Junior's Reading And Viewing List: May 11 - 21, 2011

Last Update - July 2, 2011 at 4:35 AM EDT

Junior's May 11 through May 21, 2011 'Reading And Viewing List' includes title links, with article snippets, from items published in the middle of May 2011.

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


May 21, 2011

Dublin To Celebrate Phil Lynott On The Street
By mdome at Classic Rock

...Called The Boys Are Back In Town, this will mark the life and work of the legendary Lizzy leader. It happens on Saturday, August 20, which is Lynott’s birthday, and is being organised by Diblin City Council with street arts group MaSamba. They’ve selected some of the better known Lizzy songs, with costumes and choreography representing these...


May 20, 2011

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

This week, we’ve got new releases from old boys Saxon and Quo, a young lady called Sarah Fimm, some chaps with a King Crimson relationship, a Journey biography and Sammy Hagar’s story in his own larger-than-life style...


Friday practice - selected team and driver quotes
Posted at Formula1.com

Red Bull's Mark Webber may have led his team mate Sebastian Vettel by a country mile during Friday's opening session, but in the afternoon the situation changed somewhat with McLaren's Lewis Hamilton pushing Vettel down the order to third to run a very close second to Webber...


May 19, 2011

New 'X-Men: First Class' Clip: 'You Can Show Off'
By Rick Marshall at MTV's Splash Page

"X-Men: First Class" hits theaters soon, and along with a heap of new television spots popping up all over the place, there's also a brand new clip that just arrived online. Check out the team's introduction to Hank McCoy (a.k.a. Beast) in this scene from the film:...

Tickets for our huge Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery exhibition are now on sale!
Posted at Home Of Metal

"I’m really proud to be a Brummie and to call Birmingham my home, that’s why I’m supporting the Home of Metal events and message. Your surroundings and experiences influence your music so it’s important for people to know where that music came from!" - Tony Iommi, Black Sabbath...


The Kinks: Dave Davies On Reissues And Reunions
By mdome at Classic Rock

Dave Davies is recognised as one of the pioneers of the guitar sound that’s helped to define rock and metal over the past 45 years and more. As The Kinks continue their reissue programme (their first three albums will be put out in deluxe formats next month), he talks to Classic Rock about these albums and his thoughts on a reunion...


Spain preview - Barcelona thriller on the cards
Posted at Formula1.com

The Formula Ones teams are gathering in Spain amid excitement that the combination of KERS, DRS and Pirelli's tyres will provide an unusual level of overtaking at the Montmelo circuit, which in the past has generated low-key races with relatively little passing...


WRC only for ace Solberg
Posted at WRC.com

Petter Solberg will focus solely on his World Rally Championship campaign this season after postponing plans to enter the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in America next month...


May 18, 2011

Nicholas Hoult Reveals More Details About Beast's
'X-Men: First Class' Story Arc
By Danica Davidson at MTV's Splash Page

“X-Men: First Class” will be out in just a few weeks, and Nicholas Hoult, who plays Beast (a.k.a. Hank McCoy) is saying more — a lot more — about his character's arc in the "X-Men" prequel. Consider this your SPOILER WARNING, folks!...


New Ronnie Dio Compilation In June
By mdome at Classic Rock

...Titled Mightier Than The Sword, this double CD spans his entire career, from Elf to Heaven & Hell. The full track listing is...


Overtaking - making the impossible, possible at Barcelona
Posted at Formula1.com

The anomaly of Monaco excepted, Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya has long been the toughest F1 track for overtaking - 16 of the 20 races held there have been won from pole, including every race in the past decade...


May 17, 2011

Spain preview quotes - Red Bull, Force India, Virgin & more
Posted at Formula1.com

With last weekend's Turkish race hosted at Istanbul Park on the Asian side of the Bosphorous, the European leg of the Formula One season kicks off for real in Barcelona next weekend. The Circuit de Catalunya is a venue the teams know very well from testing, although racing there represents a completely different challenge. The drivers and senior team personnel discuss their prospects...


May 16, 2011

Ronnie's 1 year Anniversary
Posted by Joe Siegler at Black Sabbath Online

...Found this video online tonight which has interview footage with Wendy Dio, Geezer Butler, and former Elf bandmate David Feinstein. Check it out:

Long Lost Album From Irish Blues Rock Guitar Legend
Rory Gallagher Due Out May 17
Posted by Nightwatcher at Nightwatcher's House Of Rock

The story goes that Jimi Hendrix was once asked what it was like to be the greatest guitarist in the world, to which he replied, "I don’t know, go ask Rory Gallagher!"...


Raikkonen: WRC remains my main focus
Posted at WRC.com

Former Formula One title winner Kimi Raikkonen says his first commitment remains to the World Rally Championship ahead of his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut in Charlotte on 20 May...


May 13, 2011

Kenneth Branagh Reveals His 'Doctor Who' Love To Craig Ferguson
By Rick Marshall at MTV's Splash Page

Marvel's god of thunder isn't the only space-traveling hero on director Kenneth Branagh's radar these days, as the "Thor" filmmaker recently spent most of a recent interview with Late Late Show host Craig Ferguson discussing "Doctor Who"...

...Here's the first segment:

And here's the rest of it:

Listen To New Vivian Campbell Song
By mdome at Classic Rock

...Click here for the song...


Thin Lizzy Announce Three More Reissues
By mdome at Classic Rock

...Each will come in an expanded, deluxe edition with previously unreleased bonus material...


May 12, 2011

First 'X-Men: First Class' Clip: 'Magic Trick'
By Rick Marshall at MTV's Splash Page

...In the new clip, Charles Xavier (James McAvoy) encounters some difficulty getting the government to accept the existence of mutants, but all that changes when Mystique (Jennifer Lawrence) decides to make an example of her own shape-shifting abilities...

VW aims to put Germany back on the WRC map
Posted at WRC.com

Volkswagen Motorsport boss Kris Nissen is aiming for his company's World Rally Championship programme to unearth 'the next Walter Rohrl'...


May 11, 2011

The Cult Seal New Record Deal
By mdome at Classic Rock

The Cult have signed a new deal and are working on an album right now...


Statistics buff Alonso convinced of his title chances
Posted at Formula1.com

Despite a slow start to his season, Ferrari's Fernando Alonso is certain he can still claim the title. Buoyed by his first podium finish of the year in Turkey, and after carrying out his own statistical comparison between 2010 and 2011. Alonso believes his championship fight is far from over, as long as the Italian team continue to improve...

Junior's Reading And Viewing List: April 11 - 20, 2011

Last Update - May 25, 2011 at 12:42 AM EDT

Junior's April 11 through April 20, 2011 'Reading And Viewing List' includes title links, with article snippets, from items published during the middle of April 2011.

Upcoming films, Washington Capitals hockey, music, Formula One racing and WRC rally news are subjects included in the list below.


April 20, 2011

POSTGAME NOTEBOOK: Capitals 4, Rangers 3, 2OT
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

Miracle on 34th Street – Down 3-0 at the start of the third period and having gone a franchise record six straight postseason games without scoring as many as three goals in a game, things didn’t look good for the Washington Capitals as they took the ice for the final 20 minutes of regulation in Wednesday’s Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal Series...


Guitarist KK Downing Quits Judas Priest After 40 Years
Posted by Nightwatcher at Nightwatcher's House Of Rock

Rock News Desk is reporting that guitarist KK Downing has quit Judas Priest, and won’t join the band on their upcoming final world tour...


Status Quo Team Up With Tesco For New Album
By mdome at Classic Rock

...The album’s called Quid Pro Quo and is released on May 30. It’ll have 14 new songs, plus the 2010 version of In The Army Now. This will come packaged with a bonus CD called Official Bootleg – Greatest Hits Live. This was recorded last year in Amsterdam and Melbourne...


Why happy Kimi continues to improve
Posted at WRC.com

While the thrilling finish to last week's Jordan Rally wrote headlines around the world, Kimi Raikkonen was delivering another solid performance at the wheel of his Ice 1 Racing Citroen DS3 WRC...


April 19, 2011

Ad Nauseum
By Brian Lumley at Rumblings From The Man Cave

I just read an unsettling article that talks about how, literally, our future is up for sale. It seems that New York City's council members are tabling a provision that would allow certain corporations, for the right price, to buy the naming rights for parks, alleys, and historical places in the Big Apple...


April 18, 2011

Early 'Thor' Reviews Look Good For The God Of Thunder
By Eric Ditzian at MTV's Splash Page and Movie News

"Thor" made landfall in Australia over the weekend, as Chris Hemsworth and the cast of this Marvel adaption arrived for the film's premiere in Sydney on Sunday. Coinciding with the flick's debut is the release of the first wave of reviews from around the globe...


'Lost' Actor Nestor Carbonell Returns For 'The Dark Knight Rises'
By Jenni Miller at MTV's Splash Page


..."The Dark Knight Rises" will begin shooting this summer in scenic Pittsburgh. Returning performers include Christian Bale (natch!) and Gary Oldman as Jim Gordon, while Anne Hathaway told Oprah she'll be joining the ensemble as the kitten with a whip, Catwoman...


April 17, 2011

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

No Sweep For You – Going into their Eastern Conference Quarterfinal Series with the Washington Capitals, the New York Rangers knew they’d have to win at least one game in Washington in order to advance to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Rangers came home for Sunday’s Game 3 in an 0-2 hole in the series, but it’s said that you’re never truly in trouble in a series until you lose on home ice...


Wilson predicts exciting season ahead
Posted at WRC.com

Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team Principal Malcolm Wilson says that new technical regulations in the World Rally Championship will make 2011 one of the most exciting seasons in recent memory, and that even better is to come in 2012...


April 16, 2011

Saxon To Go Orchestral
By mdome at Classic Rock

Blabbermouth report that the band are to collaborate with the Polish Philharmonic Orchestra, giving some of their back catalogue an overhaul...


April 15, 2011

POSTGAME NOTEBOOK: Capitals 2, Rangers 0
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

Friday The 15th – Two guys named Jason (albeit without hockey masks) helped put on a horror show for the New York Rangers on Friday the 15th. Washington taxed the Rangers 2-0 in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal Series at Verizon Center on Friday to take the series back to New York with a 2-0 lead...


Friday analysis - plenty to ponder in China
Posted at Formula1.com

Under Friday's very overcast skies the teams focused mainly on learning about set-up, actuation of their drag reduction rear wings, KERS and how the hard and soft compound Pirelli tyres behaved on the Shanghai International Circuit. The track remained slippery throughout the day, and generally tyre degradation levels seem to be between those in Melbourne and Malaysia, with Pirelli expecting most to pit twice on race day. We take a team-by-team look at progress...


Friday practice - selected team and driver quotes
Posted at Formula1.com

Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel obviously isn't too keen to let go of his stranglehold on the top of the timesheets and led during both practice sessions on Friday, with McLaren team mates Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button his closest challengers. The leading teams and their rivals reflect on their early progress in Shanghai...


April 14, 2011

'Doctor Who' Roundup: New Clips, Images, And Enemies Revealed!
By Rick Marshall at MTV's Splash Page

The season premiere of "Doctor Who" is nearly upon us, and that means BBC America is pulling out all the stops to get Whovians and fans-in-the-making excited for Matt Smith's return as The Eleventh Doctor...

EXCLUSIVE: 'Captain America' Writers Talk Sequel, Post-'Avengers' Plans, And The Marvel Movie-Verse
By Rick Marshall at MTV's Splash Page

Late last month, I spoke to "Captain America: The First Avenger" screenwriters Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely about the just-released trailer for the Marvel movie. Our conversation ended up covering a wide range of subjects...


FIA Thursday press conference - China
Posted at Formula1.com

Drivers - Rubens Barrichello (Williams), Lewis Hamilton (McLaren), Vitantonio Liuzzi (HRT), Michael Schumacher (Mercedes) and Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull).

Q: Tonio, a really difficult start to the season. How has it been?
Vitantonio Liuzzi: You said the right word, difficult, really difficult, but we knew that from the beginning. Everything started really late...


Mark Webber Q&A: KERS is vital - we need it to work
Posted at Formula1.com

After a KERS failure bogged his Red Bull down at the start, last weekend's Malaysian Grand Prix became an exercise in damage limitation for Mark Webber. Although the RB7's inherent pace, some canny strategy choices and Webber's own determined driving eventually saw him just miss out on a podium place with a strong fourth-place finish, the Australian is targeting much more from this weekend's Chinese race - if his KERS works...


April 13, 2011


POSTGAME NOTEBOOK: Capitals 2, Rangers 1, OT
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

...Semin lasered home a one-timer from the high slot at 18:24 of overtime to complete a Caps comeback and push Washington to a 2-1 win and a 1-0 lead in their ECQS...


William Shatner Details Heavy New Album
By mdome at Classic Rock

Details have now been released on the new William Shatner album, and he’s got a major list of rockers involved...


Longer, tougher route for 2011 Wales Rally GB
Posted at WRC.com

Britain's world championship qualifier will feature an expanded route, running the length of the country, when it brings the curtain down on the 2011 WRC season in November...


China preview - Red Bull KERS issues to take centre stage?
Posted at Formula1.com

While their rivals continue whistling to keep their spirits up, and take whatever they can from their performances last weekend in Malaysia, Red Bull go to China the firm favourites once more. However, it may not all be plain sailing for the current world champion constructors, who are still struggling to make their KERS work...


Austin track officially named Circuit of the Americas
Posted at Formula1.com

As construction work continues on the new United States Grand Prix venue in Texas ahead of Formula One racing's return to the country in 2012, race organisers have named the Austin facility the 'Circuit of the Americas'...


April 12, 2011

The 'Doctor Who' Season Premiere: Five Things
To Look Forward To (And No Spoilers)!
By Rick Marshall at MTV's Splash Page


The new season of "Doctor Who" is almost upon us, fellow Whovians — and I know I'm not alone in looking forward to some new adventures with The Eleventh Doctor...


Blues Rockers To Come Together For New York
Rory Gallagher Tribute In May
Posted by Nightwatcher at Nightwatcher's House Of Rock

On May 23, 2011, at the renowned Iridum club in New York City, Eagle Rock Entertainment will present a special tribute to the late great Irish guitar legend Rory Gallagher. Entitled "One More Rory : A Tribute To The Music And Life Of Rory Gallagher"...


Born Again Press Release & Other Big News
By Joe Siegler at Black Sabbath Online

OK, a lot's been happening with Born Again this week. First the news came out on Apr 10 that it was being released on May 30th. Then on Apr 11th, I had an additional post with some track details and cover art. But there were still a few issues regarding this. Primarily whether or not this is the famed "proper mix" or a remaster, as the news didn't say, and the formal press release (shown below) didn't have info on it. I've started looking into a lot of the fiddly details regarding this release...


Queen To Reissue Five More Albums
Posted by mdome at Classic Rock

Queen are to have five more albums reissued through Island Records on June 13...


Jordan preview notes: Part two
Posted at WRC.com

The 2011 World Rally Championship heads to the Middle East this week for the Jordan Rally. 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 testing gravel event...


April 11, 2011

Of Holy Grails and Tinderboxes
By Brian Lumley at Rumblings From The Man Cave

...After digging through some of my old college newspapers where my film reviews could be found every Friday for about three and a half years, high school clippings, and a bunch of photos of me at prom with my first really-crazy girlfriend, I found the Holy Grail of my youth...


Jordan preview notes: Part one
Posted at WRC.com

...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 testing gravel event...


China preview quotes - Red Bull, Ferrari, Virgin, Renault & more
Posted at Formula1.com

With the Malaysian and Chinese Grands Prix falling on successive weekends, the teams barely have time to catch their breath as they make the move from Sepang to Shanghai. Another of the new generation of circuits, it presents drivers and engineers with some very technical challenges. And as in Kuala Lumpur, the weather can often play in important role in the race's outcome...


More Details about Born Again 2 CD Deluxe Edition
By Joe Siegler at Black Sabbath Online

Last night I posted the news that the long awaited 2 CD Deluxe Edition of Born Again is to be released May 30th. This came from a track listing at Amazon UK's site. As of yet, Universal/Sanctuary have not issued a formal press release for this. Last night, however, I said I'd asked around to a few people, and those emails provided some fruit on Sunday. I was sent some artwork for the album, which clearly shows the source and content of the tracks. Here's an update on the track listing for the album...

Junior's Reading And Viewing List: March 23 - 31, 2011

Last Update - April 28, 2011 at 5:12 AM EDT

Junior's March 23 through March 31, 2011 'Reading And Viewing List' includes title links, with article snippets, from items published at the end of March 2011.

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


March 31, 2011

Whitesnake's David Coverdale : "Evidently The Snake By Its Nature Has To Change Its Skin Every So Often"
Posted by Nightwatcher at Nightwatcher's House Of Rock

Vocalist David Coverdale needs no introduction to most fans of classic hard rock. From his initial emergence back in the 70's as frontman of British heavy rock legends Deep Purple, through his seminal blues rock with Whitesnake later on in the decade, later enjoying mega platinum success with later versions of the band...


Lotus demonstration to wow Malaysia ahead of Grand Prix
Posted at Formula1.com

Ahead of next weekend's Malaysian Grand Prix, Lotus will whet the appetites of Formula One fans in the Asian country with a street demonstration in administrative capital Putrajaya. The showcase, which will be held on Saturday, has been organized in collaboration with the Sepang International Circuit and Team Lotus partner AirAsia...


March 30, 2011

Purple To Tour With Orchestra
By mdome at Classic Rock

Deep Purple are planning to tour North America in June, and they’ll do it with a symphony orchestra...


March 29, 2011

Helen Mirren Says She's Ready For 'Red' Sequel:
'Just Get Me The Script'
By Kara Warner at MTV's Splash Page

...Of course, this leaves us no choice but to harass potential cast members whenever we have the opportunity. Case in point: During the "Arthur" junket over the weekend, I asked "Red" actress Helen Mirren what it will take to get her to do the sequel...

Alice Cooper's 'Welcome 2 My Nightmare' Pushed Back To 2012
Posted by Nightwatcher at Nightwatcher's House Of Rock

Legendary rocker Alice Cooper spoke to Aol's Noisecreep about "Welcome 2 My Nightmare", a sequel to his 1975 concept album "Welcome to My Nightmare" - his first "solo" release after the break-up of the original Alice Cooper band...


Whitesnake Release Live Donington DVD And CD
By mdome at Classic Rock

Whitesnake are to release Live At Donington 1990 on CD and DVD.

These will be issued by Frontiers on June 3, and features the band’s headlining performance that year at the Monsters Of Rock Festival...


Gronholm back winning in US rallycross event
Posted at WRC.com

While his former rivals were charging over the demanding gravel stages of the Algarve on Vodafone Rally de Portugal last weekend, Marcus Gronholm was making a winning start to his career in the Global RallyCross Championship...


March 28, 2011

'The Dark Knight Rises' Star Gary Oldman Has 'Quite A Bit To Do' With Tom Hardy's Bane
By Adam Rosenberg at MTV's Splash Page

Gary Oldman told MTV in a recent interview that Christopher Nolan will bring the story back around to his first Batman movie in next year's trilogy-capper, "The Dark Knight Rises." Considering the level of security surrounding your typical Nolan movie, this was a lot of information...

Thin Lizzy To Play High Voltage
By gbarton at Classic Rock

Thin Lizzy have been added to the bill of Classic Rock’s High Voltage festival, set to take place on July 23/24 at London’s Victoria Park...


March 25, 2011

King Kobra Record Ronnie Dio Tribute Song
By Dave Ling at Classic Rock

The reunited King Kobra have recorded a new song called Monsters And Heroes as a tribute to Ronnie James Dio, the proceeds from which will be donated to Dio’s Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund...


March 24, 2011

Prints Charming
By Brian Lumley at Rumblings From The Man Cave

...He opened the package and, sure enough, there I was. He said he couldn't give them to me because there was no bar code on the package.

I asked why I couldn't pick up my pictures. Well, he said, he wasn't sure that they were mine. So I had to go out to my car to get my wallet to get a photo ID. Which, by and large, he was holding in his hand...


Previously Unreleased Double CD Set By Irish Blues Rock Guitar Legend Rory Gallagher 'Notes From San Francisco' Set For Release May 17th
By Nightwatcher at Nightwatcher's House Of Rock

On May 17th, via Eagle Rock Entertainment, late Irish blues rock guitar legend Rory Gallagher will see a previously unreleased double CD offering in stores entitled 'Notes From San Francisco'...




Pre-Melbourne analysis - 2011 tyres to create new way of racing?
Posted at Formula1.com

Fernando Alonso believes that today will herald the start of a new brand of Formula One racing, thanks to the arrival of Pirelli's deliberately marginal racing tyres, which have much higher wear rates than the Bridgestones used up until 2010...


Australia preview - Red Bull, Prancing Horse, or who?
Posted at Formula1.com

At first glance, the opening race of the 2011 FIA Formula One World Championship appears to distil to a straight fight between Red Bull and Ferrari, just as in 2010. But there is plenty of spice ready to be added to what promises to be another facinating season...


March 23, 2011

New 'Captain America: The First Avenger' Trailer Is Live!
By Rick Marshall at MTV's Splash Page

After numerous clips, previews, and sneak peeks, the new "Captain America: The First Avenger" trailer has arrived!...

Lost Bowie Album Leaked
By mdome at Classic Rock

...Titled Toy, this is a 14-tracker that sees the legend updating and revamping some of his early and more obscure songs. It was originally intended to be released in 2001, but it was shelved after a dispute with Virgin Records, his label at the time...


Australia preview quotes - Ferrari, Renault, Virgin & more
Posted at Formula1.com

The FIA Formula One World Championship finally gets underway in Australia next weekend with all twelve teams eager to discover how their new cars stack up against the competition. There's new rules, new tyres and more, but one thing that remains reassuringly consistent is the warm welcome guaranteed for the paddock Melbourne's Albert Park...


Loeb and Ogier to be allowed to fight in Portugal
Posted at WRC.com

Citroen Total World Rally Team head Olivier Quesnel is convinced that allowing drivers Sebastien Loeb and Sebastien Ogier to fight it out for victory on Vodafone Rally de Portugal will boost its chances of winning the manufacturers' crown for a fourth consecutive season...

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

Junior's Reading And Viewing List: August 22 - 31, 2010

Last Update - September 14, 2010 at 3:11 AM EDT

Junior's 'Reading And Viewing List' for August 22 through August 31, 2010 contains links to some items posted during that time period, which I wanted to share.

Sorry for the delay in posting lately, but there have been many forces working against me, including a malfunctioning Blogger dashboard Reading List utility.

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

A couple 2010 F1 Belgian Grand Prix Preview posts made it into this list.


August 30, 2010

Solberg still aiming high
Posted at WRC.com

Petter Solberg is convinced he has the pace to win a round of the World Rally Championship before the end of this season.

The Norwegian took a great deal of confidence from the recent Rallye Deutschland, where he finished fifth, but was regularly the fastest of the Citroen C4 WRCs. Solberg admitted he came close to withdrawing from the Trier-based event after a troubled opening day...

Paul Rodgers Confirms Being Approached To Front Aerosmith
Posted by Nightwatcher at Nightwatcher's House Of Rock

In an interview with Spinner.com, legendary vocalist Paul Rodgers (Free/Bad Company/The Firm/Queen +Paul Rodgers) confirmed being approached by Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry to replace frontman Steven Tyler, and subsequently turned down that offer during the period when it appeared Steven Tyler might be leaving the band...


August 27, 2010

Friday analysis - Ferrari looking quietly confident
Posted at Formula1.com

Many teams were cautious in reading too much into their performance, since the rain in the morning disrupted things so significantly and with more bad weather possible, they wanted to preserve their three sets of full wet Bridgestone tyres and four sets of intermediates. And as expected, for once Red Bull were not among the pacesetters. We take a team-by-team look at Friday progress at Spa...

Friday practice - selected team and driver quotes
Posted at Formula1.com

Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso took the honours in Belgium on Friday, topping both the rain-swept morning session and the much drier afternoon one. Alonso and his rivals reflect on their early progress at Spa...

Spa celebrations for Barrichello and Webber
Posted at Formula1.com

There was a nice little ceremony in a packed Williams hospitality area at Spa on Thursday, as Rubens Barrichello celebrated his 300th Grand Prix with all of his friends in the paddock. Everyone who was anyone was there, including most of his fellow drivers with the notable exception of Michael Schumacher… Bernie Ecclestone was there, and presented the Brazilian with a medal...

More big names to follow MINI?
Posted at WRC.com

If there's one thing that history has taught us over the years, it's that everything - from flared trousers to world wars - comes in cycles.

It wasn’t that long ago when the World Rally Championship boasted seven manufacturers, and that time will come again...

New Releases From Guitar Legend Rory Gallagher
Coming September 14
Posted by Nightwatcher at Nightwatcher's House Of Rock

Eagle Rock has announced two releases from Irish blues rock guitar icon Rory Gallagher. The label will release Ghost Blues 2DVD and The Beat Club Sessions CD on September 14.

The 2DVD set, running 179 minutes in total, is the complete Rory Gallagher experience, both revealing his background as a musical artist and tapping into his dominating stage presence...

Rockin' The Kremlin : Russia's President Medvedev Tells U2's Bono That He's a Fan of Led Zeppelin, But Prefers Deep Purple
Posted by Nightwatcher at Nightwatcher's House Of Rock

Medvedev, 44, has said previously that he likes to listen to classic rock. Russia’s president since May 2008, Medvedev became a fan of Deep Purple as a teenager living in a cramped two-room apartment on the outskirts of Leningrad in the 1970s.

Deep Purple, whose music was banned by Soviet authorities, were flown to Moscow in February of 2008 to be the guests of honor at a concert in the Kremlin and met Medvedev. In a 2007 interview with Itogi magazine, Medvedev said he had the entire vinyl collection of Deep Purple. At school, he also listened to Black Sabbath...

Volkswagen ‘more than interested’ in WRC entry
Posted at WRC.com


The head of Volkswagen's motorsport division says the manufacturer could be competing in the World Rally Championship as early as 2013 if plans are given the green light in the coming months...


Wilson confident for 2011
Posted at WRC.com

Matthew Wilson believes that the extended test mileage he is accumulating with the new Ford Fiesta WRC will put him in a strong position next year.

Wilson is due to take the wheel of the Fiesta again at a test between the upcoming World Championship rounds in France and Spain, which is when Ford factory drivers Mikko Hirvonen and Jari-Matti Latvala will also sample their 2011 car for the first time...

NHL discussing possibility of women's hockey league
By Katie Carrera at Capitals Insider

The New York Times reported Thursday that the NHL is involved in preliminary discussions about the possibility of setting up a women's hockey league as parity in the women's game continues to decrease internationally...


August 26, 2010

FIA Thursday press conference - Belgium
Posted at Formula1.com

Drivers: Sebastien Buemi (Toro Rosso), Pedro de la Rosa (Sauber), Lewis Hamilton (McLaren), Michael Schumacher (Mercedes) and Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull).

Q: Gentlemen, first of all, what did you do during the break? Pedro, with the family I guess?
Pedro de la Rosa: Yes, it has been a very good break. I was always with the family. We went to Majorca, on holiday, where we normally go. Great time I must say, very good...

Belgium Preview - break over, who’ll take Spa spoils?
Posted at Formula1.com

The world championship fight could not be better poised as it enters its final European stage after the summer break, with only 20 points - less than you get for a win - separating the top five drivers.

In Hungary Red Bull’s Mark Webber moved up to the lead with 161 points after becoming the only driver to win four times this season. He is chased by McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton on 157, Red Bull team mate Sebastian Vettel on 151, McLaren’s Jenson Button on 147, and Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso on 141...

Barrichello milestones - 300 Grands Prix and counting
Posted at Formula1.com

Aged 38, Rubens Barrichello’s passion for racing shows no sign of abating - as his wheel-to-wheel tussle with former team mate Michael Schumacher in Hungary proved. Winning out against the 41-year-old German, it was a battle born out of a different era. For Barrichello, who will celebrate his 300th Grand Prix in Belgium this weekend, it was all par for the course, but for his legion of fans it was further proof of the unswerving verve and vigour of the grid’s most experienced driver. We look back on some of the ever-cheerful Brazilian’s best (and worst) F1 moments...

Visit Jimi Hendrix’s London Flat
By gbarton at Classic Rock

For 11 days in September, Hendrix fans can tour the London flat where Jimi wrote some of his iconic songs, played and entertained.

The first-floor flat at 23 Brook Street (pictured below) will be open to the public from September 15-26. Tickets for visits to the flat (hurry, they’re selling fast) cost £8 and can be booked at www.seetickets.com ...

Raikkonen boosted by stage win
Posted at WRC.com

Kimi Raikkonen says that his first World Rally Championship stage win has given him additional motivation to continue in the sport next year.

The 2007 Formula One World Champion went quickest on the final stage of the Rallye Deutschland, Circus Maximus, to claim a fastest time on only his eighth-ever WRC event in a World Rally Car...

Flash Drive
By Mike Vogel at Dump 'N Chase

The upcoming 2010-11 campaign will be the sixth in a capitals’ uniform for 26-year-old forward Tomas Fleischmann. The left wing-turned-center arrived in the District earlier this week and he hit the ice with a few of his Washington teammates on Thursday morning in preparation for the upcoming season.

Although Fleischmann’s goal, point and ice time totals have risen in each of his five seasons with the Capitals, and although he totaled 23 goals and 51 points last season, and although he just inked a $2.6 million deal for 2009-10, the Czech Republic native has heard his name floated in recently rumored trades that would reportedly bring a defenseman back to D.C.


August 25, 2010

'Iron Fist' Movie Moving Forward With 'xXx' Screenwriter
By Josh Wigler at MTV's Splash Page


Even with "Thor," "Captain America" and "The Avengers" on the horizon, Marvel Studios is looking further into the future with plans for an "Iron Fist" adaptation.

Deadline reports that screenwriter Rich Wilkes has been tapped to write the script for "Iron Fist," based on the martial arts-inclined superhero of the same name...


New Hendrix Photo Book Is A Visual Feast
By gbarton at Classic Rock

The Experience, a new book from longtime Classic Rock favourite, photographer Gered Mankowitz, has just landed at the Classic Rock office – and it’s a corker.

The 128 pages are dominated by two historic sessions at Masons Yard Studio, which took place shortly after Jimi had taken London by the throat and changed the rock landscape forever...

Introducing - an early Black Sabbath associate
Posted at Home Of Metal

Meet Norman Hood. Norman first met Black Sabbath in 1968 when he booked them (as Earth) to play at a pub backroom venue he was running with some friends in Lichfield, Staffordshire about 15 miles north east of Birmingham...

...Norman would later work for Big Bear Music and run an agency called Tramp (named after the band) who had an early version of Judas Priest on their books, before teaming up with Tony Iommi as part of the IMA management agency.


Norman Hood describes Black Sabbath playing at The Pokey Hole blues club by Home of Metal.com
We visited Norman recently to record his recollections of the time and photograph some of his extensive collection of memorabilia...


Economic Woes Affect Hockey in Greece
By Chasta Piatakovas at Love the Game, Don't Like Puck Bunnies

The economic crisis in Greece has affected many facet of the society, including hockey.

The following is an email interview with Hellenic National Team captain Dimitris Kalyvas about the history of ice hockey in the southeastern European country and the lack of financial support for the Greek teams...

The Summer of Fat Albert Brings Bad News for the Hockey Beat
By pucksandbooks at On Frozen Blog

At the very top of the hockey media hierarchy here there have been ominous departures this summer — Tarik El Bashir is pursuing new beats within the Post’s sports department, ones which won’t require anywhere near the travel commitments the hockey beat does, while Lisa Hillary is bolting to cover the Flyers for Comcast in Philadelphia. Tarik’s departure came as a bit of a shock earlier this summer, and is disappointing given the volume and quality of product he brought to the beat, particularly in the past couple of seasons. For a lot of hockey fans in this town, Tarik’s commitment and work ethic arrived as a breath of fresh air on a beat that for a generation of editors on 15th St. seemed little more than a way station, a step barely above internship at Redskins Central. Hillary’s departure, however, is more discouraging...


August 24, 2010

Team input ‘invaluable’ to Indian circuit design
Posted at Formula1.com

Organisers of next year’s inaugural Indian Grand Prix are hoping that input from Formula One teams into the design of the new circuit will help make it one of the most challenging and exciting on the F1 calendar.

Hermann Tilke, the architect behind several recent new circuits including Turkey and Abu Dhabi, came up with the initial design for the Indian track, but several teams were also consulted before construction began in earnest...

A New Dawn - India prepares to welcome Formula One
Posted at Formula1.com

India loves sport and 2011 is set to be a big year for sport in the Asian country thanks to the inaugural Indian Grand Prix. Mark Hughes, vice president of JPSK Sports, the Jaypee Group subsidiary charged with constructing the all-new circuit near Delhi, is determined the race will make a major impression on the calendar. With young fans aplenty, a growing Formula One interest courtesy of Karun Chandhok and Force India, a state-of-the-art track in the making, and a passionate promoter, he shouldn’t be disappointed...


August 23, 2010

Ford encouraged by asphalt pace
Posted at WRC.com

Despite a podium lock-out for Citroen in Germany, Ford is upbeat about the pace of its Focus WRC on asphalt, with two sealed-surface events remaining this year.

Jari-Matti Latvala, who generally feels more comfortable on gravel, put in his best asphalt performance yet, challenging for a podium throughout the rally before eventually finishing fourth, just 20 seconds behind Sebastien Ogier...


August 22, 2010

Making the Most of the "Southleast"
By The Peerless at The Peerless Prognosticator

...It is a label that has stuck hard and fast to the division since its current configuration was established in the 1999-2000 season.

The question is, does it fit? Well, let’s take a look at the five teams and their overall win-loss records outside the division...

Oh Shit
By Kameron at I May Have Been Born Yesterday
But I Stayed Up All Night

...I think it’s important to honor the inevitable “oh shit” moments we all have: you’re on the edge of disaster there’s no escape; you’ve stepped in a steaming pile and now you’ve got to clean up the mess.

And the poster reminded me of the song “Oh Shit” by Buzzcocks, which is (perhaps) the best post-breakup song ever recorded...

Today's Tune: "A Million Miles Away" By Rory Gallagher

Rory Gallagher, one of the world's greatest blues rock musicians to ever live, was born in Ballyshannon, in County Donegal, Ireland on March 2, 1948. He and his family eventually moved to Cork, Ireland, where he was raised and lived. Today we celebrate his birthday, though we also grieve for his life being cut far too short.

The Irish songwriter, guitarist and music legend had a highly successful solo career, after also having been a member of the band Taste in the late 1960s. Gallagher was well respected by the elite musicians of his time, and remains an influence to those who knew of him when he was alive and those who have discovered his music since.

Unfortunately, we lost Rory on June 14, 1995, after complications from a liver transplant caused his death at the age of 47. So far, over 30 million copies of his albums have sold worldwide.

In remembrance of the great Rory Gallagher, since we've can only be near him through his music, I offer "A Million Miles Away" (1973) as our 'Today's Tune'.

Rory Gallagher - "A Million Miles Away" 'Irish Tour 1974' DVD (2000)