More Top 10 Classics

OK, time to post Number 9 on my list of Top 10 Essential Classic Rock Albums:

9) Ten Years After, A Space In Time – This is probably the one in my Top 10 Essentials that would have the most people scratching their heads, but as far as my personal collection is concerned this is, always was, and always will be a must-have. This is, in fact, one of the only albums that I have owned and/or listened to on LP, 8-track tape, cassete tape, and CD. This was one of the few albums released in Quadrophonic sound, and I will never forget hearing the music chase around the room. But the gimmickry isn’t what makes this a great album; I have a soft spot for a) accoustic guitar playing, which this album is full of, and b) blues covers and improvisations, which this is also full of. I love songs like Over The Hill and Let The Sky Fall. I’d Love To Change The World was the band’s biggest hit and still gets radio play; Baby Won’t You Let Me Rock & Roll You is a great old-school sendup. Alvin Lee isn’t as recognized as many of the British blues rockers but in the late ‘60’s and early ‘70’s he was well known and respected in rock music circles and his (and the band’s) performance of I’m Going Home at Woodstock is legendary.

Back Home

We just returned from Daniel's graduation from Army Basic Combat Training at Ft. Benning, GA. For those who have never witnessed or taken part in something like that, all I can say is, if you ever have the opportunity, sieze it. It will renew your sense of pariotism and pride in your country and the fine young people who volunteer to defend it. Graduation at Ft. Benning takes place on a parade ground behind the new Infantry Museum, which will officially open on June 19 (we were able to see some of it). The museum is a magnificent structure on a beautiful piece of ground, and is worth the trip if you are ever in the area. The graduation itself is nonstop pageantry and demonstration of military tradition and etiquette. The Army band is wonderful and inspiring, and the troops are simply amazing. An impressive display that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Give it a rest

I have to admit I was a little irritated at some members of the conservative media for their crticism of President Obama "sneaking off" to play golf on Memorial Day. The President presided over an appropriate ceremony in the morning, said all the right things, and then went and did what 10 million other people probably did on a beautiful spring holiday, including, I would guess, plenty of conservatives. I got sick to death of hearing President Bush criticized over this kind of petty bullcrap by the liberal media, and the conservative media is only destroying their own credibility when they behave in the same manner. Even the President deserves to be able to play a round of golf on a national holiday, be he Democrat or Republican.

I do hope and pray that, while enjoying the race and the barbeques and the golf and whatever else folks chose to do with their day, they took some time to reflect on the true meaning of the day and to give thanks to the heros who have made our freedoms possible.

Top 10 classics

Recently, I wrote an appreciation of what I consider to be the top 10 essential albums for any classic rock collection. The only real rule was that only one lp per band could be included, lest the entire Top 10 be Led Zeppelin albums. I herewith submit number 10; I will post more of these from time to time. If you like classic rock, take my advice and get these 10.

10) The Eagles, Hotel California – In a time when some of the greatest and best selling albums ever were being released – Fleetwood Mac’s Rumors, Peter Frampton’s Comes Alive, Jefferson Starship’s Red Octopus – the Eagles produced this gem. After the departure of longtime guitarist Bernie Leadon, the great Joe Walsh was brought in to help produce the guitars and to share the lead guitar duties with Don Felder, who (along with Lindsey Buckingham) is one of the most underrated guitarists out there. Although the guitar playing on this album is nothing short of brilliant, it is the songwriting that puts it over the top. Don Henley does the heavy lifting with killers like Wasted Time and The Last Resort, but Walsh, Randy Meisner, and cofounder Glen Frey all contribute strong efforts, and this album shines from the first chiming notes to the last fade-out.

Hail Leon!

Since I am creating this, I may as well post my first observation, and here it is:



My hat goes off to Leon Panetta, who I had previously dismissed as a lockstep left-wing flunkie. This man showed courage and integrity in standing up for his peeps and should be applauded for calling out the partisan politics surrounding the whole "torture" issue. Looks like the Wicked Witch of the West may finally have gone too far...

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Welcome to my blog; here you will find my thoughts on music, current events, and whatever else strikes my fancy. I welcome any comments and feedback.