Elvis Costello!

My thoughts about this show? Well. First I would say that I got my moneys worth and then some. The tickets were priced well for the show and Elvis and his band played very well. This band ROCKED non-stop and delivered a finale of fast-paced Rock and Roll at the end of a marathon night. Impressive to say the least!

Next there was a moment when Elvis took the stage alone with just a guitar. He was singing several songs and telling stories around a couple of them. Elvis played "A Slow Drag with Josephine" and as he worked through the lyrics behind the microphone he suddenly stepped to the side and started singing and playing with no amplification.
You could have heard a pin drop. The DPAC is a pretty big place but I swear you could have heard him in the balcony. I was lucky to be standing about 10 feet from him and it sounded awesome. When he finished the song the crowd ROARED their approval, rose to their feet, and applauded. Yes, these are the moments I live to see. Indeed. No cd or video can give you goose bumps like that.

Here are some links to a cool video or two:

"Slow Drag With Josephine." Recorded this year. This video backs the story I told you above. Enjoy it. I just did again. Before you click the link listen to the tone of Elvis's voice on this song and tell me you don't hear a hint of a Paul McCartney sound. Just sayin.' As I watched him perform I could hear that tone and it was really nice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AV_UaQY6YUI&feature=related

"Pump it Up." Yeah this was one of the last songs. Always a favorite of mine. They rocked this one better than the video but I still go back and watch You Tube files like this to re-live that moment.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fG-q2tEhV7s


Here is another video featuring Bono and the Edge. If you have never seen Elvis's awesome TV show you are missing something very special. Here he finishes an interview and they go to the stage to ROCK a medley.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFUEM61jIVo&feature=related


Another one of the finale songs "What's So Funny 'Bout Peace Love & Understanding" On this link you can see Elvis hosting the "David Letterman Show" and playing that killer guitar I showed you the picture of earlier.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XYFJUP84lE

Well that's it for the moment. Remember as Warren Zevon said "Enjoy Every Sandwich" and live NOW. Go see some live music.


Until next time, I'll see you, down the road.

NIce Inlay Dude.

I love guitars and this one was very nice. This photo is all about looking at the inlay on the fretboard. Although I haven't posted too many pictures in this blog series I did manage to get some nice
photos of the Elvis Costello guitar collection on this tour.

Bullhorns!

It is not normally an item you see on a music stage but Elvis brought out the bullhorn for one song and the klaxon sound it made was a very cool introduction for a song...

Girls on Stage...

This was not just a non-stop three hour concert, it was a SHOW! Elvis made multiple visits into the crowd one time even going all the way the back row of the DPAC to bring couples and girls to the stage for
a spin of the wheel or a seat at the bar.

His lovely assistant also brought excited fans back as well and his dancer persuaded many of the participants to dance at times with Elvis as he sang.

The Wheel!

The view as I walked into the Durham Performing Arts Center last Sunday evening. I'm here for Elvis Costello!
http://www.elviscostello.com/

It was a fine sunny day in Durham, North Carolina. The baseball game was going and I had been sitting at Tobacco Road taking in the game and enjoying the sunshine over a Green Man IPA and some awesome food.

The Durham Bulls slugged a couple of home runs into the roof over my head with a resounding thud. It was a nice way to wind down before what I knew was going to be a great show!

It was almost two years to the day since I had seen Elvis perform. In fact I was on the stage crew and I really enjoyed having a brief chat and taking some cool pictures of him and his band. That night after
the show I had the pleasure of working with his guitar technician while packing all of those fabulous guitars he owns. The guitars are very cool and the very old acoustic Gibson models are very nice.

I didn't put too many pictures from Merlefest 2010 on my blog but I have some really cool ones of his band standing in the hallway outside green room doing the pre-stage rituals.

Here is a link to a photo I put on the blog back then as Elvis jammed on stage with a Grammy-winning throng of musicians. That was an awesome day and night!

http://downsouthradiohour.blogspot.com/search?q=elvis+costello

Van Halen Rocking the House in Greensboro!

All photos on my blog are © 2012 Andrew Talbert unless otherwise noted. If you want to see the best ones let's get together....
Remember you can click the photo to enlarge it on your screen.

http://www.van-halen.com/

Well. How do I sum this up. If you go back to my last show write-up you can see my excitement about going to a Rock and Roll show anytime. This link will take you back to the last time I saw Van Halen in 2007 in the same house.
http://downsouthradiohour.blogspot.com/search?q=van+halen

I have seen these guys many times including the years with Sammy Hagar. I really like all the music and anyone who knows me knows I think Sammy Hagar ROCKS. But back to last night. I had pretty high expectations for this show. The first thing I heard after they guys just sort of walked on was "Unchained." I think my smile almost broke my face. I thought it was pretty clear about the message on this one:

Change, nothin' stays the same
Unchained, and ya hit the ground running
Change, ain't nothin' stays the same
Unchained, yeah ya hit the ground runnin'

Let's see my thoughts from last night in a nutshell were the acoustics and sound overall were not so great. The band should be a bit tighter but overall the performance was good. Dave's voice was not perfect but his performance and celebrity made up for it. Wolfgang was good on bass but I miss the guy I won't talk about who rocks the bass in Chickenfoot. http://madanthonycafe.com/burrnmag/ I guess if the band configuration we have today is what it takes to make this show then so be it. Alex was hitting the drums very well last night. And Eddie? Well he is one of the best ever and anytime I can get in front of a stage with a guitar great it makes my day! In summary, I enjoyed myself and there were moments that really made me smile. I am really glad there are still bands like this one that are surviving and still making new music.

I heard some lady come out last night and complain about not being able to hear. Well I can recommend some great earplugs! http://www.etymotic.com/ I can hear just fine this morning thank you very much and yes it WAS REAL LOUD! All those Peavy 5150s on one stage are you f'in kidding me? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peavey_5150

Here is a great video link before you read on. "Hot for Teacher" Go watch this then read the next segment.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIIQFUhT1V4&feature=fvwp

Before I go I should mention a favorite moment or two last night. "Beautiful Girls." I love that song. I really like the beat and the way only Eddie can make that guitar sound. Of course the only showman who can lay the vocal down is David Lee Roth. It was very cool! "Hot for Teacher." Yeah I liked it. "Eruption?" Well that was the moment for me. I just stood there and took in the moment. That is such magic on a guitar. I guess that moment was what I really left with.

She was a-seaside sittin'
Just a-smokin' and a-drinkin' on ringside
On top of the world, oh yeah
She had her drink in her hand
She had her toes in the sand and whoa! Ha, ha
What a beautiful girl, ah yeah
What a sweet talkin' honey with a little bit o' money
She turn your head around
Creature from the sea with the looks to me
Like she like to fool around

What a snappy little mammy gonna keep a pappy happy
And accompany me, to the ends of the earth, ah yeah
Ah, that's why I said

Here I am, ain't no man of the world, no
All I need is a beautiful girl
Ah yeah, beautiful girls


Hey until next time, I'll see you, down the road...

Eddie Van Halen!

I'm going to call this photo "Eruption."

Eddie Van Halen. He completely blew my mind with his playing last night. I have seen him many times through the years so I have a basis for comparison. I thought the band was not quite as tight last night as they should have been but Eddie is so damn good I just overlooked the one or two rough spots. All in all it was a great concert and a hell of an experience to feel all those great songs in a live performance.

Go check out the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vch3JSHcPrQ&feature=related

Dave and EVH!

As for the rumors this band doesn't get along these days, well if they don't off the stage they sure do on the stage. As for the show, well it ROCKED!

Diamond Dave!

http://www.davidleeroth.com/

Last night in Greensboro, North Carolina. David Lee Roth!

Robert "Kool" Bell !

Saturday’s Van Halen show started with an hour-long set by Kool and the Gang. I was already scratching my head on why this band was picked but soon I found out. These guys have a string of hits you will remember, “Jungle Boogie,” “Too Hot,”and of course “Celebration.”

“You didn’t know Kool and the Gang was a f'n religion to us, did you?” Roth asked from the stage later in the show...

Here is my favorite Kool and the Gang song "Get Down on It."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0EYpjMkgmU

Kool & the Gang Horns!

http://www.koolandthegang.com/

The horns were rocking!

Steve Watson and Chuck Leavell.

All photos on this blog are ©2012 Andrew Talbert unless otherwise noted.

Steve Watson and Chuck Leavell. http://watsonsriddle.com/fr_home.cfm

What a great night! This was one of those shows I took the road trip for and it was worth every damn mile! Yeah baby! Life is good. I felt very fortunate to even be at this show much less getting to pick my seat level with the stage in the middle of the auditorium. I'll be talking about this show for many years. It was an unforgettable experience. 'Nuff said.

Until next time, I'll see you, down the road.



Here are some really great "Watson's Riddle" video links. Go enjoy them. I love this music!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSUlU9MfWbk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LmiG16lFt8&feature=related

Randall Bramblett and Chuck Leavell!

http://www.randallbramblett.com/

http://www.chuckleavell.com/blog2/

Randall Bramblett and Chuck Leavell on stage together. What a night! I just keep saying that about this show. The entire evening was off the meter from the dinner and beverages on the lawn in an upscale setting to the music on this stage. The players on this night really blew the roof off the place!

First you have to know the backgrounds of these guys to understand the basis for the setlist.

Randall has played with everyone from Gregg Allman to Bonnie Raitt. One of the tracks on the new Bonnie Raitt cd just released last week was Randall's song. These guys were part of a band called Sea Level. Their bandmates were members of the Allman Brothers and other bands.
Chuck has been the keyboard player on the last several Rolling Stones tours and has played with everyone from George Harrison to Eric Clapton. One of Eric's biggest selling cds was the "Unplugged" recording and Chuck is all over that thing. Chuck is still set to tour with John Mayer soon. Chuck and Randall both have new cd releases of their own as they never seem to stop cranking out great music.

I didn't even mention Paul Riddle who was the original drummer for Marshall Tucker showing up. Nor did I mention Steve Watson who as an LA studio musician has played guitar on things like the "Hill Street Blues" and "Magnum PI" themes. Very cool.

Back to the setlist. I want to give you a flavor of the night. Here are just a few of the songs: "Honky Tonk Women", "Statesboro Blues", "Sweet Virginia", "Jessica" "Rip This Joint" and several Sea Level songs. I still love that Sea Level song "Living in a Dream." Yes I would like to go see this show again. Right NOW!

I suggest you go buy all of their music right now! I think I have everything they have ever done. I still love looking at my old Sea Level albums and remembering those moments when they were new. But the new cps these guys are releasing are just getting better and better. They really are masters of what they do in the music business!


I'll add a couple of links for you to go enjoy some video if you like:


Here is one of Chuck's brand new songs from his cd.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Cd-Qql3DDw


"Jessica" Live from Greenville:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIsw2ardKA0


This one was a couple of days ago.It seems like yesterday as most of my life does.
"Alberta, Alberta" as performed on MTV with Eric Clapton.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zh7sqDlxBaE&feature=related

Edwin McCain!

http://www.edwin.com/
Edwin McCain. The more I see this guy perform the better I like him. He opened the evening with a set that I could have listened to all night. I don't want to recite his biography to you as you can go read that online. I will tell you he is a talented singer songwriter and quite a good storyteller. He hangs with some of the top names in the music business and you should make a date to see him perform when he comes to your town! Here is a link to a video from his performance in Greenville: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1hjTAKk1hs

Sea Level!

Sea Level is in the house! I'm at the Little Theatre in Greenville, South Carolina.
http://www.greenvillelittletheatre.org/

This will be a great evening! There are some awesome musicians in the house! More on that in a moment. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_Level_(band)

Surfs Up!

Bruce Springsteen ©Andrew Talbert

Well. Excuse my use of run-on sentences to explain how I am really feeling. I will tell you this isn't my best picture from this sequence of events. The best one will be hanging on the wall of my house in a frame soon. I mean let's sum this up. Multi-millionare rock star pours out three non-stop hours with an all-star band on stage and after singing with an eight year old and dancing with a little girl from the front row, sliding on his knees the entire distance of the stage as he held his guitar over his head for most of the show ultimately he manages to surf half the distance of the floor over the heads of his most devoted fans? Is there anyone in the business who can match this? If there is I ask them to stand up now. He managed to make sure I got a ticketless admission to avoid scalping and he gave me a huge bargain on the price of admission while over-delivering a full-throttle performance from a packed stage. This is what a concert should be. As I walked out with a smile on my face and tears of joy in my eyes I thought to myself I just f'in lived tonight. Yeah baby. I woke up the next day and I had a post-concert buzz that felt so good I almost skipped down the stairs. THAT is what I call a GREAT show! I still feel it. I hope you can go see this tour. I'll stop right there.

Here's a nice link to check out if you want to read more:

http://blogs.wickedlocal.com/springsteen/#axzz1qHG1YOfp

Until next time, I'll see you. Down the road.

Nils Lofgren!

http://nilslofgren.com/
So this guy is a friend of a friend and I put this picture up here for her. Nils is very talented and he was smoking the guitar all night! Check him out on his web page.

The Big Man Was Here.

http://brucespringsteen.net/the-band/2012/clarence-clemons
So the sax was on the stage. Clarence was there. It was a moment where Bruce stopped the show and stood in the front rows of the crowd and raised his hands over his head. He was silently asking the crowd to acknowledge Clarence. The crowd cheered and clapped for what must have been three minutes non-stop. It really was a moment. I smiled. Tears went down my face. It was awesome. It really was. Watch this video at the 3:00 minute mark from the Atlanta show and you will get a feel for this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UTQizAx6cQ

This picture is one of Jake Clemons, the nephew of Clarence. He did an awesome job. Each time he took the solo the crowd roared.
It was very cool. You could just feel the fans loving every moment and understanding the history of this great band.

Bruce and Patti!

http://brucespringsteen.net/the-band/2012/patti-scialfa-2

There were three hours of incredible rock and roll. Bruce and Patti were standing waist-deep in fans jamming. I really can't explain this show. Words really don't tell the story. Here is something you can try at home. Go get the tracks from "Born to Run" and crank them up as you read this. Imagine the live version with the full intensity of a sold-out house and everyone standing as they chant the lyrics and will the band on. You will start to get close. You must go see this band on this tour. That is my advice."Nuff said.

Here's a link to the 62 year old Bruce kicking some ass at the Apollo:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OgGc513kNE&feature=related

Bruce Springsteen!!!

http://brucespringsteen.net/

Well. I can't add anything to the story of a superstar Rock and Roll player. I arrived at the second show of the 2012 "Wrecking Ball " tour in Greensboro, North Carolina earlier this week knowing that it would be a great night. And it was! As I pulled into the parking lot alone I dropped my tailgate and tore into my dinner from a bag. I opened one of my favorite brown nut ales and listened to cranked-up rock from my sat radio. I looked in to the sun and noticed a guy parked next to me who I was soon friends with as we talked about all of our concert war stories and even those to come very soon. It was the way it always starts. I could feel something special already causing my hair on the back of my neck to stand up. The boss was in the house and I just knew a great show was going to unfold very soon.

John Hiatt!

http://www.johnhiatt.com/
All photos on this blog are ©Andrew Talbert unless otherwise noted.

Wow. John Hiatt. How do I add anything about him that hasn't been said. I guess I will just tell you about last night from my perspective. First I really enjoyed seeing him. The last time I was going to see him I got rained out. I had the tickets and he played but I passed as it was a steady downpour in Raleigh and I really didn't want to get drowned! So I was overdue to see John play, especially with Lyle.
One of the funniest things said last night was a ramble about guitars. John asked Lyle about his guitar and Lyle went into the story about the maker of his guitars. Bill Collings. http://www.collingsguitars.com/

Here is a cool video you can watch featuring Lyle talking about a trip with Bill :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKRsCWhszzw

Anyway you really had to be there to understand but the tangent from the guitar story had some lines about John talking about the ventilation in the guitar factory and John saying the best part of signing autographs was the magic markers! It was all very funny.

As for wrapping up my thoughts about last night, both guys absolutely smoked their guitar playing. As a struggling guitar player there were moments I just shook my head. Lyle's finger-picking and John improvising some of his blues-tainted runs were first rate. The stories were something you don't get to see enough of these days at a concert and this was a welcome part of the show for me. It can really help you understand the music. I will say being in a super nice 700 person venue helps you feel like you are a part of a very intimate and special show. Beats a shed show hands down. 'Nuff said.

John played some things I really wanted to hear. "Cry Love", "Crossing Muddy Water", and so on. I will link you to a couple of videos in a minute but I will mention my favorite of the night.

This is the song Eric Clapton and B.B. King made famous "Riding With the King." People I could hardly sit in my chair. My foot was stomping the beat and I quietly sung every line. What a great song! Here's a version I have seen Sonny Landreth play with John back in the days of John's band he calls 'The Goners" Crank it up!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_CUzuitxSI

Here's BB and EC:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDR1-JD4Sms&feature=related

Did I mention "Memphis in the Meantime?" John played it. I was thinking about all of the people who covered this song as he sang it. Gregg Allman...on and on... Here's a great video link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOKEQ1GtviI&feature=related

Another fabulous John Hiatt song is "Thing Called Love" Bonnie Raitt made so famous. Here is a line to a video with John and Bonnie playing it on stage.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zp1txht6SGM

Finally another of my favorites from the night. "Perfectly Good Guitar" I love this one and the meaning of the song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONe27UL_EaE&feature=related

Wow. I am still basking in the glow from this show. I'm 48 hours from another great concert with more coming in behind that.
Life is damn good. I'll be back again on the blog soon. In the meantime live "Now" and go see some live music. Support those great artists on the trail!

Until next time, I'll see you, down the road.

Lyle Lovett!

http://www.lylelovett.com/
Lyle Lovett. I'm not sure what I want to say. I always want to tell everyone how nice he is. I remember working the stage crew recently when he played Merlefest and I saw him walk from person to person back stage either taking time for a photo or just to talk to people he didn't know. I thought that was really cool. This same personality comes out on stage as well. Very cool.

I think somewhere way back in this blog I told the story of the first time I saw Lyle so many years ago. It was in the 1980's at Memorial Hall on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he opened for Bonnie Raitt. I still remember every moment of that show. Lyle was great even then! Now many years later there is a really nice collection of music he has produced with some of the best of the music business. 11 albums and still rolling. Speaking of albums, yeah that's what I call them, Lyle just released "Release Me." pun intended. Folks, go sample this one. There is video all over the net and the songs are fabulous. Lyle played several of them last night from the Chuck Berry cover "Brown Eyed Handsome Man" which he completely made his own to the "Girl With the Holiday Smile" which he not only played but battered about with John on stage. The story was very funny. That folks is why you need to go buy the cd and go see the show live! I would put this one in my top five favorite shows of the past year.

Here are some links:

Look at the players in this video and you will see some real musical superstars. I won't mention any names but the room is full of stars...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbB4qLBCFOg

"Girl With the Holiday Smile"
http://www.myspace.com/lylelovett/music/songs/the-girl-with-the-holiday-smile-album-version-85205748

Listen to the new album preview and you can even buy it here...
http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=8671348

And..just to share. Here was the last song performed. "Good-bye to Carolina" Lyrics by Lyle Lovett:

Go west young man while you still can
Before you're out of time
And you can always come back home
Tomorrow if you like

So wave to the tractor
And to the tractor shed
And to the milk cow
That kicked me in the head
I can't remember
But was it I who said
Good-bye to carolina

Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt in Charlotte Last Night.

An Incredible Experience. Those are the words that best describe last nights show at the McGlohon Theatre.
http://www.blumenthalarts.org/default.asp?blumenthal=135&objId=9
Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt came to town to entertain a sold-out house in a fabulous historic venue featuring stained glass windows. The fortunate 700 people who were in attendance witnessed over two and a half non-stop hours of off-the-cuff humor, smiles, stories, and some awesome music. I have seen these guys perform many times in different configurations with bands and solo so I should tell you that this night was very special. Very different and very good!

Here is a link to a song that happens to be very close to my favorite song of his. When Lyle hit the first chord I actually said to myself quietly "He is gonna' play it!" These guys work so well together. More stories in a moment. This video link is to "My Favorite Mistake."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjM-VstwTMM

The Explorer's Club!

http://www.rockridgemusic.com/explorersclub/

I spent the weekend in Charlotte and the initial reason I went was to see The Explorers Club perform. If you ever read my blog you will know that this is not the first time I have seen them, in fact I have lost count of how many times I have seen them!

There is something very unique about this band that I really like and they are only getting better with time. It seems when I hear their music I get transported back to the 1960's sounds of Herb Alpert and the Beach Boys. They have a way of melting all these vibes into a unique mix of sounds that work perfectly in 2012. Mark Linett, who mixed The Beach Boys’ “SMiLE” for Capitol Records was responsible for the mix on the up-coming release “Grand Hotel.” You can hear the perfection in the mix on the pre-release tracks.

This band has just started a tour so I would encourage you to check their web site to see if they will be in your area. They are not to be missed! There is also a new album of music coming in February. I have heard some of the tracks and they are damn good! I know radiomargaritaville is playing some of these tracks right now so tune in and listen for them.

I wished the band would have played longer but on this night there were three different acts so I guess I had to settle for what I got! I can't wait 'till the next time I get to see another performance from these guys. I hope it is soon.

http://www.myspace.com/explorersclub

Here is a pre-order page for the new album:

http://www.shopbenchmark.com/theexplorersclub/

And a nice HD video link for the new album release!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQFPpNiOJKw&feature=g-upl

What a great new song! Check out this video of "Run, Run, Run,"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LBeHeBosgU&feature=related

That's it for now...until next time, I'll see you. Down the road...

Malcolm Holcombe!

http://www.malcolmholcombe.com/

Malcolm Holcombe last Saturday night at the Evening Muse in Charlotte. http://www.theeveningmuse.com/ This venue is an intimate place right in the heart of a part of Charlotte now called NODA. That would be "North Davidson Street" which is about three miles north of up-town Charlotte. Yeah that's what they call it here...up-town, never downtown...You say downtown in Charlotte and everyone knows you are not from around here.

Malcolm played to a very attentive crowd seated in chairs and standing along the window glass in the front of the venue. It was a nice selection of songs from a guy who has spent most of his time in Western North Carolina. After the show was over he was walking towards the door when a fan asked him about his song 'Dressed in White." He seemed to really like her knowledge of his music so he sat his guitar case down and opened it. He sat down in a chair and played the song to her right there. I thought that was pretty cool. Here's a like to the song if you want to hear it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGp4DVg1Xtw&feature=related

I asked Malcolm about the song "Killing the Blues." I told him I really like that song. Many people have covered it and I recently found out that it was written by Rowland Salley. Malcolm told me that as soon as I started talking about the song. He knows his music for sure. These days everyone from Robert Plant to John Prine has covered that song. Cool stuff.

Here are the links. This song is off the meter.

The Allison Krause and Robert Plant version. I love this one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtpeLia33PY

Here is Malcolm's version. I love this one too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZSGs-7jvHw

Go check out Malcolm if you get a chance, he is a real talent. I need to go get another round of his live music...


"Killing the Blues"

Leaves were falling, just like embers,
In colors red and gold, they set us on fire
Burning just like moonbeams in our eyes.

Somebody said they saw me, swinging the world by the tail
Bouncing over a white cloud, killing the blues.

Now I'm guilty of something...
I hope you never do
Because there is nothing
Any sadder than losing yourself in love.

And then you've ask me... just to leave you
To set out on my own
And get what I needed.
You want me to find what I've already had.

The Christmas Jam Mirror Ball.

I just liked this picture. It comes from my past. I will tell you the story sometime. That is for another day or maybe a moment on a beach with the breeze in our hair and a rising tide. Until next time, I'll see you down the road. Much Love always.

Warren Haynes!

http://www.warrenhaynes.net/

I can't stop the story without showing a picture of Warren in 2011 Christmas Jam form...Here he is singing the lead on "Shakedown Street." Thanks Warren. Your show always rocks!!!

Here is one of my absolute favorites with Warren playing a very special guitar:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fR8zeRd5bUk

And here is another favorite. The Hangout Festival 2011 on the Gulf Coast with Grace Potter and my pal Ron Holloway on sax.
"Honky Tonk Women" This one ROCKS:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-epBSpoSwU&feature=related

Phil Lesh!

http://www.phillesh.net/
http://www.philzone.com/

Well. The crowd was here to see this guy. And he did not disappoint. The first song was the Grateful Dead's "Shakedown Street" and it just rode on from there.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7R3WBhod0sE

Nothin' shakin' on Shakedown Street. Used to be the heart of town.
Don't tell me this town ain't got no heart. You just gotta poke around...

A snapshot of my afternoon. before the show. It was COLD and breezy in this mountain town. I love the place. So cool in so many ways. As I parked in the garage next to library I went to the elevator. Out stepped two young girls and a guy. They were laughing. As I stepped into the door I smelled the fresh remnants of dope smoke. I smiled. Welcome to Asheville. Money and hippies abound....

After a great meal and some micro-brew I went to find my place at the door for the show. Yeah it was cold. It always is. Part of the game for coming to this gig! There were people walking by with boom boxes playing Dead music and showing various drug stuff for sale. I thought....only in Asheville. Too funny. 'Nuff said.

Los Lobos!

http://www.loslobos.org/site/

It was as good as I imagined it. Los Lobos can rock.

Don't Worry Baby! Yeah! This ROCKS.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiDyURMJkV0&feature=related


...With Neil Young..."Cinnamon Girl"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGT-Eh6plIY&feature=related

I watched this set from mostly right behind the stage. It was off the freakin' meter...I wish you could have been right beside me....just sayin.'

The Gang....

Jimmy Herring! Yeah he rocks that guitar. http://www.myspace.com/jimmyherringofficial


He was on it in this picture. Here's a nice link to Jimmy playing with Derek Trucks and his band.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ia2unDpnDw&feature=related

Casey Driessen on violin. I have seen this guy many times backstage at Merlefest playing with Zac Brown and many others.

He is quite good! In fact you check it out. Charlie Daniels made this one famous. Zac and his band still jam it with Casey...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnQZ1HSUbXU

Too much fun!

Bela Fleck!

http://www.belafleck.com/

Wow. This was a show! The band can jam and it went from Scruggs to rock....I just sort of watched it from several angles including ten feet away to the back to the stage. It was great! When you see these guys you never know what they might play. But it is all Great!!

Here's a taste...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsDqloUEliQ&feature=related

Xmas Jam 2011 Asheville, North Carolina

Audley Freed! He has played with all kinds of people...the Dixie Chicks, Gary Allan, Perter Frampton, Government Mule, Jakob Dylan, Gavin DeGraw, on and on....

He is always awesome at the Christmas Jam. Here is a link to a very cool Warren Haynes and Government Mule 2010 cover of Skynerd's "Simple Man" with Audley playing. Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51k7xlbguEM&feature=related

Nice!

You can click the photo to enlarge it...

So here is most of the band playing. Randall was all over the sax, the keys, the guitar, the vocals. He does it all. His talent is very solid. He has the mastery of music for sure and it is a pleasure to enjoy seeing someone of this caliber perform in an intimate setting. Yes I know I am a lucky man in so many ways. I never stop enjoying a moment. This was a good one. Thanks Randall.

I spent a few minutes chatting with Randall in the corner. I took home some music, including this song and I have to say this was probably my favorite one they did on this night. Enjoy. Here is the link to the video.

I am a bit behind on my blog but I promise I will catch up one day. Until next time, I'll see you. Down the road.

Drivin' to Montgomery! Click on the link. I love this song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQ7gpZ8ThbQ

Randall and Mel....

So I spent a lot of time at the back watching this show. My old pal Mel Melton who owns the place and it is the chef stepped up to play some harp on a couple of cool blues numbers stood silently beside me for a while just watching this band play. We both knew we were watching something very cool and there were some subtile smiles going on. It was a very nice night. Great music. Great food. Life is short enjoy the moment. Just sayin.'

http://www.randallbramblett.com/

http://www.papamojosroadhouse.com/papa-mojos-roadhouse-mel-melton.htm

A video link. Mel Melton and the Wicked Mojos featuring Max Drake from Stoneville, North Carolina about five miles from where I live. It's the Chapel Hill Boogie.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvLxKZFVAAY

Randall Bramblett!

http://www.randallbramblett.com/

Well. I have seen him before. Many times in fact. Solo and with the likes of the Allman Brothers Band as well as Bonnie Raitt.
He is always very awesome. He road-tripped from Athens, Georgia to entertain a sold-out house in a fine cajun restaurant. I drove almost two hours each way to see him after a long week of work on not so much sleep. It was worth every moment. You really just had to be there. 'Nuff said.

Jimmy on Stage.

I'm not going to put my best photos up here but I would be happy to share them with you in person. Here's one for you. It was a great show!

Here's a link to one of my favorite videos of the day...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-3kqPF2kk4&feature=related

Yes and now you heard my strange proposal
So get that packard up and lets move
I wanna be there before the day
Tries to steal away and leave us behind
Ive made up my mind

And I wanna be there
I wanna go back down and die beside the sea there
With a tin cup for a chalice, fill it up with good red wine
And Im a chewin on a honeysuckle vine

Here Comes Jimmy!

Well I hesitated to add this photo. I am kind of hesitant to put my favorite pictures on the internet. I don't mind sharing I just want people to not do the wrong things with them. That's all. And they are my treasures. I love photography. It helps reclaim what you can't remember in a special moment. Just saying.'

I should add Jimmy said that was the first time the police were in the front of him in Key West. Too funny!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbuYO5Hdj4g&feature=related

The Upstairs View.

Looking down at the street from the Margaritaville Offices...

A view down Duval Street.

Just a picture not too long before the set was changed for the Coral Reefer Band.

Me and Alex Leist.

I just liked this picture. Alex ran this show many years ago for a while. We have been friends since the early 1990's thanks to the internet and the music of Jimmy Buffett. I can tell you we have seen some good times in Key West. For sure. Long story...

I should mention this picture was taken as Jimmy Buffett was on the way across Key West to play for us. We both knew it and we were smiling.

John Frinzi and Friends...

http://www.johnfrinzi.com/

This is a long-time running gig. John always invites cool people to play late night on the beach. It is the place to be to share stories with friends you haven't seen in a while. I can't really explain you just need to be there. It is always a moment, you can feel the ocean breeze, it is warm, and the music is very good.

In this picture you see John, Freebo, Doyle Grisham, Nadirah Shakoor, Mark James, and Freebo.

Let's just say it was really good.

http://freebomusic.com/

http://www.nadirahshakoor.com/fr_home.cfm

http://www.doylegrisham.com/

Howard Livingston!

http://www.milemarker24.com/

Howard. He is living the dream. I enjoy his music and his band is very good....We always have fun. He got me home safely the last time I needed a ride from downtown. Thanks Howard. You and Cyndy too....

The sun going down behind the Casa Marina....

I just love Key West sunsets...

Will Kimbrough!

http://www.willkimbrough.com/

Well. Will is totally awesome. He is a great person. He is an entertainer. He can tell great stories. He is an AWESOME guitar player and shares everything he knows which I really love. It is just cool to listen to him talk about little things in music. So yeah I am a huge fan. Mostly of Will the person. Here is my advice. If you get a chance to see him perform you RUN don't walk. I had a blast, 'Nuff said.

There is a cool story behind this song. Check it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dR7gl-eWCAU

Of course the song Jimmy Buffett made famous, actually one of many Will songs....Will writes some awesome tunes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ywz8UVHfAA

One I really understand. This reminds me of Madden, Mississippi.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usMjBo2tyag&feature=related

And here is the Jimmy Buffett version of this cool song...Thanks Will!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Uy0JJ68VVE

So as I post this on Thanksgiving...here is a cool video for you to watch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htcQmkk2fec

Michael Crawley!

http://www.myspace.com/michaelcrawley

Crawdaddy. He is a super harp player. I really love to watch him play. He has the soul and the ability. Not to mention I love that shirt he has on. He played with Will through most of the show and really added some awesome stuff on many of the blues tracks.
Folks, this was a GREAT show. I wish I could write something to capture the magic but you really needed to be here on this one.

Here is my advice. If you can go see either of these guys play go now. They both rock!

Will and Me.

OK so this is the picture I should probably not post on my blog. But I really love this guy. He is such a talent. He works hard, he knows his craft, he freaking loves his family, and besides he is pals with a bunch of my friends. So this is a picture I really like.

This guy is a star. He is so damn amazing on guitar.

Will's Pedals.

I'm in Key West at the Studios of Key West. http://www.tskw.org/ It is the show I have called my favorite gig of the week. After all the action of the week... yeah this show still is although Jimmy Buffett in the street was pretty damn good! More to come on that....

I am a hard-core fan of Will's "Weekly Lick of the Day" He tells us all about guitars and pedals. Music and love of music. I love every moment of it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Zip42DUMAo

So here is my picture of Will's pedals.

Lingerie...

This guy is too much fun! Here is a link to a favorite of mine. One he calls "Lingerie."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbkRejBht1s

I'm not sure how you explain one of these shows...He has a theme that plays as he comes on stage. The crowd knows what he is going to do and it is an audience participation show. This is one entertaining guy. You should go check him out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cD0aL4uWPt0&feature=related

Too funny...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYFhd5AL6dw&feature=related

Unknown Hinson!

http://www.unknownhinson.com/

Rocking at the Blind Tiger in Greensboro, North Carolina in October. Unknown Hinson is a ton of fun to see in person. He is always dressed to kill and he plays like it is his last gig....

Joe and his guitar collection....

Photos: Andrew Talbert

Joe traded guitars almost every song. He has some really nice axes. We were driven through most all of his hits from the James Gang all the way to current including several songs of his made famous by the Eagles. I loved "Life in the Fast Lane" but "Pretty Maids All in a Row" was my favorite. It was a great show and I felt privileged to be witnessing this version given how few shows he is playing on this tour. It was a great night!

Here is a nice bootleg video link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1lw82eYx4U

And...Funk #49

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8x-Po5mJF4o&feature=related