The Band Guestbook, April 2016

Entered at Sat Apr 30 19:16:55 CEST 2016 from (72.94.165.193)

bob w.

Bassman.....would you kindly send an email my way? The address is the same. Thanks.

Best to everyone.

Entered at Sat Apr 30 18:32:43 CEST 2016 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Subject: Jungle Books

For film buffs, link to the review of the 2016 Jungle Book. Did anyone else see it? Band connection: Dr John on the soundtrack. Not his first Disney either.

Entered at Sat Apr 30 15:24:42 CEST 2016 from (70.193.173.13)

David P

Great news -- "Allen Toussaint The Complete Warner Recordings" will be released May 13. This 2-CD was previously issued by Rhino Handmade as a limited release, which went out of print and commanded high prices.

Entered at Sat Apr 30 13:38:45 CEST 2016 from (83.249.161.239)

NorhWestCoaster

Subject: OOOOPPPSSS!!!

In my previous (semi-racist) post it shoud have been "1st of April" instead of "1st of May". So embarracing but all of you cool and peace-loving gbers and Miss Rosalind Richardson have certainly already figured it out.

Entered at Sat Apr 30 12:35:03 CEST 2016 from (83.249.161.239)

NorthWestCoaster

Subject: Norbert, the brother in arms.

This is what my gb friend RAGTIME teached me about the Dutchies for a long time ago:

"In Lowlands every day is the 1st of May".

Entered at Sat Apr 30 10:51:11 CEST 2016 from (87.144.161.153)

Norbert

Subject: Radiohead's Corporate Empire

Or why Radiohead set up a new company each time they release an album (The Guardian)

“Radiohead’s financial structure shines a light on one of the lesser discussed facts of the music industry: if you want to be a great band, it can help if you are as good at finance as you are at music, or at least have a team supporting you who are.

By doing so, that particular project is ring-fenced both in terms of its financial and business activity.

It also makes for a more identifiable and independent project especially if there are other businesses that are simultaneously being operated by that band/corporation,” Panayi said.

In other words, a limited company like the ones Radiohead set up protects the investor by shiIt also protects Radiohead if they album is a flop, by stopping investors from going after their gains from other projects.elding them from the fallout from any other activities the artist is involved in.

The one business move Radiohead are famous for is In Rainbows – the album they self-released after leaving EMI, allowing fans to pay what they wanted for it. It was everything you have read about it: a money-spinner for the band, a critical success and something that scared an entire industry. But it is also what turned Radiohead into the conglomerate they are now. The band set up _Xurbia_Xendless Ltd apparently to deal with that record’s income and they have formed similar companies for every record since.”

Some of the flippantly company names:

W.A.S.T.E Products Ltd
LLLP LLP
Unreliable Ltd
Random Rubbish Ltd
Sandbag Ltd
Quicksand Distribution Ltd
Eleventy Five Ltd
_Xurbia_Xendless Ltd

Entered at Sat Apr 30 03:01:17 CEST 2016 from (68.171.246.154)

Bill M

Rog: Thanks. I do recall my Votey post, and in fact regard it as the high-water mark of my career as a punster.

Entered at Fri Apr 29 23:44:52 CEST 2016 from (87.144.161.153)

Norbert

Never laugh holding an interview (that’s fatal).

Good Night.

Entered at Fri Apr 29 22:02:32 CEST 2016 from (87.144.161.153)

Norbert

Subject: Lord Huron & The Chesterfield Cushions of Robbie’s mother.

JQ, thanks for Lord Huron, like them.

Bill, that little Chesterfield Cushions story is a great one, thanks.

Entered at Fri Apr 29 21:36:19 CEST 2016 from (87.144.161.153)

Norbert

Good to hear Spiderman gets some play in CIVIL WAR, as a real super hero he deserves no less and maybe now we need this wall crawler the most.

Entered at Fri Apr 29 21:27:46 CEST 2016 from (87.144.161.153)

Norbert

The land runs dry
The river runs low
The borders wide
The water slow

Entered at Fri Apr 29 21:23:18 CEST 2016 from (87.144.161.153)

Norbert

The original “I BRAKE FOR BRIAN WILSON” bumper sticker arrived today. An EBay action bargain for $119.- from California.

Planning to buy a 2006 or 2007 BMW Z4M and glue it on the rear bumper next to my original brown “I LOVE THE BAND” sticker to give it that sweet old-hippie-car touch.

Entered at Fri Apr 29 21:09:46 CEST 2016 from (87.144.161.153)

Norbert

Entered at Fri Apr 29 16:07:50 CEST 2016 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Entered at Fri Apr 29 14:57:37 CEST 2016 from (131.137.34.214)

sadavid

Subject: but wait, there's more . . .

. . . but not for Philip Kives, master huckster of the compilation album . . . .

Entered at Fri Apr 29 14:12:42 CEST 2016 from (70.193.164.175)

David P

I wasn't up to the hazzle of fighting the crowds at the recent RSD. I was able to order the LP that I wanted the most, "Allen Toussaint Live in Philadelphia 1975," at regular price online. It's scheduled to arrive next week.

Entered at Fri Apr 29 00:15:04 CEST 2016 from (63.142.158.9)

JQ

Subject: Lord Huron - La Belle Fleur Sauvage

Have we talked about Lord Huron here before? I'm stuck on this one for sure. To me it sounds like music for a cosmic roundup in a future sky, to the rhythm of a J Cash chukka-chukka. With old-timey folk song lyrics. I think it's best played very loud.

Entered at Thu Apr 28 21:44:50 CEST 2016 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Entered at Thu Apr 28 20:10:16 CEST 2016 from (156.47.15.10)

David P

Subject: Tickets

Here's a poster ad for a Band concert I attended in Atlanta in 1970. Bought a $5 balcony seat at a local record store in Decatur. My friends and I sat in the balcony on the right close to the stage. There was no opening act.

Entered at Thu Apr 28 16:53:39 CEST 2016 from (184.66.251.127)

JT

Subject: Tickets at record stores

David: In Victoria, buying tickets from a local record store still happens for 'non-arena' acts and sometimes for larger acts (though less likely). I bought tickets for Sharon Jones and the DapKings in the past 2 years locally (Ditch Records). I buy tickets from Lyle's regularly. Its not $5-8 but its usually less than $25-30. (inflation)

Entered at Thu Apr 28 15:54:00 CEST 2016 from (70.193.134.3)

David P

I miss the old days when you went to a local record store to buy tickets to a concert, presented by a local promotèr, and paid around $5-$8 a ticket.

Entered at Thu Apr 28 14:09:24 CEST 2016 from (69.112.112.38)

Bob F

Subject: Article on Ticket Prices

Link on Expecting Rain today to a very good article on soaring ticket prices. Proving It's possible to question ticket cost without begrudging artists we love's success.

Entered at Thu Apr 28 13:40:43 CEST 2016 from (96.245.114.250)

bassmanlee

Subject: Funky Abba

Ran across this collection of reworked ABBA by trombonist Nils Landgren and his ensemble, which is essentially where I became familiar with ABBA having totally ignored them in their day. Ironically Nils' album Paint It Blue is a tribute to...Cannonball Adderley. It there a theme here?

Entered at Thu Apr 28 08:33:26 CEST 2016 from (5.56.16.204)

Daniel

Subject: Danke

Sehr gut Seite vorbereitet. Vielen Dank für die interessante und nützliche Informationen;)

Entered at Wed Apr 27 19:22:19 CEST 2016 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Entered at Wed Apr 27 19:20:47 CEST 2016 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Dylan EP- a bit annoyingly for an EP it's at 33 rpm. I first played it at 45 rpm and thought the backing fabulously spritely. It was only when Bob's voice appears, quite a long way into Melancholy Mood that I spotted my mistake. Melancholy Mood works very well, I thought. It purports to be a "Japanese Tour CD" with four tracks from the forthcoming album, but Bob has never missed a Record Store day release. I keep playing that folk Green Onions!

Entered at Wed Apr 27 19:06:40 CEST 2016 from (99.244.8.134)

John D

Yes Peter, I got the Dylan EP and featured a couple of tracks last week on my radio show. I will say that Bob's voice sounder smoother; than the Sinatra tribute. Waiting for full album on May 20th.

Entered at Wed Apr 27 18:24:33 CEST 2016 from (131.137.34.214)

sadavid

Subject: maudlin movie mood music

The Portishead ABBA cover mentioned in Peter's _High Rise_ review. Yikes.

Entered at Wed Apr 27 18:12:44 CEST 2016 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Subject: Green Onions

Now it's had time to sink in, I think Green Onions by English folk musicians Simpson, Cutting and Wright was the most fun Record Store Day release this year … yes, with accordion. (Linked)

Who else got the new Dylan EP? The backing is sublime, but it's like the world's best cocktail bar band are playing away, and some old guy from the audience gets up to join them. He doe Melancholy Mood brilliantly … but Old Black Magic and Come Rain or Come Shine are a tad "Ouch!" Having been stuck next to cocktail bar bands twice in the last fortnight, I don't think Bob could cut it in an actual cocktail bar though.

Entered at Wed Apr 27 17:53:49 CEST 2016 from (96.245.114.250)

bassmanlee

Subject: Cannonball

Yesterday was not a listening day at work but catching up today on Cannonball & co. a shuffle of the Capitol Best Of, Cannonball Plays Zawinul and Money In the Pocket, which is what's on the hard drive that is vecro'd to the lid of my laptop. Also Tom Scott's Cannon Re-Loaded, which, while it does not stray far from the source, gives a little updated sound to the, er, canon.

Thanks to Bob F and RC for the links to Bruce and Nils channeling the Purple One and the Man himself on While My Guitar...killer stuff. Keep it coming.

Entered at Wed Apr 27 16:30:16 CEST 2016 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

I'm reading his "first autobiography" with Stephen Davies. I'd mislaid it just before Buckingham-Nicks joined, found it again and carried on. It's kept me interested. I notice similar techniques to Stephen Davies with Levon - mainly first person, with cuts away to other people being quoted.

Entered at Wed Apr 27 15:05:55 CEST 2016 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Entered at Wed Apr 27 14:12:20 CEST 2016 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Prince....Ultimate Guitar Solo

While My Guitar Gently Weeps.....he was an extraordinary talent! Back out 2....C

Entered at Wed Apr 27 00:31:37 CEST 2016 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Subject: High Rise

Link to my review of HIGH RISE, a film based on J.G. Ballard's 1975 novel. Stars Tom Hiddleston, Jeremy Irons, Sienna Miller, Keeley Hawes, Luke Evans.

Entered at Wed Apr 27 00:17:02 CEST 2016 from (69.112.112.38)

Bob F

Subject: Autistic child's reaction to Coldplay concert

This is such an emotional video. The beauty of music. Nothing else in the world to match it.

Entered at Wed Apr 27 00:06:24 CEST 2016 from (173.3.49.113)

Jeff A.

Entered at Wed Apr 27 00:04:50 CEST 2016 from (173.3.49.113)

Jeff A.

Subject: Redneck Sandals. A bigger OY than you think.

See the link. As fucked up as most new promoted country music is, this shouldn't be a surprise.

Entered at Tue Apr 26 23:27:07 CEST 2016 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Entered at Tue Apr 26 20:13:52 CEST 2016 from (100.2.21.114)

Joan

Entered at Tue Apr 26 16:59:41 CEST 2016 from (24.114.73.162)

Kevin J

Whenever I open my music on the iPad I see The Justuce Collective song and think about that. Happy to know that some justice was realized.

Bill M: Belated thanks for the tip on the Handsome Ned collection.

Entered at Tue Apr 26 16:00:34 CEST 2016 from (86.128.176.255)

Dunc

Subject: ISB

Thanks Peter and Bill M. I don't have any ISB albums. At the time they emerged I would be into The Beatles, The Stones, The Who, The Kinks, Tamla etc and buying singles

I do have a decent collection of Rab Noakes, who I would recommend to anybody.

Entered at Tue Apr 26 15:45:00 CEST 2016 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Thanks, Bassmanlee, my listening today has been Cannonball Adderley (Zawinul period). Mercy Mercy Mercy is the definitive soul jazz track.

Entered at Tue Apr 26 15:19:44 CEST 2016 from (86.31.229.95)

Roger

Subject: Volte face

Nice one Bill. Gets my volte. We ain't gonna leave....

Entered at Tue Apr 26 14:09:07 CEST 2016 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

They always said the wheels of justice grind slowly, but 27 years was truly shameful. But … at last!

Entered at Tue Apr 26 13:32:31 CEST 2016 from (77.102.201.158)

Al Edge

Subject: FINALLY - JUSTICE FOR 96 INNOCENT VICTIMS AND THEIR LOVED ONES

A 27 year long journey to right a despicable wrong

Entered at Tue Apr 26 13:31:53 CEST 2016 from (96.245.114.250)

bassmanlee

Peter, Joe is, in my book, without sin and can't be blamed for anything! Ever! Mercy, Mercy, Mercy!

Entered at Tue Apr 26 13:22:42 CEST 2016 from (68.171.246.136)

Bill M

Bu the way, if the UK goes with the idea of running a contest to name the Brexit referendum, would you please submit Votey McVolteface on my behalf?

Entered at Tue Apr 26 11:51:28 CEST 2016 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Entered at Tue Apr 26 06:10:32 CEST 2016 from (67.87.216.23)

Jeff A.

Comma, Mike. Toss a fucking comma. Just like a horseshoe.

Entered at Tue Apr 26 05:05:10 CEST 2016 from (65.93.116.108)

Mike Nomad

Dunno, but I'd probably want to toss in two or three hyphens in there, Peter.

Entered at Tue Apr 26 04:53:19 CEST 2016 from (74.12.51.217)

Bill M

David P: There was an amusing item in the news the other day. People thought the towers in Toronto and Niagara Falls (Ontario) were floodlit purple in honour of Prince's passing - but no, it was in honour of the queen's persistence in not passing - and turning 90. Nothing wrong with congratulating a 90-year-old, but ...

Entered at Tue Apr 26 00:14:37 CEST 2016 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter v

Entered at Mon Apr 25 20:36:17 CEST 2016 from (68.116.44.170)

JQ

David P - I love that little story - in many ways this President is one of our greatest. Lots at stake and lots of progress to be lost in this damn election -

Entered at Mon Apr 25 19:39:35 CEST 2016 from (156.47.15.10)

David P

Friday morning in London, before meeting with Prime Minister Cameron, President Obama listened to a couple of Prince songs to start the day on the right note. The American ambassador happened to have a turntable handy, so they played "Purple Rain" and "Delirious."

Entered at Mon Apr 25 17:45:12 CEST 2016 from (184.66.251.127)

JT

Subject: (Tennis) ball hockey

As a kid, in Toronto, (tennis) ball hockey was a huge part of my life. I played as an adult too (with my kids involved..a great way to spend a weekend morning/at a local school) until I separated a shoulder in a fall (1990s) and poof... it was over. I love that game.

Entered at Mon Apr 25 17:06:37 CEST 2016 from (184.145.118.56)

Kevin J

Entered at Mon Apr 25 15:30:54 CEST 2016 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Many thanks for your insights, Mike F. It's good to discuss the lyrics again. The original article is so old that when I went to open my original article, WORD couldn't open the old WORD version.The song is still there and plenty of time to discuss again.

Something I found out more recently, was that while the British were wary of Acadians as Catholics, there was considerable Huegenot (French Protestant) emigration to Quebec. I found this out researching my own surname, which apparently originates in Brittany. People with the same name have written in to my website and blog, and I gradually pieced information about where they ended up. The Huegenots left France and typical family names, like mine, reappeared in French Speaking Switzerland, the west of Ireland (encouraged by the English who wanted Protestant settlement), Quebec and Dorset in the south of England, a direct hop across the channel from Cherbourg, and where my ancestors lived.

Did they switch back to Catholicism in Canada? Possibly as a united front against the English and Scots?

Entered at Mon Apr 25 14:41:04 CEST 2016 from (68.171.246.142)

Bill M

Entered at Mon Apr 25 03:01:15 CEST 2016 from (67.87.217.236)

Jeff A.

Entered at Mon Apr 25 03:00:58 CEST 2016 from (70.80.148.58)

Landmark

Sorry Joe and Kevin, ice fishing was not a rite of passage in my neighbourhood (Cote Des Neiges). If we wanted fish, it was off to the Brown Derby for smoked salmon or white-fish. If you really wanted a "trophy catch", it was off to Waldman's, where it smelt awful and felt as if you were in the middle of the North Atlantic. Our rite of passage was ball hockey. Steve (RIP) and I used to discuss it with great memories.

Entered at Mon Apr 25 02:03:07 CEST 2016 from (24.114.73.162)

Kevin J

Great memories as a kid on the lake waiting by the hole in the ice - more than one actually - and just looking for the rod to tip and then running over and yanking it up.....ours were all Perch....only spent one day doing it but the memory is as clear as day.............quite amazing how many people I meet around the world whose favourite Band song is "Acadian Driftwood".

Entered at Mon Apr 25 01:35:10 CEST 2016 from (24.224.128.101)

joe j

Subject: ice fishin

Sorry but ice fishing is what it is. Sitting on a frozen pond for trout or smelt. A rite of passage for anyone who's ever experienced a Canadian winter. Not my thing anymore. Too much repetition. Arthritis as well.

Entered at Mon Apr 25 01:12:08 CEST 2016 from (68.171.246.15)

Bill M

Dunc: With all due respect to Peter V and his great taste in music, I'll plump for "The Big Huge" as the ISB album to have. (No need to hold out for the two-fer, "The Wee Tam" being deadwood.)

Entered at Sun Apr 24 20:53:01 CEST 2016 from (24.114.73.162)

Kevin J

.......Kanye West was found alive and heathy in his NYC apartment today.

Not original, but funny.

Entered at Sun Apr 24 20:07:34 CEST 2016 from (85.167.244.206)

Mike Fergsuon

Subject: Acadian Driftwood

I enjoyed your analysis of Acadian Driftwood. I learned much. I have a few points to offer: ... "The Border" Robinson is probably referring to modern 1970s borders, but there were multiple borders in 1755! New France surrounded on all sides by New England, Newfoundland & the Hudson Bay territories, then the borders of Quebec vs. l'Acadie within New France, etc. ... "the Plains of Abraham" Your thoughts about Wolfe as a shaper of Canada when Robbie and I was in school were accurate within English Canada, but probably not applicable within Quebec. ... Your speculation on what would happen in N America is interesting, but if Wolfe had failed then, the British were relentless; more Generals would have been sent until the French at Quebec were defeated. ... "-15, ice fishing, drenched to the bone" I think you miss the meaning here. Acadians came from western France. They were both farmers and coastal fishing people. This verse is a tribute to ocean-fishing Acadians, and not ice fishing in a lake as you may know it. In France, they hadn't fished in ice-filled seas, but they did and still do in the Gulf of St. Lawrence in winter. In high rough ice-filled seas, they become both drenched to the bone and suffered an unbearable level of cold at -15 F (-26 C, Canada was using F until 1975, after the song was written)! Such fishing is so repetitive day after day. ... Then imagine you are told you could fish in Louisiana in year-round warm waters ... What ocean fisher wouldn't want to leave their home in that northern Gulf! ... "Out of the Gulf headin' for Saint Pierre" This is definitely the Gulf of St. Lawrence. St. Pierre is at its mouth to cross the Atlantic or to turn south to Lousianna. Acadians from eastern New Brunswick, PEI, & NE shores of Nova Scotia & Cape Breton would have passed this way. ... "Snow makes tears in the sun" is not in anyway ambiguous, but very poetic. It is great use of literal & figurative meanings. Figurative in reference to being homesick, sad and lost. For the literal meaning, you need to experience a snow-covered land on a bright sunny winter day. In Canada, in winter when it is sunny, it is usually very cold (Warm winter days are cloudy). On such days, it is also extremely bright; sun shining from the sky above + the sun reflected up from snow-covered ground below! The cold & brilliant sun actually causes our eyes to water, then add the slightest breeze and the tears can become profuse. That is great poetry when the imagery may be literal but has a deeper human meaning! ... The Song: The magic of the song is the sum of all its verses! Some Acadians remained (farmers, store owners, etc.) & other Acadians (fishers) drifted across the seas going east, south, west, and then some had to go back west from France or north from Louisiana again ... refugees looking for homes in many directions for years across the waters. All the verses together show this old & modern diversity of how average humans deal with war ... That makes this song as a whole so moving, complex and complete, and always relevant! The specifics may be about the Acadians, but the story is universal! Just a few thoughts to add to your wonderful discussion of another amazingly timeless song by Robbie Robinson and The Band! Mike

Entered at Sun Apr 24 18:56:54 CEST 2016 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Dunc, the other Scots group I hope you have on the shelf is The Incredible String Band. I mention it because I can see the framed sleeve of 5000 Spirits from where I'm sitting.

Entered at Sun Apr 24 18:47:33 CEST 2016 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Entered at Sun Apr 24 17:35:36 CEST 2016 from (86.128.176.255)

Dunc

Subject: Too soon gone

Jed, I have a shelf and a half of Scottish artists' albums.

Many are deceased. Average White Band's original drummer deceased, John Martyn deceased, Michael Marra deceased, Alex Harvey deceased, Gerry Rafferty deceased - love Stealers Wheel, Bert Jansch deceased, two members of one of the great folk bands 'Jock Tamsons Bairns', Jack Bruce deceased.

Anytime Michael Marra or John Martyn played the Glasgow area I would go and seee them.

An impossible way of life.

Frankie Miller had a brain haemorrage and will never play again.

Entered at Sun Apr 24 16:17:22 CEST 2016 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

According to the Sunday Times Prince was taking painkillers for joint pain in the knees “caused by leaping off stage in high-heeled shoes for years.” I’ve got knee pain, but I don’t remember leaping off a stage in high-heeled shoes. I just put it down to being overweight and getting older.

The retrospectives tend to agree that recent stuff was “less approachable.” I think my first buy was 1999 on 45 and Little Red Corvette, early 83, then the “1999” album. Then Cyndi Lauper did When You Were Mine on “She’s So Unusual” and I sought out Prince’s Dirty Mind to get he original version. Raspberry Beret is just about my favourite song. I found it hard to like the extreme funk excursions, though The Holy River was the other favourite. I assume a lot of stuff will emerge now.

Entered at Sun Apr 24 14:48:56 CEST 2016 from (69.112.112.38)

Bob F

Subject: Bruce doing Purple Rain

Bruce doing Purple Rain in Jeff's town. Lofgren's guitar is unreal. Beautiful stuff.

Entered at Sun Apr 24 14:24:28 CEST 2016 from (73.64.96.230)

Kevin from NE PA

Subject: Holy Mother

Clapton on Prince influence.

Entered at Sun Apr 24 06:39:53 CEST 2016 from (24.114.73.162)

Kevin J

Dale Wiese: a gift from the Habs and as predicted here 2 months ago, sure to make Hawks fans happy. He did tonight.

Prince: My first notice of him came on radio in early 80's when someone reported of him being booed off stage opening for the Rolling Stones - but what stood out was the DJ saying that Bruce Springsteen was so knocked out by "Little Red Corvette" that he insisted on going back in to the studio to record more songs for an album he was putting out - and changing the sound of those new songs quite considerably as it were......I loved Purple Rain - the song and album....I didn't like his twirls and self consciousness on stage as it always seemed to get in the way of his playing and at times his singing but he was without question one of the 2 or 3 major talents of the 1980's.........and the fact that he and his management handed out notes to all who attended one of the Grammy ceremonies where Prince was in attendance that instructed other guests to not not only attempt to speak with Prince but to refrain from even making eye contact with him was something that I always remembered and liked about the guy !

Entered at Sun Apr 24 02:04:27 CEST 2016 from (24.224.128.101)

joe j

Subject: Holy River

See link.

Entered at Sun Apr 24 01:25:40 CEST 2016 from (68.171.246.8)

Bill M

A side note for Trontonians is that while the RSD organisers chose not to support the reissue of the "Jackie Shane Live" LP on red vinyl at the same time, it came out anyway. Worth picking out as there's a nice bonus track.

Entered at Sat Apr 23 23:52:17 CEST 2016 from (108.30.208.242)

Jed

RIP Lonnie Mack-was idiolized by my guitar idols including two favorites,Duane Allman and his original partner in the Allman Brothers, Dickey Betts(who grew to become a superb country,blues,jazz,acoustic and slide player).Very sad year-thought it was simply biology-people age,they die.But most of these musicians seem to be dying younger than they should.Is it the hard living?Bad luck?Life on the road-exposure to smoking and second hand smoke,drugs,lack of or disrupted sleep,terrible eating,lack of exercise,inherent psychiatric symptoms exacerbated by stress,loud music? Interestingly,Donald Fagen reviews these varied symptoms and more in his description of a kind of road PTSD.His description,while humorous,is a prescription for poor health and possibly early death.Is it all of the above? Just wonder what anyone might think?

Entered at Sat Apr 23 21:13:56 CEST 2016 from (65.94.48.32)

JT

Subject: Caveat emptor

Peter: My Record Day experiences have been uniformly lousy...until last week. Got Dylan's EP (1 of 2 copies in the store.. the other sold earlier)...so I was pleased. Caveat emptor indeed.

Entered at Sat Apr 23 19:52:18 CEST 2016 from (68.171.246.1)

Bill M

Just saw a pair of welcoming chesterfield cushions in a large gift store. One says "Have a Seat"j the other says "Take a Load Off".

Maybe Robbie's mother had a set just like it?

Entered at Sat Apr 23 19:01:07 CEST 2016 from (108.2.144.116)

bassmanlee

Subject: Prince

Prince, as someone once said, a mystery wrapped in an enigma? (Did I get that right?)

Can't say I was a major fan, but certainly listened to and own a bit of his catalog, which is extensive, to say the least. Like Zappa, his output was prolific, eclectic, and sometimes hard to absorb. Had a chance to sample "The Black Album" once, and understood why the record company would be hesitant to release it. Of course, they later embraced rap records that were far raunchier. Money talks. His recent releases have their moments as well. A true Artist.

One thing to admire was his propensity to promote...or create...other artists. Somewhere there is a fairly low quality vid of His Purpleness and the Staples sistgers performing in a very low ceiling venue. Priceless. And Bonnie Raitt credits Prince for getting her back on track when her career was all but dead. As I remember the tale, she was invited to record a few tracks and said (in effect) "Holy Crap! I might have to actually appear in a video next to him! I better get in shape!" While those tracks have never, as far as I know, seen the light of day, this led to Bonnie's sobriety and the triumphant Nick of Time.

Favorite Prince lyric - "Act your age, not your shoe size..."

Entered at Sat Apr 23 17:55:47 CEST 2016 from (108.30.208.242)

Jed

During the eighties I bought two Prince CDs and saw and listened to Purple Rain a lot.The eighties held little to interest me musically,so I "settled" for Prince.And I liked some of his music.Some years later I saw him play lead guitar on While My Guitar Gently Weeps at the RRHOF show and was absolutely blown away.Since then,whenever I hear his name or discuss him all I can say is this guy is probably one of the unknown greats as a top guitarist.Given my love for the instrument this was the nicest thing I could say(other than "he plays in The Band").Based on what I've read there's a lot of unreleased material including blues and lots of great guitar work.A great great loss for the music world.

Entered at Fri Apr 22 21:11:40 CEST 2016 from (63.142.158.9)

JQ

Subject: lonnie mack

never tired of this -

Entered at Fri Apr 22 17:23:51 CEST 2016 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Subject: Record Store Day

Did anyone else get caught up in Record Store Day? I bought Jimmy Page's first single, reissued. A 1965 copy goes for £750 which is supposed to justify the Record Store day price of £10.99. The single is "She Just Satisfies" and I'd say he'd been doing early Kinks sessions and thought to himself, "I could do that." The irritation is the track takes up only the outside 33% of the disc so is cut like an EP or an LP, not a 45. A waste.

Link is to what must be the original 45 on YouTube.

Entered at Fri Apr 22 14:48:39 CEST 2016 from (69.112.112.38)

Bob F

Subject: 1985

Actually 1985. The years blend together.

Entered at Fri Apr 22 14:44:57 CEST 2016 from (69.112.112.38)

Bob F

Lonnie Mack played The Lone Star in NYC summer of 86. Actually the week before Live Aid. Stan Szelest and Tim Drummond were in the band. On the last night Dylan, Jagger, Richards and Ronnie Wood were in the audience. Keith and Ronnie actually got on stage and played. Wonderful night.

Entered at Fri Apr 22 14:00:07 CEST 2016 from (72.82.137.178)

Ben

Yesterday was a terrible day. Prince was a giant. I haven't listened to his recent music, but his classic period in the 80's and 90's is immortal.

Lonnie Mack was also a big talent and a contemporary of the Hawks. I believe that Stan Szelest played on some of his 80's albums.

Jeff, I'm not that worried about the general election at this point. Part of me really thinks that Trump has no interest in being President and is looking for a way to get out of the race without being branded a loser.

Even if Trump is the Republican nominee, I just don't see any chance of him winning in November. I think he'd lose in a landslide like Barry Goldwater or George McGovern.

Entered at Fri Apr 22 12:41:10 CEST 2016 from (83.249.161.239)

NorthWestCoaster

Subject: Thanks Joan

Thanks for your positive comment on The GB Blues. Someday I'll post the audio file too :-)

Entered at Fri Apr 22 08:40:34 CEST 2016 from (77.102.201.158)

Al Edge

Hard to absorb all this awful news.

Yet another incredible talent snatched away so prematurely.

RIP

Entered at Fri Apr 22 06:33:33 CEST 2016 from (67.84.79.36)

Jeff A.

The spectre of death hangs over this year.

For many of us in the U.S, well maybe I should just speak for myself... Approaching the November Presidential election is like a long walk to the guillotine.

Entered at Thu Apr 21 22:41:11 CEST 2016 from (70.193.139.146)

David P

Prince played his last concert here in Atlanta at the Fox Theater last week. An appearance a week earlier had been canceled when it had been reported that he had been suffering from the flu. All reports said he gave strong performances here at the two make up concerts.

As pointed out in a recent documentary on Mavis Staples, Prince helped revive her career by producing two albums for her.

Entered at Thu Apr 21 21:23:08 CEST 2016 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Incomprehensible. What is in the stars this year? I wanted to link "The Holy River" one of my favourite Prince tracks, but it's not available, or at least not from the UK. I'm about to take Emancipation off the shelf and play it. One of the greatest. RIP.

Entered at Thu Apr 21 19:50:20 CEST 2016 from (96.245.114.250)

bassmanlee

RIP Prince Rogers Nelson

Entered at Thu Apr 21 19:26:10 CEST 2016 from (92.236.159.34)

Roger

Subject: RIP Prince

And another shock - Prince dies. I only saw him once. A major talent.

Entered at Thu Apr 21 19:25:27 CEST 2016 from (92.236.159.34)

Roger

Subject: RIP Prince

And another shock - Prince dies. I only saw him once. A major talent.

Entered at Thu Apr 21 09:17:01 CEST 2016 from (77.102.201.158)

Al Edge

Typical Victoria - so effortlessly funny - so effortlessly 'ordinary' - yet at the same time a rare comic genius.

You never left her shows without feeling enriched and with the sense that she was the best mate you ever had.

Must have spoken with dozens of friends and family yesterday and not one was left untouched, not one deeply saddened by the awful sense of loss of this unique talent and dead ordinary person.

:0(

Entered at Thu Apr 21 09:09:30 CEST 2016 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Subject: Robert Palmer article

I thought the Jesse ED Davis reference was in Robert Palmer's A Portrait Of The Band As Young Hawks (linked) in "Rolling Stone", but it wasn't. Still worth re-reading though.

Entered at Thu Apr 21 08:56:16 CEST 2016 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

I posted yesterday but it never appeared. Odd. Lost in the ether. It was to say RIP Victoria Wood, a great comedian, actress, writer, singer and pianist, and a great loss.

We saw her just after the Bournemouth International Centre opened, with its cavernous, echoing red brick brutalist auditorium. Victoria walked on, sat at her piano and said "This is the first time I've ever played in a Tesco loading bay." (Tesco is a mega-supermarket chain).

Entered at Wed Apr 20 20:21:13 CEST 2016 from (156.47.15.10)

David P

Entered at Wed Apr 20 17:16:19 CEST 2016 from (77.102.201.158)

Al Edge

Totally rocked by this as all my fellow Brits will be. Completely out of the blue. Had no idea

An amazing and utterly unique comic talent

RIP Victoria love.

Entered at Wed Apr 20 17:12:26 CEST 2016 from (68.171.246.22)

Bill M

Entered at Wed Apr 20 14:39:29 CEST 2016 from (131.137.34.214)

sadavid

Subject: The Jimmy Situation

Chris Charlesworth, blogger, reports on Mr. Page's deposition in the matter of the alleged "Taurus" plagiarism.

"Fuck off, in other words."

Entered at Wed Apr 20 14:04:10 CEST 2016 from (70.193.171.27)

David P

Doug Sahm's Sir Douglas Quintet also covered "Bacon Fat" credited to Andre Williams and Dorothy Brown. No doubt they learned it from the original version.

Entered at Wed Apr 20 13:35:54 CEST 2016 from (70.193.171.27)

David P

Bill M: My CD copy of Taj's "Giant Step / De Old Folks At Home," his third Columbia release, also credits J. Robbie Robertson and G. Hudson.

Entered at Wed Apr 20 04:21:33 CEST 2016 from (76.66.112.3)

Bill M

Entered at Tue Apr 19 21:18:13 CEST 2016 from (97.33.70.4)

Todd

Subject: Catching Up

Haven't been able to keep up with the topics lately. Spent the weekend in Bethlehem Pennsylvania, just down the road from Nazareth. Didn't see any of the characters from 'The Weight', but did find a place to lay my head for the night.

On the Bruce Springsteen thing, I don't begrudge him any of his success. I count myself as a fan, and have bought most of his material over the years. I think that he should be able to keep most of his money, despite his views on wealth redistribution. And even if he made his concerts free, there still wouldn't be enough room in the front row for everyone.

Peter V, interesting bits on automobiles. One of the reasons I've been able to get relatively high mileage is that my typical round trip commute ranges from 80-120 miles depending in the day. So the engine is operating at cruising speed most of the time. And I'm pretty consistent with maintenance and especially oil changes which I still do myself....although I'm starting to get to the point where laying on my back on a cold garage floor is getting old!

Entered at Tue Apr 19 19:32:05 CEST 2016 from (156.47.15.10)

David P

In one instance Levon & the Hawks borrowed a song's riff as well as the title -- "Bacon Fat" by Andre Williams. They credited it to Robbie & Garth, who acknowledged the source, and was later covered by Taj Mahal.

Entered at Tue Apr 19 15:59:06 CEST 2016 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Ganges Harbour

Mike, when you come slipping up into Ganges by boat, it's like a magical place out of fairy tales. There is no place like it in the gulf islands.....it's beautiful.

Entered at Tue Apr 19 14:38:59 CEST 2016 from (65.93.116.108)

Mike Nomad

Norm, Ganges is one pretty little town I passed through once where now I wished I had lingered a little longer. But I had to catch a ferry. Had I stopped, I might have caught some of that music scene. Regrets.

Entered at Tue Apr 19 05:05:24 CEST 2016 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Good Rockin Tonight!

I was ribbing you Carl, (the hippie thing). I certainly do remember Dave Roland. A great musician, and a really nice guy. He treated me great. I also remember him introducing me to his sister.

I'm sure you have experienced for a long time what I did. Those are really wonderful, respectful and warm people.

I don't know what interaction you may have had with Valdy. He had a lady who played bass for him. This was around 1980. Her name was Connie Lebeau. She did some gigs with me. A beautiful lady, great musician, and like the rest a really nice person.

So good to hear from you. I'm working my ass of right now. Susan and I have made a pledge. Whether the outfit sells or not, we'll be in a position to tye it all up this summer and get round to see some friends like you and have a good time with that big yacht of ours.

I'm hoping to commandeer some more of those "down east and yankee no good, sons-a-bitches" to come and join us :-)

Entered at Tue Apr 19 04:22:12 CEST 2016 from (24.69.0.104)

Carl

Norm. I'm the furthest thing from an old hippie that you can find. Had really long hair until I was about 22. And that would make it 1974. Got serious in the working world and had a family. I only moved to Salt Spring in 1995 from T.O. But what an eye opener concerning serious musicians. I talked to my friend Dave Roland a while ago and he was the stand up bassist for that group of guys that you mentioned earlier. Bog Water. He says that they were always getting calls from the Harbour House Hotel, the bar you're talking about, to come up and jam because they needed another musician to come and sit in with some sailor that just happened to pull into Ganges Harbour. The guys you were playing with that night were Dave Roland, stand up bass, Tom Bowler, guitar, Kelly Cavanaugh, guitar, Arno Bangster and Bruce Eason. When you said there was a fiddle player and mandolin player Dave says they were with a group called the Sod Busters that were around at the same time. The bartender that night was a sweet lady named Kate Roland, Dave's sister, who would go on to form "Aunty Kate and the Uncles of Funk" And they still play to this day as far as Alberta. Oh yea. That lady you met. Dave says if it's who he thinks it was, you walked back to your boat bowlegged. Wink, wink.

Entered at Tue Apr 19 03:40:20 CEST 2016 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: The old Feeble Mind......

David, I apologize.......I knew that. Some where down the lazy river my mind went away again. This getting old is bullshit.......I'm never doing it again! I have this album of Hoyt's where I listened to that forever. I guess I was rambling and my mind wasn't focused.

Mike! I can see that you are a peace maker....you know what I mean.

I just got home from unloading that load of logs. After 54 years if I never see another log, that will be fine. I've paid my gawd damn dues haven't I????????

Peter, totally agree. People finding ways that they feel they have been done harm!!!!!!!! so....try and extract some money. They should go and buy a lottery ticket.

Entered at Tue Apr 19 01:18:56 CEST 2016 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Randy: See, Jimmy, it goes from C to D to F major 7th.

Jimmy: Wow! Can you show me where to put my fingers to do that?

Yeah, right!

Entered at Tue Apr 19 00:04:59 CEST 2016 from (68.196.242.130)

Jeff A.

Subject: Lowenstein Deluxe.

Linked. Burrito Deluxe 's version of Rex Bob Lowenstein, with Garth of course

Entered at Tue Apr 19 00:02:42 CEST 2016 from (68.196.242.130)

Jeff A.

Subject: Geronimo - Germino

Rex Bob Lowenstein- linked. Mark Germino, the writer. His rock and roll version.

Entered at Mon Apr 18 23:59:26 CEST 2016 from (68.196.242.130)

Jeff A.

Entered at Mon Apr 18 21:35:34 CEST 2016 from (65.93.116.108)

Mike Nomad

Entered at Mon Apr 18 20:18:53 CEST 2016 from (156.47.15.10)

David P

Norm: "Geronimo's Cadillac" was written by Michael Martin Murphy and included on his excellent 1972 A&M debut album of the same name, produced by Bob Johnston.

Entered at Mon Apr 18 18:57:47 CEST 2016 from (100.2.21.114)

Joan

Great job on the video

Entered at Mon Apr 18 14:25:22 CEST 2016 from (69.112.112.38)

Bob F

Subject: Brooklyn In My Bones for Bernie

Jeff Alexander did a great job on this video. Check it out. My only gripe is this should have been out months ago.

Entered at Mon Apr 18 13:37:49 CEST 2016 from (70.193.162.45)

David P

The lawsuit alleges that Randy California did complain about the similarities in the intro in a 1997 interview shortly before his drowning death. It's also alleged that Page asked California to show him the chords while their groups were touring together. Evidence that Zeppelin had previously infringed other works will no doubt be introduced at trial. It will be up to a jury to decide and the expert testimony of witnesses for both sides will be crucial. Às in the recent precedent decision in the "Blurred Lines" case, it could be hard to predict the outcome.

Entered at Mon Apr 18 04:52:25 CEST 2016 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Some How, Some Time

We really have to make this work some how Mike. Down on Salt Spring Island, (where Carl lives) is Ganges Harbour. It is so beautiful there. All the old "no good fucked up " musicians live there.

Besides Carl, Valdy, Gary Fellgard, (my old drummer Lorne Burns) and others. I'm sure Carl can round out that list.

Another old story from 1976. I was headed around from Sechelt when I lived there to Barkley Sound on the west coast of Van Isle to start the fishing season. I got to Ganges Harbour, my first leg of the journey.

I tied up for the night, and went up to the pub in the hotel. I was having a beer, (now remember 1976 was not long after the Viet Nam thing). Salt Spring Island was full of hippies. (They are still there, Carl is there :-).

Some how I got to talking to a guy about music. So you play, he says. I say yeah, my guitar is in my boat. Go get it he says. There ends up being 6 or 7 of us who play. Guitars, fiddle, stand up bass, mandolin. What a hoot! Then a girl takes me home with her for the night. (Say no more, wink.)

You remember Carl, I told you about this, the band "Bog Water".

Entered at Mon Apr 18 04:07:57 CEST 2016 from (65.93.116.108)

Mike Nomad

Just give the word, Norm. I'll swing by in my truck and pick up Jeff and Lars.

Entered at Mon Apr 18 03:47:14 CEST 2016 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Revelations

I'm glad you brought it up Carl. I know of these things, but if I started it out, I wasn't sure of the reception.

I have another example, (because I didn't want people to think I was just dising the east), which I don't have a lot of love for, except certain people.

We have a new "Harbour Manager" here in Port Hardy. She is 43, her father was from India, her mother from Whiterock, BC here. They met at UBC. Her mother a white lady. This girl grew up in Ottawa.

Her and I have become very good friends, I have helped her out at lot at the docks here. She is very dark, east Indian looking, and beautiful. When she was in her early 20's she was a model in Toronto. I said that must have been great. She said it was horrible!

Although I'm 5'9", I'm too small. I'm too dark, and I tan so easy you are not allowed to have "tan lines". I was called, "that Packy". This girl at 22 was drop dead gorgeous. She is a wonderful person and she has decided that I am her mentor. That's fine with me.

The racial problems in eastern Canada, and the child abuse that you have mentioned Carl are pretty well known. Something that I don't want to front page.

Entered at Mon Apr 18 03:20:50 CEST 2016 from (24.69.0.104)

Carl

Subject: Norm

You do know Norm that abuse of children was not just an aboriginal thing here in Canada. Where I grew up in Toronto, as a kid there was two places you never wanted to end up in. One was called Bomanville and the other St Johns. Both in Ontario. If you got caught stealing a chocolate bar more than once, or a bike, or just going against the grain as far as adults were concerned, a visit to one of these two places was your tough luck. If you were catholic, you ended up in St johns, and Protestant, Bowmanville. About the only thing bad that could happen to you in Bowmanville was a little game called red blanket. The staff would throw an old army blanket over you and invite the rest of the inmates to beat the living shit out of you because you had broken some rule. Hence the name red blanket. I had this done to me at 13 years of age and I know the harder blows came from the staff. But I survived.Made you hard really quick. If you were catholic and ended up in St Johns you were fucked. Beatings every day, Rape by the brothers, made to drink your own piss, etc, etc. I had a lot of friends that went into St Johns that were funny, good athletes and the life of the party. When they came back from St Johns they were a shell of their former selves. Broken and defeated. And most of them died before they were forty. They were 11 to 14 years old. The people who ran St Johns were called the Christian Brotherhood and they were the Evil of all Evil. And they got away with it for 50 years. It really irks me when people say it was an aboriginal thing. It wasn't! Just look at what was going on at Maple Leaf Gardens in the 50's, 60's and 70's.

Entered at Mon Apr 18 02:33:06 CEST 2016 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Peaceful Easy Feelin'

Yer on Mike! All good places, but I live in Port Alice again now. One of my bucket list is to have a bunch of you guys that I really, really respect and enjoy to be up on the top deck on the Rockin Chair, anchored in a bay, sharing stories of the BAND. Sipping a glass of wine, a beer, tea, coffee or whatever.

I enjoy the laid back times of this life, sharing it with people who have the right values. Music, friends, being kind to people and loving little children. God how I have changed! From "Life in the Fast Lane".

There are so many good people that hang out here. Many don't have a lot to say anymore. They look in at some of us crazies.

In the words of Richard Manuel, "I just want to break even", and then that great smile of his. Gawd damn I miss that boy...........

Entered at Mon Apr 18 01:46:07 CEST 2016 from (162.220.59.66)

jorge

I love your music, please add me to your newsletter and send me info. jorge@piarealtygroup.com

Entered at Mon Apr 18 01:42:09 CEST 2016 from (65.93.116.108)

Mike Nomad

Entered at Mon Apr 18 00:03:08 CEST 2016 from (114.75.84.183)

Wallsend

A nice account of one of Levon's Rambles.

Entered at Sun Apr 17 23:36:52 CEST 2016 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: History

Sure, you are right Mike, no doubt. My point is the notion of these people coming to this continent, and "taming the wild frontier". In the name of religion changing races of people to conform to their ways. What a crock of shit.

All the while abusing these people in every way right up to our time and it still goes on in our "civilized" world? Even to the people knocking on our doors all the time and trying to hand us pamphlets to read and "see the light"! Lord thunderin' jasus!

I want you to get right on it and do some thing about this Mike!

Entered at Sun Apr 17 21:44:43 CEST 2016 from (65.93.116.108)

Mike Nomad

Entered at Sun Apr 17 20:53:15 CEST 2016 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: A lifetime of the music, the heart break and sundry subjects you discuss

Peter, in our last conversation before I went to sea, I was at first surprised that you had no knowledge of the "Residential Schools" of North America. Especially since you are a writer.

As I towed my load of logs with my feet up listening to some music, I realized over across that water many of you folks have no reason to have any knowledge of all this.

The music of these situations needs some listening to the lyrics.

Paul Revere & The Raiders, Indian Reservation...Mark Lindsey sings

They took the whole Indian Nation and put us on this reservation.... listen to the lyrics

Hoyt Axton - Geronimo's Cadillac

Took Geronimo way down south where he couldn't kick the gift horse in the mouth

Took all his land and they won't give it back

They're going to buy Geronimo a Cadillac

John Anderson's Seminole Wind

They dug for the gold and silver and left us with the hole

Robbie Robertson Broken Arrow

I want you to feel what I feel.

You can easily access, for example "Residential Schools of BC". You will find some of the most sickening acts of sexual abuse. One particular account in the Port Alberni school.

It was not only the priests, but nuns as well sexually abusing children, boys and girls. My own recollections growing up in Sechelt. At age 13 - 14 looking at that huge pink stucco building 4 stories high in the middle of the reserve. The children from out lying isolated villages were brought there and housed there.

In those days, late 50's and early 60's very often there were 3 or 4 nuns in full habit around town and into the stores. I never remember seeing one of those women smile. I do remember watching native children in a store when those nuns came in they had a look of terror on their face all of a sudden.

In my late teens and early twenties, becoming close friends with many of the natives. Boys and girls when you became close friends with them so they felt comfortable they could trust you, they seemed to have a need to talk about these things. Some of the stories I was told I couldn't believe. Being young you would think, why would any one do these things. As life went by the realization that most of it was true became sickening.

Music & wealth, and handling that life.

From the song "16th Avenue"

And then one night in some empty room where no curtains ever hung

Like a miracle some golden words roll off of some one's tongue.

After years of being nothing they're all lookin' right at you

Then for a while you go in style on 16th Avenue.

Entered at Sun Apr 17 19:47:51 CEST 2016 from (108.88.110.210)

Pat B

Entered at Sun Apr 17 12:33:43 CEST 2016 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Subject: Bellowhead review

Review of Bellowhead at Salisbury City Hall linked. Part of the Farewell Tour.

Entered at Sun Apr 17 09:45:50 CEST 2016 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Entered at Sun Apr 17 04:34:26 CEST 2016 from (68.171.246.27)

Bill M

Entered at Sat Apr 16 21:28:43 CEST 2016 from (24.224.128.101)

joe j

Subject: my favourite place

So lucky. Fred's Records have been around forever. More relevant today than ever. Remember picking through the used records for Zappa back in the day.

Entered at Sat Apr 16 20:41:43 CEST 2016 from (72.82.137.178)

Ben

Kevin, I'll take Spirit over Led Zeppelin eight days a week, to borrow a phrase from the fab four.

I'm neither a musician nor a lawyer, but to y ears, there's a strong melodic similarity between both songs. There's also the fact that Spirit and Zeppelin toured together in '68 or '69, so in my view it's likely that Page/Plant were consciously or subconsciously influenced by 'Taurus' and borrowed a piece of it's melody for 'Stairway'.

I'd be very happy if Randy California's estate gets a nice settlement from this legal action.

Entered at Sat Apr 16 19:14:47 CEST 2016 from (24.114.80.107)

Kevin J

A very good piece in The New Yorker referenced at Expecting Rain today.

"Stairway to Heaven” is a variegated tour-de-force of a song while “Taurus” is hazily inert." - Alex Ross

Page did pinch and steal from some Blue guys - no doubt about that, but Stairway is a monumental achievement and this Randy California lawsuit being green lighted is absurd in my view.

Entered at Sat Apr 16 03:26:50 CEST 2016 from (65.93.116.108)

Mike Nomad

Entered at Sat Apr 16 01:21:41 CEST 2016 from (67.84.79.66)

Jeff A.

Entered at Fri Apr 15 17:34:58 CEST 2016 from (70.193.142.64)

David P

Springsteen has had a solid management team behind him all these years headed by the former music critic Jon Landau and assisted by Barbara Carr. In a business notorious for mismanagement and shady deals, they are a text book example of how to do things right for their client and friend. With highly professional assistance Springsteen has tight control over his recordings, publishing and finances. How can one begrudge the man for his success when he continues to work hard to provide pleasure for his fans.

Entered at Fri Apr 15 14:39:35 CEST 2016 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Entered at Fri Apr 15 14:30:37 CEST 2016 from (99.244.8.134)

John D

Subject: Ben / The Colonel

I believe the most authoritative book ever written about Col. Tom Parker.

Entered at Fri Apr 15 14:19:04 CEST 2016 from (72.82.137.178)

Ben

Peter, From most accounts that I've read, Elvis was ripped off by Colonel Parker through his entire career, paid no attention to his finances and died with a relatively small estate, when you consider the amount of money he had earned.

I think Bruce made a conscious decision early in his career that he didn't want to wind up like Elvis, either physically or financially.

So, I don't see any reason to criticize him for ensuring that his finances are properly taken care of.

Entered at Fri Apr 15 13:58:04 CEST 2016 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Entered at Fri Apr 15 13:40:14 CEST 2016 from (72.82.137.178)

Ben

Subject: Bruce

Bob, I just checked Ticketmaster and it seems that Springsteen tickets are not $150 at each venue. At some venues there is a range if prices, with some tickets below $100.

I think the larger point isn't that Bruce is charging so much (when he really isn't compared to other artists of his stature), but the fact that tickets for all kinds of entertainment: broadway shows, major league sports and yes, rock concerts have gone up dramatically in recent years.

Entered at Fri Apr 15 13:19:35 CEST 2016 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

The point is, as Bob says, giving access to people who can’t shell out $600 for mum, dad and two teenage kids.

As I said, London theatre has found ways of doing it … you could have registration through a website maybe. You know, like football matches here where you have to earn points by going to several games to be able to buy tickets for a big game. However that benefits the enthusiastic fan, and some will be wealthy anyway. I guess you can offer a percentage at a discount to students and schools and even seniors. You still need to check entry. All UK theatre tickets have the purchaser’s name printed on them. At the Cumberbatch Hamlet there were large signs saying “ID required with ticket” to stop scalpers. It’s effective. They didn’t check everyone but they checked enough to make anyone with a scalper ticket highly nervous.

Branagh would say that recruiting a younger audience is vital for the future of the theatre, hence the cheap tickets. The same surely applies to rock. You'd win if you were young and poor, or old and poor. Being middle-aged and poorer is a harder one to crack, though again you could discount for employees at factories or chain stores. It would cost money to administer.

Entered at Fri Apr 15 12:39:48 CEST 2016 from (69.112.112.38)

Bob F

When I brought up Bruce and the ticket prices it was never about was he worth the $150 dollars. He has easily been the most outstanding live performer over the last 40 years. Never a drop in quality. However, again, the folks he's written about throughout his career can't afford to go see him perform anymore. It's not just the old songs like The River album. Listen to the songs on Wrecking Ball like Jack of all Trades. Could that guy take his family to see Bruce in 2016? To me that's a disconnect. When my kids were small I took them to the Reunion Tour, The Rising Tour, solo shows, Seeger Sessions Tour. If I had to pay 700 dollars back then for each show we couldn't have gone.

Entered at Fri Apr 15 12:05:30 CEST 2016 from (72.82.137.178)

Ben

The 'Watkins Glen' CD is pretty bad. It would be nice if there was a live releases documenting the handful of shows the Band played in 1973.

So, If the tapes from Watkins Glen are judged unusable, then the 8/1/73 show from Roosevelt Stadium should be released instead. The Roosevelt stadium show is a gem.

Entered at Fri Apr 15 10:20:09 CEST 2016 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Todd: On the VW / Audi brand thing, the classic is the VW Phaeton, their super luxury saloon. It was basically a Bentley with a more boring shape and VW badges … same engine and bits, but a quarter of the price. They couldn’t sell it. You could buy one a year old at 50% of the new price. It was said to be one of the best luxury saloons, but buyers didn’t want a VW badge. They mostly ended up as limos in London.

Cars last longer in America, I suspect due to driving conditions, but also we have stringent annual tests which confine cars to the scrapheap. There’s a local company that does the 100 mile run to Heathrow / 120 miles to Gatwick. Most of their cars with different drivers do four trips a day, all motorway, so 800 miles. They had a petrol Ford Granada with 1.6 million miles on the clock. I said they should have sold it to Ford for its museum. They had a Mercedes E class with one million too. They’ll probably run it to 1.1 million, and as the clock is six digit, it will show 100,000 which is considered high for petrol here! The engines never get cold, they’re always running at cruising speed, and because it’s the driver’s job, they’re never driven too fast either.

There is an essay on chiropractic and cars. Twenty years ago, I had a really painful left knee. The chiropractor said, ‘I’m guessing you own a Renault.” Mrs V did and I used it round town. When they converted Renaults from left hand drive to right hand drive, they didn’t retool, they just put the whole block of pedals across. You had a very odd angle onto the clutch pedal. Result? Knee problems. Also clutch problems as the cable ran across a piece of metal as a result, and only lasted about two years.

Then I had low back problems. The chiropractor said, ‘So is it a Saab or a Volvo?’ In those days only Saab and Volvo offered heated driver seats. He explained that heated seats moulded your back into a comfortable position and relaxed all the muscles, so you drive for three hours … then stood up. Ouch! I have never used a heated seat since.

My final one was explaining various back and knee problems after driving. I said it was funny, because I never had the symptoms in the USA, and thought it was warmer weather. He said, ‘Would you happen to rent SUVs in the USA?” I said, ‘Yes, just whatever. Nothing fancy.” He said, ‘It’s a classic symptom for tall people your age who drive a lot. Get rid of the saloon car. Buy an SUV. Your knees and back will be fine.” Absolutely right. When we got Mrs V’s little Suzuki Splash, we chose it because it was the tallest tiny car. Never gives me problems.

So that’s my heath advice and motoring column combined.

Entered at Fri Apr 15 08:42:29 CEST 2016 from (210.86.71.67)

Rod

If you didn't know the history it would be an enjoyable CD. Apparently there was no involvement from The Band. I keep mine for novelty reasons.

Entered at Fri Apr 15 07:28:45 CEST 2016 from (32.216.235.4)

Todd

Subject: Free Ride

Peter V, your anecdote about all of the imported cars in the Hamptons on Long Island was amusing. That's certainly one of those areas that has high percentage of wealthy folks. Back in the days when I had a gig doing photography for Martha Stewart who is/was a television and publishing personality here, I spent a fair amount of time following her around various farms and homes of Chefs on Long Island. She was driving a BMW in those days, but for the photo shoot, I got the obligatory photos of her on a tractor in a farm field. It was actually a pretty nice day, and it was always more fun to get her out of the city and television studio. She genuinely does have a passion for gardening and growing vegetables, baking, raising chickens etc.

I'd agree that some European cars have a drive-ability advantage, but that is somewhat offset by a sometimes higher cost of ownership when you consider parts and repairs. My current ride is a VW Passatt with a V-6 gas engine. Also known as the poor man's Audi. At 225,000 miles, I can't complain too much, but it would be nice to get to where JQ is with his 300,000 miles on his Honda. My previous car was a Ford, but it was essentially a Mazda platform and engine and had mostly metric fasteners. That car made it to 275,000 and was still running when I sold it.

I saw Bruce Springsteen once back around the time of The Rising, which was pretty enjoyable. I don't remember how much the tickets cost, but I had to stand in line for a long time, and the seats were not great. Still glad that I got to see him with The E Street Band.

I guess he's earned a lot of money over the years, and done well for himself. I don't have a problem with that. Heck, maybe he can donate some money to the US treasury above and beyond what he already pays in taxes. Spread the wealth around!

What I'd like to see happen is for the Bernie Sanders philosophy to really take hold. It's not fair that some people are able to acquire better seats at concerts than others, whether due to income inequality or other circumstance.

I've heard that Mr. Sanders would like to make college education free for everyone (which is somewhat appealing since I have two daughters ready to start college during the next two years). But as a music fan, what I really look forward to, is the day when we can all get free admission to big name rock concerts, and we all get to sit in the front row....not stuck in the rafters like a commoner. Just better make sure it's a very big front row to fit everyone. I'm not exactly sure how the mechanics of free rock concerts would work, but I imagine it would have to be some combination of an artist (like Bruce for example) donating his services, and/or someone else (wealthy folks?) paying for us.

Free college AND free concerts.....now that's the kind of Utopia I can get behind!

By the way, jan H, congratulations on all of the success for your son. Very exciting. Don't worry about the free concert thing. Your son should definitely get paid for his talents. It's only the old, grizzled, established super wealthy musicians that can absorb working for free. Bruce, the Stones, etc. I doubt Van the Man would sign on for the free concert thing. ;-)

Ray Pence, I'm with you on the Watkin's Glen thing. Still have my CD too. Such a strange release / practical joke to play on the fans of the music....although if the CD had been free, then maybe we wouldn't care so much.

Entered at Fri Apr 15 00:51:13 CEST 2016 from (68.171.246.136)

Bill M

Luke: The interplay of politics and entertainment at this stage of the US primaries reminds me of a Rodney Dangerfield quip: "So last night I go to the Gardens to see a fight - and a hockey game breaks out!"

Entered at Thu Apr 14 22:35:39 CEST 2016 from (66.45.134.19)

ray pence

I have splurged for his shows four different times, all of them separated by numbers of years, and I was always more than pleased about the entertainment and memory value.

if we want to quantify things, and perhaps we shouldn't want to do that, let's split up the $150 for 2.5-3 hours of entertainment, and I consider the "hourly wages" of Bruce and E Streeters are earned and then some.

Especially if you can make it right up front near the stage, as I did in Kansas City in 2002 and 2008.

Entered at Thu Apr 14 22:30:50 CEST 2016 from (66.45.134.19)

ray pence

Subject: the band guestbook

just saw some photos from the Watkins Glen performance on the Internet/s.

does anyone here anticipate a "corrected" version of that notorious disc?

i've still got mine...

Pat Brennan, I believe you wrote the essay on that product? It is one of the most helpful texts on this site.

I have no problem with the postproduction work on the Last Waltz (overdubs).

So far as I know, that live record is far from unique in that respect; it's also clear that Robbie wasn't the only person overdubbed, nor was all his work smoothed over.

Watkins Glen, that's a different story. Really irritated me and still does. Doesn't keep me awake nights of course, but does make me wonder what a legitimate version would sound like. Probably not much, or else the real thing would have been available.

I do want the video of the New Jersey show from 1976 that's on YouTube to get an official release. Obviously shot by professionals and for some reason. Anyone here know more?

Entered at Thu Apr 14 20:20:11 CEST 2016 from (72.82.137.178)

Ben

Luke, How is the fact that Bruce is a Private Banking client relevant? It's common knowledge that he's a very wealthy man.

Are you insinuating that he's managing his investments in a way that goes against his public image?

Entered at Thu Apr 14 18:23:33 CEST 2016 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

There have been a few complaints about actors doing it here, Benedict Cumberbatch in particular. It's not that people disagree with them, but whether they should be using a paid concert for a message.

On the other hand, I've heard performers from Natalie Merchant (Trump) to Jackson Browne do it, and they often get applause and I applauded both of them. There are ways of doing it though. Natalie Merchant did it in context, explaining that her song "Texas" was written about Bush, but applied equally to Trump (and added as an American, she was ashamed of him). Jackson Browne did it in context too. I think just doing it after an encore as a speech, as Cumberbatch did, is overstepping your role.

Entered at Thu Apr 14 17:58:34 CEST 2016 from (100.34.45.182)

Luke

Subject: Cheap tickets

Peter, thanks for the info on cheap theatre tickets. Yes, it is feasible. When the Phillies were selling out the ball park every night, the management held a few thousand standing room tickets for $10 each. Ben, I know Bruce's political leanings. I also know that he has been a Private Banking client with J.P. Morgan for decades (I used to work there). And yes, I have heard him make political remarks from the stage. Whether I agree or disagree with them is irrelevant. Somebody, who paid a lot of money for the tickets, will be offended. IMO it's an inappropriate venue for politics. Maybe he should run for office!

Entered at Thu Apr 14 16:49:05 CEST 2016 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: The Times They Are a Changing!.....really!

This morning I looked on my daughter's Face Book page. She has on there a picture of a big chunky lady out in the yard with a shot gun. The lady says, "I'm fed up with social media and my kid's disrespect." She made her children watch while she shot their phones!....:-)

Now there are many more literate than me, so the exercise for the day is to put out here a couple of words or terms that didn't exist when we were young, like "Social Media". That wasn't around when I was young.

I got to go over to Seymour Inlet now and load a load of logs and bring back to Port Hardy. The work is starting to pile up on me........

Entered at Thu Apr 14 16:42:16 CEST 2016 from (68.171.246.133)

Bill M

Subject: the loonie and 'gentle jawboning'

The link above is to a news story that clearly timed its arrival so as to illustrate sadavid's last post - and to pile-on with another Canadianism. The loonie is the canadian dollar, named for the bird on the dollar coin. The two-dollar coin is called the twonie because it rhymes.

Come to think of it, I'm not aware of a Canadianised version of "Stormy Monday Blues": "The loon it flies on Friday, On Saturday I spend my pay". Or even Ian Tyson' brilliant thumbnail sketch of young male thinking at the start of "Long Time To Get Old": "Loonie flies tomorrow, mosquito biting me today, Catch a bus to Toronto, Highway 2 all the way, Take a walk down Yonge Street, Where good times are bought and sold, Remember this children, If the good lord's willin', Live a long long time to get old".

Entered at Thu Apr 14 12:23:42 CEST 2016 from (114.75.78.134)

Wallsend

Entered at Thu Apr 14 11:19:30 CEST 2016 from (210.86.71.67)

Rod

We have a much smaller market out here in NZ. I suspect the people who are still making a living out of music are either very good and versatile players, teachers or those working in the supply area - eg music shops, repairs etc. Even then there aren't huge amounts of money to be made. The best musicians Ive seen all have day jobs. The ones trying to make a living out of playing in bands are mostly doing so because they have few other options. Some of those part time musicians can still turn out some good records though.

Entered at Thu Apr 14 09:39:52 CEST 2016 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

I imagine the amount of innate musical talent is a constant. The variable is nurturing and opportunity. Younger musicians have unprecedented access to the whole history of music in is original form since 1920. The TV talent shows, the Xs and idols, distort everything by focussing only on singers, giving a few of them elaborate professional backing then propelling just a very few to instant success.

The folk scene in the UK shows a ton of young talent, at least half of it female (a major change) and that instruments of choice are violins, violas, cellos, concertinas, flutes and pianos rather than the electrified stuff with 6 strings. i.e. it’s the instruments girls learn to play at school.

What has changed is opportunities to earn a living. This week’s Private Eye has a cartoon in its “ Lost Moments in Musical History” series. It shows a smiling guy opening a letter, and the caption is “The royalty cheque.”

So gigs? In the 60s there were ballrooms – locally we had a 1500 capacity and a 1000 capacity, and several clubs too. The top two bands in an evening would be pro in an evening, the bottom one or two semi-pro. Those have totally gone, though mega discos still exist.

By 1970, bands' main earning power on their way up was the college circuit. They might earn £200 Friday and Saturday nights at colleges in the UK, then fill in the week with clubs at £30 to £50. The college “dance” (as it was still called years after the audience was seated cross-legged on the floor) again usually had three bands. But do we know if the college circuit is still thriving or not? For example, we had The Who, The Kinks, Manfred Mann, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Jimi Hendrix etc when I was at university, and these were all closed gigs. They sold out easily among the student body, and you had to show a student ID card to get in. So what would we know about college gigs?

The main worrying issue at the other gigs nowadays- the O2 Acadeies, Arts Centres, Theatres … is the audience. I go to see musicians in their 30s, and most of the audience are 50 to 70. Last time we saw Simone Felice, Mrs V said what a drag it must be playing with no one in his peer group in the audience.

BUT while my kids’ generation would never consider going to a gig indoors, the festivals scene is booming. There are more and more every year with twenty bands on the bill, most are “younger” in that I’ve never heard of them. That’s the place where bands get exposure. July and August. The only problem is, what do they do the other ten months of the year.

Entered at Thu Apr 14 06:17:30 CEST 2016 from (173.3.49.42)

Jeff A.

I feel bad for kids today. They don't have a 100th of what we had when it comes to music. There's music all around em, but the quality and the caliber of the new stuff is mostly pitiful. To me, anyway.

Entered at Thu Apr 14 00:24:26 CEST 2016 from (63.142.158.9)

JQ

Jeff - I saw them that month and year - at the LA Forum. It my my first big venue, big sound concert experience and I was just gobsmacked at how they sounded. I believe they started with An Introduction, from CTA. Never forgot that one!

Entered at Wed Apr 13 23:00:54 CEST 2016 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: The mind.........in turmoil

Sorry Peter. I guess I didn't convey what was in my mind properly. I didn't mean to equate any of this stuff to our discussions. I only meant some things that every day we place importance on, some times seems quite unimportant in the survivals of life. Of course we can't put our efforts to world problems all the time. It just sometimes seems unreal how in so many countries the abuse of humanity continues.

As you have commented, it is not only the Roman Catholic church, but Anglican, and Islamic extremism as well.

Now and then you have a good experience. The native people of our coast, (of which my father was a descendant) I have a long history with. There are times when in spending time with these people you learn to understand what they are about.

From about 1999 to 2006, in the salmon fishing seasons that I always spent in Prince Rupert, as I have spoken of before, I had a real sweet gig in Prince Rupert. When fishing closed for the week we would spend our down time in Prince Rupert. I had this gig playing music in the lounge in the "High Liner" hotel. the biggest hotel in Prince Rupert. A "high liner" is the fishermen who catch the most fish.

I had a nice little sound system just right for a room of about 80 people. Had all my tunes sequenced in my laptop which plugged into my sound system....there you are a whole band.

Weekends that time of year, (many of the fishermen were my friends) the place used to fill up pretty good. Many local people as well. There were a group of native people, (about 10) who used to come in quite regularly. Very nicely dressed, quiet and well behaved. I noticed these people never drank. Water and coffee that was it.

On a break I used to go around and chat with people and thank them for stopping by. I got to know this group of people quite well. They were from Kinkolitk the native village at the mouth of the Nass River. a very wild and unforgiving place most of the year, although very nice in summer. I fished the open season time in early June there for many years.

Getting back to these folks, very nice looking people, (some good looking girls). This one big fellow, I would say 30's spoke for them. He said we really enjoy your music. When I commented that they didn't drink, he explained. "We have made our village a dry town. We are trying to make a better life for ourselves."

I think about 2004 or 5 they finally put a road thru to Kinkolith as the village had been isolated until then. Many of the people had no reason to come to Prince Rupert any more. One week end while playing music, in comes this group and went over to there usual corner as they always did.

When I took a break this same big fellow came over with a smile and shook my hand. "We heard you were here, so we took the boat and came down to see you." What do you say? I was kinda choked up.

My point is in getting to know people like this you learn how they feel, and what is important to them. Do you think our politicians do that? Throw some money their way and think that solves the problem.

Today on the CBC news one politician, (I don't recall his name) hit the nail on the head. In this most resent crisis. He said, "All the politicians, and news media land there in droves bringing the band aid. They leave and take the band aid with them, and nothing changes." that's the truth of it.

Entered at Wed Apr 13 21:34:09 CEST 2016 from (114.75.78.134)

Wallsend

Subject: Abuse

In Australia there is currently a Royal Commission into child sex abuse going on. The evidence has been horrendous. One of the main people responsible covering it up for many years is a guy called George Pell who currently holds a senior position in the Vatican. He refused to come back to Australia to give evidence because of a supposed 'medical condition'. One of our local musicians wrote a song about it.

Entered at Wed Apr 13 21:23:37 CEST 2016 from (72.82.137.178)

Ben

Jed, 'Camp Cripple Creek' definitely looks interesting. Apropos to the current discussion to the discussion of ticket prices, this 'camp' is pretty pricey.

However, if the price isn't an issue, I'm sure it would be a lot of fun to attend something like this.

Are you seriously considering going to this?

Entered at Wed Apr 13 20:59:05 CEST 2016 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Subject: Abuse

Norm, you can’t equate ticket prices, or song credits or who wrote Stairway To Heaven with the evil you describe. Different topic. A more important topic, but different. See the film “Philomena” (LINKED), huge numbers of unmarried mothers in Ireland and Britain had their children stolen by the Catholic church and transported for adoption by “the faithful” in Canada, Australia and the USA. Some were OK. Others were abused. We’re not talking ancient history here, but the 50s,60s and 70s. In Switzerland, Romany children were “confiscated” by the state in a similar way. No amount of mealy-mouthed apology can ever atone for what the organized and institutionalized RC church did. Ask around in Ireland. I didn’t know they were at it with Native communities in Canada, but it doesn’t surprise me. Wherever there were people in a weaker position to be exploited and abused … here comes the priest. Or nun. Or monk. Or indeed Protestant minister.

Whatever hell is, it's full to the brim with the religious, with the ordained in whatever faith at the forefront.

Entered at Wed Apr 13 20:46:41 CEST 2016 from (108.30.208.242)

Jed

Would've liked to discuss it. If anyone has opinions & is interested in briefly telling why they are for or against.Sorry I missed earlier discussion. thanks.

Entered at Wed Apr 13 20:25:00 CEST 2016 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Haves & Have Nots....Where do we go from here

In the discussions of "ticket prices" for concerts, (which of course is fine). Music & the Band, that's what we're here for.

The topics are varied and some reality come to bare very often. I am disgusted and disturbed when thinking about the fact that we worry about ticket prices when........

In Attawapiskat a northern Ontario native village on the shore of Hudson Bay so many children choose to end their lives with no hope of any reason to look to a future.

I am disgusted with our governments, "ALL" of them for so many years. When something over such a long time is very obviously not working, isn't it time for change. Believe me I have spent so much time for years delivering goods to native villages on our coast and seeing first hand the conditions people live in, how they are treated and what happens to them it is appalling.

Our incumbent government now smile and look for a pat on the back because they brought 25,000 Syrian people here. Today there are politicians, mental health workers and observers from the media landing there to try to do some "quick fix". What a lot of bullshit.

Back from the time of settlement of this country and many others, (including the USA) these people have been abused and it doesn't go away.

My brothers wife who was full blooded first nations native was taken to the Catholic school in Alert Bay here on Cormorant Island. One of the worst schools ever for abuse.

Irene was too ashamed to talk about what had been done to her but in the last few years in meetings that they had to have to sort out the "compensation that was paid to them" she was c "coaxed" into conversations over her youth. I talked to her sometimes about this, actually I was a sounding board for her to practise what she had to say. She would ask me my thoughts on how she should approach this. Some times I just had to cry.

If you can imagine things like little girls who wet the bed, from the anguish of being taken from their homes and parents. They were made to stand in the hall with the sheet on their head. This was going to cure them? Too many things to even talk about. Irene was given, I believe it was 125,000 she bought a lot of stuff, jeep, motor home, and a lot more drugs. Now she is dead.

Some of the villages finally took their own position, Like Hartley Bay and Kinkolith. They are now "dry" communities. They plant flowers and gardens around their homes, (this was never a native thing) they had nature all around them forever before "settlements".

I suspect as we get older and see more and more of this, our nerves and feelings become more acute to this.

Look back to "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee", and all those horrid places in Europe where Jewish people were treated sub human. Too long I've seen the aftermath of this.

As I said at the outset........it's not working.

Entered at Wed Apr 13 19:47:46 CEST 2016 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

How would you include some seats at a concert that people can actually afford without scalpers getting them?

There is a model. On the Michael Grandage and Kenneth Branagh theatre seasons in London, they have been holding 10% of seats at low prices (£10 or £15 I think, compared to £65 to £85 full price). You have to stand in line for the 10 a.m. box office opening on the day of the show, and students do in large numbers. They're obviously not in premium positions and they won't do them in advance because then they get sold on, but it's what I did as a student. We used to stand at the back for a tiny price. The Globe Theatre has £5 standing tickets on the day too.

So it is feasible. Sir Kenneth Branagh has made the effort to make sure enthusiastic kids can get in. OK., they have to stand in line, maybe an hour or two, but it's what you do when you're young and short of money.

So … over to Bruce …

Entered at Wed Apr 13 19:39:44 CEST 2016 from (72.82.137.178)

Ben

Jed, There was a discussion about Camp Cripple Creek here a month or two ago when it was first announced. I am definitely not going.

Luke, The Band and its members were not exactly a-political. The Band released 'Georgia on my Mind' shortly before the 1976 Presidential election and played at the 'Blue Jean Bash' during the 1992 Clinton inauguration.

Rick Danko was involved with environmental issues in the Hudson Valley and played some benefits as well as donating some proceeds of 'Live at Breeze Hill' to Greenpeace.

Entered at Wed Apr 13 19:12:59 CEST 2016 from (108.30.208.242)

Jed

Anyone hear of or plan on attending CAMP CRIPPLE CREEK?

Entered at Wed Apr 13 19:01:31 CEST 2016 from (72.82.137.178)

Ben

Subject: Bruce

Luke, I don't think your criticism of Bruce is really fair.

Bruce does come from a lower middle class, blue collar background. His music has dealt with economic and social issues for many decades, he's not just jumping on some "1 percenters are evil bandwagon".

His political views are well known, you may not be aware , but he released an album of Pete Seeger songs, so I don't buy the argument than anyone attending a Springsteen concert is unaware of his political leanings.

Does Bruce actually make political rants in his concerts? I have no idea, as I've never seen him live. Can anyone who's seen Bruce weigh in on that.

Entered at Wed Apr 13 17:45:15 CEST 2016 from (100.34.45.182)

Luke

Subject: Bruce et al

I don't begrudge Bruce (or any other performer) making as much money as they can. BUT, If you portray yourself through your songs as a man of the people, maybe you can include some seats at your shows that regular people can actually afford. Also, no came to hear a political rant. One the many great things about our guys is that the shows were just about the music.

Entered at Wed Apr 13 16:24:28 CEST 2016 from (69.112.112.38)

Bob F

jh, Wow! Amazing accomplishments in any era. It's great to see this happen for someone. The fact that he also go's out on the road with these performers must make it even more exciting. You must be so proud.

Entered at Wed Apr 13 09:53:13 CEST 2016 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Subject: Roseanne

Total change of subject. After discussing innovations in comedy, we dug out our “Roseanne” series one box set last night. If you can access it online, do try Series 1 Episode 1 nearly thirty years on. We had forgotten how fresh and original it was at the time. Roseanne and John Goodman are clearly “semi-improvising” or wandering off script when it suits them. The kids are brilliant. George Clooney plays her boss, and the scene with Darlene’s history teacher is so well-observed. It is the class struggle write large. (SEE: at 11 m 06 s on link to 13 m 30s ). If the link works, try it.

The clear line we saw was to Mrs Brown’s Boys … drifting off script, laughing at what was going on, anarchic attitude to the supposed rules of TV.

Entered at Wed Apr 13 09:20:13 CEST 2016 from (173.3.49.42)

Jeff A.

Subject: Kevin's & The........

Pete, don't fret. Kev & the Vapors got it figured out. See the video.

Entered at Wed Apr 13 06:47:00 CEST 2016 from (173.3.49.42)

Jeff A.

Subject: Turn it the fuck up. 25 Or 6 To 4.

Chicago, when great bands ruled the earth........ A muthafucka of a guitar solo from Terry Kath... See the link. Click the link. Blast the fucker.

Kevin, shut off your e cigarette before you burn down the guestbook..

Entered at Wed Apr 13 04:23:24 CEST 2016 from (71.234.142.242)

haso

Subject: gb respect

Norm: I'm 100% w/ you on respect and discretion, here and elsewhere. The race, the planet, pretty much everywhere one looks there's a dearth of respect, seems to me. No offense intended, or (channeling ol' Norm Crosby, no "intense offended" or perhaps defended) to those who support Mr. Trump, but I dare say w/ a more general respect in life, I doubt he'd be quite as fascinating a tabloid subject. As to the GB, feud and habits of the 5, etc., I still come back to... you go from the place in NJ in '65 to RAH to Winterland in '69 to Woodstock, Festival Express, Watkins Glen, the '74 tour... that's really not a very long period of time and I'd venture, it's damned hard to keep it all in perspective.

Yeah, Norm I live about 15 miles s and w of Portsmouth, up one of those tidal rivers that empties in our Great Bay before the Piscataqua. Nothing great about it, in context of your part of the world; but seafaring folk around here seem to like the rocky N.E. coastline. Not that I'm one, just a working-w/-hands stiff; I'll leave the aboard-ship/boat work to you and any compatriots.

Entered at Tue Apr 12 23:57:11 CEST 2016 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter v

1975 a high street had book stores, record stores, Woolworths,.

2016, all you see are charity shops, mobile phone shops and vapour stores selling e-cigarettes

Entered at Tue Apr 12 23:01:49 CEST 2016 from (184.145.118.56)

Kevin J

Lot's of great music to be seen at very affordable prices........The world's biggest stars will cost ya and we really shouldn't expect a guy like Springsteen to subsidize a world tour just to make the Biff's and Betty's happy....besides, Biff is now a Betty and she's been waiting to take a leak in NC for weeks now !

Entered at Tue Apr 12 22:48:38 CEST 2016 from (68.171.246.19)

Bill M

Entered at Tue Apr 12 22:02:55 CEST 2016 from (69.112.112.38)

Bob F

Entered at Tue Apr 12 21:51:56 CEST 2016 from (108.30.208.242)

Jed

So,anyone from here going? Sometimes I come here & learn a lot or simply sit quietly "listening" no matter if I know better.If I went to the camp,might it be like here? Ot there?

Entered at Tue Apr 12 20:21:47 CEST 2016 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

It's a good point about Jeff Beck pining for an audience of nubile twenty year olds. The man needs to look in a mirror. Paul Jones last week said "This was the B-side of Sha La La. A B-side? If there's anyone here young enough not to understand that, ask one of the elderly people around you."

Entered at Tue Apr 12 20:05:18 CEST 2016 from (184.145.118.56)

Kevin J

Entered at Tue Apr 12 19:30:14 CEST 2016 from (173.3.51.117)

Jeff A.

Entered at Tue Apr 12 19:12:29 CEST 2016 from (72.82.137.178)

Ben

Bob, I haven't heard Bruce comment on the current Democratic race, it will be interesting if he chooses to do so at some point. Of course he has endorsed and campaigned for several candidates in the past such as John Kerry and Obama.

I agree with you about the prohibitive cost of tickets these days. I'm not a regular concertgoer, the last two concerts I went to were Levon in Atlantic City and Woodstock, 5 or 6 years and those shows were fairly expensive.

From what I gather the price of all kinds of tickets: Broadway, professional sports and of course music concerts have gone up tremendously in recent years. I thought that Bruce had kept his ticket prices relatively low, at least for a performer of his stature, but maybe not if he's charging $150 on his current tour.

Entered at Tue Apr 12 18:52:19 CEST 2016 from (184.145.118.56)

Kevin J

Subject: Handsome Ned

LINKED: The late great Handsome Ned............for those not from Toronto or the planet once known as Queen Street West......do check this out.......a wonderful talent he was......and never got to charge $150.

$20 in early 70's is the equivalent of $120-$150 today. One show to see a Springsteen every 5 years or so is quite all right.

When Jeff Beck quit a Rod Stewart tour after only a few shows some years back, Stewart asked him what the problem was.....Beck replied that he was tired of "playing for housewives"........Problem with getting older in the rock game is the superstar performers inevitably end up playing for crowds of people that have little resemblance to their original fans - nothing anyone can do about that.

Entered at Tue Apr 12 18:52:19 CEST 2016 from (173.3.51.117)

Jeff A.

NY is a big state. You never know. It couuld be a close call, or Bernie could really blow NY wide open.

the only thing i'm sure of is thet Bernie keeps surprising us. He's becoming a better and better campaigning politician all the time. His TV ads & his performance in them here in NYC have become more and more presidential in a good way, professionally polished. Priro to that, just a few days ago one really cracked me up. I said , is this guys trying to be funny, or is he wacked? Well, it disappeared, and the ads are all really solid now.

Entered at Tue Apr 12 18:41:52 CEST 2016 from (173.3.51.117)

Jeff A.

All that sdaid, i';d love to have three or four hours alone with Bernie. To get him talking and to get to the core and truth of some subjects and how he approached these issues politically . i think i understand him on a few dicy subjects. When he is forced into it, by the nature of things, he is better at playing politics than it would appear. Maybe he's learned alot fast recently

The guy is a gem, and a fucking riot.

Entered at Tue Apr 12 18:07:15 CEST 2016 from (69.112.112.38)

Bob F

I've been a huge Bruce fan since the first record and been going to his shows since 74. However he reminds me more of Hillary then Bernie. On The River tour he's charging 150 dollars for GA and many of those seats are in the hands of the premium ticket agencies about a minute after they went on sale. Some liberal wrote an article recently about how Bruce and his music reflects folks who go to work with a lunch box. Most people who go to work with a lunch box couldn't afford to go see Bruce in 2016. He's playing to rich republicans and well to do liberals. Certainly not the people he's writing about in his songs. Of course some people will skip a mortgage payment to go see Bruce but that doesn't make it right.

Entered at Tue Apr 12 14:44:34 CEST 2016 from (72.82.137.178)

Ben

Subject: Bernie

Jeff, I fully support Bernie, but I'm not nearly as optimistic as you about his chances of being the Democratic nominee and eventual President.

One issue that I've been concerned about is his appalling showing in the Southern Primaries. Sanders received a very, very low level of support among blacks in every southern state, which doomed his prospects in the entire region. These results have typically been explained as the Clinton's having a tremendous popularity among blacks, but I actually feel that the results are partially due to black anti-Semitism, which is something that media doesn't really want to talk about.

I agree that if Bernie is the Democratic nominee there will be an unprecedented level of dirty campaigning and smear tactics against him regarding his political philosophy and Jewishness. However, I also think that if Trump (or Cruz) is the Republican nominee, there will be an equal level of attack ads against him, so who knows, it's possible that this is the one year that Bernie would have a good shot at winning the general election if he's the Democratic nominee.

The problem is his chances of becoming the Democratic nominee don't very good right now. Of course, if he can pull off a victory in New York, his chances will greatly improve. Time will tell.

Entered at Tue Apr 12 14:43:26 CEST 2016 from (131.137.34.214)

sadavid

Subject: Jawbone

Definition of "jawbone," from the _Dictionary of Canadianisms on Historical Principles_ (1967).

Entered at Tue Apr 12 14:36:25 CEST 2016 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Just bought her new CD, "English Heart" which sees Ronnie revisiting the mid-60s hits (and one 70s) she recalls from English tours with The Ronettes: Girl Don't Come, Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood, Tired of Waiting, You've Got Your Troubles. A fun selection transformed by her distinctive voice, though I find the bass / rhythm tracks a little too modern in places.

Entered at Tue Apr 12 14:23:43 CEST 2016 from (72.82.137.178)

Ben

I applaud Bruce Springsteen and Bryan Adams for cancelling shows in a state with a discriminatory law. I think we are living in a time of great progress and it's not really surprising that some people are very upset by this and enact these type of laws in very conservative states.

10 or 15 years ago, I don't think anyone believed that marriage equality would occur and I don't think that transgender issues were even being discussed in the mainstream of society. So, I think that we're definitely moving in the right direction in terms of fairness and equality, but there will continue to pockets of resistance.

Entered at Tue Apr 12 11:12:45 CEST 2016 from (90.190.8.89)

Ricks

Found good old pictures from here, good source.

Entered at Tue Apr 12 11:05:31 CEST 2016 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Subject: Hail Caesar!

Link is to my review of Hail Caesar! Did anyone see it? I loved it. Would be very interested in comments … over on my blog or here.

Entered at Tue Apr 12 04:44:32 CEST 2016 from (68.196.243.218)

Jeff A.

"Life just gets harder for the average schmuck.
So if you ain't got a lot of gelt, you're fucked. "

Know where to leave a beat, especially between -gelt & you're- & that sings beautifully.

Entered at Tue Apr 12 00:04:11 CEST 2016 from (84.215.171.237)

jh

Entered at Mon Apr 11 22:59:18 CEST 2016 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Was it better then than now????

Well Lisa, in the words of Merle Haggard.......

I wish Coke was still Cola,

A joint was a bad place to be,

Back before Nixon, lied to us all on TV.....

From the song, "Are the Good Times Really Over For Good"

Entered at Mon Apr 11 20:12:21 CEST 2016 from (174.1.58.122)

Lisa

Yes, seriously, I think we are, and have been doing for some time now. In fact, the whole history of human beings from the very start seems to hinge on the swing of the pendulum between enlightenment and reactionism. Most of us here are within, say, ten or fifteen years of each other age-wise, and were lucky enough to have grown up in the time we did. I for one am profoundly grateful to have lived and been young in such an exciting, positive time (I'm speaking in a very broad sense, assassinations, etc. notwithstanding). Not for all the money in the world would I want to be just starting out now. But of course the people who are young now have never known any other reality. Anyway, one can hardly help feeling dismayed by the tenor of the times now ... sorry if this sounds kind of depressing!

Entered at Mon Apr 11 15:56:29 CEST 2016 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Rednecks Rule in the Bible Belt

So the fight is on? Bruce Springsteen and Bryan Adams cancel shows in the south after the gay discrimination laws inacted.

Are we going backwards in time now? It is interesting to see the events in the USA in this day and age. They can't seem to have a election in a civil manner. Now the laws being put in place in the southern states seem to be moving back toward the sixties.

Entered at Mon Apr 11 15:25:04 CEST 2016 from (131.137.34.214)

sadavid

Subject: the other side of sound effects records

"From 1969 to 1979, he took the best parts of nature, turned them up to 11, engraved them on 12-inch records, and sold them back to us by the millions. He had a musician's ear, an artist's heart, and a salesman's tongue, and his work lives on in yoga studios, Skymall catalogs, and the sea-blue eyes of Brian Eno. If you haven't heard of him, it's only because he designed his own legacy to be invisible."

Entered at Mon Apr 11 10:06:56 CEST 2016 from (114.75.81.64)

Wallsend

Interesting four part interview with Robbie about halfway down the linked page. Looks like there is a lot of other good stuff on this site that I haven't had time to check out.

Entered at Mon Apr 11 02:17:01 CEST 2016 from (68.171.246.133)

Bill M

Entered at Mon Apr 11 01:58:34 CEST 2016 from (114.75.81.64)

Wallsend

Inside Out, A Personal History of Pink Floyd, Nick Mason. The reference is to Pink Floyd's 1970 US tour.

Entered at Sun Apr 10 21:46:56 CEST 2016 from (100.2.21.114)

Joan

Entered at Sun Apr 10 15:11:04 CEST 2016 from (83.249.161.239)

NorthWestCoaster

I am glad that my Dutch friend NORBERT is still posting here. I am glad that Jeff A is finally understanding his posts. His mission was always that people like "Put Em Up" has the right to post, if anyone has.

What is bothering me is RAGTIME. He said "goodbye to 2017" - he must be a crazy optimist! He is - in opposite to us Canadian and Scandinavian barbarians - a civilized old man carrying an old central-europian cultual heritage.

Go to GB Archives in 1998 and forward and read his posts. It won't never be better than that. Beside of this, he wished me welcome to this community and received a lot of s''t of doing so.

Entered at Sun Apr 10 12:56:52 CEST 2016 from (83.249.161.239)

NorthWestCoaster

I posted this Blues t RAGTIME for seventeen years ago:

Ladies and gentlemen...want to sing this blues I wrote the other night. I was stuck in a huge long queue in 7eleven ...my baby wasn't around ...I was feelin' kind-a rough ...the ol' lady behind me dropped a frozen chicken onto my toes and the young vegan girl took my hot dog ...made it to a sailor's knot ...yeah man, the blues can hit you hard sometimes. Anyway the song is called THE GUESTBOOK BLUES ...gonna do it for you now ...gonna blow some tunes from my harmonica too... Ladies and gentlemen ...it goes something like this...

Woke up this morning (chucka-choochoo-chuh-chuh)
Got logged in to that host (chucka-choochoo-chuh-chuh)
And while eatin' my toast (chucka-choochoo-chuh-chuh)
I was checkin' some post (chucka-choochoo-chuh-chuh)
From that warm-hearted Lil (chucka-wee-o-we-ee)
Who takes away all the chill (chucka-wee-o-we-ee)
From that Madison boy (chucka-choochoo-chuh-chuh)
Who gives me a great joy (chucka-choochoo-chuh-chuh)
And I ain't a-gonna lose (wee-o-we-ee)
This GUESTBOOK BLUES (chucka-choochoo-chuh-chuh)
Thanks to that man (chucka-choochoo-chuh-chuh)
Called Webmaster Jan (chucka-choochoo-chuh-chuh)
Keep your computers a-hummin'! (chucka-choochoo-chuh-chuh)
Keep this whole mess a-runnin'!
'Cause I must send that post (chucka-wee-o-wee-ee) Via Norwegian coast (chucka-wee-o-we-ee)
To Ragtime on his bike (chucka-choochoo-chuh-chuh)
To Georgia Dave and to Mike (chucka-choochoo-chuh-chuh)
And I ain't a-gonna lose (wee-o-wee-ee)
This GUESTBOOK BLUES (chucka-choochoo-oo-oohhh)
Thank you ladies and gentlemen ...thank you ...than you

Entered at Sun Apr 10 12:32:24 CEST 2016 from (83.249.161.239)

NorthWestCoaster

Subject: Ragtime

Don't do it Ragtime. Your posts are needed and appreciated! I will "lovebomb" thissite until you regret!

Entered at Sun Apr 10 12:30:02 CEST 2016 from (83.249.161.239)

NorthWestCoaster

Subject: Ragtime is leaving us

Don't do it Ragtime. Your posts are needed and appreciated! I will "lovebomb" thissiteuntil you regret!

Entered at Sun Apr 10 02:55:21 CEST 2016 from (24.69.0.104)

bonk

Did that walk many times as a kid. But I think we were running more than walking. Our hood was Cabbagetown and once you crossed that bridge you could be in for a whole lot of hurt. This was some one else's turf. There was a floor hockey league in the late sixties, early seventies that we played in and I got to tell you it was war! You could go to jail nowadays because of what we did to each other. Broken arms, broken noses, fractured cheekbones. It always freaked me out but some of these guys just loved pain! That Library. Right across the street on Broadview was a real greasy spoon that Stompin Tom Conners washed dishes in when he was just starting out.

Entered at Sat Apr 9 22:15:05 CEST 2016 from (87.144.164.243)

Norbert

Andy Burrows - Hometown

Entered at Sat Apr 9 21:33:02 CEST 2016 from (98.110.36.106)

Ben

I read the Steve Miller article in the Times this morning. He made some good points.

Frankly, I would rather see Graham Parker in the r&r hall of fame than Steve Miller. I seriously doubt that will ever happen as Parker doesn't have much name recognition and never moved a lot of product off the shelves.

My main issue with the r&r hall of fame is the selection process which has resulted in the odd mix of rock artists that aren't hall of fame caliber (Kiss)and some quality artists that aren't really rock (Randy Newman, Cat Stevens) getting inducted in recent years. It sort of makes the whole thing kind of meaningless at this point.

Entered at Sat Apr 9 19:04:30 CEST 2016 from (68.196.242.101)

Jeff A.

Subject: Steve Miller Rips RRHOF

See the Link

Entered at Sat Apr 9 17:56:44 CEST 2016 from (24.114.72.221)

Kevin J

One of my favourite Formula 1 stories..........near the end of his career, Stirling Moss was asked for his thoughts on the differences between being at the front of the grid vs being at the back of the grid......he replied..."Well, you make more money at the front of the grid....but you generally meet a better brand of person at the back of the grid".

Entered at Sat Apr 9 17:08:26 CEST 2016 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: OH! and..........

Road handling Peter! The Chev Impala Susan had for years was a great car to drive. This new Malibu is something else. It has a turbo charged 4 cylinder in it and goes like stink. Talk about your winding roads. Take a look on google earth at the roads on this island, particularly the road coming over to Port Alice from the east side of the island.

Susan now thinks she's Stirling Moss for chris-sake, she loves driving this Malibu, and it sure does handle great.

Entered at Sat Apr 9 16:45:37 CEST 2016 from (87.144.164.243)

Norbert

Subject: Bridge of Spies

Movies that make you think, change the way you look at life and or inspire you are rare ... Bridge of Spies has it all. A masterpiece movie about a great man named James B. Dovonan .

Standing man: Best acting scene of the last decade (click the link).

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

Rudolf Abel: Standing there like that you reminded me of the man that used to come to our house when I was young. My father used to say: "watch this man'. So I did. Every time he came. And never once did he do anything remarkable.

James Donovan: And I remind you of him?

Rudolf Abel: This one time, I was at the age of your son, our house was overrun by partisan border guards. Dozens of them. My father was beaten, my mother was beaten, and this man, my father's friend, he was beaten. And I watched this man. Every time they hit him, he stood back up again. So they hit him harder. Still he got back to his feet. I think because of this they stopped the beating. They let him live. 'Stoikiy muzhik'. I remember them saying. ''. Which sort of means like uh, 'standing man'... standing man...

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

James Donovan: My name's Donovan. Irish, both sides. Mother and father. I'm Irish and you're German. But what makes us both Americans? Just one thing. One. Only one. The rule book. We call it the Constitution, and we agree to the rules, and that's what makes us Americans. That's all that makes us Americans. So don't tell me there's no rule book, and don't nod at me like that you son of a bitch.

Hoffman: Do we need to worry about you?

James Donovan: Not if I'm left alone to do my job.

Entered at Sat Apr 9 16:20:32 CEST 2016 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: It's just Talk

Haso, thank you for your comments. You are right of course concerning freedom of speech. However, I have always felt that there is an element of responsibility for respect and discretion in what has gone before.

Do you live near Portsmouth? A lot of beautiful country around there and up that river.

Entered at Sat Apr 9 16:19:10 CEST 2016 from (87.144.164.243)

Norbert

Entered at Sat Apr 9 11:57:56 CEST 2016 from (210.86.79.181)

Rod

Entered at Sat Apr 9 09:28:47 CEST 2016 from (5.83.99.34)

Peter V

I was tongue in cheek on cars. Though American engines seem to last longer, German and British and Swedish cars tend to be much better on cornering and handling to me, which is needed on our narrower winding roads. I found 80s and 90s American cars were straight line performers but wallowed like boats trying to go round corners. Which is fine on American roads. Also, until the 00s 100,000 miles was pretty much it for many models here. The best car I ever had was a 1953 Humber Super Snipe with a 4.6 engine … probably a Chrysler block. It didn't seem bothered whether it was in 1st gear or 4th, it just pulled anywhere in all of them. But while I look longingly at 50s cars, I remember my dad spent every weekend oiling and greasing and topping up stuff, and I couldn't go back to it.

Entered at Sat Apr 9 08:03:45 CEST 2016 from (68.196.242.101)

Jeff A.

Subject: Pro Tools 13. Just Like Tape.

For those of you familiar with the difference, recording, or the argument, or even just many of the facts of life of technology, ....... And a sense of humor helps too. The engineers are having a party with this in general...

Entered at Sat Apr 9 06:33:00 CEST 2016 from (67.70.149.7)

Bill M

Bonk: Remember when we briefly discussed "Cabbagetown" author Hugh Garner last year? I'm now reading a biography of the guy and find out he was like Robbie Robertson in some ways, though 20+ years earlier. Aligned himself with Cabbagetown, but really spent more of his formative years across the Don in Riverdale. Perhaps with that in mind, but mostly because I had an hour to kill on a beautiful day, I decided to walk up Logan from a meeting on the Lakeshore up to the next meeting on the Danforth. But then I got to First Avenue and decided to walk the 1/2 mile length of it over to Broadview. So I passed Robbie's (and his mother's) old house at #193 and what I assume to have been his mother's (and at least notionally Robbie's) church, St Ann's Catholic, at #120. On Broadview, just a block north of First, is the public library where Garner spent a lot of time as a boy - and where Robbie likely spent at least some. All is shown on Google Maps - see link.

Entered at Sat Apr 9 05:49:52 CEST 2016 from (71.234.142.242)

haso

Subject: Prine, Norm & the Promised land

Norm: I'd echo your feelings about how much gets dredged up here, but then there is an element of democracy & free speech to this GB. People will have their say, I guess. One can only imagine how much will be shared once Testimony is out and we've all digested that. I always thought the most curious part of "the feud" was that comments seem as if the writers don't recognize that this stuff evidently has been aired out here (pretty thoroughly, right Jan and Peter V?) for quite a few years. At least most of the back-and-forth is a good deal less harsh than the typical you-tube commentary. But, again, Chair, you're right to ask for more substance and less fireworks.

JQ, I'd definitely echo you on Prine's 1st offering, though I don't have the vast knowledge of the landscape (again Peter, et.al.) to issue such a list. I do recall, if memory serves, early high school ('69/'70) that my 1st forays into vinyl (was there anything else, maybe 8 tracks, I guess) went, in some order Steppenwolf the 2nd, CCR-Green River, the Brown album, Chicago Transit Authority and the afore-mentioned John Prine. I don't think I had a record player until high school. Btw Hello in there and RR's Rockin' Chair, has anybody, especially at like 25 or 30 years old, ever captured the poignancy of the "golden years"?

And just as Jay Cocks wants the phone number from Levon of his lassie in Cripple Creek, I always wished Prine could introduce me to his "topless lady w/ something up her sleeve". Sounds like they might be sisters.

Entered at Sat Apr 9 02:55:02 CEST 2016 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Cars - then - and - now

My life long love was my '57 Ford Skyliner Retractable Hardtop convertible...just the sweetest thing from our days of American Graffitti.

Now a day, these new rigs, like my 2012 GMC Pickup...no spark plugs, no distributors or coils. It is incredible to be getting 30 miles to the gallon. The gawd damn truck tells me when a tire is low, when I need to change oil.

Susie's car is a 4 wheel computer. It has remote start, back up camera, computer navigation system, and communication system. She says to it, "Call Norm Jones!" and it dials up my number so she can talk to me hands free. As she has a very poor sense of direction she can talk to her car to get her directions down island. It has a very safe system with "On Star". The point is this is not just for having a good time. Suz is 68 now. She has to drive 200 miles down island. The drive thru' the Nimpkish Valley there is nothing for 100 miles so I need to know she can call for help if she has trouble. That is very reassuring.

Entered at Sat Apr 9 02:26:39 CEST 2016 from (68.196.242.101)

Jeff A.

City Winery- well, they do get a fine roster there, but i gotta say: Sound is good yes, atmosphere is great, but not comfortable.

the two other times i've been there i sat at the bar- that is fine if there is some one i'm desperate to hear, that's what I'll do next time. You do pay to sit at the bar, but you can grab a spot where you are comfortable.

The tables are the size of a table for two. And there are four people at a table. Next to another table the size of a table for two. That's the situation & everything that goes with it.

Entered at Sat Apr 9 02:26:03 CEST 2016 from (63.142.158.9)

JQ

We Yanks love to drool over the cars of the 50's and 60's. But the thing is that cars today are much improved over those. My beloved '57 Chevy never made it to 100K miles. Part of the romance (retrospectively mostly) then was to be fixing them up, repairs, etc, ourselves in our driveways, with buddies, listening to Eddie Cochran on the transistor. But in most ways they were crap compared to now. As an anecdote: my 2001 Honda is right at 300,000 miles, has never needed a major repair and shows no signs of failing!

Entered at Sat Apr 9 00:04:28 CEST 2016 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Cars!...PETER!!!!!!!

I'm gonna have your ass old kid! I just bought Susie a 2015 Chev Malibu. I'll put it up agin yer gawd damn BMW any time boy!........:-)

Entered at Fri Apr 8 23:53:28 CEST 2016 from (5.83.99.34)

Peter V

Entered at Fri Apr 8 23:52:28 CEST 2016 from (5.83.99.34)

Peter V

Todd: We filmed some scenes for our video "Only in America" in South Hampton on Long Island. The director and I were mightily annoyed, that having crossed the Atlantic to get an American location, we had a street with barely an American car in sight. In the end we had to collect a few together to drive past in the background. We could have done BMWs, Mercedes, Volvos and Saabs in the scene just as easily in England.

Entered at Fri Apr 8 22:51:50 CEST 2016 from (97.33.80.144)

Todd

Subject: Jules Shear

So the recent mention of Jules Shear prompted me to dig through my records. I knew I had a few things from him, but it turns out that I have at least 5 Jules Shear records going back to Jules and the Polar Bears from 1978. Good songwriter, but not the strongest vocalist.

One of the albums is called Demo-itis, and is a collection of demo recordings released in 1986. Got to playing that, heard 'If She Knew What She Wants' which then led me to my guilty pleasure of Susanna Hoffs and the Bangles. Still think they could have been so much more than a pop band. But I suppose any type of success is good in the music business. Still love their cover of Big Star's September Gurls.

Entered at Fri Apr 8 21:33:33 CEST 2016 from (97.33.80.144)

Todd

Entered at Fri Apr 8 21:17:03 CEST 2016 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Train of Thought

Thanks Todd, you give me hope!

JQ....must be John Quincy :-).....you are probably a guy who can smile at this story. (I meant to tell you in that last post but my train of thought got derailed.)

Round about 1974 I had a big waterfront home in Porpoise Bay in Sechelt. I owned a log sorting ground and my younger brother and I had a pretty damn good band. We played a great variety of music, (in those small towns in those days you pretty much had to try and please everyone.)

One Saturday night, (I got to say here, in those days on the Sechelt Peninsula there were MANY American hippies and draft dogers from that Vietnam business). This Saturday night we are playing for a dance in the legion "hall", not the bar. The theme was graffiti rock & roll. Lots of Elvis, Chuck Berry, Carl Perkins , you know.

I don't know if you ever saw this "style". These hippie girls then had this thing of wearing these flowery "Grannie" dresses right to dragging on the floor, and gum boots, y'know rubber boots. Well this real pretty young thing in her grannie dress and gum boots comes up to the stage, (we ar really kicking ass and rockin.). She says to me, "Hey man, can you play Sam Stone?". I say....in the middle of a kick ass rock and roll dance you want me to play one of the saddest depressing songs about a guy who was ruined in Vietnam with drugs???.....she says, "Well fuck you man!"........:-)

Entered at Fri Apr 8 21:12:30 CEST 2016 from (96.245.114.250)

bassmanlee

JQ, thanks for that link.

"Sadness leads to tear-stained cheeks

From winos to dime-store Jews..."

I've a few on mine at the moment.

Entered at Fri Apr 8 20:59:50 CEST 2016 from (97.33.80.144)

Todd

Subject: Happy Valentine's Day

Captain Cook must have made out better in Australia than he did in Hawaii, where he was killed by natives on February 14th, 1779. The curse of Lono.

Norm, don't despair. There is no feud.....only recriminations.

Sadavid, thanks for the perspective. Yes, the rich do seem to get richer, no matter how the rest of the economy is doing.

I took a trip to Washington DC about 5 years ago and stayed in nearby Bethesda, Maryland. I have to say that I was amazed by the sheer number of premium automobiles on the roads in the greater DC area. Mosltly high end Mercedes and BMW. Living in Connecticut, which is a fairly wealthy (and high cost of living) State, it's not uncommon to see premium automobiles on the road in many areas. But it was overwhelming in DC.
My only thought is that the public sector jobs must pay pretty well.

Entered at Fri Apr 8 20:54:51 CEST 2016 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Spanish Pipe Dream

John Prine comes pretty close to rivaling Merle Haggard in what he is, in his own way.

John's contribution to the Dirt Band's circle album is wonderful and those people who "all" very obviously respect each other as human beings, never mind their accomplishments are how this place should be.

Entered at Fri Apr 8 20:35:25 CEST 2016 from (63.142.158.9)

JQ

Subject: John Prine

A good article here on John Prine. He's a great writer; I'd put his first LP on my 10-best of ever list!

Entered at Fri Apr 8 20:29:26 CEST 2016 from (68.171.246.141)

Bill M

Entered at Fri Apr 8 20:18:41 CEST 2016 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: From Graceland to The Promised Land

First of all I want to apologize to many friends here for my tirade. Some of the nonsense scralled here I find very disturbing. Some one will have to explain to me (like I am a child) why some people feel a need to dig up all the shameful human expletives that people some times say in the heat of the moment when they are not feeling good about something. I always thought this was the material for those shit magazines you see at the check out counter in the grocery store.

Bob thank you so much for that link to Peter's article. I have a great deal of respect for Peter Stone Brown's articulate ability as a writer. I envy his thoughtfulness in what he writes.

It would be nice to do more explaining about Merle Haggard here, but a life time of country music would be a lot of writing. It doesn't matter whether you are a country music fan or not. The book of Merle Haggard that I have is well written and shows how a young man that grew up in a hard life in Bakersfield, got himself in a lot of shit with a bitterness over his childhood after going to prison, (I turned 21 in prison), could turn his life around.

When you listen to the words the Hag has written there is so much many of us can relate to. Merle, and Johnny Cash, Waylon and Willie and Kris played many concerts in prisons trying to give people hope to have a reason to turn their lives around.

For a good understanding of Merle Haggard, just search on youtube for the song "From Graceland to The Promised Land." Listen to the words Merle has to say about Elvis. The album "From Graceland to The Promised Land" is filled with Merle's feelings of Elvis songs. The Cover photo on the album, (which I have had since it was released) is a picture of Merle leaning on his arm looking very sad. Well that is the way I feel today. That feeling is amplified every time some one feels the need to fuel this ridiculous "fued?" What purpose does it serve to keep rubbing salt into a wound of such very good friends.

Us band of brothers, for who sheds his blood with me this day be he nere so "VILE".....is my brother........

So long Merle, your legacy is huge!

Entered at Fri Apr 8 19:37:05 CEST 2016 from (156.47.15.10)

David P

The Blue-Ray documentary "The Promise: Making of Darkness at the Edge of Town," featuring clips of rehearsals, recording sessions and interviews, is a revelation of just how hard The Boss works at his craft/

Entered at Fri Apr 8 19:35:04 CEST 2016 from (69.112.112.38)

Bob F

Subject: PSB on Merle Haggard

Norm and everyone else who was a fan of Merle Haggard, check out PSB's excellent article on Merle.

Entered at Fri Apr 8 19:25:59 CEST 2016 from (69.112.112.38)

Bob F

Jeff, sometimes the Angry Young Man turns into a cranky old codger. I always love the dual guitars with Brinsley and Martin Belmont. Back in the day they worked so hard to crack America. Made major headway with Squeezing Out Sparks and then put out the mediocre Up The Escalator and split up. I loved their records back then but seldom listen to them anymore. I saw Parker a bunch of times when he lived up here but there is something about his personality that is a turn off. I did really enjoy his first few solo records though. Thanks for the report about The City Winery show.

Entered at Fri Apr 8 19:21:36 CEST 2016 from (77.102.201.158)

Al Edge

Subject: The Promise

Cheers Bob - nice of you to say.

I'll have a decko.

I forgot to link the particular version of the song. Now corrected above.

:-0)

Entered at Fri Apr 8 19:14:58 CEST 2016 from (69.112.112.38)

Bob F

Al, what a great job you did on The Promise! You hit it right on the nose. You got me listening to Springsteen all morning and that's what writing about music should do. If you have more like that please post them or email me with them.

Entered at Fri Apr 8 18:53:15 CEST 2016 from (73.189.89.83)

Dave Mandel

Subject: A sad passing

In a search this morning, I discover that some of you noted the VERY multi-talented English vocalist/drummer/guitarist/flautist Malcolm Tomlinson, resident of Toronto since 1969, veteran of sessions and gigs with Elton John, Richie Blackmoor and Martin Barre -- and of numerous bands including Milkwood, Rhinoceros, and Syrinx. Malcolm was signed to, and recorded, two A&M albums during the late '70s.

I am very sorry to inform you that Malcolm died on April 2nd in Toronto after a harsh, brief bout of liver cancer.

Those who think he would have been an obvious choice for a "The Band" tribute should know that -- during Milkwood's 1969 Hit Factory sessions recording their eponymous album -- Levon Helm and Garth Hudson heard and admired Milkwood and had suggested that Malcolm's co-lead vocalist, Mary Lou Gauthier, consider recording with them.

Malcolm was an amazing musician, a sweet and humble guy, an ardent football [soccer] fan, and will be much missed. He is survived by longtime partner Henrietta and his children by earlier marriages, daughter Leigh and son Ry. His near-lifelong mate, Milkwood founder, guitarist and songwriter Louis McKelvey, lives, works, and still plays in Toronto.

Entered at Fri Apr 8 18:45:30 CEST 2016 from (63.142.158.9)

JQ

A pretty funny and well-penned movie in which GP and TR are a part throughout; maybe 2010 - a Judd Apatow deal.

Entered at Fri Apr 8 18:14:24 CEST 2016 from (156.47.15.10)

David P

The Band's live performances were very faithful to the recorded versions of their songs. Since, with a few exceptions, Robbie didn't sing on the studio recordings, what vocal part would he be singing on stage?

Entered at Fri Apr 8 18:02:18 CEST 2016 from (131.137.34.214)

sadavid

Todd: I do share your fatigue and weariness, and we ought to be angry at ourselves . . . it's not the ratio of compulsory donation to discretionary remainder that hurts so much as the ratio of the percent we pay on our pittance to the portion the robber barons pay on their bazillions. Wasn't it Warren Buffet who admitted his secretary is taxed at a higher rate?

First they threaten us with taking their marbles elsewhere if we raise their vig, then we use our own money (in direct subsidies or race-to-the-bottom low-lower-lowest rates) to bribe them to create jobs on our turf so we can continue to contribute to their profits and free ride.

So endeth the lesson . . . .

Entered at Fri Apr 8 18:00:25 CEST 2016 from (5.83.99.34)

Peter v

There are links on the review to Toppermost, which has some video links, as well as the tour dates link which goes to their website. They have a great double CD set "Live-4-3-2-1" which documents a show, actually one of the bigger ones with Mike d'Abo as well as Paul Jones, so some of the later 60s too.

Personally, I love the "EP Collection" Box set. As I say in the Toppermost article, they were EP specialists, with 23 of the28 EP tracks unavailable on singles or albums. It's a box of facsimile EPs. Brilliant stuff- the two instrumental EPs are very different. Also, the "Original Albums" series has a budget 5 CD set with the four EMI albums, plus Paul Jones' first solo album. And it includes the BRITISH "Five Faces of Mann" very different to the US version which mixed in singles. The British one was LP only songs, and seminal British R&B.

Entered at Fri Apr 8 17:29:07 CEST 2016 from (77.102.201.158)

Al Edge

I envy your early initiation Bob. It must have been amazing.

As you know, I only 'got it' when I heard The River album back in 1980 or so, although I've certainly made up for it since.

The Promise only landed on my lap when I bought Tracks 2 - which was clearly yet another fan fleecing exercise as we've already discussed as why else wasn't it on Tracks 1.

As you know it was the solo piano version and so that has become my staple. I've got to say because of that the full band versions don't do it for me. It's almost an entirely different song with the band, lacking the drama and poignancy of the piano take on Tracks 2. For me it's a bit like the difference between the original album version of Thunder Road and what I always regard as the definitive version on the Live 75-86 album with just Roy on the piano. Not that I don't rate the original but the piano version is simply on another level for me.

Anyroad, I'll stick this up just for you Bob. I doubt if I've put it up before. It's my own take on the song. Apologies to everyone else btw but just skip.

The Piece

"THE PROMISE is by no means Bruce Springsteen’s most prominent song. Originally available as a bootleg only, it was later tucked away on a secondary compilation album of material deemed not quite suitable for primary album release. Though it was later to feature as a focal point for the re-issue of Darkness On The Edge of Town, it remains an obscure gem of the Springsteen legacy. So much so, few real Springsteen afficionados would contest its rank amongst the artist’s best and most searching offerings.

Like much of his more substantial material its essence lies within the subtleties of spirit that underpin it rather than in any overtness. Written more than three decades ago whilst he was still a pioneering young artist that spirit is astonishingly even more relevant to those from a generation advanced than for the generation for which Springsteen originally aimed it. It could actually have been written yesterday.

The restless, displaced characters that populate so many of Springsteens haunting paeans to inclusion and exclusion are to be found once more within the tapestry of The Promise. The ordinary Joes – in this instance "the Johnnies who work in a factory, the Billys who work downtown" together with the protagonist who "got a job down in Darlington" – live out their mundane existences though always with one eye on escaping. In this case, the character Terry – who we can safely assume to be Bruce himself and who "works in a rock n roll band searching for that million dollar sound" – represents the get out clause to that life, sought by so many though actually available only to the few.

Still, that theme of pulling out will never be that far away even amidst the darkest Springsteen offerings. And in this offering, our protagonist is certainly driven by a yearning to escape from his ordinariness. He follows that dream just like those guys do way up on the screen though you know from the opening lines he is not the sort who will ever realise his dreams. Yet, it is not for the want of trying.

The objective may well be hopeless but it doesn’t close the door on remaining hopeful. This man has his dignity too – “all my life I’ve fought the fight, a fight that you can never win, every day gets harder to live the dreams you believe in”. However for all his ceaseless striving he is also a man with his flaws. Some days he simply doesn’t "turn up" for his job. "Some nights he goes to the drive in. Some nights he stays home". It is within the exploration of these everyday human weaknesses and aberrations that the song reveals its hidden depths. Its true majesty begins to unfold as it evokes that sense of human failing and vulnerability.

They are failings Springsteen has always sought to expose in his writing. This time it is encapsulated in the theme of life’s broken promises. The promises Springsteen writes of are not those life affirming vows and undertakings that accompany the major landmarks of our lives. It is not the betrothal to a sweetheart, the raising of an offspring, the tending of a sick loved one. Rather they are the host of minor resolutions made and dashed day in, day out, week in, week out, year in, year out until we each of us have a lifetime’s legacy of them. The lies with which we kid ourselves and others, the secrets we don’t keep, the timescales we let slip, the friends and loved ones with whom we let down and lose touch. These are the example of "promises being broken, cashed in to fuel our own dreams". In other words, the very basic pattern of life itself.

By the end of his fable, as you might expect, Springsteen is attempting to face these realities shoulder to shoulder with us to gather them into some sort of perspective. “The promise was broken but you go on living. It steals something from down in your soul”. When he tells us this he is not making harsh judgement but rather telling it like it is. That it is simply what happens. Whilst we are not enriched by our failure to honour our resolutions nor should we feel besmirched by it. We are merely demonstrating and living up or down to our humanity.

The song closes with further chilling realities. “The truth is spoken but it don’t make no difference, something in your heart runs cold.” Our protagonist laments that stripped of all its veneers and fineries such resolution can be inevitably what life has in store for most of us. In the ultimate analysis most of us fall short of our goals as our lives become littered with broken promises.

Happy days eh?

:-0)

Entered at Fri Apr 8 17:07:31 CEST 2016 from (67.84.76.211)

Jeff A.

Entered at Fri Apr 8 17:03:48 CEST 2016 from (88.206.203.80)

Adam Kowalski

Rick Danko for president!!!

Entered at Fri Apr 8 16:59:29 CEST 2016 from (32.216.238.65)

Todd

If Levon did in fact try to maximize revenue by claiming credit for songs that The Band did in the 1990's, then all I can say is that he must have paid attention, and learned from one of the best.

As far as not being publicly critical of Robbie during the 1970's. Well, that kind of thing doesn't usually translate into the best working or personal relationship, and they did have an album contract with Capitol to fulfill. Aside from it being bad business, it's not usually cool to show up at work and point out all of your co workers flaws every day, and even more uncool to do it publicly. Even if you have issues with someone, it's usually better to find a way to work together.

After a relationship (working or personal) has ended, then sometimes the gloves come off and things get said that may have been bottled up over the years. Anyone here never been through a break-up?

That's why many of these issues never came up in the 1970's. But looking through the lens of history, it's apparent that things changed in the interpersonal workings of the Band. And not all of that can be blamed on substance abuse.

Sadavid, that's a great way to look at it, and I'm happy to pay my fair share. It just seems less fair than it used to be. In fact, I've been investing so much into my community, that I'm unable to adequately fund my own retirement or save enough for my childrens' education. My car is 12 years old and has 225,000 miles on it, with no hope for a replacement this year. I'm not really complaining, and I'm not actually angry. Just getting fatigued and weary of the ratio of forced confiscation of income as compared to what I can spend at my own discretion (including donating money to various charities), or replacing the drafty windows in my house. And I'm generally a frugal person.

And I'm also starting to lose faith that our investment into our communities is being manged properly. I'm happy to invest, but I just wish that our leaders would be as careful with the money as we would be. Managed well, there would be even more benefit realized from the investment. That would be true compassion by our leaders. Spend every dollar wisely....as if it were your own. Tax revenue has been at record levels, yet deficits continue to rise. Waste fraud and abuse must be responsible for some of that.

Entered at Fri Apr 8 16:56:46 CEST 2016 from (108.88.110.210)

Pat B

Entered at Fri Apr 8 16:44:21 CEST 2016 from (99.244.8.134)

John D

Jeff A writes "I caught Graham Parker & Brinsley Schwarz at City Winery tonight." Since Bob Andrews left Brinsley and he and Brinsley joined the rumour. Did they play in both bands that night? I know they both rejoined The Rumour in 2012.

Entered at Fri Apr 8 16:37:32 CEST 2016 from (83.68.10.60)

Ragtime

Subject: Feud

And so... happy days are back again.

Only now and then I return to this beloved place, just to see that The Feud is still on... Levon died, Robbie moved on... but The Feud lingers on...

See you in 2017 guys...

Entered at Fri Apr 8 16:28:49 CEST 2016 from (131.137.34.214)

sadavid

It eases the pain if you consider taxes as an investment.
I'm proud to say I invest pretty heavily in my community every payday.

Entered at Fri Apr 8 16:23:34 CEST 2016 from (98.110.36.106)

Ben

This guestbook is an interesting place. It seems okay with many people to criticize Levon regarding an unfair publishing split for the 90's Band albums, based solely on a few quotes from the new Hoskyns book. However, when someone questions the amount of singing Robbie did in the last waltz, where the visuals don't match up with the audio, that's somehow off limits and seen as an unfair attack.

Pat, There are multiple interviews with Levon over a course of many years in which he made similar comments about Robbie's "singing" in the last waltz. Maybe Levon didn't "speak up" about Robbie's "singing" between 1969-76 because Robbie's singing was such a minor part of their overall sound.

I believe that there's some revionist re-writing of history here with you and Kevin suddenly suggesting that Robbie's vocals played a much more significant part in the Band's live sound than they did.

Entered at Fri Apr 8 16:19:04 CEST 2016 from (32.216.238.65)

Todd

Subject: Food Fight

I was kind of hungry and I was hoping that you guys were going to be talking about "The Food". Guess I was wrong.

I don't have too much to add, but is it fair to say that Robbie thought Levon was a great songwriter, and Levon thought Robbie was a great singer?

Or is it more accurate to say that Robbie's microphone must have been on at least "some" of the time....and Levon certainly had a hand in "some" songwriting. (even if his credit for 'Strawberry Wine' was inconveniently omitted on the DVD 5.1 Surround sound mix of 'Live At The Academy of Music 1971'). No big deal, but since so much emphasis is given to songwriting credit, you'd think that he would at least get credit for the songs that he was originally credited on.

I can't comment yet on the Jules Shear saga. I started reading Small Town Talk, but stopped around page 60. It just wasn't the page-turner that I was expecting.

I highly doubt that Robbie's microphone was ever actually switched off.....although there was that sneaky looking fellow lurking around by the faders though.... Beyond that, I'm pretty sure that Robbie is singing on Knocking Lost John...still one of my favorite underrated Band songs.

Sorry that I've been absent for a while. Thanks to Norbert for the shout out quite a few weeks ago. I've been very busy trying to earn some dollars & paying my share of US Taxes. And that does take some of my freedom away....or at least some of my free time to chat on the internet.

Tax freedom day this year is April 24th. That means every dollar earned up until that point will go towards taxes. On April 25th I'll be able to put dollar #1 for 2016 into my pocket. Seems like such a huge chunk of the year. I just read a statistic that said America will spend more on taxes in 2016 than it will on food, clothing, and housing combined. Staggering....I think things are getting close to a breaking point, and none of the current candidates are going to help the situation. This time next year, we'll still all be bent over, grabbing our ankles, end expected to say thank you for the screwing. Feel the Bern?? Rump got Trumped?? Bruised by Cruz?? Pilloried by Hillary?? Don't matter...still gonna be painful.

Entered at Fri Apr 8 14:54:31 CEST 2016 from (69.112.112.38)

Bob F

Subject: Palladium 1976

Al, it actually was the fall of 76. We took my sister and brother in law to one of The Palladium shows on their honeymoon. They didn't get it and still don't. lol The tour extended deep into 1977. He played all over the east coast. We saw him everywhere including West Point and our very own Poughkeepsie. Amazing days.

Entered at Fri Apr 8 14:41:58 CEST 2016 from (69.112.112.38)

Bob F

Subject: The Promise

Al, I saw him do the piano version at The Palladium in NYC in 1977. When Darkness came out we couldn't believe The Promise wasn't on it. Darkness was so off the chart great we quickly got over it. His run from the first record to Tunnel is just so unbelievably great.

Entered at Fri Apr 8 14:37:31 CEST 2016 from (83.249.161.239)

NorthWestCoaster

Subject: Double posting/especially to webmaster

Sorry, I did "David P" here ;-) I blame it on my unusual combination web browser / OS. JH, a reason to take a look, maybe. In case of a vulnerability? Or maybe it is my system?

Entered at Fri Apr 8 13:56:24 CEST 2016 from (77.102.201.158)

Al Edge

Great review Pete lad. Loved the Manfreds and McGuinness Flint - I bet Dunc does too as Gallagher and Lyle wrote most of the songs I seem to recall. Must renew the album on CD!!

I just wish they'd visited you before us though. I just looked at the tour dates and they were in the New Brighton Floral Pavilion a month ago.

Shit. Me and missus would have loved to have seen them.

Paul Jones is a one off isn't he? He actually looks younger now than what he was in the '60's. He's obviously related to Rod Taylor.

The hairs on my neck stood up just by you mentioning Pretty Flamingo - what a song and as you say what nostalgia it evokes.

:-0)

Entered at Fri Apr 8 13:42:39 CEST 2016 from (77.102.201.158)

Al Edge

You do Fred.

In fact I've forgotten my fave song now so you can have first prize - what was your choice now - oh I know "Hard To Be a St John in Man City?"

:-0)

We used to call it the WAFER cup

Entered at Fri Apr 8 12:41:54 CEST 2016 from (83.249.161.239)

NorthWestCoaster

Subject: The Manfreds

Thanks PETER V. An anecdote on MANFRED MANN, if you please: - Manred Mann lives in my hometown for a half of the year maximum. TO SWEDISH TAX AUTHORITIES: A HALF OF THE YEAR MAXIMUM, MORE TRULY FIVE MONTHS, IF NOT FOUR AND A HALF!!! We have a music shop here. The younger generation does not know him, of course. Manfred says: "They teach me how to play keyboards." What a great guy with a lot of humor and an understatement, too.

Entered at Fri Apr 8 12:34:39 CEST 2016 from (83.249.161.239)

NorthWestCoaster

Subject: The Manfreds

Thanks PETER V. An anecdote on MANFRED MANN, if you please: - Manred Mann lives in my hometown for a half of the year maximum. TO SWEDISH TAX AUTHORITIES: A HALF OF THE YEAR MAXIMUM, MORE TRULY FIVE MONTHS, IF NOT FOUR AND A HALF!!! We have a music shop here. The younger generation does not know him, of course. Manfred says: "They teach me how to play keyboards." What a great guy with a lot of humor and an understatement, too.

Entered at Fri Apr 8 12:34:35 CEST 2016 from (108.30.208.242)

Jed

Well,the folks who dig the feud & feuding again saw the light of GB day-and i'm sure it's an "idiot's delight"(What song,if any is that from?-or is it an old Vince Scelsa name for a radio program he had on WFUV?) TheMamfreds have that derivative sound of that era that i grew up with(Manfred Mann,Dave Clark Five,Herman's Hermits,etc.) Besides You Tubes(which are very limited),Peter-any other good links you can suggest of this band?Much thanks!

Entered at Fri Apr 8 12:15:21 CEST 2016 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Subject: The Manfreds continued

It struck me last night (review linked) that The Manfreds had similarities to the 90s Band … six piece, three original members, two main singers still there with the keyboard player (though Mike Hugg not Manfred Mann). They all looked a lot fitter now than The Band did twenty years ago. It must be clean living!

Entered at Fri Apr 8 11:13:15 CEST 2016 from (203.160.29.153)

Fred

* I know it's not called that anymore, but I prefer it to UEFA Europa League.

Entered at Fri Apr 8 11:03:02 CEST 2016 from (77.102.201.158)

Al Edge

Subject: Memories - part...er I forget

Seems like the old upstairs computer pad may have been on the blink again.

Just dug out on Google the old piece I'd clearly read Richard Williams saying The Promise was his favourite Springsteen song and lo and behold once again it seems like Richard William's never actually said what I though he said.

:-0)

Ah well..still my own fave

Entered at Fri Apr 8 10:42:26 CEST 2016 from (77.102.201.158)

Al Edge

The Promise [solo piano version]

Good tries tho - not too far away I guess

:-0)

Entered at Fri Apr 8 09:57:42 CEST 2016 from (219.89.9.67)

Rod

OK. I'll admit that he was 4th in line after 3 great singers but I think he added to The Band's vocal range - especially when Richard was no longer able to hit those high notes. Thats's definitely him on Ophelia on the 76 vids I've seen and probably on IMND. I also suspect that he doe's quite a few backing vocals on Islands - though Richard does shadow him on Out Of The Blue and maybe even Between Trains. Certainly live he did most of the talking so I find it strange that they would turn his mich of during the songs and surely they would have rehearsed with him singing. That would have been the time for Levon to have his say.

Entered at Fri Apr 8 09:35:26 CEST 2016 from (173.3.48.191)

Jeff A.

Entered at Fri Apr 8 07:33:51 CEST 2016 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: The legtimate custodian?

What a completely fucked up thought. We are the custodians of the "BAND" music you ignoramus! No wonder they dumped all you criminals on that rock. You deserve to be there.

You and Ben should get married for all the ridiculous ideas you come up with. Enjoy the music, who ever sang it. Love it, cherish it and quit blaming people for faults and being human in their feelings.

Some of you guys seriously need to see a shrink for the way you want to lay blame and put perspectives on things that you basically don't know a gawd damn thing about. Your speculation, and your bullshit "research" is so lame you should be ashamed of your self.

Entered at Fri Apr 8 05:09:00 CEST 2016 from (114.75.75.241)

Wallsend

Entered at Fri Apr 8 04:14:30 CEST 2016 from (203.160.29.153)

Fred

Entered at Fri Apr 8 03:53:28 CEST 2016 from (68.171.246.138)

Bill M

Entered at Fri Apr 8 02:23:11 CEST 2016 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Please Provide Quotes!

What is this Ben guy? some kind of Philadephia lawyer? Every one is supposed to provide him with "evidence".

Just the epitomy of a real pain in the ass. All the evidence has to be stacked against Robbie Robertson so you can go to bed happy in the dreams that every one shits on Robbie Robertson. What a completely warped, fucked up attitude toward 5 guys who made some great music for a lot of years. Let them rest in peace and never have to witness this bullshit.

Entered at Fri Apr 8 01:52:47 CEST 2016 from (108.88.110.210)

Pat B

Entered at Fri Apr 8 01:42:54 CEST 2016 from (98.110.36.106)

Ben

Pat, What are you talking about? If you think Levon suddenly changed his tune about Robbie's "singing" in the "80's", please provide some quote(s) from Levon in which he said anything positive about Robbie's singing between 1969-76

Entered at Fri Apr 8 01:18:29 CEST 2016 from (114.75.75.241)

Wallsend

Rick Danko

Entered at Fri Apr 8 01:13:40 CEST 2016 from (108.88.110.210)

Pat B

RR singing lead on the second verse, but he is no doubt using an early form of pitch correction supplied by the suits.

Entered at Fri Apr 8 01:11:39 CEST 2016 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Subject: The Manfreds

Review linked of The Manfreds tonight, Christchurch, Dorset. In 1964-66, Paul Jones was of equal status in the rock press with Mick Jagger and Eric Burdon. Paul Jones can still sing exactly as he did in the Sixties. There are three original members with Tom McGuinness and Mike Hugg plus three superb additions (Marcus Cliffe, Simon Currie and from Family, Rob Townsend). You won't see a better sixties band still going, and all three Dylan covers were first-rate.

Entered at Fri Apr 8 00:58:12 CEST 2016 from (108.88.110.210)

Pat B

Entered at Thu Apr 7 22:35:13 CEST 2016 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Politics

Well Bobby Fino is that last post melancholia enough for you? :-)

Kevin! why in hell would you feel compelled to put any answer to that.....this is getting worse than Donald Trump!

By the way Kevin, I hope you are keeping track of your PM boy. Big raises for all MP's more than double what they are offering govn't workers in these hard times. Gawd damn it Kevin, how come youze folks over there can't look after your money? Ontario is now classed as the most in debt, broke place in North America........:-) I mean Jesus boy, you and Mike and Bill and the bunch got to get together and have a meeting about this. Look that gawd damn Jerry won't stop racing back and forth between Victoria and Tranna. I think I figured him out. He's either a bookey or a drug dealer......can you imagine how he's looking at me now???:-)

Entered at Thu Apr 7 22:09:43 CEST 2016 from (184.145.118.56)

Kevin J

Entered at Thu Apr 7 21:21:23 CEST 2016 from (98.110.36.106)

Ben

Kevin, Based on this article from 1999, I would say that Levon had a slightly different take on Robbie's vocal "contributions" to the last waltz than you. I've pasted the pertinent section below. The full article is linked.

When Helm talks about The Last Waltz now, he does so with disgust, accusing Robertson of lip-synching his way through the concert -- in fact, he was openly just mouthing the words, and the record was overdubbed -- and of collaborating with "Score-eatzi" to steal the movie from the other four members of The Band.

"I don't want Muddy Waters' family to think that I'm getting a fucking nickel out of The Last Waltz," Helm says. "Because I know they've been fucked from the very beginning, and I want them to know that I have too. It was Robertson and Score-eatzi and that fucking crowd of thieves that got paid for The Last Waltz, and they still get paid, I guess. I've never gotten a check for it in my life.

"And you'd be surprised how many people see The Last Waltz and they look up there and they see Robertson up there pantomiming, acting his ass off, and they actually think he's making music. They think he's singing, he's making all that music -- a little bit of smoke and mirrors, and they think, 'Goddamn, I'm seeing the real fucking thing, right there in front of my eyes.' And it's the biggest bunch of bullshit in the world."

Entered at Thu Apr 7 20:53:04 CEST 2016 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: The Hag

"And I heard him tell the warden, just before he reached my cell......

Let my guitar playin' friend do my request, let him sing me back home..........

Nobody so far has used his nick name.

My friend from Surrey BC, Redd Volkhart played lead guitar for The Hag for quite some time.....there of course are many stories.

I recall telling the story some time ago. I was playing music in the "Fisherman's Bar" at Shearwater up the coast. I met a couple there one summer evening from Lake Shasta. They has a fine yacht, John had named her the "Encore". Next day we got to chatting on the wharf. He told me one of his best friends was Freddy Powers. I said you must know Merle pretty good then?

John says, "Oh yeah......ol' Merle he had that damn big house boat on the lake, 3 decks high it was!...The parties! and Merle he was always doing things he really hadn't otta did......they finally made him take that thing off the lake. That was Merle I guess.

The funniest story from his book was when he was pretty young and in all sorts of shit. Him and a buddy were trying to break in the back of this restaurant one night to rob it. A guy opens the door and says, "What in hell you guys doing? Why don't you just come in the front?"....The place was still open.....

Entered at Thu Apr 7 20:31:39 CEST 2016 from (69.112.112.38)

Bob F

Subject: New BD

What we need around here is for everyone to get into a Melancholy Mood.

Entered at Thu Apr 7 19:36:59 CEST 2016 from (63.142.158.9)

JQ

Subject: Shelley's Winter Love

Here's one of my favorite Merle H songs, covered here by a couple of great singers -

Entered at Thu Apr 7 19:23:10 CEST 2016 from (67.87.216.195)

Jeff A.

Entered at Thu Apr 7 19:03:02 CEST 2016 from (67.87.216.195)

Jeff A.

Entered at Thu Apr 7 18:32:47 CEST 2016 from (67.87.216.195)

Jeff A.

Ahoy there matey David Powell, you make a fine point!

You must have hung upside down and shook the water outa yer ears!

You ho ho and a bottle of rum :-)

Entered at Thu Apr 7 18:22:32 CEST 2016 from (156.47.15.10)

David P

I think too much of nothing is being made over this songwriting thing. So a recently successful Jules Shear (a Sony artist) is brought in to work with The Band in the early '90s for an album deal with Sony. The material recorded gets rejected and The Band is allowed to walk away. Is Mr. Shear suggesting that he is the one who backed out? Hoskyns doesn't go into detail about what happened in his recent book to put this in proper perspective. So are y'all now debating B.S over the alleged credit arrangements for songs that were never released.

Entered at Thu Apr 7 18:19:22 CEST 2016 from (184.145.118.56)

Kevin J

Entered at Thu Apr 7 18:10:53 CEST 2016 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Ginger Baker was due to headline the Bournemouth Jazz Festival on 23rd April. He's recovering from a heart operation. The first announcement said that the Ginger Baker Band would be playing, but not Ginger Baker himself. But now he's withdrawn altogether. Pity. Mind you, I saw Airforce back in the day and they were dreadful. Messy and dull.

Entered at Thu Apr 7 18:02:19 CEST 2016 from (184.145.118.56)

Kevin J

Entered at Thu Apr 7 17:43:59 CEST 2016 from (67.87.216.195)

Jeff A.

Entered at Thu Apr 7 17:26:08 CEST 2016 from (184.145.118.56)

Kevin J

Subject: The Band - Live July 1976

LINKED: For Ben and any others unfamiliar with back-up and vocal harmonies......Enjoy the show ! Are there Band fans out there that really don't understand Robbie's vocal parts on so many band songs live.

Entered at Thu Apr 7 17:03:36 CEST 2016 from (82.69.47.175)

peter V

To Kingdom Come.

Entered at Thu Apr 7 16:09:01 CEST 2016 from (67.87.216.195)

Jeff A.

Now everyone of you screaming ninnies.
Hang upside down & give your head a fucking shake.
That's the right way to do it.

Entered at Thu Apr 7 15:54:40 CEST 2016 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Robbie Singing

What a bunch of horse shit! Who then was singing on Robbie's solo albums? Who sang "Broken Arrow"? Give your head a shake.

Entered at Thu Apr 7 15:35:56 CEST 2016 from (98.110.36.106)

Ben

Kevin, I've very skeptical of this. I don't recall ever reading anything to the effect that Robbie "added back-up and harmony vocals in all live settings with the band from 1960 through 1976".

I've listened to many official and bootleg recordings of Band performances up to TLW and don't recall any noticeable "back-up and harmony vocals" that Robbie made. If they were there, they were intentionally buried very low in the mix.

Entered at Thu Apr 7 14:59:12 CEST 2016 from (24.114.72.221)

Kevin J

I don't have the Lost Waltz, but for a lead vocal, are there not a few and one "on the spot" where Robbie steps in for a fumbling Richard on "Evangaline"

Entered at Thu Apr 7 14:11:25 CEST 2016 from (98.110.36.106)

Ben

Kevin, I think it's a misrepresentation to state that on a "regular" basis I suggest that Robbie sang into a turned off mic in TLW. I made that comment exactly one time.

Whatever the working status of the mic was, it seems pretty clear to me that Robbie was exaggerating his "singing" in places due to the presence of the cameras.

I've listened to many versions of TLW both official and bootleg many times over the years and can honestly say that I have no recollection of hearing Robbie singing. Certainly not to the extent that he appears to be singing in the movie.

If you can provide specific examples of Robbie clearly singing at TLW, I will happily go back and give another listen.

Entered at Thu Apr 7 13:13:46 CEST 2016 from (108.30.208.242)

Jed

Sorry Kevin,I forgot to say thanks for your kind words-once in awhile I like it here too,and I promise to impose strict discipline on myself and limit my shining of the light on persistent idiots!

Entered at Thu Apr 7 13:02:20 CEST 2016 from (108.30.208.242)

Jed

My reaction to trashing Robbie is the same-you come here,be kind and respectful to The Band's members.You want to trash Robbie,do it on one of the many disgusting you tubes out there and become part of the world of Internet chickenshits who "bravely" type away their lives frustrations at others.Well,my reaction is equal if any other The Band member who might be trashed here,whether Robbie or Levon.I tend not to walk into a person's home to trash them out and this is The Band's HOME page.So,while this idiot continues to repeat the same trashing of Levon over and over,it is important to,once in awhile shine the truth on ones bad intentions.And trashing dead people,in my moral world,just doesn't cut it,particularly in the home to his life's work and given the beauty (remember music!)he left behind.Levon and Robbie both deserve better and these creeps who trash them are just that-creeps.

Entered at Thu Apr 7 12:40:21 CEST 2016 from (98.110.36.106)

Ben

My take on this new "revelation" about the publishing split for the 90's Band albums is that it's much ado about nothing. I'm still somewhat confused about this as there were covers of songs by Dylan and Springsteen on these albums and I seriously doubt that either of them made any concessions to Levon to have their songs appear on a Band album.

So, was this split only asked of non-superstar writers. I don't see Jules Shear in the same category as Dylan/Springsteen although he was an established writer. I do think that for a young, starting out songwriter that there would be some prestige earned by having a song appear on a Band album.

When looked at in the grand scheme of music industry rip offs and creative accounting that have been common practices for a least the last 60 years, that Levon's attempt to split some publishing is a very minor issue.

Entered at Thu Apr 7 12:01:42 CEST 2016 from (65.93.116.61)

Mike Nomad

Entered at Thu Apr 7 09:46:37 CEST 2016 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Fun reading The Daily Mail yesterday (in a waiting room). They're going apeshit about The Rolling Stones exhibition in London. It seems it's £22 to get in, and then £45 for a Wedgewood "lolling tongue" cup in the gift shop. Mick Taylor is pissed off because he wasn't invited to the opening. The Daily Mail asks "Why are they still touring when their last decent album was 35 years ago?"

The answer is simple. Because people, we in fact, still want to see them.

I'm off to see The Manfreds tonight.

Entered at Thu Apr 7 09:42:33 CEST 2016 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Ah! So he did mean it. I compiled a playlist of "anti-hippie" stuff once … Beggar's Parade by The Four Seasons, Dawn of Correction by The Spokesmen, Life's A Trippy Thing by Frank & Nancy Sinatra. It was on there.

Entered at Thu Apr 7 06:27:18 CEST 2016 from (24.114.72.221)

Kevin J

Jed: Enough with this school yard "you're the absolutely worst person in the world and I hate you forever" routine. For crying out loud, some here think Robbie sung into a turned off mic and say it regularly ( and though they are mildly rebuked - hello Ben- we still love them ) others like Wallsend take serious issue with Levon's position on songwriting.........Take it Easy......when frustrated, be more like Eriic Clapton and less like Ginger Baker.......I like having you around.....I think you know that....

Entered at Thu Apr 7 05:49:29 CEST 2016 from (67.87.217.13)

Jeff A.

Deke Dickerson on Merle. Including a real telling interview where Merle speaks about Okie From Muskogee. And really reveals what kind of man he was. Some one who actually became an open minded man & knew how to say he was wrong. That starts in Deke's second paragraph. :

"If you're a true believer, then you already know, but for the uninitiated, one of the last true giants of country music has left the building. Rest in Peace to the great Merle Haggard, who passed away today, on his 79th birthday. It's hard to put into words the immense influence and style and legacy of the man who was the best selling country music artist of the 1970's, who started recording in the early 1960's and was still recording and touring and incredibly active up until his death. Suffice to say, Merle Haggard was one of the greatest of all time, a Country Music Hall Of Famer, a Mount Rushmore-like figure who wrote epic songs like "Mama Tried" and "Okie From Muskogee" and "White Line Fever" and "Tulare Dust" and "Ramblin' Fever" and "Fightin' Side Of Me" and "Workin' Man Blues" and "If We Make It Through December" and literally a thousand others. He sang the living SHIT out of those songs, too, with the conviction that a million wannabes who followed in his footsteps have never been able to emulate. He picked guitar, he played the fiddle, he made tribute albums to his heroes, and he kept playing and singing and playing and singing. He worked like a dog, like a man possessed, and inspired more fans and musicians than almost anybody in the history of the country music genre.

I was lucky enough to write two box set books for Bear Family Records on Merle Haggard's Capitol Recordings from 1968-1976. I also wrote a box set book on Merle's ex-wife and longtime harmony singer Bonnie Owens. It was because of his desire to see a good Bonnie Owens collection that he agreed to let me interview him. I wasn't promised anything more than a cursory 15 to 30 minute phone interview, but minutes into the first phone call, we started talking about Roswell aliens and Lefty Frizzell and Emmett Miller and Bob Wills and then the floodgates were opened. I wound up interviewing Merle for a total of ten hours. He was a fascinating character, and one that gave endless great and usable quotes. He was not educated, but he was highly intelligent. I admired his ability to admit that he was wrong, and how he learned from experience. He explained to me for nearly an hour how "dumb as a rock" he was when he wrote the right-wing anthems "Okie from Muskogee" and "Fightin' Side Of Me:" Merle: "I was dumb as a rock, you know, I thought that the government told us the truth, and I thought that marijuana made you walk around with your mouth open. So when you write a song from that limited understanding, and have it become a hit, I was really in a whirlwind of change in America, and in my own way of thinking. 'Okie from Muskogee' came off the wall, written in about ten minutes, and it came off the back side of my brain, and my heart. Because I was disturbed about young America.

"See, I was easing into my thirties, at that time, so I was pretty much out of here as far as the young people were concerned, and they were young kids that I was irritated with, and they were doing things that I thought were un-American. Well, it wasn't un-American, they were smarter than me! Kids are always smarter than the old folks....they see through our bigotry, and our hypocrisy. And I had a great lesson in life to learn, that they were already aware of. I believe history has proven them right. The Vietnam War was a hoax, the reason we went to war was a lie...maybe communism was a threat, but that wasn't why we were there. "What went on in the evolution of America and the evolution of Merle Haggard is not what people would have expected." (Merle Haggard interview by Deke Dickerson, 2007)

I was really impressed at how much Merle had achieved, in the rigid music business system that preferred to market an artist in terms of saleable product, singles and albums of same sounding pop-based music, one right after the other. Merle was able to pick projects (and convince Capitol to release them) that had little commercial appeal except for the fact that Merle Haggard would be doing them--a tribute to Jimmie Rodgers; a tribute to Bob Wills (both done at a time when nobody remembered or cared about Rodgers or Wills); a double album of gospel music, recorded on location in rural churches and homeless shelters; live albums recorded in Muskogee, Oklahoma, Philadelphia and New Orleans; instrumental albums by his excellent band, The Strangers....it was overwhelming then, and it still is today, examining it all in retrospect. How did he achieve SO much in that amount of time? It boggles the mind.

I'll always be grateful for the time that Merle gave me, and I know that at any given time, he had a thousand other people vying for his attention. It was a life that had to be exhausting. He lived it to the fullest and brought the real, honest Merle Haggard to the people every single time. There was no other Merle Haggard, it was just the way he was, and that's one of the big reasons why people loved him. He was absolutely 100% genuine, no bullshit, and they just don't make country music stars like that anymore.

I saw Merle recently at what might have been his last show (can anyone confirm this?), back in February at the Saban Theater in Beverly Hills. It was an odd audience mix of rich folks, entertainment industry assholes, rednecks, alternative rockers, aging hippies and hipsters. The minute that Merle hit the stage, despite his frail voice, the entire room was in the palm of his hand. Grown men kept yelling at the top of their lungs, "WE LOVE YOU MERLE!" It was, simply, to be in the presence of greatness. It wasn't the greatest Merle Haggard performance he ever gave, but he gave all he had, sang his famous songs and walked off stage, as he did, without an encore. The audience, myself included, felt grateful to be seeing something that we all knew we probably wouldn't be seeing many more times. Nobody there knew the end would be coming so damn fast.

RIP Merle Haggard. There's a big hole in my heart and a gaping chasm in the chest of country music today."

Entered at Thu Apr 7 05:32:20 CEST 2016 from (71.234.142.242)

haso

Subject: Merle

Thanks for that link, John D. A nice valedictory by the guy himself w/ a little Mickey Rafael and Mr. Ray Benson thrown in. Hope they spread Merle's ashes around Montana somewhere. (At least when it's John Prine's turn, he's already asked them to go in the Green River; presumably Kentucky, not the Colorado/Utah version.)

Yeah, back in the day, when Okie 1st came out, and certainly the way it was presented, I found it bit too redneck. At the time I always thought Charlie Daniel's "Long-haired Country Boy" was a good response to it. This afternoon, on some NPR appreciation of Merle, I guess he told Terri Gross a while ago that Okie was always meant as, how'd you put it, Peter, a "deliberate piss-take". Evidently, as Nashville often does, they twisted it to make it the ultimate anti-hippie tune, regardless of how he lived his own life or his point-of-view.

I'd say, Yea for more "outlaws". It's funny, however, the last I knew Daniel's went pretty far into the evangelical camp; I don't believe he ever plays L-HCB any more. Such is the life, I guess.

Entered at Thu Apr 7 05:24:27 CEST 2016 from (67.87.217.13)

Jeff A.

Subject: New Act Titled Levon

Check this out. Apparently there is a new act titled Levon, The last act on the flyer..... Unless there is some very strong connection, some one or some act is rather peculiar. Even then.............. I don't want to commit to more of a thought than that till i know more. But, trying to be generous now, I'd like to think unless there is legitimacy, Allman ( the curator, oh how i hate that word) would not include the act.

Entered at Thu Apr 7 02:29:31 CEST 2016 from (108.30.208.242)

Jed

Or did this person calling himself wallsend take another swipe at Levon Helm in his last post,hidden not so covertly among his many other gems that hit Levon.If I misread or misunderstood his last post,my deepest apologies for saying he is a nasty prick who seems to continue to get a free pass for knocking Levon on THE BAND website.Please,can someone here tell me I misunderstood so I can confirm my apology or strengthen my statements about this idiot.Thanks for the assistance!

Entered at Thu Apr 7 00:19:04 CEST 2016 from (114.75.72.115)

Wallsend

Jeff, you are possible right. It seems odd. However, the information is repeated on this website.

Entered at Wed Apr 6 23:31:00 CEST 2016 from (67.87.217.13)

Jeff A.

Entered at Wed Apr 6 22:43:31 CEST 2016 from (114.75.72.115)

Wallsend

Entered at Wed Apr 6 22:10:31 CEST 2016 from (99.244.8.134)

John D

Subject: Merle Haggard

A TRUE Legend R.I.P.

Entered at Wed Apr 6 21:06:57 CEST 2016 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Entered at Wed Apr 6 20:46:24 CEST 2016 from (98.110.36.106)

Ben

Subject: Merle Haggard

Merle Haggard was a great songwriter and performer. He will be missed.

bassmanlee, I always thought that 'Okie from Muskogee' was meant as a joke and didn't represent Haggard's political views.

Entered at Wed Apr 6 20:40:00 CEST 2016 from (156.47.15.10)

David P

Subject: Merle

Merle later changed his view about marijuana, as he mellowed with age. He even shared a joint with Willie Nelson for the video of their duet "It's All Going To Pot."

Link to another video of Merle & his band performing "Working Man's Blues," with one of the finest Tele solos you'll ever hear by Roy Nichols. Merle himself also turns in a good'un on his Tele.

Entered at Wed Apr 6 20:37:11 CEST 2016 from (108.30.208.242)

JED

A significant loss.RIP Merle.

Entered at Wed Apr 6 20:26:55 CEST 2016 from (96.245.114.250)

bassmanlee

While never a huge fan, another good one gone. Merle's anti-hippie, anti-pot stance of 'Okie From Muskogee' kind of turned me off for a while. (Ironic that he hung out with pot icon Willie Nelson!) I didn't really appreciate a lot of Country music until getting out of college, around 1979, playing in what was then called a Country Rock band. (What we played was radical then, but would now be considered too corny for "Modern Country". Hell, we had a pedal steel player.) It was in that period that I was introduced to Merle and Hank Jr., George Jones and many more great country artists. It sometimes seems the older we get the older the music is that we appreciate.

So, thanks, Merle! Say 'hey' to Johnny for me, will ya?

Entered at Wed Apr 6 19:58:04 CEST 2016 from (67.87.217.13)

Jeff A.

Entered at Wed Apr 6 19:30:24 CEST 2016 from (156.47.15.10)

David P

As I've mentioned here before, I first became a fan of Bruce Springsteen & the E-Street Band when I saw them open for NRBQ in Atlanta at a club called Richard's. At the time I was a hardcore NRBQ fan, but really wasn't aware of Springsteen at all. I was blown away by their high-energy set and came away thinking that Bruce & his band sounded like a combination of Van Morrison and Dylan, with a little bit of Jersey swagger.

Entered at Wed Apr 6 18:08:23 CEST 2016 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Entered at Wed Apr 6 17:05:38 CEST 2016 from (203.160.29.153)

Fred

Entered at Wed Apr 6 15:52:53 CEST 2016 from (77.102.201.158)

Al Edge

Wow - he's some journo isn't he Pete? And as you say that must have been a special gig!!!

Williams's favourite Bruce song - or should I say the one he believes to be Brucie's finest moment - also happens to be mine too. I have posted about it before.

See if you can guess it Pete [no googling allowed]? You too Bob F? And Bob W and Charlie Y too I guess if you happen to be popping by and are bored completely shitless!!!

:-0)

Entered at Wed Apr 6 15:47:41 CEST 2016 from (70.193.164.219)

David P

The royalties for Paul Anka are flowing again as the Antenna network is broadcasting full episodes of The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson in syndication.

Entered at Wed Apr 6 15:34:03 CEST 2016 from (92.110.11.58)

Vita

Thanks Peter V. and Jeff A! I live in Rotterdam so I certainly will try to get a stall there. I also contacted a guy my mom was buying her records from. I'm making a huge excel sheet with all the cd's, records, boxes and posters. So when I'm done, i'll let you know.

Entered at Wed Apr 6 15:24:14 CEST 2016 from (68.171.246.16)

Bill M

Entered at Wed Apr 6 14:38:32 CEST 2016 from (67.87.217.13)

Jeff A.

Entered at Wed Apr 6 14:07:05 CEST 2016 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Entered at Wed Apr 6 14:02:17 CEST 2016 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

The History of Rock magazine just reached 1973. These are articles from Melody Maker and New Musical Express at the time. The two record reviews that leapt out, both proclaiming major albums by major new artists were both written by Richard Williams. The albums are Catch-A-Fire by The Wailers and Greetings from Asbury Park by Bruce Springsteen.

RICHARD WILLIAMS: “I hope he (Bruce) never loses that headlong madness which gives his work such headlong excitement. For a debut, this is staggeringly good, and whatever happens next in music, I have a strong suspicion that Bruce Springsteen will be a big part of it. He may even be it.” (Melody Maker, 31st March 1973)

On the next page they review Bruce Springsteen, Max’s Kansas City, 11 August 1973. Support band? The Wailers. What a gig to have seen!

Entered at Wed Apr 6 03:36:52 CEST 2016 from (24.69.0.104)

BONK

Was there ever a time when 3 or 4 buddies got together and wrote and played some bad ass tunes and didn't get fucked???

Entered at Wed Apr 6 03:00:14 CEST 2016 from (67.87.217.13)

Jeff A.

But then on High Price of Love, on High On The Hog, you have composer listing: The Band, Jules Shear, Stan Szelest. Apparently, The Band guys splitting a third so many ways....

On Jubilation, you have some songs where the same practice occurred- The Band sharing a third cowrite, oddly twice in cases where Levon is listed as one of the other two writers,,,There must be an error..Then there are other songs with three or four writers, some or all being Band members .

All this said, it's all an accounting nightmare.

Entered at Wed Apr 6 02:00:31 CEST 2016 from (24.114.72.221)

Kevin J

Entered at Wed Apr 6 01:29:50 CEST 2016 from (68.171.246.147)

Bill M

Entered at Wed Apr 6 01:17:27 CEST 2016 from (67.87.217.13)

Jeff A.

Entered at Wed Apr 6 00:42:37 CEST 2016 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Entered at Tue Apr 5 23:20:40 CEST 2016 from (67.87.217.13)

Jeff A.

Entered at Tue Apr 5 23:07:35 CEST 2016 from (24.114.72.221)

Kevin J

"At the time it wasn't fair that a songwriter was the low man on the totem pole" - Robbie Robertson, The Last Waltz

Small Town Talk actually describes Levon calling for a huddle with Jules Shear after they had run through one of many songs he had with him and Levon proposing that the songwriting on the Shear songs go 1/7 to Shear and 6/7 to The Band........The Shear camp said no and only one song made it on the album.

A number of songwriters in LA and Quebec have what they call "Celine Mansions"...........Such was the staggering sales success of Celine Dion that a song on one of her albums could help set you up for life. Her late manager/husband René Angélil got quite cheeky as well for a time demanding young songwriters agree to give up 50%. He was so ridiculed in the Quebec press for this that as far as I know, the matter was dropped..........It does beg the question though, is giving 50% worth it in a case where the return is an automatic multi-million dollar payout ? Rockers out there may remember a guy who had a few hits on fm radio in the early 80's named Aldo Nova...........I did see his "Celine Condo" and it was a beauty !

Entered at Tue Apr 5 22:14:11 CEST 2016 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Entered at Tue Apr 5 21:00:18 CEST 2016 from (96.245.114.250)

bassmanlee

Subject: Levon & The Weight

A colleague left me a note and said, "Hope you can read my chicken scratch." Of course, I associated this with Turkey Scratch and spent the day letting UTube provide the soundtrack, lots of Levon, Paul Butterfield, Ricky and more. There's a lot out there! I kind of lost touch over the RCO years, so those were a treat.

Also never saw THIS particular version of the Weight. To be a fly on that green room wall...

Entered at Tue Apr 5 20:27:57 CEST 2016 from (69.112.112.38)

Bob F

Subject: Elvis

I've always wondered how the the Colonel decided who to bully for the publishing. I'm sure Dylan, Paul Simon, Neil Diamond and other big name songwriters didn't give it up. Yet, Elvis still recorded their songs. Dolly Parton was already a star so you can't say it was just the unknown writers he targeted. The Elvis story will always intrigue because it's loaded with mystery's. Elvis did a great great version of Bridge Over Troubled Water. Linked.

Entered at Tue Apr 5 20:13:52 CEST 2016 from (69.112.112.38)

Bob F

Subject: Jules

I thought Jules Shear came off a little cold in the book. I remember going to see him perform after Rick passed and he told stories about working in a cabin out in the woods with Rick on songs. It sounded like really warm beautiful memories when he told the stories.

If anyone isn't familiar with Jules other then the hits he wrote for other people, check out the cd 'Between Us'. A record of duets with folks like Ron Sexsmith, Freedy Johnson, the great Roseanne Cash, Susan Cowsill and Patty Griffin. It's really a beautiful record. Linked is the duet with Patty Griffin. He's made really good records his entire career starting with Jules And The Polar Bears.

Entered at Tue Apr 5 19:29:41 CEST 2016 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Ah, memories. I Will Always Love You was one of a pair of songs, the other being Olivia Newton-John’s I Honestly Love you … yes, they are very similar in style. Must have been 1975. I was teaching English, and a much older colleague was an amateur classical composer. As I had the keys to the small spoken voice recording studio, thus access to two Revoxes and four AKG mics, he persuaded me to spend two evenings recording an amateur orchestra on a symphony he’d written. Then he told me he was giving singing lessons to an Iranian girl who was studying with us. She wanted a demo tape, and I recorded her doing those two songs, with just my colleague on grand piano. We spent a whole Sunday – she was terrified of letting her accent slip in, though I thought it gave the recording charm. It was done on the stage where we did theatre shows, which was marble, weirdly – the room gave the piano too much cutting edge in fact, which was great when we used it with a rock band, but very difficult with the hall empty and no specific piano mic. I remember hours just trying to cut the bounce with curtains. Such far off days, and how life must have changed. She was hoping to be a pop singer in Iran. That all became so impossible just a couple of years later. I always wish I’d kept copies of the songs and indeed of the symphony, recorded in the same space … but that was far easier because there was an audience to soak up the sound, and basically you find the right position for two mics the first night , and just let it roll the second. No other choice.

Entered at Tue Apr 5 18:51:24 CEST 2016 from (156.47.15.10)

David P

Dolly Parton also refused to give up publishing when Elvis wanted to record "I Will Always Love You." A very wise decision as Ms. Parton's version reached #1 two different times and Whitney Houston's cover has sold millions.

Entered at Tue Apr 5 14:53:50 CEST 2016 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

I finally finished it. It’s been a long slow haul (the ongoing magazines took my attention every time). I’d rate it as well-researched, but as a “read” it loses page turning due to the diversity of the people covered. I wasn’t much interested in the chapter on Todd Rungdren’s Utopia for example, but it was like that from the beginning, too many names, too many artists I didn’t know. It might be that far from being “Americana Central” Woodstock’s music scene is too diverse. Books on other power centres like Memphis, New Orleans, Detroit, Nashville and San Francisco may benefit from a clearer (Name the City) Sound. The footnotes really irritated me … he relegates Rick’s 1977 solo album to a footnote, and mentions none of the later Rick solo albums, nor Levon’s albums between RCO All Stars and Dirt Farmer. Nor Electric Dirt. Nor A Sea To The North.

On “gossip” I don’t think much if anything was new except Geoff Muldaur (as told by Maria).

One little new bit which took my attention was Jules Shear. We all know about those Jules Shears demos. He says Levon took him on one side and told him everything was split equally among the six Band members, so as the songwriter he would get a one seventh share of song royalties. Shears’ manager told them “where to stick” the offer. This might shine a light (no pun intended) on why the Bruce Hornsby songs they demoed never came out. They had a problem finding material for the last two 90s albums. Few refused Elvis’s “take” of 50% on song publishing … though it was the reason Leiber & Stoller stopped submitting songs to Elvis, and Jerry Reed was a simple “no” and Elvis insisted on recording the songs anyway. But losing 85% of songwriting to the artist would be a step too far for almost anyone. They might just discuss it with Elvis or Madonna … but The Band in the 90s? 14.2% of the songwriting was not going to be significant.

Entered at Tue Apr 5 09:54:09 CEST 2016 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Here it's first week in May, but I see amazon are offering it with an instant download, so I'll order it. It shows how record labels are crap. Last weekend was the Olivier Awards for theatre here, and Cyndi got best new musical for "Kinky Boots" (which I have not yet seen). She sang at the awards ceremony. Her face is on my BBC News Ap on iPlayer … if I were issuing the record, I think I'd say, 'Hey … we could capitalise on this exposure …" Or we could wait a month till everyone has forgotten.

Entered at Tue Apr 5 01:26:31 CEST 2016 from (63.142.158.9)

JQ

PV - The Cyndi Lauper record is out here. I like it, she seems to move easily into the genre. But there's not much new material or in its performance and, as you say, the usual suspects are on it with her -

Entered at Mon Apr 4 23:56:56 CEST 2016 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Subject: I'm Gonna Be Strong / Heartaches by the Number

Another great Gene Pitney song … covered memorably by Blue Angel, i.e. Cyndi Lauper, who went on to do a later version under her own name.

She comes to mind after reading a small note in "Mojo" - in May Cyndi Lauper has a C&W / Rockabilly album out, "Detour" including duets with Willie Nelson and the other usual suspects.

LINK is to "Heartaches By The Number" from "Detour".

Entered at Mon Apr 4 21:29:39 CEST 2016 from (156.47.15.10)

David P

Several years ago my friend & I were playing a regular gig at a Mexican cantina/micro-brewery. An older guy kept requesting "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance," which was not part of our extensive repertoire. However, during a break we worked out a little bit of the song and played a verse during the next set. Later, while we were still playing in the close confines of the bar, the old guy stuck a couple bills in my shirt pocket as he was leaving. I figured it was maybe $5 or $10, but when we took a break I was surprised to find two $100 bills.

Entered at Mon Apr 4 21:24:18 CEST 2016 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Town Without Pity

Good stuff yer talkin about. The song and the story of "Town Without Pity", is a little higher class.

Entered at Mon Apr 4 21:18:59 CEST 2016 from (131.137.34.214)

sadavid

Subject: a load of FANY

Due to the importance of "The Weight" in the oeuvre, we've discussed the word 'fanny' before . . . .

The linked _Globe and Mail_ obit introduced me to the initialism / acronym FANY, for the wartime First Aid Nursing Yeomanry. I'd have to conclude that this was one of those titles cooked up to fit the acronym, and it makes you wonder about the tenor of the times. Did they get away with this because an existential threat made conventional morality seem petty? Or was 'fanny' considered less vulgar (or was it less well known) then?

Entered at Mon Apr 4 21:05:43 CEST 2016 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Subject: The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance

One of my earliest purchases. It was a major hit (LINKED), but in fact does not appear in the film. I went to see the film because of the song too and was most annoyed. It is rumoured that John Ford thought it was crap. It got to US number 4. The thing about the film was that it was unbelievable that John Wayne, heavily corseted, stood a chance against Lee Marvin. James Stewart was good, obviously.

Entered at Mon Apr 4 20:58:06 CEST 2016 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Subject: Gene Pitney

For Gene Pitney versus Bob Dylan, read Marianne Faithful … Gene was preferred. Yes, a truly great version. The other day I found "Something's Gotten Hold of My Heart" by David & Jonathan (LINKED) which I assumed was a Gene Pitney cover, but no, it's the original version, and Gene is the cover version. A great Cook-Greenaway song.

Entered at Mon Apr 4 19:42:15 CEST 2016 from (156.47.15.10)

David P

Burt Bacharach and Hal David, who wrote "24 Hours From Tulas," also composed Gene Pintney's earlier hit "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance." Years later Waylon Jennings recorded the song "(Don't Let The Sun Set On You In) Tulsa," which was written by Wayne Carson Thompson. Mr. Thompson had a string of hits for the Box Tops -- "The Letter," "Neon Rainbow," and "Soul Deep," as well as many songs recorded by various artists.

Entered at Mon Apr 4 16:13:53 CEST 2016 from (69.112.112.38)

Bob F

Subject: 24 Hours From Tulsa

24 Hours From Tulsa is another one of those great songs with more then one classic version. I've always favored Gene Pitney's version but Dusty and Ian and Sylvia also did a wonderful job. What a song!

Entered at Mon Apr 4 15:09:57 CEST 2016 from (131.137.34.214)

sadavid

Subject: The Queen of Soul

Excellent _New Yorker_ feature on Aretha Franklin, including teasers about her Great Lost Concert Movie . . . quotes from Billy Preston, Barack Obama . . . .

Entered at Mon Apr 4 13:10:39 CEST 2016 from (70.193.141.158)

David P

Jeff: Chad Kassem's Acoustic Sounds business also operates Quality Record Pressing, which has increased producion recently after aquiring & refurbishing vintage record presses.

Entered at Mon Apr 4 04:14:59 CEST 2016 from (74.12.49.120)

Bill M

Subject: another secret Torontonian who took the entertainment world by storm

Hammy Hamster! Who knew?

Note that Hammy was never allowed near a live mike, as far as I know.

Entered at Mon Apr 4 03:33:50 CEST 2016 from (74.12.49.120)

Bill M

Entered at Mon Apr 4 03:29:47 CEST 2016 from (203.10.111.130)

Doug

Subject: Last Waltz Revisited Sydney Opera House

The link is a review of a concert at the Sydney Opera House last weekend. The leads were a mixture of various well known local artists. Some were better than others, but all were obviously enjoying themselves. The backing band was from a long running TV rock quiz show, and were excellent. Vika and Linda Bull provided back up, and occasionally lead, vocals and there was a 5 piece horn section. The kept mainly to the songs from the movie soundtrack, but also added Rag Mama Rag and King Harvest. I went with my daughter, not a big fan, and she is still talking to me. So it must have been alright. As the review says, the highlight was an excellent TNTDODD.

Entered at Mon Apr 4 01:44:06 CEST 2016 from (173.3.50.81)

Jeff A.

Anyway, it was 2000 or 2001, maybe even 2002. He was already struggling hard......... i thought he had eventually gone under, so seeing the label name now made me google, and it looks like that the label has merged with or been absorbed by APO. Analogue Productions Originals. Blue Heaven Studios. Acoustic Sounds. That label & great studio in Salina, Kansas. There's certainly some strong relationship.And the name Audioquest now seems to involve cables etc, as well as recordings. Under one roof.

Entered at Sun Apr 3 17:11:20 CEST 2016 from (173.3.50.81)

Jeff A.

Entered at Sun Apr 3 16:52:39 CEST 2016 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

It's easy to research prices with RECORD COLLECTOR RARE RECORD GUIDE 2016, or by looking at DISCOGS online and seeing want they're selling for. eBay is no guide.

Then remember Rare Record Guide puts MINT prices, which means "as new", "looks and sounds new," Then the price drops for Naer Mint, then for Excellent, then for Very Good. "Good" means pretty bad.

If you have a lot of Band related items, make a list and post here that you have a list. Note you'll need mailers, and postage and a way of getting money. Paypal is easiest.

At recent fairs, old music magazines sell surprisingly well, as do rock music books. For example, New Musical Express will go for £7 or £8 a copy, but at £25 to £30 if the artist on the cover is The Beatles or similar.

Another point is that often Dutch 45s came in picture sleeves, while the British and American releases came in generic company sleeves. It is impossible to set a price for these (Rare Record Guide will be British releases), but some French and Dutch releases go for high prices because of the picture sleeves. For example, the Dutch copy of "If You Gotta Go, Go Now" from Holland is much sought after. I just looked and one went for £67 in 2005.

Entered at Sun Apr 3 16:39:00 CEST 2016 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

The Royal Albert Hall was odd with Natalie Merchant. We went on line, and there were only a dozen seats left - back row of highest gallery, at the side of the stage. £30. There were notices saying they were streaming the show (I didn't see cameras at all so they must have been fixed / remote controlled). Anyway, we went in early and were given new tickets (free) and directed downstairs to fill a small section of £95 seats - as were the people next to us. They also said only a dozen seats were left when they booked. But in fact the upper gallery was two thirds empty on the night. Plus they didn't fill quite all the seats in the block we were moved to. They said something about filming and presumably didn't want a hole in the audience … I suspect a ticket agency had grabbed a block and didn't sell it out.

Entered at Sun Apr 3 16:23:16 CEST 2016 from (173.3.50.81)

Jeff A.

My condolences on the passing of your mother Vita. I recall that there was a very nice woman from your area that posted sometimes. If i'm not mistaken she posted about some social & historical issues as well as about The Band.

You came to the right place to sell some musical items. And maybe even to get top dollar. I don't recall who the sucker was,but i remember someone here paying 400 bucks per ticket to see The Eagles. Not even said to be GREAT seats. Just tickets.

Now me, years ago, when i couldn't get great seats on my own, I'd pay top dollar to sit within the first 10 or so rows. Back in the 80s & early 90s,there was several times that I paid 100 to 125 a ticket for a pair to The Dead. 6th row, 7th row dead center, like that.And was thrilled I did.Me, if i'm going to a hall or arena, I gotta have good seats or I'm just not happy. I need to hear, & to see real well. Superior sound & vision adds a huge dimension at a performance. I recall in 1994 I got a pretty damn good pair of tickets to see The Eagles at The Meadowlands ( Giant Stadium) for 70 bucks a seat. About 20th - 25th row center. Only reason I went was my girlfriend at the time loved em. She was Israeli, & the Eagles are huge over there. She had never seen them live, so for her, it was a real big deal. Almost like getting engaged. Silly girls sure get goofy over those Eagles.

Entered at Sun Apr 3 10:02:47 CEST 2016 from (92.110.11.58)

Vita

Hi there! My mom was a huge, huge Band fan. Sadly she died a few years ago. I kept all her music, records, CD's, Boxes, articles for a few years now. Lately I made an selection of things I want to keep myself and other things I need to sell. (as she said, you can use the money of the records for your studies after I die).

Could some of you maybe tell me what is a good website to sell these things? I found out that eBay is a bit difficult as I only can post things on the Dutch eBay. Hopefully someone can help me. I know my mom used the guestbook often. As it is forbidden to promote here, please contact me trough: bakker.vita@gmail.com. Thanks a lot!

Entered at Sat Apr 2 18:18:36 CEST 2016 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Oh! is it over?????

Al!..........OH AL!!!!! Leave them gawd damn drugs alone. Gawd that guy keeps fucking up.......makes this place like, "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest".

Entered at Sat Apr 2 18:17:50 CEST 2016 from (24.114.72.221)

Kevin J

Entered at Sat Apr 2 17:31:08 CEST 2016 from (77.102.201.158)

Al Edge

Oh that I had one.

You mention life passing so quickly Kev - oh that I could recall any of it.

:-0)

Just looked back to last years posts as I suddenly had the recollection that I'd heard the Syria Mosque show or something akin to its perfection sometime previously.

And Lo and Behold there it was - over a year ago - I'd posted and enthused just as rapturously about that same Syria Mosque show as I did just last week!

And then it all came flooding back as I read around it - most strikingly the wonderful Pat B insights regarding Garth's [not Richard's] amazing piano playing.

Hopefully it's merely an isolated memory lapse.

Now where am I!!!

:-0)

Entered at Sat Apr 2 07:49:57 CEST 2016 from (24.114.72.221)

Kevin J

.......I can still recall vividly seeing a picture of Keith Richards and others in the group from around this period - 1981 - and thinking "oh, my Lord - the Stones are old old men" .....and now they look so young........my oh my, life is going by so fast.......time to fly off somewhere and just live life....

Entered at Sat Apr 2 06:56:09 CEST 2016 from (67.84.78.178)

Jeff A.

Subject: Morris Levy Interview. Love it.

The sounds of my youth.

This is a gem. Both for content, the attitude & psychology of the content, & the sound. Neighborhood, borough, regional accents change over time but today , the rare person still grows up here sounding like that. Morris was from Da Bronx.... but you could also just say he had a typical NYC accent. One of many typical NYC accents.

While the numbers lessen, there still are a whole lot of people alive here that sound just like that. And it's those sounds, and also the numerous different typical approaches to everything here that make me laugh, smile, and walk around happy as a clam to be in NYC.

And of course, there's always been a whole lot of people here that sound & behave just as colorfully though neither they or their associates were ever offered the opportunity to enter the Witness Protection Program

Entered at Sat Apr 2 05:26:38 CEST 2016 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Rolling Stones Meet Muddy Waters - Nov 22/1981

Don't know how many of you have seen this bit of video. Really cool to see how some guys who hit the big time BIG! pay their respects to the pioneers of Chicago Blues.

The Stones hit town to play a 3 night gig. First thing they did was get down to a lounge to see Muddy waters play. A very young looking band of Stones pay their respects "great".

Entered at Sat Apr 2 03:41:11 CEST 2016 from (67.84.78.178)

Jeff A.

Entered at Fri Apr 1 20:04:39 CEST 2016 from (58.104.7.118)

Wallsend

Quite an interesting article about Garth.

Entered at Fri Apr 1 19:50:14 CEST 2016 from (108.30.208.242)

Jed

Thanks Jeff. A for link-enjoying a lot a lot & yes,incredible what they do live with these songs.Also,the Hoskyn's book is clearly a patchwork job of so many sources with some new info(for me) here & there but fun reading.Since I've been in Woodstock,on & off,during many of the years reviewed in the book, I am nonetheless learning what is often missed when right under your nose!

Entered at Fri Apr 1 19:37:51 CEST 2016 from (68.171.246.29)

Bill M

Entered at Fri Apr 1 16:25:40 CEST 2016 from (67.84.78.178)

Jeff A.

Subject: Way Back Home

Stuff was one of the great bands of our times. This version of Wilton Felder's classic, that was a staple of theirs, includes original Stuffies Gadd, Cornell Dupree, and Richard Tee.

Entered at Fri Apr 1 15:57:43 CEST 2016 from (83.249.161.239)

NorthWestCoaster

Subject: Not going to the road

On a serious side. - This link is to cheer up ROCKIN CHAIR who has sounded a bit sad lately. I feel with you about not going to the road. This is what is left about the school-boy band (not much) and what it has developed to (a whole lot of more!). I counted two original members in the background. The lady singer comes from Zambia, Africa, where the band leader lived for several years.

Entered at Fri Apr 1 15:17:12 CEST 2016 from (70.193.141.158)

David P

Subject: Reference Recordings

The late Harry Pearson, who founded THE ABSOLUTE SOUND magazine, compiled a list of audiophile quality LPs. In reviewing stereo equipment he would use these as reference points in assessing the capabilites of the components.

Entered at Fri Apr 1 12:37:16 CEST 2016 from (83.249.161.239)

NorthWestCoaster

Subject: Post TLW / The Secret Album

I share WALLSEND's interest in Mr. Robertson's life and music after TLW.

BTW Wallsend. This person has now posted so long that we may share our gb secret. He defended me and received a lot of s**t because of that - yet another reason.

1.) Wallsend, go to http://theband.hiof.no/articles/the_road_from_turkey_scratch.html (even linked) and read it. 2.) Take a walk and sing "The Weight" for seven times. Backwards. 3.) Come back and throw salt over your shoulder for seven times. 4.) Click on the Big Pink in the upper left side of this site for seven times. - Then, after seven days a pop-up will appear on your screen which says where to download this album, "The Most Secret Album Of The History Of Rock".

(In memory of Mr. Lennart Persson, a rock music critic who lived here in Scania and passed away in 2009.)

Entered at Fri Apr 1 10:10:57 CEST 2016 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

In the absence of a Jan speciality for the day you can always read my post for this day for the fourth year running. Linked.

Entered at Fri Apr 1 06:35:06 CEST 2016 from (173.3.51.207)

Jeff A.

Entered at Fri Apr 1 03:43:27 CEST 2016 from (173.3.51.207)

Jeff A.

Subject: The Pending Collapse of iHeart Radio- the biggest radio conglomerate

Apparently just a question of when. A Leveraged buyout seems to be the beginning of the end for iHeart radio, And morally fraudulent business practices allowed the company to get further into debt while execs and SOME employees were living and operating like sailors on liberty. Another case of piracy and then collapse.And leaving a once formidable and socially & culturally valuable industry empty & broken.

Entered at Fri Apr 1 03:36:06 CEST 2016 from (173.3.51.207)

Jeff A.

Subject: Let It Bleed

Just for fun, why not read that linked article.

Entered at Fri Apr 1 00:16:10 CEST 2016 from (77.102.201.158)

Al Edge

Subject: Syria Mosque - full concert

I know we had the video of 4 or 5 songs from that concert. Not sure if we've ever had a post of this audio You Tube of the entire concert. If so then I must have missed it

Whatever I'm posting it anyroad and I have to say it is unreal.

Absolutely astonishing.

How could a band recreate live the level of musical intricacy that graced their songs to such perfection such that 90% of it is nigh indistinguishable from the record.

Truly unreal. Somehow at this stage in their career they had reached an individual and collective performance level that was actually impossible to achieve. Yet there it is.

:-0)

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