RUSH - A Jew, A Slav & A Canuck Walk Into A Bar - Beyond The Lighted Stage DVD

It was with great Relish and high expectations that I personally (and individually) sat down with before my first viewing of the long overdue and justly deserved Rockumentary concerning the peoples band from the Great White North (none other than our favorite canadian power trio) RUSH. Upon first viewing I was highly entertained and paid very close attention to detail as vintage clips and interviews never before seen flashed before my eyes (a photo of Neil Peart with Peter Criss in Cat makeup 1975! Etcetera!!!) and almost instantly knew that the film makers approached this as a labor of love placing me firmly amongst the RUSH fan that was in for quite the ride.

Whilst meandering a bit much on the early years of the band (as music bio's tend to do) this is still an almost perfect documentary with a winning formula of variety and execution, What was first tried in the wonderful QUEEN-The Magic Years video films and then perfected by the likes of The Beatles (Anthology) and The Who (Amazing Journey) is an MTV style/short attention span singsong editing formula leaving little room for the chaffe but working extremely well in music and movie documentaries where certain portions of a career must be strung together very briefly with a sense of continuity as told in interview and performance clips. Being an Uber-fan I learned very little new information but seeing my heroes praises sung and respected in an honest and non judgmental arena was extremely fulfilling.

A commercial ran (thrice?) during the broadcast advertising the DVD release and to my utter surprise and delight I was overjoyed to see that its coming out TOMORROW !!! More on that in a few hours - 6/29/10 3:41 a.m.



Arrived at Best Buy (Bay Parkway) only to find zero copies of the DVD in the section so approached a staff member to ask him to check their database for a new release music DVD to which the lad replied "Rush?" immediately. I was directed to a new release display where there was 1 copy left of the DVD/t-shirt bundle pack and 2 copies of the DVD, I am curious how many they ordered and was quite surprised that they had run out of stock and on a weekday as well. Got my t-shirt (and in my size) so I cannot complain at all. - 6/29/10 3:14 p.m.

Sweethook - R Bar 6/26/10 Chinatown, New York

Keep Cool In Summer 2010

Its Stuffing.

Pepperidge Farm Cornbread Stuffing.

Thanks to Connie for makin' it, Jamie for scoopin' it and Me for eatin' it.

White Wedding - Tina's 43rd Birthday Party 6/19/10 Bloomfield,New Jersey

Held in the Lovely Renaissance room at Essex House in spacious New Jersey.

White Wedding - Bally Bunion 6/12/10 Brooklyn,New York

The Bally Bunion Of Bay Ridge is a Long Standing Establishment (L.S.A.) amongst Brooklyn's Classic Bars and it was a fine experience to be privvy to the hospitality, kind words and Fabulous Drink Prices that the "bunion" afforded us as entertainers for the evening.

Perhaps due to the Bands Rabble-Rousing ways whatwhith the pom-pom and DEVO hat action whipping the Audience and Solid Gold Dancers (and just plain onlookers) into such a Frenzy we were invited back before our set ended.

Given such an opportunity we promoted our return gig (see July 17, 2010) over our P.A. from the bandstand.

There was a Really Drunk Guy Too (And NOT A Bandmember)

White Wedding - O' Flanagan's 6/05/10 New York City

A nice return visit to O' Flanagan's but they "Lost" our signs.

waddya gonna doo ?

UNDER THE IVY (pre-order)

Virgin Megastore Union Square - One Third Gone.

Nordstrom-Rack has utilized half of the space that was the lower level of the Virgin Megastore USQ, The ghost of a few CDs linger at checkout but the Vibe is Non-Existent compared to what once was.

Sweethook - CD Release Party 5/13/10 Fontana's Bar,New York City

A plethora of well wishers came down to show us their well wishing at Fontana's bar on the edge of Chinatown in Downtown Manhattan. The band played very well and we even ran ahead of schedule for the first time allowing us a Rocking version of "Hit The Ground Running" to end our set, I also made the right hand drumming adjustment to the "Singer-friendly/Drummer-Friendly" version of said song on this evening. Abuelito the MAN himself attended the show but I was not made aware of this until he was exiting.

I appreciated all of the drinks offered me and enjoyed some Manic dancing with a WHO fan or two upstairs, A little later in the evening and they were blaring the KINKS upstairs at the bar as well. Chinatown Won Ton soup was purchased to top the evening off but it was Too Soggy.

The Rockingham's - Greenhouse Cafe 4/30/10 Brooklyn,New York

This was one of those rare instances that just "happened" but I was enjoying a Cheeseburger Deluxe with Jamie and her family right next door in the Dining/Catering portion of the Greenhouse Cafe when I needed to use the facilities and spotted a few "neighborhood band" posters, Upon further inspection I noticed my friends band The Rockingham's were performing next door in the bar just twenty minutes previous to the current hour and on that very evening so we went in to check them out.

A nice selection of Sixties classics were performed and I was asked to come up and end the first set to perform a cover of the Eddie Cochran tune Summertime Blues/The WHO version. So it was a Drummer from a different cover band sitting in with The Rockinghams who also cover The Who that cover Blue Cheer who cover Eddie Cochran's Summertime Blues.

I had a Blast and it was all a Blur that was over before it began but it was Great to finally get to jam with my former co-worker Bruce.

Hole - Terminal 5 - 4/27/10 New York City

A week after I saw the Specials at Terminal 5 I got to see Hole there. I liked the Specials morer.

The Specials - Terminal 5 - 4/20/10 New York City

Walking into the packed Terminal 5 venue to see one of the "new" bands from back when I was getting seriously into music in 1979 I had really no opinion on the group, Walking out of Terminal 5 I was a bit of a fan. The Specials put on a very energetic and musically tight show but I was really taken by Terry Hall's deadpan stage demeanor which fully sold me.

I got to sit next to one of New York City's finest homeless people on the way home too.

Well, Jamie made me do it.

The Sub Basement Blues Band - Recording Session 4/18/10 HesDeadJimStudio Bronx, New York City

My First Band and amongst some of my oldest musical friends & peers, Of Course I had a Blast recording with the old crew again. We nailed it * in three takes (and one false start) at Thomas' recording studio (HesDeadJimStudios) and that as they say was that.

We had an opportunity to be on a "Summer" themed CD/Box of Crayons project and opposed to writing a brand new "Summer" song why not drag out the old warhorse Coney Island Summer and have a "recording reunion".

White Wedding - Long Island Crisis Center/Volunteer Party 4/17/10 Long Island,New York

Charity events are always fun to perform at and to my unexpected expectations this party and awards dinner was held at a different venue than the previous Pride for Youth benefit that we performed at, Not to knock the former space but its always interesting to get another room under your belt. Doc Brown had the foresight to secure some Fruit Salad pre-gig but I missed out and had a Vegetable Salad between sets.

Sweethook - Photo Shoot/Brooklyn Bridge Downtown 4/5 Platform 4/12/10 New York City

KUDOS Go out to Matt Shanley our fearless percussionist for standing behind the "Do Not Stand Behind" line on the Downtown 4 platform to get that shot just right.

Jon Anderson - B.B. Kings 4/11/10 New York City

Jon Anderson treated us to an intimate evening of mostly acoustic music accompanying himself on acoustic guitar and electric keyboards at this famous Times Square venue performing a nice mix of classics as well as some rarities (two Jon & Vangelis tunes .-) I was pleasantly surprised to arrive only to see a sparsely furnished stage (No drumkit or amps) anticipating we were going to get a chance to hear the songs in a raw format. the ticket said "Doors 6, Show 8" and since I wasnt planning on spending fifty bucks on dinner for myself I arrived forty minutes after the doors had been opened to my detriment. I had one of the worst seats in an otherwise general admission audience.



Jon's setlist as scribbled by myself on the fly and in the dark.





Whenever in Times Square I MUST have my Beef Bowl from Yoshinoya, Most Excellent.

White Wedding - 27 Union Square West 4/10/10 New York City

My First Wedding,.... Performing at one that is.

One of the most humbling Lesson's for a musician is not only in serving the music but also in serving your employer. There is no room for ego in the wedding setting and it was quite a different experience sitting on the bandstand while speeches went on in front of me. I expended little to no kinetic energy for the first half of our performance as I played at a very low energy level so the guests could talk to each other and enjoy the delicious Sri-Lankan foodstuffs.

The band performed very well and Spiccoli made all of the requested announcements with aplomb and benevolence.

White Wedding - O' Flanagans 4/9/10 New York City

The band had a nice sophomore show at O' Flanagan's and it never ceases to amaze me at the number of youth who appreciate Eighties music since most weren't even born when these records were originally released yet they sing, holler, hoot and dance along just the same. I ran into a couple of Old friends whom I haven't seen since high school at the gig as well. Special thanks to the bar staff and venue for all the Free Drinks.

The Lime Rickey - When I Find Myself in Limes of Trouble.

The Wait staff, seating conditions, menu discrepancies, meal values and culinary watermark is not really my place to say in the case of Vega's diner in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn but what they do deliver (and for a meager $2.99) is the Richelieu of Lime Rickeys!!!! The 1970s Richelieu Lime Rickey Layers and all.

In my Excitement I disregarded the overly cute young woman wishing to seat me and asked for a "counter" seat as my stay was a short one. Short But Sweet as I watched the fountain technician construct the Rickey in Question.

1. Lime Syrup
2. Ice
3. Seltzer (gingerly)
4. Cherry Syrup (to seltzer gingerly)
5. Fruit Garnishment

Voila !!!

Feaster 2010

Greaster Eve appetizers (L to R from 9 o' clock) Cassetti Cheese, Caponnatta on Pita, Kalamata Olives, Feta Chese, Orzo Sausage, Grape Leaves, Prosciutta Ball (Pastosa), Spinach Pie,Cheese Pie, Prosciutta Ball (Ravioli Fair) There was Pastosa Manicotti and Baklava as well. Thanks to Chris and Caroline.



Easter (in progress) (L to R bottom row to top) Broccoli, Pizza Rustica Bunnified, Pasta, Knotted Bread, Sliced Round Loaf, Extra Gravy, Pasta, Grape Leaves, Feta Cheese, Prosciutta Bread, Pigs in the Blanket, Asparaus, Pasta, Veal Cutlet, Rack of Lamb.

Thanks to Connie and Jamie for letting me invite myself along .-)

Mii in Wii

Thanks To Jamie and Carol for their Valiant and Accurate depiction.

BALANCE

Cool Ass Pics That Rock - Billion Dollar Babies

Alice Cooper, Keith Moon, Harry Nilsson, Marc Bolan.

To Be A Fly on That Wall.

Welcome To The Future.

Feldstein's Habit

Sid Feldstein was finally out but the urges continued unabated, he had a twenty five year old love affair with his oral fixation and try as he might could not fight off the urges to take that two minute walk to the SMOKE SHOPPE right there on his corner to plunk down his hard earned money for a pack of smokes (Black Death cigarettes were his brand).

The eternity of nine minutes had elapsed since his last cigarette and he was slowly losing his grip on reality. Colors changed brilliantly before his eyes and he couldn't read the hands on the clock properly. Sure there was a monetary upside to Quitting Smoking and he really could use the cash to purchase that most desired dozen fluorescent panama hats encased in an umbrella stand that he had been eyeing for months in the showcase window down at Harriet's Hat Hostel but the price was becoming too high what with his cat Gerald appearing to laugh at him and the angles of his walls awash with nightmarish movement.

HE HAD TO.

Sid balanced himself out of his chair and made a break for it, he thought to himself that it may have even been 11 minutes now since his last puff. Just to make it to the door, The perplexingly Long Hallway stretched out into oddball odd and he ran what seemed an eternity just to get his hands on the deadbolt inching his way closer to the freedom that only Black Death could provide.

12 Minutes Now.

A gaggle of mexican women blocked his egress but as polite as they were holding the door open for him he pushed his way through their ranks closer to his destination and smoky satisfaction. Running to the corner he could see the SMOKE SHOPPE from here.

Sid Feldstein slipped on a strategically placed banana peel and was struck by an oncoming Fedex truck.
The Black Death Had Found him.