Archive | September, 2010

Robin Trower is Live

22 Sep

Robin Trower has made a career of flying under the radar. He put together eye-opening guitar pieces for Procol Harum when he played lead guitar for them from 1967-1971. And then he created his own power trio and went on to record one of the best rock/blues pieces of the 1970s. Seriously, “Bridge of Sighs” (1974) is as good as it gets. But, ask about Robin Trower today, and besides the classic rock intelligentsia composed of people who lived during the era and classic rock diehards like myself, most people do not know about the wonders of Robin Trower. But, tonight, I want to dig slightly deeper into Robin Trower. I want to go under his more known Bridge of Sighs and Twice Removed From Yesterday (1973) and explore the realm of one of Trower’s underrated, underrated albums. You following me? The man is underrated twice over. Go underneath the surface and find the awesome chocolate filling.

Robin Trower Live - 1976

Robing Trower’s power trio (which also consisted of drummer Bill Lordan and excellent vocalist James Dewar) performed a live set for the Swedish Broadcasting Corporation. The concert was at the Stockholm Concert Center in Sweden. It took place on Feb. 3, 1975. In an interview with Guitar Player magazine in 2006, Trower said that they were not aware the show was being taped, thinking they were playing for a radio broadcast only. “We were loose and uninhibited, and we played one of our best shows,” said Trower.

It was not one of their best shows…it was their best show. The sound that seeped from his guitar that night was magical. And, one cannot forget about the wonderful drumming by Lordan and Dewar’s croon. As for live albums, the album is not looked at as one of the better ones of the favorites, but, I am telling you tonight that it is certainly up there. The album is a must-listen and if you like good blues guitar you should start listening to Mr. Trower.

Here is “Alethea” which he also performed in Sweden. This recording is in London in 1975.

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Early Morning Chill

21 Sep

Occasionally you just get to a point when you are overworked, overtired, and overcommited. I have reached this point where the sheer force of off-campus commitments is starting to seep into my daily life. And now as I sit in front of my computer at this early morning hour preoccupied about said off and on campus commitments I seriously need a nice panacea. Now, since I do not take drugs (and plus those are not a complete cure) music is my crutch. Nothing like putting some music on to simply relax you. Now, to lift myself up out of the jumbled and crowded cave, here is a song I always turn to, to calm me down. “Somewhere over the Rainbow” by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole.

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Herb Wise’s Photographic Exploration of Musicians

17 Sep

Herb Wise is one of better photographers in rock n’ roll. Over the course of his career he traveled and photographed some of rock’s famous musicians, using kindness and dedication to earn respect from the musician’s he was photographing.

About his travels, “”You’d like many of these people,” said Wise. “They are good friends, even to know them through a brief glance along the way.”

In a new book being released Oct. 1 by Omnibus press, rare photographs of “People You’d Like to Know,” including Bob Dylan, John Lee Hooker and Blondie will be featured in wonderful black and white captures.

A celebration of the book opening will be held In Morrison Hotel in New York City on October 28 and at the event prints will be on display.

There is nothing quite like rock photography. Attempting to capture some of the best 20th century musicians is as easy as going to a concert with a good camera. But, getting close-up, personal and comfortable shots of musiciansis a skill that is not easy to come by. Herb Wise honed this skill over his many years as a photographer and this compilation of his photos is sure to be fantastic. Here is one of my favorite photographs of Chuck Berry.

Chuck Berry, 1979, in New Orleans at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Credit: Herb Wise

I will be up in Ithaca visiting my brother this weekend. Have a good weekend and I will meet up with you on Monday.

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Six Degrees of Your Ipod #3: The Glorious Return

16 Sep

Will this be one of the songs? I don't know. This post is happening in real time

I forgot how much I liked this post category. It was lost in all of the song of the days and court links over the summer. But, in searching for something to post today I came across this category and chose it for a solid Thursday post. By the way, my laptop had a slight problem around two weeks ago that caused my file of lyricists to be deleted. So, I need to create a new list. Top 100 lyricists will be back, but, not for a while. Now let us explore how the first and sixth song that randomly appear on my Ipod relate to each other. The Six Degrees of Kevin…I mean…your Ipod

1.) “10538 Overture” by Electric Light Orchestra

“10538 Overture” was the first single released by Electric Light Orchestra. This song was actually intended to appear as the B-Side of one of The Move’s (British rock band featuring Roy Wood) singles. Rick Price, of the Move, played bass on the track but was never credited because in edits the bass line was lost and ELO everything Jeff Lynne had to lay down a new track. The song, about an escaped prisoner, is perhaps best known for its fantastic guitar riff and cello. Lynne writes, “I had this guitar track, like a real big riff on a guitar. I laid it down in the studio and Roy Wood got his cello, his Chinese cello, and he overdubbed about fifteen cello riffs, just double tracking all the time– and it sounded fantastic. We thought, it was like ‘Wow!’ and we just sat round playing it for days.”

2.) “Dominoes” by Syd Barrett

3.) “Home” by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros

4.) “That is Moves” by Greg Laswell

5.) “And Your Bird Can Sing” by The Beatles

6.) “Groovin” by the Young Rascals

Ah, 1967. The Young Rascals release the future number one hit, “Groovin” a classic 60’s song about love and a calm summer afternoon. The ultimate 60’s chill song written by Felix Cavaliere and Eddie Brigati. It also has some excellent diversity. The song includes elements of Afro-Cuban music including a Cuban-based bass guitar line from session musician Chuck Rainey.

The Connection:

Okay, this may not please everyone but these two bands are connected more on their music then their members. Let me explain. The Young Rascals hail from New Jersey. ELO is from Birmingham, England. It’s going to be tough to connect them. But, let’s look at these two songs more in depth. The Rascals, who were always considered blue eyed soul, release this new song with Afro-Cuban beats and a relaxed groove that is completely different than their white-soul roots. So much so that Atlantic Records head Jerry Wexler initially did not want to release the song. Flash forward five years and ELO is taking normal rock n’ roll and adding horns and strings to it in order to create a different classical sound. Both bands expanded their genre and had success. That, to me, is connection enough.


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There’s Something Happening Here – Buffalo Springfield Reunion

14 Sep

Well, the Jets home opener did not go as well as it could of. A loss combined with the loss of a fantastic defensive force in Kris Jenkins has left Jets’ fans pessimistic. But, like I have said, let’s wait to see how things go next week. But, do you want some good news Jets fans.

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/17386/202900

Ah, yeah!

It may have been 42 years too long, but, Buffalo Springfield will reunite for Neil Young’s Bridge School Benefit in Mountain View, California on Oct. 23 and 24. Original members Neil Young, Stephen Stills and Richie Furay will perform.

According to Furay, Young’s longtime bassist Rick Rosas will sit in for the late Bruce Palmer and Crosby, Stills and Nash drummer Joe Vitale will substitute for the late Dewey Martin.

Furay said in regards to the concert, “I called (after Neil Young asked him to call) and he asked me if I’d be up for a reunion at the Bridge School Benefit. He said, ‘If you’re into it, I think Stephen will be into it.’ The three of us then arranged a conference call, chit-chatted for a few minutes, and planned it all out. The last time I was on-stage with them was the last Buffalo Springfield show at the Long Beach Arena back in 1968. Our lives have gone in different directions and I wouldn’t say that we’re close friends, but we’re friends and its an opportunity for us to get together again for a good cause. I’m very excited.”

While I will not be able to attend the benefit I am quite excited to hear this news. Maybe a tour? Man, that would be awesome. And then the remaining members of the Byrds can get together, add Graham Nash and play a tri-show between the Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, and an encore of Crosby Stills Nash Young and Friends. Well, a man can dream.

“The setlist will probably be composed of the three albums, though probably more of the first album with a few of the second album and maybe ‘On The Way Home’ from the last one,” said Furay. I really have no idea, though. I’m just going to show up and have a good time.”

Will they listen to me and tour after the benefit?

“Whether anything happens after this, I certainly don’t know. Generally speaking, it’s Neil that gets these things set up and happening. We’re not really saying ‘Hey New York and Chicago and Miami and Denver, we’re coming to your city.”

Well, it is not a no.

Here is some classic Springfield (the Buffalo kind) to brighten up your night.

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