Bad

I’m disappointed about Michael Jackson’s death. I’ve always hoped he would have a comeback.

For all his problems, his music was incredible. This is a music-focused memoriam.

The Majesty of Rock, the Pageantry of Roll

I said I was going to do it, and I did it.  I attended Unwigged and Unplugged based on this blog’s recommendation.  It did not disappoint.

This year marks the 25th Anniversary of the movie “This is Spinal Tap” which is an iconic cult classic that ushered in a new genre, The Mocumentary, and IRF’s collective favorite film, the great unifier that brought us all together, Waiting for Guffman.  These movies aren’t for everyone, as the humor is dry, and well, smart.  Joe Miller describes this as having a high HIQ.  Well, as we all know, “you find people.  You FIND them” and I found people that share the same appreciation that I do. So my friend and I bought tickets to see Harry Shearer, Michael McKean, and Christopher Guest, live in the Oakland Paramount Theatre.

This is Spinal Tap is a mocumentary that chronicals the ’80’s rock band, Spinal Tap, often called the loudest band on Earth.  Christopher Guest, plays lead Guitarist, Nigel Tufnel and this scene describes him better than I ever could :

Some of my favorite Spinal Tap lyrics:

The majesty of rock, the pageantry of roll, the crowing of the cock, the running of the foal, the shepherd with his flock, the miner with his coal.

Big bottom, big bottom, talk about mud flaps, my girl’s got ‘em.

You’ve still got your baby teeth.

In the show, they also showed this special youtube tribute someone else made to Tonight I’m Gonna Rock You:

Now the band didn’t only represent Spinal Tap, as they did come back in a Mocumentary about Folk Music called “A Mighty Wind”.  And the threw me a bone by performing the song from the Waiting For Guffman Outtakes, “This Bulging River,” which may be one of my favorite parts of the movie .  All in all the night was a success.  Upon telling Joe Miller about my concert, he replied, “I don’t care about trivial things like how you’re doing, all I want to know is, did they play Hell Hole?”  My response was in Joe and my common language, “Guffmanese” as I said, “ello, ow are oo?  ave you been to ‘artford?”  (Joe, clearly understood that this meant they opened with it).

I wish each and every one of you could have been with me for this special evening.  You were in my heart.

PS – I did procure a new baseball shirt with Spinal Tap across the front and the number on the back?  11.  (Because it’s one louder.)

Bloody Fantastic

Susan Boyle, the new hero of the “misunderestimated.” Go get ‘em, tiger.

Here’s the link since the video embedding’s been disabled.

Business Time

The Flight of the Conchords is great.  Enjoy this video of “Business Time”

Christmas Time Again

Merry Christmas!  I hope you enjoy this little gem by ’80s rock sensation, Extreme:

I’ve been cool with the lines

Take a moment away from thinking about the economy and enjoy when times were simpler:

Meltdown

Once again, the Chicago Cubs choked in the post season.  Am I disappointed?  Absolutely?  Am I surprised?  Not really.  I’m used to it.  Part of being a Cubs fan is accepting the curse.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the ways of the Cubs, let me explain the Curse.  First of all, the Cubs have not won a World Series since 1908.  The Cubs enjoyed success until 1945.  The Cubs were in the World series playing the Detroit Tigers.  The owner of the Billy Goat Tavern, a Greek Immigrant named Billy Sianis, bought two tickets.  One for himself, and one for his Billy Goat, Murphy.  Upon entering the park, people were complaining about the smell, and Mr. Sianis appealed to the owner of the Cubs, P.K. Wrigley, who ordered that the goat was not welcome.  At this point, Billy Sianis, RAISED HIS ARMS and pronounced this curse:  “The Cubs ain’t gonna win no more. The Cubs will never win a World Series so long as the goat is not allowed in Wrigley Field.” The Cubs choked in that World Series and after they were swept at home the next year, at which point, Billy sent Mr. Wrigley a note that said, “Who stinks now?”

Cubs fans are used to this, but it’s starting to hurt to always say, “Next year will be our year.”  After witnessing this post season against the Dodgers, even the least superstitious among us can’t help but remember the curse.  Alas, being a Cubs fan means you don’t know success, and you are CONSTANTLY hoping for the future.  “Someday we’ll go all the way”

Which brings me to our musical selection to commemorate this event.  Eddie Vedder, the lead singer of Pearl Jam, is a Cubs fan and once met Ernie Banks.  Mr. Banks didn’t know who Vedder was, but when he learned he was a musician, he asked him to write a song about the Cubs.  And as Eddie explained at the concert, “When Ernie banks tells you to write a song, YOU WRITE A SONG!”

Griffin House – Better Than Love

I my attempt to introduce you to new artists, I hope you’ll like Griffin House.  I’m a big fan.  Enjoy!

Movie Review: High Fidelity

A year ago, I was working at my desk and an email to the entire floor popped into my inbox:  “Whoever left their Spring 2006 Mix Tape in the Cafeteria, you can find it at the receptionist’s desk.”  My first question, where does one procure a Walk Man these days?  Does this person also have a typewriter?  Or simply, was the owner of the Spring 2006 Mix Tap a cult follower of the John Cusack film, High Fidelity?

High Fidelity is, first and foremost, not a film for those sensitive to certain words that begin with the sixth letter of the alphabet.  Once you look past that, though, it is a tale of music fanatics who use music (and mix tapes) as a metaphor for life.

 While High Fidelity’s style is not to be quoted to the same extent as, say Waiting for Guffman or Arrested Development, there are a number of memorable lines:    

*

Rob: Liking both Marvin Gaye and Art Garfunkel is like supporting both the Israelis and the Palestinians.
Laura: No, it’s really not, Rob. You know why? Because Marvin Gaye and Art Garfunkel make pop records.
Rob: Made. Made. Marvin Gaye is dead. His father shot him. 

*

Barry’s Customer: Hi, do you have the song “I Just Called To Say I Love You?” It’s for my daughter’s birthday.
Barry: Yea we have it.
Barry’s Customer: Great, Great, can I have it?
Barry: No, no, you can’t.
Barry’s Customer: Why not?
Barry: Well, it’s sentimental tacky crap. Do we look like the kind of store that sells I Just Called to Say I Love You? Go to the mall. 

*

Dick: Marie de Salle’s playing. You remember I told you about her. I like her. She’s kind of Sheryl Crow-ish crossed with a post-Partridge Family pre-L.A. Law Susan Dey kind of thing, but, you know, uh, black. 

*

Laura: I’m too tired not to be with you.
Rob: What, so if you had a bit more energy we’d stay split up, but things being as they are, with you being wiped out and all, you want to get back together? Is that it?
Laura: Yeah.

I thought it was enjoyable, but I thought I’d like it more than I did.  I’d be interested to know your thoughts on the film!

Happy Opening Day!

I just was finishing my playlist named “My First Love” that has songs like “Go Cubs Go” and “A Dying Cubs Fan’s Last Request” and “When The Cubs go Marching In” and “The Night Chicago Died.”

I’ll be at the Cubs-Giants game in SF on June 30th.  Hey Chicago, what do you say, the Cubs are gonna win today!

Except, they didn’t… win today.