven collection of guitar instros from the early 60s mostly on the Swan Label. Best numbers comes from Link Wray (Jack The Ripper) to which one would wish that Sundazed would get the Raybeats version on CD before we're dead and gone.
Ramsey Lewis-Goin South (Verve Reissue of the Cadet 1967 album) In glorious digipak, this is the album that introduced me to Ramsey Lewis, via a 45 that I got for 9 cents at Ben Franklin in Waterloo around 1968. I have no idea why I collected Ramsey Lewis 45s but I always enjoyed Ramsey's boogaloo take on One Two Three, the Len Berry number. EWF's Maurice White plays drums on this album.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Observations: Chipole, Craig Erickson, Old Pussy
Special thanks to Russ and Deb for a nice birthday celebration a couple
weeks later. Went to get some Mexican and I guess I need to work on my
Espanol. I was trying to tell Deb about wanting to get some Chiplote
and couldn't say it right. Way I say it sounds like Jalopy, meaning old
junk car. Fuck, I couldn't say Beef Casita at Taco Time and when I
finally got the term right, the place closed up and I'm not feeling all
that gung ho to go to Ames for Beef Casita. Debbie couldn't keep a
straight face when I told her, she ordered it beforehand, ya know
Chiplote? (Chi-Pol-lay). The correct way of saying it is
Chipotle.....chi...po te
(From Spanish, "L" is silent)....Okay got it, silent L. Next time I'm ordering Mole instead. Or just a number 16 dinner plate. :-P
We went out to see Craig Erickson doing a acoustic set at Mahoney's, first time I've been there in about 20 years and the female violinist was interesting for about two songs and the bass player was in a zone of his own and Craig Erickson remains the best CR guitar player but I prefer him in a electric setting myself. The drummer was terrible, couldn't do a decent roll and when he tried to stretch out a bit would lose a beat. Sure in my old age and a musician, I tend to be a bit more critical about our brother drummers but he did have a nice set of sparkling Z's and A Crashes. But Mahoney's is a very small and crowded bar and I'm not into small and crowded bars. Hell, my basement is bigger than Mahoney's. Met some interesting girls up there, one had a size 32 pair of plastic pants and a size 38 booty. While I was outside getting some fresh 8 above zero air, some other chick went by and smiled and said something about something I couldn't understand. Cold weather must have gotten her speaking in tongues. Nice girl but sometimes you wonder.
And of course, old Smokey, seems to love me a lot when I go visit my best friend. He sure loves to pop on my lap and pull his claws out and make me his very own pin cushion and I can't get rid of him whatsoever, unless I'm in a leaning position. He poked a hole in my new shirt tonight and that was the last time he got near me. But then again you put him down on the ground and he returns ten seconds later. Not all there for sure but he has mellowed a lot since the move, probably because he's Alpha Cat. And crazy too but I'm also just as temperamental as Smokey. And not as forgiving too. It's that Crabb mentality.
And the inability to say Chiplote too.
(From Spanish, "L" is silent)....Okay got it, silent L. Next time I'm ordering Mole instead. Or just a number 16 dinner plate. :-P
We went out to see Craig Erickson doing a acoustic set at Mahoney's, first time I've been there in about 20 years and the female violinist was interesting for about two songs and the bass player was in a zone of his own and Craig Erickson remains the best CR guitar player but I prefer him in a electric setting myself. The drummer was terrible, couldn't do a decent roll and when he tried to stretch out a bit would lose a beat. Sure in my old age and a musician, I tend to be a bit more critical about our brother drummers but he did have a nice set of sparkling Z's and A Crashes. But Mahoney's is a very small and crowded bar and I'm not into small and crowded bars. Hell, my basement is bigger than Mahoney's. Met some interesting girls up there, one had a size 32 pair of plastic pants and a size 38 booty. While I was outside getting some fresh 8 above zero air, some other chick went by and smiled and said something about something I couldn't understand. Cold weather must have gotten her speaking in tongues. Nice girl but sometimes you wonder.
And of course, old Smokey, seems to love me a lot when I go visit my best friend. He sure loves to pop on my lap and pull his claws out and make me his very own pin cushion and I can't get rid of him whatsoever, unless I'm in a leaning position. He poked a hole in my new shirt tonight and that was the last time he got near me. But then again you put him down on the ground and he returns ten seconds later. Not all there for sure but he has mellowed a lot since the move, probably because he's Alpha Cat. And crazy too but I'm also just as temperamental as Smokey. And not as forgiving too. It's that Crabb mentality.
And the inability to say Chiplote too.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Crabb Bits: Sheryl Crow, Taco Time Closed Down
I hate Sheryl Crow. Last time I ate at the now closed Taco Time on
Tuesday they were playing Soak Up The Sun, and then on Friday when I had
to go to CiCi's Pizza instead guess what they were playing and guess
what got stuck in my head this morning? Geezus the torture never stops,
especially when you have so many tunes and the only one you hear is
Sheryl fucking Crow. Good thing I don't work at a restaurant with the
satellite radio tuned to Overplayed Crap of the 90s on. I'd make the
evening news the hard way.
I stopped in the Taco Time driveway for a bit to look over the closed shop and things inside look as they were before. Hoping that somebody will take it over and hopefully we can have TT once again, otherwise it's a long and barren drive to Ames. And if that's the only reason to drive to Ames outside of seeing what Hastings doesn't have for music then I guess it's back to Taco Bell again. I guess no matter had I ask Keith if he needed any assistance from me to keep it open, he'd probaly say no, nothing we can do about it. Maybe being stuck back from the main highway had a lot to do with it, but if we think about it, there wasn't much in terms of ads on the radio or TV about it. Keith n Connie are good people but victims of the rising wave that is the Great Depression 2 and it seems to be getting higher. And I wonder if we're high above ground not to get caught up in that tide.
I just ate there Tuesday and when I went over there today before going to work, I found that the Taco Time had all the shades pulled and everything dark inside. I guess it was bound the happen. The last few times I ate there I was the only person in there and I figured that Keith Miller was looking a bit more worried each day. I hope it's only temporary but if not, looks like if we want Taco Time we'll have to go to Ames or hop a plane to Portland or Seattle.
Geez.
Seems like every place I go to and enjoy eating there they always seem to close up. Mi Casa is one, Moreno's is another and now we lose Taco Time. Just two days ago I had dinner there and now going back up there it's gone. Just like that. I suspect that maybe being stuck in the back forty from Edgewood that location was hidden from view. But I know that most of the time i ate there, I was the only one in there. Perhaps they close in hopes of reopening when spring comes around. Perhaps not, looks like Taco Bell won
I stopped in the Taco Time driveway for a bit to look over the closed shop and things inside look as they were before. Hoping that somebody will take it over and hopefully we can have TT once again, otherwise it's a long and barren drive to Ames. And if that's the only reason to drive to Ames outside of seeing what Hastings doesn't have for music then I guess it's back to Taco Bell again. I guess no matter had I ask Keith if he needed any assistance from me to keep it open, he'd probaly say no, nothing we can do about it. Maybe being stuck back from the main highway had a lot to do with it, but if we think about it, there wasn't much in terms of ads on the radio or TV about it. Keith n Connie are good people but victims of the rising wave that is the Great Depression 2 and it seems to be getting higher. And I wonder if we're high above ground not to get caught up in that tide.
I just ate there Tuesday and when I went over there today before going to work, I found that the Taco Time had all the shades pulled and everything dark inside. I guess it was bound the happen. The last few times I ate there I was the only person in there and I figured that Keith Miller was looking a bit more worried each day. I hope it's only temporary but if not, looks like if we want Taco Time we'll have to go to Ames or hop a plane to Portland or Seattle.
Geez.
Seems like every place I go to and enjoy eating there they always seem to close up. Mi Casa is one, Moreno's is another and now we lose Taco Time. Just two days ago I had dinner there and now going back up there it's gone. Just like that. I suspect that maybe being stuck in the back forty from Edgewood that location was hidden from view. But I know that most of the time i ate there, I was the only one in there. Perhaps they close in hopes of reopening when spring comes around. Perhaps not, looks like Taco Bell won
History Of The Music World 2001
The next year 2001. 9/11 stands out and so does a few albums. And a
lotta forgotten ones along the way. Documenting what was out there.
1. Paul Rodgers-Electric (CMC International 41:43) B-
2. HANK-The Power And The Glory (MOM Music 40:46) C+
3. Ozark Mountain Daredevils-Time Warp (A&M 75:49) B
4. Dixie Jam Band-Jamming For DJB (Go West 52:42) B+
5. Head East-Live On Stage (A&M 38:44) B
6. Tsar (Hollywood 36:21) B
7. Ultimate Fakebook-This Will Be Laughing Week (550 Music 41:05) B
8. Louis Armstrong-Ken Burns Jazz (Legacy 78:17) A-
9. Sleighed-The Other Side Of Christmas (Hip O 39:38) B-
10. Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes-Super Hits (PIR/Legacy/Epic 62:38) A-
11. Best Of Darryl Hall & John Oates (RCA 68:48) A-
12. Ornette Coleman-Ken Burns Jazz (Columbia 76:04) A-
13. Double Trouble-Been A Long Time (Tone Cool 43:22) B+
14. Lifehouse-No Name Face (Dreamworks 55:21) B-
15. U2-All That You Leave Behind (Interscope 49:13) B-
16. Jeff Beck-You Had It Coming (Epic 36:00) B-
17. Kentucky Headhunters-Songs From The Grass String Ranch (Audium 53:17) B+
18. Hangdogs-Beware Of Dog (Shananchie 44:10) B+
19. American Hi Fi (Island 49:03) B-
20. The Townedgers-There's Nothing Left (Radio Maierburg 62:09) A-
21. Buck Owens-Young Buck (Audium/CMF 43:17) A-
22. Dwight Yokam-Tomorrow's Sounds Today (Reprise 49:22) B+
23. Minus 5/Fresh Young Fellows-Let The War Against Music Begin A-
24. Old 97's-Satellite Rides (Elektra 44:33) B+
25. Blue Mountain-Roots (Blue Mountain Records 38:40) A-
26. Johnny & The Hurricanes EP Collection (See For Miles 67:55) A-
27. Big Country-20th Century Collection (Mercury 53:00) B
28. Train-Drops Of Jupiter (Columbia 48:31) C
29. Rage Against The Machine-Renegades (Epic 60:36) B+
30. Face To Face-Standards And Practices (Vagrant 31:26) B+
31. Slobberbone-Everything You Thought Was Right Was Wrong Today (NW 52:22) B-
32. Hootie & The Blowfish Scattered Smothered & Covered (Atlantic 56:06) B
33. The Living End-Roll On (Reprise 52:40) B
34. The Kinks-BBC Session (Sanctuary 49:46-53:22) B+
35. Five For Fighting-American Town (Aware/Columbia 45:37) C
36. Stalk Forest Group-St Celicia (Rhino Handmade 73:56) B-
37. Very Best Of Toots And The Maytals (Island 69:00) A-
38. Shades Apart-Sonic Boom (Universal/Republic 40:42) B+
39. Bare Jr-Brainwasher (Virgin 41:13) B+
40. Whiskeytown-Phemonia (Lost Highway 56:10) B-
41. Diplomats Of Solid Sound (Prescription 45:30) B
42. Blue Oyster Cult-Curse Of The Hidden Mirror (CMC 51:00) B
43. Stone Temple Pilots-Shangra La Da Di (Atlantic 47:21) B-
44. Eric Clapton/BB King-Ridin With The King (Reprise 61:19) A-
45. Goo Goo Dolls-Ego, Opinion, Art & Commerence (WB 78:10) B+
46. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (Virgin 57:10) B
47. Anthrax-Madhouse (Island 62:25) B
48. Treble Charger-Wide Awake Bored (Nettwerk 40:41) C
49. Alice In Chains Live (Columbia 66:09) B-
50. Jimmy Eat World (Dreamworks 46:41) B+
51. Freddy Johnston-Right Between The Promises (Elektra 38:00) B
52. Puddle Of Mudd-Come Clean (Geffen 48:11) A-
53. Bob Dylan-Love And Threft (Columbia 57:30) A
54. AC/DC-Stiff Upper Lip (Columbia 47:09) B-
55. Here Come The Derailers (Lucky Dog 39:30) C+
56. Dr. Hook-Super Hits (Columbia 35:11) B
57. POD-Satellite (Atlantic 54:11) B+
58. Yayhoos-Fear Not The Obvilous (Bloodshot 46:30) A-
59. Head East-20th Century Collection (A&M 52:03) B+
60. Drivin N Cryin-Ultimate Collection (Hip O 78:48) B+
61. Jerry Butler-The Philadelphia Sessions (Mercury 71:03) A
62. Anthenaeum (Atlantic 40:38) C
63. The Strokes-Is This It? (RCA 35:50) B
64. The Verve Pipe-Underneath (RCA 44:48) A-
65. John Hartford RCA Legends (RCA Heritage 40:13) B-
66. Diffuser-Injury Loves Melody (Hollywood 45:00) C-
67. Tractors-Fast Girl (Audium 51:26) B-
68. Incubus-Morning View (Epic 58:20) B+
69. The Yo Yos-Uppers And Downers (Sub Pop 41:19) A-
70. Bliss 66-Trip To The 13th (Epic 40:41) C-
71. Gloritone-Fainter Farther Still (Hayden's Ferry 43:22) B
72. Elton John-Songs From The West Coast (Universal 54:10) B+
73. Starch Martins-Dressing Up The Failure (White Rose 43:34) C+
74. Montgomery Gentry-Carrying On (Columbia 50:38) B+
75. Pistoleros (Found Music 35:49) B+
76. Green Day-International Super Hits (Reprise 60:43) A+
77. Stevie Ray Vaughn-Live In Montreaux (Epic 42:12-76:32) A-
78. Ministry-Greatest Fits (WB 72:43) B
79. Shaver-The Earth Rolls On (New West 44:17) B+
80. Doyle Bramhall 2-Welcome (RCA 68:27) A-
81. Great Plains-Length Of Record (Old 3G 71:32-73:22) B+
82. Creeper Lagoon-Take Back The Universe (Dreamworks 50:33) C+
83. SR 71-Now You See Inside (RCA 42:28) C+
Some reissues of note
The Pentangle-Castle Music
Blue Oyster Cult's first three Columbia albums
The Band's Reissues
The Producers-S/T and You Make The Heat on One Way
1. Paul Rodgers-Electric (CMC International 41:43) B-
2. HANK-The Power And The Glory (MOM Music 40:46) C+
3. Ozark Mountain Daredevils-Time Warp (A&M 75:49) B
4. Dixie Jam Band-Jamming For DJB (Go West 52:42) B+
5. Head East-Live On Stage (A&M 38:44) B
6. Tsar (Hollywood 36:21) B
7. Ultimate Fakebook-This Will Be Laughing Week (550 Music 41:05) B
8. Louis Armstrong-Ken Burns Jazz (Legacy 78:17) A-
9. Sleighed-The Other Side Of Christmas (Hip O 39:38) B-
10. Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes-Super Hits (PIR/Legacy/Epic 62:38) A-
11. Best Of Darryl Hall & John Oates (RCA 68:48) A-
12. Ornette Coleman-Ken Burns Jazz (Columbia 76:04) A-
13. Double Trouble-Been A Long Time (Tone Cool 43:22) B+
14. Lifehouse-No Name Face (Dreamworks 55:21) B-
15. U2-All That You Leave Behind (Interscope 49:13) B-
16. Jeff Beck-You Had It Coming (Epic 36:00) B-
17. Kentucky Headhunters-Songs From The Grass String Ranch (Audium 53:17) B+
18. Hangdogs-Beware Of Dog (Shananchie 44:10) B+
19. American Hi Fi (Island 49:03) B-
20. The Townedgers-There's Nothing Left (Radio Maierburg 62:09) A-
21. Buck Owens-Young Buck (Audium/CMF 43:17) A-
22. Dwight Yokam-Tomorrow's Sounds Today (Reprise 49:22) B+
23. Minus 5/Fresh Young Fellows-Let The War Against Music Begin A-
24. Old 97's-Satellite Rides (Elektra 44:33) B+
25. Blue Mountain-Roots (Blue Mountain Records 38:40) A-
26. Johnny & The Hurricanes EP Collection (See For Miles 67:55) A-
27. Big Country-20th Century Collection (Mercury 53:00) B
28. Train-Drops Of Jupiter (Columbia 48:31) C
29. Rage Against The Machine-Renegades (Epic 60:36) B+
30. Face To Face-Standards And Practices (Vagrant 31:26) B+
31. Slobberbone-Everything You Thought Was Right Was Wrong Today (NW 52:22) B-
32. Hootie & The Blowfish Scattered Smothered & Covered (Atlantic 56:06) B
33. The Living End-Roll On (Reprise 52:40) B
34. The Kinks-BBC Session (Sanctuary 49:46-53:22) B+
35. Five For Fighting-American Town (Aware/Columbia 45:37) C
36. Stalk Forest Group-St Celicia (Rhino Handmade 73:56) B-
37. Very Best Of Toots And The Maytals (Island 69:00) A-
38. Shades Apart-Sonic Boom (Universal/Republic 40:42) B+
39. Bare Jr-Brainwasher (Virgin 41:13) B+
40. Whiskeytown-Phemonia (Lost Highway 56:10) B-
41. Diplomats Of Solid Sound (Prescription 45:30) B
42. Blue Oyster Cult-Curse Of The Hidden Mirror (CMC 51:00) B
43. Stone Temple Pilots-Shangra La Da Di (Atlantic 47:21) B-
44. Eric Clapton/BB King-Ridin With The King (Reprise 61:19) A-
45. Goo Goo Dolls-Ego, Opinion, Art & Commerence (WB 78:10) B+
46. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (Virgin 57:10) B
47. Anthrax-Madhouse (Island 62:25) B
48. Treble Charger-Wide Awake Bored (Nettwerk 40:41) C
49. Alice In Chains Live (Columbia 66:09) B-
50. Jimmy Eat World (Dreamworks 46:41) B+
51. Freddy Johnston-Right Between The Promises (Elektra 38:00) B
52. Puddle Of Mudd-Come Clean (Geffen 48:11) A-
53. Bob Dylan-Love And Threft (Columbia 57:30) A
54. AC/DC-Stiff Upper Lip (Columbia 47:09) B-
55. Here Come The Derailers (Lucky Dog 39:30) C+
56. Dr. Hook-Super Hits (Columbia 35:11) B
57. POD-Satellite (Atlantic 54:11) B+
58. Yayhoos-Fear Not The Obvilous (Bloodshot 46:30) A-
59. Head East-20th Century Collection (A&M 52:03) B+
60. Drivin N Cryin-Ultimate Collection (Hip O 78:48) B+
61. Jerry Butler-The Philadelphia Sessions (Mercury 71:03) A
62. Anthenaeum (Atlantic 40:38) C
63. The Strokes-Is This It? (RCA 35:50) B
64. The Verve Pipe-Underneath (RCA 44:48) A-
65. John Hartford RCA Legends (RCA Heritage 40:13) B-
66. Diffuser-Injury Loves Melody (Hollywood 45:00) C-
67. Tractors-Fast Girl (Audium 51:26) B-
68. Incubus-Morning View (Epic 58:20) B+
69. The Yo Yos-Uppers And Downers (Sub Pop 41:19) A-
70. Bliss 66-Trip To The 13th (Epic 40:41) C-
71. Gloritone-Fainter Farther Still (Hayden's Ferry 43:22) B
72. Elton John-Songs From The West Coast (Universal 54:10) B+
73. Starch Martins-Dressing Up The Failure (White Rose 43:34) C+
74. Montgomery Gentry-Carrying On (Columbia 50:38) B+
75. Pistoleros (Found Music 35:49) B+
76. Green Day-International Super Hits (Reprise 60:43) A+
77. Stevie Ray Vaughn-Live In Montreaux (Epic 42:12-76:32) A-
78. Ministry-Greatest Fits (WB 72:43) B
79. Shaver-The Earth Rolls On (New West 44:17) B+
80. Doyle Bramhall 2-Welcome (RCA 68:27) A-
81. Great Plains-Length Of Record (Old 3G 71:32-73:22) B+
82. Creeper Lagoon-Take Back The Universe (Dreamworks 50:33) C+
83. SR 71-Now You See Inside (RCA 42:28) C+
Some reissues of note
The Pentangle-Castle Music
Blue Oyster Cult's first three Columbia albums
The Band's Reissues
The Producers-S/T and You Make The Heat on One Way
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