Showing posts with label rock and roll. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rock and roll. Show all posts

Thursday, October 16, 2008

The Last Debate

OK, I'm sure you've all been deluged with the analysis and commentary about the last presidential debate Wednesday night. So what have I got to add? Probably not much, but............
As the Pirate Dogs and I watched the candidates, we noticed a couple of statements that screamed out for some further exposition but as of this posting I haven't seen any---in the N Y Times, on MSNBC, the BBC, FoxNews, etc.

First, does John McCain really equate Down's Syndrome with autism??? And does the fact that Sarah Palin has a Down's baby make her one of the world's foremost authorities on autism and special education as Mr McCain stated???

Second, did anyone else out there catch the bit about making people who serve in the army teachers without making them go through all the rigors of certification?? Does John McCain believe that any veteran can teach?? Enlistment standards are so low that they waive high school graduation and minor drug offenses!!!!! I think BETTER teachers are what's needed, not just more of them.

Don't forget to pay attention to reason and think before you vote. The Pirate Dogs are counting on you since they can't get that armament ship and take over in DC.

Thursday, February 7, 2008

Supergroups

I love music. Growing up in the 60's & 70's allowed for so many diverse listening experiences in popular music. I'll state right up front that Stairway to Heaven is definitely NOT the greatest rock and roll song of all time. It's not even Led Zeppelin's best song. I think Dazed and Confused or Babe I'm Gonna Leave You from the first album are better.

Buffalo Springfield gets my vote as the seminal group of the late '60's. Their music has influences still heard today, e.g., The Eagles. Joe Walsh, playing with The James Gang, covered Bluebird and took credit on the liner notes for playing all "10,000 guitars" himself--a "one up" on the original liner notes on the number of guitar sounds/styles from the original. So many of the "supergroup" performers of the early '70's owe a debt to this band. It's members read like a Hall of Fame: Steve Stills, Neil Young, Jim Messina, Richie Furay. This group gave us great music in many of its permutations over the succeeding years--Crosby, Stills & Nash, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Neil Young and Crazy Horse, Loggins and Messina, Poco. My choice for seminal group of the 60's----only one "big hit"--For What It's Worth but a wealth of great music.