Archive for October, 2008

Crazy Eights (80 & 08): Phils Win!

Posted on: October 29th, 2008 by Geoff Livingston

vWAZjLwO.jpgThe team of my youth won their second world series title in 125 years of existence and the second in my lifetime. The Phillies have won the world series!

Congratulations to all of my friends and family in Philadelphia! They were literally screaming with joy when I called them last night. Even though I root for the Nats now, I could not help but fall into my old ways and root passionately for my team of yore these past weeks.

This win reminded me of 1980 when the Phillies won it. And in ’83 when I went to game four of the losing series against the Orioles, and saw my team crushed. Of 82 when at the Vet I saw Ozzie Virgil hit a homer and power the Phils to a tied up the playoff series against the Expos, then lose game 5 in Montreal. Yes, those Phillies of Rose, Schmidt, Boone, Carlton, McGraw, McBride, Maddox, Bowa, Trillo, and role players like Perez, Morgan, Denny, McCarver and Matthews.

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My dad was managing editor of the Philadelphia Daily News back then and I was privy to many games at first base side. He literally helped choose the We Win headline in 1980 in the wee hours of the morning! How fortunate I was back then.

Then when I was in college the Phillies where terrible, but their red neck, mullett wearing team of ’93 — John Kruk, Dykstra, Daulton and Schilling — powered their way miraculously to the 93 series. Then Mitch WIlliams committed atrocity and blew it all for them.

Ahh, the memories. Thank you Charlie Manuel, Howard, Hamels, Moyer, Lidge, Rollins, Utley and co for giving my hometown this precious gift.

Popularity: 7% [?]

Black Crowes Rock the 9:30 Club

Posted on: October 25th, 2008 by Geoff Livingston
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The Black Crowes came to the legendary 9:30 club tonight, and delivered an outstanding performance. Known as a jam band with southern flair, they delivered a workmanlike performance.

Their music was tight, their seasoned approach strong. Overall, I thought they did an outstanding job. Like Radiohead last summer, the Crowes showed a very strong melodic balance and also avoided playing too much of their early music, which vaunted them into the music scene, but at the same time is probably too simplistic for the more mature band in its current incarnation.

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That’s where the similarities end. The Crowes have a strong southern flair to them, with lots of outstanding slide guitar. There were moments with great long jams and dueling guitars. And the 9:30 club was really the ideal venue to see this band. It allowed them to thrive in an intimate setting.

Perhaps most impressive was the way the Crowes played as an 8 person band rather than a vehicle for two famous Robinson brothers. It was clear the music superseded egos with the reunited band.

Full photo set here.

Popularity: 9% [?]

Contraband!

Posted on: October 20th, 2008 by Geoff Livingston 2 Comments

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It kind of feels silly going to the airport like this. But I’m packing 21 copies of Now Is Gone in my duffel bag so I don’t get hit up for an extra $50 at the baggage counter.

Looking forward to speaking to small businesses on social media in Atlanta tomorrow night. More than 150 are expected in attendance! And my personal blog mentor Toby Bloomberg and friend Shashi Bellamkonda will be on the panel with me! Should be a blast!

Popularity: 6% [?]