Monday, August 27, 2012

concert revisited: Rush @ the Minnesota State Fair August 27th, 2010

I had never been a fan of the Canadian power trio, Rush, until my brother Charlie turned me on to them.  Ironically, it took him a while to warm up to their sound as well.  But, all doubts were disproved when Charlie, myself, and a friend of his saw the band play at the Minnesota State Fair for their Time Machine tour in 2010.  The stage was set up to look like a giant time machine with the amplifiers enclosed in boxes that looked like how a time machine would be envisioned in a book or something.  Bassist Geddy Lee used to use these Maytag coin operated washing machines as amps, somehow, some way.  They were probably stage props.  How on earth can you amplify a bass by substituting a washing machine for an Ampeg SVT?  I haven't a clue.

At any rate, Rush's unique musical sound spoke for itself.  They are bluesy and yet have a very heavy sound with profound lyrics in their songs.  It's all very musical, though, I still have my reservations about Geddy Lee's voice.  Nonetheless, the trio of Alex Lifeson on guitars, Lee on bass, and phenomenal drummer Neal Peart, is something to behold in a live concert setting.  Whether or not Lifeson actually ate a couple of giant sized State Fair food staples offered to him during the gig (a giant pronto pup and a giant pork chop on a stick, I vouch for, yes to both), we'll never know.  ...And the array of guitars he possesses is staggering as he seemed to change guitars for nearly every song from a Gibson Les Paul Standard to a Les Paul Custom to a few Paul Reed Smiths, a Fender Telecaster, and even a mandolin, was pretty cool.

The whole set list was built around the 1981 Rush record "Moving Pictures" which took precedence in the second half of the gig.  It was set up this way for most of the tour in both 2010 and 2011, before the band released their latest album called "Clockwork Angels", this year, (2012).  At any rate, here's the set list from the memorable 2010 performance at the Minnesota State Fair.

Set 1:

Intro video: ("The Real History of Rush, Episode 2: "Don't Be Rash")
1. The Spirit of Radio
2. Time Stand Still
3. Presto
4. Stick It Out
5. Workin' Them Angels
6. Leave That Thing Alone
7. Faithless
8. BU2B (Brought Up To Believe)
9. Freewill
10. Marathon
11. Subdivisions

Set 2:

Intro video ("The Real History of Rush, Episode 17: "...and Rock & Roll is my name")
12. Tom Sawyer
13. Red Barchetta
14. YYZ
15. Limelight
16. The Camera Eye
17. Vital Signs
18. Caravan
19. Moto Perpetuo/Love for Sale (Neal Peart drum solo)
20. O'Malley's Break/Closer To The Heart
21. 2112
      I. Overture
      II. The Temples of Syrinx
22. Far Cry

Encore:

23. La Villa Strangiato (with polka intro)
24. Working Man (with reggae intro)

There was a post show montage of characters from the "I Love You, Man" movie, (specifically, Peter Klaven and Sydney Fife, played respectively by Paul Rudd and Jason Segel), annoying the band backstage after the gig.  In this show, Rush demonstrated not only their musical virtuosity, but also that even virtuous musicians can have a great sense of humor.  It's hard to describe Rush's music to non-Rush fans.  It's something that has to be heard on a recording or in a live concert setting to get the full idea of why it's so unique.

For that reason, Rush fans have been categorized as nerdy or lambasted by the music world and elite critics altogether.  But, that doesn't stop me from listening to them and appreciating what they do.  The 2010 performance at the Minnesota State Fair certainly proved such a claim that I'd be bold enough to make.

In memoriam: Stevie Ray Vaughan 1954-1990

On this day, 22 years ago, the great guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan was killed in a helicopter crash after performing at Alpine Valley in East Troy, Wisconsin.  A description of his legacy can be read in a recent blog post chronicling one of his essential compilation recordings.  In 1996, artists came together for a tribute show on Austin City Limits including his band Double Trouble with Chris Layton on drums, Tommy Shannon on bass, and Reese Wynans on keys and a star studded cast of performers.  Among them were his brother Jimmie Vaughan, B.B. King, Dr. John, Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt, Art Neville, Buddy Guy, Robert Cray, and Jimmie Vaughan's band, Tilt-A-Whirl.

Stevie Ray Vaughan, may you always Rest In Peace.  Check out this show.  This is a fitting tribute to a true blues guitar legend.

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Ann Peebles 99 lbs (Pounds)

A commenter informed me, in an obviously upset tone, but, I give all due credit, that the song "99 Pounds" covered by The Black Crowes on their 1992 "Southern Harmony & Musical Companion" record, and by a band at the recent Peach Music Festival (I have to check and see, but I think it was Trigger Hippy that had it on their set list), was done by soul/R&B singer Ann Peebles, first, back in the 1970s.  I am still learning more about obscure soul songs.  But, to clear up any confusion, here is Ann Peebles version of the tune.  Check it out.


Friday, August 24, 2012

Ray Charles "I've Got News For You"

Check this out.  Here is Ray Charles' original version of "I've Got News For You" featuring B3, and, horns.  This is good!


Bonnie Raitt & Mavis Staples concert set list @ the Minnesota State Fair, August 23, 2012

Saw an amazing gig on the opening night of the Minnesota State Fair featuring blues legends Bonnie Raitt and Mavis Staples.  Staples is actually a gospel singer who started with her family band, the Staples Singers.  Her band had many talented musicians, but her singing stole the show and she turned the concert in some places, into a church revival meeting, which might seem a bit awkward for a concert (feeling like a Sunday service in a Pentecostal gospel church).  But, the vibe was very cool.  Mavis Staples & Band

1. For What It's Worth (Buffalo Springfield cover)
2. Song For Everyone
3. The Weight (dedicated to the memory of Levon Helm)
4. Too Close To Heaven
5. On My Way To Heaven
6. Wade In The Water
7. Will The Circle Be Unbroken (feat. Bonnie Raitt & Mike Finnegan)
8. I'll Take You There

Bonnie Raitt's band scorched the stage with her well known pop and blues/R&B numbers as well as some great cover song choices.  This was my second time seeing Raitt after first seeing her at the Minnesota State Fair in 2009 with Taj Mahal as the opening act.  Her band lineup is:

Bonnie Raitt: guitar, slide guitar & vocals
George Marinelli: guitar & vocals
Mike Finnegan: Hammond B3 organ, keyboards & vocals
James "Hutch" Hutchinson: bass
Ricky Fatar: drums

It was ironic seeing Mike Finnegan as her new Hammond B3 and piano player as Finnegan was a member of Phantom Blues which was the band that backed Taj Mahal when he opened for Raitt at the fair back in 2009.  Finnegan is not only a talented keyboardist, but in his years with Crosby, Stills & Nash, and also in his time playing with Bonnie Raitt and in other settings, he has proven to be another fabulous blues singer who can wrench the emotion out of a song and really perk a listeners ear.  He has the same quality as a blues singing B3 player possessed by legends like Gregg Allman and the late, great Billy Preston.  People who don't just play the organ and leave it at that, but also, can just sing the fool out of a blues tune.

Mike Finnegan has chops, that's for dead sure.  Raitt's rhythm section of "Hutch" Hutchinson on bass and Ricky Fatar on drums has backed her for at least a quarter century now, as she approaches almost four decades into her career.  Here is the set list for Bonnie Raitt's show.

1. Used To Rule The World
2. Right Down The Line (a song written by the late musician & songwriter Gerry Rafferty)
3. Something To Talk About
4. Million Miles (Bob Dylan cover)
5. You Can't Fail Me Now
6. Love Sneakin' Up On You
7. Come To Me
8. Marriage Made In Hollywood
9. Take My Love With You
10. Angel From Montgomery (John Prine cover)
11. A Thing Called Love
12. I've Got News For You (Ray Charles song, feat. Mike Finnegan: keyboards & vocals)
13. I Feel So Damn Good
14. I Can't Make You Love Me

Encore:

15. Never Make a Move Too Soon   


Bad weather was looming just before the set ended, as there was lightning and rain in the grandstand.  So, the concert had to be cut short by a few minutes.  I know Bonnie Raitt would have wanted to play a few more songs for us as she did in 2009.  But, the crowd, and this music blogger, left the show happy.  Bonnie Raitt has a style all her own when it comes to singing and playing the guitar whether it's the gentle acoustic ballads she does like John Prine's "Angel From Montgomery", or, her fluid slide guitar work that is very pleasing to the ear and only over the top when she wants it to be, reaching for the higher fret registers only sometimes, or finding the sweet spot on the middle frets of her Fender Stratocaster's she relies on for electric slide playing.

Her music is an inspiration to many and is a joy to listen to, especially in a live gig.  She also really appreciates playing the Minnesota State Fair every time she comes there, and that's a plus.  She knows her audience and what they want to hear while still being able to just bear her soul as a singer and blues guitarist.   

That's my review.  Here's one from the local Minneapolis Star Tribune newspaper.  
http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/blogs/Artcetera.html

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Nat King Cole & Billy Preston "Thrill On Blueberry Hill"


Check this out.  Nat King Cole and a very young Billy Preston, playing the Hammond B3 at age eleven, doing Fats Domino's song "Thrill On Blueberry Hill".  This is just plain cool. 

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Bonnie Raitt "Love Sneakin' Up On You"


 A preview to a show I will be seeing tomorrow and reviewing on this blog in the coming days.  The opening concert of the Minnesota State Fair will feature Bonnie Raitt and Mavis Staples, two legends of the blues of more it's more recent incarnation over the last four decades.  Will have a review and a set list from the concert.  In the meantime, here is Bonnie Raitt performing her hit "Love Sneakin' Up On You" on the Late Show with David Letterman in 1994.  Check it out.

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

record collection revisited: Mark Knopfler "Shangri-La"

In 2004, British guitar legend Mark Knopfler came out with another great solo album.  I have a few of his solo records and maybe one or two from his days in Dire Straits.  2004's "Shangri-La" is notable for the great guitar tones that Knopfler always seems to get through his playing (usually sans a pick) on either a Stratocaster or a Les Paul.  Not only that, but his songwriting also really comes through on this record.  Knopfler and co-guitarist Richard Bennett do really well, though.

Still, I emphasize, listen to the lyrics on some of these songs, particularly "Boom, Like That", which satirizes the fast food industry in a subtle way, and "Sucker Row" which also has to do with the pitfalls of business in a way.  Knopfler doesn't have to rely on extreme volumes to get a good guitar tone.  He is a picker, so, he's more apt to just get the tone through his fingers and the touch he applies to the strings, rather than a knob on the guitar or the amp.  But, "Boom, Like That", and "Sucker Row", have these great melodic lines he plays on a Les Paul.  Knopfler proves you can still be a bluesy guitarist and play an electric similarly to how a songwriter would play acoustically.

Each song on this record has it's own character, as Knopfler is backed in a subtle way by bass, drums, and B3 organ.  It is a simple band with Knopfler and the four other well know session players (Bennett on guitar, Glenn Worf on bass, Jim Cox and Guy Fletcher on piano and organ, (two alternating keyboard players apparently), and drummer, Chad Cromwell, who really fits the tempo of each song well.  This is a very simple sounding record.  But, definitely check it out.  Strong songs are the sure backbone of it both lyrically and melodically.

1. 5:15 A.M.
2. Boom, Like That
3. Sucker Row
4. The Trawlerman's Song
5. Back to Tupelo
6. Our Shangri-La
7. Everybody Pays
8. Song for Sonny Liston
9. Whoop De Doo
10. Postcards from Paraguay
11. All That Matters
12. Stand Up Guy
13. Donegan's Gone
14. Don't Crash The Ambulance  

Sunday, August 19, 2012

concert revisited: Johnny Winter @ The Cabooze Bar, Minneapolis, MN August 10, 2007

Blues man Johnny Winter has had a career spanning some four decades, starting out in the 1960s with a cult following.  I saw him five years ago in a surprising way.  I was listening to the local classic rock station in St. Paul (KQRS FM) when it was announced on the airwaves that he'd be doing a show at a small beer joint called The Cabooze bar in Minneapolis.  So, I mentioned this to my mom, and we ended up buying tickets next door at an adjacent bar in Minneapolis to the Cabooze, going to the show later that evening.

Needless to say, the opening act was the most forgettable thing I've ever witnessed.  A pseudo punk rock band called X-Ray Hip.  These guys were the musical equivalent of a cement mixer grinding giant boulders crossed with fingernails on a chalkboard!  Just awful.  Just a lot of loud thrashing and bad jokes with no musicality whatsoever.  Earth to booking agent.  Watch out for the opening bands you sign to open up for more well known artists, please!

Well, needless to say, after diehard blues fans like myself were fed that pablum for 45 minutes, we were ready for some relief.  Winter and his band immediately came to the rescue, a quartet, featuring Johnny Winter on guitars, Paul Nelson on guitars, Scott Spray on bass, and Vito Liuzzi on drums.  They tore into a lot of Winter's material from his 2004 album "I'm A Bluesman" which was memorable, but not as well received as his covers of some old blues standards, particularly, the Freddie King instrumental classic "Hideaway" which brought down the house.  No, I don't have full recollections of the set list for this gig.  But, if something should come up, this article will be updated immediately.

I just really enjoyed hearing Winter's playing which was extremely vibrant, his slide guitar work absolutely piercing, making his '60s Gibson Firebird absolutely scream.  His encore was a scorcher!  The Bob Dylan tune, "Highway 61 Revisited" which has become a staple in his live show for many years.  Definitely a fun concert to attend even though it was so spur of the moment, and, despite, having to sit through the cheapest opening act I've ever seen.  But, Johnny Winter and his band, delivered, in spades.

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Paul Butterfield: "Slow Down"


Paul Butterfield playing a song called "Slow Down", with a band that includes many other great players.  It's Butterfield on harmonica, (of course), David Sanborn on alto saxophone, Levon Helm on drums, and Dr. John on electric piano.  THIS is hot!

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

100 Years of Musical Evolution

From the website MichaelQuale.com.  Check this out.
The full link is:
http://michaelquale.com/912084/100-years-of-musical-evolution/
Photo: Do you agree?

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

records

Thanks to my brother and some friends of his who own a record shop in Minneapolis, I have increasingly become more and more interested in this new following that vinyl records have as compared to CD's.  Vinyl, somehow, some way, is coming back after being thought of as a relic for years.  Between my brother and I, we are developing a large record collection.  It's just that I haven't had real time to listen to everything that we've got.  But, for other people out there who may be interested in collecting records as compared to CD's, there is a cool website you can check out.

This website is called Discogs and people actually put their entire collections on it.  It is for buying and selling records mainly, but it's also an interesting point of reference to the hobby as a whole whether it's LP's, 45s or 78s.  My brother is a diehard fan of old records and has gotten me into it somewhat although I am still learning the hobby for what it is and maybe vinyl will come back in full force because experts in the sales of records claim that digital sources will eventually become obsolete.  Not now, but, in years down the road.  Personally, I wouldn't want digital sources to disappear entirely.  However, the evolution of this new found vinyl revival is gaining steam.

So, if any readers of this blog are interested in vinyl at all, do check out the Discogs website and there is another source completely dedicated to 78s.  The Online 78 rpm Discographical Project.

Here are those links.  Check them out and you too might become interested in vinyl if you're not already.

http://www.discogs.com/
http://www.78discography.com/

As a bonus, any readers who use Facebook, check out the Vintage Music Company in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  This is the store that got me into the record thing.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Vintage-Music-Company/212007043220

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk "Put It In The Dumpster"


If you've got bad vibes or negativity going on in your life, and need an upper, dig this track.  Follow Ivan Neville's advice and, "put it in the dumpster".  This is hot stuff!  These guys bring the funk in spades!

Saturday, August 11, 2012

Allman Brothers Band Peach Music Festival @ Montage Mountain, Scranton, PA. Day 2

Welcome to day number two of the Peach Music Festival.  The first band up today will be a band called Tauk.  I have heard of them before.  I am pretty sure, they are a jam band.  Might cover some bands today and not others.  Will need to see how things go if the stream holds up.

The current band onstage is called J.D. & The Straight Shot, playing "Rag Mama Rag" by The Band, likely as a tribute to Levon Helm.  On the next song, one of the band members is playing harmonica.  It is the keyboard player.  The lead singer for this roots music band is also a basketball player or coach.  One of the percussionists is also playing a washboard on this song about basketball and the New York Knicks.  It's called "Fix The Knicks".  The keyboardist/harmonica player also plays accordion.  The song just finished by this band is another one called "Don't Waste My Time" and the finale is the title track to their new record called, "Midnight Run" with more harp in it as well as banjo. 

OK.  J.D. & The Straight Shot finishes their set.  Watching a show from the other stage, earlier on in the day by the band, Tauk.  These guys are an ethereal, jam band/fusion type band.  I've heard the name before.  I think they play instrumentals for the most part.  Their songs have a real good groove and a sense of space in the music.  This band is definitely more about the listening experience, blending the sounds of the drums, guitar, and keyboards together into a soundscape and about the musicianship and skill of the players.  This is music that I am definitely drawn to just because of the sound.  Great set!  This band, Tauk, from New York, has a bright future ahead.

Rebelution is the next band up.  They are another reggae band that has a pop edge with a saxophonist in the band.  Their opening number is called "You Can't Get Me Down".  Just listening to Rebelution more than anything.  Probably won't worry about set lists until more familiar bands come up later in the day or in the evening.  The guitarist is using an oscillating effect on one of the jams.  Sounds like an echo unit or something.  The sax player has also switched to an EWI (electronic wind instrument) for the end of one of the tracks.

Now, an acoustic number.  Chris Royal (their saxophonist) does a memorable EWI solo.  In one of their songs, Rebelution name checks one of their fellow bands on the bill (O.A.R.: Of A Revolution).  Another tune has a positive message and could very well be titled "Look On The Bright Side of Life".  This band does well alternating between electric and acoustic numbers in terms of the pace of their show.  The fans seem to really be digging it.  Rebelution is playing a longer set.  Their set has gotten me thinking, maybe I should look deeper into reggae music. 

I may switch over channels to see Jaimoe's Jassz Band when they come on, simply because he is known as a jazz drummer and I haven't heard him with a group outside of the Allman Brothers.  It depends on what we're given in the stream.  The second jam camera is in commission right now.  Chris Royal on saxophone and EWI is a New Orleans based musician.  The band is finishing their set with a song about having respect for others no matter what and being compassionate.  The ending lyric is "we're bringing only good vibes."

There is one more song that starts with an instrumental intro and talks about music being connected to the environment.  It could also have a message about wanting to legalize marijuana or something.  There is a cool moment in this last song though where the guitarist and the EWI player play in unison. 

More ethereal music coming your way.  I have to find out which band this is.  But, they definitely have a groove going.  The band here is called Grimace Federation.  They're playing some pretty frantic, uptempo lines, and, they're well syncopated, too.  There is an automated voice backing the band that is asking if you as a person are moving fast enough.  Then, the guitar distorts and they kick into a tune.  It goes to show, you never know what will happen with live music.  It's spontaneous, always.  Again, not much to say.  It's just worth listening to because you never know what your ear might pick up.

The guitarist is using some wild, swirling, screaming delay effects to give the songs space and this is backed by keyboards and thrashing drums.  This band could be alternative rock.  That's what it sounds like to me, anyway.  Not really one to put labels on music.  But, just a guess.  The songs are punctuated with the swirling delay and someone randomly saying things through a distorted microphone or talk box.  It's interesting just to listen to what is going on, and soak it in. 

The drummer starts off on a groove of some sort.  Where will this lead?  Hmmm.  Synthesizers and more synthesizers.  Well, that was short lived.  More about them in another post later on.

Right now, the focus is on O.A.R.!  They start their set with a tune that has a horn intro.  The band members in O.A.R. are Marc Roberge on vocals & guitar, Chris Culos on drums & percussion, Richard On, on guitar & vocals, Benj Gershman on bass, and Jerry DiPizzo on saxophone, guitar, and backing vocals.  I have heard of this band, and I think songwriting more than just actual instrumental jamming and improvisation is their calling card, even though, until now, I've heard very little of their music.  Well, I'll learn after this set. 

Some of their first hit tracks spread only by word of mouth, proving that is a HUGE part of determining a band's success when they first start out.  They have a very powerful lead singer and those horns really enhance the songs.  Just listening to familiarize myself with some of the tunes.  If I come up with finding set lists for some of these bands, they will be posted in the course of the next few days, but after the conclusion of the festival. 

The next song they play is razzing the mainstream radio stations that don't play important music, preferring to play just top 40 songs.  One of the lines is "program director on my radio won't play my records and I call and tell him so."  The songwriting is very good and the lyrics are based on situations people can relate to.  No wonder they have such a following.  They've played a mix of ballads and uptempo songs in their set thus far and I am just soaking in the experience as a listener. 

They are playing a newly written tune called "Inside Out" and continuing with these uptempo songs, one of which features a trumpet solo.  I am taking it in as a listener and enjoying it.  The lead singer sings, "I know music is going to save my soul, 'cause a wise man told me so."  The guitar and the vocals both have an echo to them for this part.  Then, at the end of the show, they have a song about their own band name called "O.A.R., (Of A Revolution)" and they closes with this.  What a happy, joyous, jovial band.  A wonderful thing to hear.

OK.  Now, the fun is going to start!  Insert long bursts of joyous laughter.  The Tedeschi/Trucks Band will take the stage, coming up next!  In the meantime, over on the other stage, Toubab Krewe plays.  They mix the music of Mali, with influences from the southern United States.  One of their percussionists keeps time by rubbing a pipe with a metal stick.  This is interesting to listen to because it's a melding of acoustic and electric sounds.  One of the musicians is playing a sitar like instrument with earbuds in his ears. 

The world music is fun to listen to.  Toubab Krewe invites a fiddler to play with them.  This should be sweet.  It's an uptempo tune already as it's just begun.  It extends into a real driving, running song that makes you feel like you're going someplace.  The crowd seems to be digging it.  Then, they go into a hyped up bluegrass, country, hippie hybrid song that is actually pretty cool.  Bring on the twang!  This song is called "My Old Hen".  Quirky tune.  Love it!

They play a West Virginia folk song called "John Hardy" and their last tune is a cool sounding instrumental piece.  That's Toubab Krewe, from Asheville, North Carolina. 

Here's the Tedeschi/Trucks Band Set list

1. Everybody's Talkin'
2. Don't Let Me Slide
3. Midnight In Harlem (backing vocalist Mike Mattison plays acoustic guitar)
4. Rollin' & Tumblin'
5. Bound For Glory (Kofi Burbridge plays a memorable B3 solo blending in Clavinet at the end)
6. Mahjoun (feat. Kofi Burbridge: flute & scatting, + horn section, & Oteil on acoustic banjo bass)
7. Shelter
8. Get What You Deserve (feat. Mike Mattison: lead vocals)
9. That Did It (Bobby "Blue" Bland cover)
10. Love Has Something Else To Say
11. Band Introduction
12. Nobody's Free

Encore:

13. Sing A Simple Song (Stevie Wonder cover) (feat. Maurice Brown: trumpet)>I Wanna Take You Higher>Sing A Simple Song

Next up, Jaimoe's Jassz Band & The Allman Brothers Band.

Paul Lieberman: tenor saxophone, percussion
Richard Bolger: trumpet/flugelhorn
Chris Jensen: baritone & soprano saxophone, vocals
Bruce Katz: keyboards
David Stoltz: bass

 Jaimoe's Jassz Band Set List

1. Leavin' Trunk
2. Instrumental (title ?)
3. Ain't Wastin' Time No More (Allman Brothers cover)>Jessica (Allman Brothers cover) (tease)

More of this set will be covered when it's archived.  Now, once again, time for the Allman Brothers!  Bring it on!

Allman Brothers Band:

1. Don't Want You No More/It's Not My Cross To Bear
2. Trouble No More (Muddy Waters cover)
3. Come & Go Blues
4. Egypt
5. Southbound (feat. Bruce Katz: piano & The Asbury Jukes Horns)
6. Revival
7. Statesboro Blues (Blind Willie McTell cover)
8. These Days (Jackson Brown cover) *Gregg: acoustic guitar, Warren: electric guitar (Jackson & Gregg are old friends)
9. Mountain Jam
10. Blue Sky (Warren: vocals)
11. Don't Keep Me Wondering (feat. The Asbury Jukes Horns)
12. Into The Mystic (Van Morrison cover) (feat. The Asbury Jukes Horns)
13. Dreams
14. Mountain Jam (reprise) (Derek: "Joy To The World" tease)>Mountain Jam (continued)

Encore:

15. Whipping Post (Warren is the dragon slayer on this one, bringing on a huge solo that goes from sweetness to the pain and anguish of the song, in an instant).  Then, Gregg delivers the finale, with the lyrics fans know all so well.  Wow!

Another superb Allman Brothers Band performance, folks.  But, there's more.  Coming up, it's The Wailers (Bob Marley's band). Here's a link to their history after Bob Marley's passing.  http://wailers.com/band/  Well, sadly, maybe their set from the Peach Festival will not be webcast.  But check out the link nonetheless.  There will be more music tomorrow to wrap up the festivities in the afternoon with Warren Haynes, Robert Randolph & The Family Band, and closing it out will be The Blind Boys of Alabama.  No idea if these shows will be streamed.  I doubt it.

But, there will be archives put up in the coming weeks.  For any shows that may be archived that I've missed blogging, they will be detailed when they come up.  Stay tuned for that.  In the meantime, you owe it to yourself to go see live music.  Good night.  This is Skip, signing off for now. 



Friday, August 10, 2012

Allman Brothers Band Peach Music Festival @ Montage Mountain, Scranton PA. Day 1

Here are the set lists from today's performances for day one of the Peach Music Festival at Montage Mountain in Scranton, Pennsylvania

The first band up is called, Cabinet. They are a bluegrass band.  The stream is intermittent and the first few sets will be spotty in terms of getting the songs down.  So, bear with me.

Old Farmer's Mill
Instrumental (title?)
Pennsylvania
My Baby's Gone (song based on true story of one of the band members)
My Caroline
?
?
?
Instrumental
Part of Everything
? (uptempo number, couldn't figure out the title)

Up Next: Blackberry Smoke

Blackberry Smoke is a southern boogie rock quintet that has opened for other well established bands such as Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Zac Brown Band and ZZ Top.  They have been in existence since 2000.  The members are:

Charlie Starr: lead vocals & guitar
Richard Turner: bass & vocals
Brit Turner: drums
Paul Jackson: guitar & vocals
Brandon Still: keyboards

Figured out that Blackberry Smoke is on the second channel (the jam cam).  Got to the set late.  But, the audio for the jam cam is not working.  Not sure.  Might lack complete information on this particular set.  Interesting to note that Richard Turner's bass is painted in red, white, and blue, similar to guitars played by the late, great, country music legend Buck Owens, during his career.  Also, Charlie Starr is playing a plexiglass Dan Armstrong guitar which is see through with one pickup.  I've seen those guitars.  Very interesting pieces.

Still, the audio problems persist with the set.  Apparently, the techies at Moogis are working with it.  Good luck on resolving the issues, guys.  It looks as though Paul Jackson (co lead guitar) is jamming on a Gibson Firebird VII, too.  Cool.  Being a guitar player, I always observe what the musicians in given bands are playing.  But, it's more about their tones from what they can do with playing them than the guitars themselves.  Just wish they could be heard.  It is music, after all.  But, right now tech difficulties persist.

Their set is finishing up.  Well, there will be some type of entry on Blackberry Smoke describing a song of theirs here, soon.  Count on it.

Switched channels to channel one and am catching the final part of the set by The Wailers, which is Bob Marley's old band.  Marley is of course, a reggae legend.  I know of Marley's music and have heard his music and some reggae here and there.  It's good stuff.  A highlight is "No Woman, No Cry". 

There is more on the other stage now, too.  The Wailers have finished their set.  "One Love" as Bob Marley would say.  On the Mushroom Stage, a band is playing that I do not know the name of.  But, the twin guitar tandem is interesting because one of the guitarists is play lap slide guitar from his wheelchair.  He must have been injured in some way.  Not sure how.  But, there's proof that physical limitation cannot limit the power to do what you're heart tells you to.  Unfortunately, the jam cam #2 is not in commission right now.

The Warren Haynes Band has taken the stage.  Here's the set.

1.  Tear Me Down
2.  River's Gonna Rise
3. A Change Is Gonna Come
4. Spanish Castle Magic
 5. Invisible

(Warren plays his Les Paul here instead of his blond ES335). Nigel Hall does a keyboard solo alternating between the B3 and the Wurlitzer piano on this one.  Ron Holloway plays an equally vibrant sax solo.  Terence Higgins does a drum solo and Warren adds some really wild, shivering effects with the wah and the slide.  "Invisible" evolves into a whole other jam.  Something totally different before Higgins does another drum fill, returning to the theme.)  There's a hit of "Les Brers in A Minor" in one phrase with Warren using the slide and the wah pedal together.  Nigel Hall adds a B3 flourish, Holloway hits a screaming not on the sax, more drums, and this song is in the books, man!
6. On A Real Lonely Night (Warren switches back to the 335 for this one.  Great call and response between Hall's Wurlitzer and B3, Haynes' guitar, and Holloway's sax towards the end.)  Haynes does a "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)" tease, before there's more call and response between organ, guitar, and sax.  Holloway blows an almighty, screeching note, before the vamp that brings the song home.
7. Pretzel Logic (a superb cover of the Steely Dan song)  Another Higgins drum solo in this one.
Haynes can be heard telling the band, "preach to me!  Make it hurt", or something like that.
Encore:
8. Man In Motion (feat. Ivan Neville: B3 & Clavinet) *Huge keyboard jam out with Ivan and Nigel before the end of the tune.

Phew!  That was amazing!  Next up, Ivan Neville & Dumpstaphunk.

Band members: Ivan Neville (B3 & keyboards), Ian Neville (guitar), Tony Hall, (bass) & Nikki Glaspie (drums),  

1. Deeper (My Love Grows For You)
2. Instrumental Jam
3. Don't Miss Your Water
4. She's Music
5. Put It In The Dumpster
6. Everybody Wants Some
7. Do You Really Want To Accompany Me?
8. ?>Drum Solo (feat. Nicki Grassley: drums)
9. Business As Usual
10. ?
11. New Orleans  

Boy, these guys and gals brought the funk in spades!  Wow!

Up next, it's the band Trigger Hippy.

Not familiar with this band's song, but, they do definitely have a cool groove about their music.  They've got a great lead singer.  She has a very bluesy voice and the lyrics are good, just a couple of songs in.  Good guitarists and a good B3 player, too.  Actually, this band is led by drummer (and member of The Black Crowes), Steve Gorman, with a few other well known people in it.  Those include Joan Osborne on vocals, Will Kimbrough on guitars, Audley Freed on guitars, and Jackie Greene on B3.  Not to be biased, but the band does cover in their set "99 Pounds" by The Black Crowes, from their 1992 "Southern Harmony & Musical Companion" record.

Here's an article about Trigger Hippy in their first iteration from Jambase.

http://www.jambase.com/Articles/16589/Trigger-Hippy-02.07.09-Georgia

Folks, the jam cam is back in service again.  But, the bad news is, The Zac Brown Band will not let their concert be webcast.  So, yours truly will keep enjoying Trigger Hippy until the Allman Brothers are ready to perform later on.  A few more rockers from Trigger Hippy, end their set.  Great band.  Fun to watch and fun to listen to.  They'll go places for sure, especially with their road tested leader, Steve Gorman on drums.

Coming up, two more bands.  First, The Dark Star Orchestra, and then, the cherry on the sundae, The Allman Brothers!

Dark Star Orchestra is a tribute band covering songs by the Grateful Dead.  But, this is a bummer.  Right in the middle of "Franklin's Tower", the screen reverted back to the intro.  I guess that means only one thing.  The Allman Brothers are here, now!  Kicking off with "Statesboro Blues"!

1. Statesboro Blues
2. You Don't Love Me
3. No One To Run With
4. That's What Love Will Make You Do (Little Milton Campbell cover) (feat. Ron Holloway: tenor saxophone)
5. Midnight Rider
6. Blackhearted Woman
7. The Sky Is Crying (Elmore James cover)
8. I Walk On Gilded Splinters
9. One Way Out (Gregg played B3 on a lot of it, instead of piano)
10. Dreams
11. Jessica

OK, y'all asked for it.  There will be an encore:

12. Southbound (w/instrumental intro & rave up ending)
 
That's a wrap for the first show.  Good night, everyone.







Thursday, August 9, 2012

Medeski, Martin & Wood: "Think"

Revisiting some Medeski, Martin & Wood material.  Posted about a concert I saw them do at First Avenue last November, right after it happened.  Well, I ran across a video of one of their performances.  This one is called, "Think".  Check it out.


Wednesday, August 8, 2012

record collection revisited: The Marshall Tucker Band "Beyond The Horizon"

The Marshall Tucker Band had a revitalization in 2004 with their record "Beyond The Horizon" and this extended into another album called "The Next Adventure" in 2007.  Now, "Beyond The Horizon" will be looked at first, and there will be a blog entry about "The Next Adventure" at some point in time.  "Beyond The Horizon" has some great songs on it, and very well could have been a record made by the original Marshall Tucker Band back in the '70s.  But, the new lineup with Doug Gray, Chris Hicks, Stuart Swanlund (may he Rest In Peace), the late Tony Heatherly on bass, David Muse on saxophone and flute, and drummer B.B. Borden, it was a great tribute to the original lineup. 

Two of the tracks are old Toy Caldwell chestnuts from his solo album that was also blogged called "Son of The South".  Those are "Texas On My Mind" sung by Doug Gray, and "Midnight Promises" sung by Chris Hicks, who was supposed to be the original duet partner for Toy on his version, but, of course, Gregg Allman nails the duet vocal on that particular version from "Son of The South".  The other tracks on this record are very strong and poignant, crossing between the traditional mix for Marshall Tucker of country, blues, southern boogie rock, and R&B.  Swanlund and Hicks play guitar lines on the tracks that would make Toy Caldwell proud despite some naysayers out there who might believe that the newer iterations of the MTB aren't as good as the original.  That may be true.  But, at least on the studio record, they nailed it.

Here are the tracks for "Beyond The Horizon"

1. Ride of Your Life
2. Give It All You've Got
3. Texas On My Mind
4. Beyond The Horizon
5. Into Your Eyes
6. King of The Delta Blues (a very cool tribute to Robert Johnson, featuring Jimmy Hall from Wet Willie on vocals and harmonica)
7. Set You Free
8. The Rain
9. Angel (With A Honky Tonk Heart) (great ballad about country music and all it's legends)
10. Midnight Promises (one of Toy Caldwell's most well known songs)
11. Never Find Another You
12. Down This Road Before (Part 1) (a little ditty written by drummer B.B. Borden to close the record which continues into a full length song on "The Next Adventure")

Check out this record and stay tuned for a piece about "The Next Adventure".

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

In memoriam: Stuart Swanlund

Stuart Swanlund, guitarist for the modern incarnation of The Marshall Tucker Band, who joined the band in 1989, has passed away.  He was 54 years old and really had a significant part in some of the band's later albums from the 2000s including "Beyond The Horizon" in 2004 and "The Next Adventure" in 2007.  Will take an in depth look at those albums in due course.  Swanlund did play in the band with Doug Gray and for a few years (possibly) with original MTB guitarist, the legendary, late Toy Caldwell.  Here is the full story on his passing via Spinner magazine.

http://www.spinner.com/2012/08/07/stuart-swanlund-dead-marshall-tucker-band/

Rest In Peace, Stuart Swanlund.  May the legacy of the Marshall Tucker Band continue.  Hopefully another great guitarist will be found to play with them as they continue to tour.

Stomu Yamashta: "Go"




A friend pointed me towards this album.  This is Japanese keyboardist and producer Stomu Yamashta, and on this album, he features some significant guest artists in his band including Steve Winwood on keyboards and vocals, and, Al di Meola on lead guitar.  Go, was Yamashta's jazz fusion super group.  The credited musicians are:

Stomu Yamashta - Synthesizer, Percussion & Timpani
Steve Winwood - Vocals, Piano, Electric Piano (6), Organ (5 - 11), Guitar & Synthesizer (14) Michael Shrieve - Drums
Klaus Schulze - Synthesizers
Rosko Gee - Bass
Thunderthighs - Backing Vocals
Paul Buckmaster - Woodwind, Brass & Strings Arrangements
Al Di Meola - Lead Guitar (5 - 6 - 10 - 11 - 13)
Pat Thrall - Lead & Rhythm Guitar (3 - 4)
Junior Marvin - Rhythm Guitar (4 - 5 - 6 - 10 - 14)
Chris West - Rhythm Guitar (1 - 11 - 13)
Bernie Holland - Rhythm Guitar (10)
Hisako Yamashta - Violin & Backing Vocals (9)
Brother James - Congas (11 - 14)
Lenox Langton - Congas (11)

This is a very ethereal, futuristic, spacey album.  Here's the track list in it's entirety.

1. Solitude
2. Nature
3. Air Over
4. Crossing The Line
5. Man of Leo
6. Stellar
7. Space Theme
8. Space Requiem
9. Space Song
10. Carnival
11. Ghost Machine
12. Surfspin
13. Time Is Here
14. Winner/Loser

Check it out.

Monday, August 6, 2012

Moog synthesizer documentary

I have posted before about my interest in and love for the sound of the Moog synthesizer.  Well, I have found more about it in a documentary video via YouTube.  Here's a snippet of the inventor, Bob Moog, telling about his creation that has contributed to many genres of music over the last four decades or so.

Blues Traveler "Stand"

Ever notice how a certain song will get stuck inside your head (either the lyrics, the melody, or both), and no matter how hard you try to fight the darn thing, it'll just stick there like glue and drive you crazy?  That's happened to me recently with a song by a band I actually like and used to listen to quite a bit.  The song is Blues Traveler's "Stand".  John Popper is an amazing harmonica player and singer, and he can darn well write good songs, too.  Well, maybe writing a blog entry on this tune will help ease the track out of my memory at least for a while.  The part I am stuck on is in the chorus when Popper sings,

'Cause it's a long... way to fall

Here it is.  "Stand" by Blues Traveler.


Sunday, August 5, 2012

Stanley Clarke "Silly Putty"


Cool track from Stanley Clarke's 1975 record "Journey To Love".  This track is "Silly Putty".  There could be more from this album, blogged.  Great record.  Will find a couple of the other songs to showcase.
Stay tuned.

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Louis Armstrong

Today marks the birthday of Louis Armstrong, the New Orleans jazz trumpet player nicknamed "Satchmo".  One of his earliest influences was New Orleans cornet player King Oliver, who actually gave Armstrong his first gig as a member of his Creole Jazz Band in 1922.  Armstrong was born in 1901.  He has many legendary recordings and some of these are with his bands The Hot Five and The Hot Seven which were recorded between 1925 and 1928.  Here is a video of Armstrong playing "Basin Street Blues" in 1959. 
Happy Birthday, "Satchmo".


Friday, August 3, 2012

Frank Zappa & the Mothers of Invention "King Kong"



Here's something to behold.  This is Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention, playing their instrumental, "King Kong".  Be warned.  The horns (predominantly saxophones), might get a little intense on this piece.  It's a great one, though.  The band lineup is as follows:

Frank Zappa - The Mothers of Invention

Frank Zappa (guitar),
Ian Underwood & Bunk Gardner (alto sax & tenor sax)
Motorhead Sherwood (tambourine, baritone sax)
Don Preston (keyboards)
Roy Estrada (bass)
Art Tripp & Jimmy Carl Black (drums)


Thursday, August 2, 2012

record collection revisited: Return To Forever "Returns"

After a hiatus of three decades (from 1977 to 2008), Return To Forever put out a live album with their classic quartet lineup including Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, Al di Meola, and Lenny White.  "Returns" is a strong album of their live performance from the 2008 Montreux Jazz Festival in Montreux, Switzerland that was also made into a separate DVD and has a different performance of the encore from a venue in Clearwater, Florida.

The 2008 tour and record was very likely the last time the classic lineup for Return To Forever, including Al di Meola on guitar, would get together.  But, this is a treasured recording just for that reason.  It has the fire of the earlier albums from the '70s and is a great showcase of the instrumental virtuosity of the musicians as I've written about at times before whether it's this lineup or the newer lineup from the 2011 tour and recording featuring Frank Gambale and Jean Luc Ponty.

...And oh, by the way (to throw just a small editorial comment in here), this record is how I was completely turned on to Return To Forever in the first place, before going back to their older material, and subsequently seeing them in concert and meeting the band, nearly a year ago already.  Yes, there is a blog entry about that, too, if you go back in the archives to August 2011.

Check out "Returns" as well as the 2011 effort, "The Mothership Returns" to find out what RTF can do with their music in a live setting.  It's mesmerizing to say the least.  Here's the track listing for the 2008 album, "Returns".

Disc 1

1. Opening Prayer
2. Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy
3. Vulcan Worlds
4. Sorceress
5. Song To The Pharaoh Kings
6. Al's solo:

    Children's Song #3 (duet w/Chick Corea)
    Passion, Grace & Fire
    Mediterranean Sundance
    Cafe 1930
    Spain

7. No Mystery

Disc 2

1. Chick's solo: Friendship/Solar
2. Romantic Warrior
3. Stanley's solo: El Bayo de Negro
4. Lenny's solo: Lineage
5. Romantic Warrior (continued)
6. Duel of the Jester & the Tyrant
7. 500 Miles High
8. BBC Lifetime Achievement Award Presentation/Romantic Warrior

The award is presented by Sir George Martin followed by a performance of "Romantic Warrior" to cap off the record.  This disc is actually a great introduction to the music of RTF.  I'll say it again.  It's where I found out not only about them, but also, about the remarkable solo careers of their individual members as well.

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Great article about Levon Helm's legacy

A music critic for The Huffington Post has written a great piece on Levon Helm's legacy, particularly the fact that the legendary "ramble" concerts he put on at his barn/home studio in Woodstock, New York, will undoubtedly continue.  Rest In Peace, Levon Helm.

The article is from July 26th.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joanna-colangelo/levon-helm-ramble_b_1701506.html