A Beef Sandwich w/ Sweet and Hot Peppers

Saturdays with Sammy and Friends

Download massive_attack_featuring_tracey_thorn_protection.mp3 (Massive Attack w/ Tracey Thorn on Vocals)

The Only Band That Mattered

In music it seems every generation had the one person or group who smashed the mirror, you know the ones who you could define a generation or movement: Chuck Berry, Elvis, The Beatles, The Doors, Bob Marley, The Grateful Dead, Nirvana. Then for me there was The Only Band That Mattered, The Clash. I had read about them when I was 13 and remembering taking a train and then the "L" to a record shop and buying the import of their first album, The Clash UK. It was the first import I had ever bought and probably the 4th or 5th album I had ever purchased. It's sitting next to me now as I write this, looking at I remember how amazed I was, this album wasn't shrink-wrapped, It was in a clear plastic bag, no wonder it was so expensive! When I first heard it, I literally sat there in front of the speaker with my mouth open, this was it! Bands like the Beatles and The Everly Brothers (my early listening) had spoken to me before but not like these guys did. I wish I could really put it in words how I felt, all I knew then was, this was real and honest. I was fortunate enough to see them live at The Aragon here in Chicago. It was life changing, to the crowd we were seeing "The Only Band That Mattered" and to The Clash we were "The Only People Who Mattered"

My love for the group continued, thru London Calling, Sandinista,and Combat Rock. Joe's words not only entertained but educated me, forced me to think and change my ways. Like John Lennon and Bob Marley before him, he preached humanity in his lyrics and showed us about suffering and there is more to life than working for the man. Unlike Lennon and Marley, Strummer and The Clash were my generation's voice. The one who stood up to Reagan and Thatcher and taught me to speak up when I saw injustice either at home or abroad. With each release the group became accepted by more of my friends and the world, The Clash were going to be the answer, the tide was changing goodbye cheesy rock bands.

Then it exploded and Joe Strummer kicked Mick Jones out of the band. I remembering reading that while in college and remember throwing the NME down saying out loud "What the FUCK, FUCK YOU JOE STRUMMER HOW DARE YOU?" I never bought Cut The Crap, I can't even recall hearing a song from it, I moved on, the journey was over. I followed Big Audio Dynamite and knew Joe had worked on some films soundtracks and then started The Mescalaros. A childhood buddy of mine recalled to me seeing the group in Chicago while I was living in New York. He was telling me how great it sounded and that I should go re-discover Joe. Wally knew I still really hadn't forgiven Joe for kicking out Mick and I had moved on. When my friend passed away, I went and seeked out Joe's work with The Mescalaros but unfortunately never got to see the group live.

I recently saw the documentary on Joe Strummer The Future is Unwritten and it is really worth spending some time with. I was glad they didn't make Joe out to be a Saint which some of these documentaries end up doing. Joe like many of us in our lives lose our sense of self,some return to it, others continue to search for it and some never find it. Watching the film it seemed Joe re-discovered himself. Five years ago, Joe Strummer died leaving us with the one thing I heard when I put the needle down on the turntable as a young teen. Hope.

Download career_opportunities.mp3 (The Clash)
Download 08_magnificent_seven.mp3 (The Clash)
Download johnny_cash_redemption_song1.mp3 (Johnny Cash w/Joe Strummer)

Saturdays with Sammy and Friends

Here's Sammy on Carson talking about cooking. Download 05_crap_kraft_dinner.mp3 (Hot Chip)

Randomness

Things chug along and times call for some random thoughts.

Unbelievable that The U.S. Constitution continues to be torn to threads. You know, you grow up thinking and being taught what a beautiful piece of work that piece of paper is. The document that guides us and perhaps the world in what could be achieved and the current US Administration walks on it and wipes its dirty feet on it like a doormat, while the mainstream press and Congress and perhaps even us sit idly by. Read the latest atrocity right here. So Much for Checks and Balances and independent branches of government.

On the holiday kick, been visiting these two sites quite a bit for some holiday cheer. Of course one of my favorites Keep The Coffee Coming  and then there is AM, Then FM both chock full of the true meaning of Christmas. My deepest gratitude to them both for the time and effort on educating me with unheard songs and allowing me to remember ones that are my favorites.

The Chicago Cubs sign Japanese Outfielder Kusuke Fukudome to play right field. My only advice to him is wear your sunglasses for all Wrigley Day Games in Right Field. Around 3:30pm  the sun, seeps over behind home plate grandstands  and will hit you right in your eyes. If you drop or miss read a pop up, be ready for a 42,000 person chant of FUCK YOU DOMAY! FUCK YOU DOMAY! and I don't even believe in swearing at the park. Really, some one please let him know.

Since I didn't update yesterday with Saturday with Sammy, here's a little X-Mas ditty for you
Download the_christmas_song.mp3  (Sammy Davis Jr.)

Saturdays with Sammy and Friends

Download 09_get_rhythm.mp3 (Johnny Cash) Download 09_crazy_rhythms.mp3 (The Feelies)

Saturdays with Sammy and Friends

Download 06_secret_agent_man.mp3 (Johnny Rivers)

Thanksgiving Day

As promised, The 2nd Annual airing of William S. Burroughs "A Thanksgiving Prayer". As always, I am very thankful for those close to me and for you all who email, comment or just stop by the old Beef Stand. Download a_thanksgiving_prayer.mp3 (William S. Burroughs) Download be_thankful_for_what_you_got_album_version.mp3 (William Devaughan)

Our Thanksgiving Special Part 3

Download 02_call_any_vegetable.mp3 (Mothers of Invention) Download little_birdycharlie_brown_thanksgiving_special.mp3 (Vince Guaradli Trio - pulled directly from video)

Our Thanksgiving Special Part 2

Download diggin_my_potatoes.mp3 (Washboard Sam) Download 06_turkey_chase.mp3 (Bob Dylan)

Saturdays with Sammy and Friends

Download 11_jet_airliner.mp3 (Steve Miller Band) Download 06_was_i_drunk.mp3 (Georgia White)