It's getting harder to come up with decent introductions to these Monday Mix-tape offerings, so this week, all I will say is that the tracks are all songs that I was introduced to by the hit HBO series, The Sopranos.
1) Tiny Tears - Tindersticks
Soundtrack to Tony Soprano's depression in one episode.
2) My Lovers Prayer - Otis Redding
Played during an emotional scene as Christopher Moltisanti fights for his life.
3) Core 'Ngrato - Dominic Chianese
Sung at the funeral of a young 'family' member.
4) Frank Sinatra - Cake
Excellent song, give it a try.
5) Affection - Little Steven & the Lost Boys
A song favoured by one of Tony Soprano's mistresses.
6) Gloria - Van Morrison
Being the name of said mistress above.
7) The Beast In Me - Nick Lowe
Played over the closing credits of the very first episode.
8) Sprosa Son Disprezzata - Cecilia Bartoli
A little bit of classical music for you - from Vivaldi.
9) Moonlight Mile - The Rolling Stones
Any excuse for a bit of the Stones.
10) Don't Stop Believin' - Journey
The song playing right at the very end of the final episode.
There you go. Ten tracks from a hit Mafia TV show. So now you can go and enjoy them, capiche?
At this moment in time, I've got a story idea bubbling away in my head, and I thought I'd share some of it with you, my loyal readers.
Prologue
The men in their Ivory
Tower have deemed the small market town of Wem to be a flood risk. The small
river that runs through the town has barely any current, children regularly
play in the stagnant waters, much to their parents’ dismay. The town has not
flooded for at least 80 years according to local knowledge, and even then, only
a handful of properties were affected. Since then, all manner of improvements
have been made, rendering any threat of flooding virtually impotent. All but a
select few, in the local Insurance office, are blissfully unaware of this
potential catastrophe.
The men are a sinister
group whose job it is to make arbitrary decisions that can affect people’s
everyday existence, but they work with no fear of the consequences ever
impacting on them. The Ivory Tower sits in a distant county, shrouded in mist
and set on a rock in the middle of marshland.
One warm late summer’s
day, the town is gearing up for a big festival due to be held at the weekend.
Hundreds of people are expected to visit the town, maybe even tens of hundreds.
But lurking in the Atlantic Ocean is a storm of unprecedented violence, never
before experienced on these shores. The Met Office have alluded to it in their
forecasts, but anticipated it to lose strength and peter out before hitting the
Irish coast.
This, then is the
background to what follows in the next few days, as Wem faces its darkest day.
Can the town survive? Will the three Insurance company staff be able to prevent
a serious loss of life?
I appreciate that to many, the subject of this blog post may be about as interesting as watching paint dry, but never mind, you can always read Fifty Shades of Dave hey?!
For those that remain, who are either fellow NFL afficionados, or those curious enough to dip their toe in something new, what follows is a bit of background, a welcome to the teams involved, and a rash attempt to predict the outcome of the next five months starting tonight (US time) with the monster season opener of New York Giants against the Dallas Cowboys. For those with a blank expression, read on...
A Brief History
The NFL took on it's current form when it merged with rival league the AFL at the end of the 1960's. The NFL was by far the longest established league, but the AFL was causing worry amongst the NFL bigwigs enough to agree a proposed merger which also helped to create the biggest single sporting match in the world - The Superbowl.
The first team to dominate the new expanded NFL were the Green Bay Packers, as they won the first two Superbowls.
Into the Seventies and a new team were ruling the roost - the Pittsburgh Steelers.
As the Eighties dawned, the San Francisco 49ers took on the mantle of the most successful team.
The nineties saw the dominance initially of the Dallas Cowboys, before Green Bay returned to the top. At the turn of the millennium, Denver had finally shrugged off the nearly men tag and won two Superbowls to give legendary Quarterback John Elway a winning retirement present.
As the noughties wore on, a new force emerged in the New England Patriots led by Tom Brady.
Now we're into the new decade and a mini-rivalry between the Patriots and the New York Giants has emerged with two Superbowl meetings in five years. Both times the Giants were rank outsiders, and yet both times they ended up taking the glory.
The team with the most Superbowl victories is Pittsburgh with six, closely followed by the Cowboys and the 49ers on five.
But enough of the history lesson!
The Teams
AFC East
Buffalo Bills - had a brush with success in the nineties with a record four successive Superbowl losses. Been a bit limp since. Unlikely to ruffle any feathers this year either.
Miami Dolphins - the owners of the only unbeaten season in the history of the NFL. Been on a downward spiral in recent years. Might be an outside shot for the play-offs.
New England Patriots - the current big cheeses. Won three Superbowls in the early noughties and have threatened most years since. A good bet to go far again this season.
New York Jets - the first winners from the 'inferior' AFL in 1969 when Joe Namath helped them overcome the fancied Baltimore Colts. Flirted with the late stages of the play-offs in recent years but never reached the big game. Not one to put money on this year.
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens - big hitters in the NFL in recent years, winning the Superbowl in 2001. To confuse things for you newcomers, this team came about when the Cleveland Browns moved to Baltimore, only for the city of Cleveland to kick up a fuss. So Baltimore effectively became a new franchise. Definitely worth a tip for the play-offs.
Cincinnati Bengals - Another team of also-rans having previously flirted with success only to ultimately lose out. The past few years have been less than kind, but an upturn might be on the cards. But not this year.
Cleveland Browns - Remember what I said before? Well, the Browns are back up and running after a break between 1996 and 1999, but still trying to capture their former glory as perennial nearly men. Not likely to capture it yet this coming season.
Pittsburgh Steelers - the Black and Yellow. The Steel Curtain. My team. After a poor eighties and nineties, they've been bothering the play-offs regularly with two more Superbowls in the noughties. Still hard-hitters but might not be up to scratch this time out. Sadly.
AFC South
Houston Texans - new to the NFL in 2002, they made their first play-off appearance last season. Don't count them out again this season either.
Indianapolis Colts - Starting life after Peyton Manning with possibly the brightest star ever to shine - Andrew Luck - a useful by-product of having the worst record in the league last season and getting first pick in the college draft. Might not be enough to bring an immediate return to winning ways though.
Jacksonville Jaguars - welcomed into the league as part of a two team expansion in 1995, they are yet to see their name in lights. I don't think they will see their name in lights for a while yet, but we will see them regularly in the UK as they have signed a four year deal to play one game at Wembley.
Tennessee Titans - more confusion for you, they used to be the Houston Oilers until they moved to Tennessee and decided to change their name. Appeared in one Superbowl and were beaten by a tackle just a yard from the end zone. Might have a shot at the play-offs again.
AFC West
Denver Broncos - the new home of Peyton Manning. They'll be hoping he can rediscover his Colts form to take them to success. If he's fit, then it may just be possible. Well, the play-offs anyway.
Kansas City Chiefs - Not a lot to say about this lot. Not really achieved much, and may not achieve much this year either.
Oakland Raiders - they were fairly big in the late seventies and early eighties thanks mostly to Marcus Allen. Moved to LA, then moved back. Not really living up to their history at the moment, which will continue for another year.
San Diego Chargers - didn't set the league on fire until the last decade or so, now almost regular divisional champions with the occasional play-off victory. Should be strong enough to win a slowly improving division again this time out.
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys - America's team. Regular play-off contenders with the occasional blip. Had their purple patch in the early to mid-nineties, but struggled to hit those heights recently. Could possibly put an appearance in the post-season.
New York Giants - current reigning Superbowl champions. Led by Eli Manning (yes, Peyton's brother). I don't see them repeating the feat this time out.
Philadelphia Eagles - they've been to the Superbowl, seen what it's like to win, but not first-hand. Regular play-off features in recent years, they will definitely be there again this time out.
Washington Redskins - owners of the second biggest college prospect in Robert Griffin III (not related to Peter Griffin of Family Guy). In the past few seasons they have flattered to deceive doing nothing. This may or may not change this season. I'm going to say not.
NFC North
Chicago Bears - possibly the second greatest team in the history of the NFL yet Superbowl victories have been conspicuous by their absence. One victory in 1985, but since then only one losing Superbowl appearance and many, many fruitless play-off campaigns.
Detroit Lions - No glory in their past. Proud (or not) owners of a season without a single victory not too long ago, but thankfully from there the only way was up. Still climbing. Not play-off mettle this year though.
Green Bay Packers - the first Superbowl super-power. A period in the doldrums came to an end in 1995 with a third Superbowl victory. Now they are almost certainly the best team in the league, but may not get the reward this year.
Minnesota Vikings - another multiple Superbowl loser. There's a chance they could make the play-offs in the next few years, but not this season. Sorry Vikings fans!
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons - yet another of the traditional 'weaker' teams who have turned this round to pester the play-offs on a regulat basis, even reaching the Superbowl in the very late nineties. Will expect to be involved in the play-offs again this time, but will be close.
Carolina Panthers - the other expansion team in 1995, they have fared better, being only seconds from taking a Superbowl to overtime. They lost though. If they continue their upward spiral they could challenge this year.
New Orleans Saints - remember Hurricane Katrina? Well even though it devastated the city, it seemed to galvanise the team. A Superbowl win came from nowhere, but has made them one of the current powers of the NFC. A recent 'bounty scheme' disgrace may have blotted their copybook, but they should still win the division.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - owned by the Glazers, those pesky American owners of Manchester United. A laughing stock in their infancy, but slowly they've worked their way to credibility. Heck they even won a Superbowl! But not this year.
NFC West
Arizona Cardinals - re-aligned in the, er, re-alignment of 2002 from the NFC East, their new home gives them a chance to challenge for the play-offs in an arguably weaker division. Will be back in the play-offs again this time.
St Louis Rams - formerly the LA Rams, and the Cleveland Rams before that. Won the Superbowl at the end of the 1999 season but failed to build on it and have sank into mediocrity in recent years, a trend that will run into this year also.
San Francisco 49ers - known in the eighties for their success driven by legendary Quarterback Joe Montana, had a regeneration in the mid-nineties before suffering a lull. Now back on the up, they should coast this division this year.
Seattle Seahawks - moved across from the AFC in 2002, but apart from a Superbowl appearance in 2005, they have not really experienced much success other than making the play-offs as divisional winners with a losing record. Will be fighting it out with the Rams to not finish last.
Right, you lot, it's taken me hours to write this post about a sport I have alot of time for. Hell, I even stayed up all night in February to watch the Superbowl live, and fully intend to do so again. Who's going to join me?! Not literally of course, I mean, I only have a small sofa, maybe two people, possibly a three seater. And I have children, so you'd have to be quiet, ok?!
Go Steelers!!!!!
Okay, so it's already that time of week. And what makes it even worse is that scary fact that now we're two thirds through the year. Before you know it, the Christmas promotions will start in earnest, then it'll be the Christmas songs in the Supermarkets, and then BANG! Christmas will be here and none of us have done our shopping.
Well, anyway, as I was thinking of a theme for this weeks offering, I had a look at the now quite impressive MMT library and discovered a shocking lack of female representation. In order to put this right, this week is one for the women.
1) Son of a Preacher Man - Dusty Springfield
She certainly wasn't 'dusty'!
2) Killing Me Softly With His Song - Roberta Flack
Death by music!
3) Tom's Diner - Suzanne Vega
No idea what was on the menu!
4) Rolling In The Deep - Adele
Currently Britain's best music export?!
5) This Woman's Work - Kate Bush
A woman's work is never done, apparently!
6) You're So Vain - Carly Simon
It's NOT about you, alright?!
7) It's Oh So Quiet - Bjork
Well, it is, then it isn't, but then it is again!
8) Like A Prayer - Madonna
Couldn't leave her out, could I?!
9) Fever - Peggy Lee
She doesn't sound ill, though!
10) Jolene - Dolly Parton
It's her with the big... voice!
That's it then. Ten tracks by women to go some way to restoring the balance within the Monday Mix-tape Library. I hope you enjoy listening.
Until next time...
Another week gone by. Before we've realised what's going on, two thirds of the year has passed us by. 'Holy Cow', I hear you say.
Earlier in the week I finally published Fifty Shades of Dave, and now, here is the soundtrack to accompany the story. Songs featured in and inspired by...
1) Black Dog - Led Zeppelin
Woof Woof!
2) Let's Get It On - Marvin Gaye
Know what I mean?!
3) Afternoon Delight - Starland Vocal Band
Indeed!
4) Je T'aime... Mon non plus - Serge Gainsbourg
We're all adults here!
5) Stairway To Heaven - Led Zeppelin
If you do it right!
6) Sexual Healing - Marvin Gaye
For the next time she has a headache!
7) Sex On Fire - Kings of Leon
Someone get some water!
8) I Want Your Sex - George Michael
Not the best chat-up line!
9) I Want To Sex You Up - Color Me Badd
Abysmal song but it fits the theme!
10) Honky Tonk Women - Rolling Stones
Ladies of a certain occupation!
Happy Listening!! Oh, and as a tribute to Neil Armstrong, here are three extra bonus tracks...
11) Man On The Moon - REM
Technically not about Neil, but sod it!
12) Walking On The Moon - The Police
Neil was the first!
13) The Whole of The Moon - The Waterboys
That's what Neil Armstrong saw!
5) Affection - Little Steven & the Lost Boys
