Washington Wizards All-Star Gilbert Arenas, along with 50 children from his Zer0 Two Her0 Foundation, unveiled his wax figure today at Madame Tussauds Washington D.C. Arenas posed side-by-side with his wax double and the children, who all donned Washington Wizards’ jerseys for the occasion.  The figure sports his signature #0 Washington Wizards home uniform, which was donated by Arenas. The wax figure will be a part of the attraction’s sports area alongside figures of other legendary athletes, including Evander Holyfield, Tiger Woods, Babe Ruth and Muhammad Ali.

“Gilbert Arenas is one of today’s most beloved basketball players — both in Washington D.C. and on a national stage,” said Janine DiGioacchino, General Manager, Madame Tussauds New York and Washington D.C. “As we move into our second year in the nation’s capital, we are thrilled to have a figure of the Washington Wizards’ fan favorite in our attraction.”

“It is an honor to join the ranks of sports icons such as Muhammad Ali and Tiger Woods by being immortalized in wax at Madame Tussauds Washington D.C.,” said Arenas.  “Like the Wizards, Madame Tussauds has become a fixture in the nation’s capital and one that I’m proud to be a part of.”

In order to create the incredibly lifelike figure, a team of Madame Tussauds studio artists flew in from London, UK to conduct a figure sitting with Arenas at the Verizon Center earlier this year.  Arenas was an enthusiastic participant in the creation of his wax figure – the sitting alone took more than two hours as the studio artists took hundreds of measurements and photos, as well as selected eye, hair and skin tone matches for his figure. The figure creation process is incredibly intricate.  Artists insert each strand of hair individually; the creation of Arenas’ figure’s head took nearly five weeks to complete. 

Since joining the NBA, Arenas has been a popular figure in the league.  Nicknamed The Hibachi and Agent Zero, he has transformed himself from a relative unknown to an NBA All-Star and a bona fide fan favorite.  His Agent Zero Blog on NBA.com, in which he offers fans an inside look into his whirlwind life with witty insights, is widely considered the top blog of any professional athlete today. 

Off the court, Arenas is passionate about several charities, including his own Zer0 2 Her0 Foundation, which helps promote the safety and well being of children by raising funds to support organizations that aid in the preservation of families through foster care, adoption and child welfare services.  

Fifty 7th and 8th grade students from James Madison Middle School in Prince George’s County, Maryland were part of the figure unveiling.  The students were recipients of Arenas’ Zer0 2 Her0 Foundation Christmas Dream program, and James Madison Middle School was a recipient of his Scores for Schools program last season.  Through Scores for Schools, Arenas donates $150 for every point he scores during Washington Wizards’ home games.

Washington Wizards’ fans will get to see Arenas’ wax figure again tomorrow when it makes its appearance at center court during the Wizards game against Houston at the Verizon Center.

Madame Tussauds Washington D.C. is located within walking distance of the National Mall and the White House with its entrance on the corner of F and 10th Streets.  With a limited time offer of $10 tickets for adults and seniors and $8 for kids ages 12 and under, now is the time to visit D.C.’s interactive “must do” attraction.  For more information, visit www.madametussaudsdc.com or call 202-942-7300.

About Madame Tussauds Washington D.C.:
Madame Tussauds Washington D.C. is a fully interactive, full-sensory experience, where visitors are able to touch, see and hear major historical events and celebrities in a way unlike any other Washington D.C. attraction.  Recent additions to the attraction include the beloved Jonas Brothers exhibit, where guests can snuggle up to figures of the famed trio and rock out with them on a pair of Gibson Guitars and a drum set.  Wax figures of superstars Penelope Cruz, Tyra Banks and Denzel Washington were recently introduced as well.  The attraction is located within walking distance of the National Mall and the White House.  The entrance is on the corner of 10th and F Streets.  For more information, visit www.madametussaudsdc.com or call 202-942-7300.

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Listening to the Pink Floyd’s Peel Sessions from 1970 has reignited my interest in the group that had experienced a significant lag over the last decade. During high school and early college years they were in heavy rotation on my headphones, and later, my dorm room. Unlike my contemporaries at the time who held Dark Side Of The Moon and The Wall as their favorites, mine were, and remain, Atom Heart Mother and Meddle.

“The studio recording of “Careful with That Axe, Eugene” is featured on Relics, while a live version can be found on Ummagumma. The song was originally released as the B-side of their single “Point Me at the Sky.” Pink Floyd re-recorded the track for Italian director Michelangelo Antonioni’s film Zabriskie Point. The song is retitled “Come in Number 51, Your Time Is Up” on the soundtrack album for the film.

One of the most popular Floyd myths states that “Careful With That Axe, Eugene” was a reference to Grateful Dead frontman Jerry Garcia, who famously lost a portion of his right-hand middle finger in a childhood wood-chopping accident. Thus, the title refers to Garcia’s older brother (who was responsible for the accident), wryly instructing him to be more careful with his “axe” (presumably, the axe that severed part of Jerry’s finger). While the story behind Garcia’s missing finger is true, there is no connection between the childhood accident and the song, as neither Garcia, the Dead, nor the story of the childhood accident were widely known when this song was written. Furthermore, Garcia’s older brother was named Clifford.”

Discuss: Anyone want to discuss Pink Floyd today? What are some of your favorite studio recordings? What about some of your recommended live releases, both official and unofficial? Please leave your favorite albums, live show experiences, etc in the comments.

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“Gilbert Arenas is one of today’s most beloved basketball players -- both in Washington D.C. and on a national stage,” said Janine DiGioacchino, General Manager, Madame Tussauds New York and Washington D.C. “As we move into our second year in the nation’s capital, we are thrilled to have a figure of the Washington Wizards’ fan favorite in our attraction.”

“It is an honor to join the ranks of sports icons such as Muhammad Ali and Tiger Woods by being immortalized in wax at Madame Tussauds Washington D.C.,” said Arenas.  “Like the Wizards, Madame Tussauds has become a fixture in the nation’s capital and one that I’m proud to be a part of.”

In order to create the incredibly lifelike figure, a team of Madame Tussauds studio artists flew in from London, UK to conduct a figure sitting with Arenas at the Verizon Center earlier this year.  Arenas was an enthusiastic participant in the creation of his wax figure – the sitting alone took more than two hours as the studio artists took hundreds of measurements and photos, as well as selected eye, hair and skin tone matches for his figure. The figure creation process is incredibly intricate.  Artists insert each strand of hair individually; the creation of Arenas’ figure’s head took nearly five weeks to complete. 

Since joining the NBA, Arenas has been a popular figure in the league.  Nicknamed The Hibachi and Agent Zero, he has transformed himself from a relative unknown to an NBA All-Star and a bona fide fan favorite.  His Agent Zero Blog on NBA.com, in which he offers fans an inside look into his whirlwind life with witty insights, is widely considered the top blog of any professional athlete today. 

Off the court, Arenas is passionate about several charities, including his own Zer0 2 Her0 Foundation, which helps promote the safety and well being of children by raising funds to support organizations that aid in the preservation of families through foster care, adoption and child welfare services.  

Fifty 7th and 8th grade students from James Madison Middle School in Prince George’s County, Maryland were part of the figure unveiling.  The students were recipients of Arenas’ Zer0 2 Her0 Foundation Christmas Dream program, and James Madison Middle School was a recipient of his Scores for Schools program last season.  Through Scores for Schools, Arenas donates $150 for every point he scores during Washington Wizards’ home games.

Washington Wizards’ fans will get to see Arenas’ wax figure again tomorrow when it makes its appearance at center court during the Wizards game against Houston at the Verizon Center.

Madame Tussauds Washington D.C. is located within walking distance of the National Mall and the White House with its entrance on the corner of F and 10th Streets.  With a limited time offer of $10 tickets for adults and seniors and $8 for kids ages 12 and under, now is the time to visit D.C.’s interactive “must do” attraction.  For more information, visit www.madametussaudsdc.com or call 202-942-7300.

About Madame Tussauds Washington D.C.:

Madame Tussauds Washington D.C. is a fully interactive, full-sensory experience, where visitors are able to touch, see and hear major historical events and celebrities in a way unlike any other Washington D.C. attraction.  Recent additions to the attraction include the beloved Jonas Brothers exhibit, where guests can snuggle up to figures of the famed trio and rock out with them on a pair of Gibson Guitars and a drum set.  Wax figures of superstars Penelope Cruz, Tyra Banks and Denzel Washington were recently introduced as well.  The attraction is located within walking distance of the National Mall and the White House.  The entrance is on the corner of 10th and F Streets.  For more information, visit www.madametussaudsdc.com or call 202-942-7300.

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The opening number is a great Sabbath song. OK, there is no Ozzy here, but the riff and the guitar solo could have come from the mind of maestro Iommi. Even if there is a popish interlude during Pondhillow's Finest, the band comes back with some doom metal while performing The Spellweaver. Vocals are quite weak and when you analyse the music, the band sounds not as powerful as his model.

Burning Saviours sounds as smooth version of Sabbath. Maybe not bad per se, but rather disturbing. One could have expected some more juice coming out of this band.

They even sound as Tull during the heavy-rock ballad Woodnymph. Peaceful and aerial vocals combined with heavy instrumental parts. Not too bad after all. What's for sure is that you won't fall asleep while Dreaming Of Pastries is being played. Some heavy punkish rhythms with a great Pyykko on the lead guitar. This is maybe cliché, but it is one of my fave.

The remaining songs are just a repetition of what can be heard previously. A Sabbath (the good Trinity)/ Tull combo (Hillside Mansion). The closing Exposed... is another fave of mine. A doomy start and middle part which are pleasantly interchanged with speedy riffs and beat. A very good heavy metal track (but be prepared that this album is more a metal album than a prog one).

This album is not essential of course. It is a fine moment of nostalgia and should be only considered as such. You have been warned that the music can't be considered as highly creative but I enjoyed it when I discovered it though. Three stars.

by ZowieZiggy


BURNING SAVIOURS Music Online:
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• GEMM, Vinyl Records & CDs Rare Albums (Out of Print and Imports)
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• eBay, used or new | bid or buy now

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