Yesterday on 670 the Score, radio host Lawrence Holmes had a little venting to do after a very quick and rough interview with Bears DL Tommie Harris. Harris was dodging most questions giving short answers and then cut the interview off cause he was starting a charity function and was being mobbed by people wanting autographs. After the call ended Holmes unleashed some personal venting on Harris's change in attitude lately and accused him of turning his back on the people of the radio station and becoming a bad person.
Whatever Harris's motives were don't really matter for my point. I was more impressed that Holmes finally came out and said something negative about a Bears player that he used to have a good relationship with, something Holmes appears to be more comfortable with all the time as he moves into his own identity and not the Bears beat reporter.
While I was encouraged to hear Holmes give us some real feelings and emotion on the radio, it also made me think about how he has changed. As the Bears beat reporter he needed open access to the locker room and the cooperation of the players in order to get any information. Rare was the time when I ever heard Holmes say anything bad about any Bears player even when the radio hosts he was talking to were openly bashing obvious flaws with the team. But now the tables have turned as he has his own shows and isn't in that locker room anymore. All of a sudden he can pass judgement on Tommie Harris for getting paid and turning into a bad person.
Either way both men have changed from what I remember. While I am not saying whatever Harris is going through is any accuse for his drop in play and general sour attitude lately, certainly a once overly nice and positive speaking Holmes is probably the worse change out of the two.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
The End of Missile Football
This past Saturday marked the end of an era. As the Milledgeville Missiles were knocked out of the IHSA Class A playoffs by Stark County, Coach Gary Hartje's 30 year tenure came to a close once again 1 game short of the state championship game. 30 years is a long time and in a small school/community it is the cornerstone needed to build good programs. But not only did he coach high school football he used to coach 8th grade basketball and the high school girls softball let alone his normal teaching duties in the junior high. Dedication and commitment to a community that so desperately needs people to stand up this way and wear the many hats.
Still his accomplishments with the gridiron are by far his greatest. There was an article this fall in which Coach Hartje paid his respects to a founder of Missile football, Lester Snow. But every accolade you could give to Coach Snow & Molson for building the foundation of a football program for the farming community of Milledgeville, Hartje was the one who made it last. I played on many sports teams and have had several coaches but I cannot recall one with a better emotional connection to his players than what everyone experienced with Coach Hartje. Even when he was mad & screaming in practice it felt different. He was always about moving on to the next game or season whether the previous was good or bad. In his last 10 years he came 1 game away from the state title game 3 times. That is only 3 times in school history teams had made it past the 2nd round. There are always coulda's and if's no matter what happens in life but it takes someone special to look past most of those and be proud of every team they coach, win or lose.
All the Missiles can do now is look forward just as Coach Hartje taught all of us to do for so many years. And even if the day comes soon when the Missiles cease to exist there will still be memories of the teams 'With One Heartbeat' and a man that was Missile football.
Thanks for all you've done Coach!
Still his accomplishments with the gridiron are by far his greatest. There was an article this fall in which Coach Hartje paid his respects to a founder of Missile football, Lester Snow. But every accolade you could give to Coach Snow & Molson for building the foundation of a football program for the farming community of Milledgeville, Hartje was the one who made it last. I played on many sports teams and have had several coaches but I cannot recall one with a better emotional connection to his players than what everyone experienced with Coach Hartje. Even when he was mad & screaming in practice it felt different. He was always about moving on to the next game or season whether the previous was good or bad. In his last 10 years he came 1 game away from the state title game 3 times. That is only 3 times in school history teams had made it past the 2nd round. There are always coulda's and if's no matter what happens in life but it takes someone special to look past most of those and be proud of every team they coach, win or lose.
All the Missiles can do now is look forward just as Coach Hartje taught all of us to do for so many years. And even if the day comes soon when the Missiles cease to exist there will still be memories of the teams 'With One Heartbeat' and a man that was Missile football.
Thanks for all you've done Coach!
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Snakester's 10 Worst Beatles
Yes, even the greatest have their faults. Although these could be minor and at times is really just nitpicking because of the higher expectations most of the Beatles' work is held to. Still some of this make my ears hurt at times.
10. Hello Goodbye - Magical Mystery Tour: Ok maybe I should blame Target for this one. Still even before the annoying commercials came on I never did get this song. It is just corny nonsense to me. I do enjoy Ringo's drumming, that is about the only redeeming quality.
9. Blue Jay Way - Magical Mystery Tour: I promise I am not going to rip on MMT the whole time although it is by far my least favorite album, if you can even call it that they way it was thrown together. George's voice is just overdone through the mixing board sounding way too eerie in a very bad way. To me this is a drug trip without the usual enlightenment. The lyrics make me laugh cause it sounds like a 4th grader wrote the rhymes.
8. She's Leaving Home - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band: I don't like the orchestration in the background, too much cheesy sounding strings (even though that is probably what Paul is most known for). It is a pretty song but it isn't the Beatles. The backing vocals through the chorus/refrain are over the top. This just added to a disappointing mid section of Sgt Pepper and part of the reason I would never consider it their best work.
7. Good Morning - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band: Not exactly the model of creativity starting off a song called Good Morning with a rooster sound effect (not to mention the other animals on the outro). I thought this was a rock band? All I here the whole time is keyboard and horns until the guitar solo finally hits. It is basically a scaled back childish version of A Day in the Life.
6. She Said She Said - Revolver: I think this was about some gypsy/voodoo woman John ran into once. Don't quote me on that but it is something similar. It is a little to cryptic even for John. The She Said, I Said stuff is a little annoying. It is like a 5 year old is telling me a story about something that happened on the playground. "She said you don't understand what i said, I said no no no you're wrong" what??
5. Glass Onion - The White Album: There is no substances to this song. Basically he just name drops like everything from Magical Mystery Tour and then tells us to look into a Glass Onion. I read somewhere that a glass onion was an old casket that had glass where the face is so that when people were buried visitors could look down and still see their face. That is creepy on its own. There is probably more cryptic symbolism in this song that we will never understand.
4. Get Back - Let It Be: This song makes absolutely no sense. Get Back? Like get out of here you aren't welcome cause the one lady is really a transvestite? The tune is catchy and holds the song together and probably makes it a favorite to many people. But really listen once and try to figure out what he is saying.
3. Yesterday - Help!: It isn't the Beatles, it is Paul McCartney pre-Wings. I never bought Paul's story about dreaming up this melody and still do not understand the fascination about this song. It is a beautiful song but it isn't great. Sappy little love song. Does it reach the same status if it was just released as Paul rather than The Beatles?
2. Across The Universe - Let It Be: This song has just always bugged me. I don't like the guitar part and John's voice is unappealing. I have no idea what he says in the chorus before "Nothings gonna change my world". Seriously to me it sounds like nails on the chalkboard.
1. Within You Without You - Sgt. Pepper: It is very hard not to think this is the worst song under the Beatles name. Although I will admit when it comes on now, I can actually make it through the song with hitting something. It is way too much Indian influence that most of the western civilization can handle. The Sitar playing sounds horrible and I am sure it is because George isn't doing it right. I don't even know what most of the lyrics are cause you can't really hear them over the obnoxious noises. How can anyone say Sgt Pepper is the greatest Beatles album with this sitting right in the middle of it?
10. Hello Goodbye - Magical Mystery Tour: Ok maybe I should blame Target for this one. Still even before the annoying commercials came on I never did get this song. It is just corny nonsense to me. I do enjoy Ringo's drumming, that is about the only redeeming quality.
9. Blue Jay Way - Magical Mystery Tour: I promise I am not going to rip on MMT the whole time although it is by far my least favorite album, if you can even call it that they way it was thrown together. George's voice is just overdone through the mixing board sounding way too eerie in a very bad way. To me this is a drug trip without the usual enlightenment. The lyrics make me laugh cause it sounds like a 4th grader wrote the rhymes.
8. She's Leaving Home - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band: I don't like the orchestration in the background, too much cheesy sounding strings (even though that is probably what Paul is most known for). It is a pretty song but it isn't the Beatles. The backing vocals through the chorus/refrain are over the top. This just added to a disappointing mid section of Sgt Pepper and part of the reason I would never consider it their best work.
7. Good Morning - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band: Not exactly the model of creativity starting off a song called Good Morning with a rooster sound effect (not to mention the other animals on the outro). I thought this was a rock band? All I here the whole time is keyboard and horns until the guitar solo finally hits. It is basically a scaled back childish version of A Day in the Life.
6. She Said She Said - Revolver: I think this was about some gypsy/voodoo woman John ran into once. Don't quote me on that but it is something similar. It is a little to cryptic even for John. The She Said, I Said stuff is a little annoying. It is like a 5 year old is telling me a story about something that happened on the playground. "She said you don't understand what i said, I said no no no you're wrong" what??
5. Glass Onion - The White Album: There is no substances to this song. Basically he just name drops like everything from Magical Mystery Tour and then tells us to look into a Glass Onion. I read somewhere that a glass onion was an old casket that had glass where the face is so that when people were buried visitors could look down and still see their face. That is creepy on its own. There is probably more cryptic symbolism in this song that we will never understand.
4. Get Back - Let It Be: This song makes absolutely no sense. Get Back? Like get out of here you aren't welcome cause the one lady is really a transvestite? The tune is catchy and holds the song together and probably makes it a favorite to many people. But really listen once and try to figure out what he is saying.
3. Yesterday - Help!: It isn't the Beatles, it is Paul McCartney pre-Wings. I never bought Paul's story about dreaming up this melody and still do not understand the fascination about this song. It is a beautiful song but it isn't great. Sappy little love song. Does it reach the same status if it was just released as Paul rather than The Beatles?
2. Across The Universe - Let It Be: This song has just always bugged me. I don't like the guitar part and John's voice is unappealing. I have no idea what he says in the chorus before "Nothings gonna change my world". Seriously to me it sounds like nails on the chalkboard.
1. Within You Without You - Sgt. Pepper: It is very hard not to think this is the worst song under the Beatles name. Although I will admit when it comes on now, I can actually make it through the song with hitting something. It is way too much Indian influence that most of the western civilization can handle. The Sitar playing sounds horrible and I am sure it is because George isn't doing it right. I don't even know what most of the lyrics are cause you can't really hear them over the obnoxious noises. How can anyone say Sgt Pepper is the greatest Beatles album with this sitting right in the middle of it?
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Snakester's Top 10 Beatles Songs
This is always fun cause it challenges us to shorten up our lists of favorites. I think my list changed a little bit every time I looked at. I wanted to try to be true to my ultimate favorites but then also give a good sampling as to represent what I think the Beatles. So if someone asked me in 10 songs to define the Beatles, I would probably give them this list as well.
10. If I Fell - Hard Days Night: This one is probably forever burned into my brain because of the movie. Either way I think this is the power of their early harmonies. The chorus is just amazing sounding so pure so young. The true definition of a teen love song.
9. You Never Give Me Your Money - Abbey Road: I find as I have gotten older Abbey Road has become my favorite album. This is kind of the start to what was the B side medley of songs to end their career. It is soft and heartening. Paul & John come back together well in the opening. Then it kicks up into this new song that is really what is going on. Trademark Paul organization that would make him alot of money with Band On The Run. The guitar riff though the middle is very inspiring.
8. Taxman - Revolver: This should have proved to everyone that George could write a song. John & him pull together this really biting riff but I love to turn up the bass and listen to Paul pound out this groove like you never hear on a Beatles tune. I was even more shocked later when I read that Paul also did the guitar solo. "And you're working for no one but me!"
7. I Feel Fine - Past Masters Vol 1: This remains one of my top songs from my childhood. The feedback at the beginning still gives me this weird feeling like it is even faster/harder that it really is. George is just the definition on raunchy on this one (insert Paul head wiggle here). So I digress a little to talk about George in how he could lay it down but he didn't solo. He left that to other people. I always believe Sultans of Swing is taking about George Harrison. "Check out Guitar George, he knows all the chords, but he's strictly rhythm he doesn't make it cry or sing."
6. I'm Looking Through You - Rubber Soul: This is the ultimate break up song. What happened? Why did you change? "Love has a nasty habit of disappearing overnight" That is an amazingly insightful lyric. The little pickup in beat through the refrain adds a little edge of rage to the song that always seemed to be lurking under the surface.
5. Dig A Pony - Let It Be: This is a more recent addition to my list as I sort of rediscovered it one day when my mind was very open. The live feel of the roof top I think adds alot to this song, it is more about this exact performance. Ringo's drumming into the chorus pounding and unlike anything you normally got to hear from him. There is a strange joy in John's voice, almost relief. And that little riff into the chorus is tight!
4. She Came In Through The Bathroom Window/Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight/The End - Abbey Road: Sure it is technically 4 songs but really they were all meant to go to together and I would find it impossible to separate them musically. It is heavy on Paul but this seemed more his thing. Just listening to it sounds like a quick medley finale to a concert. Like this is how their end their show. Start out a little rocking, slow it up a little with a tender Golden Slumbers and move into the anthem of Carry That Weight then solo out into The End. I dunno what it is, but this arrangement has always moved me when I listen to it. I will never listen to just one song on shuffle, I either skip the one song or turn shuffle off for a minute so I get the full effect. "And in the end the love you take is equal to the love you make"
3. While My Guitar Gently Weeps - The White Album: I truly believe this song would have been just as great if not better if one of the Beatles played the main guitar inside of Eric Clapton, it might have just lost some of the extra drama. It is very eerie sounding and really represents kind of the dark feeling of the White Album.
2. Eight Days A Week - Beatles For Sale: I will always love this song, it is by far their best from the early days. The fade in is very unique and the claps are a must. This one gets stuck in your head cause it is so infectious. The lyrics are clever and a good example of their teen pop songs needing an extra day in the week to give you all their love. The harmonies are A+ and the song is so well put together you can't find anything that could be done better.
1. And Your Bird Can Sing - Revolver: I don't know if alot of people know this song, it is certainly not one of their mainstream hits but most fans will recall it. I once saw it described as the ultimate power pop song. I can't say it much better. The song moves with force that it feels like the fastest 2 minutes of your life. Yet so much happens musically in the song. The guitar riff is amazing with just enough fuzz to make it feel edgy even today. The song represents that feeling towards people that think they are so much better than everyone else and know everything but you know their life is empty. This is the Beatles' sound at the height of their career musically.
Honorable Mention:
Happiness Is A Warm Gun; Paperback Writer; Your Mother Should Know; Oh Darling; You Won't See Me
10. If I Fell - Hard Days Night: This one is probably forever burned into my brain because of the movie. Either way I think this is the power of their early harmonies. The chorus is just amazing sounding so pure so young. The true definition of a teen love song.
9. You Never Give Me Your Money - Abbey Road: I find as I have gotten older Abbey Road has become my favorite album. This is kind of the start to what was the B side medley of songs to end their career. It is soft and heartening. Paul & John come back together well in the opening. Then it kicks up into this new song that is really what is going on. Trademark Paul organization that would make him alot of money with Band On The Run. The guitar riff though the middle is very inspiring.
8. Taxman - Revolver: This should have proved to everyone that George could write a song. John & him pull together this really biting riff but I love to turn up the bass and listen to Paul pound out this groove like you never hear on a Beatles tune. I was even more shocked later when I read that Paul also did the guitar solo. "And you're working for no one but me!"
7. I Feel Fine - Past Masters Vol 1: This remains one of my top songs from my childhood. The feedback at the beginning still gives me this weird feeling like it is even faster/harder that it really is. George is just the definition on raunchy on this one (insert Paul head wiggle here). So I digress a little to talk about George in how he could lay it down but he didn't solo. He left that to other people. I always believe Sultans of Swing is taking about George Harrison. "Check out Guitar George, he knows all the chords, but he's strictly rhythm he doesn't make it cry or sing."
6. I'm Looking Through You - Rubber Soul: This is the ultimate break up song. What happened? Why did you change? "Love has a nasty habit of disappearing overnight" That is an amazingly insightful lyric. The little pickup in beat through the refrain adds a little edge of rage to the song that always seemed to be lurking under the surface.
5. Dig A Pony - Let It Be: This is a more recent addition to my list as I sort of rediscovered it one day when my mind was very open. The live feel of the roof top I think adds alot to this song, it is more about this exact performance. Ringo's drumming into the chorus pounding and unlike anything you normally got to hear from him. There is a strange joy in John's voice, almost relief. And that little riff into the chorus is tight!
4. She Came In Through The Bathroom Window/Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight/The End - Abbey Road: Sure it is technically 4 songs but really they were all meant to go to together and I would find it impossible to separate them musically. It is heavy on Paul but this seemed more his thing. Just listening to it sounds like a quick medley finale to a concert. Like this is how their end their show. Start out a little rocking, slow it up a little with a tender Golden Slumbers and move into the anthem of Carry That Weight then solo out into The End. I dunno what it is, but this arrangement has always moved me when I listen to it. I will never listen to just one song on shuffle, I either skip the one song or turn shuffle off for a minute so I get the full effect. "And in the end the love you take is equal to the love you make"
3. While My Guitar Gently Weeps - The White Album: I truly believe this song would have been just as great if not better if one of the Beatles played the main guitar inside of Eric Clapton, it might have just lost some of the extra drama. It is very eerie sounding and really represents kind of the dark feeling of the White Album.
2. Eight Days A Week - Beatles For Sale: I will always love this song, it is by far their best from the early days. The fade in is very unique and the claps are a must. This one gets stuck in your head cause it is so infectious. The lyrics are clever and a good example of their teen pop songs needing an extra day in the week to give you all their love. The harmonies are A+ and the song is so well put together you can't find anything that could be done better.
1. And Your Bird Can Sing - Revolver: I don't know if alot of people know this song, it is certainly not one of their mainstream hits but most fans will recall it. I once saw it described as the ultimate power pop song. I can't say it much better. The song moves with force that it feels like the fastest 2 minutes of your life. Yet so much happens musically in the song. The guitar riff is amazing with just enough fuzz to make it feel edgy even today. The song represents that feeling towards people that think they are so much better than everyone else and know everything but you know their life is empty. This is the Beatles' sound at the height of their career musically.
Honorable Mention:
Happiness Is A Warm Gun; Paperback Writer; Your Mother Should Know; Oh Darling; You Won't See Me
Monday, November 3, 2008
Big Red's 10 Worst Beatles Songs
Note: I am on the third day of a cold. I am pretty tired. I am coming off about three overworked weeks with maybe the next two being worse. Oh, and Rex Grossman is once again quarterbacking the Bears. So don't hate me if I come off as a little ill-tempered here. Life is just good right now. On the positive side, I think this is the first time I've posted both my lists before Snakester has done one. I win!
10. Yellow Submarine – Revolver
I am not going to deny liking this song when I was younger. I’ll admit singing along to the chorus and even watching the trippy cartoon movie. But when it comes down to it, it’s a shame that some people think of this song when they think of the Beatles. This song was just wrote to give Ringo something to do and I think John and Paul had a running bet on who could write the goofiest, most pointless songs for Ringo. But for the Beatle even some of their crap turned to gold.
9. The Long and Winding Road – Let It Be
This was Paul’s second ballad contribution to the Let It Be album. The break up album didn’t need another one and this tune just doesn’t stack up well to the albums title song. Everything else on the album has a certain raw, gritty and contentious edge. The Long and Winding Road just comes off as over produced and pretty sappy.
8. Back in the U.S.S.R. – White Album
This tune kicks off the legendary White Album. It’s a sort of throw back kind of early Rock song from the Beatles first couple albums. It has a lot of bizarre sounds in the background and I’ve never understood the point of the song. Overall it’s just a step back for a band that was all about moving forward.
7. Run for Your Life – Rubber Soul
For a band that expounded endlessly about love and peace, this tune always seemed kind of out of place. It’s kind of like Guns ‘N Roses ode to killing your mate “I Used to Lover Her.” Basically this one is about warning a significant other not to cheat or else. Groovy man.
6. You Know My Name (Look Up the Number) – Past Masters, Volume Two (Originally released as the B-side of the Let It Be single)
Leave it to the Beatles to write a song with about one verse and sing it over and over again. I’ll admit it can get into your head after hearing it, but there are a lot bad songs that get caught in my head.
5. Piggies – White Album
I think Paul just has a thing for farm animals. Every once in a while he turns out an almost childlike tune about an animal that does nothing for anyone. I supposed this may slight at groupies or greedy people, but it sounds too much like bed time song for me.
4. Blue Jay Way – Magical Mystery Tour
Every album the Beatles went for a song that was completely like anything else out there. It was there overextending need to be artsy. A few times it turned out well, but otherwise they released a steaming piece of dung like this.
3. The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill – White Album
Again there was time, I’d sing along to this one until one day I just gave it a real good listen. First, there is pretty much one verse to the whole song. Second, it’s John messing around with his voice kind of like You Know My Name. Third, if it weren’t the Beatles people would pan it for being pointless and silly.
2. Doctor Robert – Revolver
Hey you sell me drugs, how about I write a song about you. That’s what this song is. Just a good old-fashioned ode to a drug dealer. I can’t believe the Beatles actually had to release a statement 30 some odd years after they broke up to admit their drug use. Please listen to this mindless banter of a song and tell me it’s not obvious.
1. Within You, Without You – Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band
Okay, this won’t be a surprise to the Snakester. I may one up this list and say this may just be my least liked song produced by any band at any point in the history of man. It drones on and on in the middle of the most daring and probably recognizable album in Rock history. I’ve grown to respect George more with age, but this will always be a black mark against him.
10. Yellow Submarine – Revolver
I am not going to deny liking this song when I was younger. I’ll admit singing along to the chorus and even watching the trippy cartoon movie. But when it comes down to it, it’s a shame that some people think of this song when they think of the Beatles. This song was just wrote to give Ringo something to do and I think John and Paul had a running bet on who could write the goofiest, most pointless songs for Ringo. But for the Beatle even some of their crap turned to gold.
9. The Long and Winding Road – Let It Be
This was Paul’s second ballad contribution to the Let It Be album. The break up album didn’t need another one and this tune just doesn’t stack up well to the albums title song. Everything else on the album has a certain raw, gritty and contentious edge. The Long and Winding Road just comes off as over produced and pretty sappy.
8. Back in the U.S.S.R. – White Album
This tune kicks off the legendary White Album. It’s a sort of throw back kind of early Rock song from the Beatles first couple albums. It has a lot of bizarre sounds in the background and I’ve never understood the point of the song. Overall it’s just a step back for a band that was all about moving forward.
7. Run for Your Life – Rubber Soul
For a band that expounded endlessly about love and peace, this tune always seemed kind of out of place. It’s kind of like Guns ‘N Roses ode to killing your mate “I Used to Lover Her.” Basically this one is about warning a significant other not to cheat or else. Groovy man.
6. You Know My Name (Look Up the Number) – Past Masters, Volume Two (Originally released as the B-side of the Let It Be single)
Leave it to the Beatles to write a song with about one verse and sing it over and over again. I’ll admit it can get into your head after hearing it, but there are a lot bad songs that get caught in my head.
5. Piggies – White Album
I think Paul just has a thing for farm animals. Every once in a while he turns out an almost childlike tune about an animal that does nothing for anyone. I supposed this may slight at groupies or greedy people, but it sounds too much like bed time song for me.
4. Blue Jay Way – Magical Mystery Tour
Every album the Beatles went for a song that was completely like anything else out there. It was there overextending need to be artsy. A few times it turned out well, but otherwise they released a steaming piece of dung like this.
3. The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill – White Album
Again there was time, I’d sing along to this one until one day I just gave it a real good listen. First, there is pretty much one verse to the whole song. Second, it’s John messing around with his voice kind of like You Know My Name. Third, if it weren’t the Beatles people would pan it for being pointless and silly.
2. Doctor Robert – Revolver
Hey you sell me drugs, how about I write a song about you. That’s what this song is. Just a good old-fashioned ode to a drug dealer. I can’t believe the Beatles actually had to release a statement 30 some odd years after they broke up to admit their drug use. Please listen to this mindless banter of a song and tell me it’s not obvious.
1. Within You, Without You – Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band
Okay, this won’t be a surprise to the Snakester. I may one up this list and say this may just be my least liked song produced by any band at any point in the history of man. It drones on and on in the middle of the most daring and probably recognizable album in Rock history. I’ve grown to respect George more with age, but this will always be a black mark against him.
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