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Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Mercury News: Giants’ closer requests loud music

Brian Wilson’s selection, “Rise Up,” has the same hard edge, though it’s not instantly recognizable to most fans. That’s because it’s a song by the Christian Rock group Disciple. Wilson, a born-again Christian, was inspired by the lyrics and felt they fit the energy of a save situation:

“I will not sit silently as you mock and curse my God/Stand against Him, you will be brought down/Here I come/I’m ‘bout to rise up/With all of my people/We’re ‘bout to rise up.”

It’s not the Christian theme but the public’s unfamiliarity with the song that gives pause to Bryan Srabian, the Giants’ director of marketing and entertainment. That’s why, at least for now, Srabian’s staff doesn’t plan to boost the decibel levels.

“We’ll play the song and read the situation,” Srabian said “You’ve got to let the fans cheer him on. We don’t want to manufacture any false atmosphere. So we’ll play his song and hope that it builds up organically.

“It’s still your traditional hard rock closer-entrance music. The message might be a little different than ‘Hells Bells,’ obviously.”

All of a sudden…Sabeanessence ain’t good enough for Brian Wilson?

Repoz Posted: April 16, 2008 at 10:00 AM | 141 comment(s) | Login to Bookmark
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101. Frank McCourt's Gold Stars are in bankruptcy court Posted: April 16, 2008 at 07:48 PM (#2746794)

If I were a batter: "Waiting Room" - Fugazi. This would work best if I drew lots of walks.
For closing: "Negative Creep - Nirvana. Loud and fast, which are the two elements you want.

102. Crispix Attacks Posted: April 16, 2008 at 08:01 PM (#2746803)

Whale sounds may not qualify, but it would be terrible.

You're crazy. This Whale song would be awesome.

103. vortex of dissipation Posted: April 16, 2008 at 08:04 PM (#2746807)

Hmmn...If you're going for the "bagpipe riff" theme, you could do worse than "In a Big Country"...

104. bbc is prejudice bout men Posted: April 16, 2008 at 08:21 PM (#2746833)

if you want a pansy closer song, hows about - dance of the sugar plum fairies

if you the opposing team - then its gotta be - hit me baby one more time

105. Big Train Posted: April 16, 2008 at 08:32 PM (#2746846)

Why not a little Rage? Bombtrack?

106. Drexl Spivey Posted: April 16, 2008 at 08:47 PM (#2746865)

Best closer song: "Taps"

Worst closer song: "Flirting with Disaster" by Molly Hatchet

107. Eamus Catuli Posted: April 16, 2008 at 08:50 PM (#2746868)

He closes for the Giants.

I nominate "Sink to the Bottom" (Fountains of Wayne). It rocks a little bit, and it perfectly sums up SF's chances in 2008-2015.

108. Halofan Posted: April 16, 2008 at 08:51 PM (#2746871)

So how upset is Wilson on the mound in a road game when a player gets up too bat and HIS intro music is the opening lines of Anarchy in the UK: I AM AN ANTICHRIST

109. Alex_Lewis Posted: April 16, 2008 at 09:01 PM (#2746881)

Since we're on an Irish tilt, were I a closer I think it'd be fun to have the song 'Whiskey in the Jar' be my intro. It just sort of launches into itself, flute and all, followed by Shane McGowan shouting incomprehensibly. I can imagine a crowd of 40,000 simultaneously getting an MGS-style question mark over their collective head. It would please me.

I'd also run to the mound backward, with a look of pure focus and concentration.

110. vortex of dissipation Posted: April 16, 2008 at 09:09 PM (#2746886)

Since we're on an Irish tilt, were I a closer I think it'd be fun to have the song 'Whiskey in the Jar' be my intro. It just sort of launches into itself, flute and all, followed by Shane McGowan shouting incomprehensibly.

I'd much rather have the Thin Lizzy version. Greatest hard rock band ever, with the possible exception of Zep.

111. Kirby Kyle Posted: April 16, 2008 at 09:54 PM (#2746928)

If I wanted a ballsy intro song, I might choose this one. The gender's a bit off, but the attitude works.

112. JMM Posted: April 16, 2008 at 10:45 PM (#2747025)

It may not be the wimpiest choice, but this could be the most upsetting, at least to some.

113. JMM Posted: April 16, 2008 at 10:47 PM (#2747031)

Or.

114. Misirlou's got a busy day, he's wearing a vest Posted: April 16, 2008 at 10:52 PM (#2747034)

Hmmn...If you're going for the "bagpipe riff" theme, you could do worse than "In a Big Country"...

How about "Baby You're a Rich Man"?

"Keep Your Distance" by Richard Thompson. The bagpipe riff sends chills.

115. scareduck Posted: April 16, 2008 at 10:58 PM (#2747046)

#115 -- love the duet Buddy and Julie Miller did.

Worst closer song: "Flirting with Disaster" by Molly Hatchet

Joe Borowski must be thinking about that one, as he's probably the worst closer.

116. Misirlou's got a busy day, he's wearing a vest Posted: April 16, 2008 at 11:03 PM (#2747055)

#115 -- love the duet Buddy and Julie Miller did.

you know the tune? I just dialed up Buddy Miller on Rhapsody.

117. Ben Posted: April 16, 2008 at 11:18 PM (#2747095)

Dude, the best by far Muse song would be Stockholm Syndrome, the second solo. Great riff, I'm not sure the lyrics work. On that note, just from a kickass riff standpoint: Hysteria and Map of the Problematique wouldn't be bad either. Knights of Cydonia is overrated IMO.

I'd use The National's "Squalor Victoria" but it doesn't work when we are wearing alternate uniforms. Not sure what I'd use on those days. Kasabian's "Club Foot" probably.

Youtube links for those unfamilar:
Squalor Victoria(first verse): http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=AXRjPA_C9YE&feature=related
Club Foot(there's like 30 seconds of nonsense at the start before the song): http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=AXRjPA_C9YE&feature=related

118. scareduck Posted: April 17, 2008 at 12:00 AM (#2747238)

you know the tune? I just dialed up Buddy Miller on Rhapsody.

Introduced to the song by their version, but I remember Richard Thompson from his album "Rumor and Sigh", which my (not yet-) wife got back when she was running a record store in the 90's. Great voice, and an intriguing songwriter. I can't tell you why I never got more of his albums.

119. Misirlou's got a busy day, he's wearing a vest Posted: April 17, 2008 at 12:14 AM (#2747302)

"Rumor and Sigh" is by far his best. I'm listening to his latest right now, "Sweet Warrior", and it's pretty good.

120. Alex meets the threshold for granular review Posted: April 17, 2008 at 12:42 AM (#2747424)

"Gimmie Shelter" would be pretty awesome closer music.

121. vortex of dissipation Posted: April 17, 2008 at 01:11 AM (#2747537)

"Rumor and Sigh" is by far his best. I'm listening to his latest right now, "Sweet Warrior", and it's pretty good.

Rumor and Sigh is a great, great album, but I don't know if it's his best, even if it does contain his best ever song ("1952 Vincent Black Lightning"). I'm partial to Shoot Out the Lights, and going even furthur back, I think Fairport's Liege and Lief is the best album he's ever been involved with.

I do think his work is of incredibly consistent quality, though, and it's hard to think of any other major rock figure who got his start in the 1960s who is still producing material as stong as Thompson. Sweet Warrior would be a career highlight no matter when it was produced - "Guns Are the Tongues" sends chills down my spine.

I'd still rate him as both the best songwriter, and the best guitarist in the world. He's also a great live performer, whether acoustic or electric. I saw him for the 25th time last year, and he's never disappointed.

I do like the Buddy and Julie Miller version of "Keep Your Distance", BTW. I remember driving with my Aunt and Uncle in England back in 2002, and that song came on the car radio. My mind was boggled...

122. Misirlou's got a busy day, he's wearing a vest Posted: April 17, 2008 at 01:47 AM (#2747621)

I do think his work is of incredibly consistent quality, though, and it's hard to think of any other major rock figure who got his start in the 1960s who is still producing material as stong as Thompson.

You mean besides Clapton and Dylan?

Nice tip on "Liege and Lief." Never knew much about Thompson's pre-solo career.

123. vortex of dissipation Posted: April 17, 2008 at 02:27 AM (#2747719)

You mean besides Clapton and Dylan?

Nice tip on "Liege and Lief." Never knew much about Thompson's pre-solo career.

Dylan's last three albums have been superb, but I think that Thompson's recent work has been closer to his peak than Dylan's recent work has been to his peak. And I may be in the minority here, but I think Sweet Warrior is a better album that Modern Times. To be honest, I haven't heard much of Clapton's work this decade, except for the Cream live album, which was excellent for what it was, but hardly earthshattering...

If you've never heard Liege and Lief, it's worth it just to hear Sandy Denny's singing. Just as Thompson is my favorite guitarist and writer, Denny remains my favorite singer, of either gender, in any genre, thirty years after her death...

124. wcw Posted: April 17, 2008 at 02:38 AM (#2747722)

Wow, what a great thread, after such a slow and unpromising start (I mean, Brian Wilson's cut fastball is very nice, but #@$! Christian Rock? Save me, and not in the way he means.) When "Anarchy in the UK" might be among the worst good suggestions, you've done yeoman's work. "Ghost Town," (fabulous tune) "Tiptoe through the Tulips," (Tiny Tim would kick your ass if he were alive you punk), "Gary Gilmore's Eyes," ('nuff sed) and of course, the fabulous pure-pop stylings of "Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows" and "Mmmbop." Good, appropriate songs to which you might actually enter, like Johnny Cash's version of Hurt or Marquee Moon almost fall by the wayside.

Still, I feel compelled to enter my longterm favorite -- you know, were I able to throw a baseball, maybe: the opening notes of Pere Ubu's "Non-Alignment Pact."

Whew -- punk rock.

125. Phil Coorey, You Won't Posted: April 17, 2008 at 02:43 AM (#2747724)

Still, I feel compelled to enter my longterm favorite -- you know, were I able to throw a baseball, maybe: the opening notes of Pere Ubu's "Non-Alignment Pact."

Best suggestion of the thread.

Mr November from the National would be great, but language gets in teh way...

Hopeless by The Wrens. I mean where do I start....

The Hungry Wolf by X would be cool as well, imho

126. scareduck Posted: April 17, 2008 at 03:01 AM (#2747732)

Not that it's exactly germane to this discussion, but Chin-Lung Hu's batting music is ... are you ready? -- "Who Are You?"

127. Cooperstown Schtick Posted: April 17, 2008 at 04:41 AM (#2747748)

I think my song -- as batter or pitcher -- would be the Star Spangled Banner. Everytime I appear, everyone comes to their feet and all caps are doffed, including, presumably, the opposition's. Plus, minimum booing. Except for games outside the US, of course.

(No, I don't see any problem with co-opting a national ritual to suit my own interests. Worked for Fletch. Why, is that bad?)

128. North Side Chicago Expatriate Giants Fan Posted: April 17, 2008 at 05:08 AM (#2747757)

This.

129. Misirlou's got a busy day, he's wearing a vest Posted: April 17, 2008 at 11:46 AM (#2747788)

Dylan's last three albums have been superb, but I think that Thompson's recent work has been closer to his peak than Dylan's recent work has been to his peak.

If only because Dylan's peak was Ruthian and Thompson's merely Mantlesque. ; )

To be honest, I haven't heard much of Clapton's work this decade, except for the Cream live album, which was excellent for what it was, but hardly earthshattering...

Check out 2006's "The Road to Escondido" with JJ Cale.

130. A One-Shoed Craig K Posted: April 17, 2008 at 12:24 PM (#2747807)

Should he ever become a closer, this song would be perfect for Brian Bannister.

131. Designated Sitter (GGC) Posted: April 17, 2008 at 12:35 PM (#2747816)

Not that it's exactly germane to this discussion, but Chin-Lung Hu's batting music is ... are you ready? -- "Who Are You?"

I wonder how many guys choose their own music. I've seen Mike Lowell enter to "London Calling" and I don't picture him as a Clash fan. I figured it was picked because Lowell and London start off the same.

When did teams start using intro music besides organ music? The earliest I can remeber is Seattle in the 1995 playoffs.

132. andrewberg Posted: April 17, 2008 at 01:37 PM (#2747859)

During last year's eastern conference finals, the Cleveland Cavaliers were introduced to the Undertaker's WWE entrance music. A friend of mine who plays D1 college baseball plays Triple-H's entrance music while he warms up. I like the wrestling music because it comes pre-packaged with a set of crowd responses and adrenaline rushes.

133. Misirlou's got a busy day, he's wearing a vest Posted: April 17, 2008 at 02:23 PM (#2747914)

Denny remains my favorite singer, of either gender, in any genre, thirty years after her death...

She's good, but my money's on Margo Timmins.

134. Andere Richtingen

Posted: April 17, 2008 at 02:28 PM (#2747920)

How about "Baby You're a Rich Man"?

Not bagpipes. Clavioline.

135. Chase Utley, Shooty's Favorite Robot (Joey Belle) Posted: April 17, 2008 at 03:03 PM (#2747977)

I have a friend who would pick "Return of the Mack" by Mark Morrison as his theme music.

I think mine would be "Venus in Furs" by The Velvet Underground. It's immediately distinctive and abrasive. Plus it has the viola.

136. Random Transaction Generator Posted: April 17, 2008 at 03:10 PM (#2747988)

I like the wrestling music because it comes pre-packaged with a set of crowd responses and adrenaline rushes.

Interesting. I think The Rock's old entrance music would be pretty good (especially for anyone with a name that could be associated with "Rock"). For a closer, it's especially good because it has the lyric "The Rock says 'Know Your Role and Shut Your Mouth!'"

137. Lunkus Posted: April 17, 2008 at 03:53 PM (#2748050)

Here's that missing classic Richard Thompson song ripe for playing at the ballpark. Eiher as a singalong or intro (it's versatile!)

Hai Sai Oji-San

138. Don't want the truth; just wanna see some dingers Posted: April 21, 2008 at 02:34 PM (#2752946)

My selections:

Rock genre: "Hail Caesar", although anything by AC/DC is pretty good
Classical: "Night on Bald Mountain"
Organ music: Kane's WWF theme

also, curses to all these Youtube links that are inaccessible at work! Half of this thread is a mystery!

139. chris p Posted: April 21, 2008 at 03:21 PM (#2752997)

how about "In Spite of Me" by Morphine for the former closer relegated to mop-up duty?

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Mercury News: Giants’ closer requests loud music

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