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
Friday, May 25, 2007
Is The Stanley Cup Final Music To Your Ears?
Friday May 25 8 PM
Still three days away from the start of the stanley cup final...does anybody outside of Ottawa & Anaheim still care?...Has Ray Emery had to come out and play yet? I'll be convinced when he holds the Cup...just want to see good hockey with better officiating...
Anaheim in seven
Conference Finals Predictions: 1-1
Total Playoff Predictions: 13-2
CBC has added Greg Millen to the booth in an effort to save Bob Cole & Harry Neale. That's a lost cause...Make sure you listen to The Team 990 instead with Sam Rosen & Darren Pang...Not everybody liked Howard Cosell on Monday Night Football on ABC in the 70's (I did) so they used to turn the sound down and listen to the CBS radio feed with Jack Buck and Hank Stram...I often turn the sound down on pro sports events and listen to music...I have found very few people outside of Pierre McGuire who can tell me something about an event/athlete that I didn't already know. And unless someone has reached Harry Carey status, out and out cheerleading during a broadcast turns me off quicker than a visual of Rosanne Barr mud wrestling Rosie O'Donnell.
http://www.powermaxconsulting.com/HarrySounds.htm
My favorite baseball broadcasting team is Duane Kiper and Mike Krukow with the San Fransisco Giants. Both former players consistently deliver the goods: Informative, entertaining, soothing and colorful without being intrusive. And they never seem to clash... It's a delicate balancing act but these guys have pulled it off for nearly 20 years.
http://www.knbr.com/giants/krukKuip.html
I also liked The Expos english radio broadcasts from olympic Stadium during the final two years of the franchise...those guys were pretty good...
Now that the San Antonio Spurs and David Stern have helped eliminate Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns from the post season I have little interest left in the NBA playoffs...and it's not just "the Canadian factor"...I'd love to see a run 'n gun offense like the Suns win a championship, especially with so many basketball "experts" (Charles Barkley among them) who don't believe it can be done...
Stern effectively squashed any hopes of a "7 seconds or less" team winning it all when he suspended Amore Stoudamire and Boris Diaw for game five of the western semifinal for stepping onto the court...Diaw has never received a technical foul in his career, yet the all-knowing Stern assumed he was going to start throwing punches?...like George Steinbrenner, Al Davis and yes, even Harry Caray, Stern is guilty of, if nothing else, overstaying his welcome...and a once impenetrable public facade is crumbling quickly with more and more calls for his resignation...
http://onmilwaukee.com/sports/articles/davidsternmustgo.html
http://www.amazon.com/Seven-Seconds-Less-Season-Phoenix/dp/074329811X
Long suffering Van Morrison fans in Montreal finally got their wish today when tickets when on sale for Van's first Montreal concert in over 20 years...I couldn't wait that long so a couple of years back I headed to Boston over St.Patrick's week to catch Van the Man at the Orphium, a small Theatre St. Denis-like venue across from Boston Common...I paid the equivalent of $400 Cdn for a 5th row center seat, the most I've ever paid to see anybody at any venue....tickets read 7:30 SHARP...I was in the washroom at 7:25 when the crowd went nuts.... stuck at a urinal while Van sang "Into The Mystic"...finally making it into my seat in time for the second tune, most of which Van spent playing his saxophone...in fact, it seemed like he played the sax more often than he sang...he was done, with no encore, by 8:55...I'm glad I finally caught him but vowed never to pay to see him again..assuming that he would keep his promise from 1986 when he vowed never to play Montreal again following some boos for his opening act Mose Allison...so now I'm kind of torn, especially after the release of his first country album, "Pay The Devil" and recent appearance on Austin City Limits which featured him in good spirits, even taking requests!...
http://www.vanmorrison.co.uk/
http://www.moseallison.net/
More Music:
The Allman Brothers Band: Hittin' The Note **** Released in 2003 I only got to it this year, stunned by how good Gregg Allman sounds with Warren Haynes' guitar coming out of the left speaker and Derek Trucks' work pouring out of the right...many songs seem to be about the then recently fired Dickie Betts
Joe Bonamassa: You & Me *** Blues based work from young virtuoso discovered by the late Tom Dowd...Jason Bonham on drums
www.jbonamassa.com
Ry Cooder: My Name Is Buddy ***1/2 Don't be fooled by the cover or text..this is not a kids album...serious american roots music by a seriously good musician and his friends
http://www.nonesuch.com/Hi_Band/index_frameset2.cfm?pointer=cooder.gif
Drive-By Truckers: A Blessing and A Curse ***1/2 My favorite American rock band...Three main songwriters all with considerable depth...four vocalists...might be the best band around since...The Band
www.drivebytruckers.com
Van Morrison: Pay The Devil *** Van as cowboy
Willie Nelson:
Countryman *** Willie as reggae master...he be groovin... about time, huh?
You Don't Know Me (The songs of Cindy Walker) ****1/2 Can't beat combo
Songbird ***1/2 Willie gets added muscle from Ryan Adams & The Cardinals
www.willienelson.com
Old Crow Medicine Show: Big Iron World *** New wave bluegrass, even better live
www.crowmedicine.com
Tom Russell: Love & Fear *** Gifted songwriter tackles love, fear and growing old
www.tomrussell.com
Steve Wynn&theMiracle3: ...tick...tick...tick *** Former Dream Syndicate frontman has been making great music with his new friends for about five years...
www.stevewynn.net
Favorite American Bands(Current):
1. Drive-By Truckers
2. White Stripes
3. Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
4. Wilco
5. Kings Of Leon
6. My Morning Jacket
7. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
8. New York Dolls
9. Iggy & The Stooges
10 Raconteurs
And this just in: NBC admits to true meaning behind it's call letters...
No Body Cares
Still three days away from the start of the stanley cup final...does anybody outside of Ottawa & Anaheim still care?...Has Ray Emery had to come out and play yet? I'll be convinced when he holds the Cup...just want to see good hockey with better officiating...
Anaheim in seven
Conference Finals Predictions: 1-1
Total Playoff Predictions: 13-2
CBC has added Greg Millen to the booth in an effort to save Bob Cole & Harry Neale. That's a lost cause...Make sure you listen to The Team 990 instead with Sam Rosen & Darren Pang...Not everybody liked Howard Cosell on Monday Night Football on ABC in the 70's (I did) so they used to turn the sound down and listen to the CBS radio feed with Jack Buck and Hank Stram...I often turn the sound down on pro sports events and listen to music...I have found very few people outside of Pierre McGuire who can tell me something about an event/athlete that I didn't already know. And unless someone has reached Harry Carey status, out and out cheerleading during a broadcast turns me off quicker than a visual of Rosanne Barr mud wrestling Rosie O'Donnell.
http://www.powermaxconsulting.com/HarrySounds.htm
My favorite baseball broadcasting team is Duane Kiper and Mike Krukow with the San Fransisco Giants. Both former players consistently deliver the goods: Informative, entertaining, soothing and colorful without being intrusive. And they never seem to clash... It's a delicate balancing act but these guys have pulled it off for nearly 20 years.
http://www.knbr.com/giants/krukKuip.html
I also liked The Expos english radio broadcasts from olympic Stadium during the final two years of the franchise...those guys were pretty good...
Now that the San Antonio Spurs and David Stern have helped eliminate Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns from the post season I have little interest left in the NBA playoffs...and it's not just "the Canadian factor"...I'd love to see a run 'n gun offense like the Suns win a championship, especially with so many basketball "experts" (Charles Barkley among them) who don't believe it can be done...
Stern effectively squashed any hopes of a "7 seconds or less" team winning it all when he suspended Amore Stoudamire and Boris Diaw for game five of the western semifinal for stepping onto the court...Diaw has never received a technical foul in his career, yet the all-knowing Stern assumed he was going to start throwing punches?...like George Steinbrenner, Al Davis and yes, even Harry Caray, Stern is guilty of, if nothing else, overstaying his welcome...and a once impenetrable public facade is crumbling quickly with more and more calls for his resignation...
http://onmilwaukee.com/sports/articles/davidsternmustgo.html
http://www.amazon.com/Seven-Seconds-Less-Season-Phoenix/dp/074329811X
Long suffering Van Morrison fans in Montreal finally got their wish today when tickets when on sale for Van's first Montreal concert in over 20 years...I couldn't wait that long so a couple of years back I headed to Boston over St.Patrick's week to catch Van the Man at the Orphium, a small Theatre St. Denis-like venue across from Boston Common...I paid the equivalent of $400 Cdn for a 5th row center seat, the most I've ever paid to see anybody at any venue....tickets read 7:30 SHARP...I was in the washroom at 7:25 when the crowd went nuts.... stuck at a urinal while Van sang "Into The Mystic"...finally making it into my seat in time for the second tune, most of which Van spent playing his saxophone...in fact, it seemed like he played the sax more often than he sang...he was done, with no encore, by 8:55...I'm glad I finally caught him but vowed never to pay to see him again..assuming that he would keep his promise from 1986 when he vowed never to play Montreal again following some boos for his opening act Mose Allison...so now I'm kind of torn, especially after the release of his first country album, "Pay The Devil" and recent appearance on Austin City Limits which featured him in good spirits, even taking requests!...
http://www.vanmorrison.co.uk/
http://www.moseallison.net/
More Music:
The Allman Brothers Band: Hittin' The Note **** Released in 2003 I only got to it this year, stunned by how good Gregg Allman sounds with Warren Haynes' guitar coming out of the left speaker and Derek Trucks' work pouring out of the right...many songs seem to be about the then recently fired Dickie Betts
Joe Bonamassa: You & Me *** Blues based work from young virtuoso discovered by the late Tom Dowd...Jason Bonham on drums
www.jbonamassa.com
Ry Cooder: My Name Is Buddy ***1/2 Don't be fooled by the cover or text..this is not a kids album...serious american roots music by a seriously good musician and his friends
http://www.nonesuch.com/Hi_Band/index_frameset2.cfm?pointer=cooder.gif
Drive-By Truckers: A Blessing and A Curse ***1/2 My favorite American rock band...Three main songwriters all with considerable depth...four vocalists...might be the best band around since...The Band
www.drivebytruckers.com
Van Morrison: Pay The Devil *** Van as cowboy
Willie Nelson:
Countryman *** Willie as reggae master...he be groovin... about time, huh?
You Don't Know Me (The songs of Cindy Walker) ****1/2 Can't beat combo
Songbird ***1/2 Willie gets added muscle from Ryan Adams & The Cardinals
www.willienelson.com
Old Crow Medicine Show: Big Iron World *** New wave bluegrass, even better live
www.crowmedicine.com
Tom Russell: Love & Fear *** Gifted songwriter tackles love, fear and growing old
www.tomrussell.com
Steve Wynn&theMiracle3: ...tick...tick...tick *** Former Dream Syndicate frontman has been making great music with his new friends for about five years...
www.stevewynn.net
Favorite American Bands(Current):
1. Drive-By Truckers
2. White Stripes
3. Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
4. Wilco
5. Kings Of Leon
6. My Morning Jacket
7. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
8. New York Dolls
9. Iggy & The Stooges
10 Raconteurs
And this just in: NBC admits to true meaning behind it's call letters...
No Body Cares
Friday, May 18, 2007
Bud Selig is an Idiot
Friday May 18 8:00 PM
I enjoy watching Bud Selig squirm. The mlb comissioner's facetious response to Barry Bonds record home run chase, "Oh, is he approaching a record?" reveals far more of this man with the snake oil in his veins (and hair) than any speech from a podium might do. On the surface he might appear pleasant, even charming. But make no mistake. There's a darkness lurking.
The fact that he doesn't like answering questions about Bonds, never mind that he apparently doesn't know if he'll be in attendance when Hank Aaron's all time home run mark is eclipsed, is a delicious irony for those of us who have followed him closely since he helped knock Fay Vincent out of the park.
Selig was merely the "interim" comissioner at the time. Playing the "Aw shucks, I don't really want the job" routine as believably as his fellow owners who feigned admiration for Vincent. Just the beginning of a pack of lies. And always unbelievable performances. Oh, let me count some of the ways:
It "pained" Selig "terribly" to cancel the rest of the 1994 season.
It "saddened" him to announce the contraction of Montreal and Minnesota.
He lied to Congress during anti-trust exemption hearings in 2001 before being verbally body-slammed by Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura.
He lied on The Team 990 during an in-game conversation with Elliott Price (Remember the Expos-tied for the lead in the NL wild card race-were not allowed to expand their roster on september 1st? "First I hear of this" Said Selig to Elliott.)
Montreal is "the last residue of contraction"'
"We want to get rid of them" (The Expos); "We need to get rid of them"
Declaring the All Star game a tie; subsequently awarding the winner home field advantage in the World Series.
Claimed he wasn't aware of rampant steroid use in baseball; before BALCO.
Claimed he wasn't aware of rampant steroid use in baseball; after BALCO
Continues to refer to current state of baseball as "A Renaissance"; 2006 World Series TV ratings hit a record low
I need to head home for the weekend or I'd go on all night. Put it this way. Bud Selig makes Gary Bettman look like Pete Rozelle.
Selig is clearly fucked on the Bonds issue. May he squirm forever.
I think Jeff Blair has been around the baseball beat long enough to earn a "Well, Jeff..." reply from Selig. I know Blair has reached the rarefied air status of "insider" with "access" directly to the comissioner's office, a must for anyone with a baseball column. So while he regularly lets the high & mighty off the hook he hasn't lost his ability to dish it out. Only now his cutting sarcasm (no, let's make that sardonic humour) is directed mostly at players and fans. But it's only rock 'n roll. And I love it:
http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070518.wsptblair18/GSStory/GlobeSportsBaseball/home
Another sports blogger who always gets me going-and who, like Blair-is always a terrific radio guest is Sportsnet's Jim Kelley:
http://www2.sportsnet.ca/blogs/jim_kelley/2007/05/18/end_of_days/
Nice moment at last saturday's Norah Jones concert at Theatre St. Denis. During her second encore (Tom Waits' "Long Way Home") a gentleman in the front row dropped to his knees while presenting an engagement ring to his girlfriend. She squeeled, accepted his invitation, then kissed and hugged him while a smattering of applause could be heard from some of us seated in the same section. The couple continued to embrace and slow dance while the ravishing Miss Jones and her band (including boyfriend and bass player Lee Alexander) looked on somewhat bemused.
Beats the proposal- via- sports- scoreboard route.
Jones makes her big screen debut in a movie that opened this week at Cannes. It's called "My Blueberry Nights". She plays a woman who tries to mend her broken heart by taking a cross-country road trip. She's sure to light up the screen. But I'm not as sure she'll equal the screen debuts of a couple of other beauties:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BylTBPNu7cU
and 50 years ago:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAp-wd3Yf60&mode=related&search=
Pamela Anderson couldn't hold their g-strings.
Happy Victoria Day.
Montreal Expos 8, New York Mets 4
Day
Game Played on Monday, May 18, 1970 (D) at Parc Jarry
NY N 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 3 0 - 4 9 0
MON N 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 5 - 8 12 1
Time of Game: 3:10 Attendance: 31004
Starting Lineups:
New York Mets Montreal Expos
1. Agee cf Staehle 2b
2. Harrelson ss Jones lf
3. Jones lf Staub rf
4. Shamsky 1b Fairly 1b
5. Boswell 2b Fairey cf
6. Marshall rf Laboy 3b
7. Foy 3b Bateman c
8. Grote c Wine ss
9. Gentry p Stoneman p
METS 1ST: Agee was called out on strikes; Harrelson walked;
Harrelson was picked off and caught stealing second (pitcher to
first to shortstop); Jones popped to catcher in foul territory;
0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB. Mets 0, Expos 0.
EXPOS 1ST: Staehle flied to center; Jones doubled to left; Staub
walked; Fairly walked [Jones to third, Staub to second]; Fairey
grounded into a double play (shortstop to second to first)
[Fairly out at second]; 0 R, 1 H, 0 E, 2 LOB. Mets 0, Expos 0.
METS 2ND: Shamsky struck out; Boswell grounded out (second to
first); Marshall popped to first; 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB. Mets 0,
Expos 0.
EXPOS 2ND: Laboy struck out; Bateman singled to left; Wine
singled to center [Bateman to second]; Stoneman struck out;
Staehle singled to right [Wine to third, Bateman scored, Staehle
to second (on throw)]; Jones was hit by a pitch; Staub popped to
third in foul territory; 1 R, 3 H, 0 E, 3 LOB. Mets 0, Expos 1.
METS 3RD: Foy grounded out (pitcher to first); Grote walked;
Gentry struck out; Agee singled to right [Grote to third];
Harrelson walked [Agee to second]; Jones struck out; 0 R, 1 H, 0
E, 3 LOB. Mets 0, Expos 1.
EXPOS 3RD: Fairly flied to center; Fairey lined to center; Laboy
struck out; 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB. Mets 0, Expos 1.
METS 4TH: Shamsky lined to center; Boswell singled to right;
Marshall doubled to center [Boswell scored, Marshall out at
third (center to shortstop to third)]; Foy walked; Foy stole
second; Grote grounded out (shortstop to first); 1 R, 2 H, 0 E,
1 LOB. Mets 1, Expos 1.
EXPOS 4TH: Bateman was called out on strikes; Wine grounded out
(second to first); On a bunt Stoneman singled; Staehle struck
out; 0 R, 1 H, 0 E, 1 LOB. Mets 1, Expos 1.
METS 5TH: Gentry struck out; Agee reached on an error by
Staehle; Harrelson singled to center [Agee to second]; Jones
forced Harrelson (second to shortstop) [Agee to third]; Shamsky
popped to shortstop; 0 R, 1 H, 1 E, 2 LOB. Mets 1, Expos 1.
EXPOS 5TH: Jones struck out; Staub flied to right; Fairly struck
out; 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB. Mets 1, Expos 1.
METS 6TH: Boswell singled to right; Marshall flied to left; Foy
singled to left [Boswell to second]; Grote flied to left; Gentry
struck out; 0 R, 2 H, 0 E, 2 LOB. Mets 1, Expos 1.
EXPOS 6TH: Fairey struck out; Laboy flied to left; Bateman
grounded out (third to first); 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB. Mets 1,
Expos 1.
METS 7TH: Agee was called out on strikes; Harrelson grounded out
(first unassisted); Jones popped to second; 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0
LOB. Mets 1, Expos 1.
EXPOS 7TH: Wine grounded out (pitcher to first); Stoneman
grounded out (catcher to first); Staehle grounded out (first
unassisted); 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB. Mets 1, Expos 1.
METS 8TH: Shamsky flied to center; Boswell walked; Boswell was
caught stealing second (catcher to shortstop); Marshall homered;
Foy homered; Grote homered; RAYMOND REPLACED STONEMAN
(PITCHING); Gentry struck out; 3 R, 3 H, 0 E, 0 LOB. Mets 4,
Expos 1.
EXPOS 8TH: JORGENSEN REPLACED SHAMSKY (PLAYING 1B); SWOBODA
REPLACED MARSHALL (PLAYING RF); Jones was called out on strikes;
Staub singled to right; Fairly singled to right [Staub to
second]; Fairey singled to left [Fairly to second, Staub
scored]; TAYLOR REPLACED GENTRY (PITCHING); Laboy struck out;
Bateman singled to center [Fairey to third, Fairly scored]; DAY
BATTED FOR WINE; Day popped to third in foul territory; 2 R, 4
H, 0 E, 2 LOB. Mets 4, Expos 3.
METS 9TH: SUTHERLAND REPLACED DAY (PLAYING SS); Agee popped to
first; Harrelson flied to left; Jones was called out on strikes;
0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB. Mets 4, Expos 3.
EXPOS 9TH: BRAND BATTED FOR RAYMOND; Brand singled to center;
MCGRAW REPLACED TAYLOR (PITCHING); Staehle forced Brand (catcher
to shortstop); PHILLIPS BATTED FOR JONES; Phillips walked
[Staehle to second]; Staub doubled to center [Phillips to third,
Staehle scored]; Fairly was walked intentionally; BAILEY BATTED
FOR FAIREY; KOONCE REPLACED MCGRAW (PITCHING); Bailey homered
[Phillips scored, Staub scored, Fairly scored]; 5 R, 3 H, 0 E, 0
LOB. Mets 4, Expos 8.
Final Totals
Mets 4 9 0 8
Expos 8 12 1 8
Read Me
http://www.baseball-reference.com/b/bailebo01.shtml
I enjoy watching Bud Selig squirm. The mlb comissioner's facetious response to Barry Bonds record home run chase, "Oh, is he approaching a record?" reveals far more of this man with the snake oil in his veins (and hair) than any speech from a podium might do. On the surface he might appear pleasant, even charming. But make no mistake. There's a darkness lurking.
The fact that he doesn't like answering questions about Bonds, never mind that he apparently doesn't know if he'll be in attendance when Hank Aaron's all time home run mark is eclipsed, is a delicious irony for those of us who have followed him closely since he helped knock Fay Vincent out of the park.
Selig was merely the "interim" comissioner at the time. Playing the "Aw shucks, I don't really want the job" routine as believably as his fellow owners who feigned admiration for Vincent. Just the beginning of a pack of lies. And always unbelievable performances. Oh, let me count some of the ways:
It "pained" Selig "terribly" to cancel the rest of the 1994 season.
It "saddened" him to announce the contraction of Montreal and Minnesota.
He lied to Congress during anti-trust exemption hearings in 2001 before being verbally body-slammed by Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura.
He lied on The Team 990 during an in-game conversation with Elliott Price (Remember the Expos-tied for the lead in the NL wild card race-were not allowed to expand their roster on september 1st? "First I hear of this" Said Selig to Elliott.)
Montreal is "the last residue of contraction"'
"We want to get rid of them" (The Expos); "We need to get rid of them"
Declaring the All Star game a tie; subsequently awarding the winner home field advantage in the World Series.
Claimed he wasn't aware of rampant steroid use in baseball; before BALCO.
Claimed he wasn't aware of rampant steroid use in baseball; after BALCO
Continues to refer to current state of baseball as "A Renaissance"; 2006 World Series TV ratings hit a record low
I need to head home for the weekend or I'd go on all night. Put it this way. Bud Selig makes Gary Bettman look like Pete Rozelle.
Selig is clearly fucked on the Bonds issue. May he squirm forever.
I think Jeff Blair has been around the baseball beat long enough to earn a "Well, Jeff..." reply from Selig. I know Blair has reached the rarefied air status of "insider" with "access" directly to the comissioner's office, a must for anyone with a baseball column. So while he regularly lets the high & mighty off the hook he hasn't lost his ability to dish it out. Only now his cutting sarcasm (no, let's make that sardonic humour) is directed mostly at players and fans. But it's only rock 'n roll. And I love it:
http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070518.wsptblair18/GSStory/GlobeSportsBaseball/home
Another sports blogger who always gets me going-and who, like Blair-is always a terrific radio guest is Sportsnet's Jim Kelley:
http://www2.sportsnet.ca/blogs/jim_kelley/2007/05/18/end_of_days/
Nice moment at last saturday's Norah Jones concert at Theatre St. Denis. During her second encore (Tom Waits' "Long Way Home") a gentleman in the front row dropped to his knees while presenting an engagement ring to his girlfriend. She squeeled, accepted his invitation, then kissed and hugged him while a smattering of applause could be heard from some of us seated in the same section. The couple continued to embrace and slow dance while the ravishing Miss Jones and her band (including boyfriend and bass player Lee Alexander) looked on somewhat bemused.
Beats the proposal- via- sports- scoreboard route.
Jones makes her big screen debut in a movie that opened this week at Cannes. It's called "My Blueberry Nights". She plays a woman who tries to mend her broken heart by taking a cross-country road trip. She's sure to light up the screen. But I'm not as sure she'll equal the screen debuts of a couple of other beauties:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BylTBPNu7cU
and 50 years ago:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAp-wd3Yf60&mode=related&search=
Pamela Anderson couldn't hold their g-strings.
Happy Victoria Day.
Montreal Expos 8, New York Mets 4
Day
Game Played on Monday, May 18, 1970 (D) at Parc Jarry
NY N 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 3 0 - 4 9 0
MON N 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 5 - 8 12 1
Time of Game: 3:10 Attendance: 31004
Starting Lineups:
New York Mets Montreal Expos
1. Agee cf Staehle 2b
2. Harrelson ss Jones lf
3. Jones lf Staub rf
4. Shamsky 1b Fairly 1b
5. Boswell 2b Fairey cf
6. Marshall rf Laboy 3b
7. Foy 3b Bateman c
8. Grote c Wine ss
9. Gentry p Stoneman p
METS 1ST: Agee was called out on strikes; Harrelson walked;
Harrelson was picked off and caught stealing second (pitcher to
first to shortstop); Jones popped to catcher in foul territory;
0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB. Mets 0, Expos 0.
EXPOS 1ST: Staehle flied to center; Jones doubled to left; Staub
walked; Fairly walked [Jones to third, Staub to second]; Fairey
grounded into a double play (shortstop to second to first)
[Fairly out at second]; 0 R, 1 H, 0 E, 2 LOB. Mets 0, Expos 0.
METS 2ND: Shamsky struck out; Boswell grounded out (second to
first); Marshall popped to first; 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB. Mets 0,
Expos 0.
EXPOS 2ND: Laboy struck out; Bateman singled to left; Wine
singled to center [Bateman to second]; Stoneman struck out;
Staehle singled to right [Wine to third, Bateman scored, Staehle
to second (on throw)]; Jones was hit by a pitch; Staub popped to
third in foul territory; 1 R, 3 H, 0 E, 3 LOB. Mets 0, Expos 1.
METS 3RD: Foy grounded out (pitcher to first); Grote walked;
Gentry struck out; Agee singled to right [Grote to third];
Harrelson walked [Agee to second]; Jones struck out; 0 R, 1 H, 0
E, 3 LOB. Mets 0, Expos 1.
EXPOS 3RD: Fairly flied to center; Fairey lined to center; Laboy
struck out; 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB. Mets 0, Expos 1.
METS 4TH: Shamsky lined to center; Boswell singled to right;
Marshall doubled to center [Boswell scored, Marshall out at
third (center to shortstop to third)]; Foy walked; Foy stole
second; Grote grounded out (shortstop to first); 1 R, 2 H, 0 E,
1 LOB. Mets 1, Expos 1.
EXPOS 4TH: Bateman was called out on strikes; Wine grounded out
(second to first); On a bunt Stoneman singled; Staehle struck
out; 0 R, 1 H, 0 E, 1 LOB. Mets 1, Expos 1.
METS 5TH: Gentry struck out; Agee reached on an error by
Staehle; Harrelson singled to center [Agee to second]; Jones
forced Harrelson (second to shortstop) [Agee to third]; Shamsky
popped to shortstop; 0 R, 1 H, 1 E, 2 LOB. Mets 1, Expos 1.
EXPOS 5TH: Jones struck out; Staub flied to right; Fairly struck
out; 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB. Mets 1, Expos 1.
METS 6TH: Boswell singled to right; Marshall flied to left; Foy
singled to left [Boswell to second]; Grote flied to left; Gentry
struck out; 0 R, 2 H, 0 E, 2 LOB. Mets 1, Expos 1.
EXPOS 6TH: Fairey struck out; Laboy flied to left; Bateman
grounded out (third to first); 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB. Mets 1,
Expos 1.
METS 7TH: Agee was called out on strikes; Harrelson grounded out
(first unassisted); Jones popped to second; 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0
LOB. Mets 1, Expos 1.
EXPOS 7TH: Wine grounded out (pitcher to first); Stoneman
grounded out (catcher to first); Staehle grounded out (first
unassisted); 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB. Mets 1, Expos 1.
METS 8TH: Shamsky flied to center; Boswell walked; Boswell was
caught stealing second (catcher to shortstop); Marshall homered;
Foy homered; Grote homered; RAYMOND REPLACED STONEMAN
(PITCHING); Gentry struck out; 3 R, 3 H, 0 E, 0 LOB. Mets 4,
Expos 1.
EXPOS 8TH: JORGENSEN REPLACED SHAMSKY (PLAYING 1B); SWOBODA
REPLACED MARSHALL (PLAYING RF); Jones was called out on strikes;
Staub singled to right; Fairly singled to right [Staub to
second]; Fairey singled to left [Fairly to second, Staub
scored]; TAYLOR REPLACED GENTRY (PITCHING); Laboy struck out;
Bateman singled to center [Fairey to third, Fairly scored]; DAY
BATTED FOR WINE; Day popped to third in foul territory; 2 R, 4
H, 0 E, 2 LOB. Mets 4, Expos 3.
METS 9TH: SUTHERLAND REPLACED DAY (PLAYING SS); Agee popped to
first; Harrelson flied to left; Jones was called out on strikes;
0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB. Mets 4, Expos 3.
EXPOS 9TH: BRAND BATTED FOR RAYMOND; Brand singled to center;
MCGRAW REPLACED TAYLOR (PITCHING); Staehle forced Brand (catcher
to shortstop); PHILLIPS BATTED FOR JONES; Phillips walked
[Staehle to second]; Staub doubled to center [Phillips to third,
Staehle scored]; Fairly was walked intentionally; BAILEY BATTED
FOR FAIREY; KOONCE REPLACED MCGRAW (PITCHING); Bailey homered
[Phillips scored, Staub scored, Fairly scored]; 5 R, 3 H, 0 E, 0
LOB. Mets 4, Expos 8.
Final Totals
Mets 4 9 0 8
Expos 8 12 1 8
Read Me
http://www.baseball-reference.com/b/bailebo01.shtml
Friday, May 11, 2007
Playoffs & Payoffs
Friday May 11 7:39 PM
Were the Buffalo Sabres really that bad on home ice last night? Were (are) the Ottawa Senators really that good? One of the reasons I picked Buffalo to win the series is because they have yet to perform they way they did during the regular season. Perhaps by the time it's over, we'll still be waiting.
Another reason I like the Sabres is Ryan Miller. I think he'll be better than Ray Emery. Emery is much improved from a year ago but I still can't root for a guy who idolizes Mike Tyson. A grown man who thinks so highly of Tyson that he'd put the fighter on his mask has issues.
Sabres in seven.
Something is definately wrong in San Jose. I say that not as someone who picked the Sharks to beat Detroit but someone who has seen a team quit on its coach. Ron Wilson literally has the NHL in his blood (father Larry and uncle Johnny both won Stanley Cups for Detroit) but his handling of Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton tells me he's gone, or they are; and we know Thornton isn't going anywhere. I know the Sharks power play was pitiful in the playoffs but not starting Thornton to begin the third period while on the PP reminded me of Guy Carbonneau nailing Alex Kovalev to the bench in the dying minute of the regular season finale in Toronto. Pass the buck. Find the scapegoat. Call it whatever. It worked for Carbonneau. Most members of the local media took his cue and pounded Kovalev. It won't work for Wilson.
Anaheim vs Detroit feaures a first: All three nominees for the Norris Trophy in the same series.
It also features a 45 year old playing like a 25 year old. Two goaltenders who have already won a Cup(Hasek) and a Conn Smythe Trophy(Giguere); one of whom is 10-1 in 11 overtimes games (it's not Hasek).
The series also spotlights a team that fights the most vs a team that fights the least.
I think the injury to Mathieu Schneider is critical for the Wings. They're also missing Niklas Kromwell. I believe the well rested, disgustingly healthy Ducks will eventually wear down the Red Wings.
Anaheim in six
I'd like to see the Sabres win. Buffalo fans have waited 37 years. If not, I'd like to see Ottawa win. They've had to wait since 1992. Enough already. Fact is any of the four remaining teams would be a worthy Stanley Cup Champion. Hopefully the games will result in the kind of sustained action the "My New NHL" is all about. And at least silence the what-have-I-got-to-complain-about-next critics who want to see more goals.
Round Two Predictions: 3-1
Total Playoff Predictions: 11-1
I didn't like Ted Saskin from the moment I heard him on the air during the lockout at The Fan 590 in Toronto when he called in during a segment to belittle 70-something Stan Fischler. Saskin sounded like a smarmy, insecure little man. Good for Chris Chelios, Trent Klatt and Dwayne Roloson for sniffing out a rat.
The Calgary Flames looking to trade Matthew Lombardi? Bring him home:
http://www2.sportsnet.ca/blogs/hockey_hearsay/2007/05/11/goodbye_lombardi_hello_grit/
Catching up on music: If you missed the Anjani show at Cabaret you missed a special treat. Leonard Cohen appeared on stage with her for three songs, including an encore. Magical.
Kings of Leon keep getting better. These sons (and one cousin) of a preacher play filthy guitar driven rock 'n roll with the best of them. "Black Thumbnail" is as good a rock song I've heard this year.
www.kingsofleon.com
While I'm in a groove, here's more:
Arcade Fire: Neon Bible **** As good as advertised. Especially "Antichrist Televsion Blues"
www.arcadefire.com
Bright Eyes: Casadega *** Not the new Dylan. But better than the new Paul Simon
www.saddle-creek.com
Solomon Burke: Nashville *** Soul great puts on a cowboy hat
www.thekingsolomonburke.com
JJ Cale & Eric Clapton: The Road To Escondido ***1/2 As familiar and smooth as your favorite single malt. And effective. Epitome of the term professional musicianship
http://www.rosebudus.com/cale/
Elvis Costello & Allen Toussaint: The River In Reverse **** Speaking of musicianship...
http://www.vervemusicgroup.com/product.aspx?ob=prd&src=exp&pid=11509
Jet: Shine On *** Not just rip 'n roll; melodies too
www.jettheband.com
Norah Jones: Not Too Late ***1/2 Now she's writing too. I'm in love. Again
www.norahjones.com
Jesse Malin: Glitter in the Gutter *** Paul Westerberg for the 21st century
www.jessemalin.com
Amos Lee: Supply and Demand *** James Taylor-with an edge-for the 21st century
www.amoslee.com
Jerry Lee Lewis: Last Man Standing **** Rock 'n Roll party album of the year
www.jerryleelewis.com
Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard & Ray Price: Last of the Breed **** Classic country at it's finest
www.losthighwayrecords.com
Aaron Neville: The Soul Classics **1/2 The big man never sounded sweeter
www.AaronNeville.com
New York Dolls: One Day It Will Please Us To Remember Even This **** Comeback of the year
www.nydolls.org
Graham Parker: Don't Tell Columbus *** Literate rock by born again American
www.grahamparker.net www.bloodshotrecords.com
Cat Power: The Greatest **** Yes, it is that good
www.catpowerthegreatest.com
Dan Reeder: Sweetheart *** John Prine discovery; modern Leon Redbone
www.danreeder.com
Patti Smith: Twelve **1/2 Hit & miss covers
www.pattismith.net
Todd Snider: The Devil You Know *** Perceptive, thoughtful, funny songwriter. One of my favorites
www.toddsnider.net
Mavis Staples: We'll Never Turn Back *** Mostly Civil Rights era Gospel classics; If you don't wake up sunday morning to The Velvet Underground, wake up to this
www.mavisstaples.com
The Stooges: The Weirdness *** How about a Stooges/Dolls doubleheader?
www.iggypop.com
Lucinda Williams: West *** The best female songwriter on the planet but something's missing on this one
www.LucindaWilliams.com
Neil Young: Live at Massey Hall 1971 ****1/2 Long bootlegged masterpiece
www.neilyoung.com
Happy Birthday to Ryan Adams who was 34 today.
Favorite Ryan Adms songs:
1. New York, New York
2. Starting To Hurt
3. A Kiss Before I Go
4. Hotel Chelsea Nights
5. English Girls Approximately
6. Beautiful Sorta
7. To Be Young (is to be sad, is to be high)
8. Peaceful Valley
9. When Will You Come Back Home
10.Love Is Hell
www.ryan-adams.com
Were the Buffalo Sabres really that bad on home ice last night? Were (are) the Ottawa Senators really that good? One of the reasons I picked Buffalo to win the series is because they have yet to perform they way they did during the regular season. Perhaps by the time it's over, we'll still be waiting.
Another reason I like the Sabres is Ryan Miller. I think he'll be better than Ray Emery. Emery is much improved from a year ago but I still can't root for a guy who idolizes Mike Tyson. A grown man who thinks so highly of Tyson that he'd put the fighter on his mask has issues.
Sabres in seven.
Something is definately wrong in San Jose. I say that not as someone who picked the Sharks to beat Detroit but someone who has seen a team quit on its coach. Ron Wilson literally has the NHL in his blood (father Larry and uncle Johnny both won Stanley Cups for Detroit) but his handling of Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton tells me he's gone, or they are; and we know Thornton isn't going anywhere. I know the Sharks power play was pitiful in the playoffs but not starting Thornton to begin the third period while on the PP reminded me of Guy Carbonneau nailing Alex Kovalev to the bench in the dying minute of the regular season finale in Toronto. Pass the buck. Find the scapegoat. Call it whatever. It worked for Carbonneau. Most members of the local media took his cue and pounded Kovalev. It won't work for Wilson.
Anaheim vs Detroit feaures a first: All three nominees for the Norris Trophy in the same series.
It also features a 45 year old playing like a 25 year old. Two goaltenders who have already won a Cup(Hasek) and a Conn Smythe Trophy(Giguere); one of whom is 10-1 in 11 overtimes games (it's not Hasek).
The series also spotlights a team that fights the most vs a team that fights the least.
I think the injury to Mathieu Schneider is critical for the Wings. They're also missing Niklas Kromwell. I believe the well rested, disgustingly healthy Ducks will eventually wear down the Red Wings.
Anaheim in six
I'd like to see the Sabres win. Buffalo fans have waited 37 years. If not, I'd like to see Ottawa win. They've had to wait since 1992. Enough already. Fact is any of the four remaining teams would be a worthy Stanley Cup Champion. Hopefully the games will result in the kind of sustained action the "My New NHL" is all about. And at least silence the what-have-I-got-to-complain-about-next critics who want to see more goals.
Round Two Predictions: 3-1
Total Playoff Predictions: 11-1
I didn't like Ted Saskin from the moment I heard him on the air during the lockout at The Fan 590 in Toronto when he called in during a segment to belittle 70-something Stan Fischler. Saskin sounded like a smarmy, insecure little man. Good for Chris Chelios, Trent Klatt and Dwayne Roloson for sniffing out a rat.
The Calgary Flames looking to trade Matthew Lombardi? Bring him home:
http://www2.sportsnet.ca/blogs/hockey_hearsay/2007/05/11/goodbye_lombardi_hello_grit/
Catching up on music: If you missed the Anjani show at Cabaret you missed a special treat. Leonard Cohen appeared on stage with her for three songs, including an encore. Magical.
Kings of Leon keep getting better. These sons (and one cousin) of a preacher play filthy guitar driven rock 'n roll with the best of them. "Black Thumbnail" is as good a rock song I've heard this year.
www.kingsofleon.com
While I'm in a groove, here's more:
Arcade Fire: Neon Bible **** As good as advertised. Especially "Antichrist Televsion Blues"
www.arcadefire.com
Bright Eyes: Casadega *** Not the new Dylan. But better than the new Paul Simon
www.saddle-creek.com
Solomon Burke: Nashville *** Soul great puts on a cowboy hat
www.thekingsolomonburke.com
JJ Cale & Eric Clapton: The Road To Escondido ***1/2 As familiar and smooth as your favorite single malt. And effective. Epitome of the term professional musicianship
http://www.rosebudus.com/cale/
Elvis Costello & Allen Toussaint: The River In Reverse **** Speaking of musicianship...
http://www.vervemusicgroup.com/product.aspx?ob=prd&src=exp&pid=11509
Jet: Shine On *** Not just rip 'n roll; melodies too
www.jettheband.com
Norah Jones: Not Too Late ***1/2 Now she's writing too. I'm in love. Again
www.norahjones.com
Jesse Malin: Glitter in the Gutter *** Paul Westerberg for the 21st century
www.jessemalin.com
Amos Lee: Supply and Demand *** James Taylor-with an edge-for the 21st century
www.amoslee.com
Jerry Lee Lewis: Last Man Standing **** Rock 'n Roll party album of the year
www.jerryleelewis.com
Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard & Ray Price: Last of the Breed **** Classic country at it's finest
www.losthighwayrecords.com
Aaron Neville: The Soul Classics **1/2 The big man never sounded sweeter
www.AaronNeville.com
New York Dolls: One Day It Will Please Us To Remember Even This **** Comeback of the year
www.nydolls.org
Graham Parker: Don't Tell Columbus *** Literate rock by born again American
www.grahamparker.net www.bloodshotrecords.com
Cat Power: The Greatest **** Yes, it is that good
www.catpowerthegreatest.com
Dan Reeder: Sweetheart *** John Prine discovery; modern Leon Redbone
www.danreeder.com
Patti Smith: Twelve **1/2 Hit & miss covers
www.pattismith.net
Todd Snider: The Devil You Know *** Perceptive, thoughtful, funny songwriter. One of my favorites
www.toddsnider.net
Mavis Staples: We'll Never Turn Back *** Mostly Civil Rights era Gospel classics; If you don't wake up sunday morning to The Velvet Underground, wake up to this
www.mavisstaples.com
The Stooges: The Weirdness *** How about a Stooges/Dolls doubleheader?
www.iggypop.com
Lucinda Williams: West *** The best female songwriter on the planet but something's missing on this one
www.LucindaWilliams.com
Neil Young: Live at Massey Hall 1971 ****1/2 Long bootlegged masterpiece
www.neilyoung.com
Happy Birthday to Ryan Adams who was 34 today.
Favorite Ryan Adms songs:
1. New York, New York
2. Starting To Hurt
3. A Kiss Before I Go
4. Hotel Chelsea Nights
5. English Girls Approximately
6. Beautiful Sorta
7. To Be Young (is to be sad, is to be high)
8. Peaceful Valley
9. When Will You Come Back Home
10.Love Is Hell
www.ryan-adams.com
Monday, May 7, 2007
"Shane, You're Hurt!"
Monday May 7 7:45 PM
For a guy who never swears Shane Doan sure performed a spot-on impression of Pierre Trudeau last friday when he scored three goals in less than seven minutes for Team Canada at the World Hockey Championship in Russia. Vintage Trudeau in fact. In both official languages.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsZRxyK2YMg
In dragging Doan through the political process the seperatists ran into their toughest opponent since Trudeau. Tough but clean. Who knew an NHL captain never swears, or even says fuddle duddle for that matter? I'm a proud Canadian but watching some of the gutless pukes who run this country try to turn Doan into Canada's version of David Duke was embarassing. The fact that Doan was the first to launch a lawsuit (against the lying, blowhard of a former sports minister Denis Coderre) should have sent a loud and clear signal that this former first round draft pick is not your typical NHL player. I keep reading about how "frivolous" the suit is(Coderre counter-sued). But how would you react if a federal minister accused you of uttering a racial slur if it never happened? I liken it to the Jose Canseco book. For all the denials about steroid use that Canseco alleged , from Rafael Palmeiro to Juan Gonzalez to Ivan Rodriguez to Mark McGwire, among many others, there wasn't a single lawsuit launched. Now if a best selling book claimed you were juicing when in fact the only juice you consumed was orange, wouldn't you want to sue Canseco's bulky ass?
Next time you watch a tape of the incident watch everybody on the ice.
Carefully.
One of the referees delivers a friendly pat to Doan's hip. The same ref takes off in a hurry as soon as Cormier sticks his finger in Doan's face. Doan reacts as if he can't believe what he's been told. Cormier, who's likely heard enough all night, almost sprints to the officials room. Doan is escorted off the ice.
Fast forward two years. Most of the french media is relentless in slagging Doan after he is named captain of Team Canada. What do they know about him? That he's a unilingual anglo from Alberta. Enough to convict. People who know Doan and claim he could not have uttered a slur are completely dismissed. The fact that Colin Campbell and the NHL cleared Doan is also seen as meaningless because it's just the NHL trying to cover up. Politicians from all parties are quick to condemn. Jack Layton says Doan's captaincy will "overshadow" Team Canada. But as the tide begins to turn, and it becomes more and more clear that Doan might in fact be the cleanest captain in the history of sports, Hockey Canada gets slagged for not having a single francophone player on Team Canada, as if Vincent Lecavalier wasn't invited (so were seven other french players who declined). Denis Gauthier tells Denis Casavant that Doan, one of his best friends, did not say what he's accused of saying. Daniel Briere in Buffalo concurs. Layton, giving new meaning to wishy-washy and weak kneed, reverses himself and leaves a voice mail apology on Doan's phone.
It's a belly full of laughs, for Jacques Parizeau. Until Doan scores the hat trick.
Terry Ryan had the best line of the week. Speaking from St. John's during his weekly monday chat Ryan, selected by the Canadiens right after Winnipeg picked Doan in 1995, said there are more strong leaders on Team Canada than on Parliament Hill.
I have two incredible daughters. If one of them had been a son we would have named him Shane. I can't help but wonder if Bernie & Bernice Doan named their son for the same reason. (A) Character:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvVbXkgVUVw
Still with character, I think NFL comissioner Roger Goodell might be close to suspending Michael Vick. Especially after this letter from the Humane Society of the United States reaches his desk:
May 3, 2007
Roger Goodell
Commissioner
National Football League
280 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Dear Mr. Goodell:
On behalf of The Humane Society of the United States (The HSUS), the nation’s largest
animal protection organization, I am writing to you regarding recent dog fighting
allegations against Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick. In light of these serious
allegations and other incidents of illegal animal fighting involving NFL players, The
HSUS is calling upon the NFL to collaborate with us in an organized effort to eradicate
animal cruelty and illegal animal fighting activity from the ranks of the NFL.
As you and most of the public are keenly aware of by now, Michael Vick is the subject of
an ongoing investigation into allegations that he operated an illegal dog fighting operation
out of his Virginia home. During a drug-related raid on the home, authorities found over
fifty pit bulls, all of whom were in various stages of physical deterioration, locked inside
concrete kennels behind the home. Also found was an inventory of instruments specific to
organized dog fighting operations. Confidential informants of The Humane Society of the
United States have provided us with prior intelligence about Mr. Vick’s participation in
this practice.
We believe that the current situation involving Michael Vick is indicative of a larger
subculture within the NFL of dog fighting and other forms of violence against animals.
Indeed, dogfighters do not typically stage fights between two animals they own. Rather,
they fight their dogs against the dogs of other aficionados. The HSUS tracks 10
underground dog fighting magazines and a laundry list of web sites, and we can assure you
that this is a major underground criminal industry. You may be aware that former NFL
player LeShon Johnson was recently convicted of illegal dog fighting after a raid in
Oklahoma in which 141 fighting dogs were seized.
Likewise former Dallas Cowboys lineman Nate Newton was once arrested at a dog fight,
and former Oakland Raider Tyrone Wheatley, a former pit-bull breeder, once glorified pit
bull fighting by describing it as “instinctive” and “motivational” in a 2001 Sports
Illustrated interview. Wheatley also reportedly even once bragged about having sold dogs
for fighting.
Page 2
More recently, in February 2007, Atlanta Falcons Jonathan Babineaux was charged with
animal cruelty for allegedly beating to death of his girlfriend’s pit bull. Charges against
Babineaux are still pending, but the case, like all of the aforementioned cases, underscores
the need for the NFL to undertake a truly aggressive outreach program targeting the issue
of illegal animal fighting and animal cruelty among its players.
The problem of illegal animal fighting and other forms of animal cruelty is widespread, but
they have a particular significance where high-profile sports personalities are concerned
because of the influence the behavior and habits of these athletes have over fans. As you
yourself stated in announcing the NFL’s recently-amended Personal Conduct Policy, “It is
important that the NFL be represented consistently by outstanding people as well as great
football players, coaches, and staff."
Dog fighting is a serious crime, not only causing appalling animal cruelty, but also often
associated with other criminal activity, such as narcotics traffic, illegal gambling, and
human violence. All 50 states ban dog fighting, and it is a felony in 48 states. The
Congress just passed legislation making it a federal felony to move fighting dogs across
state lines, with penalties per violation of 3 years in jail and fines up to $250,000.
We invite you to join with The HSUS in crafting the guidelines for an effective, zerotolerance
policy for NFL players and staff regarding animal cruelty and illegal animal
fighting. We feel such a partnership has the potential to positively impact millions of
young people in communities who look up to NFL athletes as role models. Additionally, a
partnership between the HSUS and the NFL will help support the NFL’s stated goal of
holding its employees to a higher standard and will help the NFL maintain its integrity in
the face of increasing concerns over the conduct of its players.
Finally, we hope you will collaborate with The HSUS to combat animal cruelty and animal
fighting in order to send a clear message to the public that the NFL does indeed intend to
hold its players to the highest standards. By setting an example of compassion for the
public, the NFL has the chance to tackle the problem of animal cruelty and animal fighting
from the top down and to truly make a difference for our communities.
I would certainly be willing to meet with you at your earliest convenience to develop the
elements of a pro-active plan to address this problem. Thank you for your attention to this
matter, and we look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Wayne Pacelle
President & CEO
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/nfl/wires/05/03/2020.ap.fbn.falcons.vick.0629/index.html
I'd pay to see Vick run. From a pack of hungry dogs.
Dogs as pets through the years:
Jocko (Black poodle)
Hobo (German Sheppard)
Sam (Sheepdog)
Candy (Mutt)
Teddy (Chesapeake Bay retriever)
Tom Tom (mini toy white poodle)
For a guy who never swears Shane Doan sure performed a spot-on impression of Pierre Trudeau last friday when he scored three goals in less than seven minutes for Team Canada at the World Hockey Championship in Russia. Vintage Trudeau in fact. In both official languages.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsZRxyK2YMg
In dragging Doan through the political process the seperatists ran into their toughest opponent since Trudeau. Tough but clean. Who knew an NHL captain never swears, or even says fuddle duddle for that matter? I'm a proud Canadian but watching some of the gutless pukes who run this country try to turn Doan into Canada's version of David Duke was embarassing. The fact that Doan was the first to launch a lawsuit (against the lying, blowhard of a former sports minister Denis Coderre) should have sent a loud and clear signal that this former first round draft pick is not your typical NHL player. I keep reading about how "frivolous" the suit is(Coderre counter-sued). But how would you react if a federal minister accused you of uttering a racial slur if it never happened? I liken it to the Jose Canseco book. For all the denials about steroid use that Canseco alleged , from Rafael Palmeiro to Juan Gonzalez to Ivan Rodriguez to Mark McGwire, among many others, there wasn't a single lawsuit launched. Now if a best selling book claimed you were juicing when in fact the only juice you consumed was orange, wouldn't you want to sue Canseco's bulky ass?
Next time you watch a tape of the incident watch everybody on the ice.
Carefully.
One of the referees delivers a friendly pat to Doan's hip. The same ref takes off in a hurry as soon as Cormier sticks his finger in Doan's face. Doan reacts as if he can't believe what he's been told. Cormier, who's likely heard enough all night, almost sprints to the officials room. Doan is escorted off the ice.
Fast forward two years. Most of the french media is relentless in slagging Doan after he is named captain of Team Canada. What do they know about him? That he's a unilingual anglo from Alberta. Enough to convict. People who know Doan and claim he could not have uttered a slur are completely dismissed. The fact that Colin Campbell and the NHL cleared Doan is also seen as meaningless because it's just the NHL trying to cover up. Politicians from all parties are quick to condemn. Jack Layton says Doan's captaincy will "overshadow" Team Canada. But as the tide begins to turn, and it becomes more and more clear that Doan might in fact be the cleanest captain in the history of sports, Hockey Canada gets slagged for not having a single francophone player on Team Canada, as if Vincent Lecavalier wasn't invited (so were seven other french players who declined). Denis Gauthier tells Denis Casavant that Doan, one of his best friends, did not say what he's accused of saying. Daniel Briere in Buffalo concurs. Layton, giving new meaning to wishy-washy and weak kneed, reverses himself and leaves a voice mail apology on Doan's phone.
It's a belly full of laughs, for Jacques Parizeau. Until Doan scores the hat trick.
Terry Ryan had the best line of the week. Speaking from St. John's during his weekly monday chat Ryan, selected by the Canadiens right after Winnipeg picked Doan in 1995, said there are more strong leaders on Team Canada than on Parliament Hill.
I have two incredible daughters. If one of them had been a son we would have named him Shane. I can't help but wonder if Bernie & Bernice Doan named their son for the same reason. (A) Character:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvVbXkgVUVw
Still with character, I think NFL comissioner Roger Goodell might be close to suspending Michael Vick. Especially after this letter from the Humane Society of the United States reaches his desk:
May 3, 2007
Roger Goodell
Commissioner
National Football League
280 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Dear Mr. Goodell:
On behalf of The Humane Society of the United States (The HSUS), the nation’s largest
animal protection organization, I am writing to you regarding recent dog fighting
allegations against Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick. In light of these serious
allegations and other incidents of illegal animal fighting involving NFL players, The
HSUS is calling upon the NFL to collaborate with us in an organized effort to eradicate
animal cruelty and illegal animal fighting activity from the ranks of the NFL.
As you and most of the public are keenly aware of by now, Michael Vick is the subject of
an ongoing investigation into allegations that he operated an illegal dog fighting operation
out of his Virginia home. During a drug-related raid on the home, authorities found over
fifty pit bulls, all of whom were in various stages of physical deterioration, locked inside
concrete kennels behind the home. Also found was an inventory of instruments specific to
organized dog fighting operations. Confidential informants of The Humane Society of the
United States have provided us with prior intelligence about Mr. Vick’s participation in
this practice.
We believe that the current situation involving Michael Vick is indicative of a larger
subculture within the NFL of dog fighting and other forms of violence against animals.
Indeed, dogfighters do not typically stage fights between two animals they own. Rather,
they fight their dogs against the dogs of other aficionados. The HSUS tracks 10
underground dog fighting magazines and a laundry list of web sites, and we can assure you
that this is a major underground criminal industry. You may be aware that former NFL
player LeShon Johnson was recently convicted of illegal dog fighting after a raid in
Oklahoma in which 141 fighting dogs were seized.
Likewise former Dallas Cowboys lineman Nate Newton was once arrested at a dog fight,
and former Oakland Raider Tyrone Wheatley, a former pit-bull breeder, once glorified pit
bull fighting by describing it as “instinctive” and “motivational” in a 2001 Sports
Illustrated interview. Wheatley also reportedly even once bragged about having sold dogs
for fighting.
Page 2
More recently, in February 2007, Atlanta Falcons Jonathan Babineaux was charged with
animal cruelty for allegedly beating to death of his girlfriend’s pit bull. Charges against
Babineaux are still pending, but the case, like all of the aforementioned cases, underscores
the need for the NFL to undertake a truly aggressive outreach program targeting the issue
of illegal animal fighting and animal cruelty among its players.
The problem of illegal animal fighting and other forms of animal cruelty is widespread, but
they have a particular significance where high-profile sports personalities are concerned
because of the influence the behavior and habits of these athletes have over fans. As you
yourself stated in announcing the NFL’s recently-amended Personal Conduct Policy, “It is
important that the NFL be represented consistently by outstanding people as well as great
football players, coaches, and staff."
Dog fighting is a serious crime, not only causing appalling animal cruelty, but also often
associated with other criminal activity, such as narcotics traffic, illegal gambling, and
human violence. All 50 states ban dog fighting, and it is a felony in 48 states. The
Congress just passed legislation making it a federal felony to move fighting dogs across
state lines, with penalties per violation of 3 years in jail and fines up to $250,000.
We invite you to join with The HSUS in crafting the guidelines for an effective, zerotolerance
policy for NFL players and staff regarding animal cruelty and illegal animal
fighting. We feel such a partnership has the potential to positively impact millions of
young people in communities who look up to NFL athletes as role models. Additionally, a
partnership between the HSUS and the NFL will help support the NFL’s stated goal of
holding its employees to a higher standard and will help the NFL maintain its integrity in
the face of increasing concerns over the conduct of its players.
Finally, we hope you will collaborate with The HSUS to combat animal cruelty and animal
fighting in order to send a clear message to the public that the NFL does indeed intend to
hold its players to the highest standards. By setting an example of compassion for the
public, the NFL has the chance to tackle the problem of animal cruelty and animal fighting
from the top down and to truly make a difference for our communities.
I would certainly be willing to meet with you at your earliest convenience to develop the
elements of a pro-active plan to address this problem. Thank you for your attention to this
matter, and we look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Wayne Pacelle
President & CEO
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/nfl/wires/05/03/2020.ap.fbn.falcons.vick.0629/index.html
I'd pay to see Vick run. From a pack of hungry dogs.
Dogs as pets through the years:
Jocko (Black poodle)
Hobo (German Sheppard)
Sam (Sheepdog)
Candy (Mutt)
Teddy (Chesapeake Bay retriever)
Tom Tom (mini toy white poodle)
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