The College Crowd Digs Me

CHICAGO "HALLOWEEN" SONGS 2018 Time on my hand, I thought I would dig around a bit and try to find a few forgotten songs for Halloween.  And I found a few!  Here are 8 really scary Halloween songs from the classic rock band...Chicago. From their latest album - "Chicago 666," of course. "Feelin' Stranger Every Day" "(I've Been) Searchin' So Long (to find an ax-sharpener)" "Saturday in the Morgue" "25 or 6 to Life" "Color My Knife Wounds" "Just You 'n' Me and Plastic Wrap" "Hard Elbow To Break" "Does Anybody Really Know What Crime It Is?" "HAPPY   HALLOWEEN   EVERYBODY!" "Feelin' Stronger Every Day" - Chicago / "Chicago In The Rockies" (1973) Good stuff. Casey Chambers Follow Me On FACEBOOK

"Strip" ...by Thomas Perry (2010) 344 pages NO SPOILERS: This Thomas Perry novel was just a late summer toss read.  Nothing deep.  A story to chew on while waiting for the leaves of autumn to begin changing their clothes.  Just a quick in-and-out. The story revolves around an aging mob boss who learns his strip clubs are getting robbed and the new guy in town he mistakenly fingers for the job. A guy who just wants to eat his sandwich in peace. A guy you shouldn't poke with a stick. There are a few other characters thrown into the mix, each of variable shades of badness and stupid, and to be honest, I found these misfits a lot more interesting.  However, Perry does write some pretty good parlay betwixt them all and throws in a good twist or two to twerk the story along. But at the end of the day, it was really hard to find someone to toss my keys to and drive.  Plus, the story took a couple of louies where I would've preferred the writer ...

"We did a kind of  Simon & Garfunkel thing  for a couple of years." ~ Michael Berryman ~ Names can be hard to remember, but a face one never forgets.  Michael Berryman gives good face.  And he knows it. He has appeared in over 100 films and television ranging from cult horror frights and Oscar-winning dramas to even adding a touch of strange to Eminem videos.  Michael Berryman is one of a handful of actors that always give the audience a delight simply by letting the camera catch his beautifully different, wonderfully unique features. For over 40 years, Michael Berryman has been thrilling audiences on the screen with his evil, insane ways. So synonymous has he become with the horror genre, that Berryman is often asked to cameo simply tongue-in-cheek!  It works either way.  Audiences love him. As I said, Michael Berryman gives good face.  Go get you some. Michael Berryman Interview -- October 2018 Michael Berryman Case...

"The Martian" ...by Andy Weir (2014) 369 pages NO SPOILERS: I knew I would get around to reading this book eventually,  so I've avoided the movie and trailers as best I could.  (I love movies, but hey, I'm a book man. 'Whadyagonnado?') Anyway, about "The Martian."   Come to find out, maybe a Bunsen burner chemistry class or two...or three might pay off in spades.  Add a solid math background to help work the numbers out and a talent for “thinking outside the box" and you just might get back to Earth in time to watch the next season of "Game of Thrones."   Now let's be honest.  With all of the above in your wheelhouse and an unlimited supply of Ramen Noodle Soup, you'd still find yourself doing a whole lot of finger-crossing.  And we're right there with him the whole time.  Astronaut Mark Watney. When a mission goes unexpectedly bad for the Mars expedition team, Watney finds himself alone, mistakenly left behin...

HERE'S AN IDEA "Evil Roy Slade" (1972)...is a made-for-television comedy Western filled with silly one-liners and sight gags that predates "Blazing Saddles" by two years. And though not nearly as good, " Evil Roy Slade" has still become somewhat of a campy cult classic. John Astin plays the main character, Slade ... "Sneaking, Lying, Arrogant, Dirty and Evil" ...abandoned at birth and raised by vultures. And he valiantly tries to change his “evil” ways when he falls for a pretty customer while robbing a bank. "Evil Roy Slade" (1972) Evil Roy mugs the camera more than Gomez  from "The Addams Family."  But that's okay.  There are plenty of other comedy actors cracking-wise and mostly giving Astin a good run for his mugging money.  There is also a young Larry Hankin as one of Slade's henchmen who simply makes every scene better just being in it.  (See Larry Hankin interview) For rock fans, ...

Taj Mahal  -----  "Taj Mahal" (1968) Electric blues, Chicago blues Debut album.  On Columbia (early 70s Rei) 8 tracks Horse Head Vinyl..."Dig and Spin" Let's face it.  Performing on the infamous "Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus"  (1968) didn't hurt none.  And brought some fiery "oomph" to plenty of new ears once the show was finally released.  That's where I first got on the train. So when I finally stumbled upon Taj Mahal's self-titled debut album earlier this spring, I was reminded of that show and threw down my money. I'm well aware expectations can throw a listener a nasty curve sometimes, but that was not the case here. Taj Mahal hit that comfortable sweet spot and has become one of my go-to albums when I need a blues-rock fix. "Taj Mahal" - Taj Mahal (back cover) Taj sings with joy while working the harp and making his guitar slide on ice. And I'm becoming a bigger fan of J...

"I, Robot" ... by Isaac Asimov (1950) 192 pages NO SPOILERS: "I, Robot" is a wickedly smart and entertaining collection of stories that revolve around Asimov's famously clever,  "Three Laws of Robotics." (Google it.) And though it is not a complete novel...(I always assumed it was)...the shorter stories are so tightly woven around that robot premise...it makes very little difference. The scope of Asimov's robotic worlds are infinite and I found myself smiling and nodding my head with respect while turning pages.  For a story written nearly 70 years ago...the prophetic importance will still give you chills. I may be late to the party, but I'll certainly help the host clean up.  This is a most enjoyable read. Pick up Isaac Asimov's, "I Robot" and be surprised! "The Voice" - Alan Parsons Project / "I Robot" (1977) Good stuff. Casey Chambers Follow Me On FACEBOOK