Wednesday June 27 10:30 PM
Just got back from a wonderful afternoon and evening with members of the NHL Officials Association. Last year Montreal native Dave Jackson organized a BBQ in his back yard. Today we were at an art gallery in Lachine. Beautiful place. New York style loft run by Mike Valee. If you need a fully equipped loft to showcase art or rent it out for a private party, cd launch or Scientology convention be sure to contact Mike:
http://www.canvasmontreal.com/
Much like a year ago the officials were terrific guests, offering thoughtful, insightful commentary on the state of the game and their profession. Most noteworthy moment for me was Don Koharski's response to my question about there being no doubt that the post lockout NHL rulebook has delivered on it's promise, no matter the criticism.
"3o years in the league...it's the best hockey I've seen" said Koharski who runs an officiating camp every summer in Boucherville.
http://www.dkrefcamps.com/
The officials get together each year to honor the late Stephane Provost and to help his young family.
http://www.nhlofficials.com/display_news.asp?articleID=106
For the last two years we've had the opportunity to spend quality air time with Jackson, Koharski, Mike Leggo, Don VanMassenhoven, Terry Gregson, Greg Devorksi, Jean Morin,
Brian Murphy, Pierre Racicot, Brad Watson, Rob Shick, Bill McCreary and Director of Officiating Stephen Walkom. The NHL would be doing itself a big favour by allowing these guys the freedom to talk at length during the season and the playoffs. They care every bit as deeply about their sport as players, coaches, and managers. (I hesitate to add owners only because Boston's Jeremy Jacobs has been named Chairman of the Board of Governors. What's next-Bill Wirtz as Director of Marketing?)
http://www.nhlofficials.com/home.asp
And now for your viewing pleasure, described by Greg Devorski as the easiest fight he's had to break up since both guys were so tired...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJJPivHWy2k
I liked the idea of having this year's draft in prime time but couldn't GM's have done a little more to co-operate? I realize you can't force guys to make trades but if the event were any duller it would be called The NHL Awards Show. Thank goodness Pierre McGuire was around to describe the slippage of Russian Alexei Cherepanov as "Unonscionable". McGuire was just about the only TSN Staffer to win props from former hockey fan Bill Simmons in his post draft blog on ESPN:
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/070625
Why all the continued hand-wringing over the Habs decsion to skip Angelo Esposito? Don't think Max Pacioretty will raise the passion level in Lasalle and St. Leonard?
I'm far more interested in right now. I've believed all along that Bob Gainey will make a dramatic player move or two (trade, free agent signing or both) beacuse he has to. A team that hasn't played to an empty seat since 2004 has to deliver more than a 10th place finish. So, assuming Sheldon Souray is gone, who becomes the most sought after free agent for Habs fans come Sunday morning? Here's how my shopping list would look, with even more slippage anticipated than Cherapanov and Esposito combined:
1. Chris Drury - perfect combo at C, might get 7 million
2. Brian Rafalski - best playmaking D, much better than Souray
3. Ryan Smith- Oh Canada and Oh can he play
4. Peter Forsberg - superstar C who plays like a Sutter; expiry date very near
4. Daniel Briere - Oh Quebec
5. Scott Gomez - Scary good and just 27
6. Jason Blake - last 3 goal scoring seasons: 22, 28, 40
7. Paul Kariya - yes Habs need size, but if he wants to play here...
8. Teemu Selanne - retiring after 48 goal season? Imagine Koivu & Selanne...
9. Roman Hamrlik - when Rafalski signs elsewhere
10.Brad Stuart - ok, so when Hamrlik goes elsewhere...
11. Scott Hannan - strong leader type
12. Corey Sarich -big, strong, young, much needed RH shot
13. Brent Sopel - Souray lite
14. Andy Sutton - thus ends our run of defensemen
15. Todd Bertuzzi; And just for fun Ed Belfour because once the Habs trade Huet they'll need an experienced back up...and while we're at it...Ladislav Nagy & Eric Lindros...then sign restricted free agent Sean Avery and watch 110% studio implode....oy, it's getting late
But seriously, Michel Ouellet cut loose by Pittsburgh at 25 is very intriguing; as is 6'5" 26 year old winger Brad Winchester non-tendered by Edmonton. And I'd like to see the Habs bring Aaron Asham back to play alongside Maxime Lapierre/Steve Begin.
You can watch the free agent frenzy unfold live on TSN. Don't look for the Bill Simmons sequel on monday.
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=212042&hubname=
The first thing I thought of after hearing the news that wrestler Chris Benoit had killed his family and then himself was Phil Mushnick. Mushnick is a New York Post columnist who made his name critiquing members of the electronic sports media in the Big Apple. He usually takes the high-sometimes too high-moral ground on issues but can be relentless once he has a target in sight. But to his credit, he's usually way ahead of the curve on the most important issues dogging the world of sports and the sports media world. For instance, this is just one in a series of columns he wrote on the sad state of professional wrestling. This was ELEVEN years ago:
http://www.solie.org/articles/gilbert.html
And five years later:
WWF DROPS GOP INTO GUTTER
(New York Post, August 13, 2000)
By Phil Mushnick
The worst forces of popular culture now are more powerful than mainstream, two-party American presidential politics.
To sleep, perchance to dream - even a bad one - has become a welcomed alternative to the nightmarish reality of witnessing the free fall of common decency and common sense at the highest levels of media, commerce and politics. Anything for a buck, anything for a vote.
Two weeks ago in Philadelphia, in nominating George W. Bush as its presidential candidate, the Republican Party reached a new low in expeditious, Machiavellian pandering.
While the Republican Party ostensibly stands for good, old-fashioned family values, its special guests during its presidential convention were none other than the leading action figures of the World Wrestling Federation, an organization practiced at wearing its sweet, civic-minded mask when needed, but that's long been in the business of popularizing degenerate acts.
That the Republican Party was able to escape widespread and lasting ridicule for embracing the WWF during a presidential convention is evidence of a news media that is either sorrowfully blind to the WWF's content or, in the case of television news, co-opted by their networks' investments in pro wrestling.
Two Mondays ago, as the Republican National Convention began in Philly, Vince McMahon's WWF staged a nationally televised show in Atlanta. It featured its usual pornographic, hateful and violent performances that have made it so attractive to children, young adults and now, three months before a presidential election, to the Republican Party.
At one point, a group of barely clothed, large-breasted WWF women paraded outside the Georgia Dome in a mock demonstration. They encouraged onlookers to chant, "Save the Ho's!"
"Ho's" is street for whores. Little boys now reflexively refer to little girls as bitches and ho's in large part thanks to McMahon and his national TV enablers, which now, incredibly, include NBC and CBS.
As a WWF camera panned the crowd, children, some no older than 8, chanted, "Save the Ho's!"
During the in-house, scripted prime-time TV show, McMahon's latest top star, The Rock, slammed a shapely female wrestler to the mat. She was left stretched out, "unconscious," on her back.
The Rock then grabbed a folding chair and hit a male nemesis over the head with it. He staggered, then fell, also "unconscious." He landed with his face in her crotch and her face in his crotch. And there they stayed as The Rock sauntered around the ring, grinning broadly and knowingly. The live audience, comprised of thousands of children, was delighted.
Two nights later, this same guy, "The Rock," sat on the podium, among the Bush family, including the ex-President of the United States and his wife, Barbara. The Rock was an honored guest of the Republican Party and a featured speaker at the Republican National Presidential Convention in Philadelphia. This is the state of our nation.
In fact, Vince McMahon and his WWF were bestowed fully credentialed, VIP treatment at the convention. Within the same WWF show that included 8-year-olds chanting "Save the ho's" and The Rock's latest vile performance, came remote video reports from a WWF announcer working the floor from the Republican National Convention.
If only The Rock had brought along the tape from that show, two nights earlier, to demonstrate to the delegates and to national TV audiences what makes him so popular among younger folks that he was worthy of featured speaker status at the Republican Presidential Convention. And just how badly the Republicans were being had.
If only he had brought along tapes of some of his celebrated TV acts, like the one where he demands sex by hollering a profane expression for the female genitalia. That one was popular enough to inspire McMahon to sell merchandise carrying The Rock's visage along with the unprintable expression.
Why didn't The Rock and McMahon demonstrate to the assembled exactly why they're so popular that they were worthy of invites as honored guests and speakers? Why so circumspect before this audience?
Linda McMahon, Vince's wife, addressed a Republican Convention symposium entitled "The American Dream." Why didn't she distribute some of those oversized, foam rubber hands - the ones with the raised middle finger - that the WWF sells to kids at shows and features on TV?
Why didn't she explain to her Republican Convention audience how one of the WWF's most popular acts features wrestlers pointing to their crotches and hollering "Suck it"? Why didn't she provide full disclosure to her audience, especially to the uninitiated, as to how she and her husband have fulfilled their American Dream?
"Ladies and gentlemen" she might have begun, "I stand before you today to tell you that we've grown fabulously wealthy by selling violence, homophobia, misogyny, twisted sex, negative ethnic stereotyping and senseless hate to American children!
"We have grown rich, famous and powerful by doing dirt to society, but especially to your children. That's the realization of our American Dream. Oh, and God knows how many of our wrestlers are juiced to the max on steroids. Good day."
The Republican Party is one that largely embraces the sanctity of the Bible. Why didn't Mrs. McMahon or The Rock or Vince, while working the convention, tell their audiences how Stone Cold Steve Austin, another WWF American Dream money-maker, draws approval among young audiences by making lewd gestures and mocking the New Testament?
Why didn't Vince, or Linda, or The Rock speak of the modern, ongoing history of the WWF - and all of pro wrestling, for that matter - that includes rampant and systematic drug abuse? Why not a roll call of the wrestlers who have died closeted deaths from drug overdoses in order to "get big" for the likes of the McMahons?
Why not talk about the ring announcer/ring boss in the McMahons' employ who was widely known to use his position to sexually prey on under-aged boys? He operated with Vince's knowledge and to his amusement. McMahon cracked jokes about his deviance.
Why not show the tape of the transvestite oral sex scene that the WWF staged and aired in primetime? McMahon claimed to have loved that one, so why not share it with those delegates who might have missed it?
Why not a moment of silence for Owen Hart, who died last year performing a pay-per-view stunt for McMahon? Why not note for the assembled that after Hart was killed the show not only continued, but the next night, McMahon, rather than allow his wrestlers to mourn, gathered them for a national TV show to exploit Hart's death for bigger-than-usual ratings?
Or why not tell the Republican National Convention how the WWF's physician did a stretch in federal prison for distributing drugs to McMahon and his wrestlers?
Why not tell the Republican Party about how major TV advertisers, including the U.S. Armed Forces, pulled out of WWF shows because their content has become so vile?
Of all the "works" McMahon has pulled, this one's tops. The Republican National Committee provided the WWF with a starring role during its presidential convention. Staggering.
The WWF is extremely hot among the young, so the Republicans wanted a piece of the feel. They may not know why it's hot. They may not even care. Look what pro wrestling did for Jesse Ventura.
McMahon lately has talked big about how 14 million eligible voters watch the WWF every week. Bigshots within the Republican Party must've bought that.
While the WWF is enormously popular, on a good night it attracts roughly 7 million viewers, nearly 40 percent of whom are minors. How does that translate into 14 million voters?
But that's McMahon. One day he says the WWF is adult entertainment, the next day he brags about the increased number of kids who watch. One day he says it's up to parents to monitor what their kids watch, the next day he grows solemn and speaks of how his father was never around when he was growing up.
One day he says that there's no drug problem within the WWF, the next day he admits that there's a big drug problem within the WWF. One day he holds a news conference to declare that he has instituted rigid drug testing, the next day he says there's no drug testing because no one cares if his wrestlers are on drugs.
And just a few days ago, he and his charges took time out from producing another disgusting, kid-desensitizing national TV show to be the honored guests and speakers at the Republican National Presidential Convention. And the WWF, we're told, will be embraced by the Democrats this week in Los Angeles. God help us. _________________________________________
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Monday, June 18, 2007
Summer's Here And The Time Is Right...
Monday June 18 7:45 PM
I realize that golf courses are busy right now (remember what Mark Twain once said about golf, "A good walk spoiled") but here's a hint for those who's summer social gatherings stretch beyond the golf crowd. We non-golfers don't care about your game, your clubs, your holes, your pars, your slices, your back nines, your tee shots, your 19th hole shots or anything else remotely to do with your game. Oh, we might smile and pretend to listen but we're just being polite.
Why do you go on incessantly about a pasttime? Do you ever wonder just how much time you spend discussing something that should have been covered for good in the clubhouse or during the drive home?
Rarely, if ever, do I find myself trying to get away from somebody who's cornered me to talk about the on ice move they made during their oldtimers hockey game. Or the time they went into the hole at short while playing softball. Or the elbow they took under the basket in a game of 21. Or the number of laps they swam at the Y. Or the number of neighborhood enemies they've made because of their dominance on the tennis court. Or even the number of teeth they've lost because of a poorly thrown frisbee.
But the golfers; on and on and on they go as if they're on the PGA tour talking to their biographer. What's up with that? Does golf attract more obsessives than any other sport/activity? Any studies on this? (I don't really need to know but it would sure make sense.)
That's not to say I hate golf. I like it. I really do. I've watched it on televsion for over 35 years. I actually took it up a few years back. I especially enjoyed the non-green action. I simply don't have the time to devote. And I'm not big on rules. And I'd rather be on the water somewhere.
But I can definately see myself taking it up again, perhaps when the kids are gone. In the meantime I continue to follow, and enjoy hearing from, the real pros.
One day, no doubt about the same time my kids are out of the house, Tiger Woods will rightfully be called the greatest golfer of all time. He'll pass Jack Nicklaus in every category and that will be that. But not now. Not yet. And I don't put much into the argument that unlike Nicklaus he hasn't been able to come from behind to win, most recently this past weekend at the U.S. Open.
Like Phil Mickelsen winning a major, or Peyton Manning winning a Super Bowl, Woods is too talented not pull off a few come-from-behind wins before he's done. But will he still have the combination of desire and skill to win, when he's in his mid-40's sailing around the world on his 25 million dollar yacht?
The best in depth piece on Tiger vs Jack appeared a few years ago in Golf Digest.
http://www.golfdigest.com/features/index.ssf?/features/gd200212tigervsjack.html
John Muckler barely got his clubs out before discovering that he was no longer wanted or needed in Ottawa. Tough way to go for a 73 year old who's devoted so much of his life to hockey.
Wonder what Ted Nolan is thinking?
Bryan Murray is a good hockey man. But I've always wondered about guys who had already been GM's going back to work as a coach for a different GM. Has it ever ended well?
Good move by Bob Gainey to find a taker for Sergei Samsanov and free up some more money
to spend this summer. Let's see if Sergei is indeed serious about his immediate future. If he shows up for camp in Chicago 20 pounds lighter than he was last september than the Hawks just got a 25 goal scorer for next to nothing.
Brian Burke now has the total resume to back up the IQ. If I'm an NHL owner Burke automatically becomes my go-to guy to build a winner, contract be damned.
Has another GM in hockey in the last decade been able to move as quickly and effectively as Paul Holmgren? Since taking over for Bob Clarke just eight months ago Holmgren has already transformed the Flyers. He got Ryan Parent, Scottie Upshall plus a first round pick and a third round pick from Nashville for Peter Forsberg. He acquired big 21 year old defenseman Braydon Coburn from Atlanta for Alexei Zhitnick. He did something Clarke was never able to do; land a talented goaltender at the peak of his career, 30 year old Martin Biron from Buffalo. And now, giving wide new meaning to the phrase "pre-emptive strike", acquiring Scott Hartnell and Kimmo Timonen from Nashville and then locking up both. True, their contracts are outrageously high (a combined 10.5 million a year for six years) but there isn't a Flyers comptetitor in the east, including and especially the Canadiens, who wouldn't want both players.
Looks like Sheldon Souray will get his six million dollars a year afterall. But not from the Habs, thank goodness. Who do they target instead? Brian Rafalski? Tom Preissing? Brad Stuart? Darryl Sydor? 39 year old Teppo Numminen? Or the frequently pickled 35 year old Sandis Ozolinsh?
Make sure you read Tony Marinaro's "If I Were Bob" (Gainey) piece on this very site. It's on the lefthand side of the page. And remember to listen to live coverage of friday night's draft from Columbus right here on The Team 990, courtesy of The Fourth Period.
http://www.thefourthperiod.com/draft/
Pierre McGuire told us that during TSN's mock draft he selected Angelo Esposito 12th overall. The Canadiens draft 12th-and 22nd. Not a strong crop of players but there figures to be plenty of drama. I'm hoping the Habs can grab Colton Gillies, nephew of former Islanders great Clark Gillies.
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/feature/?fid=11063&hubname=
Finally got around to seeing "Knocked Up" over the weekend. I thought it was near perfect. Funny, intelligent, real and thought provoking. Seth Rogan might be the new Albert Brooks. Oh yeah, the music by Loudon Wainwright and Joe Henry is also a stand out.
http://www.knockedupmovie.com/
Some great new and great new old music recently (or about to be) released:
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club- Baby 81 **** Return to brooding, guitar drenched sound following acoustic/blues of "Howl". Writing has improved. Great live show at La Tulipe.
http://www.blackrebelmotorcycleclub.com/
A Tribute to June Carter Cash-Anchored In Love *** Loving all star tribute to underrated songwriter/performer frequently lost in a large shadow
http://www.anchoredinlove.com/
Leonard Cohen-Songs Of Leonard Cohen ****1/2 Debut album re-mastered. Marred only by over-production of John Simon.
-Songs From A Room **** Bird on the Wire, You Know Who I Am, Tonight Will Be Fine...
http://www.leonardcohen.com/
Joan Osbourne- Breakfast in Bed *** 1/2 Often spectacular covers of 70's soul plus a few originals http://www.joanosbourne.com/
Bruce Springsteen with The Sessions Band- Live In Dublin ***** If you're going to buy just one concert DVD all year make sure it's this one. Traditional music (and some Bruce originals, dramatically re-worked) has never sounded like this. Stunningly good. Two cd's as well.
http://www.brucespringsteen.net/
The Traveling Wilburys Collection **** George Harrison needs a B-side to go with a single from his late 1987 album "Cloud Nine". Harrison and friends (Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne) call Bob Dylan who invites them over to his home studio. Roy Orbison drops by. The "single" session("Handle With Care")becomes one of Rolling Stone's best albums of all-time. Orbison dies of a heart attack at 52. More on this in a later post.
http://www.travelingwilburys.com/
Watermelon Slim and The Workers - The Wheel Man *** 1/2 Former Vietnam vet and truck driver from Oklahoma is the real deal.
http://www.northernblues.com/
The White Stripes- Icky Thump **** 1/2 Give me another week with this and I'll make it five stars. Just when you think Jack White can't possibly get any better...he does.
http://www.whitestripes.com/
Wilco - Sky Blue Sky **** If you liked early Wilco and/or "Summer Teeth" you should love this. If you liked "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot" or "A Ghost Is Born" you might be disappointed. Or you could, like me, find something beautiful in everything Jeff Tweedy does.
http://www.wilcoworld.net/
Warren Zevon - Stand In The Fire **** Frantic live album never before available on cd. Originally released in 1980. From Zevon's stand at The Roxy in LA.
- The Envoy *** Originally released in 1982. The music hasn't aged as well. But the lyrics, especially the title track, are so good.
- Preludes *** For Zevon fanatics only. Subtitled rare and unreleased recordings. Second cd features mostly Warren talking on numerous subjects. Great stuff if you host a radio show.
http://www.warrenzevon.com/
Have you picked up a copy of The Montrealer? There's a cover story featuring Bob Dylan. I wrote it. Pick it up, you might learn something. Don't worry, it's free.
http://www.themontrealeronline.com/
Hope to see you at Parc Jarry this week for the second annual celebrity softball game for the ALS Society of Quebec. Last year was a blast.
http://match.globetrotter.net/en/default.aspx
I realize that golf courses are busy right now (remember what Mark Twain once said about golf, "A good walk spoiled") but here's a hint for those who's summer social gatherings stretch beyond the golf crowd. We non-golfers don't care about your game, your clubs, your holes, your pars, your slices, your back nines, your tee shots, your 19th hole shots or anything else remotely to do with your game. Oh, we might smile and pretend to listen but we're just being polite.
Why do you go on incessantly about a pasttime? Do you ever wonder just how much time you spend discussing something that should have been covered for good in the clubhouse or during the drive home?
Rarely, if ever, do I find myself trying to get away from somebody who's cornered me to talk about the on ice move they made during their oldtimers hockey game. Or the time they went into the hole at short while playing softball. Or the elbow they took under the basket in a game of 21. Or the number of laps they swam at the Y. Or the number of neighborhood enemies they've made because of their dominance on the tennis court. Or even the number of teeth they've lost because of a poorly thrown frisbee.
But the golfers; on and on and on they go as if they're on the PGA tour talking to their biographer. What's up with that? Does golf attract more obsessives than any other sport/activity? Any studies on this? (I don't really need to know but it would sure make sense.)
That's not to say I hate golf. I like it. I really do. I've watched it on televsion for over 35 years. I actually took it up a few years back. I especially enjoyed the non-green action. I simply don't have the time to devote. And I'm not big on rules. And I'd rather be on the water somewhere.
But I can definately see myself taking it up again, perhaps when the kids are gone. In the meantime I continue to follow, and enjoy hearing from, the real pros.
One day, no doubt about the same time my kids are out of the house, Tiger Woods will rightfully be called the greatest golfer of all time. He'll pass Jack Nicklaus in every category and that will be that. But not now. Not yet. And I don't put much into the argument that unlike Nicklaus he hasn't been able to come from behind to win, most recently this past weekend at the U.S. Open.
Like Phil Mickelsen winning a major, or Peyton Manning winning a Super Bowl, Woods is too talented not pull off a few come-from-behind wins before he's done. But will he still have the combination of desire and skill to win, when he's in his mid-40's sailing around the world on his 25 million dollar yacht?
The best in depth piece on Tiger vs Jack appeared a few years ago in Golf Digest.
http://www.golfdigest.com/features/index.ssf?/features/gd200212tigervsjack.html
John Muckler barely got his clubs out before discovering that he was no longer wanted or needed in Ottawa. Tough way to go for a 73 year old who's devoted so much of his life to hockey.
Wonder what Ted Nolan is thinking?
Bryan Murray is a good hockey man. But I've always wondered about guys who had already been GM's going back to work as a coach for a different GM. Has it ever ended well?
Good move by Bob Gainey to find a taker for Sergei Samsanov and free up some more money
to spend this summer. Let's see if Sergei is indeed serious about his immediate future. If he shows up for camp in Chicago 20 pounds lighter than he was last september than the Hawks just got a 25 goal scorer for next to nothing.
Brian Burke now has the total resume to back up the IQ. If I'm an NHL owner Burke automatically becomes my go-to guy to build a winner, contract be damned.
Has another GM in hockey in the last decade been able to move as quickly and effectively as Paul Holmgren? Since taking over for Bob Clarke just eight months ago Holmgren has already transformed the Flyers. He got Ryan Parent, Scottie Upshall plus a first round pick and a third round pick from Nashville for Peter Forsberg. He acquired big 21 year old defenseman Braydon Coburn from Atlanta for Alexei Zhitnick. He did something Clarke was never able to do; land a talented goaltender at the peak of his career, 30 year old Martin Biron from Buffalo. And now, giving wide new meaning to the phrase "pre-emptive strike", acquiring Scott Hartnell and Kimmo Timonen from Nashville and then locking up both. True, their contracts are outrageously high (a combined 10.5 million a year for six years) but there isn't a Flyers comptetitor in the east, including and especially the Canadiens, who wouldn't want both players.
Looks like Sheldon Souray will get his six million dollars a year afterall. But not from the Habs, thank goodness. Who do they target instead? Brian Rafalski? Tom Preissing? Brad Stuart? Darryl Sydor? 39 year old Teppo Numminen? Or the frequently pickled 35 year old Sandis Ozolinsh?
Make sure you read Tony Marinaro's "If I Were Bob" (Gainey) piece on this very site. It's on the lefthand side of the page. And remember to listen to live coverage of friday night's draft from Columbus right here on The Team 990, courtesy of The Fourth Period.
http://www.thefourthperiod.com/draft/
Pierre McGuire told us that during TSN's mock draft he selected Angelo Esposito 12th overall. The Canadiens draft 12th-and 22nd. Not a strong crop of players but there figures to be plenty of drama. I'm hoping the Habs can grab Colton Gillies, nephew of former Islanders great Clark Gillies.
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/feature/?fid=11063&hubname=
Finally got around to seeing "Knocked Up" over the weekend. I thought it was near perfect. Funny, intelligent, real and thought provoking. Seth Rogan might be the new Albert Brooks. Oh yeah, the music by Loudon Wainwright and Joe Henry is also a stand out.
http://www.knockedupmovie.com/
Some great new and great new old music recently (or about to be) released:
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club- Baby 81 **** Return to brooding, guitar drenched sound following acoustic/blues of "Howl". Writing has improved. Great live show at La Tulipe.
http://www.blackrebelmotorcycleclub.com/
A Tribute to June Carter Cash-Anchored In Love *** Loving all star tribute to underrated songwriter/performer frequently lost in a large shadow
http://www.anchoredinlove.com/
Leonard Cohen-Songs Of Leonard Cohen ****1/2 Debut album re-mastered. Marred only by over-production of John Simon.
-Songs From A Room **** Bird on the Wire, You Know Who I Am, Tonight Will Be Fine...
http://www.leonardcohen.com/
Joan Osbourne- Breakfast in Bed *** 1/2 Often spectacular covers of 70's soul plus a few originals http://www.joanosbourne.com/
Bruce Springsteen with The Sessions Band- Live In Dublin ***** If you're going to buy just one concert DVD all year make sure it's this one. Traditional music (and some Bruce originals, dramatically re-worked) has never sounded like this. Stunningly good. Two cd's as well.
http://www.brucespringsteen.net/
The Traveling Wilburys Collection **** George Harrison needs a B-side to go with a single from his late 1987 album "Cloud Nine". Harrison and friends (Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne) call Bob Dylan who invites them over to his home studio. Roy Orbison drops by. The "single" session("Handle With Care")becomes one of Rolling Stone's best albums of all-time. Orbison dies of a heart attack at 52. More on this in a later post.
http://www.travelingwilburys.com/
Watermelon Slim and The Workers - The Wheel Man *** 1/2 Former Vietnam vet and truck driver from Oklahoma is the real deal.
http://www.northernblues.com/
The White Stripes- Icky Thump **** 1/2 Give me another week with this and I'll make it five stars. Just when you think Jack White can't possibly get any better...he does.
http://www.whitestripes.com/
Wilco - Sky Blue Sky **** If you liked early Wilco and/or "Summer Teeth" you should love this. If you liked "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot" or "A Ghost Is Born" you might be disappointed. Or you could, like me, find something beautiful in everything Jeff Tweedy does.
http://www.wilcoworld.net/
Warren Zevon - Stand In The Fire **** Frantic live album never before available on cd. Originally released in 1980. From Zevon's stand at The Roxy in LA.
- The Envoy *** Originally released in 1982. The music hasn't aged as well. But the lyrics, especially the title track, are so good.
- Preludes *** For Zevon fanatics only. Subtitled rare and unreleased recordings. Second cd features mostly Warren talking on numerous subjects. Great stuff if you host a radio show.
http://www.warrenzevon.com/
Have you picked up a copy of The Montrealer? There's a cover story featuring Bob Dylan. I wrote it. Pick it up, you might learn something. Don't worry, it's free.
http://www.themontrealeronline.com/
Hope to see you at Parc Jarry this week for the second annual celebrity softball game for the ALS Society of Quebec. Last year was a blast.
http://match.globetrotter.net/en/default.aspx
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Alfredsson Goes Wellman
Tuesday June 5 7:45 PM
Daniel Alfredsson has quickly gone from a choking dog to a leader on par with Mark Messier (John Muckler's words) who was on the verge of becoming the first European captain to win the stanley cup to a guy who must have had the worst flashback of anybody who's gone through Stockholm syndrome. How else can you explain his decsion to fire the puck at Scott Niedermayer at the end of the second period last night in Ottawa? I'm not sure who once abducted Alfredsson but I am certain that unless he leads the way to one of the greatest comebacks in Stanley Cup history his brain-dead moment will not merely be a footnote. This will hound him like Steve Smith putting the puck into his own net in 1986(at least that really was an accident) or Marty McSorley's decsion to use-and get caught with- an illegal stick against the Canadiens in 1993.
I have yet to see a clip of Alfredsson trying to explain himself. Only this post-game quote:
"I looked up at the clock. There were five, six seconds left. I wind up (to shoot the puck into the Anaheim end) and the puck kinda stops. I'm just getting rid of it. Didn't really mean to hit him … I saw him, yeah, but I just wanted to shoot the puck away."
And Chris Pronger only meant to give Dean McCammond a chance to catch up on some sleep.
Eventually, Alfredsson should be fine. (But judging by the way Ottawa hockey fans normally react in the spring, he might want to re-think his decision to raise his family in Ottawa.)
Can't say the same for Phillip Wellman. The Mississippi Braves manager should be in a straitjacket by now:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUcFWPgB8oY&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Ebadjocks%2Ecom%2F
Prior to Wellman the worst on field meltdown I ever saw was, believe it or not, Andre Dawson. The normally mild mannered Hawk was with the Cubs by then. Home plate umpire Joe West (I could stop right here...) called Dawson out on strikes. Moments later, after barking at West all the way into the Chicago dugout, Dawson flung every bat from the bat rack onto the field at Wrigley, followed by baseballs, gloves, helmets,pine tar rags, even a coach's wig (or so it seemed) while Cubs fans treated him to a standing ovation.
On the subject of umpires, but good ones, condolences and deepest sympathy to our friend Jim Mckean who's wife Ann passed away last month in Florida. She was 55.
http://http://obit.andersonmcqueen.com/obit_display.cgi?id=419933&listing=Current
Which MLB milestone happens first-Barry Bonds career home run #756 or Tom Glavine career win #300?...Who gets fired first-Joe Torre, Ozzie Guillen or Nationals GM Jim Bowden?...Who do the Yankees get next to play first base-Julio Franco?...And in the I-thought-he-was-done department: Matt Stairs, age 39, is hitting .298 with a slugging percentage of .553 and an on base percentage of .383 after 39 games and 94 at bats with the Blue Jays. That's an OPS of .936....and how about Orlando Cabrera with the Angels, trying to sneak into the top 10 in AL batting average at .329 following his second career four hit game monday night. He's now 7th in the AL in runs scored with 40. Wonder what Orlando thinks of Gary Sheffield suggesting that latinos are "more easily controlled' than blacks?
http://http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2891875
Right about now I'd love to see Sheffield dig in against Pedro Martinez.
Favorite Latin Pitchers
1. Pedro Martinez
2. Dennis Martinez
3. Juan Marichal
4. Orlando Hernandez (El Duque)
5. Luis Tiant
6. Livan Hernandez
7. Johan Santana
8. Pascual Perez
9. Teddy Higuera
10.Mike Cuellar
Daniel Alfredsson has quickly gone from a choking dog to a leader on par with Mark Messier (John Muckler's words) who was on the verge of becoming the first European captain to win the stanley cup to a guy who must have had the worst flashback of anybody who's gone through Stockholm syndrome. How else can you explain his decsion to fire the puck at Scott Niedermayer at the end of the second period last night in Ottawa? I'm not sure who once abducted Alfredsson but I am certain that unless he leads the way to one of the greatest comebacks in Stanley Cup history his brain-dead moment will not merely be a footnote. This will hound him like Steve Smith putting the puck into his own net in 1986(at least that really was an accident) or Marty McSorley's decsion to use-and get caught with- an illegal stick against the Canadiens in 1993.
I have yet to see a clip of Alfredsson trying to explain himself. Only this post-game quote:
"I looked up at the clock. There were five, six seconds left. I wind up (to shoot the puck into the Anaheim end) and the puck kinda stops. I'm just getting rid of it. Didn't really mean to hit him … I saw him, yeah, but I just wanted to shoot the puck away."
And Chris Pronger only meant to give Dean McCammond a chance to catch up on some sleep.
Eventually, Alfredsson should be fine. (But judging by the way Ottawa hockey fans normally react in the spring, he might want to re-think his decision to raise his family in Ottawa.)
Can't say the same for Phillip Wellman. The Mississippi Braves manager should be in a straitjacket by now:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUcFWPgB8oY&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Ebadjocks%2Ecom%2F
Prior to Wellman the worst on field meltdown I ever saw was, believe it or not, Andre Dawson. The normally mild mannered Hawk was with the Cubs by then. Home plate umpire Joe West (I could stop right here...) called Dawson out on strikes. Moments later, after barking at West all the way into the Chicago dugout, Dawson flung every bat from the bat rack onto the field at Wrigley, followed by baseballs, gloves, helmets,pine tar rags, even a coach's wig (or so it seemed) while Cubs fans treated him to a standing ovation.
On the subject of umpires, but good ones, condolences and deepest sympathy to our friend Jim Mckean who's wife Ann passed away last month in Florida. She was 55.
http://http://obit.andersonmcqueen.com/obit_display.cgi?id=419933&listing=Current
Which MLB milestone happens first-Barry Bonds career home run #756 or Tom Glavine career win #300?...Who gets fired first-Joe Torre, Ozzie Guillen or Nationals GM Jim Bowden?...Who do the Yankees get next to play first base-Julio Franco?...And in the I-thought-he-was-done department: Matt Stairs, age 39, is hitting .298 with a slugging percentage of .553 and an on base percentage of .383 after 39 games and 94 at bats with the Blue Jays. That's an OPS of .936....and how about Orlando Cabrera with the Angels, trying to sneak into the top 10 in AL batting average at .329 following his second career four hit game monday night. He's now 7th in the AL in runs scored with 40. Wonder what Orlando thinks of Gary Sheffield suggesting that latinos are "more easily controlled' than blacks?
http://http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2891875
Right about now I'd love to see Sheffield dig in against Pedro Martinez.
Favorite Latin Pitchers
1. Pedro Martinez
2. Dennis Martinez
3. Juan Marichal
4. Orlando Hernandez (El Duque)
5. Luis Tiant
6. Livan Hernandez
7. Johan Santana
8. Pascual Perez
9. Teddy Higuera
10.Mike Cuellar
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