What firehills want

I got following items from Amazon in December.

CDs:

Living with War - Raw/Neil Young
This new LWW version includes the original mixes done the day of each session, with no choir and no remixing. Attached DVD includes documentaries of each session and LWW news like CNN.

Good As I Been To You/Bob Dylan
I don't keep in hand now, so I bought it. Dylan studied harry Smith's "Anthology of American Folk Music" and released this in 1992.

Dr.John Plays Mac Rebeback/Dr.John
Right Place, Right Time-Live at Tipitina's Mardi Gras '89/Dr.John
Mercernary/Dr.John
3 CDs of Dr.John. First one includes his piano solo, which is very impressive.

DVDs:

To Tulsa and Back- On Tour with J.J.Cale
JJ's documentary film, which was made during tours in the U.S. in 2004. It includes many accoustic version by JJ and interviews.

Live at Montreux 1980/1974/Van Morrison
I will go to Kissimee, Florida from tommorrow, 4 night. I got a ticket of his only concert in Florida in the begining of the year. I saw van Morrison only in DVD up to now. They are "Last Waltz" and "Wonderland Concert 1977". Latter is with Dr.John on piano, which has a good value, doesn't it? "Live at Austin City Festival" which can be got in live site only before but now we can get through his official site.

I think my favorites hasn't changed so many years. The other day, I talked with my colleage about my favourits. He said "It's classic!". But It's OK, I don't mind at all.

971 The River

I usually listen to CDs, MP3 player or The River(97.1), classic FM station in Atlanta. No DJ, no introduction of songs and no Cm for 52 minutes per hour. We can hear streaming. I like it.

These are playing list in the morning on Dec 25.

7:25 a.m. Cocaine
Eric Clapton - tour dates rate it | hear it
ringtone | CD
7:19 a.m. Tiny Dancer
Elton John - tour dates rate it | hear it
ringtone | CD
Looking for an ad you heard?
7:10 a.m. Fame
David Bowie rate it | hear it
ringtone | CD
7:05 a.m. Turn The Page
Bob Seger - tour dates rate it | hear it
ringtone | CD
7:01 a.m. Lola
Kinks rate it | hear it
ringtone | CD
6:57 a.m. Good Times Roll
Cars rate it | hear it
ringtone | CD
6:53 a.m. Already Gone
Eagles rate it | hear it
ringtone | CD
6:48 a.m. Gold Dust Woman
Fleetwood Mac rate it | hear it
ringtone | CD
Looking for an ad you heard?
6:40 a.m. Born To Run
Bruce Springsteen rate it | hear it
ringtone | CD
6:36 a.m. School's Out
Alice Cooper rate it | hear it
ringtone | CD
6:32 a.m. Urgent
Foreigner - tour dates rate it | hear it
ringtone | CD
6:29 a.m. Brown Eyed Girl
Van Morrison - tour dates rate it | hear it
ringtone | CD
6:24 a.m. Peace Of Mind
Boston rate it | hear it
ringtone | CD
6:21 a.m. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Elton John - tour dates rate it | hear it
ringtone | CD
Looking for an ad you heard?
6:10 a.m. Sweet Home Alabama
Lynyrd Skynyrd - tour dates rate it | hear it
ringtone | CD
6:05 a.m. Southern Cross
Crosby, Stills & Nash rate it | hear it
ringtone | CD
6:02 a.m. Live And Let Die
Paul McCartney rate it | hear it
ringtone | CD
5:58 a.m. Beast Of Burden
Rolling Stones rate it | hear it
ringtone | CD
5:54 a.m. Dream Weaver
Gary Wright - tour dates rate it | hear it
ringtone | CD
5:51 a.m. I Won't Back Down
Tom Petty rate it | hear it
ringtone | CD
Looking for an ad you heard?
5:42 a.m. Behind Blue Eyes
Who - tour dates rate it | hear it
ringtone | CD
5:34 a.m. Paradise By The Dashboard Light
Meatloaf - tour dates rate it | hear it
ringtone | CD
5:31 a.m. Have You Ever Seen The Rain
Creedence Clearwater Revival

St. Simons Island, Georgia

Even on Xmas eve I went to St. Simons Island for business trip, through I-75 and I-16(pic 1). Passing Macon, day broke. Macon is called "Heart of Georgia" because it is the center of Georgia geographically. For me "Macon" is the birth place of The Allman Brothers Band, where there was Capricorn Records. Duane Allman was born in Nashville, Tennessee, the band was born in Florida in 1969 but moved to Macon soon.　I didn't stop in Macon unfortunately. I arrived St. Simons Island at 12 pm. I had a lunch at Buba Garcia's, Mexican restaurant. Then I had some business here and moved to Jesup. next stop was far away via GA-520/US-82, on which I was stopped by police. Wow! Maybe I was at 70 miles on 55 miles road. But fortunately policeman gave me a warning (pic 2) only. 700 miles a day on this day, which was my longest drive a day.

Blue Ridge, Georgia

On Dec 23, I made a business trip to Blue Ridge, Georgia, via GA-140, I-575 and GA-515 for around 2 hours from my apartment. It was a small town but people was so kind. I got lost my way and asked a man in a bank, he told me the way with good-fellowship smile at me. After my business I had a lunch at a Chinese restaurant. I was surprised to see Chinese restaurant here in north Georgia. It seemed no Japanese restaurant. Chinese people and Chinese food is great. Pic is I-575 North.

firehills went to Dallas, Texas

I went to Dallas, Texas on Wednesday for business trip. I got up at 4am! I parked my car at Park & Ride in Heartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and got on Delta Airlines. I had to get my shoes off even in domestic air fright. What a pain! It was raining in Dallas. I visited some of my customers and went back to Dallas Fort-worth International Airport, got on Delta again, came back to Atlanta at around 10:30pm and arrived my apartment after 11pm. It's a hard schedule, so no time to visit anywhere, no time to see ZZ Top's live. I didn't know they performed in Dallas on that day. Of course, it was a business.

Bea's Best Atlanta-2nd round

It has been from 45F to 70F this week in Atlanta, which has been a golfing day everyday. Of course I has been working on weekdays and I went to my office on Saturday, so I played only today, on Sunday. I usually look for public courses at Atlantagolfer.com, and I found Crooked Creek GC in Alpharetta. However when I arrived at the course, a man in the pro shop told me this was a semi-public and visitors couldn't play at weekend. So I went to the course nearby I knew, which was Bear's Best Atlanta, same as last week.

I arrived at around 8:30am, but the start was delayed due to frost. The driving range was opened after 9am. I practiced about 50 balls and checked in at 9:50am. Shotgun start from 18th hole. My driver was terrible at front nine but it started to work at back nine. 54 and 45, total 99 was a little bit unsatisfactory but I could find something in today's round. Today I found some female fore caddies here. Unfortunately they didn't join us. I will sure to come to this course next time. I'm sure...

India Pale Ale by Sweetwater Brewing Company

I like bitter and dry beer, espacially ale. I had a Indai Pale Ale of Sweetwater Brewing Company last night. This is really bitter. If you like it, Coors or Bud is a kind of just water.

Neil Young's Xmas Song

Up to now it seems Neil Young doesn't have a Xmas song. However he wrote some songs with the word "winter", which are;

Here for You/Prarie Wind
Journey Through The Past/Time Fades Away
Little Wing/Hawks and Doves
No Wonder/Prarie Wind
Turbine(a.k.a.: "Winter Winds")/Unreleased
Whatever Happened To Saturday Night/a.k.a.: "Saturday Night"/Buffalo Springfield Box Set
Winterlong/Decade & Crazy Horse at the Fillmore 1970 [CD/DVD]

One more. Not his own song, but he took a part of lead vocal on "Greensleeves", whivh is in his contribution to Ben Keith & Friends/Seven Gates: A Christmas Album.

Bob Dylan's Xmas Song

Bob Dylan hasn't recorded any Xmas song. Is it right? No. Here it is. "Three Angeles" in "New Morning". He wrote "They've been there since Christmas morn". "They" mean three angels. He told session musicains during recording that he wrote this song because he saw the Xmas decoration at a church, according to "Down The Highway-The Life of Bob Dylan". This is only song which he uses the word "Christmas", isn't it?

Three Angels

First Release
New Morning
1970

Three angels up above the street,
Each one playing a horn,
Dressed in green robes with wings that stick out,
They've been there since Christmas morn.
The wildest cat from Montana passes by in a flash,
Then a lady in a bright orange dress,
One U-Haul trailer, a truck with no wheels,
The Tenth Avenue bus going west.
The dogs and pigeons fly up and they flutter around,
A man with a badge skips by,
Three fellas crawlin' on their way back to work,
Nobody stops to ask why.
The bakery truck stops outside of that fence
Where the angels stand high on their poles,
The driver peeks out, trying to find one face
In this concrete world full of souls.
The angels play on their horns all day,
The whole earth in progression seems to pass by.
But does anyone hear the music they play,
Does anyone even try?

Copyright © 1970 Big Sky Music

Unplugged/Neil Young

I got VHS of Unplugged/ Neil Young through Amazon's Market Place. But I don't have a VHS player, I don't have a time to got to buy it, I was considering which DVD/VHS player/recorder I should buy. One of my friends in Japan is a fan of Nicolette Larson, and he is asking me to burn it to DVD and send to Japan. Anyway I found VHS player in my office fortunately, I watched it this evening. Color is very well because this is an official recording. I wonder why this is not released in DVD. This is a rare item which we can watch Nicolette Larson or Nils Lofgren.

1. The Old Laughing Lady
2. Mr. Soul
3. World On A String
4. Pocahontas
5. Stringman
6. Like A Hurricane
7. Needle And The Damage Done
8. Helpless
9. Harvest Moon
10. Transformer Man
11. Unknown Legend
12. Look Out For My Love
13. Long May You Run
14. From Hank To Hendrix

The Band
Neil Young:Lead Vocal, Guitar, Harmonica, Piano, Pump Organ
Nils Lofgren:Vocals, Guitar, Autoharp, Accordion
Astrid Young:Vocals
Nicolette Larson:Vocals
Ben Keith:Dobro
Spooner Oldham:Piano, Pump organ
Tim Drummond:Bass Guitar
Oscar Butterworth:Drums
Larry Cragg:Broom on "Harvest Moon"

Posted at 9:45pm, Dec 11, 2006 in Atlanta

Bear's Best Atlanta

On Sunday, I went to play golf at Bear's Best Atlanta. All holes are designed same as famouse holes designed by Jack Nikulaus. Another Bear's Best is in Las Vegas.

I arrived at 8:30am but nobody there because of frost delay. I went to pro-shop at 9am but I was told to came back at 10:15-10:30. I waited for more than 1 hour and checked in. Play fee was $105 including cart. We have to wait another 1 hour to start. Driving range was opened after 11am. While I practiced, fore-caddie came to see me. There are no fore-caddie in Japan, and my experience in the U.S. to have a fore-caddie was only in Pebble Beach and Riviera.

We tee-offed at 11:40am from 10th hole, blue tee, 6447 yards. This was the best course I have ever played in Atlanta. Fairways and greens are perfect in this winter season. I could not enjoy each hole because I lost 2 balls in front nine, scored 49. But I could survived and scored 46 in back nine. Total 95 was not too bad for me in this tough course. Playing partners were so nice, one was a lawyer and the other was an African-American and he scored maybe 70s.

Picture is 11th hole, par 3, 185 yards. I shot with 4 iron and hit green but unbelievably back spinned and my ball went to water.

Van Morrison at Silver Spurs Arena At Osceola Heritage Park Kissimmee, FL

I got a ticket of Van Morrison at Silver Spurs Arena At Osceola Heritage Park Kissimmee, FL on Jan 2, 2007. $177 with all included through Ticketmaster.com. I don't know I can take holidays at the beginning of 2007, but I have to go.

Augusta National Golf Club

I went to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for business trip last week. On the way to Myrtle Beach, I visited August National Golf Club, off I-20 at Washington Rd on Dec 5. I could not find the entrance easily because sign was very small and it said just "Members Only". Of course I could not go in. These are photos I took from the parking on opposite side. I really want to play here in Augusta (maybe impossible).

Sugar Creek Golf & Tennis

On Dec 3, I went to Sugar Creek Golf & Tennis which was owned by Dekalb County. When I arrived at the course at around 7:30 am, there were only 2-3 cars in the parking. I asked at the pro-shop but she said that due to frost delay, start would be after 9 am. I checked in at 8:30am with payment of $27 only. I started at 9:10am for the first party, but I was alone with walking. I don't mind if I am alone on the golf course because I am real golf nuts. From blue tees with 6318 yards par 71. I was surprised that this course was really nice, very flat, easy to walk, tall trees separate each hole, really good course. I don't know why Atlanta City doesn't have this kind of good course. I made 49-43 with 38 putts. With 38 putts at 92, my shots seemed really nice.

Because I was alone, I finished 18 holes in just 3 hours. I recommend this course to average golfers like me, because it is very very flat, with very good green and fairway's condition, only $27 play fee by walk, good exercise.

Alfred "Tup" Holmes Golf Course

On Dec 2, I went to Alfred "Tup" Holmes Golf Course, which is owned by Atlanta City. This is the last course of Atlanta City municipal course with 18 holes I played . In the trees, it seems very hilly. When I checked in, I saw start book but almost empty. I was told to start alone soon because nobody here. This is a debut round of my new Callaway wedge and bag. 6159 yards, par 72, back tees. 52-50, woo!. It is unexpectedly hilly which I can not know even in Google Earth.

This course was built in 1940 and it was the site of Civilian War. I was thinking about myself who was playing golf on the ground making myself at home (to be honest, I didn't think such things because I was just looking my balls under trees).

Saturday Night Live - 25 Years of Musical Performances, Volume 2 Live

I got Saturday Night Live - 25 Years of Musical Performances, Volume 2 Live in Amazon's market place, which includes Neil Young's "No More". Recoreded at Sep 30, 1989. I bought this only because Young's tune.

Callaway's wedge, Stand Bag and

I got these stuff the other day.

1.Callaway RH-X Tour Wedge Vintage Mens Sand 56°-13°(Bounce) Steel S300
I like Callaway. I used to use Nike's wedge, but after I got this, my clubs are all Callaway's.

2.Callaway Terra Firma Xi Stand Bag Black
Nike's stand bag I bought in 1999 in California has sunburned, fasteners was broken, etc. I have to buy new one. I usually walk on the golf course, so stand bag is necessary.

The Harry Smith Project: The Anthology Of American Folk Music Revisited

I got "The Harry Smith Project: "The Anthology Of American Folk Music Revisited (2 CD/2 DVD BOX SET)" from Amazon. Harry Smith's "Anthology of American Folk Music" is the album which Bob Dylan was very interested in around 1960, before his debut. Harry Smith was an ethnologist, born in 1923 in Portland, Oregon, and in the end of his 20s, collected 78 EPs of 1920s, 1930s blues, hillbilly, folk songs, spiritual or instrumentals. He edited them to 6 LPs, with classification of Ballads, Social Music, Songs and released them in 1952 from Folkways Record.

"The Harry Smith Project: The Anthology Of American Folk Music Revisited (2 CD/2 DVD BOX SET)" is named "Revisited" and recorded live performance of "The Hal Wilner's Harry Smith Project Concert" in London, New York, and Los Angeles in 1999 and 2001. Performers are Beck, Kate& Anna McGarrigle, Garth Hudson, Geoff Muldaur, Van Dyke Parks, or Lou Reed, etc. I like it, but Hal Wilner should have invited Bob Dylan.

Three Neil Young Albums

I ordered VHS of Neil Young's "Unplugged" in Amazon's market place. I love this CD but no official video. It is one of rare videos which Nicolette Larson sings. Caption seems to be in German, I wonder it was released in the U.S. or not.

Second, I ordered "Living with War Law". Without chorus, this is a pure Rock'n Roll version of previously released "Living eith War".

Third, "Saturday Night Live - 25 Years of Musical Performances", Volume 2 Live" in market place too. Young sings "No More"of his album's "Freedom". I ordered it only because Young's song.

Fourth, I got a bootleg, "Neil Young with Gone with The Wind Orchestra" which my friends in Japan sent me. Set list is here.

Brown's Mill Golf Course

Just after 1200 miles driving to Mississippi and Alabama, I went to Brown's Mill Golf Course on Sunday, Nov 26. It is only because I am real golf nuts, or golf dependency. Anyway, this is one of Atlanta City municipal courses. Atlanta City has four 18-holes munis. This is the third course for me to play. I usually arrives golf course at around 8am. I check in at 8am, and I find almost no reservation here especially in the morning time. An African-American woman in the pro-shop tells me to start anytime. I start with 2 sum of Americans. I usually walk. They walk as well. Starting from blue tees, 6539 yards, par 72. This course is in a hilly terrain in Atlanta City, but very very flat and walkable. Not many trees, no lost balls. I believe this is the best municipal course in Atlanta to play for average golfers like me.

However, my driver shots are terrible. I satisfy only 3 driver shots. 49-44-93 with 28 putts. Score is average but putts is like pro!

Choctaw, Biloxi in Mississippi and Orange Beach in Alabama

Firehills made business trip to Choctaw, Biloxi in Mississippi and Orange Beach in Alabama during Thanks Giving holiday. Why in Thanks Giving? Because I am a temporary bachelor here in Atlanta and I had to learn about our market. Our company sells a kind of consumer products, and casinos are one of good potential customers for us. Other than holidays, I can't go far away from Atlanta. I left Atlanta with my colleague on last Thursday morning and arrived Choctaw in Mississippi after a lo---ng drive. On Friday we went to Biloxi at Gulf Coast. Some casinos were still closed. There were almost nothing along the Beach road. I was surprised damage by Katrina still existted after 1 year. But there was a extremely beautiful beach! Then on Saturday, we went to Orange Beach in Alabama. This town also has a beautiful beach. On Saturday, after another long drive of 400 miles, I arrived my apartment. It was a long holiday. To be honest, I lost $4 only at casino in Choctaw. I spent most of the time for business. I'm sure.
Pics are Silver Moon Casino& Hotel in Choctaw, firehills at Biloxi, and Orange Beach in Alabama.

Jesse Winchecter sings about Biloxi;

Biloxi

Down around Biloxi
Pretty girls are swimming in the sea
Oh they look like sisters in the ocean
The boy will fill his pail with salted water
And the storms will blow from off towards New Orleans

The sun shines on Biloxi
The air is filled with vapors from the sea
And the boy will dig a pool beside the ocean
He sees creatures from a dream under the water
And the sun will set from off towards New Orleans

The stars can see Biloxi
The stars can find their faces in the sea
We are walking in the evening by the ocean
We are splashing naked in the water
And the sky is red from off towards New Orleans

©1970 Jesse Winchester
From the LP “Jesse Winchester”

Neil Young sings about Alabama;

Alabama

Oh Alabama
The devil fools
with the best laid plan.
Swing low Alabama
You got spare change
You got to feel strange
And now the moment
is all that it meant.

Alabama, you got
the weight on your shoulders
That's breaking your back.
Your Cadillac
has got a wheel in the ditch
And a wheel on the track

Oh Alabama
Banjos playing
through the broken glass
Windows down in Alabama.
See the old folks
tied in white ropes
Hear the banjo.
Don't it take you down home?

Alabama, you got
the weight on your shoulders
That's breaking your back.
Your Cadillac
has got a wheel in the ditch
And a wheel on the track

Oh Alabama.
Can I see you
and shake your hand.
Make friends down in Alabama.
I'm from a new land
I come to you
and see all this ruin
What are you doing Alabama?
You got the rest of the union
to help you along
What's going wrong?

From the album "Harvest" 1972