I wanted to take a moment to tell you about another exciting new band I encountered recently, a Dallas-based outfit called Radiant.
The Mrs. and I caught them at Calvary Church in Pacific Palisades during late April for a worship concert with Travis Taylor (who is also an outstanding songwriter/singer in his own right). Radiant backed Taylor as well as its own leader, Levi Smith, in one of the more inspiring sets I've heard in quite some time. Think what would happen if Coldplay met God and you get the idea.
Some innovative uses of guitar effects and piano combined with a solid rhythm section led by brothers Daniel and Jesse Hopkins had us on our feet with our arms vertical for the better part of two hours.
To learn more, visit their site: http://www.radianttheband.com
Monday, May 14, 2007
Monday, April 30, 2007
The all-important Game 3
As Round 2 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs gets into full gear, perhaps no game in each series will be more important to determining the outcome than Game 3.
If the first two games were split, the lower seed enjoys a distinct advantage coming home - something Vancouver had, and lost, and something San Jose and Ottawa have entering tonight's games.
If a team - such as the Rangers - faces a 0-2 deficit heading home, Game 3 becomes the first of what may be many do-or-die scenarios. New York needed two overtimes, but it avoided a 3-0 hole with its 2-1 triumph over Buffalo.
If the first two games were split, the lower seed enjoys a distinct advantage coming home - something Vancouver had, and lost, and something San Jose and Ottawa have entering tonight's games.
If a team - such as the Rangers - faces a 0-2 deficit heading home, Game 3 becomes the first of what may be many do-or-die scenarios. New York needed two overtimes, but it avoided a 3-0 hole with its 2-1 triumph over Buffalo.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Game 7s
There are few things more intense in any part of the sports world than a Game 7 in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Whether you're a big hockey fan or not, do your competitive spirit a favor and check out at least part of tonight's Dallas-Vancouver Game 7. Adding to the intensity is the fact the game will be played north of the border in Canada. The atmosphere will be electric.
It's something you will not regret watching.
Whether you're a big hockey fan or not, do your competitive spirit a favor and check out at least part of tonight's Dallas-Vancouver Game 7. Adding to the intensity is the fact the game will be played north of the border in Canada. The atmosphere will be electric.
It's something you will not regret watching.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
The "Foot"
The “Foot”
Caught Switchfoot in concert a few weeks back for the second time in less than a year.
Their growth, as reflected in their latest CD, “Oh! Gravity”, and in their performance, was stunning. The March 30 show at the Avalon in Hollywood was packed and high energy from the start. The Foot mixed in songs from each stage of their 10-year career, including my personal favorite, “Learning to Breathe.” Their new material held up very well live, and they liberally mixed in many of their best songs from “The Beautiful Letdown” and “Nothing Is Sound.”
Two innovations they brought that I liked were allowing fans to select online a couple of songs to add to their set list and selling the first eight songs of that night’s concert on a “bootleg” CD for $5 immediately after the show. It’s refreshing to see groups value the paying customer, and that’s not at all a given.
Opening act Copeland was a revelation and worth further exploration. An outstanding show!
Caught Switchfoot in concert a few weeks back for the second time in less than a year.
Their growth, as reflected in their latest CD, “Oh! Gravity”, and in their performance, was stunning. The March 30 show at the Avalon in Hollywood was packed and high energy from the start. The Foot mixed in songs from each stage of their 10-year career, including my personal favorite, “Learning to Breathe.” Their new material held up very well live, and they liberally mixed in many of their best songs from “The Beautiful Letdown” and “Nothing Is Sound.”
Two innovations they brought that I liked were allowing fans to select online a couple of songs to add to their set list and selling the first eight songs of that night’s concert on a “bootleg” CD for $5 immediately after the show. It’s refreshing to see groups value the paying customer, and that’s not at all a given.
Opening act Copeland was a revelation and worth further exploration. An outstanding show!
Stanley Cup playoff notes
A closer look at Round 1 of the Stanley Cup playoffs
A few things have stood out to me during the first week of the Stanley Cup playoffs:
If the Anaheim Ducks can get their penalties under control, they’ll be tough to stop. If they keep parading to the penalty box, it eventually will catch up with them. It will be interesting to see if Coach Randy Carlyle gives J.S. Giguere a start in net after the Minnesota Wild lit up Ilya Bryzgalov in Game 4 on Tuesday …
The war of words between Nashville coach Barry Trotz and San Jose coach Ron Wilson has been entertaining, but not surprising. Here’s why: These are two coaches whose jobs might be on the line. Think about it. In the past two seasons, the Predators have brought in forwards Jason Arnott, JP Dumont, Paul Kariya and Peter Forsberg. Perhaps no team in the league has added so many skilled players. The Sharks, meanwhile, have added forwards Joe Thornton (the 2006 MVP), Bill Guerin, Mike Grier and defenseman Craig Rivet. Both teams have two solid goalies, and both teams have a decent young defense. Clearly both teams’ Gms have supplied the firepower, so the onus is on the coaches. …
Calgary’s Jarome Iginla and Tampa Bay’s Vincent Lecavalier are proving in the postseason why they are two of the NHL’s premier players. Iginla’s third-period goal around Red Wings all-world D-man Nick Lidstrom saved the Flames’ hopes in their series vs. Detroit. Lecavalier has pushed the Lightning to a game of knocking out the favored Devils and uber-goalie Martin Brodeur.
Some other players are emerging early in these playoffs, among them Ottawa’s Mike Comrie, Anaheim’s Ryan Getzlaf and Detroit forwards Kyle Calder and Dan Cleary. Comrie was acquired in a stealth deal with Phoenix early in the season when injuries dented the Senators, particularly at center. Cleary emerged as a 20-goal scorer this season after winning a job in Detroit last season on what amounted to a tryout. Calder, who has displayed grit and excellent play along the boards, was obtained in a three-way swap at the trade deadline after a horrible season in Philadelphia and years of being one of the best players on some very bad Blackhawks teams. Getzlaf’s skill is evident to anyone who follows the Ducks, but he plays in every situation and is unafraid to take the big shot or handle the key faceoff.
A few things have stood out to me during the first week of the Stanley Cup playoffs:
If the Anaheim Ducks can get their penalties under control, they’ll be tough to stop. If they keep parading to the penalty box, it eventually will catch up with them. It will be interesting to see if Coach Randy Carlyle gives J.S. Giguere a start in net after the Minnesota Wild lit up Ilya Bryzgalov in Game 4 on Tuesday …
The war of words between Nashville coach Barry Trotz and San Jose coach Ron Wilson has been entertaining, but not surprising. Here’s why: These are two coaches whose jobs might be on the line. Think about it. In the past two seasons, the Predators have brought in forwards Jason Arnott, JP Dumont, Paul Kariya and Peter Forsberg. Perhaps no team in the league has added so many skilled players. The Sharks, meanwhile, have added forwards Joe Thornton (the 2006 MVP), Bill Guerin, Mike Grier and defenseman Craig Rivet. Both teams have two solid goalies, and both teams have a decent young defense. Clearly both teams’ Gms have supplied the firepower, so the onus is on the coaches. …
Calgary’s Jarome Iginla and Tampa Bay’s Vincent Lecavalier are proving in the postseason why they are two of the NHL’s premier players. Iginla’s third-period goal around Red Wings all-world D-man Nick Lidstrom saved the Flames’ hopes in their series vs. Detroit. Lecavalier has pushed the Lightning to a game of knocking out the favored Devils and uber-goalie Martin Brodeur.
Some other players are emerging early in these playoffs, among them Ottawa’s Mike Comrie, Anaheim’s Ryan Getzlaf and Detroit forwards Kyle Calder and Dan Cleary. Comrie was acquired in a stealth deal with Phoenix early in the season when injuries dented the Senators, particularly at center. Cleary emerged as a 20-goal scorer this season after winning a job in Detroit last season on what amounted to a tryout. Calder, who has displayed grit and excellent play along the boards, was obtained in a three-way swap at the trade deadline after a horrible season in Philadelphia and years of being one of the best players on some very bad Blackhawks teams. Getzlaf’s skill is evident to anyone who follows the Ducks, but he plays in every situation and is unafraid to take the big shot or handle the key faceoff.
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