A 2014 Perspective Of The Greatest Hits of The Beach Boys featuring the Lovely Miss Elisabeth Shue

Hello,

I'm not intentionally turning this blog into a space for oldies, I usually just go with the mood I'm feeling. On Saturday I was feeling a Commodores and Lionel Richie mood, today I'm feeling a Beach Boys mood.

In honor of their recently celebrated 50th anniversary these are some of my favorite Beach Boys songs from a 2014 perspective.

This is probably my favorite Beach Boys song, I love the music and the message. "Wouldn't It Be Nice":



"Good Vibrations":



"Help Me Rhonda":



Let's go to the 80's for a bit, this next song is from the "Cocktail" soundtrack. One of the better soundtrack of the 80's and also one of those situations where the soundtrack is better than the movie. Although the movie does feature one of my all-time crushes Elisabeth Shue. This is "Kokomo":



And this is the still a beautiful woman, the lovely Miss Shue:

One more from the 80s, "Getcha Back":



"Fun Fun Fun":



"Little Deuce Coupe":



Here's "Little Deuce Coupe" with better sound:



"I Get Around":



Sticking with the surfing theme just a bit, "Surfin Safari": (As a Sidney Whittaker says in the Youtube comments "Whoever dislikes is stupid".) I completely agree Sidney.



"Surfer Girl":



"Surfin' U.S.A.":



"409":



"God Only Knows":



themusicaddict

The Best of Lionel Richie and the Commodores

Hello,

Here are some of the best songs from Lionel Richie and the Commodores, this is the first song I thought of "Easy":

The best version of "Still" is the long version. Enjoy!

"Three Times A Lady":

"Sail On":

I always liked this song, this is a long the band made after Richie left, "Night Shift". This is a tribute to Marvin Gaye.

My favorite Lionel Richie song, "Say You, Say Me":



"All Night Long (All Night)":

"Dancing On The Ceiling":



"Lady" was a big hit for Kenny Rogers, but was written by Lionel Richie:



"Hello":



themusicaddict

The Getting Dumber By The Day "Walking Dead"

Hello,

Honestly I use to be a big fan of the TV show "The Walking Dead". However now I only watch it as I hope it can reach it's potential again. For instance, the Season 2 finale was about as good of an episode as this show has ever had. However as the show continues to get further away from that my interest diminishes. For some reason Robert Kirkman et al. decided to tell the story of the Governor attacking the prison for a second time to start Season 4. Not only that but all the flu story lines, how boring. Those things lead to the extremely lame Season 4 "mid-season finale". This was following an extremely boring season finale at the end of Season 3. For some reason they decided to tell the same story again?The Governor should have been killed at the end of season 3, he's one of the most boring villains ever. Anybody following him is not very believable, many times I wished Michonne killed him when she had the chance.

With the about two month break before the Season 4 continued, I had got to the point where I was looking forward to what had happened. Now was there a whole lot of suspense about that, no I knew most of the characters would live.

Episode 9 "After" was one of the most boring episodes of television ever. Spending so much time with Rick and Carl was a bad idea. Andrew Lincoln, who plays Rick, is a terrible actor. It amuses me how bad his accent is and that sometimes he has an accent and sometimes that he doesn't. Chandler Riggs, who plays Carl, is also a horrible actor. Frankly his character is boring. That episode should have focused much more on Michonne, now that's a great character. Danai Gurira is a much better actor than either of the above.

For episode 10 "Inmates" I didn't even watch that when it showed, I watched it the next day. I had been so bored by the previous episode that I was in no hurry to see "Inmates". It was a slightly better episode, but the voice over from Beth (Emily Kinney) reading from her journal was misplaced. Also the fact that she wanted to go tracking at night and was willing to go without Daryl was incredibly dumb. Even worse was that someone that was a good enough idea to actually film.

Here are some of the things I've hated about the last couple of seasons.

1) The hunt for Sophie, never has so much film been wasted on such a boring story. I also laughed how  they always seemed to be safe at Hershel's farm. That was 0% believable. But of course the farm was finally attacked for the season 2 finale. However that season finale was one of the best episodes in the history of "The Walking Dead". Hershel stop talking about wanting to believe and kicking zombie butt.

2) The dialogue is horrible. Tyreese telling the little girl how "tough" she was twice in "Inmates". I hope they are going to double Chad Coleman's pay for the dreadful dialogue they gave him. Also Rick's Season 1 speeches about the choices we make was mind numbing boring. Also those speeches didn't lead anywhere. When Kirkman et. al run out of story ideas, they should work harder not fill that space with terrible dialogue.

3) Wasn't that convenient how Carol came out of nowhere to save the day when rescuing the two little girls and Judith? The two little girls are Lizzie and Mika. Mika gets scared and runs into the forest alone? Really? Will Lizzie kill Judith? If that had happened, I'd been a little homicidal as well. Am I the only one who thinks those two characters feel like dead weight?

4) Speaking of convenient I always love how convenient the zombies are. One moment Daryl and Beth are running away from them and then all of a sudden they can lay down and rest? I also love how many times a zombie has come out of nowhere to attack a human because the human wasn't more aware of their surroundings. There should be a drinking game for every time a character turns their back to a wooded area and is attacked by a zombie. Wouldn't that wariness become second nature after awhile? And I know the zombies are less than human, but I love how many times they have humans in their grasp and can't quite hold on. Main characters can escape from zombies, however lesser characters aren't quite as successful.

5) Although we've never had any indication that zombies will stop trying to eat humans to go to a fire, that's exactly what happened in this week's episode. From everything we've seen a zombie's only desire is eating humans and animals. Why would a zombie be attracted to a fire, isn't it more likely they would stay away? Couldn't the producers and writers figured out a more believable way of getting Glenn and friend to safety?

6) I can always tell when the writers don't have any ideas left, they go for extended shots on an actors face. In "Inmates" there were at least 2 or 3 of these incidences. It doesn't build suspense, it only causes boredom. Come on we don't believe that Glenn was a zombie for a second.

7) I watch this show for men vs. zombies story lines. I hate when they have two groups of people battling each other. If I want to see that I can watch almost any other show! Same thing with all the episodes about the flu. Those episodes take away from why I watch "The Walking Dead".

8) Now my biggest complaint about "The Walking Dead" has always been why don't they lure a whole bunch of zombies in a confined place and kill them? Maybe they could start a large fire and attract a bunch of zombies. That's a joke as is much as "The Walking Dead" is lately.

This show needs more of Maggie, Glenn, Daryl, Michonne and Carol. From what I remember Tyreese is a much more intriguing character in the comics. The show needs a lot less of Rick, Carl, Beth and Bob. I'm sort of neutral about Sasha, she's kind of just there. Thank goodness they got rid of such boring characters as Lori (the most annoying "TWD" character ever, Sarah Wayne Caillies is also a terrible actress), Dale, The Governor and many others.

As for "The Talking Dead", does anyone really watch that? And if so, why?

themusicaddict

Sochi Winter Olympics Mens and Womens Hockey Update: Go USA! (Updated 2/18/2014)

Hello,

First of all I have to admit I haven't been watching much of the Sochi Winter Olympics, I was waiting for Men's Hockey to start. Second of all I admit I'm not a big hockey fan. I got into hockey after the last Winter Olympics. (Damn you Sidney Crosby!) With the help of my sister-in-law I even picked a team. My sister-in-law is a hockey fan and she said that the Red Wings would be a good team to follow. I picked the Red Wings because my favorite American player played for the Red Wings, Brian Rafalski. He had a hell of an Olympics for the USA. The fact that he only played 4 years for the Red Wings is probably why he isn't on Bleacher Report's Top 25 All-Time Red Wings. (Pavel Datysuk is on that Top 25 list and will probably move up a few notches before his career is over. Datysuk scored two goals for the Russians in the thrilling USA-Russian 3-2 match.)

Although I'm not a big hockey fan but when there's hockey going on and the USA is representing their country then I'm a lot more interested. The Olympic matches are incredibly early here in Utah, but I was able to catch the shoot out portion of that USA-Russia match. That was the same match that made T.J. Oshie an American hero and earned the Americans a controversial victory.

In their three preliminary matches USA Men's Hockey outscored their opponents 15-4. Along with the USA having a good offense, they've received good goal play from the LA Kings Jonathan Quick and in a back up role the Buffalo Sabres Ryan Miller.

The USA Men's hockey team has advanced to the quarterfinals, which start Wednesday. The USA will be playing Czechoslovakia, that match will be played at Noon EST. I'll be at work at that time so I'll only be able to follow that match thanks to ESPN.com.

Meanwhile for the USA Women's Hockey Team, they've been quite dominant as well. They are 3-1, their only loss being to the very tough Canadians. The USA will play Canada in a rematch in the gold medal game. That match will be played on Thursday noon EST. I'll be able to watch that match. I've got my "USA USA USA" cheer ready to go.

The USA women advanced to the Olympic Hockey Finals today with a dominating 6-1 performance over Sweden. Megan Bozek and Brianna Decker each had a goal and two assists as the Americans out shot Sweden 70-9. Canada knocked off Switzerland 3-0, they scored all their goals in the first period.

On Tuesday morning I watched part of the Russia-Norway Men's Hockey match, I love having live sports to watch in the morning. Russia went on to win 4-0 and it's possible they could play the USA again in the elimination round. With the Russians feeling like they were screwed in the first matchup, look for an even more intense match if they play again.

themusicaddict

Review of "Black Baseball Black Business: Race Enterprise and the Fate of the Segregated Dollar"

Hello,

Roberta J. Newman and Joel Nathan Rosen's "Black Baseball Black Business: Race Enterprise and the Fate of the Segregated Dollar" is due to be released on March 4th, 2014. I was able to read an advance copy of this book thanks to NetGalley.com and the University Press of Mississippi.

This book is a scholarly look at the so named Negro Leagues, which the authors say isn't an apt name for these leagues. They're correct as the Negro Leagues were actually a collection of leagues, the most notable probably was the Negro National League (NNL). The book also covers the economies and economics surrounding those leagues. Baseball's color line was drawn in 1883.

"Black Baseball" starts with an introduction written by Negro Leagues star Monte Irvan, who turns 95 on February 25th. He relates some of his experiences playing in the Negro Leagues. He additionally writes about some of his off the field experiences. Irvan was born in Haleberg, Alabama but grew up in Orange, New Jersey. He debuted in MLB two years after Jackie Robinson did and played for the Dodgers arch rival Giants. Although he didn't start playing in the MLB until he was 30, he still hit .293, had 99 home runs, 443 RBIs and 731 hits.

Irvan writes about his visits to Toots Shor's restaurant as Negro League players were starting to get some grudging respect. They were allowed in the club and given tables, they just weren't given as good of tables as Mickey Mantle and Joe Dimaggio. That may have related to skin color as much as they didn't play for the Yankees. Even as he writes some of these experiences I don't detect any bitterness.

The book also covers the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, NY. There's a wing dedicated to about 18 former Negro League players. Among those players are Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, Buck Leonard, James "Cool Papa" Bell and Irvan.

Other economic and societal factors include Chicago Defender, a black newspaper, the Afro-American Realty Company, barnstorming and Jim Crow laws.

Also the authors write about the Great Migration which "began in earnest when Europe went to war in 1914". European ethnic immigrants came to America which caused a flooded job pool. Also cotton crops suffered significant damage because of a boll weevil infestation.

Historian Isabel Wilkinson writes about the Great Migration: "Over the course of six decades some six million black southerners left the land of their forefathers and fanned out a across the country for an uncertain existence in nearly every other corner in America."

Wilkerson makes a great point about the Great Migration "it was the first big step the nation's servant class ever took without asking".

Many of the people in this great migration moved to Chicago's Black Belt, Harlem and Kansas City's 18th and Vine District. That's also the reason Negro Leagues had more success there than elsewhere.

Black Baseball faded from view in the late 20s and early 30s as the Great Depression bit into America's economy. With the Great Depression running from basically 1929-1939, Blacks found themselves out of jobs in manufacturing and service industry in the early to mid-30s.

With the "American war machine gearing up" that began a second wave of the Great Migration. This second wave lead to a resurgence of the NNL.

This is an insightful look into one of the most colorful eras of professional sports. This book probably isn't for everyone. However if you've ever wondered what the societal and economic things that made the success and ultimately failure of the Negro Leagues, then this is your book. On a scale of 1-10, I'm giving this book a solid 7.

themusicaddict

Happy Valentine's Day, De La Soul Is Giving Away All Their Music Through 2/15/14

Hello,

I wish you a Happy Valentine's Day, I hope it's a great day for you.

Thanks to rollingstone.com for the heads up: De La Soul is doing it's part to make sure everyone has a great Valentine's Day. Through Saturday, February 15th, 2014 morning De La Soul is giving away all their music that they've recorded up to this point. This deal includes their classic debut CD "3 Feet High & Rising".  I downloaded the MP3s for that and their follow up "Is Dead".

Now what's the catch I'm sure you're wondering. You have to give them your e-mail and they send you "infrequent" e-mails. I'd say that's worth it to get free music, how tough is it to open or delete an e-mail?

I'm not going to tell you the story that I'm a big De La Soul fan, but as my good old pappy used to say "you can't beat free". If you were a De La Soul fan, want to explore or are a tightwad and want some free music well here's your limited opportunity. For those of you who don't know this is De La Soul's most famous song "Me, Myself and I":



For those commitment phobes on Valentine's Day, here's "3 Feet High and Rising" in it's entirety:



themusicaddict

Review of Scott Ely's "Starlight"

Hello,

Let me start this off by noting the fact that I've never been in the military and was too young to serve in Vietnam. My observations are solely based on my fascination with the Vietnam War. With a war where anything seemed possible, fiction is probably the best medium to try and capture the madness that was the Vietnam War. Neil Sheehan's "A Bright Shining Lie" is not only one of the best books about Vietnam I've ever read, but it's also one of the best books I've ever read.

This is my review for Scott Ely's "Starlight". Although my review is coming after the book's January 28th, 2014 release I was given an advance copy of through NetGalley.com and Open Road Media. My thanks to them.

The main characters of this book are Jackson and Tom Light, which seem to be polar opposites in many ways. Although they do sense something in each other that brings them together, I wouldn't exactly call them friends. If Jackson had a first name, I don't remember reading it. His nickname is Alabama, that's where he's from. It's also where he desperately wants to return and is counting down the days.

When this book starts Jackson is relatively safe in the confines of a camp, so-called Desolation Row. He is Major Hale's RTO- radio telephone operator. Since he's with the major, that means his life is more secure. Although he's in somewhat secure place he's afraid he's not going to survive the final 300 days of his tour. Most American troops served a one year tour in Vietnam. He's quite glad to be the radio operator for his superior, the paranoid Major Hale. Jackson is your average every man. His only goals seem to be surviving the war and getting home to Alabama and to his sort of girlfriend Loretta.

Light is a sniper extraordinaire, he seems like he would have an issue adjusting to civilian life. Whereas Light seems to feel more comfortable out in the jungle, even at one point building himself a hut in the heart of the jungle. Other than brushes with the Tiger and the Monk, Vietnamese snipers, Light carries himself like he's not going to die. He says that he'll look out for Jackson even. Light is a lone wolf that doesn't come back to camp often. People are fearful that he'll bring death with him. While reading this book I wondered if Light is actually dead. Although that would explain a lot, that would have been a very disappointing ending.

The Vietnam War had sort of a surrealistic and magic realism feel about it. Up is down and down is up and just who is your friend? Even when you figure that out it changes again. From the many books that I read about the Vietnam War it seemed anything is possible. Much Vietnam War fiction uses this lack of certainty in the plots of those books.

The third major character is Light's Starlight scope. Light and others are able to see the future through the scope. The Vietnamese seem to think that the scope is magic and has the ability to raise the dead. Jackson and Light had to cut short their R&R to Vung Tau as the Vietnamese were chasing Light with their dead in coffins.

The main questions are will these two survive their ordeal? I don't know all the military lingo, but it seems when this little adventure started their were a few hundred men fighting with Jackson. But as the action continue many more men start dying. The dying is intensified even more as they leave the relative safety of Desolation Row. Their goal is the so-called Holiday Inn. That's where the NVA have a series of fortified bunkers secure up against a mountain.

Other characters include Raymond and Reynolds, known as R&R, who are speed addicts. Reynolds quotes Jimi Hendrix songs for most of his dialogue and also pretends his M16 is a guitar. Raymond seems to be in charge of the both. R&R also have a pet monkey named Short timer. Like those two they've got the monkey addicted to speed also. There's also Labouf, who has a lot of money from various means and will try and do anything to protect it.

On a scale of 1-10 I'd have to give this book a 7. Although the book could have been better, I think it captures the craziness of the Vietnam War very well. One small criticism I have about the book is that there are times when this book didn't feel like a complete story. Instead it felt like a collection of incidents strung together. That being said this is an insightful look into the life of a grunt in this brutal war.

themusicaddict