Aggie87

John Frusciante/Josh Klinghoffer - A Sphere in the Heart of Silence

Sorry to hear this as well. It's sad to lose long time board members - Victor has been here since the great 2003 migration, so he's certainly an original. Rest in Peace, Victor.

I think for many people all around the country that 2017 Astros WS championship is tainted forever, and deserves an asterisk placed next to it (like the White Sox's cheating in 1919). For years afterward the Astros team was booed at most other ballparks. It has probably died down now for the most part (although maybe Altuve still gets booed occasionally, I don't know). I was a huge fan, and the cheating really upset me . I had even met a number of Astros - two WS game winning pitchers from that year (Joe Musgrove and Chris Devenski), as well as numerous Astros from previous generations (Nolan Ryan, Mike Scott and many others back when I lived in Texas). Both AJ Hinch and Cora served 1 year suspensions from MLB for overseeing the cheating. I think of both of them as cheaters as well. Hinch is obviously with Detroit now, and his team has the best overall record in baseball. I don't know - it seems like many people view this as you do - it was bad when the Astros cheated (and many no longer hold it against the current team), but it's ok if the cheating players end up on the team I root for, and I don't care that they cheated. I have problems with cheating in most sports - Pete Rose betting on games he coached in, Tom Brady & Bill Belichick's Spygate and Inflategate, Lance Armstrong doping, the PED era in baseball, etc. Maybe it's a "me" problem as much as anything.

I have a question - do people that condemn/condemned the Astros for cheating and winning the WS in 2017 have problems with the core members of that cheating team being on their teams now? Meaning Bregman, Carlos Correa, George Springer, Yuli Gurriel, etc. I was an Astro fan for decades, until the cheating scandal was exposed. I'm no longer a fan of the team at all (despite it being essentially all different players now, save Altuve). For me that was an unforgiveable baseball sin. But I'm curious about how welcome those players who cheated have been on their newer teams. Do people still condemn them as cheaters? Or is it ok that they cheated back then, because they're wearing a different uniform and you root for that team?

Interesting - I wasn't aware of his Substack but will check it out, thanks. I have a soft spot for the Kilbey/Willson-Piper era of The Church, but am also happy with where the band is currently. Ian Haug and Ashley Naylor are both fine guitarists. The band's got a double album due out later this year. The Beat show in Phoenix was probably my favorite show of 2024. The music was simply fantastic. I've already preordered their live album due out in September. I took this picture of Tony, still one of my favorites.

Marty Willson-Piper - In Reflection

Gong - Rejoice! I'm Dead!

There are four (I believe) live cd sets from the 21st Century Schizoid Band - Italy, Barcelona, Japan, and New York. They're all pretty consistent and good. I almost think the quality of these performances of early Crimson material spurred Fripp into revisiting that stuff for the 2014-2021 touring King Crimson lineup. He was certainly far removed from that sound with previous 4 man lineup (Fripp/Belew/Gun/Mastelotto) that ended in about 2003.

I caught his show last year with Jaleel Shaw, Kris Davis, and Nasheet Waits, and thought it was fantastic. I haven't listened to many of his newest releases, but think he does well live, particularly considering his age and how active he remains.

I just received my signed copy from New West. Looking forward to spinning it! ...now spinning Quiet Sun - Mainstream

He's the final scene in the 2024 Beach Boys documentary (on Disney), and includes the living 60's era members - David Marks, Al Jardine, Brian, Mike Love, and Bruce Johnston. I think this 2nd picture may have been from promoting the documentary, and includes Blondie Chaplin (and director Frank Marshall).

Powderfinger - Odyssey Number Five

Can you donate them to a local library? Or alternately there's a Half Price Books store in Berkley (I looked online), and they will make offers on things you bring in to sell them (books, music, dvds, etc). They tend to lowball offers though, but they'd likely at least take them off your hands. Might be worth at least a phone call.

David Bowie - Moonage Daydream ost

Ichthyosaur, Nevada State Museum, 31 May 2025

The Cliffs of Moher, 20 May 2025

Kurt Vile - Watch My Moves

Mine as well! It's a relatively brief time here in the desert when there's a little pop of color to things. Then the long hot summer with muted colors and many plants going dormant for the summer. It's an interesting contrast to other places I've lived where things go more dormant in the winter months.

One of our prickly pear cactuses (I know the word is cacti but it sounds pretentious to me) is about to have a ton of blooms.

Talking Heads - Live on Tour 78

At the Hotel Prins Hendrik in Amsterdam:

I wish this had resulted in a full-blown, ongoing Japan reunion. np: Cowboy Junkies - Songs of the Recollection

Well, I like it when I listen to it, but after it's over there's not much I recall musically. A few bits and pieces recall earlier SW music, even a little earlier PT. It's pleasant enough, and better than the last one (Harmony Codex) IMO. I've probably spun it 5-6 times now since it came out, maybe it will grow on me more over time. I'm still more a PT fan than a SW fan, though I'll always give him credit for exploring and not sitting still.

Steven Wilson - The Overview