Bob Dylan - Visions of Johanna (1966)

Bob Dylan - Visions of Johanna [Shelter From the Norm]

Dock Ellis & the LSD No-No

I caught part of the ESPN 30 For 30 documtary, Straight Outta L.A., the Ice Cube-directed film focusing on the connections between the Los Angeles Raiders and gangsta rap in the 1980s. The animated scenes were so distinct that there could only be one source: James Blagden and No Mas. Famous for the Dock Ellis piece posted above (right click and select 'Show All' to resize), Blagden's animation is unlike anything I've ever seen and has such a unique style that it's actually refreshing to watch the creativity unfold.

This short is about Dock Ellis, who pitched for the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1970s and who could accurately be described as somewhat of a character. In addition to pitching this no-hitter while on acid, he also played a role in the following incidents:

- attempting to hit every batter in the Cincinnati Reds line-up

- being maced by a security guard at Riverfront Stadium

- beaning Reggie Jackson in the face in retaliation for an All-Star game home run

Dock Ellis is punk.

Ridiculous Ad: Dobie (1980s)

Harry Nilsson - Marching Down Broadway (1969)

Harry Nilsson - Marching Down Broadway [I Love Short Songs]

Maradona good; Pele better; George Best

There has always been a debaucherous nature associated with athletes, but Georgie Best took it to the extreme. He was as famous for his three main vices (booze, women and gambling) as he was for his soccer. And this is someone who Pele once called "the greatest player in the world."

After making his name at Manchester United, Best left at the age of 27 and was never able to reclaim the same level of glory again. The man from Northern Ireland, known as the Fifth Beatle, continued to play the game, bouncing all around the globe, including a long stay in the United States playing in the NASL. His demons would come and go, but the stories were always there. Here are some of the more interesting tidbits of Best's life:

- Debuted at Manchester United at 17

- Was the 1968 European footballer of the year

- Opened two Manchester night clubs in the 1960s and eventually owned a bar in Hermosa

- Ran numerous clothing boutiques in Manchester

- Womanizing included relations with seven Miss Worlds

- Served three month prison sentence for drunk driving

- Allegedly involved in abusive relationships, with reports of him hitting a girlfriend and a waitress

- The husband of one of his mistresses put out a hit to have his legs broken

- Was once waived from his club for a famous drinking bender with the French Rugby Team

- Once stole money from a woman to continue a drinking session

- Stabbed by his wife

Best, not surprisingly, drank himself to death. /End scene.

A Movie A Decade

Quality over quantity is an over-used cliche (redundant?), but Terrance Malick really does personify the saying. Where most directors feel the need, whether inspired or not, to involve themselves with a project every few years, Mr. Malick took 37 years to direct four films(!):

- Badlands (1973)

- Days of Heaven (1978)

- The Thin Red Line (1998)

- The New World (2005)

The Magic of Malick [MovieFanFare]

Ridiculous Ad: D-Con Roach Traps

Dave Van Ronk - That Will Never Happen No More (1963)

Dave Van Ronk was a folk singer from Brooklyn who became known as the Mayor of MacDougal Street. He played a part in the folk revival that took place in Greenwich Village in the 1960s and he was a friend and bandmate of Bob Dylan. Van Ronk never learned to drive, rarely flew and refuse to ever permanently move from Greenwich Village. He was also known for keeping a jug of Tullamore Dew Irish whiskey with him on stage.

Dave Van Ronk - That Will Never Happen No More (live at Newport Festival, 1963) [Groover's Paradise]

Vintage Video Games

10 Awesome Vintage Video Games You Can Play Online [Mashable.com]

Ridiculous Ad: Crosman (1966)

Jazz Gillum - Reefer Headed Woman (1934-1938)

Jazz Gillum - Reefer Headed Woman [hypem.com]

On the Road........To the Bahhh

Boston.com has a brief write-up on Lowell, Massachusetts that mentions a favorite stop of Jack Kerouac called the Worthen House Cafe. Kerouac, who was born in Lowell, isn't the only famous former patron of the establishment; Edgar Allen Poe was a rumored visitor.

Drinking in Lowell's past [Boston.com]

ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?!?!

With the Ridley Scott/Russell Crowe version of Robin Hood opening tomorrow, and cross promotion being the philosophy of the day, Sony is releasing four other installments featuring this "OUTLAW!!!"

The films are:
- "The Bandit of Sherwood Forest" 1946
- "Prince of Thieves" 1948
- "Rogues of Sherwood Forest" 1950
- "Sword of Sherwood Forest" 1960

Four vintage 'Robin Hood' films land on DVD -- but three miss the mark [LATimes.com]

A Modern 8-Track Sound System

The best way to listen to cartoon-Freddy Mercury.

A Modern 8-Track Sound System [RetroThing.com]

Reel Mowers Not Worth It

Mowing the lawn, generally speaking, is a pain in the ass. And if you have a big yard, I understand people having a gas-powered mower, a riding mower or paying somebody to do it. But if I had a small yard, my first reaction would be to have a reel mower; a non-gas, non-electric, push mower. The problem is that they aren't very effective.

Consumer quote highlighted in ConsumerReports.com feature:

    "I can't take the way the mower's blades only cut some of the grass. Each row requires at least two passes. Whereas I initially loved the mower's simplicity, I'm now envious of the power of the self-propelled mowers. I'm jealous that my power-mowing neighbor doesn't need to carbo-load the night before a big mow. Grass with more than six days of growth requires a cool-down with a sports recovery drink. I can't help wondering when Al Gore last mowed a lawn."

Not all that is vintage is worth preserving.

Cesar Ascarrunz: 1970s Latin Funk

Cesar 830 [earfuzz.com]

Schrempf Before Smits

Picking which athletes will become a part of pop culture after their careers end is not an easy art, so I hope others are as surprised as I am by Detlef Schrempf's continued place in our lives. After being the title of a track on Band of Horses' 2007 release, Cease To Begin, Detlef has now been a plot element on the most recent episode of NBC's show Parks and Recreation. Somewhere in an apartment in Eindhoven, Rik Smits is cursing himself.

Ridiculous Ad: Salem (1977)