Thursday, December 29, 2016

Mayans were cool

I was stumbling around on the Internet and ran across this very interesting illustrated history of the Mayan's written language.  It only takes about five minutes to read it, and it's well worth it.

Heading up to the Tahoe/Donner place on Sunday for a week long stay.  I'll post some pictures of the winter wonderland.

Saturday, December 17, 2016

A kakistocracy -- indeed!

I have been searching for the right term to define the impending Trump government, but nothing seemed quite adequate or accurate.  Then I read this terrific article by Sophia McClennen. There is no doubt about it:  we are going to experience a kakistocracy first-hand.

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Grace at Daryl's House

A couple of months ago we watched an episode of "Live From Daryrl's House" featuring Grace Sewell, a 19 year old Aussie singer and song writer.  I recorded the show on my DVR, but until just recently it was not up on Daryl's site, or on YouTube.  The good news is that it is now up on Daryl's site where you can play the entire show or just certain segments.  Check it out right here.  I recommend playing the entire show if you have the time because you will see how Grace, Daryl, and the band grow more appreciative of each other as the session goes on.  By the end of the session the respect on all sides is palpable.  This turned out to be one of the very best shows of the current season of LFDH.  I hope you enjoy it as much as Eileen and I have.  This young lady can really sing up a storm -- nobody owns her, as evidenced by her rendition of "You Don't Own Me."

Saturday, December 3, 2016

A timely quote:

“Since the liar is free to fashion his ‘facts’ to fit the profit and pleasure, or even the mere expectations, of his audience, the chances are that he will be more persuasive than the truth teller.”

~ Hannah Arendt 1967

Thursday, November 24, 2016

Thanksgiving Challa

Celebrating Thanksgiving with the in-laws this afternoon and evening.  I am the official bread maker for the dinner.  I made a loaf of herb-onion bread, which uses fresh minced onion, rosemary, and dill weed.  As you can imagine, it makes for awesome day-after turkey sandwiches if there is any left over after dinner.  But the high point of tonight's dinner is going to be the awesome challah that I made this morning.  Check this thing out.  It's well over a foot long.


Monday, November 14, 2016

I was so wrong about who would win the election (electoral votes, not the popular vote), but then I'm certainly not the only one.  Welcome to our dystopian reality.  Things are not going to be pretty for the foreseeable future, so I'll just leave you with some simple beauty: a photo of one of the blooms on our Bird of Paradise plant that I took on Saturday.



I'm gonna try to keep it simple for a while and look for love and beauty wherever and whenever I can find it. 

Monday, November 7, 2016

A Final Word

Well, here it is, the eve of the election.  I will be glued to the tube all day tomorrow.  The Huffington Post forecast and the Princeton group forecast both predict a Clinton win in the 98-99 percentile.  They both discount Nate Silver's forecast for reasons they explain in detail, but even Silver is forecasting a 65 percent edge for Clinton.  My main worry at this point is liberal protest votes for minor or write-in candidates, or liberal protest by way of sitting out the vote entirely.  This should not happen for a lot of reasons, all of which are well-put in the following article.  Mary Elizabeth Williams hits it right on the head.  So wise up Susan Sarandon!

Monday, October 31, 2016

Halloween lovers...

Some folks really go all out to celebrate Halloween.  For example, here are some pictures of Halloween yard decorations at a home near mine.  While I would never go to such lengths, I enjoy the efforts of others to decorate for holidays.  The most we can muster is a wreath on the front door during the Christmas holidays.




Friday, October 28, 2016

Why we all should vote for Hillary

My law school classmate, Henry Weinstein has written a terrific op ed for the LA Times explaining why we should all vote for Hillary Clinton despite our progressive outlook or moral  misgivings.  I encourage you to read it right here. I could not have said it better.  I am making a point of referring disgruntled Bernie Sanders supporters and disillusioned millennials to this article.  Henry has far more "street cred" than I do so I'm hoping his words will sway them.

Monday, October 24, 2016

More from Daryl's House

Need some cheering up in the midst of this depressing election milieu?  I have picked out a couple of performances from a large playlist of performances from Daryl's House that should do the trick.  I'll let these performances speak for themselves.

First, the wonderful, ebullient Allen Stone.

Next the surprising Chromeo.

Remember, these are tracks from a long playlist so you will get the next in order after listening, so just click out of it at that point.  

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Colbert nails it...

In case you have not seen it, I'm guessing that you will enjoy Stephen Colbert's hilarious monologue that opened last night's Late Show.  It is now pretty well established that Colbert has proven to be a worthy successor to Letterman; I certainly think so.

Thursday, October 13, 2016

WAPO endorsement

Sometimes I read something and say to myself, "I could not have said it better."  Such can be said for today's Washington Post endorsement of Hillary Clinton for president, which you can read for yourself right here.

Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Back from Carmel

We just got back from a few wonderful days in Carmel by the Sea.  We spent a couple of days just browsing the dozens and dozens of fine art galleries that the town is famous for.  We could not afford anything that we liked, but it was fun to fantasize over what certain pieces would look like hanging on our wall.  We also enjoyed some great meals, which of course featured fresh seafood -- definitely the freshest prawns I've had in quite a while.  

Then of course there was the world-famous white sand beach.  Carmel is known as a dog-lovers town and thus the beach is open to dogs of all shapes and sizes.  (Our dog was not with us on this trip, but he does love it when he gets to come along.)  We took the short walk from our hotel to the beach and spent a while just taking in the sunshine and the ocean, watching the dogs frolic and the sea gulls soar not more than a few feet over our heads.  Ah, the life.  Wish you all could have been there.





Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Famous people sound off on the election

Joss Whedon got together a bunch of his friends and acquaintances to make this terrific video.  I'm hoping it will help get everyone, especially young folks, to come out and vote for Hillary.

Thursday, September 15, 2016

Some timeless Nina

I'm posting this from our place at Tahoe/Donner.  We got here a couple of days ago and will be staying through Sunday, going home on Monday morning.

The other day I was driving while listening in the shuffle mode to a large playlist I have on a flash drive.  It was a lovely end-of-summer day and what should come up but Nina Simone singing "He Needs Me," It really moved me in ways I can't adequately describe, but I guess "goose bumps" might come close.  Of course this track was from the best Nina album ever (and her first) "Jazz As Played In An Exclusive Side Street Club," on the Bethlehem label.  This album is more commonly referred to as "Little Girl Blue."  Every single song on this album is a treasure, but hearing "He Needs Me" out of the blue was like finding a treasure all over again.  The track is a mere 2:30 long but manages to tell a rich story.  Check it out, from the original Bethlehem LP, right here.



P.S.  I remember the first time I heard this album.  I was 20 years old at the Spokane, Washington basement apartment of my friend Michael Lally who played it for me there.  I was enthralled.  So, Michael, if you are reading this thanks for the first of many, many times you have pulled my coat to better things in life.

Monday, September 5, 2016

Teachers deserve more

Why do we pay pro athletes millions when teachers are making barely enough to survive?  This issue gets some brilliant Key and Peele treatment right here.  Click on the "sketch" link in the first line of text.  I wish my dad was still alive to see this -- he would have loved it.

Tuesday, August 23, 2016

I was going to write something "deep and meaningful" about a performance I stumbled across, but why bother?  If you are alive and love (or just appreciate) music, you have to be charmed and somewhat amazed by this performance.  You certainly have to admit, that you would have NEVER heard this if not for the Internet.  Enough said.

Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Bobby Hutcherson R.I.P.

I saw Bobby many times and was never disappointed.  The cat was always on top of things, whether headlining on his own or as part of another headliner's group.  And then of course there is the fact that I am very partial to vibes as a jazz instrument.  I don't think Bobby would mind if I said that Milt Jackson remains my favorite vibe man (he died in 1999), 'cause Bobby pretty much said that same thing.  Here is something proving my point, from today's obit in the SF Chronicle:

"The way Milt played made me feel like I had money in my pocket," Mr. Hutcherson recalled in 2012. "It was so satisfying and warm and round.  I'd heard Lionel Hampton and Red Norvo before, but Milt really spoke to me.  He played those long lines, and it was very soulful, very talking-to-you.  I thought I could duplicate that.  It took me a long time to realize those are Milt's cookies, leave 'em alone."



But Bobby is no doubt my number two guy on the vibes.  Gonna miss him.

Tuesday, August 9, 2016

The Dude, when you need him.

Always looking for that great online retort?  Well here it is.

Monday, August 8, 2016

The Revenant - a thought

I finally got around to seeing "The Revenant" on blu-ray the other night.  It was certainly worth watching in all respects -- acting, directing, photography, and creation of a totally believable milieu. However, there was something that lurked in the background and ultimately had a negative effect on my enjoyment of the fine film.  That was the rapid recovery of Hugh Glass (DiCaprio) after being literally almost ripped to pieces by the mama bear.  Based on the reviews, I had read I thought there would be a long period of time in which Glass would hole up somewhere safe for a long period of time during which he would rehabilitate and then emerge seeking serious and relentless revenge.  In two of my favorite movies a long rehabilitation takes place after the hero is beaten/wounded within an inch of death:  Yojimbo and One-Eyed Jacks.  In both of these films you get to see the rehabilitation progress slowly and painfully until finally the hero is well enough and strong enough to seek his revenge.  In The Revenant, Glass seems to heal way, way too fast, notwithstanding events that would exacerbate his awful injuries, e.g. getting swept away in the rapids and going over two waterfalls!!  Just saying...

Want to see what I mean?  Check out this video with excerpts from One-Eyed Jacks:  Start at about 3:18 to see the beating and then keep watching to see the rehabilitation.

Sunday, July 31, 2016

Rev. Barber on voting

As readers of this blog know, I worry mightily about voter suppression. So needless to say, I am overjoyed at the federal courts throwing out repressive voter ID laws in Texas, Wisconsin, and North Carolina.  As a result of the North Carolina ruling, the same court is in the process of reconsidering tossing out the Virginia voter registration laws.  This brings to my mind one of the Reverend William Barber's great takes on the subject of voting back in 2012.  Preach it brother Barber.

And if you have the time, check out Reverend Barber's incendiary speech made at the Democrats' convention -- just click right here. I love this guy.

Saturday, July 30, 2016

"The Killing" - Binge watching at its best

I have been meaning to turn you on to a great Netflix binge-watch series:  "The Killing."  The series premiered on AMC in 2011 and went for 2 seasons, was cancelled and then renewed for a third season.  It was again cancelled by AMC in September 2013 but Netflix ordered a fourth season of 6 episodes to conclude the series.  You can now see all four seasons on Netflix, which is how I got into it a while back.  I am currently two episodes away from finishing season 3 and am looking forward to watching season 4.  
I'm not going to spend any time trying to explain the series because you can read all about it right here.  Just trust me on this one.  Watch the first 2 or 3 episodes of the first season and you will be hooked.  What I will say is that the two leads, Mireille Enos and Joel Kinnaman are fantastic in their roles and have chemistry that grows and grows as the series unfolds.  Enos is glammed down to just this side of frumpy, which is interesting in retrospect in view of her new, glamorous role in "The Catch" on ABC.  Kinnaman is so good that I forget that he is even acting.  
The production value, writing, direction and acting are top notch.  If you are a Netflix subscriber you owe it to yourself to check it out.

Mireille Enos as Sarah Linden in "The Killing"


Mireille Enos as Alice Vaughan in "The Catch"









Saturday, July 23, 2016

WAPO takes a courageous stand

Yesterday, the Washington Post's editorial board took an extraordinary step, publishing a full-page piece warning that Donald Trump is a "unique threat to American democracy."  It is a thoughtful and powerful indictment, saying what needs to be said right now, not a week before the election.  I consider it required reading.  Please take the time to read it right here.

Friday, July 22, 2016

Now Munich?!

Just flipped on the TV.  6 dead (so far) in Munich shootings by up to 3 individuals.  I am so sick of these senseless evil acts.  More later when I find out exactly what the situation is.

Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Stills - Treetop Flyer

I was checking out and organizing some songs that I have saved to my hard drive when I ran across one of the great tracks of all time.  Stephen Stills doing an acoustic solo of a totally cool song he wrote:  "Treetop Flyer."  Read about it here.  And listen to it here.  Ain't nothing quite like it.   So enjoy.

Saturday, July 2, 2016

Vacation begins..

We are taking about 10 days off and spending them at our place at Tahoe/Donner.  We got up here on Thursday afternoon.  Yesterday, took a little hike on the Nature Trail loop, which I can access by just walking across the road.  It was a warm and mellow day so I took some pictures along the way.  I'll share some of them with you (don't forget to click to enlarge the photos):

Lots of patches of wildflowers along the way....



Over the years we have owned our place the beavers have been extending their ponds.  Here is a shot of their latest effort.


One of my favorite parts of this hike is the boardwalk that allows one to walk through the whole flooded complex of beaver ponds and creeks that are located in the area.  Needless to say, the area is teeming with all sorts of life.



Later on I walk for quite a ways with a beautiful creek running beside me ...


Monday, June 27, 2016

Some Monday Wes

For some reason I started thinking about the late Wes Montgomery.  He was, and still remains, one of my favorite jazz guitar players.  Everything about him was great, but I think the thing that set him apart was that he never used a pick -- it was always just his thumb.  This of course gave him the most mellow guitar sound imaginable.  Yet, when the tune called for a hard edge or a cookin' riff he could lay it down with the best of guys who use a pick.  If you've got some Wes laying around in your CD collection, pull one out and take a listen -- a great way to start your week.  In the meantime, you might want to check out this wonderful live version of "Twisted Blues." Wes with some superb fellow musicians: Arthur Harper on bass, Harold Mabern on piano, and Jimmy Lovelace on drums.  Bass and piano solos are right up there with Wes' lead.

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

Elizabeth Warren tell it like it is

I've been enjoying Elizabeth Warren's carpet bombing of Trump.  She really gets under his skin.  Her latest salvo deals with his taxes and his claim that he is super-rich (or is he?).    You don't want to miss this one.  Check it out right here.  Love that Lizzy!

Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Missy Higgins

I just realized it has been a long time since I posted anything.  So, for lack of anything better, I guess I'll share one of my recent discoveries.  While listening to Pandora a few days ago on a jog with the dog, a song came on that I had never heard before by a vocalist I immediately connected to.  I really liked the sound of her voice as well as the arrangement of the tune, and her phrasing and dynamics.  I had to stop and haul out my music player to see who the singer was.  Her name is Missy Higgins, another of many fine Australian musicians.  You can read about her here.  The particular song I first heard is called "Where I Stood."  Check out the "official video" here. Although the video is a bit hokey, the music is very much to my liking.  Enjoy.



Friday, May 27, 2016

Cheap Trick at Daryl's House - Oh hell ya!

The new season of Live at Daryl's House got underway a couple of weeks ago with the first guests being "Cheap Trick."  These guys have been around since 1973 and are still as authentic as can be.  They are old friends of Daryl's and it shows throughout the entire show.  I simply love watching Rick Neilsen on guitar.  He is the ultimate hip old dude.  And Robin Zander still kills the lead vocals.  The whole show was a true delight, with lots of banter and a plethora of great performances.  But to my mind, the best thing of all was a mind blowing performance of "Heaven Tonight."  I've played it over and over and am still sort of freaking out over how arresting it is -- it just grabs me from start to finish, with my high-point being Daryl's brief, but amazing vocal riff at about 5:25 into the track.  You gotta check out Heaven Tonight right here.  If you've got good speakers or a set of good head phones by all means crank up the volume.  I'm guessing that you may play this over at least once more.

Enjoy!!!

Monday, May 23, 2016

Remembering Art Farmer

Okay, you consider yourself a jazz fan. Answer me this:  When discussing flugelhorn players, who comes to your mind?  Clark Terry?  Freddy Hubbard?  Roy Hargrove?  Chuck Mangione?  Those cats are all worthy, but in my book Art Farmer is tops in that category.  Aside from eventually playing the flugelhorn exclusively, he also invented and played a hybrid instrument that he dubbed a "flumpet."  Art died in 1999, and you can read about him (and his flumpet) right here.  Luckily for you, I found this gorgeous performance of "Petite Belle," which makes my case.  Jim Hall on guitar, Steve Swallow on bass, and Pet LaRocca on drums.

Friday, May 20, 2016

Bernie blues...

Sometimes I find an article that perfectly describes a position or view that I agree with completely.  Struggling with articulating the push and pull of the Bernie Sanders candidacy, I found this well-reasoned piece that fits my feelings to a "T."  

Saturday, May 14, 2016

Back from Stinson Beach

We left on Monday for our rental at Stinson Beach.  We got back yesterday.  The unit we rented turned out to be awesome.  We were right on the beach with a second floor view of the Pacific, seeing whales migrating north, various types of ships and boats, many kinds of birds and quite a few surfers.  
I took a few pictures:

Here is a view of the back of the units.  There is a very large rental on the whole bottom floor with two one-bedroom units on the second floor.  Ours is on the left.



Here is a view of the unit shot from the beach.  Your can see our unit on the right.  We spent a whole lot of time looking out of the windows you see in the picture.  The high point was seeing lots of whales that came very close to shore allowing us to see them surface and spout.  What wonderful, mysterious beings they are.




Finally, here is shot of the beach looking south.  You can see Highway One on the right side of the hill, descending into the town of Stinson Beach.


Wednesday, May 4, 2016

1964 political add: eerie relevance

On her show Monday Rachel Maddow played this 1964 anti Goldwater political ad. It is definitely worth watching on many levels, and is especially relevant now that Trump is the "presumptive nominee." It's brilliant.  Give it a listen... You won't regret it.  I'm just hoping the outcome this year will be the same as it was in 1964.  

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Trump summarized

Sometimes one simple paragraph can explain and resolve a seeming phenomenon:

Not that there was ever really a good path that Trump could take to portray himself as suitable for occupying the White House. Without his bombast as a distraction, his utter lack of experience and qualifications will quickly become the story. He’s painted himself into a corner where the headlines will either be about what an asshole he is or what an idiot he is, and right now, there’s just no good way for the campaign to fix the situation.

~ Amanda Marcotte writing for Salon

Monday, April 18, 2016

A quote that ain't just about poets...


“Immature poets imitate; mature poets steal; bad poets deface what they take, and good poets make it into something better, or at least something different.” 

~ T.S. Eliot

Saturday, April 16, 2016

Gavin DeGraw at Daryl's House

By now you are used to me touting performances from Daryl's House.  I have been saving a special performance by Gavin DeGraw.  The reason it is special is because it is the very performance I saw for the first time on the Palladia TV channel, which marked my discovery of "Daryl's House."  I was surfing through channels and by serendipity just happened to hit the Palladia channel at the exact time it began to air the performance.  I almost surfed on by it but something pulled me in and I watched the  performance with my jaw dropping further and further as it played out.  Eileen walked in shortly after the beginning and was also mesmerized. When it was over Eileen and I both said "who the heck was that guy, and what the heck is this show [Daryl's House] all about?"   Now we're big fans of "Live From Daryl's House," as you well know.  Anyway, our "maiden voyage" was this great performance by Gavin DeGraw, Daryl, and Daryl's band.  I've probably viewed it twenty times and I never get tired of it.  Enjoy.

By the way the Palladia Channel is now called "MTV Live."


Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Cee Lo at Daryl's house

I just can't seem to stay away from Daryl's house ever since my first post on the subject way back in November.  My latest find was Cee Lo Green's visit to the house.  You probably know Cee Lo as part of Gnarls Barkley and their great song "Crazy," which was nominated for a Grammy in 2007.  (More on "Crazy" below.)  Cee Lo and Daryl performed a number of super tunes, and among the best was a cover of Hall & Oates' "I Can't Go For That," which I have always considered a great song.  In the performance at "the house" both Cee Lo and Daryl are singing up a storm and the band is cookin'. Watching the performance puts a smile on my face that stems from the karma exhibited by all the performers, who were obviously enjoying the hell out of the whole session.  You must check this out, and you can do so right here.

And as for "Crazy," I was elated to find that it was included in the performances in the same session.  There is some banter before the beginning of the song that makes it clear that Daryl was really looking forward to performing "Crazy" with Cee Lo.  It turned out to be a great version of a great tune and you can check it out right here.


Oh, and please always remember that these are LIVE performances.

Monday, March 28, 2016

GOP serves only the 1%

This article, which is short and well worth your time, explains the GOP's reason for existing.  Here is an excerpt discussing the inheritance tax that should whet your appetite:

One [wide spread fallacy] is captured by the statement, attributed to John Steinbeck, that in America “the poor see themselves not as an exploited proletariat, but as temporarily embarrassed millionaires.” In other words, optimism bias leads people to wildly overestimate the odds that someday they, too, will be in a position to bequeath vast sums to their families.

at someday they, too, will be in a position to bequeath vast sums to their families.

Thursday, March 24, 2016

So long little troll

Some time ago my blog got infected with a troll.  He came from a friend's blog, the friend finally having to moderate everyone's comments to spare readers having to read the troll's political screeds and nasty invective.  Losing the forum of my friend's blog, the troll began the identical commenting on my blog. I let it go for a while, but when he started attacking my other readers he crossed the line. I tried deleting his comments, but that only spawned more combative comments.  Clearly he is prepared to keep commenting on my deletions ad infinitum. You all should not have to endure it. So I have set this blog so that I will review all comments before allowing them to be published on my blog. This will not affect all of you; if you comment, I will publish it (unless you are another troll!)  Freedom of expression does not allow someone to crap on my living room rug.

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

A good laugh to be had ...

Last night Eileen was looking through her email and started laughing at a video someone sent to her.  In a minute or so she was laughing harder and in another minute or so she was roaring.  I asked her to send me the link.  I played it and was soon laughing myself.  The payoff at the end is priceless.  You can check it out right here.

Friday, March 18, 2016

A snowy time ...

We have been up at our Tahoe/Donner house since last Saturday.  It started snowing heavily in the late afternoon and continued through the night and all day on Sunday.  It was a beautiful storm.  Here is a picture I took out of our second-floor bedroom at about 3:00 pm on Sunday. As you can see the storm was still going strong.  Don't forget to click to enlarge.


Monday it began clearing and we have had sunny weather since.  About half of the snow has melted off, but it was still perfect for some snowshoeing up in the woods behind the partially visible house on the left.  We are going back to Alameda tomorrow morning.  I'll get back into more frequent posts once I am home.


Monday, March 7, 2016

Wishful and wistful thinking

 “When politics goes well, we can know a good in common that we cannot know alone.” 
~Michael Sandel, political philosopher



Monday, February 29, 2016

John Oliver on Trump (Drumph)

Everyone should take the time to watch this excerpt from John Oliver's HBO show, "Last Week Tonight."  I can honestly say it is a masterful take-down of Donald Trump.  Oh, and by the way it is absolutely hilarious.

Sunday, February 28, 2016

YFT - The Honeymooners stand the test of time

When I was a boy of 12 one of my favorite TV shows was "The Honeymooners."  It came at a time when I was first developing my "adult" sense of humor.  I got to thinking about the show a couple of days ago and wondered if some of the episodes were available on YouTube.  Much to my surprise and joy,  pretty much all of the episodes are available.  I have a specific recollection of some of those episodes, which stick in my mind and make me chuckle as I remember them from time to time.  One of those was the hilarious "The $99,000 Answer," which aired in 1956.  I just watched it for the first time in who knows how long, and it filled me with unqualified nostalgia and mirth. Needless to say I was laughing out loud most of the time.  I won't ruin it for you by revealing any of the plot, but the episode gives us Gleason and Carney at their absolute best, with Audrey Meadows contributing her usual offering of rational thought and reality.  The payoff at the end is classic Gleason.  I urge you to take 25 minutes of your time and watch this little masterpiece right here.

Friday, February 26, 2016

Ring any bells?

“Why of course the people don't want war. Why should some poor slob on a farm want to risk his life in a war when the best he can get out of it is to come back to his farm in one piece? Naturally the common people don't want war: neither in Russia, nor in England, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But after all it is the leaders of a country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy or fascist dictatorship, or a parliament or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the peace makers for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.”

~ Hermann Göring



Wednesday, February 24, 2016

YFT - Kodachrome is still cool

My latest ear worm is one that came totally unbidden, and like all such ear worms it's inexplicable. How and why did it come from wherever it lurks?  Anyway, the culprit is "Kodachrome" by Paul Simon.  It's still a great song and here is a YouTube version that actually has a cool visual montage.  Enjoy.

Monday, February 15, 2016

LP covers...

One of the best things about listening to music in the sixties, seventies, and eighties was the album cover art that bedecked the cardboard sleeves that held our precious vinyl.  Once CD's took over in the early eighties the album cover gradualy became a thing of the past.  The tiny CD cover was puny and weak compared with great album covers.  It's true that you could, and still can, go to specialty stores that carry old vinyl and experience the joy of fondling those old albums, but for the most part the LP cover is a thing of the past.  Now days I don't even by CD's anymore, choosing instead to listen to streaming music from Rhapsody, YouTube, Pandora and many other Internet sources.  (Take a listen to Radio Paradise for example.)

This leads me to the point of this post.  I came across a pictorial showing 35 great album covers in all their glory.  Talk about a contact high!  Check it out.

Sunday, February 14, 2016

So long Scalia



I am definitely not in mourning.

Thursday, February 4, 2016

YFT - Pretenders

Another "YouTube From Tom"

I was driving around today listening to music when up popped The Pretenders performing "Middle of the Road."  It's a great song and they are a terrific band.  I have always admired their musicianship and Chrissie Hynde's singing and song-writing.  Their discography is pretty epic so it's hard to pick a favorite, but for me "Show Me" is near the top if not the top.  Remembering this I hopped on to YouTube for some "Show Me" investigation.  In presenting my final results I thought it best to give you a studio recording and a live performance.  The audio mix on the live performance is a bit muffled.  Anyway, for me the high point of "Show Me" is the insanely great little bridge, which really grooves with unexpected power.  In the studio recording it's at 2:05 and again at 3:30.  In the live performance it's at 2:10 and again at 3:04 in a little variation of the original riff. Oh, and Robbie McIntosh plays a very nifty guitar solo near the end of the live performance.

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Star Wars ...

Finally got around to seeing Star Wars weekend before last.  It was very watchable and I had a good time.  However, I have a couple of observations:

1.  Am I the only one who is getting tired of John Williams?  About half way through the movie the score began to irritate me.  It was ever-present, bombastic,  and self-derivative.  I realize that the film- makers had to incorporate the beloved theme music to some extent, but come on!

2.  There was far less dialog and character development than I expected there would be, especially with J.J. Abrams in the director's chair.  Compare his reboot of the Star Trek franchise with the new Star Wars and if you are honest with yourself you will realize that J.J.'s Star Trek is a better film.  This is the case because of the wonderful dialog and character development in the Star Trek reboot.  I've seen the Star Trek film three times and loved it all three.  The score by Michael Giacchino is a refreshing departure from the heavy hand of John Williams.  Check it out and you will see what I mean.

p.s. By the way, I agree with the general consensus, including J.J.  himself, that his following up, "Star Trek -- Into Darkness" was a disappointment.


Thursday, January 21, 2016

Sad news re: climate-change

Attention all climate-change deniers, and assorted trolls.  I realize that this article will probably never cause your frozen minds to change, but you really should read and accept it.  As for the rest of you, read it and weep.

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Bowie R.I.P.

I thought about writing a long post about David Bowie and his influence on me over fifty some years, but then I realized it was best to keep it real simple.  Probably my favorite Bowie track is his powerful yet divine rendition of the classic "Wild Is The Wind."  Funny how few people have heard it, or how many have forgotten about it.  The whole thing still blows me away, in particular the genius release just after 4:10 into the tune.  Luckily for you, you can check it out right here.

Ground control to major David.  Rest in peace brother.

Thursday, January 7, 2016

YFT - Rob Thomas

Further exploring Daryl's House I found the session with Rob Thomas.  (More on that later.)  Rob was a founding member of "Matchbox Twenty," but I would venture to guess that most of us who are familiar with Rob Thomas came to know him though his vocal on "Smooth," which turned out to be a huge smash hit for Carlos Santana.  Here is an excerpt from "All Music" giving a bit of history about "Smooth."
Matchbox Twenty reserved 1999 as the year to record their eagerly anticipated second album, but they didn't disappear from the spotlight, due to the unexpected success of "Smooth," a Santana song co-written and sung by Rob Thomas. "Smooth" was one of many songs sung by celebrities on Santana's cameo-studded comeback album Supernatural, but it was the one chosen as the lead single. A wise choice, as it turned out, since it became a true pop phenomenon, topping many radio charts and driving Supernatural to multi-platinum sales and many industry awards. Throughout the second half of 1999, "Smooth" was inescapable, as it and Supernatural sat on the top of the pop charts. Its success brought more attention to Matchbox Twenty, and Yourself or Someone Like You rocketed to over ten million copies sold -- which now qualified it for the RIAA's Diamond Award, which is only granted to records that have moved over ten million units. On top of that, Thomas was named BMI's 1999 Pop Songwriter of the Year, for "Smooth" and his work with Matchbox Twenty. Early in 2000, Thomas won three Grammys for "Smooth" -- Song of the Year, Record of the Year, and Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals.
Having read that, I'll bet you are itching to hear "Smooth" right here and now.  I never get tired of hearing that tune.

Anyhow, this leads me to Rob's appearance at Daryl's House.  All of the songs are great and it's hard for me to pick a favorite, but I'm gonna settle on "Someday," a song written by Rob.  He and Daryl sound so nice on this track, and the lyrics are inspiring.  Enjoy it right here.

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

The President wipes away tears

The President teared up when speaking about the Sandy Hook massacre.  Of course the right wing nuts and Fox news mocked him and claimed the tears were not authentic, etc.  I for one believe the tears showed great compassion and moral strength, Seeing the tears deeply moved me and made me more proud of our president than ever.