Satan's Luau

You can preview the Sabbath Dio Years album, with full length songs, through a QT featured music link on the Apple website. Sounds much better than my old ass cds, even through the players.

Check it out here.

Posted by at 2:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SD and I went to go see 300 on Sunday evening. I don't have too much to write about it, really. This movie is one of those oddball, popcorn movies that typically run during the summer -- very heavy on the action, the amazing visuals, well orchestrated violence, amazingly LOUD -- oh yeah, and rice paper thin plot, there really isn't much of a story behind all this sound and fury.

I suppose that some would be disappointed that this movie looks for all the world to be epic; however, it has a very limited story and a severe lack of character development ... well, it's really hard to be moved or connect with the story. It is what it is, a graphic spectacle of muscle, brawn, violence, mysticism, and extreme SFX -- it would be seem to prompt such thinking as, well, what is this all about? At the end of it, I still was not quite sure myself -- simple stuff, what is the motivation, why did this happen, what do I think about how it all ended.

It was supposed to be a highly embellished story of wonder and heroism told by from the perspective of a Spartan survivor ... I suppose if you keep that in mind, the glosses here, there, and everywhere ... well, they become slightly more understandable

But like I said, if you just go with it, it's entertaining enough -- just don't overbake it because it will fall apart under thinking and analysis. Our grade: C, good for edited airline movie fodder

Posted by at 8:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I didn't really write much when I found out about the death of Brad D. last week. Now that I have found out that it was a suicide, and perhaps learned a little too much information about the particulars, I think that the level of the tragedy has just gone up a few notches in intensity for me.

What I feel is this, sometimes it is easy to look upon our own lives and consider/wonder about how our lives are so average, normal, mundane, boring, whatever ... and we look to certain talented people in the arts, music, theatre, comics, (name your passion) as these standards of excellence -- and their work provides such a great level of enjoyment.

Never does it cross my mind that the people who I admire for their talents, well ... I never assume that they are in some way unhappy or troubled. I just naively think, well, they are so blessed with talent, fame, riches, etc. --- hmm, ergo, they must be happy and content in their lives and legacy, especially when there are no obvious self-destructive signs, particularly the tell tale signs of hard living (i.e., alcohol, drugs, trouble with the law, etc.)

When I learned the whats and wherefores about BD's death, I came to realize that what I think someone in that position would value, or find value and contentment in their lives ... well, it just may not be so to that person. I guess we all have our own demons ... and we all have our own reasons to live. Should we no longer find that enough to live on, I can see how the weight of this life ... perhaps greater if you have expectations put on you, whatever they may be -- well, I think it can pull you under.

Did that happen here? I do not know. It's sad to hear about how he cared a lot about others well being in his death, but no longer wished to live for himself or for those others that he clearly deeply cared about. One who has brought so much happiness to others, could not find happiness for himself anymore.

The music lives on, but there will be nothing new.

Posted by at 12:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

You wanna talk about pleasant surprises? 4NR's show last night was absolutely amazing. Best that I've seen from a reconstituted, nostalgia band, which is missing key personnel.

As I commented earlier when I was on the fence, they only sold half the house for the show, but this smallish crowd of probably 3000-4000 was really treated to a classic arena rock show. Just fantastic!

The additions of Jeff P (x-Dokken) on bass, Jason B. on the drums (son of the late great), and ... surprise of the night, Kelly Hansen who replaces the legendary, and I thought unreplaceable Lou G. ... were great. Kelly brings so much energy in his performance and has range for days. I didn't think it possible, but I think 4NR right now may be wayyy better than the classic lineup, like leaps and bounds better. And Mick still has really amazing chops on the guitar after all these years ... still playing wicked riffs and solos fairly effortlessly.

Often you see these recon/nosty bands reduced to playing state fairs over the summer or podunk clubs ... so I really didn't expect much at all from them, even though there are tons of gushing reviews that these guys are great. At the end of the day, I just wanted to hear these songs from my distant past live again.

I was amazed during most of the show, because I haven't felt this kind of energy at a show in quite a while, great vibe from the band, great crowd. Sometimes when it's a money (aka nostalgia) show, you just get this feeling that playing the music is supposed to be enough.

Again, I was really pleased that it seemed like they weren't just going through the motions ... this is one of those pet peeve things that kind of bothered about the last JRNY show I saw in 02, where only Steve2 seemed to be relishing the opportunity to play. Here, there was a great honesty tonight ... that 4NR was really enjoying playing for a larger crowd, and the crowd was just very appreciative to be seeing and hearing the loaded setlist, all hits top to bottom

And that's how I spent my Thursday evening ... faith restored in a old warhorse from my past. These guys can really play, and if you get a chance to see them ... by all means, go. You will absolutely not be disappointed, I am total believer

Setlist
Double Vision
Head Games
Cold as Ice
Waiting For a Girl Like You
Say You Will (new acoustic arrangement by Jeff, great BGV harmonies)
Blue Morning, Blue Day
Dirty White Boy
Starrider
Feels Like The First Time
Urgent
Juke Box Hero (Whole Lotta Love)
---
Long Long Way From Home
I Wanna Know What Love Is
Hot Blooded

Posted by at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

For UFC? This morning I completed a fanzone survey for the "worldwide leader" relating to ESPN possibly carrying and covering UFC in what I presume will be the near future.

Observations about last night's RRHOF within...

This is not the greatest band in the world ... No No!
This is just a tribute

Other thoughts, if you haven't seen it ... well, let's just say that there will be repeat showings of this year's RRHOF induction this SAT. Usually I find myself somewhat engaged and entertained enough watching it, this year ... well, I don't know if it was because I already feel jaded about the current VH situation, but that show yesterday was a train wreck on so many different levels, and of the highest order.

A lot of my problems with it, particularly the VH part, have been well stated and documented by others on the web reviewing the program, so there is no need to get into that. Seriously, was there no one else available to do the trib speech and performance? -- to say it was classic gee-N-arr may be the understatement of the century (well, leopards can't change their spots now, can they?)

In a nutshell, just another sad recent chapter of a band that was once great, can't even get recognized in a feel good way.

See it here.

Those horns are going to haunt me for a long time

---

Make it the culture of music that it was ... GMMM, last night

Seriously classy, humble, dignified speeches from the GM & F5 --- really uplifting positive remarks from Mel about the state of hip hop today, essentially that HH is about message, art, dance, expression, and making a better life -- not necessarily the messages in "HH" of today, guns, violence, selling dope, etc.

The godfather of break beats and the still very much furious MCs ... seriously on point performance, still teaching, bringing game, and lots of peeps in the game still have a lot to learn -- made it easier to stomach that lame, condescending speech from JZ

Finally some recognition for some of the music gods from my formative years.

Finally, hip hop, finally.

---

There must be a market for it, because apparently the latest move du jour of elder statesmen pop/rock icons is to record standards, traditional vocal albums ... and in the case of Mr. Joel, come up with a new one that falls in the genre. This morning was the first time I heard it, and ... I don't know how else to react to it, it's really ho-hum. Certainly, I see the point where these icons including RodStew can longer be the angry young men, eternally young rockers, but ... damn, this is really FARRRRR in the opposite direction -- as to render them unrecognizable.

But that's just me

Posted by at 9:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The voice behind Boston is silenced forever.

Posted by at 4:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Can go wrong? I know that sometimes we all can get caught up with the bad things that happen to others ... especially performers/celebs that we care about. However, at this point, I am just so stunned/deadened with what is going on with the state of 3VH as to be like ... umm, I think everyone just needs to go away, get their head straight, ... or maybe even just go away for good and do other productive things with their lives.

Item 1
Ed. Rehab.
Why didn't I see this coming?
So much disappointment ...

Story here.

Item 2
At what point does the 'Hall" just say --- okay, that's it, we are just going to present it to you by proxy -- pick someone to receive it for you, don't come to the ceremony

Yes, 2VH is going ...
Wait, no they're not ...
Yes, they are not (see above) ...
But, wait, Sam and Mike are ...
Now, Dave is not ... see here.
Should the Wabos just go and do the trib instead of VelRev?
Maybe so ... maybe so

Posted by at 2:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)