Talkin’ with ‘Toots’

Toots Hibbert is one of the great voices of Jamaica; a legend whose career spans every development in Jamaican music, from ska through rock-steady to reggae. Toots and the Maytals have helped to chart the course of Jamaican music with unrivaled delivery and dynamism, setting new standards of excellence, and becoming the most enduring of all Jamaica’s groups. On September 29, 1980, Toots and The Maytals made history when the band played at London’s Hammersmith Palais. Less than 24 hours later, a live album from that show was on sale in record stores throughout Britain. It was the fastest live album in recording history and, according to some critics, TOOTS LIVE ranks alongside Bob Marley Live At The Lyceum, James Brown At The Apollo and Otis Redding in Europe as one of the finest live records ever made. The latest album, TRUE LOVE, finds Toots and the Maytals revisiting some of the band’s most classic works with a host of musical friends onboard – Keith Richards, Shaggy and Rahzel, Bonnie Raitt, Jeff Beck, Ben Harper, No Doubt, Marcia Griffiths, Ken Boothe, Ryan Adams, Bootsy Collins and the Roots, Eric Clapton, Terry Hall and the Skatalites and Trey Anastasio – for delightful fresh-ear journey through Toots‘ musical history. Add in the surprise tracks- Willie Nelson and Toots groovin’ on Willie’s STILL IS STILL MOVIN TO ME, Rachel Yamagata pleading on the newer BLAME ON ME and Bunny Wailer’s vocal comradery on the never-before released TAKE A TRIP for an unparalleled reggae joy ride.

Listen to our talk here.
toots_pic.jpg

Sweet Honey’s Aisha Kahlil

I had the pleasure of chatting with Sweet Honey in the Rock member Miss Aisha Kahlil. She was walking through her neighborhood on a sunny April day and we had a fun little conversation. We spoke of the upcoming show at Uconn’s Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts , this Saturday April 29th. if you are not familiar with their work, Aisha will clue you in a little and also let us know what she is personally up to on the side.

Listen to our conversation here.

Aisha.jpg

4/22/06 Now that’s a SHOW!

that is more like it. Check out the set list and yes it even looks good written down so imagine what your thitsy earholes must have thought.

Blues Power, Clapton, Townshend, Winwood..
Bottle of Red Wine, ” ” ” ” ” ” ”
Tell the Truth, Clapton, Townshend, Winwood
I’m the Face, High Numbers
Here ‘Tis, High Numbers
Daddy Rolling Stone, The Who
I must be Mad, the Craig
You’ve got me rockin’ Carl Palmer’s PM
8 Miles High, Carl Palmer
Excentrifugal For Z, Frank Zappa
Apostrophe, Frank Zappa
Only a Northern Song, the Beatles
Hey Bulldog, the Beatles
R-n-R Stew, Traffic
Never like This Before, Peter Wolf
Homework, Peter Wolf
Too Close Together, Peter Wolf
Good Morning Aztlan, Los Lobos
Hen Layin’ Rooster, Dr John/BB King/Gatemouth Brown
Old habits, John Hiatt
the Wreck of the Barbie Ferrari, John Hiatt
Rusty Cage, Johnny Cash
Mean-eyed Cat, Johnny Cash
Do-Re-Me, Ani DiFranco
Pineola, Lucinda Williams
Lines Around Your Eyes, L. Williams
Unplug the Telephone, Leftover Salmon
that’s enough, MR. RAY CHARLES
You be My Baby, Ray Charles
the Right Time, Ray Charles
Oh Baby, Ministry of Sound
Transit, Furley
Paint my Mailbox Blue, Taj Mahal
Panama Red, New Riders
It’s alright with me, New Riders
67 Oceans, Turn Me on Dead Man
Run thru the Jungle, CCR
Tease Me, Treat her Right
Come Back,, Treat her Right
All your Love I Miss, Otis Rush
Gambler’s Blues, Otis Rush
Mustang Sally, Buddy Guy
Rock this Town,, Brian Setzer Orch.
Since I don’t have you, Brian Setzer Orch.

ocean.jpg

Juilliard String Quartet’s Joel Krosnick Chat

For over fifty years the Juilliard String Quartet has been an international presence and an American institution. They perform with emotional intensity, technical precision, and intellectual rigor in concerts given across the globe, while in the United States its members have been educators, mentors, and champions of new music. I had an opportunity to speak with Mr. Krosnick, who teaches and plays the cello, before the Quartet plays at von der Mehden Recital Hall at the Uconn Storrs campus. I was overwhelmed with the rigors of his life as a faculty member and Quartet member. You can hear the love for what he does with every word he speaks. We touched briefly on the issue of preserving the history of classical music by educating and funding programs for the youth and various ways he envisions all interested parties to assist. A Connecticut native, we had to talk for a moment about UCONN sports, find out Mr. Krosnick‘s observations on the women’s basketball program and how it relates to the preservation ideas of classical muisc.

Listen to Mr. Joel Krosnick here.

Julliard.jpg

The Vines:Vision Valley

Three years after the debut of Highly Evolved, a 2004 release that barely registered, and frontman Craig Nicholls‘ diagnosis wth Aspergers, the Vines have a new album that came out this month called Vision Valley. Non-believers can say what they like, sometimes good old pop-infused rock that does little more than validate the originality of their influences just feels good. Vision Valley is full of the grunge-heavy chord progressions and slightly strained vocals—that satisfying mix of blues-based guitar and an artsy angst—that got them the Nirvana comparisons in the first place. Just when the resemblance to Cobain sounds almost eerie, Nicholls changes it up with some Beatles-style harmonies and ballads like the title track “Vision Valley” and “Going Gone,” which recall their 2002 Supergrass-esque “Country Yard.” Whether referencing themselves or seminal musicians, The Vines do one thing and do it well; they make seamless rock-n-roll for the post-everything generation.

vines.jpg

4/15/06 MOIST + Warm

Purple Haze, The Cure
Stone Free, Eric Clapton
Red House, Buddy Guy
Bold as Love, The Pretenders
Bad Reputation, Joan Jett
Light of Day, Joan Jett
Do you Wanna Touch me, Joan Jett
Reefer Blues, Canned Heat
Cherokee Dance, Canned Heat
I didn’t have the Time, James Gang
Do you remember Walter, the Kinks
State of Confusion, the Kinks
Big Guns, Rory Gallagher
Bye Bye Baby, Big Bros feat. Janis Joplin
Intruder, Big Bros feat. Janis Joplin
Caterpillar, Big Bros. feat. Janis Joplin
Lawyers, Guns & Money, Warren Zevon
Excitable Boy, Warren Zevon
I will, Al & the Transamericans
Waiting for the Punchline, Al & the Transamericans
Gravel, Ani DiFranco
Gotta Jibbo, Phish
Meija, Porno for Pyros
Rock Lobster, B-52s
Quiche Lorraine, B-52’s
Mbube, Ladysmith Black Mambazoo w/Taj
Devils & Dust, Bruce Springsteen
He was the King, Neil Young
She’s a Healer, Neil young
Aqualung, Jethro Tull
Mississippi Blues, Root Doctor
No One, Don Wise w/Delbert McClinton
Crow Jane, Derek Trucks band
Stand Out, Ladell McLin
Can’t Teach an Old Dog, Gary US Bonds

ladybug.jpg

A conversation with Jordan Zevon

What a nice guy. We spoke of upcoming “in the studio” time, tours and a little bit about DAD. Take a listen to the conversation and you will learn a lot about Jordan including his work with Notorious B.I.G…I know, I am as suprised as you. I hope to keep in contact with Jordan and perhaps try to get him and whomever he gets onboard for the upcoming tour, to visit this area. Until then visit him here at his website.

Listen to Jordan Zevon here.

jzevon.jpg

Jackie McLean:May 1932-April 2006

ALTO SAX. A TRIBUTE.

John Lenwood McLean is known better as simply Jackie. A native New Yorker, Jackie McLean was left a musical heritage by his father, John Sr., who played guitar with Tiny Bradshaw. He died in 1939. The incentive to further the heritage was given him by his mother when she bought him his first saxophone. Jackie grew up in Harlem with bop already flowering around him. He played in a neighborhood band that included Sonny Rollins and Andy Kirk Jr. on saxophones and Kenny Drew on piano. After school hours he would jam and study with Bud Powell and although he names Charlie Parker, Rollins and Kirk as his favorite saxophonists, Jackie states that “Bud Powell is my inspiration.” In those afternoon sessions Bud taught him chord changes and imparted the important lesson of “time.” It was in 1951 that Jackie made his first recordings. These can be heard on Miles Davis’s Dig. Actually it wasn’t until 1955 that Jackie started playing jobs that brought his name before the public. With Paul Bley’s quartet and George Wallington’s quintet he started to fulfill the promise he had shown when Bud Powell unveiled him one night at Birdland some five years before. 1956 finds him with Charles Mingus’s quintet as another phase of his career opens….

I hope you want to dig in and learn more about a true musician’s musician.

mclean.jpg

Chili-Peppers to play intimate London gig.

The band will play at a secret location in the UK capital on Good Friday (April 14), with the audience being made up of competition winners on BBC Radio 1.

The full set will be broadcast in a special show ‘Radio 1 presents the Red Hot Chili Peppers Live‘ on Easter Monday (April 17) from 7pm.
Tickets for the gig will be given away on-air across Radio 1’s daytime and specialist shows from today (April 10).
Stadium Arcadium‘ is set to be released on May 8, and is preceded by the single ‘Dani California‘ on May 1.

Now that will be a contest that was truly a winner.

red-hot-chili-peppers.jpg

The Who to release condensed opera

The Who are planning a limited edition release ahead of their long awaited full album this year.
The group’s surviving members Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey are currently working on their first studio record in 24 years, but have revealed plans for this extra release.
Recalling their 1969 rock opera ‘Tommy‘, guitarist Townshend confirmed the group have returned to the extended concept format.

Writing on Petetownshend.co.uk, Townshend said: “Roger and I have completed the condensed 11-minute mini-opera, played it to the folks at (record label) Polydor, and are all set to release – probably as a limited edition – in June, prior to the release of a conventional CD in September.”
A full album from The Who was delayed after the group’s drummer Zak Starkey committed himself to playing with the band Oasis last year, but with summer gigs and a headlining appearance at this year’s T In The Park confirmed, the band now look set to return to action.

219963_hi.jpg
the original who

4/8/06: Not as prepared, but damn good.

Yeah, so….the work week didn’t allow for me to be as prepared as I normally like, but I made adjustments and all things being equal, it turned out well. Thanks to the many callers who wanted to find out what their thirsty ears had tuned into…..it all started with some Psyco-delica.

Too Much to Dream, Electric Prunes
Night Time, Strangeloves
No Time like the Right Time, Blues Broject
Oh Yeah, Shadows of Knight
Gonna Miss Me, 13th Floor Elevators
Psychotic Reaction, Count Five
Down Slow, Francis Jockey #
Hearts a Lonely Hunter, Thievery Corp.+David Byrne #
Queen Bee, African Fete
1st Love, Horace X #
Puppet Show, Horace X #
New E, Liquid Soul
These are the Ghosts, Band of Bees #
The Russian #
Hoe Down, Bela Fleck/Flecktones
Earth Jam, Bela Fleck/Flecktones
Rubin & Cherise, Jerry Garcia Band
Hi-Way 61 revisited, Bob Dylan #
Leopard-Skin Pill Box Hat, Bob Dylan #
Wond’ring Aloud, Jethro Tull #
Locomotive Breath, Jethro Tull #
Electric Goat, Cubby Creatures #
Static Fuzz, Cubby Creatures #
Lovin’ in my Baby’s Eyes, Leftover Salmon & Taj
Are you Sure Hank.., L. Salmon w/S. Bush/W. Jennings
Nobody’s Fault but Mine, L. Salmon w/John Bell
Am I Wrong, Keb Mo
Tonite, the Bottle let me Down, Throw Rag w/ Lemme
Whippin’ Post, Gregg Allman
Bad Trouble, Canned Heat w/ Roy Rogers
Good Stuff, Bibb/Black/Muldaur
Lope, Bill Payne #
Mercury Blues, Jimmy Thackery #
Sinner Street, Jimmy Thackery #
Jump for Jerry, Jimmy Thackery #
Gone Tomorrow Blues, Ritchie Kotzen
Tobacco Road, Richie Kotzen
Funk#48, James Gang

relish.jpg

My Conversation with Billy Payne

We all know Bill Payne for his being the keyboardist and one of the founding members of the band Little Feat. Well, after years of pushing and prodding and working on a dinosaur of a computer: it took a hernia to get him to finally take his thoughts and the rides he took in his musical mind to create a solo project. In CIELO NORTE,
You are provided a rare insight into Bill’s uniquely personal and intimate voice during a journey through a wide-open display of musical influences. Cielo Norte was released February 22, 2005 from the kind folks at Hot Tomato Records.

Click here to listen to our conversation.

payne1.jpg
a photograph actually taken by Billy.

Review*the Essential Jimmy Thackery*

Shortly after departing the popular Washington DC area blues band The Nighthawks, of which he was a founding member, Jimmy Thackery re-emerged with the power trio Jimmy Thackery & The Drivers in order to put the spotlight firmly on his aggressive and distinctive blues rock guitar style. These selections from Thackery‘s Blind Pig years represent what many fans and critics alike consider to be his most vibrant and creative period to date. Special guests include Lonnie Brooks, Duke Robillard, John Mooney and Reba Russell.
This album as you would expect showcases Thackery‘s masterfull guitar work but does expolit a little weaker of a tool in his voice. Still, this music will drive you to drive, so hit the road and don’t forget to pack the Essential Jimmy Thackery on the trip.

blind pig records 2006

thackery.jpg

Simon is ready to ‘Surprise’ with Eno

After many years of work, Paul Simon is finally ready to share his long-awaited collaboration with producer Brian Eno (U2, Talking Heads) with the listening public. The 11-track project, named “Surprise,” will be released May 9 in North America via Warner Bros. and a day earlier internationally. Some of the songs set to appear on “Surprise” are “Sons and Daughters,” “How Can You Live in the Northeast,” “Outrageous” and “Father and Daughter,” Simon’s contribution to 2002’s “The Wild Thornberrys Movie” which was nominated for the best original song Academy Award. Guest appearances include guitarist Bill Frisell, drummer Steve Gadd and pianist Herbie Hancock, whose 2005 album, “Possibilities,” featured a new recording with Simon of his “I Do It for Your Love.” “Surprise” is Simon‘s first studio album since 2000’s “You’re the One.”

I am not so sure I will run out to get this one, although I am a Bill Frisell fan.

psimon.jpg

The next step: Dana Colley

The sound of the barratone sax is one that is unforgetable, especially when being produced by Dana Colley. You know him from Morphine, Orchestra Morphine and now Twinemen. Check out the conversation we had and stay tuned as we find out if I was successful in getting Mars Williams and Dana together or better yet, Twinemen and Liquid Soul. Two great tastes that do taste great together.

listen to our conversation here

twinemen.jpg

4/1/06 the show for FOOLS

Ways like an Angel. Junior Wells
Let it Roll, Frank Morey
I can’t Quit you Baby, Otis Rush
Midnight Creep, Big Joe Williams
Detroit Iron, Jimmy Thackery *
Wild Night Out, Jimmy Thackery *
Cold Beverages, G Love & Special Sauce #
Shooting Hoops, G Love & Special Sauce #
Honeybee Blues, Tao of Groove
She Went Around, Tao of Groove
Ho Cake, Mofro
Free, Mofro
You Sexy Thing, Tom Tom Club #
Mr. Jones, Talking Heads
Life During Wartime, Talking Heads #
Nokta, Rachid Taha
Ida, Racid Taha
Palmistry, Tabla Beat Science
Tamania, Daby Balde *
Barracuda, Rasputina *
Rock-N-Roll, Rasputina *
I like Birds, Eels *
Hey Man, Now you’re really Living, Eels *
Don’t Think Twice, Mike Ness
I’m Afraid of Americans, David Bowie
China Girl, Iggy Pop
Jessica, Almman Brothers #
Get Right with god, Lucinda Williams
Disorder in the House, Warren Zevon
Rub Me Raw, Warren Zevon
down home sophisticate, Corey Harris
Motivational Speaker, Alvin Youngblood Hart *
Maggie’s Farm, Hot Tuna w/Bob Weir #
I’m a Man, Billy Boy Arnold *
Sorry Boy’s Jump, Billy Boy Arnold *

saturnalia.jpg