Mike Anderson: What A Guy (and music ramblins')

Finally, finally, f-i-n-a-l-l-y my long fantasy football
slump/nightmare season came abruptly to an end yesterday,
and right as the playoff seedings are shaking out (yes, I
am a nerd. Repeat, I am a nerd). While P. Manning, Chris
Brown (who I acquired in a trade of Chad Johnson... yes,
I traded the gold toothed tiger... this might not work out
in the end), and the Broncos D put in admirable performances,
the biggest thanks goes to the blog-aforementioned Mike
Anderson, running back for the Denver Broncos. Along with
his 113 rushing yards, Anderson had a hat-trick of rushing
TDs. Making me look good for not drafting man-child Shaun
Alexander with the #2 pick. At the end of the day, LA
Clippers (that's me) 140 fantasy points, Hippie Haters (that's
my opponent) 44. Woo-hoo. Boo-ya. Hell yeah.
Last time... I'm a nerd.

And now for something completely different:

My top three fav active (cranking out LPs... touring) bands:

1) White Stripes
2) Medeski, Martin and Wood
3) Tea Leaf Green

Honorable Mentions/On The Bubble: Shins, Belle & Sebastian,
Blackalicious, Talib Kweli, Fiona Apple........ just kidding.

Man, can't say enough good things about Tea Leaf. Saw them
against last Sat. night for an Album Release Party/Concert at
Coda in Manhattan. Was talking with my buddy John Flanigan
at the show (who's recent interview of the band will appear on
an upcoming DVD... will link to product info when I have it)
about who the band sounds like. From that conversation and
my own musings, I'd say TLG is an agreeable, albeit bizarre,
intersection of the sounds of Phish, The Allman Brothers Band,
and James Taylor. They are talented musicians, play well
together, but most important... keyboardist/songwriter Trevor
Garrod can actually write superb, melodic, inspired songs.
Sure, there are other people out there... Ben Folds, Gavin Degraw,
friggen Fiona... but either they're too sapped out or angst ridden
or flyin-solo to re-capture the long lost beauty of rock ballads
from the 60s and 70s. YES, other forms of music (Country,
Hip Hop, Techno, Jazz, Pop) have their place and are important,
but something super-special was discovered in classic rock, and
has largely been lost, ignored, or subdued. It can be found
from time to time in "jam" music, pop, or the blues, but not as often
as one might think. So you go, Tervor Garrod. Keep them creative
juices floating. For a taste of what I'm talking about, pick up
the band's new album Taught to be Proud and listen to the first
two tracks multiple times at maximum volume. You'll get the idea.
Unlike previous albums, this one can actually be found in some
record stores. Living In Between is also good, but you'll need to
buy it online.

Later,

Dave



I haven't been this up on a band (uhh... we'll say "of up bands"...
Radiohead not much of an upper) since the boys from Vermont. Yee-haw.
Its been too long.