Electric Light Orchestra - Live/The Early Years DVD

It becomes easy to lose sight that ELO at the heart of it is a simple Rock and Roll band (albeit flavored with violin, Moog synthesizer and 2 cello's) due to the fact of the lush orchestration and attention to detail that Jeff Lynne productions have taken on (and which is why we love them so much) once he was afforded the time needed to exercise perfection.

The band is completely on the money but in very much the Chuck Berry meets Beethoven strain that they created as a group just prior to "A New World Record", Due to copyright terms (I guess Eagle Vision didnt want to spend the extra money) the U.S. release of the ELO Live DVD omits 2 performances of "Roll Over Beethoven" and 1 "Day Tripper" which would have cemented the Berry Beethoven link even further. Great to see the band Rocking Out before things became grander on all scales and I am hoping we get to see some more of post 1976 ELO on video in the future being a fan of the Grand Scale works as well.

Friendly's/Days Inn - 8/28-29/10 Connecticut

The Zesty Queso BurgerMelt - Black Angus Beef Burger with Chipotle Seasoning, Creamy Cheddar Cheese Sauce, Jalapeno's and Crunchy Tortilla Strips Served on a Grilled Sourdough Bun With French Fries Of Course. I Love Mexican Food, I HAD TO. The Jalapeno's were mild and the Cheddar Creamy.



The Grilled Cheese BurgerMelt - Beef Burger served BETWEEN TWO HOT GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICHES with Lettuce,Tomato & Mayo, Flanked by The Waffle Fries (59 cents extrey). BETWEEN TWO HOT GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICHES, Thats ALL You Have To say. I almost got this the night before so knew I had to try one.



(photo - J. Moroni)

I have previously had a Cheeseburger from Friendly's and was quite pleased but nothing could prepare me for my two day Friendly Eating Spree (2FES) this time around. When it comes down to it the Burgers are Really just O.K. but there is something in the presentation and unique ingredient combinations which makes you want to come back for more.



A Reese's Friend-Z Soft serve, OH MY LORD, DELICIOUS!!!





The Days Inn provided an adequate room for sleeping and I suppose TV watching (basic cable equipped) and the ice machine was at the end of the hall, we were on the first floor so I cant say wether or not each floor had a dedicated ice machine. Shampoo and Soap provided by Sol Terre' (Made exclusively for Days Inn)

Gilbert Gottfried - 8/26/10 Caroline's Times Square, New York City

What can I say, Gilbert played to a packed and hysterical Caroline's and did A meet and greet afterwards at the merchandise table.





The (L To R) Chicken Parmigiana and Philly Cheese Steak Heroes from the Historic L & B Spumoni Gardens of Brooklyn. Unbeatable.

White Wedding - Bally Bunion 8/21/10 Brooklyn, New York

This is the real weepy part of the story beginning Oh my Brothers wherein your narrator and friend had quite the Dickens of a toothache five hours previous to showtime which has always been a timing concern of mine but some Extra Strength Tylenol and a few glasses of Cabernet pulled me through with flying colors, By the time I actually started drumming any dental diversion had completely left me. We had a Great gig at the Bunion and the crowd keeps getting just that much bigger each time we perform there.

Special thanks to the Solid Gold Dancers and to my Simcha who purchased a 40 ounce Colt 45 for me to sip at from behind the drumkit And special thanks to Jamie for taking all the Fantastic pictures.

















Of course afterwards I knoshed on some French Fries with Brown Gravy at the local diner which is the toothache friendly food just below Mashed Potatoes and Potato Salad on the list.

The B-52's/Belinda Carlisle - 8/19/10 Coney Island,New York

The Residents - Ralphamerica Closes Its Virtual Doors

And so it came to be that the Mighty Ralphamerica ceased to be due to the almighty download but where will new archival projects and collectable Doodads, DVDs and t-shirts be sold ? at the nearest Virgin Megastore ?

Well those dont exist anymore either due to the almighty dowload.

May We Check Your Bags Sir? : Harrah's Resort & Casino 8/15-17/10 Atlantic City,New Jersey

The newest addition to Harrah's resort is the Waterfront Tower which is oddly titled since the view only contains reservoirs of the Atlantic City marshlands hundreds of feet below near a construction area but any shortcomings vanish after this, besides if I was paying for the view I wouldnt be visiting Atlantic City for one. Access to the Boardwalk and all of the casinos (and asian massage parlors) are convenient via taxi, Jitney or car and one need not venture further than the Harrah's Casino area which is fully equipped with shoppes, restaurants and a year round swimming pool.

THE PROS: Luxury Suites, Flatscreen TV, Quality Sundries courtesy of Gilchrist & Soames (UK), Extremely Comfortable Simmons Beautyrest Bed, Private Toilet ensconced away from Shower/Sink area, Holy Bible and Phonebook in night stand, Harlot Service, Room Service, Ice Machine (OBOYOBOYOBOY), Small Refrigerator, Large and Efficiently rapid elevator service, Check Out available via TV and Telephone, 60 minute checkout extension, Room Darkening curtains.

THE CONS: No Ipod Dock, Fee for Internet Services, Conditioning Shampoo combination.



One of the truly greatest nights of Snooze in my life was courtesy of THE Simmons BeautyRest Mattress World Class line (with Memory Foam) which I almost mistook for a Tempurpedic. There is a lot to be said when you are having a whirlwind time on vacation and the hotel room bed is foremost on your mind and at the top of your preference list marked "I Would Rather Be There". The Simmons was like sleeping on a particularly comfortable and Large (eider) Downy-Soft Cloud.



And from the buffet on Monday evening (8/16) just next door at the Borgata.
Succulence at its Succiest, In Other Words Delicious.

(R to L from noon) Broccoli Floret, Freshly Carved Beef, Grilled Iron Steak, Caramelized Onions, Mango Corn ChutneySalsaDelightWhatNot and Borgata Mashed Potatoes with the Brown Gravy.

White Wedding - Brooklyn Bowl 8/6/10 Brooklyn,New York

Some gigs are a Joy to perform at and the Brooklyn Bowl of Williamsburg was certainly no exception, the staff was very accommodating with an professional sound crew and the venue took care of the band with grace and aplomb. We played one set to a crowd of mostly locals and were successful at winning them right over to the extent that we were invited back for a repeat performance. As an added plus for the band Darling Nikki stopped by to check us out and it was wonderful to see her again.
















Quite possibly the Finest Burger EVER was served me post-gig and I have been raving about it ever since. This one (see above) is a Bacon and Bleu Burger which translates into OMG, Let it also not be said that I was stuffed and hard pressed to finish the Burger in question by the last bite.

FLICKR

Zig Zag Records 8/5/10 Brooklyn, New York

aah, Sweet Bird of Youth. So nice to see Zig Zag records still around nearly thirty years after purchasing ELP singles for seventy five dollars apiece all those years ago. There are still racks of Vinyl LPs but the 45s have gone by the wayside to be replaced by Compact Discs and DVDs but alas specialty stores must try to survive in todays climate.



And a few blocks further on up.

Sweethook - Fontana's 8/4/10 Chinatown, New York City

A nice return engagement at Fontana's, We performed "Cuckold Hen" Live and discovered that Carlsberg Beer on tap was nowhere as near as refreshing as Blue Moon.