TUES 8/14: Chess, Funk, Rock, Johnny Pesky

It was sad to hear the news that Johnny Pesky will now be playing on the 'Field of Dreams' somewhere.

I met him a couple years back at the Old-Time Baseball game (that happened to take place last night).

Everyone was pestering him for an autograph, yet I reluctantly decided to be one more mid-inning fan.

With a program in hand, I said something like, "I'm sorry to bother you, Mr. Pesky, but could I get your autograph?"

I'll never forget what he said to me: "Sure, but it won't buy you a cup of coffee..."

He was the great old guy with the humility and love of baseball that I expected from seeing him in the dugout on TV. I'm glad that he could stick around to get a world series ring and see his number retired.

RIP, Johnny. At least you don't have to watch the rest of this season.

FYI: There is cheapness through Saturday on the calendar.

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TUES 8/14

5pm
"Monthly Chess Simult" w/ Grandmaster Larry Christiansen
at South Station concourse, about 720 Atlantic Ave, Boston (Dewey Sq)
FREE

If you ever wanted to get humiliated at chess without paying for it (like at Washington Square Park), grandmaster Larry Christiansen is going to play up to 25 simultaneous games in the train concourse.

Feel free to play or just sit back and brag to friends that you could've beat the guy.

TUES 8/14

6pm to 8pm
Lovewhip
at Bremen Street Park, about 250 Bremen St, East Boston (behind Airport T)
FREE

It's funny that there are open-air concerts in a park next to the airport. Jet engines will have to compete with the funky electro jams that will please those who can dance in the sun as well as the music-lovers that want to sit in the grass and wave their feet back and forth.

On various occasions I've tried to come up with good ways to praise Lovewhip, but the simple fact is they're one of the most fun bands around.

TUES 8/14

9pm
MMOSS, Darling Pet Munkee, Bummer City, The Wild Ones
at Radio, 379 Somerville Ave, Somerville (Union Sq)
$8 / 21+

A couple of garage-rockers from Northern California are passing through on their way around the nation. The Wild Ones got a high compliment from one of their local radio stations who appropriately described them as "Shangri-Las meets The Ramones". Bummer City is shabby either.

They are welcomed by the most excellent, skeleton-clad rumble of Darling Pet Munkee and retro-psych from Mmoss.

TUES 8/14

9:30pm
Ezra Furman Band, The Hush Now, TBD
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$10 / 18+

It appears Ezra Furman has parted ways with the Harpoons, the band that backed him while he was a Tufts undergrad; and I recall hearing about their SXSW gig where Furman got some attention. The appeal has always been Furman's quirky storytelling over pleasant chords. Local indie-poppers The Hush Now wrap their tunes in a sunny, 'gazey haze. There should be another opener; who knows.

SUN 4/8: Sunday Night Off-Topic Video

Did rabbits live in Palestine 2,000 years ago? Does it matter if I got jelly beans as child?

This weekend turns my thoughts to celebration of life of the supernatural and lapine variety... And somehow the 'Jive Bunny' came to mind.

Let's look back to the '90s when a mash-up was just a cycle of songs with a consistent drum track. Music has evolved!



And let's not forget that great journalist -- and Brookline son -- Mike Wallace will never interview anyone on "60 Minutes" again.

RIP Alex Chilton

Goodbye, Alex. You left us with so much good music. I'm mainly sad that we never hung out -- except in my room and my car. Thank you.

Thank you for The Boxtops. Thank you, thank you, thank you for Big Star. (Go listen to "Ballad of El Goodo" for some beautiful melancholy.) Thanks for all the music.

He was simply awesome. I keep thinking of the best Alex Chilton tribute by The Replacements [YSI]. You didn't die in Memphis, but you're still cool:

If he was from Venus, would he feed us with a spoon?
If he was from Mars, wouldn't that be cool?
Standing right on campus, would he stamp us in a file?
Hangin' down in Memphis all the while.

Chorus:
Children by the million sing for Alex Chilton when he comes 'round
They sing "I'm in love. What's that song?
I'm in love with that song."

So we will rape and pillage in a village of his choice.
Invisible man who can sing in a visible voice.
Feeling like a hundred bucks, exchanging good lucks face to face.
Checkin' his stash by the trash at St. Mark's place.

- Chorus -

I never travel far, without a little Big Star

Runnin' 'round the house, Mickey Mouse and the Tarot cards.
Falling asleep with a flop pop video on.
If he was from Venus, would he meet us on the moon?
If he died in Memphis, then that'd be cool, babe.

- Chorus -

Off-Topic: Living at Full Volume

Instead of going to a club and having fun, I went to a wake tonight.

When I woke up this morning, I would've preferred to have a few pops and hear some good tunes; but I'm actually grateful to be reminded how precious every breath of life is.

There were so many mysterious layers to this situation that could fill a novel, but I was especially struck by the sudden death of this man who was originally from Haiti.

There has already been too much sadness in every Haitian family this year, yet it was cathartic to see so much real emotional outpouring.

I felt luckier than everyone else on the train home, because they didn't seem to appreciate the value of the moment.

I've often wanted to retreat in the face of profound sorrow, but tonight implored me to face the sadness and use that energy for something positive.

I also kept thinking about this poem by Dylan Thomas, and I hope to live until my last day.

DO NOT GO GENTLE INTO THAT GOOD NIGHT

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

RIP Ted Kennedy

The inevitable has occurred. Senator Kennedy was a flawed man who engenders strong emotions from both sides of the political spectrum, but he championed causes for people who weren't as fortunate as him (which was pretty much everyone else, but you get the idea).

We may even feel his influence more strongly now that he's sailed away...

On a personal note...

My grandfather passed away this week, and I'm only sad because I won't see him again.

He lived to a ripe-old 94, and he really lived them except for the last few weeks.

It was a classic American story of an immigrant coming from Italy and working hard as a carpenter to earn enough and bring his family over. Working hard, so his kids could have a better life. They worked hard, so their kids could have a better life. Now those kids are starting to have children, and so the seeds he planted are still thriving.

I don't remember a time when he didn't seem really old already, but I've got so many great memories and learned a lot about life from the little guy. (Lots of shrinking over the years...)

Salute, Nonno Pasquale! I raise my glass to you!

Like when I asked him how many glasses of wine he had, and he replied:

"Just one, but I keep filling it up."

Off-Topic: RIP Dom DeLuise

Dom DeLuise usually played goofballs, and he almost always made it hilarious. He might not have done much that I liked in the last few years, but "Blazing Saddles", "The Muppet Movie", "Smokey and the Bandit II", "History of the World: Part I", "The Cannonball Run", "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas", "Johnny Dangerously", "Spaceballs", "Robin Hood: Men in Tights"...

The rotund comedian was a bon vivant, and it's sad there is one less party guy around... There will be a shot of tequila with your name on it, Dom!

RIP, Robert Rauschenberg

Robert Rauschenberg
Untitled (Man with White Shoes)
ca. 1954
mixed mediums with taxidermy hen and a pair of painted leather shoes, ca. 87 x 237 x 26 in.
Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles


When I read yesterday that Robert Rauschenberg died, I thought about the first time I saw some of his combines in person. It was a pop art exhibit at MOCA. There were a couple Jasper Johns paintings (including a "Flag"); I remember some works by Larry Rivers and Roy Lichtenstein too. The most vivid memory was seeing the Rauschenbergs.

I can almost recall the moment like it was a recent memory although it was about 15 years ago. It was an explosion of joy and excitement that has remained with me. I had a genuine, unabashed love for his art that must originate in a very special place in the mind. The chicken odalisk was there, but my favorite was "Untitled (Man with White Shoes)" (pictured above). Although I'd seen photos of his work, there was a quasi-mystical quality about exploring the details in 3 dimensions. Walking around it, crouching to see the details... Looking at again... It was incredible. He painted as well, but it's the assemblages that I really love.

I never doubt that art touches people, because it's touched me and that was one of those times. I loved the sense of wonder in his art, and I didn't sense pretension in it. (Maybe because he was born in Port Arthur...?) I'm sure he (along with my grandmother) influenced my views on waste and conservation. I believe it is a great virtue to make something beautiful out of trash.

No one cares what I think, but this is what a blog is all about... Right?

I raise my glass to Rauschy, or whatever his friends may have called him..