Quotes of the Month: February 2011

Quote of the Month: “If Charlie Sheen outlives me, I’m gonna be really pissed.”


-Chuck Lorre

Dumb Quote of the Month: “All my people love me.”

-Moamer Gadhafi

And the rest…

“Blame Nicki Minaj for females calling themselves Barbies knowin’ they look like a Build-a-bear. “

-?

"There are not any plans to erect a statue to RoboCop. Thank you for your suggestion."

-Detroit Mayor Dave Bing

"100 years after president Reagan's birth, it is worth remembering that the Cold War didn't just end. It was won."

-Donald Rumsfeld

"God didn't create all men equal, Smith and Wesson did."

-Top Shot

"'They may be talking about democracy but they don't know what they're talking about and the result will be extremism and radical Islam.'"

-Hosni Mubarak on Barack Obama

"We cannot deter it. We cannot negotiate with it any more than an iceburg or a great white. I refer to the debt - the new red menace, this time consisting of ink."

-Mitch Daniels

“The Obama agenda is over.”

-Mitch McConnell

“Death to the dictator.”

-Iranian Protestors

“I take my hat off to myself.”

-Carmelo Anthony

“I for one welcome our new computer overlords.”

-Ken Jennings

“My mother was a great Pirates fan. She knows we’re in trouble, so she went upstairs to get some help.”

-Chuck Tanner (1979)

“The problem is -- and dare I say this -- it doesn't look like Michelle Obama follows her own nutritionary, dietary advice. And then we hear that she's out eating ribs at 1,500 calories a serving with 141 grams of fat per serving, yeah it does -- what do you mean, what do I mean? What is it - no, I'm trying to say that our First Lady does not project the image of women that you might see on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, or of a woman [professional baseball player] Alex Rodriguez might date every six months or what have you. I mean, women are under constant pressure to look lithe, and Michelle My Belle is out there saying if you eat the roots and tree bark and the berries and all this cardboard stuff you will live longer, be healthier and you won't be obese. Okay, fine, show us.”

-Rush Limbaugh

"Duke was a fine man, a terrific hitter and a great friend - even though he was a Dodger.”

-Willie Mays on Duke Snider

"They picked a fight with a warlock."

-Charlie Sheen on his feud with CBS

Top 200 Albums of All Time: "F" Artists

Fleetwood Mac: Fleetwood Mac (1975)


Fleetwood Mac began as a blues rock band. In the mid-seventies, they came to reflect the culture at large. Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks joined the band following the departure of Bob Welch. The first album with the classic lineup went to number one a year after its release. As a result, the band catapulted to stardom and eventually made the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.

Key Tracks:

Rhiannon
Say You Love Me
Landslide

Rumors: Fleetwood Mac (1977)

Rumors tapped into the zeitgeist. The band included two couples each of which experienced painful breakups during the recording of the album. The songs reflect their angst. As the divorce rate hit 50%, people identified with Fleetwood Mac’s experiences resulting in over 40 million album sales. The album represents more than simply a collection of popular songs. Instead, it represents a moment in America’s social history.

Key Tracks:

Dreams
Don’t Stop
Go Your Own Way
The Chain
Gold Dust Woman

Peter Frampton: Frampton Comes Alive! (1976)

Peter Frampton released four albums with little success or fanfare. Nowadays, he might have been dropped by his label. Record companies were more patient in 1976 when Frampton’s career came alive. His double live album hit #1 on the charts and remained there for 10 weeks. Only Garth Brooks, Bruce Springsteen, and The Eagles recorded more successful live albums. The tracks on the album still receive heavy airplay almost 40 years later. The success of Frampton Comes Alive! impressed record companies who began to change their business plans in order to mass produce rock music. The end result was so-called Corporate Rock which dominated radio until the mid-eighties.

Key Tracks:

Show Me The Way
Baby, I Love Your Way
Do You Feel Like We Do?

History Shorts: Alexander the Great and the Battle of Gaugamela

Alexander the Great and the Greeks wanted to eliminate the Persian threat. So, Alexander led an invasion of the Persian Empire defeating every opponent along the way. At Gaugamela, Alexander defeated Darius and the Persian army in a rout. Alexander’s victory spelled the end of the empire Cyrus the Great founded. It also eliminated the Persian threat. Darius was murdered by his own people in the hopes of placating the Macedonian general. Then, Alexander incorporated the Persians into his Macedonian Empire. Afterward, he decided to continue eastward into India. Eventually, his men had enough and forced Alexander to turn around.

Here is Alexander in pop culture: The first clip is from Oliver Stones' Alexander. It is the stereotypical general pep talk to the troops before battle. The second is a documentary.

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcGp9uTsK4Y

Milwaukee Brewers Top 10 Moments

Baseball returns to Milwaukee (1970): Baseball came to Milwaukee in 1953 when the Braves moved from Boston. The team only stayed a dozen years before moving to Atlanta. Milwaukee baseball fans had to wait five years before the Brewers moved in from Seattle to replace Hank Aaron, Eddie Mathews, and Warren Spahn. In less than a decade, the Brewers were a powerhouse.

Hank Aaron’s final home run (July 20, 1976): Hank Aaron hit his 755th and final home run off California’s Dick Drago. Little did anyone know that Aaron’s final big fly would occur in July for the Brewers. He retired baseball’s all time home run leader. The Brewers won 6-2.

The Yount Game (October 3, 1982): Milwaukee and Baltimore entered the final game of the 1982 season tied for first. Each needed a win to clinch the AL East. In a match up of Hall of Fame big game pitchers, Don Sutton beat Jim Palmer 10-2 behind Robin Yount’s two homers. For the game, Yount went 3 for 4 with 4 runs scored and 2 RBI solidifying his MVP credentials. Yount would win a second MVP in 1989.

Cooper’s single sends Brewers to the World Series (October 10, 1982 Game 5 ALCS): The Brewers fell behind Gene Mauch’s Angels 2 games to none in the 1982 ALCS. They rallied to win Game 3 behind Don Sutton and clubbed California in Game 4. In Game 5, they trailed 3-2 in the seventh when Cecil Cooper singled in two for the lead. Milwaukee held on for the win and their first pennant. Without Rollie Fingers, they lost an exciting World Series in seven games to St Louis.

Juan Nieves No-Hitter (April 15, 1987): Juan Nieves no-hit the Baltimore Orioles early in the 1987 season. He was aided by a great play in centerfield by Robin Yount. Nieves pitched three seasons in the majors finishing with a 32-25 record.

13-0 (April 20, 1987): Juan Nieves’ no-hitter was part of a 13-0 start for Milwaukee. They swept the AL Champion Red Sox at home, swept the Rangers and Orioles on the road, Texas at home, and then won the first game at Comiskey Park. The White Sox broke the streak with a 7-1 win on the 21st. Milwaukee finished with 91 wins and a third place finish.

Paul Molitor’s 39-game hitting streak (1987): Paul Molitor hit .353 in 1987. That season, he embarked on a remarkable 39 game hitting streak. It was the longest streak since Pete Rose’s 44 gamer in 1978. Only six players have had longer streaks.

Robin Yount gets his 3000th hit (September 9, 1992): On September 9, 1992, Robin Yount singled off Cleveland’s Jose Mesa for his 3000th hit. Interestingly, hit 1000th and 2000th hit also came off Cleveland. George Brett joined Yount in the 3000 hit club a couple weeks later. Cleveland won the game 5-4.

Brewers move to NL (1998): As part of Bud Selig’s reorganization and MLB’s expansion, Milwaukee moved to the National League. They lost their first game to Atlanta 2-1. In their inaugural NL campaign, Milwaukee finished 74-88.

Brewers make the postseason ending 26 year drought (2008): An exciting Brewer team made the postseason for the first time since 1982. The team’s late season acquisition of C.C. Sabathia and his clutch pitching down the stretch assured the team’s success. Unfortunately, C.C. burnt out by the end and Milwaukee lost the LDS to Philadelphia. However, it provided a core group of young players playoff experience.

Top 200 Albums of All Time: "E"

Here are the artists starting with "E"

Eagles: The Eagles (1972)


The Eagles debuted put the country back into rock music. Despite the laid back nature, the band was driven. They eventually became one of the most influential acts in history. On a side note, the album was supposed to be Quadraphonic, but was never released as such.

Key Tracks:

Take It Easy
Peaceful Easy Feeling
Witchy Woman

Hotel California: The Eagles (1976)

Pete Townsend compared the seventies to Sodom and Gomorrah. Hotel California investigates the excesses within American life. It appeared America had descended into materialism and decadence in the years following the Vietnam War. It is a window into the “Fall of Rome.”

Key Tracks:

Hotel California
Life In The Fast Lane
New Kid In Town
Victim of Love

The Marshall Mathers LP: Eminem (2000)

Hip Hop appeared to be on the decline until Eminem. It had devolved into plastic pop music much in the same way rock music did a decade earlier. Eminem gave the genre back its edge. The Slim Shady LP put Detroit’s Eminem on the map, but The Marshall Mathers LP made him a superstar. On this album, Eminem is more introspective. Marshall is viewed without Slim Shady.

Key Tracks:
Stan
The Way I Am
The Real Slim Shady

History Shorts: Philip of Macedon Assassinated (336 B.C.)

Philip II of Macedon was the father of Alexander the Great and Hegemon of the Greek army preparing to invade Persia. By the time of his death, the Macedonian king asserted his authority throughout most of Greece. His military innovations overwhelmed the Greek City States and provided his heir with the force necessary to defeat the Persians. Some believe that without Philip's innovations, Alexander would never have been "Great." Historians continue to squabble over the reasons for the assassination. Philip’s death led to the rise of Alexander the Great who used Philip’s army and innovations to conquer beyond the known world. Philip’s tomb was discovered in 1977.

From Oliver Stone's Alexander:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0V6pc6PU7go

Top 10 Pittsburgh Pirates Moments

Babe Adams wins Game 7 on a shutout; it is his 3rd win of the World Series (Game 7 World Series October 16, 1909): Honus Wagner and the Pirates defeated Ty Cobb and the Tigers in an epic World Series. Babe Adams was the hero for the Bucs as he pitched three complete game victories. The other Pirate starters went 1-3. It was Pittsburgh’s first world title.


Kiki Cuyler wins the World Series (Game 7 World Series October 15, 1925): The World Champion Senators led the Pirates 7-6 going into the bottom of the 8th. The Pirates rallied for three to take the lead and deflate Walter Johnson. The Bucs tied the game with 2 outs. With 2 on and 2 out, Max Carey reached on an error loading the bases. The next batter, Kiki Cuyler, hit a ground rule double to right scoring the go-ahead runs. The Senators went down in order in the 9th. The Pirates won their second title.

Ralph Kiner wins 7th straight home run crown (1952): The Pirates enjoyed success in the early twentieth century. By mid-century, they were terrible. Ralph Kiner provided one bright spot by winning seven home run crowns in a row. Beginning in 1946, Kiner stroked 23, 51, 40, 54, 47, 42, and 37. He finished his Hall of Fame career with 369 blasts.

Dale Long homers in eight straight games (May 19-28, 1956): Dale Long hit 27 roundtrippers in 1956. Starting on May 19, he hit at least one in eight straight games breaking the previous record of six. Long included Warren Spahn, Curt Simmons, and Carl Erskine among his victims. The Dodgers and Don Newcombe finally ended the streak. The record has since been tied by Don Mattingly (1987) and Ken Griffey Jr. (1993).

Harvey Haddix is almost perfect (May 26, 1959): Harvey Haddix pitched a perfect game into the 13th inning before allowing a base runner. Unfortunately, the Pirates failed to score. In the 13th, the Braves managed some base runners and Joe Adcock doubled in the winning run. Haddix lost the perfect game, the no-hitter, the shutout, and the ballgame.

Mazeroski’s home run (Game 7 World Series October 13, 1960): Bill Mazeroski won one of the greatest games ever played with a 9th inning walk-off. The Pirates led Game 7 early by a score of 4-0. The Yanks rallied to take a 5-4 lead in the 6th. The game see-sawed into the 9th. The Pirates looked to win the series with a 2-run lead, but New York rallied. With the game tied 9-9 in the bottom of the 9th, Maz hit a Ralph Terry pitch over the left field wall for the first World Series walk-off in history. It was Pittsburgh’s first title since 1925.

Steve Blass beats O’s 2-1 (Game 7 World Series October 17, 1971): The Orioles and Pirates engaged in a classic World Series which was decided in seven games. Pirate starter Steve Blass experienced an extreme case of nerves which Baltimore manager Earl Weaver attempted to fan when he came out to chat with the umpires. Weaver’s efforts had the opposite effect. Blass calmed down and pitched the game of his life. He stopped the O’s on 4 hits and was supported by a homer from Roberto Clemente. The Pirates scored their second run in the 8th. Blass only allowed one in out dueling Mike Cuellar.

Roberto Clemente gets his 3000th , and final, hit (September 30, 1972): Roberto Clemente scored his 3000th hit off Mets righthander John Matlack. The right fielder accomplished the feat in front of his home fans and represented a goodbye of sorts. It was his last regular season at-bat of his career. During the offseason, Clemente died in a plane crash.

Rennie Stennett goes 7-7 (September 16, 1975): The Pirates massacred the Chicago Cubs 22-0. In the process, Rennie Stennett hit safely in all seven at bats. He is the only twentieth century player to accomplish this.

Pops brings it home (Game 7 World Series October 17, 1979): Willie Stargell had a dream that he would do something great in Game 7. In the 6th inning, with the Bucs trailing the Orioles, Stargell hit the go-ahead homer. His two-run shot off Scott McGregor proved the game winner. The Bucs tacked on two in the 9th for a 4-1 victory. Pittsburgh’s “family” overcame a 3-1 deficit and the death of manager Chuck Tanner’s mother to beat a high powered Oriole team. To date, it is the Pirates last title.

Top 200 Albums of All Time: Artists starting with "D"

Machine Head: Deep Purple (1972)

Machine Head heavily influenced metal. Although not a metal record, it is best defined as proto-metal. “Highway Star” is considered an early speed metal tune. “Smoke on the Water” contains one of the greatest riffs in music history and recounts a fire at a casino in which Frank Zappa was performing. Music fans that worship early Zeppelin and Sabbath should include Machine Head in their canon.

Key Tracks:

Smoke on the Water
Space Truckin’
Highway Star

Pyromania: Def Leppard (1983)

Def Leppard made the leap to the big leagues with Pyromania. The album successfully bridged the gap between popular music, metal, and rock. Def Leppard partially recorded the album with Pete Willis. The band fired the guitarist for overindulging in alcohol. His replacement, Phil Collen, fit perfectly with the band and passed his audition with a blazing solo on “Photograph.” After reaching the pinnacle, Def Leppard underwent a series of trials before returning to dominate the charts.

Key Tracks:

Photograph
Foolin’
Rock of Ages
Rock! Rock! (Till You Drop)
Die Hard the Hunter

Hysteria: Def Leppard (1987)

Pyromania transformed Def Leppard into superstars. On December 31, 1984, drummer Rick Allen lost his arm in an auto accident. He retrained himself on the drums and returned to the band. After production delays, bloated expenses, and a change in producers, the group finally released Hysteria. At the time, it was the longest rock album ever recorded. The work reached #1 everywhere and went diamond with over 12 million copies sold. The success did not occur until the band released “Pour Some Sugar On Me” as a single. Once that hit the street and appeared on radio, the album exploded.

Key Tracks:

Animal
Love Bites
Pour Some Sugar On Me
Armageddon It
Hysteria
Gods of War

Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs: Derek and the Dominoes (1970)

Some consider Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs Eric Clapton’s greatest achievement. Clapton experienced the super group dynamic with Cream and Blind Faith and wanted out. In order to avoid hype, Clapton toured small clubs under an assumed name. After the tour, Derek and the Dominoes recorded the legendary album in a Miami studio. Derek and the Dominoes was an ensemble act consisting of Eric Clapton, keyboardist Bobby Whitlock, drummer Jim Gordon, bassist Carl Radle, and the great Duane Allman. The album’s best known work, “Layla” recounts Clapton’s anguish over George Harrison’s wife, Pattie Boyd. On a side note, Boyd also influenced The Beatles’ “Something” meaning she influenced two of rock’s greatest songs.

Key Tracks:

Bell Bottom Blues
Tell The Truth
Layla

Brothers in Arms: Dire Straits (1985)

Brothers in Arms was one of the first albums directed toward the CD market. Digitally recorded, the album became the first CD to outsell its LP format and to sell over a million copies. Dire Straits really created two albums. The first portion was classic Dire Straits arena based classic rock. The second half was subdued and folksy. The video for “Money For Nothing” is one of the most played in MTV history and aided in the albums success.

Key Tracks:

So Far Away
Money For Nothing
Walk of Life
Brothers in Arms

The Doors: The Doors (1967)

The Doors debut album not only introduced the band, but came to define it. “Break on Through” is the band’s call to expand the boundaries of existence. “Back Door Man” and “Alabama Song” are both covers, but seem to be biographical depictions of Jim Morrison. “The End” explores Morrison’s Oedipal complex. “Light My Fire” broke the band and became its signature song. With so much variety and vitality on the album, The Doors became a greatest hits album.

Key Tracks:

Break On Thru (To The Other Side)
Light My Fire
The End
Alabama Song

The Chronic: Dr. Dre (1992)

Dr. Dre broke away from NWA and went solo. His solo debut’s title references street slang for marijuana. The G-funk sound revolutionized gangsta rap for the next few years. He included Funkadelic beats, live instruments, and soul making slower, mellower music. Instead of calling for revolution or a party, Dre provided a middle ground.

Key Tracks:

Nuthin’ But A “G” Thang
Fuck wit Dre Day
Let Me Ride

The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan: Bob Dylan (1963)

Bob Dylan’s first album only included two original songs. His second album, The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan, contained eleven. The album is catalogue of early sixties folk classics. The album is an account of the period with reports on civil rights, nuclear warfare, and modern anxiety. The album made Dylan “Spokesman of a Generation” which he resented.

Key Tracks:

Blowin’ In The Wind
Masters of War
A Hard Rain’s Gonna Fall
Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right

Bringing It All Back Home: Bob Dylan (1965)

Dylan tired of being the pied piper and revolted. He expanded beyond folk music alienating fans. The album is split in two with electric and acoustic sides. The folk scene despised the electric. Dylan responded with “Maggie’s Farm” which basically told them where to go. He even avoided protest songs.

Key Tracks:

Subterranean Homesick Blues
Maggie’s Farm
Mr. Tambourine Man

Highway 61 Revisited: Bob Dylan (1965)

Unlike Bringing It All Back Home which was half electric and half acoustic, Dylan stayed plugged in for Highway 61 Revisited. The one exception was “Desolation Row” which is about some carnies accused of rape. The album features many Dylan concert standards including his signature song “Like a Rolling Stone.” The album’s name derives from Highway 61 which tied Minnesota to America’s great music cities of St. Louis, Memphis, and New Orleans.

Key Tracks:

Like A Rolling Stone
Tombstone Blues
Desolation Row

Blonde on Blonde: Bob Dylan (1966)

Most double albums should not be double albums. Blonde on Blonde is an exception to the rule. Dylan expands his examination of rock and blues music. The album marked an end of an era. After its release, Dylan crashed his motorcycle and changed his musical approach.

Key Tracks:

Rainy Day Women #12 and 35
Just Like A Woman
Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat

Blood on the Tracks: Bob Dylan (1975)

Blood on the Tracks rejuvenated both fans and critics who questioned Dylan's recent work. Although he denies it, the album appears autobiographical. Dylan was going through a troubled period in his personal life. He claims that most of the songs were inspired by Anton Chekhov. On the other hand, Dylan admitted “Tangled Up In Blue” was based in part on his experiences. Either way, the artist has a hard time understanding why fans love an album so filled with someone’s pain.

Key Tracks:

Tangled Up In Blue
Shelter From The Storm
If You See Her, Say Hello

History Shorts: The Death of Plato (347 B.C.)

Socrates’ student Plato formed the first institution of higher learning in the west. He, along with Socrates and Aristotle, helped lay the foundation of western science and philosophy. His studies included philosophy, logic, ethics, and rhetoric. Plato used dialogues with Socrates as the main character to put forth his ideas regarding metaphysics, nature of forms, epistemology, and the state. His best known work, The Republic, envisions a society ruled by philosopher-kings. People still debate whether The Republic is satire or a critique on the failures of democracy. Plato died in 347 B.C. His student, Aristotle, continued and expanded his teacher’s work.


The Cave:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2afuTvUzBQ

A modern look at Philosopher-Kings (from Buffy the Vampire Slayer):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Dyjnqc0J28&feature=related

Plato in 2 minutes:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fx-jvt4ndCs

The Republic (from around 1950):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S01zznTcBw8

Top 10 Angel Episodes

Smile Time (2004): Angel is turned into a puppet while investigating an evil children’s show. The fight between Puppet Angel and Spike is classic.


You’re Welcome (2004): Cordelia awakens from her coma to put Angel back on the right path. Even though she interacted with the gang, it turns out she never awoken from her coma and died in her hospital bed.

Hero (1999): Angel and Doyle battle The Scourge, a Nazi-like Demon Supremacist group hell-bent on persecuting those that are not “pure demon.” At the end, Doyle gives up his life saving innocents. The episode ends with Cordy watching Doyle on a videotape. Before fading to black, he asks “...Is that it? Am I done?" This might be the only show in history to kill a major character less than 10 episodes into its run.

Are You Now or Have You Ever Been? (2000): Angel recalls his experiences in the Hyperion Hotel in the fifties. In 1952, Angel worked to eliminate a demon feeding on the guests. However, he gets caught up in the paranoia of the McCarthy-Era and the hotel turns on him. He is lynched, but being already dead, escapes the noose. A bitter Angel tells the demon to “Take them all” and leaves.

City Of (1999): Angel sets out on his path to redemption sans Buffy and the Scooby Gang. However, working alone is costing his “humanity.” He ends up meeting and teaming up with Doyle, who receives visions from the Powers That Be. Cordelia Chase also turns up in LA. After an encounter with Wolfram and Hart, the three open a Private Investigators office. The episode included one of the best death scenes in TV history when Angel tosses Russell Winters (vampire) out a high rise window.

Reunion (2000): Angel races to find Darla before she awakens a vampire after being re-sired by Drusilla. He fails and the girls wreck havoc upon L.A. Angel tracks the pair to a Wolfram and Hart party where he refuses to intervene allowing the vampires to feed on the partygoers.

Underneath (2004): Angel, Spike, and Gunn travel to a Hell dimension to rescue Lindsey. In the dimension, Lindsey is forced to live the so-called “American Dream” with the house and family in the suburbs. At the end of each day, Lindsey has his heart ripped out. (Quite a commentary on modern life).The gang rescues Lindsey, but Gunn is forced to stay behind and take Lindsey’s place.

Spin the Bottle (2002): Lorne tries to restore Cordelia’s memory with a spell. Instead, the gang is reverted back to their teenage personas. Wesley is once again “Head Boy” at the Watcher’s Academy. Cordelia reverts to the most popular girl at Sunnydale High. Gunn is a rebel. Fred is an insecure pothead. Angel is an 18th century Irish teen named Liam. Gunn and Wesley argue over strategy, Angel and Connor fight it out while complaining about fathers, and Fred spends the episode trying to score weed. In the end, Lorne restores everyone’s memories resulting in bittersweet feelings.

Sleep Tight (2002): Wesley believes Angel will kill his infant son, so he kidnaps him. He is attacked outside his car and has hit throat cut. Angel’s old and resurrected enemy, Holtz manages to get his hands on the baby, but not before he is cornered by Angel and Wolfram and Hart. A porter is opened and Holtz leaps with the baby into a Hell dimension.

Life of the Party (2003): Lorne throws a Halloween party at Wolfram and Hart. As usual in the Buffyverse, weird things happen on Halloween. In this case, people unwittingly are forced to literally follow Lorne’s advice. He tells Fred and Wesley to loosen up, so they got drunk. Gunn stakes out his territory by peeing. Angel and Eve have sex. Spike and Harmony get down on the dance floor. Eventually, everything is righted and the employees claim they enjoyed the party.

Top 200 Albums of All Time: Artists beginning with "C"

At Folsom Prison: Johnny Cash (1968)

Johnny Cash wanted to perform at a prison. Record company execs hated the idea, so it percolated until changes at Columbia opened the door. Cash, June Carter, Carl Perkins, and the Tennessee Three put on two shows in January, 1968. The resulting live album was a smash hit and spawned a second prison album, At San Quentin.

Key Tracks:

Folsom Prison Blues
Cocaine Blues
25 Minutes to Go
Jackson

American Recordings: Johnny Cash (1994)

In 1994, Johnny Cash returned to relevance after years in the wilderness. Metal and Rap producer Rick Rubin approached Cash hoping to produce the album. At first, Cash demurred, but eventually relented. It proved the perfect match. Rubin engineered Cash’s return to a stripped down, darker sound. The end result was the most unlikely and amazing musical comeback in history.

Key Tracks:

Delia’s Gone
The Beast in Me
Redemption

Cheap Trick: Cheap Trick at Budokan (1979)

Japan loved Cheap Trick before the states. The band decided to record a live album for their Japanese fans over two nights, but the songs made it onto American radio. Thousands of imported copies of the Budokan album sold in the United States before it was released domestically. The surprise hit broke Cheap Trick in the U.S. and led to a sequel album in 1993 which included the remaining songs from the shows.

Key Tracks:

I Want You To Want Me
Surrender
Ain’t That A Shame

The Clash: The Clash (1977)

While disco reigned and rock appeared dead,  The Clash released a high powered punk album that followed on the heals of The Ramones. The band followed the Ramones formula with short, fast songs. However, they added a political component raging against unemployment, capitalism, racism, and commercialization. The band later expanded their music to become “the only band that mattered.”

Key Tracks:

White Riot
Complete Control
Career Opportunities
London’s Burning

London Calling: The Clash (1979)

The Clash dramatically expanded their musical stylings with London Calling. They incorporated ska, pop, soul, jazz, reggae, and rockabilly into their vision of a post apocalyptic world. The album’s themes surrounded drug use, unemployment, racism, adulthood, and the pressures of modern life. It encapsulated late seventies London and the failure of socialism….although the band viewed it as the failure of capitalism.

Key Tracks:

London Calling
Brand New Cadillac
Clampdown
The Guns of Brixton
Train in Vain

No Jacket Required: Phil Collins (1985)

Ok, I know what you’re thinking…why is Phil Collins on this list? Answer is simple. No Jacket Required best represents the mid-80s pop scene. Phil Collins was omnipresent during this period. In fact, Collins joked that he was tiring of himself. The album’s title derives from an incident at Chicago’s Pump Room. Collins was denied entry because he lacked the proper attire. The album spawned four major hits and accompanying videos. Despite his reputation, not all the songs on the album were fluffy pop. For example, “Long Long Way To Go” is a politically charged work that was never released as a single and features Sting on backing vocals.

Key Tracks:

One More Night
Don’t Lose My Number
Take Me Home
Long Long Way To Go

Elvis Costello & The Attractions: This Year’s Model (1978)

Elvis Costello mixed pop sensibilities with youthful angst on his second album. Instead of begging in typical whiney pop fashion, Costello tortures himself and seems to enjoy it. The album incorporated punk with pop sensibilities to create something different.

Key Tracks:

Pump It Up
Radio Radio
Night Rally

Disraeli Gears: Cream (1967)

Cream was the first true “super group” with Ginger Baker on drums, Jack Bruce playing bass, and some guy named Clapton rounding out the trio with his guitar. The band’s second album, Disraeli Gears, fulfilled promise the original merger of the three presented fans a year earlier. The album found Cream discovering their own style deviating away from the blues which brought them together. They indulged and jammed creating a psychedelic time capsule. On a side note, the album’s name derived from a slip of Clapton’s tongue. The guitarist was discussing bicycles with Ginger Baker and mentioned Disraeli Gears as opposed to derailleur gears. The band thought the slip hilarious and used it as their album title.

Key Tracks:

Strange Brew
Sunshine of Your Love
Tales of Brave Ulysses
SWLABR

Wheels of Fire: Cream (1968)

Cream followed Disraeli Gears with the double album Wheels of Fire. The first album contained new studio material. The second contained four live performances from the Fillmore recorded over three March evenings in 1968. The albums capture the band and its complex musical tastes as it includes blues standards, cynical political rock, eccentric pop rock bordering on prog, and psychedelic. Turmoil plagued the band throughout its lifetime and it split after one final album. That turmoil led to the creative tensions that gave birth to Wheels of Fire.

Key Tracks:

White Room
Sitting on Top of the World
Born Under a Bad Sign
Politician

Green River: Creedence Clearwater Revival (1969)

CCR may be the greatest American rock band of all time. They incorporated their influences and created a style unlike any other act. Green River demonstrates everything that made CCR great. The album included straight on rockers like “Commotion” and classics such as “Bad Moon Rising.” The most interesting tune, “Lodi”, is about a performer trapped in a small town and unable to raise enough money to escape.

Key Tracks:

Green River
Commotion
Bad Moon Rising
Lodi

Cosmo’s Factory: Creedence Clearwater Revival (1970)

Cosmo’s Factory both encapsulated 1970 and remains relevant in the 21st century. The album seems as if it were recorded in the jungles of Vietnam. Yet, it also seems fresh in the Age of Terror. It is dark and foreboding while at the same time hopeful.

Key Tracks:

Travelin’ Band
Lookin’ Out My Back Door
Who’ll Stop the Rain
I Heard It Through the Grapevine

History Shorts: The Death of Socrates (399 B.C.)

Socrates annoyed Athenians. He was vocally anti-democratic and critical of the ability of the masses to make informed decisions. Also, some of his students turned traitor during the Peloponnesian War. Lastly, his students were young aristocrats meaning Socrates teachings could undermine Athens itself. As a result, the city tried the philosopher for corrupting the youth and impiety (he also questioned the existence of the gods). His fellow citizens found him guilty and sentenced Socrates to death. In 399 B.C., he drank hemlock ending his life. Interestingly, Socrates was offered the opportunity to escape into exile, but declined. Perhaps he was curious about what comes after death.

Although Socrates trial is fascinating in itself, the philosopher is an important figure in world civilization. He changed the nature of western philosophy. Pre-Socratics focused on the physical nature of the universe. Socrates introduced the question-answer-question method of inquiry. After Socrates, philosophers began searching for truth. His method is still used in classrooms and law schools to this day.

Here is Socrates in popular culture:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EwaFkPMdlY

The Trial of Socrates:

http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/socrates/socrates.HTM

Quotes of the Month: January 2011

Quote of the Month: “Interesting though, as we evolve and realize our social prejudices are unacceptable, we are finding new groups to hate.”


-Simon Pegg

Stupid Quote of the Month: “We have three branches of government. We have a house. We have a senate. We have a president.”

-Senator Charles Schumer

And the rest:

"When I look at waste, fraud and abuse in the bureaucracy and in the government, this is like steroids to pump up the muscles of waste."

-Darrell Issa

"I love that Jeanie Buss' boy toy had something to say about us. I don't know if it was his thought or Jeanie's thought, but it's nice to know that she lets him speak in public about other teams."

-Mark Cuban

"If you don't like a person's vision for the country, you're free to debate that vision. If you don't like their ideas, you're free to propose better ideas. But, especially within hours of a tragedy unfolding, journalists and pundits should not manufacture a blood libel that serves only to incite the very hatred and violence they purport to condemn. That is reprehensible.”

-Sarah Palin

"If they bring a knife, we'll bring a gun."

-Barack Obama (2008)

"The big question wasn't whose rhetoric was right or wrong, but whether our political conversation was worthy of the confidence and trust of the American people.”

-John Kerry

“Crazy. Karma is a b—-.. Gets you every time. Its not good to wish bad on anybody. God sees everything!”

-LeBron James after the Cavs 55 point loss to the Lakers

“LeBron James: How is that karma thing working out?”

-The Cleveland Plain Dealer after James got injured

"He's an asshole. Fuck him."

-Antonio Cromartie on Tom Brady

“Ironically, the best defense against a zombie uprising would be a robot army.”

-Grant Imahara

“It was a meeting of the world’s most powerful communist and the president of China.”

-Craig Ferguson on the Chinese President’s White House visit

“He is a dictator.”

-Harry Reid on Chinese President Hu Jintao

“The Original Miss Saigon tweeted it was “cool” to be working with “Sulu.” It’s like Manila Ice.”

-George Takei