Each day I try to give what I call a humstle, a song that gets in your head for no apparent reason and you find your self humming or whistling it. It is contagious. Music is great contagion. One of its gifts, is it reminds us to listen.
Here's a mix I made for someone yesterday. Would you play this in your car? If you have a car, that is- I shouldn't assume.
1. Tom Waits- Walking Spanish
2. Les McCann and Eddie Harris- Compared to What?
3. David Grisman- O'Banion's Wake
4. NRBQ- Boozoo and Leona
5. Bonnie Raitt- Everybody's Cryin' Mercy
6. Bruce Springsteen (The Dublin Sessions) Further On (Up The Road)
7. Rusted Root- Send Me On My Way
8. Counting Crows- Rain King
9. Danny O'Keefe- Portrait in Black Velvet
10. El Rayo-X- Tiki Torches at Twilight
11. Donald Fagen- Ruby Baby
12. Randy Newman (From "The Natural") The Majors: The Mind is a Strange Thing
13. Traveling Wilburys- Last Night
14. Gene Pitney- 24 Hours From Tulsa
15. John Prine- Let's Talk Dirty in Hawaiian
16. NRBQ- I Like That Girl
17. John B. Sebastian- Rainbows All Over Your Blues
18. Dave Grusin and GRP All Stars- Sing Sing Sing
Any memories? Smiles? Hope so.
No Phil Robertson today. No ACA, No Starlin Castro Trade (dammit!), but speaking of baseball, I was watching MLB last night and was reminded of two incidents that made me smile; a favorite player of mine who (in my opinion) didn't juice in his career and ended up with 500 home runs and 3000 hits*. And the two players whose 3000th hit was a home run**
I am noticing the manic gear of people who haven't had the holiday spirit yet, dialing it up. These are
the late shoppers. It's a good time to stay out of their way.
Happy Friday every one. Tell someone you love them. It's more appreciated than you know. And even if your dog is a cock blocker when he/she gets on your bed and won't leave, they are one of the epitomes of unconditional love. If you turn on the news, you don't see a whole lot of love out there. So enjoy it if you got it.
*Eddie Murray
** Wade Boggs and Derek Jeter
See you.
Friday, December 20, 2013
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Chillin'
I don't care what Phil Robertson said. I'm about the same age as he is and there is an amendment to the Constitution that allows him to say what he wants. I admit to being a recent viewer (not follower) of Duck Dynasty. I get why it has appeal. Robertson's employers didn't like what he said and they suspended him from the show. They've probably stopped taping episodes for awhile- that's why he's giving interviews to GC. I have a recurring theory. Once somebody becomes famous- or famous as we think of the term, it is only a matter of time until they say something in an unguarded moment that gets them in trouble.
I'm texting with my son who plays the doppleganger game with me on occasion. His for the day: Omer Asik (Houston Rockets, center), and Judge Reinhold. Well, that just started backs and forths from Fast Times At Ridgemont High. If Ray Walston comes up for discussion, just remember, before he was Mr. Hand, he was Uncle Martin in My Favorite Martian.
I am a businessman and in this season of giving, I can only buy so many bottles of Grey Goose to give to customers as a thank you for their business. So, I make CD mixes for a few of them; actually more than a few. It's not that any have given up drinking, but they prefer the mixes and have actually called to ask if I remembered them this year (of course). With apologies to Harry and David, music plays all year. Their partially enjoyed fruit is in the compost bin 3 days later. Ah, Ah- love Harry and David. Love them. A Pear a day, keeps the NSA away.
Yesterday one mix had the following artists:
Bessie Smith
Tom Waits
Susan Tedeschi/Derek Trucks
Maria Muldaur/Blue Belle Barker
Shel Silverstein
Blind Lemon Jefferson*
Government Mule
Bill Wyman and the Rhythm Kings
The Blasters
Patsy Cline
Dee Clark
Infamous Stringdusters
Dave Van Ronk
Squirrel Nut Zippers
John Prine
Les McCann and Eddie Harris
*Black Snake Moan takes a little courage to listen to.
There is a rumor that the Georgia Public Schools are woefully short on Janitorial workers. Newt Gingrich and Jack Kingston are doing the hiring. Hit em' on their cells.
Todays's humstle:
Asleep at the Wheel w'friends- Faded Love
Be well my fiends and as always, thanks for checking on me. Mom and Dad appreciate it when they're out of town.
I'm texting with my son who plays the doppleganger game with me on occasion. His for the day: Omer Asik (Houston Rockets, center), and Judge Reinhold. Well, that just started backs and forths from Fast Times At Ridgemont High. If Ray Walston comes up for discussion, just remember, before he was Mr. Hand, he was Uncle Martin in My Favorite Martian.
I am a businessman and in this season of giving, I can only buy so many bottles of Grey Goose to give to customers as a thank you for their business. So, I make CD mixes for a few of them; actually more than a few. It's not that any have given up drinking, but they prefer the mixes and have actually called to ask if I remembered them this year (of course). With apologies to Harry and David, music plays all year. Their partially enjoyed fruit is in the compost bin 3 days later. Ah, Ah- love Harry and David. Love them. A Pear a day, keeps the NSA away.
Yesterday one mix had the following artists:
Bessie Smith
Tom Waits
Susan Tedeschi/Derek Trucks
Maria Muldaur/Blue Belle Barker
Shel Silverstein
Blind Lemon Jefferson*
Government Mule
Bill Wyman and the Rhythm Kings
The Blasters
Patsy Cline
Dee Clark
Infamous Stringdusters
Dave Van Ronk
Squirrel Nut Zippers
John Prine
Les McCann and Eddie Harris
*Black Snake Moan takes a little courage to listen to.
There is a rumor that the Georgia Public Schools are woefully short on Janitorial workers. Newt Gingrich and Jack Kingston are doing the hiring. Hit em' on their cells.
Todays's humstle:
Asleep at the Wheel w'friends- Faded Love
Be well my fiends and as always, thanks for checking on me. Mom and Dad appreciate it when they're out of town.
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
The Hubris battle
In simple terms, the word "hubris" is defined as arrogance or haughtiness. Now I'm going to write about Republicans and Democrats, right? No? Right and Left Wingers? Hamilton vs Burr? The list goes on, but for the sake of simplicity, let's pick a subject that has wider appeal. Garvin vs Huber- Bengals/Steelers, AFC North clash of the titans. Prestige, money and playoff implications on the line.
You get it.
It was a prime moment of hubris from the hit itself to the pantheon of social media, the print and sports network journalists. Went "viral". It wasn't as hot as a wardrobe malfunction. There was no bar fight or subsequent shootings (yet). But many people are talking about it, offering their opinions. Somebody will end up being blamed for hubris. And across political, social and entertainment lines those interested will have an opinion.
So I really got to thinking that just about everything we get exposed to in a typical (is there such a thing?) day, that word comes up. It's a real test, this hubris thing. If your kid comes home in tears and says he was bullied at school, as a parent, what's your reaction? If your government spies on you in the name if some greater good,, what do you think? If your President takes our country to war over a claim of WMD, you think, is that the ultimate example of the hubris thing?The list goes on and on. There are too many examples, and my posts get a bit wordy. So, think about any subject and inject your side and the other side. And think about that. You don't have to be Voltaire, or Emmett Kelly or Bill O'Reilly.
No pontificating here. We're at the top of the food chain because we're equipped with the capacity to slow things down and think them through. Believe what you believe. T's a crazy looking word. But it packs a wallop.
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Mullies and Gimmees
Today, I posted a title but didn't write anything that pertained to it. I'm old and us "olds" can walk from one room to another and completely forget why we're there. Maybe, not that bad.
Anyway a Mullie or a Mully is short for Mulligan. It's a golf metaphor, and it pertains to a do over or a second chance. I think of the scene in Goodfellas after Henry and Tommy have torched the joint because they've milked it for everything it had and now they had to burn it for the insurance money.
So the erstwhile Henry Hill is explaining why it probably wasn't such a good idea to have let "Paulie" in on the restaurant, because no matter what else happened, the boss got his "tribute". He had to get paid for anything the bar generated. You probably remember the scene.
So while the bar burns, Henry is explaining the reality---such as "Oh you had a Fire?? F**k you pay me!"
So I got to wondering in this joyous time of year whether a mulligan is a metaphor for being "born again."? We hear about redemption and second chances and I think of politicians whose names were found in the pages of a "madame's" clientele list. Or the guy who tweets his junk to strangers. Or the people who pass budget deals and leave out the welfare of very important people- real people. Will their time come when they ask for a mully? Don't they deserve it?
Oh, you hit a shitty drive and you want a mully, go ahead. It's OK.
Oh you have a 6 foot putt? You can have a Gimmee. Just remember I gave you one. I may need you to give me one someday.
Oh, you embezzled from the office petty cash, used the dough to buy crack and made a shambles of your life? Just ask God for forgiveness and you will become whole again. But go to rehab and write a book.
Do the families of the kids and teachers gunned down in Newtown get a mully? Or the families of all gunshot victims for that matter??
So the humstle that seems appropriate is John Wesley Work's and the Fisk Jubilee Singers Wade in the Water. We all need to be forgiven for our actions-- by others but mostly, by ourselves. I just struggle with the whole thing from time to time. It's such a good time of the year. But it's also a time for contemplation and figuring out being kind and forgiving as well.
I usually post once a day, but whenever I know I got something either wrong or incomplete, I like to go back and finish if I can. OFYAH: Scorpio. It's in my nature
No writer will always write everything you like. You wouldn't want me to, would you? That'd be boring. I think of the question that was once asked of a person: Are you Ambivalent or Stupid? Answer: I don't know and I don't care. But I think we all do care.
But I'm still not going to sit on Santa's lap. Uh unnnh.
Anyway a Mullie or a Mully is short for Mulligan. It's a golf metaphor, and it pertains to a do over or a second chance. I think of the scene in Goodfellas after Henry and Tommy have torched the joint because they've milked it for everything it had and now they had to burn it for the insurance money.
So the erstwhile Henry Hill is explaining why it probably wasn't such a good idea to have let "Paulie" in on the restaurant, because no matter what else happened, the boss got his "tribute". He had to get paid for anything the bar generated. You probably remember the scene.
So while the bar burns, Henry is explaining the reality---such as "Oh you had a Fire?? F**k you pay me!"
So I got to wondering in this joyous time of year whether a mulligan is a metaphor for being "born again."? We hear about redemption and second chances and I think of politicians whose names were found in the pages of a "madame's" clientele list. Or the guy who tweets his junk to strangers. Or the people who pass budget deals and leave out the welfare of very important people- real people. Will their time come when they ask for a mully? Don't they deserve it?
Oh, you hit a shitty drive and you want a mully, go ahead. It's OK.
Oh you have a 6 foot putt? You can have a Gimmee. Just remember I gave you one. I may need you to give me one someday.
Oh, you embezzled from the office petty cash, used the dough to buy crack and made a shambles of your life? Just ask God for forgiveness and you will become whole again. But go to rehab and write a book.
Do the families of the kids and teachers gunned down in Newtown get a mully? Or the families of all gunshot victims for that matter??
So the humstle that seems appropriate is John Wesley Work's and the Fisk Jubilee Singers Wade in the Water. We all need to be forgiven for our actions-- by others but mostly, by ourselves. I just struggle with the whole thing from time to time. It's such a good time of the year. But it's also a time for contemplation and figuring out being kind and forgiving as well.
I usually post once a day, but whenever I know I got something either wrong or incomplete, I like to go back and finish if I can. OFYAH: Scorpio. It's in my nature
No writer will always write everything you like. You wouldn't want me to, would you? That'd be boring. I think of the question that was once asked of a person: Are you Ambivalent or Stupid? Answer: I don't know and I don't care. But I think we all do care.
But I'm still not going to sit on Santa's lap. Uh unnnh.
"Mullies"
In your life, into how many public bathrooms have you left a deposit?**
Are dogs that can't stay off your bed **ck blockers?
Did the Cubs trade Starlin Castro yet?
It has been reported that the State of Colorado has discovered almost "double" the amount of Endocrine Disrupting Checmicals (EDC's) at fracking sites. They just don't get it. In Pennsylvania, officials usually ignore these results and explain any potentially harmful site discovered chemicals are the result of "faulty testing."
A moment, please: Glands that secrete life sustaining fluids to the bloodstream that directly affect nearly every function of the human body. But as our good friend Frank Drebin said, " but that's not important right now.."
Why are we naming winter storms?
The Transparency Train: Darrell Issa, member of Congress from California's 49th district is conducting nationwide hearings, whereby he is humbly asking for anyone who wants to come in and report their experiences with the ACA. (I won't call it Obamacare). There's just one problem. In reviewing the transcripts of these "hearings" I do not see people giving testimony that they have signed up and are happy with the fact that they are covered for the first time in their lives. Uh Oh.!! The dog ate my homework- when he wasn't on the bed being a **ck blocker."
Speaking of the Affordable Care Act, a sizable amount of legislators from a certain political party have launched a nationwide campaign to remind folks that after their party wins a majority in the Senate in the 2014 midterm elections, it is full speed ahead for defunding and repeal of the ACA.
In other ACA news, former Pennsylvania Senator, Rick Santorum said this: " If we have a system where the government is going to be the principle provider of healthcare for the country then we're done. Because then you're dependent on the government for your life and your health.
A moment please: Where does it state in this law that the government accrues any financial benefit from this law's implementation? Doesn't the law provide that the potential beneficiaries are the private healthcare providers? Is the Government collecting the premiums for whomever signs up?
Just saying.
Please call me when Dez Bryant stops crying. 'Mamas, don't let your Cowboys grow up to be babies.'
Today's humstle:
Nick Lowe- I knew the Bride When She Used to Rock and Roll.
Still knocked out remembering John Scofield's Uber Jam this past weekend. I used to listen to him in the 80's and 90's. It's great when music slaps you in the head and says, "How about that??"
Until tomorrow, do me two favors, don't name any winter storms and call me if the Cubs trade Starlin Castro. You can reverse the charges.
** possibly tens of thousands. Kid you not.
Are dogs that can't stay off your bed **ck blockers?
Did the Cubs trade Starlin Castro yet?
It has been reported that the State of Colorado has discovered almost "double" the amount of Endocrine Disrupting Checmicals (EDC's) at fracking sites. They just don't get it. In Pennsylvania, officials usually ignore these results and explain any potentially harmful site discovered chemicals are the result of "faulty testing."
A moment, please: Glands that secrete life sustaining fluids to the bloodstream that directly affect nearly every function of the human body. But as our good friend Frank Drebin said, " but that's not important right now.."
Why are we naming winter storms?
The Transparency Train: Darrell Issa, member of Congress from California's 49th district is conducting nationwide hearings, whereby he is humbly asking for anyone who wants to come in and report their experiences with the ACA. (I won't call it Obamacare). There's just one problem. In reviewing the transcripts of these "hearings" I do not see people giving testimony that they have signed up and are happy with the fact that they are covered for the first time in their lives. Uh Oh.!! The dog ate my homework- when he wasn't on the bed being a **ck blocker."
Speaking of the Affordable Care Act, a sizable amount of legislators from a certain political party have launched a nationwide campaign to remind folks that after their party wins a majority in the Senate in the 2014 midterm elections, it is full speed ahead for defunding and repeal of the ACA.
In other ACA news, former Pennsylvania Senator, Rick Santorum said this: " If we have a system where the government is going to be the principle provider of healthcare for the country then we're done. Because then you're dependent on the government for your life and your health.
A moment please: Where does it state in this law that the government accrues any financial benefit from this law's implementation? Doesn't the law provide that the potential beneficiaries are the private healthcare providers? Is the Government collecting the premiums for whomever signs up?
Just saying.
Please call me when Dez Bryant stops crying. 'Mamas, don't let your Cowboys grow up to be babies.'
Today's humstle:
Nick Lowe- I knew the Bride When She Used to Rock and Roll.
Still knocked out remembering John Scofield's Uber Jam this past weekend. I used to listen to him in the 80's and 90's. It's great when music slaps you in the head and says, "How about that??"
Until tomorrow, do me two favors, don't name any winter storms and call me if the Cubs trade Starlin Castro. You can reverse the charges.
** possibly tens of thousands. Kid you not.
Monday, December 16, 2013
Well, well , well
Remind me the next time I go on vacation, not to eat the Pizza they bring into the VIP lounge at 3:15 AM. Or was it hot dog that preceded it?
We return home from Warren Haynes' 25th annual Christmas Jam in Asheville, NC. We visited our farm, saw our grandbaby (cute as hell!). Some of us took a ride on a John Deere B-350 dozer backwards across our creek ( no bridge yet) (boots too short for a splash). Driving from Chicago to Asheville and back is a wonderfully cathartic experience. I love my adopted home town and the music was just amazing. I am going to list all the people I can remember and thank them for giving up their time to play for a charitable event that benefits the Western Carolina Habitat for Humanity. Those three words are really telling. Habitat for Humanity have built 23 homes for people over the years- people who really had nothing and now they walk through a door and into a Habitat- a home. Money goes for assistance and food drives and clothing for those who are less fortunate than many others. Warren Haynes is a wonderful man. God bless the whole damn event and the people who give to help others. And they don't vote to cut off Food Stamps or Unemployment benefits. They play good music and inspire everybody to be be better people. That is a gift that money cannot buy. So--
I give thanks!!
And sincere apologies to anyone I missed. I will mention in future posts if I did.
WARREN HAYNES AND GOVT. MULE Warren, and Steph, don't know what to say but thanks. I'm not alone.
KEB MO
GREG ALLMAN*
PHIL LESH* QUINTET
JOHN SCOFIELD UBER JAM
AQUARIUM RESCUE UNIT
WIDESPREAD PANIC
GRACE POTTER AND THE NOCTURNALS
MICHAEL FRANTI
O.A.R.
JIMMY HERRING
AUDLEY FREED
JEFF SIPE
COUNT M'BUTU
CRAIG SORRELLS
BILL EVANS
RON HOLLOWAY
DR. DAN MATRAZZO
IKE STUBBLEFIELD
JAY BOWMAN
KEVIN KINNEY
RON JOHNSON
OTEIL BURBRIDGE
RANDALL BRAMBLETT
MARC QUINONES
MIKE BARNES
ROOSEVELT COLLIER
DOORS
EMPIRE STRIKES BRASS
THE BROADCAST
TROUBLE
The volunteers and CID Entertainment.
*Two organ transplant guys, still bringing the happy to many people. They were down and out but they got the gift of life. Please consider signing up. You'll smile down from heaven.
This post is about the music of the weekend in North Carolina. On the same night 400 miles away, in Pittsburgh, my dear friends, THE CAUSE were playing a second night of commemoration of the the Grateful Dead's 1980 acoustic/electric sets they recorded at NYC's Radio City Music Hall and San Francisco's Warfield Theatre. The Cause is a hard working band and my dear friends and so while music is the message they deserve a special mention too.
ERIC "PAPPY" WEINGRAD
DAVID " PROFESSOR" TAUBERG
MIKE SOUTH
MIKE "TOUR PRO" TONY
Lots of other stuff going on and it will get mentioned. But a fond farewell to Peter O'Toole, Tom "Billy Jack" Laughlin and Joan Fontaine.
See you tomorrow.
We return home from Warren Haynes' 25th annual Christmas Jam in Asheville, NC. We visited our farm, saw our grandbaby (cute as hell!). Some of us took a ride on a John Deere B-350 dozer backwards across our creek ( no bridge yet) (boots too short for a splash). Driving from Chicago to Asheville and back is a wonderfully cathartic experience. I love my adopted home town and the music was just amazing. I am going to list all the people I can remember and thank them for giving up their time to play for a charitable event that benefits the Western Carolina Habitat for Humanity. Those three words are really telling. Habitat for Humanity have built 23 homes for people over the years- people who really had nothing and now they walk through a door and into a Habitat- a home. Money goes for assistance and food drives and clothing for those who are less fortunate than many others. Warren Haynes is a wonderful man. God bless the whole damn event and the people who give to help others. And they don't vote to cut off Food Stamps or Unemployment benefits. They play good music and inspire everybody to be be better people. That is a gift that money cannot buy. So--
I give thanks!!
And sincere apologies to anyone I missed. I will mention in future posts if I did.
WARREN HAYNES AND GOVT. MULE Warren, and Steph, don't know what to say but thanks. I'm not alone.
KEB MO
GREG ALLMAN*
PHIL LESH* QUINTET
JOHN SCOFIELD UBER JAM
AQUARIUM RESCUE UNIT
WIDESPREAD PANIC
GRACE POTTER AND THE NOCTURNALS
MICHAEL FRANTI
O.A.R.
JIMMY HERRING
AUDLEY FREED
JEFF SIPE
COUNT M'BUTU
CRAIG SORRELLS
BILL EVANS
RON HOLLOWAY
DR. DAN MATRAZZO
IKE STUBBLEFIELD
JAY BOWMAN
KEVIN KINNEY
RON JOHNSON
OTEIL BURBRIDGE
RANDALL BRAMBLETT
MARC QUINONES
MIKE BARNES
ROOSEVELT COLLIER
DOORS
EMPIRE STRIKES BRASS
THE BROADCAST
TROUBLE
The volunteers and CID Entertainment.
*Two organ transplant guys, still bringing the happy to many people. They were down and out but they got the gift of life. Please consider signing up. You'll smile down from heaven.
This post is about the music of the weekend in North Carolina. On the same night 400 miles away, in Pittsburgh, my dear friends, THE CAUSE were playing a second night of commemoration of the the Grateful Dead's 1980 acoustic/electric sets they recorded at NYC's Radio City Music Hall and San Francisco's Warfield Theatre. The Cause is a hard working band and my dear friends and so while music is the message they deserve a special mention too.
ERIC "PAPPY" WEINGRAD
DAVID " PROFESSOR" TAUBERG
MIKE SOUTH
MIKE "TOUR PRO" TONY
Lots of other stuff going on and it will get mentioned. But a fond farewell to Peter O'Toole, Tom "Billy Jack" Laughlin and Joan Fontaine.
See you tomorrow.
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