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Kind of everything is fine : One Question with Skye Wallace

One Question
with
Skye Wallace



Feel free to ignore the premise. Taylor Swift speaks in common language, she will use similes and metaphors her words tend to speak in the venacular (but I come back stronger than a 90s trend) or directly. You both speak in folklore or evermore with your stories are either more couched in vivid imagery or the clever and fun. Taylor is more concise whereas Skye Wallace conjures more poetic sophistication? Upfront and simplistic, veiled and sophisticated? speak in the vernacular or in classic dreamy imagory?  Is your approach with lyricism in songwriting tailored to observational or the conjectural abstract?

This is my pre-ramble to the one question to Skye Wallace.

I have been playing Norah Jones Come Away with Me along with the likes of Getz / Gilberto (which gave the world The Girl From Ipanema and Corcovado Quiet Nights and Quiet Stars) and Frank Sinatra Songs for Swingin’ Lovers. Their lyricists which include themselves evoke more romanticism in a few phrases and Frank can pack more volume in a swinging line than Taylor Swift or Ed Sheeran. Again with Taylor Swift, she self-admittedly is her own elephant in the room. She can bring in her own army of musical support along the lines of The National or Bon Iver. I have always been drawn to the adrenaline rush either live or on record or disc of earlier Skye’s songs on the first albums with that mystique of Blood Moon or MeanSong 2 or Dead Things. And you cannot ignore the literal wallop of Skye Wallace album on Swing Batter or Death of Me or There is a Wall or Body Lights the Way. So here comes the question.

(Once again feel free to ignore the premise of the question or the question.)

SKYE WALLACE: Good question. I think there’s a lot of merit to both ways of writing. My way of more veiled poeticism has been both something that people really love and something that I’ve received criticism about, especially with desires of entering into the radio world. I’ve had people tell me that songs on the radio these days just say what they mean and that I should be more literal, but the more I tried, the more I felt that I strayed from my own spirit of writing. I’m down to try new things and I even wrote a bunch of more literal songs that I love, but I do also think there’s absolutely a place for more poetic, less-literal lyricism. I think it’s impossible to align yourself with trends and “what’s on the radio” anyway; a losing battle. As soon as you emulate a trend, it will inevitably have changed. All you can do, in my opinion, is be yourself and do your thing in a way that you care about and the rest shines through.

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Kind of mono – part 3

Julie London – SHM-5401

Cool and elegant. Earth(a) kitt and sensual.

By sheer happenstance as we reflect upon a case of mono recordings, Julie London turned up at the top of the stack of vinyl.
Julie London on Sunset Records SUM-5104

A1LauraWritten-By – Raksin*, Mercer*Written-By – Raksin*, Mercer*1:37
A2In The Middle Of A KissWritten-By – Coslow*Written-By – Coslow*2:40
A3I’m In The Mood For LoveWritten-By – McHugh/Fields*Written-By – McHugh/Fields*2:28
A4That Old FeelingWritten-By – Brown*, Fain*Written-By – Brown*, Fain*2:35
A5My Love, My LoveWritten-By – Haymes*, Acquaviva*Written-By – Haymes*, Acquaviva*2:38
B1Baby Come HomeWritten-By – Troup*, Rowles*Written-By – Troup*, Rowles*2:40
B2Tain’t What You Do (It’s The Way That Cha Do It)Written-By – Oliver*, Young*Written-By – Oliver*, Young*2:05
B3Bill Bailey, Won’t You Please Come HomeWritten-By – Cannon*Written-By – Cannon*2:05
B4Spring Is HereWritten-By – Rodgers/Hart*Written-By – Rodgers/Hart*2:05
B5Blue MoonWritten-By – Rodgers/Hart*Written-By – Rodgers/Hart*2:20

Companies, etc.

Credits

Other Versions (5 of 7)View All

A1LauraWritten-By – Raksin*, Mercer*Written-By – Raksin*, Mercer*1:37
A2In The Middle Of A KissWritten-By – Coslow*Written-By – Coslow*2:40
A3I’m In The Mood For LoveWritten-By – McHugh/Fields*Written-By – McHugh/Fields*2:28
A4That Old FeelingWritten-By – Brown*, Fain*Written-By – Brown*, Fain*2:35
A5My Love, My LoveWritten-By – Haymes*, Acquaviva*Written-By – Haymes*, Acquaviva*2:38
B1Baby Come HomeWritten-By – Troup*, Rowles*Written-By – Troup*, Rowles*2:40
B2Tain’t What You Do (It’s The Way That Cha Do It)Written-By – Oliver*, Young*Written-By – Oliver*, Young*2:05
B3Bill Bailey, Won’t You Please Come HomeWritten-By – Cannon*Written-By – Cannon*2:05
B4Spring Is HereWritten-By – Rodgers/Hart*Written-By – Rodgers/Hart*2:05
B5Blue MoonWritten-By – Rodgers/Hart*Written-By – Rodgers/Hart*2:20

Companies, etc.

Credits



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Kind of mono part deux



A series of reflections on music or records

This is Kind of mono Part Two

Part One is dedicated to a listening of the pressing of Kind of Blue Columbia that was released on blue vinyl Columbia – CS 8163. However, life sometimes kind of throws you a bowl of spaghetti at you, so you dodge.

Sitting here in the dark with Brothers In Arms (20th Anniversary Edition) SACD playing. Who in this current century is still purchasing a SACD player or searching for actual Super Audio CD? Although it may be deemed a dead format by someone who is in the game told me, nonetheless the thought of having the perfect rendition of a favourite record spinning in the night is enticing. With the Denon DVD-3910 universal DVD player — the Swiss army knife able to play a whole host of DVD and CD formats and surfaces — the atmospheric soundscape of ths album transports the listener into the clouds with its sharp and shiny production.

Starting with So Far Away, the SACD is an ideal format for Mark Knopfler’s guitars and gruff expressive voice all the way to the last track of Brothers In Arms and the feel of tight bass elements with the drums sitting just right into the mix. The single track Money for Nothing absolutely showcases the dynamics of the production and wha is possible on SACD. Then there is the jaunty Walk of Life. Even in this age of the re-emergence of vinyl as a desired item to possess and play, this Mobile Fidelity SACD from 2005 would fit into your collection and with its hybrid format, it would play in the normal listener’s CD player. Considering the price of the Mobile Fidelity vinyl version of Brothers In Arms, the MoFI SACD is quite affordable.

As a novel listening experience in this era. Listening to an actual SACD in your own private listening room in Future Shop on a comfortable couch. Recommended.

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A case of mono

A series of reflections on music or records

With the recent RSD 2021 release  Chet Baker Sings, the trumpeter gets to feature his singing voice. The feature of the release is it is in mono. Being in mono actually brings this recording to life.

Listening to it is a pleasure and being a stereo or audiophile nut (albeit without the budget) means the resurrection of the Connoisseur BD-1 belt drive turntable that was built by the experts at Ring Audio. The assembly kit was placed on a solid piece of wood that was anti-vibration. Drilled in place beside the platter is the original classic SME 3009 tonearm. Chosen for its characteristics to accompany the tonearm is the Nagaoka MP-10 cartridge, a Japanese cartridge that for its time was expensive. Fortunately, the MP-10 cartridge still works with the new generation of its brand of stylus options. The MP-110 replacement stylus represents an upgrade over what would have been its new MP-100 counterpart.

Together, the Nagaoka combination sounds like a dream, accurate and bringing out detail in the mid-range. The high end rings and the bass is present.

That it is from the original mono tapes acutally brings this recording to life. Keeping it in mono makes it sound less processed. With eyes closed, the image of Chet Baker Sings rings true centre.

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Life on the road 2020

This original post was written in a time before life as we knew it shut down. This was going to be a year with lots of promising bands, new records to come out of the studios and breakthrough release parties in the clubs. Well, you all know what happened next. This post was a small document on trips to the clubs to visit friends and see them on the stages, just like back in the old days when we would be hitting the road every weekend throughout Ontario or literally the rest of the world (whether it be in under down under New Zealand or the top of the world in Finland or Sweden). This was the original post with some of the last photos we took in the clubs.


Snowy weekend in Toronto. It is the middle of January and already the camera has been traveling to three different clubs. What happened to hibernation?

  1. January 4, 2020 – Heather Valley – Cameron Club – Toronto, ON
  2. January 9, 2020 – Time Machine release party – Sappho – Tomacco – Ary – Body Double – Junction City Music Hall – Toronto, ON
    20200109_195800__DSC0708
  3. January 16, 2020 – Pretox – Straight to Business – Bovine Sex Club – Toronto, ON
  4. January 22, 2020 – Sappho @ The Boat
  5. January 31, 2020 – Tomacco @ Monarch Tavern
  6. February 1, 2020 – Heather Valley @ Tranzac Club
  7. February 8, 2020 – Skye Wallace w/ Les Deuxluxes, Zinnia, Lenny Bull @ Horseshoe Tavern
  8. February 9, 2020 – Dirty Rick, Dead Levee @ Bovine Sex Club
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More travels to come! (Crossing fingers)

Time Waits for No One – January 26, 2020

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Background: After a visit to the Turntable Doctor during Boxing Day week, the recent inspection of my Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge stylus, the verdict was 1000 hours of life left on it. So how long is 1000 hours of stylus life? Obviously, the answer is 1000 hours. The quick math translates 1000 hours to 6 weeks of 24/7. However being human, how long would it take me to explore my record collection to reach 1000 hours of play? The answer is the subject of these posts. Turn off the lights and have a listen to 1000 hours and counting down.

Dead Dogs can learn new tricks. Dead Dog Records know all the old tricks.

Enter through their doorway in the Bloordale Village and it’s the place where everyone calls you Joe. The folks there have my tastes down to a T so we start with the letter G.

Gillian Welch - Harrow
Gillian Welch The Harrow and the Harvest

GILLIAN WELCH
The Harrow and the Harvest
ACNY 1109LP

Gillian Welch fans know Gillian is pronounced with a hard G. Consider me a learned fan now. Whether this record be country or Americana, the album is plaintive songs filled with simple stories sung of harrowing tales and hard times, faith and the other side ahead.

There’s six white horses coming after me
Six white horses coming after me
Pretty as a picture, certain as the scripture
Six white horses coming after me

Steely Dan - Gaucho
Steely Dan Gaucho

STEELY DAN
Gaucho
MCA 6102
Release: 1980

It is 1:11 a.m. on a cold winter’s day. And what better time to slip on Steely Dan onto the turntable evoking the cool hipster lifestyle of sunny CaliforniL.A. Walter Becker and Donald Fagen tunes, immaculate players and playing with a horn section from Tom Scott to boot taken to the limit. Too cool for school? I have read too many reviews of snobophiles who use a myriad of Steely Dan AJA pressings and SACD as the test source for showing off their equipment, I do not fall into that camp, but I thought Steely Dan Gaucho would be a smooth experience.  The quest for perfection in the studio. Or obsession. Who is up for a listen to Toto IV or Dire Straits?

led zeppelin I
Led Zeppelin

LED ZEPPELIN
Led Zeppelin
Atlantic ‎– 8122-79664-1
Release: 2014 (initial release 1969)
“The Led Zeppelin legend began in January of 1969 with the group’s eponymous debut. From the opening salvo of “Good Times Bad Times,” on through to “Babe I’m Gonna Leave You,” “Communication Breakdown,” and “Dazed And Confused,” the album introduced the band’s unmistakable sound and left an indelible mark on the music landscape.” So said so well straight from Led Zeppelin itself.

rolling stones rnr.ROLLING STONES
It’s Only Rock ‘N Roll
Label: Atlantic
Rolling Stones Records ‎– COC 79101
Release: 1974

Production at Musicland by the “Glimmer Twins” of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards.
Rhythm n bluesy swagger in the studio with a very forward imaging. It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll is the classic anthem of r n r. Brash, sassy, arrogant.

NINE INCH NAILSNIN - Pretty Hate Machine
PRETTY HATE MACHINE
BICYCLE MUSIC COMPANY B0015099-01

The start of it all in a reissued format on 180gm. Bicycle Music Music bought out TVT and pressed this on 180gm black vinyl album.

Continue reading “Time Waits for No One – January 26, 2020” →

You call some place paradise, kiss it goodbye – January 18, 2020

FeaturedHotel California

Background: After a visit to the Turntable Doctor during Boxing Day week, the recent inspection of my Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge stylus, the verdict was 1000 hours of life left on it. So how long is 1000 hours of stylus life? Obviously, the answer is 1000 hours. The quick math translates 1000 hours to 6 weeks of 24/7. However being human, how long would it take me to explore my record collection to reach 1000 hours of play? The answer is the subject of these posts. Turn off the lights and have a listen to 1000 hours and counting down.

Linda Ronstadt, the subject of The Sound of My Voice movie on CNN inspired tonight’s listening. Skye Wallace’s self titled album has been burning a hole into my ears and her photos from recent club performances on stage with band fronting for Lowest of the Low (see image below) have been blazing from my smugmug and others social media. The record itself is black vinyl with a test pressing label! The listening was quite enjoyable with little to note about any distracting noise. The album ranges from moody reflections to full on guitar and bass rockers which capture the adventures of her life.

20191214_211754__DSC5166

Luxury Liner
Emmylou Harris Luxury Liner

Emmylou Harris Luxury Liner was handy and was the natural follow-up. (Dolly Parton and Nicolette Larson provide back-up vocals amongst many. Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt comprised Trio for their two albums.) Even though this is a Warner Brothers Canadian pressing from 1977, the production was immaculate with little if any surface noise. The highlight of Luxury Liner is naturally Emmylou Harris’s voice itself and stellar talent in the band.

Hotel California
Eagles Hotel California

While sorting through albums, the Eagles Hotel California on Asylum Records 1976 turned up more than coincidentally (the members of the Eagles being early members of Linda Ronstadt’s band). Checking the 7ES 1084 catalogue number, this album copy is the 1976 Canadian pressing with the gatefold from Asylum. The record might have needed a little bit of record cleaner and a zap of the Zerostat gun. There were a few reminders that this Hotel California was not a compact disc. Otherwise, the memories of past sitting down by the stereo come back. Which is part of the vinyl experience. The familiar intro to Hotel California led all the way past New Kid in Town to the end of side one with Wasted Time. Flipping over the record brings in the reprise of Wasted Time. The second side is the opposite of Life in the Fast Lane and exits with the more sombre outro of The Last Resort. Raise the needle and turn off the stereo for the night. It is 1:11 a.m.

If you have a nice comment or stylus recommendation:

DATE ARTIST ALBUM FORMAT TRACK ALBUM TIME RUNNING TOTAL CASSETTE TIME
2019-12-28 NILS FRAHM SCREWS ALBUM SIDE A/B 00:28:00 00:28:00  
2019-12-28 CRASS Sheep Farming in The Falklands flexi SIDE A 00:05:22 00:33:22  
2019-12-28 U2 NO LINE ON THE HORIZON ALBUM SIDE A 00:17:00 00:50:22  
2019-12-30 BOB DYLAN LIVE AT BUDOKAN ALBUM SIDE B 00:26:42 01:17:04  
2019-12-30 SUPERTRAMP EVEN IN THE QUIETEST MOMENTS ALBUM SIDE A/B 00:43:25 02:00:29  
2019-12-30 APHEX TWIN SELECTED AMBIENT WORKS 1985-1992 ALBUM SIDE A/B 00:34:20 02:34:49  
2020-01-01 EMMYLOU HARRIS LUXURY LINER ALBUM SIDE A/B 00:38:35 03:13:24  
2020-01-02 BOBBY WISEMAN SINGS WRENCH TUTTLE IN HER DREAM CASSETTE SIDE A   03:13:24 00:29:07
2020-01-05 ELUVIUM COPIA VINYL SIDE A 00:18:50 03:32:14  
2020-01-05 ELUVIUM COPIA VINYL SIDE B 00:21:00 04:12:55  
2020-01-05 GLENN GOULD WELL TEMPERED CLAVIER VINYL SIDE 1/6 00:19:41 03:51:55  
2020-01-08 The Replacements Pleased To Meet Me VINYL SIDE A 00:16:16 04:08:11  
2020-01-08 The Replacements Don’t Tell A Soul VINYL SIDE A 00:19:14 04:27:25  
2020-01-18 Stevie Nicks Bella Donna VINYL SIDE A 00:19:28 04:46:53  
2020-01-18 Skye Wallace Skye Wallace VINYL SIDE A/B 00:33:21 05:20:14  
2020-01-18 EMMYLOU HARRIS LUXURY LINER VINYL SIDE A/B 00:38:35 05:58:49  
2020-01-18 The Eagles Hotel California VINYL SIDE A/B 00:36:58 06:35:47

 

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1000 Hours of Stylus and counting down – January 8, 2020

Today’s listening was a couple of classic albums from The Replacements! The records listened to were Pleased to Meet Me (1987), and Don’t Tell A Soul (1989). These are on black vinyl, the original price of Pleased to Meet Me is a whopping $6.97. These two albums are going to be re-issued soon with coloured vinyl. However, the two Replacements albums are minty black and sound fine the way they are. Talent Show from Don’t Tell A Soul and Alex Chilton from Pleased To Meet Me are alive as ever.
As well, Stevie Nicks Bella Donna from 1981 is about as perfect an album as there is and is also going to be re-issued. This one might be worth exploring as a re-issue. (Total album listening time to date is 4 hours and 48 minutes.) Also spun the compact disc of The Replacements Let It Be which sounds fine as a CD.

DATE ARTIST ALBUM FORMAT TRACK ALBUM TIME RUNNING TOTAL CASSETTE TIME
2019-12-28 NILS FRAHM SCREWS ALBUM SIDE A/B 00:28:00 00:28:00  
2019-12-28 CRASS Sheep Farming in The Falklands flexi SIDE A 00:05:22 00:33:22  
2019-12-28 U2 NO LINE ON THE HORIZON ALBUM SIDE A 00:17:00 00:50:22  
2019-12-30 BOB DYLAN LIVE AT BUDOKAN ALBUM SIDE B 00:26:42 01:17:04  
2019-12-30 SUPERTRAMP EVEN IN THE QUIETEST MOMENTS ALBUM SIDE A/B 00:43:25 02:00:29  
2019-12-30 APHEX TWIN SELECTED AMBIENT WORKS 1985-1992 ALBUM SIDE A/B 00:34:20 02:34:49  
2020-01-01 EMMYLOU HARRIS LUXURY LINER ALBUM SIDE A/B 00:38:35 03:13:24  
2020-01-02 BOBBY WISEMAN SINGS WRENCH TUTTLE IN HER DREAM CASSETTE SIDE A   03:13:24 00:29:07
2020-01-05 ELUVIUM COPIA VINYL SIDE A 00:18:50 03:32:14  
2020-01-08 ELUVIUM COPIA VINYL SIDE B 00:21:00 04:12:55  
2020-01-08 GLENN GOULD WELL TEMPERED CLAVIER VINYL SIDE 1/6 00:19:41 03:51:55  
2020-01-08 The Replacements Pleased To Meet Me VINYL SIDE A 00:16:16 04:08:11
2020-01-08 The Replacements Don’t Tell A Soul VINYL SIDE A 00:19:14 04:27:25
2020-01-08 Stevie Nicks Bella Donna VINYL SIDE A 00:19:28 04:46:53

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WELCOME TO 2020 : 1000 HOURS AND COUNTING DOWN

The news? Moving into a new apartment with a view in upper Scarborough, we decided to bring the old stereo system back to life. This system is about as analogue as it can get, with Kenwood KA 3500 40 watt amp, Technics SL-1200 MKII turntable, two former Mirage speakers with a Ring Audio internal design and two cassette decks: one Sony and one AIWA.

THE Turntable Doctor at Bay Bloor Radio examined the stylus of the Ortofon 2M Blue After an electronic cleaning and although the stylus was already shorter than an original needle, he pronounced the stylus was still good and had 1000 hours left on it.  Now how long is 1000 hours in record playing terms? That was a good question. The Turntable Doctor said that should be three years. I thought why not keep track of what is 1000 hours?
As well, the technician suggested demagnetizing or clearning the cassette heads every 30 hours. So keeping track of that well will be on the table. The titles listed will be either on vinyl or cassette unless listed otherwise. There will be compact discs played as well and those will be included as well (but will not count towards the 1000 hours).

Welcome to my listening, good taste or whatever you may term it.

DATEARTISTALBUMFORMATTRACK ALBUM TIMERUNNING TOTALCASSETTE TIME
        
2019-12-28NILS FRAHMSCREWSALBUMSIDE A/B00:28:0000:28:00 
2019-12-28CRASSSheep Farming in The FalklandsflexiSIDE A 00:05:2200:33:22 
2019-12-28U2NO LINE ON THE HORIZONALBUMSIDE A 00:17:0000:50:22 
2019-12-30BOB DYLANLIVE AT BUDOKANALBUMSIDE B00:26:4201:17:04 
2019-12-30SUPERTRAMPEVEN IN THE QUIETEST MOMENTSALBUMSIDE A/B00:43:2502:00:29 
2019-12-30APHEX TWINSELECTED AMBIENT WORKS 1985-1992ALBUMSIDE A/B00:34:2002:34:49 
2020-01-01EMMYLOU HARRISLUXURY LINERALBUMSIDE A/B00:38:3503:13:24 
2020-01-02BOBBY WISEMAN SINGS WRENCH TUTTLEIN HER DREAMCASSETTESIDE A  03:13:2400:29:07
2020-01-05ELUVIUMCOPIAVINYLSIDE A 00:18:5003:32:14 
2020-01-06ELUVIUMCOPIAVINYLSIDE B00:21:0004:12:55 
2020-01-06GLENN GOULDWELL TEMPERED CLAVIERVINYLSIDE 1/600:19:4103:51:55 

The most recent listen goes back to the classical, Glenn Gould Well-Tempered Clavier. No. 1 is in C, it always starts that way. These are pieces that many have undoubtedly played while learning piano for the Conservatory. No doubt no one will ever play them as well as Glenn Gould could.
Eluvium is a taste that goes back 10 years to 2009. The Volume 1 box set of that time is long out of print, but back then it was one hundred sixty dollars which was a lot of money then.

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Steaks!

Welcome Dear Gentle Reader.

I love Steaks Wear.

Ever since I have been in contact with them and even met up with a seller of their wares in Finland at the Kallio Invitational, they have always been friendly and professional.

Why me to even be considered for their series of 1/1000 interviews? I consider this to be a very big honour.

O I may have been more than a tad effusive about the travels around the world in pursuit of derby and travel photography, and a liking for the green and white in a til I die type of way.

The interview.

Reflecting a little further on the sojourn to New Zealand, when Papercut or Cutty as we call her cued me into the Full Contact derby bootcamp was in the month of February, a bell rang inside. February! New Zealand! Summertime! I was so going to be there.

And this comes back to this wonderful video that sums up the life experiences on the road.

If anyone wants to help redesign my wordpress site here or my joemac.smugmug.com site feel free to contact me. Merci!

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Hello Hello! Magical Mystery Tour MAL 2835

Joe Mac's World

Hello hello!

Dont know why you say goodbye I say hello.

Don’t mind me.

I have not become a snob or a collector because who could afford that?

My way of lifestyle has been piqued by the monotheistic world of The Beatles in MONO. It may be paradoxical to have updated the stereo system to listen to mono channel recordings. However, with The Beatles it is an absolute pleasure to hear the imaging straight down the centre of the room as I listen. Those who have become accustomed to the way The Beatles sound in the stereo world, you may be in Country Style Donuts and their sound system may be on and you are sitting under a right speaker where all the instruments dwell, meanwhile Paul or George’s vocals are at the other end of the room coming out of a left speaker. Somewhere in between the window seat…

View original post 150 more words

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The Road Goes On and On – December 2018

We have come to the end of the Road for the year. It has been a long long road on this derby adventure. The last journey was a return to Iceland to photograph Team Ragnarok who invited TXRG’s Honky Tonk Heartbreakers! to Reykjavik. And a lot of long bus rides to new parts of Iceland we had not seen before. Can you say we ate fermented shark, and hot dogs and drank the Appelsin?
We have not put the camera down though, just looking for new things on the world stage. And finally getting to listen to all the music we have acquired from Reykjavik’s record stores and that is a good thing.
Anyone who wants to help me out and give a new look to this wordpress page and to my joemac.smugmug.com site please contact me!
Happy Holiday everyone!

  1. January 14, 2018 – Miracle Whips Bootcamp! – Kitchener, ON
    https://www.instagram.com/p/BeT2uEHnUMn/?taken-by=joe_mac22
  2. January 31, 2018 – Team Greece vs. Team Romania – EventCity Manchester, UK
  3. February 1-4, 2018 – RDWC 2018 – Manchester, UK – EventCity Manchester, UK
    https://www.instagram.com/p/BfdgjG3HRN1/?taken-by=joe_mac22
  4. February 6, 2018 – Southern Discomfort – London, UK
    20180206_204330_20180206_204330__DSC2024
  5. March 10, 2018 – Detroit Roller Derby Star Wars Bout – Cleveland Guardians vs. Detroit Riot / Red vs. Black All-Stars – Detroit Masonic Temple – Detroit, MI
  6. March 24, 2018 – Ann Arbor Derby Dimes AllStars vs. Lake Effect Furies – Buffalo Riverworks – Buffalo, NY
  7. April 7, 2018 – Tri-City Presents 10 Years of Derby – New Hamburg Arena – New Hamburg, ON
  8. April 14, 2018 – Detroit Roller Derby Season 13 Home Team Championship – D*Funk vs. Devil’s Night Dames – Detroit Masonic Temple – Detroit, MI
  9. April 21, 2018 – Queen City Rollergirls vs. Philly Liberty Belles – Riverworks – Buffalo, NY
  10. May 4-6, 2018 – Put Up Your Toques 2018 – Waterloo Memorial Rec Centre – Waterloo, ON
  11. May 12, 2018 – Detroit Roller Derby S13 G6 – Detroit Men’s Roller Derby vs. Cincinnati / Motor City Disassembly Line vs. Border City Brawlers – Masonic Temple – Detroit, MI
  12. May 25-27, 2018 – Royal Brawl 2018 – Guelph, ON
  13. June 9, 2018 – Queen City Rollergirls vs. Windy City – Buffalo, NY
  14. August 17-19, 2018 – 2018 WFTDA Continental Cup North Amerca East – Wings Event Center – Kalamazoo, MI
  15. September 13, 2018 – Team Ragnarok practice – Reykjavik, Iceland
  16. September 15, 2018 – Team Iceland vs. Texas Rollergirls Honky Tonk Heartbreakers – Alftanes, Iceland

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The Road Goes On and On – September 2018

It has been a long long road on this derby adventure. Just in: The land of ice and  snow Iceland beckoned us again and met up with the Honky Tonk Heartbreakers of Texas Rollergirls playing Team Ragnarok in Reykjavik.

(Previously On the Road: Love will tear us apart and The Factory. Back again to where the gods of Ragnarok play. Back to Canada for the ten years of derby home opener at Tri-City.  Then Detroit Roller Derby concludes the season with the home team Championship at Detroit Roller Derby. Just when we thought we were out, Ohio dragged us back into the playoffs.)

  1. January 14, 2018 – Miracle Whips Bootcamp! – Kitchener, ON
    https://www.instagram.com/p/BeT2uEHnUMn/?taken-by=joe_mac22
  2. January 31, 2018 – Team Greece vs. Team Romania – EventCity Manchester, UK
  3. February 1-4, 2018 – RDWC 2018 – Manchester, UK – EventCity Manchester, UK
    https://www.instagram.com/p/BfdgjG3HRN1/?taken-by=joe_mac22
  4. February 6, 2018 – Southern Discomfort – London, UK
    20180206_204330_20180206_204330__DSC2024
  5. March 10, 2018 – Detroit Roller Derby Star Wars Bout – Cleveland Guardians vs. Detroit Riot / Red vs. Black All-Stars – Detroit Masonic Temple – Detroit, MI
  6. March 24, 2018 – Ann Arbor Derby Dimes AllStars vs. Lake Effect Furies – Buffalo Riverworks – Buffalo, NY
  7. April 7, 2018 – Tri-City Presents 10 Years of Derby – New Hamburg Arena – New Hamburg, ON
  8. April 14, 2018 – Detroit Roller Derby Season 13 Home Team Championship – D*Funk vs. Devil’s Night Dames – Detroit Masonic Temple – Detroit, MI
  9. April 21, 2018 – Queen City Rollergirls vs. Philly Liberty Belles – Riverworks – Buffalo, NY
  10. May 4-6, 2018 – Put Up Your Toques 2018 – Waterloo Memorial Rec Centre – Waterloo, ON
  11. May 12, 2018 – Detroit Roller Derby S13 G6 – Detroit Men’s Roller Derby vs. Cincinnati / Motor City Disassembly Line vs. Border City Brawlers – Masonic Temple – Detroit, MI
  12. May 25-27, 2018 – Royal Brawl 2018 – Guelph, ON
  13. June 9, 2018 – Queen City Rollergirls vs. Windy City – Buffalo, NY
  14. August 17-19, 2018 – 2018 WFTDA Continental Cup North Amerca East – Wings Event Center – Kalamazoo, MI
  15. September 13, 2018 – Team Ragnarok practice – Reykjavik, Iceland
  16. September 15, 2018 – Team Iceland vs. Texas Rollergirls Honky Tonk Heartbreakers – Alftanes, Iceland

Featured

The Road Goes On and On – April 2018

It has been a long long road on this derby adventure. Back from the land where love will tear us apart and The Factory. Back again to where the gods of Ragnarok play. Back to Canada for the ten years of derby home opener at Tri-City.  Then Detroit Roller Derby concludes the season with the home team Championship at Detroit Roller Derby.

  1. January 14, 2018 – Miracle Whips Bootcamp! – Kitchener, ON
    https://www.instagram.com/p/BeT2uEHnUMn/?taken-by=joe_mac22
  2. February 1-4, 2018 – RDWC 2018 – Manchester, UK – EventCity Manchester, UK
    https://www.instagram.com/p/BfdgjG3HRN1/?taken-by=joe_mac22
  3. February 6, 2018 – Southern Discomfort – London, UK
    20180206_204330_20180206_204330__DSC2024
  4. February 1-4, 2018 – RDWC – EventCity – Manchester, UK
  5. March 10, 2018 – Detroit Roller Derby Star Wars Bout – Cleveland Guardians vs. Detroit Riot / Red vs. Black All-Stars – Detroit Masonic Temple – Detroit, MI
  6. March 24, 2018 – Ann Arbor Derby Dimes AllStars vs. Lake Effect Furies – Buffalo Riverworks – Buffalo, NY
  7. April 7, 2018 – Tri-City Presents 10 Years of Derby – New Hamburg Arena – New Hamburg, ON
  8. April 14, 2018 – Detroit Roller Derby Season 13 Home Team Championship – D*Funk vs. Devil’s Night Dames – Detroit Masonic Temple – Detroit, MI

    https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1970539786320621&set=a.1968789189829014.1073743835.100000938563177&type=3

Featured

RDWC with Team Iceland

View this post on Instagram

Celebrating the points #teamiceland #teamragnarok

A post shared by Joe Mac (@joe_mac22) on

Featured

The Road Goes On and On – August 2017

It has been a long road on this derby adventure. Been to the heights and to the vales. Been to where the One Ring rules them all. Been to where the gods of Ragnarok play.
And we are back in play. Pittsburgh and Ohio, thank you again. And kudos to Boston for bringing me in, too. One last time with Tri-City Roller Derby. Next stop, stay tuned.

  1. January 28, 2017 – Flat Track Brat Pack vs. Killer Cupcakes / Los Conos vs. Ganaraska Gravediggers – Ancaster Fairgrounds – Hamilton, ON[technical details: Two AB800, one White Lightning Ultra 1200, 5 TT5]

    20170128_172609_DSC_3602

    Flat Track Brat Pack vs. Killer Cupcakes

  2. February 4, 2017 – Detroit Roller Derby doubleheader – Devil’s Night Dames vs D-Funk AllStars / Detroit Pistoffs vs Grand Prix Madonnas – Masonic Temple – Detroit, MI[technical details: Two AB800, Nikon SB910, 4 TT5]

    20170204_184454_DSC_5322

    Guess who is getting married

  3. February 10, 2017 – Tri-City Junior Roller Derby

    20170210_211818_DSC_6879

    Behind the locker

    [technical details: Three E640, 3 TT5]

  4. February 27, 2017 – Flat Track Brat Pack vs. Killer Cupcakes / [Hamilton Area Roller Derby] Los Coños vs. [Northumberland] Ganaraska Gravediggers – Hamilton Area Roller Derby – Ancaster, Ontario

    20170128_152138_DSC_3143

    Killer Cupcakes

    Los Coños

  5. March 11, 2017 – Team Ragnarok [Roller Derby Iceland] vs. Los Coños – Reykjavik, Iceland

    20170311_163930__DSC1274

    Ragnarok

  6. March 18, 2017 – Detroit Roller Derby Championships – Cleveland Guardians vs. Detroit Men’s Roller Derby Riot / Detroit Pistoffs vs. D-Funk AllStars – Masonic Temple – Detroit, Michigan
  7. 2017 – Montreal New Skids on the Block vs. [Queen City Roller Derby] Lake Effect Furies – Riverworks – Buffalo, NY

  8. Skids vs. Furies

  9. April 8,  2017 – Tri-City Home Opener – [Tri-City Junior Roller Derby] Puppies vs. Kittens / Venus Fly Tramps vs. Vicious Dishes – New Hamburg Arena – New Hamburg, Ontario
    Puppies vs. Kittens

  10. April 21, 2017 – Hammer Area Roller Derby season closer – Ancaster, ON
  11. April 22, 2017 – Detroit Roller Derby Star Wars bout – Masonic Temple – Detroit, MI

    12. 20170422_174951_DSC_2143

  12. Burlington Toy Con – Burlington, ON [ not strictly derby but started with derby]

    13. https://joemac.smugmug.com/CanadianToycon

  13. May 6, 2017 – Winter Wipeout 2017 – Mount Forest, ON
  14. May 12-13, 2017 – Royal Brawl – Guelph, ON
  15. May 27-28, 2017 – 10th Anniversary Stockholm Roller Derby Extravaganza – Stockholm, Sweden20170528_111611__DSC9699
  16. June 3-4, 2017 – Kallio FINvitational Roller Derby Tournament – Pasila Sports Hall (UH & FIX Pasila) – Helsinki, Finland

  17. July 9, 2017 – Belleville Bombshells vs. Kingston Skateful Dead – Frankford, ON

  18. July 22, 2017 – Royal City vs. Tri-City Roller Derby – Centennial Arena – Guelph, ON
  19. August 18-20, 2017 – WFTDA D2 International Playoffs – Pittsburgh, PA
  20. October 14, 2017 – Tri-City Presents Venus Fly Tramps and Vicious Dish – New Hamburg Arena – New Hamburg, ON

    21. 20171014_181939_20171014_181939__DSC2238

  21. October 21, 2017 – Planet Derby Training Camp – Kitchener, ON

    22. 20171021_122019__DSC4591

Featured

The Road Goes On and On – June 2017

It has been a long road on this derby adventure. Been to the heights and to the vales. Been to where the One Ring rules them all. Been to where the gods of Ragnarok play.

    1. January 28, 2017 – Flat Track Brat Pack vs. Killer Cupcakes / Los Conos vs. Ganaraska Gravediggers – Ancaster Fairgrounds – Hamilton, ON[technical details: Two AB800, one White Lightning Ultra 1200, 5 TT5]

      20170128_172609_DSC_3602

      Flat Track Brat Pack vs. Killer Cupcakes

    2. February 4, 2017 – Detroit Roller Derby doubleheader – Devil’s Night Dames vs D-Funk AllStars / Detroit Pistoffs vs Grand Prix Madonnas – Masonic Temple – Detroit, MI[technical details: Two AB800, Nikon SB910, 4 TT5]

      20170204_184454_DSC_5322

      Guess who is getting married

    3. February 10, 2017 – Tri-City Junior Roller Derby

      20170210_211818_DSC_6879

      Behind the locker

      [technical details: Three E640, 3 TT5]

    4. February 27, 2017 – Flat Track Brat Pack vs. Killer Cupcakes / [Hamilton Area Roller Derby] Los Coños vs. [Northumberland] Ganaraska Gravediggers – Hamilton Area Roller Derby – Ancaster, Ontario

      20170128_152138_DSC_3143

      Killer Cupcakes

      20170227_203117_DSC_7984

      Los Coños

    5. March 11, 2017 – Team Ragnarok [Roller Derby Iceland] vs. Los Coños – Reykjavik, Iceland

      20170311_163930__DSC1274

      Ragnarok

    6. March 18, 2017 – Detroit Roller Derby Championships – Cleveland Guardians vs. Detroit Men’s Roller Derby Riot / Detroit Pistoffs vs. D-Funk AllStars – Masonic Temple – Detroit, Michiganhttps://photos.smugmug.com/Detroit-Roller-Derby-Championshi/Detroit-Pistoffs-vs-D-Funk-AllSt/i-Jm7Qnj9/0/M/20170318_213335__DSC5137-M.jpg
    7. March 25, 2017 – Montreal New Skids on the Block vs. [Queen City Roller Derby] Lake Effect Furies – Riverworks – Buffalo, NY

      Skids vs. Furies

      Librawlian

    8.  April 8,  2017 – Tri-City Home Opener – [Tri-City Junior Roller Derby] Puppies vs. Kittens / Venus Fly Tramps vs. Vicious Dishes – New Hamburg Arena – New Hamburg, Ontario Puppies vs. KittensKittens vs. Puppies
    9. April 21, 2017 – Hammer Area Roller Derby season closer – Ancaster, ON
    10. April 22, 2017 – Detroit Roller Derby Star Wars bout – Masonic Temple – Detroit, MI
      https://joemac.smugmug.com/Detroit-Roller-Derby/Star-Wars-bout-April-22-2017/i-Kcs9xg7
    11. Burlington Toy Con – Burlington, ON [ not strictly derby but started with derby]
      https://joemac.smugmug.com/CanadianToycon/i-zWzFT4c/A
    12. May 6, 2017 – Winter Wipeout 2017 – Mount Forest, ON
    13. May 12-13, 2017 – Royal Brawl – Guelph, ON
    14. May 27-28, 2017 – 10th Anniversary Stockholm Roller Derby Extravaganza – Stockholm, Sweden20170528_111611__DSC9699
    15. June 3-4, 2017 – Kallio FINvitational Roller Derby Tournament – Pasila Sports Hall (UH & FIX Pasila) – Helsinki, Finlandhttps://joemac.smugmug.com/Kallio-FINvitational-2017/KFI-9/i-5ms8wJt/A

    This is a wee reminder of the video we were allowed to shoot last year with our band Paint.

    Canada Day approaches

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGcC2kn4qgU

Featured

The Road Goes On and On – May 2017

It has been a long road on this derby adventure. Been to the heights and to the vales. Been to where the One Ring rules them all. Been to where the gods of Ragnarok play.

    1. January 28, 2017 – Flat Track Brat Pack vs. Killer Cupcakes / Los Conos vs. Ganaraska Gravediggers – Ancaster Fairgrounds – Hamilton, ON[technical details: Two AB800, one White Lightning Ultra 1200, 5 TT5]

      20170128_172609_DSC_3602

      Flat Track Brat Pack vs. Killer Cupcakes

    2. February 4, 2017 – Detroit Roller Derby doubleheader – Devil’s Night Dames vs D-Funk AllStars / Detroit Pistoffs vs Grand Prix Madonnas – Masonic Temple – Detroit, MI[technical details: Two AB800, Nikon SB910, 4 TT5]

      20170204_184454_DSC_5322

      Guess who is getting married

    3. February 10, 2017 – Tri-City Junior Roller Derby

      20170210_211818_DSC_6879

      Behind the locker

      [technical details: Three E640, 3 TT5]

    4. February 27, 2017 – Flat Track Brat Pack vs. Killer Cupcakes / [Hamilton Area Roller Derby] Los Coños vs. [Northumberland] Ganaraska Gravediggers – Hamilton Area Roller Derby – Ancaster, Ontario

      20170128_152138_DSC_3143

      Killer Cupcakes

      20170227_203117_DSC_7984

      Los Coños

    5. March 11, 2017 – Team Ragnarok [Roller Derby Iceland] vs. Los Coños – Reykjavik, Iceland

      20170311_163930__DSC1274

      Ragnarok

    6. March 18, 2017 – Detroit Roller Derby Championships – Cleveland Guardians vs. Detroit Men’s Roller Derby Riot / Detroit Pistoffs vs. D-Funk AllStars – Masonic Temple – Detroit, Michiganhttps://photos.smugmug.com/Detroit-Roller-Derby-Championshi/Detroit-Pistoffs-vs-D-Funk-AllSt/i-Jm7Qnj9/0/M/20170318_213335__DSC5137-M.jpg
    7. March 25, 2017 – Montreal New Skids on the Block vs. [Queen City Roller Derby] Lake Effect Furies – Riverworks – Buffalo, NY

      Skids vs. Furies

      Librawlian

    8.  April 8,  2017 – Tri-City Home Opener – [Tri-City Junior Roller Derby] Puppies vs. Kittens / Venus Fly Tramps vs. Vicious Dishes – New Hamburg Arena – New Hamburg, Ontario Puppies vs. KittensKittens vs. Puppies
    9. April 21, 2017 – Hammer Area Roller Derby season closer – Ancaster, ON
    10. April 22, 2017 – Detroit Roller Derby Star Wars bout – Masonic Temple – Detroit, MI
    11. Burlington Toy Con – Burlington, ON [ not strictly derby but started with derby]
    12. May 6, 2017 – Winter Wipeout 2017 – Mount Forest, ON
    13. May 12-13, 2017 – Royal Brawl – Guelph, ON
    14. May 27-28, 2017 – 10th Anniversary Stockholm Roller Derby Extravaganza – Stockholm, Sweden
    15. June 3-4, 2017 – Kallio FINvitational Roller Derby Tournament – Kallio, Finland

    This is a wee reminder of the video we were allowed to shoot last year with our band Paint.

Featured

The Road Goes On and On – April 2017

It has been a long road on this derby adventure. Been to the heights and to the vales. Been to where the One Ring rules them all. Been to where the gods of Ragnarok play.

  1. January 28, 2017 – Flat Track Brat Pack vs. Killer Cupcakes / Los Conos vs. Ganaraska Gravediggers – Ancaster Fairgrounds – Hamilton, ON[technical details: Two AB800, one White Lightning Ultra 1200, 5 TT5]

    20170128_172609_DSC_3602
    Flat Track Brat Pack vs. Killer Cupcakes
  2. February 4, 2017 – Detroit Roller Derby doubleheader – Devil’s Night Dames vs D-Funk AllStars / Detroit Pistoffs vs Grand Prix Madonnas – Masonic Temple – Detroit, MI[technical details: Two AB800, Nikon SB910, 4 TT5]

    20170204_184454_DSC_5322
    Guess who is getting married
  3. February 10, 2017 – Tri-City Junior Roller Derby

    20170210_211818_DSC_6879
    Behind the locker

    [technical details: Three E640, 3 TT5]

  4. February 27, 2017 – Flat Track Brat Pack vs. Killer Cupcakes / [Hamilton Area Roller Derby] Los Coños vs. [Northumberland] Ganaraska Gravediggers – Hamilton Area Roller Derby – Ancaster, Ontario

    20170128_152138_DSC_3143
    Killer Cupcakes

    20170227_203117_DSC_7984
    Los Coños
  5. March 11, 2017 – Team Ragnarok [Roller Derby Iceland] vs. Los Coños – Reykjavik, Iceland

    20170311_163930__DSC1274
    Ragnarok
  6. March 18, 2017 – Detroit Roller Derby Championships – Cleveland Guardians vs. Detroit Men’s Roller Derby Riot / Detroit Pistoffs vs. D-Funk AllStars – Masonic Temple – Detroit, Michigan
    https://photos.smugmug.com/Detroit-Roller-Derby-Championshi/Detroit-Pistoffs-vs-D-Funk-AllSt/i-Jm7Qnj9/0/M/20170318_213335__DSC5137-M.jpg
  7. March 25, 2017 – Montreal New Skids on the Block vs. [Queen City Roller Derby] Lake Effect Furies – Riverworks – Buffalo, NY

    Skids vs. Furies
    Librawlian
  8.  April 8,  2017 – Tri-City Home Opener – [Tri-City Junior Roller Derby] Puppies vs. Kittens / Venus Fly Tramps vs. Vicious Dishes – New Hamburg Arena – New Hamburg, Ontario

    Puppies vs. Kittens
    Kittens vs. Puppies

This is a wee reminder of the video we were allowed to shoot last year with our band Paint.

Featured

53 in 53 in 2014 – updated December 1, 2014

Round round get around I get around

Derby, the final frontier. Welcome to 2014 as we try boldly one more time for 52 in 52.

Keep checking my Flickr site at Midnight Matinee for the latest Derby photos and more!

As a brief intro: we are based in the city of Toronto, Ontario which happens to be in Canada. This particular province has more than 50 leagues and have the considerable pleasure of being able to consider many of the leagues as friends and have the privilege of shooting in their rinks or arenas. We endeavour to hit the road in all directions, and many times that includes south of the border. Last year for the first time we hit the WFTDA D1 and D2 playoffs and culminating in the WFTDA Championships themselves in Madison, Wisconsin.

Latest update as of October 14, 2014: Survived Team Ontario Bootcamp in Kingston, Ontario. Five classes of top notch players and coaches providing the drills, then a black and white scrimmage with Team Ontario dispersed with the attendees. Lots of learning and thinking.  

Latest update as of October 8, 2014: We’re back home again after our second WFTDA D1 playoffs of the year at Salt Lake City, Utah. Not quite safe and not quite sound. We endure. Next stop: somewhere in Kingston for the Team Ontario Bootcamp and Team Ontario vs. Team Ontario scrimmage.

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R M R G Rocky Mountain Roller Girls at WFTDA D1 Salt Lake City, UTAH The home of Wasatch

Latest update as of August 12, 2014: Hello again! The road experience intensifies as we enjoyed a most memorable night amongst Detroit Derby Girls at their end of year Rollies Awards commemorating 9 years of existence. Way to go DDG! The overnight bus back to Toronto and then up to Elora, Ontario to witness the Fergus Feims engage the Border City Brawlers from Windsor, Ontario in a tough and tightly competitive bout falling 153-157 at the last jam.  Next up: Ohio.

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The end of the longest weekend in Fergus

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New Skids on the Block @ Quad City Chaos 2014

This derby nomad looks forward to visiting familiar and new friends and facing new adventures in newer territories. There might be an occasional break in the schedule to give the camera and lights a respite. However, we are still endeavouring to shoot derby every week if possible, so if you want to keep the streak going and have Derby happening in your league and if we can get there, feel free to drop me a line!

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Team Ontario at The Bunker on February 8, 2014

 

    1. Thursday, December 4 – Sunday December 7, 2014 – Blood and Thunder World Cup – Dallas, Texas
    2. Saturday, November 15, 2014 – The ORG and TMRD vs. The World – Toronto Outrage vs. The World [co-ed] / Orangeville Pulp Affliction vs. Royal City Rollergirls The Brute-Leggers – Orangeville Agricultural Centre – Orangeville, Ontario
    3. Saturday, November 8, 2014 – Hoser Closer 2 – [Alliston Jr. Roller Derby] Blister Sisters vs. [Niagara Junior Roller Derby] Midway Mayhem /Bombshell Battalion vs. South Simcoe – Alliston Memorial Arena – Alliston, Ontario
    4. Friday, OCT. 31 – Sunday, NOV. 2: WFTDA Championships – NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, USA
    5. Saturday, October 25, 2014 – NATIONAL GUARD Feat: Team Canada, Team Ontario, Misfit Militia, Bay Street Bruisers – Alliston, ONTARIO
    6. Friday, October 24, 2014 – Camp Pivotstar Junior Eastern Jamboroee – The Bunker, Parc Downsview Park, ONTARIO
    7. Saturday, October 18, 2014 – BLOCKTOBERFEST – Orangeville Pulp Affliction vs. Kingston Rogue Warriors – Orangeville Agricultural Centre – Orangeville, ONTARIO
    8. Saturday, October 11, 2014 – Team Ontario Bootcamp – Kingston, ONTARIO
    9. Friday, September 26 to Sunday, September 28, 2014 – WFTDA 2014 Division 1 Playoffs – Salt Lake City, UT
    10. Friday, September 19 to Sunday, September 21, 2014 – WFTDA 2014 Division 1 Playoffs – Evansville, IN
    11. Sunday, September 14, 2014 – Death Track Dolls vs. Total Vicious Tramps #2 / Smoke City Betties vs. Total Vicious Tramps #1 – Moses Springer Arena, Kitchener, ONTARIO
    12. Saturday, September 13, 2014 – D-VAS vs. Capital City Dollinquents / Bay Street Bruisers vs. Muddy River – The Bunker, Parc Downwview Park, ONTARIO
    13. Saturday, September 6, 2014 – Orangeville Pulp Affliction vs. Durham Motor City Madames – Orangeville, ONTARIO
    14. Friday, August 22 to Sunday, August 24, 2014 – WFTDA 2014 Division 2 Playoffs – Waterloo Memorial Arena, Kitchener-Waterloo, ONTARIO
    15. Saturday, August 16, 2014 – Cincinnati Rollergirls vs. Ohio Roller Girls – Ohio Expo Centre – Columbus, OHIO
    16. Saturday, August 9, 2014 – Fergus Feims [Home 153] vs. Border City Brawlers [Away 157] – Elora, ONTARIO
    17. Friday, August 8, 2014 – Detroit Derby Girls Rollie Awards – Detroit, MI
    18. Saturday, July 26, 2014 – 4th Annual Gibson’s  Cup – Atom Smashers vs. Motor City Madames / Juniors Scrimmage Black vs. White [Alliston Junior Roller

      Derby and Toronto Junior Roller Derby] – Ajax Memorial Arena – Ajax,ONTARIO

      DSC_3128_20140726_193119

      4th Annual Gibson’s Cup – July 26, 2014

    19. Saturday, July 19, 2014 – S*M*A*S*H – triple header – Fergus Feims [Fergus Roller Derby] vs. Luscious Lunch Ladies [Forest City Derby Girls] / Misfit Militia [Misfit Militia Roller Derby] vs. Timber Rollers [Forest City Derby Girls] / Crow City [Crow City Roller Girls] vs. Grey Bruce Highland Dames – Alliston Memorial Arena – Alliston, ONTARIO
    20. Saturday, July 12, 2014 – Hammer City Harlots vs. Ithaca BlueStockings / HCRG Eh! vs. Ithaca SufferJets – Dave Andreychuk Arena – Hamilton, ONTARIO
    21. Saturday, July 5, 2014 – JRDA North & Northeast Tournament – The Bunker, Parc Downwview Park, ONTARIO
    22. Saturday, June 28, 2014 – Burning River vs. Lake Effect Furies / Ithaca League of Junior Derby vs. Queen City Junior Roller Girls – Rainbow Rink, North Tonawanda, NY
    23. Friday, June 20 – Sunday, June 22,2014-ECDX2014-Feasterville,PAzzzzzzz
      DSC_8598_20140621_130007

      The orange of Tiger Baby Brawlers at ECDX 2014

    24. Saturday, June 7, 2014 – Queen City Roller Girls Championships – Rainbow Rink, North Tonawanda, NY
    25. Saturday, May 31, 2014 – Crow City Roller Girls vs.TheDecapulettes – Stratford Allen Arena, Stratford, ONTARIO
      DSC_1363_20140531_204647

      The Decapulettes vs. Crow City Roller Girls * last jam over

    26. Saturday, May 24, 2014 – Tri-City Roller Derby doubleheader – Total Knock-Outs vs. Vicious Dishes / Kingston Disloyalists vs. Venus Fly Tramps – Waterloo Rec Centre, Waterloo,ONTARIO
      DSC_8668_20140524_182337

      Lippy Wrongstocking – Vicious Dishes how do derby players recognize photos of themselves?

    27. Sunday, May 18, 2014 – TMRD vs. Betties/Misfits/Orangeville – The Bunker – Downsview Park, ONTARIO
    28. Saturday, May 17, 2014 – School of Hard Blocks – Area 705 Smooth Operators vs. Grey Bruce Highland Dames / Atom Smashers vs. Capital City Dollinquents – Douro Community Centre – Douro, Ontario
    29. Saturday, May 10, 2014 – Mother of All Bouts – Rogue Warriors vs. Skateful Dead / Kingston Disloyalists vs. Les Duchesses – Kingston, Ontario
    30. Saturday, May 3, 2014 – Brides vs. Grooms Coed Scrimmage – Mount Forest, ONTARIO
    31. Saturday, May 3, 2014 – D-VAS vs. Fergus Feims – Centre Wellingston Sportsplex – Fergus, ONTARIO
    32. Saturday, April 26 – Sunday, April 27, 2014 – Beast of the East, Arena St-Louis, Montréal, PQ
    33. Friday, April 25, 2014 – CN Power vs. Montreal New Skids on the Block – Arena St-Louis, Montréal, PQ
    34. Saturday, April 19, 2014 – Border City Brawlers vs. Fergus Feims / Canadian Clubbers vs. Orangeville Pulp Affliction – Windsor, ONTARIO
    35. Sunday, April 13, 2014 – Toronto Roller Derby Fresh Meat – The Bunker, Downsview Park, ONTARIO
    36. Saturday, April 12, 2014 – Tri-City Roller Derby Home Opener – Brandywine Belligerents vs. Tri-City Thunder / Brandywine Brawlers vs. Plan B – New Hamburg, ONTARIO
    37. Sunday, March 30, 2014 – Freaks vs. Geeks Spring Scrimmage – New Hamburg Arena – New Hamburg, ONTARIO
    38. Saturday, March 29, 2014 – Timber Rollers vs. G-stars, Los Coños vs. Thames Fatales – Western Fair Agriplex – London, ONTARIO
    39. Saturday, March 22 – Sunday March 23,2014-QuadCityChaos-TheBunker-ParcDownsview Park,ONTARIO
      DSC_8038-Edit

      Quad City Chaos 2010 at The Hangar

    40. Sunday, March 16, 2014 – CN Power vs.Killamazoo DerbyDarlins-TheBunker-ParcDownsview Park,ONTARIO
      DSC_4617_20140316_120220

      CN Power vs. Killamazoo Derby Darlins at The Bunker
      March 16, 2014

    41. Saturday, March 15, 2014 – Derby Debutantes vs. Orangeville Pulp Affliction – Orangeville, ONTARIO
    42. Sunday, March 9, 2014 – CN Power vs. Tri-City Roller Girls – The Bunker, Parc Downsview Park, ONTARIO
    43. Sunday, March 9, 2014 – Toronto Men’s Roller Derby – The Bunker, Parc Downsview Park, ONTARIO
    44. Saturday, March 1, 2014 – Chicks Ahoy vs. Smoke City Betties / Death Track Dolls vs. Gore Gore Rollergirls – The Bunker, Parc Downsview Park, ONTARIO
    45. Sunday, February 25, 2014 – Toronto Men’s Roller Derby Toronto Outrage vs. Queen City Roller Girls Nickel City Knockouts – The Bunker, Parc Downsview Park, ONTARIO
    46. Saturday, February 24, 2014 – Beat the Winter Blues! Scrimmage and Training – Toronto Roller Derby – The Bunker, Parc Downsview Park, ONTARIO
    47. Sunday, February 16, 2014 – Bloody Valentine Co-ed Scrimmage – Orangeville, Ontario
    48. Saturday, February 8, 2014 – CN Power vs. Team Ontario – The Bunker, Toronto, Ontario
    49. Sunday, February 2, 2014 – NCKO practice / Suicidal Saucies practice / Alley Kats practice – Rainbow Rink, Queen City / Buffalo, NY
    50. Saturday, February 1, 2014 – Alley Kats vs. Suicidal Saucies / Enchanted Mountain vs. Queen City Junior Roller Girls – Rainbow Rink, Queen City / North Tonawanda, NY
    51. Saturday, January 25, 2014 – Alliston Blister Sisters vs. Torontosaurus Wrex / Chicks Ahoy! vs. Gore-Gore Rollergirls – The Bunker, Parc Downsview Park, Ontario
    52. Saturday, January 18, 2014 – Devil’s Night Dames vs. Grand Prix Madonnas – Masonic Temple, Detroit, MI
    53. Saturday, January 11, 2014 – Devil Dollies vs. Nickel City Knockouts – Rainbow Rink, Queen City Rollergirls / North Tonawanda, NY

joemacphoto_profile

Thank you to Pack It Up! for their lovely words and recognition. Click here.

photo credit: Meg Mckenna

Thanks Derby!

Featured

Charm with Rideau

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From what I can recall the Sunday morning hangover bout after Charm City 109 vs. New Skids 306

Away Games on Sunday, July 19th, 2015

Hangover Bout (Closed games for our All-Star A and B Teams)
Rideau Valley Vixens (Ottawa): 120 – Charm City All Stars (Baltimore, MD): 182
Rideau Valley Sirens (Ottawa): 170 – Charm City Female Trouble B-team (Baltimore, MD): 222
Location: Arena St. Louis – Montreal, PQ

 

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Featured

Mid-Michigan in Forest City

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Thames Fatales vs. Mid Michigan Derby Girls

November 6, 2010

Western Fair
London, ONTARIO
CANADA

Sat, Nov 6, 2010
Doors Open @ 7:00PM – Show @ 7:00PM
Western Fair Entertainment Centre
316 Rectory Street, London, ON
Thames Fatales vs Mid Michigan Roller Girls
All Ages / Licensed

Event Details

Western Fair Canada Building
Kids under 10 Free

Event type: All Ages / Licensed

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Featured

Welcome to 2016

This video embodies all that was Auckland and living out of that apartment in Otahuhu way on the outskirts and in the wrong direction from Henderson. It was a rush.

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2015 was a good year. But what lies ahead?

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CN Power at Quad City Chaos 2016 – Toronto, ON

Welcome to the New Year.

The derby road show goes on and on. After all the great food of Milwaukee at Midwest BrewHaHa, can you say mac and cheese pizza and George Webb hash brown omelet, we headed to Feasterville which is somewhere near Philadelphia for the pool party that is East Coast Derby Extravaganza 2016. Next up: Men’s Roller Derby World Cup in Calgary, Alberta! shooting for Team France! [vive la France!] and Team Canada, eh?

Update! October 11, 2016. After the ride to Lansing, Michigan to shoot the D2 Playoffs for Tri-City Thunder and Calgary Roller Derby, it’s been the month of travel in September, taking the train to Montreal. Flying to Vancouver to shoot on behalf of VRDL, then back to Toronto then heading out to Madison to shoot for the Ohio Roller Derby in Wisconsin. The 2016 WFTDA International Playoffs are concluded thankfully, and the 2016 WFTDA Championships are ahead in November!

  1. January 20, 2016 – London – Forest City Derby Girls – Western Fairgrounds, Canada Building
  2. January 23, 2016 – Toronto – Toronto Roller Derby Season Opener
    Gore Gore Rollergirls vs. Smoke City Betties/ Chicks Ahoy! vs. Death Track Dolls
    – The Bunker – Parc Downsview Park, Ontario, Canada
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  3. February 6-8, 2016 – FULL CONTACT CONVENTION 2016 – ASB Stadium – Auckland, New Zealand —
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  4. February 10, 2016 – Auckland Roller Derby vs. Pirate City Rollers B – Auckland, New Zealand
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  5. February 14-15, 2016 – BATTLE ON THE BENT TRACK – Henderson Stadium – Auckland, New Zealand
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  6. February 29, 2016 – Tri-City Roller Derby / Royal City Brute-Leggers vs. Tri-City Roller Derby scrimmage – Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
    ©copyright 2016 midnight matinee
  7. March 5, 2016 – Rideau Valley Sirens vs. Capital City Dollinquents / Rideau Valley Vixens vs. Capital City Dolly Rogers – Jean Marc Lalonde Arena – Rockland, Ontario, Canada
  8. March 19-20, 2016 – QUAD CITY CHAOS – The Bunker, Parc Downsview Park, Ontario
  9. April 3, 2016 – 2016 Peach Cup – Los Conos vs. Molotov Girls – Ancaster Fairgrounds – Hamilton, Ontario
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  10. April 9, 2016 – Tri-City Home Opener – Killer Cupcakes vs. Tri-City Junior Roller Derby / Venus Fly Tramps vs. Vicious Dishes – New Hamburg Arena – New Hamburg, Ontario, Canada
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  11. April 23-24, 2016 – Beast of the East 2016 – Arena St-Louis – Montreal, PQ
  12. April 30, 2016 – Tri-City Thunder vs. Ohio Roller Derby All-Stars / Tri-City Plan B vs. Ohio Gang Green – Ohio Expo Center – Columbus, OH
  13. May 1, 2016 – Tri-City vs. Detroit Derby Girls – Masonic Temple – Detroit, MI
  14. May 13-15, 2016 – Beaver Fever 2016 – Waterloo Memorial Arena – Waterloo, ON
  15. May 28, 2016 – Tri-City Roller Derby Juniors – Kitties vs. Puppies / Royal City Killer Queen vs. Tri-City Vicious Dishes
  16. June 3-5, 2016 – MidWest Brew Ha Ha 2016 – UWM Panther Arena – Milwaukee, WI
  17. June 17-19, 2016 – East Coast Derby Extravaganza – The Sportsplex – Feasterville, PA
    Pirate City Rollers [from Auckland, New Zealand] in America at ECDX 2016
  18. July 16, 2016 -Vicious Dishes vs. Violet Uprising / Venus Fly Tramps vs. Killer Queens – Exhibition Arena – Guelph, ON
  19. July 21-24, 2016 – Men’s Roller Derby World Cup – Calgary, AB
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  20. August 6, 2016 – RVRG Home Team Championship – Slaughter Daughters vs. Riot Squad – Ottawa, ON
  21. August 13-14, 2016 – O-Town Throwdown – Jack Charron Arena – Ottawa, ON
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  22. August 20, 2016 – South Simcoe Rebel Rollers Sibling Rivalry 3 – Boneyard Betties vs. Ghoul Guides / Orangeville Misfit Militia vs. Toronto Outrage – Hollie Rec Centre – Barrie, ON
  23. August 26-28, 2016 – WFTDA 2016 International Playoffs D2 Lansing
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  24. September 2-4, 2016 – WFTDA 2016 International Playoffs D1 Montreal
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  25. September 14-16, 2016 – WFTDA 2016 International Playoffs D1 Vancouver
  26. September 21-23, 2016 – WFTDA 2016 International Playoffs D1 Madison
  27. November 4-6, 2016 – WFTDA 2016 International Championships Portland
  28. November 27, 2016 – Toronto Junior Roller Derby

We also got called upon to shoot a video for the Toronto based band Paint, something we have not done for a long time. The event was celebrated for the birthday of the Paint lead singer at Horseshoe Tavern on January 28, 2016. You can watch the video on YouTube on the link below.

Kind of innercool – Kelly Lee Owens

impressions of music

Kelly Lee Owens
Inner Song
Smalltown Supersound – STS372LP

Track listing
Arpeggi
On
Melt!
Re-Wild
Jeanette
L.I.N.E.
Corner Of My Sky
Night
Flow
Wake-Up

My version of this two LP album is on the white vinyl. Kind of looks cool. The production on this second album from Kelly Lee Owens is superb and fascinating music for listening in the dark. With a big boost of thudding bass and the sweep of the upper end register from the keyboards the feeling is of being right there in the house.,

Haunting effusion of modern day electronics of Wales born Kelly Lee Owens with a cover of Radiohead >>>>> Thom Yorke and Johnny Greenwood >>>>>> Arpeggi . Experimental clubland music with an off-kilter dance orientation. Soaring high end vocals. From trip hop to bolder presentations.

A spoken word contribution from another Welsh of note John Cale.

Kind of sweet talkin’ woman

impressions on music

Electric Light Orchestra
Out of the Blue
U A JTLA-823-L2

From the October 1977 original double vinyl of the Jeff Lynne helmed Electric Light Orchestra with the iconic cover of the flying saucer space station receiving the spaceship. The crescendo and rollicking Turn to stone, slow down sweet city talkin’ woman. Classical Electric Light Orchestra replete with Beethoven grandiosity and rolling over Beethoven overtures (but that is another album).

Out of the Blue as a double album conveys the sense of the city through the progression of the day, More of a Days of Future Passed for the 1977 era.

A1 Turn To Stone 3:48
A2 It’s Over 4:08
A3 Sweet Talkin’ Woman 3:48
A4 Across The Border 3:52
B1 Night In The City 4:02
B2 Starlight 4:30
B3 Jungle 3:51
B4 Believe Me Now 1:21
B5 Steppin’ Out 4:38
C1 Standin’ In The Rain 4:20
C2 Big Wheels 5:10
C3 Summer And Lightning 4:13
C4 Mr. Blue Sky 5:05
D1 Sweet Is The Night 3:26
D2 The Whale 5:05
D3 Birmingham Blues 4:21
D4 Wild West Hero 4:40

As the “run-in” of the Dali Oberon 7 speakers continues towards the 100 hour mark, the records spin to nurture their appetite for a wide range of vinyl.

Kind of black mirror magic

an impression of music that goes bump in the night

Ryuichi Sakamoto: soundtrack to Black Mirror: Smithereens

Record Store Day release in 2019

As we continue to break in and evaluate the system of life as it falls apart to smithereens.

More nightmusic as Ryuichi Sakamoto’s sombre electronic contribution to the world of Black Mirror as it rotates through the world of darkness.

Little chapters that add up to a whole lot of creepiness. As ominous and eery a soundtrack for a stormy nocturne.

(this evaluation is part of a 100 hour process of “running in” a pair of Dali Oberon 7 speakers and a Shure m97xe cartridge paired with a N97ED stylus on a Technics SL-Q2 direct drive turntable. No rhyme or reason except semi-automatic is handy in the darkness.)

Kind of Köln

a few impressions on music

Recorded live at the opera in Köln, Germany, January 24, 1975.
Reissue in SHM-SACD format for the first time. Uses the DSD master produced by ECM Records (Germany) in 2017.

SHM-SACD discs are fully compatible with standard Super Audio CD players, but they do not play on regular CD players. Features DSD mastering. Universal. 2021.



1. KÖLN, January 24, 1975 Part I 26:15
2. KÖLN, January 24, 1975 Part II a 15:00
3. KÖLN, January 24, 1975 Part II B 19:19
4. KÖLN, January 24, 1975 Part II C 6:59


i myself have the original of this historical concert from the ECM label on vinyl. The classic ECM recording. Keith Jarrett as his own self-accompaniment, complete with foot stomps and little guttural verbalisations as he digs into the piano and reacts to his music. Modern free range explorations in the classical and jazz range. Ready to play a million notes a minute. The audience is drawn into a submersive experience of piano.

Kind of cool on a beach – Getz / Gilberto

The classic of the cool generation.

Getz / Gilberto


Getz Gilberto

Stan Getz on tenor sax
João Gilberto, singer songwriter and guitar
Antonio Carlos Joabim on piano
Tommy Williams on bass
Milton Banana on drums
Astrud Gilberto on vocals

Verve Records

 

1   The Girl From Ipanema

 

Vocals – Astrud Gilberto
 5:22
2   Doralice 2:43
3   Para Machucar Meu Coração 5:04
4   Desafinado (Off Key) 4:12
5   Corcovado (Quiet Nights Of Quiet Stars) 4:13
6   Só Danço Samba 3:43
7   O Grande Amor 5:25
8   Vivo Sohando (Dreamer) 2:54
9   The Girl From Ipanema (45 RPM Issue) 2:46
10   Corcovado (Quiet Nights Of Quiet Stars) (45 RPM Issue) 2:20

I personally own a few copies of this album on vinyl, regular black vinyl, stereo, mono. Two versions of this album exist on Super Audio CD ( S A C D ), on either, the recording comes to life. This listened to copy is the single layer SACD with the two 45 single versions of Girl from Ipanema.

“Antonio Carlos Jobim, considered as the primary force behind the creation of the Bossa Nova style of Brazilian music, his songs have been performed by many singers and instrumentalists, both within Brazil and across the world.” 
The Girl From Ipanema starts off with the guitar and quiet vocal sung in its own inimitable way. Enter Astrud Gilberto and the English lyrics.