Author Archives: grnarrow

About grnarrow

Setlist Architect/Art Scene Checker-Outer/Sound Feeler

Xavier Rudd-Dark Shade of Blue

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It’s always refreshing to spend time chatting with Xavier Rudd. He is such a laid back cool cat and I always feel like we are sitting on top of our boards just chillin’. Anyhow, this time was no exception and we had a chance to dissect a few tracks off the new album released on Anti entitled: Dark Shade of Blue. This dissection revealed some way cool and super heavy info on one of the mates in his touring posse and we learn who helped produce this raw rocker of an album. Have no fears, there are certainly great moments of world music fused in there along with mind consuming awareness lyrical content. Xavier was involved in a project recently with Matthew McConaughey, a movie called: Surfer Dude and of course we discuss one of the socially and globally important issue on his mind that you might not even have known existed.

Check out my time with Xavier Rudd right here.

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Plastic People of the Universe

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I am almost at a loss of words—Last night I saw and heard a great night of foreign music that I lost track of where I might actually be. Well…sort of. Gypsy Rock anyone? Well then Little Cow is for you. They write brilliant rock songs with hut spa and dance starting Hungarian rhythms that had the Annex crowd creating an interpretation of the sounds like no one was watching. Then the reason for ears, the Plastic People of the Universe emerged onto the stage and progressive rocked my avant ass into a psychedelic state of being, that I could see in Plastic for a moment in time. The history of this Czechoslovakian group inspired by Zappa and the attempts of their own government to shut them up and silence their lyrics and music (they often went against the grain of the Communist regime and due to its non-conformism often suffered serious problems such as arrests.) This was a rare event in Madison and I was not missing it. The Plastic People were funky with heavy rock and spiritually trancing jams with vocals that were as haunting as they were moving. If you have never heard of either act here, well, I hope you take some time to introduce yourself to their music and their lives as they exist outside of our united States and know that these people know how to make music…..real music.

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Budapest’s LITTLE COW

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Prague’s Plastic People of the Universe

RIP Richard Wright

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LONDON (AP) — A Pink Floyd spokesman says founding member Richard Wright has died. He was 65. Wright died Monday after a short battle with cancer at his home in Britain. His family did not want to give more details about his death. Richard Wright met Pink Floyd members Roger Waters and Nick Mason at college and joined their early band Sigma 6. Sigma 6 eventually became Pink Floyd and Wright wrote and sang some of the band’s key songs. He wrote “The Great Gig In The Sky” and “Us And Them” from the bands 1973 “The Dark Side of the Moon.” He left the group in the early 1980s to form his own band but rejoined Floyd for their 1987 album “A Momentary Lapse of Reason.”

Man, so many times out out of body and mindness in my lifetime were aided by the mysteriously calmy soothing style of Pink Floyd and certainly Mr. Wright and his work stand true to those happenings.

RIP Richard Wright 28 July 1943 – 15 September 2008

Backyard Tire Fire w/Ha Ha Tonka

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Chicago’s Backyard Tire Fire brought its redneck rock along with finely crafted songs into Madison on Friday to the Annex. Opening was Missouri’s Ha HA Tonka. The show was plugged in and rip roaring. In support of the new album, The Places we Lived, Backyard Tire Fire featured many of their new tunes but also hit the crowd with many of their “let’s drink beer and have a party” style rock -n- roll, certainly enough force to make the Annex in Madison, a heavy hitter. Ha Ha Tonka was a nice surprise for me as well, they can jam, keep it simply sweet and man o’ man could those fellas sing. It is always nice to see artists matched up well in a live setting, and this was certainly the case. The windy city and the roaring Ozarks were representing proper on this night!

A Surge of my own

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Noticing the prices starting to climb..well, here’s what I did to try and ease the pain in the mind and wallet.

The Places we Lived- Backyard tire Fire
How you Remember it- Blues Traveler
Ain’t Nothing Wrong with That-Robert Randolph Family Band
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Oh Palastine- JJ Grey and Mofro
Think- Phantom Blues Band
Rollercoaster- Mark Hummel (live)
Take Yer Clothes off- Topaz & Mudphonic
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End Song- Buzzy Linhart
Cherry Tree- Jamie McLean Band
Uncle- Xavier Rudd
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Gold Dust Woman- the Spill Canvas
A Hard Rain’s a Gonna Fall-Twilight Dementia
You can Leave your Hat on- Lin McEwan
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Welcome to the Basement- Merl Saunders & Friends
My Sweet Potato Pie- Groovadelphia
Snail Underground- Razl
What it Look Like- Grant Calvin Weston
Oh Miss Havisham-Secretary featuring BIG BOSS
*Conversation w/Paula Henderson*
Dream Boss- Secretary featuring BIG BOSS
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Chapter 7- Mister Rourke
Evil Genius
Midnight Resurrection
Universe and Beyond
Slow decay of the Mind
Music is a Medicine- BLVD
Lithuania- Rithma
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time for a NEW THANG- Tony Bunn
I Feel as Good as Good is- Stanley Maxwell
Age of Inexperience- Lotus
Skitzo-Keller Williams w/Moseley/Droll/Sipe (live)
When its Quiet we Hear Music- Green Light
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Mada- Charbel Rouhana & Hani Siblini
**Conversation with Emma Lane**

Trombone Shorty-a real deal

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Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews is an amazing artist. Playing with everyone from U2 and Lenny Kravitz to the band down the corner of a N’Orleans street side, but what really resonated like a perfect low note, was how grounded he is. He is cool and collected and and wise for his short time physically upon the earth. At 22 years old Troy has already experienced more than most musicians three times his age, and he has the chops to prove it. Having traveled extensively in the United States as well as globally, Troy’s music has reached innumerable music lovers who will never forget his amazing live performances. He will bring his amazing spirit and band Orleans Avenue to the Union Theater here on the beautiful campus of the university of Wisconsin on October 2nd. In on conversation we talk about everything from the NBA to what music he is currently sporting on his Ipod. I hope you find a moment to check out our chat and become more familiar with the person known as Trombone Shorty.

Listen to Troy and I converse it up here.

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Moist Paula Henderson

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From Burnt Sugar the Arkestra Chamber to Secretary (with or without Big Boss) to Moisturizer, check out all the projects friend of the radio program “Moist” Paula Henderson has been up to since she arrived in New York some 15 years or so ago. While we go way back, every time I see her or hear her music It is a constant re-FRESHer course in soundology. From the avant to the rockin’, Paula has her horn and will travel to the next destination on a wave of inspiration and an eye for the inevitable changes life in music dictates. When you listen to this conversation, consider it just that…a chat between two friends with the premise that it’s all about the music in mind-WHATEVER form that music may take.

Check out my conversation with Paula here.

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an Evening w/the Derek Trucks Band

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With opening act Greyhounds(who had Kofi on the flute for one tune), the Derek Trucks Band reminded me of what sound can sound like. From straight blues to the soul of the earth to a tweak and tuning adjustment of jazz to the slide of strings buttered with improvisational jams reinventing the very sounds we have come to know. The Kofi, Yonrico, Todd, Mike, Count M’Butu and Derek connection makes the stage into a exploration laboratory fit for musical mystery. With the opening group Greyhounds joining on stage for a wild rendition of the Lee Dorsey original Get out of my Life Woman ,featured trade offs galore between the entire collage of artists. There was a great crowd of energized music goers, each applauded the scene at various points for various personal interpretive moments in time that made them feel like, well…Its all about the music.

Check out my recent conversation with Derek here.

and a past chat here.

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It’s About the Giving Back

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Emma Lane, a high school student in Mansfield Connecticut, is doing something most people claim they’d like to do. She’s giving back to those who never even had a hand in her personal world…until she made it a point to find out more. Emma is involved in a program that is helping to build homes for people in Mexico that live in the dump and have built make-shift abodes out of whatever they could find in the dump. She has been to Mexico and is organizing an event to raise not only funds needed to build one home, but more importantly…raise awareness about other peoples struggles. Emma is a role model to me.

Take a listen to Emma Lane talking about being thankful for each day and every thing right here.

Note** I have known Emma since she was around 8 or 9 and have been fortunate to have been a teacher, coach and friend of hers ever since.

Home games dodge ‘Em

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Man this place was crazy this morning with the UW game vs. Marshall. The outcome turned out to be in the Hometown Bucky Badger favor as it should be and here’s what I did to get you gogin:

I Believe it Tonight- Buzzy Linhart
Welcome to the Factory- Backyard Tire Fire
**Conversation with Ed Anderson of BYTF**
How the Hell did you get Back Here-Backyard Tire Fire
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Burning Love- Eric Sardinas & Big Motor
Wooly Bully- Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
So Many Nights- the Cat Empire
Revival Time- the Superpowers
Weirdo- Gary Jules & the Section Quartet *
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Love Worth Having- Andrew Black & the Naturals
Sailing On- the Derek Trucks Band (live)
**Conversation with Derek Trucks**
Baby You’re Right- the Derek Trucks band with Susan Tedeschi
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See the Sun- Count M’Butu
The Hop- Radio Citizen featuring Bajka
Internacional- the Brazilian Girls
Superwhirly- Guateque All Stas featuring Shiva
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Sippi- Taj Weekes & Adowa
**Conversation with Taj Weekes**
Hollow Display- Taj Weekes & Adowa
A Little bit of Riddim-Michael Franti & Cherine Anderson
Creation-Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad
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Grits- SMV
Grungly- Razl
That’s It- Grant Calvin Weston

Backyard Tire Fire-Ed Anderson

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On the 11th &12th of September, watch out Wisconsin coz Backyard Tire Fire is heading in. First on Thursday they will be rockin’ at the Rave in Milwaukee and then the next night at the Annex in Madison. I had a chance to talk with singer/songwriter/band mate/brother Ed Anderson about the brand new album out on Hyena Records titled: The Places We’ve Lived, the places he finds his songwriting superpowers and those fist place Cubbies of his hometown area. Ed really seems like the type of guy you want on stage making sure your night is a solid time, so if you are in the areas listed in Wisconsin or close to any spots Backyard Tire Fire might be heading, maybe its a show for you….

Find out all we spoke about right here.

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Backyard Tire Fire

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The Places We’ve Lived–HYENA RECORDS 2008

Derek Trucks makes a moment

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Heading into Madison on Tuesday night at the Majestic Theater, the Derek Trucks Band will certainly be a show to talk about. One of my favorite innovators of music makes a moment to chat with me right before he finishes work on a brand new album. If you have never seen this group of artists work together, it truly is a journey of sound and through it. In this conversation we talk about the new album (but not too much) & the various projects Derek has recently been evolved… err, involved in(?), give props to the core of the band and there is even chatter about the Tampa Bay Rays (Say What??).

Listen to Derek and I chat it up here.

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Taj Weekes & Adowa-DEIDEM

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Taj Weekes and Adowa are involved in conscious music for people who are paying attention. While experiencing sadness in his own life, Taj never lost sight (or even gained a greater perspective) of the world around him. Taj Weekes & Adowa present a brand new experience in classic roots reggae. With wry trenchant lyrics, a haunting dusky quiver in his voice and the knock-down sound of his band Adowa, Taj has managed to weave a rare social consciousness with an unforgettable reggae groove. I had a chance to discuss his awareness, his music and the way you can make a difference through helping improve the lives of underprivileged, at-risk and orphaned children around the world. Check out more on They Often Cry Outreach. A big thank you to Taj and Shirley for reaching out to greenarrowradio to help share the message.

Check out my conversation with Taj Weekes here.

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something NEW

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here are some of the new albums I have been checking out.

2nd Place by Throw Rag
Black Fortress of Opium- Self titled
Songs Famed for Sorrow & Joy- Samuel James
The Places we Lived- Backyard Tire Fire
NYC- the Brazilian Girls
Deep Lee- Lee Konitz and Minsarah
Live at the Village Vanguard-Paul Motion Trio 2000 +two

A Sound Parade over the Airwaves

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Global Sound Parade:

Sangat #2- Rob Wasserman & Ustad Sultan Khan
Nivedan- Anoushka Shankar (live)
Word with the Griot- Eccodek
Keep Da Groove-Andersen 1 Nation Under a Groove
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No Mar das tuas Pernas- Rabih Abou Khalil
Sisko’s Blues- Slavic Soul Party
AM Leuchtenden Sommermorgen- Uri Caine
Di Vaneh- Jamshied Sharifi
Hayaku- San Jose Taiko
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Les Aleas de L’Hiver- Gordon Sanchez
Cette Ville- Matthiew Matthiew
Etrange- DobaCaracol
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Orphans Cry- Taj Weekes & Adowa
Hollow Display- Taj Weekes & Adowa (TICKLAH MIX)
El Aire- Eljuri (Sly & Robbie Mix)
Change my Ways- the Pietasters
Madhead- Lee Perry (previously unreleased)
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Pico Largo- Los Mandolos
La Flor de la Chamiza- Inti Illimani
Tu Pequeno Mundo- inti Illimani
Oliu- Omar Sosa
Insurrection- Juan Carlos Formell
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Agbannon Blues- Lionel Loueke
Oriental Love SOng- the Derek Trucks Band
Sierra Leone- the Derek Trucks Band
Crosscurrent- Jake Shimabukuro
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Cler Achel- Tinariwen
Diallo- Vieux Farka Toure with Ali Farka Toure
Iguefan- Etran Finatawa
Ok Oyot System- Extra Golden
Tabey Tarate- Tartit
We Don’t Need- Daby Toure
Jabula- Vusi Mahlasela
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the Locks and Rocks Reel- Peatbog Faeries

KICK OFF the season with G

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Today was the home opener for the home red and white:”Bucky Badger” and the streets were swamped with eager fans. It was like a candy cane festival there was so much red & white all around. I thought about this show for a while during my trip away and feel like this was a solid start back:

The Lights are on in Spidertown-Tom Morello
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Hillbilly Cat- Hillbilly Hellcats
Everybody’s up to Somethin’- Brian Setzer
Porn N Beans- Left Lane Cruisers
Gonna Send ya Back to Georgia-Moreland & Arbuckle
These Kinds of Blues- the Mannish Boys
Free at Last- the Blind Boys of Alabama
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Drink House- ScrapOmatic
Shoes- George Soule
Things- Tommy Talton in Europe
*Conversation with Tony Tyler*
Radio- Tony Tyler
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Rebecca Rebecca- mojo Saint (live)
Big Dipper- Jesse Ed Davis
Natural Anthem- Jesse Ed Davis
Moondance-Van Morrison with George Fame & Friends
Crystal River- Mudcrutch
Oh No- Kaiser Cartel
Magalenha- the Duhks
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Para Los Rumberos-Tito Puente & His Orchestra(live)
Oye Como Va- Tito Puente & His Orchestra(live)
Volant Poulettes- Los Manolos
Land of the Freak- King Khan & the Shrines
Losing Myself- the Brazilian Girls
Fool- Andy Levin & Holly Palmer*
Video Nasty-Lisa Loeb & Steve Renyolds*
Won’t Get Fooled Again- Richie Havens
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Pleasant Gardens- the Derek Trucks Band
a Love Supreme- Carlos Santana w/Bill Laswell mix
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Goodtime baby-Gov. Davis & the Blues Ambassadors (live)
Images of us- George Duke
Funky Miracle/Rainy Day Women-Brian Stoltz (live)
Put it on me- Lee Fields
Come Together- the Meters
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Third Right on the Left- Organissimo
Skyscraper- Secretary Feat BIG BOSS
Move your Body- Dayton Flic
Pseudo Sophistication- Secretary feat BIG BOSS
All One Tribe- Skeebo Knight
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Pressure Cooker (from CHPT 2)-mister Rourke
Space is Da Place- Cosmic Funk All Stars
Journey’s Prelude- Ursula Rucker
Jungle Fever- Louis Vega
Black Women- SOEL
I wish I Could be Beautiful- Rithma
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Still Wishing to Course-Keller Williams w/Moseley/Droll/Sipe (live)

* = Robin Danar Produced

the Perfect Man in Connecticut?

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Also appearing at Real Art Ways was Dave Smith/The Perfect Man. A trombone fronted avant jazz rock sensation that makes enough sound to knock your spirit into a questioning mode. With lyrics for the moment and an intense artistry that feels as much as it sounds, I can easily say that those with their minds open will certainly dig catching this act. Their sets split the night with Secretary feat. Big Boss and the Perfect Man walked off the stage and a new day began.

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