Beautiful Detroit!?

"In 1950, Michigan was 1 of 8 states in America that collectively produced 36% of the world's GNP."

"Detroit was the greatest manufacturing city in the world."


Detroit native and controversial superstar - rapper Eminem paid homage to his hometown in this video of Beautiful, the fourth single from his latest chart-topping and million-selling album “Relapse.”

The said video was shot at Detroit’s famous and historic landmarks from its golden years. Now these historic buildings like the Packard Motor Car Company Plant, the Beaux- Arts train station and the original Tigers Stadium that were built prior to 1914 are nothing but shadows of their former selves.

By watching the video, one can see the sad state of the City of Detroit nowadays; down on her knees and out of luck. Detroit may recover some of her pride someday but probably will never be able to equal much less, regain her glory days. It’s sad when a once beautiful city succumbs to urban decay.

Goodnight Girl

"soft music, slow dancing,
sweet wine, mind games
brown eyes, blue eyes
masked emotions, repressed passion."





* Wet Wet Wet

Michael Jackson: In Memoriam

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I liked Michael Jackson.

I followed his meteoric rise to the top of the world and his free fall thereafter.

I did not buy the sexual molestation allegationss that were hurled against him by people with hidden agenda that was further fueled by the media into a conflagration that consumed his fragile soul.

He was part of my growing up years; I’ve danced to his music, listened to his songs and bought his records.

I understood his eccentricities and frailties as a person.

I was able to separate the genius from the man.

Bad Company

After almost a decade of being free from the “bad” influence of his band and despite his brief flirting with Queen, it must have been lonely for Paul Rodgers to do gigs after gigs without his ol’ buddies.

This year, he finally asked the two other original/surviving members of his band to join him even if it’s just for very limited engagements in the United States. So, starting on the 17th he’s going to have some company onstage to do some crazy old school rock and roll at the Hard Rock in Florida to jumpstart their 2009 Tour.

Yes, Bad Company is back and I am lucky enough that they chose to hold one of the 10 exclusive 2009 concerts at the DTE Energy Music Theatre in Clarkston. I will definitely watch them come hell (maybe not) or high water (Clarkston’s prone to flooding especially at this time of year, just FYI) on July 1st.



Bad Company was formed in 1973 by bandmates Paul Rodgers and Simon Kirke when they decided to be free from Free. Mick Ralphs decided to hop in from Mott the Hopple while Boz Burrell abdicated the bass position in King Crimson. Together they formed one of the first rock supergroups of the 70s and had their debut album entitled, what else but Bad Company in 1974 which became a hit to rock aficionados worldwide.

I became aware of the band when a friend lent me a cassette tape entitled Slow Rock Memory in the early 80’s wherein their song “The Way I Choose” was one of the featured tracks which became one of the earlier songs that I managed to play on guitar and which to this day is my favorite Bad Company song.

So, come 1st of July, I will once again do the 1 ½ hour trek and traverse the lonely stretch of US24 aka the Telegraph Road for a pilgrimage to Pine Knob in Clarkston to keep Bad Company company and watch and listen to them rock and play the songs that I knew from the good old days.

Spandau Ballet is Back

To make the long story short--

Yes, it's true, Spandau Ballet is back sans the hair and the clothes.

The 80's band members confirmed that they have re-formed and have put their individual and creative differences aside and are now willing to work with each other again.

Although I did like their songs "True" and "Through The Barricades" back then; I'll still pick the Wild Boys of Duran Duran over their more sober, sax- playing counterpart anytime. But I guess that's just me. :)

Here's the interview from Cannes where they are working on a documentary about their lives and music--




And here's Tony Hadley singing some Spandau classics on Italian TV last year-

"Simply Beth-iful"

I came across this home video by Sara Hickman while trolling YouTube today. Although I am not that familiar with her career as a singer, her song, Simply touches me in a very special way.

I have not heard this song in more than a decade and hearing it again is like a breath of fresh air for me. Actually, it was really bittersweet. You see, the song is a favorite of somebody dear to me and the melody is simply beautiful…

Beth, my college buddy used to sing the song in our ’tambayan.’ On some occasions, I would end up accompanying her on my old acoustic guitar while she would fill the air with her hauntingly soft beautiful voice. I even remember now of composing a short instrumental piece based on the song in her honor while under the influence of the spirit of the great San Miguel. J

We became friends during the second year of our Pre- Med-- dissected cats together, goofed around in chemistry lab, fooled our geriatric professor not once but twice, good-naturedly embarrassed one another countless of times, and drank our hearts out in the evenings.

We did a lot of stuff that could make some people laugh, cry and cringe at the same time. Yes, we did smile in happy times and understood each other in silence during sad times.

So, tonight I will drink a bottle or two, dust off my old guitar and play the song once again for you, my dear old friend.

I say, thank you old buddy for the beautiful memories and thank you Ms. Hickman for the lovely melody.


*Beth died in a tragic accident a month after our graduation, 18 years ago today.

Birthday Song