Welcome to the my Web site, v. XII. The blog is typically published Monday - Saturday. My primary topics tend to be the Nats, Penn State (esp. football), BeltwayLand, transportation, media, photos and more. The rest of the site gets updated as warranted and is noted on the blog.
Earworms on Radio Lab - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Earworms on Radio Lab
The latest edition of Radio Lab, a public radio program from WNYC featured locally on WAMU at 6 p.m. on Saturday, focused on pop music. Of particular interest is the segment about earworms -- songs that get stuck in your head. I have not listened to it yet, but look forward to when I get a little downtime.
My current earworm is "Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On)" by Robert Plant and Alison Krauss. I love the rhythm guitar.
Nats: Which is more annoying? - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Nats: Which is more annoying?
In the last week it has been a cause célèbre in the blogosphere and elsewhere to dump on the song "Nuts About the Nats", (courtesy of Eliot In the Morning) created by p.a. announcer emeritus Charlie Brotman. A few blogs, which I won't bother to link to because I'm busy and don't want to reward bad behavior, have really gone off on it. The song, which strikes me as bland and seemingly inoffensive, has been called a train wreck and abortion; some have said they'll boycott Nats games over it. They also a lot of f-bombs flying around to make the point. OMG. You. Guys. Are. So. Baaaaad. Do you wear baseball caps sideways and use only one backpack strap too?
Anyway, I may be a little biased because Brotman is such a good guy. I profiled him back in 2005 and during my interview with him, he told me about a song that he was coming up with over 50 years ago when he was trying to figure what the first AL team's official nickname should be; it had lyrics similar to the ones in "Nuts About the Nats." I also met Brotman at the press conference announcing the Lerner group as the new owners.
As for the song, I kind of want it to stay since I have to listen to "In Da Club," "Twilight Zone," "Don't Stop Believin'," "Livin' On a Prayer," "Bring 'em Out, Bring 'em Out" I figure others should have to deal with something they don't like.
The other annoying thing is the constant articles about attendance. The team averaged over 29,000 for the month of April. That isn't great, but given the miscalculation by the Nats on getting to the ballpark and ticket prices, it isn't bad. It is all going to work out and they will have a solid total overall.
So, which is more annoying to you, the whining about "Nuts About the Nats" or the whining about the attendance?
Music Tuesday: Buddy Holly - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Music Tuesday: Buddy Holly
Can you believe this song came out 14 years ago?
This song just reminds me of summertime, driving around with windows down. Weezer has done nerd-rock as well as anyone ever did. Now, find me my copy of Windows95 so I can install this on my hard-drive.
If you were hoping for the real Buddy Holly, here he is:
Two for Music Tuesday: Sleepwalk - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Two for Music Tuesday: Sleepwalk
After posting about the need for Danny Gatton music at Nationals games, I feel that this week's Music Tuesday should include something by him. I've gone ahead and included a video of his version of Sleepwalk.
It is quite a more intense approach than the Santo & Johnny original which I am including as well.
I used to always play this when I would eat at the 29 Tastee Diner in Fairfax after a long night of work at now-defunct Friendly's in Oakton. I know, foolish consistency, hobgoblins, etc. I don't think I could stomach the food there again, too much grease, but I really enjoyed it at the time.
Danny Gatton needs to be played at Nats games - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Monday, March 24, 2008
Danny Gatton needs to be played at Nats games
I am kind of embarrassed that it took me four seasons to think of this -- there needs to be some Danny Gatton songs played at Nationals games.
Gatton, a native Washingtonian, was a virtuoso guitarist who pioneered "redneck jazz" in D.C. clubs during the 1980s. Guitar magazine called him the "World's Greatest Unknown Guitarist." Sadly, he killed himself in 1994 for reasons that were never determined. His fame is probably greater in death than it was in life.
"Fingers on Fire" (heard in the background of this video) would be a great addition to middle inning contests, etc. I'm sure "Funky Mama" (below) could be worked in as well.
It is not too late to write-in Danny Gatton (while selecting Bustin' Loose and Heart for the home run and 7th inning stretch song, respectively) on the Nats You Make the Call form. The movement starts now!
The right song is leading. I'm kind of surprised that Kernkraft 400 is so low.
7th Inning Stretch Song Leaders
Shout by Otis Day and The Knights
Twist and Shout by The Beatles
Build Me Up Buttercup by The Foundations
You Gotta Have Heart by Damn Yankees The Musical
September by Earth Wind and Fire
The Gambler by Kenny Rogers
YMCA by the Village People
Rock Me Gently by Andy Kim
Meh. Most of these are nonsensical and only Heart (the real name) makes sense.
Victory Song Leaders
Beautiful Day by U2
Celebration by Kool And The Gang
Dancing In The Streets by Martha Reeves and the Vandelas
How Do You Like Me Now by Toby Keith
Rock and Roll Part 2 by Gary Glitter
Again, nothing special, but I'm glad Rock and Roll Part 2 is last. The song was overplayed a decade before Glitter was convicted of being a pederast. I think the "Throne Room" from Star Wars would work.
As long as Sweet Caroline has been relegated to the trash heap, I'm happy.
# posted by Fritz :
Thursday, March 20, 2008 8:56:00 AM
We gotta get Heart back to the top!
# posted by Kristen :
Thursday, March 20, 2008 11:23:00 AM
Post a CommentMusic Tuesday: Life in Mono - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Music Tuesday: Life in Mono
I'm starting a new feature called Music Tuesday. Basically, I will post a YouTube video of a song I like and tell you about it.
This week's entry is "Life in Mono" by Mono. It was their only hit, appearing in 1997's Great Expectations, a movie I never saw. The duo featured Siobhan de Maré, who sang, and Martin Virgo who did everything else. This is easy my favorite harpsichord song.
Sadly, this feature will probably never be as good as Monkey Tuesday.
Nats say they will let fans pick the songs - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Nats say they will let fans pick the songs
Staring at 9 a.m. tomorrow, on nationals.com, fans will be able to vote for the songs to be played during following a Nats Home Run, Take Me Out to the Ballgame, and at the end of victories. Some cliched suggestions are included, but not Sweet Caroline -- progress! I don't mind that song in general, but the Red Sox alreday use it. If they are going to rip-off someone else's idea, I'd go for Brass Bonzanza (old Hartford Whalers theme) after homers. However, there are a couple of selections that are quite appropriate for Washington's baseball team. These are so obviously right, they should just be included period.
My suggestions:
Following Take Me Out to the Ballgame - "Heart" from the musical Damn Yankees
They can even shorten it up, just do something.
After a home run - "Bustin' Loose" by D.C.'s own, the godfather of go-go, Chuck Brown (would work for 7th inning as well)
I don't have much of an opinion on what should be played after a win.
During pregame, commercial breaks, etc., Heart ought to be played on an organ. Some Duke Ellington ought to be included as well.
Now aren't those better than the cliches we hear at every other sporting event? Do you part to keep us from an onslaught and crappy country music and hip hop and vote for Heart and Bustin' Loose.
By the way, the contest is called "You Make the Call" which makes me think of the old IBM/NFL commercials which, tragically, are absent from YouTube. Oh well, we all know the answer: a touchback!
earworm, RadioLab, Robert Plant, Alison Krauss
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