Song: "Flamenco Sketches"
Composers: Miles Davis and Bill Evans
Performers: Miles Davis (trumpet), John Coltrane (tenor sax), Cannonball Adderley (alto sax), Jimmy Cobb (drums), Paul Chambers (double bass) and Bill Evans (piano)
Album: Kind of Blue by Miles Davis
Jazz and coffee.
My first year out of college was a very important year in my personal journey, as I'm sure it is for many people. It was a fairly quiet year, especially in comparison to the Japan and New York years which would follow. I lived in St. Paul, Minnesota, just a few blocks away from my sister and her husband. It's a lovely city, though not the best for a single man without a car. Nonetheless, I learned a lot about myself that year. Jazz and coffee were two passions which I developed in that period.
Kind of Blue is my desert island album. Davis's combo was essentially a jazz all-star team of the late '50s. While I might not call it my favorite song, if I were told I had to listen to one tune of my choice over and over again for the rest of my life, I would pick "Flamenco Sketches." It goes down so smoothly, like good whiskey. I would happily bathe in "Flamenco Sketches."
*********************
I hope you'll join us for the "30 Songs in 30 Days" challenge, inspired by the tumblr list. Our 30 Songs roster:
Stay on target...
Marc Whitman's Blog
Haley says "Hello" To You
It's never too late to post your own. Tomorrow is...
Day 20: A Song That You Listen to When You're Angry
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Monday, July 4, 2011
My Baseball Fantasy: Kinsler
Private League: won, 6-4 (80-43-7 overall, 1st place out of 10, 2.5 games ahead)
Public League: 2nd out of 12
My Player of the Week: Ian Kinsler (Second Baseman, Rangers) with 4 home runs, 6 RBI, 5 runs, 3 stolen bases and a .318 batting average
Photo via Baseball Notebook
I'm very pleased with the bump up in the public league. I felt like I was stuck in 3rd place forever. The distance between 2nd and 3rd is slim right now: 1.5 points. The gap between 1st and 2nd, though, is huge: 14 points. I've got some work to do if I'm going to challenge the top spot. In the private league, I avenged one of my losses from the first round of matchups. I beat Mock's brother, 6-4, exactly reversing our score from Week 4.
Kinsler was one of three Jewish players to make the 2008 All-Star Game, along with Ryan Braun and Kevin Youkilis. He and his wife had their second child in June. Sadly, there are no fantasy stats for reproduction - at least, not in Yahoo! public leagues.
Public League: 2nd out of 12
My Player of the Week: Ian Kinsler (Second Baseman, Rangers) with 4 home runs, 6 RBI, 5 runs, 3 stolen bases and a .318 batting average
Photo via Baseball Notebook
I'm very pleased with the bump up in the public league. I felt like I was stuck in 3rd place forever. The distance between 2nd and 3rd is slim right now: 1.5 points. The gap between 1st and 2nd, though, is huge: 14 points. I've got some work to do if I'm going to challenge the top spot. In the private league, I avenged one of my losses from the first round of matchups. I beat Mock's brother, 6-4, exactly reversing our score from Week 4.
Kinsler was one of three Jewish players to make the 2008 All-Star Game, along with Ryan Braun and Kevin Youkilis. He and his wife had their second child in June. Sadly, there are no fantasy stats for reproduction - at least, not in Yahoo! public leagues.
30 Songs in 30 Days, Day 18: A Song That You Wish You Heard on the Radio
Song: "Higher and Higher"
Writers: Gary Jackson, Raynard Miner and Carl Smith
Performers: The Mint Juleps
Documentary: Do it a capella
This is a tricky one. Every time I thought of a song, I remembered hearing it on the radio recently. Such is the greatness of MP103! I went with a song that represents an entire genre of music which I'm surprised doesn't get more airplay. In my experience - be it as performer or audience member - nothing engages the listener more quickly than a capella singing. The style of music hardly matters. Whether it's doo-wop, barbershop or Palestrina masses, there's an intimacy with the audience that exists with few other musical styles. In fact, that may be the problem for radio. Without the immediacy of live performance, some of the magic is lost.
Spike Lee created Do it a capella for television and if you've never see in it, I recommend it highly. In addition to The Mint Juleps, the documentary includes Take 6, Rockapella and Ladysmith Black Mambazo among others. I don't think the video is currently in print but there are more youtube videos. I watched it in that good old listening room at my college library - perhaps the best bet for watching the whole thing.
*********************
I hope you'll join us for the "30 Songs in 30 Days" challenge, inspired by the tumblr list. Our 30 Songs roster:
Stay on target...
Marc Whitman's Blog
Haley says "Hello" To You
It's never too late to post your own. Tomorrow is...
Day 19: A Song from Your Favorite Album
Writers: Gary Jackson, Raynard Miner and Carl Smith
Performers: The Mint Juleps
Documentary: Do it a capella
This is a tricky one. Every time I thought of a song, I remembered hearing it on the radio recently. Such is the greatness of MP103! I went with a song that represents an entire genre of music which I'm surprised doesn't get more airplay. In my experience - be it as performer or audience member - nothing engages the listener more quickly than a capella singing. The style of music hardly matters. Whether it's doo-wop, barbershop or Palestrina masses, there's an intimacy with the audience that exists with few other musical styles. In fact, that may be the problem for radio. Without the immediacy of live performance, some of the magic is lost.
Spike Lee created Do it a capella for television and if you've never see in it, I recommend it highly. In addition to The Mint Juleps, the documentary includes Take 6, Rockapella and Ladysmith Black Mambazo among others. I don't think the video is currently in print but there are more youtube videos. I watched it in that good old listening room at my college library - perhaps the best bet for watching the whole thing.
*********************
I hope you'll join us for the "30 Songs in 30 Days" challenge, inspired by the tumblr list. Our 30 Songs roster:
Stay on target...
Marc Whitman's Blog
Haley says "Hello" To You
It's never too late to post your own. Tomorrow is...
Day 19: A Song from Your Favorite Album
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Wimbledon Day 13: Tang
Curtain Call
Player: Hao Chen Tang
Age: 17
Nation: China
Current Doubles Ranking: unranked
Doubles Partner: Demi Schuurs (Netherlands)
Today's Result: lost to Eugenie Bouchard (Canada)/Grace Min (USA) (2nd seed) in three sets
Tang and Schuurs won the first set of the girls' doubles final before losing in three. Tang does have a WTA singles ranking: #1148. That seems likely to improve.
Golden Squid Report
Jurgen Melzer - Melzer has developed a delightful habit of picking up trophies at Wimbledon. Last year, it was the men's doubles title. This time, he teamed with Iveta Benesova (Czech Republic) to win the mixed doubles. The pair beat Mahesh Bhupathi (India)/Elena Vesnina (Russia) (4th) in straight sets. In singles, Melzer fell in the third round to Belgian Xavier Malisse in straight sets. Even though they weren't able to repeat as champions, he and partner Philipp Petzschner did live up to their seed in men's doubles, finally losing to the Bryan brothers (USA, 1st) in the quarters.
My Tennis Fantasy
Current Overall Ranking: 23rd
My MVP for the Week: Novak Djokovic (Serbia) with $1,000,000, beating Rafael Nadal (Spain) to win the title at Wimbledon
Tennis has a new king. No one can say Djokovic hasn't earned it. Like he said himself, it only took losing just one match over seven months. I think today's win puts him in the driver's seat for the US Open and year-end #1 as well. Right now, Djokovic is the most under-appreciated story in the sports world - nothing new for tennis. He handled the moment with grace today. Plus, he's been taming a squirrel:
Novak Djokovic on WhoSay
Now that he's reached the top ranking, I hope we'll get to see more of his sense of humor.
Player: Hao Chen Tang
Age: 17
Nation: China
Current Doubles Ranking: unranked
Doubles Partner: Demi Schuurs (Netherlands)
Today's Result: lost to Eugenie Bouchard (Canada)/Grace Min (USA) (2nd seed) in three sets
Tang and Schuurs won the first set of the girls' doubles final before losing in three. Tang does have a WTA singles ranking: #1148. That seems likely to improve.
Golden Squid Report
Jurgen Melzer - Melzer has developed a delightful habit of picking up trophies at Wimbledon. Last year, it was the men's doubles title. This time, he teamed with Iveta Benesova (Czech Republic) to win the mixed doubles. The pair beat Mahesh Bhupathi (India)/Elena Vesnina (Russia) (4th) in straight sets. In singles, Melzer fell in the third round to Belgian Xavier Malisse in straight sets. Even though they weren't able to repeat as champions, he and partner Philipp Petzschner did live up to their seed in men's doubles, finally losing to the Bryan brothers (USA, 1st) in the quarters.
My Tennis Fantasy
Current Overall Ranking: 23rd
My MVP for the Week: Novak Djokovic (Serbia) with $1,000,000, beating Rafael Nadal (Spain) to win the title at Wimbledon
Tennis has a new king. No one can say Djokovic hasn't earned it. Like he said himself, it only took losing just one match over seven months. I think today's win puts him in the driver's seat for the US Open and year-end #1 as well. Right now, Djokovic is the most under-appreciated story in the sports world - nothing new for tennis. He handled the moment with grace today. Plus, he's been taming a squirrel:
Novak Djokovic on WhoSay
Now that he's reached the top ranking, I hope we'll get to see more of his sense of humor.
30 Songs in 30 Days, Day 17: A Song That You Hear Often on the Radio
Song: "1999"
Writer: Prince
Performer: Prince
Album: 1999
My FM radio station of choice is awesome! MP103 is based in Waterbury, Vermont. Their official format is Adult Hits but their motto is simply "Whatever. Whenever." They mean it, too. Just this past week, they followed "Faith" by George Michael with the theme music from The Exorcist. The "Whatever" part of the motto does mean that one occasionally has to sit through Lady Gaga or that awful fireflies song to get to the good stuff but it's always worth the wait. The best thing about the station? No DJs - most importantly, no morning DJs.
It's actually not easy to come up with a song they play often. Recently, I heard a Culture Club song in exactly the same part of my afternoon commute on consecutive days, but they were different songs. I had a similar experience with Rick Springfield songs not long afterward. The same song twice in one week is as close as it gets so Prince gets the nod.
The song I really wanted to use for today is the following. But while they have played the song in the past, it would be a stretch to say they play it often:
I've always admired Prince. Unfortunately, his showmanship antics make it difficult for some to take him seriously but I consider him to be one of the most talented and dynamic musicians in the business. He is, however, easily parodied as demonstrated in the Dave Chappelle clip below. All of 5' 2", Prince really did play varsity basketball in high school.
*********************
I hope you'll join us for the "30 Songs in 30 Days" challenge, inspired by the tumblr list. Our 30 Songs roster:
Stay on target...
Marc Whitman's Blog
Haley says "Hello" To You
It's never too late to post your own. Tomorrow is...
Day 18: A Song That You Wish You Heard on the Radio
Writer: Prince
Performer: Prince
Album: 1999
My FM radio station of choice is awesome! MP103 is based in Waterbury, Vermont. Their official format is Adult Hits but their motto is simply "Whatever. Whenever." They mean it, too. Just this past week, they followed "Faith" by George Michael with the theme music from The Exorcist. The "Whatever" part of the motto does mean that one occasionally has to sit through Lady Gaga or that awful fireflies song to get to the good stuff but it's always worth the wait. The best thing about the station? No DJs - most importantly, no morning DJs.
It's actually not easy to come up with a song they play often. Recently, I heard a Culture Club song in exactly the same part of my afternoon commute on consecutive days, but they were different songs. I had a similar experience with Rick Springfield songs not long afterward. The same song twice in one week is as close as it gets so Prince gets the nod.
The song I really wanted to use for today is the following. But while they have played the song in the past, it would be a stretch to say they play it often:
I've always admired Prince. Unfortunately, his showmanship antics make it difficult for some to take him seriously but I consider him to be one of the most talented and dynamic musicians in the business. He is, however, easily parodied as demonstrated in the Dave Chappelle clip below. All of 5' 2", Prince really did play varsity basketball in high school.
*********************
I hope you'll join us for the "30 Songs in 30 Days" challenge, inspired by the tumblr list. Our 30 Songs roster:
Stay on target...
Marc Whitman's Blog
Haley says "Hello" To You
It's never too late to post your own. Tomorrow is...
Day 18: A Song That You Wish You Heard on the Radio
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Wimbledon Day 12: Lisicki
Curtain Call
Player: Sabine Lisicki
Age: 21
Nation: Germany
Current Doubles Ranking: 151
Doubles Partner: Samantha Stosur (Australia)
Notable Conquests: Vania King (USA)/Yaroslava Shvedova (Kazakhstan) (1st seed) and Nadia Petrova (Russia)/Anastasia Rodionova (Australia) (6th)
Today's Results: win over Marina Erakovic (New Zealand)/Tamarine Tanasugarn (Thailand) in three sets and a loss to Kveta Peschke (Czech Republic)/Katarina Srebotnik (Slovenia) (2nd) in straight sets
Photo via goalzz.com
Lisicki had a great Wimbledon and her run to the singles semifinals as a wild card is only part of the story. Her doubles tournament with Stosur was even better. The two played the last few games of their semifinal match today before hitting the wall in the final. This was, in fact, the first time for Lisicki to make it past the second round in doubles at a Slam. She won't need a wild card to get into the US Open, in either draw.
Meanwhile, a new star is born. Everything I've heard and read has praised Petra Kvitova for her composure but really, she looked like she was about to burst into tears as she served match point. Instead, ace, game, set, match, trophy, please. She certainly has the game to win more Slams. However, she could walk away now and her legacy would be secure. Having "Wimbledon champion" attached to your name is the tennis equivalent to "Nobel laureate." If you're gonna win just one Slam, this is the one to win.
For the record, I'm very pleased that NBC aired the men's doubles final today. If tomorrow's men's final is short, I hope we'll get to see the mixed doubles final as well. Don't get me wrong, a long, classic men's final is much preferred.
Player: Sabine Lisicki
Age: 21
Nation: Germany
Current Doubles Ranking: 151
Doubles Partner: Samantha Stosur (Australia)
Notable Conquests: Vania King (USA)/Yaroslava Shvedova (Kazakhstan) (1st seed) and Nadia Petrova (Russia)/Anastasia Rodionova (Australia) (6th)
Today's Results: win over Marina Erakovic (New Zealand)/Tamarine Tanasugarn (Thailand) in three sets and a loss to Kveta Peschke (Czech Republic)/Katarina Srebotnik (Slovenia) (2nd) in straight sets
Photo via goalzz.com
Lisicki had a great Wimbledon and her run to the singles semifinals as a wild card is only part of the story. Her doubles tournament with Stosur was even better. The two played the last few games of their semifinal match today before hitting the wall in the final. This was, in fact, the first time for Lisicki to make it past the second round in doubles at a Slam. She won't need a wild card to get into the US Open, in either draw.
Meanwhile, a new star is born. Everything I've heard and read has praised Petra Kvitova for her composure but really, she looked like she was about to burst into tears as she served match point. Instead, ace, game, set, match, trophy, please. She certainly has the game to win more Slams. However, she could walk away now and her legacy would be secure. Having "Wimbledon champion" attached to your name is the tennis equivalent to "Nobel laureate." If you're gonna win just one Slam, this is the one to win.
For the record, I'm very pleased that NBC aired the men's doubles final today. If tomorrow's men's final is short, I hope we'll get to see the mixed doubles final as well. Don't get me wrong, a long, classic men's final is much preferred.
30 Songs in 30 Days, Day 16: A Song That You Used to Love but Now Hate
Song: "If I Had $1000000"
Writers: Steven Page and Ed Robertson
Band: Barenaked Ladies
Album: Gordon
My Wife ruined this song for me. In fact, she ruined the whole band for me. I'd like to think that I'm not easily swayed in my opinions - my musical opinions especially - but sometimes it happens. Someone I respect says something negative about a band I like and suddenly I start to listen to them more critically.
Barenaked Ladies was no end of hip on the college scene in the early '90s and this song in particular was huge. But My Wife mentioned one day that she found the band annoying and it seemed only a matter of time before they began to annoy me, too. I soon realized that they're really just a cheap knock off of They Might Be Giants. She ruined Red Hot Chili Peppers for me, too.
I cannot claim to be completely innocent in such matters. I know, for instance, that my sister really liked Steely Dan until I mentioned that Donald Fagen's voice tends to grate on me. The funny part is that while her interest waned, my appreciation of the band has grown over the years.
*********************
I hope you'll join us for the "30 Songs in 30 Days" challenge, inspired by the tumblr list. Our 30 Songs roster:
Stay on target...
Marc Whitman's Blog
Haley says "Hello" To You
It's never too late to post your own. Tomorrow is...
Day 17: A Song That You Hear Often on the Radio
Writers: Steven Page and Ed Robertson
Band: Barenaked Ladies
Album: Gordon
My Wife ruined this song for me. In fact, she ruined the whole band for me. I'd like to think that I'm not easily swayed in my opinions - my musical opinions especially - but sometimes it happens. Someone I respect says something negative about a band I like and suddenly I start to listen to them more critically.
Barenaked Ladies was no end of hip on the college scene in the early '90s and this song in particular was huge. But My Wife mentioned one day that she found the band annoying and it seemed only a matter of time before they began to annoy me, too. I soon realized that they're really just a cheap knock off of They Might Be Giants. She ruined Red Hot Chili Peppers for me, too.
I cannot claim to be completely innocent in such matters. I know, for instance, that my sister really liked Steely Dan until I mentioned that Donald Fagen's voice tends to grate on me. The funny part is that while her interest waned, my appreciation of the band has grown over the years.
*********************
I hope you'll join us for the "30 Songs in 30 Days" challenge, inspired by the tumblr list. Our 30 Songs roster:
Stay on target...
Marc Whitman's Blog
Haley says "Hello" To You
It's never too late to post your own. Tomorrow is...
Day 17: A Song That You Hear Often on the Radio
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