The road ran thru here

No reason for posting this one -- other than the fact that even thirty-six and a half years later, it still puts a chill up my spine:



Some interesting local sidetracks to all of this:

- Although this rare clip of the original lineup of the Allman Brothers was filmed at the Fillmore East in 1971, it wasn't done at an actual concert. Bill Graham brough them into the building on an afternoon during their legendary run at the storied venue to video-record four songs. The doors were opened for passersby to come in and watch the session, thus providing some faces in the crowd.

- It was just a short time later that the band was found venturing further north, playing a free outdoor afternoon show at Skidmore College, on a spot where the tennis courts are now located.

- The live shows of that NYC run were audio-recorded and became the Live at the Fillmore album (as well as part of the Eat a Peach album), which sent them to superstardom.

- But before the actual release, guitarist Duane Allman would die in a motorcycle accident. Bassist Berry Oakley would go on to do the same, mere blocks away. The two were buried side-by-side.

- The remnants of the band -- with second guitarist Dickey Betts stepping into the limelight and with new member Chuck Leavell on electric keys -- would return to the Capital Region in June of 1973 for a performance at SPAC. An unknown band named the Marshall Tucker Band opened.

- Gregg Allman met one of his estimated six wives in Saratoga in the early 80's after another SPAC gig--she was a city resident.

- Years later, Saratoga would again provide an interesting footnote to the band's history. During a SPAC performance in 1989 as part of the HORDE tour, Betts was heavily intoxicated, resulting in sloppy playing, missed cues and even staggering off the stage on several occasions to use the restroom facilties. New guitarist Warren Haynes stepped in to at least partially save the night. But it got worse: Betts was arrested at the downtown Holiday Inn for allegedly beating up his wife and spent the night in the city jail, later pleading to a reduced misdemeanor. Betts was eventually kicked out of the band that he helped create, with alcoholism cited as the reason. He would not play with them again until their induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.


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Tom Gilcoyne: 1916 - 2008

I'm not sure whether Tom Gilcoyne ever technically lived -- as in held an official residence -- in Saratoga Springs. Regardless, he did, in fact, live some of his greatest personal moments of joy in the Spa City.

Gilcoyne, known to thoroughbred interests and fans far and wide as the National Museum of Racing's in-house historian & librarian since 1989, passed away yesterday (January 3) at the age of 91.

The RPI grad had his retirement from the chemical and abrasives industry interrupted into that volunteer endeavor, fatefully brought about by his recognizing an error in the museum's silks collection during a visit, resulting in a conversation with a staff member and an invitation to join in the fun. From there, the Troy and (later)Latham native found a spot where he could share his virtual fountain of knowledge of his beloved passion -- horse racing -- with the expanding museum, its visitors and researchers from around the globe.

Gilcoyne became The Man within the racing world for data and facts on the sport's history. Whether it was a reporter inquiring about a long-forgotten stakes race, a preservationist seeking information on the past look of a certain race course, or an author seeking background information on a horse named Seabiscuit for a book she was writing, the friendly gentleman was always eager to dive into his beloved collection of books up on the top floor and find the answers -- if he didn't know those answers off the top of his head.

His passion was built on personal experience; of his first being brought to the local track in the early years of the 20th century. Of later watching the great legends in action, animals with names like Citation and Whirlaway, Carry Back and Damascus. Of visiting dozens of tracks waround the nation during his business travels.

Mr Gilcoyne knew the game of horse racing. Check that; he loved it, and was ready, willing and more than able to lend his hand in passing on its glorious past to others. He played a key role over the past eighteen years in promoting both Saratoga and the thoroughbred industry.

In this new century of demographic shifts within the rapidly changing boundaries of Saratoga Springs, the new influx of city dwellers arrives with little appreciation for the Sport of Kings, despite its regional economic importance. Why would they: they weren't exposed to its magninficence as children, with their first glimpses of it taken while in the hands of -- and its traditions passed down from -- their parents and grandparents. Or of sneaking into the track as teenagers and asking strangers to place bets because of the age restriction. Or of wandering the backstectch on a chilly early morning just to catch a glimpse of a horse you watched on TV. The way it used to be around here. The way it was in Tom Gilcoyne's time.

No, Mr Gilcoyne may or may not have ever had that address in Saratoga. But that doesn't mean he shouldn't be honored as if he did.

Are there any new streets or buildings around here that need a name?




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Tribute band central

Here we are only in the first few days of the new year, and already one of our 2008 Tech Valley Predictions (see our main news portal) is apparently coming true.

Our crystal ball forecast a shakeout of downtown Albany's untra-lounge scene. Lo and behold comes word that the lounge'iest example of this too-late-to-the party phenomena -- Noche Lounge -- is taking down the "Welcome Lizards" sign and becoming a live-music club.

Good news, we guess. Until one looks at the initial lineup of acts scheduled to get the new operation (now called Jack Rabbit Slims, a la Pulp Fiction's twist venue) off to a rocking new year. That gets us scratching the old noggin.

We've got a Led Zeppelin tribute to begin the festivities on January 11. Then, we've got tribute things going for: Johnny Cash, Neil Diamond, Iron Maiden, and Tool. The only break in the action is a local cover band.

I don't know about you, but I just want to know when they get some Sabbath action going on in there! Then we'll be smoking!

Does anyone think this experiment will actually work? Let's hear from you.

Regardless, we wish them well. It's not an easy game.


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Reporting from the boonies -- of Saratoga?

I found out today that I live in an "outlying area."

Such was the information I gained this AM, courtesy of my friendly neighborhood Stewarts worker and the Albany Times Union.

Thursday is my one day a week to buy a hard copy of the T/U, primarily to catch the well-done Preview section of Mr Greg Haymes and company. Today's exercise revealed that the price of the paper has risen by 50%, from the long-running fifty cents to a new price seventy-five cents.

"Ouch," I said to the clerk. She referred me to the masthead, which declares:

50 CENTS * 75 CENTS IN OUTLYING AREAS

So there I am, officially a resident of the hinterlands, err outlying areas. I could have sworn that Saratoga Springs was an integral part of the Capital Region; I guess I was wrong on that one.

I would love to know the motivations for this move. Is it just a monkey see, money do copy of the way the New York Times has done business for many years? Is it a subtle strategy designed to encourage people to stop buying the paper and instead read the online version? Are they writing off certain areas from their core target area? I frankly don't get it.

But maybe there's something more creative going on here. Recall my earlier prediction: that the Hearst Corp - owned T/U will make a bid on the local operation (i.e., The Saratogian) of the struggling Journal Register news chain, which would then allow them to take a more 'regional conquer' approach?

Could it be that this new price increase is just being inflicted as a temporary pain, so that it can announce some good news (a price decrease) in the coming months as a result of its new, predicted expansion?

Stay tuned.


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Odds & Ends

A few random (useless?) observations on this, the final day of 2007:

Mystery Quarters: In roaming through unfamiliar neighborhoods during this holiday season, I noticed that no one puts their name on their mailbox any more. This, combined with the fact that new homes are typically constructed as far back from the public road as possible, lends us to think that modern Americanus Everyman feels less and less a part of the community; perfectly comfortable sliding into anonymity.

Good Portal, Bad Portal: Two local newspapers have re-launched their web sites, with varying degrees of success. The Saratogian (yes, a favorite whipping target here) has a screwed up site that is still (after three weeks) taking about 95 seconds to open. Once it does, it becomes apparent that it was a wasted minute and a half. The Gazette, on the other hand, has launched their new site, which reflects their new policy of offering a more substantial amount of content online, free of charge, than in the past. Their product is, in fact, both timely and efficient.

Deep snow, deep pockets: Anyone notice how outrageously priced lift tickets have become? Only if you're a skiier, of course. Case in point: go take a peek at nearby West Mountain's rates. Whereas in the past, a nighttime lift ticket could be had for the spare change in your pocket, it now requires a bank loan. Notice also that most mountains are on the 4-hour/8-hour routine.

Rachael here, Rachael there: It seems like Dunkin Donuts branches are popping up all over the place. New standalone shops as well as mini-shops inside of convenience stores. That Rachael sure is a hustler.

Jared is Da Man: On the other hand, notice how just about every Quizmo's sub franchise has a For Sale sign on it? Two years ago, everyone was predicting these guys were going to put Subway out of business. It ain't happening.

Is it me, or? Anyone else notice how the questions on Jeopardy seem to be getting eassier? Another sign of the dummy'ing down of our society.

Sinking Fast: The Yahoo portal seems to be deteriorating into an old school, old media, broadcast-style piece of garbage. Proof: go take a look at it at any randomn time, and you'll see that it's loaded up with pop-culture kitsch. Britney this, Angelina that. Top Ten things to do to make him/her notice you at work. Holiday decorating tips. I thought the web was supposed to offer something different to this push-down approach, where the big corporate players tell us music to listen to, what movies to watch, what clothes to wear, what ideas to talk about? In Yahoo's case, all that is off the table and it's just business as usual.

That's about all I got today.



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Look out, Fidel

The Bhutto murder is certainly a cause for concern.

Let's just hope Bush doesn't use it as an excuse to invade Cuba. Don't laugh: after all, we do have a track record here, don't we?

How's the old saying go: "Fool me once...."?

It's a Festivus miracle!

Although you might think it's too late to get your Festivus pole up, remember this: the Festivus celebration doesn't end until the head of the family gets pinned.

So, unless you've witnessed such a feat of strength, get moving. We have!

There's even a company that specializes in the manufacturing (?) of these poles -- just click on the photo of Ms. R. to hit their website and place your order. Feel confident that you'll receive a quality product; as the company's tagline states:

Made in Milwaukee--A city known for its Very High Strength-to-Weight Ratio

For the uninitiated -- a briefing on this important holiday:




Someone make a note to remind me to toss a Festivus gathering next year at this time.

The kind of nostalgia I will likely regret

In making arrangements to hook up with some friends at Friday night's local music showcase at Revolution Hall (with the Kamikaze Hearts, Super 400, etc), one of them made a suggestion that brought a chuckle:

"Let's do warm-up's next door at Brown's Brew Pub before the show."

I guess attending a nightclub concert is such a taxing physical challenge that a pre-show routine of sorts is in order. I wonder if we'll be doing stretching exercises?

It reminded me of college days, when we would prep for the keg parties with six-packs. Heaven forbid we show up unprepared, after all.



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More on Old Media, part 365

The Saratogian is generally considered to be the Capital Region's best example of the worst aspects of corporate media consolidation. The paper's recent foray into the world on blogging serves as yet another proving point.

Managing Editor Barbara Lombardo had this to say, in her second entry:

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"..... When I do talk with someone, though, I like to know who I'm talking to.

That's why I'm not exactly leaping into the world of blogging.

Would you answer your telephone and then get into a conversation with someone who not only was a stranger, but who had no intention of identifying himself? If you received an anonymous letter in the old-fashioned U.S. mail, would you write back?

As the managing editor of The Saratogian, I hope to use this space to converse with you. I like talking about the news business and explaining how and why things work. But I don't intend to engage in lengthy defenses with any single, anonymous, would-be pen pal."

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Two points here:

1) This diatribe was in response to someone actually taking the time to leave a comment to her intial "here I am" blog entry. You know: the ole give and take conversational feedback loop that the Net is known for being, like, real good at?

2) Though she apparently has some problem with the "anonymous" option that is generally afforded to those making such comments, we must remember that this person's primary product (a daily printed newspaper) includes within it a section called Sound Off, wherein the public can have their opinion published, um: anonymously.

The local rumnor mill has it that the Saratogian's out-of-state parent company is looking to unload some if not all of its dailies. Although we would prefer to see it land in the arms of a locally-owned group of professional media types, the odds are that such a scenario won't happen , given the current economics of the game. The prediction here is that it will become part of the Hearst Corp (Times Union) empire.

Still, the day this rag changes hands -- to anyone short of Fox / News Corp -- will be a good day at The Spa'aaaaaaaa.......


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