Entries from March 2006 ↓

What a match! What a match!

Cesc Fabregas and Thierry Henry score to put Arsenal halfway towards the Champions League semi-finals.

Cesc Fabregas was the star of the match, as he not only scored the opening goal, but also assisted on Henry’s goal. In fact, Cesc was by far the best player on the pitch, completely overshadowing the return of Patrick Vieira to Highbury.

Juve were in the game until Cesc’s opening goal, which was the result of a great tackle by Robert Pires - disposessing Patrick Vieira of all people. Pires sent the pass to Henry, who found a streaking Cesc witha brilliant cutting pass. Cesc had to merely step to the left, then slot the ball home.

1-0.

The second half was all Arsenal. The chances just kept coming, and finally in the 69th minute, thanks to quickly taken free kick, Cesc found Henry free in the center of the penalty area, and bang!

2-0.

After that, it was a lot of hacking by Juve, which resulted in a yellow for Vieira, meaning he’ll miss the return leg on Wednesday, and two red cards for Camoranesi and Zebina.

So, 2-0 going to Turin. Halfway to history. Let’s hope the Gunners can pull it off. We’ll see on Wednesday night.

Have a great 30th “Vinemelter”!

Another Saturday, another Mitchell show. Although, this one was different. This one featured Dave on bass.

So, on my way back from NY, I got off the turnpike at exit three, and made my way down the Black Horse Pike. It was pouring rain, and I couldn’t see for beans. I drove for about twenty minutes, looking for “Connie’s Cafe.” I called Brian to see if he had any idea where it was. Turns out he and Karen were right behind me! We finally figured out that it was in a shopping center - the only one without a lit sign.

Mitchell played two sets on his own, while those of us in the audience availed ourselves of the ice cream and coffee for sale. I myself had a root beer float with mint chocolate chip ice cream.

Finally, during his third set, Dave joined Mitchell for a run through some of the tracks from Mitchell’s album, “All These Words”, as well as a nugget from the past, “Flagger’s Lament.” “Flagger’s” is of course the song made famous by the wildly influential, albiet short-lived, mid-nineties band, “Tempus Fugit”, of which Dave was a member.

I captured both “House of Osiris” and “Flagger’s Lament > Not Fade Away > Flagger’s Lament” on video, and I’ve uploaded them to You Tube.

You can check them out here:

“House of Osiris”

“Flagger’s>NFA>Flagger’s”

Yesterday, my friend Rick from London (with whom I’ll be staying during my trip next month) made a surprise visit to New York in honor of his girlfriend Moyra’s birthday. Since this was a birthday gift, Rick left it to the last minute to tell any of his friends here in the northeast, as he originally didn’t think he’d even get a chance to watch the Arsenal match. However, Moyra told him it wasn’t necessary to skip the match, so arrangments were made to meet at Nevada Smith’s on 3rd and 11th at noon.

Shortly after I got through the Holland Tunnel, Bready called to tell me that the match had been postponed due to a water-logged pitch in Portsmouth. Not knowing of any way to get a hold of Rick (turns out he has a tri-band phone), we decided just to go to Nevada’s anyway.

I’m glad we did. Despite missing out on a match, it turns out about nine of us made the trip to meet Rick and Moyra. What was supposed to be a short 2 hour visit turned into a 4.5 hour drinking session.

Nick, Regina, Mike & Shawn all came up from Philly. Bready, Alex, and DOM, were all already in the city, and I, of course came up from Chillmington.

We had a blast.

Click on the image above to see for yourself.

Oh, and Moyra, I’ll definitely bring the Reeces Pieces. Peanut Butter Cups and Hershey’s syrup.

One look at that scoreline, and you’d think that’d make the case for my post the other day regarding the lofty #5 ranking FIFA granted the US. However, a closer look at the sides that took to the pitch in Dortmund today tells a different story.

Germany had gotten their asses handed to them by Italy a few weeks ago, and needed a win to restore confidence going into the World Cup. The US, on the other hand, had a side full of second stringers. This was partially by design, and partially out of necessity. Several US players were not released by their clubs to take place in today’s friendly, and as such, Bruce Arena gave a chance to a lot of guys that wouldn’t normally play in these types of games.

The US gave a good account of themselves through 50+ minutes, but then the difference in class began to show. Germany scored 3 goals in 2o minutes, including 2 in as many minutes, to make the result beyond doubt with 10 minutes to spare.

The US pulled one back late, but it was all over but the German dancing at that point.

Next up is another friendly, this time against Jamaica, on April 11. Let’s hope some of the first stringers will be back by then.

Saturday night was particularly music filled, as I checked out a couple of sets by two favorites. First up was my buddy Erik’s set at Kaffa Krossing in West Philly. Turns out it’s an Ethiopian restaurant, and the place was packed with diners.

Erik played two 40 minute sets, both filled with some world debuts:

Man Of The Sea
Permanent Reaction
Going Sailing
Elderly Woman Behind The Counter
Earlene
Dirt*
Storefront Surprise
I Gave Her A Ring, She Gave Me The Finger

I Spent A Thought On You Tonight
Easy To Love You
The House Of Osiris
Bakerloo
Rodeo Clowns
Pepper’s Ghost
Honor Among Thieves*
Saint Patrick’s Day*
The Story Of Lester*
Baba Dochia

*first time played

“St. Patrick’s Day” featured full audience participation, and Erik seemed to be enjoying himself. However, while he knew that he’d be sharing the bill with Irene Molloy, another artist arrived unannounced, forcing him to make some late changes to the setlist, which I could tell frustrated him.

I’ll be seeing Erik again this Saturday when he plays with a full band, including Dave from Zogworld on bass. It’s at some place in Jersey that I don’t feel like looking up just now.

Erik finished his set around 10 PM, and we headed back towards South Philly to catch Don McCloskey at the Tin Angel.

“Big D in the motherf***er” indeed.

Before the show, Don came back to the bar, where we had initially set up shop, and Wooly introduced me. I asked if he had any more of the “Che McCloskey” t-shirts that I had failed to pick up last time. Unfortunately, they’re all out, but I insisted that he make more.

The place was packed when we arrived, so for the show, we were forced to find spots against the wall, just to the side of the stage. D quickly began referring to us as “the guys in the cheap seats.”

He put on a great show, playing tracks off his album, “Bombs Over Bristol”, as well as some new material.

After the show, since I only had the album on my iPod (thanks to Erik), I decided to buy my own copy. D signed it, but for some reason the “Mike” looks like “More”. Works either way, I guess.

Got in at 4 AM, and after such a great night, I wouldn’t have it any other way.