E.C. is 63

Legendary guitar player Eric Clapton celebrated his 63rd birthday today.
I'd love to share with you my many thoughts and memories about all of the music he's played and the number of times I've seen him over the past 25 years, but frankly I'm just too tired right now and it's getting late. That will have to wait until another post, as will my piece on his ranking as #4 (?!) on Rollingstone's list of top guitarists-that's a whole other post, indeed. Happy birthday Eric!

I've Always Said that Gregg...

... is one hep cat, but who knew?
The Allman Brothers Band cancel performances due to Gregg Allman's illness.
Here's more hep info from Phil.

Call Me a Skeptic

visit Skeptic online.

Hillary Did Not Misspeak!

Maybe I should have waited until Tuesday on this one, but I could not resist.

Watch Jackie's rebuttal.

LiveLeak Pussies Out!

The LiveLeak Team obviously has smaller testicles than I. Their link now shows a disclaimer in place of the film. I guess I'll have to seek out the dvd anyhow. How "Bout Now?! WILL NOT succumb to any idle threats by those Islamo-fascist bastards!

STOP THE PRESSES!!!
It turns out Google has a set. Film can be viewed here , but for how long?

"Sacred cows...

...make the best hamburger."~Mark Twain
MC seems to be blogging a lot about hamburgers lately.
Could this be due to some subliminal advertising in the media?
Here's a very subtle example of such an ad.
I have also done a burger post in the past.
This guy seems to have an even bigger burger bug.
Here's a related video for JB.

Dutch Video May Anger Islamists

...but then again, what doesn't?
Fitna , a Dutch film accusing the Koran of stirring violence is now available for viewing on-line. I was worried I'd have to wait for the dvd release.

THIS JUST IN!!! Better see my above post.

Does Anyone Remember...

..."Elephant Parts"? The Nez was by far the most talented Monkee.

Confusing Contrast

Al Jolson in black face or Obama in white face, is one more offensive than the other?

Update on the Passport Scandal

MC had expressed some concern that the media would just drop "Passportgate". Luckily, the R.S.U. team pursued the story.

Do You Know What That Stuff Does to Kids?!

Forget the war on drugs. It's time we faced The Frozen Menace.
It has been said that marijuana is a gateway drug because many who abuse harder drugs had first smoked pot. I'm sure that statistics would show that an even greater number of individuals had tasted ice cream long before using any drug, thus indicating that ice cream is also a gateway.
It would appear to me, however, that it is more often smoking marijuana that leads to eating ice cream.

ManBearPig?

MC links to some Bear-Wolf sightings, which brought to mind this inconvenient truth.

It's St. Patrick's Day!

"Believe it if you need it...

... or leave it if you dare." -Box of Rain (Lesh/Hunter)

Grateful Dead Bassist Phil Lesh turns 68 today. The Grateful Dead disbanded after the 1995 death of founder Jerry Garcia.
Phil continues to tour with his band Phil Lesh and Friends.

Best Live Albums (this list goes to eleven!)

I'm no expert. This list is really more of an exercise to stimulate some response, a conversation starter of sorts. Here goes nothing:
1.) The Name of this Band is Talking Heads
2.) The Who -Live at Leeds (Deluxe Edition)
3.) The Allman Brothers Band at Fillmore East
4.) Violent Femmes -Viva Wisconsin
5.) Neil Young and Crazy Horse -Rust Never Sleeps
6.) Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out! The Rolling Stones in Concert
7.) Hot Tuna
8.) Nirvana -mtv Unplugged in New York
9.) The Grateful Dead -Dick's Picks volume 4
10.) Frank Zappa - You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore volume 2 The Helsinki Concert
11.) Miles Davis -Live-Evil .
Yes, I know this list is VERY subjective. I'm sure my own choices will probably have changed before I finish/publish this post. Most of you will find many glaring omissions, or see my selections as debatable (if not ridiculous). Let the games begin.

Stop, Thief!

"There's Jimmy Page, the greatest thief of American black music who ever walked the earth." ~ Homer J. Simpson
Jimmy Page: genius or charlatan?, Led Zeppelin: innovators or plagiarists? The answer: YES.
No one will deny 'Zep's place in the pantheon of rock, and as a premiere session man it is estimated that Page played on about 60% of everything recorded in England between 1963 and 1966. There's also no denying that Led Zeppelin had bad reputation for "borrowing" music and lyrics from lesser-known artists, artists that seldom received credit or royalties from these millionaire rockstars.

Who Wouldn't?

Pro Golfer would rather get drunk than play golf. John Daly misses tee time. He's the everyman golfer, an inspiration to Joe 12-packs everywhere.

I am so sorry

Loyal readers, forgive me but, I'm just in no mood to blog today. I find myself in an odd little space somewhere betwixt bitter and melancholy. If I were to post, I would probably mention the bust of Dawn Wells, or maybe a piece about the efforts to outlaw salvia (we "researched" it once with a roofer from Philly). I might even be inclined to post about agreeing with Geraldine Ferraro, or the sexploits of my governor. I could even blog about the rise of teen sluts with s.t.d's. Alas, I'm much too listless. I'll probably just settle in with some light reading, or better yet drink a Leffe and go to bed.

More Drugs and Less Hippies

Violent crime on the rise in Indian state. Some might say Goa is paradise. Maybe it's something in the water.

"It takes a special talent to be a drunk...

... it takes endurance." It was last call for writer/poet Charles Bukowski 14 years ago today.

One Never Knows...

... what treasures will turn up on the bestof Craigslist.

Bob Wills

Western Swing pioneer and legend Bob Wills, was born 103 years ago on this date. As the fiddle player and leader of the ensemble Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys, he defined the genre of Western Swing along with others like Milton Brown and Spade Cooley. In 1998 The Pine Valley Cosmonauts released a tribute to Wills which I strongly suggest seeking out. You can listen to live performance of material contained on that album here. Be sure to also visit the Swingin' West site for further fun.

Iggy Stooges for Madonna

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to induct Madonna, The Stooges to play tribute.

Moses Be Trippin'?!

Researcher suggests that the biblical Israelites were high on drugs that led to their profound religious and spiritual feelings. Ayahuasca and other Entheogens have been present in human culture throughout history. One British scholar even proposes that Christianity arose from sacred mushroom worshiping cults. This book looks to be a good resource for more on the fungi-religion connection. The Erowid site is a great place to find information about psychoactive plants and chemicals.

Play the Blues...

... or just speak the language. I love the blue, it's a great song.

The Hot Toddies

Here's an interview with my new favorite all-girl rock band via yorkrules.

Richard Manuel

It was 22 years ago on this date that The Band's Richard Manuel committed suicide. The Band would continue to tour, but I guess Richard opted to hang out in a Florida motel room. March fourth (not to be confused with march forth) also marks the passing of Minnie Pearl, an alum of Hee Haw and the Grand Ole Opry.

Rutles Reunion

Dirk,Nasty,Stig,and Barry are back! The Prefab Four will reunite to mark the 30th anniversary of "All You Need is Cash". "The Rutles, a living legend that will live long after other living legends have died." In a related story, Robert Plant says no to Led Zeppelin tour.

Doc Watson Turns 85!

Happy birthday, Doc. I've had the pleasure of attending many Doc Watson performances over the years, and I once met him in New Haven after a show.

Jamaica Ponders Legalization

Jamaica is reportedly the largest producer and exporter of marijuana in the Caribbean region and a major hub for drugs trafficked to the United States. Here in the U.S. the cannabis trade is driven underground. Goes to show you don't ever know what you'll find when you look beneath the surface.

Beer Goes Braille

Japanese make beer an equal opportunity beverage. A new meaning for blind drunk. Cup holders for wheelchairs could be next.

Roots Music on the Rise

New York has lately become remarkably hospitable to musicians upholding more rustic ideals.