Thanks

Last week I wrote that I am planning to do some changes on this blog. Since I started the new concept on 07/21 with just writing three posts a week, I got for sure less quantity of hits (because of less articles), but also there is a kind of stagnation, means if I do not promote the articles via Twitter etc. the traffic gets pretty low.

Anyway, this blog is not necessarily there to have a lot of traffic, even though it is for sure nice to see when many people are interested in the posts. Rather the initial idea was to document the epoch of developing my big project, even though, so far I never wrote anything about this project itself – because of the security reasons. I really hope that pretty soon I can tell you about it, because this would ease up my freedom of writing. It is pretty hard to keep things in secret, you would like to talk about 24/7, isn’t it?

Back to reality:

190 days ago this blog got started and in the meanwhile this is the 125th post. Since I began, the average daily hits were 10,32, means about 72 hits a week or rather 313 a month. The daily record was 51 hits and the most popular page was About Igi, which is actually not an article but my profile. However, the most popular articles have been American Idol – The Surprise Final, Porl’s Guitar and When Is Stepfather’s Day?. The American Idol article was not a surprise, because there are millions of “Idol” fans out there and they are looking for anything they find about it. Even Adam Lambert himself visited the article (I could see it because I tweeted the link to him and he clicked on it).  Actually just to tag his name drove already traffic like crazy. In case of Porl’s Guitar (an article about Porl Thompson, the guitarist of “The Cure“) it was also impressive how many people (mainly The Cure fans) were interested in this article – I actually did not expect any traffic from that, but as it seems, once fans like something, they spread the voice and many people come to see. The When Is Stepfather’s Day? article was the only article of the real popular ones that was a personal story – maybe because many people identified with the topic.

Well, thanks so far joining so far, continue coming back – I promise to do my best to keep it as interesting as I can.

Find similar articles at Igi’s Internal Affairs

Mike Campbell on Lead Guitar

Today I found a great video of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, from the Live Aid concert in 1985. I am a huge Tom Petty fan since many years. In my opinion, he is one of the most talented songwriters in the music biz, and besides this, he is an outstanding live performer with a great band.

Especially his lead guitarist, Mike Campbell, fits perfectly on the list of guitarists I introduced already on this blog. As Porl Thompson, the Edge, and John Fogerty (to just mention some), he is not necessarily a virtuoso, but a major league sideman with an awesome feeling for what a song needs. Besides his work with Tom Petty, he also played one of the best lead guitar parts in the history of pop music on Don Henley’s mega hit “The Boys of Summer“, which he also was co-writing. If you like good solid rock guitar with a great sound, then Mike Campbell is a guy you definitely should check out.

So, when listening to Tom Petty’s music next time calibrate your ear a bit on his lead guitar – as I usually do

And here a little sample: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers with “Refugee” featuring Mike Campbell on lead guitar.

Find similar articles at Igi’s Music Special

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Going to Investigate

I wrote many stories already about unbelievable events that are happening in Venezuela on daily basis. Another episode is the kidnapping of a complete amateur football team during a game and the killing of its members two weeks later (one team member survived).

I do not want to make any further comments about that – I just wonder how it can be that a group of people with obviously military structure and guns can just walk around like that, kidnap people on a public football field and there is no police or other security institution to avoid this.

At least the Venezuelan government declared that they are going to investigate the crime – I suppose that’s the good news.

More Venezuelan stories:

Killing, kidnapping, rip-off – Popular sports in Venezuela

Police Controls in Venezuela – Dangerous Rip-Off

Are You Clear What You Would Do?

Soy Chocolate Drink

Surprise In Store

Find similar articles at Igi’s Story of the Week

Ideas

Last week I was really busy with errands and organizational stuff  so I could not concentrate on writing. Everything was kind of private, nothing really important to share. However, I am also thinking how to keep Igi’s Notes fresh. I actually discovered that since I changed from writing every day to just three times a week, I lost my writing rhythm and it takes me more time to think about what to write in specific. In general I like the structure as it is right now, because it gives you the chance to select articles regarding certain topics and just skip topics that are not interesting for you.

My main effort is to find new topics and not to repeat stuff. For instance, I could tell you everyday another story about what is happening in Venezuela, but I discovered that I do not want to get my mind too much into this topic. I think the articles about this specific topic give already a good overview of how things are here. To write more stories about it would mainly repeat the same kind of issues, for sure in new colors, but for myself it would become boring, besides that it takes my energy when I am complaining all day long about grievances.

The good news is, that a blog has no rules… it can change its topics like a TV channel changes its program. However, I want that you come back as often as possible and be excited about what you’re gonna find here, means it is definitely a challenge to find new topics that keep you be interested in the long run. I will dedicate some time this week to reflect about how to realize this.

In fact I see the following options:

1.) I get back to a kind of short daily column, with about 200 words, with any kind of topic that comes to my mind

2.) I continue the three topic concept as it is recently, maybe add some more topics (what about alternative cooking?) and rotate a bit.

3.) I make one article a week, with a very special topic – regarding the title “How to bring a vision to fruition” – about future visions, personal management  – well about what to do with this life to keep it really exciting.

4.) ???

5.) ???

Give me some days to analyze pros and cons of the options I recently see and also be welcome to give me some ideas.

Find similar articles at Igi’s Internal Affairs

I Am a Fan

Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR) – one of my all time favorite bands, with unforgotten evergreens such as “Bad Moon Rising“, “Proud Mary” and many others. A good reason to dedicate today to the CCR mastermind – John Fogerty.

As always, I recommend to read the related Wikipedia article and from there you even get more information (if you are interested) if you follow various provided links to his website and other resources with further articles and interviews.

John Fogerty was an important influence on my development as a musician. His guitar style is somewhere in between Rock’n'Roll, Blues and Country, but actually not really one of it… he has his own John Fogerty signature style, a great feel for melody and he is only playing what the song really needs. Also his voice is awesome. It sounds kind of high and a bit shrill, but cool at the same time. In the meanwhile he became already 64, but he still sounds young and powerful, actually even better and more mature as in earlier years. In fact, he has a good singing technique and he is fit – he was saying in an interview that runs every day (if he can) 6 miles.

However, what I really admire, is his ability to write amazing songs (that once heard never leave your ear for the rest of your life) with just three chords and with very simple earthy lyrics. Songs like “Bad Moon Rising” still sound fresh after almost 40 years.Actually it is one of those songs that every musician on the planet can play without rehearsal… no doubt, John Fogerty is, besides the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, the most important songwriter of rock standards.

Besides his old songs, he has furthermore some awesome new ones. If you ever have the chance, check out the album “Blue Moon Swamp“. It is a must if you like nice guitars music – and the mix of Bob Clearmountain (my favorite all time sound engineer) is a masterpiece anyway.

Well, in the video below you see  “Rambunctious Boy” from the Blue Moon Swamp album played in a kind of living room unplugged jam of John Fogerty and country rock superstar Keith Urban. These two guys are really cool and amazingly grooving with their two acoustic guitars and two great voices – I am a fan of both

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Are You Clear What You Would Do?

As you may have realized, I skipped the Monday post of Igi’s Internal Affairs. The reason was that by chance I read two stories that gave me the idea to combine this week’s Story of the Week with Internal Affairs – and it took some time to research about it.

Actually the stories are about two past events, but the recent situation in Venezuela (of which I am writing frequently since a while) and what I read coincide, or I better say confirm, pretty much what I wrote so far in articles such as Killing, kidnapping, rip-off – popular sports in Venezuela.

Well the first story I read was about Yorvit Torrealba, the catcher of the Colorado Rockies. His son and two other family members were kidnapped in Venezuela three months ago. Please read the article for the details, however, the kidnappers were not caught yet and supposedly never will be.

The other story is even more dramatic and finally led to the consequence that Ugueth Urbina, the famous two-time Allstar baseball player, was sentenced to more than 14 years of prison in Venezuela.

The story is that Ugueth Urbina’s mother was kidnapped a few years ago and the kidnappers asked for 6 Million Dollars ransom. I don’t know how much Urbina had to put into the wallets of certain police or army leaders that they moved their asses in this case, however, his mother finally was rescued.

For Ugueth Urbina this kidnapping must have been a mega nightmare (besides that the whole issue lasted about five months), because his father was already killed a decade ago while resisting a robbery attempt in Caracas. However, what brought Ugueth Urbina to jail was an event that happened a while after the kidnapping. As he returned to Venezuela after the MLB season, a pistol was missing on his farm. He blamed some of his workers for the loss, hit them brutally and put them on fire. For sure this was an amazingly tough reaction, however, after the history he was going through, his madness can be in a way understood, especially when taking into account that such a sloppiness as losing a pistol cannot be accepted under those circumstances as Ugueth Urbina had to deal with.

Anyway, it is really difficult to have any opinion about all that, because at the end of the day we just know those stories from third parties, means newspapers. However, when reading stories like that, for sure I start reflecting about how I would react in case something similar would happen to me and my family… Yorvit Torrealba’s reaction was to move his family outside the country and Ugueth Urbina’s reaction was to almost kill his employees… Are you clear what you would do?

Find similar articles at Igi’s Story of the Week or at Igi’s Internal Affairs

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Dancing Queen

Today, I want to mention a group I really hated when they were on fashion, but my sister e.g. was a huge fan of them and had all their discs (which was in deed an issue at home). Nevertheless, today, means 30 years later, I am also one of their admirer, not so much because of  the image they were representing (this I still consider kind of embarrassing), but the songs are really great compositions, the arrangements are amazing and the vocals (including the backing vocals) just outstanding. Do not laugh now, because I am seriously talking about ABBA.

On YouTube I found a video from a concert in 1979 or 1980, means from about 30 year ago, which is just a master piece of perfection. For sure their songs are all classics anyway,  but furthermore the whole backup band is just a bomb and such quality vocals (besides the two lead singers, there are in total 6 more people singing backing vocals) I haven’t heard live in too many other occasions – actually the whole live sound is just unbelievable when taking into account what technical equipment they had at that time.

Well, as always, I only want to inspire instead of bothering you with my personal opinion – just watch the video have your own opinion and write a comment if you want. Enjoy ABBA with “Dancing Queen” live

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The Twins

The Minnesota Twins won tonight the one game tie-breaker against the Detroit Tigers. Honestly, who could expect this, since the Tigers seemed to be the secure American League Central winners since three weeks. However, the great aspect of sports is that as long something is mathematically possible anything can happen (especially in Baseball)… well and the Twins proved what might be possible once the players of a team begin to believe in themselves.

Emi's photo from inside the Metrodome during the game Oakland Athletics vs. Minnesota Twins

What is funny – my stepson Emi sent me on the 9/12 (exactly the day we had the earthquake in Venezuela) via iPhone a photo live from the Metrodome in Minneapolis from a game vs. the Oakland Athletics which the Twins finally lost. Just five minutes before the earthquake began, we were chatting (me here in my office and Emi in the Metrodome) and we both agreed that the Twins are a kind of loser team… oh oh oh oh oh…

Twins, I apologize and I cross all my fingers that you’re gonna kick out the Yankees (this would be really great) and then for sure you have to lose against the Red Sox who will destroy the Angels in the meanwhile …. Well, I better stop talking, because my prognoses this year seems to be pretty lousy… anyway, I am looking forward to the playoffs and as a fair sportsman I wish that the team with the biggest heart’s gonna win the World Series

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Find similar articles at Igi’s Story of the Week

Twitter, Burglary, Party, Dinner

Last week including the weekend was really busy. I set up tons of tweets for all my Twitter accounts and posted then automatically by using a software called Tweet Adder. To automatize tweets you just start writing a list of tweets in a regular text blog, load this in Tweet Adder and define a publishing schedule. This way it is possible to manage all your tweets on various accounts. I like to use this software to position lists with my personal tags such as #findTickets. Actually it is the same concept as I do here on WordPress with Igi’s Internal Affairs, Igi’s Story of the Week and Igi’s Music Special. The advantage of Twitter is, that these so called hashtags appear pretty soon on Google’s search results well ranked, besides that many other Twitter tools add it into their search results. To make a long story short – it is a gratis way to enhance the traffic to your posts.

With Tweet Adder, amoung really many things, you can also tweet MP3 (it supports MP3Twit.com), however, I will write an extra article about it as soon as I have time. Actually that’s a pretty cool way to distribute music. I just used this feature for Friday’s article “Voices” to post a song.

Besides my Twitter actions, there were three further events during the weekend. First, there was another burglary in our building on Saturday afternoon. We were meeting today with the management of the building to find solutions. I am getting more and more tired about these kind of things and I am getting closer and closer to buy a gun. My patience is about to terminate and I do not see anyone who protects us – means I have to do it myself.

Anyway, there were two nice events also this weekend. On Saturday night we were at a great birthday party with nice people and awesome catering – that’s how a party has to be, so we stayed until 2 am, which is pretty late for us. And then yesterday, we were invited for dinner by our dear friend Moraima… actually that’s the reason, why I am posting today instead of yesterday. When coming home from this dinner, I was so full and tired that I just couldn’t think anymore…

Well, that’s pretty much it for today. So if nobody kills me in the meanwhile (that’s actually not a joke) I will be back by tomorrow evening. See you then

Find similar articles at Igi’s Internal Affairs

Voices

Can you imagine that in the recent epoch, in which anything can be found online in less than five seconds, one of the best albums done in the nineteen eighties can be just kind of forgotten? I mean, on You Tube you practically find everything, but of what I show you today, not one video is available (YouTube only has the title song “Who I am”, but without images) – at least I could not find more than this only file on the entire Internet.

You might say that maybe nobody wants to know about, but then I would answer, that I guarantee there are people who would like to know about it if they just would know about its existence. Supposedly the whole world forgot about Gary Wright’s album “Who I am” however, I think at least you should know about it

Why is this album great?

In my opinion this album contains exclusively good songs, means it is a CD you put in the player (I am talking about people of the pre iPod age – are there still any?) and you do not take it out again after the last song finished. Nowadays most albums have maybe 2-5 good songs (if you are lucky) and that’s it – actually one of the reasons why almost “nobody” wants to buy complete albums anymore.

Anyway, back to Gary Wright. “Who I am” was one of those albums on which a very talented singer/ songwriter hired some of the best musicians on the planet and made them play stuff that let them as well as the songs shine. On “Who I am” you can hear among others Terry Bozzio, Steve Farris (the guitarist of Mr. Mister), Michael Thompson and even George Harrison – and they are all giving their best.

What’s my personal connection to this album?

When recording with my old friend Uwe Altenried in the nineteen eighties (see also the article “Just like Yesterday“), “Who I am” was one of our favorite reference CDs when doing mixes. Especially Terry Bozzio’s drum sounds were really outstanding at that time, so Uwe sampled them with his legendary Casio FZ 1 Sampler and we used them for one of our songs (I cannot remember which one), even André, Uwe ’s brother, could not resists to trigger these sounds by his e-drums when playing with his top 40 band.

To close the story: Once I couldn’t find more songs than the one on YouTube, I contacted Uwe to ask him if he still has this CD somewhere. He was looking all over and also asked his sister Danja (btw. she is a very talented artist, check out her website) – well, the CD was not only forgotten – it was gone. Nevertheless, I guess Uwe was as curious as me to hear the album again, so he searched on Ebay and finally found it for 1 Euro!!! In fact a great deal for Uwe – but shame on the ignorant who sold it for such a price… anyway, last week Uwe sent me a link to his server to download the entire album – thanks again

On this account, instead of posting a video as usually, I share with you the my favorite Gary Wright song “Voices”. Btw. I posted this MP3 via Twitter. See the tweet or go directly to the song – anyway enjoy it

Find similar articles at Igi’s Music Special

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