I post a weekly diary of historical notes, arts & science items, foreign news (often receiving little notice in the US) and whimsical pieces from the outside world that I often feature in "Cheers & Jeers".
OK, you've been warned - here is this week's tomfoolery material that I posted.
CHEERS to Bill and Michael in PWM, our Wyoming-based friend Irish Patti and ...... well, each of you at Cheers and Jeers. Have a fabulous weekend .... and week ahead.
ART NOTES — last month was the opening of the Niagara Falls, New York Underground Railroad Heritage Center — with art and photographs of a prominent hotel whose entirely African American wait staff helped with Canadian crossings, and the International Suspension Bridge where Harriet Tubman and others crossed the border into freedom.
Niagara Falls new museumWORLD CUP NOTES #1 — the Arab boycott of the Gulf state of Qatar has affected even the region’s TV viewing habits: a Qatari network bought regional rights for a large price (and planned to charge viewers a hefty fee) but found two problems: (a) hacking involving a Saudi network is enabling people to watch with a decoder and, (b) Egyptians watched (in Arabic) via an Israeli public broadcast network.
CONGRATULATIONS on his induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame to the New Brunswick, Canada native eighty-two year-old Willie O’Ree— the first black player in the NHL (for the Boston Bruins in 1958) despite blindness in his right eye — who did not even know of his achievement until reading it in the newspaper the next day. (Today, there are around two dozen black players in the NHL).
THURSDAY's CHILD is named Lily the Cat— a British Columbia kitteh who was found in the bumper of a car after being driven around town all day … yet has now been returned to her family without harm.
Lily the Traveling CatWORLD CUP NOTES #2 — the elimination stage began this weekend, and both matches on Sunday are on free broadcast TV (the Fox broadcast network where you watch the NFL and The Simpsons ). All times Eastern: Spain-Russia (10:00 AM — go, Spain!) and Croatia-Denmark (2:00 PM). Then on Monday, there will be Brazil-Mexico (10:00 AM) on the Fox Sports cable channel … but then back to the broadcast channel for the Belgium-Japan match (2:00 PM). Similarly, on Tuesday there will be Switzerland-Sweden (10:00 AM) on cable, but then Colombia-England (2:00 PM) on the Fox broadcast channel.
FRIDAY's CHILD is named Harry the Cat— an English kitteh who went missing ten years ago, then was taken-in by a man who recently died … and a micro-chip scan was able to reunite Harry with his family (who kept the micro-chip info current).
Harry the CatYUK for today — when customers of a Rite Aid pharmacy in San Diego complained about panhandlers and loiterers outside the store, management came with a solution: start playing Barry Manilow songs on outside loudspeakers, virtually around the clock.
NOT ALL THAT LONG AGO citizens of Italy who obtained seasonal work permits from Switzerland were forced to be separated from their children (and raised in state colleges run by religious clerics) — a law not formally repealed until 1996.
BRAIN TEASER - try this Quiz of the Week's News from the BBC.
OLDER-YOUNGER BROTHERS? — the late singer/songwriter John Denver and travel author/TV host Rick Steves.
John Denver (born 1943) Rick Steves (born 1955)...... and finally, for a song of the week ...........................… not a major profile, as I have only recently discovered their music: but a roots rock band from New Orleans known as The Subdudes truly has a blend of influences: folk, swamp rock, blues, country, Gospel and other Crescent City sounds. First founded forty years ago (after meeting at that city’s legendary Tipitina’s club) they have had spells of inactivity (with elusive recording contracts part of the reason) … yet soldier on and are often characterized in the “talent deserving wider recognition” category.
Their line-up consists of: Tommy Malone (guitar), Steve Amadée (percussion), John Magnie (keyboards, accordion) and — originally — Johnny Ray Allen on bass. (Tommy Malone is the brother of Dave Malone, guitarist of the veteran New Orleans rock band The Radiators).
In the early 1980’s, they were often an opening act for Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell and Shawn Colvin … finally releasing their self-titled debut album in 1989. Their music throughout their history has featured mostly originals, yet with inspired covers (of Al Green and New Orleans R&B star Earl King) and released four subsequent releases (including my favorite, Annunciation in 1994, after three years without a contract). Unable to get that big break, they split in 1996 before releasing a 1997 live album that appeared to be their swan song.
Yet they reunited in 2004, with bassist Johnny Ray Allen leaving not only the band but the music business (and was replaced by Tim Cook). Their 2006 post-flood album Behind the Levee was produced by blues star Keb Mo and had a minor hit with Papa Dukie and the Mud People that led to a 2007 album recorded in Nashville, Street Symphony.
They had another hiatus out of the music world (from 2011-2014) before reuniting with original bassist Johnny Ray Allen. He died in August 2014 (at age fifty-six) and the band continues to this day with Tim Cook back on the bass. Their most recent album was released in 2016.
Their music has been featured in the HBO series Tremé and their current tour brings them to New England, then across the nation to November. Here’s hoping they get that big break … they have certainly paid their dues along the way.
First Subdudes line-up (from 1990) … and in their more recent yearsFrom that 1994 album Annunciation comes my favorite song of theirs, Why Can’t I Forget About You?— a song the band co-wrote with solo roots music guitarist Pat McLaughlin. And below you can hear it.
The way I see it, it's no sin The way I held you in the dark Was the right way to begin Why can't I forget about you?
Stayed out drinking with my friends Dancing with a girl or two You know the story but the tale never ends Why can't I forget about you?
Leaving town just to forget Many miles away from you Nothing to go back to Tell me why can't I forget about you?
Mosquitoes circling the pale porch light They don't know it ain't no use Thoughts come running in the middle of the night Can't believe I'm losing you
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