Midnight Madness - Neil Freakin' Peart edition

Standing in the Limelight - the amazing Neil Peart

In my day when I was a youngin', the drum skills of Neil Peart was the stuff of legend. So roll the bones and let the madness begin-

Big Willie Weekend - Will Smith gets jiggy with it again as Hancock rakes in 66 mil over 4th of July weekend.

Give Me One More Last Chance!- The new ABC obstacle course show Wipeout has been on lately, sort of a cross between MXC and Ninja Warrior from the Spike TV channel. The obstacles are OK, but what's up with the non elimination rule? On this show, if someone fails at an obstacle they get to do it over and over again unless they decide to quit. This is in contrast to the Spike TV shows where once you fail, you're done. Sort of defeats the purpose of an obstacle course if people are babied through it. It's all because no one can handle losing, as my wife would say "You're the last winner".

Abba-eration- The four members of Abba appeared in the same time at the same place in public at one of the European showings of the film Mamma Mia. A rare sight to see, this is the group that famously refused to reunite after being offered a butt load of money to do it. They still say "no" to a reunion.

Horse Trading - She didn't get her horse back, but Kristi Lee Cook did get signed to a record deal this week.

Silver, Blue and Gold - In order to retain the rights to their name, Bad Company is reforming for a one-off show. Yes! After that, Paul Rodgers will return to Queen. Um...Ok.

All The World's A Stage - I was shocked to find a lengthy article in the new Rolling Stone magazine on Rush, it's the first time I can recall this happening...ever? It's a great article and pointed the way to an awesome clip someone made of a CGI Neil Peart drumming through one of my all time favorite Rush songs "YYZ" while on water. While looking up "Subdivisions", You Tube directed me to some interesting takes on the song-

The first link goes to a group of kids online as SASC who play "Subdivisions" with a distinct Latin flair. Next time I go to Chevy's, this is the kind of music I would want to hear!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNoE4ONhn7M

This second link goes to a guy named Carlos Feijao who appears to play the song by himself with a bank of synthesizers. You can't see his hands in the shot, but it's impressive to listen to.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AmNxEWXJ1Y

And the last link is to a Family Guy skit where Neil Peart gets his props-from the Cheetos Cheetah no less!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eubi9YI2dKE

Now, the moment that maybe someone has been waiting for...the simulation of Neil Peart playing "YYZ"!

CGI Neil Peart on "YYZ"

Happy Anniversary Bunny!

I am so old that when I mentioned this TV program, my wife had no idea what I was talking about.

It was fifteen years ago today I asked my wife out for a date. It was the best thing I've ever done. I love you honey! Love American Style, that's me and you.

To close, here's a song we listened to when we were dating. It's one of two Celine Dion songs I like-this one mainly for sentimental reasons. Whatever happened to Clive Griffin anyway? Well, to not get distracted this one is for the Bunny.

Celine Dion and Clive Griffin "When I Fall In Love"

Friday Night Videos - Independence Day Edition

The greatest President of our time. Except for Harrison Ford.

Happy 4th of July! Hope everyone enjoys time with their families and loved ones while hopefully having some good eats. To celebrate, I tried to think of songs with the title "Independence Day". The two songs came to mind pretty fast. Interestingly, neither song really celebrates the Holiday itself (though it is referenced in the second song).

First was Bruce Springsteen's "Independence Day". I first heard the song when my Mom bought the box set Live 1975 - 1985 way back when. One of Springsteen's story-songs, it was a moving portrait of a young man (presumably Springsteen) moving out of his Father's house. The song explores the personal cost of freedom to live your own life (Springsteen and his Father were known not to get along while he was growing up, The Boss both personalizes and universalizes the struggle here). My favorite part of the song was about how times were changing and soon everything they know will be swept away. Awesome lyrics.

Second is Martina McBride's "Independence Day". American Idol Carrie Underwood's performance was my first exposure to this sad but determined Country hit. The song itself tells the story of a battered woman's escape from her situation by burning down the house with her husband and possibly herself inside told from the point of view of their daughter who left the house to see the fair. The events place the daughter in a county home away from the abuse and occur on the 4th of July. This song I took to mean that freedom is worth fighting and dying for. (note: I do not endorse spousal abuse or murder.) The chorus is a stunner, going on about letting freedom ring and that this will be a day of reckoning for the guilty.

Both songs are downers, doesn't anyone write happy songs about Holidays anymore?

To close, I will offer up a speech about this great day from the greatest president of our time - Bill Pullman in the movie Independence Day:

Good morning. In less than an hour, aircraft from here will join others from around the world. And you will be launching the largest aerial battle in this history of mankind.
Mankind -- that word should have new meaning for all of us today.
We can't be consumed by our petty differences anymore.
We will be united in our common interests.

Perhaps its fate that today is the 4th of July, and you will once again be fighting for our freedom, not from tyranny, oppression, or persecution -- but from annihilation.
We're fighting for our right to live, to exist.
And should we win the day, the 4th of July will no longer be known as an American holiday, but as the day when the world declared in one voice:
"We will not go quietly into the night!
We will not vanish without a fight!
We're going to live on!
We're going to survive!"
Today, we celebrate our Independence Day!

Bruce Springsteen "Independence Day"

Martina McBride "Independence Day"