All posts by freealonzo

Friday Music Day

FMD — The White Album

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Yesterday was the 50th anniversary of The Beatles releasing their album The Beatles, or as it is commonly known The White Album. In celebration of the anniversary, the album was re-released with a remaster of the original, a bunch of demos and alternate takes, and other studio arcana. Here's a hagiographic article on it I highly suggest reading if interested.

https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/the-accidental-perfection-of-the-beatles-white-album

The common refrain of The White Albums was this was when the Beatles starting to break up. Many of the songs appeared to be one or two Beatle composing and recording on their own. One thing the re-release has shown as that they were much more collaborative than previously advertised. The so-called Escher Demos really point this out. I wish that the Escher Demos were in fact released as a stand alone. I would definitely pick that up.

My own history with The White Album goes back only 40 years or so. As a teenager, I listened to The White Album a lot, stoned, in my bean bag chair, with headphones. Which is what white suburban teenage boys did a lot of in the late 70s and early 80s. So I know this album intimately. Even as a teenager and into adulthood, some of the one-off songs bugged me so when I was able through I-tunes, I eliminated what I considered the crap songs. That left me with a solid 18 song album in the 55 minute range. It had a nice mix of the rockers and softer songs. I've listened to this version of The White Album for the last 10 years or so.

Reading some of the articles on the making of The White Album, I learned that there was discussion among the Beatles to release two albums instead of one double album. This intrigued me. My 18 song version could probably be broken down to a two album hard and soft version, in fact I could probably add Martha My Dear to the soft version to make it a bit longer, instead of an EP.

So below is my "Rock" version of the White Album. It's 12 songs, 37 minutes long and pretty much every song is a killer. Savoy Truffle makes it because the song rocks, even if the lyrics are dumb. Why Don't We Do it in the Road and Everybody's Got Something to Hide make it for the same reason. The order is the same as the original album except I put Revolution #1 at the end. It also follows the basic structure of mostly Lennon-McCartney songs, with a smattering of Harrison, and a Ringo song. The White Album is beloved because of its sprawling, druggy, vibe. If they had released my Rockin' White Album version, who knows how history would've been changed :o)

Back in the U.S.S.R.
While My Guitar Gently Weeps
Happiness Is a Warm Gun
I'm So Tired
Don't Pass Me By
Why Don't We Do It in the Road?
Birthday
Yer Blues
Everybody's Got Something to Hide Except Me and My Monkey
Helter Skelter
Savoy Truffle
Revolution 1

Friday Music Day

FMD — Low

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From the Oxford Dictionary:

Low

5. depressed or lacking in energy:
"I was feeling low"

Duluth's second most famous band (behind Trampled by Turtles), Low has been around for 25 years and has generally developed a pretty strong cult following. Although I wouldn't call their music depressing or lacking in energy, it certainly has a certain somberness quality to it. It's great for more a chilled listening experience. I've seen them at First Avenue, where I had to stand up, and it seemed uncomfortable at times, I had to spend to too much energy standing to really let the music wash over me. (That's a compliment btw). I've also seem them at music halls, seated, which seemed much more appropriate. Also their Drone not Drones shows at the Cedar are famous for letting you just be in the music. Even their noisier records lend themselves to listening more than dancing.

Anyway, Low has a new album out which is just excellent, I encourage you to check it out. Below is a review from the Strib. They play tonight at the Fitzgerald, which I missed out on getting tickets to. Fortunately, The Current is broadcasting the show on the radio and streaming it as well. If you just want to spend some time tonight, chilling out listening to music, I strongly encourage you to check it out.

http://www.startribune.com/in-its-25th-year-duluth-trio-low-goes-even-further-with-bold-new-album/499300311/

Oh and drop your lists.

MLB

World Series Game 1 — Dodgers at Red Sox

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It’s opening night of the 114th World Series between the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers. Two teams with the top payrolls in baseball representing two of the top nine media markets in the country. Two teams with long, storied histories. West Coast cool versus East Coast angst. One would think that the Dodgers would have a better history in the World series but even though both teams have participated in 12 World Series each, the Dodgers are 6-6 versus the Red Sox overall 8-4 World Series record. Dodgers haven’t won a World Series since 1988, Red Sox 2013. The teams have met once in the Worlds Series -- 102 years ago as Babe Ruth's Boston Red Sox took down the then Brooklyn Robins (and their offensive star Casey Stengel) 4 games to 1.

Clayton Kershaw v. Chris Sale so it should be quite the pitcher’s duel. First pitch scheduled for 7:09p from Fenway on Fox TV.

MLB

League Champion Series Tuesday: Sox at ‘Stros/Brewers at Dodgers

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You get a rare two game LCS today, including a late afternoon game.

The Red Sox will be at Houston for game three of that series, all knotted up at 1-1. Eovaldi on the mound for Boston and Keuchel for Houston. Keuchel hasn't had much luck against the Red Sox, except for last year's playoffs. First Pitch at 4:09p Central.

Brewers will be at Chavez Ravine (does anyone call it that anymore) to take on the Dodgers after last night's bullpen-filled outing by the Brewers. Gio Gonzalez up against Rich Hill. Will GG only pitch a few innnings like earlier in the playoffs? It will be interesting to see if the Brewers can continue too use its Bullpen as effectively in a longer series. I'm sure the Jack Morris' of the world hate it, but the Brewers are two wins from the World Series. First Pitch at 8:09p Central.

MLB

Division Playoffs — Yanks v. Bosox

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Dang it's been a pretty dreary post-season hasn't it? Even the game 163s lacked drama as they were playing for playoff positioning, not lose and go home.

One last game. Let's just hope the Red Sox win and we can get to what should be more competitive LCS's.

Rick Porcello vs. Captain Cheeseburger himself, CC Sabathia. First Pitch at 7:07p.

Friday Music Day

FMD — Sarah Shook Live

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This really didn't take, when I tried in the spring, but what the heck, I'm trying again. Sarah Shook is back at the Turf Club this Sunday and even though it's a school night, I would highly recommend you try her out (Corn I'm talking directly to you). Bad ass country rocker, with a bunch of old dudes who are amazing musicians as her back up band. Hope to see you there.

Drop your lists.

2018 Twins Game Logs

Game 156 — Tigers at Twins

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Last home stand of the Twins’ season and the weather forecast looks cloudy, gray and cold the entire week. What a perfect metaphor for the Twin’s 2018 season. Twins versus Tigers one last series with Kohl Steward the primary pitcher (Opener hasn’t been named as I write this). Spencer Turnball, who didn’t have the greatest first start last week, on for the Tigers. (I didn’t check if he had a good curveball, which would be cool given his last name).

Game at 7:10p. It may be playing out the string but it’s still better than football.

Last game log of the season for me. Thanks for reading!

Friday Music Day

FMD — Music City

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Next Wednesday I am heading down to Memphis and Nashville to go on a week-long musical pilgrimage. Sun Studio, Stax Musuem, Beale Street, Graceland, Ryman Auditorium, blues and country bars. I'm really looking forward to it. If anyone has been in those two cities and has recommendations for food and bars, hit me up. I'm not looking for the touristy places, but places the locals like to go to. Definitely Memphis bbq and Nashville hot chicken will be on the list.

Have you ever gone on a musical pilgrimage? Doesn't have to be a week long sojourn. Perhaps you went to the Surf Ballroom when passing through Clear Lake. Or went to Paisley Park. Maybe you checked out the Let it Be house in SW Minneapolis or walked across the street on Abbey Road in London. What was it like?

Drop your lists.

2018 Twins Game Logs

Game 151 — Twins at Tigers

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Twelve games left. Then we can concentrate on what promises to be some pretty cool playoff match-ups. But until that time we still have some Twins Baseball left. Twins-Tigers in the second game of their second to last season series with the Tigers as they lock up second place in the AL Central, with a magic number of 4.

Jake Odorizzi on the mound for the Twins coming off his nearly ho-hit appearance against the Yankees. Daniel Norris hurling for the Tigers, looking for his first win of the season.

Oh and Miguel Sano is back in the line-up, playing Third Base and batting 7th

Game at 6:10p, let's go Twins and get that much closer to locking second place!

2018 Twins Game Logs

Game 143 — Yankees at Twins

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Twenty Games left. Dreaded Yankees in town. Beautiful September evening. Baseball. 9/11 Tributes.

Yankees putting up Sonny Gray, who is considered a spot starter, so that the regular starters can get a bit of a breather. Makes sense. Yankees have won 9 straight against the Twins, and are pretty much ensconced into the first Wild Card Slot. Why not use a spot starter for this game?

Tyler Duffy is the Opener for the Twins with Kohl Stewart the Primary pitcher. Stewart did pretty well in this role last week so hopefully Duffy can do his part in the first and second innings.

Game time 7:10p.