Songs of My Life #44 - Ronnie James Dio & Yngwie Malmsteen - Dream On - 1999

Songs of My Life #44 - Ronnie James Dio & Yngwie Malmsteen - Dream On.

I mentioned some time ago, when using "Walk This Way" as one of the Songs of My Life, that I don't particularly like Aerosmith the band; that I didn't mind some of their songs, but overall I just wasn't a fan. But - I did like the version of their song they did with Run DMC, for the reasons I stated then (you'll have to go into the archives to find that if you want further information).

Here is an even better example. "Dream On" is an average Aerosmith song. Find it and listen to it, and I'm sure you'll think 'meh'. I always did. And then this cover version was recorded for an Aerosmith tribute album, and life changed.

I'm happy to admit here that RJD is my hero. He is the greatest vocalist ever, bar none, to my ears and eyes. Yngwie is one of the finest guitarists ever, period. And here they both are, together on this unbelievably brilliant version of this usually drab song. But listen to this version. Listen to the emotion Dio brings to the table, perfectly emotive at the exact right points of the song. And then Yngwie masters the usually boring guitar riffs and solo into something magical and awesome. Together, they have made this a song for the ages, the perfect scenario of a cover version totally crapping all over the original. Yes, the Aerosmith boys laid the bones of the song, but it is Dio and Yngwie who make it a song. Still brilliant today \m/

Songs of My Life #43 - Foo Fighters - Everlong - 1997

Songs of My Life #43 - Foo Fighters - Everlong.

Out of the ashes of Nirvana came Foo Fighters, with Dave Grohl emerging from behind the drum kit to be the frontman and guitarist in what he labelled as wanting to be a 'loud guitar band'. What it became was a phenomenon, coming from the eponymously titled debut album on which Dave wrote and played every instrument, to the amazing follow up The Colour and the Shape, which would rank very highly in my Best Albums of All Time list.

Through the many other brilliant and varied tracks on the album, this has always been the stand out. "Everlong" is a genius track, from the mellow opening into the raucous guitar driven by the amazing 16/4 drum beat and the heartfelt lyrics throughout. Along with the terrific film clip - another in the long list of great clips the band does - this song is as powerful 20 years later (and that in itself is ridiculous, that this album is twenty years old!) as it was when it was released.

* Note: "Hey, Johnny Park!" does run a very close second. Awesome track.

India Squares Series as Old Frailties Return

In a somewhat disappointing development – unless you are Indian – the Australian cricket team managed to slip back into the status quo in regards to their batting on the sub-continent, unable to chase down 189 in the fourth innings for victory in the 2nd Test. The surface played its part, but not to the extent that it dictated the match. The bowling was good, but not great. In the end, the nervy prodding bats of the Australians accounted for more wickets than anything else.

1. At the start of play, Australia would have accepted the 187 lead they conceded to India. It was more than they would have liked to be chasing, but probably less than they could have been, had it not been for the fire from Starc and Hazlewood in dismissing the middle and lower order. Hazlewood’s six wickets was another great effort from an ever improving bowler, while Starc’s burst with the new ball was as erratic as ever but produced the initial breakthroughs that started the final push.
2. Like the first innings, partnerships were always going to be the key to an Australian victory. A little over 20 for each wicket would win them the game, but reality was that 40 for each of the first five wickets was needed, and not to rely on the tail to make up any difference. In the end, Australia did the former almost perfectly, losing wickets at 22, 42, 67, 74 and 101. However, with the last five falling for just 11 runs, it showed once again that Australia’s top order needs to do more if they are to stay in this series over the next two Tests.
3. Once Warner had burned one of the referrals it was always going to be tough on the next person to use one. If they were wrong and wasted that final precious referral, and later on it could have saved someone, the pressure brought to bear would have been enormous. It ended up costing Shaun Marsh his wicket, when he and Smith were unable to bring themselves to refer his LBW decision. The fact he offered no shot didn’t help his cause, and the batsmen went with the umpire. Unfortunately, the decision was possibly the worst one made by the umpires for the whole Test, and the ball was missing the stumps by quite a margin. The question that will always be asked is would a referral have changed the course of this match? If Marsh had stayed, and Australia remained at 2/67, how deep could they have taken it? Given the batting that followed these two, the question probably remains moot.
4. The flashpoint has come, with Kohli accusing the Australians of cheating in regards to referrals. It’s a long bow to draw, but there is little doubt Smith looked to the dressing room following the shooter he received in front of the stumps to be dismissed LBW. It is against the rules to do so, and Nigel Llong moved immediately as Smith turned his gaze to indicate that was it and no referral could be made. Good umpiring. Kohli came up and made his scene once again, visibly making himself seen by all Indians as the one running the show in the middle. He has been actively doing it all Test match, ensuring everyone knows who is in charge in this series. They have a right to be incensed at any perceived help the opposition may be getting in this regard from the dressing room. Kohli's suggestion that Australia has been systematic in rotting the DRS has as much evidence to back it up as anything Donald Trump says. If it was the case, then surely the Aussies would have been looking for help from the dressing sheds in regards to Shaun Marsh's LBW. It's rubbish Kohli you corkhead. But let the umpires deal with it.
5. While Smith underplayed this and all other incidents, Kohli in his press conference decided to go the other way, inflaming it all and making sure everyone knew that once again it was the Australians who are the cause and root of all evil. No one believes the Aussies are angels, but I think we can see positive proof that they are not acting alone. There is no doubt he is doing this to unite team and country. He’s done it too. How he handles himself for the rest of the series will be interesting.
6. Australia have only one reserve batsman in their team, but will he play next Test? Surely the Mitchell Marsh experiment has expired. He has bowled 5 overs in this Test, and scored 13 runs. Australia needs a specialist batsman in the team in order to score the runs required to give the bowlers their chance to win. Usman Khawaja was rather unfortunately cast aside prior to the 1st Test, and surely should be reinstated, but I really don't think you can play him and Shaun Marsh in the same batting line up. However, if you have that same bad feeling that I do, it would not surprise to see Glenn Maxwell batting at 6 in the 3rd Test. Not that this alone will save Australia. Warner is still all at sea against Ashwin and Jadeja. Handscomb looks confident against the spin but is unable to break free after making a start, and both he and Renshaw seem to get themselves out rather than the bowlers doing that job. There are still battles to be won within that top order.
7. I could speak about Matthew Wade, but what is the point when he is the only option Australia will use.

The positive at this point of the tour is that most of us expected it would be 2-0 India, whereas the series is level with two Tests to play. India will now be confident of rolling on, arrogantly believing they are a better outfit in these conditions. They’re right of course. Australia needs to tweak its team slightly, but again must find a way to break free of the bowling. It was always going to be the team’s toughest task in this series, scoring enough runs to win. Batting first is such an advantage too that if Smith can win the remaining two tosses then perhaps it could be the advantage the team needs.

Songs of My Life #42 - Nirvana - Lithium - 1991

Nirvana touched everyone when they first forced their way onto the scene. That's not to say that everyone liked them, or thought they were talented, or thought their music was worth listening to. But everyone was aware of them, and it was probably the first time since Michael Jackson's burgeoning solo career that an artists had done that, worldwide, to the whole population.

They were the anointed frontrunners of what became known as the Seattle scene, and whether you consider Kurt Cobain a genius or as someone who tapped his own distorted and tortured personality to write his songs, they were unique. While the world went made for "Smells Like Teen Spirit" it was "Lithium" that was my favourite from the album Nevermind. I loved the bass line, the quiet into the over-the-top raucousness, and Dave Grohl's hair. It was the song that tied the rest together for me.

I thought about half of Nirvana's songs were worthy of multiple and constant listening, and the other half fairly average fair. When Cobain moved on it was probably a good thing for his music, as Nirvana's legacy will remain untarnished. It also allowed Grohl to start Foo Fighters, which has become a far greater band than Nirvana ever could have.

India Finds Its Feet to Take Control in 2nd Test

It has taken until the sixth playing day of the series, but finally India has put itself into a position of strength, negotiating a dodgy surface through the late afternoon to have a handy lead with wickets still in hand, and the advantage of not having to bat last.

1. Australia’s tail battled hard during the morning session, but the dismissal of Starc and Wade within an over brought the innings to an end with the tourists lead standing at 87. That number is never a good one, but in this match it was a vital statistic.
2. One still wonders why Kohli stuck with Ashwin for so many overs, and handed Jadeja less than half of those? Ashwin’s 49 overs brought figures of 2/84 while Jadeja’s 22 brought 6/63. Yes, Jadeja took down the tail in quick succession to inflate those figures, but apart from Warner it was the left armer who picked up the top order wickets. Ashwin’s frugalness with runs helped to force the issue with Australia, and the pairing of Ishant and Yadav bowled wonderfully well, but one wonders would a lead have been achievable if Jadeja had been given a bit more leeway. Easy to say from the lounge chair.
3. India predictably went hard early to erase the deficit, and with their own share of luck managed to do so. They hit the lead for the loss of two wickets, surely something they would have happily accepted on starting the innings. Whereas the Indian seamers had been tidy but perhaps too wide of the stumps to get full measure for their efforts, Australia’s pace duo failed to take in those lessons, and also found themselves too wide of the mark. This allowed the freedom for deliveries to race through the field – middle and edged. As such the quick flow eased the early pressure on the batsmen.
4. Australia missed some chances here, where in Pune they seemed to snaffle everything. Pujara was missed twice, both extremely tough chances early on, but they now look costly. Wade missed another chance, which no doubt the team spin doctors will put down to the tough conditions rather than the average skills of the keeper. Amongst this, Smith took another screamer, this time at slip to dismiss Rahul. Whether it is enough to offset the tough chances missed is yet to be determined.
5. Virat Kohli. Now let’s say this straight up. He was unfortunate to be given out by Nigel Llong LBW in the first instance, with bat prominent in the mix of pads. He was then unfortunate that third umpire Kettleborough felt there was insufficient evidence available to overturn the decision. To the letter of the law, this was correct. But honestly, does anyone really think that this ‘pad first, bat second, you are out’ law is a good one? If you took the pad away in this instance, surely the ball hits bat. In other instances if the ball hits pad and then deflects to hit bat, and if the pad were to be taken away then the ball would NOT hit the bat – I can get on board with that. And of course, if Llong had gone the other way, and Australia had reviewed, it would have remained not out. Would anyone have really complained about that? Yes, Kohli was unlucky and technology did not resolve the issue. To me it looked not out, and if an Australian had been given out in that way I’d had been livid. But anyway – piss off Kohli.
6. Pujara and Rahane have done the job India needed once erasing the deficit. They have battled and scrapped and forced each run, knowing each one of those runs is one Australia now has to find. It was tough, grinding cricket, and Australia’s bowlers, for the first time this series, started trying too hard to get wickets instead of bowling to plans to execute those wickets. They began looking at the increasing lead, and went harder to get wickets, rather than try and ignore the scoreboard and bowl to plans. That will need to change today if they are to stay in this match.

India leads by 126 runs with 6 wickets still in hand. While some will suggest the match is still at an even keel, the scales have tipped inexorably in India’s favour. Whatever their lead ends up being from this point, it will be a mountainous task for the Australian batsmen. Whereas their cautious play in the first innings was admirable under the circumstances, batting the same way in the second innings will play right into India’s hands. They will need to be positive, and keep the runs ticking over, because sooner or later the surface will come into play to try and extricate their innings. In many eyes India already have enough, but will be eyeing a 200 lead as their minimum. From there, it will take some special innings from the Australians to retain their series lead come Wednesday.

India Plays Aggression Card as Aussies Dig In

It’s a tough old time going on in Bengaluru, where the sleeping Indian giant was forced to wake up and try and take the upper hand against an Australian team that is creating more of a fight in this series than anyone thought imaginable. Especially the Indians themselves. And so the stakes were raised in an effort to change the course of proceedings.

1. For all the reports suggesting that this pitch would not be doctored as was the one in Pune, it looks like it has all been a basket of falsities. The surface here at Bengaluru mightn’t be turning as violently as it did during the 1st Test, but it sure is changeable vertically. In the first session alone, at least four deliveries from Ishant and Yadav practically ran along the ground, getting ankle high. This is in the fourth session of the match that is supposed to extend to fifteen sessions. The Indians constantly threw their hands to their heads in anguish at not getting through the batsmen with this variable bounce, but how will their batsmen feel if (when) they are dismissed in such a way? They celebrated Mitch Marsh’s wicket with a shooter as though the bowling was the winner. I wonder how they will react if it happens to one of their own today. The surface is a disgrace, but once again nothing will be done about it because it produces ‘good Test cricket’. That’s fine on days four and five. Not day two.
2. The niggling (read sledging) was turned up today, and it was India who forced the issue. There was no doubt from the first ball that their intent was to get under the Australian players skin. That’s all fine, certainly if you listen to the ex-players in the commentary box. But where is the parity? The second Australia go down this kind of path they are lambasted by the media. No one in the media has breathed a bad word about this yet. All I’m after is consistency. I don’t like the way Australia bullies opponents in this way, and am all for it being brought to bear when it goes over the top. As long as the same is the case of other nations then there should be no problem.
3. India’s use of the DRS continues to astound. They blew three reviews yesterday that were not even close to being out, and complained every time their appeals were turned down by the umpires. In the heat of this environment, both Illingworth and Llong have been superb, unflappable. Shaun Marsh was plumb LBW to Ishant, but no ball was called, and the video proved it to be correct. Wonderful decision. Then an obvious inside edge was missed or ignored by India who reviewed the not out LBW decision. Wasted review one. Then Ashwin was adamant that Wade got a glove to a ball to first slip, and the review again proved the umpire correct. India once again have no reviews left until the end of the innings. Ludicrous, and possibly significant.
4. More important than any individual’s score yesterday was the partnerships. Half a dozen partnerships of 50 would get Australia to 300. They didn’t but most were significant – 52, 30, 52, 26, 3, 57, 17*. There has been no roll on of wickets, denying India the momentum they crave. It has gotten Australia a lead of 48 valuable runs. They need to double that somehow, but yesterday’s effort was of grit and determination, something we haven’t seen from an Australian team in this situation in some time.
5. Matthew Renshaw. Another dogged half century, most of the time with a smile on his face. He fought hard, and wasn’t perfect, but just kept fighting hard. It is fantastic to watch. His only downfall at the moment is when his concentration does snap. In Brisbane and Melbourne against Pakistan, and in the First Test as well, out trying to take down a spinner. It looks as though he decides he is going to take the spinner out of the attack, and he’s not going to stop until he succeeds – or fails. It was great bowling from Jadeja, completely out=thought his younger opponent. Renshaw will only learns from this, but he had done his job again.
6. Cometh the hour. Shaun Marsh was handpicked for this tour for just the situation he walked into. Two wickets down, he was the one to guide the middle order through the rough and make sure it didn’t collapse. And he succeeded here where he failed in Pune, with 138 runs added for four wickets before he fell. It wasn’t pretty, and he saw through reviews and no balls, but he looked the most in control of the Australian batsmen. It’s a job he will have to continue in the second innings if Australia is to win this Test.
7. Wade and Starc. How important is their duet going to be this afternoon? If they can both get away they may get the fifty extra runs Australia craves – or more! But let’s not be greedy, let’s get that 100 lead and see what we can do with it. Matthew Wade is so overdue for runs. Let’s hope he cashes in today.
8. Did anyone else feel dirty about putting our hopes in Marsh and Wade yesterday? It felt so unnatural after bagging them for weeks/months/years. Still, it is the lesser of two evils, the other being India succeeding in this Test.
9. Ishant and Yadav bowled brilliantly yesterday, with the only possible error being they didn’t bowl at the stumps enough. With the variable bounce in play, surely targeting the stumps was their best form of attack. Surely they will learn from this.
10. Ashwin got Warner yesterday with a beauty, and then finished with 1/75 from 41 overs. His tactics have again been questionable, bowling consistently outside the leg stump to the left handers. On a dodgy wicket, surely around the wicket, attacking the stumps, and using the variable spin and bounce to your advantage would have been a better option. Not that I’m complaining.

Yesterday was the most important day in this series so far. Still, before that the first day of the Test was. And now, Day Three becomes the most important day of the series so far. Australia’s eventual lead will dictate just how difficult India’s task is, which in turn will dictate how difficult Australia’s task is. The surface will be all encompassing, and the will of the bowlers, batsmen and fielders at critical mass. This Test has so much more ahead for the spectator. We couldn’t have wished for a more exciting and nerve racking series.

NRL Round 1: WTF Did Inglis Stay on the Field?!?

What did we learn from Week 1 of the NRL? It's far too early to make generalisations about teams chance for the entire year... well, no, not for me it isn't. In fact it is quite easy. If it wasn't I wouldn't be doing it would I?

1. It's going to be a long year for the Sharks. It is tough to face up without stars from last year, but it was enough to show they can't win again this season. Perhaps it won't be a disaster, but if they finish in the top eight this season it will only be because others teams have not improved when they should have. Broncos won't have completely shaken their critics, but their defensive effort on Thursday will allow their supporters to breathe a sigh of relief. If they can make Lang Park their fortress, then away victories like the 26-18 win over the Sharks will get them to the pointy end of the season.
2. The Bulldogs passing and kicking was deplorable in their loss to Melbourne. Yes it was wet but they were bad before the rain hit. If they weren't chasing Keiran Foran next year before Friday you can bet they are now. They've backed the wrong horse in Mbye and should be waving him bye bye. How they must wish they'd kept Hodkinson. Des Hasler also looks on thin ice, especially with the roster the Dogs actually have. If they cannot go deep into September this season - or even REACH September - then he is gone, maybe before then. The Storm got all the ball and all the penalties in the first 15 minutes against Canterbury and built a 12-0 lead. When the possession changed to the other direction, their defense won them the match from that point. They were gifted the lead built on that possession, but you can't argue with their wall that allows them to win 12-6. And they did it with 16 men. Jesse Bromwich is a huge loss for their season though.
3. Greg Inglis. How the hell did he injure his ACL? Why did he then stay on until half time? And why did he come back AFTER half time? Michael Maguire and his medical staff have completely fucked up there, and now the Rabbits season is in tatters. One man doesn't make a team? Maybe not, but Inglis sure is a huge part of the Souths makeup. Replacing his presence will be the problem. The fact that he stayed on gave the Tigers an enormous boost, as they plundered his side of the field knowing he was incapable of stopping their rampant attack. To a zero-year player but a 40+ year watcher of the game, it seemed a ludicrous decision. How good were the Tigers victory in the wash up? It was the start they needed. Their big four in Tedesco, Moses, Brooks and Woods did everything they had to, and their support players were able to shine in their 34-18 victory given the impotence of the Rabbits game after the Inglis injury. The Robbie Farah influence probably helped a little too. How they follow it up next week against the Panthers will be telling for both clubs.
4. The Dragons obliterated a woeful Panthers team, who had been spoken of as one of the Premiership favourites. What do you make of it? Are they both just aberrations? Have the Draongs improved that much since moving on Benji and Rein? Have the Panthers opponents finally realised Cartwright is a pretender? I don't know. Of all matches this weekend, this result had to be the most unlikely.
5. The first "Are the refs on the take?" moment for the season is awarded to the Cowboys vs Raiders match. Seriously. The Cowboys had a 59/41 possession advantage for the match. They had the penalty count 11-4 in their favour. The Raiders had a man sent to the bin for 10 minutes. The Cowboys only had to make 247 tackles compared to the Raiders 358. And yet despite this, it was 16-16 at full time, and only more fortune for the Cowboys got them the victory in golden point (and why is this rule still in the game?). Does all of this deplete the nature of the Cowboys win, or does it make the Raiders appear like the Real Deal in 2017? Watching the game, I didn't get the feeling that the Raiders were so much more undisciplined that they deserved those kind of stats against them.
6. Did anyone care that the Roosters played the Titans? Did anyone watch? I didn't.
7. Somehow the Warriors managed to sneak away with a victory that they didn't necessarily deserve. Once again, they have the best players New Zealand can offer and once again they just seem to lack the cohesion to make them a team to fear. Newcastle were good, and maybe won't play better than that all season, but if the Warriors cannot beat last season's wooden spooners without any sense of authority then they are yet another seemingly overrated team in 2017.
8. Parramatta and Manly both showed determination and some promise for the season ahead without standing out as contenders. The Eels had the mountain share of possession especially in the second half, and yet Manly's goal line defense was superb, holding out wave after wave of attack. Manly's attack is still a work in progress, while the Eels 2017 defense is yet to be fully tested given Manly's few chances at their opponents tryline.

Stand Outs in Week 1:  Storm, Tigers, Dragons.

Rubbish in Week 1: Souths, Penrith, Ben Cummins.

Lyon Roars as India Capitulate Again in 2nd Test

It really is too early to start jumping up and down and punching your fist in the air in celebration, but after what happened in Pune last week, the first day of the 2nd Test in Bengaluru could hardly have gone any better for Australia than it did. One can only wonder what has happened over the past couple of weeks to have brought this huge turnaround in fortune for both teams, but with so much cricket still left nothing can yet be taken for granted.

1. For India, the first hour and 59 minutes was just what they would have expected. Kohli won the toss and batted, subjecting Australia to batting last on a pitch that once again looks unlikely to last five days. Then, despite the loss of Mukund early, India was 1/72 with two balls remaining before lunch. The session was theirs. Then Pujara fell to Lyon, and lunch was actually 2/72, and Australia would have felt at parity.
2. Seriously, as a leader, Virat Kohli has failed in all circumstances yet again. He was overly cautious where all season he has been confidence personified. It cost him his wicket, shouldering arms again (somewhat inexplicably) when a positive shot would surely have been the better option. Then having made that fatal error, he then  made an arrogant error, pulling a Shane Watson in referring a decision simply because he is the team's Number One player and he therefore feels they are there for his personal use. It was an abhorrent decision, which was only exemplified that by the time the referral was completed and the umpire about to confirm his dismissal, Kohli had already left the field. Just a complete shambles in every aspect. The problem of believing your own infallibility.
3. At 5/174 India was still in a position to push for a 250-300 score with Rahul at the crease and Ashwin, Saha and Jadeja capable of hanging around and scoring runs. But again the tail crumbled to spin, and with very little idea of what to do against it. Losing 5/15 to complete the innings was a triumph for Australia to once again restrict the Indian first innings to under 200.
4. While India's batsmen suddenly began treating Steven O'Keefe's bowling like hand grenades after his 12 wickets in Pune, Nathan Lyon reaped the rewards at the other end. There is no doubt he is bowling better here than he was in Australia. His line is much more off-stump heavy, and the extra pace he bowls at normally is helping him here whereas at home it is a hindrance. The overspinner especially is getting good bounce and natural spin on these wickets. Like O'Keefe in Pune, Lyon here just couldn't STOP getting wickets. They kept being handed to him, and once he got on that roll against the tail, he decimated them. Like SOK, this was the day Australia's supporters have been waiting for from Lyon. For all the talk of his GOAT (Greatest of all Time) status, he has rarely single-handedly taken control of a Test match for Australia. The second innings is yet to come, but perhaps we are finally seeing it. It was a wonderful display of off spin bowling on the first day.
5. Matthew Wade. Oh dear. Well, Brad Haddin told him before he went to India that it didn't matter how ugly he looked, he just had to get the job done. Four byes through his legs, a fumbled stumping off Lyon that he managed to recover from in time to get Rahane, and a neat stumping off O'Keefe to get Nair showed all aspects of those words. There is still no confidence in ANYONE about Wade's keeping. Except that now he is in the 'inner circle' of the team, he will be impossible to dismiss. We can only hope his batting is just as impregnable today.
6. Handscomb and Warner both dropped tough chances in the field, but neither proved too costly. Rahane dropped Warner last night in the sixth over before he had made double figures - he had to dive but got two hands to it. How costly will that chance be?

Australia start the second day at 0/40 chasing India's 189. What a huge day of Test cricket awaits us. The wicket is already staying low, with one ball Renshaw faced last night almost running along the ground. The ideal is obviously for Australia to not have to bat again, because chasing anything over 100 batting last could be a nightmare. The Australian batsmen will need to be cautiously positive, and not get bogged down. Steve Smith, with five lives at Pune, will need to ensure he doesn't give a sniff of a chance today as luck can only last so long.

Once again, though, Australian's can only exclaim... "How good is cricket!"

Songs of My Life #39 #40 & #41 - The Michael Jackson Trilogy

It's probably not a life with music if you are a part of my generation if you haven't had Michael Jackson somewhere in your music education. Earlier introduction through The Jackson 5 and then Michael's own forays into his solo career came to a head with the Thriller album. Many will have a favourite song from that album, and for me it was "Beat It". It was probably a little bit to do with the film clip, and the two gangs coming together to fight, much like movies that I was watching at around that time such as The Wanderers and The Warriors. The guitar solo in the middle is also just bloody cool, which I eventually was informed was played by the one and only Eddie Van Halen - which of course is plainly obvious when you hear it.



Not long after this was released, comedic pisstaker Weird Al Yankovic came along, and not only did he produce his wonderful version of this song entitled "Eat It", he also produced a music video that that almost mirror-imaged Michael Jackson's original. It was just perfect, and while he had been around for some time before this broke on the radio, it was the point where he really took off.



More than a decade after this, we didn't have a parody of a Michael Jackson song as such make the charts. It was a cover version of the song "Smooth Criminal" by the band Alien Ant Farm. Not only was the song itself a great version of the song (yes, better than the original in my opinion), but the video clip again stole the show, by incorporating every Michael Jackson quirk and story within the film clip again. Terrific stuff.



So there it is - the Michael Jackson Trilogy. A Jackson classic, a Yankovic parody and an AAF ripping cover. The three songs that make up today's Songs of My Life.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales Trailer #1 (2017) | Mov...

I'm guessing that the trailer probably has every good bit in it, and the rest of the movie is fairly dull...

Revisiting The Twilight Zone: S4 E11: The Parallel

Revisiting The Twilight Zone: S4 E11: The Parallel

This is one of those episodes that comes along every so often, and opens so many questions about the possibilities of the universe that you can’t help but spend the whole time exploring the varied outcomes that could occur in such a situation. It’s entertaining and it makes you think as well, the best kind of episodes.

This is one that really utilizes the Twilight Zone as a real entity, the cross of another dimension or universe. That is exactly what faces Major Robert Gaines here, as he returns from the longest spaceflight made by man to discover that not everything is the way he left it when he left Earth. In fact, it is the subtle differences that not only have him confused, but also his family, his co-workers and his superiors.

What is most enjoyable about this episode is that it really does make you think. Could there be multiple dimensions or universes? If there are, if they are parallel, is it possible to slip through a crack and wind up in one? And just what would you do if you did?

The end is also the perfect way to complete the loop of the story, with Gaines finding his way back, and just beginning to believe that he dreamed it all and that it didn’t happen… until the final phase of the episode. Terrific storytelling and writing.

Rating: “Who the hell is John Kennedy?” 5/5

R.I.P. Bill Paxton - "Game over, man!"

Songs of My Life #38 - AC/DC - Live Wire - 1975

This might seem like a simple thing to say, but what I love about this song is its simplicity. Sure, AC/DC might have made a career out of it, but this is magnificently brilliant in its simple tones.

Take a listen. The simple open string bass runs along the start of the song, eventually joined by the simple strum of the guitar, the tap on the high hats, the joining of the 4/4 beat of the drums, the rhythm riff and finally Bon Scott's vocals over the top. It's all so simple, but constructed brilliantly to build to the crescendo of the chorus, the second verse, the guitar solo. This is the one, the AC/DC song that gets me every time, the one I love to jam to, because it is just a terrific song in which all the parts almost start on their own, and join to become one.

Play it loud, and sing it loud. \m/

Relay For Life and Other Matters

Can I just write something here to express my pride, admiration and love for my family after a long and successful weekend at the Shellharbour Relay For Life.

Eldest daughter Jessica was a beacon, not only participating in the stalls at our team table and walking her laps, she performed with her school vocal group on Saturday afternoon who were all wonderful as always. She was supportive and helpful and showed the true spirit of what the event is for. I was extremely proud of her.
Middle daughter Madeleine was as enthusiastic as she always is. She wants to be 25 years old now, and carries herself like it. She promoted and sold our stuff, she walked around the track selling Zooper Doopers, and she was bubbly and excited to be involved. She also helped do someone's makeup for the late show Saturday night, which i think she was most excited about. She is a whirlwind, something she gets from her mother.
Youngest child and son Josh had a ball. He had been built up by his father during cricket in the morning, suggesting if he made runs and a couple of others made runs they could get the 110 they needed to knock off the leaders. The resulting golden duck, from the ball of the day mind you, led him to tears - not for himself, but for thinking he'd let his team down. He pulled himself together not long after, but again I was left thinking how lucky I am with my kids. He mightn't have done many laps at Relay, but he played cricket, Aussie rules, soccer and every other sport he could be involved in.

Finally there is Helen Peters who for the last few months has been a superstar in organising her 'team' for Relay For Life. 48 members in all, she has been the centre of the cyclone, directing the troops, finding donations from local businesses for the team raffle prizes, putting together what people had to bring on the day, who would be there and when, and then on the day always supervising the whole shebang to ensure everything ran smoothly. She wasn't always able to do what SHE wanted, but she sacrificed that to make sure everything ran right on her ship. Along with this she has juggled three kids and their activities and a husband who at times is less supportive than she deserves. I can assure you I would have dressed up on Saturday night for no other person. She thought it would be fun, and the idea gave her pleasure, so it really was the least I could do to help HER Relay experience. Though I sometimes see it as an inconvenience, you cannot help but admire her drive and energy. Along with all of the others who worked so hard on Saturday and Sunday, raising over $2,700 so far from the Walker & Talkers team is a triumph and a credit to Helen.

Today is also our 24th wedding anniversary. While no ship sails on a calm ocean at all times, I guess it is how you survive the storms that dictates how your boat sails on afterwards. This weekend is a timely reminder of the remarkable woman I share my life with and continue to love despite the hiccups that come along. Love enough, in fact, to dress up in drag in a raging storm just because it amuses her.

Aussies Up 1-0 As India Capitulate to "Average Second Spinner"

As an Australian cricket tragic, the Test match that concluded against India yesterday was one of the most amazing victories in my lifetime. Others have been just as satisfying (every victory over England for instance), but for sheer unadulterated pleasure at the unlikelihood of the win it was excitingly magnificent.

There is no doubt that Australia had the lion share of luck, but most of it was through India's errors than major umpiring errors or lucky shots or such things. If India could catch and use the DRS they would have been a lot closer, but it was not to be.

1. Steve Smith was dropped four times, and an LBW given not out when India had no reviews, but his resilience through this and the spinning tops sent down by Ashwin and Jadeja was incredible. If anyone deserved some fortune it was the Australian captain, and his innings helped pave the way for the unassailable lead that was attained. And, given all of the rubbish the Australian team seems to receive when they appear arrogant on the cricket field, it was interesting to see that NOT ONE Indian cricketer applauded his century or acknowledged it in any way. All your own doing, corkheads.
2. India's openers did a Watson and burned both of their reviews early, and ludicrously. It's no wonder they don't want to use it, because they have no idea how to use it.
3. Steven O'Keefe. The Test match that dreams are made of. It is justification of Cricket Australia taking him away from white ball cricket to play Grade and 2nd XI red ball cricket, and of O'Keefe himself seeking out left arm spinners with Indian experience. Everything has worked for him, and no matter what anyone thought of his selection, he has proven himself worthy, and that his first class record is no fluke. It is wonderful to see hard work bring rewards, in the same way that is did for Renshaw with the bat.
4. How wonderful was it to see Kohli bowled not offering a shot, and then stand there as if he was W.G.Grace, expecting to be allowed to stay at the crease because, after all, he is Virat Kohli. Get off the ground corkhead.
5. Was Shane Warne in charge of deciding the Man of the Match? How do you get 12 wickets and not be player of the match? Honestly. I hope Mitch Starc at least bought SOK a beer.

It has been a great Test for Australia, to lead the series 1-0. There is still so much hard work to do. India will (probably) not field so poorly again. India will (probably) not bat so poorly again. Australia will likely not get the rub of the green so much again. Batting first was a massive bonus that we can't expect will happen again. There are still big question marks about the Marsh brothers and the wicket-keeper. This win will not guarantee a series victory.

But my goodness, Test match cricket is never so sweet than when you kick the arse of an opponent who thought all they had to do was doctor the pitch and turn up and they would win.

AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE!!!!

Warne Gets SOK Shoved Down His Throat as Aussies Dominate

Not in our wildest dreams could anyone have predicted what happened on Day 2 in Pune. Some of it, such as Starc being dismissed in the first over of the day, having Australia being dismissed for 260... yes, that was predictable. But trying to negotiate the rest of the day's play would have broken a crystal ball.

1. The Australian quicks did exactly what they had to do at the top of the order, busting through with pace and guile. Hazelwood's dismissal of Vijay was just brilliant, the away swinger to the keeper. Then Starc, fast and short at Pujara, before the wide tempter to Kohli drew the edge. Brilliant and inspiring from the fast men when it was needed.
2. Rahul's shot was a match changer. In control with 64, and India had regained balance at 3/94, his complete error in judgement was ill thought out, and gave O'Keefe his first wicket in India. It was the moment that India's world exploded.
3. India lost 7/11 in their own backyard. Completely ludicrous. Suddenly O'Keefe and Lyon were unplayable. What happened? The wicket? Panic? Arrogance? Whatever it was it was beautiful to watch.
4. Steven O'Keefe take a bow. What a wonderful reward for persistence and patience. He has been derided publicly by such 'experts' as Shane Warne who has named every other spinner in Australia as more deserving of a spot in the Australian side. Through it all SOK has never once taken the bait to respond, he has been humble in interviews and respectful of the chances he has been given and of the help his teammates and captain have given him. His First Class record, better than any other spinner in Australia, is proof that he could bowl and deserved his chance, and he was rewarded yesterday for it. He himself admitted it will be tougher in the second innings against the Indian batting line up. But today was his and will always be his. Thumbs up.
5. Australia's catching is the difference. Handscomb took three pearlers, Warner and Starc two great outfield catches, and Smith the one to close the innings. Brilliant. On the other side of the coin, Smith has already been dropped three times in his fifty, two of which should have been taken. If any of them had been caught Australia could already have been all out. Costly.
6. Handscomb and Renshaw were both impressive with the bat again, despite their dismissals. They looked the part on a tough batting wicket. Good signs. Shaun Marsh not so much.
7. Ashwin always looked dangerous on this wicket, and is probably the early key this afternoon. If Smith and Marsh can see off the first hour then 400 lead is still possible.

Australia is 4/143, a lead of 298 with 6 wickets in hand. Another fascinating day awaits us in Pune. I for one cannot wait.

Renshaw Runs and Starc Smashes to Start Series on Par

Day One in Pune probably went as well as could have been expected for Australia, and if you had asked most people at the start of the day would they have accepted a score line of 9/256 at stumps, they would have said yes. A number of talking points arose.

1. Allan Border savaging Matthew Renshaw for retiring ‘ill’. It was harsh, and straight out of the old boys textbook, and certainly tough on Shaun Marsh who had to rush out to bat 15 minutes before lunch. But really, hard cheese. In this day of over burdening the ‘duty of care’ in the workplace, what did it matter? Border’s point was valid, but if Renshaw had been dismissed as a result of staying at the wicket, how would that have helped Australia’s cause? Move on.
2. Renshaw’s brilliant knock. For all the talk before the series that he should not play, he proved to be the rock. I thought he was magnificent, and it took an unplayable ball to get him out too. In completely foreign conditions, he played as good an innings as you could wish to see. It wasn’t a century, but it was great viewing. Well played young man.
3. The top order. Once again Dave Warner had done the hard work, and then hung his bat out to dry to play on. He’ll be dirty. Shaun Marsh got tangled up and bobbled the ball to leg slip. The jury is still out on his effectiveness. Peter Handscomb was dismissed in exactly the fashion that we all knew he would over there, LBW on the back foot. He looked good, but with his technique you would put money on him being dismissed in that fashion in every innings he plays in India. Then Steve Smith threw his wicket away, having grafted for over 90 deliveries. It was the same thing he did in Sri Lanka. Both he and Warner need to stop these types of dismissals repeating time and again if Australia is to be any chance on the sub-continent.
4. Mitch Marsh and Matthew Wade. Both looked as bad as their recent form suggests. All at sea, with no real idea how to stop the onslaught that was coming at them. The fact that they have been retained in this team for so long now for no result means that they are stuck. Both are free flowing batsmen in other forms of the game, which suggests that they need to play their natural game in order to score runs. However, because there is now so much pressure on their positions in the team, if they get dismissed playing that way, they will be lambasted and the pressure intensifies even more. To be honest, I have no brief for either of them, but the only way for them to succeed now is to show positive intent at the crease against this attack on this wicket. Better to go down fighting than with a whimper. In the second innings they need to attack, get down the wicket, hit the ball hard, because if they bat like they did yesterday again, they will go just as meekly.
5. Mitch Starc is the perfect example. There is no pressure on Starc to make runs because he is our opening bowler, so he can play the way he does best, with aggressive intent. When it comes off, like yesterday, he is applauded. When he fails, well, he’s just there for his bowling anyway. Marsh and Wade probably need to go in this direction if they are to save their careers and help Australia fight back.
6. The pitch. When Ravi Shastri says at the toss “I have never seen a pitch like this in India” you know there is something wrong. Ashwin opened the bowling, and the other spinners weren’t far behind. Despite this, it was Umesh Yadav that finished with the best figures. It looks bad, but the positives are that it won’t get any better.
7. Ashwin and Jadeja bowled well, but only finished with two wickets each. Australia showed they could be played, if you used your feet to go right forward or right back, and played straight, as Warner did against Ashwin at his most dangerous.

Everyone knew this was going to be Everest for Australia. Today will give a better indication of what the series holds. The batsmen showed promise without delivering the 400 the team needed as a first innings score. Now the bowlers must show they can restrict the Indian batting while getting the dismissals required to get through to the tail. Another fascinating day awaits.

Revisiting The Twilight Zone: S4 E10: No Time Like the Past

Revisiting The Twilight Zone: S4 E10: No Time Like the Past

This episode which centres around the basic tenements of time travel, and the consequences built in, starts off fast and strong, and draws you in, but eventually ends with a whimper, yet another victim of trying to stretch an idea too far in the context of an episode.

I think the first fifteen minutes of the episode is as good as it gets on the Twilight Zone. A man goes back in time, trying to change the course of history in order to save those who died unnecessarily – firstly at Hiroshima, secondly in Nazi Germany, and thirdly on the Lusitania. On each occasion he is thwarted, and on his return to his own time it is the theory that ‘history cannot be changed’ that is sprouted. All well and good, and practical. He then goes back to 1881, to live his life out in a simpler time. Of course, the pall of history hangs over him even here, and he is forced to decide whether he must just allow events to take their course, or whether he is going to try and change them here as well.

These are all ideas I can get on board with – I like a good time travel science fiction story – but it peters out towards the end, which is disappointing. Still worth a watch though.

Rating: Just shoot Hitler already!! 4/5

Revisiting The Twilight Zone: S4 E9: Printer's Devil

Revisiting The Twilight Zone: S4 E9: Printer's Devil

There is nothing more enjoyable than watching Burgess Meredith chewing up the scenery, much like he chews on his cigar. He is - was - a fabulous actor, and no matter what role he is performing, he is eminently watchable.

Here in Printer's Devil, he appears from nowhere, ostensibly to help a failing newspaper as its linesman, and hopefully to make it a success again. Of course, somewhat magically, he appears to do so, charming its editor and his secretary/girlfriend. He is of course more than he seems - and doesn't he love it!

While the episode is enjoyable, once again it is just stretched too far, and it affects the way it is played out. Even Burgess Meredith can only hold the interest so long. The acting and characters are great, but a shorter episode would have made this much better.

Rating: And the Devil take the hindmost. 4/5

Support Me in Relay For Life.

Rightio, so here's the deal. At 11.00pm on the Saturday night, February 25, 2017, of Relay for Life at Albion Park, they have a Ms Relay competition, where below average looking male type people like myself get dolled up in a dress and a clutch purse, and walk the track looking for donations. Apparently it's hilarious, but I tend to think otherwise.

Anyway, I'll make you a deal. If you donate to the link below, and I can get $250 donated to my page, I will enter this... competition... and will have pictures taken and posted online for all to see. Fair is fair. All it takes is 25 people to donate ten bucks each. Or 12 people to donate $20.25 each. And so on.

All donations will be gratefully accepted for this cause, of a disease that takes so much from us and leaves us with so little.

Thanks in advance.

Support me in Relay For Life.