Canadians will be mourning the passing of one of their own this morning, even if he took out US citizenship a few years ago. Peter Jennings passed away on Sunday night at the age of 67, the long time anchor of ABC news had been suffering from lung cancer.
Jennings had that style and credibility that is oh so hard to acquire and may very well have been the last of a breed that put the story over the business of News. His career started on Canadian Television in the sixties but he will be forever remembered as the guardian of the news in the great heyday of network news in the USA.
His dedication to his craft seems to be a trait that has been dumbed down over the years as local, cable news and network news television battle over the same piece of pie. Jennings urbane ways were an island in an increasingly depressing media scene.
With the cable news empires emerging in the last twenty years it seemed impossible that a network news program would be able to hold back the tide of news, but night in and night out Jennings and his crew at ABC put out a professional and balanced view of the days events. (Long before Fox coined the term fair and balanced for Bill O'Reilly, Jennings was practicing the art each night at 6pm!)
Jennings was the comforting and informative face on a world gone amok, able to transcribe for us the developments from far away that seemed unfathomable at times.
I particularly remember his work with the various disasters that would befall the US space program in the last few years and of course his non stop work on 9/11, a time of great anxiety in the States (and Canada as well). His professionalism and dedication to getting the story right placed him far ahead of many in the media herd who prefer to go for the quick fix.
Of the big US networks Peter Jennings was my personal favorite for finding out what really was going on. Perhaps it was his experiences with Canadian TV and his ability to look at the world without that American pre-occupation, for whatever reason a newscast from ABC seemed to at least provide the news of the day without a jingoistic tinge to it, most times.
Eventually Jennings would take out his American citizenship, as he should have one guesses as he quickly had become America's anchor. Yet it wasn't until the passing of his mother two years ago that Jennings made the change, a promise to his mother that he would not relinquish his Canadian status held until after her death.
Even then, most Canadians probably never really accepted the paperwork, he may have been an American in bureaucratic terms, but he'll forever be considered a Canadian.
The tributes have been pouring in through the evening as the giants of news and the journalists on their way up the food chain pay their respects. ABC News put out a press release that sums up quite nicely the tenure of Jennings at ABC, "a colleague, a friend and a leader.", which makes a rather nice and accurate epitaph.
I wonder what Jennings would think of all the attention coming his way, no doubt he would think that's all very nice, but there's some news happening out there, lets go get a story and get it right.
He not only reported on the story, Jennings lived the story. And now he's out on yet another assignment, the foreign correspondent in him will probably welcome the challenge that is now ahead!
Monday, August 08, 2005
Sunday, August 07, 2005
Divine Intervention and a pretty good bull pen!
Interesting note from the world of baseball, a sport which lives and dies on its statistics.
From the San Jose Mercury News comes a great little tidbit about the current success of the Oakland Athletics. Seems that the A's have had quite a good little run since their flagship broadcasting station changed it's format.
The A's have gone 17 games over .500 since KFRC went to an all relgious change of format, and all this time one just assumed that the Great Ball fan in the sky was an Angels fan..
From the San Jose Mercury News comes a great little tidbit about the current success of the Oakland Athletics. Seems that the A's have had quite a good little run since their flagship broadcasting station changed it's format.
The A's have gone 17 games over .500 since KFRC went to an all relgious change of format, and all this time one just assumed that the Great Ball fan in the sky was an Angels fan..
Friday, August 05, 2005
Senator Da Vinci
One of the latest additions to Canada's upper chamber provides at least some new material for the Chamber of government most wish would go away.
Prime Minister Martin named five new members to the Senate, Martin tossed a few seats of inclusion to the Progressive Conservatives with two selections, including long time Brian Mulroney loyalist Hugh Seal. Martin also sent in someone to take the pulse of his fellow senators in the new sober second thought club, as Mayor Larry Campbell of Vancouver prepares to join the old gang on the Hill . Campbell apparently weary of the rough and tumble of civic politics in Vancouver is ready for the more sedate surroundings of the Senate.
Credit to Vaughn Palmer on CKNW today, for this wonderful observation about Larry Campbell's potential in unelected politics in the Upper Chamber, "He was a coroner, so he knows his way around a morgue".
Man does that hit the nail on that head!
If you're feeling left out on the political gravy train, there's good news for you. There are still five spots to fill in the Senate, so the chance to get that dream job and dream your day away is still out there if you belong to the right party!
Prime Minister Martin named five new members to the Senate, Martin tossed a few seats of inclusion to the Progressive Conservatives with two selections, including long time Brian Mulroney loyalist Hugh Seal. Martin also sent in someone to take the pulse of his fellow senators in the new sober second thought club, as Mayor Larry Campbell of Vancouver prepares to join the old gang on the Hill . Campbell apparently weary of the rough and tumble of civic politics in Vancouver is ready for the more sedate surroundings of the Senate.
Credit to Vaughn Palmer on CKNW today, for this wonderful observation about Larry Campbell's potential in unelected politics in the Upper Chamber, "He was a coroner, so he knows his way around a morgue".
Man does that hit the nail on that head!
If you're feeling left out on the political gravy train, there's good news for you. There are still five spots to fill in the Senate, so the chance to get that dream job and dream your day away is still out there if you belong to the right party!
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
All About Us
By the time a clock will tick off sixty seconds, somewhere in the blogosphere sixty new blogs will have been launched upon the world. The BBC website has an interesting article about the Blogging thing and it seems it shows no sign of tailing off anytime soon.
Fifty five percent of Bloggers have kept their Blogs alive after three months (which makes Podunk a major success I guess since I've more than matched that goalpost thus far). Mind you the mind does wander for some of our fellow Bloggers who abandon the project or neglect to update their blogs every week. (Guilty as charged from time to time I must admit)
Technorati claims that they have tracked over 14.2 million blogs thus far and it seems that Blogs double every five months. And Blogging continues to be a phenomenon that attracts new ideas and concepts.
So for the sixty new Bloggers out there in this sixty seconds welcome, hey would you mind linking my Blog to yours, wouldn't mind a share of that 14.2 million!
Fifty five percent of Bloggers have kept their Blogs alive after three months (which makes Podunk a major success I guess since I've more than matched that goalpost thus far). Mind you the mind does wander for some of our fellow Bloggers who abandon the project or neglect to update their blogs every week. (Guilty as charged from time to time I must admit)
Technorati claims that they have tracked over 14.2 million blogs thus far and it seems that Blogs double every five months. And Blogging continues to be a phenomenon that attracts new ideas and concepts.
So for the sixty new Bloggers out there in this sixty seconds welcome, hey would you mind linking my Blog to yours, wouldn't mind a share of that 14.2 million!
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
A Pearson miracle
Not sure what form of divine intervention took place in Toronto today, but when I first saw the television coverage of the Air France crash I just assumed there would be a horrendous casualty amount.
It's truly remarkable that not one person perished in that horrible crash, and so we offer up a prayer of thanks to whatever hand of fate was working over Toronto today. It's a relief to once and a while see something originally perceived as tragedy turn into a moment of great happiness and celebration.
Over 300 passengers and 12 crew must surely feel as though they've been given a second chance a life today, for them we wish nothing but safe journeys in their future.
It's truly remarkable that not one person perished in that horrible crash, and so we offer up a prayer of thanks to whatever hand of fate was working over Toronto today. It's a relief to once and a while see something originally perceived as tragedy turn into a moment of great happiness and celebration.
Over 300 passengers and 12 crew must surely feel as though they've been given a second chance a life today, for them we wish nothing but safe journeys in their future.
Friday, July 29, 2005
Mice that roar
The silly spat over a spit of land in the Eastern Arctic continues to percolate as Canada and Denmark trade oh yeahs, with each other.
Hans Island may be the most sought after piece of rock since the Skipper and Gilligan fought over the affections of the Island girls Mary Ann, Ginger and Lovey Howell. In a world that seems to be spiraling further and further out of control with real problems, here we are landing military personnel and leaving booze behind to stake our claim.
The Danes of course take offense to our militarization of a clump of rocks, though they recently sent their own battalion of Island claimants to plant a flag and leave some booty.
It's farcial to the degree of Monty Python or at least Rick Mercer, this tit for tat claiming of land of Hans, but there it is, we say it's ours, they say its theirs, the Americans probably laughing all the way suggesting that neither actually have the military to hold it.
At the heart of the claim of course is money, while previously unwanted and lacking in attention the possibility of mineral deposits in offshore areas of Hans if not on the island itself has everyone's attention and thus the sniping, snitching and spitting. For now the main battleground appears to be the internet where various websites, blogs and chat rooms have taken on the cause of Hansian fate.
One would assume that saner heads will eventually prevail, what with the likes of Al Qaeda and such out there to really seek our attention. But for now it's a nice little diversion and surely a movie of the week plot for some aspiring Canadian film maker looking for a quick Canada Council grant.
The Danes, if serious should strike fast though, with Canada's military including it's super secret JTF II folks tied up with work in Afghanistan, the time may never be better for a sneak attack. But if they aren't careful Canada will unleash a most powerful weapon, designed to render even the most belligerent nation a weak quivering mass of jelly, look out Denmark the troops may be out of country but we've got the Carolyn, any more crap from you and we'll send her to Copenhagen! Play nice Denmark we have way more wingnuts to send your way.
Be warned ye shall reap what ye shall sow!
Hans Island may be the most sought after piece of rock since the Skipper and Gilligan fought over the affections of the Island girls Mary Ann, Ginger and Lovey Howell. In a world that seems to be spiraling further and further out of control with real problems, here we are landing military personnel and leaving booze behind to stake our claim.
The Danes of course take offense to our militarization of a clump of rocks, though they recently sent their own battalion of Island claimants to plant a flag and leave some booty.
It's farcial to the degree of Monty Python or at least Rick Mercer, this tit for tat claiming of land of Hans, but there it is, we say it's ours, they say its theirs, the Americans probably laughing all the way suggesting that neither actually have the military to hold it.
At the heart of the claim of course is money, while previously unwanted and lacking in attention the possibility of mineral deposits in offshore areas of Hans if not on the island itself has everyone's attention and thus the sniping, snitching and spitting. For now the main battleground appears to be the internet where various websites, blogs and chat rooms have taken on the cause of Hansian fate.
One would assume that saner heads will eventually prevail, what with the likes of Al Qaeda and such out there to really seek our attention. But for now it's a nice little diversion and surely a movie of the week plot for some aspiring Canadian film maker looking for a quick Canada Council grant.
The Danes, if serious should strike fast though, with Canada's military including it's super secret JTF II folks tied up with work in Afghanistan, the time may never be better for a sneak attack. But if they aren't careful Canada will unleash a most powerful weapon, designed to render even the most belligerent nation a weak quivering mass of jelly, look out Denmark the troops may be out of country but we've got the Carolyn, any more crap from you and we'll send her to Copenhagen! Play nice Denmark we have way more wingnuts to send your way.
Be warned ye shall reap what ye shall sow!
Thursday, July 28, 2005
Ugly touristo/poor service Part II
Ah yes the letters are flying faster than anything the Gomery commission could ever have handled. Our little tempest in a coffee cup has once again graced the pages of the Daily Podunkian.
Here is an updated link to the entire saga, with the original complainant, the calm and collected defendant and your genial host of A Town Called Podunk all weighing in with their two cents.
We need Judge Joe Brown or Judge Judy to handle this one!!!
Here is an updated link to the entire saga, with the original complainant, the calm and collected defendant and your genial host of A Town Called Podunk all weighing in with their two cents.
We need Judge Joe Brown or Judge Judy to handle this one!!!
Ugly touristos or Poor customer service? You be the judge!
The Podunk Daily News published a letter to the editor today from an American tourist, a tad upset with our local retailers. Seems our recent cruise ship visitor dropped into a coffee shop for a latte and a shake and paid in the good ole American greenbacks, only to be shocked and bitterly disappointed when she received an assortment of Canadian change in return.
Our tourist from Arizona says that she saw American change in the drawer and expected that she would be receiving American coin in return for her purchase. The clerk of the coffee shop, backed up by the owner said that's not the way they do business. A reply that put her into full letter writing mode.
In her letter she said that she runs a small business in Arizona and would never treat a customer in such a rude fashion, she doesn't however mention if she keeps a ready amount of Mexican pesos in drawer to give back as change. She does state that in Mexican border cities the mercantile class always give American change back if paid in American money. She suggests that if our little burg is serious about attracting tourists here we should be more than willing to provide proper American change for their purchases.
Is this a realistic option for the local businesses? It seems rather much to expect each and every little store in Podunk to have a ready stock of American coins (not to mention other nations currencies) on hand just to make change for the convenience of a donut and a milk shake, or am I missing something from the Customer service bible? Do people expect to receive change from their home currencies when they travel to Brazil, Jamaica or Hong Kong etc? I always thought that was what banks were for. Please take a moment and let me know what you think in this great debate?
Here's the letter for your consideration.
Poor way to treat visitors
To the editor,
This letter is from a visitor, on board a cruise ship with the last stop on the trip being Prince Rupert, Canada. This was the only stop in Canada. Our group enjoyed our visit even though it was raining, until we went into a local coffee shop and purchased a latte and a shake.
We were given a total and paid for it with U. S. Money and was given change back in Canadian coins. We asked the cashier if she would please exchange the coins back for the U. S. Money that was right there in the cash drawer. We explained that we had nowhere to spend it or to trade it since were were reboarding the ship next.
The answer I received from not only the cashier but the owner as well was that they accept U. S. Money but they only give back Canadian change.
First of all, with the difference of exchange rates this is not an easy task for a lot of people, since most need the cash register to tell them the change or are they are lost. If they are going to accept U. S. currency then they should give change by the same method. But, the absolute worst part of it all was they also both laughed at us and said that it just wasn't the customary way they made change, but giving back like currency for change.
If we needed to spend it, we could just buy something else there. This behavior from a local business is not acceptable even if it is or was policy, because it reflects on everyone in the community. This is a port stop for a lot of cruise ships and the cruise lines and local authorities will be following through on this matter because the issue of change and handling of money is important and equally important to customer service, which was great everywhere else we visited. To have one "bad apple" in the barrel will affect each and every business and person in Prince Rupert, but also every visitor alike.
We are also business owners and wouldn't ever settle for an employee to treat a customer in that manner for any reason. We live near the Mexico border and if Mexico businesses accept U. S. Monies for payment they give the same for change. If you pay with their money they give you the same for change. If you can't provide proper change then just don't accept their money and then a means to do the conversions ourselves would have to be made available to the public to avoid the obvious issues that would arise from not accepting other money. This seems an easy fix and needed one if U. S. and tourists from all around the globe are going to be visiting your nice town on a regular schedule.
Sincerely,
Rachele A. Kelley
Salome, AZ
From the Prince Rupert Daily News July 26, 2005.
***Update July 28, the rebuttal**
The owner of the "offending" cafe offered up his side of the story in a follow up letter to the editor, it is recorded below.
It was no laughing matter
To the editor,
I feel compelled to give a response regarding the letter from Salome, AZ. It was in my coffee shop that she expressed what she says was an unfair exchange and mistreatment.
We pride ourselves on friendly customer service. A smile and cheerful nature was misrepresented as being laughed at.
This is what happened that day:
The customer was given back $3.21 in Canadian coin based upon a rate of $1.23. We follow the rate weekly and adjust to the dollar as necessary.
We have had this system for nine and half years without any problems.
The customer immediately reacted to this and quickly became irate over the exchange. I explained to her in a calm, polite manner that this was our policy.
She wasn't happy, so I told her that I would be glad to refund her or that she could use an alternate form of payment. Since the order was made we offered her the drinks, the paper and her money back.
She refused this suggestion and walked out. Not once did my staff member handle this situation unprofessionally.
Tourists from around the world seek out our establishment at all times of the year and never have I had an altercation with currerncy exchange.
Our goal is to provide great customer service and leave a good impression with any tourist.
Sincerely,
Judson Rowse
From The Daily News, July 28, 2005
Your humble servant from Podunk provides his two cents: I've been in the "offending" establishment a few times over my days in Podunk and have found the place to be a rather enjoyable spot to enjoy a cup of coffee and a treat, my impression is that the visitor has grossly over reacted.
This is Podunk's first year of dealing with a huge influx of cruise visitors and well some of em just aren't much fun to hang around with. There are those that are truly polite and easygoing, just looking to learn about a new location and its people and then there are those that seem to believe that we are here on this corner of earth to wait on them hand and foot, while they travel about the shore. Bordering on rude at times they seem to be of the opinion that the local podunkain people are on the payroll of the cruise ships and thus open game for all and sundry hostility.
Sorry to them, but you paid for the cruise not the land time, treat the folks on the street with respect and one suspects it will be returned ten fold in your direction.
And thus endeth the lesson!
Our tourist from Arizona says that she saw American change in the drawer and expected that she would be receiving American coin in return for her purchase. The clerk of the coffee shop, backed up by the owner said that's not the way they do business. A reply that put her into full letter writing mode.
In her letter she said that she runs a small business in Arizona and would never treat a customer in such a rude fashion, she doesn't however mention if she keeps a ready amount of Mexican pesos in drawer to give back as change. She does state that in Mexican border cities the mercantile class always give American change back if paid in American money. She suggests that if our little burg is serious about attracting tourists here we should be more than willing to provide proper American change for their purchases.
Is this a realistic option for the local businesses? It seems rather much to expect each and every little store in Podunk to have a ready stock of American coins (not to mention other nations currencies) on hand just to make change for the convenience of a donut and a milk shake, or am I missing something from the Customer service bible? Do people expect to receive change from their home currencies when they travel to Brazil, Jamaica or Hong Kong etc? I always thought that was what banks were for. Please take a moment and let me know what you think in this great debate?
Here's the letter for your consideration.
Poor way to treat visitors
To the editor,
This letter is from a visitor, on board a cruise ship with the last stop on the trip being Prince Rupert, Canada. This was the only stop in Canada. Our group enjoyed our visit even though it was raining, until we went into a local coffee shop and purchased a latte and a shake.
We were given a total and paid for it with U. S. Money and was given change back in Canadian coins. We asked the cashier if she would please exchange the coins back for the U. S. Money that was right there in the cash drawer. We explained that we had nowhere to spend it or to trade it since were were reboarding the ship next.
The answer I received from not only the cashier but the owner as well was that they accept U. S. Money but they only give back Canadian change.
First of all, with the difference of exchange rates this is not an easy task for a lot of people, since most need the cash register to tell them the change or are they are lost. If they are going to accept U. S. currency then they should give change by the same method. But, the absolute worst part of it all was they also both laughed at us and said that it just wasn't the customary way they made change, but giving back like currency for change.
If we needed to spend it, we could just buy something else there. This behavior from a local business is not acceptable even if it is or was policy, because it reflects on everyone in the community. This is a port stop for a lot of cruise ships and the cruise lines and local authorities will be following through on this matter because the issue of change and handling of money is important and equally important to customer service, which was great everywhere else we visited. To have one "bad apple" in the barrel will affect each and every business and person in Prince Rupert, but also every visitor alike.
We are also business owners and wouldn't ever settle for an employee to treat a customer in that manner for any reason. We live near the Mexico border and if Mexico businesses accept U. S. Monies for payment they give the same for change. If you pay with their money they give you the same for change. If you can't provide proper change then just don't accept their money and then a means to do the conversions ourselves would have to be made available to the public to avoid the obvious issues that would arise from not accepting other money. This seems an easy fix and needed one if U. S. and tourists from all around the globe are going to be visiting your nice town on a regular schedule.
Sincerely,
Rachele A. Kelley
Salome, AZ
From the Prince Rupert Daily News July 26, 2005.
***Update July 28, the rebuttal**
The owner of the "offending" cafe offered up his side of the story in a follow up letter to the editor, it is recorded below.
It was no laughing matter
To the editor,
I feel compelled to give a response regarding the letter from Salome, AZ. It was in my coffee shop that she expressed what she says was an unfair exchange and mistreatment.
We pride ourselves on friendly customer service. A smile and cheerful nature was misrepresented as being laughed at.
This is what happened that day:
The customer was given back $3.21 in Canadian coin based upon a rate of $1.23. We follow the rate weekly and adjust to the dollar as necessary.
We have had this system for nine and half years without any problems.
The customer immediately reacted to this and quickly became irate over the exchange. I explained to her in a calm, polite manner that this was our policy.
She wasn't happy, so I told her that I would be glad to refund her or that she could use an alternate form of payment. Since the order was made we offered her the drinks, the paper and her money back.
She refused this suggestion and walked out. Not once did my staff member handle this situation unprofessionally.
Tourists from around the world seek out our establishment at all times of the year and never have I had an altercation with currerncy exchange.
Our goal is to provide great customer service and leave a good impression with any tourist.
Sincerely,
Judson Rowse
From The Daily News, July 28, 2005
Your humble servant from Podunk provides his two cents: I've been in the "offending" establishment a few times over my days in Podunk and have found the place to be a rather enjoyable spot to enjoy a cup of coffee and a treat, my impression is that the visitor has grossly over reacted.
This is Podunk's first year of dealing with a huge influx of cruise visitors and well some of em just aren't much fun to hang around with. There are those that are truly polite and easygoing, just looking to learn about a new location and its people and then there are those that seem to believe that we are here on this corner of earth to wait on them hand and foot, while they travel about the shore. Bordering on rude at times they seem to be of the opinion that the local podunkain people are on the payroll of the cruise ships and thus open game for all and sundry hostility.
Sorry to them, but you paid for the cruise not the land time, treat the folks on the street with respect and one suspects it will be returned ten fold in your direction.
And thus endeth the lesson!
Sunday, July 24, 2005
Hey Tommy boy!
Oh, Oh, nobody tell Tom Cruise this news, he won't be a happy little camper, just ask Matt Lauer at NBC. Then again if proven true, he'll at least be able to debate Brooke Shields on a level playing field I guess. The news may not make him any smarter, nor make him right but at least he could then walk in Shield's shoes before passing judgment.
Friday, July 22, 2005
Song in my head July 22
July 22, 2005-Don't Try to Lay No Boogie Woogie on the King of Rock and Roll-Long John Baldry. You hear that title and you thing of the veteran British (Est Canadian roots 1980) Bluesman, who sadly passed away Thursday night at the age of 64. Baldry's storied history reads like a who's who of the Kings of Rock and Roll, contemporary of Mick Jagger, Rod Stewart, Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney and Elton John to drop only a few names, Baldry's raw Blues sound set the stage for the British Invasion of the early sixties.
He had a distinctive rasp to his voice and stayed true to his musical roots throughout his career, a wild ride which took him to the farthest corners of the world, but led him to Canada's West Coast. Baldry is credited with influencing an entire generation of British musicians who were part of the burgeoning Blues rock scene of London in the early sixties. He recorded over 40 albums but had few pop hits over his years. His first was in 1967 with Let the Heartaches Begin, from then cover versions of You've lost that Loving Feeling and Come and Get Your Love would find chart success but his Boogie Woogie tale of arrest by London police while playing guitar became basically his signature song.
And while the United Kingdom can claim him as a British original, they for the most part seemed to forget about him as the seventies began, Canada has just as much claim to his talents as well having enjoyed his music and sense of life since he took out his citizenship. Baldry long toured the country from sea to sea, recorded for a Canadian label and was an influential mentor in the Vancouver Music scene for years, Vancouver has always had a rather strong Blues community and it certainly was made stronger by Baldry's presence over the years.
Don't Lay No Boogie Woogie down on the King of Rock and Roll is a wild ride of a story, told by a fellow who lived his 64 years to their fullest. When you listen to it, the song captures an illusion of good times, lived by a great guy filled with fabulous stories. And while it may be one of his less than classic tunes, it will probably be the one many casual music fans remember him by, but perhaps we can take some time to go through the Baldry library for a few more samples of his talents.
There will be many tributes to Long John Baldry over the next few days, as the giants of the music industry nod their heads towards an original pioneer. Canada was fortunate to have him homestead hear for the last 24 years, our music and society were richer for his involvement.
He had a distinctive rasp to his voice and stayed true to his musical roots throughout his career, a wild ride which took him to the farthest corners of the world, but led him to Canada's West Coast. Baldry is credited with influencing an entire generation of British musicians who were part of the burgeoning Blues rock scene of London in the early sixties. He recorded over 40 albums but had few pop hits over his years. His first was in 1967 with Let the Heartaches Begin, from then cover versions of You've lost that Loving Feeling and Come and Get Your Love would find chart success but his Boogie Woogie tale of arrest by London police while playing guitar became basically his signature song.
And while the United Kingdom can claim him as a British original, they for the most part seemed to forget about him as the seventies began, Canada has just as much claim to his talents as well having enjoyed his music and sense of life since he took out his citizenship. Baldry long toured the country from sea to sea, recorded for a Canadian label and was an influential mentor in the Vancouver Music scene for years, Vancouver has always had a rather strong Blues community and it certainly was made stronger by Baldry's presence over the years.
Don't Lay No Boogie Woogie down on the King of Rock and Roll is a wild ride of a story, told by a fellow who lived his 64 years to their fullest. When you listen to it, the song captures an illusion of good times, lived by a great guy filled with fabulous stories. And while it may be one of his less than classic tunes, it will probably be the one many casual music fans remember him by, but perhaps we can take some time to go through the Baldry library for a few more samples of his talents.
There will be many tributes to Long John Baldry over the next few days, as the giants of the music industry nod their heads towards an original pioneer. Canada was fortunate to have him homestead hear for the last 24 years, our music and society were richer for his involvement.
We're Number One, We're Number One!
Relax Canadians we still have what it takes. For all those naysayers that claim Canada can not compete with and beat the best of them, comes confirmation that indeed we are truly a Number One Nation.
Our success has been hard earned though for it takes a lot to be Number One. You need just the right atmosphere, a lot of money and a supportive public to gain such success. And well a Government that can make it all happen for us!
Take A Bow Canada, we are the cream of the crop!
Our success has been hard earned though for it takes a lot to be Number One. You need just the right atmosphere, a lot of money and a supportive public to gain such success. And well a Government that can make it all happen for us!
Take A Bow Canada, we are the cream of the crop!
Thursday, July 21, 2005
Song in my head July 21
July 23, 2005--Life Is a Highway-Tom Cochrane. Long a staple on the FM band, Red Rider (in one form or another) tunes have been blasting out of a radio near you since 1979. Having spent that long on the Canadian music scene has seen Tom Cochrane find success, failure, interest and apathy as he traveled down the rock and roll highways.
One of the more infectious of his songs is Life is a Highway, from it's high energy opening with the harmonica riffs to the scatter like recitation of lyrics it kicked ass as they say. Which is more than appropriate for a song that came from an album called Ragged Ass road. Cochrane has been a master lyricist in Canadian music since those early days of White Hot and Don't Fight It. His songs were more of an entry in a novel, than the run of the mill quick hit pop song of the eighties and nineties.
Life Is a Highway is just a salute to life on the road, "from Mozambique to the Memphis nights, from the Khyber Pass to Vancouvers lights" the song kicks out the whistle stops in a nonstop pattern and you understand how busy a guy that Cochrane has been. In addition to his status in the music industry, he's become quite active in the African relief efforts, doing the hard slogging on the ground visiting the villages and trying to understand the hurt and need in those countries. In many of his songs those experiences are recounted in some form, sometimes subtly sometimes in your face, but his way with words certainly help to focus your attention on them.
With Life is A Highway we're treated to a high energy rocking work of art. The tempo starts fast and keeps its frenetic pace throughout, so as to show us the energy level needed to keep the pace. Over the years Cochrane and Red Rider were always in the pack of Canadian rock, they seemed to come close to breaking the barrier to American success but always seemed to come up just short. Which is truly a loss for that American music machine, Cochrane is a heck of a songwriter and can weave a tale with the best of them.
Long respected in his home country it's well worth a trip down the Discography and listen from the early days up to today's solo efforts. It was full octane Canadian rock at it's peak and even in these latter years, he has many gems just waiting to be discovered.
One of the more infectious of his songs is Life is a Highway, from it's high energy opening with the harmonica riffs to the scatter like recitation of lyrics it kicked ass as they say. Which is more than appropriate for a song that came from an album called Ragged Ass road. Cochrane has been a master lyricist in Canadian music since those early days of White Hot and Don't Fight It. His songs were more of an entry in a novel, than the run of the mill quick hit pop song of the eighties and nineties.
Life Is a Highway is just a salute to life on the road, "from Mozambique to the Memphis nights, from the Khyber Pass to Vancouvers lights" the song kicks out the whistle stops in a nonstop pattern and you understand how busy a guy that Cochrane has been. In addition to his status in the music industry, he's become quite active in the African relief efforts, doing the hard slogging on the ground visiting the villages and trying to understand the hurt and need in those countries. In many of his songs those experiences are recounted in some form, sometimes subtly sometimes in your face, but his way with words certainly help to focus your attention on them.
With Life is A Highway we're treated to a high energy rocking work of art. The tempo starts fast and keeps its frenetic pace throughout, so as to show us the energy level needed to keep the pace. Over the years Cochrane and Red Rider were always in the pack of Canadian rock, they seemed to come close to breaking the barrier to American success but always seemed to come up just short. Which is truly a loss for that American music machine, Cochrane is a heck of a songwriter and can weave a tale with the best of them.
Long respected in his home country it's well worth a trip down the Discography and listen from the early days up to today's solo efforts. It was full octane Canadian rock at it's peak and even in these latter years, he has many gems just waiting to be discovered.
Space the final frontier, now a place where Scotty is near!
It's been a bit fascinating to see the large amount of tributes for James Doohan come across today, Doohan better known as Scotty from the Star Trek series, both TV and movie versions, passed away at age 85 Wednesday.
The Canadian born actor has been hailed as one of the touchstones for pop culture, his Scottish engineer character always the one to get the Enterprise out of a tough jam. Interestingly enough many of those tributes featured details of his time as a captain in the Canadian Army during the Second World War, Doohan was on the beach at Juno when Canadians landed at Normandy most likely a far more harrowing scene than any Romulan invasion ever offered up.
With his passing Star Trek fans have once again begun to focus on the characters that made the shows and movies a must see adventure and indeed a huge part of their lives. I never quite was captured by the all encompassing aspect of the Star Trek Culture, the TV shows were interesting for the time, providing a morality play in the guise of a science fiction program. Likewise the big budget movie epics offered another outlet for the science fiction genre and brought back the always favored characters for repeated curtain calls.
His legacy will be acting as a "miracle worker" in the engine room of the Enterprise and as we all remember, should you be in a jam on some uncharted planet, Scotty would make sure that transporter worked one more time to rescue you in the nick of time.
Beam him up, his work is done!
The Canadian born actor has been hailed as one of the touchstones for pop culture, his Scottish engineer character always the one to get the Enterprise out of a tough jam. Interestingly enough many of those tributes featured details of his time as a captain in the Canadian Army during the Second World War, Doohan was on the beach at Juno when Canadians landed at Normandy most likely a far more harrowing scene than any Romulan invasion ever offered up.
With his passing Star Trek fans have once again begun to focus on the characters that made the shows and movies a must see adventure and indeed a huge part of their lives. I never quite was captured by the all encompassing aspect of the Star Trek Culture, the TV shows were interesting for the time, providing a morality play in the guise of a science fiction program. Likewise the big budget movie epics offered another outlet for the science fiction genre and brought back the always favored characters for repeated curtain calls.
His legacy will be acting as a "miracle worker" in the engine room of the Enterprise and as we all remember, should you be in a jam on some uncharted planet, Scotty would make sure that transporter worked one more time to rescue you in the nick of time.
Beam him up, his work is done!
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
Song in my head July 20
July 20, 2005- Sympathy for the Devil-The Rolling Stones. A trip down the darkside of history backed with an almost latin rock beat, it is perhaps one of the greatest of Rolling Stones songs ever put out. Reflecting the tumultuous times of the day, Sympathy gave Jagger the platform to weave a tale that equally enthralled and frightened at the same time. From the time of Christ to the Russian Revolution, on past Hitler and to the death of John F. Kennedy and beyond, Jagger traced evil in all its forms in a world turning upside down.
From the opening drumbeats and Jaggers introductions, the beat and tempo of the song is one of building expectation. "Please allow me to introduce myself" it's the knock at your door and from that point on, the listener is captivated, listening intensely to the journey our narrator will take us on. As the guitars screech and the pace quickens, we feel the change that Jagger is crafting for us.
The song more perfectly than any other of the era captures the feeling that the sixties were drawing to their close in a most dangerous way. The era of love would give way to violence, hatred, war and cynicism, as though led by a dark Prince himself. Sympathy reviewed and with a sense of foreboding warned, that we could (and eventually would) see much worse.
In fact, the Stones themselves would find the final days of the flower power era in a cold, damp field in California at Altamont about a year later. The kind of night where a song like Sympathy for the Devil would truly appear to hold some sense of punctuation to a night and an era.
The library of the Rolling Stones includes many classics of our time, but this track from Beggar's Banquet stands out and stands the test of time. Douglas Cruickshank wrote probably the definitive review of the song for Salon magazine in 2002, he charts its formative stages and captures the effect that it had on the band, the industry and the fans. And really that must be the test of a great rock song, if people are still talking about it some 37 years later you know that it connected.
From the opening drumbeats and Jaggers introductions, the beat and tempo of the song is one of building expectation. "Please allow me to introduce myself" it's the knock at your door and from that point on, the listener is captivated, listening intensely to the journey our narrator will take us on. As the guitars screech and the pace quickens, we feel the change that Jagger is crafting for us.
The song more perfectly than any other of the era captures the feeling that the sixties were drawing to their close in a most dangerous way. The era of love would give way to violence, hatred, war and cynicism, as though led by a dark Prince himself. Sympathy reviewed and with a sense of foreboding warned, that we could (and eventually would) see much worse.
In fact, the Stones themselves would find the final days of the flower power era in a cold, damp field in California at Altamont about a year later. The kind of night where a song like Sympathy for the Devil would truly appear to hold some sense of punctuation to a night and an era.
The library of the Rolling Stones includes many classics of our time, but this track from Beggar's Banquet stands out and stands the test of time. Douglas Cruickshank wrote probably the definitive review of the song for Salon magazine in 2002, he charts its formative stages and captures the effect that it had on the band, the industry and the fans. And really that must be the test of a great rock song, if people are still talking about it some 37 years later you know that it connected.
Urban myth or Urban reality?
Heard this on the CKNW 12:30 news today and have yet to find any form of link to confirm it. But it's a great story and should be repeated on the off chance there is some truth to it and frankly I tend to believe that this is happening.
It seems that the current heatwave in Ontario has the air conditioning pushing through at Arctic levels as Ontario homeowners and office workers try to keep their cool. In fact things are apparently so cold in some offices, that office workers have taken to turning on space heaters at their desks to keep things comfortable. Putting power consumption to the brink, as they fight over the comfort zone during the day.
As the province waits for a weather system to arrive to cool things off they have home made weather systems on every floor!
It seems that the current heatwave in Ontario has the air conditioning pushing through at Arctic levels as Ontario homeowners and office workers try to keep their cool. In fact things are apparently so cold in some offices, that office workers have taken to turning on space heaters at their desks to keep things comfortable. Putting power consumption to the brink, as they fight over the comfort zone during the day.
As the province waits for a weather system to arrive to cool things off they have home made weather systems on every floor!
He'll stay Wright where he is!
The guessing game is over for another year as CFL Commissioner Tom Wright, signed on for a one year extension to his contract. Having presided over a rather unusual bout of stability for the normally stormy league, Wright chose to accept the terms offered and stay on the job for a little while longer. With his contract set to expire with this years Grey Cup game in Vancouver, Wright decided that he'd like to continue his work on through the 2006 season.
The terms were not particularly as Wright may have wished for, he basically has taken on his job for another year without an increase in pay. But at a reported 400,000 dollars a year it's not like he's going to be selling off old autographed footballs to get by.
Three teams are reported to have been against a longer term deal (originally Wright wanted a two year deal and a pay raise) and that will give him cause for thought. As it stands at the moment 1/3 of his owners group aren't showing complete support for his efforts. Rumored to be Montreal, BC and Hamilton it will be interesting to watch how Wright handles the three malcontents over the next two years. He has big plans he'd like to put in place and enforceable salary cap and expansion eastward with a fifth franchise for the East division. The nine CFL owners rarely can agree on what to have for lunch, so it will take all of his diplomacy to get everyone on the same page on these issues and more.
Since Wright took over the television ratings have rebounded nicely, the marketing of the league seems to have finally found some success and of course troubled franchises have all been placed into the hands of those with a more progressive way of thinking.
But this being the CFL, old habits die hard and Wright can look forward to a few more battles along the way as he carries on with his duties. If nothing else it may be shrewd move by Wright to collect one more year of salary and prepare a soft landing for himself should the band of three grow to a majority of five!
The above posting first appeared on my Twelve Men on the Field blog, to find more articles about Canadian football check it out!
The terms were not particularly as Wright may have wished for, he basically has taken on his job for another year without an increase in pay. But at a reported 400,000 dollars a year it's not like he's going to be selling off old autographed footballs to get by.
Three teams are reported to have been against a longer term deal (originally Wright wanted a two year deal and a pay raise) and that will give him cause for thought. As it stands at the moment 1/3 of his owners group aren't showing complete support for his efforts. Rumored to be Montreal, BC and Hamilton it will be interesting to watch how Wright handles the three malcontents over the next two years. He has big plans he'd like to put in place and enforceable salary cap and expansion eastward with a fifth franchise for the East division. The nine CFL owners rarely can agree on what to have for lunch, so it will take all of his diplomacy to get everyone on the same page on these issues and more.
Since Wright took over the television ratings have rebounded nicely, the marketing of the league seems to have finally found some success and of course troubled franchises have all been placed into the hands of those with a more progressive way of thinking.
But this being the CFL, old habits die hard and Wright can look forward to a few more battles along the way as he carries on with his duties. If nothing else it may be shrewd move by Wright to collect one more year of salary and prepare a soft landing for himself should the band of three grow to a majority of five!
The above posting first appeared on my Twelve Men on the Field blog, to find more articles about Canadian football check it out!
Sanity rears its head at the NHL offices
With a media backlash threatening to sink the happy launch of the new NHL, Gary Bettman and his crew of marketing geniuses finally gave in and have decided that showcasing the Sidney Sweepstakes may actually be an ok idea.
Originally the plan for the Lottery draft (that bouncing ping pong ball of fate) was to be a closed event. HockeyNation had visions of a darkened room, the proceedings led by a High Priest named Gary and featuring hooded GM's chanting in an unknown language. Upon the sacrifice of small animals and retrieval of a ping pong ball, young prospect Crosby would be offered up for indentured slavery to a maniacally smiling GM.
Realizing that this would not be a positive image for a sports league, they have now chosen instead to hold a televised form of the lottery draft on Friday afternoon at 4pm EST 1pm PST . All thirty GM's will be in attendance, someone will be tasked to record each drop of a ping pong ball and the results will be broadcast to possibly millions of Canadian homes in a half hour special broadcast exclusively via TSN. Of course this just proves that Canadians may watch anything to do with hockey, so we anticipate Dave Hodge to be tasked with the reading of the NHL roster list in his own prime time special some time before training camp!
It's a small reversal of the week of mis-steps so far by the NHL who seem intent on blowing the window of opportunity to rekindle interest in their absent product line. The decision to show the lottery draft is a wise choice, even if the event itself seems a tad boring, the excitement of hyping the possible franchise player that Crosby may be is something the league really can't afford to throw away!
The above posting first appeared in my HockeyNation blog, for more items about hockey check it out!
Originally the plan for the Lottery draft (that bouncing ping pong ball of fate) was to be a closed event. HockeyNation had visions of a darkened room, the proceedings led by a High Priest named Gary and featuring hooded GM's chanting in an unknown language. Upon the sacrifice of small animals and retrieval of a ping pong ball, young prospect Crosby would be offered up for indentured slavery to a maniacally smiling GM.
Realizing that this would not be a positive image for a sports league, they have now chosen instead to hold a televised form of the lottery draft on Friday afternoon at 4pm EST 1pm PST . All thirty GM's will be in attendance, someone will be tasked to record each drop of a ping pong ball and the results will be broadcast to possibly millions of Canadian homes in a half hour special broadcast exclusively via TSN. Of course this just proves that Canadians may watch anything to do with hockey, so we anticipate Dave Hodge to be tasked with the reading of the NHL roster list in his own prime time special some time before training camp!
It's a small reversal of the week of mis-steps so far by the NHL who seem intent on blowing the window of opportunity to rekindle interest in their absent product line. The decision to show the lottery draft is a wise choice, even if the event itself seems a tad boring, the excitement of hyping the possible franchise player that Crosby may be is something the league really can't afford to throw away!
The above posting first appeared in my HockeyNation blog, for more items about hockey check it out!
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
Song in my head July 19
July 19, 2005- Someday-Steve Earle. He looks like (or once did) a biker and has breached the gulf of country to rock in his career. He's been addicted, convicted and some of his music at times restricted, but he's still out there putting the tunes out. When Earle first came out on the music scene his was more of a country sound, with a look like Waylon and sound of a David Allen Coe, he seemed to be the new wave of the outlaw music scene. His tunes were straight ahead country with flashes of rock thrown in to show what may lie ahead.
1986 launched him on the scene with Guitar Town, backed by his band the Dukes his first commercially successful album gave us a number of hits. The title track had the catchy guitar riffs that automatically grabbed your attention, as did Hillbilly Highway another of the songs that found success for him. But it was Someday that gave a glimpse to his songwriting abilities and reflected his ability to stay in tune with the audience he was starting to attract.
Someday brought out the theme of a young man pumping gas at a small town gas station, Earle brought out dreams that had gone wrong, people who had moved away and a hope that soon his chance to leave would come soon. Anyone who has ever lived in a small town can relate to the opening lines of Someday "There ain't a lot that you can do in this town, You drive down to the lake and then you turn back around". Instantly he hits a chord with the quest for something, anything to come along and take the drudgery away. A chance to like Steve jump into the car and get away as the final line goes, "Someday I'll put her on the interstate and never look back"
Images that have worked well for Mellencamp and Springsteen also found a home through the years with Earle, who is as passionate about the issues off the stage as anyone out there. Long a favorite in Canada he has tackled Canadian folklore at times in his music, the most famous being his examination of the Donnelly saga on his 1990 album the Hard way, Justice in Ontario brought this controversial time in Ontario history to a wider audience.
Guitar Town however, was the start of road for Earle, there were many potholes along his way and he stumbled at times, but he's still keeping at it. And while he's been considered counter culture and anti establishment at times, we find (with a bit of trepidation) his music now the theme to Chevy Trucks new revolution of products. It seems a tad out of character for our troubadour (as pointed out in many blogs but captured intensely here) but as Dylan once said "The Times they are a changin'." Somehow the establishment came a courtin' and he took the money and followed in the footsteps of Bob Seger in product placement, once Seger went commercial his monster sale days began to dwindle, one hopes it doesn't suggest that Earle's recording days may now be winding down!
His latest the Revolution starts now (beyond the commercial endorsement angle) is just as vital as the early days with Guitar Town. We can even check out his work in the blogsphere with his blogsite, where he puts out his thoughts on politics, music and anything else that comes to his mind (though he seems to have been quiet since March).
Someday he may put it all aside, but for now it's full speed ahead, long may he keep on driving down that interstate!
1986 launched him on the scene with Guitar Town, backed by his band the Dukes his first commercially successful album gave us a number of hits. The title track had the catchy guitar riffs that automatically grabbed your attention, as did Hillbilly Highway another of the songs that found success for him. But it was Someday that gave a glimpse to his songwriting abilities and reflected his ability to stay in tune with the audience he was starting to attract.
Someday brought out the theme of a young man pumping gas at a small town gas station, Earle brought out dreams that had gone wrong, people who had moved away and a hope that soon his chance to leave would come soon. Anyone who has ever lived in a small town can relate to the opening lines of Someday "There ain't a lot that you can do in this town, You drive down to the lake and then you turn back around". Instantly he hits a chord with the quest for something, anything to come along and take the drudgery away. A chance to like Steve jump into the car and get away as the final line goes, "Someday I'll put her on the interstate and never look back"
Images that have worked well for Mellencamp and Springsteen also found a home through the years with Earle, who is as passionate about the issues off the stage as anyone out there. Long a favorite in Canada he has tackled Canadian folklore at times in his music, the most famous being his examination of the Donnelly saga on his 1990 album the Hard way, Justice in Ontario brought this controversial time in Ontario history to a wider audience.
Guitar Town however, was the start of road for Earle, there were many potholes along his way and he stumbled at times, but he's still keeping at it. And while he's been considered counter culture and anti establishment at times, we find (with a bit of trepidation) his music now the theme to Chevy Trucks new revolution of products. It seems a tad out of character for our troubadour (as pointed out in many blogs but captured intensely here) but as Dylan once said "The Times they are a changin'." Somehow the establishment came a courtin' and he took the money and followed in the footsteps of Bob Seger in product placement, once Seger went commercial his monster sale days began to dwindle, one hopes it doesn't suggest that Earle's recording days may now be winding down!
His latest the Revolution starts now (beyond the commercial endorsement angle) is just as vital as the early days with Guitar Town. We can even check out his work in the blogsphere with his blogsite, where he puts out his thoughts on politics, music and anything else that comes to his mind (though he seems to have been quiet since March).
Someday he may put it all aside, but for now it's full speed ahead, long may he keep on driving down that interstate!
Monday, July 18, 2005
Gullible Colin Farrell
Surprise! Uh, ok Colin, she said she wouldn't, but now she has. It seems that you just can't trust anyone anymore! When will these Hollywood folks ever learn their lessons? Farrell is listed as one of the Sexiest men alive according to People magazine, but no one said he was the smartest!
Song in my Head July 18
July 18, 2005- It's Too late-Carole King. Long before Alanis shared her angst and Avril blasted out her first rock operetta, there was Carole King. While not of the hard edged female rocker style that we've become accustomed to of late, she did hold more than her own when it came to telling it like it is or in this case was.
It's too late is that perfect song about love gone wrong, wrong, wrong. With a lyric like "stayed in bed all morning just to pass the time, there's something wrong here there can be no denying", you get the feeling that one of them indeed was changing and the change included address cards.
The Tapestry album was one of the biggest selling albums of all time and very much defined King as a singer/songwriter. As the sales reached those record heights King had multiple hits off of the record. But none of them told a story like It's too late. The piano chords accent the feeling as King puts the final nails in her failed relationship. It was an era when women's rights were just beginning to take hold, there was a sense of empowerment at the time. This hit could almost be an anthem for the broken hearted, who dust themselves off and move on to other things and apparently other people. Good times again were promised just not with Carole and her former friend. You can almost picture her helping him pack the car and leave the driveway.
From the opening notes to the final it's too late, the song weaves a story perfectly leaving the listener stronger from the experience. It's therapy for the masses tied up in a 3 minute pop song, all the theatrics of the current popsters don't evoke as much emotion as this simple bit of closure to a relationship. Sometimes simple really is so much better!
It's too late is that perfect song about love gone wrong, wrong, wrong. With a lyric like "stayed in bed all morning just to pass the time, there's something wrong here there can be no denying", you get the feeling that one of them indeed was changing and the change included address cards.
The Tapestry album was one of the biggest selling albums of all time and very much defined King as a singer/songwriter. As the sales reached those record heights King had multiple hits off of the record. But none of them told a story like It's too late. The piano chords accent the feeling as King puts the final nails in her failed relationship. It was an era when women's rights were just beginning to take hold, there was a sense of empowerment at the time. This hit could almost be an anthem for the broken hearted, who dust themselves off and move on to other things and apparently other people. Good times again were promised just not with Carole and her former friend. You can almost picture her helping him pack the car and leave the driveway.
From the opening notes to the final it's too late, the song weaves a story perfectly leaving the listener stronger from the experience. It's therapy for the masses tied up in a 3 minute pop song, all the theatrics of the current popsters don't evoke as much emotion as this simple bit of closure to a relationship. Sometimes simple really is so much better!
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