The Fourth in Memphis

This 4th of July marked my 4th Fourth of July (2002, 2003, 2006, 2007) in Memphis.

The celebration started early. This picture was taken by T-Bone on the 3rd.
After shooting off some fireworks, we headed to the Buccaneer Lounge. I like how Eric, AKA The Little 'Ol Memphis Street Lawyer, is trying to get me to behave.
The parade on the 4th. Phoebe takes her dog for a walk.
Phoebe practices her wave.
The procession.
Pilgrims pass by the judges.

Phoebe isn't sure what she thinks of her frozen treat.
BBQ time.



I love this patriotic picture taken by T-Bone.

And then it was bocce time.
SHR was the star despite Eric's best efforts.
Phoebe got in on the action.
Last year the party continued through the night. This year, things ended early after Hot Tub Eric and T-Bone took outdoor showers (not together by the way). SHR and I got on the road for the long drive to Austin.

SHR's food reviews. More barbeque pictures!

Phoebe's blog

Do yourself a favor and listen to some Bleachy. This is what we listened to on the way from Memphis to Nashville. I can't get enough of Bleachy.

Listen to the song that was on at the Big S when I refused to dance . During the song, Hot Tub
Eric's dance partner told him to "Slow it doooown." This resulted in Eric barely moving at all.

Is Cal Ripken a Scientologist?

After being subjected to a John Travolta and Robin Williams movie shoot at Shea on Thursday, I was subjected to this craziness on Sunday.

That's right during Cal Ripken's Hall of Fame induction speech, sitting right behind Ripken's kids, is Johnny T blubbering like the buffoon that he is. What? How did he get there? Why is he there? The second strangest thing about the speech was that apparently Cal considers Brady Anderson his best friend. I wonder if this is all somehow connected?

Kevin Costner was not available for comment.
On another note, I'm also a little annoyed that Cal didn't mention that "ballboy" Ernie Tyler broke his own streak of 3,769 games to come support Cal in Cooperstown this weekend.

And that Eddie Murray sure is stoic, ain't he?

Graceland

After a one night side trip to Nashville, SHR and I headed back to Memphis.

On the 4th, we went to Graceland. This was my seventh trip to Memphis but my first time in Graceland. Sure, I had gone to the gate and taken pictures years ago but I never wanted to spend the money to go in. This was the time. And it only set me back 30 bucks!

I love the three TV setup - just like LBJ. But more on LBJ later.
The Jungle Room
Elvis was quite the athlete, you know. I loved that he had his own racquetball court built at Graceland. Love the football uni.
I didn't think that I was obsessed with his jump suits. But when I saw them, I couldn't take my eyes off of them.


If you ever make to to Graceland, make sure to splurge for the platinum tour. It is only five bucks more. And you get to go on the Lisa Marie.
The gun, the shot TV, and Jesus: A winning combination.
For some reason, I didn't take any pictures in Nashville other than the ones at the baseball game, but SHR did a good job writing about the food here and here.

Summer Vacation

At the end of June, SHR and I flew south for some good times.

6/30
Memphis

A bad movie at the drive-in.
7/1
Brunch time. Phoebe makes sure her dad is clean.


Stax Museum time.
A nightcap at the Lamplighter. Eric and T-Bone
Shirley makes some damn good burgers and patty melts. Picture provided by T-Bone.
On 7/2, SHR and I drove to Nashville.

SHR's food reviews: Here and here.

Many Bands, Many Venues

Last weekend was a cornucopia of free musical delights in New York. I went nuts.

Friday
Central Park

Eric Bachmann
It was kind of sad. No one really gave a shit. There were a number of fans in the front who were there for Eric but not many. I, of course, was one of them up front.

While I do prefer a little more rock to a live show, I did enjoy his performance. I was disappointed the last time I saw him a few months ago but Central Park proved to be a nice setting for his low key set. And he did White Trash Heroes!
SHR and I went to go get some food and find out where our VIP seating was. A few years ago, she scored us VIP seats for Elvis Costello. We had a great spot right to the side of the stage. However for Neko Case on this night, our VIP seating equaled bleacher seats in the back. Oh well, at least I got to sit.

Neko's voice always sounds great. In the open air of the park, her voice soared even more. It was a great place to see her.
Saturday
Coney Island

The past few years, I've shied away from the Siren Festival because of how damn crowded it is. This year, Kip got us in VIP style. Siren knows how to treat VIP's! Free beer and a spot right up front. SHR and I shuttled back and forth between the two stages for a few hours.

I saw the Detroit Cobras at Warsaw five years ago. Maybe it was because it was darker inside but I don't remember them looking so damn weathered. In fact, the only thing I do remember from that show was Hot Tub Eric and Amie cutting a rug to their set.
The Black Lips. I posted an MP3 in a recent post if you're interested. They were really great. Apparently, they have been known to piss on each other and sometimes into their own mouths while performing. On this day, all they did was tongue kiss, lick their guitars, and catch their own spit.
And, oh yeah, scare the daylights out of this chicken.
We caught the last thirty seconds of Lavender Diamond. That was enough for me.
Then I needed a nap.
Matt and Kim and the Wonder Wheel
As SHR pointed out, all of their songs sound the same. But at least that one song is a good song. They were so excited to be playing in front of so many people. If you want to overdose on silly pop, check out their video.
M.I.A. Time

I only watched about half of her set though because I had more plans for the day. SHR was over at the other stage so I headed down the boardwalk to meet her. Along the way, I found these guys chilling out.
I met SHR and we watched a few Voxtrot songs. I missed Raised by Wolves though. Apparently, the blog elite have abandoned this band. I can't say that I love the new record but it is always funny to me how fickle those in the "know" are.
Did I mention that SHR and I ambitiously biked the entire way from Clinton Hill to Coney Island? She wasn't smiling by the end of the ride back, I'll tell you that much.
Prospect Park
We arrived at Prospect Park for the Doc Pomus tribute show. As we biked through the park to our destination, I could hear Howard Tate performing. However, by the time we reached the bandshell, his song was finished.

SHR decided that she needed a break but I stayed. I was too cheap to pay the three bucks to go in for such a short time so I watched from the bike path. I only had time to see a few songs because of the twenty minute break they took right after I got there. I did see Ben E. King and as pictured in this picture (trust me on this one since you can't see him) Lou Reed.
Southpaw
The Hecklers were supposed to go on at 9. I left Prospect Park right around 8:45 and arrived promptly at 9. The Hecklers had already been playing for 15 minutes! Oh well, I still saw some mighty good rock and roll in the 12 minutes or so that they had left. After the show, we went to Sidecar for some dinner. That place is great as you all know. But, trust me, it is even better when you can go and be waited on by Matt Army.
Sunday
McCarren Pool
This show was definitely no Ponderosa Stomp. But then again, any show without Roy Head on the bill is going to be sorely lacking, don't you think?

The Annuals = Snooze. Pretty clouds though.
Band of Horses. Decent record, not good enough to hold my interest in a big outdoor venue. They were fine though.
Anyway, it was a great weekend of music. I also enjoyed the picture on the front page of Monday's NY Times. It's the Cyclone and M.I.A.
Look closer though. it is the Cyclone, M.I.A., and me!!! Thank you SHR for photoshopping this for me. If you looked super closely, I think you can also see a tiny bit of Ezra.
Balgavy's take on McCarren Pool.