Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Net Neutrality Under Attack


With complete disregard to the recent FCC ruling and the wishes of the American citizens, the lobbying group USTelecom filed their appeal to block the Federal Communications Commission's decision to reclassify broadband internet as a Title II utility. USTelecom represents AT&T, Verizon, and other broadband internet providers.


USTelecom, filed their suit in the Washington, D.C. Federal Appellate Court on Monday. The FCC says that challenges can be filed up to 60 days after its net neutrality rules are published in the Federal Register, which is expected to be made public in the next few days.

We do not believe the Federal Communications Commission’s move to utility-style regulation invoking Title II authority is legally sustainable.”

Therefore, we are filing a petition to protect our procedural rights in challenging the recently adopted open Internet order.” - USTelecom President Walter McCormick

Consumer advocacy groups all agree, and say that the Title II classification is the right way to classify broadband internet.

Greed is a cancer. It knows not limits nor contentment, it will reach out and up, from any and every legal or imagined loophole to keep taking, feeding off an unsuspecting public to no end. If USTelecom and their like, gets their way, it will only lead to price wars with the big players who will in turn pass their costs of operation to the consumer, and drive already unreasonable prices even higher for all.

This battle will rage for some time to come, and I imagine that it will not get settled once and for all until it reaches the Supreme Court. Below is a clip of the FCC's recent ruling declaring that broadband internet is a public utility.


The big question might be, are we safe now? Yes, these companies cannot disregard the law, they can only try to change it. For the time being, internet as you know it will remain the same.

Sunday, March 22, 2015

The Raving Mad Cheney Blasts Obama - 'Worst President of my Lifetime'

Former Vice President Dick Cheney blasted President Obama in a recent Playboy interview. Playboy magazine, let's face it, this isn't the ideal medium to make any significant commentary if your important in politics today. That however, did not occur to the worst Vice-President we've ever seen in our lifetime!

In an interview where he prattled on about little nothings, he also took the opportunity to blast President Obama. Saying in part, “I look at Barack Obama and I see the worst President of my lifetime, without question.”
Further, adding “I used to have significant criticism of Jimmy Carter, but compared to Barack Obama and the damage he is doing to the nation, it's a tragedy, a real tragedy, and we are going to pay a hell of a price just trying to dig out from under his presidency."
The way Obama is functioning now, he’s crippling the capacity of future presidents to deal with future crises.”

In his delusional mad ravings he also claims that President Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder 'play the race card' whenever they suggest that their critics may be partially driven by race.

Cheney is the sort of lunatic Republican that can occasionally generate some news coverage, usually in embarrassing outbursts. He is a very bitter and disgruntled old man who has a dangerously distorted perspective on reality.

He really ought to be grateful to President Obama and Eric Holder and should never say anything about them at all. They could have pursued charges against he and former President Bush for war crimes, but they chose to look ahead and let dead dogs lie.


I find it curious, and somewhat humorous that we often hear sensational outbursts and wild claims from former vice president Dick Cheney, while we almost never hear from other former vice-presidents.

Cheney in another interview


FYI – George W. Bush's final approval rating in January 2009 in a CBS News/NY times poll was 22% and Dick Cheney's was 13%.

Friday, March 20, 2015

Madonna's Rebel Heart Debuts at #2 on Billboard


Madonna's New Album Rebel Heart debuts at #2 on Billboard for the week of March 28th, 2015.

This is a great debut, considering that nearly all of the songs were leaked online months ago.


This live footage is the performance where Madonna had a fall down the steps. In the performance, she showed powerful professionalism by continuing the song, without a restart...nearly uninterrupted.


Madonna talks about her fall during this interview.



Madonna recently announced concert dates for her upcoming 35-city tour in support of the album Rebel Heart. Kicking off in Miami on August 29th, the iconic pop star will bring her Rebel Heart tour across North America, Europe and the UK on through December.


Tour Promoter Live Nation said in a press release, each ticket purchased online will include a digital download of Rebel Heart's Super Deluxe version, which includes four previously unreleased studio tracks.

Concert Tour Dates:
Some of these shows are already sold-out, you'll have to check her Official Website for the latest on concert dates, tickets and availability. There will be more shows and more dates added as the Tour launch approaches, with more dates in Asia and Australia expected to be announced in the near future.

Rebel Heart North American Tour Dates:

August 29 - Miami, FL @ American Airlines Arena
September 2 - Atlanta, GA @ Philips Arena
September 5 - San Juan, PR @ Coliseo de Puerto Rico
September 9 - Montreal, QC @ Bell Centre
September 12 - Washington, DC @ Verizon Center
September 16 - New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden
September 19 - Brooklyn, NY @ Barclays Center
September 24 - Philadelphia, PA @ Wells Fargo Center
September 26 - Boston, MA @ TD Garden
September 28 - Chicago, IL @ United Center
October 1 - Detroit, MI @ Joe Louis Arena
October 3 - Atlantic City, NJ @ Boardwalk Hall
October 5 - Toronto, ON @ Air Canada Centre
October 8 - St. Paul, MN @ Xcel Energy Center
October 11 - Edmonton, AB @ Rexall Place
October 14 - Vancouver, BC @ Rogers Arena
October 17 - Portland, OR @ MODA Center
October 19 - San Jose, CA @ SAP Center at San Jose
October 22 - Glendale, AZ @ Gila River Arena
October 24 - Las Vegas, NV @ MGM Grand Garden Arena
October 27 - Los Angeles, CA @ Forum

Rebel Heart European & UK Tour Dates:

November 4 - Koln, Germany @ Lanxess Arena
November 7 - Prague, CZ @ O2 Arena
November 10 - Berlin, Germany @ Mercedes-Benz Arena (02 World)
November 14 - Stockholm, Sweden @ Tele 2 Arena
November 17 - Herning, Denmark @ Jyske Bank Boxen
November 21 - Turin, Italy @ Pala Alpitour
November 24 - Barcelona, Spain @ Palau Sant Jordi
November 28 - Antwerp, Belgium @ Sportpaleis
December 1 - London, UK @ O2 Arena
December 5 - Amsterdam, Holland @ Ziggo Dome
December 9 - Paris, France @ Bercy
December 14 - Manchester, UK @ Manchester Arena
December 16 - Birmingham, UK @ Barclaycard Arena
December 20 - Glasgow, Scotland @ The SSE Hydro



It was recently announced that Madonna has added additional dates to her sold out performances in Germany, Italy and Montreal on the upcoming Rebel Heart Tour.


Sept 10 - Montreal, Quebec - Bell Centre (On sale March 21 @Noon Local Time)
Nov 05 - Koln, Germany - Lanxess Arena (On sale March 23 @ 9am Local Time) 
Nov 11 - Berlin, Germany - Mercedes-Benz Arena (On sale March 23 @ 9am Local Time) 
Nov 22 - Turin, Italy - Pala Alpitour (On sale March 24 @ 10am Local Time)




http://www.madonna.com/

http://instagram.com/madonna

https://www.facebook.com/madonna



Madonna is Instagram crazy and you're sure to find much more up to date info by staying tuned in there!

Sunday, March 15, 2015

Madonna's Rebel Heart - Reviewed - 5-Stars




The Queen of Pop sits atop her throne never to be ever outdone by anyone.
Her Rebel Heart from the final cut to it's amazing start is all 5-Star in your face Madonna in all her grace!

Britney, Katy and Stefani are more than two steps behind they're lost with befuddled bewilderment behind a trail of dust in jaw dropping awe savoring the latest Madonna magic to enthrall us all.

Anyone who claims that her music is lacking in intellectual depth, is just a hater in disguise. Pop music is and never has been an area of intellectual depth. It is, and always will, belong to the throngs of the young, up and coming. So, just deal with it!


Madonna endures because of her voice. Her voice has that relatable childlike quality at times, and those youthful high pitch tones of material girl Madonna that accentuate and make her songs easily identifiable and uniquely her own. It's from these highs to her more mature sultry lows, that on this new album, her full vocal range, that can be every girl or maybe even the girl next door, is beautifully displayed.

In promoting this new album, she talked openly about its development, and how the two themes seem to emerge in the process. One that reflects Madonna's defiant, rebellious side, and the other, a more confessional mood that gives us the hopeful and romantic side of Madonna.

Many of the songs begin simply, and build slowly into Electro-Dance Pop, these songs lure you in with simplicity and it's this production approach really brings out her best. This is her best album in many years and her particular attention to detail gets noticed here. Her vocal range and performances are perfect and the teams of many collaborators, musicians and producers manage to make a great album that has a real cohesive continuity.

1. Living for Love - 3:38
2. Devil Pray - 4:05
3. Ghosttown - 4:08
4. Unapologetic Bitch - 3:50
5. Illuminati - 3:43
6. Bitch I'm Madonna - 3:47
7. Hold Tight - 3:37
8. Joan of Arc - 4:01
9. Iconic - 4:33
10. HeartBreak City - 3:33
11. Body Shop - 3:39
12. Holy Water - 4:09
13. Inside Out - 4:23
14. Wash All Over Me - 4:00

Madonna wanted to make a double album, with each side representing the two main themes explored on the album, and this leads to the only thing about this that I do not like. What I really do not like with this, is the way this album is issued.

The album itself with the above 14 tracks listed, does not even include the album title track. The title track comes with the Deluxe and Super Deluxe issues along with some other tracks.

This marketing strategy is overly complicated, and in that, it also becomes somewhat distracting. Other artists are also caught in this nowadays, scheming-greedy record company, shenanigans. In many instances, these other expanded versions don't do the artist' any favors at all. Many times the extra versions consist of remixes, along with some clunkers and oddities, that would be better forgotten.

The Album Rebel Heart is great, and I rate it a full 5-Stars! The Deluxe version and the Super Deluxe versions, I think include some good tracks, but not all and I would rate these versions 4-Stars. In an all things considered scenario, with this album there are only two tracks that I don't like and they are “S.E.X” and “Queen.” Overall there are 25 songs if you get the Super Deluxe, and with that in mind it's a little-bit of over-doing it and that's why I rate it slightly lower.


I recommend getting the standard version, and pass on the other versions.



The Stand-out Tracks are “Hold Tight” - “Iconic” and “Inside Out”


For sure, it's the best new album that has come out this year!

So, do yourself a favor and get it now, and if you need another reason, other than it is the best new album of the year thus far, you go out and get it, because I said so!

Don't waste time reading on and on about it, hurry up already, and do it now!


For the latest news and updates, visit her Official Website at

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Remembering Lesley Gore - My Tribute - Raise A Ruckus!

The passing of Lesley Gore is sad news!

She was really special, and for a brief time was also the coolest, most popular female entertainer around.

We feel sorrow for her passing and put forth our sympathies and well wishes to all her family and friends.

Lesley Gore, the early 1960's Pop Sensation, best known for her smash hit song from 1963 “It's My Party” has passed away from all of us. She succumbed to lung cancer on Monday in a New York Medical Center at 68 years young.

Her hit single “You Don't Own Me”, was very important and significant for it's time as it was an early feminist anthem during a coming of age / end of innocence period with the 1960's generation.

Lesley is best remembered by her fans for her hits “It's My Party” and the sequel to that hit “Judy's Turn to Cry” but she had other hits that made the Top 40 "She's a Fool" - "You Don't Own Me" - "That's the Way Boys Are" - "I Don't Wanna Be a Loser" - "Maybe I Know" - "Sunshine, Lollipops, and Rainbows" - "Look of Love" and "California Nights." Along with these hits she had several other singles and many of these are fan favorites, even if they didn't chart very high.

She scored her big hits while a teen in school and after High School, her musical style no longer fit the popular trends and she decided to further her studies.

Lesley temporarily left the music business and attended Sarah Lawrence College - New York, and graduated with a degree in English/American Literature in 1968.

After finishing College, she focused on songwriting. When she did return to the music business, the high point of her career had already passed. Despite this, she never had any regrets and the few albums she released in the 70's never got the attention they deserved. If you are lucky enough to find them, they are real treasures.

She did have success again later when she was nominated for an Academy Award for co-writing the hit song, “Out Here on My Own,” with her brother Michael. The song was featured in the film, “Fame.”

In her life, she was never totally committed to, show-business, instead she had a more balanced and somewhat private life. She did perform on what is affectionately referred to as the nostalgia circuit, off and on from the 1980's up to more recent times. I think her last public performances were in either 2011 or 2012, I am not certain on that, but there are many great live performance clips that you can find on YouTube that cover her whole career. Playing concerts and appearing on many TV shows, Lesley always had a great time doing so, she had a rare quality among entertainers and that was that she had respect for the fans that loved her.
I seem to recall, having seen advertisements promoting an upcoming concert show featuring Lesley Gore, and I was amazed at that time to learn and see that she was still going, and going great and strong. I did not see that show for some reason that I cannot even remember, but now I wish I had.

When loved ones pass away, it seems the appropriate thing that almost everyone will say is 'Rest In Peace' and I myself am one of those who've done this as well over the years, but not any longer.

The last thing I would really wish for someone who passes is to rest...I say forget about all that crap, “Raise A Ruckus” and have yourself a Party.

Finally there has been some mention of a memoir in the works, but not much else as far as details. I would imagine something like this coming out eventually, and whenever it does, it will be an interesting life to read about.


Here's a list of Lesley's Albums

  1. I'll Cry If I Want To – 1963
  2. Lesley Gore Sings of Mixed-Up Hearts – 1963
  3. Boys, Boys, Boys – 1964
  4. Girl Talk – 1964
  5. My Town, My Guy & Me - 1965
  6. Lesley Gore Sings All About Love – 1966
  7. California Nights – 1967
  8. Magic Colors – 1967
  9. Someplace Else Now – 1972
  10. Love Me by Name – 1976
  11. The Canvas Can Do Miracles – 1982
  12. Ever Since – 2005

Most of these will be hard to find, but they are worth searching for. There are of course numerous other compilation albums that give you all of her hits and other singles, but if you don't get the real albums, you're really missing something special.

In the days ahead, there will be for sure, numerous articles about Lesley and hopefully they will provide you with more information than I am able to, this article is really more of a tribute to her on my behalf.


Please feel free to post links with better information in the comments section below, much appreciated.

Monday, February 16, 2015

For Those About Chris Slade - We Salute You!

How many musicians can you name that have played and recorded with Tom Jones, Manfred Mann's Earth Band, Denny Laine, Uriah Heep, David Gilmour, The Firm, and AC/DC and many others?

Well, if I did not mention AC/DC, you probably could not name such a person. As it is, AC/DC has been in the news for months, mostly about their new album “Rock or Bust” and most recently, about their Feb. 8th performance at the Grammy's.

Chris Slade is the well traveled, man of the world and probably the only musician to have played with so many other great artists.

Chris will be filling in for longtime AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd. Phil is embroiled in a mess of personal legal troubles that prevent him from working with the band at this time, and AC/DC have called on Chris Slade to fill in for the band's upcoming world tour in support of “Rock or Bust.”

This is no surprise, Chris Slade worked with the group years ago, recorded with them 'The Razor's Edge” and toured with them, so bringing him back was an obvious choice.

For fans everywhere, this is good news.

Welcome back Chris!