The College Crowd Digs Me

"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

7 Favorite  Books  I  Read  In  2018 Every book is a new book if you haven't read it yet!   And so, let us begin. Case Histories - Kate Atkinson (2005) A detective explores three cold cases that span over 30 years and finds each intertwines in unusual and compelling ways.  It's a clever mystery that's unique in the telling with a tight satisfying payoff. The Stand: The Complete & Uncut Edition - Stephen King (1978 /1990) There are plenty of apocalyptic novels on the bookshelves these days but in 1978...not so many.  In this instance, a doomsday brought on by a government SNAFU.  And just like that..." Whoomp! (There it is.)"   This is the “uncut/unedited” version filled with dozens and dozens of wonderful minutiae scenes that really don't further the story along but does make the telling of this good/evil story all the more compelling. The Stand is widely regarded as the Bob Dylan song of t...

"In L.A., it was The Wrecking Crew. And there was the equivalent in London as well.  I was a part of it." ~ B.J. Cole ~      Session musicians like B.J. Cole may never know when they'll be asked to come into the studio, or who they'll be working with, but the good ones, the very good ones, always know the ask is coming.  From Elton John to David Gilmour.  T. Rex to The Alan Parsons Project.  R.E.M. to Robert Plant.  And it must be a double-edged sword at times.  The anonymity of it all.  Only music aficionados of a particular song or album might know the names of everyone involved in the recording.  Perhaps a blessing and a curse.  But for the last six decades, London's B.J. Cole has been the premier pedal steel guitarist, called on when an artist needs a particular sound and vibe to enhance their song.        B.J. Cole has been adding his unique pedal steel flavors and flares in all the right measures si...

(a short jaunt) "Texan Love Song" - Elton John / "Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player" (1973) I have the gatefold album with the full-color multipage booklet inside.  It's a great one to own for the packaging alone.  You'll find “Daniel” and “Crocodile Rock” here.  “TLS” ...I don't remember.  It's buried on side two (I looked) and probably for good reason.  It's atypical of what we've come to expect.  EJ throws down some mean country swang and belts out enough cowboy sarcasm to drip off your saddle.  Hey, but the song's pretty good.  Does Elton really scream “goddammit” on this record? Twice?  Thrice?  Whatever.  But he sounds a bit like Peyton hollering for Brad Paisley to get off his finger when he does.  This was Elton's 6th album before his blow-up “Goodbye Yellow...” "The Voice" - The Alan Parsons Project / "I Robot" (1977) Sure, the vocoder “voice” sounds b-movie sci-fi.  ...

"Astro-Sounds From Beyond The Year 2000" - 101 Strings (1968 )      "Astro-Sounds From Beyond The Year 2000" is  a collection of psychedelic-tized songs by session guitarist  Jerry Cole and friends .  Most of the tracks on this square are the same songs taken from "The Animated Egg" album a year earlier, along with possible leftover crumbs found on the studio floor.  Only the titles of the songs have been changed...to protect the innocent, of course.  That's the record business for you.  Still, for an early cash-in...it's a pretty good spin.      The album was a 'grab-and-run' from the get-go, filled with songs that were already recorded, probably in a short studio weekend haze, so as to minimize as much overhead as possible.  But that's alright because this square has the fuzz, echoes, reverb, sustain, and other effects that record moguls thought psychedelic freakers wanted.  "Astro Sounds…" is not a great ...

The Outsider  by Stephen King (2018) Hardcover, 561 pages NO SPOILERS: The Outsider is about a terrible murder and a couple of detectives who find themselves caught up in an implausible conundrum of mystery.  The story is sprinkled nicely with a dose of Stephen King creepiness we've all come to love and expect.  It's filled with well-defined characters we care about, and though The Outsider is a bit on the long side...it never feels like the author's pushing. I was totally wrapped up in the story from the get-go and I couldn't wait to read a few more pages whenever I had the chance.  There is also a familiar character who makes an unexpected appearance in this story, but I'll leave that egg for you to discover.  The Outsider is one of King's better offerings and I do believe it has broken into my top-ten SK list.   "The Voice" - Alan Parsons Project / "I Robot" (1977) Good stuff. Casey Chambers Follow Me On FACEBOOK  

"Pyramid" - Alan Parsons Project (1978 )      In 1978, Tutankhamun and the pyramids were a huge buzz.  Definitely the flavor of the year. (Just ask Steve Martin .)  And the Alan Parsons Project  also jumped into the sands, adding their two cents with a "Pyramid" of their own.  And another ear-candy square to enjoy.  This was APP's third album following their killer "Tales of Mystery and Imagination" and "I Robot" and though not as strong, it is still a hoss.  APP released eleven albums total and I have  "Pyramid" slipping into my top favorite five.        The music is mostly chill with a mysterious vibe dusted all around.  A nice spin for the late evenings.  Catchy and clever, the album's concept of death and the great mystery hold together well, and Parsons' fine-tuned production is again outstanding. The instrumentals are cream and the vocals are butter with plenty of subtle and not-so-subtle ef...

"The Age Of Plastic" - Buggles (1980)      Geoff Downes and Trevor Horn were the Buggles .  The duo delivered some cool electronic new wave with a tasty synth-pop bend.  Their first album,  "The Age Of Plastic" has a very cool futuristic aura, but not cold.  The songs thread their way around the room in a spacey, dream-filled fashion with added hints of tension throughout.  Subtle, not jarring.  The mix is sweet with groovy sound effects and the vinyl really brings it all out.  Nothing wasted.  The square is a cool snapshot vibe-of-the-times and it still tastes great.  The album's most famous track, "Video Killed The Radio Star" became a time-stamp for the introduction of video music and is still one of the best pop songs to come out of the eighties.  I never tire of it.  But "The Age Of Plastic" is much more than just that song.  I was surprised by how entertaining this album was.  It's a spin for fun...

"Halloween III: Season Of The Witch" (STK) - John Carpenter (1982 - Rei 2023 )       "Halloween III: Season Of The Witch" is not quite as iconic as the "Halloween" soundtrack, but it doesn't kowtow either.  "Halloween III" has its own eerie, sinister vibes to please the discerning ears.  The synthesizer movements are unnerving and filled with trepidation.  Just another excellent John Carpenter soundtrack with a satisfying replay factor for sure.       And now might be just the right time to keep an eye out for one while the October holiday is still months away.  I grabbed my copy in mid-January at 25% off.  That made my purchase about $27.  If you find one near the $30 mark, you're getting a steal.  I'd recommend keeping the peepers open now. "Halloween III: Season Of The Witch" (STK)  (back) "Halloween III: Season Of The Witch" (STK) (gimmix sleeve & contents) Favorites include: "Halloween III - Seas...