Are People (Including the Media) Overreacting over the Forthcoming Snowstorm?

 

For several days, the National Weather Service has forecast a major snowstorm for the New York metropolitan area to begin early Sunday morning.  Estimates of the amounts vary from 6 to 12 inches.  Of course, the TV news stations have given this story top priority.  As a result, there has been panic buying at grocery stores.  There was a report of long lines at stores in Manhattan yesterday.  I am pretty well stocked up, but there are a few items that could use.  I will venture out in the cold to the local Stop & Shop.  If I can't get what I need, it would not be a calamity.

The biggest snowfalls in NYC since records were kept are:

January 22–24, 2016 (Blizzard Jonas): 27.3 inches.
February 11–12, 2006 Blizzard: 26.9 inches.
December 26–27, 1947 Blizzard: 26.4 inches.
March 11–14, 1888 (Great Blizzard of 1888): About 22 inches.
January 6–8, 1996 (North American Blizzard of 1996): About 20 inches.

I experienced 3 out of those 5 storms.

If we get 12 inches, it would be the 28th biggest storm in recorded history in NYC.

We'll get through it.

More Interviews with Musicians who Played with Bob Dylan

 

The video seen above was produced by the Musicians' Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville.  It includes interviews with several musicians who played with Dylan in Nashville during the sessions for Blonde on Blonde, Nashville Skyline, and Self Portrait.  The interviewees include:

• Charlie McCoy
• Bob Johnston
• Hargus "Pig" Robbins
• Kris Kristofferson
• Joe South
• Wayne Moss
• Henry Strzelecki
• Charlie Daniels
• Pete Drake

These interviews were done in the early 2000s.  Several of the musicians listed above have since passed away.

None of the interviewees were discussed in Pledging My Time: Conversations with Bob Dylan Band Members by Ray Padgett.  This book was reviewed in this journal in 2023.

January 20th is National DJ Day

 

Pilot of the Airwaves by Charlie Dore is the obvious song to feature on National DJ Day.  Sadly, radio personalities don't have the same impact today as they did years ago.  Many radio stations go jockless or voice-track the DJs. Almost all of the "Sweet Talking Guys" from WMCA, WABC, and WCBS-FM have passed away.

Cousin Bruce Morrow, at age 90, still does a show Saturday nights on WABC.

Thoughts about MLB on a Snowy Morning in January

• The salaries that are being offered to free agents are outrageous.  Kyle Tucker, who is certainly not a potential Hall of Famer, is getting $60 million/year while Bo Bichette will be getting $42 million/year.  Aron Judge who signed a 9-year contract, is getting a measly $40 million/year.  Maybe he should renegotiate.
• Many of these players have opt-out clauses so they can renegotiate after a good season.  However, if the player performs poorly, the team can't terminate the contract.
• If the owners insist on a salary cap, there will be a strike or lockout before the 2027 season.  Didn't everyone learn from the consequences of the 1994-95 lockout?  Tons of money will be lost.
• The Mets have given Bo Bichette $126 million, but did they try to match the offer the Orioles gave to Pete Alonso?
• With the acquisition of Bo Bichette, the Mets have too many infielders.  Will one of them be traded for a pitcher?
• Will the Mets' top prospects be ready to be effective major leaguers?
• I think if the Mets don't improve on last year's record, David Stearns should be fired.

 

Bob Weir Covers Dylan's When I Paint My Masterpiece

 

I think that when the Rough and Rowdy Ways tour resumes in the spring, Dylan will cover a Bob Weir song.

Dylan Covers Bob Weir's Only a River

 Bob Weir, a founding member of the Grateful Dead, passed away last week at age 78.  After the group disbanded in 1995, he performed as a solo artist and with former members of the group. Only a River by Bob Weir was written in collaboration with Josh Ritter and Josh Kaufman. The song is the first single from his third solo album, Blue Mountain.

Dylan performed Only a River on April 20, 2023, in Nagoya, Japan, as part of the Rough and Rowdy Ways Tour.

2026 Marks the 60th Anniversary of the Release of Bob Dylan's Blonde on Blonde Album

 

After all these years Just Like a Woman is my favorite track from the album.  I remember that since Blonde on Blonde was a double album, the cost was twice as much.  I worked in my father's store that hot July Saturday in 1966 and came home to buy it at Alexander's record department.

To celebrate the 60th Anniversary, the Bob Dylan Center in Tulsa is holding a concert with several artists covering the songs on the album.  I wish they were doing this in NYC.