New Five Star Iris CD Being Released

Five Star Iris - Live Fools will be released on December 4. Head on over to the Five Star Iris store to order your copy today!

My new iMac was delivered to the house today. Can;t wait to get home and unbox it and PLAY!!
Report back more later.

Led Zeppelin at Glastonbury????

Led Zeppelin have been in negotiations to headline next year’s Glastonbury Festival, it has been reported. The rock legends have apparently been in talks with Glastonbury head Michael Eavis about the mouth-watering prospect. They have even give the Worthy Farm owner a price for performing at the June event.
Despite the early talks, the NME claims that the negotiations have broken down after the rock outfit’s representatives named too high a price, prompting Eavis to pull out.
Glastonbury, of course, has a capped fee that they are willing to pay artists – unlike many other major UK festivals.
If Led Zeppelin do eventually sign up, expect Glastonbury to sell out in a nanosecond.

Bruce Kulick at the Orlando KISS Convention

There is a Wii Bit of a Problem...

Nintendo is warning would-be gamers that, if they want a Wii before the end of the year, they might just have to fight for it -- or pay too much on eBay. Nintendo is promising to ship an extra 3.5 million consoles to retailers around the world before the end of the year to try to keep up with demand. They've already shipped nearly 14 million this year, and still, a year after the console's release, seeing one on store shelves is a rarity.

Speaking of the Wii...
Debbie bought the new Super Mario Galaxy game for system the other night. She loves it!

KISSOLOGY Volume 3

The next volume in the KISSOLOGY series is due this Christmas season!! Here's the cover art.
Nice!

Sony defines A Pirate!!

Sony has a new definition of what it considers software piracy which will criminalize most of the world.
In testimony in the Capitol Records versus Jammie Thomas, trial lawyer Jennifer Pariser trial the head of litigation for Sony/BMG told the world that it was "piracy for someone to back-up a CD they have bought or upload it onto their MP3 player".
If this were true then more people would be pirates than there would be legitimate users.
She said "when an individual makes a copy of a song for himself, Sony can say he stole a song." Making "a copy" of a purchased song is just "a nice way of saying steals just one copy".

iTouch kicks butt

loving the itouch!!
I made this entry with the web browser!!
I'm gonna love this gaget!!!

iPod touch!!!!

My new Itouch arrived at the house today!!!

Looks to be a very promising device!
After I mess with it a bit I will report back!

New Ringo CD!!!

Ringo Starr has a new live album being released on October 23.
"Live at Soundstage"
Here is the cover art!

NICE!!!

Aiden Raymond Caldwell

Me and Debbie are Grandparents once again!!!

Raymond and Amanda had their baby this morning.
Aiden was 9 pounds and 5 ounces.
21 inches long

Debbie was in the delivery room and cut the chord!!

Welcome to the world little man! Love you!
Papa

New Macca DVD!!

New Macca DVD coming out!
NICE!!!


THE McCARTNEY YEARS - 3 DVD SET (NOVEMBER 13TH RELEASE) a 3 DVD This set of 40 (on 2 DVDs) solo music videos includes Tug of War, Band on the Run, My Love, Mull of Kintyre, Helen Wheels, Maybe I'm Amazed, C-Moon, Pipes of Peace, My Brave Face, Ebony and Ivory & Beautiful Night. The third disc contains 2 hours of live concert footage (Rock Show, Unplugged & Glastonbury, 2004) with plenty of narration by Paul himself on all three discs! This is the most extensive compilation Paul has ever done!

Help! Is On The Way

HELP DELUXE BOX SET EDITION This is strictly limited to 25,000 copies, that will contain a reproduction of Richard Lester's original annotated script, 8 lobby cards and a poster, plus a 60-page coffee table book with rarely seen photographs and production notes from the movie.

NICE!!!!
There will also be a regular version of the DVD available as well!

iPod Classic!!!

My new iPod Classic 160GB arrived at the house today!
Can't wait to go home and unpack it and load it up!
I will use this one as my 'various artists' iPod.

Now the excitement REALLY builds for the iPod
Touch - which ships sometime next week!

We Shall Never Forget

iBible

I'm fairly certain that Steve Jobs is of the agnostic/non-practising religious type, so I'd love to see what his feelings are towards KingNeed ripping off his ubiquitous 'i' and whacking it infront of the word 'bible'.
This lawsuit-awaiting PMP, 'iBible', is a video, audio and photo supporting device which includes PDA functions like contacts, calendar, task manager, memos, sketchpad, voice recorder and calculator. Not only that, but it's packing The King James and World English versions of the Bible, with searchable functions including by chapter title, verse or keyword.

Thirteen Non-Mainstream Beatles Songs

http://musiconeoone.blogspot.com/

Holiday?

Today should be a holiday!

Today marks the beginning of the 2007 National Football League season!
To ME - that's holiday worthy!

Zune Drops Pricing

Zune has announced the following:
Some of you may have already heard, but we're dropping the suggested retail price for Zune to $199. It's part of the normal product lifecycle, something we've had on the books for months. We just got some research back and customer satisfaction with the 30GB device is really high (around 94%) and we expect even more consumers will now want to discover the Zune experience at the new lower price.
Hope springs eternal.
Oh, and this may come as a shock to folks, but today's Apple Computer announcement doesn't actually change any of our plans.
Of course it didn't.....
The Zune doesn't stand a chance against the iPod product line. Nothing against you Zune - but the iPod is just a MUCH better device!

Ringo in the Hall

Just read that Ringo Starr is being inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist!

Congrats Ringo!

new ipod info out now!

iPod shuffle: refresh only. Holiday colors are cranberry, purple, light green, light blue, and silver. Product red iPod shuffle as well. Same $79 price today, available shortly.

iPod nano: total makeover - full metal design - no plastic on top and bottom. The back is chrome, the front is anodized. Comes in black, red, silver, blue, and green. Similar colors to the new shuffle. the red one is product red but more of a cranberry. 2.0" screen. Same resolution, 320x240 at 240ppi. plays games. Two versions: 4GB and 8GB version. 4GB is silver. 8GB all colors. 4GB is $149, 8GB is $199.

iPod classic: new name for ipod video. It's the original iPod but it's a full metal version of the 5G iPod video. Comes in silver and black. $249 for 80GB, 160GB is $349. Available Today. Shipping, should be in stores by this weekend.

iPod touch: new ipod!! Looks like an iPhone, but thinner. Features touch screen. Same interface for music as iPhone, same Cover Flow flip on side. Wi-Fi intenet ready with Apple Safari Web Browser. browse the web as long as you're near a wi-fi network. 8GB is $299, 16GB is $399 — Both models available later this month. Back is chrome.

On track to sell millionth iphone by end of month. 8gb model is the one that most people pick. 8GB iPhone is $399 starting today - down from $599!!!

Football!!!

Labor Day weekend signals the beginning of football!!
College and Pro - AND it counts!!
I watched bits of quite a few games this weekend! Nothing like it!
Welcome back oh pigskin of life!

iPhone

So - for all of us poor people who’ve been hoping for a cheaper iPhone - at Apple’s online store, you can now buy one - refurbished - for $100 less than retail.

So Apple must have had to replace a lot of iPhones in the early going!!
There is a new iPod announcement coming next week. My hope is for an iPod that looks like the iPhone- touchscreen - with a big hard drive!! Wi-fi capability would be sweet as well.
We'll see...

Best Buy

So last night me and Michael ventured out to Best Buy to pick up the new Ringo Starr CD. There is a special edition of the release with a DVD included as well.
Best Buy DID NOT HAVE IT!!!
It's getting increasingly tough to buy items in the stores anymore. I guess I'll have to order it from Amazon.com!!!
Damn shame.

And what's with all the exclusive versions everywhere for seemingly every release these days!!! Exclusive at Wal-mart; Exclusive at Target; Exclusive at Best Buy; Exclusive online only download! JEEZE! Enough already!!

Five Star Iris

Just heard that the band we’re friends with – Five Star Iris – has been selected out of over 1500 bands to perform at the Pentagon in September. They recently completed a tour of bases over in Iraq as well. Quite an honor. They just seem poised and ready to burst big nationwide. Time will tell.

Blogging

Been a while since I've been blogging...
I will get you all caught up in the next few days - and get this site current!
Lots has happened.
AND - Michael quit blogging :-(

More soon....

KISS Without Paul footage

New Commercial With Ace Frehley

Ringo's New CD Cover

EMI has revealed the artwork to Ringo's new best of CD.
Looks very nice. I really like the photo they have chosen!

RUSH - FORD AMPHITHEATRE - TAMPA, FLORIDA JUNE 16, 2007

Set List: Limelight; Digital Man;Entre Nous; Mission; Freewill; The Main Monkey Business; The Larger Bowl; Secret Touch; Circumstances; Between The Wheels; Dreamline; Far Cry;Workin' Them Angels;Armor And Sword; Spindrift; The Way The Wind Blows; Subdivisions;Natural Science; Witch Hunt;MalNar;Drum Solo; Hope; Summertime Blues; The Spirit Of Radio; Tom Sawyer; One Little Victory; A Passage To Bangkok; YYZ
What a fast moving weekend! Brandon flew into town for the RUSH concert on Saturday night and me and Michael went and picked him up and we all had dinner at Olive Garden. On Saturday we spent the afternoon at the mall before heading to Tampa for the show.
We arrived and bought some swag and headed for the seats. Really good seats. 7nth row seats on Alex's side of the stage. It was HOT and crowded that close so that was a drawback - but we were close. Decent trade off I suppose.
From the very start of the show (a rather punctual 7:45, with the sun still shining), the band assumed those classic positions: bassist-keyboardist-vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson and the most worshipped drummer of all time, Neil Peart. Each musician is distinctive, bombastic, an aggressive master of his art. This was only the band's third show on a tour backing new album "Snakes & Arrows," but their playing is already flawless. Opening with "Limelight," the band sounded superior throughout. Lifeson's guitar has plenty of flash but a goodly portion of soul as well. His riffs are tough, macho, and strong. On the raucous new instrumental jam "The Main Monkey Business," he pounded out wicked licks as footage of lumbering men in gorilla suits flashed behind him. Weird? Yes. Awesome? Heck yes. Lee's voice has mellowed over the years to become a versatile and expressive instrument. He sings some seriously heavy stuff, but he's not without humor. He thumped his bass not in front of a stack of amps but a row of rotisserie chicken ovens. (In previous tours, Lee has bopped in front of washing machines.) Peart's drumming is busy but never distractingly so. The kit is mind-boggling. During "Freewill," a video screen showed an aerial shot of Peart's domain, and his drum setup had more parts than the space shuttle. And then there was that long, sexy drum solo, which touched on tribal beats, bebop jazz and straight-ahead heavy metal. At one point, he stood up, and the entire drum kit rotated, giving him fresh skins to pound on. That said - his solo was genuinely entertaining, employing tuned and electronic percussion as well as his main kit, and ending with him swinging over a big band recording, a tip of the hat to one of his heroes, jazz drummer Buddy Rich. With 30-plus years of music to draw from, it was a brave move on the band's part to feature so many cuts from its most recent album, this year's "Snakes and Arrows." It's a strong album, arguably Rush's strongest in some time, and numbers such as "Far Cry" and "Workin' Them Angels" should be well on their way to becoming fan favorites. But once the second half of the show opened with no fewer than five new tunes, there was a palpable sense of relief - more like an explosion of joy - when Rush launched into '80s favorite "Subdivisions."But patience was rewarded. A smashing "Summertime Blues," a la Blue Cheer, was followed by "Spirit of Radio" and "Tom Sawyer," the latter song introduced by a clip of the "South Park" kids mangling the lyrics.
Three-plus hours is a lotta of Rush for a casual fan, especially since the boys loaded their 27-song setlist with deep album cuts and 9 new songs.
Rush is a thing of beauty, or headaches. Me? I dig three dudes who make the noise of 30.

Wilbury's #1

As Rihanna starts her fifth week at the top of the singles chart with "Umbrella" featuring Jay-Z (Def Jam), there's a surprise name at No. 1 on the album bestsellers list. The Traveling Wilburys' "Collection" (Rhino/Warner Bros.), a compilation of the erstwhile supergroup's two original studio albums and other material, enters at No. 1.

WOW!
I would never had thought that in a million years!

In other news Ringo Starr has signed with EMI!! The deal which covers digital releases of his older catalogue - it also brings him back to the EMI stable for future recordings. His next solo album, "Liverpool 8," is due in January; a CD/DVD best-of, "Photograph," arrives Aug. 28 and features music recorded between 1970 and 2005.

good times indeed! All we're missing this year is a John release :-)

Five Star Iris

Five Star Iris - the little ole band out of Atlanta that we know and tell everybody about all of the time - has just been added to Clear Channels online music and radio page! They are under the Discover new artists section. Go HERE to play the tune and help get this great band on Clear Channel radio stations!
There CD is also available at Best Buy and online at itunes as well.
Give it a listen.
Time very well spent!

Etc..

Man it has rained a lot the last few days! We needed it though!

Went over to Shannon’s last night for dinner. The rain had flooded her garage! Deb made chicken and we all ate and I played with Hailey most of the evening.

Earlier in the day Deb went to a Walmart grand opening where she got a lot of freebies. That’s always nice.

Raymond called and he was just approved for a house, so he will be moving in there the first week of July.

So I guess that means EVERYONE will have moved in the last few months – Me and all my kids and Michael and all his!

Go figure!

I did get good news today. My light bill for the month is $185!! My last one at the old townhouse was almost $400!! Man that’s nice.

The RUSH tour started last night in Atlanta. Brandon flies in tomorrow and we hit the show Saturday night! Should be AWESOME!

I’m working on a Photobucket album of our trip to Chicago to visit Kim and Shawn, so I’ll post a link to that as soon as it is ready.

Good times….

iConcertCal

iConcertCal is a free iTunes plug-in that monitors your music library and generates a personalized calendar of upcoming concerts in your city. It is available for both Windows and Mac OS X and supports worldwide searches.

looks pretty kewl! get it here!

Ozzfest

What a crock!
Ozzfest was announced a few months ago for this year - and tickets are to be FREE. You went to a web site and received a code to use at a later date.
Well - then it was announced that with the purchase of Ozzy's new album - not the standard edition - but a limited edition more expensive version - you got a code as well for the 'free' tickets - but you could use it a few days before the real 'free' ones.
Then it's announced that there are the $300 VIP packages you can buy - and the $966 meet Ozzy VIP tickets. ($300 plus $666)!
So the question becomes - how many tickets are actually available for FREE anyway??? I did a search on Monday [one day before time to redeem you code for a free ticket] on ebay and stubhub - and lo and behold - TONS of 'free' tickets for sale. Huuummmm....
SO - yesterday at the designated time I logged in. Selected the show I wanted to get tickets for - selected the maximum allowed - 2 tix - and waited, and waited, and waited. Got up - went to watch TV for a bit - checked again - waiting. After 3 1/2 hours of waiting in que - i clicked close. What a crock.
6 hours after 'distribution' I checked for shits and giggles and it logged me in. I got 2 LAWN tix - for free.
From what I read - not long after that - the servers crashed! Scanning the Ozzfest message board this morning I read stories almost word for word like my experience - so it was nationwide. Of course those with tickets are happy and oh thank you Ozzy ans Sharon for this!! but those without - which seemed like the majority - were pissed!
Now - to be honest - we are not going. Never were. I got them for Raymond [our son] who IS going. But I think the whole ticket delivery system and 'free' and the whole experience was a crock.
Today even more are on ebay and stubhub and every other ticket broker place thinkable. Worse yet - most of the people selling them for the West Palm Beach, Florida show are in like California, Michigan , etc... who would have NEVER gotten these tix in the first place if it wasn't 'free'. Way to go Ozzy - now everyone BUT your fans will be at the show - because they can't afford to pay the $100's be asked for your 'free' tickets.
Nice idea - badly done!

New Things

Well new release Tuesday is once again upon us - and the main item of interest today is of course the new collection re-issuing the Traveling Wilbury's CD's. That one is a must have.
I also read that EMI re-released John Lennon's 'Legend' collections today. This is the CD and the DVD packaged together in the same housing. Nothing different than the original releases - just a limited edition reprint.
In this day and age of downloading and torrents, It's very seldom now that I actually go out and buy the physical CD of anything. I have my 'collections' that I keep up with. Kiss, Beatles. But for the most part I've abandoned buying actual CD's.
Is this a good thing? Well the space i'm saving is a major plus! And actually I listen to more music now than at any time EVER in my life thanks to mp3's and the iPod. (thanks Brandon) So I think it is a good thing actually.
Granted, there is nothing like holding a new album in your hand with the large pictures and lyrics you can actually SEE and read! but I find i'm less and less thinking about the packaging and just focusing more and more on just the music.

Joke time

A Minneapolis couple decided to go to Florida to thaw out during a particularly icy winter. They planned to stay at the same hotel where they spent their honeymoon 20 years earlier. Because of hectic schedules, it was difficult to coordinate their travel plans. So, the husband left Minnesota and flew to Florida on Thursday, with his
wife flying down the following day. The husband checked into the hotel. There was a computer in his room, so he decided to send an email to his wife. However, he accidentally left out one letter in her email address, and without realizing his error, sent the email. Meanwhile, somewhere in Houston, a widow had just returned home from her husband's funeral. He was a minister who was called home to glory following a heart attack. The widow decided to check her email expecting messages from relatives and friends. After reading the first message, she screamed and fainted. The widow's son rushed into the room, found his mother on the floor, and saw the computer screen which read:
To: My loving wife
Subject: I've arrived
Date: April 6, 2006
I know you're surprised to hear from me. They have computers here now and you are allowed to send emails to your loved ones. I've just arrived and have been checked in. I see that everything has been prepared for your arrival tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing you then. Hope your journey is as uneventful as mine was. P.S. sure is freaking hot down here!!!!!

Good Times

Had a good FULL weekend. Friday night met up with Michael, Brenda, Michelle, Craig and Melissa for dinner at the Orlando Ale house. Good food. Just love their buffalo Chicken sandwich. Brenda is off to New Mexico on Tuesday to visit with her family. Time for Michael to PARTY!!! (Just kiddin’)

On Saturday we helped to move Shannon into her new house. Nice big 3 bedroom house on the outskirts of Apopka. After a snag at the Uhaul place (surprise) all seemed to go really smoothly and we had her moved in by 1 in the afternoon. Hailey and I spent quite a bit of time on the floor playing together before we left. Good times!

On Sunday we met Raymond, Amanda and William at the West Oaks Mall and we all went to see Shrek The Third. William was good for about an hour then got bored and then Deb was up following him around the theatre. Not sure enjoyed themselves more – Deb or William!

So we were able to see all the family this weekend – and all was enjoyable.

Good times…

KISSOLOGY Volume 2

This poster was spotted in a Chicago airport yetserday.
Looks like details about KISSOLOGY VOlume 2 are about to drop.
Can't wait!

KENNY CHESNEY - FORD AMPHITHEATRE - TAMPA, FLORIDA JUNE 2, 2007

Set List: Beer In Mexico; Keg In The Closet; Summertime; Live Those Songs; Big Star; No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problem; The Woman With You; Living In Fast Forward; Young; The Good Stuff; I Go Back; Anything But Mine; Don't Happen Twice; My Old Blue Chair; Introduction Of The Band; Back Where I Come From; You Saved Me; When The Sun Goes Down; Lay You Down; How Forever Feels; She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy; There Goes My Life

Saturday night Kenny Chesney - who recently was voted Entertainer of the Year for the third time - brought his 'Flip Flop Tour' to Tampa.
Opening acts Pat Green and Sugarland warmed up the crowd as a prevailing winds left over from tropical storm Barry whipped through the amphitheatre. Pat Green seemed a little out of his element for his 30 minute set, which could have been shorterl but Sugarland - whose star is on the rise, put on a good hour show which had the place jumping.
I have attended quite a few shows here now - and this was by far the fullest I have ever seen it. Every seat was full and the lawn area was PACKED! Even the periodic rain did not dampen their spirits and you didn't see many people making for the exits early.
This was one high energy show. If you like Kenny's music is a personal opinion - but make no mistake - this was NOT a typical aw-shucks country concert. Quite the contrary.
This show rocked harder than most rock concerts. Even though he's carved out a name for ballad type songs - his set was high octane 95% up tempo songs from start to finish, with more lighting effects, stage screens and power riffs than a KISS concert. All that was missing was the fire effects and dripping blood.
The 10-1 female ratio could have cared less. Kenny set them all on fire and there were was a lot of boobs a poppin', scantily clad dressed women and female dancers grinding their partners! We were even treated to a show of two girls grabbing each others ass for pictures.
And oh by the way Kenny Chesney sang some songs.
The sound left a bit to be desired as the mix - while cranked up in volume - wasn't the greatest, and Kenny's microphone cut out for most of "She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy" but the crowd filled in for him as they knew all the lyrics.
Tampa Bay Bucanneers coach John Gruden was brought out on stage at one point, and Kenny sang to Kelly Preston during "You Saved Me" so while the clouds were rolling over - the stars were still shining in the venue. Kenny's shining the brightest of all.
4 out of 5 stars

Barry and Kenny

Tropical storm Barry moved through Florida last night into today dumping some well needed rain on us. No complaints at all on the rain.
Our only fear about the storm is tonight we head to Tampa to see Kenny Chesney so we were worried about a rain out - but all looks pretty clear and everything says RAIN OR SHINE so we'll head out in a few hours to go see the show. We have covered seats at the amphitheatre so we just don't want to get soaked getting to our seats!
We spent the morning grocery shopping and are now gonna get ready for the show.
I'll post a full review of the show tomorrow.

States

We were talking while in Chicago about how me and Debbie have added a few states to where we have been. Shawn has been to 34! Kim right behind him with 33! I have absolutely no idea I have been in - so time for a list.
Let's see - first the three states I have lived in:
1. New Mexico
2. Texas
3. Florida
States I have spent some actual time in visiting:
4. Georgia
5. California
6. Illinois
7. Maryland (including Washington, D.C.)
8. North Carolina
9. Colorado
10. Ohio
States I have driven through:
11. Louisiana
12. Alabama
13. Mississippi
14. South Carolina
States I have stopped in during flights:
15. Tennessee
16. Minnesota
17. Utah
State that I visited as a child with no recollection of:
18. Oklahoma - confirmed by my brother as I was a baby!

That's all that come to mind. So 18. No where near Shawn's 34! But actually more than I thought.

Chicago Diary - Pt 7

Last night we went to an old pizza place called 'Bill's'. Damn fine Chicago style pizza. We couldn't even eat the entire thing. Debbie not wanting the pizza ordered some cod fish which she said was really awesome!
After dinner we made our way back home to Shawn ans Kim's where we looked at photo albums and talked for a while before packing and heading to bed.
Woke up this morning and made good timne to the airport. O'hare is just one busy ass airport! Just incredible.
We has skipped breakfast so we grabbed a sandwich and ate before we got onto the plane.
The flights weren't too bad. A little bit of turbulence on the fight from Chicago to Memphis. The plane leaving Chicago was running behind so we were late getting into Memphis. We hurridly made our way to the gate and our next plane was boarding! Just made it.
Once we got back to Orlando our suitcase was not on our plane! Turns out it wasn't lost - just on the next plane in from Memphis so we had to wait a bit for it. Thank god!
Well as they say - no rest for the wicked - it's right back to work tomorrow.
Seeing Shawn and kim was great. Chicago is a great place. Can't wait to go back!

Chicago Diary - Pt 6

Wednesday 5/30
5:20 p.m.

Yesterday we did Chicago!!!
We got up and headed down to the train station where we took the 66 minutes train ride down to Union Station in Chicago. Great way to get into the city and see some of the landscapes along the way.
Once we got to Union Station – which itself is a awesome place – we stopped to take some pictures of the area then moved out into the city. Sprawling buildings all dwarfed by the Sears Tower. It truly felt like a big city. It was right at lunch time so there were a lot people milling about and the streets were full as we made our way down Adams Street.
We knew with the limited time so we were not going to be able to go up the Sears tower but got some good shots from up under the building looking up.
We popped into a Potbellies sub shop - which was quite busy as it was still at the tail end of lunchtime - and we each got a roast beef sub to go. The plan was to make our way to the Buckingham Fountain and eat there. It was quite a trek but we made it and stopped to rest and have our lunch. It was really nice and quiet. That fountain is the one that you see at the opening credits of Married With Children tv show. It is on the banks of Lake Michigan so it was nice and cool place to eat with the breeze coming up off of the lake.
After we ate, the Field Museum was in site and it was just a bit more of a walk to make it there. It sits right in front of Soldier Field where the Chicago Bears play there games. We made our way up to a vantage point to where I could get a picture of the stadium and then went into the museum.
The main attraction of course is Sue – the largest T rex ever found. It is a pretty amazing site. While not as large as we had pictured it would be – it’s still pretty wild to see! We spent most of out time there, but we did see some other exhibits that they had there - like an ancient Egypt one that was really awesome!
We spent several hours inside the museum then headed back towards Adams Avenue. As we were all tired and had walked a ton we tossed the idea around of catching a cab back to Union Station - but in the end we diecided to stop for dinner at a mid way point to break up the long walk back. We ended up at a Bennigans across from the Art Museum of Chicago. I got a really good Chipolte Burger and Deb got a french onion soup and a salad.
Refreshed - we headed onto Union Station where we enjoyed a nice hour ride back to the train station in Libertyville to get the car and head back to Shawn and Kims. Exhausted we all went straight to bed.
Today Kim had to go back to work so me Deb, Shawn and Nicole headed to do some shopping and hit the mall where we bought some Chicago souviners for the grandbabies.
We just hit a food court in there and Deb got some orange chicken at a China Coast and I grabbed a steak and cheese chipolte sub at Charlie's. Very good indead.
The plan tonight is to go Italian and then come back to the house where we need to pack and get ready for the ride home tomorrow.
More later...

Chicago Diary - Pt 5

Tuesday - May 29
9:28 pm

Just rolling in from a LONG day in downtown Chicago.
I am absolutely exhausted and am going right to bed. I'll download the pictures in the morning and post about all of todays activities then.
Now it's off to bed!!!
Man i'm tired!

Chicago Diary - Pt 4

Monday - 11:29 pm

Just got back to Shawn and Kims house. We went out tonight to see Pirates Of The Carribean 3. It was ok. Really LONG and hard to follow. I'll give it 2 out of 5 stars.

Just hooked the camera up to upload a few images taken today. The first one here as I mentioned earlier today - we went to the 'Village of Libertyville' for a quick Memorial day parade - most of which is pictured in the second image. We passed a Starbucks along the way and stopped in to get Deb a coffee - and I took a pic of the Paul McCartney poster hanging in the window! I can imagine the looks I got. [Probably more of the same that I got yesterday taking a picture of a brick!]

After we got back - and I posted the blog seen below from earlier today - everybody then took a NAP. A nice long nap. Felt damn good too. We should take a nap everyday I say!
We then sat down to a home cooked meal of Pork Chops and mashed potatoes. Shawn and Kim did all the cooking and refused any help from Debbie though she kept offering. We also had green beans and scalloped potatoes. Debbie also had some fruit salad. Just an awesome meal. The pork chops were made on the grill. First time I have ever had them cooked that way.
Then it was off to the movies.
Tomorrow the plan is to take the train to Union Station in Chicago and see some of downtown. By doing so we kinda limit ourselves on what we can do there as we will have no transportation inside the city, but should be fun anyway!!
More details and pics tomorrow!
Now it's time to lay down and get some shut eye!

Chicago Diary - Pt 3

Monday - Memorial Day
1:29 pm

Got up early this morning and drove down to the 'Village' of Libertyville [suprise! another village] where we watched a short Memorial Day parade - then walked over to the park where they had a ceremony and gave out a purple heart.
We then popped into a Taco Bell for a quick bite then headed back to the house. Deb is taking a nap and we're planning on a bite to eat here at Shawn and Kim's before we head out to a movie tonight.
Tomorrow the plan is to catch a train down to Union Station into downtown Chicago and do the town!
More later....

Chicago Diary - Pt 2

Sunday 5/27
8:19 p.m.

Piddled around the house this morning for a little bit then had a great pancake breakfast. Me and Shawn popped over to Starbucks to get Debbie a coffee and saw the McCartney poster for the new CD right on the front door. Very cool!
Then we all got ready and headed out to the Village of Long Grove – a suburb 35 minutes from Chicago. [Everything here is known as a ‘village’].
It was founded in the 1800’s by German settlers who established it as a trading post, which it still is to this day. Most of the buildings date back to this time as well so it definitely had that old town village feel to it. It is full of shops that we walked through all afternoon. As we walked I noticed that the bricks that formed the road had my name on them! I joked with Shawn that I needed to steal one to take back to Orlando with me for my ‘accidental’ brick collection that I have going!! [For anyone unaware – I have 2 bricks from the Cavern Club in Liverpool made famous by the Beatles].
We stopped into The Village Tavern [another ‘village’] for lunch where I had a fantastic hamburger and Debbie had the fish platter. She enjoyed that as well. After some more shopping it was getting late and we were all getting pretty tired so we headed home. We stopped into a Dairy Queen for a ice cream and sat outside to eat it - enjoying the fantastic weather today here in the area.
We returned back to Shawn and Kim’s house and Shawn had to go to work for a few hours and Debbie and Kim looked at pictures of the grandbabies. A very full day and I’m exhausted from all the walking!!! The knee held out great. Probably the most continuous walking that I have done at one time since the surgery in January – so that’s awesome.
Tomorrow is Memorial Day and there is a big parade we plan on going to. Again not sure what else is on the agenda – just playing it by ear.
Tuesday we’ll hit the Field museum and the Sears tower in downtown Chicago and see some of the sights the city has to offer.
Now it’s time for bed!!

Chicago Diary - Pt 1

Saturday 5/26
Minneapolis – 2:20 p.m.

Well I’m sitting here in the Minneapolis airport. Leg one of the flight to Chicago is over. Terrible flight. Tons of turbulence, cramped small seat. Just really unbearable all the way around. It was a full flight so didn’t have any seat options to upgrade to.
We did however just move to the exit row for the next leg – so at least we will have more room this time.
Watched Shrek The Third on the flight. So so. I’d give it a 2 ½ out of 5 stars. Started Spiderman 3 and so far it’s pretty good. The Sandman effects are kick ass. I will probably watch some more on the next flight.
Well it’s almost boarding time so I need to shut the computer off.
Wireless costs $9.95 here to log on. Forget that!! It was FREE in Orlando.

Sunday 5/27
Chicago – 6:25 a.m.

Our flight out of Minneapolis got delayed so we arrived late into a rainy and windy Chicago O’Hare airport. Pretty decent flight this time around thank god! Shawn was here to pick us up, and our luggage was not lost so all is well.
Went to a place called Noodles to eat where we met up with Kim and Nicole. Really good food there. It’s a build your own pasta place. Debbie got the Whole Grain Tuscan Fettuccine with Chicken and I had Penne with the house marinara with parmesan crusted chicken breast with a rustic roll.
After a short stop at Walgreens to pick up some toiletries were arrived at Shawn and Kims house. WOW. This place is incredible. 3 bedroom 2 story house sitting on 2 ½ acres on the outskirts of Chicago in the ‘village’ of Mundeline. Just a fantastic house!
We got the grand tour and then settles down for a bit of a chat then exhausted we spilled into bed.
As we are not on any type of schedule, not sure what the plan for the day may be, but it looks like the rain has let up.

Well we're off to Chicago in the morning. Will try to update daily while there - IF I can get online to do so so check back periodically!
Mine and Brandon's RUSH tickets came in FedEx today so we're ALL SET for that show!
Ok - off to bed. Long day ahead of us tomorrow. Hoping for smooth flights all the way!

Here's a look at the new Travelling Wilbury's box set.
Looks pretty kewl!

Thinking About Chicago

Chicago is coming on fast. Only 2 days till we leave.

I keep getting asked – ‘what are doing while there?’. The answer is – not much actually. Going to see some friends of ours – renowned author Shawn Killackey and his lovely wife Kim – and their daughter Nicole. So the visit will be more a social event than a touristy trip. We have however made plans to go to the Field Museum to see Sue. It’s also a holiday weekend, so there may be some other plans to do around that - but that’s really just about it!

Maybe I need to do a quick web search to see what else we just HAVE to do while we are there.

Ace Frehley - Breakout

Found this clip on youtube! Just a JAMMING song. Ace please put out a new album and tour!!!

More iPhone news

Rejoice! If you’ve been kicking yourself non-stop over the iPhone because you either have another carrier or you use Cingular as a pre-paid service, you need not worry anymore. Proof has risen from an internal AT&T computer screen-shot, which shows available tracking for the iPhone. Three options are listed: iPhone Hybrid Tracking, iPhone Postpaid Tracking, and iPhone Prepaid Tracking - essentially meaning that a pre-paid version of the iPhone will be available. This is right up Richard's alley!

Paul McCartney - Dance Tonight Video

iPhone

The FCC has approved the iPhone, which means that nothing is holding back the miracle device's release.
We shall see.

Ozzy Osbourne - Black Rain

Ozzy Osbourne has always been a dividing influence. From Black Sabbath and during his solo career - biting off bats and urinating on the Alamo - Ozzy created trouble! His fans loved it and everyone else absolutely hated him. Those feelings have changed. Metal's wildest satanic madman became MTV’s favorite incoherent dad. Old fans scratched their heads and new fans ate it up. Hence came the problems with his music. New fans were given a watered down Ozzy on the disappointing Down To Earth. Ozzy’s longtime guitarist Zakk Wylde was even putting it down before it is was even released!! A retrospective box set and a dreadful covers cd followed. Truly lean years for Ozzy’s faithful.

At long last Ozzy has finally given the old and new fans something to hang their hat on. Black Rain is a very pleasant surprise. Ozzy is engaged and in fine voice. His vocals are strong. His delivery is remarkably clear. He claims this was the first record he has done sober. Upon hearing that I figured – oh no – this is gonna be really bad! Fortunately, a sober Ozzy is also a pissed off Ozzy. There are still the obligatory songs about being crazy, but on tracks like "Not Going Away” and "Civilize the Universe", Ozzy has transformed into resentment and angry finger pointing. Now THIS is the Ozzy I can get into to! The band stretches out on the album's ambitious centerpiece “God Bless The Almighty Dollar”. This is a mini-epic metal masterpiece. It’s based on Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth and is anchored by a rugged funky-metal groove. Complete with a spacey bridge and an intricate, King Crimsonish style middle, It doesn't feel like a seven-minute track!

I’ll admit – as I think everyone would, we will never hear another Blizzard of Ozz, or No More Tears - that was a different time with different musicians - but start to finish this is a great listen. Zakk Wylde – who co-write 8 of the 10 tunes, brings what he has been doing with Black Label Society into this record. That means big riffs and REAL guitar solos. Blasko is on bass and Faith No More's co-founder Mike Bordin on drums. Both are perfect fits for Ozzy's style of metal and are rock solid.

Producer Kevin Churko sprinkles in some electronic textures and sonic manipulations which make the record feel fresh and contemporary sounding, but does so sparingly.

Along with this being his first record made sober - Ozzy's Black Rain is also his first record in years that's worth the money. With any luck, it won't be the last.

4 out of 5 stars

Rush is ON!!

Looks like Mr Carson will be making the trek to Florida next month and we will be going to see RUSH!
Sweet!

ROGER WATERS
FORD AMPHITHEATRE - TAMPA, FLORIDA
MAY 19, 2007

Set List: In The Flesh; Mother; Set the controls for the heart of the sun; Shine on you crazy diamond; Have a cigar ; Wish you were here; Southampton dock ;The Fletcher memorial home; Perfect sense part I & II; Leaving Beirut ; Sheep; (15 minute intermission); The Dark Side Of The Moon [Speak to me/Breathe/On the run /Time /The great gig in the sky/Money/Us and them/Any colour you like/Brain damage/Eclipse]; Band intros; The happiest days of our lives; Another brick in the wall (part 2); Vera; Bring the boys back home; Comfortably numb

WOW - what can I say! Diamonds shined; the moon showed it's dark side and pigs flew last night in Tampa as Roger Waters and his band played the Ford Amphitheatre last night, the latest stop on his world tour. This was truly a different type of concert experience.
Lighting was minimal, but the giant screen behind the stage was full of incredible images all night set to the music - most of them very familiar to any Pink Floyd fan. Marching hammers; eclipses; Syd Barrett; flying pigs - all were seen.
Musically the band was very tight. It was easy to tilt your head back and just let the music wash over you with it's crisp sound and familiar musical passages. With your head back and eyes closed - it WAS Pink Floyd.
The tour is being hailed for it's complete performance of 'The Dark Side Of The Moon' - but it was the 'Wish You Were Here' segment of 'Shine On You Crazy Diamond'; 'Have A Cigar' and the title track which were the highlights. The opening guitar riffs to 'Shine' made the hairs on your arms stand up!
Roger sprinkled in a few of his solo tunes [just enough to give everyone a bathroom break] and finished off the first set with 'Sheep' from the 'Animals' lp. Mid point a giant pink pig inflated and made it's way over the audience - out into the lawn section where the wind caught it and away it went - crashing into the amphitheatre side! It's head poking through the rafters! Truly a classic Pink Floyd moment that you just don't see everyday.
After the intermission the heartbeats gave way to the 'Dark Side' lp, perfectly performed. The encore highlight was Comfortably Numb with the three guitarists channeling David Gilmour for the extended solo ending.
Until/when/IF! David and Roger set aside their differences and regroup the Floyd for what could be the biggest tour of all time - Roger Waters solo show may just be as close as you can get to experiencing what music for all the senses is really like.
5 out 0f 5 stars.

Summer 2007

I’ve been looking over my calendar for the next few months and WOW – we have packed a lot of plans into them already. That’s what made me sit down and write it all out. Wanted to make sure nothing overlapped!

On the horizon:

May 18 – Five Star Iris at the Social

May 19 – Roger Waters at the Ford Amphitheatre

May 26-31 – Me and Deb will be in Chicago

June 2 – Kenny Chesney at the Ford Amphitheatre

June 16 – Rush at the Ford Amphitheatre – this one is a maybe. Still waiting on word from Mr Carson if he is making the trek…

June 22-24 Me and Deb will be in Atlanta – will see Five Star Iris at the SOB

July 11 – The Police at the St Pete Times Forum

And we are penciling in a August trip to San Antonio to see Deb’s mom.

Shaping up to be a exciting summer!

Though this was pretty kewl!

Rush - Snakes & Arrows

It’s funny - as I don't like reading most album reviews, as I like to form my own opinins instead of having pre-set ideas before I listen for myself - yet here I am in the span of a few days doing another!!

However - I cannot stop playing this CD. Rush reviews, have become filled with all the popular clichés like "a return to form!" or "sounds like their previous album!" or "it's an anthem!" or "it's powerful and majestic!" but - this CD flat out ROCKS. I've always liked Rush for their ability to reinvent their sound - good or bad. Needless to say, this album is very different from their previous release, Vapor Trails. No disrespect intended to Vapor Trails, but this is simply a better album in terms of production, sound and songwriting, and, thematically, Snakes & Arrows seems like a more ‘important’ work.

That said - now time for my cliché - “Snakes & Arrows is, musically and lyrically, one of the best recordings of Rush's 35 year history.” Rush’s studio output over the last decade or so (which basically includes two albums, Vapor Trails and 1996’s Test For Echo) has not been without its share of memorable moments, including such tracks as “Resist”, “One Little Victory”, and “Secret Touch”, but the band’s move away from the synthesizer music of the 1980s that brought them worldwide fame in favor of the power trio set-up seemed to come at the expense of the bands driving force - the guitar work of Alex Lifeson. In the case of Vapor Trails, actual solos were nonexistent. Snakes & Arrows, on the other hand, has Lifeson taking a completely different approach, and the band sounds re-energized in the process. His guitar work is rich, melodic, and diverse, and fans will be thrilled to know that it doesn’t come at the expense of the band’s overall heaviness. He provides layer upon layer of ‘clean’ chords, acoustic guitars throughout (at the suggestion of David Gilmour!!), and tastefully-mixed distortion.

I’ve been listening also to some interviews with the band about the new CD and drummer Neil Peart describes this album as his "lover's quarrel with the world. " It's not necessarily a protest album, or autobiographical, but his lyrics seem very personal this time out with a heavy religious tone to them. In “Far Cry” reflects his own personal spiritual journey: “One day I feel I’m ahead of the wheel / And the next it’s rolling over me / I can get back on.” Good stuff! His drumming – as always – is just top notch! He’s clearly enjoying tossing different elements into the mix, from his elaborate tom fills, African-inspired rhythms, jazz-influenced breaks, and even a cool ‘flange’ effect on hi-hat.

Geddy Lee’s lead vocals hold up exceptionally well. Age has taken down his vocal range a touch, but he sounds well aware of his vocal range, and he sounds comfortable throughout the entire record.

Acoustic guitar dominates “Workin’ Them Angels”, but it’s Peart’s lonesome traveler lyrics that lead the way, sung by Lee in a superb vocal turn. “The Larger Bowl” sounds downright relaxed, a masterful display of a lyrical structure. Lee’s bass dominates “Spindrift”, Lifeson almost channels Stevie Ray Vaughan on the politically charged “The Way the Wind Blows”, and then gets all jazzy during his solos on “Bravest Face”.

Of the three instrumentals, two are especially noteworthy (not to discount Lifeson’s acoustic interlude “Hope"), showcasing the trio’s chemistry. “Malignant Narcissism” cranks up the funk, anchored by Lee’s bassline, while “The Main Monkey Business” is old school Rush. I’ve been checking out the Rush fan websites and it is this track that everyone seems to love the most.

To me - It’s enough of a surprise that Rush has managed to remain together for 33 years, but the fact that they’ve done so while retaining their musical integrity is an even bigger achievement. This CD may be their best yet. Oops – theres a cliché!!

5 out of 5 stars

Anniversary

Today marks the TWENTY TWO year anniversary of the day me and Debbie hooked up!
I love her more today than ever!
Here's to another twenty two!
Love ya Deb!

Paul McCartney - Memory Almost Full

Here is my review of the new Paul McCartney album ‘Memory Almost Full’.

Dance Tonight
Very simple, very clean, very fun. Interesting choice for a album opener. Leaves the listener feeling good – but wondering what kind of Macca album are we getting this time out. Paul has said he learned YET another instrument for this one – the mandolin. The lyrics make me feel like Paul is announcing to the world that's he's getting on with his life with this song. I can’t help but think of George Harrison when I hear this track.

Ever Present Past
Already this album is more up tempo then the last albums. Paul talks about his younger days, ‘when I was a kid’.? This is the first of many introspective lyrics on this CD. Very autobiographical.

See Your Sunshine
A great 70's feel to this one. Very simple lyrics to this song but it fits. The backing vocals are what gives it a very 70's theme. Listen to the bass licks in this song. Macca's can still slam on that thing!

Only Mama Knows
Well here's where David Kahne comes into play. It begins with a little strings intro kind of like ‘English Tea’ only it's all done on a keyboard. But it doesn't last for too long before the guitars EXPLODE into a such a rocking Macca track that we haven't seen in a long time! This sounds like a old 70’s Wings arena rocker!

You Tell Me
Starts off with some backwards organ. Paul stretches his vocals for this one. This is a nice little uneasy sad sounding ballad.

Mr. Bellamy
Wow. Mr. Bellamy to me is nothing like Paul has ever done. This song is by far one of the greatest songs on the album. It includes a nice little piano ending too. A great track from start to finish. Paul's piano is brilliant.

Gratitude
A gospel like number. Paul sings a bluesy tune about showing his Gratitude. The songs highlight is when Paul screams PRAY!!! Great stuff

Vintage Clothes
It sounds like a vintage song to match the vintage clothes. Very late 60's - early 70's feel. A very jazzy drumbeat during parts of it. This is a very "Feel Good" song with great harmony's.This is also the first track the the medley which is pretty much just bridged by a little guitar riff.

That Was Me
Wow, I loved this song right away. Great sounding tune. A bluesy rocker. Paul sings about his life and when he was a kid and even when he was in the Beatles. No doubt in my mind right now this is one of the best songs on the album. Paul starts screaming at the end and it's just brilliant!

Feet in the Clouds
A ok enough easy going track. Paul says VERY 6 times in the chorus. Perhaps my least favorite on the album. Kinda just plods along. David Kahne kicks in with his keyboards again towards the end.

House of Wax
One word to discribe this song... POWER. Paul's vocals have echo and flange added on them. Paul turns a simple little poem into a musical epic! The guitar work is great. The last minute and a half of this song will knock your socks off! Just stunning Paul!

The End of the End
Paul talks about the day that he dies. It's not an easy song to listen to. Paul sings about how he had a good life, and heaven must be really good cause it had a great time on earth. Nice song structure setting the intense mood.

Nod Your Head
Paul seems to be sticking these odd little rockers at the end of his albums. Driving Rain had Rinse the Raindrops, Chaos had I've Only Got Two Hands and now Nod Your Head. A rocking track that sounds a bit like his "That's all for Now" song he did on Chaos and Creation at Abbey Road. Throw away lyrics on this one. I guess he didn't want to end the album with such a solemn tone of ‘The End of the End’

Paul’s classical work has definitely altered his song writing. The song structures that frame these songs have classical themes throughout which makes this a very enjoyable album. Various music styles and Paul’s reflective mood make it a nice music roller coaster ride.
Where will this fall in his musical cannon? To soon to tell and I’ll need more listens, but this is pretty good stuff!!
4 out of 5 stars.

I Can't Help Myself

Observed an interesting juxtaposition this morning while driving into work.

Me and Deb were listening to the new Van Zant CD (which you must check out – just good stuff) and in the song “I Can’t Help Myself” there are the lines:

“Jesus help me - Obviously, I can't help myself
I've got nobody else - Send me an Angel
Someone to strangle - That ol' demon that's haunting me there on the shelf
I can't help myself”

As these lines were playing - at the same time we observed a homeless man with his shopping cart loaded full with cardboard and blankets – probably all his possessions – slowly making his way across the street as we went by.

If this was a movie - that could well have been the soundtrack playing along with the scene. I turned to mention it to Deb and she was already observing him and as I said that – she said she was thinking the same thing.

That vaporous image has stuck with me all morning.

Why I Am Concerned About The New Paul McCartney CD

I've been sitting here thinking about the new Macca CD Memory Almost Full. Now I'm no marketing guy - just a Beatles geek who trolls the web everyday reading endlessly about the Beatles - but Ok - it's May10 - Paul's new CD will be out in what - 26 days - here in the states. Much was made out of the BIG MOVE from Capitol/EMI to Starbucks Hear Now label - so I also must say that I am a bit disappointed about what seems to be the LACK of publicity for the new CD. There's nothing out there in the mainstream for us informing us of the CD coming out - unless that IS the strategy!!
I have heard 2 songs in their entirety - and 30 second snippets of all the remaining tracks and my initial gut impression is that this IS a strong work from Paul, so why do I have that dread in the pit of my stomach about what's happening - or NOT happening that could possibly sink another great album by Paul - 2 in a row now - from falling through the cracks.
Paul was on a British radio program today and it was mentioned the first single would be released 2 weeks AFTER the album!! WHAT THE ..... ????
As I said - It's less than a month from the release date now - so where is this much talked about video with Natalie Portman to push anticipation of the CD release? Where is the one song primer on iTunes? Lately all the major artists have been putting up at least one song and in some cases a video on iTunes well in advance of the full CD release - with the added incentive to 'complete the CD' or pre-order option! But not Paul. Why not?
There is also all of that debate and confusion with the different CD formats - three - or was it four configurations being reported! C'MON!
I mean lets face it - we'll go to Best Buy and buy it for $11.99 when it comes out instead of Starbucks for $15.99 - or MORE. As for the Starbucks part of it - I think they are just hoping the CD has legs and will slip it into their shops and hope it sells slow and consistent numbers over the months rather than just the initial 'fans only' who bought 'Chaos' - that seems more there style. Keep it on the counter for MONTHS and MONTHS selling it in drips and drabs rather then the few weeks Best buy will give it on the end cap.
Just some thinking I was doing this morning rather than working....