Showing posts with label Italy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Italy. Show all posts

February 26, 2013

Today's Tune: "Napoleon Bona-Part One"
And "Napoleon Bona-Part Two" By Budgie


Napoléon Bonaparte (August 15, 1769 – May 5, 1821) was Emperor of France from 1804 to 1815. However, as the title of this 'Today's Tune' post might suggest, his reign wasn't one long and smooth run.

The French military and political leader ruled over his people through a lot of successful battles and war. Bonaparte is considered a military genius and great strategist by many, as he was during his time as a military leader. He would sometimes tend to go a bit to far in his relentlessness though, which eventually got him into trouble, and people began to turn against him.

One such time came during the War of the Sixth Coalition. Napoléon and his forces had won some battles, but they were losing ground overall. After Coalition forces had captured the capital city of Paris and the French were in a bad position, Bonaparte demanded his men march on the city to take it back. This command led to a mutiny, and eventually as punishment, Napoléon Bonaparte was exiled to the Mediterranean island of Elba, Italy as part of the Treaty of Fontainebleau.

His people ended up under the control of King Louis XVIII, and the rules of the treaty were blatantly disregarded. On February 26, 1815, Napoléon Bonaparte escaped from Elba, and made his way back to France within a couple days. Louis XVIII found out most of his soldiers, including the ones sent to intercept Bonaparte, were happy to welcome back Napoléon. King Louis XVIII fled the country, and by March 20, Napoléon Bonaparte was back in power. This stint would not last long though, and is known as the Hundred Days.

Bonaparte and his army were defeated by the armies of field marshals Arthur Wellesley, the first Duke of Wellington and Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher at the Battle of Waterloo. Louis XVIII would then be restored to the throne of France.

Today is February 26th, the same date as the day Napoléon Bonaparte escaped from Elba and headed back to France for another run on the throne, leading me to choose the aptly named two-parter from the (mostly) Welsh rockers Budgie. This 'Today's Tune' is a double feature of "Napoleon Bona-Part One" and "Napoleon Bona-Part Two".


September 26, 2012

2012 F1 Italian Grand Prix Review

Lewis Hamilton wins Formula 1 Gran Premio d'Italia 2012 on September 9, 2012.
Photo by Getty Images via The Telegraph.

The 2012 Italian Grand Prix took place on September 9, 2012. The course for Formula One race number thirteen of the 2012 season was Autodromo Nazionale Monza, near Monza, Italy. McLaren-Mercedes may have had mixed results again, but they still gained ground in the constructors' championship standings.

Here's the rundown of the top three finishers. Starting from pole position, the race winner was Lewis Hamilton (England) of the McLaren-Mercedes team. Sergio Pérez (México), driving for team Sauber-Ferrari, was second. Fernando Alonso (Spain) of Scuderia Ferrari came in third place, increasing his drivers' championship points lead from 24 to 37 points.

Race winner Hamilton and third place Alonso were taken out of the race early in Belgium, the previous week. Meanwhile, the winner of that weekend, Jenson Button (England) from McLaren-Mercedes, retired early this time.

There are review and analysis links from Formula1.com below. One highlights video, and a results video from the guys at SpeedTV.com are also included.


Race - Hamilton supreme at Monza, as Perez shines again
Posted at Formula1.com on September 9, 2012

Lewis Hamilton dominated Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix for McLaren, to score his first-ever win at motorsport’s cathedral of speed and the team’s third victory on the trot...


Italy analysis - the magicians of Monza
Posted at Formula1.com on September 10, 2012

Barely a week ago at Spa, Lewis Hamilton, Sergio Perez and Fernando Alonso were taken out at Turn One. On Sunday at Monza, all three were on the podium after a thrilling Formula 1 Gran Premio Santander d'Italia 2012. Hamilton’s flawless drive reignited his title charge; Perez showed yet again why he’s hotly tipped as a future champion; and the ever-canny Alonso somehow extended his standings lead from tenth on the grid...


F1: Bob Varsha, David Hobbs and Steve Matchett take a look at the results from Italy. Lewis Hamilton wins big at Monza and moves to second place in driver's standings.

June 18, 2011

Junior's Reading And Viewing List:
May 1 - 10, 2011


Last Update - June 18, 2011 at 3:35 AM EDT

Junior's May 1 through May 10, 2011 'Reading And Viewing List' has title links, with article snippets, from items that were published at the start of May 2011.

Upcoming films, Washington Capitals hockey, music, Formula One racing and WRC rally news are among the topics to be found here.


May 10, 2011

'Doctor Who' Preview: A 'Today' Show Cameo, New Clips,
And Neil Gaiman!

By Rick Marshall at MTV's Splash Page

...Here's the trailer for "The Doctor's Wife," which airs this Saturday at 9 PM Eastern on BBC America:...



May 9, 2011

Inappropriate Attractions
By Brian Lumley at Rumblings From The Man Cave

There are certain things I hear that sends my blood to its boiling point. Nonsensical ramblings from someone so out of step with reality and decency that it really makes me hope that December 21, 2012 isn't just going to come and go without so much as a hiccup. I stop and ask myself if the human race is that myopic, so self-centered and special interest-oriented that people can even bleat out what they said to get my blood to about two-hundred and twelvedegrees in the first place...


Glenn Hughes' Autobiography To Hit Stores May 12th
By Nightwatcher at Nightwatcher's House Of Rock

Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Black Country Communion) will release his long-awaited autobiography, "Deep Purple And Beyond: Scenes From The Life Of A Rock Star", on May 12 via Foruli Publications. The book, co-written with Joel McIver and featuring an introduction by Metallica's Lars Ulrich, will appear in a luxury first edition complete with rare photos and an exclusive 10-inch vinyl EP featuring the following all-new recordings:...


Track Of The Day: Anvil
By mdome at Classic Rock

Anvil are preparing to release their eagerly anticipated new album. And they provide the latest Track Of The Day. Check out all Tracks Of The Day here. The Canadian band put out Juggernaut Of Justice next week. It was recorded at Dave Grohl’s home studio and was produed by Bob Marlette. Currently, the band – guitarist/vocalist Lips, bassist Glenn Five and drummer Rob Reiner – are streaming the album right here....


Friday analysis - McLaren upbeat as Mercedes close in
Posted at Formula1.com

After rain spoiled Friday's morning session but at least gave some teams experience of running on Pirelli's wets, it dried out at Istanbul Park in the afternoon so that they could all focus on the tricky question of setting up their cars especially to cope with the bucking-bronco bumps on the 190 mph entry to Turn 12...


Williams to work with Jaguar on hybrid supercar
Posted at Formula1.com

Williams announced on Friday that they are to collaborate with Jaguar in the development of the British automaker's new hybrid supercar, the C-X75. Williams will provide their engineering expertise in areas including aerodynamics, carbon composite manufacture and hybrid technologies...


Long: VW decision another boost to the WRC
Posted at WRC.com

The news that Volkswagen will be returning to the FIA World Rally Championship from 2013 has been heralded by the series promoter as further proof of the increasing value of the sport to manufacturers and its relevance to their production cars...


May 5, 2011

EXCLUSIVE: 'X-Men: First Class' Character Trailers - Banshee, Havok, And Beast!
By Rick Marshall at MTV's Splash Page


...Played by Nicholas Hoult, Beast reveals the true nature of his mutation in the above trailer, and we get a peek at the drastic changes he underwent in his early years with Charles Xavier...


Bonus Track Of The Day: Black Country Communion
By mdome at Classic Rock

...The album is titled 2, and will be released on June 13 by Mascot Records. All the details are here.

You can download the song The Outsider for free right now....


FIA Thursday press conference - Turkey
Posted at Formula1.com

Drivers - Timo Glock (Virgin), Lewis Hamilton (McLaren), Heikki Kovalainen (Lotus), Felipe Massa (Ferrari), Vitaly Petrov (Renault) and Adrian Sutil (Force India)...


Turkey preview - let battle resume in Istanbul
Posted at Formula1.com

Strictly speaking, the Turkish Grand Prix does not kick off the European season since the undulating 5.338-kilometre Istanbul Park Circuit lies on the Asian side of the Bosphorus, but the fourth round of the FIA Formula One Championship signals the return from the 'flyaway' races and is the prelude to the European leg...


Roy praises MINI effort
Posted at WRC.com

Campbell Roy, the MINI WRC Team's sporting manager, has talked of the "fantastic effort" that has gone into the squad's World Rally Championship debut in Sardinia this week...


May 4, 2011

Swept away
By Joe Beninati (Capitals Play-by-Play) at CSN - Washington, DC

I want to begin by saying thanks to everyone who spent time reading these post-game entries all season long. Capitals fans, you never fail to amaze me. Your passion for this team is very much appreciated, and with each passing season I wish the hockey team would deliver you all the joy of celebrating a Stanley Cup win. Sadly, this will not be the year and there will be much debate as to why...


New 'Green Lantern' Trailer: Kilowog Speaks, Guardians Revealed,
And More New Footage!

By Rick Marshall at MTV's Splash Page

Listen up, poozers! A new "Green Lantern" trailer has debuted online, and it's packed with new footage — including a few more scenes with our favorite Lantern from Bolovax Vik, Kilowog!...



Ferrari: Conservative approach has been our undoing
Posted at Formula1.com

Without a single podium finish from the opening three rounds and with the 150˚ Italia struggling to match the pace of the front running Red Bulls and McLarens, Ferrari's 2011 season hasn't got off to the best of starts...


Recce report: Rally d'Italia Sardegna
Posted at WRC.com

Jari-Matti Latvala says stages two and four of Rally d'Italia Sardegna will pose the toughest challenge for crews contesting round five of the FIA World Rally Championship this week...


May 3, 2011

POSTGAME NOTEBOOK: Lightning 4, Capitals 3
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

Critical Condition – A stunning second period in Game 3 against the Tampa Bay Lightning gave Washington its first lead at an intermission in the Eastern Conference Semifinal Series between the two teams...


Ozzy's Blizzard & Diary "30th Anniversary" Re-Releases
By Joe Siegler at Black Sabbath Online


...There are three releases being put out on the release date of May 31st, 2011. They are:

1. 30th Anniversary Expanded Edition of the "Blizzard of Ozz" album.
2. Diary of a Madman - Legacy Edition
3. 30th Anniversary Deluxe Boxed Set...


Italy preview notes: Part two
Posted at WRC.com

...Driver/manager Petter Solberg heads to Sardinia desperate for an upturn in form following a miserable run of late. And he does so on the back of a recent test in the south of France. Citroen Racing Technologies, which runs Solberg’s DS3 and oversaw the test, selected rough roads to replicate the conditions found on the island. Solberg was third when the WRC last visited Sardinia and a repeat of that performance will be just the fillip the Norwegian craves...


Italy preview notes: Part one
Posted at WRC.com

The 2011 World Rally Championship returns to Europe and the Mediterranean island of Sardinia this week.

This is a summary of how the main contenders have prepared and what some of the leading drivers have had to say in the build-up to the challenging event...


May 2, 2011

Tony Iommi's Book
By Joe Siegler at Black Sabbath Online

...Anyway, today I inquired with Tony's manager about the link at Amazon UK's site. From what he told me, I can pass along these factoids..

● The title of the book is indeed, "Iron Man: My Life with Black Sabbath and Beyond".
● The release dates on Amazon's US & UK websites are presumptuous, because...
● The book has not yet been completed...


Turkey preview quotes - Ferrari, Virgin, Lotus, Pirelli & more
Posted at Formula1.com

Mention Istanbul Park and talk immediately turns to Turn Eight, the multi-apex left-hander that has become one of the classic corners on the F1 calendar. It's going to be tough on tyres, so the focus will again be very much on Pirelli's rubber. On top of that, several long straights will place a premium on KERS and DRS performance. Teams and drivers discuss the challenge that will be the Turkish Grand Prix...


Hirvonen hopes to strike big in Italy
Posted at WRC.com

Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team driver Mikko Hirvonen hopes that not having to run first on the road on day one of Rally d'Italia Sardegna will boost his chances of returning to the world championship winners' circle...


May 1, 2011

POSTGAME NOTEBOOK: Lightning 3, Capitals 2, OT
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

Lightning Strikes – Vincent Lecavalier scored the game-winner at 6:19 of overtime to lift the Tampa Bay Lightning to a 3-2 victory over the Capitals at Verizon Center on Sunday night. With the win, the Lightning takes a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference Semifinal set between the two teams...

May 27, 2011

Junior's Reading And Viewing List:
April 21 - 30, 2011


Last Update - May 27, 2011 at 6:05 PM EDT

Junior's April 21 through April 30, 2011 'Reading And Viewing List' includes title links, with article snippets, from items published at the end of April 2011.

Upcoming films, Washington Capitals hockey, music, Formula One racing and WRC rally news are among the topics to be found here.


April 30, 2011

ANVIL Frontman Lips - "We Have Been Successful;
Recording 14 Albums Isn’t Exactly A Failure"

Posted at Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles

ANVIL frontman Steve "Lips" Kudlow recently spoke with Mark Morton at the Examiner.com about the band's new album, Juggernaut Of Justice, and the various stages of the band's career. An excerpt is available...


April 29, 2011

POSTGAME NOTEBOOK: Lightning 4, Capitals 2
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

Lapses And Relapses – In the first game of their Eastern Conference Semifinal Series against the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Capitals played some lengthy stretches of solid hockey and some lengthy stretches of sloppy hockey. They also played some lengthy stretches of 2009-10 Caps hockey, and in the end they paid for it with a 4-2 loss to the Lightning in Game 1 on Friday night...


Vinegar and Oil
By Brian Lumley at Rumblings From The Man Cave

...And, unfortunately, oil plays a large part in that daily existence. From the gasoline that fuels our vehicles to the plastic bags that moms wrap the kids' sandwiches in to put into their plastic lunchboxes...


Classic Rock’s New Releases Round-Up
By mdome at Classic Rock

This week it’s all about Queen, with the reissue of their first five albums. It’s the beginning of a vast back catalogue reactivation for the great band...


Solberg: it's flat-out from now on
Posted at WRC.com

Petter Solberg will start next week's Rally d'Italia Sardegna with a new strategy for the rest of the season: he's going flat-out for wins...


April 28, 2011

Formula One Fantasy - Williams' Rubens Barrichello
Posted at Formula1.com

Rubens Barrichello is the longest-serving driver in history, with well over 300 F1 starts to his name. As such, you'd think the Brazilian veteran has seen and done pretty much all there is to do in terms of Formula One racing. You'd be wrong...


Turkey preview quotes - Sauber, Mercedes, Renault & more
Posted at Formula1.com - Updated May 5, 2011

Mention Istanbul Park and talk immediately turns to Turn Eight, the multi-apex left-hander that has become one of the classic corners on the F1 calendar. It's going to be tough on tyres, so the focus will again be very much on Pirelli's rubber...


April 27, 2011

Trump Card
By Brian Lumley at Rumblings From The Man Cave

...As for Trump? Shame on him; he does know better but is doing what most politicians and over-the-hill game show hosts do best: preying on the fears and paranoia of their ill-minded constituency. All to hang on to the limelight. He has no chance in the next election cycle so why is he stirring up this pot? What's there to gain from the ridiculous muckraking for an issue that truly is a non-issue? And if he's truly serious about running is this the platform he wants to build his campaign upon?...


New 'X-Men: First Class' Theatrical Trailer!
By Rick Marshall at MTV's Splash Page

This week has been filled with new "X-Men: First Class" images, news, and interviews, and now we have a fresh new trailer to feast our eyes on, too. The best part? It actually has a bunch of new footage!...



Loeb tips Sordo to shine at MINI
Posted at WRC.com

Sebastien Loeb has backed Dani Sordo to succeed at MINI and says the Spaniard deserves the chance to shine now that he is no longer under his shadow...


April 25, 2011

Does This 'X-Men: First Class' Trailer Give Us The First Look
At Sebastian Shaw's Mutant Power?

By Rick Marshall at MTV's Splash Page

...Now, another trailer has found its way online, and while it doesn't offer much in the way of new footage, there is one notable addition: a brief glimpse of Kevin Bacon as Sebastian Shaw, offering what could be the first look at how the character's mutant abilities will manifest themselves in the film...



New Delhi, New Dawn - the Indian Grand Prix takes shape
Posted at Formula1.com

It takes two hours to drive the 57.4 kilometres from New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport to the Jaypee Green Sports City Project - and the newly named Buddh International Circuit - that from October 28-30 will host the inaugural Indian Grand Prix...


Sardinia entry list breaks new record
Posted at WRC.com

The 2011 World Rally Championship resumes on the Italian island of Sardinia next month with a record-breaking 20 new-generation World Rally Cars set to tackle round five of the 13-event season...


April 24, 2011

Kubica discharged from Italian hospital
Posted at Formula1.com

Renault driver Robert Kubica has left Italy's Santa Corona Hospital, 11 weeks on from the rally crash that left him with severe injuries to his right hand, ruling him out of the start of the 2011 Formula One season...


April 23, 2011

Capitals Head for Round Two with Solid Win over Rangers
By Hockey Mom at Musings Of A Hockey Mom

...It was Alex Semin who stuck the fork in the visitors and added the insurance the boys needed to go forward. His line mate Marcus Johansson evaded Dan Girardi and Semin picked up MoJo’s cross-ice pass and proceeded to roof it over Lundqvist, sending an already jubilant Verizon Center crowd into a frenzy...


'Doctor Who' Review: Episode 6.01, 'The Impossible Astronaut'
By Rick Marshall at MTV's Splash Page

...The Doctor reunites with Amy Pond, Rory, and River Song in a Utah desert, only to have a deadly encounter with a mysterious astronaut. The experience prompts the companions to seek help from — who else? — The Doctor, and begin an adventure that takes them all the way to a 1969 meeting with U.S. President Richard Nixon in the Oval Office. New enemies make their presence known, and then make their presence unknown, too...


'Doctor Who' Preview: Karen Gillan Explains The New Relationship Dynamic In Season Six
By Rick Marshall at MTV's Splash Page

...Of course, with Amy and Rory tying the knot before jumping back into action with The Doctor, there's a brand new relationship dynamic at work inside the TARDIS. How will it play out as they travel through space and time fighting alien menaces? Well, that's exactly what we asked Amy herself, actress Karen Gillan, during a break in "Doctor Who" filming...



April 22, 2011

EXCLUSIVE: Matt Smith On Bringing 'Doctor Who' To The U.S.
- And Where He Wants To Go Next!

By Rick Marshall at MTV's Splash Page

...For the first time ever, the "Doctor Who" cast and crew made a trek across the ocean to film in the U.S. — specifically, the picturesque Monument Valley, Utah. In the following exclusive video, "Doctor Who" star Matt Smith explains why it made sense to film in America, and which city he'd like to see The Doctor end up in next time he ends up on this side of the pond...



Extended 'Green Lantern' Trailer Arrives Online
By Rick Marshall at MTV's Splash Page

An extended trailer for "Green Lantern" has found its way online after premiering on television this. While there's not a lot of new footage to be seen in the tv preview, it does give us yet another look at Ryan Reynolds as Hal Jordan, some of the constructs he forms with the ring, and the rest of the Green Lantern Corps...



Classic Rock’s New Releases Round-Up
By mdome at Classic Rock

...Has it really been 30 years since we were all so dramatically introduced to Ozzy Osbourne the solo artist? Well, the reissue of the Blizzard Of Ozz and Diary Of Madman albums by Legacy Records tells its own tale. They come together in a collector’s edition box set with a bonus live CD. Now happily restored to their original state, both albums are still outstanding, and has Ozzy ever really matched these masterworks? This is due out at the end of May...


April 21, 2011

Robert Kubica Q&A: Fans' response has been overwhelming
Posted at Formula1.com

The Renault team - and Formula One in general - was dealt a heavy blow in February when star driver Robert Kubica was ruled out of the start of the 2011 season following a serious crash during the Ronde di Andora Rally in Italy...

May 1, 2011

Today's Tune: "Ride The Wild Wind" By Queen

May 1, 1994 photo of Ayrton Senna by Mark Sandten / Getty Images

Like many Formula One racing fans, today I'm remembering three-time world champion Brazilian racing driver Ayrton Senna. Senna died on May 1, 1994, from severe head injuries sustained in a crash, while leading in the controversial 1994 Italian (San Marino) Grand Prix.

That whole weekend was pretty wierd, as many many things went wrong, before and during the actual race. During the Friday qualifying, Rubens Barrichello (also from Brazil) was involved in a bad accident, when his car flew into a stack of tires and a fence after becoming airborne. Barrichello would eventually recover from his injuries, but Austrian driver Roland Ratzenberger was killed in qualifying the next day (Saturday), when he crashed into a concrete wall. Ayrton Senna, was very upset by the incidents and how things were handled at the time, but he would still race on Sunday.

Unfortunately, there was another accident and safety car issues at the start the race, then tragedy struck after the restart. Senna's car ran off the track and crashed into a concrete wall. The car broke into pieces, pieces which caused multiple and fatal head injuries to the racing legend.



BBC News coverage after fatal crash



Crash / Tribute video with music by Moby


Queen drummer Roger Taylor has a well known passion for cars and racing. He wrote the automotively inspired "Ride The Wild Wind" (1991), which serves as the 'Today's Tune' for this installment.



Queen - "Ride The Wild Wind" (1991)

October 13, 2010

2010 F1 Italian Grand Prix Review

Button (2nd), Alonso (1st), Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali, Massa (3rd)
Photo Copyright © Associated Press Photo

The 2010 Italian Grand Prix, the fourteenth round of the 2010 Formula One Season, was held at Autodromo Nazionale Monza in Monza, Italy on September 12, 2010. Spanish driver Fernando Alonso, who started at pole position, held on to win the race for Scuderia Ferrari. McLaren-Mercedes driver Jenson Button came in second, while Alonso's teammate Felipe Massa finished third.

I like to include several review links, from final practice to pre-race qualifying and on through to post race reactions normally. However, I'm still a good bit backlogged at the moment, so the post race press conference and Formula1.com analysis title linked snippets will be all that accompany the highlights video.

To find preview links within Junior's Eyes, check out the last regular 'Reading And Viewing List' blog entry. For more articles, visit the Formula1.com archives.


FIA post-race press conference - Italy
Posted at Formula1.com on September 12, 2010

1st Fernando Alonso (Ferrari), 1h16m24.572s; 2nd Jenson Button (McLaren), 1h16m27.510s; 3rd Felipe Massa (Ferrari), 1h16m28.795s.

Q: Fernando, you said pole yesterday was special, so what does that make today’s win on Ferrari’s home soil?
Fernando Alonso: Well, something only we can compare with the feeling I had in 2006 winning in Barcelona my home Grand Prix. It was a very special moment that one and this is a very special moment this one as well. Fantastic feeling. Very tough race. Very strong opposition today...

Italy analysis - Ferrari get the job done
Posted at Formula1.com on September 13, 2010

With the team orders controversy behind them, Ferrari got back down to business at Monza, securing - in some style - the win they needed to keep the team’s and Fernando Alonso’s title hopes alive. For the neutral F1 fan it was the ideal result in terms of the championship showdown, with the table tightening considerably as its two frontrunners endured difficult afternoons. The big question now is have the tougher wing and floor tests really hurt Red Bull, or will Webber and Vettel be back on form at Singapore’s supposedly more RB6-friendly street circuit? Only time will tell. In the meantime we review Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix, team by team...


October 7, 2010

Junior's Reading And Viewing List:
September 1 - 10, 2010


Last Update - October 7, 2010 at 7:43 PM EDT

Junior's 'Reading And Viewing List' for September 1 through September 10, 2010 contains links to some of the places I visted via the internet during the first 10 days of last month. If you missed these posted items, or just want to revist and review them, I hope you find them as entertaining and/or informative as I did.

The topics covered below include films, travel, music, hockey (Washington Capitals) and racing (Formula One and WRC).

A couple 2010 F1 Italian Grand Prix Preview posts and 2010 WRC Rally Japan Preview posts made it into this list.


September 10, 2010

Classic Alice Cooper Movie Making Its Way To Blu -Ray
September 14th

Posted by Nightwatcher at Nightwatcher's House Of Rock

Alice Cooper's legendary 1973 concert film 'Good To See You Again, Alice Cooper' is making its way to Blue Ray restored and remastered for 1080p and 5.1 DTS. It's due to be released via Shout Factory! on September 14th.

'Good To See You Again' features the original Alice Cooper Band, namely guitarists Glen Buxton & Michael Bruce, bassist Dennis Dunaway and drummer Neal Smith, captured on three dates of their record setting Billion Dollar Babies tour in 1973...

Uriah Heep To Release Live Album
By mdome at Classic Rock

...To be called Official Bootleg Volume II – Live In Budapest, Hungary 2010. As yet, though, there’s no release date.

Say the band: ”This is an official bootleg recording from our concert in the Petofi Hall, Budapest Hungary, on May 4, 2010...

2010-2011 Previews: Defensemen -- Tyler Sloan
By The Peerless at The Peerless Prognosticator

Tyler Sloan is the Rodney Dangerfield among Caps defensemen. Here is a guy who was undrafted and hooked on with three teams by signing free agent contracts (Columbus in 2000, Hershey in 2007, and the Caps in 2008). He didn’t see his first NHL action until he was 27 years old, and in the first period of his first game drew a nine minute power play for the Caps...

Pre-Monza analysis - Alonso under pressure
Posted at Formula1.com

Fernando Alonso comes to Monza under the greatest pressure to deliver a strong result to keep Ferrari in the hunt for the world championship. And yesterday he admitted here that this race, and the next in Singapore, will have a crucial effect on his and the Scuderia’s chances...

Queen + Paul Rodgers Photo Book
By mdome at Classic Rock

There’s an official photo book on the brief career of Queen + Paul Rodgers on the way.

Titled Rockmos!, it’s to be published on October 1 and chronicles the band’s 22 shows in Europe and North America between 2005 and 2008. The 342-page book has a foreword written by Brian May, Roger Taylor and Paul Rodgers...

WRC TV stage gets backing from teams
Posted at WRC.com

The FIA's announcement of a television stage on every round of next year's World Rally Championship has received universal approval from those involved in the sport...


September 9, 2010

The Human Bureaucracy.
By Brian at Rumblings from the Man Cave

...So it's about two ay-em and a slight rain is falling in D.C. The rest of my party ambles on over to the Korean War Veterans Memorial and I park it in the Lincoln Memorial so my camera gear won't get wet.

It's me, Abe, and a few D.C. cops. I strike up a conversation as the gentle mist is falling on the marble steps of the monument. I like standing on this one step; there's a marker stating that this is the spot that Martin Luther King stood when he gave his "I Have a Dream" speech. I stand there, getting a little wet as I look out over the Reflecting Pool and imagine how electric that day must have been...

FIA Thursday press conference - Italy
Posted at Formula1.com

Drivers: Fernando Alonso (Ferrari), Rubens Barrichello (Williams), Jenson Button (McLaren), Vitantonio Liuzzi (Force India), Jarno Trulli (Lotus).

Q: Jarno, your home race. Tell us what it means to you. New team and all that.
Jarno Trulli: Yeah, it is always great to be back in a sunny Monza. We know Monza can also be very rainy and wet and no-one really enjoys that kind of circumstance. I enjoy Monza as it is a special atmosphere. It is a home grand prix. We have got the tifosi all around. A big Ferrari support but Italian drivers are always very welcome...

MINI World Rally Car up and running
Posted at WRC.com


MINI's new Countryman World Rally Car has turned its wheels in anger for the first time - successfully completing a shakedown test at Prodrive's private proving ground in the UK...


Really good Geezer Butler Interview
Posted by Joe Siegler at Black Sabbath Online

Short and sweet. If you haven't seen this interview with Geezer Butler, where he talks about the death of Dio, the Paranoid album, and a bunch of other things, you're missing out.

Go read this interview over at bravewords.com!

Ronnie Dio’s Memoirs On The Way
By mdome at Classic Rock

Following the news that Dio are to release a live album in November, now it seems more activity is being planned around the late Ronnie James Dio.

Talking to Rolling Stone, Wendy Dio said that there are plans for the singer’s memoirs to be published. “I’m just going to finish the end parts of it. It’s actually [intended as] a three-book deal – the memoirs of Ronnie, a book of illustrated lyrics and a photo book.”...

Italy Preview - Monza make or break for Ferrari?
Posted at Formula1.com

Monza, that wonderful cathedral of sport, could be the turning point of the world championship fight this weekend. Its long straights and the need for minimal downforce may militate against Red Bull, while Ferrari, fresh from no further penalties in their team orders hearing at the World Motor Sport Council meeting in Paris on Wednesday, will decide their strategy for the rest of the season based on their performance here on their home ground...

Team boss Wilson expects strong showing from Ford pair
Posted at WRC.com

Ford team boss Malcolm Wilson says he expects his factory drivers Mikko Hirvonen and Jari-Matti Latvala to be competitive in all types of weather conditions on Rally Japan this week.

Hirvonen and Latvala have both highlighted the slight edge the works Focus has on rain-hit stages...


September 8, 2010

2010-2011 Previews: Defensemen -- John Erskine
By The Peerless at The Peerless Prognosticator

John Erskine is the designated “physical defenseman” for the Caps. In 182 games as a Cap he has recorded 391 hits (2.1 per game) and 294 penalty minutes. But there is another number that lurks ominously among Erskine’s tenure as a Cap – 87. Nope, not the player he’d like most to smear into the glass (ok, maybe). It is the number of games he has missed to injury over his four seasons with Washington...

Bonus points up for grabs on WRC events in 2011
Posted at WRC.com

Motorsport's governing body, the FIA, has announced a number of changes to next year's World Rally Championship, including a bonus stage on every round where drivers will compete for extra championship points.

The FIA’s World Motor Sport Council made the decisions at a meeting today (Wednesday) in Paris...

No further Ferrari penalty, team orders to be reviewed
Posted at Formula1.com

The FIA is to review the rules relating to team orders in Formula One racing after its World Motor Sport Council decided on Wednesday to impose no further sanction on Ferrari for their controversial one-two finish in July’s German Grand Prix.

Hockenheim stewards fined Ferrari US$100,000 for imposing team orders and bringing the sport into disrepute after Felipe Massa moved aside to let team mate Fernando Alonso win the race...

New 'Red' Clip: Helen Mirren 1, Armored Cars 0
By Rick Marshall at MTV's Splash Page

Way back in December, "Red" co-creator Warren Ellis offered a great response to one of the coolest additions to the cast of director Robert Schwentke's movie based on the 2003 Wildstorm comic. "Who wouldn't want to see Helen Mirren with a sniper rifle?" he asked.

And while we don't get to see the Oscar-winning actress with a sniper rifle in the new "Red" clip released by Summit Entertainment on Yahoo Movies, we do get to see her taking out a fleet of armored cars with something a little less... subtle...




FIA announces 20-race calendar for 2011
Posted at Formula1.com

Formula One racing’s governing body, the FIA, has released the calendar for the 2011 world championship. The addition of the Indian Grand Prix makes for a 20-race season - one more round than in 2010 and the longest in Formula One history.

The Bahrain Grand Prix will kick off proceedings on March 13, followed by the Australian, Malaysian and Chinese rounds, before the championship heads to Europe. The inaugural Indian event will take place towards the end of the year on October 30, with the season drawing to a close in Brazil on November 27...

La Pista Magica - Magical Monza
Posted at Formula1.com

It’s a tough ask to follow Spa-Francorchamps on the Formula One calendar - but Monza can. The legendary circuit, which will host the Italian Grand Prix this weekend, boasts enough history, passion, speed and magic to offer up an unmissable event in front of some of the most fervent fans.

On paper it looks like no other track. Its layout is deceptively simple, but masks what is widely-regarded as one of the toughest challenge on the calendar. Dominated by long straights, but punctuated by slow chicanes, the circuit demands minimum downforce and maximum speed. Affectionately labelled a ‘car-breaker’, nowhere is tougher on brakes and engines than Monza, which boasts average speeds of around 250 km/h and top speeds of 340 km/h...


September 7, 2010

Red Skull Will Be 'Rather Frightening' In 'Captain America' Movie, Says Kevin Feige
By Blair Marnell at MTV's Splash Page

Earlier this year, Hugo Weaving signed on to portray the villainous Red Skull opposite Chris Evans in "The First Avenger: Captain America".

And while the casting of Weaving has generally been met with fan approval — thanks in part to his memorable turn as Agent Smith in "The Matrix" trilogy...

2010-2011 Previews: Defensemen -- John Carlson
By The Peerless at The Peerless Prognosticator


Since John Carlson was taken by the Capitals with the 27th overall pick in the 2008 NHL entry draft, John Carlson’s career seems to have been an unbroken arc of advancement and success. After being drafted by the Caps, Carlson joined the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League and led all rookie defensemen in that league in goals, assists, overall scoring, and plus-minus; and was an important ingredient in London’s advancing through the playoffs...


Top Names To Perform For ITV Legends
By mdome at Classic Rock

Some of the top names in prog and 60s rock are to play a series of shows at Metropolis Studios in West London, under the banner of ITV Legends.

Each of the shows will be filmed by ITV, and there will only 140 tickets per gig. Not only does everyone there get to see the concert (surprise, surprise), but also meets the band after the performance, and has photos taken with them. In addition, you’ll get your name on the DVD, which is to be commercially released (as well as getting a free copy)...

Ford in search of victory hat-trick in Japan
Posted at WRC.com

After winning the last two versions of Rally Japan in 2007 and 2008, the BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team heads to Hokkaido this week intent on sealing a third consecutive win there...

Sordo and Raikkonen team up again for Rally Japan
Posted at WRC.com

After making their team debut together on Rally Finland, Dani Sordo and Kimi Raikkonen will be Citroen Junior team-mates again this week in Japan, round 10 of the 2010 FIA World Rally Championship.

With Sebastien Ogier promoted to the main factory team for the remaining gravel rounds in Japan and GB, Sordo is back in the number two squad alongside WRC new boy Raikkonen. But with the same C4 WRC machinery at his control, Sordo is determined to get stuck into the battle with the frontrunners...

Sandy Denny Box Set In November
By mdome at Classic Rock

The late Sandy Denny is to have a massive box set released by Universal on November 1.

Self-titled, it will have 19 CDs, 11 of which will showcase all her commercially released music with Fairport Convention, Fotheringay, Strawbs, Alex Campbell, John Silvo and also as a solo artist...

BMW Sauber retain Kobayashi for 2011
Posted at Formula1.com

BMW Sauber announced on Tuesday that Kamui Kobayashi will continue to drive for the team next season. Kobayashi has scored 21 world championship points so far this year and has made it into the top-ten qualifying shootout on three occasions.

“We enjoy having our rookie as part of the team - both as a driver and a person,” said team principal Peter Sauber. “We never had any doubts about working with him again in 2011. Kamui has definitely fulfilled our expectations in terms of his speed and fighting spirit. Plus, his work with the engineers and his technical understanding has also developed very well...


September 6, 2010

Chandhok samples Korean Grand Prix circuit
Posted at Formula1.com

Karun Chandhok became the first man to drive a Formula One car around the all-new Korean International Circuit (KIC) on Saturday when he got behind the wheel of a Red Bull as part of a special demonstration event.

In front of 4000 spectators, Chandhok - on loan from regular team HRT - completed 14 laps of the Yeongam venue, which will host the inaugural Korean Grand Prix on October 22-24. The ‘Circuit Run 2010’ also included demonstration laps by Formula BMW and Korean touring cars...

Dio To Release Donington Live Album
By mdome at Classic Rock

Dio are to have their first release since the death of Ronnie James Dio in May.

It’s a double live CD titled Dio At Donington UK: Live in 1983 & 1987. To be released by Niji Entertainment Group, this is due out on November 9...


September 5, 2010

Freddie Mercury
Posted here by Dan, Jr. of Junior's Eyes

Freddie Mercury (Farrokh Bulsara), the greatest Rock 'N Roll singer of all time in my opinion, was born on September 5, 1946.

Since he died of bronchial pneumonia (resulting from AIDS) on November 24, 1991, it doesn't seem like a time to say "Happy Birthday!". However, September 5th is a day I usually spend revisiting all my fond memories of Freddie and his band, Queen. The music, the concerts and the man - as much as I knew of him.

Let's enjoy one of those fun old tunes now. How about his cover of "The Great Pretender" (November 24, 1992)? Yes, it was released a year after Freddie passed away.

Freddie Mercury - "The Great Pretender" Extended Version (1992)



September 4, 2010

Halford: New Album This Month
By mdome at Classic Rock

Halford, fronted bny Rob Halford of course release their new album on September 27.

It’s called Halford IV – Made Of Metal, and was produced by Roy Z. The full track listing is:...


September 3, 2010

wrc.com countdown to Rally Japan
Posted at WRC.com

After a two-year absence, Japan returns to the World Rally Championship calendar for the first time since 2008. After several years based in the smaller city of Obihiro, the last running of Rally Japan took place in the metropolis of Sapporo - which hosted the winter Olympics in 1972 as well as the football World Cup in 2002...

The Latest Classic Rock Podcast Is Live!
By gbarton at Classic Rock

The Classic Rock Podcast is back with its latest instalment – come inside to have a listen.

Geoff Barton, Malcolm Dome and sultry newbie Kylie Olsson discuss the Classic Rock awards nominations, Axl Rose’s volatile behaviour, the dearth of modern-day rock superstars and a whole lot more besides. Go here for an epic hour-long earful!

Dan, Jr. / Junior's Eyes Note: Good stuff, this!


Cult Heroes No. 28: Rock Goddess
By gbarton at Classic Rock


Without wishing to come across all pompous and highbrow on you, the time has come for a serious reappraisal of Rock Goddess, three (occasionally four) hard-rockin’ girls who sashayed out of the seething musical hotbed of Wandsworth, south London, in the early 1980s...


September 2, 2010

Gordo’s Goal: Health
By Mike Vogel at Dump 'N Chase

Caps center Boyd Gordon is in town preparing for his seventh NHL season. The longest-tenured Capital from the standpoint of continuous service, Gordon was a first-round (17th overall) selection in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. He has been here through the highs and lows of the 2000s, and has seen his own career plagued by a back injury that he thinks is finally under control...

Capitals On The Hot Seat
By J.P. at Japers' Rink

It goes without saying that expectations headed into this coming season for the Washington Capitals are sky-high. The team was the NHL's best through 82 games a season ago before imploding in the first round of the playoffs after taking a commanding 3-1 lead over the Canadiens.

Most of the team's players are back, a year older, a year wiser, and a year hungrier... you'd hope. That combination of talent and disappointment, built up over a couple of years, results in a few organizational pressure points - men who are on the hot seat, as it were...

Gronholm to test for Mini
Posted at WRC.com

Two-time World Champion Marcus Gronholm will make a return to the wheel of a Prodrive-run rally car for the first time in over a year, when he tests the new Mini Countryman WRC in Portugal next week.

The eagerly-anticipated car had an initial shakedown test at the British firm’s proving ground in Warwick this week, but the forthcoming Portugal test marks the first serious running that the Mini will carry out on gravel...

Italy preview quotes - Bridgestone, Ferrari, Virgin,
Force India & more

Posted (Last update on September 9, 2010) at Formula1.com

With average speeds of 250 km/h and top speeds of 340km/h, Monza is one of the quickest circuits on the calendar, as well as one of the oldest. Also home to the Tifosi, the track isn’t short on atmosphere either. The drivers and team members explain why they love Monza and discuss their prospects for the Italian Grand Prix...

Deep Purple: Two More Reissues
By mdome at Classic Rock

Deep Purple are to have two more albums reissued by EMI on October 25.

The first is Come Taste The Band, the sole studio album from the MKIV line-up and originally put out in 1975...

...The other is the compilation Deepest Purple, which was first issued in 1980...

Pirelli ahead of schedule after French test
Posted at Formula1.com

Pirelli’s preparations to return to Formula One racing in 2011 as the sport’s sole tyre supplier continued apace this week, thanks to a successful test at France’s Paul Ricard circuit. The firm’s official test driver Nick Heidfeld was again on track following his debut outing for the tyre manufacturer at Mugello in Italy last month...

The Secret Life of Jarno Trulli
Posted at Formula1.com

He’s Italian but he’s never driven for Ferrari; he’s scored 246.5 points over the course of his 14 year Formula One career; his first - and only - victory came at the 2004 Monaco Grand Prix; he has raised almost 670,000 Euros for Abruzzo since a devastating earthquake hit the region in April 2009; and he owns a vineyard. These are just some of the things you probably do know about Jarno Trulli. Now find out a few you don’t, with the help of the latest installment in our Secret Life series...


September 1, 2010

Lisa Hillary’s Greatest Hits
Posted by The OFB Team at On Frozen Blog

Via CSN Washington:...




Austin circuit layout revealed
Posted at Formula1.com

Race organisers for the forthcoming United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, have released a draft layout of the new circuit that will stage the event from 2012, when Formula One racing returns to the country for the first time in five years...

Hard Rock Hell Tickets Are Selling Fast...
By gbarton at Classic Rock

...But there’s still time to grab a piece of the action, with day tickets still available. Click here to get your Hard Rock Hell tickets.

The fourth annual Hard Rock Hell festival takes place December 3-5 at Pontins Holiday Village, Prestatyn Sands, North Wales.

The line-up is as follows:...

Alonso: Ferrari's fortunes must improve at Monza
Posted at Formula1.com

He arrived at Ferrari amid much fanfare, but Fernando Alonso has endured more downs than ups during a fraught 2010 season. However, as the dust settles on a particularly tough Belgian Grand Prix, Alonso is determined to stay positive ahead of the Italian team’s home event at Monza next weekend - a race he says could prove critical to his dwindling title hopes...

F1 in Schools gears up for 2010 World Finals
Posted at Formula1.com

Students from around the world are putting the finishing touches to their model Formula One cars ahead of the 2010 F1 in Schools World Finals, which will be held in Singapore next month.

The global educational challenge, which is privileged to have the support of the Formula One fraternity, draws together the best young engineers, business minds and designers, as they compete for the coveted Bernie Ecclestone World Champions trophy as well as Automotive and Motorsport Engineering scholarships to City University London...

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