2015.04.02 Great Thursday



that is one strangely happy shackled sheep. also I don't trust that donkey for some reason...

5 Players: G, W, J, Si, M
Game: Caverna

snapshot of game in progress

Location: W
Choice: M

 


Game One:

After 10 of a possible 12 rounds: Si(38pts), J(30pts), G(29pts), W(13pts) & M(-1pts)

 

Final Tally:
The game was considered a "learning game" as a number of players were unfamiliar with the game play and the available strategies. We were unable to finish before midnight so the game was called after the tenth round. Si was declared the victor of this week's session.
 

Notes:

• The game was very enjoyable but the complexity and number of possible actions was overwhelming at first.
• Who's Next was released in 1971 - points to M for getting the year correct
• "Ruby" was mentioned (I don't remember why) which caused each of us to think of a song with that name in the refrain. Each of us thought of a different song:



Ruby Thursday

1. Ruby "Thursday" is the song that occurred to J. Si was able to correct J and let all of us know that the song is actually called Ruby Tuesday by a little known English band called the Rolling Stones. Thanks Si! Most readers will remember the Marvel comics character Ruby Thursday who was actually named after the Stones song. J's confusion is understandable.
2. Ruby Soho from Rancid is the song that came to W's mind. W was surprised that nobody else was as familiar with this song;
3. Ruby Baby by Donald Fagan is the song that Si thought of;
4. Ruby Don't Take Your Love to Town by Kenny Rogers and the 1st Edition for M; and
5. Ruby Love by Cat Stevens for G.
• Also for some reason, here is the dink song from Spaceballs which was discussed.

Gaming Weekend at the Cottage (April 24-26) :

• Si suggested that we start an email discussion with a table or a list of every meal. Attendees can then sign up for specific meals. In this scenario, two volunteers people per meal would be responsible for purchasing, preparation and clean up of that meal.
• All weekend costs will be shared after a final accounting so save your receipts or at least keep track of any expenditures.

Father's Day Camping Weekend (June 19-21):

• G has booked campsite #181 at Rideau River provincial park for the weekend. There is room for three tents per campsite:
1. G and St in one tent
2. D and Ash in another (not part of ESBS but good people)
3. W will bring little Si and Q 
• The adjacent campsite (#179) is still available for booking if more father's want to join in.
1. J to check with Tar dates but may join us with Je & H. 
2. Si to check with Tan but may join us with F & Sa

Music Features:




Richard Thompson in his younger days

Shakey Graves

We continued our spotlight on artists booked for the 2015 Ottawa Bluesfest and Jazzfest. We listened to the album And the War Came by Shakey Graves who will be performing at Bluesfest. W found Shakey to be too shaky to be enjoyable. Other listeners could only muster an unenthusiastic "eh" when asked for an opinion but did offer that the first couple songs were enjoyable if unoriginal.


a tough looking bunch

Next we heard the album The Stix from Norway's Jaga Jazzist who will be coming to town as part of the 2015 Ottawa Jazzfest. The jazz-meets-electronics band was enjoyed by most listeners (including W and J). M prefers songs with singing and wasn't that into the experimental jazz.

This was followed by a series of Richard Thompson songs hand-picked by G which included some of his earlier Fairport Convention work as well as more contemporary works. This was immensely enjoyed by G and Si. All else merely endured the playlist. RT will, of course, be headlining at this year's Bluesfest.

The final artist in the spotlight this week was Melt Yourself Down, an intense afro-jazz-punk sextet. They too will be performing as part of Jazzfest this year. The fusion of many genres didn't please all listeners but most did fund the song Tuna, with its' fusion of ska and jazz, very enjoyable.

We closed the place down with some  acoustic songs from Hurray for the Riff Raff, a band that performed at last year's Ottawa Folkfest.



Play me a rock and roll song, don't play me songs about freedom and joy