Windham High’s Battle of the Bands ’07

I was asked to be a judge in the Windham High School Battle of the Bands, the 2007 edition. It was a fun and difficult task to rate the artists, not because they were hard on the ears….quite the opposite. The 7 acts proved to be quite a challenge for myself and the 2 other judges (Kelly Savoie & Gabriel Stalnaker). The artists were (in order of appearance): Looked, Vincero, Restless Souls, the Whiskers, This City Never Sleeps, Tim Roxy and Matador. Blending many styles together with a ferocious rock theme as a foundation, the large crowd…(man, was I impressed with the support by fellow classmates and friends) was treated to a night that was a true BATTLE of good bands. In the end, the rough, raw sound of RESTLESS SOULS took home the $200 prize with a groovy edged MATADOR taking in $100 for the runner up. All participants should walk proud for the efforts and sounds that put forth on this fine night in April. Thanks to the WHS PAC for sponsoring this event as well as Charter Communications, Dillion Kearns, Jay Hernandez and the host for the evening, Bryce Monahan.

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A nice day for a Baseball game

Well, the show got an early exit as the hometeam was playing a make up double header versus Georgetown. GO HUSKIES.

I managed to get some tunes on before the national anthem and the old “PLAY BALL”

Train Kept-a- Rollin’, the Yardbirds (live 7/19/06)
Shapes of Things, the Yardbirds (live 7/19/06)
OverUnderSideways, the Yardbirds (live 7/19/06)
I’m Tore Down, John Hammond & G-Love
Eyes Behind Your Head, John Hammond
Underground, Chris Whitley & Jeff Lang
Blind, Crppled & Crazy, Buddy Guy/John Mayer
Heaven has n Mercy, Honeytribe
Memphis in the Meantime, Gregg Allman
Hot’Lanta, Nicole Hart & the NRG band
Flipping Time, Julien Kasper
Redd Foxx, the Poogie Bell Bnad
I Want to Take You Higher, S.Tyler/R. Randolph
Pray, the Book of Knots w/Tom Waits
Juju in those Stings, Eccodek
Courage, Vieux Farka Toure
Jarabi, Lamine Soumano
Ali, Moonboot Lover
Restraint, Keller Williams
the Thrill is Gone, J.Garcia/D. Grisman
Still I’m Sad, the Yardbirds (live 7/19/06)
Dazed & Confused, the Yardbirds (live 7/19/06)
Take me to the River, Annie Lennox
Breezeword, the Poogie Bell band
V-Neck Sweater, the Greyboy Allstars
I Likes That, Skeebo Knight
Zimbabwe, Dr. Lonnie Smith
Naked, Anoushka Shankar

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the Poogie Bell Band Brings IT

Poogie Bell‘s drums is what you hear on many of the world’s finest jazz, neo-soul, R&B and hip-hop records. Performer, record producer, composer, and arranger, you’ve heard his work with artists including Chaka Khan, Marcus Miller, Stanley Clarke, Roberta Flack, Erykah Badu, David Bowie, John Scofield, David Sanborn, Angelique Kidjo, Al Jarreau, Vanessa Williams, Victor Wooten, and Randy Crawford. Native of New York and a second generation musician he has been immersed in music since he was born. Taking cues from his father, a jazz musician and professor of music, Poogie has always had an inherent connection to music. As hard as it may be to believe, he started playing at the age of ten months old and made his concert debut when he was two and half at Pittsburgh’s Carnegie Hall with his father. By the time he was five he’d already appeared on The Mike Douglas Show with Pearl Bailey. As a kid it wasn’t unusual for Poogie to see the likes of drummer Max Roach, saxophonist Ornette Coleman, pianist Marylou Williams, bassists, Paul Chambers, Ron Carter and Richard Davis in his living room jammin’ with his father. Poogie is doing his own project with The Poogie Bell Band!

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You can catch the Poogie Bell Band at the Main Pub on Saturday night, April 28. Listen to my conversation with Poogie RIGHT HERE.

exp-EAR-ience..a monday afternoon

I had a chance to fill in for Alex from 1-3pm EST today and wanted to say thanks to those tuning in from myspace land and around the globe. Your thirsty earholes are always welcomed to stop thru GREENARROWRADIO for a fill up.

Here was the show goings-on:

Gettin’ into it, King Britt (Brother ? Mix)
Toe Foo, Ticklah
Ticklah’s Swing, Ticklah
16 Dimples, Mystic Bowie
Smells Like Teen Spirit, Patti Smith
Suits me Fine, King Johnson (live)
Ain’t Next to You, King Johnson (live)
Ridin’ High, Dread Clampitt
Totally Awesome, Honchie
Godzilla, Diego Garcia
Ardells Home, Stew Cutler Trio (live)
Mind of My Mind, Vernon Reid & Masque
Hi There, the Poogie Bell Band
Dark & Happy, the Poogie Bell Band
***CONVERSATION WITH POOGIE BELL***
Resurreccion, Panchito
Mantilla de Feria, Paco Pena w/the Losadas (live)
Wherever U go Whatever U do, Prince
Into You, Eymarel
Jekyll Island Night, Skeebo Knight
Reefer Headed Woman, Cashman
Do the Dirt, Phantom Blues Band
VooDoo Boogaloo, Ron Levy’s Wild Kingdom
Ashville to Abidjan, Toubab Krewe

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In the Groove w/Greenarrowradio

I was able to fill in for Ken, who is the host of a fine radio program here at WHUS from 7-9pm EST on Saturday evenings called IN THE GROOVE, JAZZ AND BEYOND.

Here is what it looked like after the smoke cleared:

To Bop or not to Be, John McLaughlin
Fly, Eymarel
You Sho’ Walk Funky, The Sol-Reys
Watch Me Fly, Reuben Wilson
Red Moon, Al DiMeola
Construcao, Ulisses Rocha
Brownie, Gus & Boo Boo, Skeebo Knight
Round Oak Blues, Skeebo Knight
Jekyll Island Nights, Skeebo Knight
Hi There, the Poogie Bell Band
Dark & Happy, the Poogie Bell Band
Legalize It, MSMW
Colon Pie, Skerik
Baghdad Cafe, Liquid Soul
Matthau, Depth Quartet
Dr. Smile, Club d’Elf (live)
Guitar Playah, Melvin Sparks
Dana’s Lick, Ripplegroove
Little Bag (in search of), Chris Spies
the Ministry of Truth, Bobby Previte
Getting into it, King Britt/Brother ? Mix
Therapeutic Space, Natacha Atlas/Marc Eagleton project
Gypsy, Ajamu Akinyele

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SUN in the sky. I see it.

Shake your Money Maker, Elmore James
Fine Little Mama, Elmore James
Heads in Georgia, JJ Cale & Eric Clapton
Paint my Masterpiece, Chris Whitley/Jeff Lang
Devil’s Dream, Peter Prince
Smells Like Teen Spirit, Patti Smith
White Rabbit, Patti Smith
Hale’s Lady, Pop Levi
Knock ’em Out, Lily Allen
Say When, Move.Ment
Everyday People, Maroon 5
You can Make it if you Try, B. Guy/J. Mayer
Wherever u go, whatever u do, Prince
Dance to the Music, the Clinton Administration
Hate to Lose your Lovin’, Little Feat
Chevrolet, the Wood Brothers (Live)
Big Time, Webb Wilder (live)
Louisiana Hannah, Webb Wilder (live)
Rebecca Rebecca, Mojo:Saint (live)
Footsteps, JJ Grey & Mofro
Turpentine, JJ Grey & Mofro
Back and Black, Robot Goes Here
Totally Awesome, Honchie
Red Sun, Anoushka Shankar
Indios do Norte, Forro in the Dark
Asa Branca, Forro in the Dark w/David Byrne
Garota de Ipanema, Ulisses Rocha
Redd Foxx, the Poogie Bell band
Creepin’, the Poogie Bell band
Round Oak Blues, Skeebo Knight
Descargate, Gino Castillo
Wishful Thinking, the Microscopic Septet
Mr. Bradley Mr. Martin, the Microscopic Septet
Descarga en la Egnem, Hilario Duran
Gonna Buy me a Mule, Koko Taylor
Lay Me Down, Laura Cheadle
Into You, Eymarel
People got to be Free, Keb Mo
Lets Dance, Jake Shimabukuro
Grandma’s Groove, Jake Shimabukuro

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Chillin’ wit some Nasty Beats Y’all.

I had an itch that needed to be scratched and there was only one cure…6 turntables and a Reggae Dub Trio named Zion Blood. There were dueling turntables throughout this night with heavy psychodelia and scratch-tastic beat dropping. The turntables even got involved in the dub action staying all around the stage while Zion Blood kept the irie feelings in the haze. Oh yeah. This was an inventive, creative soundscape of imagination and vinal madness. DJ Reazon, DJ Axel Foley and DJ Mister Rourke brought the noize to this quaint spot in the quiet corner of Connecticut. Tyrone Farm hosted this madness in their beautiful barn that would make any farmer jealous…if they didn’t have animals. If you are someone who often says that there is nothing good happening out there, you just haven’t thought about it long enough or you might need to tune into greenarrowradio for some live music to open your minds and fill up those thirsty earholes. You won’t be going down the wrong avenue if one of these fine DJ’s is making magic in your neck of the woods. Supposrt live music!

G

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Dj Reazon & DJ Mister Rourke at Tyrone Farm

Saturday with Babe Zero

I want to thank Babe Zero for filling in for me this weekend. The first time I missed a show in this timeslot EVER. From the looks of it, she did it right by all of our open minds & thirsty earholes.

SONG, ARTIST, ALBUM
1. Flying, The Beatles, Magical Mystery Tour
2. Man In the Shed, Nick Drake, Five Leaves Left
3. Some Kind of Chill, Arizona, Welcome Back Dear Children
4. Honest Bluff, Ben & Vesper, All This Could Kill You
5. See a Penny (Pick It Up), YACHT, I Believe In You. Your Magic Is Real.
6. +81, Deerhoof, Friend Opportunity
7. Diamond Ring, Joseph Arthur & the Lonely Astronauts, Let’s Just Be
8. To Go Home, M Ward, Post War
9. Up Against the Wall, Peter Bjorn & John, Writers Block
10. My Punishment for Fighting The Rosebuds, Night of the Furies
11. No One Does It Like You, Department of Eagles, Gold Suits
12. Diamond Meadows, T Rex, T Rex
13. Tell Me In the Morning, Cold War Kids, Robbers & Cowards
14. Hang Me Up To Dry, Cold War Kids, Robbers & Cowards
15. Moving to LA, Art Brut, Bang Bang rock and Roll
16. Rehab, Amy Winehouse, Back to Black
17. Think I’m In Love, Beck, The Information
18. Starman, Golden Smog, Blood On the Slacks
19. Hate It Here, Wilco, Sky Blue Sky
20. That’s Entertainment, The Jam, Sound Affects
21. Who Do You Love?, Ted Leo & the Phamacists, Living With the Living
22. Whole Wide World, Wreckless Eric, The Whole Wide World
23. St. Pete, Shannon Wright, Let In the Light
24. The Search, Son Volt, The Search
25. A Minha Menina, Band of Bees, Sunshine Hit Me
26. Almost Ready, Dinosaur Jr., Beyond
27. The Mascot Is Winning, Hot IQs, An Arguement Between the Brain & Feet
28. Wintering in Brooklyn, Last Town Chorus, Wire Waltz
29. More to Living, Ponies in the Surf, Ponies in the Surf
30. Fairest of the Season, Nico, Chelsea Girl”

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Novelist Kurt Vonnegut Dies at 84

In books such as “Slaughterhouse-Five ,” “Cat’s Cradle,” and “Hocus Pocus,” Kurt Vonnegut mixed the bitter and funny with a touch of the profound. Vonnegut, regarded by many critics as a key influence in shaping 20th-century American literature, died Wednesday at 84. Vonnegut’s more than a dozen books, short stories, essays and plays contained elements of social commentary, science fiction and autobiography. Vonnegut lectured regularly, exhorting audiences to think for themselves and delighting in barbed commentary against the institutions he felt were dehumanizing people. Some of Vonnegut’s books were banned and burned for alleged obscenity. He took on censorship as an active member of the PEN writers’ aid group and the American Civil Liberties Union. The American Humanist Association, which promotes individual freedom, rational thought and scientific skepticism, made him its honorary president. Vonnegut once said that of all the ways to die, he’d prefer to go out in an airplane crash on the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro. He often joked about the difficulties of old age.

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CASHMAN::Texassippi Stomp

Call it raw like a freshly opened musical wound, or perhaps you might give it the name of back porch delta swamp blues where you can feel the mosquitoes dancing on your skin. Either way, this album is meant to be played loud. The album is called “Texassippi Blues” and it couldn’t be more appropriate – a slice of Texas – a pinch of the Mississippi Delta. As someone who spins music for listeners with thirsty earholes an open minds, I find this album to satisfy the senses of those seeking a foot stomper, a “hell yeah” and to be taken back a few steps into the blues that made you remember the first time your caught an earful of the legends. Cashman is Ray Cashman & Gabby Brown, that’s right just the two making all that sound….they get a little help from Mr. Jimbo Mathus on a few tracks and the assist to his fine label, 219 Records. I give you a boot on the backside towards the music outlet of your choice to make this one a priority.

***** MisterG Rating.

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Talking with Ellie Vee of the Charms

When Little Steven began signing bands to his new label, Wicked Cool Records, one of the bands at the top of the list was Boston-based purveyors of the garage rock movement, the Charms. On February 14, the Charms make their Wicked Cool debut with Strange Magic, their fourth release. The Charms’ sound garnered them attention from the very beginning when lead singer/songwriter Ellie Vee and guitarist Joe Wizda formed the band in 2002. Their first demo immediately caught the ear of Bill Kelly (Teenage Wasteland) and Gene Simmons, who was so impressed by what he heard that he called Ellie Vee personally to offer his feedback. The demo also landed in the hands of their manager Steev Riccardo who pushed the band to record their first CD Charmed I’m Sure. The disc was released in January 2003 on Red Car Records, a label stared by Riccardo, Vee and Wizda. Reaction to the CD was immediate with heavy airplay on college radio and specialty garage rock radio shows, and media coverage in local publications. Before long the Charms became one of the most popular bands in Boston. This band is even more red hot in a live setting, but the studio work gives you a great feel for this band living inside the world of high powered rock-n-roll.

Check out Ellie Vee & MisterG chatting here.

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SuperLIZ working the First Hour +

So, SuperLIZ pledged her money to get an hour of her own set on greenarrowradio. it worked out well. She had a plan and we got all her tracks in. A happy time by all. Thanks to LIZ for being cool.

Bitter Route, Indigo Girls
Modulation, Ani Difranco
The Between Poses, Jen Foster
The Parking Lot Song, Ellis
Heat, Hammel on Trial
Fill me Up, Shawn Colvin
This Love, Melissa Ferrick
As Girls Go, Suzanne Vega
Freein You, Indigo Girls
Hoist That Rag, Tom Waits
Shameless, Ani Difranco
Pray for Grace, Michael Franti & Spea
Happy Birthday, Concrete Blonde
One Good Man, Janis Joplin
Baby I Love You, Aretha Franklin
Don’t Look for Me, Jeffery Faucault

___________________________________________________
….back to Mister G Programming……
Nem Sol Nem Lua, Toninko Ferragutti
Conversa de Botequim, Nelson Aynes
Chove Chuva, Ulisses Rocha
Urban Mbalax, Brewed by Noon
Bara, Tonights African band w/Abdoulaye Diabate
Hang Tan, Toubaba Krewe
Love & Inity, Damien Marley
Brethe it Live it, Dubconscious
Vishnu Dub, Club d’elf
Ninja of Love, Keller Williams/Michael Franti
American Way, the CHARMS
***Conversation w/Ellie Vee of the CHARMS***
So Romantic, the CHARMS
LTD, the CHARMS
Leap of Faith, Sara Wasserman/DJ Logic/Alan Evans
Leave Your Hat On, Shari Puorto
Out of Control, Lisa Lawrence
Knockin’ Luminescent Orchestrii
Fur Peace Rag, Jorma Kaukonen
Late Breaking News, Jorma Kaukonen
Pray, the Book of Knots w/Tom Waits
Rotten Corpse, Frank Pahl
Families, Neil Young
Black Pearls, Al Di Meola

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Coach Eddie Robinson did it right.

“I think the thing that stands out about Coach the most is the development of transforming boys into men and preparing them for life,” said Monroe, La., native James “Shack” Harris, vice president of player personnel for the Jacksonville Jaguars and a former Grambling and NFL quarterback. “He understood the players and where they came from and what it took to be successful.” Robinson once estimated he coached more than 4,500 varsity athletes in football, basketball and baseball with an 85% graduation rate. “I tended to want to bring things out in a football player as a student,” Robinson said. “We were blessed to have some good football players, but when you graduate people, they seem to be good people. They get a degree, and they can go out and handle things.” Robinson’s career spanned 11 presidents, several wars and the civil-rights movement. “The real record I have set for over 50 years is the fact that I have had one job and one wife,” Robinson said.

Coach Robinson ended his 57 year career at Grambling with a remarkable 408-165-15 record and sending more than 200 players to the NFL.

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DJ Mister Rourke to the Quiet Corner

April 6th TURNTABLE MADNESS and LIVE REGGAE: Mister Rourke, Axel Foley, DJ Reazon,and Zion Blood: Heading to Tyrone Farm in Pomfret Connecticut.
Prepare yourself for new concepts as scratch musicians Mister Rourke, Axel Foley and DJ Reazon improvise together live on six turntables, manipulating every imaginable noise from their arsenal of samples. Rourke is considered a pioneer of using the turntable in a live band setting. He has performed with his eight piece ensembles Fat Bag, The Formula, and with countless bands in genres including Hip Hop, Funk, Dub Reggae, Free Jazz, Electronica, Blues, Ambient, Moroccan, Trip Hop, R&B, African and even Gospel. His work has earned him three Boston Music Awards, he has been featured in the Boston Globe, jambase.com, Hip Hop Nation, Billboard Magazine, MTVs The Real World and HBO’s The Chris Rock Show. His music has also been used in short films, commercials, video games, made-for television movies, and a variety of local art exhibits. The DJ’s will be joined by Zion Blood, a Boston based progressive dub reggae trio which has been playing in Boston for the past 2 years. Their style is innovative, their compositions are original and the playing is spot on.

Check out my convo with DJ Mister Rourke here.

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I think I feel a DRAFT!

Do the Dirt, the Phantom Blues Band
I Only Have Love, Phantom Blues Band w/Taj
Think, Phantom Blues Band
Muddy Water, Keb Mo
Whole Nutha Thang, Keb Mo
Papa Dukie & the Mudpeople, the Subdudes
(a style called)Crying Chic, Pop Levi
Last Girl on Earth, Supreme Beings of Leisure
Love Sweet Love, Morcheeba
Making Room for a New Day, Emily Grogan
Childe, Dana Varon
Violent Berries, Exit Clov
My Dear Country, Norah Jones
Under the Boardwalk, Tom Tom Club
Eva, Tonights African Band w/Abdoulaye Diabate
Moose, Toubab Krewe (live)
Ana, Vieux Farka Toure
***Conversation with DJ Mister Rourke***
#3, DJ MR. Rourke/Mike Rivard/J. Trauma/G. Scott/B.Sayers(live)
All Night Party, Little Axe
Soulshine, Gov’t Mule (live)
Coffee, Papa Mali
Po’ Jon, John Lisi & Delta Funk
Blah Blah Blah, John Lisi & Delta Funk
Como MS, Cashman
Everybody Love You, Hazmat Modine
Rebecca Rebecca, Mojo:Saint (live)
Chickenshack, Mojo:Saint (live)
Angelina, Tony Tyler Trance
***Conversation with Tony Tyler***
Where are the Angels, Tony Tyler Trance
Tailspin, MOE.
Pray, Book of Knots feat. Tom Waits
Ferocious, Nikki Armstrong

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