Andy Summers Loves Calcuttans

If there can be only one rock 'n roll memoir on your reading list this year, make sure it is guitarist Andy Summers' "One Train Later". Excellent read (more about the book in a future post), and I bet this great guitarist's currency is going to go through the roof in Bengal very soon.

Here's what he has to say about "young Calcuttans", an observation that could have come from that other great rock 'n roll memoir, "An Argumentative Indian":

"In the evenings I join up with a crowd of forward-thinking young Calcuttans who argue vehemently with one another about everything. They are verbal, cerebral, and intense in a way that is characteristic of the people in this part of India".

(An earlier post on the Policeman.)

Leaking The Truth

Wikileaks is developing an uncensorable Wikipedia for untraceable mass document leaking and analysis. Our primary interests are oppressive regimes in Asia, the former Soviet bloc, Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East, but we also expect to be of assistance to those in the west who wish to reveal unethical behavior in their own governments and corporations.

Wikileaks.

Check Ignition And May God's Love Be With You

"We have done it... We have put all the four satellites into required orbits. Our boys have done it. It has helped to capture back the confidence of the country in our space missions."

If I don't hear the phrase "our boys" again, it won't be too soon. But way to go, ISRO!

(If you want to read some more about the SRE, here's an old press release about the Space Capsule Recovery Experiment.)

Via slashdot

Promise Me

That if I see the word "value" one more time in a presentation, you will bash my head in and poke my eyes out?

Gods Worshipping Gods

An interesting list, this one. ("Religious affiliations of 100 Greatest Rock Musicians". Link via Metafilter.)

The best represented religion is, naturally, Christianity. The subcontinent has a small but impressive delegation. There are 2 Hindus (both fine lead guitarists), 1 outstanding Parsi vocalist and 4 Buddhists.

It is also interesting to see how many "lapsed Baptists" are on the list. (Just curious - did Buddy Holly's "lapse" occur before or after February 3? Baad joke.)

The Moody Blues are "Urantians"? "Red is grey and yellow white / but we decide which is right"? Whatever, man.

Eddie Vedder is an "atheist". Neil Peart of Rush is an "Objectivist". Aaargh.

AC/DC has no religious affiliation against their name. If you are 14 years old, I know you *will* take that to mean "Anti-Christ/Devil's Children". Sigh.

There's Some Bad Panini Goin' Around, Man

Cost of grilled sausage panini: $7.00
Cost of ginger ale: $1.19
Waking up at 3AM with quasi-hallucinations, dizziness and nausea: priceless.

Look Ma, There's A Rock Quiz Up In The Sky!

Here's a one-question rock quiz. If you fail the quiz, seppuku for you!

All you have to do is name this British guitarist:

1. Though a child of the Sixties, he found fame much, much later.
2. Were it not for his willingness to sell his '59 Les Paul to Eric Clapton, "Fresh Cream" would have sounded very different. (And consequently, guitar-collectors today wouldn't be paying thousands of dollars for these babies.)
3. He once jammed with Hendrix in a studio in California (with Hendrix on bass!) He was so in awe of Jimi that he described himself as almost being reduced to a "sobbing heap".
4. He briefly played with one of the key British Invasion bands. In fact, at one point in the mid '70s, he was slated to join another key Brit Invasion band - the Rolling Stones.
5. His guitar chops are legendary, but NOT ONE of his hit songs features a guitar solo.
6. Wrigley chewing gum, anyone?

(Just so we are clear - I am NOT talking about Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page or Peter Green.)