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Johny

Member since: May 5th, 2007

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20 Best Buddy Holly Cover Versions (Spinner)

Feb 2nd 2010 8:18PM These bootleg/pirate overdubs were recorded by John Pickering of the "Picks." Being they were bootlegs on low-budget labels, that would explain the misspelling of the label on your recording.
Former MCA mastering engineer Steve Hoffman had sent safety masters to John Pickering for the reunited Picks to re-record with their overdubbed backing vocals, supposedly for an MCA release of material in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of Buddy's passing. MCA fired Hoffman and refused to release those Picks recordings, but Pickering brought them to Viceroy, despite MCA declaring that Pickering did not have the legal clearance to release those recordings and had never asked for licensing on the songs.

20 Best Buddy Holly Cover Versions (Spinner)

Feb 2nd 2010 8:08PM DrM, two of my favorite Buddy Holly covers of other established Rock'n'Roll artists! Not only did Buddy do a wonderful cover of "You're So Square (Baby, I Don't Care)," but before that, he also covered Elvis' version of "Baby Let's Play House" (1955; a song written and recorded in 1954 by Arthur Gunter), which inspired Buddy to incorporate the hiccup into his trademark vocal style.
His version of "Brown-Eyed Handsome Man" did Chuck Berry proud. Oftentimes, covers pale in comparison to the originals, but Buddy had an ear and passion for music, whether it was playing, writing/arranging or producing.

Bruce Springsteen Speaks Out for Gay Marriage (Spinner)

Dec 9th 2009 3:31PM I'm surprised and dismayed by the many disparaging comments from so-called "long-time fans" who claim that the Boss has only recently "become" a liberal. Got news for you, folks, Bruce has ALWAYS been a liberal, socially-conscious musician! His lyrics since early in his career --- inspired by greats such as Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, many of the early Motown and C&W artists and the Beatles --- have reflected empathy for and the dreams of the working-class, the downtrodden and social outcasts. This is not some sort of mid-life crisis for him, but a lifelong passion. And, NO, he does NOT have to explain himself (and neither do any of us for our personal beliefs), though he HAS, through his songs as well as in TV interviews AND while on stage, sharing his beliefs and reasons for those passions between songs. Lifelong fans, such as myself, KNOW this, and, while you absolutely have the right to express your opinions, so, too, does our fellow American --- Bruce Springsteen. He has lived the American dream, coming from a blue-collar upbringing to achieve great success through his passions, dreams and hard work. He gives ALL Americans (and fans throughout the world) hope that they, too, can strive to achieve their dreams, too.

Susan Boyle Talks of Bullies and Beatings (PopEater)

Nov 18th 2009 12:24AM I was surprised and saddened by Sharon Osbourne's remarks about Susan Boyle, especially in light of the fact that Sharon's husband Ozzy was bullied and beaten daily by his schoolmates, neighborhood kids and teachers because he has dyslexia. It was because of this constant harassment that Ozzy sought solace in drugs and alcohol. It is also the reason why he is still a rather shy and humble person, who is still amazed that people actually accept and like him today, a far cry from his youth in Birmingham. Britons still have a lot to learn about acceptance of others who are different, especially those with disabilities, be they learning or physical.

U2 Disappointed by 'No Line' Only Going Platinum Once (Spinner)

Oct 26th 2009 9:20AM Granted, Bono does share many of his beliefs (political and otherwise) in much of his songs and interviews. However, that's not the crux of the argument as to why the album hasn't gone multi-platinum ... yet. IMHO: overplay (i.e., a couple of songs off "No Line ... " in recent commercials, on commercial radio), and, overall, the album simply does not possess a strong song lineup (as opposed to "War," "Unforgettable Fire," "The Joshua Tree," etc.); merely hills and valleys in song selection.
In regards to your references to Ireland's neutrality during WWII, I beg to differ. Under the Irish Constitution, the Free State of Ireland (and its successor, Eire) designated itself a neutral country (in much the same way Sweden and Switzerland have in their Constitutions). Between their struggle to assert their country's Constitutional neutrality, their ongoing Troubles in the British-occupied North and an uneasy peace with the British [who, until the Eire (Confirmation of Agreements) Act of 1938, still occupied Irish ports --- such as Cobh, Berehaven and Lough Swilly --- as UK sovereign bases in the name of British security], Ireland was in no political, economic or military position to take sides. Having said that, thousands of Irish men DID serve in active duty with the Allies as volunteers for the Royal (British) armed forces against the Nazis, in much the same way as Americans, British and French civilians had volunteered and fought in the Spanish Civil War of 1936-39 while their homelands officially remained neutral.

OK, I knew Ticketmaster prices were excessive, but... (WalletPop)

Sep 30th 2009 3:59PM Unfortunately, although most tickets sales through Craigslist and the like are legitimate, there are also some counterfeit tickets sold through such websites. The same as if you'd bought from guy on the street; most are legit, but some sell counterfeit tix. I agree, be wary and do some research.
It is only through guaranteed websites (i.e., TM, StubHub (which I will NOT use because they are just legalized scalpers), etc.) that you know you are getting legitimate tickets to the event of your choice. I believe some also have return policies (read the fine print before purchasing) and dispute resolution set up, although I would not pay more than a small percentage above the face value, as anything more than 10% above face value is IMO legalized scalping.
The average concert-goer is stuck between a rock and a hard place. That is why some bands (and other events) try to accommodate the customer, avoiding much of the extra charges, through direct sales through the band/events' personal websites. However, these are still very few and far between.

OK, I knew Ticketmaster prices were excessive, but... (WalletPop)

Sep 30th 2009 11:22AM How is it a "convenience" when many events --- especially concerts --- release tickets in a collusive order? It's called a "rigged job," where Ticketmaster gets first dibs at selling tickets --- which include their exorbitant "convenience" and "handling" fees --- days before the venue's box office can sell them. If one really wants to get good seats to those events, they have no choice but to go through Ticketmaster. Let's not forget that customers who hold certain credit cards also get first priority on pre-sale tix --- oftentimes even before fans on the performers' mailing lists --- when that particular credit card company is a premier sponsor. I don't think it's fair at all.
The ticket prices (set by the promoter) are high enough --- especially in this current economy. And it's not like Ticketmaster has thousands of staff members inputting online ticket orders, printing out tickets, placing them in envelopes, addressing the envelopes, licking stamps and placing them in the mailbox. It's called "automation," using computers, which replaced most, if not all, the staff that used to perform those duties, saving on salaries paid, and thereby, significantly reducing its overhead.
Ticketmaster put Ticketron out of business back in the '80s, worked out some exclusive deal with the venues so they can sell tix days before they're available at the box offices, merged with Live Nation this past February --- giving them a combined 80% stranglehold on ticket distribution, which was being investigated by the FTC; and railroads fans to their legal scalping site --- TicketsNow --- for tickets very high in demand (i.e., Bruce Springsteen) even before they are sold out.
It's not very "convenient" when promoters, venues and Ticketmaster are in collusion, whereby, in order to acquire good seats to an event, you are pretty much at the mercy of a ticket distribution company that has a near-monopoly on ticket sales.

New-Look Mets in 2010? (Fanhouse MLB Blog)

Sep 29th 2009 1:37PM Changing the Mets' uniforms is NOT the answer. Let's start with fixing the clowns in ownership and front office.

Brewers Owner Unsure What to Do With Prince Fielder (Fanhouse MLB Blog)

Sep 29th 2009 1:30PM The Brewers would be foolish to let Fielder go to another team. He and Ryan Braun are an incredible combination; the organization needs to continue to build around these two exceptional players if they want to attract other quality players and be successful in the future.
Oh, and by the way, "A year ago at this time the Milwaukee Brewers were wrapping up their first postseason birth in 25 years ... ." The correct word is "berth."

Rescue Me: David (AOL TV)

Aug 17th 2009 12:01AM OK, I just love how Candy admitted that the pre-nup is a "test" that Lou "passed with flying colors." She just informed him on Thursday of her inheritance and this is somehow proof that he loves her?! His forgiving and reconciling with her --- AND then agreeing to marry her was proof that Lou loves her ... or that he is (more likely) setting himself up for more humiliation at the hands of his new bride. Although she did grovel upon her initial return, asking Lou to forgive her, if she was truly sorry and loved HIM, she would have paid him back the money she'd stolen from him BEFORE she asked him to sign the pre-nuptial agreement. Sorry, but Lou's again on the losing end with Candy.