James Wayman

Here for music and baseball. CD enthusiast. Primarily rock, metal, prog, and jazz. Living on the fault line between Resident Know-it-all and Resident F**k-Up.

[James Wayman @SMFOBA51]

For me hope was lost, dead, and gone regarding a decent Dio solo album since the DEHUMANIZER project. Then quietly and humbly MAGICA found release connecting Dio to new music in the vein of his Rainbow and earlier solo work. FEVER DREAM, CHALLIS, and LOSING the key examples.

[James Wayman @SMFOBA51]

Saw a few blurbs comparing this to classic Rainbow and Yngwie. The band name also references a Loudness album title. Was hoping serendipity may work in my favor. Strong vocals overall and a great guitar solo in LUCID DREAMS; but not quite the hard rock reboot I was hoping for.

[James Wayman @SMFOBA51]

@Chicago_History Barnaby's in Des Plaines. The Northbrook and Niles locations are a compromise of what made the DP pizza so great. Sad just thinking about how great it was and that it never will be available again.

[James Wayman @SMFOBA51]

If this jazz were any smoother, it would've been prepared in a teflon pan. When it gets this smooth it is difficult for any of it to catch and it slips by. The reggae-tinged SYNCOPATION SITUATION sounds more like an exercise than a song, but is the heads-and-tails highlight here.

[James Wayman @SMFOBA51]

@HairMtlMessiah Stand-up comedy and funny movies these days have lost their edge because of all the language guardrails. Shock and exaggeration made jokes work.
Probably won't go over with the humor-is-hatred crowd; but so much of it is context. One of the best metal punk crossovers of its era.

[James Wayman @SMFOBA51]

I often throw on music as I try to knock out other tasks. Sometimes vocals get in the way, and really familiar songs often distract. While not the best endorsement for Tangerine Dream; I do find myself listening to them often. More cinematic than the clicks & buzzes of the 70s.

[James Wayman @SMFOBA51]

After countless days of sunshine, clouds have settled in for a gray afternoon. Taking this chance to enjoy some mood-adjacent music. Ralph Towner was truly one of the greats and able to do it on multiple instruments. If Jan Garbarek had any restraint, this would be even better...

[James Wayman @SMFOBA51]

@HairMtlMessiah I just wish country and blues music sounded half as good on my stereo as it does when you are watching someone really good at making this music performing it in front of you.
Not much of a rap fan or how it has migrated into other styles but a good R&B or soul singer is also good

[James Wayman @SMFOBA51]

@FrankBr05713205 Think it was tied to the expected standard of service in that getting a burger at Denny's was far different than a steak at Gibson's. That there's a perception of a higher skill set for servers in higher end places.
Have cut back on visits, but not generosity when service is good

[James Wayman @SMFOBA51]

@ErikLindy Unfortunately, with the way most people drive parking lots these days, it is just safer to have the decision in your windshield rather than your rear view.
As for zipper merges... they are terrible forms of traffic mgmt and do not work with present US culture or values.

[James Wayman @SMFOBA51]

@20th_Centurygal I don't know if Nirvana would've had such an impact without his drums; but darn if he didn't take the frontperson role and define it the last couple of decades. Probably frontman.

[James Wayman @SMFOBA51]

@MoKnowsMetal Love the OG Combat vinyl with the gate-cut cover. This was one of the few LP's I kept after moving on to cd. If I had a decent turntable at the time, it might be more than a curio these days.

[James Wayman @SMFOBA51]

As the tour moves into first leg, I can feel the hype rising. A month out from the Chicago shows, and still not feeling motivated to get tix. The musicians are great, the catalog is great, and they probably will deliver. Blame it on an arena/stadium setting and paying for hassle.

[James Wayman @SMFOBA51]

@BolinMike Personally wish they titled the tour Al & Ged's Summer Adventure or An Evening of Rush Music. As VICTOR and HEADACHE proved, they needed Peart's thumb on the scale for it to reach Rush-quality.
Not mad at them, but sad its different than it used to be. Hoping shows are good.

[James Wayman @SMFOBA51]

This cover art could represent my stumble into a generation gap as I reached for then-newer harder music coming out. Korn defined a guitar sound for their generation as Metallica, Zeppelin, and Sabbath had done. Didn't connect, but I can hear the originality, talent, and ability.

[James Wayman @SMFOBA51]

@chefsevenn Hate green beans as well and cannot think of anything other than giving them to someone who enjoys them that would make green beans better. Even trying to make 'bean fries' out of breadcrumbs and butter seems nasty to me.

[James Wayman @SMFOBA51]

At one point, AC/DC was so popular with remaking the same album over and over that other artists tried to make an AC/DC album. Trash's BURNIN' ROCK is one. Sounds like it could've come out during AC/DC's WHO MADE WHO era. Fun despite the cheapness of this Wounded Bird edition.

[James Wayman @SMFOBA51]

@HairMtlMessiah On album or in press, I don't care about politics the same way that I don't care if music is Christian rock or emphasizes Satanic themes.,, until it makes the music fall off...
Live is about the vibe and preachiness kills it.
I don't expect to agree with everyone and can deal.

[James Wayman @SMFOBA51]

@CableDude101 It's fun that they reclaimed some of the record racks that they had converted to cd shelving; and still stock cd's.
Have felt similarly about the coupon since the pandemic. Grateful they survived during closing for the 'essential' business period and grateful they could re-open.