Friday, September 30, 2005, 10:20 AM // 0 comments

Funky Friday: Deloris is Back with Jerome and his Band


Today is Funky Friday and that means my iTunes random play is locked on the genre funk. As I was listening today one particular song jumped out my speakers - Deloris Ealy - Deloris is Back with Jerome and his Band. This is what funk is all about.

Deloris is perhaps best known for her other 45s "It's About Time I Made A Change" and "Honeydripper", which are both much loved deep funk favorites. This song, "Deloris is Back with Jerome and his Band" combines Delores' wailing vocals with the face-melting drumming of 13-year-old Jerome and his Band. According to legend this 1973 song was recorded in a bedroom using a simple reel-to-reel machine. The results are undeniable; Jerome let’s loose on the second half of the song, while Deloris and friend shout out how he’s 13-years old and “fully grown.” Original copies of the 7” have recently exchanged hands for upwards of $1000 on ebay!

This song is great. Check it out:
Deloris Ealy - Deloris is Back with Jerome and his Band

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Wednesday, September 28, 2005, 3:17 PM // 0 comments

Why Ski in Mont Tremblant?


Mont-Tremblant is the premier resort for four season fun and relaxation. This corner of paradise offers the spring and summer vacationer golf, water sports, horseback riding, biking, festivals and so much more for all the family to enjoy. In fall the leaves begin to change and colorfully announce the arrival of a magical and special time of year – winter!!!

As the snow begins to cover the trees and mountain tops and the lakes freeze, Mont-Tremblant changes its costume from vivid fall colors to glistening white with bright blues skies. The area abounds in winter time sports and fun – dog sledding, sleigh rides, snowshoeing and, of course, skiing!

Tremblant has been voted the number one ski resort in Eastern North America, year after year by ski publications and avid skiers. It raises a majestic 2871 feet into the air, has 94 trails, the longest being 3.75 miles and altogether there are 625.5 acres of ski able ground. There are trails for beginners, intermediates and at least 47 trails for skiing experts. Not quite sure how to go down a slope gracefully and safely, enroll in “Snow School” where lessons are provided for small groups of adults, teens and even toddlers and babies. Private lessons are also available.

Mont-Tremblant’s lift system handles 27,230 skiers per hour so there’s no wasting of fun time waiting to get to the top. You can choose the Gondola for an impressive, overall view of the mountain and surrounding area, high-speed quads or magic carpets. And for the hungry skier or mountain visitor, there are many lunch spots that offer warming hot chocolate and soups, sandwiches or complete meals.

While on skis discover the mountain's long history by taking advantage of a free guided tour. Learn the origins of trail names. Seek out the prime lookouts, the sunniest trails and the little-know rest stops. The tour lasts 45 to 60 minutes and is available to skiers of all skill levels.

Be certain to sample some of the other wintertime sports and activities. For the very adventuresome there is ice climbing or riding the snowmobile. Snowshoeing is a great alternative if cross-country skiing. Sleigh rides are great for the whole family or for a romantic evening with someone special.

Due to the incredibly high number of tourists that visit Mont-Tremblant, finding the right kind of hotel or accommodation is never too difficult, as the hotel business has gradually become a tradition in this area. No matter if you elect just a basic accommodation package or you would rather book a room in an exquisite all-suite hotel, such as Chateau Beauvallon (http://www.chateaubeauvallon.com), for example, you are very likely to feel like home! For all these reasons, and many others to be discovered, your vacation in Mont-Tremblant will be an unforgettable experience.

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Friday, September 09, 2005, 10:27 PM // 2 comments

Rolling Stones - A Bigger Bang!


Today I listened to the latest Rolling Stones release - A Bigger Bang!. Listening to this album is like hearing When the Whip Comes Down 16 times. Now, that is not necessarily a bad thing especially if you like that song - which I do. Two songs - "Oh No, Not You Again" and "Rough Justice" - are two notable standouts. They're ooooozing of Rolliing Stones passion, attitude, and soul. Really good songs. And when it is all said and done the album is not that bad. Its the best album they've done since 1986's Dirty Work. But is it an album I'll listen to a year from now let alone ten? Probably not. A Bigger Bang! is not that memorable.

As I listened to A Bigger Bang I thought about my favorite Rolling Stones albums. Stones albums that I've listened to recently - Stones albums I've been listening to for 25 years. My top five Stones albums are albums every music fan should own. They're perfect examples of why the Stones are the greatest rock and roll band in the world.

My Top Five Rolling Stones Albums - in chronological order:

  1. 1968 - Beggars BanquetBeggars Banquet - This album features "Street Fighting Man," "Stray Cat Blues" and my favorite Stones song of all time - "Sympathy For the Devil." For me this is the first real Stones album. They said, "...we're doing our own thing now - who cares about singles. We're making an album."


  2. 1969 - Let It BleedLet It Bleed - "You Can't Always Get What You Want," "Gimme Shelter", the title track, and my personal favorite, "Monkey Man." This album also featured two county flavored songs, "Country Tonk" and Keith's "You Got the Silver."


  3. 1969 - Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out!Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out! - The Stones were the Greatest Rock and Roll Band in the World the night they recorded this album way back in November 1969. I learned to play air guitar to album.


  4. 1971 - Sticky FingersSticky Fingers - "Bitch," "Brown Sugar," "Sway," "Dead Flowers," and epic "Can't You Hear Me Knockin." All that great music plus a working zipper on the cover - what more could you ask for?


  5. 1972 - Exile on Main StreetExile on Main Street - Simply, a masterpiece. This album has it all - blues, boogie, gospel, and country. The Stones mixed it up and produced one of the most satisfying rock and roll albums ever.

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Paul Altobelli is a veteran Internet, marketing and technology professional with considerable expertise in search engine marketing, web site development, design, implementation and project management. [more]

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