Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Shine A Light Trailer....



The Rolling Stones sent me an email today. OK so they sent a whole bunch of people emails today, I got mine...anyway....
...As I made my way down Highway 29 South in North Carolina this morning headed to win a paltry amount of legal tender for the day, yes it was dark, real dark. Too damn early for a grown man...Early I say, sipping coffee, trying to clear my head, I was in the Mini S with the air conditioning set to 62 degrees with that fog on the windshield, 6th gear, and I will never admit what the speed was but the tachometer was reading, oh there I go again, it is the public domain. Anyway, the dj on Sirius classic vinyl says..."Yeah that Keith Richards he took all his licks from Chuck Berry"....BS I thought well he borrowed a few but he has a pile that are his...back to the story...

Here's the scoop, one of my favorite bands on the planet has worked with Martin Scorsese to develop a concert film documenting two riveting Rolling Stones’ performances at New York’s legendary Beacon Theatre.
And guess what...it will be postponed until April 2008. Oh man...From what I hear they want to wait to release it as the Stones are still touring Europe and they need the proper time to exploit the marketing potential....as if they need more money....I think they just like to measure the media response, this score is beyond money at this point. We are into the history books now.
http://www.rollingstones.com/vtBox/index.php?deepLink=video-3207#

You can view the trailer and some other stuff at the link above. Actually I can't wait to see this movie. I will go...I still love this band. I am ready for another live show! How many times have I seen them? Hmmm I am really embarrassed to say...

Where are all those ticket stubs? And what are they worth? Man!

http://www.wolfgangsvault.com/Static.aspx?Type=Category/Category_TK.htm&CategoryID=TK

Friday, August 17, 2007

Farm Aid 2007


I keep telling myself as the years go by that I should go to Farm Aid. They have a GREAT lineup this year for a great cause. We need our farmers. We depend on them. My tomatoes in my backyard are pictured above but hey I need food all year! Oh yeah I just took this picture moments ago...

Here is a story sent to me from the John Mellencamp e-mail newsletter. And I will plug his fan club. It is a good one. If you are a fan you need to join this one.
http://www.clubcherrybomb.net/

Farm Aid 2007 Line Up - Update
Farm Aid has issued a PRESS RELEASE announcing artists set to perform for the upcoming concert on Sunday, September 9th, on Randall's Island in New York City. The stellar lineup now includes: Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews, and Tim Reynolds, The Allman Brothers Band, Counting Crows, Matisyahu, Guster, The Derek Trucks Band, Warren Haynes, Supersuckers, The Ditty Bops and Montgomery Gentry. Additionally, Farm Aid has announced that Gregg Allman will perform a special acoustic set with Willie Nelson and Dave Matthews.

http://www.farmaid.org/site/c.qlI5IhNVJsE/b.2723605/k.C7B8/Concert.htm


As a footnote, John is in the studio with T Bone Burnett recording what will be his 22nd career album. I can't wait to hear it.

Sunday, August 12, 2007

Evolution.


Evolution.
That was the word that kept coming to mind as I stood in the Summer heat at Walnut Creek last night. From the photo I just took a moment ago you can see my old Eat a Peach t shirt from 1975. (click on the image and check that date out) A medium. My daughter wore this shirt to the show with me last night. Now she actually is a small size and just a few weeks from being fifteen years old. She doesn't like having her picture taken although she is a beautiful girl.
As we walked through the crowd last night people kept asking me and my daughter about the shirt. They could tell it was something very different. The guy at the "Hittin' the Note" booth really liked it. "Old School" he called it. Funny that is what this 25 year-old manager told me the other day when he overheard me talking about the show I was going too..."Allman Brothers, Man that's some old school stuff" Funny at my age I think old school is Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf. Evolution.
Last night I stood in the 11th row and watched Mofro and then The Drive by Truckers perform. I don't have too much to say about them. Mofro was cool and there were some people grooving to them. They seem to be up and coming. The Drive by Truckers came out to a crowd roar and seemed to have a sizable fan base. They sounded pretty good but I have a couple of comments. First, don't come out to a crowd of 25,000 with a gold top Les Paul out of tune. Worse yet don't play an entire song out of tune. I won't mention any names. Live and learn. And it would be cool if you could leave the cigarettes and Jack Daniels off the stage. If you want me to pay big bucks to see you as a main liner, I want you to be professional. That used to be cool when concert tickets were 8 bucks, not now. Evolution. I don't drink or smoke at work, why should you? Sorry just a mini rant.
Back to evolution.
Last night the Allman Brothers absolutely thrilled the pants off me. This after I nearly left my pants at the entrance. (See other story below...heheh)
I have seen iterations of this band for four decades now. The one on stage last night is the one that knows how to play. They play the songs the way the best versions of those songs exist in the recorded genre and they know how to play in the moment. Don't get me wrong I love to hear all the other previous brothers play, you couldn't be in the band if you weren't way above the rest, I just think Warren and Derek Trucks really get it. No BS. If you have time go to this link and listen to this NPR interview with Derek from 2003. I like it so much I have it on cd. It will get you in the grove with what I am talking about. Derek knows how to play like Derek, Dickey, and Duane. He is the man. And Warren, well you know, he is just damn good.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1418885

A great interview from Ashley Kahn and NPR. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4847621
I had a chance to interview Derek once in Charlotte before a show. His bus was in front of the Visualite Theater downtown. I was on the cell phone with his manager Blake and talking about when to meet him. Turns out, Susan, his wife and the young kids were on the bus. One of them was sick and it wasn't a good time. No worries...maybe another day. He has his priorities right.

Listen to the end of the NPR interview. "Music is a journey and the journey is endless," That's how jazz visionary Sun Ra once put it. Today when so much music comes across like short day trips, Derek Truck's journey is unexpectedly far-reaching."
What great writing. Nice job...NPR rocks.

Evolution.
I saw the young Allmans and now I see them years later on stage. They were masters at a young age. And so are the young players on that stage. I saw Derek play 10 years ago in a small venue. I had heard the stories and made time to go see for myself if he was the real deal. He was and is. I knew he was special then but he is a monster now. He is on the level with the best players on the globe. This guy has a PHD in guitar and hasn't even broke the age of thirty. Better yet he is down to earth and leads a normal life outside to the constant work of life on the road. This guy is a hero of mine. He needs to be on the cover of People magazine instead of all those people I won't mention that stay in trouble all the time. Cancel that, he doesn't need that kind of attention, he just needs to play guitar.
The drummers, they were sounding great. I really miss the young Jaimoe. He was on stage last night playing through the pain of his back trouble. And yes that was cool but I could tell he can't play like he would like to. Like he used to. But my memory of the old days filled in the gaps and I was damn glad he was sitting on the stage. He is a brother to the end.
Butch is much older now but I noticed Marc gave him some rest periods. Even so he was awesome. I kept thinking about Charlie Watts last night watching these guys play. It is amazing to see these guys play a set at their age like they do. My hat is off to them.
Gregg. He looked a bit older but sounded good. He is a real Southern gentleman in person. And sort of like the shepard on stage. He just plays and watches all the guys to his left play.
After all of the shows I have seen I have to say the one last night was the second best. It would have been the best but the one I saw at the New Orleans Superdome back in the 1970s was my first and it was so thrilling nothing will ever top the experience. Of course sitting next to the Hell's Angels in 1978 at Duke was a close second for memories.
As I watched the background colored video reminiscent of the Fillmore days I saw this scene that reminded me of the 1960's. It sort of reminded me of a primordial, sort of organic thought. I looked at my daughter standing next to me and I thought. Evolution. Circle of life. 'Nuff said.
Thanks to the Allman Brothers Band. You thrilled this old dude again.

Last Night at Walnut Creek in Raleigh



A quick rant..I usually try to keep my blogs light-hearted and free of whining. OK after attending a show at Walnut Creek in Raleigh last night I felt like I just had to make a comment. http://www.livenation.com/venue/getVenue/venueId/502
I have been coming to this venue for many years and seen my share of big shed shows all over the country. This place has matured over time and the parking has become quite orderly. Where are the outdoor bathrooms? This is 2007. We should not have to come into the venue to go to the restroom. Remember, NO EXITING the Venue after your ticket is scanned? Tailgating and socializing before shows brings people out...including me. I met some very nice and interesting people in the parking lot last night. Enough of that.
I was just in Charlotte the other week at a show. Not only did I get an email before the show telling me what I could do and not do, I was advised of the acts performing and the nights schedule down to the minute. I was told I could bring my camera and one bottle of water into the venue. Now that is 2007. When I got there I was greeted by smiling people who welcomed me to the venue and asked me what was in my pockets. I told them and went on my way. Oh, a note...they have bathrooms IN the parking lot... As I got in the folks helped me to my seat and all was well. I felt welcome to be there.
Last night in Raleigh. OMG. No email even though Live Nation was producing. Yes they do the same "production" in Charlotte. May I mention a term here? Technology transfer? Shamelessly re-apply? Are you listening Walnut Creek?
As walked with my daughter to the entrance which was one quarter of a mile away from the $20 over-priced "Premiere Parking"...which is somewhat safer than the OMG half-mile-away dust-bowl who is gonna steal my car stereo parking...I was told to empty my pockets on the table and raise my shirt? Excuse me? Raise my shirt? The first thing I show them is my camera which is about as non-professional as one can get. Casual photos for my relatively unknown blog...Not tonight, I was told you will need to check that at Guest Services...Well guess what "I ain't checkin' #### I mumbled to myself.." I walked back to my car. Yes all the way back and put everything I could from my pockets..except my one car key, cell phone, and sunglass case which holds my replacements for my sunglasses when it gets dark. I walk all the way back to the entrance. After silently throwing the contents of my pockets on the table in front of no less than eight stern-looking attendants a guy behind me goes "what is in your back pocket?" I go "Nothing?" He keeps pointing and draws the attention of two other large guys. I ask him if he wants me to pull my pants pocket inside out...better yet I say, why don't I just drop my pants too." By now I am pissed for being treated this way." Enough, you get the picture.
Now back to reality for a moment. Yes it is a different day. I appreciate the fact that these folks have a business to run and their job is to protect everyone. God knows I don't want to witness a murder, so no weapons please..But there is a way to do this without causing people to be uncomfortable in the process. Anyone ever heard of a metal detector? I was in DC three weeks ago for days and the security never treated me this way all over town.
I felt like I was trespassing last night. I just paid over $200 to see a show and I get treated like this? No wonder shed shows are falling off. Get a clue, get a customer service department.
I am tired of the big box approach to everything in America. It is time we thought about the person who is paying the bill. Finally, as I was leaving my seat last night a guy with the "Event Staff" vest on looked me in the eye as I walked by and said " Have a good evening sir and thanks for coming out" I wish I knew his name. Now that's what I call a nice guy. I would hire him for the customer service trainer.
The story continues...
http://www.newsobserver.com/308/story/667988.html
In case the link goes away, here is an excerpt from the story. Interesting reading about the future of at least...this shed. Sad. I am sure with better management this could be a great facility. A suggestion? Lower prices? Customer service? Maybe one day we can rant on that one...

Source: The Raleigh News and Observer
http://blogs.newsobserver.com/

Today's paper has a story about Walnut Creek, and whether or not the city-owned amphitheater is living up to its obligation to present diverse acts. As the story recounts, it's not a simple question. And it takes place against the backdrop of a troubled industry, in which big outdoor sheds are becoming obsolete because so few new acts can fill up a 20,000-seat venue. Wilson Rogers, who oversees Walnut Creek and other sheds for concert-promoting giant Live Nation, is not optimistic about the future.

"The trends are not encouraging," Rogers says. "I keep thinking we're going to have to put ramps up to the stage to get the performers on. The business is aging and there do not seem to be enough big acts. There are no proving grounds anymore. It seems like we're running out of talent, which can't possibly be. But if you can't get talent exposed and built up..."

If big sheds like Walnut Creek are dinosaurs, the concert industry's future might lie in making its high-end venues smaller.

"I think amphitheaters might become more niche-oriented," says Rogers. "Maybe smaller, with 10,000 reserved seats and a pared-down infrastructure. I think you'll see more smaller buildings because crowds are spread out over too many genres."

Saturday, August 11, 2007

The Cold War is Over....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lNFRLrP014

These guys are great! They have other videos on youtube but this one really made me laugh. Thanks to my pal from Maryland, Tom Ponton for sending me the link to this one.

Friday, August 10, 2007

You Need to Visit This Site....


The Paradise Charitable Foundation. http://www.paradisefoundation.org/
Today I stopped in front of my house and opened the mailbox to find a cd copy of "Live from Key West." I have been waiting to see this disc for many months. And as I write this I am listening to track three of the cd. Run, don't walk... and go get a copy of this one. You will not be disappointed! I am thinking back to the moment this song was recorded and I was sitting on the beach, my feet deep in the Key West sand behind the Casa Marina http://www.casamarinaresort.com/ watching much of this music transpire. It was raining so hard I had a broom sweeping water off the stage even with a canopy overhead.
I remember track four like it was last night. Jimmy B. came to the Casa to play for us...I called it the private party for his best fans. A real Key West song. "Woman Goin' Crazy on Caroline Street." I stood several feet away as he played this one. I love this song and this version is a classic. The fidelity of this recording is incredible. A memory from that night..later in the show he told us about visiting his old dentist earlier that day and then proceeded to bang his front teeth on a conch Shell someone placed on the stage...The conch horn sounded and the crowd erupted. What a night! 100 percent humidity and 110 percent fun. I swear parrot heads live several lifetimes in one. So many stories, so little time.
Wow this is disc is so well mixed. Alex had some serious digital recording equipment on site and I can remember recording hours of this stuff myself... I remember watching Alex man the table behind the big stage tweaking the knobs to make this magic happen for all to enjoy. What a stack of equipment... enduring wind, rain, and sun, truly a labor of love, this disc is the result of many hours of toil for all the support staff and musicians. Great job all!!

And a great cause! All profits of this disk go to Victory Junction http://www.victoryjunction.org/
Very cool indeed. Victory Junction is located very close to my home of many years here in North Carolina.

I am not going to review this disk all I am going to say is it is fabulous. A must have if you have never even been to Key West. The disk captures snapshots of fun and moments of awesome pleasure at the Southernmost point in the good old USA. The disc will release on August 20 so plan to order now. 'Nuff said. Life is good.
See ya down the road....

Sunday, August 05, 2007

John Mayer in Charlotte...



John Mayer http://www.johnmayer.com/ and his band on stage in Charlotte last Wednesday night. I took this picture from my not so great seats purchased 30 seconds after they went on sale... A full house all the way to the lawn, it was a great show. I was reminded of a Beatles show in the beginning! The girl screams were ear-bending and mind-blowing. It seems there were as many people there watching guitar playing as there were pop-star worshiping female fans.
I didn't mention there was an introduction by James Morrison http://www.jamesmorrisonmusic.com/ and The Ben Folds Band. http://www.benfolds.com/
Both of these acts were very good. Go check them out if they appear in your neighborhood.
As the night progressed, I found myself listening to the guitar work and passing back in time to the sounds of Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and Eric Clapton. You can hear the influences of all these players in John's work. Now I am not trying to make any comparisons of the players side by side but you can tell who this boy listens to. His music is fun to hear. To the experienced ear it is cool to hear riffs of old songs weaved into his music. To the uninitiated, these chops go unnoticed. A show like this will make you feel old, IF you let it. As if....

Finally you should check out the link to John Mayer's site above. He is joining Dave Matthews, Phil Vasser, and Nas in September to put on a free show for the Virginia Tech students and staff. Great job guys for thinking of those in need. http://www.vt.edu/concert/