reflections, ruminations, ramblings and rants on music, books, beer, politics, technology, media, family, etc, etc. from a retired old man, music collector, librarian, political observer, technology geek, veteran, history buff, beer enthusiast, sci-fi fan, obsessive mixtaper and former DJ. I've also gathered writings from the past several years posted in various social media platforms. This blog has become an editing tool for my writings and everything here is a work in progress.
Tuesday, September 25, 2018
Fear in the White House
Thursday, September 20, 2018
Lou Reed and Todd Rundgren
Fifty years ago today I went down to the Electric Factory on a Friday night to see the Velvet Underground and Nazz. It was interesting seeing two rock icons performing with their bands before becoming big solo stars but of course I certainly didn't know that at the time. This was actually my second time seeing the Velvet Underground. I saw them earlier in the summer at a Be-In on the Belmont Plateau in Fairmount Park. I was still disappointed that there was no Nico on stage.
The show only cost $3.00 to get in and parents were free. I can't imagine my mom or dad going to that show. I would take the trolley downtown and walk over to the club. My parents had no idea where I was that night. I was just out. Because I was under 18 I had to go to the opening show so I was probably home by 10 pm on a Friday night. Well, maybe not. I had been working on summer at the machine shop where my father was the shop foreman which is where I got money for shows like this. And for buying albums too. I especially saw a lot of music in 1968 and 1969 before I was off to the Navy.
Saturday, September 15, 2018
Muhammad Ali
Read in September 2018
This is the definitive biography of Muhammad Ali and arguably the most famous man on the planet and certainly one of the most significant and celebrated figures of the 20th century. He was also the greatest boxer of all time.
The book was a meticulously researched document of a complicated man and the author had access to previously unreleased FBI and government files along with interview tapes and access to all the important people in his life.
This all made for a fascinating and enjoyable book. Not only was Ali a world champion prize fighter but he was also an actor, a poet, a preacher, a draft resistor, a racial justice activists, and comedian. He had changed his religion, his name and refused to fight in the Viet Nam War. He also fought in the boxing ring too long and suffered severe neurological conditions.
He was also an icon of my childhood and early adulthood. I remember him fighting as Cassius Clay and his conversion to Islam along with his name change. It was always an event when he was getting ready for a fight. He seemed to be on the news all the time when he was refusing to be inducted into the Army and I vividly recall those days as it was also a time when the Viet Nam War was on my mind and every young man approaching draft age.
Later we were always excited when he was fighting for the championship and his boxing fights were world events like the Rumble in the Jungle in 1974 and the Thrilla from Manila in 1975. Those bouts were before all the cable pay to see fights and were TV events that everyone watched. It's hard to believe people today would watch fights the way we did back in the 1970's.
It was very sad to see him in his later days as he suffered with Parkinson's.
Friday, September 14, 2018
On Stage - Yo La Tengo
Glass of Beer - A Local IPA
The Mexican Pet is an interesting collection urban myths.
Thursday, September 13, 2018
Ever Said Goodbye - Heartache 2
1 hour 35 minutes
- Ever Said Goodbye - The Weepies, 2015
- Don't Give Your Heart To A Rambler - Jonathan Wilson, 2011
- Difference Is Time - Conor Oberst, 2009
- Blindsided - Bon Iver, 2008
- I'm Sorry Now - Will Hoge, 2007
- If I Were Smart - Shelby Lynne, 2003
- Can Our Love - Tindersticks, 2001
- Lost Love - Golden Smog, 1998
- Love & Feeling - America, 2007
- I Can't Make You Love Me - Bonnie Raitt, 1991
- Goodbye - Elton John, 1971
- Till Tomorrow - Don McLean, 1971
- My Love Is A Gentle Thing - Crosby, Stills & Nash, 1991
- Disney Girls - The Beach Boys, 1970
- Working My Way Back - The Four Seasons, 1966
- I Can't Leav Your Love Alone - Clarence Carter, 1970
- Yesterday's Dream - The Four Tops, 1968
- Woman - John Lennon, 1980
- Earn Enough For Us - XTC, 1986
- Doors Of Your Heart - The English Beat, 1981
- Modern Lovers - Garland Jeffreys, 1981
- Looking For Love - Alejandro Escovedo, 2006
- Crawling Back To You - Tom Petty, 1994
- I Loved You Yesterday - Lyle Lovett, 1987
- Broken Bed - James McMurtry, 2002
- I Prefer Your Love - St. Vincent, 2015
Wednesday, September 12, 2018
Glass of Beer - Oktoberfest
Fool To Cry - Heartache 2
1 hour 30 minutes
- Fool To Cry - The Rolling Stones, 1978
- Bring It On Home To Me - The Animals, 1965
- Oh Very Young - Cat Stevens, 1974
- Junk - Paul McCartney, 1970
- Everything I Own - Bread, 1972
- She - The Monkees, 1967
- There She Goes Again - The Velvet Underground, 1967
- Little Girl - Mink DeVille, 1977
- Little Darlin' - Dave Edmunds, 1977
- Christine's Tune - The Flying Burrito Brothers, 1969
- Our Love Will Still Be There - The Troggs, 1968
- Prove It All Night - Bruce Springsteen, 1978
- Baby We've Got A Date (Rock It Baby) - Bob Marley & The Wailers, 1973
- You're My Everything - The Temptations, 1967
- Win - David Bowie, 1976
- Don't Think About Her - Nick Lowe, 1999
- Labelled With Love - Squeeze, 1981
- Planet Queen - T. Rex, 1971
- Say Yes - Elliot Smith, 1997
- Crazy For You - Adele, 2008
- Save It For A Rainy Day - The Jayhawks, 2003
- Reckless Child - Joe Henry, 1992
- Back Into Your World - Son Volt, 1997
- Love Never Runs On Time - Paul Kelly, 1994
- Missin' You - Little Feat, 1977
- The Girl With No Name - The Byrds, 1967
- Al Long As You Tell Him - Faces
- Sister Golden Hair - America, 1975
- Bitter With The Sweet - Carole King, 1972
- Crazy Love - Daniel Johnston, 1974
Tuesday, September 11, 2018
Have My Love - Heartache 2
1 hour 35 minutes
- Cloud 9 - George Harrison, 1987
- Beast Of Burden - The Rolling Stones, 1978
- I'd Wait A Million Years - The Grass Roots, 1969
- Tired Of Waiting For You - The Kinks, 1965
- I Can't Make Up My Mind - The Zombies, 1965
- No Milk Today - Herman's Hermits, 1967
- Sugar On Sunday - Tommy James & The Shondells, 1968
- Because - The Beatles, 1969
- 49 Bye-Byes - Crosby, Stills & Nash, 1969
- You've Got A Friend - James Taylor, 1975
- Going Gone - Nanci Griffith, 1986
- You Are Everything - R.E.M., 1988
- World Where You Live - Crowded House, 1986
- You Can't Say No Forever - The Go-Betweens, 1988
- Her Last Fling - Lloyd Cole & The Commotions, 1985
- Lookin' For Me Somewhere - BoDeans, 1986
- Walkin' With Sorrow - Hank Williams III, 2002
- Now She's Gone - Steve Earle, 1996
- Day You Said Goodbye - Allison Moore, 2000
- Goodbye Again - Dave Alvin & Rosie Flores, 1994
- Songs That She Sang In The Shower - Jason Isbell, 2013
- Easy Come Easy Go - Hayes Carll, 2002
- Calling For You - Iris Dement, 1994
- Jessie - Joan Baez, 1975
- I Believe In You - Rita Coolidge, 1971
- The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face - Roberta Flack, 1969
A Shout in the Ruins
A Shout in the Ruins - Kevin Powers, 2018
GoodReads description.
Monday, September 10, 2018
Cactus Bloom
The sun went down and the flower bloomed.
One and done... as soon as the sun came up it started dropping and the bloom was ready to drop.
Glass of Beer - Fall Brew
Someone Like You - Heartache 2
1 hour 34 minutes
- Someone Like You - Adele, 2011
- Love Is A Losing Game - Amy Winehouse, 2006
- 'Til I Fell In Love With You - Bob Dylan, 1997
- Ballad Of Big Nothing - Elliott Smith, 1997
- Downtown Train - Tom Waits, 1985
- Tecumseh Valley - Townes Van Zandt, 1968
- Crying In The Rain - The Everly Brothers, 1962
- The Kiss - Judee Sill, 1973
- Time In A Bottle - Jim Croce, 1972
- At Seventeen - Janis Ian, 1975
- Softly - Gordon Lightfoot, 1967
- Can't Nobody Love You - Solomon Burke, 1964
- Hummingbird - Leon Russell, 1970
- Give Me Your Love - Curtis Mayfield, 1972
- Word On A Wing - David Bowie, 1976
- Have I Told You Lately That I Love You - Van Morrison, 1989
- You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go - Madeleine Peyroux, 2014
- Never Any Good - Leonard Cohen, 1997
- You're The Best Thing - The Style Council, 1984
- Funny How Time Slips Away - Al Green, 1973
- Without You - Badfinger, 1970
- Song To The Siren - Robert Plant, 2002
- My Love - Steeleye Span, 1980
Sunday, September 9, 2018
Vinyl Spins - Guilty Pleasure
Maybe it was the Philadelphia doo-wop influence but I really loved these guys. Later I would also get their CD box set.
Darling Be Home Soon - Heartache 2
1 hour 33 minutes
- Darling Be Home Soon - The Lovin' Spoonful, 1966
- I Call Your Name - The Mamas & The Papas
- One - Harry Nilsson, 1967
- Hey, That's No Way To Say Goodbye - Judy Collins, 1967
- I Don't Know How To Love Him - Yvonne Elliman, 1969
- You Are So Beautiful - Joe Cocker, 1974
- The Weakness In Me - Joan Armatrading
- Fools In Love - Joe Jackson, 1979
- You're So Vain - Carly Simon, 1972
- Dirty Work - Steely Dan, 1972
- Sandy (4th Of July, Asbury Park) - The Hollies
- Hey Julia - Robert Palmer
- Seven Year Ache - Rosanne Cash, 1981
- Now And Always - Rockpile, 1980
- Girls Talk - Elvis Costello, 1980
- You Owe Me Some Kind Of Love - Chris Isaak, 1987
- Alone Too Long - Hall & Oates, 1975
- You Can Leave Your Hat On - Randy Newman, 1972
- Desperado - Linda Ronstadt, 1973
- Streets Of Baltimore - Gram Parsons, 1973
- (Lost Her Love) On Our Last Date - Conway Twitty
- If You Don't Want My Love - John Prine, 1978
- Nobody But You - Loggins & Messina
- Goodbye's All We've Got Left - Steve Earle, 1986
- I Couldn't Leave You If I Tried - Rodney Crowell, 1987
- Dead Roses - Joan Osborne, 2006
- Wondering Where The Lions Are - Bruce Cockburn, 1987
- Bring Back Your Love To Me - John Hiatt, 1990
Saturday, September 8, 2018
ESPN Commercial Break Music
Greeks Bearing Gifts
Lonely Days - Heartache 2
1 hour 30 minutes
- Lonely Days - Bee Gees, 1970
- Soul Love - David Bowie, 1972
- Emily - John Cale, 1974
- Attics Of My Life - Grateful Dead, 1970
- The Pretender - Jackson Browne, 1976
- Nothing Compares 2 U - Sinead O'Connor, 1990
- Your Sweet Voice - Matthew Sweet, 1991
- Where Are You Tonight? - Cowboy Junkies, 1990
- The Great Compromise - John Prine, 1972
- Love Has No Pride - Bonnie Raitt, 1972
- Yankee Lady - Jesse Winchester, 1970
- I Go To Sleep - Pretenders, 1981
- Fireroad (For Two) - Chris Whitley, 2005
- Sweetest Decline - Beth Orton, 1999
- Let The Happiness In - David Sylvian, 1987
- Searching For A Heart - Warren Zevon, 1991
- Alison - Elvis Costello, 1977
- Time And Time Again - Counting Crows, 1993
- Come Pick Me Up - Ryan Adams, 2000
- I Don't Love Anymore - Belle and Sebastian, 1996
Vinyl Spins - CS&N
I also wanted to hear it again after recently reading Graham Nash's autobiography and seeing him perform down at Asbury Hall.
I had seen Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young previously in Chicago in 1970 and Philadelphia in 1974 but not since.
Friday, September 7, 2018
Will You Love Me Tomorrow - Heartache 2
1 hour 30 minutes
- Will You Love Me Tomorrow - Carole King, 1971
- Because Of You - Gene Clark, 1971
- Just One Smile - Dusty Springfield, 1969
- You Won't Have To Cry - The Byrds, 1965
- You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go - Bob Dylan, 1975
- Another Day - Paul McCartney, 1971
- The Joke's On Me - David Bromberg, 1975
- Guinnevere - Crosby, Stills & Nash, 1969
- Triad - Jefferson Airplane, 1968
- The Good Times We Had - Peter, Paul and Mary, 1966
- Astral Weeks - Van Morrison, 1968
- Down To You - Joni Mitchell, 1974
- Give It All Up - Donovan, 1996
- Levi Stubbs' Tears - Billy Bragg, 1986
- If I Should Fall Behind - Bruce Springsteen, 1992
- I'll Be Your Lover - Paul Kelly, 1998
- Sweetness - Lloyd Cole & The Commotions, 1984
- Say You Will - BoDeans, 1986
- After All These Years - T Bone Burnett, 1983
- Far, Far Away - Wilco, 1996
- Sometimes She Forgets - Steve Earle, 1995
- Gulf Coast Highway - Emmylou Harris & Willie Nelson, 1990
- More Than A Whisper - Nanci Griffith, 1986
- Wall Of Death - Richard & Linda Thompson, 1982
Glass of Beer - Infinitely Drinkable
I gave it 4 stars in Untappd.
Vinyl Spins - Bob Marley
Gave the double live album Babylon By Bus from 1978 a spin too.
Thursday, September 6, 2018
Is It Really Love At All - Heartache 2
1 hour 34 minutes
- Is It Really Love At All? - Eric Andersen, 1972
- It's Hard To Believe In Love For Long - Tim Hardin, 1971
- Do I Have To Come Right Out And Say It - Buffalo Springfield, 1966
- Juanita - The Flying Burrito Brothers, 1969
- Just For Me And You - Poco, 1972
- Lost Paraguayos - Rod Stewart, 1972
- Lyin' Eyes - The Eagles, 1975
- When The Morning Comes - Hall & Oates, 1973
- Like A Vague Memory - Marshall Crenshall, 1985
- Somebody Loves You - Eels, 2003
- Oh Lonesome Me - M. Ward & Lucinda Williams, 2009
- I Can't Remember - The Thorns, 2003
- Dancing With The Women At The Bar - Whiskeytown, 1997
- If I Never See You Again - Teenage Fanclub, 2000
- Baby Britain - Elliot Smith, 1998
- Aidia - Sarah McLachlan, 1997
- Lover, You Should Have Come Over - Jeff Buckley, 1994
- Autumn Sweater - Yo La Tengo, 1997
- My Love Is You - David Byrne, 1994
- The Flowers She Sent And The Flowers She Said She Sent - The Magnetic Fields, 1994
- Baby If This Is Nowhere - Over The Rhine, 2013
- Say Goodbye - Beck, 2014
- Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word - Elton John, 1978
- (I've Been) Searching So Long - Chicago, 1974
Wednesday, September 5, 2018
If You Leave Me Now - Heartache 2
- If You Leave Me Now - Chicago, 1976
- Sundown - Gordon Lightfoot, 1975
- Careless Heart - Roy Orbison, 1989
- Someone To Love - Roger McGuinn, 1990
- Wrong To Love You - Chris Isaak, 1989
- I Looked Away - Derek & The Dominos, 1970
- Angel - Jimi Hendrix, 1971
- Heart Of Stone - The Rolling Stones, 1965
- Tell Me Why - Neil Young, 1970
- Sitting - Cat Stevens, 1972
- Try Again - Big Star, 1972
- Fall On Me - R.E.M., 1986
- Love Is A Sign - The Go-Betweens, 1988
- Fingers Of Love - Crowded House, 1993
- A Man In Love - The Waterboys, 1990
- Dance Me To The End Of Love - Leonard Cohen, 1985
- Walk Out To Winter - Aztec Camera, 1983
- Lady Rain - Hall & Oates, 1973
- I Don't Believe In Miracles - Colin Blunstone, 1972
- Caroline, No - The Beach Boys, 1966
- Here, There And Everywhere - The Beatles, 1966
- Get It While You Can - Janis Joplin, 1971
- Walking On A Wire - Richard & Linda Thompson, 1982
- Where Do We Go Now But Nowhere - Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, 1997
Tuesday, September 4, 2018
Under Your Spell - Reflections 5
1 hour 33 minutes
- Under Your Spell - The Sweeplings, 2015
- I Can't Go On Without You - Kaleo, 2016
- I'll Be Your Woman - St. Paul & The Broken Bones, 2016
- Put It Together - Langhorne Slim, 2015
- Palm Springs - The Acorn, 2015
- Wildfire - Mandolin Orange, 2016
- I Cannot Find My Way - The Secret Sisters, 2014
- Little Fire - Patty Griffin & Emmylou Harris, 2010
- Baltimore Blues No. 1 - Deer Tick, 2008
- For You - Sharon Van Etten, 2009
- O Little Light - Hiss Golden Messenger, 2012
- Living The Dream - Sturgill Simpson, 2014
- Mr. Rodriguez - Rayland Baxter, 2015
- Gale Song - The Lumineers, 2016
- We Never Win - Nathaniel Rateliff, 2017
- Never Coming Here Again - Gill Landry, 2011
- Bare Bones - Madeleine Peyroux, 2009
- Illuminine - Thurston Moore, 2011
- I'm Through - Ingrid Michaelson, 2012
- Won't You Come Over - Devendra Banhart, 2013
- Ghost On The Highway - Gemma Ray, 2010
- Alabama Pines - Jason Isbell, 2011
- Leaving All Your Troubles Behind - Shawn Mullins, 2008
- Lies - Glen Hansard & Markita , 2007
- In The End - Ida Maria, 2009
Monday, September 3, 2018
Who Needs Who - Reflections 5
1 hour 33 minutes
- Who Needs Who - Dark Dark Dark, 2012
- All Of Me Wants All Of You - Sufjan Stevens, 2015
- Elijah - Matthew and The Atlas, 2016
- Hurtin' Habit - Giant Sand, 2015
- A Crime - Sharon Van Etten, 2010
- Dead Sea - The Lumineers, 2012
- Find A Way - Austin Basham, 2015
- From A Soon-To-Be Ghost Town - Fruit Bats, 2016
- Dead Man's Hand - Lord Huron, 2015
- In The Same Room - Julia Holter, 2012
- That Western Skyline - Dawes, 2009
- Your Rocky Spine - Great Lake Swimmers, 2007
- The Gifts You Hide - The Soft Hills, 2013
- Who's Well - The Cave Singers, 2016
- Old Pine - Ben Howard, 2012
- Broken Bones - Mark Knopfler, 2015
- Connect The Lines - Evening Hymns, 2016
- Cigarette Burns Forever - Adam Green, 2010
- Loud As Hope - Iron and Wine, 2009
- The Rifle - Alela Diane, 2006
- Walking & Running - Horse Feathers, 2006
- Everyone A Star - Damien Jurado, 2012
- What He Wrote - Laura Marling, 2010
No Way There From Here - Reflections 5
1 hour 32 minutes
- No Way There From Here - Laura Cantrell, 2013
- Come Back Little Star - Patterson Hood, 2012
- The Changeling (Get Guilty) - A.C. Newman, 2009
- Re: Stacks - Bon Iver, 2008
- Morning Rain - I Am Kloot, 2006
- I'd Rather Dance With You - Kings Of Convenience, 2004
- When I'm Alone - Lissie, 2010
- You And Me - Sara Watkins, 2012
- Red Dust - James Vincent McMorrow, 2014
- Hunger - Of Monsters And Men, 2015
- Roll With The Punches - Dawes, 2016
- 1957 - Milo Greene, 2012
- California (Cast Iron Soul) - Jamestown Revival, 2014
- Alone - Trampled By Turtles, 2012
- The Big Guns - Jenny Lewis & The Watson Twins, 2006
- Light A Candle - Neil Young, 2009
- Crosses - Jose Gonzalez, 2006
- Wedding Dress - Ana Egge, 2005
- So What? - Little Wings, 2004
- Fifty Five Falls - Marissa Nadler, 2008
- House Of Stone - Mandolin Orange, 2013
- Brother - First Aid Kit, 2015
Sunday, September 2, 2018
Where Are You Now - Reflections 5
1 hour 32 minutes
- Where Are You Now - Dylan LeBlanc, 2012
- Sea Calls Me Home - Julia Holter, 2015
- When I Get My Hands On You - The New Basement Tapes, 2014
- Victim To Charm - Wild Child, 2013
- I Already Know You're Wrong - Iran, 2009
- In Our Nature - Jose Gonzalez, 2007
- Precious Time - Mark Olson and Gary Louris, 2009
- Live And Die - The Avett Brothers, 2012
- What Am I Going To Do (With Everything I Know) - The Weather Station, 2014
- Modern Day Mystery - Madisen Ward & The Mama Bear, 2015
- Little Lover - The Barr Brothers, 2014
- When I Grow Up - First Aid Kit, 2012
- Turning The Mind - Maps, 2009
- Make A Plan To Love Me - Bright Eyes, 2007
- Hanging On The Wire - PJ Harvey, 2011
- My House Is Empty - Lowland Hum, 2013
- I've Got Your Name - Marissa Nadler, 2014
- Red - Lost In The Trees, 2012
- She'll Be Coming 'Round - Tiny Ruins, 2014
- The Motherlode - The Staves, 2012
- Girl With The Red Balloon - The Civil Wars, 2011
- I Feel Your Love - Laura Marling, 2015
- Whatever, Wherever - Band Of Horses, 2016
Nothing Goes Away - Reflections 5
1 hour 34 minutes
- Nothing Goes Away - Isbells, 2015
- Easy Come Easy Go - Sierra Hull, 2011
- Let's Be Still - The Head and The Heart, 2013
- Fumes - Lily & Madeleine, 2014
- Nerve - Half Moon Run, 2013
- Lightning - David Byrne & St. Vincent, 2012
- Somebody To Break Your Heart - Robyn Hitchcock, 2014
- Red Earth & Pouring Rain - Bear's Den, 2016
- Until We Get There - Lucius, 2014
- King Of Spain - The Tallest Man On Earth, 2010
- Map Of The World - Monsters Of Folk, 2009
- Things Go 'Round - Fistful Of Mercy, 2010
- Birmingham - Shovels & Rope, 2012
- Boeing 737 - The Low Anthem, 2011
- Lovestrong - Jonathan Wilson, 2013
- Futile Devices - Sufjan Stevens, 2010
- Minnesota, WI - Bon Iver, 2011
- Responsibility - The Acorn, 2008
- Lake Bed - Brown Bird, 2009
- The Ghost On The Shore - Lord Huron, 2012
- Julep - Punch Brothers, 2015
- Love Out Of Lust - Lykke Li, 2011
- Saint Of Impossible Causes - Joseph Arthur, 2013
- Long Goodbye - Basia Bulat, 2016