Random Notes from a Crank

I was in the liquor aisle the other day, and on a whim I decided to buy some single malt Scotch, in particular Glenlivet. 

That was a mistake. It's not that's it's bad, but I just prefer bourbon. I should have spent that kind of money on Eagle Rare, Evan Williams Single Barrel, Four Roses Single Barrel, or some other kind of high-dollar, excellent bourbon like 1792. 

With the cursory research I've done on single malt Scotches, if I'm going to shell out some money for that kind of juice, from the description of them, I should invest my booze dollars on Scotches from the Isle of Isley, specifically Lagavulin and Laphroaig. I like whiskey with a lot of character ~ lots of oak or lots of peat. Isley whiskies sound like the type of Scotch that I might prefer. That and Johnnie Walker Black. The smokier the better. 

Which gets me to the idea that I should get a smoker. But now I'm on to food. 

A few days ago I patched together a soup/stew from some ingredients I need to use before they got too far along. I had a half head of cabbage and some cauliflower, so I cut up the cabbage and cauliflower, dumped in some chicken and beef stock, and added a pound of smoked kielbasa. Add in freshly cracked black pepper, granulated garlic, and some bouquet garni, and it's a decent dinner for this here crank. 

Moscow Don's impeachment is an exercise for the GOP putting party over country. What a murder of clowns. 

Music Friday: "Wonderwall"

I'm currently watching the Wolves vs. Manchester City match. After City got awarded a penalty kick for an obvious, shameless flop, the camera cut to part of the Wolverhampton crowd, and one bloke in the stands yelled at the referees who awarded the kick. 

I'm not usually that great at reading lips, but I'm pretty certain the fan screamed "fucking wanker," which is stupendously British. 

I felt the same way since I like the Wolves. 

So in dishonor of the all the fucking wankers out there, here's an Oasis tune. 

Music Friday: "PRINCE"

Here's the song that got me hooked into acquiring Jon Batiste's new live album, Chronology of a Dream. 

Check it out. 

That album made it onto my top ten albums of the year. 

Top Ten/Twenty Albums of 2019

It's that time of the year again.

Like I did in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018, I'm providing my top choices of albums that came out this year. 

I didn't acquire as much new music as I have in past years, so if there are other albums you would recommend that came out in 2019, please let me know in the comments section. 

I'm providing my top ten albums with a handful of honorable mentions. 

1. Sturgill Simpson, SOUND & FURY

If people thought Simpson's last album was an experiment because of the inclusion of horns, I wonder what they think about this one. This album was a total surprise to me. I enjoy his whole discography, but this opus delivers wildly different goods than what we're accustomed to from a singer-songwriter of the Americana ilk. The pulsing beats and experimental melodies are wonderful. Do yourself a favor and watch the film on Netflix. It's a trip. 

Favorite Songs: "Make Art Not Friends," "Best Clockmaker on Mars," "Mercury in Retrograde," and "Sing Along"

2. Gary Clark Jr, This Land

Like Isbell's song from last year, "Hope the High Road," Clark's leadoff song on this fine album, "This Land," is a political punch in the gut. That song, for me, is the 2019 Song of the Year. The album is a mix of traditional blues, rock-n-roll, and soulful tunes. Mr. Clark has turned himself into one of those artists who puts out consistent, well plotted albums. I look forward to more and more of them. 

Favorite Songs: "This Land," "Dirty Dishes Blues," "Gotta Get Into Something," and "Feed the Babies"

3. Black Pumas, self-titled

This duo is apparently nominated for Best New Artist at the Grammys. I suspect they might win unless Maggie Rogers (see below) wins the award. I suspect you've heard their single, "Colors," sometime along the line this year. Their music reminds me of the great R&B/Soul records of the 60s and 70s, especially the work of Bill Withers, who was phenomenal. I don't know much about these guys besides the fact they're based out of Austin, which is a musical hothouse. 

Favorite Songs: "Touch the Sky," "Fire," "Colors," and "Know You Better" 

4. Michael Kiwanuka, KIWANUKA

Over the years I've heard Kiwanuka's tunes and enjoyed them, but I never took the plunge and actually bought one of his albums. I rewarded myself and acquired his 2019 release. I guess he's considered an alternative artist, but it sounds like good old fashioned R&B to me. "Final Days" is one of my favorite songs of the year. 

Favorite Songs: "Final Days," "Hero," "Piano Joint (This Kind of Love)," and "Solid Ground"

5. Jon Batiste, Chronology of a Dream

Mr. Batiste and his backing band Stay Human are known for their work on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and a week or so back the band played one of the songs from this album on the show. I loved the song. So I bought the album. Batiste has two albums out this year that are live at the Village Vanguard. I prefer this one over the other one, which is featured in the honorable mention section. I might be purchasing more jazz albums this coming year. Batiste and his mates have reaffirmed my interest in traditional jazz. 

Favorite Songs: "PRINCE," "PWWR," "KENNER," and "BIRTHE" 

6. Maggie Rogers, Heard It In A Past Life

I got interested in her work after hearing the single "Light On" via the Sirius XM Spectrum channel. I guess one way you might describe her music is alternative pop. This album fulfills my need when I have to listen to some pop-like tunes. 

Favorite Songs: "Fallingwater," "Past Life," "Burning," and "Light On"

7. The Hold Steady, Thrashing Thru the Passion

I almost missed that one of my favorite rock bands pushed out a new album this year. It doesn't disappoint. The drum beat and menacingly fun guitar riffs on "You Did Good Kid" are addictive as hell. As usual, Finn pens fine lyrics that tell interesting stories. 

Favorite Songs: "You Did Good Kid," "T-Shirt Tux," "Entitlement Crew," and "Traditional Village"  

8. Tedeschi Trucks Band, Signs

This massively sized band put out another good album this year. Like all their other albums, it's a heady mix of blues and rock with horns thrown in. 

Favorite Songs: "They Don't Shine," "Shame," "Still Your Mind," and "Signs, Hard Times" 

9. Justin Townes Earle, The Saint of Lost Causes

I think one could argue that this album is JTE's best effort since Harlem River Blues. But my evaluation is colored by my bias for uptempo songs, which this album features. 

Favorite Songs: "Ain't Got No Money," "Mornings in Memphis," "Flint City Shake It," "Appalachia Nightmare"

10. Son Volt, Union

Considering the times, Jay Farrar returned to political songs. I can't say I'm surprised. I still hanker for rock-forward tunes of the earlier years (think Swing Wide Tremelo). 

Favorite Songs: "The Symbol," "The 99," "When Rome Burns," and "Devil May Care" 

Honorable Mentions

Todd Snider, Cash Cabin Sessions No. 3

Bob Mould, Sunshine Rock

Craig Finn, I Need a New War

Joe Pug, The Flood in Color

Chemical Brothers, No Geography

Jon Batiste, Anatomy of Angels

Music Friday: "Final Days"

I've been listening the hell out of Michael Kiwanuka's 2019 offering. I've heard his stuff over the past few years and liked his sound, but this album is the first one I've bought. 

This is one of my favorite tunes on the album. 

Fumbling Toward Culinary Talent: Pickled Chicken Salad

I tried an experiment the other day by creating picked chicken in a slow cooker. It turned out okay as a foodstuff, but I think it lends itself to chicken salad better. 

Ingredients
2-3 chicken breasts
1-2 jars of leftover pickle juice ~ I recommend Claussen
Cracked black pepper
Cayenne pepper
Garlic powder
Dried thyme
Mayonnaise 

Process
Take two to three chicken breasts and put them in a slow cooker with leftover pickle juice that you've saved.  

You might wonder why I keep pickle juice in my fridge, particularly the Claussen variety. Pro Tip: It's an outstanding addition to any Bloody Mary. 

Place the chicken breasts in the slow cooker with the pickle juice and cook it on slow for 6-8 hours. Then shred the chicken breast in the pickle brine. Drain the shredded chicken and use however much of the brine you want.

In a large bowl mix the shredded chicken, mayo, and seasonings. Slather it on some good bread and make a sandwich. 

Music Friday: "Colors"

I've heard this song a ton this past month. I'm intrigued by this duo of musicians. 

I'm sure I'll buy their album. 

Sunday Hangover: Auburn

What a crappy Iron Bowl for the Tide. And what a horrible way for the team to end its otherwise strong season. 

There will be an extreme focus on the last penalty of the game, but Alabama has so many damn penalties.

I do agree with Saban and others that it was absolute bullshit that Auburn essentially was given a timeout at the end of the half when they had zero timeouts. In my mind, the ball should have been set, with one second left, and then they should have run the clock, which would have translated to no try at a field goal.  

The one pick-six by Jones was bad. He just overthrew it. The other one, at the end of an impressive drive, was just freaky. 

Besides those crucial miscues, Jones played well. And the offensive line, except for some notable exceptions, did a good job of protecting him.

Najee and Waddle were absolute beasts in the game. 

With the Tide out of the playoff for the first time, my bitter thoughts venture toward the bowl game and which players will be going out in the draft. 

I suspect the trio of outstanding receivers ~ Jeudy, Ruggs, and Smith ~ might all go into the draft. Those three plus Waddle is the strongest wide receiving corps I've ever seen play for the Tide. Or in college football for that matter. 

I worry about Najee getting seduced by the NFL draft since he is a junior, but I wonder about what his draft grade will be. Coach Saban's advice is always that if you're not a first rounder, you should come back for school and to improve your draft stock. That's what Raekwon Davis did.