Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Our Own "Michael"
Our own Michael Jordan - he may play in Dade County, but those who watch call it Wade County baby! Last week saw a thrilling double OT victory over the Chicago Bulls.
Sorry Zane - this one's for you!!!MIAMI(AP) Dwyane Wade's 3-pointer at the end of the first half was desperation.
The one in the final seconds of regulation, dramatic.
And the one that finally ended the game, unbelievable.
Miami's MVP candidate stole the ball from John Salmons with 3 seconds left, then made a running 3-pointer as time expired to lift the Heat to a wild 130-127 double-overtime win over the Chicago Bulls on Monday night.
Bill Maher - New Rule for Republicans
Bill Maher, is back on television, always "keeping it real" and a breath of fresh air. He's brought back his "New Rules" segment to finish each show. This week was a classic:
"And finally, New Rule: Republicans must stop pitting the American people against the government."Well worth your 4 minutes and 22 seconds ...
U2 - TV Blitz Concluded; "U2 360" Tour Dates and More Announced
OK, then 2 weeks went by :-)
U2 came back on Thursday and did Beautiful Day, which was great, but a let down for those of us hoping to hear another one off the new disc. Any one of No line on the horizon [title track], Moment of Surrender, Stand Up Comedy, Unknown Caller would have been phenomenal and equally thrilling to hear. Alas, they are playing to some of the less dedicated and stoking the popularity fire pre tour.
Friday morning was the Good Morning America appearance and the predictably horrible interview. The best thing I ever heard on GMA was when Springsteen did that show. Taking the microphone with the E Street Band assembled and ready to Rock ... The Boss looked out at the audience and cameras, a little bleary eyed, and without missing a beat said into the microphone: "wow, you gotta want to sell records bad to get up this early in the morning!" ROTFL...
Anyway, they did the same songs here as on the week of Letterman, Magnificent, "Boots," I'll Go Crazy if I dont' go Crazy Tonight, Beautiful Day, and finally Breathe for the audience only (as the camera cut away).
The songs and performances were great, but maybe the coolest thing was that it was at Fordham University, and it was so neat to see these guys, pushing 50 just like moi now, play to these college kids just like they were 18 years old themselves.
Following the week of television, they came back this Monday, and announced not only their first tour dates, but gave some details on the stage layout and architecture. Being hosted by Blackberry, and titled "U2 360," it was immediately clear that just as the All That You Can't Leave Behind tour changed the whole touring industry with the intimacy of "the heart" and the inner circle concept (subsequently adopted by numerous artists of all stripes) -- they are looking to reinvent the live experience yet again.
Set designer Willie Williams is back, and working with architects and engineers ... well, see for yourself!
Holy Smokes!
They open up in Barcelona on June 30. The first US date will be in Chicago at Soldier Field on September 12. Beyond that:
U2 came back on Thursday and did Beautiful Day, which was great, but a let down for those of us hoping to hear another one off the new disc. Any one of No line on the horizon [title track], Moment of Surrender, Stand Up Comedy, Unknown Caller would have been phenomenal and equally thrilling to hear. Alas, they are playing to some of the less dedicated and stoking the popularity fire pre tour.
Friday morning was the Good Morning America appearance and the predictably horrible interview. The best thing I ever heard on GMA was when Springsteen did that show. Taking the microphone with the E Street Band assembled and ready to Rock ... The Boss looked out at the audience and cameras, a little bleary eyed, and without missing a beat said into the microphone: "wow, you gotta want to sell records bad to get up this early in the morning!" ROTFL...
Anyway, they did the same songs here as on the week of Letterman, Magnificent, "Boots," I'll Go Crazy if I dont' go Crazy Tonight, Beautiful Day, and finally Breathe for the audience only (as the camera cut away).
The songs and performances were great, but maybe the coolest thing was that it was at Fordham University, and it was so neat to see these guys, pushing 50 just like moi now, play to these college kids just like they were 18 years old themselves.
Following the week of television, they came back this Monday, and announced not only their first tour dates, but gave some details on the stage layout and architecture. Being hosted by Blackberry, and titled "U2 360," it was immediately clear that just as the All That You Can't Leave Behind tour changed the whole touring industry with the intimacy of "the heart" and the inner circle concept (subsequently adopted by numerous artists of all stripes) -- they are looking to reinvent the live experience yet again.
Set designer Willie Williams is back, and working with architects and engineers ... well, see for yourself!
Holy Smokes!
They open up in Barcelona on June 30. The first US date will be in Chicago at Soldier Field on September 12. Beyond that:
In September and October, U2 360° Tour will also visit: Atlanta, GA; Charlottesville, VA; Dallas, TX; Houston, TX; Las Vegas, NV; Los Angeles, CA; Norman, OK; Phoenix, AZ; Tampa, FL; Washington, DC and Vancouver, BC. Complete Tour and ticketing information to follow.Magnificent!
Thursday, March 5, 2009
U2 on Letterman - Wednesday
The debut of "Crazy" -- Wow! This is definitely one of my favorite tracks on the disc, but again - they've translated this thing live in a huge way (I'll Go Crazy if I Don't Go Crazy Tonight). This one feels like "Streets 2009," which of course is a stupid analogy because this is a new sound and a different song -- but it's got that kind of energy to it, and there will be more to follow I'm sure.
"It's not a hill, it's a mountainHe's got them on their feet again in New York! As I'm on the road and sans TiVo and external hard drive, here's the embed -- plug in some headphones and enjoy:
As you start out the climb
Listen for me, I'll be shouting
We're gonna make it all the way to the light
But you know I'll go crazy
If I don't go crazy tonight ..."
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Tesla Roadster
Imagine going from 0 to 60 mph in less than 4 seconds. Now imagine total silence. Now, imagine them together: meet the Tesla Roadster.
I guess I don't need to say this is a gorgeous automobile anymore. And if you think this is "in the future" or "someday" stuff. Think again. Running on a lithium ion battery, and nothing else, the car has a range of 240 miles on a single charge. There are 150 of these babies on the road already, and they are currently putting out 20 per week and are sold out through the fall.
The car shown here and featured in the video below (ABC News, 3/3/2009), sells for $109,000, so it's obviously not for everyone. But in 2 years, Tesla will sell a full size sedan for half that price that will have a 230 mile range, charge fully from any outlet in 45 minutes, consuming about $5 worth of electricity.
And that's with one company making them. Imagine an entire industry competing for this market. Imagine filling up your car for $5.
Check it out:
I guess I don't need to say this is a gorgeous automobile anymore. And if you think this is "in the future" or "someday" stuff. Think again. Running on a lithium ion battery, and nothing else, the car has a range of 240 miles on a single charge. There are 150 of these babies on the road already, and they are currently putting out 20 per week and are sold out through the fall.
The car shown here and featured in the video below (ABC News, 3/3/2009), sells for $109,000, so it's obviously not for everyone. But in 2 years, Tesla will sell a full size sedan for half that price that will have a 230 mile range, charge fully from any outlet in 45 minutes, consuming about $5 worth of electricity.
And that's with one company making them. Imagine an entire industry competing for this market. Imagine filling up your car for $5.
Check it out:
You're Welcome America - A Final Night with George Bush
Check out Will Ferrell doing "two Bushes" in a preview of his upcoming HBO special: You're Welcome America -- A Final Night with George Bush. Saturday, March 14 ...
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
U2 on Letterman - Monday -
A week of U2 on Letterman - wow, let me in the sound, sound let me in the sound!
Check out Letterman paying homage, and spoofing a bit as the Irishmen play along ...
Of course, "Boots" has been everywhere. So it was nice to see them venture out a bit and leave that one behind for something else. It's also interesting to see them get the songs in "live shape." I would never have predicted Breathe to be a big number, but they are clearly loving this one live and it translates better than I would have thought. This is quite the spirited version, and Bono really whips up the crowd.
One quick news flash first -- tour date announcement coming on March 9!
Check out Letterman paying homage, and spoofing a bit as the Irishmen play along ...
Of course, "Boots" has been everywhere. So it was nice to see them venture out a bit and leave that one behind for something else. It's also interesting to see them get the songs in "live shape." I would never have predicted Breathe to be a big number, but they are clearly loving this one live and it translates better than I would have thought. This is quite the spirited version, and Bono really whips up the crowd.
One quick news flash first -- tour date announcement coming on March 9!
"We are people borne of sound
The songs are in our eyes
Gonna wear them like a crown
Walk out, into the sunburst street
Sing your heart out, sing my heart out
I've found grace inside a sound
I found grace, it's all that I found
And I can breathe
Breathe now"
Monday, March 2, 2009
Moment of Surrender
Heads Up - If you haven't seen the post below this yet - check it out!While a review of the entire album is clearly needed, sharing a U2 experience, ultimately, is far more important. And while describing music with words may be just plainly stupid, press on we must!
Brian Eno, a long time U2 producer and collaborator, tells the story in a U2.com video, but I hadn't heard it yet when I first heard Moment of Surrender. It was my very first time through the new songs. It is the 3rd song on the collection.
The very first time you hear 11 new songs, it is unusual to really get stuck on one tune. But from the outset, I found myself needing to play this again and search on the lyrics. So melancholy; so U2, but so new and different.
Then I saw the Brian Eno video; he called it "the most magical experience I've ever had in a studio." He was laying down a new loop for the band to play with. It wasn't quite right and as he was still trying to "fix it" ... Larry walked in to the studio, sat down at the drum kit and started playing along. Shortly thereafter, Adam then Edge and Bono showed up. They immediately picked up on the funky loop and Larry's drums.
9 minutes later they had Moment of Surrender.
There were others in the room. Engineers. Other support staff. A couple visitors were present. As the band finished the first, and what would be the last take, Eno describes the moment, as nothing but silence. Everyone in the room new something amazing had just taken place, that they had just witnessed what was surely going to be a new U2 tune.
Finally Bono broke the silence with (paraphrasing) ... "we come here to find the music ... I think that time it found us." ...
At seven minutes and twenty four seconds it is the longest song on the album. I'm confident it will never make radio. They may never even do it live. I fell in love with "Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses" on Pop and I don't think they ever played it. So I certainly don't wanna get my hopes up ... but this is my new "Streets" for sure ... the next "One" ... this lame description can't come close, nor can a reprint of the lyrics possibly convey the emotion and force of the song itself, and yet ...
I was punching in the numbers at the ATM machineOf course they'll open with "Boots." But my ultimate fantasy would be to have them end the night with this. The new 40: Moment of Surrender.
I could see in the reflection
A face staring back at me
At the moment of surrender
Of vision over visibility
I did not notice the passers-by
And they did not notice me
I was speeding on the subway
Through the stations of the cross
Every eye looking every other way
Counting down ’til the pain would stop
At the moment of surrender
Of vision of over visibility
I did not notice the passers-by
And they did not notice me
Sunday, March 1, 2009
No Line on the Horizon - US Release / TV Appearances
How time flies ... Tuesday, the US release of No Line on the Horizon is official! Let the downloads commence (er ... continue ;-) Yes, I'll be completing my itunes preorder. Of course I've been listening to the album for well over a week now, streaming from u2.com. But with the Irish release last week, it's no wonder it hit gnutella as high quality mp3's so it's been a rocking weekend!
There is a lot of stuff! So on to it ...
Bono is going to be writing some more for the NY Times. Safe and happy to say, there's a relationship here ... and here was the Sunday piece, covering them at the Brit Awards last week - the last huge Rock band that matters, "Last Gang in Town."
The band are going to be on David Letterman every night this week. Bono and Edge did something similar last time around (How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb) and it was a riot, appearing in sketches, as well as doing some great jams. Should be great; set your DVR's!
This Friday, crank it up again as the Last Gang does Good Morning America. Let's hope they do 2 maybe 3 numbers for this one -- could be a killer set. Clear out some space on the DVR!
It's been a hugely busy 2 weeks leading up to the US debut. When you've been around as long as U2, radio time doesn't come easy. When it's your 12th studio albumn and you've literally set the standard in stadium rock and live shows of all sizes ... well, it's kind of tough to be "the next hot thing" a la pop media ...
Which is just a long way of saying, the boys knew they'd need a television media blitz to show up on the radar, and get the new stuff out there. They've done it for sure - and they've also been busy this past week "across the pond."
Check out this video of Get on Your Boots from a 7th floor balcony in London -- they are really starting to get comfortable playing this one ... and looking tuned ... can you say "summer tour" boys and girls???
And there was this performance of a song deeper into the album, Breathe ... an interesting choice for sure ... so neat to see their sets evolve ... this if from French television, Le Grand Journal; 2-24-09 - enjoy!
"I don't wanna talk about wars between nations
--not right now!"
There is a lot of stuff! So on to it ...
Bono is going to be writing some more for the NY Times. Safe and happy to say, there's a relationship here ... and here was the Sunday piece, covering them at the Brit Awards last week - the last huge Rock band that matters, "Last Gang in Town."The band are going to be on David Letterman every night this week. Bono and Edge did something similar last time around (How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb) and it was a riot, appearing in sketches, as well as doing some great jams. Should be great; set your DVR's!
This Friday, crank it up again as the Last Gang does Good Morning America. Let's hope they do 2 maybe 3 numbers for this one -- could be a killer set. Clear out some space on the DVR!
It's been a hugely busy 2 weeks leading up to the US debut. When you've been around as long as U2, radio time doesn't come easy. When it's your 12th studio albumn and you've literally set the standard in stadium rock and live shows of all sizes ... well, it's kind of tough to be "the next hot thing" a la pop media ...
Which is just a long way of saying, the boys knew they'd need a television media blitz to show up on the radar, and get the new stuff out there. They've done it for sure - and they've also been busy this past week "across the pond."
Check out this video of Get on Your Boots from a 7th floor balcony in London -- they are really starting to get comfortable playing this one ... and looking tuned ... can you say "summer tour" boys and girls???And there was this performance of a song deeper into the album, Breathe ... an interesting choice for sure ... so neat to see their sets evolve ... this if from French television, Le Grand Journal; 2-24-09 - enjoy!
"I don't wanna talk about wars between nations
--not right now!"
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