Sunday December 16 4:30 PM
What a great day to do nothing but eat and drink-oh wait, we did that Friday at our station Christmas party. Snow days like this remind me of elementary school, specifically Churchill school in Chomedey (later renamed Irving Bregman Memorial) where our gym teacher was future Queen's football coach Ian Breck. Those of us who were within walking distance actually looked forward to heading to school on snow days because Ian would gather some fellow teachers in the library for a bull session with students. A couple of times he introduced us to one of his roommates who looked vaguely familiar. Turns out he was an American Hockey League goaltender named Wayne Thomas. (The Canadiens' top farm team was based in Montreal for one year. Their home rink was the Forum. Some of the other players included Bobby Sheehan, Phil Roberto, Chuck Lefley, Bob Murdoch and another goaltender named Ken Dryden.)
The next time I met Wayne Thomas was in the early 1980's very late one night at a bar in Cape Cod. I don't remember how I was introduced to him but I do remember that he said he was part owner of the place. I told him the story about Churchill School in Chomedey. His eyes lit up (just like the rest of him at that point) and he started telling me stories of the Voyageurs. A few minutes later he took me over to another part of the room to introduce me to his partner in the bar. I instantly recognized Nick Fotiu. Oh the stories we could tell...
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php3?pid=5378
http://www.legendsofhockey.net:8080/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=12635
Ian Breck is currently the head coach of Team Canada's Under- 20 Junior Football team.
The Mitchell Report. Just another in a list of "scandalous moments" in baseball. I keep reading of comparisons to the 1919 Black Sox scandal. How about the Dowd report? Or the cocaine scandal of the early 1980's? Have we already forgotten about the collusion cases organized by Commissioner Peter Ueberroth and the pathetic owners in the mid-80's? (if you don't think collusion helped kill at least one market, consider this-players forced back to their old teams included Tim Raines. But free agency rules being what they were, a player couldn't re-sign with his old team until May 1. So the 1987 Expos played the entire month of April with Triple A leftfielder Alonzo Powell. He batted .195. The Expos April record was 8-12. From the moment Raines re-joined the team ( in 139 games in 1987 Raines hit .330 with 18 home runs, 68 RBI's, 50 stolen bases, a slugging pct of .526, an OBP of .429 and a LEAGUE LEADING 123 runs scored) the Expos went 83-59. A total won loss record of 91-71 was good enough for 3rd place in the NL East, just four games behind the division champion St. Louis Cardinals. And what about baseball's biggest scandal of them all-not allowing a single black player to play until 1947?
So spare me the moralizing. There have been worse moments than this.
Two scenes I'll never forget:
Scene #1
A former Expos catcher tapping me on the shoulder in the clubhouse asking me what I thought about a couple of his teammates who were certainly on something (David Segui was one of them). I said if it's obvious to me what's going on how can anybody directly involved in the sport not seem to know or care? He then asked me if I thought it was fair that he should have to decide whether to bulk up or not. If ever there was a rhetorical question that was it. And it was repeated in every clubhouse in baseball. I salute the guys who resisted the temptation and played through through nothing stronger than the odd greenie or (in John Wetteland's case) an over consumption of caffeine.
Scene #2
A bunch of media types gathered at Hurley's Irish pub. I mention to a baseball writer that players are starting to grumble about obvious steroid use. I tell him it's a huge story about to explode. He agrees but says he can't really sniff around because he'd have his "access" cut off. He says it's more of an investigative piece that has to be done on a national level with a parade of sources and an almost unlimited expense account. And then Ken Caminiti won the NL MVP award.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/magazine/12/13/flashback_juiced/index.html
Saku Koivu goes a dozen games without scoring and he's either washed up or a lousy leader or both. He scores two goals against the Leafs and his critics will say the Leafs were tired. I think we're all guilty of over analyzing after each game or block of games. There's still a lot of hockey left to play. Among Koivu's right wingers this season-Michael Ryder, Tom Kostopolous, Mark Streit, Bryan Smolinski, Guillame Latendresse, Alex Kovalev, Mathieu Dandenault and Sergei Kostitsyn. Who's next-Stephen Harper?
Saku Koivu is a special guy. "Un champion", says Bob Gainey. It takes one to know one. Koivu is not part of the problem, never has been. I'd concede that at this point he might not be part of the solution either. The fact that the Habs seem to go only as Koivu goes is not his fault. It's an organizational failure. But if they are to trade him (out west) they had better hit a home run. Steroid-free.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Dancing (5th, 6th, 7th, 6th, 8th cha cha cha) With the Habs
Sunday December 9, 1:30 PM
What's wrong with the Canadiens? Let me count the ways.
-they can't win at home
-they can't win key face offs
-they can't score
-they can't kill penalties
-they can't (won't) fight
-their goalies have caved
What did I miss?
The Habs have no home identity-other than the "history" in the soon-to-be 12 year old Bell Center. Opposing teams dictate play. And with little or no physical fear they pretty much do what they want. Playing the Canadiens in Montreal has become ultra-comfortable. A pro sports sin. The only response the Habs have is to hope their goaltender out-plays everyone. From John Ferguson to Pierre Bouchard to Rick Chartraw to Chris Nilan to Lyle Odelein, every successful Montreal team has had a cop, a cop who could play. Some winning teams featured 4-5 guys who could fight. (The last Cup team in '93 featured Odelein, Todd Ewen, Mario Roberge and the league's best middleweight-Mike Keane.) This bunch? I'd rather see PJ Stock out there 3-4 minutes a game than Mark Streit. (I like Streit-as a power play specialist and role player. He gets way too many minutes of ice time).
The stat sheet (always be wary of the Montreal sheets) says the Canadiens won 60% of their face offs vs Carolina. Fact is, other than Koivu, Habs' centermen have been pretty dismal this season. Hard to comprehend with three of the best face-off men of their respective eras behind the bench. Lack of success in the face off circle also explains, partially, the woeful PK record.
I'm not enough of an X's & O's student to further explain the PK problems. Again, with Guy Carbonneau, Doug Jarvis and Kirk Muller to teach, it would be difficult to believe it's poor coaching. And it hasn't been the fault of the goaltending. Kyle Chipchura, Brian Smolinski, Tom Kostopolous and Steve Begin have been the go-to players on the PK unit. Chipchura will be fine but it's not often a rookie is handed that kind of responsibility. He's made some (rookie) mistakes. Smolinski, on the other hand, looks done. He doesn't win battles one on one or along the boards. Unlike Begin and Kostopolous he doesn't block shots. He's been a solid NHL player for a long time but this is beginning to look a lot like Janne Niinimaa revisited. (Which brings us to another area of concern for Hab fans-pro scouting. Ultimately, it's Bob Gainey who rightfully takes the heat for poor signings/trades. But a constant during the Gainey regime is Pierre Gauthier, who's title is assistant GM but who, in essence, is their top pro scout. Among the NHL players brought in during his watch: Radek Bonk, Todd Simpson, Mike Johnson, Sergei Samsanov, Niinimaa, Josh Gorges, Smolinski and Kostopolous. Those in a hurry to see Gainey go should shudder at the prospect of Gauthier as GM in-waiting.)
We knew goal scoring, especially five on five, would be tight for this team. But who could have possibly predicted that Michael Ryder would be stuck on three goals less than a month away from the all star break? It's sad to see. Sadder still is the pssibilty that his NHL career has already peaked. Shoot puck. Score goals. That's his job. He can't skate well or check and has possibly the worst hockey sense of any forward on the team. Shoot puck. Don't score goals. No job.
Goaltending, as mediocre as it's been lately, is a non-issue as far as I'm concerned. Carey Price will be fine. He's discovering that NHL shooters are pretty good. Rod Brindamour alone in the slot can pick a corner a lot faster than the typical AHL'er or Junior player. It's part of the learning curve.
Captain Koivu? Struggling to be sure. A goal here or there would help but remember first and foremost he's a playmaker. What I look for from Koivu is if he's putting the puck on the stick of his linemate(s), and whether it's Higgins, Ryder, Streit, Smolinski or whomever, he's getting that job done. Of more concern is that he looks a step or two slower.
Maybe it's just the late fall blahs, weeks ahead of the Christmas swoon. And what looks piss-poor right now will eventually be straightened out. Until then the Habs will likely drop lower than 8th. Perhaps to 10th or 11th. And two or three games later jump all the way to 6th. The only thing we know for certain about this team is they can't play with Detroit. So they have a lot of company.
In the meantime, Bob Gainey has to find a couple of bodies with some size and toughness and talent. That's all. And he has to find this player or two by himself.
What's wrong with the Canadiens? Let me count the ways.
-they can't win at home
-they can't win key face offs
-they can't score
-they can't kill penalties
-they can't (won't) fight
-their goalies have caved
What did I miss?
The Habs have no home identity-other than the "history" in the soon-to-be 12 year old Bell Center. Opposing teams dictate play. And with little or no physical fear they pretty much do what they want. Playing the Canadiens in Montreal has become ultra-comfortable. A pro sports sin. The only response the Habs have is to hope their goaltender out-plays everyone. From John Ferguson to Pierre Bouchard to Rick Chartraw to Chris Nilan to Lyle Odelein, every successful Montreal team has had a cop, a cop who could play. Some winning teams featured 4-5 guys who could fight. (The last Cup team in '93 featured Odelein, Todd Ewen, Mario Roberge and the league's best middleweight-Mike Keane.) This bunch? I'd rather see PJ Stock out there 3-4 minutes a game than Mark Streit. (I like Streit-as a power play specialist and role player. He gets way too many minutes of ice time).
The stat sheet (always be wary of the Montreal sheets) says the Canadiens won 60% of their face offs vs Carolina. Fact is, other than Koivu, Habs' centermen have been pretty dismal this season. Hard to comprehend with three of the best face-off men of their respective eras behind the bench. Lack of success in the face off circle also explains, partially, the woeful PK record.
I'm not enough of an X's & O's student to further explain the PK problems. Again, with Guy Carbonneau, Doug Jarvis and Kirk Muller to teach, it would be difficult to believe it's poor coaching. And it hasn't been the fault of the goaltending. Kyle Chipchura, Brian Smolinski, Tom Kostopolous and Steve Begin have been the go-to players on the PK unit. Chipchura will be fine but it's not often a rookie is handed that kind of responsibility. He's made some (rookie) mistakes. Smolinski, on the other hand, looks done. He doesn't win battles one on one or along the boards. Unlike Begin and Kostopolous he doesn't block shots. He's been a solid NHL player for a long time but this is beginning to look a lot like Janne Niinimaa revisited. (Which brings us to another area of concern for Hab fans-pro scouting. Ultimately, it's Bob Gainey who rightfully takes the heat for poor signings/trades. But a constant during the Gainey regime is Pierre Gauthier, who's title is assistant GM but who, in essence, is their top pro scout. Among the NHL players brought in during his watch: Radek Bonk, Todd Simpson, Mike Johnson, Sergei Samsanov, Niinimaa, Josh Gorges, Smolinski and Kostopolous. Those in a hurry to see Gainey go should shudder at the prospect of Gauthier as GM in-waiting.)
We knew goal scoring, especially five on five, would be tight for this team. But who could have possibly predicted that Michael Ryder would be stuck on three goals less than a month away from the all star break? It's sad to see. Sadder still is the pssibilty that his NHL career has already peaked. Shoot puck. Score goals. That's his job. He can't skate well or check and has possibly the worst hockey sense of any forward on the team. Shoot puck. Don't score goals. No job.
Goaltending, as mediocre as it's been lately, is a non-issue as far as I'm concerned. Carey Price will be fine. He's discovering that NHL shooters are pretty good. Rod Brindamour alone in the slot can pick a corner a lot faster than the typical AHL'er or Junior player. It's part of the learning curve.
Captain Koivu? Struggling to be sure. A goal here or there would help but remember first and foremost he's a playmaker. What I look for from Koivu is if he's putting the puck on the stick of his linemate(s), and whether it's Higgins, Ryder, Streit, Smolinski or whomever, he's getting that job done. Of more concern is that he looks a step or two slower.
Maybe it's just the late fall blahs, weeks ahead of the Christmas swoon. And what looks piss-poor right now will eventually be straightened out. Until then the Habs will likely drop lower than 8th. Perhaps to 10th or 11th. And two or three games later jump all the way to 6th. The only thing we know for certain about this team is they can't play with Detroit. So they have a lot of company.
In the meantime, Bob Gainey has to find a couple of bodies with some size and toughness and talent. That's all. And he has to find this player or two by himself.
Saturday, December 1, 2007
New Month, Same Team
Saturday December 1 2:00 PM
December-finally. I don't mind the blast of cold air-as long as the sun is shining. I'll spare you the metaphors.
Getting ready to watch the Rangers and Senators. Those silly comparisons to the Habs of the late 70's can now be buried for good. Love what Senators coach John Paddock said about his teams' losing streak. "It's part of the ebb and flow of a long season", said Paddock while (just a guess here) silently starting to worry about Martin Gerber. Canadiens fans need to keep that in mind. Look at the standings. As I write this the Habs are 5th in the eastern conference, two points behind the second place team and just two points out of eighth. Welcome to the salary cap era. It's just as tight in the west. Teams that started the season surprisingly slow (Buffalo, New Jersey) have righted themselves. Teams that started surprisngly well (Washington, Ottawa) have also settled into a more realistic zone.
For one of those rare instances this season, the Canadiens actually dominated a first period of play. Last night in Newark (what a great title for a movie, huh?) the Habs dominated, helped out by, but not just because of, the power play. Best save of the night was Martin Brodeur on Alex Kovalev, a low, well aimed wrister that Brodeur cooly kicked away. And as often has been the case the last two seasons, if the Canadiens don't score on the power play they find themselves in a bit of trouble. This season, their penalty killing unit continues to struggle. Lousy combo. One of the reasons Steve Begin and Tom Kostopolous are sitting tonight vs Nashville. The other reason-a team TOTAL of 9 hits the last two road games. Why bother putting on shoulder pads? If Begin and Kostopolous don't hit they don't play. Simple as that. Good move by Carbonneau. Why not Brian Smolinski or Michael Ryder? I think Ryder is next. Smolinski won 9 of 12 faceoffs last night.
So what does Bob Gainey do to improve his team's 5 on 5 play and/or goal scoring? He's not going to find it in Hamilton. The Bulldogs were shutout 6-0 on home ice last night. And their best players to start this season (Sergei Kostitsyn, Maxim Lapierre and Jonathan Ferland) are not goal scorers. Perhaps Gainey was in attendance in an effort to piece together a package for
immediate NHL help (Brad Richards?). In the meantime, Ryder sticks out like a sore thumb. A goal scorer not scoring for a team that needs a goal scorer.
Where have you gone Stephane Richer?
Martin Brodeur's career record against Montreal is 34-12-5. 12 losses? I can barely remember one...You won't have Jack Todd to kick around anymore...he's accepted a buyout from The Gazette...oh yeah, I'll have plenty more to say next month...The Black Hawks are once again fun to watch...They're playing for Denis Savard and Chicago area hockey fans who can once again see them on local TV....and whaddya know, the crowds are starting to return (over 16,000 last night vs Phoenix)...I'm starting to warm to the idea of bigger nets..the highest scoring team in the east is Carolina with 85 goals in 26 games...I'd rather see a little more room on the ice and I no longer buy the notion that ripping out the first few rows of seats in places like the Bell Center automatically means a huge loss in revenue...it's a loss the Habs can easily make up by charging more for premium seats and loges...the white- collared crowd that enjoys a pre-game meal at Queue De Cheval have plenty more money to spend...Angels owner Arte Moreno says baseball fans are "going to be angry and disappointed" when the Mitchell report on steroid use is made public...do you think one of Moreno's own stars might be on the list of players George Mitchell names as a user?...Best wishes to Terry DiMonte in Calgary, even though he thinks John Mellencamp is a better artist than Bob Dylan..Finally got around to actually seeing Nirvana Unplugged, finally out on DVD...It's stunning to see and hear the performance in HD and surround sound (watch for Kurt Cobain's facial expression at the end of Leadbelly classic):
http://www.nme.com/news/32183
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEtDC6MuImU
Happy December.
December-finally. I don't mind the blast of cold air-as long as the sun is shining. I'll spare you the metaphors.
Getting ready to watch the Rangers and Senators. Those silly comparisons to the Habs of the late 70's can now be buried for good. Love what Senators coach John Paddock said about his teams' losing streak. "It's part of the ebb and flow of a long season", said Paddock while (just a guess here) silently starting to worry about Martin Gerber. Canadiens fans need to keep that in mind. Look at the standings. As I write this the Habs are 5th in the eastern conference, two points behind the second place team and just two points out of eighth. Welcome to the salary cap era. It's just as tight in the west. Teams that started the season surprisingly slow (Buffalo, New Jersey) have righted themselves. Teams that started surprisngly well (Washington, Ottawa) have also settled into a more realistic zone.
For one of those rare instances this season, the Canadiens actually dominated a first period of play. Last night in Newark (what a great title for a movie, huh?) the Habs dominated, helped out by, but not just because of, the power play. Best save of the night was Martin Brodeur on Alex Kovalev, a low, well aimed wrister that Brodeur cooly kicked away. And as often has been the case the last two seasons, if the Canadiens don't score on the power play they find themselves in a bit of trouble. This season, their penalty killing unit continues to struggle. Lousy combo. One of the reasons Steve Begin and Tom Kostopolous are sitting tonight vs Nashville. The other reason-a team TOTAL of 9 hits the last two road games. Why bother putting on shoulder pads? If Begin and Kostopolous don't hit they don't play. Simple as that. Good move by Carbonneau. Why not Brian Smolinski or Michael Ryder? I think Ryder is next. Smolinski won 9 of 12 faceoffs last night.
So what does Bob Gainey do to improve his team's 5 on 5 play and/or goal scoring? He's not going to find it in Hamilton. The Bulldogs were shutout 6-0 on home ice last night. And their best players to start this season (Sergei Kostitsyn, Maxim Lapierre and Jonathan Ferland) are not goal scorers. Perhaps Gainey was in attendance in an effort to piece together a package for
immediate NHL help (Brad Richards?). In the meantime, Ryder sticks out like a sore thumb. A goal scorer not scoring for a team that needs a goal scorer.
Where have you gone Stephane Richer?
Martin Brodeur's career record against Montreal is 34-12-5. 12 losses? I can barely remember one...You won't have Jack Todd to kick around anymore...he's accepted a buyout from The Gazette...oh yeah, I'll have plenty more to say next month...The Black Hawks are once again fun to watch...They're playing for Denis Savard and Chicago area hockey fans who can once again see them on local TV....and whaddya know, the crowds are starting to return (over 16,000 last night vs Phoenix)...I'm starting to warm to the idea of bigger nets..the highest scoring team in the east is Carolina with 85 goals in 26 games...I'd rather see a little more room on the ice and I no longer buy the notion that ripping out the first few rows of seats in places like the Bell Center automatically means a huge loss in revenue...it's a loss the Habs can easily make up by charging more for premium seats and loges...the white- collared crowd that enjoys a pre-game meal at Queue De Cheval have plenty more money to spend...Angels owner Arte Moreno says baseball fans are "going to be angry and disappointed" when the Mitchell report on steroid use is made public...do you think one of Moreno's own stars might be on the list of players George Mitchell names as a user?...Best wishes to Terry DiMonte in Calgary, even though he thinks John Mellencamp is a better artist than Bob Dylan..Finally got around to actually seeing Nirvana Unplugged, finally out on DVD...It's stunning to see and hear the performance in HD and surround sound (watch for Kurt Cobain's facial expression at the end of Leadbelly classic):
http://www.nme.com/news/32183
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEtDC6MuImU
Happy December.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Hard To Hold A Candle In The Cold November Rain
Saturday November 24 3:30 PM
I hate November. Worst time of the year. A clear reminder that many more dark and dreary days are ahead before we finally see the sun again on a regular basis. It's cold but far worse for me is the fact that it's so damp. I also hate the slush. So does the bottom of my jeans. Yet we all soldier on. Further proof that Montreal is one terrific place to live.
Can you find anything good about the month of November? Oh sure, if you're a winter outdoor enthusiast like Andie Bennett it means you're on the fast track to snowboarding, skiing, tobogganing (the first time I've ever written the word-honest), skating and washing your long underwear. Whoopi.
The best word I can use to describe this month is: bleak. Such a bleakness to it. In hockey the Canadiens play the Sabres and Leafs and Senators and Bruins. Same teams they played in October. There's no longer a local baseball hot stove session to follow. And only once in the last 30 years have we been able to attend a Grey Cup parade. And that one-five years ago-was damn cold-even with all the whiskey.
It's also hard to ignore-especially for anybody over 45-that the world changed forever-and for a lot worse-on November 22, 1963.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFpPjjKdUds&feature=related
Thanks to Larry Robinson for helping some of us escape the darkness for a few hours on November 19th. Shame on Ron Corey, Francois Seigneur, Pierre Boivin and anybody else who dragged their rear ends while Larry lost his mother, father and older brother while waiting to be properly honored. Kudos to Larry and Lou Lamorellio for making the evening so memorable.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9rp-ewJ8mI&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKd4HJNSbQg&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZmRWz_Dyk0&feature=related
Brief observations about the Habs more than one quarter through this season....anybody still need to be "sold" on Carey Price? Imagine how good he'll be when he plays more often then once a week or every 10 days...Mark Streit's bubble has burst...time to cut back on his ice time...I admire the guy but the Habs need an upgrade on Francis Boullion...How can a team coached by Guy Carbonneau, Doug Jarvis & Kirk Muller struggle so much to kill penalties?...it's not the goaltending...Michael Ryder is almost out of time...this year's Sergei Samsonov?...If he's still stuck in neutral by the 30 game mark he ought to be replaced...I'm not at all worried about Saku Koivu but I'm still waiting for another performance like the one he delivered against Briere and the Flyers; over three weeks ago...some refs clearly have it in for Alex Kovalev..then again some refs wouldn't be in the NHL if not for the two man system...brutal calls (and non-calls) seem to be a hot topic every night...to paraphrase Pierre McGuire..where can the Habs find a guy like Rick Tocchet (circa 1992)?...or Kevin Stevens for that matter?...Bob Gainey's x-mas wish list: Olli Jokinen, Marian Hossa, Mats Sundin (3-way trade?) or Shane Doan...
The greatest hockey team of all-time ( Montreal Canadiens 1955-1960) lost another Hall of Famer this week. Tom Johnson was Doug Harvey's defense partner. And Red Fisher's drinking partner. But he never called Fisher Red. Read it and weep. And laugh:
http://www.boston.com/sports/hockey/bruins/articles/2007/11/23/heres_looking_at_you_kid/
I hate November. Worst time of the year. A clear reminder that many more dark and dreary days are ahead before we finally see the sun again on a regular basis. It's cold but far worse for me is the fact that it's so damp. I also hate the slush. So does the bottom of my jeans. Yet we all soldier on. Further proof that Montreal is one terrific place to live.
Can you find anything good about the month of November? Oh sure, if you're a winter outdoor enthusiast like Andie Bennett it means you're on the fast track to snowboarding, skiing, tobogganing (the first time I've ever written the word-honest), skating and washing your long underwear. Whoopi.
The best word I can use to describe this month is: bleak. Such a bleakness to it. In hockey the Canadiens play the Sabres and Leafs and Senators and Bruins. Same teams they played in October. There's no longer a local baseball hot stove session to follow. And only once in the last 30 years have we been able to attend a Grey Cup parade. And that one-five years ago-was damn cold-even with all the whiskey.
It's also hard to ignore-especially for anybody over 45-that the world changed forever-and for a lot worse-on November 22, 1963.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFpPjjKdUds&feature=related
Thanks to Larry Robinson for helping some of us escape the darkness for a few hours on November 19th. Shame on Ron Corey, Francois Seigneur, Pierre Boivin and anybody else who dragged their rear ends while Larry lost his mother, father and older brother while waiting to be properly honored. Kudos to Larry and Lou Lamorellio for making the evening so memorable.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9rp-ewJ8mI&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKd4HJNSbQg&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZmRWz_Dyk0&feature=related
Brief observations about the Habs more than one quarter through this season....anybody still need to be "sold" on Carey Price? Imagine how good he'll be when he plays more often then once a week or every 10 days...Mark Streit's bubble has burst...time to cut back on his ice time...I admire the guy but the Habs need an upgrade on Francis Boullion...How can a team coached by Guy Carbonneau, Doug Jarvis & Kirk Muller struggle so much to kill penalties?...it's not the goaltending...Michael Ryder is almost out of time...this year's Sergei Samsonov?...If he's still stuck in neutral by the 30 game mark he ought to be replaced...I'm not at all worried about Saku Koivu but I'm still waiting for another performance like the one he delivered against Briere and the Flyers; over three weeks ago...some refs clearly have it in for Alex Kovalev..then again some refs wouldn't be in the NHL if not for the two man system...brutal calls (and non-calls) seem to be a hot topic every night...to paraphrase Pierre McGuire..where can the Habs find a guy like Rick Tocchet (circa 1992)?...or Kevin Stevens for that matter?...Bob Gainey's x-mas wish list: Olli Jokinen, Marian Hossa, Mats Sundin (3-way trade?) or Shane Doan...
The greatest hockey team of all-time ( Montreal Canadiens 1955-1960) lost another Hall of Famer this week. Tom Johnson was Doug Harvey's defense partner. And Red Fisher's drinking partner. But he never called Fisher Red. Read it and weep. And laugh:
http://www.boston.com/sports/hockey/bruins/articles/2007/11/23/heres_looking_at_you_kid/
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Bye Bye Barry (and Cristobal); Hello (Again) A-Rod; RIP Norman
Thursday November 15, 7:45 PM
Poor Cristobal Huet. Quickly becoming the Rodney Dangerfield of the Montreal Canadiens. If NHL GM's outside of Montreal feel as strongly about the guy as some hardcore Hab fans do, then those very fans ought to rejoice. Because they'll get to see their man play a lot of hockey over the next couple of years. But they'll have to subscribe to the NHL Center Ice package to do so because Cristobal won't be here. There are many out there who believe Huet will return to Montreal with a "home town discount" but I find that far-fetched. He'll be 33 next season. He's currently making $2.75 million. He's going to return here to play 20 games-and the Habs are going to pay him about two million a year for that? I think not.
Cristobal Huet is a very good goaltender who should be creating interest among several GM's who are in search of a talented, experienced goaltender (Ray Shero?). A good team guy. And a big Bob Dylan fan. But he's on his way out as a Hab. To be remembered as the guy who forced Jose Theodore out of town (and who kept the crease warm for Carey Price).
Couldn't the Feds in the U.S. Justice Department have indicted Barry Bonds last summer? If Bonds is going to jail for lying to a grand jury then how about Bud Selig follow him into the same hole for lying to congress during the anti-trust exemption hearings which followed his announcment that MLB was going to contract the Expos and Twins. And oh, how he lied again during hearings into steroid use.
Picture it. Selig and Bonds in jail garb. Working together on a chain gang. Like Tony Curtis and Sydney Poitier in "The Defiant Ones". But those guys got paid to play a part. Selig and Bonds are paying the price. They deserve each other.
I was in New York when my favorite writer died. Norman Mailer, who lived in Brooklyn, spoke to me at a time when I was still searching for a literary hero. I tried reading many of the classics, mostly because the young woman I was in love with seemed so deep and she read 'em all-and I mean all of them, devouring one after the other (Kafka, Dostoyevsky, Thomas Mann, Camus, Jane Austen, Melville, Tolstoy, Chekov, Joseph Conrad...) until I started to go through her collection. I found it to be a chore. Too dark, too complicated for me. At the time, anyway.
I was always a political junkie, even as a kid. So I remember picking up Fear And Loathing: On the Campaign Trail '72 by a guy named Hunter S. Thompson. And howled for days. Which then led me directly to Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and Hell's Angels. And I was hooked. It was through Thompson that I discovered Mailer.
I read The Naked And The Dead in one night. I couldn't believe it was written by a 25 year old. I then managed to find, mostly through the help at Cheap Thrills, everything Mailer had written.
If he wasn't America's finest novelist (too many clunkers) in my mind he was it's finest reporter.
If anybody wants to know what the 1960's were about read The Armies of The Night. He also chronicled the space program (Of a Fire on The Moon), politics, pop culture and sports. His masterpiece, The Executioner's Song, was essentially a reporting job on murderer Gary Gilmore's right to have himself executed. The book won the Pulitzer prize for literature.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/10/books/11mailer.html?ex=1210309200&en=52a0dcec1e5801af&ei=5087&excamp=GGGNnormanmailer&WT.srch=1&WT.mc_ev=click&WT.mc_id=GN-S-E-GG-NA-S-norman_mailer
And here's a terrific piece by Mark Kriegel on Mailer's love for boxing:
http://msn.foxsports.com/boxing/story/7441264
Mailer was a man who inspired me greatly. Somebody I wish I had the opportunity to interview. Or at least thank.
This week marked the 25th anniversary of the Ray Mancini-Duk Koo Kim championship fight in Las Vegas which resulted in the death of Kim. Long time boxing writer Ron Borges puts it in perspective:
http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=3107079
A-Rod back to the Yankees for even more money than what Tom Hicks paid him in Texas? Hank and Hal Steinbrenner have made it obvious in a hurry. Like father like son(s).
Poor Cristobal Huet. Quickly becoming the Rodney Dangerfield of the Montreal Canadiens. If NHL GM's outside of Montreal feel as strongly about the guy as some hardcore Hab fans do, then those very fans ought to rejoice. Because they'll get to see their man play a lot of hockey over the next couple of years. But they'll have to subscribe to the NHL Center Ice package to do so because Cristobal won't be here. There are many out there who believe Huet will return to Montreal with a "home town discount" but I find that far-fetched. He'll be 33 next season. He's currently making $2.75 million. He's going to return here to play 20 games-and the Habs are going to pay him about two million a year for that? I think not.
Cristobal Huet is a very good goaltender who should be creating interest among several GM's who are in search of a talented, experienced goaltender (Ray Shero?). A good team guy. And a big Bob Dylan fan. But he's on his way out as a Hab. To be remembered as the guy who forced Jose Theodore out of town (and who kept the crease warm for Carey Price).
Couldn't the Feds in the U.S. Justice Department have indicted Barry Bonds last summer? If Bonds is going to jail for lying to a grand jury then how about Bud Selig follow him into the same hole for lying to congress during the anti-trust exemption hearings which followed his announcment that MLB was going to contract the Expos and Twins. And oh, how he lied again during hearings into steroid use.
Picture it. Selig and Bonds in jail garb. Working together on a chain gang. Like Tony Curtis and Sydney Poitier in "The Defiant Ones". But those guys got paid to play a part. Selig and Bonds are paying the price. They deserve each other.
I was in New York when my favorite writer died. Norman Mailer, who lived in Brooklyn, spoke to me at a time when I was still searching for a literary hero. I tried reading many of the classics, mostly because the young woman I was in love with seemed so deep and she read 'em all-and I mean all of them, devouring one after the other (Kafka, Dostoyevsky, Thomas Mann, Camus, Jane Austen, Melville, Tolstoy, Chekov, Joseph Conrad...) until I started to go through her collection. I found it to be a chore. Too dark, too complicated for me. At the time, anyway.
I was always a political junkie, even as a kid. So I remember picking up Fear And Loathing: On the Campaign Trail '72 by a guy named Hunter S. Thompson. And howled for days. Which then led me directly to Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and Hell's Angels. And I was hooked. It was through Thompson that I discovered Mailer.
I read The Naked And The Dead in one night. I couldn't believe it was written by a 25 year old. I then managed to find, mostly through the help at Cheap Thrills, everything Mailer had written.
If he wasn't America's finest novelist (too many clunkers) in my mind he was it's finest reporter.
If anybody wants to know what the 1960's were about read The Armies of The Night. He also chronicled the space program (Of a Fire on The Moon), politics, pop culture and sports. His masterpiece, The Executioner's Song, was essentially a reporting job on murderer Gary Gilmore's right to have himself executed. The book won the Pulitzer prize for literature.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/10/books/11mailer.html?ex=1210309200&en=52a0dcec1e5801af&ei=5087&excamp=GGGNnormanmailer&WT.srch=1&WT.mc_ev=click&WT.mc_id=GN-S-E-GG-NA-S-norman_mailer
And here's a terrific piece by Mark Kriegel on Mailer's love for boxing:
http://msn.foxsports.com/boxing/story/7441264
Mailer was a man who inspired me greatly. Somebody I wish I had the opportunity to interview. Or at least thank.
This week marked the 25th anniversary of the Ray Mancini-Duk Koo Kim championship fight in Las Vegas which resulted in the death of Kim. Long time boxing writer Ron Borges puts it in perspective:
http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=3107079
A-Rod back to the Yankees for even more money than what Tom Hicks paid him in Texas? Hank and Hal Steinbrenner have made it obvious in a hurry. Like father like son(s).
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Schilling, Shula & Shots on Huet
Tuesday November 6, 7:45 PM
Red Sox in three games was an accurate call in the world series wasn't it? I mean, you knew it was over after they took a 3-0 lead, right? The Red Sox second world championship since 2004 has resulted in a parade of appearances on various variety and late night talk shows (until the writer's strike got in the way). I especially enjoyed Manny Ramirez on The Tonight Show w/Jay Leno. I stopped watching Leno years ago. Great stand up comic. Horrible host. Best thing you can say about him is that he's a better talk show host than, say, Chevy Chase. Or Pat Sajak. Or Alan Thicke. Or John McEnroe. Anyway, an example of why Bill Lee, among others, loves Manny (check NESN video, about halfway down the page, on left):
http://www.boston.com/sports/
Further proof technology is taking us places we thought we'd never go: Curt Schilling announces he's re-signing with the Red Sox before the team does, with their permission:
http://www.38pitches.com/
Cristobal Huet looked a lot like Carey Price in goal as he shutout the Buffalo Sabres monday night. In perfect position, making tough saves look not so tough. Quiet, not flopping around. Now if he can only learn how to handle the puck like Price...Michael Ryder needs a puck to bounce off his rear end and into the net and then watch, he'll pull a Brian Savage and score five or six goals over two or three games...Andrei Markov is a legit all star defenseman right now...Mike Komisarek is on his way....Anybody still think letting Sheldon Souray go was a mistake?...I keep hearing people complain that Chris Higgins doesn't have much "finish". What do people expect, a 40-45 goal season?...Higgins reminds me a lot of Rod Brindamour...Where are the poppies on the two french round table shows (110% & La Zone)?...There's a new book out about Patrick Roy, written by Roy's father Michel. Wonder if Mathieu ("He's a cancer in the room") Schneider plans to read it:
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/10811-Patrick-Roys-dad-aims-to-correct-image-of-his-son-in-new-Quebec-book.html
The single season greatest team in NFL history is the 1972 Miami Dolphins. No ifs, and's, but's, or maybe's. Those Dolphins, led by a Hall of Fame coach & GM, a solid QB, a sensational running game and tremendous defense, were perfect 35 years ago. Hard to beat perfection.
If this year's New England Patriots go all the way to a Super Bowl championship without losing, they move past the Dolphins, again no if's, and's, etc. even though Don Shula would have you believe otherwise:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21655235/
http://www.miamidolphins.com/newsite/history/1972perfectseason/1972perfectseason.asp
The Jimi Hendrix Experience Live At Monterey has been re-released on cd & dvd. I have original album and cd, plus the entire Monterey Pop Festival (1967) on cd & dvd but it's Hendrix so of course I bought it. What I had forgotten was the less than enthusiastic response Jimi got for his first major concert in his homeland. Actually, there was a lot of stunned slilence before, during and after he"sacrificed" his guitar to express his "love". If you care about the history of rock and roll it's a must-have *****
http://www.hendrixatmonterey.com/
Also listening to "I'm Not There", the soundtrack to the much discussed Todd Haynes biopic on Bob Dylan. I was lucky enough to see the movie a few weeks back with my pal Terry Haig (who's in it-briefly) and can't wait to see it again later this month. I'm certain most Dylan fans will expect nothing less than a beautiful, mind-blowing experience. It was for me.
http://www.imnotthere-movie.com/
Standout performances on the cd are Eddie Vedder on "All Along The Watchtower"; Jim James (My Morning Jacket) & Calexico on "Goin' To Acapulco"; the amazing Cat Power on "Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again"; John Doe on "Pressing On"; Los Lobos on "Billy 1"; Jeff Tweedy (Wilco) on "Simple Twist Of Fate"; and Mark Lanegan on "Man In The Long Black Coat". And that's only disc one.
http://www.amazon.com/Im-Not-There-Original-Soundtrack/dp/B000VS6P9Q
Eric Lindros, we hardly knew ya.
Red Sox in three games was an accurate call in the world series wasn't it? I mean, you knew it was over after they took a 3-0 lead, right? The Red Sox second world championship since 2004 has resulted in a parade of appearances on various variety and late night talk shows (until the writer's strike got in the way). I especially enjoyed Manny Ramirez on The Tonight Show w/Jay Leno. I stopped watching Leno years ago. Great stand up comic. Horrible host. Best thing you can say about him is that he's a better talk show host than, say, Chevy Chase. Or Pat Sajak. Or Alan Thicke. Or John McEnroe. Anyway, an example of why Bill Lee, among others, loves Manny (check NESN video, about halfway down the page, on left):
http://www.boston.com/sports/
Further proof technology is taking us places we thought we'd never go: Curt Schilling announces he's re-signing with the Red Sox before the team does, with their permission:
http://www.38pitches.com/
Cristobal Huet looked a lot like Carey Price in goal as he shutout the Buffalo Sabres monday night. In perfect position, making tough saves look not so tough. Quiet, not flopping around. Now if he can only learn how to handle the puck like Price...Michael Ryder needs a puck to bounce off his rear end and into the net and then watch, he'll pull a Brian Savage and score five or six goals over two or three games...Andrei Markov is a legit all star defenseman right now...Mike Komisarek is on his way....Anybody still think letting Sheldon Souray go was a mistake?...I keep hearing people complain that Chris Higgins doesn't have much "finish". What do people expect, a 40-45 goal season?...Higgins reminds me a lot of Rod Brindamour...Where are the poppies on the two french round table shows (110% & La Zone)?...There's a new book out about Patrick Roy, written by Roy's father Michel. Wonder if Mathieu ("He's a cancer in the room") Schneider plans to read it:
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/10811-Patrick-Roys-dad-aims-to-correct-image-of-his-son-in-new-Quebec-book.html
The single season greatest team in NFL history is the 1972 Miami Dolphins. No ifs, and's, but's, or maybe's. Those Dolphins, led by a Hall of Fame coach & GM, a solid QB, a sensational running game and tremendous defense, were perfect 35 years ago. Hard to beat perfection.
If this year's New England Patriots go all the way to a Super Bowl championship without losing, they move past the Dolphins, again no if's, and's, etc. even though Don Shula would have you believe otherwise:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21655235/
http://www.miamidolphins.com/newsite/history/1972perfectseason/1972perfectseason.asp
The Jimi Hendrix Experience Live At Monterey has been re-released on cd & dvd. I have original album and cd, plus the entire Monterey Pop Festival (1967) on cd & dvd but it's Hendrix so of course I bought it. What I had forgotten was the less than enthusiastic response Jimi got for his first major concert in his homeland. Actually, there was a lot of stunned slilence before, during and after he"sacrificed" his guitar to express his "love". If you care about the history of rock and roll it's a must-have *****
http://www.hendrixatmonterey.com/
Also listening to "I'm Not There", the soundtrack to the much discussed Todd Haynes biopic on Bob Dylan. I was lucky enough to see the movie a few weeks back with my pal Terry Haig (who's in it-briefly) and can't wait to see it again later this month. I'm certain most Dylan fans will expect nothing less than a beautiful, mind-blowing experience. It was for me.
http://www.imnotthere-movie.com/
Standout performances on the cd are Eddie Vedder on "All Along The Watchtower"; Jim James (My Morning Jacket) & Calexico on "Goin' To Acapulco"; the amazing Cat Power on "Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again"; John Doe on "Pressing On"; Los Lobos on "Billy 1"; Jeff Tweedy (Wilco) on "Simple Twist Of Fate"; and Mark Lanegan on "Man In The Long Black Coat". And that's only disc one.
http://www.amazon.com/Im-Not-There-Original-Soundtrack/dp/B000VS6P9Q
Eric Lindros, we hardly knew ya.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Red Sox in 3; A Grand Alex-Music To My Ears
Thursday Oct 25, 7:55 PM
I dont much care about this year's world series. As outlined earlier I feel for the long suffering fans in Cleveland. I guess it really was too much to ask for an Indians-Cubs series. Boston? Fine. But Colorado? I realize what they did to win the National League pennant but I just can't get excited over it. Red Sox-Mets; now you're talking. Red Sox-Phillies would have been interesting (Francona, Schilling back in Philly, a slugfest almost every night). But the fact that the Rockies are, statistically, one of the great defensive teams of all time? Yawn. I appreciate defense. I wish that boxscores could add another category-RS, as in" runs saved". But unless you can promise me Brooks Robinson circa 1970 or Graig Nettles circa '76 or Ozzie Smith in 1987, I'm not going to tune in to watch it.
The Red Sox had their scare. The only major league team close to them all season was Cleveland. The ALCS was in fact the World Series. It ends this weekend. I'll be watching hockey.
1,000 games for Alex Kovalev. !,000 headaches for 15 different coaches. I love the guy. Just imagine, if he had players other than Plekanic, Samsanov, Perezhogin, Ribeiro, Bulis, or Zednick as linemates the last three seasons. Oh, wait. In the 2004 playoffs he scored six goals and 10 points in 11 games, playing alongside Saku Koivu & Zednick. Imagine, say, Jaromir Jagr by his side. Or Peter Forsberg. Or Joe Thornton. Oh, wait again. We know what he can do playing with Jagr (mostly on the power play). Kovalev's career needs to be examined carefully. When not hampered by injuries he has put up solid numbers. When those numbers have dipped it hasn't all been on him. Toward the end of his first tenure in New York, Kovalev had as teammates/centermen a past his prime, the puck-is-mine-not-yours-Alex, Wayne Gretzky. And a past his prime Mark Messier. He gets sent to Pittsburgh. Re-born, playing mostly alongside Robert Lang and Martin Straka and part of one of hockey's great power plays with Jagr and Mario Lemieux. He remains effective offensively-even without Lang-on a terrible Penguins team. Sent back to New York he meets up again with a now 43 year old Messier. A past his prime Eric Lindros. And that noted play-making centerman at nine million a year Bobby Holik. Then it's onto Montreal for Josef Balej (when does Bob Gainey get full credit for that?). Other than Koivu, briefly, Kovalev has not had a centerman or linemates that fit his talent. That's an organization failure, not Kovalev's. Just watch, as I have since he got here, how many times Kovalev puts his teammates in a position to score. Rarely have I seen a talent with the Habs as good from the blueline in as Kovalev. While he still might not have the perfect centerman or linemates he's getting the opportunity to create offense on the power play. A major reason the team does not (so far) miss Sheldon Souray. Long live Alex.
While game one of the World Series was played at Fenway I was at Club Lambi for a cd launch party for The Jimmyriggers. Local musicians Andre Kirchoff, Ram Krishnan (yes the same guy who pours at Grumpy's) & David Pearce (son of Brent who used to sit in for Ted Tevan way back when) deliver the goods for the alt/country, country/rock crowd. The cd is Traveling Salesman, Killer On the Run...*** www.myspace.com/thejimmyriggers
More music you might have interest in with the holiday season approaching:
Ryan Adams: Easy Tiger *** 1/2 Tight, focused, happy; let's hope his Halloween Head is history
Johnny Cash: The Great Lost Performance *** 1990 Concert at Asbury Park before his American revival; rare live nuggets on this one http://www.invitatiionline.ro/johnny-cash-the-great-lost-performance-2007/
Guy Clark: Workbench Songs *** 1/2 Master craftsman whos songs never grow old
http://www.guyclark.com/
John Doe: A Year In The Wilderness **** Founding member of X delivers his best solo work with help from Dave Alvin, Kathleen Edwards & Aimee Mann http://www.yeproc.com/artist_info.php?artistId=9863
Goin' Home (A Tribute To Fats Domino) *** 1/2 Whos Who of Music biz salute New Orleans legend who lost his home and gold records in Katrina; first cd is a treat, second is just ok; the cause makes it worthwhile http://www.tipitinasfoundation.com/
Dropkick Murphys: The Meanest of Times **** My favorite Murphys cd; the title says it all spewed out with pure punk energy and anger; snaps, crackels but no pop; at Metropolis NOV 17
http://www.dropkickmurphys.com/
Steve Earle: Washington Square Serenade **** New Greenwich Village resident pays homage to his new home and new wife (Allison Moorer) http://www.steveearle.com/
Bryan Ferry: Dylaneque *** 1/2 Rolled my eyes when first heard of this Dylan tribute but it works. Try to find DVD to go with it http://www.bryanferry.com/
John Fogerty: Revival **** 1/2 Fantastic return to form with guitar heavy licks any punk band would be proud of; some great songs about American nightmare in Iraq http://www.johnfogerty.com/
Steve Forbert: Strange Names & New Sensations *** Workingman's musician now selling cd's on line and at live gigs; still worth listening to http://www.steveforbert.com/
Mary Gauthier: Between Daylight and Dark *** 1/2 pronounced Go-shay; gifted songwriter; some bleak stuff here http://www.marygauthier.com/
Ian Hunter: Shrunken Heads **** One of my all time favorite artists still going strong with well aimed swipes at Bush and neocons http://www.ianhunter.com/shrunkenus.shtml
Lee Hazelwood: Cake Or Death *** Legendary renegade songwriter knew he was dying while recording this; features original version of (These) Boots with Duane Eddy on guitar
http://www.everrecords.com/index.php
The Hold Steady: Boys And Girls In America **** Rock and roll party album of the year
http://www.theholdsteady.com/
Mark Knopfler: Kill To Get Crimson *** 1/2 Following tributes to U.S. in his last two albums Knopfler returns home to chronicle many lives; as close to a musical novel as you'll hear
http://www.mark-knopfler.com/
Jimmy LaFave: Cimarron Manifesto **** Gorgeous originals and three beautiful covers (including a striking re-working of Donovan's "Catch The Wind") by Montreal's favorite Austin musician; watch for november gig http://www.redhouserecords.com/LaFave.html
Bettye LaVette: The Scene Of The Crime *** 1/2 Soul great backed by Drive By Truckers recorded at Muscle Shoals http://www.bettyelavette.com/
Nick Lowe: At My Age ** 1/2 Nick doing the crooning thing; and so it goes...
http://www.nicklowe.net/
Joni Mitchell: Shine ** I admit it...I don't get it. I tried, I really did. Maybe you have to see the dances that go with it....or just read the lyrics and hum http://www.jonimitchell.com/
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss: Raising Sand **** 1/2 Beautiful; haunting versions of songs by The Everly Brothers, Tom Waits, Mel Tillis, Townes Van Zandt and the late, under appreciated Gene Clark; masterfully prodcued-as usual-by T-Bone Burnett who also backs up in the band which also features Norman Blake and Marc Ribot. A stunner. And Alison Krauss never looked so hot http://www.robertplant.com/
http://www.alisonkrauss.com/
http://www.tboneburnett.com/
Grace Potter And The Nocturnals: This is Somewhere **** I love this cd. Vermont resident Potter can rock and pop and write a damn good tune. If you want to feel what life is like for a young rock and roll band while touring "This" is it (along with Kings of Leon's "Aha Shake Heartbreak") . http://www.gracepotter.com/
Rilo Kiley: Under The Blacklight ** 1/2 Not nearly as good as Potter and nowehere near as good as the solo cd by lead singer Jenny Lewis http://www.rilokiley.com/
Tom Russell: Wounded Heart Of America (Tom Russell Songs) *** It's Russell songs covered by everyone from Johnny Cash to Ian Tyson to poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti plus a couple of new songs by the man himself http://www.hightone.com/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=138&products_id=335&osCsid=302073d13202e6e38e01a85dfc3bb1d8
Patti Scialfa: Play It As It Lays *** 1/2 I love her soulful voice; look for clues about her marriage to The Boss and you might actually find a couple; now if Bruce really had balls he'd let her open for him http://www.pattiscialfa.net/
Suzanne Vega: Beauty & Crime *** Vega's love letter to New York City http://www.suzannevega.com/
Porter Wagoner: Wagonmaster *** 1/2 The real thing; still sounding great at 80; lovingly produced and arranged by Marty Stuart http://www.anti.com/artist.php?id=42
The Weakerthans: Reunion Tour **** Tasteful, literary punk by Winnipeg Indies; includes "Elegy For Gump Worsley"; be sure to catch them Nov 2 at Le National http://www.myspace.com/theweakerthans
Neil Young: Chrome Dreams II **** It's getting mixed reviews but I can't get enough right now; some critics suggest "Ordinary People" is way too long at over 18:00. I say who cares how long a song is if it moves you? I think the song is fucking brilliant and I've heard it over a dozen times by now; like the ride home it seems to get shorter and shorter with each listen; if you're a big Neil Young (or Dylan, Van Morrison, Leonard Cohen, Elvis Costello) fan you've already dismissed what critics say. Buy/Download it now http://www.neilyoung.com/
I dont much care about this year's world series. As outlined earlier I feel for the long suffering fans in Cleveland. I guess it really was too much to ask for an Indians-Cubs series. Boston? Fine. But Colorado? I realize what they did to win the National League pennant but I just can't get excited over it. Red Sox-Mets; now you're talking. Red Sox-Phillies would have been interesting (Francona, Schilling back in Philly, a slugfest almost every night). But the fact that the Rockies are, statistically, one of the great defensive teams of all time? Yawn. I appreciate defense. I wish that boxscores could add another category-RS, as in" runs saved". But unless you can promise me Brooks Robinson circa 1970 or Graig Nettles circa '76 or Ozzie Smith in 1987, I'm not going to tune in to watch it.
The Red Sox had their scare. The only major league team close to them all season was Cleveland. The ALCS was in fact the World Series. It ends this weekend. I'll be watching hockey.
1,000 games for Alex Kovalev. !,000 headaches for 15 different coaches. I love the guy. Just imagine, if he had players other than Plekanic, Samsanov, Perezhogin, Ribeiro, Bulis, or Zednick as linemates the last three seasons. Oh, wait. In the 2004 playoffs he scored six goals and 10 points in 11 games, playing alongside Saku Koivu & Zednick. Imagine, say, Jaromir Jagr by his side. Or Peter Forsberg. Or Joe Thornton. Oh, wait again. We know what he can do playing with Jagr (mostly on the power play). Kovalev's career needs to be examined carefully. When not hampered by injuries he has put up solid numbers. When those numbers have dipped it hasn't all been on him. Toward the end of his first tenure in New York, Kovalev had as teammates/centermen a past his prime, the puck-is-mine-not-yours-Alex, Wayne Gretzky. And a past his prime Mark Messier. He gets sent to Pittsburgh. Re-born, playing mostly alongside Robert Lang and Martin Straka and part of one of hockey's great power plays with Jagr and Mario Lemieux. He remains effective offensively-even without Lang-on a terrible Penguins team. Sent back to New York he meets up again with a now 43 year old Messier. A past his prime Eric Lindros. And that noted play-making centerman at nine million a year Bobby Holik. Then it's onto Montreal for Josef Balej (when does Bob Gainey get full credit for that?). Other than Koivu, briefly, Kovalev has not had a centerman or linemates that fit his talent. That's an organization failure, not Kovalev's. Just watch, as I have since he got here, how many times Kovalev puts his teammates in a position to score. Rarely have I seen a talent with the Habs as good from the blueline in as Kovalev. While he still might not have the perfect centerman or linemates he's getting the opportunity to create offense on the power play. A major reason the team does not (so far) miss Sheldon Souray. Long live Alex.
While game one of the World Series was played at Fenway I was at Club Lambi for a cd launch party for The Jimmyriggers. Local musicians Andre Kirchoff, Ram Krishnan (yes the same guy who pours at Grumpy's) & David Pearce (son of Brent who used to sit in for Ted Tevan way back when) deliver the goods for the alt/country, country/rock crowd. The cd is Traveling Salesman, Killer On the Run...*** www.myspace.com/thejimmyriggers
More music you might have interest in with the holiday season approaching:
Ryan Adams: Easy Tiger *** 1/2 Tight, focused, happy; let's hope his Halloween Head is history
Johnny Cash: The Great Lost Performance *** 1990 Concert at Asbury Park before his American revival; rare live nuggets on this one http://www.invitatiionline.ro/johnny-cash-the-great-lost-performance-2007/
Guy Clark: Workbench Songs *** 1/2 Master craftsman whos songs never grow old
http://www.guyclark.com/
John Doe: A Year In The Wilderness **** Founding member of X delivers his best solo work with help from Dave Alvin, Kathleen Edwards & Aimee Mann http://www.yeproc.com/artist_info.php?artistId=9863
Goin' Home (A Tribute To Fats Domino) *** 1/2 Whos Who of Music biz salute New Orleans legend who lost his home and gold records in Katrina; first cd is a treat, second is just ok; the cause makes it worthwhile http://www.tipitinasfoundation.com/
Dropkick Murphys: The Meanest of Times **** My favorite Murphys cd; the title says it all spewed out with pure punk energy and anger; snaps, crackels but no pop; at Metropolis NOV 17
http://www.dropkickmurphys.com/
Steve Earle: Washington Square Serenade **** New Greenwich Village resident pays homage to his new home and new wife (Allison Moorer) http://www.steveearle.com/
Bryan Ferry: Dylaneque *** 1/2 Rolled my eyes when first heard of this Dylan tribute but it works. Try to find DVD to go with it http://www.bryanferry.com/
John Fogerty: Revival **** 1/2 Fantastic return to form with guitar heavy licks any punk band would be proud of; some great songs about American nightmare in Iraq http://www.johnfogerty.com/
Steve Forbert: Strange Names & New Sensations *** Workingman's musician now selling cd's on line and at live gigs; still worth listening to http://www.steveforbert.com/
Mary Gauthier: Between Daylight and Dark *** 1/2 pronounced Go-shay; gifted songwriter; some bleak stuff here http://www.marygauthier.com/
Ian Hunter: Shrunken Heads **** One of my all time favorite artists still going strong with well aimed swipes at Bush and neocons http://www.ianhunter.com/shrunkenus.shtml
Lee Hazelwood: Cake Or Death *** Legendary renegade songwriter knew he was dying while recording this; features original version of (These) Boots with Duane Eddy on guitar
http://www.everrecords.com/index.php
The Hold Steady: Boys And Girls In America **** Rock and roll party album of the year
http://www.theholdsteady.com/
Mark Knopfler: Kill To Get Crimson *** 1/2 Following tributes to U.S. in his last two albums Knopfler returns home to chronicle many lives; as close to a musical novel as you'll hear
http://www.mark-knopfler.com/
Jimmy LaFave: Cimarron Manifesto **** Gorgeous originals and three beautiful covers (including a striking re-working of Donovan's "Catch The Wind") by Montreal's favorite Austin musician; watch for november gig http://www.redhouserecords.com/LaFave.html
Bettye LaVette: The Scene Of The Crime *** 1/2 Soul great backed by Drive By Truckers recorded at Muscle Shoals http://www.bettyelavette.com/
Nick Lowe: At My Age ** 1/2 Nick doing the crooning thing; and so it goes...
http://www.nicklowe.net/
Joni Mitchell: Shine ** I admit it...I don't get it. I tried, I really did. Maybe you have to see the dances that go with it....or just read the lyrics and hum http://www.jonimitchell.com/
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss: Raising Sand **** 1/2 Beautiful; haunting versions of songs by The Everly Brothers, Tom Waits, Mel Tillis, Townes Van Zandt and the late, under appreciated Gene Clark; masterfully prodcued-as usual-by T-Bone Burnett who also backs up in the band which also features Norman Blake and Marc Ribot. A stunner. And Alison Krauss never looked so hot http://www.robertplant.com/
http://www.alisonkrauss.com/
http://www.tboneburnett.com/
Grace Potter And The Nocturnals: This is Somewhere **** I love this cd. Vermont resident Potter can rock and pop and write a damn good tune. If you want to feel what life is like for a young rock and roll band while touring "This" is it (along with Kings of Leon's "Aha Shake Heartbreak") . http://www.gracepotter.com/
Rilo Kiley: Under The Blacklight ** 1/2 Not nearly as good as Potter and nowehere near as good as the solo cd by lead singer Jenny Lewis http://www.rilokiley.com/
Tom Russell: Wounded Heart Of America (Tom Russell Songs) *** It's Russell songs covered by everyone from Johnny Cash to Ian Tyson to poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti plus a couple of new songs by the man himself http://www.hightone.com/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=138&products_id=335&osCsid=302073d13202e6e38e01a85dfc3bb1d8
Patti Scialfa: Play It As It Lays *** 1/2 I love her soulful voice; look for clues about her marriage to The Boss and you might actually find a couple; now if Bruce really had balls he'd let her open for him http://www.pattiscialfa.net/
Suzanne Vega: Beauty & Crime *** Vega's love letter to New York City http://www.suzannevega.com/
Porter Wagoner: Wagonmaster *** 1/2 The real thing; still sounding great at 80; lovingly produced and arranged by Marty Stuart http://www.anti.com/artist.php?id=42
The Weakerthans: Reunion Tour **** Tasteful, literary punk by Winnipeg Indies; includes "Elegy For Gump Worsley"; be sure to catch them Nov 2 at Le National http://www.myspace.com/theweakerthans
Neil Young: Chrome Dreams II **** It's getting mixed reviews but I can't get enough right now; some critics suggest "Ordinary People" is way too long at over 18:00. I say who cares how long a song is if it moves you? I think the song is fucking brilliant and I've heard it over a dozen times by now; like the ride home it seems to get shorter and shorter with each listen; if you're a big Neil Young (or Dylan, Van Morrison, Leonard Cohen, Elvis Costello) fan you've already dismissed what critics say. Buy/Download it now http://www.neilyoung.com/
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