CD Review: What If, By Mr.Big

Mr. Big made a huge mark on the music scene in the early Nineties with a string of successful albums that featured hits like “Green-Tinted Sixties Mind,” “Just Take My Heart,” and “To Be With You.”  Now, with all four original members on board, they have made a triumphant return to the music scene on February 15, 2011 with the release of their seventh studio album.  The new effort, entitled “What If,” is classic Mr. Big in every sense.  It contains every one of their trademarks: soulful vocals from the incomparable Eric Martin, groovy rock-solid drumming from Pat Torpey, stunning virtuosity from bassist Billy Sheehan, and classic guitar shredding from the monstrously talented Paul Gilbert, who returns to the band after a sixteen year absence.

In addition to dazzling musicianship, the band also offers solid, well-constructed songs on this one from beginning to end.  The songs are totally rocking, but still melodic...and as is usually the case with this band's albums, there are so many layers to them that you really have to listen to the record in its entirety about 3 or 4 times to digest everything.  The lyrics are great here, as are the vocal harmonies.  The musical acrobatics exchanged between Billy and Paul are astounding, and clearly illustrate that they both possess a complete mastery of their instruments.  And last but not least, Eric's vocals on this are undoubtedly his best to date.  Unlike many singers of his era, Eric only improves with each passing year.

The record kicks off with one of my favorite tracks, called “Undertow.”  A great lyric about living with addiction, an infectious groove, and stellar guitar work are just a few of the qualities that drew me to this song.  Other favorites for me included: “Stranger In My Life,” “As Far As I Can See,” “I Get The Feeling,” and another classic Mr. Big pop ballad, called “All The Way Up.”  Of course, the rest of the record does not disappoint.  Others may gravitate to different songs than I did, but in any case, this one is more than worth the purchase price.  Listening to it was great fun.

I could go on for pages about this band's talent, and every bit of it would be true.  It is clear that they are well-trained and experienced musicians, but I think the thing that sets them apart from other musicians of their caliber is the fact that their music accessible.  Often, musicians who have this level of talent tend to create the type of music that is so technical that it can only be enjoyed by other musicians who have an equal understanding of the art.  That is certainly not the case with Mr. Big; it never has been.  Despite the musical pyrotechnics that they display, their songs still have enough commercial appeal that anyone can enjoy them.  This record proves that perfectly.  If you love rock and roll with a lot of groove that is just a blast to listen to, you will definitely want this album (or any album by Mr. Big) to be a part of your collection!

CD Review: The Covering, By Stryper

Veteran Christian rock band Stryper released their latest Musical offering on February 15 of 2011.  The album, which is called The Covering, is a collection of twelve cover songs that also features one new original Stryper song.  When I heard that the band was planning this remake album, I have to admit that I was initially skeptical; I wasn't sure that they would be able to pull it off convincingly.  I am very happy to report that I could not have been more wrong in making that assumption.  One listen to the record and any misgivings that I may have had were totally gone!  This CD rocks, plain and simple!

The party kicks off with their version of the Sweet classic "Set Me Free."  From there, the energy only continues to build as the band roars through one classic rock song after the next, including their versions of tunes by The Scorpions, Black Sabbath, UFO, Kansas, Deep Purple, Kiss, Ozzy Osbourne, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Van Halen, and Led Zeppelin.  The first single released will be the Black Sabbath track, “Heaven And Hell.”

Every song is so well done that it is nearly impossible to choose a particular standout.  All of the performances are spot on, retaining the overall vibe of the original, while still managing to put a little of a Stryper spin on them.  Robert's drumming is absolutely unstoppable.  The guitars sound great...appropriately heavy and melodic by turns, and there are even a few of those trademark harmony solos between Michael and Oz that the band has been known for in the past.  The vocals are stellar in every way; Micheal has lost nothing to the years.  He still has the power and range that he did in his twenties...even pulling off those old eardrum piercing Michael Sweet screams of yesteryear with ease.  This album is also blessed (pun intended) with the return of original bassist Timothy Gaines, who has not appeared on a Stryper release since 1991.  His time away has certainly not hurt his playing, that's for sure; he still lays down the bottom like nobody's business!

As for the new original track, entitled “God,” I found it to be great as well.  The song, which was written by Michael Sweet, is a high energy rocker with the classic, patented inspirational Stryper lyric.  It also features some very cool vocal harmonies in the chorus!  It is a slightly different sound for the band, but it definitely proves that they've still got it, and shows that the passion is still there for them as well.  I get the feeling that we still have many great things in store from this band!

In summation, I highly recommend that you purchase this album!  For me, it did something that few other new releases have been able to do; it impressed me on the very first listen!  From the opening chords of track one to the final notes of “God” 53 minutes later, I was hooked!  Whether you have been a long-time fan, or you are just someone who enjoys good old-fashioned window-rattling rock & roll, this is definitely the album for you!  Go out and get it if you get the chance, but be warned...you may want to work on your air-guitar skills a bit first!

A Humorous Look At Gay Life In Cyberspace

I have always been a fan of ironic humor, so I guess it should come as no surprise that I now find so much of it in my life journey as a gay man.  The difficulties that I experienced in coming to terms with my orientation have been well documented in my past articles; there is no need to rehash them here.  The process of becoming comfortable with my orientation was such a nightmare for me in so many ways that I never thought I would ever be able to see anything humorous about it.  Now that I have made peace with my identity, I can say that it is very gratifying to have reached a place in my life where I can find humor in my gay experience.  Now that I look back on that whole period of time though, I see that there was so much humor in all of it that I was blind to at the time.  Seeing that humor in hindsight has reminded me that there really is joy and laughter in all things, if you will only look in the right places; it is all a matter of perspective.

Nowhere is this humor more evident than on the Internet.  I'd like to illustrate this point by sharing a few of my own online experiences.  I have been a member of several friendship and chat sites for years; I have profiles on Myspace, Friendster, and a slew of others.  On every single one of them, it states very clearly that I am a gay man.  There are also many rainbow backgrounds and other gay pride materials which should give sufficient clues as to my orientation.  I have noticed lately that in spite of all of this, a large majority of the messages and friend invites that I receive are from straight women wanting to entice me into subscribing to some adult service, or inviting me to have cyber-sex on webcam.  I have to admit that I find the irony of this totally hilarious!  I get more attention from women as a gay man than I probably would have ever gotten if I were straight!

I mean, don't get me wrong...I certainly realize that I am not the only one to receive these spam e-mails.  I also realize that most of the time these messages are sent out blindly in bulk, and they usually don't even bother to read the profiles.  However, that makes it even funnier in my eyes.  I mean, most of these ladies work for straight adult sites, and yet they write to gay men.  I guess they could use a few business lessons on how to effectively locate and sell to their target market!

Not only do I receive a larger number of these spam messages since identifying myself as gay, but I have also received a very large number of letters from real women who are looking to meet someone!  I used to write them back and try to explain in a polite and kind way.  Now, I don't even respond anymore.  It's not that I'm trying to be rude, I just get too many to answer.  I figure that the information is there on the profile in black and white; it's not my fault if they don't see it.

In fact, I actually had one woman who wrote to me so many times that I finally had to block her.  She was constantly writing to ask why I never responded; didn't I find her attractive?  I was absolutely dumbfounded! HELLO...look at my profile!  Can you read?  Do you speak English?  Apparently, you seem to have a bit of trouble grasping the meaning of the word homosexual, so please allow me to enlighten you!  This means that I am attracted to and sleep with men exclusively!  So unless you are about six-foot-two with broad shoulders, a hairy chest, and bulging biceps, you only have two chances at catching my eye: slim and none!

Please do not be offended by this; I promise, it's nothing personal.  I have no doubt that you are a very lovely woman, and I assure you that this has absolutely nothing to do with your looks, your femininity, or your womanhood.  If you would like to be my friend, I would be all for that.  However, if you are looking for anything more than friendship, you are barking up the wrong tree, plain and simple!

The whole experience has started me thinking about something that has always been a complete mystery to me.  I will never understand why so many straight women out there seem to see it as their duty to “change” us gay guys.  It seems to be sort of like a quest for them or something.  It is always the same line: “Oh, you're not really gay, you just haven't met the right woman yet!”  Believe me, ladies, we have all heard that line so often that we can recite it in practiced unison while simultaneously rolling our eyes in exasperation!

In fact, this seems to be a mystery to most gay men.  We have been trying to figure this out for years, and we have yet to arrive at a satisfactory answer to the question!  It just seems so sad to think that women like these are wasting their feminine wiles in the futile pursuit of gay men, when there are so many deserving straight men who would revel in their attentions!  When will the ever learn, the poor dears...

Humorous Observations: Using Proper Ettiquette In The Men's Room

Since I believe that education is the key to removing barriers between people, no matter what said barriers may be, I have bravely chosen to put my membership in the man club at risk.  In an attempt to help everyone better understand the men in their lives, I will now reveal a few of the most carefully guarded secrets of mandom, by addressing the often misunderstood topic of men's room etiquette.

Of course, I realize that this noble effort will probably go unrecognized and unrewarded until long after I am dead and gone, but I will not be deterred.  I'm used to being unappreciated; I am a man, after all.  But if I can successfully impart this knowledge to even one person, then my job is done; my sacrifice won't have been in vain!

Learning proper etiquette at the urinal has become a proud tradition, lovingly passed down from father to son.  It begins as soon as one is old enough walk into a public men's room.  For years, men have been trained from boyhood to strictly observe an unwritten, but vitally important set of guidelines which govern the use of our porcelain pal.  Below, you will find a brief but concise explanation of the rules that must be adhered to.  Before proceeding, however, the uninitiated should be warned that failure to comply with each and every rule can often have disastrous results, so please study them carefully.

The first rule is: no eye contact.  For your own safety, please keep your eyes forward at all times; nobody likes a peeker.  Besides, peeking can sometimes lead to severe insecurities requiring years of expensive therapy, so play it safe; don't look!  After that, the next rule that should be observed is spacing.  The privacy of your fellow restroom patrons is of utmost importance!  Please ensure that their is adequate distance between you and the other urinal users.  When in doubt, it is wise to use the "boy-urinal-boy-urinal" technique as a rule of thumb.  However, there are some instances when the restroom is too crowded to allow for proper spacing.  When you encounter this problem, it is best to make your way to the stalls and use a traditional toilet.

Also, a controlled stream is very much appreciated; please make sure to aim carefully and remain stationary throughout the entire process.  Always keep in mind that sloppy technique not only creates a bad experience for you, but for all who enter the restroom after you as well, so please observe common courtesy.  Most importantly, please remember to carefully shake; we all know that dribbling leads to embarrassment later!

Another thing that should be noted is that even though it is not prohibited in every case, conversation is not wise...unless, of course, you enjoy having insults hurled at you that would make Richard Pryor blush!  Most consider it disturbing and awkward at this very vulnerable moment, and it will almost always earn you their wrath.  If you simply must engage in conversation, it is best to wait until your fellow urinal user has stepped away to the sinks to wash his hands.  Of course, there are a few exceptions to this; for example, if the person next to you is a very good friend with whom you are comfortable and have had a long history, conversation may come easier. Generally, however, it should be avoided whenever possible.

And last but not least, please...I implore you, if you have a shred of decency in your soul, do not talk on your mobile phone while using the urinal.  Contrary to what some guys seem to think, taking a whiz should never be a shared experience; that's just entirely too weird!  Heck, even if you put the weirdness factor aside, cell phones in the restroom are still a hazard.  Of course, knowing most guys, they won't believe that until they have looked down to find that their beloved Blackberry is quickly being washed out to sea, while the poor confused person on the other end of the line helplessly gurgles up at them that they can't understand what is being said!

Well, I think that just about covers everything.  Now, I offer you the chance to take the knowledge that I have given you, and put it to use.  Go forth, my fellow urinal users; carry these wise words out into all the world, and make every public restroom a safe and happy place for all humanity!

The Greatest Guitar Players Of All Time

Learning to play the guitar can be extremely rewarding.  There is nothing else that is quite like the feeling of satisfaction that comes from finally mastering the difficult piece that you have worked on for weeks...or sometimes months.  However, learning to play can often be frustrating too.  Although the guitar can offer unlimited possibilities for individual musical expression to anyone with the time and patience to seek them out, it is a very complex instrument, requiring years of diligent practice to master.

Having grown up in the company of musicians, I quite naturally fell in love with the guitar.  I have always been amazed by people who play well, tackling difficult melodies and complicated chord progressions with apparent ease.  Being a player myself, I have studied the work of many of today's well known players.  Most of my personal favorites are in the field of rock music, but no matter what style of music one chooses to play, true talent always finds its way to the top of the mountain.

With so many talented players out there, and given the fact that I love each of my favorite players for a different reason, it would be next to impossible for me to choose one single player to be designated as the best of all time.  So, with that in mind, I would like to tell you about a few of my favorite players.  Below, you will find my top five choices for the greatest guitar player of all time.



1) Jimi Hendrix

As far as I am concerned, any discussion on the subject of rock guitar must begin with Jimi Hendrix.  James Marshall Hendrix was born in Seattle Washington on November 27, 1942.  He was a true innovator, who took the art of guitar playing to new heights.  Through the use of feedback, distortion, and numerous other sound effects, he explored sonic territory that had been previously uncharted.  Hendrix often had to invent new technologies to help him create the sounds he heard in his imagination.  Guitarists of the present owe him a vote of thanks for creating many of the sound effects that are standard today.

Jimi received his first electric guitar at the age of eleven, as a gift from his father.  He was very much influenced by the blues players of the time, which he discovered by listening to the records in his father's collection.  He learned to play by slowly trying to copy these records.  By the time he reached his teens, his skill as a guitarist had earned him quite a reputation, and he began to work as a back-up guitarist for many of the popular acts of the 1960s, such as Little Richard, The Isley Brothers, and The Ike & Tina Turner Revue.

After a brief stint in the army, Jimi returned to his music in 1965, forming his own band, called Jimmy James & The Blue Flames.  He moved the band to New York's Greenwich Village, and began playing clubs in the area.  Chas Chandler, bass player for The Animals, happened to catch one of the shows and invited Hendrix to London.  This was where he formed The Jimi Hendrix Experience, who released their first single, “Hey Joe,” in December 1966.  Within weeks it was in the top of the singles charts, and The Jimi Hendrix Experience was the talk of London.

Although Jimi's recording career was brief, (it only spanned four years, from 1966 to 1970), it was very productive.  He went on to record a total of 4 albums, and gave several memorable performances, including the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967, and Woodstock in 1969.  Sadly, however, Jimi passed away in London on Thursday, September 18, 1970.  The cause of death was an accidental overdose of sleeping pills.

 2) Randy Rhoads

The next major figure in my development as a guitarist was Randy Rhoads, who was born on December 6, 1956, in Santa Monica, California.  He started playing at the age of seven on a Gibson classical acoustic, given to him by his grandfather.  In a very short time, it became obvious that young Randy had a rare gift for the instrument.  He practiced relentlessly, embracing a wide range of styles.  Classical music became a particular interest to him.  His goal was to combine the classical style with the rock music that he loved.

In his early teens, he formed a couple of short-lived groups before he finally formed the band through which he would become known.  That band was Quiet Riot, and Randy was seventeen.  Although the band was very popular in the Los Angeles area, often playing the biggest clubs of the day, such as The Starwood, and The Whiskey A Go-Go, all efforts to secure a record contract in the United States failed.  They were finally signed to a Japanese record label, for which they recorded two albums.

In 1979, however, he decided to leave Quiet Riot when former Black Sabbath front man Ozzy Osbourne called him to audition for his new group.  Rhoads auditioned, got the gig, and was off to write and record the music that would become the group's first album “Blizzard Of Ozz.”  He recorded only one more album before his life was tragically cut short at the age of 25.  While on the road with the band, Rhoads died in a plane crash in Orlando Florida on March 19, 1982.

3) Yngwie J. Malmsteen

The next player to have a real impact on me was Yngwie J. Malmsteen.  Born on June 30, 1963, in Stockholm Sweden, Malmsteen is considered by many to be the first true virtuoso in rock music.  In a way, Malmsteen is connected to both of the players that I have discussed above.  He was inspired to take up the guitar after seeing a news report on the death of Jimi Hendrix.  In fact, he began playing at the age of seven, on the very day that Hendrix died.

Just like Randy Rhoads, Malmsteen is a classically trained guitarist, who incorporates those techniques into his music.  What Randy Rhoads had begun, Yngwie Malmsteen brought to fruition.  His first solo recording, released in 1983 and titled “Rising Force,” was a mostly instrumental recording.  It raised the bar for guitar excellence by several impressive notches, setting the standard by which all other players of the genre were measured.

4) Joe Satriani

Next on my list would be Joe Satriani.  The level of this man's talent is simply staggering!  I will never forget the first time I ever heard Joe; all I could do was stare at my speakers with my jaw hanging open in stunned disbelief!  Yes...he's that good!

Born in New York on July 15, 1956, Joe picked up the guitar at 14.  He began by studying jazz and music theory in 1974, and quickly became a very proficient player.  By 1978 he had moved to Berkeley, California to pursue a professional career.  In a very short time he was teaching guitar.  Many of his students went on to become well known players themselves.  Some of Joe's famous students included Kirk Hammett (Metallica), Steve Vai, Alex Skolnick (Testament), Kevin Cadogan (Third Eye Blind), and David Bryson (Counting Crows).

 5) Steve Vai



Last but not least, I must also include Mr. Sartiani's most outstanding pupil.  Steve Vai came into the world on June 6, 1960.  Steve is one of those very rare players whose level of technical skill on the instrument is matched only by a small handful others.  His limitless creativity has shattered all previous notions of what electric guitar playing could be, broadening the possibilities of the instrument more than any other player before or since!

After taking lessons from Joe Satriani, Vai attended The Berkeley College Of Music.  He began his professional career as a music transcriptionist for Frank Zappa.  By 1980, however, he had graduated to touring and recording with the music legend, remaining with him for four years.  He then began his solo career in 1984, and went on to release 13 solo albums.  Along the way, he has also performed with many other bands, including Alcatrazz, Whitesnake, and David Lee Roth.

For me, Vai's masterpiece would have to be his 1990 album entitled “Passion And Warfare.”  The album is filled with complex musical statements, and lush guitar harmonies.  In my opinion, it is nothing short of brilliant!

* * * * * 

Well, there they are, my picks for the greatest guitar player.  I would highly recommend their music to anyone interested in the guitar.

Classic Films: The Wizard Of Oz

When a film reaches the iconic status that this movie has achieved, it can be very difficult to write anything about it that is truly original.  After all, what can one possibly say about The Wizard Of Oz that hasn't already been said a hundred times over?  How does one even begin to review one of the most beloved classics in the entire history of motion pictures without sounding totally redundant?  To say that these questions present the writer with a very daunting challenge is the most profound of understatements.

For a little over seventy years now, children and adults alike have been delighted by the tale of young Dorothy and her journey to the magical land of Oz.  Based on the children's book by author L. Frank Baum, this timeless film has an endearing charm that not only holds its audience spellbound generation after generation, but also makes it immune to the ever-changing whims of cinematic fashion or trend.  It remains every bit as enchanting today as it was in its own time.  Part of the reason for this is that its message is universal, appealing to both the young, and the young-at-heart; everyone can relate to it on some level.  We all had childhood fantasies of traveling to wondrous places like Oz, and this film allows us to indulge those fantasies.  Along the way, we also get some great insight into the importance of values like family, home, and friendship!

The plot is very entertaining and easy to follow.  Fifteen year old Dorothy Gale is a lonely young girl who lives on a Kansas farm with her Uncle Henry and Auntie Em.  When a spiteful old neighbor claims that Dorothy's little dog attacked her, and she threatens to have him destroyed, Dorothy decides to run away in order to save Toto.  However, she ends up not going too far before she meets Professor Marvel, who tricks her into going back home by telling her that his crystal ball has shown him that her Auntie Em is sick.  The wind begins to kick up as Dorothy walks home.  Then just as she is arriving home, a fierce tornado roars through the farm.  Not being able to make it to the storm cellar where everyone else has gone for shelter, she slowly makes her way into the house, fighting the strong wind with every step!  She gets into the house and manages to make it to her bedroom, but is soon knocked unconscious as the house is swept into the twister's eye.

As she regains consciousness, it appears that the storm is over, and her house is intact.  At least until she opens her bedroom door.  As the door swings open, Dorothy can hardly believe the dazzling sight that greets her eyes!  Although she isn't exactly sure where this new place is, she definitely knows that it isn't Kansas.  "We must be over the rainbow," she exclaims to Toto.  Suddenly, Glinda, The Good Witch Of The North appears, and explains to Dorothy that she is in Munchkin Land, where she is revered as a national heroine, because her house has landed on the Wicked Witch Of The East and killed her.

Dorothy's only concern is trying to get back to Kansas, but before she can ask the way, the Wicked Witch Of The West suddenly appears wanting to know who killed her sister.  She wants to reclaim the very powerful ruby slippers from her dead sister's feet, but is thwarted when Glinda magically places them on Dorothy's feet instead.  The wicked witch knows that she is powerless in Munchkin Land, but vows to "bide her time," get the slippers, back and make her pay for having killed the witch of the east.  With that sinister warning, she disappears in a cloud of smoke!

Dorothy then turns her attention back to getting home.  When she asks Glinda the way back to Kansas, she is told that the only person who may be able to help her is the great and powerful Wizard Of Oz, who lives in The Emerald City, and all she has to do to find him is follow the yellow brick road!  With that bit of advice, she sets off to see the wonderful Wizard Of Oz!  Along the way, she makes several new friends who decide to accompany her on her journey.  First, she meets a scarecrow when she comes to a fork in the road, and can't decide which way to go.  Although she is a bit surprised when the scarecrow speaks to her, she makes friends with him quickly, and agrees to let him come with her to see The Wizard in hopes of getting a brain.  So after she takes him down off his pole, they continue the journey together.

Before long, they come upon a Tin Woodsman who has rusted while trying to chop down a tree, and is rooted to his spot in the forest.  When they approach him, he begins asking for his oil can.  Although it takes them a few minutes to figure out exactly what he is trying to say, as his mouth is rusted shut, they finally understand, and begin to oil him.  When he can speak again, he tells them that the Tinsmith forgot to give him a heart.  The two friends ask him to join them on their journey; surely, The Wizard will give him a heart.  He agrees, and the two becomes three.  Then, as they continue down the yellow brick road, they meet the cowardly lion, who tries to scare them.  At first, he gets by with his tough act until he tries to catch Toto.  Dorothy steps in to protect the dog, giving the lion a good swat on the nose!  The lion reacts by bursting into tears, and the others realize that his fierce act is only a front, and he is really a big 'fraidy-cat!  Admitting that this is true, the lion asks to join them, so he can get some courage from The Wizard.  Of course, they all agree, and once again, they are all on their way to The Emerald City.

Their journey is not to be an easy one, however.  As they make their way toward their destination, The Wicked Witch Of The West makes every effort to stop them so that she can steal back the ruby slippers.  Despite the obstacles that she creates for them though, they eventually find their way to The Wizard's castle.  They are denied entrance, until the guard realizes that she is wearing the witch's slippers.

When they are finally granted an audience by The Wizard, he tells them that he will grant their requests when they have brought him the broomstick of The Wicked Witch Of The West.  So, back they go to the witch's castle.  While there, the witch takes Dorothy prisoner, and the others must free her before they can get the broomstick.  This proves to be a challenge, but with a little teamwork, they manage to free her and prepare for their escape.  The Witch has other plans, however.  In an attempt to stop them from escaping, she throws a fireball at the scarecrow.  When Dorothy throws water at the fire in an effort to put her friend out, the Witch is melted.  Dorothy is once again hailed as a hero, this time by the Witch's army, who gladly give her the broomstick to take back to The Wizard.  After another brief skirmish, in which his real identity is revealed, he grants their requests, and agrees to take Dorothy home in his balloon.  However, she winds up accidentally being left behind when Toto jumps out of her arms to chase a cat.  Heartbroken, Dorothy now fears that she will never get home.  Then, Glinda appears again, and tells her she has always had the power to return home, by clicking her heels 3 times and thinking of home.  After saying a tearful goodbye to her new friends, Dorothy follows these instructions, and we come to see that she has dreamed her whole adventure in Oz while she was unconscious.  She wakes up, truly appreciating her home and the love that surrounds her there.

Made in the golden age of the MGM musical, this film is not only filled with outstanding performances by each of the lead actors...Particularly, Burt Lahr as The Cowardly Lion, and Margaret Hamilton as The Wicked Witch Of The West...but it also has an absolutely wonderful musical score, the highlight of which is the world famous song “Somewhere Over The Rainbow,” which became Judy Garland's signature song for the remainder of her career!  Any longtime fan can attest that The Wizard Of Oz never gets old; no matter how many times you see it; it is a movie that will still make you smile and warm your heart as well...and that's a guarantee from someone who knows that from experience!

 

Biography: Mickey Carroll

Mickey Carroll came into the world as Michael Finocchiaro on July 8, 1919.  As a very young child growing up in St. Louis, Missouri, he was captivated by the carnival performers that he often saw in the street.  In spite of his very tender age, it didn't take him long to set his sights on becoming an entertainer.  He began entering every amateur contest and talent show he could find, and was soon earning 40 to 50 dollars a night as a performer.

When Mickey turned seven in 1926, he decided that he wanted to take advantage of an offer for free dance lessons at St. Louis' famous Fox Theater.  While there, he met entertainer Jack Haley, who would eventually be his co-star in The Wizard Of Oz, playing the part of The Tin Woodsman.  Jack took Mickey to Hollywood, where he quickly landed his first job in film, playing the part of 'Mickey' in approximately seven of the Spanky And Our Gang series of shorts produced by Hal Roach Studios.  After this, he continued his career on the vaudeville circuit under the management of his older brother, who helped him get work as a singer, dancer, and emcee.  But then, at the age of nine, Mickey suddenly and inexplicably stopped growing.  For the rest of his life, he would stand at only four feet, seven inches tall.  This never dampened his Spirit, however.  He remained enthusiastic and upbeat about everything that he did in his life.  He loved entertaining people and making them laugh.

As his career continued, Mickey had many other interesting jobs.  When he was seventeen, he played a bellhop in the "Call For Phillip Morris" live radio ads.  At eighteen, he began appearing in shows with Mae West.  During this time, he also continued to perform as the emcee at several famous Chicago nightclubs owned by his real-life godfather, who was none other than the infamous Al Capone!

However, his crowning achievement in show business wouldn't come until 1939, when his good friend Judy Garland offered him a part in her new picture, The Wizard Of Oz.  She thought that he would be perfect as one of the Munchkin actors.  Initially, Mickey declined the offer, since his salary for the film would be far less than the thousand dollars a week that he was making on the road at the time.  However, Judy's persistence, along with the fact that her mother was willing to put him up for the entire duration of the film's shooting schedule finally won Mickey over; he agreed to do the part.  In fact, he ended up having multiple roles in the picture.  First, he played the “town crier,” who wore a purple cloak, and had a yellow flower sticking out of his striped vest. He also marched as one of the Munchkin soldiers, as well as leading the parade that escorted Dorothy down the yellow brick road...in case you can't spot him in that scene, he's the one holding the violin.

After the film wrapped, Mickey left the land of Oz behind, and began doing voice-overs for film, in addition to continuing with his vaudeville career.  He served as the warm-up for presidents Roosevelt and Truman as they campaigned across the country.  He also appeared on radio shows with the likes of George Burns & Gracie Allen, Jack Benny, and Al Jolson.  By the mid-1940s, however, he had come to the unfortunate realization that his height would prevent him from having any real long-term success in the movies.  There simply weren't enough good roles for people of his stature. So, instead, he returned to St. Louis for good, and settled in to run his family's monument business.

Although he was largely retired for the remainder of his life, Mickey did perform on occasion.  He was regularly seen on The Fan Show, which airs in the St. Louis area.  Thanks to the enduring popularity of The Wizard Of Oz, Mickey was also able to use his connection with the film to do much good in the world.  He often entertained sick children in hospitals all over the area.  He also made hundreds of personal appearances a year and signed thousands of autographs, helping to raise funds for a variety of children's charities.  It has been estimated that within his lifetime, he helped to raise too many millions to count!  He has been honored many times over the years for his humanitarian efforts, and came to be known as “the little man with the giant's heart.”

I was fortunate enough to meet Mickey, and I can attest to the fact that he was indeed a very wonderful and caring man.  I was deeply saddened when I learned that he had passed away on May 7, 2009, after a brief period of declining health due to a heart ailment; he was 89 years old.

CD Review: Black Swans And Wormhole Wizards, By Joe Satriani

Ever since I first heard his music in my early teens, I have been completely in awe of the genius that is Joe Satriani.  I buy every one of his albums on the day of its release, and have had the unforgettable experience of seeing him perform live many times.  His gargantuan talents have not only earned him tons of well-deserved praise, but have also assured him a place in rock history as one of the most influential guitarists to ever grace this planet; he truly is the best of the best.  He's the type of guitar player whose talent can easily leave you wondering how any mere mortal could come to be in possession of such a monumental level of musical brilliance; and he does it all without even breaking a sweat!

Being a guitar player myself, and having at least some understanding of what is required to do what he does, I can't help but admire and respect his work.  In fact...and I hate to admit this...I have to say that I also listen to him with the slightest tinge of jealousy!  I love his music, but after hearing him, I came close to giving up the guitar myself, because he really showed me how the instrument should be played.  Thankfully, I still play, and I am proud of my own talents, although my skills are certainly no match for the likes of him!  I can say with absolute certainty that when Joe arrived on the scene, there were many closet guitarists out there who were not happy.  He really sent us all back to the woodshed with an urgent need to practice, practice, practice!

With the release of his thirteenth studio album, the uniquely titled Black Swans And Wormhole Wizards, Joe delivers yet another instrumental opus that is sure to please longtime fans.  As usual, the guitar work is interesting, energetic and fun.  The production quality is top notch, and the arrangements are tight and logical.  This album is also unique in that it is the first to utilize keyboards, played by Mike Keneally!  For me, the standout tracks here are Pyrrhic Victoria, Light Years Away, and the final track, God is Crying.

However, I do have one small complaint about this record.  While the music here is good and I did enjoy the album, I felt that Joe played it safe on this record.  In the past, he has always managed to top his previous efforts and break new ground.  On this record, he rarely ventures too far out of his comfort zone.  The usual level of quality is there, but if you have all of his previous albums and have followed his career, then you will find nothing that is really new and different.  One of the things that I always loved about Joe's music is that you could expect the unexpected.  Just when you thought that he couldn't possibly get any better, he would reach into his endless bag of tricks and pull out something so utterly dazzling that you would have to pause the CD to retrieve your jaw from the floor!  Unfortunately, I never had that reaction when listening to this album.  As good as this CD is, it is pretty much textbook stuff for Joe.  That was a little disappointing for me, but not enough to keep me from liking the music.

In conclusion, I'd just like to say that I would definitely recommend the album.  It is a worthy addition to Joe's extensive catalog, and one that is enjoyable and definitely worth spending the money on.  It will certainly entertain you, even though it lacks that element of surprise that has been present on other releases.  However, if you are new to Joe's music, I would start off with one of his earlier CDs like Surfing With The Alien or Flying In A Blue Dream before you listen to this one!

Is Spanking An Effective Method Of Child Discipline

Although I am not a parent myself, I feel that the experience of having been a child who was spanked qualifies me to speak on this topic.  I grew up with the most loving parents that anyone could ask for; there has never been a shred of doubt in my mind that they loved me completely and unconditionally.  They were always encouraging and supportive of me in anything that I wanted to do, and have been there for me every single time I have ever needed anything.  But even as much as my parents loved me, that still didn't stop them from giving me a couple of good swats on the backside if I got out of line!  They only did so when it was deserved, and it was never excessive...just enough to be sure that I knew I had messed up.

Yes, the horrible truth is that I was spanked when it was needed, and I have to say that it did not traumatize or scar me; it did not give me a complex; it did not make me a violent or abusive adult.  As far as I am concerned, the effect that being spanked had on me was quite the opposite; I turned out just fine.  In fact, I am glad that my parents disciplined me the way that they did.  I wouldn't be the adult that I am today if they hadn't!  So, I am absolutely in favor of spanking. I think that spanking is the most effective form of discipline available to parents.  Whatever pain may come from spanking, it is temporary, and it will spare the child from worse pain that could occur if they do not change the behavior that caused them to be spanked in the first place.  That fact alone makes it worth enduring; better to suffer a small amount of pain now, than to suffer worse pain later in life!

I often wonder who these so-called experts are that make these anti-spanking statements; whoever they are, it is blatantly obvious to me that they have probably never been parents.  Any parent with more than five minutes of practical daily experience in raising children will quickly tell you that most of the time, other punishments are far less effective.  Grounding often does not work because a parent cannot be right over the child's shoulder every second of the day, making sure without a doubt that punishment is enforced.  Besides, kids are too good at sneaking behind a parent's back to do whatever they are supposed to be grounded from anyway.  And let's face it, giving a child “time out” is just a complete joke, period!  So as far as I am concerned, to say that spanking a child even remotely compares to child abuse is simply the most ludicrous statement to ever pass human lips; to say that any parent should be jailed or judged unfit because they spank their children is nothing short of criminal!

I realize that many out there disagree with my opinion on this, and that's fine; I still stand vehemently and emphatically behind my view.  People fail to realize that discipline is a form of love.  You discipline your children because you love them, and because you want them to grow up to be decent, caring and considerate human beings!  Children need structure in their lives, and they need to learn that when you make a mistake, there are consequences for those actions.  They have to learn to take responsibility for their own mistakes.  If their parents don't teach them this lesson, then life in the real world will...and I can promise you that life will not be nearly as gentle about it as the parent would!

Maybe if there were more spanking going on, we would have more respectful children in the world.  In fact, I am convinced that's true.  Kids are getting away with murder because parents are too afraid of getting reported to the authorities if they spank them.  Parents cannot properly discipline their children when their hands are tied in this way. And I can definitely tell you this much: if I had ever spoken to my mother the way that I hear some kids do today, I guarantee that I would have only made that mistake once!  Children wouldn't be yelling at their parents, cursing them out, and doing God only knows what else if they had gotten the proper discipline at a young age.

The bottom line is that discipline is a parent's responsibility.  I am most certainly not condoning abuse in any way, shape or form; I want to make that clear.  Child abuse is nothing to make light of; it's tragic when it happens, and it should be prevented.  However, to put spanking in the same category with something as horrific as child abuse is just a flat out insult, especially to those children who really are abused.  Enduring a spanking is a walk in the park compared to what those unfortunate souls are forced to live through every day!

Homophobia: The Other Prejudice

Homophobia, just like every other form of prejudice, is a direct result of irrational fear and ignorance.  People quite naturally fear that which they do not understand.  The fears and negative views that cause homophobia can take root in a person's consciousness in a variety of ways, but regardless of how a person becomes homophobic in their attitudes, it is clearly a learned behavior; none of us is ever born into the world with a hatred for our fellow man.

In my experience, there are usually two main ways in which a person's homophobic ideas and opinions are shaped.  These are their upbringing and family environment, or their religious background.  Most people have little-to-no first hand knowledge of homosexuality or gay people; the entire concept of homosexuality is completely foreign to them, and is therefore very frightening.  They often base their view of homosexual people on the opinions that they have learned from the family environment in which they have grown up, or on the years of religious conditioning that they receive in church, which has taught them that homosexuality is a sickness to be cured or overcome, and that homosexuals are perverts who choose their dirty, sinful lifestyle.

Despite the fact that there is more than enough conclusive scientific and medical data to prove these teachings false, they are still generally accepted as truth.  This means that everything that most people learn about homosexuality is based entirely on the misinformation that they have been picking up all their lives.  Families are raised to believe in the same half-truths, innuendos, and stereotypes that have been passed down from the generations that came before them.  People are taught to accept completely without question, and to place blind faith in the teachings of a church that blatantly misuses and abuses the words of its Bible to condemn everything with which it does not agree.

In light of these facts, a homophobic viewpoint seems all the more irrational.  If more people were willing to be honest with themselves when examining the reasons behind their homophobia, they would see that holding these opinions based on second-hand information (the accuracy of which is questionable to say the least) rather than forming opinions based on their own personal experiences with gay people, is short-sighted and unfair.  If you have never known a gay person, then you are in no way qualified to judge the content of their character, or the state of their Soul...period!  I can only imagine the ruckus that these hypocrites would raise if they had to endure being judged by the same ridiculous standards!

Although I feel very strongly about my statements on this topic, I do believe that it is only a very small percentage of people who are full of deliberate meanness.  I may be crazy...or maybe I'm just plain naive...but I believe in trying to see the good in people.  I think a majority of people are kind and well-meaning; they don't set out to be homophobic or hateful.  I believe that homophobia is born not out of malice, but out of ignorance; most folks simply don't know any better.  I mean, think about it.  Most people have believed all of the misinformation for years because it is all they've ever had to go on.  If they lack the correct information to understand what homosexuality is all about, then of course they are going to fear it; how could you expect them to react any other way?

Oh sure, it is definitely true that you will always find a certain segment of people who disagree with our lifestyle, and therefore use this false information about gay people for their own malicious and manipulative purposes.  Unfortunately, I do not believe at this point that we will ever be completely free from some form of opposition to our lifestyle.  The situation may improve to the point where the opposition will become much less visible to us, but it will remain there, just as it has in the case of every other kind of prejudice that the world has known.  I hope that someday, I am proven wrong about that; but for now, I'm not holding my breath.  For now, all we can do is realize that there are some people out there who will just stubbornly refuse to change their minds on the issue no matter how much evidence you can produce to refute their beliefs.  When it comes to these folks, the only option we have is to accept that which we do not have the power to change; that stinks, but it's the truth.

However, gay folks do have their supporters as well.  The number of people who view us negatively has slowly been decreasing, and is relatively small compared to what it was even a few short years ago.  I think that a majority of people genuinely want to understand us.  I have found that if I am in a group of people and happen to mention that I am gay, people have a lot of sincere questions, but always feel awkward asking them.  But I always notice that as I give them honest answers, they seem to relax into discussing the subject.  I find this encouraging; it leads me to believe that there are more people in today's society who simply lack the education to come to a truthful understanding of homosexuality.  I further believe that if these people were to be educated with the correct information, then more people would change their views on the matter than would not.

Coming Out: The Ultimate Act Of Self-Love

In most of the other articles that I have written on gay issues, I have discussed the difficulties of coming to terms with one's orientation, and how traumatic those experiences can sometimes be.  This time around, I would like to talk about some of the more positive effects that coming out can have on the lives of gay individuals.

Most people in straight society seem to have trouble understanding why we feel the need to tell others that we are gay.  Several of my straight friends have even asked me questions to that effect.  They've asked things like: “Can't you just be gay without bringing it up?” or “Why does anyone need to know? It's none of their business anyway.”  Since knowledge and understanding are the keys to combating ignorance and bigotry, I hope to shed some light on this issue by writing about it.

Here's my best two-part answer to those questions and others like them.  First, hiding the fact that you are gay robs you of the ability to live an honest life.  When you hide your true self from the world, you live every day of your life feeling like a liar, because you are letting everyone believe something about you that is not true.  What are you supposed to say when someone in your life finds out the truth and asks why you didn't tell them?  That is something you have to consider, because sooner or later, it will happen; it's inevitable!

Secondly, it is my opinion that coming out is the first step toward peace and self-acceptance with your true identity.  Most gay people who are closeted carry a tremendous amount of emotional baggage, and the burden of this baggage is a very heavy one.  You live in constant fear that your secret will be discovered, and when it is, you will lose the love and respect of everyone in your life.  You fear that they will see you as a disgusting pervert.  Because of this, we hide our true feelings from the rest of the world, and sometimes even from ourselves, because we fear the hatred that will almost surely come.

Most of us grow up being taught that homosexuality is immoral, dirty, and sinful.  The teaching of these ideas causes most gay people to associate a great deal of shame with their feelings of attraction toward the same sex.  Many people go into complete denial, refusing to even acknowledge the attraction; that is what happened in my case.  Others convince themselves that they can overcome their feelings and teach themselves to be straight through self-discipline.  Some even get married and attempt to lead a heterosexual life, only to realize years later that they have forced themselves to live a lie.  Eventually, however, the lie always crumbles.  When this happens, the shame is even greater and more scarring to the psyche, because people feel like the have failed; they feel that they were too weak or undisciplined to overcome their feelings, which makes them feel completely worthless.  This causes the self-esteem to plummet and often leads to severe depression, self-loathing, and suicide.

For me, coming out was the first step on the path toward recovery from all of these negative emotions.  It gives the closeted gay person a chance to look at themselves through their own eyes and realize that regardless of their orientation, they are still the same human being that they have always been.  Being gay does not change a person's values, the size of their heart, or the content of their character.  Coming out gives them the opportunity to know themselves better.  Coming out helps the gay person to realize that they have not changed because they are gay.  In reality, it is only everyone else's perception of them that has changed, and they do not have to accept the hate-clouded perceptions of others as truth.

Arriving at this realization is a very empowering thing, because once this is learned, two things happen.  First, you begin to feel more like yourself again; realizing that you are still the same as you were before gives you confidence so that you can begin to rebuild your self-esteem.  Secondly, it helps you to make a deliberate choice to reject all of the hatred that is constantly being thrown at you.  Before coming out, gay people often blame themselves for the hatred and negativity that others hurl at them.  They often feel that they deserve the verbal (and sometimes physical) abuse they get from others, because they were unable to “change themselves.”

Once they realize that they are still the same person, however, it opens their eyes to the fact that the attitude problem does not lie with them, but with those who are hating them.  If they loved you before knowing that you were gay, then they should continue to love you after they learn of your orientation.  After all, you are no different, so if learning that you are gay changes their opinion about who you are, then it is their thinking that is faulty, not yours!  In fact, these people were probably never true friends to begin with, because their love for you was conditional.

So for gay people, coming out is really the ultimate act of self-love.  It is a way of freeing yourself from the pain that your closeted existence has caused for you, and reclaiming all that hatred and fear have tried to steal from you.  It is a loud and clear declaration that you refuse to be disrespected and disregarded simply because of the fact that you are attracted to members of your own gender.  It may not sit well with some people, but it will always be the best medicine for the sickness of silence!

Examining The Potential Dangers Of Internet Use

I love the Internet.  It is a wonderful tool that literally places the entire world at your fingertips.  It can provide hours of great entertainment and enjoyment, while also offering an almost limitless source of information.  You can use it for nearly any purpose imaginable: playing games, listening to music, watching movies, doing research, doing homework, shopping, or any one of a million other activities.  The world wide web has greatly accelerated the pace our lives, making it easy to perform many tasks that would have otherwise been tedious and time-consuming.  Indeed, the Internet offers us the ability to do a great many things that we never would have dreamed possible before its existence.

I love receiving e-mail, and I could spend hours chatting with my friends by instant message.  I also appreciate the fact that the Internet gives me the opportunity to meet many people that I may have never met without it.  I now have cyber-friends in nearly every U.S. state, as well as other parts of the world.  In fact, the Internet has become such a fixture in today's world that I often wonder how we ever got along without this marvelous bit of technology.  I know that I, for one, would be lost without it.

However, I would still recommend that one approach Internet use with some caution.  I say this because in spite of all the great advantages that it offers, the Internet is a tool that should always be used responsibly.  It is unfortunate but true that any new piece of technology which has the ability to make our lives easier and better also comes with the built-in potential to be misused and abused; the Internet is no exception to that.  Life in cyberspace definitely has its down side.

For instance, the anonymity that the Internet allows all of us can be an extremely dangerous thing.  It gives pedophiles a perfect way to easily interact with children for the purpose of preying upon them.  It also allows other types of predators to easily scam people.  Use of the Internet has brought with it a sharp rise in certain types of crime, such as identity theft and credit card fraud.  Although, authorities have gained some ground in the prevention of these dangers since the Internet first came into widespread use, there is still much to be done.  However, their job is made much more difficult by the fact that the perpetrators of these crimes are so well hidden; they are only nameless, faceless entities lurking behind a computer screen somewhere!

Another concern held by many people, myself included, is the fact that privacy is slowly becoming a thing of the past.  The wealth of information that is available online makes it possible to find out almost anything that you may want to know about anyone.  Records of birth and death, banking records, credit reports, medical records, school transcripts, police records, and any number of other documents containing extremely sensitive information can be found in seconds online.  Even when every effort is made to keep these records secure, the best encryption techniques are often no match for a truly good hacker.

In addition to these very real dangers, there has been another unpleasant side effect of Internet use for me personally.  Although it is not nearly as serious as the threats stated above, it is one of my biggest pet peeves, and again, is caused by the anonymous nature of cyberspace.  I am referring to the complete and utter lack of courtesy that has been shown by some of my fellow Internet users.  There are some out there who will say the most horrible, rude, insulting things...things that they would never dare to say to anyone's face.  They do so completely without fear of consequences, and with no regard for the effect that their words may have on others.  This has caused me to stop visiting chat rooms or most message boards altogether, because I feel that I have better things to do with my time than to waste it arguing with disrespectful idiots!

Even with all of its negative aspects, though, I still believe that the benefits offered by the Internet far outweigh its drawbacks; it is still of great value.  As long as we are educated about its possible dangers and take every precaution available to us for preventing them, I believe that the Internet will continue to provide pleasant experiences and serve our needs for a long time to come!

CD Review: Lightning Strikes Twice, By Nelson

In my opinion, Nelson was one of those bands who never really got a fair shake.  Their sound was too commercial to be taken seriously by many rock fans, and yet they had too much of a rock edge to be considered pop.  It seemed to me that they never had time to find their niche, because their debut album, 1990's After The Rain, came out just as the public's taste in music was shifting.  The big-haired hard rock of the Eighties was in swift decline, and a band called Nirvana was ushering in the Seattle "grunge rock" movement that would dominate most of the Nineties.

While they did manage to score one well-known hit with their infectiously catchy song (I Can't Live Without Your) Love And Affection, their success proved to be short-lived.  The fact that their sound was hard to label, along with the recent shift in style that was being embraced by the fans proved to be too difficult an obstacle to overcome.  The other singles they released from After The Rain tanked, as did their second album, 1995's Because They Can.  Not surprisingly, the lack of public interest caused them to be dropped from their label.

In the years since, they have continued to release their music independently, but were unable to secure major-label backing.  Until 2011, that is!  Their third major-label release, Lightning Strikes Twice, was issued through the Frontiers label on February 15, 2011.  Lightning Strikes Twice is a blast to listen to; it is filled with the kind of great catchy songs you remember from Nelson.  There are 12 new tracks here to enjoy, including: Call Me, Day By Day, Ready Willing And Able, and I'm In It For the Money...all of which are favorites of mine!

Matt and Gunnar have a lot to be proud of in this album; it is quite an accomplishment that positions them perfectly for a big comeback!  The brothers play all the instruments themselves, as well as sharing vocal duties.  Both are great singers that can belt out a lead vocal or add the perfect harmony to the lead.  The songs are solidly constructed, with great lyrics that stick to universal subjects, making them easy to relate to.  All of this adds up to a fine album that is fun to listen to and never gets boring!

In summation, I will say that if you like commercial rock that is easy on the ears and very entertaining, then this is the album for you!  It's a record that you can put on and escape into.  It is one that you don't have to think too hard about; you can just put it on, crank it up, and forget your worries for a while.  It's just pure fun all the way!  Go and pick it up; I promise you won't be sorry!