Dinner Party Download
This Week's Specials
Episode 25, June 19, 2009
This week: 80’s metal band Anvil forges ahead… Muhammed Ali KO’s the U.S. Army… and Brendan has designs on David Bowie. [photo: Anvil ]
Drink Recipe
“The Butterfly Sting”
This week in back in 1967, Muhammad Ali — a practicing Muslim — suffered a major blow in his battle to be recognized as a conscientious objector; a jury sentenced him to 5 years for draft-dodging. But Ali wouldn’t go down with out a fight… and we relive the battle in liquid form with a “mocktail” even the teetotaling Ali wouldn’t mind going a few rounds with.
RECIPE (c) 2009 Natalie Bovis-Nelsen, TheLiquidMuse.com
In a cocktail shaker, muddle:
- 1 thyme sprig
- 1/2 ounce lemon juice
Then add;
- 1 ounce honey syrup (1 part honey to 1 part water)
- 2 ounces apple juice
Strain into chilled martini glass and add:
- splash of club soda or nonalcoholic sparkling wine.
Lay another thyme sprig across the surface of the drink for garnish. Float like a butterfly… and sting like a butterfly.
After Dinner Mint
notes on this week’s show
For those (like us) who weren’t there, it’s hard to fathom the impact Muhammad Ali had back in the day — not just on sports, but on world culture and African-American pride. This documentary tells the tale in about two hours. UK band Faithless does the same in four minutes.
As mentioned in this week’s show, Anvil’s miraculous comeback will climax next month when they open for AC/DC at Giants Stadium. But we caught up with them at a humbler venue — L.A.’s Regency Fairfax movie theater. Following a packed screening of “Anvil: the Story of Anvil,” Lips et al kicked out a short set that left the crowd mildly deaf and very happy. Here’s the evidence.
Tools
This Week's Specials
Episode 24, June 5, 2009
This week: bestselling author Alain De Botton gets worked over… joy is found in Mudville… and Rico digs the new wave of on-site restaurant gardens. [photo: Alain De Botton credit: Vincent Starr]
Audio Extra
Download “Dream City” - the new single from Philadelphia band Free Energy. It’s the perfect soundtrack for summertime cruising, or for languidly driving a Trans Am off a pier into the ocean.
Drink Recipe
“Casey’s Killjoy”
On June 3rd, 1888, Ernest Thayer’s baseball rime “Casey At the Bat” was first published in the San Francisco Examiner. Popularized by vaudeville actor DeWolf Hopper, soon everyone in America was in love with the poem… except the author. And even he would surely appreciate this week’s drink: a Mudslide reimagined for Mudville.
RECIPE, as created for the DPD by Colleen Raabe, bartender at the restaurant Alex & Ika’s in Cooperstown, NY:
In a shaker over ice, add:
- 1 shot espresso
- 2 oz. Irish whiskey
- 2 oz. Chocolate liqueur
- 2 oz. Bailey’s Irish Cream
Shake, strain into glass filled with more ice. Serve with peanuts and cracker jacks.
After Dinner Mint
notes on this week’s show
To hear one of DeWolf Hopper’s estimated ten thousand recitals of “Casey At the Bat,” click here. (Warning: the actor was not known for his subtlety)
Since releasing his first book in 1993, Alain De Botton has penned a string of bestsellers exploring the nature of Architecture, Philosophy, Work, Status and Love. But, y’know, maybe one of these days he’ll try to focus on something actually important.
Speaking of important, this week’s Icebreaker comes courtesy of Glenn-5, bassist for Anvil. And if, when you hear “Anvil,” you don’t think “uplifting story of friendship,” you clearly haven’t seen the new documentary about the band’s unlikely 30-year existence, appropriately titled “Anvil: The Story of Anvil.” Rectify that situation immediately, and then rejoice at the fact that after decades of obscurity, in July they’ll be opening for AC/DC in a football stadium.
