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My Heart
My heart goes out to the good people of Oklahoma. My heart goes out to refugees. My heart goes out to all children who aren’t having a terrific childhood. My heart goes out to everyone in Boston who was injured in the bombings. My heart goes out to the homeless, to the hungry, to the abused. My heart goes out to the victims of bullying and to rape victims. My heart goes out to those who can’t make the next mortgage payment or cover next month’s rent.My heart keeps breaking and my feelings are often in tatters. I shutter and wince when a ferry goes down in waters off Bangladesh. I moan for every entombed miner, I grieve when trains collide, and I curl up in a ball when headlines of violent crimes keep streaming across the internet, day after day; month after month.
So my heart requires daily transfusions of trees and flowers and the breeze on my face. My heart gets energy from babies and dogs, from Sam & Dave, Paul Simon, and the Southern Rock of Little Feat and The Allman Brothers Band.
I draw upon shows like “Call The Midwife,” and actors like Denzel Washington and John Goodman. That is why I need the Red Sox, the Patriots, and the Crimson Tide. Certainly, love from my own children fills my heart with happiness and pride. But like all parents, I worry for them. I worry about them. I try not to, but… I am their father and that is simply part of the job description.
My heart is bolstered by every kindness and appreciation in all forms.
My heart usually tells me that I am safe and things are all right. I know where my kids are. In my heart I know that fathers and mothers in Moore, Oklahoma felt just fine two days ago. It can all change in a heartbeat.
So I am thankful. Meanwhile, tragedies keep happening. The News is one bad thing after another. Congress is crippled by partisan meanspiritedness. The floods, the earthquakes, the gas leaks, the rejections; the wishes that go ungranted, the prayers that go unanswered. I swallow it all in. I look for grace and for miracles.
I live in a world that turns and burns. It is cruel and wondrous, bitter and sweet, impossible and entirely possible. It is probably the same for you as well. We write our own stories, to the extent that we can. But 2013 belongs to us all, and we catch the starfish with the seaweed. The bitter herb and the harosis. Poverty kills. Joblessness kills. Stupidity kills. We all want security and opportunity. We want a fair shake in life. My heart is full of hope and despair – Harry Lipson III, 5-21-13_________________________________________________
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ELEPHANT
It’s probably time for me to move on. The Boston Marathon is over. But as a Bostonian, I know that, at least for the moment, part of me is not going anywhere.Boston has picked itself up, dusted itself off.
We are more than grateful for amazing outpouring of concern and support.
To us, this is personal. And thank you for feeling exactly the same. We are all Bostonians.
We are all Marathon runners.
In the face of terrorism, it feels vulgar for me to devote my weekly scribble to the fine weather we’re enjoying. There is an elephant in the living room. There is a fucking elephant in here, and the weather is only the weather. – Harry Lipson – harryShots.com
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My Heart
My heart goes out to the good people of Oklahoma. My heart goes out to refugees. My heart goes out to all children who aren’t having a terrific childhood. My heart goes out to everyone in Boston who was injured in the bombings. My heart goes out to the homeless, to the hungry, to the abused. My heart goes out to the victims of bullying and to rape victims. My heart goes out to those who can’t make the next mortgage payment or cover next month’s rent.
My heart keeps breaking and my feelings are often in tatters. I shutter and wince when a ferry goes down in waters off Bangladesh. I moan for every entombed miner, I grieve when trains collide, and I curl up in a ball when headlines of violent crimes keep streaming across the internet, day after day; month after month.
So my heart requires daily transfusions of trees and flowers and the breeze on my face. My heart gets energy from babies and dogs, from Sam & Dave, Paul Simon, and the Southern Rock of Little Feat and The Allman Brothers Band.
I draw upon shows like “Call The Midwife,” and actors like Denzel Washington and John Goodman. That is why I need the Red Sox, the Patriots, and the Crimson Tide. Certainly, love from my own children fills my heart with happiness and pride. But like all parents, I worry for them. I worry about them. I try not to, but… I am their father and that is simply part of the job description.
My heart is bolstered by every kindness and appreciation in all forms.
My heart usually tells me that I am safe and things are all right. I know where my kids are. In my heart I know that fathers and mothers in Moore, Oklahoma felt just fine two days ago. It can all change in a heartbeat.
So I am thankful. Meanwhile, tragedies keep happening. The News is one bad thing after another. Congress is crippled by partisan meanspiritedness. The floods, the earthquakes, the gas leaks, the rejections; the wishes that go ungranted, the prayers that go unanswered. I swallow it all in. I look for grace and for miracles.
I live in a world that turns and burns. It is cruel and wondrous, bitter and sweet, impossible and entirely possible. It is probably the same for you as well. We write our own stories, to the extent that we can. But 2013 belongs to us all, and we catch the starfish with the seaweed. The bitter herb and the harosis. Poverty kills. Joblessness kills. Stupidity kills. We all want security and opportunity. We want a fair shake in life. My heart is full of hope and despair – Harry Lipson III, 5-21-13_________________________________________________
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“The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up” – Mark Twain from the harryShots.com Good Quotations_________________________________________________
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“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind” – Dr. Seuss…from the harryShots.com “GoodQuotations”_________________________________________________
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“The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself” - Benjamin Franklinfrom the harryShots.com Good Quotations_________________________________________________
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“An economist’s guess is liable to be as good as anybody else’s” – Will Rogersfrom the harryShots.com “Quotes of What”_________________________________________________
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“We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust our sails“…from the harryShots.com Quotes of Whatever_________________________________________________
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“Don’t cry because its over. Smile because it happened.”
- Dr. Seuss
the harryShots.com “Quotes of Whatever”_________________________________________________
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recent bumper sticker:
“You should agree with me
It will save SO much time“
…the harryShots.com “Quotes O’ Whatever”_________________________________________________
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“An eye for an eye will only make the whole world blind” - Mahatma Gandhi…from the harryShots.com “Quotes of Whatever”_________________________________________________
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“The shortest way to do many things is to do only one thing at a time” – Richard Cech…from the harryShots.com “Quotes of Whatever”_________________________________________________
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“I knew when my career was over. In 1965 my baseball card came out with no picture” – Bob Uecker…from the harryshots.com “Quotes of Whatever”_________________________________________________
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“I laugh so hard ’til the tears run down my leg“ - a rare Delta Blues joke, from the seminal blues tune, “Silverado in My Pathway“…from the harryshots.com “Quotes of Whatever”_________________________________________________
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“Everywhere is within walking distance… if you have the time”from the HarryShots.com “Quotes of Whatever”_________________________________________________
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“May the blessings of each day be the blessings you need most“from the harryshots.com “Quotes of Whatever”_________________________________________________
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“Procrastination is the art of keeping up with yesterday“from the HarryShots.com Quotes of Whatever_________________________________________________
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“A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle” …from the HarryShots.com Quotes of Whatever_________________________________________________
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“I can only please one person per day. Today isn’t your day…and tomorrow don’t look good either” – anonymous
the HarryShots.com Quotes of Whatever_________________________________________________
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“Peace begins with a smile“ - Mother TeresaThe HarryShots.com “Quotes of Whatever”_________________________________________________
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“If you don’t know the blues… there’s no point in picking up the guitar and playing
rock and roll or any other form of popular music” —-
Keith Richards…from The HarryShots.com Quotes of Whatever
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“Every day is Earth Day“the HarryShots.com Quotes of Whatever_________________________________________________
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“I’ve chosen to treat my life more like a party than something to stress about” - Martin ShortThe HarryShots.com Quote of the Day_________________________________________________
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“Frisbeetarianism is the belief that when you die, your soul goes up on the roof and gets stuck” -
George CarlinThe HarryShots.com Quotes of Whatever_________________________________________________
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James Hood Was Here
It is reported that James Hood died today. from THE TUSCALOOSA NEWS 1-17-2013:-{ “James Hood, who faced down George Wallace’s stand in the schoolhouse door to help integrate the University of Alabama 50 years ago, died Thursday afternoon at the age of 70, in his hometown of Gadsden. James did a great thing for the University of Alabama,” said E. Culpepper Clark, former dean of UA’s College of Communication & Information Sciences, and author of “The Schoolhouse Door: Segregation’s Last Stand at the University of Alabama.”
“With Vivian Malone, he liberated the university to serve all the people of Alabama and thereby join the ranks of the nation’s flagship universities.”
Hood and Vivian Malone Jones, who died in 2005, attempted to register and pay fees June 11, 1963, at UA’s Foster Auditorium, accompanied by Deputy Attorney General Nicholas Katzenbach. Gov. George Wallace, surrounded by a phalanx of state troopers, barred them, attempting to keep his infamous inaugural promise of “segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever.” Later that day, Wallace backed down after President John F. Kennedy federalized the National Guard. }
JAMES HOOD WAS HERE. Thank you Sir. Lord, may he rest in peace. – HL_________________________________________________
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“Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.” – Soren KierkegaardThe HarryShots.com Quotes o’ Whatevah_________________________________________________
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“How much easier it is to be critical than to be correct.” – Benjamin Disraeli_________________________________________________
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“Happiness depends more on how life strikes you than on what happens” – Andy RooneyThe HarryShots.com Quotes of Whatever_________________________________________________
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“I’m happy now!” - Nick Saban, 3-time National Champion Football Coach of The University of Alabama_________________________________________________
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“No coach has ever won a game by what he knows; it’s what his players know that counts” – Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant_________________________________________________
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May 2013 bring good health and happiness to all my friends; I wish you the very best.
Let us renew our faith in ourselves, and in each other, and let safety and well-being be a given for everyone, everywhere. Happy New Year. – Harry_________________________________________________ -
“My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness“. – Dalai Lamathe HarryShots.com Quotes of Wha
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“My books are like water; those of the great geniuses are wine. (Fortunately) everybody drinks water.” – Mark Twain…from The HarryShots.com “Quotes”_________________________________________________
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“No one has ever drowned themselves in sweat” – Coach Lou HoltzThe HarryShots.com Quotes_________________________________________________
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“Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people” – Eleanor RooseveltThe HarryShots.com Quotes_________________________________________________
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“Most American children suffer too much mother and too little father” – Gloria SteinemThe HarryShots.com Quotes of Wha (whatever)_________________________________________________
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“Electricity is really just organized lightning” - George Carlinfrom the HarryShots.com Quotes of Wha_________________________________________________
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“Courtesy is as much a mark of a gentleman as courage” – President Teddy RooseveltThe HarryShots.com Quotes of Wha (Whatever)_________________________________________________
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“Think off-center” – George CarlinThe HarryShots.com Quotes of Wha_________________________________________________
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“Grown men can learn from very little children for the hearts of little children are pure. Therefore, the Great Spirit may show to them many things which older people miss“ - Black ElkThe HarryShots.com Quotes of Whatever_________________________________________________
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“Well done is better than well said” – Benjamin FranklinThe HarryShots Quotes of Whatever_________________________________________________
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“Happiness doesn’t depend on any external conditions, it is governed by our mental attitude” – Dale CarnegieThe HarryShots Quotes of Whatever
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“Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible” – The Dalai LamaThe HarryShots Quotes of WhAtEvEr_________________________________________________
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“Imagination rules the world” – Napoleon BonaparteThe HarryShots QuOtEs oF wHaTeVeR_________________________________________________
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“Motivation is simple. You eliminate those who are not motivated” - Coach Lou HoltzThe HarryShots qUoTeS oF WhAtEvEr_________________________________________________
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“When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us” – Alexander Graham Bell, inventor of the telephonethe HarryShots Quotes of Whatever_________________________________________________
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“I am easily satisfied with the very best” – Sir Winston Churchillthe HarryShots Quotes of Whatever_________________________________________________
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“Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere“. – Carl Sagan, astronomerThe HarryShots Quotes of Whatever_________________________________________________
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“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter“ - Martin Luther King, Jr.The HarryShots Quotes of Whatever_________________________________________________
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“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong” – Mohandas Gandhithe HarryShots.com quotes of Whatever_________________________________________________
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“My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me” - Coach Jim ValvanoThe HarryShots Quotes of Whatever_________________________________________________
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“You don’t stop laughing because you grow old. You grow old because you stop laughing.” – Michael PritchardThe HarryShots Quotes of Whatever_________________________________________________
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“PAGE ONE:
INSIDE THE NEW YORK TIMES”
a documentary (premiered at Sundance – 2011)
A very interesting movie about a very interesting subject. The question posed was (paraphrased): “Do we need the Grey Lady in an age of internet news, instant information, tweeting, the blogisphere, round the clock cable news channels, among the myriad ways we find out about the news?” There are those who see the New York Times, always “the newspaper of record” as either anachronistic now or soon to be so. In this digital age where everybody is a reporter and we all have cellphones, cameras, and are “tapped in” to what is happening, how important and useful, relevant is the NYT and its worldwide bureaus, staff writers far flung around the globe, and the thousands more in New York City who shape and deliver a newspaper on a daily basis?
Michael Kingsley of the New York Times panned the movie saying it was “all over the place” and “it does little to illuminate that struggle, preferring instead a constant parade of people telling the camera how dreadful it would be if The Times did not survive.”
David Carr, the Times media and culture columnist, is the man who gets the lion’s share of the face time. Frankly, I don’t think the Times could find a better advocate, one who can relate to the question of “relevance.” David is a very interesting man, casually impressive in an offhand but on-point way. I found the movie engrossing and highly interesting.
So, I’ll disagree, rather strongly, with Michael Kingsley and say that this is well worth a couple of hours, if only to see behind the veil and watch decisions being made and the paper put together. I give it “five highfives” “and it goes well with popcorn.” HL_________________________________________________
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Ratatouille
Ratatouille (rat-a-too-ee) is just plain fun to watch. For adults and kids alike. From Disney/Pixar studios and the creative people behind Cars and The Incredibles. Paris never looked so beautiful at night. Voicing by Patton Oswalt, Brian Dennehy, Janeane Garofolo, Peter O’Toole, Brad Garrett, among a host of others. Light, friendly, and charming, although set in a Paris restaurant’s kitchen that is anything but. As improbable as a story can get, but it’s animation, so relax take off your critic’s hat, and let yourself be entertained.I give Ratatouille five highfives, and “and it goes well with popcorn.” HL_________________________________________________
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OH BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU?
stars George Clooney, John Goodman, John Tunturro, Tim Blake, Holly Hunter, Chris Thomas King and Charles DurningFrom the creative minds of Joel and Ethan Coen. Which means its both funny and good.
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We start out with a chain gang prison break at Mississippi’s Parchman Farm Penitentiary in Sunflower County in the Mississippi Delta. The year is 1937. The film is said to be loosely based on Homer’s Odyssey, but you sure don’t need to be a Greek scholar to enjoy the hell out of this great movie. The soundtrack won the Grammy award and is good to the very last “Amen.”
We’ve got buried treasure, wanted prisoners trying to stay wanted, a scene at the Mississippi “crossroads of musical fame”, the Ku Klux Klan, Mississippi state elections, and a great deal more to feast your tired eyes upon. John Goodman is extraordinary as always in his cream colored Southern business suit and suspenders. Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? is a great movie and I give it five highfives, “and it goes well with popcorn.” HL_________________________________________________
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OUT OF AFRICAstarring Robert Redford and Meryl Streep (1985)
About once every year when I am restless and looking for something good, really good, to watch, I reach for one of the all time great movies, Out of Africa with maybe the finest work ever done by both Meryl and Bob.
This is an epic movie. It won the big awards as it should have: Best Picture, Best Cinematography, Best Director, Best Set Decoration, Best Musical Score, Best Sound, and Best Screenwriting.
Further, Out of Africa was nominated for: Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Costume, and Best Film Editing
Suffice it to say that Out of Africa is a triumph of the human spirit. It is grand, it is large; a tour de force and very well worth your seeing, or seeing again. I love the scene where Meryl’s character, Baroness Von Blixen surprises a lion in the Kenyan brush. She implores Robert Redford to shoot the beast and the dialogue and tension are memorable. And that is just one of a great many rather extraordinary scenes we are part of, in this riveting and well told story. I give it five HighFives, “and it goes well with popcorn.” HL_________________________________________________
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MASKED AND ANONYMOUS
Want to see the coolest movie you never heard of? Want to see a movie with a cast that includes Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Jessica Lange, Val Kilmer, Ed Harris, Mickey Rourke, Luke Wilson, Penelope Cruz, Bruce Dern, Christian Slater, Fred Ward, Angela Bassett, Cheech Marin, and stars Bob Dylan?
Then you want to seek out an amazing piece of cinema called “Masked and Anonymous” (2003). The soundtrack is sensational. John Goodman channels The Big Lebowski to a certain extent.
The dialogue is incredible. Val Kilmer is at his peak in his brief but unforgettable cameo.The poster at left is a Spanish language promotional poster.
I give this film five highfives, “and it goes well with popcorn“. HL_________________________________________________
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The Boys: The Sherman Brothers’ Story (2009)
Two brothers who hated one another and wrote the most wonderful songs. Songs you sing, songs you hum, songs your kids (grandkids) sing or will be singing a hundred years from now. The two brothers, Robert (Bob) and Richard (Dick) Sherman collaborated uneasily, but wrote songs such as:It’s A Small World * A Spoonful of Sugar * Chim Chim Cher-ee * Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious * Winnie The Pooh * Chitty Chitty Bang Bang * Tall Paul (a pop hit on the Billboard charts) * You’re Sixteen (You’re Beautiful and You’re Mine) (another Billboard chart topper). Their list of songs is as long as your arm. Walt Disney recognized their talents early on and they were integral parts of the Walt Disney empire. They won Academy Awards, Grammies, Presidential Medals of Freedom, and more.
The movie is a documentary about their careers and lives, as told by their adult children. This is a story of two families, fame, creative genius, rivalry, dysfunction on one level and acclaim on another. It is truly amazing, award-winning documentary and definitely worth seeing. The Boys: The Sherman Brothers Story is a HarryShots.com Ramble recommendation, I give it five highfives, “and it goes well with popcorn“. HL_________________________________________________
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Barney’s Version
I am a fan of Paul Giamatti so it was a treat to stumble on Barney’s Version (2010) not long ago. If there was press and media hyping this movie, I totally missed it. You probably did as well, ’cause I think it was minimal at best. So if you are looking for a something not too taxing or heavy handed, may I recommend Barney’s Version, with a nice role for Dustin Hoffman as icing on the cake.
Rosamund Pike is magnificent to watch. Bruce Greenwood, Minnie Driver are both in the cast. “Barney” time travels back and forth over a handful of decades, weaving a remarkable and quirky story but a cool one. I give it five highfives, “and it goes well with popcorn“. HL_________________________________________________
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SOUTHERN BELLESStars Anna Faris and Laura Breckenridge. Looking for a good movie to rent? I’m recommending Southern Belles (2005). Might be hard to find, but good stuff often is. It is a little Georgia small town slice of life picture. Numerous memorable scenes and dialogue. It’s a lot of fun. Rated H for happy. I rate it Five HighFives, “and it goes well with popcorn“. HL_________________________________________________
“Walking In Memphis” by Marc Cohn
Click here to download this good song, at Amazon.com
Some pop songs have a little magic hanging around the hype. It’s been a while since Marc Cohn showed up with his personal “American Pie” of a Song. I think it is worthy of serious praise for both lyrics and tune. Not too mention ENERGY which defines “Walking In Memphis.”
This song is a classic. If you haven’t heard it i five years or so, check it out again. It is the HarryShots.com Song of the Day. HL
“Gentle Annie” by Kate and Anna McGarrigle (Transatlantic Sessions)
Click here to download the mp3 of this good song, at Amazon.com
There are many versions of Stephen Foster’s beautiful and haunting “Gentle Annie,” none delivered with more grace and heart than this track by Kate. It is part of the Transatlantic Sessons series of albums. There are other McGarrigle Sister versions of this song, but none is so beautful in my mind. This is a treat to hear.
Stephen Foster remains among the pantheon of great songwriters, and certainly the preeminent American songwriter of the 19th century. “Gentle Annie” is not nearly as well known as many of Foster’s works. Kate and Anna McGarrigle do great justice to this song, with accompaniment by Rod Paterson. It was two years ago, last week, that Kate McGarrigle passed away. It is in her memory and in her honor, that HarryShots.com is dedicating the week to her music and that of sister Anna, and to a lesser extent, Kate’s former husband, Loudon Wainwright III.
I hope that you enjoy this special song. HL
“(Talk to Me of) Mendocino” by Kate and Anna McGarrigle
Click here to download the mp3 of this good song, at Amazon.com
HarryShots.com is dedicating the Songs of the Day, all week, to the memory of Kate McGarrigle, who passed away two years ago, last week. In her honor we are recommending songs by the McGarrigle Sisters, as well as Loudon Wainwright III, who was once married to Kate, and because LW3 wrote some of The McGarrigles best known songs.
Today’s Song of the Day is “Talk to Me of Mendocino” a wildly beautiful song that no ones does better than Kate and Anna. I hope it touches you like it has me. Enjoy. HL
“Come A Long Way” (remastered) by Kate and Anna McGarrigle
Click here to download the mp3 of this good song, at Amazon.com
This week is dedicated to the memory of Kate McGarrigle who passed away two years ago last week. In her honor HarryShots is playing Kate and Anna’s music as well as that of Loudon Wainwright III, Kate’s husband at one time in their lives. For my way of thinking, Kate, Anna, and Loudon all sit at in the circle of the Folk Revival that has been ongoing for over 50 years to date. Today’s HarryShots Song of the Day was written by LW3 and performed by The McGarrigle Sisters. Enjoy. HL
“The Swimming Song” by Loudon Wainwright III
Click here to download the mp3 of this good song, at Amazon.com
Yesterday, it was the McGarrigles version of this LW3 song. Today we offer you the Original, written by Loudon Wainwright III. It was Dead Skunk that made him a commercial success. Less well known, but equally fun is “The Swimming Song.” Loudon’s music and songwriting have gone through more than a few iterations as the bard has aged. Regardless of age, he hits the nail on the head about half the time. That is a pretty good percentage for any songwriter.
So listen to LW3′s cut and then check out yesterday’s version by Kate and Anna McGarrigle. Loudon was married at one time to Kate, and it is in honor of Kate, who passed away two years ago last week, that HarryShots.com is dedicating all of the music this week to them and to Loudon. Might throw in a track by Rufus or Martha before the end of the week. Enjoy. HL
“Swimming Song” by Kate and Anna McGarrigle
Click here to download the mp3 of this good song, at Amazon.com
The McGarrigle Sisters were, in their time, as good as it gets in the folk world. I love their simplicity, followed by incredible complexity in most of their songs. Lovely harmonies, evocative vocals, matched with grace in both lyric and musicianship. Even more enjoyable is the stereo separation of the song production. Crank it up and check it out.
This track was written by Loudon Wainwright III, who was once married Kate McGarrigle (children Martha and Rufus). Kate passed away two years ago last week. In her honor, HarryShots.com will dedicate all Songs of the Day, this week, to the McGarrigles and LW3.
Tomorrow, I will feature Loudon’s version of his song. Both are great. You will have to decide which, if any, is the better of the two. The real winner is the song. Great tune. Great instrumentation, lyrics that are damn near perfect. “Swimming Song” is today’s HarryShots.com Song of the Day. Enjoy. HL
“My Little Girl” by Pierce Pettis
Click here to download the mp3 of this beautiful song, at Amazon.com
Pierce Pettis has authored more than a handful of songs that I wish that I had written. Chief among them is “My Little Girl.” As a parent, there is no song that touches me more deeply than this one. If you think that is mighty high praise, listen and let me know what you think. Like me, Pierce grew up in Alabama and his songs are frequently poignant commentary on Southern living. This is incredibly lovely song is today’s HarryShots.com Song of the Day. Enjoy. HL
“Tour of Duty” by Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
Click here to download the mp3 of this good song, on Amazon.com
Fans of Drive-By- Truckers know Jason Isbell as the frontman of that fine Alabama based band. Jason Isbell’s latest musical venture is decidedly less rock n roll and more Americana in feel. Enjoy the HarryShots.com Song of the Day, “Tour of Duty” by Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit. HL
“Your Long Journey” by Robert Plant and Alison Krauss
Click here to download this fine song, at Amazon.com
When you combine a couple of great singers with a achingly sensitive and beautiful song, you get Robert Plant and Alison Krauss singing duet and harmony on “Your Long Journey.” Written by Arthel “Doc” Watson and his wife Rosa Lee Watson, I had tears in my eyes the first time I heard this song sung. Doc and Rosa Lee actually called their song, “Your Lone Journey” which is how they first recorded it. By any name, beautiful, simple and pure, it is today’s HarryShots.com Song of the Day. HL
ALABAMA DESTROYS LSU
“The final score was infinity to nothing. The Tigers didn’t belong on the same field as the Crimson Tide, and they literalized that cliche by spending almost the entire game outside the 50-yard line. The one time LSU crossed into Alabama territory, they turned tail and promptly and apologetically fumbled the ball back into their own end. Alabama is college football.“ Deadspin
Alabama Fans all over the planet are enjoying the warm glow of connected victory and group happiness. There is no doubt left. None. No argument to be intelligently made. The Alabama Crimson Tide is again the Champions and can gaze down from the mountain upon all that has been accomplished and earned, in one of the greatest beat downs ever.
The Crimson Tide covered itself in gridiron glory and the previously unbeaten, numero uno, that was LSU got their jocks handed to them. LSU was embarrassed. Rammer Jammer never sounded more prophetic as Bama fans duly noted, singing “We just beat the hell out of you” as the game clock struck zero. The actual game ended earlier.
No college football program can match history with Alabama, winning its 14th National Crown, going back to the first one in 1925 after a victory in the Rose Bowl. Alabama has played in more bowl games than anyone. We have won more bowl games than anyone. We had the best Coach in The Bear. We have the best Coach in Nick Saban. Excuse me, Coach Miles, could you hold this jockstrap?
There are victories and there are Victories. There is winning and there is Winning. The Crimson Tide scored six different times and LSU had only five first downs. LSU ran 44 offensive plays in the game. 11 of those plays were for negative yardage. LSU‘s total offense in the game was 92 yards, including passing and running. LSU punted 9 times in the game. They never came close to scoring.
So history is made. The game is over. Bama fans will savor this for a long time. Granted, the current BCS system may be flawed and needs to be changed. The number one team was LSU. Alabama was supposed to be the undeserving opponent. Next time Oklahoma State thinks they should have been there playing LSU, I remind them that they should beat lowly, also-ran Iowa State, before they make any kind of claim. The two best and most deserving teams played in the national championship BCS game. If one team did not deserve to be there, it wasn’t Alabama.
Alabama fans should not go ragging on poor LSU. It would be unbecoming of us. Let us, instead, offer them our hand, help them off the field of battle without gloating. We could gloat, but we shouldn’t. We should gently pat LSU players and fans on their back so as not to hurt them, smile sympathetically and say, “football is a very hard game to play, apparently.”
Feeling very, very good, HL
ps- DATELINE TUSCALOOSA. LSU played Alabama in basketball Wednesday night, two days removed from Bama’s BCS triumph. After the opening tip off, with LSU in possession of the basketball, they dribbled across half court into Alabama territory and a spontaneous mock “cheer” erupted from the Bama student section.
Alabama Alma Mater by The University of Alabama Million Dollar Band
Click here to download the National Champions University of Alabama Alma Mater, at Amazon.com
The University of Alabama, my University, just won the National Championship beating LSU 21-0. Roll Tide. Today’s HarryShots.com Song of the Day is the Alabama Alma Mater. Roll Tide. Enjoy! HL
“The Old Plank Road” by Robin and Linda Williams
Click here to download this excellent mp3, at Amazon.com
My old friends Robin and Linda Williams add their voices to this A Prairie Home Companion movie soundtrack. I recommend that you check out their music on a larger scale. Almost everything they record is first rate crackerjack stuff. Good people. Good music. Worth your listening to. Robin and Linda Williams cut from this movie soundtrack album, “The Old Plank Road” is today’s HarryShots Song of the Day. Enjoy. HL
“I Remember You” by Frank Ifield
Click this link to download mp3 of this song, at Amazon.com
Here’s a memorable song by Frank Ifield, who was a one hit wonder with
his big hit song, “I Remember You,” which is today’s HarryShots Song of the Day. HL
“Courtin’ In The Kitchen” by Gaelic Storm
Click here to download the mp3 of this cool song, at Amazon.com
Gaelic Storm is one powerful and cool band. A lot of their stuff knocks my socks off. They marry rock and Celtic and carry on from there. “Courtin’ In The Kitchen” by Gaelic Storm is today’s HarryShots Song of the Day. Enjoy. HL
“Unwed Fathers” by Ben Kyle and Carrie Rodriguez
Click here to download this great song at Amazon.com
First, let me give full credit to the songwriter, John Prine. This is one of many, many incredible songs John has come up with. He is probably America’s master Americana/folksong writer. All that being said, Carrie Rodriguez and Ben Kyle do a sweet job on this bittersweet song. So nice, in fact, that their version of “Unwed Fathers” is today’s HarryShots Song of the Day. Check it out. HL
George Kimball III (1943 – 2011)
George Kimball died in 2011. Without question, George was America’s premier boxing writer. He also covered golf’s majors, the New England Patriots, the New England Revolution, and to a lesser degree the Celtics and the Red Sox, all for the Boston Herald, where he was both a writer and later, a widely read columnist. And he was also a columnist for the Irish Times. He had ten times more friends than anybody you or I know, or ever will. Trust me on that.
George,
You, my old friend, were among those who were not able to see this new year rung in. Your passing is noted and notable. Maybe there will be a posthumous Pulitzer, it would not surprise me. Your life is all down there in black and white; the stories, columns, articles, and yes, the books. You left yourself a legacy. One hell of a legacy, pal. I will remember you with good thoughts. What I think of is the traveling, off and on, over the years that we did, mostly golfing, with a Super Bowl trip, and pubs, clubs, and concerts thrown in here and there, but mostly I recall the golf.
Remember that time we played Pinehurst #2 in the snow that early February afternoon? We had the whole course to ourselves, literally. Play away sir, the course is yours. Those caddies probably were planning on sitting near the heater in the caddy room when they woke up that morning to flurries. It was an easy day at the office until we rolled in. Walked all eighteen in light snow flurries, we did. We weren’t really dressed for it either. The cold I can’t remember anymore. The round I’ll never forget. And you had them comp us in the pro shop. Hey, It’s free, we’re here, it’s The Deuce, so let’s play golf. For the record, we were excellent tippers.
Only after you died did I read about your wilder days. Stories about your civil disobedience, and your having been on the ballot for Sheriff in Kansas, and the hanging out with Hunter S. Stories about the Eliot Lounge were fun to hear. You did have your share of adventures. I think you had at least one whole bucket list checked off.
And you were an honest-to a-fault golfer, optimistic enough to play every shot like the Open Championship was at stake. Forgive me for saying that you weren’t exactly playing at scratch. I think you probably knew that, yet your errant golf shots seemed to always shock you. And your golf stance was excellent; legs splayed like one was in Boston and the other in Worcester. You had that repeatable lash swing. That you only had one working eye may have been a contributing factor.
You should be forever thanking me for saving you from killing Marlene Floyd’s (sister of Ray Floyd, and a former LPGA player) little peek-a-poo, or whatever the hell it was, that time down in North Carolina. There you were on the tee, stance taken, starting your downswing just as a small white dog ran from behind, straight toward your teed up golf ball. I saw it, you could not have. That the dog didn’t perish on the spot was miraculous. I can see Marlene running, in slow motion, trying to save her dog, realizing that she was not gonna make it. My observational skills, such as they were, must have kicked in instinctively; I lunged toward you, at great peril to my person, and I must have yelped as you were in the second half of your always quick downswing, with the aforementioned dog two nanoseconds from coinciding with your ball at the moment of impact. Then it was over. Marlene in tears, thanking YOU when she should have been thanking me. Correct me if I am wrong, but it was you George, wasn’t it, who taught Tiger to stop his downswing on a dime? You’re welcome old friend. You’re welcome Marlene Floyd. You too Tiger.
We were both IIIs and we had a good laugh about it, and about our missing trust funds. After you passed, I read the obits and testimonials. Praising, amazing, and hair-raising. If I had known you in your early days, we wouldn’t have connected most likely. I couldn’t have kept up, from what it sounds like. So it’s good that we met only after we had both lost two or three miles per whatever off our fastballs.
I don’t want to fail to mention your rather notable lack of patience. Lord knows, you didn’t suffer fools. On The Scale of Life’s Patience Meter, there would be the Dalai Lama on one end and George Kimball on the other. In the same breath, I want to say that you did not have a mean bone in your body. You were hard on yourself, you won the lion’s share of your arguments, and you rarely stopped to relax. I don’t expect any rebuttal from you.
In the days just after you died, Bob Ryan wrote a really nice appreciation column about you, ditto Michael Gee and Kevin Cullen. Charlie Pierce’s hilarious trip down memory lane was a worthy homage. He knew you when. Unprepossessing as you always looked, your world included pretty much everyone in sports, politics, literature, music, and the field of good company.
Everyone remembers you in superlatives. They miss you in Boston. They miss you in New York City. Ireland will be missing you dearly. No one had more friends in more places than you did George. You were among the most interesting people I’ve known, a sentiment shared by others in their eulogies and remembrances. So, fairways and greens, pal, and take a lesson. I’m raisin’ a cup to you tonight, Champ. And it’s a Guinness.
My heart goes to Darcy and Teddy, Marge, and to Sarah as well, to George’s mom, Susan, whom I met a time or two, and who gave George his brains, his sense of justice, and the literature of Tennessee Williams. To his sister, Jennifer, down in Nashville, George was proud of you and your music.
Harry Lipson III, HarryShots.com
“Pied Piper” by Crispian St. Peters
Click here to download this song at Amazon.com
Way back in the good old 1960s, when I was growing up, there lived a lad named Crispian who was a one hit wonder. He had a big hit with “Pied Piper” and that led us to the era of Woodstock. No just kidding. But it was a big top ten hit. It is today’s HarryShots Song of the Day. Enjoy. HL
“Small Town Saturday Night” by Hal Ketchum
Click here to download Small Town Saturday Night at Amazon.com
Hal Ketchum was once a star in country music. Something happened or didn’t and Country Music somehow turned its back on Hal. Their loss, although I presume Hal wishes otherwise. Nevertheless, he recorded some damn fine music and “Small Town Saturday Night” (co-written by Pat Alger and Hank DeVito) is at the top of the list. If I ran Country Music or a record label, I would be walking up to Hal with a record contract in my hand. Check out today’s HarryShots Song of the Day, Hal Ketchum’s “Small Town Saturday Night.” HL
