The Music Court

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

Disclaimer: Concerts may not come with sick light show

Happy Monday everyone. Well, I should say, happy Monday morning everyone. After a long weekend of little sleep, I am back to blogging with a big smile on my face. I thought we would do a little concert preview on the Music Court today. Summer always brings warm weather and large, triumphant tours. There are a lot of good ones this summer. For today’s post, we will explore some of the names that are going to be popping up (hopefully not just in New York) in your area this summer (and one in the fall). I will do this in chronological order and let you know my feelings on the concert below it. Keep in mind, there are several other amazing tours going on this summer. This is only a short sampling. I would love to hear your thoughts on all of these concerts and others below. Please comment. I urge you.

State Radio and John Butler Trio (June 15, 2010 at Central Park Summerstage)

State Radio and John Butler are good friends. They enjoy very similar things, music being a big knot holding the friendship together. This summer they have decided to let the country hear the fruits of their friendship. And, I am PSYCHED! State Radio and the John Butler Trio are two extraordinary bands. The John Butler Trio will come into this tour riding the success of their new album April Uprising. State Radio, who released their newest album last September, will certainly enjoy Butler’s company while they bang out their own great hits. This should be an exciting concert.

Link with other concert dates: http://www.stateradio.com/content/state-radio-and-john-butler-trio-summer-tour-announcement

Carole King and James Taylor (June 15,16,30 at Madison Square Garden)

It is always exciting when two lyrical masters take the stage together. This combination offers an unusual opportunity to see King and Taylor perform their old hits. They will most definitely make the biggest arena on Earth feel like an intimate venue.

Link: http://www.thegarden.com/events/carole-king-james-taylor-610.html

YES and Peter Frampton (June 26 at Jones Beach Theater)

Welcome back to 1970’s rock. The stuff that happened before it all went to you know what. YES and Peter Frampton will pair up for a 25-city USA tour this summer that will most definitely be a blast. Frampton is hitting the road in support of his new release, Thank You Mr Churchill, which is set to hit the music world on April 27. YES will tour without vocalist Jon Anderson or keyboard player Rick Wakeman who both have ongoing health issues. Yet, guitarist Steve Howe, bassist Chris Squire, and drummer Alan White, will join forces with Wakeman’s son Oliver on keyboard and Benoit David on lead vocals. It should be a fun concert.

Link with other dates: http://www.yesworld.com/ywtour.html

David Gray and Ray LaMontagne (Aug. 19 at Jones Beach Theater)

David Gray and Ray LaMontagne are sensitive singer/songwriters and their brand of music is relaxing and stunning. When I saw that they were co-headlining, I was understandably excited. Both Gray and LaMontagne’s recent releases were great successes and it will be awesome seeing them on stage together. This a concert where venue can make the show. If the Jones Beach summer night is cool and airy, with a light sea breeze swirling through the air, the music will be elevated to a heavenly level.

Link with other dates: http://www.sentimentalistmag.com/2010/03/31/david-gray-and-ray-lamontagne-announce-joint-tour/

Roger Waters (Oct. 5 at Madison Square Garden, Oct. 12 at Nassau Coliseum, Nov. 3 at Izod Center)

Yes, you have that right. Three dates in the tri-state region. Buffalo will even get Roger Waters. Waters’ tour will focus on the 30th anniversary of The Wall and I am really looking forward to it. I will definitely come home for school for one of these dates. Roger Waters put on an amazing show during his Dark Side of the Moon Tour a few years ago. This fall should be no different.

Link with other dates: http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2010/04/12/roger-waters-announces-30th-anniversary-tour-for-the-wall/

Rumors: The best concert rumor out there is a potential huge Paul McCartney tour that may be his last hurrah. Keep checking back. I hope it happens

John Lennon would have been 70 years old this October if we lived in the world he depicted in his beautiful hit, “Imagine.” Yet, 30 years ago, as Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono returned to the Dakota, the New York apartment building where they lived, Lennon was shot multiple times in the back by Mark David Chapman and killed. His voice and mind may have been silenced that night, but his message of peace and love lives on today.

As Lennon’s October birthday approaches, the city of Liverpool, England, has announced a festival in his honor. Liverpool thankfully understands how important the former Beatles’ musician is. The festival will be a two-month celebration. It will begin on Oct. 9, Lennon’s birthday, at the Cavern Club. The Cavern Club is where the young foursome were first discovered by manager Brian Epstein. The events taking place during the festival are still being ironed out, but it will feature poetry, art, film and a tribute concert titled “Lennon Remembered.” The festival will end on Dec. 9, the 30th anniversary of Lennon’s death.

This is fantastic news. I feel that it is remarkably important to remember John Lennon. Yes, he was certainly cocky and sarcastic, but, he extended a fatidic message of peace that remains just as important today as it did 30 years ago. I am sure Liverpool will put on a great display devoted to the late Lennon that will make super fans, like myself, proud. Give peace a chance and Imagine.

Article: http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2010/04/liverpool-prepares-for-two-month-john-lennon-festival.html

In other John Lennon related news, American Idol had its Lennon-McCartney songbook night on Tuesday and the result was an expected uninspiring string of covers. Yet, Casey James, a 27-year-old contestant from Fort Worth, Texas, stood out with a performance of Lennon’s solo piece, “Jealous Guy.” James’ voice is tender and he certainly gives it his all. I kind of enjoy his bare performance of the Lennon classic. What do you all think?

Article: http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2010/04/07/songs-from-lennonmccartney-catalog-return-to-american-idol/

What is that smell in the air? That sweet scent of leather gloves, fresh cut grass and steamed hot dogs. That optimistic smell of new uniforms, new players and a new season. Opening day is here for the New York Mets and I cannot be happier. At 1:10 p.m. the Mets season will kick off and despite all the negativity surrounding the team, I am happy and positive this morning. Opening day presents the only time during the baseball season where every team is on an equal playing ground. Each team has zero wins and zero losses. (Forget about the Red Sox and Yankees who played last night, briefly) Every team is beginning as fresh as the unsullied uniforms and packed infield dirt.

The best way to compare opening day to music is by imagining a simple guitar riff. Go ahead, imagine it. It’s chord progression is probably not so original. It is like 100 different chord progressions that you have heard before. But, it has potential. Soon it will be transformed into a dulcet song with a variety of other instruments and sounds. A vocal track may be placed on top of it. Soon enough that chord progression will be in the background. It will always be there, the original sound that inspired the rest of the song. That is what opening day is to me. It is that which inspires the rest of the complicated season. It is the opening hope and optimistic beginning.

I have been a New York Mets fan my entire life and opening day has always provided me with a wide smile. I remember my father taking me out of school early to drive to Shea stadium and watch the New York Mets open the season. The team may not be great this year. In three weeks I may be saying how much they are a waste of my time. But, at least for this one afternoon, I can sit back on my couch and tell my dad that I believe. Because, just like all other baseball fans out there, opening day gives us a chance to be optimistic. Opening day is why baseball is America’s pastime.

Here is a great article from Bleacher Report: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/373383-new-york-mets-opening-day-optimism

And for a little music how about some “Meet the Mets”

Enjoy opening day!

Crazy in two different ways.

The Steve Miller Band, after staying dormant in the CD department for 17 years, will finally release an album this year. And, like a large Volcano explosion, the band will not stop at just one album. “Bingo” will be released on June 15 and it will contain covers of some great blues hits. You can be sure that being the master Steve Miller is, the songs will be of high quality. A second, companion album will be released next spring. The album should be a success and his lack of recent fresh material should spark some sales. Here is some “Joker” to celebrate.

Former long-haired American Idol heartthrob, Jason Castro, celebrated Billboard’s Mashup Mondays with an slowed down acoustic version of “Crazy” by Gnarls Barkley. Interesting version. I do enjoy his voice and the chorus gives him the opportunity to display his chops. What do you think?