On our 134th show we discuss:

• Tramp stamps, Montana, rings, and guitar cases
• Tune 1: The Third Derivative of James Brown by Hectic Watermelon
• Vin: 2005 Sebastiani Cabernet Sauvignon
• Review: Juno
  
• Tune 2: Behaving in the Moment by MODUS
• On Film: Taxi to the Dark Side
  

We explore our manliness in show 133:

• Introductory nonsense and babbling
• Tune 1: It's Over by The Fire Apes
• A Pain In My Gas Tank, or Does This Car Make Me Look Small?
  
• Tune 2: Calvin by The Wrong Trousers
• On Film: 4 Months, 3 Weeks, 2 Days
  

Finally there is a MIDI controller for all of you frustrated Bagpipe players, that allows you to trigger synth sounds, opening up an entirely new sonic palette!  I'm certain that this was long awaited by at least 3 or 4 people around the world, and it's finally here.  Introducing the Master Gaita.

I chose my words carefully when I wrote "frustrated Bagpipe players."  While I have no personal experience playing the pipes, I recall an audio essay on NPR's All Things Considered, about this very topic.  A lively fellow in a thick brogue was talking about the pipes, and I laughed out loud when he said (paraphrasing), "One can never conquer the pipes... all one can ever hope for is an uneasy peace..."

My final thought and only question is why is this product manufactured in Spain?   :-)

Show 132 tops the charts with:

• Misc. stuff and Giuseppe Franco
• Tune 1: Square One by Cheryl B. Englehardt
• Vin: 2005 Cycles Gladiator Cabernet Sauvignon
• Style vs. Substance
  
• Tune 2: Let Dem Hoes Fight by Fishbone
  
• On Film: In Bruges
  

Seriously, you've been warned. Treading upon show 131 will result in:

• Introwdukshun, and scofflaw trees
  
• Tune 1: Criminal by BIFT
• Debate! Bowling (ed. note: There WILL be a BV bowling tourney)
• Ten Pin
• Fashion
• Cuisine
  
• Tune 2: L'alchimiste by Pierre Bensusan
• On Film: Orphanage
  

Wow.  I just got back from seeing the Prog-Rock band Asia, at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino.

I first saw Asia on April 23, 1982 at Utica's Stanley Theater.  I hadn't originally planned to go, but at the last minute, a friend who couldn't go, gave me his seat.  That show was one of the coolest shows I have ever seen, and who would have thought these 26 years later, I'd be seeing them up close, with my left elbow resting on the stage as they played.

For those who aren't aware, Asia is made up of four guys, who were (and still are) in some of the greatest progressive rock bands of the 1970's.

Geoff Downes, while not necessarily having the pedigree that the other three members of the band have, has an impressive list of projects nonetheless including Yes, and The Buggles.  Steve Howe of course was the guitarist in the band Yes, in any part of the band's arc that actually mattered.  Carl Palmer is most famous for pounding the skins in the band Emerson, Lake, and Palmer.  And lastly, but not leastly, John Wetton is known for having been in the bands King Crimson, and UK.  For me, John Wetton IS the voice of progressive rock and roll.

OK, I'll admit it.  I've always liked Asia, and despite the fact that their music isn't as progressive as the member's earlier projects, it still is good, inventive rock and roll, with great playing.  When I was in high school and my friends and I got together for a pizza party, I can guarantee you that the first Asia record was playing.

They started the show out with Daylight, which some Asia fans might not recognize because it wasn't originally released on the vinyl LP, or the original mastering of the Alpha CD.  It was released on the cassette, and later CD releases.

They ended up playing about seven tracks from their first album, and about four from Alpha, while managing to squeeze in hits from their former bands.

They also played two songs from their brand new album, Phoenix, which, while not exactly sterling examples of prog-rock, or even necessarily comparable to their first two records, they were good examples of rock and roll.

It was a joy to see these guys playing together again.  I had secretly been hoping that they would re-form, and getting to witness the reformation allowed to me to time-travel back 26 years to when I originally saw them in 1982, and also on their second tour in 1983.

If you have the opportunity to see them, definitely check them out.

Caution.  Show 130 contains the following:

• Intro - Rich's Psychic Friends Network
  
• Tune 1: Fortune by The Portraits
• Vin: 2005 Evil Cabernet Sauvignon
• Homework - Our Marketing Plan
• How should we market ourselves?
• Can you sum us up in a few words?
  
• Tune 2: K Lounge by The Four Bags
• On Film: Caramel
  

Los Angeles, CA -- News reports are coming in that celebrated actor and anti-ape activist Charlton Heston has died at the age of 84.  Most are stunned at the news, swearing that they thought he was at least 102.  While certainly an interesting character, and the star of such seminal works as The Naked Jungle, Climax! and Bagpipe:Instrument of War, he will ever be known as the spokesperson and president of the NRA.  No word yet on whether anyone has pried the assault weapon from his cold, dead, hand.

Show 129 is all about:

• Dental noises
• John Adams - The Mini-Series
• John Adams - The Book
• Tune: Trash Stash by Panacea (now Plant)
  
• On Film: Great World of Sound
• B'bye
  

So today I went to a fund-raiser for a co-worker who has been out of work for about eight months with an extended illness.  One of the gals at work thought it would be a cool idea to throw him the fund-raiser to help him out a little bit with his bills.  I ended up going late because I had visions of when I had gotten there of seeing nine people sitting around a table at the firehouse, with a very disinterested band playing in the background, but it wasn't like that at all.  There were more like one hundred people there, and the place was rockin.  Six different bands played, and musicians from the early eighties scene (when I was involved in it) traveled from near and far to come and pitch in, perform a little, or to just be there for support.  It was an awesome time, and I wish I had gone a little earlier.  The reunion was nice since I don't get to see those cats that often any more, AND we raised some serious cash for our friend.

Show 128 may contain one or more of the following:

• Miscellaneous ramblings, MSG, Red Dye #3
• Vin: 2005 Viña Chocalán Carmenère
• Tune 1: Time by Todd Madson
  
• Institutionalized hypocrisy
  
• Tune 2: Apples and Oranges by Kwyjibo
• On Film: The Savages
  
• L8r G8r

In an interesting move, Microsoft has decided to sponsor a NASCAR team.  Normally we don't report on beer-laden motorsports, or technology, but I couldn't help but wonder WTF?  I'll avoid the obvious jokes involving Microsoft and crashes.

Hi folks, as I mentioned on the last show, we won't be producing a show for 3/24.  We should return to our regularly scheduled programming next week.

1..2..3..4..5..6..7, we're on show number 127...

• Rich has cat scratch fever
• Tune 1: Powder Horn by Simon Fox
• Vin: 2004 Angove's Red Belly Black Shiraz
  
• Pet Peeves
• Tune 2: Chicken Feet by Bift
• On Film: Live Action Short Film Showcase
• Tanghi Argentini
• Om Natten
  
• Il Supplente
• The Tonto Woman
• Le Mozart des Pickpockets
  

Wherever you may be in the world, there's probably a good chance that "The Flu" has hit.  While I've currently remained out of the line of fire, others in my household are not.  Funny, the one person in my family that got a flu vaccination is the only one to contract the virus.  SO, we're off again this week.  We thought it'd be best to keep this place under quarantine.  Hopefully we'll be back next week with more pointless ramblings.