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

SWOD (Song of the Day/Word of the Day) #15: Neologism

13 Apr

Today’s Word:

Man, would this confuse me

Neologism (Noun): The use or creation of new words or expressions.

Musical Example: There has been a long and illustrious history of musicians thinking about made-up words and placing them into songs. And, this Neologism knows no bounds, extending from Broadway’s use of fantastical in Song of the South’s “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah” to Hanson’s “MmmBop,” which still baffles me. What were those kids thinking? But, what I believe is the best example of this art, is a band that successfully creates a brand new word and expression, “Californication”

Yes, I believe the song is supposed to portray the dark side of Hollywood, but that doesn’t leave it resistant to the fact that it is completely made up. The Red Hot Chili Peppers don’t seem to care. They like making up words (or at least combining existing ones). Their song “Quixoticelixer,” meaning an impulsive medicinal concoction if you separate the two words, is just another example of this Neologism

“Californication”

New York Concertpalooza

12 Apr

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

Six Degrees of Your Ipod #2

9 Apr

The second instalment of Six Degrees of Your Ipod is happening…RIGHT NOW! I know it is mightily exciting. This weekend will be full of philanthropy and Delta Sigma Phi (two great things).

1.) “Homecoming King” by Guster

Guster, the alternative rock band that was formed by three Tufts University students students in 1991, is quite possibly the best thing to ever come out of Tufts University. Okay, I’ll give you Allan Cormack who won the Noble Prize for his work on x-ray computed tomography. Anyway, all kidding aside, Guster is tremendous band who combines wonderful harmony, awesome bongos, and great instrumentals. “Homecoming King” displays all of these wonderful qualities and more and is some of Guster’s best work.

2.) “Blue Suede Shoes” by Carl Perkins

3.) “Back Home” by Eric Clapton

4.) “Can’t Find My Way Home” by Blind Faith

5.) “Dizzie Miss Lizze” by The Beatles

6.) “Going to Monaco” by The Mountain Goats

John Darnielle is a musical genius and I have not hesitated writing that on this blog numerous times. “Going to Monaco” appears on Bitter Melon Farm which is the second album in a three-part series of compilations of songs. It was released in 1999 and has 27 songs. “Going to Monaco” first appeared on the EP Transmissions to Horace in 1993. The EP has 10 songs (isn’t that more like an album.” The song is a short acoustic ditty with a great lyric.

Connection: In “Homecoming King” Guster makes mention to going back to the year 1994 and in a sense, going home. This is one year after John Darnielle released “Transmissions to Horace” on cassette on the record label Sonic Enemy. Sonic Enemy also released Beck’s first album “Golden Feelings” in 1993 on cassette. On Beck’s album he has a song entitled “Gettin’ Home” about going home. So, Guster to Mountain Goats to Beck.

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