Welcome to the page for my as-yet-untitled new book project. In my 2011 Goals post, I wrote this:
#2. Write A Book: This one is sort of new, but something I’ve been kicking around. I have an idea, a fun idea that’s in my wheelhouse (music), and I think I can tackle it bit-by-bit throughout the year as it is non-fiction and full of lots of little bits. It’ll make sense later.
We’ll, it’s started, and here’s the pitch: I’m going to create the ultimate guide to the POWER BALLAD. I know, you’re asking yourself, WTF? Who needs this? Why? Here’s why. As I spent some time trolling the internet for music reading, I stumbled upon several discussions revolving around what was the best power ballad, and let me say that some of the answers were so incredibly off the mark, I felt compelled (but didn’t) to respond with various insults denigrating intelligence and taste.
What I did do was start an actual list of what the true qualities that make a power ballad a power ballad, and took a hard look at what the songs do and don’t match the criteria. And then I started jotting down notes about individual songs. Once I struck upon a concept to build on, I knew I had something worth exploring (to me, anyway).
So, from time to time, I’m going to post a page or two to check out. Eventually, I’m going to figure out a title as well. If you want to suggest one, put it in the comments below.
Concert Review: The Afghan Whigs & Howlin’ Maggie @ Bogarts, Columbus, OH (9/25/99)
This was it, supposedly the last Afghan Whigs show. For most people, that doesn’t mean much. The Whigs were an acquired taste, first with their midwestern bar band brand version of Husker Du meets The Replacements, and later with their refined soul rock that combined ’60s Motown and ’90s Seattle.
Like the legendary KISS, their records never did justice to the band the way their explosive live shows could. Lead singer/guitarist Greg Dulli, currently fronting the more sedate Twilight Singers, could be cool and seductive one moment, acerbic and nasty the next. At this particular show, Dulli was more reflective and unguarded than previous shows.
After a solid opening set by Whig contributor Happy Chichester and his reformed band Howlin’ Maggie, Happy joined the Whigs on stage for the set-opening cover of Thin Lizzy’s The Boys Are Back in Town, engaging in some triple guitar fun while Dulli adjusted the lyrics to “The Afghan Whigs are back in town.”
Drawing from their vast catalog of originals and covers, the band stuck mostly to the later era of the band, ignoring the earlier material, while sprinkling in their trademark covers of The Supremes, Steve Wonder and others. Still, this was not the Whigs at their best. Maybe it was the moment, knowing this would probably be the last time the band would ever take the stage together (unless someone, say, threw a bunch of money at them to unite at Cochella or some other destination show), that cast a somewhat somber note on the whole evening.
AFGHAN WHIGS SETLIST
The Boys Are Back In Town
Superstition/Going To Town/In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida
Uptown Again
Come See About Me
Be Sweet
Neglekted/Do You Feel Like We Do/Nasty
King Only
If I Were Going
Debonair
Bad Girl/66/Little Red Corvette
I’ll Be Around
Somethin’ Hot
Crazy
Bulletproof/Baby Love
People Get Ready/Faded
Fountain And Fairfax/Hot For Teacher
Omerta/The Vapire Lanois/All You Need Is Love
Into The Groove/Rebirth Of The Cool
Like the legendary KISS, their records never did justice to the band the way their explosive live shows could. Lead singer/guitarist Greg Dulli, currently fronting the more sedate Twilight Singers, could be cool and seductive one moment, acerbic and nasty the next. At this particular show, Dulli was more reflective and unguarded than previous shows.
After a solid opening set by Whig contributor Happy Chichester and his reformed band Howlin’ Maggie, Happy joined the Whigs on stage for the set-opening cover of Thin Lizzy’s The Boys Are Back in Town, engaging in some triple guitar fun while Dulli adjusted the lyrics to “The Afghan Whigs are back in town.”
Drawing from their vast catalog of originals and covers, the band stuck mostly to the later era of the band, ignoring the earlier material, while sprinkling in their trademark covers of The Supremes, Steve Wonder and others. Still, this was not the Whigs at their best. Maybe it was the moment, knowing this would probably be the last time the band would ever take the stage together (unless someone, say, threw a bunch of money at them to unite at Cochella or some other destination show), that cast a somewhat somber note on the whole evening.
AFGHAN WHIGS SETLIST
The Boys Are Back In Town
Superstition/Going To Town/In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida
Uptown Again
Come See About Me
Be Sweet
Neglekted/Do You Feel Like We Do/Nasty
King Only
If I Were Going
Debonair
Bad Girl/66/Little Red Corvette
I’ll Be Around
Somethin’ Hot
Crazy
Bulletproof/Baby Love
People Get Ready/Faded
Fountain And Fairfax/Hot For Teacher
Omerta/The Vapire Lanois/All You Need Is Love
Into The Groove/Rebirth Of The Cool
2011 Goals
2010 was a benchmark year for me: I got married. Still not sure which spell or what voodoo pulled that off, but here I am. As a result of the plethora of wedding gifts from family, friends, co-workers, etc. that have improved our ability to cook at home, I have definitely become more confident in the kitchen, pulling off jambalaya, my Grandmother’s banana cream pie, perfectly done steaks in the oven and mastering (almost) the caramelized onion, among many other things.
Writing wise, things started out with a bang. I wrote two new screenplays, Bands on the Run and The Resurrected. Then things go off track. I bounced around from idea to idea, doing a little outlining here and plotting there, but nothing really took. I plan on fixing that.
So here we go: goals for the New Year (I’m not calling them resolutions, I hate that).
WRITING
#1. Complete 2 New Screenplays: I was on a writing tear for a few years, but I slowed down this past year. I have had two on the burner for awhile, and I think I’m ready to get my ass in gear and get started. However, I’m going to do it right: outline, outline, and outline. The first one starts in January, and I expect to be done by June, then start the next one and finish in December.
#2. Write A Book: This one is sort of new, but something I’ve been kicking around. I have an idea, a fun idea that’s in my wheelhouse (music), and I think I can tackle it bit-by-bit throughout the year as it is non-fiction and full of lots of little bits. It’ll make sense later.
#3. Shoot the “Bands On The Run” short: This is a biggie, since it involves more than just me. But hey, if you’re gonna shoot, shoot big, right? Goal is for a spring/summer shoot.
MUSIC
#4. Launch A Music Podcast: Again, something I’ve been kicking around for awhile, but just been waiting to get all the pieces lined up. Hopefully, this will happen sooner rather than later.
#5. Make Some New Music: A song? An album? Who knows. Been enjoying playing guitar again recently, and feel like I’ve got some new creative fuel in the tank. Not sure what it’ll be at this point, but the Bandcamp website is a new and exciting way to distribute music that I’m going to explore.
PERSONAL
#6. The Gym: First, I bought new headphones, so that makes it easier to tolerate, as I am not a gym rat. Second, although I’m not thrilled with the change to my work schedule, it will actually make it easier to get the gym after work. So here’s to losing 20 pounds.
Now, how to achieve these goals. #1, I plan on spending at least a half-hour each day doing something creative. Write, play music, etc. Something to keep the creative juices flowing on a daily basis. #2, besides the gym every day after work, I have no doubts I eat too many carbs and too much sugar, so my goal is to reduce those significantly. For instance, instead of having a chicken sandwich for lunch, I’m just going to have a baked chicken breast.
These are the goals, Happy New Year.
Writing wise, things started out with a bang. I wrote two new screenplays, Bands on the Run and The Resurrected. Then things go off track. I bounced around from idea to idea, doing a little outlining here and plotting there, but nothing really took. I plan on fixing that.
So here we go: goals for the New Year (I’m not calling them resolutions, I hate that).
WRITING
#1. Complete 2 New Screenplays: I was on a writing tear for a few years, but I slowed down this past year. I have had two on the burner for awhile, and I think I’m ready to get my ass in gear and get started. However, I’m going to do it right: outline, outline, and outline. The first one starts in January, and I expect to be done by June, then start the next one and finish in December.
#2. Write A Book: This one is sort of new, but something I’ve been kicking around. I have an idea, a fun idea that’s in my wheelhouse (music), and I think I can tackle it bit-by-bit throughout the year as it is non-fiction and full of lots of little bits. It’ll make sense later.
#3. Shoot the “Bands On The Run” short: This is a biggie, since it involves more than just me. But hey, if you’re gonna shoot, shoot big, right? Goal is for a spring/summer shoot.
MUSIC
#4. Launch A Music Podcast: Again, something I’ve been kicking around for awhile, but just been waiting to get all the pieces lined up. Hopefully, this will happen sooner rather than later.
#5. Make Some New Music: A song? An album? Who knows. Been enjoying playing guitar again recently, and feel like I’ve got some new creative fuel in the tank. Not sure what it’ll be at this point, but the Bandcamp website is a new and exciting way to distribute music that I’m going to explore.
PERSONAL
#6. The Gym: First, I bought new headphones, so that makes it easier to tolerate, as I am not a gym rat. Second, although I’m not thrilled with the change to my work schedule, it will actually make it easier to get the gym after work. So here’s to losing 20 pounds.
Now, how to achieve these goals. #1, I plan on spending at least a half-hour each day doing something creative. Write, play music, etc. Something to keep the creative juices flowing on a daily basis. #2, besides the gym every day after work, I have no doubts I eat too many carbs and too much sugar, so my goal is to reduce those significantly. For instance, instead of having a chicken sandwich for lunch, I’m just going to have a baked chicken breast.
These are the goals, Happy New Year.
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