About grnarrow

Setlist Architect/Art Scene Checker-Outer/Sound Feeler

Short notice jazz-a-thon

Got the news I was needed to do a fill in on my favorite listener sponsored community radio station WORT, so I was as imagined hurried & psyched. Want to thank those who tuned in all over the place and thanks for the comments, it’s about you and your listening after all.

I Adore you- Esperanza Spalding
Europia- Alvin Queen
Rise n Shine- Coltrane (Rudy Van Gelden Mix)
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the Naked Camera- John Beasley
Port of Entry- Weather Report
Children’s Song- Corea/Burton
What Game Shall we Play Today-Burton/Corea
So What- Miles Davis Tribute (Miles from India)
Full Nelson- Miles Davis (live Japan 1988)
Mel’s Groove- the Dixon Rhyne Project
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By Appointment Only- the Karl Denson Trio
Pinto- John Patton
Thank You- Melvin Sparks
Sexual Healing- Reuben Wilson
Rivers of Babylon- Robert Walter
Watch me Fly- Reuben Wilson
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Mysterious Nights- Skeebo Knight
Juicy- Russel Blake
Strum- Marcus Miller
Tutu- S.M.V.
Happy Song- Victor Wooten
HHP- Doug Johns
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Baghdad Cafe- Liquid Soul
Ocean- Bonerama (live)
Message to Mike- the Saxophone Summit
Sack O’ Woe- Cannon ReLoaded
Naima- Bobby Ricketts
Tulips, too late- Stan Harrison
Sissies- Moisturizer
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Caldonia- Willie Nelson/Branford Marsalis
I Want to be Happy- Hot Club of Detroit
Round About Midnight- Keith Kilgo

Mel & Rich of SIRSY

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I want to thank Mel & Rich of the band Sirsy for catching up with me. As always, our creative minds take over and in this conversation we talk about everything from how the new album Revolution has been received by live audiences as well as album listeners, we also chat about the inevitable journey to Madison (?) and even the proper treatment for stingray stings. Z A P!!! Making their own revolution.

Check out my conversation with this dynamic duo right here.

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Madison Roots Festival

What a perfect evening for a really rootsy funky rockin’ show. I arrived to see the John Butler Trio hit the stage and had an overpriced beer in my hand while this trio torn the stage up. They were electrifying and so on, that the sunset failed in comparison to the spectacular force, energy and warmth radiating off the scene. I tell you this much: They certainly made a name for themselves with the crowd on hand at Willow Park. After there was a settling down some, G Love & the Special Sauce took over. Garret was funky, and fresh right from the get go. He featured many tracks off the latest release on Brushfire titled, Superhero Brother. Get it if you don’t have it…you’ll want it. I have had a couple of conversation with Garret in the past, and while this time I decided to let the music speak to me for him and I was not let down. There were riffs of great recognizable tune written by some of the greats in the past, there were classic G Love tracks and at the end, not only was there time for the John Butler Trio to join in on an amazing (A M A Z I N G) version of “Symphony for the Devil” but Tristan Prettyman who played earlier that afternoon, “slipped into something more comfortable” joined Garret for a sparkling version of “Beautiful“.

Man was this just a hot show PERIOD.

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Music to Make it with

Todays show had the horns planning behind my back to take it over….I obliged and it sure got horny all over da place…..check out how it got itself in the mood:

I Never Cared for you- Del Castillo & Willie Nelson
Sundown Town- Ry Cooder
Get Ready- Oteil & the Peacemakers
No one to Run with- the Allman Brothers
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Head to Toe- Eddie Floyd
let the Mermaid Flirt with me- scrapOmatic
One of those Days-Steve Cropper & Felix Cavaliere
In Time- Sly & the Family Stone
Peace Love & Happiness-G Love & the Special Sauce
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all your way- Morphine
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Greed- Hiram Bullock
Bo Diddley- the Meters
Chained (alt take)- Mavis Staples
You aint got no Drawers on-Marva Wright & the BMWs
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Mz Psychlo Jones- Moist Paula
Tag- Jeff Coffin Mu ‘Tet
the Way you Move- Bobby Ricketts
Attaboy- Liquid Soul
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Thunder- S.M.V.
Milkhunt (live)- Freekbass
Needletooth- Was not Was
Baby Elephants-n-Thangs-Baby Elephants/George Clinton
Free to Choose- Everything
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Sugar Pie-Melody Makers & the Wailers(live’81)
Breathe it Live it- Dubconscious
What’s Wrong with Me-Skye (Us Remix)
Good-Supreme Beings of Leisure
Rapture- Dub Pistols feat Terry Hall

One hour of Acoustic-ness

Dubya- Great American Taxi
**Conversation with Vince Herman**
Kali- Great American Taxi
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Hello- Tristan Prettyman
Could’ve had me- Lex Land
By July- Sirsy
Shadows- Angeline
Ol’ Cook Pot- the Duhks
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Johnny Cash- Ry Cooder
Spayed Cooley- Ry Cooder
Barstool Boogie(live)-Dan Hicks & the Acoustic Warriors
Beatles Medley- Tommy Emmanuel (live)
Colours- James Robinson
Don’t Stop til you get Enough-Keller Williams (live)
Good Excuse- the John Butler Trio (live)
Country Ghetto- JJ Grey (live)
*Conversation with Susan Crofton of the Overture*

Great American Taxi’s Vince Herman

Vince is known for his work in the group Leftover Salmon, but one of his recent projects is in Madison tonight, Great American Taxi. Alternative Americana created from the roots of the earth traveled so often by this group of songwriters and musicians. Your head would spin adding up all the miles the members of Great American Taxi have traveled individually, and in just over two years together they’ve added a whole lot more to their travelogues. From their home in the high country of Colorado to the shores of the Pacific and back again through the grain belt of the Midwest heading further east to the Atlantic Ocean, Taxi has ridden the highways spinning yarns and delivering high octane music to all who show up at their live shows and consume their 21st century Americana sound. Great American Taxi traffics their collective past helping create their new Americana without borders brand of music.

Sounds like what I am talking about!!

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Check out my chat with Vince right here.

Tony Tyler–Where’s he at??

Tony has been quite busy ever since we first met up with him years ago. Take some time to check out the “what’s” and “where’s” and how it is all happening in our most recent chat. There is a pretty big name sponsor, dates booked for every home game of a powerhouse southern college football program and some switches in the entire make up of the sounds he is producing these days.

Check out more on Tony Tyler here at his myspace page.

Listen in on our conversation here.

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R.I.P. Hiram Bullock

Over the course of his career, from his mid ‘70s run with The Brecker Brothers to his various stints as a “hired gun” for everyone from Gil Evans and David Sanborn to Billy Joel and James Brown, Hiram Bullock earned his reputation as a bona fide guitar hero. But all along, Hiram has also been developing his skills as a singer/songwriter and charismatic live performer. His style is not easily categorized, since his playing is a creative blend of rock, funk, blues, and jazz. It is easy to say, however, that his music is fun. Almost immediately after arriving in the Big Apple, Hiram’s international career began. He first played with Sanborn, meeting producer Phil Ramone and playing on many gold and platinum albums. His credits include: The Brecker Brothers, David Sanborn, Paul Simon, Chaka Khan, Pete Townsend, Bob James, Sting, James Brown, Miles Davis, Kenny Loggins, Billy Joel, Barbra Streisand, Burt Bacharach, Roberta Flack, Spyro Gyra, Eric Clapton, Al Green and James Taylor. Check out the discography section of his website for the complete list. Hiram gained a huge following as the barefoot guitar player on Late Night with David Letterman. From the inception of the show until 1984, he was a regular member of the World’s Most Dangerous Band, led by Paul Shaffer. Other television work includes being a member of the house band on Saturday Night Live, and working as the musical director on Sanborn’s critically acclaimed Night Music show. He was also seen acting the part of a musician in Under Siege (starring Steven Segal); he wrote 6 of the internal songs in the film. Hiram’s career as a solo artist began in 1983. He has produced all of his albums, which include many of his own songs. His albums span many different genres of music, from the contemporary jazz of “From All Sides” to the rock of “World of Collision”; from the latin-influenced “Carrasco” to the organ-trio jazz of “Late Night Talk”. The style that Hiram’s fans have come to expect in live performances is exemplified by the group-oriented funky rock of “Color Me”, and continued with “Try Livin’ It” and his latest release, “Too Funky 2 Ignore”. He is also known as a dynamic performer, who gives his all for the sake of the show. Certainly his style of making music was an example of what greenarrowradio would like to strive for.

James Taylor-Only a Dream in Rio featuring Hiram (1988)

Which way will he GO?

Free at Last- the Blind Boys of Alabama
Mean Ole Wind- North Mississippi Allstars
Lovin in my Baby’s Eyes- Taj Mahal Trio (live)
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Never had a Problem-Andre Williams & the N.O. Hellhounds
I wanna get you Alone- Joseph Arthur
Restraint- Keller Williams
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Barra Barra- Rachid Taha (live)
War is a Crime- Antibalas
Use me- Pete Yorn & Kinky
Torture- King Khan & the Shrines
Land of the Freak- King Khan & the Shrines
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Dita Simone- Pop Levi
So many nights- the Cat Empire
Strong Coffee- the Cat Empire
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Louisiana Sky-John Popper Project with DJ LOGIC
What we Need- G Love & Special Sauce
Sunday Bloody Sunday- Saul Williams
Message in a Bottle- Matisyahu
Orange & Blue-Desdamona (Sly and Robbie Remix)
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Reggae Soulshine- GovT Mule with Branford Marsalis (live)
Personal Thing- King Johnson (live)
**Conversation with Marcus Henderson**
Atlas- King Johnson (live)
Workin’ Sux- King Johnson (live)
Debbie’s Jungle Boogie- Skeebo Knight
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The Naked Camera- John Beasley

Putumayo Presents-QUEBEC

This album coincides with Quebec City’s 400th anniversary and is a fine celebration of the rich musical diversity in this fascinating French Canadian Province. As I have spun tracks off this album, I often get calls asking what artist I am spinning…I believe that the music of this region is far less known by the outside than most would expect. This wonderful collection allows us all a look and listen inside the beautifully preserved colonial architecture within Quebec City rich with an appreciation of all styles of music which is no more obvious than with the large number of music festivals taking place there throughout the year. Certainly the fine folks at Putumayo spend diligent hours seeking out just the right mixture of variety from a melting pot of culture and sound. And I hope to share some of it with you.

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Marcus Henderson & Marshall Tucker Band

Finally, in so many ways I have been feeling super connected to Marcus. We chat today about some of those things including mutual friends the funky Mr. Skeebo Knight and Mr Adam Mewherter, the g-rate sounds of he and his bandmates in one of my favorite sounding bands, King Johnson, the wonderful work his lovely wife is dong at the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, and of course his recent employment and inclusion in his new family, the Marshall Tucker Band. In this conversation you’ll learn a few things people might not have known about Marcus, where to find unseen Otis Redding memorabilia and Adam Rapping?????

Take a moment if you could to listen to our conversation here.

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Susan Crofton & the Overture

I had the pleasure of discussing the Overture Center for the Arts 2008-2009 season to be, with Vice President of Programming, Susan Crofton. With a rich history and a extraordinary vision of the future, the Overture’s 2008-2009 season is filled with diversity, tradition and activities for all ages. The facility contains the fabulous Overture Hall, the intimate Playhouse, three black box spaces, the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, the Wisconsin Academy’s James Watrous Gallery, three community galleries, a soaring glass lobby, and the Capitol Theater. Susan and I discuss the potential of all that great space and how the Overture staff works to broaden the spectrum of activities, arts and the people who walk through the doors into the breathtaking lobby.

Listen to Susan and I discussing the ’08-’09 season at the Overture Center for the Arts here.

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State Street View

got an extra hour today so I thought some blused rock would fit the bill. Today there was so much activity on the streets below, there was looks to be gotten from everywhere.

Twisted- the Wood Brothers
Good Morning Little Schoolgirl-Hot Tuna with Bob Weir (live)
Skin Deep- Buddy Guy with Derek Trucks
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What the Hell were you Thinking- Neal Fox
How come People act that Way- Tommy Talton
One after 909- Robi Zonca & his band
Burning Love- Eric Sardinas & Big Motor
Mercy Mercy- Honeytribe
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Told me a Lie- Sean Costello
Drink House- ScrapOmatic
Sailing on- the Derek Trucks Band
Universe- Mike Zito
Dudeman- Viktor Krause
Win my Train Fare Home-Robert Plant (live in Mali 2003)
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Volant Poulettes- Los Manolos
Congo Mulence- Manchito with Cannonball Adderley
Baila Ven Y Baila- Los 5 U 4
She Want- Horace X
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Wakafrica- Manu DiBango
To Be or not To be- Maceo Parker
I feel Good/I got the Feeling-Soul Summit (live)
What is Hip- Marcus Miller
Juicy- Russel Blake
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Wil E- King Johnson
Never Grow up- Dumpstaphunk (live)
Cure All- Robert Walter
got to be a love (Paul Nice remix)-greyboy&Sharon Jones&Quantic
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Sweet- Jehro
Do you love me- Lee Fields & the Expressions
You’ve got to Earn it- the Staples Singers
Crawl- Nikki Armstrong
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El Aire-Cecilia Villar Eljuri with Sly Robbie
*Conversation with Cecilia Villar Eljuri*
Peligrosa- Cecilia Villar Eljuri
Una Ola- Cecilia Villar Eljuri
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Track # 3-Public House live at Tyrone Farm 06
Dr Smile- Club d’Elf (live at the Lizard Lounge)
Recovering the Time Capsule- JFJO
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Something Stank (edit)-Sativa with P Funk
Stank- the SOL Creech Band
Toura Toura- DJ Cheb i Sabbah

La Fete….the Dumpstaphunk

My plan was to get to the festival to catch some of Rosie Ledet and the Zydeco Playboys, and man am I glad I went early enough to catch the entire set. The proof that not all Zydeco music sounds the same was right there in front of me. With some funk and rootsy blues sounds, Rosie made the stage a place of appreciation and zest that was easy on the eyes, ears and dancing feet. Anytime Rosie and the Playboys come to town near you, make it a point to bring your smile and dancing shoes, cuz you ain’t gonna be able to control your inside urges. But for me, the cumulation of the entire weekend came when Ivan Neville brought out his Dumpstaphunk and kept it downright D.I.R.T.Y. funk and some seriously bona-fide NOLA goodness. Spinning the tunes on the show doesn’t compare to being a part of the sounds and scene Dumpstaphunk creates, withstands and ad-libs with…when they invited about 10 women onto the stage, apparently the crowd lost count and their ended up being about 60 people up there rocking the wavy stage with the FUNK. You can feel your bones dancing inside your skin with some of those nasty beats. Nick Daniels, Ian Neville, Ray Ray Weber, Tony Hall & Ivan Neville together make up a talent pool that on stage works so well together it becomes a fluid Funkenstein monster getting down with the people like the original Funk-Masters. Take in this scene whenever it can be seen, heard and most importantly felt.

FEEL IT!!!
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Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk 2008

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Rosie Ledet and the Zydeco Playboys 2008

Cecilia Villar Eljuri: EN PAZ

Born into a family of tradition, respect for culture and artistic talent, Cecilia Villar Eljuri is sure to leave her mark with an album that has a message. Her musical background is as varied as the tracks on this diverse album, starting off with a great clash of beats and Latin vibe EL AIRE with Sly and Robbie. and it just keeps getting more special as the album plays on. Being a rocker at heart, (and this I believe is a heart of musical gold)….Eljuri has transcended sounds and rhythms into words that keep it real, and really keep it on a personal level…but a level that is meant to be listened to and shared. We spend time discussing this new album and those who worked on it with her to share in this vision (including a special track close to that golden heart) and what our fantasy concert might be. If you are down with diversity, check out Eljuri’s EN PAZ, it’s more than music.

Take a moment to check out our conversation with Cecilia here.

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La Fete de Marquette-Part Deux

The next day of action for me started off with the soothing sounds of Brazzaville, featuring David Brown former Saxophone player of BECK. This group from Barcelona clamped down on the exotic sound hybrid of indie pop, lounge jazz, world music, and noir-ish atmosphere, and was most often likened to Tom Waits or Morphine and created the “atmosphere”. This group has seen some line up changes but one thing for sure is they are always a talented bunch making really cool music. After an intermission that lasted a few shared moments “passing” the time away, the highly anticipated moment arrived. Dengue Fever unleashed a sound that made me feel as if all of the worlds psychedelic rock had been held captive and put into an amazing rock-n-roll trance. With a female Cambodian bona fide pop star lead singer who has a beautiful voice that certainly was like the Sirens tempting Ulysses and his men, I too felt captive. They are raw and exciting to watch but most of all they are so damn something solidly different yet reminiscent of the times gone bye with their take on what music can sound like. I invite you to look into Dengue Fever if you aren’t aware and put them on your “MUST SEE” list if you like to find treats not so easy to find on earth. To close off the night was Fallou Dieng and his 12-piece orchestra who are up and coming stars on the afro-beat scene who had the park jumping to their infectious Mbalax beats. This drum-laden dance music was transcendent under the stars, and kept the nights groove bouncing.

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Dengue Fever—go get it!

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Fallou Dieng

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Brazzaville

and then…CORNMEAL

…After the acts on Friday at La Fete de Marquete, I made my way over to the Terrace and caught Cornmeal. This jamgrass band from Chicago puts a new meaning into the phrase JAM GRASS…..a constant foot stomping tap tap tappin’ and fingers snap snap snappin’ good time. Cornmeal is: Wavy Dave Burlingame-Banjo,Vocals, Kris Nowak-Guitar,Vocals, Chris Gangi-String Bass, Vocals, JP Nowak-Drums, Vocals, Allie Kral-Fiddle, Vocals and the grass they have grown is certainly overflowing with some incredible jams. I mean there were moments of such gratifying sounds that I believe the band made the sky open up momentarily just to cool us all off. While obviously stepping in the history of bluegrass, Cornmeal takes their music to new levels and offers a middle finger of sorts to the boundaries of genres and adds some ole time favorites in all styles to their set. On this night, there were dashes of the talking Heads and some “Franklin’s Tower” riffs bounding in the air, and man that air was feeling and smelling right! This act really caught my attention and I look forward to the return visit from our neighbors.

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CORNMEAL..winners of the 2008 New Groove Jammy.

Le Fete de Marquette prt 1

2008 La Fête de Marquette: Thursday – Sunday, July 10th – 13th and at this years new location, the event was filled with fantastic music acts from around the globe. La Fête de Marquette coincides with Bastille Day, the French national holiday. The celebration will provide many opportunities to become immersed in French culture with food, arts, crafts and – especially – music. The event will host musicians from the French-speaking world including performers from West Africa, Cambodia, Quebec and France throughout the weekend and performers with New Orleans/Cajun/Zydeco roots primarily on Sunday. Event organizers anticipate attracting thousands to this one of a kind, free-to-all community event. There was so much happening and I was able to see ALL the acts I truly wanted to check out or re-visit. On Friday I got to witness Les Breastfeeders, a band I have featured on the show numerous times. This is a “DO NOT MISS” show if you are ready for some serious rock and roll Montreal style. This band is steaming hot and will make you butter your bread and ROCK your Roll. You’ll be in store for the sweaty jumps and the wailing chords and HI-boots will be-a-shakin’, when you spend a little time with Les Breastfeeders. I was pumped up for the entire night after that show, and consider my socks knocked off! I also caught the quintessential New Orleans party band, The Iguanas, and how could you ever go wrong with that!!!

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Les Breastfeeders

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