BrothersMcC

20 Great Songs From 2011

2012-01-03T12:28:00.001-08:00

1. In My Arms – Glen Campbell
2. More Like Them – Lydia Loveless
3. Lucky Number - Foster & Lloyd
4. Dismissed With a Kiss - Spanking Charlene
5. Bad Example - Pistol Annies
6. Codeine – Jason Isbell
7. Little Emperor – Steve Earle
8. The Best Part Of The Day - Elton John & Leon Russell
9. A Little Bit Of Everything – Dawes
10. That Much Has Changed – Joe Ely
11. Too Old To Die Young – Will Hoge
12. Melanin – Dave Hause
13. Peg O' My Heart - Dropkick Murphys
14. Coming Home To You – Nikki Lane
15. Weatherbeaten Soul - Reckless Kelly
16. Daydreaming - Middle Brother
17. Train To Birmingham – John Hiatt
18. Everybody Needs Love - Drive-By Truckers
19. Like You – Hayes Carll
20. 90 Miles An Hour Down A Dead End Street- Tommy Womack

Ben Nichols

2011-12-29T16:30:00.001-08:00

Last night, I saw Lucero in concert … again. Each and every time that I have seen this band they have floored me. It was a few years back when the eldest Brother McC called me to say that Lucero were playing in Brooklyn. At the time, I had never heard of them – but I was told that I need to be there. The Mrs & I were residing in Brooklyn at that time – so off we went.

One word: Amazing.

So after the show, I walked over to the merch table and said: One of everything, please.

As a band, Lucero is one of the great live acts out there. There’s no flash, no light show, no schtick … just a great set of musicians who give passionate performances of the songs that they obviously love to play. And those songs are amazing.

Throughout most of the 70’s – every serious songwriter got saddled with one version or another of the tag – “The New Dylan” – and throughout the 80’s & 90’s – many great songwriters came & went. Some reach amazing heights – and some never got passed the local club circuit.

But an amazing thread ran through the best of these. Common Speak. Lyrics that were universal – or at least, universal to the working class. In Ireland, Shane McGowan cornered the market of songs that painted pictures of the life & times of the working class. In England, Joe Strummer struggled with his quest to speak out for the common man. In the US, the reigning champ was Springsteen. But then there was a lull in the action. Sure, there were pretty great bands & songwriters here & there. But there was nothing that rocked my world like the first time I saw The Pogues … The Clash … or The E Street Band. Till that night I saw Lucero in Brooklyn.

Last night, something caught me off guard. The show was an all-ages show. So the riotous, drunken behavior on the dance floor was absent. And, as noted by lead singer – Ben Nichols – the crowd was paying rapt attention to the ballads. Sure, they were raising hell on the rockers – but singing along with every word on the slow songs. So Nichols ran with it – playing more of his introspective songs than we usually get at a Lucero show.

And it was the more I appreciated the lyrics – the ballads – songs from the new, soon-to-be released CD, and some old favorites – that I came to really appreciate the level of talent this guy has cleared with his craft.

The people in Ben Nichols’ songs are the same people in the audience of a Lucero show. Sure, in “The War” – Nichols is singing about his grandfather. But as he poured his heart out in last night’s version of that song, all I could think of is how many kids in the audience had already done their time serving this country – and how many more will.

Ben Nichols isn’t “The Next Dylan” – he’s Ben Nichols. And, for my money, he’s currently in the cream of the crop of American spokesmen today. His songs tell the story of the 99%. His songs tell the stories of the forgotten, the overlooked and the lost. And, yes, there are folks in these tales that have just made bad choices in their lives. But in the end, these are songs about folks who no longer recognize what the American Dream once was. For them, a good day is having enough money in your pocket to have a whiskey at the end of the day.

“Smoke” – by Ben Nichols

The bike was on the street
Outside a midtown bar
He went looking for a drink
Wasn’t looking very hard
She was sitting on his seat
When he came out the door
She said, “Run away with me”
He’d heard that line before
He said, “Better men than me
Have all be left behind”
She said, “We’re doing pretty good
If we can just get out alive”

She wrapped her arms around his waist
Nowhere to run to anyways
The bolted out into the streets
Unknown and beautiful

Life Starts At 50

2011-08-09T05:48:00.001-07:00

Maybe it’s because I’ve always liked to live my life a little outside of the mainstream. Maybe it was just my way of rebelling against my Dad. Or maybe it’s because I’ve just always felt comfortable in my own skin. But, since I was a teenager, I have always been fond of earrings, long hair and tattoos.

Well, now I’m 50 years old. And, the older I get, the more I am expected to “act my age.” But, the older I get, the longer I want my hair to be – the louder I want to listen to music (Yep … I’ll blast Lucero these days just as loudly as I blasted The Faces when I was a kid) – and … and here’s the big surprise … the more I want to do to help out my community.

Yep … long-haired weird-os, with tattoos and earrings can actually do good things.

In my “day job” – I often find myself working with folks who – shall we say – lean to the right. And a lot of these folks are really great to work with. But, let’s be honest here, these are folks who would like working with me a lot better if I would only “just cut my hair.” How do I know this to be true? Because they have told me … time and time again.

It happens all the time with my volunteering with the local chapter of Optimists International. OK … so I am basically about 20 to 30 years younger than the other members of my club. And, to their defense, they did grow up in a time where only women had long hair, only hookers & pirates had pierced ears, and only sailors or prison inmates had tattoos. But times change.

It’s fun to hang with the “old folks” as we help out the young kids with our Optimists International programs. And it’s even more fun to sit around at our weekly lunches – telling tales and listening to the perspective of folks on the far side of retirement. But it never ceases to amaze me that, more often than not, I hear comments about the way I dress and the length of my hair. And how much better I would look if I would only get a haircut. Really??? It’s 2011 and long hair on a man is still frowned upon??

And, just a few weeks ago, I got to work with a gentleman from my company who I respect. A man who has had a career of putting his life on the line for the safety of others. And we do work together amazingly and get along great as friends. But the humor for me was, on an almost daily basis, he lamented the length of my hair. He told my co-workers to buy me a pair of scissors for my next birthday. He told my wife & son that I was an amazing worker and a great guy – but couldn’t they get me to cut my hair?!?!

And funnily enough, it is when my boss … and/or the folks at OI … when they keep telling me how much better it would be if I cut my hair – that just makes me want to grow it even longer.

You see … folks with long hair, earrings and tattoos do great and positive things in this world every day. I got my first tattoo back when my Mom passed away. I was a teen-ager who was looking for a way to keep my Mom’s spirit alive … so I got a tattoo with her name on a flower on my shoulder. I’ve gotten a few others along the way. The most recent being when my son was born.

My hair and earrings … they change from time to time. And, truth be told, I’ve had short hair more often than not in the last ten years. But the older I get – it seems the more folks expect me to conform – to look like I’m running for a political office. And, I guess it’s just the contrarian in me, but I’m gonna let my freak flag fly for a while. I’ve put my earrings back in – and my grey hair is growing a bit longer.

And the best part is, even with my long hair, my tattoos and earrings, I’m still able to do my job well – and I still volunteer to help out the neighborhood kids.

Old Man Hockey - Another Great Season

2011-05-21T18:58:00.000-07:00

Some days are just great days. And most times –these great days can come through no fault of my own. Outside of my family and friends – there are two things that I truly find joy in: and that’s music and sports. And so often, my “great days” involve either music or sports.

OK … so I’m a bit of a cliché. A working class kid from the outskirts of Philly finds escape it music and sports. It’s a softball I just pitched up there – so feel free to add a punch-line.

But here’s the thing. One common thread that runs deep in these two subjects – but can so often be overlooked – is that; when push comes to shove – barriers are almost meaningless with these two topics. I know there has been race, religion and a whole host of other problems with sports and music over the years. And, I’m guessing if John Feinstein or Dave Marsh were to write an in-depth book on either – there would be chapters dedicated to this.

But I’m 50. And I’ve come to a pretty good understanding about sports and music: if you’re good – run with it – and if you’re running with me - welcome to the team! Because, at my age, the guys who are still doing it (“it” being sports or music) have already left their hearts and souls on stages, fields, courts and rinks around the world. At my age, after a hockey game, a hoop game or a late night gig – a large part of the conversations will circulate around medical issues! Who’s hurt, who has had surgery and who has to go see what doctor about which problem.

And the funny thing is – it makes any group of guys sharing all this with each other as thick as thieves. The guys I run and play with nowadays are some of the greatest guys that I’ve ever known. And some of them - I hardly know at all!!! There are a few guys that I lace ‘em up with every week – and I have no idea what they do off the ice. There are musicians that I’ve played with over the years – and maybe we have gone our separate ways – but when we do see it other – it’s like no time had passed at all.

And that brings me to the way my friends reacted when the news broke that I had cancer. Holy shit! It was like someone raised the flag that cried; ‘Time to rally the troops, boys!!’ I could tell you stories that would bring tears to your eyes, smiles to your faces … or just have you scratching your head … but no story I tell could ever do any of those moments justice.

But this passed week … our Old Man Hockey season came to an end. Our local ice rink will close for a few weeks for maintenance and repairs. And we did what we always do; we had “The Old Man Hockey Banquet.”

Now, calling this gathering a “banquet” is about on par with, if I sat in a tree you could call me a “bird.” We basically met at a bar for wings & beers … and scotch. And actually, a pretty good amount of all of the above. And, to give you an idea of the mindset of our crew; each year we hand out “The Old Fart” award – to the player who best lived up to said title throughout the year.

As we sat there telling stories about great shots, great saves – and moments of silliness – it seemed that I was the odds on favorite for this years coveted award. And when Joel, the leagues resident Top Dog called the party to attention, there sure seemed to be a lot of cameras facing my direction.

And, yes, your humble writer did receive the award. And after the cheers and laughter died down, there were many hugs and comments that, with all due respect to you kind readers, I’ll keep mostly to myself.

But there was one great moment. As we looked at the trophy – and ordered another round – a comment was made that; “The trophy was going to me one way or the other this year. It was going to be to hold my ashes – but since I survived the surgery …”

And so we sat there. A group of guys basking in the joy that one of their own was still around to celebrate another season. And all I could think of was, if we all knew then what we know now; how great would it have been to have had a great writer like John Feinstein or Dave Marsh cover the ride?

Happy Birthday, Patty

2011-03-16T10:32:00.000-07:00

Mol an páiste agus molann tú an mháthair.

This Is The Reason …

2010-12-18T21:00:00.000-08:00

Ok … for years I have found myself in arguments over the merits of Bruce Springsteen. And, to give the reader full disclosure; since the first time I saw Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band play live (a four night stand at The Tower Theater in Upper Darby, PA – in 1975), there has been no other act to even come close to delivering on the promise of rock and roll than these guys do. There has been no other act that has delivered (in recordings) more life affirming music to this kid.

Back in the day, when he was performing the cover of The Animals; “It’s My Life” – complete with the story that carried with it the complete lack of understanding between a father and his son – I was hanging on every word. I was there with him – agreeing with every syllable … trying to understand how my father could treat his son with the same indifference that Springsteen spoke about in the prologue. The heartfelt terror of trying to understand a father and son relationship between two people who were at odds with each other. At that point – the bond was made – and I’ve stayed with this artist through the entire ride.

Well, this past few months have sucked. I found out I had cancer. Luckily, I’ve been blessed to have an amazing surgeon cut me open and (hopefully) removed all the cancer that had scared the shit out of me just a few weeks ago. Add to that, my Dad died. Sure, he was 85 – and it wasn’t unexpected – but still … death freaks me out. Then my cousin died – and that was unexpected – and freaked me out. Then there were two more deaths of friends – all in the same week. I mean … what the fuck!?!?!

So, tonight, one of my friends, a cousin who just lost his sister, and he’s also going through a break-up of his marriage, had a Christmas party.

It was an insane evening. There were all types of folks dealing with all types of loss & tragedy … all these folks dealing with death, divorce, disease, unemployment … you name it – it was represented tonight.

Well, the drinks were flowing, the stories were being told … and somewhere in the middle of it all, our host decided show off his new home entertainment center by slipping in the DVD of Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band – Live At Hyde Park. And the party was grooving. Don’t get me wrong – it wasn’t like everything stopped and we all sat and watch the show – but there was a vibe that was palpable.

Then “Out In The Streets” hit. And, at this point, the party did stop. Folks who had been scattered throughout the house all seemed to end up in the living room. Someone – I’m not ever sure who – pushed the volume control to a level that would have made it easy for the neighbors to enjoy the track. And then … the chorus came along.

Once the chorus hit – all bets were off. Folks surprised me. There were kids in their 20’s and others pushing 60 – all jammed into the living room – singing at the top of their lungs.

And, for just that one moment – their troubles were put on hold. For just that one moment, all the bullshit that we (and, for that matter- everyone) have to deal with just to get through the day … was forgotten. There was joy. There was dancing. There were folks who could not have sung you one line of the verses – but were singing the living shit out of this chorus. And that’s when it hit me. Without overstating it in any way, shape or form, for folks who buy in to what Bruce is selling – his music can heal.

I was literally floored. As I looked around the room I saw folks dancing, folks hugging, and – most importantly – folks singing at the top of their lungs – just looking for that momentary release from the pressures and hardships that life can deliver. And … luckily … we all found it in a great little rock & roll song.

And I thought to myself … there it is … that’s the reason!! That’s the reason I’ve been a fan of this guy’s music for so long. That’s the reason we wait in line for tickets – that’s the reason we go see multiple nights … that’s the reason … we all need a release. And, in my humble opinion, there is no better release to be found than in the joy & redemption of a great rock and roll show. And, for my money, no one delivers a better rock & roll show than Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band.

Some nights … you just need to sing.

Robert B. McClatchy; 1925-2010; Semper Fidelis

2010-11-24T06:26:00.001-08:00

RB was born July 1,1925 in St. Joseph's Hospital in Philadelphia. It is still a working hospital. Calvin Coolidge was the President of the United States and his inauguration was the first to be broadcast over the radio. Big news that day was a big earthquake in Santa Barbara, California. Walter Johnson shut out the Philadelphia As that very day.

1925 also saw; (January 3) Benito Mussolini (Il Duce) announces he is taking dictatorial powers over Italy; (April 10) - F. Scott Fitzgerald publishes The Great Gatsby; (July 10) The Scopes Monkey Trial was set to begin with Clarence Darrow defending biology teacher John Scopes – who was arrested for teaching Charles Darwin's Theory of Evolution; (July 18) - Adolf Hitler publishes his personal manifesto Mein Kampf.

At age 17 (1943) RB joined the Marine Corps. His first combat was landing on the island of Guam. He also fought on Okinawa - The landing on April 1,1945 was larger than the Normandy landing.

RB found a love of baseball early on. In the late 20’s and early 30’s, “Poker Night” was held in the basement of his Father's house. These games included Al Simmons, Jimmy Dykes, Lefty Grove, Bing Miller & George Earnshaw.

“Hoffman … you stay here!”

2010-11-18T12:04:00.000-08:00

“Hoffman … you stay here!”

That could very well be the greatest line ever uttered in the American cinema. Why, you may ask? Well, I’m glad you did.

The youngest of The Brothers McC can currently be seen in the new major motion picture, Hollywood blockbuster, Denzel Washington starring, Ridley Scott directing, sitting on the edge of your seat thriller; “Unstoppable”

You see … one of the worst sentences ever uttered was; “You got cancer.” Yep … and that really sucked. But, if my sister has her wish, I’ll blog on about that at some other point. But, there is a reason I bring that up. Just over a week ago I had some surgery that I’m sure removed all of the aforementioned cancer … and here I am on the road to recovery. Well, what’s a guy to do on a Thursday afternoon … but go see a movie!!!

So, today, I grabbed the Mrs and off we went to the local movie house.

As the film opened, I was giddy. I mean … I couldn’t believe it, the youngest, least respected on a basketball court, can hardly handle his Guinness, baby Brother McC was going to up on that screen in a matter of minutes. The Mrs was laughing at me – but I didn’t care.

Then … in full Technicolor and Hi-Def digital sound ---- there he was!!! Was he saving a poor farm girl? Was he winning the hearts and minds of our youth? Was he helping an old lady to cross the street? No!!!! He was being an ass!!!! A lawyer … comparing the loss in revenue to the loss of human life. He was jerk!!!!! And let me tell you this … he was a GREAT jerk!!!!!!

I freaked out!! I was now even giddier than I was when I entered. Holy Shit!!! My little brother is up on that screen in a major Hollywood production!!!

But, let’s get back to why; “Hoffman … you stay here!” – is the greatest line in the history of the English speaking arts. I mean, first off … Kevin didn’t even say the line. Why??? Because the line was being spoken to him!! Kevin was Hoffman!!! OK … not as great as discovering what “Rosebud” meant … but to me, when the boss said; “Hoffman … you stay here!” – that meant that the crowded room of lawyers and other hanger-ons would be leaving, and Kevin (re: Hoffman) would be hanging around the entire length of the movie for reaction shots and … much to my surprise … a killer close-up!!!

So … there you have it. You feeling blue? You feeling a little sluggish? Did you just have major surgery? Well … nothing will get your heart dancing like seeing your brother in a killer action flick.

Damn!!!! That was cool.

A Dark Rage

2010-10-01T21:02:00.000-07:00

OK … it took a while for me to get from Point A to Point B … but arrive here I have.

A few years ago, the youngest Brother McC was having a grand, old time at an Irish festival somewhere in the wilds of Ohio. I knew that pints of Guinness had not only been poured, but drunk as well. I knew this because every once in a while my cell phone would ring. I’d answer the phone … not to hear anyone’s voice, but to hear the live, slamming Irish music of whatever band was rocking my brother’s world at that moment. This went on well in to the night … and I thought it was great!

By the end of the night, I answered the phone to actually hear the voice of the youngest Brother McC. And that voice made one request: Write a song using the pipes.

So that night, after a few beers of my own, I wrote a song called “A Black Irish Rage.” All the while hearing the melody line that the pipes would eventually play … whenever I got around to recording it. The fact that I didn’t even know a uilleann piper at the time was not a concern of mine. I was living in NYC … and there’s lots of Irish music in NYC.

Well, as time wore on, that song turned in to the title track of the CD that I just released on Tuesday: “A Dark Rage” – and sure enough, I found an amazing piper named Isaac Alderson to wail away on not only the lead track – but a beautiful ballad as well.

As the sessions moved along, the usual suspects delivered a killer bedrock of music that would let me add the toppings. Chris, Rusty, Yoder, Nancy, Hans & Jeannine all did what I knew they would – and some amazing things I could never have expected. Then I brought in a tin whistle (Kirsten) and fiddle (Bob) … and had Billy glue it all together.

Well … the CD is out there … the reviews (so far) are great … the sales have started … I’ve already found radio airplay in four countries … and who knows where it’s all gonna lead? But I do know where it all began … with drinks … a love of Irish music … and the Brothers McC doing what we do best … making dreams.

But don’t take my word for it … check it out on iTunes … or here:

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/scottmcclatchy

http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Rage-Scott-McClatchy/dp/B0042KZJE6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1285992087&sr=8-2

September 11, 2010

2010-09-11T09:57:00.000-07:00

Peace

The Brothers McC family grows ... by one!!!

2010-08-26T11:30:00.000-07:00

Kavanagh Brooks McClatchy — born 8/25/10

Congrats to Fuss, Kevin & Eiranne!!!

Guinness For All !!!!!!

The Founding Fathers Got This Right!

2010-08-15T11:52:00.000-07:00

I was talking with a buddy of mine who said to me that he really believed that, from what he could tell, Sara Palin has never said anything that would give people a reason to dislike her. And, as I read over some of Ms. Palin’s better comments, it’s easy to see where my buddy could have this view. Ms. Palin is very skillful at disguising her hate with the American flag. And, in this day and age, who is going to say that they hate the American flag?

But, this weekend, Ms. Palin is letting her true colors rise above her normal rhetoric. This woman does not care for the United States, and the laws we live by. She does not care for the truth and ideals that many Americans have fought and died to preserve. And she has no use for the very liberties that she and her family enjoy.

When Ms. Palin questioned the President: "Mr. President, should they or should they not build a mosque steps away from where radical Islamists killed 3000 people?" she wrote. "Please tell us your position. We all know that they have the right to do it, but should they?” – well, Ms. Palin has let not only the voters of this nation, but the world as well, know that she has no use for the United States of America’s Bill Of Rights.

Earlier, Ms. Palin asked New Yorkers and Muslims to reject construction of the mosque in a now infamous Facebook and Twitter post in which she used the word "refudiate" when she meant "repudiate."

Then, on Friday night before Obama's speech, Palin tweeted, "Will Obama express US lingering pain & ask Muslims for tolerance by discouraging 9/11 mosque while he celebrates Islamic holy month tonight?"

Even her choice of the phrase “9/11 mosque” would embarrass even the lowest political wolf looking to cast fear and blame on their opponent. But Ms. Palin has no use for pleasantries or even the most remote understanding of the issues; whether it be in a political forum, a religious discussion or speaking with the Mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomburg, a gentleman who supports the building of the mosque. But then again, what’s to be expected from a woman who quits the elected office she ran for as opposed to man who keeps on trying to do the job of helping the people who elected him?

Mr. Bloomburg is showing the world that principles and values only truly mean something when you stand by them on the days that a mob will attack them.

One of Ms. Palin’s followers wrote: "Doesn't this shlub Obama read history? The Muslims for centuries have built mosques on top of areas where there have won a major victory. They believe that killing over 3000 Americans is a major victory."

I guess that my answer to this writer, and to those who agree with Ms. Palin is to read not just the history of the Muslims … but to read the history of the United States as well. Our Founding Fathers, the gentlemen that so many of the Tea Party members like to dress up as - as they chant: “We want our country back!!” – the Founding Fathers addressed this issue quite eloquently in the Bill Of Rights:

U.S. Constitution - Amendment 1 - Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

With all due respect to Ms. Palin and her crew; I’ll side with Thomas Jefferson and the rest of the Founding Fathers on this issue.

“A Bill of Rights is what the people are entitled to against every government, and what no just government should refuse, or rest on inference.” - Thomas Jefferson

God Bless Cpt. Jonathan Hopkins

2010-08-12T07:41:00.000-07:00

“Excess Baggage”

2010-07-31T16:34:00.000-07:00

OK … here at the Brother’s McC we delve into many topics. But we often seem to always drift back to the three major ones; Sports, Music & Movies. Today’s little ramble will be filed under “movies.”

Back in 1997, a little romantic comedy flick quietly worked a quick run in it’s theatrical release and disappeared in to the land of cable and DVD rentals. One night … and, in full disclosure, I am a huge fan of the work of Benicio Del Toro, so … one night I’m sitting home with the Mrs. When this film - “Excess Baggage” – pops up on cable.

So, I make a little popcorn and the Mrs & I settle in to watch. And, much to the later dismay of the other two Brothers McC – I loved the flick. I did. And not even in a guilty pleasure kind of way. I liked the movie so much that I recommended it to other folks. And … as the bard would say … there in lies the rub.

I recommended it to the older Brother McC. And, being a brother – he went with it. He called me the next day to ask if I had been screwing with him. To say he didn’t like it would be putting it mildly. Actually, I think he had a physical negative reaction to the film. And, when I brought up the subject with the younger Brother McC … I was soon listening to the dial tone. I think rom/coms make the younger Brother McC run for the nearest pint of Guiness.

But I stood by my movie. Benicio Del Toro plays a car thief who ends up stealing a car that has a spoiled rich girl (Alicia Silverstone) in the trunk. The story line rolls nicely along as the two (you saw this coming) fall for each other. Add in a great role by Christopher Walken as the rich girl’s “fixer” Uncle … and I was digging it. I mean … really digging it.

Is it “Citizen Cane” … no … of course not. But, it’s a great little piece of fluff that kept me smiling.

Why am I rambling on about this movie now? Well, it’s on cable again. And I just spent a lazy, Saturday afternoon watching it … and … even with the knowledge that the other Brothers McC will not share my review … I really enjoyed it all over again!

Dear Tyrannosaurus Rex

2010-07-29T20:11:00.001-07:00

OK Kids ... It's time to plug an AMAZING book by Lisa McClatchy:
Dear Tyrannosaurus Rex

Yes ... she's related
Yes ... she's amazing talented
Yes ... It's a GREAT book!!!!

So ... get out there & pick it up!!!

http://www.amazon.com/Dear-Tyrannosaurus-Rex-Lisa-McClatchy/dp/0375856080

:-)

Mumford & Sons

2010-05-19T06:34:00.001-07:00

Have you ever been so completely blown away by a band – (and especially if it’s a band that you have never heard of!!!) – that you just can’t stop listening to them???

Well, this past Sunday night I went (at my brother’s request) to see this band called Mumford & Sons. I really had no idea what to expect. All I had heard was few tracks here and there. And, as curious as I was … for some reason I had not followed up on that initial interest. So … when these four “kids” (Hey!!! The look young to me!!!!!) … like I said, when these four kids walked on to a darkly lit stage, and then proceeded to knock me on my ass … well … I’m “in” – these guys were fabulous!

It’s really hard for me to put these guys in to words. Acoustic guitar, stand up bass, banjo and piano. All four guys stood across the front of the stage. All four guys singing lyrics with their hearts sown securely on their sleeves. There was a drum kit in the back – and occasionally one of the guys would stroll back and play it – by the end of the night, all four guys had taken a turn on drums.

I had to have the CD. And … to be honest, on CD, there are a few songs that don’t translate in to the passion and performance I saw on Sunday night. But … andf you knew there was a “but” coming ... there are other songs that are that beyond amazing!!! Songs that just leap out of the speakers and drag you in to the world created by Mumford and Sons. The lyrics are full of, what I can only describe as “British literature” … almost poetry. Even the sad songs are so beautiful that they bring joy to me.

I think one of the things that blows my mind – is that there is nothing out there like these guys. Sure, there are certain things about them that will “remind” you of other bands and artists. And I’ve seen other writers compare them to this band or that band. But … as an entity … there is nothing to compare these guys to.

I’m adding a link to the video “Winter Winds”. If you get a free few minutes – take a look. There’s something about the “joy” that explodes off the screen in this video that will somehow let you take a peek in to just how amazing their live show is.

And, for the record, I have some friends who do not like these guys. If you don’t like them – well … thanks for giving them a listen anyway. But, as I walked away from the show – all I could think of is that everyone I know would have loved that show – and I’m pretty sure everyone I know will find something on their CD to latch on to.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KCg_QEHtkY

http://www.mumfordandsons.com/

Happy 80th Birthday, Patty

2010-03-16T07:22:00.001-07:00

Mama, your boys might make some mistakes
But we know where we're from and we know how we were raised
So don't you think twice about where we are tonight
No matter how far from home
We'll be back along, just a matter of time.

Home, it might scatter and fade
With time all things must change
The road, it might take its own course
But, I intend, mama, we're still your boys

Mama there's times where we'll make some mistakes
We know how you've worked and we know how you've prayed
So don't you think twice bout where we are tonight
No matter what becomes of us - you gave us enough
Know that we've tried.

Home, it might scatter and fade
With time all things must change
The road, it might take its own course
But, I intend, mama, we're still your boys

And your mother was 16
When she married the man that she loved
Now she gave you everything
And you gave it all back to us

Mama, you know we might make some mistakes
If we should falter, it's us should be blamed
Don't you think twice, about what’s wrong or right
We learned it long time ago, we keep it close
You're with us tonight

Home, it might scatter and fade,
With time all things must change
The road, it might take its own course
But, I intend, mama, we're still your boys

"Mom"
Written & Performed by Lucero

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wk3wvIOuktI&feature=related

He shoots ... he scores ...

2010-02-03T22:29:00.000-08:00

There are a few obvious statements that could be made about the folks here at The Brothers McC. One of them would be that we love music. And I don’t mean we “like” music – I mean we really “love” music. We have done some really amazing things (OK ... I say amazing ... others would say "silly") over the years because of music, in the pursuit of music and for the love of music. Note to all the younger readers out there: Back in the day we used to sleep out on street corners, in front of the storefronts that sold tickets – just to make sure we got the “good seats.”

There’s another “given” in out little community. And that is ‘Sports.’ We really love sports as well. Trust me on this … we wear our hearts on our sleeves and we have lived and died with certain games throughout the years.

But, the amazing thing is, (at least to me), is that out of the three of us, I am the only one who was bitten by the ice hockey bug. Not that it’s a bad thing … everybody loves what they love. And for whatever reasons, it’s ice hockey for me. Seriously, the Oldest Brother McC will not even confirm that ice hockey is an actual sport – but at least he appreciates how much I love it. The youngest of the Brother’s McC will, on certain dates, put up with my love of hockey. One year, on my birthday – I found myself in LA (with the Mrs), and the youngest Brother McC (and his amazingly easy going wife) passed on an Olds 97 concert to escort the Mrs & I up to the Shark Tank to see the Anaheim Ducks take on The St. Louis Blues.

First, let me tell you – it was a great game. With the home team bringing back the win – the fans – they were rabid – and the entire experience was why I love hockey. But the most amazing point of the night happened – as I explained the finer points of the game to our hosts – the Sharks were on the Power Play – and – apparently to my sister-n-law, taking too long to pull the trigger – so she stood up and scream; “Shoot the f*cking puck!!!!!”

It was at that moment that I knew my brother had chosen well in the “bride” department.

Anyway … tonight I took to the ice in a league we call “Old Man Hockey.” Most of the guys who play are in their 40’s – and, to a man – each and every one of them is a nice guy. I am not kidding – it is a true pleasure to lace ‘em up with these guys.

Tonight was a great game. It was one of those games that contained everything I love about the sport; great passing, fast paced action, good scoring, great goaltending (I’m speaking of the opposing goalie – as for me … well … more on that later). Like I said, it was everything I love about the sport. And tonight – for reasons that are beyond my capabilities to explain to you – I had the number of the other teams top scorer. On three … count ‘em - three … on three solid breakaways … I stoned him!!! And each time he had a comical comment to say to me before he skated back up the ice.

It was one of those nights – great hockey up and down the ice. But, I am sad to report to our fine readers, that – in overtime – when the final score was tallied – the last shot ended up in my goal. And the funny thing is ... it really didn't bother me. It had been a great game - and I had played as good as I can (closing in on 49 ... the legs aint what they used to be!). And, even though we ended up on the short end of the stick tonight - it was truly a case of; I was just happy to be playing in that game!

But that is not why I write this tale (re: winning or losing). The reason I sit here typing is because of what happened next. The first thing that happened to me after the game, took place in the locker room, as I was pulling off my pads. The opposing scorer walked over to me to hand me a beer and say, “Great game.”

Sportsmanship. Friendship. Great hockey. A Cold beer.

Life could be a lot worse.

Hey, Jude Newark Airport Guy

2010-01-08T07:05:00.000-08:00

You know ... moments like this just make me smile.
Enjoy!!!

Hey, Jude Newark Airport Guy

by Heather Poole

http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/06/galley-gossip-interview-with-josh-wilson-the-hey-jude-newark/?icid=webmail|wbml-aol|dl1|link3|http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gadling.com%2F2010%2F01%2F06%2Fgalley-gossip-interview-with-josh-wilson-the-hey-jude-newark%2F

On January 3rd, 2010, there was a security breach at Newark Liberty International Airport. As a result, all passengers in the secure area were required to clear the concourse and pass through security checkpoints a second time. This process took almost six hours. While most travelers were annoyed and frustrated, one imaginative traveler, musician Josh Wilson, decided to lighten the mood. This is his story.

Name: Josh Wilson

Occupation: Singer/Songwriter signed to Sparrow Records (EMI's Christian Label).

I'm always saying, "This is your life, enjoy it -- even if you're stuck at an airport!" It looks like you know how to do just that based on your popular video making the rounds. So where were you traveling to the day of the Newark Security Breach?

I was headed to Mumbai, India with my wife and some others doing mission work

I saw the video after someone forwarded it to me. They actually found it on Alyssa Milano's Twitter Feed. What inspired you to do the sing-along?

Things had gotten really tense in the terminal. We were at about the six hour mark in terms of the delay. Some kids were crying near us and I wanted to cheer them up and maybe get everyone else to relax a little. Someone in our group said I should break out my guitar, and after a little convincing I did. But in that situation, it's only safe to play the Beatles. Anything else would have led me to being pelted by luggage

Now that's funny! Have you ever played for a crowd of passengers before?

You know, as a musician at some point you feel you've played ever possible type of gig. But I do think it was my first airport performance.

Feel free to perform on one of my flights any time! How do you manage to stay so upbeat while traveling?

Well, the truth is I don't. This time it was easy, though. There was clearly nothing we could do - I could choose to be angry or choose to accept it. The best plan was to take a sad song and make it better.

Any advice for travelers stuck in a similar situation?

Do you remember that reality show about Southwest Airlines a couple years ago? I used to watch that show and wonder if people had any idea how ridiculous they look when they make a scene over being delayed. I think if we all had more compassion for the people around us and were less consumed with our inconveniences the world would be a better place. And I could stand to follow that advice more often, too.

Amen to that! To where are you traveling next?

The next bit of travel is actually on a tour bus, so I'll be trading terminal delays for traffic delays.

Where can I see you perform?

In January and February I'll be in Florida a lot, but as the year progresses I pretty well make it everywhere. Check out MYSPACE.COM/JOSHWILSONMUSIC for tour dates.

WILL DO. THANKS FOR CHATTING WITH ME. HAPPY TRAVELS!

See the video here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c30JTq7Xmg8

Best Of 2009

2009-12-23T20:16:00.000-08:00

Well, here it is … the end of another year, and as I check out all the blogs, magazines and radio shows, everyone is putting out their “Best Of 2009” – and hey … why should I be any different. So, here it is, my list of some of the best music that kept me smiling throughout 2009.

As you’ll notice, there are a few great bands that are missing from the list; Wilco, Justin Townes Earle … not to mention Justin’s Dad, The Avett Brothers, Slaid Cleaves, The Bottle Rockets and so many others who put out really great music this year. But, for whatever reasons, the following tracks are the ones that stuck with me.

CD Of The Year
Lucero: 1372 Overton Park

Hands down, my favorite record of the year. I was late to the party when it comes to Lucero, but – since the first night I saw them perform in Brooklyn a few years back – I have been riding on the bandwagon of the Memphis gang of believers. With this album, Lucero augmented their line up with a killer horn section (horn arrangements by Jim Spake - who has worked with Al Green, John Hiatt, Solomon Burke, Cat Power) – taking their runaway train style of rock and roll and blowing the roof off the joint. I’ve told folks that these guys sound like what the Replacements would have sounded like had they come from Memphis. But, the more I got into the band, the more I realized that Ben Nichol’s style of writing is more R&B/country, whereas Paul Westerburg was more pop. Live, I haven’t seen anyone outside of the E Street Band even come close to touching the power and emotion of their performance. Maybe that’s why in a list where everyone get’s one song … these guys get two.

Best Songs of 2009

“The Devil And Maggie Chascarrillo” – Lucero
Remember the first time you listened to rock and roll? I do. OK … maybe not the exact first moment … but I do remember the rush of Fogerty’s guitar blasting out of the speakers as that opening riff to “Up Around Then Bend” kicked my ass. Well, that’s how I feel when this tracks blows by. I defy you to listen to this track and not; 1) Turn Up The Volume & 2) Dance.

“Know Your Enemy” – Green Day
Bless these guys. They kept the flag from falling. There needs to be a band out there that knows how to mix pop sensibility, punk spirit, being pissed off at the government and still having fun. These guys accomplish it all with the added bonus of HUGE hooks.

“Gonna See My Friend” – Pearl Jam
I’ll admit it – I am not a big Pearl Jam fan. It seems that I love the “idea” of Pearl Jam more than I do the music. And with each new CD, I give them the benefit of the doubt. With this new record – I’ve found a great collection of songs that will keep be coming back.

“Country Roads” – Ryan Bingham
I have no idea how well this guy is doing with the Americana crowd … or the record buying public in general … but regardless of how good it is … it should be better. This CD is great (and I loved the first one as well). This track has such a great production, hook and vibe … aint that what we’re here for?

“I Need To Know Where I Stand” – Rhett Miller
Great lyrics, sing along hook, and a wide open production – I’m not sure why this needed to be a solo CD as opposed to an Old 97s – either way – this song works.

“Sulphur To Sugarcane” – Elvis Costello
T-Bone Burnett delivered a perfect setting for Mr. Costello’s lyrics. And, with the laid back approach to the backing tracks, the vocals have room to soar. Added bonus: listening to man sound like he’s having so much fun.

“Coal Wars” – Joshua James
In a year when so many acts got props for ‘great vocals’ – this song is the cream of the crop. On no other track this years did I hear such harmonies (and thankfully they kept them out of the most overused production toy: the echo-chamber). The vocals pull you in, the lyrics grab you – and by the time the band kicks in all bets are off.

“Water Spider” – The Duke And The King
I have such a soft spot in my heart for artists like this. There have been so many comparisons by critics trying to explain Simone Felice’s voice – that they’ve become useless. So I’ll just say that the vocals will make you believe … believe what you ask? You’ll believe that Jesus walked on water … and so did Marvin Gaye.

“To Ohio” - The Low Anthem
This CD caught me completely by surprise. When I first popped it in the player, I had no idea who these folks were. By the time I’d gone through it for the 15th time – they were destined for my Best of 2009.

“Joey’s Arm” – Sons Of Bill
“The South aint gonna rise again – but we’re holding out for Jesus – or so they say on AM radio.” Could be one of the best lines of 2009. If you are a fan of alt/country, this group will literally give you all the best parts of that genre.

“Girl From The Office” – Ian Hunter
To start; I loved Mott The Hoople. I loved Ian Hunters solo stuff. Now, he’s back with an introspective, low-key, solo CD. Start to finish - this CD is solid. Had it not been for Lucero; this most likely would have been my pick for CD of the year. The toughest decision was only picking one track.

“When Will I Be Loved” – John Fogerty & Bruce Springsteen
What can I say? Two of my faves having fun with one of the all time classic rocking/country tracks. No need to think about it … just sit back and enjoy the ride.

“To Find My Love” – Cross Canadian Ragweed
These guys deliver musically on every track they record. The songwriting comes and goes – but when it hits the mark, the results are amazing. On this track, it not only hits the mark – it’s a direct bulls-eye.

“That’s The Way The World Goes Around” – Miranda Lambert
CD#3 – and I still can’t get over how much I enjoy this artist. If there has ever been a person who I consider to have their “heart in the right place” – here she is. Her band smokes, her originals are pretty damn good, she wears her influences on her sleeve – and here, she’s having fun with an old John Prine track – I am on board for this trip.

“Sounds Of The City” – Lucero
Sweet Lord … this song kicks ass. The B3, the horns, the killer rhythm section … this kind of track is the reason I’ve spent the last 35 plus years loving rock and roll. Thanks, fellas!

I Still Believe

2009-11-28T07:52:00.001-08:00

OK Kids;

We here at the Brothers McC wear our hearts on or sleeves. We do it proudly and without apology. Sports, Film, TV, Politics, Religion ... you name it, we have an opinion about it. And, for the pricer of a pint, we're happy to tell you it ... all night long if we must.

But it's music that burns the hottest and deepest in our souls. And even through the three of us find plenty of common ground, there are still the acts that make us travel our separate ways. Knowing, in our hearts, that the other two brothers are idiots for not 'getting' what is so plain to see. Luckily ... this is not one of those cases. re: The David Johansen Group.

There was a time when there was no better band on the planet (with the humbled exception of one Mr. Springsteen) than The David Johansen Group. My brother and I would travel near and far to watch this band total destroy any and every stage that it stood upon. The songs were great, the music was loud & brash, and the band's live show felt like a runaway train, rolling downhill and closing in fast on a bridge that was out. No one knew what was gonna happen next ... and that's what made it all fun.

Well, the Senior Member of the Brothers McC dove back into those waters a few nights ago. And, without his permission, or permission from Major League Baseball, I will rebroadcast his thoughts.

I still believe.

David Jo In Trenton

I am leaving for a Thanksgiving run to Rhode Island in six hours. I just got back from seeing "An Evening With David Johansen" at The Trenton War Memorial. It was David and a four piece combo including Brian Koonin (Scott - you'd recognize him from early-mid 80's David Jo shows) as musical director. The entire crowd (80 to 100 graybeards) was seated on the stage. It was crazy intimate and the sound was fantastic (as possibly Scott, Reber and Michael could attest).

Of all the rock stars pushing 60 plus, I can only think of one who provides a bigger rush for me than David Jo, and that's Bruce. I believe David Johansen to be an incredibly under rated singer. He gets bashed for gruffness, but the guy can sing. Whether handling scuzzy glam rock, a menacing bossa nova reinvention of "Melody", classic blues or torchy jazz, David Jo brings heart, humor and soul to every note.

Opener "Funky But Chic" (schwing!) set my heart racing and my little fingers texting. I mean, it’s only the opening song on one of the five greatest rock and roll records ever made. I immediately thought of all the magical nights chasing David Jo around the quad state area of PA-NY-NJ-DE. From The Bottom Line (nothing like seeing DJ on his home turf) to The Fast Lane (Scott and I saw 1979 into 1980 with two shows and no dates, but at least that girl at our table flashed her tits at us at midnight) , from Ripley's (where I sang "Reach Out" with David Jo at one show and he personally shook the hand of every audience member at another) to Glassboro State College (with Blondie, Elvis Costello, Moon Martin and Marie O'Donnell), and from Alexander's (the drunkest show ever) to The Tally Ho (the Tally-fucking-Ho!), I remembered all the nights celebrating real rock and roll with the ultimate fun junkie. And mostly I thought of Scott, Beth (yeah we're still tight - don't even think about it) and Jim McNulty, because they shared many of those nights with me. And I had wished so much that they were there with me tonight. And if it's true you can't go home again, then it's just as true that it pays to get out the house once in a while.

The first (actually only) text was to my sister Beth and it said simply "Funky But Chic". And she knew. And I knew she knew. David Johansen held a mystical quality for us. He was an iconic legend but also the life of a party you couldn't believe you were invited to. It's similar to the feeling experienced at The Hold Steady shows over the last couple of years, but deeper and drunker and crazier, because being 22 and king of the world is a combination that just can't be beat.

I was aware of The Dolls but in 1972 they weren't my band. They were an exotic diversion with an allure and mystique that as a 15 year old went way over my head. But in May 1978, WMMR dj David Dye interviewed David Johansen just as his self titled debut was released and he was in town to play The Tower opening for Patti Smith. I remember David Dye played “Frenchette” (and I am forever in his debt) and later remarked to David Jo that it was a “great, dumb song”. Even though I had just heard the song for the first time, I knew what David Dye meant but I also thought that was selling the song short. David Jo politely disagreed, for the song is nothing less than the celebration of rock and roll. When all else fails and “we can’t get the kind of love that we need or that we want, let’s just dance”. Let’s rock and roll because there’s really nothing else to do. Because in 1978 and 1979, I needed David Johansen. I needed something to believe in. And I needed fun.

In Almost Famous, I always think of that first David Jo album when Sapphire (yeah Sapphire) talks about the band-aids and how they “truly love some silly little piece of music, or some band so much that it hurts.” For the first time in a long time, I felt that pain tonight.

So who’s with me this Saturday for “An Evening With David Johansen” in New York?

p.s. In typical Teek Time fashion, I got to the Tower that night in May 1978, got in line to buy a ticket and the guy in front of me was some record company mook with a mullet, who got his comps and then held one extra up and said “who wants it?” I still had hops back them and snagged that free row SS (about 20 rows back) bad boy. My concert karma was ON.

For those who have read this far, and seriously who would except Beth, Scott and McNult, below is tonight's set list. I scribbled it on a bunch of white space on an ad in the Sports Illustrated I brought to read because the concert going life of 52 year old rocker can sometimes be a solitary one. GEEEEEK!

And if you’re wondering why I sent this missive to you, it’s because all of you, at one time or another, believed or continue to believe.

Funky But Chic
Plenty of Music (Dolls – One Day)
Melody – slow vamp bossa nova
Boom Boom (John Lee Hooker)
Making Rain (Dolls – ‘Cause)
Rope (The Let Go Song)
Eight Men, Four Women (O.V. Wright) “I am crazy to sing this one”
Maimed Happiness (Dolls – One Day)
Better Than You (Dolls – ‘Cause)
Big City
Temptation to Exist (Dolls – ‘Cause)
Crazy For Love
New Song (“Don’t make me wonder”)
Justine
You Don’t Know What Love Is (Billie Holiday)
I Ain’t Got Nothin’ (Dolls – One Day)
Donna
Bohemian Love Pad
Frenchette
Take A Good Look At My Good Looks (Dolls – One Day)
Lookin’ For A Kiss
My Reverie (Sarah Vaughn / Tony Bennett)
Animals Medley

And I’m now leaving for RI in five hours. If I didn’t at least need a wee bit of sleep, I could have kept writing until dawn.

p.p.s. Don't forget to check out Teenage Kicks Top 100 of the decade.

http://teenkicks.blogspot.com/

Again ... Some Sports Stories Aren't About Sports

2009-11-15T14:12:00.000-08:00

I really love when real men step up and surprise us!!!

Josh Cribbs walks with late coach's son on his senior night

In a dismal year for the Cleveland Browns, wide receiver/returner Josh Cribbs has proved to be one of the only bright spots. Last month he showed he's equally good off the field.

The Pro Bowler traveled to Berea, OH to walk onto the field on senior night with the son of one of his former college coaches. Michael Drake, a senior receiver at Stow High School, lost his father, Mike, in 2005 to lymphoma. He had assumed he'd be accompanied by his mother and sister for senior night introductions and was stunned when he saw Cribbs arrive minutes before the game.

''I looked, then looked away, then said, 'Why are you here?''' Michael recalled. ''I was shocked.''

A receiver, cornerback and holder for extra points, Michael said Cribbs offered advice before his final game.

''He said, 'Play your heart out. This is it. Give it your all. Don't ever stop on any play. Keep pushing,''' Michael said. ''I almost felt worried. I didn't want to look bad for him.''

Michael's late father recruited Cribbs to play at Kent State and served as a father figure to the Washington, D.C. native during his time at Kent. Mike Drake was the offensive coordinator for the Golden Flashes during Cribbs's freshman and sophomore seasons. Cribbs played quarterback in college and credits Drake for helping him drive home the fundamentals that he still uses today. So, when the idea of returning for senior night was pitched to Cribbs this summer, he didn't hesitate.

It's a small gesture, but it says a lot about the character of Cribbs. He apparently didn't feel the need to talk about it publicly; this happened Oct. 30 and, as far as I can tell, yesterday's report in the Akron Beacon Journal is the first it's been mentioned. Similarly, Drake's mother is quoted in the piece as saying that Cribbs took great pains to underplay his presence at the game for fear of taking away the spotlight from Michael and the other seniors. This shows a humility that other professional football players could sometimes stand to emulate.

By Chris Chase
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/Josh-Cribbs-walks-with-late-coach-s-son-on-his-s?urn=nfl,202608

It's Only Rock & Roll ...

2009-11-02T19:55:00.000-08:00

On Saturday, September 2nd, 1995, my brother Trip & I drove to Cleveland, Ohio for the inaugural Rock & Roll Hall Of Concert. It was completely insane; Dylan, Springsteen, Chuck Berry, Johnny Cash, Mellecamp, James Browne, Soul Asylum, Dr, John, Bon Jovi, John Fogerty , Al Green, The Kinks, The Pretenders … the list just rolled on and on.

Well, this passed week, the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame staged a benefit concert at Madison Square Garden. This time, the show was spread over two nights … but all the stars came out to play again. What can I say??? Simply AMAZING!!!

OPENING:
1) A killer 20 minute film clip covering the history of rock & roll. And, it is worth noting that if you ever get to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame – go see the film clips – they will blow your mind.

2) Tom Hanks gives a great speech on having to tell your Dad that: this music means something to ME!!! That's why I have to play it LOUD!!!"

3) Followed up Jerry Lee Lewis playing a solo/piano version of "Whole Lot Of Shaking"

Already I know it's gonna be a great night. The sound is PERFECT!

Crosby, Stills & Nash (with band) take the stage to start their set:
The set included: Woodstock, Marikesh Express, Almost Cut My Hair, as they say – the hits just kept on coming.

Bobbie Raitt joins them; she sings lead on "Love Has No Pride" - Then Bonnie stays on stage while Stills sings "Midnight Rambler" - Jackson Browne joins them: The Pretender. And this is followed by James Taylor: Mexico

Love The One You're With – well, this just smoked, where all the singers traded lead vox. Then CS&N added a Buffalo Springfield song: Rock & Roll Woman - Ending with an all hands on deck version of "Teach Your Children"

Second Set:
Another great film montage. Then Paul Simon and his band take the stage and play the hits: Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes - Me & Julio - You Can Call Me Al. Them with Dion: The Wanderer – Then CS&N join Paul for acoustic "Here Comes The Sun" – then back with his band, we get: Late In The Evening

Little Anthony & The Imperials go all acapella: Two People In The World (which blew the roof off the place).

Then ... Art Garfunkle walks out ... with no introduction, he just walks out to a center mic - the entire Garden goes ballistic.
Sounds Of Silence - Mrs. Robinson - Not Fade Away - The Boxer - Cecelia - Bridge Over Trouble Water

Third Set: Stevie Wonder & his band. After an embarrassing 15 minutes of no vocal mic (the crowd just kept cheering to keep Stevie smiling), this guy owned the stage.
Opening number: Dylan’s; Blowing In The Wind - (Uptight) Everything's Alright - I Was Made To Love Her - For Once In My Life - Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours - Boogie On A Reggae Woman. Smokey Robinson joined in: "Tracks Of My Tears" - John Legend sings: Mercy Mercy Me. Then a complete Stevie sings Micheal Jackson’s: The Way You Make Me Feel (in mid song, Stevie breaks down in tears). BB King joins in: The Thrill Is Gone. Stevie & the band rip “Livin' For The City” – then are joined by Sting for: Higher Ground/Roxanne/Higher Ground. Stevie brings it to a thunderous end with with Jeff Beck: Superstition.

Then ... Bruce ... and all bets are off!!
Tenth Avenue Freeze-out - Hold On, I'm Coming (with Sam Moore) - Soul Man (with Sam Moore) - The Ghost of Tom Joad (with Tom Morello) - Fortunate Son (with John Fogerty) - Proud Mary (with John Fogerty) - Pretty Woman (with John Fogerty) and Jungleland to end the set.

The encores are pure celebration: A Fine, Fine Boy (with Darlene Love) - Da Doo Ron Ron (with Darlene Love) - London Calling (with Tom Morello) - Badlands (with Tom Morello) - You May Be Right (with Billy Joel) - Only the Good Die Young (with Billy Joel) - New York State of Mind (with Billy Joel) - Born to Run (with Billy Joel) – Then ending with an 'all hands on deck' - Higher and Higher. Five plus hours later … it’s time to grab a cab.

Night 2

Introduction – Film clips (same as Night 1); Tom Hanks (same as Night 1). Then Great Balls of Fire - Jerry Lee Lewis

Aretha Franklin & her band: Baby I Love You - Chain of Fools - with Annie Lennox – (Then the show comes to a screaming halt): Some song from the broadway musical: Ragtime (It took the life out of MSG); New York, New York. Then Ms. Franklin gave the crowd what they wanted: Think: with Lenny Kravitz; and ending with: Respect. Overall, an OK set.

Jeff Beck (filling in for Eric Clapton, who cancelled due to illness) surpised me with just how entertaining he can be – and, just how thrilled he was to be there.
Drown In My Own Tears - Freeway Jam - As We Part As Lovers - People Get Ready (with Sting) - Let Me Love You Baby (with Buddy Guy) - Foxy Lady (with Billy Gibbons of ZZ Topp); Then an incredible instrumental version of The Beatles “A Day in the Life: - Note to Trip: This set was a whole lot of fun. Even you would have dug it!!

Now was the biggest surprize of the night for me. These next guys were a boatload of FUN!!! Metallica!!!!
For Whom the Bell Tolls - One - Turn the Page (Bob Seager cover) - Sweet Jane (w Lou Reed) - White Light/White Heat (w/ Lou Reed) - You Really Got Me (w/ Ray Davies) - All Day and All of the Night (w/ Ray Davies) - Iron Man (w/ Ozzy Osbourne) - Paranoid (w/ Ozzy Osbourne) – then a really big stunner, a perfect Stone Cold Crazy (A Queen cover), ending with: Enter Sandman

Then U2 doing what U2 do best: entertain the hell out of the crowd:
Vertigo – Magnificent - Because the Night (with Bruce Springsteen & Patti Smith) - I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For (w/ Bruce Springsteen),
Mysterious Ways - Where is the Love (w/ Black Eyed Peas), then ... the unannounced, HOLY SHIT moment of the night: Gimme Shelter - w/ Mick Jagger (Fergie, from The Black Eye Peas NAILED the female vocal part!). - Stuck In a Moment You Can't Get Out Of (w/ Mick Jagger) and closing with: Beautiful Day.

What can I say? It is very rare that nights deliver on the hype that surround them, but these two nights delivered … and then some. And, to this old guy, it was a great reminder, folks with guitars are still the best live ticket out there.

When Sports Can Be Great ... another small story

2009-09-22T07:15:00.000-07:00

OK … to start off … I love sports. Always have … always will. But, I also realize that the importance of sports is so overblown that we have reached comic proportions. All you need do is look at the Dallas Cowboys new stadium: Originally estimated to cost $650 million, the stadium's current construction cost was $1.12 billion, making it one of the most expensive sports venues ever built. Not "the most expensive" ... at $1.12 billion - it's "one of the most expensive" ... Holy Crap!!!

Well, it’s in these ridiculous times that I need to find the true spirit of competition to put my faith back in the goodness of sports. Lucky for me, the internet gives us all the ability to find stories that go beyond the cuddled professional athletes of today – and lets us find stories the remind us that, in the end, it’s game … where the true joy should be in the ability to compete.

That’s why, when I read this story, I felt great!!

The Maryville Spoofhounds could have shut out the St. Joseph Benton Cardinals 46 - 0 at last week's game. But they let the other team score a touchdown.

They did nothing to stop freshman running back Matt Ziesel from running more than 60 yards to put the Cardinals on the scoreboard. Cardinals Coach Dan McCamey asked the Spoofhounds for their cooperation because Ziesel, 15, has Down syndrome and spent the entire season on the bench -- begging the coach to let him get some action on the field.

Hats off to both teams for showing classy levels of sportsmanship and compassion. The rival high schools are about 42 miles apart. Both are north of Kansas City near the Missouri/Kansas border. The Cardinals still lost the game but won a lot more.

Follow this link for the story – and the video of the play!!

http://www.parentdish.com/2009/09/21/rivals-give-last-touchdown-to-player-with-down-syndrome/?icid=main|main|dl1|link3|http%3A%2F%2Fwww.parentdish.com%2F2009%2F09%2F21%2Frivals-give-last-touchdown-to-player-with-down-syndrome%2F

Jim Carroll - R.I.P.

2009-09-13T22:14:00.001-07:00

In 1980 I was 19 years old and I thought I was a pretty bad ass kid. I had fallen in love with rock and roll - the true rock and roll; Springsteen, The Clash, Dylan, The Stones, The Beatles, Mott The Hoople. The whole punk and new wave music scenes had drawn me in, and I ate up everything. There were no bad concerts back then ... cause every night you went out and rocked with your friends ... the kids in the audience - or the guys on stage - you always felt that you were amongst friends.

Then Jim Carroll released "Catholic Boy" and I was shown a side of the world that music companies have turned away from since the day The Velvet Underground first started making music. And I realized what a real 'bad ass kid' was.

I realized that I wasn't a bad ass. And that there were folks out there who truly talked the talk and walked the walk. The first time I saw the Jim Carroll Band live, I was floored. I knew that entire debut CD frontwards & backwards. Each screaming guitar, each snare drum hit and each pained vocal was tattooed on my soul. And, for the first time - I realized that there were folks out there who lived a life I would never be part. I was never going to shoot anything in my veins - no matter where my life took me. But then - there was no need to - Jim Carroll had traveled that road for me and wrote books and poetry about it - he delivered "the" record about it - and I could look from a safe distance and be amazed that "someone" walked that road and then took to time to tell us about the journey.

There has never been a time when I've heard "People Who Died" and not turned the volume up higher. Some things are just that visceral. And now he's gone, leaving behind a body of work that's so unique ... it really is hard to drop other names in to his company.

William Grimes (of the New York Times) wrote this about Jim. Read it. Then go pick up a Jim Carroll CD, a book ... something. His view on the world was not always pretty - but it's a view that you will never forget.

Jim Carroll, Poet and Punk Rocker Who Wrote ‘The Basketball Diaries’, Dies at 60
By WILLIAM GRIMES

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/14/books/14carroll.html?_r=1&em

Jim Carroll, the poet and punk rocker in the outlaw tradition of Rimbaud and Burroughs who chronicled his wild youth in “The Basketball Diaries,” died on Friday at his home in Manhattan. He was 60.

The cause was a heart attack, said Rosemary Carroll, his former wife.

As a teenage basketball star in the 1960s at Trinity, an elite private school on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, Mr. Carroll led a chaotic life that combined sports, drugs and poetry. This highly unusual combination lent a lurid appeal to “The Basketball Diaries,” the journal he kept during high school and published in 1978, by which time his poetry had already won him a cult reputation as the new Bob Dylan.

“I met him in 1970, and already he was pretty much universally recognized as the best poet of his generation,” the singer Patti Smith said in a telephone interview on Sunday. “The work was sophisticated and elegant. He had beauty.”

The diaries began, innocently: “Today was my first Biddy League game and my first day in any organized basketball league. I’m enthused about life due to this exciting event.”

By the end of the book, Mr. Carroll was a heroin addict who supported his habit by hustling in Times Square. “Totally zonked, and all the dope scraped or sniffed clean from the tiny cellophane bags,” the final entry read, continuing, “I can see the Cloisters with its million in medieval art out the bedroom window. I got to go in and puke. I just want to be pure.”

“The Basketball Diaries,” reissued in a mass-market edition in 1980, became enormously popular, especially on college campuses. In a film adaptation in 1995, Leonardo DiCaprio played the part of Mr. Carroll.

The writer’s good looks and flair for drama made him ideal raw material for rock stardom. “When I was about 9 years old, man, I realized that the real thing was not only to do what you were doing totally great, but to look totally great while you were doing it,” he told the poet Ted Berrigan in the 1960s. In the late 1970s, with the encouragement of Ms. Smith, he formed the Jim Carroll Band, whose first release, “Catholic Boy” (1980), is sometimes called the last great punk album.

James Dennis Carroll, the son of a bar owner, spent his childhood on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, where he attended Roman Catholic schools. After the family moved to Inwood, at the northern end of Manhattan, he won a basketball scholarship to Trinity. There he discovered a love of writing and began spending time at the St. Mark’s Poetry Project in the East Village, falling under the spell of Allen Ginsberg and Frank O’Hara.

Still in his teens, he published a limited-edition pamphlet of his poems, “Organic Trains” (1967), which, with its successor, “4 Ups and 1 Down” (1970), won him a cult following that was enhanced when The Paris Review published excerpts from his journals in 1970. “Living at the Movies” (1973), issued by a mainstream publisher, won him both acclaim and a wider audience.

His life was colorful. Hailed by Ginsberg, Berrigan and Jack Kerouac as a powerful new poetic voice, he became a fixture on the downtown scene. After briefly attending Wagner College on Staten Island and Columbia University, he found his way to Andy Warhol’s Factory, contributing dialogue for Warhol’s films. Later he worked as a studio assistant for the painter Larry Rivers and lived with Ms. Smith and Robert Mapplethorpe, the photographer. He chronicled this frenetic period in “Forced Entries: The Downtown Diaries, 1971-1973.”

In 1973 Mr. Carroll left New York to escape drugs. He settled in Bolinas, an artistic community north of San Francisco, where met and married Rosemary Klemfuss in 1978. The marriage ended in divorce. He is survived by a brother, Tom.

Mr. Carroll’s music career started by accident when Ms. Smith brought him onstage to declaim his poetry with her band providing background. Encouraged by the response, he formed his own band. It caught the attention of Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones, who arranged a three-record deal with Atlantic Records.

The critic Stephen Holden described Mr. Carroll in The New York Times in 1982 as “not so much a singer as an incantatory rock-and-roll poet.” Like Lou Reed, he had a mesmerizing power, evident on songs like “People Who Died” from “Catholic Boy,” a poetic litany of his dead friends that became a hit on college radio and part of the soundtrack for “E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial.”

The group’s next two albums, “Dry Dreams” (1982) and “I Write Your Name” (1984), caused much less stir. After writing lyrics for Blue Oyster Cult and Boz Scaggs, Mr. Carroll returned to the studio in 1998 to record “Pools of Mercury.”

Mr. Carroll published several more poetry collections — “The Book of Nods” (1986), “Fear of Dreaming” (1993) and “Void of Course: Poems 1994-1997” (1998) — as well as releasing several spoken-word albums.

Keep A Good Thought In Your Heart Today

2009-09-11T15:02:00.000-07:00

Les Paul ... Rest In Peace ... loudly!!

2009-08-13T22:49:00.000-07:00

A few pictures are worth way more than a thousand words:

A Perfect Summer Day

2009-08-10T08:39:00.001-07:00

OK … so maybe I am a little on the “life should be simpler” side. But, as our kids grow up, and summers blow by … it seems that some perfect summer days are spent with kids indoors – playing video games. So, when you come across a perfect “summer” picture, we here at The Brothers McC feel the obligation to share. The fact that the young kid in the middle – holding the fish – is my nephew Nick had absolutely no bearing on my decision to share this picture.

I mean … honestly … this picture is almost too cool!

Great job, Nick!!!

Willy DeVille; Rest In Peace

2009-08-07T13:38:00.000-07:00

On August 6, 2009 we lost one of the great voices in American music.
At the age of 59, Willy DeVille has passed away due to pancreatic cancer.

After being one of the original house bands at CBGB’s, Mink DeVille released their first CD in 1977 (Cabretta). There really wasn’t anything else like it on the market. And when I first heard the lead single, “Mixed Up Shook Up Girl” – I was hooked!!

I can’t recall seeing the band till 1978. The 2nd CD (Return To Magenta) was out, and the track “Just Your Friends” was rapidly becoming the most played song in my room. Seeing the band live was a true experience. The entire band strolled on to the stage (more often than not – to the tune of “Harlem Nocturne”), all dressed like the Sharks from ‘West Side Story’ on their way to the local dance. And when they began to play … everyone in the room paid attention.

And though 1980’s “Le Chat Blue” was a pretty solid effort … it was 1981’s “Coup De Grace” that rock my world to its very foundation. To this day … this CD still rates as one of my all time favorites. Every track is amazing … every track is romantic … and every track is played and sung like there is no tomorrow. Love me now!! And … please … love me like you did before.

The great music kept coming … “Where Angels Fear To Tread” (1983) and “Sporting Life” (1985). Then, in 1987 Willy teamed up with Mark Knopfler (The Dire Straights) to record “Miracle” – the CD that brought us “Storybook Love” – and brought Willy an Oscar nomination for “Best Song” when Rob Reiner used the track in his movie, “The Princess Bride.”

More great CDs, followed – my favorite being 1995’s “Loup Garou.” Once again, another CD without a wasted track.

And I kept seeing the man live. Full band, solo, trio … it just didn’t matter – he always gave us one hell of a show.

Doc Pomus, said this about Willy; "DeVille knows the truth of a city street and the courage in a ghetto love song. And the harsh reality in his voice and phrasing is yesterday, today, and tomorrow—timeless in the same way that loneliness, no money, and troubles find each other and never quit for a minute."

Loneliness. Willy wrote and sang about it with his heart on his sleeve. And so many of those tracks got me through more than a few nights of heartbreak.

Yours is voice that will be sorely missed, my friend.

Something To Make Me Smile!

2009-07-14T14:14:00.000-07:00

There has been some "Rod Stewart" debate among the Brothers Mcc - but I'm here to tell you that I am still on board - and I am really looking forward to hearing this:

ROD STEWART
The Rod Stewart Sessions 1971-1998
Release Date - 09/29/2009

Warner Bros. began reissuing Rod Stewart's Warner Bros. catalog a year ago with remastered and expanded versions of some of the artist's best studio work. With its latest effort, Warner Bros. goes deep into the vaults to reveal the secret studio history of this very public performer with a boxed set of unreleased recordings chosen from sessions spanning 1971-1998. THE ROD STEWART SESSIONS 1971-1998 will be available September 29.

Producers Andy Zax and Cheryl Pawelski prowled through a warehouse of Stewart's tapes to unearth all the dusty gems four discs could hold. Spanning more than 25 years, the collection's 63 songs, outtakes, and ephemera provide extraordinary insight into the studio work of one of rock's legendary figures and paint a picture of what might have been. Many of these performances are more stripped-down and intimate than their released counterparts, so the set becomes an illustration and a showcase of Rod's creative process. Few major artists have allowed such a revealing look behind the scenes.

More than a third of THE ROD STEWART SESSIONS 1971-1998 chronicles the torrent of indelible recordings Stewart unleashed during the '70s. Fittingly, the set opens with a decidedly rough take of "Maggie May," the #1 hit from Stewart's third solo album - Every Picture Tells A Story - that broke him as a solo artist in 1971.

SESSIONS offers alternate versions of well-known hits from that era such as "Sailing," "Tonight's The Night (Gonna Be Alright)," "You Wear It Well," and an acoustic version of "You're In My Heart (The Final Acclaim)." Alongside those are rarities like the unfinished "Think I'll Pack My Bags" (which later appeared on Ron Wood's solo debut rewritten as "Mystifies Me"), an early version of "So Tired" that finds the band working out the arrangement in the studio, and an acoustic version of the B-side "Rosie."

Of special note is the rumored-to-exist but never heard - until now - sequel to "The Killing of Georgie"; "Innocent (The Killing of Georgie Part III)" completes the epic narrative begun on 1976's A Night On The Town album with a ferociously rocking performance taken from the sessions for the following year's Foot Loose & Fancy Free. Stewart ended the decade with a hits package that was to include his cover of British pub-rocker Frankie Miller's "When I'm Away From You" that has remained unreleased until now.

SESSIONS touches on six albums Stewart released during the '80s, including Foolish Behaviour (1980), which was originally intended to be a double album, but was eventually scaled back to a single disc. Along with an early version of the album track "Oh God, I Wish I Was Home Tonight" the collection also features four unreleased tracks presumably destined for the second disc: "Time Of My Life," "TV Mama," "Stupid," and Buddy Holly's "Maybe Baby." While the multitracks for Tonight I'm Yours (1981) have gone missing, the producers managed to recover an unreleased song called "Thunderbird" from the session's only surviving mixdown tape. The collection closes out the decade with several tracks from Out Of Order (1988), including a tender reading of "Forever Young" that features Stewart accompanied only by a piano and the improvised in the studio and then abandoned "I Go To Jail For You."

The final SESSIONS disc is dedicated to Stewart's resurgence as an artistic and commercial force in the '90s. It begins with six songs recorded in the summer of 1992 that were shelved in favor of Unplugged...And Seated, including a cover of Bob Dylan and The Band's "This Wheel's On Fire," and an all-star remake of the 1969 Python Lee Jackson song (originally also sung by Rod) "In A Broken Dream," which features Pink Floyd's David Gilmour and Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones. Also included is Stewart's cover of Bobby Womack's "Looking For A Love," which was surprisingly left off A Spanner In The Works (1995) and a version of Oasis' "Rockin' Chair" that he recorded for When We Were The New Boys (1998).

Although never intended to be shared with the world, the directness and immediacy of the music on THE ROD STEWART SESSIONS 1971-1998 documents an exceptional artist at work over a long period of time, says Zax, the set's coproducer. "Admirers of particular eras of Rod's career may be surprised to discover, upon listening to this box, that there is far less difference between the Rod of 1971 and the Rod of 1998-and all the years between them - than they had previously believed."

Welcome Back, Wilco

2009-07-04T07:22:00.001-07:00

I just finished reading the David Carr article on Wilco in the New York Times … and I couldn’t feel better. The reason that I’m feeling better is that it was great to read that Jeff Tweedy (the oft times sidetracked leader of Wilco) is feeling great.

I am one of the faithful that has seen Mr. Tweedy go form the ashes of the Uncle Tupelo and travel the painful trail that has become known as Wilco’s career. Their 2002 film (I Am Trying To Break Your Heart) could not have had a more apt title. This band really tested the limits of friends, band members, record labels and fans. At points, their music almost dared the listener to like it.

And, through it all, there was the soap opera that was Wilco – the band. Busted relationships, bad drug habits, death … the stuff that William Shakespeare spent many years and worked so hard at putting down on paper, these guys had the knack for delivering to themselves day in and day out.

Now, we get “Wilco – The Album.” And for me, this is a joy. A set of songs that can truly showcase the band and its prolific frontman – in ways that were delivered to the world with “AM” and “Being There.” And, yes, I know that those are the first two releases by Wilco – and that there has been seven other releases that followed. But with the exception of the Billy Bragg collaboration (Mermaid Avenue), I’ve always felt that the band was never truly comfortable in their own skin. (Please note; I know that not many other Wilco fans feel this way. I know there are folks who take the more ‘experimental’ Wilco over the ‘pop’ Wilco any day of the week – I just don’t happen to be one of them.)

I will say that I am as guilty as most – that when there were times in the Wilco roadshow that I found more interested in the car wreck that was the lives of Wilco as I did in the music they were releasing. And, after seeing one fantastic Wilco show – followed by one ramshackle mess of a show – I began to hold these guys to what (in retrospect) was an impossible bar to clear.

A lot of folks always thought of Wilco as Americana’s answer to The Band. I never bought that. I always thought of them more as Americana’s answer to Mott The Hoople. Both bands with charismatic frontmen whose vision lead the path of the band. Both with personal trials and tribulations, band members coming and going … and through it all, trying to deliver some great rock and roll. And now, with the release of “Wilco – The Album” – both with CDs named after the band.

At one point of the NY Time article, Mr. Carr quotes Jeff Tweedy as saying; “I suppose because everything about my life is better …” For me, that is the best comment that I could hear from Mr. Tweedy these days. I’ve always liked his music, and I always rooted for him to beat his demons. So I’m glad to see him walking on a sunnier side of the street.

I’m really digging the music on “Wilco – The Album,” and I hope that Jeff & the boys can keep it together … and keep bringing us the joy that is Wilco – the band.

Old Man Hockey

2009-05-22T13:42:00.001-07:00

It’s funny … a lot of folks say that you really don’t make any new friends after you reach a certain age. Well, sitting at 48, I’m here to say that isn’t true. Since moving back to the Philly area, I’ve been lucky enough to encounter a group of guys that could not be a better bunch of fellas to hang out with.

It started when I was taking my son to some ice skating lessons at the local rink. And, like it happens whenever I’m near a rink, the conversation turned to ice hockey. A guy I never met before joined the conversation and told me about a group of ‘old guys’ who play out every Wednesday night. Without further ado, he invited me to join in. And before I could respond, he added; “and they’re all nice guys.”

Well, I laced up my skates that Wednesday night and skated out for my first session of “Old Man Hockey”. And you know what? He was right; they were all nice guys. Most of the guys are over 40 … most have been playing since they were kids … and even a few are currently coaching local teams. All great guys. No hard asses … no guys who still feel they have something to prove since they never made it to the NHL. Just a bunch of old guys who want to play some ice hockey … and drink some cold beers. To give you an idea of the sense of humor these guys have, our team jersey logo has a picture of Moses … holding a hockey stick … with the phrase: ‘Let My People Score’

As it turns out, we have two goalies that both got great game. And, if one of them could not make it, I got the call. So, depending on who was on the ice, I either played in the net or left wing … and occasionally, the call never came, I'd show up with my 'winger' gear, find out we were a goalie short, and I’d zip on home to grab my goalie gear ASAP so the game could go on. Now, here’s where the “they’re all nice guys” part comes in. My first few times in the net I did OK. But, on one night, well … let’s just say that the puck found the back of the net more times than during an NHL All Star game.

On the nights that I played well, the team was right there with me … supportive and having fun. And, on this night where I couldn’t stop anything, the team was even more supportive … and kept reminding me that “we” were all still having fun.

We just ended the season with a night out at the local pub. And during that night we had the presentation of “The Old Fart Award” – a trophy that goes, each year, to the player who most lives up to the qualifications of being an old fart. Congrats, Joel!

So … as the summer is upon us, the skates will get sharpened, the pads will get aired out, and the roof of The Skatium will get repaired. But I know it won't be too long till the e-mail pops up in my “IN” basket calling all the ‘old men’ back for another season. And I'll be there ... with a bunch of really nice guys.

Happy Mother's Day!!

2009-05-10T04:41:00.000-07:00

Peter Case Info Update

2009-05-04T12:37:00.001-07:00

Here's some news from the folks at Hidden Love Medical Relief.

Dear Peter Case fan and supporter:

We are looking forward to an incredible series of benefit concerts at McCabe's this coming weekend. The outpouring of love and generosity from the amazing artisits and all involved in putting the shows together is a testiment to Goodness and Love.

Additionally, Roman Cho (official McCabe's photographer) has presented Hidden Love with another way for us to give to the Hidden Love Medical Relief Fund.

Roman's book Live@McCabe's is a photographic inside look at McCabe's Guitar Shop Concert Series. The book contains 106 pages of intimate photographs of live performance images, candid backstage photos, as well as formal portraits of artists taken by Cho over the span of the past five years.

To coincide with the Hidden Love Benefit shows, this unique "Peter Case Edition" contains a special cover and forward by the author.

All proceeds from books ordered by May 31 will be donated to the Hidden Love Benefit Fund.

To order, please click:

http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/645599

Blessings,
Hidden Love Medical Relief

Who The Hell Thought This Was A Good Idea??

2009-04-27T19:24:00.000-07:00

Someone should kick Louis Caldera's ass!!

It was an image New Yorkers never wanted to see again: a jumbo jet trailed by two fighter jets buzzing dangerously close to the city’s most famous landmarks.

On Monday morning a 747 and two military planes circled the Statue of Liberty and flew close to the World Trade Centre site, causing panic among locals in New York. Residents and office workers evacuated buildings and ran onto the streets, fearing a repeat of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, in which two hijacked airliners smashed into the World Trade Centre, killing almost 3,000 people.

But the flyover was nothing but a photo opportunity involving one of Barack Obama’s official presidential airplanes, apparently one of a series of flights to get pictures of the plane in front of national landmarks.

The flyover – carried out with little warning by the US defence department – was branded as “insensitive” by New York mayor Michael Bloomberg. President Obama, who was not on the plane at the time, was reportedly furious when told of the flight by White House staff.

Locals – particularly office workers, construction workers and residents in high rise buildings – fled into the streets when they saw the planes, including a 747 sometimes used as Air Force Once, flying as low as 1,500 feet above the Manhattan skyline.

Roy Renner, a construction worker in Manhattan said he feared the worst.

“I was thinking about what happened in 9/11,” Mr Renner told CBS news. “That was what I was thinking about, so I said: ‘look, let’s get out of here’.”

Dominick Caglioti, who works in one of the city’s high rise buildings, told the New York Post he was furious when he found out it was simply a photo opportunity.

"It's so stupid because they tell you about every fire drill, but they didn't tell us about this," he told the paper.

An administration official said the purpose of the flight was to update file photos of the president's plane near the famous statue in New York Harbour.

The official said the White House military office had told the Federal Aviation Administration that it periodically updates file photos of Air Force One near national landmarks, such as the Statue of Liberty and the Grand Canyon.

The FAA notified the New York Police Department of the flyover, telling them photos of the Air Force One jet would be taken about 1,500 feet above the Statue of Liberty around 10am on Monday. It had a classified footnote that said “information in this document shall not be released to the public or the media.”

Mr Bloomberg, who was not told about the flight, said had he been notified he would have asked the Defence Department not to do it.

“Why the Defence Department wanted to do a photo op right around the site of the World Trade Centre catastrophe defies the imagination,” Mr Bloomberg said. “Poor judgment would be a nice ways to phrase it.”

The director of the White House military office, Louis Caldera, took the blame a few hours later.

“Last week, I approved a mission over New York. I take responsibility for that decision,” Mr Caldera said. “While federal authorities took the proper steps to notify state and local authorities in New York and New Jersey, it's clear that the mission created confusion and disruption. I apologize and take responsibility for any distress that flight caused.”

by Sophie Tedmanson
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article6182950.ece

You Were The Best, Harry

2009-04-13T13:18:00.000-07:00

Phillies Broadcaster Harry Kalas Dies at 73

Phillies broadcaster Harry Kalas passed out in a press box at Nationals Park today and was pronounced dead at GW Hospital. He was 73.

"We lost our voice today," team president David Montgomery said, his voice cracking. "He has loved our game and made just a tremendous contribution to our sport and certainly to our organization."

Nats acting GM Mike Rizzo talked to Montgomery after Kalas' collapse but there was never really a thought of canceling the game; Montgomery told Rizzo that Kalas would have wanted them to play. There will be a moment for silence for both Nick Adenhart of Hagerstown and for Kalas.

"Major League Baseball has lost one of the great voices of our generation," Commissioner Bud Selig said in a statement. "Baseball announcers have a special bond with their audience, and Harry represented the best of baseball not only to the fans of the Phillies, but to fans everywhere."

Montgomery said that Kalas was found unconscious in a broadcast booth, where he was preparing to work Monday's game against the Nationals. He was found by the Phillies director of broadcasting at about 12:30 p.m.

Montgomery called his condition serious at that time, and the Phillies closed the visitors' clubhouse to the media.
Kalas missed most of spring training after undergoing surgery in February. The team declined to reveal details of the surgery, saying it was a "minor medical procedure."

Kalas, who has broadcast Phillies games since 1971, was known for his distinctive "Outta here!" home run call. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame after receiving the Ford C. Frick Award in 2002. He was in the final year of a three-year contract with the Phillies. Kalas also narrated for NFL Films, broadcast Animal Planet's annual Puppy Bowl and did the voice-overs for the Chunky Soup commercials.

By Tracee Hamilton | April 13, 2009; 3:04 PM ET

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/nationalsjournal/2009/04/kalas_found_passed_out.html?hpid=topnews

Brian Dawkins to give tickets to fired Eagles employee

2009-04-04T05:04:00.000-07:00

Here's just one more reason proving that Brian Dawkins is not only a great leader on the field - but a great man off the field.

Brian Dawkins to give tickets to fired Eagles employee

By Chris Chase

Last month, Dan Leone was fired from his part-time job with the Philadelphia Eagles after criticizing the team for letting veteran Brian Dawkins leave via free agency. Leone was a seasonal game day employee, which meant he worked during the Eagles' 10 home dates each season. His termination meant he would have been unlikely to attend any of those games in 2009. But now help is coming from an unexpected source.

Dawkins signed with the Denver Broncos, who happen to be playing in Philly this season. Since each visiting player gets two tickets to away games, the 35-year-old defensive back decided to give his allotment for the contest in Philadephia to Leone. Dawkins told the Philadelphia Daily News:

"I thought it'd be a good gesture. Had I not ... signed with Denver, that guy would still have his job. Obviously, he made a decision and out of emotion said something. He was one of probably thousands and thousands of Eagles fans who felt that way. That didn't surprise me, that someone said that on their Facebook. It did surprise me that he was let go, though ... I felt it would be a good thing, to reach out to that individual and just let him know how much I appreciate it.''

Well played, Brian Dawkins. It's becoming clear to see why most people in Philly didn't want to see a class act like Dawkins leave town.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/Brian-Dawkins-to-give-tickets-to-fired-Eagles-em?urn=nfl,152812

UPS does not support bullies!!!

2009-03-28T06:15:00.000-07:00

Well done, UPS ... well done, indeed!!!

(from the 'Think Progress' website)

UPS Announces It Will Stop Advertising On Bill O’Reilly’s Show

In response to our Stop Supporting The O’Reilly Harassment Machine campaign, UPS told us yesterday that it was investigating whether to continue supporting O’Reilly’s show. “We are sensitive to the type of television programming where our messages and presence are associated and continually review choices to affect future decisions,” spokeswoman Susan Rosenberg told us.

Today UPS announced it will stop advertising on O’Reilly’s show. Here is the statement UPS emailed out just moments ago:

Thank you for sending an e-mail expressing concern about UPS advertising during the Bill O’Reilly show on FOX News. We do consider such comments as we review ad placement decisions which involve a variety of news, entertainment and sports programming. At this time, we have no plans to continue advertising during this show.

For the full story:

http://thinkprogress.org/2009/03/27/ups-oreilly/

To join the protest:

http://thinkprogress.org/stop-oreilly-harassment/

Happy Birthday, Patty

2009-03-16T04:28:00.001-07:00

I’m still wearing the cross that you gave me
I still remember how you tried to save me
I still remember your tender touch
Sometimes I miss you too much

Gone but not forgotten

I remember as I held your hand
God took you to his promised land
Sometimes I feel too far from home
Sometimes I feel like I’m all alone

Gone but not forgotten

I remember I could make you mad
And just as easily make you sad
But you saw something no one else could see
That kept your love and faith in me

Gone but not forgotten

2009-03-15T21:01:00.001-07:00

Time For A Roadtrip To Denver

2009-03-09T17:28:00.000-07:00

OK ... it's stories like these that give me hope for mankind!!
Let's all raise a pint to Brad and Libby Birky !!

The first thing Brad Birky does is hand me an apron.

"Would you mind starting on soup duty?" he asks, guiding me toward two large industrial cookers near the front counter. "This is tomato corn bisque, and this is lentil."

The lunch rush is just starting at So All May Eat (SAME) Cafe, and soon I'm ladling steaming servings of soup into a mismatched collection of bowls and mugs. With me behind the counter are three more volunteers preparing pizza and dishing out salad and cookies to the growing line of customers, a cross-section of East Colfax Avenue foot traffic: latter-day flower children, sunburned day laborers, older women in librarian attire, laptop-toting students, professional bums, khaki-wearing businesspeople, vegan-core punker kids and the general miscellany of society that never appears in restaurant-industry demographics.

SAME has a menu that changes daily but always features food that's made from scratch and is largely organic. It has tables, chairs, bus bins, plants in the windows and overhead music (usually a mix of classic rock). But there's one thing SAME doesn't have: a cash register. There's no credit-card machine, no change drawer, no receipt book. That's because SAME doesn't have prices. Diners come in and order — some ask for just a cup of soup or a small slice of pizza, while others go for a whole meal, maybe even seconds if they're really hungry — and then pay what they want.

The concept is the exact opposite of Denver Restaurant Week, now under way, in which more than 200 restaurants in the metro area are offering a meal for the set price of $52.80 for two. DRW's goal is to entice diners to eat out more by removing the uncertainty of the final tab.

After only an hour behind the counter at SAME, I can pick out the new customers the minute they step in the door. Their eyes seek out numbers, first falling on the handwritten menu board, then drifting along the counter, searching for a printed menu with prices. Before puzzlement becomes full-blown confusion, Brad usually steps in.

"Is this your first time here?"

"Yes," says a young couple, him with a beard and her with an extra-long scarf. "We just moved into a place down the street."

"Okay," says Brad. "So we're a non-profit restaurant. We operate on a pay-what-you-want model. So we have no set prices. We let our customers pick what they want to eat and then pay afterward, however much they wish. If you can't pay anything, then we ask you to volunteer an hour helping in the cafe."

"Oh," both members of the couple reply. "Okay. Cool." They glance at each other to make sure it really is cool, then place their orders and make their drink selections from a choice of coffee, tea, iced tea or water. Brad hands each of them a small orange envelope with the number of their order.

After customers have eaten, they will put their payment in these envelopes, which then go through the slit of a small wooden box. That's the high technology upon which this business rests. The cafe will serve 55 people over a three-hour period today — a stat that multiplies out to roughly 15,000 customers a year. Some pay less than their share, some pay more, some pay nothing at all. And yet somehow it all works out.

Read more about it here:
http://www.westword.com/2009-02-26/news/same-cafe-the-restaurant-where-you-pay-what-you-can/

Justin Townes Earle

2009-03-04T11:39:00.001-08:00

It's no secret that the folks here at Brother's McC like their music with a little twang every now & then. And, I've had the pleasure of seeing Justin Townes Earle on a few occasions. And each time he delivered a fabulous show. With his latest quote in the Tennessean, I fully understand why. Not only are his songs great, his musicianship first rate - all tied together with an extremely entertaining delivery - his frame of mind is set perfectly when it comes to performing:

"There was a professional thing about the way that those guys performed on the Opry," he says. "No matter how drunk or depressed you were, you put your suit on, buttoned your shirt up, combed your hair and walked out onstage and you smiled. You put on the same show for everybody. That's something that's been lost. I think a lot of songwriters and musicians have allowed themselves in their head to have risen above everything. I make no mistake about the fact that the only reason I'm there is that the audience bought the ticket. I'm going to make sure that the people who pay my living are going to get their money's worth. And their money's worth is not in me staring at my shoes."

Read the entire article at:
http://www.tennessean.com/article/20090303/TUNEIN02/903030306/1005/ENTERTAINMENT

And check out his music at:
http://www.myspace.com/justintownesearle

Another Example of When Sports Make Great Men

2009-02-28T19:49:00.000-08:00

Amid the grieving, a rare act of sportsmanship

It didn't matter that his DeKalb, Ill., High School basketball team had ridden a bus two and a half hours to get to Milwaukee, then waited another hour past game time to play. Didn't matter that the game was close, or that this was a chance to beat a big city team. Something else was on Dave Rohlman's mind when he asked for a volunteer to shoot two free throws awarded his team on a technical foul in the second quarter. His senior captain raised his hand, ready to go to the line as he had many times before.

Only this time it was different.

"You realize you're going to miss them, don't you?" Rohlman said.

Darius McNeal nodded his head. He understood what had to be done.

It was a Saturday night in February, and the Barbs were playing a non-conference game on the road against Milwaukee Madison. It was the third meeting between the two schools, who were developing a friendly rivalry that spanned two states.

The teams planned to get together after the game and share some pizzas and soda. But the game itself almost never took place.

Hours earlier, the mother of Milwaukee Madison senior captain Johntel Franklin died at a local hospital. Carlitha Franklin had been in remission after a five-year fight with cervical cancer, but she began to hemorrhage that morning while Johntel was taking his college ACT exam.

Her son and several of his teammates were at the hospital late that afternoon when the decision was made to turn off the life-support system. Carlitha Franklin was just 39.

"She was young and they were real close," said Milwaukee coach Aaron Womack Jr., who was at the hospital. "He was very distraught and it happened so suddenly he didn't have time to grieve."

Womack was going to cancel the game, but Franklin told him he wanted the team to play. And play they did, even though the game started late and Milwaukee Madison dressed only eight players.

Early in the second quarter, Womack saw someone out of the corner of his eye. It was Franklin, who came there directly from the hospital to root his teammates on.

The Knights had possession, so Womack called a time out. His players went over and hugged their grieving teammate. Fans came out of the stands to do the same.

"We got back to playing the game and I asked if he wanted to come and sit on the bench," Womack said during a telephone interview.

"No," Franklin replied. "I want to play."

There was just one problem. Since Franklin wasn't on the pre-game roster, putting him in meant drawing a technical foul that would give DeKalb two free throws.

Though it was a tight game, Womack was willing to give up the two points. It was more important to help his senior guard and co-captain deal with his grief by playing.

Over on the other bench, though, Rohlman wasn't so willing to take them. He told the referees to forget the technical and just let Franklin play.

"I could hear them arguing for five to seven minutes, saying, `We're not taking it, we're not taking it," Womack said. "The refs told them, no, that's the rule. You have to take them."

That's when Rohlman asked for volunteers, and McNeal's hand went up.

He went alone to the free throw line, dribbled the ball a couple of times, and looked at the rim.

His first attempt went about two feet, bouncing a couple of times as it rolled toward the end line. The second barely left his hand.

It didn't take long for the Milwaukee players to figure out what was going on.

They stood and turned toward the DeKalb bench and started applauding the gesture of sportsmanship. Soon, so did everybody in the stands.

"I did it for the guy who lost his mom," McNeal told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "It was the right thing to do."

They may not remember our record 20 years from now, but they'll remember what happened in that gym that night.

Franklin would go on to score 10 points, and Milwaukee Madison broke open the game in the second half to win 62-47. Afterward, the teams went out for pizza, two players from each team sharing each pie.

Franklin stopped by briefly, thankful that his team was there for him.

"I got kind of emotional but it helped a lot just to play," he said. "I felt like I had a lot of support out there."

Carlitha Franklin's funeral was last Friday, and the school turned out for her and her son. Cheerleaders came in uniform, and everyone from the principal and teachers to Johntel's classmates were there.

"Even the cooks from school showed up," Womack said. "It lets you know what kind of kid he is."

Basketball is a second sport for the 18-year-old Franklin, who says he has had some scholarship nibbles and plans to play football in college. He just has a few games left for the Knights, who are 6-11 and got beat 71-36 Tuesday night by Milwaukee Hamilton.

It hasn't been the greatest season for the team, but they have stuck together through a lot of adversity.

"We maybe don't have the best basketball players in the world but they go to class and take care of business," Womack said. "We have a losing record but there's life lessons going on, good ones."

None so good, though, as the moment a team and a player decided there were more important things than winning and having good stats.

Yes, DeKalb would go home with a loss. But it was a trip they'll never forget.

"This is something our kids will hold for a lifetime," Rohlman said. "They may not remember our record 20 years from now, but they'll remember what happened in that gym that night."

http://highschool.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=914609

Welcome Home, Jimmy!!!

2009-02-20T05:50:00.001-08:00

After serving his country with 443 day in Iraq;

The Brothers McC are honored to say:

Welcome Home, Jimmy!!!

"Sneakers" - the movie

2009-02-19T06:56:00.001-08:00

Every once in a while – a fun movie comes and goes without too much recognition – but then, later – through the miracles of “rentals” and “cable” the movie starts to take on a life of its own (re: “The Princess Bride”).

Here’s another movie that you should rent if you’re in the mood for a “fun” movie night: “Sneakers”

Originally released in September of 1992, and featuring a stellar cast led by Robert Redford & Sidney Poitier, this is one of those movies that takes the viewer on a pretty exciting ride.

One review I read stated this: Sneakers is a cleverly written, rapidly paced, and blessedly non-violent thriller. It's a terrific vehicle for Robert Redford, who's in top form in a role tailored to his strengths. His relaxed, intelligent charm is a good foil for the eccentric characters of his colleagues, including David Strathairn, who plays a blind computer whiz. Each of them has his (or her) own quirky appeal, and together they create a team that functions according to its own loopy logic.

So, as you look for that fun, family friendly movie this weekend, give “Sneakers” a try!

I Came To Dance

2009-02-04T12:38:00.001-08:00

OK … lately I’ve been on a bit of a Motown kick. And, lo and behold – the February Issue has a great article on the 100 Greatest Tracks Of Motown.

I love articles like this – because there is never a definitive answer to the question; “What the best … ?”

So, after reading through MOJO’s picks, I thought I’d add mine. Anyone else who feels the need to chime in … please do.

10) “Superstition” – Stevie Wonder
This is the sound of a man changing the way music was written, recorded and played.

9) “I Want You Back” – The Jackson 5
I wore this record out. It was tough to pick just one – but I did,

8) “Dancing In The Streets” – Martha & The Vandellas
Go ahead … try to keep your ass in your seat when this comes through the speakers … I defy you!!!

7) “Aint No Mountain High Enough” – Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
I’ll admit it – I love the duets, and this duet nails it! And (if you believe the history of this track) it’s amazing that Marvin & Tammi sang their tracks without the other being there.

6) “Just My Imagination” – The Temptations
I really tried to list 10 separate artists for this Top Ten; but for all the bluster that is found on ‘Aint Too Proud To Beg’ – here the Temps bring all the beauty. Vocals that have yet to be match on the gazillion versions I’ve heard of this track.

5) “Reflections” – The Supremes
This song ruled my “mix tapes” for a while. It’s really hard to find a song that captures the production, lyrics and perfect vocals that they put on tape for this track.

4) “What’s Going On” – Marvin Gaye
The beauty of this song transcends time, race, age, fears, music and politics. Not only the vocals, but the true human spirit that Marvin Gaye brings to this track still chills my spine.

3) “Aint Too Proud To Beg” – The Temptations
From that slam-bang intro, to the full throated vocals, and head on collision arrangements, this songs feels like a train stream rolling down the tracks, no brakes – no conductor – just a man on his knees – trying to reclaim his lost love.

2) “What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted” – Jimmy Ruffin
With the possible exception of ‘The Last Waltz’ version of The Band’s “It Makes No Difference” – I do not think there has ever been – or ever will be a better track about being broken hearted. You do not even need to understand the English language to understand (and feel) Jimmy’s heartbreak in this song.

1) “Reach Out I’ll Be There” – The Four Tops
This song will always get me moving, singing, dancing, driving faster, turning the radio up louder … you name it! For me, this is as good as it gets!

Would You Have Noticed?

2009-01-13T07:06:00.001-08:00

A man sat at a metro station in Washington DC and started to play the violin. It was a cold January morning. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was calculated that thousands of people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.

Three minutes went by, and a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds - and then hurried up to meet his schedule.

A minute later, the violinist received his first dollar tip: a woman threw the money in the till and without stopping - continued to walk.

A few minutes later, someone leaned against the wall to listen to him, but the man looked at his watch and started to walk again. Clearly he was late for work.

The one who paid the most attention, was a 3 year old boy. His mother tagged him along, hurried - but the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Finally the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk - turning his head al l the time. This action was repeated by several other children. All the parents, without exception, forced them to move on.

In the 45 minutes the musician played, only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money, but continued to walk their normal pace. He collected $32. When he finished playing and silence took over, no one noticed it. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

No one knew this but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the best musicians in t he world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth 3.5 million dollars.

Two days before his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston and the seats average $100.

This is a real story:
Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and priorities of people. The outlines were: in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour: Do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize the talent in an unexpected context?

One of the possible conclusions from this experience could be:
If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world - playing the best music ever written, how many other things are we missing?

Read the full story here:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/04/AR2007040401721.html

Joshua Bell's Website:

http://www.joshuabell.com

Slaid Cleaves

2009-01-02T06:25:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year everybody!

I hope that everyone had a great, happy & healthy holiday – and that 2009 shapes up to be a great year for all.

For my first post of the year – a year that I will take my cue from the best music blog out there – “Teenage Kicks” (see our links section) – I want to occasionally bring to you some of the great music that is out there that might have slipped by your CD collection.

Over the holidays, I was listening to this guy – Slaid Cleaves – a lot. Slaid is one of those singer songwriters who people rave about – and I’ll be no different. The ease with which he delivers his songs is so seemingly effortless and smooth that you almost overlook the craft by which he has molded some of the best storytelling songs out there.

For those of you who don’t know his music – may I suggest his CD: “Broke Down” as a pretty good starting point? I was playing down at SXSW a few years back – and ended up sitting next to Slaid on stage during a “Songwriters In The Round” show – and Slaid nailed the title track of this CD during one round. As he finished, I leaned over to him and said, “Whatever CD that is on – I’m buying it as soon as we walk off this stage.”

Slaid & I ended up trading CD’s – and I fell in love with his music. Imagine if Springsteen had flushed out “Nebraksa” with a few great ‘Americana’ styled players and Emmylou singing harmonies – and that’s the general idea.

So … there you go … take a look & listen at his website – and then buy a CD (or two or three).

Till next time … meet me down at the Horseshoe Lounge.

http://www.slaid.com/index.html

My Favorite Tracks Of 2008

2008-12-13T08:04:00.000-08:00

1. “Requiem For A Dying Song” – Flogging Molly
2. “The Cheapest Key” – Kathleen Edwards
3. “The ’59 Sound” – The Gaslight Anthem
4. “Love In Her Eyes” – Reckless Kelly
5. “Feels Like Home” – Randy Newman
6. “Who Am I To Say” – Justin Townes Earle
7. “The Last Pale Light In The West” – Ben Nichols
8. “Stolen Shoes & A Rifle” – Blitzen Trapper
9. “Old Enough” – The Ranconteurs (w/ Ashley Monroe & Ricky Skaggs)
10. “Scare Easy” – Mudcrutch
11. “Love Has Gone Away” – Palmyra Delran
12. “Angelina Jole” – The Chevelles
13. “Sequestered In Memphis” – The Hold Steady
14. “Break Up The Concrete” – The Pretenders
15. “Happy Birthday” – The Ting Tings
16. “I Don’t Want To Grow Up” – Hayes Carll
17. “Ballad Of Lou The Welterweight” – The Felice Brothers
18. “Fortunate Son” – Todd Snider
19. “Between A Memory & A Dream” – Scott Kempner
20. “A Night With The Jersey Devil” – Bruce Springsteen

John Lennon: 10/9/40 – 12/8/80

2008-12-08T07:52:00.001-08:00

Imagine there's no Heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one

Robert Müller's Toughest Fight

2008-11-26T06:00:00.000-08:00

OK ... OK ... I know what you're thinking. Not another post about Ice Hockey!!! And who is Robert Müller and why should we care about him?

Here at the Brothers McC, we often like to ramble on (and on and on and on) about things we know about. And sometimes we'll even ramble on about things we know hardly anything about. That's all part of the joy that is being us! But one of the topics that will keep on popping up on this page is sports. And, as I have found out, there are so many times that a sports story can be truly inspiring ('Miracle On Ice' and ' Rudy' and 'The Pride Of The Yankees' to name just a few). But it seems that there are so many great stories in this world that often some of them fall through the cracks of the general public’s radar.

Here’s a story that should be a front pager – if not on every newspaper, at least on every sports section.

This is the story of Robert Müller, the remarkable German goalie who has fought back from an operation to remove parts of a brain tumor. And, while still undergoing a full course of chemo- and radiation therapy, amazingly, he has returned to the nets in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga. He even stopped 96 of 100 shots for Kölner Haie in a 168-minute-long playoff match — the second longest game in hockey history!!! Müller then went on to backstop Kölner Haie (Cologne Sharks) to the DEL final and played well for Germany at the World Championship in Canada.

But then over this summer, the tumor started growing again, and in August he underwent a second operation. Then, a couple of weeks ago came bad news — Müller, just 28 and the father of two, has a rare and incurable form of tumor, and he has already exceeded the median survival period for those with the condition.

And yet despite this dark prognosis, Müller continues to inspire. He started practicing with Cologne last month, and last week he even dressed as the backup for a game in nearby Duisburg. (Fans there greeted him with a big ovation.) On Sunday, dressed for the first time in Cologne, he came onto the ice to finish the last eight minutes of an easy victory over Nuremberg Ice Tigers.

This is a great story – and you can read more about it here:

http://www.iihf.com/home-of-hockey/news/news-singleview/article/the-enemy-in-muellers-head.html?tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=955&cHash=d4ab3f01b3

The Hawk Will Never Die

2008-11-23T08:07:00.000-08:00

It’s a funny thing about the loyalties of your youth – they just never die. And for me, one of those strongest ties was built at one of the greatest sports halls in the world; The Palestra. For the uninitiated, the Palestra housed the college basketball games of the The Big Five (St. Joe’s, Penn, Temple, La Salle & Nova). And, when I was a kid, a couple of bucks got you a soda, a Philly soft pretzel and (on most Saturdays) a double-header.

What’s not to love???

Well, as we all know, The Hawk Will Never Die – and apparently, neither does a young boys love for the team, the school and … well … sports.

As I’ve moved back to Philly, and once again picked up on the local sports scene – yesterday I found myself (and my four year old son) at The Skatium; another great little sports site – though this one housing not basketball, but ice hockey games. And there, on the ice, were the St. Joe Hawks.

Just that quick I was immersed with the faithful, cheering the Hawks on. Sadly, on this occasion, the Hawks efforts fell short – but it was a great game. There was excitement, great plays, bad calls, powerplays, odd man rushes, great saves … everything that makes hockey (and college sports) fun!! And, in what has become a rare oddity in today’s sports world; it was free!!

So, my dear readers, my advice for you today – find a team, find a passion, and get on out there and cheer. Or, as the wife of the youngest Brother McC would say; “Shoot the ****ing puck!!!!”

Anyone who cares to join me as the Hawks skate again, here’s a link to their schedule.

The Hawk Will Never Die!
Scott

The Boss Is Back

2008-11-17T13:00:00.000-08:00

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN'S 'WORKING ON A DREAM' SET FOR JANUARY 27 RELEASE ON COLUMBIA RECORDS

http://www.brucespringsteen.net/news/index.html

Bruce Springsteen's new album 'Working on a Dream' has been set for January 27 release on Columbia Records. 'Working on a Dream' was recorded with the E Street Band and features twelve new Springsteen compositions plus two bonus tracks. It is the fourth collaboration between Springsteen and Brendan O'Brien, who produced and mixed the album.

'Working on a Dream' Song Titles:

1. Outlaw Pete
2. My Lucky Day
3. Working On a Dream
4. Queen of the Supermarket
5. What Love Can Do
6. This Life
7. Good Eye
8. Tomorrow Never Knows
9. Life Itself
10. Kingdom of Days
11. Surprise, Surprise
12. The Last Carnival

Bonus tracks:
The Wrestler
A Night with the Jersey Devil

Bruce Springsteen said, "Towards the end of recording 'Magic,' excited by the return to pop production sounds, I continued writing. When my friend producer Brendan O'Brien heard the new songs, he said, 'Let's keep going.' Over the course of the next year, that's just what we did, recording with the E Street Band during the breaks on last year's tour. I hope 'Working on a Dream' has caught the energy of the band fresh off the road from some of the most exciting shows we've ever done. All the songs were written quickly, we usually used one of our first few takes, and we all had a blast making this one from beginning to end."

Welcome Back Boys!!

2008-11-14T09:45:00.000-08:00

Band members announce they are hitting the studio soon

http://www.nme.com/news/faces/41015

The Faces are set to reunite for rehearsals with a view to a full reformation.

Frontman Rod Stewart told Raysgigs.com that all the original members aside from late bassist Ronnie Lane, who died in 1997, were set to reconvene on Monday (November 17) to run through their old hits.

The singer, who spoke at the Claridges Bar 10th Anniversary Party said the band, which includes current Rolling Stones' guitarist Ronnie Wood, will use Stewart's touring bassist to fill in for Lane.

Teek - You in??

The Rachel Maddow Show

2008-11-12T12:09:00.000-08:00

OK folks – it’s time to let everyone in on what you may be missing. My current fave show is The Rachel Maddow Show (MSNBC, Weeknights at 9:00pm).

If you’ve ever watched the news and thought:
“Sweet Jeebus – what the hell is going on in this world?”
Well … then this is the show for you.

To give you a little background on Ms. Maddow, here’s a little info from her website:

Rachel has a doctorate in political science (she was a Rhodes Scholar) and a background in HIV/AIDS activism and prison reform. She shakes a mean cocktail, drives a bright red pickup, hates Coldplay, loves arguing with conservatives, spends a lot of money on AMTRAK tickets, and dresses like a first-grader.

What’s not to love???

Her show doesn’t feel so much like a news show ... it feels more like sitting around having a beer with a friend, and freaking out over the bullshit that is going on around here on a day-to-day basis. Some days, she finds news items that are so ridiculous that she actually asks a guest to “talk her down” – an option that I wish we all had in our daily lives.

Anyway – give her show a chance – I promise you’ll love it.

http://www.rachelmaddow.com

The Cover

2008-11-06T13:34:00.000-08:00

Ever since the beginning of music, I’m sure there have been ‘covers.’ And, in that time frame, the success of those covers have been met with varying degrees of success (both critical and commercial).

Yesterday, I heard Bruce Springsteen’s cover of Jimmy Cliff’s “Trapped” – a version that I’ve always loved. It’s great to hear an artist deliver a cover with the power and emotion that the E Street Band brings to this. And it got me thinking: What are the best cover versions of songs?

Some are obvious:

The Beatles; “Twist & Shout”
Written by Phil Medley and Bert Russell. It was originally recorded by the Top Notes and then covered by The Isley Brothers.

The Clash: “I Fought The Law”
Originally recorded by Sonny Curtis and The Crickets (post Buddy Holly) in 1959. The song was then famously covered by Bobby Fuller Four.

Jimi Hendrix: “All Along The Watchtower”
Penned by Bob Dylan.

But what are the tracks that have been most “original” in their version?

Tori Amos solo piano ballad take on Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” comes to mind. As does The Dropkick Murphy’s rocking version of Pete St. John’s “Fields of Athenry.”

So … what are the best ‘covers’

Here are a few choices from your humble author:

Rod Stewart: "Country Comfort" (Elton John, Bernie Taupin)
Tom Waits: “Somewhere” Leonard bernstein and stephen Sondheim
Jeff Buckley: "Hallelujah" (Leonard Cohen)
Rolling Stones: “Aint Too Proud To Beg” (Norman Whitfield & Edward Holland, Jr.)
Bruce Springsteen: Santa Clause Is Coming To Town (J. Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie)

Feel free to chime in on the good, bad & ugly that you’ve heard!

A Perfect Day

2008-10-26T14:22:00.001-07:00

You know … the universe continually cracks me up. Like John Hiatt sang; “just when you thought you’ve been jipped, the bearded lady comes and does a double back flip.”

Well, yesterday – she was flipping all over the flipping place!!

Just a few hours after I posted yesterday about the Flyers, and the joy my son gets watching the games with me on TV – the eldest Brother McC calls me with a line on two free tickets for yesterday’s Flyers game against the NJ Devils. (Thanks, Teek!)

So … off we went.

To say that I had what would be considered a perfect day … well … it was. Even though the rain pounded the car for the entire ride to the arena (we were lucky to have a Parking Pass that put us about thirty yards from the doors), even though there was the crush of traffic; The World Series traffic (tail-gaters mostly at this hour), a ‘Celtic Thunder’ concert at the old Spectrum, and a Sold Out house for the Flyers; all on the way, we actually got there pretty smoothly.

Ian, dressed in his Flyers t-shirt, was handed a Phillies ‘Rally Towel’ as soon as we entered the building. A rally towel that he waved for about 98% of the game. His hero, Marty Biron, was in the net, and his Daddy was as excited as he was to be there.

One note: I know that Philly Fans always get a bad rap. And, let’s face it, some of that rep is pretty well earned. But, everywhere we walked, and particularly, in our seats, all the other fans were great. They all spoke to Ian – asked him questions – high fived him - and were more than polite when it came to anything that was being shouted towards the ice.

The game – wow!!!! Fast and furious. Lights, colors, sounds, everything that a three year old (and a 47 year old for that matter) would love. And, in the end, the Flyers scored an OT goal to beat the Devils to win both ends of a home-and-home series.

As we drove home, both a little exhausted, there wasn’t a lot of talk in the car, till I heard my son ask from the back seat; “Daddy … can we go back there again?”

Like I said earlier: a perfect day!

The Flyers: Like Father – Like Son

2008-10-25T06:26:00.000-07:00

You know – it’s been a rough start for the Flyers this year (0-3-3). And, with the Phillies marching in to the World Series, the little coverage the Flyers usually get has shrunk even more. But, for the Flyers Faithful, that’s OK – because we still get nights like last night.

Last night, The Flyers took their game into the Meadowlands to face off against the NJ Devils. The Flyers hadn’t beaten the Devils on their ice in years. So, as I sat down to watch the men in orange and black last night, I wasn’t expecting much. But, as I sat there, a three year old who believes that Martin Biron is not only the best goalie in the NHL, but the best ice hockey player on Earth – there’s always hope.

Then something funny happened on the way to another Flyers loss. The boys showed up and played their hearts out. Marty Biron began to realize that he is one of the NHL’s elite goalies and Mike Richards showed why he is the team captain – dishing out four assists. It was a fast paced, action packed game, with the lead changing hands numerous times. And, with each passing minute, the excitement grew.

Here at the Brothers McC, sports has played a big role in our lives. Always had – ever since we were kids. And, though I’m the only brother to live & die with the Flyers, the other two “feel my pain” when the Flyers lose, and share my joy when they win.

Now, the Flyers are back with another season and I’m right back there with them. Only this time, I have a co-pilot flying with me. Having a three year old son sitting next to you as the Flyers take to the ice – and hearing that kid scream – will make me smile every game – win or lose. Of course, on the night games – like last night, he can only watch a little bit with me – but his excitement still puts a huge grin on my face. And sure, I know that Ian isn’t fully aware of what is actually going on, all he knows is that the Flyers make Daddy happy – and that’s good enough for him. Well, at 47, I’ve learned something from my three year old son: Win or lose – as long as the Flyers are making him happy – that’s good enough for me. Though, beating the Devils always makes the ‘good enough’ a little better!

Levi Stubbs; R.I.P.

2008-10-17T15:50:00.000-07:00

Levi Stubbs, the gruff-voiced yet exceedingly expressive frontman of soul music giants the Four Tops, has passed away at age 72 in his Detroit home. The powerful lead singer on hit singles including 'I Can't Help Myself,' 'It's the Same Old Song,' 'Reach Out I'll Be There,' 'Standing in the Shadows of Love' and 'Bernadette' in the 1960s, Stubbs had been ill in recent years, having recently been debilitated by a stroke and cancer that forced his retirement in 2000.

On a personal note: I can not tell you the amount of hours that I spent listening to this man (and his AMAZING band) teach me about love, life, friendship and more love (both happy and sad). There's an old Al Stewart song titled "Post World War Two Blues" where he talks about the death of Buddy Holly. He sings:

"I still remember the last time I cried
The day that Buddy Holly died
I never met him so it may seem strange
Don't some people just affect you that way"

Thank you, Mr. Stubbs

np - "Reach Out And I'll Be There"

National League Champs!!!

2008-10-16T06:38:00.000-07:00

Congrats Jen & Aaron!!!

2008-10-14T09:12:00.000-07:00

All the folks here at Brothers McC want to send out a big CONGRATULATIONS to one of our favorite folks!!

Congrats Jen!!

As of yesterday, Jen made the correct decision of accepting a marriage proposal from Aaron, her longtime guy!

For the record, the man pictured above with Jen is Ian, the man of her dreams. Aaron is the man of her reality.

Mazal Tov!!!!!

:-)

2008-10-05T06:20:00.001-07:00

From: http://www.sodahead.com/blog/16643/

Go Phillies!!!

2008-09-29T13:47:00.001-07:00

Congrats to the National League East Champs!!!

A Man Could Use A Pint …

2008-09-27T08:40:00.001-07:00

And so, as the week draws to a close, the debate rages on. First, thanks to the folks who replied (most notable, Chris & Rob, the Steely Dan fans who took up the discussion and we carried it on, as most good music talks do, uncharted territory). I even discovered a few bands that I never heard of.

Since the original post – this conversation has taken on a life of it’s own and has had some pretty cool left hand turns.

To recap:

One: Was Mr. Becker joking when talking about ripping off his fans? The general consensus seems that he was – and that I missed the joke.

Two: Was Steely Dan’s musical high point “Can’t Buy A Thrill” (1972), “Pretzel Logic” (1974), and “Katy Lied” (1975) – I still believe it was, but there are a few who were championing latter day SD. Which led to …

Three: Why is it that most artists first half of their careers are more interesting than their second half? And boy – this was a good debate. Folks adding all kinds of music (and fave artists to prove or disprove their position.) I’d post some of the replies here – but I don’t want to go down that road again.

Four: Is ‘perfection’ all that it’s cracked up to be? This is a tough one to decide – either way. And, it was kind of split down party lines. Steely Dan fans going more for the “yes”, while others (Clash fans unite!!) going for the “rock and roll is supposed to be little dirtier” standpoint.

Five: My favorite topic that was covered: Does more “difficult” mean “better’? While bands like Steely Dan like to delve into deeper chord progressions than most, using diminished, suspended & augmented chords to keep things interesting. Does that make it “better” then a 1-4-5 progession? What would Chuck Berry say?

And, last; In the quest for perfection; is modern day technology a good or a bad thing? The fact that Pro Tools can give the same result as the Brecker Brothers nailing something live – who’s “better” for the end result?

Funny to think this all came about by a post that included The Singing Mongooses.

Rave On!
Scott

Steely Dan Fans Rise Up!!

2008-09-24T12:12:00.000-07:00

Damn … what a guy can learn in twenty-four hours!!!

First – I learned (and was completely surprised by the fact) that the folks that read this blog are not just limited to: Folks That I’ve Had Beer With

After my Steely Dan rant, a friend of mine showed me over to a Steely Dan message board – and boy, were they pissed at me!!!

Second – Who knew that Steely Dan fans would curse just like Sex Pistol fans? I expected the usual; loser, hack, frustrated musician; and I was surprised to called a fan of Sting, Madonna & Black Sabbath; but I was really surprise to see some F-bombs dropped in the discussion. Yikes.

So, never one to just sit back, I reached out to a person who I think moderates the board over there. I handed over an olive branch – and gave him a challenge. And it’s a challenge that I’ll throw out to any of the folks who might be reading this – I know there’s a few Dan Fans out there.

Go Ahead: Make Me A Steely Dan Fan

Send me your Top Ten Steely Dan songs (anything released after ‘Katy Lied’ – that’s when I lost the thread for these guys) and I’ll go to iTunes and give them a spin. Pick your faves – I’m serious – I’ll give them a listen.

Rave On!!!

I Have Never Liked Steely Dan

2008-09-23T07:58:00.000-07:00

What can I say? I’ve never liked Steely Dan. I’ve always found their faux-jazz, watered down rock and roll to be a bit of a bore. Like a friend of mine would say; They are jazz music for folks who don’t really like jazz.

Sure, there have been a few great tracks. But outside of “Can’t Buy A Thrill” (1972), “Pretzel Logic” (1974), and “Katy Lied” (1975) – I defy anyone to listen to a Steely Dan CD from start to finish – and then still be awake when the final track ends. You get extra points if you can make it through any of their solo “work.”

But to slag Steely Dan’s music is not what brought me here today. I’m here to slag Walter Becker and Donald Fagen. You see – I always thought the majority of their lyrics were off the mark – and when they gave interviews, I always found them to be a little too high brow and too condescending. I used to just blow it off to them just being aloof – or to the fact that they were just too holier than thou for their own good. (Edit: After many e-mails; I've been informed that their interviews carry more humor than I noticed - hence - the beginning of this saga).

It wasn’t till I was reading MOJO 176 (July 2008) that I truly understood why I never really cared for these guys. Basically, they’re jerks. Yep – it’s right there in black and white (on page 149). From the article:

Walter Becker, who claims to have seen record shops filled with all kinds of releases purporting to be Danware, lists his combative plan on his website. He says he intends to buy all overstocks of an album by The Singing Mongoose, a children’s record of speeded up voices. “We’ll slap a sticker on the front that says ‘Steely Dan – The Furry Years’ and promote the hell out of them through the website. Of course, neither Donald or I are on the record – but who’s gonna know for sure? … it’ll be a rip-off, but at least it will be OUR rip-off for a change.”

There you go folks – a master plan by Steely Dan to rip off their own fans. (Edit: Again, I'll chalk this up to the fact that I just don't "get" their sense of humor.) I guess when you’re artistic peak was over thirty years ago, you gotta do something to bring in the cash.

Oh, and by the way, I checked out the Singing Mongooses – their music beats Steely Dan hands down. Check ‘em out!

http://www.nahenahe.net/mongoose/

Kevin Was Right!!! Who Knew???

2008-09-16T12:02:00.000-07:00

OK – Usually here at the Brothers McC we figure that Kev stays out at the pub all night, then comes home and posts his rantings to the unsuspecting cyber-world. More often than not, we agree with him because we’re his brothers and we defend his right to be … well .. Kevin. As it turns out I actually do agree with his latest ramblings, ‘Diminished …’ (see below); but not only that, they are backed by one Darrell M. West, who is vice president and director of Governance Studies at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C. and the author of "Air Wars: Television Advertising in Election Campaigns, 1952-2004."

Go figure … I guess between beers and B-ball at W&L, Kev must have attended some classes as well!!!

*****
(Taken from CNN.com)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Negative attacks are as American as apple pie. Since the early days of the republic, candidates attacked with a vigor that contemporary strategists would admire.

In the 1800 presidential election, for example, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams criticized one another with a stunning ferocity on everything from foreign and domestic policy to private character and personal behavior.

Later campaigns weren't much better. Critics of Andrew Jackson in 1836 accused him of murdering Indians. In 1884, Grover Cleveland was ridiculed for fathering an illegitimate child. William Jennings Bryan was characterized as a dangerous radical in 1896 who would ruin the economy.

Despite these historical precedents, the 2008 campaign has reached all-time lows in the use of misleading and inaccurate political appeals. Even Karl Rove, the architect of negative ads in previous campaigns, has complained about the tenor of this year's campaign.

John McCain broadcast an ad taking Barack Obama's words out of context and suggesting Democrats were trying to compare GOP vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin to a pig. The McCain campaign ran another spot erroneously claiming Obama favored comprehensive sex education for kindergarteners.

Democrats have not been above reproach either. After McCain secured the GOP nomination this spring, outside groups falsely claimed the Republican supported a 1,000-year war in Iraq and therefore was not worthy of the presidency.

These misleading appeals suggest voters must remain vigilant about candidate, party, and group claims. Generally, the most misleading commercials have come from independent groups uncoordinated with the candidates.

These organizations feel free to run emotional and inaccurate content designed to play on voter's fears and anxieties. Some of the worst ads in recent memory, such as the Willie Horton ad in 1988, have been broadcast by these kinds of groups.

In past years, the only upside of attack ads was that they generally contained more issue content than other types of ads. Since reporters police campaign appeals, the ads generally stick to the issues and rely on factually-accurate information. Ad sponsors and candidates realize they will be held accountable for unfair ad content.

However, commercials run this year represent a break with this general pattern. Attack ads broadcast in recent months have twisted the truth, lied about personal background, taken statements out of context, and clearly sought to manipulate voter sentiments.

Most worrisome from a factual standpoint is McCain's claim that Obama will raise taxes on the middle class. Although Obama has pledged to increase income taxes on those earning more than $250,000, he has been careful not to make proposals that would raise taxes on the middle class for fear of being labeled a tax-and-spend liberal.

McCain's tax claims have been condemned by leading editorial boards and surely will attract considerable attention in upcoming debates.

With all the factual inaccuracies that have taken place, voters need to protect themselves from efforts at political manipulation. Non-partisan Web sites such as www.factcheck.org represent one source of unbiased information. They analyze ads and compile factual information in support of or in opposition to ad claims.

Other trustworthy fact-checkers include ad watches and reality checks run by leading news organizations. These features dissect candidate claims in regard to accuracy, strategy, and impact.

But the best thing for voters to do is to watch the candidate debates and judge for themselves. Study the statements and the factual bases of policy claims. Pay attention to how the candidates speak and what they say. Find out what non-partisan groups think and see what they have to say regarding the major issues.

By the time the campaign is over, the presidential candidates are expected to have spent 55 percent of their overall budget on ads. Strategists put together spots very carefully and pre-test major messages on small groups of voters.
Most of this money will be devoted to television spots. But increasingly amounts are being targeted on radio, direct mail, and Internet appeals.

In the end, voters are going to have to decipher competing charges and counter-charges amid considerable noise from all sides. The 2008 election is unusual in having so many big issues on the agenda: the economy, the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, health care, taxes, immigration, education and climate change.

It is an election that truly matters because of the stark differences between the parties and the closeness of the campaign. Voters need to pay serious attention to the facts in order to make a wise choice.

Diminished ...

2008-09-08T20:33:00.000-07:00

Is it possible to run for the highest office in the land and be a statesman/stateswoman? To do it with dignity?

It seems the answer is a resounding "No."

The bruising primary season quickly turned candidates into (or magnified their propensity toward) triple-talking, back-stabbing, soul-selling hucksters before the campaign buses even cleared the New Hampshire state line.

And when the smoke cleared and the wreckage had been shoved to the shoulder — the ultimate prize nearly in sight — the two survivors released their hounds ... er ... vice-presidential picks.

And now the VP hopefuls have stepped into the ring like Chris Jericho and Beth Phoenix, ready to rip each other and their respective bosses apart all over again.

(ed. — googling the above names of the current WWE champions constitutes an all-time high in BrothersMcC research)

I used to not give a shit.

You may currently not give a shit.

But this election has the feel of "pivotal" all over it.

You may say "All presidential elections are pivotal, halfwit."

And you'd be right ... especially the halfwit part.

But, for some reason, this one has the air of tragedy about it. And the tragedy is that — in the face of such staggering history being made with Barack Obama and Sarah Palin involved — we insist on making those who would become the leaders of the free world diminish themselves as human beings.

We force them to lie, exaggerate, attack, slander, hurl petty insults over and over again, air fifth-grade-level commercials and generally behave like total assholes.

Then we ask them to lead us.

"Well there, Kevin, that's the name of the game in high-stakes politics. It's dog-eat-dog. If you don't like it — move to Iceland, you big pussy."

Yeah but as we demand that these people humiliate themselves on a global stage (and then expect them to inspire us and unite us?) — we diminish ourselves.

It was sad to see Joe Biden follow his son's moving introduction with an overwrought, frothing barkfest at the Democratic National Convention. It should have been the crowning moment for a guy who has overcome more adversity than those poor bastards on Prison Break. Instead, he was borderline nutty. His speech had a hint of violence to it. And he was talking about John McCain, a long-time friend.

And as historic and genuinely exciting as Sarah Palin's appearance was at the Republican National Convention — and it was, you can't deny it — her speech was condescending and nasty. She was poised, she was tough, she was spoiling for a fight.

She was really fucking annoying.

Just like every other politician.

And the saddest --- and most diminishing --- part of it all is that it means nothing.

What these four people say and promise in the next 60 days will bear little, if any, resemblance to their actions.

Mavericks?

Change?

Really, who are we kidding?

Couldn't we have used the money for these dorkfests ... um I mean ... conventions for something like, say, people in New Orleans still waiting for a bed to sleep in or the 750 homeless veterans wandering lost in the wilds of Columbus, Ohio.

Of course not.

Because this is the way things are done.

And with politicians, we expect them — deep down — to be scumbags. As long as they're our scumbags.

We will put up with — and even cheer — all the bullshit campaign promises and flip-floppery that all politicians shovel at us. We know its part of the deal. Politicians must lie, cheat and betray to get shit done.

And we're cool with that.

As long as they keep up their end of the unspoken bargain:

Keep us safe, housed and fed.

Keep our sons and daughters in the military from eating any unnecessary bullets and shrapnel. And when they go and do our fighting for us, take care of them when they come back.

Keep everyone — and goddammit, we mean everyone! — equal.

That's the government's job.

That's the president's job.

Everything else is gravy — or pork.

Consider Iraq, Afghanistan, Katrina, gas prices, food prices, the current housing situation, corruption, cronyism, scrap-heaped veterans, rising unemployment, appalling public schools and the prospect (from both sides of the aisle) of religious ideology splashing over the sides of the reflecting pool, across the lawn and into the halls of Congress.

Then ask yourself ...

Who's the best lying, exaggerating, scheming, borderline criminal gladhander for the job?

See ya at the polls!

Oh yeah! Almost forgot — BrothersMcC has its first scoop!! Below is a sneak preview of the Vice-Presidential debate, courtesy of a somewhat lesser-known Palin.

Happy Birthday to The Youngest Brother McC

2008-09-01T09:35:00.000-07:00

:-)

Sean Invades The Internet

2008-09-01T06:58:00.000-07:00

My son is already leaving me in the dust with his internet savvy. He has posted six videos on youtube. Here is his debut effort. The kid loves Ray Allen and Linkin Park, what can I say?

You can check out his youtube profile and other videos here:

http://www.youtube.com/user/NOOSEBALL

Get Well Soon, Will

2008-08-23T06:47:00.001-07:00

All the folks here at Brothers McC wish Will a safe & speedy recovery.

Nashville rock musician Will Hoge, 35, is in critical condition in Vanderbilt University Medical Center after being involved in a motor scooter accident Wednesday evening.

Hoge was traveling north on Main Street in East Nashville at about 8 p.m. when a southbound van failed to yield while turning into 712 Main St., Metro Police spokesperson Kris Mumford said. Hoge's motor scooter collided with the passenger side of the van. Police found no evidence of alcohol or drugs involved in the accident.
Advertisement

Ashley Hansen, editorial assistant at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, reported Hoge's family "appreciates everyone keeping Will in their thoughts and prayers."

The driver of the van, Sibomana Viateur, 28, of Nashville, did not suffer any injuries.

Hoge is one of Nashville's most accomplished rock artists, having moved from a promising major-label stint in the early part of the decade into a thriving career as a hard-touring, do-it-yourself musician. His most recent album, last year's Draw the Curtains, was his first for indie label Rykodisc, and marked his return to label affiliation.

The singer-songwriter is in the midst of recording the follow-up to that highly praised album at Sound Emporium Studios at home in Nashville. He is scheduled to take a hometown stage at the Mercy Lounge on Sept. 20, as part of the 2008 Americana Music Festival.

Happy Birthday Jimmy

2008-08-20T08:04:00.001-07:00

Today, here at the Brothers McC - and, all around the world, we celebrate the 21st birthday of SPC James McCarthy. Better known to us and the fine ladies of Maryland, as Jim.

Be safe ... get home soon ... a cold beer is waiting for you.

Even though it will get there after the fact, feel free to send Jim a birthday card. Or, if you will, just a note of encouragement ... or thanks ...

Jim is a great kid. And by wearing this country's uniform he does us all proud.

Send those cards & letters to:

SPC James McCarthy
2-25 SBCT 25th ID
Bravo Co 1-4 IN BN
6260
APO AE 09378

Lucero: A Great American Band

2008-08-13T15:17:00.000-07:00

A few years ago, the eldest member of the Brothers McC called me to let me know that there was an ‘amazing’ band playing in Brooklyn on the following night. The band; Lucero. Who? You might ask … cause I know I did. Well, as it turned out, the Mrs & I were able to make the show – though we were unable to talk anyone else we knew in to going with us. We jumped a subway train headed off into the Brooklyn night, got to our stop – still had a long walk – but finally made it to the club.

There was a big sign on the door: SOLD OUT !!

Well, as my old soundman Turk used to say, ‘Nothing is ever sold out’ – so we walked in and talked with the doorman. Sure enough, it was sold out, but the doorman was a nice guy and put us on ‘The Guest List’

When Lucero hit the stage that night, two things became readily evident:

One: These guys were going to be fun!

Two: The Mrs and I were the only two people in the club that did not already know every word to every song that Lucero were performing.

The band exploded, the crowd went nuts (try to remember what it was like when you first saw The Clash or The Pogues), and the Mrs & I were caught up in the frenzy.

Skip ahead a year or so, and Lucero again takes the stage, this time with lead singer, Ben Nichols fighting a mean case of laryngitis, but still delivering a killer show. Now I knew that the guy was not only talented as hell – but full of heart as well.

Last night, the Mrs & I (and our faithful man servant, Alan) ventured to The North Star Bar (in Philadelphia) to see the boys back on stage. After an OK set by Glossary, followed up by a great set by Justin Townes Earle (yep, Steve’s kid), Lucero delivered a full on, no holds barred set of rock and roll that helps old guys like me still believe in the power and the glory of rock and roll.

These guys wear their hearts and influences on their sleeves; All the great touchstones are there; The Clash, The Pogues, The Band, CCR, Tom Waits & Springsteen. But there’s also Skynard, & Petty (probably both Tom & Richard), The Replacements and Dylan.

Lucero delivers songs about living with the broken down American dream – but still trying to make good on the promise that any man can do better in this world than his Dad did. The songs can alternate between stark and funny, full on power with the crowd shouting along or so quiet the entire crowd actually shuts up so they can hear each word.

I know there are a lot of buzz bands out there these days – and I’ve seen & heard a bunch of them. But, right now, for my money, there is no better band (that doesn’t have a guy named Springsteen in it) out there than Lucero. No one has better songs. No one delivers a better live show. And no one can still make you ‘believe’ the way that they believe.

The Spiritual Arms Race

2008-08-09T21:52:00.000-07:00

There is a spiritual arms race afoot.

A knock-down-drag-out steel cage match for the title of Most Religious.

Whoever wins ... becomes president.

Seriously.

John McCain is so desperate that he's claimed to be a Baptist while stumping in Baptist country. For the record, the dude's an Episcopalian.

For now.

Barack Obama trumpets his Christianity at every turn. And consistently touts the necessity of spirituality and religious insight for successful governance and the healing of our country.

Both are simply trying to get elected. And sound like teenagers trying to convince Dad to give them the keys to the Buick for the weekend.

The Republican Party has been trading on fire and brimstone for ages, so, ya know, whatever.

But now, the Democratic Party — tired of God-Squad dominance and presidential election defeats at the hands of dolts like our current Prayer-in-Chief — has decided to drink the Jesus juice and roll the ideological dice.

And the newest face of this effort — Leah Daughtry — is a case study in everything that is wrong with over-heated religiosity.

Early on in the recent New York Times Magazine profile of her, Leah Daughtry reveals herself as another in a long line of prominent political frauds, using her ideology to convince us that she -- and those who share her point of view — are Holier Than Thou.

Well ... Holier Than Me at least.

Daughtry is Howard Dean's Chief of Staff and she is in charge of the Democratic National Convention — and she's a Pentecostal minister.

In the article, she is preaching at her father's House of the Lord Church in Brooklyn and celebrating a congregant's triumph over breast cancer.

Daughtry gives credit for this medical victory to the exceptional quality of prayer supplied by the women members of the church, saying:

"The eggheads will say her chemotherapy worked, but everyone who uses chemotherapy isn’t cured.”

First, I'm not sure who the "eggheads" are. I can only assume she's referring to sane people.

Second — my mother died of cancer. She underwent chemotherapy. She prayed for a cure. Her family prayed for a cure. All her friends prayed for a cure.

Does this mean the Catholic prayers in Southeastern Pennsylvania weren't as potent as those in Brooklyn? Did God give the faithful from St. Denis in suburban Philadelphia a big holy raspberry — and decide that my mother was not spiritually committed enough to live?

Leah Daughtry's remark exposes religious ideology for what it is — "Our God is better than your god."

A less sophisticated writer than myself might — at this point — say something inflammatory like "Leah Daughtry can go fuck herself" but I'm cut from a finer cloth.

Instead, I submit that it is time to form a new political party — the "Fuck Ideologies."

Who's with me?

Is it necessary for me to pick on Leah Daughtry?

I think so.

Why?

Because she will soon have the ear of Barack Obama. Because everyone is racing to claim the Most Religious crown for their party, their candidate, their government. Because religious ideology is hypocritical at best and murderous at worst.

And because Leah Daughtry says that, for her, "the Bible is history."

Please ...

Let's clear one thing up right now — the Bible is not literal history for anyone. There are no people following the dictates of the Bible word for word. And anyone who says they are is lying. And any political figure who says they are is not only lying but dangerous.

Everyone — and by "everyone" I tend to mean, well, all people currently living — everyone who consults the Bible picks and chooses from the Good Book. They select what serves their needs. A spiritual 7-11 if you will.

Ideology is the proud father of hypocrisy. And when ideology and hypocrisy hook up with ambition — the worst kind of family reunion takes place ... one that ends with guns going off, tanks rolling in, RPGs whizzing by, rights disappearing, tolerance evaporating and young men and women being memoralized in the local newspaper.

President Bush said that he consulted with God about the war in Iraq — and that has sustained him and kept him steadfast.

Talk about covering your ass.

But of course Bush didn't talk with God — he talked with Cheney, who we all know fell from Heaven and now battles God for the souls of mankind.

Okay, yes, spirituality is the centerpiece of many people's lives.

And, yes, that spirituality helps shape one's point of view of the world.

But when you get in a spiritual arms race and you openly compete to prove you are God's favorite — the canary in the coal mine starts to experience shortness of breath.

Leah Daughtry says a bunch of other nutty things in the article — like her experiences speaking in tongues (brilliant actually — its unassailable because its supposed to be gibberish) and that she was a reluctant participant in the public arena (hence the splashy New York Times Magazine article).

I'm sure its not all Leah Daughtry's fault.

I'm sure she's a good friend and a loving daughter.

But do we really need religious ideology to know that we should be decent to one another? Or keep our country's citizens safe? Or have our trash picked up?

Leah Daughtry thinks God prefers the Pentecostal way. A born-again former co-worker of mine believes that Jews and Muslims have no shot at heaven. Many devout Catholic are closet racists.

What does that even mean?

It means that — ultimately — organized, ambitious religious ideology will divide us.

Our common humanity is what will unite us.

Swear to God.

The True Meaning of Love ...

2008-07-20T21:15:00.000-07:00

... is taking your kid to American Idols Live 2008.

Holy Money Grab.

Most Disturbing (yet hilariously true) Moment: While runner-up Idol David Archuleta was warbling along, he was bathed in a light that was blatantly phallic.

There was a circular outcropping at the front of the stage and it was awash in white light that extended past the little fellah in a ramrod straight line and ended with a bulbous flourish just beyond.

And if that wasn't enough — and, again, I am crapping you negative — swirling around the circular ball-sac-ish outcropping were dozens of very sperm-ish-looking lights. Lisa and I nearly choked on our Cracker Jacks and bargain-basement $7 flat Bud Lights. Never in my life have I seen so many parents looking around for independent confirmation of what they were witnessing.

Then ... then! ... at the end of Archuleta's song, the sperm lights exited in unison — as if the music gods had just climaxed (a wet dream, no doubt, since they surely were asleep by that point.)

It was a bizarre sedative of a concert — complete with a gigantic Pop-Tart mascot, a desultory Guitar Hero video game contest, all the female performers mechanically shaking booty (except piano-bound Brooke White) as if the audience were full of drunk out-of-town businessmen armed with a stack of singles, and all 10 performers each imploring the crowd to make more noise — where only that Aussie dude Michael Johns seemed to inject any real fun or emotion into the proceedings.

In the end ...

Our daughter had the time of her life.

Upon reflection ... Greatest Concert Ever.

A Love Letter ...

2008-07-14T17:26:00.000-07:00

"The real job of any actor is to retain an urgent need to become a better actor."

The renowned acting teacher Larry Moss said something like that ... as far as I know. And, as is our custom at BrothersMcC, I didn't bother to look up the exact quote. I liked this one just fine. It struck me as truthful.

And difficult to fulfill.

When I first moved to New York to pursue acting — shortly after FDR left office — I had seen exactly zero plays.

Actually, that's not true — my high school buddies and I went to Archbishop Carroll's production of Inherit The Wind. We snuck beers in and, being the assholes we were, laughed out loud during all the dramatic moments.

Talk about denial ...

Anyway ....

The first play I ever witnessed — sober — was the original production of Burn This by Lanford Wilson at the Plymouth Theater.

I had been in New York just a few months and had done little but tend bar, drink with an angry focus and expand my working knowledge of recreational drugs. I could not have been further from being an actor. I was beginning to think I had made the worst mistake of my life.

Then John Malkovich made his entrance in Burn This and two and a half hours later, all doubt had been scorched away. If ever I could do to someone else what Malkovich did to me that night, it would be worth any humiliation, hardship or hangover. I knew what I wanted to do with the rest of my life.

In the intervening years, I've been able to scrape together work as an actor.

But I also drifted about as far as one could from that night at the Plymouth Theater. I effectively gave up the theater — not that the theater was knocking my door down or anything but ... I became that dude — the one waiting for the phone to ring, dying for that next chance to be "Cop #2" on CSI — which, coincidentally, I am currently available for, if Carol Kritzer is reading this blog — and I think we all know she is.

I have spent an inordinate amount of time doing — and pursuing — work of dubious artistic worth. But that's the gig for 96% of us and that is cool (surprisingly — health insurance, mortgage payments and food aren't included with your SAG card) — as long as there is something else. I mean, after a while, the question has to be revisited — "Why the fuck did you become an actor in the first place ... and, more to the point, why are you still at it?"

Well, I was lucky enough to be reminded of both "why's" over and over again during the past two months — working on the play Stones in His Pockets by Marie Jones.

It was — by turns — frustrating, exhilarating, terrifying and joyful.

It was theater.

I felt like an actor.

And no amount of gratitude can convey how thankful I am to still have my hat in the ring.

Secure in the knowledge that I will never be nominated for any award any time soon (okay — maybe I have an outside shot at, say, "Creepiest Villain Who Bears An Uncanny Resemblance To Kevin Bacon") I will now thank the people who have instilled, nurtured and resurrected the 2nd greatest love affair in my life.

Whether you all share in my thanks and/or resurrection is another story entirely.

But screw it — why wait till they're all dead:

To Greg Zittel — A teacher of blinding intensity and fierce dedication to the creative spirit. Any seriousness of purpose I may have acquired as an actor came from him.

To Wynn Handman — Easily the most influential — and the best — acting teacher the country has seen in the last fifty years. If you don't believe me — just ask Alec Baldwin, James Caan, Kathleen Chalfant, Chris Cooper, Michael Douglas, Allison Janney, Frank Langella, John Leguizamo, Mira Sorvino, Christopher Walken, Denzel Washington, and Joanne Woodward.

To my students — As flaky and kooky as they are, they have no idea how much they have taught me. I'm in their debt ... not monetarily, of course (just so there's no confusion on the first Tuesday of the month)

To Jimmy Bohr — Improbably, we've both ended up in Columbus, OH. Not so improbably, he is the best director I've ever worked with. His patience and insight made Stones In His Pockets an experience that will be difficult to top. And, Jesus Christ Almighty, does he make unreal German potato salad.

To Jon Osbeck — Who knew a Swedish half-Jew could pull off six Irish characters, a Scottish bodyguard and a chick ... and be a better Irish step dancer than I am? And the fucker built our deck. And he plays piano. And he can sing.
On second thought, let's beat the shit out of him.

To Lisa — I don't know ... I assume every actor has a spouse who says "Hey, I have an idea — let's form a company and do Irish theater. And if you drag your feet, I'll keep after you because — you moody, thick bastard — I know a great idea when I have one even if you don't. So we're doing this play and I know you'll take all the credit afterward but that's cool because I'll know the truth and that's good enough for me."

Well, Lisa, now everyone (or at least the eight people who read this blog) knows the truth. You are extraordinary.

George Carlin; R.I.P.

2008-06-23T07:42:00.001-07:00

STONES IN HIS POCKETS: TWO ACTORS, 15 CHARACTERS, BEER and DANCING!

2008-06-17T07:10:00.001-07:00

Only once in a blue moon do we shill for personal gain on BrothersMcC.

This is one of those times.

On Thursday June 19th — STONES IN HIS POCKETS, the acclaimed play by Irish playwright Marie Jones opens at Madlab Theatre in Columbus, OH.

The play stars myself and the very talented Jon Osbeck. It is directed by the wonderful Jimmy Bohr.

It is the first theater effort from Carrickmacross Productions — the company my wife Lisa and I have started.

Jon and I portray 15 characters in the play, which won London's Olivier Award and was a hit on Broadway in 2001. It chronicles the making of a Hollywood movie in a small Irish village, where most of the locals have been hired as extras. Two of the extras, Jake Quinn and Charlie Conlon, become friends and try to further their fledgling careers during the filming. Along the way, Jones explores the tensions that arise between the film crew and the village residents.

We each play women, there will be beer available for the patrons and there's even an Irish wake with dancing. What more do you need, for the love of Jaysus!?

For tickets/reservations to Stones in His Pockets:
www.madlab.net
614.221.5418

It's Summertime!!! :-)

2008-06-14T05:01:00.001-07:00

Some days ... all you need is to be three years old ... have a hot day ... and a water sprinkler!

:-)

REMEMBER THEM TODAY ... AND TOMORROW ... AND ...

2008-05-25T21:32:00.001-07:00

Take a look at that face.

See it.

Study it.

Imagine what kind of life led up to that photo.

Imagine the countless people touched by that face.

Please look at it one more time.

That's Sgt. John "Kyle" Daggett, 22, Airborne Army Ranger from Phoenix, AZ.

He died earlier this month from injuries sustained when an airburst mortar exploded over the armored vehicle he was traveling in.

Daggett was in the rear gun hatch, exposed, along with another soldier when the explosion occurred in Baghdad.

Sgt. Daggett's injuries were overwhelming yet he made it from Baghdad to Germany to Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he finally succumbed.

I know absolutely nothing about Sgt. Daggett's life, except that he died a hero. And that, after the mortar exploded, the driver of the vehicle who recovered enough to drive "like a bat out of hell to the evac site, taking out vehicles, utility poles and anything else in his way" was my nephew James McCarthy.

Jimmy is still there. In harm's way. And now he is a veteran — he is still on active duty, of course, but he is a veteran. For our sake — he now knows what most of us will never know and has seen what most of us will never see.

For our sake.

I can imagine, but I cannot comprehend, what that reality is like.

It seems the only way to be a truly concerned and engaged citizen, not only of this country but of the world is to make it personal. Make it specific.

Look at that picture of Sgt. Daggett once again.

See what was sacrificed.

That is specific.

Imagining my nephew in the chaos of battle.

That is specific.

The burden of the unknown carried by his mother — my sister — every day.

That is specific.

The injuries sustained by SPC Shane Stuard — who was riding alongside Sgt. Daggett — are specific.

Shane, a father of three, is recovering from his injuries at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

We hear he digs mail — especially from kids.
Take a minute, remember and send it to:

SPC Shane Stuard
Walter Reed Army Medical Center
Ward 57
6900 Georgia Avenue NW
Washington DC 20307

I'm anti-war. I think any sane person is.

But I am pro-soldier ... because war is the worst thing on this earth and soldiers know it and they choose to do it anyway — so the rest of us don't have to.

I once was in a room with four Vietnam veterans and a Desert Storm veteran. The conversation centered on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and the realities of being a soldier. At one point, the Desert Storm vet looked me in the eye and asked, "How come you never served your country?" There was no malice in the asking, but all conversation stopped and everyone waited for an answer.

I had no answer that seemed adequate so I told the truth, "I made the choice to avail myself of the freedoms that you have fought to provide me ... Thank you."

And one of the Vietnam vets stuck out a hand and said, "Fair enough. You're welcome."

I shook his hand and remembered my old man talking about fighting in the South Pacific in World War II. And what that cost him.

Now I remember my nephew Jimmy in Baghdad and his buddy Shane at Walter Reed.

Most of all, though, I think I'll remember that face in the picture.

And I'll try to remember the cost of my freedom.

2008-05-17T11:41:00.001-07:00

It’s not often than anyone here at Brothers McC feels that they can speak for all three of us. Well, this is one of those times. I know my brothers, I know that they are (regardless of how they try to portray themselves) big, soft hearted lugs.

And, in being such lugs, there are certain movies that melt their hearts and turn them into the knuckleheads that we know and occasionally love.

Son Of Rambow is one of those movies. It’s a British independent flick that knocked me on my ass with great humor, super cast, and a story about how great is can be to find a best friend when you’re just a kid!

Set on a English summer in the early 80's, SON OF RAMBOW is a comedy about friendship, faith and the tough business of growing up. We see the story through the eyes of Will, the eldest son of a fatherless Plymouth Brethren family. The Brethren regard themselves as God's 'chosen ones' and their strict moral code means that Will has never been allowed to mix with the other 'worldlies,' listen to music or watch TV, until he finds himself caught up in the extraordinary world of Lee Carter, the school terror and maker of bizarre home movies. Carter exposes Will to a pirate copy of ‘Rambo: First Blood’ and from that moment Will's mind is blown wide open and he's easily convinced to be the stuntman in Lee Carters' diabolical home movie.

Will's imaginative little brain is not only given chance to flourish in the world of film making, but is also very handy when it comes to dreaming up elaborate schemes to keep his partnership with Lee Carter a secret from the Brethren community. Will and Carter's complete disregard for consequences and innocent ambition means that the process of making their film is a glorious rollercoaster that eventually leads to true friendship.

They start to make a name for themselves at school as movie makers but when popularity descends on them in the form of the Pied Piper-esque French exchange student, Didier Revol, their unique friendship and their precious film are pushed, quite literally, to breaking point.

Make Believe. Not War. – That’s the tag line to this movie and a perfect fit. For those who are fans of “War Of The Buttons” or “Billy Elliot” this is right up your alley. I don’t know of the actual release date, but when it’s out – see it; and when it comes out on DVD – rent it!! Keep the spirit alive so that more movies like this will be made.

The Best Homerun Ever

2008-05-05T17:47:00.000-07:00

If only sports could always be about honor. If only the athletes that we pay millions of dollars to could follow the lead of those who play for the love of the game. Let me now take you to where the “spirit” of the game is still more important than the outcome.

The following is and edited version of the Graham Hays story that can be found here:
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/columns/story?id=3372631

Western Oregon senior Sara Tucholsky had never hit a home run in her career.

Central Washington senior Mallory Holtman was already her school's career leader in them.

But when a twist of fate, and a torn knee ligament, brought them face to face with each other and face to face with the end of their playing days, they combined on a home run trot that celebrated the collective human spirit far more than individual athletic achievement.

Both schools compete as Division II softball programs in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. Neither has ever reached the NCAA tournament at the Division II level. But when they arrived for Saturday's conference doubleheader at Central Washington's 300-seat stadium in Ellensburg, two largely anonymous groups prepared to play the most meaningful games of their seasons.

"I just remember trying to block them out," Tucholsky said of the hecklers. "The first pitch I took, it was a strike. And then I really don't remember where the home run pitch was at all; [I] just remember hitting it, and I knew it was out."

But it was what happened after an overly excited Tucholsky missed first base on her home run trot and reversed direction to tag the bag that proved unforgettable.

While she was doubling back to tag first base, Tucholsky's right knee gave out. The two runners who had been on base already had crossed home plate, leaving her the only offensive player on the field of play, even as she lay crumpled in the dirt a few feet from first base and a long way from home plate. First-base coach Shannon Prochaska -- Tucholsky's teammate for three seasons and the only voice she later remembered hearing in the ensuing conversation -- checked to see whether she could crawl back to the base under her own power.

Umpires confirmed that the only option available under the rules was to replace Tucholsky at first base with a pinch runner and have the hit recorded as a two-run single - instead of a three-run home run. Any assistance from coaches or trainers while she was an active runner would result in an out. So without any choice, Knox prepared to make the substitution, taking both the run and the memory from Tucholsky.

"And right then," Knox said, "I heard, 'Excuse me, would it be OK if we carried her around and she touched each bag?'"
The voice belonged to Holtman, a four-year starter who owns just about every major offensive record there is to claim in Central Washington's record book.

"Honestly, it's one of those things that I hope anyone would do it for me," Holtman said. "She hit the ball over her fence. She's a senior; it's her last year. … it was my idea first, but I think anyone who knew that we could touch her would have offered to do it, just because it's the right thing to do. She was obviously in agony."

Holtman and shortstop Liz Wallace lifted Tucholsky off the ground and supported her weight between them as they began a slow trip around the bases, stopping at each one so Tucholsky's left foot could secure her passage onward. Even with Tucholsky feeling the pain of what trainers subsequently came to believe was a torn ACL (she was scheduled for tests to confirm the injury on Monday), the surreal quality of perhaps the longest and most crowded home run trot in the game's history hit all three players.

"We all started to laugh at one point, I think when we touched the first base," Holtman said. "I don't know what it looked like to observers, but it was kind of funny because Liz and I were carrying her on both sides and we'd get to a base and gently, barely tap her left foot, and we'd all of a sudden start to get the giggles a little bit."

Accompanied by a standing ovation from the fans, they finally reached home plate and passed the home run hitter into the arms of her own teammates.

Then Holtman and Wallace returned to their positions and tried to win the game.

"It kept everything in perspective and the fact that we're never bigger than the game," Knox said of the experience. "It was such a lesson that we learned -- that it's not all about winning. And we forget that, because as coaches, we're always trying to get to the top. We forget that. But I will never, ever forget this moment. It's changed me, and I'm sure it's changed my players."
For her part, Holtman seems not altogether sure what all the fuss is about. She seems to genuinely believe that any player in her position on any field on any day would have done the same thing. Which helps explains why it did happen on that day and on that field.

Graham Hays is a regular contributor to ESPN.com

OXFORD INT'L FILM FESTIVAL: FILM, BEER, FOOD AND BEER

2008-04-27T21:49:00.000-07:00

Evidently, film festivals are where dietary considerations and exercise regimens go to die. And they die a relatively happy death — because the Oxford International Film Festival was quite fun.

Do you want the travelogue replete with witty remarks about the preponderance of cows and scary highway rest areas?

No?

Cool.

We'll hit you with the relevant facts and let you get on with your life.

Lisa and I were stashed away in a primo room at the Marcum Conference Center — the de facto hub of the festival. We were directly across the hall from Donna D'Errico and her two kids, though we wouldn't actually see them until the next day at the Actors Panel.

The first thing we did was grab some food. Actually, the real first thing we did was grab some umbrellas because it was pouring rain. We'd been told to expect a bevy of dining alternatives within walking distance of the Marcum. We didn't realize that the "walking distance" frame of reference used by our host was of the college-kid-in-flip-flops-during-an-artic-blast-who-cares-if-we-get-
soaked-we're-friggin'-19 variety.

Being on the geezer side of the median age range — and hungry — and thirsty — we got umbrellas ... and beer.

The food was good at 45 East Bar and Grill in downtown Oxford, Ohio and they poured a respectable pint of Guinness.

A good harbinger — if you put stock in harbingers.

Our first cinematic experience was a block of documentary shorts — we hung in for one about the mysterious death and disappearance of honey bees in the U.S. The we got hit with one about stock-car-racing evangelical pastors. It was a bittersweet character study that ranged from fundamentalist shouters to borderline- clowns-at-a-kids-party-with-bad-intent. All champion perspirers.

One definite highlight of the festival was the first feature-length film we saw. My guess is that Kabluey will never make it into your multi-plex (or your single-plex, for that matter) and that sucks for you because this movie is funnier than most of the stuff currently on the docket.

Writer/Director/Star Scott Prendergast recruited the likes of Lisa Kudrow, Christine Taylor, Jeffrey Dean Morgan and an utterly ego-less and, frankly, very ballsy Teri Garr for a sweetly quirky and often hilarious tale of redemption.

Remember this movie. It'll be out on DVD soon, I bet. Its worth the time.

Lisa had to make a premature exit the next day — but not before a rigorous night of classic festival boozery with the gang from The Lodge. Our daughter was sick and Lisa — being a far more responsible parent than I — went home to take care of her.

Later that day, I had the pleasure of sitting on an Actors Panel that was moderated by the delightfully no-nonsense director John Putch, whose very funny Bachelorman was in the festival competition and racked up the largest audiences we saw all weekend. The other panelists included Ms. D'Errico, who was in the ensemble drama Intervention and was the target of my shameless pestering since Intervention was directed by Mary McGuckian, who is married to the estimable John Lynch. In addition, there was Rodney Lee Conover (whose stand-up act provided the basis for Bachelorman), Clyde Kusatsu, who's been in practically every movie and TV show made in the last twenty years and is a top-notch storyteller, and Mike Landry, star of the film Frost.

The panel was lively and most memorable for the story Clyde told about getting axed by his agency of 18 years right after doing The Interpreter, with some ne'er-do-wells named Kidman and Penn. It was bracing to be reminded that working more steadily than 98.7% of all the other actors out there means ... well ... nothing to
certain dull-witted agents who shall remain (Paradigm) nameless.

I mean, Clyde was on Ironside, for Chrissake!! And has not stopped to take a breather since. Seriously, what the fuck, Paradigm!? Your roster just too full of talented, gracious and genuinely nice actors who work non-stop?

The Lodge screened twice and pulled a Villanova-Namath-Eruzione-esque upset, sharing the Audience Award with hometown favorite Eastern College. I missed the jubilant celebration at the awards dinner and the (no doubt) witty, self-deprecatingly irreverent acceptance speech by directors Brad Helmink and John Rauschelbach.

I had left that morning — after a final night of free food and booze — a night that saw one supremely creepy, hapless, balding, middle-aged dude trolling the reception for teenage girls with an invite to the "After-After party", which coincidentally happened to be back at his place.

In the woods.

In a lodge, I think.

Game 7

2008-04-23T06:12:00.000-07:00

In all of sports – is there any greater phrase than: “Game 7” ???
Well, as of last night, I’m saying ‘yes’ -
Game 7 – Overtime Stanley Cup Playoff Hockey!!!!

On a night when all the ‘experts’ were picking the Washington Capitals to knock out the Philadelphia Flyers from the Stanley Cup Playoffs – a funny thing happened on the way to The Cup: The Flyers dug deep down and performed the one act that truly makes sports great: The Upset!

Game 7, Sudden Death Overtime; on the Capitals home ice; I was on my feet, my wife had to leave the room for her own sanity, my son learned a few new words (I’m guessing that’s the reason that my wife left the room), and after the Caps third period domination of the The Flyers, Joffrey Lupul slipped an overtime rebound shot by Caps goalie, Cristobal Huet. (Note to Cristolbal: You played great – your defense didn’t clear the zone.)

As SI. com posted: Thanks to a wise pair of old-time referees, Don Koharski and Paul Devorski, the Philadelphia Flyers and Washington Capitals were allowed to play old-time hockey -- Hudson Bay rules, anything goes -- starting late in the second period of Game 7. Frankly, the post-lockout NHL never looked better. This was whatever-it-takes hockey, fully caffeinated, not the little-tug-on-the-arm-penalty hockey that has taken some of the oomph from the game since the 2004-05 lockout. If there is a degree of situational ethics to all of this -- often a penalty in the first period ceases to be a penalty in the third in a playoff game -- well, that was good enough for generations of NHL players. And it seemed to suit the teams Tuesday night.

Note to Alex Ovechkin: (for those who don’t follow the NHL: Ovechkin is the top goal scorer in the NHL for the last few years): I’ll raise a pint in your honor, sir. After a hard fought series, with your team coming out on the losing end, you skated to center ice and applauded your fans for all of their support. Classy move.

It was a game that folks will talk about for years. Congratulations to the Flyers for a great win. A tip of the hat to the Caps for a great series. Now … Philadelphia travels up to Montreal to take on the #1 seeded Canadians … yikes!!!

Go Flyers!!!

The Last Lecture

2008-04-10T08:03:00.000-07:00

As it so often happens – I have been shown by someone else that this is a HUGE world – and that I am only beginning to understand the true power of that it contains.

I have tried to live my life (as moody as an Irishman can be) by always looking for something good in any situation that I encounter. Call it “The Patty Syndrome” if you will. Well, as I happily found out yesterday, I am just a student at this style of thinking. Last night I was schooled by the master.

If you have not yet heard about “The Last Lecture” – read on. I can not wait to read this man’s book – and I’ll be watching all of his video today.

The video (or at least his part, is an hour long) you can find it here:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5700431505846055184

Life … It Is A Gift To Be Celebrated Every Day,

And Feel Free To Hug A Stuffed Animal Today !!!
(That’ll make sense when you see this guy talk!)

Randy Pausch, a Carnegie Mellon University computer-science professor, was about to give a lecture Tuesday afternoon, but before he said a word, he received a standing ovation from 400 students and colleagues.

He motioned to them to sit down. "Make me earn it," he said.

In September 2007, Randy gave a final lecture to his students at Carnegie Mellon that has since been downloaded more than a million times on the Internet. "There's an academic tradition called the 'Last Lecture.' Hypothetically, if you knew you were going to die and you had one last lecture, what would you say to your students?"

Randy says. "Well, for me, it wasn't hypothetical. What wisdom would we impart to the world if we knew it was our last chance?”

It can be an intriguing hour, watching healthy professors consider their demise and ruminate over subjects dear to them. At the University of Northern Iowa, instructor Penny O'Connor recently titled her lecture "Get Over Yourself." At Cornell, Ellis Hanson, who teaches a course titled "Desire," spoke about sex and technology.

At Carnegie Mellon, however, Dr. Pausch's speech was more than just an academic exercise. The 46-year-old father of three has pancreatic cancer and expects to live for just a few months. His lecture, using images on a giant screen, turned out to be a rollicking and riveting journey through the lessons of his life.

Clicking through photos of himself as a boy, he talked about his childhood dreams: to win giant stuffed animals at carnivals, to walk in zero gravity, to design Disney rides, to write a World Book entry. By adulthood, he had achieved each goal. As proof, he had students carry out all the huge stuffed animals he'd won in his life, which he gave to audience members. After all, he doesn't need them anymore.

He paid tribute to his techie background. "I've experienced a deathbed conversion," he said, smiling. "I just bought a Macintosh."

Flashing his rejection letters on the screen, he talked about setbacks in his career, repeating: "Brick walls are there for a reason. They let us prove how badly we want things."

He encouraged us to be patient with others. "Wait long enough, and people will surprise and impress you."

After showing photos of his childhood bedroom, decorated with mathematical notations he'd drawn on the walls, he said: "If your kids want to paint their bedrooms, as a favor to me, let 'em do it."

While displaying photos of his bosses and students over the years, he said that helping others fulfill their dreams is even more fun than achieving your own. He talked of requiring his students to create videogames without sex and violence. "You'd be surprised how many 19-year-old boys run out of ideas when you take those possibilities away," he said, but they all rose to the challenge.

He also saluted his parents, who let him make his childhood bedroom his domain, even if his wall etchings hurt the home's resale value. He knew his mom was proud of him when he got his Ph.D, he said, despite how she'd introduce him: "This is my son. He's a doctor, but not the kind who helps people."

He then spoke about his legacy. Considered one of the nation's foremost teachers of videogame and virtual-reality technology, he helped develop "Alice," a Carnegie Mellon software project that allows people to easily create 3-D animations. It had one million downloads in the past year, and usage is expected to soar.

"Like Moses, I get to see the Promised Land, but I don't get to step foot in it," Dr. Pausch said. "That's OK. I will live on in Alice."***

***Editor's Note: Most of this was taken from an article in the NY Times.

YOU WANT FUNNY? THIS GUY IS FUNNY!

2008-04-07T10:42:00.000-07:00

Do you know who Harold Lloyd is? He is the least known of the three silent-film-era comic geniuses.

There is Charlie Chaplin. There is Buster Keaton. And there is Harold Lloyd.

Chaplin and Keaton remain household names; brands even.

It is Harold Lloyd, though, who is the father of the romantic comedy. He pioneered the film image of the regular guy — a living, breathing person we recognize — who gets caught up in all kinds of wackiness as he tries to get the most basic things — the girl, friends, a decent job.

Harold Lloyd made roughly a gazillion films — shorts and feature length. Although routinely labeled a movie snob in this space — I had never actually seen a Harold Lloyd film until Wednesday night.

Oh, I had seen DVD cases in which Harold Lloyd's films were kept. The things are found in abundance around the home of Joe Furey and Alison Brown — two of the most generous and hospitable human beings on the planet, by the way.

Joe and Alison graciously board me at their wonderful residence anytime I am in Los Angeles — often at a moment's notice. They, in short, save my ass repeatedly and are great company besides. Alison is a recently minted Phd and a clinical psychologist. Joe is a writer/director/actor of much renown and one of only a handful of people who have made me injure myself through excessive laughter.

Joe's love of vintage comedy films is boundless and yet he'll never force it on you. Therefore, any time we watch movies together, its up to me. And I never pick Harold Lloyd — or anything silent. I didn't get it. I was convinced it wouldn't be all that funny.

I was wrong.

I was dead wrong.

I was as wrong as a Taco Bell/Sierra Nevada Pale Ale hangover fart in a crowded New Orleans greenhouse.

On April 2 Joe invited me to a screening of The Freshman at the AFI Institute up in the Hollywood Hills. The crowd was Joe and I and a flock of young filmmakers — plus Harold Lloyd's granddaughter, Suzanne Lloyd, who is in charge of all her grandfather's films and has made it her life's work to bring his films to the public.

The Freshman is hilarious. It is the direct ancestor of — and way funnier than — Adam Sandler's The Waterboy. It also had to be an enormous influence on the current George Clooney effort Leatherheads.

The next day, Joe and I watched Safety Last! — it has the one Harold Lloyd image I was already familiar with:

And Safety Last! was as funny as The Freshman.

Maybe alot of you are already hip to Harold Lloyd but I'm going to assume that you are as pig-headed as I have been.

In The Freshman and Safety Last1, Harold Lloyd brings something recognizable to the screen. His comedy — often rigorously physical — always has the bite of reality. And subtlety. Lloyd was no ham. He was just funny, inventive and a great actor.

Take a break from Fool's Gold, Run, Fatboy, Run, and Drillbit Taylor and enjoy the genuine article.

Harold Lloyd — the funniest man ever to wear glasses.

Martin Biron: A Gentleman, A Role Model

2008-03-29T07:46:00.001-07:00

As so often happens in the world of sports (and, I guess, the world in general as well) only the negative sports stories seem to grab the headlines. With baseball on the return, all of last year’s scandals are being plastered as “news” again.

But I want to write about something good today. And, as it so often is the case, it can take just one man to do something good that can leave a lifetime of happy memories.

By now, it no surprise to my brothers that I am an ice hockey fanatic. Though they have absolutely no idea why, and they seem determined to ignore it (my older brother refusing to even call ice hockey a “real” sport) – I love the NHL. And, when it comes to the Philadelpia Flyers, well … I really should seek professional help.

A few weeks ago, there was a notice at a local sporting good store: Martin Biron, the starting goalie for the Flyers, would be in the store signing autographs. Growing up I loved goalies. Actually, I still do. I mean, when you’re formative years have names like Bernie Parent & Ken Dryden … and one of your birthdays parties was spent watching Jim Craig shut down The Soviet Army … well, it leaves an impression. Bit I digress.

My three year old son, Ian, loves watching ice hockey with his Dad. He’s not sure why … he just knows that hockey makes his Dad happy – so that’s good enough for him. And, like his Dad, Ian gets a kick out of the goalies – and the “cool” masks they wear.

I decided to take Ian to meet Mr. Biron and to start his own autograph collection. By the time we arrived, a large portion of the fans had already been through the line. We were at the tail end of what I’m sure had been a long day for Biron. When Ian entered the store, he looked towards Biron and excitedly yelled: “Daddy … there’s the hockey man!!!”

Biron stood up from his table – looked at the three year old kid running at him and said: “How ya’ doing buddy? What’s in the bag?”

Ian was holding a bag that contained some of his prized possessions: plastic dinosaurs.

Ian told him: “I’ve got my dinosaurs.”

Biron’s response: “Well, let’s see them!”

For the next few moments, a man who’s talents I admire, played ‘dinosaurs’ with my son. I turned with a stunned look to the manager of the store. He told me: “Marty has been like this since he got here. He could be one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met.”

What more do you need to know? A NHL star who still thinks it’s the right idea to treat his fans like they are important. It was a great day. I have no idea where Mr. Biron’s career will take him. All I can tell you is that he has (at least) two fans that will cheer for him every step of the way.

Martin Biron: A Gentleman, A Role Model

OFF THE BEATEN ST. PATRICK'S PATH: 12 Days of Irish — ZERO HOUR — It's Personal

2008-03-16T19:49:00.000-07:00

No matter what we write, whose artistic virtues we celebrate or which heroic figures we spotlight — it comes down to people. And history. And remembering both.

So here's to toasting those before us, keeping their flame alive and dancing with the ones that brought us.

To the McClatchys of Crossmaglen, County Armagh.

To the Hogans of County Cork.

To the Cavanaughs of Glendalough, County Wicklow.

To the Eakins of Carrickmacross, County Monaghan.

To the Noonans of Ballindine, County Mayo

To the Cregans of County Limerick.

To the Thousands who sailed ...

The island it is silent now
But the ghosts still haunt the waves
And the torch lights up a famished man
Who fortune could not save

Did you work upon the railroad
Did you rid the streets of crime
Were your dollars from the white house
Were they from the five and dime

Did the old songs taunt or cheer you
And did they still make you cry
Did you count the months and years
Or did your teardrops quickly dry

Ah, no, says he, 'twas not to be
On a coffin ship I came here
And I never even got so far
That they could change my name

Thousands are sailing
Across the western ocean
To a land of opportunity
That some of them will never see
Fortune prevailing
Across the western ocean
Their bellies full
Their spirits free
They'll break the chains of poverty
And they'll dance

In Manhattan's desert twilight
In the death of afternoon
We stepped hand in hand on Broadway
Like the first man on the moon

And "The Blackbird" broke the silence
As you whistled it so sweet
And in Brendan Behan's footsteps
I danced up and down the street

Then we said goodnight to Broadway
Giving it our best regards
Tipped our hats to Mister Cohan
Dear old Times Square's favorite bard

Then we raised a glass to JFK
And a dozen more besides
When I got back to my empty room
I suppose I must have cried

Thousands are sailing
Again across the ocean
Where the hand of opportunity
Draws tickets in a lottery
Postcards we're mailing
Of sky-blue skies and oceans
From rooms the daylight never sees
Where lights don't glow on Christmas trees
But we dance to the music
And we dance

Thousands are sailing
Across the western ocean
Where the hand of opportunity
Draws tickets in a lottery
Where e'er we go, we celebrate
The land that makes us refugees
From fear of Priests with empty plates
From guilt and weeping effigies
And we dance

On To The Final Four!!!!

2008-03-16T06:49:00.000-07:00

For the last week or so, we here at the Brothers McC blog have been trying to keep you updated on all things Irish that no other news organizations seem fit to cover. That's OK ... as Kev has noted, we like to walk off the beaten path.

Well, today will be no different. As most "real" news coverage in the sporting world will be going to the Division 1 March Madness Brackets Selection today, we here at Brothers McC know that the true spirit of college basketball has been burning brightly in the already running, Division 3 NCAA Tourney, and ... to be more specific; at Ursinus College.

And yes, last night, with John Noonan's (Have we mentioned him here yet? Have we mentioned he's our nephew?) team leading 21 points, the Ursinus Bears are on to the Final Four!!!!! Read all about it:
**********
Ursinus 82, Coast Guard 76
Mar 15, 2008

COLLEGEVILLE, Pa. — Ursinus is headed to Final Four.  

The Bears (29-2) got two foul shots from sophomore guard Remy Cousart 17 seconds left to send it to overtime, at which point Ursinus took over and defeated Coast Guard (24-7) 82-76 Saturday night in the finals of the Collegeville Sectional in the NCAA Division III Men’s Basketball tournament. Ursinus will take on defending national champion Amherst at 5 p.m. on Friday in the Salem Civic Center in Salem, Virginia. 

 “Obviously, I’m so happy and proud of our kids,” Ursinus head coach Kevin Small said afterwards. “We worked extremely hard against a very tough Coast Guard team. We had a lot of guys contribute tonight but the difference was the way we executed in the second half.:  

Junior guard John Noonan had a team-high 21 points as Ursinus advanced to the final four for the first time since 1981.  “When we were down two, we kept saying ‘Get it to overtime’,” Noonan said afterwards. “Remy (Cousart) made those two huge foul shots to get us there and we worked hard in the overtime.” 

Senior guard Nick Shattuck scored 19 points, while sophomore guard Matt Hilton added in 18 in the win.  For Coast Guard, senior guard Grant Johnson had a game-high 26 points, including eight three-pointers. Junior forward Craig Johnson had 16 points in the loss.  Trailing by two with 17 seconds left, Cousart sank two foul shots to tie the score at 69-all. Senior guard Al Sowers three-pointer with five seconds left did not fall and the game went to overtime.  

In the extra period, Ursinus outscored Coast Guard 9-3 to take a six point lead at 78-72 with 40 seconds left and never looked back.
**********

What a great year this has been. It's been a fun, exciting and amazing ride ... and there's still more to come. To all the teams & players: 'Thank You' for paying the toll so that we could all ride along with you on this adventure.

Good Luck Bears!!!

See ya in Virginia!!!

**********

Happy Birthday Patty!!! I hope you're seeing all this!!!

OFF THE BEATEN ST. PATRICK'S PATH: 12 Days of Irish — DAY NINE — Protestant Hero Quartet

2008-03-13T20:19:00.000-07:00

"He was a product of his time."

That rationalization has excused so much reprehensible behavior by so many "enlightened" people in history. However, there have always been the morally brave and truly enlightened few who puncture that statement — and, in the process, force us to look at our own decisions.

Four of the greatest warriors in the fight for Irish independence have been Protestants.

The "Father of Irish Republicanism" — Theobold Wolfe Tone (1763-1798)

Tone was an Irish Protestant lawyer who founded the United Irishmen and led the failed 1798 Rebellion. He was a tireless agitator against religious persecution inflicted on the Catholics. He was captured during the Rebellion, sentenced to hang, and committed suicide the day before his execution at the age of 35.

Robert Emmet — (1778–1803)

Emmet was the son of a successful Irish Protestant surgeon. Emmet's father often treated the British royal family when they visited Dublin — he was that connected. Emmet went to Trinity College and got his revolution on. In a big fuck-you to his dad, Emmet joined the United Irishmen and was part of Tone's doomed 1798 Rebellion. Emmet was able to bolt to France and asked Napoleon to help the Irish get their country back. The little man nixed that idea but Emmet organized another rising anyway in 1803. It was, like 1798, a disaster.
Emmet was captured soon after and at his trial gave the legendary Speech From The Dock. On September 20, 1803 Emmet was executed.

The Uncrowned King of Ireland — Charles Stewart Parnell — 1846-1891

Parnell was one of the great orators of the Irish struggle for independence and was a rich Protestant landowner. Parnell took the fight to England as a member of Parliament and crusaded for land reform on behalf of the Irish peasants he supposedly had nothing in common with.

"When we have undermined English misgovernment we have paved the way
for Ireland to take her place amongst the nations of the earth. And let us not forget that that is the ultimate goal at which all we Irishmen aim. None of us whether we be in America or in Ireland . . . . will be satisfied until we have destroyed the last link which keeps Ireland bound to England."

Parnell's longtime affair with Katherine "Kitty" O'Shea became a scandal as she was still married. The Catholich Church issued one of their typically courageous condemnations when the affair was made public. He would ultimately marry O'Shea but his time as a towering political figure was gone.

He died of complications from pneumonia at 45.

Bloody Sunday march organizer — Ivan Cooper

Ivan Cooper is a working-class Protestant who was born right into the thick of it in Killaloo, County Derry in 1944. Somehow — ya know, being a product of his time and
all — he was committed to non-violence, believed that Catholics and Protestants could work together and was involved in the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association. For presuming to think Ireland should be free, he was branded a traitor by his fellow Protestants.

Cooper was the driving force behind the civil rights march that took place on Sunday, August 21, 1970 — Bloody Sunday.

The story of that incident was re-created to amazing effect in the film Bloody Sunday.

So what are we to make of these four men — all products of their time — who managed to do what was right?

I guess we're all out of excuses, huh?

Off The Beaten St. Patrick’s Path: 12 Days Of Irish: Day Eight: The Luck Of The Irish

2008-03-13T20:18:00.000-07:00

OK … here we are … Day Eight of our 12 Days of Irish … Off The Beaten Path … and I realized that there is one topic that the Brothers McC have yet to touch on, that is: The Brother’s McC.

What, you say? Egotistical? No! Not in the least. College basketball is full swing, the Flyers are in a fight for a place in The Stanley Cup playoffs, my son is in bed, my wife is out with the girls … I’m a few pints of Harp in to the night … and, the Irish are … what’s the word … loquacious! So … here we go.

What does it mean to part of this particularly verbose and (most times) well-minded trio? Well, let me tell you … sometimes it aint easy … and sometimes there is a hell of a lot of pressure. But, I’m not here to talk about us (per se) tonight.

Tonight, let me just say, we are three of the luckiest Irish knuckleheads that you will ever meet. Sure, out of the gate, and growing up, there were a few rough miles (some of which I’m sure will find their way in to later postings). But, in retrospect, I’m pretty sure it was those … how shall we say … ‘tougher days’ … that have made us the men that we (hope, think, pray) we are today.

But, like I said, we are some lucky keiwo (re; keiwo: look it up … it’s Gaelic). I mean … for fooks sake; have you ever met our wives? Sweet Jeebus – did we out-kick our coverage or what??? Go ahead … I dare you … find three brothers that have married up as well as we have.

Trip??? If anyone can ever explain to me how he scored, the pints are on me. And this just isn’t a Brothers McC thing, here’s how his Teenage Kicks partner puts it: Clearly, (Trip) has some sort of sinister powers that could be unleashed on the Midwestern test subject at any moment. There’s no way that guy gets a woman like that. No. Freaking. Way. The term “better half” was invented for this couple.

Kevin … well, he owes somebody ‘big time’ for the fact that he gets to share a home with McFuss. Where do we even start? I know that only three of us were there to see it … but at her first live viewing of an NHL game (on my birthday, no less) she proved to be everything that any man (much less Kevin) deserved. “Shoot the fooking puck!”

And me … my wife married a fooking musician … what more do you need to know about her cojones? She’s already got one foot in heaven for that. Yeah … I know the saying … “Blessed are the music makers, they are in God’s heart.” But trust me … God has a special place for those who put up with the music makers. What’s that they say about needing an inquisitive mind & a fearless heart?

And I haven’t even started in on how blessed we are with our kids! ;-)

So … here we are. Three overgrown, over-hyped, overworked, over-the-hill sport fans … who majored in music (or music fans who major in sports … whatever)… who have found three great ladies, living three separate slices of life, by following three separate highways … but have somehow ended up in the same place:
Neck deep in the luck of the Irish!

OFF THE BEATEN ST. PATRICK'S PATH: 12 Days of Irish — DAY SEVEN — John Lynch

2008-03-12T11:45:00.000-07:00

A native of Newry, Northern Ireland, John Lynch has been called the cinematic face of the Irish Troubles. On screen, he also has two-timed Gwyneth Paltrow, romped with Lassie and been one of the most touching schizophrenics in film history.

You'll recognize his face, no doubt, but John Lynch is one of the greatest actors you've never heard of.

Liam Neeson, Colin Farrell, Colm Meaney and the incomparable Daniel-Day Lewis are the branded faces of Irish film. John Lynch is it's quiet soul.

He arrived on the film scene indelibly with Cal in 1984. Playing the title character — a reluctant IRA terrorist — Lynch brings a haunting sensitivity and depth to the affecting story of Cal's love affair with the widow (a stunning Helen Mirren) of the man he helped to kill.

Cal, like Lynch, is an under-appreciated classic.

Lynch was part of the combustible cast of Derek Jarman's searing Edward II (1991) as well as the heartbroken Lord Craven in the sweet and sumptuous film version of The Secret Garden (1993) — his first taste of commercial success. That same year came In The Name of The Father, as Lynch played Paul Hill alongside the Oscar-nominated Day-Lewis as Gerry Conlon — half of the railroaded Guilford Four. Deservedly so, the powerful, moving film was nominated for Best Picture.

Now on a full-fledged great-movie binge — Lynch, in the next three years, went from John Sayles' The Secret of Roan Inish to Angel Baby, where he was wondrous as a schizophrenic fighting for love and his independence to Nothing Personal — possibly his greatest performance — as a young father trying to stay apolitical in 1975 Belfast to his indelible turn as doomed hunger striker Bobby Sands in Some Mother's Son — which reunited him with Helen Mirren.

In the intervening twelve years Lynch has continued to give finely etched performances — most notably in the mini-series Bleak House, the latest incarnation of Lassie, the compelling drama This Is the Sea and as legendary soccer star George Best.

In those last two films — as well as 2004's The Bridge of San Luis Rey — Lynch was directed by his wife, the very talented Mary McGuckian.

Lynch is probably best-known to American audiences as the feckless boyfriend in Sliding Doors (1998) — which not only stars Gwyneth Paltrow but has been seen by Trip McClatchy nigh on 400 times.

In every role — John Lynch finds its heart. You believe him. He is an artist.

You really could do no better than a John Lynch film festival this St. Patrick's Day.

Off The Beaten Path; Day 6; How The Irish Saved Civilization

2008-03-11T18:26:00.000-07:00

When I first read this book, I was kind of amazed that there was so much here that I had never heard before. And the more I read, the better I felt. And it wasn't the sense of Irish pride - you know: Hey!! We did this!!! It was more an amazement that anyone did what these monks did at the time they did it.

Here's what they said about this boo in Publishers Weekly:
With the fall of the Roman Empire in the fifth century, Ireland, according to the author, "had one moment of unblemished glory"-when Irish monks copied almost all of Western classical poetry, history, oratory, philosophy and commentary. But this book is more than the story of monks preserving manuscripts; it is an irreverent look back at how Ireland came to be. Celts who had traversed Europe, Irish warriors and their women were primitive and blatantly sexual. Next came a taming of the land with the help of St. Patrick, who hated slavery and loved scholarship. Patrick was followed by St. Columcille, a great lover of books who became embroiled in a war and, as penance, exiled himself to the island of Iona, off Scotland. It was here that Ireland became "Europe's publisher," as other warrior-monks followed Columcille's example and began to colonize barbarized Europe. They put Ireland in the vanguard of intellectual leadership, a position the Irish would not surrender until the Viking invasion of the 11th century. Cahill (A Literary Guide to Ireland) has written a scholarly, yet cheeky, book that will have strong appeal to Celtophiles.

Off The Beaten Path; Day 5; Dave Kincaid

2008-03-10T09:17:00.000-07:00

Let me state out front – I’ve known Dave Kincaid for years. Always thought his band, The Brandos, were one great rock and roll outfit. I was honored to have Dave play banjo & mandolin on my debut CD (Blue Moon Revisited) – and oh yeah – that’s him singing the great harmony vocal on the title track as well!!

So, after years of rocking around this globe, Dave comes along with this side project: Dave Kincaid: The Irish Volunteer:
http://hauntedfieldmusic.com/Description.html

These two CDs are ‘must haves’ for any fan of Irish music, Civil War history, or just really great music in general. I was lucky enough to tour with Dave and I got to play a lot of these songs. My personal fave; “My Father’s Gun”

So … on Day 5, I’m offering up some really great music. Here’s a little info that I took from his website:

Recognized as both musician and historian, David Kincaid presents a compelling combination of the songs and history of the Irish in the American Civil War. Years of research, recording and performing experience have been translated into two critically acclaimed albums; “THE IRISH VOLUNTEER” and “THE IRISH-AMERICAN’S SONG,” collections of authentic Irish songs of both the Union and the Confederacy. Having performed at a variety of Irish/Celtic festivals, historical sites and folk music venues across the US, as well as European tours, David’s music has also been used in several documentary films, and he was engaged as a consultant and performer in the Hollywood Civil War film release “Gods and Generals.” David Kincaid performs in period clothing, presenting an engaging, all-ages program appealing to both history buff and the Irish/Celtic music fan alike.

So there ya’ go … a rock & roller with an Irish history heart.
What more do you need to know????

Go check out his website:

http://hauntedfieldmusic.com/index.html

Take a listen to his stuff. Order it!!! And then enjoy one of my favorite musicians that still keeps the fire burning.

JUST RIDICULOUS !!

2008-03-08T20:07:00.000-08:00

Try as we might to bring the St. Patrick's Day countdown your way, the absolute magic of college hoops and BrothersMcC mojo refuses to be ignored.

John Noonan's (that's him administering the bear hug) favorite descriptive adjective is "ridiculous." It is summoned for good, ill and anything in between.

And now it must be applied to Ursinus College basketball.

These guys are ridiculous.

Tonight Ursinus took on last year's national runner-up Virginia Wesleyan (of the powerful — and I mean POWERFUL — Old Dominion Athletic Conference — which has produced its share of great teams, D-III Hall-of-Famers and slow, earthbound, fundamentally sound, Irish-American hotheads who get in fights and nearly tossed from games minutes after tip-off when their families have driven five hours to watch them play ... okay maybe just one of those.)

This second-round match-up had "Bad News" written all over it for Ursinus. Their leading scorer and All-American Nick Shattuck was hobbled by a painful bruised heel and Virginia Wesleyan was fast, physical and experienced.

By the way — this Shattuck fellah was cut from his high school freshman team and squeaked on JV as a sophomore. Now he's a college All-American. Mover over, Rudy. Here's a picture of the dude:

Long story short — Virginia Wesleyan comes out smokin' and Ursinus is down 17 at half time. Shattuck has as many points as I do to complement his three fouls and John Noonan is clanging everything outside two feet.

But soph guard Matt Hilton is on fire — or as his notorious relative might say, "hot."
And 6-10 Michael Shema is beating up Virginia Wesleyan inside.

In the second half — Ursinus chips away, Virginia Wesleyan gets tight, Nick Shattuck absolutely guts it out and scores huge bucket after huge bucket, Noonan finds the range and some French dude named Cousart has a zillion assists. Ursinus comes all the way back and finally takes the lead 60-59 as John Noonan, showing hops foreign to the rest of his gene pool, converts a sweet alley oop play.

It see saws the next couple of minutes. Helfferich Hall is pandemonium, my sister — John Noonan's mother — is in cardiac arrest, her husband — John's dad — is quietly aging decades and my nephew Sean is apparently plotting a media grab (see above photo — and dig the Ohio State sweatshirt — purchased by the wife and yours truly. Kid has taste.)

Ursinus rides clutch play and a collective huge pair to a mind-boggling 70-64 comeback win for the ages. And a spot in the Sweet Sixteen. And quite possibly the greatest post-game celebration picture in sports photo-journalism history.

Reached for comment following the game, John Noonan characterized the comeback, the photo, the gutcheck, the Sweet Sixteen, the celebratory embrace with teammate Keith Page, the Freak-a-Deak photo jubilation of his cousin Sean and the length of this sentence as ...

"ridiculous."

Off The Beaten Path: Day 3

2008-03-08T06:07:00.001-08:00

It is not often enough that great movies are made. And, sadly, it is too often that when great movies are made – they are often overlooked. So, may I offer to you this great, little Irish movie: The War Of The Buttons.

This is the story of the children from two Irish towns (Ballydowse and Carrickdowse). These are poor, working class towns – where the best way to “get” your enemy is to get them in trouble with their parents.

So off these kids go to battle with each other … the twist … the vistors cut of the buttons, shoe-laces and underwear of their captured opponents. The “losers” of the battles have to go home and try to explain to their parents just what happened to their clothes.

One side decides that the best way to go to ‘battle’ is to go completely naked and exposed. A great idea – until they celebrate their victory at a barn-house … only to find some girls waiting for them … and seeing them in their “all together”

All the kids in the film are great. And the fabulous Irish actor, Colm Meaney, has his best ever “drinking” scene (I’m bucking the kid, up!!!!).

So … hunt it out … rent it … then post your review here!

OFF THE BEATEN ST. PATRICK'S PATH: 12 Days of Irish — DAY TWO

2008-03-07T19:59:00.000-08:00

(ed. note: First things first — never underestimate the power of a BrothersMcC blog entry. To wit:
I ignited an Ursinus-hoops-tastic burst of blog activity earlier this week — focusing on young John Noonan (great-grandson of Irish immigrants, mind you.) Tonight the Ursinus College Bears defeated Bible Baptist, 94-76, in the 1st round of the NCAA tourney. Noonan — in his first game flush with BrothersMcC mojo — promptly went off for a career-high 28 points.
We do what we can.)

Now for DAY TWO's literary offering:

Most everyone knows about The Commitments — the wildly popular movie about the fictional ragtag Irish band that finds success. The Commitments was originally a novel written by the great Irish author Roddy Doyle. It later was included in The Barrytown Trilogy — along with his next two novels, The Snapper and The Van — both of which also became films.

Doyle won the Booker Prize for his 1993 novel Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha. But the spotlight we throw today is on my favorite from the pen of Mr. Doyle:

A Star Called Henry

Profane, profound, and laugh-out-loud funny, it is Doyle's best. He gives us one of the most memorable characters in recent fiction in Henry Smart — born in 1902 into grinding Dublin poverty to a one-legged father who works as a whorehouse bouncer and uses his wooden leg to keep the peace.

If that doesn't hook you — you can kiss my ass.

We follow Henry — memoir-style — as he makes his way through a tumultuous childhood to joining the cause of Irish independence and ... I'll say no more. Except Henry meets many an historical figure along the way.

Writing this good is rare.

So go get the thing and read it. Hell, it was published in 1999. It's gotta be in paperback by now, you cheapskates!

A Star Called Henry is Volume One of The Last Roundup.
Volume Two is Oh! Play That Thing — it's good but not nearly the masterpiece A Star Called Henry is.

That's right, I said masterpiece. Problem, friend?

Off The Beaten Path: Day 2

2008-03-07T06:27:00.000-08:00

Here ya' go - after Kev picked what could be my all time fave Sinead song ... I'll give you this; a little song by a NJ kid who's not really known for his 'Irish" music - but he knocks this one out of the park!

And ... since it was recorded in Ireland ... ;-)

OFF THE BEATEN ST. PATRICK'S PATH: 12 Days of Irish — DAY ONE

2008-03-06T11:14:00.000-08:00

Over the next 12 days, we here at BrothersMcC will endeavor to bring you some of the less-well-trod options for cultural Irish enhancement.

As beloved as they may be — you'll not find The Quiet Man, The Clancy Brothers or James Joyce in these pages. It's about new experiences, forgotten gems, hidden treasures.

And, please — for the love of all that is good and holy, Michael Collins and John F. Kennedy — NO GREEN BEER.

Today's offering:

Just because she's a split-personality nutcase who is a danger not only to herself but record executives and authority figures everywhere — we cannot forget that Sinead O'Connor is possibly the greatest female vocalist in Ireland's illustrious history.

She is brilliant, petulant, unhinged, beautiful, infuriating, inspiring, heartbreaking and, in the end, mysterious. Just like the country she hails from, tortures and reveres.

Here she reminds us of our common humanity:

Ursinus - 2008 Centennial Conference Champions

2008-03-03T22:15:00.000-08:00

Well... they won. The Ursinus Bears are the 2008 Centennial Conference champs - going an incredible 20-0 in conference play and squeezing past a gutty Gettysburg squad, 85-78, in Sunday's championship game.

For those in the greater Philadelphia metro area (and Columbus,OH - Sky Bus!!), Ursinus opens NCAA play this Friday, March 7, at 8:00 at their on campus gym, Helfferich Hall. For those on the fence about attending, there is a strong rumor Joey P will be there.

Just to add to my brothers' earlier hosannas - John Noonan is a terrific basketball player who showed a serious pair in drilling a three pointer with 3:44 left in Sunday's game that gave Ursinus a 71-69 lead they never relinquished. But forget that for a minute, and just celebrate a great kid - the kind of kid that you hope your own son or daughter will be like. The kind of kid who takes the time to congratulate his adoring 11 year old cousin on his 5th grade basketball championship just minutes after his team completed a perfect regular season in conference play. And talking to him you're honestly not sure which event he's more excited about.

Yeah... that kind of kid.