Had a great time seeing Lewis Black last night on his “Let Them Eat Cake” tour, at the incredible Fox. A stellar show- Black was on fire, literally frothing at the mouth at times. Touching upon everything from losing your virginity to LPs vs. Ipods, to the rather disgusting use of whipped cream in the Poconos, and spewing his venom rather equally between McCain and Obama, he again proved himself to be one of our best social critics.

Now, a question to the no-necked lunkhead seated next to me. You paid $75, are sitting not 20 feet from one of the great comedians working today, and yet every 5 minutes you’re checking sports scores and email on your cell phone.

Huh?

You can’t disconnect from your wired cave for an hour and actually appreciate what’s occurring right in front of you? I’m pretty sure they have scores post-game as well, and as for emails, I have some I’ve had since, I dunno, the late 90s, so I pretty f’n sure yours will last the night. Live in the moment you big goof, that’s what its there for.

Thus ends the cranky old man portion of TTP.

Dunno about you, but hearing P Funk’s “Tear the Roof Off the Sucker” in a credit card ad is righteous. George C earning more beans, providing the soundtrack for da man:

The ad is called “Robot Dance” and you can view it here.

Remember…Free your mind, and your ass will follow.

Pink Floyd member Richard Wright dies at age 65

Imagine being a creator of something legendary and timeless. With Dark Side of the Moon, Pink Floyd achieved something few have. The Beatles did it with Peppers, Miles and Coltrane with Kind of Blue, the first Velvet Underground album- and a small handful of others perhaps, but not many. Few have crafted music that defines an era and becomes an unescapable, essential landmark, but DSOTM is certainly that. The band made wonderful, absorbing music before and after, to be sure, but to the band and fans alike, 1973 was magic, and Wright’s keyboards, songwriting and voice are as intregal as Gilmour’s Stratocaster or Roger Water’s weary worldview to the total musical effect. This is an excellent version to get- this sort of album is why 5.1 systems were created.

The Great Gig in the Sky awaits.

Bluegrass Legend Ralph Stanley Endorses Obama
Bluegrass legend Ralph Stanley endorsed Democrat Barack Obama for president tonight while the Illinois senator was on a campaign swing through Southwest Virginia.

“After the last eight years, Virginia families need someone on their side, someone looking out for their interests, and I know Barack Obama will be that leader,” Stanley said. “He’ll make it easier for parents to send their kids to college and make sure they have more money left in their pockets at the end of the month.”

Stanley, 81, of Coeburn, received the National Medal of Arts in 2006, the nation’s highest honor for artistic excellence. In 2008, the Virginia General Assembly designated him the Outstanding Virginian.

Jerry Wexler, Produced Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Dies at 91

Aug. 15 (Bloomberg) — Jerry Wexler, the feisty Atlantic Records executive who coined the term “rhythm and blues” and produced some of the standout recordings by Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin and Wilson Pickett, has died. He was 91.

Along with Sam Phillips of Sun Records, Wexler helped define the role of the modern record producer. He oversaw Charles’s rollicking classic “What’d I Say” in 1959 and recorded Bob Dylan’s first Grammy Award-winning song, “Gotta Serve Somebody,” two decades later.

The work he did was remarkable, literally changed pop culture. Everyone owns some of this mans magical music- and if you don’t, what the hell is wrong with you?

Review of the Atlanta Tom Waits show.

Look what new toy I found to buy:

Gonna be rockin’ in the free world now baby…!

Master Japanese drummer Oguchi dies

TOKYO (AP) — Master Japanese drummer Daihachi Oguchi, who led the spread of the art of “taiko” drumming to the U.S. and throughout Japan, has died after being hit by a car, an official at his ensemble said. He was 84.

A former jazz musician, Oguchi was one of the first to elevate the traditional folk sounds of taiko to modern music played in concert halls, not just festivals and shrines.

I say goodbye to Bo on the big site.

Earle Hagen, `Andy Griffith’ composer, dies at 88

LOS ANGELES - Earle H. Hagen, who co-wrote the jazz classic “Harlem Nocturne” and composed memorable themes for “The Andy Griffith Show,” “I Spy,” “The Mod Squad” and other TV shows, has died. He was 88.

For television, he composed original music for more than 3,000 episodes, pilots and TV movies, including theme songs for “That Girl,” “The Dick Van Dyke Show” and “Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.”