Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Laugh of the Day.....and you will...

Special note should be made of the "lady at the copier." ENJOY!

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

"Defying Gravity, "She Stands" CD REVIEW


"Wicked's" Idina Menzel

It's hard to listen to "I Stand", the latest solo effort from Broadway's Idina Menzel and not think of well.....Broadway, but this CD works.

In the careful hands of producer, Glen Ballard, Menzel navigates each track without relying on heavy studio gimmickry to manipulate her powerful pipes. No, there are no warbles of a pop "diva" on this CD. The songs are intimate and not overproduced allowing Menzel to use her own interpretation. Her stage experience helps and gives the CD the sound of a Broadway cast recording, but does it?

There are many power ballads here and well worth the listen. The CD's title track: "I Stand", "Brave", "I Feel Everything", "Better to Have Loved" and an ironic: Forever are strong entries. What really makes the album work is that each song transitions to the next without sounding repetitive in tone or interpretation (again a credit to Producer Ballard.) Even the obligatory inclusion of a reworked "Defying Gravity" is welcome.

The perfect set of songs after a hectic day, turn down the lights, pour a glass of wine and enjoy. Menzel's "I Stand" is a new favorite. Buy this CD and I'm sure it will be yours as well.

Monday, February 25, 2008

Okay:"Just who's fu@king who?"

In an hysterical exchange of comedic infidelity, funny lady Sarah Silverman breaks the news to her "man", ABC's Jimmy Kimmel that she's been doing something with actor Matt Damon:

Click the "play" arrow twice



Jimmy Kimmel has the ultimate revenge with recruiting most of Hollywood, (Brad Pitt, Harrison Ford just to mention a few) and a very unlikely Josh Groban. And guess who he's fuc@king:



Props to good sports Damon and Affleck signing on to do both of these hilarious segments making fun of their "bromance."

I'm sure this will be continued.......ENJOY!

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Third time's a charm.....


Pontchatula, Louisiana native Irma Thomas celebrates her "Grammy" victory

Even before Harry Connick, Jr. was a thought, Irma Thomas, "The Soul Queen of New Orleans", was singing and recording her way to local stardom and "lukewarm" national fame. It's been a long road, but Thomas finally broke through with her "Grammy" winning CD "After the Rain" (pictured below) for "Best Contemporary Blues Album." The singer had been previously nominated twice and lost.

I've been a fan for years and my iPOD is loaded with my "Irma Favorites" like: "Breakaway", "Take a Look", "Somethings You Never Get Used To", "It's Raining" just to name a few.

I know this win was a huge victory not only for the singer but our hometown, New Orleans as well. The classy lady that has always been happy to give has gotten back.

Monday, February 18, 2008

"Rainy Days and Wrecking Balls Always Bring Me Down"


The Carpenter home as depicted on the album "Now and Then"

Something's wrong in Downey, California and people are frantic! It seems the current residents of the home once owned by Harold and Agnes Carpenter (parents of the famous Karen and Richard) want to demolish the house because gawking fans have a become a nuisance. But, there are a growing number of people who want the home declared a national landmark. This is where I have a problem.

Over zealous fans consider the residence a "Graceland" of Popular music. I think this is going overboard just a bit. If Richard Carpenter had any sentimental ties to the house, he wouldn't have sold it (the home was left to him when Mother Agnes passed away.) For Richard, the Carpenter legacy lies in the musical success achieved by he and his sister Karen in the 1970's.

Karen remains this maudlin symbol to many after her death from complications of Anorexia - Nervosa in 1983. "Karen Carpenter was actually a happy and sometimes sarcastic woman with a wicked sense of humor." notes biographer Ray Coleman. The melancholy characterization is probably derived from Carpenter's rich, alto voice well suited for many sad ballads penned by brother Richard and lyricist John Bettis.

The actual home was used in an awful 1989 biopic: "The Karen Carpenter Story" starring Cynthia Gibb and a very miscast Mitchell Anderson as Richard. The film is filled with inaccuracies as each scene rings with a "Carpenters" song in the background. Even the actors were annoyed as the family hovered over script rewrites and production control. The only saving grace is that the film paints Agnes (Louise Fletcher) as a control freak with the notion that Richard was the true talent in the "Carpenters." The film ends all tidy with Agnes proclaiming: "Karen, I love you" and Karen walking up the steps of the family home looking back: "I love you too Mom." She turns to us with a big smile suggesting: "Wow, she really loves me and now I can go upstairs and die in peace." What a load of crap.

The reality is the home had no value to Richard and have you been to Downey, California lately? Actually the home may the core of a great deal Richard Carpenter would like to forget. So, to all you "Carpenter crazies" out there (and I'm one of them) if you want to remember Karen, just play any "Carpenter" song (except: "BEECHWOOD-45789", what the hell was Richard thinking?) or go leave flowers at the family tomb. Better yet, make a donation to help cure the disorder that still remains a huge problem among women and silenced forever one of the greatest female voices in pop music history. Click the link below to listen to Karen Carpenter's personal favorite.

  • "I Need to be in Love"
  • Friday, February 15, 2008

    "My World is Beginning Today"

    No, I'm not on drugs and this post - Christmas post may seem strange.

    I use "YouTube" links a great deal in my postings. I can be at my computer for hours looking for unique or rare subject matter.

    For those of us fortunate to have grown up in the early era of "stop animation" specials (i.e.- "Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer", Santa Claus is Coming to Town, etc.") there is my personal favorite musical number and it's GAY, GAY, GAY!

    Who could forget the buxom (shocking), red-headed, school teacher, Miss Jessica from: "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" letting her hair down (with the help from some crafty (and gay) woodpecker hairdressers. The late Robie Lester was the voice of Jesssica as well as other notable animated characters.


    I could go on for days about this number. It is important to note the behavior of the animals and the animated psychedelic effects. Most important however is this sweet song that is now deleted from current DVD versions of the story.

  • "My World"


  • Well, MY three day weekend is beginning today, so queue the woodpeckers.....nahhh,don't go there. Be safe!

    Thursday, February 14, 2008

    Time for Sports...with Pat Tomasulo














    Chicago's WGN Morning Sports Anchor Pat Tomasulo

    Okay, if I have to watch sports, the anchor has to be cute and a really great guy. Chicago has a gem in Pat Tomasulo.

    You never know what to expect in the morning from the dry - witted sports guy, but usually he is spot on hysterical and original. Tamosulo once lost a bet and agreed to be wrapped naked in "Saran Wrap" (he donned a black speedo.....we looked....CLOSELY!)

    On a grocery shopping excursion one Sunday morning, my partner John and I literally ran into Pat (turning a corner.) John was horrified as I shrieked: "Oh my God. It's Pat Tomasulo!" Pat managed a very polite: "Yes it is, what about that? How are you guys?" We complimented him about his broadcasts and there was minor chit - chat. Then he asked: "They've rearranged this store. Do you guys know where are the toothpicks?" John knew I'd be all over this one. So began Pat and Matt's search for toothpicks. I remember thinking: Is he serving cheese or really picking his teeth? Oh, who gives a shit, I'm with Pat!

    We found the toothpicks and he shook my hand with a Thanks! Nice to meet you. and a wink. Ohhhhhhh.....it took all the strength in the world not to ask: Something else you can't find? I returned to John who knew that I had done something that could possibly require a restraining order.

    Fast forward to Chicago's 2007 Pride Parade. With John out of town, I was wandering the parade route and BAM...Pat Tomasulo! Hey, Hey...no wandering thoughts here, he was looking for the "WGN" float. "Hey. it's the toothpick guy! How are ya'? he exclaimed with a big grin. I immediately pulled out my cell phone and called John. Pat was on to my scheme. "Okay, I'm talking to your buddy. What's his name again?" With no hesitation he took my phone: "Hey John, this is Pat, you know Pat Tomasulo? Oh, I'm here with Matt at the Pride parade. How are you buddy?" Now that's a great guy!


    Pat waving from the "WGN" Pride float (far left)


    Pat with some "Bears"

    Even though he lost his appeal to sing: "Take Me Out" at a "Chicago Cubs" game, that did not stop him from slamming a very lame, "American Idol" cast-off performance of that song by Kelly Pickler. His commentary:

  • "Pickler's Painful"


  • Don't worry Pat, at least you have your own "bobble - head" and well-deserved to one hellava great sport (no pun intended.)

    Wednesday, February 13, 2008

    "A Picture of Me"


    Although I know it's strange to say that I relate to the "Misfit Dolly" from "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer", most people that know me would not bat an eye. Although her presence on the "Island of the Misfit Toys" is never explained, Wikipedia sheds some light (click and scroll down to "Island of the Misfit Toys"):

  • Misfit Dolly abandoned by owner


  • "Suffered from depression????!! Holy shit, what kind ratty-ass kid would dump something this adorable?????!!!!! And then the sun stops shining, the temperature drops for months and it snows and snows and snows.....no wait, that's my life.

    The sun came out today, but more snow is expected tomorrow. The lack of sun can really effect your psyche. Now I know why the inhabitants of countries with a lack of sun make bathtub vodka. I love Chicago, but this has been the worst winter since we moved here. You know you're in a snow shit pit when even the most hearty of midwesterners are dragging their feet to the train in the morning. I call them "Les Miserables"

    My happy - hour "Diet Coke" stop to "Buffalo Wild Wings" after work makes life a little better. I have my NTN trivia board (or blue crack as I call it), my waitress "Trixie" (her real name is Erika but says it's more fun when patrons are pissed at her that "fuck you Trixie!" just sounds better.) Trixie (never without a venti "whatever" from Starbucks, is sure to improve my mood. Like yesterday for example: she walked in for her shift and the first words out of her mouth were: "fucking lake effect fucking snow, fuck it! I am so tired of this shit! Let me go put on my "chicken suit" (her uniform.)I'll be right back."

    Trixie lives with three other girls above "Spin" (a twinky, gay bar in Boystown.) She has one room - mate Lisa that is "high octane maintain" as she phrases it. Lisa can have several aliases depending on her mood. "Lisa Lean Cuisine" emerges when she accuses Trixie and the other chicks of eating her low cal., low fat frozen entrees. Trixie has eliminated that personality by going off on her: "Lisa, look at us, does it look like we are eating your fucking Lean Cuisine? We are a bunch of hefty - hideaway bitches here and your "snack food" just ain't gonna cut it. Stupid bitch!

    I showed Trixie a picture of the Misfit Dolly. "Oh that is so me, but that dress has to go, otherwise it's a picture of me." Trixie, thanks for always bringing the sun out on a snowy day!