Archive | April, 2010

Willie Nelson Smokes Marijuana?

19 Apr

I love Willie Nelson. The 76-year-old country musician is fantastic and he also seems to know how to have fun. When I had the privilege of interviewing Mickey Raphael, Nelson’s long-time harmonica player, I asked him if anything would ever slow down Nelson. He responded, “He is playing music and golf. What is there to retire from?” That sounds like a magnificent life.

Nelson also knows where he stands on issues and he is never afraid to express himself. On April 15, Nelson appeared on “Larry King Live” and was asked by King if he smoked marijuana. Nelson quickly responded, “Yes, sure,” and admitted to King that he smoked just minutes before he appeared on the show. U.S. viewers were stunned by this admission. Are you kidding me? Willie Nelson is synonymous with marijuana usage. Come on guys. There are far more people in this country that know Nelson passes joints in his eco-friendly bus than people who know the capital of Nevada (hint: it’s not Las Vegas).

The fact that people were shocked by his live proclamation is just hilarious. When I read the article (linked below) my immediate response was right on Willie. Nelson does not care. He added in his interview, “You could arrest me.” He has a sense of humor and stands up for what he believes in. I have personally never taken a hit. This is my own personal choice. But, Nelson has, and he is not afraid to come out there and say it. I respect that. Like I said, I love Willie Nelson.

Article: http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/story/nelsons-drug-admission-stuns-us-viewers_1139377

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoiDCaxYiUE (This is the link to the Larry King Live segment. It is GREAT.)

My Favorite:

“I Fought the Law” and Bobby Fuller died?

17 Apr

Such is the mysterious case of Bobby Fuller and the famous 2-minute song “I Fought the Law.” The Sunny Curtis song,which most famously opens with the verse, “Breakin’ rocks in the hot sun, I fought the law and the law won, I fought the law and the law won,” took the Bobby Fuller Four to popularity. Bobby Fuller died on my birthday, July 18, in the year 1966, just a few months after the song was released.

The case of Bobby Fuller always interested me, and no, this is not just because he was born on my brother’s birthday, Oct. 22, and died on mine. While that is certainly odd, what intrigues me is the perplexing crime scene and police conclusion.

“I Fought the Law” had just become a top ten hit when Bobby Fuller was found dead in his mother’s automobile, which was parked outside of his Hollywood apartment. The doors of the car were unlocked, the windows closed, and there was no key inside the car. When the police reported to the gruesome scene Fuller was found, according to a witness, with traces of blood on his face, chest bruised, covered with gasoline. A slew of crime scene miscues eventually led to a suicide listing by the coroner. This was changed a few months later to accidental because of inhalation of gasoline. An interesting circumstance. The case was “solved” and stashed away. I think we need the people from “Cold Case” Many believe this was a murder. I do not know.

Check out this interesting press release by Bryan Thomas: http://www.kellyhogan.com/bands/rock/fuller.html

“I Fought the Law”:

“Let The Time Roll By” and Be Optimistic This Friday

15 Apr

Casual Friday has evolved over the years

It has just struck midnight and I am occupying myself, procrastinating away precious sleep hours, with mindless internet searching. This is normally the time where I run through various music blogs and sites and look for cool stuff to link back too. Don’t you just love the online community, so vocal and eager to share. Makes me optimistic. Yes, I hope this Friday brings happiness to all. So, to start your Friday right, I want to provide you with an awesome video from the effervescent, or as one reviewer would call, “catchy as hell” band Onward, Soldiers.

Check out this video: http://vimeo.com/10883519

Onward, Soldiers, led by Americana singer/songwriter Sean Gerard is fun rock n’ roll at its best. “Let The Time Roll By” is a good example of this. They are the perfect Friday group. Enjoy this song and check out their Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/onwardsoldiers

U2 set for debut at Glastonbury Festival

15 Apr

Every good concert needs a good performer. Every good festival needs several. Every awesome festival needs a list that makes you drop your jaw and go wow. The Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts never ceases to amaze with their band lists.

The festival, which will be held at Worthy Farm in Somerset, England, between June 23-27, should be another tremendous display of musical talent.

22-time Grammy Award winners, U2, will be making their first appearance at the festival, joining prog/pop rock band Muse, the Pet Shop Boys, Willie Nelson, The Flaming Lips, Ray Davies and others on the grand Pyramid Stage. Not to be outdone, Stevie Wonder, who is the proud owner of 25 Grammy Awards, will also make his Glastonbury debut.

The line-up is incredibly diverse and consists of countless bands, some known and some completely unknown. Glancing over the line-up, if I was going I would be most excited to see Willie Nelson, Muse, Jackson Browne, Stevie Wonder, Ray Davies, Pet Shop Boys, Grizzly Bear and The Magic Numbers. I am a big fan of the underrated Magic Numbers. That is an incredible list of musicians that will all be performing, on separate days, at this festival. If you are going, get excited. Take lots of pictures and post here to tell me how the concert was. Festival founder Michael Eavis told the Guardian newspaper, “This is it! It is the most staggering line-up, to match the 40-year reputation of the festival.” I have to agree.

Article: http://www.france24.com/en/20100415-stevie-wonder-star-glastonbury-festival

Full Set-List: http://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/

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Quick. How much money do you think this album will run you? It looks pretty crummy and worn. Maybe, $10. Try 100,000 pound sterling. This recording of Buddy Holly’s, “That’ll Be The Day,” is the original Quarrymen recording in 1958. The Quarrymen consisted of Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison, drummer Colin Hanton and pianist John Duff Lowe. This single is the only known copy of the pre-Beatles’ disc. It was recorded in an electrical shop. Here are pictures of the 20 most valuable records ever according to NME.

Link: http://www.nme.com/photos/the-20-most-valuable-records-ever/170754/1/1

Open Your Mind for Headtronics

14 Apr

Band: Headtronics

Genre: Jazz, Funk, Electronic dance music

Members:

– DJ Logic (Turntables)

– Freekbass (Bass)

– Steve Molitz (Keyboards)

Band Preview

In 1968, Eric Clapton, coming off a stint with John Mayall and The Bluesbreakers, teamed up with Jack Bruce (formerly of John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers, Graham Bond Organisation, and Manfred Mann) and Ginger Baker (formerly of  Graham Bond Organisation) to form one of the first supergroups, a combination of musicians already well-known for their work in other bands. The term was coined in 1968 from the title of a session album by Al Kooper, Mike Bloomfield and Stephen Stills. The album was titled Super Sessions.

Supergroups are still rocking the music community in the 2010’s. One such fresh supergroup just hitting the road for the first time in six days, performing their first show at The Crosstown Station in Kansas City, MO at 10 p.m. is funktronica supergroup Headtronics.

Headtronics is composed of three of today’s exciting funk musicians, keyboardist Steve Molitz (formerly of Particle and Phil Lesh and Friends), aptly titled bassist Freekbass (seven time Cincinnati music award winner), and talented turntablist DJ Logic.

Moltiz, Freakbass and DJ Logic met at the Church of Universal Love and Music Festival last summer, and after an on-stage jam session they decided to play some shows together. Music fans open your minds and allow the music of Headtronics to pour inside. Check out their myspace page for a song sample: http://www.myspace.com/headtronics

I had the opportunity to interview Molitz about the band and where he sees the project going in the future.

  1. Music Court: Describe for me how the Church of Universal Love and Music Festival last
    summer inspired you all to form Headtronics. Had you ever collaborated
    before prior to that event.

    Steve Molitz: The CULM Fest was the first time that we all played together. There was enough synergy while the three of of us were improvising that we decided to explore the combination and the sound a bit more.

  2. MC: Can you give me an idea of Headtronics’ sound? What will the music be
    like?

    SM: I think it’ll be a nice mix of funk, groove, jazz, and electronic dance music…

  3. MC: Headtronics is an awesome name. Where did it spawn from?

    SM: Bootsy Collins thought of it… (Bootsy Collins is a legendary funk musician)

  4. MC: Your tour is just about to start. Can you tell fans who are going to
    flock to venues to see Headtronics what they can expect from the
    collaboration.

    SM: Since this is our first tour together, even we don’t know exactly what to expect! So, I suppose fans can just expect the unexpected, and they can expect to dance…

  5. MC: Are you planning on taking this collaboration into the studio?

    SM: Absolutely!

  6. MC: You all have such a diverse musical background. I am wondering, if you
    were stuck on a desert island with only access to three songs, what songs
    would you choose?

    SM:
    1. Bob Marley: No Woman No Cry
    2. Paul Simon: Homeless
    3. Michael Jackson: Man In The Mirror

Good choices by Molitz.

Concert Times:

Tuesday, April 20th The Crosstown Station, Kansas City, MO at 10:00 pm

Wednesday, April 21st Cherokee 2720, St. Louis, MO at 9:00 pm

Thursday, April 22nd Headliner’sm Louisville, KY Time TBA

Friday, April 23rd The V Club, Huntington, WV Time TBA

Saturday, April 24th The Play by Play, Cincinnati, OH Time TBA

Monday April 26th Cosmic Charlie’s, Lexington, KY at 10:00 pm

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