That's right, it is too nice out today to go back to the cold and snow. Baseball starts next week. This is the Cubs years! Yep, I said it! And I said it last year, and I'll probably say it next year.
It's been a busy week. That's why I'm a day late with my weekly post. Every year I do these hockey videos for my boss. He has three boys and each one is in a different age group for junior hockey, so each gets his own end of the year hockey video. We need to get them done by a date of the party and this year each party was at the last minute so that means a lot of running around trying to get them done in time. I've got two done, each one just in time (like hours before the party) and have the big one, for the older boys, next. Nothing like watching kids you don't know about play a game you don't care about for parents you've never met!
My favorite music blog, Broken Hearted Toyreviews two CD's (in my day we called the albums), Don McFunnamy'sLooking For A Clue and Apocalypse Meow'sUncovered And Unashamed. Terry also write for the Illinois Entertainer. In the latest issue he reviews You Say Party! We Say Die!, Librarians, and The Morning Benders. Plus, my profile of the new M.A.S.S. concert series at the Mary-Arrchie Theatre.
A little more from me on CD's and albums. The general thought, I believe, it that the vinyl disks of my day were albums and the little plastic things of the late 1990's were CD's. My thoughts are they are both Albums, and the difference is, one is a record and one is a compact disk. The term "Album" just refers to a collection of songs.
The podcast I would like to recommend is one called Lin's Bin. Lin Brehmer is a local radio personality on WXRT in Chicago and a few times a week he answers a listeners question in a short, funny and thoughtful way. Audio clips from every source are added creating a really entertaining 5 or so minutes. Subject matter can vary as much as The Ice Cream Man to the Seven Deadly Sins. Even if you are not from Chicago, Lin's Bin is worth a listen!
That's all I've got this week. I have to get ready for my fantasy baseball draft and a new Coffee With Jeff this weekend.
Since I'm a Photoshop guy, a co-worker sent me this YouTube video, which, according to the video, is a new feature in the upcoming Photoshop. I find it hard to believe. In a way, I hope it's not real because the easier they make Photoshop, the less need there will be for a guy like me.
The last example might be a little much.
Just read s story of three teenage girls, about 18, who were on a 500 mile bike ride. They were struck by an elderly driver, killing one girl and seriously injuring the other two. I can't imagine what the parents of these three must be going through, and what the other two, if they survive, will have to deal with. Also the old man. I'm assuming it was just a unfortunate accident. What will his remaining years be like?
Terry at Broken Hearted Toywrites a very good piece called 45 RPM Memories, A semi-regular feature about some of my favorite singles from the past. On this post he writes of The Bangles and compares their latest efforts with those of the past.
The podcast I'd like to recommend in a music podcast called The Subculture Collective / Wreckhouse Radio. Barry Monster brings a wide range of lesser known Rock and Roll music. As I write this I am listening to a band called The Tombstone Brawlers doing a rockabilly version of Iron Maiden'sNumber of the Beast. Very cool stuff. Each show is about an hour and a half. Get on iTunes (free from Apple for both PC and Mac) and start listening to this show. Also you can get it from the psychobillydeluxe.com website.
Hope every gave the Kurosawa movies all month long on TCM a chance.
My wife received the following email. Seems we "have got" a tax refund. Do you think we should give them out Visa information?
The first thing I'd like to say is I'm tired of the Gosselin's. Kate and Jon. First thing, the name John should have an "h" in it. There, I've said it! Further more, these two should NOT EVER been in the news. Every news website I go to has a story on this couple. They are not, nor will they ever be news. They got a television show just because they had a crap load of kids. The success went to their heads, he allegedly cheated on her, she said she didn't and then divorced him, and not she wants to get into acting. Hey Katie, why don’t you spend years learning you craft like most great actors instead of using your tabloid fame to cheat your way to a job!
Got that rant out of the way!
Over at the wonderful Broken Hearted Toy, Terry reviews The Urges new CD, Psyche Ward, as well as some information on the The Hollies were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame. Check out Terry's site for a very good read.
A podcast I'd like to recommend is Wiretap from CBC radio. Written and hosted by Jonathan Goldstein, it is very funny. Jonathan has a dry, witty sense of humor. Originally broadcast on Radio One: Saturdays at 1:30 p.m and Thursdays at 11:30 p.m and on Sirius Satellite 137: Fridays at 4:30 p.m., Saturdays at 3:30 a.m. & 8:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 a.m., it is also available as a podcast on iTunes and the CBC website.
Turner Classic Movies continues its Akira Kurosawa Every Tuesday, marathon to celebrate his 100 birthday. Kurosawa was a Japanese writer/director whose films are some of the most influential masterpieces ever created.TCM is showing a bunch on his films, in Japanese with English subtitles.
Last weekend my wife, Dawn and I enjoyed the music of Goin' South with a bunch of good friends including my cousin, Willy and his wife Lisa, Buddy and Threshold founder, Brian and his girlfriend, Tammy, my brother Brian and his wife Beth, A friend I have not seen for 25 years, Rick, and finally, Cassie, my childhood friend that I had not seen in too many years. If there was only one downside to the night is the fact, with so many wonderful people around, a beer was never not in my hand. In fact, usually before one beer was empty, I had another. What is wrong with that you ask? Let's just say, Jeff might not known when to say when.
Turner Classic Movies, every Tuesday, are showing Akira Kurosawa films to celebrate his 100 birthday. Kurosawa was a Japanese writer/director whose films are some of the most influential masterpieces ever created. In fact, the film Hidden Fortress was a direct influence on George Lucas's Star Wars. You might even say, George borrowed a lot from this film. Of course Akira didn't spend the rest of his life milking the story for ever penny he could get but that is a rant for another time.
Over at the one of my favorite blogs, Broken Hearted Toy, writer, actor and Holly's fanatic, Terry Flamm wrote a nice piece about in his on going series ‘zines of the past, Vintage Publication Spotlight # 5. Before there were blogs in which any idiot like me could quickly type out his thoughts and such, on created their own magazine or newspaper. These were known and 'zines. As a person who tried on more than one occasion to start his own 'zine, I can tell you it was a large undertaking.
For all you cats you get sick and tired of all the crap that radio has out there, can I suggest downloading podcasts? And I have one in particular I think you should listen to, Michael Kaiser's RadiOblivion. He provides Providing Better Living Through Discarded Music with Wild Sounds and Rock 'N' Roll. And you can check out his blog, Michael Kaiser's Haus. His podcast is available at the Garage Punk Website and iTunes.
The weather is getting warmer in the Chicago area! Woot! (woot is a word I learned from my daughter. I think it is suppose to mean good.)
And finally, here is a film to check out at Archive.org called Rock Rock Rock (1956). While the "plot" is silly and badly acted, even if it does have Tuesday Weld, the lip sinced musical numbers, introduced by Alan Freed are with watching, including Chuck Berry, LaVern Baker, and Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers.
I've got a few musical clips, but first some bad acting
The podcast I would like to recommend is one called Lin's Bin. Lin Brehmer is a local radio personality on WXRT in Chicago and a few times a week he answers a listeners question in a short, funny and thoughtful way. Audio clips from every source are added creating a really entertaining 5 or so minutes. Subject matter can vary as much as The Ice Cream Man to the Seven Deadly Sins. Even if you are not from Chicago, Lin's Bin is worth a listen!
