The Chicago Storms Part Duex

I know most of you saw the pictures of the storms from a few weeks ago - scary yes...

not as bad as the storm that came through last night. I saw the funnel cloud while I was in my car, but before I could take a picture, the transformer right in front of me blew up and the winds decided that 90 miles an hour was satisfactory. The lightning was amazingly frightening (storms don't usually scare me, but the lightning was so intense and the winds so bad ...I was ready to pee my pants...)

I kept saying..."thank god my homeowners insurance is paid?!" Luckily we survived, the house survived, the neighborhood survived.......but my wireless modem died. The severe electrical currents in the air somehow fried it ....(that's what they said at TigerDirect.com ...so cool, we have the actual store by my house!!)..

So, this year has been the mark of HUGE storms - I don't have any of this one - but check out some of the pictures sent to our local NBC affiliate.

So, I will have to repair my computer network, so my blogging may be spotty for a while.....keep checking back!

Peace.Love.Live.
JPB

McCain Smear Ad: "The One"

You know, I am about done with dirty politics. It sickens me that McCain has gone negative (after promising a "clean campaign"). It sickens me even more that there are Americans who buy this crap hook, line, and sinker ....like sheep going to the slaughter.....The latest Gallup polls show McCain neck and neck with Obama? ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME???????????????????? It really goes to show how silly Americans are - they will believe any thing that they see on T.V., without questioning...(FoxNoise), or hear on the radio (Limbaugh, InSanity..et.al.) or even Air America for that matter...WAKE UP! Learn! Understand!

Are you serious? Can people start getting informed? Are you not living in the U.S. now? Are you ready for 4 more years of this crap? Are you seriously kidding me????


I can't even begin to explain the level of disgust that I feel right now - the ad that follows....safe to say, is trying to entice those of the religious right to believe that Obama is the "anti-christ"....ushering in the "end of days" so they must vote for McCain (who they really can't stand either...)

Using "the code" made famous by the devil himself (Karl Rove), people across this country are buying the shit that McCain is selling....it is fucking amazing.
...and Moses? Really? Are you kidding me?

This is still a free country (I think), I would love to hear what you all think about this.....

I apologize for my vulgarity - but it seems only fitting considering how deep the shit is getting already...

Watch the latest McCain smear ad:



That's all. I don't even know what else to say here....seriously....no wonder this country has started its downward spiral. Geez.

Peace.Love.Live.
JPB

30 Days: Same Sex Parenting

Morgan Spurlock is amazing. His "30 Days" series on FX allows us to face some very serious issues head-on. His approach is amazing. The episode on Same Sex Parenting was frustrating to watch....very frustrating. But at the end - I guess I shouldn't have been suprised.

You can watch the entire episode below ....I would love to hear your comments - I find it is a topic that should enlist some very interesting conversation.....



Peace.Love.Live.
JPB

7 years....

7/31/01. Changed me. 7 years later - I'm still a product of that change. Sometimes, you are offered a chance to change your path - a path that for some reason leads down a wrong road -

What I have learned over the past 7 years has made me a better person. A better friend. A better son. A better brother. A better partner. I embraced the change that entered my life on that day...I continue to embrace that change.

Life is a wonderful gift. We only get this one chance. That is why I always end my blog post with "Peace.Love.Live." becasue that is what it is truly all about.

So here's to my anniversary of change....and to many many many more.

Peace.Love.Live.
JPB

I Know I've Been Away...But I Had A Good Reason!

I just thought I should explain my absence as of late....besides becoming a gym rat, I have been working on a new project. I decided that it was time to start practicing my refinishing hobby. I have this desk that was my grandma's that I have been dying to refinish and repair - but I wanted to make sure that I could do it first. My first attempt is pictured below.....

Stupid me - I forgot to take a picture of this bedside table prior to sanding ....so you don't get to see the "real" way this table looked.

Background - the table was my Aunt Daisy's....she gave it to my mom, and then it was given to me....

Here is the newly sanded table...wow - that was HARD!




and the finished product....and if I may say so myself....it is quite good for a "FIRST PIECE!"




Let me know what you think!
Peace.Love.Live.
JPB

The Garden

My partner Steve found that he has a green thumb. He really does...unlike me, I kill plants, flowers, fish...whatever. I have to say, Steve does a great job in the garden and chose some great flowers that bloom throughout the spring and summer. Here are just a few for you to enjoy!






Peace.Love.Live.
JPB

Congratulations Olivia

Well, Olivia got married!!! Congratulations! She married long-time health guru John Easterling, whom she had been dating for a few years. Well wishes to them both and congratulations!!!

And our Livvy is also doing a commercial for Nintendo in Australia - here is the commercial.....enjoy!



OOOOHHH....and don't forget to catch Olivia's new sitcom on the LOGO channel "Sordid Lives" it starts next week (I CAN'T WAIT!!!) Here is the video for one of the original new songs for the television show....ENJOY!!!!!



Don't forget to check the official website for everything Sordid and be sure to watch the premiere Wednesday, July 23rd!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Peace.Love.Live.
JPB

Music From The Edge: BONUS: Republica

No long story - I just love this song!
There is an interesting story that goes with this song - I will share at a later date.........in the meantime - ENJOY!

Download: Ready To Go (Single)
Bitrate: 320 Kbps

Tracklisting:
1) Single Version
2) Original Mix

Extra Bonus: Ready To Go (Video)


Peace.Love.Live.
JPB

Music From The Edge: Take 5

Elektra Records was dying to get in on the boy band craze, and had no success until Take 5. Another Louis J. Pearlman creation, Take 5, formed in 1997, was set to take on the music world like its predecessors Backstreet Boys and *Nsync. They followed the Pearlman formula...releasing numerous singles across the ocean in Europe and Asia where they toured extensively (3 years!)trying to make a name for themselves.

All 5 members of Take 5 had their roots in the entertainment industry....TJ Christofore won Star Search in 1995, Clay and Ryan Goodall were both classically trained pianists as well as accomplished actors, Steve Schulthorpe was a model and actor, and Tilky Jones was a former member of the SKA band User Friendly.

Though they found moderate success in Europe and Asia, their success in the U.S. was not to be....a little late to the boy band parade, Take 5 was victim of the boy band backlash that the millennium had brought. By the time Elektra Records got around to "introducing" Take 5 to the US market, the ship had sailed.

Releasing their one and only CD "Against All Odds," (prophetic actually) 8/29/2000, they only managed a showing on Billboard's Heatseeker's Chart peaking at #26.

The lead-off single "Shake It Off" did not chart. This is a special PROMO ONLY version of the single.

Enjoy!

Download: Shake It Off (PROMO ONLY)

Bit Rate: 320 Kbps

Tracklisting:
1) Radio Edit
2) Radio Version
3) Extended Mix
4) Audio Bio
5) Call-Out Hook

Enjoy the video for "Shake It Off"


Side note: Band Member TJ Christofore was the first in a line of former Pearlman boy band members to allege sexual abuse by Pearlman.

Peace.Love.Live.
JPB

I'm Back....!

So, I've been searching for the week-and-a-half that I "lost" somewhere. Then, I realized that I lost another week...then another........somewhere lost in the black hole of time......

This next week promises to be as busy as the previous weeks (where I seem to have lost time), but I am committed to bringing you some music...but you will have to forgive me when I do not bring you any editorial content to join with the tunes (I figure, the easiest part of the post is the music....)

Today, however, I want to share some pictures that I took with my camera phone on Thursday when some really severe storms crossed my path on the way home. I thought I would send them into the local news channel (they put weather pics up when they are doing the weather), but seeing as though I cannot manage my computer time well, I didn't get them uploaded quick enough...so i thought I would share them with you!

It was quite frightening - I thought a tornado would drop down on my and wisk me away like Dorothy......








This line of storms came so quickly - each of these pics were taken within minutes of each other....right before the wind and the rain came.....there was a lot of damage in the area, but it was over almost as soon as it began...very weird!

Here's to next week!
Peace.Love.Live.
JPB

YIKES!

Ok, ok....so I somehow lost a week and a half somewhere......can anyone find it for me?????

On Vacation

No worries all - I am taking a short break to head back to Ohio and be with my family as we celebrate the wedding of my cousin Tasha.

See you next week!

Peace.Love.Live.
JPB

Happy Blogaversary to ME!

I noticed that a lot of people have been celebrating the anniversary of their first blog post. I wasn't even sure when I started...so I looked - and would you believe it? My first post (albeit boring and stupid) was on 6/1/2004. MAKING MY BLOG 4 YEARS OLD THIS MONTH!!!!

So Happy Anniversary to Catchr's Pad, and to me for managing to make something out of it only 4 years after I started!!





Peace.Love.Live.
JPB

Music From The Edge: Jennifer Paige

Jennifer Paige has managed to beat some terrible odds. Missing the "teen scene" boat (almost entirely), the release of her self-titled debut album on Edel America (August 11, 1998) saw the release of "Crush" as its lead off single.

Radio fell in love with Jennifer christening her as the next artist to watch. Amazing vocals and a well written track propelled Jennifer to the top of the charts (Billboard Top 100 #3, Billboard Top 40 Mainstream #3, Billboard Top 40 Tracks #7).

The release of "Always You" didn't fare as well, in fact it failed to chart (but managed a strong showing on the dance charts - #6 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Club Play). This was a disappointment to Edel America, as they were hoping the second single would propel the full-length album up the charts....it stalled out at #139 on The Billboard 200 (Heatseekers #39).

But the strength of "Crush" gave Jennifer a pass - and a chance at a second album. Fate would not be as kind the second time around. The release of Jennifer's sophomore album "Positively Somewhere," filled with a more mature sound, was released on 9/18/2001, exactly 1 week after the horrific events of 9/11/2001.

No one was in the mood to buy music. The album lacked a strong lead off single and the release disappeared without so much as a blip on the Billboard Charts.

Edel America had signed a 3 record deal with Jennifer - so to fulfill this contract, they released "Flower: The Hits Collection" on 10/05/04 and promptly dropped Jennifer Paige from their roster. Amazing how 2 full-length albums and 1 HIT song constitute having a "HITS COLLECTION???"....labels are a wonderful beast aren't they?

Not to worry....Jennifer Paige has completed what she hopes will be her comeback album on her own imprint Glor-Paige records, titled "Best Kept Secret." It was released world-wide (except the U.S.) on 04/25/2008, with no U.S. release date set as of today.

Download: "Crush" (US/CD5)

Bitrate: 320 Kbps

Tracklisting:

1) LP Version
2) Dance Mix
3) Instrumental

Bonus Bonus Bonus

THE VIDEO


Enjoy!

Peace.Love.Live.
JPB

Music From The Edge: She Moves (Take Two)

I was perusing my collection of CDs and CD singles trying to figure out what I would feature next, when I came upon the first single from She Moves titled "Breaking All The Rules." This was originally supposed to be the post for my She Moves blog entry - but I couldn't locate it...which is what happens when you are an audiophile like myself and have over 10,000 CDs), so I had to settle for the second release, "It's Your Love"

Not much else to really add about the group, but I like the song!

Download: "Breaking All The Rules" CD5

Bitrate: 320 Kbps

Tracklisting:

1) LP Version
2) Radio Mix
3) Bass Rules Mix
4) Berman Brothers Dance Mix

Enjoy!

Peace.Love.Live.
JPB

Music From The Edge: Junior Vasquez

Junior Vasquez is by far a god. I love him. His mixes are fresh and contemporary (even 10 years later). "Come Together" [yes....the Beatles tune reworqued for the dance floor!!!] was released in 1998 (Rank: Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play #15 Billboard Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Single Sales #23)as a lead track from his Junior Vasquez Live Volume 2 double CD compilation.

Some speculate that the controversy surrounding Junior and Madonna prompted him to release "Come Together" as a sort of 'peace offering' to Madonna. Well, Madonna can be an unforgiving diva...... not to mention, if Junior was truly trying to apologize to Madonna....why would he name all of the tracks "Junior's Revenge?" ....we may never know!

Be sure to check out track 1...(the BEST track).

Download: "Come Together" CD5

Bitrate: 320 Kbps

Tracklisting:

1) Junior's Revenge Mix
2) Junior's Revenge Organ Mix
3) Junior's Bootleg Mix
4) Junior's Revenge Radio Mix

BONUS BONUS BONUS BONUS BONUS BONUS BONUS





A little background: Madonna has sworn to never work with Junior ever again, after he released "If Madonna Calls," (Released 7/29/1996...Rank: Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Club Play #2, Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Single Sales #8) which features her voice on his answering machine. Basically, this song is a "dis" towards Madonna for not following through on her promise to appear for a surprise performance @ one of his parties. To this day, even though Junior has remixed her work (none officially), she has kept her promise and has not worked with him.


BONUS BONUS BONUS
Download: "If Madonna Calls" CD5

Bitrate: 320 Kbps

Tracklisting:

1) X-Beat Radio Edit
2) JR's House Mix Radio Edit
3) X-Beat Mix
4) Tribal Break
5) JR's House Mix

Enjoy!

Peace.Love.Live.
JPB

Music From The Edge: Denine

Denine started her music career as a backup singer for the popular freestyle group Collage in the early 1990's. Wanting to be the center of attention, Denine convinced Collage member Adam Marano to help her get her own recording deal on their record label Viper Records (Collage's imprint for Metropolitan Records).

Denine's debut full-length CD hit the record stores October 14, 1994. The label had big hopes as Freestyle was making a minor comeback. But, nothing happened. Nothing. For two whole years.

Then after the CD was dead and buried, a local L.A. deejay decided to add "All Cried Out" to his "hit or miss" segment.....the song exploded on the predominately Latin station and began a crossover to the pop stations in L.A.

Soon, program directors across the country began to pick up the song. Denine's carreer was revived enough to re-release "To Be Continued" and to release "All Cried Out" as a CD5 with what the label hoped would be a second hit "I Only Wanted To Love You."

The single stalled on the Billboard Hot 100 chart at #72, but did manage a respectable #33 spot on Billboard's Rhythmic Top 40. These stats convinced Denine's label to go for it one more time (only with a CD5 instead of a full-length CD) titled, "Love of A Lifetime." It failed to chart.

Download: "All Cried Out" (CD5)
Bitrate: 320 kbps

Tracklisting:

1. All Cried Out
2. All Cried Out (Quiet Storm Mix)
3. I Only Wanted To Love You (Radio Mix)
4. I Only Wanted To Love You (Club Mix)
5. I Only Wanted To Love You (Jeep Beats)

Enjoy!

Peace.Love.Live.
JPB

Just a Random Thought

To be honest, I am trying to figure out where I want my blog to head. I am awed by the work that some of my fellow bloggers do - and the amount of time they commit to their craft....kudos!

Me on the other hand, I am "fly by the seat of my pants" with my blog - not purposeful for the most part. Maybe I should change that?

I post what I feel at the time.....and that usually surrounds music. Though I am not, for the most part...purposeful in posting, I certainly choose my musical tracks carefully.

So, that is my thought for the night. I appreciate all that come to my site and visit - I hope you find it comfortable and welcoming!

Peace.Love.Live.
JPB

Music From The Edge: MTS

Real McCoy - they're not. Not even close! But MTS wanted to capitalize on the success of the genre of dance music that Real McCoy made popular. A studio group formed by independent record producer Tolga Katas (one of the founding fathers of "freestyle" who has produced tracks for Stevie B and Linear among many other freestyle artists), MTS had little but a CD5 to show for their efforts.

Not much more is known about this group, though they managed to get their track on several "DJ Only" pressings and dance compilations like Pure Energy Volume 4.

Download: "I'll Be Allright" - MTS (CD5)

Bitrate: 320kpbs

Tracklisting:
1. Extended Dance Mix
2. Radio Mix
3. Club Mix
4. Instrumental Mix
5. Sythapella Mix

Peace.Love.Live.
JPB

Music From The Edge: She Moves

The Berman Brothers were trying very hard to recreate the success of their early nineties stars (Real McCoy & Amber) with a similar formula - sugary sweet, pop dance music. They felt that the combined efforts of Carla Duren, Danielle Flora, and Diana Bologna (all former New York Nicks City Dancers) would be the secret ingredient to great chart success.

The Berman Brothers (on their name alone) were able to get the girls signed to Geffen records in 1997, before they even had a name...eventually the trio settled on "She Moves"...and move they did to their first (and only) album, "Breaking All The Rules." (Released November 18, 1997). This was also the name of the lead off single from the album, which peaked at #32 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Even the moderate success of the first single did not move the album. Geffen decided that they would try a second single, and chose a ballad, "It's Your Love". Despite having remixes by the Berman Brothers and Love To Infinity (and a CD5 for the price of a CD Single), the track stalled out at #67 on the Billboard Hot 100.

She Moves failed to chart the album and Geffen, hurting from two unsuccessful attempts to break this artist gave up and walked away.

She Moves broke up soon after they were released from their recording contract, and have all found great success in other arenas.

Interesting sidenote - Tim McGraw and Faith Hill released "It's Your Love" in 1997 to Country Radio, where it not only was a #1 smash on Billboard's Hot Country Tracks & Singles Chart, but it also reached #7 on Billboard's Hot 100, receiving a Grammy nomination and multiple ACM awards.

Download: "It's Your Love" (CD5)
Bitrate: 320kbps

Tracklisting:
1. LP Version
2. Love to Infinity Radio Mix
3. Love to Infinity Classic Paradise Mix
4. Love To Infinity Groove Mix
5. Berman Brother's Dance Mix
6. Every Time You Touch Me (I Get High)

Bonus Download:

"It's Your Love" - Tim McGraw & Faith Hill
Bitrate: 128kbps

Enjoy!
Peace.Love.Live.
JPB