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Useless Things Need Love Too

Useless Things Need Love Too

Monthly Archives: November 2016

Bell’s Christmas Ale or: The Less Desirables Beer of the Week

30 Wednesday Nov 2016

Posted by TGBII in Beer

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

Beer, BeerAdvocate, Bell's Brewery, Christmas Ale, City Beverage, RateBeer, The Less Desirables, Untappd

Salutations™!!

City Beverage, the Official Beer Sponsor of The Less Desirables, presents Christmas Ale by Bell’s Brewery, The Less Desirables Beer of the Week.unnamed

I think I’ve mentioned, a few times, that the standard things from Bell’s, like Oberon and Two-Hearted Ale, do nothing for me, but their other things like stouts and seasonal things? I do like those. So, we’re getting to the winter beers, even though it’s 70 degrees outside, and this Christmas Ale should be just what Krampus ordered.

It’s not a traditional winter warmer, though. According to their website, it’s going to be a bit of a Scottish Ale, instead with “Michigan-grown malt from the Bell’s Farm in Shepherd, Michigan to impart dry, toasted notes along with subtle toffee flavors. A blend of hops from Michigan and the Pacific Northwest lend an earthy, herbal aroma to compliment your holiday menu, not overpower it.” Well, that sounds good to me. I like the sound of it, already.

The brew has an ABV of 5.5%, so it’s drinkable. BeerAdvocate rates it at 81 with no Bros Score. Untappd has it at 3.5 caps out of 5. Rate Beer gives it a 50 Overall with a style score of only 31. Have you tried it, yet? What did you think? If you haven’t or just have a hankering for more, then head down to 915 Burke Street and get your sixer of it. Tell them it’s the beer of the week and you’ll get 5% off your order. Tune in late tonight or early tomorrow to hear what Caitlin, Danielle, Gerald, Matt and I think about it.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“A sessionable alternative to traditional spiced winter warmers…” – Bell’s website

Strep Outta Time (redux) or: An Update

29 Tuesday Nov 2016

Posted by TGBII in Life as We Know It

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Tags

cephALEXen, CVS

Salutations™!!

So, after one day of the antibiotics, my throat is still achy but not painful. So, I guess they’re working. And, before I get told so, don’t worry, I plan on taking the things all the way to the end. I know that’s how it works and the most effective way for them to work. I get it, I’m on it, done.

Luckily, too, I’ve not developed some weird allergy to the antibiotics. I say this because once I was on something to kill staph and the first time it worked fine. The second time I got staph the same stuff put me almost into shock and I was in the hospital, almost all

cephalexin-500-mg-lup

cephALEXin

day. Turns out, I developed an allergy to sulfa. So, I have to keep away from that. I told that to The BCPF and she freaked out. I had to settle her down, it wasn’t the same thing and it hasn’t turned out the same way. I knew something was wrong 20 minutes after taking it. I think I’m good.

CephALEXin stinks, though. It smells like rotten eggs. I am not the biggest fan of eggs anyway and when I smell it, it takes my breath away, almost. Nasty. I looked it up and I see no indication of eggs being part of it. I know eggs are part of my flu shot because they ask, every time, if I’m allergic to them. Anywhat! The Keflex (what cephALEXin is) stinks. Luckily they’re small. I also am taking the CVS equivalent to Tylenol and I’m taking it in these huge gel caps. I’d say they’re half an inch long and quarter inch thick. With that sore throat, especially when it was swollen so badly, those bad boys were a biotch to swallow. Still are, even with the swelling down.

So, I know several people contacted me after yesterday’s post and I just wanted to let you all know that I’m on the road to mending. All is well or at least is well on its way to being so. I had about six hours sleep, which almost never happens, so that’s a plus; a bonus. Thanks for asking.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Do you have a cough due to cold?” – Forrest Gump

Strep Outta Time or: The Mystery Continues

28 Monday Nov 2016

Posted by TGBII in Life as We Know It, Rant

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Tags

Strep, WalMart

Salutations™!!

So, I went to the doc today. I mentioned yesterday having this nagging sore throat and whilst it is better today, it’s still a bit nagging. I was told to come in around 2:30pm, and I did. He looked in and said there was some congestion in my ears, which until he mentioned it, I wasn’t aware of. Now I feel like I can feel it, whether I can or not. He also looked in my throat and said it wasn’t strep, which was a relief. 2016-11-28-19-20-08

I’ve not had any symptoms of it, that I know of. I don’t remember ever having strep. I just know this is aching my throat, whatever it is. The nurse did ask if I still have my tonsils, which I do. It would be par for the course if I had to have them removed, though. I mean, I have gotten rid of all the other useless glands and functionaries in my body, right? My appendix in 1989 and my gall bladder a year ago. Tonsils would fulfill the trifecta; the hat trick, if you will. But, he never mentioned that.

He said he thinks it’s an infection from my allergies/sinus problems that I had a few weeks back. He said there appears to be some drainage happening back there. So, he’s putting me on some antibiotics for a week and see if that helps. I’ll still be drinking hot peppermint tea with honey, sucking on some CVS brand honey lemon Hall’s knockoff lozenges and spraying some Chloraseptic every 15 minutes until this goes away. It’s sad to eat good food when all your taste buds are numb and done from the medicinal overload. I try not to eat or drink any of it within an hour of when I think I may eat. I dunno, we’ll see if these antibiotics work. Wish me luck!

Something warm and fuzzy, though. As much as I hate Walmart, everything about them and that I have to go there because they’re generally cheaper than anywhere else, whomever filled the ‘script actually left me a personal note, which I put in the picture. I do like and appreciate that. Thanks, whoever you are.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“I have a perfect cure for a sore throat: cut it.” – Alfred Hitchcock

Silent Sunday or: Taking It Easy

27 Sunday Nov 2016

Posted by TGBII in Silent Sunday

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Salutations™!!

I got just shy of three hours of sleep. My throat hurts and is swollen. But, other than that I do feel good. I’m just tired. It’s the end of a long holiday weekend and I’m taking it off. The BCPF and I have some plans since the Steelers played (and won) on Thanksgiving Day. So, I hope your Sunday is great!

tired

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Much of your pain is the bitter potion by which the physician within you heals your sick self.” – Khalil Gibran

Who Would Do That? or: The Black Friday Madness Cure

25 Friday Nov 2016

Posted by TGBII in Uncategorized

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Tags

Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Best Buy, Black Friday, National Record Store Day, Small Buisiness Saturday, Underdog Records

Salutations™!!

So, today is Black Friday. Traditionally the biggest shopping day of the year. Lots of “specials” and “door busters” and other reasons to lure people out en masse to participate in the second largest losing of the minds this year (I’ll leave you guessing as to what was the first). In my entire adult life, I can only remember going out in this mess, maybe three times. The only one I can plainly remember was going to Office Max to get a ONE GB flash drive that was on special for $30. My how times have changed. I do think my family did it when we still lived in WV. A trip to Beckley and all that. I didn’t notice it so much because,15133988_10154390906891997_1801627864_o well, I got to hang out in Hills and play the display video games or thumb through LPs whilst “the sisters” – that’s Ma Mère and two aunties – shopped and braved the crazy.

Then as an adult, I grew to greatly dislike crowds. I love being in front of them, but hate being in the middle of them. And, you know what? It’s not really the crowds, I’m generally “okay” with that, but man, the parking, that’s the worst. It turns my stomach sitting here writing this piece and thinking about braving the crazy, sitting in a car, creeping up one aisle to find nothing, having to get into the common flow of traffic to try the next aisle and seeing nothing there, lather, rinse, repeat. The heck with that.

But, I can’t understand with the onset of internet shopping, why people would participate in the lunacy? I get wanting to hold the merch or have it instantly or whatever the reason, but is it worth that!? There are people legitimately fighting each other over a “deal” that will be just as good if not better in two to three weeks. Plus, I mean, who wants to buy a $199 (random cheapo electronics company) 75″ Ultra HD TV when it will blow out by January? People go nuts over off-brand buys in hopes that they last longer than the year til next Christmas. Wait a few weeks, go online, or better yet, visit the local stores after the initial crazy dies down and get a quality brand name that you know will last or at least know that their customer service will handle any problems.

I prefer shopping local, absolutely, but I actually will admit that I’m selfish enough to not visit local to avoid the crowds and bad parking situations. I will wait and go grab stuff later. I don’t like being herded like sheep in “Black Friday situations.”

All that being said, you should definitely go to Underdog Records today. It’s National Record Store Day as well as Black Friday. You’ll find vinyl (real) deals and things that you won’t find in any of the chain retailers like Best Buy, Barnes & Noble and even Amazon. It’s record store exclusives. Jonathan didn’t ask me to mention this, he didn’t know I was mentioning it and may never know I mentioned it (I don’t know how much he reads the blog), but I am a fan of the store and am loving collecting vinyl (I never collected back “in the day”) and want to share in the revelry with every one else. Not only is it Black Friday/National Record Store Day, tomorrow is Small Business Saturday and he qualifies as both!! Here are the specials he’s running:

Beginning Friday morning at 8 am and running through business on Saturday, come by Underdog Records for the following:

– 10% off all new vinyl (not including Record Store Day product)
– 15% off all used vinyl
– 20% off all new vinyl with a date code of 053116 or before INCLUDING the sale price of all new LPs in our clearance bin
– 25% off all used vinyl with a date code of 053116 or before
– 50% off all $1 LPs

All day Friday AND Saturday!

And there you have it! Go see him and increase the awesomeness of your vinyl collection. Support local. Avoid the mall crowds. Have fun! I plan on going in the next few hours.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“I’m a big collector of vinyl – I have a record room in my house – and I’ve always had a huge soundtrack album collection. So what I do, as I’m writing a movie, is go through all those songs, trying to find good songs for fights, or good pieces of music to layer into the film.” – Quentin Tarantino

Bird is the Word or: Happy Thanksgiving

24 Thursday Nov 2016

Posted by TGBII in Life as We Know It

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Thanksgiving

Salutations™!!

happy-thanksgiving-wishes-images

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“If you are really thankful, what do you do? You share.” – W. Clement Stone

City Beverage or: Your Pre/Post Party Hookup

23 Wednesday Nov 2016

Posted by TGBII in Beer

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Tags

City Beverage, Small Batch Beer, The Less Desirables, Wise Man Brewing

Salutations™!!

I’ve not been to City Beverage in the last 3 weeks. Not that I don’t want to go, by any means. Two weeks ago, our guests included Ryan from Small Batch Beer. Last week, it was Wise Man Brewing. Each brought their own barley juice so I didn’t need to grab any. This week, it was a truncated show (it’s already up and ready, by the way) and I grabbed something from the fridge that was already there and went with that. citybeverage

However, with all of that being said, tomorrow is Thanksgiving and I know some of you will be wanting to lube up for or after that day you spend with your ‘rents, right? Well, head on to City Bev and grab your supplies before tomorrow; have it tomorrow and be ready for Friday. Simple as that. You can get kegs, kegerator supplies, homebrew supplies and ingredients, 100s of beers and 100s of wines. They have specials and hard-to-find things and they have a knowledgeable staff, too. Spencer and Sonny and their people will do you right. Tell them that The Less Desirables sent you!

So, have a safe Thanksgiving and make sure you stock up before tomorrow.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Milk is for babies. When you grow up you have to drink beer.” – Arnold Schwarzenegger

Indeed Another or: Just What I Needed

22 Tuesday Nov 2016

Posted by TGBII in Life as We Know It, Podcasting, Rant, The Less Desirables Network

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Tags

Fan Interference, Piedmont Local Magazine, Sipping NC: The Art of the Drink, The Beer Dads, The Less Desirables, The Less Desirables Network, The Man Who Ate the Town, The Man Who Walked the Town

Salutations™!!

You know what I need? Yep, another blog. That’s exactly what I need. It’s not like The Man Who Ate the Town or The Man Who Walked the Town or The Beer Dads or Sipping NC: The Art of the Drink or this fantastical time killer that you’re reading right now, needed any help taking up my time. Add that, along with The Less Desirables, TMWATT (podcast), The Beer Dads, Fan Interference, SippingNC (and the others that I just produce) podcasts to the mix and yeah, I’m rolling in free time. *sniff* Yep, smells of sarcasm.TLDNetwork

Well, to tell the truth, the last things that I mentioned, the podcasts, or more specifically, The Less Desirables Podcast Network, is the reason for the latest of these spouting match vehicles. It’s actually called The Less Desirables Podcast Network, too. Yeah, there’s been a Twitter account and a Facebook account for TLD Network for a few years, now (and I’d appreciate if you still subscribed, followed and watch those).

The thing is, if you’ve ever listened to TLD or TBD (and you should have, Dear Reader, I don’t do those for my health, jk), you hear me have to be long-winded about how to find each show. I mention them and it would be easier to say, well, just put ‘.com’ behind each one and you’ll find the one you’re looking for. It would be easier to say but not easier to pull off, because, for one, Sipping NC isn’t a dot com, it’s dot ws (though I have registered the dot com, as well), two The Beer Dads is TheBeerDadsPodcastDotCom, and three, Fan Interference doesn’t even have a website, only Facebook and Twitter accounts, the latter which is very active. But, to go through all that, well, it takes what should be 30-45 seconds and turns it into 90-120 seconds of info.

So, whilst fiddling with a pseudo commercial for TLD to play on Fan Interference yesterday, I wondered to myself, Self… why don’t you just have a directory to catch all this on one page and be done with the long-windedness? And, truthfully, I’d been thinking about that for a while, so I decided to go ahead and do that. The first order was to register the name.

Well, there were a few considerations, details and complications in that. For starters, I didn’t want TheLessDesirablesPodcastNetwork or TheLessDesirablesNetwork dot com. I know attention spans are short these days, no offense, Dear Reader, it’s just true. I also know that even UselessThingsNeedLoveToo, while clever and, to me, funny, it’s a long URL to type in. So, I chose tldnetwork dot com. Well, apparently there’s some other company or person that already has that domain. Okay, well let’s try that dot net. Nope, also taken. After that, people aren’t going to worry about dot org and I’m not a non-profit (not that you have to be). I thought about it dot ws, but instead decided to change it. I could have called it TLDPodcastNetwork but if I’m going that far, then why not the even longer forms that I abandoned prior? Meh. I wanted something easy to type and easy to say, so I chose TLDPodNetwork dot com. Now, yes, I understand it’s only four letters shorter but it’s easier to say and rolls off the tongue easier, lessening the chance of sounding like I’m chewing on marbles. Listen, I have to make do, yeah?

Anywhat! I created a page that now I can direct people to using one common, easy-to-say web address/URL. It can be a directory/landing page for easy access to all the shows at once. It also includes embedded files of each podcasts under posts which correlates to the latest episodes, respectively. It gives a description of each show. It provides a “website” for Fan Interference. It includes Sipping NC: The Art of the Drink even though there’s no episodes released for that, yet. I have essentially killed an entire pile of proverbial stones with one bird (yeah, I know).

It will be easier, now. But, it wasn’t easy getting it going. I did a silly thing with my GoDaddy account and got a website builder, but it wouldn’t let me do what I needed. I couldn’t get that back. It was $12, but with it I got the $14 domain name for free, so I guess I saved $2, anyway? I couldn’t fool with it because I was getting ready to record Fan Interference. I had other work to do yesterday as well.

I realized that my hosting plans for TLD, TBD and Sipping all had multiple websites available and since I don’t have to have server space for this, I added it that way, including a new WordPress account.I did that at 3am this morning (zzz… or the lack thereof). One of the plugins that I use on almost all of my sites was having a glitch and that threw me off all day, today. It essentially kept me from designing my site to its potential and without the plugin I couldn’t tell how it was going to look, so I had to put it off and/or work around it all day. I finally got it set up around 4:45pm this after noon, which is why this post is late. I’m worn out and haven’t done much else other than a phone interview for Piedmont Local Magazine. My brain hurts and my eyes are sore, but I made it.

So, all that said, you can get to all of the podcasts from one place, now. You can do it by visiting HERE. We appreciate your listening. And, please, don’t hear this post as complaining, I absolutely love what I do, I am just verbose and needed to vent on it.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the contributors and are not necessarily shared by our distributors or hosting company. This podcast is copyrighted and any use of this product cannot be reproduced without written consent of Such-N-Such Limited, Inc. So don’t do it.” – disclaimer of every podcast on TLD Network.

Music Is A World Within Itself or: I Stand Up Next To A Mountain (RS Part 45)

21 Monday Nov 2016

Posted by TGBII in Music Review

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Tags

Al Green, Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Elvis Presley, Jimi Hendrix, Ray Charles, Rolling Stone, Rolling Stone Top 500 Albums, Simon and Garfunkel, Stevie Wonder, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones

Salutations™!!

The last segment of the Rolling Stone Top 500 Albums of All Time was intense. Some great stuff in that. We’re now in the Top 60. I’m whittling them down one piece at a time and speaking of which… let’s hit it!

#60 – Trout Mask Replica by Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band. Anyone want to guess what I know about Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band? Think about it for a second, I’ll wait. (whistles… taps foot… raps fingers on table)… That’s right I know 1trout_mask_replicaabsolutely nothing about them. In fact, other than maybe in passing, I’ve never even heard of them. Yes, I know that floors you, Dear Reader, and yet, comes as no surprise, whatsoever. All that said, I really wish I still didn’t know who it was and I really wish I hadn’t heard this. I remember being in high school, having only played the bass for about 2 years and getting together with a bunch of other high school musicians who also hadn’t played very long and never in a “band.” What we pulled out of our arses noodling around on instruments we barely knew our way around sounded 800x better than this. The mere fact that Frank Zappa had anything to do with it makes me question my respect for him and that was spotty to begin with. I did some research to find out more about the album before I passed harsh judgement but nothing in my readings made me feel any better about this. All I read was about how important it is and how the Magic Band was a “well-rehearsed” band for these recordings. The construction site across from the studio makes better music than this when they’re running the cement mixer, running a brick saw, riveting aluminum studs and hauling stuff around the building on heavy equipment. This is an hour+ that I will never get back. I don’t care about the “importance” of it, it sucks. Pure and simple. It’s gawd-awful. The fact that it’s on this list at all, much less Top 60? That is an atrocity. There’s no explaining to me how important or fantastic it is, because no matter the significance, there’s no changing that I got a headache from it and wanted to step in front of a passing city bus while and after listening to it. I hated this.

#59 – Chronicle by Creedence Clearwater Revival. 20 “greatest hits.”

#58 – Beggar’s Banquet by The Rolling Stones. With the exception of a few songs, this is certainly not my favorite Stones album. There are so many Stones albums that could have 1beggar_banquetsat this high, in my opinion. I’ve never made it a secret that I don’t like the bluesier stuff. This was a return to their roots (read: more blues) than the nearest previous stuff. To ME, this is less Stones than I’m used to. I know, too, that it was the last album released while Brian Jones was alive. So, there’s some kind of creepiness there, although I’m used to hearing stuff from people who have passed on. I remember listening to Pearl, it was creepy knowing that Janis had died after recording it, even one song instrumental because she died mere days before the scheduled vocal session. Creepy. Okay, sorry. To me, this album drags, almost the whole time. I like “Sympathy for the Devil” (one of my favorite Stones songs) and “Street Fighting Man.” But, the rest, meh. I can look back on this entire list and find almost any other Stones album and put it before this one. I’m not saying it doesn’t belong on the list, I get its importance. I just think most of the other albums on this list should, could or would be higher. Even the last that we listened to, Sticky Fingers, much better album than this. Tattoo You, Some Girls, all should have been higher than this, certainly higher than they were. I don’t get it, other than that roots mess. Meh, at best.

#57 – Songs in the Key of Life by Stevie Wonder. I’ll admit that this is what I listened to after Captain Beefheart and it was so refreshing to hear actual rhythms that made sense and notes that sounded like they belonged with each other. Again, the beauty you got with many of the Stevie Wonder albums is the fact that he played, not only his own 1songs_in_the_key_of_lifeinstruments but most of the instrumentation was done by him. Of course, he had guest players and this there was a great deal of them: “Maniac” Mike Sambello, Nathan Watts, Raymond Pounds, George Benson, Minnie Riperton, Herbie Hancock, just to name a few. The guest list was extensive. It’s jazz, it’s rock, it’s R&B, it’s soul, it’s everything. Great ballads, jammy jazz riffs and swinging horn sections, oh yeah! “Sir Duke.” ‘Nuff said with that. Well, maybe not ’nuff said. This album would be worth it alone just for that tune. Luckily, there’s a shload more on here to enjoy in addition. How in the world did I not know that Coolio totally ripped off Stevie with “Pastime Paradise?” I was like what the heck is that!? And, Coolio had any room to get upset when ‘Weird Al’ used “Gangsta Paradise” as one of his parodies? Yeah, perhaps he had permission from Stevie to use it, but still, it was only partly his to complain about. This version is the best of all of them, I say. I have to say, too, that synth basses in 1976 were actually more advanced than I realized. Stevie plays the crap out of it, too. The runs are like someone actually playing bass. When it is bass, it’s Nathan Watts.”I Wish,” “Isn’t She Lovely” and “Joy Inside My Tears” are some of my faves on this album. I have the video for the Classic Albums series on this album. I’ll have to break that out and watch it again. Great album from a great artist! DUG!

#56 – Elvis Presley by Elvis Presley. The King. I’ve never been a fan, but I’ve never really disliked him, either. I’ve recognized his contributions but haven’t given him a fair shake, and I’ll fully admit that; I’m not proud of it. The one that started it all. To many, it’s what actually started the rock and roll movement, setting the tone and path that pretty much everything that has been released since has followed. Even the mighty Beatles, Beach Boys, Rolling Stones pretty much owe their existence to this album, in my opinion. I certainly recognize its importance. The funny thing about this album is there are no songs over 2:43 long. So much RnR history in 28 minutes. The legendary musicians that contributed to this album is also worth mentioning: Floyd Cramer, Chet Atkins, Shorty Long and D.J. Fontana along with Elvis’ backers, Bill Black and Scotty Moore make this album a good record. These aren’t my favorite Elvis tunes, by any means, but the album is well recorded and mixed even for 1956. Some of it, I can hear and picture that rushed, deliberate performances that was common and expected from that era. A culmination of rock, soul and country & western all on one album. That would be all but unheard of these days. It’s a really good album and I promise myself, and you, Dear Listener, I’ll try to get to more Elvis and give it that “fair shake” I mentioned earlier. Some of my faves: “Blue Suede Shoes,” “I Got a Woman,” “I Love You Because,” “I’ll Never Let You Go (Little Darlin’),” “Blue Moon” 1jimi_hendrix_-_electric_ladylandand “Money Honey.” This was the first rock and roll record to sell one million copies, which makes sense since it was one the first rock records. I dug it!

#55 – Electric Ladyland by Jimi Hendrix. After the last Hendrix album I was apprehensive, especially since I’ve never really been a Hendrix fan. I don’t know what it was, but as luck would have it, it was a rare instance where I listened to one of the albums via headphones. That really has only happened on about four albums over the course of this entire countdown. No more than six. This is definitely what my buddy, Eug would call a “headphones album.” Lots of panning effects and not just sitting stationary in one position. Plus, the whole album is atmospheric and full “bodied.” The imagery of the subject matter is also vibrant. This is well, written and mostly well executed stuff. There are plenty of guest spots on this album, too: Brian Jones, Steven Winwood, Dave Mason, Buddy Miles, Al Kooper and the list goes on. One thing, I don’t want to hear anyone ever talk about how sloppy Jimmy Page’s playing is without at least acknowledging that Jimi was, too. I mean, c’mon… There’s part of this that it’s a mess, albeit a beautifully mastered mess. It’s a long album with two songs coming in over 10 minutes. On vinyl it was four sides.  Some of my favorites were: “Crosstown Traffic,” “Have You Ever Been (To Electric Ladyland),” “Rainy Day, Dream Away,” “1983… (A Merman I Should Turn to Be)” even though it was almost 14 minutes long, “Still Raining, Still Dreaming,” “All Along the Watchtower” and, of course, “Voodoo Chile (Slight Return).” This was a good Hendrix album to listen to. Experimental but still rock and what I’d expect from him. I dug it!

#54 – The Birth of Soul: The Complete Atlantic Rhythm and Blues Recordings 1952-1959 by Ray Charles. A long title. Maybe the longest of the countdown. And, it’s Ray Charles. But, not enough make me review a compilation.

#53 – Meet the Beatles by The Beatles. Talk about confusing. There’s US releases and UK releases and, generally, they’re not in the same “canon.” At least when it comes to other artists. With the Beatles (not a pun), it’s really hard to separate them. I had to piece this album together because the box set that I got was obviously the UK versions (the ones that I really want anyway) and what is offered on Rhapsody (Napster), are also the UK versions. I have all the albums and all the songs are scattered throughout them, in way or another. “I Want To Hold Your Hand” is on Past Masters, as is “This Boy.” “I Saw Her Standing There” was on Please, Please Me. Everything else was on With the Beatles. I believe it was supposed to be the equivalent of Meet… but it’s not an exact match. I’ve not looked ahead but I wonder if With… is on the list? We’ll see. I’ve always thought of the earliest Beatles era as important but I’ve always been less excited about it. This was helping to establish rock and roll, I get that, but to me The Beatles really kicked in about A Hard Day’s Night, even though that wasn’t my fave either. It was Help! that really set me off on the Beatles-train. Rubber Soul/Revolver stepped it up and then all the experimental and fancy-schmancy stuff later was my absolute favorite. All that being said, some of my favorite tunes (covers or not) are on this album: “All I’ve Got To Do,” “Till There Was You,” “I Want To Hold Your Hand” and “I Wanna Be Your Man.” I’d say if I was picking one to be my fave from here, it would be “Till There Was You.” As a collection goes, it’s fine, but I’d just as soon stick with With the Beatles. I dug it, though.

#52 – Greatest Hits by Al Green. A collection of 10 songs with an album cover showing
Reverend Al topless and looking all sexy and stuff. Still, it’s a compilation and it’s skipped.

#51 – Bridge Over Troubled Waters by Simon and 1simon_and_garfunkel_bridge_over_troubled_water_1970Garfunkel. Another album released in the year of my birth, 1970, this one is older, by 10 months. It’s the fifth album and is the swan song for the duo, each going their own way. I’m thinking it was a bit contentious, who’s with me? The album starts with the sweet “lean on me” themed title track. There were rumors that the song was about drugs (“silver girl”), but it wasn’t. Apparently, it’s about Peggy, Paul Simon’s then-wife. I love the overall feel of this album. There’s tension and there are times you can sense it but even with the deteriorating relationship of the duo going on they’re able to keep it together and make it work, even renting a house in L.A. while Art was filming Catch-22. They experimented with sounds and effects, much used during the song “Cecilia,” which is one of my favorite S&G tunes. “The Boxer,” another fave, is probably the one that took the longest to record. From what I understand, it started in 1968 and was recorded in several places over the course of almost two years. While he was the more prolific of the two, I think Paul Simon was jealous of the growing popularity of Art Garfunkel. “The Only Living Boy in New York” was the product of feeling lonely in NYC while Art was filming in Mexico. The last tune on the album, “Song for the Asking,” from what I’ve read, was like Simon and Garfunkel, each trying to reconcile and keep the channels open for future opportunities to work together. I believe they only did spot reunions after that. A landmark album that instead of boosting the duo was the sunset for them. Simon, of course, went on to monster success as a solo guy and Art didn’t do too bad, as far as I can tell. It’s a great album. Great, well-written tunes and it’s S&G, hard to go wrong with that, yeah? DUG!

So, this segment had three compilations. That sped things along, but I’d rather have heard something than skipping. Also, I was “treated” to pond water in that Captain Beefheart mess. The Stones album was a meh. Other than that, what I listened to was good and I dug them. It’s also a segment that had both a Stones and Beatles album on it. I thought that was neat. Next segment, I crack the top 50. I can’t wait, either! Thanks for reading along!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Please allow me to introduce myself. I’m a man of wealth and taste. I’ve been around for a long, long year; stole many a man’s soul to waste.” – “Sympathy for the Devil” (Richards/Jagger)

Silent Sunday or: It’s My Solar Circumnavigational Anniversary

20 Sunday Nov 2016

Posted by TGBII in Life as We Know It

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Birthday

Salutations™!!

So, today is my birthday. Number 46. I’m getting old, but it’s better than the alternative. I’ve personally thanked about 400 people today for their birthday wishes on Facebook. I make sure that I personally say thank you and not just ‘like’ the wishes. It’s social, not residual. I’m not about that. I cherish my friends and I truly do thank them for everything, not just these wishes. I appreciate every one of them being in my life. I have always said, we are our experiences and I believe that in addition to that we’re defined by those we know and interact with and how we do so. I don’t get tired of answering each. Thank you all. Thank all of you for being in my life, today and every day. You all make me, me.

TimBlog

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“The greatest gift is the ability to forget – to forget the bad things and focus on the good.” – Vice President Joe Biden (his birthday is also today!)

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