Solitaire - Elvis Presley Covers a Neil Sedaka Song

 Last night we heard the terrible news that Neil Sedaka passed away at age 86.  He was certainly an icon in popular music for over 60 years.  It was a shame that he was not elected to the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. Obituary in the New York Times.  He also wrote songs for other artists.  Solitaire did not chart for either Elvis Presley or Neil

Johnny Cash - A Wanted Man on What Would Have Been His 94th Birthday

 

This duo of Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan appears on the Dylan boxed set Travelin' Thru.  If you listen carefully toward the end, Johnny changed the lyrics:

Wanted Man Duluth

Wanted Man Hibbing

Wanted Man Dyess

Happy Heavenly 83rd Birthday to George Harrison

 

George Harrison has appeared many times in Bruce's Journal. Many of the YouTube videos that I posted on previous birthdays have been deleted.  I never posted Got My Mind Set on You.

One of these days, I will have to replace the deleted videos.  It would likely take a long time for me to do it.

Remembering a Snow Day - January 20, 1961

Today, there was some controversy over whether the NYC school buildings should be closed and whether online learning should be done.  The mayor decided to open the schools, but there was opposition from many parents and politicians.  On January 20, 1961, I was in the 6th grade at PS 139 Queens in Rego Park.  The day before, a classmate offered to bring a TV to school so everyone could watch the JFK inauguration.  There was a heavy snowstorm that day, and the schools were closed so we could watch the event from home.

 

Bob Dylan Version of Sgt. Pepper Cover Found on X (formerly Twitter)

 

Record Snowfalls in New York City

 

Amount (in inches)	Date(s)
1.	27.5	Jan. 22-24, 2016
2.	26.9	Feb.11-12, 2006
3	26.4	Dec.26-27, 1947
4	21.0	March 12-14, 1888
5	20.9	Feb. 25-26, 2010
6	20.2	Jan. 7-8, 1996
7	20.0	Dec. 26-27, 2010
8	19.8	Feb. 16-17, 2003
9	19.0	Jan. 26-27, 2011
10	18.1	Jan. 22-24, 1935 March 7-8, 1941

I lived through 7 of the 10 biggest snowfalls in New York City history.  A blizzard is predicted for later today into Monday.  Every forecaster predicts a different amount.  The best advice is to just stay home during the storm.

Random Thoughts of the Day February 19, 2026

 

• Former Prince Andrew of England was arrested.  Who cares?  I don't understand the fascination of the American public with the British royal family.  Is the news media brainwashing us into thinking it is so important?
• The kidnapping of the Lindbergh baby was in 1932, long before television or the internet.  Is the kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie of similar relevance?  Charles Lindbergh was an aviator best known for making the first solo non-stop flight across the Atlantic Ocean.  Savannah Guthrie is best known as a host of the Today Show on NBC television.  The Lindbergh case came to a tragic end as the baby was found dead. At that point in time it was called "The Crime of the Century".  I guess 60 years later the OJ Simpson case received that moniker. The murderer was tried, convicted, and executed.  Hopefully, Nancy Guthrie will be found safe and sound very soon.
• I have never been tempted to convert Bruce's Journal to a podcast.  I express myself better in writing than I do verbally.
• I am looking forward to the warmer weather and the start of baseball season.

My Comments on the Major League Baseball Collective Bargaining Agreement for 2027 and Beyond

 

This is a very complicated situation that could result in a lockout before the 2027 season.  I suggest my readers look at the following two articles from The Athletic written by Evan Drellich:

• An MLB labor war is coming. Will President Trump try to step in?  - No comments from me here as I despise politics
• MLB owners enraged by Kyle Tucker-Dodgers deal, will push for salary cap ‘no matter what’

The major issue is a salary cap.  Today's salaries are outrageous, to say the least.  The owners will want a salary cap, while the players will oppose it.  There would also have to be a salary floor so that small market teams can be more competitive.  If a salary cap is imposed, there must be a "grandfather clause" so that contracts already signed can be honored.  If there is no agreement, there will definitely be a strike or lockout threatening the 2027 season.

The Players Association Executive Director, Tony Clark, has resigned.  Will this have an effect on the negotations?

MLB Commissioner Manfred sees path to larger national TV slate, bundled local rights for MLB in the future. What does this imply for local networks such as YES and SNY?  This can also complicate the negotiations.

Let's enjoy the 2026 season because there may not be one in 2027.

The Melting Snow is Ugly

 

Three weeks ago today, there was a 10-inch snowfall in NYC.  Since the temperature was so low in the days after, there was little or no melt.  The temperature for the last few days has hit 40 degrees F, resulting in some melting.  The piled snow is always the last to melt. It is absolutely ugly since soot and other pollutants are absorbed by it. Hopefully, there will soon be a warm rain storm to melt the piles. I have seen many cars that have not been moved in three weeks.  What is the sense of owning a car if the driver doesn't use it?

Article in the New York Times about melting snow.

The Sports and Bob Dylan Diehards Have a Little Break

 

I follow some sports diehards, including Mike and Dante, on X.  They keep track of how many baseball, basketball, and hockey games they have attended.  Mike is approaching 10,000 baseball games.  Apparently, these guys have no other interests.  They must incur big costs between the tickets and traveling. Right now the NBA is on the All-Star break will there are no NHL games since many of the players are participating in the Winter Olympics.

Bob Dylan's Never Ending Tour resumes on March 31 in Omaha and will continue until May 1 in Abilene, Texas.  Sue, from Canada, will be driving and visiting most of the venues.  Some of the other diehards have made plans to see some of those concerts.  Dylan will be 85 years old in May and continues to tour.  Hopefully, he will come to NYC later in the year.

Crazy Dreams about Former Colleagues

 

I am changing all names to protect everyone's privacy.  

• XX worked at Newark U. until 2012, when she left for a position at Trenton U.  It was a good career move for her as it allowed her to advance professionally.  It was well known that this University was having financial difficulties.  About a month ago, she announced on Facebook that she was laid off after 13 years at her position.  She was very upset that she got no notice, severance pay, or continuation of benefits.  I met her in my dream last night, where she said she got a new job.  I hope that this dream comes true.
• YY was the University Librarian at Newark until he tragically passed away about 10 years ago.  In my dream, I visited the campus where he told me there was a golf tournament.  I think the university has a golf team, but they wouldn't have a golf tournament on campus.
• I visited Newark and desperately had to use the restroom.  I came into the library when ZZ, the current University Librarian, told me all the restrooms were closed.

Two of the three dreams were crazy.

"I'll let you be in my dreams if I can be in yours" - Bob Dylan from Talkin' World War III Blues - I just had to get him in.

Saluting George Harrison on National Guitar Day

 There are many great guitarists out there, but George Harrison is my favorite.  In this journal entry, I am featuring three songs with a guitar solo by George:

• Beware of Darkness (George as a solo artist)
• Old Brown Shoe (Beatles)
• While My Guitar Gently Weeps (Beatles)

Happy 84th Birthday to Carole King - There is a Connection to Bob Dylan

 

You've Got a Friend was featured on Season 1, Episode 17 of Theme Time Radio Hour that was hosted by Bob Dylan.  But if you get to the 5-minute mark on the video below, Carole says some terrible things about Dylan.  In the early 1970s, at a festival, King approached Dylan, who was reportedly cold, dismissing her work by asking if she was "the one who writes for moms."

More Random Thoughts - February 8, 2026

 

• It was 4 degrees F this morning in NYC.  It is just too cold to go outside.  There is plenty of heat in my apartment.
• I am running out of ideas for this journal.  What do I gain by posting songs from YouTube?
• I keep having crazy dreams about running into people I have not seen in years.  A few nights ago I  had another dream about returning to my former employer, a university.  I encountered my former boss, who said there was a golf tournament in progress.  Last night I entered a restroom where the library's business manager came in to replace a light bulb.
• I always wonder who reads this journal regularly.  I am aware of a few people who read it on Facebook, but I understand that most people want to be anonymous when they surf the web.

Random Thoughts of the Day - February 6, 2026

 

• 12 days after the 10-inch snowfall, very little has melted.  The remaining snow is dirty and very ugly.  There will not be any significant melting until there is a warming trend which is not in the forecast.  I just can't take my walks around parks.
• I am sure that I have discussed this before, but watching the news on TV and reading about it online is just depressing.  The news media just give too much attention to the notorious.
• The disappearance of Nancy Guthrie is very sad.  I just think the news media is giving too much attention to it.
• The pitchers and catchers will report to camp in Florida soon.  Will the roster moves made by the Mets pay off?  I am most disappointed that Pete Alonso signed with the Orioles.

Another Lay Lady Lay Cover - This One is by Isaac Hayes

 

This was likely an album cut since I didn't find it in Joel Whitburn's Top Pop book.  I promise there will be no more posts about this song.

Lay Lady Lay by the Isley Brothers

 

After my appearance on Cousin Brucie's show, talking about Bob Dylan, Barbra Streisand, and Lay Lady Lay, I found out that the Isley Brothers covered it in 1971, which only reached #71 on the Billboard singles chart.  I heard it for the first time today.  The version above, which is over 10 minute,s is likely the album version.  I assume a shorter version was released as a single.

I Spoke to Cousin Brucie about Bob Dylan, Barbra Streisand and Lay Lady Lay

 

It has been three years since I spoke to Cousin Bruce on the telephone on Saturday night show.  I try from time to time to get through, but I constantly get busy signals.  Last night I phoned at 6 PM, when the show begins.  I luckily got through, but was put on hold until about 8:12 when he finally spoke to me.  I talked about how Dylan wrote Lay Lady Lay for Barbra Streisand.  Check out this YouTube video when she discusses it with Howard Stern.

My converstation with Cousin Brucie