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Best Albums of 2011
In January, my wife Cari and I welcomed a daughter, Violet. In the months since, some of my passions – writing being one of them – have fallen by the wayside. Slowly, I am getting back into it but in the case of other things, like going out to shows and movies, we simply have to curb our outings knowing that a babysitter is now part of the equation.
That's not to say we haven't been to some great concerts this year. On my birthday I was treated to Paul Simon, who was touring in support of his fantastic So Beautiful Or So What. At the same venue, Massey Hall, we recently saw Wilco and their iconic support act, Nick Lowe.
On the feature film front, Cari and I remained in attendance at the Toronto International Film Festival, taking in the latest offerings from Morgan Spurlock, Sarah Polley and Ian Fitzgibbon. We also had some entertaining outings to the cinema to see Bridesmaids, 50/50, The Muppets and Young Adult, all great films in very different ways. We also caught up on the home video front with Horrible Bosses.
So what am I getting at? Despite having to pare down my other passions, staying up-to-date with recorded music over the past year did not prove a challenge in the slightest. The albums on the below list were my soundtrack while my wife and I first got acquainted with our daughter, my morning and afternoon commutes when I returned to work, playtime with Violet, road trips and vacations. I may not have had the time to write about any of these albums since The King Is Dead in February, but make no mistake – I am still hopelessly devoted to music and albums in particular.
So, consider this list a celebration of the album. This list finds perennial favourites like Wilco and Paul Simon meeting new discoveries like Dawes and The Belle Brigade. Music is the passion that ignites me, and I can't wait to share it with my daughter.
So without further ado, here's my list of the Best Albums of 2011.
10. Middle Brother by Middle Brother
Before I discovered the incredible band that is Dawes (you'll read more about them later), I came about Middle Brother. Having played their first show at SXSW in 2010 (with the name MG&V), Middle Brother took about a year to release their self-titled debut. A supergroup of sorts – featuring John McCauley of Deer Tick, Matt Vasquez of Delta Spirit and Taylor Goldsmith of Dawes – Middle Brother follows the lineage of albums like Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1 and Monsters of Folk in its ability to present each artist's individuality while allowing them to bring something new to the table. Even "Million Dollar Bill," which would later turn up on Dawes' Nothing Is Wrong album, takes on a completely different meaning when its lyrical aspirations are delivered by not one but three different voices. Key cuts: "Portland," ""Someday," "Million Dollar Bill"
9. So Beautiful Or So What by Paul Simon
Leading up to the release of Paul Simon's 10th studio album, it was hard to ignore the buzz. Paul Simon's Time Out Of Mind? His best since Graceland? Thankfully in this case, the hype was legitimate. Sure, it's no Graceland. It's no Paul Simon or There Goes Rhymin' Simon either. But it's still a great album, full of the mix of balladry and rhythm we've come to expect from one of America's greatest songwriters. And you've got to give props to Simon for starting an album released in spring with a song called "Getting Ready for Christmas Day." Key cuts: "Getting Ready for Christmas Day," "The Afterlife," "Rewrite"
8. The Belle Brigade by The Belle Brigade
Who are these kids? The "fun fact" trivia answer is two of the grandchildren of Academy Award winning composer John Williams. But the real answer is the incredibly talented brother and sister team of Ethan and Barbara Gruska. Whether it's their strong musical lineage or just an ear for the perfect pop song, The Belle Brigade have delivered one of the strongest debut albums in years. Echoes of Fleetwood Mac and Simon & Garfunkel permeate throughout this delightful record. Speaking of Paul Simon, close your eyes during "Sweet Louise" and you'll swear you were listening to his debut record and not theirs. Key cuts: "Sweet Louise," "Losers," "Fasten You To Me."
7. Rave On Buddy Holly by Various Artists
Anybody who knows enough about my taste in music knows that I have a soft spot for cover tunes. The only problem is that too many artists either try to hard too deliver note-perfect renditions of classic songs or take the alternate approach of changing the melody and tempo to the point that the song is no longer recognizable. Rave On Buddy Holly does a good job at striking a balance between loyalty and liberty, and the artists on hand for the festivities are top-notch: The Black Keys ("Dearest"), Florence & The Machine ("Not Fade Away") and Cee-Lo ("(You're So Square) Baby I Don't Care") to name just a few. There are only a few duds, including Paul McCartney's incredibly over-the-top and borderline offensive version of "It's So Easy." And why do they keep putting Kid Rock on tribute albums? The rest of the tracks more than make up for these lesser cuts, and the power of iTunes means you'll never actually have to listen to them if you choose not to. Key cuts: "Everyday" (Fiona Apple & Jon Brion), "I'm Gonna Love You Too" (Jenny O.), "Changing All Those Changes" (Nick Lowe)
6. Barton Hollow by The Civil Wars
One of the best bands to hit the scene in 2011 are The Civil Wars. I'm not sure whether it was a conscious effort or not, but it's almost as if the sound Alison Krauss and Robert Plant crafted with T-Bone Burnett on their Raising Sand album sparked an entire musical genre. Elsewhere, it seems like influence is owed to The Swell Season. Barton Hollow is a truly stunning album; folksy, countryish but mainstream enough to potentially attract some mass appeal. Joy Williams and John Paul White have immediately proven themselves to be capable singers, songwriters and performers. I'm looking forward to hearing more from them. Key cuts: "Poison & Wine," "Barton Hollow," "Falling"
5. How To Become Clairvoyant by Robbie Robertson
Robbie Robertson is known best for his tenure as leader of The Band and writer of most of their songs (including "The Weight," "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" and "Up On Cripple Creek"). As a solo artist, Robertson has released just five albums. Unlike his bandmates Levon Helm, Rick Danko and Richard Manuel, Robertson was never known as a lead singer. His voice is raspy and sounds limited at times. He's also mostly given up rootsy Americana for something a bit more atmospheric (think Daniel Lanois). But that hasn't stopped him from trying to push the musical envelope. With How To Become Clairvoyant, Robertson has some pretty high-profile help in Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, Trent Reznor and Tom Morello. If that list of musicians intrigues you, so will the album. Key cuts: "When The Night Was Young," "He Don't Live Here No More," "Fear of Falling"
4. Helplessness Blues by Fleet Foxes
Fleet Foxes became critical darlings with their self-titled debut in 2008, and anyone who saw them live could attest that their strong vocal harmonies were just as strong in person as they were in the studio. Helplessness Blues is more than a worthwhile sophomore effort. It doesn't stray very hard from the formula, but has some truly wonderful songs that are almost hypnotic at times. Key cuts: "Bedouin Dress," "Sim Sala Bim," "Helplessness Blues"
3. The Whole Love by Wilco
I know, a Wilco album close to the top of this list is predictable for Being There and for me in particular, but for my money The Whole Love is the their best since Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. It seems that the band has finally found the perfect balance between the avant garde, pop and rock 'n' roll. Some Wilco purists are a bit critical of the tendency of throwing loud guitars and white noise into the mix, but they seem to have scaled that down – at least in the studio. Most of the time. Key cuts: "Dawned On Me," "Born Alone," "One Sunday Morning (Song for Jane Smiley's Boyfriend)"
2. Nothing Is Wrong by Dawes
Dawes have built up their street cred by backing Jackson Browne and Robbie Robertson on recent live tours and television appearances, but don't be mistaken – this Los Angeles-based quartet can hold their own against the veterans. Their 2009 debut North Hills attracted quiet acclaim before the 2011 release of Nothing Is Wrong. The songs are fresh and performed well by a competent group of young musicians. As far as I'm concerned, this is the young band to watch. Key cuts: "Time Spent In Los Angeles," "Coming Back To A Man," "Fire Away"
1. The King Is Dead by The Decemberists
The Decemberists follow the rich tradition of artists like Neil Young and Beck by offering one album that is about as far removed from its predecessor as possible. In a recent interview, frontman Colin Meloy called 2009's The Hazards Of Love his favourite album, but critical reception was mixed at best. 2011's The King Is Dead trades the dense instrumentation and heavy-handed conceptual songwriting of Hazards in for an extremely rootsy blend of songs. The results are immensely satisfying, in large part because of just how simple and catchy the music is. The lyrics are still very much Meloy's, but the sound is fresh and unlike anything The Decemberists have done before. Cameos from Gillian Welch, David Rawlings and R.E.M.'s Peter Buck work to enhance these songs even further. Key cuts: "Rox in the Box," "Down By The Water," "This Is Why We Fight"
Honourable Mentions:
The Lost Notebooks of Hank Williams by Various Artists
The Road From Memphis by Booker T. Jones
Volume 2: High and Inside by The Baseball Project
The Harrow & The Harvest by Gillian Welch
Album Review: The King Is Dead by The Decemberists
Is that Chris Funk playing pedal steel, Colin Meloy blowing through a harmonica and Gillian Welch & Dave Rawlings providing backing vocals? Why, yes it is!
After 2009's concept (rock opera, even) album The Hazards of Love, The Decemberists have taken a complete left-turn to their folk influences and beyond for The King Is Dead. Never before have The Decemberists so thoroughly embraced roots music, particular country. They've literally gone to a farm in Oregon to record the album, which plays like one giant breath of fresh air from start to finish.
From the opening notes of "Don't Carry It All," the album's first cut, we know we're in for something much different with The King Is Dead. John Moen's drums don't sound all that different from the ones Kenny Buttrey played on Neil Young's Harvest, and we're quickly given a blast of Meloy's aforementioned harmonica. "Calamity Song" is another early highlight, with R.E.M.'s Peter Buck offering up his distinctive 12-string electric guitar behind lyrics that are Colin Meloy through and through ("And the Andalusian tribes / Setting the lay of Nebraska alight/ 'Til all that remain is the arms of the angels").
Fans of Gillian Welch will be delighted to hear that she contributes backing vocals to 7 of the album's 10 tracks (of these, 3 also feature Welch's talented collaborator Dave Rawlings). These backing vocals are far from buried in the mix, as is evidenced on the upbeat "Rox In The Box" and "Down By The Water." On these and other tracks, Welch is just as audible as Meloy, and the pair's voices blend together wonderfully.
Some may argue that a reliance on guest appearances cheapens The Decemberists' roles as individual contributors. However, we have never seen band members jump around on instruments like they do on this album. Guitarist Chris Funk primarily sticks to pedal steel, but also is credited on bouzouki, banjo and electric guitar. Keyboardist Jenny Conlee plays accordion on four tracks and does so with vigor and passion (her contribution to "Rox In The Box" is worth the price of admission). On "This Is Why We Fight," we hear Colin Meloy shining most brightly as a musician, contributing several guitar parts layered together with great skill. I had never questioned his talents as a singer and songwriter, but this track proves to me that he is also a skilled guitarist to boot.
I'm hesitant to call The King Is Dead the best album The Decemberists have ever done, but it's definitely my favourite, from the tender ballads to the country rave-ups.
Best Albums of 2010 – A Year of Collaborations
Neil Young has released more than 30 albums as a solo artist and with his band Crazy Horse, and with eight of them having come out since 2000, he has not become any less prolific. Unfortunately, as had been the case in the 1980s and 1990s, the results have run the gamut from mildly enjoyable (Silver & Gold, Prairie Wind, Living With War) to entirely forgettable (Are You Passionate?, Fork In The Road).
Sure, nobody at this point is going to tell Neil Young to stop releasing so many albums, but it does seem like we have had to wait around for a few duds before hearing another one that is truly inspired. Le Noise is probably the first album since Living With War that doesn't sound like an afterthought. The irony is that like Living With War, this album was announced very shortly before its release, and the premise is relatively simple: Neil Young and his acoustic and electric guitars sitting in a room with a plethora of sonic enhancers and producer extraordinare Daniel Lanois. I've spoken to a number of people about this album; some love it, some hate it, but in the end one thing is definitely clear – for a man who has taken a lot of chances with his albums and has explored many different types of music, Le Noise actually manages to accomplish something wholly different from anything else in the Neil Young catalogue. So even if it proves to be another second or third-rate Neil Young album, it's got that going for it.
Key cuts: "Walk With Me," "Love and War," "Hitchhiker"
The only thing more predictable than me including a Neil Young album on a Best Of list is me including an Elvis Costello album on the same list. Truthfully, I feel like this is an imperfect album. Where Secret, Profane & Sugarcane had a cohesiveness to it, this album seems like more of a compilation. Not that this necessarily makes it a bad album, but I also find it makes listening to it that much more challenging. The album's best moments are sonically somewhere between Spike, All This Useless Beauty and Brutal Youth. In terms of musical support, Elvis features members of The Impostors, The Sugarcanes as well as Leon Russell and Marc Ribot.
Key cuts: "A Slow Drag With Josephine," "Five Small Words," "I Lost You"
It seems like every Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings album leaps forward a few years in the journey through classic soul, R&B and funk. I Learned The Hard Way takes many of its musical cues from the more inventive work that Marvin Gaye, The Supremes, Stevie Wonder and others did in the early 1970s. "The Game Gets Old" and the title track are key examples of this. Elsewhere, it seems to go back even further – "Mama Don't Like My Man" sounds like it could have been performed by the likes of Ruth Brown or LaVern Baker. Personally, I prefer the rawer, earlier Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings material, but you can't blame the band for stepping a little more outside their comfort level. From a songwriting perspective, more and more of the band members are having a hand at contributing material. In the long run, this can only help the band's output stay fresh and varied.
Key cuts: "I Learned The Hard Way," "She Ain't A Child No More," "Money"
When singer-songwriter Josh Rouse moved to Spain, hints of the country's music started to make its way into his music. El Turista is an even fuller realization of these influences, with Rouse singing as many songs in Spanish as he does English. Just when Rouse's music started to follow the same patterns, he has managed to deliver a completely fresh sound, but one that doesn't completely abandon his earlier sensibilities. Pick this one up on vinyl and listen to it on a Sunday morning.
Key cuts: "Lemon Tree," "Mesie Julian," "I Will Live On Islands"
One of the earliest gems in music for 2010 was Broken Bells, a collaboration between producer extraordinaire Danger mouse and Shins frontman James Mercer. Both sonics and songwriting are at the forefront of this solid album, which has been both a commercial and critical success.
Key cuts: "The High Road," "The Ghost Inside," "The Mall & Misery"
This album takes a guilty pleasure and makes it sound really, really cool. From the opening strains of "Heard It On The Radio," you can tell that The Bird and the Bee are about to take these 80s hits we've heard a thousand times and make them sound fresh and exciting. Those who have never heard Inara George sing before are bound to remember her, skipping back a few seconds so they can hear her deliver the line "I'll do anything you want me to" in "I Can't Go For That" over and over again, especially when she goes back and hits the high note. Slip "Maneater," "Kiss On My List" and "Private Eyes" into the playlist at your next at your next party and watch your guests start singing along proudly.
Key cuts: "Maneater," "Kiss On My List," "I Can't Go For That"
This collaboration is one of many on the list, but is probably the most unlikely of them all in that it involves a well-known pop musician and a British novelist. Nick Hornby has made his love for music clear, from novels like High Fidelity and Juliet, Naked to his non-fiction volume Songbook. His concepts and words were paired with music in an ill fated stage version of High Fidelity, but Ben Folds has proven a much better collaborator as is evidenced by Lonely Avenue. Just like his novels, Hornby's lyrics pair humour and the depths of human emotion, sometimes within the space of the same song (as on "Doc Pomus"). "Levi Johnston's Blues" is probably the best case of topical satire put to music since Randy Newman's Good Old Boys.
Key cuts: "Levi Johnston's Blues," "Claire's Ninth," "Belinda"
Soul/gospel legend Mavis Staples has been making music for five decades and counting, but she's proven herself willing to take one of the biggest risks of her career by allowing Wilco's Jeff Tweedy to produce one of her albums. The results are simply magical, particularly the Tweedy-penned title track which sounds right at home alongside gospel standards like "Don't Knock" and covers of Creedence Clearwater Revival, Allen Toussaint and Randy Newman. Tweedy was smart to let Staples use her own band, even though he quietly sneaks in on bass and guitar, and brings Neko Case collaborators like Kelly Hogan and Nora O'Connor along for the ride.
Key cuts: "Don't Knock," "You Are Not Alone," "Wrote A Song For Everyone"
If 2010 was truly a year of unlikely collaborations, then this album plays like a compilation of these collaborations. You've got Damon Albarn, the lead singer of Blur, front and centre. A wide array of guests from The Clash's Mick Jones & Paul Simonon, De La Soul, Little Dragon, Mos Def, Snoop Dogg, Lou Reed, Bobby Womack and Super Furry Animals' Gruff Rhys make for a pretty wild party. The best songs are the ones fueled by this collaborative nature. "Stylo" starts with Mos Def cryptically rapping over top of a steady groove. Then comes Albarn's understated vocal performance before soul legend Bobby Womack kicks down the door with his contribution. Elsewhere, "Superfast Jellyfish" models itself after a quirky breakfast cereal commercial that finds De La Soul rapping the verses and Gruff Rhys singing the chorus. Sure, not every moment on this album shines as brightly as the next, but there are enough memorable tracks to make this album one we'll return to over the years to come.
Key cuts: "Stylo," "Superfast Jellyfish," "On Melancholy Hill"
It's been a long time since I've heard an hour long album that actually sustains itself over four sides of music. The fact that the incredible "Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)" is buried in the middle of Side Four speaks to just how solid The Suburbs is. I've been aware of Arcade Fire since they first hit it big, but this is the first time I've been compelled to buy one of their albums. And I'm glad I did. The Suburbs is probably the most accessible album the band has put out, and therefore a great place to get into their unique style of music that sounds both classic and contemporary at the same time.
Key cuts: "City With No Children," "We Used To Wait," "Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)
Album Review: You Are Not Alone by Mavis Staples
Soul/gospel legend Mavis Staples has had the distinction of working with three performer/producers in the past decade. She contributed three songs to Joe Henry's terrific 2005 compilation I Believe To My Soul, worked with Ry Cooder on 2007's We'll Never Turn Back, and now in 2010 finds herself paired with her most unlikely producer yet in Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy.
Indeed, when news first broke that Tweedy would be producing a new Mavis Staples record to be released on Anti-, fans of both artists were probably met either with excitement, intrigue or simple curiosity as to who (in Wilco fans' case) Mavis Staples is and who (in Mavis Staples' fans' case) Jeff Tweedy is.
In reality, the pairing is actually not that unusual. Jeff Tweedy has long been a student and appreciator of roots music, and soul and gospel play an important part of music's rich history. Perhaps even more obvious is a shared appreciation for the music of The Band. Mavis Staples may not have heard of Wilco or Jeff Tweedy, but when her manager sent her Sky Blue Sky, it had some very familiar qualities to her. Staples was a good friend to The Band, having participated in The Last Waltz's glorious retelling of "The Weight," which featured members of The Band as well as The Staple Singers trading verses.
Tweedy could have taken many approaches in his production of You Are Not Alone, but smartly avoided putting too much of his own stamp on the album. He even went so far as to let Staples' touring band provide most of the musical accompaniment. The song selection is inspired, consisting of traditional gospel songs alongside songs that Tweedy undoubtedly brought to the table; some his own, others from artists who he clearly felt had a place on the album.
You Are Not Alone kicks off with a song written by Mavis Staples' father Pops and popularized by The Staple Singers. "Don't Knock" is delivered in a similar arrangement to versions listeners may have heard before, and the track is highlighted by Mavis' vocal delivery alongside backing vocals from Neko Case collaborators Kelly Hogan and Nora O'Connor. Hogan and O'Connor do a marvelous job of complementing Staples' deep, soulful voice with their bright, angelic accents.
From the old we move into the new. Jeff Tweedy wrote "You Are Not Alone" specifically for Staples to sing and the testament to how great a song it is, is that we can hear it both as a Mavis Staples song and a Jeff Tweedy song. Fun fact: Tweedy has put this into his live repertoire at recent solo/acoustic shows and his version sounds terrific. The perfect contrast to the upbeat "Don't Knock," "You Are Not Alone" is a slow ballad with a strong message.
Practically every track on You Are Not Alone is top-notch. Other highlights include the traditional "In Christ There Is No East or West," which is arranged by Tweedy to be played very much in the style of something you might hear on Bob Dylan's John Wesley Harding. Listeners hungry for more gospel revivals will enjoy "Creep Along Moses" and "I Belong To The Band." Tweedy delivers another original composition in "Only The Lord Knows," more of an upbeat rocker with electric guitar peppered throughout. There's also a fantastic version of Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Wrote A Song For Everyone" that goes so far as to improve upon the original.
As a listener who appreciates both Jeff Tweedy and Mavis Staples' contribution to music, I can say this is one of the best albums I've had the pleasure of hearing all year. Whether other Wilco or Staples fans will respond to the album as enthusiastically as I have remains to be seen. One thing is certain; we love Tweedy for having the courage and respect to give this project his all, and we love Staples for the very same reasons.
Film Review: Scott Pilgrim vs. The World
Directed by Edgar Wright
Scott Pilgrim is not unlike the sorts of indie hipsters you run into on the streets of Toronto, or any other metropolis.
You see him at Bloor Cinema, catching the latest zombie movie. You see him at Sonic Boom, shopping for records by bands you've never heard of. You see him at Lee's Palace, seeing those bands live – hoping that one day his band (or her band, for there are many female Scott Pilgrims out there) can gain the amount of respectability to get booked there too.
In many ways, Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) is his generation's Rob Gordon (the mid-thirtyish protagonist of High Fidelity). He likes rock music, video games and girls – and as soon as a new one dazzles him, he's forgotten about everything else in his life. Pilgrim is happily dating a high school girl and playing in a band, until he meets Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), at which point the only priority in his life is winning her heart.
Unfortunately for Pilgrim, Ramona comes with some baggage. In order to be with her, she warns him that he must defeat all seven of her evil exes. This is where the video game motif comes in. Each time Scott faces one of Ramona's exes, we are immediately thrust into a world reminiscent of Street Fighter II or Dragonball Z. When Scott defeats Ramona's first evil ex-boyfriend, Matthew Patel, he bursts into coins – much like a villain in Super Mario Bros. would. Meanwhile, an old school computer font flashes a large "1,000" for points scored. After defeating another evil ex, Scott reaches for a "1 Up" icon of his face, denoting an extra life.
Each face-off with one of Ramona's evil exes is staged like a video game level, with a different soundtrack, different backdrop and different villain. All of these villains seem equipped with superhuman strength and some sort of supernatural or metaphysical ability. Although sleek and agile, he must use his creativity to defeat each one of them, leading up to the group's mastermind, music promoter Gideon Graves (Jason Schwartzman).
Elsewhere in the film, we get to see Scott interact with a great supporting cast. His sister (Anna Kendrick) and roommate (Kieran Culkin) in particular try their hardest to keep Scott grounded in reality, even if it never manages to work for very long. Also entertaining are Pilgrim's bandmates Stephen Stills (Mark Webber), Young Neil (Johnny Simmons) and Kim Pine (Alison Pill), not to mention his initial girlfriend Knives Chau (Ellen Wong), who he ditches as soon as Ramona comes along.
Scott Pilgrim may be the titular character of the film and the one we find ourselves rooting for (when he's not being an asshole), but the true hero of Scott Pilgrim vs. The World is director Edgar Wright, who has taken visual and musical cues from video games, television and comic books and delivered a well-crafted, widly entertaining feature film. Even the opening Universal logo and music are done up in the style of an 8-bit video game, and audio and visual cues are all over the rest of the film.
All of the important elements of Bryan Lee O'Malley's graphic novels have stayed intact, most importantly the uniquely Torontonian references and setting. Admittedly, as a Torontonian, it's a unique thrill to see a film produced by an American company and directed by a Brit take place in my city. There are a few jokes that may be lost on foreign audiences, but I secretly wait in vain until one of my friends visits and requests the "Scott Pilgrim Experience Tour."
Cover-to-Cover: "Penny Lane" by David Bowie
\"Penny Lane\" as performed by David Bowie
I don't have to tell you that David Bowie is a rock 'n' roll icon, known for dozens of original compositions in an array of styles – from "Space Oddity" and "Ziggy Stardust" to "Ashes to Ashes" and "I'm Afraid of Americans." The list is endless.
Most prolific songwriters wouldn't bother with covering other people's songs, let alone frequently; but Bowie has always made a point of it, looking to sources like George Harrison, Jonathan Richman and even Bruce Springsteen and Nina Simone to mix things up a little bit.
From deep in the Bowie archives comes this 1967 version of The Beatles' "Penny Lane." It wasn't uncommon at the time for emerging British pop stars to tackle songs that were already popular (people like Chris Farlowe pretty much made a point of it).
That's where this track comes in. Up until this morning, I had no idea this cover version existed – some even deny its authenticity – but to me it sounds pretty much like you'd expect from '67-era Bowie, when he was still trying to find his footing and hadn't quite hit it big yet. I'll let you be the judge.
Album Review: American VI: Ain't No Grave by Johnny Cash
In a recent interview, Bob Dylan discredited the music Johnny Cash made towards the end of his life with producer Rick Rubin, calling it "notorious low-grade stuff."
For many, these comments couldn't be further from the truth and border on the offensive. The music Johnny Cash made with Rick Rubin between 1994 and his death in 2003 are some of the most emotional, personal and earnest the country legend made in his nearly 50-year career.
Country fans and non-country fans alike embraced 1994's American Recordings, which included solo acoustic renditions of songs by the expected (Kris Kristofferson and Jimmy Driftwood) and the unexpected (Nick Lowe, Tom Waits and Glenn Danzig). The album won Cash the highest critical acclaim he had received in decades, topped off by the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Album.
Following American Recordings, Cash released more albums with Rick Rubin at the helm – Unchained, American III: Solitary Man and American IV: The Man Comes Around. As the albums went on, so too did Cash's deteriorating health. He was forced to quit live performance shortly after the release of Unchained and his voice became less boisterous and more strained. What didn't waver was his determination, and Cash took solace making as much music as possible in the recording studio.
American IV: The Man Comes Around was the last Johnny Cash album to be released during his lifetime. What many of us didn't realize was that there would be a huge treasure trove of music left to share with fans after his passing. Fitting, then, that the album should close with "We'll Meet Again." Cash may no longer be with us, but his music still resonates.
The first posthumous gift from Johnny Cash came in form of Unearthed, a five-disc box set that collected a large number of outtakes from Cash's recordings during his tenure with Rubin. These are hardly leftover scraps, but rather songs that simply did not fit on any of the released albums. Next came American V: A Hundred Highways, which was released in 2006 and consisted entirely of recordings Cash made after the release of American IV.
We thought that was it, but just as we thought the well of Johnny Cash's American recordings had been tapped dry, Rubin has overseen the release of American VI: Ain't No Grave.
Rather than a sequel to American V, American VI should be treated as a companion piece, as the music comes from the same sessions that yielded its predecessor. Nowhere to be found are the unusual sources like Soundgarden, Depeche Mode or Trent Reznor, whose songs had been featured on earlier American albums. Instead, this album sticks mostly to songs that are country through and through. Among the most successful renditions are "For The Good Times," the last of many Kris Kristofferson songs recorded by Cash, and "Last Night I Had The Strangest Dream," a hymn to peace composed in the early 1950s by Ed McCurdy.
One of the more unusual song selections comes from Sheryl Crow. Her "Redemption Day" appeared on 1996's Sheryl Crow and is performed here to great effect.
The album closes with "Aloha Oe," an age-old Hawaiian folk song that many will recognize. Here it's performed mostly acoustically with Johnny Cash delivering the Hawaiian and English lyrics in his distinctive baritone. It closes with the line "until we meet again," closing the circle of farewells that began with American IV: The Man Comes Around. We miss you, Johnny.
Album Review: El Turista by Josh Rouse
If music could be mapped out on a temperature scale, Josh Rouse's albums would be all over the place, with Under Cold Blue Stars and Nashville on the colder, more autumnal end and 1972 and Subtitulo bright and summery by comparison. If you had any doubts about where El Turista falls on the scale, look no further than the cover, which finds Rouse standing on a rocky coast, looking out at the sea while holding his hat to his head.
Josh Rouse's career has found him slowly journeying from Nebraska to Tennessee and finally Spain. El Turista is his third album since the move abroad and the first one that really allows Spanish influences to take an active role in its overall sound. Of the album's ten tracks, four are sung in Spanish, and even those that are in English draw on the influence of Rouse's surroundings.
Just when Rouse was starting to fall into a pattern where much of his music sounded the same, he has managed to shake things up and diversify. The album opens with the bossa nova-tinged, orchestral "Bienvenido." It is a short track that sounds like a remarkable piece of film music and flows perfectly into "Duerme." Rouse keeps the laid-back feeling of the album going and sounds very comfortable singing in Spanish, as bright piano and percussion accompany him. Later, Rouse challenges himself even more on the uptempo "Valencia," sung in the Catalan dialect (lisps and all).
"Lemon Tree," which initially appeared on the fan only compilation Bedroom Classics, Vol. 3, appears here in a different arrangement with airy flutes and Spanish guitar. "I Will Live On Islands" is among the most upbeat of the album's English language tracks, kicking off slowly with a jazzy electric guitar lead before breaking into a very danceable arrangement.
The temperature is warm and breezy on El Turista. That is, until you get the closing track "Don't Act Tough," which sounds like an outtake from the melancholy Nashville. Rouse has consistently been able to release solid albums that appease his fans. The difference with El Turista is that he'll likely be able to attract new ones with a new approach.
RIP Alex Chilton (1950-2010)
There are the bands we all know, and those that have somehow been kept a secret to the inner circle of music geeks. Alongside such legendary-but-obscure artists as Nick Drake, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Television and The Modern Lovers was Big Star, a Memphis-based rock band that made three critically acclaimed records for Stax including 1972's #1 Record and 1974's Radio City, both of which have been available packaged together, much like Gram Parsons' first two records. Today's mainstream music lovers may recognize "In The Street" as the song was used as the theme for TV's That 70s Show.
Five years before #1 Record, Big Star's primary singer and songwriter led The Box Tops on their hit single "The Letter." Even at sixteen years old, Alex Chilton's voice left a mark on listeners around the world.
Alex Chilton, lead singer and songwriter for Big Star, inspiration to so many – from The Replacements and Yo La Tengo to Wilco and Elliott Smith and so many more – passed away yesterday just as many of the acts he inspired were participating in the South-by-Southwest music festival. He was 59. The tragedy of his untimely passing is that a reunited Big Star were set to grace the SXSW stage this coming Saturday.
Album Review: Plastic Beach by Gorillaz
Everyone's favorite "virtual" band is back, and they've brought a huge slate of guest stars – from De La Soul and Snoop Dogg to Lou Reed and members of The Clash – along for the ride. I'm speaking, of course, of Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett's Gorillaz project. They've just released Plastic Beach, another wildly entertaining romp through hip-hop, R&B, electronic music, rock and pop.
The third Gorillaz album seems shrouded in this concept of a plastic reality. And while it's arguable as to whether or not Plastic Beach is a concept album, it certainly starts like one. "Orchestral Intro" is a short piece that simply sets the mood, much like "I Am The Sea" on The Who's Quadrophenia or "Overture" on Tommy. But unlike those albums, it doesn't really offer the listener any hint of what's to come. Gears are shifted completely for "Welcome to the World of the Plastic Beach," with its funky horns, punchy bass, and the distinctive emceeing of Snoop Dogg.
The album really hits its stride with "Stylo," which incidentally is also the album's first single. The track perfectly illustrates the collaborative potential of the Gorillaz project, beginning with Mos Def's distorted hip-hop riffing, into Damon Albarn's melodic vocals and finally soul legend Bobby Womack, sounding every bit as good as he did on such hits as "Across 110th Street." Supposedly Womack was encouraged to participate in this project by his daughter, and his flawless contribution to "Stylo" was supposedly improvised on the spot.
The next track, "Superfast Jellyfish," starts with a 1960s-style breakfast commercial, a fantastic drum part… and De La Soul! In their classic, distinctive style, the hip-hop heroes excitedly tell us about the latest in unusual breakfast treats. Gruff Rhys of Super Furry Animals takes over for the catchy chorus.
A big part of what makes Plastic Beach such an interesting listen is the number of lead vocalists featured on the album. One of the most intriguing of these is Lou Reed, and his contribution – "Some Kind Of Nature" – doesn't sound out of place at all, apart from a production style that is unusual for him. Another great voice in more of a conventional sense is Yukimi Nagano, who along with her band Little Dragon, are featured on "To Binge," another album highlight.
Although most tracks on the album feature guest performers, Damon Albarn has plenty of room to shine. "On Melancholy Hill" is a gorgeous song and a great showcase for his talents as a singer.
Plastic Beach is available in a variety of formats, including a standard CD edition and an "experience" edition that comes with videos and exclusive online content. It's also available on iTunes in a deluxe edition that includes content not available offline, including a storybook and "Making of Stylo" video.
Check out the official video for "Stylo" over at YouTube. Yes, that's Bruce Willis.


text:
Delightful Flat in Midtown, NY - 8330
お部屋の大きさ60 m²
Floor No.
- ファミリー/子供と一緒に泊まれる
- エアコン
- テレビ
- キッチン
- タオル
- インターネット/WiFi
|E 45th St, 10017 New York, アメリカ合衆国
USA Stay residences are not hotels. USA Stay does not supply daily housekeeping services and other amenities commonly expected during a hotel stay. The USA Stay residences do not comply with the same fire safety and building code requirements as a hotel. Contact customer service for any maintenance issues - there is not a front desk or staff at any of the residences
-Tenant pays their own electricity.
-The keys are picked up at the office near the apartment.
|Check-in before
L'hôte étant une agence de location, il est difficile de donner un avis. Les clés étaient bien au bureau de poste indiqué. Aucun contact, par contre pour l'établissement d'un état des lieu. Le dépôt de garantie devant se faire au même endroit.
Everything is perfect!!
Het appartement was prima en schoon. Voldeed aan de verwachtingen. Prima bedden en slaapkamers. Toiletpaper en schuursponsje waren aanwezig en tevens twee broodroosters.
Locatie was perfect. Zeer centraal gelegen in een gezellige straat met diverse restaurantjes.
Goed aan te bevelen voor 7 tot 8 personen.
we enjoy your flat, very clean, no noise on the bedrooms side, noisy on the front side if some one has to sleep in the sofa.
the can opener needs to be change, and the bread grill works if you keep a finger on the button, the rest was fine,
we had the keys inside the flat waiting for us in the evening and a neighbour opened the front door for us. the east village is a cool place to stay, very closed to the subway, Great ! eric from France
the explanations to get the keys were good, the front door was missing, but the keys were gaved to us in the evening.
appartement très bien situé, quartier très animé et très sympa. mais petit pour 6 personnes. pas de rangement dans 2 chambres. donc les valises ouvertes dans le salon. l'appartement est très mal isolé du bruit et du froid surtout dans les chambres. fait de bric et de broc.
verhuurder is een bedrijf/ geen privepersoon. Sleutel ophalen ging als gepland, snelle reacties op vragen. apartement is op prima locatie (oordoppen mee ivm. drukke straat)maar smoorheet en mag wel wat opgeknapt worden.
We cannot recommend this place at all. We saw mice in the kitchen. Noice from the street was very loud and the bathroom was tiny. We met homeless outside the entrance to the house several times, presumably because it looked very bad from outside. Some things were either inexpedient set up or did not work.
Notre appartement etait bien situe, propre et assez bien équipe'. Mais l'isolation aussi bien acoustique que thermique était vraiment insuffisante pour ne pas dire inexistante. Et comme l'immeuble était occupé par des gens bruyants, cela a posé quelques problèmes. Heureusement qu'il n'a pas fait trop froid au cours de notre séjour!
Wir fanden die Wohnung klein, trotzdem gemütlich und sauber aber leider etwas dunkel und kalt. Die Wohnung ist sehr hellhörig gewesen aber für eine Woche war es ok.
The apartment as described on the Wimdu site looked the same as the advertised picture on arrival in terms of decor, however you would not describe it as either "stunning" or 'newly renovated". There was plenty of clean linen however the cleaning was fairly basic, two of the main living area's light fittings were held together with gaffer tape and paper, 2 light globes were out [these were replaced at our request and the toilet cistern constantly played up. The main bedroom had no hanging space, the cupboard had 4 narrow shelves. Our suitcases had to be kept in the living area as there wasnt enough floor space in the bedroom. The location was described as" Brand new Midtown 3Bed 2Bath" onWest30th and 9th -this was the rental I had selected and put a deposit on I assumed, however the apartment was located onWest29th and 9th. I had emailed the host to query the different address and to check on the beds/baths but as it had the same 8253 on the Wimdu site ,I assumed it would be ok. I had communicated to the host that we were staying there for my daughter's wedding. So, it was on the top floor of 3, situated over a noisy bar and opposite the US mail sorting building which went all night, the trucks ran all night as well as trucks running to the Lincoln Tunnel so we all bought earplugs to block out the noise in order to sleep at night. The airconditioners thankfully worked and their noise helped blockout the traffic noise and heat . The apartment's entrance had a double door which helped with security as the ground floor bar was a regula rgathering place for drunks and the homeless At ground level inside the apartment block the garbage was piled high for the first week and really stank. The apartment was described as having "elevator and laundry on premises" This wasnt the case it was a 3 floor walkup. This was especially annoying as I had booked this apartment over others because of this feature. When we arrived on Sunday night after a very long flight from Australia the booking office closed soon after we collected the keys and then we still had to make our way to the apartment..There was no welcoming letter or message from the host in the apartment, no instructions re working of TV etc. The place needs work the windows need cleaning as does under the beds . The light on the outside landing didnt work so the steep stairs werent lit either. Also more to the point no one was there to go over the state of the flat as we took possession. These guys had my $500 holding deposit -what if there was a dispute over the state of the apartment? At the end of our stay I waited for the inspector to show up, she was very nice. We wanted to make sure there would be no issues with the apartment. We found out that the previous tenants had trashed the place, obviously the flat had been given a quick fix ie taped up light fittings! Wimdu needs to do a more thorough "quality check" Lastly the host Reuven emailed "if you have a late flight you are welcome to leave your luggage in our office and pick it up later" He does not mention that it will cost $5 per bag to do so
I was also quite surprised to find that the ENTIRE amount $6878 was deducted from my credit card on the day I made the booking in April even though we were not arriving until September. We travel overseas regularly and have never had a bad experience until now. We will not be using Wimdu ever again and will advise everyone else against it. Our business friend who books with Wimdu for airline staff recommended the site to us was equally disappointed.
It seems the only recourse to poor service is a bad review
- すべてのお部屋はチェック済み
- どのホストともお電話で直接お話いただけます

subset: commoncrawl


text:
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SHADYSIDE - Any team playing the Shadyside girls' basketball team knows you have to stop the high-scoring duo of Karli Bonar and Hayley Holenka in order to have a chance at beating the Tigers.
Martins Ferry held the Tigers' terrific twosome in check for the most part Saturday afternoon, but it was junior Toni Andes that did the most damage.
The 5-foot-5 returning letterwinner pumped in a season-high 20 points in leading Shadyside to a 64-46 victory against the Purple Riders.
''She really knocked down her shots," Shadyside coach Tina Yates said of Andes. "She played really well in the first half, and then we found Karli some in the third quarter and Hayley was playing with foul troubles.
"I think that we have the ability to have everyone scoring at some point, but it's just a matter of time when someone does. Today was Toni's day."
The daughter of Tigers boys' coach Ed Andes, scored eight of her team-high point total in the first quarter when the Tigers pulled out to a 17-11 advantage after trailing 5-0.
"Scouting reports and game plans are made with the though in mind on how is the best way you're team can win," Martins Ferry coach Lindsay Coyne said. "We knew coming in that Bonar and Holenka had scored the majority of their points so far, so we kind of played off of her (Andes) and she had a career day."
Andes' bonus goal midway through the second quarter doubled the count at 26-13, but Martins Ferry, behind senior standout Jessica Kinney, pulled to within 33-24 at the half. The returning all-Ohioan, who was held scoreless in the first quarter, netted 10 of her game-best 24 points to keep her team from being totally blown away.
A 12-8 run to start the third brought the visitors to within 41-36 following a Kinney bonus goal with 2:22 on the clock, but turnovers and a hot hand by Bonar dealt the Purple Riders their second straight setback.
"That's the thing that keeps beating us," Coyne stressed. "Turnovers. Turnovers. Turnovers."
Bonar, the University of Findlay signee, drilled book-end 3s that sandwiched a runner off the glass as the lead suddenly ballooned to 49-36 after three quarters.
The battle-tested Tigers methodically pulled away in the final eight minutes.
Andes led four twin-figure scorers for Shadyside with 20.
Bonar added 14, while Holenka and freshman Kenzie Fielding evenly split 20. Fielding led all Tiger rebounders with eight and Andes collected six as Shadyside led 33-25 off the glass.
Kinney finished with her two dozen points but nobody else went for more than seven, that being Morgan Stalder. Kinney also snagged eight boards.
Each team committed 12 turnovers.


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See All Contributors »
... if you don't want Pollard as the AD... you HAVE to explain what you would do after getting rid of him?
Who would you go and hire to replace him that would be so much better... and would want to be the AD of ISU?
Explain what you would want this new AD to do that JP hasn't done, or what your new AD would have done differently than JP has done? And you can't just say... "win more football and basketball games" either... that's not specific enough.
Because IMO.... Geoffrey just pulled off a steal. He got Pollard to sign an extension, but for no increase in pay.... when in reality there is nobody out there that could come in here for the same pay rate and do half as good a job IMO.
Pollard has done what has been needed to make the ISU athletic dept succesful IMO. He's made the tough decisions (getting rid of DMac) that HAD to be made. It's not his fault that Auburn swooped in and grabbed Chizik away from us before he had even sniffed any kind of success or even progress yet. It's not his fault that GMac has suffered the worst kind of bad luck in players like Wesley Johnson just leaving unannounced without any kind of explanation whatsoever.
I've been saying for awhile now that Iowa State needs stability right now more than anything else. We've switched football, MBB, and wrestling head coaches all twice now in just the last several years. DMac finally achieved some success after he not only stuck with it for awhile, but he also wasn't shoved out the door after a few bad seasons. Go back and look at KF's first 2-3 years at Iowa too. Look at Fennelly as well. It takes some years, and some patience on everyone's part to see the success we all want.
Jamie Pollard has laid the groundwork and is continually upgrading the facilities at ISU for the eventual success we will all get to enjoy in the years ahead. As JP has often said himself... our football and MBB attendance is remarkable considering the lack of success we've seen over the past few years. Our fans our incredible.... and when our football team and MBB teams achieve the success that I know they will, we will HAVE to bowl in the south endzone just to accomodate all the season ticket requests there will be, and we will HAVE to go back to a lottery system in basketball so there won't be riots in the streets for tickets.
We MUST have stability folks! If we get rid of JP right now... who's to say another AD will walk through the door and he/she will want to hire their "own" head coaches. So Paul Rhoads, GMac, Jackson, Fennelly, and others will all be gone in the next couple years.... and then what?
We cannot constantly be changing AD's, head coaches, and even uniforms for that matter, and ever achieve the success we all want to see. Nobody hardly knows who ISU even is anymore? Nobody knows who are head coaches are going to be year in and year out... and nobody knows what our teams will even be wearing from one year to the next? I joked to my wife this year that I need to go to the Cyclone tailgate tour every year just to meet all the new head coaches every year.
Of course JP has to take some of the blame for this. Afterall, he's the one that has made all these changes, including the uniforms, but I seriously believe that he has the people in place now that he needs to get this done. I think Rhoads, GMac, Fennelly, Jackson, etc are not only all GREAT, GREAT people, but I honestly believe they love Iowa State University and want to be here for a long time to turn this thing around. Everything is in place right now... and the facilities are improving by the day (just drive by Jack Trice or the new basketball practice facility).
This can happen and it WILL happen. I have to believe that, and I don't know how all Cyclones everywhere don't want to believe that. But it won't happen by getting rid of Jamie Pollard. That is the last thing this athletic department needs right now. And for all of you that truly believe it is.... then explain to me who you would hire and what he/she would do differently?
One more thing.... after saying all this about not changing anything... we do still have to change our helmets to yellow as I've shown in my signature pic below. Then we won't be confused with those losers from USC!
Last edited by clonedude; 06-15-2009 at 06:51 PM.
I also have a slightly different thing to say about this. I'll create my own thread though.
"Seven minutes to glory."
Pollard has done a good job, and I feel fortunate to have him at Iowa State. Is he perfect? Who is?
Too tired to read your whole post but I don't think many people want to "get rid" of JP. It's more about deserving the extension. At least that's where I stand.
In favor of Pollard, yes. In favor of the extension, not really, but not going to lose sleep over it.
I agree that the facilities are coming along nicely. Its disturbing, however, that two coaches he hired bolted for the first chance to get out of dodge. I realize they both left for great opportunities but the way they left was devastating to any progress that Pollard may have been making with facility upgrades and what not.
Originally Posted by Cyclone62
I also have a slightly different thing to say about this. I'll create my own thread though.
I too have a different opinion, so therefore I will make another thread instead of posting in an existing one.
Don't confuse hope for a plan.
Originally Posted by arganbright2
I agree that the facilities are coming along nicely. Its disturbing, however, that two coaches he hired bolted for the first chance to get out of dodge. I realize they both left for great opportunities but the way they left was devastating to any progress that Pollard may have been making with facility upgrades and what not.
Pollard's head coaches left for better opportunities at more high profile athletic schools for better money. That says something about them.
The ones he got rid of... DMac and WM... went where? DMac went to be an assistant defensive coach under Wally Burnham at South Florida... and WM is still in Ames, correct? Not as if anyone was knocking down their doors to hire them.
So the coaches he got rid of... nobody really wanted. And the ones he hired... were sought after. I still don't know why Auburn wanted Chizik, but they did, which says something that JP got him to Ames.
Originally Posted by j4state
Too tired to read your whole post but I don't think many people want to "get rid" of JP. It's more about deserving the extension. At least that's where I stand.
In favor of Pollard, yes. In favor of the extension, not really, but not going to lose sleep over it.
Spot on. My sentiments exactly. Being wary of an extension at this time is not synonomous with wanting JP fired.
A question about how great these improvements are (and they are great).
If we aren't winning in the near term - where is the money going to come from to pay for them?
I remember a line from Sam Bernabe (ICubs GM) a number of years ago talking about getting people to come to games. "Empty seats don't eat".
Empty seats don't pay the mortgage, either.
Last edited by DaddyMac; 06-15-2009 at 07:31 PM.
Originally Posted by j4state
Too tired to read your whole post but I don't think many people want to "get rid" of JP. It's more about deserving the extension. At least that's where I stand.
In favor of Pollard, yes. In favor of the extension, not really, but not going to lose sleep over it.
This ... except I'm definately not in favor of the extension NOW. Everyone claims we're going to get 4-6 wins in football and have a smash-bang gilstrap-heavy basketball season ... if that happens I'm all in to extending him next year ... or the next, we gots plenty of time. I guess now we have more ...
I am not against JP, I just don't understand the point of giving an AD an extension while the jury for the most part is still out on him. Doesn't seem to makes sense to give him an extension without a raise when he still has what 3 years left on this deal.
Originally Posted by clonedude
DMac went to be an assistant defensive coach under Wally Burnham at South Florida.
You left out that he won a national championship at Florida.
It was a dark time at Iowa State without an Athletic Director when Bruce VanDevelde left. The sky wasn't falling yet, but we needed someone with a vision to come into our lives and save the day world. We got someone who had a vision, who wanted to bring ISU to the middle of the Big XII. That man savior was Jamie Pollard. We saw three coaches get shown the door and when Gene Chizik was announced as head coach of the football program, everyone promptly lost all control of their bladders and bowels. Some say this was god smiling down upon Iowa State for once. I for one saw a gigantic mess of excrement everywhere, but that's a story for another day. Everyone I talked to I was in agreement: "He's going to leave the first time we win 8 games, but we'll have won 8 games!"
For his next miracle, Saint Pollard kicked Wayne Morgan in ***. Then he fired him and went out and got rising coach from UNI, Greg McDermott. I was euphoric. "Could it be? Is god smiling down on me yet again? So soon?" I was beside myself with excitement. Yet again, wonders had been worked for us to take a step up in athletics.
The only other thing left to do was to fix our underachieving wrestling program and whip that into shape. Hark! I heard angels singing that day Bobby Douglas stepped aside for Cael Sanderson to take the reins. This wasn't nearly a miracle, but it was important. Immediately the wrestling program showed a pulse as Cael led the campaign to a trio of conference titles, and finishing in the top five at the NCAA tournament three years in a row.
A choir of angels came down from the heavens the day the storied "thermometer" showed up at cyclones.com. I couldn't believe it; a thermometer to test the temperature of the fanbase as we were gearing up for our first season under Gene Chizik. Pure genius. Surely no mortal could have come up with such a clever scheme. This is when I was starting to get worried; because, as we all know, god hates us. "There must be some catch for all of this."
Then we promptly lost all four of our non-conference games, and quite a few conference games. In January of 2008 there came a rapping, a tapping on the CycloneFanatic message board door. When the door was answered, it was none other than MontyBurns, who I believe is what is leading us down this path of suckiness.
Threads like:
"Where's the thermometer, Mr. Pollard?"
started showing up all over the place. "Why are people so angry already?" Then, June of 2008 was here. Every day I awoke, looking at cyclonefanatic to see if anything had happened in the 8 hours since I had last looked at it. "Not really" I would mutter as I saw general excitement for a new and improved football team.
Then the season started. Cries after wins, cries after losses, cries after they ran out of hot dogs at the concession stands appeared on my favorite message board, and I kept thinking that maybe we should change the name to "The Whiners Club."
So you see, it isn't Jamie Pollard that is the problem. It is the fact that we started losing everything the minute we all started whining. So please, I beg of you all to see the error of your ways. Please, if you must whine, do it in white text. It's hard to see, so I think that should at least help us to get back on our feet in these sports. That's the compromise that I'm willing to make so that you can voice your opinion. But please, leave poor Saint Pollard out of this (I'm on the campaign trail trying to get him anointed once he dies) he has done nothing wrong. It is the constant whining that is creating the problem.
Originally Posted by LeBron
You left out that he won a national championship at Florida.
That was after he went to be an assistant to defensive coordinator Wally Burnham at South Florida.
If you look at coaches like stocks... it's like you put the ISU head coach on the trading block and all you got offered was the assistant defensive coordinator at South Florida in return. So... the head coach that JP got rid of was taking instructions from the guy that is now our defensive coordinator. I loved DMac, don't get me wrong, but it was time for him to go at the time. He couldn't even find another head coaching job in Div IA.
And Wayne Morgan.... give me a break. I'm not sure he even could get an interview anywhere... much less a coaching job. He nearly had ISU on NCAA probation. What would you all think of JP if he let him do that to our school?
And still.... nobody has yet to give me one name that they would hire right now if they were Geoffrey? It sure is easy to make nasty comments about JP when you don't actually have to come up with a better plan yourself, isn't it? Let me know when you have your new AD name ready, and then tell me what he/she would do better than JP? I'll be waiting....
Someone summarize the original post in like 20 words.
Originally Posted by Gordyo5
I am not against JP, I just don't understand the point of giving an AD an extension while the jury for the most part is still out on him. Doesn't seem to makes sense to give him an extension without a raise when he still has what 3 years left on this deal.
For stability. Plain and simple. Right now we need to have our AD inked to more than just a 2-3 year deal. If you have only 2 years left on your contract as an AD... you have to start looking "ahead" to see what else is possibly out there for you? We don't need JP concentrating on his next gig right now. We need him concentrating on ISU... and only ISU.
And we got him signed... without even increasing his salary... which is actually quite a decrease in reality when you factor in inflation, etc. It was a smart and necessary move by Geoffrey... period. It's a win-win for both sides IMO.
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BLACK FRIDAY ends tonight! Save $25 off $200* Use code: TLBF15
Arctic Monkeys tickets to see Alex Turner and the boys playing new material from their latest AM are available from Ticket Liquidator! Check out the Arctic Monkeys schedule and find an Arctic Monkeys show near you to see the band in all its ragged glory, pick up your Arctic Monkeys concert tickets now!
Arctic Monkeys Concert Tickets
Arctic Monkeys News
There is a legend behind the Arctic Monkeys, and it goes something like this: As fall turned to winter in 2001, somewhere down among the sweltering machinations and toxic smoke of the Sheffield, England peasantry, Alex Turner and Jamie Cook requested guitars as Christmas presents. The instruments were duly received, and the two scruffy denizens of the Steel City taught themselves to play, in time forming a band with Andy Nicholson and Matt Helders, who claimed to be friends of Turner. There are some who would say that Turner had no friends, but that's another story. Nicholson was already a bass player, so Helders took up the drums.
"That was all that were left...they all had guitars so I bought a drum kit after a bit," coughed the urchin Helder, who allegedly spread a foundless rumor that they named themselves after his uncle's (or even his father's) band. Helders later confessed that "we made that up 'cause we got so many people asking us that in the UK, so we just started making stories up", without bothering to present his motives, or indeed much of anything else. According to those who are really in the know, Cook conceived the name after a session with a friend, Oliver Saxon, in a pub one night. The two apparently found the name to be somewhat amusing.
One concrete fact emerges from the vile and filthy depths of Sheffield's bohemian wannabe cognoscenti: Since their first ever gig in June 2006, at The Grapes pub in Sheffield, the Arctic Monkeys have been a magnet for media attention and star-making, and they have never looked back. Arctic Monkeys tickets are scarce wherever the band play, so be quick, 'cos if you snooze - you lose!
The Monkeys are an English indie band who hail from a far-flung satellite suburb, High Green, north of Sheffield. The band currently contains the following individuals: Alex Turner, lead vocals and guitar; Jamie Cook, guitar; Matt Helders, drums and backing vocals, and Nick O'Malley on bass guitar. Andy Nicholson was the bassist before O' Malley. The Arctic Monkeys singles, "I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor" and "When the Sun Goes Down", made number one in the UK Singles Chart, and their debut album Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not, was one of the fastest-selling debuts in British music history. Their second album, Favourite Worst Nightmare, sold over 225,000 copies in its first week. It was also nominated for the 2007 Mercury Prize.
The means by which the Arctic Monkeys shot to their celebrated pinnacle in British music was technology-based, and thought to herald a new era of internet-promoted bands, pushed into the media spotlight by millions of grass-roots level consumers who shared fan-made demo tapes and online files containing Arctic Monkeys performances. It is thought that this novel form of exposure constitutes a change in the promotion and marketing patterns of new bands. The Monkeys were signed to independent record label Domino in the wake of their internet storm.
During live performances, the band are known for a human-centered tendency toward fan participation and an absence of sensationalism in the form of light shows and animation.. The band planned a self-created "mini-festival" at Lancashire County Cricket Ground from 28-29 July 2007 and established favorites Amy Winehouse, The Coral, and Supergrass, and others are slated to accompany them on their journey.
The popularity of the Arctic Monkeys in the UK, has resulted in a few twists in the world of politics, when the British political class, long noted for their utter and complete inability to divine what the people are up to, have made pronouncements about the band which proved either false or were never uttered in the first place. Gordon Brown, when he was Chancellor of the Exchequer, allegedly stated in New Woman magazine that he regularly listened to the band, for their ability to "really wake you up in the morning". This statement has since been described as a non-event. Brown, in his global warming speech at the 2006 Labour Party Conference, joked that he was "more interested in the future of the Arctic Circle than the future of the Arctic Monkeys", raising more than a few chuckles in the British media. Liberal Democrat leader Menzies Campbell claimed that the Monkeys had sold more records than The Beatles, a ludicrous comment which earned him a rightful drubbing in the media.
The lads from High Green have enjoyed a meteoric rise to fame and glory this past year or two, and it's nice to hear those unvarnished Yorkshire tones issuing from the speakers when the Monkeys play. I don't think they're necessarily the best thing to come out of England in forever, but they certainly seem to be the biggest, here in the USA.
Arctic Monkeys tickets, for their impending tour of the USA, are moving fast, and people are hunting them down aggressively. If you love to stomp your feet to the sounds of this novel and lively outfit, it is recommended that you grab a ticket or three as soon as possible, because the Arctic Monkeys are bound for the top.
Arctic Monkeys tickets are a sure bet for a great concert experience. For true alternative music fans, nothing beats a live performance, and Arctic Monkeys always puts on a good show. All tickets are also guaranteed, and are typically 10 to 20 percent cheaper than the competition.
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|Day of Prayer is next Thurs.
|Written by Holyoke Enterprise
Thursday, May 2, thousands of events will take place around the nation as people "Pray for America"—the theme for this year's National Day of Prayer.
Local community members will have the opportunity to gather next Thursday at the Peerless Theatre at 7 p.m.
"We sincerely would like to invite all to participate this year to call on our Lord to forgive us and heal our beloved land," said Paula Strode, one of the event organizers. "It's time we unite in prayer as a community, especially in light of all the things happening around us."
"Pray for America" emphasizes the belief that individuals—corporately and individually— need to place their faith in the unfailing character of their creator, who is sovereign over all governments, authorities and men. Matthew 12:21 is this year's Scripture: "In His name the nations will put their hope."
According to the National Day of Prayer task force website, nationaldayofprayer.org, 2013 marks the 62nd annual National Day of Prayer. "We have an unprecedented opportunity to see the Lord's healing and renewing power made manifest as we call on citizens to humbly come before His throne," said the website.
In the words of Mary Washington, President George Washington's mother, it's time to "remember that God is our only sure trust."
Even though it's only the 62nd anniversary of the observance, prayer has been documented throughout America's history. Strode highlighted that America's leaders had a tradition of faith, especially during crises—from Washington's orders for troops to attend divine services, to Abraham Lincoln's annual day of Thanksgiving, to Harry S. Truman's annual Day of Prayer.
Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776, "Appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions ..."
John Adams called for a day of fasting during threatened war with France, March 3, 1798. He wrote: "Citizens ... abstaining from their customary worldly occupations ... Acknowledge before God the manifold sins ... beseeching Him ... through the Redeemer of the World, freely to remit all our offenses and to incline us by His Holy Spirit to that sincere repentance."
"At this crucial time for our nation, we can do nothing more important than pray," said the task force. "Thank you in advance for making this spiritual discipline a personal priority and for standing with us as we encourage others to incorporate prayer in their lives."
Holyoke Enterprise April 25, 2013


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Camo & Shooting Shirts
Shop Sportsman's Guide for a huge selection of Camouflage Shirts and Shooting Shirts. The Guide has Camo Shirts in all shapes, sizes, and styles. Get Camo T-Shirts, Camo Long Sleeved Shirts and Button Camo shirts. Stay well hidden from your prey when your're hunting. We offer all the top brands such as Scentblocker, Walls, Mossy Oak and Gamehide for the lowest prices, guaranteed!


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Nanny K, meet Justin.
Originally Posted by Nanaki
I asked why he couldn't do that. Implying I didn't know the answer. You really could have just said "no, new vB doesn't let you do that" to the exact same effect without being an ass. You are being argumentative for the sake of arguing now.
I feel like you're about to cry. Relax buddy it's gonna be okay.
jurassic park saurus rex
Originally Posted by Kirby
I have been the administrator of a few failure forums in my day, and I can assure you that changing the skin is like the most fucking easy thing to do on a forum.
I am not sure about other forum actions skins, I thin though they would just require a step of two more of work.
sup Rayne
Forum Rules


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I would know something about a few problems which I observe on my institution.
Our OS is OpenBSD 6.3 and an e-mail server is postifix with Openwebmail client mail. After migration to Linux CentOS 5.4 some problems ocurred: lost e-mails; folders names which has simbols or serifa did not recognize, etc.
Are there any precaution in this migration that could to impede this?
There are idea to migrate other service, but I have fear.


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JOCKEY CESAR DEALBA, VODKA WITH ICE, WINNER: "He's running like a 2-year-old, really. He's a nice horse. He does everything right. He breaks and gets to running, so it's pretty easy for me. He broke and he was gone. I felt a little bumping behind me, but my horse was good."
NOTES: Vodka With Ice (46-11-8-4-$175,256)…Cesar DeAlba has been one of the leading riders at Los Alamitos in Cypress, CA, including 54 wins at the current meet. He is 2-for-2 at Emerald Downs, and 3-for-3 this year on Vodka With Ice, including a win in the $14,150 Les Bois Park Bonus Challenge Stakes. Vodka With Ice finished third in this race in 2012, and was second in the inaugural running in 2011.


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There were high expectations from Besharam at the box office. The Ranbir Kapoor starrer which also had Rishi Kapoor, Neetu Kapoor coming together for the first time, should have turned out to be a winner. But looking at the five day collections of about Rs 47.69 crore, the film seems to have fallen short of expectations.
An impressive opening
Besharam which released on Gandhi Jayanti, October 2, saw a record breaking opening of Rs 21.56 crore. But according to Taran Adarsh, the collections slipped to Rs.7.13 crore on Thursday, Rs.5.68 cr on Friday, Rs.5.94 cr on Saturday and Rs.7.50 cr on Sunday. The audience had accepted the adult comedy Grand Masti, but they seemed to have rejected Kapoors antics. According to Adarsh, the international collections for Besharam were A$14,646 in Australia, NZ$ 6,537 in New Zealand and £58,494 in U.K on the opening day.
Content matters
The cost of the film was around Rs 80-85 crore and there were huge expectations keeping in mind the reputation of the principal actors, but the dip on the second day, although being a working day was substantial. People have rejected it because of the toilet humour, no story no good music and only one star to carry the film, says trade analyst Amod Mehra.
Trade analyst Komal Nahta conceded with Mehra that the films collections were way below expectations because of the weak content. After seeing its performance over five days, there is no way the film will pick up. Getting the three Kapoors together did not work at all, stated Nahta.
The single screen audience has also rejected the film outright according to Manoj Desai, Executive Director, G7 theater, Mumbai. The film is a complete washout and the exhibitors are suffering. The occupancy has been around 45 per cent after the opening day. But the film has an advantage because there is no big release till Boss which releases on October 16, he said.
Exhibitors of multiplex theaters share the same grouse. We were expecting good business from Besharam and had allotted 95 per cent shows to the film. Besharam will do below average business as the theaters are almost empty. There has been no good word-of-mouth publicity from the audience either and the critics have trashed the film. Till Boss releases on Wednesday, there is no big release, said a representative of a multiplex chain.
According to Adarsh, while films like Grand Masti in


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ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. (KSDK) - One person was shot in the leg Friday night near the Riverview Gardens High School campus in the Bellefontaine Neighbors neighborhood, the St. Louis County Police Department said.
According to Officer Randy Vaughn, a police spokesman, the shooting happened before 7:05 p.m. at the intersection of Shipley Drive and Lilac Avenue.
Vaughn said disturbances had been reported at the high school during the Riverview Gardens-Hazelwood East basketball game. Police believe a group left the game and went to the intersection where the shooting took place.
The shooting victim was treated for a non-life threatening injury.
A motive and suspect have not been identified.


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8 Card Coin Wallet Chocolate Natural Leather £250
More colours
Chocolate Natural Leather
A practical wallet that holds up to eight credit or business cards and has a poppered section for coins. There is also two cash sleeves and two hidden compartments that can be used for receipts.
A compact design that fits easily in your briefcase or bag.
- Mulberry tree detailing
- Eight business or credit card slots
- Poppered compartment for coins
- Two cash sleeves
- Two internal slip pockets
- Height
- 9.5cm
- Width
- 11.5cm
- Depth
- 2.5cm
This product's code is RL8538-342F130
Natural Leather
A Mulberry favourite, Natural Leather is tanned using a natural vegetable tanning technique. The soft leather retains the individual grain pattern of the skin, and is left untreated. This beautiful skin ages wonderfully, taking on unique patina with age and use. Many of our Natural Leather products are left unlined, to show the characteristics of this leather inside and out.
Caring for this product
Collonil Leather Gel is a solvent-free gentle gel to improve the water resistance of certain leathers. It can help leather to resist dirt and moisture.
Worldwide delivery
free returns
For help with your order, contact us


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Audio interview courtesy of The Washington Post.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Convicted D.C. sniper Lee Boyd Malvo says in a newspaper interview that seeing the reaction of a victim's husband made him feel like "scum."
Malvo expresses remorse in an interview with The Washington Post published Sunday. Tuesday marks the 10th anniversary of the beginning of the deadly spree in the Washington area carried by Malvo and John Allen Muhammad. The pair has been linked to 27 shootings across the country, including 10 fatal attacks in the Washington area.
Malvo tells the Post that the devastated reaction from victim Linda Franklin's husband stands out in his memory of the rampage. Franklin was killed outside a Home Depot in northern Virginia.
Describing how he felt when he saw the man's face right after the shooting, Malvo says: "You feel like the worst piece of scum on the planet."
Post reporter Josh White interviewed Malva who said: "I was a monster. If you look up the definition, that's what a monster is. I was a ghoul. I was a thief. I stole people's lives. I did someone else's bidding just because they said so. ... There is no rhyme or reason or sense."
Malvo told the Post reporter that there is no way to apologize to the victims family.
"I am sorry. I am sorry...there's no way to express that. I mean, what am I going to tell them? I'm sorry I murdered your own child. I'm sorry I killed your husband. I'm sorry I murdered your wife. What do I tell the child who is waiting for his father to come home? And dad never showed up..."
He also spoke about what they would do when on a shooting rampage.
"We drive up, I park, he'd park, we go in the trunk, I put my window down half way and I can see whatever is in front of me, to my left and to my right. My focus is on witnesses, passengers, and...I tell him to shoot..and it was just one rapid one after another..."
Malvo is serving a life sentence with no parole in Virginia.


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Avid named its HS1 rotor for a design feature crucial to its performance. The company's engineers were able to reduce heat in the braking system (HS stands for "heat shedding") by utilizing cross-drilled technology. This feature keep the temperature down on long descents, thereby improving efficiency and helping to keep crucial stopping power when you need it most.
They are light and seem to perform well but so far, I have been unable to prevent the squeaking. Organic pads have helped some but still have some squeak. Sanded them and cleaned them and they got better but still not quiet. I prefer the older G3 rotors because they were much more quiet.
These are a good upgrade from standard Avid rotors but I'm sure there are better heat shedding rotors out there, like the new ones released in Avid's 2014 lineup. I have these on my 29er trail bike and one on my dirt jumper. They work great for me in both applications and seem to fit all of my needs!
Bought these rotors for my Tektro system. These rotors have been nothing but trouble. A bit of warp on one section and screeching all the time on both wheels. After the first ride I cleaned with brake cleaner to resolve, and it only worked for the first 20 mins of the ride. I wanted to throw them out in the middle of what should have been a great ride. Give me my bog standard stock 160 rotors over this BS. Wish I didn't wait 4 months before swapping rotors otherwise I would have sent them back.
I've bent both rotors on my mountain bike in the past year, so I picked up 3 of these rotors recently. Not much to say other than they are good replacement parts, solidly built, and were installed with no problems. Comes with rotor and new mounting screws.


text: First of all this is my first experience with zymbra mail server. I am trying to install zymbra mail server with functionality similar to multipop of mdaemon where my server should be able to collect user mail from gmail and then deliver it locally ( I had done same in mdaemon and it was easy to do so). Also I would like to relay all send mail thorugh gmail so that there mails also get synced at gmail. Any help how I could achieve same would be greatly appreciated


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I just spent a few minutes in the window where your list of emails appear sliding the different columns around and adjusting their width.
Upon exiting and re-entering ZD the columns are back in the original order and back to their original width.
Is there a save button I'm missing or is there an issue with the program saving your customizations automatically?
This is frustrating....


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|September is National Preparedness Month—Now's the time to get ready
|Written by Holyoke Enterprise
It's National Preparedness Month, and the American Red Cross wants households across the country to come up with a game plan to make sure their household is ready for the next emergency or disaster.
By definition, emergencies are an unforeseen combination of circumstances that call for immediate action. They happen quickly, sometimes giving someone only minutes to react.
Get prepared
Planning ahead can help keep everyone safe. During National Preparedness Month, families can take some steps to be ready should disaster strike. Each household should make a plan, build a kit and be informed.
Here's why: Disasters strike suddenly and often without warning. If people don't already have a plan, they may not have time to make one. Think about:
—If the home was on fire, how would residents get out? What if one exit was blocked?
—If an emergency happened at school, how would people get in touch with their children? Where would they pick him or her up?
To read the full story, subscribe to our e-Edition. Call 970-854-2811.


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Club Meeting - Gracie Van Der Byl
on . Posted in Club Meetings
Free box of powerbar protien plus bars for the first 50 people through the door. We will also be raffling off another set of karbon speed race wheels.
Hey TCSD,
Here are the details for the next club meeting:
When: Next Sunday! Sunday,November 25
3:45P Set Up (Volunteers Needed)
4:00P Food, Social & Vendor Expo
5:00P Raffle & Announcements
6:00P Gracie
7:15P Breakdown Clean Up (Volunteers Needed)
Rehab United - Carmel Valley (RU 2)
3323 Carmel Mountain Rd., Suite 200
San Diego, CA 92121
Please join us for an evening with Grace Van Der Byl
Grace van der Byl (born June 13, 1978) is a world-class open water swimmer and National level pool swimmer from Solana Beach, California. She also the record holder for the Catalina Channel solo crossing from Catalina Island to the California mainland in 7 hours 27 minutes. She is also an active Observer for the Catalina Channel Swimming Federation and was one of only two individuals (besides Rondi Davies) to finish all 7 stage swims of the 8 Bridges Hudson River Swim, the longest competitive open water swim in the world.
She started swimming at age 2 (one month before her 3rd birthday) for the Green Gate Gators Swim Team in Spring, Texas. She started year-round swimming at age 7 for the Hub Fins Swim Team in Hattiesburg Mississippi. Later she represented The Woodlands Swim Team (TWST) and University of Houston at a National level.
After retiring, she coached for several teams in Houston, Texas area. Upon moving to California, she became involved in the local swimming community and presently coaches for Rancho San Dieguito (RSD) swim team in Solana Beach - she currently swims for Solana Beach Swim Masters under Coach Joe Benjamin and supports a variety of open water swim-related causes and programs including the Catalina Channel Swimming Federation. She is a true ambassador for the sport of swimming with several local and national television appearances and enjoys investing in kids to develop the sport of open water swimming for a new generation as well as supporting numerous channel attempts including participating in Team Tripod.
Hope to see you there!


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YLiving: Modern Home & Office Brands Online
Store Profile
- Location: online only
- Website: yliving.com
Store History
- Founded: 2007
- Founded by: YLighting
- Headquarters: Walnut Creek, CA
- Sister stores: YLighting
YLiving is the best in modern living. We carry a carefully curated collection of furnishings and accessories from the most well-known brands in modern and contemporary design, including Herman Miller, Knoll, Kartell, Bensen, De La Espada, Artifort, Blu Dot and more. Our sister-store, YLighting, is the largest online retailer of high-end modern lighting. Both stores are established on the basis of providing quality customer service, a user-friendly website and in-stock products. YLighting and YLiving serve design-savvy customers, trade professionals and businesses.
We've talked about YLighting a bit on Unplggd, but we've less frequently mentioned YLiving. While the lighting store is one of the largest online retailers for high-end modern lamps, the home store focuses more on furniture, accessories, and sound systems.
They're a good resource for products by well-known modern and contemporary brands like Herman Miller, Knoll, Moroso, Tivoli Audio, and Geneva Sound Systems. Like their sister company, YLiving aims to compete with DWR, Hive, and other modern retailers by keeping a whole lot of popular brands in stock and ready to ship. Prices are on par with similar stores, and shipping is free on orders over $50.
Any first-hand experiences with YLiving? Share them in the comments.
• Tivoli Audio Model One AM/FM Table Radio, $150
• Herman Miller Airia Collection, $900 - $2,200
• Formosa Wall Calender, $268
• Max Bill Wall Clock, $380
• Kartell Componibili Square Modular Unit System, $27 - $206
• Calendrecio Perpetual Wall Calendar, $60
• Kartell Flip Trolley, $980
• Catalina Laptop Desk, $1,600
• Tolomeo Micro Table Lamp - Color Series, $390
• Dioscuri Table Lamp, $275


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Manufacture: Carib Sea
Eco-Complete Planted - Mineralogically complete! Contains iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sulfur plus over 25 other elements to nourish your aquatic plants. Eco-Complete Planted Aquarium Substrate contains all the mineral nutrients needed for luxuriant aquatic plant growth without nuisance algae! Iron rich Eco-Complete eliminates the need for laterite. No artificial dyes, paints, or chemical coatings. Highly porous spherical grains for optimum diffusion performance. Eco-Complete contains live Heterotrophic bacteria to rapidly convert fish waste into natural food for your aquatic plants. It establishes a natural biological balance; which makes cycling a new aquarium faster and safer.


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J.D., Robert H. McKinney School of Law, Indiana University, 1994
B.A., Smith College, 1989
Camilyn Kuhns Leone teaches the Nonprofit Clinic at the Law School and consults with 501(c)(3) organizations on fund raising. Her specialty is the legal aspects of philanthropy. For the past five years, Leone has provided fund raising audits, established planned giving programs, assured compliance with state and federal regulations and drafted gift agreements for organizations and individual donors. Most recently, she has worked with Martha Jefferson Hospital Foundation, the Albemarle County Community Public Charter School, Children Youth and Family Services and several other nonprofits in central Virginia.
Leone helped establish and served as the coordinator for the Probono Partnership at the Charlottesville Center for Nonprofit Excellence. This program successfully matches the legal needs of local nonprofits with area attorneys willing to provide probono services.
Prior to moving to Charlottesville, Leone was the Planned Giving Officer for Regulatory Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh. Her responsibilities included assuring that the university was properly registered and insured to offer charitable gift annuities, conduct interstate fundraising, drafting endowment agreements for university donors and working with donors' professional advisors on complex gifts.
From 1999 to 2004, Leone was associate director of Planned Giving for the Indiana University Foundation, where she wrote gift agreements for a billion dollar capital campaign. During her years with the university, Leone worked with major donors to transfer millions of dollars in cash and assets to the university during the campaign. Many of these gifts established university institutes, department chairs and endowed scholarships through estate planning tools such as bequests, charitable trusts, life estates and charitable gift annuities. Leone held similar positions at the Northwestern Memorial Hospital Foundation and the Children's Museum of Indianapolis. Prior to starting her career in philanthropy, Leone was an attorney for the Indiana Department of Revenue. Leone drafted her first set of nonprofit bylaws when she was a student in the law school clinic at the Robert H. McKinney School of Law at Indiana University.
Leone has been a faculty member at The Fund Raising School at Indiana University, an instructor at numerous law and philanthropy conferences and professional education seminars, and has published articles and guides about individual giving and philanthropy in books and journals.
As a volunteer, she has served on the board of several non-profits, including the Junior League of Charlottesville, the Oakmont Boulevard Project in Oakmont, Pennsylvania, the Bloomington Mental Health Association in Bloomington, Indiana and the Indiana Museum Association.
She resides in Albemarle County with her husband, two children and flock of Navajo-Churro sheep.