No Joy in Mudville

My last post was filled with excitement for the beginning of baseball. The dog and I love baseball, but it never ceases to amaze me how the soulless owners of the clubs find new ways to remove the joy from the game and dollars from my wallet. Case in point, the Mariners flexible pricing plan for seats at Safeco. Using the pricing model from the airline industry where adjacent seats may differ in cost by the $100s, Howie, Chuck and the boys have decided to award their dedicated fans by letting market demand determine the price of every seat in Safeco for every game. So those wanting to see Felix pitch on a Friday night against the Yankees may pay $90 for a seat that was priced at $42 last year. I'm not talking about scalper or secondary market pricing. This is what the Mariners are charging at their ticket offices. Meanwhile the dedicated fans, fans who purchased tickets, went to the games and bought overpriced hot dogs, pop and merchandise while watching their team lose 100 games, are reduced to taking the day off to get left field bleacher seats on a Wednesday afternoon against the Royals!

I usually go to 6-8 Mariners games per year. Not this year! I bought tickets for train night and that’s it. I’ll go see the Blue Jackets play in Silverdale. They are more affordable and they’ll probably win more games. Ernest Thayer was right. There is no joy in Mudville.

To add insult to injury the Mariners are publicly supporting efforts to bring the NHL and bring back the NBA (who cares about the NBA!) with a new facility south of Safeco's parking garage. Unfortunately, they are doing everything they can behind the scenes to stop the process and perceived threat to their fan base. Maybe I'm crazy, but if the mariners actually fielded a competitive team with serious prospects for post-season play they wouldn't have to worry about other sports teams syphoning off their patrons.

The Alpha and the Alpha’s Mate traveled to eastern BC to play in the snow without the dog and then were gone most of the following week despensing justice and tearing up casinos with librarians. Needless to say the dog has been feeling neglected in need of therapy or a support group. The Alpha’s Mate is still traveling this week but E and the Alpha are home. We’ll do our best to make the dog feel wanted. We’ll be settled in and back to our routine by next week.

In the Headphones

Carnivale Electros (2012) by Galactic

Funky, Soulful R&B crafted like a good pot of gumbo with the influences and performances of a who’s who of contemporary New Orleans musicians. The Birthplace of Jazz indeed.

Preaching the Blues (2011) by Fleetwood Mac

The founding members of Fleetwood Mac began as John Mayall’s band, The Bluesbreakers. Preaching the Blues is a snapshot from a time capsule capturing a 1971 performance in Canada. Also, it's pretty much Disc 2 of the 2003 Madison Blues box set.

Voice of Ages (2012) by The Chieftains

In their 50^th year as a band the Chieftains have put together a collection of mostly traditional folk tunes with the help of an impressive group of friends.

Visuals

The Big Screen

The Hunger Games (2012)

Gary Ross (Pleasantville) directs Jennifer Lawrence (Winter’s Bone) as a kick-ass Katniss.

On the Player

Young Adult (2011)

Jason Reitman (Up in the Air) directs, Diablo Cody (Juno) writes, Charlize Theron leads the cast and Patton Oswald steals the show.
A depressed author of a young adult book series travels back to her hometown in an attempt to resurrect what she remembers as a “happier” past. It has it's moments.

My Week with Marilyn (2011)

A version of Marilyn Monroe’s trip to England in 1956 when she made The Prince and the Showgirl. Michelle Williams is fantastic!

The Contender (2000)

Joan Allen stars as a VP hopeful to Jeff Bridges’ president. Gary Oldman shines as the McCarthy-like congressman who plans to spoil the party.

Tube

If I can’t watch a show on the network website then my favorite place to go for online TV is Project Free TV.  Sure you get a few pop-ups, but there’s nothing to download and I have very few problems.

Southland

Just finished the 4^th season. It’s the best cop show since The Shield. From TNT, the first 3 seasons are out on DVD.

Shameless

William H. Macy is absolutely brilliant as morally challenged citizen attempting to game the system at every opportunity and his resourceful brood haven’t fallen far from the tree. Some of it's best moments are when Macy's character rails against everything that's wrong with the government. I’ve no doubt that my more conservative friends think this is what happens in the home of every welfare and disability recipient in the country. From Showtime, the first season is out on DVD.

Weeds

Nancy Botwin is a selfish, amoral scumbag! Doug, Andy and the boys are the only reason to continue watching! From Showtime, the first 7 seasons are out on DVD, the first 6 are on Netflix to stream.

On the Nightstand

Life (2010) by Keith Richards

All things Rolling Stones from a man who slept twice a week for decades whether he needed it or not. 

What the Dog Saw (2009) by Malcolm Gladwell

A collection of Gladwell’s articles from The New Yorker. How to communicate with dogs, how to hire the right person for the right job, the secrets behind the collapse of Enron and finding a solution for homelessness in America, among other topics.

An Unfinished Life (2003) by Robert Dallek

A degenerative condition of the spine, constant urinary tract infections, digestive issues, chronic pain, the use of copious amounts of drugs to counter the effects of the previous, chasing skirts, trying to change Civil Rights laws and thwarting the Red Menace. JFK probably would have died by the early 1970s if he hadn’t been killed in Dallas.

The Tiger’s Wife (2011) by Tea Obreht

Less a novel than a collection of stories spanning nearly a century shared by a granddaughter and her grandfather in Bosnia.

a promise of what could be...

One phrase in the English language that tends to fill our hearts with hope, “Pitchers and catchers report to training camp” While the dog and I pay very little attention to Spring Training (we give it up for Lent) those seven simple words are filled with potential, a promise of what could be. Some of you would say, “Why bother? Your home team is the Mariners and they’re usually done by Father’s Day” I would reply, “I may live in the moisture laden Pac NW, home to only team to win 116 games in one season, besides the Evil Empire (Yankees). However, I was born a Red Sox fan and will remain one until I die!” Just to clarify, I do cheer for the M’s as long as it helps the Sox. Unfortunately the Sox have established a tradition of playing poorly in Safeco. While the seats are better/cheaper and the food is tastier at Safeco than at Fenway ($9 bleacher seats and I’ll take Al’s Gourmet Sausage over a Rem-Dog any day of the week) it’s rare to see a Sox victory on that field.
I was laid low this past week, hovering on death’s door with a life threatening man cold. Haven’t slept well since Tuesday, my throat feels like I’ve been gargling with ground glass and hot coals, freezing with chills then frying with fever and lastly, aches and a general feeling of malaise. The dog loved having me home, but was a bit let down due to a lack of trips to the park. I’m feeling better now, thankyouverymuch.

In the Headphones
We’ve been listening to a lot of opera lately. The dog loves anything by Puccini and I can’t disagree. To give Giacomo’s work some perspective, we’ve been contrasting it with various shows from The Grateful Dead’s Complete European Tour circa 1972 and several Pac Northwest shows The Black Crowes have done over the years. Tacoma, Dec ’10 was amazing! One of the best concerts I’ve ever seen. Live Downloads has many Black Crowes shows available, direct from the sound board. For the Dead’s stuff you’ll have to go to their site or scan e-bay or Amazon for people selling used copies.
By the way, if you haven’t checked out an HD simulcast of The Met performances you have to check it out. It’s the next best thing to actually being at the opera house and you can wear jeans and eat popcorn!

Visuals
On the Big Screen
The Descendants
The movie is very good and Clooney’s OK, albeit a bit flat. I'm just not sure it’s worthy of Oscar noms for Film, Director, Actor, Screenplay and editing.
On the Player
Anonymous
A film based on the Oxford Theory of Shakespeare Authorship, i.e., Bill Shakespeare did not any poems of plays, the Earl of Oxford actually did.
The Big Year
Three men compete to spot the most species of birds in North America in one year, a very pleasant and enjoyable movie.
Contagion
An exotic disease contracted by an American businesswoman leads to 26 million deaths and global chaos. Watched this while I was sick, probably shouldn’t have.
Superbad
From 2007. Pretty much a documentary film of how males approach their high school years. A must see for every teenage girl!
Warrior
Estranged brothers end up in the same mixed martial arts competition, both with huge reasons to win. Somewhat predictable, but I gotta say I liked it.
Tube
Dune
The William Hurt, mini-series version from 2000. A bit closer to the book that the David Lynch version.
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
OK, OK. It’s slow, dry and confusing, but Alec Guinness rocks!

On the Nightstand
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Just started it so can’t say much except that I’m hooked.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
Non-fiction story of a poor, African American woman from Baltimore whose cells were used to discover a vaccine for polio, are present in nearly every research lab in the world and her family has never seen a dime in compensation.
Matterhorn by Karl Marlantes
A fictionalized account of a marine company in Vietnam. Intense and tragic.

Snow Day

The snow finally arrived. The dog and I, joined by the alpha’s mate, went for a walk in the park. Both the dog and the alpha’s mate love the snow. It’s too bad that 4 inches of the stuff shuts everything down, but who doesn’t love a snow day!
I picked up a LeMonde RevMaster stationary bike and have been logging some miles in the cave, in front of the tube, in an effort to make good on my New Year’s imagilutions. The dog’s smart enough to embrace her imperfections and accept her lot in life. She is at peace with the world while I continue to rage against the dying of the light, refusing to go gently into that good night.
The woodstove is cranked. The prodigy just finished filling the wood box. The dog and I are rotating through the artists listed below along with whatever else suits us on this wintery day as we putter around in the kitchen making pizza dough, sauce and prepping toppings.
One for the Deadheads; I just picked up a copy of The Grateful Dead’s complete European Tour from 1972, all 22 shows which include eleven versions of Dark Star. The dog loves Dark Star

In the Headphones
All We Are Saying… Bill Frisell
Frisell masterfully creates instrumental versions of John Lennon tunes.
Dennis Coffey - Dennis Coffey
The funkiest, most soulful R&B guitarist and band leader that you've never heard of.
El Camino – The Black Keys
Down and dirty, the boys from Akron do it again.
I’m With You - Red Hot Chili Peppers
The first Chili Peppers studio release since the Dead Sea was sick.
Hurry Up We’re Dreaming - M83
French combo's been around for a decade. This is their double disc release of mostly techno music. Very nice.
The Other Side of Midnight – Galactic
Galactic gets every musician in NOLA to show up on this live release. It's getting a lot of rotations on my playlist.
The Singing Mailman Delivers – John Prine
John Prine was an FM radio staple in the seventies sharing simple songs with simple lyrics telling simple stories. This release features some of his earliest live shows. Americana at it's best.

Visuals
Big Screen
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Loved the original, but this version seems to do a more complete job of telling the story.
Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol
The first was the best, but this is a close second.

On the Player
Beginners
A sad story of life beginning at 72.
Ides of March
Some people will do anything to win.
Moneyball
Loved the book, loved the movie and Phillip Seymour Hoffman is a god!
Tucker & Dale vs. Evil
A dark and gory, very humorous take on the teen slasher movie.

Tube
Justified: Season 2
Rayland Givens, a local boy turned FBI agent, attempts to thwart crime in rural Kentucky and he's not too particular about how he does it.
Boardwalk Empire: Season 1
Prohibition-era Atlantic City

On the Night Stand
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith
Why didn’t any of my history teachers tell me that our 16th president was a skilled and successful dispatcher off the undead?
Hope Was Here by Joan Bauer
Hope’s aunt cooks and Hope waitresses, after losing their café in Brooklyn they head to Wisconsin. Newbery winner and ALA Notable Book.
In the Garden of the Beasts by Erik Larson
William Dodd’s experience as Ambassador to Germany in the 30s.
The Sisters Brothers by Patrick deWitt
Eli and Charlie Sisters are hired guns with a code. However, the code does not involve a social contract with any other human on the planet. A good, old-fashioned western.

Nu-Soul

I’m grateful to my dad because he’s a music lover. He loves the crooners (Nat King Cole), Big-Band Jazz (Benny Goodman) and he still sings in the church choir every Sunday. On car trips he made us listen to Country and Western. It was presented as a compromise between the Jazz he liked and the Rock we liked. However, after having my own kids I now know that the Country and Western stations were the only ones that came in and played music he liked.
My dad’s diverse musical taste coupled with growing up in a household with older siblings, prevented my earliest exposure from being limited to the bubblegum Pop sounds of The Partridge Family, The Osmonds and The Monkees.
My siblings had their radio stations and their 45s. WRKO out of Boston had the best signal on the AM dial (this was before FM’s popularity) for Pop music and they played everything, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Rolling Stones, Aretha Franklin and The Temptations to name a few. I was supposed to stay out of my brother’s and sister’s rooms, but could hear what they were listening to through the door (until my dad told them to turn it down) and when they weren’t home I’d sneak in and play their 45s. Through that experience I gained access to the songs of The Turtles, Cream, The Mamas and the Papas, pre-Disco-era Bee Gees and the sweet sounds of Motown and Memphis, Rhythm & Blues (R&B), Funk and Soul!
The term Rhythm & Blues was first used in the late 40s to describe any music produced by African Americans for African Americans. Time progressed and the definition narrowed. As with all forms of modern popular music R&B’s roots can be traced to the Blues. However, its complexity evolved from the three chords, five notes and the repetitive lyrical structure of its musical parent. Through the influence of Gospel and Jazz, R&B featured a toe-tapping groove from the bass and drums which set the foundation for great melodies from a combination of keyboards, horns and guitars and finished nicely with harmonizing, background vocalists. By the early 60s R&B was branching off into sub-genres such as Soul (Aretha Franklin) and Funk (James Brown).
Fast forward several decades and I am happy to call your attention to a resurgence in the classic sounds made popular by the Stax and Motown record labels. Several very talented artists are paying homage to the pioneers of R&B with a genre they call Neo-Soul or Nu-Soul. All I can say is that it’s about time!

Mayer Hawthorne - Don’t let the Budd Holly glasses and a cardigan fool you, this guy can sing. If you are a fan of Marvin Gaye you may enjoy A Strange Arrangement or How Do You Do?.

Raphael Saadiq - One of my favorites, former Tony! Toni! Tone! member channels The Temptations, Sam & Dave and the Miracles. Check out Stone Rollin’ or The Way I See It.

Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings - Aretha Franklin will always be the Queen of Soul, but Sharon could easily be the Princess. My favorite Dap Kings release is I Learned the Hard Way.

Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears – Put on Joe’s latest, Scandalous, sit back, close your eyes and realize how much James Brown has influenced music. You’ll be out of your chair before the first chorus!

Kings Go Forth – This band reminds me of The Impressions along with Curtis Mayfield’s solo work. Outsiders Are Back is their most recent release.

Fitz and the Tantrums – I saw Fitz and the crew at Bumberhoot this year. They do a wonderful job of capturing the Philly sound made popular by Hall & Oats. Pickin' Up the Pieces is the first CD of, hopefully, many to come.

The next two are artists are from New Orleans, LA and tend more toward Funk, but really are a testament to the city’s musical heritage.
Galactic – Pick up any of their discs, put ‘em in the player and try to sit still. I double-dare ya. Ya-ka-mayand The Other Side of Midnight are the band’s latest two CDs.

Trombone Shorty – I saw Shorty and the boys twice at this year’s B-Shoot, they were hands down the best act I’ve seen in years. Please listen to Backatown or For True.

The New Mastersounds – These folks epitomize the funky, soulful instrumentals from soundtracks of late 60s, early 70s cop movies where the music was, more often than not, the best part of the film. Start with Plug & Play.

Quadron – Saw them at B-Shoot this year. I can’t get over how much they remind me of The Supremes and they hail from Denmark! They have one release, Quadron.

The last two groups are home grown right here in the damp, mossy, Pacific North West.
Eldridge Gravy & the Court Supreme – Sly Stone, James Brown and George Clinton rolled into one. Get Us Is What Time It Is and play it loud. You will no longer need your gym membership.

Maktub – Honestly, these guys were the first of the Nu-Soul movement to grab my attention. While Reggie Watts vocal acrobatics may be a show-stopper, the musicians are top-shelf and the band is tight. I love all of their CDs, but Khronosis still my favorite.

Did I mention that the dog loves R&B?