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THERE IS NO FUCKING GOD!

Sometimes you wanna go.....

According to internet reports, The Brooklyn Inn, also known as The Greatest Bar in the World, may soon be closing to make way for, wait for it, an upscale bistro.

Now, let's all hope together that these rumors turn out to be false.  We'd like nothing more.  Sadly, the disgusted feelings in the pits of our stomachs lead us to believe that this is for real.

The Brooklyn Inn, at the corner of Hoyt and Bergen streets in Beorum Hill, Brooklyn, NY is truly the epitome of a great neighborhood bar.  The Inn is unpretentious, comfortable, staffed with friendly people and populated by a wide variety of interesting local booze hounds.  Add to that the gorgeous ambiance of the historic building, the astoundingly excellent jukebox and the excellently chosen selection of libations, and you're talking about a world class watering hole.

A personal reflection from SBAS field Correspondent, Judge Nickels:

The Inn was my daily refuge during my short time living and working in NYC.  The intense nature of the city was often hard on my genteel, southern sensibilities, and the Brooklyn Inn never failed to take me in, pat me on the back and and tell me everything was going to be all right. 

It's hard to explain, but sitting inside of that bar, alone or with friends, drinking a beer, a scotch, or sometimes both, just made me happy.  Really, really happy.  I can't say it any better than that.

Don't take our word for it.  Don't take the Judge's.  If you are able to get to the corner of Bergen and Hoyt anytime soon, fucking do it now.  Take this opportunity to enjoy drinking in a place perfectly suited for that activity.  Soon enough it'll go from the perfect place to enjoy an ice cold Stella with friends, old or new, to just another annoying place to choke down a mediocre, overpriced lobster bisque.

UPDATE: It appears the owners of the building are taking over management of the Brooklyn Inn, and will continue to operate it as a bar, at least in the near term.  Sadly, the changeover seems to have precipitated the leaving of several long time barkeeps.  The staff of the Inn were certainly a key component to the magic of the place.

The Judge will be in NYC on biz in the fall, and will update us first hand as to what six months under new management has done to the place.  Hopefully some of the intangibles that made it such a perfect bar will remain intact.

It's Good.

all your face are belong to me.

Jeff Tweedy played the first of two sold out nights at UT's gorgeous and beautiful sounding Hogg Auditorium last night, and it was fantastic.

The man has got the hits to play for you, the chops and voice to play them with, and the wit and stage presence to really send the whole thing over the top.

It was obvious it would be an excellent evening when the 2nd song he played was the unbearably gorgeous 'She's a Jar'.  Closing (at the end of the 2nd encore, thank you) with the Tupe classic 'Acuff-Rose' just put the frosting on the cake.

Jeff Leppard, indeed.

The San Benito All Stars heartily recommend seeing a solo Tweedy show if the chance ever presents itself.  At the very least, have a go at his 'Sunken Treasure' live solo DVD.

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Carl Radle Bonus Features...

Dig this vintage footage of Delaney & Bonnie & Friends, featuring Eric Clapton, George Harrison and the backing band that would become Derek & the Dominos, including, of course, your main man, Carl Radle ,on bass.

Despite the fact that they all seem to be high as kites, these folks are absolutely cooking with gas.  You just don't see heat like this from the rock combos of today.

Mark it 8, Dude...

And the Winner is.....

High?  Who's high?  Fuck off.

Quiz #9 has not been won.  You people have let us down again.  We'll admit this one was tough, but we thought at least Alex had a chance at it. 

You can see the mystery musician, bassist Carl Radle, in the photo above with his band mates in Derek and the Dominos.

Carl is considered one of the greatest bass players of the 60s and 70s.  His deep, understated style was always money, money money.

A small sampling of his discography:

Derek & The Dominos   ▪    Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs   ▪    1970
Dr. John ▪ Sun, Moon and Herbs ▪ 1970
George Harrison ▪ All Things Must Pass ▪ 1970
J. J. Cale ▪ Naturally ▪ 1970
Joe Cocker ▪ Mad Dogs & Englishmen (Original Soundtrack) ▪ 1970
Buddy Guy ▪ Buddy Guy & Junior Wells Play the Blues ▪ 1971
Delaney & Bonnie ▪ Motel Shot ▪ 1971
George Harrison ▪ Concert for Bangladesh ▪ 1971
Freddie King ▪ Woman Across the River ▪ 1973
Eric Clapton ▪  461 Ocean Boulevard ▪ 1974
Freddie King ▪ Burglar ▪ 1974

In honor of this amazing and obscure musician, we bring you this quote from another amazing and somewhat obscure musician.

When it came to rock & roll, Carl was my teacher.  He was a very smart guy and he taught me what to listen to and how to be true to the music.

- Jim Keltner

Jim Keltner is one of the greatest rock drummers of all time.  Consider this a legendary sideman twofer.

Info and pictures from carlradle.com

Quiz 9 proves a stumper...

what did YOUR hair look like in the 70s?

Since it's been a couple days without a guess, we figure it's time for a hint.  In the photo above, you can see the mystery musician's instrument of choice.

If you have a classic rock collection with any depth to it at all, you have records this dude has played on.

For your consideration...

ladies and gentlemen, Matt Pike...

...the brilliant lyrics to the incredible song 'Razorhoof' from the stupendous album 'Surrounded by Thieves' by the phenomenal band, High on Fire:

Razor hoof coming down
Coming down, coming down
Antlers sharp, sharp to kill

Trampler unseen
Fearless wolf, bring it on
Bring it down, bring it down

Weeks without
Kills for blood
Corpse wolf, now raised

Razor hoof coming down
Coming down, coming down
Antlers sharp, sharp to kill

Trampler unseen
Fearless wolf, bring it on
Bring it down, bring it down

Weeks without
Kills for blood
Corpse wolf, now raised

San Benito All Stars Quiz #9

what, me worry?

9th time's the charm.  Identify the amazingly talented musician above, and win a fab prize.

Travis Hartnett not eligible.

JB

How the other half lives

hooray!  My feets have robo dookie!

In an attempt at 'fair and balanced' coverage of the sneaker scene, we, The San Benito All Stars, would like to bring your attention to the above smoking turd.

The performance basketball area of the sneaker industry is rife with ass ugly shoes, and thus we've never spent much time covering it. 

We'd even go out on a limb and say there hasn't been a decent looking Air Jordan since the Air Jordan III in 1988.

The Lebron James IV seen above, however, takes ugly to a new level.  We imagine a giant ill-tempered robot pooping these things out onto a conveyor belt while steady eating blood sausage and smoking dead marmots rolled in old newspaper.  Fresh!

pic from Kick-Fiend.com

'Vans' by The Pack

We think it's high time our favorite brand of sneaker got some love from the streets.