#tim/danny is wonderful your honor

[inthememetime]

Inspired by Teenage Mercenary, a DC × DP AU in which Danny plays the role on Ijin except instead of a foreign country Danny grew up in the Ghost Zone after an ill fated trip wherein Jack, Madeline and Danny entered the ghost zone in the prototype Specter Speeder but failed to return. Instead of growing up with her grandparents, Jazz is taken in by Vlad and then one day an older iteration of Danny emerges from Vlad's ghost zone portal. Jazz bearhugs Danny and Danny hugs her back, in steps Vlad who also hugs his godson adding to the dog pile.

Vlad uses Jazz's preexisting attendance to Gotham Academy to get Danny into the school as a new student and Danny is sorted into the same homeroom as one Tim Drake.

Sorry for the delay on this, Shroud, I wanted to be able to give you something good instead of whatever hot garbage my fevered brain churned out. I mean, it might still be hot garbage, but at least I tried, you know?

Anyway

I LOVE this idea an amount that you probably expected. Let's start with the immediate effects and then push out to when he returns!

Vlad

The objects of his obsession (Maddie and Jack) are gone. Dead. He even goes to the GZ to find them with no luck; just a wrecked Specter Speeder, parts and pieces of Maddie and Jack, and a blood-soaked baby seat.

Understandably, his mental status is completely rocked. If he didn't have the (once minor) obsessions with family and custody of Jazmine, his core would've shattered.

All that to say: this is a Vlad more like the future one in the apocalypse during TUE. He's broken, barely holding himself together for the sake of this broken-hearted little girl, and is forced to move on.

Jazmine

Despite being only 3 at the time of the accident, she has a lot of guilt. She thinks she should have faked being sick, thrown a tantrum, ANYTHING. It takes years of therapy (hence her goal of being a psychiatrist) for her to internalize it wasn't her fault. She was 3. She wasn't even at the house, she was at a sleepover. How was she supposed to stop them?

Despite her (unfair) guilt, she moves to calling Vlad 'dad' pretty quickly. Now, when she thinks of her dad, it's our favorite Green Bay Packers fan. When somebody presses about her bio dad, she has a few pictures, some stories, and a vague memory of a man in orange buckling up her older brother for the last ride he would ever take.

She misses Danny, and often wonders what he'd be like if he lived. Her hardest day, besides the immediate aftermath, was her 6th birthday because that meant she was older than Danny (who was 5 when he died) would ever be.

6 year old Jazz had a very hard time.

Now, at 14, her main concerns are having to move to Gotham and leave her friends Sam and Tucker (not to mention the town she grew up in) behind. She spent the last half year in Gotham, but she thought she was going back to Amity Park

Unfortunately (or fortunately) for her, business is booming, and Vlad signed a contract with Wayne Enterprises that's slowly putting a certain evil billionaire out of business, and he needs to be in city. And she's 14, so she is, obviously, going with him.

Side note, Vlad grew up rich and in boarding schools. He had a Very Bad Time in boarding schools, so that's a no go for him. Also, his existence low-key revolves around his daughter, so he starts going a little canon-level crazy when he can't see her for at least an hour or two a week. (Thank you, Skype! She can enjoy summer camp as long as she has a reliable internet connection!)

Also: Jazz knows this. But her abandonment issues have abandonment issues, so she's totally fine with this: she gets to reassure herself that her only living parent is still (half) alive and healthy.

Also also: thanks to an unexpected vulture visit, she's known Vlad is a half ghost since she was 4.

The Plot Beggineth

Is Beggineth a word? I like it, so it is now.

She sneaks off to say a final goodbye to Fentonworks the week before they're supposed to leave, but Sam and Tucker have a feeling she would do that and follow her.

Most of this chapter would be somber, I think. Jazz visiting the Ops center, the kitchen, and every room to say a final goodbye because, tbh, she doesn't plan on going back here again at this point. She's finally ready to move on.

She tests the lock on the lab as always, and it's locked, but the hinges have rusted and pretty much falls over. Despite knowing how dangerous a maintained ghost lab is, she decends. A last goodbye to the ghosts who never, despite all the wishes and prayers, came to haunt her.

There's the wrecked Speeder, just as her dad found it years ago. The weapons cabinet, the lab tables. All untouched bexause her dad couldn't stand to be here either. She's about to leave when she trips over a Fenton Thermos and lands in the portal.

Despite being very careful standing up, she trips on a wire, and the fact her dad never shut off the power really bites her because she bumps the on button, and boom! Halfa!Jazz.

By this time, Sam and Tucker are there to see her death, and Vlad's not far behind since his wards were tripped when she entered. They're all a little too late.

Not only does the portal activation kill Jazz! It also acts as a beacon to a certain ghost who doesn't remember much, but knows his obsession lies on the other side of the door he can't cross. Until now.

Danny

Immediately recognizes Jazz, though not Vlad.

They don't recognize him either. He's had a multitude of ghost parents, so 4 arms (Pandora), horns (Frostbite), star maps on his skin (Clockwork), and- well, he looks like a neverborn.

Until he switches back, and he's the spitting image of Jack at that age. He knows things only Danny would know. VERY secretive blood tests prove that's Jazz's long (un)dead brother.

Jazz and Vlad are beyond excited to have him back, and so is he! Matter of fact, Vlad's a little confused at how such a gentle, kind boy (admittedly with a lot of sass) has (half) survived the GZ.

All that changes when Luthor does weird mind control on Superman to get revenge (not against Plasmius- he isn't in the know- but against Vlad, who is driving him out of business) (overkill much, Lexy?), and Danny takes him down in like...20 seconds.

Super speed? Well how does your super hearing like that Ghostly Wail? Super strength? Boy, he wrestles with the ghost of the Nemean Lion on the regular.

Lazer eyes? Frost breath. Catch two arms? Jokes on you, he's got 2 more and now you're in range.

Yeah. It's quick. Batman and the bats have to slow down CCTV footage to 1 FPS and it's still faster than the camera could track.

He always went by Phantom in the GZ, so that's his hero name! Vlad still tries to teach him- and learns a few tricks himself. They both teach Jazz.

Tim

With summer over, classes start again!

Immediately, Tim knows something is off. The new kid, Danny, is WAY too nice for Gotham. Yeah, he's sassy, but he'll also make friends with anybody!

Tim tries to teach him the ropes. This causes Danny to believe they're BFFs now, which Tim was NOT aiming for, he just didn't want the cinnamon roll to be murdered.

Only then Danny steps in with a school bully who Tim has just had to deal with because he can't reveal his combat training, and absolutely shreds the guy to pieces. Then, super friendly, gives Tim his backpack back and wants to know if Tim knows any good burger joints in the area.

Detective mode: activated! Tim (thinks he) figures out that this is a Jason Situation. He resolves to keep an eye out on Danny to see if he has superpowers or nah.

Tim: I'll hang around him until I figure him out. Danny: new friend!

Danny starts showing up randomly. A fight breaks out while he's supposed to be in class? Nope, Danny's right beside him kicking ass, but his teacher says he never left the room, and the footage he (ahem) aquired confirms it.

Tim starts making a list of powers and panicking because a meta like this might be able to slow down even Superman! He'd be far more frightened if he knew half of the stuff Danny could really pull.

The Batfam thinks Tim has a crush. There's a lot of 'you can tell us anything!' speeches, Kate reminds him she's lesbian and it's ok with everyone else for some reason, even Jason gets to the point where he's just: Tim. Listen. Bruce is like the only straight person here, and frankly nobody knows about Alfred. It's cool if you want to bring him home.

"He's a meta."

"I'll make an exception unless he hurts you."

Tim thinks: ok, meta is fine. Turn him into a hero! Bruce thinks: ok, going to meet my son's boyfriend soon!

This is, by the way, the while thing. Everyone (but Tim & sweet cinnamon roll Danny) thinks they're dating. It gets to the point where Bruce and Vlad start inviting eachother over for family dinners in the hopes that their sons will just fess up, already!

Everyone (but Tim, Jazz, and Vlad) thinks Danny is either normal, or a meta with some speed and strength enhancements.

Tim tries to explain how dangerous he really is? YES, Tim, we GET IT, Danny is AWESOME and has great hair, JESUS CHRIST.

Hilariously, Tim and Danny keep getting kidnapped, and everyone from the Batfam thinks Tim keeps somehow overpowering metas to rescue them. Ghostfam thinks Tim is now In The Know.

"Hey Mr. Masters-"

"Tim, please, it's Vlad."

"Uh. Vlad? How did Danny get superpowers?"

"Oh, he died."

"WhAt?!"

Phantom and Robin keep teaming up to rescue Jazz, who is doing her best not to show powers so Lex doesn't have a reason to clone her.

Phantom/Robin becomes a thing. Danny/Tim is still not. When they find out, both families are FURIOUS.

"DANIEL JAMES FENTON-MASTERS, WHY ARE YOU CHEATING ON YOUR BOYFRIEND?!"

"TIMOTHY DRAKE, GET DOWN HERE AND TELL ME WHY RED ROBIN WAS SEEN KISSING PHANTOM?!"

Tim starts hanging around the Fenton-Masters more because NOBODY believes he and Danny aren't dating! Danny does the opposite- and both figure out eachother's secret identities.

This leads to further problems because: ok, he likes Red Robin, but he clearly isn't interested in Tim Drake. Ok, he likes Phantom, but Danny probably annoys him.

Tim gets Unmasked by Disposable Henchman #4, and (after getting rid of the others), Danny, to even the score, shows that Phantom and Danny are the same person too.

This leads to further drama. You'd think everything was solved, wouldn't you? Nah. "Dad, please stop yelling at me. Tim IS Red Robin." "Oh, that's a load of licorice, Danny, you're grounded."

"Bruce, everybody- I'm tired of this, so here: Danny IS Phantom." "So now you're lying to your BF AND to us?!"

Finally, they unmask in front of each other's families. Problem solved, right? Right! Except Jazz is kidnapped now, and there's this new scary blue meta looking for a ghost kid, and- shit's complicated.

But that's (realistically) where I'd go with it- romantic comedy/ crouching tiger hidden dumbass style.

All in all:

Danny? Genius when it comes to fighting, the GZ, and math. Dumbass for anything else.

Tim? Genius when it comes to detective work, fighting, and breaking and entering. Dumbass when it comes to human interaction.

Danny AND Tim? Bisexual Disaster Squad for the win!

[coghive]

Jason Crabb Unwraps Christmas Musical Masterpiece ‘Miracle In A Manger’

Two-Time GRAMMY® winner and 22-time GMA Dove Award winner Jason Crabb unwraps Christmas joy as he releases Miracle In A Manger, spreading holiday cheer and bringing focus to the true reason for the season. The new project, released on Red Street Records, is available now to download, stream and purchase on CD and vinyl. Jason’s power-packed vocals are backed by intricate instrumentation and lush orchestral arrangements – all recorded with live strings, woodwind and brass. Miracle In A Manger kicks off with the rollicking “Go Tell It On The Mountain” and takes the listener through a Christmas journey full of timeless treasures and a few new ‘sure-to-be’ Christmas classics, including the contemplative “Who Could’ve Dreamed,” and beloved songs, “Let It Snow,” “Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” “O Holy Night,” and more. Helmed by GRAMMY®-winning producer Jay DeMarcus, owner of Red Street Records and member of Rascal Flatts, the LP was produced alongside Kevin Rooney (Tauren Wells, Zach Williams, Danny Gokey, Crowder,) and the late Tim Akers (Reba McEntire, CeCe Winans), who passed away recently from cancer. This was Akers’ final project and includes the last songs he wrote. Jason Crabb says: “I have long admired the musical talent of Tim Akers. From the moment I heard his recordings and arrangements, I knew he had a special gift. Never in a million years did I dream that I would become a friend of his, and to have the opportunity to work with him on this project was truly an honor I can hardly describe. Little did I, or anyone, know that this Christmas project would be Tim’s last project. Thank you, Tim, for sharing your heart and soul in these recordings!”

Jay DeMarcus, owner of Red Street Records, says: “This album is Jason at his finest. Families will enjoy this timeless collection of Christmas songs for many years to come. It continues to be such an honor to work with one of the most talented singers ever.” “When I signed to Red Street, Jay asked me what I wanted to do. Immediately, I told him a Christmas project was a life-long dream of mine,” Crabb shares. “I hope this Christmas project will stand the test of time. I hope my grandkids will listen to this one day and be proud of what Grandpa did.” Crabb also penned two songs on this project, the title track “Miracle In A Manger,” written with DeMarcus and Akers, and “Being Home For Christmas,” written with Caleb & Jordan Ward and the legendary Don Koch. The moving ballad, “Miracle In A Manger,” focuses on the season’s true meaning with Crabb reflecting through song, “It’s a miracle in a manger, nothing more sacred, nothing is stranger. Hope for the world, the promised Savior, a miracle there in a manger.” “I had a blast writing and recording these songs,” said Crabb. “Even though it was 100 degrees outside when we recorded, we bumped the air down as low as it would go and immersed ourselves in the music.” “Being Home For Christmas,” which celebrates the joys of family over the commercialized Christmas season, is sure to be a standout. “This song feels just like a warm blanket, cozied up by the fire with your family,” says Crabb. “It just feels good! It’s one of my favorite tracks on the project.” Crabb puts his own signature spin on two newly-beloved Christmas classics, welcoming special guest Iveth Luna on the perennial holiday tune, “Tennessee Christmas,” made popular and written by Amy Grant, along with delivering an emotive, vocally excellent performance of “Mary, Did You Know?,” written by Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene. Crabb will support the project through an upcoming Christmas tour and multiple television appearances throughout the holiday season. https://youtu.be/T58LNf1NXH4 Read the full article

[demi360flip]

Why I’m here

I’ve had a pretty difficult life, I think. Nobody on this earth even knows how bad it’s been. It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster; there have been times where it’s been bad that I didn’t want to continue living. There have been other times where things have improved and I’ve held (seemingly false) hope that things would be better. Or that I actually had a shot at a normal life, only to have that dream crushed time and time again.

In the last year, my life has been turned upside down. Now, it wasn’t all roses and unicorns before this year, but it’s hard to remember a time where I’ve felt so lost. Even after my older brother killed someone and was sent to prison for vehicular manslaughter shaming our family in a whole new way. During the last 365 days, I’ve been challenged by God in many ways. I lost gymnastics and those wonderful children that looked up to me and needed me. I lost EMS and the aspect of helping people. I lost the fire department. I lost every friend I’ve ever had. I started again in a new city, in a new state, in a new home. I was finally away from it all, which left me in a bizarre mixed state of ecstasy for escaping and complete panic for leaving. 

During the last 365 days, I jumped into one of the most cutthroat programs in the country, where missing even one multiple choice question on a test could mean the end of your dreams. I found myself redlining in a stressed state of mind, desperately counting every single point I missed, paralyzed in stress on my couch crying before exam grades came out. Only to have 8 people texting me asking me what I got so they could compare themselves to me. I had to study for all hours of the day, all while balancing eating (even though I was so strung out on Adderall that I had no appetite), taking care of my dog (who got little attention in my new lifestyle), taking care of an entire house and paying all the bills alone for the first time (with money from a staggering medical school loan that will cripple me for years to come), and maintain a long distance relationship (that I KNEW I didn’t have time for, but absolutely couldn’t live without).

During the last 365 days, my older brother was released from state prison. It didn’t come easy either, in the months leading up to the parole meeting and subsequent release from a 4 year hell-on-Earth, he AND my mother would both call me every single day crying and talking about whether or not he will be released. It took so much of my time and energy that I already didn’t have. It was exhausting. I would get off of the phone with one, after talking them down from crying, and the next would call. My grades suffered. On top of that, I was having to discover how I would have a relationship again with a brother that I so despised for ruining my life and family. He was the cause of my mother’s drinking. In my eyes, Dennis was the cause of every pain I’ve ever felt in my life. Now, he would call me begging for his forgiveness, crying to me about how proud he was of me for “holding it down” after his mistakes and taking care of the family in his wake of destruction. Little did he know, I was struggling to breathe. Now, I had to face rebuilding some sort of relationship with him. Was I supposed to be forgiving? Was I supposed to hold onto this pain and anger at him? Was I supposed to be there to support him and be there for him like all of the counselors said I needed to? Was I supposed to tread carefully? There was a difficult level of awkwardness there that couldn’t be denied. Do I give him the benefit of the doubt that he would come out and do right for the first time in his life? Or do I honor the pattern of destruction that he’s caused my whole life? I didn’t know whether to believe him or not- did he REALLY change? 

During the last 365 days, I lost a mentor and important person in my life to cancer. Irv Isenberg was the reason I was here. He was the reason why I did EMS. He lit the fire in me to help and teach others. He was the reason why I was able to get into LECOM’s program from hell. He was the best man I had ever known. And he was a line-of-duty death from 9-11-2001. He’s battled the cancer from the warzone that was NYC on 9-11 for many years. But this was finally the end and the rapid decline. It comes out of nowhere, you know? One day, it’s just a thing that everyone knows about *oh, Irv had cancer*, but he’s still going on calls, shooting, smiling, working, and you kind of just forget about it. I’m going to coffee with him, texting him, everything is moving on like usual. Then it creeps in a little more- he’s facebooking sarcastic, funny posts about his experiences at Roswell Park, you know he’s going through chemo and radiation, and he comes around a little less. But he and I were still getting our Tim Horton’s coffee every time I was home. We would sit there and talk about school and what I needed to do next, who I needed to get in contact with, and the next connections I had to make. Everything was still fine. Then suddenly, I don’t see him anymore. He knows that I cry when I hear his voice hoarse from radiation, so he lies to me and texts me instead. He tells me he’s at the dog park, when I know that he’s at Roswell for treatment. He and I don’t get coffee anymore. Instead, we just text back and forth and he tells me “When you’re Doctor Demi, that’ll be all the thanks I need”. There were whispers around the fire department, about how he stopped working, and “isn’t doing well”. Soto calls me to tell me that he needs platelets. He stops answering my texts, or Lisa answers them instead for him. I rushed home on an exam week to donate platelets, which was far worse than I expected. I was sick during and after extraction. They said I was too skinny and that’s why. I had lost 20 lbs from the stress and Adderall. But I had the blood type they needed and I wasn’t leaving there without donation. Then about a week later, he died. I got the call. I came home on an exam week again for the wake. Danny had amazingly rapidly organized the most beautiful wake, procession, and funeral that I’ve ever even heard of. When I walked into the wake, there were pictures of Irv and I in the slideshow and on the picture boards. It was surreal. Chris and Julie Kaplewicz pulled me in line with them. I said, “I’m not really sure where I belong”, as I’m no longer a FF, I wasn’t with TCA, and I wasn’t family. “You belong right here with us”. We proceeded slowly through the line to the closed casket with his helmet on it. There were 2 of our FF’s on the sides of his casket holding axes- it was Brad and MJ. When they saw me, they kept their eyes up, but tears rolled down both of their faces. I cried. I kissed his helmet. Lisa hugged me and said, “Oh honey, he loved you so much. I’m going to keep in touch with you”. My heart was in pieces. He wouldn’t make it to see me get my white coat, which would be entirely his doing in my mind.

During the last 365 days, for the first time in my whole life, I got my mom sober. The reign of alcoholism and physical and emotional abuse to our family was finally exiled by my brave actions. I thought I’d never see the day. Well, this is one of those “seemingly false hope” instances I had mentioned earlier. I don’t know exactly how long after this victory that she relapsed, but my little brother (who is more like a child to me, as I’ve effectively raised him in the face of two absent and inadequate parents) called me crying saying that he found booze hidden in her room. From another state away, I had to comfort this teenager who revealed to me that he has been struggling with the same depression and self-loathing that I had continuously battled since my prepubescent years, which I spent cutting myself and running away from home. The thought of Mikey feeling any of the feelings that I struggled with due to our dysfunctional abusive family brought me to my knees. After all, I had dedicated my whole existence to lessening the weight of it all on him and shielding him from as much as I could. I thought, “I can save him from this hell and give him a shot at a normal life”. This was wishful thinking. Especially after leaving my entire life in Buffalo behind, to try to chase my dreams that I have had on hold for so long due to my fucked up family arrangement. In doing so, I also left behind everyone and everything that held me up. I didn’t realize that my skin was made of paper and my bones were broken and made of glass, until I moved away and left behind everyone and everything else that held me up. I found that I could not stand on my own two feet. And boy, did I crumble. I had always thought that I was so STRONG. This incredible superhero that could withstand a lifetime of abuse and dysfunction and no support and no love, and STILL have the strength to protect another younger brother from it. I looked in the mirror and knew. I was a failure. I was disgusted. I finally could see it- I wasn’t strong. I was weak and dependent on the love, support, and distraction of others to hold myself up on my own two feet. It was a difficult realization that I was nothing without my friends, my boyfriend, his family (who replaced mine, but wasn’t TRULY mine), and my job that I loved. I saw myself. Ugly. Weak.

Now, I don’t want this to be some sort of pity party. Of course, I’ve done some pretty badass things in my life. I’m physically healthy, which is more than some people can say, and I’m fortunate to have the means of following my dreams. I’ve met some incredible people in this lifetime- many of which have changed my life and kept me going when I didn’t have the inner strength to do so. One of those people was Gage Greiner. And I lost him, too.

[justgotham]

Tonight (2/28/19) in Episode 508 of Gotham on Fox, I’m back. And I’m not alone. I’m also making a bit of DC Comics history.

Tonight I become the first live-action performer ever to portray classic DC Comics villains The Ventriloquist and Scarface. And in case you’re wondering: yes, I do have some ventriloquism skills; I operated and voiced Scarface in real time on set, while simultaneously performing the role of Mr. Penn/The Ventriloquist. It was an amazing and incredibly fun challenge. I was so happy to have another episode with Robin–and to finally work with Cory! Seth Boston wrote an amazing script; one of the best in the entire series. Director Ken Fink and I have the same warped sense of humor, and he guided this crazy episode with fantastic flair. His visual ideas were insanely clever. It was a joy start to finish.

I can only say thank you again to everyone on the show for this incredible 2-season experience–the simply amazing and sweet cast and crew, my directors (Danny Cannon, Rob Bailey, Ken Fink, Mark Tonderai, Nathan Hope, Nick Copus, and Scott White), the tireless office staff, the incredible writers room, our gifted designers, and our incomparable team of producers–especially Danny Cannon, John Stephens, Scott White, Tom Whelan, and assistant Shelby Coppola–for your belief in me. Thank you all for welcoming me into the delightfully demented world of Gotham, and making me part of the coolest, craziest TV family ever.

On the casting side, huge thank you’s to Renée Glicker, Joe Kokofsky, and team at About Artists Agency for submitting me for the initial Mr. Penn audition, to the fabulous team at Bowling/Miscia Casting for granting me an audition, and a special thanks to Warner Brothers Senior VP of Casting Tony Sepulveda for saying that magical, life-changing word: “Yes.” I hope we share more “yes” moments in the future!

My biggest thank you’s go to my husband Tim (for over 25 years of love and encouragement), our families, and especially to Gotham’s absolutely incredible legion of fans. Moments like this are rare in any actor’s career. I’m honored to play these iconic roles, and so grateful we got to share this ride. Thank you all.

Given that my character of Mr. Penn was killed off in Episode 503, this appearance as the Ventriloquist and Scarface almost didn’t happen. For the whole amazing story on how it did, check out the exclusive interview I did with GothamTVPodcast, which will be available on their site and via most podcasting apps, shortly after Episode 508 airs.

Stay tuned for news of my next project!

[butdidyousee]

9 Days of Christmas movies🎄🎅🏻☃️

With Christmas approaching rapidly, I decided to give you 9 Christmas movies(one to watch each day.) that I really like, both currently and when I was a kid. A couple of honorable mentions in here as well(In case some of my list just ain’t your bag). I would also like to say, I thought this would be easy; but once I got started I had to leave out a ton of titles and rounded it out to a few favorites.

🎄Jingle All The Way(1996) - Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sinbad star in this great classic. I always forget that Arnold is a jack of all trades with his acting. Action is in the bag for this dude. He nails down family fun and comedy often. This is a fun movie that will bring some 90’s nostalgia to any millennial. Was this movie the year of the Furby or tickle me Elmo? Objective of movie: get the toy to get kids love. Kid loves you anyway.

🎄A Bad Moms Christmas(2017) - The bad moms are back, this time their own mothers drop in during the holidays. What’s an over-worked mother to do? Rebel against Christmas in the way the bad moms do. Really cute and funny movie with great underlining messages. Also, Christine Baranski and Santa strippers, Woof!

🎄Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer(1964) - This classic stop motion movie has been around for generations now. Although the filming seems primitive, the message and fun are clear and it’s got great songs that I have been singing for years. Besides, every kid should know about Rudolph and misfit toys.

🎄The Night Before(2015) - Seth Rogen and Joseph Gordon- Levitt have a nack for “bro” type movies. This is no exception. An annual night of debauchery searching for a holy grail of Christmas parties while running around NYC with your best friends whilst wearing your proper ugly sweater. I don’t think it gets more holiday than this super fun adult movie.

🎄Prancer (1989) - I never believed in Santa growing up and the thought of magical reindeer sounded so odd to me. But when I saw prancer on TV for the first time, I cried and really did wish this was all real.(gimmie a break I was like 6). As an adult now I understand. Thanks to prancer that it’s so much deeper then the magic. It’s belief. Everyone around our protagonist thought she was crazy but she cared for the animal anyway and her belief was not for nothing come Christmas time.

🎄Four Christmases(2008)- The baby throwing up scene, the baby throwing up scene, the baby throwing up scene. Ok now that’s out of the way. This was a funny fast paced movie with 2 big names attached. A bit of holiday lessons but funny over all. I will say this movie doesn’t hold up. But, I did love watching it at the time. It also reminds me that I’m not the only person that’s not into family during the holiday.

🎄How the Grinch Stole Christmas(1966/2000) - Another holiday classic. This movie has been remade and remade, the message stays the same but weather it be live action or CGI animation. This movie is always a laugh when you’re a kid and brings you back as an adult. Jim Cary was also an amazing grinch. He was born for the role truly. I also find myself singing your a mean one Mr. Grinch waaaay more than I truly should during the year.

🎄The Santa Clause (1994) - This is one of the first movies I saw in theaters and owned. This is a great memorable movie with some great lines and a fun time to watch. Tim Allen’s style of comedy truly helped make this movie a delight.

🎄A Christmas Story(1983) - Another nostalgia sake movies. This movie will play on TBS for 24 hours every Christmas and is always a fun watch. Looking back now. It holds the test of time story sake and does the best it can for the time. But, the chances of someone getting you a leg lamp as a gift is silly. That’s what makes this movie great. That and it taught me not to lick a pole in a cold winter day.

🎅🏻———🤶🏻———🎅🏻———🤶🏻.

❄️Honorable Mentions❄️.

☃️Office Christmas party(2017) - This was an underrated film in my opinion, TJ Miller plays himself as normal but running a company and basically throwing a gigantic rave as a Christmas party. As an adult, it made me wonder how many of my co-workers would just unwind if the situation presented itself correctly? Easpecially at the end of the year.

☃️Home Alone(1990) - You can never beat Macaulay Culkin’s big break out role. This movie also raised a lot of questions such as how did Mr. McCallister afford to take all those people to Paris during Christmas time being a single bread winner with such a large household? How did Kevin burn his face when he didn’t even really shave? Also for a stay at home mom, Mrs. McCallister didn’t keep very good track of her children.

☃️Christmas with the Krank’s(2004) - Another holiday good time with Tim Allen. Just add a little Jaime Lee Curtis and some Christmas Shannanigan’s while trying to avoid Christmas and you have a funny cocktail that’s fun for everyone. Good easy watch and the over acting make it funny to watch.

☃️The Nightmare Before Christmas(1993) - I felt like I had to throw this in because so many people love this movie. I for one have thought it’s been overrated for sometime. I understand that for the time the animation was something to write home about, But it just felt to me like all the goth kids finally got their mainstream movie. But I do love the idea of Halloween at Christmas, Danny Elfmen and Tim Burton did have a great partnership here, no denying that.

What are some of your favorite holiday films or shows? Or know of Something I should check out? Leave me comment below✌🏻

[tkmedia]

Man Utd need Ndidi, and a solution to the Haaland problem…

Your mails don’t have to be about Man Utd but keep them coming anyway. Send mails to theeditor@football365.com… Haaland sorted Erling Haaland to Chelsea? Simple! Dortmund want to keep him for another year. Chelsea want to pay up now to avoid a bidding war next summer when Haaland’s release clause kicks in. There’s a simple solution! Why don’t Chelsea give them £100 this summer to buy him but then loan him back to Dortmund for the upcoming season. Dortmund get what they want and Chelsea get what they want. Bing! Bang! Bosh! Thanks. Tim (CFC) Ireland Varane and Sancho not enough As happy I am at Manchester United signing Varane – with weeks left in the transfer window no less – I still don’t believe there will be a massive difference. Unless a top class defensive midfielder is signed, it will be more of the same… flattering to deceive. Varane is used to be playing with top level defensive midfielders both at Real and for France. I wonder how shocked he’ll be when he has McFred infront of him running around looking busy but not actually defending anything. With Leicester signing Soumare you’d think they are already ready for Ndidi leaving. Perhaps we could test the waters? I also would not mind Kessie from AC Milan who i watched run our midfield over two legs. Just keep Declan Rice away from Old Trafford. Longsight Lad F365 Says: Ole can’t go balls out with Varane alone The Pogba conundrum A lot of people have surmised that Paul Pogba has played well in multiple teams, such as Juve and France, or he has only played well when supported by high class talents. Some may say that the quality on offer in Italy is not as good, or perhaps the quality when he was there. Some may say that next to Kante, any midfielder will look better. So let’s break it down. Truth goes first. Pogba left England at a young age and went to Juventus. He joined the Italian champions, who would win the title in each of his four seasons. This is where the Real/Mythical Pogba was born. All action midfielder, very dynamic, given a license to roam and capable of a nice thunderbastard. Here, he flourished. This is true. During his career representing France, he has lost the Euro 2016 final at home to Portugal, and won the 2018 world cup vs Croatia. For France, he has looked almost as dangerous as he did for Juve, despite playing in a more tactically disciplined role. He is tasked with pulling the strings and sending those long balls for Mbappe, Griezmann and Dembele to chase. His first 3 games of the Euro’s showed exactly what he is capable of. This is true. At United, he doesn’t appear to be the Real/Mythical Pogba, why? Like most things, the proof lies in the details. At Juve, he had the honor of having the leadership and skills of Buffon in nets, a back three of Chiellini, Bonucci & Barzagli, flanked by Lichsteiner and Alex Sandro, with the mercurial Pirlo in front of them to protect. Alongside Pogba, were the box-to-box abilities of Vidal/Marchisio. This gave Pogba an outrageous amount of protection, while at the same time allowing him to be the man to dribble forward with the ball, take that long shot, attempt those long passes, safe in the knowledge he has an army of experienced defenders behind him. It made him worth 85M. Now, for France he does not appear to be as dynamic or dangerous, but not one bit less necessary for the team. With the previously mentioned three, and others, Pogba does not need to make the runs forward he would normally do at Juve. He is instead tasked with using his passing range and carrying the ball forward. It has evidently worked and it has evidently not. He has won the WC, His mistake cost them in the last Euro’s. For protection here, he has Lloris in nets, Varane and Kimpembe/Umtiti at CB with Hernandez and Pavard at fullback(Two defenders who can play CB) and he would partner with Kante and Matuidi(World cup winners) or just Kante( Euros). United in this time has not come close to either team’s level of quality when it comes to adequate protection for a player like Pogba. He has never had a midfield partner to the standard of Pirlo/Vidal/Kante and he has not had the quality of experience at the back either to match Chielini/Bonucci/Varane. This year may be different. If United could sign, let’s say, Ndidi. Pogba would have an experienced goalkeeper, experienced quality CB’s and fullbacks, midfield partners who have the discipline to protect him and forwards who will move into the spaces necessary. However, PSG would be the better choice for him. He has the quality goalkeeper in Donnarumma, a back three of Ramos, Marquinhos and Kimpembe. Bernat and Hakimi at fullback are great options. Gini can be their Vidal, Veratti can be their Pirlo. Add in the forwards, Neymar, Mbappe and Icardi, and you have a team that can more than match the ability of his successful Juve side. This all leaves us with the feeling of why? Why create all of this for just him? Well, you have to watch him to understand. Those first three games for France at the Euro’s. That run of form after Mourinho was sacked, where he scored and assisted 8 in 5 games. At his best he is an unstoppable machine capable of the delicate, and the dangerous. All you need to do is to listen to pro’s talk about playing against him to get it, and then watch his highlights for your eyes to get it too. That said, he is also such a liability, and this is why I would prefer to see him in that PSG team. United should use those funds to replace him with a solid CDM and a dynamic midfield passer, a la Scholes. He is a liability because he has often had brain farts at major moments, in major games. His giving away and taking of penalties record is horrible. Like at this Euros, when you take away the box-to-box partner he needed for the WC, even just Kante can’t save you, and he made Danny Drinkwater a 35M Midfielder. He does the magic many cannot, But in a team where Bruno is our main performer, there is not much space for the luxuries of Paul Pogba. You will get the screamer, and then be turned into a screamer, for his efforts. Calvino Rashford’s decision Can’t say I agree with JB. Rashford definitely looks like he’s been carrying an injury for some time to me. As for saying that if it was actually something wrong, you’d just get it fixed… it would be nice if it was that clean cut, but that’s just not how surgery works. I don’t know exactly what the nature of Rashford’s injury is, or what the surgical solution is, but the surgery could have a less than ideal success rate, it could only be a partial solution, it could leave the recipient with permanent (but lesser) pain in the affected area, surgery may only offer a temporary solution to an inherent problem that will eventually recur… There are plenty of reasons why a young guy may want to reflect on a choice between managing an injury versus going under the knife, or the exact timing of the surgery. But really, why is it such a big deal if the club was less than truthful in order to protect the player? Maybe it is made up and the issue is a sensitive one that the player doesn’t want widely known – like the early days of Darren Fletcher’s ulcerative colitis, or a mental health issue… Or maybe they are just making it up to alleviate pressure around bad form; sounds a perfectly valid tactic to me… what, if anything, is wrong with him isn’t really anyone’s business but his and his employer’s. Why don’t the press call them out on their BS? Probably because it isn’t newsworthy… Andy (MUFC) Wednesday’s PM Mailbox: How did a ‘useless PE teacher’ sign Varane? Lamela was a ‘liability’ and… Straw grasping Biscuit Dave – do you work in PR or marketing? There’s some wonderful creative framing going on in your description of United’s key players this morning. Listen, I get United are delighted to have finally signed a defender who looks competent in all areas of play rather than just a selected few, but to describe him as ‘the most successful centre back under 30’ is clearly heavily caveated so as to avoid anyone who didn’t hoover up Champions League medals at Real for most of the last decade, and even then you have to limit the age range so as to exclude his way more successful defensive partner. England’s best centre-back? John Stones is clearly why you’ve switched from ‘most successful’ to (a very subjective) ‘best’. John Stones might occasionally drop a bollock, but Maguire is always slow and one-footed. I know who I’d rather have. And to finish, a wonderful combo designed so as to exclude any striker under the age of about 29, yet not position Cavani behind of any of those he’s being compared to – ‘one of the best centre forwards in Europe over the last 10 years.’ Yeah, he’s been one of the best over that timeframe, but you’d probably find few outside of Salford who’d rate him above the other obvious names in that bracket such as Ronaldo, Lewandowski, Muller or Benzema. Even the intro to the group of players includes ‘(on paper)’. Absolute joyous and meaningless nonsense, and why I love the Mailbox. Jonny (on paper, one of the best bearded players over 6 foot tall between the ages of 42-45 in my street) Dance …Oh Biscuit Dave, I just have no idea how Ole gets these players to sign for the club with the highest wage bill in the country. Maybe he sent them a VHS of the time he did that tap in. And as for best English centre back, I think Joe Gomez (PL, CL) might have a word with Maguire(…….). United are back at the big boy table now. No more playing for nil nils or bragging rights when the leagues already lost. Ole has to do what only a small handful of managers have ever done and beat Pep in the league. No excuses now. Not injuries, not VAR, not playing on Thursdays after Christmas. He’s been spending like Man United, he needs to win like Man United. That means the league. United fans would do well to let their team do the talking on the pitch this season. Next year has to be their year. Anything else would be a failure for them. Alex, South London Ole: the good, the bad, and the ugly The Good: Ole took over a toxic situation from a toxic man in Mourinho. He was seen as a short term option to raise morale and see out the season. He nailed it, so much so, United gave him the job full time. I was concerned about this as Pochetino seemed like the better option. But I am not Ed Woodward, so I just had to sit back and hope for the best. What I did know was that we had a former player in the hot seat, we had a manager that fully understood what a successful United is, and the importance of sticking to the United way- Fast, attacking football, with local youths reperesting the club. It is a manager who has won trophies as a manager( Albeit in Norway, that said, his side were not favourites) From the get-go, you could tell the players where in a more comfortable environment, and happier for it. The results were not bad and by the end of his first full season, we had finished in the top 3, and reached 3 semi-finals. Last season we went a step further in both regards, finishing second in the league and reaching the Europa final. Despite a loss in the final, progress was definitely made. He has improved players as well. Greenwood has come on leaps, the best we have seen from Pogba has been on his watch. He added Maguire and AWB to make a sh*t defence solid, and he has them consistently getting high ratings without it really being noticed. His transfers have been the best since Fergie has left. He signs players that we need, but who also appear to have the right mental capacity to be a United player. Maguire, Fernandes, AWB, Varane, Sancho- These are all amazing players, but more importantly, the types of players we have needed and missed out on/Never went for. Tactically, he has beaten the best, and last season’s sensational comebacks should be seen as proof of this, instead of it being another ‘luck’ stick to beat him with. The Bad: I feel bad saying bad things about him, but then when I think about it, there is not much bad to him. He is nice and friendly, he doesn’t abuse, belittle or blame his players. You could say that tactically, he is maybe not as seasoned as your Mourninho’s or Pochettino’s, and he does not appear to have a preferred system such as Pep or Klopp. But Pep aside, not one of them was successful last year. You could say his use of substitutes can improve, as we learned in the lost final. We also learned in that game that, on occasion, he can be like a deer in the headlights when the opposition is delivering a masterclass. His interviews- this is where I think most people get their feeling for Ole, from. He just doesn’t scream anything, it’s never really emotional, engaging, or inspirational. He does not say anything truly wild or thought provoking. He just….is. The Ugly: The ugly I find is in his presence, so many are frustrated. It’s like your ex dating some really nice guy. You don’t want to like him, and he has given you no reason not to, but you still do. I don’t even think a trophy would do it, unless it is the league, and in a convincing way. But already people are saying he should win the league with this team, so we will see. He took over United in a similar way to that of Klopp at Liverpool. He achieved better success in his first full season than Klopp did in his. His second full season ended up in a losing european final(Albeit the Champions league for Liverpool) and a higher league finish than Liverpool. He is currently on an upward trajectory that should be seen as highly positive, yet, perhaps because he doesn’t have a thrilling tactical system and perhaps a slight lack of ‘Charisma’, he is being seen as lucky or unfit for purpose. Luckily, the United board does not. Calvino (His spending is about on par with Klopp in that time too)

Rule changes Three rule changes to improve “The Game”. 1. Stop the clock when the ball is out of play (e.g., throw ins, corners, subs, goal kicks). Simple…removes doubt, rewards playing. No stoppage time and reduce the 90 minute game time if needs be. Probably advanced by many others before me, but let’s ease into this. 2. Introduce sin bins. We need a card between the yellow and red (e.g., orange). The reason players “take one for the team” (e.g., yellow card with little time left to play), is because the balance between reward and punishment is…unbalanced. “Tactical fouls” go against good play/skill and are only supported by idiot hipsters (e.g., “Chiellini on Saka, is brilliant defending”. Nah, it’s cheating). Deliver the punishment within the game the crime occurred, and create jeopardy for cheaters. 3. Make VAR reviews the decision of managers or captains. I think most people want good skill and fairness, not decision making perfection/porn – they are different and the latter does not exist…as far as I’m aware. No fan wants to “cheat” their way to a win (think Henry handball against Ireland, Lampard’s phantom goal against Germany or Maradona’s handball), particularly in a significant game. But do we really care that a marginal offside or free-kick occurred 2 minutes before a goal? I don’t…get on with it, play on, tackle, defend. Use the tennis review model (i.e., 2 reviews per set and you keep them if you get your review right) to remove the obvious and impactful mistakes, but don’t make a video referee the central character in a game of physical skill. If you like decision based dramas, go and watch A Few Good Men. Dissecting grey areas is dull, futile and comes at the cost of the overall shape and integrity of the game. If Liverpool 3-3 AC Milan, or Liverpool 4-3 Newcastle is less likely with VAR, then remove it until you have something that doesn’t make it so (N.B., I am a football not Liverpool fan). Last thing… We are all controlled by others…ultimately high finance, PR, and Government, in some shape, form or collaboration. Moments of joy are few and far between. I don’t think we should allow The Man to place himself in front of one of the few moments of uncontrived joy left…put that power in the hands of your “elected” managers and captains, make it part of the game…and most importantly deliver fairness not officiousness. Nick (not The Man) P.s. Imagine Wenger/Mourinho/Fergie/ arguing they thought the ref had a bad game after they called 2 decisions wrong themselves… Already seems worth it. Non-perfect perfect goals Adding to Paul from Brussels mail about perfect goals that come out of left field where there looks to be no chance to score, my favourites are the goals from players that rarely get close but suddenly spot an opportunity. When they score there is this look of bewilderment followed by sheer joy, it’s the pure fun you have playing as a kid. As I am biased, check out Makelele’s goal against Spurs. Not only a great goal but he just stood still for a split second before realising he’d actually scored, and the reaction from the rest of the team says it all. Blue Chelsea Blue Read the full article

[daresplaining]

    Yes! We would love that too, and we apologize ahead of time for taking this as an opportunity to talk about something we’ve been holding in for far too long-- our issues with the show’s handling of Matt’s origin story. This post has been sitting on the back burner since we started this blog, and we’ve been avoiding it because 1. We like to skew positive here. If we don’t like something, we tend to not talk about it; and 2. We’ve been way too busy blogging about other stuff. But we might as well just get this out there, if only for our own health. 

    Origins are tricky things to adapt, since it’s easy to get bogged down in them and forfeit the opportunity to tell a new story. The Netflix shows have stuck with a formula of relegating origin details to flashbacks, thus getting them out of the way and leaving maximum time for new narratives. This approach makes a lot of sense for movies, which have limited time to begin with (We are, for instance, fine with not witnessing Uncle Ben’s death yet again in Spider-Man: Homecoming). But while this is the third live action DD adaptation, Daredevil is still a C- to B-list superhero, who is not that well known among mainstream audiences and whose origin story is worth repeating. Besides, we’re not talking about a movie, here. The Netflix shows have thirteen hours to play with. 

    The main issue we take with the Netflix adaptation is the shortening of the timeline-- which both alters and eliminates key elements of Matt’s origin story in ways that, we feel, end up removing a lot of its power. And that’s key. Yes, we’re kind of complaining because we’re big nerds with big nerdy dreams for our comics adaptations, but we’re also complaining because the Netflix origin actively weakens the story as a whole. There are ways to cut Matt’s backstory down into its basic components without diminishing its effect, and this isn't it.

    We will say upfront that we like Matt being blinded at nine. We’ve always felt his official comics age at the time of the accident-- fifteen-- was too old, so that’s an element of the Netflix Daredevil Timeline Squish(TM) that we appreciate. However, we completely disagree with the decision to kill Jack so early. This happened in the movie as well, and we’re not sure why it’s a trend, beyond possibly the easy shock factor of orphaning Matt at such a young age. But knocking Jack off this quickly limits the amount of time available to spend on developing Matt’s massively important relationship with his father. The fact that Jack was always there-- through Matt’s blinding, through hardship after hardship, into Matt’s college years-- is part of what makes him such a compelling character in the comics. By making his death a fact of Matt’s childhood, he feels less important-- just another long-dead parent in a world full of fictional characters with dead parents. His murder isn’t even relevant to Matt’s decision to become Daredevil.  

    There’s also the fact that Jack is, arguably, the reason that Matt gets into Columbia in the comics. He’s the one who pushes him to study hard, and to strive for a successful career and a better life. 

Jack: “No, Matt, your homework comes first. I promised your momma before she... before she died... that I wouldn’t let you grow up to be an uneducated pug like me. Now you have to promise me something, son. Promise me you’ll study every chance you get, that you’ll become a doctor or a lawyer... somebody important! Promise me you’ll be somebody I never could...”

Matt: “I promise, pop! You’ll be proud of me! You’ll see...”

Daredevil vol. 1 #164 by Roger McKenzie, Frank Miller, and Glynis Wein

    Yes, Matt’s a smart kid in his own right, but Jack’s support keeps him grounded and focused amid very difficult circumstances. In the Netflix show, with Matt left parentless and stuck in an orphanage before middle school, he is deprived of that support. We don’t get a lot of details about his life at the orphanage, and we know that Maggie keeps an eye on him in a vague, sneaky kind of way... but we do get this memorable shot of poor Matt writhing in pain, all alone in his sparsely-furnished room (complete with unnecessary desk lamp): 

    This does not seem like an environment that would empower a young blind kid with a tendency toward distraction to get into one of the most competitive schools in the country. College, certainly. But Columbia? Doubtful. If Jack had died later-- maybe while Matt was in high school, like in Miller’s Man Without Fear origin variation, he might at least have found the drive to succeed for the sake of honoring his father’s hopes for him. But that kind of thing can only last so long, and we can’t imagine little Matt managing to stick with that promise, all on his own, for ten years. 

    The one theory we have about the logic of isolating Matt at this age is that it smooths out Stick’s introduction. We’re very attached to Matt sneaking out at night and training behind Jack’s back for years and years, but removing Jack as an obstacle and giving Stick free access to Matt makes the whole situation a little more believable and less complicated. However, even this opportunity is wasted by the fact that Stick doesn’t stick around-- and since no effort is made to age young Matt in the show, we have no idea how long his training actually lasts. When they meet again in the present, in Season 1 episode 7, Matt says that Stick has been gone for twenty years. Matt in the present is in his early thirties, and we know that he can’t have been younger than ten when he first encountered Stick. This means they only trained together for maybe three or four years at the absolute most-- which is certainly not enough time for him to become as skilled as he currently is. If they kept Matt extra young for the sake of allowing him more time to train with Stick, then why didn’t they... allow him more time to train with Stick?

    Orphaning Matt early also deprives us of a relationship that we’ve always enjoyed, and which dmcreif has been good enough to bring up: Jack’s relationship with Foggy. 

Foggy: “Jeez, Creel’s a pretty tough customer, Jack. You think you can take him?”

Jack: “It’s like I’ve been tellin’ Matt all his life. You can do anything as long as you’re not afraid.”

Daredevil: Yellow #1 by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale

    Foggy and Jack never will meet in the MCU, which is something we find very sad but which, arguably, isn’t a major detriment to the narrative. However, this also means that Foggy isn’t at Jack’s final fight-- which we do think is a big deal.  

Foggy: “Hey, Matt! Wait up! I wanna read you the sports headline! It’s about your dad! He’s fighting Dynamite Davis tomorrow night in New York! How about that? Wanna go??”

Matt: “I’ve already got the tickets, Foggy... one for each of us!”

Daredevil vol. 1 #1 by Stan Lee, Bill Everett, and Sam Rosen 

    While it doesn’t come up as much as it probably should, the experience of going through this pivotal point of Matt’s origin story together is undeniably a major bonding moment for Matt and Foggy. The one problem with their relationship in the show is that they're nearly always fighting-- thus eclipsing the fact that they are, in fact, best friends. They are in desperate need of more bonding moments, to solidify the basis of their relationship-- and while the flashbacks we do have are wonderful, having this extra vital experience thrown into the mix would have really helped. To address your comment, @dmcreif -- while it’s possible, given that MCU Foggy grew up in Hell’s Kitchen, that he just happened to be at the fight, 1. We don’t think it’s likely, because that seems like something that would have come up in his early interactions with Matt in Season 1; and 2. Even if he was, there’s no way he was there with Matt, which makes all of the difference for us. “Hey, I saw that fight! That was pretty cool” just isn’t the same.

    Not only that... but Matt isn’t at the fight either! He misses out on a key part of his own origin story! This would be like a Batman adaptation where young Bruce stayed home with Alfred while his parents went to the movies. He has to be there!  

Guy: “This is it, Murdock. Just give him an opening and fall down like you should. Think about that boy of yours.”

Jack: “That’s just what I’m thinking about, you bum. I’m thinking my boy is out there-- in the audience-- and I’m thinking about how I told him one thing worth a damn. I told him to never give up. Never. It’s time I showed him his dad may be a loser-- but he’s no quitter.”

Daredevil: The Man Without Fear #1 by Frank Miller, John Romita, Jr., and Christie Scheele

    And yes, they did manage to fit the most basic component of this scene-- Jack’s Matt-inspired decision to defy the Fixer and win the fight-- into the show. We really like Matt overhearing the conversation at the gym, and the idea of him confronting his father about it directly is actually a neat variation.  

    But this is still underwhelming and weak when compared to the actual scene from the comics. The only reason we can think of for Matt not being at the fight is that, in this universe, he's too young-- yet another reason the timeline squish was a poorly conceived idea.

    So Foggy doesn’t get to attend the fight, Matt doesn’t get to attend the fight... and even the viewer doesn’t get to attend the fight. They skip Jack’s big moment entirely. Why? Budget? Time? We were sad about not seeing Danny’s big origin fight in Iron Fist, but we're also perfectly willing to allow for budgeting excuses for situations that involve dragons. Obviously, that doesn't apply here.  Jack’s victory is such an emotionally-charged and vital part of Matt’s origin that we can’t imagine why the creative team would decide to completely skip over it.

    Our last complaint could technically be its own post, but consolidating seems like a good idea for this sort of thing. It doesn’t involve the condensed timeline, but rather, it has to do with another key element of Matt’s origin: bullying. This is a big Daredevil theme, and beyond young Matt’s reference to Murdocks getting hit a lot-- which could be construed as a hint that he’s being abused by his peers-- it’s never addressed in the show.

Punk: “Come on, Murdock! Try it! What’re you afraid of?

Matt: “I can’t. I gotta read!”

Nate: “He’s gotta read! Man. That’s the Murdock spirit! Don’t hurt yerself turnin’ all them heavy pages, Daredevil! [...] Awww... you gonna cry? Huh? Daredevil gonna cry? Hey, Daredevil! I dare ya to turn around!”

Daredevil vol. 3 #28 by Mark Waid and Javier Rodriguez

    That said, we don’t see much of pre-accident Matt in the show, and it makes sense for much of the bullying to stop after he was blinded. (They tried to make that work in the movie, and it... really didn’t, in our opinion.) And while this early abuse is a major factor in Matt’s childhood for all sorts of reasons, and ties into his relationship with his father and with his academics, his secret-keeping and identity issues, the inherent feelings of powerlessness that his superhero career helps to combat, etc. etc... and is a weird, major omission, we don’t feel it weakens the narrative as much as the stuff we griped about earlier in the post does. Our main complaint is that it messes with Matt’s superhero identity-- his name, in particular.  

    In the final episode of Season 1, Brett sets up the best opportunity for a dramatic code name reveal that a new superhero could ask for, and we were really hoping Matt would take that opportunity and come up with the name “Daredevil” on his own. As it stands, the moment is difficult to parse, since it cuts away so quickly, but all evidence suggests that Matt leaves without answering Brett’s question. There’s no set up for Matt coming up with his own code name, and we are left with yet another boring situation where the press gets to make one up. This happens all the time in “serious” live action superhero adaptations: the hero is handed a label that they consider to be a little silly, and then they get a “well okay, haha, I guess that works” moment, and that’s that. We’re annoyed they went with this in Daredevil, because 1. Excuse you, Daredevil is an awesome code name. (*Cough* And that is a completely unbiased opinion); 2. The “Man in Black” -> “Devil of Hell’s Kitchen” -> Daredevil progression they tried to go for in the show feels forced at best. (And if he's still being called “the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen” on a regular basis in Season 3, we’re going to start throwing tomatoes at the screen. Honestly. Stop that.); and 3. Matt picking his own name is a major act of self-empowerment.  

Matt: “The neighborhood kids called me Daredevil... but they meant it as an insult! I’ll make that nickname truer than they ever suspected-- and I’ll start in the morning!”

Daredevil vol. 1 #53 by Stan Lee, Roy Thomas, and Gene Colan

    Power is a big Daredevil theme. Matt’s decision to step up and take on the Daredevil identity is wrapped up in all kinds of motivations, but a big part of it involves breaking a pattern of powerlessness that he has labored under for most of his life. Because of his father’s strict rules against violence, Matt spent his childhood unable to defend himself against the emotional and physical torment heaped on him by his peers. After his accident, he is forced to endure being seen as a “poor, helpless blind guy” by society, a symbolic theft of power that he cannot stand. But when Jack is murdered by people who are-- when you get right down to it-- glorified bullies, Matt decides to break the promise he made to his father, and to finally fight back. This is all symbolized by his decision to take the name “Daredevil”-- which was used ironically by his tormenters as a disparaging nickname-- and to reclaim it as a symbol of this new, empowered identity he has created for himself. Taking this decision away from him feels wrong. His ownership of his superhero name means something, dammit. 

    *Sigh*

    In any case, it goes without saying that we like a lot of the decisions that were made on the show, and are very excited to see what’s in store for MCU Matt and Co. in future seasons. But we still reserve the right to critique and complain. We do it because we care.

[the-anti-internet]

#trypod

Hey, haven't been around in awhile. I've been "busy" over at @petesmediadiary logging (once a week, usually Sundays) all the media I consume (plugtime over). But in honor of #trypod, a campaign to make people aware of podcasts, here comes a list of all of the podcasts that I listen to with a brief description of what the podcast is about: 12 Hour Day with J.D. and Connor -- Each episode is at least 12 hours long where the hosts hang out for a day. You follow them as they hang out, and do things around New York City. (Comes out a couple of times a year) Comedy Bang Bang -- Scott Aukerman hosts where each episode he has on a comedian and other odd people come in after a brief interview segment Mike and Tom Eat Snacks -- Each episode Michael Ian Black and Tom Cavanagh Pick a snack, Eat a snack, and Rate a snack. (Currently on extended hiatus, but worth listening to the back catalogue) The Indoor Kids -- Kumail Nanjiani and his wife Emily V Gordon talk about video games and other stuff they are watching. (Also currently on hiatus, but might be coming back soon?) Womp It Up! -- Jessica St. Clair and Lennon Parham spun off their characters Marissa Wompler and Charlotte Listler from Comedy Bang Bang where Marissa has a senior project podcast from her schools library where they interview the schools faculty and other students. (Hopefully it will be back after Playing House season 3) Spontaneanation with Paul F Tompkins -- PFT has a chat with a celebrity guest and then he and some improvisors do a 30 minute long improv based on that conversation. Harmontown -- Dan Harmon has a mental breakdown on stage, and raps about having sex with your momma. The K Ohle with Kurt Braunohler -- No longer active, but it was a multi-format podcast that Kurt hosted. Pet-o-philia and Get Lost were the two best formats. Beautiful Stories from Anonymous People -- Chris Gethard takes a call from a random person and is not allowed to hang up for an hour. At the hour mark the call is ended. Surprisingly heartfelt and wonderful. My love of Gethard aside, this is a GREAT podcast. Hollywood Handbook -- Sean Clements and Hayes Davenport are two of Hollywood's elite and drop names on this red carpet we call showbiz. This is some of the hardest I have ever laughed. It does take some getting used to though. You will hate it for the first few episodes. Emotional Hangs -- Kurt Braunohler and Joe Derosa explore their friendship and break down adult friendships and try to be open and vulnerable with each other. Rose Buddies -- Griffin McElroy and his wife Rachel recap episodes of The Bachelor family of TV shows. (I have never watched an episode of The Bachelor Family of shows) You Made It Weird w/ Pete Holmes -- Pete talks about Comedy, Sex, and God with pretty much anyone (usually comedians) who will talk to him about it. (Harris Wittels #3 is one of the best episodes of a podcast I have ever heard. It's an episode where Harris is open and honest about his struggles with addiction, and he is so effortlessly funny about it too. Spoilers: While the episode ends hopeful and on a way that makes everything seem like Harris is going to turn it around, he died from an overdose less than a month after the episode was released) Who Charted? -- Howard Kremer and Kyla's Vilaysack count down the charts in Music and Movies every week. Pistol Shrimps Radio -- Matt Gourley and Mark McConville don't know anything about basketball, but that doesn't stop them from doing the play by play of a women's recreational basketball league in LA. The Worst Idea of All Time -- Guy Montgomery and Tim Batt watch and review the same movie once a week for an entire year. Year one: Grown Ups 2. Year 2: Sex and the City 2. Year 3: We Are Your Friends (currently still going) Doughboys -- Mike Mitchell and Nick Wiger review a different chain restaurant every week. My Favorite Murder -- every episode Georgia Hardstark and Karen Kilgariff each talk about a murder and go through the story of it. The Dollop -- Dave Anthony tells an American history story to his friend Gareth Reynolds who has no idea what the topic is going to be. The Adventure Zone -- The McElroy brothers and daddy play dungeons and dragons together. It's some of the best storytelling you will ever hear and it's consistently incredibly funny. Never Not Funny -- Jimmy Pardo hosts a relaxed chat with a celebrity guest. Doug Loves Movies -- Doug Benson plays movie games with comedians and funny people. Totally Beverages (and Sometimes Hot Sauce) -- Andy Rosen and Intern Josh do blind shootouts of beverages trying to figure out which is which and guess their favorites. (I "produced" episode 100, so selfishly I would suggest that episode) CoolGames Inc. -- Griffin McElroy and Nick Robinson create a new video game every week. With Special Guest Lauren Lapkus -- Every week Lauren is the guest on a different host's made up podcast. How Did This Get Made? -- Paul Scheer, Jason Mantzoukas, and June Diane Raphael talk about a different (usually) bad movie. No Such Thing As A Fish -- Writers of British panel show QI talk about their four favourite facts of the week that they learned while researching for QI. Ding-Donger with Matt Braunger -- Matt Braunger hitchhikes into your life for 30 to 45 minutes each week as he tells you what's been going on with him. Thanks for picking him up! The Bugle -- Andy Zaltzman and a rotating group of co-hosts talk about what's been going on in the world over the past week. (Formerly co-hosted by John Oliver) Competitive Erotic Fan Fiction -- Comedians write erotic fan fiction about pop culture and read it in front of a live audience. Slumber Party with Alie and Georgia -- Alie Ward and Georgia Hardstark have a guest over and they play slumber party games. What Say You? -- Sal and Q from Impractical Jokers talk about whatever is on their minds. Cardboard! With Rich Sommer -- Rich Sommer (Harry Crane from Mad Men) talks about board games. Black List Table Reads -- Franklin Leonard produces "ear movies" each episode is a table read of an unproduced screenplay. Hound Tall with Moshe Kasher -- Moshe has an expert on a topic as well as three other comedians on stage to talk about the experts subject in a town hall style meeting. Post Pink -- Justin Linville and Robby (who's last name I've forgotten) talk about Weezer's releases since Pinkerton. U Talkin' U2 To Me? -- Scott Aukerman and Adam Scott talk about everything U2 related in the dumbest way possible. Tell Us How Your Dog Died -- David Kramer and David Stoll talk to a guest about how their dog died. Legitimately one of the best earwormiest theme songs ever. Even though there hasn't been an episode (and probably won't be any more) I still find myself singing the theme song to myself fairly often. 'Till Death Do Us Blart -- The McElroy brothers and the guys from The Worst Idea of All Time Review Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 every thanksgiving for the rest of eternity. In the event of one of their deaths they are to bequeath their spot to someone else who will take the mantle. FizzyBoys -- Don Finelli and Chris Gethard review a different soda every episode. The Ones Who Knock -- A podcast that recaps every episode of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul Decoding Westworld -- From the people who brought you The Ones Who Knock talk about Westworld. Analyze Phish -- Harris Wittels (rip) tries to convince Scott Aukerman that Phish is a good band. Andy Daly Podcast Pilot Project -- Andy Daly's many characters from Comedy Bang Bang each try to get their own podcast at earwolf. Each episode is the first episode of what their podcast would be. New Years Eve with Neil Hamburger -- Listen to Neil count down the new year! In Your Dreams with Chris Gethard -- Chris and Dream Analysis Expert Gary Richardson analyze the dreams of people who called in with a different guest each episode. End of podcasts that I'm subscribed to. Now onto podcasts that I am either working through their back catalogs, or listen to depending on the episode: My Brother, My Brother, and Me -- An advice show for the modern era, the McElroy brothers give their listeners (and Yahoo answers users) advice. Started listening in June, currently on episode 114 out of 346. Hard Nation -- A spoof on Right Wing Political talk shows. Brothers Mark and Pete Hard host a show with a different political guest (a comedian pretending to be a political figure) Dr. Gameshow -- Jo Firestone hosts a radio call in show where listeners submit their ideas for game shows and Jo has comedians play the games in studio. No longer active and the back catalog is disappearing. So get on this one quick if you want to listen. Jordan, Jesse, Go! -- Jordan Morris and Jesse Thorn talk with a different guest. (Guest dependent) Hopefully We Don't Break Up -- Couple Will Miles and Giulia Rozzi talk with other real life couples (usually at least one comedian) about their relationships. High and Mighty -- Jon Gabrus talks with a guest about something that they are both passionate about. (Guest and/or topic dependent) If I Were You -- Jake and Amir give advice to their listeners. (Guest dependent, but the Ben Schwartz, Jon Gabrus, Thomas Middleditch, And Rose McIver episodes are all must listens) The Adventures of Danny and Mike -- Danny Tamberelli and Mike Maronna (better known as Pete and Pete) go on a monthly adventure together. I Was There Too -- Matt Gourley talks to an actor with a small-ish role on a big movie. Alison Rosen Is Your New Best Friend -- Alison Rosen talks to a person of note. (Guest dependent) This Feels Terrible -- Erin McGathy talks to people about relationships and why they make people feel terrible. Fitzdog Radio -- Greg Fitzsimmons interviews (usually) another comedian. (Guest dependent) 100 Words or Less -- Interviews with musicians. (Guest dependent) Going Off Track -- Interviews with musicians. (Guest dependent) The Best Show with Tom Scharpling -- Tom Scharpling's long running radio talk show. I don't have enough time in my week to listen to this every week, but whenever I can squeeze it n it's always worth it. The JV Club -- Janet Varney interviews People about what they were like in their formative years and then plays M.A.S.H. with them. (Guest dependent) Put Your Hands Together -- The audio recording of the weekly standup show hosted by Cameron Esposito and Rhea Butcher. The Todd Glass Show -- Todd Glass has a guest and it's just non-stop bits. There we go. There are all of the podcasts that I listen to regularly (or at least check in with regularly). There should be something in there for everyone. You're a champion for reading all the way through this, and if you try one of these and like it, please let me know. I would be happy to talk about any of them.

[jaketheaudiophile]

Best Albums of 2018.

This is the thing I look forward to most every year. I probably start internally ranking albums after purchasing them and have a conversation with friends and fellow musicians about their favorite releases starting in September. 

I personally thought 2018 was a very good year for music, and already have some stuff I’m excited about in 2019. Let’s just jump right in.

HONORABLE MENTION

TTNG: “Animals Acoustic” released October 5 via Sargent House

It doesn’t feel right to consider this a “true” new album since it’s only an acoustic reworking of TTNG / This Town Needs Guns’ seminal debut album. However, this is more than just a re-release; there’s unique, varied instrumentation added cleverly to every song, including strings, pianos and The Kraken Quartet on percussion. It also never gets old hearing Stu Smith sing again or hearing Tim Collis recreate his wizardry on an acoustic guitar. It feels like a brand new thing, which is impressive considering the source material is a decade old.

#15.

The Decemberists: “I’ll Be Your Girl” released March 16 via Capitol / Rough Trade

Props to my buddy Branden for recommending this, but in general Decemberists albums are an automatic purchase for me. I wasn’t crazy about their last few releases (particularly the collaborative Offa Rex LP) so I wasn’t completely up to date on their current activities, but this is another solid entry into a pretty stellar catalogue of music. The lead single “Severed” is a bit of a curveball, but it shouldn’t scare off old fans. In a strange way, this album is a reinvention of sorts but also a harkening back to the songwriting and cleverness that made these alt-rockers famous (”Everything is Awful”, “Once in My Life”). Perfect for old and new fans.

#14.

The Wonder Years: “Sister Cities” released April 6 via Hopeless Records

I can’t quite put my finger on it, but this is probably my least favorite Wonder Years album. It should have worked perfectly on paper: The old pop-punkers expand their sound and influences and graduate to a new level of maturity and success. And in a way, this is exactly that. However, the last half of the album, particularly the closing track, “The Ocean Grew Hands to Hold Me” just feels uninspired and lazy. There’s something to be said for purposeful dynamic choices, and that was something these Philly rockers nailed on previous releases. Still, TWY are master craftsmen, and there are a few great songs and moments throughout this record (”Pyramids of Salt” in particular), but this feels more like a transitionary phase than a masterpiece.

#13.

Mouse on the Keys: “tres” released May 23 via Topshelf Records

Japanese jazz aficionados Mouse on the Keys were a relatively new band for me this year, and their latest record certainly lives up to hype that I’ve seen them receiving. Bringing in a strong, varied collection of guest musicians works out splendidly at times (such as vocalist Dominique Fils-Aime, who absolutely kills it on “Stars”, and CHON wunderkind Mario Camarena’s solo on “Time”) and falls slightly flat at others (unfortunately, La Dispute’s Jordan Dreyer’s spoken word contributions to “Shapeless Man”). When left to their own devices, however, the skills and performances of these three dudes are admirable (”One Hundred Twenty”). The album feels a bit more of a collection of ideas than a full record, but is still worth checking out for any technical music or jazz fans.

#12.

mewithoutYou: “Untitled” released October 5 via Run For Cover Records

This album is a textbook example of what could have easily been a classic, or even an album of the year contender. However, it seems like these Philly indie rock mainstays lost all momentum halfway through and ended not with a bang, but with a whimper. The last two songs on this album are basically useless and meandering. It also seems like the band tried to get in the headspace of their earliest material, maybe pulling some influence on a few album anniversary tours, which is a welcome return to form (”9:27A.m., 7/29″). With that in mind, why are Aaron Weiss’ vocals so low in the mix or drowning in effects to make them unrecognizable? His poetic lyrics are what make so many fans keep coming back, so the choice to completely smother them is an odd one. The highs of this album are here, but they are too dragged down by the uninspired lows to make this a completely stellar record. I hold these guys to a pretty high standard, though, so maybe I’m more critical than most here.

#11.

Between The Buried and Me: “Automata I” and “Automata II” released March 9 and July 13 via Sumerian Records

It doesn’t feel right to separate these albums as its considered one long story and they really do work in tandem. Personally, I like Automata I a smidge more, but they are both pretty damn good. I is a more traditional metal (with the exception of the the epic Dream Theater-esque closer “Blot”) and II allows the band to sow their wild oats a bit, worshipping at the altars of Queen and Danny Elfman at times. Regardless, this is a mammoth achievement for these metal titans, who seemingly never seem to run out of ideas for brilliant, varied albums. Some songs are a bit overlong, and the few purely filler tracks may be a tad unnecessary, but it’s still a rewarding listen.

#10.

Horrendous: “Idol” released September 28 via Season of Mist

Perhaps the only disappointing part of this technical death metal release is the fact that it’s only 40 minutes long. Most bands in this genre would be content to tease out a riff or interlude and create a 12-minute song, but not these guys. Not that there are a lack of ideas; they’re just packed in so tightly and laser-focused to make every track feel adventurous, varied and finely tuned. Combined with one of the most unique vocalists I’ve ever heard (the most apt comparison is “Wolfman transforming from Wolfman back into man”), the listener is left with an album that truly leaves them wanting more. Also, kudos for the creepy Clive Barker-esque cover art.

#9.

Mom Jeans.: “Puppy Love” released July 3 on Counter Intuitive Records

Mom Jeans. scratch an itch I’ve always had for quality emo music and nicely fill a void You Blew It! left when they broke up last year. There’s certainly not a ton of brand new ideas on display in their music, but its earnestness and heart make up for it. I’m willing to overlook a few cliche moments (the acoustic album closing cut, the more-or-less straight up rip off of Weezer’s “The Sweater Song” on “Glamorous”) and instead be grateful that tracks like “Sponsor Me Tape” and “Pickle Bart” took up permanent residency in my head for most of the year. Keep doing what you’re doing.

#8.

Delta Sleep: “Ghost City” released August 10 via Big Scary Monsters

Longtime friends may remember that Delta Sleep’s 2015 effort “Twin Galaxies” was my favorite album of that year. The bar was set pretty high for the follow-up, and for the most part, they delivered. The production is top-notch, the arrangements are all over the place but locked in and expertly performed, and the band cements their status as one of the best in the genre. Unfortunately, there are just a bit too many filler tracks and interlude cuts to really make it stand out, and they tend to make me either skip songs or not want to jump back into the album. This is particularly odd as I didn’t mind this much on their last record or previous EPs, but I feel like they need to ditch this particular crutch in the future. Again, I’m most critical of the bands and groups I adore the most, so maybe I’m nitpicking. This is a really fun record (“After Dark” and “El Pastor”) and is certainly worth your time.

#7.

Tangled Hair: “We Do What We Can” released March 16 via Big Scary Monsters

Without overhyping it, this was easily one of my most anticipated releases for 2018, and something I was hoping for for several years. I quite enjoyed the two EPs this British math rock trio had previously released, and was a huge fan of Colour, a legendary group two of Tangled Hair were a part of. This album did live up to these hopes and dreams, but sadly the last third was lacking that extra “oomph” to make this a perfect record. That said, the drum work of James Trood is well varied and creative (”Keep Doing What You’re Doing”, “Yeah, It Does Look Like a Spider”) and while not full of over-the-top tapping riffs, the songs and riffs have a fun technicality to them (”Nao is my Driver”, “Catalina”). Tangled Hair have a way of crafting songs that don’t beat you over the head with their musicianship but incentivize the listener to pick them apart and then be amazed. This is why I’m a fan, and why I adore this record. Hopefully a US tour is their next big step.

#6.

Antarctigo Vespucci: “Love in the Time of E-Mail” released October 26 via Polyvinyl

For those unfamiliar (which included myself until I heard “Freakin’ U Out” through Anthony Fantano), Antartigo Vespucci is a project made up of Chris Farren (Fake Problems) and Jeff Rosenstock. I have never been a huge fan (mainly out of ignorance) of either’s previous work, but that seems to be at my detriment because I really, really love this record. It’s minimalistic, straightforward and effective. Most songs aren’t longer than 2 minutes and are chock full of hooks and fun instrumentation (”Kimmy”, “Breathless on DVD”) that keep you coming back. The word that resonates and fits most for this record is “sharp”. The songwriting, production and attitude is such. It’s a truly fun little release that came out of nowhere for me.

#5.

Tiny Moving Parts: “Swell” released January 26 via Triple Crown Records

I’m quite impressed with the consistency of these Minnesota rockers. They seem to crank out a quality record every 18 months or so, and their latest offering is no exception. It’s airtight and jam packed with energy and emotion, not to mention the occasional insane guitar tapping lick (”Feel Alive”, “Caution”). Perhaps not as polished as 2016′s “Celebrate” but still damn good. Damn damn good good (”Applause”, “Wishbone”). Anything these guys put out seems to be a lock to be in my Top 5 every time until proven otherwise.

#4.

Justin Courtney Pierre: “In The Drink” released October 12 via Epitaph Records

Like most people, I was incredibly sad to learn Motion City Soundtrack decided to call it quits a few years ago. Frontman Justin Pierre decided to at least make the transition easier by releasing his debut solo album, and it’s full of so many of the things that fans of MCS came to adore. It’s not quite as diverse or well produced as their material, but still contains Pierre’s trademark honest lyricism and songwriting chops. Also present are a few of the members of longtime Pierre side-project Farewell Continental, which makes this feel closer to one of their albums, particularly with the presence of guitar feedback and female vocals. I wasn’t really expecting this to blow away anything Motion City has put out, but it holds its own quite nicely without overstaying its welcome only being 28 minutes long. I’m just so happy Justin is continuing to put out music.

#3.

Vein: “Errorzone” released June 22 via Closed Casket Activities

It’s so fitting that this band is named after a vital part of the human body. They feel essential and basic, but not in a boring way, and aren’t too flashy or breaking any molds. I guess the theme of most of my favorite music of 2018 is “Well, it’s not reinventing the wheel, but it’s still awesome!”. This bleak and brutal hardcore record sums that up quite nicely. Taking influence from Glassjaw, Deftones and every knuckle-dragging breakdown factory playing on the side stages of every Warped tour and sharpening the edges with razor blades, this album’s raw energy and brazenness makes it feel bombastic and energizing. This is also the band I’m most excited to see what happens in the future, as this is their debut full length, and I imagine giving them room to grow and mature will lead to some outstanding things in the future. The traditional hardcore moments are awesome (”Old Data in a New Machine”, “Demise Automation”), but the occasional breaths of melody (”Errorzone”) and clever electronic samples (”End Eternal”) are surprising. Far and away my favorite heavy music record of 2018.

#2.

Lifted Bells: “Minor Tantrums” released March 30 on Run For Cover Records

Bob Nanna must be one of the coolest people ever. The longtime Braid and Hey Mercedes frontman seems to have his fingerprints all over great bands and projects, and this Chicago indie rock collective is certainly no exception. Each song feels like a symphony of spastic drums, distorted bass and Matthew Frank’s (he of Loose Lips Sink Ships and Their / They’re / There fame) insanely varied and skilled guitar lines (”Inevitable Devil”). Every song feels completely unique and different, making it a pretty perfect rock record (”Follow Me”, “Choir Sings The Cure”). Nothing feels unnecessary and it’s infinitely re-listenable. Pretty good for a first full length, huh?

#1.

Monobody: “Raytracing” released November 1 via Sooper Records

I’ve been playing music in some capacity for 25 years and generally try to go to as many concerts and buy as many records as I can afford. With all that said, I have a hard time fully grasping what this Chicago jazz collective have pulled off on this gargantuan release. Seemingly going in every musical direction at once while somehow being accessible and downright fun to listen to, it’s kind of hard to describe exactly how it all works out, but it does. I can’t really recommend it to casual music fans, but if you’re willing to take the plunge into something dense and different that is truly at its best as a whole album and not individual songs, this will reward you. I can’t put any other full-length record above it, so it is without a doublt my favorite LP of 2018.

...except...

So, about that word “full-length”...

...welp...

ACTUAL FAVORITE RELEASE OF 2018:

Invalids: “Fulfillment EP” released March 28 via Choke Artist

I’ve never been in this situation before. I can’t in good consciousness say that I liked any music that came out this year more than this EP, so it feels wrong giving it any other spot. Invalids is a math rock project that was essentially just guitarist / vocalist Pete Davis until recently. For this EP and a few recent tours, he joined forces with 3 amazing musicians who could keep up with his absurdly technical yet melodic songwriting. I hesitate to use the word “perfect”, but I cannot find a flaw on this EP. Earlier records were perhaps impressively performed but lacking in memorable songs, or meandering or bloated. This EP instead sees Davis and company trimming the fat but still keeping things varied, clever and jaw-dropping. Yeah, it’s a technicality calling this “album of the year”, but it’s a glorious album and one I’m willing to make an exception for. Thank you, Invalids.

[ronnysherman99-blog]

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[listening-through-the-lens]

Claim the last places on our fully escorted TriFest Music Tour 2018

    TriFestMusic Tour 

(Americana Rhythms and Blues Tour)

10 September to 1 October 2018

Three Weeks, Three Festivals, Three States

Fully Escorted

  ONLY TWO PLACES AVAILABLE

FOR THIS BOUTIQUE TOUR!!

ENQUIRE NOW

robdickens101@gmail.com

      By Rob Dickens

  The Americana Rhythms and Blues Tour (aka TriFest Music Tour) is now open to claim a place.

The itinerary for our three-week music journey is below.  I will be the guide.  Having been to every festival and city/town that we will visit, I would LOVE to share these places and experiences with you.

The final tour numbers will be finalised based on vehicle logistics, but to keep it the most personal and comfortable experience possible, there will be an upper limit.  Places are allocated once a deposit is paid and these are on a first-come basis.  The Tour will be utilising the experienced services of Trans Otway Travel.

Deposits per person are 10% of the Tour price and are payable in Australian $$s, with the balance payable by instalments due end February and end July 2018.

Inclusions and exclusions are also set out below.

Any questions please contact me at robdickens101@gmail.com

Looking forward to an adventure together – Hope you can make it!

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  Listening Through The Lens presents

TriFest Music Tour

(Americana Rhythms and Blues Tour)

10 September – 1 October 2018

  Arrive Nashville downtown independently

Nashville Tennessee 7 nights

Americana Music Festival and Conference

Americana Honors and Awards Show

Knoxville Tennessee – 1 night stay

Asheville North Carolina – 2 nights

Biltmore Estate

Bristol Tennessee/Virginia – 4 nights

Rhythm and Roots Reunion festival

Birthplace of Country Music Museum

Nashville Tennessee – 1 night

Fly to Kansas City Missouri – 2 nights

Columbia Missouri – 4 nights

Roots n Blues n BBQ festival

Return Kansas City airport for independent departure

  This itinerary is subject to minor alteration due to changing circumstances beyond the control of Listening Through The Lens.

  Claim the last places on our three-week three-festival fully-escorted USA music tour 2018

  Testimonials from our 2017 Tour

“You were a wonderful tour leader – so well organised, quiet, kind, patient, considerate and knowledgeable – with so many interesting contacts and friends who clearly respected you and whom you shared with us. Each day was highlighted by the fact the activities, events, sights and travel were all so well sorted. There was no indecision or time wasted by us, perfect.”

“I now appreciate and understand so much more the road that the music has taken, what has and is involved in creating it, the differences in areas, the roles that family, community and conditions have played in its development, and so on. Music will never be taken for granted again”

“We can never thank you enough for these experiences and the wonderful memories we have been left with. What a magnificent, trouble-free, well organised expose of Americana, bluegrass and blues music! We look forward to doing it all again with you in the future”.

    Inclusions

• Experienced Guide

• All accommodation (incl. breakfasts)

• Full badge registration for all 6 days at Americana Festival

• Americana Honors and Awards Show ticket

• One year membership Americana Music Association

• Tickets for all 3 days at Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion

• Admission to Birthplace of Country Music Museum

• VIP Whole Hog tickets for all 3 days at Roots n Blues n BBQ festival

• Vehicle Transfers and flight (excl. checked bags fees) between Nashville and Kansas City

• Admission to Biltmore Estate, American Jazz Museum, Birthplace of Country Music Museum

• One live show (to be determined)

  Exclusions

• Tips, gratuities

• Transport during Americana Festival [we will have a perfectly-located hotel, most venues a 15-20 minute walk away – other options are Festival Shuttle (free), Uber and taxi (at own expense)

• Transit costs pre-Tour and post-Tour

• Public gigs will emerge during Tour, at own expense, optional to attend

• Travel insurance (this is compulsory for all participants)

• Meals and beverages

• Additional transport required due to emergency situation

  Tour Numbers

 Places filled on a first-come basis.

  Price

AUD$ 5900 per person twin share basis (contact me for single room supplement price).  Deposit due NOW (see below), half balance due 28 Feb 2018, remainder 31 July 2018

  Deposit

A deposit of AUD $ 590 per person is required to hold your place.  The deposit will be refunded if Tour does not proceed or is full.  In all other cases the deposit is non-refundable.

  About our 2017 Tour

Read about what we covered in our three-week Total Tennessee Tour HERE

  Who might you expect to see at our three festivals?

Musically, what to expect???  Line-ups for all three festivals will be announced over time.  As a guide:

Here’s who we saw perform at AmericanaFest 2017:

Old Crow Medicine Show, Jim Lauderdale, Brent Cobb, Lori McKenna, Iris Dement, John Prine, Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives, Sam Outlaw, Amanda Shires, Billy Bragg/Joe Henry, Graham Nash with the Milk Carton Kids, Drive-By Truckers, Aaron Lee Tasjan, The Lumineers, Robert Cray, Hurray For The Riff Raff, Margo Price, Jason Isbell, Van Morrison, Phoebe Hunt and the Gatherers, SUSTO, Big Star and Friends, Will Hoge, Danni Nicholls, Ben Smith and Jimmy Brewer, Wildwood Kin, Ryan Culwell, Andrew Combs, Cale Tyson, Joe Henry, Rhiannon Giddens, Dirk Powell, Jamie Lin Wilson, The Vandoliers, The Texas Gentlemen, Shannon McNally, Willie Watson, The Fairfield Four, Lori McKenna, Nice Horse, Davis Miles, Joey Wright, April Verch Band, The Dead South, Kieran Kane, Rayner Gelba, Laura Cortesia, Colin Hay, Tasha Coates, Liz Stringer, Robyn Hitchcock, Josh Ritter, The Barefoot Movement, Amanda Shires, Jason Eady, Juju Bushman, The Rusty Pieces, Crockett Hall, Loveland Duran, Grace Askew, Shane Smith and the Saints, Doug Seegers, JP Harris, The Howlin’ Brothers, The Smoking Flowers, Hugh Masterson, Brian Wright, Emily Salier and Shawn Mullins.

2. Here’s who played at Bristol’s Rhythms and Roots Reunion 2017:

Dwight Yoakam, Judah & The Lion, Jerry Douglas Presents Earls of Leicester, Son Volt, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Deer Tick, The Infamous Stringdusters, Mark O’Connor ft. the O’Connor Band, The SteelDrivers , Langhorne Slim, Mandolin Orange , Dave Simonett, Hiss Golden Messenger , The Black Lillies, Amanda Shires , Southern Culture on the Skids, Will Hoge, The Whiskey Gentry, Zach Deputy, The Dustbowl Revival, Chris Knight, American Aquarium, Billy Strings, The Cactus Blossoms, Low Cut Connie, Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys, The Deslondes, Ron Gallo, Front Country, Love Canon •The Way Down Wanderers, Mile Twelve, Elliot Root, SUSTO •Becky Buller Band, Lillie, Tim Easton and dozens more

3. Here’s who played at Columbia’s Roots ‘n’ Blues ‘n’ BBQ 2017:

Ryan Adams, Leon Bridges, Gary Clark Jr., John Prine, Emmylou Harris, Band of Horses, Booker T’s Stax Revue, Old 97’s, Lee Fields & The Expressions, The Suffers, Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys, Paul Weber and the Scrappers, The Mavericks, Pokey LaFarge, Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives, The SteelDrivers, Nikki Lane, Marshall Crenshaw, The Bottle Rockets, The Untamed Youth, Nikki Hill, The Hooten Hallers, Margo Price, Ana Popovic, Amanda Shires, Music Maker Blues Revue, The Fairfield Four, Chump Change, The Bel Airs, Kent Burnside & The Flood Brothers, Aina Cook Broadway Blues and Norm Ruebling Band

  Claim the last places on our fully escorted TriFest Music Tour 2018

  Claim the last places on our fully escorted TriFest Music Tour 2018

  Claim the last places on our fully escorted TriFest Music Tour 2018

      ***

TriFest Music Tour 2018 – Two Place Left! Claim the last places on our fully escorted TriFest Music Tour 2018

[junker-town]

The college football world reacts to Keith Jackson’s passing

The voice of college football passed away at the age of 89.

Keith Jackson, the college football legend and a titan of broadcast television, has died at the age of 89, per his family.

Jackson’s career spanned decades for ABC in which he called nearly every sport you can think of. But at his best and most poignant, Jackson was the voice of Saturday afternoon college football during the season and the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day (which he nicknamed “The Granddaddy Of Them All.”) His final telecast was the 2006 Rose Bowl, regarded by many as the best game of all time. Those who worked with him spoke to SB Nation about that night earlier this season.

“That was the tough part about the assignment, because here is the greatest college football — the voice of college football,” Fouts said. “This was gonna be his last game. The thing about it was, it may have been his best game ever, too. He was all over it. He was perfect that night.”

Jackson was notable for calls like his famous “fumble,” with drawn out excitement, and his “woah, nellie” will live in the hearts and ears of so many. The Roopville, Georgia native explained where that came from.

Jackson’s last televised appearance came on New Year’s Day 2017 at the Rose Bowl. As fitting a setting as any.

People loved his endless wit and wisdom ...

"Danny Wuerffel is the kind of guy who would sneak into your house and steal your favorite hat." RIP Keith Jackson.

— Joe Posnanski (@JPosnanski) January 13, 2018

"Oooooh he hung him out there like underwear on a wash line." RIP Keith Jackson. A broadcasting original and one of the true voices of college football. #WhoaNellie http://pic.twitter.com/iN1YwDzPLq

— Tim Ring (@timringTV) January 13, 2018

Very sad to hear Keith Jackson died last night. The favorite of all college football fans -- "A big hoss of a man," "fumbullllllll!" -- and mine personally. A big help on my book with Bo Schembechler, and a friendly email correspondent for years. A true icon -- and good guy.

— John U. Bacon (@Johnubacon) January 13, 2018

"It'll take a full load, and a heavy frost to slow him down!" Keith Jackson was the best, RIP. https://t.co/FLukTgF5CZ

— Mack Collier (@MackCollier) January 13, 2018

A great #KeithJackson call. He was doing a #Kansas game, that a man of his professional stature should not have been calling. He asked, "Why are we here?"

— Mac Engel (@MacEngelProf) January 13, 2018

Keith Jackson. His PxP Mission Statement: “Amplifie, Clarifie, Punctuate, and stay the hell out of the way” Absolutely loved his presentation. And like all those talents of a certain age, quite a life/career path...

— Daryl Reaugh (@Razor5Hole) January 13, 2018

"The one thing you can't ever forget: The playing field is the property of the players and the coaches. It is not to be used by some fat-butted announcer trying to make a name for himself." -- Keith Jackson

— Adam Silverstein (@SilversteinAdam) January 13, 2018

College football broadcasting legend Keith Jackson has passed away at the age of 89 Soundtrack to many historic calls, his call of Texas/USC at the Rose Bowl still rings in my ears as iconic ... That’s saying a lot since I’m an Aggie #RIP http://pic.twitter.com/cntbL8bGoY

— Troy Hughes™ (@TommySledge) January 13, 2018

... and beloved catch phrases ...

our baby daughter's name is Nell and I definitely at least once a day yell out in a poor Keith Jackson impersonation Whoaa Nellie! RIP.

— Brendan Porath (@BrendanPorath) January 13, 2018

Keith Jackson. Never another like him. Helloooo, Heaven.

— Joe Davis (@Joe_Davis) January 13, 2018

"Whoa, Nellie" Coined the term "Big House." Please add to Keith Jackson's great list of accomplishments here ...

— Dennis Dodd (@dennisdoddcbs) January 13, 2018

Rest easy, Keith Jackson. The true Grandaddy of them All.

— Mark Trible (@Mtrible) January 13, 2018

... and the fact that his presence alone signified a big game.

It’s been over 10 years since Keith Jackson’s final call. But whenever I see a Big game or moment I wonder “how would Keith have a called it” that’s how you know Jackson was special.

— Nubyjas Wilborn (@nwilborn19) January 13, 2018

I have so many great memories of Keith Jackson calling games. He made college football so exciting. As a kid, I always new it was such a big game if Jackson was calling it. RIP https://t.co/44Bz4iz79Y

— Derek Tyson (@DerekJTyson) January 13, 2018

Keith Jackson voiced the soundtrack to so many great games of my childhood. He made every game feel like everything was on the line. A broadcasting icon lost.#WhoaNellie

— Cole Cubelic (@colecubelic) January 13, 2018

This makes me sad. I grew up with Keith Jackson’s voice being synonymous with big football games. RIP one of the greatest. Those of us “On the banks of the Olentannnnngy” will remember you fondly. https://t.co/H3eIINqZsb

— Dr. Dave Stukus (@AllergyKidsDoc) January 13, 2018

There are storytellers, and then there’s Keith Jackson. What a talent when it came to setting the scene for a big game. You will be missed.

— James Cybulski (@JamesCybulski) January 13, 2018

Growing up I wanted to be Keith Jackson. He always treated every game he called like it was the most important he would ever call. Very sad to hear of his passing.

— Mike Ferrin (@Mike_Ferrin) January 13, 2018

RIP. When Keith Jackson was on the call you knew it was a big game. Legend. https://t.co/a8aHdeJ0IA

— John Sears (@johnsears) January 13, 2018

Many are sharing memories of specific moments.

We are saddened to hear of Keith Jackson's passing. An absolute icon, he was the Voice of the Rose Bowl and so many #B1G moments. His calls, including this one, will live on forever. http://pic.twitter.com/zbE01ZxSfn

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) January 13, 2018

Keith Jackson’s monologue about Pullman at the beginning of this gets me every time https://t.co/G9SrHxrlrA

— Brian Floyd (@BrianMFloyd) January 13, 2018

Keith Jackson was the voice I first associated with CFB growing up. Hello Heisman. Calling UCLA-USC games. Rose Bowls. Of course USC-Texas. Flavor, grace, passion....just the best. Rest well good sir. Thank you.

— Evan Barnes (@evan_b) January 13, 2018

Man I LOVED Keith Jackson.. Alabamaaa, Heloooo Heisman and so many more. I'll never forget this voice, on this game. #RIPhttps://t.co/z0K6sbkEEr

— Marshall Ferguson (@TSN_Marsh) January 13, 2018

This is so sad. #KeithJackson was one of the all time great voices in my life. Had a beverage with him before a Bedlam Football game in Stillwater that he was broadcasting. #GreatStoryTeller https://t.co/Nm78YwqHtf

— Jim Ross (@JRsBBQ) January 13, 2018

Miracle in Michigan is one of Keith Jackson's greatest calls - I've listened to it over 1000 times. RIP to a legend.https://t.co/ZIJsDzQPeW

— Mike McCartney (@MikeMcCartney7) January 13, 2018

Remember when the 1995 Northwestern team actually felt real? It was when Keith Jackson came to Evanston to call NU-Penn State. https://t.co/BDDxtR0mjR

— Brian Sandalow (@BrianSandalow) January 13, 2018

Keith Jackson will go down as one of the legendary play-by-play voices in all of sports It was only fitting that he had the call for “one of the great games in a great Wisconsin football history.”https://t.co/mCwjjF8oHA

— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) January 13, 2018

"It's Jackson. He's gone! Touchdown. 42 yards. They're gonna be penalized for celebrating, but right now, they don't give a hoot about that." -- Keith Jacksonhttps://t.co/2tKA302Riw

— OnlyGators.com Florida Gators news (@onlygators) January 13, 2018

Sad to hear the news of legend Keith Jackson passing. I’ll never forget growing up in Columbus, OH playing football in the backyard only to run in to listen to his iconic voice call the @OhioStateFB vs. @UMichFootball.

— Brady Quinn (@3rd_Goal) January 13, 2018

What a pleasure it was listening to Keith Jackson. The voice of my childhood watching Pac 10 games and the Rose Bowl. https://t.co/HEnNmeataG

— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) January 13, 2018

When Keith came back I remember he primarily called PAC-10 games and I’d always get upset when I’d be stuck with a Big 12 regional game in the 1:30 slot over hearing the iconic Keith Jackson.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) January 13, 2018

Sad to hear about the passing of #KeithJackson. Honored to have played in games that he called back in the ‘90’s. Such a great guy to talk to and so knowledgeable about the game and players

— Matt Finkes (@MattFinkes) January 13, 2018

Keith Jackson was my favorite football broadcaster growing up as a kid. Some of my first memories of watching football was Keith Jackson calling the Rose Bowl. #RIPKeithJackson

— Mark the Overseer (@MarkoftheBuzz) January 13, 2018

RIP to Keith Jackson...he was the first thing I thought about walking into the @rosebowlgame this year. What a legend. Prayers to his family.

— Anthony Dasher (@AnthonyDasher1) January 13, 2018

He’ll be remembered as one of our greatest broadcasters, period ...

The mark of a life well lived is the impact you have on others. We all loved Keith Jackson through a screen. Those who worked with him told me that the man lived up to the billing in real life. https://t.co/5ycPp1zfei

— Richard Johnson (@RJ_Writes) January 13, 2018

Two legends lost in less than a month. Dick Enberg, now Keith Jackson. Irreplaceable voices. #RIP

— Bonnie Bernstein (@BonnieBernstein) January 13, 2018

I once saw Keith Jackson at the airport and that’s literally one of my favorite memories. I couldn’t love a broadcaster more. His voice. His enthusiasm. My love of sports. We lost a good one today

— Amy Hollyfield (@amy_hollyfield) January 13, 2018

He's best known for CFB, but Keith Jackson called many other memorable moments. 1st MNF game, Jets-Browns 1970. '76 ALCS, Chambliss HR vs KC's Mark Littell. '78 ALCS Dent HR vs Torrez. '77 WS Game 6, Reggie 3 HRs. '72 Olympics, Spitz 7 Golds. '80 Olympics, Heiden 5 Golds. RIP.

— Joey Wahler (@JoeyWahler) January 13, 2018

RIP Keith Jackson. He’s on my Mt. Rushmore of sports broadcasters.

— Paul Oren (@NWIOren) January 13, 2018

I put Keith Jackson right up there with the great Vin Scully as my two favorite tv sports announcers of all time. Both simply legendary. #ripkeithjackson

— Anthony Dasher (@AnthonyDasher1) January 13, 2018

Of course, Keith Jackson was the voice of college football, but he called some big baseball games too, including Bucky Dent's homer and the Mets-Astros epic in 1986.

— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) January 13, 2018

I loved Keith Jackson's voice. I used to listen & concentrate on his cadence. The soundtrack to my childhood (my parents were big college football fans...they'd watch, I'd read a book, listening, always listening) #RIPKeithJackson

— Laura Lorson (@prairielaura) January 13, 2018

... but will last forever as the all-but-official voice of a single sport.

The voice of college football and so much more has left us. My mentor and dear friend, Keith Jackson passed last night surrounded by his family. Truly one of the greats in the broadcasting industry. I am grateful for my time with a true legend. Thank you for the lessons KJ. http://pic.twitter.com/SPGIZXrZNA

— Todd Harris (@TheToddHarris) January 13, 2018

Keith basically is the audio DNA of the sport for me and always will be and it's a little hard to hear his voice without seeing Pasadena in my head

— BUM CHILLUPS (@edsbs) January 13, 2018

THE voice of college football and one of the most iconic voices of all time, RIP Keith Jackson. Thank you for all of the incredible Saturday’s.

— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) January 13, 2018

Keith Jackson was, and will always be, one of the sounds of college football. He brought joy and character to the game, especially the Granddaddy of them all: The Rose Bowl Thank you, and RIP.

— Jennifer Lee Chan (@jenniferleechan) January 13, 2018

When I was a kid, I’m pretty sure I thought Keith Jackson was the President of College Football.

— Ira Schoffel (@IraSchoffel) January 13, 2018

think about how much of the overall aesthetic of college football is tied to keith jackson's voice. he was that important.

— El Flaco (@bomani_jones) January 13, 2018

#KeithJackson was the fabric of College Football. #RIP http://pic.twitter.com/Bf2DlYu8Az

— Tim Brown (@81TimBrown) January 13, 2018

There’s no separating my formative college football watching from Keith Jackson. I liked watching whatever was on, but it was all just a mess of ridiculous athletes, cool, shiny helmets, and Keith both being chill and excited about games. RIP, he's our guy.

— Dan Rubenstein (@DanRubenstein) January 13, 2018

RIP to a broadcasting legend.. No voice will ever sound and feel more like college football than Keith Jackson’s. https://t.co/HzcQwOFAw7

— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) January 13, 2018

Just heard the news that everyone’s favorite CFB broadcaster Keith Jackson passed away last night. Can close my eyes and think of so many of his special calls. Thank you Keith for all the memories and the grace in which you provided them. RIP Keith. #GOAT

— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) January 13, 2018

Keith Jackson was my childhood. Sitting there watching college football with my grandfather and hearing his voice. RIP

— Jack Jorgensen (@JackJorgensen14) January 13, 2018

Back in 1999 when I wrote my first book, I asked Keith Jackson to write the foreword. He immediately said yes. He is, and will always be, THE VOICE of the game we all love. RIP, Keith. Heaven got a great one.

— Tony Barnhart (@MrCFB) January 13, 2018

Hearing the voice of Keith Jackson instantly brought to mind college football. He was a true gentleman and a transcendent broadcaster

— Brian Webber (@bwwebber) January 13, 2018

Growing up, if you loved #CFB #KeithJackson was who you dreamed would someday say you name. Very fortunate to have had that honor and will never forget it. RIP.

— Cam Cleeland (@CamCleeland) January 13, 2018

RIP Keith Jackson. You were the dean of my college football education in the 1970s. #WhoaNelly

— John Carvalho (@John_P_Carvalho) January 13, 2018

Nobody was more synonymous with anything than Keith Jackson’s voice was with college football. The word gravitas was created to describe his work. #RIP https://t.co/Aw5wdOMiKs

— Ed Werder (@EdwerderRFA) January 13, 2018

Ugh. RIP Keith Jackson. What a loss. His voice IS college football. First Dick Enberg, now this. The voices of my sports childhood.

— Levi Damien (@LeviDamien) January 13, 2018

Keith Jackson’s Voice on Saturday afternoons in the fall, nothing better. #RIPIP

— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) January 13, 2018

Another US sports broadcasting great has passed away. When Keith Jackson spoke, you wouldn’t mix him up with anyone else. Voice of college football for so many.https://t.co/DeZDRXhi8L

— Derek Rae (@RaeComm) January 13, 2018

Impossible for me, and legions of people around my age, to think of college football and not instantly hear Keith Jackson's voice. RIP

— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) January 13, 2018

Saturday afternoon will always sound like Keith Jackson #WhoaNellie #RIP

— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) January 13, 2018

Keith Jackson saying “Nebraska” or “Alabama” was Saturday afternoon defined. https://t.co/GBILH1kmKf

— Owen Good (@owengood) January 13, 2018

Incredibly saddened to hear the loss of a broadcasting legend, the voice of college football across the Country, and WSU Cougar great, Keith Jackson. His impact will live on forever. #RIP #GoCougs http://pic.twitter.com/iROnEOWOcZ

— WSU Cougar Football (@wsucougfb) January 13, 2018

[flauntpage]

Does Anyone in Philadelphia Care About eSports?

Too bad eSports wasn’t a thing back in 1995.

I would have been Contra world champion.

Full run, no deaths, no up/up/down/down/left/right/left/right/B/A cheat code. None of that.

Some friends and I used to be in the “National Honor Society” at Boyertown Senior High back in the day. We had a private room where we were supposed to tutor students who needed homework help. I don’t remember doing much tutoring, but we definitely had a Playstation, SNES, and Nintendo 64 hooked up in that closet. Super Mario Kart was played before home room, Twisted Metal 2 was reserved for fourth-period study hall, and I dropped Calculus to free up 8th period for Tekken 3. My asshole friend Jon used to play as Eddy Gordo and button mash.

Video games were just a hobby back then. You played with your friends for fun. We didn’t wear head sets or use microphones or get demolished by organized teams from South Korea. We definitely didn’t watch other people play.

That’s why the eSports thing is fascinating. Comcast Spectacor announced this month that they’re launching a franchise called the “Philadelphia Fusion,” which will share colors with the Flyers and begin playing in the Overwatch League in December. According to a Bloomberg story, Comcast paid a $20 million franchise fee to join the league. Crazy, right?

For comparison, the Philadelphia Union paid a $25m franchise fee to join Major League Soccer back in 2008. That fee is now up to $150 million for new clubs, so if MLS is growing at that rate, I wonder what an eSports franchise fee might look like ten years from now.

You already know about Team Dignitas, which Josh Harris and David Blitzer purchased last year. Additionally, when the Sixers opened their “Innovation Lab” in the spring, one of the four companies selected for the incubation project was a start-up named “U GIT GOOD” that helps you improve your League of Legends skills.

Individualized training for gamers? That makes me feel old and out of touch, like Clint Eastwood in Gran Torino.

“Son, when I was your age, I played Diablo 2 on dial-up internet!”

But speaking of League of Legends, 43 million people watched last year’s World Championships, up from 36 million in 2015 and 27 million in 2014. That’s more than 60% viewership growth in just two years. The contest was aired by more than 23 broadcasters in 18 languages. Those numbers are competitive with and sometimes eclipse domestic NHL, NBA, and MLB playoff and championship game broadcasts. This year’s World Series averaged around 21 million viewers, which is really good. The NBA Finals is usually in the 10-12 million range. Hockey is about half of that and the Super Bowl crests 100 million. Broadcast ratings are archaic and sometimes wonky, but I think the surface numbers tell at least some of the story.

In terms of physical attendance, 45,000 people came to Sangam Stadium in Seoul, South Korea to watch the 2014 League of Legends final. Sangam is a 66,000 capacity arena that was built for the 2002 World Cup. Last year, nearly 20,000 filled the Staples Center in Los Angeles for the same competition. Earlier tournament stages were held in Madison Square Garden, The Chicago Theater, and the Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco.

This year, the LOL Worlds were held in Beijing, and this is what it looked like after the final game:

The scene inside the Bird's Nest in Beijing after Samsung Galaxy upset SKT to win the 2017 League of Legends World Championship. http://pic.twitter.com/3iDZEzKULx

— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) November 4, 2017

The crowd is chanting “Faker,” which is the nickname of 21 year old Lee Sang-Hyeok, who is regarded as the globe’s best League player. His Wikipedia entry is as long as Tim Jernigan’s. He dropped out of high school to become a pro gamer and is now a millionaire, so good job by him.

Philadelphia has yet to host a live eSports event, but Dave Scott says that’s something he’s thought about:

There are 300,000 Overwatch players in the Philadelphia area, said Dave Scott, chief executive of Comcast Spectacor, the company’s sports and live events business. The company is in the process of hiring a coach and players as well as looking for an arena seating less than 5,000 people.

“We like the idea of hosting events, bringing in fans and growing this market,” Scott said.

Are 4,000 people coming out to watch live DOTA 2 in Philly? Probably not, but what do I know? They might be able to do a niche event at the Tower Theater or Union Transfer or something else in that 2,000 to 2,500 capacity range. If a mediocre band like Imagine Dragons can headline a gig at the Wells Fargo Center, then anything is possible.

There are more local angles.

Former Phillies slugger Ryan Howard recently invested in N3rd Street Gaming, a “community of competitive and recreational video gamers that produces a series of eSports tournaments, leagues, and casual gaming events,” according to their website. They operate out of a shared space across from the Liberty Lands Community Garden about a block from the No Libs Piazza. Their LAN center has 40 gaming computers, plus other consoles and televisions.

They operate Overwatch, Starcraft, and Counter Strike tournaments which are broadcasted on their Twitch channel:

  You’re probably saying “who gives a shit?” about eSports, but whether it’s a dork fest or not, the money is there.

This passage about the 2016 DOTA 2 Championship from a recent Sports Illustrated article is telling:

The purse for the event, the sixth edition of The International, was $20,770,460. That’s roughly double the total payout of The Masters. The International’s winning team, a Chinese side called Wings Gaming, split the $9,139,002 grand prize among its five gamers—each team member took home $1.87 million for his triumph. For his Masters win in April, Danny Willett won $1.8 million.

It’s a tradition unlike any other, DOTA 2.

ESports generated $493 million in revenue last year. 71% of that money came from advertising and sponsorship. Geico and Coca-Cola are two big names. Kyle’s favorite, Buffalo Wild Wings, is another. Esports are a cheap option for advertisers looking to tap into a new market on a broad array of platforms, including online, television, player uniforms, and pretty much everything else in between.

In recent years, for comparison, the NHL and NBA did about $4 and $5 billion in revenue, respectively. ESports are projected to hit $1.1 billion in 2018, which would be a little less than 25% and 20% of what North American basketball and hockey are doing. The global appeal of eSports, which are obviously popular in Asia, is another key factor here. World soccer (non-MLS) did about $30 billion in revenue last year, compared to the NFL’s $11-12 billion. The appeal outside of North America is a major consideration.

So I don’t know if the average “four for four” Philadelphia sports fan cares about Overwatch, but Josh Harris, David Blitzer, and Dave Scott seem to, as far their portfolios are concerned.

Those three guys control a lot of money, and when money is involved, the wheels keep turning.

Does Anyone in Philadelphia Care About eSports? published first on http://ift.tt/2pLTmlv

[pandacakeswithsyrup]

The whole script to “Nightmare Before Christmas” By: Time Burton

The script to Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas NARRATOR 'Twas a long time ago, longer now than it seems, in a place that perhaps you've seen in your dreams.  For the story that you are about to be told, took place in the holiday worlds of old.  Now, you've probably wondered where holidays come from.  If you haven't, I'd say it's time you begun. This Is Halloween SHADOW Boys and girls of every age Wouldn't you like to see something strange? SIAMESE SHADOW Come with us and you will see This, our town of Halloween PUMPKIN PATCH CHORUS This is Halloween, this is Halloween Pumpkins scream in the dead of night GHOSTS This is Halloween, everybody make a scene Trick or treat till the neighbors gonna die of fright It's our town, everybody scream In this town of Halloween CREATURE UNDER BED I am the one hiding under your bed Teeth ground sharp and eyes glowing red MAN UNDER THE STAIRS I am the one hiding under your stairs Fingers like snakes and spiders in my hair CORPSE CHORUS This is Halloween, this is Halloween Halloween! Halloween! Halloween! Halloween! VAMPIRES In this town we call home Everyone hail to the pumpkin song MAYOR In this town, don't we love it now? Everybody's waiting for the next surprise CORPSE CHORUS Round that corner, man hiding in the trash can Something's waiting now to pounce, and how you'll scream HARLEQUIN DEMON, WEREWOLF, AND MELTING MAN Scream! This is Halloween Red 'n' black, slimy green WEREWOLF Aren't you scared? WITCHES Well, that's just fine Say it once, say it twice Take the chance and roll the dice Ride with the moon in the dead of night HANGING TREE Everybody scream, everybody scream HANGED MEN In our town of Halloween CLOWN I am the clown with the tear-away face Here in a flash and gone without a trace SECOND GHOUL I am the "who" when you call, "Who's there?" I am the wind blowing through your hair OOGIE BOOGIE SHADOW I am the shadow on the moon at night Filling your dreams to the brim with fright CORPSE CHORUS This is Halloween, this is Halloween Halloween! Halloween! Halloween! Halloween! Halloween! Halloween! CHILD CORPSE TRIO Tender lumplings everywhere Life's no fun without a good scare PARENT CORPSES That's our job, but we're not mean In our town of Halloween CORPSE CHORUS In this town MAYOR Don't we love it now? MAYOR WITH CORPSE CHORUS Everyone's waiting for the next surprise CORPSE CHORUS Skeleton Jack might catch you in the back And scream like a banshee Make you jump out of your skin This is Halloween, everybody scream Won't ya please make way for a very special guy Our man Jack is king of the pumpkin patch Everyone hail to the Pumpkin King now EVERYONE This is Halloween, this is Halloween Halloween! Halloween! Halloween! Halloween! CORPSE CHILD TRIO In this town we call home Everyone hail to the pumpkin song EVERYONE La la-la la, Halloween! Halloween! (etc.) EVERYONE [applause] WITCHES Cackling CLOWN It's over! BEHEMOTH We did it! [tummy bump] WEREWOLF Wasn't it terrifying? HYDE & CYCLOPS What a night! MAYOR Great Halloween everybody. JACK I believe it was our most horrible yet!  Thank you everyone. MAYOR No, thanks to  you, Jack.  Without your brilliant leadership - JACK Not at all Mayor. VAMPIRE (fat) You're such a scream, Jack WITCH You're a witch's fondest dream! WITCH (little) You made walls fall, Jack WITCH Walls fall?  You made the very mountains crack, Jack DR. FINKELSTEIN The deadly nightshade you slipped me wore off, Sally.   SALLY Let go! DR. FINKELSTEIN You're not ready for so much excitement! SALLY Yes I am! DR. FINKELSTEIN You're coming with me! SALLY No I'm not! [Sally pulls out the thread that's holding her arm on] DR. FINKELSTEIN Come back here you foolish oaf!  Ow! CREATURE FROM BLACK LAGOON Ooo Jack, you make wounds ooze and flesh crawl. JACK Thank you, thank you, thank you -- very much MAYOR Hold it!  We haven't given out the prizes yet!  Our first award goes to the vampires for most blood drained in a single evening. [applause] MAYOR A frightening and honorable mention goes to the fabulous Dark Lagoon leeches SAX PLAYER Nice work, Bone Daddy. JACK Yeah, I guess so.  Just like last year and the year before that and the year before that. [entering graveyard] Jack's Lament Performed by Danny Elfman There are few who'd deny, at what I do I am the best For my talents are renowned far and wide When it comes to surprises in the moonlit night I excel without ever even trying With the slightest little effort of my ghostlike charms I have seen grown men give out a shriek With the wave of my hand, and a well-placed moan I have swept the very bravest off their feet Yet year after year, it's the same routine And I grow so weary of the sound of screams And I, Jack, the Pumpkin King Have grown so tired of the same old thing Oh, somewhere deep inside of these bones An emptiness began to grow There's something out there, far from my home A longing that I've never known I'm the master of fright, and a demon of light And I'll scare you right out of your pants To a guy in Kentucky, I'm Mister Unlucky And I'm known throughout England and France And since I am dead, I can take off my head To recite Shakespearean quotations No animal nor man can scream like I can With the fury of my recitations But who here would ever understand That the Pumpkin King with the skeleton grin Would tire of his crown, if they only understood He'd give it all up if he only could Oh, there's an empty place in my bones That calls out for something unknown The fame and praise come year after year Does nothing for these empty tears [leaving graveyard and entering forest] SALLY Jack, I know how you feel.   [Sally gathers herbs] [back at Dr. Finkelstein's castle] DR. FINKELSTEIN Sally, you've come back. SALLY I had to. DR. FINKELSTEIN For this? [showing her arm] SALLY Yes. DR. FINKELSTEIN Shall we then. That's twice this month you've slipped deadly nightshade into my tea and run off -- SALLY Three times! DR. FINKELSTEIN You're mine you know!  I made you with my own hands. SALLY You can make other creations.  I'm restless, I can't help it. DR. FINKELSTEIN It's a phase my dear, it'll pass.  We need to be patient that's all. SALLY But, I don't want to be patient. [forest] ZERO bark JACK No Zero, not now.  I'm not in the mood. ZERO bark JACK All right.  [giving Zero a rib from himself]  Here ya go boy. [Zero gets rib and shows off his nose] [Back to Halloweentown] MAYOR Morning gents [to the band] [humming This Is Halloween, walks up to Jack's front door and rings bell] MAYOR Jack, you home? [getting worried, switches face and knocks with desperation then switch back to happy face] MAYOR Jack?  I've got the plans for next Halloween.  I need to go over them with you so we can get started.   MAYOR (with worried face) Jack, please, I'm only an elected an official here, I can't make decisions by myself.  Jack, answer me!! [falls down steps] ACCORDION PLAYER He's not home. MAYOR Where is he? SAX PLAYER He hasn't been home all night. MAYOR ooooo [back to forest] JACK (yawning)  Where are we?  It's someplace new. ZERO bark bark JACK What is this? [Jack sees Valentine's tree, shamrock tree, Easter egg tree, turkey tree] JACK [gasps] [sees Xmas tree] [turns knob and gets sucked in] ZERO bark bark JACK Whoa!!!! What's This? Performed by Danny Elfman What's this? What's this? There's color everywhere What's this? There's white things in the air What's this? I can't believe my eyes I must be dreaming Wake up, Jack, this isn't fair What's this? What's this? What's this? There's something very wrong What's this? There's people singing songs What's this? The streets are lined with Little creatures laughing Everybody seems so happy Have I possibly gone daffy? What is this? What's this? There's children throwing snowballs instead of throwing heads They're busy building toys And absolutely no one's dead There's frost on every window Oh, I can't believe my eyes And in my bones I feel the warmth That's coming from inside Oh, look What's this? They're hanging mistletoe, they kiss Why that looks so unique, inspired They're gathering around to hear a story Roasting chestnuts on a fire What's this? What's this? In here they've got a little tree, how queer And who would ever think And why? They're covering it with tiny little things They've got electric lights on strings And there's a smile on everyone So, now, correct me if I'm wrong This looks like fun This looks like fun Oh, could it be I got my wish? What's this? Oh my, what now? The children are asleep But look, there's nothing underneath No ghouls, no witches here to scream and scare them Or ensnare them, only little cozy things Secure inside their dreamland What's this? The monsters are all missing And the nightmares can't be found And in their place there seems to be Good feeling all around Instead of screams, I swear I can hear music in the air The smell of cakes and pies Are absolutely everywhere The sights, the sounds They're everywhere and all around I've never felt so good before This empty place inside of me is filling up I simply cannot get enough I want it, oh, I want it Oh, I want it for my own I've got to know I've got to know What is this place that I have found? What is this? Christmas Town, hmm... SANDY CLAWS Ho Ho Ho Ho ho ho ho ho JACK hmm.. [Halloweentown] CLOWN This has never happened before. Witch It's suspicious. Witch (little) It's peculiar. VAMPIRES It's scary. MAYOR Stand aside. WEREWOLF grrrr MAYOR Coming through.  We've got find Jack.  There's only 365 days left till next Halloween. WEREWOLF 364! MAYOR Is there anywhere we've forgotten to check? Clown I looked in every mausoleum. WITCHES We opened the sarcophagi. Hyde I tromped through the pumpkin patch. VAMPIRE I peeked behind the Cyclops's eye.  I did!  But he wasn't there. MAYOR It's time to sound the alarms. [DR. FINKELSTEIN's castle] SALLY Frog's breath will overpower any odor.  Bitter.  [coughing]  Worm's wart.  Where's that worm's wart? DR. FINKELSTEIN Sally, that soup ready yet? SALLY Coming....lunch DR. FINKELSTEIN Ah, what's that?  Worm's wart, mmm, and...frog's breath. SALLY What's wrong?  I-I thought you liked frog's breath. DR. FINKELSTEIN Nothing's more suspicious than frog's breath. Until you taste it I won't swallow a spoonful. SALLY I'm not hungry... [knocking spoon]  Oops! DR. FINKELSTEIN You want me to starve.  An old man like me who hardly has strength as it is.  Me, to whom you owe your very life. SALLY Oh don't be silly.  [eats soup with trick spoon]  Mmmm, see.  Scrumptious. [Dr. Finkelstein eats soup] [Halloween] MAYOR Did anyone think to dredge the lake? VAMPIRE Ah, this morning! ZERO barks Witch Hear that? Witch (little) What? Witch Shh! ZERO barks VAMPIRE Zero! [fanfare as Jack and Zero arrive] Kid Jack's back! MAYOR Where have you been? JACK Call a town meeting and I'll tell everyone all about it. MAYOR When? JACK Immediately! MAYOR [in his mayor truck] Town meeting, town meeting, town meeting tonight, town meeting tonight [at meeting] Clown [giggles as he hits Sally] JACK Listen everyone.  I want to tell you about Christmastown. Town Meeting Song Performed by Danny Elfman and Cast JACK There are objects so peculiar They were not to be believed All around, things to tantalize my brain It's a world unlike anything I've ever seen And as hard as I try I can't seem to describe Like a most improbable dream But you must believe when I tell you this It's as real as my skull and it does exist Here, let me show you This is a thing called a present The whole thing starts with a box DEVIL A box? is it steel? WEREWOLF Are there locks? HARLEOUIN DEMON Is it filled with a pox? DEVIL, WEREWOLF, HARLEQUIN DEMON A pox How delightful, a pox JACK If you please Just a box with bright-colored paper And the whole thing's topped with a bow WITCHES A bow? But why? How ugly What's in it? What's in it? JACK That's the point of the thing, not to know CLOWN It's a bat Will it bend? CREATURE UNDER THE STAIRS It's a rat Will it break? UNDERSEA GAL Perhaps it s the head that I found in the lake JACK Listen now, you don't understand That's not the point of Christmas land Now, pay attention We pick up an oversized sock And hang it like this on the wall MR. HYDE Oh, yes! Does it still have a foot? MEDIUM MR. HYDE Let me see, let me look SMALL MR. HYDE Is it rotted and covered with gook? JACK Um, let me explain There's no foot inside, but there's candy Or sometimes it's filled with small toys MUMMY AND WINGED DEMON Small toys WINGED DEMON Do they bite? MUMMY Do they snap? WINGED DEMON Or explode in a sack? CORPSE KID Or perhaps they just spring out And scare girls and boys MAYOR What a splendid idea This Christmas sounds fun I fully endorse it Let's try it at once JACK Everyone, please now, not so fast There's something here that you don't quite grasp Well, I may as well give them what they want And the best, I must confess, I have saved for the last For the ruler of this Christmas land Is a fearsome king with a deep mighty voice Least that's what I've come to understand And I've also heard it told That he's something to behold Like a lobster, huge and red When he sets out to slay with his rain gear on Carting bulging sacks with his big great arms That is, so I've heard it said And on a dark, cold night Under full moonlight He flies into a fog Like a vulture in the sky And they call him Sandy Claws Well, at least they're excited But they don't understand That special kind of feeling in Christmas land Oh, well... [Jack's house] JACK There's got to be a logical way to explain this Xmas thing. [Dr. Finkelstein's castle] DR. FINKELSTEIN You've poisoned me for the last time you wretched girl. [locks Sally away] [dingdong] DR. FINKELSTEIN Oh my head...the door is open. JACK Hel-lo DR. FINKELSTEIN Jack Skellington, up here my boy. JACK Dr. I need to borrow some equipment. DR. FINKELSTEIN Is that so, whatever for? JACK I'm conducting a series of experiments. DR. FINKELSTEIN How perfectly marvelous.  Curiosity killed the cat, you know. JACK I know. DR. FINKELSTEIN Come on into the lab and we'll get you all fixed up. SALLY Hmm.  Experiments? [Jack's house] JACK Zero, I'm home. [Jack examines & experiments with Xmas stuff] JACK Interesting reaction....but what does it mean? [Sally's room] [after Sally jumps to give Jack his basket...] DR. FINKELSTEIN You can come out now if you promise to behave.  Sally.  Sally.  Oooh!  Gone again! [Jack's house] [Sally gives Jack his basket and sneaks off and picks a flower which catches on fire] Jack's Obsession Performed by Danny Elfman and Cast CITIZENS OF HALLOWEEN Something's up with Jack Something's up with Jack Don't know if we're ever going to get him back He's all alone up there Locked away inside Never says a word Hope he hasn't died Something's up with Jack Something's up with Jack JACK Christmas time is buzzing in my skull Will it let me be? I cannot tell There's so many things I cannot grasp When I think I've got it, and then at last Through my bony fingers it does slip Like a snowflake in a fiery grip Something here I'm not quite getting Though I try, I keep forgetting Like a memory long since past Here in an instant, gone in a flash What does it mean? What does it mean? In these little bric-a-brac A secret's waiting to be cracked These dolls and toys confuse me so Confound it all, I love it though Simple objects, nothing more But something's hidden through a door Though I do not have the key Something's there I cannot see What does it mean? What does it mean? What does it mean? Hmm... I've read these Christmas books so many times I know the stories and I know the rhymes I know the Christmas carols all by heart My skull's so full, it's tearing me apart As often as I've read them, something's wrong So hard to put my bony finger on Or perhaps it's really not as deep As I've been led to think Am I trying much too hard? Of course! I've been too close to see The answer's right in front of me Right in front of me It's simple really, very clear Like music drifting in the air Invisible, but everywhere Just because I cannot see it Doesn't mean I can't believe it You know, I think this Christmas thing It's not as tricky as it seems And why should they have all the fun? It should belong to anyone Not anyone, in fact, but me Why, I could make a Christmas tree And there's no reason I can find I couldn't handle Christmas time I bet I could improve it too And that's exactly what I'll do Hee,hee,hee JACK Eureka!!  This year, Christmas will be ours! MAYOR Patience, everyone.  Jack has a special Job for each of us.  Dr. Finkelstein, your Xmas assignment is ready.  Dr. Finkelstein to the front of the line. VAMPIRE What kind of a noise is that for a baby to make? JACK Perhaps it can be improved? VAMPIRES No problem! JACK I knew it!  Dr. thank you for coming.  We need some of these. [showing picture of Santa and sleigh] DR. FINKELSTEIN Hmm.. their construction should be exceedingly simple.  I think. MAYOR How horrible our Xmas will be. JACK No--how jolly. MAYOR [switches face] Oh, how jolly our Xmas will be.  [gets pelted]  What are you doing here? LOCK Jack sent for us. SHOCK Specifically. BARREL By name. LOCK Lock SHOCK Shock BARREL Barrel MAYOR Jack, Jack it's Oogie's boys! JACK Ah, Halloween's finest trick or treaters.  The job I have for you is top secret.  It requires craft, cunning, mischief. SHOCK And we thought you didn't like us, Jack. [giggles] JACK Absolutely no one is to know about it.  Not a soul.  Now-- [whispers to LS&B] And one more thing -- leave that no account Ooogie Boogie out of this! BARREL Whatever you say, Jack. SHOCK Of course Jack. LOCK Wouldn't dream of it Jack. [all said with their fingers crossed] Kidnap the Sandy Claws Performed by Paul Reubens, Catherine O'Hara, and Danny Elfman LOCK, SHOCK, AND BARREL Kidnap Mr. Sandy Claws LOCK I wanna do it BARREL Let's draw straws SHOCK Jack said we should work together Three of a kind LOCK, SHOCK, AND BARREL Birds of a feather Now and forever Wheeee La, la, la, la, la Kidnap the Sandy Claws, lock him up real tight Throw away the key and then Turn off all the lights SHOCK First, we're going to set some bait Inside a nasty trap and wait When he comes a-sniffing we will Snap the trap and close the gate LOCK Wait! I've got a better plan To catch this big red lobster man Let's pop him in a boiling pot And when he's done we'll butter him up LOCK, SHOCK, AND BARREL Kidnap the Sandy Claws Throw him in a box Bury him for ninety years Then see if he talks SHOCK Then Mr. Oogie Boogie Man Can take the whole thing over then He'll be so pleased, I do declare That he will cook him rare LOCK,SHOCK, AND BARREL Wheeee LOCK I say that we take a cannon Aim it at his door And then knock three times And when he answers Sandy Claws will be no more SHOCK You're so stupid, think now lf we blow him up to smithereens We may lose some pieces And then Jack will beat us black and green LOCK,SHOCK, AND BARREL Kidnap the Sandy Claws Tie him in a bag Throw him in the ocean Then, see if he is sad LOCK AND SHOCK Because Mr. Oogie Boogie is the meanest guy around If I were on his Boogie list, I'd get out of town BARREL He'll be so pleased by our success That he'll reward us too, I'll bet LOCK, SHOCK, AND BARREL Perhaps he'll make his special brew Of snake and spider stew Ummm! We're his little henchmen and We take our job with pride We do our best to please him And stay on his good side SHOCK I wish my cohorts weren't so dumb BARREL I'm not the dumb one LOCK You're no fun SHOCK Shut up LOCK Make me SHOCK I've got something, listen now This one is real good, you'll see We'll send a present to his door Upon there'll be a note to read Now, in the box we'll wait and hide Until his curiosity entices him to look inside BARREL And then we'll have him One, two, three LOCK, SHOCK, AND BARREL Kidnap the Sandy Claws, beat him with a stick Lock him up for ninety years, see what makes him tick Kidnap the Sandy Claws, chop him into bits Mr. Oogie Boogie is sure to get his kicks Kidnap the Sandy Claws, see what we will see Lock him in a cage and then, throw away the key OOGIE BOOGIE Sandy Claws..hahaha [city hall] JACK It goes something like this.  [Jingle bells] How about it?  Think you can manage? PERSON INSIDE BASS a one, and a two, and a three, and a. . . [Jingle in a flat key by the band] MAYOR Next! JACK Fantastic!  Now why don't you all practice on that and we'll be in great shape.  Sally, I need your help more than anyone's.   SALLY You certainly do, Jack.  I had the most terrible vision. JACK That's splendid. SALLY No, it was about your Xmas.  There was smoke and fire. JACK That not my Xmas.  My Xmas is filled with laughter and joy and this--my Sandy Claws outfit.  I want you to make it. SALLY Jack, please, listen to me--it's going to be a disaster. JACK How could it be--just follow the pattern.  This part is red, the trim is white. SALLY It's a mistake, Jack. JACK Now don't be modest, who else is clever enough to make my Sandy claws outfit. MAYOR Next! JACK I have every confidence in you. SALLY But it seems wrong to me, very wrong. [to Behemoth] JACK This device is called a nutcracker. LOCK, SHOCK & BARREL Jack, Jack we caught him we caught him. JACK Perfect!  Open it up.  Quickly! [opens to reveal the Easter bunny] JACK That's not Sandy Claws! SHOCK It isn't? BARREL Who is it? BEHEMOTH Bunny! JACK Not Sandy Claws...take him back! LOCK We followed your instructions-- BARREL we went through the door-- JACK Which door?  There's more than one.  Sandy Claws is behind the door shaped like this.   [shows Xmas cookie in shape of tree] SHOCK I told you! [LS&B start fighting] JACK Arr!!  [making scary face at LS&B] JACK I'm very sorry for the inconvenience, sir.  Take him home first  and apologize again.  Be careful with Sandy Claws when you fetch him.  Treat him nicely. LOCK, SHOCK & BARREL Got it.  We'll get it right next time. [Dr. Finkelstein's castle] DR. FINKELSTEIN You will be a decided improvement over that treacherous Sally. IGOR Master, the plans. DR. FINKELSTEIN Excellent, Igor. [throws him a dog bone] Making Christmas Performed by Danny Elfman and the Citizens of Halloween CLOWN This time, this time GROUP Making Christmas ACCORDION PLAYER Making Christmas MAYOR Making Christmas, making Christmas Is so fine GROUP It's ours this time And won't the children be surprised It's ours this time CHILD CORPSE Making Christmas MUMMY Making Christmas MUMMY AND CORPSE CHILD Making Christmas WITCHES Time to give them something fun WITCHES AND CREATURE LADY They'll talk about for years to come GROUP Let's have a cheer from everyone It's time to party DUCK TOY Making Christmas, making Christmas VAMPIRES Snakes and mice get wrapped up so nice With spider legs and pretty bows VAMPIRES AND WINGED DEMON It's ours this time CORPSE FATHER All together, that and this CORPSE FATHER, WOLF MAN With all our tricks we're CORPSE FATHER, WOLF MAN, DEVIL Making Christmastime WOLF MAN Here comes Jack JACK I don't believe what's happening to me My hopes, my dreams, my fantasies Hee, hee, hee, hee HARLEQUIN Won't they be impressed, I am a genius See how I transformed this old rat Into a most delightful hat JACK Hmm, my compliments from me to you On this your most intriguing hat Consider though this substitute A bat in place of this old rat Huh! No, no, no, now that's all wrong This thing will never make a present It's been dead now for much too long Try something fresher, something pleasant Try again, don't give up THREE MR. HYDES All together, that and this With all our tricks we're making Christmastime (Instrumental) GROUP This time, this time JACK It's ours! GROUP Making Christmas, making Christmas La, la, la It's almost here GROUP AND WOLF MAN And we can't wait GROUP AND HARLEOUIN So ring the bells and celebrate GROUP 'Cause when the full moon starts to climb We'll all sing out JACK It's Christmastime Hee, hee, hee [Christmastown] SANDY CLAWS Kathleen, Bobby, Susie, yes, Susie's been nice.  Nice, nice, naughty, nice, nice, nice.  There are hardly any naughty children this year. [door chime:  jingle all the way] SANDY CLAWS Now who could that be? LOCK, SHOCK & BARREL Trick or treat! SANDY CLAWS Huh? [back to Halloweentown] [to Jack in Sandy garb] SALLY You don't look like yourself Jack, not at all. JACK Isn't that wonderful.  It couldn't be more wonderful! SALLY But you're the Pumpkin King. JACK Not anymore.  And I feel so much better now. SALLY Jack, I know you think something's missing.  But -- [pricks Jack's finger with needle] JACK SALLY Sorry JACK You're right, something is missing but what?  I've got the beard, the coat, the boots -- LOCK, SHOCK & BARREL Jack, Jack  this time we bagged him! LOCK This time we really did! BARREL He sure is big Jack! SHOCK And heavy! SANDY CLAWS Let me out! JACK Sandy Claws in person.  What a pleasure to meet you.  Why you have hands!  You don't have claws at all. SANDY CLAWS Where am I? JACK Surprised aren't you?  I knew you would be.  You don't need to have another worry about Xmas this year.   SANDY CLAWS What? JACK Consider this a vacation Sandy,  a reward.  It's your turn to take it easy. SANDY CLAWS But there must be some mistake! JACK See that he's comfortable.  Just a second fellows.  Of course, that's what I'm missing.   SANDY CLAWS But -- JACK Thanks!  [took Sandy's hat] SANDY CLAWS You just can't...  Hold on where are we going now? JACK ho ho ho SALLY This is worse than I thought, much worse.  I know... SANDY CLAWS Me?  On vacation on Xmas eve? BARREL Where are we taking him? SALLY Where? LOCK To Oogie boogie, of course.  There isn't anywhere in the whole world more comfortable than that and Jack said to make him comfortable.  Didn't he? SHOCK & BARREL Yes he did. SANDY CLAWS Haven't you heard of peace on earth and good will toward men? LOCK, SHOCK & BARREL No! [Dr. Finkelstein's castle] [getting fog juice] SALLY This'll stop Jack. [working on new creation to replace Sally] DR. FINKELSTEIN What a joy to think of all we'll have in common.  We'll have conversations worth having. [Oogie's] LOCK, SHOCK & BARREL [laughing] SANDY CLAWS Don't do this.  Naughty children never get any presents. SHOCK I think he might be too big. LOCK No he's not.  If he can go down a chimney, he can fit down here! [in Oogie's lair] Oogie Boogie's Song Performed by Ken Page with Ed lvory OOGIE BOOGIE Well, well, well, what have we here? Sandy Claws, huh? Oh, I'm really scared So you're the one everybody's talkin' about, ha, ha You're jokin', you're jokin' I can't believe my eyes You're jokin' me, you gotta be This can't be the right guy He's ancient, he's ugly I don't know which is worse I might just split a seam now If I don't die laughing first Mr. Oogie Boogie says There's trouble close at hand You'd better pay attention now 'Cause I'm the Boogie Man And if you aren't shakin' There's something very wrong 'Cause this may be the last time You hear the boogie song, ohhh THREE SKELETONS Ohhh OOGIE BOOGIE Ohhh TWO SKELETONS IN VICE Ohhh OOGIE BOOGIE Ohhh THREE BATS Ohhh, he's the Oogie Boogie Man SANTA Release me now Or you must face the dire consequences The children are expecting me So please, come to your senses OOGIE BOOGIE You're jokin', you're jokin' I can't believe my ears Would someone shut this fella up I'm drownin' in my tears It's funny, I'm laughing You really are too much And now, with your permission I'm going to do my stuff SANTA What are you going to do? OOGIE BOOGIE I'm gonna do the best I can Oh, the sound of rollin' dice To me is music in the air 'Cause I'm a gamblin' Boogie Man Although I don't play fair It's much more fun, I must confess With lives on the line Not mine, of course, but yours, old boy Now that'd be just fine SANTA Release me fast or you will have to Answer for this heinous act OOGIE BOOGIE Oh, brother, you're something You put me in a spin You aren't comprehending The position that you're in It's hopeless, you're finished You haven't got a prayer 'Cause I'm Mr. Oogie Boogie And you ain't going nowhere [LS&B laughing] [back to Halloweentown] [Sally pouring fog juice into fountain] [Jack appears from coffin and there's applause] MAYOR Think of us as you soar triumphantly through the sky outshining every star.  Your silhouette a dark blot on the moon, you who are our pride, you who are our glory, you who have frightened billions into an early grave.   [the fog starts to get worse] MAYOR You who have eh, devastated the souls of the living... JACK Oh no!  We can't take off in this!  The reindeer can't see an inch in front of their noses. SALLY Whew! VAMPIRE This fog's as thick as, as... CYCLOPS Jelly brains VAMPIRE Thicker! JACK There go all of my hope, my precious plans, my glorious dreams. Kid [crying]  There goes Xmas. ZERO barks JACK No Zero, down boy.  My what a brilliant nose you have.  The better to light my way!  To the head of the team, Zero!  We're off! SALLY Wait Jack, no! [Jack is off!] [cheers] JACK ho ho ha ha ha SALLY Good bye Jack, my dearest Jack.  Oh how I hope my premonition is wrong. Sally's Song Performed by Catherine O'Hara I sense there's something in the wind That feels like tragedy's at hand And though I'd like to stand by him Can't shake this feeling that I have The worst is just around the bend And does he notice my feelings for him? And will he see how much he means to me? I think it's not to be What will become of my dear friend? Where will his actions lead us then? Although I'd like to join the crowd In their enthusiastic cloud Try as I may, it doesn't last And will we ever end up together? No, I think not, it's never to become For I am not the one [Jack playing Sandy] JACK ho ho ho ho ho ho he he he [lands loudly & wakes up little kid] A little kid Santa! [sees Jack] [gasps]  Santa? JACK Merry Xmas!  And what is your name? Kid uh uh JACK That's all right.  I have a special present for you anyway. There you go sonny.  Hohohohehehe [goes back up chimney] Mother And what did Santa bring you honey? [pulls out shrunken head] [mother and father scream] JACK Merry Xmas! Cop [ON PHONE] Hello, police. [frantic peanuts-type talk] Attacked by Xmas toys?  That's strange.  That's the second toy complaint we've had. JACK hohohohehehe [killer wreath, snake, vampire toy, killer duck] [screams] [Jack puts toys down chimneys] [screams] [Jack in the box chases fat kid] JACK You're welcome one and all! Cop [on phone] Where'd you spot him? ---Fast as we can, ma'am ---Police ---I know, I know a skeleton ---Keep calm ---Turn off all the lights ---Make sure the doors are Locked ---Hello, police Newscaster Reports are pouring in from all over the globe that an impostor is shamelessly impersonating Santa Claus, mocking and mangling this joyous holiday. Halloween residents [cheers] Newscaster Police assure us that this moment, military units are mobilizing to stop the perpetrator of this heinous crime. SALLY [over the Newscaster] Jack, someone has to help Jack.  Where'd they take that Sandy Claws? Newscaster --Come back and save Xmas JACK Look Zero, search lights!   [firing at Jack] JACK They're celebrating!  They're thanking us for doing such a good job. [almost hits Zero] JACK Whoa, careful down there, you almost hit us.   ZERO bark JACK It's ok, Zero.  Head higher! [Oogie lair] OOGIE BOOGIE Are you a gamblin man, Sandy?  Let's play.   [sees sally's leg] OOGIE BOOGIE Mmmm.. my, my....what have we here? [Sally's hands start to rescue Sandy] SALLY [whispering]  I'll get you out of here. OOGIE BOOGIE Ah, lovely.  Tickle, tickle, tickle.  Tickle, tickle, tickle. [Sally's hands untie Sandy] [Oogie realizes that there's no body to the leg] OOGIE BOOGIE What?!?  You trying to make a dupe out of me? [Oogie sucks Sandy and Sally back in] [back to Jack] JACK Who's next on my list.  Ah, little Harry and Jordan.  Won't they be surprised. [sleigh gets hit] JACK They're trying to hit us!  ZERO! ZERO Bark [sleigh gets hit] [as Jack's falling] JACK Merry Xmas to all and to all a good night... [Halloween] WEREWOLF howl! MAYOR (with white face) I knew this Xmas thing was a bad idea.  I felt it in my gut.  Terrible news folks.  The worst tragedy of our times.  Jack has been blown to smithereens.  Terrible, terrible news. [back to "normal" town] Cop [in car] Attention, attention citizens.  Terrible news.  There's still no sign of Santa Claus.  Although the impostor has been shot down, it looks like Xmas will have to be canceled this year.  I repeat the impostor has been shot down but there's still no sign ...... [Jack in cemetery] Poor Jack Performed by Danny Elfman What have I done? What have I done? How could I be so blind? All is lost, where was I? Spoiled all, spoiled all Everything's gone all wrong What have I done? What have I done? Find a deep cave to hide in In a million years they'll find me Only dust and a plaque That reads, 'Here Lies Poor Old Jack" But I never intended all this madness, never And nobody really understood, well how could they? That all I ever wanted was to bring them something great Why does nothing ever turn out like it should? Well, what the heck, I went and did my best And, by god, I really tasted something swell And for a moment, why, I even touched the sky And at least I left some stories they can tell, I did And for the first time since I don't remember when I felt just like my old bony self again And I, Jack, the Pumpkin King That's right! I am the Pumpkin King, ha, ha, ha, ha And I just can't wait until next Halloween 'Cause I've got some new ideas that will really make them scream And, by God, I'm really going to give it all my might Uh oh, I hope there's still time to set things right Sandy Claws, hmm [Oogie lair] SALLY You wait till Jack hears about this.  By the time he's through with you, you'll be lucky if you... MAYOR The king of Halloween has been blown to smithereens.  Skeleton Jack is now a pile of dust. SALLY [gasp] JACK Come on Zero.  Xmas isn't over yet! OOGIE BOOGIE What's that you were saying about luck, rag doll? SALLY Help, help, help, help OOGIE BOOGIE Sandy, looks like it's Oogie's turn to boogie. SALLY [scream] OOGIE BOOGIE one 2 3 4 5 6 7 -- hahaha SANDY CLAWS This can't be happening! OOGIE BOOGIE Ashes to ashes, and dust to dust.  Oh, I'm feeling weak...with hunger. One more roll of the dice oughta do it.  Haha [rolls dice] What!  Snake eyes.  [bang on table] Eleven!  Haha  looks like I won the jackpot! Bye bye doll face and sandman. Ha, ha, ha [about to dump Sally & Sandy Claus into the lava] What the... JACK Hello Oogie OOGIE BOOGIE Jack, but they said you were dead.  You must be double dead. Well come on bone man. ZERO bark bark OOGIE BOOGIE oooo ooo ooo.  Pull an arm.  ha ha SALLY Jack look out! OOGIE BOOGIE So long, Jack.  haha JACK How dare you treat my friends so shamefully. [Jack pulls the thread that came loose that held Oogie together] OOGIE BOOGIE Now look what you've done.  My bugs, my bugs, my bugs, bye bye bye JACK Forgive me Mr. claws, I'm afraid I've made a terrible mess of your holiday. SANDY CLAWS Bumpy sleigh ride, Jack?  The next time you get the urge to take over someone else's holiday, I'd listen to her!  She's the only one who makes any sense around this insane asylum! Skeletons.... JACK I hope there's still time-- SANDY CLAWS To fix Xmas?  Of course there is, I'm Santa Claus! [and laying a finger aside of his nose, up Oogie's chimney he rose] SALLY He'll fix things Jack.  He knows what to do. JACK How did you get down here Sally? SALLY Oh, I was trying to, well, I wanted to, to -- JACK to help me SALLY I couldn't just let you just... JACK Sally, I can't believe I never realized...that you... MAYOR Jack, Jack! BARREL Here he is! LOCK Alive! SHOCK Just like we said. MAYOR Grab a hold my boy! JACK & SALLY whoa! NEWSCASTER Good news, folks.  Santa Claus, the one and only has finally been spotted.  Old Saint Nick appears to be traveling at supersonic speed.   He's setting things right, bringing joy and cheer wherever he goes.  Yes folks, Kris Kringle has pulled it out of the bag and delivered Xmas to excited children all over the world! Finale Performed by Danny Elfman, Catherine O'Hara, and the Citizens of Halloween CHORUS La, la, la, (etc.) Jack's OK, and he's back, OK CHILD CORPSE AND CHORUS He's all right MAYOR AND CHORUS Let's shout, make a fuss Scream it out, wheee CHORUS Jack is back now, everyone sing In our town of Halloween JACK It's great to be home! SANDY CLAWS Hohohohoho Happy Halloween! [Sandy Claws brings snow to Halloween] JACK Merry Xmas! CHILD CORPSE What's this? CYCLOPS What's this? HARLEQUIN DEMON I haven't got a clue MR. HYDE What's this? CLOWN Why it's completely new OFF-SCREEN VOICE What's this? WOLFMAN Must be a Christmas thing OFF-SCREEN VOICE What's this? MAYOR It's really very strange CHORUS This is Halloween Halloween! Halloween! Halloween! What's this? What's this? (Repeat) DR. FINKELSTEIN Careful, my precious jewel! [Dr. F. with his new wife!] JACK My dearest friend, if you don't mind I'd like to join you by your side Where we can gaze into the stars JACK AND SALLY And sit together, now and forever For it is plain as anyone can see We're simply meant to be [at the end of FINALE, Zero zooms off into the heavens]

[listening-through-the-lens]

Join our three-week three-festival fully-escorted USA music tour 2018

  Americana Rhythms and Blues Tour

aka TriFestMusic Tour

10 September to 1 October 2018

Three Weeks, Three Festivals, Three States

Fully Escorted

  FILLING FAST

LIMITED PLACES AVAILABLE

FOR THIS BOUTIQUE TOUR

    By Rob Dickens

  The Americana Rhythms and Blues Tour (aka TriFest Music Tour) is now open to claim a place.

The itinerary for our three-week music journey is below.  I will be the guide.  Having been to every festival and city/town that we will visit, I would LOVE to share these places and experiences with you.

The final tour numbers will be finalised based on vehicle logistics, but to keep it the most personal and comfortable experience possible, there will be an upper limit.  Places are allocated once a deposit is paid and these are on a first-come basis.  The Tour will be utilising the experienced services of Trans Otway Travel.

Deposits per person are 10% of the Tour price and are payable in Australian $$s, with the balance payable by instalments due end February and end July 2018.

Inclusions and exclusions are also set out below.

Any questions please contact me at robdickens101@gmail.com

Looking forward to an adventure together – Hope you can make it!

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  Listening Through The Lens presents

Americana Rhythms and Blues Tour 2018

aka TriFest Music Tour

10 September – 1 October 2018

  Arrive Nashville downtown independently

Nashville Tennessee 7 nights

Americana Music Festival and Conference

Americana Honors and Awards Show

Knoxville Tennessee – 1 night stay

Asheville North Carolina – 2 nights

Biltmore Estate

Bristol Tennessee/Virginia – 4 nights

Rhythm and Roots Reunion festival

Birthplace of Country Music Museum

Nashville Tennessee – 1 night

Fly to Kansas City Missouri – 2 nights

Columbia Missouri – 4 nights

Roots n Blues n BBQ festival

Return Kansas City airport for independent departure

  This itinerary is subject to minor alteration due to changing circumstances beyond the control of Listening Through The Lens.

  Testimonials from our 2017 Tour

“You were a wonderful tour leader – so well organised, quiet, kind, patient, considerate and knowledgeable – with so many interesting contacts and friends who clearly respected you and whom you shared with us. Each day was highlighted by the fact the activities, events, sights and travel were all so well sorted. There was no indecision or time wasted by us, perfect.”

“I now appreciate and understand so much more the road that the music has taken, what has and is involved in creating it, the differences in areas, the roles that family, community and conditions have played in its development, and so on. Music will never be taken for granted again”

“We can never thank you enough for these experiences and the wonderful memories we have been left with. What a magnificent, trouble-free, well organised expose of Americana, bluegrass and blues music! We look forward to doing it all again with you in the future”.

    Inclusions

• Experienced Guide

• All accommodation (incl. breakfasts)

• Full badge registration for all 6 days at Americana Festival

• Americana Honors and Awards Show ticket

• One year membership Americana Music Association

• Tickets for all 3 days at Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion

• Admission to Birthplace of Country Music Museum

• VIP Whole Hog tickets for all 3 days at Roots n Blues n BBQ festival

• Vehicle Transfers and flight (excl. checked bags fees) between Nashville and Kansas City

• Admission to Biltmore Estate, American Jazz Museum, Birthplace of Country Music Museum

• One live show (to be determined)

  Exclusions

• Tips, gratuities

• Transport during Americana Festival [we will have a perfectly-located hotel, most venues a 15-20 minute walk away – other options are Festival Shuttle (free), Uber and taxi (at own expense)

• Transit costs pre-Tour and post-Tour

• Public gigs will emerge during Tour, at own expense, optional to attend

• Travel insurance (this is compulsory for all participants)

• Meals and beverages

• Additional transport required due to emergency situation

  Tour Numbers

Final numbers determined according to vehicle logistics.  Places filled on a first-come basis.

  Price

AUD$ 5900 per person twin share basis (contact me for single room supplement price).  Deposit due NOW (see below), half balance due 28 Feb 2018, remainder 31 July 2018

  Deposit

A deposit of AUD $ 590 per person is required to hold your place.  The deposit will be refunded if Tour does not proceed or is full.  In all other cases the deposit is non-refundable.

  About our 2017 Tour

Read about what we covered in our three-week Total Tennessee Tour HERE

  Who might you expect to see at our three festivals?

Musically, what to expect???  Line-ups for all three festivals will be announced over time.  As a guide:

Here’s who we saw perform at AmericanaFest 2017:

Old Crow Medicine Show, Jim Lauderdale, Brent Cobb, Lori McKenna, Iris Dement, John Prine, Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives, Sam Outlaw, Amanda Shires, Billy Bragg/Joe Henry, Graham Nash with the Milk Carton Kids, Drive-By Truckers, Aaron Lee Tasjan, The Lumineers, Robert Cray, Hurray For The Riff Raff, Margo Price, Jason Isbell, Van Morrison, Phoebe Hunt and the Gatherers, SUSTO, Big Star and Friends, Will Hoge, Danni Nicholls, Ben Smith and Jimmy Brewer, Wildwood Kin, Ryan Culwell, Andrew Combs, Cale Tyson, Joe Henry, Rhiannon Giddens, Dirk Powell, Jamie Lin Wilson, The Vandoliers, The Texas Gentlemen, Shannon McNally, Willie Watson, The Fairfield Four, Lori McKenna, Nice Horse, Davis Miles, Joey Wright, April Verch Band, The Dead South, Kieran Kane, Rayner Gelba, Laura Cortesia, Colin Hay, Tasha Coates, Liz Stringer, Robyn Hitchcock, Josh Ritter, The Barefoot Movement, Amanda Shires, Jason Eady, Juju Bushman, The Rusty Pieces, Crockett Hall, Loveland Duran, Grace Askew, Shane Smith and the Saints, Doug Seegers, JP Harris, The Howlin’ Brothers, The Smoking Flowers, Hugh Masterson, Brian Wright, Emily Salier and Shawn Mullins.

2. Here’s who played at Bristol’s Rhythms and Roots Reunion 2017:

Dwight Yoakam, Judah & The Lion, Jerry Douglas Presents Earls of Leicester, Son Volt, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Deer Tick, The Infamous Stringdusters, Mark O’Connor ft. the O’Connor Band, The SteelDrivers , Langhorne Slim, Mandolin Orange , Dave Simonett, Hiss Golden Messenger , The Black Lillies, Amanda Shires , Southern Culture on the Skids, Will Hoge, The Whiskey Gentry, Zach Deputy, The Dustbowl Revival, Chris Knight, American Aquarium, Billy Strings, The Cactus Blossoms, Low Cut Connie, Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys, The Deslondes, Ron Gallo, Front Country, Love Canon •The Way Down Wanderers, Mile Twelve, Elliot Root, SUSTO •Becky Buller Band, Lillie, Tim Easton and dozens more

3. Here’s who played at Columbia’s Roots ‘n’ Blues ‘n’ BBQ 2017:

Ryan Adams, Leon Bridges, Gary Clark Jr., John Prine, Emmylou Harris, Band of Horses, Booker T’s Stax Revue, Old 97’s, Lee Fields & The Expressions, The Suffers, Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys, Paul Weber and the Scrappers, The Mavericks, Pokey LaFarge, Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives, The SteelDrivers, Nikki Lane, Marshall Crenshaw, The Bottle Rockets, The Untamed Youth, Nikki Hill, The Hooten Hallers, Margo Price, Ana Popovic, Amanda Shires, Music Maker Blues Revue, The Fairfield Four, Chump Change, The Bel Airs, Kent Burnside & The Flood Brothers, Aina Cook Broadway Blues and Norm Ruebling Band

  Join our three-week three-festival fully-escorted USA music tour 2018

  ***

TriFest Music Tour 2018 Selling Fast Join our three-week three-festival fully-escorted USA music tour 2018

[listening-through-the-lens]

What were our very best live shows throughout 2017?

photo Jim Jacob

  By Rob Dickens

  Smoke On The Water

I had seen only a few shows on water before – the North Mississippi Allstars on the Steamboat Natchez paddling up the Mississippi River off New Orleans. It was when bassist Chris Chew was in the band.  Man they funked it up.  (I loved that era of the band – check out Hernando (2006)).

Another musica nautica adventure featured the wonderful English guitarist and songwriter Martin Simpson.  On a flat watercraft along the upper reaches of the Thames near Windsor, he, along with master player Andy Cutting, gave us a wondrous insight into the best English folk. (The set proceeded while the boat went through a few river locks and paused when, on the captain’s orders due to passing under a VERY low bridge, the entire assembly sat on the floor as the vessel’s roof descended to our heads).

I mention this because my shows at sea experience have been blown out of the water (pardon the pun) by not one music cruise but two, back to back, in 2017 – same port, same ship, same cabin even.

  The Big Four

The Cayamo and Outlaw Country Cruises were spiritual revelations in February.  So much great music, at such close quarters, with a bunch of music-loving colleagues.  The bar therefore was set very high early in the year.  The other two great sources of live shows were AmericanaFest in Nashville in September and The Festy Experience near Arrington Virginia just after.

  Back To The Well

Our Total Tennessee Tour dug deep into music roots this year and provided a timely reminder of where some of this wonderful stuff that we love came from.  We stayed on in Nashville to go to The Opry and Music City Roots, visited Memphis (Gracelands, Stax, Sun Studio, Ardent Studio), Loretta Lynn’s Ranch, Clarksdale (Red’s Lounge, Ground Zero, Delta Blues Museum) and deep into The Blue Ridge Mountains heritage trail (Bristol, Galax, Abingdon) – hell, we even stopped off in Chattanooga.  This provided me with a re-education, a re-positioning of where all this fits.  It enhanced what I saw even more.

  What was I thinking?!

It was the last evening of The Festy Experience.  I had a writing deadline and a monster trip home the next day (30+ hours).  It was raining steadily – there were acts on that I had seen before for the next three hours, at the end of which Billy Strings was due.  I packed up early – big mistake!

  Sound Advice

There were a couple of exceptions – once at The High Watt and twice at the Cannery Ballroom, but the sound at AmericanaFest was again remarkably good, sound engineers seemingly invisible moving from one set to the next with aplomb.

  Some disappointments

Wanda Jackson on the Outlaw Cruise demonstrated that it best we all concentrate and rejoice in her legacy and that further live appearances, based on the ship performances, are not necessary.  Amanda Shires‘ set at the Station Inn during AmericanaFest 2017 was meandering.  Jason Eady‘s show at the aforementioned Cannery Ballroom was absolutely ruined by the sound no matter where I stood.  Buddy Miller and Rodney Crowell were both absent from the Americana Honors and Awards Show due to illness.  Van Morrison‘s acceptance of his Americana Honor (I won’t use the term ‘speech’ as that would be misleading) was awkward and frigid.  Steve Earle kept checking his watch during one show even while he was playing the guitar – it broke the spell.

  The loudest

Easy.  Deke Harp at Levon’s Bar and Grill in Clarksdale.  Even the food covered its ears!

  The best story-teller

Justin Hayward (Moody Blues) had some great stories – early band, War Of The Worls soundtrack and touring with Cream.

  Honorable mentions

Hard to fit everyone into twenty, as some wise person once said.  Here are some terrific shows that got edged out:

Tim O’Brien Caravan Music Club Melbourne Aus

Rosie Flores (with Sophia Johnson), Outlaw Country Cruise

Lucinda Williams, Outlaw Country Cruise

Teskey Brothers, Music On The Hill Melbourne Aus

Doug Seegers, The Mercy Lounge Nashville TN (AmericanaFest)

Nick Forster and Danny Barnes, The Festy Experience

Carl Anderson, The Festy Experience

Robbie Fulks, The Caravan Club Melbourne

Christian Lopez, Cayamo Cruise

  All photos Rob Dickens except where noted

  The BEST

20. Paul Thorn Band – Cayamo Cruise, Somewhere At Sea – 22 Feb

    I’ve seen Thorn play quite a few times.  Always love his enthusiasm, his folksy rock and blues vibe, no pretensions, nothing but uplifting messages.  So embraceable.  On the Cayamo Cruise, we attended the Stardust Theatre waiting patiently for the long-drop red velvet curtains to let go of their embrace and see beyond.  Finally they parted like the Red Sea and we were greeted by a screen and engrossing mini-doco featuring Thorn and focussing on his pre-music, accomplished boxing career.  He then appeared in person and announced that his permanent break with The Ring led him to his debut Hammer and Nail which he, in order to celebrate its twentieth anniversary, would perform the entire album front-to-back, with the whole set recorded.  It was a celebration for him and, without a shred of doubt, everyone in that room.

  19. Lori McKenna – 3rd & Lindsley Nashville TN @ AmericanaFest  – 14 Sep

    Now here’s a songwriter!  Ten albums to her name, she has remained in Stoughton, Massachusetts despite the amount of time she spends in Nashville, so grounded is she with her extensive family and possibly being able to captures insights afresh living away from ‘the business’.  That has not stopped her garnering considerable success – her songs covered by Alison Krauss, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw and Keith Urban.  Number one Billboard hits, a CMA Award, a National Songwriter Association International gong and her first Grammy attest to her craft.

Her latest album The Bird & The Wire is highly acclaimed and adds to her already impressive set of achievements.  This night she was humble, engaging and warm, with plenty of banter that provided context to her evocative stories.

  18. Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen – Fern Tree Gully Bowls Club, Melbourne Aus – 21 Nov

  Frank Solivan with Caleb Klauder in Nashville – photo Jim Jacob

  A Grammy-nominated, twice IBMA-award winning (for the coveted Best Instrumental Band) outfit from Washington DC.  As well as being a super group of musicians, their repertoire extends way beyond traditional bluegrass, mixing pop, rock and other standard fare effortlessly.  I have seen them live a few times now, both in Raleigh NC and Nashville TN but tonight had a little edge to it.  Perhaps it was the modest setting, the small but adoring audience, the collaborative willingness to share the stage with the support act and other musicians or their sheer joy of travelling around Australia for the first time and ending their tour this night.  Whatever the reason, it was special.

  17, Big Star and Friends – Cannery Ballroom, Nashville TN @ AmericanaFest – 12 Sep

  Big Star drummer Jody Stephens at Ardent Studio in Memphis, a few days after the AmericanaFest show

  In 2010 an all-star band unearthed the original scores, assembled an orchestra and performed fabled cult band Big Star’s album Third.  Following the death of front man Chilton just before a scheduled SXSW performance in 2010, performer friends came to play the gig in his honor.  A concert documentary film Thank You, Friends: Big Star’s Third Live…And More followed and screened at AmericanaFest 2017.

The day following the film, the concert at the Cannery Ballroom was performed in its entirety, featuring the original Third conductor Carl Marsh and core players including sole surviving Big Star member Jody Stephens along with Mike Mills (REM), Mitch Easter (Let’s Active), Chris Stamey (the dB’s) and Pat Sansone (Wilco) to name a few.  The Third performance was followed by a set of Big Star hits with many special musical guests.  Two hours of magic.

  16. Joe Ely Band – Outlaw Country Cruise, Somewhere At Sea – 26 Feb

    ‘Twas a breezy night on the ship’s deck.  The Joe Ely Band members were in cracking form.  This Texas legend with his distinctive chants and unique blend of Texas country, honky tonk, rock and Tex-Mex held our attention with ease.  Ely’s long-time band cohorts were tight, prancing around the stage ready to pounce (well, except for the drummer).  It had been a while since I caught him at Antone’s in Austin TX.  Absence DOES make the heart grow fonder!

  15. Jerry Douglas Band – The Festy Experience, Infinity Downs Farm Virginia – 8 Oct

  Jerry Douglas – photo Rob Dickens

  A new album (out just in the latter part of this year) What If represents another significant departure and music adventure for the redoubtable musician, producer and collaborator extraordinaire.  The Jerry Douglas Band contains some of finest players in the land which reminded me of the sheer unadulterated virtuosity of Punch Brothers.  Jerry was plugged in and a far cry from his more well-known bluegrass/country contributions.  Tonight he was channelling his early influences Weather Report and Chick Corea.  There was jazz fusion, Douglas’ party vocals and some highly inventive covers.  For the record, the other band members are Doug Belote (drums), bassist Daniel Kimbro, violinist Christian Sedelmyer, Mike Seal electric guitarist.  Spell-binding!

  14. Bottle Rockets – Outlaw Country Cruise, Somewhere At Sea – 21 Feb

    The Bottle Rockets make their music sound simple.  Almost hay seed primal. Maybe that is the attraction.  It is anthemic, lyrically cut-to-the-bone and contains a wave of sound that picks you up and dumps you if you’re not on your mettle.  Pleasing us since the early 90’s, this St Louis, Missouri-based power four piece has been a stalwart of the thumping roots rock movement for a long time, well before it came into fashion in fact.  This was my first viewing and after many attempts of travelling across the Pacific.  ‘1000 Dollar Car’, ‘Welfare Music’ and, most of all, ‘Dog’.  I must see them again – it was too much to take in.

  13. David Luning – Music City Roots, Franklin TN 19 Sep

    David Who? Former American Idol contestant?  Hmmm.  Well, consider me blown away by this unique rocking storyteller from California’s Sonoma County.  Covering fast and slower material with aplomb, he has that knack that the best comedians have when telling a joke – using space and timing to gripping effect.  The thundering ‘Bet It On Black’, the pleading ‘Danger’ and the reflective and majestic ‘Be Like Gold’.  Go see him or buy his album Restless – or do both.

  12. Larry Cordle, Carl Jackson with Val Storey and others, The Station Inn Nashville TN – 11 Sep

    A wonderful band steeped in country, gospel and just about anything good.  Larry Cordle is an acclaimed songwriter, singer, stalwart – Carl Jackson the same with guitar sidekick and close friend to Glen Campbell to add to his bio.  Many guests including Campbell’s daughter Ashley (god-daughter to Jackson), the honeyed voice of Val Storey, even a visiting Irishman got up and sang a love song to his wife in the crowd (I admit it wasn’t a musical highlight of the night, but a glorious example of community and song).  When someone sang Glen’s last release ‘Adios’ with Ashley in the crowd, it proved to be one of the heightened emotional moments of the year.  AND this core outfit does this show EVERY MONDAY NIGHT.

  11. Courtney Marie Andrews and Joe Pug, The Spotted Mallard Melbourne Aus – 13 July

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  I’m not sure why this tour pairing was arranged and how.  Joe Pug, the Austin Texas troubadour who has graced these shores a considerable number of times before returning on the back of his release last year Windfall.  The younger Courtney Marie Andrews, hailing from Phoenix Arizona, whose debut album in 2016 Honest Life was a serious eye opener.  Tonight was the fifth stop on an eight-date tour of Australia, with both artists largely in solo acoustic guitar mode, except for Pug on keyboards for a spell.  Eminently good vocals and songwriting through the night with not a dip in excellence to be seen.

  10. Old 97’s Outlaw Country Cruise, Somewhere At Sea – 27 Feb

  The next set after The Bottle Rockets (see above) in The Stardust Theatre.  The new album from Old 97‘s released almost to the day – we got a wonderful opportunity to hear just about all the new material plus plenty of the old stuff too.  Energy, passion, songwriting with messages crystal clear and highly agreeable.  Much of it delivered at their renowned breakneck tempo but their sensitive side shone through as well.  I heard that their later show on the pool deck was even better!  Holy cowpunk!

  9. Infamous Stringsdusters – The Festy Experience, Infinity Downs Farm Virginia – 6 Oct

    The Infamous Stringdusters were from around these parts but have since spread themselves a little, with Brevard North Carolina now their base. But they are hometown picks for sure.  In fact, they formed the backbone of the festival schedule.  Members comprise guitarist Andy Falco, banjo man Chris Pandolfi, Andy Hall (dobro), Jeremy Garrett (fiddle) and Travis Book (double bass) and together they are formidable.  Roving around the stage with ease, they break out of any restrictions that other bluegrass outfits may feel hidebound by.  A set list with plenty of covers, all of them distinctive and cleverly chosen.  The band’s jamming was spectacular.

  8. The Mavericks – Outlaw Country Cruise, Somewhere At Sea – 26 Feb

    This one’s easy.  The sail-away show of the Outlaw Cruise.  Shots of something or other handed out to every passenger before it started.  The large ship moved, as if propelled by the irresistible sounds of The Mavericks, gliding through the air and now across the water.  What they do is make every moment a joyous one.  If you can’t get uplifted when The Mavericks are playing, you need medical help or give up music.  Funnily enough, the band mis-timed the set and walked off thinking they were done but plenty more was to come.  They called a team huddle (see above) and proceeded with nary a scratch.  A guest appearance from Steve Earle didn’t hurt either.

  7. Lee Roy Parnell – Music City Roots, Franklin TN – 19 Sep

    Texas country rocker Lee Roy Parnell looked the goods.  His interview prior to the set was informative and gave me the impression that he doesn’t like being messed around.  He carried that onto the set., fiery guitar perfectly attuned to that unique Texas take on many genres of which I never tire.  His new CD Midnight Believer was on display with pride and it was a joyous opportunity to set my eyes and ears on someone who surprisingly is not a little (or a lot) more well-known.

  6. Son Volt – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne Aus – 12 Oct

  Jay Farrar – photo Jim Jacob

My first time with Jay Farrar in band mode.  I had enjoyed a couple of acoustic shows over the years but this was revelatory.  This night I made a decision to leave my notebook behind – determined not to write anything down as it would prove to be a distraction.  It was a prudent call at the time as the band’s power interplay was astoundingly good but doesn’t help me now as I write this with only my memory to guide me.  I have a lot of friends that were there or saw the band at Out On The Weekend festival just before who rate this as one of their best concerts EVER.  If you want any information about the set list or other details, leave a comment and I’ll get my expert buddies onto the job (they know who they are).

  5. Patty Griffin and Friends – Cayamo Cruise, Somewhere At Sea – 24 Feb

    The ‘Patty Griffin and Friends’ session included Griffin, Buddy Miller, Rodney Crowell, Lee Ann Womack, Emmylou Harris and Jedd Hughes (crack Australian guitarist).  In the round, sharing songs, stories, emotions.  I was in the front row (thanks Sixthman!) and it seemed like the shortest set possible.  More more!

  4. Americana Honors and Awards – Ryman Auditorium @ Americanafest, Nashville TN – 13 Sep

    Again, a magnificent cornerstone for AmericanaFest, held on the Wednesday night.  After five of these in a row, you can get a little picky (I rate the 2014 Show with Ry Cooder in the All-Star band as my favourite).  Performers on this star-studded night were: Old Crow Medicine Show, Jim Lauderdale, Brent Cobb, Lori McKenna, Iris Dement, John Prine, Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives, Sam Outlaw, Amanda Shires, Billy Bragg/Joe Henry, Graham Nash with the Milk Carton Kids, Drive-By Truckers, Aaron Lee Tasjan, The Lumineers, Robert Cray, Hurray For The Riff Raff, Margo Price, Jason Isbell and Van Morrison.

There was more but the list above is enough to justify a special night’s work.

  3. Guy Clark Tribute – Cayamo Cruise – Somewhere At Sea – 21 Feb

  Melody Duncan of The Mulligan Brothers during the Tribute

  I had just finished reading Without Getting Killed or Caught: The Story of Guy Clark (Tamara Saviano) and his departure became raw again.  The tribute set was stunning and emotional – contributions both musical and personal from Steve Earle, Rodney Crowell, Emmylou Harris, Sarah Jarosz, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Brian Wright, Angaleena Presley, Paul Thorn and others.  Another of the seemingly shortest sets of the year but it actually stretched to ninety minutes. A wonderful emotional farewell to a legend.

  2. Drive-by Truckers – The Festy Experience, Infinity Downs Farm Virginia – 7 Oct

    A ninety minute blast that ended my busy festival day.  I had seen Drive-By Truckers at the Cannery Ballroom as part of AmericanaFest just three weeks earlier (it seemed much longer) but tonight surpassed that one by a home stretch.  Perhaps due to the beautiful setting here and my proximity to the stage hence the ‘immersion factor’.  The light rain started almost at the same time as their opening greeting.  They were pretty angry in the lead up to the release of their last album, the elegantly simple titled American Band and that was BEFORE the US Presidential election and its aftermath, not to mention a number of controversies and incidents down South during 2017.  Tonight they really wanted to make a statement – ‘Black Lives Matter’ prominently displayed with pride.  And so they did.  Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley strode the stage with a Southern Rock majesty.  This correspondent spent most of the time in the photography pit.  A recent song “This Perilous Ride” was potent, a blistering version of one of my favourites “Ronnie and Neil”, the driving “Ever South”, “Tom Petty’s “The Waiting” and the closing protest “Hell No I Ain’t Happy”.

  Brian Wright – Fond Objects @ Americanafest, Nashville TN – 17 Sep

Not many words required for this.  Brian Wright, guitarist for Aaron Lee Tasjan, solo artist and co-founder of Cafe Rooster Records at just about the last set of AmericanaFest 2017 – see below:

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  What ya reckon? Tell me if you were at these shows and what you think

How ’bout your own faves of 2017?

  What were our very best live shows throughout 2017?

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Best Live Shows 2017 What were our very best live shows throughout 2017?