I think baseball matters. I can still remember the emotional release I felt watching Mike Piazza hit that walk off home run in the first game played after 9/11. If you don't think sports matter, ask anyone who was at that game what they felt. I suppose I am guilty of being one of those dorks who occasionally waxes philosophically about baseball. But it is our game. The Terrence Mann character in Field of Dreams said it best:

"The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America is ruled by it like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game, is a part of our past, Ray. It reminds us of all that once was good, and that could be again."

Good Night Irene- Leadbelly (The Weavers had a hit with it and sparked the folk revival in the 50's)

Little Red Rooster- Howlin' Wolf (EVRY rock band in the sixties played this song. I think it was a requirement.)

Bo Diddley- Bo Diddley (Where would rock and Roll be without this shave and a haircut jam? It's R&R's Salt Peanuts)

Dark Star- The Grateful Dead (the LSD culture wouldn't have been the same without this aural companion. Not to mention the influence this type of music had on bands like Sonic Youth some years later. Seriously, Lee Renaldo cites the dead as important in developing the noise rock/no wave sound)

Flashlight- Parlament/Funkadelic (Hello?)

Sgt. Pepper has always sounded rather dated to my ears. this isn't to say I can't appreciate the technical and artistic

achievement the album made. For me, it's the same with Citizen Kane. Kane, like Sgt Pepper, is a grand artistic statement. I re-watched Kane recently with my wife. She enjoyed it, but didn't understand why it rates so high. I attempted to explain, "look at Welles use of deep focus, that single shot in his parents house where he's outside, but in the center of the conversation is masterful" "look, Welles filmed ceilings, that had never been done before." I realized that, aside from being a nerd, Kane doesn't speak with the same power that it did in '41. Just about every film that followed normalized the innovations forged by Welles. Sure Citizen Kane is one of the most important films ever made, but I'd rather watch Touch of Evil.

Same thing with Sgt. Pepper. Ohh look 16 tracks! A conceptualized and thematic construction of tin pan alley type songs. How utterly artistic! Again, like Kane, its influence was so vast, it sounds hardly distinguishable from what was to follow. Sgt. Pepper stands as arguably the first great cohesive "artistic" statement made by a rock band. It is certainly admirable, and deserves to be celebrated, but I'd rather listen to Revolver.

I highly recommend the Criterion Collection's 3 DVD Complete Monterey Pop. Disc one is the original film. Disc two presents the complete performances by Hendrix and Otis Redding, and Disc 3 is outtakes.

As far as performances, well, everyone knows Hendix, but Janis' take on Ball and Chain is simply devastating.

A few acts not to miss:

MY MORNING JACKET! They are arguably the best live band right now. They're not touring much this year, but if you have the opportunity, I beg you to see this band live. They will melt your face off.

Michael Franti and Spearhead. Simply awesome performer, great songs, and spot on musicianship. A fun concert. At this year's Bonnaroo he even led us all in a sing along to the Sesame Street theme. Even the most jaded hipster was singing along with a smile on their face.

Tea Leaf Green. These guys really bring the goods live. Prime live cuts: "Sex in the '70s" & "Taught to be Proud"

Greg Brown. The best folk singer nobody's ever heard of. He brings you in with his voice and storytelling. Prime live cut: "Canned Goods."

Railroad Earth. Bluegrass with a back beat and a Grateful Dead heart. Great live band.

I mentioned My Morning Jacket, right?

I think it's important to remember that there is no substantial proof that steroids enhances a baseball players ability to perform. Hitting a baseball involves far more skill than just being strong or hulked up. I'm not sure the steroid era is what many of you think it is. Statistically it does not affect power or performance, an average of 10 points AVE and OPS. In fact, the largest spike in power hitting occurred in the early to mid 70's (around the time the mound was re-lowered and the strike zone was adjusted, oh and also the time many of that day's "heroes" were popping greenies). The steroid era is no more remarkable power wise than any other era (read Baseball Prospectus' essay in Baseball Between the Numbers for a detailed account).

The truth is that it is impossible to say definitively how much steroids have allegedly helped Bonds.It is possible that Bonds was helped by steroids, but perhaps he wasn't. It is not unusual for a great player to have outstanding years after 30.

I find it sad that so many of you take for granted that his home runs must be aided by steroids when there is no substantial proof that they would even help him. It seems to me that many have taken the steroid era and thrown it upon Bonds. He has become a symbol, an abstract idea that people may hurl insults and derision at. I'm sure that for some of you, deep down inside, in the places you don't want to talk about, it also doesn't hurt that he's black.