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No one really knew what to expect from the 1987 Rugby World Cup.
There was plenty of goodwill towards the All Blacks of course, but they were hardly hot favourites. Australia and France had plenty of backers, with good reason on form over the past two seasons.
It was perhaps indicative of the lukewarm mood among the home fans that Eden Park was less than half full for the tournament opener between the All Blacks and Italy on a fine Friday afternoon in late May.
But the dazzling rugby played by the All Blacks in a remarkable 70-6 victory (four-point tries back then) not only converted those at the ground and the worldwide television audience, but captivated a nation as New Zealanders took the tournament to their hearts.
It was rare and marvellous attacking play by captain David Kirk's men that set the tone for a feast of running rugby.
The first score against Italy was a penalty try, before a young flanker called Michael Jones, barely known outside Auckland, showcased his special athletic ability to cross for the first individual try.
But the moment that sparked the World Cup into life came from John Kirwan. He took a pass in front of his posts and beat seven would-be tacklers on the way to a try for the ages 80m away. It was the most glittering individual try of his career.
The opening weekend produced two cliffhangers.
France and Scotland fought out an epic 20-20 draw in Christchurch, which the French really should have run away with.
They scored three wonderful tries but brave heart Gavin Hastings kicked four penalty goals to keep the Scots in touch.
The game looked all over when French genius Serge Blanco hoodwinked the Scots to score from 50m out after a quick tap. But as France relaxed in the final minute, Scottish winger Matt Duncan escaped their clutches to score in the corner.
To the dismay of the healthy crowd cheering home the Scots, Hastings missed the conversion to leave both teams frustrated.
Back at Eden Park, Romania and Zimbabwe made plenty of friends in a thrilling game. The highlight came from Zimbabwe centre Richard Tsimba, who made a slashing 45m break, capped off with an outrageous dive over the line. Sadly for him, he injured his shoulder in scoring and had to be replaced.
Romania looked well beaten but came storming home with three late tries, inspired by their crafty halfback and captain Mircea Paraschiv, to claim a famous victory by 21-20.
Fiji caused a major upset by giving Argentina a 28-9 hiding. The Pumas had a superb pack and were led by mercurial first-five Hugo Porta, but Fiji scored four brilliant tries. The loss severely dented Argentina's quarterfinal hopes.
But Fiji went from heroes to villains three days later when they fronted the All Blacks in Christchurch with a severely weakened team. They were flogged 74-13 with the All Blacks scoring 12 tries, four each going to fullback John Gallaher and winger Craig Green.
The New Zealanders were unimpressed with their Pacific cousins. Grant Fox equalled Alan Hewson's test record of 26 points in the match but said later: "If I ever beat Hewie's record I hope it's against an opponent giving the game 100 per cent".
New Zealand, Australia, France and Wales waltzed through their quarter-finals without any due difficulty.
The strong Scottish squad could count themselves unlucky to meet the impressive All Blacks, who beat them soundly 30-3 for a semifinal showdown with the Welsh boyos.
Wales had overcome England in a dire quarter-final but were painfully outpointed 49-6 by the All Blacks in Brisbane, with Kirwan and captain Buck Shelford scoring a brace each.
Shelford enhanced his hard man reputation when he dealt out summary justice to Welsh lock Huw Richards late in the game.
The Welshman was scrapping with Gary Whetton when Shelford decided to end it, dropping Richards to the ground with one punch. Referee Kerry Fitzgerald surprisingly sent Richards off for starting the fracas and Shelford escaped any punishment.
Meanwhile the Wallabies had gone into the tournament favoured by many pundits to win.
They had a smooth run through pool play, an easy 33-15 quarter-final romp in the sun at Concorde Oval over Ireland, and were clear favourites to beat an out-of-sorts France in an eagerly anticipated semifinal showdown.
But all was not well in the Wallaby camp.
Eccentric coach Alan Jones made his team give up their jobs for the tournament but he continued to front his high-profile radio job in Sydney. The players understandably were resentful and most of the Sydney-based players defied Jones and went to work anyway, causing a serious communication void between coach and senior players.
Despite this, the Wallabies dominated France and took the lead three times, only for their spirited opponents to claw their way back into contention.
The Aussies looked home and dry leading 24-21 with minutes remaining before Didier Camberabero kicked a pressure goal to tie the scores.
The first use of extra time at the tournament looked likely, until France launched an attack from deep in their own half that has become one of the most famous World Cup moments of all.
A charge of blue-shirted attackers pounded the tired Wallaby defence before inspirational fullback Blanco easily beat punch-drunk hooker Tom Lawton to dive over in the corner.
In the final wash-up France deserved to win, scoring four tries to two, but had given so much physically and emotionally to get over the line in those final dramatic minutes. There was no doubt the All Blacks were in better shape mentally and physically to contest the final after their romp over Wales.
The play-off for third and fourth between Wales and Australia was in Rotorua, with a full house in attendance cheering the Welsh on to a 22-21 victory achieved with a sideline conversion from fullback Paul Thorburn in the final moment.
The result created a memorable banner at the final two days later: "The All Blacks came forth and conquered. The Aussies just came fourth".
Auckland was transformed for the final. Just a month after the halfhearted turnout to the tournament opener, the atmosphere at the ground and around the city was electric.
The All Blacks were amazed by the huge throng yelling support for them outside their Takapuna hotel as they left for Eden Park. Flanker AJ Whetton remembers the lift he and his teammates got from such a vibrant show of emotion, not normally part of the New Zealand supporters' makeup.
The French were in the game early on but were ground down by a complete All Blacks performance and the after-effects of that epic win over Australia.
The game was decided within five minutes in the second spell. A fine team try was finished off by Kirk and from the kick off the little halfback brilliantly set up the match winner by Kirwan in the corner.
That ended any lingering French resistance and the All Blacks thoroughly deserved their 29-9 victory.
1987 Tournament results
Pool one
May 23, at Concord Oval, Sydney: Australia 19 (David Campese, Simon Poidevin tries; Michael Lynagh con, 3 pen) England 7 (Mike Harrison try; Jonathan Webb pen). Referee: Keith Lawrence (New Zealand).
May 24, at Ballymore, Brisbane: United States 21 (Ray Nelson, Mike Purcell, Gary Lambert tries; Nelson 3 con, pen) Japan 18 (Nofomuli Taumoefolau 2, Kojiro Yoshinaga tries; Yoshinaga, Eiji Kutsuki pens). Referee: Guy Maurette (France).
May 30, at Concord Oval: England 60 (Harrison 3, Rory Underwood 2, Jamie Salmon, Dean Richards, Nigel Redman, Gary Rees, Kevin Simms tries; Webb 7 con, 2 pen) Japan 7 (Katsufumi Miyamoto try; Katsuhiro Matsuo pen). Referee: Rene Hourquet (France).
May 31, at Ballymore: Australia 47 (Andrew Leeds 2, penalty try, Campese, Brian Smith, Andrew Slack, Brett Papworth, David Codey tries; Lynagh 6 con, pen) United States 12 (Nelson try; Nelson con, pen; Dave Horton drop goal). Referee: Brian Anderson (Scotland).
June 3, at Concord Oval: Australia 42 (Slack 2, Matthew Burke 2, Steve Tuynman, Peter Grigg, Mark Hartill, Campese tries; Lynagh 5 con) Japan 23 (Kutsuki 2, Tsuyoshi Fujita tries; Minoru Okidoi con, pen, drop goal). Referee: Jim Fleming (Scotland).
June 3, at Concord Oval: England 34 (Peter Winterbottom 2, Harrison, Wade Dooley tries; Webb 3 con, 4 pen) United States 6 (Purcell try; Nelson con). Referee: Kerry Fitzgerald (Australia).
Pool two
May 24, at McLean Park, Napier: Canada 37 (Pat Palmer 2, Paul Vaesen 2, Ian Stuart, penalty try, Rob Frame tries; Mark Wyatt 2, Gareth Rees con; Rees pen) Tonga 4 (Fakahau Valu try). Referee: Clive Norling (Wales).
May 25, at Athletic Park, Wellington: Wales 13 (Mark Ring try; Paul Thorburn pen; Jonathan Davies 2 drop goals) Ireland 6 (Mike Kieman 2 pen). Referee: Kerry Fitzgerald (Australia).
May 29, at Showgrounds, Palmerston North: Wales 29 (Glenn Webbe 3, Adrian Hadley tries; Thorburn 2 con, 2 pen; Davies drop goal) Tonga 16 (Qudous Fielea, Talai Fifita tries; Alamoni Liava'a con, pen; Aasaeli Amone pen). Referee: David Bishop (New Zealand).
May 30, at Carisbrook, Dunedin: Ireland 46 (Keith Crossan 2, Michael Bradley, Brian Spillane, Trevor Ringland, Hugo MacNeill tries; Kieman 5 con, 2 pen, drop goal; Tony Ward drop goal) Canada 19 (Mark Cardinal try; Rees 3 pen, drop goal; Wyatt pen). Referee: Fred Howard (England).
June 3, at Ballymore: Ireland 32 (Brendan Mullin 3, MacNeill 2 tries; Ward 3 con, 2 pen) Tonga 9 (Amone 3 pen). Referee: Guy Maurette (France).
June 3, at Rugby Park, Invercargill: Wales 40 (Ieuan Evans 4, John Devereux, Bleddyn Bowen, Hadley, Kevin Phillips tries; Thorburn 4 con) Canada 9 (Rees 3 pen). Referee: David Bishop (New Zealand).
Pool three
May 22, at Eden Park: New Zealand 70 (John Kirwan 2, David Kirk 2, Craig Green 2, penalty try, Michael Jones, Warwick Taylor, Steve McDowell, Joe Stanley, Alan Whetton tries; Grant Fox 8 con, 2 pen) Italy 6 (Oscar Collodo pen, drop goal). Referee: Bob Fordham (Australia).
May 24, at Rugby Park, Hamilton: Fiji 28 (Peceli Gale, Salacieli Naivilawasa, Kavekini Nalaga, Ilaitia Savai tries; Severo Koroduadua 2 con, 2 pen; Elia Rokowailoa con) Argentina 9 (penalty try; Hugo Porta con, pen). Referee: Jim Fleming (Scotland).
May 27, at Lancaster Park, Christchurch: New Zealand 74 (John Gallagher 4, Green 4, Kirk, Kirwan, penalty try, Whetton tries; Fox 10 con, 2 pen) Fiji 13 (Jioji Cama try; Koroduadua 3 pen). Referee: Derek Bevan (Wales).
May 28, at Lancaster Park: Argentina 25 (Juan Lanza, Fabio Gomez tries; Porta con, 5 pen) Italy 16 (Marzio Innocenti, Marcello Cuttitta tries; Collodo con, 2 pen). Referee: Roger Quittenton (England).
May 31, at Carisbrook: Italy 18 (Cuttitta, Giancarlo Cucchiella, Massimo Mascioletti tries; Collodo pen, drop goal) Fiji 15 (Naivilawasa try; Koroduadua con, 2 pen; MaNasa Quro drop goal). Referee: Keith Lawrence (New Zealand).
June 1, at Athletic Park: New Zealand 46 (Kirk, Zinzan Brooke, Andy Earl, Kieran Crowley, Whetton tries; Fox 2 con, 6 pen) Argentina 15 (Lanza try; Porta con, 3 pen). Referee: Roger Quittenton (England).
Pool four
May 23, at Eden Park: Romania 21 (Mircea Paraschiv, Marcel Toader, Liviu Hodorca tries; Dumitru Alexandru 3 pen) Zimbabwe 20 (Richard Tsimba 2, Mark Neill tries; Andy Ferreira con, 2 pen). Referee: Stephen Hilditch (Ireland).
May 23, at Lancaster Park: France 20 (Philippe Sella, Pierre Berbizier, Serge Blanco tries; Blanco con, 2 pen) Scotland 20 (Derek White, Matt Duncan tries; Gavin Hastings 4 pen). Referee: Fred Howard (England).
May 28, at Athletic Park: France 55 (Patrice Lagisquet 2, Denis Charvet 2, Sella, Marc Andrieu, Didier Camberabero, Dominque Erbani, Guy Laporte tries; Laporte 8 con, pen) Romania 12 (Romeo Bezuscu 4 pen). Referee: Bob Fordham (Australia).
May 30, at Athletic Park: Scotland 60 (Alan Tait 2, Iwan Tukalo 2, Duncan 2, Iain Paxton 2, Greig Oliver, Hastings, John Jeffrey tries; Hastings 8 con) Zimbabwe 21 (Dirk Buitendag tries; Marthinus Grobler con, pen). Referee: David Burnett (Ireland).
June 2, at Carisbrook: Scotland 55 (Jeffrey 3, Tait 2, Hastings 2, Duncan, Tukalo tries; Hastings 8 con, pen) Romania 28 (Florica Murariu 2, Toader tries; Alexandru con 3 pen; Vasile Ion con, pen). Referee: Stephen Hilditch (Ireland).
June 2, at Eden Park: France 70 (Rodolphe Modin 3, Camberabero 3, Charvet 2, Layrent Rodriguez 2, Daniel Dubroca, Patrick Esteve, Laporte tries; Camberabero 9 con) Zimbabwe 12 (Peter Kaulbach try; Grobler con, 2 pen). Referee: Derek Bevan (Wales).
June 6, at Lancaster Park: New Zealand 30 (Whetton, Gallagher tries; Fox 2 con, 6 pen) Scotland 3 (Hastings pen). Referee: David Burnett (Ireland).
June 7, at Concord Oval: Australia 33 (Burke 2, Andrew McIntyre, Smith tries; Lynagh 4 con, 3 pen) Ireland 15 (MacNeill, Kieman tries; Kieman 2 con, pen). Referee: Brian Anderson (Scotland).
June 7, at Eden Park: France 31 (Rodriguez 2, Alain Lorieux, Lagisquet tries; Laporte 3 con, 2 pen, drop goal) Fiji 16 (Quro, Jimi Damu tries; Koroduadua con, 2 pen). Referee: Clive Norling (Wales).
June 8, at Ballymore: Wales 16 (Gareth Roberts, Robert Jones, Devereux tries; Thorburn 2 con) England 3 (Webb pen). Referee: Rene Hourquet (France).
June 13, at Concord Oval: France 30 (Lorieux, Sella, Lagisquet, Blanco tries; Camberabero 4 con, 2 pen) Australia 24 (Campese, Codey tries; Lynagh 2 con, 3 pen, drop goal). Referee: Brian Anderson (Scotland).
June 14, at Ballymore: New Zealand 49 (Kirwan 2, Wayne Shelford 2, John Drake, Whetton, Stanley, Mark Brooke-Cowden tries; Fox 7 con, pen) Wales 6 (Devereux try; Thorburn con). Referee: Kerry Fitzgerald (Australia).
Third place play-off
June 18, at Rotorua International Stadium: Wales 22 (Roberts, Paul Moriarty, Hadley tries; Thorburn 2 con, 2 pen) Australia 21 (Burke, Grigg tries; Lynagh 2 con, 2 pen, drop goal). Referee: Fred Howard (England).
June 20, at Eden Park: New Zealand 29 (Jones, Kirk, Kirwan tries; Fox con, 4 pen, drop goal) France 9 (Berbizier try; Camberabero con, pen). Referee: Kerry Fitzgerald (Australia).
Top point scorer: 126 - Grant Fox, All Blacks
Top try scorer: 6 - Craig Green and John Kirwan
Highest score: 74 - All Blacks v Fiji
Biggest winning margin: 64 - (All Blacks 70 Italy 6)
Most tries in a match: 13 - France (v Zimbabwe)
Video: Great World Cup moments - 1987
In the beginning: Remembering our last victory drink
How we won: The All Blacks - Getting the nation back into black
Setting the scene: Long road to global rugby supremacy
A sending off that made Wallaby history
All Black memories: 'Dawn of a new era'
Tournament star: Michael Jones - Keeping up with Jones
Tournament action: Fans' lukewarm start fast turned to fervour
Video: Great World Cup moments - 1991
How we won: The Wallabies - Defeats led to success
Aussie's winning mindset
'Beaten by a better team'
Tournament action: Fitter, faster England level the playing field
After long string of wins it was a bridge too far
Tournament star: David Campese - Campo's golden touch


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Date of Stay: April, 2012
The management here was friendly and pleasant. They were often not in the office during office hours. The dump inlet at our site was behind the motorhome spot. A very unusual location which required 20' of tube length to reach. The cover was smashed into the pipe so we could not hook to it until the next morning when maintenance arrived to fix it. Huge potholes in the entry area made navigation unpleasant. They need to fill them in and it wouldn't take much to do so. Nothing really for kids to do at this campground. The "new" playground consisted only of a play set you might see in someone's back yard. It was missing a very needed swing set, though it had the mounts for them. Roads getting to this campground are very curvy and often narrow. Not recommended for large RVs. We were towing a Jeep behind a 39 footer and will not traverse this area again with this configuration. If you have a small trailer or RV at 32' or less, then it shouldn't be a huge problem. Lawn area next to our site was fun for the kids to play on, but that was about all the campground had to offer. Local town is cute, but food options are very limited, and the restaurants we checked were very limited in their menus (for example, they only serve breakfast up to a certain hour and will not offer any lunch options). This area is better suited for an older retired couple than a family with young kids. The one nice thing for us was the Point Reyes Station Park. It had a few nice hiking options and a Junior Ranger program for the kids.
Date of Stay: August, 2011
Downgraded review after our attempts to resolve a poor experience with one of the managers there didn't come to fruition. We met some great neighbors from out of the country. We were embarrassed when a KOA employee (later turned out to be one of the managers) interrupted our conversation to complain about our kids using kids' chalk to draw a simple hopscotch design on the pad where the RV sits on top of. He said he didn't want other prospective RVers to think it was a "trashy" campground. We were all stunned. The kids chalk washes off in seconds and certainly wouldn't have bothered anyone who came here for the reportedly "kid friendly" nature of the park. Not to mention no one would see it because an RV would be covering it. With some of the speeding cars and unleashed dogs running around the campground unchallenged, we felt this was not keeping focus on what's important. When we contacted the manager, we found out this employee who confronted us was her husband. She was very defensive and said his recollection of events was totally different. I won't go into all the details, but the 5 independent customers to this event apparently ms-perceived the manager's intrusion. A simple apology to us for making a mistake would have sufficed. As a result, we have no plans to return to this park. When being charged $108 a night for an RV pad, we expect a little better customer service.
Date of Stay: July, 2011
Not many choices in this area, so I think this is likely the best choice for this specific location. RV park is small and the roads are a bit tight for big rigs. It's nicely maintained and the staff is friendly. Pool area is very small and once 3 or more families get there, it's overcrowded. Otherwise it's nice and does the job. No playground at the campground. Park next door has one but it's for tots and our 5 and 8 year old got quickly bored. They really need a walking path from upper parking area to get down to the main area and pool. We had to walk around a blind street curve and had some run-ins with drivers going too fast who couldn't see us until they were on top of us. We would have driven, but there is no extra parking by the pool area. Parking in general is very limited, so keep that in mind if you have visitors. Our upper spot was really nice, but it had no shade and lots of wind, so we couldn't put up our awning or "easy-up." Tree on our driver's side kept banging against our RV during the winds. We will return if this location is where we need to be in the future.
Date of Stay: July, 2011
We stayed here two nights as we traveled north and south through California. Our first visit was OK, but the water pressure was too low to be able to use without the use of our pump, and they didn't fix it when requested. They didn't even follow up with us after our request. Restaurant there is touted as incredible, but it was just OK. Food was decent, service was very slow and the waitress didn't have her heart in it. Playground consists of a hot slide in a pile of sand. It certainly shouldn't be advertised as a playground. That's misleading. Pool is fine when it's not crowded but there's no shade at all for the hot tub, which got direct, hot sunlight all the way until sunset. They were doing work and blocking the exit to the park, forcing everyone to exit through the entrance. There were no signs or ropes indicating this so I started to exit through the exit until one of the crotchety old employees there yelled at us to stop. When we left through the entrance, we encountered a car trying to enter who had to back up into the busy entrance street. No signs at entrance explaining the problem either. This place is OK for a quick stop off to break up a long California trip, but that's about it. We'll probably give another local place a shot next time around.
Date of Stay: July, 2010
DO NOT take motorhomes over the Hood River Bridge from the east. Way too narrow! They shouldn't allow big rig motorhomes across this bridge. Had to almost stop a few times to let opposing vehicles pass. Road from Hood Bridge to campground is full of small tunnels with narrow roadways within. Large truckers will barrel through in the opposite direction with no concern. If you come to this campground, only come from the west. The campground is small and only appeared to have a few sites for larger rigs. They were very close together across from the main office. Office staff was friendly during check-in. WiFi was barely usable during our stay. We connected fine but the internet either didn't work or was too slow to use most of the time. There are no hiking trails that we could find. The playground was small. Our kids were immediately bored with it. Area behind our RV spot, to hang out in, was very small and right next to our neighbors. No privacy. This place looked like it had some nice tent camping spots.
Date of Stay: July, 2010
WARNING: NOT BIG RIG FRIENDLY. This campground does not handle large motorhomes well. I would only recommend considering this park if you are 32' or less. Very narrow roads, very narrow spots. No improvements have been done to remedy this, though there is room to do so. Pool is very small for the number of users. Broken chair left by the pool. I almost fell through to the ground trying to sit in it. Playground is almost useless. Our kids were bored here. We had difficulty leveling our motorhome. Store was poorly stocked. WiFi internet access so poor, almost completely unusable. Check-in was very slow. Nothing to do here. We will not return.
Date of Stay: July, 2010
This RV campground keeps it simple and does it well. Friendly service and level sites. Not much to do here other than the swimming pool, but it's a great place to stay over when passing through. Grocery store, CVS, and Round Table Pizza all right next door and an easy walk. Warm in the Summer. It was 102 during our visit in July and too hot to use their basketball court. Water spigots are too short for many standard drinking hoses that have a wide wingnut connector. Had to walk back to office to get an extender. One of the umbrellas at a table by the pool was clearly broken and in need of replacement. WiFi had a strong signal but I had intermittent internet connection problems. Otherwise, the experience was positive.
Date of Stay: April, 2009
We'd been looking forward to this visit, but we were disappointed with several problems about this park. It's in good condition and the sites were fairly level, but that's about all the positives. It's still very narrow and the sites of insufficient width considering the prices and the apparent fact that it was recently renovated. If you count on a shuttle to get to Disneyland, this isn't the park for you. It is not on the ART route. It has its own shuttle which is $3 per person, regardless of age. The times the shuttle goes to the park are infrequent and it wasn't available during one of the listed times when we arrived (we were told this is a common problem and that it's often down). It's not a long walk to Disneyland, but it's along a very busy roadway where cars regularly travel at 55 to 60 mph. With young kids, this is not recommended. Until this park joins the ART shuttle route (which we were told is just a matter of their choosing to), we won't return. We went to the office/store at 5:02pm and were stunned to find it closed. It closes at 5pm! Way too early for an RV campground. There was no recycling and the playground was really small - not sufficient for kids over 3 or for a campground this size. Not a good neighborhood. No security or controlled entrance.
Date of Stay: February, 2009
Beautiful park but there is not plenty of room for big rigs here. The entrance is surprisingly narrow - between 2 rocks in the ground. An easy fix and would be a big improvement to slightly widen this. We have a 39' motorhome and there was an identical one to ours at the park as well. Both of us had problems finding and fitting into our spots. They were very tight. The only spot big enough for a large RV is directly next to another campground - and there was a big group there. We stayed near the entrance, which was a bit of a drag because of the constant flow of traffic going by us. We went off-season and were told we'd have the park to ourselves, but there was a constant flow of vehicles and a fair amount of campers. Some people come tie up a campground just to rock climb, so we lost a potentially better spot not realizing this until it was too late. Surroundings are beautiful. No water or dump anywhere nearby that we could find. Closest one within the park was Cottonwood - about 45 minutes away. The park rangers didn't know of any local dump stations. Look into this before you go if you want to stay more than a few nights. We ran out of water after 3 nights and lost the opportunity to stay. No Verizon cell range anywhere in the park - had to drive to the service road about 2 miles away for range. Very secluded - no ranger presence. We will return but certainly not during the busy season.
Date of Stay: February, 2009
We're surprised at the ratings for this park. It's just a bunch of big boulders and shallow parking areas off the main road for RVs. The spots are so shallow that if you put your slides out, you are taking a risk of having the driver's side ones struck by oncoming vehicles. Very tight campground. We have a 39' motorhome and do not recommend anything of this size at this campground. 30' or less. Once you get in, the only way out is through a narrow u-turn at the end of the campground. An RV was sticking part way out, causing me to go off the road onto the uneven dirt side of the driveway. The bang to my motorhome coming off that dirt was so loud, I was convinced I'd struck a boulder or RV. We did not find any spots we were comfortable fitting in. It's frustrating how easy of a fix this would be - just make the spots deeper off the main road, and it would be so much better. Strange park. We prefer Black Rock.
Date of Stay: December, 2008
We enjoy staying at this RV park when we drive through the area. It has a decent playground and though there could be more room between spaces, it's not as crammed as many parks are. The main store is nice and employees are generally friendly. We've stayed there several times now.
Date of Stay: April, 2008
We checked-in to this campground in the middle of a loud argument going on between an employee and an apparent manager or owner. It was inappropriate and should have been occurring behind closed doors. The check-in staff ignored it and checked us in. They weren't overly friendly. The only real positive thing about this park is the convenience to the shuttle to Disneyland. If you don't need the shuttle, I wouldn't recommend this park. There was no security or barrier from the campground to the streets. It is not in a good neighborhood and is directly across from a school. The main street is long and cars get up to high speeds. I wouldn't let my kids roam free at this campground. We found sprinklers leaking water all around our RV pad. The site was very tight and hard to back into. We're going to try a different campground next time. We might come back if we can't find anything better.
Date of Stay: December, 2007
This campground obviously has new owners, as they've been friendly with each of our recent visits (but that wasn't the case before). This is a good spot when you want to visit family in SF, but it's really tight for big rigs. The spaces are very thin and it is just a parking lot overlooking the ocean. The pull-throughs are not useful because the spaces are so tight that you have to unhook to get in or out of the spots. But we haven't found a better place yet to stay while visiting SF.
Date of Stay: August, 2007
We enjoyed staying here, though there isn't much to this campground. However, it's a beautiful area and right next to the fairgrounds, which we were able to walk through even though there wasn't anything going on at the time. They were preparing for the fair near the end of our stay, and it then got pretty crowded with some interesting fair vendor types! It was peaceful and comfortable and a good location if you are interested in visiting downtown Grass Valley. Staff was friendly. We'd stay here again.
Date of Stay: August, 2007
Pros: Relatively friendly staff, has a pool, scenic surroundings. Cons: Tight spaces with no space between neighbors. We had to share a picnic table with our neighbor. One of our slides almost hit a large tree trunk (about 8" away from it) and another slide hit several branches. Narrow roads inside. Playground was not sufficient. No slide and mostly metal bars to climb on (making it dangerous for our 2 year old). Both of our kids got bored quickly there. Nothing really to do here if you don't want to battle the crowds at the small pool. Heard a train 3 times during the nights. I think we'll try somewhere else next time.

subset: commoncrawl


text: A fire at a University of Maine fraternity house in Orono on Friday night.Authorities say the call came in around 10:30PM for a small attic fire on College Ave.The fire was put out mostly by the house's sprinkler system.Orono, Old Town, Bangor, and Veazie fire department's responded to the scene along with University Ambulance.They were on scene overhauling for about an hour and a half. There were no injuries, although fourteen fraternity members were displaced from their residence. Orono Fire Department and town code deemed the structure unfit for living in the fire's aftermath. For the time being, the fraternity brothers are staying at other frat houses or with friends.Orono Fire says that they, along with the State Fire Marshal and UMPD, are still investigating the fire, but they tell us they believe a human element is involved.


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Animals Who Work Harder Than You
Do your friends tell you all the time they'd give anything to do what you do? Well, your employment doesn't hold a candle to the gigs of some dolphins, hogs, and ponies, but it especially pales in comparison to the job of the Wendy's Motivational Chicken.
1. Homing Pigeons
Soldiers in WWI and WWII used homing pigeons to deliver messages to each other by rolling notes up and putting them inside tubes that were attached to the birds' feet. Get these guys to an Early Bird Special; they are veterans!
2. Hypoglycemia-Detecting Dogs
Some dogs can detect when a diabetic person has a low blood sugar, and alert them of when they are on the verge of hypoglycemia. Can YOU do that? Thought not.
3. Fishing Cormorants
Fishermen in China, Japan and Macedonia frequently rely on cormorants (a type of seagull/crane hybrid) to help them fulfill their daily fish quota. Let's hope they also get a cut of the sushi dinners.
4. Detection Dogs
Detection dogs keep our country safe by using their noses and alerting the police of any bombs or explosive materials that might be present.
5. Guide Ponies
Much like guide dogs, guide horses lead the visually impaired around obstacles. They are more patient, kind, and reliable than you, AND quite possibly look better in purple shoes than Prince.
6. Rescue Dogs
Since the 1800s, Saint Bernards have used their thick coats and unique sense of direction to help rescue lost hikers in the Alps. They are essentially professional Snuggies.
7. Police Horses
Police horses maintain crowd control at protests and other gatherings by using their size to intimidate the masses into dispersing or calming down. Not to mention they have actual police officers on their backs, so you might wanna move along and stop wondering about the visor. It was a custom job.
8. Wendy's Motivational Chicken
Impressed by all these animals? Don't worry, you're still a valued member of society! Click here to hear a speech about how great YOU are from another animal with an impressive job — the Wendy's Motivational Chicken.


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SKHS won the Men's soccer intramural championship August 2014
(snipped from Golden Gaels website) In a thrilling final, SKHS United defeated Allan's Angels in penalties, to win the 2014 Men's Summer Soccer Championship. A penalty goal for Allan's Angels opened the scoring, followed by a quick 2-goal outburst from SKHS United. Late in the second half, Allan's Angels tied the game. Overtime solved nothing, leading to penalty kicks, where SKHS outscored their opponents 5-4.
Here is the link to the FULL STORY
Nice job guys !


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CSIA: Control system integrator group gets new leaders
Ed Diehl, Concept Systems executive director and co-founder, took the position of CSIA Executive Board chair on May 1. Others on the 2008-2009 board are...
Savanna, GA – Control System Integrators Association (CSIA) has new leadership. Ed Diehl, Concept Systems executive director and co-founder, took the position of CSIA Executive Board chair on May 1 at the organization's 15th annual conference in Savannah, GA. He replaces Bob Zeigenfuse, whose term as chairperson expired.
Ed Diehl, Concept Systems executive director and co-founder, is the CSIA Executive Board chair for the 2008-2009 term.
Concept Systems, Albany, Oregon, has been a CSIA member since 2005, and Diehl previously served as the chair of the membership committee. The executive board has seven individuals.
Joining Diehl on the board for the 2008-2009 year are: Brian Beaufeaux, Industrial Automation Engineering Inc., Ham Lake, MN; Jim Campbell, Viewpoint Systems Inc., Rochester, NY; Steve Goldberg, Matrix Technologies Inc., Maumee, OH; John Justus, Bay-Tec Engineering Inc., Napa, CA; and Dean Streck, VI Engineering Inc., Farmington Hills, MI.
Concept Systems, also a CSIA Certified Member, is a 10-year control system integrator. The company was named
Control Engineering "2007 System Integrator of the Year."
Diehl, who has nearly two decades' experience in the industrial automation and information technology fields, holds bachelor's and master's of science degrees, with a focus on control systems and smart product design, from Stanford University.
CSIA, based in Exton, PA, with more than 260 system integrator members and 64 partner members, says it is the largest organization in the world for system integrators. CSIA says its mission is to "serve the industrial controls industry by setting the standards of performance for control system integrators, and to ensure that system integrators are as good at running their business as they are with the technology."
Also read: CSIA records set: New members, May 1-4 conference .
– Edited by Mark T. Hoske , editor in chief
Control Engineering News Desk
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Former chief minister and Congress candidate from Amritsar Lok Sabha seat Amarinder Singh today lashed out at the SAD-BJP government in Punjub after an MP of the coalition reportedly suggested that drug trade should be legalised in the state.
"I will not allow this government to write the death warrant of an entire young generation," Amarinder, who is locked in a keen tussle with senior BJP leader Arun Jaitely, told reporters here.
Referring to the MP's reported statement, Amarinder said it only vindicated Congress's charges that the ruling outfit was patronising drug trafficking.
Amarinder asked chief minister Parkash Singh Badal "to have a heart and feel about the plight of those who have fallen prey to this scourge", while quoting the example of Maqboolpura locality in Amritsar where 90 per cent women have become widows as their husbands have died of addiction.
He said that SAD's Faridkot MP Paramjit Kaur Gulshan had recently suggested that there should be legal vends in Punjab.
Warning against any such move which can destroy an entire generation, the former Chief Minister said the infiltration of drugs into the state is too deep.
Besides, he added, the cheap synthetic drugs that are being manufactured in Punjab will find an easy way into the licensed vends and destroy the youths.


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May 06 2014
By: burly1 First Son 10 posts
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Twitch companion app on PS Vita[ Edited ]
1 replies 168 views Edited May 6, 2014
I was just wondering it has been a while now since the vita has been out and with the slimmer one just realesing, there has been no word about twitch on the vita. Now I don't know if it is even capable of streaming and I don't want to bring that argument back. What I would like to know if you guys could bring a companion app to the vita that can be used while a person is streaming from their PS4 to moderate their stream. So the person stream can have the game in full screen and see and control conversation on the vita.
Mod Edit: Updated subject title. Please review the Rules of Conduct, located here. -Super_Nova2k13
First Son
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All Along The Watchtower
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All Along The Watchtower by Jimi Hendrix Songfacts
This was written and originally recorded by Bob Dylan in 1967, but it was the Jimi Hendrix cover that made the song famous. Many other artists have covered it, including Eric Clapton, Neil Young, U2, Dave Matthews Band and The Grateful Dead. Dylan was so impressed with Jimi's version that Dylan for years played it the way that Jimi had recorded it.
Suggestion credit
Jamie - Sydney, Australia
This was Hendrix' only Top 40 hit in the US, where his influence far outpaced his popularity. He charted a few times in the UK, where he rose to fame before making a name for himself in America.
This was recorded while Hendrix played with the Jimi Hendrix Experience: Hendrix on guitar, Noel Redding on bass, and Mitch Mitchell on drums. For this song, however, Redding was not on bass; Hendrix did it. Redding was also the guitar player for his band Fat Mattress, which Hendrix referred to as Thin Pillow. Hendrix often felt that Redding did not put his heart into the bass and was concerned that Redding concentrated more on Fat Mattress than he did on the Experience. Things like these led to him being replaced by Billy Cox.
Suggestion credit
Ethan - Ridgely, MD
The original version of this song is very slow. Jimi Hendrix' version had a large impact on Dylan which made him make his own version "heavier."
Suggestion credit
Ben - Manchester by the Sea, MA
Hendrix: "All those people who don't like Bob Dylan's songs should read his lyrics. They are filled with the joys and sadness of life. I am as Dylan, none of us can sing normally. Sometimes, I play Dylan's songs and they are so much like me that it seems to me that I wrote them. I have the feeling that Watchtower is a song I could have come up with, but I'm sure I would never have finished it. Thinking about Dylan, I often consider that I'd never be able to write the words he manages to come up with, but I'd like him to help me, because I have loads of songs I can't finish. I just lay a few words on the paper, and I just can't go forward. But now things are getting better, I'm a bit more self-confident."
Suggestion credit
Bertrand - Paris, France
Hendrix had been working on and off with the members of the band Traffic as he recorded
Electric Ladyland
. Traffic guitarist Dave Mason caught Hendrix at a party and the two discussed Bob Dylan's newest album,
John Wesley Harding
, containing "All Along The Watchtower." Hendrix, long fascinated with Dylan, decided to cover the song on the album. On the resulting track, Mason plays rhythm on a 12-string acoustic guitar.
In our
interview with Mason
, he explained: "Hendrix just happened to be sitting in one of those semi-private clubs in London. He was there one night just sitting alone, and it was like, "F--k, I'm just going to go over and say hi and talk to him."
Mason recorded the song himself in the Hendrix arrangement for his 1974 self-titled album. He also made the song a mainstay of his concerts. Mason says it's a deceptively simple song: "It's just the same three chords, and they never change."
This was used in an episode of
The Simpsons
when Homer's mother was telling him a story that took place in the '60s about why she had to leave him.
Suggestion credit
Jonathan - Toronto, CA
In a 2008 poll conducted by a panel of experts in the
Total Guitar
magazine, this was voted the best cover song of all time. The Beatles' rendition of "Twist and Shout," first recorded by the Top Notes, came second, followed by the Guns N' Roses version of the Wings song "Live and Let Die" in third place.
More songs from Jimi Hendrix
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Comments: 132
John Wesley Hardin was a Texas outlaw. That is where much of the western theme Dylan uses as a base for the song comes from. Dylan has used ambiguous biblical imagery in much of his work. It is no surprise since it resonates with people on a conscious and unconscious level. Dylan, being the master wordsmith that he is knows that a sly biblical reference here and there adds a level of mystery and intrigue to his work. John Wesley Hardin, being an outlaw knows that it is just a matter of time before he is caught or killed and meets his maker and judgement.
The best songs contain an element of ambiguity that lends itself to various interpretations.
Hendrix built this song in the studio and never intended to perform it live. If you watch and listen to the live performances of AATW, you will notice that the live versions are quite different from the studio version. The rhythm of the studio version with the odd count and stop and go strumming make it damn near impossible to play that way and sing at the same time. The live versions are much closer to the original Dylan arrangement because it is easier to sing and play it live that way. If you play guitar and sing you know exactly what I am talking about.
Hendrix was a HUGE Dylan fan. Just listen to what his girlfriend Faye (Fayne) Pridgeon has to say about it in " A Film About Jimi Hendrix". So, to all you naysayers that say Dylan sucks, Jimi would have taken issue with that and corrected you. Bob Dylan is the greatest writer of popular songs of the twentieth century! History will bear this out. He is clearly head and shoulders, way above anyone else.
Randall - Usa
Hendrix added his cosmic style and rendered the song into a mystical and apocalyptic take that reflected the hippie or New Age movement at the time he composed the song. The feeling during the 60s was getting rid of the old, rich and entrenched warmongers, like the castle's tower on the Tarot card that gets hit with lightening. The princess symbolizes the rich, while the joker and the thief espouse the sentiments of the 60s and the timeless dissatisfaction with society.
Harry White - California
On September 15th 1968, "All Along the Watchtower" by the Jimi Hendrix Experience entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #66; and on October 13th, 1968 it peaked at #20 {for 2 weeks} and spent 9 weeks on the Top 100...
His next biggest hit on the Top 100 was "Crosstown Traffic"; it reached #52 on the chart in 1968...
Springsteen has performed "All Along the Watchtower" in three of his concerts...
R.I.P. Jimi Hendrix {1942 - 1970}, bassist Noel Redding {1945 - 2003} and drummer Mitch Mitchell {1947 - 2008}.
Barry - Sauquoit, Ny
I've misinterpreted the actual words to this song more than any other song in my entire life so I've (30 years later) bothered to find out what the words actually were.
(It would be amusing, and only slightly embarrassing to start a sub topic on what we've THOUGHT actual lyrics were... such as "and I was getting laid..." (what I heard for..) "The hour is getting late."
(It's easier to fit interpret when you can choose your own words.)
Still, the whole mood of the song, the chords, sound like desperation, being trapped.
(that minor chord is perfect)
The Watchtower, , in the age of the Vietnam War, was a metaphor to looking out for yourself, being guarded. Everyone is JUST looking for themselves. Life is this battle to avoid getting hurt. So everyone is guarded about .. everything, their feelings, their opinions, their passions.
"There must be some kind of way out of here..." (well, of course, you all say)
"Said the joker to the thief"
Two ways to deal with life, don't take it seriously, or take what you need, just be materialistic (it works for Americans.)
"Businessman they drink my wine"
Record executives sell my songs, but they don't "get it" (Dylan's message)
"Plowman dig my earth" or "come and take my herb"
(Even the farmer.... come understand... 'dig it' - in 60's slang
Or... come change your attitude... look at things differently... and.. this funny cigarette will help. ;- )
"None will level on the line, nobody offered his word."
Nobody is frank, honest or open, no one communicates frankly about things that matter.
"No reason to get excited,"
There is no joy in life. People are too busy being guarded and worrying about "attack" (on their feelings)
"The thief, he kindly spoke."
The thief takes his comfort in material things, a metaphor for the soulless materialism.
"There are many here among us"
"Who feel that life is but a joke"
Hence... the joker in the first stanza
"But you and I, we've been through that
We (his lover or friend) have actually talked, shared, been honest.
"And this is not our fate."
We needn't live a soulless existence
"So let us not talk falsely now, the hour is getting late"
Again, imploring for honesty .. for candor.... for being oneself
time is running out, we don't live forever.
"All along the watchtower"
"Princes kept the view"
An allusion to medieval existence, people in castles, guarded, walled off..
"While all the women came and went"
People allow themselves transient but superficial sexual release (briefly felt) but joyless (they came and went)
"Barefoot servants, too"
(no immediate comment on this line, it makes sense, but I have no easy words for it)
"Outside in the cold distance"
"A wildcat did growl"
The wildcat refers to raw energy the life force inside of us ... eager for release
"Two riders were approaching"
? Referring back to the thief & joker? Or better... any two people... needing to share with each other
"And the wind began to howl"
The winds of change.
Scott - Roseville, Ca
Like most of Dylan's work, this song is open to wide interpretation... and this is Dylan's magic... for all fools to dream. Like the missing beat in Jazz, we are enticed to fill it in and be involved. The song attracted Hendrix - perhaps one of the greatest dreamers... Is it not magical? The dirge quality of the music amidst the apocalyptic scenes... who can resist the images before the mind's eye? How often can one cause you to hallucinate to their words? Maybe Lennon... Maybe Christ.
Crackerjacklee - Toronto, On
Dave Mason still plays this live and it takes me back to 1968.
Frank - Great Falls, Va
This song is on "Electric Ladyland". It is the album I would choose, if I had to go on an island all alone for the rest of my life and could take only one record along with me. The way Hendrix did this song tells us everything about the true genius of his musicianship. Up there in the heaven of guitarists, I know they all bend their knees before Jimi Hendrix and his truly unique work.
And you all, who think you have to misapply your christian religion to literally everything in the world, please give us all a break and go somewhere else!
Curd - Mannheim, Germany
Thanks, Edward. The song Jokerman on the Infidels album is also reckoned to be about Jesus and I didn't realise the connection with the tarot, so what you say makes sense to me. The line about businessmen not knowing 'what any of it is worth' is dig at Albert Grossman, Dylan's manger, against whom he was going through an expensive and lengthy legal battle.
Lawrence - London, United Kingdom
This song was used for the very last scene from the glorious sci-fi movie series - Battlestar Galactica.
Zhivko - Bourgas, Bulgaria
I know what the song, "The Joker and the Thief" is about. The girl/woman referred to in the Wolfmother song as "her" has a name. She is real and alive and a girl. She grew up in a small subdivision called Clover lawn which is referred to in the song as "fields of clover". She used to pick clovers there, she has a mother, father and brother there whom she loves very much. The joker is a spirit or demon or character under control of the Devil. The "thief" is a name that stands in as a designation or mask for the Devil. Jesus is not the "thief," and the text from The Bible states that 'he comes like a thief.' Her story is a lot more interesting than the crude version I am going to give you in this blog but one day I will tell this story in greater detail, God willing.
The girl enrolled at university in 2004 where she studied fine arts for four years. In that time she made many mistakes and prayed to God that she could be redeemed. While in school she painted glass buildings to complete her major in art and design. In her fourth year she met a boy who is not mentioned in the Wolfmother song but who helped to set her free. She loves the boy very much, she forgave everyone who ever hurt her and set things right that were wronged.
In her fourth year of university she was awarded a commission to paint a mural which currently hangs in a medical research centre on campus. The girl asked God to help her paint the mural in a vain effort to save the world. Her eyes were opened and she was able to discern the evil in herself and her life. The truth set her free and the truth is named Jesus Christ. The difference between Lucifer and Jesus can be twisted to become very subtle, but I will make it clear that Lucifer is called" The Light Bringer" and that Jesus is The Truth and The Light. While she was painting the painting which is now titled "the Light we deserve," she was confronted with "The Dark Knight" film and a glimpse of what is called the dark night of the soul; spirits or evil things of whatever sort came and spoke horrible lies to her. She chose not to believe the lies that the spirits spoke. She confronted the things that had spoken these lies to her and asked for their names. She was almost killed as a result because she could not defend herself alone. She was saved by Jesus Christ and by the boy through Jesus Christ.
The truth is enough and the truth's name is Jesus Christ. The girl and the boy discerned that we do not deserve the salvation we receive when Jesus died for our sins but I believe that I am the light that the boy deserves and he is the light that I deserve. This is a true story and the Wolfmother song is a perversion of this story. I do not believe that Wolfmother knows this story but rather they received inspiration and power which influenced them to write the song that portrays "the joker" and "the thief" as heroes just as Jimi Hendrix and Bob Dylan did before them. When they are asking, "what would happen if they take her away?" they are describing the failed attempt to kill the girl. Furthermore, the movie, "The Dark Knight" is full of terrible lies which glorify villainy and heroics; such as the lie that Commissioner Gordon speaks at the very end of the film: "because sometimes the truth isn't good enough... ...sometimes, people deserve more."
The truth is good enough, he saved me.
Leah - Edmonton, Ab
Never knew this was a Bob Dylan song. Then again, what do I know? I said the same thing about "Knockin on Heaven's Door"
Michael - Staten Island, Ny
Ok for the REAL-REAL Record, Mitch's last interview was on my radio program. We talked a lot about All Along the Watchtower. He and Jimi started out recording this song together late. It took over one year to finish going to various studios. Dave Mason added his guitar and bass. I found it intersting that Mitch's great friend Graham Nash sang backing vocals! Be safe,
Gary Crow
KZOK Seattle's one and only Classic Rock station
Gary - Seattle, Wa
For the record, Jimi did not play bass on the original recording. Neither did Redding, it was Dave Mason.
Bob - Denver, Co
Its like the joker and thief are in long ago times in some coutyard watching an of one of their own getting killed for a crime both of them have commited in the past. One looks at the other hey man we've been thru that were gonna be OK, and its not out fate. Plus look at whats approaching maybe this impending doom will lead us to an opportunity and a way outta here...
Hemlock - Bwt Heaven And Hell, Antartica
I sang this song many years, like many others, with the wrong lyrics... It's amazing when you search the lyrics to songs and see how different the wording is than what you think!! AND IN RESPONSE TO NADY: Everything IS based on religion. You belieive in a non-religion that is your religion. I see GOD in everthing... As the bible (the best selling book of all time) says about the blind man who was healed by Jesus "I was once blind but know I see"... Once you truly see, you see the greatness and wonderment of GOD. Then you realize how blind people are... If you are blind like NADY you will never see!!
Chet - Santa Cruz, Ca
I love both versions but Jimi's is unbelievable. Nothing tops the best song writer and the best guitarist.
Charles - San Francisco, Ca
Bill, Los angeles, you are absolutely hilarious
cant believe someone took you seriously :)
Best writer covered by the best musician
The one who said Bob Dylan sucks but complimented Hendrix on this song is ignorant.
Some people have trouble getting past dylan's voice, which is understandable, but you have to give him credit for his unparalleled song writing.
Jon - Philidelphia, Co
To Edward in Virginia Beach - the lyrics are:
"Businessmen they drink my wine, plowmen dig my earth; none of them along the line know what any of it is worth." Listen to Dylan - for a change you can understand him.
Lin, Erie, PA
Linjber - Erie, Pa
i dont think that fact about it being his only top 40 hit in america is right. i could have sworn "hey joe" was up there.
Chloe - St. Louis, Mo
I love its particular use in a re-imagined and its original formats as a plot device in the new Battlestar Galactica series. Took me a bit to figure out that the strange Eastern melody I was hearing was this song until the characters were quoting it, and it hit me. It was a great use and personally I like the re-done versions for the show.
Richard - Pekin, Il
In response to "NADY" Try Reading ISIAH CHAPTER 21 and then tell me this song has nothing to do with the BIBLE. Dylan had many RELIGIOUS PEOPLE around him his whole life and they were a big influence on his writing. KUDOS to John from Triangle NC. It also amazes me how IGNORANT people can be about BOB DYLAN's vocal style. If you KNOW ANYTHING about ART and MUSIC as a whole you would understand. These are two of the BEST artists of the 20th century.....
Melman - Puyallup, Wa
ok..great speech oldpink, yeh i totally agree with the guitars and sound that jimi hendrix made. He is definitely the wah wah king, in my opinion and a great inspirational musician if you ask me, being a guitarist myself..
Nick - Cairns, Australia
I am completely unsurprised that this is widely considered the finest cover of all time. Hendrix's reinterpretation of Dylan is absolutely stunning, and it easily betters the original.
I long thought the bass on this was some of the best I had ever heard, then I discovered that Noel Redding sat the recording session out, in a snit, leaving it to Jimi to play the bass instead.
Jimi is simply fantastic on that instrument, sounding not unlike Entwistle in his complexity and skill. Then, we move on to his lead, and it is superb, with beautiful whammy bar bends, distortion, and tasteful use of echo. I also have long loved the little pauses he inserts throughout the song, which is so distinctive. Listening to this for the first time, anyone who might have never heard Hendrix will immediately realize why he is to this day regarded by most fans as the finest rock guitarist of all time.
Oldpink - New Castle, In
There are singers I think who were born to sing. Hendrix was born to play the guitar.
K - Miami, Fl
A lot of songs when you hear them bring back memories of the time in which they were recorded. When you hear this song all these years later , it definitely brings back the 60's
K - Miami, Fl
The Hendrix Experience do an excellent job with this song; The lyrics and music in this song are haunting and the great guitar work make you want to listen from start to the end of this song. Hendrix's version is the best.
K - Miami, Fl
this song is in my top 5 songs of all time. i love this song. hendrix is the man.
Goku - South City, Pa
This song is basically a meeting of the best of both worlds ... the best songwriter meets the best guitar player ... can anyone sing though?
Jcooltrane - Philadelphia, Pa
Hendrix is the man. one of his best songs. one of the best songs ever
Rey - Norristown, Pa
Bob recorded this in the Summer of Love 1967. Jimi followed with his version in 1968. Dylan has been quoted many times saying he prefers Jimi's version.
Be safe Crowski KZOK 102.5 Seattle's Only Classic Rock Station:-)
Gary - Seattle, Wa
UGH!!! Why do people always bring the f--king bible into everything?? It pisses me off big time, not everything is based around religion. Okay, can anyone tell me where the bible reference is in "She Loves You" by the Beatles??? Please, someone get back to me on that one.
Nady - Adelaide, Australia
As some of the commentors have noted, Hendrix did not know all the words when he recorded this. I was shocked when I put his version on in my headphones recently (I had always been more familiar with the Dylan versions from "John Wesley Harding" and his rocking vesoin with the Band from "Before the Flood) and heard him butchering several of the lines. Sure, his version is a rock classic, but it's disappointing that he messes up the lyrics. Couldn't they have redone the vocal part and gotten it right?
Kevin - Reading , Pa
Hands down best song ever made!
Dominic - Phoenix, Az
I saw Jimi Hendrix peform this song on a YouTube video and he was stoned. You could tell because he messed up the vocals a little. I have the Dylan album that the original is on as well as Hendrix's version. Lyrically, Dylan's version was better but musically Hendrix's was better.
Lance - Malibu, Ca
Why it was written--I think that it does have to do with religion but then if Jimi Hendrix was a drug user that's not very godly. But then back then I don't think that they saw it as bad. Like it says in the movie "Across the Universe" Max says to Jude that pot is basically legal. So if its legal then it's not going against the Bible. Back to why I think it's religious, in the 5th and 6th line where it says " business they drink my wine and plow men dig my earth" It would make me assume that it has to do with God or Jesus because they own all, it's their wine, their earth. I think that it also has to do with just life in general too. More so just life in the second verse, how it says "there are many here who feel that life is but a joke but uh but you and I we've been through that and it's not our fate" seems to me like he is talking about the regular life we live. But then where he says "it's not our fate" brings it back to religion. He goes back to life in the 3rd verse again, and by life this time I mean with the war, just how he words things "the wind began to howl" makes me think that it's bad and shouldn't be happening. Which the Vietnam War shouldn't have been happening, no war should be happening. And in the end they all come together, the song, the religion, and the life/war.
Valerie - Round Mountain, Tx
Somehow I have always misheard the line "the hour was getting late" as "I was getting laid." hahahaha... that had me confused for a while. anyway, this song is brilliant, one of my favorites of Hendrix
Melanie - Seattle, Wa
A Dylan song reworked by Jimi Hendrix would of course be thought-provoking and emotionally potent, but the guitarist was also able to bleed through Dylan's typically inscrutable lyrics... when he sang "Businessmen, they drink my wine," it came with the thrust of real bitterness. You can't articulate a concrete meaning, but you can -- more so than on Dylan's hushed original -- feel it.
Bertrand - Paris, France
I love this cover of this song. Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix fit together perfectly
Allie - Clarkston, Mi
I loved this cover. I loved the revolutionary feel that Jimi Hendrix inspires. It definitely has the feel of the present event against society. Here is my opinion on the song: Two people, the Joker and the Thief, meet together to reform society which is being oppressed by the corporation and government. That is just my basic outline of the song, but if anyone were ever to meet me, I could give a full account of every meaning, every allusion, every metaphor, and every feeling that this song possesses.
Gene - San Diego, Ca
What's it about? How bout this -- two outsiders who can't stand hypocrites and users (the Businessman and Plowman). One counsels the other to be patient, maybe their time is coming. We have no context until Dylan takes us to the Watchtower where we see "two riders approaching". Who are they? But with the wildcat and the wind "beginning to howl" there is a sense of impending conflict. Brilliant story but even better adaptation by a complete genius. Best song ever? No question in my mind.
Guy - Wellington, New Zealand
Here's how it goes. You are sitting there with the song primed, volume on max; maybe a few respectful mates are there too. It's time. You hit Play...
Da Da, Boum Boum Boum Boum Boum...
Those first notes explode into your consciousness, erasing everything and totally occupying you. This is Jimi and he's saying "Listen to this. It will change your life".
Guy - Wellington, New Zealand
Here's my theory on what the song means: Some say it's about Jesus, some say it's about vietnam, and some say it's just about life. All three are right. The joker is the thief, and the thief is Jesus. Like that, the dialogue makes sense. The joker is worried about his impending death, that people are celebrating and digging his grave, when they're really no better than him. But soothing words from the thief calm him. The song is really about how this parable existed before Jesus, was told through the tale of Jesus, and will always be told, and repeated, throughout time, because nothing ever changes about life other than the toys we get to play with. It's only the rare soul that sees through it and tries to make things a little better, usually failing to do so to any effect.
The two riders at the end? They're the next incarnation of the joker and thief to come.
Profaust - Carthage, Tx
"There must be some kinda way outta here." Just sums it all up to me.
Annie - Washington, Dc
Great song when done by Hendrix. Dylan even once told in an interview that it made chills run up his spine when he first heard Hendrix's version.
Paul - Laddonia, Mo
anyone who thinks Bob Dylan sucks shouldn't be commenting here, bob dylan is a legend. but I'm all for freedom of speech, so i hate bagging on people for this.
Joe - Bellingham, Wa
Bob Dylan writing the lyrics and Jimi on guitar: That may be a match that may never be topped, let alone be come close to.
Spencer - Las Vegas, Nv
That's funny how you said Bob Dylan sucks... you do realize of course that if he never wrote the song, Hendrix would have never covered the song, and you wouldn't have ever wrote about it. So it would appear to me that you are the one that sucks.
Poop - Poopville, Mo
"All Along the Watchtower (Hendrix version)" is number 11 in the list called "Sounds at the Speed of Music: 50 Rock Anthems at 100 kph"
Street Strategist - Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Alan Moore's classic: "The Watchmen" had the words "Two Riders Were Approaching" as the title to chapter/issue 10. I read "The Watchmen" comics as they originally came out. When chapter 10 came out with that title and subsequent Dylan lyrics on the last page I remember getting the chills!
Noel - Boston, Ma
"But Jimi is Black so i guess An opportunity so make a disrespectful comment about Americans untouchable class is worth a little lie - Jimi, Detroit , MI"
I don't think so because most of Jimi Hendrix's friends, girlfriends, and collegues were white, because he was a very emotional person, and I had one more reason a second ago but I kinda forgot =P
Kimy - Detroit, Mi
WOW ! If JIMI were alive today I wonder if he would not just say, "enjoy the song and interpet its meaning into your own life" ? Then maybe just worry about your own watch tower and be on guard about what is about to threaten you and your own Family, Friends and cares of you and your loved ones? Just a thought out here in the "cold distance" of a past generation of the 60s.
Alan - Jasper, Tn
What is this songs meaning? Is it about God and ththe devil?
Missy - Springfield, Il
I think Bob Dylan sucks. Even though it's his song, Jimi does it way better then Bob. He can't sing!!! I like Jimi's guitar riffs anyway, THANK YOU!
Missy - Springfield, Il
This song is played in Forrest Gump when he is in Vietnam. It begins to play right after he first meets Lt. Dan and is walking through the countryside.
Ameer - La, Ca
Snake is most definatly correct. I used to play lead guitar in a band circa '68 and we just about wore out a few "Hendrix" albums trying to get the song correct. Ha, ha.... I never did quite... get the lead guitar correct to this day even using a "slider", "fuzzbox or anything else. I don't really like or care for any of the imitations of this song as I think that they all are cheap imitations of Hendrix and Dylan. That is the "60's" in me. I was there and lived it all. Hendrix is still great.
You just can not improve upon perfection... it is just a blessing only unto yourself to use.
A Friend
Alan - Jasper, Tn
whoops, didnt see that down at the bottom of the description. o well, worth stating twice =)
Galen - Does It Matter?, Ca
this was used in an episode of the simpsons too. its played in the background when they show a 60s montage on the news. great song
Galen - Does It Matter?, Ca
Apparently, Noel Redding went to a Bob Dylan concert right after this was released, and Dylan complemented his bass playing on this song. But, of course, Jimi was the one who actually played bass on the track. I imagine it was kinda awkward.
Floyd - Carrboro, Nc
THe Dylan lyric were "Businessmen, they drink my wine, plowmen dig my earth" I think Jimi entoned "herb" (but notenought to get caught. No good a ghetto talk, eh? I think Dylan comes from a farm in northern Minnesota. But Jimi is Black so i guess An opportunity so make a disrespectful comment about Americans untouchable class is worth a little lie
Jimi - Detroit , Mi
Jimi Hendtix Is God
Jimi - Woodhaven, Ny
this song is amazing in hendrix's blue wild angels - isle of wright concert. i dunno if somebody else said that already but its worth repeating. amazing performance from THE guitar god.
Galen - Does It Matter?, Ca
My favorite song of all time I love the guitar solo's and the lyrics were really well done even though it sounded like he said something else when he was singing it I could swore when he was buisness man part I thought he said spainard drink my wine and dig my herb which
i think sounds better just me though
David Hatey - Gotham, Md
does any one else notice the beat modulation in the beginning? right aroound 0:14, jimi plays a lead line that changes the beat to the offbeat...but he does it with such subtlety that its hard to notice unless you tap your hand to the beat from the beginning
Ele - Takoma Park, Md
Forest Hump? haha please tell us you mean Forest Gump...
Ryan - Mobile, Al
Rick I have to agree with Max too. People think songs are done by people who actually covered it. :Behind Blue Eyes" by The Who is another example. Since Limp Boscuit covered it, people think it's their song, and the original is far superior. Lik some of you here, I am also a teenager and love classic rock.
Stefanie - Rock Hill, Sc
This song is in "Forrest Hump" but I can't remember the scene either. I remember hearing the song though, so you are right.
Stefanie - Rock Hill, Sc
Rick, Seattle, WA - same here. Im a teenager and I'm unbelievably obsessed with classic rock. No one I know would EVER recognize this song. Your daughter sounds just like the people I have to put up with every day of my life.
Max - Brooklyn, Ny
Of all the songs I have heard in my lifetime,this is the my all-time favorite. Hendrix stopped time when he did this. A triumph of Western Civilization!
George - Oc, Md
Dont you see???? it's all about tiredness which
penetrates us to the bone. No place to run, no place to hide. Wake up and panic.........neverending nightmare, madness,fear...aghrrrrrrrrr s u i c i d e.help,help hheeeeelpplizzzzzz im just.....and nobodys approching i'm on my own nobody to kill me "wannnna die? nobody gonna help you aghrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr - all along the watchtower - kris from the midle of nowhere.
Krios - Roztok, Poland
Always thought the 2 guys at the begining were being crucified...
Robert - Tweed Valley, Australia
what movie is this CLASSIC from? i thought it was forest gump but then i remebered the scene i was thinking of is when forest is in vietnam and fortunate son is playing...what am i thinking of?!
Mel - South Australia, Australia
what a cover. just amazingly beautiful. hendrix's guiter and dylan's poetry. its like making sweet love for the very first time. the songs starts with foreplay (guiter intro) and what follows is like two people are in a rush then again a slow kisses and then finishes with the highest! seriously, its love-making! no one can ever forget this song. dylan is talking about tough street life (drugs and danger and everything in between). and hendrix covered it so beautifully!
Stink - Male'
I used to know this guy who vowed he would never have a girlfriend who thought Hendrix wrote this!
Fyodor - Denver, Co
This is my All Time Favourite -- No#1 Desert Island disc! I just love the way Jimi hits you hard from the very first second and leaves you at the end reaching higher 'n higher -- the absolute ultimate in guitar-as-voice. Can't say I've listened closely to Dylan's version but I gather Hendrix was careful to be mostly faithful. Jimi's guitar on this song -- which has to be played really loud for maximum effect -- takes me to another plane. What a genius! I want my funeral service to begin with this song. That should shut up those who are bothering to cry!
Guy - Wellington, New Zealand
I love the great climax-final verse structure. This is the best cover of all time Dylan's version is good, but just music set to words, Jimi really felt the lyrics and built the music around them. it's the sort of song, where you love the music, and then realise, wow, 'this is a pretty good story too.'
What level of promotion did Hendrix get?
Thanks - Bill, Los Angeles, CA, for the most hilarious thing I have read all day:
Actually it wasn't so much a dream as a psilcybin vision. Now,we know that the Plowman digging or taking the herb is Arnold, it only makes sense that the Thief is George Bush, who stole the 2000 presidential election and the Joker is the Joker from Batman: I Love it.
Gerard - Honikiwi, New Zealand
I like the Hendrix cover but "love" Dylan's version. There are very few Dylan songs that I don't perfer the Dylan version rather than the cover. Exceptions, "Mr. Tambourine Man" the Byrds, "If Not For You" George Harrison, "It Ain't Me Babe" the Turtles and Rick Nelson's covers of "Love Minus Zero No Limit" off Rudy the Fifth and "She Belongs To Me".
Alan - Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada
I read that Bob Dylan originally meant the song to be read backwards; i.e. beginning with the two riders in the distance.
I think I like the meaning better the normal way though.
Travis - Waterloo, Ny
The Bob Dylan version was relesed in 1967 on John Wesley Harding. The first note under sonfacts is incorrect (it says Dylan released it in 1968), and I would just like to point that out.
Bob - Los Angeles, Ms
I think Dylan's version is great though.
Stefanie - Rock Hill, Sc
To add to the debate, personally I like Jimi's version better than Dylan's. The thing to realize though is that they are very different, and there isn't that much of a comparison. Bob Dylan should receive as much credit for writing the song as Jimi does for covering it and making it famous. Usually, I likke originals better than covers, but this is an exception. I think what Jimi Hendricks did to this song was improve it. Anny thoughts?
Stefanie - Rock Hill, Sc
I read in guitar player magazine some years ago that bob dylans lead gutairist changed the solo of the song to make it sound more in line with hendrix's version.
Best Regards, CHOW
Chow - Saint Louis, Mo
This vwersion is waaay better than Dylan's and this is the only classic rock song i like...o ya and Purple Haze
Sam - Le Sueur, Mn
I like Dylan's version better, but that's just my opipion.
Letty - Terre Haute, In
I had a fun experience with my daughter a little while back (she was age 19 at the time). She and a friend went to a Dave Mathews concert, and when she returned she was so excited - talking about the greatist song she had ever heard, a new one, something about a "watchtower".
My friend and I stared at each other for a second, and I said: "All Along the Watchtower?", and she jumped up and said said "Yes! Have You Heard it Too????". My friend and I nearly rolled on the floor laughing, before we could explain to her that the "new" song was nearly 30 years old, written by Bob Dylan, and made famous by Jimi Hendrix. She didn't believe us, continuing to insist that it must be a "new song", not something ancient we would listen to.
Rick - Seattle, Wa
Not everyday do you come across an artist who possess so much grace and so much style as Jimi Hendrix. This song shows shows his ability to go beyond the specs of distortion and overdrive. He displays his ability switch out genres, from rock to the blues to almost anything. Like Stevie Ray said, "He didn't play the guitar, he played music"
Fuzzface87 - Bellevue, Wa
I love this song I First heard it on Forrest Gump. Then i started getting into Dave Matthews Band and i think they do the best version of it because of the way they build the song up from slow to a blow-you-out-of-the-water jam.
Joel - Vermilion, Canada
I personnally like Bob Dylan's version more than Hendrix's apartf rom the guitar. It's amazing the things Dylan can come up with. No wonder some of his songs are always being covered. But Jimi's version is awesome, and it's not how well you imitate a cover, but how you can change it and still make it sound good. That is what Hendrix did with this one
Kartik - Peace River, Canada
Bob Dylan is way cooler then friggin jimi hendrix.
Ashley - Yarmouth, Canada
jimi hendrix is a awesome guitar player. i think this is the best song he ever made besides voodoo child
Collin - Hope, In
the song was written to mean anything, and thus any meaning you extract from it is your own. Dylan said this song came to him in the middle of a stormy night when he couldn't sleep, and, like many of his songs, he feels he didn't write the song, he just wrote it down
Rob - Leamington, England
Eric from Vancouver, it's Jimi's head that is the non-explicit cover for ELECTRIC LADYLAND.
Barry - New York, Ny
What a classic. Hendrix is awesome.
Billy - Boston, Ma
Another song fact: The album was released with two covers: one was a picture of a bunch of naked women (explicit version) and the other was a modified picture of a woman's head (clean version).
Eric - Vancouver, Canada
When you listen to Dylan's version it's almost like you rediscover the lyrics and the song, it's amazing.
Dan - Lee, Nh
I think that his (Dylan's) lyrics mean something different to everyone that listens to them. Thats what makes music so fantastic, especailly from that time period... because back then they left room for you to think about it, and apply a meaning that influences your own life the most and didn't want everyone to think that same exact way.... just my opinion kids...
David, Greensboro, NC... Bob Dylan... not ugly, he is just different. i think he is quite attractive, personally.
Laurel - Milwaukee, Wi
...and Alec from Canton OH, pot puts you in an altered state of mind, and being the both Dylan and Jimi were known to be high almost always, the drug was clearly behind it. I'm not a legalize marijuana freak or anything but drugs did good things for music.
Jared - Westmont, Nj
Bill from L.A., don't carry things too far. The plowmen reffers to a middle lower class type of worker (aka the type of people the Joker and Thief are, it has nothing to do with Arnold Schwartzenegger. An the line isn't "the owl is getting laid" it's "the hour is getting late".
Jared - Westmont, Nj
lemme just add something...the reason he never had an original top 20 hit is because the "estableshment" creates the billboard to get into our heads. and every one that listens to him was an anti-establishment hippy...all along the watch tower was an older song that pleased the model citizen
Alex - Canton, Oh
First, the horsemen in the song are not the horsemen of the apocolypse. There are only two horsemen in the song and theer are clearly 4 horsemen in the apocolypse gang.
Now we have to adress the issue of the Plowman. Clearly this is a prophetic reference to Arnold Schwartzenegger. Students of German will know that "Schwartzenegger is made up of two words:
"Schwart", which means "black" and "egger", which is a German word meaning "Plowman". Thus Arnold Schwartzenegger is literally "Arnold Black Plowman". He takes the herb. Bob Dylan once told me in a dream that he was writing this about Arnold and that Arnold would be Governor of California. Actually it wasn't so much a dream as a psilcybin vision.
Now,we know that the Plowman digging or taking the herb is Arnold, it only makes sense that the Thief is George Bush, who stole the 2000 presidential election and the Joker is the Joker from Batman. The line about two riders approaching is actually "Two writers are approaching, the Owl is getting laid". Everyone knows that the Owl is the symbol given by Aleister Crowley to Nell Gwyn, the lover of Charles II of England. The 2 writers are Larry David and Stephen King.
It's all much clearer when you listen to the song on shrooms. Once I dropped 4 hits of purple microdot and listened to this song over and over for 9 hours. It drove my roommates crazy but I also had the distinct impression that the two writers may have been Leni Reifenstahl and Joesph Goebbels. It was later in the muchroom dream that Dylan cleared everything up for me. The lord is good.
Bill - Los Angeles, Ca
this song is awesome i was dying my hair one day at my bestfriends and this song was blaring and everything stoped and i was like I LOVE MY LIFE!!!
Hillary - Irving, Tx
hear this...his music wasnt "inspried" by drugs(excluding purple haze) yet the were "perfected" by them. fyi...the education film from the 1930's was titled "refer madness"
Alex - Canton, Oh
Possibly the greatest display or guitar talent ever...
Marlon - Nyc, Ny
First, having seen both of these dudes in their prime I can attest to the fact that both of them appeared on stage so f#@*ed up they could hardly perform! I also saw them when they were shimmeringly brilliant. I also saw Dylan about 6 years ago and he mumbled so egregiously that we left---couldn't understand but one in 20 words. But Joni Mitchell's imitation of Dylan was brilliant and had the great man himself laughing hard. It all gets back to whether the original artist did a better version than those who follow. Some are followed by artists who somehow make the song so their own that forever after, it is identified with the cover artist. But often, the original recording is so astounding, once you hear it, all others pale by comparison. Witness the recording of 'Hound Dog' by Big Mama Thornton, or 'Time Is On My Side' as recorded by Irma Thomas...
The whole lyrics thing amongst rock'n'rollers is a constant source of entertainment. Elocution is last on their list, but mix that in with being under the influence and just lack of education, and you have all the elements found in the brilliant booklet "'Scuse Me While I Kiss This Guy" I think you can get it on Amazon.com. Hilarious
Dee - Salt Lake City, Ut
After much discussion and consideration that this song came in a period of Dylan's more spiritual music, I've come to the conclusion that the Joker is Satan (a deceiver) and the Thief is Christ (who comes like a thief in the night). They both meet on Earth, as it is neutral ground, and agree that men by and large have dismissed them both as obsolete. This is their cue to usher in the apocalypse, and the horsemen are unleashed.
Steve - Dallas, Tx
how can you say that he's a sellout, just because someone becomes "recognised" it doesn't mean that they're a sellout, if it wasn't for Hendrix and Bob dylan, song writing and guitar playing would stay the same and not progress, i mean imagine the guitar playing what it would sound like if Hendrix didn't use distortion the way he did. Hendrix ia a guitar god and a sexy one too. lol, his stage antics were funny.. i saw some old tapes where he was humping the amps, many bands do that today. Hendrix started so many things, he partially helped music progress to what it is today. I think he's alegend. I define sellouts, people who make it too big to not care enough about their craft, but you just can't help getting pulled in by what he's playing because he does it with so much emotion (which is expressed through his guitar.. mainly his creamy white strat, my fav guitar of his)
Mistik - Sydney, Australia
Jimi Hendrix is a guitar god, but i still kind of like Bob Dylan's original version better.
Dan - Lake Hiawatha, Nj
When i first heard it i thought it said "come and dig my urge" then i saw the lyrics on some site and then it all made sense. pretty weird. now i can't even understand how i got come and dig my urge
Sonu - Brantford, Canada
Dylan played this song originally in the key of A minor, Hendrix changed it to the key of C# minor, wich gives the song a different sound, since then Dylan is playing it in the key C# minor.
David - Antwerp, Belgium
Jimi also plays bass on this tune. It really ticked off Experience bassist Noel Redding. The
rift between the two grew apart until Redding
and Mitch Mitchell split with Hendrix in the late 60's.
Paul - Rothesay, Nb, Canada
when i saw Dylan play this song live he played it the way Hendrix played it
Nick - Rochelle, Il
It has been claimed that Jimi heard this song on the radio, and went into the studio and recorded his own version that very same day. I don't know if that's the version that was released, or if it was 'completed' in that one day, but it's interesting none-the-less.
Sometimes it's hard to recognize a classic right away. Jimi seems to have had a way of connecting with timeless music.
Marc - Alameda, Ca
funny as a kid back in the 60's i thought he was saying 'businessmen they, they drink my wine, come and dig my herb'.
You know we probably do search for meaning way to much in various songs, but this particular song even as a song seemed to me to have some meaning;some esoteric meaning, maybe part of it does maybe not,hell who knows for sure,and who can be sure?
Girard - Dallas, Tx
i think this is a very well-written song. i love how the song is written without a chorus and how the storyline unfolds the way in which it does. i found a very good website regarding the explication of this song. www.reasontorock.com/tracks/watchtower.html
definitely check it out!
Randi - Linton, Me
the lyrics are stikeingly similar to the bible. just goes to show that Dylan had a bible on hand
all along the watchtower:
Outside in the cold distance
A wildcat did growl
Two riders were approaching
And the wind began to howl
book of isaiah Chapter 21:8-9 :
And he cried, A lion: My lord, I stand continually upon the watchtower in the daytime, and I am set in my ward whole nights. And, behold, here cometh a chariot of men, with a couple of horsemen. And he answered and said, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all the graven images of her gods he hath broken unto the ground.
John - Triangle , Nc
Hendrix took this song to a whole other level, all the while staying true to the lyrical mastery of Dylan. The words appear to be taken right out of an ode, beginning and ending indistincly, disregarding any form for conventional storytelling. This leaves much room for the listener to imagine the final confrontation at his own discretion. Hendrix recognized this, demonstrated by his powerful, concluding solo. His guitar really takes off after the final verse, forcefully raising the level of intensity through increasingly higher pitches, before finally reaching that final note in a riotous explosion, emblematic of the alluded confrontation.
Jordan - Wv
oh yeah, hendrix does a great job as always with the guitar, and Dylan also does a great job with the harmonica as always in these versions
Scott - Philadelphia, Pa
this is a great song by both dylan and hendrix. nicely done by both. just because it is a good song dont mean the makers are drinking the coffee if you know what i mean
Scott - Philadelphia, Pa
Great song. A local musician named Jason Greenwalt did a live cover for an indie film we were shooting in 2001 around DC called "Potomac Dawn" that featured the deubt of the Sports Junkies. The song's at brenden.com/music/JasonGreenwalt-AllAlongTheWatchtower.mp3
Michael - Darnestown, Md
...none of them along the line, knew what any of it is worth... Jimi didn't know the actual words.
If you listen to the Dylan version, it's pretty clear. A lot of songwriters purposely make things vague. McCartney was a master of "just making stuff up". He admits it. For example, the lyrics to Get Back went through a lot of changes, all nonsensical. "Yesterday" started with the working title of "Scrambled Egg". Dylan made stuff up on the spot, so please don't over-analyze too much. Makes the old brain hurt. People have some funny ideas, check out the comment thread for American Pie.
Geo - Eugene, Or
from my understanding this song reflected bob dylan's conversion to a born again christian from judaism (his real name was bob zimmerman). the joker symbolizes Jesus and the thief is the thief crucified next to Jesus and consoles him. the Joker talks about those who take life for granted, "Business men they drink my wine
Plowmen dig my earth
No one will level on the line,
Nobody of it is worth."
the thief discusses thier impending death, "but you and I, we've been through that
And this is not our fate
So let us stop talkin' falsely now
The hour's getting late"
In tarot cards Jesus is portrayed as a joker.
What do you think???
Edward - Virginia Beach, Va
um...though the lyrics are not about drugs, anyone who does not recognize the fact that (unfortunately) Jimi's music was inspired by drugs and they lead him to his grave.
Alex - Pasadena, Ca
This is a really awesome song. Has anyone ever heard dylans version? It is really interesting to listen to it after hearing this version. Hendrix really stayed true to the song. All his guitar soloes (except the wahwah solo) is taken exactly from Dylans (Bob does them on harmonica)
Will - Portland, Or
Bob Dylan smoked ganj, nothing else that would mess up his looks. He's just a naturally ugly dude.
Niko - Davis, Ca
Kieran, the only human being who did more drugs that Jimi was ole Bobby-boy Dylan, why do you think he is so ugly now?
David - Greensboro, Nc
Ok, ok, probably taking this whole confusing lyrics thing a bit too far, but think about it. There are thousands of places you can find lyrics that are guarenteed to be true. For example, the little booklets inside cds and so on. So come on, it's "Plowmen dig my earth". Er, straight up? I'm no good at this ghetto talk.
Sol - Dallas, Tx
It's "Plowmen dig my Earth" not "plowmen take my herb".
"His music wasnt inspired by drugs dude!"
It's not his music, this song was originally done by Bob Dylan, Jimi wouldn't change the lyrics. They're not even his.
Kieran - Brewster, Ny
snake's right, he definitely says "plowmen dig my Earth"
Matt - Moose Jaw, Canada
Very good. Herb is a modern slang word for pot. In Jimi's time it would have been grass or even reefer.
Kenneth - New York, Ny
Uh, guys, the lyric is "plowmen dig my Earth." Just wanted to clear that up.
Snake - Amarillo, Tx
Plowman take my herb.. His music wasnt inspired by drugs dude! Lol. Thats funny plowman take my herb..
Stump - Gulf Shores, Al
I always thought that too Richie, I guess not though.
Brian - Paoli, In
I always thought he said: "Plowman take my herb" as in pot. Not so?
Richie - Usa, Ny
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text:
Town Square
Driver seriously injured in Hwy. 101 crash
Original post made on Aug 22, 2013
Read the full story here Web Link posted Thursday, August 22, 2013, 9:39 AM
Comments (11)
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Aug 22, 2013 at 10:45 am
Reckless behavior often ends in tragedy. How sad. How foolish.
I hope this driver recovers well and learns from his mistake. We all can learn from his mistake. Drive, walk, bike with consideration of other people with whom we share the road and the law.
a resident of Palo Alto High School
on Aug 22, 2013 at 11:10 am
It's beginning to feel like Los Angeles traffic here. 101 is busy at all hours these days. With texting and phone calling rampant, for the amount of cars that drive on 101 each day, it's amazing there aren't more car crashes.
"Old story reckless behavior" should have the alias "curmudgeon". People make mistakes everyday and I'm sure you're not perfect. Live and let live. I hope you don't have children to batter.
a resident of another community
on Aug 22, 2013 at 11:20 am
I'm just glad, PA Native, that no one else was hurt by the reckless driving (what else could propel someone's car into a wall, I ask?). There are always reasons for accidents, whether it's texting, speeding, drinking - nothing happens without a reason.
a resident of East Palo Alto
on Aug 22, 2013 at 11:57 am
I've been avoiding the 101 construction w/out a problem by taking surface roads. It seems that the number of accidents along the construction corridor has increased.
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Aug 22, 2013 at 12:06 pm
I agree with Hmmmm
101 is very dangerous at present. The construction makes changes very frequently. I do my best to avoid it also. The fact that there haven't been more accidents surprises me due to the confusion.
It does sound as if speed was a factor in this case, but I suspect the construction as a secondary factor.
a resident of Midtown
on Aug 22, 2013 at 1:03 pm
The section of 101South at the Embarcadero-Oregon on-ramp is a nightmare---and has been for at least a full year. It is the site of frequent accidents with varying degrees of severity. The article says the driver was speeding, but was he 5 mes over the limit of 20. I'm a former resident of LA and veteran of the freeways there, but I've never seen any construction project take as long as this particular section of 101.
a resident of Downtown North
on Aug 22, 2013 at 1:22 pm
Stretch & Old Story -
> what else could propel someone's car into a wall, I ask?
Perhaps the driver had a blowout. Perhaps a piece of refuse flew off another car. Perhaps the driver was confused by the signage and poor lighting in the area.
Please mind your knees with all this jumping to conclusions.
a resident of another community
on Aug 22, 2013 at 3:30 pm
Armchair "expert" - the article said that the driver had been speeding, so where's the big jump to a conclusion? Construction zones, well-marked or not, are areas where people should slow down until they are safely by the zone, not sipped up. Common sense.
a resident of another community
on Aug 22, 2013 at 3:32 pm
Armchair "expert" - the article said that the driver had been speeding, so where's the big jump to a conclusion? Construction zones, well-marked or not, are areas where people should slow down until they are safely by the zone, not speed up. Common sense.
a resident of East Palo Alto
on Aug 23, 2013 at 12:05 am
This construction has taken a very long time. They are working near here again, but for months I never saw any work going on.
a resident of Old Palo Alto
on Aug 23, 2013 at 6:08 am
The 101 has become our 405, a nightmarish, extremely dangerous, 24/7 busy freeway with endless construction projects. I avoid it at all cost even if I have to find creative and much longer ways of getting to my destination.
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text:
Lisa Bielawa on Voices, Memories and Former Selves
Composer-vocalist Lisa Bielawa has written for Brooklyn Rider, Boston Modern Orchestra Project and the Knights. She's a member of the Philip Glass Ensemble, co-founder of the annual MATA Festival and was the recipient of the 2009 Frederic A. Julliard/Walter Damrosch Rome Prize. This August 12-17, Bielawa is artist-in-residence at The Stone; she'll be joined for performances by Carla Kihlstedt, Joshua Roman and American Contemporary Music Ensemble (ACME) – the last with whom she'll preview her new opera-in-progress Vireo.
Lisa Bielawa writes the following of her Mixtape:
I've been thinking a lot about the lens of memory lately – perhaps because I am busy excavating sketches of an opera I began 20 years ago then abandoned, or because I have recently become the Artistic Director of a girls chorus I used to sing and tour with 30 years ago. And because next week I will be looking back over that entire 30 years in a week-long retrospective of my music at The Stone, with music I wrote as early as my girls chorus days, and as recently as this afternoon.
Music has much to offer those searching for personal history, and many composers have explored and employed the power of musical memory – that fragment of melody barely remembered, that voice of a former self. Not all of these pieces are actually nostalgic in mood; in fact, some of them are outright goofy. But they all have some kind of voice from the past hidden in them, for the composer or the listener or, in at least one case, for me in particular. Most of them also consider the human voice from new angles: the grain of it, the individuality of it, the politics of it, the fragility of it.
Sergei Prokofiev – Piano Sonata No. 3, "From Old Notebooks"
Veljo Tormis – Lauliku Lapsepoli (The Singer's Childhood)
Avet Terterian – Symphony No. 3: Movement III
Frank Zappa – It Can't Happen Here
Charles Dodge – Speech Songs: "The Days Are Ahead"
Leos Janacek – Sinfonietta: Movement III, Moderato
Claude Vivier – Bouchara
Luciano Berio – Sinfonia: Movement III, In ruhig fliessender
Leonard Bernstein – "Pax: Communion 'Secret Songs'" from Mass
*Not all compositions from the original playlist appear on Spotify.