iVoryTowerz

iVoryTowerz Radio Salutes Les Paul

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Rockwell) — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 11:25:10 PDT

After another short hiatus, the underground podcast returns this week with our first opportunity to acknowledge the passing of the great Les Paul, the innovator who brought us the modern electric guitar. So expect this program to rock. The Wizard of Waukesha, as Paul was known, shows up twice in this program and many of those who were influenced by him also are included as the program covers almost 55 years of sound. The program ranges from landmark recordings by Paul to blues, blues-rock, garage rock, psychedelia, punk and pop. And if you think Paul's influence is all older rock, listen again. This program includes a hefty slice of new rock too. Enjoy as we salute the legend.

(To stream or download this podcast, please click here.)

Playlist

"Vaya Con Dios" by Les Paul & Mary Ford
Cover Me: "Rock 'n Roll Hoochie Koo" by Les Paul, Edgar Winter & Kenny Wayne Shepherd
“Walkin' Blues" by The Paul Butterfield Blues Band
"Walking By Myself" by Earl Seratte & the Blues Kings
"Albatross" by The Mick Fleetwood Blues Band
"Fly Farm Blues" by Jack White
"Brown Sugar" by ZZ Top
"American Made" by Gary Hoey
Rick's Metal Shoppe: “Journey to the Center of Your Mind” by Ted Nugent & The Amboy Dukes
Jeff’s New Wave: “Kill the Poor” by The Dead Kennedys
“You're No Rock N' Roll Fun” by Sleater-Kinney
“To the Enemies of Political Rock” by Team Dresch
“21 Guns” by Green Day
"Discovery" by Orange Shirt
"Can You Tell" by Ra Ra Riot
"Oxford Comma" by Vampire Weekend

Program contains songs with explicit lyrics.

(Mp3 Runs - 1:17:13; 72 MB.)

(The photo of Les Paul performing at the Iridium Jazz Club in New York City in 2008 is by Thomas Faivre-Duboz of Paris, France via Flickr, using a Creative Commons license.)

DISCLAIMER: The iVoryTowerz podcast is a non-commercial, non-profit program designed and used for educational purposes. Some of the material contained in this podcast is previously copyrighted but used with permission. Other copyrighted material is reused following fair use guidelines. Any copyright holders who do not wish to have their material used should contact the programmers directly at ivorytowerzradio@att.net and it will be removed. The programmers do not support filesharing and encourage listeners to buy music from the artists featured in this podcast.

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IVoryTowerz Radio: Hidden Subtexts

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Rockwell) — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 13:18:57 PDT

The underground podcast returns and we will do our best to come back on a regular basis after our summer hiatus. Of course, we return with plenty on our collective minds. And sometimes what we are talking about isn't always evident. This program certainly has plenty of subtexts. See if you can trace them. If we overexplain here, the effect will be lost. As usual, we have an unexpected eclectic mix that puts a different spin on rock radio: we are what classic rock radio could have been. So there's a hefty portion of new music and some classics too. The program ranges through classic rock, punk, New Wave (or what some call First Wave now), alternative, alt-country, country-rock, Americana, and even some heavy metal. Enjoy.

(To stream or download this podcast, please click here.)

Playlist

"Aqualung" by Jethro Tull
Rick's Metal Shoppe: “37 Stitches” by Drowning Pool
Jeff’s New Wave: “Peaches” by The Stranglers
“Window in the Skies" by U2
"Funny the Way It Is" by The Dave Matthews Band
"Hey 19" by Steely Dan
"Mohammed's Radio" by The Matthew Show
"Werewolves of London" by Warren Zevon
"Poor, Poor Pitiful Me" by Jackson Browne & Bonnie Raitt
“When the Wheels Don't Move” by Son Volt
“The Weight” by The Band
“You and I” by Wilco with Feist
"Thoughts of Mary Jane" by Nick Drake
"Old Days" by John Hiatt
"Wild at Heart" by Gloriana
Cover Me: "Girl fro the North Country" by Kermit Lynch

Program contains songs with explicit lyrics.

(Mp3 Runs - 1:23:26; 77 MB.)

(The photo is by audreyjm529 of Pennsylvania via Flickr, using a Creative Commons license.)

DISCLAIMER: The iVoryTowerz podcast is a non-commercial, non-profit program designed and used for educational purposes. Some of the material contained in this podcast is previously copyrighted but used with permission. Other copyrighted material is reused following fair use guidelines. Any copyright holders who do not wish to have their material used should contact the programmers directly at ivorytowerzradio@att.net and it will be removed. The programmers do not support filesharing and encourage listeners to buy music from the artists featured in this podcast.

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iVoryTowerz Radio: The Unexpected Mix

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Rockwell) — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 13:41:33 PDT

Anything appearing in this space this summer is certainly unexpected. But add to that a number of bands that we've never played before and you have an unexpected treat. About a third of this underground podcast touches on material never before podcast here, but our eclectic mix remains intact. On this podcast you'll find progressive, progressive metal, heavy metal, alternative, indie rock, new wave, country rock, and even some punk polka. Somehow although this mix includes plenty of new material we still cover more than 40 years of modern rock. One part of the unexpected mix is how this program blends FM hits and superstars with our usual selection of B-sides and rarities. Enjoy.

(To stream or download this podcast, please click here.)

Playlist

"Whisky Train" by Procol Harum
Rick's Metal Shoppe: “Highway Star” by Buckcherry
“Cotopaxi" by The Mars Volta
"I Live With You" by Grizzly Bear
"The Harbour's Cold" by Dieter Schöön
"Down to Earth" by Peter Gabriel
Jeff’s New Wave: “Johnny 7” by Stiff Little Finger
"Peek-A-Boo" by Siouxsie & the Banshees
"Roses in the Park" by Lichtenstein
“Going Down to Liverpool” by The Bangles
“Something in the Air” by Thunderclap Newman
“Barking at the Moon” by Jenny Lewis
"Leave My Woman Alone" by Peter & Gordon
"It's So Easy" by Linda Ronstadt
"Foggy Mountain Blue" by Gabrielle Maren
Cover Me: "I Can See for Miles" by Brave Combo

Program contains songs with explicit lyrics.

(Mp3 Runs - 1:16:57; 71 MB.)

(The photo is by :: Suwaif :: of the United Arab Emirates via Flickr, using a Creative Commons license.)

DISCLAIMER: The iVoryTowerz podcast is a non-commercial, non-profit program designed and used for educational purposes. Some of the material contained in this podcast is previously copyrighted but used with permission. Other copyrighted material is reused following fair use guidelines. Any copyright holders who do not wish to have their material used should contact the programmers directly at ivorytowerzradio@att.net and it will be removed. The programmers do not support filesharing and encourage listeners to buy music from the artists featured in this podcast.

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iVoryTowerz Radio: Forbidden Music

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Rockwell) — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 16:11:42 PDT

Off the air for several weeks, the underground podcast is back with a vengeance. Download this one quickly because who knows how long it will stay online. This podcast is so deep underground it approaches the globe's molten core. This is potentially the most controversial podcast from us ever. There's not just one controversial song here, or one controversial set, but controversy from start to finish. Although this is a special presentation, we still manage to serve up the sensational songs in the midst of the usual eclectic format. The program covers 45 years of music ranging through folk, country, country rock, New Wave, punk, grunge, metal, progressive metal, progressive, and alternative. Strap in. The rants and hot licks come fast and furious. But please, enjoy responsibly!

(To stream or download this podcast, please click here.)

Playlist

"Qu'ran" by Brian Eno & David Byrne
“I Talk to the Wind" by Steve Hackett
"21st Century Schizoid Man" by Seasons (request)
"Red" by Brand X
Rick's Metal Shoppe: “Court of the Crimson King” by Saxon
"All Apologies" by Nirvana
"Pepper" by The Butthole Surfers
"Seventeen" by The Sex Pistols
Jeff’s New Wave: “It's the End of the World as We Know It” by R.E.M.
Cover Me: "Louie, Louie" by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
“Creedence Song” by John Fogerty
“Wrote a Song for Everyone” by Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR)
“Zantz Can't Dance” by John Fogerty
"Not Ready to Make Nice" by The Dixie Chicks
"Talkin' John Birch Paranoid Blues" by Bob Dylan
"Forbidden City" by Joe Strummer & the Mescaleros

Program contains explicit song lyrics and discussions of mature content including graphic language. Rated: R.

(Mp3 Runs - 1:33:13; 86 MB.)

(The graphic is by Mr.Enjoy of Funchal, Portugal via Flickr, using a Creative Commons license.)

DISCLAIMER: The iVoryTowerz podcast is a non-commercial, non-profit program designed and used for educational purposes. Some of the material contained in this podcast is previously copyrighted but used with permission. Other copyrighted material is reused following fair use guidelines. Any copyright holders who do not wish to have their material used should contact the programmers directly at ivorytowerzradio@att.net and it will be removed. The programmers do not support filesharing and encourage listeners to buy music from the artists featured in this podcast.

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In Memoriam: Walter Cronkite

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Rockwell) — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 02:06:53 PDT

Good-bye.

Walter Cronkite

(1916 — 2009)

"And that's the way it is."

My hero is gone. Walter Cronkite has passed. An era is truly now over.

Cronkite shaped journalism. At CBS he created the type of journalism I wanted to practice ever since I was a boy. Watching him every night inspired my career and my life. He instilled a sense of history and place in me and catalyzed me to find answers in history books, in outer space and in everyday reporting. Taking the foundations established by Edward R. Murrow at CBS and with the help of his able producer Ed Bliss, Cronkite’s CBS Evening News established a standard for news on television.

I’m sorry to say it seems that was the zenith of television journalism. The state of journalism on television has receded quickly ever since Cronkite departed the airwaves. You can blame Dan Rather, or CBS or Van Gordon Sauter, but Cronkite’s news organization was dismantled. The version of CBS News anchored today by Katie Couric is not even a ghost of the past, Bob Schieffer’s contributions not withstanding.

Cronkite was for years the most respected man in America. He deserved it. He was known for reporting straight ahead. No frills. I watched American history through Cronkite’s lens: the Kennedy assassinations and that of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. too; Vietnam (a war that Cronkite affected with his frank commentary after the Tet Offensive); and the landing on the moon.

In the 1990s, I got to meet my hero. At the time I was at the University of Southern California. Cronkite came to pick up an honor and speak to journalism students. “You’ll have to speak up,” Cronkite told me immediately upon my approach in a very loud tone, “these days I’m as deaf as a post.” Helped by his wife, I was able to have a nice chat with Uncle Walter about the state of journalism. This was a tiny moment but a memorable one because Cronkite was the man who had been projected to all of us for so many years via television: he was friendly and avuncular but also honest and direct.

I am sad to see him go. Television news, these days, does not reach the standard he set. His passing marks a moment that means truly those glory days of television journalism are mostly in the past. And that is also sadder, but that is the way it is, Saturday, July 18, 2009.

~Rick Rockwell

(The photo of Walter Cronkite is from a speech at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. in 2004. The photo is by Bill Ingalls of NASA; as the photo is from NASA, a government agency, it is in the public domain. Please see The New York Times for Cronkite's obituary. To see a retrospective on Cronkite, in his own words, please check below.)

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All Apologies

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Rockwell) — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 12:55:55 PDT

After three weeks on hiatus it is time to return. Our apologies for the radio silence without warning. There are many reasons for the lapse. We would offer some up to you, but many will just sound like excuses. So we will dispense with the reasons, only to say we are sorry we have not been here. Likely, the blog will not be a daily affair again, at least for the short term. We will monitor reader reaction a bit more closely to see if frequency has any effect on the impact of this blog. We want to continue to bring you strong commentary, but only if it has sufficient audience and reaction. Thanks for your patience while we regrouped.

(Graphic © copyright DarkBlack and used with permission. For more material like this, please see DarkBlack's blog.)

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iVoryTowerz Highlights

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Rockwell) — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 12:58:57 PDT

Television: True Blood & the Vampire Craze — Vampires seem to be everywhere these days. At least in the media: television, films, books all seem over-populated with these creatures of the night. Guest blogger Jordan Coughenour discusses the vampire craze with HBO's new hit True Blood on her mind. and the law. Yes the same folks who brought us the marvelous Six Feet Under continue to be interested with death. But this time, the producers are into a kitsch pulp approach to vampires that is also an interesting satire on modern culture and politics. Jordan, as usual, gives us the wider cultural picture of what it all means.

Politics: Social Debate Gone Awry & the Results — When will Bill O'Reilly and the rest of the right-wing spinmeisters ever take responsibility for their actions? Don't they realize that their hateful speech actually creates a climate where those who are unhinged may be pushed to take dispicable actions? Kit-Bacon Gressitt examines the state of right-wing cable and radio talk and finds them low on the responsibility scale. Read this piece to get a view on why the pre-summer political atmosphere seems more dangerous than it should be.

Baseball: The Nationals Need Stephen Strasburg — Why is it Washington, D.C. is cursed with getting the worst team in baseball? This is not the first time this has happened. And management seems perplexed when handed talent to fix the problem. Are the Nationals being pennywise and pound foolish by turning away young pitching talent just because that talent is making high dollar demands? The Nationals did just that last year. And now, they have the potential to do it again despite drafting Stephen Strasburg. Sports commentator Suzie Raven says the Nationals need to do what they can to sign this young pitcher.

NBA Finals 2009: Kobe Wins His Fourth Ring — Sports commentator Phil Kehres not only lets loose on the underachieving Orlando Magic in this post-Finals analysis, but he also takes a few chops at the new World Champion Los Angeles Lakers. All that plus Phil gives us a good example of schadenfreude too. For those who can't get enough basketball, this piece appropriately puts the pro season to rest.

iVoryTowerz Radio Puts on its Boots

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Rockwell) — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 18:18:20 PDT

If that picture gives you any ideas, then you know you're in the right place this week, as the underground podcast is in an especially eclectic and niche mood. Now, don't get the wrong idea. We haven't turned into musical festishists. But we do find a way to head off on to odd tangents and still tie them all together. And although we don't start off with standards all the time, this week we commence with perhaps the biggest song of all time about boots. And we march on from there. As usual, this podcast includes music from most eras of rock: stretching back about 45 years, but also with a strong dash of new sounds. The mix this week includes: garage rock, proto-punk, punk, power pop, metal and much more. So strap on your boots and get ready to party and dance with us. And well, if you're not up for dancing, then well just shake your head, stretch out those booted legs and look cool in the summer heat. Enjoy!

(To stream or download this podcast, please click here.)

Playlist

"These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" by Nancy Sinatra
Cover Me: "Kicks" by The Ventures with Nancy Sinatra
“One Man Girl" by Lost Agency
"Destroyer" by The Kinks
"Chinatown" by Tahiti 80
"So Far Away" by The Apples in Stereo
"Skeletons" by Tiny Masters of Today
"Sixteen" by Iggy Pop
Jeff’s New Wave: “Love Comes in Spurts” by Richard Hell & the Voidoids
“Son of a Gun” by The Vaselines
“Jesus Doesn't Want Me for a Sunbeam” by Nirvana
“One of a Kind” by Placebo
"West Coast Smoker" by Fall Out Boy with Deborah Harry
"Lifeline" by Papa Roach
"Let's Go Crazy" by Incubus
Rick's Metal Shoppe: “Deep Unknown” by Stratovarius

(Mp3 Runs - 1:15:42; 70 MB.)

(The photo is by Avasopel of Spain via Flickr, using a Creative Commons license.)

DISCLAIMER: The iVoryTowerz podcast is a non-commercial, non-profit program designed and used for educational purposes. Some of the material contained in this podcast is previously copyrighted but used with permission. Other copyrighted material is reused following fair use guidelines. Any copyright holders who do not wish to have their material used should contact the programmers directly at ivorytowerzradio@att.net and it will be removed. The programmers do not support filesharing and encourage listeners to buy music from the artists featured in this podcast.

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Television: True Blood & the Vampire Craze

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Rockwell) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 08:27:10 PDT

by Jordan Coughenour
Special to iVoryTowerz

I never thought the day would come when I would see an ad for specialized vampire dental care shown before a movie. But there it was; between the slides pitching Ray’s Ribs and all too obvious movie trivia, a nauseatingly blue screen promising perfect discretion to the office’s fanged clientele. A few years ago, this would have been more than cause for a double take, but now barely warrants a raised eyebrow.

It was, of course one of the more clever covert ads for the second season of HBO’s wildly popular True Blood. (The second season began on June 14.) The dental ad was only one of many witty placements the show has used in its promotions, with others including TV commercials for vampire dating services, vampire electric razors and preachy infomercials from the anti-vampire Fellowship of the Sun. As is the scenario within the fictional world of True Blood, in the past years, vampires have truly "come out of the coffin."

Speaking to my grandmother about the obsession today’s youth have with these fanged creatures, she expressed confusion, and even concern that with the tweeny-bopper Twilight series at such popularity, the line between good and evil was being continually blurred. Now, I have many gripes (as do others) with the Twilight series: endless adverbs, weak female characters and poorly written, for a start. But this was not one that had originally occurred to me. The American public has always clung to our dark anti-heroes; we’ve gone through obsessions with Italian mobsters, bankrobbers, and hitmen — so why is the new vampire obsession creating such a dividing line in our popular culture?

Possibly because; more than our love affairs with the dark and daring figures in the past, this movement speaks to a younger generation. (Though there are exceptions; I for one can attest that at the ripe age of 12 I was already reaching unhealthy levels of fascination with the gangsters of The Sopranos) The romantic and eternal adolescence can appeal to any kid with fears of what comes next, but who is too jaded to believe in the magic of a figure like Peter Pan. While the one-dimensional Twilight uses this enduring and dark love as its main appeal, the prevalence of this mythic monster figure is also giving rise to an ability to build upon the traditional mythology, and create something entirely new.

HBO’s True Blood doesn’t bother to catch up its audience with a primer on vampirism, but rather throws them into a society full of metaphor and depth. While the seemingly mandatory human/vamp/human love triangle does frequently take center stage, aspects of vampirism; the condition itself, the euphoria inducing qualities of the creatures’ blood on humans, and the bizarre and dangerous sexual practices of the vamps, all act as analogies for racism, drug addiction and carnal fetishes in Southern society.

So for all the griping that anti-fangophiles and Twi-hard haters commit, it is possible to look beyond a one or two misery inducing interpretations of this classic monster, with the hopes that its newfound prevalence will lead to more daring imaginings. Without the sulking Cullen Clan of Twilight, the empowering figure of True Blood’s Sookie Stackhouse may never have hit the small screen. And this vampire obsession doesn’t look to be headed away anytime soon. There are rumors of rebooting the Buffy series (please, God, no), and the next film adaption of Twilight already looks to make a fortune in box office receipts. So no matter your opinions on these nocturnal creatures of the night, it’s high time for you to retract your fangs and smile for the possibilities in their newfound resurgence.

(The promotional graphic is from HBO's True Blood. To see a trailer for the second season of the series, please check below.)

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iVoryTowerz Radio Glows

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Rockwell) — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 14:07:02 PDT

There are many reasons the underground podcast is glowing these days. Impose your own rationale, but many of the clues are contained in this musical mix. Our suggestion is to cue this one up late at night: it travels from the dark edge to the glowing horizon of the coming sunrise. And if you like music programs with layers of mood and message, here's one for you. This program includes 45 years of sound, including soul, neo-soul, alternative, indie rock, classic rock, New Wave, punk, electronica, and even some comedy. There's plenty to enjoy, so please give it a listen.

(To stream or download this podcast, please click here.)

Playlist

"Wrong" by Depeche Mode
"In Your Room" by Depeche Mode
“Never Let Me Down Again" by The Smashing Pumpkins
"Lo Que Tu Digas" by Moenia
"Deeper and Deeper" by Dave Gahan
Rick's Metal Shoppe: “Back from the Dead” by Spinal Tap
"For What It's Worth" by Placebo
"I Got Your Number" by Ted Leo and the Pharmacists
Jeff’s New Wave: “Crawling from the Wreckage” by Dave Edmunds
Cover Me: "Lawyers, Guns and Money" by The Wallflowers
“We're Going to Hell... So Bring the Sunblock” by The Blackout
“Jailbreak” by Thin Lizzy
“Fire and Water” by Free
"15" by Rilo Kiley
"So Good" by Electrik Red
"Love Child" by The Supremes

This program contains songs with explicit lyrics.

(Mp3 Runs - 1:16:02; 70 MB.)

(The photo of Aguilas, Spain at sunset is by Rietje Swart of Spain via Flickr, using a Creative Commons license.)

DISCLAIMER: The iVoryTowerz podcast is a non-commercial, non-profit program designed and used for educational purposes. Some of the material contained in this podcast is previously copyrighted but used with permission. Other copyrighted material is reused following fair use guidelines. Any copyright holders who do not wish to have their material used should contact the programmers directly at ivorytowerzradio@att.net and it will be removed. The programmers do not support filesharing and encourage listeners to buy music from the artists featured in this podcast.

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Politics: Social Debate Gone Awry & the Results

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Rockwell) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:53:36 PDT

by Kit-Bacon Gressitt

Summertime once meant slow, sultry days; the lazy drone of locusts, lulling us into a doze beneath weeping willows; finding faces in the clouds or taking lady bugs for walks from fingertip to fingertip; lolling and waiting… waiting for someone to spur the sweltering group to action.

And then the herd of kids would up and move — to the road’s edge to pop tar bubbles, coating toes and infuriating mothers at bath time. To the garden to make rose petal lipstick, blackberry war paint, and perform vignettes of classic tales. Under the fence to steal neglected rhubarb from the wild patch next door and run from the crotchety old lady who rightly treasured every wilting stalk and weed. To the rubbish heap to see who could pee the farthest, disregarding gender. Down by the train tracks to flatten pennies and marvel at the loss of Lincoln’s features. Over to the abandoned chicken coop to practice burping on demand and talk of things unspoken by parents.

Whatever we did, we did it together; it never occurred to us there was another way. Our parents had varied incomes and faiths, disparate origins and pursuits, but their distinctions were lost on us, the children of our block. We had a community of kindred souls, a cohesive force that wound us inextricably together in those days of one-car families and parents unconcerned about tossing their kids out into the world. We’d fend for each other and show up at one home or another only when hunger forced us. In those days, everyone could come out to play, and summer’s freedom was our endless stage, our indivisible barefoot pursuit, despite our differences. In those days, we could imagine no boundaries.

But today, as summer swiftly approaches, boundaries run rampant — and deadly in word and deed.

Anti-legal abortion fervor erupts in murder, as Scott P. Roeder crosses the threshold of Reformation Lutheran Church — crossing from advocating for life to destroying it — and shoots dead a physician who crossed picket lines to treat patients with disastrous pregnancies. And the cooks who help whip up that fervor, Randall Terry, Operation Rescue founder, and Fox News personality Bill O’Reilly among them, chalk up Dr. Tiller’s murder to his comeuppance for being what they call a “baby killer.”

G. Gordon Liddy, of Watergate fame, whose radio show is not extolled for its level-headedness, takes a header from the fringes into the absurdly vulgar, fretting about what might happen when President Barack Obama’s Supreme Court nominee Judge Sonia Sotomayor is menstruating. And it is not an ill-conceived joke.

James W. von Braun enters the Holocaust Museum — an institution dedicated to confronting hatred, preventing genocide, promoting human dignity and strengthening democracy — and draws a bloody line between free speech and murderous demonstration, leaving hateful destruction on both sides of his path, the indignity of a victim sprawled in death. And pundits argue whether blame falls to the left or the right.

The National Organization for Marriage, sponsor of the Gathering Storm ad, steps yet again from advocating against same-sex marriage to divisive propaganda: “Same-sex marriage isn't just about two people living as they please, but about whether a large majority of Americans are going to be marginalized as bigots by a group of elites determined to force their new vision of marriage on the entire nation.” And the fearful fail to ask what actual harm same-sex marriage will to do their heterosexual marriages, their children, their nation.

Today, it is not the hopping anticipation of barefoot pleasures that makes the days seem so long, but the disingenuous and deadly discourse of social debate gone awry, the replacement of news with uncivil commentary, the marketing of anger and derision as information.

But it seems a futile complaint, when audiences blindly accept the “either or,” the “us or them” as absolute; when people continue to watch and listen and absorb the fear and hate. How many reactionary murderers until they question; how many vulgar and dishonest statements until they refuse to listen?

Just what would it take for them to instead seek the satisfying smell of tar, the joyful tang of rhubarb, the forthright competition of unashamed peeing, the camaraderie of unbiased children, now bigger, but still in full knowledge of how to play well with others — despite their differences?

(Editor's Note: This piece is cross-posted from Kit-Bacon Gressitt's personal blog, Excuse Me, I'm Writing.)

(The photo of Bill O'Reilly is from an appearance he made at Ft. Drum, NY in 2006. The photo is a military photo taken by Sgt. 1st Class Vivienne Pacquette and is in the public domain. To see a commentary from Keith Olbermann about the responsibilities right-wing commentaries have for the climate of hate, please see below.)

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Baseball: The Nationals Need Stephen Strasburg

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Rockwell) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:53:32 PDT

by Suzie Raven

The right-handed pitcher from San Diego State was an obvious choice for the Washington Nationals number one draft pick, as the team’s struggling pitching staff has dragged their relatively strong offense into the worst record in baseball. Since Strasburg is arguably the best pitching prospect in draft history, he can offer the team a rare shred of hope every fifth day.

The famously ruthless agent Scott Boras argues that Strasburg’s 102 mile per hour fastball and strong curve are worth every penny of the six-year $50 million contract he will try to get for Strasburg before the August 17th deadline. In 119 innings with San Diego, Strasburg had a 13-1 record, with a 1.22 ERA and 195 strikeouts.

Amazing statistics like those are worth the amazing contract that Boras seeks, but the Nationals are in no hurry to sign a record-setting contract.

"There's no one player or situation that changes the whole industry," Nationals President Stan Kasten said. “We do expect to draft the player we think is the best. We expect to sign him. We're going to be aggressive, but we'll be appropriate."

Kasten may be right that no one player should be expected to change the fate of the whole organization. They exercised this logic by failing to sign last year’s number one draft pick, Missouri pitcher Aaron Crow. Time will tell if that was a good decision or not, as Crow signed with the Kansas City Royals last week.

Strasburg’s talent has more potential to help the Nationals in the immediate future than anything else. The faster they sign him, the faster he can enter their rotation and start winning games for them. If they wait until August 17th, they will they have wasted two months of starts. They also would’ve foolishly allowed him to waste time that he could’ve spent working out with a major league team.

It’s time for the Nationals to make a solid investment in their own future. Strasburg is ready and more than able to become the ace for an organization that desperately needs pitching.

(To see a background piece about Strasburg from ESPN, please check below.)

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NBA Finals 2009: Kobe Wins His Fourth Ring

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Rockwell) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 17:03:54 PDT

by Phil Kehres

I was wrong. I thought the National Basketball Association (NBA) Finals would go six games. As it turns out, the Orlando Magic were playing even farther over their heads than I thought they were. Now that the NBA Finals are over and the Los Angeles Lakers have won their 15th NBA title, it’s time for me to get a few things off my chest.

First off, I’m glad the Magic lost. I’m a Cleveland Cavaliers fan, and a bitter one at that. As much as it makes me sick to my stomach to even tacitly root for a despicable team like the Lakers, I find a small amount of solace in watching the Magic crumble to a superior team — as they should have to the Cavs. Call it schadenfreude if you will, but the Finals proved that Orlando is a one-trick pony if you can manage to even slightly deter center Dwight Howard. The Magic live and die by the three-point shot. Against Cleveland, they lived; in the Finals, they died. Bottom line is that they shouldn’t have even gotten that far. If the Cavs had played up to even ¾ of their potential and somebody besides LeBron James had shown up, I have a feeling we’d still be watching the Finals. Better luck next year, Magic. They’ll need that luck, too, as they’re simply not talented enough to make it back to the Finals without a little, ahem, magic.

Secondly, now we can all look forward to a summer of the mainstream media slobbering at Kobe Bryant’s feet. (Such as his upcoming appearance on The Tonight Show on NBC on June 17.) He finally won his ring without Shaquille O’Neal. There’s no doubt in my mind that Kobe is a phenomenal player. Second-best on the planet, for sure. Championships, though, are a team effort. No matter how many times you will hear misguided fans cite Kobe’s four championships as a reason why he’s better than LeBron James, the simple truth is that, even in the NBA, one man alone cannot win a championship. Bryant had a tremendous supporting cast this year. LeBron had more help than he’s ever had before, but he still lacks a powerful number two like Kobe has in center Pau Gasol. LeBron will get his eventually but now, reluctantly, we have to give it up for Kobe and his teammates. As much as it pains me to say, I believe the best team in the NBA won the championship this year, and that’s as fair as it gets.

Lastly, I just want to say that the Finals came off as quite a disappointment compared to the rest of the playoffs. It looked like both teams were so tired that it was a battle of attrition. This stood in deep contrast to the heart-pounding action of the earlier rounds. All in all, however, it was a hell of a season.

So here’s to hoping the 2009-2010 season showcases as much fire and passion as we’ve seen this season. And for my sake, let’s hope LeBron can finally bring a championship to Cleveland before he has the chance to leave (he won’t, by the way, but this is definitely a topic for another time!).

(Phil Kehres also is the co-author of Excuse Me, Is This Your Blog? He also contributes to Fear the Sword, a blog about the Cleveland Cavaliers of the Sports Blog Nation.)

(To see highlights the NBA Finals, please check below.)

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iVoryTowerz Radio Waits for Godot

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Rockwell) — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 20:44:40 PDT

Get ready because the underground podcast gets very deep and philosophical this week. Still affected by the recent deaths of Koko Taylor and David Carradine, this show was programmed with the concepts of death, spirituality, religion, and eternity lingering on the synapses. Our suggestion: cue this one up for some midnight listening. Don't worry, though the content packs a heavy mental punch, the eclectic mix is still here to lift your spirits. The music tracks more than 40 years of sound including soul, blues, Americana, New Wave, punk, metal, and progressive rock. The mix alone should give you something to think about. Just remember, you can still rock out while contemplating the larger concepts. Try it with us. Who says a rock show needs to be one dimensional and simplistic?

(To stream or download this podcast, please click here.)

Playlist

"The Four Horsemen" (altered) by Aphrodite's Child
Rick's Metal Shoppe: “Avenida Revolution” by Chickenfoot
"Windmilling" by fiREHOSE
“Infected" by Bad Religion
"East Bay Night" by Rancid
"No Allies" by Double Dagger
"Waiting Room" by Fugazi
Jeff’s New Wave: “Just What I Needed” by The Cars
Cover Me: "To Sir With Love" (live) by Soul Asylum
"Fourteen Rivers, Fourteen Floods" by Beck
“The Crooked Line” by Elvis Costello* with Emmylou Harris
“Beaumont” by Hayes Carll
“White Freightliner Blues” by Steve Earle
"You Ain't Worth a Good Woman" by Koko Taylor
"Another Man Done Gone" by Irma Thomas
"Drown in My Own Tears" by Aretha Franklin

*Too late for our studio deadline, Elvis' record company contacted us about a charity promotion where you can obtain a guitar signed by Elvis Costello. To read about the benefit for the City of Hope, please go here or go here to bid directly.

(Mp3 Runs - 1:19:36; 73 MB.)

(The photo collage is by alicepopkorn of Germany via Flickr, using a Creative Commons license.)

DISCLAIMER: The iVoryTowerz podcast is a non-commercial, non-profit program designed and used for educational purposes. Some of the material contained in this podcast is previously copyrighted but used with permission. Other copyrighted material is reused following fair use guidelines. Any copyright holders who do not wish to have their material used should contact the programmers directly at ivorytowerzradio@att.net and it will be removed. The programmers do not support filesharing and encourage listeners to buy music from the artists featured in this podcast.

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Elvis Costello & the City of Hope

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Rockwell) — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 12:54:01 PDT

Unusual for this blog to run an item that is promotional in nature, but we make an exception here for several reasons: 1) it is for a good cause; 2) Elvis Costello remains one of our favorite artists; and 3) you can still pick up a souvenir guitar signed by Elvis at a reasonable price.

Here's the scoop. Universal Music Group contacted the blog about promoting a charity auction that benefits the City of Hope and its cancer research programs. What's being auctioned? Well, an Epiphone acoustic guitar and case, autographed by Elvis Costello. As of this writing, bids stand at just over $400. Act quickly though. The auction ends Monday, June 15.

Why not put a bid in to help the cause? And if not, well, then go here to read our review of Elvis' latest Secret, Profane and Sugarcane, which includes a video of one of the new tunes. Thanks for letting us interrupt the normal flow for this announcement.

(The promotional photo of Elvis Costello is from Lost Highway Records, a division of Universal Music Group. Elvis Costello and the Sugarcanes continue their world tour tomorrow, Sunday, June 14, with a concert in Cary, North Carolina.)

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Tennessee's New Gun Law: Seriously Dumb

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Rockwell) — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 18:38:20 PDT

by Emily Norton
Special to iVoryTowerz

I thought we were pushing dumb in Tennessee with the “Butt-Crack Bill” and “English-Only Bill" earlier this year until Nashville pulled it’s most recent trump card. Sensible Governor Phil Bredesen (D) previously vetoed a bill that would permit guns to be brought into restaurants and bars so long as the holder hides the gun and doesn’t drink. His motion was met with loud protest from the National Rifle Association, a laughable yet apparently highly influential organization down South, which insisted that Bredesen “betrayed their trust.” To the dismay of the sensible, this past week, the Tennessee Senate and House sided with the notorious NRA, overriding the governor’s veto. The bottom line: we go from just dumb to dangerous and dumb starting the 15th of July (when the law will go into effect).

The words of those advocating the law (such as “law-abiding” or “responsible” to name a few) drip with a naïve and sickening idealism. The expectation that all restaurant owners will check each of their customers for a concealed handgun and monitor their alcohol consumption is as ludicrous as the expectation that every gun holder is law-abiding. This law hands Pandora the box with the lid half open. I do not believe the simplistic lie often promoted by the NRA that the presence of guns creates a safer atmosphere, and we should certainly put our faith in the hands of those holding permits.

Although I’m clinging to the slim chance the feds will swoop in and label this new gun law unconstitutional, it seems as though the only realistic glimmer of hope lies within the potential ordinance that metro council members in Davidson are discussing. That ordinance would make it illegal to carry a gun in a restaurant where beer is served. As many have said and as I hope at the very least Davidson County will listen to the ever-true statement that guns and booze do not mix.

(The photo is by publik16 via Flickr, using a Creative Commons license.)

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NBA Finals 2009: Can the Magic Survive?

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Rockwell) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 17:37:27 PDT

by Phil Kehres

It took a nailbiter of an ending for the Orlando Magic to hold onto a 106-104 win in Game Three of the National Basketball Association (NBA) Finals. No doubt the Magic feel good about the win, as they should, but their prospects still don’t look great against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Orlando is looking a lot like the Cleveland Cavaliers did in the Eastern Conference Finals. They are living and dying on last-second shots and misses. They can’t seem to get everyone going at once. Superstar Center Dwight Howard managed to go without a dunk in a Game One that saw Los Angeles dominate 100-75. Game Two slipped away when guard Courtney Lee couldn’t finish on an inbound pass that could have won the game for Orlando. Even after recording the highest team shooting percentage in NBA Finals history in Game Three, the Magic could only manage to win by four – on their home court.

What is it exactly that’s keeping the Magic from looking like the elite team they seemed to be in the Cleveland series?

For one, you have to credit the Lakers. They are more balanced and deeper all-around than the Cavaliers. As I’ve mentioned before, their bigger, more athletic centers and forwards have been causing trouble for Howard, a fact made obvious by Howard’s inability to pull off dunk after dunk as he did against Cleveland. Another thing to consider, however, is that the Magic simply aren’t as good as they seemed to be in the Eastern Conference Finals. Against Cleveland, Orlando relied heavily on guard Rafer Alston, a player who consistently maintains one of the worst shooting percentages in the league. Alston managed to get hot and stay hot at the right time, as did backup guard Mickael Pietrus. That, in concert with Howard’s domination, ultimately spelled doom for Cleveland.

Game Three of the Finals saw the Magic start to fire on all cylinders, as Howard came alive with 21 points and 14 rebounds while the rest of the team shot the lights out. Again, though, they only managed to win by four. It would, of course, be silly to say that the series is all but over. If the Magic have to maintain this break-neck pace just to keep up with the Lakers, however, it doesn’t look good. I still can’t imagine this series going more than six games.

(Phil Kehres also is the co-author of Excuse Me, Is This Your Blog? He also contributes to Fear the Sword, a blog about the Cleveland Cavaliers of the Sports Blog Nation.)

(The fourth game in the NBA Finals is tonight, Thursday, June 11. To see the schedule of NBA Finals games on ABC, please go here. To see highlights of Game Three of the NBA Finals, please check below.)

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Broadway: Less Spectacle is Actually More

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Rockwell) — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 17:40:17 PDT

by Jordan Coughenour
Special to iVoryTowerz

Broadway's reputation has always been synonymous with the glitziest, gaudiest and most over the top production values known to the stages of this country. Especially in this age of the Blockbuster Musical (of which I have previously written), in which an Addams Family and Spiderman musicals are planning to invade by spring of 2010, audiences on the Great White Way expect their ears, mind and eyes to be blown away by the spectacle. So, it is particularly notable when, in this era, shows that work magic with the most basic accessories in sound and set are successful enough to draw the attention of both theatre buff locals and curious tourists.

Last season's Passing Strange, written by and starring Los Angeles rocker Stew*, was one of the most perfectly formed examples of minimalism in modern musicals. With only a few black chairs, and an exuberant light wall, the show managed to bring both vitality and urgency foreign to contemporary musicals. Even though it was far surpassed in statues by In the Heights at the 2008 Tony Awards, Passing Strange stripped away the glitter of Broadway and instead simply told a compelling story with a cast as energetic as any seen since the first months of RENT. Although Passing Strange closed prematurely, Spike Lee took interest in the play’s depiction of the black artistic experience, and filmed the show over the course of two evenings. The film will air in 2010 on the public television network’s Great Performances.

It seems to be a surfacing trend that one or two musicals each season will have the guts (and possibly lack of funding) to mount a spectacle-less production. The short-lived, Off-Broadway originated [title of show] played for just around three months last summer, to little success except among a die-hard community of theatre aficionados. The real subdued star of the 08-09 year is the first major revival of the 1970’s free-love musical, Hair. The show, which until the second act remains essentially without a plot, could easily be transferred to the New York streets where the action onstage is meant to take place. Without set changes, and costumes that could easily have been purchased at the nearest vintage store, Hair functions similarly to Passing Strange, and even [title of show] by relying on the energy and passion that the cast passes to the audience, in the place of visual décor. The most affecting moment of Hair was one that could hardly be controlled, though was not at all unexpected by the cast. During the curtain call reprise of the well-known, and somewhat generation-defining number “Let the Sunshine In,” the co-stars of the show invited audience members to come onstage. While this action usually results in flamboyant high school drama queens and hesitant children strutting their wares, during this particular opportunity, the stage was instead rushed by white haired baby boomers, who hip swiveled along with the cast, and belted out the entirety of the lyrics as if it were still hip to wear bell bottoms and flowers in your hair. The shameless enthusiasm and youthful vitality of what moments ago, were merely onlookers, echoed the infectious power of theatre without the constraints of elaborate overproduction.

*Stew is the abbreviated name of singer-songwriter Mark Stewart.

(The promotional poster is for Passing Strange. To see a video preview of Passing Strange, please check the clip below.)

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Music Review: Placebo's Battle for the Sun

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Rockwell) — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:55:28 PDT

by Rick Rockwell

Alright, any album that starts with a song entitled “Kitty Litter” immediately has this critic’s attention.

Thus opens Placebo’s sixth album Battle for the Sun: a 13-track outing that veers from grungy, post-punk stylings to experimental indie rock. (The electronic bonus track version comes with an additional track, “In a Funk.” The limited edition box set also includes yet another bonus studio track, “Wouldn’t It Be Good.”)

Battle for the Sun plays like a raw open wound of emotions after a particularly bad romantic breakup. Brian Molko’s lead guitar jangles and screeches with anxiety. The lyrics vary from anger (“The Devil in the Details”) to spiteful revenge and finally to the painful aches of emotional recovery (the updated glam-rock on “For What It’s Worth,” the first single).

Musically, Placebo has sharpened its sound on this release. While Meds (2006) seemed like an audition for the spot as band most likely to succeed Radiohead as the kings of alternative rock, most of Battle for the Sun is straightforward rock. Although the band includes a song “Ashtray Heart” which is a salute of sorts to Captain Beefheart, most of Battle for the Sun seems focused on crafting well-honed songs and less on pushing the alternative musical boundaries. (In the 1990s, before its first record, Placebo actually played some concert dates using the band name Ashtray Heart.)

Perhaps this musical focus is meant as the band’s assault on the U.S. market. A well-known success in Europe and the U.K., Placebo is far from a name act on this side of the Atlantic. Placebo certainly has as much to offer or more than popular U.S. favorites such as Fall Out Boy or The Killers. For instance, the track “Julien” certainly has radio potential with its well-crafted use of strings and a strong hook. Molko’s guitar work on the track is also reminiscent of the best of Billy Corgan from the Smashing Pumpkins. But likely, U.S. radio programmers will again pass on this material: it is over their heads.

Tracks like “Kings of Medicine” strike home not only with brass arrangements but also interesting lyrical wordplay using alcoholic beverages as the key metaphors. This is a trademark for Placebo, which has often used drug and alcohol references (including the band’s name choice) to make larger statements. Although Battle for the Sun may actually be a battle for notice in the U.S., it is another strong release from Britain’s answer to Seattle and the grunge movement of the 1990s. And for those who may think Placebo’s time has passed, just sample one track: “The Never-Ending Why.” On that number Molkos’ buzzsaw guitar provides a counterpoint to the sonic barrage of layered backing vocals, synthesizers, and even a toy piano (which has become a bit of a signature for this era’s indie rockers).

The recommendation: cue this one up; it is so much more satisfying than any of that wimpy pop or emo that tends to dominate the airwaves these days.

(The promotional photo of Placebo is © copyright Joseph Lianes and is made available for use through Vagrant Records, Placebo's U.S. record distributor. Placebo will begin its world tour on June 12 with an appearance in Finland. To see the video for the single "For What It's Worth," please check below.)

For What It's Worth

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Middle-aged Mothers for Marriage Equality Unite!

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Rockwell) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 12:01:20 PDT

(Editor's Note: This piece is cross-posted from Kit-Bacon Gressitt's personal blog, Excuse Me, I'm Writing.)

from Kit-Bacon Gressitt

Welcome to MAMMA!

We are a group of middle-aged mothers who want our every son and daughter to grow up and be able to marry a nice girl or boy — or boy or girl.

Yes, we’re talking same-sex marriage — marriage equality — so gird your loins and join us. You don’t have to be a MAMMA to be part of our family.

Some of us have gay children, gay relatives, gay friends, and we all treasure our civil rights enough to fight for them, like a mother for her babes, except we do battle with literature and poetry, images and discussion.

In fact, joining us means making an effort to talk about same-sex marriage with people who don’t support it. If that’s a scary thought, not to worry, Sweetie. MAMMA’s here to help. Visit us to learn how: www.mammasformarriageequality.com.

We might be profound or profane on occasion, pert or pedantic, prissy or pissy (too many ‘p’ words to keep that going), but whatever else we are, we are passionate about equal rights for all.

Even nose pickers. Now just imagine if folks tried to prohibit nose-picker marriage. We wouldn’t have enough mouths left to feed all that misinformation — no, homosexuality does not equate to pedophilia, it’s not contagious, your kids cannot be converted by their gay teachers and it’s not a chosen lifestyle! Hmm, do you suppose nose picking is genetic, too?

Anyway, yes, we are passionate about equal rights for all — especially in Fallbrook, where California’s anti-same-sex marriage ballot measure, Prop. 8, passed in November 2008 with 67.9 percent of the vote (compared to 52.3 percent statewide). That’s 11,298 voters whose hearts and minds can be changed to extend equal rights to all — as can hearts and minds across the country. Think of our effort as a little attitude adjustment.

Or we could just turn same-sex marriage opponents gay by close association. (Yes, of course that’s a joke! If you take life too seriously, Dear, you won’t have any fun at all.)

We will try anything, though, whatever it takes to jog memories of the poignant U.S. civil rights movement of the 1960s and encourage folks to step beyond their fear, to internalize our nation’s heroic invitation to diversity — and our charming knack for becoming better for it.

To keep this effort vibrant — and heart- and mind-changing — please submit suggestions for content to your MAMMA. We’ll post new content as often as our motherly duties allow. Original poetry, short fiction or essays; videos and images; anecdotes, articles or links to other folks’ content worth sharing — send it all! The more ways we deliver our civil rights message, the more hearts and minds we will change in support of marriage equality.

We have some treats for you, to kick off MAMMA:

1. For those in Southern California, on Wednesday 10 June at 6:00 p.m., Fallbrook’s Writers Read has a poetry and prose reading in Fallbrook, Come Out of the Closet and Read! Closet writers, folks already out of the closet; come one and come all.

In recognition of the California Supreme Court’s recent failure to rule in favor of marriage equality, we encourage sharing work about living gay or having a LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender) family member or friend in your life.

2. For the rest of you, a couple of videos (please check below). First, if you have not seen former Vice President Dick Cheney’s recent statement at the National Press Club, or if you’re dying to see it again to better analyze his every nuance, here it is for your viewing pleasure — or obsession. Some folks are critical of his parsing support for same-sex marriage by relegating that freedom to the states to offer or withhold, rather than supporting federal legislation. But remember the source — this is Dick Cheney we’re talking about. This is a pretty darn good thing. MAMMA recommends sending the Cheney video to everyone you know who opposes marriage equality and tolerates Cheney. Hmm. ...

On the lighter side, we offer up Stephen Colbert's parody of the National Organization for Marriage "Gathering Storm" ad. MAMMA recommends sending this video only to folks with a sense of humor.

So, enjoy the videos, talk about them with others — and join us in supporting marriage equality at www.mammasformarriageequality.com.

(The graphic is provided by MAMMA and used with permission. Please look for the Colbert and Cheney videos below.)

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iVoryTowerz Radio Takes a Summer Trip

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Rockwell) — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 19:10:14 PDT

This week, the underground podcast provides the perfect soundtrack for your summer vacation. No, nothing trippy here. Instead, plenty of C major smiles. The patented eclectic mix travels around the U.K., stops briefly in Central America, and even lands in New Orleans (in the French Quarter, no doubt). Along the way, the music covers more than 50 years of sounds (and that's not including the origins of the Louis Armstrong cover). Not only is there a hefty dose of pop and power pop (isn't that the official music of summer?) but you'll also find new wave, classic rock, and heavier sounds too. Rock on and enjoy!

(To stream or download this podcast, please click here.)

Playlist

"Brighton Rock" by Queen
Rick's Metal Shoppe: “Panama” (altered) by Van Halen
"Cliffs of Dover" by Eric Johnson
“Glad" (live) by Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood
"Sweeping the Ashes" by Serena Ryder
"I Gonna Break His Heart" by Toby Lightman
"Meet You in the Middle" by Joan Osborne
"Rock'n Me" by Steve Miller
“It's Alright” by Big Head Todd & The Monsters
“Happy” by Even the Sun
Jeff’s New Wave: “She Can't Dance” by Marshall Crenshaw
“You, Me and the Bourgeoisie” by The Submarines
"Thirteen" by Big Star
"Jeanie, Jeanie, Jeanie" by Eddie Cochran
"Summer in the City" by The Lovin' Spoonful
Cover Me: "West End Blues" by Allen Toussaint

(Mp3 Runs - 1:15:48; 70 MB.)

(The photo is by mistress_f of Rome, Italy via Flickr, using a Creative Commons license.)

DISCLAIMER: The iVoryTowerz podcast is a non-commercial, non-profit program designed and used for educational purposes. Some of the material contained in this podcast is previously copyrighted but used with permission. Other copyrighted material is reused following fair use guidelines. Any copyright holders who do not wish to have their material used should contact the programmers directly at ivorytowerzradio@att.net and it will be removed. The programmers do not support filesharing and encourage listeners to buy music from the artists featured in this podcast.

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Films: Throw Down Your Heart

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Rockwell) — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 17:36:13 PDT

by Emily Norton
Special to iVoryTowerz

Back in Nashville again, I’ve been pleasantly surprised to discover a heart for Africa outside the non-governmental organizations of Washington, D.C. However, I did not expect to find it where I did. I’ve kept tabs on local musician, Bela Fleck, the acclaimed banjo player extraordinaire, ever since my dad had the honor of hosting Fleck for a practice session at our house. Naturally, I was thrilled when my father told me about Fleck's latest project, the musical documentary, Throw Down Your Heart, directed by Sascha Paladino. The idea for the film was birthed from Fleck’s desire to trace the history of his beloved banjo back to it roots. Soon, however, the project developed into something even greater than he could have expected. During his five-week long trek through Uganda, Tanzania, Gambia, and Mali, he forged relationships and collaborated with African musicians to create forty tracks of music (eighteen of which are on the record for the movie).

Fleck made the trip in 2005, but the film has taken three years to edit and is currently making its run through small film festivals around the country. In an interview with Nashville radio station Lightning 100 (WRLT-FM), Fleck mentioned that he’s now working to get the documentary more widely distributed on the big screen and on television. Regardless, he predicts the DVD release for sometime in October of this year.

Even more important than the history of the banjo, Throw Down Your Heart drives at a theme that deserves notice: we (as in the Western World) need a perspective change on how we view Africa as a whole. Yes, there is violence, disease, and poverty there. But, if we singularly focus on these negative aspects, we run the risk of devaluing the worth of a remarkably rich continent. For a wealth of great music and vivid people and places, check your local indie theater for Throw Down Your Heart.

(The photo of Bela Fleck playing in Africa is © copyright Argot Pictures which allows its use with the proper credits. To see a schedule of screenings for the film, please go here. To see a trailer for Throw Down Your Heart, please check below.)

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In Memoriam: David Carradine

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Rockwell) — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 10:36:47 PDT

Good-bye.

David Carradine

(1936 — 2009)

"I seek not to know all the answers, but to understand the questions."

(The photo of David Carradine is © copyright Jano Rohleder; the photo was taken during an appearance in Germany by the actor in 2005. The copyright holder allows use of the photo with the proper credit. Please see The Los Angeles Times for Carradine's obituary. To sample a portion of the series pilot for Carradine's popular Kung Fu television series, please check below. For a retrospective on Carradine and Kung Fu please see: "I Seek Kung Fu in the Traffic of Life.")

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Koko Taylor, the Queen of the Blues

noreply@blogger.com (Jeff Siegel) — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 18:59:26 PDT

by Jeff Siegel

When I was in college, Muddy Waters played five minutes from where I lived. I didn’t go, because I was young and stupid and figured I’d have many chances to see him play. He died a couple of years later, and I never did see him live.

So when Koko Taylor swung through Texas several years ago, I made sure to see the show. That it was an hour from my house and that it was on a weeknight didn’t matter. I wasn’t going to make the same mistake twice.

That’s the first thing I thought of when I read that Taylor, 80, died on Wednesday. I had been lucky and smart enough to see a legend go through her paces. Because Taylor, the first woman to succeed in the very male-dominated world of the Chicago blues, was a legend. All you have to do is listen to one song, whether it’s her classic version of “Wang Dang Doodle” or “Young-Fashioned Ways,” from 2007’s Old School, and it’s clear that she could more than hold her own with Waters, Howlin’ Wolf and Willie Dixon.

This is an incredible achievement, and not just because the music business mostly treats women as disposable sex objects. It’s because the blues, and Chicago blues especially, is about men and how they have been emasculated by a system of racial and social injustice. The best Delta blues, like Waters’ “I’m Ready” and Wolf’s “The Red Rooster,” are howls in the night by black men who are desperate to be seen as something more than what Jim Crow says they are. Which means the songs are about sex — the rooster imagery is obvious, and Waters’ isn’t getting ready to go to a tea party. (That younger African-Americans have never understood this used to drive Dixon crazy, and he always insisted, until the day he died in 1992, that the blues was just as potent at the end of the 20th century as it was in the middle.)

So how does a woman fit into this? By doing what Taylor did — by being good enough and patient enough to make her own space. Her songs, many written by Dixon and including “Wang Dang Doodle,” deal with the issues that the Chicago blues deals with, but from a woman’s perspective. It’s an amazing achievement. “Wang Dang Doodle” is about getting drunk and picking up women, and Taylor completely turns it around.

Taylor was also a band leader of great repute, another part of the Chicago blues tradition. Waters’ band included Little Walter, the greatest harp player who ever lived, and usually had Dixon on bass. Wolf’s band featured Hubert Sumlin, probably the best guitar player most people have never heard of. Taylor’s band on Old School, her final record, is tight and rocking, with guitarist Criss Johnson and harpist Billy Branch doing exactly what needs to be done when it needs to be done. If you have to go, there are a lot of worse ways than with Old School as your legacy. Taylor will be much missed.

Koko Taylor
1928 — 2009

(The promotional photo of Koko Taylor is from Alligator Records. To see a video of Koko Taylor singing "Wang Dang Doodle" backed by Little Walter and Hound Dog Taylor circa 1967, please check below.)

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Baseball: Is Zack Greinke the Best Pitcher Around?

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Rockwell) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 17:37:42 PDT

by Suzie Raven

Two names dominate American League pitching this year: Zack Greinke of the Kansas City Royals and Roy Halladay of the Toronto Blue Jays. They have both been outstanding in 2009 and are tied with league best 8-1 records. Even though Halladay is tied with Greinke for the league best number of wins, doesn’t mean he has been pitching as well. Greinke stands out in 2009, with no sign of slowing down.

As June gets underway, Greinke holds an outstanding earned run average of 1.1. Johan Santana of the New York Mets posts Major League Baseball's next best ERA with 2.0. This means the next best pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) allows almost twice as many earned runs per game. While Halladay’s 2.63 ERA is no slouch, nothing compares to Greinke’s current numbers.

Halladay has built a reputation of strong, consistent pitching over his ten-year career with the Blue Jays. He had 20 win seasons in 2003 and 2008, with an ERA of 3.25 and 2.78 respectively. He also posted an impressive 2.41 ERA in 2005. With his inconsistent history, it’s easy to say that Greinke still needs to prove himself over a couple of more seasons before the two can be compared.

Greinke had a good, although not standout season in 2008, posting a 3.47 ERA as he struck out 183 and walked 58. He’s pitched enough innings this season to prove his 1.1 ERA is indicative that he will have a standout year in 2009. Recent outstanding performances include a complete game in the Royals 6-1 victory over the Detroit Tigers. Greinke didn’t give up a single walk that night, but struck out eight.

Even more impressive than Greinke’s statistics is how many pitches he has in his repertoire. The best pitchers in baseball have two stand out pitches. Greinke has four: a slider that Tiger’s manager Jim Leyland refers to as his “put-away slider,” along with pinpoint control of his curveball, fastball and change up.

Batters can’t stand in the batters box waiting for Greinke’s weak pitch. It doesn’t exist. That’s why Greinke is posting the best numbers in baseball right now, and why he is going to continue to out-pitch even MLB’s most consistent stars.

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