Mr. Moderator

When not blogging Mr. Moderator enjoys baseball, cooking, and falconry.

Whistle While You Workout

May 302013

Losing it.

I meant to post this a week and a half ago, when it was more relevant, but football has never been very relevant to the daily chatter at Rock Town Hall, and lately I’m skeptical whether Rock Town Hall is even relevant to those of us who used to make it so. Ugh.

New Philadelphia Eagles coach Chip Kelly has introduced a new wrinkle in NFL practices: the blasting of loud music during practices. His supposedly scientifically formulated playlist is coordinated to support the drills at Eagles practices and give the players experience communicating through the loud, hectic surroundings of a typical game day. Welcome to the jungle!

We’ll see how any of this pans out. Quick scans of the playlists Kelly has been programming would pose a challenge for my rock-snob ears to overcome, rather than motivate me, if that is the intent.

Thinking about the role music can play in working out got me thinking about Apple’s failed iLose program. Remember that? As part of the beta testing group I was delivered scientifically selected playlists that promised to help me shed pounds, even if I did nothing but listen to the music while taking a walk around the block. As much as I looked forward to a slimmer, trimmer body through listening to the music of artists I already liked, the program was missing some key components, starting with portion control.

Rock Crimes: ’80s, What Hath Thou Wrought?

Posted by Mr. Moderator

May 282013

“It’s the ’80s, Jake.”

I tried to formulate a reasonable response to jungleland2’s fine, wholly reasonable thoughts on the 1980s. Then I stumbled upon this artifact of that best-forgotten decade:

S.W.A.T. Opening Theme Song Co-Star Steve Forrest Dies

Posted by Mr. Moderator

May 242013

Steve Forrest, front left. James Coleman, back right.

It is with regret to inform you that S.W.A.T. opening theme song co-star Steve Forrest has died at 87. Any friend of Friend of the Hall James Coleman (née Lawrence), the actual S.W.A.T. cast member who shared his experiences with us, is a friend of ours! In honor of Hondo, “Let’s roll!”

A Singular Impression

Posted by Mr. Moderator

May 222013

Something’s been bugging me the last 24 hours—well, a number of things have been bugging me, but one in particular that’s worth sharing here in the Halls of Rock. Before I share, let me note that the ire I’m about to express toward an old friend and key musical mentor is not to be expressed without tremendous respect and acute self-awareness of my own tendency to do exactly what my friend did to get under my skin.

Yesterday, this friend—a should-be Townsman who has resisted all efforts at recruitment into our daily bull sessions since Day 1 of our original listserv origins—tipped me off on my Facebook page, in case I wasn’t aware of them, of videos of Big Dipper at JC Dobbs, an old-time Philadelphia club where my music friends and I (most of whom, this particular friend excluded, patrol these halls on a regular basis) saw the band every time they came through town. I was long aware of these videos, which I didn’t bother to throw back in his face, rock-snob style, as your slightly younger, less-gentle Moderator was wont to do. Kinder, wiser Moderator that I am I merely thanked him; confirmed that our extended crew was in the crowd the night this video was shot, as was always the case among the 40 people in Philadelphia who could be counted on to come out and see Big Dipper; and asked him if he’d heard the band’s latest album, which I mentioned was “very good” and very much in the vein of Heavens-era Dipper.

My friend’s response, in the sort of rock-snob tone that’s too well known to my own voice?

All-Star Jam

Posted by Mr. Moderator

May 212013

Creativity is next to godliness…at least while you’re in the act. The All-Star Jam is the place to do your thing. Share the rock, won’t you?

Doors Founder Ray Manzarek Dead at 74

Posted by Mr. Moderator

May 202013

RayMan

Bummer, man. No joke. Ray Manzarek, Doors keyboardist and Tonto to Jim Morrison’s Stoned Ranger, has died after a battle with bile duct cancer.

RayMan, as he was known to at least a few of us, brought much joy and laughter to the Halls of Rock—not to mention some actually cool musical contributions, both with the Doors and as producer of the essential albums by X!

The guy’s insufferable proselytizing of his allegedly late partner in crime and their band’s works began to charm me as the years passed. It’s rare that an artist is willing to talk in detail about the process of making music—and do so with an enthusiasm and belief in the greatness of his or her mates’ achievements that is usually only expressed among fellow bandmates. Let’s face it, whether it’s the Beatles, the Stones, the Doors, X, Jedward, or Nixon’s Head hunkered in their rehearsal space or studio, hammering out their latest creations, musicians experience a sense of godliness during the creative act. Most gods have the good sense to keep details of their creative process mysterious; Manzarek practically ran down Mount Olympus to tell us how the magic was made…man. We’ve got to learn how it’s done somehow.

Over time, the loyalty and love shown toward friends count for a lot, too. You know what I’m talking about, E. Pluribus Gergely!

What About the Other Bobs?

Posted by Mr. Moderator

May 202013

This May 24, 2013 is Bob Dylan‘s 72nd birthday. To celebrate the occasion, the Worcester Art Museum is offering free admission to anyone who comes “dressed as Bob.” I’m curious to know how liberal the museum staff’s interpretation of coming “dressed as Bob” will be. Being a bit of a wiseass, I can’t help but think of my reaction, in my younger days, to restaurants that had a tie and jacket dress code.

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