Nine By Design 18

You've come to the end of the work week and all you want to do is find out what today's 9 is going to be.  You've obviously come to the right place to get your weekend started.  As always, we've (I've) slaved over a hot stove (keyboard) to bring to you the best in entertainment, for your hard earned dollar (I should charge something, but I like having readers, so free it is).  What will it be?  Will it be comedy?  Movies?  The old standby, Music?  How about all of the above?  This week's Nine By Design is about Concert Movies.  I'm a sucker for documentary films, especially entertainment based ones.  I just like learning about anything, bands, comedians, you name it really.  If done well, anything can be made interesting.  These Nine are great and should be checked out if they pique your interest.

Concert Movies:

U2 - Rattle & Hum : I have mixed feelings about U2.  I liked them early on in their career, then Bono decided to leave planet Earth for a bit and become Sting, but I can't really blame the band for the lead singers actions.  I don't blame the Police for Sting, as they are still one of my favorite bands.  So, when you have one of the cooler drummers in your band, Larry Mullen Jr. and Edge finally realized that he was balding and got rid of the "rat tail," you can deal with LSD (lead singer disease).  Bono, still thinks he's the second coming, but that's now, you could deal with him during Rattle and Hum.  Plus, it really helps that they are really "on" during the movie.  "Bullet the Blue Sky" is amazing.

The Rolling Stones - Gimme Shelter : Most of you may know or at least heard about the tragedies at Altamont.  The Hells Angels were hired to do security.  That would be like hiring a fox to guard the hen house.  Just bad news from the jump.  Fights broke out during the Flying Burrito Bros. and Jefferson Airplane sets.  In fact, Marty Balin of Jefferson Airplane got beat up by one of the Angels.  Tough gig.  Also, there was the horrible stabbing of Meredith Hunter when he tried to get onstage.  So, the film becomes more of a historical event than concert. 

Urgh! A Music War : I love this film.  There are just so many bands in it that it's hard not to.  It's really a who's who of early 80's Punk/New Wave.  This is about as straight forward a concert movie can get.  There isn't really any talking...it's all music.  Unless, someone is talking from the stage, it's song, new band, song, repeat for 2 hours.  There are well known bands, somewhat underrated bands and bands that were never really known.  It's down and dirty, do it yourself and at times, you really feel like some dude with Dippity Do in his hair, is pogoing right next to you.

Beastie Boys - Awesome; I F**kin Shot That! : What happens when you give 50 fans camcorders and tell them to record everything from the start of the concert until the end.  This happens.  It's a really great idea and a fantastic way to give back to your fans.  I am not the biggest rap fan in the world.  I appreciate certain rappers to a point and the Beastie's fall onto that list.  I think it has more to do with the older rappers.  I'll still listen to Run DMC or Grandmaster Flash or even, NWA when in the mood.  What I really like are the DJs.  I'm a huge fan of how they put together the beats that the MC's rap over.  Mixmaster Mike is a favorite.  I strongly recommend the documentary Scratch, which is all about DJs.  Amazing film.  I also love the way the Beastie Boys end their concert.  Real powerful.

Eddie Murphy - Raw : Wait, this isn't music, but it is a concert film.  This movie was my first real understanding of black comedy.  I had heard a little of his Delirious album, but I was only 9 when that came out.  I was 13 when Raw hit.  Fours years at that time in your life makes a huge difference.  Your not laughing just because, he's saying dirty words.  You understand what he's talking about now.  This also got me into Richard Pryor, the comedian and not just the actor.  Huge difference.  Then a little later on, Chris Rock would hit and really take black stand up over. 

Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars : The brilliance of David Bowie was just becoming evident with this creation.  He would constantly recreate himself over the course of his career.  I take it as he never wanted to be boring and he's had an incredible run.  Bowie also had at this time, one of his best bands and my favorite Bowie guitarist, Mick Ronson.  Reeves Gabrels is a close second, but he doesn't come into the scene until much later.  Mick died way too young.  I also love the cheering and then the silence at the beginning of "Rock n Roll Suicide" when he's telling the crowd that the band is playing their last show ever.  Most people thought he was retiring from the music business, not just retiring Ziggy.

Monterey Pop : I like it slightly better than Woodstock.  Jimi Hendrix and The Who were making their first American appearances.  Otis Redding was crossing over to a predominantly white audience for the first time, backed by Booker T and the MG's.  Redding was another rock n roll tragedy, plane crash at 26.  Monterey came before Woodstock and seems more natural.  It never gets the credit that Woodstock got.  Plus, it has Canned Heat, who was pretty much unknown at this point.

Talking Heads - Stop Making Sense : I'll get this out of the way early, I love the band, but hate David Byrne.  He's one of the poster children for the aforementioned LSD.  One of the all-time great jerks in music history.  Okay, I think it's out of my system.  This is a non-stop concert.  They are really going for it.  So all dislike aside, Byrne is very entertaining, which pains me for admitting that.

The Band - The Last Waltz : Everything about this "band" kills me.  All of them so talented, with three, count them, three distinctive singing voices.  Plus, they have guests up the wazoo...Clapton, Van Morrison, Neil Young and some guy named Dylan.  If anything is a must own on this list, it's this movie.  You'll just never see anything like them ever again.  Whether it's a ballad or a rocker, they are totally amazing.  The other thing I love about this movie is guitarist Robbie Robertson, he bronzed his guitar and by the end of the night, couldn't play it anymore, because it was too heavy.

So that wraps up our weekly stroll.  I hope you enjoyed it.  Maybe, you'll add some these to your Netflix or buy them at the local Best Buy.  They are all worth it.  Cheers, Happy Weekend!

Survey Says....It's A Girl!

My wife and I found out yesterday that we're having a girl.  Some tests we had done came back and we were able to find out what the sex was going to be.  All the tests came back great by the way.  We always imagined ourselves as boy parents, but once we heard it was a girl, we were thrilled.  No disappointment at all.  I've personally always said that I just want a healthy baby, like the average expectant father, but after hearing this news, I knew I wasn't full of crap.  Which is great, because I'm full of crap in other areas, so it's a relief that I truly believe that all I want is a healthy baby.  

I know my main job as father to a girl is to "keep her off the pole," as Chris Rock likes to say.  If that's all you do, you've done a good job.  I've said this before, but it's burned into my brain.  The other thing I've had burned into my brain and maybe a reason why my wife and I wanted a boy is, with a boy all you have to worry about is one dick.  With a girl, you have to worry about all of them.  Childish and juvenile, I know, but still very true.  We'll cross that path when we get to it.  We're not going to rush anything, it all happens fast enough.  

Our little girl will probably come out of the womb with a book in hand, talking about hockey, baseball, The Clash, obscure 80's one-hit wonders, fuzzy animals and getting ready to wrestle and practice MMA.  That's basically a combination of our personalities in a small nutshell.  We're excited for the journey, no matter what happens.  Just happy to be along for the ride.  I think we'll have a great time going through all the ups and downs of parenthood, knowing there's no right or wrong way to do things.  As long as we're active parents.

I'm already a sappy Dad.

Listening To You - Wilco Part 2 (Enter Kotche, Jorgensen, Cline and Sansone)

This is obviously the second part of this great bands profile.  We've just entered a time in Wilco's history where there was a lot of turnover/turmoil in it's makeup.  Jay Bennett had just exited the band and drummer, Glenn Kotche had joined just in time for Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.  There would be just four remaining members for the next album, A Ghost Is Born.  This album would win them two Grammys, which is funny, because their best and most critically acclaimed album to date, YHF, wouldn't even receive a nomination.  That wacky Grammy panel, they really know what's going on in music.  I'll concede any more tangent rants, for now.  Onto some songs from, A Ghost Is Born.

"Theologians"

"The Late Greats"


Their next album released in 2007, Sky Blue Sky, would be the first studio album to feature the lineup they have today.  Guitarist Nels Cline and multi-instrumentalist, Pat Sansone, were both on the live album, Kicking Television: Live in Chicago.  Which is highly recommended by the staff here at For Lack Of A Better Title.  It's the album you want, if you could only buy one of their albums.  They are a superior live band.  Wilco's studio efforts are good, but they really come alive on stage.

"You Are My Face"


"Side With The Seeds"


We now have come to Wilco's most recent album, Wilco (The Album).  Which as a huge fan, I have yet to buy.  I know, I know, but due to having very little ducats, it is what it is.  So, I don't have a great knowledge of the album, like I do, most of the others.  I asked around the office here and nobody seems to have heard too much of it either.  Strange how that works.  I do like what I've heard from it so far.

"You And I (with Feist)"


"Wilco (The Song)"


There we have a short overview of one of my favorite bands.  They just make very ear pleasing music.  They are very prolific, to the point where most of the members have side projects.  As usual, I have just touched the surface with this band.  Please go out and explore for yourselves.  If you liked what you've heard here, there is no way you will be disappointed.  I hope you enjoyed it.

Nine By Design 17

Earlier this week I was flipping channels on the TV.  You know 1,000 channels and nothings on.  I came across an Our Gang/Little Rascals marathon on TCM (Turner Classic Movies).  I was very excited.  I used to watch them when I was a kid and will always watch them, because I think they are still funny.  Hal Roach, the creator of these comedy shorts back in the 1920's.  They started as silent shorts in 1922.  This show was also the first of it's kind for many reasons.  It featured kids as the main cast and it was also integrated.  Black and White children playing and having adventures together.  They figured this out nearly 90 years ago and we still can't get it right.  This week's list will focus on 9 of the many Rascals that a lot of us enjoyed as kids and kids at heart.

Little Rascals/Our Gang:

Wheezer

He was in some of the earliest Our Gang shorts, going back to the silent ones.  He would later become one of the main characters as he got older.

Stymie

Stymie was the bridge from Farina, who appeared in most of the silent shorts to Buckwheat, who would appear in the later ones.  He's one of my favorite Rascals just for the lines he got.

Jackie

Jackie Cooper was one the first Hal Roach Rascals to go onto stardom.  He had a 60 year career in the movies and television.  His best remembered role might be as Perry White in the original Superman movie series.

Dickie

Dickie Moore is another that would go on to have success after his run in the Little Rascals.  I just wish I could find more footage of these great child actors. 

Dorothy

I always liked Dorothy better than Darla.  I thought Dorothy was cuter, funnier and a better fit.  Darla was just annoying.  Dorothy actually just passed away in June of 2010.

Porky

Porky played Spanky's little brother, which was Spanky's role early on.  I think they were going to try to move Porky into the main spot after Spanky got too old.  He was also the first one to say "O-Tay."

Buckwheat

Buckwheat was often Porky's partner in mischief.  He was the last remaining Rascal from the Hal Roach era.  All the others had either gotten to old or left for other roles/careers.

Alfalfa

I was actually not much of a fan of Alfalfa.  Probably because, he was always love struck and singing...horribly.  He was kind of a one trick pony.  Wow, I really guess I don't like him...geez.

Spanky

Spanky was the full package.  He started acting in the shorts at age three.  What were you doing at age three?  I don't know what I was doing, but it wasn't acting.  He was a supreme scene stealer and destined to be the star.  He appeared in something like 95 Our Gang/Little Rascal shorts.

I hope I covered enough with the videos.  A lot of this footage is at least 75 years old.  Hard to find.  If you ever get a chance to watch the shorts, do so.  I'm sure you wouldn't be disappointed.  See you next week.  Happy Weekend!

Listening To You - Wilco Part 1 (The Jay Bennett Years)

One of the two bands to form from the ashes of Uncle Tupelo.  Jay Farrar, formed the other band, Son Volt.  Wilco has had many members throughout their run.  The only originals remaining are; bassist John Stirratt and singer/songwriter/guitarist Jeff Tweedy.  Their current lineup has been one of the steadiest they've had and quite possibly, the best.

My initial exposure to Wilco was in watching the documentary, I Am Trying To Break Your Heart: A Film About Wilco.  Which is a fantastic movie about the workings of a band trying to record an album (which would become, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot) and how the music business works.  Warner Brothers, would drop Wilco from it's roster after they completed the album, but give the band it's master tapes (unheard of), so they could shop the album to another record label.  Then, Wilco would go on to sign with the record label, Nonesuch, which is a subsidiary of, Warner Brothers.  So, Warner Brothers paid for the same album...twice.  That's the music business for you. 

I'm going to start with their second album, Being There.  It's where I truly believe the band we see now, really started.  Here's a couple from that double album, also, major balls to make your second album, a double record.

"I Got You (At The End Of The Century)"

"Far, Far Away"

Our next album is called Summerteeth.  Jay Bennett, who was brought into the band for Being There, really put his stamp on this album.  To go along with him knowing how to play every instrument ever invented, practically.  He was a very respected producer.  The album has a darker tone and Jeff's lyrics were getting stronger.

"A Shot In The Arm"

"I'm Always In Love"


We've come upon the crossroads that is Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.  By the end of this album, Wilco would've been dropped and picked up by the same record label, Jay Bennett would be fired after trying to take over control of the album and they would unknowingly have their biggest selling and most critically acclaimed release to date.  Jeff Tweedy, would start being recognized as one of the great songwriters of our time.

"Jesus, Etc."


"Heavy Metal Drummer"


This completes the first part of Listening To You - Wilco.  I had to divide it up, because there's so many great and amazing songs.  Also, the eras are like two completely different bands, with Jay Bennett and without him.  Jay Bennett would release five solo albums after he left Wilco.  He would die from an accidental overdose of the painkiller, Fentanyl.  He needed a hip replacement and was self-medicating due to not being able to afford health insurance.  He was a really great musician.

This, That And The Other Thing

This:

I cut my hair today.  It's been a long time coming.  It got quite long and unruly, well for me.  So, I got out the trusty clippers and started shaving away.  I normally don't have long hair ever, but got lazy and let it grow, just to see what it would look like.  I had long hair in college for a while and then I shaved it all off.  For about 10 years, my hair styles have alternated between a pompadour, a flattop and then, the messy flattop (grown in a little, short, spiky and sloppy).  The past couple of years, since I've had my clippers, I just cut my hair down to a short length and let it grow out and style it the way it wants.  My hair allows me to do whatever I want with it, provided it's not too long.  When it gets long, it gets wavy and a mind of it's own.  So, it had to be dealt with.  I cut it down to a 6 (3/4 of an inch) to see what it looked like.  Still a little long, so I cleaned it up with a 4 (1/2 inch).  Perfect.  Swept up, jumped in the shower to clean off the hair.  Felt some long hairs that I missed.  Dried off and started to clip them off.  Forgetting, that I had taken off the length guard.  So, it went from 1/2 inch to skin, in one easy swipe of the clippers.  So, I'm a chunky, Ian MacKaye.  I just need the X's on my hands.  Hair grows back, thankfully.  I told my wife.  She doesn't like my hair too short, so "Lucy, there's some splainin' to do!"  She's fine with it.  She has no choice really.


That:

Tomorrow is the announcement of what players will be inducted into the Baseball HOF.  I don't claim to be an expert in baseball or any sport, but I like to think I know more than the average fan.  There are so many politics in Hall of Fame voting.  It doesn't matter if it's a sports HOF or the RnRHOF, they are all the same.  No player has ever been inducted into the Baseball HOF with everyone voting for him.  You need 75% to get in, but nobody has ever gotten 100%.  Even no-brainers like Babe Ruth, Willie Mays or Hank Aaron, just to name a couple of all-time greats, didn't get 100%.  People have agendas and often refuse to vote for someone in their first year of eligibility.  Just because...that's a good reason.  Remember when your Mom and/or Dad wouldn't let you do/have something and they didn't have a good reason, it was often...just because.  Didn't make sense then and doesn't make sense now.  Basically, it comes down to, "because I can."  I'll give you my little of list of players that I think should be voted in on 1/5/11.

Roberto Alomar: A lifetime .300 hitter, with the best range and hands I've seen on a second basemen.  Often made the incredible play look easy.  12 time All-Star and 10 time Gold Glove winner.  Finished in the top 10 voting for MVP 5 times, as a second baseman.  A very durable player over his career.

Jeff Bagwell: He was the player that got away, for us fans in Boston.  He was part of a very bad trade in 1990.  All because, we had two players ahead of him at third base.  We should have done what Houston did, made him a first baseman.  He goes on to become Rookie of the Year and an MVP winner.  I would have loved to see what he'd do at Fenway.  I'll keep dreaming.

Bert Blyleven: The argument against him is, he was never very dominant.  I get it, but he has 287 wins, is 5th all-time on the strikeout list and did it all while playing mostly for mediocre teams for most of his career.  Plus, he just missed getting in last year, so this might be the only guy I get right.

Barry Larkin: He is the prototype for the modern shortstop.  He proved that you didn't have to have your SS hit 9th in the batting order.  He could hit for power, run and get on base.  He won 3 consecutive Gold Gloves while Ozzie Smith (The Wizard of OZ) was still playing.  No small feat.  He also won an MVP award, which was unheard of, at the time for a shortstop.

That's it.  Those four and I won't be surprised if they all get in or if no one gets in.  That's how screwed up the voting is these days.  Different opinions, ideas on what makes a HOFer and agendas.  Who knows?  Not me.

The Other Thing:

OR

Ouch...Pain!

This wasn't the post I had intended to be the first one of the year.  I have a migraine right now.  I've been suffering from them since about age 12, maybe even younger.  They can sometime last for a couple of days and are just a miserable experience.  I'm just trying to take this little bit of time of dull pain to get something down here, before it feels like someone has taken an ax to my head again.  Granted, I may be over it, but you just never know.

Hopefully, I'll be in better shape tomorrow and will be able to think clearly and write something much more entertaining.  Off to the darkness that is the Bat Cave.