Wednesday, April 30, 2008

The Loudest Island in the World!

Sorry it's been so noisy around my room, I've been playing different albums trying to figure out my top 10. When I first saw Chavo's post title I got all excited because "Island No. 10" was actually the location of a small, but very important Civil War battle in March, 1862. Click here to read more. My editorial comments follow...
This victory opened the northern mouth of the Mississippi to Union control, setting the stage for a progressive southern push culminating in the Siege of Vicksburg, the penultimate (Port Hudson lay about 40 miles south, and was likewise besieged) Confederate stronghold on the river, which surrendered July 4, 1863, one day after the battle of Gettysburg. This victory, and the subsequent fall of Port Hudson on July 9, effectively split the Confederacy in two.

Island No. 10 also launched the career of Gen. John Pope, a blustery, arrogant man who led the Army of Virginia into disaster at the hands of Lee, Jackson, Longstreet etc at The Battle of Second Manassas Aug 27-30, 1892.
We could go on and on, but here's my Island No 10 list in no particular order. Put in your earplugs, because there's lots of big-throated vocals, crunching axmen, and sonic joy.

Badmotorfinger-Soundgarden. To me, this is the album that truly launched grunge. "Rusty Cage" is the best side one track one I can think of, and there is no topping Chris Cornell's roar to open "Room One Thousand Years Wide"
Facelift-Alice in Chains. So much sadness and gloom amidst so much sonic energy. Not as polished as Dirt, but a better expression of the desperation that Layne Staley faced until his eventual, untimely passing
Appetite for Destruction-Guns N Roses. From out of the swill of glam rock and LA glitz in the late 80s came this dose of reality. Crude, loud, and brilliant
The Will to Live-Ben Harper. Best live act I've ever seen and when he plays these songs on stage, you want to cry. "Roses from My Friends" is the most heartachingly beautiful song
The Sky is Crying-Stevie Ray Vaughn. A posthumous compilation of this guitar genius' work. "Life by the Drop" makes me want to grab Jess and all of my closest friends and tell them how much I love them.
Superunknown-Soundgarden. OhmygoodnessChrisCornellhasthemostincrediblevocalrangeandcouldsingthiswholesentenceinonebreathacrossmultipleoctavesandstillgoYAAAAA!attheendcanyou? Go to youtube.com and type "fell on black days" in the search field to see the brilliance of this band
Ten Thousand Fists-Disturbed. Massive, exhilarating, explosive rock. Also, they cover "Land of Confusion" by Phil Collins, and it's awesome!
don't know the album name-Hotel Costes: Love this album!
And Justice for All-Metallica. Just barely edges out Master of Puppets. I was in junior high the first time I heard "Blackened" and was actually frightened. This album is everything that made Metallica great.
Vulgar Display of Power-Pantera. From the album cover right through the whole LP, your body and mind will be shaken.
I know that my list is the answer to the SAT question "which one of the following is not like the others" but there it is...

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Saturday, April 26, 2008

It's ArtWalk Weekend

If you come by to visit, please bring wine.

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Wednesday, April 23, 2008

I Couldn't Resist...

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Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Nice Place You Have Here!

I have to say, having just entered the House of Love, this really is quite a place you have! Love the art on the walls, the high ceilings, lots of natural light. I think good old Fung and his sidekick Shui really had this place in mind when it was all coming together!

As Chavo's kind introduction alluded, I may be a bit tipsy upon entering the House of Love, and it was really thoughtful of him to set up my room with an all-pillow floor, velvet walls, and a wet bar! Now I can lie (read: fall) down without hurting myself, and I'll never be far from the hair of the dog.
There's this little door here near the back of my room, wonder what's behind...No way, a library just for the Tipsy Historian! Wow, there's all the Civil War books I need, a flat screen TV tuned to ESPN, a big gooshy captain's chair with ottoman, dang, I can't wait to settle in!

I've got some stuff to move into my quarters here, so in the meantime, check out The Tipsy Historian to read a story that is sure to put a smile on your face, for there is a World Champion in our midst.
Thanks for letting me hang out with you!

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Saturday, April 19, 2008

You Saw it Here First Folks

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Island 10

La, Amalthea and I have an on-going conversation as to the top 10 albums (forgive the anachronism) we’d like to have on a desert island. I’m a bit of a cherry picker when it comes to albums, that is I’ll pop on an album or CD and pick one, two, sometimes three tunes to play then it’s on to the next one. So my criteria for making the top 10 has to be that ALL the tunes are great.

Here’s my list with no offers of explanation and in no apparent order.


Overnight Sensation – Frank Zappa.

Who’s Next – The Who

Live in San Francisco – Van Morrison

Fulfillingness First Finale – Stevie Wonder

Live at the Apollo – James Brown and his Famous Flames

Where’s the Money – Dan Hicks and His Hot Licks

Blue (or Court and Spark) – Joni Mitchell

So Far – Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young

Sympathy for the Devil – The Rolling Stones

Aja - Steely Dan

That’s it! What’s yours?


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Say Hi to the Tipsy Historian

Check out our newest addition to the Blogs of Note - The Tipsy Historian. Sports, Cocktails and the Civil War. What could be better!

Nothing follows.

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