Heard Any Good Books Lately?

Audio books are nothing new—they’re convenient and easy on the eyes, but they are expensive. Enter my new favorite Web site: Librivox.org.

As a volunteer-run, totally free service for digital audio books, Librivox lives up to its promise of providing “acoustical liberation of books in the public domain.”

That “public domain” thing is the catch, but also a strength. Instead of endless copies of Stephanie Meyer’s Breaking Dawn, Flat Belly Diet, and other overhyped bestsellers, these are largely books that have (as my English teacher in high school would have put it) stood the test of time.

And—surprise—some of those English-class staples are actually enjoyable experiences! I just finished listening to Oliver Twist, and reveled in listening to Dickens’s meandering but devilishly clever prose.

One aspect of Librivox that took me aback at first is that different chapters may be read by different readers. So while it grates when a reader stumbles over words more common in the 19th century than our own, there are also unexpected pleasures to be had from listening to varied readers. I heard Dickens as interpreted by men and women in Southern American, New England American, South Asian, African, English, and Irish voices, and each lent its own appeal to the project.

If the air of a community reading attracts you, and you’re up for digging into titles you’ve heard about forever but haven’t read, log on and find out what’s in store for you. Here’s a tiny sample of the authors available:

• Jane Austen
• James Baldwin
• E.M. Forster
• HP Lovecraft
• Nietzsche
• Shakespeare
• Jules Verne
• Voltaire
• Kurt Vonnegut

And there are also books in French, Danish, German, Chinese ... even Esperanto.

Give it a listen.

MLB Preview American League Central

Chicago White Sox:

This team is like manager Ozzie Guillen—you never know exactly what you’ll get. It might win; it might blow up like a bad chemistry experiment.

Strengths: The rotation frontend of Mark Buerhle, John Danks, and Gavin Floyd isn’t spectacular, but it gets the job done. Bobby Jenks is among MLB’s elite closers. If Carlos Quentin is injury-free, he and the magnificent Jermaine Dye anchor a productive outfield. Catcher A. J. Pierzynski won’t win any congeniality awards, but he gets under opponents’ skins in ways that lead to wins.

Weaknesses: A backend rotation depending on Jose Contreas and Bartolo Colon is going to tax the bullpen. Centerfielder Brian Anderson needs to hit more, the Sox infield is a mess, and both Paul Konerko and Jim Thome look to be at the end of the string.

Cleveland Indians:

Some handicappers are picking the Indians to win this division. It wouldn’t surprise me.

Strengths: If Jake Westbrook is healthy, having him as a number three starter following Fausto Carmona and Cy Young winner Cliff Lee is pretty darn good. They have hopes for lefty Aaron Laffey as well. The Tribe has MLB’s best centerfielder in Grady Sizemore and the best catching tandem in baseball with Victor Martinez and Kelly Shoppach. Travis Hafner has pop at DH, as does shortstop Jhonny Peralto.

Weaknesses: If Westbrook can’t go, the starting staff is a shallow as the kiddies’ pool. Carl Pavano? Please! The Indians also think Kerry Wood is their closer. It would make a nice story, but don’t bet the farm on his arm. Who’s on third? Andy Marte is a bust and Mark DeRosa has been playing out of position. There are lingering and legitimate concerns that their lineup isn’t productive enough.

Detroit Tigers:

Last year’s biggest bust needs to improve fast or Jim Leyland will be the season’s first managerial casualty. He might want to keeps his bags packed. Just two years ago Jeremy Bonderman, Nate Robinson, Justin Verlander, and Mike Maroth were supposed to make the Tigers dominant for a decade. The latter is now gone and the other three went 20-41 last year.

Strengths: If last year’s thirteen wins wasn’t a fluke, the emergence of Armando Galarraga is a plus. Miguel Cabrera (1B) will knock the cover off the ball (and keep area restaurants in the black), Curtis Granderson is one of the best in centerfield, and Magglio Ordonez is a thoroughbred. Placido Polanco (2B) and Brandon Inge (3B) are steady and underrated.

Weaknesses: The pitching is as a suspect as a hit-man in a jailhouse lineup. Edwin Jackson will help, but he’s not the savior. Dontrelle Willis looks to be a fraud and if the Tigers think Brandon Lyon is the answer to their closer woes they’re deluded. The Tigers are also stuck with clubhouse poison Gary Sheffield, who never was worth the trouble and is now a past-his-prime jerk.

Kansas City Royals:

This team has been rebuilding longer than the National Cathedral. It’s hard to see KC as anything other than a feeder system for real MLB teams.

Strengths: Zack Greinke and Gil Meche make a nice 1-2 in the rotation, and Joakhim Soria emerged to save 42 games last year. Alex Gordon (3B) has the potential to be a great player.

Weaknesses: Quick—name an everyday player who isn’t Alex Gordon. Okay, Mike Jacobs (1B) slammed 32 homers last year; he also hit .247. Jose Guillen is a decent player and Mark Teahen might be one, but when your big offseason acquisition is the vastly overrated Coco Crisp …. And the Royals think that Kyle Farnsworth will stabilize their bullpen! LOL.

Minnesota Twins:

Their pitching made them an early favorite, but Boof Bonser is now out for the season and Francisco Liriano’s health is always worrisome. Ditto new third baseman Joe Crede.

Strengths: In theory, the Twins starting staff—Liriano, Scott Baker, Nick Blackburn, Kevin Slowey, and Glenn Perkins—is among the deepest in baseball (though they need to be more consistent for this to pay full dividends), and Joe Nathan is an elite closer. Catcher Joe Mauer? Make a list of superlatives; they all apply. Justin Morneau (1B) is a beast, Nick Punto (SS) is a quiet leader, and young outfielders Carlos Gomez, Denard Span, and Delmon Young are maturing.

Weaknesses: Second and third are question marks. Parsimonious ownership means there’s no fat on this roster; a key injury or two could send the Twins into freefall. And it’s hard to root for this team as long as they’re in that god-awful dome.

Predictions:

1. Twins—For their pitching depth and youth.
2. Indians—They seem a piece or two short of completing the puzzle.
3. White Sox—Watch Ozzie explode.
4. Tigers—Say goodbye, Jim Leyland.
5. Royals—Hope you enjoyed last year’s respite from the cellar.

Just Say No to Bad Irish Music

Run Away!!!!!

In an earlier post (“In the Spirit of the Bothies”—Celtic Corner) we suggested some wonderful Irish music for St. Patrick’s Day. Here’s a short list of what to avoid. It’s not a comprehensive list, so first a few general rules:

--If the music has been featured on PBS, there’s a high probability that it’s toxic and should be avoided.
--If the CD package looks like everyone on it has been airbrushed, put it back and wash your hands.
--If there is a full orchestra with more strings that an alley full of cats, there’s a high likelihood of excess.
--If one or more of the musicians looks cheesy enough to sprout mold, look elsewhere.
--Don’t even consider anything that has one or more of the following things on the cover: rainbows, leprechauns, four-leaf clovers, little girls in short skirts and fake boing-boing curls ….
--Anything that purports to tell “the Irish story” is a load of sentimental hooey from someone of third or fourth-generation Irish ancestry who has never actually been to Ireland.
--No actual Irish person sings “Danny Boy.”
--If there’s anybody on the cover whose last name is not Clancy and they’re wearing a white cable-knit sweater, move away from the CD rack.

By all means avoid these:

1. Lord of the Dance—"Riverdance" was pretty excessive, but can be forgiven as the first in its genre, but this production is a testament to Michael Flatley’s ego. Sheesh, the namesake song is from the Shakers, for heaven’s sake!

2. The High Kings—Ireland’s indigenous attempt to cash in on "Riverdance." The performers are talented, but the production is naff, and the material is a grab bag of tired old chestnuts.

3. Celtic Thunder—A blend of the Backstreet Boys and guys old enough to be their dads singing every sentimental song in the book, plus crap such as “Puppy Love,” a song that comes from that old American spaniel Paul Anka, not an Irish setter.

4. Celtic Tiger—Just when you thought Michael Flatley couldn’t get any more over the top he proved he could.

5. Celtic Woman—Oh dear! What if we collected a handful of pop tarts and told them to sing a few old songs with as much excess as they could muster? Well, that’s what happened.

6. Black 47—A lot of people like this band and they can knock out of the walls of your favorite watering hole, but anyone who glorifies the IRA from the comfort of New York City offends us.

7. Three Irish Tenors—See notes on PBS above. Whenever classically trained musicians try their hand at traditional music they generally boil it to blandness.

8. Celtic metal music—Actually, some of this isn’t bad, but there’s very little that’s “Irish” about it. Metal music is pretty much a North American phenomenon and when it migrates it usually doesn’t travel well.

9. Enya after 1989 and anyone else trying to sound like her. Enya’s early Celtic/New Age explorations were ethereal and magical; after 1989’s Watermark it’s all been recycling. This is pretty much true of all Celtic New Age with the exception of Loreena McKennitt.

10. The Corrs—Okay, you can have a little bit of The Corrs, but be forewarned: too many sweets ruin your teeth.

MLB Preview American League East

Baltimore Orioles:

For a team with a proud tradition and the best ballpark in America, it’s shocking to see the Orioles in such a sorry state. It will get worse before it gets better.

Strengths: An outfield of Nick Markakis, Adam Jones, and either Luke Scott or Felix Pie isn’t bad. Rich Hill will help the pitching staff and George Sherrill can be a premier closer if he gets enough chances. Melvin Mora (3B) has a good bat and Brian Roberts is solid at second, though he’s not the superstar he’s advertised to be.

Weaknesses: Just about everything else. Gregg Zaun as the everyday catcher? A pitching staff with just one pitcher who won ten games or had an ERA of under five (Jeremy Guthrie)? Cesar Izturis as the starting shortstop? Not enough in MLB’s toughest division.

Boston Red Sox:

The Sox are gambling that Takashi Saito can pitch in the AL, that John Smoltz has gas left in the tank, that Tim Wakefield is ageless, that Rocco Baldelli and Mike Lowell are physically fit, that Jacoby Ellsbury and Hideki Okajima weren’t just flashes in the pan, that J. D. Drew will justify his contract, that Brad Penny isn’t a bum, and that somebody can catch a knuckleball.

Strengths: Who wouldn’t want a staff that includes Josh Beckett, John Lester, Wakefield, and closer Jonathan Papelbon? Kevin Youkilis is the best pure hitter since Wade Boggs, Dustin Pedroia is the reigning MVP, and David Ortiz remains a dangerous hitter.

Weaknesses: The catching is weak and they should have moved on from Jason Varitek. Yes, Penny is a bum and no, J. D. Drew never will be special. Why they ever wanted Julio Lugo (SS) is a mystery, but his competition, Jed Lowrie, lacks range and ought to play third. Dice-K luckier than good last year. He can’t count on a repeat. This team is simultaneously deep and fragile. It could win it all, or finish third.

New York Yankees:

If the Yankees stay healthy—a big if on a team with rehabbing players (Hideki Matsui, Jorge Posada, Chien-Ming Wang, Mo Rivera), aging stars (Johnny Damon, Andy Pettite), and fragile arms (A. J. Burnett, Joba Chamberlain)—the new Yankee Stadium will be baptized with banner number 27.

Strengths: With Sabathia on board the Yankees pitching looks formidable. Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy are just about ready if a starter goes down. Don’t be surprised if Mark Melanchon emerges as Rivera’s heir apparent, and Phil Coke adds lefty depth. The infield—Teixeira, Cano, Jeter and A-Rod—is the best in baseball.

Weaknesses: The defense is weak and the outfield is so unimpressive that another personnel move is likely. If A-Rod continues to self-destruct, the Yankees may bite a big financial bullet and try to move him.

Tampa Bay Rays:

They may be the reigning AL champs, but I think they overachieved last year and will tumble in ’09.

Strengths: Pitching is the key to the Rays. Unless the young arms burn out—as happened to the Tigers’ staff—Scott Kazmir, James Shields, Matt Garza, and Andy Sonnanstine is pretty darn good, and Dave Price looks to be a stud. Evan Longoria has emerged as a star at third, and pitchers do not want B. J. Upton or Carl Crawford on the base path. Everybody on the team fields well.

Weaknesses: It’s hard to imagine that all of the pitchers will repeat their 2008 performances, and Kazmir doesn’t have the makeup of an ace. The Rays lineup is solid, but not imposing. Carlos Pena (1B) hits for power, but little else and Pat Burrell struggled to hit .250 in a loaded Phillies lineup against inferior NL pitching. Troy Percival’s days as a top closer are long past. If anything happens to Navarro, catching will be a problem.

Toronto Blue Jays:

Poor Toronto—just a few pieces short two years ago, then the economy soured, Burnett bolted, Vernon Wells got hurt, and Scott Rolen is seldom 100%. It could be a long year.

Strengths: Roy Halladay—the best right-hander in baseball. Alex Rios is on the cusp of stardom and, if healthy, B. J. Ryan will close out the game.

Weaknesses: After Halladay it’s a big falloff to Jesse Litsch. What’s it tell you when a team is looking at adding Matt Clement to its rotation? The everyday lineup features names such as Scutaro, Hill, Snider, and Barajas, so don’t expect Lexus performances on a Corolla budget.

Predictions:

1. Yankees—Simply too strong to be denied.
2. Red Sox—It’s unlikely all the stars will align, but enough for a Wild Card.
3. Rays—The year in which reality descends.
4. Orioles—Will slug their way out of the basement.
5. Jays—Will give up a lot of runs and won’t score many.

Pristine Beauty from Debra Cowan

DEBRA COWAN
Fond Desire Farewell
Falling Mountain Music 1054

This gorgeous album is reminiscent of mature projects from the likes of Judy Collins, Anne Hills, or Sandy Denny. Cowan covers songs ranging from bluegrass icon Ralph Stanley (“The Darkest Hour’) to Nic Jones (“Ruins by the Shore”) and Richard Thompson (“Jealous Words”).This well-crafted album balances sparse and melancholic arrangements—including superior renditions of “The Night Owl Homeward Turns” and “The Snow is on the Ground”—with unique mash-ups. Cowan describes her cover of Ray Davies’ “Alcohol” a blend of klezmer, honky tonk, and Kurt Weill. Toss in some Spike Jones and that’s about right. The gypsy café/jazz/folk cross of “Lili Marlene Walks Away” is another genre-puzzler, and producer Dave Mattacks (Fairport Convention) has his fingerprints all over the folk rock “The Rainbow.” At the center of everything is Cowan’s pristine voice, the loveliest flower in a verdant meadow.

Bobby Jindal Not Ready for Primetime

DOH!!!


It didn’t break my heart to see Bobby Jindal go from a charging GOP elephant to an ass that even wimpy Democrats would have sent to the knackers; I despise the entire culture of greed and tax-breaks for the rich he represents. But his criticism of President Obama’s stimulus package was such an embarrassment that one wonders why Republicans see him as hope for 2012. He’s clearly not ready for primetime. Who would want the country in the hands of such an immature bumbler?

The GOP confuses the package with its contents. Jindal’s “response” to the stimulus plan—"we don’t want it"—was little more than a schoolboy’s playground tantrum—a political version of “I don’t like kickball so I’m going to sit here and pout.” His alternative? Other than the tried (and failed) GOP cliché of calling for more tax breaks for business and the wealthy, he doesn’t have one.

Jindal may yet prove himself worthy of the national stage, but that time is not now. At present he’s just a male version of Sarah Palin, an empty suit with what the GOP sees as the correct demographics—a person of color who isn’t African American (gotta surreptitiously shore up the suburban bigot base), a “business” background (based on just a few years as a consultant), a Southerner, a Christian convert, and photogenic. But his rising star credentials are bogus. He's only governor of Louisiana by default. He replaced Democrat Kathleen Blanco, who bumbled the post-Katrina cleanup and was so unpopular that she chose not to run for reelection rather than face electoral humiliation. Jindal won a four-way race against three unknowns, hardly an accomplishment that makes him presidential timber.

When even David Brooks judges Jindal’s performance “insane,” it’s time for reasonable Republicans—assuming they can muster a quorum—to find a better mouthpiece and let little Bobby grow up a bit.

MLB Preview: National League West

Arizona Diamondbacks

In a weak division that can probably be won with 85 victories, the D-backs have the pitching to get there. Whether they can score enough runs is another matter.

Strengths: Brandon Webb is one of the best pitchers in baseball and, if his shoulder is okay, Max Scherzer might turn out to be his equal. Adding Jon Garland to a mix that also includes the talented Dan Haren gives the D-backs a strong rotation. If Doug Davis bounces back this team could lead the league in ERA.

Weaknesses: And they’ll need to. When your third highest batting average is .248 (Chris Young) and your highest RBI total is 97 (Mark Reynolds), opposing pitchers walk out feeling like, well, Brandon Webb. Conor Jackson had a decent year in 2008, but not a great one. He, Stephen Drew, Eric Brynes, Chad Tracy, and others need to elevate their game or a lot of fine pitching will go to waste.

Colorado Rockies:

Losing lefty Jeff Francis is a big blow and trading Matt Holiday will hurt even more. There’s enough talent on this squad to surprise, but last place isn’t out of the question either.

Strengths: The Rockies offense can be pesky. Troy Tulowitzki (SS) is an igniter and Ryan Spilborghs (OF) has similar moments. Once guys are on base, Garrett Atkins (3B), Brad Hawpe (OF), and Todd Helton (1B) can plate them. Aaron Cooks manages to pitch as well in Corrs as on the road. If Ubaldo Jimenez has a better year, the Rox staff can get to Huston Street, he’s the division’s best closer.

Weaknesses: The staff has potential, but a lot of guys had bad years in 2008. Several teams sought catcher Yorvit Torrealba, for reasons that escape me. Helton’s health is a concern, and the middle relief is so-so. When you play half your game in Corrs Field so-so doesn’t get the job done.

Los Angeles Dodgers:

At this writing still no Manny. That may matter less than no Derek Lowe.

Strengths: The Dodgers are quietly putting together a very nice outfield with Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp, though neither has yet lived up to their billing. If Manny Ramirez arrives both will improve; without is a question mark. Signing Orlando Hudson (2b) was wise. With Casey Blake (3B) returning and Russell Martin emerging as a premier catcher, the Dodgers offense is solid.

Weaknesses: Solid is not a word I’d use to describe their pitching. Chad Billingsley is their “ace” and he’s a three-guy at best. Their number two, Hiroki Kuroda, has back-of-the-rotation talent, and Randy Wolf won’t be the answer.

San Diego Padres:

His name keeps surfacing in trade rumors, but the Padres should build around Jake Peavy. There’s really no other reason to watch this club.

Strengths: Peavy, homers from Adrian Gonzalez (1B), flashes of brilliance from Kevin Kouzmanoff (3B), pitcher Chris Young’s potential, and that’s about it.

Weaknesses: Brian Giles is on the decline, the starting catcher (Henry Blanco) will be 38 this summer, and not a single member of the staff other than Peavy threw 160 innings. Ouch!

San Francisco Giants:

With luck this could be the team to break from the pack. If only they can score….

Strengths: The pitching staff could be awesome. It’s anchored by reigning Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum. If Matt Cain improves, Noah Lowry recovers from arm trouble, and Barry Zito finds his brain, the Giants staff could be lights out.

Weaknesses: The Giants offense redefines the word anemic. When a 35-year-old catcher (Bengie Molina) leads the club with 16 homers and his 95 RBIs are 25% better than the next guy on the list (Aaron Rowland), it makes you wonder why they wasted money on over-the-hill Randy Johnson instead of striking a deal with Manny Ramirez.

Predictions:

This is the worst division in MLB, so any prediction is a crap shoot, but here goes:

1. Diamondbacks—Strictly on the basis of proven (as opposed to potential) pitching
2. Giants—They won’t score runs, but neither will opponents.
3. Rockies—Could move up if they stay healthy.
4. Dodgers—Even if they sign Manny, he doesn’t pitch.
5. Padres—Subtract Peavy and this squad looks really ugly.