Post by Pete on Oct 10, 2007 19:12:49 GMT 10
Being both a Football and guitar playing tragic there are at times, comparisons that could be made between the music world and Football.
Take, for example, the song 'Baker Street' by Gerry Rafferty.
This song was released in the 1970's and became an instant classic.
Many reviewers and industry critics raved about the soaring saxophone that was dominant throughout the song.
However, many a purist -and particularly guitar playing ones - took careful note of the singing squealing sound of the Fender Stratocaster sizzling away on it's lead break.
This lead break became a watershed moment within the music industry for the Fender marque of guitars.
Following the loss of Jimi Hendrix to the world at the close of the 1960s, Fender guitars had been pushed aside as the axe of choice by many pro musos as the amplifiers became louder and the need for less noisier, squealing guitars came to the fore.
Many went over to Gibson guitars and some even tinkered with the idea of low impedance, pre-amped guitars that had total control. Smooth, no noise, plenty of flare but little heart and passion required to get the sound you need.
For those who do not play guitars, a Fender Stratocaster is best described as an unbridled beast when played loud, easily prone to squealing, feedback and interference from even neon lights! You learn to play guitar THEN you learn to play a Strat.
The solo in Gerry Rafferty's song reminded everyone though, that while the Strat is uncultured and less flarey, it can positively sing to the stars under the control of a master player.
And so it is that I find myself comparing this success to the success being enjoyed by the Mariners.
Everyone this season has been raving about the call to arms by Messrs. Foster, Slater and Murray to 'get a Brazilian' -as much akin to the reviewers all falling for the obvious saxophone in 'Baker Street'.
What many in the Football fraternity has overlooked is the masterful work being done by the Mariners, and being noticed by the purists amongst us, in doing what seems to be out of favour at the moment with the A-League Clubs. And that is developing a formidable TEAM and building a squad of consistent ability throughout.
A much harder task than simply buying the talent and hoping for the best, and something akin to what Mr. Rafferty did in the 70's by asking a guitarist to play the Strat unflavoured and at full bore.
To the Mariners, a call to 'get a brazilian' is met by players, management and fans alike with an initial blank stare and then a wry smile as if someone had mentioned a feminine depilatory procedure.
The call by Australian sports media for Football clubs to get a Brazilian is nothing more than shaving the head off Australian Football up and comers (pun intended). For every place a South American takes up in an A-League club, there is one less spot available for the future of Football in this country to start their rise to the top level.
No doubt the austere firm of Foster, Slater and Murray will conduct their own audit following the season's close about the influence and sway the Brazilian players have impacted upon Football.
To me, however, my greatest memory will be that of one fat and unfit Mario Jardel being shown how old he is by one Nigel Boogaard on the night of Sunday last.
In fact, the fastest I saw old Mario run that night was when he appeared to have been deluded in his stupor and ran deliriously at the large MasterFoods Tomato Sauce bottle, located at the end of the pitch. It is the only reason I can offer for being caught offside as he mostly was walking with the backline throughout his short tenure on the field.
Who needs to samba when there is the breakdancing of Nigel, Tommy and Kwassi to dance to?
And this is proven by the results. Top of the League after the first third of the competition. Rarely a match lost, rarely a goal conceded.
If you love Football, do yourself a favour and go watch the Mariners. THEN learn to talk about Football.
Take, for example, the song 'Baker Street' by Gerry Rafferty.
This song was released in the 1970's and became an instant classic.
Many reviewers and industry critics raved about the soaring saxophone that was dominant throughout the song.
However, many a purist -and particularly guitar playing ones - took careful note of the singing squealing sound of the Fender Stratocaster sizzling away on it's lead break.
This lead break became a watershed moment within the music industry for the Fender marque of guitars.
Following the loss of Jimi Hendrix to the world at the close of the 1960s, Fender guitars had been pushed aside as the axe of choice by many pro musos as the amplifiers became louder and the need for less noisier, squealing guitars came to the fore.
Many went over to Gibson guitars and some even tinkered with the idea of low impedance, pre-amped guitars that had total control. Smooth, no noise, plenty of flare but little heart and passion required to get the sound you need.
For those who do not play guitars, a Fender Stratocaster is best described as an unbridled beast when played loud, easily prone to squealing, feedback and interference from even neon lights! You learn to play guitar THEN you learn to play a Strat.
The solo in Gerry Rafferty's song reminded everyone though, that while the Strat is uncultured and less flarey, it can positively sing to the stars under the control of a master player.
And so it is that I find myself comparing this success to the success being enjoyed by the Mariners.
Everyone this season has been raving about the call to arms by Messrs. Foster, Slater and Murray to 'get a Brazilian' -as much akin to the reviewers all falling for the obvious saxophone in 'Baker Street'.
What many in the Football fraternity has overlooked is the masterful work being done by the Mariners, and being noticed by the purists amongst us, in doing what seems to be out of favour at the moment with the A-League Clubs. And that is developing a formidable TEAM and building a squad of consistent ability throughout.
A much harder task than simply buying the talent and hoping for the best, and something akin to what Mr. Rafferty did in the 70's by asking a guitarist to play the Strat unflavoured and at full bore.
To the Mariners, a call to 'get a brazilian' is met by players, management and fans alike with an initial blank stare and then a wry smile as if someone had mentioned a feminine depilatory procedure.
The call by Australian sports media for Football clubs to get a Brazilian is nothing more than shaving the head off Australian Football up and comers (pun intended). For every place a South American takes up in an A-League club, there is one less spot available for the future of Football in this country to start their rise to the top level.
No doubt the austere firm of Foster, Slater and Murray will conduct their own audit following the season's close about the influence and sway the Brazilian players have impacted upon Football.
To me, however, my greatest memory will be that of one fat and unfit Mario Jardel being shown how old he is by one Nigel Boogaard on the night of Sunday last.
In fact, the fastest I saw old Mario run that night was when he appeared to have been deluded in his stupor and ran deliriously at the large MasterFoods Tomato Sauce bottle, located at the end of the pitch. It is the only reason I can offer for being caught offside as he mostly was walking with the backline throughout his short tenure on the field.
Who needs to samba when there is the breakdancing of Nigel, Tommy and Kwassi to dance to?
And this is proven by the results. Top of the League after the first third of the competition. Rarely a match lost, rarely a goal conceded.
If you love Football, do yourself a favour and go watch the Mariners. THEN learn to talk about Football.
