2010 On The Good Foot With Maceo Parker

Here we are in the last week of the first decade of the millennium. We are all looking back and reflecting on things that happened for what ever reasons they did. Some of us are happy. Some us are forlorn. Some of us are apathetic. And some of us are not forgetting what the republican administration actually did to the whole world. And that makes me want to forge a future so bright and amazing that they will never be able to do THAT again. And the only way I have ever known how to do this is with music. The remedy continuum.

So now I am hell bent about bringing music back to the foreground with relentless drive and ambition. It is the only way I know how. So count me in! We are looking at a brand new decade approaching. What better time to inhale a deep breath and begin cultivating with every exhale. Excuse me for having such optimistic relevance, but that is what music does to my soul. It empowers me to do the impossible. Jimi Hendrix called it the power of soul. And that's what it's going to take to get what I want. And those that know me, know what it is that I want and who I want in my life...

With that I will turn you over to Maceo Parker. This song somehow reminds me of the years 2000 to 2008. I have to remember to keep my feet from out of the way of bad politics and economic trampling. Maybe even try and reteach some of these greedy politicians of all parties with the music. Some of them, at least.
This is a good year for self redemption. The best way to show others the path is to walk down it.


“Elephant’s Foot” by Maceo Parker
(Down load this mp3 at my newest site: Uncle samurai 2ten)



your friendly cyberhood
Uncle Samurai

Lightnin' Hopkins "Happy New Year"

Whew...it's about to be the next decade. Thank god for that. Since 2000, America has been a little tense, if you know what I mean. That administration was not very fun. The first decade of the 21st century was , pretty much owned by them.
(sigh)
But that was then and soon we will start a new. A perfect time to let go and move forward.
By the middle of 2010, I should be alright and the last decade will have been worth wading through. Sometimes the pains of life are overshadowed by the future that is so bright.

Meanwhile I need to revel in the blues with some Lightnin' Hopkins...






Your Friendly Cyberhood
Uncle Samurai

Public Domain 2ten is here for your holiday blues...and mine

For those of us with the Blues...whether it's the holidays or not...it'll sneak up on ya...this goes out to that special someone I have to let go...
<3 U always...

Robert Johnson – “Kindhearted Woman Blues” mp3

Browse here for some great blues mp3s...if you feel like it.






your friendly cyberhood
Uncle Samurai,

Why I Like Pink, Besides How Hot She Is...

RESPECT to Pink. She manages to say the things that should be said from a celebrity's mouth with out losing basic common sense. Whenever Pink is quoted, I usually agree with her statements as if I were listening to her at a local pub or something. She just doesn't seem that big headed about herself. A very good role model, so far, for other artists, I think...maybe Britney should listen to her...Here's that article:

Pink 'Blasts Britney For Miming'

Pink is not impressed by Britney Spears when the singer performs - because she hates the fact the 'Womanizer' star mimes to her hits.

The 'So What' singer said: "I'm not taking anything away from Britney because I really like her a lot, but I would never go to a show where the person was lip-synching." (continue reading)

Golf Star Tiger Woods Reputation Uncaged

Well, it seems you can't have it all. Even if you have a billion dollars. And to me, that's having most of all of it. But in lieu of this scandal, I admit that if you are going to live one life...live it to the fullest. I think as Tiger Woods get's older his memory will split into two categories. One for the life he lived below his belt...and for the one above.
His 22 apologies ought to sort things out, eh?
Anyway, out of all the things said so far from his "affair committee," these stand out in my mind the most:

Tiger mother-in-law rushes back to house

Tiger Woods’ stricken mother-in-law, Barbro Holmberg, rushed to the hospital after collapsing yesterday, was treated and quickly rushed back to Woods’ home today, sources reported. “I hate missing any of this fun,” she texted a nurse she had met at the hospital.

Tiger Woods’ gardener collapses, rushed to hospital

An unknown woman, believed to be a sex slave of Tiger Woods’, called 911 today and frantically pleaded for an ambulance to be sent to the golf superstar’s residence. “Tony the gardener is down!” she could be heard saying on police tapes while sobbing. “He can’t take the stress anymore.”

Have a grrrrreat weekend!

your friendly cyberhood

Uncle Samurai

(who is also black and asian, but does not condone Woods behavior)

Fun Fun Fun Recordings

"67" Part 2

This version has me on guitar playing along with the same loop as previous video posted.
I must admit I have way more fun on the guitar...




Jimi Hendrix would have been 67 years old on November 27th 2009

67 is how old Jimi Hendrix would be today...

So this track is called
"67"



happy birthday Jimi...
your friendly cyber hood
uncle samurai

Barbarella Throwback: Capri

Capri
"Barbarella" (mp3)
from "Live At The Wardrobe"
(Caprimusic / GLP)

NFL 1- Native American Indians 0

The Supreme Court revoked appeal from a group of Native American Indians. They want the NFL team "Washington Redskin " to change their name.


I would side with the Indians, but I don't think they stand a chance...still...

The best part of the article is the comment section of course...

And now...another kick ass tune from
Super Fan 2009

Britney Spears Going Down Under : Lip Synch Queen of Pop

Judge has branded Spears' shows a "Mickey Mouse performance," adding: "Let's be clear - live means live. If you are spending up to $200, I think you deserve better than a film clip. The NSW Government would be happy to look at options, such as a disclaimer on a ticket which would warn consumers a performance is pre-recorded...." (Read more)

Thank you Britney for turning this mockery of talent back around into the hands of those who want to hear live music. At least use an auto tuner live...and thank you Australia!
And THANK YOU VIRGINIA JUDGE!!


Definition of live music: when the audible sounds being made are being produced LIVE on the spot.
Definition of live instrument: when the instrument cannot produce a sound while unattended...that includes vocal tracks!

your friendly cyber
Uncle Samurai

Fort Hood Army Base Shooting: Texas

News about the Fort Hood Army Base Shooting is shocking the nation right now. I hope this doesn't start a chain reaction to the integrity of those serving in the military. Stay together y'all!

The shooter's last name was Hasan, and I'm sure there will be remarks against those with Islamic sounding names.

But for now...Prayers out to the victim's families...with empathy and compassion from Kannon, The Buddhist Goddess of Mercy.

To find out what happened,
here is the Fort Hood Shooting Article at Yahoo


your friendly cyberhood
Uncle Samurai

Duke Ellington: Take The A Train With The Yankees

No other band has so singularly possessed more charm and sophistication than Duke Ellington and The Washingtonians. “Choo Choo” always paints my imagination with images of buttoned up musicians riding in the luxury car headed to a gig in The Big Apple. What I wouldn’t give to be riding the rails with that band. Duke and his band remain to this day, the touchstone of class.

Duke Ellington – “Choo Choo” mp3

And if you are in New York...you can celebrate this feeling with The New York Yankees.
"The New York Yankees bolted from the dugout even before the last grounder was scooped up. After waiting nine years for championship No. 27, no one would dare hold them back..." (Read more)










your friendly cyberhood
Uncle Samurai

What The Music Industry Is Over Looking

The Music Industry doesn't have time to listen to all of music.
Main industry music search will always miss out on some choice bands while they try to crunch out numbers with pop music. With more music websites available, there are a variety of searches now. As an artist, I have over twenty five years of experience writing, playing and enjoying music. Watching trends occur in the pop music world is like watching the moon chase the tides. You never really know who will be the next pop millionaire.
But one thing I am certain of, is that some really good bands just simply get over looked. Aiding this particular search is what sites like Open Source Music is all about. And that is artist/band friendly. Radio used to be the filter. Now it's in the hands of the people on line, too. Free downloads are an essential key, now, to discovering that next great sound.

And when any good band gets discovered, they are given the chance and opportunity to go out there and make people happy. Which, I hear, is greatly appreciated during these economic hard times. That is why OSM is yet another great music website in my book. And when people discover music they like, they usually buy it. I don't believe in the pirate music curse, that much.
These facts seem to be speaking for themselves more and more.


Your friendly cyberhood
Uncle Samurai

Ed Meeker- Take Me Out To The Ball Game: World Series

Yankees Or Phillies?

Ed Meeker: Take Me Out To The Ball Game mp3

Christmas at Wikipedia

I will participate this year. Since I was 13 I loathed Christmas. It was that year on Christmas morning I woke up with the flu and a 102 temperature. Every Christmas after that I was not looking forward to. I usually drift away from people during Christmas and wait for December 26th to happen. And I could never afford Chrismas shopping as a starving musician.
This year I will try and be a part of it. Just for kicks. And to possibly enjoy a new novelty; resubmitting myself to the popular holiday celebration.
I am Buddhist. I don't know about Christmas that much, nor have I cared about the origin. So I did some reading on it. I found this article in Wikipedia.
Maybe it will help. Wish me luck. I think I can do it.
I'm gonna do Christmas this year...
And I might need some Mozart to help me out.

your friendly cyberhood
Uncle Samurai

George Lopez Is Going To Host TV Talk Show!

George Lopez to host TV talk show

Comedian George Lopez is about to enter a world in turmoil by competing for American TV viewers against the...(continue article)

Good. The world needs more George Lopez!

your friendly cyberhood
Uncle Samurai

oh yeah...


Happy Halloween...

San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge Cable Snaps: Bridge Closes Indefinitely

Wow! Now commuters are going to have to improvise tomorrow morning. Or take the day off. That's too bad, considering they just finished repairing it this past labor day.
Here is what they are saying at Sf Gate:


"Three pieces of an emergency repair to the Bay Bridge's cantilever section made over Labor Day weekend snapped and crashed onto the upper deck of the span late Tuesday afternoon, striking three vehicles and forcing the indefinite closure of the region's busiest bridge..." (Read more)

Halloween Costumes Are Music To My Ears

You Say You Want A Revolution Money Exchange?

"Steve Case’s startup Revolution Money announced a series C funding today of $42 million led by Goldman Sachs. Case and other existing investors (Citigroup, Morgan Stanley, former AOL vice chairman Ted Leonsis, former Charles Schwab CEO David Pottruck, and JP Morgan vie chairman David Golden). That is on top of $50 million the company raised is September, 2007..." (continue reading)

"Revolution Money is a financial services company with the goal of disrupting incumbent credit companies and PayPal. Revolution Money’s credit card, the RevolutionCard, differs from other credit cards by using PIN-activation, rather than signatures …"
Learn More

Hmmm...sounds interesting, yet fishy to me... I wonder what George and John would say to this...






your friendly cyberhood
Uncle Samurai

Dude...Where's my Weed?

"Pot-smoking patients or their sanctioned suppliers should not be targeted for federal prosecution in states that allow medical marijuana, prosecutors were told Monday in a new policy memo issued by the Justice Department..." (full story)

That's worth having a party!


your friendly cyberhood
Uncle Samurai

From Slavery To Noble Peace Award

I just want to take a deep breath and soak this in...
We've gone from slavery in America...

Gus Cannon – “Poor Boy A Long Way From Home” mp3

Gus Cannon’s story starts off the same way many other poor black aspiring musicians’ stories started off. At the turn of the century in the South, you had to escape the servitude of the share cropping system to pursue your dreams. Slaves ran away from their families and headed out on the road with little more than youthful optimism as their driving force. This mp3 is a tribute to all the revolutionary musicians of that time who refused to let their dismal socioeconomic status destroy their goal of enjoying a career playing music.

Gus Cannon – “Poor Boy A Long Way From Home” mp3



...to the first African/American President awarded the noble peace prize.





I love America...

your friendly cyberhood
Uncle Samurai

Top Ten Reviews For Obama Nobel Peace Prize

1-Henican: Obama wins Nobel Peace Prize for not being Bush

2-FACTBOX-Barack Obama wins the Nobel Peace prize

3-The Real Peace Prize Will Be Elusive

4-Peace Prize Winner Obama's No Champion of Human Rights

5-Obama wins Nobel after US authors snubbed

6-Obama Nobel win still can't light Mideast peace spark

7-President Obama wins Nobel Peace Prize 2009

8-White House calls TV host Joe Scarborough 'a**hole' over Nobel win

9-Kenyan Marathoner Hoping to Win in Chicago, but Record May Have to Wait

10-Obama wins Nobel Peace Prize to mixed reviews

Well...

That's a bunch of mixed reviews...here is mine:
Skip James – “I’m So Glad” mp3


your friendly cyberhood
Uncle Samurai

Musashi Trio at Cafe Van Kleef Oct 17th

If you like Hendrix,SRV,funk,blues...

..come on down...

Cafe Van Kleef
1621 Telegraph Ave, Oakland

The English Beat and The Uptones...again!

	The English Beat The Uptones ska new wave 7:30 PM door • 8:00 PM show cost is $20 advance / $25 day of show • 21+ buy tickets online, Last Day Saloon, Last Record Store, Back Door Disc Saturday October 23rd, 2009

Back in the 90's I used to...

Back in the 90's I used to play in the Steve Gannon Monday Night Blues Band. Every Monday night at Blake's on Telegraph. The line up was all pro.
I was actually doing security for a while before I signed up for a jam session with the band. It was an open Mic scenario. So the first few times I played, I was actually on my 15 minute break. But because I gad been a regular musician previously, Steve eventually said with that british accent, "Aye...why don't you bring your amp next time and play all night? "
I played the remaining few years of what would be the last of this infamous band's regular gig. 15 years total for them. Every Monday without fail. If you ever come across one of those bumper stickers that says, " I break for the blues at Larry Blake's," they're talking about this group. So it was an honor to play with such a well established band, if you can imagine what my shoes would say...

Steve Gannon- Rhythm and Lead Guitar/Vocals/Host
Chris Burns on Keyboard
Willie Riser on bass
Kelvin Dixon on Drums/vocals
Moose (That's me) on Rhythm and Lead Guitar
And the incredible Mz Dee on vocals




Steve Gannon- Rhythm and Lead Guitar/Vocals/Host
Chris Burns on Keyboard
Willie Riser on bass
Kelvin Dixon on Drums/vocals
Moose on Rhythm and Lead Guitar

Don't Forget To Remember...

Hey y'all...how's the economic depression treating you these days? That bad? Yeah...this sucks.
I've never seen SO many people down and out about money. Thanks Cheney... Thanks Bush...
Anyway...

I remember when...

I used to feel "special" when I could tell people that I was a "starving musician." There was a uniqueness to it that allowed me to "stand out in a crowd." I was identified as a "muse" much quicker than these days, I tell you. There was always some empathetic sandwich nearby. The financially comfortable folks would often hear my version of the music with the pretty words and put bills in my empty cup. " Hear ya go dude...go get somethin' to eat. You're good! People like you should stay alive more often..."
And I would survive using that natural method. Back in those days people would give me other stuff, too. Like beer, which I'd hand to someone because I don't drink. Coffee, which I love. Weed, which I'd...uh...um...guess I forgot. Oh well. They'd also offer me LSD, Coke, Speed and other toxic chemicals which everyone knows is no good. I never understood Coke, really. Coffee always worked better and was way cheaper. I always preferred coffee. It was enough.
And I would produce music for those wonderful, generous people in return. And we all seemed happier back then. Now, keep in mind, all those things can take it's toll on a person.

Now a days, I just drink coffee and medicate myself with herb.
Alcohol and synthetic drugs are bad for you and hard to moderate. There was even a study on it.
Check this video out:


SO...
Don't forget to remember:
-Keep yourself busy during these hard times.
-Listen to music.
Here are some free legal music sites I work for:
Super Fan 2009 - Public Domain 2ten - Ska 4U
(free...as in no scam, fee, or login...you know how I roll...)
-Enjoy your time with the people you love.
-Hard times exist temporarily.
-Don't do all the drugs.
-This is America...a land of opportunity.

Ok...here comes the weekend.
Have a good one...

your friendly cyberhood
Uncle Samurai

Po' Tree For Tea Baggers

As an artist/musician/writer, I'm always looking for the next batch of inspiration. I didn't have to look that far this week. The Tea Baggers are back! These folks send poetry straight to my cerebral. And since they are using the Tea Bagging as a theme...I thought I'd refresh my brain with some limericks. AND...I'll add in Health Care Reform to make it a hybrid topic for all you PC folks out there...
(ahem)


Topic for limericks:
Tea Bagging/Health Care Reforms




1)
There once was a group of odd folks
Who thought they had started a joke
The punchline was wrong
and was way way too long
in their throat and they started to choke

2)
The people they googled and crawled
Then they filled up the city town halls
The speaker was heard
And they ate every word
But to some the words tasted like balls

3)
For eight years we had to lament
About psychotic vice presidents
Who dip their kahoners
In the banks of home owners
While having a gun accident

4)
The news doesn't give it much thought
And you left wingers all know the plot
You'll argue and hag
As they dip a fresh bag
In your face for the next photo shot

5)
If you were there standing so free
On a boat full of people at sea
Would you haggle the cost
Of a life jacket tossed
While the ones overboard float like tea

6)
If things weren't a little bit odd
Maybe folks need a new healthcare plot
Maybe lights from the sky
As the lord Jesus sighs
And says Health Care's a message from God




So...have a nice week.

your friendly cyerhood
Uncle Samurai

An E Mail I Got Today

> TOO FUNNY NOT TO SHARE!
>
> ABOUT THE WRITER
> Dave Barry is a Pulitzer Prize-winning humor columnist for the Miami
> Herald.
>
> Colonoscopy Journal:
>
> I called my friend Andy Sable, a gastroenterologist, to make an
> appointment for a colonoscopy.
>
> A few days later, in his office, Andy showed me a color diagram of the
> colon, a lengthy organ that appears to go all over the place, at one
> point passing briefly through Minneapolis.
>
> Then Andy explained the colonoscopy procedure to me in a thorough,
> reassuring and patient manner.
>
> I nodded thoughtfully, but I didn't really hear anything he said,
> because my brain was shrieking, 'HE'S GOING TO STICK A TUBE 17,000 FEET
> UP YOUR BEHIND!'
>
> I left Andy' s office with some written instructions, and a
> prescription for a product called 'MoviPrep,' which comes in a box
> large enough to hold a microwave oven. I will discuss MoviPrep in
> detail later; for now suffice it to say that we must never allow it to
> fall into the hands of America's enemies..
>
> I spent the next several days productively sitting around being nervous.
>
> Then, on the day before my colonoscopy, I began my preparation. In
> accordance with my instructions, I didn't eat any solid food
> that day;
> all I had was chicken broth, which is basically water, only with less
> flavor.
>
> Then, in the evening, I took the MoviPrep. You mix two packets of
> powder together in a one-liter plastic jug, then you fill it with
> lukewarm water. (For those unfamiliar with the metric system, a liter
> is about 32 gallons). Then you have to drink the whole jug. This takes
> about an hour, because MoviPrep tastes - and here I am being kind -
> like a mixture of goat spit and urinal cleanser, with just a hint of
> lemon.
>
> The instructions for MoviPrep, clearly written by somebody with a great
> sense of humor, state that after you drink it, 'a loose, watery bowel
> movement may
> result.'
>
> This is kind of like saying that after you jump off your roof, you may
> experience contact with the ground.
>
> MoviPrep is a nuclear laxative. I don't want to be too graphic, here,
> but, have you ever seen a space-shuttle launch? This is pretty much
> the MoviPrep experience, with you as the shuttle. There are times when
> you wish the commode had a seat belt. You spend several hours pretty
> much confined to the bathroom, spurting violently. You eliminate
> everything. And then, when you figure you must be totally empty, you
> have to drink another liter of MoviPrep, at which point, as far as I can tell,
> your bowels travel
> into the future and start eliminating food that you have not even eaten yet.
>
> After an action-packed evening, I finally got to sleep.
>
> The next morning my wife drove me to the clinic. I was very nervous.
> Not only was I worried about the procedure, but I had been
> experiencing occasional return bouts of MoviPrep spurtage. I was
> thinking, 'What if I spurt on Andy?' How do you apologize to a friend
> for something like that? Flowers would not be enough.
>
> At the clinic I had to sign many forms acknowledging that I understood
> and totally agreed with whatever the heck the forms said. Then they led
> me to a room full of other colonoscopy people, where I went inside a
> little curtained space and took off my clothes and put on one of those
> hospital garments designed by sadist perverts, the kind that, when you
> put it on, makes you feel even more naked than when you are actually
> naked..
>
> Then a nurse named Eddie put a little needle in a vein in my left hand.
> Ordinarily I would have fainted, but Eddie was very good, and I was
> already lying down. Eddie also told
> me that some people put vodka in their MoviPrep..
> At first I was ticked off that I hadn't thought of this, but then I
> pondered what would happen if you got yourself too tipsy to make it to
> the bathroom, so you were staggering around in full Fire Hose Mode.
> You would have no choice but to burn your house.
>
> When everything was ready, Eddie wheeled me into
> the procedure room,
> where Andy was waiting with a nurse and an anesthesiologist. I did not
> see the 17,000-foot tube, but I knew Andy had it hidden around there
> somewhere. I was seriously nervous at
> this point.
>
> Andy had me roll over on my left side, and the anesthesiologist began
> hooking something up to the needle in my hand.
>
> There was music playing in the room, and I realized that the song was
> 'Dancing Queen' by ABBA. I remarked to Andy that, of all the songs
> that could be playing during this particular procedure, 'Dancing Queen'
> had to be the least appropriate.
>
> 'You want me to turn it up?' said Andy, from somewhere behind me.
>
> 'Ha ha,' I said. And then it was time, the moment I had been dreading
> for more than a decade. If you are squeamish, prepare yourself,
> because I am going to tell you, in explicit detail, exactly what it was
> like.
>
> I have no idea. Really. I slept through it. One moment, ABBA was
> yelling 'Dancing Queen, feel the beat of the tambourine,' and the next
> moment, I was back in the other room, waking up in a very mellow mood.
>
> Andy was looking down at me and asking me how I felt. I felt
> excellent. I felt even more excellent when Andy told me that It was
> all over, and that my colon had passed with flying colors. I have never
> been prouder of an internal organ.
>
> On the subject
> of Colonoscopies...
> Colonoscopies are no joke, but these
> comments during the exam were quite humorous..... A physician claimed
> that the following are actual comments made by his patients
> (predominately male) while he was performing their colonoscopies:
>
> 1. 'Take it easy, Doc. You're boldly going where no man has gone
> before!'
> 2. 'Find Amelia Earhart yet?'
> 3. 'Can you hear me NOW?'
> 4. 'Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet?'
> 5. 'You know, in Arkansas , we're now legally married.'
> 6. 'Any sign of the trapped miners, Chief?'
> 7. 'You put your left hand in, you take your left hand out...'
> 8. 'Hey! Now I know how a Muppet feels!'
> 9. 'If your hand doesn't fit, you must quit!'
> 10. 'Hey Doc, let me know if you find my dignity.'
> 11. 'You used to be an executive at Enron, didn't you?'
> 12. 'God, now I know why I am not gay.'
>
> And the best one of all:
> 13. 'Could you write a note for my wife saying that my head is not up
> there?'