The following are not reviews in a sense that You are used to seeing.
I am a construction worker, not a music critic.
I have nothing to do with the music industry in any way and am not
particularly happy with the way they run their affairs !
Music Critics do not pay for tickets, wait on line, or have to struggle
to find a place to stand or sit.
I .DO !
Before a show, they usually read through a press kit with a highlighted
history of the band or band bio. They also listen to the most recent C.D.
and often an earlier one or greatest hits compilation.
I have never owned a Stereo in my life. I don't know the names of most
of the songs or the band members, but I can tell you where and when they
ever played in NYC ( most of the time ). While the critics are preparing to
review a show, instead I'm at another show. While they're writing
their review, I'm also at another show, period.
In reality, I've probably
forgotten twice as many concerts as most Music critics have ever seen !
What You will read here are merely observations from someone
who's seen more Live Concerts than anyone You've ever met or heard of !
Amen !
For actual Rock Critic Concert Reviews, I reccomend that You read those in
the local newspapers. ....................................................................................
The Best critics are Jim Bessman, John Swenson, Bob Grossweiner,
Neill Strauss, Jim Farber, David Hinckley, Kelefa Sanneh, Jon Pareles,
Ben Ratliff, Dan Aquilante, Mary Kuhn, Steve Bloom, Lucky Lawler, etc.
Concert Joe
When I attend Concerts, I find that I am able to shut out the rest of the world,
and forget about problems, worries, bills, + financial woes, etc.
My mind seems to journey to another dimension,
faster than the speed of the sound
that I am listening to, and embark on a journey of spiritual enlightenment + adventure.
Maybe that's why I go to so many concerts !
There is no other experience on this planet, like attending a LIVE music performance !
2005 Concerts
June 12,...2005............. Sunday ............. ...................................................................................................... on @ 8:30 ...................................................................................................................of f @ 9:20 pm ( Legendary ).CBGB's ....>>. ( Country, Bluegrass, Blues )
..................................................................... Main act ...........................Rating :..A
Agnostic.Front ***********************
............. Along with Murphy's Law, this is the best Hardcore-Punk-Metal band to come out of .New York City. To see them at legendary CBGB's is as good as your gonna see these days, anywhere. AGNOSTIC .FRONT is probably NYC's oldest hardcore band still in operation today. Their following is strong, long, + dedicated.
The inimitable Vinnie Stigma on rhytmm guitar + vocals. ( from the NYC Hardcore Tattoo shop ) ..and Roger Miret on vocals. Agnostic Front has a RAMONES-type line up with an extra guitar. It consisted of. two guitars, drums, bass, and vocals. They've been around for 24 years and have about 20 albums out. They used to play Sunday matinees at CB's in the early 80's. Vinnie Stigma's ferocious buzzsaw rhythm guitar assault helped define the NYC hardcore scene.
.............Tonight :They were filming 3 songs from tonight's show for a DVD documentary on New York city Hardcore music. They sprayed beer on the audience as a type of..hardcorebaptism. Of course there was a mosh-pit, body-surfing + stage-diving. After all, this is where it all began, with the Ramones launching their carreer and the entire Punk-Rock movement from this stage over 31 years ago. The place was packed. Pure, definitive, raw, unadulterated, 100% additive free Hardcore Punk Rock at its best ! .Lots of friends + family on stage. ( about 30 ). pPeople were spasmodically dancing, bodies were flying through the air. The stage resembled an extreme-sports video. I saw a guy climb up on top of the speakers and dive off ( more than once ). Some of their friends contributed to the vocals, including a biker who did a vocal duet with Mr. Miret, that sounded pretty good. Agnostic Front kept saying that this was their last show ? . I sure hope not.
.............. Guys were climbing along the ceiling pipes that support the stage lights. It was truly a sight to behold. Vinnie provided the blood + guts rhythm guitar chords for this sound. I know Vinnie for a few years; he's one cool dude and a down-to-earth guy who doesn't let his success go to his head. There were lots of guest singers from the audience screaming and growling into the microphone. The song ' Power ' was driving and pulled you along with it like the undertow at Rockaway Beach in Queens. I've never seen so many people on this small stage before, especially in such a hardcore rock n' roll, mad frenzy. Joey Ramone must've been smiling down from Heaven. This show looked like a scene from the movie "Road Warrior". This space is like a Gothic temple to Hardcore rock and should be preserved as a National Landmark and a museum , rather than knocked down to extend a homeless shelter by power-hungary city officials. It is truly a shame. Someone on the NYC tourist board told me, that the first thing that people under 25 ask for when they come to NYC for the first time, is where's CBGB's. It is a major tourist attraction as well as a spawning ground for new music. I'm sure many record executives wouldn't have their extra house out in the Hamptons, if it wasn't for CBGB's and the wave of. bands and record sales it was directly responsible for. I saw a poster for the original movie "Rock School" on the wall and it made me think. This place is a punk-rock school ! . The house that Hilly built.
............. Vinnie Stigma is the first cousin of my old concert buddy Tony L. from Brooklyn. ( I remember one time at the old Palladium on E. 14 st., back in 1992 at the New Music Seminar concerts, when security guards slammed people down on the floor, that were trying to stage dive, and a riot ensued. I watched the whole thing transpire. Murphy's Law had finished performing and were off stage and home at the time of this incident; yet they still had to go to court to answer false charges. ).. Vinnie came to the front of the stage for the last song, to do some gut-wrenching guitar leads > crossbred with some Hendrix -style harmonics. What a show !
June 24,. 2005 .....Friday......................................................................................... ...........................................
Yogi Bera Stadium .....................................................................................................
Montclair ( Little Falls ), N J ....................................................................................
.....................................................opening act
........................... ..Rating :..B+
............................................................................................................ on @ 6:30 pm .................................................Greencards............................. off @ 6:58
************
......... Mandolin, Violin, bass, + guitar. Good 'ole school' country band. They sounded
like the Soggy Mountain Boys from the movie ' Oh Brother, where art Thou'. Female on bass was good.They performed some songs from their new C.D. 'Weather + Water '. They sounded real good.
......................................................................... Main Act .......................... Rating :..B
...................................................................................................................... on @ 7:24 pm ...................................................................................................................... off @ 8:32 pm
.............. Willie's sold over 50 million records + C.D.'s. He plays Uncle Jessie in the
new 'Dukes of Hazzard' movie. This is the man who's Farm Aid has done more to help American farmers than anyone else.
.............. When Willie walked out on stage, the cheers were deafening. I got a $50 ticket
for $10 outside, so I was feeling good, especially being on such a limited budget.
Willie opened with 'Whiskey River'. I got right up in front of the stage. Willie played
an old beat up acoustic guitar with a red, white, + blue guiar strap and wore a black
coboy hat, with his hair in a long ponytail. One of the greatest Americans of today !
There was also a lady on baby grand piano, bass, snare-drum,2 guitars, harmonica, + percussion. ( septet ). Willie's son played telecater and his other son wandered around playing various instruments at different times. Then they went into Town Van Zandt's
'Pancho + Lefty' ( about Pancho Villa ). I remember twice seeing him do this years ago
with the Highwaymen ( also featuring Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, + Kris Kristofferson ). I also saw Towns Van Zandt do this twice at the old legendary
Bottom Line club. Party atmosphere tonight. Myself, ticket-stub Stuey, + Bob Jacobson
went together. Willie did some nice acoustic leads for a man in his 70's. He's been knockin' em dead for over 50 years. There was padding on the ground of the field, and
the baseball diamond was sectioned off. This is the small baseball stadium tour, same
as last year. There is also a Yogi Bera museum. Yogi also lives nearby.
............... Then the classic ' Crazy 4U ' . Willie threw his hat into the audience which caused near mayhem for a minute. The guy standing next to me caught it, and ....... triumphed after a struggle with a drunken dude and put it on his sweetie. Willie was wearing his traditional red headband. His son Lucas, sounded good on the sunburst telecaster. The back-up singer on guitar also sounded good and so was the girl on piano... ' Me + BobbyMcGee', written by Willie's friend Kris Kristofferson, mellowed out the crowd. I was wearing a 5 year old Willie Nelson shirt, that loked like a cuurent photograph of him. He had the same head band, beard, + hairstyle as he was sportin' today. I remenber when he played at Tramps about 9 years ago. After the show, a security guard escorted him outside to the eagerly awaiting crowd, and he spent about 20 minutes shaking hands with everyone, including myself.
................. The Red-Headed stranger was now sportin' a red + gray ponytail. At one point, there were up to 9 musicisns on stage. Then ' Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up 2B Cowboys ' ( made famous by Walon Jennings ), and ' On the Road Again', got the audience to clap along. Half the people were sitting far away in the stadium seats, and half were standing up close on the field. Then ' You were Always on My Mind' and
' May the Circle be Unbroken ', which was dedicated to Waylon Jennings, and Willie was now wearing a beige cowboy hat. Next, a new song .' ? Superman'.
........................... Main Act ........................................................................ Rating :..B+
...................................................................................................................... on @ 8:58 pm ...................................................................................................................... off @ 10:37 pm
............ I was right up front, about 15 feet from the stage. I've seen Dylan about 70 times, but have never been this close. Bob on keyboard + vocals ( and a pedal steel I never saw him use), two more guitars, drums, bass, and a guy who played pedal steel, violin, and electric mandolin. They opened with ' To be Alone with You '. The stage backdrop was the current Dylan-logo, an eye with a crown. Bob also played harmonica on some songs.
I was talking to someone about the Jorma show last week, and a girl next to me told me that she used to take mandolin lessons from Jorma's new mandolin player, Barry Mitterhoff. I could smell incence burning in the warm night air on this beautiful summer night. ..................... ' Just Like a Woman ' was smooth and in better sounding raspy voice than the two Beacon theatre shows I saw last April. Bob played keyboard + harmonica. He has carpel tunnel syndrome and can't play guitar anymore. Next came the ambivalous
' Desolation Row ' followed by the politically labor related ' Highway 61 '. The band was smokin. Soon after came ' Stuck Inside a Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again ' , which had some nice pedal steel riffs whizzing by. Wide age range tonight, from 15 to 75 years old !.. Lots of college and high school kids here, yearning for the Truth. ' To MakeYou Feel my Love ' was next. Saw two children, each on their father's shoulders, up front, and the kids looked so happy. ' New Morning ' was soul-stirring and a happy-go-lucky mood enveloped the air around us.
Encore : ............... Bob wore a white cowboy hat for ' It Ain't Me, Babe' , which I could hardly recognize because of the large change in tempo + melody from the original version. The crowd was pretty mellow in front of the stage, for an outdoor show ( especially comparedto a New York audience ). ' Like a Rolling Stone ' was enlightening. Bob's not known for his vocal quality, but is a great entertainer and song writer ( maybe the best ! ).
June 25
.............
...................................................................................................... on @ 7:30 One more Saturday Night in the Big City ......................................... of f @ 8:10 pm
Prospect Park Bandshell, Brooklyn .................................................
This was a Country / Rockabilly band . I enjoyed them alot. This included a violin -
player, guitar player,stand-up bass, + drums. In the back area, most people were sitting
on their blankets, talking, eating, and not paying much attention to the band.
It was a beautiful summer night with a breeze, although it was about 85 degrees out.
I went to the show with Magic Bob. About 8,000 people I would guess.
Two more guitar players came out and one sang. They were wearing suits. These guys really cooked.
.............................................................................................................................. on @ 8:30 .............................................................................................................................. off @ 9:22 pm
STARS
*********
This line-up included a lead singer on trumpet, a female singer on guitar, another guitar player, keyboard, drums, and bass. Another guy came out to play a trumpet duet
with the lead singer. The Vocals wre pretty good and so was the musicianship. They're playing Central Park on August 18.
..................................................... Main Act .................................. Rating :.. B
............................................................................................................ on @ .. 9:42 ................................................................................................................. off @ 10:50 pm
New Pornographers **************************
.................. The Canadian Flag was hung over the stage because these bands are from
a group of Canadian bands playing NYC this week.
I saw this band last year at the Bowery Ballroom with about one-tenth as many people.
Lead singer on guitar, female singer on keyboard, another guitar, bass, + drums,
and another keyboard.The 3-part harmonies were excellent, as good as it gets.
The place was super-packed. It was beautiful seeing the concert among the trees.
( This is the Brooklyn version of Central Park. When they have concerts in Prospect +
Central Parks, as well as the rest of the parks in the city; these are the only times
the New York City parks are safe to walk through at night. This means that Concerts
prevent crime ! ) Anyway, the drummer also sounded good on vocals and harmonies.
The guitar playing was better than average, and the harmonies were especially
pleasing, reminiscent of the old vocal groups of the 1960's, such as the ASSOCIATION.
They sounded like Brooklyn's version of the BEACH BOYS. Catherine was good on vocals. The sound quality tonight was better than most of the outdoor concerts I've seen in a long time. The Lead singer was also very good. Good fast-drivin' rock n'roll .
June 26.. 2005..... Sunday ...................................................................
.................................................................................................................... on @ 9:53 ............................................................................................................ I got in @ 10:02 Irving Plaza ............................................................................................. of f @ 10:35 pm
................ I saw these guys last year at the Mercury Lounge. I first heard about this band from the music expert, Dean Wien. He raved about them. I think they're from Williamsburg, Brooklyn. They had the audience loving them.
Bass player on lead vocals, a guy on keyboard, vocals + moroccas, also a conga player, guitar player, and drummer. I saw Isaac with Ticket-stub Stuey at the show. This was fast, relentless raw, Rock n' Roll. Good rhythm section. Never ending spasmodic energy. Their music made your feet want to move. They open shows quite a bit at Irving. Lead singer loked like Tom Cruise. The bass player looked like one of the security guards at Irving. They were surely good enough 2B a main act here. Actually, they're far better than some of the main acts that play here ! Their rock-anthems captured this young crowd here. The bass player sang with conviction and enthusiam. I think these guys blow away Kings of Leon, Kaiser Chiefs, Strokes, Hives, and a bunch of hyped-up bands I've seen here.
..................SOLD .OUT ........................................................................... on @ 10:56 pm Irving Plaza ............................................................................................. of f @ 12:12 am
................................................................... Main Act ........................... Rating :..B+
Ted Leo +Pharmacists
*************************
................ I've seen Ted Leo a few times, both with his band and solo. I think Ted's a local Jersey dude. Ted on guitar + vocals, bass, and drums. When Ted gets on stage, he's one of the hardest working people in show biz. He makes crazy faces while he sings his rock ballads. He plays a mean rhythm guitar. I think he plays a Gretsch or Guild. He has unstopable energy. Someone threw up a green necklace on stage. He bounced around the stage singing with emotion and craziness. He reminds me of Joe Jackson. One of the ballads turned into a sing-a-long with the audience. This is a high speed, high energy output, power trio. Crowd was going wild. Ted has a wide vocal range. The crowd clapped along to one of his ballads that also brought out a girl on violin.
Encore : More of Ted's antics. This is the first time I've seen them sell out of .............. T-............... T-shirts here !. .Great Show.
June 27 .. 2005..... Monday .............................................................SOLD. OUT ....
Second of a two night run here.............................................................. on @ 9:07
Beacon Theater ...................................................................................... of f @ 10:47 pm
Robert Plant + the Strange Sensations
****************************************
.......... Robert Plant is best known for his historical magnificence with Led Zeppelin. They were from the second British invasion of the 1960's. They took the Blues art form, created in the rural south by Innovative American Black musicians, that was underappreciated in this country at that time, until young English rock bands adapted and modified it with a British flavor. ( Bands such as the Beatles, Stones, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, Yardbirds, Faces, Cream, Led Zeppelin , etc. )
............. There was light rain outside as a number of people and scalpers were trying to buy and sell tickets. Tickets were being sold for anywhere from $20 to $100 and not all of them were legitimate ! ..After about an hour, I met Vinny and his beautiful wife Shona in front, and he gave me a FREE pair of upper balcony tickets. GOD bless Vinny ! .I gave the other ticket to concert afficianado, Tommy Tomkins Square.I bought a pair of bootleg T-shirts outside and gave one to Vinny as an exchange of good Concert-Karma. I was talking to someone , who said they saw Led Zeppelin as only an opening act at the legendary Fillmore, over 35 years ago. I met ROBERT .PLANT, in front of the main entrance to Central Park, last April after the 15 minute Free outdoor Rolling Stones concert at Lincoln Center. He was in town to promote his new C.D. on WQ104.3 - FM radio. I recognized him and asked him for an autograph for a children's music school in Long Beach, as well as one for myself ( which I rarely do ). He took the time from his busy schedule to do this and I greatly appreciate this. He wasn't stuck up, like many of the Rock Stars and record company honchos that I've met. I told him that I remember seeing Led Zeppelin at Nassau Coliseum in the summer of 1972, and it was one of the greatest moments of my life. He said " Oh, that was such a long time ago , was'nt it ? "
.................. I missed a good opening act tonight --- The Soundtrack of Our Lives which I've seen before. . I had a nosebleed seat, but I lucked out and found an empty second row seat in the Loge that was unclaimed for the entire show. The show opened with a Zen-like drum chant in an eerie red stage lighting scenario --- like a cult ritual. Robert Plant on vocals, Skin on acoustic + electric guitar, Justin Adams on guitar, Billy Ford on electric bass + acoustic cello-bass, drums , and an amazing John Baggott on a whole slew of keyboards. ( I'm not sure if I heard Robert announce the band names correctly ). The Music sounded like an East Indian raga, similar to the music of Philip Glass. It was a party atmosphere. I was wearing my Crosby, Stills, Nash, + Young reunion concert T-shirt, that I got at the concert I went to with living legend Joe Franklin in 2000 at MSG. The last couple of years at many concerts, I noticed they have an entire rack of guitars off the side of the stage, as they did tonight. Plant still has his Goldilocks hair . I remember when Roger Daltrey used to. ' Black Dog ' was played in an unusual tempo. It sounded good, but I miss the Jimmy Page guitar riffs. The place was packed tonight. I've seen Plant over 25 times in different bands, and have never been dissapointed. Robert performed with alot of energy for a man of. 54. He's still got what it takes, and he's spawned 1,000 imitators.
................ He performed some selections from his new C.D. " Mighty Rearranger ". .... He then did a nice soulful interpretation of a Jesse Colin Young song called. ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' Darkness, Darkness ' , with acoustic instruments being played. The disco ball was spinning and sparkling and the rhythm was syncopetically correct. This man still has the rebellious stage presence distilled from days of old. This sextet couln't equal the output of Led Zeppelin's members, but the power output increased as the show proceeded. ' ' ' ' ' ' ' Heartbreaker ' was excellent. Robert is a tall chap and dwarfs the rest of his band. Robert played a mean blues harp ( harmonica ). At least he didn't waste our time by donning a guitar as a stage prop as is sometimes done by Mick Jagger + Roger Daltrey. ... ' Hangman ' got the asses of the masses off their seats. It had a different melody than normal, but the combo of acoustic + electric guitars sounded elegant. One song was like a Gospel revival ; acoustic and with the band answering Robert's cries with their background vocals. They had the oriental rug on stage for a chakra effect, as began in this country by the Grateful Dead. On stage-right, guitarplayer Justin Adams, fell down while jumping around. There was definitely a far eastern influence on the music tonight. I ran into Jack-the-Junkie before the encore.
ENCORE : ...... ' Oh Baby ' literally lit up the packed house, as Robert sang with passion and vocal conviction, and the band really excelled on this one, espesially the acoustic solo by Skin. It brought cheers of satisfaction from the crowd. Some of the classics performed tonight were at a slowed down tempo. Mr. Plant put the Tambourine on his head like a hat and did the old blues classic ' I just wanna make Love to You ' . ............................... Then ' Whole Lotta Love ' got the entire place dancing. The theater lit up with cell phone lights as people started snapping their camera-phones away like crazy. ( This is a song that resulted in a successful lawsuit for Bluesmeister Willie Dixon. His much earlier song .. . " Woman Needs Love " .was determined by a Court of Law to have the same melody and many of the same words. ) Overall, the show was better than my expectations.
June .28,...2005 .......... Tuesday .........................................................................................
......................................................................................................................... on @ 7:00 pm ? .......................................................................................................................... in @ 7:30
World Financial Center Plaza ................................................................... of f @ 8:37 pm Hudson River Park Festival FREE outdoor show
................................................................... Only Act ........................... Rating :.. A --
Richard Thompson
*********************
............. When I arrived there a half-hour late, Richard was already wailing on solo acoustic guitar. Maybe over a thousand people were there, ranging from 20 to 65 years old. This FAIRPORT .CONVENTION Alumni, sings with a flavorful celtic accent. There was a nice breeze coming from the Hudson, on the Plaza on this 80 degree summer night. The sound was excellent, about 100 times better than the outdoor Village Voice Siren music festival. They had a pair of JBL speakers in the back, and the sound was better here than by the stage. Mr. Thompson's been wailing on guitar for close to 40 years, and is considered by many 2B one of the best guitarists of all time.
.............. His classic' 52 Black Vincent '.(The British Vincent Black Lightening was the world's fastest motorcycle at that time, although it leaked oil and had a few mechanical problems) is usually his most popular selection. In this he sang about his sweetie, Red Molly, and how his favorite color scheme was red + black. Well his hair was red and he was dressed in his signature black beret and clothes. A couple came up to me and asked if I was Itzhak Perlman ? . The large orange Sun peered through the clouds on this gloomy day, and illuminated the concert area. Richard sang with passion and celtic soul, pouring his heart out onto the plaza. He performed a song about Ice Cream, that was banned by the BBC in 1974, because of alleged sexual innuendos. I think he was playing a 12-string acoustic guitar, because he alone sounded as if at least two guitarists were performing.
........... They predicted rain, but luckily none happened so far. When Richard plays, his fingers move with breakneck speed and accuracy. My compliments to the sound men, tonight. I particularly liked the song where he mentioned both EINSTEIN and saxophone legend, Charlie Parker, possibly called ' Message on the Wind ' ?. As he sings, Richard annunciates his words in such a way, stretching out certain syllables for an emotional and endearing effect. Many guitar players aren't capable of singing as they play. Mr. Thompson can do it simultaneously, an d still put out more musical notes on a solo acoustic guitar , than almost anyone I've ever heard, with the exception of a few. ( such as Paco DeLuccia, Jorma Kaukonen, Leo Kottke, and Stanley Jordan )
ENCORE : ..... There were wonderful acoustics out here with the Hudson on the left and t.........................the Wintergarden on the right. He did a few more songs.
.Second ENCORE : ....... He performed one last song. .................................................................
P. S. ......................................................................................................................
. I met the popular New York singer SYD .STRAW after the show. She has been playing in and around NYC for close to twenty years and still sounds great. She always does a New York city Valentines show every year. She has toured on the Bill with Mr Thompson in the past, but they wouldn't allow her backstage to meet him. We have mutual friends. I last saw her outside after the Elvis Costello show at the Beacon theatre about 2 years ago. She now resides in Vermont. We couldn't find our mutual virtuoso guitarist friend, Paul McKenzie, but I'll bet money he was here !
June 30,. 2005.....Saturday............................................................................
Prospect Park Bandshell...............................................................................
Park Slope, Brooklyn .................................................................................... .....................................................opening act ........................... ..Rating :..C
............................................................................................................ on @ 7:45 pm ...................Chip Taylor + Carrie Rodriguez ................ off @ 8:29
********************************* ................
......... Chip is actor John Voight's younger brother and Angelina Jolie's uncle. He wrote the big 1966 hit for the Troggs, " Wild Thing ", which was also recorded by Jimi Hendrix. He wrote " Angel in the Morning " .and the Janis Joplin classic. " Try, just a little bit Harder " . What a talented family. Chip's from yonkers, now living in Texas.
........ Chip on vocals and acoustic Guitar, Carrie Rodriguez on violin, Stand up bass, and guitar. They did a soft version of 'Angel in the Morning ' into a lackluster version of .......' ' Wild Thing '. The place was about half full. Carrie sounded good on violin. Chip, however, has no stage presence. However, he is a spectacular song writer.
......................................... Main Act ....................................................... Rating :..B
......................................................................................................................... on @ 8:58 pm ..................................................................................................................... I left @ 10:30 .................................................................................................................... off after 10:30 pm .................................................................Del McCoury ................................................................******************
............ Del on vocals + Acoustic guitar, also musicians on stand-up bass, banjo, violin, and a guy on both vocals + mandolin. Del McCoury used 2B in the band of legendary Kentucky Bluegrass pioneer and inventor of. Bluegrass music, Bill Monroe, during 1963 + 64. I saw Mr. Monroe at the Bottom Line about 12 years ago. I saw the accomplished reggae musician, Chucka Riddim, on the way in and later, Concert John. This is 100% Genuine Bluegrass music. ...Del was born in Bakersville, North Carolina in 1939, and is now appropriately living in Nashville. Del has also colaborated with PHISH.
I liked the vocals and musicianship of the mandolin player. Del's son Robbie on Banjo was good. ( The word Banjo is an oofshoot of an African word. The banjo actually comes from an ancient African instrument. ) ..... Jason Carter on fiddle and Mike Bub on bass. I ran into the famous music critic,John Swenson there. Then Del performed an interesting bluegrass rendition of. Richard Thompson's song ' 52 Vincent Black Lightning '. That was a surprise. The mandolin player was pretty good on vocals. Del whittled out a few nice acoustic riffs. He's been playing for close to 50 years. Then Mr. McCoury sang a ditty, ..... 'Just the Night '. Del then sang a Sean King's ' My Love Will Not Change ', and the banjo excelled on this ditty. The violin solo was also worthy of mention. Overall, I liked the mandolin player best. ' All Aboard ' got cheers from the crowd and was my favorite song of the night. Del wailed on guitar as he sang and the band echoed his cries. This is the type of. band that Jerry' Garcia's -- Old + in the Way band was based on. Then a Gospel song. Del has a high pitched voice. This is a well seasoned, high quality blue grass band. Why more people didn't attend this Free, fine bluegrass concert, I'll never know ? ..
ENCORE :
Second Encore : ............................ Unfortunately, I left at 10:30 to attend another show.
..............................................................................................................on @ 10:35 pm
......................................................................................................I got in @ 11:05 pm ..............................Meat Beat Manifesto .......................... left @ 11:50
*********************** ................
.........This was a total electronica band, like a poorman's version of Kraftwerk. They sounded somewhat like a mellower version of the Chemical Brothers. I was told this was a good rock n' roll band so I was disappointed. There were to large video screens on stage. Two guys on keyboards + computers led the band. There was also a dude on percussion. I left after about 45 minutes.
July .1, ...2005 .......... Friday ............................................................................................
....................................................................................................................... on @ 11:07 pm Kenny's Castaways ................................................................................... of f @ Midnight
................................................................... Third Act ........................... Rating :..B
Ordinary--K
**************
Kenny's Castaways, Along with the Bitter End, are both on Bleeker st. and are also two of the oldest Rock + Folk clubs in New York city. ( over 40 years each.) A lot of old time Rock, Folk, + Country acts, passed through those places early in their careers in the 60's + 70's.
........... Tonight , Ordinary -K had keyboard, drums, bass, guitar, and an ergetic lead singer, who models himself after Zach De La Roccha of the defunct RAGE Against the Machine. There was a brass section featuring trombone, sax, + trumpet. This band is base out of Brooklyn. The rhythm section was good. The bass player had an especially Reggae flavor to his sound. Woody, the singer, was quirky yet interesting. He had a Jamaican dub style crossed with the stage persona of Cypress Hill's B--Real. Stage was packed with these 8 musicians. Girls were dancing in front of the stage. They packed this small room and had it jumpin'.immediately after taking the stage. The band reminded me of Milo-Z ( the funkmaster from Ave. B )..Tyla asked me to check out this band and I'm glad I did. They're also playing at the Lion's den next week.
........... The band was definitely more powerful and well rounded, when the brass section was on stage. The lead singer, Woody, looked like actor, Vin Diesel. He had lots of energy, enthusiasm, + attitude. Influences of Reggae dub style and Rap here tonight. The Brass section sure spiced up the music. The Sax player was real good. I liked the bass player best. This band was exciting and fun to watch. .The 4th. of July weekend is always a slow one for concerts in Gotham, because many people go away. Their wasn't a great selection for live music tonight. I'm glad I was informed about this one. Thanks Tyla.
July .2,.. 2005................ One more Saturday night ..
Second of a two night stint here ............................ First set ........................ 8:20 > .9:09 pm
Jones Beach theater .................................................Second set ................... 9:33 > 10:48 pm
................................................................... Only Act ...........................Rating :..A --
James Taylor ***********************
................. I got a $40 ticket outside for $20. I had a nosebleed seat on the upper deck but moved down to the top of the stadium seating. I was wearing ny Dylan shirt. Mr. Taylor has always been one of my favorites since I first saw him in the early 70's. ( I think at Central Park ) He was married to Carly Simon then.
................. As good and enjoyable as American music gets on this perfectly beautiful summer night, watching the ripples in the water off the beach, as Mr. Taylor sang his heart out. The band :
..James Taylor on acoustic guitar + Vocals, Larry Goldens on Piano + keyboard, Michael on guitar, Arnold McCullough + Katie Markowitz on back-up vocals, Andrea Zahn on violin, ( from Cuba >) Louese Conti on Congas + percussion, Jimmy Johnson on bass, Walter Fowler on trumpet ( < I think I've seen him many times in Frank Zappa's band, along with his brothers, back in the 70's ), Lou Morini on sax, flute, + clarinet ( < he used to play in the Saturday Night Live band and also in theBlues Brothers movie ), also Steve Gadds on drums. Theatre was around.3/4. full.
.............. The Sun had just set and the orange-tinted clouds painted the clear blue sky. There were lots of. boats parked about 300 feet off stage left as to hear the music. I knew someone who used to park his boat out there every weekend for the summer concert series, just to listen for free, with a 2ft. dish microphone hooked up to a set of. Bose speakers. I remember when they first began having rock concerts here around 1980 or so. There was no Orchestra seating, so to speak. Maybe 2 rows. There was a giant moat between the seats and the stage when I saw the shows by Clapton, Zappa, Tull, etc. here. I heard that Guy Lombardo used to drive up to the stage on a boat to perform with his orchestra here, many moons ago. The two girls next to me kept talking for the first couple of songs, thank GOD they soon left. They charge $5 for a bottle of water here, but at least have the decency to allow each person to bring in one unopened water bottle each. No alcohol sold here.
First Set :
.............. The band performed a North Carolina style Irish ballad made extra special by the ethereal violin playing of. Ms. Zahn. James did one of his songs that was covered in the mid-80's by both Ray Charles and B.B. King. Then his ' Everybody Gets the Blues ' ,covered by both Tony Bennett and Ray Charles. The sound-mix was excellent. It has certainly improved since this theatre underwent a make-over about 6 years ago, where they added the 5,000 seat overhang was added. The audience ranged in ages from 30 to 70. Then a song from Mr. Taylor's last album, 'On the 4th. of July ' ; politically correct for this holiday weekend. He brought out two back-up singers fro this one. EMS workers carried out someone during this song. Next was legendary Otis Blackwell's ' Handyman', which was almost Gospel-like in its presentation. I remember watching Otis on T.V., recieve a songwriting award for this song on the David Letterman show over 20 years ago.
............ There was a nice conga solo by Mr. Conti to lead into " Oh, Mexico' . James was now playing a cutaway acoustic. The brass section wore straw sombreros for this song that rocked out. Next James sat down to perform his biggest and most sympathetic hit,' Fire + Rain '. It was so quiet , you could hear a pin drop. This song is about a true story of how James lost his true love Suzanne, whom he met in a psychic ward. It was soulful and heart wrenching. Someone then handed him flowers and they stopped for a 24 minute intermission.
Second set : ...................... Opened with Mr. Fowler's clarinet solo, reminiscent of the Paul Winter consort, as the smell of diesel fuel permeated the night air. ' ? Sonny ' about a puppy. Then a song they learned from the Dixie Chicks, on the campaign trail last year : ........... ' Somedays You Gotta Dance ' . The harmonies on this were perfect. Next was ' Goin' to Carolina in my mind ' , which seemed to bring a sunny feeling amidst the darkness of night. He then proceeded to do a song he wrote about the Iceman, frozen up north over 100 years ago, from the H.M.S. Franklin shipwreck. There were references to when his father was stationed in an Antarctic military research station, back in 1955. Then he spoke for about 5 minutes before leading into ' Sweet Baby James ' ( my favorite ) . It was easy to see James Taylor on the two large video screens, like book ends on either side of the stage. ' Never Die Young ' , then ' ? Take to the Highway ' , had James doing a duet with the bass player. Next James Taylor busted out a sunburst fender telecaster to rock out on ' ? Steamroller ' , as a roman candle flared up from one of the boats in the foreground. Last was J. J. Cale's " How Sweet it is ' , as the set ended.
ENCORE : ................... Carole King's ' Up on the Roof ' into Eddie Cochran's ' Summertime Blues ' .
Second ENCORE : ...................' ? I Can't Sing the Blues Anymore '.
P. S.
I met Rob Reilly after the show. I remember when he told ne he was working at Manny's Car Wash around 1987. I thought it was a real car wash. I didn't realize he was bartending at a blues club.
July .3, .. 2005................ Sunday ..
........................................................................................................................ on @ 8:10 ......................................................................................................................... in @ 8: 25
Stone .( E. 2st. + Ave. C ) ............................................................................off @ 9:00 pm ...................................................................Only Act ...........................Rating :..A --
Jamie Saft trio ***********************
.................I've seen Jamie play a few months back w/ Elysian Fields at Tonic. I've heard him on C.D. in my friend Kenny's car. I've heard rave reviews about his musicianship. This was the first time I've actually been impressed by his music. This is Avante Garde Jazz fusion pioneer, John Zorn's new club. Tonight : Jamie Saft on piano, Ben Perowsky on. stand-up bass, and Greg Cohen on drums.
...............This space is perfect for acoustic music in this cozy environment. It only holds around 65 people. The music selections tonight were written by John Zorn, and were all named after Angels from the Old Testament and ancient Hebrew writings. One of ......... Mr. Saft's solos reminded me of the piano solo on Steve Winwood's > " low spark of highheeled boys " .. Jamie's virtuosity was reminiscent of that of. McCoy Tyner. He played off-beat scales and powerful arpeggios. He accomplished this daunting style with dazzling hand speed and agility; doing the work of two pianists simultaneously.
............... Mr. Saft built up to crescendos, where he leveled off ready to rebound back into the stratosphere. Mr. Perowsky and Mr. Cohen complimented his style admirably. Jamie seemed to be holding back in the beginning, saving his showmanship for the last few selections. I was most impressed by the last song where his speed and innovation was demonstrated most efficiently. He quickened the pace for this selection. I believe the last few songs were ' Belam ' , ' Lelahel ' , and ' Mehriel ' . Ithoroughly enjoyed this performance.
.................................................................................................on around @ 10:20 pm ......................................................................................................I got in @ 10:45 pm ................................Tracy Bonham .......................... over @ 11:25
******************** ................
......... Tracy Bonham is a native of Eugene, Oregon. ( where I had the greatest time of mylife at the Grateful Dead concert in 1990. ) She now lives in both L.A. and Brooklyn. She is a classically trained violinist and pianist. She has had her music in a movie and has performed on the T.V.
.........Tracy on acoustic guitar and violin, a girl on bass, and dudes on guitar and drums. Tracy sang with sensitivity and grace. To experience the harmonies between Ms. Bonham and her bass player was simply ethereal and soul-searching. It must be very difficult to sing with a violin under your chin, but she did it and did it well ! . Tracy has a powerful voice nad she uses it well. She seems like she has alot of experience in all aspects, from writing to performing. Her guitar amplifier was covered in fake gray fur. I liked two songs in particular : ' Something ' and ' I was Born without You ' .
ENCORE : ................... Tracy came out on solo acoustic guitar for ' Did I Sleep through it All ' . .Thissounded like the type of quality down home music one listens to on radio station > WFUV.Then the rest of the band came out to finish the song with her.
P.S.
.............. After the show, I met two aspiring writers and filmmakers from .. from Belgium : Eva + Bart .
July .8,. 2005 .....Friday............................................................................
Mercury Lounge........................................................................................
.................................................... ........................ ..Rating :.. n / a
...........................................opening act............................................. on @ ?? .................................................................................................................. in @ 11:14 ................................................Oxford Collapse ..................................... off @ 11:31 pm
***************** ................
............ This band is out of. Brooklyn. They were energetic, loud and fast. The Trio consisted of guitar, drums and bass. Young college age crowd at the show. The band was also young.
SOLD out show............................................................................ Rating :.. B + +
......................................................................Main Act ............................. on @ 11:56 pm
.................................................................................................................... off @ 1:13 am
............ Other than the stage being so low, such that you can only see the top third of the performers, this is probably the best stand-up place 2C a concert in Manhattan.
The Band : ... Bryan Webb on lead vocals + guitar, Steve Lambke on vocals + Fender- Telecaster guitar, Dallas Wehrle on bass, Will Kidman on keyboards + percussion, and Doug MacGregor on drums. This band was founded in Guelph, Ontario in 1999 and is named after a small viscous burrowing animal.
............. Before they began to play, they all raised an arm in unison for some kind of solidarity. They opened with a powerful drone. The lead singer, Mr. Webb, had what I believe was a classic sunburst Guild hollow body electric guitar. He played with raw ...... R n' R frenzy, passion and determination. There was also a powerful rhythm section, with the drummer holding to an iconic beat that was totally In-Sync. The keyboard player was wild and crazy. ' ?? Blues ' .was about a power outage in Canada. During this selection, Mr. Webb belted out tonsil-tearing lyrics. There was lots of electronic fuzzz on both the guitars. Quite a bit of repeating the same key-word over + over, on many of the songs, although they still had a unique sound.
............. Bryan Webb's voice was somewhat reminiscent of the Cure's Robert Smith and his melancholy vocals outcries. His guitar playing reminded me of the White Stripes' Jack White and his frantic chord changes. I found the show 2B interesting, refreshing and enjoyable. Repetitious, yet inspiring, insane speed jams and collaborations came from this band as they rocked out this small L.E.S. ( lower east side ) music club. Lead singer and guitar player Mr. Webb, had that hard to find, unadulterated-rock n' roll---Eye of the Tiger, so to speak. At some points his voice reminded me of Gavin Rossdale from the 1990's band --Bush.
.............. Mr. Lambke sang two songs tonight, along with his pwerful guitar jamming. This band held to the theory of. hi-quality and fast output. I highly reccommend this Toronto band.
ENCORE : ................... Mr. Webb switched to a cherrywood Gibson SG guitar and they performed the only slow song of the night. They had Kurt Cobain's grunge-type vocals down pat.
July .10,. 2005 .....Sunday............................................................................
Central Park Summerstage .>.( 20th. Anniversary ) ............................................. Rumsey Playfield .................................................... ........................ ..Rating :..B ++ Free outdoor show .............................................................................................................
...........................................second act........................................................
....................................................................................................................... on @ 3:59 pm ................................................................................................................. off @ 5:08
..Citizen Cope **********************
............ Clarence Greenwood, aka CITIZEN. COPE, was born in Memphis, Tenn. His latest album is " The Clarence Greenwood Recordings " . .About 2 years ago, I was leaving a show at the Mercury Lounge, and they were giving out a free sample C.D. It was by Citizen Cope, and I enjoyed the two songs on it, which I played in someone's car.
I saw him perform last year, with a number of other artists at Merkin hall's Bob Dylan tribute. I also had the privelidge of seeing him perform in the new small L.E.S. ( lower east side ) club, ROTHKO. I met him after the early show there, both inside and outside the club.
...................It was 90 degrees out on this beautiful sunny summer afternoon in New York city's greatest natural resource : Central Park. There was astroturf on the ground in front of the stage. There were no seats near the stage , except in the V.I.P. area. There were bleacher seats in the rear. Citizen Cope on acoustic guitar + vocals, also musicians on bass, drums, keyboard and Hammond B-3 organ. He mixes a wide range of styles, including reggae, rap, blues, soul, etc. Most of the audience was of college age. One of the first songs was ' Mistaken I. D. ' , a true story concerning someone who continually mistook Mr. Cope for someone else. The park really began to rock when his ballad ....... ' Bullet and a Target ' , filled the sun-tinged air. It caused the crowd to clap along as they really got into it, and I personally thought this was the best song of the day. It seemed like a beach here at the show, with girls sunning themselves in bikini tops and the blankets and towels on the ground. A song ' Salvation ' , slowed the pace down.
............... Mr. Cope's melancholy vocals emit emotion with a unique annunciation, like that of a New York city dweller mixed with a southern accent. He has a pleasing and sensitive voice. A guitar player from the BLIND Boys came out near the end. The song ... ' Hurricane Waters ' , enticed the crowd to echo the title-chorus.
ENCORE : ..It was 3 songs, the second of which was Bob Marley's .......... .............. ' Is This Love ' , which was Marley's ode to love for the prettiest ............... of all his women, ( the inspiring Cindy Brakespeare ? ) .
......................................................................Main Act ............................. on @ 5:35 pm .................................................................................................................... off @ 6:39
..................................................Blind Boys of Alabama ..................................................*******************************
............ There are only 2 original members still alive from this band that got together in 1939 at the Alabama Negro Institute for the Blind. Founding members Clarence Fountain and Jimmy Carter. They are in their seventies. They were backed by two guitars, drums, and bass and another elderly blind singer.
.............Norman Greenbaum's ' Spirit in the Sky ' .was a flavorful version. Then the late-great Curtis Mayfield's Soul-Gospel classic ' People Get Ready ' , sanctified the park air with a southern Gospel atmosphere brought to New York via Alabama. These guys can hold their own today against any of today's Gospel and Soul singers. They have as much experience, roots, and talent as you can find in this genre. Their music sounds as if it could lead you to Salvation. The newest singer's raspy, yet soulful voice was reminiscent of Louie Armstrong. They performed the 200 year old Gospel classic ............ ' Amazing Grace ' , written by John Newton in 1779. They performed it better than I'd ever heard it. It was truly a spiritual experience and a soul-searching moment.
............. The 3 singers alternated singing lead vocals. Two of them sat down as they performed. Jimmy Carter, however, stood for the entire performance. Considering all the hand-clapping from the audience, this show seemed like a southern Baptist revival. A guitar player repeatedly tried to restrain one of the singers from standing up and dancing as he sang; possibly concerned about him falling off the edge of the stage. ...... Mr. Jimmy Carter was escorted by another guitar player, as he walked through a fenced-off corridor, that made an " L " path into the floor area. He wanted to get close to the audience and feel their presence. He seemed as if he was inspired by Heaven as he shouted out and alternately held out the microphone to the crowd. His was as powerful Gospel performance as I have ever seeen ! .They tried unsuccessfully to hold back this blind black septuaguenarian, but his determination was too great. It was very hot and humid out here in the blazing mid-summer sun. This was an amazing performance and could be used as a singing lesson to all singers. These old guys belted out the tunes better than 90% of the performers of today. AMEN !
ENCORE :
..................... Someone came out to sing ' ?? Would He do It ' . ( I think itwas William Bell ? ).
P.S. ......Saw Concerts-in the-Park AL after the show.
Note :... There are over 150 Chronicles waiting 2B posted since July 10
of this year alone; and many thousands more for the 34 years prior !
December .4, ...2005 ..........Sunday .....................................................................
...................................................................................................................... on @ 9:10 .......................................................................................................................in @ 9:25 pm Knitting Factory ........ ( Main Space ) ) ........................................ of f @ 10:26
................................................................... Main Act ........................... Rating :..A++
Bettye. LaVette ***************************
... This current top - o - the - line Soul singer and professor of. Genuine Rhythm & Blues, with her new CD " I've got my own Hell to Raise " , puts this lady over the top of. her field. This was it ! .What I've been looking for the past 15 years > real soul singing from an artist new to me, of the utmost quality and excellence. Even better than recent performances by my favorites, including ARETHA, Toshi Reagon, Katherine Russell, ... Joan Osborne, Dana Fuchs, Shemekia Copeland, etc. This was Old - School soul singing. .. Not since seeing SADE' .live for the first time, have I been this moved from a singer ! . A lifetime of. exquisite talent, performances, and albums, kept out of. the limelight by mundane record companies.
..... The best new R & B singer I've seen in many, many moons. Such emotion and suffering in her tear - jerking vocals, expressed in smooth - as - silk soliloquies, and gut - wrenching sorrowful and melancholy expressions. Heartbreak and sensitivity oozed from her voice.
....... The room was packed. I'm surprised that a woman of. her talent was booked in such a small place; I consider myself very lucky to have been here. I saw the accomplished singer Alexis, at the bar tonight.
........... Mrs. LaVette reminded me of a cross between Otis Redding + Gladys Knight . In fact, Otis would be proud, if it were possible for him to be here tonight. I believe that during some songs, Bettye was actually crying. She really connected with the audience. At one point, she got down and whispered sweet nothings to the front of the audience. She held the mic out to the audience a few times. She got down with the crowd as she strut her stuff across the stage. Talk about giving your all. This show was worth five times the admission.
........ She sat on the floor and seemed to meditate before one of the final songs. Her rendition brought tears to my eyes and I needed a tissue. She serenaded the lucky audience with cat growls and raspy revelations. Her red jumpsuit - type dress was appropriate for this siren - on - fire. At least two photographers were snapping away. Soul - sacrifice on the Knitting Factory main stage. She is by far the best new soul singer to become popular in the past twenty years. I became aware of her from some recent rave reviews, but only believed the media when I saw her recently on the Letterman show. Do Believe the Hype ! . The N.Y. times loved her. One of her CD's won the WC Handy Blues award. She is well appreciated in England , as is the case of many black artists, who are extremely talented, yet originally ignored in the U. S. until they are recognized elsewhere where more emphasis is put on quality, rather than quick commercial potential. She has about ten CD's out and has been belting out the Blues + Soul classics for close to 45 years .
........ " I do not want, what I have not got " , the last song, was performed acappella style. Of the over 350 shows that I've attended this year, this was one of the Best. She signed autographs after the show and I was privileged to have met her.
........ Her band consists of. : ........... Allan Hill > keyboards ........................................................... Bill Farris > guitar .................................................... Patrick Prouty > bass ...................................................... Darryl Pierce > drums
2006 Concerts
Concert Joe's CHRONICLES
( This is not something You will read in the NY Times )
April .20, ...2006 ..........Thursday .....................................Rating:..A -
...................................................................................................................... on @ 8:00 pm Theatre @ MSG ........ .................................................................... of f @ 12:25 am
....................................................
.......................................... Green Apple Music Festival
. Peter Shapiro, .. Dean Budnick,
+ RELIX Magazine present :
......................................................... ( Sixth Annual ) ......................................... .........2006 ..... Jammy Awards .................................................................................................................................................. *********************************************************************
Jammy Whammy Tammy Bammy Mammy Hammy Nammy Rammy Zammy Awards ............................................... ( say three times fast )
.................................................................................................
Jammy Nightin the Big Apple ************************************
......8 > 8:12 pm Richie Havens opened WOODSTOCK with " FREEDOM ", and so repeated the tradition tonight. He then did " Handsome Johnny " , which was the first song I heard from the lobby speakers as I entered the show. Upon entering, he had just left, and the MUTAYTORS were on stage which had around 15 percussionists, also singers, a belly dancer, fire - dancers, dragon - dancers, etc.
Mr. Dean Budnick + Mr. Pete Shapiro, were the producers and MC's of the show as well. This event is like no other. It is where Musical artists of all different musical genre's, come together in a smorgasbord. Unorthodox jams by unusual music collaborations, possibly never to occur again, happen again and again. It is as if a restaurant serves all original recipes on its menus, yet they're only open one day a year. Maybe they should open up a Jammys Restaurant for this annual event. I'm sure it would serve only whole foods.
......8: 24 > 8:41 pm
Then a Bluesy, soulful combination featuring BLUES .TRAVELER, D.J. LOGIC, and Mrs. Bettye LaVette, appeared together on stage.
Mr. Logic can seriously man those turntables with a new approach. . Mrs. LaVette could be the new Queen of Soul. ( I believe Blues Traveler created the modern day Jamband movement at Nitingales in 1988. I was there; I saw it happen !. I met both Mr. Logic and Mrs. LaVette at the Knitting Factory at different shows. I know Chan from Traveler for 17 years now. Chan's brother Peter does a decent job replacing the dearly departed Bobby Sheehan on Bass, whom I always thought was Travelers hardest working member. I remember talking to him in between sets at their SanFrancisco bar gig in 1990 or so. I saw them after a DEAD show. I remember when Traveler used to HAVE to play WETLANDS, just to pay off their bar bill. )..John Popper and Bettye LaVette were a good match on stage together, trading vocals back and forth. Steppenwolf's " MAGIC. CARPET " demonstrated Chan's guitar accomplishments. He always sounds good and makes that guitar look so small. The evening had an ultra - party sensitivity in the air.
.......... The Grateful Dead's Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzman, introduced Terry Stuart, president of the Rock n'Roll Hall of Fame. He presented the first Jammy to Grace Potter and the Nocturnals for the New Groove Award . Parts of this show scene on MSG channel. There is a seatless pit in the front third of this venue. The rear two - thirds are permanent seats in this 5,500 seat concert hall.
( I saw McCoy Tyner at the Bluenote last year. He earned his meddle back in the day, with such jazz greats as Thelonius Monk and ....... Sonny Rollins. I met Mr. Wooten after his Flecktone performance, back in the day, at the old Knitting Factory on Houston st. in 1993. ) Interestingly, Mr. Wooten and Mr. Glover traded moves back and forth for a bit. > Two more of today's masters of their respective fields. I was with Hawk - eye Harry. We were looking for Jamband - George. There was a movie-cam perched on the end of a thirty foot boom, moving left and right over the audience, capturing the night's historic event. Bela's fingers were crawling all over that banjo neck and skin with brilliant virtuosity. Futureman's the only one who does a drum solo on guitar strings. The synth-axe midi guitar, popularized by Alan Holdsworth, whose Bottom Line shows in the 1980's were legendary. McCoy did well for a legend pushing 69 years old. He has calouses older than most of tonight's performers. These guys gave a refreshingly fluid and entertaining performance. Short and sweet.
Tea Leaf Green won the Song of the Year Award.
Wide Spread Panic won the Live Album of the Year Award.
......9:17 > 9:32 pm Joe Satriani + Steve Kimock, also trumpet, bass, drums. Satriani could be the most far out guitarist on the planet and King of guitar wizardry effects. A true virtuoso among virtuosos. His 'Surfin' with the Alien' is a forever classic. The horn player was doing some mariachi band riffs. Kimock's the last to emerge from the genre' of the San Francisco Bay Area - Psychadelic guitar scene. Grace Potter joined them to play keyboards and sing Neil Young's " Cortez the Killer ", while Jane's Addiction drummer Stephen Perkins pounded the skins with rhythmic intensity. Musicologist and writer Steve Bloom, introduced me to him last night, after the Rhythm Devils show at the Canal Room. Kimock made his name playing with Quick Silver's legendary John Cippolina in the band > ZERO aver 25 years ago.
Mickey Hart and Chick Corea presented the ........................
LIFETIME - ACHIEVEMENT Award, posthumously to FRANK. ZAPPA. His son Dweezil accepted it.
......9: 36 > 10:06 pm
ZAPPA plays ZAPPA. Dweezil Zappa on guitar, Napolean Murphy Brock on sax, flute and vocals, Sheila Gomez on sax, and keyboards, Jaimie Kahn on guitar, also percussion, drums, bass. ( I first saw Napolean play with Frank Zappa in this same venue back in 1975. ) They opened with " Inca Roads ". Chick Corea, who performed at the Blue Note all last week, joined the band on keyboards. " Florentine Bogen " was sung beautifully by Napolean as he was up to his old stage antics of yesteryear. Then the guitarist from Umphrey's McGee came out for a bit. Dweezil played like greased lightning on a few licks spiraling through arpeggios, scales and the what - not; trading licks. A performance his father would have been proud of. There were now three guitarists on stage. I thought this performance was the most enjoyable of the night, at least for me.
Mickey + Bill told a story about fling in a plane over the great northwest, where they saw loggers clear - cutting our National Forests, therby destroying them. They went to Washington, D.C to ask John Bonaski from the FCC to stop it, and he helped. He then came out to present an award. Live Archival Release was won by Phish. I don't agree. I think the Grateful Dead, Allman Brothers, Thelonius Monk + John Coltrane collaboration, were all more significant. Then the 7' 4" Nigerian Basketball player and shot - blocking great , Manute Bol, came out to speak. I saw my friends Ernie Burny, Cosmic Charlie, and Dave Nolland there.
......10:20 > 10:38 pm Peter Frampton joined Guster on stage and performed " ?? Hang On ". Then Martin Sexton came out and added his guitar + vocals to join in. Then they did Frampton " Do You Feel like We Do ", then his other hit, " Show me the Way " where he sings with a guitar tube in his mouth and sounds like a robot voice. I remember when Flo + Eddie used to goof on this song and connect the guitar tube to their ass.
Leo Kottke + Mike Gordon won Best Studio Album. The judges were very PHISH - Happy tonight. Jack Johnson won the first Green Apple music award.
......10:45 > 11:05 pm MOE opened up with a nice reggae style number;
the Clash's " Guns of. Brixton " This was one of the evenings best highlights. Their next number had an island flavor, and had the entire theatre up on its feet dancing. The pit on the floor was not a mosh pit ... > more like a veging pit. Some nice guitar work from Chuck Garvey.
I thought only Dweezil's surpassed him tonight. The Mad Pofessor also came out.
Special Industry Award presented by Chris Zahn + Jake Szufnarowski, to WETLANDS Preserve founder, LARRY. BLOCH. If Bill Graham was the King of the Original Jamband scene, then Larry was the Godfather.
A touching story of a man with a vision of peace, love, music and true environmental preservation. As the original ads for wetlands said: " Finally a place we can call our own ! " We love you Larry.
DVD Award given to Bob Dylan. Cindy Sheehan was said to be here tonight.
......11:15 > 11:45 pm
Mickey Hart's Rhythm Devils featuring : ......................... Mickey Hart > percussion,
..........................Mike Gordon > bass, ..........................Angelique Kidjo > vocals ..........................Baaba Maal > vocals
..........................Steve Kimock > guitar ..........................Charlie Musselwhite > harmonica
also including about a dozen more percussionists, and a few singers. Basically he same band that played the Canal Room last night. Mickey Hart was struttin' his stuff across the stage and played a tom tom. He's better than Phil Lesh, but he still can't sing. They jammed to Santana's " Jingo ", which seems to be their signature song. About 15 people on stage. Mr. Musselwhite sounded real good. They did " Aiko, Aiko ". Mike Gordon was great all night long. Him and Victor Wooten on the same stage. Would have been fun to see two of the world's greatest bass players jam together. Maybe next time.
Tour of the Year Award was won by The Big Summer Concert Tour. After MOE, most of the exitement had dwelled. I liked Dweezil and MOE best. I heard how good Richie Havens was, but I missed him. Best Live Performance was won by MOE for their Tsunami benefit. Saw Steve Farrell, also Mike from Wetlands, Knitting Factory, and the old band Native. Mickey Hart gave a brief but important speach about the eminent danger of Global Warming, virtually ignored by our present administration.
......11:58 pm > 12:25 am Bill Kreutzman introduced Little Feat. Blues guitar legend Hubert Sumlin joined them along with someone else. Mr. Sumlin hit a nice lick or two. Shawn Murphy belted out the vocals nicely on one song. Paul Barrere sang and wailed on guitar. This brought an energy resurgence to the theatre. Steve Kimock replaced Mr. Sumlin and Damian Marley came out along with another Jamaican, possibly his brother. This was a good night father + son night. The offspring were performing the songs of the father. Frank Zappa + Bob Marley; two of the most influential musical artists of the twentieth century. Bela Fleck came out; so did Hart + Kreutzman. Then they performed Little Feat's signature song, Lowell George's " Dixie Chicken ". Some nice guitar work between Kimock and Barrere.
A real feel good show tonight with vibes like no other today.
And the Music goes on !
Synopsis :
Mr. Shapiro + Mr. Budnick did a wonderful, sincere and dutiful job of putting on the JAMMYS, Green Apple music festival, and WETLANDs movie in what must be the most hectic week of their lives. Pete is also to be a proud and ernest father very shortly. We wish them well in all they do and their future collaborations and endeavors. We thank them for Wetlands ( club + movie ), Jammys, Relix magazine, Green Apple festival, New York's biggest Earth Day and environmental awareness in a time when it has never been more relevant or has required more guts to speak up for.
................................................................... Concert Joe
2007 Concerts
2008 Concerts
February 1,..2008........ Friday ............. ........................................................................................................ on @ 9:12 pm ....................................................................................................................off @ 10:43 @ Hammerstein Ballroom .................................................. Sold Out
.......... Rating:..A -
Lenny .Kravitz ***************************
............. Got a $37 ticket outside for $20 > Second Mezzanine ; even got a seat. Outside was a rainstorm around 40 degrees . Place was
over packed. Last Time I saw Lenny was maybe 10 years ago @ Garden State Arts Center ( PNC ) > night before he passed out on stage there from exhaustion. He's multi - talented > produces, sings, plays guitar, dances, writes, etc. and does it well. 7 - piece band
...........................
Lenny : Rhythm + lead guitar, keyboard, acoustic guitar.
Dude on Lead guitar, Acoustic, keyboards.
Dude on Sax + backup vocals.
Trumpet + backup vocals.
Keyboards
Drums
Bass
I really don't care for this place. I consider it the Frankenstein ballroom. I haven't been here since the Morrissey show here 13 weeks
ago. They opened with "? Bring It On ?" Crowd averaged age 35 > 50. Lots of pretty Girls. The Stage was drenched in alternating scarlet + pumpkin colored lights. Lenny on Sunburst Les Paul, short afro, sunglasses, black leather jacket. Audience wasmostly white. Then "? As You Begin ?" Cell Phone cameras were snapping away wildly from the sea of people standing in the Orchestra section.His stage stature reminds me of Prince.He has that raw R n' R star blazing talent > not many performers have that today. It was cold up in the boondocks. Lenny puts all out. Then "? Wonder if I'll ever C U Again ?" This became a sing along as Lenny pumped out a short guitar solo. I think he used 2 B married to Lisa Bonet from the Cosbu TV show. He claimed he had a 102 degree fever, but would play till he dropped. Then his guitarist played an acoustic as Lenny crooned to the cheers of the mostly good looking female audience. Next, Lenny on keyboard + vocals with a new song > "? I'll be Belated ?".
Soul music, Rock + R & B combined with flash + pizazz in a synergistic blend. He's got Soul; he's got style. He can poor his heart out on a song in a moment's notice and never disappoints an audience. The band was good especially the guitar player. Lenny had the lights turned on 2 C the audience. Then he got the entire place on its feet for "? I'll be Runnin' ?".
Next was the GUESS WHO's "American Woman", which put the place in a frenzy; then smoothed into "I want to get Away", probably his biggest hit, as he picked up a black Gibson Flying V guitar. He had the Ladies swooning. "We've got your Number" also became a sing along. After that, he was escorted thru the left side of the crowd by security till he got to thre first balcony > shaking hands and hi - fiving the audience > probably passing his fever around, though no one cared > while the sax - player soloed. The band left the stage
and they set up another keyboard on the left side of the stage, then quickly removed it. > ( must've changed his mind ).
* ENCORE *
Used his Blach Fling V for "Can U go my Way" as he screamed over + over " JUMP """".
February .4, ...2008 ..........Monday .....................................................................
......................................................................................................on @ 9:30 pm9:25 pm Knitting Factory ... ( Tap Bar ) .........................................off @ 10:14 ........................................ ( Second Act )
.... Rating :..A
Thao+ the Get Down/ Stay Down ******************************************** .................................... ..................
... I heard her @ 2:30 pm earlier that day on WNYC radio with Leonard Lopei. She followed Cat Power > both of them Live, and her singing sounded better than Cat Power's Chan Marshall. Thao is a Vietnamese - American singer / songwriter. 4 - piece band
......................................
Thao on vocals, Acoustic + Electric guitars.
Dude on guitar.
Two brothers on Bass + drums.
She sounds like Rickee Lee Jones on Speed. She has that soft, lazy, childlike female voice > an angelic siren.
The bar looked etheral with its blue Christmas lights. Place was packed > mostly with college age girls. She asked for evryone who was sitting down to stand up > which made it hard for most 2 C. Everyone in the place looked college age,
as well as the band ( Except me ) . Thao's voice was soft, sweet + passionate. She spoke to the audience about how nervous she was during her radio Interview + performance, because she felt outclassed by Cat Power.
I told her after the show, that I thoght she sounded better and she laughed. All songs sounded the same ( as with most new performers today. ) She sang her heart out in a sultry sirenic wail during "? I don't Know ?". Crowd was loving it in this packed small room. She also sounded decent on acoustic guitar. She also reminded me of the Cardigans' > Nina Persson. She wore a modest white striped dress > no make up - no flair > au Natural. Simple + Sweet. Oh, such a soothing voice. All 3 floors have the same Knitting Factory logo stage backdrop with a White ball of yarn on a black background. Thao sounded offkey when she sang 2 verses acapella > as the crowd + band clapped along. The band was sufficient and on key. She's fun 2 C Live. Her voice has that unadulterated fresh + innocent ring to it. You could even understand her diction on every word she sang > unusual these days. This young Girl rocks. I saw R n' R innocence tonight !
......................................................................................................on @ 10:45 pm9:25 pm Knitting Factory ... ( Tap Bar ) .........................................off @ 11:39 .............................................. ( Main Act )
.... Rating :..A-
Death Vessel ( aka Joel Thibbodeaux )
***********************
... I first saw him @ Spiegel Tent > South St. Seaport last summer. 2 - piece band > duet
......................................
Joel on Acoustic + Electric guitar + falsetto vocals.
John on guitar, banjo + mandolin.
He sings in a very high pitched childlike voice but speaks like a normal dude. He was all dressed in black with long black hair. Thought he was a woman when I heard him on the radio last year. Reminds me of Neil Young, somewhat. Saw Bob DylanHead + sister Sue @ the show. Show was about 2/3 as crowded as Thao's set. These guys sounded real good > unique style. The other guitar player rubbed some type of electric or magnetic illuminated device on the guitar strings that gave it a flute sound. First time I've ever seen this. Joel's falsetto-like voice is truly amazing. Really sounds like a girl singing. Both were good musicians. Crowd clapped along to banjo on one song. Then Joel picked up a white National brand electric guitar for a different effect. John is an accomplished musician but had some tuning problems tonight. Some songs sounded like Ralph Stanley-style country guitar with a hint of far eastern music mixed in.
* ENCORE * Joel > solo Acoustic. Such a great unusual voice. He then sang acapella with just finger snaps for the final song.
.............. February 7,. 2008 .....Thursday............................................................................................................
Living Room .( where it all began ................................................................................................................................................. Rating :A -...........................................................................................................................
FREE ......................................... Third act ....................................... on @ 9:14 pm ...................................................................................................... off @ 9:59
This is my favorite Resident band that plays here. Great harmonies for a FREE club. They just got back from
touring Canada. Pedal Steel sounded sooo good. Maryanne's voice is reminiscent of the Cowboy Junkies.
They did the Warren Zevon classic "Willin' ". Alt - Country with an angel singing.
Her voice has the ability to iron out all the wrinkles in the tense life that Fate throws you.
She sounds like an early Emmy Lou Harris.
FREEREE ......................................... Fourth act ........................................ on @ 10:15 pm ................................................................................................................. off @ 10:55
Alberta Cross.
*****************
Dude on Acoustic, vocals + upright piano
Acoustic + backup vocals
Bass
3 young guys with long hair. Singer had a good voice > reminded me of the singer from the band > TRAIN.
His Guild acoustic guitar had a nice sound to it. They brought a girl on stage to sing a backup.
EFREE > They just pass around a Fire Bucket for Donations ...................................... ( Fifth + Main act )
.............The Living Room : where it all began !...........2 sets ........ on @ 11:26 pm .......... ................................................................................................................................. off @ 1:39 AM
StinkBug Willies ( Little Willies ) . ...................................
**************************************************************** ( named after Willie Nelson )
Norah Jones: Upright Piano + vocals Richard Julian : Acoustic, vocals + songwriting Jim Campilongo : Telecaster + Acoustic Hammond B - 3 organ + accordian
Snare drum
Stand Up Bass
............ They sometimes play under phony names > especially Norah Jones. She got her start around 10 years ago when this place was around the block at the NE corner of Stanton + Allen st. The band got its name for doing mostly Willie Nelson + Country songs. Mr. Campilongo plays the Fender Telecaster guitar so well, I call him the TeleMeister. He has been performing on Monday nights here, consecutively for four years. .......... Tonight was the most crowded I've ever seen it here. Probably about 70+ people.
I came 2 C Crescent & Frost, but when I arrived and noticed the outside BlackBoard with the bands on it, said StinkBug Willies's, I became suspicious. I asked and someone told me that it was the Little Willies.
I caught them here last year also. Best Free show in town. Second song was "? Tennessee Stud ?"
They seemed 2 B really enjoying themselves. Maybe because they rarely perform together. They're all accomplished performers in their own right. I used to see Richard Julian perform at the old Bottom Line. I guess living in Texas has given Ms. Jones a permanent touch of Texas in her voice + blood.
This 6 - time Grammy winner is really something else to perform in this small club for Free,
when she could easily charge high prices to perform at MSG. She has that sweet southern songstress aura about her. Richard Julian had that midwest - american voice. I liked the sticker n his guitar case.
Then they did a new song, which is rare for them. I think the best song Norah performs, is an old classic song : "Gotta Get Drunk" > sung Louis Armstrong style and also screams out the words like Bessie Smith. They all precede their names with the first name > WILLIE.
Then Norah sang an old Hank Williams classic : "Got a feeling called the Lovesick Blues". I had the perfect spot. I had a seat all the way in the back, but moved it to a space that opened up front. I was so close to the stage, that I could see the detail on Norah's underwrist flower tattoo. Then a Townes Van Zandt song, dedicated to Josh Ritter who was InHouse tonight. > "To Lay me Down?" I used 2 C Mr. Van Zandt at the old Bottom Line club years ago. His best song wa s"Pancho + Lefty" > about Pancho Villa. I asked them during the intermission to consider doing this in the future. Then they played "Rollie Pollie", which featured Mr. Campilongo making his guitar sound like a train whistle > very cool. I really loved Norah Jones singing tonight. More freer + fun style than at her own concerts. Then "Cow Tipping" as the first set ended @ 12:10 am.
Second Set @ 12:54 am
.........................................
Norah opened with "? I've got your Picture" . "? Here's the Second Bride" was amazing; like an old 1940's swing song > but it was a Richard Julian original. There were some great harmonies all night between Richard & Norah. It was less crowded and hectic for the second set. "Dangerous Curves ? " was truly illuminating and sentimental. Norah was hinting at it all night. Jim Campilongo's Telecaster sounded real nice with the far away reverb effect from his Fender Reverb amplifier.
"? You Got the Money, Honey" was funny. Norah's piano playing all night was Kick - Ass !
* ENCORE*
Norah sang Dolly Parton's "JOLENE", ( because of Norah's colaboration with Dolly ) which might have been the best song of the night. Then a repeat of a first set song > " ? Fish City". In my opinion; there's no better place in all of New York City to see a concert than the Living Room > and I oughta know !
February .9,...2008 ..........One More Saturday Night .....................................................................
......................................................................................................................................................... on @ 9:54 pm ......................................................................................................................................................... off @ 11:11 Irving Plaza ............................................ Rating :..A
Siouxsie Sioux
MANTARAY CD tour
( of Siouxsie + the Banshees )
*************************
Second of a two night sold out stint @ Irving Plaza. Her first solo tour without the Banshees. I believe she was one of
the first British female Punk Rockers, who's roots go back to the mid to late 70's. I consider her 2 B the person solely responsible for the female Goth look in Manhattan. Back in the mid - 80's, when she played Pier 84 ( 44st. @ 12th. ave. ), her female fans were all dressed in Black clothing, Black nail polish + Black lipstick. Before this era, women in Manhattan rarely dressed in Black, except for certain ethnic women. This began a NYC trend that I would bet she was responsible for and that is still going strong today. Just count how many young women in Manhattan are dressed in black on any given night. You didn't see that before Siouxsie came around. She was one of the first Vamps. She looked great tonight > she's got 2 B around 50 ; she looked very sexy.
Siouxsie on Vocals
guitar
Bass
drums
percussion
Girl on Keyboards
................... She performed the Beatles' "Dear Prudence" with a fresh ring to it > more powerful and distinguished than the original version. She performed it like a Rock n' Roll anthem. She looked good in her Black + Silver skin tight jumpsuit. Siouxsie still kept her Signature swaying and Egyptian style dance movements that she's retained since her beginnings around 1977. Sh also swayed the audience. A number of fans handed her Bouquets of Flowers as the show began. I went flying after some big drunk fell against me. The crowd was mid - 40's > mid - 50's. She had a lot of old farts cheering her and bouncing to her music ( myself included ). Once she swung the Mic like Roger Daltrey does. I assume most of the songs she performed are from he new "Mantaray" CD. I really wanted to hear her play " Happy House" but to no avail !
She also still retained her powerful, deep, sexy and ruthless dominatrix style voice. She looked like the woman in that 50's classic B - movie > "The SpiderWoman". She had a touch of the vampire look. She could still writhe around the stage like a Snake woman. Such finesse + Gothic Grace. They seemed pretty tight for a newly formed band. I was impressed. She got two guys from Robert Plant's band ( Steve Evans + Charlie Jones ).
This 6 - piece band was all right. She sang on the stage like a far long enigma with atouch of Vibrato in her voice and she still conveys emotion. She'd make a good duet with Diamanda Galas , maybe some day ? Siouxsie's voice had some morbidity to it. She made some hand movements similar to Dracula. She twirled around in her Gothic space suit like Barbarella. The drummer had A a thunderous jungle blues boogie beat. She had the crowd ecstatic.
I've always liked the way she moved; even before that phrase was cool. Or even Tribal Punk Rock. The guitar players' power chords + backup vocals , doubled her intensity. It wa svery warm and loud inside.
* ENCORE*
Saw my friends > Lily Hatchett + David Lewis. Siouxsie performed another 2 songs.
* Second ENCORE*
She looked like a Rock n' Roll Vampire. Amy WinHouse looks a bit like her.
SawJah Stix ( Jamaican Rasta guitar player ) perform Reggae for about a half hour in the Union Square subwaystation. ( 11:40 > 12:13 am )
February .14,. 2008 .....Thursday. .............St. Valentine's Day ........................................................................... Knitting Factory .............................Main Space > Early Show............................................. on @ 7:35 pm Rating :A................................................................................................................................................ off @ 8:33... ... ..................... ................................................................................................................. ................................. ...............Diamanda Galas... ...........................................................
( Valentine's Day Massacre ) ...............
********************************* ...............
............ Traditional Red Stage Lighting + smoke machines. Diamanda solo on Black Baby Grand piano.
Diamanda is a very avante - garde expressionistic free - form artist. I remember once some years ago,
( maybe at the Kitchen ) she performed an entire concert in a cage suspended about 10 feet above the floor.
She's known for Rocking the Boat and her uninhibited style. I've seen her about 8 times now. She's always had
that Vampire - Vamp look. Sort of like Siouxsie + the Banshees. > They'd make an interesting duet. How about
Amy WineHouse.She was dressed all black and eerie, yet refreshingly innovative. She's also known for screaming
alot at her shows. And she often does benefits for Humanly causes. Her dress had some time of morbid looking fringe
dangling from her arms > Her dress looked like Morticia Adams. All the seats in the balcony were reserved, but I sat
in one anyyway. Smoke machines pumped their brew onto the stage > this together with the Haunted House lighting
and the white barren tree branches on the stage, made the stage look haunted.
............. The place was packed. She sang with reverb on her microphone to enhance that far away, meloncholy, morbid,
sorrowful + scary voice, which pierced the night air. Everyone stood silent as she sang her Vampire Blues song.
I remember about 5 years ago, waiting outside Joe's Pub in the cold for an hour > just trying tto catch a few notes from
her sold out show there. ............ Tonight her voice sounded like Carol Channing on Acid. She would also make a good duet partner for
Marilyn Manson and a good opening act for KISS ! Her sound man sang a few lines to her from the balcony.
There was an APPLE I-Mac connected to the SoundMixing board. ( As you often see Apples on stage or connected
to mixing boards ). Her screams and wails were dispersed to the rafters by the counter-clockwise spinning ceiling fans
> dispensing her spells @ 125db. Then she went into some routine such as Vampire Rap. Toxic Shock Syndrome swept
the audiences auditory canals. Minor Bass chords emanated from those 88 Ivory Keys. This concert was like a
Tribal Cult ritual. Red stage lights changed to green + blue as the audience cheered and applauded.
The Wolf Man would have felt perfectly at home on this stage. ............. Diamanda Galas has a beautiful voice when she wants to. She wailed like a siren. Soul music from
the Island of Lost Souls. Her Operatic vignettes chilled our bones. Boy, can she hit those high notes and hold them;
she's not bad on Piano either. At times, she sounded like a dead opera singer, refusing to accept the fact thet she died.
All she neede was a couple of Bats flying around the stage. This would have been more appropriate as a Halloween show,
than a Valentine's concert. She was like Ozzy's little Sister. .......... The Old Knit was haunted tonight.
* ENCORE* .............. Faraway Blues on a Full Moon Manhattan Midnight Solilloqui. Two Ghosts in the audience, sitting behind me,
admitted the show was better than they thought it would be > and they got in for Free ! ..................Diamanda Galas ## Valentine's Day, 2008
......... Got put on guest list tonight by Chris Zahn ( only one who ever does this for me ) I missed the opening act > Rufus Cappadocia. Seating with tables and standing room at the bar > place was really packed. Jake's a Japanese kid from Hawaii. He recently won 2 Hawaiian music awards last month. He's on Conan O'Brien show tomorrow. He's been playing since he was taught by his Mother at just 4 years old. He mixes rock, jazz, blues, bluegrass, classical, flamenco and who knows what else. He can play as fast as a screeming banshee or as soft a touch as a butterfly's wings.
......... I first saw him perform with Victor Wooten ( Flecktones ) @ Irving Plaza almost 4 years ago > probably met when he toured with Bela Fleck + the Flecktones. After that, I was so enthralled, that I asked Chris Zahn to book him at the BB King Blues club. Chris did, Jake's career took off , and the rest is history. Chris is about the only one who takes me seriously. In the past I asked him to give first shots at the WETLANDS club to Jeff Buckley, Moon Boot Lover, Screaming Headless Torsos, etc. and he did. { I asked him years ago to let Mark Bronstein back in the band ( Mark had left the jamband Disco Biscuits, when Chris was managing them, to finish his last year of Medical School. ) I told Chris the band wasn't as good without him, after Mark asked me to speak to Chris. Mr. Zahn said he'd think about it. Possibly, that's how he returned to the band, and with Mr. Zahn's zeal and experiece, propelled the Biscuits to today's major status. } ......... I'm also in a movie that includes Mr..Shimabukuro > "Gonzo Music Diaries" >> Roy Szuper's musical documentary about the 2004 Williamsburg music + arts festival. Jake got his real New York start from another Jake > Jake Sznufnarowski of. RocksOff.com .
......... I met Jake Shimabukuro after the BB King club show. He's one cool dude and an unbelievably accomplished virtuoso. He changed his look significantly. Four years later and he looks younger > no more hat, jacket or glasses, different hair style,etc.. He wore a t - shirt that read British on it. He plays the Ukulele like no one else, before or since. I'd like to see him play with Robert Randolf, Kaki King, Paco De Lucia, etc. He's like Andre Segovia on the Ukulele > reminds me of the old days seeing Segovia @ Carnegie Hall. He introduced and dedicated a Cyndi Lauper song "Time after Time" to a recently engaged couple, sitting at a front table. He played with Cyndi last year. This song had a delicately flowing rhythm with a hint of Al Stewart's 'Year of thse Cat' added for spice. He then dedicated another song to a girl who's birthday was tonight; "Ave Maria" by Schubert > simply beautiful. No vocals > all instrumental show. Then he performed Chick Corea's "Spain". Next, a song with jazz progressions that showcased his blistering, blinding hand speed and technical adeptness. As usual, he soundes like 2 people.
......... Then a soft revelation when he performed Led Zeppelin's "Going to California". Best song of the night and also the Best version I ever heard, other than by Plant & Page. He recently recorded an album of cover songs, including this one. I liked it so much, that I bought the CD and I don't even own a CD player > never did. All I ever had was a Victrola and a semi-broken Walkman. Next was George Harrison's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" which is on YouTube.com . He really rocked out on this number > alternating between fast rock riffs and angelic bell notes. I would have loved to have seen him jam with GARCIA, but Jake was too young.
......... He's slowed his technique down somewhat since I last saw him, concentrating more on style and sustenance, rather than blinding speed. He has nothing left to prove at such a young age. A true Virtuoso. Such a satisfying performance. He had that little 4 - string Ukulele all fired up. Peter the soundman did an excellent job. Jake pronounces his instrument as 'Ook - a - lay- lee'. There was barely a place to stand. The audience was entralled and ecstatic.
* ENCORE*
Jake's fingers flew across the strings as fast as a Bee's wings beating. Then a few notes from "Deliverence' as he went into a HENDRIX - style progression. I met his manager > Kazusa Flanagan before the encore. She remembered me.
I'm sure Mr. Zahn booke this show. He's the most sensible man in show business.
www.jakeshimabukuro.com
Below is a link to his You Tube videos > seen over a million times.
In the main corner, we have the
people's favorite and
defending champ : Hilly Kristal ;
Owner & founder of.CBGB.
And in this corner, we have the
challenger : Muzzy Rosenblatt ;
executive director of the Bowery Residents Committee.
CB's has won a court ruling.
My opinion on this is that the Bowery
would not be undergoing a revival
and its property values skyrocketing
if not for CBGB. For the past 30 years,
the only reason worth going to the
Bowery was CBGB. ... PERIOD !
With all due respect to the homeless,
whom I strongly believe should be
receiving more Federal, State and City aid;
the main attraction to New York city
visitors under 25 years of. age is none
other than CBGB, not homeless people.
This is an Institution that has fueled
Billions of dollars of revenue for this
City, the Country + the World,
along with the massive amount of
Tax revenue, respectively.
Many corporate executives would not
have there summer houses in the
Hamptons or L. A. if not for CBGB.
Don't let Muzzy win, or we all lose !
CBGB is closing . Please e-mail
the Mayor's Ofice at :
www.nyc.gov/html/mail/html/mayor.html
Please Respond !
Don't You want your children
to be able to see CBGB's ?
Thank You
C J
Concert Joe will be on Bloomberg radio on Saturday April 16, 2005 .
with the Great .JOE .FRANKLIN .. !!!
WBBR-am radio ... 1130 on the AM dial
.@ 1:37 am ... 4:37 am .... 7:37 am ... 10:37 am
.@ 1:37 pm ... 4:37 pm ... 7:37 pm ... 10:37 pm
or
.@ 2:37 am ... 6:37 am ... .. 10:37 am
.@ 2:37 pm ... 6:37 pm ... .. 10:37 pm
This Year is the Tenth Anniversary of.Roy Szuper's 1997 documentary "CONCERT. JOE :a New York Story"
which debuted at the TRIBECA .GRILL
in November 1997.
It is also the Tenth Anniversary of this
commercial - free website.
www.CONCERTJOE.com 1997 > 2007
FREE.TenthAnniversary Party
............................................................................... ************************************** **************************************
Opening Ceremonies @ 6:00 pm
( Acoustic ) David Peel + the Lower East Side 6:10 > 6:35 pm
Entertainment @ 6:40 pm
Concert Joe Documentary @ 7:00 pm sharp
------------
------
This Year is the Tenth Anniversary of.Roy Szuper's 1997 documentary "CONCERT. JOE :a New York Story "
which debuted at the TRIBECA .GRILL
in November 1997.
It is also the Tenth Anniversary of this
commercial - free website.
www.CONCERTJOE.com 1997 > 2007
Sunday.............. December 20, 1992 15th. anniversary for most concerts attended in one year.
............. In mid - December 1991,
Ticket-Stub Stuey and Concert Joe were waiting
on line for a long time, outside in the cold,
to get into a show.
............. Stuey says to Joe "It's mid-December and
you've already seen almost 750 concerts;
Aren't You going to go for a Thousand next year ? "
Joe said "No way, Impossible ! "
Stuey said "Sure you can, I'll help you " ,
and he guided Concert Joe with the acquired concert
knowledge of the ages.
............. On a path thru the concrete concert jungle of
NYC ( first paved thru by EveryNight Charlie, back in
the 60's ) , they proceeded using Charlie's finely
polished and sure-fire techniques.
They would both rather die first,
than scalp a ticket to someone.
............. Like Yoda taught Luke Skywalker;
Ticket-Stub Stuey (greatest concert-goer of all time)
guided Concert Joe thru his impossible quest.
( also with help from George Tix and J. Weiss ) .
............. Neither rain nor sleet nor hail nor scalpers
nor muggers nor snail-like subways nor greedy ticket
sellers, would halt their assault on the record books.
Cosmic Concert Kharma Consciousness was on their side.
........ Even being admitted to 2 out of 3 shows for free,
he still spent over $14,000 .
WETLANDS + NIGHTINGALES gave him
unlimited free admission. Trigger's CONTINENTAL
was free 5 nights per week and Stuey
had a few connections of his own. ............. On Sunday > December 20, 1992 >
the JORMA. KAUKONEN show at the WETLANDS club,
was his official 1,000th. concert of the year !
( >opening acts and partial shows not included. )
( and if he had a car, lived in the Manhattan and had
more money, he would have seen 2,000 shows that
year > his official tally was 1,031 concerts for 1992 )
............. Larry Bloch, then owner of the WETLANDS
club, set up a red ribbon across the front of the
club's
entrance for him to break as Joe walked in for
that historic night. He also let Joe introduce Jorma
on stage.
.........He saw up to 8 shows per night, sometimes
starting in the afternoon and running till 5 am.
Seeing at least 3 per night and 5 or 6 per night on
most weekends. He also had a lot of help from club
owners and managers.
.........Gone are the days of concerts running till 5 am
@ Nightingales, Wetlands, and Space @ Chase, etc.
He had petitioned the Guiness Book of World
Records since 1989 ( to open a new category for most
concerts attended in one year and allow him to document
his quest ). Guinness told him that no one was interested,
but to call back if he ate more than 176 snails in one hour.
Interestingly enough, the Guinness Book had
important categories, such as Loudest Pig Call and
Who could throw a Cow turd the Farthest !
.........However, > he was recognized by :
MTV,
VH1,
the STAR,
NY Post,
Channel 7 Eyewitness News,
England's NEW MUSIC EXPRESS,
( all of which wrote about or promoted his story )
> most of New York City's music venues, promoters,
booking agents, club managers, and a few of its most
prestigious music critics; > over 150 U.S. radio stations including
NYC's WBAI and WPLJ - FM, and even
New York's very own Larry Bloch, Allan Pepper and
Ron Delsener.
.........Guinness didn't deny his accomplishments,
only its public interest factor.
.........When he told Mr. Delsener that he called
Guinness and they wouldn't put him in for attending
a thousand shows, he replied : " You're calling the
wrong people; call Belview > they'll put you in ! "
.........Joe was also enrolled in two different college
programs simultaneously in two different colleges
that year, and three different ones in 1989 !
.........Another record accomplishment was in 1991,
when he attended the Grateful Dead's 9 nights
@ MSG ( September 8 > 18 ) . On the first night, he
only saw the Dead then proceeded to Chinatown's
WO HOP restaurant, where Mickey Hart sat in the
table next to his. But for the next 8 nights, he saw
3 full shows after each of the Grateful Dead's 2 long
sets !
......... In 1966, he also set a record for the most
new customers in one day for the Daily News. > 51
and won a trip to Expo 67 .
......... In 1970, he set a record for the largest
model rocket ( paper + balsa ) ever flown. > over 13 ft.
......... In 1971, he missed his High School graduation to see
Frank Zappa during the Fillmore East's closing week.
......... In 1980, while studying in his college cafeteria
for a final engineering exam,
he decided to skip the
exam (thus failing the course) to rush
to Madison Square Garden box office to score tix
for last NYC show Bob Marley ever played.
The Girl on line behind him got the last pair
> It was worth it !
.........14,000 shows and 20 years in construction, have
taken its toll on his ears, mind, and body. .........This week is his 15th. anniversary.
" My Old Buddy You're moving much too slow" ...............................................----- Robert Hunter
That's the story that has never been told !
You don't have to believe it; it's also dark
outside tonight, whether You believe it or not.
You won't find this in the record books.
But that's the way it happened in 1992 !
... On Sunday > December 20, 1992 > theJORMA. KAUKONEN showat the WETLANDS club, was his official1,000th. concert of the year !
...... Jorma Kaukonen
MTV 1/06/93
VH1 3/03/00
and still counting !
...
You can see Roy Szuper's documentary
about this event . .... >>> ... "CONCERT. JOE :a New York Story"
............
FREE Movie&DVD Release party
Thursday .. January 10@ 8:00 pm sharp
@Anthology Film Archives Center SE corner of Second street@Second ave. 505 - 5181
..................
"Gonzo MUSIC Diaries" ( about the 2004WilliamsburgMusic & Arts Festival ) ( See the Real story of How the McCarren Park Concert series was conceived ! ) ......................
( A Film by ROY .SZUPER ) royszuper@hotmail.com
featuring:
SQNS, David Peel, Concert Joe,
Hilly Kristal, Jim Bessman, Joe Franklin,
Vernon Reid, Buddy Cage, Vinny Stigma,
Dana Beal, Papa Mali, Jake Shimabukuro,
ShakerLeg, Ron Delsener, Tony Petrozza,
Missledick Chicks, Bellyqueen Dancers,
Ricanstruction, Dufus, Danglers,
Dana Fuchs ("Across the Universe"), Sea Monster,John Holmstrom, Tom Morello, Michael Franti + SpearHead, etc.
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CONCERT . REVIEWS 
