5 Minutes for Blogging, Jan. 6
Thanks very much for the outstanding music suggestions. I’ve listened to quite a bit of the stuff that was touted by you all, but definitely found some new possibilities that jacked my interest. I’ll be checking it all out.
1. CHIP ROSENBLOOM IS LIVING UP TO HIS WORD: Post-Dispatch helmet head Jim Thomas reports that the Rams have added New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and NY Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo to their list of coaching candidates. They weren’t on the initial list because of the cost factor. (Why do I say that? You’ll just have to trust me on this one, but my sources in the agent industry told me that the Rams were hoping to spend somewhere between $2 million and $2.5 million a year on their new coach. That price wasn’t enough for some of the hot candidates to sit at the table, especially Spagnuolo.) But Rosenbloom is indeed following through on his stated vow to spend what it takes to find the next Rams coach, and GM Billy Devaney has been able to expand his search. Both McDaniels and Spanguolo are to be considered longshots for the STL job, but at least Devaney has the go sign to make a run.
2. KEEPING AN EYE ON THE KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: Across the state, Chiefs owner Clark Hunt reportedly has landed a sitdown with coveted GM candidate Scott Pioli, who has been Bill Belichick’s personnel go-to guy in New England. It’s going to be interesting to see if Hunt can or will hire Pioli. And it will be interesting to see the reaction in St. Louis as the Rams and Chiefs engage in an informal competition to see who can rebuild faster and better. Who would you prefer to have in charge of such a project, Devaney or Pioli?
3. OFFBEAT, HAPPY NOTE OF THE DAY: Congratulations to Cardinals pitcher Brad Thompson, who married his fiancee, Andrea, last weekend at the Missouri Athletic Club. But here’s the interesting thing about the wedding: presiding over the ceremony was none other than former Cardinals reliever Randy Flores, an ordained minister. That’s right. The Rev. Flo was in the house, to pronounce them man and wife. Flores was credited with a hold.
4. THE BEST BRIAN WILSON / BEACH BOYS SONG IS: “In My Room.” The song became incredibly poignant years later, after we learned of Wilson’s youthful torment which included his cruel battles with a domineering father, and his adolescent depression. Runner-up: “God Only Knows.” Just for the lovely musical composition. Yes, Wilson actually brought an orchestra into his living room for that one. Most underrated: “Warmth of the Sun.” I love the back story; a bummed-out Wilson drove to the studio to write the song hours after he learned of the assassination of President Kennedy. Best Beach Boys song not written by Brian Wilson? That would be “Disney Girls.”
5. WHAT UP WITH … DAN DIERDORF: We had the big fella on our Team 1380 radio show Tuesday, and here are the notes scribbled on my napkin: he’ll be doing the Baltimore-Tennessee AFC divisional playoff game Saturday on CBS … DD was thrilled by the Cardinals’ win over Atlanta in the wild-card round, and but doesn’t like their chances of winning at the next stop, Carolina… in addition to having his own restaurant, Dierdorf and Hart’s at Westport, DD recently became a partner in the J. Buck’s restaurants in Clayton and downtown STL… as for being a consultant on the Rams’ coaching search, Dierdorf said his involvement has been overblown. He’ll provide advice and share information if Devaney asks, but so far Dierdorf said his role has been minimal.
Thanks for reading, and drop in all of your thoughts… let me know about the Rams and the Chiefs and who will be first to reach the higher ground… and drop in your favorite Beach Boys song and tell us why.
-Bernie
And here I always thought the best Beach Boys song NOT written by Wilson was “The Sloop John B.”
If the Rams can afford to pay Drew Bennett and La’Roi Glover upwards of $5 mil a year to do nothing besides fake injuries and wear football pants much higher than they rightfully should be, I would think they could afford to shell out a little more than $2 mil for the leader of the team. Get it Fixed, Chip. Someone out there has to. Chiefs rebuild faster only because their division is full of teams that have superstars on the decline, morons in the front office, or not enough support/coaching to improve their young talent. Congrats to BT. “Good Vibrations” may be played, but it’s the pick for the BB song. Why on earth would anyone at Rams park need football advice from a HOFer? Maybe Dierdorf can mix in a “Suffering Succotash” during the game this weekend.
In my room is Wilson’s best work.
Dierdorf’s advice for a new coach should be minimized. Choosing coaches today is radically different than 26 years ago when he retired. Being a broadcaster since then isn’t enough to meet today’s knowledge requirement for what’s needed.
I like Arizona’s chance at Carolina. The east coast blather that the Big Red can’t win in that time zone is BS. The Cards and Warner played a great game their this year in a close loss. It’s my mortal lock upset of the year pick.
Why do people always complain? People want a good HC, but after they hear the list of candidates, the whining begins!!!! First of all, Jay Zygmunt & John Shaw wasn’t the sole reasons the Rams collapsed. Bad personnel decisions from HC’s, fluke injuries, and players not listening. Incognito is a roid rage baby. He is the worst blocker on the team, next to C Nick Leckey. Between those two bumblers, Bulger was an easy target for most sack masters. After those two left, the QB and RB’s, both became more productive. The Rams are about 12 players away from being contenders again. The Rams need 2 CB’s, 1 SS, 1 TE, 1 FB, 1 TB, 1 massive NT,& a big MLB. In the draft, the Rams need a big OT & a Center & 2 dedicated route running WR’s, that can look for hot reads. Bulger needs smarter WR’s, guys who can watch the QB, and provide a relief valve for him. Only Torry Holt can do that now.
I have met Dan Dierdorf. He is a classy gentleman. He is not as tall as he used to be, given 2 hip replacements and many knee operations, but what he lacks in size, he makes up with personality. He is very knowledgable in a great many areas. He is a very smart man.
Bilicheat knows players too, but not as much as game films can tell him. The Patriots are out of the playoffs this season, because they don’t have the golden boy, Tom Brady. Maybe Bilicheat should have gotten Kurt Warner as his No#1 starter instead of Matt Cassels.
Surf’s Up!! Completely slipped my mind! What a beautiful song. Caroline No…Wonderful song too! I have seen Beach Boys here in STL at least 10 times. Show at the Muny was my favorite. Mid to late 80’s in the 9th row. John Stamos on the drums.
Bernie! Looking for a new music treat! Try Brad Paisley’s 5th gear. Awesome muscian with wonderful talent. Even my hard rock knucklehead son loves him.
Thanks for the great topic today!
Fave Beach Boys song: Don’t Worry Baby. No one has ever recorded a better melody. The production is beautiful and, using Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound, the instrumentation is lush. Best Ever.
And for a more recent Brian Wilson treat: ‘Lucky Old Sun’ Cd from last year. The best he’s done since Pet Sounds.
Shoot….forgot about ‘God Only Knows’ (how could I)…..okay toss up between God Only Knows and Don’t Worry Baby. God Bless Brian Wilson.
My tops are:
Wouldn’t It Be Nice, Don’t Worry Baby, God Only Knows, and Warmth of the Sun. Someone was just talking about Sail on Sailor, who was that??
The album “Surfin’ USA” was my favorite Beach Boy album and “Farmer’s Daughter” was my favorite song; simple bass, the expected beautiful harmony, and falling in love at the time with a beautiful farmer’s daughter near Noser’s Mill, Missouri left a lasting impression. It was all so new and fresh!
Thanks to my mom’s influence, the Beach Boys were my first favorite band and my first concert — at the Illinois State Fair in 1981. I’m a big fan of “In My Room”, “God Only Knows”, and “Don’t Worry Baby”, but I want to throw in “Wouldn’t It Be Nice?”. The innocence and simplicity are very appealing.
As far as some of the more cheesy Beach Boys songs go, I always enjoy hearing “Be True To Your School”. No December is ever complete for me until I hear “Merry Christmas, Baby”. “Little Saint Nick”, “Santa’s Beard”, and “The Man With All The Toys” are terrific as well.
I also enjoyed fun October 1989 concert from the 5th row of the Assembly Hall in Champaign that had the Beach Boys and Chicago paired up.