Home Theater Concert: Jethro Tull

I've been a fan of Jethro Tull for about 33 years now, and they are easily one of my favorite artists of all time. In fact, among my all-time favorite artists, only Kansas matches (and just barely surpasses) them in longevity, being a favorite of mine since 1976.
I own every official Tull album and DVD or Blu-ray disc. I just watched the latest DVD, 'Live at AVO Session Basel.' As far as modern-day Tull goes, this is a great DVD. The performance is well executed as per usual Ian Anderson standards, and the setlist contains a good mix of older tracks (the only song written after 1978 is Rocks On The Road from 1991's Catfish Rising album), including a few rarely played ones like Nursie, Dharma For One, and Heavy Horses. It's a good selection of songs that Ian's very limited vocal range can and does handle pretty well. The band can still rock pretty well, albeit with a slightly more subdued sound. I can't really put my finger on it...it just doesn't pack the same punch as it used to (musicians' ages shouldn't affect the sound of the instruments). On the up side, I think Martin's guitar playing has only gotten better over the years, and Ian can still belt it out on the flute. On the down side, while limited to only one track here (IIRC), that dreaded accordion is still present. I was hoping that was just a phase Ian was going through, but it's gone on way too long to be a phase. All in all I really enjoyed it, although I still like the Live At Montreaux 2003 performance a little better.
The one disappointment in this for me is that it was not released on Blu-ray, only DVD. Judging by the video, it seems to be near-HD quality, so why it was not released as a Blu-ray disc escapes me.

Home Theater Concert: Jeff Beck

Just finished watching 'Jeff Beck Performing this week: Live At Ronnie Scott's' on Blu-ray disc.

Now, I should point out that I have never claimed to be a huge Jeff Beck fan. I own maybe half a dozen CDs of his, but I never really kept up with his work. On top of that, I never listed him as one of my favorite guitarists (although I do consider him a great guitarist).

That being said, I had heard and read a lot of great things about this disc, so I decided to pick it up. Needless to say, I do not regret this decision in the least. First, the audio and video quality on this disc is amazing, akin to the Return to Forever Live at Montreaux BD. Of course, not to be outdone by the film and sound crew, the performance is outstanding, with a nice blend of rock, jazz, and fusion selections, and is sure to please even the most casual Jeff Beck fan. In fact, even if you're just a fan of music you'd probably get enjoyment out of this disc. Accompanying Jeff in the core band for this performance is Jason Rebello on keyboards, my second favorite Zappa drummer Vinnie Colaiuta (second to T. Bozzio IMO), and the extremely talented and very cute Tal Wilkenfeld on bass. Guest appearances include Joss Stone, Imogen Heap, and Eric Clapton.

Also, as a bonus (exclusive to the Blu-ray), you get a shorter Rockabilly set with Jeff and the Big Town Playboys as sort of an opening performance (if you watch it first, which I did not).

In any case, if you're a fan of good musical performances, I highly recommend this disc. If you're a fan of Jeff Beck, it's a no-brainer.

NYC board backs plan to build mosque near Ground Zero -

I am pretty much speechless. I really don't even know what to say to this, other than that white guilt in this country has officially gone too far.

NYC board backs plan to build mosque near Ground Zero -

Sirius XM Showcases Opie & Anthony - SiriusBuzz

In an interesting content move Sirius XM Radio is showcasing the Opie & Anthony show all month on Sirius XM Stars Too. The O & A showcase will run through June 18th. The radio personalities have been an XM staple for many years and are well known for on air antics and some infamous stunts that had them fired from terrestrial radio stations in years past.
The Opie & Anthony Show runs from 6:00 AM to 11AM EST on the XM Satellite Radio platform sharing the same time slot as Howard Stern, which is on the Sirius platform. By simulcasting Opie & Anthony on Sirius Stars Too, the duo is available on both platforms.
Sirius XM is essentially giving Sirius subscribers a taste of what is available on the BEST OF package for XM while the company seeks out a way to replace the morning slot void on Sirius XM Stars Too left by Vinnie Politan. It is an interesting move in many ways. Some may even theorize that the company is showcasing Opie & Anthony as a negotiating ploy by Sirius XM in the Howard Stern contract talks. Sterns contract expires at the end of this year. No matter what the reason, the Opie & Anthony show is edgy, catchy, and entertaining.
Listeners can catch the show on Sirius XM Stars Too (Sirius 108 XM 139), as well as on the Virus channel 202 on XM or Sirius channel 197 for Sirius subscribers with the BEST OF XM package.
Position – Long Sirius XM Radio
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via siriusbuzz.com

Posted via web from FZDolfan's Posterous

Say goodbye to our sense of humor!

Yesterday I posted a viral video of a 2-year-old from Indonesia smoking a cigarette. Today that video was pulled by YouTube.
Now, I'm not saying smoking is good, ESPECIALLY for a baby. But I'm sorry, if you don't think a baby from halfway across the globe masterfully smoking a cigarette is funny, then I would recommend you reach behind yourself, firmly grasp the stick protruding from your ass, and yank it out.
There is humor in EVERYTHING; even if it's cringe humor. You just have to know how and where to look.
Here's the video on MSN.

Best YouTube video ever!

Posted via email from FZDolfan's Posterous

The future of TV

Lately I've had my eye on a new Blu-ray disc player that supports Netflix, Pandora, YouTube, Picasa, etc.
I already have a BD player, but it doesn't have any network capabilities other than upgrading the firmware and accommodating BD-Live content from the discs. The new one is essentially the same machine with the aforementioned services added.
Well, I just received an email from Logitech which pointed to a page that has made me forget about the new BD player and instead wait for the fall for what looks to me like an amazing product, Google TV.
After watching the video below, as well as the 22 minute "announcement" video, it seems that this is basically an Android "smart TV". For anyone who has an Android smartphone, you already know that this is an exciting concept. For those not familiar with Android, it's basically an operating system made by the people, for the people. After watching the announcement video on the main page, the implication is that like the Android OS on phones, Google TV will be an open source system.
Oh, and if like me, you have DISH network, then this will be even better. This has been designed along with DISH to be seamless.

You scare me.

Someone shared this on facebook (originally from Snopes), and I found it interesting enough to share here.
I love things like this from well-educated and accredited people, because most Dems feel that you can't possibly have those qualifications and not be "one of them."
Now, of course this letter is obviously written from a more conservative viewpoint (would you expect different from a former corporate executive?), but does that make it invalid?

I'm just so sick of the two extremes. It's like we're a nation made up of two races of sheep. Otherwise the Libertarian party would be bigger.
If you don't agree with that, ask yourself this....which party's candidate are you voting for in 2016? If you can already answer that question, say "Baa baa."
I would venture a guess that Obama was elected by a bigger "bandwagon" than any other president in history.
For a party that claims to be well-educated, it seems there were a countless number of people that voted for him that couldn't give you a well-educated reason why.




AN OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT OBAMA

Dear President Obama:

You are the thirteenth President under whom I have lived and unlike any of the

others, you truly scare me.

You scare me because after months of exposure, I know nothing about you.

You scare me because I do not know how you paid for your expensive Ivy League

education and your upscale lifestyle and housing with no visible signs of

support.

You scare me because you did not spend the formative years of youth growing up

in America and culturally you are not an American.

You scare me because you have never run a company or met a payroll.

You scare me because you have never had military experience, thus don't

understand it at its core..

You scare me because you lack humility and 'class', always blaming others.

You scare me because for over half your life you have aligned yourself with

radical extremists who hate America and you refuse to publicly denounce these

radicals who wish to see America fail.

You scare me because you are a cheerleader for the 'blame America' crowd and

deliver this message abroad.

You scare me because you want to change America to a European style country

where the government sector dominates instead of the private sector.

You scare me because you want to replace our health care system with a

government controlled one.

You scare me because you prefer 'wind mills' to responsibly capitalizing on our

own vast oil, coal and shale reserves.

You scare me because you want to kill the American capitalist goose that lays

the golden egg which provides the highest standard of living in the world.

You scare me because you have begun to use 'extortion' tactics against certain

banks and corporations.

You scare me because your own political party shrinks from challenging you on

your wild and irresponsible spending proposals.

You scare me because you will not openly listen to or even consider opposing

points of view from intelligent people.

You scare me because you falsely believe that you are both omnipotent and

omniscient.

You scare me because the media gives you a free pass on everything you do.

You scare me because you demonize and want to silence the Limbaughs, Hannitys,

O'Relllys and Becks who offer opposing, conservative points of view.

You scare me because you prefer controlling over governing.

Finally, you scare me because if you serve a second term I will probably not

feel safe in writing a similar letter in 8 years.

Lou Pritchett

 

Origins:   Lou Pritchett is a former
vice president of Procter & Gamble whose career at that
company spanned 36 years before his retirement in 1989, and he is
the author of the 1995 business book, Stop Paddling & Start
Rocking the Boat.

Mr. Pritchett confirmed to us that he was indeed the author of the
much-circulated "open letter" quoted above:

I did write the 'you scare me' letter. I sent it to the NY Times but
they never acknowledged or published it. However, it hit the internet and
according to the 'experts' has had over 500,000 hits.

Last updated:   31 May 2009  
The URL for this page is
http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/youscareme.asp