An early October

Stage 2 of Jimmy's immersion into U2 began today with October, U2's 1981 offering. I picked up a hard copy for the car of the 2008 remastered version (not the $31 Deluxe version that was just released as well) at FYE for $11. The liner notes bill it as "The sound of a band in crisis yet on fire, October is U2's forgotten gem. A thunderous roar of spiritual confusion, and sci-fi rock, it is the album that almost finished them off before they began." I've always loved the album myself, although it does get put on the back shelf by many U2 fans who label it as their sophomore jinx. To me, the blatant, in your face, religion always spoke to me. And, it is not just because it is Christianity; it's not just the message that compels me, it's the delivery. It totally flies in the face of the new millennium's "speak up, then apologize" attitude.

One of the strengths of U2's producers has always been track sequencing. You'll never listen to a U2 album and go, "That should have been the first track, not _____". October is no exception, with "Gloria" starting us on the right foot. Unfortunately, that is as far as we got today, since I wanted to get that song into his head, especially the outro chorus. There was even a promise of a Happy Meal if he could sing along with it. After the 2nd or 3rd time listening, he started to get the sounds down, but at the end, would follow-up with, "Walk away song, daddy?" Well, at least he is in the right ballpark...

To be continued.

BANKY UPDATE!!!!

He's still awesome.

Forgive and Forget?

One of the major tenets of the Roman Catholic Church is the belief in absolution or forgiveness. With all the benefits of being a religious person, this one at times makes things rough. Turning the other cheek is not often the easiest thing to do. But, recent events are pushing me to forgive one of the greatest enemies I have had in the past few years...U2.

Brother Marc called me yesterday and mentioned that U2 had released a concert from 1987 on iTunes - 18 tracks for $11.99. (Tracks 1 and 11 listed below are not on the recording from iTunes.)

He also mentioned that they had re-released the first three albums with bonus live and studio tracks from that time period. While I was in college, every semester the local hippies would sell bootleg recordings from the big acts and I swallowed up all the U2 boots I could find. Most were from 1980 - 1983, and were loaded with tracks like "Boy/Girl", "Touch" and great versions of "Cry/Electric Co.". Coincidentally, all these new mastered tracks available on iTunes are the same tracks I cut my teeth on in college. Getting very interested now...

Before we go any further, a little history about me and the lads from Ireland. From 1988 - 1993, I lived and breathed U2. The Edge was my guitar hero and every time I played, I stood like him, strummed like him, and did the "Edge shake" to get that extra vibrato off the chord. I went through multiple delay pedals to get his sound. I fell asleep every night to side 2 of Joshua Tree, still probably the most perfect side of music every created. When Achtung Baby! released, my roommate, Brian Downey, and I listened in awe, with the only words said for 45 minutes being "Holy Shit..." (The only other album to get this reaction from us was Automatic for the People.)

Then, it started to slowly go down hill. I saw them on back to back nights in 1993 and they did the same set, down to the scripted interaction with the audience. It was downright cheesy, highlighted with Bono looking into a life size mirror saying, "New York, you're f'n beautiful!" I get that he's doing a character, but still, a far way from the streets of Ireland.

We had Mephisto.

We had Pop Mart.

Bono met the Pope. (Please note: I am STRONGLY Catholic; this offended me as a rock fan. The two have no business together.)

During all this time, the music itself was also sub-par:

So, I left. I hadn't listened to any U2 work in about 4 years until Jimmy recently started rocking to "I Will Follow" and the rest of the Boy album.

Here I am now, wondering to myself (and listening to the 1987 concert (thanks Brother Marc)), if I can forgive the sins listed above. Can I go back? Can I give them a second chance and live as 1995 on never existed? Should I expect every band to have the integrity of a Pearl Jam or Springsteen? For every horrible misstep listed above, there are the great and moving moments - Live Aid, closing concerts with "40", "Luminous Times", The Joshua Tree, yelling at audiences during the early 80's to pay attention, "Dirty Day".

As if planned, the end of this blog coincides with "40" coming out of the speakers of my computer. I always felt that Bono had a deal with the Big Guy upstairs - I guess this is his way of telling me to go back to where it started.

Jimmy, get ready for your next lesson...

Lessons Learned...

Having just completed the toughest, both mentally and physcially, year and a half of my life, I am left with some lessons that will stay with me forever. They were imparted to me from multiple sources - those within my company, as well as clients and vendors. The are not specific to one line of business or industry, but I know I will continue to utilize them:

1) It's not what you say, but how you say it.

2) If you are debating including someone in communication, include them. Best to hear (see) it from your mouth than someone else.

3) No matter the context, there is always a client and there is always a vendor; respect that relationship and define who is who in every setting.

4) Sometimes, the person on the other end of the phone or email just wants to hear, "I understand."

5) If you can't define how "progress" is or can be made, you are wasting your and your client's time.

6) There are no two better words than "trusted advisor".

Stories for Boy(s)

Well, we have a music lover on our hands. Each time Jimbo gets strapped into the car seat in the Santa Fe, "Dance! Dance!" are the first words out of his mouth. What is he diggin' on these days? U2's Boy. How awesome is that! We always start at the beginning of the tape, and he has just started counting off Edge's "1-2-3-4" at the beginning of "I Will Follow". He doesn't have the verses down yet, but he has the "If you walk away, walk away, I'll walk away walk away" down pat.

Next, Pearl Jam...

The Miracle on...Green Shag

Montana to Clark. Manning to Tyree. Jeter into the stands. All plays that will stand the test of time, and all have been worthy of the respect paid to them. Until February 24th, 2008. A day that will live in the hearts and minds of sports fans forever. The day that brought us...Caputo to Caputo.

Let me set the scene for you...

It was a cold Sunday morning in Farmingdale, NY. Frost tapped at the car windows on Damin Drive. Daddy was just returning from a grueling back workout, which included 5 sets of deadlifts that tested his intestinal fortitude and made his shins scream from the cold metal bar's pull. As daddy was finishing the last sips of his chocolate and peanut butter protein shake and whole-wheat bagel with grape jelly, Jimmy strolled onto the pitch, determined that this would be the day that "it" happened. Sure, there had been traps against the chest, but there had not been a clean "hands" catch with his Little Einstein ball to date. Today would be different.

As their piercing eyes met in a steely gaze across the green shag area rug, a look of determination set in Jimmy's eyes, one that replaced the tiredness from no sleep, the result of a minor cold he was battling like a warrior. After a moment of silence, the word came to his lips and he shot it out like a bullet leaving the chamber of a Colt .45..."Catch?"

Daddy picked up the ball, tossed it in his worn-down hands and said, "Ready, buddy?" Jimmy nodded with a calmness reserved for the pressure players - Messier, Jeter and Drury. This was his Super Bowl, Daytona 500 and Stanley Cup all wrapped up in one. As the brown and white ball entered the air, not a sound could be heard from the split-level house. Banky's brown eyes followed the trajectory of the ball and he licked his chops in anticipation of what would happen next. Jimmy's eyes locked on to the ball and his small arms rose in the air in unison. As the ball arced down, his small little fingers locked around it and grasped it, cradling it like fine china. Dogs howled, fans leapt up. Like a true champion, Jimmy acknowledged his admirers and went on with his business, as he knew days like this would never be few and far between.

Light a Candle and You Will See Your Future

One of my favorite scenes in Almost Famous is William's discovery of the records that Anita has left under his bed. As he thumbs through them, there is both a sense of wonder as well as the forbidden that fills him up. Crowe does an excellent job of directing William here, having him run his hands over the albums to touch them, as they could possibly jump to life in front of him.

As music has always been a part a huge part of my life, I want to begin a musical legacy for Jimmy to help guide him through his teen and early adult years. These years are a bear to navigate through, and I hope these albums can help his travels. Below are scenarios that he will undoubtedly encounter on his journeys and the musical road map to help guide the way.

Off we go...

"My voice is changing, yesterday dad was my hero now I hate him and what are those things that smell pretty and have long hair and why won't they talk to me..."

Siamese Dream - The Smashing Pumpkins

No one does the male teenage psyche better than Corgan, and this is his tour de force. Kinda tough for a band when you blow it all on the first go round, but ain't that like a teenager! In 45 minutes we get - rebellion ("Rocket"), introspection ("Disarm"), unrequited love ("Hummer"), rage ("Cherub Rock"), and wonderment ("Today") - just another day in the life of a teenager.

When he becomes an unappreciative, unhappy bastard

Definitely, Maybe - Oasis

What made this album so great was that it flied in the face of what was ruling the airwaves in the early '90s - grunge. "Live Forever" was a direct assault on the Seattle scene, its negativity and its self-loathing. Tracks like "Rock 'n Roll Star" and "Cigarettes and Alcohol" threw away the notion of the lonely, imprisoned rock star and created a larger-than-live ideal of what life on the road should be - FUN. If you can't enjoy attaining everything you've ever dreamed of, you're in the wrong business, cousin.

She just dumped him

The Man Who - Travis

I'll give him 24 hours to mourn, but I want this album on. I'll probably sit with him and talk about lost loves over a couple of pints of B&J's. "Why Does It Always Rain On Me?" and "Writing To Reach You" - c'mon - pretty much tailor made for these 24 hours (and no more...).

He needs to dump her

The First Four Years Collection - Black Flag

16 songs in ~30 minutes. The foot never comes off the gas for the whole ride. "Nervous Breakdown", "Machine", "No Values". I once lifted a car after listening to this album. These songs are like a bullet-proof vest against female tears. Use with caution.

The loss of a friend

Ritual de lo Habitual - Jane's Addiction

Don't think "Been Caught Stealing" - think "Classic Girl", "Then She Did" and "Three Days". All of us with wings...

Beginning Social Awareness 101

Rage Against the Machine - Rage Against the Machine

I don't agree with their politics, but they have passion about their cause and they are unrelentless in getting their point across to the listener. Whatever he chooses to do, this album is a playbook for action. This will teach him that AIM is not just a way of communicating online. This is the ultimate soundtrack for a revolution.

Questioning His Faith
(What's the Story) Morning Glory?- Oasis

Proof that God exists.