Looks like we made it Thrasherville
This past weekend I was rummaging through the cabinet that houses my CD collection. I needed to swap out the half-dozen or so that had been hanging out in my car’s glove box, so I brought those in and looked for a couple to replace them. These CDS are arranged in alphabetical order by name of artists…and in the case of multiple CDs from the same artists, I arrange them in chronological order based on the date of release of that particular album.
OK…so I’m organized.
Anyway, I’m flipping through the jewel cases, selecting the ones that I wish to have at the ready when…what do I see, smack dab in the middle of the second row? Why, none other than a Barry Manilow CD.
I’ll give you a moment to regain your composure
Yes. There, to my horror, nestled in with my Beatles CDs, my Pink Floyd CDs, my Rolling Stones, Rush, Dire Straights, Led Zeppelin, U2, Janis Joplin, Elton John, (pre-1980s stuff, mind you), REM, Peter Gabriel, B-52s and other fine assorted CDs was that…that… that thing.
Even worse, this Manilow release had not just infested…nay, defiled… the hallowed sanctuary of these musical treasures, but it was actually making contact with the Jimi Hendrix CD that my good friend Bluenote gave me last winter.
Now, this, thing, titled “The Essentials Barry Manilow”… or whatever…belongs to the Divine Mrs. R. She has her own CD collection and keeps them tucked away in a separate cabinet located on the opposite side of the room. The two never mingle. When we got married two decades ago, we decided that our taste in music was less compatible than most everything else in our relationship. As such, we agreed to keep our collections out of the union. There are “hers”, there are “mine”…but there are no “ours” in regards to our music CD collections.
shrugs…hey, it’s worked for 20 years, 9 months and 19 days so far for the two of us.
But this was the first time there has ever been a Code Red, full-contact intrusion of my CD space. How it happened is anyone guess. But it had to be dealt with, and right away. Therefore, I did what any red-blooded American male would do under the circumstances.
The younger Tax Exemption after disposing of the Manilow CD. He was rwarded handsomely for his actions
That’s right, I sent my youngest son…the one who wants a career in the military…in after it.
Oh, don’t get me wrong… I’m not the squeamish type normally. I’ve de-snaked back yards, dealt with spiders and other creepy-crawly things on many occasions. Why, I can even change a dirty diaper while eating a peanut butter sandwich. But the sight of Barry Manilow mingling with my CDs…well, it almost made me squeal like a 12-year old girl.
Almost.
Anywhoooo, I provided the boy with a Tyvek HazMat suit, fitting him with rubber kitchen gloves, armed him with my grill tongs and made sure he wore proper eye protection. He was then sent on the mission to purge this easy listening, soft “rock” abomination from the shelf of my CD cabinet, put it back in its proper place…or toss it in the trash, I did not care which… and restore honor to my otherwise pristine music community!
He was happy to accommodate my request…asking only a moderate amount of money in return.
Upon completion of the mission, he was then deconed with the back yard hose and steel wool scrubber. Unfortunately the tongues could not be saved, but the saving grace here is that grilling season is drawing to a close soon.
So, why am I telling you this?
Well two reasons really. First, as T.E. No.2 was performing this hazardous duty, I glanced upon the offending jewel case and noticed one of the song titles…”Looks Like We Made It”.
Yeah…I know.
But it was at that point that I was reminded of the fact that we are nearing the end of the dreaded month of August, the longest, most miserable month for hockey fans. And as August prepares to give way to September, we move into the month we look forward to so much. The players are already starting to make their way into town and training camp will start up in just a few short weeks. Soon after, we’ll see the final touches put on the makeup of the roster as preseason gets under way.
Will Craig Ramsay and the Thrashers new coaching staff be able to bring winning hockey to Thrasherville? (AP/Chris O'Meara)
We woke this morning to news that the Thrashers will not be bringing in forward Lee Stempniak. Instead he’ll remain in Phoenix for another 2 seasons. Also, Mark Everson of the New York Posts is reporting rumors that Travis Zajac may become a cap casualty of the New Jersey Devils once Ilya Kovalchuk is officially re-signed. So while there is news happening around the league, certainly things will do nothing but heat up as we tumble closer and closer to opening night.
Yes, Thrasherville. It does indeed look like we’ve made it…madeit again through another hot, humid, muggy, oppressive, long, nasty month of August. As such, one more offseason is nearing its end and another NHL season approaches, carrying with it the hope and expectations that accompany it.
Oh, and the second reason I shared this story with you? Well, it’s because ever since I saw the song title, I cannot get that insipid tune out of my head! So, Ive come looking for your help.
Today, tell us all what it is you are looking forward to most with this year’s edition of the Atlanta Thrashers. But also share with us what your favorite album of all time is…and possibly even explain why.
Maybe spinning those tunes in my head will help flush out my noggin and clear it of this hideous song.
I’ll start things off…I’m most looking forward to seeing if the new coaching staff employed by this organization can finally instill a solid, defensive-minded squad that plays hard-hitting, responsible hockey on their own end of the ice. As for my favorite CD…well, it’s the one I was blasting down I-75 this morning, Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon”.
Only I could have sworn it was Barry Manilow singing “Us and Them”.
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342 comments Add your comment
GaVaHokie
August 31st, 2010
1:19 pm
Some twit tweeted that Chelios was the best-ever American-born hockey player in his opinion. Care to provide alternatives?
I don’t know about best, but my favorite is Jeremy Roenick and Tony Amonte.
GaVaHokie
August 31st, 2010
1:25 pm
Alan… I won’t take anything away from Ice-T or even Public Enemy… but this was the party anthem. Even us white folks were throwing 40 oz. parties to this album.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJViqg88k7g&feature=fvst
Alan R.
August 31st, 2010
1:30 pm
Hokie – I knew you were going to come with that one as soon as I started reading the comment. I never quite got into the party scene. I stuck mostly with social and political issues, like this offering from Scarface and Ice Cube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwB3AoWXiqE
glovesave29
August 31st, 2010
1:37 pm
JB – XTC “Oranges and Lemons”…GOOD call. A great album. Those of you who love the psychedelic era of the Beatles will love this album! Don’t forget their alter ego of the Dukes of Stratosphere.
Hard to argue against Mike Modano as the greatest American player!
I was an usher at the old Omni. Got to see the gigs for free – sat people during the opening act, then had the rest of the night to do as I pleased! Greatest show there EVER was the Amnesty International concert back in ‘83 – headliners were U2, The Police and Peter Gabriel. One great night of music!
Smoothie
August 31st, 2010
1:40 pm
GVH – too funny! I once saw Neil perform in Winston-Salem at the LJVM Coliseum and he rocked the house…and all them older ladies’ fannies! LOL I think my bud and I were the only two males under the age of 25 out of 14,000. Yes, we were gay for the Jazz Singer!
As for rap music, you gotta give lots of credit to Dre and Snoop for taking it to a new level in terms of commercial success without giving up control of the creative process. But Public Enemy really set the tone for “gangsta” rap as we know it. Problem is so much of today’s stuff is devoid of real art and music IMO. PE could actually employ musical instruments unlike some who just re-mixed, sampled etc.
From wiki: Critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine declared that PE “brought in elements of free jazz, hard funk, even musique concrète, via [its] producing team the Bomb Squad, creating a dense, ferocious sound unlike anything that came before.”
Couldn’t really agree more. I still love me some Tribe Called Quest, talk about some smooth, jazzy grooves that just get you feelin’ “mad fly”…Low End Theory is best rap album of all-time in my opinion.
SomaAtl95
August 31st, 2010
1:43 pm
“For What its Worth” by Buffalo Springfield is a great song, but in a hockey setting could replace Sinatra at Philips – and thats a bad thing… would hate to dislike a great song because the other team scores.
Smoothie
August 31st, 2010
1:43 pm
If not for concussion issues, Patty Lalala would have been in the top 10 in scoring…he was a magician. Better than Modano for sure. Modano just played on better teams. Guess I’m showing my “Buffalo bias”.
GaVaHokie
August 31st, 2010
1:44 pm
Alan… I like a little somethin’ I can dance to. I offer a litte 2Pac with Digital Underground.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_KGqLMRMBE
GaVaHokie
August 31st, 2010
1:47 pm
Smoothie… LOVE me some Tribe… “You on point Phife? All the time Tip”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6thhevsenOE
Smoothie
August 31st, 2010
1:53 pm
“…then here’s the microphone, let your words rip!”
Digital Underground! Yeeeaaahhh, I’m the packet man! LOL
Alan R.
August 31st, 2010
1:54 pm
Tribe… Digital Underground… Public Enemy… I feel almost like I’m in high school again, talking with friends about how the new 2Pac album was awesome, the East-West war of words, and 97.5’s “top eight at eight.”
This thread needs more Pete Rock. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiOcVWQY2bc
GaVaHokie
August 31st, 2010
1:58 pm
This right here was the ultimate, but may be to blame for the likes of Limp Bizkit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBA-xi8WuCU
Smoothie
August 31st, 2010
2:01 pm
I knew someone was gonna drop Pete Rock, niiiiice! I reminisce over you, my God! I actually used that video on my blog as a tribute to Max Afinogenov…ha, love it! http://thrashingbirds.blogspot.com/2010/08/do-svidanya-max-udachi.html
“Zulu nation, brothers mass creation, mind gets flooded…_____________!”
I think Rick Dudley is part of the zulu tribe cuz he’s always spouting off with his talent evaluation vibe…LOL
Alan R.
August 31st, 2010
2:01 pm
Retort. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yuRktFLVSU
Smoothie
August 31st, 2010
2:04 pm
GVH – well I guess you could blame the forefathers RunDMC and Aerosmith, but then again, it didn’t have the same in-your-face vibe. The Antrhax / PE collaboration most certainly did spawn the likes of Fred Durst, Papa Roach and shizz like that. Hell, I bet Korn even lists them both as an influence…just guessin.
Smoothie
August 31st, 2010
2:05 pm
Alan – I think the three of us are in each other’s heads. Too funny.
GaVaHokie
August 31st, 2010
2:05 pm
Greatest show there EVER was the Amnesty International concert back in ‘83 – headliners were U2, The Police and Peter Gabriel. One great night of music!
Very nice! Couldn’t imagine what a ticket would cost for that tour right now… I might pay it.
GaVaHokie
August 31st, 2010
2:11 pm
I think that ‘Judgement Night’ soundtrack started a title wave of rap/rock collaborating.
90’s MTV was the best… hard to believe we were watching Cypress Hill videos and stuff like this…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpBOO9eSwC4
World Be Free
August 31st, 2010
2:14 pm
Don’t forget Barrasso in goal, Mike Ramsey on defense. In the mid 80’s, the Oilers offered Scotty Bowman 4 players for Mike Ramsey and Bowman refused to trade him.
Red Light-we may be getting to tryout territory now.
I would take Ryan Johnson, Bill Guerin or Scott Walker.
glovesave29
August 31st, 2010
2:18 pm
GaVa – I can only imagine…and those were just the headliners – if memory serves, Lou Reed, Bela Fleck, Bryan Adams, Little Steven and Joan Baez played too. There were some all star jams for the encores – Sting and Peter did a long rendtion of “Biko” that was worth the price of admission alone. Was a great night. Memories flood back now – it was in 1986 (damn I am getting old) and they called it the “Conspiracy of Hope” Tour.
I miss the old Music Midtown…and the ones that were actually IN midtown…right in front of the Cotton Club where the Fed Reserve is now. I remember watching BNL and ZZ Top playing at the same time on opposite sides of the hill. I actually met my wife at MM99 – during Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals – by the time Iggy Pop came on, I was hooked!
Alan R.
August 31st, 2010
2:19 pm
Smoothie – Indeed! The mid-80s to early-90s was the classic era of rap. A lot of today’s stuff is garbage. Gotta go underground to find anything worthwhile, hence my mention of Sandpeoples above.
Here’s a nice sampling of their work. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eI1-fGcny_o
James Brown
August 31st, 2010
2:21 pm
Love all the music talk man…….can`t wait to the first week of camp with just the prospects out there………If Burmistrov is up to 180lbs like Dudley says………man he could make waves………its a lot like baseball…………if you got some guys to hit around you…you will see a lot of good pitches to hit……….it bodes well for people like Kane and Bergfors……….and I can`t wait to see Cormier`s nastiness………..now booming out of my ipod……….John Coltranes` Impressions
Smoothie
August 31st, 2010
2:26 pm
“I would take Ryan Johnson, Bill Guerin or Scott Walker”
World – good call on all three. I could see Guerin taking the invite.
GaVaHokie
August 31st, 2010
2:28 pm
GS29… I prefered those midtown days too… I remember them actually having bands IN the Cotton Club during Midtown. I saw Alana Davis in there during ‘98 (I believe)… started dating a girl just before that Midtown weekend, she made me leave before Foo Fighters came on. That was the beginning of the end… met my next girlfriend during Midtown the next year during Everclear (if memory serves me).
Smoothie
August 31st, 2010
2:30 pm
Unsolicited opinion from Dan Kamal on the tweety box: “Just left the Thrashers skate. Ben Eager and Freddie Pettersson among the growing number of players skating. Burmistrov continues to shine”
Is Burmie the next “abstract poet” or should we not “believe the hype!”?
Alan – agree wholeheartedly. Alas, I guess every genre tends to have its golden age or peak of wide-spectrum talent. Then everything gets copy-catted to death and other bands go off on new tangents thus sparking new movements like the Boy Band phenomenon….*shudders*
James Brown
August 31st, 2010
2:34 pm
Smoothie………..I just have a real good feeling about Burmie…….The Thrashers have amassed so much young talent since Duds took over………………..I don`t care if our payroll stacks up towards the bottom of the league……….we have some really good young players
Adam
August 31st, 2010
2:37 pm
I can’t believe I didn’t mention Stevie Ray Vaughan. Especially after listening to him all weekend. Hard to fathom it’s been 20 years… I was so close to going to that show, used to love going up to Alpine Valley. We would make a day of it, get there around 10-11am with a keg, grill & too many party favors to mention here
My future wife, at the time, was at the concert there the night before.
Alan R.
August 31st, 2010
2:38 pm
Smoothie – Most of the rap I listen to these days is either underground or foreign (Sweden, Norway, etc). While rap seems to have gone to the idiots these days, I know we’ll never forget the golden age. It’s actually really sad, thinking back on it all. It’s hard to believe originality is anything but anymore. With that, I span all major genres. Whether you’re Justin Beiber or Madonna, anything you do has already been done before. There are some glaring examples of that, especially in modern music.
*digs around for his Abbey Road LP*
Smoothie
August 31st, 2010
2:43 pm
Alan – indeed. Funny how in some ways even PE, NWA etc seem relatively “tame” in terms of the controversial messages, but they were more about blunt social commentary than simply baggin’ ho’s, brandishing gats and poppin’ caps etc. Not to say they didn’t have some extremely provocative lyrics, but somehow even Tupac seems tame compared to some of the artists of today. Perhaps I’m letting my nostalgia for a simpler time and more innocent era skew my perspective, but things were just different…and seemingly for the better.
Smoothie
August 31st, 2010
2:44 pm
…but like you said, Alan, perhaps they were just more original and more real as opposed to today’s artists who seem to be more about flaunting wealth and a “lifestyle” than the music itself.
Alan R.
August 31st, 2010
2:45 pm
Oh. Right. Hockey. Got caught up in the moment.
Burmistrov should, at least, get his nine game trial. I’ve read that he’s 178lbs right now, so I’m pretty certain he’ll make it. It’ll be very interesting to see how he’ll handle it playing against pros. I seriously expect Cormier in the lineup for the long haul this year (which means I expect his court case to be settled without a jail term, as is the precedence).
This year will be a very interesting year in Blueland. I’m not letting myself get excited for the potential for the-P-word until after December, though. Not after last year, despite the circumstances.
SomaAtl95
August 31st, 2010
2:47 pm
GaVa – “Judgment Night” was a true hybrid and was awesome. I still listen to that soundtrack. Never got into the “Nu Metal”, a whole bunch of prissy, ball cap wearin white guys who like to scream about pain when they dont know pain or loss. I equate Nu Metal as something a whole bunch of douchebag Penguin fans jam out to while whackin it to “Sid the kid” When Limp Bizkit and those ilk got to 15:01 on the fame clock I really enjoyed it. Was even happier to see bands like Wolfmother and Jack Whites never ending list of bands come along. Gotta love it when current bands try to replicate the best music of the 70’s.
I guess all I am waiting for is for the Penguins to reach 15:01 on their fame clock so they can go back to sucking – it will weed out the large trove of “Fairweather” fans they have that infest Philips when the pens are in town.
Brendan
August 31st, 2010
2:49 pm
Glovesave29, I remember Warren Zevon, but not too much Zebra, beyond what you mentioned. Do you recall a band named “DreamTheater?”
Has anyone mentioned Jethro Tull?
World Be Free, do you remember Canadian bands named “Platinum Blonde,” “Idol Eyes” and “Helix?” There was a band from somewhere near Buffalo called “Rock Candy.” They had a song called “Ball-n-Chain” that would sometimes get airplay in Canada. There was also this Canadian band named the “Parachute Club,” from about that era. The Tubes used to be wildly popular in Canada. Fee Waybill singing, “She’s a Beauty.” I think that was a song warning against falling in love with a stripper. Sage advice.
Smoothie
August 31st, 2010
3:01 pm
James Brown – I like the way you’re thinking! Sonic Youth indeed as I believe Brendan mentioned…although I don’t know a damn thing about that band. Hear they’re good tho.
Joe Friday
August 31st, 2010
3:10 pm
Of course Chelios is the greatest US born player ever, is there any question? How many times was he Team USA captain? Leetch is the only one you could make a reasonable argument for as an alternative
World Be Free
August 31st, 2010
3:21 pm
I wanna talk hockey and everyone is still on bands! Is this a Rock and Roll Blog! Ok I will join in-again.
I did remember Warren Zevon’s Exciteable Boy, great album.
Brendan-I do remember Platnium Blonde, might as well throw in Men Without Hats, Kim Mitchell
Sara
August 31st, 2010
3:25 pm
WBF, Smoothie – you can forget Guerin. He told Andy Strickland (Blues guy) that he’s signing with a contender or he’s not playing at all.
Jethro (the Red Neck Alias for R. Stroz)
August 31st, 2010
3:26 pm
Any of you fellurs remember the Agora Ballroom?
GaVaHokie
August 31st, 2010
3:27 pm
Soma… agreed.
Jack White is probably one of the most underrated performers out there. That guy commands a stage. That last Music Midtown, he put on a hell of a show.
Lately, I like the creativeness of some of these younger bands bringing back that Duran Duran type sound like MGMT, Friendly Fires… I really dig the technical string work on Vampire Weekend’s albums.
I can still weed through the crap and find current stuff I like.
GaVaHokie
August 31st, 2010
3:28 pm
WBF, Smoothie – you can forget Guerin. He told Andy Strickland (Blues guy) that he’s signing with a contender or he’s not playing at all.
I would LOVE to forget him… someone hurry up and sign him before we do… please.
Red Light
August 31st, 2010
3:33 pm
Waiting patiently for Smoothie to drop the entertaining Tom Jones into his mix — wad up your panties and throw them on stage…jk
But I digress.
Like Sara said, Guerin said this morning that he would not return to the Blues with whom he played briefly in 2006-07. He said he is looking for a Stanley Cup contender, so what else is new? I like Johnson, great face-off man and defensive forward. Seems like we have a lot of defensive types though. Same with Scott Walker, who would go back to Carolina before he played here in my opinion.
Still wondering about Belanger and when he will sign. Outside of Guerin, there isn’t a UFA goal scorer out there. Maybe a few trades are brewing?
Rhythmpenguin
August 31st, 2010
3:33 pm
Don’t know if anyone already posted this, but Bleacher Report has an article on us. Haven’t read it yet.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/447179-bts-10-bold-2010-11-nhl-predictions-the-atlanta-thrashers
Red Light
August 31st, 2010
3:36 pm
On this page, there has been 3 references to the word “goal”, 2 by me and 1 by WBF. The word hockey has been used 10 times.
Anyone ever heard the band…Hockey? http://www.hockeyband.com
Sara
August 31st, 2010
3:41 pm
Red Light – I thought Belanger already re-upped with the Capitals.
Smoothie
August 31st, 2010
3:43 pm
R/L – nope, no Tom Jones for me!
p I’m loyal to Neil alone.
Got too many country crooners I like before I add an aging lounge singer to my playlist: Merle, George, Willie, Waylon and me (DAC).
Red Light
August 31st, 2010
3:46 pm
Not according to the list on NHL.com, which has the signings since June 30 posted. The last I saw was this…
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/capitalsinsider/report-eric-belanger-to-sign-w.html
Red Light
August 31st, 2010
3:46 pm
Shoot, I thought Mel Torme was in your wheelhouse Smoothie!
Red Light
August 31st, 2010
3:48 pm
Jerry Jeff Walker?
Jethro (the Red Neck Alias for R. Stroz)
August 31st, 2010
3:48 pm
Smoothie – I bet you and yur buddee coulda gotta an edumacation frum sum of them thare cougars at that Neil Diamond show.
Rawhide
August 31st, 2010
3:51 pm
300th!!!!
You guys are killin’ this thing!