Monday, March 24, 2008

Ziggy Stardust: exobiologist.

For someone who was such a magpie of other peoples musical styles, David Bowie could be stunningly original when he put his mind to it.

He was probably the most influential musician in the UK during the 70's and 80's, when more people started bands because of listening to him than anyone else. And certainly the greatest exponent of Rock Theatre ever.

Prog Monday

They wrote this song in the late 60's. Still relevant.

Sunday, March 9, 2008

Sunday Stax

The incomparable Sam and Dave:

The journey of 1000 miles beings with a single step.

We beat the Spurs. And it was a good win. Because we didn't have to shoot the lights out, nor did we have to play perfect basketball to do it. We shut them down in the 4th and did to the Spurs what they've being doing to us (and everyone else) for the last few years.

This is how you win championships in the NBA, by being better than the other team when you're both firing on only 3 cylinders.

Still, we're going to see a few more bad games from the Suns before this all settles down. Just remember that this game is a reminder of why Steve K. and Mike D. made the trade.

Thursday, March 6, 2008

Holdsworth in Guitar Player

Allan is on the cover of this months (apr 08) edition of Guitar Player. It's a great interview.

Anyhoo, here's something to keep you warm:

Bill Evans

One of the last things he recorded before he died. Just as a point of note, there's a lot of good jazz based on film or tv songs. Coltrane did "My Favorite Things". The melodies are simple and hummable, and the harmony is easily expanded.

The Suns.

This is going to take a while.

I'll say this: there have been tantalizing moments, such as the Celtics game and the 1st half of the Blazers game where the Suns have been transcendentally good, and other games such as the Pistons game, where they've been atrociously bad. They might have won an extra game or two through this stretch with Shawn, but it would have been almost as bad: there's a malaise in the locker room thats been there since the start of the season.

Hillarys experience

Hillary Clinton talking about her experience in the White House would be like Linda McCartney talking about her experience as the keyboard player in Wings. Linda was in Wings for 15 years, and at the end of it she still couldn't play.

In either case, the husband was the star attraction.

I'll say this for Linda: she at least had the decency and good taste not to put out a solo album.

Blind Faith

They only made one album, which has two absolute classic songs.
This is one of them.

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Luxury Keef.

This is almost too funny for words.
Of course, the real question is whether Louis Vuitton is going to make those handbags and such out of Keefs hide. Alligators everywhere are breathing a sign of relief.

Dirty tricks and all that.

Reading the blogs, I'm amused by Hillary supporters complaining about dirty tricks done by the Obama campaign.

Just for the record: comparing Obama to Hillary on this count is like comparing toe-nail fungus to full blown systemic lymphatic cancer. There's a huge world of difference between the two.

Now that's not to say I don't think Hillary wouldn't be a highly competent president. But it would be a soulless administration, ideologically rigid and bereft of any humanity, the occasional fake crying notwithstanding.

I'm just saying.

Midnight Mozart.

Monday, March 3, 2008

Jeff Healey, RIP

Amazing player, with a totally unique approach to rock. And the man could rock.
I am saddened by his passing.

Saturday, March 1, 2008

Bill Hicks, 14th anniversary of his passing.

Bill Hicks is my hero.

He never ran away or apologized for his vices or his point of view. He confronted his enemies and his audiences with equal vigor, and never compromised. ever. His anger and indignation with the world, our politicians, our stupidity and the selling of our collective souls was real and palpable.

He passed away on Feb 26th 2004, and he is missed.

This tribute is in 3 parts.

pt 1.



pt 2.



pt. 3