Man Law Mondays

SIDES TO CLOSE THE DEAL BY

Posted by Brian Newman on November 26, 2012

Posted in: Chicks. Leave a Comment

To preface the true point of this article, many of you may be asking yourself, “what is a side?” A “Side” refers to each side of a record. The cats and hats used to say, “Hey, let’s go listen to some sides!” Music can move mountains and if it can do that, it can also help you get the courage to spend quality time with someone you care about. There’s nothing like relaxing on the couch with your woman, a nice bottle or cocktail shaker and listening to some sides. So turn off the boob tube, make some drinks and get to work!

Great music is the key to lots of things in life. One of them being the ability to drive the ladies crazy. After you went on enough dates and jumped through enough hoops to get her back to your place for a nightcap, you can’t just put on the radio and expect “Hot 97″ to set the mood for you, you got to have something that makes her feel comfortable and pulls on her heartstrings. If you have the luxury of being able to sing love songs directly to them from the stage your golden. But whether you are a performer or not, having a stable of excellent records in your arsenal is essential in closing the deal with any woman. Having a record player that works and enough vinyl to keep it spinning is always a sexy thing to a girl, but if all you got is the Itunes it’s all good. Just hit play and start dancing.

Fred & Adelle-w

One of my favorite records of all time for these occasions is, “Johnny Hartman and John Coltrane.” The love songs Hartman croons on this self titled record are just plain beautiful and Coltrane’s saxophone, mixed with the slick harmonies of McCoy Tyner’s piano gets the job done every time.

Another favorite of mine is “Chet Baker Sings.” His youthful voice and soft trumpet sound will transport you back to another time. When things moved slower and we had no where to be but where we were at that moment. The love that flows through every track of this album is so strong you’ll have her begging for more… more Chet Baker that is…

Miles Davis had one of the most prolific recording careers, ranking right up there with the likes of Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley. His body of work includes but is not limited to, bebop, the American songbook, cool west coast sounds, 70′s avant-garde and even weird but awesome 80′s style jazz fusion. His music closely followed the style of the times and some would venture to say that he did that the best. Although, we could discuss the eloquence of his artistic being all day, but for the purpose of the article only one record will be suffice. “Somethin’ Else” recorded with and under the name of alto saxophone extraordinaire, Cannonball Adderly and a legendary all-star rythm section featuring Hank Jones, Sam Jones and the incomparable Art Blakey. The feeling of the groove is such a strong element to this recording. It makes you feel like you’re there with them in that dark jazz club downtown. Inhaling the sounds mixed with cigarette smoke. Just buy it.

Now to the the ladies side of things. “Sarah Vaughan in Hi-Fi” is perhaps her quintessential recording or her career. Featuring the stylings of a young Miles Davis on a few tracks, it takes the best of Ms. Vaughan’s performances from 1949 to 1950. Her voice is effortless and demure and her soulful vocalize soars over the texture of the orchestra and small group recordings. When I listen to record it always gives me that warm feeling of love and heartbreak.

There are so many wonderful records out there, but that should be enough to start you out with. Check out these influential recordings and find some music that turns you on and I promise, just like Colt 45, it’ll work every time.

Stay tuned for more ManLawMondays…

Fix It Yourself

Posted by Brian Newman on November 5, 2012

Posted in: Chicks, MANLAWS. Leave a Comment

Back in the day Men knew how to handle their cars because all they were was an engine, drivetrain, transmission and four wheels. Most didn’t have AC or even power steering. You hit the gas and it would go. Here’s a 1968 Dodge Charger R/T. My favorite no frills car of all time.

One thing that makes a man a man and drives the chicks crazy is a guy who can get his hands dirty under the hood. (Take it easy fellas. I’m talking about cars and thats a whole ‘nother ManLaw) Women love a man who can take care of things themselves without the assistance of your neighborhood mechanic. I’m not saying you have to be able to change a transmission, do body work or anything crazy like that. Now all the modern cars are much harder to do bigger jobs at home because the computers are just too complicatied without a specialist’s touch.

Just learn the simple things like changing your own oil, replacing your battery or alternator and making sure the fluids full and tire pressure is always correct. You save gas, money and gain style points as well. If you’ve never opened your hood before all the info you need is in the manual of your car or google your problem and troubleshoot.

All you need is a good set of tools and some ingenuity. You never know when you’re stuck on the road with no mechanics in sight. You’re girl will love it and it will make you feel like a man.

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Cocktails and Steaks

Posted by Brian Newman on October 8, 2012

Posted in: Chicks, Influential Men, MANLAWS, Style. Leave a Comment

Sick of the same old, same old? You met a nice girl? You and the boys are sick of the sports bar? You’re in the doghouse and you need to get out? Living in New York City can be a stressful place to work and live sometimes. A good way to remedy these situations and blow off some steam, is to go out for a night on the town with the people you care about most. Heres a few spots for dinner and a nice spot to go for some classy drinks afterwards. So put a suit on, make whatever phone calls you need to and hit the streets.

For a truly superb evening around Union Square area, start with dinner at BLT Prime The popovers are huge and steaming hot to start. Order the Potato Skins with freshly shaved truffles, Japanese Kobe beef by the ounce and a nice bottle of cabernet from their extensive list. After dinner head right around the corner to The Rose Bar at the Gramercy Park Hotel. The walls are lined with the likes of Warhol and Basquiat. With cocktails and decor that seems to attracts an air of new world glamour and old world sex. Be sure to get a reservation for a table after 10pm but if you want to come early and hear the band swing, I am there every Tuesday and Thursday night form 8 to 10pm. If you still aren’t partied out by all the food, drinking and dancing at Prime and the Rose, hit late night art deco’d mixologists dream, The Flatiron Lounge. With its Tiffany stained glassed 1930′s bar, speakeasy vibe and strong but well balanced cocktails. You’ll leave more than satisfied.

Rose Bar at the Gramercy Park Hotel

There are so many different places to go in New York city. I am just giving you a few options. Do your research in neighborhoods that you dig and and pick places that fit the vibe your going for, for that specific occasion. Sometimes a good night should be tailored like a fine suit. Sometimes its good to wing it.

Keen’s SteakHouse “Bullmoose Room” NYC

Gentleman, wherever you choose to go with friends, girlfriends or coworkers please do it in style. Hold the door open, be polite, say please and thank you and take care of the waitstaff. Don’t be a Bull Moose, be a man.

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Find A Good Fit

Posted by Brian Newman on September 24, 2012

Posted in: MANLAWS, Style. Leave a Comment

In this day and age of disposable fashion, dressing yourself is a very easy thing to do wrong. The modern Man’s suit is one of the leading culprits of how bad things can happen to good people. The cheaper “off the rack” suits made these days are always cut way to big. You are just saving a little bit of dough for a product that often just doesn’t fit you right and will wear out much faster. The “Sack Suit” below, is most of whats being sold at Menswear outlets in the city and especially the outlets across the midwest. The natural-shoulders are shapeless, there is no curve to the rib cage and the arms look like big paper towel tubes. Whether you’re thin as a rail, you never skip a meal or just an average joe, a suit should be an extension to your shape and personality, no matter your body type. Contrary to popular belief, having a more fitted suit will actually make you appear thinner. Although the ”Sack” has been part of the American Businessman’s lifestyle for over 100 years, I feel that it lacks any sense of character or personality. Its strictly business and that is exactly what it looks like. Congrats to the cat that made the first one though. Not sure what it is but you nailed it. As pianist, Alex Smith, once said so eloquently, “You’re gonna tolerate the way you look. I guarantee it.”

When shopping for a new suit try to look for a more European suiting style. Is much more form fitting and better looking for all parties involved. The shoulders have shape and character. The waist should be drawn in below the rib cage and the arms should be fitted up to the shoulders. These subtle changes will make a huge difference in the appearance and fitment of your clothes. I promise you’ll feel like a new man.

Below are some options of places to go in New York City to find the perfect fit for your budget.

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BY ROBERT JAMES — One of my favorite designers in New York. Always has what I need to make me look my best. He offers Custom work, off the rack, suit jackets, plums, jeans, great coats. Everything you need for a fitted wardrobe to make the ladies scream. Plus he’s a super cool dude.

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CRAIG ROBINSON — If you’re looking for high end, handmade, bespoke tailoring with nothing but the best materials and the utmost knowledge of the art-form, search no further. Craig is a truly established atelier and has been creating and shaping his own unique style for years.

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DOYLE MUESER — From Amber Doyle and Jake Mueser, also specializing in fine Menswear. Custom and made to measure. Suits, sport-coats, shirts, shoes and ties with a woman’s touch. Which is always a good thing.

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TOPMAN —I wouldn’t normally recommend a chain store because I like to give the money to local business, but I wanted to throw this one is for the cats who really need to keep the budget low. You can get a suit here for less than 400 bucks with a new shirt, new tie and shoes. Just make sure you pick out a suit with good fabric and spend the extra 40 bucks on alterations at your local tailor.

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The Art of the Bow Tie

Posted by Brian Newman on June 25, 2012

Posted in: Style. Leave a Comment

To learn the Art of the Bow-Tie can be a daunting task for any gentleman. First, you have to feel comfortable wearing it, but the real tough part is that you have to learn how to tie it. You can’t walk around with a clip on bow tie. It may take some time but you must learn how to tie a “Self-Tie” Bow-Tie. There are many different web images that can teach you how to do it. Here’s one I found from the back of an old beer coaster.

The King of Bow Ties

If you ask most people about bow ties, they think of waiters, pink shirts, weddings, the Hamptons, cummerbunds, plaid fabric, lameness and dudes that graduated from Harvard in the 50′s. I’m sure this cats thoughts about the dewey decimal system were fascinating, but wearing a bow tie around doesn’t mean you have to be a square.

Librarian of Congress and Harvard Grad Daniel Boorstin

The bow tie has been worn since the 17th Century by all different sorts of guys, for all different forms and functions. It was originally used to hold together the top of a mans shirt. Here’s one of the first forms of bow tie, the “Cravat” modeled by a Croatian solider employed by King Louis XIV.

Croatian Soldier

The bow tie’s popularity soon grew out of necessity to men in certain professions. Pediatricians used them so children would not be able to grab their necktie. Another example of form following function is the vintage gas station attendant. You can’t be draggin’ your necktie through peoples engine compartments while you’re checking the oil and the tire pressure but you can still look professional doing it.

Gas Station Attendant

Natually, once people with money to burn get into them, it became another accessory for formal dinners and events. The masters below have contributed and perfected the various styles of the Bow Tie through the years.

Abraham Lincoln

Winston Churchill

Groucho Marx

There are so many styles and colors that can fit in with your vibe. Next time the occasion calls for it, tie one on and feel your best.

Stay tuned for more ManLawMondays…

FATHER’S DAY

Posted by Brian Newman on June 17, 2012

Posted in: Influential Men. Leave a Comment

After the widespread success of Mothers Day in 1909, a young girl named Sonora Smart Dodd from Spokane, WA told her preacher that she wanted to create a similar holiday for her father William Jackson Smart. Her mother had passed shortly after the birth of her sixth child and left William to raise them alone. It must have been extremely tough for the Civil War verteran and the family, but he must have done the very best he could to have his daughter want to honor him and fathers everywhere with a special day just for them. Although the General Store should have sold him that extra bottle of, “Just For Men,” he sure looks like a proud parent and hard working man to me. He also looks like he shops at, By Robert James on Orchard St.

WIlliam Smart

Father’s Day was first celebrated in Spokane later that year. After over twenty years of low popularity, Sonora got in touch with the New York Associated Men’s Wear Retailers. Together they founded the ”Father’s Day Council” to nationally promote Father’s Day as a holiday in 1938. The intent for publicizing Fathers Day differed for each party. The plan was to boost mens gift sales around the holiday, but the main reason for Sonora was to honor Fathers for everything they have given their families. It wasn’t until 1972 that President Nixon finally made it a permanent national holiday. The struggle that it took for the public to recognize the importance of Father’s day equally parallels with the amount of hard work, time and sometimes un-noticed effort that our Father’s put in every single day to make sure we have the things we need to survive and grow. Love, food, clothes, water, shelter, a college education and a million other things that go into being a great Dad.

Ward Cleaver

We don’t always see what our Mom’s and Dad’s teach us as we grow up, but the older I get the more I realize how much I have learned from Dad. Through his words and actions throughout the course of my life, he has given good advice and guidance 98.9% of the time. Whether listening to him haggle with a used car salesman, teaching me how to be a gentleman (then asking me to pull his finger 10 minutes later) or delivering one of his many rules of life, he always did and continues to do the best he can to take care of his family first. The things he consciously and inadvertently taught me are things that I continue to use and strive for everyday of my life.

Tony and Kim Newman

In honor of my Dad (and Dad’s everywhere) I wanted to list some words of wisdom and general great phrases, from the self-proclaimed, “O-Wise-One,” that my family and I have heard over and over throughout our lives. Thanks to my wonderful sister Britt and Ma Dukes for reminding me of some of the best one liners.

1. ”Whatever you do, I’ve done it before. Whatever you think about doing I’ve already done that too.”

2. ”Don’t eat yellow snow.”

3. “When you rush you make mistakes.”

4. “Don’t burn bridges. You never know who will be handing out life jackets when the boat starts to sink”

5. “Drink in moderation. If you drink a beer and a water and a beer and a water, you’ll be just as drunk but you won’t be sloppy or hungover the next day.”

6. ”Keep your cool.”

7. “Be nice to your sister, when she gets older she’ll have friends.”

8. ”Do as I say, not as I do”

9. “Everthing is for sale and never pay full price”

10. “Get to work!!”

11. ”Every Day is Mother’s Day”

12. ”Early worm avoids the bird”

13. ”Piece a shit! Where’s the damn duct tape!”

14. ”The wheel that squeaks the loudest gets oiled”

15. “C’mon Now!!!”

16. ”Up and at em!!”

17. ”Don’t take chances with your life.”

18. “Eye of the tiger”

19. “You must have the gout”

20. ”Never give up”

I could go on for a few more paragraphs, but you and Dad should be drinking beers by the BBQ right now. I wish I was home in Cleveland this weekend doing just that. I just want to say thank you Dad for all you have done for me and our family over the years and I love you Daddy-O!!!

Thank you to all the other Dad’s out there who also follow the laws of a true Man of distinction. To all you deadbeats, Be a man and get it together.

Stay tuned for more ManLawMondays…