Tell My Rival That I'm Here

Roberto Roena and his orchestra were not Noman's favorite Salseros, but they were good.  These guys look like they're having fun, sort of the way the Pips did behind Gladys Knight.  And, Noman hopes you enjoy watching their performance as much as he does.  It's a silly song, like many if not most: "Tell my rival that I'm here, because I don't want him to say later that I threw a Rumba and didn't invite him."  (If you've got a better translation, feel free to comment.)  Try the Tito Rodriguez version if this song is to your liking.

What Philosophy Hath Wrought

It's a serious topic.  Not that Noman intends to get serious about it, unless you're serious about good music.  Noman, Nowife and a number of Nochildren attended a Scythian concert in Ann Arbor last night, a quartet going on quintet, which styles itself as an immigrant road show playing Celtic with an edge.  The immigrant identification refers to parentage: in the case of brothers Alex (in the middle) and Danny (on the right), Ukranian; in the case of Joe (on the left), Austrian.  But, it's their fathers' professions that Noman calls attention to.  The three Dionysian revelers pictured above sprang forth from the loins of ... philosophers: in Alex and Danny's case, Dr. Damien Fedoryka, former President of Christendom College; in Joe's case, Dr. John Crosby of the Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio.  (Both are adherents to the Realist Phenomenology school of philosophy, and studied under Dietrich von Hildebrand, which must have something to do with it.) That is not to slight the indispensable contributions of Irene Fedoryka and Pia Crosby to the band.  It's simply to honor that venerable, original science, and especially philosophers from whom Noman has learned.  He and Nowife had the privilege of studying under Dr. Crosby when he taught at the International Academy of Philosophy in Liechtenstein; he directed Nowife's master's thesis (On Time and Eternity in the Writings of Edith Stein).  And, it has been Noman and Nowife's pleasure to know Damien and Irene (recently passed away) in Ann Arbor, as well as one of Alex and Danny's sisters, Kateryna, at the Academy.  It's a small world, especially in Catholic circles.

Scythian is a dynamic, gifted and family friendly group, as evidenced by the three generations of attendee in the packed house.  As you know from Noman's bio, he doesn't party much.  But, Scythian's periodic visits to A2 are an exception to the rule.  Noman hasn't enjoyed the fiddle so much since Papa John Creach was laying it down for Hot Tuna, The Jefferson Airplane and others.  And, Alex is better than Papa John was; so is Joe.  Compare for yourself.

Noman would love to hear Scythian adapt some of Papa John's music--he could rock the joint--and thinks they could do it, and him, more than justice.  Regardless, Noman and his Nofamily will likely be in attendance the next time they come to town.  An itinerary is appended in the event you like good music and are looking for some good, clean, healthy fun.

Scythian's Upcoming Gigs

To KG & Meg

Noman doesn't know KG & Meg.  And he doubts that the nearly 200,000 viewers of their video do either.  But, he loves what they did with one of his favorite songs.  May their marriage last, be happy, and produce many children with lively senses of humor.

Music Time

Few could lay down a haunting melody like Cat Stevens (now Yusuf Islam).  Here is a clip of him in his hippie minstrel period.  Noman finds it compelling, and hopes you enjoy it.  Yes, the early '70s were like that, at their best.

Me Voy Pa' Moron

As Noman slogs through the dismal science with Thomas Sowell (and others), he seeks a periodic lift from music that gives wing to the soul (on this side of eternity).  He doesn't know what does it for the reader.  But, Cuban music does it for him.

Me Voy Pa' Moron was covered by the Fania All Stars--a traveling super group of Salsa musicians in the 60's and 70's--led by legendary lead singer, Hector Lavoe, "The Singer" (of Willie Colon Orchestra, and individual, fame).

If you'd like a lighter, more feathery ascent, try this one:

Doesn't this one make you want to slide onto the dance floor with your beloved for an exercise in fluidity?

Thank you Lord for giving Noman a Latin soul.