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The Band Guestbook, July 2020


Entered at Fri Jul 31 22:27:59 CEST 2020 from n1-42-235-33.mas1.nsw.optusnet.com.au (1.42.235.33)

Posted by:

Wallsend

Hasn't Robbie given any number of interviews where he says how much he loved the guys and how he has so many fond memories of their time together.


Entered at Fri Jul 31 21:59:03 CEST 2020 from wlldon1606w-lp140-03-70-24-157-182.dsl.bell.ca (70.24.157.182)

Posted by:

Mike Nomad

Subject: the why’s of it for me

The music, along with those romanticized images of the boys, nostalgically recalled here by Kevin (and I have many of my own lodged in the crevices of my mind), are what continues to sustain my fascination with the Band. Of course, for me they’ll always be the Hawks.


Entered at Fri Jul 31 20:45:35 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp130-04-65-93-102-222.dsl.bell.ca (65.93.102.222)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

:-D


Entered at Fri Jul 31 20:43:17 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp130-04-65-93-102-222.dsl.bell.ca (65.93.102.222)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

:-D


Entered at Fri Jul 31 19:05:11 CEST 2020 from (24.114.70.179)

Posted by:

Kevin J

Subject: Having a ball......

Let’s see.....Pictures of all five of them having one of those great weekend dinners early 60’s at Robbie’s mom’s house in Toronto....based on Testimony, just about every day together from 1960 through 1976...Levon almost burning his fingers at that pic-nic table to light Robbie’s smoke in TLW......Robbie and Diamond Helm swigging a beer in the back of a Jeep being driven by Levon post-TLW celebrating the launch of Levon’s solo album at his house in Woodstock....and, I have always really liked the image of Robbie and Rick arm-in-arm leaving the stage in 1989 after the Juno Hall of Fame performance.


Entered at Fri Jul 31 19:00:40 CEST 2020 from toroon0812w-lp140-01-64-229-13-160.dsl.bell.ca (64.229.13.160)

Posted by:

Bill M

Jon L: Nicely put. I'm sure that sort of thing happened a thousand times during the making of OWB. All those photos and videos of the old days to be reviewed and considered ...


Entered at Fri Jul 31 17:50:21 CEST 2020 from (2604:2000:1200:907f:8464:21e4:f97a:ef49)

Posted by:

Jon Lyness

Location: NYC

Nice post Jed. It reminds me that Paul McCartney recently gave a few interviews talking about a photo of him and John Lennon that turned up from 1969... which was a low point of their relationship for sure, but in the photo they are smiling and appear to be genuinely connecting with each other over a late-period song they are working on. Paul talks about how this photo is kind of oddly reassuring to him, reminding him that it wasn't 100% contentious and miserable between him and John, and that that magic could still happen. I wonder if Robbie ever comes across a recording or a photo capturing a moment from one of the dark periods, and thinks... wow, even so. Just listen to that, just look at that. We had a ball.


Entered at Fri Jul 31 16:49:49 CEST 2020 from (2604:2000:1105:836c:98c2:968d:f410:4720)

Posted by:

Jed

Subject: 1976-King Biscuit Flower Hour

Sitting in my garden in Woodstock blasting this show and just soaking up the music of five guys who are good buddies having great fun. I could hear Levon’s left foot,the snap in his snare,the bouncing bass and RR is blazing around Richard and Garth-all of it just perfection.


Entered at Fri Jul 31 15:12:05 CEST 2020 from (24.114.70.179)

Posted by:

Kevin J

Subject: Traffic

Thank you, Peter for that Toppermost link. Rob the Organ is missed here and it was nice to be reminded of David P’s style of tying things back to the Band.


Entered at Fri Jul 31 13:50:39 CEST 2020 from (2a00:23c8:b89:ac01:2552:e7cf:2bad:c8d8)

Posted by:

Dunc

Location: Scotland

Hi Northwestcoaster - what a talented family. I really liked Sitting On Top Of The World and Blue. Took me back to when my kids watched the Waltons.

I wonder what happens when the singers ask for more money.


Entered at Fri Jul 31 13:16:52 CEST 2020 from (2001:67c:2660:425:21b:21ff:fead:a6c8)

Posted by:

NorthWestCoaster

Location: Greater Copenhagen. Probably.

Subject: Bass playing

Like Rick Danko said: "Can you give me a minute..."

-----------------------

This whole Dusty Springfield thread was of bass lines, right? Listen to this bass playing. Look at her concentrated eyes. It is grandma Petersen and family. You can watch the banjo player later. According to scientific research the sexiest player in a band is the saxophone player. Number two is the bass player. Who got all the chicks: BILL WYMAN. - Google: Jolene - Dolly Parton (Cover by The Petersens)


Entered at Fri Jul 31 12:39:56 CEST 2020 from c83-248-5-100.bredband.comhem.se (83.248.5.100)

Posted by:

NorthWestCoaster

Location: Greater Copenhagen. Probably.

Subject: Aretha Franklin / Dusty Springfield and 'Son of a Preacher Man'

Don't even think to choose between these versions. - It is all about the situation of your life, it is all about the place you live in, it is all about the culture you are a part of.


Entered at Fri Jul 31 12:09:28 CEST 2020 from (2001:67c:2660:425:21b:21ff:fead:a6c8)

Posted by:

NorthWestCoaster

Location: Grater Copenhagen. Probably.

Subject: More of 'Son of a Preacher Man'

I heard BARBI BENTON sing this song. I sat in the first row. She looked at me. Wow. I have been religious since that.


Entered at Fri Jul 31 11:58:07 CEST 2020 from (2001:67c:198c:906:42f2:e9ff:fec5:658)

Posted by:

NorthWestCoaster

Location: Greater Copenhagen

Subject: Son of a Preacher Man / Dunc's list

Thanks Dunc. By coincidence I listened to this song (Dusty Springfield, 'Son of a Preacher Man') yesterday. - LED ZEPPELIN bassist JOHN PAUL JONES said once that "he is listening to old Tamla Motown recordings to get his playing right". Even if this was not an original Tamla Motown product the bass line in this song was superb for an amateur student band bass player like me!

FYI: I have changed my IP and IP address as well. From now on I shall post with VPN.


Entered at Fri Jul 31 10:33:25 CEST 2020 from n1-42-235-33.mas1.nsw.optusnet.com.au (1.42.235.33)

Posted by:

Wallsend

Back in the day when 'rock' bands were given to extended jamming, I think calling something a 'pop' song was a term of abuse. I don't see it that way. Being able to put together a three or four minute finely crafted song must be very difficult.


Entered at Fri Jul 31 10:09:30 CEST 2020 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Posted by:

Peter V

Dave Mason 'pop-oriented' perhaps means 'less pretentious.' I find Stevie's writing can tend to meander melodically, where Dave Mason nails the tune. Both "Alone Together" and "Headkeeper" are enjoyable albums.


Entered at Fri Jul 31 09:41:54 CEST 2020 from (2a00:23c8:b89:ac01:2552:e7cf:2bad:c8d8)

Posted by:

Dunc

Location: Scotland

That’s understandable, Wallsend, but if I used that criteria for not playing albums, I would have to throw out much of the collection.

Thanks, Kevin. I remember once coming across a kids’ football tournament at the Beaches on a beautiful summer’s evening and I thought it’s the same all over the world, including one red faced, screaming parent. We enjoyed a couple of beers later at a really friendly pub on the main road later that evening.


Entered at Fri Jul 31 09:38:57 CEST 2020 from n1-42-235-33.mas1.nsw.optusnet.com.au (1.42.235.33)

Posted by:

Wallsend

I used to have a two disc compilation called Winwood that I used to play all the time. I seem to recall either Winwood or Capaldi complaining that Dave Mason's songs were to pop oriented. I liked Dave Mason back then and I still do. He does a great version of All Along the Watchtower. Jim Capaldi's first solo album was also pretty good.


Entered at Fri Jul 31 08:47:08 CEST 2020 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Posted by:

Peter V

Web: My link

Subject: T'riffic Traffic

Our esteemed Rob the Organ wrote a great piece on Toppermost on Traffic (linked). Read our discussion at the end. My first two choices were Dear Mr Fantasy and Feelin' Alright. Neither were in Rob's list, and when I asked friends, their first choice was No Face, No Name, No Number.

Any discussion of Traffic should remind us that Dave Mason was also a superb songwriter- it wasn't all about Stevie Winwood. Rob's list like mine, would insist on the two first British albums as the most essential. Many would add John Barleycorn Must Die, but I have some lingering doubts that places it below the first two … just. Start with the order of release, original British albums.

When Traffic were new, they were my favourite band for a year or so. I don't think anything after John Barleycorn hits the same standard. But I guess by then theyd been replaced by The Band in my affections.


Entered at Fri Jul 31 01:28:16 CEST 2020 from (24.114.70.179)

Posted by:

Kevin J

Good Luck to the young guy, Dunc ! Happy days for him.......though if you do run into a big bosomed lady with a Dutch accent on the sidelines - run, don’t walk.


Entered at Thu Jul 30 22:44:37 CEST 2020 from n1-42-235-33.mas1.nsw.optusnet.com.au (1.42.235.33)

Posted by:

Wallsend

I used to listen to Solid Air a lot but I have to say the allegations of domestic violence put me off John quite a bit.


Entered at Thu Jul 30 22:13:58 CEST 2020 from (2a00:23c8:b89:ac01:e119:73b7:a68b:ce82)

Posted by:

Dunc

Location: Scotland

Just in from the children’s football, Kevin. Different sport, but really nice story, Kevin. Can I boast Kevin? My seven year old grandson is in at Celtic’s pre academy. My other grandkids are very much older, but all played sport too.

JQ. I saw Silly Wizard several times in the seventies. Great. The Band you need to check out if you have not done already is Jock Tamson’s Bairns.

Pat B, Bill M. I have the Dear Mr Fantasy track and I will work harder on Traffic. Honest.

Two outstanding songs, Wallsend.


Entered at Thu Jul 30 20:59:49 CEST 2020 from (2600:1702:4580:5e80:fd01:547a:9fd0:1985)

Posted by:

Pat B

OK, now Bill M is making sense again. DMF is no doubt required reading, but the intricacies of their first album--different album covers, different song lists, different mixes among the various US/UK releases--made for an early journey into vinyl collecting. Also required reading is the Chris Wood bio which captures in great detail the magic of the Traffic origin story at their own Berkshire Big Pink.


Entered at Thu Jul 30 20:07:26 CEST 2020 from (2605:8d80:6c0:cb39:fce4:6e03:8cbc:ccae)

Posted by:

Bill M

Subject: Rumi on Robbie

Wasn't it Rumi who said, "One cannot lose what one does not possess"?


Entered at Thu Jul 30 19:20:56 CEST 2020 from toroon0628w-lp140-05-70-26-158-39.dsl.bell.ca (70.26.158.39)

Posted by:

Kevin J

The highlight of one of the last of Clapton’s Guitar Fests was Stevie Winwood and especially his performance of Mr. Fantasy. Loved his green strat….and he and Van Morrison seem to be the only two from that era that haven’t lost their voices.


Entered at Thu Jul 30 19:09:09 CEST 2020 from toroon0812w-lp140-01-64-229-13-160.dsl.bell.ca (64.229.13.160)

Posted by:

Bill M

Subject: the art of making it snappy

Dunc: When choosing between Pat B's suggestions and my own, always go with Pat B. But everybody should own a copy of the song "Mr Fantasy".


Entered at Thu Jul 30 18:57:30 CEST 2020 from (2600:387:4:802::6a)

Posted by:

JQ

Subject: Andy M Stewart

Hi Dunc - Were you a fan of his? What a voice he had. I still listen to Silly Wizard and an album he did with Manus Lunny (Donal’s Brother) called At It Again. The 80s/90’s Trad scene was brilliant!


Entered at Thu Jul 30 18:56:09 CEST 2020 from (2600:1702:4580:5e80:fd01:547a:9fd0:1985)

Posted by:

Pat B

Bill M, I expect so much more from you (kidding). The first two Traffic albums are essential, and musical gems--including British only imports and movie soundtracks--populate their entire catalog. I was going to look up a greatest hits collection and list all the great stuff that's missing, but the collections are all lame. Band fans need to totally digest Don't Be Sad and Crying To Be Heard from their epic 2nd album.


Entered at Thu Jul 30 18:45:44 CEST 2020 from toroon0812w-lp140-01-64-229-13-160.dsl.bell.ca (64.229.13.160)

Posted by:

Bill M

Dunc: Rest your weary record-collecting bones! As long as your Greatest Hits includes the song "Mr Fantasy" (with the full awesome guitar solo) you're probably okay on the Traffic front. But if you must proceed, there's the John Barleycorn album and there's the live version of "Sometimes I Feel So Uninspired" on the "On the Road" album. (It's on YouTube if you want to check first.)


Entered at Thu Jul 30 18:19:12 CEST 2020 from toroon0628w-lp140-05-70-26-158-39.dsl.bell.ca (70.26.158.39)

Posted by:

Kevin J

Rising Prices….I’ve mentioned how I like to own certain films and shows that mean something to me. Having a fairly good collection already has really come in handy during this lockdown. What has been shocking is discovering the pace at which “out of print” for many films and shows has impacted price. I was looking for a season 2 of a British detective show ( the only season we couldn’t find ) and the guy at my store looked it up and said “ ah, let’s see…not finding anything for less than $600 !” I had thought the guy must have mistakenly clicked on the Bob Dylan site by mistake. Many shows and old Westerns are simply no longer available or are not being transferred to DVD. Reminds me of the “end of vinyl” era.

I really enjoyed Pat B’s Watkins Glen road movie. Not just for the content which was great but for the memories of capturing slices of life that it brought back to me. I was fortunate that my dad took photos and movies of much of my childhood and almost every hockey game I played from Mosquito all the way up. Telling kids that now means nothing as everyone does it but back in the 1970’s - it was special. I alerted a great friend who now lives overseas to the clip because we had a very influential hockey coach who sadly is now passed on who used to always talk about being at Watkins Glen and how great a memory it was for him. The way he talked about it was always a bit of a wonder to us so the both of us seeing the evidence of that day was fun and brought back good memories. Much conversation flowed about first cars, first girls, haircuts and road trips….and a bit about sports and music.


Entered at Thu Jul 30 17:12:39 CEST 2020 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Posted by:

Peter V

Web: My link

Subject: Covering Marvin …

This one is for BEG to discuss. I actually don't like the Shaggy / Marvin Gaye version, but I love the Kate Bush cover version. Is this actually down to the gender of the singer and gender of the listener? I don't know.


Entered at Thu Jul 30 17:06:46 CEST 2020 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Posted by:

Peter V

Dunc has pointed out what is happening with amazon and eBay. Both book and CD prices are rising quite alarmingly, and I suspect it's because publishers and record labels are on limited capacity, so more and more things, especially back catalogue is coming up as OUT OF STOCK or OUT OF PRINT. Therefore eBay and Reseller prices are rising fast. I also think amazon are doing a roaring trade in lockdown as we seek entertainment and explore artists.


Entered at Thu Jul 30 16:53:58 CEST 2020 from (2a00:23c8:b89:ac01:e119:73b7:a68b:ce82)

Posted by:

Dunc

Location: Scotland

Subject: Me again

Bill M, I’m going to run out of time with collecting. I have the Greatest Hits and The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys. So maybe have to put Traffic on the back burner. I’m two albums behind on BARK, two albums behind on Lucinda Williams and Peter has cast a doubt in my mind. But after Lesley Duncan, I’m five albums up on Dusty.

PS Ben. wish I had seen the late Jackie Leven. When I heard of him, it was the eighties and I was not active on the music scene.

Joe, good luck with the turntable. I bought What Hi Fi yesterday and Audio Research has brought out a CD player at 14 998 pounds. Maybe you should have just upgraded.

This is an awful day here. But Ben has got me playing Levon and John. No Little Boy is an album of sheer brilliance. Everybody needs it in their collection.


Entered at Thu Jul 30 16:05:40 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp130-04-65-93-102-222.dsl.bell.ca (65.93.102.222)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

Do I have to start another hunger strike tomorrow ??? Last one lasted two years....Just sayin'.

I see see myself as the peace maker from back in the day from the Grand River when the house would just blow up....yup.....another day at our house........Imagine Bob Marley between Seaga and Michael Manley.....Linked in case you don't know what I'm blah, blah, blahing about. Anyway, the three of us are at a bar in NYC and I hold one hand of my younger buddy who lives up, up town with his......and I hold the other hand of my older buddy who is hanging out right now at a magical place......and I raise them both up all of us holding hands as I dig both of you.....and we all say.....let's just break even.......Both of you were triggered that's all. It too shall pass. Speaking from experience of course. Just sayin'..... :-D

PS....If both of you don't dig reggae then....loss all around. Just sayin'.


Entered at Thu Jul 30 15:52:38 CEST 2020 from (2a00:23c8:b89:ac01:e119:73b7:a68b:ce82)

Posted by:

Dunc

Location: Scotland

Thanks Ben. I enjoy London Conversation, but it is often seen as a beginners’ album, influenced by the like of Davey Graham and Bert Jansch. I love the classic albums such as Bless the Weather, Solid Air, Grace and Danger, and Sunday’s Child and on and on. It was amazing to see him at his peak solo on stage working the echoplex as if this wall of sound was coming from a band. However not everybody, including my wife, liked Inside Out. His bands were really good, including his trio with Danny Thompson and Arran Anhum. No Little Boy was an attempt to introduce him to a wider audience, and I think it is a great album, and love his duet of Just Now with Levon.

There is a third biography just out just now, showing the continuing interest in him, but I’ve not read it. He was a chronic alcoholic and not an easy person. He was lifelong friends with Levon and loved the fact that Levon ‘had an awful sense of humour’. Stormbrringer and The Road to Ruin were patchy attempts to emulate the Band. Some things work on the albums, some don’t. John becomes a classic act beginning with the recording of Bless The Weather. He rented Happy and Artie Traum’s house at Woodstock. He thought of Levon as ‘friendly, sweet and decent’. Dylan commented John on his guitar playing and Hendrix lived across the road. John died when making his last album and Levon quietly helped to get the album out. Beverley Martyn alleged that she suffered from domestic abuse during her marriage including after the time Dylan watched them play where she says John assaulted her because John said she was flirting with Dylan. John and Beverley Martyn were in Joe Boyd’s stable with Fairport Convention and Fotheringay, but Boyd and John Martyn hated each other, so you read whatever they say about each other with caution.

I have thirty six John Martyn albums and in my opinion he Is a musical genius. (I don’t sit counting my albums but rearranged the albums during Lockdown’. Laughing here. I miss going to see him nowadays. He was always on the road to keep the band working, talking about needing the 750 pounds Sunday night gigs to keep the money coming in. A hard life.

Ronnie Scott, who ran a jazz club in London and was one of Britain’s great raconteurs said that all his musical heroes had feet of clay except Dizzy Gillespie, who had a head of clay. I think I know what he was meaning.

Thanks again, Ben.


Entered at Thu Jul 30 14:27:43 CEST 2020 from toroon0812w-lp140-01-64-229-13-160.dsl.bell.ca (64.229.13.160)

Posted by:

Bill M

Todd: Thanks for the Blacksmiths link. A good job, especially considering the remoteness of the operation.

Dunc: I'd dig deeper into Traffic if I were you. Every album has great stuff, right up to the end. Even the live in Europe album.

One of Traffic's later LPs was "When The Eagle Flies". As in "Stormy Monday Blues", "the eagle flies (or smiles, or shits)" is often a reference to the arrival of payday, and the consequence arrival of US dollars with eagles on them. I wonder if that's what Traffic were referring to, or if they meant it in a more inspirational way.

The other day I was listening to Bessie Smith singing something like "If I ever get my hands on a dollar again, I'll squeeze it real hard until them eagles grin". That reminded me of Ronnie Hawkins mentioning Levon's frugality - "Levon'll squeeze a nickel so hard that the buffalo shits."

Rick and Robbie sang about going down the road to see Bessie Smith, and they also sang - in "Walk Down That Endless Highway" - "Find a lucky dollar, put it in your pocket save it for a rainy day". Everything connects.


Entered at Thu Jul 30 12:42:45 CEST 2020 from (2601:8d:8600:7610:ec33:52c9:bc73:f762)

Posted by:

Ben

Location: New Jersey

Dunc, Thanks for the list. I'm familiar with some of the songs and will check out the others. I'm a pretty big John Martyn fan. He was a major talent. My favorite album of his was his debut 'London Conversation'. That album really has a sad, sparse winter feeling. It's a good album to play if you're snowed in. And of he course, Martyn made the pilgrimage to Woodstock to record a couple of tracks with Levon in the early 70's. I also really like the version of 'Rock, salt and nails' that they recorded in the 90's.

I noticed that Brinsley Schwartz aren't on your list. What do you think of them? I understand that Nick Lowe and Elvis Costello were in awe of the Band and their rehearsal and performance at Wembley in '74.

On a separate note, I just came across a Scottish singer songwriter that I was completely unfamiliar with. On a Van Morrison fb group, someone posted a clip of Jackie Leven performing a solo acoustic live version Van's 'Slim Slow Slider' and it it was fantastic. Are with you familiar with Leven?


Entered at Thu Jul 30 10:44:40 CEST 2020 from n1-42-235-33.mas1.nsw.optusnet.com.au (1.42.235.33)

Posted by:

Wallsend

I liked Fotheringay. I don't know much about it but I wonder if the criticism of Trevor Lucas wasn't more of a personal thing rather than the music. BTW, I think the actual song Fotheringay that Sandy wrote must be one of the saddest songs ever. That and who Knows Where The Time Goes.


Entered at Thu Jul 30 10:31:28 CEST 2020 from (2a00:23c8:b89:ac01:ecfd:23cb:584:3593)

Posted by:

Dunc

Location: Scotland

Subject: Band influence, Ben

The era you mention from the late sixties to the early seventies is when I was at my cutting edge, Ben.I moved from attending the dancing to attending concerts and from 1970 until 1975.I would see a band every week from 1970 to 1975 and sometimes two. It was a great time in the UK - there was the Folk boom, the Blues boom, the pop bands who reinvented themselves as rock bands, new bands, the progressive rock bands, soul music And instead of collecting singles, I started to buy albums in 71.

Of the bands you mention. I got into Fairport Convention through Liege and Lief and the collected the earlier two albums with Sandy Denny on them then followed Sandy Denny. So I never got the link between the Band and Fairport Convention.

Traffic are not important to me apart from the hits. I had a friend who played them incessantly and I have a couple of the albums. I enjoyed Spencer Davis Group better.

I only owned the single Rag Mama Rag by the Band until 1976, so it’s a difficult question to answer. Here’s some great tracks from the era. Required Listening.

I still play them

Family Between Blue and Me Peter’s late friend, John Wetton, plays on this.

Elton John and Lesley Duncan Live at the Albert Hall Love Song

Frankie Miller Tears recorded with Muscle Shoals crew.

Dusty Springfield Son of a Preacher Man

Sensational Alex Harvey Band Delilah

John Martyn May You Never

Gallagher and Lyle Breakaway

Stealers Wheel Stuck In The Middle

Love Affair Rainbow Valley

Rab Noakes Branch

Average White Band Keeping It To Myself

Pentangle Light Flight

Enjoy them, Ben


Entered at Thu Jul 30 09:37:55 CEST 2020 from (2a00:23c8:b89:ac01:ecfd:23cb:584:3593)

Posted by:

Dunc

Location: Scotland

Subject: Too many bands

Peter, Bill M - I missed Fotheringay and it’s the part of the Sandy Denny story that I misssed. The reason I missed them is because of my Scottishnesss so there would be the JSD Band, the Tannahill Weavers, Dick Gaughan and the Battlefield Band. There has always been that thing when reading about Fotheringay that the less talented Trevor Lucas dominated Sandy Denny, but I don’t know.

I tried to buy that McGuinness Flint album yesterday on Amazon, Peter, but at £83.00 it will have to wait. I’m a great fan of Gallagher and Lyle so I know McGuinness Flint well. I think Manfred Mann are great and I actually picked up the album by the Manfreds after your review. Just saw it on the shelf and bought it...I miss that physical collecting. I think the re-recording of the songs is a success.


Entered at Thu Jul 30 05:49:41 CEST 2020 from (2407:7000:9b95:db00:6de6:f3b8:e921:4b2f)

Posted by:

Rod

Really liked that version of Last of The Blacksmiths. Especially the bass (never paid much attention to it before) and the lady in red.


Entered at Thu Jul 30 02:40:05 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp130-04-65-93-102-222.dsl.bell.ca (65.93.102.222)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

The Guest-House

This being human is a guest-house
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,

still, treat each guest honourably.
S/he may be clearing you
out for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

Say I Am You: Poetry Interspersed with Stories of Rumi and Shams
Translated by John Moyne and Coleman Barks, Maypop
1994.


Entered at Wed Jul 29 23:03:44 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp130-04-65-93-102-222.dsl.bell.ca (65.93.102.222)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

Uhhh....For those of you who are not inclined or who don't require any healing of any kind......


Entered at Wed Jul 29 22:51:06 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp130-04-65-93-102-222.dsl.bell.ca (65.93.102.222)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

What the Guest Book needs right now...... ;-D


Entered at Wed Jul 29 17:55:35 CEST 2020 from toroon0812w-lp130-06-74-12-35-135.dsl.bell.ca (74.12.35.135)

Posted by:

Bill M

Speaking of Fotheringay, how 'bout their luminous cover of Lightfoot's already brilliant "The Way I Feel". A killer song in anyone's hands, perhaps.


Entered at Wed Jul 29 17:17:51 CEST 2020 from toroon0812w-lp130-06-74-12-35-135.dsl.bell.ca (74.12.35.135)

Posted by:

Bill M

Dunc, Peter V: I agree wholeheartedly re Fairport and Fotheringay, but I really don't care to hear the Driscoll-Augur TWOF again. I do like their "Season Of The Witch", and even "Road To Cairo".


Entered at Wed Jul 29 17:16:10 CEST 2020 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Posted by:

Peter V

Web: My link

Subject: The Carpetbaggers

The next in the 60s Retrospective reviews, THE CARPETBAGGERS from 1964 (linked). It was based on Harold Robbins blockbuster novel, and considered highly salacious in its day and was the 4th biggest US film of 1964, and I’d put both Dallas and Dynasty as direct descendants. An interesting time capsule of Hollywood at its most sexist.


Entered at Wed Jul 29 17:14:32 CEST 2020 from (2604:6000:e909:6c00:690c:e32e:f7dc:ea17)

Posted by:

Joe Frey

Location: Saratoga Springs, NY

Subject: Back to Vinyl

With more time on my hands, I dug out my old turntable (BIC 981), added a new belt and cartridge. Works well, but a couple of the functions are not operative and would need someone with far more skill than mine to fix. Nevertheless, it still sounds great.

Having donated my record collection years ago, I now have the pleasant journey of adding new titles. All of my Band collection are on cds, and just like most of you, its a bookshelf full.

Although I am not trying to duplicate my Band cds with their respective vinyl counterparts, I was interested in acquiring one or two titles where the vinyl version seemed to be especially sonically strong.

Just reaching out for possible suggestions from you "vinyl heads" out there. Thanks. joe


Entered at Wed Jul 29 16:57:55 CEST 2020 from (2601:8d:8600:7610:ec33:52c9:bc73:f762)

Posted by:

Ben

Location: New Jersey

Dunc, The Fairport Dylan covers are excellent. Fairport and Traffic are the two British bands from the late 60's/early 70's that I think of as being on a somewhat similar path as the Band. There was an interesting book about the Folk and Psychedelic music in the British Isles called 'Electric Eden'. The Incredible String Band fir into that as well with a bit more of a World music emhphasis.


Entered at Wed Jul 29 15:07:50 CEST 2020 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Posted by:

Peter V

Subject: British Dylan covers

I love those, Dunc. Manfred Mann along with The Animals influenced Dylan to go electric. Whatever bullshit Eric Burdon spouts about learning House of The Rising Sun from Johnny Handle in a Newcastle folk club, back in the day he cheerfully admitted taking Baby Let Me Take You Home (Baby Let Me Follow You Down) and House of The Rising Sun from the first Dylan album.

Tom McGuinness says Manfred Mann got first British shout on the Basement Tapes because Dylan liked what they'd done with With God On Our Side, If You Gotta Go and Just Like A Woman. So they chose The Mighty Quinn. Four great Dylan covers. Then Coulson- Dean-McGuinness-Flint did a whole album of Dylan covers, 'Lo and Behold' which is great- all unusual stuff too. Try Sign on The Cross.

Try Fotheringay on I Don't Believe You for British folkies.


Entered at Wed Jul 29 13:45:44 CEST 2020 from (2a00:23c8:b89:ac01:ecfd:23cb:584:3593)

Posted by:

Dunc

Location: Scotland

Thanks, Beg. I wish I had seen a gig there.

Outstanding British covers of Dylan songs:

Rick and Bob’s ‘This Wheels on Fire’ by Brian Auger and the Trinity and Julie Driscoll. Peter champions it from time to time and he is correct. It is sheer brilliance. It was on the telly at the weekend. Julie Driscoll was a fashion icon too and many of the girls copied her. I wouldn’t have had a clue who Rick Danko was at the time.

Fairport Convention Si Tu Dois Partir . Great.

Fairport Convention I’ll Keep It With Mine. A brilliant song and Richard Thompson and Sandy Denny together at their very best.


Entered at Wed Jul 29 05:28:16 CEST 2020 from (2601:188:c300:8680:8926:9d55:c26f:3e6a)

Posted by:

haso

Location: seacoast NH

Subject: WG

Looked at some of the links here about WG. In fact listening to the jam part that's in one of the articles linked here. Wonder who of our 5 participated? Certainly Garth'd be nothing like Gregg Allman on organ. Anyway, didn't realize today was the anniversary; shoulda, as I've had a reproduction of that yellow and red poster (I think in one of BEG's links) advertising the Summer Jam for a long time. Memory serves bought in So. California at a 2nd-hand shop next to a Mexican market/eatery out in the San Fernando Valley.

Other comment is on the 200+ photos Jan put up. Many nice ones, Levon and Amy at maybe 4 years old, one of the tops. Right near the end, a poster for a Powder Mtn festival in Connecticutt (sorry Todd, it's just CT to me and I can't come up w/ a proper spelling). 1970. Interesting to me that the biggest bolds are the Band and Johnny Winter. Quite few others in smaller font: J. Taylor, Allmans, Janis, Richie Havens, Fleetwood, Van, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Grand Funk, Sly, Tull. So, they were BIG time once.


Entered at Wed Jul 29 03:53:14 CEST 2020 from (2604:2000:1200:907f:80d0:4d11:4b9e:ece6)

Posted by:

Jon Lyness

Location: NYC

Try "evangeline the band 1987" on YouTube. Neat Levon/Rick duet with some tasty accordion by Garth.


Entered at Wed Jul 29 03:28:57 CEST 2020 from cpe-121-209-195-203.nb04.nsw.asp.telstra.net (121.209.195.203)

Posted by:

Doug

Subject: blacksmith

Thanks for that link Todd. Great to get a visual of the lower octaves on the piano getting a workout!


Entered at Wed Jul 29 02:49:50 CEST 2020 from n1-43-42-15.mas2.nsw.optusnet.com.au (1.43.42.15)

Posted by:

Wallsend

Todd, I just listened to the clip you linked. I agree it is really good.


Entered at Wed Jul 29 02:45:14 CEST 2020 from n1-43-42-15.mas2.nsw.optusnet.com.au (1.43.42.15)

Posted by:

Wallsend

There is an online dvd shop in Queensland which is selling region 4 dvds of Once Were Brothers for $24 in case anyone is interested. I just emailed them and they said it is being released in August.


Entered at Wed Jul 29 02:38:52 CEST 2020 from (2601:183:867f:b440:5057:925b:5012:f0a2)

Posted by:

Todd

Location: CT
Web: My link

Subject: Last Of The Blacksmiths - The Band Together

Speaking of Cahoots, check out this little nugget of a performance of 'Last Of The Blacksmiths'. This appears to have sprung out of "thebandtogether" initiative that Amy Helm launched a while back to help people out during COVID-19.

Now I know that 'Last of the Blacksmiths' usually gets overlooked in the pantheon of classic Band songs, but somehow, this performance kind of opened my ears to the possibilities of a song that many people either dislike or ignore. In this case, at least 3 of the 5 musicians in this clip have played with Amy at various times in recent years. Sean Dixon on drums, Mark Marshall on guitar, Adam Minkoff on guitar, bass, and vocals. I don't know the gal on soprano sax, or the fellow on keyboards, but they all turn in a really nice performance.

Adam Minkoff, in particular, really does a nice job on the lead vocal. Singing a Richard vocal is not something that many can pull off convincingly. Also, he really gets the Danko bass feel. A couple of years ago I was chatting with Amy after a show, and they had just introduced 'To Kingdom Come' into their set. I commented at the time how impressed I was with Adam's ability to get Rick's bass parts down. She said that one of the things that he would do as they were driving from gig to gig, is sit in the back of the van, earbuds in, and basically transcribe Rick's parts note for note, and some of the time (like in the 'To Kingdom Come' example) they'd get the songs down well enough to perform live. I liked how they would go for the deeper tracks, and not always the obvious songs to cover. Anyway great tribute to the boys and impressive how much love they put into it.

Mark Marshall on the Tele, is another one of those NYC musicians, who can play almost anything, and although the guitar part for 'Last of the Blacksmiths' isn't extremely complicated, he also gets Robbie's feel and I like the interplay between his guitar licks and the rip-roaring soprano sax solo. Much credit to Garth Hudson for coming up with a real funky, out of left-field contribution tho the song.



Entered at Wed Jul 29 00:56:08 CEST 2020 from (2600:1702:4580:5e80:b0cc:236e:b1be:f70d)

Posted by:

Pat B

Jed, unlike that heathen Ben, you and I both really like Cahoots, so things aren't that bad.

Todd, I was referencing Levon's clubhouse concept of songwriting.


Entered at Tue Jul 28 23:53:21 CEST 2020 from c-73-4-252-72.hsd1.ct.comcast.net (73.4.252.72)

Posted by:

Todd

Location: CT

Hey folks, I don't think that I've ever going to catch up around here, but one of these days I will try!

When things get too heated (and Lord knows I've been guilty of it myself), I think it's important to remind ourselves that we all have a lot more in common regarding our love for the music of The Band, than we have differences. We all have exquisite taste in the music that we love (obviously). And we are a club that's probably only getting smaller with the passage of time. We all have something to offer, and I thank you all for sharing.... Yeah, sometimes things get under my skin, but as I get a little older and hopefully wiser, I'm trying to let things slide. You take what you need and you leave the rest....

I'm getting the impression that some musicians aren't morning people. Imagine that. To be called by Noon is to be called too soon, eh?

As an aside, I thought it was Robbie who was pushing the clubhouse concept, so surprised to hear that that may not have been the case. I'll have to re-read a few things.

Jed, I appreciate your passion and understand where you're coming from about letting people rest in peace. For myself, when Levon passed away, it took me a while before I could even listen to Band music for a bit. And I decided...not even consciously perhaps, to actively avoid feud related conversation. It was Levon's battle that he chose to fight while he was alive, and once he passed, it didn't seem like it should be in my domain. Seemed like an appropriate time to "give it a good leaving alone", as the man said.

Pat B, sounds like a pretty special experience that you had with Richard, and I'm sure that he appreciated your interest, respect and support which you provided. As fans, sometimes we forget that we can be an important part of the relationship to the performer, and serve a valuable purpose. So thank you for sharing your time with Richard back in the day, and telling us about it.

Hope to be back sooner than later. Peace.


Entered at Tue Jul 28 23:28:55 CEST 2020 from (2604:2000:1105:836c:b1f6:bc6c:94b2:d087)

Posted by:

Jed

Subject: One more and I’m outta here

Kevin-I would have thought you might be familiar with the value and ethic of not speaking bad of the dead. In my view-something to go overboard about. Anyway-I get it.


Entered at Tue Jul 28 23:23:04 CEST 2020 from 204-210-130-020.res.spectrum.com (204.210.130.20)

Posted by:

Jed

Subject: Kevin

You may not like what I write and no excuses for rudeness but I am entitled to a strong opinion just as others are. No apologies for that.


Entered at Tue Jul 28 23:20:15 CEST 2020 from (2604:2000:1105:836c:b1f6:bc6c:94b2:d087)

Posted by:

Jed

Subject: Pat

I owe you an apology. My last post was not at all directed to you. I strongly differ with you but the long term attacks on Levon here comes from someone who hides in the bushes. Read the quote I mentioned and scroll down a bit and you’ll see it wasn’t you. And my apologies to you and others for my vehemence. The notion that guides me is the importance of respecting the dead in a manner different than many here accept.Thus,your impeccable credentials that I respect notwithstanding,our differences remain-perhaps more axiological than intellectual.I am not upset at all-just arrived for a rest upstate. But I do feel strongly and will assert my opinion. Being hurtful or rude-no excuses I was wrong in my attitude towards you. Appreciate your honesty.


Entered at Tue Jul 28 21:05:25 CEST 2020 from 108-88-109-12.lightspeed.cicril.sbcglobal.net (108.88.109.12)

Posted by:

Pat B

Web: My link

47 years ago today I was away on the shit.


Entered at Tue Jul 28 20:12:30 CEST 2020 from 108-88-109-12.lightspeed.cicril.sbcglobal.net (108.88.109.12)

Posted by:

Pat B

Jed, you seem upset. Like I said, sorry.

Since we're clearing the air--and since Jed has decided to list all the things he finds offensive about me and since most of them are patently untrue--I thought maybe I'd catch him up on a few germane points.

I had a long talk with Richard about songwriting. I mean we talked about a lot of things but songwriting came up. He talked about his own songwriting but never mentioned the clubhouse concept. He was deadly clear that he hit a writer's block after Big Pink that was terrifying, embarrassing, frustrating, and torturous. We sat at a piano in my recording studio and he showed me how he voiced certain chords. He also sang my requests, then repeated some of the songs that night in concert and dedicated them to me. We did a bunch of other stuff which I've recounted elsewhere. We made plans to connect the next time he was in town, but we know what happened.

Gossip. That's funny. Besides being a musician, I'm also a historian and a writer. It's kind of silly for me to post this, but Jed's characterization of me is pretty fucking offensive, so I guess it needs be said. Everything I've written professionally has been footnoted. You kind of have to if you want to be taken seriously--and I take history seriously. Which is why a few decades ago when I discovered this place, I got really interested in the Fued. The vitriol here was amazing, and it all led back to Levon's book. You see, with all this talk of RR ripping everyone off and the clubhouse concept of writing songs, that thing Richard said stuck in my craw. The two didn't add up. Luckily, Jan's site has a huge amount of primary material, so I dug into it. For a couple of years. I interviewed some folks on the inside. Maybe an article, I thought. The first time I tried to write an article, it turned into a book. Who knows? Well, I started writing more for military journals and I had a couple of growing kids and I got really busy producing music for TV and I just didn't have the time. But I shared a lot here, telling people what I found and encouraging people to check out those sources. 1983. Of course, what I didn't repeat was gossip, and, boy, did I hear a lot. But if I can't source something, I don't often repeat it, but if I do, I explain its context.

Finally, Jed, if the Fued is such a small part of Levon's book, why is it such a crucial statement of fact for so many Band "fans"? Public perception of The Band has been toxically altered to paint RR as "Robber" entirely based on--in your mind--a small part of Levon's book. Well, Jed, when you accuse someone of killing a former business partner by your criminal activity, it's gonna draw some attention.

As for "Robber", it might be instructive for you to peruse some of the FB groups and see where that name gets used.


Entered at Tue Jul 28 19:56:39 CEST 2020 from (40.70.31.7)

Posted by:

Dan

Yes, Jonathan - Garth's album of popular American parlor music is the Beautiful Old. Really enjoyed it and purchased for an employee who also taught piano and organ. would be nice to listen to what Garth has saved over the years.


Entered at Tue Jul 28 18:41:51 CEST 2020 from (2601:8d:8600:7610:ec33:52c9:bc73:f762)

Posted by:

Ben

Location: New Jersey

Kevin, I agree with Peter, you summed it up pretty well. We all have a different take on things and are coming here from different places. So, it's to be expected that there will be some disagreements and ruffled feathers from time to time. I can appreciate what John and Jed have said and what Pat and Wallsend have said also.

The fact is that this is Jan's website, so he is the arbiter of what is acceptable content for discussion here. And for those of us who were around here back in the 90's, the tone now is quite tranquil and placid compared to those days.


Entered at Tue Jul 28 18:22:49 CEST 2020 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Posted by:

Peter V

That was "neatly put"


Entered at Tue Jul 28 18:21:25 CEST 2020 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Posted by:

Peter V

Nearly put, Kevin J. I think the road / getting up situation interested me and Pat in particular because we've been there.

The employee thing got me riled, I'll admit. I don't think it's just about Levon either. It's a general thing. I think of two kids who were getting experience as humble runners (aka gofers) on our film shoots in the 80s. One is now a major director. One is a major actor. In my experience of being a humble lowest rung employee on stage shows, the bigger the star, the more courteous they were. I'd single out Tom Jones, Frankie Vaughan and Ken Dodd as three big stars who were always polite, friendly. Then I remember sitting across the aisle from Simon le Bon when Duran Duran were huge. He was also polite and friendly to the air crew- who never hassled him either.

Then there are the others and you remember them. It's one thing being friendly to your fans, that's your job - it's how you address servers and underlings that counts. Two of The Shadows were very overbearing backstage (Hank and Bruce). I've seen Bryan Ferry in a restaurant. No one with any sense is that overbearing to people who are serving you food. It was a situation where you see the servers watching and one is probably whispering, 'Yep, he ate it!'


Entered at Tue Jul 28 17:57:50 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp130-04-65-93-102-222.dsl.bell.ca (65.93.102.222)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

For the one who keeps sending me porn sites.....Really??

The Summer Day

Who made the world?
Who made the swan, and the black bear?
Who made the grasshopper?
This grasshopper, I mean – the one who has flung herself out of the grass,
the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,
who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down—
who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.
Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.
Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away.
I don’t know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn’t everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?

Mary Oliver, The House of Light, Beacon


Entered at Tue Jul 28 17:45:29 CEST 2020 from toroon0628w-lp140-05-70-26-158-39.dsl.bell.ca (70.26.158.39)

Posted by:

Kevin J

Habs-Leafs tonight…..F1 at Silverstone this weekend…..Van’s “March Winds in February” playing…..some optimism that a vaccine for covit 19 might be ready by the Spring time…..looking at the bright side of life….or as the Python boys sang “When you're chewing on life's gristle/ Don't grumble, give a whistle”

…Jed…going overboard is never helpful and you seem to be doing that a lot lately. For the record, Johnathan Taplin isn’t “pissed” at anybody and he isn’t spreading “gossip” . The story of the assault was a story Levon had written/recounted in his own biography and that Lisa had noted in connection to a news alert that Taplin was soon to be publishing his own life’s story. Very straightforward comments followed by a few posters that they wondered if Levon had realized what a bad light he cast with that story and then much in-depth discussion as to the devastating impact the arrival of Napster style music consumption had on the incomes of middle- class musicians like Levon. Taplin has never said one thing that could be construed as harmful or hateful about Levon. And, I have never seen anyone on this site spew any hatred toward Levon Helm – ever. I wouldn't tolerate it. Not liking the boogie blues style favoured by Levon in the reformed band or making comments disapproving of his admitted assault on an employee hardly rises to hate.


Entered at Tue Jul 28 17:42:48 CEST 2020 from (2604:2000:1200:907f:4078:a4ae:d19a:8d84)

Posted by:

Jonathan Lyness

Location: NYC

Dan, the American parlor songs album you're referring to is The Beautiful Old, correct? I forgot all about that one. The samples sound great and you can definitely hear Garth all over it.


Entered at Tue Jul 28 17:40:46 CEST 2020 from (2600:1017:b8ae:fcb5:f1b3:3542:b6bc:1381)

Posted by:

Jed

And,yes-let’s get back to music. Just watched the Terry Kath Experience on AXS TV. He was amazing. What a massive talent and innovative guitarist. Headed up to our place in Woodstock-holing up in the house for a week. Only leaving to the backyard and our rooftop garden. Got a really cool Marshal amp Bluetooth-sound is wonderful. Anyone here been watching Jorma every Saturday during the quarantine? These free acoustic shows,featuring Hot Tuna for two weeks were spectacular displays of acoustic musicianship. Jorma and Jack covered a wide range of their music dating back to pre Airplane days.


Entered at Tue Jul 28 17:29:07 CEST 2020 from (2600:1017:b8ae:fcb5:f1b3:3542:b6bc:1381)

Posted by:

Jed

Subject: Ben

You are correct. People will talk about this idiocy no matter what. Gossips generally tend to gossip! And they are entitled to do so just as I am entitled to see this differently. You are also correct that,in general,people here are not Levon haters but there are people(one in particular) who like a dog,runs for the bone at the mere flick of the wrist. He can’t wait to point out things like “Levon wrote a book about it”. No-he wrote a book about his life which contained a small section on this feud. He was wrong to do it but it was not the major part of the book. This guy will bring this crap up with no provocation and no one here seems to care that talking badly of the dead may be wrong. . Yes-the internet is filled with horrible lies about RR. I never denied that. And let’s be realistic-RR recently said to Dan Rather-there is no feud! And RR isn’t feuding and Levon is gone. So all that’s left are the ignorant jerks on FB,the people obsessed with the non musical elements of The Band,those who comment who never knew any of the players,and those who feel they’ll take on a mission of evening the score. I’m not taking either side since I’m not RR or Levon and it’s between them and God. Amazing to me when people really think they are in the know and mouth off.


Entered at Tue Jul 28 17:26:00 CEST 2020 from (2601:8d:8600:7610:ec33:52c9:bc73:f762)

Posted by:

Ben

Location: New Jersey

John, I appreciate your point of view. I primarily visit this forum to discuss the music. However, there continue to be projects that appear in which the feud is brought up. And I think it's just natural that people will comment on these new projects. The most recent examples of this are 'Once Were Brothers' and the new biography of Levon. The interview that Robbie did a few months ago with Dan Rather is another example that falls into this category.

I would love to focus discussion on the music, both released and unreleased. I have listened to a lot of Band (both OQ, reformed, and solo) official releases and bootlegs, over the last several months. My appreciation of some of the less heralded recordings in the catalog such as 'Moondog Matinee' and 'Levon Helm and The RCO All-Stars' has increased. But my disdain of 'Cahoots' remains unchanged.


Entered at Tue Jul 28 17:10:43 CEST 2020 from (40.70.31.7)

Posted by:

Dan

Subject: Ben

Re John D. and Ben, I favor burying the feud in favor of appreciating the music. I have been putting some space between listens to Band albums so that I can feel the impact each time. For many, I feel as that is the one Band album to take to the "desert island" as expressing the magic. In the past month, I have listened to Discs 3 and 4 of Live at the Academy, the electric CD of the "Real Albert Hall' concert and the two disc "Basement Tapes Raw." I am blown away each time. But, I have to say that the Basement Tapes Raw speaks to me the most because I can visualize Garth carrying and preserving these tapes with love for almost a half century. What a gift, especially in these times that mirror some of the violence and factionalism present then, when the retreat to the private and the quiet seems to be the only way to preserve and create. Anyway, I think that Garth has collected a lot over the years, and I hope that somebody is close enough to him to preserve some of his collections or extricate a list of songs that he has enjoyed or influenced him the most. The closest I have seen is that album of American parlor songs that he played a key role in playing.


Entered at Tue Jul 28 14:59:24 CEST 2020 from cpef81d0f88efd3-cmf81d0f88efd0.cpe.net.cable.rogers.com (99.227.162.85)

Posted by:

John D

Subject: Ben

Ben writes on his latest post, "The feud is a part of the public record and aspects of it will inevitably come up here."

OK. I get it, I think. This is my last time commenting on this subject. Yes I get it. It is part of the public record. However (and this is only my opinion) talking about the feud over and over and over again, is like reading the same book over and over and over again and hoping for a different ending. We've got the story. We know who started it, yada yada yada. This is my last comment on "the feud". Sorry I'm just bored of it. Rather talk about the music. If you feel you must comment on it again and again...have at it.


Entered at Tue Jul 28 14:45:06 CEST 2020 from (2601:8d:8600:7610:ec33:52c9:bc73:f762)

Posted by:

Ben

Location: New Jersey

Jed, I was a member of the largest and most active Band fb group, 'THE Band', which has I believe over 10,000 members. I found a large percentage of the members to be rabidly anti-Robbie. The admins didn't seem to care, the only action they would take would be to turn off comments on a post. I left that group a few weeks ago. There are alternatives on fb, Dag is an admin of a small group 'Music from the Band' and Richard's son is an admin of 'The Real Richard Manual'. Both of these groups do not tolerate attacks on members of the Band.

I enjoy talking about the music, both the official releases, bootlegs, videos, concerts I've attended, etc. that's primarily why I am here. But the "feud" is a part of the public record and aspects of it will inevitably come up here. And people here do have some strong opinions about it. It's also important to acknowledge that many other bands have their own version of the feud, from The Beatles, Pink Floyd, The Eagles, The Beach Boys, Yes, etc, etc. ad nauseum.


Entered at Tue Jul 28 14:37:12 CEST 2020 from cpef81d0f88efd3-cmf81d0f88efd0.cpe.net.cable.rogers.com (99.227.162.85)

Posted by:

John D

Web: My link

Subject: David Clayton Thomas

There have been many covers of songs by The Band; but I think David Clayton Thomas; from Toronto along with Blood Sweat & Tears really captured Lonesome Suzie on this one.


Entered at Tue Jul 28 12:38:48 CEST 2020 from n1-43-42-15.mas2.nsw.optusnet.com.au (1.43.42.15)

Posted by:

Wallsend

I guess if Levon hadn't wanted people to talk about his private life, he wouldn't have written a book about it. BTW, Robbie also recounts the incident with Jon Taplin in Testimony. He implies that this was one of the reasons Taplin quit at the end of the tour.


Entered at Tue Jul 28 12:15:19 CEST 2020 from (2407:7000:9b95:db00:d525:1fb5:5838:bdfa)

Posted by:

Rod

Jed, I don't think anyone here is a Levon hater. He will always be one of my musical heroes. Some of his statements over the years and those coming from some of his more extreme supporters have got people's backs up though. It just seems to be everywhere on the net. For anyone new to The Band or a casual observer those opinions are often taken as gospel.


Entered at Tue Jul 28 11:00:12 CEST 2020 from (2600:1017:b8ae:fcb5:f1b3:3542:b6bc:1381)

Posted by:

Jed

Ben-you are correct. The FB and YouTube posts about RR are dishonest and disgusting. A sad reality by ignorant people. Much worse than here. But here we have the most hard core The Band fans using excuses that others are writing books so “I must comment” and put the knife in Levon just a little bit deeper. There is also an underlying assumption here that Taplin’s words are fact. Perhaps he too is sharing his perceptions and best memories. And he can be wrong just like other writers. Or he just may be pissed at people and there’s a need to play that out. Worse yet,do the Levon haters here know Levon? Were they there when these things happened? Can they verify anything as fact or fiction? This is all mere gossip. Yap yap yap. The internet is here and the blowhard so called experts need to vomit out every mean spirited,ignorant thought that they may have.


Entered at Tue Jul 28 09:53:22 CEST 2020 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Posted by:

Peter V

Some of us have been out there stamping on the frosty ground waiting for the late sleeper or leisurely breakfaster to show – Pat knows what it’s like, so do I. I’ve done it with bands, actors, filming and book promotion tours. As Ben says, some people will be belligerent. You get used to dealing with the one who’s normally pleasant but has sudden nasty temper flashes in all areas of life from family to work to creative enterprises. Most of us can have nasty temper flashes ourselves at times, though Levon’s self-declared extreme violence is different. The point I was making, is that it’s a situation where normally the consensus among the group of people will be to support the tour manager, not the late sleeper. Early on in a career “the tour manager” role is often a member of the group.

What I liked about working with bands, actors, film and book tours with several authors was that once you were on the road, there wasn’t a hierarchy. The youngest sales rep for books, or the roadie, or the guy who held the boom mic or the kid who was the runner and made the tea, or the well-known actor or musician were all part of the team. I guess it’s different at “major star” levels, but at the bottom and middle in creative work, that “employee” attitude would be disliked universally.


Entered at Tue Jul 28 09:34:40 CEST 2020 from 47-105-158-51.instances.scw.cloud (51.158.105.47)

Posted by:

Étienne

Location: France

Subject: Across the Great Divide: The Band and America - The Last Waltz

Once Robbie had worked out a set list for the show, Scorsese began work on a ... of producer on the film, with Jonathan Taplin serving as executive producer. Later this would cause as much bad blood between Robbie and the others as the extra hundreds of thousands of dollars he'd made from songwriting royalties.

Peter V - I always wondered why Levon thought this was something to boast about? I think it goes a lot deeper than just not getting the respect that he expected from an employee.


Entered at Tue Jul 28 02:11:36 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp130-04-65-93-102-222.dsl.bell.ca (65.93.102.222)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

Why America Is Afraid of the Future
Jonathan Taplin
Jul 25/20
12 min read

"Some of this essay is derived from a new book I have just finished writing called The Magic Years (you can pre-order it here), which is a personal history of the 1960’s and 1970’s cultural revolution as seen through the eyes of artists I worked with like Bob Dylan and The Band, George Harrison and Martin Scorsese. It was a culture of hope that embraced the future and refused to be tied to the past. Bob Dylan’s lyrics embody that spirit.

For the creative community, there is a huge role to play in guiding us out of the chaos and despair. I think the philosopher Herbert Marcuse had it right: “In its refusal to accept as final the limitations imposed upon freedom and happiness by society, in its refusal to forget what can be, lies the critical function of the artist.”

There is a moment in Bob Dylan’s epic new song Murder Most Foul, that depicts a moment two months after John F. Kennedy’s assassination, when the Beatles arrive in America. Hush, little children, you’ll understand The Beatles are comin’, they’re gonna hold your hand

In thinking about our desire for a brighter future, I was reminded of a quote from Albert Camus’ The Rebel, his long meditation about the role of artists and their audience in rebellion. He wrote, “We are at the extremities now. At the end of this tunnel of darkness, however, there is invariably a light, which we already divine, and for which we have only to fight to ensure it’s coming. All of us, among the ruins, are preparing a renaissance beyond the limits of nihilism.”

That is our task. We cannot fail."


Entered at Tue Jul 28 01:44:57 CEST 2020 from (2600:1702:4580:5e80:9954:9a87:853d:efb8)

Posted by:

Pat B

Levon wrote a book that accused RR of criminal fraud. He wrote an update to that book where he accused RR of forcing Rick to work himself to death because RR stole his money. A new biography of Levon just came out that extensively reiterates the Fued in Levon's own words. Jon Taplin just announced an autobiography of his own that promises to offer more insight into 1968-72 with the Band. I'm interested in that history, wherever it takes me. I'm sorry my commenting on the public record offends some sensibilities. If that's the case, don't read my posts.

Ben, Taplin's life has been a whole lot more than "interesting."


Entered at Tue Jul 28 01:30:41 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp130-04-65-93-102-222.dsl.bell.ca (65.93.102.222)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

As promised....It's MARIA McKEE precious time with The JayHAWKS!!


Entered at Mon Jul 27 23:24:39 CEST 2020 from (2601:8d:8600:7610:29e1:f5ea:88f4:a054)

Posted by:

Ben

Location: New Jersey

Pat, The fact is that Taplin was an employee of the Band (or the Grossman organization). And I would imagine that it was pretty routine for tour managers to be dealing with over sleeping and at times belligerent musicians during this period. I really don't have much of an opinion about Taplin one way or the other. From what I've read about him, it seems that he's had an interesting career after his time working with the Band. But, I strongly suspect that the member of the Band that he had an actual friendship with was Robbie.

Jed, you make some valid points. In general, I think the discourse here is much better than on most of the Band related fb groups. I don't know if you've been on any of them, but some of those groups there is a never ending loop of anti-Robbie comments sometimes bordering on or crossing over to anti-semitic accusation of him (and Grossman) ripping off the others. This is coupled with blind worship of Levon and to a lesser degree Rick.

Kevin, I only watched the doc once, but it was really good. The Dolls were a really good rock band, and they influenced a legion of hair metal bands in the 80's, but I think the Velvets recorded legacy is much stronger and more influential. Each of their studio albums was completely different. In their own way, I think the Velvets were as remarkable as The Band.


Entered at Mon Jul 27 22:50:50 CEST 2020 from toroon0812w-lp130-06-74-12-35-135.dsl.bell.ca (74.12.35.135)

Posted by:

Bill M

Nice to know that Tony Esposito had a life as a writer after hockey, and not just running a donut shop a la Eddie Shack. Re his quibble with Scorcese's 'pranking' of his audience, I wonder if he considered that this is something he picked up from Robbie, who with others (Dylan, Greil Marcus, et al) pranked the fanbase by presenting the "Basement Tapes" LP as if it were indeed a tape from the basement.


Entered at Mon Jul 27 22:41:20 CEST 2020 from (24.114.69.66)

Posted by:

Kevin J

Ben.....The documentary you mentioned on Arthur Killer Kane was titled “New York Doll” and I loved it. What a story it told. The stuff of fiction in a real life story. One of the very few movies that I have ever watched and then immediately watched it again. I never bought that legend about the Velvet Underground and how every one who saw or listened to them started a band. In the New York Dolls case - it might have been true.

Karma and Major League Baseball.........when organizations or countries for that matter are run by idiots, the results are so predictable. MLB games being cancelled today due to players left right and centre being infected with the virus. And while the goofy mayor of Toronto and the Premier of Ontario had predictably cow-towed to media giant Rogers and granted approval to the Blue Jays to play their home games in Toronto - thankfully we had a Prime Minister in charge who put the health of his citizens first and had the courage to prevent the Jays from staying or any other US based teams from entering. Haso has made the right call with his viewing choices as the Bubble plan in place for the NHL and NBA seems to be the safest and best thought out.

....yes, BEG , the Yonge and Eglinton neighborhood used to have several great places to shop for books, videos and records. The late JT’s territory as well. Living up up town these days the only things one sees while browsing are $5000 designer dresses !


Entered at Mon Jul 27 22:37:43 CEST 2020 from (2600:1017:b8ae:fcb5:f1b3:3542:b6bc:1381)

Posted by:

Jed

Subject: Levon

Wow I’m truly amazed.The Band GB is less interested in The Band’s music and more interested in dissecting Levon Helm. Trying to kill him again. It’s true that he made mistakes-big mistakes-in his life. Who hasn’t. I have. Do any of us really need other people-people who never ever met us even once and certainly never knew us-do we want them passing judgment? Who the heck are they to pass judgement? Yes-it’s unfair that Levon made mistakes that are blowing back on Robbie to this day. He made a terrible mistake particularly given that it’s clear as can be that Robbie didn’t screw anyone over and wrote the songs. But Taplin is now the judge and certain people here are the jury. Who’s representing Levon? Why should he have to even defend himself to this absurdity of people judging? Certain people here seem to relish in the feud and in ripping Levon. Get a life. Return to the holiness and joy of The Band and its musical genius. The Band was 5 superbly gifted musicians-focus on that. It’s likely this nonsense will continue. Levon will be judged by God. What cruelty to go after a dead person.


Entered at Mon Jul 27 22:04:02 CEST 2020 from (2600:1702:4580:5e80:9954:9a87:853d:efb8)

Posted by:

Pat B

C'mon. Read up on Jon Taplin for all the context you need. The guy is an absolute heavyweight. For Levon to dismissively refer to him as an employee who didn't show enough respect when Levon wouldn't get out of bed is bad enough. Context? Taplin worked for Grossman. You think that didn't color Levon's memory? He was Judy Collins road manager and helped produce the Woody Guthrie Carnegie Hall tribute. He helped George Harrison produce The Concert for Bangladesh. He left Woodstock and went to LA where he had the vision and the balls to produce Mean Streets. Yeah, you really don't want this guy handling the ammo. Right. Taplin went on to have a stellar career in any number of fields.

btw, the musician who made everyone wait for the bus to leave lost a little bit of respect every time he or she pulled that trick. Like I should haul my ass out of bed and make departure time but have to wait for someone who didn't have the common courtesy to respect everyone's time and effort.


Entered at Mon Jul 27 18:31:59 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp130-04-65-93-102-222.dsl.bell.ca (65.93.102.222)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

And photos from the real photographer. The one who met at least three women from this site alone.......CRABGRASS.
:-D

Blues Cruise in NYC "A Tribute To Howlin' Wolf" - August 23, 2002

Photos copyright © by "Crabgrass" 2002

Hey, what more could one wish for? A beautiful breezy moonlit Friday evening in NYC, a double-decked cruise boat brimming with enthusiastic blues fans, and a dream blues band line-up featuring the spritely and ageless Hubert Sumlin, Levon Helm, Jimmy Vivino, and Mike Merritt, with David Johansen on vocals ripping full-force through 90 minutes worth of immortal Howlin' Wolf tunes while traversing the waterways of Manhattan Island past the Statue of Liberty. Hubert's guitar cut through the night air like a finely sharpened blade. One of the most unique funky venues and best up-close concerts I've ever seen. This was truly a great one which I'll remember fondly for a long time to come!! --Crabgrass


Entered at Mon Jul 27 18:27:37 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp130-04-65-93-102-222.dsl.bell.ca (65.93.102.222)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link


Entered at Mon Jul 27 17:45:10 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp130-04-65-93-102-222.dsl.bell.ca (65.93.102.222)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

Anthony Esposito
August 9, 2019
"Scorsese did it because he’s bored with his career as a serious, revered movie director. The idea was presented to him the way a bare-bones script is handed to a director looking for something to do outside his usual brand. I’m sure Kubrick thought Eyes Wide Shut was a can’t miss project. It was not. Then he died. Scorsese got sucked into the trumpian Zeitgeist that everything’s great as long as the lie serves the project better than the truth. Scorsese blew it. He ain’t no good fella no more."

Why Did Martin Scorsese Prank His Audience in ‘Rolling Thunder Revue’? Even He May Not Know

When I saw this Doc I just went with the flow. Sometimes I rolled my eyes but I still have such amazing memories of two of these shows in Toronto and Niagara Falls, New York that I went along for the ride. Years later JT would share his copies of the Band with Dylan at Maple Leaf Gardens...some I found at other used music stores, maybe in NYC? Others many of my brothers here supplied me with anything Dylan related. By Owen Gleiberman

K.EVIN...I forgot to say that I was exposed to Ben Webster while staying at V's loft in the west end on weekends. He told me to tell you that you can find many DVD's at our fave store BMV...three locations; closest one to you at Eglinton but you knew that didn't you? There was also another used music store in same area or was it at Davisville? I was looking for a hard to find Garland Jeffreys CD and started talking.....and voila! The guy who worked in the store or the owner said he'd make me a copy and then I returned the favour. I haven't bought many books at full or on sale prices anymore when I can buy copies at mint condition in these stores. We sell our books here as well. You receive a third of what they'd sell it for. I'm the downsizer.....Btw, I used to be south of you at Bayview/York Mills to see someone who lives there. He's a huge Van fan as well. He's a physician from Ireland who had his own meltdown and after the therapeutic process became a therapist himself. So for anyone who needs counselling during these Pandemic times or anytime; you can see a therapist covered by our health care system if they are a former physician....I saw him via V when my Ma passed....O.H.I.P covered the cost. Perhaps if Levon lived in a country where you don't go broke when you contract cancer and have a national health care system thanks to my party the NDP.......Levon would not have gone broke!


Entered at Mon Jul 27 17:42:32 CEST 2020 from (2601:8d:8600:7610:29e1:f5ea:88f4:a054)

Posted by:

Ben

Location: New Jersey

brown eyed girl, I'm a NY DOlls/David Johnansen fan. Not so much of Buster Poindexter. I did forget about the Johansen live album recorded at the Bottom Line. He was a very good live performer. I recall that he did a strong version of some old Animals and Motown songs. There was a good documemtary of late NY Doll bassist Arthur Kane made several years ago. It showed him working as a file clerk in some Western city, maybe Salt Lake City, and living a very anonymous, working class existence. Towards the end of the movie he is involved in a NY Dolls reunion that was spearheaded by Morrissey and then he died a short time later. It was a very sad story.

Regarding 'Take No Prisoners', well it was a stand up comedy album with a few snippets of music. Lou was an extremely abrasive, self destructive person and you hear that in full display on this album. That doesn't take away from his genius, but this album is a real mixed bag.


Entered at Mon Jul 27 17:29:08 CEST 2020 from (2601:8d:8600:7610:29e1:f5ea:88f4:a054)

Posted by:

Ben

Location: New Jersey

I've long felt that Levon and Rick presented themselves as working class or at best middle class musicians. Now, that may have just been their shtick in public, but that's the read I've always had on their personas.

Regarding Taplin's case study of Levon's finances, well it seems pretty valid. However, I think Taplin is guilty of embellishing his relationship with Levon. It seems very doubtful that Levon ever considered Taplin a friend based on his commentary in TWOF.


Entered at Mon Jul 27 16:30:11 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp130-04-65-93-102-222.dsl.bell.ca (65.93.102.222)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

BEN...and bourgeois value of working hard???!!!! No one works harder than the working poor who work sometimes more than one job as minimum wage does not go too far now does it? Especially in cities like my own. Also, as Robbie has said many times he wasn't an angel......but like Mick Jagger they are both control freaks who could have fun and dabble with many drugs but in the end stayed away from the hard stuff and knew when to say goodbye....For Robbie coked out for two years with his live in companion Marty. As he's stated he didn't know anyone who didn't do drugs.

DUNC...The Bottome Line in NYC was the very first club I went in solo as my friend due to dementia completely forgot that I bought tickets for us. I have no idea why I didn't ask my other NYC friends at the time. I was probably ticked off with Crab for some reason. lol and I hadn't met his friend from the Bronx yet. So I was refunded the one ticket and I went on my own to see a tribute to The Band with Buddy Cage and Garth Hudson. Yes....I was motivated.....Where was Jon L? I most likely hadn't met him at this time also. Anyway, the Club was great as the stage was surrounded by tables in rows at the front. I just joined a table and had such a fun time. Another time I saw Garland Jeffreys with Crab's music industry friend. This time the set up was different as Garland performs very close to his audience. The third time I was at this Club, I saw Buddy and Julie Miller with the Crabster where Chip Taylor was the MC? I hope I'm remembering this right as it was so many years ago. I always stayed with my friend who was a former prof at NYU and therapist. The last time I was there I stayed at a Guest House on the same street.....It was such a bittersweet time. Oh I just remembered another time at the Bottom Line. I was there at the very end when the Club was having a fundraiser as it was about to close. David Johansen sat right at a table in front of me for a memorable moment before he was later to perform......Staten Island's finest entertainer.....and I saw him perform close up and personal on the Blues Cruise with Crab....We were such good friends. I wish he lived here and then when V isn't interested.....or all three of us like Mr.Maximus and his partner.....I remember him from the Dolls to.....He was on the bill as well as our own Jane Siberry..... not sure if anyone else. I loved being at the Bottom Line where Louuu performed Take No Prisoners......Come on Ben......He's a funny loveable guy. You have to look past his armour. We all have one now don't we?

You don't have to justify
Anything you say or do
And you don't have to testify
Anything I hold as true
And you don't have to mystify me
Oh but, darlin' you do
And if, you won't be here anymore
Then I won't be around at all


Entered at Mon Jul 27 15:50:58 CEST 2020 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Posted by:

Peter V

Taplin's argument is fine with me. The Band lost their income because Napster, YouTube, Spotify just upped and stole their work. We're living in a world where an artist can get seven million streams and end up with a couple of thousand dollars if they're very lucky. It's not a living. I won't link to Spotify in reviews on my site … I know Toppermost does.

Same thing happened to us. One day ELT / ESL video is a living, and we're selling lots of DVDs. A year later it's entirely gone because people just steal your work. Russian sites put it up for free. You can issue a "take down" notice to YouTube. it takes them three weeks to comply. The next day another copy of your work goes up from a different Russian address. Taplin's right- the people who stole Levon's livlihood aren't the suits and lawyers he thought … but spotty nerds on the internet.


Entered at Mon Jul 27 15:43:20 CEST 2020 from 178.80-203-82.nextgentel.com (80.203.82.178)

Posted by:

Dag B.

Subject: Rolling Thunder Revue

Rod, Rick Danko appeared twice on the Rolling Thunder Revue:

Civic Center Arena, Hartford, Connecticut, November 24, 1975, He did "What A Town" and "It Makes No Difference."

and

Night Of The Hurricane II, Houston Astrodome, Houston, Texas, January 25, 1976, he's not on the incomplete tape of that show but there's a recording of the Los Angeles rehearsals from January 23 where he does "Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever" and "It Makes No Difference."


Entered at Mon Jul 27 15:32:43 CEST 2020 from (2601:8d:8600:7610:29e1:f5ea:88f4:a054)

Posted by:

Ben

Location: New Jersey

brown eyed girl, that's an interesting review of Taplin's book. However, the author of it, David Runciman exhibts little understanding of the Band. I think that Taplin's description of them (with the exception Of Robbie) as middle class musicians in the years after the last waltz is pretty accurate. It seems that Taplin's book deals with much bigger issue of modern day digital capitalism and he's using Levon in particular as an example of a loser in the current system.


Entered at Mon Jul 27 14:52:18 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp130-04-65-93-102-222.dsl.bell.ca (65.93.102.222)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

Good Morning haso. Marcus Smart, huh? He's a competitor alright. I always watch Kemba Walker.....and now he's a Celtic so the East will be even more.....Now that Kevin J has returned....for now.....I may skip baseball only. I did see one game in the original Bronx area one summer with a friend who knows some of our Canadian comedians 'cause they went to the same school in Hamilton. She also saw one of the Toronto Maple Leafs coaches...Pat Quinn...She said all the teenage girls were drawn to him....Oooohhh la, la....At this baseball game Daryl Strawberry was on the Yankees team. I was trying to take some photos with my telephoto lens and this yahoo was blocking my view. Now do you think I said anything to him? Let's just say his buddy told him off as well. lol Don't get in the way with me and my sports and music! ;-D

Move Fast and Break Things by Jonathan Taplin review – the damage done by Silicon Valley "Taplin’s starting point is the music of Levon Helm and the Band, but the fight against the spoiled brats of Google, Amazon and Facebook is much bigger

Taplin’s reply, which he reprints here in all its eviscerating glory, points out that this plan won’t work because in the meantime Helm has died. Moreover, he tells Ohanian, “It wasn’t the music industry that created Levon’s plight; it was people like you.” He concludes: “You are so clueless as to offer to get the Band back together for a charity concert, unaware that three of the five members are dead. Take your charity and shove it. Just let us get paid for our work and stop deciding that you can unilaterally make it free.” Ohanian, unsurprisingly, did not respond.

But before the digital revolution turned them into victims, the Band were the fortunate beneficiaries of an earlier age of cultural production, as will be true of any group of artists who make it. The music industry of that time – dominated by earnest and slightly pretentious white men, some of whom (like the superstar reviewers at Rolling Stone) had an effective monopoly on their audiences – suited what they had to offer. It also suited Taplin, a Princeton-educated lawyer who happened to find himself in the right place at the right time. He clearly had a hell of a ride. But it’s hard to feel all that sorry for lucky people when their luck runs out.

Of course, Serial and S-Town have their critics, but so does the music Taplin loves: I know people who would rather eat stinging nettles than sit through the whole of The Last Waltz.

Taplin couches his argument in terms of Chris Anderson’s The Long Tail, which sees vastly outsized rewards going to a few dominant players at the top of the market, and the rest distributed in tiny amounts to the millions of self-starters who can now find whatever audience is out there via YouTube and online retailers. The people who get crushed are those in the middle. Weirdly, though, Taplin identifies the Band not merely as part of the squeezed middle but as “middle-class musicians”. This is ironic because one of Helms’s problems was that he was too busy leading a life of hedonistic excess to have time to write the songs. The only member of the group who conformed to the bourgeois value of hard work was Robbie Robertson, whom Taplin describes as getting up to put in a songwriting shift each morning while his bandmates were sleeping off their hangovers. As a result, Robertson was still making money from royalties – even in the age of Spotify – while the rest of the Band lost out."


Entered at Mon Jul 27 13:32:33 CEST 2020 from (2601:8d:8600:7610:29e1:f5ea:88f4:a054)

Posted by:

Ben

Location: New Jersey

Subject: Levon and Taplin

The transcribed incident in Levon's book certainly doesn't cast Levon in a positive light from our vantage point in 2020. But, it's impossible to know the context of the quote without seeing the full transcript. In other words, I seriously doubt that Levon gave much if any thought to Taplin when he was working on this book in the early 90's with Davis. So, I would really like to know the question that Davis asked Levon that provoked the response transcribed in the book.


Entered at Mon Jul 27 10:21:02 CEST 2020 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Posted by:

Peter V

Subject: Jon Taplin

I always wondered why Levon thought this was something to boast about:

" I heard his tone of voice, which conveyed something less than the respect that I expected from the employees. "

Let alone the violence. When you travel with a band and eat with them daily, set up shows, often share accommodation, that attitude exists in only a very few musicians (or indeed actors on tour or film crews). In the UK, such individuals will soon be known widely by a short four letter word beginning with C which I won't type as it's much more offensive outside the UK. There are some, but not many.

I had the unenviable job of getting people up and on the transport. There is usually one who can't get up, but I'm surprised the rest of the band didn't rally to Jon Taplin's side, which was the more normal event when everyone knows it's a regular problem. In general, the rest of the group or company are pissed off at getting up, breakfasted, dressed, packed and out by the transport, then having to stand around for an hour waiting for the late arrival. Then what happens is the hour's break for food on the journey has to be skipped because everyone is now running late. As I say, If I were Taplin, I'd have quit on the spot, unless the other guys were prepared to back me up totally, by say dropping him in a cold bath. Which has been known to happen.


Entered at Mon Jul 27 09:48:53 CEST 2020 from (2407:7000:9b95:db00:6110:50af:646a:9cf6)

Posted by:

Rod

Dag, great project you've got going there. One thing I can add is that Rick performed Small Town Talk on the Rolling Thunder Review. I came across a recording somewhere on the net. Can't remember where sorry.


Entered at Mon Jul 27 04:59:22 CEST 2020 from (38.146.57.197)

Posted by:

haso

Location: seacoast NH

Subject: Taplin, Angie's sports

I'm w/ the awaiting Taplin bandwagon. He may be full of himself like many accomplished academics, yet still quite interesting. I always thought his comments on the bbc-doc about TNTDODD kind of right-on as he put it, for a Northern civil rights imbued college kid.

Anybody click on Pat B's link w/ the pre-order button? Is that direct to his publisher or just another road into the Amazon? Yeah, I should have stopped tonight when I saw one of their "Prime" drivers on a dirt road by a lake circa 8:00 p.m. Probably somewhat, or a lot lost, and he being a Black gentleman, here in lilly-white semi-rural New Hampshire, we shoulda been more forgiving of the Monster he delivers for. Or just to help any lost soul really.

Anyway, yet to read "Move fast and Break things", but when I do, happy to send it on to you, Angie. I'm sure it can't be any less disappointing than "Small Town Talk".

Photo on/proposed for the cover of "The Magic Years" as linked by Pat and by Jan... guessing that to be on The Festival Express.

Angie: now the sports are gonna be fast & furious. You might have to breakout the dvr to keep up. Around here, we haven't quite decided. Probably skip the Red Sox more or less and concentrate on Marcus Smart and the Celtics. You can file reports from TO and EDM on the skating crowd.


Entered at Mon Jul 27 04:22:41 CEST 2020 from toroon0812w-lp130-06-74-12-35-135.dsl.bell.ca (74.12.35.135)

Posted by:

Bill M

Thanks for the clarification, Ben and Pat B. The story reminds me - though the outcome was different - of reading in the John Kay (auto)biography, "Magic Carpet Ride" (with / by John Einarson), that in the '80s, when nothing was happening with the Steppenwolf catalogue, Kay decided he'd like to have more control over things so bought out the rights from his former colleagues, though not probably not drummer Jerry Edmonton. Which meant that he (and Jerry?) made a ton of money when CDs came along and people replaced their vinyl. I guess Napster killed that income stream for him too.

Kay also tells of owning the Steppenwolf name jointly with Jerry Edmonton (and now Jerry's estate, presumably); since Jerry didn't care to play, John would do the touring and recording and give Jerry a negotiated cut of everything. Seemed to make everybody happy, unlike other cases I'm aware of.

Coincidentally, I googled Einarson to check the spelling and found that he'd written "Forever Changes", an authorised biography of Arthur Lee. So maybe you Maria McKee fans will want to check it out so see what it says about Bryan MacLean.


Entered at Mon Jul 27 02:28:01 CEST 2020 from (2600:1702:4580:5e80:c08c:823d:eae0:2eef)

Posted by:

Pat B

I listened to a debate a number of years ago between Taplin and some modernists who thought royalties were outmoded. Taplin used the four members of the Band other than RR as making low six figures from album sales alone into the 90's when Napster destroyed that cash flow. He could probably explain the details better but I don't think it had anything to do with publishing and was more about owning the actual Band recordings.


Entered at Mon Jul 27 02:07:20 CEST 2020 from (2601:8d:8600:7610:29e1:f5ea:88f4:a054)

Posted by:

Ben

Location: New Jersey

Subject: Taplin

My recollection is that Taplin has said that Levon and the other members of the Band were earning at least 100 thousand a year in royalties from physical media sales until napster and other venues of illegal downloading proliferated and the sales of physical media dried up.


Entered at Mon Jul 27 01:56:00 CEST 2020 from toroon0812w-lp130-06-74-12-35-135.dsl.bell.ca (74.12.35.135)

Posted by:

Bill M

"Clear the Track" was c-written by "hockey Night in Canada's colour commentator from the '60s and early '70s, Brian McFarlane. McFarlane also wrote some boys books, but not nearly as many as his father, Leslie, who wrote most of the Hardy Boys books as Franklin W Dixon and most of the Nancy Drew books as Carolyn Keene.

Douglas Rankine and the Secrets, from central Scarborough, went on to records lotsa stuff as houseband with the Arc and Yorkville labels in the '60s. Two 45 as the secrets and at least three anonymous tribute LPs (Monkees, Soul, British Invasion), and then they changed their name to Quiet Jungle and did another couple 45s and an album. Their "Ship Of Dreams" did well on the local charts and is now considered a psych classic by collectors in Europe and Japan. An early production by the label's in-house rock producer Brian Ahern, who also recorded Ronnie Hawkins and David Clayton Thomas for the label.


Entered at Mon Jul 27 01:37:01 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp130-04-65-93-102-222.dsl.bell.ca (65.93.102.222)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

We can stretch our minds with Taplin and we can stretch our hearts with Eddie....

For THE KEVIN J because you have both gifts as you can entertain us and make us think....dang.......make us reflect.......dang again....

Shhhh....I did have Dave Keon's poster up on the wall when I was....never mind too much info. ;-D

Clear the Track Here Comes Shack / Warming the Bench - 7"
RCA Canada International - 1966
Douglas Rankine with the Secrets


Entered at Mon Jul 27 01:36:05 CEST 2020 from s0106a84e3f63c293.vf.shawcable.net (96.48.242.117)

Posted by:

Lisa

That seems to suggest that because of lack of money Levon didn't get the treatment he needed, or as much as he needed at any rate. Does anybody know if this is true?


Entered at Mon Jul 27 01:31:17 CEST 2020 from toroon0812w-lp130-06-74-12-35-135.dsl.bell.ca (74.12.35.135)

Posted by:

Bill M

I met Jon Taplin 10 or twelve years ago when he spoke at a conference in Ottawa. Naturally I led with the Band, and we exchanged a couple mails after that. I have no doubt that he'll deliver. Interesting about Napster killing Levon's income. Would that be the income that he could have sold to Robbie a few years earlier (as the others did)?


Entered at Mon Jul 27 01:17:36 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp130-04-65-93-102-222.dsl.bell.ca (65.93.102.222)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

Critical Review of Taplin's Move Fast and Break Things

CREATIVE & INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Content uploaded by Skye Radcliffe Grayson

"Taplin discusses creative and intellectual property in relation to free speech and freedom of information. To Taplin, creative and intellectual property is wrongfully pirated under the excuse of free speech and freedom of information. He devotes a chapter to his friend Levon Helm of The Band, whose finances were effectively drained by the digitization of the music industry. Taplin explains that Helm’s inability to pay for medical bills and resulting death resulted from such losses. Taplin concludes that if Helm’s creative property had not been cheapened and/or stolen by internet industries like Napster (under the excuse of free speech and free information), Helm and his family might’ve had a different fate. ("Here is the human cost of the Internet revolution." [41])

Taplin’s largest and most overarching conceptual stumble is in his definition of happiness. He seems to espouse an Epicurean or Marxian happiness in which one may fulfill his/her species-being by creating products free of the pressure to ‘sell.’ Yet when faced with a future in which the prospect of creativity is not met with ‘proper’ monetary pay, he is furious. He is at once supportive and at odds with a reality in which production is monetarily dis-incentivized. So while furious at capitalism’s outcome, he exhibits capitalistic desires—i.e. independence from large and centralized control, and desire to livelihood facilitated by wage. Taplin covers quite a lot, and gives the reader quite a lot to think about. But his approach is clouded and haphazard. Regardless, his experience and passion is admirable."


Entered at Mon Jul 27 00:35:46 CEST 2020 from (2600:1702:4580:5e80:c08c:823d:eae0:2eef)

Posted by:

Pat B

I wonder if Levon realized what a bad light he cast with that story.


Entered at Mon Jul 27 00:22:54 CEST 2020 from s0106a84e3f63c293.vf.shawcable.net (96.48.242.117)

Posted by:

Lisa

From Across The Great Divide:

Jonathan Taplin: "Levon had some serious problems with downers, and he was very hard to wake up in the morning."

From This Wheel's On Fire:

Levon: "I was definitely burning with a short fuse. An example: we had this road manager, Jonathan Taplin. He was OK, but you wouldn't want to send him for the ammunition. Early in this process he came to my motel room and started to exercise his authority to get me out of bed. But I was on him like a mad dog as soon as I heard his tone of voice, which conveyed something less than the respect that I expected from the employees. I picked him up until his legs were off the ground and kicking, walked him backward, and heard myself saying, "Jon, I'm gonna bite your damn nose off. I'll kill you is you ever talk to me like that again. Do you understand me?" Of course, I didn't mean anything by it, but I noticed he steered clear of me after that.

Hardly surprising!


Entered at Sun Jul 26 22:45:55 CEST 2020 from (2600:387:4:802::23)

Posted by:

JQ

Subject: J Taplin

Didn’t Levon take a swing at him in his book? Something like: Don’t send him for the ammo?


Entered at Sun Jul 26 21:44:29 CEST 2020 from cm-84.209.61.212.getinternet.no (84.209.61.212)

Posted by:

jh

Web: My link

Subject: The Magic Years

Jonathan Taplin’s memoirs, subtitled "Scenes from a Rock-and-Roll Life", due for release in March ‘21. Endorsed by JRR. Taplin was there, inside the inner circle, from their rise to the end of the OQ. He is also a media professor and a skilled author. Fingers crossed...


Entered at Sun Jul 26 21:01:32 CEST 2020 from (2601:8d:8600:7610:29e1:f5ea:88f4:a054)

Posted by:

Ben

Location: New Jersey

Jon, I believe the Bottom Line show I saw was in 95, but I'm not positive. In terms of sidemen, I would rate Blondie Chaplin much higher than Sredni. One of the live Danko CD's released in the UK 'Rick Danko and Friends Live at The Iron Horse' features a show from this era with Blondie doing a great version of 'Can't find my way home'. Blondie is a very talented guy.

That's great that Danko came up to your table after the show. I've read so many stories about him being very approachable and easygoing. He seemed like a genuinely down to earth and nice guy.


Entered at Sun Jul 26 20:49:30 CEST 2020 from (2601:8d:8600:7610:29e1:f5ea:88f4:a054)

Posted by:

Ben

Location: New Jersey

Subject: The Bottom Line

You're welcome, Dunc. The capacity at the Bottom line was 400 according to wikipedia. I was only there the one time for the Danko show, but it was not a big place. However, venue size is relative. The smallest club I've seen a show in was Club Passim in Harvard Square in Cambridge, MA. I was fortunate enough to see Eric Andersen there in 1989 when he had just released his great comeback album 'Ghosts Upon the Road'. I recall Passim as being much smaller than the Bottom Line and probably couldn't have held more than 100-150 people.


Entered at Sun Jul 26 20:44:05 CEST 2020 from (24.114.75.92)

Posted by:

Kevin J

Subject: “Clear The Track, Here Comes Shack”

Thank you, BEG and for the “I Was Only Joking” as well....fond memories !

Very saddened to just learn that one of the NHL’s most entertaining characters ever Eddie Shack has died. Funny story.......back in the day when he was breaking into the league - rumours were making the rounds that he was illiterate ( which was true ) and the story made headlines in the Montreal newspapers. Anyway, the Montreal Canadien players were teasing him about it from the bench.......1/2 way through the first period, Shack gets a clear breakaway, skates in dekes out the goalie and scores. He then skates back to the Montreal bench - stops - and screams “goal and it’s spelled G O A L”

....and nice to see Mary back. Attendance in the GB is a bit like a RUSH concert - 95% male ! The renegade little pink years were more balanced with Deb and Julie and Carol and BEG and so on........funny, I remember back in high school days when certain concerts were bring a date, some were definitely all male and some the girls took the lead.


Entered at Sun Jul 26 20:42:28 CEST 2020 from (2604:2000:1200:907f:6186:3063:7c3c:1806)

Posted by:

Jon Lyness

Location: NYC

Subject: Re: The Bottom Line

Ben, once again we were leading parallel lives. I saw Rick there in October 1996, with Blondie Chaplin accompanying him. Your anecdote reminds me that during the opening act, I noticed Rick sneaking out from the backstage area to the bar to grab a drink, with a playful look on his face. ;) The show was poorly attended even for a random club show (there had been heavy storms and flash floods all that day, which likely didn't help), but I just loved it.

I would not have had the courage to approach Rick in person either, but when the show was over he surprisingly came out and sat right down at one of the tables with a few of us and started chatting about recent projects. Somewhere I have a photo of the group of us. I also fondly remember an excited Japanese fan named Toshiro sitting next to me the whole evening who had an amazingly deep knowledge of the Band and couldn't believe he was interacting with one of the members; we hung out for a month or two afterwards, then lost touch. Hope he's out there still listening.


Entered at Sun Jul 26 20:23:45 CEST 2020 from (2a00:23c8:b89:ac01:b47b:9bfe:e4ca:d87c)

Posted by:

Dunc

Location: Scotland

Subject: Thanks, Ben

Very interesting, Ben. How many people would be at a full concert?

I read that people, who were interested in the artist, sat at the front, but that if the show wasn’t going well, then the audience would lose interest, the bar was a hindrance, talking would break out, and it could be a difficult place to play.

There is agreement among many people in the UK that the artist I was writing about, Lesley Duncan, should have been much more successful, but suffered from dreadful stage fright. Seemingly, the record company took her to the Bottom Line with a great band to generate interest in her music in the US, and the review described how well she worked the audience with everybody listening.

Also, her fourth album received a lot of plays on a Boston radio station and she seemingly has a small following there. But everybody is getting older...

If you have any British music, Ben, Lesley might be on it as a session singer.

Thank you, Ben


Entered at Sun Jul 26 19:50:38 CEST 2020 from (2601:8d:8600:7610:29e1:f5ea:88f4:a054)

Posted by:

Ben

Location: NJ

Subject: Laura Nyro

JQ, Absolutely. Laura Nyro was a brilliant artist. I believe that she struggled with sever stage fright and rarely performed. I think she gets lost in the shuffle when discussing the great songwriters of the late 60's to early 70's. And as a female songwriter, in particular she is unfairly overshadowed by Joni Mitchell and to an extent by Patti Smith.


Entered at Sun Jul 26 19:28:16 CEST 2020 from (2600:387:4:802::23)

Posted by:

JQ

Subject: The GREAT Laura Nyro

Ben - You're spot on with that adjective!


Entered at Sun Jul 26 19:24:13 CEST 2020 from (2601:8d:8600:7610:29e1:f5ea:88f4:a054)

Posted by:

Ben

Location: NJ

Subject: The Bottom Line

Dunc, I have Bottom Line anecdotes for you. The first one was seeing Rick there in the mid 90's. I happened to be in NYC on a Saturday night and saw an ad Village Voice that Danko was playing at the Bottom Line. So, we went down there and saw him the early show. It was a great show. I believe that Shredni was playing with Rick at the time. The Bottom Line was a pretty small place and I saw Danko by himself at the bar before his set began. I could have easily gone up to him and told him how much his music had meant to me, but I didn't. I've always regretted not taking that opportunity.

My second Bottom Line story involves the short lived label Bottom Line Records. I was working in the music department of a Borders Bookstore in the mid 90's when I found out that the fledgling label Bottom Line records was looking to hire a label Rep. I applied for the job and got an interview, with a couple of hipsters who were running the label. The interview didn't go too well as I apparently wasn't hip enough for the job. It probably was for the best as napster was on the horizon and physical media sales were about to plummet.

The Bottom Line label really didn't do very much with recordings from the club. There big releases were by Harry Chapin and Janis Ian, I recall. There have been other live albums recorded at the club, most infamously Lou Reed's standup comedy album 'Take No prisoners' and the great Laura Nyro released a live album recorded there near the end of her life.


Entered at Sun Jul 26 18:47:41 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp130-04-65-93-102-222.dsl.bell.ca (65.93.102.222)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

For all the women who ever loved our very own KEVIN J!!
And yes I know what it's like to look at food and even my favourite food and say....No thank you. Next....
Just sayin'.

I did have a back up plan. I was going to watch every Raps, Jays, Leafs games.....Vera and Amy once again ast night....Just sayin'......


Entered at Sun Jul 26 18:18:42 CEST 2020 from (24.114.75.92)

Posted by:

Kevin J

BEG....there was a time when Kevin J’s absence from a women’s life warranted not just a strike but a hunger strike - just sayin’

Watched the Bill Evans documentary last night. “Time Remembered”. I have gotten so used to purchasing music related docs for high prices over the years but this one was only $17.99 and arrived within a week of the order. Superb all around and highly recommended.


Entered at Sun Jul 26 18:00:17 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp130-04-65-93-102-222.dsl.bell.ca (65.93.102.222)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

Well, I'm crossing the picket line for Mary, Calm and Peter Green.

Helloooo Mary! It's been a long time. Critter emailed me the news about Calm. He asked for everyone's emails but I lost a lot of emails from this site. She's one of two people I met here who actually were n my home as well as all the hours we blah, blah, blahed on the phone....and we checked out many sites in TO with Critter and the grandkids. I never met her daughters. I also met two other Canadian posters who are no longer with us....JT and Blind Willie McTell. She was very selective who she met. I met a lot of people. You find out quickly just because you are The Band fans, it doesn't mean that you'll have enough of other interests to actually have a friendship....so I mostly met male posters only because the female group in here was small and now it's just Lisa and I.

Anyway, in her obituary....The only things I'll share....Wow.....So many other things she never told me. She was not only a very generous person with her time and understanding....and all the gifts music related and not that were sent my way....but she was very humble in relation to her own achievements in life. Thanks to the Chat Room for us meeting and developing a friendship. Critter has to give permission for anything more to share. We have been in touch so maybe, maybe not.....She always talked about you fondly and never any drama Mary!

"She attended R.H. King Collegiate school in Toronto, where she was involved in track and field and achieved a scholastic high jump record.

She was an avid music lover and a collector of The Band music and memorabilia, having a friendship with one of the members."

"Black Magic Woman" is a song written by British musician Peter Green, which first appeared as a Fleetwood Mac single in various countries in 1968, subsequently appearing on the 1969 Fleetwood Mac compilation albums English Rose (US) and The Pious Bird of Good Omen (UK), as well as Vintage Years."


Entered at Sun Jul 26 16:30:47 CEST 2020 from c188-148-106-62.bredband.comhem.se (188.148.106.62)

Posted by:

NorthWestCoaster

Location: Greater Copenhagen. Probably.

Subject: Peter Green

Good reading on a sad day: Fleetwood Mac on Toppermost (Peter V is one of the writers).


Entered at Sun Jul 26 15:59:11 CEST 2020 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Posted by:

Peter V

Subject: Dominic Cummings

I thought you were joking! I searched and this is what he posted:

Very impressive sight, but.. I cant get the AU files to play. Ive got Win95 and plenty of system resources. How do I get my media players to operate. I can use wav. and midi files, but not, for some reason, .au files. please help

So basically he was trying to get free files. And he was also using Windows. Which was and is crap. And he's supposed to be a tech wizard. Obviously always been incompetent. Confirms my opinions.


Entered at Sun Jul 26 14:33:00 CEST 2020 from (2a00:23c8:b89:ac01:b47b:9bfe:e4ca:d87c)

Posted by:

Dunc

Location: Scotland

Subject: Dominic Cummings

Maybe people know this, but I didn’t know this. I was skimming through the archives for texts related to The Bottom Line because a British singer songwriter, Lesley Duncan, received a very good review for a concert there, and I was doing a Toppermost on her. I wanted to get a feel for The Bottom Line as a venue.

I came across two posts by Dominic Cummings from Durham in August 1997. Dominic Cummings is Boris Johnston’s main adviser. So perhaps when he was flaunting Lock Down rules, Music From Big Pink was on the car stereo.


Entered at Sun Jul 26 10:15:05 CEST 2020 from (2407:7000:9b95:db00:9d2b:9fa9:dfe9:e280)

Posted by:

Rod

Looking forward to Taplin's book. I may well lay a lot of the old arguments to rest.


Entered at Sun Jul 26 01:16:38 CEST 2020 from s0106a84e3f63c293.vf.shawcable.net (96.48.242.117)

Posted by:

Lisa

Hi Mary! You have a whole bit in the archives that I remember reading especially - something about a show that you and some other GBers all went to with ... toy ducks or something? It was very funny - really brought out some hilarious posts. A lot of clever and funny writers in those archives.


Entered at Sat Jul 25 22:33:46 CEST 2020 from c-73-214-4-249.hsd1.pa.comcast.net (73.214.4.249)

Posted by:

Mary (bear)

Location: PA

Miss this place.....such great memories.


Entered at Sat Jul 25 22:27:54 CEST 2020 from s0106a84e3f63c293.vf.shawcable.net (96.48.242.117)

Posted by:

Lisa

That looks very promising. After Small Town Talk I thought that's it, no more books! But this sounds very tempting ...


Entered at Sat Jul 25 21:44:03 CEST 2020 from 108-88-109-12.lightspeed.cicril.sbcglobal.net (108.88.109.12)

Posted by:

Pat B

Web: My link

Jon Taplin memoir due in March of 2012.


Entered at Sat Jul 25 18:58:43 CEST 2020 from (2600:1702:4580:5e80:c11c:dea5:7ed1:f394)

Posted by:

Pat B

I understood that the Dead recorded their soundcheck and all three groups' performances on a multi-track. Too Wet To Work and Jam from LaWG are the products of that tape(s). Given the Dead's archiving rigor, those multi's are probably in good condition at their warehouse. The Dead however have scrupulously avoided letting their Saturday performance out as they (self-admittedly) sucked (which is saying something!). However, they have officially released material from their soundcheck.


Entered at Sat Jul 25 15:30:04 CEST 2020 from 178.80-203-82.nextgentel.com (80.203.82.178)

Posted by:

Dag B.

Web: My link

The Band's set at Watkins Glen, pretty good audience recording.


Entered at Sat Jul 25 15:03:24 CEST 2020 from (2601:8d:8600:7610:29e1:f5ea:88f4:a054)

Posted by:

Ben

Location: NJ

Subject: Watkins Glen

If anyone wants to hear what the Band sounded like in the summer of 1973, they should seek out the 'Roosevelt Stadium' bootleg recorded on 8/1/73, the second night of their run in the garden state. This was less than a week after WG, and was the Band's only other live shows between the Rock of Ages shows and Tour 74 w/Dylan. Both Roosevelt stadium shows have been booted, but the second show is far superior and is worthy of an official release.

Now getting back to the WG recordings. I wonder what condition the Band's set is in. I believe that either the Dead or Allman's set has been released. So, I would imagine that an acceptable copy of the Band's set exists.


Entered at Sat Jul 25 13:53:33 CEST 2020 from toroon0812w-lp130-06-74-12-35-135.dsl.bell.ca (74.12.35.135)

Posted by:

Bill M

Peter V: Good story - thanks for the smile. Given your location, could it be that the 'thunder' wasn't the sound of basses onstage but of turds slapping against the hull?


Entered at Sat Jul 25 13:07:16 CEST 2020 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Posted by:

Peter V

Subject: What?kins Glen

Most live albums (virtually all) have SOME post-production – crowd noises, overdubbing. Woodstock’s CSN tracks are a major case – some overdubbed, some were somewhere and some time else entirely. They rank with Watkins Glen though it probably takes the prize as it’s not even the same repertoire and at least one seems to be studio. But I also enjoyed it as a set of Band performances.

I missed Isle of Wight. We set out from Poole in my friend’s sailing dinghy thinking as it was calm we could get twenty miles in a three person boat. Our plan was to sit offshore and listen. At the point we became becalmed (right by a sewer outfall) we could hear the thump of bass like distant thunder. We gave up and drifted back.

The great festivals are the small ones. Dorset’s Larmer Tree Gardens are a wonderful setting. Only a few thousand. I’ve seen Van Morrison, Tom Jones, Jimmy Cliff among others there. Jimmy Cliff was the best by a mile.


Entered at Sat Jul 25 06:33:10 CEST 2020 from n1-43-42-15.mas2.nsw.optusnet.com.au (1.43.42.15)

Posted by:

Wallsend

I have only heard one boot of the Watkins Glen show and the quality was so bad it was hard to tell if it was a good show or not. I am sure Woodstock, Isle of Wight etc were great social events but I don't think those kind of venues would be actually good for listening to music.


Entered at Sat Jul 25 06:04:03 CEST 2020 from (38.242.7.246)

Posted by:

haso

Location: seacoast NH

Subject: WG & NYT

Always been curious about Watkins Glen; only heard tiny snippets in the past and look forward to reading Pat B's article that Peter links, although if it's in jh's library I'm sure I did, upon a time. Have held the opinion for at least 40 years that that was the concert I most would have wanted to be at. For me at that time, and going on 10 years after that, those 3 bands were IT, as far as I was I concerned. No offense intended (to Heads), but if I wanted a nap it would likely have been during the Dead. That said, the whole thing escaped me then; washing dishes as a Summer job in mid-coast Maine, pretty out of touch. Although I do remember passing up a waitress who wanted me to hitchhike to Pittsburgh w/ her to see the Stones (unless that was the next Summer). Wasn't into Mick and Keef enough to do that, I guess.

5 years later I did get to be friends w/ a guy in Maine who restored Porsche 911's; he'd gone to that festival. He said you could have filled 3 trailer trucks full w/ all the high-end sleeping bags that got left behind.

Last Sunday's NY Times about Playing for Change (hello Norm and Angie): "Its joyous rendition of RR's 'The Weight,' featuring Ringo Starr and about a dozen other singers who were recorded and filmed across five continents, has become a YouTube phenomenon. But this nonprofit organization has a rich collection of world music, making it perhaps the only place these days where people from all over the globe get along."


Entered at Fri Jul 24 19:24:00 CEST 2020 from toroon0812w-lp130-06-74-12-35-135.dsl.bell.ca (74.12.35.135)

Posted by:

Bill M

Subject: the Nick

That's Prakash JOHN, not Singh. Prakash was born in Bombay, which is far from the Punjab and has a substantial Christian population, the John clan among them.

That photo would have been, I believe, from '70 or '71, when DCT made a cameo appearance in a feature magazine article on Ronnie Hawkins. Although this photo wasn't used, there was one of DCT onstage wearing, I think, the same shirt. If so, the unseen keyboard player would have been David Foster, and the drummer in the photo would have been Brian Hilton. Hilton stayed in the Hawks for awhile after Foster left, so was in the lineup that included Terry Danko that left Hawkins to go on their own as Bearfoot.


Entered at Fri Jul 24 18:25:37 CEST 2020 from (2600:1702:4580:5e80:79d3:d193:2e2f:2cec)

Posted by:

Pat B

John Lyness, no heresy because it's basically outtakes from ROA and MM along with a few minutes of Garth's CF intro and the second soundcheck/Jam. But this thing was a major Capitol release, complete with a custom CD print and a less than modest booklet. Then there was this malarkey: "drawn from the most complete available tape of the Band's Watkins Glen performance." Turns out it was a puppet show that had sat around for 20 years until someone said, "Let's make some money at the rubes' expense." Says it right on the label: "Produced by The Band".


Entered at Fri Jul 24 18:11:26 CEST 2020 from (2601:8d:8600:7610:29e1:f5ea:88f4:a054)

Posted by:

Ben

Location: NJ

Subject: Watkins Glen CD

Very interesting finding on the 'Is everybody wet' Watkins Glen material. Several of the songs did appear on the 'Across the Great Divide' box set released in 1994, so I wonder if the appearance of the material on that set spurred Capitol to release the entire album shortly thereafter.


Entered at Fri Jul 24 18:03:16 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp130-04-65-93-102-222.dsl.bell.ca (65.93.102.222)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

Just one more and then I'm officially on strike.

"How much would you put up with to see THE BAND, Allman Brothers Band, and Grateful Dead? Robbie Robertson recounts the "disastrous" conditions at 1973's Summer Jam at Watkins Glen."

"The Band's set lost much of its impact after the storm's interruption. Many people returned to the campsites to cook up some supper and put on dry clothes. Others began the journey back home. But the Band played on - free-flowing, countrified rock with traditional foundations. The instrumentation was defined and exact; the delivery, sharp and authoritative. The Band represented the antithesis of slickness in the summer of '73. None of their music was souped up or hammered out via record-company formulas. Robbie Robertson, Garth Hudson, Levon Helm, Rick Danko and Richard Manuel offered to rock what the poppish, syrupy bands could not: unadulterated, unpatterned, unmistakable music.' (Excerpted from 'Aquarius Rising: The Concert Festival Years' by Robert Santelli, New York: Delta Books, 1980)."

Have a good weekend everyone. MARIA McKEE and I shall return.

Do not relax on Covid-19. Stay Healthy. Stay Strong.


Entered at Fri Jul 24 17:41:39 CEST 2020 from (2604:2000:1200:907f:197b:49c8:fc6b:abb6)

Posted by:

Jon Lyness

Location: NYC

Subject: Re: Watkins Glen

I know it's heresy here, but the Watkins Glen CD is still a fun listen even if compromised by the backstory. The crowd interactions (I know I know) and eclectic setlist give it a loose, summery vibe. Back to Memphis sizzles. It's been ages since I've played it but will pull it out tonight.


Entered at Fri Jul 24 16:28:10 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp130-04-65-93-102-222.dsl.bell.ca (65.93.102.222)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

Pat B... You give good voice. :-D

John D just flashed by......Is that Prakash Singh with Zappa and DCT as well??

Bill M....I walked by the Music Hall on the Danforth yesterday. Huge sign reading TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER SEE YOU SOON. It was here I saw Louuu Reed and Jim Carroll read their poetry. Am I a fortunate daughter or what?! Later I walked by the Hotel Isabella where I saw Paul James many times. Days gone by....

I just asked V if he ever saw The Hawks (not the original members of course) on Yonge Street and to my surprise...He said he saw them one weekend afternoon at The Nickelodeon. At first he thought it was at The Friar's Club. He was a student nearby as you were Bill M and myself. Although all three of us were there at different times. I transferred to the University of Toronto once I received my Diploma in Arts. So many fun and fond memories of taking classes with the Radio and Television students.

Would you believe I first lived at a Women's Temperance Union? I lasted two weeks not because we couldn't drink, but because even my own grandfather couldn't get past the front door! Then I met someone who told me that we should pack up and stay at a Nurse's Residence at TGH. Yup. They knew how to party and especially with the interns. Then I I was told about the Women's Co-Op and saw too many things for such an innocent girl from the Grand River.....My antennae would always be up moving forward....Kevin J likes to hear about my life.....I know very small life but it's mine.....V of course lived in the city so just had to take TTC. He lived around the corner from the Revue Cinema. As it turns out both of us saw matinee movies by ourselves as we're both loners but I can swing to being very social whereas he's more reserved. Kevin J suggested both of you get together for a beer? V likes the occasional beer or he wouldn't be in my orbit if you catch my drift.......but not Canadiana music so you'd have to talk about Ry High I guess. LOL

Ok Kevin J....you can come out now. I won't say another word about Justin's buddy Bill Morneau. Well, I'll try not to.....I am going on strike until you return.

I was only joking, my dear
Looking for a way to hide my fear
What kind of fool was I?
I could never win
Now you ask me if I'm sincere
That's the question that I always fear
Verse seven is never clear.

:-D


Entered at Fri Jul 24 15:31:32 CEST 2020 from toroon0812w-lp130-06-74-12-35-135.dsl.bell.ca (74.12.35.135)

Posted by:

Bill M

Even if it isn't, "Is everybody wet, yet" sounds like a line from "4% Pantomime". They don't perform that song on the mystery album do they?


Entered at Fri Jul 24 13:45:25 CEST 2020 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Posted by:

Peter V

Thanks, Dag. That would indicate it's the same one very strongly.


Entered at Fri Jul 24 13:05:08 CEST 2020 from ti0168a400-2009.bb.online.no (85.167.138.224)

Posted by:

Dag B.

Subject: Watkins Glen

If the timings on the "Is Everybody Wet?" acetate labels are correct, then the disc is just 22 seconds longer than the 1995 CD.


Entered at Fri Jul 24 12:06:02 CEST 2020 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Posted by:

Peter V

Do we know that "Is Everybody Wet?" was the same as the fake CD?


Entered at Fri Jul 24 10:00:44 CEST 2020 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Posted by:

Peter V

Web: My link

Subject: Watkins Glen

Link to Pat B's original article on Watkins Glen. I'll re-tell the tale. Virgin Records in Oxford Street. Upstairs over a shoe shop in the days when Sir Richard Branson sold bootlegs before starting a record label, airline and railway company. They had Watkins Glen, a double or triple with the Grateful Dead & Allman Brothers on a couple of tracks. I assume this was the Jam the day before. It was ultra expensive. While we were browsing we listened to virtually the whole of Hall & Oates Abandoned Luncheonette playing on the store's superb sound system.

In those days, we could not afford both.I gravitated to The Band, but Mrs V commented somewhat forcefully on the hours spent listening to the crackle and hiss of the low volume "Waters of Oblivion" (a Basement tapes bootleg) and to the crackle and slight distortion of "Royal Albert Hall" bootleg. We went home with Abadoned Luncheonette, and I must admit it was highly unlikely I'd have ever played the Watkins Glen boot anywhere near as often. It was, and still is, a great album. Even if Hall & Oates rival Santana for worst famous live act I've ever seen.

The existence of an attempted but abandoned record in 1973 (the fake which later became the CD) makes me wonder- that's how boots escape, but on balance I suspect the LPs I saw were the real concert, as they included the Jam.


Entered at Fri Jul 24 09:42:31 CEST 2020 from (2407:7000:9b95:db00:cd12:ea5a:50f4:8da9)

Posted by:

Rod

found it - maybe The Works would have been a more interesting project


Entered at Fri Jul 24 09:37:40 CEST 2020 from (2407:7000:9b95:db00:cd12:ea5a:50f4:8da9)

Posted by:

Rod

Where is that post by Dag about Watkins Glen? I did read some where quite recently that WG was put together at Shangri-La before The Basement Tapes was released.


Entered at Fri Jul 24 09:32:07 CEST 2020 from n1-43-42-15.mas2.nsw.optusnet.com.au (1.43.42.15)

Posted by:

Wallsend

From the Worthpoint website:

ACETATE! IS EVERYBODY WET? is listed as the title. The Band Live At Watkins Glen. NO RESERVE! See scans for label info, but it's dated "1/18/74" and, among other things, has typewritten labels with "Proof," "Wally," "SEQUENCE CHANGED," "SMAS-2-11265" and "SMAS-1-11265" on them. Side 1 of the vinyl has "2+ LK LIVE CONCERT" printed in what looks like a crayon on the lead-out. The vinyl has a few very minor surface marks. I have no idea of the track listings and I'm not going to play it to find out. I assume if you are a fan of The Band you are familiar with the released album and its tracks, but this MAY have different tracks and/or a different sequence. A truly RARE and unique item to add to your Band collection for, perhaps, not very much money, an item that doesn't appear too often (if ever!) on Ebay or anywhere else. The last acetate by The Band went for over $300.00 in an auction 18 months ago /The-Band-Music-From-The-Big-Pink-1968-UK-LP-ACETATE/270380738788.html . No collectors I know own a copy of this acetate, but you could. You won’t see it on Ebay again, and you know it, so bid accordingly.


Entered at Fri Jul 24 05:13:01 CEST 2020 from 108-88-109-12.lightspeed.cicril.sbcglobal.net (108.88.109.12)

Posted by:

Pat B

Well, Dag B has done some excellent investigative work which results in an interesting origin story. The ridiculous Live At Watkins Glen album that came out in 1994 was not an effort by Capitol and Wayne Watkins to clean up the Watkins Glen performance. Nope, it was an actual vinyl album that had been produced in 1973 and was scheduled to be released after Moondog Matinee. It was going to be titled "Is Everybody Wet?" Certainly that explains why the CD was only 44 minutes long. It still is terribly disheartening that the group would foist it on the public. I hope RR addresses this in Testimony Vol. 2. Well done, Dag B, as usual.


Entered at Thu Jul 23 21:51:08 CEST 2020 from (2607:fea8:2d20:dd5:d08e:f84e:d173:a6bc)

Posted by:

GregD

Subject: Rick D/Terry W

Bill M-thanks for the memories! Hadn't heard Let Go the Line in a long time. I saw Max Webster at a local high school before they had some taste of success (especially with the aforementioned single). Even back then it was evident who the main star in the group was, and Mr. Mitchell likely didn't appreciate that the song wasn't one of his. I believe that Mr. Watkinson is an artist of some particular talent and concentrated on that career after he was tossed from the group.


Entered at Thu Jul 23 18:38:07 CEST 2020 from toroon0812w-lp130-06-74-12-35-135.dsl.bell.ca (74.12.35.135)

Posted by:

Bill M

Web: My link

Subject: Dylan covers

BEG: Thanks for the link. Nice to see our guys on the list with "I Shall Be Released". I was taken with the Spirit cover of LARS, though their gentler studio version - at link - may be superior. Spirit's Randy California (who sings here) was in a NYC band with Jimi Hendrix - and also John Hammond Jr sometimes. As Hammond was chummy with both Dylan and the Hawks, I wonder who met whom back then. Despite all of this, no version of LARS that I've heard comes close to Rotary Connection's colonisation of the song.


Entered at Thu Jul 23 15:27:32 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp130-04-65-93-102-222.dsl.bell.ca (65.93.102.222)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

From David Bowie to Jimi Hendrix: The 20 greatest Bob Dylan covers of all time

Far Out Staff
July 21, 2020

For future reference.... ;-D = Just zooming....


Entered at Thu Jul 23 15:10:43 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp130-04-65-93-102-222.dsl.bell.ca (65.93.102.222)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

Austin Songwriter Shelley King Pays Tribute to Levon Helm, Imagines His ‘New Drum Set’
King remembers the Band drummer in a whimsical track on her latest album ‘Kick Up Your Heels’
STEPHEN L. BETTS
DECEMBER 26, 2019

How did the writing of “Levon’s New Drum Set” come about?

"On Saturday, I sat outside on the porch and tried to write lyrics. All day long, this storm was gathering over the mountains that you can see right there in Woodstock, Overlook Mountain. It was kind of threatening to rain all day. About the time that the Ramble would have started, had it happened, the storm just cut loose with amazing intensity. There were all of these percussive sounds in the storm. The electricity started going out and coming back on. Next to me on the porch there was a gutter and the water was shooting through the gutter, spraying out on a rock, coming down really heavy. It just hit me, what if this is the Ramble? All the sound I was hearing was so amazing, I thought, what if that’s Levon playing his new drum set?

Of all the songs on the album, though, “Heart of a Girl” probably has the most unique story behind it.

I wrote that about my parents. They re-met again at one of my gigs. They had been divorced since I was a baby and saw each other at one of my shows and started e-mailing each other and meeting up on weekends. Before I knew it, they were in love. Now, they’ve been remarried for 13 years. It’s pretty amazing. My mom was always this kind of tough, independent “I don’t need anyone, I can do it myself” kind of woman.” Then, when I watched her fall in love with my dad again I saw this soft, innocent girl. It was completely beautiful."


Entered at Thu Jul 23 14:41:50 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp130-04-65-93-102-222.dsl.bell.ca (65.93.102.222)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

I just think the accordion turns the boyzzz on.


Entered at Thu Jul 23 03:44:08 CEST 2020 from (2604:2000:1200:907f:c56d:2cc1:a29b:71a1)

Posted by:

Jon Lyness

Location: NYC

Subject: Re: Evangeline

Oh boy, I needed that. Sheryl Crow on accordion! Lovely.


Entered at Thu Jul 23 01:23:44 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp130-04-65-93-102-222.dsl.bell.ca (65.93.102.222)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

Sheryl Crow, Levon Helm, Emmylou Harris - "Evangeline" (Live, 196)

Good Night to the music fans who are obsessive at times..... ;-D


Entered at Thu Jul 23 01:11:35 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp130-04-65-93-102-222.dsl.bell.ca (65.93.102.222)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

Levon Helm, Max Weinberg, Garry Tallent, the Delevantes perform "Rag Mama Rag" at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's 2nd Annual Music Masters honoring Jimmie Rodgers on Sunday, September 21, 1997 at Severance Hall in Cleveland, Ohio.


Entered at Wed Jul 22 23:57:42 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp130-04-65-93-102-222.dsl.bell.ca (65.93.102.222)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

"The Marley family has launched a reimagined version of Bob Marley’s ‘One Love’ in support of UNICEF’s work with children affected by Covid-19."


Entered at Wed Jul 22 23:53:45 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp130-04-65-93-102-222.dsl.bell.ca (65.93.102.222)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

Garth Hudson, “Garth Largo” from Largo (1998): Across the Great Divide


Entered at Wed Jul 22 22:16:05 CEST 2020 from toroon0812w-lp130-06-74-12-35-135.dsl.bell.ca (74.12.35.135)

Posted by:

Bill M

Web: My link

Subject: Terry Watkinson

Greg D: Thanks for the post. Here's Terry Watkinson's vocal on the minor Max Webster hit "Let Go The Line" from the late '70s. Mostly very different - more a controlled mewl like Robbie lots of times - but at times you here his voice let go a bit, and it heads to Rick territory. He left the group shortly after, because rule number 1 in Max Webster seemed to be, "Steal a bit of the spotlight from Kim Mitchell and you're out". No good deed goes unpunished, as some cynics say.


Entered at Wed Jul 22 21:45:52 CEST 2020 from (2604:2000:1200:907f:c56d:2cc1:a29b:71a1)

Posted by:

Jon Lyness

Location: NYC

A Google search of "concert 1998 the bottom line cyndi lauper" turns up a NY Times review of the concert I was thinking of. Sounds like every major Largo contributor was there save Levon.


Entered at Wed Jul 22 21:29:59 CEST 2020 from (2600:1702:4580:5e80:7dcf:612b:7505:4424)

Posted by:

Pat B

Yeah, that is the only Largo video I've ever seen, and I stumbled upon it during a Joan Osbourne obsession.

John D, Pat Brennan is my real name. Lenny Pincus is a radio name that stuck in some quarters.

That song is almost all Nux. Just happy to help.


Entered at Wed Jul 22 20:50:02 CEST 2020 from (2604:2000:1200:907f:c56d:2cc1:a29b:71a1)

Posted by:

Jon Lyness

Location: NYC

Subject: Largo

Love the clip so much. Largo is a real gem of an album. I remember there being a NYC concert around this time (late '98) with a slightly different lineup of the Largo musicians... if memory serves me well, and not sure it does, Cyndi Lauper and Garth were included but not Taj Mahal. Not sure if there were other scattered tour dates. I think I didn't yet have the album in hand and the ticket was pricey and I passed. Wish I'd gone!


Entered at Wed Jul 22 18:54:39 CEST 2020 from c-73-101-50-23.hsd1.pa.comcast.net (73.101.50.23)

Posted by:

Kevin from NE PA

Subject: Largo - Thanks Pat for that link

When I started frequenting this site in the mid 90's I remember being overwhelmed with all of the great content, especially the Audio and Video.

I also appreciated the Band Members involvement on other projects/LPs for other artists. Largo is probably my favorite of these. While it was great to hear both Levon and Garth on this CD (just Garth on the link Pat posted) I was struck by how good this CD is while flying under the radar.

Again, thanks for that link Pat. I don't believe I have ever seen any Largo video before.


Entered at Wed Jul 22 17:21:10 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp130-04-65-93-102-222.dsl.bell.ca (65.93.102.222)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

MARIA McKEE’S ”La Vita Nuova” is a Lush Testament to the Power of Change
Jennifer Kelly
March 12, 2020

“It was a really interesting relationship because he was 18 years older than I was, and we had different fathers. He moved back home when I was eight. He slept on our couch off and on for the rest of his life. He was a constant presence in my life,” she says. When her parents divorced, her brother became the main male influence on her, in good ways and bad. “He had Bipolar 1 with psychotic tendencies. He was a drug addict, crack, heroin, you name it, so I basically became his caretaker, starting as a teenager and tried to keep him alive,” she says.

But on the other hand, MacLean opened up the world to her. “He turned me onto some of my favorite songwriters. He knew I was a singer when I thought I wanted to be an actress and to go to Juilliard and study theater. We used to sneak into art house movies theaters together to see films. He sat me down in front of the TV and made me watch some of the most influential films of my life and told me what to read,” she says.

McKee says that her home life was like a cross between Grey Gardens and the Big Lebowski, and that by the time she reached her late 20s, she had to get away. “I got sober right around that time, and I got into Al-Anon, so I could learn how to process the trauma around being my brother’s caretaker. And got into therapy, got onto medication, got married. Everything changed,” she said. “Then my brother died around that time.”

Now, half a life later, McKee is again in transition, seeking to understand her past but not be consumed by it. The single “Effigy of Salt” is about the dangers of looking back. “I was kind of lost in a reverie a little bit, looking back at past relationships in my youth and what could I have done differently,” she says. “It was good for me because I ended up writing this album, but it can be quite painful if you don’t turn around.”


Entered at Wed Jul 22 17:08:43 CEST 2020 from (2607:fea8:2d20:dd5:d08e:f84e:d173:a6bc)

Posted by:

GregD

Subject: Rick D/Terry W

Bill M-Thanks for that link to the interesting take by Terry Watkinson with the Yeomen. The lead vocal certainly does sound Danko-ish and I would never have identified it as Watkinson. I'm one of those who associates him most with Max Webster and his lead vocals there (though limited in number) don't have the same timbre. The piano also at times sounds "Richard-ish" to my ears.


Entered at Wed Jul 22 16:58:32 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp130-04-65-93-102-222.dsl.bell.ca (65.93.102.222)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

MARIA McKEE

La Vita Nuova

"Instead of a memoir, McKee has written an epic Romantic poem, although La Vita Nuova is less concerned with such professional travails and more interested in the person who endured them. Using Dante as her own Dylan, Blake as her Bowie, McKee adjusts her songwriting and singing to reflect these more recent changes, favoring a florid lyrical style and a dramatic vocal delivery that often verges on the operatic. This is her most commanding performance since Life Is Sweet, not to mention her most resourceful. On “Page of Cups,” which imports her older brother’s folk-rock philosophizing to the British countryside, she rattles off lines that on the page might appear anachronistic: “And I wonder, is it kind?” she chimes, her voice like a bell. “And will it understand that its provision as a practicality gave mechanism to a stunning bit of alchemy?” It’s bracing, even thrilling, to hear her fit all those syllables into such short melodic lines, rushing her phrasing and savoring the jamb of consonants in words like “practicality” and “mechanism.”

Taking its title from Dante’s 13th century meditation on unrequited love, La Vita Nuova depicts the profound upheaval as McKee embraces her new life and ponders what to do with the old one. Her past is the stuff of great rock memoirs. The daughter of California evangelists, she went to high school in Beverly Hills and mingled with future actors and rock stars. She started a band with her older brother Bryan MacLean, whose tenure with the ’60s band Love endeared his sister to aging hippies and record execs. In the mid ’80s, her band Lone Justice, labeled “cowpunk” at the time, scored a hit with “Ways to Be Wicked,” a song written by Tom Petty and Mike Campbell that cast her in an overly sexualized light. As a solo artist she notched a No. 1 hit in the UK with “Show Me Heaven” and stepped into a new role as an alt-country heroine in the early ’90s.

There is excitement over new possibilities in these songs, but there is also something like grief for those left behind. La Vita Nuova is an album full of goodbyes: to her brother on “I Just Want to Know That You’re Okay,” the song most rooted in the bright, generous melodies he brought to Love, and ostensibly to her husband (who co-produced the album with her) on the conflicted closer “However Worn.” But the biggest, if not the fondest, farewell is to her old self, to those parts of herself that weren’t compatible with what she calls her new “fanaticism of a daring kind.” McKee’s vita nuova is sweet, but contains just as many puzzles as her old life."


Entered at Wed Jul 22 15:42:18 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp130-04-65-93-102-222.dsl.bell.ca (65.93.102.222)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

Nux and Pat B... :-D
How about all the musicians on this site set up a zoom page?

JULY 6, 2020
Talking Heads Drummer Chris Frantz on His New Memoir REMAIN IN LOVE and the Last Time He Saw David Byrne

“It would be nice if a reunion could happen,” says Frantz as he reflects on his time in the legendary band, “because unlike many of our contemporaries, we’re all still alive”

By ANDY GREENE

So happy to have seen Talking Heads at the Heat Wave Concert. Bill M was no where to be seen. ;-D While many of you were into The Reformed Band some of us were into British musicians via of my older brother. However, it was my age group who grew up with post punk and New Wave. Sometimes I really appreciate the age I am as I had the best of many sounds of music. The better bands for my liking could write songs....Just sayin'.


Entered at Wed Jul 22 14:40:32 CEST 2020 from toroon0812w-lp130-06-74-12-35-135.dsl.bell.ca (74.12.35.135)

Posted by:

Bill M

Web: My link

Nux S and Lenny P: Nice work. Terrific photo montage too.

The fact that the voice sounds like Rick Danko's reminded me of the earliest Danko imitation that I can think of, on "The Chains (That Set Me Free) by the Yeomen (at link) - from 1969. Title-wise, the songwriter-singer, Terry Watkinson, seems to have been inspired by "The Stone I Throw (Will Free All Men). Terry is remembered (if at all) for his great contributions to the first couple Max Webster albums in the '70s, but he'd been playing Yonge Street since the early '60s with Sonny Brite, then (Dee and) the Yeomen. They certainly knew our guys, as Garth had the first Dee and the Yeomen record, from 1964.

This record is on Mainstream because Mainstream had sold Janis Joplin to Columbia and decided to invest some of the proceeds on a talent-scouting expedition north to Toronto. Hence albums by Nucleus and Cathy Young as well as the Yeomen 45.


Entered at Wed Jul 22 13:40:12 CEST 2020 from cpef81d0f88efd3-cmf81d0f88efd0.cpe.net.cable.rogers.com (99.227.162.85)

Posted by:

John D

Subject: Pat B

Just watched the video. Captured Garth beautifully. I had no idea your real name was Lenny Pincus. You should use that name here. Always liked the name Lenny.


Entered at Wed Jul 22 11:09:50 CEST 2020 from 214-225-105-119.south.dsl.telkomsa.net (105.225.214.119)

Posted by:

NUX

Location: Durban,South Africa
Web: My link

Subject: PAT B ON KEYS!

Hi there Band folk.Sorry to post this again.The cool thing about this is it is my first collaboration with PAT B.He kindly added some Garth type keys...very cool.


Entered at Wed Jul 22 11:09:12 CEST 2020 from host-89-241-22-244.as13285.net (89.241.22.244)

Posted by:

Solomon

Subject: Lucinda Williams and Steve Earle

I really like both albums that came out this year.


Entered at Tue Jul 21 17:25:15 CEST 2020 from (63.142.158.9)

Posted by:

JQ

Subject: Steve Earle & Lucinda Williams On Art & Empathy

In this week’s New Yorker, free on line.


Entered at Tue Jul 21 15:39:06 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp130-04-65-93-102-222.dsl.bell.ca (65.93.102.222)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

Good Morning Kevin. How's going back to work?

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Reunions That Actually Happened
Relive three decades of Rock Hall reunions, from Cream to Talking Heads

"Even the magic of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame couldn't convince Levon Helm to share the stage with Robbie Robertson at the Band's induction. There was simply too much bad blood and Levon didn't even show up to the ceremony. Garth Hudson, Robbie Robertson and Rick Danko did play together for the first time since The Last Waltz in 1976."

I sent my friend who returned to Nova Scotia (who recently lost her partner) the video of Robbie and brown eyed girl and the photos of us together as it was her home in Newmarket that I discovered The Band's interactive Chat Room late into the night in their basement while everyone was sleeping. At that time I didn't have an interest to post my opinions or reports on the various shows I attended and would attend. Anyway, my friend's response was that if she was to be in a photo or video with a musician it would not be Robbie but....EC. I did see Eric solo my first year in TO and he was totally out of it and with Bonnie Raitt which they did a song together at the end but I cannot remember which one. I do remember the song which seemed to receive the most applause was J.J. Cale's Cocaine and he must have performed Layla....lol........and yes I like his smooth guitar licks as well.


Entered at Tue Jul 21 06:32:32 CEST 2020 from (2600:1702:4580:5e80:853f:a4dc:d786:f685)

Posted by:

Pat B

Web: My link

Oh my. Garth with the Largo crew. Animated.


Entered at Mon Jul 20 21:49:12 CEST 2020 from (2600:1702:4580:5e80:f413:b7c3:bb97:859)

Posted by:

Pat B

Yeah, they were polar opposite stories, a teeming cowtown overrun by Texan cowboys and saloons versus a railroad hub at the mouth of wilderness mountain range with a small, settled population. Obviously, Dodge City was by far the more emblematic "Wild West" town although it was 400 miles east of Durango.


Entered at Mon Jul 20 21:40:28 CEST 2020 from (2605:8d80:6c1:857f:50aa:896b:643d:3d71)

Posted by:

Bill M

Thanks Pat B. 430 miles apart eh? I was hoping they'd be closer and roll off the tongue like twin cities - Minneapolis-St Paul, Kitchener-Waterloo, Dodge-Durango. Oh well.


Entered at Mon Jul 20 20:21:35 CEST 2020 from 108-88-109-12.lightspeed.cicril.sbcglobal.net (108.88.109.12)

Posted by:

Pat B

Bill M, Dodge City was a hopping cow town in Kansas. It was the terminus of the Chisholm and Great Western trails that brought tens of thousands head of cattle from Texas north to the Santa Fe trail and RR. It became an insane, violent town that catered to cowboys who had just got paid and had money to burn along with gunfighters who enjoyed the lawlessness. Durango, Colorado is 430 miles west of Dodge City. It was a RR terminus for the mines north in the San Juan Mountains. The Million Dollar Highway loops through there, one of the most beautiful and dangerous roads in the US.

BEG, I've long stopped rolling my eyes at you.


Entered at Mon Jul 20 17:23:48 CEST 2020 from toroon0812w-lp140-01-64-229-12-243.dsl.bell.ca (64.229.12.243)

Posted by:

Bill M

For subliminal reasons that I have no say in, Cohen's "Suzanne" has been the weekend earworm. Perhaps because I've been drinking a lot of tea because of the very hot weather. Anyway, in my mind the tea in the song always comes from a place pronounced the agent-orange way, kinda rhyming with 'hyena'.

Speaking of sorta rhymes, but heading back to "Cahoots", I note that the TMSO couple heads to Durango, presumably because it sorta rhymes with 'triangle'. Bob Dylan, in "Romance in Durango", rhymes it with 'fandango', which is best known to most of us thanks to "Bohemian Rhapsody".

BtW, does Durango have anything to do with the Dodge City that appears in Hollywood westerns?


Entered at Mon Jul 20 16:37:40 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp130-04-65-93-102-222.dsl.bell.ca (65.93.102.222)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

"A fab rarity from Maria Mckee and the 1993 cd single for 'I can't make it alone'. The Ian Hunter penned 'I wish I was your mother' was originally found 20 years earlier on Mott The Hoople's LP 'Mott'.

Ian Hunter had entered my radius back in '75 when 'Once bitten twice shy' was a big hit in Australia. Maria McKee invests her requisite power and range into the song."

Maria McKee
I Wish I Was Your Mother

Oooooh I wish I was your mother
I wish I'd been your father
'n then I would have seen you
Would have been you as a child
Played houses with your sisters
And wrestled with all your brothers
And then who knows
I might have felt a family for a while


Entered at Mon Jul 20 16:26:31 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp130-04-65-93-102-222.dsl.bell.ca (65.93.102.222)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

Meet Moe Tucker from the VU...Maureen that is!


Entered at Mon Jul 20 16:18:59 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp130-04-65-93-102-222.dsl.bell.ca (65.93.102.222)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

PLAYLIST

10 Women in Jazz Who Never Got Their Due

We’re often taught to think of jazz’s history as a cavalcade of great men and their bands, but from its beginnings the music was often in the hands of women. Listen to some of the greatest.

I never think of the Portuguese language being part of romance languages at all as it's very harsh sounding to my ears. Now the French language....I could listen to it all day long. I am practising my French on Duolingo.com because it's free. Since I heard three languages at home I can barely speak one so I try and let the music I share do most of the talking....but of course I get easily distracted and go off on my connections and tangents. It is what it is. Right NOMADIC MIKE?


Entered at Mon Jul 20 14:57:56 CEST 2020 from toroon0812w-lp140-01-64-229-12-243.dsl.bell.ca (64.229.12.243)

Posted by:

Bill M

Dunc: Thanks for the Poor Souls tip, which I must check out. What's the title of the song still popular in Dundee? As for soccer-football, I love watching it but don't follow it or care who wins - so I don't know the Dunga name (or anyone else's except Messier (sp?). Still, keep up with the attempts at humour; I'm sure many here caught the reference.

There's Canadian football, and there's American football, a close cousin, but with a smaller field and more tries (downs) - and other minor differences. And Australian football, I believe. So a separate Brazilian football didn't seem a stretch.


Entered at Mon Jul 20 14:51:08 CEST 2020 from (2604:2000:1200:907f:5476:860e:b39b:2e42)

Posted by:

Jon Lyness

Location: NYC

Heritage Auctions is currently auctioning a rocking chair that Louie Kemp sat on on stage for every stop of Bob/Band's Tour '74. Go to ha dot com, search 'kemp chair'. Kinda funny.


Entered at Mon Jul 20 14:31:23 CEST 2020 from wlldon1606w-lp140-03-70-24-157-182.dsl.bell.ca (70.24.157.182)

Posted by:

Mike Nomad

Nice shot.


Entered at Mon Jul 20 12:11:41 CEST 2020 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Posted by:

Peter V

Brazil is a country in Latin America, Bill. Football is a sport played by two teams of 11 players.


Entered at Mon Jul 20 10:05:59 CEST 2020 from (2a00:23c8:b89:ac01:fc88:2036:d9a:8e42)

Posted by:

Dunc

Location: Scotland

I was attempting humour, Bill, relating my typo to the great Brazilian soccer player, Dunga.

If you go over to my Toppermost on Lesley Duncan, there is a You Tube clip on the Poor Souls. You’ll see why I was quizzing you about them last month, Bill, trying to find out what happened to band members. Thanks. It was only one band member who went to Canada. This song remains relatively popular, receiving 140 views in the last few weeks from the Dundee area of Scotland where the band began, on another website.


Entered at Sun Jul 19 22:06:59 CEST 2020 from toroon0812w-lp140-01-64-229-12-243.dsl.bell.ca (64.229.12.243)

Posted by:

Bill M

Brazilian football qu'est-que c'est?


Entered at Sun Jul 19 20:04:07 CEST 2020 from (2a00:23c8:b89:ac01:fc88:2036:d9a:8e42)

Posted by:

Dunc

Location: Scotland

Dunca is my Brazilian foortball name, Kevin.

Disappointing to hear about the Lucinda Williams album, Peter. It’s on my list.

Lesley Duncan has taken me into Dusty Springfield.


Entered at Sun Jul 19 16:57:16 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp130-04-65-93-102-222.dsl.bell.ca (65.93.102.222)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

...last one for now...For all of you who are in dire need of black coffee.


Entered at Sun Jul 19 16:44:51 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp130-04-65-93-102-222.dsl.bell.ca (65.93.102.222)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

My guess is that most of you will be having a lazy Sunday afternoon.


Entered at Sun Jul 19 16:34:55 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp130-04-65-93-102-222.dsl.bell.ca (65.93.102.222)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link


Entered at Sun Jul 19 16:27:35 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp130-04-65-93-102-222.dsl.bell.ca (65.93.102.222)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

Good Morning Kevin...Every day is like Sunday.

Bill M...Nope.

I know I've been posting on The Band site too much again when:

1. I talk too much about Kevin J. ;-D
I give too many compliments to the male posters.
I am obsessed with MARIA McKEE.
I post videos for Band posters when all they have to do is ask Jan the Man. If any problems I will vouch for you as a real fan.
I overshare but every story is actually true.


Entered at Sun Jul 19 15:59:06 CEST 2020 from (2600:1017:b802:f562:bd8f:123:962f:3fd2)

Posted by:

Jed

Subject: Lucinda

I listened to Lucinda’s new album and I love the music but agree with Peter-her voice sounds pretty messed up. Sounds cigarettey-is she a smoker? We still differ on Dylan. On the last tour he sounded great.


Entered at Sun Jul 19 15:56:02 CEST 2020 from 205.sub-174-204-145.myvzw.com (174.204.145.205)

Posted by:

Jed

Subject: Garth

I agree that Garth is too often the forgotten member. Perhaps his absence from any role in controversy or in these ridiculous feud discussions that some here obsessively focus on ends up minimizing his role. Garth was the greatest musician in the group and possibly the greatest musician in rock music but remains basically,an unknown. His album of favorite Band songs played by others is a first rate album.


Entered at Sun Jul 19 14:09:46 CEST 2020 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Posted by:

Peter V

Subject: Lucinda Williams

Anyone heard Good Souls, Better Angels by Lucinda Williams? I'm finding the croak and phlegm in her voice and the hissing sibilance make it virtually unlistenable. I thought my Bowes & Wilkins computer speakers had gone wrong and blown, but then I tried it on my main system and it's the same. She's right up to the mic and it's distorting, plus her voice is so far shot. It makes Bob Dylan sound like a young and healthy singer in comparison.


Entered at Sun Jul 19 04:39:04 CEST 2020 from toroon0812w-lp140-01-64-229-12-243.dsl.bell.ca (64.229.12.243)

Posted by:

Bill M

Bonk: I agree that Garth should not be neglected. In our general defence I will note that Rod, Peter V and I posted short notes re some of his solo recordings just yesterday (Friday). I've said it a bunch of times before, but will say again that my favourite Garthwork is "Our Lady Queen of Angeles" - even including the readings by Charlton Heston, which I imagine he delivered while gripping a rifle.


Entered at Sun Jul 19 03:17:49 CEST 2020 from node-1w7jr9sshkzwr2cd3pcpkn7hs.ipv6.telus.net (2001:569:be12:5700:d1f3:fca8:c1ab:1db0)

Posted by:

BONK

Subject: Garth

Does anyone know how Mr. Hudson is doing? God dammit, but it always seems like he's the odd man out of most conversations concerning the boys.


Entered at Sun Jul 19 02:35:41 CEST 2020 from (24.114.75.92)

Posted by:

Kevin J

Thank you, BEG ! Sweet dreams.

3 signs I am spending too much times here:

1.) I worry who Dunca might be...

2.) I worry when Peter V goes more than a day without posting...

3.) I now know more about BEG’s family than my own !


Entered at Sat Jul 18 18:02:38 CEST 2020 from toroon0812w-lp140-01-64-229-12-243.dsl.bell.ca (64.229.12.243)

Posted by:

Bill M

BEG: The politics of the heavily Ukrainian-Canadian Bloor West Village would have suited V's family's politics to a tee, it seems to me. The next pocket east, High Park, is a bit more liberal, but there've been lots of eastern Europeans since the end of WW2, including the Nagurskis whose daughter Wanda has been married to Ronnie Hawkins for almost 60 years. When I spoke to him by phone in the '70s he was always at the Nagurski home on High Park Avenue, where he and Wanda lived (with a sibling and her nieces and nephews judging by the background noise) when Ronnie was working in town.


Entered at Sat Jul 18 17:45:32 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp130-04-65-93-102-222.dsl.bell.ca (65.93.102.222)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

For KEVIN J....

Deep in your dark eyes
Deep where the daylight searches
I keep waitin' and waiting'
About a moment of gold
Breakin' in my
Breakin' in my
Breakin' in my
Breakin' in my heart.


Entered at Sat Jul 18 17:16:23 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp130-04-65-93-102-222.dsl.bell.ca (65.93.102.222)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

Maria McKee - Am I the Only One (Who's Ever Felt This Way?)

I saw that PAT B! Yes I did....You are rolling your eyes thinking.....We had to put up with all her Louuuu Reed posts and now she's obsessed with MARIA McKEE. I also just realized that V's nephew and niece have her last name. Well....I'm all about connections ya know....but you knew that.

The sexiest part of a man is his mind.....brown eyed girl

Second sexiest part of a man is his arms....NBA style that is. ;-D
brown eyed girl


Entered at Sat Jul 18 17:35:06 CEST 2020 from (2a00:23c8:b89:ac01:7cbe:76dd:3d10:fa87)

Posted by:

Dunca

Location: Scotland

Subject: Thanks

Thanks, Northwestcoaster. I enjoyed the song. Perhaps it might have been better if the drummer hadn’t strutted his stuff. That might be personal bias as I was part of that generation who stopped going to shows when we had to sit through 15 minute drum solos. I did return to see shows and went on to see many great acts. Garth is good at polkas.


Entered at Sat Jul 18 17:30:30 CEST 2020 from (24.114.75.92)

Posted by:

Kevin J

Last 3:

“1880 or so” - Television ( for fans of guitar - do google Television on Jools Holland. Jools is dubbed in Spanish and he’s so much easier to take that way....but the treat is seeing Tom Verlaine and Richard Lloyd play. It will make your day )

“Stalingrad” - Tom Verlaine

Breakin My Heart - Tom Verlaine

On Justin Trudeau and articulation......It frustrates me as well and had his Dad been alive when he entered public life - you can be sure that that would have been corrected....BUT...worth noting English is his second language - so is French in a way in that he suffers from what many kids do who were raised speaking two languages simultaneously. They tend to stumble a bit in both.


Entered at Sat Jul 18 16:56:12 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp130-04-65-93-102-222.dsl.bell.ca (65.93.102.222)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

'Never released, recorded by Lone Justice around '87, shortly before they split up.

"Hold me in your arms when they drop the bomb, kisses on my forehead and a country song, and we'll blow up with a smile."

Maria McKee - Friends For A While

V's Ma has a connection with Rick Danko. That's right. Out of five children in a well to do banking family; her family chose the two youngest to leave in the middle of the night and never return for many, many years. She was 18. First country they settled in was Germany. She looked after other people's children and did their chores. When they made it to Canada. First stop was tobacco country in Ontario where Rick was from. Yup. She picked tobacco and met her partner in life. She had dreams of becoming a dentist. Her partner was a brew master at one of our huge beer refineries....V had summer jobs there. His father passed in his early seventies due to cigarettes. I tried smoking in grade 6. Yuck!!!!!

V's Ma could always ask for what she wanted and needed. My Ma expected nothing and unfortunately it became her reality in Canada. She had a better life in Europe but fell in with a man who looked like a movie star and was an athlete. Even at my Ma's funeral women came up to me and instead of sharing condolences; told me how good looking my father was and how everyone wanted to be his girl. Unfortunately he had a disease and my mother's marriage was only five years.....

Anyway, V's family ended up living in the West End of Toronto in their three story house; the top floor was taken by a family friend's son who was studying medicine. He became a physician for the elderly. Every Mother's Day he'd take V's Ma and his Ma to the Old Mill for brunch in his Bentley. I always wanted to ask him if he liked Keith Richards but thought better of it. lol


Entered at Sat Jul 18 12:34:51 CEST 2020 from c188-148-106-62.bredband.comhem.se (188.148.106.62)

Posted by:

NWS

Subject: Language

Agrarian. Sorry.


Entered at Sat Jul 18 12:31:55 CEST 2020 from c188-148-106-62.bredband.comhem.se (188.148.106.62)

Posted by:

NorthWestCoaster

Location: Greater Copenhagen. Probably.

Subject: Feminism in folk music

I have posted earlier how my grandma's second cousin made an ancient folk song popular in the sixties. (Actually, he toured regularly in Minnesota, Wisconsin and North Dakota among Finnish loggers and lumberjacks.) He had small roles in over fifty movies mainly because he was a carpenter in film studios... This is from one of the movies and the song is this particular 'Ievan polkka' (Eva's polk).

Just google: 'ievan polkka lumberjack band 1952'

A funny thing happened: with the power of the internet this song became popular in another shape: a shuffle dance in Australia or a song for Japanese virtuel popartist Hatsuke Miku. But this is another story...

This was meant to be about feminism. And it is! - Semi-feminist groups has taken it in their live repertoire after a beer or two. The song tells about Eva who is an independent and strong young woman in agraric society of the 19th century (sexually active too, but we don't pay any attention to it because this is a family friendly site). This is just one example. These girls have Master's degree from Sibelius Academy and are really HOT.

Just google: 'IEVAN POLKKA. Kuunkuiskaajat.HimosFolk´10.MOV'


Entered at Sat Jul 18 10:18:46 CEST 2020 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Posted by:

Peter V

Subject: Drama

Drama teacher? Born 1971. Poor articulation and breath control? That figures. Mrs V is a qualified drama teacher, but qualified before Trudeau was born. It means she knows how every sound is made, breath control, projection, articulation etc. They stopped teaching all that. I did this in a film review, but in 1985 0r 1986 we were filming a video with Avril Angers, a famous 1950s / 1960s actress. We had a 15 year old actor who was at a specialist drama school (so born circa 1971, like Mr Trudeau). Avril was appalled to discover he mumbled and he had no breathing control, nor any idea of articulation or voice projection. She spent the two week shoot teaching him. He said he learned more from her between takes than he’d ever learned at drama school. Drama schools started focussing on TV / film where traditional stage projection causes problems. You need to know how to do both. When I was doing lectures to large audiences, I always went outside and did 10-15 minutes of slow deep breathing exercises before I spoke … it also lowers my natural fairly high pitch. You also need lessons on using a microphone. Important stuff.

David Tennant is an excellent example - he can project to the whole hall on stage as Richard II, then do Broadchurch whispering next to the camera.


Entered at Sat Jul 18 02:29:44 CEST 2020 from s0106a84e3f63c293.vf.shawcable.net (96.48.242.117)

Posted by:

Lisa

I'd forgotten about JT being a drama teacher, but it's so relevant because he has increasingly struck me as an actor posing as a politician. All that shame-faced sincerity ... I made a mistake, I'm sorry ... good grief! Although he could definitely use a vocal coach - unless he's reading from a teleprompter he can't get through a single sentence without a couple "ahs" and gasping every time he takes a breath. It got so bad during the months of the Justin Trudeau Morning Show that I couldn't stand watching any more and had to turn him off. I don't know how he keeps getting away with it, but he does. And it's not that I started out anti-Trudeau, I've just become very disillusioned.


Entered at Sat Jul 18 02:20:16 CEST 2020 from (2601:8d:8600:7610:4046:d570:1d7f:e608)

Posted by:

Ben

Location: New Jersey

JQ, I love Elvis and early rock and roll. But, my experience with it is very different than yours. I certainly appreciate the fact the Elvis i particular was a revolutionary cultural phenomenom when he burst into public consciousness via appearances on Ed Sullivan, Steve Allen and the Dorsey Brothers shows in 1956. Elvis was a once in a generation figure. There were plenty of other great early rockers around at that same, but none of them came close to having the same impact as Elvis.


Entered at Sat Jul 18 01:59:00 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp130-04-65-93-102-222.dsl.bell.ca (65.93.102.222)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

SEPTEMBER 15, 2015
NICK DERISO
The Band’s overlooked, imperfect Cahoots held a few musical treasures

For brown eyed girl it held a couple of treasures.

Empowering students and teachers at WE events...no more. Justin and Bill sure know how to apologize easily for the third time. As for Jagmeet jumping up and down....He joined my Skipping Club! He was actually in my hood recently riding his bike while wearing one of those very expensive suits. He worked hard on learning to speak French. It's his third language. He can call Justin on his white trust fund privilege in all three languages!

Here's one example of how privilege is so engrained in the wealthy. One summer I worked with pre-schoolers. One of the kidzzz was always wearing clothing from France. His father offered his home to us a beautiful condo by Harbourfront so the kidzzz could use the pool. He was showing us around his place and then he took us into I think it was a playroom? On the wall was a photograph. He pointed to the photograph and told all of us that his son would be attending that school one day. It is the most prestigious one...Upper Canada College. When we would go by one of the businesses his family owned when we'd take walks in the Eglinton/Yonge area he'd literally call out, "MINE!" He was three/four years old and already he was being groomed to have confidence and privilege.

Jakob Dylan had said in an interview that he was living on his trust fund while attending Parson School of Design. Some rock stars have complained? were disappointed? that their children don't have the drive and the passion as they did. Gee could it be because they made it on their own via hard work, some luck, huge talent.....and their children were given everything and were so protected as well as having a trust fund like Justin and children of famous and wealthy musicians? Of course there are exceptions.....Btw, how long was Justin a drama teacher? Also, really enjoyed his mother's autobio which I found lying around outside of a store where books are dumped off. Just sayin'........


Entered at Sat Jul 18 01:52:40 CEST 2020 from (63.142.158.9)

Posted by:

JQ

Subject: American (willful) ignorance and Moondog Matinee

Kevin - You’re right, right, right! And our ignorance, fake patriotism, fake Christianity, greed and fear define most of us these days. It’s likely getting worse & marked since Reagan’s agenda arrived. The Irish are great on American history and current events too; any Dublin cabbie can give a lesson. Brits too I suspect.

Ben - It’s true that MM was not earth shattering but when that music was original it totally changed the world. For me, growing up when that music was new in 50’s, I can’t begin to articulate its impact on me and that impact has lasted my lifetime and set me up to evolve in my tastes. On that, I’ve been enjoying Elvis’ pre-Army stuff recently - the opposite of evolution I guess.


Entered at Sat Jul 18 01:16:07 CEST 2020 from (24.114.75.92)

Posted by:

Kevin J

JQ.....I agree about the impact on RR’s development as a writer. And I recall Robbie noting in the past about how watching Bob was like a light going off for him in that area of creating.

Though, I think the biggest impact Bob had on Robbie and the boys was being taken off the road and put on salary for such an extended time which really allowed them to relax and develop. Imagine 2 years off at that age. It must have felt like 10 years.

As to politics and Justin, I think Bill M got it about right. I would add that I doubt the US will ever will be outward looking enough to be influenced by any foreign leader - ever. Even knowing the names of more than two foreign leaders at a time would challenge the vast majority of US citizens. I’m not being insulting - that’s just the truth and it stems from educational and media set-ups that focus almost exclusively on USA content at the expense of providing an international perspective. Talk to any bum on the street in Canada and he could tell you how many states in the union, who the President was and where the Whitehouse was located. Contrast that with 9 out of 10 US born PHD students in the US not knowing how many provinces there are in Canada. And it gets worse! It’s actually almost charming and it doesn’t really bother most Canadians. It’s just what it is.


Entered at Sat Jul 18 00:18:25 CEST 2020 from (2601:8d:8600:7610:4046:d570:1d7f:e608)

Posted by:

Ben

Location: New Jersey

JQ, MM is nothing earth shattering, it didn't change the course of popular western culture or inspire Eric Clapton and George Harrison to stop what they were doing and pull a 180. But, it's a hell of an enjoyable listen. There's not a weak performance on the album. 'Promised land', 'Mystery train' with additional verse, 'third man theme', and 'The great pretender' are my faves, but I really like the entire album.

I disagree with your comment about Levon's solo work. I'm a big fan of the RCO All-stars. The studio album and live album are very well played and highly enjoyable. The two self titled solo albums are middling, but 'American Son' is quite good. Of course, Levon's later albums are exceptional with 'Dirt Farmer' being a masterpiece.

Joe, I have the King Biscuit radio CD, but haven't listened to it in many years. It's the Carter baron show from the 76 tour. It's been heavily bootlegged and there is a grey area version available on amazon. I have several different versions of it and it's a great performance. I think the version of 'Dixie' is pretty amazing and superior to the version from the last waltz a few months later. 'The last moving shadows' is a great set. The Band's set on disc 2 from the Lonestar in NYC is quite strong. The recording is imperfect, the guitar is relatively low in the mix, but at least the Cates were long gone and this is a five man lineup: Levon, Rick, Richard, Garth and Jim Weider. Some great covers, including three from MM. Defintely worth seeking out, if you haven't heard this one.


Entered at Fri Jul 17 23:16:06 CEST 2020 from (2600:387:6:802::34)

Posted by:

JQ

Subject: Dylan’s Band comments

Hi Kevin - I think you’re right and Moondog Matinee gives a great taste of what they were. Something to consider is whether JRR would have written his great stories and lyrics if he hadn’t hung out with Dylan for a couple years. What Dylan wrote was so original compared to early R&R and R&B lyrics. So it doesn’t make sense to me that Dylan would question something like King Harvest when that’s what he was doing too and the Band was obviously influenced by. The whole basement era with Dylan created the bones of MFBP and Brown. I think Bob is just full of shit and provocations in most interviews.


Entered at Fri Jul 17 21:57:34 CEST 2020 from (2604:6000:e909:6c00:3d55:94f4:3ac1:2841)

Posted by:

Joe Frey

Location: Saratoga Springs, NY

Subject: Lost Gems

All this talk of Band records sent me back to an old radio DJ promo disc, King Biscuit Boy Flower Hour. I had not played that disc in close to 10 years (I think). I commend to all Garth's version of The Genetic Method. It has a very "churchy" feel. I really enjoy it. Next up, The Last Moving Shadows, reunited Band live boot. joe


Entered at Fri Jul 17 21:46:55 CEST 2020 from toroon0628w-lp140-05-70-26-158-39.dsl.bell.ca (70.26.158.39)

Posted by:

Kevin J

Hold on....Dylan is not criticizing The Band Brown album but simply reflecting an opinion that countless thousands of people have - especially those that saw the boys on Yonge Street back in the day - that they were brilliant at playing R & B and R n R covers with everyone of them, especially Richard firing on all cylinders. Talk to most people who had seen them play during that period and they were shocked and disappointed when they first heard MFBP as it was nothing like they were used to hearing. That, of course, is what made it so special and that whole transformation in their sound is beautifully described in "Once Were Brothers".....Levon arrives back after a couple of years away and Robbie plays him the rough mixes of MFBP and he is stunned at what he hears...


Entered at Fri Jul 17 21:28:40 CEST 2020 from mobile-166-137-242-120.mycingular.net (166.137.242.120)

Posted by:

JQ

Subject: Band covers vs originals

I don’t get any criticism of the Brown Album, to me still my favorite all time album. I don’t think you can really trust anything Dylan says in interviews - he never stops messing - and his criticism of Brown makes no sense. But in the context of the Cahoots convo here I think, after Brown, their albums became more spotty with a couple great tracks and then filler that, to my taste, just didn’t sound that great. Every good writer has a creative hot spot and JRR’s creativity seemed to wane steadily after Brown. However any covers they did were uniformly brilliant: Masterpiece, Atlantic City, both of Levon’s last 2 were filled with magnificent covers and likewise his Ramble set lists, all far superior to his earlier simple solo stuff, with banal blues covers, by any measurement.


Entered at Fri Jul 17 21:07:18 CEST 2020 from toroon0812w-lp140-01-64-229-12-243.dsl.bell.ca (64.229.12.243)

Posted by:

Bill M

I note that Bob got his Nobel for literature, not common sense.


Entered at Fri Jul 17 20:56:22 CEST 2020 from toroon0628w-lp140-05-70-26-158-39.dsl.bell.ca (70.26.158.39)

Posted by:

Kevin J

Subject: Bob Dylan on The Band doing covers....

Bob Dylan on The Band and why he probably liked Moondog Matinee as well:

"The Band had their own sound, that’s for sure. When they were playin’ behind me, they weren’t the Band; they were called Levon and the Hawks. What came out on record as the Band — it was like night and day. Robbie [Robertson] started playing that real pinched, squeezed guitar sound — he had never played like that before in his life. They could cover songs great. They used to do Motown songs, and that, to me, is when I think of them as being at their best. Even more so than “King Harvest” and “The Weight” and all of that. When I think of them, I think of them singin’ somethin’ like “Baby Don’t You Do It,” covering Marvin Gaye and that kind of thing. Those were the golden days of the Band, even more so than when they played behind me."


Entered at Fri Jul 17 19:09:41 CEST 2020 from mobile-166-137-242-120.mycingular.net (166.137.242.120)

Posted by:

JQ

Subject: Moondog Matinee

Hi Ben - I agree with you on MM, great song choices, arrangements and performance. Not to take anything away from their original material but they were a top notch cover band too. If memory serves I think Dylan remarked on that similarly too, around the MFBP time.


Entered at Fri Jul 17 16:27:47 CEST 2020 from toroon0812w-lp140-01-64-229-12-243.dsl.bell.ca (64.229.12.243)

Posted by:

Bill M

Peter V: Yes - the Moonstruck Ones episode is one of the best GB bits of all time. The thought of the group photo still makes me smile. Was that Dave Z's work? Or Brien Sz's?


Entered at Fri Jul 17 16:02:36 CEST 2020 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Posted by:

Peter V

Web: My link

Subject: Cahoots

I went back to my article from over twenty years ago on Cahoots (linked). I still remember the lampoon on The Moonstruck Ones that took off. In the article, I suggest that Old Shep is a better song than The Moon Struck One if you like that sort of thing.


Entered at Fri Jul 17 15:58:34 CEST 2020 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Posted by:

Peter V

Web: My link

Subject: Eurovision: Song Contest, the Story of Fire Saga

Review of the Netflix Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga. Some of my favourite films recently have been on Netflix. I’ve very carefully avoided any plot spoilers nor let any funny lines creep in. It’s highly entertaining … Will Ferrell, Rachel McAdams, Dan Stevens star. I’ve also explained Eurovision for readers outside Europe. I loved the film from beggining to end.


Entered at Fri Jul 17 15:30:45 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp130-04-65-93-102-222.dsl.bell.ca (65.93.102.222)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

haso...V will continue to be put on notice. I cannot believe 16 years later.....

Bill M...Uhhh what about Justin's buddy Bill Morneau? Huh? Sheesh! He couldn't even remember that he has a Chateau in France. Before the Pandemic I was having my fave egg burrito at 519 Church Street and there was Bill at the window table having his breakfast. I thought should I stay or should I go? I stayed and just observed as he hadn't finished his coffee yet....So thought better of interrogating him on his lapse of memory. Btw it was his father's company that tried to help the South American with his issues but unfortunately you're only allowed six sessions.

British guitarist analyses 'The Band' live in 1970!

The Band back in 1970 performing 'The Weight'!

Kevin and Ben...V's niece is a natural blonde and Harvard educated. Is it ok that she votes Green Party?


Entered at Fri Jul 17 15:30:25 CEST 2020 from (2601:8d:8600:7610:a541:b2b5:f967:9ab8)

Posted by:

Ben

Location: New Jersey

Subject: Cahoots

I've appreciated the discussion about 'Cahoots' over the past couple of days. We all have a different history and relationship with the music. I think that if the first 4 Band albums were released in the opposite order with 'Cahoots', being first and 'Big Pink' being 4th, the general view of 'Cahoots' would be much better.

That being said, I will take 'Moondog Matinee' over 'Cahoots' eight day a week. I think MM is the under the radar gem in the Band's catalog that doesn't get much attention or appreciation.


Entered at Fri Jul 17 15:07:22 CEST 2020 from toroon0812w-lp140-01-64-229-12-243.dsl.bell.ca (64.229.12.243)

Posted by:

Bill M

Thanks PV and Rod. I will drag out "Sea to the North" for a listen. Always liked it anyway, but it's always good to listen to specific songs that others have mentioned.

In the meantime, in response to JQ, I'd say that Justin runs a pretty good government but must be one of those people who have to keep life interesting by taking totally unnecessary risks. He doesn't seem surrounded by dolts and/or sycophants, so I assume he does this stuff without benefit of advice from trusted and trustworthy quarters.

And to others discussing "Cahoots", I suggest that "Smoke Signal" is very strong lyrically, even if the last verse, while strong by itself, seems less integral to the whole than the other verses are. Also, it, like the album in general, really shows off Garth and Robbie's playing - though Rick and Levon are always worth listing to. The singers all sing well, but not so much as brothers in cahoots. Maybe it was difficult to get them into the studio at the same time, i.e., to do backup or harmony vocals as opposed to lead vocals. So, a sign of things to come.


Entered at Fri Jul 17 10:45:07 CEST 2020 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Posted by:

Peter V

Subject: Sea to the North

It may be my second-most played one. First is French Girls. Both Garth. They are both on a late night relaxing playlist that is used often.


Entered at Fri Jul 17 09:00:30 CEST 2020 from (2407:7000:9b95:db00:41ad:9c0b:68ce:e2ec)

Posted by:

Rod

I'm going to go out on a limb before the inevitable happens and say that the title track from Garth's The Sea To The North is the the best thing any of the guys released after TLW.


Entered at Fri Jul 17 05:55:44 CEST 2020 from inetgate2.msd.govt.nz (202.27.51.3)

Posted by:

Rod

The Laughing Gnome? I still like that song even if it is silly.

I have a soft spot for Shoot Out as well. With the exception of The Brown album there are tracks I would skip over on all their albums if I could be bothered finding the remote.


Entered at Fri Jul 17 05:26:44 CEST 2020 from cpe-121-216-193-251.bpxt-r-033.ken.nsw.bigpond.net.au (121.216.193.251)

Posted by:

Doug

If I were to make up a list of Band songs that I like, but no one else seems to, no. 1 would be Shootout in Chinatown.

On the negative, it is clearly no better then a B grade Robbie song in terms of lyrics, maybe worse than B. But it is one of the diminishing number of songs after the first three albums to feature all three vocalists, has a great tune with a catchy chorus and Garth shines. I even like the Chinese guitar sound - guitars don't always have to follow the Berry or Sumlin templates.

No. 2 on my list would be Rags & Bones.


Entered at Fri Jul 17 04:56:46 CEST 2020 from (2601:188:c300:8680:59b3:1e0a:91a2:763c)

Posted by:

haso

Location: seacoast NH

Subject: cahoots, etc

Angie: interesting situation w/ V. Sometimes there's no accounting for where & how people get to their political points-of-view. Some in our family are just as likely to support a.o. (agent orange: Spike Lee & Billy Crystal's name for him; I personally don't think it deserves capitalizing and is certainly most accurate. His color at any given time AND a defoliant that kills people... that about captures it), and these relatives are pretty bright. Maybe latently racist in a few cases, but anyway, paraphrasing Kevin... love conquers all. I can say for sure, here in the States, there are many couples and families w/ real serious dichotomies when it comes to him and his minions.

I recall my initial reactions to Cahoots not unlike the range expressed here. It was very clear to me, w/out even reading any reviews, that the songwriting felt like a strain. You had the feeling RR was kind of played out. Later, I thought the picture on the back of the lp, w/ all their eyes closed, maybe captured more than we tended to know at the time about where they were collectively. That said, sort of like Kevin, RoA brought me (not to them, but) back, after feeling sort of let down by Cahoots. I think a few of the songs connected some; certainly LiaC, a little bit Smoke Signals, Masterpiece, even Volcano. But Moon and Shootout went nowhere I thought at the time; only Garth's North Country compilation gave me a bit more appreciation for Moon. I would agree w/ whoever said it earlier, I always wondered why The River Hymn never showed up, or not very often, in their live stuff. As much as I played Daniel's Harp from SF a lot for a few years, the Hymn seemed more accessible.

And that secondly said, I was certainly one of those that didn't see Stage Fright as a HUGE come down. At the time, seemed like many did. I mean it's not the 1st 2, but how many groups would have been happy w/ one of those in their career. Especially when it came to the respect of peers.


Entered at Fri Jul 17 04:27:27 CEST 2020 from (2600:387:6:802::34)

Posted by:

JQ

Subject: J Trudeau

A little politics, scroll on.

A question for my Canadian friends here:

What’s with this guy and these unnecessary fuck-ups? I think a lot of us down here were really hopeful he could thwart or moderate Canadian conservatism. But is it a case of charisma-only and not much substance? Otherwise you all are happy with his approach to Covid there, his Trump management and environmental stances, right?


Entered at Fri Jul 17 02:56:07 CEST 2020 from (24.114.75.92)

Posted by:

Kevin J

What a clip of The Guess Who. Thank you, BEG. And to think they are not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Burton Cummings.....One of the true great singers in rock music ever. And cases of great songs he and Randy Bachman wrote....I had forgotten how good he looked without that moustache.

As to Justin Trudeau..History will judge the political leaders of today by how they protected their citizens and managed the global pandemic Covit 19. The USA has had more Covit 19 infections in the last 2 days than Canada has had since the pandemic started. One leader set an example of relying on his medical experts and setting standards of mask wearing and isolation. The clown south of us did the opposite and the results have been tragic. If he along with that grossly sycophantic excuse for a human VP get re-elected then I will have lost all hope in the US. It just can’t happen....but it might.

Jagmeet......Oh My......has he stopped jumping up and down yet ?


Entered at Fri Jul 17 01:58:25 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp130-04-65-93-102-222.dsl.bell.ca (65.93.102.222)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

Were you laughing at me?

"The Guess Who perform 'Laughing' from December 14, 1969. The kids have always used music as a force for change. From The Who to Carole Pope, CBC has showcased remarkable performances from groundbreakers and boundary pushers who challenged the status quo."


Entered at Fri Jul 17 00:31:52 CEST 2020 from (24.114.75.92)

Posted by:

Kevin J

“Crying Laughing Loving Lying” - Rod Stewart

Dan.....I enjoyed your remembrances of how songs can connect to family in some circumstances. A couple of additional thoughts relating to ROA. That was the album that brought me to The Band. Around the same time, just about everyone I knew also had the “Best ofThe Band” white a album in their home.....then a year or so later, out comes The Last Waltz and I was convinced that every song these guys did was perfect. Some years later, I went back and purchased the stand alone albums Brown and Stage Fright and I was then sure they were perfect ! Alas, a little while later when hearing Cahoots and even some other material - it came as a shock to me that even the mighty Band were capable of writing and releasing not so great songs.

Also, Sebastian Robertson let us know some years back that the “Coca Cola” line was Robbie’s.


Entered at Fri Jul 17 00:07:36 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp130-04-65-93-102-222.dsl.bell.ca (65.93.102.222)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

KEVIN J... You are correct unfortunately. When he makes comments about BLM; I remind him of his heroes Muddy Waters and Miles Davis. I guess he gives Miles a pass as his father was a dentist. Virgil's maternal family in Europe were bankers so he's very conservative. It was fine when he didn't talk at all about politics. I told him if I was in the USA and Sanders was a choice he'd be mine except he doesn't quite understand our health system. I can receive a health plan via of work and see a Naturopath and pay out of pocket and receive 80% in return and use my Ontario Health Insurance card to see my physician anytime. He makes it sound like you have to give up your work insurance plan. No! Not in Canada! Anyway, Virgil's intelligence doesn't necessarily equate with good choices....I'm high maintenance so you give me too much credit. His family called me a Communist. I said no I am NDP the party that represents organized labour, unorganized labour, small business, intelligentsia......They liked me anyway as my career was secure and has a good pension......Btw, how's your entitled friend Justin?! My brother says Jagmeet wears very expensive suits...He would notice these things.

PAT B... Deena and the Laughing Boyzzz...I'm 18 via Alice Kooper via Vince Furnier...At one time he was a good sprint runner?

JED... My diagnosis at one time but complex. I told my dentist this time to gradually lower the NO in the last five minutes so I wouldn't crash like a drug addict. I only use four times a year unless I have other issues. I HAVE to have it as I've had many surgeries so even a cleaning is so painful. The buzz...is a bonus of course. ;-D

DAN...You write well. Thank you. I only appreciate two songs on Cahoots. I bet you can guess which ones as anyone can.


Entered at Thu Jul 16 23:10:44 CEST 2020 from (2600:1702:4580:5e80:1caf:25a6:5ef4:e9a2)

Posted by:

Pat B

Subject: Laughter

Bob Dylan, "The Cough Song"


Entered at Thu Jul 16 21:23:06 CEST 2020 from (2a00:23c8:b89:ac01:7cbe:76dd:3d10:fa87)

Posted by:

Dunc

Location: Scotland

Thanks, Peter.


Entered at Thu Jul 16 19:41:48 CEST 2020 from toroon0812w-lp140-01-64-229-12-243.dsl.bell.ca (64.229.12.243)

Posted by:

Bill M

Subject: ha ha ha, hee hee hee

Ahh, the British. It wasn't the music that made them great, until the '60s that is. To be clear, the 1960s.

In the same vein, but forced laughter rather than lyrics about laughter, there's "Little Brown Jug".


Entered at Thu Jul 16 19:30:26 CEST 2020 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Posted by:

Peter V

Web: My link

Subject: Lesley Duncan

Link to Dunc's Toppermost piece on Lesley Duncan. Go and have a look. A seriously under-rated artist.


Entered at Thu Jul 16 19:28:37 CEST 2020 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Posted by:

Peter V

Web: My link

Subject: The Laughing Policeman

The first song that comes to most British people when songs about laughing are mentioned.


Entered at Thu Jul 16 17:49:57 CEST 2020 from (2603:9001:5a0b:cfc3:b1e4:191c:1d84:e82c)

Posted by:

Dan

Subject: Cahoots

Three generations of us were having a pizza lunch when Up on Cripple Creek started playing. From the first note, the warmth, space, teamwork and playfulness of the song swept through. Individually great, but together that ineffable unrepeatable and wondrous mix that does repeat, inviting us in through the rest of the album to a shared experience. A ticket to our common chords, Levon Helm singing “I guess I’ll call up my big mama and tell her that I’ll be rollin’ in” is really not much different from my Dad’s laughing when he reminisces last night about childhood summers in the Catskills, when the Dads would drive up on Friday nights and he’s a child listening to the bed springs going up and down. And it hits me that Cahoots are the same guys but a closed universe where the music becomes taut, inflexible, cold and closed too many times. A lost language, occasionally capturing shards from the past only to quickly lose the connection. Great songs like When I Paint My Masterpiece sung solo, Helm waiting for the absent Danko harmony on “oh, to be back in the land of Coca Cola.” It’s as if all of them realize that they can’t get back there. Notes and words as space fillers but there is no space and no landing. And, try as I can, there are only a few songs that connect and the rest of the album does not invite me back. That's what makes Rock of Ages so great, like it all came back. On the Live at the Academy when Danko does join in on "Dirty Dan, he came up from Savannah."


Entered at Thu Jul 16 17:33:59 CEST 2020 from c188-148-106-62.bredband.comhem.se (188.148.106.62)

Posted by:

NorthWestCoaster

Location: Greater Copenhagen. Probably.

Subject: CAHOOTS!!!

I join lovers of Cahoots. - While The Brown Album "is like chamber music" (RAGTIME said that) Cahoots "should be played out loud" (SUNDOG said that). Very powerful opening, yes ROD, but very stark ending too.

Let me be poetic: Cahoots starts with violent sounds of mountain streams - continues with furious sounds of the cities and rural sounds from the country - ends with lazy sounds by the lazy river heading to Gulf of Mexico.


Entered at Thu Jul 16 15:11:00 CEST 2020 from toroon0812w-lp140-01-64-229-12-243.dsl.bell.ca (64.229.12.243)

Posted by:

Bill M

Pat B: Wasn't there a "Laugh" song on "More of the Monkees" - probably our family's first 'rock' LP growing up, but now long gone. It's always interested me that the Butterfield Blues Band covered "Mary Mary" on "East-West", suggesting that at least one of the group had the album too.


Entered at Thu Jul 16 00:54:21 CEST 2020 from (2600:1017:b802:f562:c08c:2581:1ab8:7dc9)

Posted by:

Jed

Subject: BEG-nitrous oxide/Cahoots

I love Cahoots-a very beautiful album with its share of flaws. One flaw is it wasn’t as earthshaking as the first two albums. Nonetheless a special album that exceeds so much music that would be released after it. And Nitrous is being studied as a treatment for ptsd. Works very short term. The concept is good but MDMA and psilocybin are superior in efficacy and outcome. That’s why the FDA is fast tracking our research.Much is finally changing as the mental health crisis in the USA has become overwhelming. Nitrous may still play a small role as pharm companies develop synthetics and analogs. Cahoots is still a great gift!


Entered at Wed Jul 15 19:29:43 CEST 2020 from 108-88-109-12.lightspeed.cicril.sbcglobal.net (108.88.109.12)

Posted by:

Pat B

For BEG.

"Laugh, Laugh" The Beau Brummels

"Laughing" The Guess Who

"Laughing at Life" Tony Bennett

"Listen For The Laugh" Bruce Cockburn

"Laugh At Me" Sonny & Cher


Entered at Wed Jul 15 19:11:32 CEST 2020 from (24.114.75.92)

Posted by:

Kevin J

Last 3:

“The KKK Took My Baby Away” - The Ramones

“Sheena is a Punk Rocker” - The Ramones

“I Wanna Be Sedated” - The Ramones

BEG......I’m thinking that the chances of your man taking the rest of the afternoon over some beers while listening to Cahoots in an effort to better understand Bill M’s “Titles” theory are slim.......oh well, he may be the only man on the planet who can both like the Orange Clown ( if I understand that correctly ) and Jazz.....seems an impossible combination....but....he obviously loves you - so he does have something special.


Entered at Wed Jul 15 19:03:41 CEST 2020 from (2604:6000:e909:6c00:690c:e32e:f7dc:ea17)

Posted by:

Joe Frey

Location: NY

Subject: Catch Us If You Can / Having A Wild Weekend

I saw the debut of this movie at the RKO movie theater in Yonkers, New York. Dave Clark make a guest appearance at the beginning of the movie. I think my buddy and I were the only males in the audience, or close to it. Someone threw a stuffed animal at Dave and it cut a hole in the movie screen. We watched the movie with that hole in the screen.

I never knew what the movie was about because the audience continually screamed through it. The one thing I do remember is that I saw actors in the movie with the longest hair that I ever saw on guys in 65/66 (not sure the date that it hit the US).

I'd like to see it again (and hear it for the first time). I will check out some of the streaming services to see if its in circulation. Thanks for the memories Peter. joe


Entered at Wed Jul 15 17:23:04 CEST 2020 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Posted by:

Peter V

Web: My link

Subject: Catch Us If You Can / Having A Wild Weekend

Review of The Dave Clark Five in Catch Us If You Can (1965) in the 60s Retrospective series. While the debt to A Hard Day’s Night is obvious, it was a successful film in its own right (retitled Having A Wild Weekend in the USA). Dave Clark chose the director (It was John Boorman’s first feature film) and screenwriter, Peter Nichols. Barbara Ferris co-starred. Black and white, and very unusually it’s a comedy chase drama, with a Dave Clark Five soundtrack, but no songs are performed, sung or mimed on film


Entered at Wed Jul 15 16:32:51 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp130-04-65-93-102-222.dsl.bell.ca (65.93.102.222)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

WTF....Virgil just came into the second bedroom while MARIA MCKEE was singing so I asked what he thought of her. Ugh! Ugh! Nope he thinks her voice is too squeaky!!! Hey her brother learned to swim in Elizabeth Taylor's pool.....Who cares! Right! Her mother was a flamenco dancer and artist. Who cares! Right! She wrote the song with Robbie Robertson. Who ares! Well......She writes her own songs!!!! Who Cares! I DO!!!

Anyway, between all these comments and his fondness for the Clown...Yiiikes! I will have to rethink everything....as I'm nobody's child. Yiiiikes!!!!


Entered at Wed Jul 15 16:14:29 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp130-04-65-93-102-222.dsl.bell.ca (65.93.102.222)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

Hi Kevin! Well...I was having nitrous oxide (laughing gas) yesterday...dental cleaning. My dentist has to do it as new rules concerning NO. Well....Kevin....I never laugh!! I just get totally buzzed with my music on and she is cleaning away.....but......yesterday I couldn't stop laughing my head off!!...I was thinking about the funny things you post....and then I continued to laugh seeing Virgil in my mind and he was so embarrassed.......He's more reserved than I am. And then I would laugh even harder as he's always concerned about appearances....Ha ha, ha.......Anyway, MARIA McKEE was there with us. Of course Virgil never heard of her.....He then asks me if I know all these obscure jazz and blues musicians and of course I don't know them....

Playlist at Dental Office

Sweet Jane...Lone Justice
Panic Beach...Maria McKee
Why Wasn't I More Grateful (When Life Was Sweet)...Maria McKee
Am I The Only One (Who's Ever Felt This Way?)...Maria McKee
I'm Gonna Soothe You...Maria McKee
The Way Young Lovers Do...Maria McKee
Show Me Heaven...Maria McKee
Shelter...Lone Justice
Ways To Be Wicked...Lone Justice
My Lonely Sad Eyes...Maria McKee

Nobody's Child...Maria McKee and Robbie Robertson


Entered at Wed Jul 15 07:51:56 CEST 2020 from (107.77.92.84)

Posted by:

JQ

Subject: The Hideout

Pat B - Sorry I got the venue’s name wrong.


Entered at Wed Jul 15 05:22:29 CEST 2020 from inetgate.msd.govt.nz (202.27.54.3)

Posted by:

Rod

Cahoots has the strongest two opening songs of any Band album except The Band. To borrow a cricket term it has a long tail and I rarely get much past Thinking Out Loud (which I like). You've got to wonder why they didn't use Bessie Smith or Katies Been Gone. I'd still pick it over Jericho and the 90's albums but much prefer Islands.


Entered at Wed Jul 15 05:21:33 CEST 2020 from (2600:1702:4580:5e80:8f8:7d66:66e0:b91)

Posted by:

Pat B

JQ, I love Robbie. He's been a regular with our Dylan tribute (The Zimmermen) and I've recorded with him a number of times. What a writer, player, and singer. He moved from a mile away from me to LA about a year ago.


Entered at Wed Jul 15 02:44:19 CEST 2020 from (2600:387:6:80c::43)

Posted by:

JQ

Subject: Robbie Fulks

Hi Pat B - A few years back (4?) I was in town for a Cubs/Mets series and went to the Hideaway and saw Robbie and a group of brilliant musicians doing a mash up of Merle Travis/Miles Davis - great fun! He’s a very talented writer & player and I’m a huge fan.


Entered at Wed Jul 15 01:50:12 CEST 2020 from 108-88-109-12.lightspeed.cicril.sbcglobal.net (108.88.109.12)

Posted by:

Pat B

Years ago I played a Band tribute show with the country genius Robbie Fulks. He got to choose two songs to cover. One was "Where Do We Go From Here?". Last year we reprised the show sans Robbie and the lead singer of the group Tributosaurus picked WDWGFH because he loved Robbie's version (which was a note for note copy from Cahoots). btw, The Band performed Carnival, WDWGFH, Masterpiece, and Smoke Signal live.


Entered at Wed Jul 15 01:45:23 CEST 2020 from (24.114.66.64)

Posted by:

Bill M

Funny - I always liked "Where Do We Go From Here", though, as John D pointed out here a year or so ago, the admirable Doctor Music cover would be top of mind for Canucks of our vintage.


Entered at Tue Jul 14 23:47:17 CEST 2020 from (2601:8d:8600:7610:a541:b2b5:f967:9ab8)

Posted by:

Ben

Location: New Jersey

Subject: Cahoots

I've listened to 'Cahoots' periodically during the last 30 plus years and the album has always left me largely dissatisfied. Sure, there are a few strong performances, 'Life is a Carnival' is a Band classic and the only song that would be regularly played live. 'When I paint my masterpiece' is a fine Dylan cover and '4% pantomime' is a fun Van/Richard workout, but isn't really much of a song. After those three it's all downhill. The absolute nadir, being 'Last of the blacksmiths', 'Where do we go from here' and 'The moon struck one'. The other problem with this album is the recording/sound of it. It doesn't sound good. I know that Robbie touched on this in at least one interview, and he is absolutely on point.


Entered at Tue Jul 14 23:19:34 CEST 2020 from (2603:9001:5a0b:cfc3:b1e4:191c:1d84:e82c)

Posted by:

Dan

Just went back and listened to Cahoots today. Agree that the River Hymn should have been covered - really a bridging of Southern religion and the environment. The songs sound better digitally, as Garth's organ comes more to the forefront and the drums do not seem as prominent as the old mix. I liked many of the songs, including Volcano. The overall album and the lyrics lack coherence - Smoke Signal weirdly alternates between Indian background and white disaffection. Bottom line is that Robbie wrote most of the Brown Album but the Band is best with 4 or 5 great originals and then filling out with covers or collaborations as with Big Pink. Too bad there was such pressure to write all the songs without covers or going back to what they left off earlier albums such as the new arrangement for Get Up Jake which was included on Rock of Ages,


Entered at Tue Jul 14 22:02:15 CEST 2020 from (2600:1702:4580:5e80:8f8:7d66:66e0:b91)

Posted by:

Pat B

My girlfriend in 1972 loved Cahoots. She played Volcano constantly.


Entered at Tue Jul 14 21:10:51 CEST 2020 from (24.114.75.92)

Posted by:

Kevin J

Eric Clapton on his admiration for Robbie and The Moon Struck One

Rolling Stone: Are there any other people you feel that way about?

Eric Clapton: Yeah, the same with Robbie Robertson. If I sat down and thought for ten minutes about what he’s given me, I wouldn’t even be able to have coffee with him. I’d be awe-struck. I was devoted to the Band, and every song that he ever wrote for the Band had a profound effect on me. The story of the relationship in the song “The Moon Struck One” is so profound. It brings back so many memories of my own childhood that it seems like Robbie must have been there. And when I see him, I just have to throw all that out the window and be who I am.

Peter V and BEG must be locked in a 2nd hand record shop.


Entered at Tue Jul 14 20:00:09 CEST 2020 from (24.114.75.92)

Posted by:

Kevin J

I cannot think of a better example - ever - of an artist lifting an almost pedestrian song to an absolute work of beauty like Raine Maida did with “The Moon Struck One”.

For those wanting to experience this - it is on Garth Hudson’s great album “A Canadian Celebration of The Band”. Neil Young also does a stomping version of TWOF..

Funny thing about “The Moon Struck One” is how much it is admired by others - including Eric Clapton, Garth Hudson and Daniel Lanois.


Entered at Tue Jul 14 18:16:24 CEST 2020 from toroon0812w-lp130-06-74-12-33-6.dsl.bell.ca (74.12.33.6)

Posted by:

Bill M

Subject: Cahoots

Joe F: I agree, though it took me many years to get there. It didn't strike me until today that the song order is key, especially the first few, where the titles tell the tale.

Life is a carnival - statement of fact. They've painted their masterpieces - Big Pink and Big Brown. But given the non-reaction to Stage Fright they're moving on from their Americana 'blacksmith' phase. So, 'Where to we go from here?', they ask themselves and their public. Here are seven different songs / directions to choose from, and you get to vote. (We have our eyes closed so we don't see what you choose - not because we're dead like Paul, or nodding off, or sleeping.) Unfortunately the public response was 'None of the above', but they tried.


Entered at Tue Jul 14 17:43:55 CEST 2020 from (2604:6000:e909:6c00:690c:e32e:f7dc:ea17)

Posted by:

Joe Frey

Location: Saratoga Springs, NY

Subject: Cahoots

Always liked Cahoots. The only song that I thought was forced was "Last of the Blacksmiths." In college, my friend and I used to listen to Cahoots and would sing along (very loud) to Volcano. We enjoyed it and had fun. All good.

I know that I am in a minority in how I feel about Cahoots, but that's ok. Although I must admit that it took me many, many years to really like Moon Struck One. The song was different for me once I focused in on Garth's playing. His musical interlude makes the song for me. Also, never understood why River Hymn did not get wider acclaim and covers.

joe


Entered at Tue Jul 14 15:26:08 CEST 2020 from toroon0812w-lp130-06-74-12-33-6.dsl.bell.ca (74.12.33.6)

Posted by:

Bill M

Subject: live is a carnivore

Ari: Thanks for slapping us out of our hibernation and getting conversation going again. Caused me to slap on my "Cahoots" disc. I've only heard Carnivore and Masterpiece thus far - both truly great songs - so will reserve my 2020 judgment on Volcano. Re Masterpiece, I trust you saw what Dylan had to say about it in his recent NYT interview with Douglas (?) Brinkley.


Entered at Tue Jul 14 05:09:57 CEST 2020 from (24.114.65.186)

Posted by:

Kevin J

“The Weight”, “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down”, “King Harvest”, “Acadian Driftwood” and “It Makes No Difference” are great songs. “”Volcano” most certainly is not.

Anyone else driven crazy by weather ladies and men who in recent years have taken to announcing “Good Morning, Toronto....31c today but it will feel like 33 c with the humidex ! Oh my, we better wear shorts, then. Imagine living in Saudi Arabia where someone would announce its 45 c but feels like 50 c . Madness !


Entered at Tue Jul 14 02:52:58 CEST 2020 from ool-44c7fe86.dyn.optonline.net (68.199.254.134)

Posted by:

Ari

Subject: Ben

Ben, Volcano IS a great song.


Entered at Mon Jul 13 08:16:23 CEST 2020 from (2407:7000:9b95:db00:1d5a:e46e:d522:b332)

Posted by:

Rod

Dag's page has lots of new content from time to time. Stuff we haven't seen before.


Entered at Mon Jul 13 02:03:01 CEST 2020 from (2601:8d:8600:7610:78df:c45b:9226:3edd)

Posted by:

Ben

Location: New Jersey

Lisa, the fb group that I just left due to anti-Robbie posts and comments is THE Band. It's a large group with multiple administrators who don't seem interested in keeping the tone civil. There are a number of other Band related fb groups. Levon, Robbie, Rick and Richard all have at least 1 group. I don't know if Garth has any. Dag has a fb group which I just joined today and it looks very promising.


Entered at Mon Jul 13 01:51:53 CEST 2020 from s0106a84e3f63c293.vf.shawcable.net (96.48.242.117)

Posted by:

Lisa

Ben, which Facebook page do you guys keep referring to? The only one I can find seems perfectly okay, nobody slagging Robbie. I've been wondering for quite a while now as this one (The Band fb) is the only one that shows up? Curiosity has finally got the better of me ...


Entered at Sun Jul 12 23:57:49 CEST 2020 from n1-42-61-15.mas1.nsw.optusnet.com.au (1.42.61.15)

Posted by:

Wallsend

An interesting article on The Ringer website: "Still Waltzing: Robbie Robertson on Martin Scorsese, the Band, and 60 Years in Music".


Entered at Sun Jul 12 19:18:59 CEST 2020 from (2601:8d:8600:7610:78df:c45b:9226:3edd)

Posted by:

Ben

Location: New Jersey

Kevin, 'When we were Kings' is a good one. I saw that a number of years ago. From my recollection, there were some good live James Brown performances in that documentary. It is a shame that Foreman didn't get a rematch with Ali. I'm surprised that it it wasn't in their contract. I really believe on any other night on any other location (where the ropes weren't slack) that Foreman would have destroyed Ali. It's kind of like Trump winning the 16 election. There were a whole series of events that aligned perfectly for that outcome. I think boxing does lend itself very well to documentaries. I've recently watched good docs on Sonny Liston and Foreman. There have also been quite a few good ones on the '30 for 30' series.

I'm not a big sports fan, though I did make it to my first Eagles game in December at the Linc and that was pretty amazing. But, I've always enjoyed boxing. There is a psychological element to it that is unique. Ali, for instance really got in the heads of his opponents with his trash talking. That's something that no one had done before him in boxing.

Bill, I just checked and the Billy Crystal clips are still on youtube. I watched one yesterday in which Sammy was visiting Ronald Reagan (played by Joe Piscopo) in the oval office. It was very funny. I highly recommend checking these out while you still can.

Rod, I had only joined the Band fb group a few months ago. But, I found the administrators of the group to be uninterested in setting a civil tone with regards to Robbie. I just don't understand the vitriol that so many people have towards him. There are certainly things he has done that are worthy of criticsm, just as there are for Levon, but the level of hatred that some people express is really over the top.

Dag, I just joined your fb group. I'm looking forward to some good discussions there. Thanks for starting the group.


Entered at Sun Jul 12 16:24:05 CEST 2020 from node-1w7jr9srj45n0k1mptn16ayd6.ipv6.telus.net (2001:569:bd2f:6e00:a92b:e145:414:e67a)

Posted by:

Norm J

Location: Pacific Northwest

Subject: Dag's Facebook

Real cool site Dag. Hope all the good and peaceful folks show up. Got to leave this morning and take my big boat to the ship yard for bottom cleaning...........later.


Entered at Sun Jul 12 15:44:06 CEST 2020 from 178.80-203-82.nextgentel.com (80.203.82.178)

Posted by:

Dag B.

Web: My link

Subject: "Music From The Band" facebook group

My little group, feel free to join and liven it up with shiny happy posts.


Entered at Sun Jul 12 11:03:04 CEST 2020 from (2407:7000:9b95:db00:4ca7:999c:6536:d752)

Posted by:

Rod

Ben, I've just left THE Band FB group too. It's getting a bit feral there. Every thread ends up being a RR bashing exercise. The posts that really annoyed me the most though were the "missing Rick/Levon/Richard" ones. Annoying on so many levels.


Entered at Sun Jul 12 04:53:16 CEST 2020 from toroon0812w-lp130-06-74-12-33-6.dsl.bell.ca (74.12.33.6)

Posted by:

Bill M

Ben: I don't believe I ever saw Billy Crystal on SNL, or even impersonating Sammy David Jr. I have seen Jim Carrey doing so, and he was amazing.

Coincidentally, both of the sane Toronto daily papers ran interviews today with Carrey about his new autobiographical novel. At one point he stresses the view that as bad as the world is, and getting, we'll be okay as long as we still can sing and dance, especially dance. Which is, I think, what Charles Mingus is 'saying' in his epic "Better Git Hit In Yo Soul" - whatever styles or tribes are fighting or being fought over, we always have dance. And it's more explicitly what the group Influence is saying in their brilliant "Mad Birds of Prey (Mini Opera)"- "When it all breaks down …" and then straight into a wild version of "Tutti Frutti". Of course, wild is the only way to do "Tutti Frutti"


Entered at Sat Jul 11 22:01:00 CEST 2020 from (24.114.65.186)

Posted by:

Kevin J

I guess Axl will be by soon as well....

Ben.....I really liked the documentary “When We Were Kings”. The transformation of George Foreman from thug to gentleman really was something. Not many fighters get a 2nd act in the way he did.


Entered at Sat Jul 11 20:18:09 CEST 2020 from (89.38.227.163)

Posted by:

\

Location: \

Subject: \

\


Entered at Sat Jul 11 19:35:17 CEST 2020 from (2601:8d:8600:7610:78df:c45b:9226:3edd)

Posted by:

Ben

Location: New Jersey

I just left the Band fb group. I got tired of the anti-Robbie posts and comments. Plus the fact that very few days some idiot was posting that 'Cahoots' is an underrated album and that 'Volcano' is a great song......ugh.....

Norm, I am a big boxing fan, I've read books and watched many documentaries about boxing as well as the actual fights. I was a kid when Ali was champ for the 2nd and briefly 3rd time. I watched a lot of Larry Holmes fights, the most hyped one that really sticks out was the one he had with Gerry Cooney who was a not so great white hope.

I have to say that I'm a bigger George Foreman fan than an Ali fan. Foreman had a pretty remarkable life story, self imposed retirement in his prime and then a very improbable comeback and shocking recapturing of the heavyweight title. Sonny Liston was also a very interesting character. There've have been a few good docs done on his life.


Entered at Sat Jul 11 18:45:22 CEST 2020 from (2601:8d:8600:7610:78df:c45b:9226:3edd)

Posted by:

Ben

Location: New Jersey

Norm, Very interesting post. I'm a longtime Billy Crystal fan as well. I used to enjoy him on 'Saturday Night Live' when I was in high school. His catchphrase was 'You look mahvelous, absolutely mahvelous'. I actually have a cassette that he released back in the mid 80's that had some of the routines and characters from SNL. One of my favourite things that he did was his amazing Sammy Davis Jr. impression in blackface. That probably has been cancelled out and destroyed by now, unfortunately. Crystal did the impression with the utmost respect. There was nothing remotely racist about it.

Regarding Ali, well he was an amazing athlete and a showman, for sure. But, regarding his involvement with the nation of Islam and views about white people, women and Jews, there's plenty of things to parse through. People are complex, most people have good and bad characteristics, except for sociopaths like Hitler or Trump. So, my view of Ali as a person is mixed, but he certainly was a remarkable athlete.


Entered at Sat Jul 11 17:06:47 CEST 2020 from (2605:6000:8b0b:6a00:c4e:c9ff:9d70:c7f2)

Posted by:

Glenn

Subject: Norm J

Hello everybody! Haven't posted for a while. Thanks Norm, for that link to Billy Crystal. Great video; well worth every minute of his tribute to Muhammad Ali. And thanks to all for the great posts, and sharing; for keeping this guestbook a wonderful place to visit. Even though I've had more time at home these months, life seems busy as ever: keeping my young son active because he isn't at day camp this summer; getting more visits with 2 of our grandkids (who live locally); keeping an eye on our yard and garden to keep it watered during this hot Dallas summer); and trying to get more exercise for me (walking, biking, etc.).

Monday I start a new full-time position at the college where I've been working part-time the last couple of years. Looking forward to the new role, but wanting to be oh-so-cautious about interacting with others. At least the campus is pretty empty for now. Lots of discussion about what fall semester should look like and how to keep everybody safe. If only we had competent leadership from DC we could be much farther along against this virus. Trump lies when he insists it's a liberal hoax meant to make him look bad so he'll lose in November, when the reality is that he's probably happy to let the virus run its course because it affects people of color much more severely.

Musically have been listening to a lot of Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings and John Prine. Have a great weekend!


Entered at Sat Jul 11 05:46:40 CEST 2020 from node-1w7jr9srj45mylplvyt6bsxrx.ipv6.telus.net (2001:569:bd2f:6e00:28b2:b69f:bf9a:acfd)

Posted by:

Norm J

Location: Pacific Northwest

Subject: Billy Crystal

If you don't bother to look at the video I have posted, take this one line away with you that Billy has said.

Remember, "Life is best when you build bridges between people not walls." Isn't it amazing that the current president and his government are too immature to understand that simple piece of advise from real people.


Entered at Fri Jul 10 23:12:20 CEST 2020 from (24.114.65.186)

Posted by:

Kevin J

Subject: Talent

A sunny warm Friday afternoon with a cold beer on the table listening to John Cruz and Jokerman. It is so good - even my iPad sounds great. Thank you, Norm.


Entered at Fri Jul 10 20:59:12 CEST 2020 from 178.80-203-82.nextgentel.com (80.203.82.178)

Posted by:

Dag B.

Web: My link

Subject: Hollywood Bowl 1970

It was 50 years ago today. Link: the 1995 bootleg CD.


Entered at Fri Jul 10 18:27:07 CEST 2020 from node-1w7jr9srj45mzin12p8sz8wpz.ipv6.telus.net (2001:569:bd2f:6e00:64d8:7ea6:c9b4:aa7)

Posted by:

Norm J

Location: Pacific Northwest
Web: My link

Subject: Just one more thing

As I watched some news recently with the current situation of racial problems and difficulty, particularly in the USA I was put in mind of something that I had very much appreciated from long ago.

This kind of made me laugh although it is not at all funny. I have been accused of being 'Anti Semitic". The thing is my two favourite people, (well I've had this thing for many years). If some one said if you could meet anyone in the world for a day who would be your choice? For me this is easy. Billy Crystal and Mohammed Ali. I so much admire both those men for as human beings their attitudes and their accomplishments.

I have been fans of both of them forever. Billy Crystal a Jewish man with an understanding of people who can articulate better than any one I've ever seen. Ali, a man who to me was the greatest athlete ever who also had a physiological understanding of people more than anyone.

The link I have attached was Billy Crystal's eulogy at Mohammed Ali's funeral. Concerning racial prejudice everyone needs to watch this. Billy Crystal is wonderful. I don't know how many people may have watched a tv series back in the 80's called "Soap". This is where I became such a fan of Billy Crystal. Jewish people like Billy just have a greater understanding of the human mind as far as I am concerned. All I have to do is think of some of his lines and it makes me belly laugh and cheers me up.


Entered at Fri Jul 10 18:20:06 CEST 2020 from toroon0812w-lp130-06-74-12-33-6.dsl.bell.ca (74.12.33.6)

Posted by:

Bill M

Subject: John Cruz

Very impressive, Norm. Great song, great voice - with more Randy Newman than Bob Dylan in it, it seems to me, but more musical in the normal pop sense than either of them. Reminds me why Dylan was selected for the Nobel prize.


Entered at Fri Jul 10 18:00:07 CEST 2020 from node-1w7jr9srj45mzin12p8sz8wpz.ipv6.telus.net (2001:569:bd2f:6e00:64d8:7ea6:c9b4:aa7)

Posted by:

Norm J

Location: Pacific Northwest
Web: My link

Subject: Social Distancing

Here is John Cruz "social distancing" :-) I turned Kevin John on to John Cruz. If you are a Bob Dylan fan then you must be a fan of John Cruz. I am so impressed with this man. The songs he has written, how he helps promote his family and his people in Hawaii.

He is featured in so many Playing for Change songs including "The Weight". So take the time to watch and listen to his cover here of "Jokerman".

When I sit back here alone and watch him with my head phones on I share this park where he sits and plays. It don't get no better than this.


Entered at Thu Jul 9 22:20:23 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp130-04-65-93-102-222.dsl.bell.ca (65.93.102.222)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

Awwww.....MARIA McKEE at the El Mo???!!!!
Oh well....I did see Echo and the Bunnymen there and Daniel Lanois and Brian BladE.....and where Serenity lives.

Hope you are well!! Next time don't let anyone push you away. Don't give anyone that satisfaction. He actually is a sweetheart. Sorry!

Interview with Maria after the release of You Gotta Sin to Get Saved. Includes video and live performance clips.


Entered at Thu Jul 9 22:14:20 CEST 2020 from (2a00:23c8:b89:ac01:e8d4:f06:9ff7:1105)

Posted by:

Dunc

Location: Scotland

Subject: Last five albums played

A Tree With Roots Fairport Convention and Friends and the Songs of Bob Dylan. Sandy Denny’s voice and Rich Thompson’s guitar on ‘I’ll Keep It With Mine’ combined is worth the price of the album alone.

Love Forever Changes. Brilliant. Coincidentally BEG, the BBC showed Arthur Lee and guests playing the album at Glastonbury from several years ago, and I have been playing it ever since.

Steely Dan Can’t Buy A Thrill. Outstanding.

Gerry Rafferty Can I Have MyMoney Back? Scottish classic leading to Stealers Wheel.

Nancy Sinatra Nancy Sings Country. Really good.

Tell Tale Signs is a brilliant album. Thanks, Kevin.


Entered at Thu Jul 9 21:57:35 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp130-04-65-93-102-222.dsl.bell.ca (65.93.102.222)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

Sorry Kevin....

I made a copy via VHS as it was 2002. I was sooooo excited to be a part of this experience and yes I'm glad that we saw and heard everything whereas the American viewers.......My only disappointment was that Robbie omitted the word "ass" and replaced it with ? I know we are usually mindful of using specific language in certain environments but I felt he sold out....The word "ass" is the punch....Natives feel it every day and you're going to worry what the suits think?! Uhhhh....He could have used you can bet your donkey.....LOL....sorry my humour......Otherwise....very proud of the man from the Grand River.

There was always a video in my player ready to serve me. One of the Caretakers at one of the schools made a video copy for a Levonista to share. This person has some Native ancestry?.....So I sent the video and was sent in return a non-commercial Rick cassette. Days gone by.


Entered at Thu Jul 9 21:23:15 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp130-04-65-93-102-222.dsl.bell.ca (65.93.102.222)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

“There was this guy, “Cowboy” Dan Johnson, who had worked for Scorsese for about five years and he’d worked for me at one time too. He was a strange combination of characters. He was from Kentucky, he’d been on the front line at ‘Nam, he was an excellent chef – you’d never guess it, ’cause he was a big brute. Anyway, I was in New York, working with Marty, and when I was leaving, this guy, Dan, asked if he could catch a ride up town with me. So he came and we decided to go into this bar and have a couple of beers. We talked for a few minutes. Then I drove him back to his place, I went to my hotel. The next day, I got a call and was told that Dan had died. He died of acute meningitis of the brain. There was no scandal. Here was a guy who just went home and died. It was so devastating to me and Marty. It just blew us apart. We talked about it and thought it would be a nice thing to write a song in memory of Dan. So I ended up doing that, instead of another one I’d originally done. So ‘Between Trains’ was about Dan and for him. “I ain’t no cowboy/I just look like one/And I ain’t no prisoner/But I’m on the run from these chains/And I’m just between trains” – from ‘Between Trains’ by Robbie Robertson.

The first line of the song I stole from Dan. We were sitting at the bar the night before he died and this guy came up behind us, slapped Dan on the back and said, “Cowboy Dan.” Well he wheeled around on the guy and said, “I ain’t no cowboy, I just look like one.” And the guy kind of shrunk back and said, “Okay, sorry.” Dan was one of those people who was very nice, but he also had this thing, this glint in his eye, that made you think that, at any moment, he might just tear the place apart or something. He definitely had a touch of danger in his shadow.” Robbie Robertson (805)


Entered at Thu Jul 9 21:22:56 CEST 2020 from (2600:1702:4820:1850:4cff:76ae:dae8:3660)

Posted by:

Dan

Kevin - agree with you completely about wishing to have Robbie Robertson “De-Lanoised” like Tell Tale Signs. Even though Time Out of Mind is a great album, and Lanois may have been necessary to garner the media attention to propel back to relevance and a Grammy, the two subsequent Dylan self-produced albums sound better. This last one, Rough & Rowdy Ways, is suprisingly good. Back to Robbie Robertson - it must have been daunting to sing at that time having never really been a solo vocalist before, and that what probably caused some of the use of star power that camoflauged or obscured his vision. Great songs but it could have been better. I'd stack up Testimony against almost any song at that time.


Entered at Thu Jul 9 21:16:08 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp130-04-65-93-102-222.dsl.bell.ca (65.93.102.222)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

Robbie Robertson Comes Home Again
Tony Scherman
New York Times
Oct. 9, 1994


Entered at Thu Jul 9 21:09:57 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp130-04-65-93-102-222.dsl.bell.ca (65.93.102.222)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

A message from Robbie Robertson

Robbie Robertson, long-time supporter and friend of the American Indian College Fund, believes in the power of education, and we know you do too.


Entered at Thu Jul 9 21:02:17 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp130-04-65-93-102-222.dsl.bell.ca (65.93.102.222)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

I ain't no loner
I just work alone
There ain't no place
Where there's a home I could claim
And I'm still between trains
Still between trains

I've got to let it roll
I've got to let it ride
I can never show
What's really going on inside
If I'm too young to learn
Or too old to change
I guess I'll always be
Between trains

Between Trains was not well known maybe to the non-Robbie fans. As the rest of us had The King Of Comedy on cassette. The very first time I found this song and posted it so many were so delighted to hear it and download it via of a link I found. If ya missed it ya missed it....

“There was this guy called Dan who worked for Martin Scorcese and myself and he died all of a sudden. Just died. Like acute meningitis, just one day. Him and I, in New York, we went to a bar and we were just having a beer and talking. Afterwards he went back to his apartment and he just died. All the time he worked for us, he always said it was temporary. He said, “I’m just passing through.” I always thought of Dan as being between trains.” Robbie Robertson (383)


Entered at Thu Jul 9 20:54:37 CEST 2020 from toroon0628w-lp140-05-70-26-158-39.dsl.bell.ca (70.26.158.39)

Posted by:

Kevin J

Subject: Stomp Dance Unity

BEG......Thank you for those earlier clips but the performance I really would like to see again is the Canadian TV presentation of the Opening Ceremony for the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics. The NBC US TV feed was appalling as they talked all over the performance but the Canadian feed ( I would guess CBC ) paid proper respect to Robbie and the great Rita Coolidge and the band performing and I remember it being very special. Anyhow, it would be nice to see again.


Entered at Thu Jul 9 20:00:03 CEST 2020 from toroon0628w-lp140-05-70-26-158-39.dsl.bell.ca (70.26.158.39)

Posted by:

Kevin J

Dan….I am with you on “Between Trains”. Some years back, when Sebastian Robertson was here and had informed us that a part two of his dad’s memoirs was being written, I suggested that “Between Trains” would be a good title. He said he liked the idea a lot and would pass it on to Robbie. I do hope he does go with it mainly because of the additional spotlight it would shine on the song which has been so obscure for too long.

The other thing that would be nice would be having a few of those songs on the first album “De-Lanoised” in the way Bob Dylan rescued so many on the truly great Tell Tale Signs – Bootleg Volume 8 - one of Dunc's faves and mine also.

Funny thing is that I really like the Daniel Lanois solo work where he seems to not murk things up as he did with Dylan and RR.


Entered at Thu Jul 9 19:00:30 CEST 2020 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Posted by:

Peter V

credits … covers are extremely important. Being on a best-selling album is good in itself- every track gets an equal share.


Entered at Thu Jul 9 18:53:21 CEST 2020 from (2601:8d:8600:7610:8cd3:efc5:c880:e372)

Posted by:

Ben

Location: New Jersey

Subject: Levon Concert for Hospice

A 26 minute concert video of Levon from 1990 called 'Concert for Hospice' has been posted on a couple of Band fb groups. The video is on youtube. It's pro-shot, I'm listening/watching it right now. Levon is sporting his full beard. Goood stuff. Jim Weider and Earl Cate are part of the band. Definitely worth a look and listen.


Entered at Thu Jul 9 15:55:35 CEST 2020 from (2600:1702:4820:1850:4cff:76ae:dae8:3660)

Posted by:

Dan

Really enjoyed Storyville, Native Americans and HTBC. Garth is fantastic on Storyville and Robbie seems to be channeling some Garth in the last few songs of HTBC. Robbie appears comfortable with himself and the other vocalists on those three albums. Some great songs on Robbie Robertson, especially Testimony, Somewhere Down Crazy River, but he seems lost in 80s era production. Wish Between Trains had made it on to that album. By the way, the issue with song credits is not the number of songs one writes but where they are on the pantheon. George Harrison wrote very few Beatles songs but he has 3 in the top 10 (Something, Here Comes the Sun and while My Guitar Gently Weeps), all in a 1-2 year period. When it comes to The Band, it would not make a whit of difference to have co-writing on great songs that did not receive much airplay, e.g. Jemima Surrender. Don't think RM made much from We Can Talk though "you could try to reason, but you might think it's treason," is most appropriate for this era. Attaching a credit to The Weight, The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down or This Wheel's On Fire would. Levon Helm's allegations seemed scattershot to me - I have never seen anything where he focused on a particular song and highlighted why he should get credit. Robbie, though he does not self perform hits, has managed to write classics with the Band and write or co-write Broken Arrow or It's In the Way that You Use It. So based on history, and John Simon's testimony have to go with Robbie Robertson.


Entered at Thu Jul 9 15:20:18 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp130-04-65-93-102-222.dsl.bell.ca (65.93.102.222)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

Another Robbie song where the kidzzz explored.....by writing words that came to them as they were listening....drawing pictures....displaying lines and colours as the music was playing.....I loved observing some of them as they were moving and groovin' in their seats....I knew they were feelin' it.....The arts are all about feeelin' something......and then at one Centre they'd drop their large construction paper and move with their group using no words just body movements connecting with each other to the song. I actually had them explore all musical genres this way. And then when it was party time; they'd dance away to their fave songs and mine....sometimes they came together.

Mr. Maximus and his partner came with me to Music Week with Robbie and Daniel Lanois. She really liked Robbie's Native inspired recordings as I did. However, Robbie didn't have a Meet and Greet and just like that she dumped Robbie. Daniel Lanois did meet us and performed with his steel guitar. My friend couldn't stop talking about Daniel afterwards. She kept talking about his personal energy.....I really think we connect with some people and not with others because of this inexplicable "energy". Mr. Maximus took a photo with us together. Yeah, it's true....He exudes an energy alright. ;-D He was so interested to know which was my fave song from The Beauty of Wynona....and then he signed my CD. Who would have known that many years later I would meet one of Daniel's camping buddies at Eric Clapton's Guitar Festival. Unbelievable but true. Or that he sometimes is known to drop by a place in the Junction where all three of us would have brunch....Cool Hand Of The Girl....or that my dental hygienist's friend was Daniel's Interior Decorator......He has a huge loft here as well as other places.....Daniel's buddy wanted to dance with me during John Mayer's Slow Dancing In A Burning Room. He couldn't believe that I left my companion at home. I observed that he was drinking too much beer for my liking so he didn't stand a chance.....Yes I am painfully independent when I'm feeling strong but really needy when I've lost myself. This six day trip to NYC was one of the best things I did for myself ever.

It was at this event I met a writer who saw my camera and telephoto lens...ha, ha, ha....and invited me to join him to see Daniel Lanois and Brian Blades!!!!!.....at the El Mo. So my friends dropped me off and I had a fantastic night up and close and personal!! He wanted me to continue on with him going to more Clubs as he had a pass to get into them as it was Canadian Music Week. Awww....I was tempted as I'm a huge music fan but instead I said that I had to turn in early as I had to work on Reports. I know.....terrible but it was true as I always wrote papers in University and wrote reports for students late at night when I didn't have any distractions.


Entered at Thu Jul 9 14:31:16 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp130-04-65-93-102-222.dsl.bell.ca (65.93.102.222)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

...and without the translation.

From a show in Regionale Di Agrigento, Italy w/ Robbie.
Line-up:
Robbie Robertson Red Road Ensemble Coolidge Ulali
Special Guests: John Trudell, Buffy Sainte Marie and the American Indian Dance Theater

Walfredo Reyes, Jr. w/ Robbie Robertson "Cherokee Morning Song" (Live)


Entered at Thu Jul 9 14:22:11 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp130-04-65-93-102-222.dsl.bell.ca (65.93.102.222)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

Every morning in class we'd sing another one of Robbie's songs. Sometimes in a round. At the end of the day we'd sing another Native song which basically meant may you live with dignity and we will meet again.


Entered at Thu Jul 9 14:09:36 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp130-04-65-93-102-222.dsl.bell.ca (65.93.102.222)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

One of Robbie's best written songs and non-BANDISH....Yippee!! It's a protest song for Natives. For me it's a protest song for anyone who attempts to silence women.

We will not be silenced.


Entered at Thu Jul 9 09:51:59 CEST 2020 from (2a00:23c8:b89:ac01:e8d4:f06:9ff7:1105)

Posted by:

Dunc

Location: Scotland

I think Robbie’s first two albums are brilliant. I think Somewhere Down The Crazy River with Rag Mama Rag are the two Robbie Robertson songs that have received the most radio play up here.

His music in this era is not Band music, he’s moved on, still developing and is innovative. I love Breakin’ The Rules, for example. Many examples like this. His innovation on the Fats Domino tribute album is outstanding.

I really enjoy all his albums.


Entered at Thu Jul 9 06:33:40 CEST 2020 from inetgate2.msd.govt.nz (202.27.51.3)

Posted by:

Rod

Robbie's first album had a huge impact on me. I loved it at the time as it was his first "real" record since TLW. (I've only recently heard Carny but that still doesn't count). These days I hardly listen to it but I still love a few tracks Fallen Angel, Big Sky, Crazy River - and Amercian Roulette is OK. It has dated though - as some reviewers from that time said it would compared to The Band's recordings.

I never thought about Fallen Angel being a Tears Of Rage style opener before. It makes sense though - a clever move.


Entered at Thu Jul 9 01:04:18 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp140-03-50-100-253-252.dsl.bell.ca (50.100.253.252)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link


Entered at Thu Jul 9 01:02:18 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp140-03-50-100-253-252.dsl.bell.ca (50.100.253.252)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

"A lot of fans get down on Robbie for The Bands break-up but his solo work is brilliant.

Chris Coleman 1 year ago Robbie was looking good sound pretty damn great

globalcat 6 years ago Man. How many years since this album and STILL people have to attack Robertson's departure from The Band. He did some great work with this album. Band lovers - not everything is about what you like. Give it a rest after a few decades. "


Entered at Wed Jul 8 23:56:08 CEST 2020 from (24.114.65.186)

Posted by:

Kevin J

Nick Deriso, as usual, nailed it on SGCITM :

“Sonny Got Caught in the Moonlight” might be best described, then, as an example of the forward-thinking album that Robertson could have made, if he and Lanois hadn’t invited so many new friends over. It points the way, in one memorable burst, to a new kind of Robbie Robertson song — one that’s comfortably like, but also thrillingly unlike, everything that came before.


Entered at Wed Jul 8 23:47:18 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp140-03-50-100-253-252.dsl.bell.ca (50.100.253.252)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

Music video by MARIA McKEE performing I'm Gonna Soothe You.

(C) 1993 UMG Recordings, Inc.


Entered at Wed Jul 8 23:35:58 CEST 2020 from (24.114.65.186)

Posted by:

Kevin J

Subject: b.lee

I also have wondered about the song order on the Robbie Robertson debut album. I understood it a bit better years later when John Simon noted that it was Robbie’s insistence that “Tears of Rage” lead off MFBP as it was the mood he wanted to set. He seemed to be going for the same thing all those years later by starting off with the somber tribute to Richard on his solo outing. I would have started with my favourite song on the album “Sonny Got Caught In The Moonlight”.


Entered at Wed Jul 8 23:33:09 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp140-03-50-100-253-252.dsl.bell.ca (50.100.253.252)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

"In 2003, Maria McKee the former lead singer of the 1980s alt-country rock band Lone Justice made an appearance on News 8 in San Diego. She had been a solo performer since 1989 and was promoting a new album called "High Dive." Fresh off a performance on The Tonight Show, Maria graced the News 8 studios with a performance of her song "Life is Sweet."

When I watched again Maria being interviewed for the Doc I had a strong feeling something was happening there by the way she was communicating. I read an interview by her mother and just as I suspected....She wasn't on coke but she like her musician brother Bryan Maclean...bi-polar disorder Well we're all dealt with different cards but we are dealt with cards. Let's hear another song by our girl MARIA McKEE!!!!

Maria tells us that she was from the other side of the tracks....perhaps because her father wasn't around much if at all. Her brother Bryan MacLean shared the same mother....Wow....She was born into a bohemian and artistic lifestyle who at one time wanted to apply to the Juilliard School for musical Theatre. Not surprisingly she was able to beat to her own drum, especially when she got back to her natural roots. ;-D

Early life[edit] Bryan MacLean's mother was an artist and a dancer, and his father was an architect for Hollywood celebrities such as Elizabeth Taylor and Dean Martin.[1] Neighbor Frederick Loewe, of the songwriting team Lerner & Loewe, recognized him as a "melodic genius" at the age of three as he doodled on the piano. His early influences were Billie Holiday and George Gershwin, although he confessed to an obsession with Elvis Presley. During his childhood, he wore out show music records from Guys and Dolls, Oklahoma, South Pacific and West Side Story. His first girlfriend was Liza Minnelli and they would sit at the piano together singing songs from The Wizard of Oz. He learned to swim in Elizabeth Taylor's pool, and his father's good friend was actor Robert Stack. Bryan appears in the 1957 Cary Grant film An Affair to Remember singing in the Deborah Kerr character's music class. Maria McKee is his half-sister.

At 17, Bryan heard The Beatles: "Before the Beatles I had been into folk music. I had wanted to be an artist in the bohemian tradition, where we would sit around with banjos and do folk music, but when I saw A Hard Day's Night everything changed. I let my hair grow out and I got kicked out of high school."


Entered at Wed Jul 8 20:34:11 CEST 2020 from (2605:8d80:6e1:80e6:d:8aac:2e0c:86d4)

Posted by:

Bill M

Thanks for the Rick quote b.lee - says so much. Re bassists, I do find that the more showy ones that I think of tend to be playing as requested or expected, so are acting in the interests of the songb(or maybe the show) but in a different way than the groovers. Could the Doors' 'Touch Me" been half the song without Harvey Brooks' bass? You mentioned Jaco.


Entered at Wed Jul 8 20:03:51 CEST 2020 from wsip-174-79-196-59.hr.hr.cox.net (174.79.196.59)

Posted by:

b.lee

Location: DE, USA

Subject: Thoughts on Rick, Robbie's solo output

Did get to look at Rolling Stone's 50 Bass Players list. ("Not a ranking?"). There are a couple schools of bass playing, let's say "Serve the Song/Groove" and "Check Out My Chops!" are two of the more prevalent. I like to think I'm in the former group. The latter gets most of the accolades and mostly leaves me cold. (The same formula could be applied to drummers.) There are exception. Jaco was a force of nature who could, come to think of it straddle both extremes. (Coyote, anyone?). As for RS' entry on Rick Danko, the appalling photo was IMO partially offset by the quote:

“I feel about bass playing as I do about background singing,” he told Bass Player in 1994. “It should be a hair behind. It’s nice to leave the top of the beat for the vocal and spread the other parts around the beat. That gives the music a sort of Ferris-wheel effect and carries it along.”

Neatly sums up why I cite Rick as a major influence.

All this discussion of Robbie's post-TLW work has me digging in the stacks. Nothing on vinyl, but Robbie Robertson, Storyville, Redboy, and Clairvoyant are on the CD shelf, along with a Classic Masters comp of the Capitol years I totally forgot about, also simply titled Robbie Robertson. So, a deviation from the Classical that accompanies the work-at-home hours for immersion therapy in Robbie, in chronological order.

Right off the bat, the first record sounds awful. Sludge. Why start the record with a long fade in of incomprehensible singing? Can you hear me? Well, not so much, Robbie! I hear the Peter Gabriel fingerprints more than U2. And Peter was huge, then no? And of course Lanois' smudgy prints are quite noticeable. He is one of those lauded artists that I always feel I should like more than I do.

From the opening notes of Storyville, the sound is so much better and despite the pundits saying "it could have been a Band record" I think the vocal-wise Robbie is more comfortable in his own skin. Somehow in my mind, Somewhere Down the Lazy River is on Storyville, not the first one. Sonically and thematically it fits better there. The journey continues...


Entered at Wed Jul 8 17:29:52 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp140-03-50-100-253-252.dsl.bell.ca (50.100.253.252)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

POP MUSIC : Will Justice Be Served? : Ten years ago, Maria McKee and her golden voice appeared headed for stardom. But things went sour. Now, after a long escape to Europe, she’s back to try again with a new album and a survivor’s sensibility

“I was a perfect candidate. And I eventually found my own drug: spending money. . . . I had money because ‘A GOOD HEART, (apparently about one of Tom Petty's band mates but he denies it....Sure....)’ a song I wrote when I was 18, was recorded by Feargal Sharkey and it was No. 1 all over Europe. At one point, I would spend $100 a week on fresh-cut flowers and I’d eat in fancy restaurants three times a day. . . . I was 21.”

Her main question as a teen-ager was what type of music should she sing. She loved everything from rock to Judy Garland ballads. She also enjoyed acting and thought maybe she could combine the two.

By the time she arrived at Beverly Hills High School, McKee had settled on a theater arts career. But she got detoured. She didn’t fit in with the other kids--and she began looking for a connection elsewhere.

“At that school, you were either a rich kid who was totally into whatever was happening at the moment in music, or you were from the other side of the tracks, like me, and you didn’t fit in,” she says. “You probably had a single mother who was breaking her back to make the rent so that you could live in a 90210 address.”

“I realize that if I had the kind of success that everyone had hoped for when I was 19 or 20 when I was in Lone Justice, I’d probably be a counselor at the Betty Ford Clinic right now. There’s no way I would have had the wherewithal to deal with it. It’s taken a long time to get to this point, but it’s probably for the best.”


Entered at Wed Jul 8 16:26:02 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp140-03-50-100-253-252.dsl.bell.ca (50.100.253.252)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

My favourite girl crush and her fave rock and roll song. Lisa Loeb and Natalie Merchant as well....


Entered at Wed Jul 8 15:04:06 CEST 2020 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Posted by:

Peter V

Web: My link

Subject: Wonderful Life

Review in the 60s Retrospective series of WONDERFUL LIFE (1964). (follow the link) It’s the third Cliff Richard musical, and suffered from its release date, just days before ‘A Hard Day’s Night.’ It’s much maligned, though the “In The Movies” series of pastiches gets praised. I’ve put more pictures in than any other review, because there are two long pastiche / send ups of dance movies, and then one of movies which are worth illustrating. I had never seen it before. I was struck by the criticized ‘film within a film plot’ at the time, which makes it look most knowing in subverting movie conventions nowadays. It suffers from the music (a burden for a musical) but filming and cinematography are always good.


Entered at Wed Jul 8 02:01:17 CEST 2020 from s0106a84e3f63c293.vf.shawcable.net (96.48.242.117)

Posted by:

Lisa

It's available to watch on YouTube.


Entered at Tue Jul 7 23:57:00 CEST 2020 from (63.142.158.9)

Posted by:

JQ

Subject: Steve Prince - American Boy

There’s an article about this guy and the Martin Scorsese doc in this week’s New Yorker - I think it might be free on their website. The film is this guy as a raconteuring storyteller in the 70’s with MS as his main audience and I think his employer. I don’t believe the film makes any reference to JRR but the article has a number of asides about him in that TLW era.


Entered at Tue Jul 7 22:38:58 CEST 2020 from (2600:1702:4580:5e80:7919:e385:4ac1:dd6c)

Posted by:

Pat B

Web: My link

The link is as good an explanation as any of songwriter royalties. You can see that The Band's royalties would not have made any of them wealthy over the long haul.


Entered at Tue Jul 7 22:21:01 CEST 2020 from n1-43-50-96.mas2.nsw.optusnet.com.au (1.43.50.96)

Posted by:

Wallsend

Pat, you see well informed about the music industry, what kind of money do you think Robbie would have made from Rod Stewart covering Broken Arrow?


Entered at Tue Jul 7 22:05:44 CEST 2020 from toroon0812w-lp130-06-74-12-33-6.dsl.bell.ca (74.12.33.6)

Posted by:

Bill M

Kevin J: That's a pretty good assessment of things. I never liked the first, sometimes because of the overall sound, but mostly because it seemed to me that Robbie was too often trying to sing in the voice of the person he had in mind when he was writing it - mostly Richard, sometimes Rick. Maybe he was thinking of Levon for the speaking parts, but at least he had the sense then to not try to mimic Levon's accent. "Storyville" I didn't like either until I rebought it around 2000 because you people here were speaking of it so highly; and you people were right - it's a terrific album. And as you suggest, the next two were brilliant. "Clairvoyant" is an excellent album, but to me not on an emotional par with its two immediate predecessors. By the way, I've rebought the first album three times now - and still don't like it.


Entered at Tue Jul 7 21:41:34 CEST 2020 from toroon0628w-lp140-05-70-26-158-39.dsl.bell.ca (70.26.158.39)

Posted by:

Kevin J

Imagine if The Edge had left U2 – disappeared for 10 years and then put out a solo album doing all the singing while not touring to support it. Most would think, Grammy nomination, a sweep of all major music awards in the UK or Ireland ( as RR’s album did in Canada) and the album selling a MILLION or so copies would be deemed a success.

The disappointing step for me was that Storyville was the better album and its sales performance was most definitely a disappointment. Times had changed in a major way by early 90’s….Grunge had rendered almost all other types of rock music – especially metal and non-alternative rock – as finished. Nirvana’s “Nevermind” was 1991 and Smashing Pumpkins a little bit after that. Rather than staying on the aging rock star merry go round – I thought RR’s move to creating music inspired by his aboriginal roots was brilliant and his albums that followed I still love and listen to regularly.


Entered at Tue Jul 7 14:26:56 CEST 2020 from 178.80-203-82.nextgentel.com (80.203.82.178)

Posted by:

Dag B.

Location: Pepperland

Subject: Happy 80th, Sir Richard Starkey, MBE

I'm sometimes, sort of, working, more or less, on a Band day-by-day chronology and was looking into 1976 the other day. Can't find any pre-internet evidence of Levon playing mandolin on "Ringo's Rotogravure" which is listed at this site. Maybe someone at Allmusic confused it with the "Ringo" album which he does play mandolin on?


Entered at Tue Jul 7 14:23:08 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp140-03-50-100-253-252.dsl.bell.ca (50.100.253.252)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

Go ‘way little boy – Bob Dylan meets Maria McKee. The meaning behind the music and the lyrics.
October 21, 2016
Tony Attwood

"Bryan MacLean, who played in Love (the band that released the extraordinary “Forever Changes” album – one of my all time favourites) wrote “Old Man” – one of my all time favourite songs – which I linked to Dylan’s “Señor, Tales of Yankee Power”.

MacLean’s connection with Bob Dylan was that he joined the same Christian ministry (the Vineyard) that subsequently converted Dylan. I guess MacLean and Bob must have known each other musically before the event, and certainly knew each other personally once Bob converted to Christianity.

Now Bryan MacLean (who sadly died in 1998) had a half-sister Maria McKee who is known for her work as the lead singer with Lone Justice, another singer and band that I have enjoyed over the years, and whose albums I have.

My guess is that Dylan was deliberately experimenting, trying to reflect in the music the brashness of the woman in saying “go away little boy” and the bemusement of the young man who now finds himself out of his depth. That is what ending the verse on B minor and the middle 8 on E minor are there to suggest.

For me it doesn’t quite work, but then experiments often don’t. As I say, if Dylan had been a visual artist this little sketch would exist in the basement of some gallery, only brought out once every five years for a “The sketches behind the masterpieces” exhibition.

But I’m glad Lone Justice took it – because it has taken me back to one of the less often played parts of my record collection, and reminded me of the rare talent of Maria McKee. If you ever read this Maria, thank you for all the music."


Entered at Tue Jul 7 13:18:56 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp140-03-50-100-253-252.dsl.bell.ca (50.100.253.252)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

For BEN and KEVIN J...Awwww.....Sorry that your fantasies will have to be adjusted somewhat...Maria lost the weight, coloured her hair blonde and voila....All of a sudden she's everyone's sex kitten. Uhhhh....Her massive talent was there regardless of her weight and hair colour. I will say it again. I detested the video with Robbie! She is too talented in her own right to be......Sheesh! You'd never see Robbie in someone else's video like that, would you??!! Anyway, so happy for Maria that she's finally come out in her mid-fifties and living her true authentic life now. I will not list the other female musicians who you might also be having fantasies about....I won't do it!!! ;-D
GIVE THANKS AND PRAISES FOR MARIA McKEE!!
:-D

Mar 16, 2020
Maria McKee Returns: How Life Upheaval Brought The ‘80s Golden Child Back To Music After 13 Years....La Vita Nuova

"The story of why she began writing and recording again is a compelling and powerful one. In short, she came out recently as queer and has become a fierce advocate for queer and trans rights. While the press has characterized her marriage to Akin as being over she says that is not correct. They remain best friends in a partnership, but as she put it she has chosen to follow desire.

It was the total upheaval in her life that led to her writing again. "The only way that I could save my life was to write songs. And I hadn't done that in so long cause I just had sublimated that part of me to live according to what I felt was the safest way to live for me," she says. "I was obsessed with finding the answer on how to live because I knew I wasn't happy. And the only way I knew how to do that was to write."

That is where we start this fascinating conversation on art, life, love, longing and more. It is so good to have Maria McKee back in the music world.

Baltin: So you have changed so much in three years. Do the songs feel different to you already?

McKee: It's interesting. I was rehearsing the song "Courage" last night for a benefit I am doing [March 31 in London] . And I swapped the pronouns on that song to she/her. So it's a love song to a woman. Even though I've always identified as bisexual I was raised in the Christian church and I also had the experience of confessing feelings for girls at school and then being exorcised and brought before the prayer group. So my coming out journey has been long and laborious. And even though I've had feelings for women prior to coming out two years ago. I hadn't really written many songs about that and the song "Courage" was not consciously written about a woman I knew. But it wasn't written for the Beatrice of Dante's poetry. So I describe this extraordinary woman that I was too shy to confess my feelings for. This was before I came out. Now when I sing it, it takes on this whole other meaning and for all intents and purposes could have been written for the girl I fell in love with after I made the album. So it was almost like a premonition."


Entered at Tue Jul 7 13:16:49 CEST 2020 from (2601:8d:8600:7610:8cd3:efc5:c880:e372)

Posted by:

Ben

Location: New Jersey

Peter, The Jules Shear material on the 'Tombstone' is very good. 'Tombstone' and 'All Creation' were my two favorites. Of course, 'Atlantic City' was a highlight of this period as well, but why the hell didn't Rick Chertoff get Bruce together with the Band for the recording. That would have been formidable. Bruce was a major Band fan, he sang an impromptu 'The weight' the night that Levon died.


Entered at Tue Jul 7 13:08:09 CEST 2020 from (2601:8d:8600:7610:8cd3:efc5:c880:e372)

Posted by:

Ben

Location: New Jersey

Peter, No, it's not that Robbie's album was so much less successful than U2's current album, it's that it was a commercial disappointment.

An indie, low budget album by a little known artist that reaches #35 and goes gold is a blockbuster. A mutti-milllion dollar over budget, highly publicised album featuring the biggest band in the world on 2 songs that reaches #35 and goes gold is a commercial failure. That's my argument, I think the horse has been beaten to death and I'm done typing about this.


Entered at Tue Jul 7 12:44:39 CEST 2020 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Posted by:

Peter V

I’m not sure why it’s so important to Ben that Robbie’s first solo album was less successful than U2. U2 are 17-19 years younger. In rock terms, that’s a different generation and a different demographic. But I will agree on Natalie Merchant. When I looked at my iTunes records from the last couple of years, she is my most-played artist. Though in the last few months Max Richter has taken her place.

Yes, Geffen sued Neil Young but then Trans, followed by the ultra-short Everybody’s Rockin’ (virtually an EP) and Old Ways did seem to be taking the piss. I don’t think Geffen expected multi-platinum sales from these “heritage” artists, but he expected a respectable “gold” showing.

The Sony saga: we find the name Columbia confusing in the UK, where for decades an EMI label bore the name, and US Columbia had to trade as CBS in much of Europe. Sony bought up the EMI Columbia name in the end, so now it is Columbia in both. Anyway, it’s usually called the Sony era.

It’s hard to know what was happening. The Hooters are all over Atlantic City which was produced by Rick Chertoff… Eric Bazilian is playing mandolin, Rob Hyman keyboards. Their best post-TLW song is a Band-Hooters combination. Rumour has it they pissed Jules Shear off over credits. Rick & Levon had a meeting engineered by Garth Brooks with his manager and blew it. Los Lobos didn’t know what the score was from their meeting in Woodstock. There’s very good material from the Sony sessions, some better songs than on Jericho, and “The Lost Sony Album” really deserves a release. I love No One Sings Em Like Ray for starters,


Entered at Tue Jul 7 12:38:45 CEST 2020 from (2601:8d:8600:7610:8cd3:efc5:c880:e372)

Posted by:

Ben

Location: New Jersey

brown eyed girl, I watched part of the video you posted, and well it rekindled my appreciation for Maria McKee's talent, but sadly not for her sex appeal. Sorry, I was definitely more of an early McKee circs Lone Justice admirer. Now, if we do want to talk about attractive female musicians from the 80's and 90's I would suggest Natalie Merchant and Lisa Loeb.


Entered at Tue Jul 7 11:43:52 CEST 2020 from (2601:8d:8600:7610:8cd3:efc5:c880:e372)

Posted by:

Ben

Location: New Jersey

Pat, Robbie didn't record for Dreamworks did he? I think he was just a suit there, an Armani suit, if you will. Robbie went back to Capitol for his 3rd and 4th albums in the the 90's (and of course the 'Watkins Glen' monstrosity) so he wasn't recording for David Geffen after 'Storyville'.

Also, I refreshed my memory via wiki on 'The Joshua Tree' it was released in March 1987 and was #1 all over the world, so an album released in the fall of 1987 prominently featuring them and heavily promoted would be expected to chart higher than #35 in the U.S., just sayin....


Entered at Tue Jul 7 08:46:25 CEST 2020 from (2600:1702:4580:5e80:3d82:cc76:7dc3:c2a3)

Posted by:

Pat B

Universal bought Geffen and released a RR twofer in 1995 that included bonus tracks and a RR interview. Levon's contention that "over forty rockers" were not getting material released is belied by Universal's actions. My sense is that Columbia exec Rick Chertoff had his pals from the Hooters produce some tracks with the Band--specifically Atlantic City and Shine A Light. For whatever reason, he then passed. btw Capitol released Music For the Native Americans, Watkins Glen, and Across The Great Divide in 1994.


Entered at Tue Jul 7 08:00:10 CEST 2020 from (2407:7000:9b95:db00:a098:b340:5e06:188e)

Posted by:

Rod

Pat, Storyville was released in 91. You're are right - it wasn't in Hoskyns book - it was TWOF (known in some circles as The Bible) - P300. They (Sony) "spotted a dismal trend in the lack of success of Robbie Robertsons second solo album.....They bought out our record deal, and we didn't have anything to say about it". Though there may have been more to it than that.


Entered at Tue Jul 7 07:45:09 CEST 2020 from 108-88-109-12.lightspeed.cicril.sbcglobal.net (108.88.109.12)

Posted by:

Pat B

Columbia and The reformed Band parted ways in 1991. Universal which bought Geffen was still releasing Storyville material as late as 1995. Hoskyns does not connect Storyville sales with The Band's departure from Columbia.


Entered at Tue Jul 7 07:40:15 CEST 2020 from (24.114.65.186)

Posted by:

Kevin J

Subject: ‘I’m only gonna do one song but I’m gonna do it good”

“Take this veil, I'll dry your eyes/ In a world like ours, you're nobody's child”

From the lovely song - NOBODY’S CHILD” - that Robbie Robertson wrote with Maria McKee in 1993.


Entered at Tue Jul 7 06:49:26 CEST 2020 from (24.114.65.186)

Posted by:

Kevin J

Oh my....I should have watched that Maria McKee Netherlands clip before getting my beloved Agent 86 involved in this drama.....the ladies can have her..yikes.


Entered at Tue Jul 7 06:36:16 CEST 2020 from (24.114.65.186)

Posted by:

Kevin J

Subject: BEG’s “Yep News”....Say it Ain’t So....

....What’s next......it wasn’t Carole Laure nude in all those late night French channel movies I watched as a teenager? It wasn’t Rick Danko singing so perfectly in “It Makes No Difference”? There wasn’t a knife thrown at the bottom of the phone booth after Maxwell Smart had gone through 5 secret doors? Jed Clampett’s home town wasn’t Bugtussle? Robbie didn’t catch the fly?


Entered at Tue Jul 7 03:04:11 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp140-03-50-100-253-252.dsl.bell.ca (50.100.253.252)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

Excerpt from a 30 minute documentary (1996) about MARIA MCKEE, broadcast by VPRO Television from the Netherlands. Directed by Bram van Splintered.

Maria McKee on the dramatic demise of her band Lone Justice

In praise of MARIA McKEE!!!!!!


Entered at Tue Jul 7 02:52:51 CEST 2020 from inetgate2.msd.govt.nz (202.27.51.3)

Posted by:

Rod

I think it was Barney Hoskyns who wrote that CBS (?) dropped the option for The reformed Band after the poor sales of Storyville.



Entered at Tue Jul 7 02:46:09 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp140-03-50-100-253-252.dsl.bell.ca (50.100.253.252)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

MARIA MCKEE...
Why Wasn't I More Grateful


Entered at Tue Jul 7 02:34:49 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp140-03-50-100-253-252.dsl.bell.ca (50.100.253.252)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

MARIA MCKEE...same Birthday as my brother....Watch out for a Leo....

I'm attracted to her voice. She's sexy to both women and men but prefers women. :-D

Maria McKee: 'Yep, I'm Gay' As I get to know more people in the community and we share coming out stories there is a degree of shame that comes up for me as a late bloomer. I have been called “a newbie” by some Queer friends which is baffling to me. ... My Queer story is complicated and far reaching.
May 2, 2019

Solo first recordings for Rick Danko and Levon Helm and Richard Manuel....I had to pay Import Prices so perhaps that's another reason why sales were low....Just sayin'.


Entered at Tue Jul 7 01:21:00 CEST 2020 from 108-88-109-12.lightspeed.cicril.sbcglobal.net (108.88.109.12)

Posted by:

Pat B

Ben, actually David Geffen left Geffen Records in 1995. He and RR then went to Dreamworks.


Entered at Tue Jul 7 01:11:50 CEST 2020 from (2601:8d:8600:7610:8cd3:efc5:c880:e372)

Posted by:

Ben

Location: New Jersey

Peter, sorry for fat fingering that. I meant to type that you are being generous in your appraisal of Geffen. I think Maria McKee had real potential. Her band Lone Justice make a couple of good albums and she was sexy as hell. I think she could have been a real contender.


Entered at Tue Jul 7 01:04:58 CEST 2020 from (2601:8d:8600:7610:8cd3:efc5:c880:e372)

Posted by:

Ben

Location: New Jersey

Peter, Don't forget that the David 'free man in Paris' Geffen sued Neil Young for making experimental, un-commercial albums. So, I think you're being genrtous in your appraisal of him. He also dropped Robbie after his sophomore album 'Storyville'.


Entered at Tue Jul 7 00:41:43 CEST 2020 from (24.114.65.186)

Posted by:

Kevin J

Funny...Robbie did have a song that reached Number 1 ( Billboard Top 100 Rock Songs Chart ) in 1987 - just not one from his album. Referring to “It’s in the Way That You Use It” with Eric Clapton.


Entered at Tue Jul 7 00:18:18 CEST 2020 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Posted by:

Peter V

Geffen Records had a double aim. They had Asia, Guns ‘n’,Roses, later Aerosmith to generate mega sales. Then they had Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Robbie Robertson and they had expectations of them, but at a different sales level. Geffen was good at his job and took Robbie to Dreamworks. I’m not sure where Don Henley fitted - somewhere in between, I guess. Apparently Geffen’s blind spot was Maria McKee who he thought was going to be a mega star. I don’t think Geffen would have expected Robbie or Joni or Neil to bring in a multi-platinum album.


Entered at Mon Jul 6 23:52:18 CEST 2020 from (2601:8d:8600:7610:985c:b3d5:cb03:94ec)

Posted by:

Ben

Location: New Jersey

Kevin, Yes, I think Zaentz claimed that 'The old man down the road' plagiarized 'Run through the jungle'. 'Centerfield' was a great album and comeback for Fogerty. I think it would be a few more years before he started playing CCR songs in concert. Fogerty and Robbie took very different approaches with these two albums. Not surprisingly, I think that Fogerty's approach worked better.

The genius of Robbie's song writing on the early Band albums was that he wrote specifically for Levon, Rick and Richard. So, when he began a solo career, he was at a real disadvantage. He worked with some talented lesser known artists like Sammy Llamas and Maria Mckee, but I think that the collaborations with U2 and Peter Gabriel fell pretty flat and Lanois' over-production was a real detriment.


Entered at Mon Jul 6 23:49:24 CEST 2020 from c-73-119-115-178.hsd1.ma.comcast.net (73.119.115.178)

Posted by:

Dave H

One of the many missed opportunities with the '80s-'90s Band was that they kept getting associated with"classic rock" (i.e. over the hill, trading on past glories) rather than "Americana" (i.e. keeping the timeless font of musical tradition alive). Levon finally made that move with Dirt Farmer and it really paid off for him; should've happened 20 years before...


Entered at Mon Jul 6 23:09:02 CEST 2020 from (24.114.65.186)

Posted by:

Kevin J

Ben....Not many times since my teenage years can I remember exactly where I was when hearing a new song on the radio for the first time. Two such instances would be a DJ saying they had a new song from John Fogerty “The Old Man Down The Road”. Although, it sounded exactly like the CCR song ( and being sued for plagiarizing yourself was funny ) I just remember turning it up and feeling really good hearing that voice again.......The other time was even more memorable as I had been shocked by seeing a Musician magazine cover on the newsstand with Robbie Robertson’s face on the cover and then a few weeks later hearing “Showdown at Big Sky” on the radio. Overjoyed I was and I still love that song.


Entered at Mon Jul 6 22:20:22 CEST 2020 from (2600:1702:4580:5e80:3d82:cc76:7dc3:c2a3)

Posted by:

Pat B

John D, more Webb Pierce is always a worthy goal. I'd also like to dress like him more often.


Entered at Mon Jul 6 22:13:59 CEST 2020 from (2600:1702:4580:5e80:3d82:cc76:7dc3:c2a3)

Posted by:

Pat B

Ben, the difference between JF and RR are far greater and more impactful than those similarities you listed. And, no, without major label infrastructure, there was nothing like the radio promotions you envisioned. I can tell you that a local classic rock station did promote a Band show in the early 90's. The group's business was such that the bar made more money than the group. I was in a group that played a heavily promoted show at the same place a few years later and made twice the money.


Entered at Mon Jul 6 21:41:35 CEST 2020 from (24.114.65.186)

Posted by:

Kevin J

This talk of comebacks and record sales reminds me of funny little interplay between David Letterman and Sly Stone way back when.....this was decades after Sly and the Family success but well before the great man had completely lost his mind. Anyhow, out comes Sly and Letterman starts talking about a new record. “What kind of record will it be?” Sly Stone answers “a hit record”. as if there could be any other kind.

John D....a nice reminder about The Blue Ridge Rangers.. I had that first record on cassette and carried it with me for years. Great memories.


Entered at Mon Jul 6 21:37:03 CEST 2020 from (2601:8d:8600:7610:985c:b3d5:cb03:94ec)

Posted by:

Ben

Subject: zaentz can't dance

Kevin, Fogerty was sued by Saul Zaentz the head of Fantasy records (CCR's label) for defamation for 'Zaentz can't dance' which had the catchy chrous... zaentz can't dance but he'll steal your money, watch him or he'll rob you blind... So, Fogerty re-cut the song as 'Vanz can't dance'.

You're absolutely right that CCR sold far more than the Band in the late 60's, early 70's, but I think that in the mid 80's both Fogerty and Robbie were in a completely different marketplace. And Fogerty's album fared much better than Robbie's.


Entered at Mon Jul 6 21:24:37 CEST 2020 from (2601:8d:8600:7610:985c:b3d5:cb03:94ec)

Posted by:

Ben

Location: New Jersey

Pat, I think referring to the reformed Band's business machine is far too generous of you. As we've discussed multiple times here, there were lots of ill advised things done by Levon and co in 1983. Hiring 4 musicians instead of 1, touring without anything new (not even a single) to promote top the list.

Regarding radio play, I was thinking there would be ads on classic rock stations in the cities they were playing and ticket giveaways, etc. The initial reunion tour in Canada played to good sized halls, as did the tour in Japan in the fall, so with the touring and publicity around this I gotta think there was an uptick in sales of their catalog in 1983, 84 over 1981, or 82. How much additional income that generated for Robbie, I don't know. It probably would have been a good move for Capitol to release something in 83 to coincide with the tour, maybe a mislabeled, fraudulent frankenstein version of the watkins Glen concert, oh wait....,the geniuses at Capitol held off on that one until 1995.

Regarding John Fogerty, well, there are a number of similiarities between Robbie and John. Both The Band and CCR mined many of the same musical styles. Certainly CCR were more successful commercially than The Band. And yes, Fogerty was the voice of CCR. But they were the two primary songwriters, they both had taken long sabbaticals from the music business. They both made highly publicised solo albums within 2 years of each other and one sold far, far more than the other.


Entered at Mon Jul 6 20:56:52 CEST 2020 from (24.114.65.186)

Posted by:

Kevin J

Subject: CCR & The Band ...

...and worth noting that in 1968, CCR sold over 1 million albums - The Band less than 100,000. In fact, it took 25 years for MFBP to sell 500,000.......and in 1969 when The Band had its best selling year with Brown achieving 1 million sales - the mighty CCR sold over 7 million !

John Fogerty ( and I truly love the guy ) kicked off his comeback album in 1985 with a re-write of a CCR hit.......Robbie got his started with the somber “Fallen Angel”. Different artists with different approaches.


Entered at Mon Jul 6 20:44:43 CEST 2020 from cpef81d0f88efd3-cmf81d0f88efd0.cpe.net.cable.rogers.com (99.227.162.85)

Posted by:

John D

Subject: Fogerty

Pat I'm ready for a new Blue Ridge Rangers album. More Webb Pierce Please.


Entered at Mon Jul 6 20:34:11 CEST 2020 from (2600:1702:4580:5e80:c07b:ed16:f2bb:ba27)

Posted by:

Pat B

Ben, John Fogerty was a universally recognized "voice". His first solo album sounded like an extension of his previous hit-making machine. RR came from a group that had few radio hits, none of which featured his voice. The RR comparison has little basis.


Entered at Mon Jul 6 20:05:36 CEST 2020 from (2601:8d:8600:7610:985c:b3d5:cb03:94ec)

Posted by:

Ben

Location: New Jersey

Bill, You're quite right that Robbie wasn't likely to reunite with the Band regardless of the success or failure of his solo album. No argument there. I just happen to have a difference of opinion with Peter in interpreting the sales and chart placement of the album. That's all. But, you know arguing and debating is baked into my dna.

Maybe the best comparison for Robbie's album would be John Fogerty's 'Centerfield' released two years earlier in 1985. Fogerty hadn't released anything in 10 years, similiar to Robbie, and his comeback album was also heavily promoted with magazine covers, high profile interviews and music videos. And what were the results...... Well, Fogerty's album sold far better. It reached #1 and was certified double platinum in the U.S.


Entered at Mon Jul 6 19:29:34 CEST 2020 from s0106a84e3f63c293.vf.shawcable.net (96.48.242.117)

Posted by:

Lisa

Web: My link

Subject: Ennio Morricone

Truly one of the greats. A long, prolific life.


Entered at Mon Jul 6 19:23:36 CEST 2020 from (2600:1702:4580:5e80:c07b:ed16:f2bb:ba27)

Posted by:

Pat B

Ben, that's not how the radio game works, and that certainly wasn't how the reformed Band's business machine worked. The RB had no label affiliation, so no one was working the radio markets in anticipation of a local gig. The music was wildly out of style so most radio stations wouldn't have touched it anyway. In Chicago, only one station played The Band at the time. Rick and Levon were supposed to do a pre-show appearance on air at the station--and without a word they didn't show. btw the station did sponsor the show, but the promoter had to pay for on air advertising albeit at a reduced rate. Finally, do you really think that a few extra plays on an alternative FM station for a week before a show generated a notable performance royalty.


Entered at Mon Jul 6 18:57:58 CEST 2020 from toroon0812w-lp130-06-74-12-33-6.dsl.bell.ca (74.12.33.6)

Posted by:

Bill M

Ben: Those what-ifs are good arguments for thinking about commercial success in specific circumstances. But what does the fate of Robbie's album have to do with anything outside of Robbie? Did it send him back into the Band? No. Would it have sent him back to the Band if it'd sold a billion? No. Would it have sent him back to the Band if it had stiffed totally and spilt an ocean of red ink? No.


Entered at Mon Jul 6 18:14:50 CEST 2020 from (2601:8d:8600:7610:985c:b3d5:cb03:94ec)

Posted by:

Ben

Location: New Jersey

Bill, I do think that the commercial success or lack thereof of an album is relevant. A couple of examples spring immediately to mind. If NL/SC would have been a major hit in 1975 and 'Ophelia' or 'It makes no difference' would have cracked the top 10, then the entire trajectory of the Band's career may have been different and TLW may not have taken place in 1976.

The other obvious example would be if Rick's album sold better than he could have completed and released his follow up album. And if Rick and or Levon's solo careers were more commercially successful, than they would have been far less likely to have reformed the Band in 1983.


Entered at Mon Jul 6 17:56:14 CEST 2020 from (2601:8d:8600:7610:985c:b3d5:cb03:94ec)

Posted by:

Ben

Location: New Jersey

Peter, With all due respect, I think you need to compare Robbie's album with U2 and Peter Gabriel's album in therm of sales and chart placing from 1987 (not Madonna). And I am quite confident that if you do you will find that Robbie's album sold far less and chartered far lower than those releases.

Now grammy nominations are a completely different story. I think you are conflating critical and commercial success. I recall that Bon Jovi were one of he biggest acts in 87, and I don't think they got a lot of grammy nominations that year.


Entered at Mon Jul 6 17:53:33 CEST 2020 from toroon0812w-lp130-06-74-12-33-6.dsl.bell.ca (74.12.33.6)

Posted by:

Bill M

And we (on both sides of the Great Robbie Divide) are talking about commercial success because why? Not even the gems that our bony hands will cling to 'til the very end were considered commercial successes. But did they matter? Yes they did - they changed the musical landscape.


Entered at Mon Jul 6 17:41:58 CEST 2020 from (2601:8d:8600:7610:985c:b3d5:cb03:94ec)

Posted by:

Ben

Location: New Jersey

Subject: Robbie's album

I was very excited about Robbie's solo album when it was released in 1987. I was 18 at the time and this was the first Band related release since I had become a fan several years earlier. So, I remember eagerly reading the interviews and buying and listening to the album as soon as it came out. I remember watching the videos on MTV, (yes Maria Mckee was a hottie in 87). So, I'm not just regurgitating something I read somewhere. I'm speaking about my own experience with this album at the time of its release and my view of the reception it received.

I have my biases just like everybody else, but I don't think this album was considered a commercial success at the time of its release. You can't just look at the gold or platinum status of an album to judge it's commercial fate, I think you need to dig a little deeper and when you consider the PR and hype that Geffen put behind the album, I don't think a #35 or #38 peak and gold status in the U.S. can be considered a success from a commercial standpoint.


Entered at Mon Jul 6 17:25:37 CEST 2020 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Posted by:

Peter V

Subject: Wicked Wiki stuff

Released on October 26, 1987,Robbie Robertson peaked at #35 on the Billboard 200, remaining in the Top 40 for 3 weeks. Robbie Robertson produced several hits on the Billboard Mainstream Rock charts, with "Showdown At Big Sky" coming in the highest (#2) and "Sweet Fire Of Love" the second highest (#7). “Somewhere Down The Crazy River” was #24 in Billboard Mainstream Rock, and #15 in the UK singles chart.

The album was nominated for a Grammmy for "Best Rock / Vocal Album". Robbie Robertson was certified gold in the United States in 1991.

Robbie Robertson received overwhelming critical acclaim at the time of its release. The album was listed in the Top Ten Albums Of The Year by several of the critics in Billboard magazine's 1987 "The Critics' Choice" end of the year feature, and in February 1988, the album was listed in Stereo Review magazine's "Best Recordings of The Month" feature. In 1989, the album was listed as #77 in Rolling Stone's "100 Best Albums of the Eighties.

In Canada, it was double platinum … 200,000. It sold 100,000 in the UK.

Yeah, pretty disappointing … if you’re Madonna.


Entered at Mon Jul 6 17:10:10 CEST 2020 from (2601:8d:8600:7610:985c:b3d5:cb03:94ec)

Posted by:

Ben

Location: New Jersey

Pat, Here's another point about the Band reforming that hasn't been brought up in this current thread. The reformed Band and the publicity around it lead to an increased level of radio play (wherever they played) and in turn should lead to an increase in catalog sales which would most benefit Robbie as the primary songwriter. So, in a sense Robbie got to have his cake and eat it too with the reformed Band touring and playing his songs.

Dag and Peter, There's no question that Rick and Levon's albums sold poorly. That was one of the reasons why they reformed the Band. But, I don't think that either of their albums cost nearly as much or received nearly as much publicity as Robbie's. Let's look at the people who contributed to the albums, Rick had Doug Sahm and his brother Terry Danko, Levon had Paul Butterfield, Dr. John and Steve Cropper while Robbie had U2 and Peter Gabriel.

In 1987, U2 and Peter Gabriel were at the top of the heap, so their involvement should have resulted in a top 10, platinum album in the U.S. It didn't come close, it barely scratched the top 40 and went gold. So, on the surface, yes Robbie's album charted higher and sold more copies that Rick and Levon's, but I think the expectations and cost of it were so much higher that it was generally considered a commercial dissapointment.


Entered at Mon Jul 6 15:20:51 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp140-03-50-100-253-252.dsl.bell.ca (50.100.253.252)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

SUZI QUATRO SPEAKS ON GETTING THE TRAILBLAZER SPOTLIGHT IN NEW DOCUMENTARY SUZI Q
LINA LECARO
JULY 3, 2020

"In a 2012 interview, Suzi QUATRO was asked what she thought she had achieved for female rockers in general. She replied: Before I did what I did, we didn't have a place in rock 'n' roll. Not really. You had your Grace Slick and all that, but that's not what I did. I was the first to be taken seriously as a female rock 'n' roll musician and singer. That hadn't been done before. I played the boys at their own game. For everybody that came afterward, it was a little bit easier, which is good. I'm proud of that. If I have a legacy, that's what it is. It's nothing I take lightly. It was gonna happen sooner or later. In 2014, I will have done my job 50 years. It was gonna be done by somebody, and I think it fell to me to do because I don't look at gender. I never have. It doesn't occur to me if a 6-foot-tall guy has pissed me off not to square up to him. That's just the way I am. If I wanted to play a bass solo, it never occurred to me that I couldn't. When I saw Elvis for the first time when I was 5, I decided I wanted to be him, and it didn't occur to me that he was a guy. That's why it had to fall to somebody like me."[3][b]

I think it's TENN'S BIRTHDAY TODAY! If so....

HEALTHY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TENN!!!

If not....I know it's the first week.....From Jersey to Tenn to Cali..... :-D


Entered at Mon Jul 6 11:16:20 CEST 2020 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Posted by:

Peter V

Web: My link

Subject: Who won the civil war?

For JQ and Pat B: I was sent a link to a guy interviewing Millennials in the street asking 'Who won the Civil War?' Watch it through.

No wonder people are refusing to wear masks.


Entered at Mon Jul 6 10:22:29 CEST 2020 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Posted by:

Peter V

Subject: Ennio Morricone

My son's favourite. He saw him in concert too. Also much played here. RIP


Entered at Mon Jul 6 09:13:50 CEST 2020 from cpc117000-smal17-2-0-cust289.19-1.cable.virginm.net (77.103.81.34)

Posted by:

Roger

Location: Birmingham UK

Subject: RIP Ennio

Just heard - he died. A good long life but a sad loss. His music has filled my house for as long as that of The Band.


Entered at Mon Jul 6 05:31:29 CEST 2020 from inetgate2.msd.govt.nz (202.27.51.3)

Posted by:

Rod

Subject: Robbie Robertson / Daniel Lanois

I read Lanois's book a while back. He seems to damn RRs first album with faint praise. (He spends alot of time of the other albums he produced around then). He recalls spending a long time try to patch Sweet Fire Of Love together from a bunch of different takes.

With regards to Band bickering Barney Hoskyns mentions there was a bit of this in the 80s Band. Something about old tensions coming back to the surface.


Entered at Mon Jul 6 04:47:04 CEST 2020 from n1-43-50-96.mas2.nsw.optusnet.com.au (1.43.50.96)

Posted by:

Wallsend

Bill, yes it is definitely a grey area and it would depend on the song. I should have also mention that another of the arguments put forward for giving Levon writing credits was that his stories etc provided 'inspiration' for Robbie. Another grey area.


Entered at Mon Jul 6 04:46:16 CEST 2020 from (198.147.23.132)

Posted by:

Jack

Location: Texas

Wallsend,

Thank you for the logical response. It just crossed my mind that maybe Rick didn’t want to make waves, Richard killed himself because he thought he got screwed and Garth had so much fun he just didn’t care. It does seem that the wives would have raised hell though if Robbie was ripping the guys off.


Entered at Mon Jul 6 04:06:03 CEST 2020 from toroon0812w-lp130-06-74-12-33-6.dsl.bell.ca (74.12.33.6)

Posted by:

Bill M

Wallsend: Does helping to arrange a song mean more than helping figure out who plays what when?

Bonk: Good to hear from you. I'm fine, thanks. You? Re the Formerly Bros, I only saw them (at Albert's Hall above the Brunswick House) after Doug Sahm had bailed. So the Tex-Mex stuff that I love was off the menu. But I've always been a big Amos fan so still had a good time. All I was referring to in my earlier post was that the two titles or phrases - 'Formerly Brothers' and 'Once Were Brothers' - mean the same thing.


Entered at Mon Jul 6 03:58:09 CEST 2020 from (2604:2000:1200:907f:ad8a:43d0:8f8c:527)

Posted by:

Jon Lyness

Location: NYC

(Oops. Well, save one of those for next year I guess.)


Entered at Mon Jul 6 03:54:21 CEST 2020 from (2604:2000:1200:907f:ad8a:43d0:8f8c:527)

Posted by:

Jon Lyness

Location: NYC

Happy birthday, Robbie!


Entered at Mon Jul 6 03:52:20 CEST 2020 from (2604:2000:1200:907f:ad8a:43d0:8f8c:527)

Posted by:

Jon Lyness

Location: NYC

Happy birthday, Robbie!


Entered at Mon Jul 6 02:09:02 CEST 2020 from 108-88-109-12.lightspeed.cicril.sbcglobal.net (108.88.109.12)

Posted by:

Pat B

JQ, states did not have the right to secede from the Union and the Federal government had a solemn obligation to keep them in the Union. The worst thing that happened to the South was Lincoln's assassination. I believe Reconstruction would have been much different (and much more effective) had Lincoln lived.


Entered at Mon Jul 6 01:01:46 CEST 2020 from d75-157-169-170.bchsia.telus.net (75.157.169.170)

Posted by:

BONK

Subject: Bill M

Hey Bill. How are you? I love that album, "return of the formerly brothers" for it's simplicity and just sounds good. 'Big Mamou' is one of my favourites. Not sure what you mean by 'sounds like OWB.


Entered at Mon Jul 6 00:40:35 CEST 2020 from n1-43-50-96.mas2.nsw.optusnet.com.au (1.43.50.96)

Posted by:

Wallsend

Going back to a previous topic, there is a bit in the Tooze book about the friction between Rick and Levon in the 1990s. Also, she only devotes one paragraph to Levon's 'autobiography'. One would have thought it would have merited more detailed analysis.


Entered at Mon Jul 6 00:25:39 CEST 2020 from n1-43-50-96.mas2.nsw.optusnet.com.au (1.43.50.96)

Posted by:

Wallsend

Jack, one more thought, Levon's main argument seems to have been that he and the others should have been giving writing credit for contributing to the arrangement of the songs even if Robbie was the main writer. However, this is not common practice and there does not seem to be any evidence that they had that agreement at the time.


Entered at Mon Jul 6 00:18:01 CEST 2020 from n1-43-50-96.mas2.nsw.optusnet.com.au (1.43.50.96)

Posted by:

Wallsend

Jack, there is simply no evidence that he did rip them off. If Levon had any issues with the writing credits as they appeared on the album covers surely he would have raised it at the time. If Robbie was ripping the others off they could have sued him or simply tossed him out. Levon did not raise the writing credit issue until 1992, twenty years after the albums were released. Before 1992 in several interviews he acknowledge that Robbie had written a lot of the songs and that he had contributed little in that regard.


Entered at Mon Jul 6 00:07:24 CEST 2020 from n1-43-50-96.mas2.nsw.optusnet.com.au (1.43.50.96)

Posted by:

Wallsend

I think Robbie has been fairly consistent in what he has said over the years. He didn't want to tour but he was open to making new music with the other guys. He did make new music with Richard, Rich and Garth in the 1980s. There isn't any evidence of bad blood with anybody except Levon although, admittedly, Rick said a few negative things in the 1990s.


Entered at Sun Jul 5 23:49:31 CEST 2020 from (198.147.23.132)

Posted by:

Jack

Location: Texas

Subject: Song Credits

Does anyone have a reason to strongly believe (hot air doesn’t count) that Robbie did not rip off the rest of the members on song credits/publishing rights?


Entered at Sun Jul 5 22:43:09 CEST 2020 from toroon0812w-lp130-06-74-12-33-6.dsl.bell.ca (74.12.33.6)

Posted by:

Bill M

Subject: Doug Sahm

Ten years after (not the group), Doug Sahm would turn up on an album titled "The Return of the Formerly Brothers" with Amos Garrett and Gene Taylor. All of them had seen better days, and Amos had actually toured with them. Anyway, the Formerly Brothers sounds a lot like our Once Were Brothers.


Entered at Sun Jul 5 21:47:41 CEST 2020 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Posted by:

Peter V

Subject: Auteur theory

Put it another way. All of Robbie's solo albums were released in the UK. Only Levon's first solo with the RCO All Stars was released in the UK. I know. I travelled to London to get the others on import.


Entered at Sun Jul 5 21:38:05 CEST 2020 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Posted by:

Peter V

I think Dag did it with the statistics there, Ben.


Entered at Sun Jul 5 21:30:12 CEST 2020 from toroon0812w-lp130-06-74-12-33-6.dsl.bell.ca (74.12.33.6)

Posted by:

Bill M

If the GB has any Steve Martin fans with archivist or packrat tendencies, perhaps he or she can dig out the quote from after "The Jerk" when Steve says he quit touring once he found out how much more he earned in movies for working much less.


Entered at Sun Jul 5 21:28:13 CEST 2020 from 178.80-203-82.nextgentel.com (80.203.82.178)

Posted by:

Dag B.

Subject: Sales

Robbie's album went gold (500,000 copies sold) in October 1988, according to the RIAA website. + 200,000 in Canada (2x platinum), 100,000 in the UK (gold)

Rick's album sold 100,000 copies (LA Times, December 1978).

Levon & the RCO All Stars sold 250,000 copies (Rolling Stone, April 1978).


Entered at Sun Jul 5 21:22:50 CEST 2020 from (2600:1702:4580:5e80:c07b:ed16:f2bb:ba27)

Posted by:

Pat B

I kinda think that article is tongue in cheek.


Entered at Sun Jul 5 21:21:03 CEST 2020 from (2600:1702:4580:5e80:c07b:ed16:f2bb:ba27)

Posted by:

Pat B

Ben, as much as I Love you, I think your memory of what RR said publicly about the reformed Band is distinctly jaded. He actually gave some great reasons why they got back together--better than what the reforming members ever gave--and a good explanation why he wasn't into it.

Weird 4th of July. It's like most of the country is standing around saying, "I can't wait to get rid of this fucking guy."


Entered at Sun Jul 5 21:18:15 CEST 2020 from (2001:4644:9569:0:9d74:aeec:b1aa:be8)

Posted by:

jh

Web: My link

Subject: Doug Sahm vs. Rick Danko

Dag et al.: Doug Sahm did indeed join Rick Danko’s "group" for Rick’s 1977 solo debut. Sahm played guitar on two tracks, did horn arrangements and was featured quite prominently in the album artwork/inserts (see linked scan above). If they did have any further plans, it never materialized — Sahm did not appear live with Rick’s touring group AFAIK.


Entered at Sun Jul 5 20:34:19 CEST 2020 from (2601:8d:8600:7610:985c:b3d5:cb03:94ec)

Posted by:

Ben

Location: New Jersey

Subject: Desire

brown eyed girl, You're on the mark with the 'Hurricane' outtake. 'Desire' is a a great, epic album. It definitely has an international flavor. 'Oh sister', 'One more cup of coffee' and of course 'Mozambique'. I think it may be a bit underrated as it came after 'Blood on the tracks', but it really is an amazing album.


Entered at Sun Jul 5 19:57:19 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp140-03-50-100-253-252.dsl.bell.ca (50.100.253.252)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

While posting about Robbie....this Dylan version of one of his songs came on and I'm obsessed with it today.
The very beginning....musically the song has such a cool and breezy groove...the antithesis of the one we all know and the one I heard in NF NY and TO.....and yet it sounds familiar? I really like this version also...That's Dylan....change change change....Just sayin'.

Stay healthy
Stay Strong
Stay connected to music.
:-D


Entered at Sun Jul 5 19:36:46 CEST 2020 from (2601:8d:8600:7610:985c:b3d5:cb03:94ec)

Posted by:

Ben

Location: New Jersey

Peter, Robbie's debut did relatively well commercially but it certainly wasn't a smash hit. My recollection is that the sessions dragged on and on and that it wound up going way over budget. The album was very well hyped at the time of release with Robbie doing lots of high profile interviews and several music videos. But, I really think it was considered a commercial disappointment. Frankly, I don't know why David Geffen would have thought that a Robbie Robertson solo album would ever have the potential to be a big seller. The Band's commercial heyday was in I believe 1969-71. The muted commercial reception of 'NL-SC' in 1975 was one of the instigators for Robbie's decision to mastermind the last waltz.

My personal view of the album is mixed. There are some very good songs such as 'Broken arrow' and 'Somewhere down the crazy river'. But, I think that Daniel Lanois was an awful choice to produce. The production and the sound of the album have not aged well. I like Lanois' work with some other artists like Dylan, Emmylou Harris and Willie Nelson, but I just think he was the wrong man to work on this project.


Entered at Sun Jul 5 19:26:54 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp140-03-50-100-253-252.dsl.bell.ca (50.100.253.252)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

...last BAM BAM BAM for today anyway.

Chris Willman..."Your sense of finality about the end of the Band always seemed fairly consistent, even after the other members were getting back together after all and touring together without you. This may seem like a stupid question, but did you ever have any fleeting second thoughts at all-especially in the days after Richard Manuel died-that maybe you should have gotten back together with them at least one more time while all the members were still alive?

Robbie...No. I really felt loyal to that. After awhile, when the other guys in the Band reunited...which I totally understood. If someone says, "Listen, this is in my blood, I can't help it, I've gotta do this, I've gotta go up and play in front of people, that's a big part of my life", I understand that. Or "I've got to make a living." I understand that very well. But it wasn't that way for me. I thought that this idea was on behalf of the Band, but apparently it was more my idea of what...

See the idea was really like, "Let's stop this. Let's get off the buses and the planes. Let's work in a way where we're thinking, "Ok, we've done this. What's our next musical evolution? Where can we go from here? What is gonna keep us on the edge, and make it exciting for us and make us do real good things?" That was the idea.

After we did The Last Waltz, someone had an idea that they'd want to try something, and I was going off to act in a movie and Levon was going off to act in some other movie...And that, I thought, was great. I thought, "Aha, now we're stretching, now everybody's spoke wheels are spreading out further, and I like that." But what it did was it just made everybody kind of drift, and then the idea of getting back together and working on these ideas became more and more remote all the time.

Then when they decided they were going to get together and go out and play, I never had anything to do with that. Because I thought, "God, I just made a movie and a three-record set about this! And then I just come out and say, "I've changed my mind?" I couldn't do that. I felt loyal to the idea. I'm not sayin' that they were disloyal to it, but I'm just sayin', I guess I was just talking more on behalf of what my idea was, speaking for everybody."


Entered at Sun Jul 5 18:54:25 CEST 2020 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Posted by:

Peter V

Subject: "Robbie Robertson" (1987)

It sold "fairly well"? But it's certified Platinum in the USA. Somewhere Down The Crazy River was #15 in the UK, where the album was gold certified.

I have had a late 90s (?) conversation with fans of Contact From The Underworld of Red Boy, informing them that Robbie used to play in a group called "The Band."


Entered at Sun Jul 5 18:48:36 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp140-03-50-100-253-252.dsl.bell.ca (50.100.253.252)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

I used to care but things have changed....


Entered at Sun Jul 5 18:44:25 CEST 2020 from c188-148-106-62.bredband.comhem.se (188.148.106.62)

Posted by:

NorthWestCoaster

Location: Greater Copenhagen. Probably.

Subject: Reminiscences

About covers. This is really funny. At least for _me_ but probably for no one else.

Anyway, in the late sixties and early seventies we drove to rock festivals in Nordic countries. In the evenings young people gathered around us by the camp fire. Why? Because we made up a show, for sure, by singing A CAPELLA hundreds of years old folk songs. - I was surprised when our band leader's son posted an old version (year 1902) of the famous folk song which we used to do: "The Green Pastures Of Carelia".

If you are seriously bored you may want to check out this video (0:00 - 1:28). Just Google ' Anna ja Johannes Kormano 100 vuotta, muistelu 2008 ' and ' Matu pop '

Those days will never come back... and so it should be, right?


Entered at Sun Jul 5 18:43:55 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp140-03-50-100-253-252.dsl.bell.ca (50.100.253.252)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

BILL M...My lawyer Tenn from LA is on it as I post....He will have a copyright for "just sayin'" for brown eyed girl. Just sayin'....I learned from Robbie himself to take care of business....or was it from BTO??

More BAM BAM BAM!

Chris Willman..."Why do you think it's been so easy for you not to want to go back, whereas for others it wasn't?

Robbie...I've always been much more attached to taking something out of the air that doesn't exist and making it exist. And in performance, what you're doing is you're repeating what you've done, or a variation on it. And it's exciting and creative on some level, but it's not the same thing to me. The most exciting thing to me is discovering something and finding a story that I want to tell or sounds and and an an ambience that expresses my emotions without words. That creative process to me is the most important."

Well....I've always found Dylan and Van more creative in that when you go to their concerts sometimes it takes a minute to figure out which song they're singing. Whereas the Band boots seem to sound the same to me. And as for the Reformed Band...They did not have the luxury to sit back and reflect and be creative while their royalties were coming in monthly. However, however....It is clear....The other members of The Band at one time did write some songs like Richard Manuel and Rick Danko but then things changed....as Dylan sings, didn't they?


Entered at Sun Jul 5 17:37:03 CEST 2020 from (2601:8d:8600:7610:985c:b3d5:cb03:94ec)

Posted by:

Ben

Subject: 4th of July songs

Another great 4th of July song is '4th of July' by the Blasters. Great song. Great band. I really think The Blasters were one of the very best exponents of Americana in the aftermath of the Band.


Entered at Sun Jul 5 17:34:01 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp140-03-50-100-253-252.dsl.bell.ca (50.100.253.252)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

BAM LA'S MUSIC MAGAZINE

Robbie Robertson Spinning A New Wheel Of Fortune
January 15, 1988
Always free but not for brown eyed girl

You think they had a different sense of what the finality of the whole thing was, or they just changed their minds?

Robbie...Yeah. That's what it was. They changed their minds because they missed it so much. And they thought, "Well, we've got this thing, what are we supposed to do, are we supposed to just let it melt away?" I think they just missed it.

Some of them went out on the road individually, and with other outfits in the interim, but apparently it wasn't just the road they missed, but the whole sense of being the Band?

Robbie...I think that's just what they had to go on. That's what worked the best I guess. I'm not really positive of this, either. I'm kind of guessing, because I never sat down, and said to them, "Why are you doing this?" I never did that.
We would talk about it, and I would just say, "You've got my blessings. I hope that it really works well for you." I never ever wanted to try and get in their way or prevent it. They'd say, "Well listen, can we use the name and everything?" I thought "Of course." IT'S MORE UP TO THE AUDIENCE TO FIGURE IT OUT, TO PUT A MAKE ON THAT, HOW THEY FEEL ABOUT IT."

Out of this world
Out of this mind
Out of this love for you
Out of this world
Out of the blue
Out of this love for you

Sometimes I don't know you
You're like someone else
But that's alright
I'm a stranger here myself

She don't shed a tear
When I walk out that door
She knows, she knows
I'll be coming back for more

HEALTHY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE MAN WHO GREW UP BY THE GRAND RIVER....ROBBIE ROBERTSON!

Yesterday I found out that a friend's partner passed in Nova Scotia. He was a meteorologist and she was a teacher who I met at the very first school I taught in former City of York. All three of us saw CSNY...and both of them and the South American guy saw Louuuu with me.

It was in their basement when they lived in Newmarket, Ontario where I discovered The Band website. I stay at their home on weekends. We'd catch a fire and when it was time to sleep....well, since high school my over active mind takes time to settle. I wasn't into meditating in my thirties. Since their computer was in the basement, I searched for Marley, Van, The Band....Yes! An interactive site. It was the Chat Room that I ran into an Aussie musician who chatted with me about music....my fave topic of discussion....and as it was time to sign off....He sang Robbie's lyrics to me. BEAUTIFUL... :-D


Entered at Sun Jul 5 17:27:13 CEST 2020 from (2601:8d:8600:7610:985c:b3d5:cb03:94ec)

Posted by:

Ben

Location: New Jersey

Peter, I think your being overly generous in your view of Robbie's debut album. I seem to recall that the album went way over schedule and more importantly, over budget. While it sold fairly well, it was very heavily promoted, and I doubt that David Geffen made back his investment on the project.

No one is disputing the fact that Robbie had no interest in touring anymore, he made that abundantly clear in the interview segment of TLW. And that's fine, he certainly is entitled to live his life any way he pleases. My only point is that some of the comments he made about the the others reforming and touring were negative.


Entered at Sun Jul 5 17:10:55 CEST 2020 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Posted by:

Peter V

No, he meant it would have been horrible for him. He didn't say it was horrible for them to do it. As Bill M points out, Hoskyns ended up not liking Robbie … or Levon for that matter.

1987. Good sales of the solo album were taking off or about to take off - I just checked the release date. October 87. It also says "Certified Gold and Platinum." That's USA. Also Gold in Canada and in the UK. Lots of film soundtrack work.

It's a lifestyle choice. In his forties, he must have enjoyed working with film and music … matching it up is a fascinating process. The idea of doing the "second circuit" of venues (to be kind … i.e. not the big halls) did not appeal. I can see that. He's just having a very successful solo album take off … note he didn't choose to tour behind that either. So when he says he didn't want to tour, I'd take it he meant it. Ten years had passed. He's working with great people like Tony Levin, Manu Katche, Bill Dillon as the core band. If I were doing some Rolling Stone Best whatever, Tony Levin would be there in bass players and Manu Katche would be Top Ten easily in drummers … I've seen him play live.

Then add the guests … Garth on two, Peter Gabriel on two, U2, Larry Klein, Rick Danko popped in to sing on Sonny Got Caught In The Moonlight. The Gil Evans horn section. Ivan Neville. The BoDeans and Maria McKee.Terry Bozzio.

So surrounded by all those inspiring musicians doing new material, would he really have felt, "Hey, I could be playing a 1000 seat cinema with Levon and the boys, doing Caldonia instead!'


Entered at Sun Jul 5 17:07:54 CEST 2020 from c188-148-106-62.bredband.comhem.se (188.148.106.62)

Posted by:

NorthWestCoaster

Location: Greater Copenhagen. Probably.

Subject: Music - for the change. GOOD MUSIC! (Thread: cover)

This is what was left of our school boy band. They play Buffalo Springfield. Just google ' For What It's Worth - Bina Nkwazi & Bina Band '.

Makes me feel good and remember when I played bass and harmonica . . . for a looooooong time ago!


Entered at Sun Jul 5 17:07:20 CEST 2020 from (2601:8d:8600:7610:985c:b3d5:cb03:94ec)

Posted by:

Ben

Location: New Jersey

Bill, I find the line about the reformed Band 'not staying up too late' to be snarky and condescending. I agree however, that it can be interpreted differently. But, the quote from p374 of Hoskyns 'my idea of horrible' doesn't leave much wiggle room for interpretation.

In Levon/Davis' book there's a passage during the meeting leading up to the last waltz in which Levon brings up the possibility of the Band continuing without Robbie and he was told that that was not an option. I don't have the book in front of me, so I can't provide the exact quote.


Entered at Sun Jul 5 16:59:42 CEST 2020 from (2601:8d:8600:7610:985c:b3d5:cb03:94ec)

Posted by:

Ben

Location: New Jersey

Happy 77th birthday, Robbie


Entered at Sun Jul 5 16:56:15 CEST 2020 from toroon0812w-lp130-06-74-12-33-6.dsl.bell.ca (74.12.33.6)

Posted by:

Bill M

Ben: I think Lisa was referring to just the "don't stay up late" line, and I don't see how the Hoskyns bit affects the interpretation of that line. Also, since Hoskyns seldom goes out of his way to make Robbie look good, I think it's fair to read the closing sentence of that paragraph, which is not in quotes, as paraphrasing what Robbie went on to say - which was something relatively positive. In any case I don't see how Robbie could possibly have vetoed the others using the group name. Even if Robbie had argued that Levon was a latecomer so should have a vote, that would still be three votes to one if it came to that. Couldn't the other four have voted Robbie off the island in keeping with what seems to have been normal practice back in the day? (Is this the appropriate place for me to type "Just sayin'."?)


Entered at Sun Jul 5 16:55:42 CEST 2020 from (2601:8d:8600:7610:985c:b3d5:cb03:94ec)

Posted by:

Ben

Subject: Robbie

Peter, I think that overall Robbie has been pretty consistent over the years in his version of events. Certainly more consistent Levon, but in this instance he has certainly changed his story. That's fine, he's entitled to, but I think you need to acknowledge that he had a very negative view of the reunion back in the 80's. I'm not sure when his views changed, but calling the reunion 'my idea of horrible' is pretty damning.


Entered at Sun Jul 5 16:50:05 CEST 2020 from (2601:8d:8600:7610:985c:b3d5:cb03:94ec)

Posted by:

Ben

Location: New Jersey

Peter, Are you being serious? I think it's understood that the other 4 who participated in the reunion didn't think the idea of reforming was horrible.


Entered at Sun Jul 5 16:40:43 CEST 2020 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Posted by:

Peter V

Not really. he said MY idea of horrible. He didn't say "THE idea was horrible.' So not for him in 1987 when he spoke. I think he's allowed to express it differently in 1983 and in 2020.


Entered at Sun Jul 5 15:53:33 CEST 2020 from (2601:8d:8600:7610:985c:b3d5:cb03:94ec)

Posted by:

Ben

Location: New Jersey

Subject: RR on the Band reforming in 1987

Here's the relevant passage on page 374 of the Hoskyns book.....To Robbie, whose blessing the others needed, the idea of a reunion was indeed anathema. 'I'd made a movie and a three album set about the fact that The Band was over,' he said in 1987. 'To come out a few years later and say, "just kidding... I mean, that's my idea of horrible.' But he knew the livlihoods of his old cohorts might depend on re-forming, and graciously said he would not stand in their way.....

Peter and LIsa, that's a far cry from what RR said in the recent RS interview and I don't see that this leaves much open to interpreation.


Entered at Sun Jul 5 15:01:57 CEST 2020 from (2604:6000:e909:6c00:d1a9:700d:7998:2a9d)

Posted by:

Joe Frey

Location: NY

Subject: The Group

Wow. Never heard of The Group before. Anyone have the back story?


Entered at Sun Jul 5 13:51:22 CEST 2020 from 178.80-203-82.nextgentel.com (80.203.82.178)

Posted by:

Dag B.

Web: My link

Subject: Rick Danko's new band, The Group

Newspaper cutting from 1977.


Entered at Sun Jul 5 12:09:17 CEST 2020 from c188-148-106-62.bredband.comhem.se (188.148.106.62)

Posted by:

NorthWestCoaster

Location: Greater Copenhagen

Subject: Sat Jul 4 16:41:21 by sign 'Norm J'

To webmaster jh: I thought political posts were banned here. (OK, it's your call anyway.)


Entered at Sun Jul 5 10:11:16 CEST 2020 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Posted by:

Peter V

Subject: This Band

If you study the small print on labels the 90s ones refer to This Band rather than The Band. They traded as The Band but it looks like the legal name was This Band.


Entered at Sun Jul 5 03:45:54 CEST 2020 from wlldon1606w-lp140-01-174-93-0-107.dsl.bell.ca (174.93.0.107)

Posted by:

Mike Nomad

Subject: Saturday

Happy Fourth to friends and Band fans south of the 49th.


Entered at Sun Jul 5 02:11:38 CEST 2020 from (2407:7000:9b95:db00:3557:b6f9:7a52:272a)

Posted by:

Rod

BEG. Agree.


Entered at Sun Jul 5 00:49:40 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp140-03-50-100-253-252.dsl.bell.ca (50.100.253.252)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

— From the Archive: The Origin of “Strange Fruit,” Billie Holiday’s Ballad Against Racism found below the Godfather of Grunge article.

Just before we were about to walk off our jobs begin a political protest against our Conservative Government; as educators we all met at Maple Leaf Gardens and the song that gave us energy to keep on keepin' on....as it was not a legal strike no pay or benefits for two weeks was......
Tom Petty's "I WON'T BACK DOWN"!!!!!

The same summer I was waiting for Mr. Maximus and his family to pick me up at the Moncton, New Brunswick Airport....while waiting for my luggage, who do I see also waiting for his luggage????!!!! Yuck! Premier Harris....Ohhhhh.....I had to bite my tongue.....Ohhhhhhh.....The one who messed up our educational system and who was only a teacher himself for three weeks....HA!

As for Robbie and the Reformed Band using The Band name Robbie said in the late 80's in BAM magazine that it was fine with him. Their audiences would decide.....I say there was only one THE BAND....just like the original Santana Band was magical and so innovative for their time....They were also never the same once key members left the group. Just sayin'.....If you don't have writers in any group.....just sayin'.....


Entered at Sun Jul 5 00:19:16 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp140-03-50-100-253-252.dsl.bell.ca (50.100.253.252)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

Neil Young—Just Like The Rolling Stones, Rihanna, REM, Etc.—Blasts Trump For Using His Song, Again


Entered at Sat Jul 4 23:50:32 CEST 2020 from (2407:7000:9b95:db00:3557:b6f9:7a52:272a)

Posted by:

Rod

Subject: TWOF again

My favourite version is the Basement Tapes cut. Also prefer the BT version of Tears Of Rage. Dylan could sing when he tried.


Entered at Sat Jul 4 23:38:55 CEST 2020 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Posted by:

Peter V

Exactly how I read it, Lisa.


Entered at Sat Jul 4 21:56:54 CEST 2020 from s0106a84e3f63c293.vf.shawcable.net (96.48.242.117)

Posted by:

Lisa

Happy belated birthday, Peter, and happy Fourth of July to all!

Ben, I remember the interview you were talking about (I probably have it around somewhere), but I got a totally different take on it - to me when he said he hoped they had a real good time and didn't stay up too late it was said as a joke and with affection, not scorn and condescension ... just a matter of interpretation?


Entered at Sat Jul 4 20:17:36 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp140-03-50-100-253-252.dsl.bell.ca (50.100.253.252)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

Awwww....I messed up.

THE PETER V'S BIRTHDAY was actually two days ago on July 2.

HEALTHY HAPPY belated BIRTHDAY!!!!!

:-D


Entered at Sat Jul 4 19:21:44 CEST 2020 from (2600:387:4:802::65)

Posted by:

JQ

Subject: Trump & A Jackson

Trump is an example of my country’s ignorance about its own history. On one hand, last night, he roared out that our history be preserved by these monuments and called Andrew Jackson “the great”. It’s an example of how ignorant he is and how these monuments set out in stone the lies and inaccuracies we’ve been taught. I think we need a place similar to a never-again holocaust museum to house and explain our worst historical figures, like Jackson. A museum is a better place for these characters than edifying them with glorious monuments.

Pat B - I recall, not certain, that you’re a Civil War scholar? The question I’m interested in is whether that war and keeping the South was worth its cost? Superficially at least, it seems that we could be such a better place if we weren’t held back by the South, to this day.


Entered at Sat Jul 4 17:34:56 CEST 2020 from (198.147.23.132)

Posted by:

Jack

Location: Texas

I just recently discovered “The Band” and have spent days reading and watching everything that I could find on them, I am so grateful that I stumbled upon “The Last Waltz” on Prime and decided to take a look. To me this is music from heaven.


Entered at Sat Jul 4 16:56:30 CEST 2020 from (2604:2000:1200:907f:ad8a:43d0:8f8c:527)

Posted by:

Jon Lyness

Location: NYC

Ben, the 90s Band opened the Carnegie Hall '97 show with One More Shot, appropriately enough. A bit ragged but it felt right.


Entered at Sat Jul 4 16:41:21 CEST 2020 from node-1w7jr9srj45n1n3fknspcm3o1.ipv6.telus.net (2001:569:bd2f:6e00:f080:3c68:b85a:cc11)

Posted by:

Norm J

Location: Pacific Northwest
Web: My link

Subject: Seminole Wind

Who would ever believe that the great country of the United States would regress to the point where they have a fool for a president that would go out of his way daily to insult and slap in the face all races of man kind.

This championing of what he calls "our heros and legacy" is a slap in the face to all African Americans, Indigenous people, Veterans who fight and have fought for their country and the list goes on.

Makes me sick to my stomach to watch that fool stand in front of the world and spew his crap.

To all the different people of that country whose ancestors immigrated to the country and fought for a peaceful healthier life, enjoy your July 4 remembering just what it took to get there. This is a tribute for the holiday to remember these people and what they have had to give up.

I suppose if they wanted to carve Trump into that hill, it would be a horse's ass.


Entered at Sat Jul 4 14:04:01 CEST 2020 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Posted by:

Peter V

Just looked it up. The theme song was removed on US DVDs. It was Julie Driscoll & Ade Edmondson (Jennifer Saunders’ husband) worldwide. On the “Last Shout” special show, they had a version with Marianne Faithful and P.P. Arnold, and Hermione Demoriane did it in French for the “Paris” episode. Later, Debbie Harry did it for the Xmas Special “Gay” and Kylie Minogue did it for the feature film. It was bigger in Canada than the USA judging by Wiki, but it was a worldwide hit show. Didn’t Rick say the royalty cheques from Ab Fab were his lifeline in the 90s?

But over the years, the song has been recorded many times and is well known by Dylan (live), Julie Driscoll, The Byrds and Siouxsie & The Banshees had a hit version without knowing of the Dylan connection.

Yes, they should have done Dixie.

They did Blue River and Driftin’ Away on Toronto radio and in Tokyo. They worked.


Entered at Sat Jul 4 13:39:48 CEST 2020 from (2601:8d:8600:7610:985c:b3d5:cb03:94ec)

Posted by:

Ben

Location: New Jersey

Happy 4th of July! Favourite 4th of July song without a doubt is Bruce Springsteen's 'Sandy' from his second album 'The Wild, the innocent and the E street shuffle. Runner up would be 'Saturday in the park' by Chicago.


Entered at Sat Jul 4 13:36:28 CEST 2020 from (2601:8d:8600:7610:985c:b3d5:cb03:94ec)

Posted by:

Ben

Location: New Jersey

Peter, I think you're making a much bigger deal about TWOF and Ab-Fab then is realistic. In the U.S, the show was not a mainstream hit, it was a more of a cult show. I really don't think there was a much of a cross over between the Band's vomit and sawdust audience and the Ab-Fab audience. And, it's my understanding that the Band's version of the song wasn't even used on the show, so I just don't think The Band playing the song in the 90's would have made any significant difference in their career trajectory.

You definitely have a point about the lack of merchandising. I saw the 90's Band 3 times and I only recall them having a merch table at 1 show (I bought a hat and t-shirt).But, let's be realistic, if there's one song that they should have been playing at every concert, it's 'Dixie', it's their best known song (along with 'the weight), so for Levon to refuse to play it after TLW really seems self-defeating.

Interesting comment about the DFA material.'Blue river' and 'Driftin away' are great songs, but they're far too slow and genteel for the Band. Maybe 'All creation' or 'Sick and tired' or 'One more shot' (which Levon performed solo) would have been good candidates for the Band to perform.


Entered at Sat Jul 4 12:46:31 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp140-03-50-100-253-252.dsl.bell.ca (50.100.253.252)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

It was the fourth of July
You and I were
you and I were fire, fire fireworks
that went off too soon
And I miss you in the June gloom too
It was the fourth of July
You and I were,
you and I were fire, fire, fireworks
I said I'd never miss you, but I guess you'll never know
Where the bridges I have burned never really led home
On the fourth of July

Chicago's suburb of Wilmette...Fall Out Boy...Fourth Of July

For ILLKA..."When Butch Dener arrived in New Paltz in 1968 he discovered a small college town that was a mecca for sex , drugs, and rock and roll. Since that time his travels as the Road Manager for "The Band" took him across the globe. Still, he continued to find his way back to New Paltz. That is why it is fitting our conversation took place at Mohonk Mountain, not even a mile from the house I grew up in."


Entered at Sat Jul 4 12:13:31 CEST 2020 from c188-148-106-62.bredband.comhem.se (188.148.106.62)

Posted by:

NorthWestCoaster

Location: Greater Copenhagen. Probably.

Subject: This Wheels . . .

This song is the ONLY ONE which is beginning in MINOR! (Just to know...)


Entered at Sat Jul 4 12:09:39 CEST 2020 from c188-148-106-62.bredband.comhem.se (188.148.106.62)

Posted by:

NorthWestCoaster

Location: Greater Copenhagen. Probably.

Subject: To Mr. Leon Dener about The Band

Sir,

I hope everything is right on this difficult time, Mr. Dener.

Many gbers appreciate your experience on The Band. We are mostly from different parts of the world far away from upstate New York: Europe, New Zeeland, Australia and even from India. We all love the music of The Band. We are hungry for your stories on The Band, naturally most on Mr. Helm.

Please share your memories somewhere on the net - even if not in this forum.

Thank you

sign. NorthWestCoaster


Entered at Sat Jul 4 11:21:23 CEST 2020 from (2407:7000:9b95:db00:9470:f67c:390f:4ed9)

Posted by:

Rod

Agree Peter. They did TWOF right up to and including TLW. I think Rick did it live in the 70s as well. Maybe vocally it was more demanding as they got older/lazier. Robert Plant said he could still do the Immigrant Song in his latter years but he would need to work up to it a few weeks in advance. No doubt though that the 90s Band was Levons band.

Amazon River Of Dreams has cut some slack around various sites but I like it as it breaks away from the formula a bit.


Entered at Sat Jul 4 10:45:11 CEST 2020 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Posted by:

Peter V

Subject: This Wheel's On Fire (song)

This Wheel’s On Fire must have been the best-known non-Robbie song. It was also the title of Levon’s book, so perfect product placement. I saw the 90s Band in Canada and the UK and neither time did they have a table with T-shirts and CDs. They should have had current CDs, solo CDs, The New Orleans DVD, DFA CDs, piles of Levon’s book (signed). The "business" end was lacking.

Admittedly, I think Julie Driscoll did it best of all, and marginally I prefer The Byrds version to The Band version but that’s not the point. After AbFab started in 1992, it was a song they should have played every time they got on a stage. The DFA songs appeared in a couple of early shows and were never seen again. All Our Past Times is a great song (on Clapton’s No Reason To Cry and Complete TLW).

I say this about once every couple of weeks but the 90s Band’s greatest weakness was under-using Rick’s voice and failing to perform Rick’s songs.

I don’t think the 90s Band was in any way a democracy.


Entered at Sat Jul 4 03:58:25 CEST 2020 from (2601:8d:8600:7610:985c:b3d5:cb03:94ec)

Posted by:

Ben

Location: New Jersey

Wallsend, Well I listened to the first 10 minutes of the interview and was very surprised by Robbie's comments regarding the Band reforming. This is not what he was saying years ago. I recall reading several interviews from the 80's or 90's in which he expressed exasperation and condescension about it. I distinctly remember him saying in one interview that he hopes they have a real good time and don't stay up too late, He also said in another interview that he thought it was terrible that they were touring again a few years after he had made the last waltz.

I'm glad that he is taking a more generous tone about it, but at this point, he is the last man standing, so it wouldn't serve much of a purpose for him to criticise the others for reforming nearly 40 years ago. Of course it is unfortunate that they couldn't come up with an agreement for him to be involved with providing material for them ala Brian Wilson with the Beach boys.


Entered at Sat Jul 4 03:25:58 CEST 2020 from (2407:7000:9b95:db00:ac37:61c:75bc:c893)

Posted by:

Rod

From what I understand Levon never sold his shares in The Band so he must have retained his rights to use that name. There is some mention that Storyville could have been a Band album.

There's a bunch of good songs The reformed Band could have used but didn't - while staying away from Robbie songs (if that was an issue). Blues for Breakfast, New Mexicoe, Small Town Talk, TWOF, Bessie Smith, Street Walker, Washer Woman, Junkyard Blues, Strawberry Wine. Moondog Matinee. At least they brought Life Is A Carnival back in the 90s.


Entered at Sat Jul 4 02:51:28 CEST 2020 from (120.18.103.40)

Posted by:

Wallsend

Ben, it is probably best if you listen to the interview yourself. Jan linked it on the Whats New page.


Entered at Sat Jul 4 01:58:33 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp140-03-50-100-253-252.dsl.bell.ca (50.100.253.252)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

BILL M...The previous links I provided....If you keep scrolling and scrolling you'll see the Band that my brother knew the guitarist from the Grand River.
I think this is the Doc you were asking about awhile ago? I was thinking about the previous one that Mr. Maximus and I saw at the Bloor Cinema.

For GLENN as well....I forgot another housemate I lived with for a short time at the Women's Co-Op was a Black Rasta. My previous housemate in this two bedroom apartment was from Taiwan and she was studying Interior Design. Anyway, my new housemate couldn't relate to me as I was a reggae fan since the mid-seventies but I'm not a religious person. I have evolved from an atheist to an agnostic. So there was always some tension between us as she was the real deal. One day something happened without my knowledge and she lost it. As I was trying to take out some cutlery from our kitchen drawer she slammed my wrist inside the drawer.....No pain as I just happened to be wearing a bracelet which protected my wrist but put a dent in my bracelet. At that point I told one of my closest friends....The Scotsman......He immediately said we'll rent a place together while you continue your Child Studies....and that's what friends are for....Oddly enough music wasn't in his life much. He did however, take me to the gay clubs and I had a great time dancing the night away....beautiful person. Yup. At that time in my life I was just open to different experiences. Some were good for your soul, some were crazy fun, some were enlightening and have shaped my values and what's important in my life.... but of course when you're a very open person who is navigating without many boundaries in your life; it can take you to many dangerous places as well. Luckily I was always quite grounded as a person so even though I lost my way at times I always had my education to bring me back to a safe place which eventually gave me direction and purpose. Also my friend told me that I inspired him to become a teacher as well..... :-D He ended up teaching at an Alternative School as I eventually did.....

"Bob Marley was born on 6 February 1945 at the farm of his maternal grandfather in Nine Mile, Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica, to Norval Sinclair Marley and Cedella Malcolm.[14] Norval Marley was a white Jamaican originally from Sussex, whose family claimed to have Syrian Jewish origins.[15][16][17] Norval claimed to have been a captain in the Royal Marines;[18] at the time of his marriage to Cedella Malcolm, an Afro-Jamaican then 18 years old, he was employed as a plantation overseer.[18][19] Bob Marley's full name is Robert Nesta Marley, though some sources give his birth name as Nesta Robert Marley, with a story that when Marley was still a boy a Jamaican passport official reversed his first and middle names because Nesta sounded like a girl's name.[20][21] Norval provided financial support for his wife and child but seldom saw them as he was often away. Bob Marley attended Stepney Primary and Junior High School which serves the catchment area of Saint Ann.[22][23] In 1955, when Bob Marley was 10 years old, his father died of a heart attack at the age of 70.[24] Marley's mother went on later to marry Edward Booker, a civil servant from the United States, giving Marley two half-brothers: Richard and Anthony."

Bob Marley at 75: Ziggy Marley reflects on his late father's incredible, and very human, legacy

For Ziggy, it’s not about the record sales or the accolades; Bob Marley taught him to be a good person

CBC Radio · Posted: Jun 29, 2020

JB follow Jason Booth 1 day ago Interesting historical note: Marley was the first artist from a developing nation to have a #1 international best selling hit.

2 days ago He sold his father's likeness and name to just about every company imaginable (headphones, energy drinks etc) and he has the audacity claim his father taught him it wasn't about record sales or accolades (money/success)

Boooooooooo to you Ziggy you sell out. your father would be ashamed.


Entered at Sat Jul 4 01:55:19 CEST 2020 from (2601:8d:8600:7610:985c:b3d5:cb03:94ec)

Posted by:

Ben

Location: New Jersey

Kevin, thanks for providing the quote. That pretty much confirms what I had suspected. In every account I've read about the Band reforming, there is a reference to a call being made to Robbie. In some versions, he is asked to participate, in other he is just being notified of their intention. So, I always assumed that he had to sign off on them using the Band name. I've read several interviews with Robbie in which he says that he thought it was terrible that they began touring again a few years after the last waltz, but that he knew they needed the money.

So, Wallsend, I'm pretty surprised by your comment that Robbie said that he would have reunited with the Band to make new music in 1983. The only reference to making new music with the Band is the story that Robbie has told about being the only one to show up for a session and waiting around for an hour or two before leaving. Is that what you are referring to? If so, I'm pretty sure that session would have occurred in the late 70's, a number of years before the Band reformed in 83.

Peter, I wasn't even thinking about Rick singing 'This wheel's on fire'. To be honest, that song was never a favourite of mine. I think that the best version of it is the one released posthumously on 'Times like these'. That is a really moving performance. I really wish that Rick would have played 'Tombstone, tombstone' live with the Band. That is a killer song and really could have been a highlight of their shows.


Entered at Sat Jul 4 01:03:03 CEST 2020 from cpc117000-smal17-2-0-cust289.19-1.cable.virginm.net (77.103.81.34)

Posted by:

Roger

Location: Birmingham UK

Subject: Karl

Peter - I reckon you’re remembering Karl Wallendsuz. Karl was an early GBer. Lived in Oxford. We traveled together to a couple of Band related events in London.


Entered at Sat Jul 4 00:52:28 CEST 2020 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Posted by:

Peter V

Sip the Wine is a dubious credit, but a good song. Why didn’t the 90s Band play This Wheel’s On Fire? From 1992 it featured in AbFab and was extremely well-known and a 50% Danko song? Weird.


Entered at Sat Jul 4 00:12:13 CEST 2020 from (2407:7000:9b95:db00:ac37:61c:75bc:c893)

Posted by:

Rod

John Simons book is great. Like Small Town Talk it fills in a few gaps in The Band story.

Speaking of which, Thursday was a big day. Once Were Brothers arrived in the mail and I got my Ibanez Howard Roberts back from the luthier. So, come Friday night I put the disc on to watch it and it's the wrong region code :-( Seems like they don't want anyone outside of North America to watch thing thing. Fortunately I have two teenage boys who helped me with an alternative strategy for watching it. (I'd lost $50 on this one so didn't feel too guilty).The movie itself was good - especially the unseen photos and film. Dominique Robertson is the most interesting of the guests and provides some insights that only a wife could. It seems that Robbie was more family focused than the other guys and wasn't so much into the party life. He also had other aspirations. Nothing particularly new there but interesting coming from someone that close to The Band. Likewise there's nothing new about the feud but Larry Campbell's comment at the end about Levon's bitterness confirms what alot of us have suspected all along.

All in all I thought this doco was a bit pointless. The Last Waltz was a fitting farewell to The Band. This one explains why TLW happened but ended up leaving a bit of a sour taste in my mouth. And there was nothing on Shangri-La

The Howard Roberts is playing really well. Pleased with that.


Entered at Fri Jul 3 23:53:22 CEST 2020 from n1-43-50-96.mas2.nsw.optusnet.com.au (1.43.50.96)

Posted by:

Wallsend

Ben, in the recent audio interview that was posted in Rolling Stone Robbie spoke briefly about the reformed Band. He said they asked him if he wanted to participate and if it was OK to use the name The Band. He said he didn't want to rejoin unless they were going to make new music but he didn't want to stand in the way of them doing anything. I think him giving 'permission' to use the name wasn't in a legal sense but just in a collegial sense.


Entered at Fri Jul 3 23:36:10 CEST 2020 from toroon0628w-lp140-05-70-26-158-39.dsl.bell.ca (70.26.158.39)

Posted by:

Kevin J

Ben....The exact reference John Simon made in his book was "he (Levon) reconstituted "The Band" under that name, which Robbie had allowed the remaining members to use"

Among several other interesting things I learned in John Simon's book was that RCO was pronounced "Our Company"


Entered at Fri Jul 3 22:21:34 CEST 2020 from (2601:8d:8600:7610:985c:b3d5:cb03:94ec)

Posted by:

Ben

Kevin, I take a more benign view of Townshend than you. I've always perceived him as being honest and not pulling punches. He's been much harder on himself than on his bandmates over the years.

The comment from the John Simon book about Robbie having to give the Band permission to reform is something I've long wondered about. In Levon's book, he states that Robbie would have blocked the others from continuing as the Band without Robbie in 1976, so I wonder if Robbie actually controls the name "The Band". Anyone have any info on this?

Peter, you make an interesting point about Rick's songs with the 90's Band. It would have been wonderful if he would have played some gems from his album like 'Sip the wine', or 'New Mexicoe' rather than 'Crazy mama'. I always enjoyed when the Band played 'Java Blues', but they dropped that one from their setlist sometime in the 80's. However, I don't really know if it's fair to blame Levon for Danko's song choices. Do you really think that Levon had carte blanch to dictate the setlist?


Entered at Fri Jul 3 21:12:44 CEST 2020 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Posted by:

Peter V

I think that defines the problem with the 90s Band. Levon wanted a dull pedestrian bass player to plow stolidly through Caldonia and Stuff You Gotta Watch rather than the musical genius of Rick Danko? That’s why they played crap like the above and didn’t play great Rick Danko songs. No wonder Rick looked so bored playing that shit when he could have been singing way better stuff.

What was that Christgau one word review of Levon? Boogie. Thank goodness Larry Campbell and Amy Helm diverted him into doing two great albums after the tedious stuff he preferred.


Entered at Fri Jul 3 20:42:19 CEST 2020 from toroon0628w-lp140-05-70-26-158-39.dsl.bell.ca (70.26.158.39)

Posted by:

Kevin J

Subject: Great Bass Players

Béla Fleck and the Flecktones.....early 1990's....they were just starting their run as a group and I was invited to see them at a club in Montreal called The Spectrum. Their bass player blew the roof off the place. He was sensational. Jaw dropping sensational. Victor Wooten.


Entered at Fri Jul 3 19:57:00 CEST 2020 from toroon0628w-lp140-05-70-26-158-39.dsl.bell.ca (70.26.158.39)

Posted by:

Kevin J

Subject: Correction...

The quote from TRUTH, LIES & HEARSAY about Levon on Rick's playing was on the Jericho album - not Jubilation. I tend to mix those titles up.


Entered at Fri Jul 3 18:36:17 CEST 2020 from (2604:2000:1200:907f:d806:67a9:4bb6:e25a)

Posted by:

Jon Lyness

Location: NYC

I think both of those quotes probably reflect band members mutually exhausted with each other, which is not unreasonable over decades. I remember Rick and Levon seemed to have some friction around the time of Jubilation, though was never sure of the whole story.


Entered at Fri Jul 3 18:19:21 CEST 2020 from toroon0628w-lp140-05-70-26-158-39.dsl.bell.ca (70.26.158.39)

Posted by:

Kevin J

TRUTH, LIES & HEARSAY it should have been , of course.

Ben....More to do with Townshend being a prick at times. He's an insecure guy and there always seems to be underlying examples of that in most things he says about his band mates and has said about them over the years. Moon would have been difficult to play with though but he's also said that the only reason his singer looks over at him on stage is because he resents his presence. Come on!


Entered at Fri Jul 3 18:01:30 CEST 2020 from toroon0628w-lp140-05-70-26-158-39.dsl.bell.ca (70.26.158.39)

Posted by:

Kevin J

Subject: Levon Helm less than impressed with his bass player....

John Simon notes in his biography TRUTH, LIES AND HERESAY that when The Band reformed with Robbie having given the boys permission to use the name, that Levon had some issues with Rick Danko's playing on the Jubilation album.

"Then Levon told me that he had enough of playing with Rick's melodic bass playing and craved a steady, more conventional player. So, Rob Leon, a Woodstock fixture would play most of the bass parts on the album."


Entered at Fri Jul 3 17:48:46 CEST 2020 from (2601:8d:8600:7610:985c:b3d5:cb03:94ec)

Posted by:

Ben

Location: New Jersey

Kevin, I've read those comments. They created a bit of an uproar among Who fans and then Pete issued a clarification. I'm not a musician, so I have no opinion on whether Pete's comments make any sense from a musical standpoint. I'm strictly a listener, and Entwistle's bass playing is very forceful and distinctive, he really played bass like it was a lead instrument. And of course, The Who were such a visual band. With Moon flailing on drums, Pete doing windmills or smashing his guitar, Roger throwinh his mic around in wild arcs like a lasso and then Entwistle standing like a piece of taxidermy. Just brilliant. The Who and The Band are two of my musical totems.


Entered at Fri Jul 3 17:14:04 CEST 2020 from toroon0628w-lp140-05-70-26-158-39.dsl.bell.ca (70.26.158.39)

Posted by:

Kevin J

Pete Townshend in Rolling Stone on his late band members:

"It's not going to make WHO fans very happy, but thank God they're gone," he said. "Because they were fucking difficult to play with. They never, ever managed to create bands for themselves. I think my musical discipline, my musical efficiency as a rhythm player, held the band together."

Townshend said Entwistle's "bass sound was like a Messiaen organ," with "every note, every harmonic in the sky. When he passed away and I did the first few shows without him, with Pino [Palladino] on bass, he was playing without all that stuff … I said, 'Wow, I have a job.'"

The guitarist was equally brutal in his recollection of Moon, saying: "With Keith, my job was keeping time, because he didn't do that. So when he passed away, it was, like, 'Oh, I don't have to keep time anymore.'"


Entered at Fri Jul 3 16:10:02 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp140-03-50-100-253-252.dsl.bell.ca (50.100.253.252)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

Another musician who I feel blessed to have met at Hugh's Room.....STEVE FORBERT...who now has his own brown eyed girl from Jersey.....So happy Mr. Maximus took photos of us together..... :-D It would also be the very last time I'd run into Blind Willie McTell...Mark from Toronto as he passed in 2016. Mark and I exchanged music. He really loved the music of The Band....really.....One of the very best benefits about this GB, besides the people I met either in Toronto, NYC, New Jersey or the many others by phone calls, emails, GB interactions as well as the many gifts I received whether it was music related or a huge arrangement of flowers at my doorstep....In praise of the The Band Guest Book!!!!

Healthy Happy Independence Day Weekend to all my American brothers and sisters!!! :-DTHE AMERICAN IN ME - STEVE FORBERT


Entered at Fri Jul 3 16:01:10 CEST 2020 from (2601:8d:8600:7610:985c:b3d5:cb03:94ec)

Posted by:

Ben

Location: New Jersey

Subject: The Ox

I think John Entwistle was one of the greatest and most distinctive rock bassists. He also wrote a handful of very good songs, 'Boris the Spider', 'My wife', '905', 'The quiet one'.


Entered at Fri Jul 3 15:53:58 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp140-03-50-100-253-252.dsl.bell.ca (50.100.253.252)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

Bass Players To Know: Rick Danko

Ryan Madora
Ryan Madora
Friday, June 20th, 2014


Entered at Fri Jul 3 15:47:56 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp140-03-50-100-253-252.dsl.bell.ca (50.100.253.252)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

Bass Players To Know

Hi Dunc...It's all good....music is music. Some musicians resonate with us and some don't. After I posted Too Close To Heaven by The Waterboys...I was seriously considering on moving on because there isn't any The Band song that has moved me as that song did. Maybe it just reminded me of where I was at a couple of years ago....It hit me so hard that I kept playing it over and over and was reminded of how close to heaven I was....I'm such a control freak that I only knocked on heaven's door quietly and left quietly.....Like Richard Manuel I feel things too deeply. Like Rick Danko I have nervous energy. Like Levon Helm forgiveness does not come easily...Since my mother's passing I'm much better....Like Garth Hudson I know very well the healing power of music. Like Robbie Robertson I'm a control freak. ;-D


Entered at Fri Jul 3 11:22:24 CEST 2020 from broadband.bt.com (2a00:23c5:3a6b:bf01:3c83:334c:15a3:61f3)

Posted by:

Dunc

Location: Scotland

I missed the Waterboys, BEG, not my era. But I did see ex Waterboy, Sharon Shannon, and guests the January before last. It was a great concert with Irish and African musicians.

About 20 years ago, I knew a guy, a teacher in a neighbouring school, who after his marriage broke up, wrapped his job and joined the Findhorn community. Some people sneered at his action at the time, but he was still there last I heard a few years ago.

I noticed that the Findhorn Community is in trouble because they can’t run their workshops because of COVID, but are doing meditations on line. You would be able to see the type of activities, Mike Scott did. I’m not into meditating, but as they say whatever gets you through the night.


Entered at Fri Jul 3 10:14:02 CEST 2020 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Posted by:

Peter V

Subject: Bass-ically …

Bass players. The list actually made me angry. While James Jamerson, Duck Dunn, Larry Graham and Carole Kaye are rightly acknowledged with high placings, Three omissions leap out that are Top Ten … John Wetton, Jack Casady and Bakithi Kumalo. Listen to King Crimson 1974, especially as more live recordings emerge. Robert Fripp has said that at that time John Wetton was the best young bass player in the world. Right. King Crimson in 1974 with Bruford and Wetton were so powerful.

Jack Casady underpinned Jefferson Airplane (who suffered from weak drumming so needed a great bass player to lead the section) but his work with Hot Tuna is incredible. Bass as a lead instrument. Phil Lesh gets in … I’d pair Casady and Lesh as cases where the bass player was central to the band.

I’ve seen Bakithi Kumalo with Paul Simon. That’s the magic of the sound of South Africa. I’d add Roscoe Beck who led Leonard Cohen’s band as MD and bass player, as one of the best I’ve seen on stage for sheer musicality.

Ludicrous inclusions are Lemmy (what? Seen him. Inept.) and Bill Wyman. Look at the credits and how often Keef or Ronnie actually played bass on the records. I’ve seen him on tour twice in recent years and he’s the weakest point in the band. Softly strummed single notes with a farty tone.

Charles Mingus? He never played rock or anything like it. Including him is like asking, who is the better pianist? Rachmaninov, Liberace or Garth Hudson? Where would you compare them and why?

I’m clearly biased on John Wetton, but I also had many discussions with him. He always rated Paul McCartney the best, and classed Rick Danko with him stylistically, saying with both of them, it wasn’t technically what they played, but no one else would have chosen those notes. In soul band days, John could play just like James Jamerson which is why that band were so good. We discussed John McVie. We both saw him with John Mayall and with early Fleetwood Mac and thought his playing then was terminally boring. However, with later Fleetwood Mac McVie developed a rhythmic bounce that became a signature and few could imitate it perfectly, though the fingers on frets bit wasn’t hard. McVie deserves inclusion because his bass was so much the sound of that band. When I saw them, nearly twenty years ago, he was the only one who didn’t have a “ghost player” in the shadows too.

We also discussed Jaco Pastorius, and John admired him because he used to play like that when he was younger too (but added he’d never heard Jaco play anything he couldn’t play), but said melodically McCartney was head and shoulders better musically and inventively. John also rated his King Crimson replacement, Tony Levin highly.


Entered at Fri Jul 3 06:14:58 CEST 2020 from (24.114.65.186)

Posted by:

Kevin J

Subject: RS Lists

The Rolling Stone Magazine Top 100 lists have been absurd since they started......their two first ones were “Top 100 Guitar Players” where they had Neil Young ahead of Chet Atkins and Neil Lifeson and John Lennon ahead of the likes of Dickie Betts and Rory Gallagher !

Can anyone forget their “Top 100 Rock Vocalists” where Kurt Cobain - and folks, trust me when I tell you that nobody could make this up - placed ahead of Paul Rodgers......Oh, and to make the list even more obscene - Axl Rose was placed ahead of Wilson Pickett ! Want more of a reason to cry in your beer - Richard Manuel was not even rated in the top 100 vocalists in rock music. .


Entered at Fri Jul 3 05:18:39 CEST 2020 from toroon0812w-lp130-06-74-12-33-6.dsl.bell.ca (74.12.33.6)

Posted by:

Bill M

Location: Terronno
Web: My link

BEG: I've spoken to three of the Ardels over the years - Jim Pernokis in 1978, Dave Burt (not to be confused with Dave Burt of Merryweather) in 1980 and Doug Dixon in 2014 (?) Among other things, Burt told me that Doug Dixon had previously played in a group with Richard Bell; Pernokis told me that Fred Masson (the source for the article you linked to) had been replaced by Roger Charlesworth from the RTKs, another of Richard Bell's early groups. R was for Roger; T was for Terry Bush, who'd been something of an inspiration to Neil Young in the early '60s and who would replace Dominic Troiano in Ronnie Hawkins and the Hawks; and K was for Kirk Shearer, who took over for Levon in the Hawkins band.

Dixon I encountered much more recently and by happenstance. We happened upon Little Caesar and the Consuls playing and stuck around for a dance or two. The only guy left from the Consuls of the '60s was sax-man Norm Sherrat, a co-founder of the group who dated back to the Consuls of the '50s, when Gene MacLellan and Robbie Robertson were in the group. But Doug Dixon was now their singing guitar-player. Here's Doug with the Ardels doing their most memorable song, notable for the Bo Diddley beat and a nice Robbie-style guitar solo by Jim Pernokis.

The article at the link was still very good. For me, the friendship with the Fireflies in the Sault solved a little mystery. Ages ago - late '70s - Sault native Keith McKie, former leader of Kensington Market, gave me a test pressing of an unreleased Ardels EP. In the mid '60s Keith was in a somewhat successful Sault Ste Marie group, the Vendettas, who'd moved to Toronto, signed on with Ronnie Hawkins' short-lived talent agency and acquired a pianist, Scott Cushnie from the Consuls, the Suedes and the Hawks - all with Robbie. I always wondered how Keith came to have the Ardels record, seeing the two groups were oceans apart musically and geographically. But now I know. Paul Shaffer's autobiography talks of him being inspired to move to Toronto by the Vendettas' stories of the girls here. (Of course, he convinced his parents that his only desire was to go to the best university in the country for dentistry (or whatever it was).)


Entered at Fri Jul 3 04:36:08 CEST 2020 from inetgate.msd.govt.nz (202.27.54.3)

Posted by:

Rod

Joe, haven't looked at that list yet. Always interesting but I suspect RS choose their list based on influence rather than technical ability. Macca for instance has influenced a truck load of bass players as has Rick. Wouldn't rate either them as great technically compared to Jaco or Stanley Clarke. Agree that they shouldn't really include jazz players but Jaco for instance has played some great stuff for artists like Joni Mitchell.

It always amazed me that Neil Young would show up in similar lists for guitar players. Very influential but not one of the greats.


Entered at Fri Jul 3 01:31:40 CEST 2020 from (2604:6000:e909:6c00:c84:b95b:9f7c:2e6)

Posted by:

Joe Frey

Location: NY

Subject: Rick

RS has listed the greatest bass players of all time and Rick placed #20. Jaco Pastorius placed #6. Not sure it makes a lot of sense to mix jazz and rock musicians here. I think the GBers will have some comments on some of the choices of RS. joe


Entered at Thu Jul 2 23:58:00 CEST 2020 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Posted by:

Peter V

Didn't Karl Wallinger post here in the early days? I have had correspondence with him, I'm sure. Maybe it was off the site.


Entered at Thu Jul 2 23:05:59 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp140-03-50-100-253-252.dsl.bell.ca (50.100.253.252)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

...and probably the very first Waterboys song I heard via of my brother who will turn 69 next month. Same age as Virgil but while my brother was immersed in West Coast American music and British music; Virgil was heavily into jazz and blues....especially more obscure jazz and blues. As long as someone is passionate about their music...no matter what genre of music..... :-D


Entered at Thu Jul 2 22:52:41 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp140-03-50-100-253-252.dsl.bell.ca (50.100.253.252)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

We Will Not Be Lovers...THE WATERBOYS

Secret Ingredient....Steve Wickham

Born Dublin, Republic of Ireland Genres Rock, folk, folk rock, country Occupation(s) Singer-songwriter, musician Instruments Vocals, Fiddle Violin, Mandolin Tin Whistle Concertina Saxophone Piano Guitar


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Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

You just stepped into the main track climbed down off the fence Words are your weapon lies are your defense I know what you want and I see what you see You're looking for somebody but he isn't me Find yourself another because we will not be lovers How your eyes are like tortures and your presence is bliss I never knew time could speed and zip like this The touch of your flesh is tough to resist Planets collide, collide at the smack of your kiss But you can kiss your brother because we will not be lovers Now you're pulling down curtains You've been sparking old flames You've been causing disturbance crying for shame You've been Knocking on doors You've been abusing my name You've been casting up doubt you've been throwing your blame But you can throw it at your mother we will not be lovers Now the world's full of trouble everybody's scared The landlords are frowning cupboards are bare People are scrambling like dogs for a share It's cruel and its hard but it's nothing compared to what we do to each other to each other We will not be lovers! we will not be lovers, no We will not be lovers, no

Michael Scott
We Will Not Be Lovers
lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc


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Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

I got an extra glimpse of the truth today Staring at my breakfast When I thought I heard it say Fighting is no good Success an empty lie. The treasure hunt is lonely Until you realize.

We came to take it up We came to take it up We came to take it up We came to raise it up Came to take it up Came to move it up.

I promise you miss, I will do my best today But somebody keeps trying to make me Trying to make me lose my way But I believe, oh my darling, I believe in you And I hope when you hear this You'll remember what we were sent to do

PAT B...I don't forget about Karl Wallinger...born in Wales? You must have ESP as after I posted info about Mike Scott I thought the same thing....Where is Karl Wallinger??????!!!!!! I've posted many times his masterpiece Ship Of Fools. Today I'm posting another one that's always on my Nano.

"Karl Wallinger joined the group in 1983, shortly after its formation. He left the group two years later, but in that relatively short period made important contributions to both A Pagan Place and This Is the Sea. (I saw both Mike Scott and Karl Wallinger at the Phoenix Club)....:-D...He co-wrote "Don't Bang the Drum", the environmentalism anthem on the latter album. His keyboards and synthesiser work expanded the group's sound, and he also did some studio work for demo sessions. Wallinger's World Party project was heavily influenced by his work with The Waterboys." His work is also influenced by The Beatles whereas Mike Scott is more influenced by Van and Dylan.....brown eyed girl

"Take It Up" is track 7 on Goodbye Jumbo, the second album by World Party. Originally released in 1990 on Ensign/Chrysalis, the album was essentially a solo project by Karl Wallinger, aided by a number of guest artists, including Sinéad O'Connor and former members of The Waterboys."


Entered at Thu Jul 2 21:05:54 CEST 2020 from (2600:1702:4580:5e80:804e:89e8:ea3d:2f85)

Posted by:

Pat B

Let's not forget Karl Wallinger from World Party who was the keyboardist Waterboy for Whole of the Moon and came up with the fantastic "1999" synth part for the song--along with the equally great piano parts. That song might be the perfect pop song.


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Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

Now I know this hurt you're feeling I've felt these same things too I've got spaces way down deep inside of me that are just the same as you You want to wrap your arms around your head, turn out the lights And roll yourself into a ball You got too close to heaven, that's all

Are you blinded by the brilliance? Are you dazzled by the Light? Why is it I see nothing but emptiness in your tired beaten eyes That once were bright I know you just can't help but run when you hear that sweet voice call You got too close to heaven, that's all

I walked a mile for you baby So won't you smile for me baby?

OMG!!!!! For two years I was too close to heaven. Where was this song then? First time ever hearing this song....Feeeeeling too much here..... love you Mike Scott...A Sagittarian and born only three days after me.....I will always be blessed that I saw you in my hood in the eighties! In praise of Mike Scott. LONG LIVE MIKE SCOTT!!!!!! OMG!!


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Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

We were having dinner at my brother's and this song comes through loud and clear. I yelled where did you get that song? I don't have that one! Apparently the friend who set my brother up with catering jobs to musicians like Annie Lennox, Simple Minds, Stevie Ray Vaughan....Awww.....Where was Big Country??? All these bands played at the school where my brother received his BA in history and where I hear Bill M now works....Huh Bill? I am listening to it right now to get myself ready to face the world outside of my isolated bubble.
This was the last week that Public Health checked in on me...lol....I thought my journey had passed. Anyway, I told my contact to have her supervisor contact me as she deserved an excellent report for the manner in which she communicated with me. Too many people in this world need to be recognized more often for their work. All work has value. And as my Ma instilled in me....Do your best work no matter what job you are undertaking. Yes, I am very opinionated about everything....I share opinions. Therefore I am.... ;-D

"`I was six or seven when I noticed the music in my head. It was there in the classroom, on the football pitch, at the dinner table, when I went to sleep and when I woke up. And it s continued ever since. As a teenager in Scotland, Mike Scott played in punk and garage bands, hitchhiked to see Bob Dylan play, and scammed his way into Patti Smith s inner circle during an eye-opening weekend in London. In 1983 he formed The Waterboys with an ever-rotating cast of collaborators including The Fellow Who Fiddles (Steve Wickham) and The Human Saxophone (Anthony Thistlethwaite) and soon found international success with the `big music sound of songs like `Don t Bang The Drum and `The Whole Of The Moon . In 1986 Scott travelled to Ireland to spend a week with Wickham and ended up staying for six years. During that time he developed a deep interest in roots and folk music, resulting in The Waterboys best-selling album, Fisherman s Blues. After scaling the heights of success and moving the band to New York, he followed another fascination and went to live in the Findhorn spiritual community in Northern Scotland. Adventures Of A Waterboy is an evocative memoir by one of the great British songwriters of the past four decades. It is an honest and revealing work, by turns heartfelt and funny, that tells the story of a cocky Scot with a sound in his head and his lifelong efforts to reproduce that sound a story that runs from teenage fandom to international stardom, from Scotland to New York City and beyond. This remastered edition adds ten `extra scenes written and handpicked by Scott, plus a selection of rare images not included in the original book."


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Posted by:

John D

Thank you Pat.


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Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

Any Night of the Week : A D.I.Y. History of Toronto Music, 1957-2001

4.5 (4 ratings by Goodreads)
Paperback English
By (author) Jonny Dovercourt
The story of how Toronto became a music mecca.

"From Yonge Street to Yorkville to Queen West to College, the neighbourhoods that housed Toronto's music scenes. Featuring Syrinx, Rough Trade, Martha and the Muffins, Fifth Column, Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet, Rheostatics, Ghetto Concept, LAL, Broken Social Scene, and more!"....??? The Hawks

I second that emotion BILL M...Thank you to the perfect stranger from Illinois...PAT B. :-D


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Posted by:

Bill M

Thank-you Pat. Kind of you.


Entered at Thu Jul 2 02:53:27 CEST 2020 from (2600:1702:4580:5e80:804e:89e8:ea3d:2f85)

Posted by:

Pat B

Happy Canada Day to all you fabulous Canadians.


Entered at Thu Jul 2 02:06:17 CEST 2020 from n1-43-50-96.mas2.nsw.optusnet.com.au (1.43.50.96)

Posted by:

Wallsend

Rod, I would love to hear your opinion. I haven't ordered a copy myself yet but I was tempted. I also thought RR's playing on that Neil Young song sounded like Dirge. I loved Dirge and wish Robbie had done more in that style.


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Posted by:

Rod

OWBs has finally arrived in the mail!


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Posted by:

John D

Subject: Carmine Street Guitars

I've watched Carmine Street Guitars at least three times. Great to see The Sadies come in to buy.


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Posted by:

Bill M

Alex: Always good to hear from you, and that your health is steady. Happy Canada Day. We put our little flag out 10 minutes ago. Bound to scare away the hummingbirds, unfortunately.

NwC: "Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves" would've suited our guys perfectly, but perhaps Dylan would have risen to the occasion. "Believe" would be a better choice for him, though.


Entered at Wed Jul 1 21:37:22 CEST 2020 from s0106a84e3f63c293.vf.shawcable.net (96.48.242.117)

Posted by:

Lisa

I just noticed, that doc is Canadian-made, kind of interesting! And Happy Canada Day to everybody! I'm actually sitting here in a sweater, it's kind of wet and chilly today where I am.


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Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

LISA...Thank you again. Rick Kelly and his hand made guitars...Yes! Yes! Yes!

"In a segment of Balvenie's acclaimed film, The Intelligent Hand, we visit the legend Rick Kelly, a luthier based in Manhattan who makes handmade electric guitars from reclaimed wood that originated in some of New York's most famous buildings. Among Rick's customers are Bob Dylan, Lou Reed, Lenny K and Jim Jarmusch."


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Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

Thank you for sharing Lisa! Carmine Street Guitars Trailer...

"Once the centre of the New York bohemia, Greenwich Village is now home to lux restaurants, and buzzer door clothing stores catering to the nouveau riche. But one shop in the heart of the Village remains resilient to the encroaching gentrification: Carmine Street Guitars.

There, custom guitar maker Rick Kelly and his young apprentice Cindy Hulej, build handcrafted guitars out of reclaimed wood from old hotels, bars, churches and other local buildings. Nothing looks or sounds quite like a Rick Kelly guitar, which is the reason they are embraced by the likes of Bob Dylan, Lou Reed, Patti Smith, Jim Jarmusch, just to name a few.

Featuring a cast of prominent musicians and artists, the film captures five days in the life of Carmine Street Guitars, while examining an all-too-quickly vanishing way of life."

Silence Is Not An Option...Garland Jeffreys already told us so via ANY RAIN. Just sayin'. :-D


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Posted by:

Lisa

I was wondering if anybody here has seen a documentary called Carmine Street Guitars? It's about this guy Rick Kelly and his assistant/artist Cindy Hulej and the guitars they make from old (200+ years) wood reclaimed from demolished buildings in NYC. His shop is quite a sight, and (obviously at least partly scripted) all these musicians drop in at his shop in Greenwich Village and try out his guitars. He claims that the age of the wood has resulted in all the resins in the woods crystallizing, giving his guitars a special resonance - and they do sound gorgeous to my ears. The only people I was at all familiar with were Bill Frisell and Jim Jarmusch, but you all would probably recognize more of them. Anyway, it's definitely worth seeing if you get a chance.


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Posted by:

NorthWestCoaster

Location: Greater Copenhagen. Probably.

Subject: Covers

Some smartass posted in Toppermost: "I can imagine only one thing which could be better than Cher singing Dylan. It is Dylan singing Cher."


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Posted by:

Peter V

OK, sitting in my office. I have a Sony turntable going through the computer and on to Bowers & Wilkins speakers. It's not a turntable I'd entrust my most valued LPs to, but it's OK. I was on my next Cliff Richard film review and the "Wonderful Life" LP kept sticking and slipping. Hmm, I thought. Better check it's not the deck. I picked up the nearest LP, which was Captain Beefheart.

I needed to check if the deck is OK, or slowing down.

With Captain Beefheart?

Ah. Good point. The Captain went back in the sleeve. The next LP in line was Poco "Cantamos" and that played perfectly. Relief.


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Posted by:

Dag B.

Subject: Rick the Prick

"Blame it on that blurry evening at the Chateau Marmont, where Young had played Homegrown back to back with TOnight's the Night for a bunch of stoned musicians including Rick Danko. "At which point Rick the Prick said, 'Go with the raw one,' said (Elliot) Mazer, who was devastated when Young decided to jettison Homegrown in favor of Tonight's the Night."

Shakey: Neil Young's Biography By Jimmy McDonough


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Posted by:

Jed

Subject: RR guitar chops-Rod

Gotta agree with Rod. RR was one of the greatest,most unique guitar players.His tone was unique and listening to his playing has always been a lot of fun. But he no longer has the same abilities. Whether on The Weight as played recently,his playing at EC’s crossroads concert a few years ago,etc. his playing has deteriorated. Listen to Planet Waves to hear some of his finest and most original style of guitar playing. Or 1966 or 1974 to hear the raucousness and how he adapts his style to the particular song and every musical situation.


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Posted by:

Alex

Location: Pointe-Claire

BEG, thanks for the shout out and for posting the interview. I had always thought that he would've been living in the Plateau area of Montreal. Turns out that they lived in two of the neighbourhoods I did and the third was where I went to school for a bit. Wishing everyone a happy Canada Day. Hoping that everyone is safe and doing well. I still look at the site. Listening to music mainly when I walk the dog or mow the lawns. Embracing retirement and my health is fine after some major issues.


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Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

HEALTHY HAPPY CANADA DAY!

When I was a growing boy
A-rocking on my daddy's knee
Daddy took an old guitar and sang
Bury me on the lone prairie
Uncle Bob sat at the piano
My girl cousins sang harmony
Those were the good old family times
That left a big mark on me

Bury me out on the prairie
Where the buffalo used to roam
Where the Canada geese once filled the sky
And then I won't be far from home
Bury me out on the prairie
Where the buffalo used to roam
You won't have to shed a tear for me
'Cause then I won't be far from home

Walking down the trans-Canada highway
I was talking to a firefly
Trying to make my way to Nashville, Tennessee
When another car passed me by

Neil Young...Far From Home


Entered at Wed Jul 1 09:24:14 CEST 2020 from (2407:7000:9b95:db00:bcb6:29d1:b98:6850)

Posted by:

Rod

I suspect Robbie's guitar chops ain't what they used to be - but it would have been nice to hear him play with Bob once again.

White Line - his playing sounds a bit like Dirge from Planet Waves.


Entered at Wed Jul 1 06:08:24 CEST 2020 from (2604:2000:1200:907f:ac45:d5f1:882c:20f1)

Posted by:

Jon Lyness

Location: NYC

Robbie, oh no! That's a bummer.


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Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

For Bill M...The Ardells...
Check out Gallery and Most Valuable Canadian Music.


Entered at Wed Jul 1 04:40:58 CEST 2020 from toroon0240w-lp140-03-50-100-253-252.dsl.bell.ca (50.100.253.252)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

Robbie Robertson Explains Why He Turned Down Playing on Bob Dylan’s New Album

‘I would’ve loved for us to work together on that,” says Robertson
BRIAN HIATT
June 30, 2020


Entered at Wed Jul 1 01:41:10 CEST 2020 from c-73-119-115-178.hsd1.ma.comcast.net (73.119.115.178)

Posted by:

Dave H

Besides Levon and Robbie playing on it, another Band connection to Neil Young's just-released Homegrown is that it was apparently Rick Danko who convinced NY not to release the album in 1975 and to release Tonight's the Night instead.


Entered at Wed Jul 1 00:22:10 CEST 2020 from (24.114.65.186)

Posted by:

Kevin J

BEG.....Really appreciate you posting that interview Robbie did with the great Mitch Melnick. Canada’s finest radio broadcaster in the area of sports for 30 plus years but also a guy with impeccable music tastes.

Anyhow, that interview - first 5 minutes he sorts out the puzzle Pat B was wondering about yesterday as to the timing of his stay in Montreal. I hadn’t realized that two of his daughters had been born in Montreal and that he had lived in 3 different neighbourhoods ! Also, he gives the impression of having places ( perhaps keeping apartments ) there but maybe also having a house in the US at the same time as keeping the Montreal residences. One of the best interviews he gave as part of the Testimony tour.


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