re: NEW STUFF:
Last week we told you about Brian Wilson touring with Jeff Beck ... and their stopover here in Chicago at The House Of Blues later this month (October 29th).
David Beard (of Endless Summer Quarterly) just posted a review of the show he saw in Georgia last week. You can read it all here.
Last night the guys did the "Right To Rock Benefit 2013" concert honoring Darlene Love, with Steven VanZandt and Jake Clemons ... and tonight they're appearing at The Pearl Theater in Las Vegas with special guest Blondie Chapman.
Meanwhile, here is a list of upcoming concert dates ... check to see if these guys are headed into your area!
Brian Wilson / Jeff Beck tour
TONIGHT - Oct. 18 — Las Vegas, NV (Pearl Theater) with Blondie Chaplin
Oct. 20 — Los Angeles, CA (Greek Theatre) with Blondie Chaplin
Oct. 22 — Oakland, CA (Paramount Theatre) with Blondie Chaplin
Oct. 25 — Detroit, MI (Fox Theatre)
Oct. 26 — Toronto, ON (Massey Hall)
Oct. 27 — Akron, OH (EJ Thomas Performance Arts)
Oct. 29 — Chicago, IL (House of Blues, School Rocks benefit)
Oct. 30 — Milwaukee, WI (Milwaukee Riverside Theatre)
Oct. 20 — Los Angeles, CA (Greek Theatre) with Blondie Chaplin
Oct. 22 — Oakland, CA (Paramount Theatre) with Blondie Chaplin
Oct. 25 — Detroit, MI (Fox Theatre)
Oct. 26 — Toronto, ON (Massey Hall)
Oct. 27 — Akron, OH (EJ Thomas Performance Arts)
Oct. 29 — Chicago, IL (House of Blues, School Rocks benefit)
Oct. 30 — Milwaukee, WI (Milwaukee Riverside Theatre)
Got an extra $650 bucks you don't know what to do with? (Cool ... send it my way ... I want to go see The Rascals!!!)
Seriously, check out this hot new Rolling Stones release, tied in with a special promotion with Fender Guitars ...
It's the Beggar's Banquet Guitar Box Set!!! (And you'd better move quickly, because only 300 of these are being made!)
At a list price of just under $850, this truly is designed for the collectors' market ... but what an cool and interesting conversation piece it would be!
ABKCO MUSIC & RECORDS AND FENDER® RELEASE LIMITED EDITION ROLLING STONES BEGGARS BANQUET GUITAR PACKAGE
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (October 15, 2013) — Beggars can be choosers this holiday season, thanks to the Limited Edition Fender Beggars Banquet Telecaster® guitar package sold exclusively through www.amazon.com. The Beggars Banquet Telecaster is the result of a strategic marketing venture between ABKCO Music & Records and Fender in celebration of ABKCO’s recent release of the ‘Clearly Classic’ edition of the landmark album on clear vinyl.
Only 300 of the guitar packages will be produced, featuring artwork from the Rolling Stones Beggars Banquet cover on the front and the gatefold feast on the back of the guitar’s body, as well as a numbered neck plate, Beggars Banquet clear vinyl LP and Fender-branded guitar wall hanger. For the first time ever, as a result of a new state of the art printing process, the artwork is printed directly onto the guitar’s body and pickguard, ensuring vibrant high-resolution imagery and maximum durability. The box the guitar package is shipped in is adorned with iconic Rolling Stones LP cover art, creating the perfect gift for rock ‘n’ roll enthusiasts the world over.
The Beggars Banquet Telecaster guitar incorporates the original album art from 1968, when the Stones’ legendary album was first released in the UK. The cover depicts a graffiti-defaced public toilet, which at the time was deemed too controversial for domestic consumption in the U.S., prompting the record company to package it with an all white alternate cover. ABKCO restored the cover art to the original in successive re-issues of the title culminating with the current ‘Clearly Classic’ LP version.
“The music on Beggars Banquet is as unique, powerful and timeless as the Telecaster guitar,” said Justin Norvell, vice president of marketing for Fender. “By working with ABKCO and Amazon, we’re able to create an instrument as raw and original as the album.”
“The Limited Edition Beggars Banquet guitar package expands the long and successful partnership between ABKCO and Fender,” noted Alisa Coleman, ABKCO Music & Records Senior Executive Vice President. “It is yet another opportunity for us to expose The Rolling Stones’ music to guitar aficionados and fans around the world.”
For more information, go to www.fender.com/beggars-banquet. To purchase the guitar package, go to www.amazon.com.
OK, now THIS one looks really interesting ... and what a GREAT way to fill out your collection! (Man, what an awesome looking set!)
OK, now THIS one looks really interesting ... and what a GREAT way to fill out your collection! (Man, what an awesome looking set!)
THE ANIMALS: THE MICKIE MOST YEARS AND MORE SEMINAL BRITISH INVASION BAND’S FIRST EVER BOXED SET OUT NOVEMBER 25
It’s been more than 50 years in the making but well worth the wait: the first ever Animals boxed set, The Animals: The Mickie Most Years And More, is set for release by ABKCO Records through Real Gone Music on November 25th. Comprised of five CDs and many extras, the set offers a total of 61 tracks from one of the British Invasion’s most successful bands, fronted by the ever-enduring Eric Burdon.
A set of multiple “firsts,” The Animals: The Mickie Most Years And More offers the group’s first four US albums -- The Animals, The Animals on Tour, Animal Tracks and Animalization -- on CD for the very first time, each offered with bonus material. The first three of these were produced by the legendary Mickie Most, who went on to work with such notable artists as Herman’s Hermits, the Yardbirds, Donovan, Hot Chocolate, Suzi Quatro and other hit makers.
All of the discs that comprise The Animals: The Mickie Most Years And More have been newly re-mastered by Adam Ayan at Gateway Mastering who used transfers from original first generation, mono master tapes as his source. The set features a plethora of bonus tracks -- a total of 16 -- including the very first Animals release, a 4 track EP entitled I Just Wanna Make Love To You that was issued in 1963 on the Graphic Sound label, later re-released by (British) Decca as In The Beginning There Was Early Animals. Other bonus track highlights include four tracks never before released in the U.S., three non-LP / single-only versions including “We Gotta Get Out of This Place,” “Don’t Bring Me Down” and “I’m Gonna Change The World,” as well as “Roadrunner, “a UK-only track.
The lavishly packaged set includes extensive liner notes for each of the CDs by Rolling Stone Senior Editor David Fricke and each copy of The Animals: The Mickie Most Years And More comes with a 100% cotton Animals t-shirt.
Well worth the wait, indeed.
TRACK LISTING
Disc One: I Just Wanna Make Love to You (1963)
I Just Wanna Make Love to You / Big Boss Man / Boom Boom / Pretty Thing
Disc Two: The Animals (1964)
House of the Rising Sun / The Girl Can’t Help It / Blue Feeling / Baby Let Me Take You Home / The Right Time / Talkin’ ‘Bout You / Around and Around / I’m in Love Again / Gonna Send You Back to Walker / Memphis, Tennessee / I’m Mad Again / I’ve Been Around / Bonus Track: Talkin’ ‘Bout You (full seven minute version)
Disc Three: The Animals on Tour (1965)
Boom Boom / How You’ve Changed / Mess Around / Bright Lights, Big City / I Believe to My Soul / Worried Life Blues / Let the Good Times Roll / Ain’t Got You / Hallelujah, I Love Her So / I’m Crying / Dimples / She Said Yeah / Bonus Tracks: Baby What’s Wrong / F-E-E-L / New Year’s Radio Spot (recorded December, 1964)
Disc Four: Animal Tracks (1965)
We Gotta Get Out of This Place / Take It Easy Baby / Bring It On Home to Me / The Story of Bo Diddley / Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood / I Can’t Believe It / Club A-Go-Go / Roberta / Bury My Body / For Miss Caulker / Bonus Tracks: Roadrunner (previously unreleased in the U.S.) / Don’t Want Much (previously unreleased in the U.S.) / We Gotta Get Out of This Place (U.K. single version) / It’s My Life (single only) / I’m Gonna Change the World
Disc Five: Animalization (1966, produced by Tom Wilson) Don’t Bring Me Down / One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show / You’re on My Mind / Cheating / She’ll Return It / Inside-Looking Out / See See Rider / Gin House Blues / Maudie / What Am I Living For / Sweet Little Sixteen / I Put a Spell on You / Bonus Tracks: Don’t Bring Me Down (stereo) / Cheating (stereo) / See See Rider (stereo)
Pre-Order Now: http://smarturl.it/AnimalsBoxSet
A set of multiple “firsts,” The Animals: The Mickie Most Years And More offers the group’s first four US albums -- The Animals, The Animals on Tour, Animal Tracks and Animalization -- on CD for the very first time, each offered with bonus material. The first three of these were produced by the legendary Mickie Most, who went on to work with such notable artists as Herman’s Hermits, the Yardbirds, Donovan, Hot Chocolate, Suzi Quatro and other hit makers.
All of the discs that comprise The Animals: The Mickie Most Years And More have been newly re-mastered by Adam Ayan at Gateway Mastering who used transfers from original first generation, mono master tapes as his source. The set features a plethora of bonus tracks -- a total of 16 -- including the very first Animals release, a 4 track EP entitled I Just Wanna Make Love To You that was issued in 1963 on the Graphic Sound label, later re-released by (British) Decca as In The Beginning There Was Early Animals. Other bonus track highlights include four tracks never before released in the U.S., three non-LP / single-only versions including “We Gotta Get Out of This Place,” “Don’t Bring Me Down” and “I’m Gonna Change The World,” as well as “Roadrunner, “a UK-only track.
The lavishly packaged set includes extensive liner notes for each of the CDs by Rolling Stone Senior Editor David Fricke and each copy of The Animals: The Mickie Most Years And More comes with a 100% cotton Animals t-shirt.
Well worth the wait, indeed.
TRACK LISTING
Disc One: I Just Wanna Make Love to You (1963)
I Just Wanna Make Love to You / Big Boss Man / Boom Boom / Pretty Thing
Disc Two: The Animals (1964)
House of the Rising Sun / The Girl Can’t Help It / Blue Feeling / Baby Let Me Take You Home / The Right Time / Talkin’ ‘Bout You / Around and Around / I’m in Love Again / Gonna Send You Back to Walker / Memphis, Tennessee / I’m Mad Again / I’ve Been Around / Bonus Track: Talkin’ ‘Bout You (full seven minute version)
Disc Three: The Animals on Tour (1965)
Boom Boom / How You’ve Changed / Mess Around / Bright Lights, Big City / I Believe to My Soul / Worried Life Blues / Let the Good Times Roll / Ain’t Got You / Hallelujah, I Love Her So / I’m Crying / Dimples / She Said Yeah / Bonus Tracks: Baby What’s Wrong / F-E-E-L / New Year’s Radio Spot (recorded December, 1964)
Disc Four: Animal Tracks (1965)
We Gotta Get Out of This Place / Take It Easy Baby / Bring It On Home to Me / The Story of Bo Diddley / Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood / I Can’t Believe It / Club A-Go-Go / Roberta / Bury My Body / For Miss Caulker / Bonus Tracks: Roadrunner (previously unreleased in the U.S.) / Don’t Want Much (previously unreleased in the U.S.) / We Gotta Get Out of This Place (U.K. single version) / It’s My Life (single only) / I’m Gonna Change the World
Disc Five: Animalization (1966, produced by Tom Wilson) Don’t Bring Me Down / One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show / You’re on My Mind / Cheating / She’ll Return It / Inside-Looking Out / See See Rider / Gin House Blues / Maudie / What Am I Living For / Sweet Little Sixteen / I Put a Spell on You / Bonus Tracks: Don’t Bring Me Down (stereo) / Cheating (stereo) / See See Rider (stereo)
Pre-Order Now: http://smarturl.it/AnimalsBoxSet
Monkee Micky Dolenz has been releasing a new CD every year lately ... we've already given the spotlight treatment to "King For A Day" and "Remember" ... and now comes word that a brand new Live CD has just been released. "Micky Dolenz, Live At B.B. King's" was recorded exactly a year ago. (In fact, several Forgotten Hits Readers won tickets to this show!) You can now hear how great Micky still sounds in concert for yourself by picking up a copy of this CD ...
MICKY DOLENZ RELEASES LIVE CD FROM B. B. KING’S
New York – Micky Dolenz has just announced the release of MICKY DOLENZ LIVE AT B. B. KING’s, recorded last October 19 at the club’s outpost in NYC.
Introduced by Q104.3’s Jim Kerr, Micky and his solo band deliver a solid 23-song set to the sold-out crowd (which included a very enthusiastic Tony Danza front-and-center); from the astonishing Monkees-catalog: “She,” “Last Train To Clarksville,” “Daydream Believer,” “I’m A Believer,” to a sampling from his most recent solo album Remember (“Sugar, Sugar”) as well as such Dolenz favorites as “D. W. Washburn,” and, a full-on version of The Beatles’ “Oh Darling” and Jimi Hendrix’s “Purple Haze.” There also an inspired duet with his band-mate, and sister Coco Dolenz, on “Blackbird.”
Adds Dolenz, “The first live show I remember doing was the Christmas show at my mom’s church. I was around four and I recited ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas.’ I actually remember it because I was scared to death and it surely traumatized me deeply. The next live show was with my sister Coco; and, the venue was our living room. The last gig I did before The Monkees was at a cocktail lounge in a bowling alley. Then MonkeeBusiness and all of the insanity that ensued playing live in front of thousands of adoring fans and singing great classic hits. And, now, here I am LIVE AT B. B. King’s headlining. And, being supported by one of the best bands I have ever worked with. How cool is that?" Says producer Wayne Avers (and, Dolenz’s musical director), “The album came out great! It captures all the excitement of our live show; you can hear the crowd roar, as well as the high quality sound of a studio recording. Co-produced by John Billings and myself, we brought in a engineer to B. B. King’s, with a high tech digital recording rig, to fully capture exactly what was coming off the stage as well as the audience. No fancy studio tricks were needed; this truly represents what we do and sound like on stage.”
And here's another reminder about the re-release of Roy Orbison's critically acclaimed "In Dreams" CD ...
There's never been another voice in rock like his. Roy Orbison sang like an operatic angel with a rock and roll heart. His songs were mesmerizing, literally stopping you in your tracks or making you nearly run off the road when that glorious voice of his first came over the radio. His voice was so distinctive and so unusual that nobody else was even close, and few artists, then or now, could cover his songs. The nineteen tracks on the Sony / Legacy reissue In Dreams were originally released in '87, but the original Virgin recording has been out of print for nearly twenty years. This new version consists of re-recordings done by Orbison of his original releases, but the only things he changed was the quality of the recordings. Fans can see for themselves through an interactive program at RoyOrbison.com that allows the user to compare and vote on the new versions versus the old on five originals: “In Dreams,” “Crying,” “Pretty Woman,” “Running Scared,” and “Only The Lonely.”
It's a staggering body of work. For those who only know Orbison through “Pretty Woman," that's just a jumping off place. Try “Leah” for some spine-tingling tonsil swinging as Orbison wraps his vocal chords around a chandelier and dangles from the ceiling. Immerse yourself in the surreality of “the candy colored clown they call the sandman” from “In Dreams,” the song Dennis Hooper used to arouse and upset himself himself with in David's Lynch's Blue Velvet. Lynch reportedly said Hopper was originally slated to lip synch the song that Guy Madison ended up doing but Hopper couldn't remember the lyrics long enough to perform it.
Forget Linda Ronstadt. Once you hear Roy sing “Blue Bayou,” there's no turning back. His range is incredible, equally at home soaking in a warm baritone or soaring aloft in a pure clear seemingly effortless falsetto. And, he wrote most of this stuff as well. “Mean Woman Blues,” “Candyman,” 'Ooby Dooby,” and 'Dream Baby” are the only ones not penned by Orbison, but once he cut them, he might as well have. They belonged to him forever after. He was an act you just couldn't follow. Even a star-studded musical ensemble assembled for '88's Cinemax's TV special "Roy Orbison and Friends, A Black and White Night" at L.A's Coconut Grove reduced stars including Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, k.d.lang and Tom Waits to backup singers and sidemen, looking on in wonder and respect as Orbison sailed high above them.
New York – Micky Dolenz has just announced the release of MICKY DOLENZ LIVE AT B. B. KING’s, recorded last October 19 at the club’s outpost in NYC.
Introduced by Q104.3’s Jim Kerr, Micky and his solo band deliver a solid 23-song set to the sold-out crowd (which included a very enthusiastic Tony Danza front-and-center); from the astonishing Monkees-catalog: “She,” “Last Train To Clarksville,” “Daydream Believer,” “I’m A Believer,” to a sampling from his most recent solo album Remember (“Sugar, Sugar”) as well as such Dolenz favorites as “D. W. Washburn,” and, a full-on version of The Beatles’ “Oh Darling” and Jimi Hendrix’s “Purple Haze.” There also an inspired duet with his band-mate, and sister Coco Dolenz, on “Blackbird.”
Adds Dolenz, “The first live show I remember doing was the Christmas show at my mom’s church. I was around four and I recited ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas.’ I actually remember it because I was scared to death and it surely traumatized me deeply. The next live show was with my sister Coco; and, the venue was our living room. The last gig I did before The Monkees was at a cocktail lounge in a bowling alley. Then MonkeeBusiness and all of the insanity that ensued playing live in front of thousands of adoring fans and singing great classic hits. And, now, here I am LIVE AT B. B. King’s headlining. And, being supported by one of the best bands I have ever worked with. How cool is that?" Says producer Wayne Avers (and, Dolenz’s musical director), “The album came out great! It captures all the excitement of our live show; you can hear the crowd roar, as well as the high quality sound of a studio recording. Co-produced by John Billings and myself, we brought in a engineer to B. B. King’s, with a high tech digital recording rig, to fully capture exactly what was coming off the stage as well as the audience. No fancy studio tricks were needed; this truly represents what we do and sound like on stage.”
And here's another reminder about the re-release of Roy Orbison's critically acclaimed "In Dreams" CD ...
There's never been another voice in rock like his. Roy Orbison sang like an operatic angel with a rock and roll heart. His songs were mesmerizing, literally stopping you in your tracks or making you nearly run off the road when that glorious voice of his first came over the radio. His voice was so distinctive and so unusual that nobody else was even close, and few artists, then or now, could cover his songs. The nineteen tracks on the Sony / Legacy reissue In Dreams were originally released in '87, but the original Virgin recording has been out of print for nearly twenty years. This new version consists of re-recordings done by Orbison of his original releases, but the only things he changed was the quality of the recordings. Fans can see for themselves through an interactive program at RoyOrbison.com that allows the user to compare and vote on the new versions versus the old on five originals: “In Dreams,” “Crying,” “Pretty Woman,” “Running Scared,” and “Only The Lonely.”
It's a staggering body of work. For those who only know Orbison through “Pretty Woman," that's just a jumping off place. Try “Leah” for some spine-tingling tonsil swinging as Orbison wraps his vocal chords around a chandelier and dangles from the ceiling. Immerse yourself in the surreality of “the candy colored clown they call the sandman” from “In Dreams,” the song Dennis Hooper used to arouse and upset himself himself with in David's Lynch's Blue Velvet. Lynch reportedly said Hopper was originally slated to lip synch the song that Guy Madison ended up doing but Hopper couldn't remember the lyrics long enough to perform it.
Forget Linda Ronstadt. Once you hear Roy sing “Blue Bayou,” there's no turning back. His range is incredible, equally at home soaking in a warm baritone or soaring aloft in a pure clear seemingly effortless falsetto. And, he wrote most of this stuff as well. “Mean Woman Blues,” “Candyman,” 'Ooby Dooby,” and 'Dream Baby” are the only ones not penned by Orbison, but once he cut them, he might as well have. They belonged to him forever after. He was an act you just couldn't follow. Even a star-studded musical ensemble assembled for '88's Cinemax's TV special "Roy Orbison and Friends, A Black and White Night" at L.A's Coconut Grove reduced stars including Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, k.d.lang and Tom Waits to backup singers and sidemen, looking on in wonder and respect as Orbison sailed high above them.
Everything you loved hearing Orbison do is here: turning in such an impossible vocal performance on “Crying,” that no other male artist and few females(k.d. lang came close) have attempted it. Scaling a range on “Running Scared”that any opera diva would be proud to conquer. The timeless Budy Holly like quality of “Claudette” that the Everly Brothers had a hit with in '58. And of course "Pretty Woman,” a tutorial on how to write a perfect rock and roll opera - lovesickness, drama, defeat, resurrection,resolution- all in under three minutes.
No matter what your musical tastes, there's something here for everybody. He was simply the best. There's just no excuse for not having this one in your collection.
-- Grant Britt
There's been all kinds of talk lately about the new release by The Paley Brothers ... The Complete Recordings. I'm not at all familiar with these guys ... apparently two brothers out of Boston who "bubbled under" exactly once for a couple of weeks in 1978 with a track called "You're The Best" ... but I've been hearing really good things about this release ... and Bob Merlis' recent piece really piqued my interest ... so I just had to pick up a copy. It came yesterday and I've just put it in the CD player in the car ... and I'm liking what I hear.
There's been all kinds of talk lately about the new release by The Paley Brothers ... The Complete Recordings. I'm not at all familiar with these guys ... apparently two brothers out of Boston who "bubbled under" exactly once for a couple of weeks in 1978 with a track called "You're The Best" ... but I've been hearing really good things about this release ... and Bob Merlis' recent piece really piqued my interest ... so I just had to pick up a copy. It came yesterday and I've just put it in the CD player in the car ... and I'm liking what I hear.
It's a bit of a mystery how these guys didn't make it ... from the looks of things, their faces were plastered all over the teeny-bop trades like "16 Magazine" and "Tiger Beat" ... in fact, they toured as the opening act for Shaun Cassidy in the late '70's (and a couple of live tracks from their appearance at Madison Square Garden as part of Shaun's tour appear on the CD). They also worked with the likes of Brian Wilson and Phil Spector ... and were signed to the Sire Records label by head honcho Seymour Stein ... right between his signings of The Ramones (who they ALSO played with) and Talking Heads.
Debbie Harry of Blondie told them "You guys are by far the classiest act I've ever seen in this place" when the brothers played C.B.G.B.'s in 1977, just one of the many iconic places these guys played back in the day.
So how come they never made it? Maybe it was because of that very confusion as to exactly WHAT they were! Were they pop? Rock? New wave? Teeny bop? Old school?
Truth is, they were a little bit of all of the above ... and in 1978 (at the peak of the disco era), perhaps critics and radio alike found it all a little bit too confusing ... and, as a result, they simply didn't get noticed.
Sounding like a bit of a mix between The Beatles and The Beach Boys ... with a whole lot of Everly Brothers thrown in (they even cover The Everlys' "Stick With Me Baby" on the CD), they had a GREAT rock-a-billy sound, incredible harmonies and just a real "fun rock" feel to everything they did.
The "Complete Recordings" CD features 26 tracks, nearly half of which (11) are previously unreleased recordings. In hindsight, it seems like we should have been aware of these guys ... and now, thanks to Real Gone Music, we have the chance to be exposed to what they recorded.
You'll find more info here:
Click here: Amazon.com: The Complete Recordings: The Paley Brothers: Music
The fact that Andy Paley may be better known today for writing music for Sponge Bob Squarepants rather than the stuff contained in this package is just WRONG!!! Give a listen to some of these sample tracks and see if you don't agree! (kk)
The fact that Andy Paley may be better known today for writing music for Sponge Bob Squarepants rather than the stuff contained in this package is just WRONG!!! Give a listen to some of these sample tracks and see if you don't agree! (kk)
THE BUTLER INSTITUTE OF AMERICAN ART
FOUNDED 1919
524 Wick Avenue
Youngstown, Ohio 44502
Telephone (330) 743-1107
www.butlerart.com
THE PAINTINGS OF JOHN MELLENCAMP ON VIEW AT THE BUTLER INSTITUTE OF AMERICAN ART ... NOVEMBER 3, 2013 - JANUARY 12, 2014
WHO: Painter, legendary musician and longtime activist, John Mellencamp's interest in painting began in early life, but was superseded in the 1980s by a skyrocketing musical career. However, throughout his life, Mellencamp has continued to seriously explore painting as a means of self-expression.
WHAT AND WHY: The exhibition The Paintings of John Mellencamp, which opens at the Butler Institute of American ARt on November 3, 2013 will feature some 40 oil paintings (some never before seen by the public), and is the artist's first art museum exhibition. The Tennessee State Museum in Nashville, presented Mellencamp's first major museum exhibition last year. According to Dr. Louis A. Zona, Director and Curator of the Butler, "In choosing these works, mostly portraits, I am interested int he dialogue between Mellencamp's work and the Butler's more traditional collection of 19th and 20th century America art by masters including John Singer Sargent, Winslow Homer and Raphael Soyer. John's work is beautifully executed and speaks of themes that are universal. He has very strong opinions, be they sociological or political, which are right up front in these works. They're incredibly fascinating studies."
WHERE AND WHEN: The exhibition will be on view from November 3, 2013, to January 12, 2014 at the Butler Institute of American Art's satellite museum, the Butler Trumbull County branch at 9350 East Market STreet in Howland Township, Ohio (44484). The facility, founded in 1996, was designed by regional architect Thomas Schroth, and built specifically as a gallery for the display of contemporary works of art. The Butler's branch museum and its activities are funded in by the Foundation Medici of Ohio. Previous exhibitions has included solo shows by Robert Rauschenberg, William Baziotes, Kenneth Noland and Al Held, among others. The Butler's Trumbull facility is open Wednesday through Sunday, 11 am to 4 pm.
Admission and parking are free
NATIONAL TOUR: The Paintings of John Mellencamp will travel to the Museum of Art-DeLand, Florida, where it will be on view from October 16, 2014 through January 4, 2015. Plans are being finalized for the exhibition to travel to additional museums.
CATALOGUE: A full -color catalogue with an essay by Hilarie M. Sheets, a contributing editor to ARTnews who writes regularly for The New York Times, will accompany the exhibition. In her essay, Sheets writes, "Mellencamp's 'discovery' of early 20th-century modernist including Chaim Soutine, Walt Kuhn, and particularly the German Expressionists Otto Dix and Max Beckmann pitted the way toward a visceral, pared down approach to portraiture."
www.butlerart.com
THE PAINTINGS OF JOHN MELLENCAMP ON VIEW AT THE BUTLER INSTITUTE OF AMERICAN ART ... NOVEMBER 3, 2013 - JANUARY 12, 2014
WHO: Painter, legendary musician and longtime activist, John Mellencamp's interest in painting began in early life, but was superseded in the 1980s by a skyrocketing musical career. However, throughout his life, Mellencamp has continued to seriously explore painting as a means of self-expression.
WHAT AND WHY: The exhibition The Paintings of John Mellencamp, which opens at the Butler Institute of American ARt on November 3, 2013 will feature some 40 oil paintings (some never before seen by the public), and is the artist's first art museum exhibition. The Tennessee State Museum in Nashville, presented Mellencamp's first major museum exhibition last year. According to Dr. Louis A. Zona, Director and Curator of the Butler, "In choosing these works, mostly portraits, I am interested int he dialogue between Mellencamp's work and the Butler's more traditional collection of 19th and 20th century America art by masters including John Singer Sargent, Winslow Homer and Raphael Soyer. John's work is beautifully executed and speaks of themes that are universal. He has very strong opinions, be they sociological or political, which are right up front in these works. They're incredibly fascinating studies."
WHERE AND WHEN: The exhibition will be on view from November 3, 2013, to January 12, 2014 at the Butler Institute of American Art's satellite museum, the Butler Trumbull County branch at 9350 East Market STreet in Howland Township, Ohio (44484). The facility, founded in 1996, was designed by regional architect Thomas Schroth, and built specifically as a gallery for the display of contemporary works of art. The Butler's branch museum and its activities are funded in by the Foundation Medici of Ohio. Previous exhibitions has included solo shows by Robert Rauschenberg, William Baziotes, Kenneth Noland and Al Held, among others. The Butler's Trumbull facility is open Wednesday through Sunday, 11 am to 4 pm.
Admission and parking are free
NATIONAL TOUR: The Paintings of John Mellencamp will travel to the Museum of Art-DeLand, Florida, where it will be on view from October 16, 2014 through January 4, 2015. Plans are being finalized for the exhibition to travel to additional museums.
CATALOGUE: A full -color catalogue with an essay by Hilarie M. Sheets, a contributing editor to ARTnews who writes regularly for The New York Times, will accompany the exhibition. In her essay, Sheets writes, "Mellencamp's 'discovery' of early 20th-century modernist including Chaim Soutine, Walt Kuhn, and particularly the German Expressionists Otto Dix and Max Beckmann pitted the way toward a visceral, pared down approach to portraiture."
According to Mellencamp, "German painting remains the basic foundation for what I do same as folk music the the foundation of my songs. Discovering Beckmann to me was like discovering Woody Guthrie or Bob Dylan."
Why Are U Angry, 2012 , mixed media on canvas, 48 x 48 in.
Photo credit Kevin Montague
JOHN MELLENCAMP BIOGRAPHY: John Mellencamp, the legendary musician and long-time activist, has been a Grammy® winner, co-founder of Farm Aid (with Willie nelson and Neil Young) and the creator of a catalog of songs that launched the Americana movement in roots-oriented music. In parallel to his 35 year-long music career, Mellencamp has become an accomplished painter with his artwork the focus of a number of exhibitions.
Mellencamp grew up in Seymour Indiana, the descendant of German immigrants. His late mother loved to paint landscapes and flowers and her son fell in love with both art and music at an early age. Mellencamp came to New York with the intention of studying painting if his music career aspirations didn't pan out. He joined the Art Students League and had his first formal training with portrait painter David Leffel who taught him the technique of painting dark to light in the manner of Rembrandt and other old masters. He later hones his skills by studying with Jan Royce from the Herron School of Art and Design in Indianapolis.
In addition to the Tennessee State Museum and Butler Institute of American Art exhibitions, Mellencamp was recently a part of a group show at the Gerald Peters Gallery in Santa Fe. His work has also been exhibited at Herron School of ARt and Design, a division of Indiana University - Perdue University Indianapolis. He was part of a two-man show with jazz legend Miles Davis at the Triangle Gallery in Los Angeles, Harper collins published Paintings and Reflections, an overview of Mellencamp's earlier work in 1998.
On the music side of his career, Mellencamp has released 27 albums, received Billboard's Century awards, ASCAP Foundation's Champion Award, The Woody Guthrie Award, the Americana Music Association's Lifetime Achievement Award for Songwriting and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008. Last year, Mellencamp was awarded the prestigious John Steinbeck Award from the Center for Steinbeck Studies at San Jose State University. Thomas Steinbeck, noted author and son of John Steinbeck, said of Mellencamp, "He has spent his life servicing as a voice for the people" and"he has minted the true spirit of John Steinbeck's compassion for the worker."
Mellencamp has a long history of musical exploration and innovation. One of his current projects is Ghost Brothers of Darkland County, a southern gothic musical, in which he collaborated with bestselling author Stephen King. The show had its world premiere last year at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta. Starting October 10 there will be a month-long tour of the mid-west and south. An all-star recording of the songs and script was released this past year with the participation of Elvis Coastello, Roseanne Cash, Sheryl Crow, Neko Case, Taj Mahal, Ryan Bingham, Kris Kirstofferson, Matthew McConaughey, Samantha Mathis and Meg Ryan.
Mellencamp still resides in his home state of Indiana.
Mellencamp still resides in his home state of Indiana.
El Paso, 2012, mixed media on canvas, 48 x 48 in.
Photo credit Kevin Montague
This might be something interesting to see ... but does it come with a money-back guarantee that I will NOT have to listen to "Jack And Diane" thirty times during the exhibition? (Odds are I will have already heard it that many times just on the drive over to Indiana!!!) Actually, this really DOES sound like a neat exhibition. (kk)
TRI STUDIOS AND EAGLE ROCK ENTERTAINMENT PRESENT MOVE ME BRIGHTLY CELEBRATING JERRY GARCIA’S 70TH BIRTHDAY FEATURING BOB WEIR, PHIL LESH, BILL KREUTZMANN, MICKEY HART, DONNA JEAN GODCHAUX, CARLOS SANTANA, AND LUKE WILSON
PLUS MEMBERS OF VAMPIRE WEEKEND, PHISH, JANE’S ADDICTION, TOM PETTY AND THE HEARTBREAKERS, THE BLACK CROWES, THE HOLD STEADY AND MANY MORE
TRI STUDIOS AND EAGLE ROCK ENTERTAINMENT PRESENT MOVE ME BRIGHTLY CELEBRATING JERRY GARCIA’S 70TH BIRTHDAY FEATURING BOB WEIR, PHIL LESH, BILL KREUTZMANN, MICKEY HART, DONNA JEAN GODCHAUX, CARLOS SANTANA, AND LUKE WILSON
PLUS MEMBERS OF VAMPIRE WEEKEND, PHISH, JANE’S ADDICTION, TOM PETTY AND THE HEARTBREAKERS, THE BLACK CROWES, THE HOLD STEADY AND MANY MORE
~ON DVD AND BLU-RAY OCTOBER 29, 2013~
New York, NY (October 10, 2013)— Eagle Rock Entertainment is delighted to announce the release on October 29, 2013 of Move Me Brightly: Celebrating Jerry Garcia’s 70th Birthday on DVD, Blu-ray and Visual Digital Formats [Pre-book Order Date October 4, MSRP $19.98 Blu-ray, $14.98 DVD].
A must-see for any Deadhead, Move Me Brightly is a film based around a unique musical gathering held to mark what would have been Jerry Garcia’s 70th birthday at Bob Weir’s TRI Studios in San Rafael, California.
Part insightful documentary and part rousing concert film, Move Me Brightly features contributions from fellow Grateful Dead members Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Bill Kreutzmann, Mickey Hart and Donna Jean Godchaux along with Garcia family members and special guests such as Carlos Santana, Sammy Hagar, Mike Campbell, Perry Farrell and Stephen Perkins from Jane’s Addiction, and interviewer Luke Wilson.
The film also features an impressive lineup of musicians representing more recent generations who have been influenced by Jerry Garcia, such as Vampire Weekend’s Chris Tomson, Phish’s Mike Gordon, The Hold Steady’s Craig Finn and Tad Kubler and Furthur’s Joe Russo & Jeff Chimenti.
The one-of-a-kind line-up of Move Me Brightly concert performers featured in the film joined together to perform unique interpretations of Garcia classics including “Terrapin Station,” “Shakedown Street,” “Cumberland Blues,” “New Speedway Boogie,“ “Friend Of The Devil,” and many more.
Move Me Brightly was directed by Justin Kreutzmann, the son of Grateful Dead drummer Bill.
Move Me Brightly TRACK LISTING:
1) Cumberland Blues
2) Going Down the Road Feelin’ Bad
3) Mission in the Rain
4) Shakedown Street
5) He’s Gone
6) Eyes Of The World
7) Terrapin Station
8) Days Between
9) Franklin’s Tower
10) U.S. Blues
Bonus Performances
1) Friend Of The Devil
2) Bird Song>New Speedway Boogie
Ironically FH Reader Frank B sent us ANOTHER article about The Grateful Dead this week ... spotlighting a brand new BEER!!! (He figured that we must have Dead-Heads ... AND Beer Drinkers ... on our list!)
Ironically FH Reader Frank B sent us ANOTHER article about The Grateful Dead this week ... spotlighting a brand new BEER!!! (He figured that we must have Dead-Heads ... AND Beer Drinkers ... on our list!)
Here is something a little different from Chicago ...
Click here: Twitter / chicagotheband: Dear Congress, it's not just ...
Gary Pike
We ran this clip a couple of weeks ago ... but I have no problem plugging the latest from our hometown heroes ... especially for a positive statement like this one. (kk)
Gary Pike
We ran this clip a couple of weeks ago ... but I have no problem plugging the latest from our hometown heroes ... especially for a positive statement like this one. (kk)
In fact, Chicago has been making the rounds all week long, showing up on a number of different radio and tv shows here locally as well as around the country, all in support of their new single release. http://wgnradio.com/2013/10/14/bob-and-marianne-catch-up-with-the-band-chicago/
re: AND, SPEAKING OF OUR LOCAL HOME-TOWN HEROES ... :
Did you ever wonder what were the biggest Chicago white-bred hits of the WLS 63 - 69 era? I once did a calculation of week by week info for each, but never made a tally of what would be the top ranking songs. Someone has done this based on WLS charts and you can find some fine reading in this top 66 besides youtube links to the songs for you to hear, along with some groovy Chi-bred extras from the 70's and 80's by key Chicago acts. I'd guess about 89% (go figure!) are sitting in my fave 45s boxes these days.
You can comment (as many have) on the site if you become a member I suppose. Anyway, enjoy the best music from the best time from the best music town in the world!
You can comment (as many have) on the site if you become a member I suppose. Anyway, enjoy the best music from the best time from the best music town in the world!
Makes you want to come back to see the follow-up pieces! Several years ago Bob Stroud did a special Rock And Roll Roots Countdown of The Top 40 Local Chicago Acts of the '60's ... I have it on tape somewhere (but of course no tape player in the car anymore to listen to it!!! lol) Hey, Bob ... if you've got a copy of this in your archives and can burn me a CD, I'd surely appreciate it! (kk)
By the way, we're still getting a GREAT response to our recent pieces spotlighting WLS Radio in the '60's and '70's ... look for more comments (and survey charts) in the days to come!
By the way, we're still getting a GREAT response to our recent pieces spotlighting WLS Radio in the '60's and '70's ... look for more comments (and survey charts) in the days to come!
re: BEATLES-RELATED:
Just recently the tiny town of Benton, IL, unveiled a plaque commemorating George Harrison's visit there to see his sister in 1963. Benton is about an hour's drive from me, so I finally had a chance to get over there and take a picture. Jack
Will have to make a run out there one of these days. The video commemorating this landmark event ("A Beatle In Benton") is available through Amazon for just ten bucks:
And sister Louise is STILL making appearances talking about her famous brother's trip there. (And you youngins out there thought that the new TV Reality Series featuring Bruno Mars' sisters was something revolutionary!!!) kk
The day after we told you about Paul McCartney's surprise concert at The Frank Sinatra School For The Arts in New York last week, he made another impromptu appearance in Times Square, entertaining the passing crowd for about 15 or 20 minutes! (Man, if I just shelled out $250 to see McCartney live in concert I'd be PISSED about all these "freebies" floating around all of a sudden!!!) It's all to help promote his brand new album release "New", which officially hit the streets this past Tuesday ...
Paul McCartney put on a surprise performance in New York City's Times Square on Thursday.
The 71-year-old ex-Beatle announced his afternoon show on Twitter earlier in the morning, stating he was 'excited' about the spontaneous 15-minute gig. According to Page Six, Paul 'arrived in Times Square via yellow taxi, then got on a stage to perform three songs from his new album, New.
Paul belted out Save Us and Everybody Out There and he interacted with concert-goers throughout.
"I'll put a little hat out here later. We're basically busking," he joked with the crowd, stating later on in the show, "Let's try and do this the same time tomorrow. We only have 15 minutes up here. Andy Warhol predicted I would get 15 minutes of fame."
On Wednesday Paul also took his solo act to the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts in Astoria, Queens.
During the question and answer session for iHeartRadio, he spoke to 400 students about the hardships he faced at the beginning of his career. "When I first started out, I was terrified of doing anything wrong on stage," he revealed to the audience. "People don't mind. In fact, people kind of like it. It doesn't matter as much as you think it does. You can relax a bit more."
Paul's forthcoming album New will reach stores next week.
-- from Vintage Vinyl News
They also closed off a city block for Macca's appearance on The Jimmy Kimmel Show a couple of weeks ago ... he seems to have become a regular fixture in the streets of New York of late. (And of course FH Subscribers knew about the special East and West Coast promotions to "sneak peek" a listen to McCartney's new album this past weekend, too) ... man, I don't think he's EVER worked this hard to promote an album before!!! (lol)
'60's FLASHBACK:
If you happen to listen in the Los Angeles or New York City area, you're in for a real treat! You can hear Paul McCartney's brand new album "New" before anyone else in the country! It's all part of a Sneak Preview Exclusive Offer happening this Sunday Night ... two full days before the LP is officially released to the public! Check this out:
re: BURTON CUMMINGS:
re: COUNTRY CORNER:
We don't usually focus on "Classic Country" here but this line-up was just too good not to mention ...
Henson Cargill's SKIP A ROPE peaked at #2 here in OKC in December of 1967 for two weeks in a row. At one time, there was a restaurant here in Oklahoma City called Henson's named after the singer. And I do believe he had some sort of financial interest in it.
Larry Neal
The 71-year-old ex-Beatle announced his afternoon show on Twitter earlier in the morning, stating he was 'excited' about the spontaneous 15-minute gig. According to Page Six, Paul 'arrived in Times Square via yellow taxi, then got on a stage to perform three songs from his new album, New.
Paul belted out Save Us and Everybody Out There and he interacted with concert-goers throughout.
"I'll put a little hat out here later. We're basically busking," he joked with the crowd, stating later on in the show, "Let's try and do this the same time tomorrow. We only have 15 minutes up here. Andy Warhol predicted I would get 15 minutes of fame."
On Wednesday Paul also took his solo act to the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts in Astoria, Queens.
During the question and answer session for iHeartRadio, he spoke to 400 students about the hardships he faced at the beginning of his career. "When I first started out, I was terrified of doing anything wrong on stage," he revealed to the audience. "People don't mind. In fact, people kind of like it. It doesn't matter as much as you think it does. You can relax a bit more."
Paul's forthcoming album New will reach stores next week.
-- from Vintage Vinyl News
They also closed off a city block for Macca's appearance on The Jimmy Kimmel Show a couple of weeks ago ... he seems to have become a regular fixture in the streets of New York of late. (And of course FH Subscribers knew about the special East and West Coast promotions to "sneak peek" a listen to McCartney's new album this past weekend, too) ... man, I don't think he's EVER worked this hard to promote an album before!!! (lol)
'60's FLASHBACK:
If you happen to listen in the Los Angeles or New York City area, you're in for a real treat! You can hear Paul McCartney's brand new album "New" before anyone else in the country! It's all part of a Sneak Preview Exclusive Offer happening this Sunday Night ... two full days before the LP is officially released to the public! Check this out:
McCartney fans in Los Angeles and New York will be treated to the first listen of the new album this Sunday night in their cars.
Here is how you can take part:
In the Los Angeles area:
Date: Sunday, October 6th
Location: Vineland Drive-In 443 N. Vineland Ave, City of Industry, CA
Time: 7:30 pm (parking lot opens at 6 pm)The first 400 cars to arrive to the Vineland Drive-In will be admitted to hear the album for the first time, via the theater’s FM transmitter.
Free commemorative event posters will be given to each attendee.
Event presented by KLOS / Breakfast with the Beatles host Chris Carter.
Tweet your thoughts about the #new @PaulMcCartney album while you listen at #mccartneydrivein
In New York City – There'll Be TWO listening events:
Date: Sunday, October 6th, 2013
Times: 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm – first listening session (doors open at 6:00 pm) 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm – second listening session
Location: Open Road VW / Audi Dealership 802 11th Ave (at 55th)
The first 100 people to arrive (for each event) will be admitted to listen to Paul’s NEW album for the first time in brand NEW vehicles parked on the rooftop.Tweet your thoughts about the #new @PaulMcCartney album while you listen at #mccartneydrivein
What an interesting way to premier a new release!!! If any of our readers made it out to either of these unique premiers, please drop us a line ... we'd LOVE to hear from you! (kk)
Here is how you can take part:
In the Los Angeles area:
Date: Sunday, October 6th
Location: Vineland Drive-In 443 N. Vineland Ave, City of Industry, CA
Time: 7:30 pm (parking lot opens at 6 pm)The first 400 cars to arrive to the Vineland Drive-In will be admitted to hear the album for the first time, via the theater’s FM transmitter.
Free commemorative event posters will be given to each attendee.
Event presented by KLOS / Breakfast with the Beatles host Chris Carter.
Tweet your thoughts about the #new @PaulMcCartney album while you listen at #mccartneydrivein
In New York City – There'll Be TWO listening events:
Date: Sunday, October 6th, 2013
Times: 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm – first listening session (doors open at 6:00 pm) 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm – second listening session
Location: Open Road VW / Audi Dealership 802 11th Ave (at 55th)
The first 100 people to arrive (for each event) will be admitted to listen to Paul’s NEW album for the first time in brand NEW vehicles parked on the rooftop.Tweet your thoughts about the #new @PaulMcCartney album while you listen at #mccartneydrivein
What an interesting way to premier a new release!!! If any of our readers made it out to either of these unique premiers, please drop us a line ... we'd LOVE to hear from you! (kk)
From FH Reader Dave Barry:
NEW YORK Paul McCartney celebrated his second wedding anniversary with his wife and a few hundred high school students on Wednesday.
The 71-year-old performed at the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts, which was opened by Tony Bennett.
McCartney said, "Happy anniversary, baby," to Nancy Shevell before going into his latest song, called "New." He said the song was inspired by his wife as the students turned to her and gushed.
The event with iHeartRadio was to celebrate McCartney's album, also called "New," out next week.
One student asked McCartney when he felt he officially made it in the music industry. McCartney said when the Beatles recorded their first single, "Love Me Do."
The students cheered, and McCartney said: "You shouldn't know about that."
The crowd, which included some adults, was feverish as McCartney performed a 13-song set from his Beatles, Wings and solo catalogue, including "Hey Jude," ''Eight Days a Week" and "Jet."
"This beats going to class," said McCartney, who performed on the piano and the guitar along with a four-piece band.
McCartney was energetic with the students, most of whom were a bit nervous when they asked questions.
One sophomore asked why McCartney decided to continue being a musician after all of his successes.
McCartney said people frequently ask him, "Can you just retire?"
"I say, 'Thank you very much. No,'" he said.
He added that he could be home watching TV but he'd rather be with the students and performing on stages.
Bennett, who attended the event, launched the school in Queens in 2001. McCartney talked about funding and updating the Liverpool school he and George Harrison attended.
"I used to say that half of the Beatles went to that school," he said to laughs.
McCartney also told the crowd on Wednesday, which would have been John Lennon's 73rd birthday, that he connected with Lennon through songwriting.
"We weren't trained," he told the teenagers. "You guys have an advantage."
McCartney ended the day with inspiration to the arts students: "You rock on. You be great."
The 71-year-old performed at the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts, which was opened by Tony Bennett.
McCartney said, "Happy anniversary, baby," to Nancy Shevell before going into his latest song, called "New." He said the song was inspired by his wife as the students turned to her and gushed.
The event with iHeartRadio was to celebrate McCartney's album, also called "New," out next week.
One student asked McCartney when he felt he officially made it in the music industry. McCartney said when the Beatles recorded their first single, "Love Me Do."
The students cheered, and McCartney said: "You shouldn't know about that."
The crowd, which included some adults, was feverish as McCartney performed a 13-song set from his Beatles, Wings and solo catalogue, including "Hey Jude," ''Eight Days a Week" and "Jet."
"This beats going to class," said McCartney, who performed on the piano and the guitar along with a four-piece band.
McCartney was energetic with the students, most of whom were a bit nervous when they asked questions.
One sophomore asked why McCartney decided to continue being a musician after all of his successes.
McCartney said people frequently ask him, "Can you just retire?"
"I say, 'Thank you very much. No,'" he said.
He added that he could be home watching TV but he'd rather be with the students and performing on stages.
Bennett, who attended the event, launched the school in Queens in 2001. McCartney talked about funding and updating the Liverpool school he and George Harrison attended.
"I used to say that half of the Beatles went to that school," he said to laughs.
McCartney also told the crowd on Wednesday, which would have been John Lennon's 73rd birthday, that he connected with Lennon through songwriting.
"We weren't trained," he told the teenagers. "You guys have an advantage."
McCartney ended the day with inspiration to the arts students: "You rock on. You be great."
re: BURTON CUMMINGS:
Another review of Burton Cummings' awesome show at The Arcada Theatre a few weeks ago ...
What can I say about the Burton Cummings concert at the Arcada in St. Charles? It was brilliant! One of the best concerts of the many I’ve been to in my 68 years! We were on our feet singing and cheering for most of the concert. The group Et Tu Bruce opened for him, but the real added bonus was The Zombies. This was the first time I had heard them live, and they did not disappoint! It was like hearing my old vinyls -- but better. Colin Blunstone and Rod Argent were in fine voice and did the hits we all wanted them to. ‘Breathe Out, Breathe In’ from their album of last year, was an example of what the band can still do -- even after a 40 year hiatus! I think my personal favorite from their hour was Colin singing ‘Old and Wise’ from the album ‘Eye in the Sky’, collaboration he did with Alan Parsons. I use this song in a gerontology class I teach. So perfect! What a tender, haunting performance of this beautiful song. They ended with a crowd favorite, ‘She’s Not There’. And then it was time for Burton.
I have loved BLC since I heard him open his mouth and sing ‘These Eyes’ in 1969. I’ve had a long standing musical love affair with him, and this concert only continued to intensify that feeling. What a great concert! Burton just doesn’t seem to age. He was in excellent voice and gave us a concert to remember. I was close enough to see the sweat on him, and yes, he works hard. Lots of towels were used. He did almost all the hits we remember and love, and again, it was like hearing my vinyl and CDs. His band did a standout job working with him, and Kenny had just had his 60th birthday!
A particular favorite for me was when he sang ’I’m Scared’. We love it when he gives us history, when he shares even more of himself with us. This song was a favorite of his mother and he told us that even though it has been 15 months since she died, there are still times when he starts to call her … and then remembers. This is so true to what happens to any of us who have lost our mama. We love BLC and his music, but things like this just make us love him more.
Besides the hits we expected to hear, Burton did a lovely tribute to J.J. Cale when he sang ‘Trouble in the City’; and his encore, after a great night of music, was a spot on rendition of ‘Louie Louie’ from the Deveron days. Are there songs I would have loved to hear? For sure -- ‘I Will Sing a Rhapsody’, ‘Any Minor Miracle’ and ‘Kurt’s Song’ to name a few. I’m a fan. I’d have stayed up all night listening to him! But the realist in me knew that wouldn’t happen, not when he had a show the next night. No need to be greedy. We want to be able to go to his concerts for years to come. So, if you get a chance to see him, don’t miss the opportunity! And we’re patiently (or not) waiting for the book of poetry.
Kent and Frannie, it was great to meet you at the concert. I must say, I never expected to write a review ….. I mean, how often does a 68 year old retired professor get the chance to review a performer they love? Thanks!
DLC
I have loved BLC since I heard him open his mouth and sing ‘These Eyes’ in 1969. I’ve had a long standing musical love affair with him, and this concert only continued to intensify that feeling. What a great concert! Burton just doesn’t seem to age. He was in excellent voice and gave us a concert to remember. I was close enough to see the sweat on him, and yes, he works hard. Lots of towels were used. He did almost all the hits we remember and love, and again, it was like hearing my vinyl and CDs. His band did a standout job working with him, and Kenny had just had his 60th birthday!
A particular favorite for me was when he sang ’I’m Scared’. We love it when he gives us history, when he shares even more of himself with us. This song was a favorite of his mother and he told us that even though it has been 15 months since she died, there are still times when he starts to call her … and then remembers. This is so true to what happens to any of us who have lost our mama. We love BLC and his music, but things like this just make us love him more.
Besides the hits we expected to hear, Burton did a lovely tribute to J.J. Cale when he sang ‘Trouble in the City’; and his encore, after a great night of music, was a spot on rendition of ‘Louie Louie’ from the Deveron days. Are there songs I would have loved to hear? For sure -- ‘I Will Sing a Rhapsody’, ‘Any Minor Miracle’ and ‘Kurt’s Song’ to name a few. I’m a fan. I’d have stayed up all night listening to him! But the realist in me knew that wouldn’t happen, not when he had a show the next night. No need to be greedy. We want to be able to go to his concerts for years to come. So, if you get a chance to see him, don’t miss the opportunity! And we’re patiently (or not) waiting for the book of poetry.
Kent and Frannie, it was great to meet you at the concert. I must say, I never expected to write a review ….. I mean, how often does a 68 year old retired professor get the chance to review a performer they love? Thanks!
DLC
re: CCR:
Here's a vintage article submitted by FH Reader Dave Barry:
Creedence Clearwater Revival feels - if one can speak of any group being of a single mind in other than lynch mob situations - that their story, their essence, will emerge for the first time with the publication of "Inside Creedence," a forthcoming free-association found-art direct cinema book by John Hallowell.
Judging from excerpts contained in a snazzy press kit compiled by Public Relations: Rogers, Cowan & Brenner, that assumption seems entirely valid. But if Creedence really explodes on the world for the first time in January, it won't be because Fantasy Records, National General Corp., Rogers, Cowan and Brenner, and the group itself didn't try to get it on last Saturday. The record company ponied up some $30,000 to import major rock, magazine and trade publication writers for a giant 12-hour music-film-booze-food blast that centered on Cosmo's Factory - the group's Berkeley rehearsal studio and home-away-from-home - and ranged up to the Claremont Hotel and over to the California Theaters.
-- The occasion was the release of the group's Fantasy album "Pendulum," which is a Platinum Record (representing one million units and $5 million in sales in the Lewis Carroll world of record company reasoning) before it is even in the stores. Not that "Pendulum" won't produce those figures in actuality, and very shortly. For it has more than one million orders in, and that's just domestic. "Cosmo's Factory," the last album, will hit two million units by Christmas.
-- Creedence Clearwater Revival - Stu Cook, John Fogerty, Tom Fogerty and Doug Clifford - is, you see, the hottest record-selling rock group in the world. Hotter than the Rolling Stones, hotter than The Who, hotter than Jefferson Airplane and probably hotter than all three put together. Nor are they merely a recording group, as were the Beatles after 1967. Their concerts are certain sell-outs everywhere and the enthusiasm generated - while not Beatlemania - is enormous.
So who needs $30,000 parties? You can't go up from No. 1 and you can only utilize so much income, especially when buying Greek islands is not your major concern in life.
Well, the problem seems to be that Creedence sells records like the Beatles and has a mystique like the Archies. They do not expose themselves in public, or advocate dope and revolution or remark on Martha Mitchell's sex life or use naughty words or get busted or produce instant frenzy by using the stage as a trampoline. They are all married, a fact they neither publicize nor obscure, and are uniformly open, honest, thoughtful, serious about their music and amazingly enough, intelligible.
-- Consequently, nobody knows who they are. And, up to now at least, nobody has much cared except their fans. There is an immutable, if illogical law in show biz - if you are super-successful commercially, you probably can't be super-successful artistically. There are exceptions, of course, but few. There is a real reluctance on the part of the pseudo-pacesetters to embrace that which has been embraced by their lesser. -- As a result, Creedence has found itself in a position not unlike that of Rod McKuen - the best-selling poet the world has known and among the least-respected by the literary establishment. This is not to say that McKuen is good - only that the absence of critical accolades is a frustration to him, which overwhelms the almost unprecedented acceptance of his poetry, performing, composing and songwrit-ing by the public in general.
In this respect, if not in terms of real excellence, Creedence is comparable. And this is what the band, after nudging Fantasy a bit, sought to work on with last week's affair. Lunch, informal interviews, a showing of their still-unsold television special, more interviews, dinner, a short concert and still more interviews comprised the day. {sbox}
This column originally appeared in The San Francisco Chronicle on Dec. 20, 1970.
The press party for "Pendulum" was quite the event ... legendary in fact! Sadly, after the release of "Cosmo's Factory", it was pretty much downhill from there for the band ... but an exorbitant amount of money was spent on this affair. Here's the way we covered it in our special Creedence Clearwater Revival series several years ago ...
'60's FLASHBACK:
Judging from excerpts contained in a snazzy press kit compiled by Public Relations: Rogers, Cowan & Brenner, that assumption seems entirely valid. But if Creedence really explodes on the world for the first time in January, it won't be because Fantasy Records, National General Corp., Rogers, Cowan and Brenner, and the group itself didn't try to get it on last Saturday. The record company ponied up some $30,000 to import major rock, magazine and trade publication writers for a giant 12-hour music-film-booze-food blast that centered on Cosmo's Factory - the group's Berkeley rehearsal studio and home-away-from-home - and ranged up to the Claremont Hotel and over to the California Theaters.
-- The occasion was the release of the group's Fantasy album "Pendulum," which is a Platinum Record (representing one million units and $5 million in sales in the Lewis Carroll world of record company reasoning) before it is even in the stores. Not that "Pendulum" won't produce those figures in actuality, and very shortly. For it has more than one million orders in, and that's just domestic. "Cosmo's Factory," the last album, will hit two million units by Christmas.
-- Creedence Clearwater Revival - Stu Cook, John Fogerty, Tom Fogerty and Doug Clifford - is, you see, the hottest record-selling rock group in the world. Hotter than the Rolling Stones, hotter than The Who, hotter than Jefferson Airplane and probably hotter than all three put together. Nor are they merely a recording group, as were the Beatles after 1967. Their concerts are certain sell-outs everywhere and the enthusiasm generated - while not Beatlemania - is enormous.
So who needs $30,000 parties? You can't go up from No. 1 and you can only utilize so much income, especially when buying Greek islands is not your major concern in life.
Well, the problem seems to be that Creedence sells records like the Beatles and has a mystique like the Archies. They do not expose themselves in public, or advocate dope and revolution or remark on Martha Mitchell's sex life or use naughty words or get busted or produce instant frenzy by using the stage as a trampoline. They are all married, a fact they neither publicize nor obscure, and are uniformly open, honest, thoughtful, serious about their music and amazingly enough, intelligible.
-- Consequently, nobody knows who they are. And, up to now at least, nobody has much cared except their fans. There is an immutable, if illogical law in show biz - if you are super-successful commercially, you probably can't be super-successful artistically. There are exceptions, of course, but few. There is a real reluctance on the part of the pseudo-pacesetters to embrace that which has been embraced by their lesser. -- As a result, Creedence has found itself in a position not unlike that of Rod McKuen - the best-selling poet the world has known and among the least-respected by the literary establishment. This is not to say that McKuen is good - only that the absence of critical accolades is a frustration to him, which overwhelms the almost unprecedented acceptance of his poetry, performing, composing and songwrit-ing by the public in general.
In this respect, if not in terms of real excellence, Creedence is comparable. And this is what the band, after nudging Fantasy a bit, sought to work on with last week's affair. Lunch, informal interviews, a showing of their still-unsold television special, more interviews, dinner, a short concert and still more interviews comprised the day. {sbox}
This column originally appeared in The San Francisco Chronicle on Dec. 20, 1970.
The press party for "Pendulum" was quite the event ... legendary in fact! Sadly, after the release of "Cosmo's Factory", it was pretty much downhill from there for the band ... but an exorbitant amount of money was spent on this affair. Here's the way we covered it in our special Creedence Clearwater Revival series several years ago ...
'60's FLASHBACK:
One of the biggest beefs by band members TOM FOGERTY, STU COOK and DOUG CLIFFORD was, despite being the biggest selling band on the planet at the time, NOBODY knew who the members of CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL were ... they were not instantly recognizable ... they were not household names ... because JOHN was the front man, he was the ONLY one the public knew ... and JOHN was gladly ... and, some may argue, rightfully ... taking ALL of the credit for the band's success.
In 1969 and 1970, CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL outsold THE BEATLES and became the biggest rock and roll band in the world. When THE BEATLES announced their breakup in early 1970, CCR appeared to be heir-apparent for the rock and roll crown. (FOGERTY even commented at the time that, as much as he hated to see THE BEATLES disband, it also meant that there was now much less competition for the rock and roll throne.) FANTASY RECORDS was so sure of the popularity of the group that their next LP, PENDULUM, shipped a million copies the day it was released later that year. But internally, problems were beginning to come to the surface.
JOHN FOGERTY had guided their career to the top of the charts by writing and singing all of their original material. He even chose and sang the cover material the band recorded. In fact, although all of the other band members sang background vocals in concert, they were NOT allowed to sing on the records ... the whole band would lay down the basic track and then FOGERTY would come back to the studio alone to do any additional instrumentation, vocals and sweetening. The system was obviously working ... and JOHN didn't want to mess with success ... but the other band members began to feel that CCR needed to operate more as a democracy than a dictatorship ... and the PENDULUM album became a turning point.
Although FOGERTY still wrote all of the original material on the LP, the other band members were allowed to contribute overdubs and vocals for the first time. To give the LP a little bit of a different sound, FOGERTY added organ and saxophone to his repertoire and, in fact, the album sounded QUITE a bit different than the standard CCR fare. It also stopped at platinum, the first LP since their self-titled debut to do so. They still managed a Top Ten Single (HAVE YOU EVER SEEN THE RAIN peaked at #3 in CASH BOX in late-winter, 1971), but a couple of months after the LP's release, TOM FOGERTY announced that he was leaving the band.
Having been the original lead singer (and, at the very least, co-writing their earlier GOLLIWOGS material), TOM felt it was time to move out of his younger brother's shadow. Ironically, after a huge publicity / release party (at a cost of reportedly $30,000) to launch the PENDULUM LP (with the goal to make the names JOHN, TOM, STU and DOUG as instantly recognizable as JOHN, PAUL, GEORGE and RINGO), the band began to disintegrate. (Perhaps even more symbolically, as a last ditch effort to try to save the band by renegotiating a better contract with FANTASY RECORDS, CCR actually interviewed ALLEN KLEIN as a potential manager at one point! KLEIN was now available, having just driven the last nail into THE BEATLES' coffin a few months earlier!)
By the way, this has proven to be one of our most popular series ... you can read the whole thing here:
JOHN FOGERTY had guided their career to the top of the charts by writing and singing all of their original material. He even chose and sang the cover material the band recorded. In fact, although all of the other band members sang background vocals in concert, they were NOT allowed to sing on the records ... the whole band would lay down the basic track and then FOGERTY would come back to the studio alone to do any additional instrumentation, vocals and sweetening. The system was obviously working ... and JOHN didn't want to mess with success ... but the other band members began to feel that CCR needed to operate more as a democracy than a dictatorship ... and the PENDULUM album became a turning point.
Although FOGERTY still wrote all of the original material on the LP, the other band members were allowed to contribute overdubs and vocals for the first time. To give the LP a little bit of a different sound, FOGERTY added organ and saxophone to his repertoire and, in fact, the album sounded QUITE a bit different than the standard CCR fare. It also stopped at platinum, the first LP since their self-titled debut to do so. They still managed a Top Ten Single (HAVE YOU EVER SEEN THE RAIN peaked at #3 in CASH BOX in late-winter, 1971), but a couple of months after the LP's release, TOM FOGERTY announced that he was leaving the band.
Having been the original lead singer (and, at the very least, co-writing their earlier GOLLIWOGS material), TOM felt it was time to move out of his younger brother's shadow. Ironically, after a huge publicity / release party (at a cost of reportedly $30,000) to launch the PENDULUM LP (with the goal to make the names JOHN, TOM, STU and DOUG as instantly recognizable as JOHN, PAUL, GEORGE and RINGO), the band began to disintegrate. (Perhaps even more symbolically, as a last ditch effort to try to save the band by renegotiating a better contract with FANTASY RECORDS, CCR actually interviewed ALLEN KLEIN as a potential manager at one point! KLEIN was now available, having just driven the last nail into THE BEATLES' coffin a few months earlier!)
By the way, this has proven to be one of our most popular series ... you can read the whole thing here:
re: COUNTRY CORNER:
We don't usually focus on "Classic Country" here but this line-up was just too good not to mention ...
It's all part of Stagecoach Fest being held in April of next year at The Empire Polo Grounds in Indio, CA.
Check this out! (Classic Artists shown in bold type)
Friday, April 25
Eric Church; Brantley Gilbert; Easton Corbin; Loretta Lynn; Thomas Rhett; Shelby Lynne
Eric Church; Brantley Gilbert; Easton Corbin; Loretta Lynn; Thomas Rhett; Shelby Lynne
Saturday, April 26
Jason Aldean; Hunter Hayes; Jennifer Nettles; The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band; Crystal Gayle; Tyler Farr; Don McLean; John Conlee
Sunday, April 27
Luke Bryan; Florida Georgia Line; Lee Brice; John Prine; Dustin Lynch; Chris Cagle; Michael Nesmith; ; Asleep at the Wheel; Brenda Lee; Duane Eddy; Susanna Hoffs
And some of those headliners ain't too bad either ... Jason Aldean ... Luke Bryan ...
Wanted to make sure you knew about this interview.
In 1970, "Tennessee Birdwalk" was a #23 Hot 100 hit and spent two weeks at #1 on the country charts. It is a much requested oldie at WHN.
Ed Salamon
You don't hear this one much around these parts, Ed ... but I have featured it a few times before in Forgotten Hits ... always a catchy, novelty favorite.
You can listen to the interview below (and read a little more about their career) ... which Jack Blanchard and Misty Morgan also plugged on their website:
Hope you like the latest interview.
It's not bad, if I do say do myself. :)
Just click the link to listen.
Jack (& Misty)
A Celebrity Interview with Jack Blanchard and Misty Morgan exclusively at MusicChartsMagazine.comhttp://www.musicchartsmagazine.com/a-celebrity-interview-with-jack-blanchard-and-misty-morgan-exclusively-at-music-charts-magazine-com/
Jack Blanchard & Misty Morgan...
www.jackandmisty.net
It's not bad, if I do say do myself. :)
Just click the link to listen.
Jack (& Misty)
A Celebrity Interview with Jack Blanchard and Misty Morgan exclusively at MusicChartsMagazine.comhttp://www.musicchartsmagazine.com/a-celebrity-interview-with-jack-blanchard-and-misty-morgan-exclusively-at-music-charts-magazine-com/
Jack Blanchard & Misty Morgan...
www.jackandmisty.net
Henson Cargill's SKIP A ROPE peaked at #2 here in OKC in December of 1967 for two weeks in a row. At one time, there was a restaurant here in Oklahoma City called Henson's named after the singer. And I do believe he had some sort of financial interest in it.
Larry Neal
Cargill was born in Oklahoma City, so that makes sense ... local boy does good. I don't know why, but this one grabbed me right out of the gate ... always liked it and still do ... yet not one you're likely to ever hear played on the radio anymore. (kk)
Here another great country cross-over hit from the '60's that has stuck with me all these years ...HELP ME MAKE IT THRU THE NIGHT by SAMMI SMITH! (kk)
Here another great country cross-over hit from the '60's that has stuck with me all these years ...HELP ME MAKE IT THRU THE NIGHT by SAMMI SMITH! (kk)
re: THIS AND THAT:
Guess who's coming to Chicago! Al Kooper will be doing a couple of solo shows in the midwest later this month ...
October 26th - The Miramar Theater
Guess who's coming to Chicago! Al Kooper will be doing a couple of solo shows in the midwest later this month ...
October 26th - The Miramar Theater
2844 N. Oakland Ave. Milwaukee, WI
October 27th - SPACE - Evanston, IL
1245 Chicago Ave
Check it out if you can ... maybe we'll see you there! (kk)
What a great offering for a Tuesday. So much interesting stuff. Totally loved the Letterman clip. Back in 1978 or 79, someone gave a pair of tickets to my Mom to see them in concert. Mom was 45 or 46 at the time and I of course was 20 years younger so I wasn't really all that excited when she said I had to go with her. I liked the Letterman okay but not like she did. I went. About half way into the concert they came down off the stage like they did in the video you posted. Something happened to me, I was ready to become a groupie. They were so handsome and so sweet. My little heart went pity-pat. My Mom was laughing at me ... GOOD TIMES!
What a great offering for a Tuesday. So much interesting stuff. Totally loved the Letterman clip. Back in 1978 or 79, someone gave a pair of tickets to my Mom to see them in concert. Mom was 45 or 46 at the time and I of course was 20 years younger so I wasn't really all that excited when she said I had to go with her. I liked the Letterman okay but not like she did. I went. About half way into the concert they came down off the stage like they did in the video you posted. Something happened to me, I was ready to become a groupie. They were so handsome and so sweet. My little heart went pity-pat. My Mom was laughing at me ... GOOD TIMES!
Stacee
I passed your note along to Gary Pike of The Lettermen, who wrote back ...
Thanks Kent,
Makes it all worth while.
Stacee ... I’m glad we brought back some good memories.
That was a really a good posting on Tuesday ...
The a-cappella group, “Human Nature” were outstanding, right in tune and right together. People don’t realize how difficult it is for four guys to stay in tune like that with no instruments to hold your pitch. Smokey Robinson saw their talent and they knocked his socks off. We all would like to see these guys make it commercially but they’re going to have to get the right material and producer to have a hit record cuz just talent ain’t enough to make it. There’s more talent walking the streets than are successful.
Gary Pike, Lettermen / Reunion
Speaking of The Lettermen, John Rook sent us these pictures of the current version of the group receiving their Hit Parade Hall Of Fame Award on stage in Las Vegas.
K
Speaking of The Lettermen, John Rook sent us these pictures of the current version of the group receiving their Hit Parade Hall Of Fame Award on stage in Las Vegas.
K
This past weekend,
