I Returned to Flushing Town Hall Last Night

 

Since 2008 I have documented in this journal numerous visits to Flushing Town Hall,  It is nice to have an entertainment venue within walking distance with very reasonable prices for admission.  For the first time since the pandemic began, the venue offered live entertainment.  We attended a concert titled “Proud Mary” - Rock & Roll Ladies, featuring powerhouse vocalist Emilie Surtees and her band.

Emily sang cover versions of hits from the 1960s, 70s, and 80s by female artists including Stevie Nicks and Tina Turner among others.  She interpreted several oldies with a very powerful voice and an effective backup band.  Instead of silence during the intermission, the band played instrumental versions of hits of that era.

I am certain that I will return.

Gary Walker of WBGO Recommends Nina Simone Covering Bob Dylan's The Ballad of Hollis Brown

 

When Gary Walker, the morning personality at WBGO, recommends a Bob Dylan cover I listen.  This morning he mentioned the Ballad of Hollis Brown by Nina Simone.  I hope all my Bob Dylan friends will listen to this.  I don't know the date of this recording, but Nina passed away in 2003.  Gary Walker also introduced me to Dylan Different by Ben Sidran.

Ruby Tuesday by the Rolling Stones - A "Random" Oldie for a Tuesday in July

 

This was described as an "official video".  A doubt if it will be deleted from YouTube.  So many of the videos that I posted over the years from YouTube were deleted.

Mets 5 Blue Jays 4

 

If any SABR members are reading this, I am not using the SABR Style Guide as I write this game review.  My writing is much too terse.

Anyway, the Mets acquired Rich Hill a new starting pitcher from Tampa as the starting rotation was decimated by injuries.  The Mets are his 11th team.  He did a credible job as high allowed 3 runs and 5 hits in 5 innings.  The hitting stars of the game were Pete Alonso who hit his 22nd home run in the sixth inning to tie the game and Jeff McNeil who double in the same inning to give the Mets the lead.  Five relievers held the Blue Jays to one run as the Mets held on for a 5-4 victory.

Game Summary

Some Comments about the Mets

 

Congratulations to Edgardo Alfonzo, Ron Darling, and Jon Matlack for being inducted into the Mets Hall of Fame.

There has certainly been much speculation on trades that the Mets and other teams should make before the trade deadline on July 30.  Most of the trades we read on websites or hear on sports talk radio never happen.  The Mets do need a starting pitcher and have just traded for Rich Hill.  I sense that he will not be a panacea.  Hopefully, Carlos Carrasco and Noah Syndergaard will return in time to make a difference.

I am a little disappointed that the Mets are not doing anything to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the 1986 championship

Random Thoughts of the Day

• Much has been written in the last few days about the streaming video Shadow Kingdom and the forthcoming Bootleg Series #16.  I think many of my Dylan enthusiast friends are nitpicking his words, music, and actions to death.
• I found an excellent review of Shadow Kingdom written by Sean Latham
• We are now approaching the trading deadline in Major League Baseball.  I just don't like reading articles that are strictly speculative.  Most of the trades that writers and callers to sports talk radio dream up will never happen.  I know the Mets are looking for a starting pitcher, but don't give up too much.
• Are Americans really very interested in the British royal family?  There are so many stories about them on network TV news.  Very little is said about Prince Charles who is a direct heir to the throne.
• I question the statistics that Blogger offers for Bruce's Journal that states that 75% of my hits are from Indonesia and France.  There must be bots over there that hit my blog.

 

Bob Dylan Bootleg Series 16 - Springtime in New York (1980-85) Will Be Released on September 17

 

All the information you need is in this 1-minute video.  I will be checking with Amazon.com and pre-order it.

I don't understand why this video was pulled after a few hours.  I assumed it was an official video from Sony Records.  However, a day later it was reinstated.