Let’s talk with Little Steven….Yeah, REALLY!!

Who else but Little Steven can bring a Rolling Rock and Roll Show, that’ll simply blow your minds and eyes and Thirsty Earholes Away. Coming on Sept 19th to Foxwoods Casino, get yourselves ready for a show that beats ’em all. The Zombies, The Mooney Suzuki’s, The Woogles, and even The Downbeat 5. The show will return once a month with a new lineup. Tickets are a reasonable as can be, like this show was made for college students. So c’mon UCONN, lets fill the Foxwoods Casino up with Huskies. A little history lesson first: You may know Steve from The Sopranos (he plays Silvio Dante) or as the longtime guitarist from Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band. Now you can get to know him as the coolest DJ in the country, a proud throwback to the late-night hipster jocks of long-gone 1960s and ‘70s FM radio. He is an acclaimed record producer for artists such as Bruce Springsteen, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, Artists United Against Apartheid, Darlene Love, Lone Justice, Gary U.S. Bonds, and the Arc Angels. A gifted songwriter, he has written songs for artists including Jimmy Cliff, Southside Johnny, Gary U.S. Bonds, Brian Setzer, and Darlene Love. In addition, Steven is a well-known musician in his own right, performing as a founding member of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band as well as w ith his own band Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul. He has worked to further human rights since the early 1980’s, spearheading the hugely successful anti-apartheid Sun City project, and establishing the Solidarity Foundation in 1985 to support the sovereignty of indigenous peoples. He has been honored twice by the United Nations for his human rights achievements, and received the International Documentary Association Award for his film The Making of Sun City. Little Steven’s Underground Garage, which debuted on April 7, 2002, continues to garner rave reviews from journalists and listeners alike. The program launched with 20 affiliates and has grown to an unprecedented 140 affiliates in 200 markets across the United States and Canada. It can locally be heard on 104.7 WMOS / New London Sunday nights at 10pm,
99.1 WPLR / New Haven on Sunday mornings at 8am.

LISTEN TO STEVIE TELL YOU ABOUT THE SHOW IN HIS OWN WORDS.

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A True WORLD Experience with Tyler K.

Local student Tyler K. decided to spend 10 months of his junior year of high school abroad. So, he ended up in Spain. He was part of an intercultural exchange program set up by the American Field Service (AFS). This program hope to assist in forming a better world of understanding. Now that is what I am talking about.

Take a moment to get Tyler’s perspective on this cool experience.

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8/26/06 Percussion Concussion

Once Upon a Time, Cirque du Soleil
Compound, Rhythm Devils
Napalm for Breakfast, Rhythm Devils
Bones, Mickey Hart + Planet Drum
Earth + Fire, Uakti
Gelewenwe, Babatunde Olatunji
the Constitution, Rufus Harley
Como soy Cubano, Habana Abierta
If it don’t fit/don’t force it, Melvin Sparks band
Dance to the Music, the Clinton administration
Rhythm & Biz, Ken Clark Organ trio
Burning Down the House, T. Jones/the Cardigans
Handcuffed to a Fence in Missi., Jim White
I’ll go Crazy, Garcia/Grisman
Dirty Drawers, Vassar Clements
Doc Hanna Blues, Ned Evett/Franck Vigroux
Sailing On, the Derek Trucks Band
Concrete Jungle, Bob Marley & the Wailers
Change the World, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
Baby Blue, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
Crimson & Clover, Evil Stig
You got a Problem, Evil Stig
Fresh Feeling, EELS
30 Days in a Hole, Gov’t Mule (live)
Soulshine, Gov’t Mule (live)
One arm Steve, Widespread Panic
All She Wrote, Ray Davies
World in Harmony, Fleetwood Mac (live 1969)
I will, Al & the Transamericans
Waiting for the Punchline, Al & the T.A
Move with You, Pork Tornado
When I get Drunk, Pork Tornado
Why, Mandi Perkins
Caroline, Michelle Lewis

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Kenny Laguna..tell us how you really feel.

Kenny Laguna is a long time member of the music community, as performer, songwriter, and producer. His body of work spans many genres, demonstrating his versatility and ability to create artist appropriate music. Through his multifaceted talent, his style is always apparent. Kenny started his career as a performer, having hits with music greats such as The Ohio Express and The Lemon Peppers. At sixteen, he was producing Bill Medley and churning out Bubblegum hits. During his sessions with Bill Medley, he met and began working with Darlene Love, Phil Spectors legendary lead voice (“Leader of the Pack” and the Lethal Weapon movie series). He went on to produce the soundtrack to an Andy Warhol movie called Lonesome Cowboys. He was a member of Tommy James and the Shondels as the keyboard player and background singer. Kenny produced Jay and the Americans, Tony Orlando, and Edwin Star, as well as for The Who’s record label in London. n the late seventies, he wrote and produced new wave punk hits for the legendary Beserkley Record Label with artists such as Jonathan Richmond and Greg Kihn. Kenny was asked to produce Bow Wow Wow. The outcome of these sessions was a hit called “I Want Candy.” Around the same time, he began working with Joan Jett. This collaboration marked the beginning of a long-standing partnership between Kenny and Joan. He has been with Joan from the start of her solo career as a producer, co-collaborator, and musician. He has worked with Kathleen Hanna of Bikini Kill (the riot-girl band) as well as a project called Evil Stig. For this project Joan Jett took the role of Lead singer for the band The Gits, who lost their own lead singer to rape and murder. The murder was unsolved, thus Evil Stig was born, a CD from which proceeds would go to the investigation to find Zapata‘s murderer. Mia Zapata‘s words live on through Evil Stig. Listen to Kenny tell it how he sees it, as we discuss the new Joan Jett & the Blackhearts album SINNER, the current administration and to be or not to be a producer.

It is a pleasure to speak with Kenny Laguna at any time. Hear it Here.

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Della Britton-Baeza…More than Fundraising

If when you hear, the Jackie Robinson Foundation, you think that they are involved in baseball or merely giving money to needed young adults, well than this conversation is for you. If you thought, like I did, that there IS a museum dedicated to Jackie Robinson‘s life in baseball and his triumphs and battle in society, then you need to check this out. If sometimes you only think of yourself or feel like the world is going in the wrong direction, take 26 minutes to learn more about what the JRF is up to and how you can pitch in to assist those students who have the leadership qualities and dedication to work harder than most and become important voices in our future communities. And I am not talking dollars and cents, more like thoughtfulness and comon sense. I hope you will take the time to listen to the Foundation’s charismatic and energetic President/CEO, MS. Della Britton-Baeza, and always remember to think about others……it only takes some time.

DELLA AND MR.G CONVERSATION HERE.

I want to thank Della and Gary for helping to make this talk happen, as well as the work they accomplish each day.

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August 19th…Thank You Jackie Robinson

Panama Red, New Riders of the Purple Sage
It’s Alright w/Me, New Riders
Kick in the Head, NRPS
Thank the Day, New Riders of the Purple Sage
Too Much Monkey Business, Leon Russell
Jezebel, Leon Russell
Keep on Truckin’, Donovan
Amazing Journey/Sparks, The Who
the Jonez, Blue Miracle
American Way, Nathaniel Street-West
Infidel, Nathaniel Street-West
Into the Open, Heartless Bastards
Cocaine, James Kochalka Superstar
Stash in the Box, James Kochalka Superstar
This Time…., Dj Shadow
Mosquito Moan, Paul Geremia
Have a Lucky Day, Morphine
All Wrong/Shame, Morphine
Concoction, Depth Quartet
After Midnight, Merl Saunders & Friends
MyKia’s Dance, Melvin Sparks
Angel in the Desert, Honeytribe
Get Ready, Oteil & the Peacemakers
Angelina, Tony Tyler Trance
Pleasant Garden, the Derek Trucks Band
Sexy Side of You, George Clinton & P Funk
Honeybee Blues, Tao of Groove
She Went Around, Tao of Groove
Paradigm, Prince & George Clinton
Onion Patch, Melvin Sparks
Frankie, Paul Geremia
You got a Problem, Evil Stig

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A Moment with Merl Saunders Jr.

Hammond B3 player Merl Saunders has recorded with numerous renowned artists since the early ’70s and has led many of his own dates in a variety of genres from jazz to blues to new age to rock. Born on Valentine’s Day, 1934 in San Mateo, CA, Saunders began learning to play the piano at the age of 10. He was a classmate and bandmate of Johnny Mathis through junior high school. Saunders decided on music as a profession after seeing how much fun was had by audience and performers alike at concerts by such musicians as Cab Calloway. He apprenticed early on with Jimmy Smith for a time, and attended various music schools. Starting in the 1960s, Saunders collaborated on and off with Jerry Garcia, and the Grateful Dead. He also began working as a jazz keyboardist in the early ’70s, and since has performed and recorded with Harry Belafonte, Frank Sinatra, Lionel Hampton, Miles Davis, B.B. King, Bonnie Raitt and Paul Butterfield. One of his several albums with Jerry Garcia, Blues From the Rainforest, hit the Top 5 of the U.S. Billboard New Age charts in the early ’90s.

If you don’t already know, you need to find out. Check out the MERL SAUNDERS WEBSITE.

Listen to my conversation with Merl Saunders Jr. Here.

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VINX : live at REAL ART WAYS

Tonight, August 17th from 6-9PM, Vinx will be bringing his One man. One voice. One drum style art to the floor of the REAL ART WAYS in Hartford Connecticut as part of their alternative multidisciplinary arts CREATIVE COCKTAIL event held every third thurday of each month. It is written that once upon a time (1990) in Santa Monica, CA, a famous musician (that would be Sting) wandered into a club to wait out the rain and was so enthralled with the performer on stage (that would be Vinx) that he signed him to a record deal and helped produce his debut album (that would be Rooms in My Fatha’s House). Although he had a gig back in 1978 as a percussionist for Taj Mahal, Vinx was a world-class triple-jumper. In fact, in 1980 he posted the second best jump in the world, but the United States boycotted the Moscow Olympics, and after an injury at the 1984 Olympic trials in Los Angeles, Vinx embarked on his musical career as a vocalist and percussionist. He recorded and toured with the likes of Ernie Watts, Rickie Lee Jones, and Toni Childs before forming his own band of drummers and hitting Europe, where he played the Montreux Jazz Festival between Miles Davis and Wayne Shorter.
The list of talented musicians that Vinx has collaborated grows as I type, be sure to check him out in Hartford or any other place you get the chance.

LISTEN TO MY CHAT WITH VINX HERE.

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Buddy Cage of New Riders & the Purple Sage

New Riders Steel Pedal Guitar man and I chat promoting the upcoming show at the Riverside Club in Danielson, CT. Check them out here.

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As one of the New Riders of the Purple Sage (replacing Jerry Garcia in 1971), Cage has sold over 4 million records. As an independent recording specialist, he has performed on over 10 gold & platinum records.
For Bob Dylan:
* “Blood On The Tracks”
* “Biograph”
* “Official Bootleg Tapes”
NRPS:
* “Panama Red”
* “Powerglide”
* “Home, Home On The Road”
* “Gypsy Cowboy”
Also:
* Recorded w/Grateful Dead members Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, Mickey Hart & GD lyricist Robert Hunter (“Tales Of The Rum Runners”), * 4 multi-platinum albums w/Anne Murray and the partnerships and success go on. Check out more online

8/12/06 Night Crawling in Cromwell

The Constitution, Rufus Harley
Amazing Grace, Rufus Harley
You’ve got the Best in Town, Band of Gypsys
Stone Free, Buddy Miles/Billy Cox
This Time, I’m Gonna.., DJ Shadow
Hot Cookin’, G Love
You Mus’ve Been a Beautiful Baby, Dr. John
Let Down, Easy Star All Star + Toots Maytal
Climbing up the Walls, Easy Star All Stars
Bittersweet, Galactic
Bongo Joe, Galactic
Doomed, Galactic
1st Vietnamese War, the Black Angels
Sniper @ the Gates of Heaven, the Balck Angels
Hello Lover, Johnnie Burton
Baby Blue, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
Why You Wanna Bring Me Down, Honeytribe
Soul Roach, Merl Saunders
You Can LEave Your Hat On, Merl Saunders & Friends
1021, Depth Quartet
Matthau, Depth Quartet
A real gone guy, Joe Krown Organ Trio
Sexy Side of You, George Clinton & P Funk
the Jonez, Blue Miracle
Witness, Nathaniel Street-West
American Way, Nathaniel Street-West
Infidel, Nathaniel Street-West
Killing Time, Jonah Smith
Behind the Moon, Matt Costa
78% H20, Ani DiFranco
Feelin’ Alright, Dave Mason
Electric Rodeo, Shooter Jennings
Some Rowdy Women, Shooter Jennings
the constitution, Rufus Harley

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ONE WORLD ‘GREENARROW’ RADIO.

Loyin’ Loyin’, Babatunde Olatunji
Dance of the Hunter’s Fire, Mickey Hart
Croc Gossip, Michael Case Kissel
Obsession, Mickey Dread
Diga Ai, joanna
Asalto Navideno, El Gran Combo
Beggin’ for my Love, Bunnie Brissett
Mother Don’t Cry, Cedell Marley Booker
Mr. Simon, Souzy Kasseya
Colonel Fraser, Jerry O’ Sullivan
Ti Citron, 3 Moustaphas 3
Satan Dub, Lee “Scratch” Perry
Old Man’s Song, Airto
Blow, Wind, Blow, Dzintars
Liza, Kanda Bongo Man
Spirit of the Forest, Baka Beyond
La Mule, Malicorne
I go Ka, Ali Farke Toure/Taj mahal
Jarabi, Toumani Diabate
Equal Rights, Peter Tosh (live)
You’re on my Mind, Ken Boothe
Joke’s on you, Blue Riddim Band
Cuban Connections, Outback
Water Drums I, Baka Forest people
T’Boli, Dr. Didj
earth/fire/the turning point, UAKTI
Tabla Solo, Zakir Hussain
3rd Stream, Jake Shimabukuro
This is IT/Bambu, Melvin Sparks
Levan polka, Loituma

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8/5/06 NEW MUSIC FOR ALL

Plastic Fantastic Lover, Jefferson Airplane
JPP McStep Blues, Jefferson Airplane
Can’t stop lovin’ you, Wolfman Washington
Cadillac Woman, Walter “Wolfman” Washington
Can’t Help Fallin’ Apart, Walter Trout
Only You and I know, Dave Mason
Power of Soul, Billy Cox/Buddy Miles
Manic Depression, Buddy Miles/Billy Cox
Tomorrow Never KNows, the Beatles
Trouble Every Day, Frank Zappa
Body in the Lake, Col. Bruce Hampton
Hot Cookin’, G-Love
What I do, Donald Fagan
Hole in the Sky, Johnnie Burton
You got a Problem, Evil Stig
Crimson & Clover, Evil Stig
Drunks, Evil Stig
Riddles, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
Baby Blue, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
Little Dog, Blue Miracle
C.C. Rider, Pedro Arevalo
American Way, Nathaniel Street-West
Fish to Fry, the Ditty Bops
Your Heads too Big, the Ditty Bops
Going Fetal, Eels
Don’t stop til…, Keller Williams
Birdsong, Keller Williams
Decree, Ani DiFranco
Hot Barbeque, Melvin Sparks
Hunk o’ Funk, Mclemore Avenue
the Elevator, Particle
Toastmaker’s Revenge, Jake Shimabukuro
Blues from the Rainforest, Merl Saunders & Jerry Garcia
Lasidan, Ali Farke Toure/Ry Cooder
Top Floor, Bottom Buzzer, Morphine
A Good Woman is Hard to Find, Morphine
Take me w/you, Morphine

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On the Bus with Joan Jett and the Blackhearts

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Oh it was hot. The entire time. However it was worth every drop of sweet rock and roll sweat that rolled between my buttcheeks. I had the honor of being put on Ms. Joan Jett’s guest list and was treated very well by all. Got on the Blackheart bus, which was a fine source of air conditioning also might I add. Immediately began chatting with Manager/Producer Kenny Laguna. A hell of a nice guy with a lot to talk about. I am all ears. Ms. Jett was cooler than the aforementioned A.C. I want to thank Elliot and Julie for the experience and the show. The set consisted of a nice mix of old and new. Joan started off with Bad Reputation and Ch-ch-ch Cherry Bomb, Change the World, ACDC, Riddles and Five, off of Sinner the new release that if you don’t have you need to go get. They closed down with classics, Crimson and Clover and I love Rock and Roll. It was a good as that list looks. Stay tuned for a conversation with Kenny Laguna and another visit with the band before the September 1st show at the Woodstock Fair in Woodstock CT.

Thanks to the BLACKHEARTS.

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Dickey Betts in Enfield. Thanks to Pedro.

The Mrs. of the G and I were fortunate enough to hook up with Pedro Arevalo, the bass player for Dickey Betts Great Southern. We were treated like part of the family right away, introduced to many of the members of the band including Twinkle, D-Wayne and even Mr. Betts himself. We were hanging out on the tour bus talking about music and life. We watched the show from right next to the stage and we held onto our backstage pass like it was a true gift. The whole experience was like being invited to the family picnic and needing nothing but a good attitude, and fun will be had by all. And it was. Thanks to Pedro and DBGS for allowing us to be apart of the family for one night.

Check out some of the photos from the show.

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