Vslyke
@vslyke.bsky.social
Music, sports*, TV, screaming into the void. Small piece of the BobServe team.
*Braves/Pittsburgh Pirates/White Sox/Penguins/Titans/Carolina Panthers/UGA
*Braves/Pittsburgh Pirates/White Sox/Penguins/Titans/Carolina Panthers/UGA
Pinned
Vslyke
@vslyke.bsky.social
· Dec 3
Album rating system, out of 5:
1: nothing worth hearing again
2: a small amount of the album is worth hearing again (<35%)
3: 35% to 60%
4: 60% to 80%
5: 80% and up
1: nothing worth hearing again
2: a small amount of the album is worth hearing again (<35%)
3: 35% to 60%
4: 60% to 80%
5: 80% and up
"The Great Chicago Concert" by Louis Armstrong is too long and drags too much, especially on disc 1, to be anything but a 2. That being said, diving into disc 2 reveals a much stronger core that partially justifies the lofty album title.
2/5
youtu.be/DuFlCsaSykI?...
2/5
youtu.be/DuFlCsaSykI?...
Clarinet Marmalade (Live)
YouTube video by Louis Armstrong - Topic
youtu.be
November 17, 2025 at 5:20 AM
"The Great Chicago Concert" by Louis Armstrong is too long and drags too much, especially on disc 1, to be anything but a 2. That being said, diving into disc 2 reveals a much stronger core that partially justifies the lofty album title.
2/5
youtu.be/DuFlCsaSykI?...
2/5
youtu.be/DuFlCsaSykI?...
"Have "Twangy" Guitar, Will Travel" marks the debut of Duane Eddy and is of course best remembered for "Rebel Rouser." However, several other instrumental tunes are worth checking out, although the often overbearing saxophone keeps this album from being a true classic.
3/5
youtu.be/yzvlPKozW-A?...
3/5
youtu.be/yzvlPKozW-A?...
Rebel Rouser
YouTube video by Duane Eddy - Topic
youtu.be
November 16, 2025 at 6:11 AM
"Have "Twangy" Guitar, Will Travel" marks the debut of Duane Eddy and is of course best remembered for "Rebel Rouser." However, several other instrumental tunes are worth checking out, although the often overbearing saxophone keeps this album from being a true classic.
3/5
youtu.be/yzvlPKozW-A?...
3/5
youtu.be/yzvlPKozW-A?...
1968's "No Way to Treat a Lady" is well shot and includes some outstanding shots on location in NYC. The story lets down the visuals however, devolving into a trite and Freudian game of cat and mouse that feels tired well before it reaches the end (at the fabulous Belasco Theatre).
6/10
6/10
November 15, 2025 at 5:46 AM
1968's "No Way to Treat a Lady" is well shot and includes some outstanding shots on location in NYC. The story lets down the visuals however, devolving into a trite and Freudian game of cat and mouse that feels tired well before it reaches the end (at the fabulous Belasco Theatre).
6/10
6/10
1956's "Ambassador Satch" by Louis Armstrong is likely the earliest live album (even if not entirely live) that I own, which makes it notable. However, the music itself is darn good too, as Louis and the band compiled a varied but cohesive batch of performances.
3/5
youtu.be/GChI0iB6RSw?...
3/5
youtu.be/GChI0iB6RSw?...
Dardanella (Live at Concertgebouw)
YouTube video by Louis Armstrong - Topic
youtu.be
November 14, 2025 at 11:24 PM
1956's "Ambassador Satch" by Louis Armstrong is likely the earliest live album (even if not entirely live) that I own, which makes it notable. However, the music itself is darn good too, as Louis and the band compiled a varied but cohesive batch of performances.
3/5
youtu.be/GChI0iB6RSw?...
3/5
youtu.be/GChI0iB6RSw?...
Reposted by Vslyke
New from me: I went deep on the way that generative AI and chatbots act as wormholes, pushing us deeper into our own minds. They threaten to compound the problems of algorithmic targeting that have festered unaddressed for years and years—what comes next may be even more alienating and isolating (🎁)
The Age of Anti-Social Media Is Here
The social-media era is over. What’s coming will be much worse.
www.theatlantic.com
November 5, 2025 at 4:12 PM
New from me: I went deep on the way that generative AI and chatbots act as wormholes, pushing us deeper into our own minds. They threaten to compound the problems of algorithmic targeting that have festered unaddressed for years and years—what comes next may be even more alienating and isolating (🎁)
Reposted by Vslyke
Importance: High
subj: An article for U (gift link)
i wrote ,,,,,, about jeff epstein. s emails.
www.theatlantic.com/technology/2...
subj: An article for U (gift link)
i wrote ,,,,,, about jeff epstein. s emails.
www.theatlantic.com/technology/2...
When QAnon Meets Veep
The dumb, abhorrent truth at the heart of the Epstein scandal
www.theatlantic.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:35 AM
Importance: High
subj: An article for U (gift link)
i wrote ,,,,,, about jeff epstein. s emails.
www.theatlantic.com/technology/2...
subj: An article for U (gift link)
i wrote ,,,,,, about jeff epstein. s emails.
www.theatlantic.com/technology/2...
"Satch Plays Fats" by Louis Armstrong benefits from strong material, including the protest song "Black and Blue." It also has a more prominent bottom end and Louis takes more of the vocals from Velma Middleton, all changes that put it ahead of "Plays W.C. Handy".
3/5
youtu.be/Kr4eYcD7Nmk?...
3/5
youtu.be/Kr4eYcD7Nmk?...
[What Did I Do To Be So] Black And Blue (Shorter Version)
YouTube video by Louis Armstrong - Topic
youtu.be
November 14, 2025 at 4:10 AM
"Satch Plays Fats" by Louis Armstrong benefits from strong material, including the protest song "Black and Blue." It also has a more prominent bottom end and Louis takes more of the vocals from Velma Middleton, all changes that put it ahead of "Plays W.C. Handy".
3/5
youtu.be/Kr4eYcD7Nmk?...
3/5
youtu.be/Kr4eYcD7Nmk?...
"Louis Armstrong Plays W.C. Handy" is more accurately described as fun than good. Louis and the band are having a great time but the songs are pretty uncompelling vaudeville-esque material and the performances largely do not lift the material.
2/5
youtu.be/ujRw34V62dE?...
2/5
youtu.be/ujRw34V62dE?...
Loveless Love
YouTube video by Louis Armstrong - Topic
youtu.be
November 13, 2025 at 6:36 AM
"Louis Armstrong Plays W.C. Handy" is more accurately described as fun than good. Louis and the band are having a great time but the songs are pretty uncompelling vaudeville-esque material and the performances largely do not lift the material.
2/5
youtu.be/ujRw34V62dE?...
2/5
youtu.be/ujRw34V62dE?...
2007's "Hot Fuzz" is a loving parody of the buddy cop genre that builds in lots of laughs and action. Remarkably, the film works as both parody and as a part of the genre. The casting is also exemplary, particularly Jim Broadbent and Timothy Dalton as a pair of the village's leading men.
8/10
8/10
November 13, 2025 at 5:57 AM
2007's "Hot Fuzz" is a loving parody of the buddy cop genre that builds in lots of laughs and action. Remarkably, the film works as both parody and as a part of the genre. The casting is also exemplary, particularly Jim Broadbent and Timothy Dalton as a pair of the village's leading men.
8/10
8/10
Reposted by Vslyke
3/ Gift article to NYT:
Epstein Alleged in Emails That Trump Knew of His Conduct
In a message obtained by Congress, the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein wrote that Donald J. Trump spent hours at his house with one of Mr. Epstein’s victims.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/12/u...
Epstein Alleged in Emails That Trump Knew of His Conduct
In a message obtained by Congress, the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein wrote that Donald J. Trump spent hours at his house with one of Mr. Epstein’s victims.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/12/u...
Epstein Alleged in Emails That Trump Knew of His Conduct
www.nytimes.com
November 12, 2025 at 2:02 PM
3/ Gift article to NYT:
Epstein Alleged in Emails That Trump Knew of His Conduct
In a message obtained by Congress, the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein wrote that Donald J. Trump spent hours at his house with one of Mr. Epstein’s victims.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/12/u...
Epstein Alleged in Emails That Trump Knew of His Conduct
In a message obtained by Congress, the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein wrote that Donald J. Trump spent hours at his house with one of Mr. Epstein’s victims.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/12/u...
Reposted by Vslyke
The Kremlin disguised a nearly $100 mn payment to Trump in the form of a brokered real estate deal... and both Jeffrey Epstein and William Pulte were involved in the deal. That's very interesting.
November 12, 2025 at 9:56 PM
The Kremlin disguised a nearly $100 mn payment to Trump in the form of a brokered real estate deal... and both Jeffrey Epstein and William Pulte were involved in the deal. That's very interesting.
1987's "Hollywood Shuffle" is a funny and sharp satire of the Black experience in Hollywood. The film tries a bit too hard to be everything to everyone, which can result in whiplash as the movie switches between parody and sincerity, but it lands its punches and jokes equally well.
7/10
7/10
November 12, 2025 at 7:00 AM
1987's "Hollywood Shuffle" is a funny and sharp satire of the Black experience in Hollywood. The film tries a bit too hard to be everything to everyone, which can result in whiplash as the movie switches between parody and sincerity, but it lands its punches and jokes equally well.
7/10
7/10
1966's "Blindfold" is an entertaining farce that does not take itself too seriously. There's some notable plot holes and the movie fails to build up enough suspense but the film generates a decent number of chuckles and Rock Hudson and Claudia Cardinale have solid chemistry.
6/10
6/10
November 12, 2025 at 3:18 AM
1966's "Blindfold" is an entertaining farce that does not take itself too seriously. There's some notable plot holes and the movie fails to build up enough suspense but the film generates a decent number of chuckles and Rock Hudson and Claudia Cardinale have solid chemistry.
6/10
6/10
"Sam Cooke's SAR Records Story" compiles a wealth of gospel and soul recorded for the label, offering an early peek at Bobby Womack, Johnnie Taylor, Billy Preston, and many others. While much of the material is derivative or overproduced, there's plenty of winners too.
3/5
youtu.be/BgKXcJg88Qo?...
3/5
youtu.be/BgKXcJg88Qo?...
Somebody
YouTube video by R. H. Harris & His Gospel Paraders - Topic
youtu.be
November 11, 2025 at 8:54 PM
"Sam Cooke's SAR Records Story" compiles a wealth of gospel and soul recorded for the label, offering an early peek at Bobby Womack, Johnnie Taylor, Billy Preston, and many others. While much of the material is derivative or overproduced, there's plenty of winners too.
3/5
youtu.be/BgKXcJg88Qo?...
3/5
youtu.be/BgKXcJg88Qo?...
"In My Stride" by David Ruffin is a partial return to form. The disco production from Van McCoy returns for the final time but it is a little tempered from prior albums and the lyrics are somewhat better, giving Ruffin's vocals more of a chance to cut through.
3/5
youtu.be/kiEiK_PPHuI?...
3/5
youtu.be/kiEiK_PPHuI?...
You're My Peace Of Mind
YouTube video by David Ruffin - Topic
youtu.be
November 10, 2025 at 4:19 AM
"In My Stride" by David Ruffin is a partial return to form. The disco production from Van McCoy returns for the final time but it is a little tempered from prior albums and the lyrics are somewhat better, giving Ruffin's vocals more of a chance to cut through.
3/5
youtu.be/kiEiK_PPHuI?...
3/5
youtu.be/kiEiK_PPHuI?...
1941's "The Little Foxes" fully brings 1900's South back. The movie is brimming with betrayal and the poison of greed, racism, and sexism adds resonance, but the slow as molasses pace badly dates the film. An electric Bette Davis performance redeems the movie, particularly the second half.
7/10
7/10
November 9, 2025 at 6:59 AM
1941's "The Little Foxes" fully brings 1900's South back. The movie is brimming with betrayal and the poison of greed, racism, and sexism adds resonance, but the slow as molasses pace badly dates the film. An electric Bette Davis performance redeems the movie, particularly the second half.
7/10
7/10
"Everything's Coming Up Love" by David Ruffin continues his ill-fated Van McCoy collaboration. This leans even farther into disco, further burying Ruffin's (faltering) vocals and resulting in a fairly generic album. It is a shame Ruffin's career faded out like this.
2/5
youtu.be/f-LIh0sj8kY?...
2/5
youtu.be/f-LIh0sj8kY?...
Until We Said Goodbye
YouTube video by David Ruffin - Topic
youtu.be
November 9, 2025 at 3:59 AM
"Everything's Coming Up Love" by David Ruffin continues his ill-fated Van McCoy collaboration. This leans even farther into disco, further burying Ruffin's (faltering) vocals and resulting in a fairly generic album. It is a shame Ruffin's career faded out like this.
2/5
youtu.be/f-LIh0sj8kY?...
2/5
youtu.be/f-LIh0sj8kY?...
Reposted by Vslyke
“woke” is when you acknowledge that black people have contributed to the united states
Two panels commemorating the contribution of Black American soldiers towards the liberation of the Netherlands in World War Two have been quietly removed from a cemetery in Limburg. It follows a complaint by right-wing think tank The Heritage Foundation to the American Battle Monuments Commission.
November 8, 2025 at 9:01 PM
“woke” is when you acknowledge that black people have contributed to the united states
2014's "Get On Up" is most notable for Chadwick Boseman's performance as James Brown. Boseman nails the character and the performer, elevating a pedestrian script that is often painfully unsubtle. Nelsan Ellis is also excellent as Bobby Byrd and you cannot go wrong with using Brown's music.
7/10
7/10
November 8, 2025 at 8:17 AM
2014's "Get On Up" is most notable for Chadwick Boseman's performance as James Brown. Boseman nails the character and the performer, elevating a pedestrian script that is often painfully unsubtle. Nelsan Ellis is also excellent as Bobby Byrd and you cannot go wrong with using Brown's music.
7/10
7/10
"Who I Am" is David Ruffin and Van McCoy's first collaboration. Unfortunately, McCoy's maximalist tendencies often overshadow the already diminished Ruffin although choice cuts like "Love Can Be Hazardous" and "Walk Away From Love" show the approach's merit.
2/5
youtu.be/lXYidPZEJDU?...
2/5
youtu.be/lXYidPZEJDU?...
Love Can Be Hazardous To Your Health
YouTube video by David Ruffin - Topic
youtu.be
November 7, 2025 at 10:36 PM
"Who I Am" is David Ruffin and Van McCoy's first collaboration. Unfortunately, McCoy's maximalist tendencies often overshadow the already diminished Ruffin although choice cuts like "Love Can Be Hazardous" and "Walk Away From Love" show the approach's merit.
2/5
youtu.be/lXYidPZEJDU?...
2/5
youtu.be/lXYidPZEJDU?...
"Comic Book Cowboy" by Lera Lynn was one of my most anticipated 2025 releases and exceeded my hopes. More ethereal and jaded than her prior albums, Lera's songwriting still extols the simple joys and strikes the perfect musical balance of cohesiveness and variation.
5/5
youtu.be/vU8QXk4oasI?...
5/5
youtu.be/vU8QXk4oasI?...
Same as Hopeless
YouTube video by Lera Lynn - Topic
youtu.be
November 6, 2025 at 10:51 PM
"Comic Book Cowboy" by Lera Lynn was one of my most anticipated 2025 releases and exceeded my hopes. More ethereal and jaded than her prior albums, Lera's songwriting still extols the simple joys and strikes the perfect musical balance of cohesiveness and variation.
5/5
youtu.be/vU8QXk4oasI?...
5/5
youtu.be/vU8QXk4oasI?...
1996's "Executive Decision" is a technically competent thriller that fails to differentiate itself. The special effects have aged very poorly and the movie is a good bit longer than it needs to be. Overall, this is the sort of film destined to be seen on cable or in a hotel and forgotten.
5/10
5/10
November 6, 2025 at 8:23 AM
1996's "Executive Decision" is a technically competent thriller that fails to differentiate itself. The special effects have aged very poorly and the movie is a good bit longer than it needs to be. Overall, this is the sort of film destined to be seen on cable or in a hotel and forgotten.
5/10
5/10
"Hard Headed Woman" by Margo Price features my pick for the song of 2025, "Don't Let the Bastards Get You Down", and keeps the momentum from that titanic opener. This is a tight and stylistically varied album that is both timely and bound to be a classic.
5/5
youtu.be/uyhzsMWC4sw?...
5/5
youtu.be/uyhzsMWC4sw?...
November 5, 2025 at 10:16 PM
"Hard Headed Woman" by Margo Price features my pick for the song of 2025, "Don't Let the Bastards Get You Down", and keeps the momentum from that titanic opener. This is a tight and stylistically varied album that is both timely and bound to be a classic.
5/5
youtu.be/uyhzsMWC4sw?...
5/5
youtu.be/uyhzsMWC4sw?...
1986's "'Round Midnight" is shot like a documentary but this fictional story fails to create interest. However, the film benefits from a strong leading performance from Dexter Gordon, some lovely jazz, and evocative ambiance, making this a minor success despite the limp plot.
6/10
6/10
November 5, 2025 at 5:53 AM
1986's "'Round Midnight" is shot like a documentary but this fictional story fails to create interest. However, the film benefits from a strong leading performance from Dexter Gordon, some lovely jazz, and evocative ambiance, making this a minor success despite the limp plot.
6/10
6/10
"Kids in the Street" by Justin Townes Earle shows off his diversity of talent, as he ranges through country, blues, rock, and R&B. However, the focus rightly falls on the strong batch of songs he penned (or in one case, adapted), which made him such a special artist.
5/5
youtu.be/MiZt-aUOY9Q?...
5/5
youtu.be/MiZt-aUOY9Q?...
If I Was the Devil
YouTube video by Justin Townes Earle - Topic
youtu.be
November 4, 2025 at 10:49 PM
"Kids in the Street" by Justin Townes Earle shows off his diversity of talent, as he ranges through country, blues, rock, and R&B. However, the focus rightly falls on the strong batch of songs he penned (or in one case, adapted), which made him such a special artist.
5/5
youtu.be/MiZt-aUOY9Q?...
5/5
youtu.be/MiZt-aUOY9Q?...