Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Mission Impossible?
Will Alan Shearer's second stint at Newcastle, albeit this time as a manager, end in triumph or despair? As things stand, relegation appears no longer to be a 'possibility' but a sure certainty, barring a miracle.
With just 4 games remaining, the Magpies can only hope that they go on and win them all and that either Hull or Sunderland would drop points. But to win games Newcastle needs to first score goals (ruling out the remote possibilty of winning through self goals scored by the opposition). The question is where will the goals come from? Both Owen and Viduka seem to be well past their prime and look like a shadow of their former selves.
The chances of survival look bleak, and all that Newcaste can hope for is a strong dose of inspiration from their favorite son that would bolster the spirit in the team. There is a trite remark about how good players never make good managers, Newcastle can only pray that Shearer proves it wrong.
Labels: Alan Shearer, Newcastle
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Procol Harum
Not heard of Procol Harum? Jeez, I can't believe it!! Well at least you surely would have heard of the track 'A whiter shade of pale'? Well if you haven't then ...don't despair, join the club.
According to a recent chart complied by BBC Radio 2, the most played song in public places in the last 75 years is none other than the aforementioned track by Procol Harum. You read that right - '75 years', 'most played track', not a typo.
Well, I thought that I had a fairly good idea of the Western music scene (from 40's onwards) , but I guess its time to rethink what I think of my music knowledge. Yup, a confusing line....but I truly am confounded by this fact.
I did a little bit of snooping around on the net and found the following bits of trivia about Procol Harum:
- An asteroid is named after this group (asteroid 14024) and so is an Orchid.
- The Restaurant at the End of the Universe - the second book in the Hitchhikers Trilogy, was inspired by the song "Grand Hotel", from Procol Harum's album Grand Hotel.
Yup, they must have been big in their hay days in late 60's, but I guess just not big enough for everyone to know about 'em (or their tracks!).
Coming back to the BBC list, here's how other 'better known' groups fared:
1. Procol Harum - A Whiter Shade Of Pale
2. Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody
3. Everly Brothers - All I Have To Do Is Dream
4. Wet Wet Wet - Love Is All Around
5. Bryan Adams - (Everything I Do) I Do It For You
6. Robbie Williams - Angels
7. Elvis Presley - All Shook Up
8. Abba - Dancing Queen
9. Perry Como - Magic Moments
10. Bing Crosby - White Christmas
Surprisingly, the Beatles managed to get only as high as No.11 (for 'Hello Goodbye')!
