Mark Your Calendars

His Eminence John Cardinal Foley will be returning to to his boyhood parish, Holy Spirit, in Sharon Hill, PA, to celebrate the 1030 mass, on 27 December 2009.

We are excited and honored to have his Eminence return "home" and celebrate mass with the people of Holy Spirit.

photo courtesy of Vatican

--gfo

Bring On The Rockies

For the third year in a row, the Philadelphia Phillies are in the post season. As defending world series champions the pressure is all on the Phillies. I am not as confident in this team as I was last year. Mostly because of the pitching. The bullpen which was rock solid last year has been luke warm at best, and the starters save for Joe Blanton and JA Happ have been very inconsistent. Cliff Lee the mid-season acquistion who came over and lit the other teams up, fizzled out, and Cole Hamels, I have renamed Cold Hamels.

Another worry for me is the closer situation. Right now I have more confidence in Ryan Madson than Brad Lidge, but knowing the way Charlie manages I imagine that Lidge will be his man. I like Madson in the closers role, but he is also perfect as an eighth inning man.

As for the offense, I'm not really concerned the team just needs to keep doing what they do best.

I say the Phillies win the first series 3-1, splitting the series here at home.

--gfo

On Michael Jackson

I am sure I am not the only one who is not saddened by MJ's death. Sure the guy had a lot of success in the music industry, but for me, MJ will always be remembered as a messed up person, who only by the fact that he had lots of money (to pay off/hush witnesses), and could afford good legal representation that he avoided jail time.

Although karma had a way with him, since the trial, and him fleeing to Bahrain, he really had no career since, and managed to stay out of the spotlight, which was fine with me.

The sooner the story of his death is no longer being reported the better. He was a has been, and his death to me is not tragic at all. He is no better than any other rich person that got away with a crime...To me that is his legacy

--gfo

Clapton/Winwood Wachovia Center 2009-06-12

Just realized that it's been LONG time since I posted a blog entry, well here something worth blogging about, and for my fellow Clapton and Winwood Disciples out there on the WWW.

Well it was 17 years since I last saw Clapton, and over 22 since I saw Winwood. The opportunity to see the two of together was a concert I simply could not pass up. I have seen a bunch of their YouTube video's but the prospect of seeing them live was something I would not want to pass up. The show was announced in early February, the moment they went on sale I patiently waited in queue to get my tickets.

The set list pretty much followed the MSG CD that was released late last month. Which contained some great tracks. I highly recommend the CD for Clapton/Winwood fans.

They did Blind Faith, Traffic, Derek & The Domino's, Jimi Hendrix, and mixed in some of their own solo stuff with help from each other.

The best song of the night was Cocaine, which was the final song of the show prior to the encore. The knocked it out of the arena, trading vocals and solos. The highlight was not Steve or Eric's singing or playing it was keyboardist Chris Stainton's solo. He got quite the ovation after he was done, he really nailed it.

The other highlight was the acoustic version of Can't Find My Way Home. Simply amazing.For two guys in their 60's the didn't miss a beat. Their vocals and guitar and keyboard was as good as ever.

Their supporting cast, (keyboardist, Chris Stainton; bassist, Willie Weeks; drummer, Abe Laboriel, Jr. and two female vocalists, Michelle John and Sharon White) rounded out a nice band. They rocked the Wachovia Center last night, and while the concert was a bit on the short side (only 2½ hours), (no intermission), and only one encore, (Dear Mr. Fantasy) it was an excellent concert. However, they played straight through, with little or no break between songs albeit for instrument changes.

The best thing about this show was it was just two guys doing what they do best, no quirky special effects, no fireworks, no fancy light tricks. The music did the talking, and boy did it speak

Here is the official set list (courtesy of : Whereseric)

1. Had To Cry Today
2. Low Down
3. After Midnight
4. Sleeping In The Ground
5. Presence Of The Lord
6. Glad
7. Well Alright
8. Tough Luck Blues
9. Pearly Queen
10. Tell The Truth
11. No Face, No Name, No Number
12. Forever Man
13. Georgia On My Mind
14. Driftin' - acoustic
15. Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out
16. Layla -acoustic
17. Can't Find My Way Home
18. Split Decision
19. Little Wing
20. Voodoo Chile
21. Cocaine
22. Dear Mr. Fantasy (Encore)

(edited to add set list and supporting musicians)

--gfo