tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50027214932303621762024-03-13T20:06:56.797-07:00Talk about the PassionIt's an old R.E.M. song. Thoughts on music, or whatever else is distracting me, can be found here.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger150125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5002721493230362176.post-28804595731924253412018-11-09T16:35:00.001-08:002018-11-09T16:35:10.907-08:00"Come thirsty, leave happy"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Candara", "sans-serif";"><a href="http://www.boardroomspirits.com/">Lansdale craft distiller Boardroom Spirits</a>, has officially unveiled
their newly expanded distillery and tasting room at 575 W. Third St. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Candara", "sans-serif";">A project that was apparently in the works ever since Boardroom Spirits launched in
2016, the tasting room has moved to a part of the building that had previously been used for storage, making the bar space at least four times bigger than it was. It can hold 80 people.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Candara", "sans-serif";">The addition of 2,400 square feet also means expanded distilling operations. A new </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Candara", "sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Candara", "sans-serif";">528-gallon still by Hagyo Distilling in Hungary</span></span>, pictured below, is expected to quadruple production.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Candara", "sans-serif";"> </span></span><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5yHO20VTsRU/W-G6EPisPxI/AAAAAAAAAjo/G1-Ol5RIrpUvEQ3nyIk8xblLbsyc4i4BQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2379.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5yHO20VTsRU/W-G6EPisPxI/AAAAAAAAAjo/G1-Ol5RIrpUvEQ3nyIk8xblLbsyc4i4BQCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_2379.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Candara", "sans-serif";"> </span></span><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c9hAuw_CB8E/W-G6EZOAGsI/AAAAAAAAAjs/bwmdxZja7_k_jv6SkMi2FrQst71xO1_bQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2380.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c9hAuw_CB8E/W-G6EZOAGsI/AAAAAAAAAjs/bwmdxZja7_k_jv6SkMi2FrQst71xO1_bQCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_2380.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Candara", "sans-serif";">The tasting room and bar includes
two bathrooms, a dedicated space for chefs and caterers, shuffleboard, a large bar
that acts as the focal point for gatherings and an automated bottling line. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Candara", "sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Sure to be a hit at the new Boardroom Spirits tasting room is this tabletop hand-shuffleboard game.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Candara", "sans-serif";">Phase two expansion plans
include an update to the exterior façade and landscaping, and an adjacent 1,000-square-foot warehouse with a capacity to increase to 4,000 square feet. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Candara", "sans-serif";">The
tasting room’s cocktail menu has also been revamped thanks to new tasting room manager James
Cleland. New cocktails include the Knee Buckler, a mix of Northbound rye whiskey (the Northbound name is a reference to <a href="http://bit.ly/2wFHR0H" target="_blank">the restaurant in Souderton</a>), Boardroom's Fresh ginger infused vodka, lime juice (Boardroom insists on squeezing it fresh) and honey; Executive
Punch, a blend of Boardroom's recently-released Northbound spiced rum, red wine simple syrup and aromatic bitters; and
the Made in the USA Mai Tai, featuring Boardroom rum, the Northbound spiced rum,
Boardroom's 80-proof triple sec (the reason why this simple-but-effective variation on the mai tai will sneak up on you), lime juice and house made orgeat (a syrup made from blanched almonds). </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Candara", "sans-serif";">There's no denying the smooth difference local, fresh and premium liquors -- </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Candara", "sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Candara", "sans-serif";"> with no artificial flavors, food
coloring, preservatives or sweeteners -- </span></span>makes in mixing a superior tasting cocktail. </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Candara", "sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Candara", "sans-serif";">Another recently-released spirit from Boardroom is nocino, a black walnut liqueur.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Candara", "sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Candara", "sans-serif";">Celebrity chef, fitness authority and author Robert Irvine was so impressed that he invested in Boardroom and became a co-owner in 2017.<span> </span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Candara", "sans-serif";">The
distillery will continue to host Foodie Weekends, themed by cuisine (ramen
night) or dish (mac n cheese slider trios), with local catering partner <a href="https://www.fryscatering.com/">Fry’s Catering</a>, and bi-weekly Macaroon and Martini cocktail workshops in partnership with local catering
collaborator <a href="https://mixiechics.com/">Mixie Chics</a>.<span> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Candara", "sans-serif";">And yes, Boardroom
Spirits liquors can be purchased at <a href="https://www.finewineandgoodspirits.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SearchResultsView?categoryId=&storeId=10051&catalogId=10051&langId=-1&sType=SimpleSearch&resultCatEntryType=2&showResultsPage=true&searchSource=Q&variety=&pageView=&beginIndex=0&page">Fine
Wine & Good Spirits stores</a> throughout Pennsylvania, as well as in the new
tasting room, which is open 4 to 9 p.m. Thursdays, 4 to 10 p.m. Fridays, 2 to 10 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. <span></span></span></span></div>
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<i>Left to right: Boardroom co-owners Vlad and Marat Mamedov and Zsuzsa Palotas, and tasting room manager James Cleland.</i> </div>
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<br />BING!http://www.blogger.com/profile/08011896531597719561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5002721493230362176.post-24223218025020432872018-03-12T14:51:00.000-07:002018-03-12T14:51:04.440-07:00What is a "Greatest Hit" anyway?Steve Winwood's sold out "Greatest Hits" tour stop at the <a href="http://venue.thetowerphilly.com/" target="_blank">Tower Theater</a> in Upper Darby was not so much this<br />
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as it was this:</div>
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What I'm saying is that, with the exception of the No. 1s "Roll With It" and <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3u04vd" target="_blank">"Higher Love,"</a> the 69-year-old blue-eyed soul singer/keyboardist/guitarist ignored the 1980s, the period of the bulk of his greatest hits.</div>
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Whaaaaat? </div>
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The first inkling this might happen came as Winwood took a seat behind a Hammond organ. That keyboard's distinct and classic sound would probably rule out the more synthesized sounds of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbKNICg-REA" target="_blank">"Valerie,"</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0j6g_uUhH2c" target="_blank">"While You See a Chance"</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gaT6HtLGlU" target="_blank">"The Finer Things."</a> It should be mentioned that the gifted multi-instrumentalist in Winwood's rock-solid band freed "Higher Love" from its '80s sonic prison by playing the song's chirpy synth hook on saxophone.</div>
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Sure I absolutely expected to hear <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Spencer_Davis_Group" target="_blank">Spencer Davis Group</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traffic_(band)" target="_blank">Traffic</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blind_Faith" target="_blank">Blind Faith</a> songs --<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0qUBNr9ojY" target="_blank"> the 1970 Traffic song "Empty Pages"</a> still sounds quite fresh -- but was not expecting something branded as "Greatest Hits" to so grossly under-represent Winwood's most commercially successful decade.</div>
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"Did Steve Winwood just not have a good time in the '80s?," I wondered. </div>
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Then I read something he said to Digital First Media's Gary Graff: "I remember, at some point in the '90s, there were people who were following me for my work in the '80s who weren't familiar with either Traffic or Spencer Davis, and didn't know that I was the same person that sang <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxA3atHD2QM" target="_blank">'Gimme Some Lovin''</a> or the same person that sang <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTJYkjrg594" target="_blank">'Can't Find My Way Home'</a> (both big-time crowd-pleasers at the Tower). I do specifically remember one person coming up to me after a show to say: 'I loved the show, but why did you finish with a cover of a Blues Brothers song?'</div>
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So I have these different sort of levels and phases I've gone through, and one phase isn't always familiar with the other phases."</div>
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From what I could tell, Winwood's Philly faithful skewed close to Winwood's age, and therefore found <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyMiUmrouZU" target="_blank">"Dear Mr. Fantasy"</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8M8R835Ck4" target="_blank">"Low Spark of High Heeled Boys"</a> to be satisfying enough. The audience was also appreciative of the opening set by Winwood's daughter, Lilly (who appears in my "Roll With It" video above), who has a storytelling singer/songwriter thing going that would fit in very well at the Philadelphia Folk Festival.</div>
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Later I discovered Winwood recently released a "Greatest Hits Live" album, culled from the tour, that features <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Adw772km7PQ" target="_blank">"Back in the High Life Again,"</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cq6pZZYgGJk" target="_blank">"Arc of a Diver"</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhXfHHbmKrc" target="_blank">"Freedom Overspill"</a> -- songs I really wish I could have heard. </div>
BING!http://www.blogger.com/profile/08011896531597719561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5002721493230362176.post-81870473452383024672017-05-10T15:13:00.000-07:002017-05-10T15:14:45.643-07:00When you really want to like a smokey whiskey, but just can't<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's a better than average Friday when a free whiskey sample crosses your desk.<br />
"This is Stolen?" What's that about? And is that a 45 rpm record jacket?<br />
Taking inspiration from a quote from Picasso that "great artists steal," <a href="http://www.thisisstolen.com/products-usa" target="_blank">Stolen</a> is the name of a new-to-the-U.S., 46% alcohol by volume, aged 11 years artisanal spirit that originated in New Zealand. The gimmick is using charred whiskey barrel staves, plus a secondary barrel-finishing process -- where what the makers refer to as "the juice" is continually analyzed for taste and nosed for aroma till it meets the boldness test.<br />
"Drink it like it's stolen," they seductively say. <br />
Smokey whiskey is quite manly, and I feel like I should've sipped it while smoking a cigar. But just like with<a href="http://www.jimbeam.com/en-us/bourbons/black" target="_blank"> Jim Beam Black</a>, I have a hard time getting into it because the smoke flavor is overkill. but that's nothing that ginger ale can't fix. Does that make me a wuss, or a whiskey snob? I mean I do know the difference between whiskey with an "E" and whisky without it.<br />
Give me Evan Williams' <a href="http://evanwilliams.com/bourbons.php?page=honey" target="_blank">Honey</a> or Cherry, or <a href="http://www.jimbeam.com/en-us/bourbons/apple" target="_blank">Jim Beam Apple </a>on the rocks any day!<br />
What I wish Stolen would've sent me is <a href="http://www.thisisstolen.com/stolen-cocktails/us" target="_blank">a link to cocktail recipes so I knew what the heck to do with it. I took the liberty of supplying it to you here. </a><br />
They also have a smoked rum and something called "Overproof" rum.<br />
Since Talk About the Passion is mostly a music blog, I need to mention what was in the 45 rpm jacket in the package, besides cards introducing me to Stolen Whiskey. No, there was no record.<br />
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Rapper <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Phranchyze-132478516875048/" target="_blank">Phranchyze</a> and alt country singer <a href="https://www.nikkilane.com/" target="_blank">Nikki Lane</a> and rocker <a href="http://www.jonathantylermusic.com/" target="_blank">Jonathan Tyler</a> (did they spell his name wrong on this photo?) are into Stolen.<br />
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However, I think Phranchyze prefers Hennessey and Horchata. He has a song about it.<br />
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BING!http://www.blogger.com/profile/08011896531597719561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5002721493230362176.post-18413299544190787992017-01-19T14:32:00.000-08:002017-01-19T14:32:03.051-08:00Whoa, am I actually a better DJ than Moby?For the last year, I've come to rely on my Spotify at work more than I ever thought I'd have to.<br />
CNN, a staple in our newsroom, is slowly discovering the dire consequences of prioritizing entertainment value over journalism by not holding Trump's feet to the fire. Cannot stand all the idiotic talking heads trying to brainwash us that a repulsive bullying fascist is normal. So to drown out that nonsense, I've created this playlist that borrows heavily from <a href="http://www.30days30songs.com/" target="_blank">30 Days, 30 Songs</a> (which it looks like is morphing into 1,000 Days, 1,000 Songs), and a little from <a href="https://open.spotify.com/user/billboard.com/playlist/0oe2e7vRBAGeIhuLAISWIN">Moby's imagined playlist if he were to DJ the inauguration</a>.<br />
<b>WARNING:</b> Some of my playlist songs contain rather strong language. But too bad. These are my not-so-subtle thoughts on Dumb Donald, and it keeps me from losing my mind by reminding me I am not alone.<br />
What's disappointing is Moby's Spotify leans too much on Vietnam War era protest songs. Sure, you can nitpick me for choosing W-era songs like "Mr. President" by Doylestown native Pink & The Indigo Girls, folk songs from the World War II era (when Americans shot Nazis instead of electing them), an impeachment-urging song from the Nixon years and an '80s new wave throwback by Heaven 17 that quaintly references President Ronald Reagan (which the British group pronounces "Ree-gan"). But don't my songs fit the nightmare we're in a little better than John Lennon's "Imagine?"<br />
I look forward, albeit reluctantly, to adding more tunes as they come out. <br />
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BING!http://www.blogger.com/profile/08011896531597719561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5002721493230362176.post-48066803340703677192016-11-23T14:10:00.002-08:002016-11-23T14:13:29.422-08:00A look back: 2016 Philadelphia Folk Fest<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
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Philadelphia Folk Fest Replay Weekend starts TONIGHT at 6pm! Tune in all weekend to hear this summer's show. INFO: <a href="https://t.co/Vbu6aRkamu">https://t.co/Vbu6aRkamu</a> <a href="https://t.co/kAwt22aNqR">pic.twitter.com/kAwt22aNqR</a></div>
— iradiophilly (@iradiophilly) <a href="https://twitter.com/iradiophilly/status/801513217298202629">November 23, 2016</a></blockquote>
Shoutout to <a href="http://iradiophilly.com/" target="_blank">IRadioPhilly</a> for rebroadcasting Folk Fest Nov. 23-27! It gives me an excuse to offer my own unique flashback from this year's Fest.<br />
This one will stand out in my memory because I was granted access to the areas that only performers, Folk Fest stage/technical crew, and other VVIPs are allowed -- making for a perspective of Folk Fest I never imagined possible.<br />
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Finally tracking down Philly rising talent<a href="http://www.hurricanehoss.com/" target="_blank"> Hurricane Hoss</a> after her "first big rodeo" on the Main Stage, she was still in costume, but transitioning back to her real-world self, Sarah Larsen. She knew that my day had been more challenging than it ever should have been. Maybe that's why she was able to talk me past security.<br />
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.<a href="https://twitter.com/Hurricane_Hoss">@Hurricane_Hoss</a> is my new favorite artist because she got me into the ultraprivate performers area <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PhillyFolkFest?src=hash">#PhillyFolkFest</a> <a href="https://t.co/PzTckyQ7mT">pic.twitter.com/PzTckyQ7mT</a></div>
— brian bingaman (@brianbingaman) <a href="https://twitter.com/brianbingaman/status/766777571065430016">August 19, 2016</a></blockquote>
She said that Hurricane Hoss represents "all the best parts of myself." It was after <a href="http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/MP/20160819/NEWS/160819695" target="_blank">our interview</a> for my Friday coverage for Digital First Media Philly, when she introduced me to Saturday evening Main Stage performer <a href="http://www.sikahn.com/" target="_blank">Si Kahn</a>, who instantly welcomed me by bringing me an urgently-needed plate of really delicious food. Kahn justified it by coining a phrase he attributed to Thomas Jefferson about it being important to freedom of the press by feeding them. I haven't been able to verify that, but THIS GUY GETS IT!<br />
Kahn is a fascinating cat, who really deserved a story unto himself. But a blog post will have to do. The son of a rabbi, he grew up in State College, moved to the south to be an activist for the civil rights movement (Kahn informed me that "We Shall Overcome" actually has 12 verses), and also founded the Grassroots Leadership organization. Among the other causes close to his heart is <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MusiciansUnitedToProtectBristolBay/" target="_blank">Musicians United to Protect Bristol Bay</a>. Kahn's been recording since 1974, he knew Pete Seeger, has written four books, has a degree from Harvard, plus a Ph.D!! If I didn't have a deadline to meet at the time, I would've hung out and picked this guy's brain through the night. But you'll have to settle for this playlist instead.<br />
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When I asked him about the state of folk music, he said, "It's fabulous," and appropriated the quote by Mark Twain that the reports of the death of folk music "have been greatly exaggerated."<br />
But wait, there's more! Who should I encounter on my way out, but the Where's Waldo of the festival circuit -- Souderton native, singer/songwriter and renowned Forrest Gump impersonator <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fauxestgump/" target="_blank">Paul Dengler, who has a new Instagram</a>. <br />
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BING!http://www.blogger.com/profile/08011896531597719561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5002721493230362176.post-73713725112716521172016-11-07T11:19:00.001-08:002016-11-07T11:50:28.620-08:00A chick-lit standout of 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As soon as I cracked open "Finding Tambri" by Georgia Author of the Year finalist Sherry Meeks, I knew this was a book for my wife, who is a bathtub reader. That means you don't lend her any reading material that you don't want wrinkled from water exposure.<br />
Yes, I know I passed the buck. Don't judge me.<br />
Tambri is a bitter, lost soul after her young son dies, leading to her marriage to her high school sweetheart falling apart. However, it looks like she could be on the cusp of finding love again.<br />
The author uses a non-traditional narrative of short stories from different character perspectives, which my wife said made "Finding Tambri" hard to follow because of the way it jumps around.<br />
"It's about the trials and tribulations of marriage and relationships. She's an excellent writer and brings you close to the characters," my wife says.<br />
The 211-page "Finding Tambri" is available from Amazon and Barnes & Noble and you can find more at <a href="http://www.sherrylynnmeeks.com/">www.sherrylynnmeeks.com</a>. </div>
BING!http://www.blogger.com/profile/08011896531597719561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5002721493230362176.post-23838465303457512642016-10-25T13:45:00.000-07:002016-10-25T13:45:45.461-07:00The Beatles' unique connection to PhillyIt was terrific meeting John Lennon's half-sister, Julia Baird, this year when she came to <a href="http://www.st94.com/" target="_blank">Sellersville Theater</a> with <a href="http://www.themerseybeatles.com/" target="_blank">The Mersey Beatles</a>. One thing she said that sticks with me, because of how mind-blowing it is, is that there are 5,800 Beatles tribute bands worldwide. You can't say the same thing about the Backstreet Boys!<br />
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<i>Julia is a tiny lady. At right is my good friend, Rick White.</i> </div>
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<i> Hey, wot's that Mersey Beatle doing? Messing with my hair?</i></div>
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A little before that encounter, I paid a visit to Plymouth Meeting dermatologist Steve Binnick. In his clinical room, I was surprised to see a photo of the genuine Beatles that looked something like this.</div>
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Dr. Binnick explained that his dad, Bernie, was a co-owner of Philadelphia's <a href="http://www.swanrecords.com/swan_history.htm" target="_blank">Swan Records</a>, the label of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freddy_Cannon" target="_blank">Freddy Cannon</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danny_%26_the_Juniors" target="_blank">Danny and the Juniors</a>, the early records of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Three_Degrees" target="_blank">The Three Degrees</a>, and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Link_Wray" target="_blank">Link Wray</a> in the pre-"Rumble" days. Swan also was the first American record company to release The Beatles' No. 1 "She Loves You." </div>
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Other small American labels that put out Beatles singles, before Capitol Records assumed control of their American releases, included Vee Jay and Tollie. They're highly collectible.<br />
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Dr. Binnick has retired, and sadly, that's likely the last chance I'll see that picture. </div>
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BING!http://www.blogger.com/profile/08011896531597719561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5002721493230362176.post-8112230218433679372016-08-06T15:32:00.000-07:002016-08-06T15:41:58.531-07:00WMGK proves every time that Southeastern Pennsylvania's Got TalentMy ears were ringing judging this year's <a href="http://wmgk.com/contests/mgk-house-band-competition-top-20-bands/">102.9 WMGK House Band Competition</a>. However they were also treated to some high quality live bands in the quest to see who gets selected to represent Philadelphia's classic rock radio station during major events such as the Big Bad Bonfire, <a href="http://wmgk.com/event/mgk-brew-blast-2016/">Brew Blast</a> and opening for classic rock acts during their annual summer concert. The official house band also gets the coveted prizes of $1,000 of new gear and two days of recording studio time.<br />
So far, advancing to the finals are Taggart, Green Machine, and a band I personally got to witness rise to the cream of the crop, <a href="http://www.kategory5band.com/">Kategory 5</a> (Obviously spelling doesn't count). <br />
It's a challenge coming up with a score for vocals, stage presence, crowd reaction (Full disclosure: stupidly over the top fans hurt your score!), musicianship and adherence to/understanding of MGK's playlist.<br />
Each band must play the same assigned song by MGK. That night's was "Desire" by U2. Since I was in a cover band for 6 and a half years, and that was one of our go-to tunes, I paid close attention to each band's reading. I was impressed that all four showed their attention to detail by having a harmonica for the solos at the end.<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/partyhatband/">Party Hat</a> was quite fun, with a set that featured "Back in Black" (AC/DC), a well-executed "Jump" (Van Halen), an inspired version of The Doors' "Break on Through" with the Jim Morrison spoken word "Dead Cats, Dead Rats" -- which unfortunately was spoiled by a drum hardware malfunction --and a song rarely done anywhere -- "One Thing Leads to Another" by The Fixx. They stood out because of their keyboards-forward approach. Would like to know they sequenced The Who's "Baba O'Riley!"<br />
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For the record, I LOVED <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AMRadioTheBand/">AM Radio</a>. I want their clothes! What ultimately hurt their chances was they leaned classic <i>pop</i>, rather than classic <i>rock</i>.<br />
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Before you send hate mail, it's because that I know the difference that MGK keeps asking me to judge. I was in the radio biz 15 years; I know what I'm talking about.<br />
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Chester County's <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ExitStrategy2/info/?entry_point=about_section_header&tab=page_info">Exit Strategy</a> had the unenviable task of following Kategory 5. Here's their rendition of .38 Special's "Hold on Loosely."<br />
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My favorite part of their set was a spirited performance of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0YoKzsjE-0">Led Zeppelin's "Black Dog."</a><br />
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Upcoming semi-final rounds are taking place Aug. 11 at<a href="http://www.havananewhope.com/"> Havana in New Hope</a>, and Aug. 18 at <a href="http://chickiesandpetes.com/location/south-philadelphia/">Chickies and Pete's</a> near the sports complex in South Philly. The finals are scheduled for Parx Casino the 25th. 8 p.m. is the start time, 7:30 for the finals.BING!http://www.blogger.com/profile/08011896531597719561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5002721493230362176.post-51716019144530164732016-06-21T15:53:00.002-07:002016-06-21T15:53:54.395-07:00Forget her not: Southern chanteuse Kim Meeks"Forget Me Not," a four-song EP about heartbreak by Macon, Ga. singer/songwriter/keyboardist Kim Meeks presents a pop/jazz vocal performance that will remind you of Fiona Apple and Sarah McLachlan. She gets outstanding instrumental backing from producer and engineer Joey Stuckey. Dude plays everything, and his guitarwork brings additional artistry.<br />
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Aimed at those of us 'of a certain age,' "Everybody's Pretty" is a profoundly melancholy narrative about hitting the wall.<br />
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Although the song does make me smile because I initially thought she was singing "everybody's pretty when they YAWN" ... which is when people look pretty ugly.<br />
Fortunately this live performance of the song dispenses with the unnecessary 48-second, scratchy-record surface noise intro that's on "Forget Me Not." <br />
"You're a drama queen/looking for a king. But just one won't do.<br />
With your heart out on your sleeve/everyone can see that it's all just a game to you," Meeks sings on "Inside," which has a neat piano hook.<br />
The title track is memorable for its unexpected soft-loud dynamic shifts.<br />
Learn more about this artist at <a href="http://www.kimmeeksmusic.com/">www.kimmeeksmusic.com</a> and facebook.com/kimmeeksmusic.<br />
And if you thought that was interesting, check back here later. I'll tell you about her sister Sherry's fiction novel, "Finding Tambri."<br />
<br />BING!http://www.blogger.com/profile/08011896531597719561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5002721493230362176.post-53611899646338251672016-06-17T08:51:00.000-07:002016-06-17T08:51:53.207-07:00'Cause what else are you gonna do on a Tuesday?Held in honor of the Summer Solstice, ValleyArtScene and Grace Notes Piano Studio sponsor the fourth annual <a href="http://bit.ly/1Unmdnt">Make Music Upper Perk</a> -- a whopper of a free music event, especially for the Upper Perkiomen Valley, Tuesday June 21.<br />
The first notes begin at 10 a.m. and wrap up with a 9 p.m. campfire in New Goshenhoppen Park ... ON A TUESDAY. <a href="http://bit.ly/23gi88g">There's metal, classical, folk, concert bands, rock, and much more, to discover by a lot of people you've probably never heard play before.</a><br />
Venues are <b>Java Good Day Cafe</b>, 231 Main St., East Greenville; the<b> Upper Perk YMCA</b>, 1399 Quakertown Road, East Greenville; the <b>Upper Perkiomen Library</b>, 350 Main St., Red Hill; the <b>Upper Perkiomen Community Thrift Shop</b>, 301 Fourth St., Pennsburg; the <b>Schwenkfelder Library and Heritage Center</b>, 105 Seminary Ave., Pennsburg; <b>Art on Main</b>, 218 Main St., East Greenville; <b>Pennsburg United Church of Christ</b>, 775 Main St., Pennsburg; outside at <b>St. Mark's Church</b>, 81 Main St., Pennsburg; and the <b>Upper Perkiomen Community Life Center</b>, 104 Main St., East Greenville.<br />
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Also in honor of the solstice is June 18th's yoga and holistic <a href="http://moyo-yoga.com/festival-108/">Moyo Festival</a>, held 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at 4335 W. Skippack Pike on the Schwenksville side of Skippack Township.<br />
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Need to get word out about special public events in "Ticket" magazine and <a href="http://www.tickettoentertainmnent.com/">www.tickettoentertainmnent.com</a>? Shoot me an email at bbingaman@21st-centurymedia.com.BING!http://www.blogger.com/profile/08011896531597719561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5002721493230362176.post-68492237654450629022016-05-17T11:34:00.001-07:002016-05-17T11:34:14.350-07:00Pet Sounds at 50 and reflections on talking to Brian Wilson It was 50 years ago this week that The Beach Boys' released their celebrated "Pet Sounds," which featured signature hits like "Wouldn't It Be Nice," "Sloop John B" and "God Only Knows."<br />
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A magnum opus from Brian Wilson, Wilson and a band featuring Beach Boys alumni Al Jardine and Blondie Chaplin are on a world tour performing the ambitiously creative album in its entirety. <br />
While you're waiting for the September tour dates in southeastern Pennsylvania, a special four-disc "Pet Sounds" anniversary edition is set for release on June 10. It includes mono, stereo and alternate mixes, vocal harmony tracks in isolation, and insight into Wilson's Phil Spector-esque use of full-on live takes, with flutes, saxophones, xylophone/marimba, and even bits from the dog barking session that graced the outro to "Caroline, No."<br />
During the studio chatter on that track, Wilson can be heard saying: "Hey Chuck, is it possible we could bring a horse in here, if we don't screw anything up?"<br />
Then someone chimes in: "Brian, my horse would be so bitchin' in here."<br />
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<i>Brian Wilson signs an autograph in a photo from the "Pet Sounds" 50th Anniversary booklet.</i></div>
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Other neat outtakes are work-in-progress versions of "Good Vibrations," various live performances through the decades, the unused backing track "Trombone Dixie" and humorous custom introductions for radio stations for "Caroline, No."<br />
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Today Pet Sounds was released 50 years ago. I just can't believe it. I recorded it to bring love to the world. <a href="https://t.co/zap6gJzS4k">pic.twitter.com/zap6gJzS4k</a></div>
— Brian Wilson (@BrianWilsonLive) <a href="https://twitter.com/BrianWilsonLive/status/732147692751687681">May 16, 2016</a></blockquote>
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As sweet as that tweet comes across, Wilson himself is friendly enough, but frustratingly tight-lipped and disengaged when talking one-on-one about the tour, "Pet Sounds," "Love and Mercy" ... anything.<br />
"Ticket" writer Dutch Godshalk and I were astounded that a phone interview we did with the famously tortured genius took maybe 14 minutes. Here's a couple different theories I have about that:<br />
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<li>Brian Wilson is one of these cats that plays mind games with the press. <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xqoais_bob-dylan-dont-look-back-parte-1-3_shortfilms">Bob Dylan took it to a horrifying extreme in the 1967 documenatary "Don't Look Back."</a></li>
<li>Wilson justifiably has trust issues and doesn't open up to very many people. </li>
<li>A catastrophic combination of past drug use and mental illness may be contributing factors to him staying within an invisible insular bubble, in the name of self-preservation. When I asked for his thoughts on the opiod problem in America, he acted like he had no idea what I was talking about. When asked how<a href="https://www.facebook.com/carniewilson/?fref=ts"> his daughter, Carnie</a>, and <a href="http://robbonfiglio.bandcamp.com/">her husband -- musician and 1985 Souderton grad Rob Bonfiglio</a> -- were doing, he said he hadn't talked to them in some time. </li>
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In sad conclusion, this world is an extremely cruel place for purely original and vulnerably sensitive people like Brian Wilson. It just grinds them up and spits them out. "I Just Wasn't made for These Times," indeed!BING!http://www.blogger.com/profile/08011896531597719561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5002721493230362176.post-6585658825895009612016-04-12T14:47:00.000-07:002016-04-13T07:08:54.124-07:00Bookmark this link now!While researching for an interview with <a href="http://www.petermurphy.info/">Peter Murphy</a>, who is back on the road for the first time in a long ol' time, I made the mind-blowing discovery that <a href="http://120minutes.tylerc.com/"><b>someone had managed to archive the playlists of just about every episode of "120 Minutes."</b></a><br />
Thank you, thank you, thank you, Tyler C., whoever you are!<br />
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I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say that Sunday night MTV music video program was a direct pipeline from risk-taking college radio to the mainstream. How else could "Smells Like Teen Spirit," "Under the Bridge," or<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ff5wxR081YQ"> "So Alive" by Love and Rockets</a> have broken through in the era of ridiculous big-hair metal, Paula Abdul, Michael Bolton and New Kids on the Block?<br />
Speaking of Nirvana, I made a discovery from the "120 Minutes" archive that they stole the riff from "Come As You Are" from Killing Joke.<br />
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And who remembers a Philly band called The Wishniaks?<br />
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Then there were moments of unadulterated, you-had-to-be-there weirdness like this!!!<br />
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As you move through the years, from VJs "Downtown" Julie Brown ("wubba, wubba, wubba") to Carolyne Heldman to Kevin Seal to Dave Kendall to Lewis Largent, etc., it's fascinating to review the transition from the tail end of '80s new wave to the '90s alternative rock boom, and eventually to the re-branded 2000s show, "Subterranean."<br />
That so many volunteers spent time VCR-ing shows, and writing down the songs, at home back in the pre-internet time is a testament to the awesomeness of "120 Minutes."<br />
It's a walk down memory lane with one colossal and blissful fall down the rabbit hole! BING!http://www.blogger.com/profile/08011896531597719561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5002721493230362176.post-20311409220340583292016-03-10T07:37:00.000-08:002016-03-10T07:43:29.013-08:00Local live music highlightsI posted reminders to TicketToEntertainment.com about some home-grown talent performing this weekend.<br />
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There's <a href="http://www.tickettoentertainment.com/blog/2016/03/08/that-no-good-sister-to-show-up-in-phoenixville/">No Good Sister</a>, with a show at Steel City Coffee House Friday night, the 11th. <br />
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And at World Cafe Live on Sunday the 13th, youngster <a href="http://www.tickettoentertainment.com/blog/2016/03/03/local-singersongwriters-100th-performance-celebration-at-world-cafe-live/">Ben Kessler plays his 100th show ever</a>. BING!http://www.blogger.com/profile/08011896531597719561noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5002721493230362176.post-1715899530932992062016-01-31T11:22:00.000-08:002016-01-31T11:22:09.838-08:00What you'll see at the 2016 Philadelphia Auto ShowIt's <a href="http://www.phillyautoshow.com/" target="_blank"><b>Auto Show</b></a> time again. It runs through Feb. 7 at the <a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_281916853" target="_blank">Pennsylvania Convention Cente</a><a href="http://www.paconvention.com/">r.</a><br />
In case you missed it, I was <a href="https://twitter.com/brianbingaman" target="_blank">live tweeting from the Media Preview Day Jan. 29</a>.<br />
A rep from Volkswagen told me over lunch that <a href="http://naias.com/" target="_blank">Detroit is the one and only A-level auto show</a>. <a href="http://www.autoshowny.com/about" target="_blank">New York</a>, <a href="http://laautoshow.com/" target="_blank">Los Angeles</a> and <a href="http://www.chicagoautoshow.com/" target="_blank">Chicago</a> are B-level shows, and Philadelphia is considered a C-level show. Now doesn't that just give you an inferiority complex? Philly's auto show is a fun time, and we should be proud of it. 700,000 square feet, 250,000 people and influencing $3 billion in sales doesn't sound C-level to me.<br />
Somehow I doubt New York's going to have the Fiat Pope Francis rode in during the 2015 World Meeting of Families, like we have! <br />
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Note the little Vatican flag <a href="https://twitter.com/FIATUSA">@FIATUSA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/phillyautoshow?src=hash">#phillyautoshow</a> <a href="https://t.co/8yIY12yKwZ">pic.twitter.com/8yIY12yKwZ</a></div>
— brian bingaman (@brianbingaman) <a href="https://twitter.com/brianbingaman/status/693125041412775937">January 29, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>The pope could've had a limousine, but instead chose a compact. The car was auctioned off during the Auto Show's Black Tie Tailgate preview event to benefit Catholic Social Services, Casa Del Carmen, Mercy Hospice and the Philly archdiocesan schools of special education.<br />
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One tweet that really got people's attention was of this Kia.<br />
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Wow, what would you call that color? <a href="https://twitter.com/Kia">@Kia</a> A1A concept car <a href="https://twitter.com/phillyautoshow">@phillyautoshow</a> <a href="https://t.co/vMkrdBT15x">pic.twitter.com/vMkrdBT15x</a></div>
— brian bingaman (@brianbingaman) <a href="https://twitter.com/brianbingaman/status/693136498175152129">January 29, 2016</a></blockquote>
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This year, I finally got around to doing a Camp Jeep Test Track ride. That camera wobble was due to the rough terrain of the off road simulation.<br />
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1 of the <a href="https://twitter.com/phillyautoshow">@phillyautoshow</a> highlights is Camp <a href="https://twitter.com/Jeep">@Jeep</a>. See what Wrangler can do! <a href="https://t.co/Y9AYHOzpm4">https://t.co/Y9AYHOzpm4</a></div>
— brian bingaman (@brianbingaman) <a href="https://twitter.com/brianbingaman/status/693091587497291776">January 29, 2016</a></blockquote>
The Wrangler's 285 horsepower is sexy, but it only gets 21 mpg highway ... as opposed to the new Honda Civics that get 42. That's the truly great thing about the Philadelphia Auto Show -- you get to see what all the noteworthy manufacturers have to offer (some are even offering test drives) under one roof.<br />
For example, you probably wouldn't think about Rolls Royce if it was out of your price range, but it doesn't hurt to look while you're here.<br />
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This <a href="https://twitter.com/rollsroycecars">@rollsroycecars</a> convertible is a massive vehicle <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PhillyAutoShow?src=hash">#PhillyAutoShow</a> <a href="https://t.co/ezyTNL2OcS">pic.twitter.com/ezyTNL2OcS</a></div>
— brian bingaman (@brianbingaman) <a href="https://twitter.com/brianbingaman/status/693137603529416704">January 29, 2016</a></blockquote>
Dr. Fred Simeone of the<a href="http://www.simeonemuseum.org/" target="_blank"> Simeone Automotive Museum</a> in Philadelphia was on hand at media day to highlight the 50th anniversary of the first American victory in the World Sportscar Championship races, and the cars from the museum's collection that won it all for the U.S. in 1966-1969. The motivation for trying to make a name for the U.S. in world racing, Simeone said, was that Caroll Shelby and Henry Ford Jr. had a mutual dislike for Enzo Ferrari, whose namesake race cars typically dominated the circuit. "Was it a big deal? Was it expensive? You're damn right," Simeone said. The rare 1965 Cobra Daytona Coupe, Ford GT 40 Mark II and Ford GT Mark IV are part of the museum's eye-catching display at the Auto Show.<br />
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Besides <a href="http://www.phillyautoshow.com/show-info/ekey/" target="_blank">the new Auto Show eKEY</a>, here are just a few of the other fun interactives at the show.<br />
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You could win a trip to Cancun by doing this at <a href="https://twitter.com/phillyautoshow">@phillyautoshow</a> <a href="https://t.co/gaZu96G59s">pic.twitter.com/gaZu96G59s</a></div>
— brian bingaman (@brianbingaman) <a href="https://twitter.com/brianbingaman/status/693134853739409408">January 29, 2016</a></blockquote>
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A green screen dance with Jan from <a href="https://twitter.com/Toyota">@Toyota</a>? Yes, please <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PhillyAutoShow?src=hash">#PhillyAutoShow</a> <a href="https://t.co/MFbI1eZmlx">pic.twitter.com/MFbI1eZmlx</a></div>
— brian bingaman (@brianbingaman) <a href="https://twitter.com/brianbingaman/status/693135638355447808">January 29, 2016</a></blockquote>
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As the old Exxon ad used to say: "Happy motoring."BING!http://www.blogger.com/profile/08011896531597719561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5002721493230362176.post-56411049016578132632016-01-19T11:13:00.000-08:002016-01-26T12:01:09.357-08:00Brian Bingaman meets Ryan BinghamEver since WXPN started championing the music of Americana singer/songwriter <a href="http://www.binghammusic.com/" target="_blank">Ryan Bingham</a> in 2007-2008, it's given me fits of existential angst: Maybe if my name was a few syllables shorter, and had I been in Texas, I coulda been a contender!<br />
Bingham's song, "The Weary Kind," was the main theme of the movie <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1263670/" target="_blank">"Crazy Heart,"</a> and won an Oscar, a Grammy <u>and</u> a Golden Globe. Now that's a rare hat trick!!! Here's "Crazy Heart"'s star, <a href="http://thebiglebowski.wikia.com/wiki/The_Dude" target="_blank">Jeff "The Dude" Bridges</a>, performing it.<br />
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I recently fulfilled a professional goal, that I used to joke about ("Who's that guy running around out there imitating my name?!"), <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-BJTE56I14" target="_blank"> by interviewing Bingham</a>. <b><a href="http://www.tickettoentertainment.com/blog/2016/01/26/gritty-sound-of-ryan-bingham-in-philadelphia-jan-31/" target="_blank">Here's a link to that story for you</a>.</b> When I asked him what songs he'd like to hear in a Ryan Bingham tribute show -- because you know my next step is to create a <b>"Brian Bingaman Sings the Songs of Ryan Bingham"</b> concert -- he left it wide open. "I just hope that whoever was doing it would play the songs that inspired them," he said. This would be one of them. <br />
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Now how the heck do I get that gravelly, raspy Tom-Waits-meets-Steve-Earle sound? The guy is 34 years old and sounds like that.BING!http://www.blogger.com/profile/08011896531597719561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5002721493230362176.post-30596575238967619672015-12-19T21:57:00.000-08:002015-12-22T06:59:17.260-08:00Random thoughts on Christmas musicJohnny Mathis wrote on the back cover of one of his Christmas records that every home needs to have some of those seasonal songs. With Philly's 98.1 WOGL sort of joining the early all-Christmas format flip this year, there's just no getting away from it.<br />
<b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">*</span></b>It's a shame that with the all-Christmas terrestrial radio stations in the area -- including More 101 in Philadelphia, 100.7 WLEV in Bethlehem and 99.5 WJBR in Wilmington -- they only actually play a small sample of the wealth of holiday musical offerings out there.<br />
<b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">*</span></b>"Linus and Lucy" by the Vine Guaraldi Trio is NOT a Christmas song, just because it was in "A Charlie Brown Christmas." Please stop treating it like one.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">*</span></b>Despite the passing reference to it snowing Christmas Eve in the opening verse, "Same Old Lang Syne" by Dan Fogelberg is more of a New Year's song. When it was originally released in 1980, it entered the top 40 singles chart on Dec. 27.<br />
<b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">*</span></b>This time of year is so weird because it is the only time ever you will hear <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8gmARGvPlI" target="_blank">Wham!</a> (with a double dose of George Michael in "Do They Know It's Christmas" by Band Aid), <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YR1ujXx2p-I" target="_blank">The Carpenters</a>, Amy Grant and Jose Feliciano on the radio. Does no one remember Jose's top 5 Doors cover from 1968?!<br />
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<b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">*</span></b>Walmart Radio is playing some re-makes of Christmas classics that are so terribly done that I want to tune in terrestrial radio to cleanse the bad taste out of my ears. Make that nonsense go away.<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">*</span>It's the mooost stress-ful time/of the year. Or it's the most wonderful time to drink beer. I also have my own rude, obscene alternate lyrics for the wretchedly campy song "Happy Holidays."<br />
<b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">*</span></b>There's a howler of a bad lyric in "There's No Place Like Home For The Holidays:" "From Atlantic to Pacific/Gee, the traffic is terrific." Traffic is never terrific. <u>Horrific</u> would be more accurate.<br />
<b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">*</span></b>Is Dean Martin really as drunk as he sounds on his records, or is that just an act?<br />
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<b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">*</span></b>I break into The Beach Boys every time "Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow" comes on, thanks to Paul Rudd's character in the movie "Forgetting Sarah Marhsall."<br />
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<b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">*</span></b>I do my Vince Vaughn impression every time "Here Comes Santa Claus" comes on, thanks to the movie "Fred Claus."<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b>*</b></span>What's with the threatening tone of the song "Santa Claus is Coming to Town?" What happened to peace on earth, and good will to all?<br />
<b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">*</span></b>Someone in particular who gets into the season is Neil Diamond -- a Jew who's recorded at least three Christmas albums. His cover of Adam Sandler's "The Hanukkah Song" is fun.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BOegH4uYe-c" width="420"></iframe>BING!http://www.blogger.com/profile/08011896531597719561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5002721493230362176.post-37153437865378033312015-11-04T17:41:00.000-08:002015-11-04T17:41:29.979-08:00Thanksgiving musicThere's no Thanksgiving songs, you say.<br />
With assists last year from "Paste" magazine and WXPN, I found that's not necessarily so. I'll start your Turkey Day soundtrack off with something that didn't turn up on Spotify, "Thanksgiving Prayer" by Johnny Cash. Would love to know how the Man in Black ended up on an episode of, according to the YouTube poster, "Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman."
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When I was growing up, and without fail traveling to be with my paternal grandmother's side of the family every Thanksgiving, my mom had me convinced that the song that begins "Over the river, and through the woods/to grandmother's house we go" was about Thanksgiving. That was until I recently found "Over the River" by Danny Kaye & The Andrews Sisters, which has lyrics about Christmas. I refuse to believe "Over the River" is a Christmas song! And since I'm a holiday purist -- believing in breathing space for holidays, instead of the overlapping Hallo-Kwanz-ukkah-mas mess advertisers and stores have forced on us -- I can't bring myself to pollute my Thanksgiving playlist with a Christmas song. We'll all be bludgeoned to death by Christmas music soon enough.<br />
Luckily, my wife knows I'm not insane (nor is my mom), and agrees that not only is "Over the River" a Thanksgiving song, but said there is a verse of "Over the River" that ends "Hooray for Thanksgiving Day." <i><b>So who can tell me where a recording of that variation can be found?</b></i><br />
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I was also dismayed to find that The Beatles B-side "Thank You Girl" is not on Spotify. Come on, Macca! The world didn't end when The Beatles music was made available on iTunes. Gimme a break! The good news is the cover by The Smithereens is brilliant, and I will reward that band by sharing <a href="http://www.dailylocal.com/article/DL/20130501/ENTERTAINMENT01/130439966" target="_blank">this interview I did with Pat DiNizio</a>.</div>
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So fire up your Spotify and sing along with Arlo Guthrie (I get a kick out of his $14.27 reference from Roger Miller's "Dang Me" in the now-50-year-old "Alice's Restaurant"), through all the thank-you songs I could think of, to Dan Bern's modern-day-Desolation-Row "Thanksgiving Day Parade." <b><i>Any</i></b> <b><i>suggestions you have for additions are encouraged!</i></b></div>
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BING!http://www.blogger.com/profile/08011896531597719561noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5002721493230362176.post-37550402102970197462015-09-16T12:10:00.000-07:002015-09-16T12:10:53.350-07:00Down the YouTube mashup rabbit holeYeah, yeah, yeah, you're going to tell me that mashups are so 2006. I don't care.<br />
Thought most of them were complete crap until one of my Facebook friends shared this haunting pairing of completely unrelated songs -- "The Boys Are Back in Town" by Thin Lizzy and "Monkey Gone to Heaven" by The Pixies. My seal of approval for a mashup, besides if it rhythmically fits, is given if it causes you to appreciate the original songs more. <br />
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Then that cursed YouTube, always at the ready to suggest something related to what you've been searching lately, pointed to <i>another</i> Pixies mashup, "Where is My Mind?" coupled with The Beastie Boys' sadly overlooked War on Terror commentary "In a World Gone Mad."<br />
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There's several "Smells Like Teen Spirit" mashups, but the one that makes the most sense is this one with White Stripes' "Seven Nation Army," Seven Nation Teen Spirit, if you will
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Then these next two were so good -- because of the polar opposite juxtaposition of overt '70s pop with '80s hard rock -- they brought actual tears to my eyes.</div>
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STAYIN' IN BLACK
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SUPER JUMPER
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BING!http://www.blogger.com/profile/08011896531597719561noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5002721493230362176.post-42269207000992311462015-08-12T10:09:00.001-07:002015-08-19T12:28:09.629-07:00Memorable and creative local band names from MGK's 2015 House Band Competition and beyondJust like covering the Philadelphia Folk Festival, I think being a judge in the <a href="http://www.wmgk.com/" target="_blank">WMGK</a> House Band Competition could become an annual thing for me.<br />
A semi-final round Aug. 6 at <a href="http://www.havananewhope.com/" target="_blank">Havana in New Hope</a> featured mid-day jock Debbi Calton as emcee, and a slate of competing bands whose names are burned into my brain.<br />
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<li>There's <a href="http://www.offtheedgeproductions.net/BradleyCoopersLeftArm" target="_blank">Bradley Cooper's Left Arm</a>, featuring James Darlington, the husband of <a href="http://www.thespaceforgrace.com/" target="_blank">Lansdale interfaith minister Rev. Dr. Deborah Darlington</a>, on bass.</li>
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<li>The band I thought was going to win was <a href="http://www.sheepherders.com/" target="_blank">Moroccan Sheepherders</a> because of all the wild stuff they had going on stage -- three-piece horn section, multiple singers, a guy on bongos, interesting set list ...</li>
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<li>The band that did win was<a href="https://www.facebook.com/FuzzySideUp4" target="_blank"> Fuzzy Side Up</a>, and they will be a force to be reckoned with during <a href="http://wmgk.com/event/houseband-finals-with-andre-gardner/" target="_blank">the contest finals Aug. 20 at Parx Casino</a>. </li>
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<li> And check out <a href="https://www.facebook.com/withthenaturals" target="_blank">The Naturals</a>! </li>
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Other favorite local band names I have are Norristown's <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jeanclaudesdamnvan" target="_blank">Jean Claude's Damn Van</a>. And don't forget <a href="http://www.xroadstavern.com/index.php" target="_blank">Crossroads Tavern</a> semi-regular Two For Flinching.</div>
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Worcester Township bar <a href="http://thekeystonelounge.com/" target="_blank">The Keystone Lounge</a> has a whole scene of crazy band names to keep an eye out for, among them: Funk Church and Native Maze (as opposed to Native maize). Another of those bands that you can sometimes catch at The Keystone, <a href="http://mrfuzzyandthebarbarian.com/" target="_blank">Mr. Fuzzy & The Barbarian</a>, is scheduled to play the Music on Main Street Lunchtime Concerts series in Lansdale's Railroad Plaza at noon Sept. 9</div>
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BING!http://www.blogger.com/profile/08011896531597719561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5002721493230362176.post-24202449417193104762015-07-23T14:29:00.000-07:002015-07-23T14:31:29.585-07:00New adventures in hi-fiA visit to my stepdaughter's townhouse greeted me with the surprise that she and her boyfriend had "inherited" a circa 1960 <a href="http://www.thevoiceofmusic.com/" target="_blank"><b>Voice of Music</b></a> hi-fi record player, manufactured back in the days when people didn't consume their music on the go, unless it was on the car radio.<br />
Some of its functionality has diminished. The other speaker isn't working. And I've either forgotten how to activate the platter drop, or it's not working either.<br />
The young people -- who smartly knew to use a nickel as an anti-skip device -- were impressed how much I was able to improve the sound simply by tweaking the speaker balance, bass and treble. They were also wowed that it was possible to stack 10 records, or more, on the spindle for hours of hands-free party DJ entertainment (which sadly, I was unable to successfully demonstrate). I think the smell the vacuum tubes make when they heat up makes them nervous.<br />
"They're not used to having to do that," my wife explained, reminding me how children of the '90s interface with their music.<br />
Selections we listened to included some <a href="http://turntablelab.com/products/phantogram-eyelid-movies-w-free-mp3-download-lp" target="_blank"><b>latter day vinyl by Phantogram</b></a> and the first interesting (but not quite classic) album that Pink Floyd ever made, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fT7hGXZDafA" target="_blank"><b>1971's "Meddle."</b></a><br />
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I got my stepdaughter's record collection started at Christmas 2013, thanks to <a href="http://www.vinylclosetrecords.com/" target="_blank"><b>The Vinyl Closet</b></a>: K-Tel's 1982 compilation "Hit Express," <b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hey-Jude-The-Beatles/dp/B000TBI40I" target="_blank">The Beatles' odds and ends "Hey Jude,"</a><a href="http://www.discogs.com/Arlo-Guthrie-Alices-Restaurant/release/563448" target="_blank"> Arlo Guthrie's "Alice's Restaurant,"</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOr6vrIF4D8" target="_blank">"Frampton Comes Alive,"</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GT_H-Cz3v8Y" target="_blank">"Crosby, Stills and Nash,"</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BSVNXN8yv4" target="_blank">The Who's "Who's Next"</a> and </b><a href="http://www.feelnumb.com/2011/10/04/pink-floyd-dark-side-of-the-moon-original-album-inserts/" target="_blank"><b>Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon," still with the posters</b>.</a></div>
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And you're welcome for the Pandora's Box of rabbit hole links. </div>
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BING!http://www.blogger.com/profile/08011896531597719561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5002721493230362176.post-1500785702071276702015-07-09T09:57:00.000-07:002015-07-09T09:57:49.246-07:00BANG YOUR HEADBetween downpours on a stormy Monday, my wife and I are doing some landscape maintenance in front of the house, when down our street zooms these kids on their bikes. One randomly shouts out: "Does anybody here know who Black Sabbath is?"<br />
This led to a very unexpected revisit to my junior high headbanger days. Turns out the two boys were middle school students, and shocked me that they knew who <a href="http://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Metal_Church/371" target="_blank">Metal Church</a> was ... and that the late Ronnie James Dio once sang for Sabbath ... and that Ozzy Osbourne's recordings with them are the better ones.<br />
I always got a kick out how Ozzy (Randy Rhoads, actually) quotes the truly scary guitar riff from the now 45-year-old song "Black Sabbath" in this song from his storied solo career.<br />
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"Do you know Metallica?," one asked. Well it's funny you should mention that, son ... I remember when they first came out (I ended up saying the same thing at the mention of The Red Hot Chili Peppers). <br />
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<i>James Hetfield signs my Lollapalooza 1996 backstage pass in Charles Town, W. Va.</i><br />
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<i> </i>The conversation leaped from Motley Crue and Iron Maiden to a newer group called <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZdrCQfz7AM" target="_blank">The Skull,</a> and Slipknot and Pantera, neither of which I've ever been able to get into. Heavy metal has become significantly angrier and much, much, much less fun than it was in the '80s. For example, how about this proto rap-metal nugget, sampling Sam Kinsion, Beastie Boys and Metallica's "Master of Puppets?" </div>
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"Do you like Guns 'N' Roses?"</div>
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Sorry, never liked them. However, I'd listen to Slash and Duff jam in Velvet Revolver (who will probably never record together again because Scott Weiland is turning into as big of an idiot as Axl Rose) till the cows come home. But thanks to browsing the playlists of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZdrCQfz7AM" target="_blank">Dee Snider's House of Hair</a> radio show, I did find this worthy cover by the late Kevin DuBrow of Quiet Riot.</div>
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<b>And with that, please crank up this playlist:</b><br />
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<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotify%3Auser%3A125075264%3Aplaylist%3A6xKK2TWmEsRqzbuHkRDkYU" width="300"></iframe>BING!http://www.blogger.com/profile/08011896531597719561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5002721493230362176.post-87436522787645777252015-06-26T14:57:00.000-07:002015-06-26T14:58:17.994-07:00That 'Weasel' tuneThere's an ice cream truck that roams through Telford playing the same tinkling music over and over. But today, the ice cream man changed the song to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pop_Goes_the_Weasel" target="_blank">"Pop Goes the Weasel."</a> Right away I thought of the second-ever Three Stooges short, "Punch Drunks," the only one of their Columbia Pictures shorts that Moe, Larry and Curly get writing credits. Note that Curly also uses his regular speaking voice.<br />
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And then I remembered <i>this</i> Weasel tune.<br />
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A blistering jab at <a href="http://www.vanillaice.com/" target="_blank">Vanilla Ice</a> -- sampling Peter Gabriel's <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g93mz_eZ5N4" target="_blank">"Sledgehammer,"</a> The Who's "Eminence Front" (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYKkH1yeglo" target="_blank">which oddly is being used to sell GMC</a>s), and Stevie Wonder's <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKhMMCaFQsk" target="_blank">"You Haven't Done Nothing"</a>(Presumably, unlike Ice, 3rd Bass got their samples cleared) -- in a bizarro turn of the tables, Vanilla Ice landed on his feet, even hosting a home improvement TV show on <a href="http://www.diynetwork.com/" target="_blank">DIY</a>. Meanwhile 3rd Bass has been relegated to the answer of a '90s trivia question.BING!http://www.blogger.com/profile/08011896531597719561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5002721493230362176.post-4683865427844077532015-06-18T09:10:00.000-07:002015-06-18T16:48:45.761-07:00Craft distilling the new in thingCraft beer brewing? Old news.<br />
You've perhaps heard about Lansdale getting an artisanal liquor distillery. <a href="http://www.thereporteronline.com/business/20150524/family-owned-distillery-taking-shape-in-lan" target="_blank">Here's the latest on that development.</a><br />
But the Mamedovs of Boardroom Spirits are not the only ones in on this party. Since April 2014, Chris Moyer, a 1988 Souderton Area High School grad, and a fraternity brother from his days at Bloomsburg University, have been harnessing the bounty of New York's Hudson Valley to make hand crafted vodka, applejack, gin, whiskey, and something called "Fine Shine," from ingredients harvested from their farm and apple orchard (The whiskey involves a New York craft porter beer). The Hudson Valley Distillers LLC tasting room is on Route 9 in Clermont, N.Y. HVD celebrates its one-year anniversary of being in business with an all-ages public party, featuring live music, on Saturday June 20. <br />
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In a phone interview, Moyer said that the biggest differences between mass produced liquors and craft spirits like the ones he and business partner Tom Yozzo are distilling are the absence of additives, but with distinctive flavors brought by naturally occurring yeast, the wood of the barrels (There's a lot of nuance to the barrels the liquor ages in) and the Hudson Valley's soil and weather. <br />
After he explained that Fine Shine is really just a clear, non-aged, but still alcoholic, applejack, I asked Moyer if there were any plans to try making rum or tequila. After all, a rye whiskey made with New York rye and barley (a crop The Empire State is not known for, he said) is in development.<br />
Surprisingly, sugar cane for rum can be greenhouse cultivated, and an experiment to see if it'll work is a realistic future challenge. However, there will not be a Hudson Valley Distillers tequila because it's not the right climate for agave. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2XV-IIUSwCI/VYHvtKuON0I/AAAAAAAAAZY/wOm-TRMbmWk/s1600/11-18-14_Hudson_Valley_0069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2XV-IIUSwCI/VYHvtKuON0I/AAAAAAAAAZY/wOm-TRMbmWk/s320/11-18-14_Hudson_Valley_0069.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Chris Moyer (left) and Tom Yozzo of Hudson Valley Distillers</i>.</div>
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<i>Detail of the still at Hudson Valley Distillers in New York.</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kRwNypAgDHE/VYHvzsMuYdI/AAAAAAAAAZo/JhJ-vb1iInE/s1600/barn%2Bpic%2Bwith%2Borchard.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kRwNypAgDHE/VYHvzsMuYdI/AAAAAAAAAZo/JhJ-vb1iInE/s320/barn%2Bpic%2Bwith%2Borchard.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>The distillery and offices are in a 150-year-old barn building.</i></div>
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<i>The Cocktail Grove at Hudson Valley Distillers in New York.</i></div>
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<a href="http://www.hudsonvalleydistillers.com/" target="_blank">Their website</a> tells you when they're open for tours, how to get there, even some cocktail ideas. They're on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest, but how about exporting to the folks back home in Pennsylvania? While he didn't completely rule it out, Moyer did say: "We'd have to get a distributor. We're not in this to distribute nationally."<br />
<a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g47780-d6924464-Reviews-Hudson_Valley_Distillers-Germantown_New_York.html" target="_blank">Hudson Valley Distillers has high marks on Trip Advisor</a>, so who's up for a road trip? According to Moyer, HVD gets between 150-200 visitors each month, <br />
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<br />BING!http://www.blogger.com/profile/08011896531597719561noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5002721493230362176.post-857743378295672152015-05-07T18:03:00.003-07:002015-05-08T07:06:30.975-07:00When Philadelphia bombed itself 30 years ago Andino Ward is an admirable dude. He's a child of God, an IT entrepreneur, a musician, a voiceover narrator, a good friend (He encouraged me to start this blog about 6 years ago), an outstanding example of what every parent should be ... and unfortunately, someone who endured what no father ever should. I found that out when we sat down for a revealing interview about his son, who was forever linked to <a href="https://youtu.be/p9eCA0bIezA" target="_blank">the MOVE bombing disaster on Osage Avenue in Philadelphia on May 13, 1985.</a><br />
Arriving to pick up his son from his ex-wife for visitation, he was informed that she had taken the child, renamed him "Birdie Africa," and went to live in the MOVE compound. Considering the number of alarming problems, dating back to the mid-'70s, that the radical, confrontational back-to-nature group had caused their neighbors, the police and the City of Philadelphia, it was the epitome of a worst nightmare.<br />
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For years, he unsuccessfully attempted to get custody. Then the Philadelphia District Attorney's office -- at that time the DA was future Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell -- made some outrageous proposals, according to Ward.<br />
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He watched the frightening footage on TV of emergency personnel allowing the fire to ravage Osage Avenue. That's how desperate the city was to rid itself of MOVE. Then Ward, unaware at the time that his son was the only child survivor of the blaze, got a shocker of a phone call from his father. The family later successfully sued the city over how the situation was handled. The boy had been severely burned. <br />
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While the boy was healing, and very slowly adjusting to a normal life outside the cult-like environment of MOVE, there was the issue of changing his name.<br />
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Going on to graduate from North Penn High School -- even playing football for the Knights -- and for the most part quietly living his adult life, Michael Ward passed away in 2013. The coroner's official ruling was drowning due to acute alcohol poisoning -- a strange thing considering that he was conscious about his health.</div>
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The positive we can take away from all the struggle and tragedy is Michael Moses Ward had what can be considered an extraordinary life thanks to the love of his father, stepmother and sisters. Andino Ward was mulling writing a book at the time this interview took place.<br />
BING!http://www.blogger.com/profile/08011896531597719561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5002721493230362176.post-23297090933976854272015-03-24T10:27:00.002-07:002015-03-24T10:36:05.105-07:00Morrissey WHO?! Johnny Marr kicking butt and taking namesYou may know that Smiths guitar wizard Johnny Marr has released two solo albums in recent years, but did you know he has a cover of Depeche Mode's "I Feel You" coming out on <a href="http://www.recordstoreday.com/" target="_blank">Record Store Day</a> April 18? Yay! Johnny sings, adding some muscle to this tune.<br />
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I was hoping he'd play one of his signature solos in this recording, perhaps something like the short one he plays on Noel Gallagher's new song "Ballad of the Mighty I." About the only reason I would willingly listen to anything by those self-important snots from Oasis would be something like the jangle you hear 4:45 into this song.<br />
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<a href="http://www.nme.com/news/johnny-marr/83802" target="_blank">AND a 2016 release date has been set for Marr's autobiography. </a><br />
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For good measure, here's my favorite of his outside of <a href="http://www.askmeaskmeaskme.com/" target="_blank">The Smiths</a>, alongside of New Order singer Bernard Sumner. Jangle, crisp acoustic guitar rhythm and a wailing solo right out of The Smiths' heyday. <br />
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BING!http://www.blogger.com/profile/08011896531597719561noreply@blogger.com0