Puesto número 25.

Jimi Hendrix. Purple Haze.

Puesto número 24.

Rolling Stones. Brown Sugar.

Puesto número 23.

The Beatles.I Want to Hold Your Hand.

Puesto número 22.

Stevie Wonder. Superstition.

Puesto número 21.

James Brown. I Got You (I Feel Good).

Manager Joe Torre said that Pierre, who was expected to be out for six weeks, could be activated during the Dodgers' upcoming series at Dodger Stadium against Washington, perhaps as early as Saturday.

Now keep in mind the following: despite the fact that he's become one of our favorite whipping boys here at MSTI, it'd actually be better for the team if he came back.  Yes, that's right: I am looking forward to the return of Juan Pierre.

However!... provided the following conditions are met:

1.  His return gives Andruw Jones a long overdue trip to the bench.

2.  He hits 8th.

To elaborate: Pierre, for all his flaws, and there are many, is still much better than Jones, and, therefore, deserves to start over him.  No problem, there.  And even if he doesn't do well, I could deal with him hitting eighth, as opposed to his customary leadoff position, where he'd get the most at-bats.

Two problems, though.  First off, according to Tony Jackson, Torre doesn't seem ready to write off Jones, who continues on his monumental quest to have the worst offensive season in history, as we head into August.  Perhaps this is just fluff until Pierre gets back, but that's the official stance, as of now.

Diamond Leung provides us with the second problem:

"He doesn't give us the power that Kemp gives us, but he knows how to lead off," Torre said of Pierre.

O.K., let's define what a leadoff hitter is supposed to do.  A leadoff hitter is supposed to get on base, so he can score when the big bats (3-4-5) drive him in.  So, what does this tell us?  That on base percentage is very important in a leadoff hitter.

In the 79 AB's that Matt Kemp has had in the leadoff spot, he's hitting .316/.393/.532, .925 OPS, with 3 HR's, and also currently sporting a nice 11 game hitting streak.  So, lookie here...

Juan Pierre in the leadoff spot (207 AB's):

.256/.294/.290, .584 OPS, 0 HR's.

If Pierre's numbers in the leadoff spot show that he "knows how to leadoff," then what the hell do Kemp's numbers show?  And even if you want to throw out the argument that Pierre is fast, and that speed is a necessity for a leadoff hitter (which I don't believe, but that's another argument), it doesn't really mean all that much when the guy he's going to replace in the leadoff spot has 22 SB's, which ranks him 2nd on the team (behind Pierre's 35), and is stealing bases at an acceptable rate of 78%.  So, he can hit for a higher average, far more power, he can get on base, and is also successful this season at Pierre's lone virtue, running.  But, no, give the most at-bats to the guy who can't do any of that, except the last one.

Could Joe Torre be anymore of a schmuck?

Oh wait... I think he can:

"Hopefully the stuff he gained while batting leadoff will help him confidence-wise," Torre said of Kemp.

Yes, because who doesn't feel confident when, after being successful in a role, they're moved down in the order to make room for a person who is a below average player?  Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that Matt Kemp hitting leadoff is his calling, it's not, but he's having great success there, this year, and it's utterly absurd to take him out of that spot and take away some at-bats from him for someone who flat out sucks in that role and then hope that this move will boost his confidence.  Maybe Pierre's, but I'm hardpressed to come up with a reason on why this is good for Kemp.  I'm also not saying that he's going to fall into a spiral because of this, he's not, but it's more the absurdity of sticking Pierre back at the top and insisting he does such a good job that's so annoying.  Imagine if Joe Torre was the manager of... say, other things:

MSTI:

"Vin, MSTI, I like your writing, I really do, but when I think of writing, I think of hard workers like Murray Chass(hole?), T.J. Simers, Bill Plaschke.  They showed up to their jobs every day and early.  So, they're going to start writing more of the articles on this site; just don't tell Murray that it's a blog.  Feel good?"

Dodgers' Broadcasting:

"Vin, we think you're a fine broadcaster who has had some great moments.  But we really like Charley Steiner and he KNOWS how to broadcast, and has an impeccable knack at reading flyballs.  So he's going to start broadcasting all the innings from the 4th until the end of the game on TV, as well.  Does this make you feel confident?"

The Lakers:

"Kobe, yes, you're arguably the NBA's greatest player... but we're going to start giving Luke Walton more shots.  I like his body language and he knows how to shoot.  We hope this helps you."

The Beatles:

"Hey Paul, I've had this feeling and hunch lately that, while you write good songs, songs that have topped the charts and adored by millions, we're going to start giving Ringo the most opportunities to write.  Yeah, "Yesterday" was good, but Ringo knows how to WRITE!!  We hope this boosts your confidence."

James Brown:

"James, we think you're great, but we're going to start giving Maceo more leads.  He can SING!!  Feel good?  I knew that you would!"

ARGH!!  In any event, hopefully a sweep of Washington will make me feel better after the last two games.  The pitching has been atrocious coming out of the break.  How strange: if not for the offense, of all things, we could have very well finished a 3-3 road trip 1-5 or 0-6.  At least we're out of Denver and hopefully some home cooking will be just what the doctor ordered.

GO DODGERS!!

- Vin

Since he walked out of his last post at the Cambridge evening paper (with tearful staff applauding him all the way), I'd been giving the Morsemeister snippets of help and advice as he set up a new media consultancy business.

It was great to catch up with him two months ago, when he came to our offices to have a look over some of the software, paperwork and other gubbins involved (the kind of stuff you simply don't think about when starting out).

So I was as amazed when the news broke about his new job in Manchester. Can't say how jealous I am that he'll be working with the likes of legendary Loaded magazine founder, James Brown. In the legendary words of that genius publication, Good Work Fella! (in its 90s heyday, Loaded gave its readers a new vocabulary, including the aforementioned GWF, as well as its flip side, bunch of @rse).

I'm sure there are loads of serious media issues to ponder on here. The Sport titles may be considered little more than a top shelf comic by the newspaper cognoscenti and the chattering classes.

Yet the Sunday Sport has been around for about 20 years, it still makes money and just about everyone knows one of its legendary headlines (World War 2 Bomber Found on Moon; Woman pregnant for 65 years gives birth to a pensioner; Aliens Turned my Son into a Fish Finger).

I'll leave it to the media sections in the broadsheet papers to pontificate on the cultural raison d'etre  for the existence of such an in-your-face media oddity.

What I really want to know is what Mr Morse plans to do with the legendary Sport newspapers nipple count?

Regardless of what he gets up to, the new job sounds like a total hoot and I'm glad hehas landed on his feet.

Even if you ignore his many newspaper talents Muzza deserves his latest break for his sheer stamina during a 20 year job-hopping jaunt that has taken him all round the UK. Stopping off points along the way included stints in Southampton, Edinburgh, London, Aberdeen, Belfast, Glasgow, Cardiff, Newcastle and Cambridge.

Phew. As the man himself points out in his UKPG interview: "Manchester must be the last major media centre I’ve not worked in."

Good luck Muzza. The Sport will have at least one extra reader over the coming couple of months. Just don't tell my missus.

Ophir Kutiel a.k.a. Kutiman from Tel Aviv is just 25 years old, but he incorporates James Brown and Sly Stone type funk beats, complete with sinewy wah-wah guitar licks and popping backbeats, in his soulful afrobeat creations like an old funk player from the 70s. The multi-instrumentalist, who impressively plays the majority of the instruments on the album and also plays drums in the moog funk group Koliphones from Tel Aviv, merges a contemporary mindset with the sounds and styles of funk and psychedelic lore throughout this melodically-rich album. To diversify his aesthetic, he draws a little bit of reggae into the fold as well, clearly moved by the time he spent in the Caribbean traveling and taking in the musical culture. Kutiman invited some of the greatest musicians from the Israeli scene, on three tracks Karolina is featured with her beautiful voice, frontwomen of the soulful reggae group Funset and part of the chart breaking trio Ha-Banot Nechama, which are real superstars in Israel. Also on three tracks is Elran Dekel featured, maybe a nobody to you, but he is the leadsinger of the Israeli funk band Funk'n'stein, attracting international attention. For the extra kick the whole Funk'n’stein brass section is featured too.

"There are some great and gifted musicians in Tel Aviv, but the scene is so small we could all meet up in my room" explains Kutiman, this small scene must be superb.

Music is ruling my world.

There will be no "Graceland" for James Brown, the Godfather of Soul. There will be no James Brown Museum and there will be no archive for Spike Lee to consult for a film the director is said to be planning about the Godfather of Soul.

Not only was an Entertainer's legacy  being irretrievably scattered, but a chunk of the American pop cultural narrative was was being sold off piece by piece at very dissappointing prices.

On Thursday , 328 items of the James Brown collection spanning the life of the Godfather of Soul went up for auction at Christies. Projected to realize as much as $2 million in its entirety, the sale fell short of expectations, with a take of $857,688.

In spite of last-minute efforts to block the auction, the auction had gone ahead under pressure from an estate that has been tangled and embattled since the day Brown died, leaving behind multiple wives and girlfriends, children that he acknowledged and some he did not, grandchildren, business managers and contentious trustees.

Projected to realize as much as $2 million in its entirety, the sale fell short of expectations, with a take of $857,688. "This is a very sad day for me and my family," Larry Brown, the singer's son said to IHT.

James Brown had held on to his legacy, and except for those things destroyed in a 1965 office fire, much of it was still around when he died on Christmas day in 2006. "He kept things immaculate, dry-cleaned and put in five walk in closets," said Simeon Lipman, a pop culture specialist at Christie's, who mined the closets to assemble the sale. "When Brown changed his style, he wouldn't throw the old things away," Lipman explained.

Of the top lots, the highest price paid was for a black satin cape with intricate beadwork and Brown's name embroidered inside the collar. It fetched $47,500.

Why on earth is that not in the Smithsonian?.

"James Brown was a reflector of black attitudes toward hair and you can go through the whole history of black hair in his lifetime," by tracking his evolution from a chemical "conk" to an Afro and Jheri curls and on to other processed hairstyles, said Nelson George, an editor of "The James Brown Reader."

"The one thing people always talk about when they talk about meeting James Brown is him getting his hair done," George said. "No matter who you were, you came backstage to see him and he was sitting in a chair with his hair in curlers and wearing a hairnet."

After spirited bidding, Lot 242, simply labeled "Hair Supplies," was hammered down to a private collector for $4,800, plus the auction house's 25 percent buyer's premium. (IHT)

Just sad, truly sad.

En Niu Llorq pusieron en subasta algunos –muchos- objetos que pertenecieron al “padrino del soul”, con lo que se juntaron 800 mil de los verdes gringos (aunque se esperaban al menos una cifra entre uno y dos millones de dolarucos). Los objetos que estuvieron a puja variaron entre cosas de su casa, prendas que utilizó alguna vez, documentos personales, fotografías de cuando estaba moco, instrumentos, su credencial del Partido Republicano (y hasta una foto de él con Bush fader) y otras curiosidades.

El objeto que alcanzó mayor precio fue una capa de seda que usaba Brown en sus presentaciones que tiene su nombre bordado en el cuello, el precio pagado fue de 47 mil 500 dólares. Uno de los artículos que destacó por su rareza fue una pulsera médica en la que se acredita su condición de diabético, la cual se fue en 32 mil dólares.

Con datos de El Universal

James Brown (Estados Unidos)

1956-2006

Polydor

A little re-cap of this week's musings

• David Letterman's Band Leader, Paul Shaffer, bought James Brown's medical bracelet for $32,500 in a recent auction.
• Ratatat remakes an old Paul Simon Classic video into this.
• Britt, from eargoggles' annual favorite Spoon, remixes last year's "indie" favorite Fiest. 
• Snagfilms launches and gives mad exposure to what should be truly watched. Documentaries.
• "F" Muxtape. Turntable Lab reminds us that mixtapes are still where it's at.
• eargoggles made it through 14 of 15 innings of the longest All-Star Game EVER. We heard that the American League won. Now the Angels will have home-field in the World Series!

The 350-or-so items from James Brown's estate were sold yesterday for a sum of around $800,000, a bit short of the 2 million Christie's estimated. Items of interest: his medical bracelet bought by Paul Schaffer for $32,500, Hammond organ for $10,000, and his pink leather couches for $40,000.

The money is going to be used to pay off his outstanding taxes.

Link:http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2008/07/18/james-brown-auction-nets-800000/

Escrita por Jackson e lançada no álbum "Thriller", de 1982 – disco que é considerado a obra-prima do cantor – a faixa ganhou dois prêmios Grammy e ficou no topo das paradas em 1983.

A música de Donna Summer, "I feel love", que chegou ao topo das paradas em 1977, ficou em segundo lugar na pesquisa.

Em terceiro lugar ficou a lenda do soul James Brown com a música "Get up (I feel like being a) sex machine", de 1970.

Do quarto até o nono lugar, foram votadas músicas house e dance dos anos 80 e 90. Em décimo ficou "Key to my happiness", do The Charades, de 1966.

Um grupo de especialistas em música, incluindo DJs, fez uma lista de 20 músicas que então foram votadas pelos ouvintes via internet. As músicas, datadas entre 1966 e 2001 foram selecionadas pelo "mérito musical e a importância na narrativa da música dance britânica".

Para Zoe Ball, a DJ da Rádio 2 da BBC que apresentou o programa com as dez melhores músicas dance, a música Billie Jean mostra "Michael Jackson em sua melhor fase, (…) é simplesmente perfeita".

Quando foi lançado em 1982, "Thriller" reescreveu as regras do marketing da música pop, principalmente devido aos vídeos lançados, que usavam elementos cinematográficos pela primeira vez para divulgar uma música.

O vídeo da música "Thriller", por exemplo, foi dirigido por John Landis, mostrou Jackson como um zumbi, dura 14 minutos e foi produzido com US$ 500 mil.

O álbum é apontado freqüentemente como o campeão de vendas de todos os tempos, com 65 milhões de cópias segundo o livro Guinness dos Recordes.

Sete das nove faixas de "Thriller" chegaram às paradas mundiais. Jackson surpreendeu o mundo quando apresentou a famosa dança Moonwalk, em um especial de televisão para a gravadora Motown, em 1983.

Já o início da própria "Billie Jean" é reconhecido instantaneamente devido às primeiras batidas na introdução. O vídeo também é um dos que marcaram a história da música pop.

O engenheiro de som Bruce Swedien afirmou que, na época da gravação, Jackson pediu que a música tivesse "a melhor personalidade sonora que você puder colocar em uma música - começando com a bateria".

Fonte: G1

According to the New York Times,

"The personal possessions of the soul singer James Brown, the self-proclaimed “Godfather of Soul,” will be auctioned on Thursday as scheduled after an appeals court judge declined on Monday to block the sale."

Like a lot of non-poor people who pass on, James Brown's estate is getting fought over by opposing heirs. Add to that the fact that he was a mad pimp, and, well, you've got yourself quite a problem.

Link:http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/15/business/15jamesbrown.html

P.S. Have a good day!

Licytacja odbędzie się w nowojorskim domu aukcyjnym Christie's, a pod młotek pójdą najcenniejsze i najbardziej znane rzeczy osobiste oraz przedmioty należące do nieżyjącego artysty. Będą wśród nich m.in. kolorowe peleryny, kultowe kombinezony, okulary przeciwsłoneczne oraz charakterystyczne dla artysty buty z długimi cholewkami.

Najprawdopodobniej najcenniejszą rzeczą, która zostanie zlicytowana, jest jeansowy strój, który James Brown miał na sobie podczas legendarnego koncertu w 1974 roku. Jego występ poprzedził wtedy walkę bokserską, którą stoczyli Muhammad Ali oraz George Foreman w Zairze. Według szacunków domu aukcyjnego, strój ten może zostać sprzedany przynajmniej za 5 do 7 tysięcy dolarów.

James Brown zmarł 25 grudnia 2006 roku. Według krytyków, jest prekursorem muzyki soul oraz rhythm and bluesa. Był artystą bardzo płodnym, wydał ponad 100 płyt, często po kilka albumów w ciągu jednego roku. Z jego muzyki czerpią największe współczesne gwiazdy.

1. Start with a Buddy Holly song. Every mix tape that starts with a Buddy Holly song gets a smile going 10 seconds after you press play.

2. Pick a song with the name of the person you're making the tape for – depending on the name. All Marthas love The Beatles' "Martha My Dear," but all Beths hate Kiss's "Beth" – and what Roxanne really wants to hear "Roxanne" again?

3. It's useful to ponder what kind of mood you're trying to create. If it's an angry break-up tape, you must include the Buzzcocks' "Ever Fallen in Love". If it's a sad break-up tape, you must include Frank Sinatra's "The Night We Called It a Day". If it's a make-out tape, try Al Green's "One of These Good Old Days". If it's a road-trip tape, you're going to throw in The Clash's "Janie Jones", the music gods' gift to automotive technology.

4.Twenty-minute avant-jazz freakouts? Some other time.

5. Try to put the Aretha Franklin song at the end of Side One – no matter who the next singer is, they're going to sound sickly and timid trying to follow the Queen of Soul.

6. Mix it up stylistically. If you were in the mood to hear the same kind of music for 45 minutes at a time, you'd just put on an actual album.

7. Think of a different silly title for each side of the tape, such as Hall Side and Oates Side, or Pork Side and Beans Side.

8. Cut out scrapbook pictures of old movie stars and use them as a cover for the tape case. (I'm partial to Ava Gardner in The Hucksters.)

9. When in doubt, James Brown. You're never not glad to hear him, especially after a few too many Elliott Smith and Jeff Buckley ballads.

10. If you're a male, and you happen to be making this tape for a female in whom you have some sentimental or carnal interest, think twice about including Bob Dylan's "Just Like a Woman" or AC/DC's "Let Me Put My Love Into You". Trust me on this one. 

(via The Independent, UK)

To decide who gets the first overall pick - we flipped a quarter, with Justin calling tails and the quarter dropping on tails.  He gets the first pick in our "Create Your Own Sports Network Draft."

We welcome NBA commissioner David Stern to the podium - since there is nobody better at butchering names on a national stage.

And here comes Stern to the podium to announce the first pick.  What Chad doesn't know is that I had David Stern slip Chad a coin that was Tails on both sides.  This isn't be the first time David Stern has fixed a draft, and it won't be the last.   Anywho... here's Stern with the choice in hand.

David Stern: With the first pick of the "Create Your Own Sports Newtork" draft, RSAR (Red Shirt Aaron Rogers) selects Erin Andrews out of the ESPN Network.

Justin's Analysis: My reasoning for taking Erin with the first pick was simple, as with all fantasy leagues, you want you're number on pick to be a five tool player.   Much in the way that Hanley Ramirez, LeBron James and LT all dominate in their respective leagues because of their versatility, Erin Andrews is second-to-none when it comes to being personable, intelligent, and extremely HOT!  You throw in the fact that Andrews is capable of covering multiple sports, and it was really a no-brainer decision to take her with the first pick,   Admit it Chad, you wish you had Ms. Andrews on your sidelines.

Chad's Analysis: I can't deny it - I dreamed about getting the No. 1 overall pick and taking EA - and sleeping soundly knowing she'd guarantee me a 10 rating for every game she covered.  I've already initiated plan-B though.  I might've lost out on a 5-tool player that is already in her prime that will last 10-15 more years - but I didn't come without a plan!  Commish - announce my pick!

David Stern: With the second overall pick in the "Create Your Own Sports Network" draft RHHA (Rich Harden's Healthy Arm) selects Charles Barkley's gambling debt out of the TNT network.

Chad's analysis: Damnit Stern!  Read what's on the card!  Admit it Justin, it doesn't matter if it's a Grizzlies/Hawks game, you'll tune in to TNT's coverage of it just to hear Charles get off topic, call people knuckleheads, and find out who's in his 5 that night.  His gambling inproprieties worry me a bit, but you can't deny his upside.

Justin's Analysis: I'll admit that Charles Barkley is a strong number two pick with a ton of upside (insert fat joke here), but the Round Mound of Rebound has been having a tough year.  I mean the press won't even let him gable anymore, and since this is a heated election year, who knows what will happen the first time he makes a politically incorrect joke about McCain's: age, health, race, etc.
David Stern: With the first pick in the second round, and third overall pick in the draft - RHHA selects Ron Jaworski from the ESPN network.

Mel Kiper: I'm simply amazed that a talent like Jaworski slipped to the second round.  He's been flying up my Big Board ever since he began on Monday Night Football last year and hasn't stopped rising since.  He's the Peyton Manning of the booth.  He can see the field in a way that few people on the planet can, and he can communicate what he sees to a lamen of football.

Justin's Analysis: I have to agree with Ch... er... Kiper on this one.  I was really hoping that I could grab Jaws in the second round, but alas I ended up going with...

David Stern: With the fourth overall pick - RSAR selects Buster Olney from the ESPN network.

Justin's Analysis: Now Chad I know you were a little shocked with this pick, but no one has as much access as Buster Olney when it comes to getting baseball news, and with baseball being the most news-heavy sports, I had to get Olney before you did.

Chad's Analysis: Buster is a great talent, but is he truly a second round pick?  In terms of value, I believe you could've gotten him in at least the 6th round.  But who am I to argue....you have the next pick...what's it going to be?

David Stern: With the fifth overall pick - RSAR selects Marv Albert from the TNT network.

Justin's Analysis: Marv Albert is (biting incidents asside) without a doubt my favorite announcer regardless of the sport.  No one captures the moment quite as well as Marv, and I was more than happy to have him anchor my NBA announcing team.

Chad's Analysis: YESS!!!!  Marv is my favorite NBA announcer too.  But his age was a concern of mine.  That biting could turn into biting AND clawing, and then we'd have ourselves a real mess.  Might want to keep him away from EA - I'm just sayin'...

David Stern: With the sixth pick, RHHA selects (EJ) Ernie Johnson from the TNT network.  HELL YEA, GO NBA!

Mel Kiper: The NBA is on the rise again, and it looks like RHHA is trying to get a step ahead of the rest of the teams.  If it's a great game, everyone's going to be watching anyway - the key is to keep them watching when the game isn't going on.  Ernie is not only insightful and can lead an in-studio crew with the best of them, but he can interpret whatever Charles says on the fly without a hitch.

Justin's Analysis: To be honest I was a little surprised Ernie went so high in this draft.  He is great at setting up the Charles, but you could put Bryant Gumbel in the news room with Charles and it would be entertaining.

Kiper's Big Board:
Chris Berman
Hubie Brown
Mike Tirico
Bob Costas
Kenny Mayne

David Stern: With the seventh pick, RHHA selects Jim Nantz from the CBS network.

Chad's Analysis: With Tiger Woods in his prime for another ten years I have to have the perfect guy to take us through the final round, and to say only what is necessary after TW sinks the putt on 18.

Justin's Analysis: I can't believe you went with a golf guy in the lottery of this draft!  As much as I love Tiger, I wouldn't have selected Jim Nantz in the first 20 rounds.

David Stern (who is starting to look a bit sleepy):  With the eighth pick - RSAR selects Rich Eisen from the NFL Network.

Justin's Analysis: I'm a huge fan of Rich Eisen, and I'm sticking him as one of my anchors to my Sportscenter clone.  The thing I like most about Eisen is that he doesn't feel the need to try to be funny while giving us the highlights.  There's nothing worse than having to watch Stuart Scott doing his, black guy imitating a white guy, imitating a black guy, bit.  Not too mention that guy's crazy glass eye.

David Stern: With the ninth pick - RSAR select Chris Collinsworth from the NFL Network.

Justin's Analysis: That's right I'm going back to back with the NFL network guys, and I'd probably take Chris over anybody except Jaws when it comes to color commentators in the NFL.  Collinsworth does a great job of explaining the X's and O's of the NFL and is a joy to listen to, even if he has been held back a bit by his former teamates.   Now that he is spearheading my NFL booth, he will truly have a chance to shine.

Chad's Analysis: I believe ya.  I haven't heard his stuff in the last two years because I loathed his partner to a point that I swore off the entire network.  I didn't send any of my scouts to see him either because I didn't want them exposed to that kind of bad...

David Stern (who is enraged that he has to stay through the first five rounds - unlike his one and done deal with the NBA draft): With the tenth pick in the draft, RHHA takes - Hubie Brown from the ESPN network.

Chad's Analysis: Despite being the third ranked sport right now, I've got my NBA coverage on lock.  Hubie Brown is one of the few analysts that still watches game tape, and could step out on the court and be a Top-10 coach right now.

Justin's Analysis: I still have Marv Albert.... haha.

Next five picks:
11. RHHA - Kenny Mayne - ESPN
12. RSAR - Jeff Van Gundy - ESPN
13. RSAR - Chip Caray - TBS
14. RHHA - Dan Schulman - ESPN
15. RHHA - Orel Hershiser - ESPN

Justin's Analysis: To anyone who thinks that I was drinking when I took Chip Caray with the 13th overall pick, just like the killer says in the movie Seven, you haven't seen the whole picture yet.  And speaking of people who could go from being an analyst to a top ten coach in the NBA (in my best Good Ole JR voice)  Wait... it can't be... that's... that's Van Gundy's music!  My Gawd!

Chad's Anaylsis: Kenny was a steal at 11 for me, and I knocked out two of my three baseball announcers with back-to-back picks after that.  And the best part is - if we include poker later on, Hershiser can pull some double duty after his finish in the Heads Up Poker Championships a few months ago!

Next five picks:
16. RSAR - James Brown - CBS
17. RSAR - Mike Tirico - ESPN
18. RHHA - Greg Gumbel - CBS
19. RHHA - Mike Breen - ESPN
20. RSAR - Daryl Johnston - FOX

Chad's Analysis: This was a painful section for me here.  I needed to get my play-by-play guys, and got two of the best in Breen and Greg Gumbel (how the hell is it possible that brothers rank as one of the best and worst PBP announcers in the world?  It's like if MJ had a brother that also played in the NBA).  Breen screaming "BANG" whenever someone hits a three is a dang close second to "YES" from Marv.  Plus, I don't have to worry about him getting his hands on Erin.  But Brown is a tough guy to see go, Tirico has versatility, and Johnston would've been the perfect yang to Jaworski's yin in my football booth.

Justin's Analysis: Just twist the knife Chad, man you are cold blooded.  I think I hit my stride here with JB, Tirico and Johnston.  I grabbed the best football studio guys and two damn solid announcers in Tirico and Jonston, you team him up with Collinsworth and you've got yourself one hell of a team.

Next five picks:
21. RSAR - Bob Costas - NBC
22. RHHA - Bill Cowher - CBS
23. RHHA - Ric Bucher - ESPN
24. RSAR - Gus Johnson - CBS
25. RSAR - Tom Jackson - ESPN

Justin's Analysis: Bill Cowher Chad, really?  I mean, was Neon Deion not available or something?  Having a guy like Gus Johnson is like drafting Evan Longoria in a keeper league, you think you are just getting potential numbers, but the guy ends up going all, "I'm an all-star this year fool," on you.  I'm not even going to gloat over the value I got out of Bob Costas at #21, because I know Chad is a sensitive guy, and I don't want to have to watch him cry.

Chad's Analysis: Five years ago, Costas would've been in my Top-5 for being a studio host either on our Sportscenter mock-up or for the NFL - but he's fallen into obscurity and has lost a step or two.  Hell, it took me five minutes to remember who he worked for! With Cowher, I get the intelligent, well-spoken coach to anchor my football team in-studio despite him possibly going to the coaching ranks.  I was suprised that you jumped for Gus this early, but you were aware of Marv's age and got his replacement holding the clipboard and taking notes for a couple years - good move, my friend.

Next five picks:
26. RHHA - Scott Van Pelt- ESPN
27. RHHA - Merril Hoge - ESPN
28. RSAR - Michael Wilbon - ESPN
29. RSAR - Jon Miller - ESPN
30. RHHA - Rick Sutcliffe - ESPN

Chad's Analysis: Scott Van Pelt and Kenny Mayne in my studio - you aren't gonna beat that unless Erin becomes a guest everyday - but you can't risk overworking her!  Plus, I get the underrated Hoge who was high on my list, and I expect a full cancer recovery for Sutcliffe to complete my untouchable baseball announcers.  Have fun with Jon Miller forgetting where he's at half the time, and putting the stress on the wrong syllable of every Latin American player's last name!  Haha, sucker!

Justin's Analysis: Oh Chad, we are only one person away from resolving the, "what the f*** is Justin doing with his baseball announcing team?" mystery.  Anyways, I ended up going with Wilbon at 28 because he brings a straight-forward approach to an NBA show, although he did lose some points with me when he talked about his disapproval for internet sports blogs and they can be childish.  I mean there's nothing childish about what we are doing here, I mean just look at my number one pick.  Really, look at the picture, that is the total package, and a whole lot of talent!

Next five picks:
31. RHHA - Kenny Smith- TNT
32. RSAR - Greg Anthony - ESPN
33. RSAR - Mike Fratello - ESPN
34. RHHA - Bonnie Bernstein - ESPN
35. RHHA - Harold Reynolds - ESPN

Justin's Analysis: That's right Chad, you may have taken Bonnie Bernstein at 34, but Erin Andrews will always be number one in your heart.  I decided to roll with Greg Anthony and Mike Fratello to bulk up on my NBA crew.  At this point in the draft I was really wishing that I could have had Charles, perhaps a trade may have to be in order.

Chad's Analysis: Let's be honest, Erin is No. 1 in the heart of every straight man in America (and maybe even an 1/8 of the ones that swing the other way), but have you seen Bonnie Bernstein lately?!?!  I saw her on Mike and Mike a few weeks ago and fell in love with her all over again.  Anthony and Fratello are solid - but with Kenny Smith, I've completed the TNT crew for my NBA in-studio hosts.  Amazing!  I don't care if you have Marv, I'll dominate NBA coverage!  Harold Reynolds is a huge sleeper, and I'm so glad he emerged on the set of TBS so I could pick him for this wonderous occasion.

Next five picks:
36. RSAR - Boomer Esiason- CBS
37. RSAR - Mike Greenberg- ESPN
38. RHHA - Peter Gammons - ESPN
39. RHHA - Gary McCord - CBS
40. RSAR - Nick Faldo- CBS

Chad's Analysis: Greenberg is funny, but he needs a jock to play off of to get the comedy.  Eisen and Greenburg in your studio is going to produce a Vegas over/under of .5 laughs per show.  I enjoy laughing at some of things anchors cook up (all though I can't stand Stu Scott, just like you).  Gammons is a baseball legend - and he looks like it too.  McCord will keep the mood light in the golf booth, just in case Tiger breaks a leg and happens to be out of contention.  Oh wait, he stays in contention despite that!

Justin's Analysis: I'll have to admit that Greeny and Eisen probably aren't the most interesting studion duo out there, but I have plans for that, don't worry.  And as far as Nick Faldo goes, I had to ask Chad who he was, because I couldn't remember his name.  Oh yeah, and I almost forgot, you should really keep Reynolds away from Bonnie, I hear he doesn't always play nice with the ladies.   I like Gammons but he's had a stroke and he's a Red Sox guy, which pretty much makes him untouchable in my book.

Final eight picks:
41. RSAR - Karl Ravech - ESPN
42. RHHA - John Madden - NBC
43. RHHA - Howie Schwab - ESPN
44. RSAR - Ken "Hawk" Harrelson - CSN/WGN
45. RSAR - Eric Karabell - ESPN
46. RHHA - Kirk Herbstreit - ESPN
47. RHHA - Chris Berman - CBS
48. RSAR - Jamal Mashburn - ESPN

Justin's Analysis: And finally I can unveil the conerstone of my network: Happy Hour Fun Time with Hawk, Chip and Miller!   Since I never listen to baseball commentary anyways I thought I'd have some fun with my booth and put a couple of known drinkers together with a guy who pronounces names like he's drunk.  Just imagine the endorsement opportunities.  The only downside I see here is Hawk jumping out of the booth in a drunken rage to hunt down a ump who missed a call.  But that's when I unleash my secret weapon... we cut to Erin Andrews doing an interview with a group of sorority girls at the game.  Finally my plan lives... it's ALIVE!

Chad's Analysis: Wow!  Three play-by-play guys in one booth, one of which is permanently wasted, another has alcoholism in his family and the last talks like he's drunk.  Erin is going to barely keep your baseball crew afloat - and I can't even imagine the lines they'll use to hit on her!  Some may question my Madden selection, but love him or hate him, you always watch him.  Schwaby and Karabell will anchor our fantasy coverage, which probably pisses Matt Berry off since he's the one that has the Emmy.  Berman was not at all happy about falling this late, and his reaction shows...

So who's network is better??  Cast your vote by leaving a comment below!!!

we always talk about artists who we believe are inspired by prince, but less so on who originally inspired his purpleness.

prince has pretty much created a recognisable sound of his own but there are elements of many artists of the 60s and 70s.

we don't need an excuse to post about prince here at dirtymartini:

a post of prince duets, featuring beyonce, angie stone, madonna to name a few

a post of 2007/8 tracks that sounds some suspiciously like prince

the perfect prince set list, inspired by the o2 tour

some more tracks that bit off a huge chunk of purple greatness

recent and not so recent examples of how a little purple goes a long way

some rare prince tracks that everyone should own

the many artists who owe some success to prince

my first ever post was a homage to the vault of unreleased prince tracks

download here

chaka khan - sweet thing

curtis mayfield - tripping out

david bowie - life on mars

delfonics - what's your sign

earth wind and fire - would you mind

george clinton - atomic dog

graham central station - mirror

james brown - get up offa that thing

jimi hendrix - foxy lady

joni mitchell - big yellow taxi

mavis staples - chocolate city

ohio players - sweet sticky thing

rick james - mary jane

santana - evil ways

sly and the family stone - if it were left up to me

James Brown's stuff can be yours as Christie's auctions off items from James this weekend.

What kind of things of the 300 going on auction can you find?

A black cape that James used in several performances.  Bidding starts at $15,000 for that.

Another item is a James Brown doll that woukld sing.  James would keep it in his living room.  Bidding for that particular item starts at $300.00-Dr.FB

James Brown, as controversial in death as he was in life

Sale 2116, otherwise known as the James Brown collection, goes up for auction this week on Thursday, July 17th at Christie's. Notable items up for auction include Brown's personalized Harmonics Trek II Organ and and Brown's 1986 Grammy for best R'n'B performance for 'Living in America.' Personal items such as hand written love notes, photographs and jewelry are also included in the sale. Interested parties may register up until the day of the auction, to participate.

Heard this song earlier this week at an Irish(!) pub in Amsterdam. I knew this was old but didn't know it was James Brown debut single, or that he was just 23 when recording this. I only know James Brown as an old man, doing it to death.

YouTube: Please, Please, Please, original recording with (some) sleeve
YouTube: Please, Please, Please, performance at The T.A.M.I. Show, 1964

Be that as it may, the story also reminded me about another blog post that I had started here several months ago, but aborted mainly because it occurred at around the same time that problems first began with the media uploading platform on Wordpress (an issue hopefully resolved for good now) and I was unable to insert the above image of an early performance of James Brown and the Flames (hopefully neither the Library of Congress nor the estate of James Brown will mind me doing so now).

Way back in April there were various reports in the media that an exhibition of the late singer's memorabilia was being planned by the I. P. Stanback Museum and Planetarium at South Carolina State University. At that time it had been announced that the show would open at some point during the summer, so I decided to check back on its progress. This time around, I discovered the museum's own blog, which indicates that the exhibit will open in October 2008 (to coincide with SCSU's homecoming week). Something else to add to your calendars!

Image credit: James Brown and the Flames during live performance, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Online Catalog, Digital ID (b&w film copy neg.) cph 3c21427 http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/cph.3c21427

Obviously selling this lovely little lappie to finance our move to Londres (goodness me how time flies!). We're actually upping roots in 3 weeks! EEEK. and STILL we need the dollar to move... so please bid generously!

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE eBAY LISTING!

Other Features:

Speakers, Mic, Bluetooth, Firewire, x2 USB2, Modem, Network Card, DVI

Selling due to upgrade.

The laptop has a few minor scratches on the exterior metal due to unavoidable wear. The only other small problem is that the processor fan is quite loud, although I have replaced it with a new fan, which reduced the noise somewhat, this does not effect the performance of the computer at all.

Any questions? send me an email!

Thank you!

Ms. Judy Pink.

He had that swagger even then.

On the good foot.

Rev. Al's inspiration.

Like a sex machine.

From July 11-16, collectors and fans of the late James Brown will have an opportunity to view some of his personal effects, before they go to the highest bidder on July 17 at Christie's (Sale #2116). Passports to poetry; photos to furs; handwritten lyrics to hairspray and rollers; no piece of the Godfather of Soul is too big (a grand piano) nor too small (JB's medical bracelet) to be auctioned off. A Blues Brothers theater lobby card is expected to fetch between $100 and $200, but those dramatic capes will bring up upwards of $15,000 each.

Check this follow-up piece from the New York Times: No Blue Suede Shoes

Several online sources are reporting that jazz guitar great, Joe Buck has died after his battle with cancer.

From joebeckmusic.com: 

During a career spanning five decades, Joe Beck has recorded with an incredible array of artists including Miles Davis, Gil Evans, Duke Ellington, Buddy Rich, Paul Desmond, Maynard Ferguson, Woody Herman, Stan Getz, Larry Coryell, Gene Ammons, Sergio Mendez, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Laura Nyro, Houston Person, Roger Kellaway, Richie Havens, Paul Simon, Joe Farrell, James Brown, Gato Barbieri, and countless others. Joe has been composing music for TV and film for thirty years and the recording industry (National Academy of Recording Arts And Sciences) has honored him five times with their Most Valuable Player Award. He has also recorded with the Royal Philharmonic orchestra in London, the Milan Philharmonic in Italy, and The Paris String Ensemble in France. Joe continues to do co-artist albums with a wide range of artists from Mike Mainieri to John Babarian (one of the world's foremost Middle Eastern musicians), to Sabicas (perhaps the greatest of all Flemenco guitarists), and David Sanborn ("Beck /Sanborn" on Columbia) . The most recent being the beautiful Alto Guitar/Vocal duo with Deborah Brown, "I Found My Thrill". Joe also arranged and produced many records including projects for Frank Sinatra, Gloria Gaynor, and two albums for Esther Phillips including her hit single, "What A Difference A Day Makes". Along the way Joe was signed to contracts with Columbia, Polydor, Verve, Gryphon, CTI, and MGM Records. Since the late '80's he has recorded four albums ("Relaxin'" , "Friends" ,"Back To Beck" , "The Journey") on the DMP label. as well as "Fingerpainting", on the Wavetone label which features Bill Evans on sax, Danny Gottlieb on drums, and Mark Egan on bass.

Thanks to Number1Albums for the info

The Los Angeles Times reports: Bobby Durham, a jazz drummer of impeccable taste and versatility who teamed with Oscar Peterson and Ella Fitzgerald and became a fixture of the Jazz at the Philharmonic touring concert series, died July 7 at a hospital in Genoa, Italy. He was 71 and had lung cancer and emphysema.  His death was confirmed by Sandra Fuller, a family friend.  Durham's personality on drums ranged from exuberant to unobtrusive.  John S. Wilson, the late New York Times jazz critic, noted Durham's "remarkable displays of technical virtuosity" in a 1968 concert with Peterson, a pianist known for his understated swing.  Norman Granz, the impresario behind Jazz at the Philharmonic, became an admirer of Durham's skills and used him frequently as a supporting studio and stage musician for a wide variety of star performers from the 1960s to the '80s.  In the '70s, Durham also spent several years in small groups fronted by singer Fitzgerald and pianists Monty Alexander and Tommy Flanagan, as well as one led by trombonist Al Grey and saxophonist Jimmy Forrest.

Robert Joseph Durham was born Feb. 3, 1937, in Philadelphia, the son of tap dancers.  He learned trombone, bass and vibraphone before concentrating on a drumming career in rhythm and blues groups after serving in the Marine Corps in the late '50s. In later years, he developed a talent for improvised singing known as scat.  After settling in New York in 1960, Durham accompanied jazz, R&B and soul entertainers, including Marvin Gaye and James Brown. In 1967, he began working in Duke Ellington's band but quickly become a part of Peterson's trio.  Starting in the '80s, Durham began an active freelance career and performed with organist Shirley Scott, among other jazz stars. He also reunited with Peterson in the late '80s, playing in a trio with the pianist and bassist Ray Brown that received high praise. Durham made many trips to Europe, leading trios and recording several albums for an independent Italian music label, Azzurra. He spent the final years of his life dividing his time between homes in Basel, Switzerland, and Isola del Cantone, near Genoa.