The Band Guestbook, January 2009

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Adam

does anyone know of detailed articles about the Dec. 28-31 '71 recordings for Rock Of Ages? Besides the reissue liner notes, it's hard to find information. I'd like to see an interview with Phil Ramone or Mark Harman about the recording. also, is there any solid evidence that all four nights were recorded? There would be no reason not to record them all, but I find it very odd that the bonus tracks from the reissue are all the same versions we have on Academy of Outtakes.

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jh

Subject: Lee playing mandolin

Link above: "Rag Mama Rag" from the 1983 Japan Tour.

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Krisite

"Matterhorn" by the country gentlemen is a great song. It made me want to play Bluegrass, and I think I will get there one day. I really feel only musicians can play Bluegrass, there ain't no strummin' like in some country music. I have been listening to more and more Bluegrass lately.

Bashfull Bill-Thanks for the kind words about Kris Kristofferson. I am really looking forward to seeing him, and even if he is not having a good night, I still feel it will be worth it getting to see him in person. The man has had one hell of a life!

He is playing at a casino of all places so I will probably be surrounded by gamblers fresh from the slot machines. But then again gambling and Kris Kristofferson seems like a pretty good combination.

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Peter V

Eric Bazilian gets the mandolin credit on the studio recording of Atlantic City.

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Friend0

I've always been a fan of good bluegrass. Which to me, as in any genre means great writing and great playing.

Charlie, I'd expect that was Levon on mandolin on Rag Mama Rag.

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Charlie Y

Did Levon play many mandolin parts with The Band? I remember "When I Paint My Masterpiece" and--years later--"Atlantic City," but it was pretty rare in my recollection.

I love the sound of the instrument and owned one which I got rid of after hearing David Grisman play for the first time. I still see him or Sam Bush anytime I have a chance. I can't think of any more versatile virtuoso players on that wonderful little instrument than those two.

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Dunc

Subject: Rich, Lars

Three great albums, Rich.

In November I saw the Grace and Danger tour.

For the encore, John played Rock, Salt and Nails. He sung this without guitar, which maybe was the reason why it wasn't one of my favourites until Lars got me revisiting it. A great song. Lars speaks eloquently about it.

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JQ

Westcoaster - I agree with some of what you say about Bluegrass music but I don't agree with you that the use of the mandolin is infrequent. Consider:

- It's Ricky Skaggs' primary instrument

- It's Bill Monroe's (the father or Bluegrass) primary instrument

- It's the instrument of choice for a number of quite renown Bluegrass bandleaders & duet players like: Jesse McReynolds of Jim & Jesse, Del McCoury, Sonny Osborne & Ira Louvin.

These are just the ones I could think of just now; I'm sure there are more but I believe I've made my point that: in the Bluegrass genre the mandolin is ubiquitous & even a natural requirement.

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Joan

Subject: Springsteen and Walmart

Bruce regrets exclusive deal with Walmart

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westcoaster

Subject: Bluegrass - Mandolins - Players & Music

I don't know what Bluegrass Steve may have been listening to but, for the most part bluegrass songs are shorter and more to the point than any country, rock, blues, or jazz. Seldom do you hear the 4 or 5 minute solos like, for example blues where some guitar player is impressing no one but himself.

Bluegrass more traditionally is know for the banjo, fiddles, flat top guitars, and wash tub bass. Mandolins are thrown in not as much. However examples like the Amazing Rythmn Aces cover of "Life's Railway to Heaven". Barry Burton does some real tasty work with his mandolin.

In acknowledging the players, you can never leave out Mark O'Connor. We've discussed him much here before. The multi instrument talent, who along with Jerry Douglas did a lot of the work on the Dirt Bands, "Circle Two" album.

The mandolin appears more, and in my opinion is most suited to Celtic music. I recall telling a story years ago here. In 1977 on a Saturday afternoon at the Cedars pub in Gibsons, a bunch of us were setting up instruments for a Saturday afternoon jam session. My brother was standing tuning up his mandolin. Two fellows, (looking quite different from the crowd, by their dress and manner) came strolling over to us. They were two lads from Ireland, just slipped off a ship loading pulp at the Port Mellon pulp mill. They came in to enjoy a couple pints of grog. The one young lad, a good looking fellow, was eyeing Lorne's mandolin. I said, "Do you play?" He said .....oh a wee bit.

Well shit! We gave him the mandolin, and struck it up with him, unplugged. Whether a reel or lament, that lad could play! Some times the most fun you'll ever have in playing music is a spontaineous event like that. I've thought of that boy from time to time. When they left we gave each other a hug. He was an instant friend, with a manner and respect and humility that you had to appreciate. Yah I think the mandolin is great in Celtic music. Now I got to go to sea, and it's snowing and UGLY!

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rosalind

Hi Norbert - I picked this'en out just fer you

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Norbert

Subject: Eliza's Horoscope

YouTube: Eliza's Horoscope (Richard's)

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rich

Subject: john martyn and levon again

there's another cracking levon and john martyn duet on 'no little boy' ,a song called 'rock salt and nails'.i think its the only non john martyn song on the album.the rest are reworkings of john's classics.fav.john albums.the holy trinity for me are solid air,one world,and grace and danger;the latter has to be one of the saddest albums ever.however there's so many to choose from,and 'no little boy'is a lost gem.anybody know anything about'rock salt and nails? thanks for that roz.

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umm

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Lars

NORM- Avast. Hope all is smooth sailing for you, Old Salt.

MIKE- When I got out of the service in 1970 I spent that summer hitchiking thru Europe. I was in Copenhagen in July and I had a room right across the street from Tivoli Gardens for a couple of days. I spent most of that summer sleeping in the German bushes and the Italian orchards & vineyards, so Copenhagen was a real treat for my back.

The following May The Band played somewhere in Copenhagen. By that time the Navy had recalled me and I was on a ship in Galveston, feeling pretty pissed off and betrayed.

I eventually got over it. Someday, up in Paradise, I might even bump into Richard Nixon, the guy who ordered me back into active duty. That's when I'm going to get even.

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rosalind

"Well the woman I love is named Ramona
She kinda looks like Tempest Storm
And she can dance like Little Egypt
And she works down at the Snake Farm

Snake farm - It just sounds nasty
Snake Farm - Well it pretty well is
Snake Farm - It's a reptile house
Snake Farm - Yes, it is

Well Ramona's got this keen sense of humor
And she's got this tattoo all down her arm
It's of a python eatin' a little mouse wearin' a sailor hat that says "Snake Farm"

Snake Farm - It just sounds nasty
Snake Farm - Well I guess it pretty well is
Snake Farm - It's a reptile house
Snake Farm -it's real Good

I asked my Ramona how come she work there
She says "It's got it's charms. Nuthin' much to do in the wintertime but then a kid gets bitten at the "Snake Farm"

Snake farm - It just sounds nasty
Snake Farm - Well, Yes it is
Snake Farm - It's a reptile house
Snake Farm - Shed some skin

Ramona likes her malt liquor
And some band from Wales called "The Alarm"
She said she cried when they broke up
And she still plays their records down at the Snake Farm\

Snake Farm - It just sounds Nasty
Snake Farm - Well I guess it is
Snake Farm - It's a Reptile house
Snake farm - They only accept cash

Sometimes Ramona'll call me up
And says to me "Come on down here, it's gettin' warm"
And we ... you know..
It's a Snake Farm..."

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bassmanlee

Sometimes I have no idea what you are on about, but then... I only recently discovered Larry Sparks. That disc is a keeper. My bluegrass collection keeps on growing. Like jazz, I love to listen to bluegrass. It's a lot like jazz - not really my culture, as much of it is Gospel-tinged, but man, I love to hear it. Someday it may even pry open my agnostic heart. The picking can be a bit frenetic if you are not in the mood, but those cats can really play. So I not only love the old hands, but many of the not-the-way-Bill-Monroe-did-it types who have been influenced by it. Exhibit A: The Greencards. Keep the faith, baby!

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westcoaster

Subject: Nebular Buoy

Well I really do appreciate your twisted, fucked up sense of humour. You crack me up!

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Northern Boy

Subject: Canada's Embarrassing World Junior Hockey Performances

Hey Norm. Of course no one can beat our juniors at hockey. It's obviously a given we'll be given the gold medals at the end of the tournament, like we have for the last five straight years. The embarrassing performance I'm referring to is that wicked, off-key singing of "O Canada" ours lads perpetrate at the close of the event every year. I mean, yikes. Can't Hockey Canada get the kids to spend a little less time on hockey skill-building and a little more on vocal training ?

We know they're gonna have to sing the anthem in front of the world every year. Why be modest and pretend otherwise ? With Canada having given the world Rick, Richard, Neil, Joni and whole host of other great vocalists, cripes, we can't afford to then have a bunch of toothless teenagers tarnishing our international reputation every year with their complete lack of vocal prowess. (Besides, from what I understand Celine Dion just hates to be upstaged). NB

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Yannick

Subject: Howlin' Hill Project VS Tommy McCoy

Having just seen the mention of an album called "Angels Serenade" by Thomas McCoy Band and/or Helm, Hudson and McCoy, and then re-read the December 2008 guestbook, I think I can contribute to clearing up the confusion regarding the album in question. Having found out about the "Howlin Hill Project" album on this site a few years ago, and loving the music on it tremendously, I searched the web for its non-The Band protagonists and found out that during the sessions, two albums worth of material had been recorded - the other album being billed to Tommy McCoy, who is the brother of Howlin Hill guitarist Gary McCoy. I had never heard anything from this album until now. The sound samples on the cdbaby.com site tell me that 5 tracks on the "Angels Serenade" are also on the "Howlin Hill Project" album. I'm not sure if these are all different takes of the same songs, but they are definitely the same arrangements. That leaves 7 out of 12 songs that don't overlap. These are all sung by a voice not familiar to me, who I assume is Thomas McCoy. The overlapping songs are "You're the Only Thing", "Angel Serenade", "Runaway Train", "Runaway Train", "I Stood There Like A Stone" and "Something Bout the Smokies". "I Stood There Like A Stone" is clearly audible to me from the sound sample as being a different take to the Howlin Hill Project version, but is not sung by Tommy McCoy, but Howlin Hill vocalist Doug Thomas. I'm not so sure yet on whether I need the additional 7 tracks that feature Tommy McCoy, but I can highly recommend the "Howlin Hill Project" album for, in addition to the songs shared by both albums, at least the sheer fun of "Slow Down And Let Your Soul Catch Up" and the fine harmony singing on "The Belle Of Windy Mountain". To be honest, I'd like to hear more of the Howlin Hill's main singer Doug Thomas. I don't have any idea on who gets paid what amount from the sales of these records. I can just add that the "Howlin Hill Project" album is billed to the band name and the 5 protagonists Doug Thomas, Gary McCoy, George Tricomi, Levon Helm and Garth Hudson - and not Tommy McCoy, even though he is the bassist on all but two tracks of the album. I hope this helps clearing up the confusion that arose in December.

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westcoaster

Subject: The Northern Kid

Gawd Damn kid from Hope is really startin' to loose his marbles! It upsets him som-n awful 'cause no one can come even close to playing hockey with us.

Wha'd you expect?

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Mike

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Northern Boy

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westcoaster

Subject: Dis - n - dat

HI LARS!!!!! Hey Joe.......how goes it? Are you still up to your ass in the white stuff over on your rock there?

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Lars

Subject: Illka

Illka- Never confuse "courage" with "stupidity." I'm probably very stupid to use my name in the Internet. My many detractors will back me up on this point.

I just wanted to tell you that we had a Swedish exchange student from your part of Sweden, back in 1994-95. She was from the Vaxjo area, a small town named Moheda. She still writes us once in a while. A fine girl with very red hair.

I remember taking the ferry from Copenhagen to Malmo back in my youth. There used to be a bunch of guys at the bar who drank duty-free liquor as the boat went back and forth all day. Sometimes I wonder if they ever got off.

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joe j

Talking about obsessive, I ordered Dylan's 'Self Portrait' last night. Where do we go from here?

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Dunc

Subject: Recommended book

Thanks to everybody for John Martyn mentions. His death was a main article today in Scotland's national newspaper. Thanks Joan.

I'd like to recommend a book 'Bringing It All Back Home' by Ian Clayton. Don't be mislead by the title it's not a Dylan encyclopaedia, but it's about us guys - the music obsessives who seem to have a soundtrack to their lives. I may be a seven on this scale, but there are many people on this guestbook who rate a ten. At the end of the book,tears rolled from my eyes. Rare from a dour Scot.

So make sure you buy it.

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Joan

Sorry for my typo.

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zzjoan

Subject: John Martyn

NY Times obituary for John Martyn.

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JTull Fan

I only scrolled down about 10 posts and did not see the other John Martyn posts.

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Steve

Songs where the mandolin is an appreciated implement; Friend Of The Devil, Ripple and any song Levon played it in a Band song. There are many more obviously but those are songs where it's played to compliment the song.

Roz I thought all the music that got rolled into Rock and Roll was country music.

Northern Boy, Arizona, 8 wins 8 loses, is the team the smart money will be on Sunday to win the Super Duper Bowl to bookend this year of mediocrity with the Giants.

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David P.

And I thought it stood for Impossible Kit Envolving Assembly :-).

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Joan

Subject: Terry Danko and The Pencils

Be sure to check out Carol's blog for an interesting interview of Terry Danko that coincides with his new posts over at Youtube.

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Ilkka (again)

Subject: The "E" and the "A" in IKEA

I am a nice guy, even in my _own_ opinion ;-) So, the "E" and the "A" comes from the village and from the farm where Mr. Kamprad was born. - Have a very good Marmot Day.

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Joan

Subject: Honda

This was done with no artifice. What you see actually occurred.It has nothing to do with music, but it is so cool. Enjoy!

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Ilkka Jauramo

Subject: IKEA

Just like ABBA is a part of the national folk music heritage in Sweden IKEA is a part of the history in the South of Sweden where a lot of people immigrated to the USA, mostly Minnesota. - Not everyone immigrated. A young man sold fountain pens and self-made furnitures. His name is _I_ngvar _K_amprad. I won't tell what the "E" and the "A" in IKEA means because I am so pissed off. Some genius like ROBBIE ROBERTSON could easily make a song of this.

A warm applause to Mr. Lars Pedersen who has the courage to post here in his own name. BTW Ingvar Kamprad comes only from a few miles from a certain town in the South of Sweden ;-). To Canadians: I am going to celebrate The Marmot Day 2nd Feb, cheers!

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westcoaster

Subject: John Martyn

J Tull; Now apologize! I'm joking, but several people mentioned John's passing, including Dunc in Scotland, who is a great fan, and has always championed John Martyn.

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Northern Boy

Subject: Where Erotica Meets Bluegrass

Been a bit of an erotic (some might say smutty) undertone here of late, along with some discussion of bluegrass. This was as close as I could come to finding a video that "straddles" shall we say, both of these threads. We all know it, and I believe there's even a TLW connection in the vocals, which are literally entralling.

Stevon Farm: In deference to your deference towards me, I'll take back the "Go Steelers Go" part.

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Zzzz

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JTull Fan

Can't believe nobody on this board mentioned his passing yet.

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Zzzz

Remembering Reagan...

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David P.

Subject: Mandolin Wind

Any discussion of mandolin pickers would have to include two great innovative stylists, Tiny Moore and Kenneth "Jethro" Burns. Mr. Moore made a name for himself playing with Bob Wills in the Texas Playboys, where he tore through western swing leads with a solid-body electric mandolin. Mr. Burns first gained fame, along with Henry Haynes, in the duo Homer & Jethro. Along with their comedic approach, they brought the strong influence of melodic jazz into country music.

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rosalind

Don't push that one certain "suggestive" button in the synopsis for the film under the link.

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rosalind

Under link you will find the chick in the tittie flick and the name of the film featured in your video, chuckles!

Nuthin wrong with me. I just decided not to mention that neither Flatt nor Scruggs carried a mandolin on stage and I won't go any further. I have found myself forever defending bluegrass music to uninformed folks who drop it into the "country music" catagory without knowing the they did anything wrong.

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Friend0

Ros, what is it you have against rocks this morning? First walking, then mandolins? If the chick was carrying or playing a mandolin whilst walking across the rocks in heels you'd probabyl have had a canary.

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Friend0

Mike, while my JOhnnie Be Back is buried somewhere, I;d bet my bottom dollar that's Jimmy, mIke Merrit and Wormworth along with Johnnie. Vivino produced, 1995. Thatsong was one of JOhnnie's live staples.

MIke Henderson is one of Nashville's busiest session guitar players. When Kooper lived there, Henderson used to come up to NYC wiht Kooper, open some of Kooper's Bottom Line Sshows with his BLuebloods band.

Kooper's 65 th birthday show coming up, feb 7. And I'll be at a black tie bar mitzvah, a few blocks a way. Can't get out of going ,no way, no how. I've looked at every angle.

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bob w.

Start listing drummers and the story changes dramatically.

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Mike

Subject: 40th anniversary of Beatles final gig together.

Today marks the 40th anniversary of the Beatles famed London rooftop performance, a free show that was the band's very last gig together. Ken Mansfield, frmr Apple Records & Beatles U.S. mgr, has assembled a commemorative gig featuring Beatles tribute band Creme Tangerine. The performance will happen today atop Seattle's Pike Place Market. I'm sure Jeff would much prefer Jimmy Vivino's Fab Faux.

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rosalind

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dlew919

One of the top three Rock Mandolinists - Ian Anderson and John Paul Jones being the other two. (BIll Monroe, Flatt and Scruggs, et cetera, are country...)

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roz

Steve, If that's where you were going then I strictly agree with ya. About 99.9.9 percent of the music I hear gets pitched. I spend most of my time siftin.

Since Steve brought up the mandolin. I will take this opportunity to ask if anyone here actually considers Levon Helm to be a "mandolin player"? If so, you should hear how it' really suppose to sound.

Peter brought up the kid with the banjo in "I'm Not There" and I didn't remember so I pulled the DVD out of it's case and slipped it in. That guy who was sitting on the couch gets used as some kind of a punching bag, don't he? Plus he gets puked on. Another thing. Why is one of these guys named Robbie? Why does Robbie have a French wife and two daughters? Weird.

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Steve

I was going to mention Gospel, NB, but in deference to you left it out.

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nobody spachell

Todd Haynes

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rosalind

And that snotty little black hobo kid. Reciting Budd Schulberg's lines from A Face in the Crowd. Shulberg should have sued! I just wanted to belt that little bastard! That movie just grated on me. I dug Richard Gere's character and I did like the "carnivale" type stuff. (Obviously lifted from HBO's Carnivale!) And Dylan allowed this? If I were Dylan, I would have come out with a vengeance against this pile of pretentious shite. Maybe Bob Dylan is a pretentious shite? Maybe he just don't care any more. He certainly was a smart mouthed little prick tho. My favorite character in the film? Mr Jones! Grossman came off as probably exactly what he was! I never liked the look and feelings I got from Grossman. He seemed so "puffed up" all the time. Why did they not destroy Donovan in this movie too? They always enjoyed letting him have it before!

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rich

Subject: john martyn and levon duet

sad news about john martyn.he did a great duet with levon on the album 'no little boy'recorded in the early 90's.its called 'just now' and its sublime;really really good.i cant recommend it highly enough. john also joined 'the band' onstage in the forum,london in 1996 for a rollicking version of ophelia.it was the highlight of the gig for me. a truly wonderful singer songwriter,and a great larger than life character. RIP john.

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Peter V

Thanks for the link. On banjo, there is a little moment of irony in "I'm Not There." Cate Blanchett as the electric Dylan is sitting in a London hotel room on the 66 tour. Opposite her is a backing musician in black leather jacket, with hooded eyes playing around on … the banjo. The positioning makes it clear that this is meant to be Robbie. So why the banjo? Otherwise, I found the film near unwatchable, though Blanchett was by far the best portrayal of Dylan. What really got on my nerves was the shoehorning of song titles into dialogue. Funny the first couple of times, then very tired.

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rosalind

Something to rock your morning, Peter?

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Peter V

I once spent a confusing few minutes in the long-gone Tower Records main store in Picadilly Circus looking for The Dillards. I tried Americana, rock, country, folk and admitted defeat and asked. It was in Bluegrass. Now such distinctions are of the past, as the stores now have one section called “Specialist Music” embracing about ten genres. So you can say you like Bluegrass, and evoke thoughts of “Deliverance” or simply say “I like Specialist” and be beyond criticism.

Rocks and high heels: In the 1970s we walked the Samaria Gorge in Crete. It was a hard hike in those days … straight down for 13 kilometres, much over large rocks and through a riverbed in the actual gorge. The tour bus had forty Germans in full hiking gear, two Brits (me and Mrs V) in open sandals and three elegant French ladies in high heels and smart skirts. The Germans won the race to the bottom by an hour, and we went slowly along with the French ladies who had fallen down a few times. But we all got there in the end.

Entered at Fri Jan 30 08:37:58 CET 2009 from (67.235.95.226)

rosalind

Bassmanlee - We seem to have the same tste in music.

Great bluegrass is like an other great music. It doesn't just lay on top of the ground waiting for you to reach down and pick it up. It's hidden, ya gotta mine for it.

Entered at Fri Jan 30 07:17:17 CET 2009 from (67.235.95.226)

rosalind

.. geez, wonder how many times old jeffool HAD to watch that?
Yeah, that's unrealistic.. Them shoes? No Way. You ain't gonna catch ANY wonam walkin' across rocks in them heels.
Is she on her way to work?
She's carryin a purse... Wonder how much she makes?
Whatever she makes an't enough to bail her stupid ass outta jail if she ever gets caught doin' what she does with one or more of them boys.
Maybe she's a school teacher.
Maybe she's that kid's mother. Hey, that's incest.
Jeff just posted a incestous video on the Band's Guestbook!
Wonder if Jan Hoiberg will dip in and ban for that?
Probably not, He only bans me.
Hey, that chick's got nice knockers.. wonder how much they cost?
I need some surgery, mine don't bounce as much as they used to.. I'm gettin low
Insurance don't pay for it. Shit!
Hey puta, What's with the lemons?
Hey babe, you're gonna get your slip all sticky.
I bet they got the idea of usin those lemons from that Atlantic City movie starring Susan Sarandon...
That's a pretty good movie. I ain't seen that movie in years.
She must deal with cash in her line of work to.
I feel like a glass of lemon-aid.
Maybe I'll just skip the sugar and rubb'em all over my tits!

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Friend0

Peter, were you talking about erection made easier? Well, someone had a sense of humor,and Johnnie is laughing appreciatively up in heaven about this for sure. And we all forgive the guy for spelling his name wrong in the title.

Lucky kid huh?

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Serenity

Hi guys--Hope you all are behaving yourselves.

Just thought I'd send this news I rec'd in my inbox today.

Take care

Until next time LOVE AND PEACE xoxoxox

NEW YORK (Billboard) - Bob Dylan and will.i.am: Together at last? The musicians both appear in a Pepsi commercial that is being considered for placement during Sunday's Super Bowl broadcast, singing a song written specifically for the ad. Further details on the ad were unavailable, but Pepsi Co. North America executives said they also are considering selling the song on iTunes. The company has two or three minutes of total advertising time during the February 1 game. Pepsi Co., which recently rebranded Gatorade simply as G, is likely to use a spot that incorporates rapper Lil Wayne. Wayne has been heard in teaser spots for the campaign that have been airing for the past month. In them, he talks about all the things the letter G stands for, while celebrities including Muhammad Ali and the Jabberwocky dance crew appear on-screen. In other Super Bowl music-related ad news, alternative rock band the Smashing Pumpkins will unveil a new song, "FOL," in a commercial for Hyundai's Genesis Coupe. Cellist Yo-Yo Ma will appear in a separate Hyundai ad during the big game.

Entered at Fri Jan 30 04:34:06 CET 2009 from (67.235.95.226)

rosalind

Yes Steve, A lot of Bluegrass is generic. You have to be selective. Are you not selective, Steve? You have obviously chosen The Band over say.. Bachman Turner Overdrive, Right?

Without going into much detail, I would strongly suggest never quoting Leopnard Cohen lyrics while recuperating from a nervous breakdown in the boobie hatch. They call the shrink in and up your meds. I have also struck TVZ from my list. Some Dylan's okay.. some's not. I learned firsthand of course. You may ask why someone would need to quote song lyrics in the hatch? They have pills now that basically act as elecro shock therapy. They have found a way to burn what they consider to be "the bad part of your brain" out of your head in a more humane way, They get you in the most vunerable state of your life, when your mind and body have already separated due to breakdown, and they literally try with all their might to change you into someone they themselves can approve of. In the process of course, they destroy all that's unique and individual in the unfortunate human being before them. Luckily, they failed with me. It frustrated them.

"Banker Moore's plane went down, just three miles south of town
On a forty acre farm he forclosed on
I can hear him sayin' now
Money's what it's all about
Now I can safely say that he's dead wrong

The last suit you wear won't need no pockets
You can't take it with you
When you go
When that hand full of dirt
Goes back into the earth
What you'll be worth
Only Heaven knows

You know he always said
"You got to dress
For success"
And he wore the very best that money could buy
He made a fortune in his time
Now he leaves it all behind
They oughta write this on the stone
Where he lies

The last suit you wear don't need no pockets
You can't take it with you
When you go
When that handful of dirt
Goes back into the earth
What you'll be worth
Only Heaven knows"

Larry Sparks

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Peter M.

Subject: Leonard Cohen (ouch)

Sorry if I led anyone astray with a "heads up" regarding In regard toLeonard Cohen's "I'm Your Man" performance, I did see only the last 8-10 minutes of it, but will catch the whole thing next Thursday. I, too was disappointed to see Bono & U2 giving their stamp of approval, but they seemed to tone down the tiring rightous pompousity which they usually apply to their productions. I appreciate the "watch out for the Wainrights" warning. Maybe I'll dial down my expectations accordingly. Decades ago we saw Jennifer Warnes open for Dave Mason and have liked her stuff since, but she really is at her best when covering or doing a duet with Leonard.

Roz, thanks for the Robert Johnson song lyrics. I had read through them, thinking it was a poem, until I saw later that it was a Bill Morrisey song. Will have to look for that one.

Entered at Fri Jan 30 03:10:29 CET 2009 from s0106000a956fbfac.cq.shawcable.net (70.78.227.124)

Northern Boy

Subject: Irksome Stevie (You're Kind of A Drag)

Nice job you did today of dismissing an entire musical genre starting with the letter B(luegrass). Perhaps you're in Bumbles Withdrawl, and simply carrying on all his fine work in his absence. You'll recall he'd routinely dismiss as "kind of a drag" another entire musical genre starting with the letter B. Mind you, I did my best to tell Bumbles it wasn't the entire Blues genre that was "Kind Of A Drag", but rather just one song by the Buckinghams (and it wasn't even bluesy), but would Bumbles ever listen to me ? Wisely, not even once .

Anyway, you've learned well from your old mentor, haven't you Stevon ? Actually, I remember you dismissing Gospel music here not that long ago. (Perhaps you hear it as "B"ospel Music, I don't know). Do you also dismiss R&B, or only the B half of that genre ? I'm sure glad that you and that New Jersey Devil Beelzebumbles can't actually eradicate all these traditional American musical forms, given they're the bedrock for the foundation of Big Pink and all that followed.

And besides who knows, perhaps as we speak there's a group of maybe five ten year-olds in an attic somewhere, exploring such ancient music on an antiquated record player and thinking "hey, this funny old stuff is pretty cool, but it's gonna really rock too when we start our band in couple of years and start messin' around with some of it". Possibly the Second Coming of Ophelia, and King Harvest, and so on. And you know I ain't just "whistling Dixie" here, Steve.

PS. Go Steelers !

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Lars Pedersen

RIP- John Martyn.

"Once in a while you hear a song that finds its way deep into your memory, and you find yourself humming along." --Anon.

Well done, John.

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Bashful Bill

Subject: "I'm Your Man"

It's not on today but I'll watch for it. Thanks Ros.... What WAS on today, on VH1 Classics is Classic Albums The Band(the Brown album). Did anyone ever see the Behind the Music episode of Robbie? I saw it once, many years ago, & have never seen it scheduled again.

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Peter V

Steve … yes, IKEA is the home of the unmade bed, and unmade shelving unit and table too. The thing about those unmade IKEA beds is that the screws are no good. They're usually too short and too soft. If you go to a hardware store and buy better quality ones, erection is much easier.

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Friend0

From Allmans;newsletter. No comment , but it is intersting.

Five years ago Butch Trucks had a vision of how the Internet could bring the live concert experience into people's homes around the world, expanding the audience of a live concert to many thousands of music-loving fans.

But this would be more than just another streaming video service that didn't care about the content itself – it would be an extended community that felt that same magical bond that comes over a crowd during that roar of approval after a soaring solo.

Butch's vision was right on – but the technology at the time was limited, and it has taken enormous patience and persistence to get to the point where the experience could match the dream – but now, (sfx: huge drum roll!!) sisters and brothers, Moogis has arrived!!!

Moogis offers its subscribers streaming video access to entire live concerts, both in real time and on-demand from its archives. Moogis.com is the gathering place for its subscribers, a social website where you can create your own profile, join discussion groups, hang out with like-minded folks and share the communal experience that music inspires. The site doesn't have a drum circle yet, but who knows...

All this is coming together in time for the Allman Brothers Band’s historic 40th anniversary run at the Beacon Theatre in New York City . Tickets to the ABBeacon have always sold out and never has that been more obvious than this year when thousands of true fans have struggled with ticket purchases. Struggle no more, Peach Corps - subscribe to Moogis today and you’ll always have the best seat in the house for this truly epic music event!

Start the next great concert experience of your life by heading to Moogis.com and subscribing to get:

*EVERY 2009 Allman Brothers Band Beacon run concert live and on-demand!

*Dozens of on-demand video concerts and scores of audio concerts available right now!

*Full Moogis until 9/30/09 only $100 until 2/15/2009 and $125 thereafter.

Again, your new concert home sweet home is: Moogis.com

See you there!

Please also be sure to check Moogis out in the social graph where you can connect with other Moogis fans, discuss and share great content, and be the first to know about new events, videos and other cool stuff as soon as it’s available!

http://facebook.moogis.com

http://twitter.moogis.com

http://youtube.moogis.com

http://myspace.moogis.com

Gimme a group high five, Moogis has arrived! Whooo hooo!

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Dunc

Subject: John Martyn

John Martyn died this morning aged 60. He was up there for me. Really enjoyed seeing him in Glasgow

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Steve

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Peter V

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David P.

Subject: Jenny Sings Lenny

JQ: Link above to more info on the lovely Ms. Warnes' "Famous Blue Raincoat" tribute.

Sony released remastered versions of L. Cohen's first three albums in 2007, with bonus tracks at a mid-price level. For the casual fan there's also the 2-disc Essential Leonard Cohen compilation.

Entered at Thu Jan 29 21:51:38 CET 2009 from bas4-toronto06-1279311467.dsl.bell.ca (76.64.190.107)

Kevin J

"the guitar is horribly intrusive" We will put you down as always having had the bed made - then?

Entered at Thu Jan 29 21:31:17 CET 2009 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Worst "Hallelujah" - Bono (Tower of Song)

Best "Everybody Knows" (cover) Don Henley (Tower of Song)

Best "Chelsea Hotel #2" Rufus Wainwright (I'm Your man)

Best "Hallelujah" John Cale (I'm Your Fan) + Shrek soundtrack

In all cases, Leonard's originals are superior.

So often female singers, less immediately contrasted, rate better on Cohen covers. I played through the Jennifer Warnes a couple of weeks ago - the guitar is horribly intrusive.

Entered at Thu Jan 29 21:23:35 CET 2009 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

I make it six:

I'm Your Fan (Columbia 1991).

Tower of Song (A&M 1995)

I'm Your Man (Verve 2006)

Famous Blue Raincoat- Jennifer Warnes

Judy Collins Sings Leonard Cohen: Democracy (Rhino 2004)

Cohen Covered (Mojo Magazine, December 2008)

Having been at one of the shows, Brighton, featured on "I'm Your Man" I can assure you that in front of the house, Nick Cave and Rufus Wainwright stole the show. In terms of audience acclaim, Rufus might just have won, but only by a whisker. It's all to do with personal charisma that doesn't necessarily translate to film.

I think we should have a straw poll on the numbers who have received or given head on an unmade bed, so as to enliven the debate.

Entered at Thu Jan 29 21:20:49 CET 2009 from bas4-toronto06-1279311467.dsl.bell.ca (76.64.190.107)

Kevin J

Subject: JQ and others

A clip you might enjoy re: L. Cohen and Jennifer Warnes

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Kevin J

Entered at Thu Jan 29 20:28:57 CET 2009 from (166.129.110.102)

JQ

David P -

What is the additional content on the new Famous Blue Raincoat? For my money nobody has ever covered LC better than J Warnes, eh? Is there any other connection between those 2 other than that record? I sort of recall something called Jenny Sings Lenny?

Entered at Thu Jan 29 19:39:40 CET 2009 from bas4-toronto06-1279311467.dsl.bell.ca (76.64.190.107)

Kevin J

The Jennifer Warnes material features some lovely Stevie Ray Vaughn contributions. As to the celebrity release with Sir Elton and others, only 2 covers work in my opinion - Don Henley's "Everybody Knows" and Willie Nelson's "Bird on a Wire".

Entered at Thu Jan 29 19:13:57 CET 2009 from wireless.10.ccis.net (209.195.208.10)

bassmanlee

Roz, Bill Morrisey's Robert Johnson is a great song and a staple of my eclectic seldom unleashed repertoire. A folk song about a blues man, but it works. I've seen Bill play it and realized I have greatly altered it and play it in an entirely different key. Pretty much like all the stuff I play. I've also done I'm Your Man (easy to go over the top with that one) and used to do First We Take Manhattan, but retired it after 911.

I think there are three Cohen tribute records. There's one called "I'm Your FAN" from the early '90s that has REM (doesn't EVERY tribute album?), John Cale, and Nick Cave on it as well as a lot of people I had never heard of. A couple of the treatments go wide of the mark in my book.

Then there is one called "Tower of Song" that had higher profile folks like Sting, Elton John, Don Henley, Aaron Neville. It probably bordered on bloodless in spots. I hardly ever listen to it.

I had completely forgotten about the 2005 concert one, which is what they are showing on Sundance. I have that one too, somewhere, but seem to recall being disappointed by it on first listen. Of course the best by far is Famous Blue Raincoat. Poor Jennifer. What the hell do you follow THAT up with?

Finally, YES we listen to bluegrass! Just picked up two disks by a previously unknown (to me) guy named Jim White. (One of them is called "The White Album".) Mostly new original songs and both with the same band featuring Ricky Scaggs on mandolin and harmony vocal. Hot stuff. Jim Lauderdale has done several good bluegrass records, including two with Ralph Stanley. I like Tony Rice (his disk with Peter Rowan is great), Del McCoury, Mike Auldridge, lots of others. We listen to the Slacker.com bluegrass channel sometimes in the office. They play some good stuff. There are a whole lot of hot young bluegrass bands out there.

And that you would be attracted to someone with "some kind of sexual/mental disorder" somehow does not surprise me!

Entered at Thu Jan 29 19:16:06 CET 2009 from 21cust183.tnt2.sherbrooke.pq.da.uu.net (64.11.26.183)

Steve

Yes blurgrass, After awhile lots of songs start to run together. I do a solo, you do a solo, he does a solo, she does a solo, we do a solo, they do a solo, all at breakneck speed. Speed seems to be a valued ingredient.

I think the banjo solos are about the most tiresome.

I'm good for about 2 songs then I want to do nasty things, usually to the banjo guy.

It's too bad the music is so repetitive because I really like a lot of the old timey harmony songs, and the high lonesome singers as well.

Entered at Thu Jan 29 19:03:00 CET 2009 from powell-goldstein-llp.demarc.cogentco.com (38.104.0.94)

David P.

Two previous & far better Leonard Cohen tributes are available -- the various artists "I'm Your Fan" CD and Jennifer Warnes' "Famous Blue Raincoat" (now available as an expanded edition). Although the recent tribute effort pales in comparison, the intentions are good. Reviving attention to Mr. Cohen's great body of work is a good thing, expecially in light of his recent mismanagement problems.

Entered at Thu Jan 29 18:49:37 CET 2009 from bas4-toronto06-1279311467.dsl.bell.ca (76.64.190.107)

Kevin J

Although some went ga-ga over the I’m Your Man” documentary, it was, to me, extremely disappointing. Whenever an artist of Cohen's stature ( read “Cult” not “Bigger than The Band” ) is the subject of a mass release project…fans are automatically delirious….after all, their man is suddenly being recognized. The regular people ( read: 99.95% of the population that have never been given head on an unmade bed ) and especially the mass market film critics that all would rather listen to Coldplay than L. Cohen ( trust me on this one ) pretend to be impressed while repeating text as handed out by the Release team. Throw in U2 and a 4 Star review is a lock.

The facts are that 1.) Many of the performances are embarrassing – highlighted by Rufus Waimwright . Martha is, as always, great and the only performer seemingly fully invested in what she is singing other than the long time/great back-ups……2.) The photography/camera angle on the Cohen interviews could not be less flattering…..3.) While the person who made the film (essentially padding out what started as a few nights of performance only) is obviously a fan, she accomplishes almost the impossible - that is: making Leonard Cohen seem pedestrian in the interview clips she uses of him. This is a guy that can make an interview on a morning chat show COMPELLING.

Anyhow, it is what is is….but for those just new to him or wanting to tape this to show to others……..there is much better material ( a number of mini docs on Canadian TV over the years, for instance ) that I would think would be much more satisfying.

Kristie: I kinda like your hat too!

Entered at Thu Jan 29 18:36:03 CET 2009 from pool-71-241-157-35.nycmny.fios.verizon.net (71.241.157.35)

Joan

She in great in concert. I saw her as the opening act for Ollabelle last year.

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NB

Subject: Rosalind

And let's not forget bluegrass gospel music, with it's great timing and harmonies. Your Johnson Mountain Boys do this Bill Monroe tune as well Ros. I've seen Dry Branch Fire Squad live and have spoken here of Fred Eaglesmith's bluegrass CD "Balin". This genre of music can be very infectious and soulful, no doubt about it. NB

Entered at Thu Jan 29 17:45:10 CET 2009 from modemcable006.81-81-70.mc.videotron.ca (70.81.81.6)

Landmark

I saw Skynerd open up for The Who on the Quadrophenia tour. Rotten sound plagued their set. I like a couple of their songs but I've never considered myself a fan.

Entered at Thu Jan 29 17:21:20 CET 2009 from (67.235.95.226)

rosalind

The Leonard Cohen documentary's called "I'm Your Man" It was titled after one of Cohen's songs. I'm sure your girlfriend knows the song. I enjoyed the last two songs more than anything. Leonard himself doing "Tower Of Song" and then having the title song play during the rolling credits. He seemed so unaffected by the whole thing. I like the guy. Anybody here like Bluegrass music? Im listenng to The Johnson Mountain Boys do "Duncan and Grady". Man, that's one tight group! You forget how good some of those old bluegrass groups are if you fail to listen to them for any length of time. I would assume you all never even think about bluegrass tho.

Entered at Thu Jan 29 17:16:50 CET 2009 from (207.81.196.79)

westcoaster

Subject: Telecasters & Copies

Thanks David. It seems that Arlen Roth likes to blog about the Telies, since he is known as the "Master of the Telecaster". I'm going to see if I can find out anything about this guitar from him.

I've been researching it on the net, but can't find much. I even went thru the history of Arias, since old man Aria started building them back in 1956.

This Aria neck looks exactly like an original Telie neck, and plays like it too. My brother played some pretty awsome stuff on this guitar yesterday, so now it doesn't like me at all.

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Zzzz

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Bashful Bill(again)

Subject: Cohen(Sundance)

What is the title of that doc? Though I knew he had a rabid following I was only marginally aware of him&had never really listened to him until hooking up with my girlfriend(its been almost a year now) who's a major fan. I'd like to watch for it&DVR it for her.

Entered at Thu Jan 29 16:32:13 CET 2009 from cpe-67-246-102-54.twcny.res.rr.com (67.246.102.54)

Bashful Bill

Subject: Kristie(Kristofferson)

You're likely in for a treat. I'm seeing him in April in the same venue I saw him 2 or 3 years ago(I'm leaning towards 2 but I'm n ot sure). It was the best Kristofferson show of the 4, to date, that I've attended. He leaned heavily on his very early stuff, more so than in those past shows. It was a small, very intimate setting, & I was only about 30 feet away. His voice was shaky for the 1st 2 or maybe 3 songs - he was almost painfully(it looked that way, anyway)straining to enunciate each syllable, almost like someone speaking phonetically. But he was relaxed & in fine form after that. My date -who had never seen him & was blown away - opined that he was warming up, which he of course should have done pre-show. He looked directly at me through most of Sunday Mornin Comin Down & it could have been a flawless, beautiful experience - I mean he was looking DIRECTLY at me, but a table full of yayhoos hooted&screamed each time he got to the "Wishin, Lord, that I was stoned" part, & it was obviously distracting to him. They'd been occasionally annoying before that, but they went full steam ahead after that song, hootin&hollerin&yellin "we love you Kris", etc inappropriately&with wild abandon. I pray that they dont show up this time, & I pray that, after my raving, you get him on a good night...

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Brien Sz

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Mike

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Mike

Subject: 50-yrs after "The Day the Music Died."

This coming Monday, February 2nd, marks the 50th anniversary of the day Buddy Holly (22), Big Bopper (28) & Richie Valens (17) tragically died, along w/ the pilot, in Clear Lake, IA after a performance @ the Surf Ballroom. The Surf Ballroom began its six-day celebration (Winter Dance Party! 50 Winters Later) of the anniversary yesterday. Their deaths occurred during a significant rock 'n roll transition from the American Elvis Presley & Jerry Lee Lewis era to the early British Invasion.

Entered at Thu Jan 29 15:05:58 CET 2009 from powell-goldstein-llp.demarc.cogentco.com (38.104.0.94)

David P.

Subject: Gimme three steps mister...

I first saw Lynyrd Skynyrd in an Atlanta bar called Funochios, where they were "discovered" by Al Kooper. A friend of mine's band played an audition set there and I helped them set up their equipment. Skynyrd was the headliner there at the time and when they hit the stage, they just exploded in this packed, rough & tumble bar. (see link for photo of the scene)

westcoaster: Never seen one of those guitars, but it sounds like a sweet deal, and that's what really matters.

Pat B: Don't know what to think about that 4-track in the photo. Perhaps they used more than one recorder during the sessions. In the article, Simon did mention that "Capitol took a long time delivering the stuff and installing the equipment." Maybe they also had the 4-track on hand during rehearsal sessions as a back-up. During the Classic Album video, they do seem to have more than 4-track session tape on hand.

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rosalind

Payback is a bitch, ain't it?

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Friend0

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bob w.

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rosalind

The records made the jukes all a-cross the South land
Pretty women wondered, was he charmed or was he damned
Look over his shoulder, was there somthin' there he feared?
Turn your back for just one second..
The man disappeared

The word came through St. Louis on up to Chicago
All the way to New York City where the blues just come and go
Someone took his picture once and an angel stopped and cried
In his eyes, it was there to see, he had crossed the other side

In a bar on a warm spring night there was a man come through the door
He had a bottle with a broken label.. and Robert'd seen his face before
He said "This is my very best. Drink it down. Drink it slow.
And when I call your name again, you just pack up and go."

Was it some kind of trick or did he jump the price?
Or did he find a way in hell to sell his own soul twice/
Cause there's a cry in the wind tonight, and only one man makes that sound
Baby grab your hat and coat
Robert Johnson's back in town"

Bill Morrissey

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rosalind

I know what ya mean Kristie.. I'd like to know who was in charge when they passed the torch to Bono and U2 as spokesmen for a whole generation. If U2 is impressed with ya, that's your stamp of aproval?

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kristie

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Kristie

I am going to see Antony and the Johnsons! He is so ugly and beautiful.

I have to say U2 ruined "Tower of song" for me in "I'm your Man.". It is one of my favorites, and although I appreciate how sincere Bono is with his love for leonard's music, I couldn't help but feel that performance would fit really nice into a lounge act should they ever run out of their gazillion dollars(Leonard lost a few million to his manager..or five).

Northern Boy-I did indeed pick that album up along with"house of refuge." I am enjoying both. I will check that show out if I can. Sounds great! However, I may have to pick up a forth job to pay for all these concerts! I have a few coming up that I am excited about

Guy Clark

Kris Kristofferson

Joan Baez(Not my favorite but a legend).

Entered at Thu Jan 29 07:30:53 CET 2009 from (67.235.95.226)

rosalind

jeffo and Others: What Irony. I watched that documentary from beginning to end as tonight it premiered on The Sundance Channel. I came in here just as Rufus Wainright was butchering one of Leonard's songs. Unfortunately, he went on to butcher others. one of them with invaluable help from his sister " The Incomparable Martha". Luckily the night was saved by Nick Cave, who gave a couple beautifully spooky renditions of Mr. Cohen's work and Antony of that Johnsons fame. That guy flips me out. He has some kind of sexual/mental disorder that was strangely attractive to me..

Entered at Thu Jan 29 07:15:59 CET 2009 from c-76-117-86-198.hsd1.pa.comcast.net (76.117.86.198)

Peter M.

Subject: It's a stretch, but...

I had to (badly) attempt to tie in a stray reference of mine with a Leonard Skynard reference (Didn't Allen Sherman reference a camp buddy named Leonard Skinner, in "Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah?") Makes me doubt the gym teacher story about the name. Anyhow, one time I saw David Lindley play with just Wally Ingram on drums, kickin' out as much sound as any competent 4-5 piece band. Some ass in the crowd yelled out the oh so clever request for "Free Bird". In his nasally voice, Mr. Dave answered, "Oh yeah? Think we can't play that one?" And then he and Wally delivered a great half-a-"Free Bird" on drums and bazouki. Delightful.

Entered at Thu Jan 29 06:56:43 CET 2009 from c-76-117-86-198.hsd1.pa.comcast.net (76.117.86.198)

Peter M.

Subject: Leonard Cohen

Jeff0 and others, What irony! When I arrived home from work an hour ago, my wife was up, watching a Leonard Cohen performance on The Sundance Channel. I came in as he was doing a couple of songs with U2 just backing him up. Then he spoke of his image as a poet, and people "kindly" referring to him as a singer, even while disparaging his own vocal range. No worries, mon, many of my favorite vocalists are not singers widely embraced by the public for their ability to carry a tune: David Lindley, Bob, Jerry Garcia, Clifton Chenier, Ry Cooder, Townes, Warren Zevon, Roy Carrier and on and on. Even though I only caught the last 10 minutes of the show, I was held rapt by the depth of the material. Fortunately for me, it reruns on Thurs, 2/5 at 1 PM, so I set the DVR to nail it. I know many Band fans are also fans of his, so, how's this for advance warning? Others sit in with him including Rufus Wainright Teddy Thompson, and...I forget who else. I only saw a couple of minutes, and while the credits ran, I was scrambling to set the DVR before the show ended and I lost access to future showings. Anyhow, the title is "Leonard Cohen: I'm Your Man". Bon appetit!

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Friend0

Entered at Thu Jan 29 04:41:49 CET 2009 from cache-dtc-ag03.proxy.aol.com (205.188.117.131)

Friend0

Ros, Friendo don't bendo. Which is one reason why i have always refrained from doing things that could land me in the hoosegow. I did spend one night in a local jail house cell one time, back in 2005. Technical bullshit, to do with law changes after 9-11. Thankfully,it was a rather mild jail experience, but just to make sure i didn't fall asleep I stood the entire night and morning. Maybe about 14 hours all told.

Entered at Thu Jan 29 04:28:38 CET 2009 from (67.235.95.226)

rosalind

ZZZZ - No, I haven't read that book. I heard about it tho.
NB - You're very welcome!

Brennan - Why didn't you let us know that your hometown had such a terrific circus? Painted up clowns and tightrope walkers galore!

Entered at Thu Jan 29 04:08:01 CET 2009 from (207.81.196.79)

westcoaster

Subject: Old Axes

DAVID P; Maybe you'll find this interesting. About a month back when I went down to Powell River to look at a house, (I just bought it yesterday.) While strolling thru' the mall looking around I spy this guitar in a glass case out in the centre court, along with a couple mandolins and Fender amps.

For some time, I've been kind of looking around for an old Telecaster. I can't really play them well enough, but they are great to fool around with, and I love the sound. Any way this guitar is a 1976 Epiphone teley copy, with a 1976 Aria Teley copy neck, and has Humbuckers in it. I called the number to find out about it, and the lady who answered took my e mail, the guy who owns and sells this stuff called me. (He's some kind of a religious fella, goes all thru Mexico and the southern states in the winter buying up guitar etc at garage sales and what have you. Fixes them up and sells them, and uses the money for relieve for people in Mexico. So I bought it off him for $350.

Today when coming home I stopped at my brother's place, got in his studio and he put it thru some paces. Yikes! does it play and sound FINE. So Lorne calls it the "Hybrid" guitar. Well he liked it so much he wanted to keep it. Then he started with the usual insults, "You can't play the damn thing good enough you shouldn't have it anyway." I had to rip it out of his hands....little bastard!

But what a beautiful neck it has and sound. I've never seen one before, wondered if you have. It's the natural wood blonde, really heavy, four bolt pattern on the neck to body, with a nice hole in the pick guard at the base of the neck to the adjustment for the rod. Not quite as big as a Teley, but heavy.

Entered at Thu Jan 29 03:59:46 CET 2009 from adsl-68-73-114-58.dsl.emhril.ameritech.net (68.73.114.58)

Pat B

Entered at Thu Jan 29 03:53:36 CET 2009 from pool-96-227-246-107.phlapa.fios.verizon.net (96.227.246.107)

bob w.

Glad to hear you are enjoying MTB.

Entered at Thu Jan 29 02:04:31 CET 2009 from 21cust209.tnt2.sherbrooke.pq.da.uu.net (64.11.26.209)

Steve

OK, Brien, lets leave the first part of the discussion behind and move on to more fertile ground.

If you want an informed opinion on the situation in Afghanistan, I'd suggest that there is a remarkable fellow at Harvard University who knows the situation on the ground in Afghanistan better than most people from outside the country.

He's a Scotsman of incredible inner strength and courage. He's literally a man who's gone where few have gone before.

You may have heard of him and his exploits. I read his first book, The Places In Between, about his walk across Afghanistan a couple of years ago and have basically stopped listening to most talking heads when they start giving advice on what should be done about " The Afghan Problem, ever since. Granted it's one man's view but I don't know of any other person who brings insights into the situation in that country that has really done more to get to know and understand Afghans and Afghanistan.

His advice to Obama is that the west should do what it does best when it comes to Afghanistan, build roads, feed people, build hospitals and schools, do whatever they can to help develop an economy ( there really is none) and avoid trying to do what we can't do which is sort out the politics by getting involved in any way in trying to shape the political structure in the country.

He has great empathy for Karzai and doesn't think anyone could do better in that country right now. Coincidentally, I just listened to him being interviewed on CBC radio about 10 minutes ago. If you don't know his story google him and read the Wiki entry and maybe the synopsis of his first book that I mentioned.

After you've read what someone like him has to say and then read that article you posted you can't help but respond. Sorry.

Entered at Thu Jan 29 00:03:04 CET 2009 from bas4-toronto06-1279311467.dsl.bell.ca (76.64.190.107)

Kevin J

bob w: Billy powell is part of the Tom Dowd doc along with a few of the other guys from the band.....sad indeed. On the subject of another great southern band......again thanks for the MTB clip of the other day. A band that I had totally forgotten about. Downloaded their first and some other material. Really enjoying it.

Re: David's article - two things stand out Southern Man playing in background on SHA and the fact that the real Skynard was only really together for 4 years!

Entered at Wed Jan 28 23:01:53 CET 2009 from powell-goldstein-llp.demarc.cogentco.com (38.104.0.94)

David P.

Subject: R.I.P. Billy Powell

In tribute to Billy Powell, here's a link to an article on the recording of "Sweet Home Alabama", featuring "one of the great rock & roll keyboard performances." TURN IT UP!!

Entered at Wed Jan 28 22:46:13 CET 2009 from pool-96-227-246-107.phlapa.fios.verizon.net (96.227.246.107)

bob w.

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David P.

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Mike

Subject: RIP Billy Powell, Lynyrd Skynard keyboardist.

Powell passed away early this morning due to a possible heart attack @ 56-yrs old.

Entered at Wed Jan 28 22:00:30 CET 2009 from bas4-toronto06-1279311467.dsl.bell.ca (76.64.190.107)

Kevin J

Rereading this article on the Brown album – especially the part on engineers - reminds me of the great Tom Dowd doc “Language of Music”. Anyone who has not seen this – I would strongly encourage you to do so.

Drove for a few hours last night – started with Nick Drake, and then the Arctic Monkey’s, followed by Paul Weller (superb collection of greatest hits from solo career) and concluded with Marshall Tucker Band. Best 3 hour drive in years!

Entered at Wed Jan 28 21:15:28 CET 2009 from s0106000a956fbfac.cq.shawcable.net (70.78.227.124)

Northern Boy

Subject: Kristie

FYI: "Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues", which you enjoyed in concert, is on Jim Byrnes "Fresh Horses" CD. He's come out our way (Harrison Hot Springs) a couple of times in the last year. He does indeed do a great job on that joke you recounted here recently. He's part of a big affair March 7 at the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver, called the Motown Meltdown. A nine-piece house band, three back-up singers, and maybe a dozen artists like Jim appearing over the course of the evening. Have you heard a Vancouver band called The Blue Vodoo ? (not to be confused with Blue Vodoo). NB

Entered at Wed Jan 28 21:11:10 CET 2009 from h-66-167-68-231.chcgilgm.dynamic.covad.net (66.167.68.231)

Pat B

David, about half way down in this thread is a very clean shot of the 3M 8 track that was available at that time.

Entered at Wed Jan 28 21:01:27 CET 2009 from h-66-167-68-231.chcgilgm.dynamic.covad.net (66.167.68.231)

Pat B

Entered at Wed Jan 28 20:58:20 CET 2009 from bas4-toronto06-1279311467.dsl.bell.ca (76.64.190.107)

Kevin J

Welcome folks…….In aisle 1..we have Levon Helm and Robbie Roberston footwear…..in aisle 2 - we have the Afghanistan war.... aisle 3 leads to the basement where we're listening to KISS and getting high………………

Entered at Wed Jan 28 20:33:10 CET 2009 from c-76-28-120-102.hsd1.ct.comcast.net (76.28.120.102)

Jean

I'm not fooled by FOX. I have my own mind and I'm able to come to my own conclusions. I think, though, that if one posts here and doesn't profess undying disgust and hate for Mr. Bush one is considered a lackey for FOX or the far right.

To paraphrase the president and nutty Nancy, 'you won'. Take the high road.

Oh, and if it weren't for FOX and some print media nutty Nancy and her 'if we have fewer children we'll spend less on entitlements that's why contreception should be in the stimulus bill' might not have seen the light of day. Doesn't some of the bull in the bill bug you?

Entered at Wed Jan 28 20:20:43 CET 2009 from s0106001c109f95ec.vc.shawcable.net (24.83.168.217)

kristie

Great Link!

Entered at Wed Jan 28 20:19:54 CET 2009 from s0106001c109f95ec.vc.shawcable.net (24.83.168.217)

Kristie

zzzz-I have read "The Glass Castle" and enjoyed it very much. Anyone who has had an unconventional upbringing will relate to the absurdity of it all. The fact that people are able to survive horrendous upbringing's like that and still are able to succeed in life is a testament to the human spirit.

Entered at Wed Jan 28 20:19:33 CET 2009 from ool-44c599e7.dyn.optonline.net (68.197.153.231)

Brien Sz

Entered at Wed Jan 28 20:18:02 CET 2009 from ool-44c599e7.dyn.optonline.net (68.197.153.231)

Brien Sz

So if we are going to make a military effort there.., let's be honest about the intentions and the end result. He is a no bones guy about things..,. and killing and having to kill is somehting he doesn't seem to have issue with. Good or bad, you essentially need that kind of nerve to run military ops..., and if he expresses it so and it comes off without compassion, then so be it. Know one ever said you had to like it.

Entered at Wed Jan 28 20:15:15 CET 2009 from powell-goldstein-llp.demarc.cogentco.com (38.104.0.94)

David P.

If you look closely at the Landy photos, you can see that Levon & Robbie had similar tastes for comfortable footwear. Both are wearing moccasin loafers. Also check out the maze of wires & gadgets around Garth's keyboards. Robbie is pictured with his Howard Roberts Epiphone guitar.

Entered at Wed Jan 28 20:06:39 CET 2009 from p4fcac70b.dip.t-dialin.net (79.202.199.11)

Norbert

Subject: The Brown Album

David P, thanks for The Brown Album article.

Entered at Wed Jan 28 20:03:49 CET 2009 from (166.129.244.161)

JQ

Jean -

I think you're a sucker for Fox: that the Bush administration was terrible is not a Liberal notion at all, it's the truth. I hate to tell you, but to Steve's point, there is no major Liberal media in the US.

Entered at Wed Jan 28 19:57:33 CET 2009 from (166.129.244.161)

JQ

why do you think Obama remains so hell-bent on Afghanistan?

Entered at Wed Jan 28 19:56:59 CET 2009 from c-76-28-120-102.hsd1.ct.comcast.net (76.28.120.102)

Jean

One has to watch both Fox and MSNBC and then find the 'truth' somewhere in the middle. Both have their agendas.

Entered at Wed Jan 28 19:46:32 CET 2009 from powell-goldstein-llp.demarc.cogentco.com (38.104.0.94)

David P.

Entered at Wed Jan 28 19:44:34 CET 2009 from 21cust56.tnt2.sherbrooke.pq.da.uu.net (64.11.26.56)

Steve

What a pile of rubbish.

Has this guy been to Afghanistan? What does he base his understanding on.

I almost stopped reading when I got to "the mothership of terrorist training ground again", but kept going .

If you'd like to have an informed opinion on Afghanistan try scouting out reporting done by British or Canadian reporters who live there, not the ones in military compounds but the ones who have been there for a decade or more. They exist and they'll give you a completely different picture than this shit. Sorry, it's just so bad it would be laughable if it wasn't so sad and if it didn't help maintain the perception that these people are not like us so you just can't expect them to react in a rational way about anything. Almost makes them seem like a different species rather than our fellow human beings.

This is just uninformed racism dressed up as legitimate opinion, no more no less. What value do you think he places on Afghan lives? Surely not as much as on American lives.

By the way, the 70 or so dead Afghans that I saw laid out on the ground, that wedding party that included many young children, must have left their Kalashnikovs at home that day. I'm sure the US pilots wouldn't have killed innocent people, but by his definition there are no innocent dead Afghans. If the military kills them they were Taliban.

He'd like us to keep telling ourselves that these Afghans are dying for a good cause. Their sacrifice may make us safer and what could be more worthy?

Entered at Wed Jan 28 19:20:39 CET 2009 from powell-goldstein-llp.demarc.cogentco.com (38.104.0.94)

David P.

Subject: The Candyman's Pool House

Link to an informative article on the recording of The Brown Album.

Entered at Wed Jan 28 19:20:27 CET 2009 from c-75-72-126-40.hsd1.mn.comcast.net (75.72.126.40)

Zzzz

Roz, my kids love to groove on that riff... on guitar and drums... though just beginners... but what I really came here to ask... is if you've read... and maybe liked... a book called the Glass Castle?...

Entered at Wed Jan 28 18:57:04 CET 2009 from bas4-toronto06-1279311467.dsl.bell.ca (76.64.190.107)

Kevin J

“To thrive, society needs a sense that we're looking out for each other, needs to know where it came from and what sacrifices were made to create it. It needs to be literate as well as web-wise. We have to stop the haemorrhaging in health care and education, the shrinking of environmental safeguards. We've got to get past the fad of privatization, the mercantile system sucked when they tried it in the 1700s and it sucks now. It's our community, it's our world.” – Bruce Cockburn 2001 Hall of Fame induction ceremony

Bill M: To bring the Richler discussion into a Band context……..while I like MFBP – I do not have a connection to it in the way the oldtimers here do. I came to the Band in 1977 through Rock of Ages. Trying to impress a friend that I had more than Bowie, Faces and Led Zep in the house, I pinched Rock of Ages from my older brother's collection. I still remember everything about that day and the music perfectly. By the time Last Waltz came out the next year I thought of myself as a Band expert. Still didn’t own any of their music but I at least knew who they were. After LW, I purchased the Brown album and was stunned…..Buying MFBP a few months later actually left disappointed after the first few spins. I guess it matters at what point in ones life that exposure to music or literature happens. As much as I like Solomon Gursky ( a great book by any standard ) Duddy Kravitz will also be my favourite Richler work.

Entered at Wed Jan 28 18:30:02 CET 2009 from s0106001c109f95ec.vc.shawcable.net (24.83.168.217)

kristie

Anyways,

Steve-Good music for running/biking around your city of choice. I am having trouble finding A hundred dollars though, but will keep up the search.

Entered at Wed Jan 28 17:03:07 CET 2009 from (166.129.244.161)

JQ

Brien Sz -

Not too bad from The Post and I think your man is mostly right - Obama has to clarify his rationales there. If the Taliban are not global terrorists & Osama BL is hunkered in a remote spec or in Pakistan, what is so urgent about the country of Afghanistan? Please don't tell me it's about democracy. The lessons-learned there by the Ruskies and Brits (see Flashman #1) need to be understood by Obama.

The writer's take on Viet Nam is different to most right-wingers, but at least he got the essential truth right - that the North & Viet Cong were highly motivated and the South wasn't.

Entered at Wed Jan 28 16:26:15 CET 2009 from (67.235.95.226)

roz

Entered at Wed Jan 28 16:23:25 CET 2009 from (67.235.95.226)

rosalind

Entered at Wed Jan 28 16:15:32 CET 2009 from cache-mtc-ag03.proxy.aol.com (64.12.117.131)

Friend0

THat silent ck only helps some of the time. For example, if he has or had young kids, when they get new schoolteachers, and they do roll call, ect etc etc.

Entered at Wed Jan 28 15:09:46 CET 2009 from ool-44c599e7.dyn.optonline.net (68.197.153.231)

Brien Sz

Subject: An OP-Ed piece

Ralph Peters is one of my favorite Op-Ed writers. A bit Hawk-ish, very smart, neither Republican or Democrat, though I suspect a bit more right leaning, he never has a problem taking any administration to task. In this piece, he doesn't, at all, take Obama to task but simply wants an answer to a very crucial question. Enjoy.

Entered at Wed Jan 28 14:25:36 CET 2009 from ool-44c599e7.dyn.optonline.net (68.197.153.231)

Brien Sz

Entered at Wed Jan 28 14:19:28 CET 2009 from 21cust215.tnt2.sherbrooke.pq.da.uu.net (64.11.26.215)

Steve

I heard a great version of House of The Rising Sun yesterday by the Canucklehead group, The Be Good Tanyas, which takes the song back to its Appalachian roots with some banjo and played in a more jovial major key, but as Roz pointed out it just might be my ability to see the sunny side of life, even if it's not there, that gives it such appeal.

Entered at Wed Jan 28 13:56:53 CET 2009 from itac-ottawa.yyz.teloip.net (204.138.58.96)

Bill M

Ros: I certainly like the riff in that Zep clip you posted, but my favourite bit is at 1:14 where Plant pulls down his miniskirt.

Steve: I wish you hadn't gone and killed the snake thread, as I was going to say that it's so cold here today the snake would shatter into a hundred shards if you ran over it today. (So sorry, dlew, to hear about your 40 degrees above, celsius.)

Dunc: NB's clip shows Bruce Cockburn playing "The Soul Of A Man", originally written and recorded by Blind Willie Johnson. It is the key song of Cockburn's "Nothing but a Burning Light" album, the one that I encouraged you to check out a couple of weeks ago. (In his song, Johnson comes to the conclusion that the soul of a man is nothing but a burning light, which is at least a wonderful image.)

Re the Black Hen label, I forgot to mention that the list of artists also includes Shuyler Jansen, who is also one of the frontmen of Old Reliable, the Alberta group whose "Pulse of Light / Dark Landscape" album I've mentioned a number of times because of its Bandish cover photos by Elliot Landy - though the music's great too.

Entered at Wed Jan 28 13:03:29 CET 2009 from (67.235.95.226)

rosalind

Due to insomnia that appears for weeks at a time about four to six times a year. Steve, Sometimes a calling isn't a choice. And, if you got nothing left then you got no emotional energy to spend on anger or regrets. Sometimes life can drain us so dry that we simply just lay down in the cold and die. That's why I see the song as hopeless. Ragtime nmentioned that he felt it was about surrender. Steve, You're just too fucking happy! Has anyone heard that Raising Sand album by Alison Kraus and Robert Plant? They done TVZ's "Nothin'" on that album. Robert Plant had never heard of Townes before that song was mentioned in the studio. Now that's a hopeless song too.

As brothers our troubles are
Wrapped in each other's arms
And you better pray that they never find you
Cause Your back ain't strong enough
For burdons doublefold
They'll crush ya down
Down into nothin'

Entered at Wed Jan 28 12:35:10 CET 2009 from 21cust186.tnt2.sherbrooke.pq.da.uu.net (64.11.26.186)

Steve

NB, If you're going to say, silent K, as in Knife, then please be consistent and say, silent C, as in Crap music. Remember you're trying to help Jeff not confuse him.Now, carry on as before.

OK the fucking SNAKE SONG is dead, let it's name never again be mentioned in this GB!Bill, obviously you've never read Jacob Two Two Meets The Hooded Fang. Gary Busey is the Band connection with Two Two.

Entered at Wed Jan 28 06:50:26 CET 2009 from (67.235.95.226)

rosalind

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Ari S.

Entered at Wed Jan 28 05:32:57 CET 2009 from s0106000a956fbfac.cq.shawcable.net (70.78.227.124)

NB

Thanks Ros.

Entered at Wed Jan 28 05:24:10 CET 2009 from (67.235.95.226)

rosalind

Yep

I found the best of the best in free playlists while stumbling in the stumbleupon thingy. It's called "Finetune". Fabulous! I'm listening to Ray Wylie Hubbard singin "Dust of the Chase" from "The Texas Outlaws" album right this second.

Entered at Wed Jan 28 04:59:16 CET 2009 from s0106000a956fbfac.cq.shawcable.net (70.78.227.124)

Northern Boy

Subject: Bruce Co(ck)burn / The Apprenticeship of NB

Ros: It was a neat site visually. That "Soul Of A Man" intro tune works well with all the black and white still shots of Bruce. You mean there's really a "stumpleupon" thingy for the internet ? I'll have to figure out how that works as I've been working way too hard up till now just randomly stumbling upon stuff. And I'm all for taking all the work out of not working at all, if you catch my drift.

Friendo: The ck in Cockburn is silent, much like the k in knife and the c in rap music. I thought Ros might've picked up on it. NG and I really liked Bettye LaVette in Washington the other day. I'd always liked what I'd heard of her on the blues channel I listen to but had never seen her perform. I think you spoke well of her here not long ago. I'd have much preferred her doing a solo number though, sans Jon Bon Jovial.

Bill M: I heard Mordecai Richler give a reading at York University (Toronto). It was on a (you guessed it) high school field trip. The readings were great but the Q & A after was better, as the man routinely answered most of the highbrow literary- type questions with clever and snappy one-liners. Then you'd get the serious response. A lot of stand-up comic in that Mordecai. (Hadn't heard mention of the group Edward Bear for maybe 35 yrs. years till you spoke of them the other day. Together with all our Pickering connections, it calls to mind Robbie's lyric "Oh, this is really starting to stir up some ghosts for me"). NB

Entered at Wed Jan 28 04:12:36 CET 2009 from pool-71-241-157-35.nycmny.fios.verizon.net (71.241.157.35)

Joan

I was called Joanie by my family when I was young. They still do, except the spelling of it is Joni as ls Ms. Mitchell. For a period for time in my teens, the "I" was nauseatingly dotted with a circle. Fortunately I got over that. Most people just call me Joan nowadays, but feel free to use Joanie or Joni, I still answer to both

Entered at Wed Jan 28 03:12:33 CET 2009 from (67.235.95.226)

rosalind

Under this link is the only time I ever enjoyed watching and listening to Led Zeppelin

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Zzzz

Entered at Wed Jan 28 02:31:40 CET 2009 from (67.235.95.226)

rosalind

I just stumbledupon this..

Entered at Wed Jan 28 02:30:14 CET 2009 from itac-ottawa.yyz.teloip.net (204.138.58.96)

Bill M

Subject: the Black Hen label

I had no idea that Jim Byrnes was on Black Hen. When the label was mentioned here a few months ago, I chipped in with the note that I had the David Wall CD, which I'd picked up mostly because he was backed by half of Danny Brooks' great band, including Richard Bell.

But then, I also had no idea that it was also the label of Jenny Whiteley and her husband, Joey Wright. Joey I've seen a bunch of times as a member of the Hogtown Boys bluegrass band, who I've mentioned here a couple of times over the years, mostly to say that their singer/bassist would've been a good candidate for the Rick role in any Band biopic. Jenny's father, Chris, I saw just last weekend, playing guitar, harmonica and trumpet behind the redoubtable Curley Bridges at Curley's 75th birthday gig. Curley came to Toronto from Washington DC in 1955 as part of a jump blues / R&B band called Frank Motley and the Motley Crew. That'd be three years before Ronnie Hawkins.

Entered at Wed Jan 28 02:22:23 CET 2009 from (67.235.95.226)

rosalind

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Friend0

Entered at Wed Jan 28 01:39:25 CET 2009 from s0106000a956fbfac.cq.shawcable.net (70.78.227.124)

Northern Boy

The other day you linked us to Bruce Cockburn's website, saying you thought it was cool and that it was something you'd stumbled upon. I'm curious to know just how familiar with his music you are. He's great vocally, lyrically, and musically, so he's well-worth exploring if you're not. (I'd of course say this even if he weren't a Canucklehead).

There's an album coming out soon that's a tribute to The Mississippi Sheiks. It's on Steve Dawson's Blackhen label out of Vancouver. Bruce Cockburn recorded his cut for this back in December. Other artists, including Jim Byrnes who records on Dawson's label, have also contributed to the project. Ry Cooder was going to be involved but I'm not sure that came to fruition.

Entered at Wed Jan 28 01:31:52 CET 2009 from pool-138-88-145-38.esr.east.verizon.net (138.88.145.38)

Jan F.

There were planes taking off/landing at Washington National (aka Reagan National) while we were on the Mall for the inauguration. Maybe they were held during the actual ceremony --- I didn't notice.

There is an interview in the new Rolling Stone (the one with Bruce on the cover) with Kings of Leon singer Caleb Followill where he mentions the influence THE BAND has had on him. Also mention of Townes Van Zandt.

J.F.

Entered at Tue Jan 27 23:56:44 CET 2009 from (67.235.95.226)

rosalind

Point taken.. Hope you don't mind me referring to you as joanie.. I like that name.

Ari - I get the feeling you feel you have to apogize for certain things.. No need for you to be sensitive. You are you. Stop apologizing for it. I think you're refreshing. Young people should not have to apologize for being young.

Entered at Tue Jan 27 22:22:41 CET 2009 from powell-goldstein-llp.demarc.cogentco.com (38.104.0.94)

David P.

Entered at Tue Jan 27 22:16:46 CET 2009 from (67.235.95.226)

rosalind

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Ari S.

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Bill M

Steve / Kevin: To me, the best Richler book, better even than Duddy Kravitz, was "Solomon Gursky was Here". Masterful interweaving of the mythic and the quoitidian.

Entered at Tue Jan 27 20:35:54 CET 2009 from host86-134-193-101.range86-134.btcentralplus.com (86.134.193.101)

luke m

I always imagine it's a kind of romanticisation of Richard's life. I think it works very well, better than Rags and Bones, they're both beautifully crafted. But the pairing of those songs is one of the reasons that NLSC works as an album, they kind of bookend it, Forbidden Fruit - which I also love - notwithstanding. You know a song the Band might have covered well? Lay It Down, I know the version by Waylon Jennings. In fact I have a feeling I might play it right about now.

Entered at Tue Jan 27 18:26:51 CET 2009 from powell-goldstein-llp.demarc.cogentco.com (38.104.0.94)

David P.

Knowing that Robbie is a cinephile, maybe the song was inspired by Robert Aldrich's 1973 film "Emperor of the North Pole", featuring Lee Marvin, Ernest Borgnine & Keith Carradine.

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Joan

Ari, be careful and be safe.

Ros, I just really liked that version of the song. I'm not asking anyone anything.

Entered at Tue Jan 27 18:04:56 CET 2009 from 21cust139.tnt2.sherbrooke.pq.da.uu.net (64.11.26.139)

Steve

J2Rs' song doesn't seem to be about a character with the baggage of Francis Phelan who's killed two people one of whom was his baby son, so except for the hobo connection I'm not sure why I should change my view of the song.

I'll take J2Rs word for it that " he was a stray bird and the road was his calling". Maybe being anchored to a farm I look at pursuing the horizon as as being a worthy ambition something I was fond of in my younger years.

Entered at Tue Jan 27 16:53:30 CET 2009 from bas4-toronto06-1279311467.dsl.bell.ca (76.64.190.107)

Kevin J

Steve: Ted Kotceff was of the view that Gabrielle Lazure's voice ( not sure if it was accent or just command ) was not up to snuff. Either he or the producers decided to have someone else do a voice over. It was met with howls as to be expected and blinded people from seeing what was, on the whole, a good film.

I miss Mordecai Richler. Reading "The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz" in grade 9 turned me on to many good things....reading and Montreal are two that come to mind. Also, while most pundits are no better than sewer rats, he stood out as about the best there was. I still remember Barbara Frum one night - in quite a huff - saying "well so and so said this...what is your response"...Mordecai just smirked and said "well no one takes anything so and so says seriously after 4:00pm" the inside story known to most but lost on the always clueless Barbara was that so and so was a legendary drunk...........

Entered at Tue Jan 27 14:36:31 CET 2009 from powell-goldstein-llp.demarc.cogentco.com (38.104.0.94)

David P.

I checked on Jim Colegrove's website regarding the members of Great Speckled Bird. Adding to the confusion is that Bill Keith was in the original 1968 configuration. He was replaced a year later by steel guitarist Buddy Cage, who appeared on the Ampex debut LP. A year or so later, he left the group and was replaced by Ben Keith.

Entered at Tue Jan 27 13:41:35 CET 2009 from (67.235.95.226)

rosalind

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Kalervo Koskela

It was pleasant surprise to find the old guestbook live and well! A Finnish TV channel was showing the document on the making The Band' s second album yesterday. And so I decided to find the guestbook again.

Entered at Tue Jan 27 12:39:28 CET 2009 from 21cust34.tnt2.sherbrooke.pq.da.uu.net (64.11.26.34)

Steve

Brien, if you can't identify it, I think you're saying it's a UFO by definition. Don't be scared.

Jack what's so important about political expertise? We've just seen 8 years of life under a career politician. Arnold seems to be doing an interesting job and he stepped in straight out of the entertainment business. Hey ROZ, shit or get off the pot. What exactly goes up your ass about Obama? Inquiring minds want to know. Is it us, or him?

Kevin, why was there a voice over in Joshua.

Entered at Tue Jan 27 12:15:25 CET 2009 from (67.235.95.226)

rosalind

You can sit physically still and ride those rods. You can sit in your livingroom and freeze to death in that jungle

Entered at Tue Jan 27 11:34:51 CET 2009 from schltns-3.demon.nl (83.160.180.22)

Ragtime

This is not about Robbie's "goddamn impossible way of life". It's about surrendering, let go... look back but not in anger. "The road was his calling", yes, but not that road... Hobo Jungle is one of my all time favorites anyway, a soulful song, much underrated.

"Any Way To Say Goodbye...": what a great surprise, wow! Great song, and Richard's voice is remarkably strong. So Terry is singing the second verse? Sounds like Richard to me too...

Entered at Tue Jan 27 10:08:33 CET 2009 from c-61-68-25-213.hay.connect.net.au (61.68.25.213)

dlew919

There are millions of songs about 'the road', and it's almost a cliche that the second album (or third) of any band has a song about it. To me, though, 'The Band' do it the best: Neil Finn's 'Better Be Home Soon' is also terrific; and Abba's 'Super Trouper' (All I do is eat and sleep and sing/ wishing every show was the last show)

Alanis Morrisette (another Canuck) once said all songs about hte road suck - a lot do, but boy should she listen to The Boys...

Entered at Tue Jan 27 05:45:58 CET 2009 from (67.235.95.226)

rosalind

Joan, are you asking the same people to stand by you that asked you to stand by them during the last administration? Kool-aid anyone?

Entered at Tue Jan 27 05:24:13 CET 2009 from pool-71-190-194-223.nycmny.fios.verizon.net (71.190.194.223)

Ari S.

I think there's a fair enough amount of exposition to say that it's about a man on whose life was destroyed or overcome by the road. I'll be shipping off to Israel for the next few months by the way, so if I'm not around for a little while, thats why. I might be though, take care if not.

Entered at Tue Jan 27 04:57:38 CET 2009 from pool-71-241-157-35.nycmny.fios.verizon.net (71.241.157.35)

Joan

Subject: peace through music around the world

Stand by me.

Entered at Tue Jan 27 04:09:51 CET 2009 from (67.235.95.226)

rosalind

Entered at Tue Jan 27 03:39:56 CET 2009 from pool-71-241-157-35.nycmny.fios.verizon.net (71.241.157.35)

Joan

Check Jan's What's New and enjoy!

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rosalind

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Charlie Y

For a while after the Pentagon attack planes were re-routed to approach up the Potomac from the south, but the airport is a short distance from the Washington Monument, just across the narrow Potomac. I've seen similar video from a wacky friend who believes every conspiracy theory out there. That particular video tries to demonstrate the Pentagon was never hit by a plane, but as someone who drove by the scene while smoke was still wafting up from the structure, I'd say that video is nonsensical.

But enough of this, did someone say there's a newly discovered Richard Manuel song?

Entered at Tue Jan 27 01:45:03 CET 2009 from pool-71-190-194-223.nycmny.fios.verizon.net (71.190.194.223)

Ari S.

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Brien Sz

Now, do I believe that was a UFO - I have no idea what it was, but a plane..., I don't think so and I don't think a good sampling of folks on this site who watched that would believe that was a plane approaching for a landing. Plus, any stories I've come across on this subject has not mentioned any possibilty of a plane, unless it's a secret plane/craft of some sort.

Entered at Tue Jan 27 00:20:14 CET 2009 from (199.106.94.136)

Charlie Y

Subject: Mr. Spaceman

Restricted airspace? The "UFO" in that YouTube video looks like a commercial airliner in precisely the landing pattern planes have used at Washington's National Airport for over half a century. My father worked there for 20 years and was there the day an Air Florida plane crashed into the 14th street bridge with much less fortunate results than those of the recent plane which went down in the Hudson. These UFO theorists clearly have a LOT of free time. It must be nice not having to worry about keeping a job these days...

Entered at Mon Jan 26 23:31:18 CET 2009 from bas4-toronto06-1279311467.dsl.bell.ca (76.64.190.107)

Kevin J

Bill M: What a surprise – I may have seen Stan Szelest without knowing it! Very true about the Wlicox band…..he pulled like The Beatles on the university pub/nightclub circuit. Late 70’s and underage at the time I saw his band in a few different clubs and people were literally hanging off the rafters. I had never seen anything like it before. I did see name acts like Rick Danko and George Thorogood in later years tear up a place but the Wilcox band did this for years apparently. Liquor sales were through the roof at these places. I wonder if he ever had to chase a manager into his office to collect that $200 to split 3 or 4 ways! By the way, he mentioned Leon Redbone in the interview and joked about the characters “development”.

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Ben M

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David P.

Bill M: Speaking of Ian & Sylvia, last Saturday I picked up a copy of their 45 single "You Were On My Mind" for a dime. It's the later Columbia re-recording of the song -- a white label radio station promo copy with the stereo mix on one side and the mono on the other. This single was on their Columbia album by the same name which featured the later version of the Great Speckled Bird band with Wilcox. I also have a copy of that LP which opens with a cover of "Get Up Jake". By the way, wasn't it Ben (not Bill) Keith who was part of TGSB band at that time?

Entered at Mon Jan 26 22:44:39 CET 2009 from bas4-toronto06-1279311467.dsl.bell.ca (76.64.190.107)

Kevin J

Joshua Now & Then: Although ripped by most critics, I very much enjoyed the movie. The voice over on the female lead was the thing that sent the newspaper boys into a tizzy – but unfairly.

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Bill M

David P: Good of you to provide your services like this on a Pro Bono basis.

Entered at Mon Jan 26 22:28:00 CET 2009 from itac-gw.yyz.teloip.net (204.138.59.92)

Bill M

Kevin J: I saw Wilcox a few times in the mid to late '70s. In '75 and '76 he was still sometimes booked as Papa Stovepipe, wore a stovepipe hat and a Snidely Whiplash mustache, and sang ancient blues song a la Leon Redbone. Then he got rid of his massive collection of blues 78s (the recipient being a 15 year old named Colin Linden) and moved in a rockier direction, with a great group that included Whitey Glan on drums and ex-Hawk Stan Szelest on keys. He was enormously popular in bars, commanding (so I've read) more than any act before or since.

Way before Ian and Sylvia he was part of a U of T parody-bluegrass crowd (e.g., the Gangrene Boys) with people like Joe Mendelson and Daisy Debolt (Steve take note). I believe that Amos did only part of the first season of Tyson's early '70s TV show, "Nashville North" then "The Ian Tyson Show". He told me that he wasn't in the group that recorded the live version of "Trucker's Cafe", so if you have the CD reissue of the Bearsville LP, it's Wilcox on the bonus track. Billy Mundi, by the way, was also on some of the TV shows, as was Bill Keith.

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David P.

That other Bono did succeed in making the transition from a career in music to politics. Of course, starting out as a go-fer for Phil Spector didn't carry the same specter then as it does today.

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Jack

I just wish Bono would keep to music and U2. Getting very tired of his know it all political views. Anyone can have an opinion; but I would hope there would be some political expertise; behind his patter. When he starts telling heads of state what to do, I worry. People like Dylan would sing about political situations; but you never saw Bob taking himself as politically serious as Bono.

Entered at Mon Jan 26 21:51:27 CET 2009 from 21cust83.tnt2.sherbrooke.pq.da.uu.net (64.11.26.83)

Steve

I think the high-lites for me, at least the ones that made me laugh out loud was the striptease bar mitzvah. The knock out line was , " OK,anyone who has got a hard on please put up your hand."

Sneaking into the rich investor friend's house, removing all the labels from his investment wine collection and then shifting all the bottles around was also priceless.

I've been to Richler's country house on The Lake, not inside of course, but down that road described near the opening of the book as far as the cottage.

I went to his neighbor's dude ranch/ farm( a Quebec nationalist who hated Richler's guts and told me why for about 5 minutes in great detail )to pick up a bull I'd bought from him.

By the way, Joshua Then And Now, was made into movie.

Brien that was probably Bush's helicopter exiting the scene of his crimes at light speed.

Kevin absurd maybe but not in Rucker's eyes. he said everyone had a hand in the finished product and deserved credit and he did stress the fact that it makes for a feeling of harmony in the group which keeps the band together which was to everyone's benefit. It's one less item that can help bring an end to a band and they all agreed it was important right from the get go and though on hiatus they're still together after 20 years. I guess it depends, as a band, what you value.

Entered at Mon Jan 26 21:50:31 CET 2009 from powell-goldstein-llp.demarc.cogentco.com (38.104.0.94)

David P.

Subject: Bono's Songwriting

Kevin J: U2 approaches songwriting as a collaborative process where each member contributes to the spirit of each song (see link). It's interesting to note that "Sweet Fire Of Love" from Robbie's S/T debut album is credited to JRR and U2.

Entered at Mon Jan 26 21:38:39 CET 2009 from bas4-toronto06-1279311467.dsl.bell.ca (76.64.190.107)

Kevin J

Even the Martians were pleased that Wolf Blitzer had lost his Sunday show. They showed up a few days later just to see if it was true. In one of the stills it also looks like it could be Roger Waters rehearsing for a new tour. Does anyone know where Ilkka was that day?????

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Brien Sz

Subject: The UFO at the Inaugural

If anyone hasn't seen this, it is curious. I was told about it last night. It seems that the CNN camera over the Mall caught an object speeding through the restricted airspace. The actual news clip was pulled this afternoon from youtube but their are several of these there. This one shows the clip but without the commentary only music and then does a slight enhancement job on the clip..., Interesting how something that obviously makes an angular manuever can whiz through the tightest secured airspace in the recent memory.

Entered at Mon Jan 26 21:01:54 CET 2009 from bas4-toronto06-1279311467.dsl.bell.ca (76.64.190.107)

Kevin J

Bill M: I caught most of an interview with David Wilicox on CBC radio this weekend. He talked about joining the Ian & Sylvia band , replacing Amos Garret and working with Amos on the Maria Muldaur project. I’ve only known Wilcox as a solo performer and had not known about the Ian &Sylvia connection. I probably would have enjoyed him in that band as I love his playing but have never been taken by his singing.

Steve: REM and U2 are also examples of bands that credit all songs to all band members. I must say that I find the concept absurd. In Carol’s latest Band Bite, the guys she’s interviewing refer to a typical scene where Rick, Levon and Garth are out on the lawn throwing the ball around while Robbie and Richard are hard at work writing songs…….. John Phillips gave the lovely Michelle a piece of “California Dreamn” for fetching a pen in the middle of a night and for contributing 7 or 8 words – that I understand……but just giving someone a song credit for being a member of a band would be hard to do. Then again, Larry Mullen might be able to sell out some casino showrooms in 2040 by being billed “the man who wrote ‘One’”…………….Don Felder is doing two nights at a nearby casino being billed “the man who wrote Hotel California”…..In Felder’s case, at least he did write the music!!

Entered at Mon Jan 26 20:02:37 CET 2009 from c-76-28-120-102.hsd1.ct.comcast.net (76.28.120.102)

Jean

High Horse by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band which really isn't about a horse at all.

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Bill M

Entered at Mon Jan 26 19:43:52 CET 2009 from itac-gw.yyz.teloip.net (204.138.59.92)

Bill M

I have to think that this stampede of horse songs in the very early '70s reflected the back-to-the-land ethos of the time. A focus on the equine was more suited to a band getting it together in the country than was a focus on their little deuce coupes. Robbie Robertson's mind was more on trains than on either cars or horses, but he did title a 1971 song "The Last Of The Blacksmiths".

Another horse song of the day was "Barney" by Ian and Sylvia with the GSB. I see it's out on what looks to be a most excellent comp CD - see link.

An addendum to last week's posts about the Band and (self-) parody, it seems worth noting that among the officially unreleased basement tapes is "Be Careful Of The Stones You Throw".

Entered at Mon Jan 26 19:39:26 CET 2009 from 21cust40.tnt2.sherbrooke.pq.da.uu.net (64.11.26.40)

Steve

Darius Rucker the front man for Hootie is now a country performer.

He's the first black man since Charlie Pride in 83 to have a number 1 single on the Country Chart.

In the interview I heard with him on CBC's Q last week he was asked about Hootie and The Blowfish , their success and longevity as a group even though the Blowfish have been on hiatus for the last couple of months.

He said that the guys in the group get along really well and attributed the fact that no matter how much anyone contributed to the song the songs were credited to all four members. He said they agreed that even though one person might carry the weight on a particular song the finished product was a collaboration. After 20 years the vibe is still good.\ While talking about huge record sales, Cracked Rear View is tied for 15th place on the all time highest album sales( 16 times platinum) in the US, but maybe David Crosby's back up singing pushed it over the top.

Kristie, I don't want you to think the War On Drugs mission has been forgotten. I've bought 3 tunes so far on I-tunes and my favorite of the three so far is, Barrel Of Batteries, but I've only given them one listen each so far so it's early. 100 Dollars didn't have anything available on I Tunes.

I think I might have been successful in diverting attention from my quest to get a good discussion on The Snake song going by making the horse reference. PLEASE TRY AND STAY FOCUSED ON THE SNAKE!

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David P.

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Joan

Great link from The New Yorker. Thanks.

Entered at Mon Jan 26 18:46:12 CET 2009 from wireless.10.ccis.net (209.195.208.10)

bassmanlee

Roger McGuinn's "Chestnut Mare" would also debut on the Byrds' "Untitled" album in 1970.

(I was surprised to see that Michael Martin Murphy's "Wildfire" did not appear until 1975.)

Entered at Mon Jan 26 18:43:55 CET 2009 from bas4-toronto06-1279311467.dsl.bell.ca (76.64.190.107)

Kevin J

Ilkka: As to the inauguration, we were all there. Just stuck in the tunnel is all. Roz was the only one who made it through the crowds by flashing that knife of hers…. Afterwards, we all met up in a hotel room and played some white middle aged music. No one knew the Nazi bits though….. The one Republican in the group thought Asford and Simpson was a law firm. Everyone loved Aretha’s hat and quietly wondered what that said about us.

Entered at Mon Jan 26 18:17:36 CET 2009 from bas4-toronto06-1279311467.dsl.bell.ca (76.64.190.107)

Kevin J

Tim: Thanks for that Richard Manuel link in What's New. Always great to hear Richard's voice. Also enjoyed the link on right of the YouTube page of Rick Danko's Soundstage Java Blues performance.

Entered at Mon Jan 26 18:04:40 CET 2009 from bas4-toronto06-1279311467.dsl.bell.ca (76.64.190.107)

Kevin

The RIAA stats make for interesting reading. Would anyone guess that George Strait has out sold Bob Dylan over the last 30 years? In the “Over 10 Million album/cd sales” club, the expected names are there, Eagles, Beatles, Michael Jackson, Garth Brooks, Shania Twain all have multiple releases with over 10 million sales. While I would have bet on Zep IV being there (and it is) I would never have thought that “Physical Graffiti” had 16 million in sales! The hideous Hootie and the Blowfish are also on the list. Apparently they are the favourite band of players on the PGA tour. Bad enough being a caddy during the 18 holes with a bag on your shoulder…… imagine having to sit in a backseat while Biff and Ducky spin their favourite tunes on that road trip to the next city!!!

Ray Lamontagne is touring the UK in February. Wonder if any of our foreign correspondents will be there?

Entered at Mon Jan 26 16:30:28 CET 2009 from proxy4.tufts-health.com (12.41.40.70)

Tim

Subject: new richard song

Thanks to Terry's son for throwing it up there.

Entered at Mon Jan 26 16:25:19 CET 2009 from host86-134-193-101.range86-134.btcentralplus.com (86.134.193.101)

luke m

Wow - that really is a treat. As I was listening I saw high in the sky a flock of gulls, caught in the winter sun. They were so high and the light was so bright that they looked just like fish in an aquarium, as if heaven and earth were reversed. Unconnected, but kind of nice. I dreamed about the Band last night. Also unconnected, but kind of nice.

Entered at Mon Jan 26 16:06:33 CET 2009 from itac-gw.yyz.teloip.net (204.138.59.92)

Bill M

Steve: "Wild Horses" was first recorded by the Flying Burrito Brothers - in 1970, I believe. My guess is that the Glimmers had already written it by then. In any event, I think Fred Eaglesmith trumps the key line, "Wild horses couldn't drag me away (from you)" with his "49 tons of diesel locomotive couldn't drag me back to you" (as sung by BARK on "Kings of Love").

To switch animals, I have a snake story, one that coincidentally came to mind when a Greek viper figured in a Hercule Poirot TV show I watched over the weekend. Taking a short cut between villages on Samos some years ago I came out of the brush and onto a dirt track. Right in front of me was a three foot snake with one end of a caterpillar in its mouth. Mostly underneath the caterpillar, and clearly in prior possession of it, was a large ant intent on tugging away its still-alive prey. I looked down at the snake, and the snake looked up at me with one eye - likely thinking, "Christ, another Canadian busybody ..."

Entered at Mon Jan 26 15:53:57 CET 2009 from c-76-28-120-102.hsd1.ct.comcast.net (76.28.120.102)

Jean

Maybe the horse theme of '71 resulted from the death of Mr. Ed in 1970...?

Entered at Mon Jan 26 15:36:03 CET 2009 from powell-goldstein-llp.demarc.cogentco.com (38.104.0.94)

David P.

Steve: There's also Leonard Cohen's fine "Ballad of the Absent Mare" from the 1979 album "Recent Songs". It was later recorded by both Jennifer Warnes and Emmylou Harris under the title "Ballad of the Runaway Horse".

The Stones also sang about a "Beast of Burden", although it's not clear who was the ass. But you just can't beat the imagery in Muddy Waters' "Long Distance Call" about "another mule kickin' in your stall". And who can forgive Sidney Lumet for beating a dead horse.

Thanks Jan and Tim Wood for posting the clip & info on "Anyway To Say Goodbye"!

Entered at Mon Jan 26 15:19:38 CET 2009 from mail.lumberg.biz (217.5.150.251)

JTull Fan

Now that is a find!I haven't listened to it all yet as I am in the office today, but from what I heard the sound quality is very good and it is exciting to hear an undiscovered Richard Manuel composition and performance from this 'lost era'.

Entered at Mon Jan 26 13:57:15 CET 2009 from 21cust170.tnt2.sherbrooke.pq.da.uu.net (64.11.26.170)

Steve

Who took the image of Wild Horses from the other, J2Rs from Keith and Mick or were the Stones the horse thieves here. Both seem to hit on the image of wild horses trying to pull them apart from their sweethearts at the same time in 71.

What was in the water in 71? A Horse with No Name; Also written by Dewey Bunnell in 71,in The Year Of The Horse.

Bill, The Madman Across The Water, also a 71 release, was a reference to Nixon I would assume, making him the musical choice for the VP who went mad, wouldn't you think. Nobody ever called HHH mad that I can remember.

Entered at Mon Jan 26 06:51:13 CET 2009 from (67.235.95.226)

rosalind

Could you pass me those Newports over there please.

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Ari S.

I agree, I also have always loved Just Another Whistle Stop (I used it in a film of mine called Day on Wheels, ironically I used it before I knew what a whistle stop or locomotive was, huh I just realized that.) Yeah I love it.

Entered at Mon Jan 26 01:18:00 CET 2009 from pool-71-241-157-35.nycmny.fios.verizon.net (71.241.157.35)

Joan

Be sure to check Jan's What's New. A very special treat awaits.

Entered at Sun Jan 25 23:55:46 CET 2009 from adsl-99-150-107-14.dsl.chcgil.sbcglobal.net (99.150.107.14)

Adam

This song is getting better and better every time I listen to it. So underrated. I interpret it is being about the touring lifestyle. Any comments? Listening to Richard sing "there's one way home that's guaranteed" is something, when you think about how he went.

Entered at Sun Jan 25 23:50:12 CET 2009 from bas3-toronto02-1279724653.dsl.bell.ca (76.71.12.109)

brown eyed girl

Robbie and Rick watching Bob using video camera during '66 tour from Barry Feinstein's _Real Moments: Photographs of Bob Dylan 1966-1974_ (Hardcover) Published October 2008. Other photos included as well but mostly of Bob.

Entered at Sun Jan 25 23:00:54 CET 2009 from pool-71-181-5-185.cncdnh.east.verizon.net (71.181.5.185)

Mike

We caught a great performance by Chris Bergson & his band that included Ollabelle's & Levon's fill-in Tony Leone last night @ a cool venue in N. Bennington, VT, the VT Arts Exchange. Great aura created in this old mill bldg & Chris & the gang put on an awesome 2-set show. His latest cd was recorded in Levon's studio in '07. Unfortunately, Jay Collins couldn't make it, but the foursome that did perform last night more than held the fort.

Entered at Sun Jan 25 21:59:37 CET 2009 from 71-214-209-215.desm.qwest.net (71.214.209.215)

Mike Sinlindan

Nice book, enjoyed the comments

Entered at Sun Jan 25 20:23:41 CET 2009 from pool-71-181-5-185.cncdnh.east.verizon.net (71.181.5.185)

Mike

Subject: Levon's set list from last night.

Ophelia
Same Thing
When This Battle Is Over
Jealous Man
Simple Twist of Fate
I Wanna Know
Long Black Veil
I Got Me A Woman
White Dove
Ashes of Love
Did You Love Me
Deep Elum
Great Train Robbery
Goin' Down The Road
Anna Lee
Rag Mama Rag
Mardi Gras Day
Ain't Misbehavin'
Rain Down Tears
Rainin' In My Heart
Time Out For The Blues
Across The Great Divide
Chest Fever
The Weight

Thanks to Helmland's Barbara O'Brien!

Entered at Sun Jan 25 14:02:16 CET 2009 from (67.235.95.226)

rosalind

Entered at Sun Jan 25 14:00:05 CET 2009 from (67.235.95.226)

rosalind

Subject: This Book is One Great Read !

What? It's Got a Band Connection!

Entered at Sun Jan 25 13:04:32 CET 2009 from 21cust24.tnt2.sherbrooke.pq.da.uu.net (64.11.26.24)

Steve

To fully understand what IIKKA was saying or to understand his motivation it's better to wait til his dog, who posts under the name, IIKKA's DOG, explains all. WOOF!

Entered at Sun Jan 25 05:12:37 CET 2009 from (67.235.95.226)

rosalind

That's why.

Entered at Sun Jan 25 03:37:17 CET 2009 from 69.182.53.248.adsl.snet.net (69.182.53.248)

Todd

Bonk, I wasn't singling you out. Please try not to be so defensive (handy advice eh?!) In fact Ros was the only one I mentioned in my post; but there have been posts of that sort by others over the years directed at Carol. It seems unfair. For what it's worth, I did think before I posted.....but thanks for the advice.

Ari, thanks for pointing out the obvious. Of course Richard would have been singing. I was so focused on the organ (or lack of organ) that I completely forgot about the vocals! Thanks.

Entered at Sun Jan 25 03:36:50 CET 2009 from d207-216-0-198.bchsia.telus.net (207.216.0.198)

BONK

Subject: Carol

Carol, I hear you!

Entered at Sun Jan 25 03:07:01 CET 2009 from cache-dtc-ag03.proxy.aol.com (205.188.117.131)

Carol

Rosalind, my dear

Okay, I have to say that I am perplexed. Defensive? I don't think so. And I don't know how what I wrote can be interpreted as that. I have nothing to defend and nothing to prove. What I was doing was merely explaining to a poster what I thought, frankly, was self-explanatory. And honestly, I couldn't tell if he was being facetious, sarcastic, or just nasty to Jan, so I thought I would give him the benefit of the doubt and just explain and answer his questions. Someone also posted on the Facebook page that it seemed "odd" that posts were coming from Rick, but that's the way it is set up.

I really don't think I have ever said or hinted that anyone here was trying to "destroy" me or destroy Rick's memory. I am not that fragile or needy or self-centered--or paranoid. If I were, I would hope that someone in my family would see to it that I got psychological help as soon as possible.

Idealist that I am, I would really, really like it if everyone here could just get along. That is not always possible. Sometimes we disagree, and sometimes it gets heated. But there are a lot of good, talented, interesting people here, and it would be so nice to stop the sniping.

Entered at Sun Jan 25 03:03:05 CET 2009 from pool-71-190-194-223.nycmny.fios.verizon.net (71.190.194.223)

Ari S.

Can you guys send a link or post or give information to those session. I'd love it so much. You can hear Richard in the alternate take of Time To Kill very easily. Also, somebody asked if he just sat quietly at the organ during the song during concerts. Well, no, he was singing.

Entered at Sun Jan 25 02:58:19 CET 2009 from d207-216-0-198.bchsia.telus.net (207.216.0.198)

BONK

Subject: Todd

Todd. Which one of us is trying to tell Carol what to post and what not? Not me! Think of your words before you post!

Entered at Sun Jan 25 02:30:54 CET 2009 from 69.182.53.248.adsl.snet.net (69.182.53.248)

Todd

So now we're telling Carol when and what she should post about and the tone she should take?? It seems to me she should have the same freedom to post that the rest of us do. There was a post that was essentially making fun of the Rick Facebook site that she set up. Her response was courteous, even handed, and comprehensive. She could have simply told the poster to piss-off, but she has more class than that.

Ros, I think that you're one of the most naturally gifted writers that I've read. Even though you sometimes make people cringe and occasionally blush, your way with words has a natural musicality to it and I mean that as a compliment. Although I sometimes disagree with you, I've never tried to judge you. I think that Carol (and everyone for that matter) should be afforded the same respect.

Entered at Sun Jan 25 01:54:09 CET 2009 from d207-216-0-198.bchsia.telus.net (207.216.0.198)

BONK

Subject: Carol

Carol. I gotta tell you sweetness. The first thing I do when I come on this site is to check if you've added anything in the way of Rick or the Band through Ist hand interviews with people that knew them. Including yourself. I can tell you do your homework and it's absolutely refreshing to read your first hand memories and not some of the rehashed shit that appears over and over. But this time, and in a nice way, Roz is right. No ones trying to hurt or destroy your memories of Rick. And if there is, well screw them. I think the person that you responded to just doesn't get it. They made so many mistakes in their post concerning Rick's Facebook that it's not even worth the effort to reply. You do a good job of representing Rick, and I for one would have liked to be the fly on the wall when some of your discussions with him went down. Cheers and respect, Carl. PS. If Roz didn't like these cat's she wouldn't be here.

Entered at Sun Jan 25 01:00:07 CET 2009 from (67.235.95.226)

rosalind

Carol, You really should try and become less defensive. Nobody here is out to destroy you, your website or Rick's memory.

Entered at Sat Jan 24 21:48:45 CET 2009 from cache-dtc-ag03.proxy.aol.com (205.188.117.131)

Carol

Ikka

Why are you angry? Rick's Facebook page is maintained by me; I assure you it is legit. The reason the posts come from "Rick Danko" is that Facebook pages are set up in the "voice" of the person the page is about--they are template-driven and can't be changed.

For instance, pages by/for Georges de La Tour, Botticelli, Edvard Munch, and many other artists who are deceased, read in the first person thus: "Pablo Picasso updated his profile..." as opposed to "Jane Doe updated Pablo Picasso's profile." In fact, if you look on Picasso's page, you will see that "he" recently updated his birthdate.

Now obviously, Picasso's ghost is not updating his profile--it is a page adminstrator doing the updating.

Ricks birthdate was not changed--it was merely put in a different spot on the page, so it is listed as an update.

I hope this answers all your questions. If you were merely being facetious, please disregard this explanation.

Entered at Sat Jan 24 20:19:59 CET 2009 from 21cust77.tnt2.sherbrooke.pq.da.uu.net (64.11.26.77)

Steve

Bold prediction by Steve; Vinyl discs will still be made after the CD has gone out of production. I may be a little late getting out on the limb on this one but I'm a conservative predictor.

OK I see The Snake Song discussion needs a little more of a push so here goes a personal SS anecdote. I invite everyone to join in with their own personal stories of how the SS has played a part in their life, to help get the ball rolling. There's got to be dozens of good stories out there.

Last summer I was pedaling my $30 second or 3rd hand mountain bike through the pasture ( SS connection)herding some cows to another pasture.

Cows make and religiously follow paths. There were about 30 cows in the group and everything was moving along smoothly. I was following the cows on the cow path on my bike listening to my Ipod.

So far so good. My Ipod is one of those little shuffle models. As were shuffling along at cow walking speed when the Ipod shuffles The SS into the rotation. I start reaching for the pod as soon as I recognize what's coming to skip to the next song.

This involved taking my eyes off the path for a couple of seconds which is when I hit the piece of fire wood on the path that must have fallen out of the wood trailer one day.

Luckily I was going at cow walking speed so when I came to an abrupt(instant) stop I just fell over sideways. Not injured but feeling like a major eedjit I got up, dusted myself off and got back in the saddle.

Luckily the cows hadn't noticed so I didn't lose face with the herd.

Somebody's got to be able to top that one.

Entered at Sat Jan 24 18:32:52 CET 2009 from host-90-235-22-71.mobileonline.telia.com (90.235.22.71)

Ilkka (not so angry :-)

Subject: Barack Obama outdoor concert in Wahingtons

... Didn't see anyone of gb regulars around, at least not on TV. Is (was!) The Band a white middle-aged male nazi group???

Entered at Sat Jan 24 17:17:37 CET 2009 from host-90-235-1-74.mobileonline.telia.com (90.235.1.74)

Ilkka (angry)

Subject: To Mr. Hoiberg: is RICK DANKO a ghost!!!

You have linked to a FACEBOOK site in What's New. I have visited the site. "Rick Danko" is welcoming us internet visitors to "his" site. Furthermore, I can see that "he" has changed his date of birth. There is an invitation to disguss with "him". - Once upon a time, for a long time ago, you said in your site that you won't link to other sites because you don't have a chance to controll the links. Wise words, no one can do this.

Entered at Sat Jan 24 16:03:25 CET 2009 from host-90-235-38-31.mobileonline.telia.com (90.235.38.31)

Ilkka

Subject: "Sleeping" (not the song but webmaster)

I can't see any web server statistics after April 2008! Not to mention about web server statistics of Mac users (yes, there is at least ONE :-) and Linux users.

~Ilkka~ Using Linux just like Barack Obama's campaign and Department of Internet Criminality at Swedish National Police and - last but not least - the state of Venezuela.

Entered at Sat Jan 24 14:35:04 CET 2009 from c-24-91-73-239.hsd1.ma.comcast.net (24.91.73.239)

Tim

Subject: Terry Danko

From Ricks Facebook page, there is posted on youtube some of the Richard manuel/terry danko Pencils songs... I think....

Entered at Sat Jan 24 14:25:12 CET 2009 from pool-71-181-5-185.cncdnh.east.verizon.net (71.181.5.185)

Mike

Subject: "Taking Woodstock" film.

Anyone have any insight on Oscar-winning director Ang Lee's new flick starring Demetri Martin set to be released near the 40th anniversary of the '69 Woodstock Festival? Martin plays the Catskills motel owners' son who helps set in motion the final location of the Festival.

Entered at Sat Jan 24 13:49:48 CET 2009 from 21cust211.tnt2.sherbrooke.pq.da.uu.net (64.11.26.211)

Steve

Entered at Sat Jan 24 11:48:02 CET 2009 from adsl-99-141-30-243.dsl.chcgil.sbcglobal.net (99.141.30.243)

Adam

I just ripped the audio of this Richard demo from the AMH DVD. Does anyone know what the title refers to? A search for "canasta" showed that it is a card game.

Entered at Sat Jan 24 10:29:33 CET 2009 from s0106001c109f95ec.vc.shawcable.net (24.83.168.217)

kristie

By Mark Oliver Everett(EELs)

"Around this time I saw The Band's Last Waltz movie and began to idolize their singing drummer, Levon Helm. I was still in the basement drumming every day but I wanted to sing and be more of a front man. I was stuck behind the drums and there weren't any good role models for drummers, but he was great. I began going to his solo shows whenever he came to town and would follow him around and ask stupid questions(for the record, he was always very patient and extremely nice, no matter how much of a pest I was)."

What kind of material was Levon playing at these shows? And isn't it funny how mere mention of any or all of The Band members can brighten a day?

Entered at Sat Jan 24 05:55:17 CET 2009 from 69.182.53.248.adsl.snet.net (69.182.53.248)

Todd

Thanks for that link Frank.
So what are your thoughts on the stereo balance of 'The Weight'? Have you compared the 2000 remaster to the original LP version?

Entered at Sat Jan 24 05:32:26 CET 2009 from (67.235.95.226)

rosalind

Subject: I Stumbled Upon This - It's A Neat Site

Entered at Sat Jan 24 04:52:33 CET 2009 from (83.149.52.40)

Frank

Subject: Refinance mobile home

It's funny, but the other day I was listening to the 2000 remaster of MFBP, and I thought the balance of the stereo separation on 'The Weight' was a little odd and I hadn't noticed that before. And that's a song that I've heard numerous times in all types of situations. At the time I figured it was just a byproduct of the crappy computer speakers that I was listening to it on, but now I think I need to check to out on real speakers and maybe compare it to the LP.

Entered at Sat Jan 24 02:46:46 CET 2009 from 69.182.53.248.adsl.snet.net (69.182.53.248)

Todd

I think that the pool-house just fit in better with the way they liked to record. The old Basement/Clubhouse feel & approach.
That’s probably the one of the biggest differences between Brown and Stage Fright. A lot of that communal element was gone. Things had changed.

I wouldn’t be surprised if the “free” recording time at Capitol was eventually billed back against album sales. Someone’s gotta pay the overhead. I doubt Capitol was providing free recording time out of the goodness of their hearts. Someone must have been keeping track of the time. Not having to pay the studio bill up front might have been appealing while they were starting out, but ultimately the feel of the recording situation must have taken precedence over the billing arrangement.

Entered at Sat Jan 24 02:22:35 CET 2009 from cache-dtc-ag03.proxy.aol.com (205.188.117.131)

Fffffriend0

Entered at Sat Jan 24 01:48:31 CET 2009 from h-66-167-68-231.chcgilgm.dynamic.covad.net (66.167.68.231)

Pat B

The jazzy LS reminds me of the Hawks. They might have recorded that one first, then said to themselves it didn't really fit.

Entered at Sat Jan 24 01:36:07 CET 2009 from adsl-99-141-30-243.dsl.chcgil.sbcglobal.net (99.141.30.243)

Adam

Entered at Sat Jan 24 01:23:16 CET 2009 from h-66-167-68-231.chcgilgm.dynamic.covad.net (66.167.68.231)

Pat B

Entered at Sat Jan 24 01:09:43 CET 2009 from adsl-99-141-30-243.dsl.chcgil.sbcglobal.net (99.141.30.243)

Adam

Entered at Sat Jan 24 01:08:11 CET 2009 from adsl-99-141-30-243.dsl.chcgil.sbcglobal.net (99.141.30.243)

Adam

Entered at Sat Jan 24 01:05:10 CET 2009 from adsl-99-141-30-243.dsl.chcgil.sbcglobal.net (99.141.30.243)

Adam

Entered at Sat Jan 24 00:49:59 CET 2009 from h-66-167-68-231.chcgilgm.dynamic.covad.net (66.167.68.231)

Pat B

It would appear that Lonesome Suzie is a question mark. The AMH version is from NY. If the final was recorded in NY, that would make six songs from BP in NY, four in LA.

The same sort of thing happened with the Brown album--most of it recorded at SDJr's while three songs were recorded in NY. Again, if I were to listen to the whole album at once I'd be pretty hard pressed to say which song was recorded where. I think again it was the recording process they had developed that created the sound.

Entered at Sat Jan 24 00:37:53 CET 2009 from 69.182.53.248.adsl.snet.net (69.182.53.248)

Todd

Thanks for that link Adam. I had thought that there was some discussion with Shelly Yakus about it. His comments are pretty interesting. He goes into a little more detail about how that created some difficulty during mixing and getting the eight track to come together the same way as the four track.

It's funny, but the other day I was listening to the 2000 remaster of MFBP, and I thought the balance of the stereo separation on 'The Weight' was a little odd and I hadn't noticed that before. And that's a song that I've heard numerous times in all types of situations. At the time I figured it was just a byproduct of the crappy computer speakers that I was listening to it on, but now I think I need to check to out on real speakers and maybe compare it to the LP.

Then, and only then will I be able to delve into the mysteries of the snake song. Gotta stay focused.

Entered at Sat Jan 24 00:14:01 CET 2009 from 69.182.53.248.adsl.snet.net (69.182.53.248)

Todd

Subject: MFBP Recording

I got lucky. This was easier to find than the car keys. The first place I checked was the CD booklet notes from the 2000 remaster of Music From Big Pink. From Page 7:

“In any event, everyone was elated with the results and, with five songs already in the can, the executives at Capitol agreed to fly Simon and the group out to Los Angeles to use the company’s more modern eight-track studio to complete the album.”

Of course this still doesn't answer the question of why a 4 track is visible in one of the Brown album pool-house photos, but it's pretty clear that part way through MFBP they started using 8 Track. Whatever the case I think that the differences in sound on Stage Fright as compared to previous work had as much to do with personnel...most notably the addition of Rundgren & Glynn Johns...as it had to do with technology.

Entered at Sat Jan 24 00:10:54 CET 2009 from adsl-99-141-30-243.dsl.chcgil.sbcglobal.net (99.141.30.243)

Adam

Entered at Fri Jan 23 23:59:11 CET 2009 from adsl-99-141-30-243.dsl.chcgil.sbcglobal.net (99.141.30.243)

Adam

Entered at Fri Jan 23 23:53:34 CET 2009 from 69.182.53.248.adsl.snet.net (69.182.53.248)

Todd

Entered at Fri Jan 23 23:49:40 CET 2009 from 69.182.53.248.adsl.snet.net (69.182.53.248)

Todd

The Gold Star material does sound like it was cut straight to tape, but all of the LA BP tracks that are on the original release were recorded at LA’s Capitol Studios according to AMH.

I can’t recall exactly where I first read about 8 Track in LA in regards to BP, but it may have been an interview with Shelly Yakus who I believe was the engineer on the NYC BP recordings. If it comes to me or I can track it down (no pun intended) I’ll report back.

I think that I can hear traces of clavinet on ‘Time To Kill’, but if I didn’t know it ahead of time, I don’t know if I would have been able to pick that out. I haven’t heard organ on it. That raises the question though of what exactly did Richard do on stage during the song? Just sit quietly at the organ?

Entered at Fri Jan 23 23:24:12 CET 2009 from h-66-167-68-231.chcgilgm.dynamic.covad.net (66.167.68.231)

Pat B

On AMH, Richard is credited with organ on the Weight. He is credited with clavinette on TTK. Perhaps that's what you hear.

According to AMH, they recorded six songs from BP in NY, four in LA at Capitol. I've never seen a source that said they used an 8 track machine in LA. In fact, the Gold Star material sounds like it's straight to 2 track.

Entered at Fri Jan 23 23:05:15 CET 2009 from powell-goldstein-llp.demarc.cogentco.com (38.104.0.94)

David P.

Entered at Fri Jan 23 22:53:36 CET 2009 from (67.235.95.226)

rosalind

See if this works for you... Let your mind go

Entered at Fri Jan 23 22:39:25 CET 2009 from adsl-99-141-30-243.dsl.chcgil.sbcglobal.net (99.141.30.243)

Adam

and i believe it is correct that Big Pink is half 4 track recordings from New York, and half 8 track from LA.

Entered at Fri Jan 23 22:29:06 CET 2009 from 21cust20.tnt2.sherbrooke.pq.da.uu.net (64.11.26.20)

Steve

of course another intersecting line between Nixon( I'm sticking with the crazy guy)in the Saga and Little John Tyler in Moon Struck One, is that both of them were VPs who rose to Commander And Chief. Oh yes, I tell you all the pieces are falling into place for some Snake Song Talk should the Big Whigs ( Little John Tyler connection)in the GB get behind this thing.

Entered at Fri Jan 23 22:27:02 CET 2009 from h-66-167-68-231.chcgilgm.dynamic.covad.net (66.167.68.231)

Pat B

Entered at Fri Jan 23 22:25:45 CET 2009 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

I'd guess Joni would do about the same as Jackson Browne … fill ten 3000 to 5000 seat British venues. Not quickly, 5 to 10% unsold probably, but viable and profitable. The 90s Band wouldn't have got near that. Sorry!

Entered at Fri Jan 23 22:23:37 CET 2009 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

It's not a contest, but even in the wildest dreams of the most dedicated Band fans, they would not have sold out a European Tour, of 5000 to 20,000 seat venues in 15 minutes on TicketMaster. Leonard Cohen did. Then repeated the process three months later. I look at my nearest 200 standing club venue, The Brook in Southampton. Coming up, Nick Lowe, Roger Chapman. Last year, Eric Burden, Jefferson Starship. I'm afraid that's about where they were just before they disbanded. I'd say poor promotion, bad management, low sights all play a part in that.

Entered at Fri Jan 23 21:52:10 CET 2009 from bas4-toronto06-1279311467.dsl.bell.ca (76.64.190.107)

Kevin J

I remember being at an event some years back in Europe and the person leading the group ( 25 or so people – split male/female ) of all 30 something musicians asked for a show of hands on who listened to what……….all hands raised for Bob Dylan as to be expected…….most hands raised for Neil Young – again expected……..all hands raised for Joni Mitchell – somewhat surprising to me at the time. The Band was not asked about but in discussing it with others there it seemed very few had any tapes or CD’s of The Band as part of their collections. Sure…they all knew about them but did not own any of their product. I wonder how Joni’s sales would stack up against The Band’s during that 1967 to 1978 period. I didn’t buy Peter’s contention of some months back that Leonard Cohen was so much bigger than The Band but I wonder worldwide if Joni Mitchell would be considered a much bigger act than The Band.

Entered at Fri Jan 23 21:08:26 CET 2009 from itac-gw.yyz.teloip.net (204.138.59.92)

Bill M

Entered at Fri Jan 23 20:57:31 CET 2009 from 69.182.53.248.adsl.snet.net (69.182.53.248)

Todd

Subject: MFBP Recording

Yes Pat, but I was under the impression that recording for Big Pink started in New York City on 4 track, and then when everyone realized how good things were sounding, they made the decision to finish recording BP in LA on the more modern 8 track equipment. I don’t know if the split of songs was half NYC and half LA, but I believe that a fair amount of BP was recorded in LA on 8 Track. Which is why I said: “Since 8 Track was being used in LA, even at the time of Music From Big Pink”.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I thought that was the way that it happened.

Anyway, my point was that 8 Track technology was available in LA even at the time of Big Pink, so it must also have been available at the time of Brown. Now, why they would have a machine that looks like a 4 Track in a photo at the Pool House is anyone’s guess. I suppose that just because it was there doesn’t mean that they used it.

Entered at Fri Jan 23 20:54:28 CET 2009 from 21cust222.tnt2.sherbrooke.pq.da.uu.net (64.11.26.222)

Steve

Further to your TMSO and Clothesline Saga comparison, I think I see where you're headed . Little John Tyler served as Vice Prez and of course in the Saga, The Vice President, Dishonest Dick Nixon(?) went crazy. I know it wasn't your point but I'm scraping for some interaction on the song, I'll take anything even if I have to image it

No other bites on The Snake Song challenge?

Entered at Fri Jan 23 20:39:18 CET 2009 from itac-gw.yyz.teloip.net (204.138.59.92)

Bill M

"What happened was we recorded the album at the Woodstock Playhouse. It was the same arrangement we had before - Capitol Records provided the equipment. The control room was down in the prop room and the recording room was on the stage." (Simon is introduced in the article as "the Band's producer", and there's certainly every reason to take the impression that he had been there every step of the way.)

Entered at Fri Jan 23 20:28:32 CET 2009 from powell-goldstein-llp.demarc.cogentco.com (38.104.0.94)

David P.

Entered at Fri Jan 23 20:24:56 CET 2009 from itac-gw.yyz.teloip.net (204.138.59.92)

Bill M

I should've added that the rough mix sent to Johns and Rundgren could not possibly have included "Just Another Whistle Stop", which hadn't even been completely written, much less recorded, when the rest of the material was shipped off. There's a possibility that "The Shape I'm In" wasn't recorded in time to have part of the original package taken to London either.

Entered at Fri Jan 23 20:06:31 CET 2009 from itac-gw.yyz.teloip.net (204.138.59.92)

Bill M

"We decided to let Glynn Johns ... mix it with completely fresh ears. We sent him sort of a rough mix of what we thought the album should sound like. We sent him the tapes, and Todd, who is our engineer, went over to London with the tapes, and he's going to mix it there in a completely different studio. ... When it comes back from London, the two of them will have decided what's best."

Entered at Fri Jan 23 19:45:21 CET 2009 from powell-goldstein-llp.demarc.cogentco.com (38.104.0.94)

David P.

Entered at Fri Jan 23 19:21:53 CET 2009 from bas4-toronto06-1279311467.dsl.bell.ca (76.64.190.107)

Kevin J

Whenever I think of Stage Freight I can’t help thinking of Levon chasing TR out of the studio with intent to kill. TR truly is a putz. This is a guy who made multi millions from his work on Bat out of Hell and yet cannot stop himself from poking fun – bordering on embarrassing MeatLoaf/Steinman every chance he gets.

Entered at Fri Jan 23 19:19:51 CET 2009 from itac-gw.yyz.teloip.net (204.138.59.92)

Bill M

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Brien Sz

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Pat B

Entered at Fri Jan 23 18:37:13 CET 2009 from powell-goldstein-llp.demarc.cogentco.com (38.104.0.94)

David P.

"Stage Fright" marked a departure of John Simon's involvement in recording The Band, as Todd Rundgren was brought in to handle the board. That Glynn Johns was also brought in to help mix the album seems to indicate that the group was striving for a different sound. The Hit Factory recording of "Daniel & The Sacred Harp" I mentioned earlier was an alternate version that showed up on the AMH box set.

Entered at Fri Jan 23 18:02:35 CET 2009 from 21cust131.tnt2.sherbrooke.pq.da.uu.net (64.11.26.131)

Steve

Thank god? yes thank god so I don't have to leave my computer on the phone line for another hour like I just did to download the Joni song. Pretty and talented Joni, no doubt, but I was never into that kind of folk music.Glad I almost missed it completely.

Bill, I think you're dancing around the historical basis of The Snake Song. Of all the names possible, why John Tyler? I've got a Snake Song, farming accident story for later.

Entered at Fri Jan 23 17:29:57 CET 2009 from 69.182.53.248.adsl.snet.net (69.182.53.248)

Todd

Subject: 8 Track vs. 4 Track

So was the Brown album recorded on an 8 Track that just happened to look like a 4 Track? Is the story wrong or is the photo wrong?

Since 8 Track was being used in LA, even at the time of Music From Big Pink, it's fairly reasonable that they would have also used 8 Track on Brown. On the classic albums DVD it's pretty clear that both Robbie and John Simon, in separate segments of the program, are isolating from more than four tracks when discussing the recording process.

It doesn't change Pat's basic point that they had more tracks to work with on 'Stage Fright', but it seems like it was only twice as many....16 vs. 8. Having only 4 tracks could have been quite a bit different.

I'm not sure if that affected the recording process for 'Stage Fright' in a significant way. After all, the original plan for 'Stage Fright was to record it live. Even though they ultimately weren't able to record it live in front of an audience, the act of recording it at the Woodstock playhouse rather than a studio would have lent itself to more of a live/off the floor recording vs. a track by track assembled recording. After the initial recording though, I'm sure there was room for some overdubbing utilizing some of the extra tracks.

I think the bigger impact and resulting sound of having more tracks available for 'Stage Fright' was on the mixing process, which seems to have been more malleable & complicated than the previous albums.

Entered at Fri Jan 23 17:00:41 CET 2009 from bas4-toronto06-1279311467.dsl.bell.ca (76.64.190.107)

Kevin J

Joe J: Thanks. Stunning.....so beautiful and talented.

Entered at Fri Jan 23 16:53:39 CET 2009 from itac-gw.yyz.teloip.net (204.138.59.92)

Bill M

Steve: If you insist on wrestling this snake thing to the ground, I will repeat my contention that TMSO was intended to be a spoof - like "Clothesline Saga" was, like "Long Black Veil" was viewed by our guys as, and perhaps even what they took "Ode To Billy Joe" itself to be. The illogical title and the snake/lake rhyme might be taken as clues of the writer's intent.) For some reason the "the boy died then the car died" narrative reminds me of Ian Tyson protege Corb Lund's best-known song (see link).

Entered at Fri Jan 23 16:46:36 CET 2009 from h-66-167-68-231.chcgilgm.dynamic.covad.net (66.167.68.231)

Pat B

btw, the equipment used for SF eventually ended up in Bearssville Studios.

Entered at Fri Jan 23 16:31:47 CET 2009 from 21cust131.tnt2.sherbrooke.pq.da.uu.net (64.11.26.131)

Steve

I'm going to give this boomp thing another try.

Nobody has taken the snake by the tail and given the song a shake yet? Come on lads. There's lots there to work with.

Entered at Fri Jan 23 16:16:42 CET 2009 from (89.189.170.105)

Hafallo

cool site!!!

Entered at Fri Jan 23 15:27:21 CET 2009 from itac-gw.yyz.teloip.net (204.138.59.92)

Bill M

Joe J: Wow - thanks for the link. Joni sure learned early how to play to a camera, didn't she. And to see a young Harry and all thos other Chapins, as well as Van Ronk. Maybe a Winnipegger can ID the backup musicians?

Entered at Fri Jan 23 15:25:56 CET 2009 from powell-goldstein-llp.demarc.cogentco.com (38.104.0.94)

David P.

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David P.

Adam: "Cahoots" and "Moondog Matinee" were recorded in the Woodstock area at Albert Grossman's newly-built Bearsville studios.

Entered at Fri Jan 23 14:10:39 CET 2009 from 21cust70.tnt2.sherbrooke.pq.da.uu.net (64.11.26.70)

Steve

The Battle Field Commission of Quebec City, the people who are charged with running the National Park that the Plains are part of are holding a 250th anniversary re-enactment of the famous battle in the heart of French Canada.

It's sort of like the State Of Virginia holding a re-enactment of the fall of Richmond.

All of a sudden Quebec politicians know exactly where they have to be on the date of the re-enactment, and it's not anywhere near the Plains. They all have appointments that can't be broken. It's all pretty funny.

Maybe J2Rs should be invited to give his take on the history surrounding the battle. Maybe he could write a song.

How about THE SNAKE SONG getting the same close reading as TTK. We could at least throw out all kinds of thoughts J2Rs must have had while writing it.

With J2Rs fascination with the American south it can't be a coincidence that John Tyler is the cohort's name.

Little John's second wife's name was Julia, but he called her Julie. Coincidence? I think not.

Then there's that whole tippecanoe action down by the lake. That reference to Durango probably was thrown in as a nod to the annexation of Texas. Now we just have to find a way of working the snake in. There is a snake on that Secessionist banner, the rattlesnake and "Don't Tread On Me" but that's a pretty tenuous connection, not solid like, tippecanoe and Tyler too, down by the lake.

Entered at Fri Jan 23 06:02:59 CET 2009 from (67.235.95.226)

rosalind

..

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Zzzz

Here you be, Lars...

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Lars

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Lars

Subject: Dylan (w/ Rick on harmony)

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Zzzz

Entered at Fri Jan 23 03:01:52 CET 2009 from (67.235.95.226)

rozzzz

I went looking for Buddy Miller's version but there's evidently no video available.

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Zzzz

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rozzzzz

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Zzzz

Entered at Fri Jan 23 01:55:53 CET 2009 from (67.235.95.226)

rosalind

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joe j

Subject: young and beautiful

God, was she ever.

This may be an Oscar Brand show. There seem to be a number of videos of young Joan from this show. All worth checking out.

Entered at Fri Jan 23 01:20:13 CET 2009 from c-75-72-126-40.hsd1.mn.comcast.net (75.72.126.40)

Zzzz

Uh Oooh, Westie... she looks a bit old, starchy herself... and her gaze looks like it's about to narrow... Better call Lars for backup... Hey, I think I hear his motorcycle...

Entered at Fri Jan 23 01:18:28 CET 2009 from pool-71-181-5-185.cncdnh.east.verizon.net (71.181.5.185)

Mike

Subject: Tom Rush.

Just found out folkie Tom Rush has a home near us in NH. Tom opened up for The Band & is in a few clips of Festival Express. Tom is traveling / touring across country thru the summer. He's in VT next wkd.

Entered at Fri Jan 23 01:07:28 CET 2009 from c-75-72-126-40.hsd1.mn.comcast.net (75.72.126.40)

Zzzz

Subject: Whoosh

Should have taken offense?... Who's thinking too much now?... Just reload b!t@h!... (I say as I kick over the koolaid stand, splash juice all over your homemade apple pies and then dive behind the bar as Westie tosses me his sawed off while the player piano plays Time To Kill, Shakey's Pizza Parlour-style)... "Obama!" (sound of first shot)... "Take that!", as I reach for no. 2... "Aim for the chick projecting about idealism, Westie."...

Entered at Fri Jan 23 00:52:06 CET 2009 from h-69-3-16-181.chcgilgm.dynamic.covad.net (69.3.16.181)

Pat B

Stage Fright was recorded on a 16 track tape machine. The Brown album was recorded on what looks like a 4 track. That alone accounts for the radically different sound between the two albums. Musically it allowed them to overdub and retrack to their hearts' collective content, emphasizing individual performance over group performance. Exactly how much of that new technology they took advantage of is hard to say, since TTK has an uncharacteristicly large number of drum clams.

Entered at Fri Jan 23 00:32:17 CET 2009 from adsl-99-141-30-243.dsl.chcgil.sbcglobal.net (99.141.30.243)

Adam

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Joan

Subject: Inaugural music

From the NY Times.

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Pat B

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Ari

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Adam

I forgot to mention another reason I favor side 1 over side 2 of Stage Fright. Most of the songs on side 2 (Shape I'm In, W.S. Walcott, Stage Fright) have live versions that almost make the studio versions obsolete. Not the album's fault though. However, The Rumor studio recording is unequaled in live performances.

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Adam

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Adam

The whole Stage Fright LP has that easygoing Catkills vibe to it. When I was thinking about the album today, it occurred to me that it was the only one actually recorded in Woodstock.

Peter V says side 2 is one of the best they recorded, but I think side 1 has it beat. Strawberry Wine, Sleeping, Time To Kill, Just Another Whistle Stop, and All La Glory. What a wonderful group of songs. Especially Sleeping and All La Glory, two of the best songs the group ever recorded. Whistle Stop is quickly becoming one of my favorites.

The recent youtube clip of Just Another Whistle Stop from Wembley '74 is great. It's fascinating to see them start out with an old blues shuffle ("Hard Times (The Slop)" and then segue seamlessly into Whistle Stop. Shows you some of the musical ingredients for that great Richard/Robbie song.

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Ari

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Ari S. (whoops the one below me says Jean)

I was studying for finals and, as I am easily distracted, went on a streak of analyzing Time To Kill, then most of Big Pink. Has anyone ever noted that To Kingdom Come is so obviously a reference to Bob Dylan's risking all he had by going to electric. At first I thought, as I broke it down, that it's a song about Jesus, but that made me feel weird because I don't think of Robbie as being such an obvious writer. He's much more cryptic. It is Bob Dylan cleverly disguised as Jesus. I won't go into it because nobody likes when people ramble, but it's really good stuff. Also wanna point out that Jemima Surrender is the most vulgar song I've ever heard. I can definitely see why it's a Helm-Robertson collaboration (I know Levon has many more quips and dirty Southern pick up lines up his sleeve.) Kevin - Interesting, I hadn't thought of it as his decision to start a family. Oscars

Entered at Thu Jan 22 23:37:44 CET 2009 from adsl-99-141-30-243.dsl.chcgil.sbcglobal.net (99.141.30.243)

Adam

Nice comments about Time To Kill. I've been listening to the Stage Fright album a lot recently, and this songs stands out as an unfairly overlooked song. I always kind of agreed with Barney Hoskyns that this song was mediocre and "the least exciting sound they made" or whatever the quote was. But there is a lot to like about the song. It seems to be about the easygoing Woodstock lifestyle and Robbie's feelings of his marriage at the time, with a bit of negative undertones regarding the group's state at the time. The recording is great. Live versions I've heard are nice, but for me don't equal the studio version. Wonderful drumming from Levon, Garth up to his old tricks on old-time pianney, great guitar with some nice lead overdubs. and of course the singing. I was initially surprised at the singing... rarely do you hear them use two voices right on top of each other like that. With other bands (Byrds, CSN) it would sound slick. but their unique voices put some grit into it. I love the way Richard's voice jumps into falsetto for the choruses. I always wondered if he played anything on the track... he played the organ on this song live. You can hear some very quiet organ in the studio recording, so I reckon that's Richard.

Entered at Thu Jan 22 23:15:37 CET 2009 from (67.235.95.226)

rosalind

ZZZzzz_______ I should actually have taken some kind of offense at what you said to me! Just who do I criticize? I disagree with the vast majority here but I don't consider that criticism. Excuse me for not falling into line at the national kool-aid stand. You used to be an okay guy but you must have gotten old, starchy and narrow or something.

Entered at Thu Jan 22 21:22:03 CET 2009 from bas4-toronto06-1279311467.dsl.bell.ca (76.64.190.107)

Kevin J

Time to Kill: Lovely song about the decision to start a family.........The big car and caviar did come though didn't they. Maybe they were needed in time.

Entered at Thu Jan 22 20:13:56 CET 2009 from pool-71-241-157-35.nycmny.fios.verizon.net (71.241.157.35)

Joan

For anyone who has Google Earth, search for 30065 Morning View Dr., Malibu CA. You get a great view of Shangri la today.

Entered at Thu Jan 22 19:44:29 CET 2009 from itac-gw.yyz.teloip.net (204.138.59.92)

Bill M

As for "Free Man In Paris", it's a brilliant lyric that speaks volumes about Joni Mitchell's priorities. Consider "I'd go back there tomorrow but for the work I've taken on, stoking the star-maker machinery behind popular song". Her choice, as a successful and relatively wealthy person, is that work is more important than love and more important than fun.

Entered at Thu Jan 22 19:40:31 CET 2009 from pool-71-241-157-35.nycmny.fios.verizon.net (71.241.157.35)

Joan

Subject: Shangri la today

A link to the current owner of Shangri la.

Entered at Thu Jan 22 19:39:09 CET 2009 from (67.235.95.226)

rosalind

I don't much consider this site to be a venting site or a problem solving site, I consider it to be a site where I come and simply have FUN! Hey folkies, Remember FUN? Lots of people don't know how to have FUN. Too busy trying to save face, impress others, control others and so on. People just don't get that about me. Using a keyboard relaxes me. I don't have to speak to people face to face (for I don't much like people) and I can come and go as I choose (unless the webmaster pitches me out---something I have been trying real hard to avoid) and I can sit here and watch folks react to each other. I like to do that and it's a lot more fun than watching squirrels.

Entered at Thu Jan 22 19:19:53 CET 2009 from pool-71-241-157-35.nycmny.fios.verizon.net (71.241.157.35)

Joan

The address is 30065 Morningview Drive Malibu.

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Mike

Subject: Mountain Jam V line-up announced.

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Joan

Jackson does not appear to do too well with women. His wife Phyllis (Ethan's Mom) killed herself. His relationship with Daryl Hannah ended when he assaulted her physically. She turned to JFK jr. They were an item for a while.

Ari, I really like your interpretation of Time To Kill. I like that song a lot,but like many others, I thought it was just about kicking back after years of running. Your take puts it in another light.

Entered at Thu Jan 22 18:42:46 CET 2009 from bas4-toronto06-1279311467.dsl.bell.ca (76.64.190.107)

Kevin J

You simply have to doodle all day to come up with the hundreds of diffrent tunings Joni has created. To hell with the civilians........eat your fu*king salad while I doodle. No wonder Robbie had to play TNTDODD so quietly.....He was afraid to be talked to "sharply" by his wife. Mozart was single - wasn't he?

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Steve

Entered at Thu Jan 22 18:27:59 CET 2009 from bas4-toronto06-1279311467.dsl.bell.ca (76.64.190.107)

Kevin J

Joni’s “Blue” consistently makes all the “greatest albums of all-time” lists ( Rolling Stone, Q, Time, VHI, etc ) and is also usually listed as the top 1,2 or 3 best Canadian albums of all time. Speaking of songs for or about people, I sometimes wonder if Richard Manuel figures in any way into the classic Joni song ‘The last Time I Saw Richard” Who cares really but I do tend to think of him whenever I hear the great song………………..I also rank Blue as a top 10 work of all time in the rock/pop world of music.

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Peter V

Entered at Thu Jan 22 18:02:24 CET 2009 from sbuxhost204.starbucks.com (199.233.178.253)

Ignatius

Subject: Romantic Robbie

Ari, I love Time to Kill, but for the up and down, light and dark of romance, you cannot beat Out of the Blue. That is off the top of my (balding) head. There may be others, but I love that song especially. Only wish Richard had made the session to record it as originally planned. Though Robbie's vocal "effort" lends a certain poignancy to the effect. Ignatius

Entered at Thu Jan 22 17:59:27 CET 2009 from s0106001c109f95ec.vc.shawcable.net (24.83.168.217)

kristie

Thanks David. I mentioned that "Free man in Paris" was indeed written for David Geffen(from Joni's own mouth in an interview) about a month ago. I liked the line about

Dealing in "dreamers, and telephone screamers."

I think I read in that Laurel Canyon book that Joni lived with Geffen well her house in California(her other house of course being in Sechelt)was being finished...?

Entered at Thu Jan 22 16:28:43 CET 2009 from bas4-toronto06-1279311467.dsl.bell.ca (76.64.190.107)

Kevin J

Sam Sheppard also co-wrote "Brownsville Girl" with Bob Dylan.

Speaking of writing credits, Don Felder is doing a show in Toronto soon and the local radio ads are promoting it as "Don Felder - The man who wrote 'Hotel California'" True enough, he did write the music for that tune. The popularity of THe Eagles never ceases to amaze me - but I am curious to see how many people Felder can pull on his own.......

The MTB organization is $19.00 wealthier thanks to the discussion of yesterday....just paid itunes a visit and downloaded some music.

Has anyone ever had a fresh premium cracker?? The anouncement on the train a few days ago was to be careful as we "de-trained". 40 minutes late, stale crackers and being asked to de-train. Can Obama fix any of this?

Entered at Thu Jan 22 15:05:12 CET 2009 from powell-goldstein-llp.demarc.cogentco.com (38.104.0.94)

David P.

kristie: Band connection with David Geffen & Joni Mitchell is that they briefly sojourned in Paris, France with Robbie & Dominique Robertson in the '70s. It's said that Ms. Mitchell's "Free Man In Paris" is about Mr. Geffen.

Levon appeared with Sam Shepard in "The Right Stuff". The Wim Wenders film "Paris, Texas", starring Harry Dean Stanton, Dean Stockwell & Nastassja Kinski, was based on a story by Sam Shepard. It also featured a great soundtrack by Ry Cooder.

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Steve

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Peter V

Ari, I was trying to write something about the Cameo-Parkway record label yesterday. I was pleased with the result, then I found an old Record Collector review that was way better than mine and thought,’Damn! That guy knows everything!” The consolation of youth is that though some old guys might once have known everything, you can be sure they’ve already forgotten at least half of it.

Entered at Thu Jan 22 06:51:10 CET 2009 from (67.235.95.226)

rosalind

Entered at Thu Jan 22 06:29:21 CET 2009 from pool-71-190-194-223.nycmny.fios.verizon.net (71.190.194.223)

Ari

I also wanted to bring up that there was a discussion a few weeks ago on Robbie's most romantic love song. Well, I was looking over the lyrics to Time To Kill, and this time I think I finally understood it. It seems to be directly written about Robbie and his love for Dominique directly after moving to Woodstock together in 67. It's actually pretty explicit in the lyrics, I guess I just never bothered to take a good look at the lyrics cause I had just assumed the song was about having free time, and in many ways I thought it was critical of having too much time on their hands. It is about that to some respect, the line "Don't know what we got. But it feels like a lot, We don’t need no more." struck me as a plead or a way of Robbie saying "Please, no more, we've had enough - now what are we supposed to do?" But when you look at the song as a whole, it's so clearly about his love for his better half. This song always mislead me with it's title, before I become a Band connoisseur, I always looked at the title of the song as a very vengeful and violent song. But I was reading the title incorrectly, with a strange emphasis on the phrase "Time To Kill". I thought, "It's time to murder somebody." Then one day when I realized how stupid that was (and out of character for the Band) I came to my senses. Anyways, it's a really sweet song and I'm glad he wrote it to his wife, because I'd always wondered, even though Robbie is kind of hush-hush about his personal life (even now), can't he show us some affection towards his wife. So anyways, made me smarter about The Band. You guys probably already knew this. I feel like Peter knows everything. Oscar Nominees tomorrow. I don't when Cannes is, but that's the best. I like France.

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kristie

Entered at Thu Jan 22 06:22:44 CET 2009 from s0106001c109f95ec.vc.shawcable.net (24.83.168.217)

kristie

wasn't David Geffen gay and dating Cher? Geffen and Joni were good friends. And I think she lived with him for awhile too didn't she?

In everything I have read about Joni I have never read that story before. It seems unlikely, but you never know.

Isn't "the river" about Jackson Browne? Or is it James Taylor?

Entered at Thu Jan 22 06:18:29 CET 2009 from (199.106.94.136)

Charlie Y

Sam Shepard and Jessica Lange lived here in Old Virginny, near Charlottesville, for ten years or so. I was once in an independent bookstore called Book Gallery around 1989 when I spotted Mr. Shepard at the bar in the bookstore's cafe (around 9:30 AM). He was reading the Modern Library hardcover edition of "Moby Dick" when the radiant Jessica Lange walked in and talked to him for a minute before heading back into the bookstore. No makeup and she was one of the most striking women I've seen in my life. Makeup is for phonies. She's the real deal. So is Sam. Band connection? Sam Shepard hung out with Dylan and wrote a fine book about it, "The Rolling Thunder Log Book."

Entered at Thu Jan 22 06:19:07 CET 2009 from c-75-72-126-40.hsd1.mn.comcast.net (75.72.126.40)

Zzzz

Entered at Thu Jan 22 05:52:41 CET 2009 from (67.235.95.226)

rosalind

Entered at Thu Jan 22 05:52:57 CET 2009 from s0106001c109f95ec.vc.shawcable.net (24.83.168.217)

Kristie

Sam Shepard is so talented. Aside from being a great actor and writer, he is also a drummer and Banjo player. He drummed(albeit briefly) with the Holy Modal Rounders, and he played banjo on Patti Smith's cover of Nirvana's "Smells like teen spirit."

Entered at Thu Jan 22 05:07:53 CET 2009 from bas3-toronto01-1177781568.dsl.bell.ca (70.51.133.64)

Ron Skinner

Subject: Shangri La

I'm hoping to visit Shangri La while on a trip to Los Angeles. Does anyone know the address or have directions? Feel free to email me at headingnorth@sympatico.ca

Entered at Thu Jan 22 05:07:33 CET 2009 from pool-71-190-194-223.nycmny.fios.verizon.net (71.190.194.223)

Ari

You guys probably knew this but I just realized Sam Shepard is the coyote in Joni Mitchell's Coyote. I had heard that he was, but I wasn't really convinced. Then I researched a little, and found that Sam was with Joni on the Rolling Revenue Tour. I wasn't convinced yet though. Then I realized that she does say "and the Hawk was playing with him." Then I was convinced that Sam Shepard was Coyote. That's the best Sam Shepard is the good.

Entered at Thu Jan 22 03:00:00 CET 2009 from (67.235.95.226)

rosalind

Entered at Thu Jan 22 02:50:43 CET 2009 from 71-10-170-38.dhcp.stls.mo.charter.com (71.10.170.38)

Monty

Subject: The Band

One of the greatest gifts my parents ever gave was the introduction to The Band! It has given me such a better appreciation of music.

Entered at Thu Jan 22 00:37:31 CET 2009 from (67.235.95.226)

rosalind

I was trying to impress Karen, Jerr... Karen got mad at me for no specific reason and done gone to wishing she could wash my mouth out with soap or soup or something. I wonder if my Zippo trick would change her mind.

Glad you liked it, you horny bastard! ;)

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Brien Sz

Entered at Wed Jan 21 23:41:55 CET 2009 from itac-gw.yyz.teloip.net (204.138.59.92)

Bill M

Entered at Wed Jan 21 23:38:36 CET 2009 from cpe-70-92-155-84.wi.res.rr.com (70.92.155.84)

DEE

Subject: Dr. Strangelove

Cheney in a wheel chair looking like Dr. Strangelove!

The count is four so far.....Joan, Peter, Jon Stewart and me. Scary!

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Jerry

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David P.

Entered at Wed Jan 21 21:33:21 CET 2009 from itac-gw.yyz.teloip.net (204.138.59.92)

Bill M

Steve: Thanks. I'll listen closely, assuming that "it" is what I called the boomp sound in TRH. But certainly the sound is there more than once, but most of the time it's partially obscured by other sounds (or at least that's what I remember hearing).

Entered at Wed Jan 21 21:09:26 CET 2009 from 21cust124.tnt2.sherbrooke.pq.da.uu.net (64.11.26.124)

Steve

Warning, never let someone else order windows for you, especially Marge. For some reason she thought since having an opaque wood sealer added to the windows at no additional cost was a good idea. I've spent 5 hours sanding it off by hand with little pieces of #60 paper. I'VE GOT BLISTERS ON MY FINGERS!!!!!!!!!

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Kevin J

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Peter V

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Charlie Y

A good college friend of my daughter grew up working with her Vietnamese immigrant mother at the family laundramat, got great grades in school, graduated from "the Harvard of the South" (College of William & Mary) but chose to make her living as a singer-songwriter. A few weeks ago she made a deal with Chlorox for the laundry product company to use one of her songs in a commercial. My daughter was ecstatic for her friend and so am I. The American Dream lives!

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Steve

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Bill M

Steve: You lost me with the first "it". Being what? The tympani (?) on TRH or the zen bass (?) notes on SICT? Not the kalimba (?), right?

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Peter V

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Landmark

If my memory serves me right, All the Who's music up to and maybe including Tommy Belonged to their former producer Shel Talmy.

Entered at Wed Jan 21 19:51:57 CET 2009 from 21cust91.tnt2.sherbrooke.pq.da.uu.net (64.11.26.91)

Steve

Bill I guess it's Rick because it's in the spots you mentioned but it's in the song even before the vocal starts. Are we talking about the same thing?

I'm beginning to think it sounds more like somebody hitting a timpani and releasing the tension. To bring a little order there BOOoooom.

Still struggling to hear The River Hymn at 1:49

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bob w.

Entered at Wed Jan 21 19:39:27 CET 2009 from powell-goldstein-llp.demarc.cogentco.com (38.104.0.94)

David P.

I have no problem with that aspect of the commercialization of music, as long as the composers and performers, not just third parties, acquiesce and receive adequate compensation.

Entered at Wed Jan 21 19:32:51 CET 2009 from pool-96-227-246-107.phlapa.fios.verizon.net (96.227.246.107)

bob w.

Link to a long list of songs and TV ads.

Entered at Wed Jan 21 19:16:48 CET 2009 from pool-96-227-246-107.phlapa.fios.verizon.net (96.227.246.107)

bob w.

I'm with Kevin J. on the subject of selling rock songs for commercial purposes. Early on it was problematic but the long term says it will be this way. So it goes. Nobody complains much when a relatively unknown artist manages to sell a tune to a major corporation and hits it big. The mechanics of the matter are essentially the same.

Did anyone here begrudge Rick his royalty dollars coming from the use of one of his tunes as a TV show theme song? Songs become "product" once they are put out on the open market. To use them as reference points for other products seems a natural evolution.

Check out the tracklist on the linked page. I'm sure it didn't hurt any of those artists to have their songs used by the corporations referenced.

Entered at Wed Jan 21 18:52:06 CET 2009 from blk-222-153-37.eastlink.ca (24.222.153.37)

joe j

Steve, I'm not sure of whom you're thinking but the singer, Duffy, is Welsh I believe. I have to admit I'm not familiar with her but I'm all for two other Brit soul sisters, Joss Stone and Amy Winehouse.

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Bill M

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David P.

What they once spoofed in a concept album has become a reality for The Who. Even the spiritual figure of Baba O'Riley can be used to sell an S.U.V., giving an entirely new meaning to Pathfinder.

Entered at Wed Jan 21 18:07:02 CET 2009 from adsl-68-121-160-124.dsl.pltn13.pacbell.net (68.121.160.124)

Leona

I just wantend to say The Band and there Last waltz were just great.For thoes who have pasted on let them rest in peace and for thoes who are still with us you guys are amazing and thank you for such wounderfull music and some great times and memoreys.

Entered at Wed Jan 21 17:55:08 CET 2009 from 21cust49.tnt2.sherbrooke.pq.da.uu.net (64.11.26.49)

Steve

JQ I haven't heard much from Duffy but what little I've heard will have me tuning in, thanks. She's another talent from Joe's Rock, I think.

Entered at Wed Jan 21 17:18:51 CET 2009 from bas4-toronto06-1279277226.dsl.bell.ca (76.64.56.170)

Kevin J

Great MTB video - great song! Before Music television, often one only knew a band by the back of an album cover. I only knew MTB from FM radio and never had a chance to see them live. Yes kids, they were better than Styx!!!!

Commercials: I have gotten over the whole issue of rockers uses their songs to sell beer, soap and sugar but it does bother me that these ad guys keep giving money to those who don't need it. Listenning to that MTB song did a lot more for me today than listening to "My Generation" for the 10,000th time. I am also sure that the estates of some families related to MTB could use the dough.

Entered at Wed Jan 21 17:17:42 CET 2009 from (166.129.179.69)

JQ

January 31 - Nick Lowe & The Swell Season

February 7 - Drive-By Truckers

February 14 - Sarah MacLachlen & Duffy

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bob w.

Subject: Marshall Tucker Band

dlew, I had the great pleasure of seeing MTB twice right around the time of this video. They were a great band. Toy Caldwell was an extraordinary guitarist, singer and songwriter. He and his brother Tommy were founding members. Both left us too soon.

Entered at Wed Jan 21 15:44:55 CET 2009 from pool-96-227-246-107.phlapa.fios.verizon.net (96.227.246.107)

bob w.

Speaking of Pepsi......millions of dollars spent to change their logo and this is what they came up with?

Once again, I'm feeling like I'm in the wrong business.

Entered at Wed Jan 21 15:03:12 CET 2009 from powell-goldstein-llp.demarc.cogentco.com (38.104.0.94)

David P..

Charlie: There's a Band link of sorts with the new Pepsi ad featuring The Who's "My Generation". A year or so ago Pepsi hired a new ad agency, TBWA/Chiat/Day, to replace BBDO Worldwide, which had handled their ad work for nearly 50 years. BBDO is the agency that used "The Weight" for an ad campaign for Cingular several years ago which prompted Levon's pending lawsuit.

dlew919: Those Tucker boys from Spartenburg, South Carolina were a breath of fresh air in the so-called Southern Rock scene of the '70s. They added a little touch of country with some Jethro Tull-like flute to their down home sound.

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Friend0

First record was fucking great. Second was pretty gawd damn good. Third was fucking great. The rest feh, but had some moments of sorts.

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bob w.

Subject: The Next "Van the Man"

Wondering if anyone here is aware of this gentleman's work. He is brilliant and passionate about creating a new, green economy. He has some great ideas. I believe we'll be hearing a lot from Van Jones over the next several years. I'm sure Mr. Obama is well aware of Jones' plan and the enormous potential he holds.

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bob w.

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Steve

It's amazing how many people from Montreal rented buses and did the 20 hour drive to Washington.

Entered at Wed Jan 21 12:01:12 CET 2009 from c-61-68-103-67.hay.connect.net.au (61.68.103.67)

dlew919

I felt an historic day for the land I love almost as much as my own.

Things, of course, won't get better instantly: but things will get better.

On music, any thoughts on Marshall Tucker Band?

Entered at Wed Jan 21 09:57:52 CET 2009 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Thanks for the links to the Wembley 74 site. If the stage was at the right hand end, then I was around D5. It's so hard to recall a concert that long ago, but we arrived during Jesse Colin Young who'd started early, were enthralled by The Band, thought Tom Scott & The LA Express were totally brilliant, without Joni then with Joni. Joni was very good. CSNY were between disappointing and mediocre, except for the Graham Nash solo stuff which somehow sounded stronger and clearer than the other solo sets … and I'm not particularly a Graham Nash fan. Just I thought he was great on the night, but maybe he got a buzz from the crowd as the only Brit performing that day. Neil Young I remember as very disappointing, but as Mrs V can't stand his voice and was sitting next to me, I may have been unduly influenced.

I've mentioned this in an article, but the twerps behind us talked all through The Band until Garth started The Genetic Method intro, then they said, "Wow! It's just like Pink Floyd. Great!" They talked all the way through Tom Scott as well. But someone nearby threatened them in the severest terms when Joni started and they shut up.

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Friend0

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Pat B

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bob w.

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brown eyed girl

Crosby Stills Nash and Young
Joni Mitchell with
Tom Scott and the L.A Express
The Band
Jesse Colin Young.
Wembley Stadium , London.
9-14-74
Film stills, set lists, etc.

Entered at Wed Jan 21 03:30:45 CET 2009 from (199.106.94.136)

Charlie Y

There's a live from Italy version of "Rag Mama Rag" up on YouTube, a racuous, rambling version with around 20 members of the touring version of the Seeger sessions band. There's also a Springsteen take on "Long Black Veil."

By the way: I think that new Pepsi commercial featuring the remixed version of The Who's "My Generation" with ragtime instruments at the start is one of the most brilliant commercials ever (and I generally HATE commercials) but I think the idea was stolen from the video made for the recent remix of Dylan's "Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)."

Entered at Wed Jan 21 03:20:55 CET 2009 from bas3-toronto02-1279400550.dsl.bell.ca (76.66.26.102)

brown eyed girl

Dylan and The Band - "As I Went Out One Morning". From the bootleg album "As I Went Out One Evening", Recorded January 10, 1974 in Maple Leaf Gardens Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Tomorrow the kidzzz will be exploring rock meets classical with "The String Quartet Tribute To Bob Dylan".

zulu's neice (student at Harvard) somehow snagged a ticket to one of the galas tonight. I have a feeling that she'll be privy to many more opportunities just because she's in the right place at the right time. Two students and their parents from my school also were in attendance for the inauguration. I'm looking forward to hearing about their experiences as they are both very young black Canadians whose families come from the Caribbean.

Entered at Wed Jan 21 03:14:11 CET 2009 from adsl-68-73-81-184.dsl.emhril.ameritech.net (68.73.81.184)

Pat B

The Obama campaign spent 46 million from private donations on the whole inaugural. That's exactly 3 million more that Bush spent in 2004. The 150 million you hear bandied about by various know-nothings includes the massive security costs etc. that such a large event demands. Those costs--around 100 million--were about the same for Obama as they were for Bush in 2004. However, since there were so many people in DC/Maryland/Virginia for this event and the demand for housing was so great, the party could easily pay for itself.

Entered at Wed Jan 21 02:48:41 CET 2009 from blk-222-153-37.eastlink.ca (24.222.153.37)

joe j

Thanks Kevin J and Bob Wigo re the Wembley link. The guys were really tight on 'Chest Fever', weren't they?

Entered at Wed Jan 21 02:31:28 CET 2009 from (199.106.94.136)

Charlie Y

One of my brothers brought up the thing about the cost of the Inauguration, so I assume this is the new talking point issued by the Murdock Empire. Anyway, that $150 million is small change compared to THESE numbers provided by THE WASHINGTON POST for government spending two years ago (I'm sure the 2008 numbers were much higher). Here were the top six military contractors for 2006:

Lockheed Martin...$32 BILLION

Boeing...$21 BILLION

Northrup Grumman...$19 BILLION

General Dynamics...$12 BILLION

Raytheon...$10 BILLION

Halliburton...$6 BILLION

And the war in Iraq was a mere $600 BILLION at that point...our tax dollars at work.

Entered at Wed Jan 21 02:23:37 CET 2009 from (199.106.94.136)

Charlie Y

I'm sort of that way with concerts, too--if I see an artist up close I don't want to see them another time from further back. Of course, I got spoiled being in the third row the first time I saw The Band and never got that close again until Jan F got me in the front row for Levon's last visit to Old Virginny. Thanks again, Jan!

Entered at Wed Jan 21 02:05:50 CET 2009 from pool-138-88-145-38.esr.east.verizon.net (138.88.145.38)

Jan F.

Subject: YES WE DID!

We did make it to downtown D.C. again today. Left home about 5:30 am, the train trip was a breeze . . . should have known it had to go downhill from there. Even though they weren't supposed to, some people spent the night on the Mall (no, not the usual homeless people -- we never figured out what they did with the homeless). There were so many people they couldn't all be moved so I guess the police just didn't bother . . . if you want to sleep in 20 degree weather without a tent, they'll just let you be that stupid.

Because of that, it was already pretty crowded by the time we got there. We got turned away at three entry points to the Mall and there was a water main break near another entry point that diverted the crowd again. We were traveling with just about the same folks through most of this adventure! Ended up getting onto the Mall (a little before 11 am) close to the Washington Monument and got a good spot near the steps the Lincoln Memorial. Watched the proceedings on a jumboton TV. It was incredible. It didn’t seem that cold except walking back to the train, I got a little chilled. Other than that, the crowds of people and the endless enthusiasm made everything warm and fuzzy (not to mention my long undies and a blanket). Got home about 2:30 pm and promptly took a nap!

Fun things: at the ceremony, when G.W. Bush was announced and walking to his seat, the crowd we were with starting chanting "Na na na na, na na na na, hey hey-ey, goodbye!"

Charlie, things were pretty trashed when it was over although not as bad as some events I've attended down there or rock concerts/festivals, etc.

Aretha was outstanding. Yo Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, etc. we OK – I thought the poem was weak. Did she write it last night or something?

Bon Jovi question: we arrived at the concert Sunday about the time he was finishing up his song. Everything sounded great to me. We don’t have digital cable so we couldn’t get the replay on HBO when we got home (hope you knew it was free if you have digital cable or a satellite dish). Oldest son, RJ’s revue of the concert was that it was “OK.” My sister said it was great. Guess it just depends on how you look at things.

J.F.

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Peter M.

Entered at Wed Jan 21 02:00:55 CET 2009 from (72.237.79.129)

Peter M.

Subject: Cheyney at the Inaugural

Our outgoing V.P. in the wheelchair. Is it just me, or are others getting a real "Dr. Strangelove" vibe out of this too?

Entered at Wed Jan 21 00:01:48 CET 2009 from (67.235.95.226)

rosalind

Entered at Tue Jan 20 23:25:19 CET 2009 from bas4-toronto06-1279277226.dsl.bell.ca (76.64.56.170)

Kevin J

bob w: I have no idea how much of that footage is available but judging by the two clips I have seen (your attachment and mine) I would agree that that is The Band in top shape. Very sad to think that just 2 years after this the whole operation was to be permanently shut down! I am just so used to seeing The Band at TLW or in the 1969-1970 era that seeing performance from 1974 is very refreshing. Here’s hoping that there is hours more of this…….

Entered at Tue Jan 20 23:25:13 CET 2009 from x403443d5.ip.e-nt.net (64.52.67.213)

a frequent lurker

Subject: american beauty project/ny times

Thanks for the article Bill M. I was at that concert, and it was great! I was surprised to see the mention of Amy Helm as Amy was not there. Fiona McBain, Theresa Williams and Catherine Russell were the women singers - we missed Amy but believe me she was not there.

Entered at Tue Jan 20 23:16:41 CET 2009 from (199.106.94.136)

Charlie Y

HBO, for instance paid 2.5 million for exclusive rights to the free concert on the grounds of the Lincoln Memorial the other night. If you look quickly on YouTube (before HBO has it pulled again) you might be able to find the wonderful moment that Jan from DC and her husband witnessed in person: Pete Seeger leading the singalong with his grandson Tao and Bruce Springsteen on "This Land is Your Land." I think it was the best musical moment of the whole Inaugural period. It's especially inspiring to see Mr. Seeger looking so vital at age 89, almost comical as he's out there in the freezing weather in his flannel shirt while his grandson and Mr. Springsteen are wearing warm jackets. Say what you will about Pete Seeger, but you can't deny he's a hardy and true American original.

Entered at Tue Jan 20 23:00:17 CET 2009 from pool-96-227-246-107.phlapa.fios.verizon.net (96.227.246.107)

bob w.

Kevin J, great footage. I recently asked here if anyone knows how much footage of this quality is available from the Wembley show but didn't get a response. Audio and video quality is excellent and The Band is seemingly at the top of their game. Anyone?

Entered at Tue Jan 20 22:52:31 CET 2009 from itac-gw.yyz.teloip.net (204.138.59.92)

Bill M

Subject: Band (and Levon) mentioned in NY Times

Oh yes, sorry if this repeats something that someone else posted, but the Band got an en-passant mention in yesterday's New York Times, as did Levon (Helm). Plus Amy's in the photo with Larry Campbell et al.

Entered at Tue Jan 20 22:48:45 CET 2009 from itac-gw.yyz.teloip.net (204.138.59.92)

Bill M

Entered at Tue Jan 20 22:34:57 CET 2009 from (67.235.95.226)

rosalind

Entered at Tue Jan 20 22:30:48 CET 2009 from bas4-toronto06-1279277226.dsl.bell.ca (76.64.56.170)

Kevin J

Subject: Chest Fever - PLAY IT LOUD

2009 is off to a great start.......Jeff Beck in RRHOF for the 2nd time, Obama in power and W and the Devil out.

Check out the camera angles in the above clip of The Band from Wembley. The back shot of Levon, the up shot of Rick - very similar to what genius Marty used in TLW.

Entered at Tue Jan 20 22:10:03 CET 2009 from (199.106.94.136)

Charlie Y

Subject: Boos, not Booze...and a Cleaner DC

Steve: I was at the opening game of the baseball season in DC last spring when the Washington Nationals (formerly the Montreal Expos) made their debut in their new ballpark. The chorus of boos greeting President Bush as he threw out the first pitch from the mound was amazing and I still remember the deer-in-headlights look of shock on his face, since he'd not been in front of an non-selected audience in ages. TV coverage apparently muted the sound, though, so I'm not surprised I didn't hear boos on TV today. I remember boos for Hillary Clinton at the post-9/11 Concert for New York and think that was the beginning of that bit of rudeness in recent years. Anyway, it seems like boos are part of the karma of the older G.W. Bush just as booze was part of his karma in his younger days.

I was in DC yesterday and got caught in the beginnings of street closings at around five PM, but made it out of the city before the REAL traffic problems began. Vendors with Obama merchandise were already setting up their booths yesterday at 5:30, not far from the largest number of portable toilets since the pope visited Germany. It was interesting seeing college-aged volunteers cleaning residential areas yesterday morning, but it made me wonder why the people who live there couldn't clean up the McDonald's wrappers, Starbucks cups and Christmas trees the voluteers were picking off sidewalks in time for the Inauguration. I guess they wanted visitors to think DC is as clean as Montreal or Toronto, for example, but it isn't. Let's see if change has really come...

Entered at Tue Jan 20 21:41:44 CET 2009 from (67.235.95.226)

rosalind

Entered at Tue Jan 20 21:29:00 CET 2009 from c-76-28-120-102.hsd1.ct.comcast.net (76.28.120.102)

Jean

Entered at Tue Jan 20 21:09:52 CET 2009 from 21cust228.tnt2.sherbrooke.pq.da.uu.net (64.11.26.228)

Steve

Jean, you've gone and done it.

Bill I gave River H a listen yesterday but didn't hear your booom. Maybe I need something better than an IPOD. I'll try again later, you've got my curiosity working.

Entered at Tue Jan 20 21:08:15 CET 2009 from 24-159-2-81.dhcp.smrt.tn.charter.com (24.159.2.81)

Karen

Entered at Tue Jan 20 21:05:06 CET 2009 from itac-gw.yyz.teloip.net (204.138.59.92)

Bill M

Steve: fil=father-in-law, who you mentioned. As for the booing, I had no idea that it happened in DC too. I watched in a theatre with hundreds of others. THEY booed so heartily that you couldn't hear the CNN video feed we were all watching. No wonder Bush looked so unhappy every time the camera showed him.

Steve again: In "Shootout", were you wondering about the kalimba (?) throughout or the beautiful zenly pure pairs of notes that Rick plays right after "opium den" then again after "awhile"? And how 'bout Rick's playing on "Thinking Out Loud" - kind of like Ray Brown without the attack (in this instance).

Sticking with "Cahoots", if I had to, I'd guess that the narrator of TMSO in a member of the Insensitive family up on Choctaw Ridge. "How was my week? Awful - first my best friend got bitten by a snake and died, and what's worse, then the car died too." Of course our guys had already taken part in a parody of "Ode to BJ" - "Clothesline Saga".

Entered at Tue Jan 20 20:51:33 CET 2009 from c-76-28-120-102.hsd1.ct.comcast.net (76.28.120.102)

Jean

Entered at Tue Jan 20 20:26:22 CET 2009 from 21cust213.tnt2.sherbrooke.pq.da.uu.net (64.11.26.213)

Steve

Roz, if you wonder why Canadians in oparticular are so caught up in your politics, get out a map. You are our ONLY neighbor.

Now we Canuckleheads have to rid ourselves of our Bush Like Prime Minister. We're the last one of the western democracies to be saddled with an, out of touch with the 21st century, Neo Con dunderhead". Pity us. Our leaders have usually looked progressive when compared with our only neighbor's leaders. No more.

you could sense the boo coming for Bush before it happened. I guess this might be the first time Bush has appeared in front of a large crowd in quite awhile that was free to let him know how they feel about him. Seems he's only spoken to people in uniforms for a long time.

What's his future as a motivational speaker do you think. Yuk Yuk Yuk,

Entered at Tue Jan 20 20:02:19 CET 2009 from server.mjhayward.com (216.114.128.38)

Mike

"Keep your eyes on the prize." - Mavis Staples.

Entered at Tue Jan 20 19:44:45 CET 2009 from c-76-28-120-102.hsd1.ct.comcast.net (76.28.120.102)

Jean

Echoing our new U.S. President, thank you for your service to our country.

I know this is not a popular position but I really don't care.

To those of you outside the U.S. thank you for your patience. Today is a very emotional day for those of use here in America. We'll get back to the sniping and cheap shots soon enough, I fear.

Entered at Tue Jan 20 19:36:51 CET 2009 from (67.235.95.226)

rosalind

Entered at Tue Jan 20 19:33:24 CET 2009 from pool-71-241-157-35.nycmny.fios.verizon.net (71.241.157.35)

Joan

Please forgive my one political post, but I am so excited.

Yaaaaay!!!

I watched Bush takeoff in the helicopter just to be sure.

Someone said it was a pity Cheney was in a wheelchair because it might remind people of Dr. Strangelove.

Go USA!

Entered at Tue Jan 20 18:00:15 CET 2009 from host86-134-193-101.range86-134.btcentralplus.com (86.134.193.101)

luke m

Always a privilege to hear her beautiful voice.

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Norbert

Subject: Dear Mr. President

Dear Mr. President - Pink (link)

Entered at Tue Jan 20 17:45:36 CET 2009 from bas4-toronto06-1279310482.dsl.bell.ca (76.64.186.146)

Kevin J

Reading about how The Band was approached to do some film work back in the day got me thinking about some recent films I have seen and how the music associated with those films. Clint Eastwood composed a beautiful song that perfectly closes out his latest Grand Torina. Sitting down to watch Quantum of Solace and hearing Jack White’s voice I thought that only very good things were to follow. I was wrong. “Appaloosa” is the best film I have seen in months (Standard western. Beautifully photographed ) but right at the closing credits a Tom Petty song pops out that is just jarring in how out of place it is.

Thanks Bill for the welcome back. I took a few months off to do some construction work. Ended up working on some houses in the Woodstock area. Worked on Levon’s house, in fact. A very pleasurable experience. Only drawback was the occasional run in with dumbass 17 yr old stalkers. No real problems though as we figured out that hanging plastic owls off the balconies kept the pigeons away and hanging plastic dolls of Gerry Garcia kept the teenagers away.

Entered at Tue Jan 20 17:38:29 CET 2009 from 21cust147.tnt2.sherbrooke.pq.da.uu.net (64.11.26.147)

Steve

Entered at Tue Jan 20 16:22:21 CET 2009 from (207.81.196.79)

westcoaster

Subject: A Change is Gonna Come

Watching the coverage, (on every news channel), I'm reminded this morning of Sam Cooke's great song.

It's ironic to listen to some of the attitude of Rosalind, (a good person I believe). However very good at displaying that attitude of SOME American people that the rest of the world hates. "He's our president! Shut up and mind yer own business!"

Rosalind you may be surprised to know, the amount of Canadian people who are being recognized for working on Barak Obama's campaign. Many of the giant companies here in Canada that we work for and with, are American owned. Our NAFTA is very dependent on who is president of the USA. Many of us are bigger stake holders in who is in political power in that country than you can ever imagine.

So now you can curse and abuse me for a while and give every one else a rest. But really yell loud, 'cause I'll be gone....BBBBBBBYYYYYyyyyy

Entered at Tue Jan 20 15:54:00 CET 2009 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

David Frost (last week's Sunday Times) tells a few good Nixon stories. This one is apt:

FROST: There was a wonderful story somebody told me. Six months after JFK’s inaugural, Nixon was talking to Ted Sorensen, JFK’s speechwriter. Nixon said, ‘There were things in that speech I wish I’d said.’ Sorensen says, ‘You mean, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country?” ’ And Nixon said, ‘No, I was thinking more of, “I hereby solemnly swear. . . ’ ”

Entered at Tue Jan 20 14:53:03 CET 2009 from (207.81.196.79)

westcoaster

Subject: Jim Byrnes

Good morning Kristie; Thanks for the revue. I'm sure glad you got to see Jim. I wouldn't want to miss that show given the opportunity. I haven't seen Jim since the mid 80's. I was playing in Brandy's Lounge in the Keg at Whistler, and Jim was playing a club there, (I can't even remember the name of it now) I hope you've gotten some of his recording too. I'm just on my way out for another trip. Really good weather this time, (sigh of relief.).........Later...........Norm

Entered at Tue Jan 20 13:21:59 CET 2009 from c-76-28-120-102.hsd1.ct.comcast.net (76.28.120.102)

Jean

Entered at Tue Jan 20 12:20:36 CET 2009 from 21cust40.tnt2.sherbrooke.pq.da.uu.net (64.11.26.40)

Steve

Did Cheney really hurt his back personally removing boxes with incriminating evidence from the last 8 years of criminal governance from his office?

Entered at Tue Jan 20 04:37:37 CET 2009 from (67.235.95.226)

rosalind

Subject: For Karen

...

Entered at Tue Jan 20 04:19:47 CET 2009 from (67.235.95.226)

rosalind

Neil does love his cars!

Hey Karen, Do you like cars? Ya want me to take you for a spin? You help me pound that dent out on the hood and we'll get her in gear and hit the pavement but I gotta warn ya, the brakes ain't so hot.

Entered at Tue Jan 20 04:16:51 CET 2009 from s0106001c109f95ec.vc.shawcable.net (24.83.168.217)

kristie

Ha Ha. Yes that is a good one Joan. I hadn't realized this until a friend mentioned it but post "Zuma" finds Neil to be singing a lot about cars. I don't mind, I like cars too, but his songs lately seem to be getting less and less personal. Has anyone else noticed this? Aside from "Prarie Wind" maybe.

Entered at Tue Jan 20 04:10:47 CET 2009 from s0106001c109f95ec.vc.shawcable.net (24.83.168.217)

kristie

Jim Byrnes was great. A really exceptional musician and genial guy. And he has a knack for picking songs by other artists("Just like Tom Thumb's blues" being one of them) that perfectly suit him. Jim's voice struck me as being very classic and his music is beautifully tuned to that.

And he is funny! Jim told a story that he said Muddy Waters once told at a concert he attended.It went something like;

A young man brought a girl home to meet his parents and his father took him aside and said; "son you can't marry that girl. She your sister but your momma don't know." The next week the son brought home another girl and once again his father took him aside; "Son you can't marry that girl either. She your sister too but your momma don't know." The next day the young mans mother asked him who he was going to marry. "Ah momma I can't marry those girls." "Why not son?" she said. "Well poppa didn't want me to tell you but they my sisters!" "That's ok son. You can marry them girls. He ain't you reall pappa."

Entered at Tue Jan 20 04:01:51 CET 2009 from pool-71-241-157-35.nycmny.fios.verizon.net (71.241.157.35)

Joan

Never forget "Long may you run" a love song to a car.

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kristie

Subject: Neil Young

Oh, Neil.

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rosalind

Entered at Tue Jan 20 02:22:39 CET 2009 from 24-159-2-81.dhcp.smrt.tn.charter.com (24.159.2.81)

Karen

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Steve

Sorry Roz , I don't always add The Homer when I'm pulling people's leg. ROZ, This belated Homer's For You

@@

(~~~)

Bill, f i l project ? Luke I agree with you but two songs that I would put on the list would be Masterpiece and Watch Tower.

Kevin those songs are ones I don't know well enough and my list already got 20 plus on it and I got to cut that by more than half. Thanks though, I'm going to give Brownsville Girl.

Entered at Tue Jan 20 01:02:20 CET 2009 from (67.235.95.226)

rosalind

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Bonk

Don't bite Roz. I think you're getting set up!

Entered at Tue Jan 20 00:24:24 CET 2009 from vance010.net.gov.bc.ca (142.22.16.55)

NB

Glad you got it used, rather than full-price, just in case it's not as good as I remember. It's been as I said, many moons since I've heard it. Also, I was a little taken aback, after having just recommended it to you, to discover (through Bill M.) that their big hit "Flip, Flop and Fly" isn't on there as I had mistakenly remembered. There's another great song of theirs with the lyric " ain't no use running, got my running shoes on". I assumed that was on "We Deliver" but checking the song list on Amazon, I'm not so sure now either. (Bill ?). Anyway, I still doubt if I've given you a bum steer, but if I have I'll buy you a Manhattan when Northern GirI and I get to Manhattan. For me the Jane Vasey cut alone,"Tryin' To Keep Her 88's Straight", is worth half the cost of a CD. NB

Entered at Tue Jan 20 00:05:29 CET 2009 from 24-159-2-81.dhcp.smrt.tn.charter.com (24.159.2.81)

Karen

Entered at Mon Jan 19 23:48:43 CET 2009 from (67.235.95.226)

rosalind

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Kevin J

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Joan

Nice to hear from you. How are you doing?

Entered at Mon Jan 19 22:54:37 CET 2009 from 24-159-2-81.dhcp.smrt.tn.charter.com (24.159.2.81)

Karen

Entered at Mon Jan 19 22:49:48 CET 2009 from pool-71-241-157-35.nycmny.fios.verizon.net (71.241.157.35)

Joan

Actually I caught both posts. I got a used copy of We Deliver. I figured Food or Music What the heck, I could afford to lose a few pounds. :-D. I heard Flip Flop Fly over at Youtube. I'll let you know when it gets here.

Entered at Mon Jan 19 22:46:44 CET 2009 from host86-134-193-101.range86-134.btcentralplus.com (86.134.193.101)

luke m

Steve, if you haven't already got them on your list: Sad Eyed Lady of the Looolands Leopard Skin Pill Box Hat Every Grain of Sand One More Cup Of Coffee Idiot Wind Dear Landlord Floater In fact it might be easier to find songs where his delivery isn't integral..

Entered at Mon Jan 19 22:40:49 CET 2009 from adsl-75-16-241-17.dsl.kntpin.sbcglobal.net (75.16.241.17)

John (KLJ) from Indiana

Subject: My music / Other Music

It's been a while, and I though this place was long gone. Actually when I first clicked the "guestbook" link I thought it was just old archives. Then I saw that the date was 2009. Anyway, I'm still Kickin'. I got Levon's 'at Merlefest' CD since last time I was in here. Hard to believe it's alread been 10+ years since the release of "Jubilation". At least Levon's out there still making music. Although, I would like to hear something from Robbie soon. I've also been recently listening to "Old Crow Medicine Show" which I'm really liking, although their stuff is a bit ... "druggy". Still, I'd recommend giving them a listen. For those who don't know, they're a bluegrass-y band who are influenced by the Grateful Dead, the Band, and Nirvana. Seriously. That's what they said. My favorite tune by them is "Wagon Wheel", which by the way my Windows Media Player says it was composed by Bob Dylan? I don't know. Anybody else heard these guys? Anyway, if the moderators don't mind, there's some new stuff on my site. I've still got "several" copies of my first two releases. I know I could sell more if I was able to perform. Still, I made a small profit on each of them, so that's all good. I've got another one coming out soon, I hope (fingers crossed). I'm also recording my cousin Brent Lechner's first Indie album. We've not got any good music clips up yet, just stuff off of his demos. We'll be fixing that soon. Brent's album will be out by mid-February. I figure you could at least check some of the music out, if nothing else. I know some from here at the old GB did last year, and I thank ya' for it. I know one of you out there even bought one! Take care all

Entered at Mon Jan 19 22:09:15 CET 2009 from itac-gw.yyz.teloip.net (204.138.59.92)

Bill M

NB: I'm sure it's the former "Everyday I Have The Blues", which was also recorded locally by Edward Bear on their first album, recorded when they were more blues than pop. It was sung by their then-guitarist Danny Marx, who was soon pushed out for the sin of not being a Scientologist and found refuge in a post-Bearsville LP version of the group Jericho, which also included former Suede, former Hawk (and soon-to-be auxilliary Aerosmith member) Scott Cushnie.

Seeing "Dig Myself A Hole" on the Downchild songlist reminded me of the truly great "Dig A Hole" by the Hans Staymer Band from Vancouver. (You can even find them in the discography section of this website, since their "Dig A Hole" album included a cover of "WS Walcott Medicine Show".) Definitely worth scouting out for the brilliant interplay of guitarist Ed Patterson and organist Robbie King. I believe it's out on a Japanese CD, but that's probably too expensive to consider.

Couldn't help but think of ranking Romans when listening to "Wren I Paint My Masterpiece".

Entered at Mon Jan 19 22:08:13 CET 2009 from (67.235.95.226)

rosalind

Entered at Mon Jan 19 21:36:42 CET 2009 from vance010.net.gov.bc.ca (142.22.16.55)

Northern Boy

Subject: Bill M. / Joan

Thanks for your advice re "Straight Up" by Downchild. I haven't played "We Deliver" in decades and wrongly assumed it included "Flip, Flop and Fly", which is a must. (My turntable is shot so it's one of hundreds of great albums that have remained in the attic for almost ever - Peter V. gave me some good replacement advice but I've not acted on it as of yet.) "Straight Up" sounds good for the two tunes you mentioned, and I'm sure Downchild would go a great job on "Everyday I Have The Blues", which I see from Amazon is the opening cut. Also, "Bring It On Home" although I think there's two songs by that title, one that Sonny Boy Williamson (Rice Miller) sang and another that's done by Van on "It's Too Late To Stop Now", done originally by Sam Cooke (?) ("If you ever change your mind, About leaving me behind etc.). No matter, I'm sure Downchild did justice to the song, which ever one it is. I hope Joan catches these posts as I posted about "We Deliver" in response to her enjoying the Jane Vasey clip. Maybe I need to go get "Straight Up" and "We Deliver" in CD form, and/or get the friggin' turntable replaced ! As always, thanks Bill for the info you send my way, musical or otherwise. NB

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Bill M

Entered at Mon Jan 19 21:14:52 CET 2009 from 21cust59.tnt2.sherbrooke.pq.da.uu.net (64.11.26.59)

Steve

Arizona has the worst record in the playoffs, they're unstoppable because of that alone. This is the Fantasy Island year in the NFL.

Roz, The Band is Canadian, please no more comments about them . Let's put up and then respect all borders, real and imagined.

Kevin I don't know if you were around when I described my father in law project.

I'm looking for songs that Dylan's voice and delivery are integral to the overall effect of the song.

Bill I'm going to give that thumping sound a listen . Wish me luck.

Entered at Mon Jan 19 20:18:35 CET 2009 from itac-gw.yyz.teloip.net (204.138.59.92)

Bill M

Steve: I'm sorry that I ignored (and now don't even remember) your boomp-sound point re "Shootout". By the way, listening to that very same song two point five hours ago, it struck me that the generic urban setting (i.e., freed from SF) seems a bit of a mix of the clearing of Toronto's original Chinatown in the early '60s (when it was pushed west along Dundas to make way for what we oldsters still call New City Hall) and Jean Drapeau's clearing of Montreal's Little Burgundy around the same time to make the place more presentable for global viewing during the then-upcoming Expo '67. Robbie may even have been living in Montreal when he wrote the song. And if so, it might even be worth pointing out that it's just a hop and a skip from thinking about that clearance to thinking about the much more significant Acadian clearance.

Roz: As Kevin J (welcome back) pointed out some months ago, the president is, whether we like it or not, the rest of the world's president too. So we get really ticked off when the relative few who get to select said president choose poorly. As has been pointed out, "When things go wrong, so wrong with you, it hurts me too."

Entered at Mon Jan 19 20:09:29 CET 2009 from (67.235.95.226)

rosalind

Entered at Mon Jan 19 19:45:35 CET 2009 from bas4-toronto06-1279310482.dsl.bell.ca (76.64.186.146)

Kevin J

Steve – The “greatest hits” are easy pickings but the following are a few suggestions that might appeal to your Father in law. They are among my favourite Dylan songs:

1. Let me Die in My Footsteps

2. I and I

3. Foot of Pride

4. Every Grain of Sand

5. Angelina

.6. Where are you Tonight?

Entered at Mon Jan 19 19:31:02 CET 2009 from (67.235.95.226)

rosalind

Entered at Mon Jan 19 18:42:47 CET 2009 from 76-14-21-245.sf-cable.astound.net (76.14.21.245)

Tiny Monster

Subject: ... FOOTBALL DAMN IT !!! ...

... The STEELERS are going to the Superbowl again !!! ...

... Not one football fan in this whole messed up group ? ...

... By the way, the background music on my space (Web page) link is my kid. Playing all instuments, wrote and sings ... He's a good kid. Just wish he would pay back the loan I made him ...

... Well, what are kids for. Can't live with them, can't kill them ... insert smile face here ...

... AZ ? ... Are you kidding me ? ...

Entered at Mon Jan 19 18:12:54 CET 2009 from pool-71-190-194-223.nycmny.fios.verizon.net (71.190.194.223)

Ari

Entered at Mon Jan 19 18:09:37 CET 2009 from 21cust230.tnt2.sherbrooke.pq.da.uu.net (64.11.26.230)

Steve

Funny you should mention "the sun setting", I was going to mention that, this evening, about 4pm Eastern, will be the final sunset on The Bush Debacle, though the effects will be around for a long, long time to come ( pun intended) but at least Bush and Cheney are finally gone. Let The Sun Shine In!

Bill, I thought, Smith, was a nod to Cathy. I'm going to check out the tympani moment you mentioned and then see if it matches the sound in Shoot Out IN Chinatown which I've mentioned a couple of times but drew no response or help with my inquiry. Better luck to you.

I've been working on Dylan tune selections for my father in law but man it's tough. The bastard has written so many interesting songs.

So far, Tangled Up IN Blue, Highway 61 and Visions Of Johanna are in for sure. I've been listening to a steady diet of Bob on my daily ski for the last couple of weeks and without strict editing I'd be up to about 40 songs by now and that will doom my project from the get-go.

Entered at Mon Jan 19 17:34:49 CET 2009 from (67.235.95.226)

rosalind

The Sun Also Sets!

People ought to hold that elation under their hats a bit until they see whether or not this guy can walk the walk as well as talk the talk. I doubt that he really knows what he's getting into. He'll be late nite crying into his hands about the whole mess when reality hits. Steve - are you a pre-mature ejaculator too?

Entered at Mon Jan 19 16:23:36 CET 2009 from c-75-72-126-40.hsd1.mn.comcast.net (75.72.126.40)

Zzzz

Entered at Mon Jan 19 16:18:37 CET 2009 from itac-gw.yyz.teloip.net (204.138.59.92)

Bill M

Re the same album, I've pretty much convinced myself that Bessie in "Goin' Down The Road To See ..." is the same Bessie as in "Up On Cripple Creek", with Smith being just the standard ID-protection device used at shabby motel check-ins.

Ari S: I doubt that most of us really care if you don't like Maud's singing or phrasing, but I wish you'd been more specific in your original post about your dislike.

NB: When it comes to Downchild, my favourite is their second album, "Straight Up", which includes their biggest hit, "Flip Flop And Fly" and their second-biggest, "(I've Got Everything I Need) Almost". That they influenced the Blues Brothers is clear in the fact that the Blues Brothers covered "Almost" (a Downchild original) and most likely also in the fact that the BBs also recorded FF&F. Bang-on re both SB and DB, btw.

Entered at Mon Jan 19 16:14:53 CET 2009 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

The Van Morrison official website now has "Astral Weeks Live At The Hollywood Bowl" up (for release February 9th). It has a CD version and a double LP version. As with his last album, it's the VINYL version that has the bonus track, not the C D.

They also have the LP reissues of Moondance and Astral Weeks that David mentioned last week. I'd rather buy from Van than amazon!

Entered at Mon Jan 19 15:32:44 CET 2009 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

For UK posters, HMV has the full set on seven DVDs including three hours of bonus performances for £20, down from £50.

Entered at Mon Jan 19 15:11:34 CET 2009 from 21cust163.tnt2.sherbrooke.pq.da.uu.net (64.11.26.163)

Steve

Roz, there is good news on the Bush/Bama front.

A poll of Canadians found that 4% of Canadians had a negative or somewhat negative opinion of Obama.

In a similar poll of Canadians, Bush kicked Bama Butt with an incredible 82% negative or somewhat negative opinion. 82 to 4, WOW!

When the results are that black and white there's no question as to who's the undisputed big wiener! No contest.

Entered at Mon Jan 19 12:55:36 CET 2009 from 21cust123.tnt2.sherbrooke.pq.da.uu.net (64.11.26.123)

Steve

Roz, you sound like you're already suffering Texan Eeedgitt with-drawl. Why so sad, he's still prez for a few more hours and then if you really want to soak in the glory of the last 8 years there's plenty of highlites on Youtube and comedians will be reworking his best stuff for decades to come. The again, in a few short years what's her name will be running for Prez and it will be just like 1956 all over again.

Come on girl, chin up, there's life after Bush.

Is it true, FOX is going to run a black screen during the swearing in ceremonies?

REMEMBER, in this year of NFL Fantasy football, the smart money will still be on the team with the arena football quality line up and the record to prove it. ARIZONA! My only worry is that they needlessly wasted a win during the regular season.

They could have made the playoffs with a 7-9 record. They got Super Duper Bowl Champs written all over them. Don't be distracted by the fact Pit has a better team, remember this is the year of mediocrity .

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Jean

Entered at Mon Jan 19 10:13:33 CET 2009 from adsl-99-141-30-243.dsl.chcgil.sbcglobal.net (99.141.30.243)

Adam

Ari, you're very brave for letting your honest opinion be known. I want to like what Maud does, but although she has a nice voice, I find her phrasing to be a bit too much.

Entered at Mon Jan 19 05:23:20 CET 2009 from (67.235.95.226)

rosalind

Bonk - Thanks for stickin' up for me..

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Jan F.

Subject: Concert/Lincoln Memorial

Yep, Mr. Steve and I went down there a little late . . . didn't arrive until about 15 minutes after it started. Got there just as James Taylor started singing. Pretty good - esp. Bono. Can't say much else was very inspired except Pete Seeger & Bruce singing "This Land is Your Land . . . ."

Anyone else from the metro area there? I didn't see anyone I knew . . . . 8-)

J.F.

P.S. It wasn't so cold either and those who know me know that I'm a real Southern Belle about cold weather -- yikes. Hope it's that warm on Tuesday (not a chance).

Entered at Mon Jan 19 04:38:01 CET 2009 from pool-71-190-194-223.nycmny.fios.verizon.net (71.190.194.223)

Ari S.

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Joan

Subject: A brief moment of Rick and Levon

It made me smile.

Entered at Mon Jan 19 03:19:58 CET 2009 from pool-71-241-157-35.nycmny.fios.verizon.net (71.241.157.35)

Joan

About Maud, you are skating on "thin ice" there. :-D

Entered at Mon Jan 19 03:08:40 CET 2009 from (207.81.196.79)

westcoaster

Subject: Vern Gosdin

Just back from down island this afternoon. Took a squint in here. JQ, I concurr with David, Chiseled in Stone. An album I never tire of listening to.

David, "Nobody Calls From Vegas Just to Say Hello"

Kristie; Thanks for that. If you don't hear from me for a few days, I'm away Tuesday morning, up to above Bella Bella for a load, and down to Campbell River, and back to Port Hardy.

I'll see y'all later.

PS; Some one said they don't see how smoking would change your voice. Well that's a remark from inexperience. Once you quit, you can't believe the difference.

Entered at Mon Jan 19 02:46:56 CET 2009 from pool-71-181-5-185.cncdnh.east.verizon.net (71.181.5.185)

Mike

Thanks to Levon's manager, Barbara, here is last night's amazing set list: 1.Ophelia - C2. Same Thing - D3. Battle Is Over – G4. Such A Night - F5. I Don’t Care Who Knows – A 6. Long Black Veil – D7. Got Me A Woman - G9. Ashes - A10. Did You Love Me - G11. Deep Elum - D12. Train Robbery - Bb13. Gospel Train - C14. Anna Lee15. Rag Mama - E16. Natural Anthem - E17. Mardi Gras Day – Eb18. Remedy - D19. Imagine That - D20. Time Out For The Blues - E21. Across The Great Divide – F22. Chest Fever – E23. Weight – Bb

Entered at Mon Jan 19 02:13:58 CET 2009 from pool-71-181-5-185.cncdnh.east.verizon.net (71.181.5.185)

Mike

It's ok, Ros, a record is supposed to be set for the number of port-o-toilets used at a single US event - 5K w/ over 2 mill using them. The incoming pres is very cool, but the some of the pomp & circ is..... can we say...very Rolling Stone mag-like - poserish:).

Entered at Mon Jan 19 01:55:15 CET 2009 from s0106000a956fbfac.cq.shawcable.net (70.78.227.124)

Northern Boy

Subject: The Hawk's Boys and Garth doing "Ain't No More Cane"

Not bad, (but you may have heard better, somewhere).

Entered at Mon Jan 19 01:24:52 CET 2009 from (67.235.95.226)

rosalind

What a bunch of blind optimistic bullshit! There ain't a shovel in the world big enough to cover up all the crap that's goin' down today! Abe Lincoln's thinkin What the fuck? I took it in the head for this shit? I'm sure he's been havin the dry heaves all day long.

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Brien Sz

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Friend0

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Friend0

Entered at Sun Jan 18 20:12:39 CET 2009 from cpe-72-229-221-173.nyc.res.rr.com (72.229.221.173)

Eddie

Subject: The Crowmatix

When I was in New Paltz, NY, 1989-1992, a band called The Crows used to play in a back alley club called Coochie's. Anyone know if The Crowmatix originated from The Crows of New Paltz? PS: I also saw Jimmy Wieder play at Coochies around that time.

Entered at Sun Jan 18 18:43:39 CET 2009 from cpe-24-161-34-171.hvc.res.rr.com (24.161.34.171)

Lars

Subject: Original Crowmatix

I looked it up in the archives. Levon WAS at that Tinker Street Cafe with the original Crowmatix (including Randy and Marie) on March 7, 1998.

Entered at Sun Jan 18 17:20:04 CET 2009 from cache-mtc-ag03.proxy.aol.com (64.12.117.131)

Friend0

Far as I remember, the original Cromatix were, Aaron, Levon, Jimmy, Mike Dunn, possibly Marie. I never saw Randy and Levon in the Cromatix at the same time, I never saw Randy in the Cromatix but I imagine it happened at some point..Of course, later on Gary Burke took the drum seat.

One of the great shows I saw at Bearsville Theatre was a blending of The Band and The Crows. Killer show.

Entered at Sun Jan 18 16:18:18 CET 2009 from cpe-24-161-34-171.hvc.res.rr.com (24.161.34.171)

Lars

Subject: Smoke and the ties that bind

The worst night of second- hand smoke I ever went through was approx. 11 years ago at Woodstock's Tinker Street Cafe'. The original Crowmatix were playing and the tiny venue was packed. I remember Randy was so late in showing up that Butch Dener turned to some teen aged kid (who I think was one of the band's helpers, or "roadies") and said "If Randy doesn't show, guess who's playing drums tonight?"

The kid didn't look too happy. Anyway, Randy finally wheeled in and when the music started I could see Eppard at the far mic, so I slowly slid over his way. Watching Jimmy Eppard play his guitar was always a lot of fun for me. I can't remember if Levon was there that night or not. Randy was near the center of an area too small to be called a stage. Smoke hung from the ceiling and seemed to dissipate as it spread lower. Somebody over by the door was smoking the raunchiest cigar I'd ever been subjected to. When I felt my throat get sore I made my way out the door and the fresh air outside was a great relief. I watched the rest of the show through a window, which somehow isn't the same as actually being inside with the music. When The Reformed Band travelled around Europe (1994?) they had their own bus. Everybody was in the back and, according to Randy, sometimes he and Weider went to the front of the bus where a curtain was stretched across the third row of seats and the smoke wasn't as thick up there. But Levon would eventually poke his head through and urge them to rejoin the group. I think Bill Perry made one of those trips with the boys. Whenever I saw The Band play live I noticed Randy and Levon used to be playing loose and laughing together, at God knows what. I think there was, and probably still is, a real bond between Levon and Randy.

Which leads to a question: how important is a personal relationship when a band is being formed? The early Beatles (Quarrymen?) had Stu Sutcliff playing bass, mainly because Stu was a good friend of John Lennon's. From the little I know about the Beatles, Stu was an artist but not really a musician. When Stu fell in love and stayed behind in Hamburg, part of his reason might have been that he knew he was a weak link in the group.

When Dylan wiped out (?) on Zena Road, that lead to The Band's life at Big Pink. Richard was playing the drums because Levon had left the group and gone down South. Perhaps the rest of The Band members missed Levon's vocals and his drumwork, but I think they probably missed Levon's presence,too. The Band was still (I believe) pretty closeknit at that point of their development. Rick called Levon and told him about their good fortune, and he wanted to share it with him. Rick also probably knew that, at that point, they all needed each other. At least, it's nice for me to believe that.

Entered at Sun Jan 18 14:19:26 CET 2009 from sannin29137.nirai.ne.jp (203.160.29.137)

Fred

As bartending in the haze of secondhand smoke was no f*cking picnic, I can well imagine the havoc it can cause for singers.

Entered at Sun Jan 18 14:03:56 CET 2009 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Entered at Sun Jan 18 13:31:50 CET 2009 from 21cust5.tnt2.sherbrooke.pq.da.uu.net (64.11.26.5)

Steve

Entered at Sun Jan 18 11:32:37 CET 2009 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Smoking at venues stopped much later in the UK than US, I think. Try Steve’s test of burning paper in a basement, but don’t just sit there quietly, do full deep breathing exercises at the same time (to simulate singing). Many singers have said smoky venues were a major problem for them, and I’ve heard singers who smoked themselves say the air in a club full of smoke was too much for their vocal chords, affecting them in a way that having the odd puff directly didn’t. There may be something in variety too. The ex-smokers here will know that if you stuck to one brand the coughing was limited, but if you changed brands or started smoking other people’s brands you started coughing. That was the peril of conferences twenty years ago when I used to smoke, in countries where offering cigarettes was an automatic sign of friendship. You’d end up having no more than five cigarettes in a day, but five different brands, and it was like smoking twenty of one brand. Smoky air in clubs was awful for the voice. So in some ways dense passive smoking was worse than smoking directly.

Entered at Sun Jan 18 07:04:51 CET 2009 from (199.106.94.136)

Charlie Y

Subject: A Survivor...and Another Too Soon Gone...

Carlene Carter played a short, sweet show here in Old Virginny tonight and acknowledged her deep roots in the state as an important link in the chain of the legendary musical Carter family. She's survived addiction and the deaths of many members of her family but brought along husband number four who helped on a couple of fine duets during a memorable, powerful evening of music. I came home and--thanks to YouTube--watched her when she was young, backed by Levon on mandolin singing "I Fell in Love."

YouTube also has a nice tribute to a fine young musician killed in a car crash this week, Bruce Hornsby's nephew, R.S. Hornsby, who sometimes sat in with Bruce's band. The young Mr. Hornsby often contributed electric guitar solos reminiscent of Jerry Garcia's Gibson electric sound, and the video up on YouTube has his uncle singing the Grateful Dead's "Standing on the Moon" as R.S. solos into infinity. Those of us who knew this kind and talented young man will miss him a lot.

Entered at Sun Jan 18 05:42:56 CET 2009 from c-75-72-126-40.hsd1.mn.comcast.net (75.72.126.40)

Zzzz

Entered at Sun Jan 18 04:43:48 CET 2009 from pool-71-190-194-223.nycmny.fios.verizon.net (71.190.194.223)

Ari S.

I bet I'm the only one in on this guestbook that cannot stand Maud Hudson.

Entered at Sun Jan 18 02:05:58 CET 2009 from blk-222-153-37.eastlink.ca (24.222.153.37)

joe j

Thanks NB for the Downchild link. I remember Jane from a couple shows in Toronto in 1979-80. I sort of lost track of the band and hadn't realized she'd died.

Old vinyl for a stormy Saturday: 'New Morning', 'Mott the Hoople' and 'Waiting for Columbus'.

Entered at Sun Jan 18 01:32:55 CET 2009 from cache-dtc-ag03.proxy.aol.com (205.188.117.131)

Friend0

garth is on this one too

Entered at Sun Jan 18 01:28:21 CET 2009 from cache-dtc-ag03.proxy.aol.com (205.188.117.131)

Friend0

Entered at Sun Jan 18 01:25:29 CET 2009 from cache-dtc-ag03.proxy.aol.com (205.188.117.131)

Friend0

As Mike said, the link is to Garth aad Maud with the Sadies New Years Eve past.

Entered at Sat Jan 17 23:35:11 CET 2009 from pool-71-190-194-223.nycmny.fios.verizon.net (71.190.194.223)

Ari S.

I understand that it's definitely bad for health, but I'm not sure that it would effect his vocals since he was directly smoking it.

Entered at Sat Jan 17 22:58:12 CET 2009 from pool-71-181-5-185.cncdnh.east.verizon.net (71.181.5.185)

Mike

Maud performs "Don't Do It" & Garth performs "Diamond Mine."

Entered at Sat Jan 17 20:04:50 CET 2009 from cpe0019e0103915-cm001868d92496.cpe.net.cable.rogers.com (99.254.209.45)

Jack

Northern Boy writes: "I'm almost certain the original "Blues Brothers" act was based on Downchild, something Akroyd and Belushi went on and created after they performed once with Downchild."

You are correct Northern Boy. When Dan was with Second City in Toronto; before heading to New York, he saw the band many times. In fact he has said so; in the past that the Blues Bros came from his love of Downchild.

Entered at Sat Jan 17 19:52:24 CET 2009 from s0106000a956fbfac.cq.shawcable.net (70.78.227.124)

Northern Boy

Subject: Joan/ More Rain and More Jane/ Downchild Blues Band

So you experienced a BC deluge day, did you ? Well there's those, and there's the day-after-day type of rain as well in the fall, spring, and sometimes even winter when we should be getting snow. Actually though, Easter to mid-October is generally very nice and with none of that wretched Eastern humidity.

Glad you liked The Downchild BB clip with Jane Vasey. That was, as Bill said, just a TV appearance and a key portion of the band was not there. And of course the jazz vibist isn't part of the band, but rather the host of show. But it at least gives you a sense of Jane's playing abilities and the tightness of the band.

My small town of 7,000 used to hold an annual Blues Festival and we brought in the modern day Downchild Blues Band about four years ago. I'm almost certain the original "Blues Brothers" act was based on Downchild, something Akroyd and Belushi went on and created after they performed once with Downchild. (Bill M. could correct me if I'm wrong).

Anyway, I know your album budget is spoken for till March of 2019, but if you ever want to pick up a great and fun Downchild album that's early enough to include Jane (who died in '82 of leukemia) maybe jot this down. It's called "We Deliver" and it was kind of a must-have in everyone's collection when I grew up in Toronto. The cover of the album looks exactly like a pizza box and when you open it up and fold it open, the inside is a half-eaten pizza, as I recall. I doubt if the gag works too well now with a CD, but it was worth buying the album back then just for the pizza box gag alone. The real contents (ie. the music) is CLASSIC Downchild, and includes the 1980 minor hit, "Trying To Keep Her 88's Straight" that I spoke of, which features Jane both playing and singing. Bill M. may have better/other advice for you but I don't see how you could go wrong with "We Deliver".

By the way, on a re-run I eventually saw the Jon Stewart episode you were bringing to the attention of the GB Canucklehead contingent, "Provinces In Peril". Very funny. Canadian Samantha Bee reporting from Ottawa, etc. Actually she is Canadian, as is her husband who writes for Stewart, and who may have come up with most of the piece. NB

PS.Thought I'd run the link again for those who missed it-I tend to scroll through the vibist, though he's certainly a better stick-handler than anyone on the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey team. The first big blues pianist Jane saw perform live was Otis Spann, btw.

Entered at Sat Jan 17 19:00:46 CET 2009 from 21cust41.tnt2.sherbrooke.pq.da.uu.net (64.11.26.41)

Steve

My younger son and his friend are big hockey fans and they were in the kitchen when I finished reading your post. As a joke I said to them," I'll give you guys $50 if you can tell me what Saku Koivu's name means in English.

His friend says, his last name means some kind of tree but I can't remember what kind. My father told me what his last name meant but I don't really listen closely he's always telling me stuff."

His father is really into horticulture and for some reason knew what Koivu meant in English. I was lucky.

Ari, secondhand smoke has been accepted by the medical profession as harmful to your health, for years. I expect Richard was effected by it especially in clubs.

I remember as a 17 year old playing hockey here in Quebec in arenas where there were thousands of people smoking. By the end of some games there was a blue cloud up in the rafters. We were lucky to be 40 or 50 feet below the cloud, in a bar you'd be right in it .

Entered at Sat Jan 17 18:41:22 CET 2009 from pool-71-241-157-35.nycmny.fios.verizon.net (71.241.157.35)

Joan

Oh Ari, I don't know if you really want to turn over that rock. The subject has been pretty well "posted" to death. A lot of it was on Little Pink, so I'm not sure the archives survive, but suffice it to say, "been there, done that".

Entered at Sat Jan 17 18:35:12 CET 2009 from pool-71-241-157-35.nycmny.fios.verizon.net (71.241.157.35)

Joan

The true tragedy is he refused to take a compass or even a map into the wild. There was a bridge over the river 1/4 mile from where he starved to death. Had he had a map, he could have walked out with ease. I know he has become a cult figure, but I'm not sure that kind of stupidity/stubborness deserves admiration.

Entered at Sat Jan 17 18:35:10 CET 2009 from pool-71-190-194-223.nycmny.fios.verizon.net (71.190.194.223)

Ari S.

Steve, I understand that that would most likely be detrimental to your health, but I wonder how it would affect his vocals as he wasn't the one smoking it. I do recall though, Richard putting a cigarette in Ronnie's hand. I think I read it in Levon's book. I also must say that I enjoyed Barney Hoskyns book, which i just read, as much, if not more than Levon's. It's not that it's more entertaining (even though it is), but I just don't believe everything Levon says. Alot of the things, like him taking direct quotes that happened 30 some years before Levon "wrote" his book, or his lack of talking about Robbie for all the things that he did, and his many incorrect facts - it just makes the book an incredulous read. Aside from that, he made Robbie Robertson look like a terrorist. He basically accused Robbie of murdering Richard Manuel and Rick Danko. No matter what you think of the guy, there is no way he intended to kill anybody. This is getting me mad just talking about it.

Entered at Sat Jan 17 18:19:48 CET 2009 from host-90-237-163-195.mobileonline.telia.com (90.237.163.195)

Ilkka

Subject: The book: "This Wheels On Fire"

The song (This Wheels On Fire) is by RICK DANKO and BOB DYLAN. Levon's book shoud have another title. Like a song Levon wrote by himself ... like...like...

Entered at Sat Jan 17 18:14:07 CET 2009 from s0106001c109f95ec.vc.shawcable.net (24.83.168.217)

Kristie

"Into Thin air" and "Into the Wild" had to be two of the most frustrating books I have ever read. "Into thin air" especially because of of the overall lack of organization there seemed to be on the mountain. And climbers passing dying people to reach the summit....!? I climb a lot but if anything ever happened to a friend or stranger I wouldn't be leaving them to die(maybe this is why I can't ever climb Everest...the place is a graveyard because there is no way to transport the bodies out.) But I guess the rules don't really apply on Everest.

"Into the wild" was interesting, yet, I couldn't help but feel the research done into Christopher(Alexander) as a person was a bit lacking. The book hinted at mental illness, but not in any way that could explain him going into the Alaskan wilderness, stopping in a bus, and essentially waiting to die. I know he got sick but not for a few days. What was he waiting for??Weather? So many unanswered questions. That is what I find frustrating.

But then again, maybe the mystery surrounding Chris and his life is what makes "Into the wild" a great book..?

Entered at Sat Jan 17 18:08:37 CET 2009 from host-90-237-163-195.mobileonline.telia.com (90.237.163.195)

Ilkka

Subject: Studying in OSTFOLD COLLEGE / To Mr. Hoiberg

I called to councelor at your college. - Sorry, it was a fake. I said that I had upper secondary education (true, I didn't tell about MA and more.) Counselor kept asking about my skills in Norwegian language. Here in Scandinavian countries we accept Scandinavian languages. In our global world we must accept other languages, too. Like Arabic, Spanish etc. In your college you seemed not to have understood this basic thing. None of my business, though.

Entered at Sat Jan 17 17:42:44 CET 2009 from 66-252-59-169.dyn-adsl.midmaine.net (66.252.59.169)

Therese

Subject: Levon's book

I just read "This Wheel's on Fire" and couldn't put it down the whole time. Absolutely Loved it, it was my first comprehension of what The Band was all about and did cry when i got to the part of headin home after the Last Waltz. I do have a question, the search is giving me a headache, I've been looking so long. I've been going to concerts since 1988, saw the Grateful Dead in Worcestor and I swore that The Band opened for them but now I can't find any evidence of that. Did the Band ever open for the GD between 1988 and 1993? Would love to know it was reality or a just a hopeful fantasy. I did see Jerry Garcia Band in 1994, Oakland but it really seems like it was before that. I'm just going crazy trying to remember where the heck I saw The Band. Would they have opened for the Allman Bros? Little Feat? fuzzy memory in maine, Therese

Entered at Sat Jan 17 16:28:34 CET 2009 from host-90-237-163-195.mobileonline.telia.com (90.237.163.195)

Ilkka Jauramo

Subject: Internet security / To Mr. Hoiberg

As a Linux client user I would be interested to see in statistics how many Linux users are visiting this site. Maybe it is somewhere there but I have not found it.

Entered at Sat Jan 17 15:29:03 CET 2009 from (67.235.95.226)

mmm

Entered at Sat Jan 17 15:26:16 CET 2009 from (67.235.95.226)

rosalind

Subject: This One Too..

It' one lonely Saturday Morning..

Entered at Sat Jan 17 14:54:14 CET 2009 from (67.235.95.226)

rosalind

Subject: I Don't Know Why

It catches my fancy

Entered at Sat Jan 17 13:34:07 CET 2009 from 21cust176.tnt2.sherbrooke.pq.da.uu.net (64.11.26.176)

Steve

Entered at Sat Jan 17 13:24:47 CET 2009 from 21cust176.tnt2.sherbrooke.pq.da.uu.net (64.11.26.176)

Steve

Gather up some paper and leaves if you can get your hands on some at this time of the year.

Go down into your basement( if you have one)get a big metal pot, put the paper in and light it.

Now start sprinkling the fire with those leaves while singing Tear Of Rage.

Remember, keep this up for several hours, then do it again tomorrow and then the day after and the day after that and so on. You have nothing to fear since what you're doing is not technically considered smoking. Maybe you could report on your progress next week. Bonne chance!

Bill I think she charged but she accepted returnable bottles in lieu of cash if you were a little short( pun intended).

Hey NB, I think you and Bill have reached the point in your relationship where you could exchange email addresses. I keep trying to picture Bill in Vanna White's dress as you play but it's not helping.

Entered at Sat Jan 17 12:11:24 CET 2009 from p4fcafbf8.dip.t-dialin.net (79.202.251.248)

Norbert

Subject: Into the Wild

Serenity,

Thanks a lot for your nice words, if you can get hold of the Into the Wild dvd please do. (see also the YouTube link)

In 1990 Christopher Johnson McCandless (February 12, 1968 - August 18, 1992) had graduated (he was an A-student), but he was fet up from his rich parents and society. He gave away his $24,000.- savings to Oxfam charity and hiked through America to live a period of solitude, although he made some friends along the way. For years McCandless had dreamed of an Alaskan Odyssey (he was a Jack London addict), April 1992 he finally got there. In the woods some 25 miles from Healy he found an abandoned bus, witch he called the Magic Bus and he lived there alone for some four month. In July he tried to leave, but found the trail back blocked by the Teklanika River. August 18th he died. His final entry in his journal was "I HAVE HAD A HAPPY LIFE AND THANK THE LORD. GOODBYE AND MAY GOD BLESS ALL!". Two weeks later hunters found him in the bus.

Jon Krakauer heard of the story and wrote the bestseller “ Into the Wild”, in 2006 Jean Penn made the movie, Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam) wrote the music. The “ Magic” Bus can still be found along Stampete Trail, people visit it (see YouTube) like some visit Big Pink. Christopher Johnson McCandless became a legend.

Entered at Sat Jan 17 04:12:44 CET 2009 from 92-238-33-140.cable.ubr13.nmal.blueyonder.co.uk (92.238.33.140)

RtO

Oh, I don't know. Over here the "married man's tax allowance" was scrapped (rather predictably) just before I got married and replaced with something else based on whether you'd popped out any grizzling nappy-shitting sprogs or not. Which the wife and I have absolutely NO intention of doing: I like a spare room to be a recording studio and the wife's figure is just perfect the way it is.

But then again, what's new? Even my own mother is one of those people who think that my smoking indemnifies the National Health Service from having to treat me but fails to understand just how much tobacco tax pays for the NHS and her own retirement pension. Having commenced slagging off my own dear mother I might as well point out that her retirement has consisted of making poncy bespoke greeting cards (that she sells in the village hair salon for £2.50 a throw) and days out with her mates; DAD's retirment, however, has consisted of hanging some new doors, getting some decking laid, redecorating four rooms, replastering and redecorating the bathroom and cutting an extremely large silver birch tree down unaided (I was at work).

"You can't educate pork" is a great saying from an old friend who has issues with most authorities and their inefficiencies. Too right. You cannot cross-pollinate demographics either: when working class folk read a tabloid and decent (oops) I mean..oh shit, I've done it now..read a broadsheet paper there were no issues. Now we have the Daily Mail for what are plainly well-heeled thickies with ideas of being seen as halfway intelligent.

None of which, of course, makes any word of sense but I've been at the 11% Belgian ale that my eldest Brother-in-law bought over from Brussels. He works for the EU which, without any disrespect to Geoff, is ANOTHER thing that - for the UK at least - frankly ought to be fucked off out of it!

So that's tax allowancies, my own mother, The Daily Mail and the EU rubbished in one post. And the f-word chucked in too! My work is done here: good night from the UK!!

PS Tomorrow I will attempt to email Andrew Sachs!!!!

Entered at Sat Jan 17 02:13:08 CET 2009 from c-59-101-3-156.hay.connect.net.au (59.101.3.156)

dlew919

Peter - your tongue-in-cheek complaint was reminiscent of some complaints heard recently in Oz. The Government, in an attempt to stimulate the economy, gave certain people 1000.00 AUD. The conditions were you had to have child endowment (which means you got 1000.00 AUD per child) or be a retiree. (It was very problematic - i won't go into childless couples, et cetera...)

Nevertheless, they gave a cut-off of 110,000 AUD income per annum - so if you earned more than 110 k per annum, no bananas... (to give you an idea, prices in the US, UK, Canada, NZ adn Aus are about the same - just he value of the currency is different) ... there were complaints from people that because they were over the threshold, they didn't get it. In other words, they earned too much money...

I shake my head...

(and as I said, this had litle to do with Peter V's 'complaints' about beautiful weather...)

Entered at Sat Jan 17 01:28:09 CET 2009 from pool-71-190-194-223.nycmny.fios.verizon.net (71.190.194.223)

Ari S.

I listened today for that line and Where Do We Go From Here. It has lately become a favorite of mine, even though it's title is quite ominous. But I had always noticed that that line of Rick singing "on board" was always quite interesting and I hadn't realized the allusion he was making. Nice call. Steve, Correct me if I'm wrong, but being around smokers alot (Levon) wouldn't make Richard's voice rough as long as Richard wasn't the one smoking. I also can't recall ever seeing Richard smoke.

Entered at Sat Jan 17 00:12:20 CET 2009 from 92-238-33-140.cable.ubr13.nmal.blueyonder.co.uk (92.238.33.140)

RtO

Joan, it's been pretty bad for a while over here so haven't noticed any increase as such. Viagra, Cialis, yes.. and the Nigerian that desperately wants to share £500,000 and just needs your bank details to deposit it for you...and (I assume just chaps but as genuine spam maybe not) all sorts of exclusive and discounted offers for a penis enlargement - (Bill: that Funky Lunchbox has appeared a third time now!).

I don't think it's linked to the economy and a need to make more money necessarily. As I say, no increase per se - but quite prevalent for a few years now in general.

It's funny that you mention Viagra as I have literally just received a joke text from a mate: "Have you seen that they've invented an antidote to Viagra now? It's called WEDDING CAKE." Boom boom, tssshh.

Entered at Sat Jan 17 00:01:29 CET 2009 from pool-71-241-157-35.nycmny.fios.verizon.net (71.241.157.35)

Joan

Has anyone else noticed an exponential increase in spam e-mails. Particularly ones hyping Viagra an Cialis. Perhaps the sinking economy is causing a "drop" in other things. But seriously,since the economy went bad, my spam has more than tripled. Maybe there are people out there needing to raise money more urgently.

A passing observation.

Entered at Fri Jan 16 23:48:39 CET 2009 from s0106000a956fbfac.cq.shawcable.net (70.78.227.124)

NB

Subject: Bill M.

Erskine is the name of the cemetery right beside Martin's. (My dad's resting place since 1976). Lorraine M. lived on the same side as Jeanette and not that many doors below her, sort of mid-Fairport as I recall. I knew her pretty well. I knew Jeanette as well. I thought I saw Jeanette from afar once in Vancouver, but couldn't cross the street to confirm it. Don't know if she ended up out here, do you ?

OK, the two N.'s, gotcha. Sorry that got by me. The moving company clue makes me think Susan's last name is Chrisco, but starting with a B and not containing the H. Maybe. As for DB, I've come up with a word -something you do with cloth, dye and wax, very hippyish -not tie-dye, which I'm sure DB wore his share of, but BATIK, except replace the T with an L and possibly the K was a C. Took me a while but phonetically at least, I think I've got it. How'd I do ? NB

Entered at Fri Jan 16 23:43:50 CET 2009 from 92-238-33-140.cable.ubr13.nmal.blueyonder.co.uk (92.238.33.140)

RtO

To all guestbook ladies who are track & field event fans:

Rumours that former UK champion Lindford Christie was to record a version of Funky Lunchbox are sadly unfounded!

Entered at Fri Jan 16 23:13:17 CET 2009 from pool-71-241-157-35.nycmny.fios.verizon.net (71.241.157.35)

Joan

Some years ago we had occasion to visit Vancouver. When we left Olympia WA it was just raining. by the time we got to Vancouver the rain was biblical. The radio said it was the most rain in one day in the weather's recorded history. Don't know if that is true, but I tend to believe it is so. We were however granted a sunny day next, so I felt it evened up.

Entered at Fri Jan 16 22:56:55 CET 2009 from itac-gw.yyz.teloip.net (204.138.59.92)

Bill M

Entered at Fri Jan 16 22:40:25 CET 2009 from itac-gw.yyz.teloip.net (204.138.59.92)

Bill M

Entered at Fri Jan 16 22:22:59 CET 2009 from 92-238-33-140.cable.ubr13.nmal.blueyonder.co.uk (92.238.33.140)

RtO

Bill, I don't know enough about TR to answer that - I have just the one album from him that I truly love but that does me just fine (Something/Anything?). Certainly, you could fit "Zachariah" perfectly to "Black Maria" which IS on that very platter!

Entered at Fri Jan 16 22:18:45 CET 2009 from powell-goldstein-llp.demarc.cogentco.com (38.104.0.94)

David P.

Country Joe & the Fish ended up in the role of the outlaw gang called, I kid you not, the Crackers.

Entered at Fri Jan 16 22:14:37 CET 2009 from s0106000a956fbfac.cq.shawcable.net (70.78.227.124)

Northern Boy

Subject: Illka/Steve/BILL M.

With Koivu meaning "birch", what a relief to learn that Saku DOESN'T mean "John". If it had, the Saku Koivu fan club would just be another, dare I say, "branch" of the John Birch Society ! Yikes !

Bill: I DO recall some Dumbarton girls being stopped in the states for their resemblance to the then-missing Patty Hearst. At least I think I do. I think I knew who they were at the time, but am drawing a blank now with the partial names you gave me. Couldn't dredge up Robin B. either. (Should've bought that damn Spartan yearbook !) Perhaps, you fared no better with the Fairport Rd. names.

Now as for Martin's group, I think this would have been somewhere between Gr. 8 and 10. He was all done with that by the time we hung out together, though I've heard him play guitar and piano solo. The names aren't coming to me, except I think I may get Donnie's last name eventually. Can picture him I think. My sister Jo Ann knew him and Martin in those earlier years, as they were both in the brainy class with all the smarties in Gr. 8 at Frenchman's Bay. I however, was not a member of the "Major Achievement Class", or MAC as it was known, as I was firmly committed to a philosophy of "downward mobility" at that time. NB.

Entered at Fri Jan 16 22:13:31 CET 2009 from itac-gw.yyz.teloip.net (204.138.59.92)

Bill M

Entered at Fri Jan 16 22:10:39 CET 2009 from modemcable124.140-37-24.mc.videotron.ca (24.37.140.124)

Landmark

Bill, the show was called Les Bourgons.

Entered at Fri Jan 16 22:02:43 CET 2009 from 92-238-33-140.cable.ubr13.nmal.blueyonder.co.uk (92.238.33.140)

RtO

Steve, I had to laugh at your post regarding JR2's change of career to a matinee idol. New found respect indeed.

Which makes me puzzled at Bill's quotes from the Rolling Stone piece - Zachariah was the worst offer? Couldn't make a movie like that because they had to be bandits then pull the guitars out and sing? Odd, as usually JR2 just LOVES to sing when movie cameras are a-rolling.

Entered at Fri Jan 16 21:43:02 CET 2009 from itac-gw.yyz.teloip.net (204.138.59.92)

Bill M

"[Robbie] Robertson went on to talk about all the offers they had passed up in the last year or so. Besides Woodstock, they had been invited to do the score for three movies - Zabriskie Point, Ned Kelly and Easy Rider - as well as star in a fourth, Zachariah. ... 'The worst offer we had was to star in Zachariah', says Robertson. 'It was a Western where we had to play bandits and go down into the town, rob the bank, then go back up into the hills, pull out our electric guitars and sing. We couldn't make a movie like that.'"

Obviously Robbie felt differently about Antonioni, if not Zabriskie Point. "Antonioni had heard the second Band album and had immediately wanted them for his movie. He went up to see them. Robertson described the scene with Antonioni sweeping into their home dressed in a silk scarf ..." Do you think it was pink?

Entered at Fri Jan 16 21:39:28 CET 2009 from 92-238-33-140.cable.ubr13.nmal.blueyonder.co.uk (92.238.33.140)

RtO

Didn't it Rain is one of my all time favourite pieces of organ from GH and it is probably fair to say that at the time it must have been the most "black" sounding piece of worship-inspired playing he ever did. Always steeped in Anglican tradition, this is good rollicking gospel like you'd expect from Billy Preston. Most out of character!

I think Levon is as crucial to The Band as any of the others, in fact I have been hauled over the coals for siding with him by the pro-JR2 folk here as readily as anybody else that dares to speak out against JR2. But I have to say I do see some value in some good advice I once received (when the wife and I made plans to fly out from Blighty to see a Ramble) from MORE THAN ONE of the several good folk that post here and also email me directly: in essence, the Ramble is a long way to travel to essentially see a very good example of a straight harmonica-led Chicago style blues band. I'm sure that "Dirt Farmer" has redressed this a little, but you can't help but feel that Levon is at his happiest when playing some good rhythm and blues, no more and no less. Look at the timeline: in his element when he took over the Hawks; left Dylan because the music wasn't for him; fronted a cover of "Key To The Highway" to early MFBP sessions; contributed the almost-a-12-bar "Strawberry Wine" to SF; cites (rightly, don't get me wrong!) Muddy Waters as his TLW highlight; the RCO albums..right up to the very bluesy Rambles. Levon strikes me as a man that likes to set up a good groove and make some music, rather than the naturally creative type like JR2. Now, I'm sure that Levon's peerless and distinctive rhythmic patterns and general no-bullshit Southern persona might well have spoon-fed JR2 an idea or fifty (UOCC always strikes me as a prime example) and this is where the "credit where due" argument comes in - but Levon always strikes me as a man that likes the blues more than writing songs.

You can spend millions on a turntable but isn't it a complete waste of time if you don't have the perfect room with a triangle formed from one listening chair and a pair of speakers..and nothing else in it? My eyes are on a sub-£1000 Michele Gyrodec for later this year. Still a few quid, but not thousands and thousands!!!

Entered at Fri Jan 16 21:37:36 CET 2009 from s0106000a956fbfac.cq.shawcable.net (70.78.227.124)

Northern Boy

Subject: Didn't It Rain?, I mean, It Didn't Rain ?

Peter: Well I suppose it's at least theoretically possible that you spent ten days in BC without encountering rain. I think I've heard there are a few drier spots located around the province, but they apparently all fall under the umbrella term of something known as "Indoors".

.Q: Do you know how you can tell spring has arrived in BC ? A: The rain is warmer !

Ya, I know all the tourist brochures promise a rain-drenched holiday so what a bummer you got ripped off with all that sun and warmth. Anyway, I'd definitely apply for a refund. I have no doubt you'll be paid out of all the profit the Vancouver Winter Olympics are going to generate !

Oh yes, and you're right of course. The Irish would never be such inhospitable hosts as to deny tourists their much-promised rain. Especially, the second you've dished out well over a hundred Euros for a round of golf on one of their famous links courses, like Lahinch or Ballybunion. That at least was my experience !

Entered at Fri Jan 16 21:12:22 CET 2009 from itac-gw.yyz.teloip.net (204.138.59.92)

Bill M

Entered at Fri Jan 16 21:09:04 CET 2009 from host-90-237-159-7.mobileonline.telia.com (90.237.159.7)

Ilkka (again)

Subject: Ice hockey / Saku Koivu

Sorry, can't help myself: "Saku" is the Finnish form of Zacharias and "Koivu" means a tree, a birch. Hope you'll win a pint in a local pub with this (unnecessary) knowledge!

Entered at Fri Jan 16 20:35:42 CET 2009 from powell-goldstein-llp.demarc.cogentco.com (38.104.0.94)

David P.

Believe it or not, there are some more expensive turntables on the market. Continuum, out of Australia, sells a highly rated one in the $100,000 range. Keep in mind, with high-end turntables, the tonearms and cartridges, costing many thousands of dollars more, are packaged separately.

Entered at Fri Jan 16 20:25:08 CET 2009 from 21cust197.tnt2.sherbrooke.pq.da.uu.net (64.11.26.197)

Steve

Bill, Cent pour-cent in agreement about Joni's voice, especially on Both Sides Now, but on other older songs as well.

JQ when Joni was interviewed on CBC radio a couple of years back, she insisted that if they wanted to interview her she might smoke, they bent the rules and she was interviewed and smoked. Nothing came through the radio, luckily.

While The Idiot Bush gets the trophy for helping fuck up the most economies around the world, Robert Mugabe definetly gets the HomeGrown Prize. Zimbabwe is now printing $100,000,000,000.00 dollar bills. They are worth $33.00 US. Inflation doubles the price of everything in the country every 24 hours.

Entered at Fri Jan 16 20:08:42 CET 2009 from 69.177.222.170.adsl.snet.net (69.177.222.170)

Todd

Subject: Bob's $64,000 Turntable

That's a pretty nice turntable Bob, but I don't see a USB connection. How's that thing ever going to hook up to my iPod? :-)

Entered at Fri Jan 16 19:47:32 CET 2009 from host-90-237-152-8.mobileonline.telia.com (90.237.152.8)

Ilkka Jauramo

Subject: Cold in Quebec

I enjoyed the post about cold in Quebec. In mid sixties I had a teacher in Geography who always started the classes with political comments - often anti-soviet. He was even more addicted to the political situation in Quebec. I hadn't a clue where this "Quiibeick" was. No one had a clue. Now I have an opportunity to watch Quebecoise TV. Can't get enough. I am fascinated about the local politics and weather reports. Almost like in Finnish countryside.

Entered at Fri Jan 16 19:27:20 CET 2009 from itac-gw.yyz.teloip.net (204.138.59.92)

Bill M

Entered at Fri Jan 16 19:22:53 CET 2009 from s0106001c109f95ec.vc.shawcable.net (24.83.168.217)

Kristie

I think Richard is smoking in the picture(one of my favorites) of The Band in the kitchen of Big Pink. At least I think he is I may have to look again...He probably quit later on though....Wait wasn't he also one of the few who were paid to stop smoking by Ronnie Hawkins in the days of the Hawks? That is a funny story.They start eating raisins and when the raisins start getting squished into the floor of the car, Ronnie paid them to stop eating raisins.

Entered at Fri Jan 16 19:16:31 CET 2009 from s0106001c109f95ec.vc.shawcable.net (24.83.168.217)

kristie

Westcoaster-The concert is tonight. I look forward to it and will let you know how it is.

Joe J- I like two of the bands you mentioned. Bon Iver made the record in a cabin in Wisconsin in the dead of winter. He had just ended a long term relationship and his father had just died and at times while I was listening to it..I could get a sense of what being stuck in a cabin for four months with only bad memories of a failed relationship and good memories of a lost family member passing would be like. There is a loneliness to that album. Not for everyone though.

I have to separate the music I am listening to now. I listen to 'new" music for an hour everyday and the rest of the day is devoted to "old" music. I made myself stop comparing the two because although you can get a sense of influences, they are just incomparable to me at the end of the day. Yes Black Mountain are influenced by Pink Floyd, but they took that influence and created a new sound that is not like any other "modern" band.

Entered at Fri Jan 16 19:08:46 CET 2009 from powell-goldstein-llp.demarc.cogentco.com (38.104.0.94)

David P.

JQ: My vote would go to his "Chiseled In Stone" LP.

Entered at Fri Jan 16 18:47:24 CET 2009 from (166.129.130.142)

JQ

Westcoaster & David P or anybody else that knows -

What's his definitive record?

Entered at Fri Jan 16 18:37:50 CET 2009 from (166.129.130.142)

JQ

Was Richard's voice at TLW the real deal or a factory re-do? I thought he sounded great on Shape I'm In; there was a bit of difference on ISBReleased, although that sounded good too, even with all the chatter. And then the SNL deal with Georgia was fine too, wasn't it?

The Broadway singer (still kicking I think) Elaine Stritch has an extra-scratchy & self-verified smoker's voice perfectly suited for certain Sondheim songs.

I read that Joni Mitchell's recent huskiness is from a lifetime of smoking and that, in her more modern role as a diva, she'll smokes anywhere she pleases. I hope Alison Krause doesn't smoke; like Joni M's voice had been, her voice is too fragile for it.

Entered at Fri Jan 16 18:36:27 CET 2009 from powell-goldstein-llp.demarc.cogentco.com (38.104.0.94)

David P.

joe: That is indeed the late great "King of the Strings" Joe Maphis, with his wife Rose Lee, performing in the video. Check out his double-neck guitar, custom built by Semie Moseley of Mosrite fame. Carrying on the family tradition, their son Jody later played drums with the Earl Scruggs Revue.

Entered at Fri Jan 16 18:27:55 CET 2009 from pool-96-227-246-107.phlapa.fios.verizon.net (96.227.246.107)

bob w.

All you vinyl lovers....pony up.

Entered at Fri Jan 16 18:17:16 CET 2009 from (207.81.196.79)

westcoaster

Subject: Dim Lights

The version I most remember (resently) is Vern Gosdin. Thanks Steve. I'm out the door guys, I got just enough time to get down this island to get supplies, and whip over to Powell River to look at a house I want to buy. Later!

Entered at Fri Jan 16 18:15:55 CET 2009 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

NB, I would concur over Didn't It Rain. But that reminds me of a grievance. We once spent about ten days in British Columbia and it didn't rain once. Can we get a refund? I reckon it's an advertising standards thing. You get people to come all the way there expecting to be drenched and then it's dry and sunny. The Irish would never deny visitors a spot of rain.

Entered at Fri Jan 16 18:02:02 CET 2009 from itac-gw.yyz.teloip.net (204.138.59.92)

Bill M

Westcoaster / Joe J: The only version I have of "Dim Lights, Thick Smoke" is on Handsome Ned's posthumous 2-CD set - sharing a label with our guys as you can see from the link. The credits on this one add Max Fidler to the Maphises. A fabulous comp., by the way.

Entered at Fri Jan 16 17:54:59 CET 2009 from blk-222-153-37.eastlink.ca (24.222.153.37)

joe j

Subject: Dim lights...

I checked it out. It's credited to both Joe Maphis or Joe & Rose Lee Maphis. Presumably it's them on the attached video. It's a country standard, no doubt recorded by numerous artists. I remember it by Flatt & Scruggs.

Christ it's cold. Thermometer says only -12C but with this northwest wind gusting up to 70km the wind chill is about -30C. Have to leave the water dripping or else it'll freeze. Building across the street had extensive wind damage night before last. I had their asphalt shingles smacking up against the side of my house. Wonder I never lost a window. In survival mode. Where's my whiskey?

Entered at Fri Jan 16 17:50:29 CET 2009 from 21cust157.tnt2.sherbrooke.pq.da.uu.net (64.11.26.157)

Steve

Entered at Fri Jan 16 17:19:35 CET 2009 from (207.81.196.79)

westcoaster

Subject: Dim Light - Thick Smoke - - Smoke Gets in Your Eyes

I got my gawd damn outfit back around the inside of the island, and not too bad of a trip. There was no wind-wave, as it finally blew itself out mostly. But this time of the year a pretty big ground swell still rolls in from the sou-west constantly. It was livable anyway. Now I'm soon away for another trip farther north.

Just noticed the smoking issue. In the cabarets and bars I used to play in, (I always wore soft contact lens). I'd come home, and take those damn things out, and they would be amber coloured from smoke.

Concerning the vocal problems, as I had quit smoking in 1980, taking a big breath of air when belting out some songs, that smoke was terrible. Concerning, the raspy whiskey voice tho'. I once watched a documentary years ago. Kenny Rogers, and Lee Greenwood attributed a lot of their problem with that rasp of theirs to bad monitor systems and straining and singing too loud to try and hear yourself. I heard Bob Seger say the same thing........so

Dim lights thick smoke, and loud loud music, Is the only kind of life, you'll ever understand.

Dim lights thick smoke, and loud loud music, You'll never be a wife, to a home lovin' man.

Drinkin' and dancin', to a honky tonk band, Is the only kind of life, you'll ever understand.

Go on and have your fun, you think you've acted smart,

I'm sorry for you, and your honky tonk heart.

Who wrote it David? I can't remember.

Entered at Fri Jan 16 17:10:56 CET 2009 from s0106000a956fbfac.cq.shawcable.net (70.78.227.124)

Northern Boy

Subject: Getting Back To Byrnes / Stevon Tractor

Mucho Garcias Steve, for recounting the CBC interview with one of my main musical men, Jim Byrnes. I could've and actually did tell you months ago that "House of Refuge" was Byrnes' first significant album, when I said he'd always been a very good blues and R&B man but the new gospel-based material put him on a whole new level. You didn't have to wait for Jim to finally figure this out for himself and tell you so on the radio ! All a question of getting the very best match of voice with material, Bon Ami (Wink0, Wink0). Anyway, this new album coming out in April with the gospel Sojourners means MOS, (more of same). Well that's just great news all round, even for GBers as it might even get me to shut up about "Tinderbox" by Fred Eaglesmith. Northern Girl caught the interview too, btw. Anyway, I understood on this new project he'd be with Cookeing with the Soul Stirrers, but nonetheless it's hard to top the Byrnes/Sojourners combo, and I hope this is what Kristie will be hearing live on Monday night at a fundraiser in Vancouver.

It's not just Jim's voice and music that people find Inspirational. It's what he's prevailed over that inspires them too. Jim lost both his legs around the age of twenty. He pulled over to help a stranded motorist and then got hit by another car. Despite that, he's had some succees in music (three Juno awards-Canuck Grammies, movies, TV, animation voice-overs and now you say he's going to have his own radio show, a la Randy Bachman. Well, he might as well succeed in that area as well. And he will too because he's either played with, opened for, or heard play, a vast number of the blues and R&B greats in the last 50 years, so he has a ton of stories and jokes to relate. He has a great speaking voice, is quite the raconteur and like Bachman, is a real student of music. I'd certainly listen to his programme religiously, though I rarely do Bachman's. (Northern Girls calls me if it's blues, R&B or Band-related).

Having all of Jim's CDs, I'd nonetheless say they're certainly all worthwhile. The right blues (or R&B) tune paired with Jim's voice can be powerful, and even the mostly gospel "House of Refuge" has three or so of these. Now he's saying his new album is even better ! There's three songs on "House" I'd have left off so as to be left with a near-perfect 9 song album (less is moe better). But as for bettering the nine "core" songs on Refuge, well, I'm from Missouri ! I doubt if there's a better version of "Didn't It Rain" on the entire planet, for instance. I suspect Peter V. would concur. (You see, it takes a BCer to REALLY sing about rain. That's my theory anyway). Glad you liked "Of Whom Shall I Be Afraid". It is as you said, a great song. NB

PS. Did you hear Bush tell the press corps the other day that over the last eight years, they had seriously "MISunderestimated him". Secondly, wegarding Wome, I was wondering if the weal weason there was no woof on the Coliseum was because of all the High-wanking woemans inside. Am I wight or am I wong ? (Not one I'm going to publically explain if you missed it).

Entered at Fri Jan 16 16:54:24 CET 2009 from itac-gw.yyz.teloip.net (204.138.59.92)

Bill M

NB: One of the first bands I ever heard live was Martin's - at practice. Or maybe he wasn't in the band but allowed them to use his parents house and sound system. Anyway, lots of sound came wafting across the fields on summer afternoons. I believe Tom H was the drummer, and perhaps Donnie B was there too. Do you remember when both Ns, along with Susan B, were pulled over in the US because both women looked a lot like the then-missing Patti Hearst? I ended up on the same Sydney-LA flight as Susan in '82; she was living outside Banff at the time.

Entered at Fri Jan 16 16:37:58 CET 2009 from powell-goldstein-llp.demarc.cogentco.com (38.104.0.94)

David P.

"A showman's life is a smokey bar
The fevered chase of a tiny star
It's a hotel room and a lonely wife
From what I've seen of a showman's life

Nobody told me about this part
They told me about all the pretty girls and wine
The money and good times
No mention of the wear & tear on an old honky-tonker's heart
Well, I might have known it
But nobody told me about this part

A boy will dream as children do
Of a great white way, 'til the dream comes true
And a phoney smile in a colored light
Is all it is to a showman's life"

(repeat refrain)

--Jesse Winchester (from "A Touch On The Rainy Side" 1978 LP)

Entered at Fri Jan 16 16:08:38 CET 2009 from mail.lumberg.info (217.5.150.251)

JTull Fan

Let's not forgot all the second hand smoke at shows up until the late '80's. It is easy to forget how much there was at a concert since all shows have been non-smoking for at least 15 years now. That certainly had to effect performers. Since most rock performers are not professionally trained vocalists, the vocal strain can be severe, even if the performance sounds terrific.

Entered at Fri Jan 16 15:13:35 CET 2009 from c-59-101-3-156.hay.connect.net.au (59.101.3.156)

dlew919

Subject: Luke - Where is Voltaire

I suspect Voltaire is in Adelaide. /n Hegel is in Brisbane with Marx - Thesis - Germany/Antithesis - Melbourne/ Synthesis - Brisbane.../n

Entered at Fri Jan 16 14:34:15 CET 2009 from cache-mtc-ag03.proxy.aol.com (64.12.117.131)

Friend0

I've said it before and I'll say it again, that voice manages to encapsculate and characterize many decades worth of American music and culture. Singing talkin, it don't matter. Through his work with The Band, Levon became the least well known Amercian cultural icon ever. But an icon he is, in a almost mythical yet legendary way. Of course there was a lot more to it, but the two songs that mostly did the trick, were The Weight, and Cripple Creek. While you can't seprarte his persona and his voice, his voice did the job, his persona did the effortless, uneffected and absolutely unpremeditated public relations work back in the day. Levon being musically and culturally relevant just fucking happened as a result of who he was and him being a gawd damn natural born lot of things. And one of those things is salesman. which is not a bad thing. but levon is naturally polite, charismatic, and knows how to say the right thing at the right time, less he's about to blow a cork. But he is capable of high diplomacy as well. All that, and his buddys Robbie & Marty promoting him in The Last waltz, well, we know the rest of the story.

And again, no offense meant,only my gut feeling, but if it weren't for him becoming a musician, and he stayed in The Delta, Levon woulda had the biggest John Deere tractor dealership in Arkansas.

Entered at Fri Jan 16 14:34:11 CET 2009 from 21cust55.tnt2.sherbrooke.pq.da.uu.net (64.11.26.55)

Steve

Entered at Fri Jan 16 14:33:27 CET 2009 from powell-goldstein-llp.demarc.cogentco.com (38.104.0.94)

David P.

Jesse Winchester is a featured guest on Bob Edwards' XM radio program today.

Entered at Fri Jan 16 14:31:22 CET 2009 from server.mjhayward.com (216.114.128.38)

Mike

Just rec'd a copy of Chris Bergson Band's "Fall Changes" album & its a great sound, including a cool rendition of "When I Paint My Masterpiece." It includes Jay Collins, Amy Helm, Tony Leone & Bruce Katz & is another great recording by the man behind the scenes, Justin Guip, of Levon's studio.

Entered at Fri Jan 16 14:17:40 CET 2009 from ool-44c599e7.dyn.optonline.net (68.197.153.231)

Brien Sz

Entered at Fri Jan 16 13:53:09 CET 2009 from blk-222-153-37.eastlink.ca (24.222.153.37)

joe j

Well, at least a candidate for album NAME of the year. I was scrolling through a couple year end lists and found mention of a release by Grouper, 'Dragging a Dead Deer Up A Hill'.

Same critic was a fan of Abe Vigoda, Boston Spaceships and British Sea Power. These would all be artists. No, I've heard none of them. I've come to realize I'm completely out of touch with modern trends and really don't give a shit. The artist, Bon Iver, tops many year end lists. I HAVE heard him but he doesn't do a thing for me. Pleasant background music.

Entered at Fri Jan 16 12:32:27 CET 2009 from 21cust13.tnt2.sherbrooke.pq.da.uu.net (64.11.26.13)

Steve

I heard Levon and Rick and Garth promo Jericho on CBC radio at the time on a program called Morning Side.

It was great because the guy interviewing them, Peter Gzowski, had been a regular at their bar shows in Toronto in the 60's and knew them well.

Entered at Fri Jan 16 08:14:52 CET 2009 from host86-134-193-101.range86-134.btcentralplus.com (86.134.193.101)

luke m

Thanks, dlew. I thought you were in Sydney. I don't know where 'Brisbane' came from - it just came to me! I think either it or Adelaide should officially be designated Voltaire's final resting place, though. Your call.

Entered at Fri Jan 16 07:31:31 CET 2009 from mail.weasydney.nsw.edu.au (218.185.65.57)

dlew919

I'm in Sydney - the Harbour Bridge, the Opera House, the decent weather, the hideous expense...

But it's STILL better than Brisbane ;-)

Entered at Fri Jan 16 06:38:50 CET 2009 from s0106000a956fbfac.cq.shawcable.net (70.78.227.124)

The Pickerin' Hick

I thought you'd probably at least know of Martin H. but hey, that was a real BINGO. Martin and I hung out in late high school and lived together in third-year university. He was at York, while I was at U of T. He broadened my musical horizons considerably. Dr. H. had a truly kick-ass stereo sytem for all his Mahler and Wagner, I guess, and Marty played a lot of contemporary but not maintstream stuff for me. I think I got the "top-down cruisin' music" bug from Martin too, what with his endless stream of sports cars.

Now, if you didn't live along Finch near Erskine, then I'm Sherlocking upper Fairport Rd. near Denise and Paul N. on the west side or Jeanette A. and Lorraine M. on the east. Of course, in yours and Martin's early Kindertotenleiderhosen days, I think the H. family initially lived down in Dumbarton village, so maybe you lived closer to Ellen McG. Am I getting warm ? (Likewise, the good doctor delivered one of my brothers). NB

PS. I was awaiting Kristie's verdict on "Tinderbox", but was not at all surprised by her double-great rating ! Another convert Bill !

Entered at Fri Jan 16 06:31:17 CET 2009 from (68.81.101.49)

Blue Blue Moon

Entered at Fri Jan 16 06:27:30 CET 2009 from cpe000c413b9937-cm000a7363c740.cpe.net.cable.rogers.com (99.236.13.43)

Serenity

You are welcome, and I'm glad you liked the card.

I gather you and your family also had a good holiday.

I loved the video. Nice song by Eddie Vedder and looks like a nice movie.

Thanks for everything

xoxoxox

Entered at Fri Jan 16 06:04:37 CET 2009 from d207-216-0-198.bchsia.telus.net (207.216.0.198)

Bonk

For freaking shits sake. Would you guys stop it! Roz was just stating what she believed went down at the time. She loves Levon just like the rest of us. She just doesn't look through rose colored glasses like some of us do. After Richard passed the boys weren't that popular anymore. So what. The music they made would last forever. And that's not any kind of dig. Two of them were gone (Robbie and Richard) So how the hell do you keep going.Well they did keep going. Just not selling out Maple Leaf Gardens anymore. More like sellling out the oft stated lounges. I think that this is what Roz was trying to say. That it had been so long since they were a major player that it took Levon to do some major cat dancing to get Jerico some air time. I gotta tell you, after Richards passing,I totally lost track of what was going with the rest of the Band.They just weren't there anymore. The last time I seen Levon and Rick was in 1989 at the CNE in Toronto with Ringo's band. It was like, where the hell have you guys been. They totally rocked.

Entered at Fri Jan 16 05:44:22 CET 2009 from pool-71-190-194-223.nycmny.fios.verizon.net (71.190.194.223)

Ari S.

Richard or Rick, the song is still great, but the superior version in the end, might be the one from Before The Flood because of Robbie's solo. I love it the most. But, honestly, if I had to choose, Richard should have sang this, his voice on the Cahoots Remaster is one of the best things ever. But nonetheless, I have a feeling Rick's voice was in better shape for this song for a live version (as we recently noted, in Richard's later years, his voice tended to be very rough for live shows).. . . By the way, am I mistaken, but did I read that Levon temporarily attended Berkley. If so, I see it in records following "The Band", his playing is much more intricate, especially on Cahoots.

Entered at Fri Jan 16 05:14:27 CET 2009 from rrcs-67-52-86-90.west.biz.rr.com (67.52.86.90)

Nick

I think Levon is one of the great musicians ever and I just don't think people should go around mischaracterizing his relevancy, at any time in his career, especially on a Band guestbook.

that's an insult. thanks and sorry to seem harsh. As a big fan I didn't want to let that comment go.

Entered at Fri Jan 16 05:02:48 CET 2009 from s0106001c109f95ec.vc.shawcable.net (24.83.168.217)

kristie

Well sorry Nick. All that time in the mountains makes my memory a little foggy.

On another note I will be driving through Woodstock at the end of October(and hope to go to a ramble if there is one at the time)and then I will be heading down to Tennessee, Oklahoma and through to Colorado, Utah and Idaho. I have a few things planned but wonder if anyone can give me advice on musical things to do. I obviously am going to Memphis and Nashville. And I want to go to Woody Guthrie's hometown Okemah. Anybody have any ideas or advice for me? I have been wanting to do this since I was a kid. I also may go to Levon's hometown Elaine(is it Elaine?).

Entered at Fri Jan 16 04:36:19 CET 2009 from cache-mtc-ag03.proxy.aol.com (64.12.117.131)

Carol

Hi Kristie--Nick is not new here. He has been around for many years, has seen The Band many times, has followed Levon's career and, beyond that, he is a very good (and nice :-) guy.

I still don't understand why it matters what promo was done first, when it was all at around the same time. Also, the statement "Probably the only one he could get at that time" has been proven to be erroneous, since at least six solid months of national and international promotion was done and Conan was just one of many, many, many placements.

Entered at Fri Jan 16 04:03:52 CET 2009 from s0106001c109f95ec.vc.shawcable.net (24.83.168.217)

kristie

I think that is a bit harsh Nick. I am sure Roz didn't mean to insult Levon. Everybody loves Levon in the Gb.Are you new here, or just an old poster who hasn't been around much? If you are new that is not a very nice Introduction.

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Nick

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rosalind

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rosalind

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Carol

Jericho was released in Canada on October 29 and in the US on November 2. There were a few days of Canadian press at the end of October--Levon and Garth went to Toronto on the 26th and Rick joined them the following day, because he had been on a short tour with DFA and flew not from Woodstock, but from Santa Fe.

You may be right that Conan was the first national network TV show to promote Jericho; I am not 100% positive. But it was far from the only show or promotion. They pretty much hit all major network TV (including the Today Show), plus CNN and HBO entertainment reports.

The Band did a lot of press in New York during the first week of November, immediately followed by a major-market book tour that Levon did, hitting up New York, Boston, Nashville, LA, San Francisco, etc. In each of those cities, there were telephone and in-person interviews for print, radio, and TV, as well as in-store appearances/signings.

As is the case with all well-implemented media/promotional campaigns for albums or books, there were several phases in the promotion and publicity for Jericho, TWOF, and DFA, too. There is a gear-up or pre-publicity phase, active promotion (which usually lasts 2 to 6 months, and is sometimes built around a tour--in The Band's case, there were tour dates, but also their induction into the RRHOF, which coincided with this phase), and a maintenance phase, which is a little longer. The Band did all of them.

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Carol

Monday, November 1, 1993

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RtO

I suppose pissing on a PC person's shoe will have to do, yes. Given that the far more deserved measure of setting a fire in their flesh has all kinds of legal issues....

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kristie

Not sure how my email address got there. Nobody spam me!

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kristie

Dlew -Black Mountain is coming to Australia and I am not sure where you are located, but they are one of the best live bands I have ever seen(and I have seen a lot of bands). Check them out if you get a chance. They do not disappoint. I am going to see them again in California when I head down there to visit family. They are playing with the Sadies in California(another great live band).

Bill M- Tinderbox is great. Eaglesmith is a really great lyricist. There is a really timeless quality I admire in his songwriting. Thanks once again for the recommendation. I hope to see him live soon.

Roz-Sorry don't know the answer to your question, but do you know if footage of Levon on Conan exists?

Entered at Fri Jan 16 00:34:39 CET 2009 from s0106001c109f95ec.vc.shawcable.net (24.83.168.217)

kristiekline@hotmail.com

Dlew -Black Mountain is coming to Australia and I am not sure where you are located, but they are one of the best live bands I have ever seen(and I have seen a lot of bands). Check them out if you get a chance. They do not disappoint. I am going to see them again in California when I head down there to visit family. They are playing with the Sadies in California(another great live band).

Bill M- Tinderbox is great. Eaglesmith is a really great lyricist. There is a really timeless quality I admire in his songwriting. Thanks once again for the recommendation. I hope to see him live soon.

Roz-Sorry don't know the answer to your question, but do you know if footage of Levon on Conan exists?

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luke m

Peter, the beanburger is the killer in your time warp description. The lank hair... the hundreds of books on witchcraft... all fine. But the beanburger! I have a sneaking respect for people who retain the hairdo of their youth into their dotage. The thinning DA is fading away with the generation that maintained it with such diligence, but I always find it a stirring sight.

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rosalind

Surely somebody knows the exact date that show aired. RIGHT? That's all I asked

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rosalind

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Carol

I have many media updates and reports from the Jericho era, including a 30-plus page report (I know I've mentioned it) detailing some of the promotion The Band did for the initial active phase of promotion/PR for Jericho and that Levon did for the book (he did book promo, BTW, in addition to The Band's promotion for the record). The promotion and publicity campaigns were very high-level in the US and Canada and included not only both Letterman and Leno, but also major national network morning programs, syndicated radio (both commercial and public) interviews and appearances, satellite tours, promotional appearances, time-buys, radio and print co-op ads, etc.

There was lots of well planned, strategic cross-promotion with Jericho, DFA, This Wheel's On Fire, and all of The Band members' individual projects. There were constant interview requests.

Levon was very much in demand at that time and I don't think he had any problem getting media coverage in any type of outlet. Despite what some would like to postulate, there was lots of excitement in the media and in the music industry when the album was released. Anyone interested in doing a clip search could easily contact Burrelle's.

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rosalind

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Peter V

I visited Glastonbury today. Phew. If you can imagine doing a Rip Van Winkle in 1969 and waking up 40 years later. The clothes are exactly the same, but everyone inside them's got so old. Frightening. Teenage kids should be bussed there and told, "Look, kids, if you do drugs, you'll end up in forty years time with long thin lank grey hair sitting in a shop selling hundreds of books on witchcraft and druids while listening to the worst new age music ever recorded while eating a beanburger."

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Bill M

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Nick

He did the Conan O'Brien show at least once... Probably the only one he could get at that time.

Second, if "The Band were all but totally forgotten when Jericho came out" as you say... then why did they do Letterman and Leno within a few months of it's release?

Date: 12/14/93 Performer: Band Location: New York, NY Ed Sullivan Theater Source/Quality/Length: TV/EX/5 Note: Letterman. 'Atlantic City' Song list: Atlantic City

Date: 2/22/94 Performer: Band Location: Los Angeles, CA NBC Studios Source/Quality/Length: TV/EX/5 Note: Tonight Show. 'Remedy' Song list: Remedy

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Charlie Y

I hope early news reports are true that nobody was killed when a big US Airways jet landed in the Hudson River today. But one reporter placed possible blame on a flock of Canada geese. I hope it's too late for Bush to invade Canada as his final act in office.

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rosalind

Do you remember which one of the promo spots came first? That's a legitimate question. Considering that The Band were all but totally forgotten when Jericho came out, Conan wasn't such a bad first promo. I just assumed that Conan picked him up cause he was more of an unknown than say Celine Dion.. and cheaper too

Was it the first televised promotion of Jericho or wasn't it? And what does Ann Coulter have to do with my statement?

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Steve

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Nick

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Bill M

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Friend0

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Friend0

Rob, i think the use of alliteration (proper term?) makes the slogan seeminlgy less shitty. Plus for the literal or vivid minded, the execution and required hygienic practices are easier to deal with.

And, once again, for the literal, pissing on a PC person's shoe is good enough.

Entered at Thu Jan 15 20:25:46 CET 2009 from 21cust252.tnt2.sherbrooke.pq.da.uu.net (64.11.26.252)

Steve

OK, substitute cold for knife. Charlie it was -38 Celsius,-37F this morning here and with that little breeze that was tickling my chin on the way to the barn the windchill brought the temp down to a cozy -44 OUCH!!!!! At -40 your forehead ( at least mine) starts to ache.

When it gets that cold hardwood trees sometimes crack\explode and split open and can sound like a small caliber gun shot. It happened this morning as I was walking to the barn around 5:30 in the dark. It scares the shit out of you for a second.It's perfectly quiet at that time( well actually most of the time around here)then BANG. It's warmed up considerably now, mid afternoon, it's -25.

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Bill M

Know Martin H! He was a close friend in kindergarten, he lived just down the road, and his father delivered me. He and brother Andy were the only two people I've ever seen wearing lederhosen in real life. Father Fritz, a Quaker who drove his VW way too fast, even had an unsuccessful run-in with a drunken Angus cow that wandered off our property and onto the road - high on fermented apples! Note to RtO: it's not just drugs that kids have to avoid.

Re meetings with Pickeringers, the last one I remember was when I was living in England in '84 and went to see the movie of "La Traviata" in Cambridge with your grade 7/8 classmate, and Martin's and my kindergarten classmate, Robin B.

Back to Downchild. Jane Vasey's place was taken by Michael Fonfara (ex Rhinoceros, Lou Reed, Rough Trade), who is still there, 15 years later. As you know, the guy she left for bandleader Donnie Walsh was saxman Dave Woodward, who moved to Toronto after spending time with Butterfield. After Downchild he moved to the west coast and was part of the Powder Blues Band in their heyday.

Listening to "Cahoots" again, what struck me this time was how Rick cleverly echoes the traditional "all aBOARD" call when he sings "on the BOARD".

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RtO

Subject: Endless Highway

I think Richard definitely sang it better than Rick but the arrangement on that version sounds like a pub band had spent about five minutes on it. Now, if Richard had sang a take when the final format had been devised. . .that would have been the one!

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luke m

Ari, 'Endless Highway' suits Richard down to a tee (in the same way that many songs suit Rick), and the performance on the Cahoots outtakes is sensational. It's such a shame it didn't go on the album, but eh, who cares, maybe remastering means that the fans win out in the end!

Peter, do you remember I sent you ages ago a little piece about a new sequencing for Cahoots? Can you remember if I ever posted the track listing up here?! No reason why you should...

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RtO

Jeff, I like the slogan. Do you think the first word reflects the best 'end'?

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Peter M.

Subject: Jimmy V.

Jeff & Joe, I have to agree with most of your comments about Jimmy's deft contribution to Levon's and many others' music. I've seen him at many NYC & NY state shows and he's just brilliant. I took my 21 year old nephew the Jan 10th Ramble (second Ramble for him). He's also seen him at a Howlin' for Hubert show at BB Kings. Each time the kid is knocked out by what a subtle bandleader Jimmy is. An additional treat was seeing James Wormworth on drums with them during much of Hubert's portion of the show. We made a 400 mile round trip in bitter, snowy conditions, and we are both looking forward to doing it again. We're also hoping to catch the Black Italians before Jimmy and company "loads up the truck and moves to Beverly... Hills, that is... swimmin' pools... movie stars".

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Joe

Van Morrison at the Wamu Theater in Madison Square Garden Feb. 27th & 28th 2009

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Friend0

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rosalind

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Joe

The Conan Show doesn't seem to have any known name musical guest performing. Their norm is some up and coming no names most of which I personally don't care for. My point is I doubt you'd see the Levon Helm Band or Levon Helm ever on that show. Just my opinion.

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Norbert

Subject: Serenity

Dear Serenity,

Thanks a lot for the beautiful e-card, all the best wishes for you!

Please click the link (YouTube), it's Eddy Vedder's song Society about Christopher McCandless fatal hike to Alaska, from the movie Into The Wild.

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Joe

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Charlie Y

1969 was a big year in the history of The Band, and a big year in general. The anniversaries of the moon landing and Woodstock music and arts festival are already getting a lot of attention, but another quiet anniversary this fall is the one which helped pave the way for Barack Obama: SESAME STREET.

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Friend0

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Friend0

Piss On The PC

You can handle the bus & banner brigade in the UK, I'll run NE USA. Bonk can handle Pacific NW Canada. I was thinking of offering it to old Norm, but you got me worried now with that Socialist allegation. I imagine Socialists run the gamut of the PC spectrum like any one else, but if what you wrote is correct, then old Norm just ain't norm for himself no more.

Maybe he's just consorting with Socialists? If that's the case, Westo's gonna get em somehow. Those socialists are in for a surprise.

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Friend0

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Charlie Y

Subject: California

Steve Allen started in New York and wound up in California, Johnny Carson started in New York and wound up in California...and I could go on. It is a late-night TV tradition. Overall, though, I'd rather be burned in Canada than to freeze here in the South! The cold here in Virginia right now is the worst in fifteen years!

Speaking of California, though, it's interesting that the population of that great state is actually on the decline for the first time in GENERATIONS. Are they all moving to Canada? The population of California is still more that the great nation to the north as of early 2009, but that could change.

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David P.

Interesting to note that Phil Lesh will be touring with the rest of the members of the Dead in April and May. They've tapped Warren Haynes from the Allman Brothers & Gov't Mule for guitar & vocals. Things could have been worse for Levon's band if they'd chosen Larry Campbell.

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luke m

dlew, I so nearly typed Adelaide! Where are you based? I think Ari is referring to the Richard cut of Endless Highway that is an out-take on the Cahoots remaster? That's the one I know..

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dlew919

Luke - Brisbane? That's only reserved for people like Adi Amin and Saddam Hussein - Voltaire's a little higher up the scale than that: maybe Adelaide ;-)

Ari - I only have the Best of AMH, but I could swear it's Rick singing Endless Highway - or am I on crack, or listening to a different version, or just a blithering idiot? (All three may well apply - probably not the crack...)

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Steve

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Serenity

Sorry, looks like I forgot something.

Run-DMC (Frank Micelotta/ ImageDirect)

Influential metal act Metallica and groundbreaking hip-hop group Run-DMC headline the 2009 class of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees, which were announced Wednesday (January 14) at a press conference in New York.

Guitar great Jeff Beck, singer/songwriter Bobby Womack, doo-wop heavyweights Little Anthony & the Imperials and pioneering country artist Wanda Jackson were also tapped to be enshrined at this year's ceremony, which will take place April 4 at the historic Public Hall in Cleveland.

Since being founded in 1983, the Rock Hall has been criticized for being slow to recognize some bands and genres, but the induction of Metallica and Run-DMC (plus that of acts like Black Sabbath and Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five in recent years) seems to indicate that is changing. Sweet Dreams all xoxoxo

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Serenity

Hi you all. Thought you may be interested in a bit of the new inductees.

I love Richard's voice. So happy that we can hear him at anytime, if we have THE BAND's music.

Until next time LOVE AND PEACE XOXOXOXO

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Friend0

The first timeIcaught a solo Johnnie Johnson show the Conan band with James Wormworth on drums,not Max, backed him up. evry Johnnie Johnson show I saw in NY the core band was Jimmy, Mike and James. Other players were usually Jerry vivino, Fred Walcott, sometimes Brian Mitchell on organ.

Jimmy is irreplaceable. Without exaggerating, it is very reasonable for me to say that Jimmy has particpated in 10% of the shows I;ve seen in NY state since 1985

The effect on The Ramble, well, You'd know that one a lot better than I, I;ve only been to 2. As you say, Larry is an incredible talent.

Levon could always offer to match what the Conan gig pays :-). levon don't need me for ideas, but when Larry is out with Phil or someone,there's a gap there. Guitar players will be fallign over themselves for that job.

A songwriting team may be the thing to fill the spaces.

Some good original songs might be just the trick.

Goddam L.A. gonna have BLondie and Jimmy both now.

I can't fault these guys for keepign the job. They need to support themsleves & their families likethe next guy does. In today's music economy, in today;s economy,l it woudl be masochistic.

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Ari

I'm glad somebody brought up a new discussion regarding Richard's voice because I think his voice is the greatest instrument I've ever heard. It's so rare, it's like meeting a person who can play the glass harmonica - so unique. It's my favorite voice, but it's really upsetting to me that he doesn't sound like himself at Last Waltz because now only us Band fans will truly understand him and his voice. I wanted to mention that although I think Endless Highway from Before the Flood is amazing (with Robbie's best solo on a Strat and Rick's vocals), I can't help but saying that the Endless Highway with Richard singing might be in his top 3 vocals. Just wanted to bring that up...

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luke m

Dlew, did he end up in Brisbane?

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JQ

Steve -

I'd reckon we're just blessed with the dog & chicken communal bliss we have here. Plus the geriatric cat sleeps among & on top of the 5 dogs too. With all this love abounding I feel like St Francis of Assisi sometimes. Except our horses are assholes.

Ry Cooder is currently or just about to be touring with Nick Lowe in Europe. That would be a good one to be sure. As you work through Ry's catalog you'll find him, Nick Lowe & John Hiatt together on 2 very good and one decent record, these from the late 80's/early 90's: John Hiatt's Bring the Family, Nick Lowe's Party of One and then the Little Village record. Ry Cooder did some shows last year with Nick Lowe so maybe Little Village might happen again, I hope so. Jim Keltner was the drummer in that outfit and on those records too.

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Steve

Almost three weeks in and I'm still playing Ry. Where has he been all my life? It's because of people like him I don't have enough music time for lots of new music.

Dlew, any word yet on where Monsieur Voltaire ended up after his demise?

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dlew

it is said that when voltaire was receiving the last rites and the priest asked 'do yoi renounce satan and his works' voltaire replied 'this is no time to be making enemies' in reference to the humanist society thread.

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luke m

Adam, great post on Richard's voice, I would add (as I have before) his performance on 'Right as Rain' from around TLW (was it even recorded even after?). I still haven't got the TLW box set. The whole project is tainted for me. You can hear on the Lost Waltz that Richard's voice is fair to good early on, and for a project that was no stranger to the overdub to favour some of the average guest material that makes it onto the final cut over one more lead vocal from Richard is a bit poor. The same (I would like to think unintentional) bias is apparent on Rock of Ages - his voice was in great shape in 1971, as a listen to Cahoots will confirm. It's worth it folks, play it LOUD like Instant Karma.

But as I've also said before, Richard went on singing the wrong songs for too long. If you try singing those early Band songs, the vocal strain is enormous. A lot of it is pitched high, a lot is on the cusp of falsetto or right in it, these are very hard areas for singers to control at the best of times. And his singing voice (like his spoken voice) went very deep, the best way to hear his range is on the Rumour, a stunning and very natural performance. So I think you can add to the Grand Marnier et al the difficulty of the songs. On the Whispering Pines set, he starts out in great voice on Grow Too Old (which Peter suggests might have been a good overdub choice for the Band in later years) but falters on the old high pitched Band standards. The Bandards. Since we're on the subject, one of my favourite Richard vocals is The Great Pretender, I used to mind the little blip towards the end but now I love it even more. It's stunning. It sounds like they got the three songs they could get from him on that album, is he even playing on the outtakes? The outtakes become the Levon show, his drumming on MM is just amazing. For such a high-risk singer, Richard's studio performances are amazingly consistent. But then again the difficulty in the vocals is deliberate - all three bands singers tear it up in different ways, no half measures.

David, those 180gm records sound good enough to eat. We were born before the CD... and magnificently we will float... into the plastic.

Rob, Peter and more, I think a good example of psychedelia in action (and not in a good way) is the lull between Gene Clark's Byrds work and his first Dillard & Clark expedition. Songs like 'So You Say You Lost Your Baby' and 'The French Girl.'

I've always felt that Ophelia belongs to a small group of 20's inspired songs, a mainly UK-based psub-compartment of psychedelia that includes Cream's first single, most of what Ray Davies did in 1966 and rather a lot of Paul McCartney.

Wheels on Fire is pretty psychedelic, though it's impossible to hear it without thinking of Absolutely Fabulous.

Martin Sharp's cover for Disraeli Gears... the sound of Love... hey, what about the Temptations on Puzzle People... Stoned Soul Picnic... Isaac Hayes... Hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic... yeah baby, yeah!

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JQ

There's loads of references to The Band member's drug abuse but I don't recall any mention of psychedelics in their list. They were more booze, smack & speed fans I think.

I'm not certain I know the difference between psychedelia & surrealism - are they the same thing? Maybe Philip Glass' music would be surreal but not psychedelic?

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Peter V

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RtO

Peter - I agree 100% but if you look back I'm sure I said that many people's definitions of Psychedelic music will vary. What I said was that MY usage of it tended to refer to that sort of music. But you're absolutely right: "Green Tambourine" is as psychedelic as the full-length fuzztone excursion album version of the Chambers Brothers "Time Has Come Today" or even a '69-era Dead "Dark Star".

Some people insist that psychedelic music has to genuinely be recorded under the influence of hallucinogens; this would imply that 5 guys off their cakes on STP that somehow manage to play, say, perfect straight Chicago blues would be deemed psychedelic but 5 straight session guys recording a tune that talks about mushroom-shaped spacecraft, with wall to wall sitars, Farfisa organ and phasing would not; it's a tricky issue that concerns the type of people making the umusic as much as the music itself! I reckon that is why everbody has their own interpretation - but certainly for myself (e.g. in a rehearsal or at a gig) if I say "Let's get a little psychedelic" I tend to mean "Let's stretch it out and let it go where it will". But that's just me!

Of course, some also have to have a paisley-patterned album cover with Rick Griffin lettering before they consider music to be psychedelic!

Joan - I don't think Mrs RtO will stomach Pomeroy for a fortnight. I'll have to keep on with Jorma's online and email based guitar tuition. Oh well - at least I'm studying the guitar under the tutelage of JK at all!

She has come around to glancing idly at the Railway Modeller, however, so not all doom and gloom...

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Joan

RTO, if Mrs RTO likes beautiful scenery and long walks in it, she will like Pomeroy. However there is not a lot else there. My best friend had a farm/commune in the 70's in Harrison (about 5 miles from Pomeroy) If you went to town on a Saturday night, there were 2 roads that ran parallel to the Ohio River. One stop light, and the kids just drove around in circles Also there was a Dairy Queen stand. (this was before $4 a gallon gas)

NB, Jane Vasey and Down Child BB Great!

This is why I stick around here. My music experience just expands exponentially.

Entered at Wed Jan 14 18:44:48 CET 2009 from 21cust83.tnt2.sherbrooke.pq.da.uu.net (64.11.26.83)

Steve

If you'd like to vote for the 49 songs that will be handed to Obama on a blackberry representing Canada through music, here's the site. I voted for the first song on the list, of course.

Entered at Wed Jan 14 18:40:59 CET 2009 from adsl-99-145-217-20.dsl.chcgil.sbcglobal.net (99.145.217.20)

Adam

Entered at Wed Jan 14 18:32:06 CET 2009 from adsl-99-145-217-20.dsl.chcgil.sbcglobal.net (99.145.217.20)

Adam

Lately I have been fascinated by Richard's vocals from the late period of the group (1974-1976). Though his voice was in fine form when recording (as the '75 Basement Tapes recordings and NLSC prove), his lifestyle on the road really made his voice gruff and raw when playing live. I've always been harsh about his live singing from '76, but some of the performances are great. While his voice was a far cry from the early years, he used what he had to great effect. He knew that his voice was failing, but made up for it with passion and power. I believe Levon describes this same thing in his book, when he mentions the way Richard could still spit out the lyrics with a "biblical fervor".

Essential tracks for this period of Richard's voice would include, of course, the Last Waltz performances of The Shape I'm In and Tura Lura Lural, the rehearsal of King Harvest from TLW box set, Tears of Rage from the '76 King Biscuit show, and Georgia from SNL.

It's amazing what the performances reveal just from Richard's gruff voice. While the '76 Tears of Rage can't compare with the '69 Woodstock performance, the pain and struggle in his voice makes the song seem all the more desperate. The same goes for TLW rehearsal of King Harvest. Never has the sharecropper's plea sounded so raw and intense. It is such a shame that Richard's voice gave out during this song at TLW, because if he gave the same quality performance he did in the rehearsal, I am certain it would have been THE highlight of the film. The performance of The Shape I'm In from TLW has been praised many times and speaks for itself.

It's a shame the group had to cut songs in the live sets to lighten the load for Richard, but the songs he did get, he performed with great passion. This is now one of my favorite periods for my favorite singer, the great Richard Manuel.

(I forgot to mention earlier: The Well, from the studio side of TLW, has yet another great vocal from this year. This track is very underrated... certainly on par with the material on NLSC.)

Entered at Wed Jan 14 17:42:42 CET 2009 from 69.177.222.170.adsl.snet.net (69.177.222.170)

Todd

Just one last parting thought before I go out and do my part to stoke the fires of capitalism. Not every Christian necessarily subscribes to all of the fire & brimstone and eternal damnation. Some actually believe in a loving and forgiving God. And it’s possible to relax and enjoy life while trying to avoid sin. And that can happen inside or outside of a formal religion. In the words of the almighty Bruce Springsteen:
“For the ones who had a notion, a notion deep inside, That it ain't no sin, to be glad you're alive”

But one thing I didn’t take into account was the fact that the women who spearheaded the “Probably” campaign is a comedian. That allows for a different perspective. She certainly seems to have gotten some attention. Even if she had to use the same techniques that she seems to disagree with. Her best advice though is to relax, and maybe I’ll do that now….or maybe after work. :-)

Entered at Wed Jan 14 16:52:13 CET 2009 from 69.177.222.170.adsl.snet.net (69.177.222.170)

Todd

Steve, Thanks for the clarification, but it still seems like an overreaction to me on the part of the woman who organized the campaign. The people who already don't believe in hell probably shouldn't or wouldn't have to worry about going there at all. In other words, they're already relaxed. It seems to me like she's actively trying to convert people. My advice to her would be to relax and use her money raising skills for causes where she can really make a positive and useful contribution to society.

And the whole "Probably" seems a little wishy-washy to me. A true non-believer would have a little more conviction behind their non-belief. Or maybe she's hedging her bets just in case she gets old and sick someday and wants to change her mind.

Entered at Wed Jan 14 16:30:41 CET 2009 from server.mjhayward.com (216.114.128.38)

Mike

It looks like we may be better off to go directly to Jim's Myspace page as the link may be ineffective. Sorry.

Entered at Wed Jan 14 16:28:23 CET 2009 from server.mjhayward.com (216.114.128.38)

Mike

Subject: Free Jim Weider live performance download.

Jim just posted a link on his Myspace page to a free download of his Jan 2nd PA live performance.

Entered at Wed Jan 14 16:27:45 CET 2009 from 21cust34.tnt2.sherbrooke.pq.da.uu.net (64.11.26.34)

Steve

First, the humanists are not the force behind the campaign, they helped organize it since they have experience with organizing campaigns.

The driving force( pun intended) behind the campaign is a 28 year old female comic. She was responding to the "christian , get on board or you're going to hell" promotion from a year or so ago.

In the interview I heard she explained that she thought about the people like her out there who were ambivalent about the God question , especially about the threat of hell and she thought it would be nice to remind them that the christian threats were really not based on anything tangible and to relax and live their life.

She also explained( remember, I'm going back into deep Steve archives here, it was MOnday's interview) that her mother who is Hindu and somehow ended up going to a christian school had the" you're going to hell threat" aimed at her by catholic nuns for several years as a youngster. I guess this was further motivation for her taking some kind of action. remember the signs only say, God " probably" doesn't exist.

As far as the humanists go, the money was raised from people who sent in money to support this project so I guess they feel obliged to spend the money for the project they raised the money for. I think the majority of the money raised is still in a bank account since they raised much more than they needed. Stay tuned as the wheels of the bus go round and round.

Entered at Wed Jan 14 15:28:25 CET 2009 from 69.177.222.170.adsl.snet.net (69.177.222.170)

Todd

I've always thought that 'In A Station' had a bit of a tone that fit in with some of the "psychedelic" music of the day....especially the chorus. Sort of a dreamy quality. But even then, I probably wouldn't go as far as to classify it as psychedelic.

You may not be able to say "Happy Christmas" any more in the UK, but I'm sure that you could plaster whatever you want to on the side of a bus. Non-freedom of speech seems only to be limited to actual voiced speech. Maybe it would be OK to tell people they can "Probably" have a Happy Christmas.......or wrap 800 buses with the message of hope and goodwill.

The thing that puzzles me is why the humanist society isn't using some of that money to feed and cloth hungry humans, rather than engage in a propaganda war.
Whatever the case may be, faith is a personal choice that's deeply important to many people and shouldn't be mocked or ridiculed. Life's too short as it is.

Entered at Wed Jan 14 15:08:31 CET 2009 from powell-goldstein-llp.demarc.cogentco.com (38.104.0.94)

David P.

I've been enjoying the new Warner LP reissues of Van Morrison's "Astral Weeks" and "Moondance". They were mastered at AcousTech and pressed on 180-gram vinyl at RTI. Kevin Gray mastered "Astral Weeks" and Steve Hoffman, who mastered the upcoming gold CD version of "The Band", worked on "Moondance" with Mr. Gray. They used the original master mixes, rather than the EQ'd cutting master copies, and the sound is nothing less than stunning! Of special note: The latter album features rarer original 12/10/69 mix of "Into The Mystic", with the tambourine and foghorn effects. I'm so knocked out by these two that I guess I'll pick up the other reissue in this series, "His Street Band and Choir", mastered by Mr. Gray.

Entered at Wed Jan 14 14:57:56 CET 2009 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Entered at Wed Jan 14 14:36:56 CET 2009 from cache-dtc-ag03.proxy.aol.com (205.188.117.131)

Joe

I feel the same way you do about Conan. The only reason I ever watch the show is because of the band even though the greatness of Vivino and the band is so limited because of the tv venue.

I also believe that Levon Helm losing Vivino as a fairly regular guitarist and band leader will have a severe effect on Helm's live shows. My opinion on this in no way is meant to disrespect Larry Campbell a truly fine and super talented musician himself. But Vivino and Campbell are two different type players.

Entered at Wed Jan 14 13:08:11 CET 2009 from ool-18b8e80e.dyn.optonline.net (24.184.232.14)

Friend0

Bonafide swashbuckling tree chopping capitalist say I aye!

Entered at Wed Jan 14 13:05:18 CET 2009 from ool-18b8e80e.dyn.optonline.net (24.184.232.14)

Friend0

Alos, notice how Jimmy gave sean the floor. Even when Sean looked back, meaning Jimmy should take a lead, jimmy just kept supporting. Of course, not a 64th of a beat was missed either. It just ain't right. We;ve known about it for many eyars now, but Conan taking NY and Neew Jersey's best and brightest to LA, just ain't right. Aside from that band, there hss never been anything aboutt that show that I like. Conan himself might be a great guy. But i;v enever cared for his humor, his TV persona, or that show.

The NYC music scene just ain't gonna be the same. Frank Pagano, the drummer, goes back to Jersey days with Jimmy.

Entered at Wed Jan 14 12:47:57 CET 2009 from 21cust220.tnt2.sherbrooke.pq.da.uu.net (64.11.26.220)

Steve

Jeff0, I'm going to let Norm open the door to that closet himself when he feels comfortable enough to step through it.

Mushrooms, JQ! After munching some one day, I ended up in a tree perched on a limb looking down on some chickens in the barnyard below and was bowled over by this incredible insight into chickens. THEY"RE BIRDS! It was the last shroom meal, I just can't handle these kinds of truths.

Hey Bonk, a happy Thanksgiving to ya. A town near here, Coaticook, celebrates a holiday they call "Christmas In July". The whole town gets drunk and pretends it's Christmas. Those nutty frenchmen!

Entered at Wed Jan 14 08:10:14 CET 2009 from s0106000a956fbfac.cq.shawcable.net (70.78.227.124)

NB

Subject: costell(0 and vivin(0 for friend(0

Entered at Wed Jan 14 05:33:00 CET 2009 from s0106000a956fbfac.cq.shawcable.net (70.78.227.124)

Northern Boy

Subject: Bill M. :"This Vids For You"

I share your concern about full names in cyberspace Bill. That's why my subject line said Last Names Only. But maybe even that's not a good idea. I know I knew an Engbert from somewhere and the name's highly unusual, so it must've been the one you mentioned, though I can't dredge up a face or a single memory. Gord K. is just not ringing any bells. Though fourty years ago, I surprised myself today by just how many kids I could actually remember from the Frenchman's Bay days. At least a dozen without really trying. However the only Pickeringite with whom I've had any contact in the last thirty or so years was someone I looked up in Toronto about three years ago. He went to DUMBarton, as we ever-so uncleverly called it, and he was the son of a German-Canadian doctor. Martin H. ring any bells ?

I'm almost sure you'd have seen this Jane Vasey clip before. If not, I think you'll be delighted. Her piano playing was as gorgeous as she was. I regret that I never saw her perform live. Northern Girl did once (with The Downchild Blues Band of course), at the El Mocambo. I've searched for a video of her playing and singing "Trying To Keep My Eighty- Eights Straight" but I guess none exists. Maybe someday one will surface on Youtube. That's something I'd dearly love to see. I'm sure a number of people were delighted that someone posted this footage, giving them a little something to remember Jane by. This would have been about four years before she passed. Enjoy.

Entered at Wed Jan 14 05:26:20 CET 2009 from s0106001c109f95ec.vc.shawcable.net (24.83.168.217)

kristie

100 dollars-I like what I hear. I will go on the hunt for them tomorrow. Have you heard "The war on Drugs?" I really enjoy the album "Wagonwheel blues" by them.

Fleet Foxes-I hear Brian Wilson, Band of horses and Joni Mitchell. I definitely agree they are a bit odd. But I think that is what I like about them. I have a strong dislike of generic sounding music usually so anything far from the norm is good with me.

Entered at Wed Jan 14 03:17:08 CET 2009 from cache-dtc-ag03.proxy.aol.com (205.188.117.131)

Friend0

I don't know if you were around for this, but

Rrrrrruuf!

Grrrrrrrr

anyhow. Triple Sqawk!!!

Entered at Wed Jan 14 03:02:36 CET 2009 from cache-dtc-ag03.proxy.aol.com (205.188.117.131)

Friend0

I figured it out after my first response. I figured maybe just maybe the proposed game of Non Kosher Chicken might be a hint that i was finally on to you. But of course I couldn't miss a chance to tell anyone to take the reading comprehension course. And I figured that suggesting it to you, might make Kristie feel a little better about my suggesting it to her. Sqawk! Of course, i fully admit i had to take a comprehension refresher course to get your post myself. Now Kristie should really feel better. Double Sqawk!!

I believe we settled on paper mache. However, if we limit the choices to vegetables, I'd guess split peas.

Entered at Wed Jan 14 02:56:13 CET 2009 from d207-216-0-198.bchsia.telus.net (207.216.0.198)

Bonk

Subject: PC

Never mind parts of the UK, you can't say it in most parts of Canada. Screw that action. Been away for a while so Merry Christmas to everyone. Roz, good to see you back. Just finished reading the new Lennon book and it was pretty good eye candy until about page 509 when the same old bullshit mistakes started to happen. All in all, a good read.

Entered at Wed Jan 14 02:25:32 CET 2009 from 92-238-33-140.cable.ubr13.nmal.blueyonder.co.uk (92.238.33.140)

RtO

No, I understood perfectly. I just took the deliberate opportunity to make it into a chance to rant, swear and cuss......

To more serious things: is the brass/iron balls debate still going well? I can't remember what we awarded Lou Reed now.. was it paper mache?

All joking apart, PC behaviour is a worry though. In parts of the UK you aren't allowed to say Happy Christmas in case it offends someone.....

Entered at Wed Jan 14 01:29:54 CET 2009 from cache-mtc-ag03.proxy.aol.com (64.12.117.131)

Friend0

Entered at Wed Jan 14 00:57:09 CET 2009 from cache-mtc-ag03.proxy.aol.com (64.12.117.131)

Friend0

If not, not.

Entered at Wed Jan 14 00:48:29 CET 2009 from 92-238-33-140.cable.ubr13.nmal.blueyonder.co.uk (92.238.33.140)

RtO

Joan, JK does indeed have Fur Peace Ranch. He also teaches guitar there and I'm still working on Mrs RtO to "all of a sudden fancy a holiday in Pomeroy, Ohio"

Entered at Wed Jan 14 00:45:12 CET 2009 from pool-71-181-5-185.cncdnh.east.verizon.net (71.181.5.185)

Mike

Subject: DTB's "Down in the Flood."

Heard Derek Trucks Band's version of Bob Dylan's "Down in the Flood" for the 1st time today (released Nov. '08). It's a good bluesy rendition. We still love the live version from the '74 Before the Flood album.

Entered at Wed Jan 14 00:12:14 CET 2009 from pool-71-241-157-35.nycmny.fios.verizon.net (71.241.157.35)

Joan

It was delightful to read your post.So nice that The Band has a "new" generation of fans. I was at school at Ohio U in the 60's. there were quite a few "hippy" farms down in SE Ohio at that time. I think Jorma has a place in Pomeroy. He calls it the Fur Peace Ranch I think.

go Bobcats!

Entered at Tue Jan 13 23:24:12 CET 2009 from (166.129.67.236)

JQ

I'd reckon his whole oeuvre, albeit indirect to The Band.

Entered at Tue Jan 13 23:23:01 CET 2009 from 92-238-33-140.cable.ubr13.nmal.blueyonder.co.uk (92.238.33.140)

RtO

Careful David...as well as Levon wanting a share you'll have Paul Kantner pitching up with his hand out if you quote lyrics like that.

Entered at Tue Jan 13 23:16:51 CET 2009 from powell-goldstein-llp.demarc.cogentco.com (38.104.0.94)

David P.

Let's not forget The Saga of Pepote Rouge.

"Her golden spaceship with the mother of the earth."

Entered at Tue Jan 13 23:03:13 CET 2009 from 92-238-33-140.cable.ubr13.nmal.blueyonder.co.uk (92.238.33.140)

RtO

Hey, if any kids are reading - remember not to heed your "naughty uncle" Bill M and remember that all drugs are good.

BAD, sorry.

Entered at Tue Jan 13 22:58:45 CET 2009 from 92-238-33-140.cable.ubr13.nmal.blueyonder.co.uk (92.238.33.140)

RtO

It's a funny old kettle of chips, psychedelia. Within music, it can refer to lightweight tosh from the Lemon Pipers, the classic sound of Haight-Ashbury, Hendrix at full tilt, Miles Davis on an interesting night...pretty much anything a bit left-field that has emerged since the use of visual drugs in performing art commenced. No two peoples definitions are the same. I usually coin it to describe music from 1966-73 that has an air of extended jamming about it; certanly the case with bands like The Dead, Quicksilver, Welsh-rockers Man and tonight with Nektar.

Like CCR, The Band are famed for NOT being psychedelic and eschewing all that scene in favour of embracing a back-to-basics approach - and spawning several similar cases (Beggars Banquet, Let It Be, Layla, Workingmans Dead, Hot Tuna) along the way.

But PV is right, certainly, with Genetic Method. The stream-of-consciousness runs amok through all of GH's pieces where he shifts from one thing to the next. In fact Chest Fever in general is pretty psychedelic - that little band parping up is whacked out. See also the middle section and change of tempo in We Can Talk.

Entered at Tue Jan 13 22:55:31 CET 2009 from powell-goldstein-llp.demarc.cogentco.com (38.104.0.94)

David P.

Entered at Tue Jan 13 22:52:15 CET 2009 from itac-gw.yyz.teloip.net (204.138.59.92)

Bill M

Entered at Tue Jan 13 22:45:40 CET 2009 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Entered at Tue Jan 13 22:43:34 CET 2009 from (166.129.67.236)

JQ

I noticed RtO used this word. Does any song by The Band even get close to that? Was that genre ever any good? I saw Pink Floyd in the early 70's on some sort of psych, mushrooms I think, and got pretty scared but was impressed.

Entered at Tue Jan 13 22:39:55 CET 2009 from (199.106.94.136)

Charlie Y

Yes, Mr. Dylan's radio theme is a cool jazz version of the 1960s animated series, "Top Cat." I'm not sure whose version, but it's a good one.

Entered at Tue Jan 13 22:34:51 CET 2009 from 92-238-33-140.cable.ubr13.nmal.blueyonder.co.uk (92.238.33.140)

RtO

Jeff, I apologise if you meant another Rob. Other than that, politically correct MY ARSE. F... you and every laughable, crummy little value you have! Brass or iron, me. Cotton wool for those who find political correctness to be a sign of a better world. Is that better?

Entered at Tue Jan 13 22:32:44 CET 2009 from modemcable124.140-37-24.mc.videotron.ca (24.37.140.124)

Landmark

Ah Top Cat. The animated answer to Sgt. Bilko starring Arnold Stang as Top Cat. Only on the GB!

Entered at Tue Jan 13 21:52:33 CET 2009 from pool-96-227-246-107.phlapa.fios.verizon.net (96.227.246.107)

bob w.

Entered at Tue Jan 13 21:33:05 CET 2009 from cache-dtc-ag03.proxy.aol.com (205.188.117.131)

Friend0

Entered at Tue Jan 13 21:32:32 CET 2009 from pool-71-190-194-223.nycmny.fios.verizon.net (71.190.194.223)

Ari S.

I don't remember who said that it was recent, but I read about that yacht performance earlier this year. An acquaintance of mine who paid his way into Penn, was also on that yacht and said he got to meet Robbie. He ain't lying cuz he told me about it before this article came out. He also knew nothing of Robbie before meeting him.

Entered at Tue Jan 13 21:27:22 CET 2009 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Yes, my copy of "Theme from Dr Finlay's Casebook' on Piccadilly is safe as is 'Spanish Armada' on Fontana.

Oh! Maybe you meant LOU Reed. I just looked. According to Rare Record Price Guide 2010 his most valuable album is Metal Machine Music at £35. That says something about collectability.

If "Railway Modeller" fails, try Scalextric.

Entered at Tue Jan 13 21:20:38 CET 2009 from 92-238-33-140.cable.ubr13.nmal.blueyonder.co.uk (92.238.33.140)

RtO

Subject: Further to my previous....and more.

Peter, next time you have tradesmen in, stick a few precious singles inside some Lou Reed LP sleeves. Even left prominently in a box and unfiled, they're bound to be left untouched.

Mrs RtO bade me gather some info on suitable materials and fittings for boarding out our loft for more practical use. I therefore returned home tonight with this month's Railway Modeller and she didn't reckon much to it at all. Which begs one question: why bother asking me to sodding well get it?

Luke - I go down the pub. I have no truck with wine and cheese soirees. Maybe I'm missing something, but seeing as I'm married and trying to smoke less, I'd probably not qualify for any of the benefits anyway.

Having a psychedelic interlude at the moment and listening to the first three albums by Nektar. One at a time, mind - not all three at once.

Entered at Tue Jan 13 21:18:44 CET 2009 from itac-gw.yyz.teloip.net (204.138.59.92)

Bill M

Entered at Tue Jan 13 21:10:54 CET 2009 from (99.148.199.30)

Stephanie M

Subject: I love Tha Band

I'm 24. I didn't even exist when The Band was around. And yet I have loved their music my entire life. I grew up frequently visiting a farm who was maintained by a friend of the family, sitting on the porch watching the fireflies perform their light show for us while listening to--among others--Dylan, CCR, Clapton and of course The Band. Then one day a few years ago the older gentleman who lived on the farm received "The Last Waltz" on DVD from his son. While all the 'youngins' were running around trying to sneak beer and avoid anything parental, I was distracted by the film. It completely absorbed me. Of course it helped that I thought Robbie Robertson and Rick Danko were pretty hot. By my next birthday I had a copy of my own, The Band's Greatest Hits and a few posters to adorn my dorm room walls up at school. I frequented this website but never signed the guestbook. So...here I am, saying THANKS! Thank you to The Band for providing me with the background music for many entertaing stories told by my elders sitting on a porch on a farm and for the soundtrack of my college years! R.I.P. To those members no longer with us. To those who still are, keep on keepin' on!

Entered at Tue Jan 13 21:02:34 CET 2009 from itac-gw.yyz.teloip.net (204.138.59.92)

Bill M

Entered at Tue Jan 13 20:58:13 CET 2009 from vance010.net.gov.bc.ca (142.22.16.55)

Northern Boy

While there is of course always a strong temptation to do so, I am not ignoring your last post (re: Jim Byrnes). I'll get back to you later. NB

Entered at Tue Jan 13 20:25:12 CET 2009 from 21cust252.tnt2.sherbrooke.pq.da.uu.net (64.11.26.252)

Steve

Tegan and Sara are great but you'd be sharing the venue with a lot of crazy youngins. Workman is a great performer. He does a wide variety of musical styles and can really rock when he wants to.

Entered at Tue Jan 13 19:30:08 CET 2009 from powell-goldstein-llp.demarc.cogentco.com (38.104.0.94)

David P.

Entered at Tue Jan 13 18:45:59 CET 2009 from pool-96-227-246-107.phlapa.fios.verizon.net (96.227.246.107)

bob w.

Entered at Tue Jan 13 18:36:14 CET 2009 from host-90-237-158-29.mobileonline.telia.com (90.237.158.29)

Ilkka

Subject: My residence / Biographies

Even if I am not happy about it I _respect_ Mr. Hoiberg's decision to delete our totally unnecessary conversation. However, Ms. Richardson asked a decent question about my residence. - The street where I live is described in ABBA biography which has been published recently. And certainly in English very soon, too.

Entered at Tue Jan 13 18:05:18 CET 2009 from (199.106.94.136)

Charlie Y

For extra points, what is the instrumental theme song to Dylan's Theme Time Radio Hour?

Entered at Tue Jan 13 18:01:20 CET 2009 from host86-134-193-101.range86-134.btcentralplus.com (86.134.193.101)

luke m

Entered at Tue Jan 13 17:19:25 CET 2009 from 21cust132.tnt2.sherbrooke.pq.da.uu.net (64.11.26.132)

Steve

As a unrepentant, evangelical fundamentalist Bandit, I've fallen into a great way to spread the word ( yesterday's topic) totally by chance which is how most of my best accomplishments get started.

Last fall when I heard the CBC weekend morning man in Montreal, Dave Bronstetter, commit Banditry by referring to Robbie Robertson as THE CANADIAN, Band member who WROTE and SANG!!!! the songs, after playing TNTDODD.

Dave's a great guy and was willing to correct his comments within half an hour of receiving my email.

He also invited me to fill him in on more Band info especially the roles played by the individual members in the group.

He now usually plays at least one Band song each weekend, usually with a comment about the song.

Last weekend he even took it upon himself to play some Ronnie Hawkins and followed it up with a Crowbar song, I think I've made an important convert.

Think big. One to one conversion is far too slow, cast a wide net. Maybe 800 buses with adverts.

Entered at Tue Jan 13 17:14:02 CET 2009 from vance010.net.gov.bc.ca (142.22.16.55)

The Hick From Pickerin'

Would you be able to post the last names of Gord K. and Egbert ? NB

Entered at Tue Jan 13 17:07:40 CET 2009 from powell-goldstein-llp.demarc.cogentco.com (38.104.0.94)

David P.

Charlie: Bob Dylan. Ms. Barkin does the voice over intro for his Theme Time Radio Hour program on Sirius/XM.

Entered at Tue Jan 13 16:52:03 CET 2009 from itac-gw.yyz.teloip.net (204.138.59.92)

Bill M

Entered at Tue Jan 13 16:32:10 CET 2009 from (199.106.94.136)

Charlie Y

Can anyone name the artist with whom Ellen Barkin has worked with closely in recent years who also worked with The Band for many years? Clue: it ain't Kevin Bacon.

Entered at Tue Jan 13 14:15:59 CET 2009 from (193.35.132.151)

RtO

Subject: Luke and Peter

Some good points made. Luke, I'm afraid I live in Royal Borough of Kingston so parties in my end of Worcester Park are a bit more cheese and wine style. Would that they were more like you have in Sutton! Peter, if someone stole such a nice selection of 45s they want stringing up by their balls at least.

Entered at Tue Jan 13 13:45:23 CET 2009 from cache-mtc-ag03.proxy.aol.com (64.12.117.131)

Friend0

The other day i was discussing something in here, and that it was bout half a lifetime away for many of us. Now, referring to 100 dollars. Makes me ask: Has anyone noticed what's happened to the price of scarves? A cousin of mine was here the other day on business. Is here bout once a month. Had done some shopping at Joseph Banks round Thanksgiving,,left it at his apartment, which he rents to a business associate. Stopped there this time, picked it up, left the stuff with me now. Part if it was 2 cashmere scarves. Tagged 120 bucks a piece. Marked down about 45% at Thanksgiving time.

Entered at Tue Jan 13 13:28:30 CET 2009 from host86-134-193-101.range86-134.btcentralplus.com (86.134.193.101)

luke m

It appears from reports that Miss Winehouse has formed an understanding with a young gentleman who has also been wintering on St Lucia. One may assume that the song in question was directed at him. The News of the World piece described her knocking back strawberry dacquiris, saying how good it was to be clean. It also alluded at one point to her dragging this young man into the bushes, in full view of horrified etc. One draws the strong inference that they discarded their shoes.

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Peter V

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roz

One of my favorite songs - performed by Robbie Robertson

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dlew919

These young people, I tell you ;-)

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luke m

Meanwhile, on St Lucia, Amy Winehouse is treating guests to her own brand of high-rolling musical fun. This from Britain's leading cultural commentator, the News of the World:

'One guest called Linda from Sheffield told us: “I’ve been here two weeks and every day I pray she’s gone home."

Linda goes on to berate Amy for dressing like a cross betweena tramp and a prostitute, and for NOT WEARING SHOES TO DINNER. It's just not what you expect on a relaxing Caribbean island holiday!

“Every night we go to the piano bar and the professional player can’t entertain us because Amy’s taken over.“

Serves them all right for not going to Cleethorpes, if you ask me. They could have seen Linda Evangelista there! But it gets worse...

“And she can’t even play. She just jabs at odd notes and is usually so drunk she can barely hold a note. If I have to listen to her do Puppy Love again I think I’ll kill her.“

If the drugs don't get you, Linda from Sheffield will.

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dlew919

Bill M., Steve: this has passed me by - whether they are out here for the festivals (big day out, Byron Bay, et cetera), or whether I've just missed them, I don't know... will chase all these bands up - there's a couple of Canuckistan Bands I like: wish I could think which ones.. oh yeah, Rush!

Anyone seen Jeff Beck live? he's coming, and i'm sort of tempted. What would you say?

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Steve

I used to think maybe it was our guy but then I heard he was a WW2 vet so I axed that idea.

Now another Robbie Robertson, they're everywhere, and this one is described as a "singer". That eliminates our guy again. Any pictures available?

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Peter V

It must be like a musician attending a kid's party and being asked if you can play Happy Birthday on the piano. You have to sing for your supper.

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luke m

I can hear Ronnie the Hawk shouting 'Big time', 'big time'. Though probably from the dock. But this isn't so fancy - it sounds very like the kind of parties we have in Sutton, as Rob the O, if he's reading, will confirm.

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Peter V

I was just sent this article from "The Independent". Thanks to Ian Woodward for spotting it.

"Lure of St Barts, the Caribbean idyll where everyone's a star" by Genevieve Roberts (The Independent, 3 January 2009, page 7).

The relevant part reads: "Then, on 30 December, the moneyed set gathered again at a party aboard Octopus, at 414 feet long, the sixth largest yacht in the world, owned by Microsoft's co-founder Paul Allen. Singers Jon Bon Jovi and Robbie Robertson performed in jam sessions, entertaining guests who reportedly included Steven Speilberg and Denzel Washington, the supermodel Linda Evangelists and singer Billy Joel - a regular on the island who often holds impromptu bar gigs".

St Barts is "The exclusive, six-mile-long French-Caribbean haven St Barthelemy.."

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Joan

Subject: Interesting playlist

From Dana Jennings NY Times blog. Check out the 5th song listed. Interesting list.

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Friend0

Even Nutjob will be impressed. And that's no small feat.

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luke m

Subject: barkin mad

Here's another way to lose a record collection - 5:20 in...

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Karen

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Peter V

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Bill M

Steve: Having mentioned the Elmer Fudd accent, I figured I could safely leave the matter in the hands and imaginations of my colleagues here at the GB. Guess not.

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Steve

Northern Nut Job, I was just listening to Jim Byrnes on the radio in the tractor. I mention tractor only to explain whey I missed some vital info because of tractor noises.

Jim s actually still on the radio, doing " Of Whom Shall I Be Afraid?" Great song!

Jim will be releasing his next album which because of tractor noises I can only say, I think, is called, Walking Stick".It'll be out in April. He says House of Refuge was for him his first really significant album and that this one is better.

The Soujourners are along for the ride again.

He took part in CRTC hearings last year trying to get room for CBC 3 on the air. Now he will be hosting an "adult albums" program on 104.4 on The Coast. he said it'll be something like Randy Bachman's program only MUCH BETTAAA.

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Bill M

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luke m

Bill, thanks for reminding us that Love will keep us together. They should have a bus with that slogan. Or: Traffic will keep us together. We always thought that duo was a football score. 'Stenhousemuir 2, Captain and Tennille.'

They are committed atheists, Steve, and their orgiastic revelry is conducted purely in the interests of philosophy. It is in its way a search for the truth. And then for the way home.. and then for the house keys.. Is the limited edition an atheist moped?

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Bill M

Since this is at its fundament a music site, I should've mentioned that the Globe article on godless advertisements started out by saying something like "To many of us, Hell is a very hot place with 'Muskrat Love' playing on an endless tape loop".

And since we were talking Python, I should also have noted that last week's edition of Michael ("I'm not related") Palin's trek through Africa had him revisiting a couple of places in Algeria. At one desolate locale he said something like "The last time I was here I was being crucified" - at which point they showed a bit of the "Always Look On The Bright Side" scene. (The person sitting next to me, who hadn't seen the movie, was transfixed by the breathtaking blasphemy of it all.) And then they moved on to the place in the movie where Pontius Pilate came out and addressed crowd in his Elmer Fudd accent: "May I introduce Roderick; no one ranks higher in Rome."

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Friend0

Subject: Record Collection Diaspora

See the link, and don't become another statistic. I had a different occurrence with a similarly horrible, however, nowhere nearly as horrible outcome. I left two boxes of cds, maybe 400 to 500 of them, with a sister of mine. Back in 99. when i asked her for them about two years later, she couldn't remember what she did with them. We had stashed them in one of her closets, but then she got divorced, and moved everything into storage for a while. Anyway,they were never found.

Entered at Mon Jan 12 19:55:37 CET 2009 from 21cust126.tnt2.sherbrooke.pq.da.uu.net (64.11.26.126)

Steve

Having spent 4 years at a Catholic college, I'd say you might need better evidence. The fact you refer to weapons and violence being involved would usually mean true believers are involved.

Peter I thought the "God probably doesn't exist, enjoy your life", was a peppy little positive message. If it had said something like Jesus doesn't save, then you're right it is a little aggressive. But that wasn't the message or the spirit it is delivered in.

The campaign will be started in Spain by Spanish atheists and in the Old Pope's back yard in Rome in the spring.

I hear that there is a limited edition of the campaign going on in Wash DC.

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Peter V

Sui Generis … a tragic story. Charly’s beef was that they’d spent too much time in the saddle and his knees were getting chapped. Nino wanted to carry on riding back and forth between Fray Bentos (where they had chicken wire in front of the stage) and Tierra Del Fuego (where you had to show your razor and puke twice before you got in the club), but then the whole songwriting dispute kicked in, and anyway, it takes two to tango. The story is encoded deep within the lyrics of Steely Dan’s “Gaucho” album, and it’s little known that Sui Generis were a big influence on them.

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luke m

I googled 'sui generis' and came up with the best reason for a band splitting: 'Argentinean folk-rock band Sui Generis was formed in the early ’70s by singer, guitarist, and keyboardist Charly García and singer/instrumentalist Nito Mestre, who met while being high school students. ... Due to internal discrepancies, the group decided to perform for the last time at Buenos Aires’ Luna Park on September 5, 1975.' Sounds like an accounting error to me...

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Peter V

I've ordered mine. I notice that it's a numbered limited edition, and with previous ones (like Stage fright) it really WAS a limited edition, so it's worth joining the queue.

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Landmark

And speaking of Brian Wilson, I got Lucky Old Sun at Christmas and am enjoying it a lot. It's a lot poppier than Smile but it's done in the same song cycle style of it. It will never replace his classic compositions but there are a couple of stand out tracks. Anybody else hear it and what do you think about it? Python? What more can be said other than "Fetchez la vache!"

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Peter V

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Bill M

Monty Python Monty Python Monty Python. Not only does Python turn up in Luke M's post but it's also referred to in the Globe and Mail article that was presumably Steve's jumping-off point. Except that that article noted the Pythonesque quality of the bus company's insistence that the atheists' billboards go only so far as to claim that god "probably" doesn't exist. (Truth in advertising you know.) While an 800-bus campaign seems like total overkill (an unexpected treasure trove will do that), I suspect that the organisers were originally hoping that a couple of pro-atheism billboards would cause a policy change whereby no religious advertising (pro or con) would be accepted for public transit. If god's as powerful as claimed, he needs neither billboards nor people presuming to do his thinking for him.

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Peter V

Luke, Sui Generis … Phil Collins, Mike Rutherford and Tony Banks. I was listening to “Invisible Touch” today (because I was researching something on Charisma, their label). I’ll tell you what, it sounds INCREDIBLY dated in the way their early 70s stuff doesn’t at all.

Fleet Foxes … I hear more Brian Wilson than The Band too.

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luke m

Peter, I was talking about Fleet Foxes with someone I know - I said I thought it was heavily influenced by Brian Wilson (that's what reaches my ear first, along with a dash of Love), and she said she thought it was more sui generis. For a moment I couldn't compute the words and I thought she was talking about a progressive rock band called Sui Generis. I bet there was one. There should have been!

Bill, I think you're right - give them the CD, make your excuses and leave..

On the subject of the bus - I have been strangely annoyed by this. I'm not aware of any high-profile evangelical Christian advertising in the UK (and I'm sure it would annoy me just as much), just the usual venal appeals to our greed and vanity. But if you're going to make an argument for atheism, this isn't even the best one to make. Having spent the weekend with my mum, who is in poor health, the notion that she should abandon her (actually pretty unorthodox) faith and relax and enjoy herself (er, she can't) just because some bunch of smart-ass thirty-somethings can't get over having been to Catholic school (I'm guessing here) is faintly insulting. We need faith when we are at our most vulnerable, not when the sun has got his hat on. I think faith in the previous sentence can be a humanist faith, too.

Atheists don't need to form clubs in the UK; the culture is largely secularised. The idea of a bus touring Britain inviting people to take time out from casual sex, vomiting in the streets and stabbing each other of a Friday night to consider that God might not exist is worthy of Monty Python. Preaching to the converted. I bet the bus tickets have gone up in the New Year, too...

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rosalind

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Bill M

Subject: mostly Jerry Penfound

Dlew: I've heard just one song by Holy Fuck, who Steve mentioned. It was excellent, but you probably have to like the sound of the Kinks circa "Mr Pleasant". Don't remember the title - something dark and final like "Abattoir", it seems to me.

Luke M: I have to agree with you about trying to introduce someone to 'your' music. It seldom sounds right, and sometimes borders on embarrassing. Better to lend people a CD and have them listen to it without having someone in the room craving validation.

Ari S: Jerry Penfound hailed from London, Ont., and knew Garth at school. He joined Hawkins at about the same time as Rick Danko; Helm and Robertson were the other Hawks at the time. Played piano (replacing Stan Szelest) as well as sax until Hawkins hired Richard Manuel. After leaving the Levon Helm Sextet he wound up in the Capers, ironically a group that Garth had played with years before. He's on one of their albums, playing piano and sax and singing "Route 66". Recorded another album, circa '69, with a Toronto lounge band, the Quorum. By the mid '70s he was a studio engineer in Toronto, and then went on the road as the sax player in the group Shooter. He died in the '90s. I saw him play just once, in '77 when he turned up unexpectedly to join a surprised Helm and a surprised Hawkins on stage at the Beverly Hills Motor Hotel in Toronto. Also on stage were Dr John, Pat Travers, King Biscuit Boy, Ken Kalmsuky, Jack deKeyzer, Martin Short's brother Mike and some others. The first RCO All-Stars album was just out (or would be soon) and Levon sang "Washer Woman" and "Milk Cow Boogie". Oh yeah, I think Duck Dunn was there too.

Do you have any recollections of it, John D?

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Steve

The young woman who organized the humanistic campaign, being an humanistic atheist was much more reserved in her ads.

She said she wanted people to see that if they didn't believe this hell and damnation stuff they weren't alone. Atheists don't form clubs and gather once a week so they have no idea how many people share their non-beliefs.

The reaction has generally been positive. She set out to raise 5,000 pounds and so far has received 140,000 or about a quarter million US bucks.

Surprisingly the christian group says the ads should be removed because it breaks the truth in advertising rules. My god! They should be referred back to the silly, outrageous basis of their own campaign.

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rosalind

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Steve

The humanist society in England has rented space on 800 buses in the UK putting up signs that read: GOD PROBABLY DOESN'T EXIST, SO RELAX AND ENJOY YOUR LIFE!

Dlew have you been out to concerts enjoying the Canuckelhead invasion of Aussie Land. Many of Canada's new younger bands have figured out that when it's winter here it's summer on the bottom of the globe.

Bands such as Tegan and Sarah( the identical twins from Calgary) have been touring the country with great success. Thousands of young Aussies, in spite of the large distances between cities have been literally following the group from concert to concert and at times causing the girls to stop singing and just listen to the crowds that know their songs so well sing their parts.

there is a long list of the top Canuckelhead bands "Down Under" at the moment but the only other ones that come to mind are Hawksley Workman and an interesting Toronto band affectionately called, Holy Fuck.

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bob w.

Cisco TelePresence. The demand is enormous.

Entered at Mon Jan 12 13:04:26 CET 2009 from c-59-101-9-181.hay.connect.net.au (59.101.9.181)

dlew919

Space - that idea of contrast, of loud and soft. All teh great bands have it. Even juggernaut Bands like Zeppelin, or the WHo, know that it's better to punctuate silence, then not have silence at all.

The Band was masterful. Cannot really comment on 90s output, but to take 'The Weight'. It's not only the space between notes, it's the space within notes... Eery instrument is clear. On the occassions where I mix, I try to leave space - jam the treble instruments (the higher ones) to the left, the bass instruments, the low ones, to the right, and either drums or melody in the middle (sometimes both...)

I have a dumb theory that music likes oxygen...

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Peter V

Luke … the point about the Band sounding "odd" to newcomers is one I've often noticed. I even noticed it in 1968 to 1969. They DO sound odd at first listen or five. A friend told me in 1969 it was because of the spaces all over the music, and that is part of it. It's part of the reason there are a number of Band fans who really didn't take to the 90s Band … the spaces, on the whole, had gone. But not on the best track, Atlantic City (which turns out to be as much a Hooters production as anything). I don't know how you define "spaces". It's not that everyone stops, but there are lots that aren't filled in!

They aren't alone. A lot of Fleet Foxes sounds similarly "odd", so does last year's Americana contender, The Decemberists. I reckon it's why these groups are hailed as "like The Band". They don't sound remotely like The Band, but they also use space and come across as slightly "odd" initially.

In The Sunday Times guide to Music for 2009, Fleet Foxes join Sufjan Stevens as the 2009 Americana stars. The reference to the two defining classics of the genre are Woody Guthrie "Dust Bowl Ballads" and "The Band". In the same article it says alt-country and Americana can be interchangeable, but alt-country is standing outside Nashville, while Americana relates to folk … plus The Beach Boys and The Band. It's an unlikely pairing, but when we discussed the word Americana applied to rock music, one of the earliest references was Murray Wilson describing The Beach Boys.

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rosalind

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Charlie Y

Speaking of G.E. Smith, I once saw him as part of Dylan's band when they played a theme park here in Virginia. The local paper compared it to the sign in "Spinal Tap" which read "Today Puppet Show...also Spinal Tap." I think Dylan read it because he seemed angry the whole show and G.E. Smith was in rare form ,too. I think Dylan shows I've seen. G.E. Smith is also on YouTube in a moving recent concert clip with legendary Dick Dale, currently fighting cancer.

Ros: I thought Springsteen gave the best speech of the night on the Golden Globes...

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Joan

OK I will try to explain how to post a link. Go to the page you want to post, Highlight it (the address in the bar on top.)This is the web address. When it is blue, click CTRL and the letter C at the same time. Then go to the GB page, put your cursor in the web page box and hit CTRL and the letter V.If the address is long (yours appeared to be), after you have highlighted go to Tinyurl.com. Follow the instructions to make a smaller link. Highlight the new link and put that in the Web page space. I hope this is clear Its easy to do but hard to explain.

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Ari S.

I hadn't watched the video when I posted it, but it's Robbie playing the solo with GE Smith from King Harvest. Fromm 88, might be 92 though on SNL.

Entered at Mon Jan 12 05:26:35 CET 2009 from (67.235.95.226)

roz

Entered at Mon Jan 12 04:58:03 CET 2009 from pool-71-190-194-223.nycmny.fios.verizon.net (71.190.194.223)

Ari S.

Subject: Robbie Robertson and GE Smith Jam

It's short but here.

Entered at Mon Jan 12 04:36:04 CET 2009 from ppp-70-225-86-149.dsl.covlil.ameritech.net (70.225.86.149)

glenn t

I just noticed this listing on Amazon: Levon Helm's Midnight Ramble by Paul LaRaia (Hardcover - Jun 15, 2009). Product Description: "Levon Helm's Rambles have quickly become the stuff of legend...This book is the official record of these incredibly intimate sessions: the next best thing to being there. Accompanying the spectacular photos are testimonials and remembrances from the superstars who have joined the Ramble." Does anybody know anything about this?

Entered at Mon Jan 12 04:25:54 CET 2009 from mail.weasydney.nsw.edu.au (218.185.65.57)

dlew919

Thanks Mike adn Peter - will check it out, then...

Norm: Pirates is stupid, but in a good way...

Entered at Mon Jan 12 02:34:31 CET 2009 from (166.129.211.5)

JQ

http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYN/NYN198610250.shtml

Sorry I don't know how to get a pushable link on to this site. It's an Apple and I can get it on to an E-mail but not to here. Anybody want to assist a confused geezer?

Entered at Mon Jan 12 01:59:14 CET 2009 from (166.129.211.5)

JQ

As a Westcoaster I believe I've only seen 1 game at those 2 parks but they were very memorable:

At an opening day at Yankee Stadium in the mid-80's George Brett hit 3 home runs. And I was there with my Brother-In-Law for the Buckner game in 1986. There were many more excitements in that game than BB's error; it was maybe best I've ever been to. I remember the older lady next to us working her rosary beads like crazy and then later in the game she sort of knelt down. There were many people on both sides crying in late innings and then the obvious celebration.

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Jean

I've been a Red Sox fan forever, but I also have some fond memories of Yankee and Shea Stadiums. Many years ago I wound up with tickets to a game at Yankee Stadium that turned out to be an almost no hitter. Bobby Ojeda had a no hitter going into the ninth. I forget how many outs he had before Rick Cerone (I think that's right) broke it up, but what I remember is how generous the Yankee fans were - at least the ones around me. As much as they didn't want to see their team no-hit, they were true baseball fans and at least a little bit of them wanted to see the no hitter. The fans around me friend and me knew we were Red Sox fans but they were very friendly and we had a wonderful experience. Well, except for trying to find our way home after the game. It was the last time I drove to the Bronx!

What I remember about Shea is going to a game with my Dad, uncle and cousin and just enjoying a glorious day. I can't remember who the Mets played and it doesn't matter. It's just a happy childhood memory of a great day spent with loved ones.

Charlie Y, please don't call it the Bill Buckner game. His was only one of many Red Sox sins committed that day and it is so unfair to blame it all on him. He received hate mail and death threats and had to endure being part of the opening of every 'game of the week' for years. He was a fine ball player and is a fine man and deserves much better. Boston had him back after they won the world series and he was gracious enough to come back to Fenway. Someone with less character would have told the team/fans to (insert expletive) themselves.

Entered at Mon Jan 12 00:09:30 CET 2009 from host86-134-193-101.range86-134.btcentralplus.com (86.134.193.101)

luke m

Sad to hear of the demise of the Lone Star, I like hearing posts from people who were there.

I'm with Peter on investing in a new remaster of TheBandTheBand for just one sound - I swear I heard Richard in behind a Levon line on a song this weekend, I can't remember where. Maybe it was just a Whispering Pine. But I traded up for some supposedly higher bitrate stuff on iTunes for my Band albums, couldn't hear the difference on my equipment. Sometimes you hear things in the mix on different equipment just from different EQ in the system (I guess that's what it is?) - vocal sounds can sound quite different, forward or back in the mix.

I listened to The BandTheBand straight through on Friday night in the car and it was stunning all over again. After playing through the first four albums recently, I think it is in a class of its own. I think only Stage Fright has its consistency of tone, though not its scale of achievement. MFBP is fits and starts for me - though hitting unprecedented and irreplaceable heights. Cahoots only runs irrevocably out of puff halfway through side 2. The Moon Struck (some people as being pretty terrible) is a song I like more and more. I am tempted to do homage to the 'shake 'n' bake' tagline in Talladega Nights with a 'snake 'n' lake' alternative. Though reading through these posts maybe 'shake 'n' bake' is a coded reference to tape rescue.

I had a strange experience playing some Band music in the car this weekend. I was playing some of Stage Fright to my sister and it sounded odd! A bit like playing your own music to someone for the first time, you sit there in your own sweat and it sounds all wrong. It didn't sound wrong, but it didn't sound right. Instead of sounding warm, familiar and perfectly idiomatic it sounded a bit - well, strange. Like seeing a family member's face in a mirror - you notice all the idiosyncracies that familiarity has obscured.

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Tim

Subject: Shea and Yankee stadium

I Live in boston but tri state area born and bred. Funny how little sadness around Shea which I believe is the last of the cookie cutter ballparks, I had some great memories there and I'm sad to see it go even though Im a yankee fan.

Entered at Sun Jan 11 23:13:32 CET 2009 from c-68-57-105-32.hsd1.va.comcast.net (68.57.105.32)

JTull Fan

Charlie, 75% of the current Yankee Stadium is original, believe it or not. I've made a monor hobby of researching it over the past several years, and if we were to go in there together today (nothing has been torn down or removed yet with the exception of the plaques in Monument Park)I would enjoy showing you what is original and a witness to Ruth, gehrig, DiMaggio etc., and what dates to the '73-'75 renovations. Briefly, the entire third deck is original with the exception of the highest 10 rows, the entire second deck (loge) is original, and the rear 2/3rds of the first deck are original. Remnants of the original support columns are still there if you know where to look and I took photographs of them during my last game there last season. All the existing bleachers are also original. The lower 2/3rds of the exterior of the stadium is also original.One thing not original is the field, which was lowered 10 feet during the mid-70's renovations, and the white facade across the outfield scoreboard is a reproduction.

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Charlie Y

I like what Bruce Hornsby once said to a young fan who didn't understand how Bruce could say good things about musicians like Elton John or the Grateful Dead: "OK, kid, let's hear YOUR music." We're still waiting.

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Charlie Y

Subject: Disappearing New York

The Lone Star and Shea are following the original Yankee Stadium to oblivion, but I have fond memories of each place. Like John W, I saw Simon & Garfunkel in concert at Shea, though my favorite experience there was my only World Series game. It was the infamous Bill Buckner game when the Red Sox blew it and the Mets came back to win the championship in 1986. Paul Simon--a YANKEE fan--even sang the National Anthem that night.

I never saw any members of The Band play the Lone Star but do remember a great reunion concert by The Youngbloods after which I got to meet Jesse Colin Young, Jerry Corbit and Lowell "Banana" Levinger backstage. They were all friendly, great guys and I'm sorry it was their last reunion tour.

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Steve

Well lets remember, this year of mediocrity began last year in the Super Duper Bowl with a team of average talent catching a dynasty team on a bad day.

You boys in Blue should hold your collective heads up and savour the fading feeling of your Super Duper Bowl Championship.

This voodoo year will end with this Super Bowl and next year with Brady back in the saddle the Natural Ruling Team will resume it's collection of Super Bowl Hardware.

Remember this year's theme, mediocrity, and put your cash on the Arizonians next week.

Entered at Sun Jan 11 20:06:42 CET 2009 from (206.53.144.165)

David P.

Band connection: Fred Carter, Jr. played on Steve Young's 1972 Reprise album "Seven Bridges Road", which was recorded at Mr. Carter's Nashville studio. In addition to the title cut, made famous by the Eagles, other outstanding original cuts include "Lonesome, On'ry and Mean", "Montgomery In The Rain" and "The White Trash Song".

Entered at Sun Jan 11 19:47:36 CET 2009 from (71.216.207.239)

JQ

Roz -

I'm a fan too. One of my favorite tribute records is Tulare Dust, it's a tribute to Merle Haggard and Steve Y covers Shopping for Dresses. That's a funny song for a guy to sing, eh? I'd bet he takes fierce agro from his buddies for that one. But, obviously, that contemporary interpretation is not what Merle had in mind. It's a lovely & sad song.

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Joan

Subject: Penfound/Richard's kids

This link is to an article about a band that contains Angela Penfound. Jerry's daughter. I'll try to run the question past Glen Silverthorn (Rick's drummer)

Richard's kids: Paula was born in 1970 and Josh 1975.

Entered at Sun Jan 11 19:29:33 CET 2009 from bas3-toronto02-1279612514.dsl.bell.ca (76.69.86.98)

brown eyed girl

Neil Diamond His Life, His Music, His Passion by Laura Jackson 2005

Neil's wearing a buckskin fringed jacket and suede boots. Some excerpts before zulu puts the book back in our Co-Op's laundry room.

"Robbie Robertson had greatly admired Neil Diamond's very early material.....Said Robertson once: "This huge audience adopted Neil. When you see him perform it's like, 'What's going on here?' These people are hypnotized!" For his part, Neil Diamond candidly confessed that The Band's music had never managed to make any mark on him.

What possibly impressed Diamond most vividly was finding out that his fellow songwriter had had his own share of problems on the road to fame. Said Neil, "This was a personal relationship between us and a mutual respect for what we'd each been through - commonly shared disasters along the way."

Robbie's enthusiasm was such that it wore Neil down.

It is hard, however, not to conclude that they must both have received unwelcome flak for their decision to collaborate. For there was more than a hint of touchy defiance when Robbie Robertson said, "When I worked with Neil on BEAUTIFUL NOISE a lot of people asked, 'Is this a put on? This doesn't fit.' And I felt like, 'Don't tell me what fits. I'll SHOW you what fits!"

Too independently minded to be influenced by outside elements, the two men knew that what was important was that it worked for them.

"Dry Your Eyes"...

Levon Collage

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Steve

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Tim

Subject: Lone Star

hey FriendO, glad to hear that we probably crossed paths that night. Looking back its amazing that I got to see a Rock and Roll Hall of fame caliber band in a club that held, what 2-300 TOPS. my favorite gig of about 10 Times I saw them during those early reunion years. In a non related topic, I had to go to a gymnastics event Friday night to see my niece and it was at Cousens Gym at Tufts University in Medford MA, very old, very big place, I was trying to picture where The stage would have been when they played there in 1970 or 71. Also watched a documentary about 100 anniversary of Harvard Stadium this weekend, mentioned concerts there in the 60's and 70's (bob marley, james taylor) no mention of The Band but did note it was the site of Janis Joplins last concert. the rest of the documentary was of course football related. Great building.

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Ari S.

Also, any word on Jerry?

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Ari S.

I went to a small concert last for this band around my town and they ended with The Weight. It sucked, the guy who fronted The Band refered to the song as a song we all knew but could never remember where we heard it. He forgot the first few words. I snarfed. Anyways, I'm glad Ros agrees with me that the Dead suck sooo much. And Steve, I'm surprised you've thought I've been on these boards for 3 years now. It's only been almost two years since I first got into the Band, and not even a year since I've been on these boards. I decided to check these guys out aftering catching a little of Last Waltz on VH1 aand having caught it in the middle of the film, the first song I saw was "Dixie". It was like an epiphany, I couldn't turn away from the TV. Thanks VH1 (??)

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rosalind

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Steve

@@

(~~~)

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Lars

Subject: calumnies

Jan- Are you the one whose been saying that when Hitler sent Denmark an ultimatum in 1940, he made the Danes pay the postage (C.O.D.)? That hurt real bad.

I'll buy you a beer the next time you're over. In a clean glass.

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rosalind

.. good song

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Jean

I was channel surfing the other night and came across the last 45 minutes of The Doors movie which was followed by Classic Albums featuring The Doors debut album. I've never been a Doors fan and have always found Jim Morrison very unappealing and neither the movie nor Classic Albums did anything to change that. The movie reviews indicate that Oliver Stone (as usual) was a little over the top in the portrayal, but still - the '60's really take a beating. It was, however, interesting to juxtapose the scenes in the movie with where The Band/Dylan were and what each band was doing at that time.

Have we ever had a discussion about Levon's performance in Coal Miner's Daughter? I watched it a couple of times over the last several weeks and I think he does a pretty good job with his role.

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Steve

Ari, haven't you been 17 for 3 years now?You just practicing for when you get ancient like Roz, who's Forever Young.

Roz Too bad about the Big Foot post. I enjoyed it. Good thing Ari didn't run into Big Foot in the cemetery in Woodstock.

Well said, well said, well said, Jeff0.

Entered at Sun Jan 11 11:18:40 CET 2009 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

David: Multi-tracks, Yes, of course, I wasn’t thinking. the “Classic albums” was the multi-tracks, and the Gold remastering is on the stereo mixdown. So it won’t be anywhere near as radical as Robbie Robertson’s new versions of “Music From Big Pink” and “The Last Waltz” on DVD-Audio with 5.1 surround sound. Those must have been from the multi tracks and were remixes rather than remasters.

That reminded me of two things. One a discussion after “Classic Albums” on how interesting it would be to be able to buy a computer program with the full multi track as separate tracks. Two, that Peter Gabriel did that about twenty years ago. There was a computer program for Mac where you could visit his Real World studio, walk around virtually, explore archives, listen to rarities etc. There was also a full playable multi track of a recent song. You could manipulate the virtual slider, save a remix and revert to the original master to compare. It was a lot of fun. I assume it would now only be playable if I could get one of my museum of old Macs working.

At the time, in interviews, Peter Gabriel talked about a future where you could (re-) buy all your favourite albums with a multi track facility. It was long, long ago and as far as I remember he only presented one song in this format and I think there were only five or six tracks rather than eight or sixteen… and memory and storage size would probably have made a whole album prohibitive. But nowadays it would be pretty easy with a DVD carrier and a program. But it never happened. It’s one to file with the Videophone and the Flying Car. Something one can manufacture, but for which there is insufficient demand.

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rosalind

Ari - The Dead suck! I was always really disappointed that they were so closely associated in people's minds.

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joe j

I dunno Ros. It was the post of the year for me. I've been tryin' ever since to come up with a suitable response. Ain't no use in tryin'. You said it all.

I've got a polar bear story I've been holdin' back. Needs to be fine tuned.

It's been a Merle Haggard kind of night.

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Mike (Plochmann Lane)

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Mike (Plochmann Lane)

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Mike (Plochmann Lane)

Entered at Sun Jan 11 02:46:38 CET 2009 from sannin29137.nirai.ne.jp (203.160.29.137)

Fred

So the score would be tied at 4-4, with the advantage in wardrobe going to TLW.

How shall we decide the tie-break? Sudden death overtime? Penalty Shootout?

Entered at Sun Jan 11 02:44:10 CET 2009 from pool-71-181-5-185.cncdnh.east.verizon.net (71.181.5.185)

Mike (Plochmann Lane)

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Mike (Plochmann Lane)

Middle Earth's link.

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Mike (Plochmann Lane)

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Mike (Plochmann Lane)

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Fred

What I want to know is who would score more points in the Richard techno-coloured suit/Van Morrison, erm. jumper vs. David Byrne oversized Jacket contest?

sadly this wasn't addressed in the article Angelina linked.

BTW, how's it going Angelina? Hope all is irie : )

Entered at Sun Jan 11 02:13:21 CET 2009 from pool-71-181-5-185.cncdnh.east.verizon.net (71.181.5.185)

Mike (Plochmann Lane)

Entered at Sun Jan 11 02:10:04 CET 2009 from pool-71-181-5-185.cncdnh.east.verizon.net (71.181.5.185)

Mike (Plochmann Lane)

Entered at Sun Jan 11 02:07:08 CET 2009 from bas3-toronto02-1279400097.dsl.bell.ca (76.66.24.161)

brown eyed girl

Stop Making Sense vs. The Last Waltz

Stop Making Sense: 4, The Last Waltz: 3
By: David Holmes
Published on: 2007-08-30

Entered at Sun Jan 11 02:02:20 CET 2009 from bas3-toronto02-1279400097.dsl.bell.ca (76.66.24.161)

brown eyed girl

Pages Previewed of _The Last Waltz of The Band_ By Neil Minturn, Michael J. Budds 2005.

One of my very best and special New Year's Eve's night out was at The Cutting Room in NYC. Claire Jeffreys had us sitting right at one of the front tables for Garland's amazing show.....I've been to a couple in NYC and more music at his parties at The Jazz Standard and one in Toronto and they're all sooooooooooooo great!!!!! Anyway, buddies like Elliott Murphy, Mick Jones of Foreigner and Willy Nile helped bring in the New Year as well. Actor and owner Chris Noth was hanging at the end of our long table while actor Matt Dillon was talking too loudly at the next table!!!!! At the time I thought he was the other owner so I didn't give him too much hell but I did give him the evil eye!!!! ;-D

Entered at Sun Jan 11 01:06:31 CET 2009 from pool-71-181-5-185.cncdnh.east.verizon.net (71.181.5.185)

Mike (Plochmann Lane)

Jimmy Vivino's common NYC performance spot owned by Steve Walter & actor Chris Noth The Cutting Room will close its doors this Monday evening due to increased rent.

Entered at Sun Jan 11 01:00:14 CET 2009 from (67.235.95.226)

rosalind

That was a true story. I didn't cuss in it and it meant something to me. It was harmless. Why was it deleted? Not that I'll actual get an answer but..

Hey Joan, I was born the day the music died. February 3rd 1959

Entered at Sun Jan 11 00:39:46 CET 2009 from ool-4577e4aa.dyn.optonline.net (69.119.228.170)

John W.

Sad to hear about the old Lone Star, though it's been gone for a long time. I remember hanging out there with Levon, meeting Rick, the Woodstock All Stars, and lots of other Band friends. My brother danced on the stage once while Chuck Berry was playing. Also sad to see, the demolition of Shea Stadium is really moving along now. It looks like a post apocalyptic shell of its old self, the steel is all exposed and soon there will be nothing but a parking lot. Yeah it was a dump, but 40 years of memories - the Mets, the Jets, the Stones, Simon & Garfunkel, Springsteen - sad to see the place coming down piece by piece.

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Ari S.

I keep hearing about this additional sax player for The Hawks. Can anybody help me out with this guy. Where'd Ronnie find home, where's he from? Was he even with Ronnie or did the guys just pick him after Ronnie. When did he leave the Hawks, why, how? Is he still alive? Thank you.

Entered at Sat Jan 10 23:47:58 CET 2009 from pool-71-241-157-35.nycmny.fios.verizon.net (71.241.157.35)

Joan

Subject: The death of the killer of Hattie Carrol

From the NY Times, the obituary of the killer from Dylan's Lonesome Death of Hattie Carrol

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David P.

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Lars

Subject: One More Time

(Thumping my big boot on the floor as loud as I can) ENCORE!!!!

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Friend0

Subject: The Actual Correct Post I Meant To Make To Start With

No argument on individuals of all ages having degrees of talent ranging from poor to genuine gawd damn genius.

What was unusual about the music of The Band is simple. It was a melding of five genuine genius natural and realized talents that stimulated, enhanced, complemented and spotlighted each and every individual talent while presenting the work of an ensemble, that neither believed in or promoted the superiority of importance of any particular member. The indispensibility of each to the collective sound and work of art was probably very unspoken, but very much understood.

The greatness and uniqueness of the music was not by artificial design,or intent to make something new. It was but a natural phenomena of five geniuses in tune with what each other was playing and for the most part, the familiarity with the same musics that each was exposed to. Garth had a musical backgorund in jazz and classical music that the others did not, however, he also had exposure to and an easy grasp of the musics the other 4 knew like the back of their hands. It was the natural extension of what they were playing, influenced by their unique abilities and signatures, and possibly a succeeding main desire to serve the music,not themselves, that was responsible for what The Band created.

Before anyone accuses me of naivete, I'm not forgetting the fact that by the time they were The Band they were free of fianncial concerns and some of them were having the time of their lives. But they did also make the music they made for the sake of making the music they made. They had no commercial angle. They played what they truly wanted to play. And nothing since then has rivaled it.

Entered at Sat Jan 10 21:17:23 CET 2009 from cache-mtc-ag03.proxy.aol.com (64.12.117.131)

Friend0

What was unusual about THE MUSIC OF THE The Band is simple. It was a melding of five genuine genius natural and realized talents that stimulated, enhanced, complemented and spotlighted each and every individual talent while presenting the work of an ensemble, that neither believed in or promoted the superiority of importance of any particular member. The indispensibility of each to the collective sound and work of art was probably very unspoken, but very much understood.

Shows you how important a few words is and losing your train of thought for a final second. Of course this requires removal of my 2 sentences re The Last waltz. I added them at the end, having talked too long to the other passengers, missed my station and stayed on the train too long.

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Friend0

Oh, the good old days!

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Friend0

The following is a statement that essentially applies to the Pre Last Waltz period, but it extends to some performances in The Last Waltz as well. And of course so much of the material in The Last waltz was created previously. And it is the 16 years previous that led to The Last Waltz.

What was unusual about The Band is simple. It was a melding of five genuine genius natural and realized talents that stimulated, enhanced, complemented and spotlighted each and every individual talent while presenting the work of an ensemble, that neither believed in or promoted the superiority of importance of any particular member. The indispensibility of each to the collective sound and work of art was probably very unspoken, but very much understood.

The greatness and uniqueness of the music was not by artificial design, intent to make something new. It was but a natural phenomena of five geniuses in tune with what each other was playing and for the most part, the familiarity with the same musics that each was exposed to. Garth had a musical backgorund in jazz and classical music that the others did not, however, he also had exposure to and an easy grasp of the musics the other 4 knew like the back of their hands. It was the natural extension of what they were playing, influenced by their unique abilities and signatures, and possibly a succeeding main desire to serve the music,not themselves, that was responsible for what The Band created. Before anyone accuses me of naivete, Ilm not forgetting the fact that by the time they were The Band they were free of fianncial concerns and some of them were having the time of their lives. But they did also make the music they made for the sake of making the music they made. They had no commercial angle. They played what they truly wanted to play. And nothing since then has rivaled it.

Entered at Sat Jan 10 19:08:08 CET 2009 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

On younger musicians, while few can match The Band, there will always be someone who's that good. It happens in every human field. Several musicians have been interviewed about their new, much younger bands and praised them highly. Leonard Cohen's band does just about the full range of ages from the Webb Sisters to Len. They're all brilliant. Some people have natural musical talent of the highest order, and each generation does it the same.

Entered at Sat Jan 10 19:04:25 CET 2009 from (85.255.44.145)

jh

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Friend0

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