Yankees 8 Blue Jays 7 - A Walk-Off Victory on a Wednesday Afternoon

Back in the old days on a  summer weekday afternoon, I would have to cope with beancounters and scatterbrains.  But now that I am retired I can pick myself up and see a ball game.  Since the Yankees had an afternoon game Karen and I took the subway up to the "big ball orchard in the South Bronx" to use a phrase popularized by the late Art Rust, Jr. when he did a sports talk show on WABC.

The Toronto Blue Jays took an early 5-0 lead with home runs by Lourdes Guriel Jr. and Danny Jansen,  The Yankees fought back and tied the score at 5 at the end of 4 innings.  Both teams scored in the 5th inning to re-tie the game at 6.  Luke Voit drove in Aron Judge to give the Bombers a 7-6 at the end of 6 innings.  That lead held until the top of the 9th when Cavan Biggio singled off reliever Zack Britten to tie the game.  Gleyber Torres singled in the bottom of the 9th to drive in Didi Gregorius with the winning run.

The time of the game was 3 hours and 43 minutes.  In my opinion, the major reason for long games is deep counts and foul balls.  I guess there is nothing that can be done about that.

Game Recap

The Quiet One - A Documentary about Bill Wyman of the Rolling Stones

When people think about the Rolling Stones Mick Jagger and Keith Richard usually come to mind.  Only music enthusiasts are aware of bassist Bill Wyman.  He narrates this documentary directed by Oliver Murray.  The film is derived from archives that Wyman compiled over decades.  It shows how it became interested in music and his involvement with the Rolling Stones.  Some concert footage is shown but is mostly autobiographical including his ill-fated marriage to Mandy Smith and his friendship with artist Marc Chagall.

I highly recommend it to my music enthusiast friends, but it is being shown at limited theaters.  Karen and I had to go to Greenwich Village to see it at the IFC Center.

For Residents of Flushing Queens - Stop the Construction of a 9-Story Complex on the Site of Whitestone Lanes

The owner of the Whitestone Bowling Lanes is asking for a zoning change of his property to permit construction of a 9-story building on the sight which will include Bowling Lanes, Wellness Center, Medical Offices, and over 300 apartments.  The building will be on Linden Place, Farrington Street, and the Whitestone Expressway service road.  To approve this application, the Community Board would have to vote a zoning variance. Any change in zoning that would allow them to further erode the Mitchell-Linden Community by adding to what is already a congested, overcrowded, dense, and heavily trafficked area.  We fought to keep the Board of Education from building two High Schools on that property and we must continue our commitment by denying them the opportunity to develop this project.

Please sign this petition and pass it along to your neighbors so we can stop the construction of this complex.

My Favorite Musical Moment of 1969 - Girl from the North Country - Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash

Right now Bob Radil is featuring the music of 1969 on the 60s 70s show heard on Rewound Radio.  My favorite musical moment of that year has to be Bob Dylan teaming up with Johnny Cash singing Girl from the North Country.  The video seen above is from The Johnny Cash Show in June 1969.

Echo in the Canyon Another Documentary Another Dylan

Jakob Dylan, son of Bob, is the executive producer of this documentary that examines folk-rock stars of the 1960s who were part of the Laurel Canyon music scene.  He interviewed musicians including:

• David Crosby
• Roger Mcguinn
• Brian Wilson
• Michelle Phillips
• John Sebastian
• Stephen Stills
• Graham Nash
• Tom Petty
• Ringo Starr
• Eric Clapton

The "Echo" refers to a group of younger musicians who gather for a tribute concert covering some of the hits of the artists mentioned above. These included:

• Fiona Apple
• Beck
• Norah Jones
• Cat Power
• Regina Spektor

I highly recommend this film for all 60s music enthusiasts.  I was able to see it at the Kew Gardens Cinema.  Luckily, I didn't have to travel to Manhattan to see it.

Random Thoughts of the Day

The big news of the day is that O.J. Simpson 25 years after the notorious car chase is opening an account on Twitter.  Does the media report the news or create it?

It looks like Brandon Nimmo's injury is more serious than originally thought.  The Mets are starting out on an 11-game road trip against the Braves, Cubs, and Phillies.  Poor performance over this stretch could knock them out of contention.  Some of the moves made in the off-season have not worked out.

There are major renovations this summer in New York Penn Station.  It seems they are trying to clear out space for pedestrian traffic.  I am hoping that the situation will improve for future commuters.  The long commuting nightmare is thankfully over for me.

Researching Bob Dylan Fanzines at the Performing Arts Library of NYPL

At the recent World of Bob Dylan Symposium I heard the following talk:

James Adams, “Get in on the Action and Scribble” – The Fugitive World of Bob Dylan Fanzines

I have been a subscriber to the British fanzine Isis for a few years and at one time subscribed to On The Tracks which ceased publication.  I wanted to go to NYPL and find some of the fanzines that he discussed.

The Telegraph - NYPL only had the Autumn 1991 issue which marked its 10th anniversary.  It was published in the UK by the late John Bauldie and had the full cooperation of Dylan's office.  It considered literary, musical, cultural, and photographic aspects of Dylan.  Past issues included interviews of D.A. Pennebaker and Allan Ginsberg.  The issue I viewed had an interview with Robbie Robertson.

Changin' - the Dylan Magazine - NYPL only had one issue no. 10 from Summer 1979.  It seemed amateurish.  Brian Stibal was the editor and publisher.  The issue I viewed included an interview of Happy Traum

Series of Dreams -  this was the companion newsletter to On the Tracks published by Rolling Tomes in Colorado.  It was ephemeral as it included announcements and concert reviews.  It seemed unusual that NYPL had some copies from 1993-97, but nothing of On The Tracks.