Vacation, All I Ever Wanted ...

Yep, you may have noticed the lack of postings of late. That's because I'm in the middle of enjoying a nice week off with my lovely wife, Margie. We spent Monday in Newport, RI, which remains one of my all-time favorite places to visit. I've been going there for years for weekend jaunts and nighttime partying and I've yet to have had a bad time there! There's always a great little store to check out, an interesting bar or pub to sample some libations, and the scenic waterfront view.

On Tuesday we had another fun day at the Foxwoods Casino in nearby Ledyard, CT. Also highly recommended for a fun day or night out. We're not really gamblers, although we did pass some time in the Keno Lounge before taking in a superb dinner at the Al Dente restaurant. I've been to the casino's great Cedars Steakhouse several times before, but I was in the mood for some Italian cuisine this time out. Well, I'd rank Al Dente right up there with Cedars in terms of food quality, excellent service, and just an overall great dining experience.

Oh, and we won $8 on one Keno game. Yay!

I Wanna Be Inducted

Recently you may have heard that several members of “The KISS Army” staged a demonstration outside the Rock ‘N’ Roll Hall of Fame over the fact that the band has yet to be inducted into the revered “establishment.” As many of you also know, I’m a proud, card-carrying member of the very same KISS Army, and I wholeheartedly agree that Gene, Paul, Peter and Ace top the list of bands who DESERVE to be in the Rock ‘N’ Roll Hall of Fame. And those naysayers snickering at me right now should look at that title closely: it doesn’t say the “Rock ‘N’ Roll Hall of Talent,” or the “Rock ‘N’ Roll Hall of Critically-Acclaimed Bands.” Whether you’re a KISS fan or not, you cannot deny they’re FAMOUS and they certainly qualify for one of the key prerequisites for induction: they’ve clearly influenced many contemporary acts.

Then again, the venerable “hall” seems more of a whitebread “club” to me in which they’ve now inducted overrated hacks like Eric Clapton not once but THREE times as a solo artist, a member of Cream, and a member of Derek and the Dominoes (the one-hit wonders of the classic rock world). Sigh.

To that end, here is (drum roll please!) my TOP TEN LIST OF BANDS WHO DESERVE TO BE INDUCTED INTO THE ROCK ‘N’ ROLL HALL OF FAME. And fast! (Believe it or not, there are other glaring omissions I could have cited here, but these are the standouts.)

1. KISS – No doubt about it. And the fact that they successfully engineered a comeback and reunion tour in the 1990s proves they’re still popular!

2. Alice Cooper – Yep, Alice isn’t on the VIP list either … much to my shock and horror. Then again, that might please Mr. Cooper a great deal.

3. Cheap Trick – Now here’s a “band’s band” that never gets the credit they deserve. They write great pop tunes and have influenced acts like The Smashing Pumpkins and Everclear.

4. Heart – Another stunner to me, especially since Blondie and The Pretenders recently got the nod. Um, Ann and Nancy Wilson were out there doin’ the gal rock thing two years before Debbie Harry and four years before Chrissie Hynde!

5. Genesis – Here’s a case where the whole is truly greater than the sum of its parts. Yeah, the later Phil Collins stuff was sappy, but right up through 1983’s “Genesis” album they were pumping out solid prog-rock.

6. The Cars – Even if they never recorded the smash “Heartbeat City,” this band would deserve props for their first three studio releases, which sound as great today as they did in the late 1970s.

7. Deep Purple – What aspiring young guitar player hasn’t picked up an axe in every music store across the United States and started playing Ritchie Blackmore’s seven-note intro to “Smoke on the Water”? Enough said.

8. Rush – This Canadian import defined the term “power trio” and was one of the most influential “progressive rock” bands of the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. We all knew a rabid Rush fan who kept singing stuff from “Moving Pictures” in high school.

9. Van Halen – The first VH album was released in 1978, so they’ve been eligible since 2003. As to why they’re not in, you really got me (pardon the pun).

10. Warren Zevon – His recent passing and my personal fondness for his darkly cynical and very amusing lyrics forced me to include him on this list – although I don’t think many could argue his popularity and influence over the years.

Brothers In Arms

Okay, so maybe it's because the last season of THE SOPRANOS was such a disappointment -- really, it left a LOT to be desired, despite the fawning of critics who must fear Tony Soprano's vengeance if they don't keep praising the show -- but I'm really liking Showtime's own stab at a contemporary middle-American crime family, BROTHERHOOD. Granted, much of its appeal for me lies in the fact that it was wholly shot right here in nearby Providence, RI (and, indeed, Providence is not just the series' setting, but a major character unto itself), but I also think it offers some sharp writing and dialogue and several great performances, most notably from leads Jason Isaacs and Jason Clarke. I've stuck with the first six eps now and I like how the characters are slowly evolving ... we're starting to see chinks in the armour of clean-cut State Representative Tom Caffey while there are moments of street-smart common sense and loyalty that make the otherwise loathsome criminal Michael Caffey so appealing. I suspect by the time this first season wraps, we'll learn that these two brothers who grew up on "The Hill" are a lot more similar than they'd like to admit.

Brick 'n' Brack

It's been a good week for movies. Settled in to watch a late-night DVD session last night after my wife went to bed and thoroughly enjoyed the latest independent film du jour, BRICK, starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt (THIRD ROCK FROM THE SUN) and directed by newcomer Rian Johnson. I have a feeling we're going to be hearing more about this director in the future. The movie is an odd hybrid of classic "film noir" (especially in its rapid-fire dialogue) and modern high school murder-mystery. If you're intrigued, give the movie a shot.

I read a lot of positive reviews back when it played in the half dozen or so theaters brave enough to show something original and made a mental note to catch in on DVD. Well, it was certainly worth the wait! It reminded me of a smart cross between TWIN PEAKS and HEATHERS (if that mix makes any sense) and I have to give kudos to both Gordon-Levitt and Lukas Haas (the creepy little kid from WITNESS playing a creepy older drug dealer here named "The Pin"). And director Johnson has thankfully eschewed the whiplash, attention-deficit-disorder directing of today's MTV-tainted filmmakers and gone with a more moderate, visually-stylish look. Do yourself a big favor: forget the latest crap-fest starring Tim Allen and rent this great little movie!

On the beer/cigar menu tonight: a fine Romeo & Julieta Robusto (which has become my "go to" favorite cigar just for consistency and taste), washed down with a couple of tasty Portuguese Double Bocks. (Yes, the Portuguese have been known to make a good beer, although I'd avoid Cintra and stick with either Double Bock or Sagres.)

Also thumbed through the latest issue of ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY which is promoting the newest James Bond, Daniel Craig, on its cover. Looking at his stern mug, he reminds me of George Lazenby ... remember him? No? My point exactly! Since my man Pierce Brosnan passed on the Walter PPK, I've lost all interest in the series.

Top Ten Comes Alive!

Okay, so a friend's comment to my prior posting about THE WHO inspired me to begin the first in what will likely be a long litany of "Top Ten Lists" of things that I deem noteworthy. Fans of the film HI FIDELITY will appreciate this occasional venture into randomly ranking relevant items into neat, little categories. Or maybe it's just the obsessive-compulsive in me.

Any-WHO (pardon the pun), here is my off-the-cuff TOP TEN LIVE ROCK CDs and/or ALBUMS for your reading and, hopefully, later listening pleasure. Digest, dissect and discuss as you will ...

1. THE WHO - LIVE AT LEEDS. Only two words can really capture what this great session is all about: "raw energy." Best Track: "Young Man Blues."

2. KISS - ALIVE! It's the album that made KISS who they are and the quintessential live rock and roll show, replete with the perfect "Rock and Roll National Anthem" -- a little ditty by the name of "Rock and Roll All Nite." Best Track: "Rock and Roll All Nite," of course.


3. CHEAP TRICK - AT BUDOKAN. Like KISS, Cheap Trick had made three prior, mostly-ignored studio albums before this raucous live recording put them on the map. Best Track: "Surrender."

4. THE KINKS - ONE FOR THE ROAD. Just compare the boring studio version of "Lola" to the high-energy live version on this album (recorded right here at the Providence Civic Center, by the way) and you'll understand why The Kinks should only be experienced "live." Best Track: "You Really Got Me."

5. BOB SEGER AND THE SILVER BULLET BAND - LIVE BULLET. This was such an influential live album when I was growing up, it's strange how it's almost forgotten now. But just listen to the opening sax on "Turn the Page" and it will all make sense. Best Track: "Ramblin' Gambling Man."

6. TALKING HEADS - STOP MAKING SENSE. I don't know if it's the building crescendo of sound or Jonathan Demme's great concert film of this show that I like better. Maybe both. Best Track: "Once In A Lifetime."

7. BILLY JOEL - SONGS IN THE ATTIC. Although this is not a typical "I went on tour and recorded the same songs I did on my last studio album live so you can buy them again," this remains Billy Joel's greatest "live" achievement. Here, he dug out some old gems which really benefit from a live makeover. Best Track: "Los Angelenos."

8. 10,000 MANIACS - MTV UNPLUGGED. There are few times when a band in its prime is captured in a perfect live setting, firing on all cylinders -- but here it is! There's not a fumbled note or missed beat on this entire session. Best Track: "Because The Night."

9. AC/DC - IF YOU WANT BLOOD ... YOU'VE GOT IT. It's not surprising that AC/DC's next two studio efforts (HIGHWAY TO HELL and BACK IN BLACK) were their strongest albums. This is where they finally hit their stride and became a powerhouse rock band. Best Track: "Let There Be Rock."

10. THE FOOLS - WAKE UP, IT'S ALIVE! This is my "wild card" that I'm sure most of you haven't heard. I've been a longtime fan of this local band who never seemed to be able to break out from the area club scene, despite their clever songs and musicianship. This live CD perfectly captures their zany, infectious stage show. Best Track: "The Blooze."

Who Are You?

After a great day yesterday, had a really tough time getting motivated this morning, so I dug out my compilation of favorite tracks by THE WHO and blasted the CD on the drive into work. Apart from my "holy trinity" of bands -- the revered KISS, CHEAP TRICK and ALICE COOPER -- THE WHO remains one of my all-time faves. I understand they just released an EP of tracks in England from their soon-to-be-released new album coming out in October and word is it's classic WHO. Can't wait.

But in my humble opinion, there's nothing like Townshend's mini masterpieces "Won't Get Fooled Again," "Who Are You," or "Baba O'Reilly" ... and the entirety of TOMMY and QUADROPHENIA, for that matter. Even if the band never records another note, they have already cemented their place in Rock History.

Now, if Townshend will just stop selling his songs to be used as themes for overhyped American TV shows ...

Welcome to My Blog

Well, I guess so many people are into this whole "blog" thing, I might as well join the crowd, so-to-speak. After reading similar blogs from a couple of friends, I decided to post my random musings online for the benefit of those in cyberspace who might care ... or be too bored to read or watch TV.

And so I embark on this new adventure, sitting here in the comfort of my living room, tapping away at the keys of my laptop for your benefit, humble reader.

My goal here is to speak my mind ... or, I guess, TYPE my mind, is more to the point. I'd like to offer some critiques of what I've experienced -- from movies, TV shows, books, beers, cigars, etc. -- to blathering on about whatever strikes my fancy.

To that end, let me begin by saying I just had a wonderful day off with my wife, Margie, and we got to watch not one but TWO very good movies. First, we took in an early matinee of Oliver Stone's impressive WORLD TRADE CENTER, which was far better than I expected and is as different from an "Oliver Stone Film" as you can get. But you can't blame the guy for trying something different. It's moving, yet never overly-melodramatic. Kudos to Stone for making a film that does justice to the memory of those who lost their lives on 9/11.

The second part of our unplanned "New York Double Feature" was a DVD screening of Spike Lee's INSIDE MAN. Like WORLD TRADE CENTER, this is not your typical "Spike Lee Joint," but a wholly entertaining heist flick with a couple of neat twists and turns. I'm glad that both Stone and Lee were able to do something different without compromising their respective styles.

Enjoyed a wonderful Montecristo Jambo Jambo Churchill cigar earlier this evening, complemented with a few cold Bohemia beers. I've been on a Mexican beer kick of late -- Modelo Especial, Corona and Bohemia -- as I find them quite refreshing and less cumbersome than most microbrews. I also was pleasantly surprised recently with Labatt's Blue Light -- a tasty and refreshing Canadian pilsner that, frankly, took me by surprise.

Still plugging away at Louis Bayard's great THE PALE BLUE EYE, a fictional novel about a murder that takes place at West Point while Edgar Allan Poe was a student there ... before he got thrown out, that is. It's a clever bit of storytelling that mimicks Poe's style well.


Also have to give kudos to the first two eps of GENE SIMMONS FAMILY JEWELS, a show I feared might be a sad retread of THE OSBOURNES. Unlike that overdone MTV hit, however, Gene's antics are less about the drug-addled patriarch and more about his life partner, the lovely Shannon Tweed, and his two charming kids, Nick and Sophie. It's worth tuning in just to see Gene "The Demon" Simmons fumbling with a dishwasher!

Well, that's all for now. I hope to remain a faithful "blogger" in the days, weeks and months ahead.