WORLD CUP 2014 GROUP A-D WINNERS...BECAUSE I SAID SO!

Who is moving on in the World Cup at Brasil, Brazil, Bresil 2014 and who is going home soon???

It's time to figure out where the World's best stand on the biggest stage and head to head.  You may have your ideas of who is the best or how far a team will go, but it's based on your team strength, luck of the draw, health, unity, sports psychology, LOCATION lots of history...which I love!  I predicted Spain would win 4 years ago and most all of the teams out of the group stage so let's see how I do this year...but it won't be easy with so many star players left off the 23 man squad (Donovan for USA, Rossi for Italy, Ronaldinho for Brasil) or injured (Falcao for Colombia, Montes for Mexico, Costa for Spain, Ribery for France).  So what's left?  That's what I'm trying to figure out after going through tons of reports, news, updates, historical data and just that GUT FEELING!

I only have so much time before Brasil v. Croatia takes place so let's get this rolling for you to read around halftime, just so you don't feel I'm cheating.  I'll make it short and sweet and do a group by group breakdwon/update of matches played and going forward as things change, injuries happen and some countries just don't show up!

GROUP A

Brazil

Croatia

Mexico

Cameroon

GROUP B

Spain

Netherlands

Chile

Australia

GROUP C

Colombia

Greece

Côte d'Ivoire

Japan

GROUP D

Uruguay

Costa Rica

England

Italy

Group A

The home team always goes through (save South Africa 2010), but this is Brasil and I'll just say that they'll be fine and go one of two ways, win it all or lose in a quarter final upset. I say this as they can be overconfident.  For now Group A is Brasil 1st and Cameroon 2nd, WHAT?! Normally Mexico always goes through but in South American World Cups, they don't play well, have made it through once in the old system of playoffs, but they lost a lot with Montes being injured. Croatia is strong, but not like France '98.  Cameroon is itching with Samuel Eto'o in probably his last World Cup and strong and should be comfortable in this diverse land.

GROUP B: Spain is the champ and Netherlands was 2nd, but watch out for a South American team in South America, that being Chile.  When Chile played in their homeland in '62 they finished 3rd!  They are going through and may be 1st barring a slight injury to Vidal.  Spain has haphazardly lost or tied openers (even in the last World Cup they lost the opening game), but this team is to tough and experienced and as former conquerors of South America (see how an old conqueror of Africa won in Africa) they will go first and Chile 2nd. Holland is experienced and have been runner's up here and last time in Africa, but without Rafael Van der Vaart in the midfield and Greogry van der Wiel in defense their gelling is thrown off.

Group C: Colombia! Colombia! Colombia! Front running enough for you haha, it's my parents homeland and we've all lived through enough crushing defeats and this year was supposed to be our best chance as a dark horse to win it all and steal it, but with Falcao injured, the best would be 4th place after a Quarter Final upset of Brasil (a Maracanazo) as we play them better than anyone.  Let's just get that first nod out of the Group stage as Greece is not proven here.  Japan gives me fits as they have more support in Brasil being that there are a lot of Japanese who grew up here and they are a fast team who play really good set pieces (free kicks, indirect kicks, corners).  It's a bigger motivation for Drogba playing in his last World Cup for The Ivory Coast (Les Elephantes being their nickname).  If they upset Colombia they'd go first, but not down here, so the 2nd place team to advance and done.

GROUP D: Is a Classic Group with 3 former Champions and Uruguay now is the healthiest and strongest who have kept their team together with the return of Luis Suarez.  They still have Forlan who was the Golden Boot winner and best player & Cavani and weak in group play, but they got in so now it's on and they are strong.  What does that mean? Try and stop them, they are now my new dark horse to take it all and/or cause another Maracanazo, so to begin play strong and win this group.  Italy is strong and should go far, but without Rossi, not going to the semis, but if so they'd lose it...perhaps in penalties.  These two champs face off again in a big match for the top spot.  England is solid and has been perfect in group play, but that varies in Europe so it's a small sampling, still lacking and again in South America they pretty much go down in flames (1950, 1970, what were you there, exactly).  Costa Rica can cause problems for the to be 2nd place entry, but at their strength on this stage, in this group of death, they'd be hard pressed though I think they'll make a valiant effort.

Tired from culinary school and commitments, I get this out just after the Mexico opener, but finished writing group A-C by half time of the Brasil 3-1 victory over Croatia.  Though I won't bet all my marbles on it, Croatia looks to upset the 2nd place entry, but more so, Brasil looks vulnerable (no matter what the refs called or didn't) and I feel are being replaced by Uruguay or Argentina as the eventual champion.  Remember it's gotta be a South American team as only we win here.  A first, aaahhh, not feeling it just yet.  I may be wrong, but that's hardly ever the case...because I know what I'm talking about HAHAHAHAHA!!

Okay Group E-H this weekend, enjoy the game and if you don't agree with me, tell me and I'll back it up even more with historical data...and we'll see right :) follow me on instagram: ColoAmericano

LED ZEPAGAIN KEEP IT GOING AT SFS SWAP MEET

What I didn't know is what I had yet to experience in a live Led Zeppelin show complete with "the look", albeit a cover band, but from a group that dresses the part and takes on the persona if you will, WHAT A THRILL! I think when you have the look, you can have the feel if your into what you're doing and if you do it well, then you get more into it.  That's what Led Zepagain does, they really put on a show for you, not just a musical delight to the ears, but something cool to look at.

I had, for many seasons, seen a variety of cover bands on the tile billboard of the Santa Fe Springs Swap meet right off the 5 Freeway and Artesia Blvd for Van Halen, ACDC, The Rolling Stones and more, but this was one I could not miss.  It's one thing to hear the sound, but when you "get into your work" as lead singer David Swan Montgomery does (rekindling the role of Robert Plant), it just makes it that much more enjoyable.

"The Immigrant Song"

Understand that I'm 37 and the first I heard of Led Zeppelin was rolling down the highways in my Mom's '67 Mustang California GT Special which was probably KLOS 95.5 and free wheeling music of the 70's, I just didn't know it.  I most assuredly knew exactly what I was listening to when I first saw "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" and my sister told me Led Zeppelin was a cool band that you should know.  That moment was two of the main characters (Jennifer Jason Leigh & Brian Backer) out on a date in a sports car blasting "Kashmir", it's a classic and done on the advice of his "cool" friend Mike Damone (Robert Romanus).  From then on I was hooked, but it was that fervor that this cover band brought that elicited that unique nostalgic feeling when you're feeling good again about something you remembered.

I've only seen old film footage in documentaries and a ton of outdoor concerts from the 70's in the haze of what was often a crushed California sun.
Being that the Santa Fe Springs Swap meet is in an open courtyard that has a covering to dissipate the sun, but let's a lot of light in giving it a very intimate feeling & emitted those feelings.


I met up with a cool Colombian friend who was also into Classic Rock & Hard Rock.  She went on to mention the affect in Latin America was huge and remember attending large concerts in parks and stadiums which you'll see in many a rock tour as some of the largest in the World.  As the sociable person I am, I started talking about shows with a guy from Guatemala seen here to your right and come to find out he's followed this band for years and was also at the Jason Bonham show at The Greek Amphitheatre, but liked this version better.  So we're all drinking Budweiser and my new friend bust out a leather covered flask full of tequilla and 2 shot glasses.  We take two hits and no one is the wiser, nor do they care...the experience just got more vivid.  People we're jazzed and after intermission, came back for more and this time in greater numbers.


Living Loving Maid (riff)

Now if you know me and Facebook I sure as hell checked in here and a musician friend of mine, Randy, I used to work with at OfficeMax (my 50th job I believe, lol) says we should meet up there, but for now to say hi to his buddy Eddie who works the soundboard with a cool cat named John.  Eddie finds the posting through Randy and we start commenting on where we're at in relation to the stage.  Randy is baffled and tells us, how the fuck do you two know each other, we don't asshole, we just met on Facebook!  Isn't social media great, hahaha.  Luckily I find John and get a primo view center stage of this wondrous group and enjoyed every minute.  Can't wait for the Feb. 24th show at the House of Blues in Hollywood, RAMBLE ON!

Living Loving Maid (w/ lyrics)
Talking further I mentioned that I write for a new bilingual Latin American magazine and have always been heavily influenced by such profound music with deeper meanings that I only figured out later in my adulthood.  I go on to mention that I also work on documentaries and it just so happens that to also be producing work, but more so on Led Zeppelin having interviewed Jason Bonham at the one off concert in London back in '07.  Right after I mention how difficult and expensive it is to license music he offers to sit down with him and the guitarist Steve Zukowsky and do an interview for me on camera...couldn't ask for anything more.  And I sincerely can't wait to see them perform live for a magazine article piece.
 Bassist Jim Wooten, followed by guitarist Steve Zukowsky and Singer Swan Montgomery below:

Be sure to follow the tour dates and news on Led Zepagain at www.zepagain.com

Like what you're reading, up next I'll take on Jazz & Blues right here in the Heart of LA.

http://creativecolombian.blogspot.com/google26de53fa5e7cfdb5.html

MY LED ZEPPELIN EXPERIENCE W/ JASON BONHAM AT THE GREEK THEATRE

If just for one night, you could relive the various moments of musical, lyrical, sonic bliss of your youth, your love or loves and an escapism that you could come down from without a hangover or visit to the hospital would you do it, OF COURSE YOU WOULD!  But when did you do it last and when will you do it again?  I just did and I'm still feeling the euphoria from it when I recall the magic strumming of the guitar by what was originally Jimmy Page.  The symphonic resonance echoed by the deep bass of John Paul Jones.  The literal lyrical masturbation, cat calling and nymph like cowling of Robert Plant.  And finally the barrage of bashing beats by the Thunder god of drummers in John Henry Bonham.

That was Led Zeppelin and not opting for a cheap imitation, you will get not only your money's worth, but the chance to feel good again about the simple things in life with the newly formed Led Zeppelin Experience headed by the son of the aforementioned hammering beast in Jason Bonham filling in for his father and quite well I might add.  The group isn't listed with all stars like a Velvet Revolver but more like a humble yet more than adequate "No Name Defense" of the '72 Miami Dolphins.  This was a special night and Bonham let the crowd know it as he made sure to point out that LA was always a special stop for Led Zeppelin.  This time a Bonham is joined by Dorian Heartsong on bass guitar, Stephen Leblanc on keyboards, James Dylan with the lead vocals and the man who many felt stoled the show as well as myself, Tony Catania on lead guitar.  They all perform their parts immensely well.

I must say I was pleased with the overall sound and arrangement by TLZE (The Led Zeppelin Experience) even as I drove by the Greek I heard them calling as I listen to the whaling of "The Immigrant Song".  As we parked literally "Over the Hill and Far Away" walking down the hill parking lot leading to the Greek Theatre entrances I hear "Rock 'n Roll" and yes it had been a long time.

Now to cover the repetoire of Zeppelins one and only drummer is a task that could only be filled by perhaps an Alex Van Halen maybe a Travis Barker.  It's apparent in an old proven song (i.e. Hot For Teach by Van Halen) that a guy like Alex could keep up such fast rhythms and unmatched drum solos.  The hyper intensity, speed and overall symphonic bashing of sticks on canvas is so very distinguishable in the Zeppelin songs and I've heard Robert Plant quoted as saying that John Bonham was the loudest drummer he'd ever heard.  Keep that thought with the idea that every man at his position plays like a Hall of Fame Rock and Roller and as testament, Led Zeppelin IS IN THE ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME! HAHA.  I have heard good things about the band, I know Jason played with the rest of the real Led Zeppelin in Robert, John and Jimmy at the only reunion at 02 in London back in 2007, so he must be more than adequate, heck he grew up with it!

A quick trek down to the walkways leading into the Greek along with a quick check by security and by design we are on the same corner we entered, but stop for a beer as there is a break in before the next song in which Jason Bonham talks to the audience.  It is a great way to give some backstory and becomes somewhat of a trivial pursuit game if you will as to what they will play next.  There is a hush when he speaks until that first string is strung, drum is banged or lyric is let out...unless he announces it outright.  I know that every song has different meanings to many people, but the song remains the same, no need to change, it was perfect the way it was and always should be.

I figure I'd hear the more popular standards in the beginning, but to my pleasant surprise the next was a favorite of mine, "Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You" which starts off with an acoustic ballad-like guitar play, then a saddened riff to break the terrible news.  This masterful mayhem is well played with everyone pitching in a strong performance as it features all 4 of the players distinguishing themselves to combine for a clash of cosmic chaos.  Another nicety is that it is a long one and every chorus is well played.
The remaining music varied from high to lower intensity, fast and furious to slow and serene.

You'll catch a rippin' rendition of "What is And What Should Never Be" though was also unexpected, but again very much appreciated by various Zeppheads who enjoyed the wide variety as myself.  This is further illustrated in "The Lemon Song" and "Thank You" and more so "The Battle of Evermore".

"Moby Dick" is a great drumming song and the showmanship is intensified with the screens showing Jason working away and his father beating the same song in a dated concert video.  That was a thrill that I was not expecting and it added a nostalgic element for what I had only witnessed on tv from archival footage, but not like this.  Jason reminds the crowd that his Father was his Father not the maniac or wild man some have made him out to be.  Though he may have lived hard he obviously had a softer side that he shared with his loved ones.

The Ocean is a song best heard live as it's not one I commonly play when driving around with it's breaks or pauses in the melody that repeat, but when it's live it's just so much better.  This along with "Since I've been Loving You" is the kind of bluesy hits you want to hear in a live venue.

Video with little Jason dancing was a charming boyish march into an evolving rock 'n roller.  It also provided a break for both the band and the audience as well as those who constantly stood up ;)  Appropriately, "Going to California" to where this group had just come and where Zeppelin is still a staple was lovingly accepted.  This was further touching as Jason dedicated "If the Sun Refused to Shine" with archival footage that I had never seen before and trust me, I've seen a great deal.

Sticking with family there is a highlight with Jason's sister Zoe who comes out stage left to play harmonica to what I thought was going to be "Take it On Home" as they were strumming the chords for it, but then banged out "When The Levee Breaks" and the whole audience was gushing with glee.  To add to this bond, Jason's own son Jager manned the drums for a couple minutes, very cool.  And how can you do a Led Zeppelin concert without "Kashmir" and "Stairway to Heaven", always crowd favorites, which makes everyone wind about as if they were on an acid trip.  Perhaps the psychedelic lighting and changes in colors is what does the trick as the Greek Theatre puts on a great visual show everytime I've been there.

As warranted and much wanted, we got an Encore or rather TLZE got an encore and rousing standing ovation that brought them out again to"Whole Lotta Love" while I had come down the steps of the Terrace section to get an unobstructed side view of stage left with a big monitor screen to my immediate left.

After it was over people seemed to walk away very satisfied and as we made our way back up over the hill many were blasting there favorite Zeppelin tunes in their cars as they waited for someone else near them to pull away so they could leave.  I did the same and many saluted me with "horns on hands" and heads boppin' back and forth.

**Next up will be my review to finally catch Led Zepagain at The Santa Fe Springs Swapmeet just down the 5 Freeway on  the border of LA County.