Today's Tune: "(I'm Not) Born To Lose" By Black Sabbath

This is what I want to see after Game 7 on May 12, 2012!
Photo by Bruce Bennett / Getty Images after Game 2 win on April 30, 2012.

There is a song that has played in my head many times since my NHL team, the Washington Capitals, made it into the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs. I think it fits the frame of mind that this team has right now, and I feel it too.

It's a Black Sabbath track titled "(I'm Not) Born To Lose" (1987). Clearly, the confidence and persistence that the Capitals have shown throughout the first two rounds, are proof that they are ready to win. They need one more (Game 7) win tonight against the New York Rangers to move on to round three, the Eastern Conference Finals. To have a chance at doing it, all they have to do is keep doing what they've been doing, and work together as a team.

Please enjoy this Hockey Music styled 'Today's Tune'. Dan, Jr., of Junior's Eyes, is anticipating that there are many more to come, yet.

Let's Go, Caps!



Black Sabbath - "(I'm Not) Born To Lose" (1987)



Black Sabbath - "(I'm Not) Born To Lose" Live (1987) Audio

Today's Tune: "Still Got The Blues (For You)" By Gary Moore

Blues rock guitarist Gary Moore was born on April 4, 1952. Unfortunately, the former living legend died, most likely from a heart attack, while on holiday in Estepona, Spain on February 6, 2011. While he made a name for himself playing for Thin Lizzy and guest appearances on other artist's albums (various types of music), he also had a highly successful solo career.

The tune I picked for this 'Today's Tune', "Still Got The Blues (For You)" (1990 Single), is one I keep in my internet favorites list, both studio and live performances. The studio version is from the 1990 album titled 'Still Got The Blues' (Check out the album's personnel list!). The live version that I'm also including here, comes from Gary Moore & The Midnight Blues Band - Live At Montreux 1990, which came out on DVD in 2004. I really need to take the time to find better versions, as both are low resolution videos. However, they are still pretty awesome. If you are human, you will enjoy them.

Gary Moore is certainly missed by millions of fans. But, I gotta believe he's up in heaven jammin' away with his old buddy Phil Lynott, and perhaps even Rory Gallagher.

Gary Moore - "Still Got The Blues (For You)" Studio (1990)



Gary Moore - "Still Got The Blues (For You)" Live
Gary Moore & The Midnight Blues Band - Live At Montreux 1990

Today's Tune: "So Tired" By Ozzy Osbourne

The title of this 'Today's Tune', the first one in a long, long time, tells you exactly how I've been feeling for a good while now. From the 1983 album 'Bark At The Moon', it's "So Tired" by Ozzy Osbourne.

Various things going on in my personal life have made blogging almost impossible over the last several months. While I'm not ready to give up completely, although I probably should be, I am ready to do what has to be done to continue.

What has to be done is letting go. The 'Reading And Viewing List' feature has been holding me back. It's not going away, but we are going to skip ahead from the last issue on to March 2011 at least. Trying to catch up, and be complete at the same time, just isn't working. I'm done with doing it just to prove to myself that I could.

Enough rambling ... Onward!

Ozzy Osbourne - "So Tired"

Today's Tune: "Diary Of A Madman" By Ozzy Osbourne

Happy 61st Birthday to Ozzy Osbourne! English singer John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne was born December 3, 1948. Unless you're from another planet, you should know that Osbourne was the original lead singer for Black Sabbath. He has also had quite a successful solo career since originally leaving Sabbath in 1979.

Although he may have become a bit more tame in his middle aged years, Ozzy gained himself a reputation of being a rock 'n roll madman long ago. That leads me to choosing "Diary Of A Madman" for the 'Today's Tune' on this December 3rd. The version I've chosen is the recording studio piece, from the November 1981 album of the same name.

Despite bassist Rudy Sarzo and drummer Tommy Aldridge being listed as performing on this album, bassist Bob Daisley and drummer Lee Kerslake are the actual musicians joining Ozzy and the late guitar god Randy Rhoads (December 6, 1956 – March 19, 1982). Don Airey is also wrongly credited as keyboard player, when in fact, it was Johnny Cook They must have thought it would be less confusing if they listed the more widely known musicians who toured with the band later on.

Ozzy Osbourne - "Diary Of A Madman"

Today's Tune: "Born To Lose" By Black Sabbath

The Washington Capitals are on route to be winners.

The Washington Capitals played their very first NHL hockey game on October 9, 1974, losing to the New York Rangers 6-3, in New York, NY. Washington went on to lose their first 37 road games as a new organization. They have had their ups and downs over the years since, making it to the playoffs 20 times, while not even coming close a few other seasons. The Capitals did make it all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1998, but lost to the Detroit Red Wings.

Since the 2004-2005 season lockout and start of the team rebuild around the same time, they have made vast improvements. Those improvements have been mostly from within their own system, via the Entry Draft (See Alex Ovechkin - 2004 Draft, etc.). Washington has made some good trades and signed a few helpful free agents. By the way, thank you General Manger George McPhee, Majority Owner Ted Leonsis and the rest of the organization, for your hard work and your vision.

This is a different team than has ever skated for Washington before. They are built to last, now. The Capitals won their division and made the playoffs the last two consecutive seasons. In the 2007-2008 post season, they only lasted the first round. In the spring of 2009, they took it a little further, to a game seven in the second round. Off season changes have made the team even better. They are now a legitimate Stanley Cup contender. They are no longer "chasing shadows in the dark". Perhaps it is their time. It certainly won't be too long now. This is a team that was not "born to lose". The Washington Capitals are winners.

Our 'Today's Tune' emphasises my thoughts and feelings above. I think this song represents the new found confidence and expectations of the Washington Capitals and their fans. Please enjoy "Born To Lose" by the champions of heavy metal, Black Sabbath.

Black Sabbath - "Born To Lose"