Road to Hell

Because we're all fathers and sons, at least most of us are. Because I remember my dad having a BMW with a blaupunkt stereo cassette player in it. And I will always remember one cassette that played and played and continued to play several times. Much unknown to the common musical lover, but it's a classic and it's good. I wish I had watched a live performance from this guy, he definitely has one of those voices that will give you the goose bumps. Released in 1989, Road to hell, from the album that shares the same name, here performed live at the Plymouth Pavilion 13th April of 2006. With no further delays, this one is for you dad: Chris Rea.

“Ser culto es el único modo de ser libre” - José Martí

On August 28th I found myself soaked in sweat. The minute I step outside of the airplane I feel a wave of heat, a wall of humidity hitting me in the face. It was pleasant and unpredictable, but welcome after almost 4 hours of flight. Varadero, Cuba, the airport had basically no air conditioning, and people were selling beer right outside of the building. If you've never been to Cuba, you can't imagine the beaches they have, the colour of the water and the lack of pollution and clean air. The warmth of the water can only be compared to the hospitality and warmth of our fellow Cubans. Unfortunately that's all they can offer. When you travel to Varadero, out of the resorts area you see how Cuba truly is, at least a part of it for what some Cuban friends told me, Havana seems to be much worse. Some asked me to sell them my perfume bottle, my portable DVD player, to mail them diapers and all kinds of assortments. They don't have access to 10% of the everyday comforts that we take for granted. I can't say they are completely unhappy, but I can't say also that they have a fair chance in life of becoming all they can be.
You might guess what comes next, but there's no way to escape it, I really don't want to escape it because it's f*cking fantastic. Some of the musicians who performed in Havana in local clubs 40, 50 years ago, were finally given the recognition and their talent transpired overboard that little island, that by some f*cked up reason is still being embargoed (maybe it's the cigars or the rum, the americans might have something against it or maybe is their communist healthcare system, huuuuuuu, spooky). The truth is Buena Vista Social Club, recorded in 1997, transpires some of the great musical culture from those club nights in Havana that disappeared in the 50's and 60's.
With no further delays - Buena Vista Social Club - Chan Chan.



P.S. - Check Wim Wenders spectacular documentary of the same name. Buena Vista Social Club.

Eastcoaster Geek

Hey, east coasters, more precisely, Maria. I know you're out there, on your own, figuring it all out. At least figure out all that you don't want, everything that you like will come next. Wise man said that "only the fools stall to live in the comfort of the present..."
Ok, I totally made that up, but it sounded sooooo profound, and I'll be throwing up next, but before that, what else, our song of the day, dedicated tou our own geek in the family, our lonely east coaster.
Ladies and few Gentlemen, Suede - By the sea. Never very famous in the States, but off course, they had Britney Spears and Beyonce music to torture clothing store's customers and innocent bystanders, as stated in my earlyer posts. They were actually called the Suede Of London in the US, go figure. Well, if the Spanish can call the Rolling Stones, Las Piedras Rolantes, that isn't actually that bad, but still retarded though. Really stupid! Well both times I saw them live, they were really fantastic. Real good stage presence, not that we can say much for the new bands in these days. F#ck!! Those marketing guys really f#cked up music completely. To the bone I say, to the bone!

P.S. Hey Geek, the chorus has all the answers to life, listen to it carefully, the mosquitoes are eating my laptop, gotta go.
Bet you thought I was going to post something really goth didn't you? Ahah, fooled you!!

Are you a Fanboy?

Alright, Fanboys is not a great movie, doesn't have a great script (although the cameo apearences are hilarious), but is about something that most of us enjoyed and cherished for years. Star Wars. Yeah, that's right, STAR WARS. Nope. I'm not that fanatic, I don't know small facts and details about the characters in the movies and this is not a fan statement. I guess a lot of us grew up watching those movies, sometimes over and over during summer reruns late at night. It was just part of our culture and whether you like it or not, each and everyone of us (except for trekers) wanted to have a little of Han Solo, a little of Luke Skywalker, a little of Darth vader, Obi Wan Kenobi and off course the beautiful Leia Organa. I mean being a stormtrooper must be hell during summertime, but kicks ass when we walk in pairs. Nervertheless, each and everyone of us has an adventure to tell about our childhood summertimes with our friends. That's what is all about, an adventure with your friends.
Since Star Wars was the drive here, let me bring you to speed with some other guys who got a taste of it also. Let me just say you would like to get out of the way of that Tie fighter that's coming your way. Just press play and volume up.

P.S. A little tip from a friend from the other side of the ocean, said that a Miss Beca might like this one, at least the begining.



Ash - Lose Control, released in 1996 from the Album 1977 (you might guess why the name of the album is 1977).

Don't fix what is not broken, NOT!!!

You might hear a lot of times, "If it's not broken, don't fix it". Well this is not entirely true sometimes. Sometimes you have to brake it because what you have might not be what is right, although what is right might not be what you need, and so on and so on... The bottom line here is, if you aren't completely happy you shoudn't settle for less, that's what happens when you're too comfortable to move or change. Man, sometimes you have to brake it. But always with moderation, one foot on the ground and facing the thin line in the horizon. That takes us to our nex pick of the day: You Can't always get what you want - Rolling Stones. released on their 1969 album Let It Bleed.

Mr Peter, this one is for you. Listen to it wiselly and make your own conclusions. If you have a shot at getting first place, don't blink.

4 x 4 f#cking 2

I would say I'm not a very impressionable person. I would actually say that there are only three things in life that will get me excited. THe first is my wife, the second is Music and the third are Movies.
So, today's subject is poetry. This all makes sense I know, bare with me. A couple of years ago I saw this fantastic comedy about football (soccer for this side of the continent). English comedy that went unnoticed (wich happens with most of them, not surely why, their humour's f#cking great). The movie was called Mike Basset England Manager. It's about an underdog coach that is hired to take England's squad to the world cup final. It's hilarious and unpredictable to say the most. Nevertheless, the subject in question is a poem. A poem written by Ruddyard Kippling. The name of the poem is IF. And there's this sketch in the movie, where this guy is being pounded by the press to resign and quit, and he starts silently declaiming this poem. It still gives me the shivers. You have to watch it.

Click the link below.
"If" by Rudyard Kipling, declaimed by Ricky Tomlinson in Mike BAsset Englan Coach

An excert from If

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch;
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run -
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man my son!

Music is allergic to air conditioner

What?! Music is allergic to air conditioner?! It's true. I drove by a beautiful blue and white Dodge Viper yesterday. It was a spectacular day, warm and sunny drinkable afternoon. And this guy was listening to some music with the windows up. I say, spread the music, let it out when your going for a drive, share it with world, music hates air conditioner (scientifically proven, probably). Music is allergic to closed spaces. Hear it loud and clear, stereo or mono. Just let it slide through your speakers. Off course, and I'll make this very clear. This only applies to good music. Bad music, you should not roll down your windows or turn it up. You shouldn't even listen to it. It's like bad wine. Don't drink it. The hang over is a killer.
Here's an example of good driving music. Loud, clear and with your car windows rolled down. Suck on that one Dodge Viper Owner.



Jacqueline is track number 1 on Franz Ferdinand’s debut album by Scottish indie rock band Franz Ferdinand, released in early 2004.
Turn on your volume.