Wish he could be our President again

"Dante once said that the hottest places in hell are reserved for those who in a period of moral crisis maintain their neutrality."
John F. Kennedy, at the signing of a charter establishing the German Peace Corps, Bonn, West Germany (24 June 1963).

Song Remains the Same

This Dead Parrot Society post contains a great mp3 loop of the guitar riff from Boston's "More Than A Feeling" and the one from Nirvana's "Smell's Like Teen Spirit." They do sound very much the same.

It reminds me of the medley Shawn Colvin used to do live (maybe still does?). She'd go from the Temptations' "Just My Imagination" into Jackie DeShannon's "Put a Little Love in Your Heart," to the Eagles' "Best of My Love," and then the Red Hot Chili Peppers"'Give It Away." She'd end up with McCartney's "Ebony and Ivory" and maybe a few more songs. She made me realize how similar they all sounded--it was like one big song and she barely had to move her fingers on the guitar neck.

American Music Club

Eleven years ago when I was still in college, I would sometimes hang out in Harvard Square during the day. There was a guy Ben who would bring his guitar to the square to play. He’d play some original songs, some Sebadoh stuff, and whenever I was there he'd play 'Outside this Bar' by American Music Club. I didn't know AMC at the time, but loved the song. He eventually told me who wrote the original so I walked over to Newbury Comics and bought an AMC record. I loved every minute of it. As luck would have it, they broke up the following year.

Thankfully, Mark Eitzel continued solo and put out 60 Watt Silver Lining in 1996. Soon after, I joined the firefly list and continued to buy every record he put out and see him every time he played Boston.

Sunday night I was finally able to see that original band who caught my attention. American Music Club played Boston for the first time in 10 years. It was a perfect show at the Middle East. Will Johnson opened up for them and was lovely and good.

Mark seemed more confident and comfortable surrounded by his bandmates than when it's just him on stage. I can't imagine how the show could've been better, except maybe if it lasted 3 hours.

Election 2004

Just some links:

Robert J. Vanderbei does some interesting things with the 2004 county-by-county election results.

Bob Herbert thinks folks voted without the facts.

I'm really happy Barak Obama won and locally that my state rep received 70% of the vote in his district.

The re-elected VP, Dick Cheney, wants to create a new tax system that makes savings and investment exempt from taxation.

Vote!

From the Boston Globe's election day gallery.