Your Monday Moment of Words Fail Me

The lead-off track from Ian Hunter's forthcoming (Sept. 16) new album with the Rant Band.



This is a David Bowie tribute, obviously, and it's also, as a friend observed, just like hearing a new Mott song in 1973.

I should add that the guy...

...is freaking 77 years young. Absolutely phenomenal.

[h/t John Holcomb]

Québec City Confidential: A Photo Essay

So as you may have heard, a certain Shady Dame and I spent a few days recently with our friends in the Great White North, specifically in Québec City. We had a splendid -- or perhaps splendide -- time, but I must confess I found the place a little odd.

Herewith, a visual record of our trip, with commentary.

For example, this moose store was the very first thing we saw after leaving our hotel.

I think we can safely conclude that if you were to buy anything at said store, you would -- officially -- be a tourist.

A few blocks later, we came across the statue of the Headless Capitaine. Apparently, this is some kind of mythological icon; perhaps there's a Canadian equivalent of Washington Irving I'm unaware of.

Have I mentioned that the Canadians really seem to love their moose?

I took this one outside the Museum of the Pussycat Cafe. We didn't go in, for fear of offending our delicate American sensibilities.

Have I mentioned that the Canadians really seem to love their moose?

If you're planning on vacationing in QC, I am happy to tell you that the food is very good. We particularly enjoyed the authentic cuisine at this establishment.

We didn't get a chance to stop at the sister restaurant, which specializes in fake cuisine. Maybe next time.

Did you know that Dr. Seuss was a hero in Canada? I sure didn't.

QC is absolutely redolent with history; everywhere you look, you learn something. For instance....

...I had no idea that McDonald's spokesclown founded the first public school in the province.

Meanwhile, it seems the Quebecoise are extremely formal. As you can see, even the trees have name tags.

And finally, it seems QC is a good town for Superman.

The last place in the Americas that still has phone booths...

...and has a Daily Planet building.

Have I mentioned that the Canadians really love their moose?

Okay, now take off, eh?

Je Ne Regrette Rien...Well, Maybe Un Peu...

Off to the airport in preparation for our return to the USA, where as Chuck Berry has pointed out, the hamburgers sizzle on the open grills night and day.

My sure to be award-winning visual diary of our stay in Quebec City will appear tomorrow by way of penance for my shitty postings this week.

In the meantime, have a great weekend, everybody!

Pardonnez Moi...Pardonnez Moi!

Well, gang, I only brought my iPad Mini with me to Canadia, and as it turns out I can't do a lot of stuff on it I would have been able to do had I brought my laptop.

Hence, the whole Canadian experience I had planned to blog about this week is, je regrette, beyond my technological prowess.

Regular and deeply humbled posting resumes on the morrow upon our return to the US of A.

Closed for Monkey Business

Things here in Quebec City have turned out to be a little wackier than expected.

Regular, albeit still Canadian, posting resumes on the morrow.

Merci bien.

It's Canadian Content Week: Première Partie !

As you may have heard, a certain Shady Dame and I are off for a three day vacation with our neighbors in the Great White North.

So in celebration of this milestone in cross-cultural pollination, from 1977, please enjoy Toronto's pride and joy The Diodes and their fabulous punk deconstruction of The Cyrkle's "Red Rubber Ball."

More canucklehead rock on the morrow.

Closed for Monkey Business

Getting ready for a much-needed vacation, along with a certain Shady Dame, in the Great White North.

Regular, albeit Canadian, posting resumes on the morrow.

Your Friday Moment of Words Fail Me

1000 people play and sing David Bowie's "Rebel Rebel."

You know, it's not exactly a secret that I'm not a Bowie fan (although I love that particular song unreservedly). But let's just say you would have to have a heart of stone not to find the above incredibly moving on numerous levels.

Seriously, if you ever loved rock 'n' roll -- or heaven forfend, were enough of an old hippie to believe that just maybe music could be a force for good -- a tear is going to come to your eye at some point while watching that.

Have a great weekend, everybody.

And Speaking of Gorgeous....

From a Badfinger tribute album originally released in 1996, please enjoy the incomparable pop rock genius of Bill Lloyd and an utterly magnificent cover of the Apple band's classic "Lonely You."

Incidentally, the track is now available on a just released collection of Lloyd's various covers over the years, and I highly recommend it, even if you have some of them already (the new mix of his take on the Raspberries "Going Nowhere Tonight" is alone worth the price of the album). You can order it over at Kool Kat Music HERE.

Words Fail Me

I couldn't get to sleep last night, and I'm not doing an early rock reference here. I was scared out of my wits after hearing Trump's latest speech.

You know, I was actually gonna put up the Beatles' "Happiness is a Warm Gun" today, but I can't even make that stupid joke. In fact, I'm almost embarrassed by the graphic above, which doesn't remotely do justice to the sheer capital E Evil that occurred yesterday.

Donald Fucking Trump advocated for Hillary's assassination. Period, full stop, end of story.

The Republican party has to find a legal way to get that sociopath off their ticket and they need to do it right now.

Is it too early for me to start drinking while I wait?