Days 1&2 JCU Football Trip to Ireland 2012

The first 24 hours was nothing but travel. We fell behind from the start when United Airlines computer system went down. This is us finally arriving in Shannon, Ireland Airport, about two hours from Dublin.

It's Wednesday night in Dublin and we have been up pretty much for over 24 hours. We had some flight troubles on the way over as United's computers on the East Coast all went down, causing most flights, including ours, to be delayed four hours. We arrived in Ireland finally around 9:00 A.M. local time, toured the Moher Cliffs, checked into our hotel, practiced at a local church's rugby field, and had a very good dinner afterward. We are all exhausted and have a big day tomorrow.

The Cliffs of Moher, on the west Ireland coast. Haughntingly beautiful, but wet and cold. If I come back I'd like to spend some time in this area. 

We are staying 20 minutes outside Dublin at the Citywest Hotel and Golf Club. Except for the internet going down occasionally, a great place. Would love to come back and play the golf course. We walk past the 18 hole to go to our meeting rooms, a par five with a lake in front of the green. I would go driver, four iron, and then nine iron on to the green for my birdie putt.

2012 Cleveland Browns Season

Just a reminder to anyone who visits my website and blog that I still write a monthly column for the Orange and Brown Report, Scout.com's Browns fan magazine. With a subscription you get access to all sorts of cool stuff, along with getting the magazine each month. Check out all the offers at www.scout.com.

Rick Stone Nighttown 07.29.2012

            I’ve reviewed Rick Stone shows several times in the past and I always say the same thing, his roots are in that great window of time when rock and jazz collided, and, at least for awhile, coexisted. Progressive rock radio stations, and we had two damn good ones here in Cleveland, would play the latest from Led Zepplin and Bruce Springsteen, but also George Benson, Tom Scott, and Brian Auger.

            He reminds me so much of that time in music. He would have fit in good headlining at the old Smiling Dog Saloon or the Mistake just like he fits in very nicely at Nighttown. His show last Sunday featured songs from his last CD release Fractels as well as a few standards. His sound is that of 70’s jazz with a touch of rock, and a touch of both George Benson and Django thrown in for good luck. I really enjoyed his original compositions, as well as great versions of the Jerome Kern standard “When Smoke Gets in your Eyes” and the Tommy Dorsey signature song “I’m Getting Sentimental Over You.” Stone was accompanied by two talented Oberlin jazz students, Matt Adomeit on bass and Nate Friedman on drums.

            For more information on Rick Stone and his music visit www.rickstone.com. For all the great things going on at Nighttown, from Sunday brunch to a bunch of great music, go to www.nighttowncleveland.com.

ReOpening of St. Barbara's Church, Cleveland, Ohio

Sunday, July 22

Doris Long "Long Overdue" 2012

            Doris Long has been singing jazz and standards around town since 1963. She has performed with a who’s who of the local music scene, with long running stints at such great places out of the past as Sammy’s and the Theatrical. It is amazing she has never put out a solo recording before, and her recently released Long Overdue is appropriately titled.

            Long Overdue finds Doris Long backed by some great local musicians, including Joe Hunter on piano, Dallas Coffey on bass, Val Kent on drums, and Al Fuller on sax.  The seventeen cuts on the disk are all standards done the right way, with arrangements that not only let Long’s vocals shine, but also the musicianship of the band behind her. They do a great job on songs like Jimmy Van Huesen’s “Oh You Crazy Moon”; the Gershwin Brothers’ “For You, For Me, Forevermore”; and Cole Porter’s “I Concentrate on You.” I really like the versions of Duke Ellington’s “Drop Me Off in Harlem” and the Fred Rose/Walter Hirsh classic “Deed I Do.” Both really show off the band, especially pianist Hunter and bassist Coffey in the Ellington tune, and sax player Fuller in the other.

            Doris Long is in her eighth year playing Friday nights at the Waterbury Coach House on Madison. She starts at 7:00 and is backed by Hunter and Coffey. Check her out sometime, she and her music are one of the best kept secrets in local music scene.

"Sugar & Adrenaline" Dan Miraldi 2012

            Dan Miraldi’s music is heading in the right direction. The young Cleveland rocker, who has progressed from teen bands to college groups at the College of Wooster, to several post grad projects, has released Sugar & Adrenaline, his second full length CD release, his fourth over all.  Each of the releases has been good, with each one getting better and more polished.

            Sugar and Adrenaline is different than the previous three because it was completely recorded with his touring band, and it shows up on the record with a bit more guitar solos by Alex Bowers, drum introductions by Sarah Luffred, and stronger bass lines by Joe Laguardia. 

            The disk features twelve cuts all written by Miraldi, mostly poppish rock tunes with titles like “Few Rock Harder,” Record Collection,” “Fall in Love All Over Again.” As Miraldi gets older his song writing seems to be heading in a bit more mature vein, and comes through on the last cut on the disc, a ballad titled “The Many Shades of Blue.”

            After listening to the album all weekend in my car stereo it reminds me of two similar albums I enjoyed in the past and still listen to occasionally and that have the same feel to it, Matthew Sweet’s Girlfriend (remember with “Winona” on it?), and going way back to when I was Miraldi’s age or younger, the long forgotten classic David Werner’s Whizz Kid.  I hope Miraldi keeps his band together and they keep going, I think they can go to some good places together.

            Dan Miraldi and the Albino Whinos will be headlining this Thursday, July 12, in the Cambridge Room at the House of Blues, 8:00 show. I caught the bands last Cambridge Room show and it was very good, check out this one if you can.

July/August Cleveland Clubs Concert Preview

July/August Club Concert Preview

            Visit Nighttown in Cleveland Heights this summer, especially to have a cocktail and sit on their beautiful patio. And, of course, check out the great jazz artists they have playing all summer long.  Two great upcoming shows include Dave Matthews’ sax player Jeff Coffin bringing a five piece jazz ensemble on Monday, August 13; and the return of the Hot Club of Detroit on August 15 & 16 with their hot Gypsy Jazz. For info on all the things happening at this landmark club/restaurant visit www.nighttown.com.

            With the Tribe fighting for first place that means the Gateway area will be hopping the rest of the summer, including some great shows at Wilberts. Alternative country rockers the Mallet Brothers Band will be there on July 11; roots rockers the Steel Wheels will be there August 1; and Friday, August 10, will be the return of Candye Kane and her blues band. If you have never seen her, please check her out, she really rocks. Don’t forget Wilberts is the cheapest place to drink before and after Tribe games, with $2 domestic beers. Go to www.wilberts.com for more info.

The Kent Stage features four great shows this July with Mary Chapin Carpenter
on July 19; Mitch Ryder as part of the Kent Blues Fest
on July 21; Josh Ritter on July 22; and the return of Kris Kristoffersen on July 27. I caught Kristoffersen the last time he played the Kent Stage and he was outstanding with some great songs and storytelling. For more info go to www.thekentstage.com.

On the West Side at the Winchester things will continue rocking through the summer. This Saturday, June 30, roots rockers Peter Karp and Sue Foley share the stage; guitar legend Phil Keaggy returns on July 14; and singer/songwriter Shawn Mullins appears July 18. Mullins recently co-wrote the #1 country hit “Toes” for the Zac Brown Band. For everything going on at this Lakewood club visit www.thewinchester.net.

As always there are great things happening at the Beachland Ballroom in Collinwood. This Saturday, June 30, is the Annual Waterloo Arts Festival, and the Beachland will feature free music all day. Celtic rockers The Haggis Craic Brothers from Toronto play on July 6; Justin Robertson (founding member of the Carolina Chocolate Drops) plays July 17; and 1950’s Cleveland rockabilly legends Johnny Fay and the Blazers play on July 20. On Sunday, July 29, the Human Fund does their annual fundraiser to benefit the All City Arts Program in the Cleveland School District featuring Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart and his band. Call 440.893.7529 for tickets to this special event. For more info on the Beachland Ballroom visit www.beachlandballroom.com.

As always downtown at the House of Blues there is a lot going on including Brandi Carlile on July 5; Dan Miraldi and the Albino Winos in the Cambridge Room on July 12; and Zappa playing Zappa on July 18. For more info on these shows and more at the Cleveland House of Blues visit www.hob.com/Cleveland.