Some serious signs God doesn't want Tommy Milone to pitch tonight as biblical storms roll through Minneapolis. As of 7:00p, not sure of game status but putting this up in case God gets distracted and the storms pass.
All posts by freealonzo
FMD — Van Halen
I think it’s a indisputable fact that Van Halen is one of the greatest rock albums ever. Eddie’s guitar work, lyrics about getting with the ladies, David Lee Roth’s bravado. It’s all here wrapped up in leather, barbed wire, and a whiff of Axe body spray. Unfortunately since they first hit the scene back in 1977-78, there’s not a lot of video of their original shows. Below isn’t exactly a video but you can listen to a great early version of Feel Your Love Tonight. It’s definitely faster than the studio version -- almost punk like. Not as polished as the album but damn is it exciting, To this day I still get goosebumps listening to this song.
Game 76: Twins versus White Sox
After destroying the competition during the first six week of the season (including going 6-0 against the Twins), the White Sox have crashed to earth and have struggled to maintain a .500 record. Boo Hoo.
Tonight begins a 3 game series at The Cell. Gibby and his 6.05 ERA looking for his first win of the season.
Friday Music Day — Ralph Stanley R.I.P.
You know 2016 is a rough year for musicians when even Ralph Stanley can't make it through the first six months. We all know him his stirring rendition of O, Death from from Coen Brothers' O Brother, Where Art Though.
NPR had a great obituary this morning and of course I'm sharing the video.
Game 70: Twins v. Phillies
USA in COPA2016 semi-finals tonight against Lionel Messi and the sky blue-striped Argentines. Can Clint Dempsey continue to have a tournament for the ages? How many times will Michael Bradley mishandle a simple pass? Can Jurgy come up with a decent line-up without Bobby Wood and Jermaine Jones?
What? Twin log? Oh yeah, Tyler Duffy v. Aaron Nola. Beautiful night at the ballpark. Also Ryan Howard brings his .145 average to Target Field, so that's something too.
FMD — The Tourist
Has there ever been album written about more than Radiohead's Ok Computer? Perhaps Sgt, Pepper's but not many more than that. One of my favorite songs is the last one: The Tourist. It's a nice coda to the album: kinda lugubrious, druggy even. A great song to listen to at 2:00a in the morning after filling you head with 45 minutes of Radiohead and other substances. I really love the end: bluesy swirling guitars that give way to just a simple bass and drum beat and finally, the last note of the album, a single bell chime.
That chime just gets me (and it's foreshadowed early in the song). It's such a cool ending to the album. It is so simple yet that chime starkly announces the end; you can breath again and start thinking about what you just listened to. It's like the woo in What's Going On referenced by Russell in Almost Famous. It's a simple little thing but it makes the whole song (and album, I would argue). It's what you put in... That's Rock and Roll.
Drop Your Lists
2016 Game 64: Twins at Angels
The Twins continue to deliver a Gabriel like message to the Angels of Los Angeles: Thou shall get your ass kicked by those feisty Gemini of the north. Erv Santana on the mound looking for his 2nd win of the season. Late start but unless your interests lie in watching Argentina drop 5 goals on Boliva, not much else on tonight.
FMD – Blitzkrieg Bop
Russell Hammond: But… it’s not what you put in, is it? It’s what you leave out. Listen to… listen to Marvin Gaye…
A song like What’s Going On.”That single “woo” at the end of the second verse – you know that woo – that single “woo.”
William Miller: I know that woo.
Russell Hammond: That’s what you remember. The silly things, the little things… there’s only one, and it makes the song.
It’s what you leave out. That’s rock and roll.
What I think is funny about this line of dialogue is that RH describes something that Marvin Gaye “puts in” not leaves out of What’s Going On. That single woo is just an added flourish, but it wasn’t something he left out.
I think I might use my five week FMD slot to go over other songs where the band/singer puts something simple in… and it just makes the song.
Let’s kick off the list with Blitzkrieg Bop by The Ramones. First of all the song is just a perfect little 2:13 of pop/punk joy. From the Hey Ho, Let’s Go chant, to the surf guitar sound, to the 3x repeated 2 versus about kids going crazy over a new dance craze. But what I love about the song is the Hey Ho Let’s Go chant. The first two times it’s chanted with just a drum beat. The next chant adds a bass, and the final chant has the guitar coming in. It’s a great build up to the verses (and song ending). I think the song would be missing something if they were just blasting all instruments during the chant, or conversely, having no guitars. It's what they put in. That's Rock and Roll.
Drop your lists.
Game 57: Marlins at Twins
After a one day breather, your 16-40 Minnesota Twins rekindle their long slog toward winning baseball with a three-game tilt against the Miami Marlins beginning tonight at 7:10p in beautiful Target Field, Minneapolis. The Twins promise to be a little feisty after dropping three of four against the Marlin’s Florida brethren, the Tampa Bay Rays. Pat Dean on the mound for the Twins. The Marlin’s bring their 30-27 record to Minnesota, however the Twins catch a break as Jose Fernandez pitched over the weekend and won’t be making an appearance in Minneapolis.
It promises to be a beautiful night at the ballpark. No reason not to pick up a $7.00 ticket and just hang out.
Game 51: Twins at Athletics
The Bay area seems to be the center of U.S. sports universe with San Jose in the Stanley Cup Finals, Golden State in the NBA finals and our plucky Twins in the middle of a three day stint in Oakland. What is a discerning Bay denizen going to do? Well at least for tonight the Twins-Athletics have the attention all to themselves. Even better, Byron Buxton is back and here’s some Gleeman if you are so inclined. Tyler Duffy brings his 2-3 record against someone called Eric Surkamp and his 6.55 ERA to match his 0-3 record. Game time is 9:05p Central so you have time to get the young ones in bed before settling down.