Christ you know it ain't easy ..

6.11.2007

Plugs.
8 1/2 by Eleven has returned with a new strip about bikini clad cartoon tramps. Speaking of scantily clad cartoon tramps (I am gonna catch Hell for this comment from a couple of people, but what the hey) . . . Welcome back to the US, C.Rag. C.Rag has also promised me some fiction to post too . . . well see if this reminds her

You are listening too . .
Another Malach fave, Ballad of John and Yoko. This was a single released prior to Abbey Road, and recorded during the Get Back session which would basically turn into eventually Let It Be/Abbey Road.

Before we start a little bit about the Get Back sessions. By the end of '68 and the release of The Beatles, McCartney was eager to perform in public again. The other band members, most especially Harrison were very resistent. A compromise was the the band would shoot a television concert in some location and later release the recording as a live album.

The live performance/recording did occur on January 30th of 1969, their famous Apple Building rooftop concert, that was eventually shut down by the police after 20 or so minutes but several of the recorded song did make it onto the Let It Be album.

The Beatles ended up recording hundreds of hours of recordings at Twickenham Studios including a number of songs that would appear on Abbey Road, a number would appear on Beatles solo albums, and a bunch of cover songs.

Those sessions were consider disasterous by all the band members and the groups even discussed breaking up 3 days into the sessions. Lennon was extremely dissatisfied and fighting a growing heroin addiction, and he was eager to explore his solo music. Yoko One being a constant presence at everything John was doing, was at was also a strain on their relationships. McCartney's attempts to keep the band together comes across as controlling. Harrisom walked out on the band for an extended period. Things were so bad, George Martin was reluctant to work on Abbey Road unless things were assured to be better.

So interestingly, the album which was to become Let It Be, was recorded before Abbey Road. But because of The Beatles dissatisfaction with the album; it went through 2 producers, 3 to 4 different final pressings, until you got the Phil Spector produced one you hear today, but that is a later story.

Ballad of John and Yoko was a song, primarily written by Lennon, and only recorded by Lennon and McCartney. Lennon had a inspiration for the song, and instead of waiting for Harrison (who was on vacation), and Starr (who was filiming a movie) recorded it themselves.

The song chronicles fairly obviously, the events surrounding Lennon's marriage to Yoko Ono and their subsequest activities together including the Bed In, their honeymoon, and their bagism philosophy.

Lennon did the lead, played lead and acoustic guitar, while McCartney did the harmony, bass, drums, piano, and maracas.

The song was banned by several US stations for the use of the word "Christ" and the phrase "They're gonna crucify me". Also it was banned in Spain, because of the line saying Gibraltar was near Spain, and that was a hot button issue for that country in 1969.

Paris Hilton, the Second Coming.
See what jail has done for Paris . . . she has found God, she wants to change her celebrity personality . . . Malach has a make over for you Paris, can you say Mother Theresa? Or at least Anglina Jolie (anyone remeber her and Billy Bob Thorton, and the passionate kiss she gave her brother? Look at here now, humanitarian . . anorexic, but a humanitarian.

Speaking of Phil Spector.
Let update your on our favorite nutty genius.

The Mood of Red Sox Nation.
Day off.

The Sopranos.
So Malach doesn't get HBO anymore, at the old house he used to steal it, but now . . I miss the Sopranos, and will get them all on DVD sooner or later. I love to listen to these idiots not understand the show, how it is now all about, gangsters, and violence. David Chase has flimed some of the most intriguing dream sequences ever, and his plots are fantastic. Many people are pissed about the ending. Basically Tony goes into a resturant with the family, and it fades to black with the potential that something could of happened. I love it. You see, this show was about life, and that ending is life.

Malach's Quote/Video of the Day

I am Malach, now he got to finish season 6.

Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da, Life Goes On, Brah!

5.16.2007

Plugs
Rejoice, there is a new Tales of WoW!, Adrift and this one is funny!

You are listening too . . .
A very strange Beatles song, that many people find surprising that was on The White Album. Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da . . . is it a fun and popular Beatles song, yet has also been voted worst song of all time (though I can think of thousands of others that fit that bill). Many of the young'uns might remember this being the theme of the TV show Life Goes On.

As for the song, I don't think a lot of people get it. First it is the only reggae song the Beatles ever did or really attempted, and is more in the vein of ska. Of course The Beatles added a bunch of stuff to it (a honky tonk piano rythmn being one), but the killer McCartney bassline is definitely reggae. The song was written mainly by McCartney as a concious nod to the emerging reggae movement. The song employed a number of schemes The Beatles had never used before in a song, and continued to showcase the highly experimental nature of The White Album.

While McCartney mainly wrote the song, Lennon made a major contribution. The song was originally conceived much slower than it's current pace, and Lennon was not pleased with the song. While experimenting with acid, Lennon sped the song up, and the rest of The Beatles were amazed at how good it sounded. It was re-recorded at the higher speed.

The song is rather simple in it's subject matter, and the lyrics are also pretty simple. But listening reveals a whole sub level of sounds, voices, and laughter. In addition, in the second time through the verses, McCartney switches some the wordings as a slip of the tongue, but they never changed it.

Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da is supposedly a greeting in the Yoruba tribe meaning "Life goes on". The Beatles were actually sued over the saying; a Nigerian Singer clamed he taught the saying to McCartney. It was settled out of court.

The Mood of Red Sox Nation.
BORED! I hate rainouts. And yet the Yankees still fell another half game behind.

Speaking of the Weather.
Huge rain, thunder storms and rare tornado warning all over New England . . . but we got squat here is SouthEastern MA.

Internal Decapitation.
Wow. Pretty amazing.

Half a Million Dollars.
For some interesting reading?

Let's see.
He 10 months old, named Bubba, and got a gun permit, and a gun for his birthday. I would think this was in Texas.

Phil Spector.
Yeah you killed someone with that haircut.

The positive side to having Herpes.
See, every cloud has a silver lining.

You know what I find interesting.
They like to put our founding fathers on our money. But what about guys like these, who came before Washington? Or especially a guy like John Hanson?

Bo Diddley.
Suffered a stroke today would be a shame to lose him.

Malach's Quote/Video of the Day

I am Malach and The Grey Album is very interesting.

Won't you come out and play?

5.15.2007

Mucho Plugo.
There is a new 8 1/2 by Eleven number 532. Lucas hates the art, but I like it. Friday Night RPG Cartoons number 1.10 is also up and has WAY too many inside jokes, so like 3 people will enjoy it. Sunshine number 37 is also up and I must say, I couldm't disagree with Hex more on this one. Also Malach posted a short article at the WoW, some of you might enjoy.

More Beatles.
Aound the time this album was released, many things in the Beatles lives began to change. The big one being Brian Epstein's death. Lennon got divorced, McCartney and Jane Asher finally ended their stormy relationship, Yoko Ono and Linda Eastman enter the picture, Yellow Submarine the movie premiered, the Beatles went to India, and finally, in January of '69, they began filing and recording Let It Be (recorded before Abbey Road, but we will get into that).

Again the major event was Brian Epstein's death. Espstein had this gift, of keeping the Beatles egos in check and smoothing over hurt feelings, he also handled their business affairs admirably. After his death, no one filled that void. Epstein was perfect at reducing Lennon's ego, buttering up Harrison about his lack of songs on albums, and softening McCartney's almost militaristic psuedo-leadership.

After his death, some further events exacerbated Epstein not being there. Yoko came into the picture, and Lennon refused to leave her side, and they began collaborating artistically. This lead to other girlfriends and wives also being there. Epstein was always adamant about that not occuring, and now no one was there they respected enough to listen too.

For a replacement for Epstein, McCartney wanted Lee Eastman (his soon to be wife Linda's father) as their manager, where the rest of The Beatles wanted super manager Allen Klein. In the past decision like this were always unanimous (with Epstein smoothing out what was in the bands best interest) but this time it was a 3 - 1 vote. After this album it becomes a bit of a quick downward spiral so hold on.

Jerry Falwell.
Well he's dead. I am sure there is a warm place in Hell for him.

Really?
I suppose if your into the slutty drug whore type.

Speaking of Slutty Drug Whores.
Paris doesn't like prison . . . WAHWAHWAH!

Be vewy qwiet.
Phil Spector is huntin' B movie actwesses, heheheheheheheheheheh

The Mood of Red Sox Nation.
For once the pitching matchup didn't favor the BoSox. Verlander pitched a beauty. And Tavares v. Maroth tomorrow don't look good either. Mood: Hey their still 8 games up and the NL is coming.

Hey you Danes!
My 4 year old is gonna kick your asses if you don't quit it.

See I told you!
Malach's profile didn't get deleted! It is still right there.

Malach's Quote/Video of the Day
Are you going to Punch in the Face Town? - C.Rag

I am Malach, and I ask you . . . Are you going to the Punch in the Face Town?

Yellow matter custard, dripping from a dead dog's eye

5.07.2007

No Plugs today.
You will get some tomorrow though!

Heroes.
Why anyone in the world would continue watching that crappy show 24, and not watch Heroes is beyond me. Idiots, watch it. And Sylar is one of my new favorite villians.

The Murk and Malach Show
Murk apologizes, he has gotten really busy this past month and not been able to update our podcast. Especially since our archive of past podcast in going crazy right now with people listening to it, our feed also has close to 80 subscribers. He is going to try to finish it up this week.

Another reason not to live in Kansas.
Tornados. Seriously, have you seen pictures or video of this destruction? It is absolutely amazing only 10 people were killed.

Now imagine.
You are the marketing department for a new energy drink, and you need to come up with a name. So the brain trust decides "Cocaine" would be a great name . . .

King Herod.
Perhaps the most famous person in the New Testament beyond Christ, St. Peter, Judas, and Mary. After all these years, they find his burial tomb. It will be very interesting to see what they pull out of it.

So you got this earache.
And you head to the Doctor's only to find 2 spiders, the size of pencil erasers in you ear. I got to give the kid credit he is taking it well. Although he did state he was kind of dissapointed the spiders did not turn him into Spiderman, cause if they did, he could make fortune.

Americans Love the Queen.
Epecially those of use like Malach who wonder how long she's got left to live, I really want to see Prince Charles as King. GOD SAVE THE QUEEN!

Bye Bye Photobucket.
What's next for MySpace?

Phil Spector.
Demonic? NO WAY!

Malach's Quote/Video of the Day
What I'm saying is, if God wanted to send us a message, and ancient writings were the only way he could think of doing it, he could have done a better job. - Carl Sagan.

I am Malach and I let my knickers down

UGH!

5.01.2007

Plugs.
There is a new 8 1/2 by Eleven up, and I must say, there is not enough Theramin comedy in the world . . . most of you might not know what a Theramin is, unless you are a fan of the Beach Boys. Listen for the strange whistling sound.

Also, there a couple on funny posts up at the wow. This one, I am a Marvel . . and I'm a DC is hilarious. Malach also put up some new undercover video of Otis Serungis, and a Top Ten Terms for Defecation list.

UGH!
The Kombucha Mushroom People lost thier first game today. The site is updated mostly. We never play well under the lights, and that is what happened today. And Papelbon just blew his first save . . see it is all interrelated.

Bush Veto.
So Dubya, evidently did not get the message from the last election and vetoed the Iraq Bill. This is going to be a VERY interesting showdown, especially since 70% of the American People want out. If we are going to stay into Iraq, there needs to be some major changes, included the possibility of conscription. Remember how long Japan and Europe were occupied after WWII? What, yeah they still have a US military presence.

Immigration.
There is a huge push to possibly legalize all illegal Americans who have been in this country for 5 years. This is getting closer to reality. Malach works for an organization that does extensive work with illegals and undocumenteds. Here what you need to do to be prepared. Get everything you can find to prove you have been here for 5 years, employment record, land lord letters, etc, and wait. While waiting protest.

The ethics of Deep Space travel . . .
I like the anti-gravity sex part . . that's hot!

Tom Poston.
RIP to Tom Poston, who made bit parts in a number of popular TV shows, cool.

Kent State.
Interesting, you think Lee Harvey Oswald was somehow involved in this too?

"I just wasn't in the right frame of mind that night,"
Wow, lady, that's understatment.

Tom Brady.
Ultimate Team Player.

MMMMMMM
TACOS!

HUGO CHAVEZ!
YOU LIED TO MALACH!

Let me get this straight . . .
Phil Spector's Lawyer is also John Gotti's?

WARNING NUDITY!
You got to love MSNBC headlines . . .. Waterfowl wage genital warfare . . and of course the sub headline . . . . 'Arms race' has resulted in longer phalluses, more elaborate vaginas. Seriously though, is this science, can one go to graduate school and study duck genitalia?

Malach's Quote/Video of the Day
The mystery of life isn't a problem to solve, but a reality to experience. - The Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam

I am Malach and I have found Muad'Dib

For the Beneft of Mr. Kite!

4.25.2007

Plugs.
A new 8 1/2 by Eleven, strip 522. And let me tell you, there is nothing like a Canadian based webcomic, having and entire strip dedicated to hockey, eh?

Beatles History, 66 - 67, Sgt. Pepper era
Sgt. Pepper took 120 or so days to record, and in that time several significant things occured. Their manager Brian Epstein merged with the Robert Stigwood Association while retaining sole control over the Beatles. As of March 11th of that year, there were 446 recorded and released version of the song Yesterday. Also in that month, McCartney in a very messy relationship with Jane Asher, meets for the first time Linda Eastman, who would later become his long time wife. After the release of the album, McCartney caused a bit of an uproar by announcing he has experimented with LSD. This seemed to shock much of the world (anyone listening to their recent music?). About a week later The Beatles performed live in one of the highest rated TV events of all time with All You Need Is Love on their 2 hours TV special Our World. This was done during the height of the Vietnam conflict.

To further addled the establishment, The Beatles and Epstein signed their names to a full page advertisement that declared: "the law against marijuana is immoral in principal and unworkable in practice." The list included a number of artists, actors, authors, doctors, and politicians also. They also began their first experiments with eastern meditation and religious thought.

One of the most painful incidents, and a turning point for this band, was Epstein death from an overdose on August 27 of '67. You will see with later years and albums, The Beatles begin to disintegrate without Epstein as the glue holding them together.

More history at a later date.

Interesting Ethical Debate.
Texas v. Gonzales. Of course Texas, the US most killing state, wants the kid ventilator pulled. Mom of course, loves her baby, even though the baby is essentially dead, and waste resources. Where do you stand?

This is in a way similiar to the Terry Schiavo case. On one hand, the optimist in me is to say let the kid live as long as he can, you never know what tomorrow brings. The rehab part of me sees the kid as a lost cause.

And so it begins.
We will soon see just how crazy Phil Spector is . . . is he OJ crazy? Ike Turner crazy? Brian Wilson Crazy?

The View . . .
OK, can't stand the show, can't stand Rosie O'Donnell, but I will miss the little controversies that come up from time to time.

Another reason to be glad Captain America is dead.
He gropes women, get's into bar fights, and sells drugs.

Nice.
You know, I make fun of Canada alot eh? But this should be done in the US, eh? Slowly converting my house to these bulbs also.

Well that nice to see.
Pirate attacks were down in the 1st quarter of 2007!

BAD JOKE ALERT!
So Heather Mills got booted from Dancing with the Stars. She did not have a leg to stand on.

Malach's Quote/Video of the Day

I am Malach and LGBNAF.