SONG OF THE DAY - WHAT?

OK, now don't think this is a new part of my blog and that I am going to post a song every day because I'm not. Anyway, on the way home from work Friday I was listening to the song "Fu Manchu" by Desmond Dekker. For some reason this song has been in my head all weekend long. Anyway, for those of you that aren't hip to Desmond Dekker and his hit "Fu Manchu", check it out! Hopefully it will stay in your head too! HAHA!

WORKING AT A RECORD STORE

Back when I was a kid I thought that the coolest job in the world would be working at a record store. When I used to go into these stores I'd look at the person behind the counter and think to myself "What a life". I mean you played music all day, read the latest music magazines and then ring up the occasional sale. This seemed like heaven to me and the ultimate job but maybe it was just the part of listening to music all day that appealed to me. I dunno...... All I know is I never did get a chance to work in a record store. Come to think of it, it still seems like a pretty cool job to me. Oh well......

REST IN PEACE - GIL SCOTT - HERON

I read the sad news this morning that Gil Scott -Heron has passed away. A sad, sad day. I have always been a big fan of Gil since he first burst on the scene with his hit "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised". I am pretty sure I have all of Gil's cd's and they are all winners! Gil was a poet, an activist and a man who's music had a message! There are many that say that Gil even was the first rapper although he failed to take this credit (or blame) and instead referred to himself as a "bluesologist". I even got the chance to see Gil back in the day and it was an unforgettable experience. Rest in peace Gil Scott-Heron. You will be sorely missed. Here is Gil performing one of his many hits "The Bottle".

DVD PICK OF THE WEEK - OLDBOY

Although I had originally seen this movie a few years back I recently picked up a copy on Ebay. This Korean movie is a dark, disturbing (and entertaining) film about a businessman who is abducted and locked up in a private prison for 15 years. He is unexpectedly freed and given a new suit and a cell-phone. He also has 5 days to discover the mysterious person who had him imprisoned. He then seeks vengeance on all those involved and finds that his enemys tortures are just beginning. A wild ride and not for the faint of heart or sqeamish! What? Anyway, check out the trailer or go rent the movie.

TROJAN REGGAE BOX SETS - CHECK THEM OUT

I have to admit that ever since my last visit to Amoeba I have been in a reggae mood. I have really been listening to and buying a lot of reggae music lately. One of the great things I picked up during my last visit to Amoeba was one of the Trojan Reggae Box Sets. The picture shown here is for the "Ska" box set but I picked up the "Roots" box set. Anyway, these box sets are typically 50 songs and three discs. The packaging is pretty sparse but they are filled with a ton of great music and rarities. Best yet, is these are bargain priced at only$20! What? Yep, I kid you not. These sets each cover a particular style of reggae such as Lover's Rock, Ska, Dancehall, Rock Steady, Roots, Dub, etc.....Since this purchase I have downloaded (what?) several more of these from various blogs and they are all winners! The link will take you to a listing of the various box sets so check them out cuz they go out of print fast! Get some reggae in your collection because there is more to this genre of music than Bob Marley (you know who you are!) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trojan_Box_Set_series

OK, SO MAYBE I'M A LITTLE CLAUSTROPHOBIC

As I've gotten older I have noticed that I am more claustrophobic than when I was younger. As a kid I would hide in the smallest spaces, crawl through backyard tunnels and play in a variety of many, small confined spaces. Now maybe because I'm older and hopefully wiser but I just don't see the need to subject myself to these types of situations any more. I think the scene in Kill Bill 2 that I have attached gives you an idea what I'm talking about. Buried alive in a coffin? No thanks. I think I would die right on the spot. Come to think of it, even buried in a coffin when your dead would be too much for SAXOMAN to take. Well I guess I would be dead but still.....

LATIN CD PICK OF THE WEEK - TOMMY OLIVENCIA

It's been a while since my last Latin CD Pick of the Week so here is Tommy Olivencia's cd simply titled "Tommy Olivencia". This cd also introduced the great vocalist Lalo Rodriguez to the world and also features Simon Perez on vocals as well. This cd is a mixture of boleros and some great up-tempo jams such as "Vengo Del Monte". A great cd that you are sure to enjoy! Check out Vengo Del Monte (below) and hip up!

DVD PICK OF THE WEEK - RAGING PHOENIX

I don't see too many Thai movies but I recently checked out this Thai movie called Raging Phoenix. Now I must say at times this movie seemed pretty silly but you all know that I'm a guy that is easily amused. It also happens to be a real slow period for Hong Kong and Chinese action movies so with that being said this is getting my coveted award for DVD Pick of the Week. What? OK, don't complain unless you've seen the movie ok? Anyway, check out the trailer for this fine piece of cinema and I'm sure you will agree! HAHA!

REGGAE CD PICK OF THE WEEK - BURNING SPEAR

One of the good things about living in a college town is that the young people are pretty hip to reggae music. I guess it goes good with studying. HAHA! The other good thing is that college kids are typically strapped for cash so end up selling their cd's at the local cd store. So, this is where SAXOMAN swoops in and never fails to find some good deals on reggae music. Now this past weekend I came across this 2 CD set by Burning Spear titled "Burning Alive". After the initial listen it was clear that this would be my Reggae CD Pick of the Week. I have always been a fan of Burning Spears music and currently own 11 of his cd's. This live 2 cd set was recorded in 1997 and features a top notch band. Not hip to Burning Spear? Well shame on you! Anyway, here's a clip of Burning Spear from 1997. Check it out and hip up!

LAKERS -DONE AND OUT

Being a die-hard Laker fan who watches them all year long I am sad to say that the NBA Playoffs have come to an end for my beloved Purple and Gold. After struggling in the first round the Lakers were clearly overmatched in the second round by a superior team. A four game sweep of the Lakers puts them on vacation for the summer. The Lakers were outplayed in all facets of this series and looked like an old, tired and confused team. They were no match for the Dallas Mavericks as they were buried by the deadly three point shooting of the Mavericks. On top of this Laker Coach Phil Jackson has said throughout the season that this will be his last season of coaching and that he is retiring. It is sad to see that the man who has brought so many championship's to the Lakers has to go out like this but such is life. A sad day in Lakerland and a sad, sad day for SAXOMAN. What am I gonna do with all my free time now?

I AM SPARTACUS - HUH?

Because I drive the local freeways on a daily basis I am always observing the things around me. Now the other day I noticed one of those large big rig trucks next to me. As I looked at the rims of this truck I saw all of these large, sharp spikes sticking out! What? Yep, just like in the photo shown. Is this legal? Now I can honestly say I had never seen this before while driving. I immediately sped up to get away from these wheels. "Stay away from me", I said. Now I can tell you that I felt just like Charlton Heston in Spartacus (or was it Ben Hur?) when the chariot with the spikes cut the wheels off of his chariot. I swear that I felt like my car was going to be ripped to shreds! HAHA!

MOVIE TRAILERS I DON'T GET

Now I know movie trailers are supposed to make you want to go and see a movie however I can honestly say that there are many of these trailers that I just don't get. An example was the trailer for Little Fockers where Ben Stiller goes to carve the turkey and ends up slicing his hand with blood spurting out all over. Now maybe cuz I'm squeamish but I just don't see this as funny at all. I also notice that several movie trailers tend to have someone getting kicked in the crotch quite a bit. Now I'm sorry but if that's one of the funniest parts of your movie then you're not getting SAXOMAN's hard earned cash. Anyway, just my two cents on movie trailers that I don't get.

CHUBB - CHUBB

Well I guess it's official. My cat is overweight! Yep, she is now officially a Chubb - Chubb and one fat cat. The photo gives you a look at what I'm talking about. Now I have spared her the public humiliation and shame by not showing her face but you get the idea. Now I didn't really think anything was out of the ordinary but a recent trip to the vet confirmed it. Yes, she weighed in at a whopping 18 pounds! What? Yep, I kid you not. They said that on the previous visit that she was 12 pounds. Well I guess this means no more unlimited dry food whenever the bowl is empty. This cat is going on a diet! HAHA!