The Low Anthem...

Well, here we go with another rash of concerts for fall. I guess the word rash seems as though it's an uncomfortable thing but believe me, nothing is further from the truth. Music is my life and being able to see live music performed by favorite people is a kiss to the heart.

The Low Anthem, consisting of multi-instrumentalists Ben Miller, Jeff Prystowsky, Jocie Adams and sometimes Mat Davidson have been a favorite of mine ever since discovering them on cd Baby's website a few years ago. I bought the first album and quickly snapped up the others as they were released. With any album, there are favorite songs but with this group, I find it hard to actually choose. People have asked me and I can usually only narrow it down to five or six after a lot of hemming and hawing.

They are a unique and extremely talented trio [sometimes quartet] who between them all play 34 instruments. Almost all vintage or antique. It has been said that they have in their possession, more antique instruments than the museum in Providence Rhode Island where they hail from.
And each of them is able to play almost all of the 34! I got to see this first hand last Wednesday night, Sept 14 when we attended their concert at the World Cafe LIVE in Philly.

The evening opened with guest artist William Elliot Whitmore, a singer/songwriter I'd never heard of before. But he didn't disappoint and was the perfect choice to open for a band like The Low Anthem. William played banjo, guitar and bass drum. Yes, you read that right - bass drum! It had a wonderful effect with what he did and we enjoyed him a lot!



Then with virtually no real break at all, Low Anthem entered the stage. They began their program by announcing they would do the songs in chronological order which got a laugh from the audience but really ended up working well for those recording their favorite songs.



I could fill this post with video I took of the evening but I think it would be better if you went to see them yourself if they come to your corner of the world. Philly was the first concert of the tour and they will work themselves cross country to California before going on hiatus to work on new things at home in Rhode Island. You will not be disappointed and since this tour will be their last, you won't get another chance if you pass on this one.

To Ben, Jeff, Jocie & Mat, plus past member Dan Lefkowitz, - thank you for three incredible albums that filled so many of my days, plus an evening I will never forget.

Eric Clapton in the 'Burgh...

A lifelong dream of mine came true last Thursday night, February 25th when we battled to stay ahead of one of the worst blizzards of the year and get from Philly to Pittsburgh ahead of the storm. The goal was to see my guitar idol Eric Clapton who was going to be appearing at the dear old Igloo (Mellon Arena). Having missed the chance to see him a number of times already, I was very nervous it would happen again as they talked of record breaking snowfall the day before the concert.

Could we make the 300 plus mile trip before the storm hit? Well, we were about to find out because we were not going to be deprived of another opportunity to see him.
And see the Igloo for the last time too, because that wonderful old arena, the oldest in the NHL, was slated to also be torn down within the month.

So we left the Mustang in our garage, knowing better than to take it on a snowy trip and sliding off the road. Instead we hopped into my 15 year old Escort GT knowing that if we had any chance at all of making it to Pittsburgh, my Pokey was going to be the one to get us there.


~Pokey resting on Laurel Highlands

We arrived in the Burgh and had time to spare...the weather still holding strong in that fair city.

After getting settled and having something to eat it was off to the Igloo like we had done so many times while living there and going to so many Penguins games. It was so bittersweet being back, knowing I was going to see Eric for the first time in my life - and seeing the Igloo for my last time.

Roger Daltrey was appearing with Eric and opened the show with some of his older Who stuff but much of his stuff was new to the audience. He did many covers of other artists and endeared himself immediately with the crowd. Opening his portion with I Can See For Miles and The Real Me, he also did a Taj Mahal cover of Freedom Ride. Levon Helm's song, Gimme A Stone was perhaps the favorite of the Daltrey set -

Finally, the moment everyone had come for. Eric strolled out on stage without any fanfare whatsoever, looking like a college professor dressed for a weekend visit to the market. He wore jeans, a plain blue button-down shirt and sneakers, his hair long, his manner quiet and unassuming.

When he played the opening chords of "Goin' Down Slow" he was suddenly transformed — as was I and the rest of the audience — through his brief 15-song, 90-minute set. The brevity of the show didn't matter. Like other singular artists — think Pavarotti, Baryshnikov or DeNiro — Clapton's talent defies description, and astounds even as it takes place before one's eyes. He seems almost lackadaisical in his approach to his craft, but the genius that emerges as his hands fly up and down the length of his guitar is astounding.

Four songs into the evening Clapton played "Old Love," an atmospheric, sweetly melancholic tune that featured one of his indescribable guitar solos. You start to think nothing would top this ... until the next song, a rousing version of "I Shot the Sheriff" which featured yet another breathtaking guitar solo. So went the entire evening. Even the obligatory acoustic run of songs, which featured "Driftin' Blues," "Nobody Knows When You're Down and Out," "Running on Faith" and "I've Got a Rock 'n' Roll Heart," transcended the usual limitations of such forays.

Instead of seeming indulgent, Clapton transformed the whole arena into an intimate club. The lighting - the general feeling given off - his quiet rapport with his listeners, made everyone feel that he was playing for them...only them. Everyone had "their" Clapton song and he accommodated most by giving them that. How do you top that?

Well, we are talking Eric Clapton here right? It's easy. He trotted out "Badge" from his tenure with Cream, and even though a keyboardist added some odd-sounding accompaniment (much to Clapton's amusement) the grandness of this magisterial song shone through. With another stunning solo unleashed, of course.

Clapton followed with sparkling versions of "Little Queen of Spades," "Before You Accuse Me," "Wonderful Tonight" and "Cocaine," the audience response increasing with each selection. And that was it! Suddenly it was over, save for a truncated, almost carnival-like version of "Crossroads" that ended the evening much, much too soon.

I wish I could have captured more video of this concert but to be honest, I was so wrapped up in what I was experiencing, I simply forgot to turn the Flip on when I maybe could have. However, I did get a few and will leave you with one....



So I had finally achieved the thing I've waited my entire life for. And now I want to do it again!

Moonalice

Once upon a time in America, there were musicians who played the music they wanted to play. They didn’t follow musical fads, they created them. They had lots and lots of fun with that and we had lots of fun listening. They were based in California - more specifically San Francisco, but within a very short space of time, they were embraced by a continent of music lovers. Bands like Hot Tuna and Jefferson Airplane, evolving to Jefferson Starship, and of course the Eagles and Poco, Buffalo Springfield and just to name a very few.

Some of these bands have largely stayed together – others have disbanded and gone solo or started up new ventures. So it is with Moonalice.

Moonalice is a band/tribe (sic) comprised of musicians Jack Casady of Hot Tuna, Jesus H Moonalice, the incredible Barry Sless (David Nelson Band, Phil Lesh & Friends) on bass, guitar and pedal steel, Sir Sinjin Moonalice (British born Pete Sears, also from Hot Tuna, Rod Stewart Band, Jefferson Starship et al.) on bass and keys, Chubby Wombat Moonalice (Roger McNamee) on guitar, bass, Blue Moonalice, Ann McNamee (Flying Other Brothers, Ann Atomic) on angelic vocals and percussion, and finally, Barry Sless and Dawnman Moonalice, Jimmy Sanchez (Boz Scaggs, Bonnie Raitt) on drums.

Last and certainly not least is G.E. Smith. Leader of the Saturday Night Live Band for about ten years, he also toured with Hall & Oates for a number of years, plus played with Dylan, Jagger, and Bowie.

As the story goes, Moonalice is a Native American tribe that dates back to the beginning of time. In later times, the tribe evolved into two major clans, one agricultural, the other nomadic. The nomadic Moonalice clans were known as bands. They wandered the continent, surviving on their wits and music. Their specialty was low tones. From time to time, the Moonalice hippies and bands would gather in pow wows that were known as gigs. More Woodstock than livestock, Moonalice gigs were quintessentially American, combining the vibes of New York, San Francisco and all points in between. Moonalice legend speaks of a mysterious 7th player – a bass player, naturally – who possessed prodigious talent. It is said by those who say such things, that the day will come when all members of the tribe will play bass together. And on that day the notion of low will be taken to new depths. Or possibly the notion of depth taken to new lows. As with all things, it’s really a matter of perspective.

The band started out with mirth but on the right foot too, when they enlisted legendary producer T Bone Burnett to help transform the highly regarded Moonalice live sound into a recorded project. Can this album really go bad? Of course not.

Pseudonyms aside, this album will charm you. Moonalice’s debut harkens back to a simpler time – a time when the world too, was somewhat simpler. Every problem could be solved by making love, not war and every coming together of people was the simple sharing of anything you had to share. Love, hemp, opinion, and a hatred of ‘the establishment’.

For those of us who grew up on California folk rock with a psychedelic twist, this album is a breath of fresh air – what we know and love, albeit maybe not as soft as in those days of caftans and granny prints. I do think they’ll pick up a few new followers with this album though. How can they not?

I have to say I love this album. Hearing G. E. Smith master the Telecaster once again in the only way he can, was worth the cost of the album right there. But there are bonuses too - Jack Casady's legendary full driving tone and innovative melodic bass work was there as well, the stormy melodic lines & sweeping chord work that earned him a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. But aside from musical qualities they bring you great tunes as well. From the Mark Knofler-esque sounding’ "Kick It Open" to the haunting "Blink Of An Eye" this will definitely get many hours of play at our house. I highly recommend everyone give this a listen - once you have it certainly won't be your last.

Out of the ashes - Baby is well

Thank you Linda, for prodding me to do this. I may never have put any of this together without your asking.

Sometimes we need to just kick off our shoes...socks too, and grab the guitar, noodle around and do some simple stuff.


Upload MP3s using free MP3 hosting from Tindeck.




Maybe not quite as laid back as Grayson Capps, especially if you're female, but you get my gist? We complicate our music so many times and then wonder why it is we can't relax with it.

It's funny y'know, but from the moment I picked up my guitar so many years ago now, I wanted to play what I was listening to on the radio - or what I was hearing from my albums. Just exactly like I was hearing it. Little did I know as a kid that this stuff was multimixed! The sound was manipulated and the tracks layered! And then mixed some more.
I anguished for years, thinking I would never play as well as I wanted to. I had fun doing what I was doing but there was always that feeling of inadequacy - sad huh?

Well, fast forward a few more years to my band years. Though I was playing an acoustic guitar I was still required to use a pick up and amplify the guitar. Not the soft sound of thumb or plectrum on the strings - no, it still needed to be artificial sound.

Then an event happened that took even that minuscule talent away from me. A monumental event that sank me for a number of years. Many on you who read my blog regularly will know what I'm referring to, but for those who don't, I had a brain aneurysm which paralyzed my left side and meant learning all the things I'd learned as a baby over again - things like sit up, walk, talk and use my hand and arm again.

But I've always been resilient - I don't take any credit for that - I just am. And my determination to get better made many of these things return fairly fast. Within four years I was doing everything again and while not climbing mountains or playing hockey due to an noncomplying leg, I am in the process of learning to play my guitar again. Perhaps the luck of the genes.
But whatever it is, I'm now in the long process of climbing out of that damn deep pit I was put in.
Odd too, because I truly believe that if my dear old guitar hadn't been hurt bad, I may never have attempted coming back from my own hurt. There you have it though - the mystery of the way life works sometimes. From something bad comes something better. You hear people say it all the time, and probably have even given that advise out yourself, but until it hits home, you don't realize just how true it can be.

Once I got my guitar fixed I could not wait to play it again. But being a 45 year old instrument it needed a little more than just the cracks mended and a shine up. As I soon learned, there was also a matter of tuning keys that actually tuned. The old ones slipped, or snarled and wouldn't turn. Yes, we can buy those things in any good music store, but what do shiny new and modern pegs look like on an old guitar? Not right. Not at all! I did not want to replace 1964 tuning mechanisms with 2009 anything!

So I wrote to the Framus company in Germany asking them if they could recommend a place for me to get replacements. After some correspondence with historian and descendant of the Framus founders family, Dr. Christian Hoyer, I was told that, yes, they were happy to announce - they could replace them for me themselves! They needed to see photos of my guitar as well as the tuners themselves and they would go from there. They still had access to them from their shop in Markneukirchen Germany.
Not only that, but because my guitar is a model they don't have in their museum, they were interested in having pictures of mine for the museum as well as a second edition of Dr. Hoyer's book about the Framus company - Framus: Built in the Heart of Bavaria.

The tears I'd shed at seeing my guitar destroyed by careless people became tears of joy. And so now thanks to the expediency of the Framus company the tuners are sitting beside my guitar awaiting installation. It cannot happen too soon!

Thank you so much Dr. Christian Hoyer for your assistance in this. Without your help, the guitar would be destined to sit idle, a reminder of things that used to be.

In the meanwhile though, while waiting, I was still without any guitar at all. Nothing to play...not any way to make my fingers work or make music at all, complicated or otherwise - Without a guitar, even a simply two chord lilt was impossible. So something had to be done.

Since I've played a 12 string guitar for most of my life, there were times I thought I'd like to invest in a six string as well, but finances never allowed that to happen. And I would absolutely never give up the 12 string for a six. Once you get all that sound from a guitar you're just not willing to give it up.

So - while all this was happening, Christmas was approaching and someone in my life was taking serious notes of all this. Subsequently on Christmas morning I found myself the happy owner of my new Martin D-18. If someone had told me five years ago that any of this was possible I know I would have rolled my eyes and thought them a bit daft. Well, guess who was wrong? And guess who is very happy to announce they were wrong?

This post is a bit of a ramble I know, but I just wanted to tie up some loose ends and remind people that there is always a silver lining to things even if it looks bleak. Never assume that reaching the bottom means you will stay there.
Now if you don't mind, I think I will go and make a little music...

There's noone as Irish as Barack Obama...

I knew I was feeling an unconscious reason to vote for Barack too....

This old guitar of mine...

This week or the next I will finally be reunited with my guitar. My best friend for so many years, my beautiful Framus 12 string guitar. Listed as the Texan by the company, so many people referred to it as the Hummingbird that Framus finally changed the listing in their catalog to the Hummingbird. While the bird on the Framus pick guard isn't really a hummingbird, but really some sort of songbird, the shape of the guard and the flowers on it are very much like that of the Gibson Hummingbird.

I've had this guitar with me what seems like forever, but in reality 35 years. It is one of my things that I always took good care of, making sure it was always cleaned and polished, even if I wasn't using it and keeping the wood hydrated. No dust ever dare try to lay on it for long.

It was the third guitar that I'd owned, my first being a student guitar, a black flattop Harmony - 'the peoples guitar' they touted it at the time. I often wondered "as opposed to what?" That guitar came with a 25 year warranty and was sold through Sears with their Silvertone name on it. It was a surprisingly nice sounding guitar for it's price tag, maybe a bit scratchy, but otherwise okay for $90.00.

As a kid I thought I had the best guitar that money could buy.
I don't know if mine would have made it the 25 years or not but it didn't matter because I sold it to buy a Gibson LG1.

The LG1 and I did not get along at all. It was a sort of clunky sounding little 3/4 guitar that had neck rod problems we were never able to get fixed. One song and I was having to tune - that did get rather old very fast.

So a dear friend of mine, who happened to own a music store, called me in and presented me with my Framus. He thought it was the best guitar I could have for the type of thing I did on guitar and he was right on the money. I bonded with my baby immediately and I've never looked back.

So fast forward to today and getting my guitar fixed after our last move back to the east from Vegas. The guitar was so mishandled by the moving company, having been left in 100 degree heat unprotected for nearly nine months, it split down the center of the face.
*all photos may be enlarged by clicking on them ~

I was beside myself when it arrived wrapped in only a sheet of newspaper, nothing else, even tho' the company, Puliz Moving and Storage, [remember that name] assured us the guitar would be specially grated and kept in air conditioned storage, it was more than evident that never happened. As an aside, Puliz damaged more of our belongings in this one move than any of our other seven moves combined. If you need to move anywhere, you need to avoid this company like the plague.
And so began a long saga of fighting with their insurance company to have the guitar fixed.

Since they were refusing, I sought out a man here on my own in Pennsylvania...Bangor PA to be exact. Mr Fred Castner. The guitar has not left my side in 35 years! I didn't want it replaced - I wanted my guitar in the condition they received it in. I want you to remember this name too, Castner Guitar Repair, because not only is this man an expert at his craft, but working with him has been a delight from beginning to end.
In today's world, with all the businesses that won't give an inch, or live up to their promises, how refreshing it is to find a person like Fred who will go the extra mile and then some, to get it right! He has kept me abreast of every step of the way in the restoring process. I have received daily reports and he's asked for my input at times if in doubt about what I expect.

How could you ask for anything better in business?
~the seemingly innocent looking crack~
The progress pictures arrived compliments of Fred's wife Regina and I am thrilled at what I am seeing so far! I can't post all the pictures, but I will give you a sampling and trust me, the remaining photos show a beautiful guitar emerging again thanks to talented hands.





~prepping for the lacquer

~the crack is mended and sealed.


~another look before polishing it up


And so now I'm counting the hours til I have it back again. Any guesses as to what song I will attempt to play on it first? Isn't it obvious?



I'm intending to add to this as the time nears to bring it home too, so please drop by again. Sorta like awaiting a new baby, isn't it?

Saturday, October 18, 2008 - homecoming day -

There was the sign just ahead at the roadside. The sign reads Castner Guitar Repair. Should also read “Miracle worker slash all round great guy!” I am still in awe of what he has worked with my guitar.

My heart started hammering as we pulled into the drive and it hit me that this was the day I was picking up my guitar to bring it home again.
We met Fred at the door and he took us into the shop and presented the guitar to me – and no, for those of you that know me, I didn’t cry. But it was an uphill battle not to.

~ No, it's not your eyes, it's hubby's eyes. The pix are blurry. He says he doesn't need to wear his glasses.





The guitar is so beautiful, as you can see.

Once I got it home, he & I went over a few tunes together - songs that I thought may be easy for me to pick up again. Now I have blisters on my fingers! Trust me when I say it’s been a long, long time since that’s happened, but I welcome it so much. And it didn't take too long either!

I was so relieved to find out I may have been worrying needlessly about my fingers not working. It will be like learning over again, I'm sure, but at least I can learn over…and with one advantage. This time I have the chords all in my head, I just have to send them all that back to my fingers.

I’m pretty confident that once I rebuild my calluses, I’m gonna be okay. Something I didn’t think about though, was the rest of my hand - my wrist will need some work because that is one wide neck, I tell ya! I had forgotten. I'm not a guitar weenie so I'm not sure of the measurements, but I believe the average 'at the nut' measurement for a guitar neck is 1 3/4" to 1 11/16" wide. Mine is 1 14/16ths"! That's quite a span for a female type hand, but ya do what ya gotta do! Life's little challenges, y'know?

And I will do it again, in fact already doing it, just awkwardly, but I’m not going for best looking guitar player so it doesn’t really matter! Wish me luck everybody. I will try to give a 6 month report on my progress.

And if you ever have a guitar that needs repair or refinishing, or know someone that does, keep Fred in mind, because as you can see you will not be disappointed.

An Evening With Jackson Browne...

Aah, where to begin? I had the distinct pleasure of taking in what was to be my seventh Jackson Browne concert at the Tower Theater in Philly on Thursday night. Even the Tower itself is renowned for past performers like the Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor, U2, the Dave Mason Band. In fact, David Bowie played the Tower as his first ever in the USA concert. Paul Simon appeared there more than a few times and even a part of his One Trick Pony tour was recorded there, along with the VHS tape for marketing. An aging theater which I pray someone will restore to it's former beauty before it's too late. Just it's aura alone...but I digress.

What could possibly be left to say about this truly amazing, one of a kind man, Jackson Browne? No surprises he would be making an appearance at the Tower again. While he seems ageless from afar, he isn't, but he still has that boyishness that endears you to him.

I expected to see him appear sporting the beard that he had at Sundance Music Festival, and on the cover of Time The Conqueror, his new cd. But he surprised us once again when he quietly strolled onstage, like always no introduction and no pretension; no rock and roll attitude or 'sit up listen now, I'm a big star' personae. Just his familiar clean shaven face, the one I've known all these years, giving the audience his patented shy 'hi'. He came front and center and did what he's done for as long as I've followed him - enjoyed his audience as much as they enjoyed him.
That is one thing I've always admired about him - his rapport with his audience. He will laugh and talk with everyone - joking about himself and the situations he's found himself in as well.

We didn't have to sit through an opening band either. Jackson was all the opening band anyone in the theater wanted. He started the show with 'Boulevard' and seemingly played without any kind of set list, playing what popped into his head, although I'm sure there is a loosely structured one - there has to be, if you're going to play for three hours. He typically does and didn't disappoint this time either.

He joked, “I’m struggling with the self-knowledge that I’m lazy enough to just stand up here and do whatever you guys tell me to do.” While he doesn’t quite do that, he will kid with the person asking for a song that it was the best way to get him not to do that particular song.
The song of course, will show up a bit further in the show.
But this is his style and it allows him to occasionally take requests from the audience, which in turn gives him an opportunity to do the archival songs he may not otherwise get to do.

One song from the newly released cd was 'The Drums Of War'. The audience, up til then had been animated - swaying, dancing or singing along. But when the first drum-laden bars of this tune began, a hush fell over everyone and they just listened -rapt. If this is any indication of the contents of Time The Conqueror, Jackson has another hit album on his hands.

He had his longtime band with him also - Kevin McCormick (bass), Mark Goldenberg (guitars), Mauricio “Fritz” Lewak (drums) and Jeff Young (keyboards and backing vocals).

However, there were two new additions who are also on the new cd are backup singers. Chavonne Morris and Alethea Mills are two vocalists Jackson met in early 2001 while working with Washington Preparatory High School located in South Central Los Angeles. These girls are absolutely worth the price of the ticket on their own! They are one of the best things Jackson has done.

Lastly, he finished things off with I Am A Patriot and reminded everyone to get out and vote - and even with good reasons to talk about political things and law suits, he made no mention of candidates or policies being presented.

Having been to so many of his concerts now, there are so many little stories I could regale you with about him and how he chooses to conduct himself onstage. I think the thing I like best though, was never before more evident than it was last night - Jackson is true to form and has been since he appeared on the scene in the mid 1970's with the song that got my attention - Doctor My Eyes, and for me there was no turning back.

He really has proven he's conquered his time and not the other way around. His vocal chords don't yet know they'll be celebrating their 60th year on this planet October 9th.

As I said, a truly amazing man.

For myself, I will leave you with the song that went straight to my heart and is still my favorite today - Late For The Sky. I could have written these words about my own situation at the time myself, had I been talented enough. And one day, I'm sure I'll get through the whole song without crying.

Exile In America

A Matchbox Twenty concert review.

Well, they are back with a vengeance, and ask me if I could be happier?

I got to attend my sixth Matchbox Twenty concert last night at the Sovereign Arena in Reading PA. There are two things I will say about the groups’ performance Tuesday night. The first is – damn good to have them back! And second, kudos to them for the subtle changes they’ve make in the interim that have improved them in all the right places.

If someone had told me a few years ago I’d be saying this, I would have guffawed them. Because, in my opinion, the band was already just about as close to perfection as they were going to get. Yes of course, the bias of a fan speaking, but minor tweaking over this 'time-out' has led to more than a few minor changes and overall, to a more professional sound for the band.

First is the addition of drummer Ryan McMillan setting a really rock-solid bottom line. Switching Paul Doucette to rhythm guitar from drums has worked out very well.

Also the lighting for this show was designed to focus us on lead singer Rob Thomas. Whether this came as a surprise to new fans, or upset long time ones, I'm not sure. But recurrence of a thematic lighting scheme persisted throughout the concert, and it was done superbly.

In all twenty five songs of their set, the spotlight — or spotlights — constantly shone brightest on Rob. In fact, there were moments where a sheer black curtain was dropped from the rafters, dividing him from the rest of the band members and they were only silhouetted behind him.
A rather impressive visual as Rob himself held the multi-kilowatt beam to himself.

Having said that, I don’t believe for a moment that this was any kind of prima donna predisposition on the part of Rob, but more a case of a lighting dynamic designed to give the backing members an air of mystique, which it achieved beautifully. Having followed the band since the days when they were known as Tabitha’s Secret, I feel this was a spotlight technique used as a visual tool to preserve Rob's status, not just as the voice, but the face of Matchbox Twenty.

The evening opened with a new group, Mute Math – an electro-rock quartet out of New Orleans. They spent a half hour trying to dazzle with loud sounds and blinding strobes, giving some in the audience a chance to refresh their drinks before settling down again. In their favor, they had some uniqueness. But I was glad I was only subjected to a half hour of it.

After a short break we were treated to Alanis Morrisette. I've never been a huge fan of hers. I'm not saying she's bad, just not my type of music. Alanis played an hour-long set that included almost all of her breathy, exasperated vocal-driven songs — minus "Head Over Feet" — plus her haunting, yet amusing spoof of the Black Eyed Peas' "My Humps." And of course "Jagged Little Pill." One thing's for sure: her songs of a woman's relationship discontent resonated soundly with the disproportionately female audience.

I think it admirable that MB20 invited her to join their tour, but she didn't appeal to their audience. She had a following there though, sitting down front so she sang primarily to them.

Then finally MB20 came out to a resounding welcome from the audience. And we weren’t to be disappointed! The band is touring in support of their new album, Exile on Mainstream. In fact, they opened their show with a rousing rendition of "Let's See How Far We've Come," their latest hit single from that album.

From there, the concert moved into a shuffle of hit songs and new album cuts. Since the album is basically a greatest hits album with six new songs added, most of the concert gave fans what they wanted to hear — their favorites re-worked but remaining pretty much as they were the first time around. In between filler material, people perpetually yelled out for staples like "3 a.m.," "Unwell," or "Push" (the last song of the evening.)
And, to no one's surprise, as always, the band didn't disappoint.

Highlights of the concert included the last song before the encore. "Bright Lights," opened with a solo blues riff from guitarist Kyle Cook, which moved into a momentous rock version of the hit song. But before they wrapped up, the band broke into the first couple of verses of the Beatles' "She Came in Through the Bathroom Window" before circling back into the closing notes of "Bright Lights."

Another highlight was Rob taking a video camera from a woman in the front row & videoing the band for her, turning the camera on himself at one point and singing to it/her. Something I’m sure we will see on YouTube before long.

Finally, the most important thing to note is the band has kept everything they’ve always had going for them, like their rapport with their audience and their ability to do their songs from years back and never make them sound tired. But now, they’ve added a sweet glossing of professionalism that caps them off. I recommend to anyone, if you haven’t already, buy tickets and don’t miss this one.

• MTV
• Music Videos
• MTV Shows
• Entertainment News

Mr. Crayola

Don Marco is an incredible artist who didn't let the little things like proper medium stop him from creating some beautiful visions for us to enjoy. How come my crayons never did this, hmmm?

Don Marco - Mr. Crayola-part 1

and...

Don Marco - Mr.Crayola - part2

I didn't inherit my uncles gift of taking 8 wax crayons either, like Don Marco, and creating wonderful images that belie their origins. C'est la vie. But who knows? Maybe someday I will select just the right colors and I too, will appear in someones blog with my masterpiece.

Hey, it could happen!

What's left to be said about John Prine...

...that hasn't already been said a thousand times? The man is a lyrical genius admired over his long career by peers and audiences alike. John writes the songs we can all relate to. The songs about favorite cars, favorite dogs, and favorite times. And the bad times...a song writer can't ignore the bad times, but John writes those from a different, nay, a better perspective. Not so much in protest as in a nostalgic learning path. A more palatable reminiscence.



Returning home a star...



...favorites...



And then Bonnie & John doing one of my personal favorites.



I would have killed to be at this concert - Bonnie, Bryan, Bruce, and Jackson all doing John! OMG!



Still, I'm hoping to see John doing John in the next few months. A trip to my old stomping grounds - Pittsburgh and a close to the stage seat in the Mellon Arena. Can't ask for more than that.

I'll let y'all know how good it was...

Matchbox Twenty

It all started with this tune...


Which kicked off a passionate love of their music and the message their music brought.


Some things are just too hard to label - for me these guys are one of them. I love this band and wasn't too thrilled when Rob Thomas decided to go out on his own, figuring that was the death knell for the group. Altho' he and Joss did a nice tune together, I still wanted him back with his boys.

They were the band I attribute to getting me out of rehab, back on my feet and walking again - my lead therapist held a poster up at the end of the corridor in the hospital each day and said "Ginger; Rob wants you here in front of him right now." It worked. I had tickets for their concert and I was determined I was going to go! Since our tickets were stage front, I wouldn't settle for the handicap section either! No, I wasn't going to do that to my husband or myself! I had no intention of cashing those tickets in for some others. I was going to walk to those seats and watch my guys. I did! Thanks guys...

Anyway it wasn't the end!! They are back and better than ever, if that's possible.
And thanks for seeing the wisdom in putting yourselves back together and giving us all some more music to listen to. I'm at your next concert - or two- or more! Count on it!

Things I drool and lust after 2

I want to do this someday too...drive to the airport in my Porsche Carrera GT and hop into my F18 or my F22 Raptor...


...or have someone drop me off at the local aircraft carrier and punch it out into the sky. Hey! A girl can dream right?

I might even let someone else pilot the thing.



I never understood the need for booze and drugs. I could get so high on so much in life - music, and speed...real miles per hour speed, not methamphetamines. Listening to someone who knows how to play blues just has me in the palm of their hand. I am putty...no, I am a cooked noodle! Bonnie can do that for me - and so can Steve with Joe.



And while it's a little loose, it's still two of my best together - Aerosmith & Zeppelin.



And bad vid but hey! I was there, so it's gotta go in.



There's not a lot to add to this one...Jackson and David doing what they do the best.


Oh, those Mercury Blooooooz....



And lastly, I want to learn to play my fav classical pieces like this guy!! Two of my favorites actually right from childhood. First
Ready, set, go - Pachelbels Canon in D major, not quite like you've ever heard it before!



and then Antonio Vivaldi's Le Quattro Stagioni, better known as The Four Seasons suite, but never heard like this before, I'm sure.

Patrick Sweany, baby!

Take a look at Patrick's promo picture.


What do you expect to hear? "Sometimes you can judge a book by its cover, or in this case, a musician by his promo shot, but I'm pretty sure you're not going to get what you expect this time. No...better than that. So much better.

Take another good look at Patrick. Do you think he plays NME hyped new rave? Hmmm, no.

He's probably not a know tweedler and most likely not a knuckle dragging cock rocker either. How about quirky indie pop, literary pop, or some Pitchfork approved best new music? Nope. No, he's an honest, hard working, roots rockin' blues man from the rust belt. He can stir my rock juices til they are about to spill over.

Sample this:-



...and this:-



For his latest CD, Every Hour Is A Dollar Gone, Sweany had the help of blues musician's Dan Auerbach from The Black Keys. Auerbach co-produced and engineered the recordings. It goes without saying, that it's got that same vintage rock and roll sound that's found on many of The Black Keys' records.

From Orange To Pink" is a rambling, foot shufflin' boogie number, with the feel of dirty fingernails scraping the strings, while "Mom and Dad" has more of a rag-time feel that gets the hands clapping as well as the toes tapping.

I am hoping he'll tour around near me soon so that I can lose myself in his music again.

Jon Bon Jovi

I think Paris has the best phrase for this..."That's hot!"

I make no pretenses; I love Jon Bon Jovi. I simply don't get those who have the elitist need to "set themselves apart" by not liking a band who has stood the test of time, in this case 23 years and counting. Plain rock and roll, a terrific voice, and good presentation throughout his glam rock years until today, he has continued where others haven't.
He has avoided following in the hedonistic, self-destructive footsteps of so many others. He married his high school sweetheart and after 18 years and four children they are still together - no overdoses or break-ups, just a man who loves what he does and wants to make a difference in his world.

Presently, while still recording and touring, he is also co-owner of The Philadelphia Soul arena football team; he has all sorts of solid philanthropic projects and founded the The Philadelphia Soul Charitable Foundation which is currently coupled with Project HOME, Habitat for Humanity, to build homes for those people in need of decent housing. He's sure not just another pretty face. He is a caring, hands on individual - one always looking for ways to improve the lives of those less fortunate than he is.
I admire Jon so much.

In fact, I admire all people who will use their money and their talents to give something back - better the lives of many and not just themselves.

People have always been shocked when I say I'm a Bon Jovi fan...why? They've sold over 125 million albums worldwide - 40 million in the US alone so I'm certainly not alone.

They have consistently sold millions of copies of each of their nine albums.

I doubt that Jon cared whether people thought his band was less than cutting edge tho'. He'd found a formula - crank out pop-rock anthems with easily palatable social messages - tunes his fans wanted to hear and he stuck to it. Think about it! While other quintessentially 80's bands have disbanded and disappeared, Bon Jovi has stayed in the charts. They have a unique sound, influenced by rock, pop, metal and blues. A very distinctive sound. The Bon Jovi sound and people knew what they were getting when they bought a cd. Jon's formula clearly worked.

And Richie is not to be overlooked either. He ranks as my top ten as best guitarist to hit a stage. He has my sound - that mix of blues/Spanish/rock...okay, heavy on the rock, but he can peel off the sweetest, pure notes that my ear has heard. I've always favored Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck and it's pretty obvious this is who Richie fashions himself after learning the guitar. Man, did he picked the best.

This song really has a special place in my heart.

More good works from Jon came about after the supposed landslide election win of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on June 12th of this year. The announcement claimed Ahmadinejad had garnered 63% of the votes cast, and that Mir-Hossein Mousavi had received 33% of the votes cast. The European Union, United Kingdom and several western countries expressed concern over alleged irregularities during the vote, and many analysts and journalists from the United States, Europe and other western based media voiced doubts as well, about the authenticity of the results.

Meanwhile, many OIC member states, as well as Russia, China, India, and Brazil, have congratulated Ahmadinejad on his victory. It was clearly a corrupt election from the outset and Iranian citizens were outraged at yet another abuse of their civil rights and liberties. Many took to the streets to protest this apparent unprincipled farce of an election.

So it was that on June 24, 2009 this "Stand By Me" event took place. Iranian Superstar Andy Madadian went into an LA recording studio with Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora and American record producers Don Was and John Shanks to record a musical message of worldwide solidarity with the people of Iran. This version of the old Ben E. King classic is not for sale - it was not meant to be on the Billboard charts or even manufactured as a CD.....it's intended to be downloaded and shared by the Iranian people...to give voice to the sentiment that all people of the world stand together....the handwritten Farsi sign in the video translates to "we are one".

If you know someone in Iran - or anyone who knows someone in Iran - please share this link.

http://www.MyDamnChannel.com/Don_Was/...

Free MP3 download: http://content.mydamnchannel.com/data...

Love ya, Jon. Sure hope we can have lunch together some day. And bring Richie...

Steve Forbert

Yesterday....Little Stevie Forbert





And today...

Well, it sure has been a long time between gigs for Steve and me! With his very appealing and gritty voice, Steve's style - a blend of rock 'n' roll, country, folk and R&B - gives him an unmistakably American sound which is as listenable as it is good. His gift for spinning a musical yarn is, if I had to compare, a bit like Mark Twain grafted with John Prine; toss in some Tom Petty and you've pretty much got the picture.

And what a pleasant surprise to find that in all those years he’s remained the unpretentious, home-spun philosopher he started out being way back in 1978. Maybe a bit mellowed now from his former rocker days, but he can still get people up out of their seats. Like Springsteen, age just doesn't damper some rockers.

Steve is a songwriter with an easy-going introspective, who, at his beginnings, was like a lot of other talented singer/songwriters who happened to play accoustic guitar and harp-on-a-rack, he was touted to be the ‘next Dylan’. A hefty handle for a young 21 year old kid from Mississippi to try to step into. What critics and reviewers learned over time however, was that he really didn’t have to be the ‘next Dylan’ because he could hold his own in those lofty ranks without becoming anyone else but Steve Forbert.

No, he never reached Dylan super status, but then neither did many others tagged at their start. Few, if any but Dylan himself, ever do. But Steve's certainly carved out his own distinct niche with a career which was never compromised – a career that spans nearly 30 years now. And as I learned Saturday night, he still has the ability to make you sit forward and get caught in his songs.

He arrived and at the World Café in Philly backed by a really solid four man band called The Sound Benders, comprised of a bunch of longtime back-up musicians and new collaborators touring with him this year. And as Steve was 30 years ago, he still is today; an affable entertainer who looks out not over his audience, but at them, and muses out loud in folksy vignettes that show him to be as canny and ingenuous as ever. He drews the audience into every tune and the room becomes his backup singers…and dancers. Now that he’s gotten older, he can reflect on both his history and the worlds as well. And all the pitfalls and peaks. He did songs from way back and songs from his new album, most notably a song called “Search Your Heart”.

It was so obvious to everyone in the room that he was delighted to be chatting to everyone there. He hasn’t tired of any of it. So refreshing to see him enjoy what he was doing today as much as he had 25+ years ago. You cannot say that about a lot of entertainers. I suggest that if anyone has the opportunity to go and see him, do it without hesitation.



And for those who don’t yet know him, you will get the opportunity to hear a couple of his songs in the new Nicole Kidman film Margot at the Wedding this fall. It seems that after all these years Hollywood has discovered what some of us have known a long time.
Steve Forbert is a unique talent that’s here to stay.



Anyone interested in picking up Steve's latest cd Strange Names and New Sensations and the On Stage at World Cafe Live 2007 DVD, can do so from Amazon.com.Both come highly recommended by me.

I can’t close this review though, without mentioning Steve’s opening musical guest, Jake Brennan. Though appearing solo, he made enough music that you didn’t really notice. I do believe we’ll be watching and listening to Jake for a lot of years to come too. Like Steve, he carries no pretension, but just pure enjoyable music.
To quote Jake, “Some guys are plumbers, some guys fix cars, and I sing songs. And I write 'em. That's it."

He sums it up much better than I could.

Bucky Covington

Sometimes things are just so good to gaze upon that it takes me a little while to realize that they're actually doing something? I do wonder if I should have listed Bucky under my 'Drool and lust' section. I'll think about it, but for now I'll just have a little fun and gaze some more. I'm still trying to get over the fact that Bucky's one of twins! Holy! There's a cardiac moment for you!

Behind the scenes on the making of the "A Different World" video.

|

My Secret Is My Silence - Roddy Woomble, (import)

Roddy Woomble branches out. And what a treat it is!

I've had the opportunity to enjoy the band Idlewild since their 1995 emergence. They are a mix of alt-rock & mad guitar frenzy with teasing touches of sweetness and you could compare them to REM in their more wistful moments. Especially REM’s “The One I Love” era.
Idlewild lead singer Roddy Woomble, being a huge fan of REM, has his voice often drawing the obvious parallels to Michael Stipe.

Since the band began however, it has gradually crept backwards to the softer pastoral sound of rock/folk, but apparently not fast enough for lead singer Roddy. He was responsible for the songs that hooked me to their music and now he’s taken that a step further and offered up a solo album of his own. He’s obviously feeling a deep need to delve into his Scottish roots and write about them.

This solo album My Secret Is My Silence is a departure from the band and a delight to listen to. The cuts each have something to say but not in your face; they go directly to your heart. The title cut “My Secret is My Silence” is both tender and epic, enormous yet touching, and Woomble's secret may not be his silence, but his ability to write beautiful songs and then pick the perfect people to share the harmonies with.

First he invites his wife Ailidh Lennon. Ailidh plays bass and mandolin for Edinburgh band Sons and Daughters. Next he brings Idlewild guitarist Rod Jones aboard, then Karine Polwart, former lead singer with Scots-Irish quintet Malinky and a one-time member of Battlefield Band. Karine has a plaintive tenure to her voice which lends an interesting combination to Woombles deep and richly melodic bass tones.

Add another female voice, Kate Rusby, a folk singer from Barnsley, South Yorkshire and her husband John McCusker, a Scottish folk singer on violin, and you have the vocals that make up the album. One song in particular, the heart-bursting track "Waverley Steps", sung with Rusby, and Polwart is the real show-stealer, though I do find I have the title track going through my head all day.

Where normally I get nervous about musicians leaving the folds of their bands, this time it’s a charm, both for him and for others! Yes, it’s always sad when an artist gets accused of selling out for leaving the security of their band to offer something else, and while many times it marks the beginning of the end for the band, it also marks the beginning of bigger and better things.

Can you tell I like this album?

Phish

If you're an old Deadhead, you're a current Phish fan, am I not right? I love these guys & look for treasures & treats wherever I can find them.

Found one!

When I jumped off I had a bucket full of thoughts,
When I first jumped off, I held that bucket in my hand,
Ideas that would take me all around the world;
I stood and watched the smoke behind the mountain curl.
It took me a long time to get back on the train...

...and Miami...



One of the biggest leaps onto the music scene this year is The Fray! It seems everyone else is now discovering my discovery of a year ago. Just gone double platinum & nominated for Two Grammy Awards for the "Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group with Vocals" Grammy Award for "Over My Head (Cable Car)" & the "Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group with Vocals" Grammy Award for "How To Save A Life."
The Grammy Awards this year will be broadcast live on CBS, Sunday February 11, 2007 from the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
They are, in a word, great! The Fray's album How To Save A Life has gone double platinum!

And more accolades...

#1 Digital Album of All-Time!
The Fray's How to Save a Life starts 2007 as not only the #1 digital album of 2006, but also of all-time. The Fray will officially eclipse Coldplay’s X&Y to become the best-selling digital album since SoundScan began tracking digital albums. The album was also biggest selling album of 2006 on the iTunes Store. Also most downloaded ringtone.



I have the feeling these guys are just getting started.

Watch for me to add more of the things that buzz my body as I come across them.