The Band Guestbook, December 2015

Entered at Thu Dec 31 20:01:37 CET 2015 from (156.47.15.10)

David P

Daryl Hall & John Oates previously recorded "Christmas Must Be Tonight" on their "Home for Christmas" album in 2006. Mr. Hall also performed the song with Shelby Lynne on his Live at Daryl's House broadcast program.

Entered at Thu Dec 31 19:43:52 CET 2015 from (100.2.21.114)

Joan

Entered at Thu Dec 31 19:19:29 CET 2015 from (66.55.188.178)

JT

Subject: The Cutting Age 18 cds: 2016 Happy New Year

Sitting listening on headphones to pieces of the 18 cds. What a gift to those of us who care about how these 3 albums happened. A glimpse into the reality of the making of masterpieces. It should be done in small pieces. I love the use of the word 'stentorian' by the producer. You won't hear that on too many recordings. Happy New Year to all!

Entered at Thu Dec 31 19:12:45 CET 2015 from (161.185.161.93)

Ray

Entered at Thu Dec 31 18:58:41 CET 2015 from (83.249.161.239)

NorthWestCoaster

Hap(py),to someone - Ne(w),to someone - Ye(ar), to someone!

Entered at Thu Dec 31 18:47:13 CET 2015 from (63.142.158.9)

JQ

For anyone interested TCM is showing all the Marx Brothers' movies all day today!

Entered at Thu Dec 31 18:32:53 CET 2015 from (83.249.161.239)

NorthWestCoaster

Subject: Happy New Year!

Onnellista Uutta Vuotta 2016!

Entered at Thu Dec 31 18:19:55 CET 2015 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Subject: The Force Awakens

For anyone interested link to my review of the new "Star Wars" film.

Entered at Thu Dec 31 16:03:44 CET 2015 from (203.160.29.153)

Fred

Happy New Year....may it be more fun than a barrel of monkeys. : )

Entered at Wed Dec 30 23:47:22 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Daryl Hall & Jose Feliciano - Christmas must be Tonight

I was just about to delete the BAND Christmas song, cleaning up my Face Book page. I noticed this on the side bar.

Don't know who all may have heard this. Some may not like it as they didn't get all the lyrics right and it's revved up a little. I would say the way they play they seems to show a great respect for the BAND, and the great song that this is. Of course Darly & Jose's singing is great.

Entered at Wed Dec 30 21:13:51 CET 2015 from (100.2.21.114)

Joan

Entered at Wed Dec 30 15:38:31 CET 2015 from (66.55.188.178)

JT

Subject: Not even a triangle

I did some research after my previous post. It was called The Seashore test, developed by Carl Seashore. It measured musical talent. Clearly, I didn't have enough to play even a triangle.

Entered at Wed Dec 30 15:32:14 CET 2015 from (66.55.188.178)

JT

Subject: Not in the band

Norm: Your mention of Recorders at school reminded me of how I came NOT to play an instrument in Band class but rather was relegated to choir. I did that stupid test that was supposed to discriminate between those that had aptitude to play an instrument and those who probably didn't. The test had a funny name. Needless to say, I didn't make it and ended up in choir. To spite them, I picked up a guitar and self-taught chords as so many of my friends did. But I'm still angry to this day that I didn't end up in the school band.

Entered at Wed Dec 30 13:31:30 CET 2015 from (184.145.67.135)

Mike Nomad

Thanks for that, Ian.

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Al Edge

Wow. Wasn't expecting that. Not seen it before. What a surprise late Christmas gift that is.

Huge thanks Ian lad.

Wonderful.

:-0)

Entered at Wed Dec 30 11:35:02 CET 2015 from (82.18.230.252)

Ian W

Subject: Rick Danko

The link is self-explanatory:

http://www.glidemagazine.com/video/happy-birthday-rick-danko-band-watch-perform-sip-wine-debut-solo-album-1978/

Entered at Wed Dec 30 10:56:02 CET 2015 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Entered at Wed Dec 30 06:47:36 CET 2015 from (71.11.132.80)

Ben Pike

Subject: Carly Simon

I believe Carly Simon has the "Baby Let Me Follow You Down" tape and has given it to friends as a gift. Should show up on Youtube one of these days. Hope it is more interesting than the Tiny Tim sessions I had to sit through "You Are What You Eat" to hear. In case somebody doesn't know, Robbie later took a rather tepid guitar solo in the Carly Simon/James Taylor hit "Mockingbird" also featuring Dr. John.

Entered at Wed Dec 30 01:02:00 CET 2015 from (68.171.246.31)

Bill M

Entered at Tue Dec 29 20:35:22 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockiin Chair

Subject: School & Recorders

My old man worked jobs that caused us to move quite a bit when we were kids, however most my grade school, (elementary school it was called back then here.) Anyway it was in Cloverdale in the Fraser Valley. Not too far of a walk for me. I had a paper route that covered 8 miles. For a few years in the winter when I was 10 to 13 I froze my fingers to the bone.

Concerning music! we had to take music class. We also had to play those gawd damn recorders. When class finished we had to dip them in that disinfectant shit that even after rinsing with water still tasted gawd awful. I hate those things to this day.

I forget whether it was Ian or Al that said we call radio ariels, "antenna" out here. Well not in this neck of the woods. It has always been ariels. Only antenna for TV. On our boats they are still called ariel for our radio phones,gps and most everything but our radar which is called an antenna. Most of us have 2 or 3 VHF (VERY HIGH FREQUENCY) phones some have single side band, most of us have satellite phones. You may see boats with 10 or so ariels on them. Also some have big fiberglass round white domes as I have on the Rockin Chair which is a TV antenna that is powered so that as you travel it tracks the satellite so you can watch TV as you travel.

Entered at Tue Dec 29 20:26:53 CET 2015 from (100.2.21.114)

Joan

Entered at Tue Dec 29 20:04:16 CET 2015 from (83.249.161.239)

NorthWestCoaster

Subject: Norbert's Christmas story

Thanks Norbert. If I overlook the idea of cannibalism and mistreating an innocent animal in the very Holy Night it was a dear and sweet story.

Entered at Tue Dec 29 19:12:56 CET 2015 from (156.47.15.10)

David P

The Carly Simon recording session is mentioned in "This Wheel's On Fire." Before moving up to Woodstock, during the time of Levon's absence, Rick is quoted about the session:

"Before we left New York, we went into the studio with John Court, who was Albert Grossman's business partner. The company was called Groscourt Productions. They has this singer, Carly Simon, who they wanted to make into the female Bob Dylan. We cut a couple of things with Carly, like "Baby Let Me Follow You Down," but nothing came of it."

Entered at Tue Dec 29 18:49:05 CET 2015 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Ian – on Christmas past. In Bournemouth we also had the bus pass if you lived over three miles from the school. I recall I was a shade under three miles by bicycle but about 5 miles by bus. We certainly didn’t get money for cycling.

Anyway, nostalgia time. On Boxing Day 1962 it started snowing. Apparently it was the heaviest snow recorded in Britain, and snow lay round in yellow heaps (don’t eat the yellow snow …) until April. I recall walking three miles in heavy snow to buy the Kid Galahad EP by Elvis. But for me, I had the first three months of 1963 on the bus, which my parents would not normally have paid for (and it took much longer). Going to school on the regular bus was easy … half a mile walk to the bus stop in a different area then a circular route to school. Coming home was two changes of bus. But the joy was that the girls grammar school was on the same bus route. We actually got to socialize with girls on the bus! We established a social group that lasted a couple of years or more.

In Bournemouth most schools were single-sex (they still are), so it was a delight to meet the opposite sex. Until then, the only time when schools mixed were the concerts. Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra did regular schools concerts and we’d be bussed in for an afternoon of culture in the huge Winter Gardens, with Silvestri talking about the pieces they played. It was a brilliant opportunity to hear a full orchestra in fact. Afterwards we would be escorted to our double decker buses by teachers to return to school … I guess the town paid for the busses as well as the concerts. Anyway, we’d all race for the top deck where you’d be parked up next to a girls’ school bus. May I say that if we boys had done what the girls did on the parallel parked bus to “tease the lads”, we would have been arrested.

Entered at Tue Dec 29 18:26:35 CET 2015 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Subject: Roberts and Bobs

I carried over Johnson from the article… the spell checker changed one to Johnston, and I assumed it was wrong and turned it back to Johnson.

I didn't think Carly's Baby Let Me Follow You Down had ever emerged. I examined her 1996 box set "Clouds in My Coffee", hoping to find it, then Anthology in 2003. I'm by no means a Carly completist, so I may have missed it.

She's just released "Songs From The Trees" retrospective to accompany her book, and that goes back to the Simon Sisters (Winkin' Blinkin' and Nod) but still no sign of Baby Let Me Follow You Down. I have the Rolling Stone interview somewhere. I'm sure she said Dylan wrote a new custom verse for her.

Apparently, In September 2006, while dismantling the Bearsville recording studio, Sally Grossman found the tape (still in pristine condition) in the archive, and promptly sent it to Carly Simon.

There IS a little bit I just found from a BBC Radio interview. Start around 1m 20 s. She says she doesn't know who was singing with her, it might be Levon Helm, or Richie Havens or Richard Manuel or Rick Danko. She also says it was just "mixed a couple of months ago" (in 2012).

There's also another quote, which I have read before:

The tracks of her album had to be mixed, and that was the job of sound engineer (sic - actually producer) Bob Johnston. But Johnston held off - instead, dangling a quid pro quo: sex for sound-mixing. "If you're nice to me, I'll make you a nice record," he told Carly with casual impunity. "It was amazing to actually hear it coming out of somebody's mouth," Carly recalls. "I stood very calm, and said, 'I'm not that hungry.'" Johnston paid her back by refusing to mix the tracks and by bad-mouthing her to Grossman. "Whatever Bob said to Albert, I was shelved," she has said. "This was the end for me for a very long time. I was frozen."

Entered at Tue Dec 29 17:55:38 CET 2015 from (100.11.74.162)

PSB

Subject: Carly and that session

Peter, I'm surprised at you and in two posts yet. :) Bob Johnson is that blues singer everyone thinks was recorded at the wrong speed. Bob Johnston is the producer.

Clearly Carly's memory is a little skewed, but also remember there were quite a few keyboard players on Dylan sessions, one for piano and one for organ, not to mention Bob himself and would be keyboard player Al Kooper, so there was precedent.

While Robertson and Bloomfield were on the same session for John Hammond, I kind of doubt that would have happened for this and I'd be willing to be the session took place earlier and I'd have to go back and hear her version again to see if she was simply using the lyrics Dylan had already rewritten for the '66 tour.

Entered at Tue Dec 29 17:53:34 CET 2015 from (156.47.15.10)

David P

Carly Simon was also a friend and music collaborator with Libby Titus. Together they wrote "Can This Be My Love Affair," presumably about Levon, which was included on Ms. Titus' 1977 self-titled album.

Entered at Tue Dec 29 16:12:15 CET 2015 from (66.55.188.178)

JT

Subject: Norprose

Norbert: I'll join the others in congratulating you for 1) getting the molds 2) sharing them in chocolate and wax and 3) the superb prose that gave all of us the pleasure of reading your experience. Lovely!

Entered at Tue Dec 29 16:06:56 CET 2015 from (66.55.188.178)

JT

Subject: Blackie and the Rodeo Kings

BARK: Thanks Bill M for shining a light on one of the most important and talented group of musicians purveying 'our music' with care and love. Alone and together, Stephen Fearing, Colin Linden, and Tom Wilson (LeeHarveyOsmond now, Junkhouse once upon a time) are a study of excellence and relevance.

I'm in the warm Florida sun right now (having escaped Toronno just hours before the precipitation and wind)and reading your post was a breath of fresh air. The seven day forecast looks good, Bill.

Entered at Tue Dec 29 16:05:06 CET 2015 from (77.102.201.158)

Al Edge

Who gives a rat's arse?

We've got our very own Norb!!!

Wonder stuff. Danke!

:-0)

Entered at Tue Dec 29 15:30:58 CET 2015 from (74.203.77.122)

Jon Lyness

Subject: Elliott Landy

Interview with Elliott Landy on the release of his new book, and a couple wonderful Band photos you likely haven't seen before.

Entered at Tue Dec 29 11:58:29 CET 2015 from (69.112.112.38)

Bob F

Entered at Tue Dec 29 11:21:56 CET 2015 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Déjà vu is not just an album by CSNY …

We discussed all this before. At some point much later, Carly Simon reminisced about recording with “The Band … Robbie and Levon” but I’d guess that was wisdom decades after the event. She remembered that members of The Band were there. She knew Robbie from later work. She just assumed the session would have included Levon. Given the date, not so.

On the other hand, the list of those present seems unbalanced … three keyboard players. Paul Griffin was Bob Johnson’s pianist of choice, and a seasoned session man. Griffin later played the piano part on American Pie. Al Kooper was the organist from Like A Rolling Stone. Mike Bloomfield AND Robbie Robertson on guitar … both known as lead players then. So what was Richard Manuel doing there? Levon expressed surprise on his return a year later that Richard had blossomed as a drummer … but this session pre-dates the basement. I also can’t see Bob Johnson booking an unproven, untried drummer among such stellar company. But in the list, no drummer is mentioned. I can't believe that (say) Robbie and Rick would have said, 'Hey, let's fly Levon in from New Orleans or the West Coast" and again, given the date, that the expense would have been felt justified, or that Grossman would have agreed (given that Levon had jumped ship on the Dylan tour). Anyway, Levon would surely have mentioned it in his book. If they were going to fly anyone in, then Mickey Jones was already on a Dylan retainer. But he would have mentioned it. They were in NYC, great session drummers were not rare locally.

So why would they have had two piano players? Looking at his session work, in mid-1966, Paul Griffin would have been the producer's first choice. All I can imagine is that they wanted a male backing chorus, and Rick and Richard were the ones.

Entered at Tue Dec 29 10:28:24 CET 2015 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

From my "Unsubstantiated Sessions" article here:

Carly Simon was adopted as a protege by Albert Grossman who planned a debut album which would launch her as a ‘female Dylan’. Four tracks were produced by Bob Johnson in New York, including Baby let me follow you down with new lyrics by Carly Simon and Bob Dylan. Artists on the sessions were Robbie Robertson (later featured on her Mockingbird), Rick Danko, Richard Manuel, Mike Bloomfield, Paul Griffin and Al Kooper. She argued with Grossman and the album was scrapped. A 1981 Carly Simon interview in Rolling Stone mentioned discussing the tracks with Dylan ‘a week before the crash’ (which was on 29 July 1966). Sources such as The Rolling Stone Encylopedia of Rock ‘n’ Roll and the 1973 NME Book of Rock give the session date as September 1966. The Guinness Book of Rock Stars gave the date as September 1967 in its first edition. The emergence of a September 1967 demo by The Band (Orange Juice Blues) on Across The Great Divide make the later date seem possible.

Here's an excerpt from the 1971/02/04 Rolling Stone, under the heading "Carly Simon Rides Again":

QUOTE: "In the fall of 1966 Carly Simon cut a single for Albert Grossman / John Court and Columbia records. Robbie Robertson led a group of studio musicians including Al Kooper, Mike Bloomfield, Rick Danko, Richard Manuel and Paul Griffin, backing her in a version of Eric Von Schmidt's 'Baby Let Me Follow You Down', the lyrics of which were re-written for her by Bob Dylan. [...] For reasons having mainly to do with personality clashes, Carly's debut was never released. It's difficult to say whether that was unfortunate or not."

A September 1966 date (or any 1966 date) would mean Levon was not present, at least according to everything we know.

Entered at Tue Dec 29 10:22:05 CET 2015 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Entered at Tue Dec 29 06:07:22 CET 2015 from (68.171.246.9)

Bill M

Fans of Blackie and the Rodeo Kings might be interested in a table card I dragged home from a visit to Albert's Hall in the early '80s. Playing July 25-30 was Willie P Bennett backed by the Colin Linden Band. "Willie P or Northern Willie, as he is known in the US, has been internationally recognized as a gifted songwriter. Catch him delivering those songs with the intensity and sincerity that only the man who penned them can!"

Speaking of Colin Linden, here are some bits from a March '81 clipping I found in the same box: "yesterday saw the release of 'colin Linden Live', his first album. ... Linden and his Group du Jour purveyed some of the album's material [at a club last night.] ... "Summertime Blues" ... Was the toughest, most free-wheeling number in the first set, with Linden's wildest, riskiest playing. It was taken at a faster clip than could be mustered by either The Who or Levon Helm, who both played the song in town last year."

Entered at Tue Dec 29 02:23:16 CET 2015 from (67.87.217.254)

Jeff A.

Entered at Tue Dec 29 01:51:15 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Radio? The good ol' daze!

Jeezus your scarin me now Norbert! You can't eat Muddy's head like that!

Any way David, that's all bull shit, we listened to WKRP in Cinncinatti Y'all...........I don't think I spelled that right.

We used to listen to the "Grand Old Uproar" on our big old tube radio, (when the reception would let us). Minnie Pearl startin' it out with .......Howdeeeeeeeeeeee, d'Y'all rememeber?

I trailed her little foot prints thru the snow.....

Entered at Tue Dec 29 01:42:39 CET 2015 from (68.171.246.31)

Bill M

Entered at Mon Dec 28 23:59:07 CET 2015 from (174.1.58.122)

Lisa

Entered at Mon Dec 28 23:49:21 CET 2015 from (158.39.169.211)

jh

Entered at Mon Dec 28 22:14:48 CET 2015 from (87.144.163.143)

Norbert

Fourteen days ago in Hamburg, in the red light district of St. Pauli, I visited the oldest model kit store in Germany: Rettkowsky.

I have bought some Porsches there. Here the world is still ok, neatly 1/18, the lights in the corridors are low and I feel small between the walls of boxes.

The place is total chaos, all boxes and models are mixed up, however you’re enclosed by a dry musty friendly warmth and I like the smell of cement, plastic and cardboard …… love strolling there.

Then it happens; In a “Hot Deals” container loaded with model skeletons without cardboard boxes …... inside, underneath a pile of rock star action figures, I find 11 (eleven) “Rock Star Head Molds (RSHM’s).

Believe it or not these are molds of the heads of The Band members and the other persons who were at the Last Waltz (But for Rollie). I said to Jonny Kliesch (the owner) “Fuck Jonny, what’s that!”. “Ohh…. that’s the Last Waltz Head Molding Group, tss, must be lying there for 20 or 30 years I guess” ….” The Band was hot back then.”
“Jonny, you know The Band?"
” Heh, this is Hamburg, the Beatles lived here!” he replied little aggrieved. ……

To make a long story short I bought all those TLW Head Molds for €20, -, a bargain (one or two were missing). They’re fairly big, scale ½.
You can use those moldings to make e.g. chocolate heads or fill them with paraffin to make candles heads. For this year Christmas I did both, so ended up with 11 big TLW chocolate heads and 11 TLW candles heads.

For some reason both the chocolate heads and the candle heads looked much alike, but that was ok for me.

Besides my wife Els my mother in law came for our annual Christmas dinner.
I had neatly arranged the table, one chocolate head (for dessert) and one candle head for ambient lighting next to each plate.

Our dinner started with a little disaster as Els' mother bit off one of Neil Diamond’s “Cute….” candle ears in the assumption that is was a chocolate ear and almost broke her expensive teeth with that exercise.

“We’d better remove these head candles from the table before any more accidents happen” my wife said.

“Ok I’ll burn some outside at the gate, that’s may be nice for people that pass by”.

I placed Neil one ear at the left site of our gate and Van Morrison to the right of the gate. They burned well and it looked cool.

I went inside again and we started to eat and drink.

After an hour or so I went to look outside and notice that Neil and Van didn’t burn anymore. A closer examination showed that someone had doused the candles with water. Shit, who would do that during Christmas dinner? I looked around but no one to be seen. With a towel I dried the heads and lightened them again.

Inside I told the rest what had happened …… the three of us decided to go upstairs and watch the candles from the bathroom (lights out) to catch the brute on the act.

We were all a little exited a first, but after some 35 minutes and noting happened this waiting became annoying, anyway just before we decided to go downstairs again we saw our own dog Wood first piss out Neil D. and then Van the Man.

“I’ll get that pissing dog!” I shouted and I ran downstairs.

We locked the dog up and decided to burn all candles at once although my wife protested.
“You can’t burn TLW just like that…”
“We’ll put Neil Diamond in front, no one will notice this is Germany……. heh, they’re all just candles!”
I got the whole ensemble together and lightened them all, from a distance it looked somewhat special. Els still protested……to distract her I said:

“There! a falling star Els, do a wish, quick!”

Before I had finished my sentence a pouring rain had started.

We all went inside and drank some more, more and from all eleven TLW heads we ate the ears off I’m not proud to write here.

It all ended with the discussion what to do with the earless heads. My mother in law came up with the idea to donate them to the homeless shelter in the valley below. The missing ears wouldn’t bother them …….
”They can handle disappointments”

My wife emptied the firewood basked, put some hay from the crib on the bottom of it and carefully assembled he earless TLW ensemble in the basked, she neatly covered it with our dog’s blanket.

I didn’t want to go but I had no choice, my mother in law just insisted. So I walked into the dark to the valley below.

I arrived at the homeless shelter with all homeless sound asleep.

To the sister in charge: ….“I ‘ve got something for Christmas for all of you ….”
She bowed her head over the basket and carefully I pulled the little blanket away.
“What is it?”
“That’s The Band..”
She shied away “They’ve got no ears! …….
“Just look what’s still there sister! big solid chocolate heads …… fine Dutch chocolate … “
“They’re all black!”
“They’re not black those are all white people, but for one”
“Which one?”
“This one” and I pointed towards Muddy Water’s head.

I handed her the basked, whereupon she immediately grabbed Muddies head and threw it in the dust bin. “We don’t eat black people, that’s a sensitive issue here”
“Collared people have the same rights as white folks! They have a right to be eaten too!”

“This is not the time, nor the place to eat black people, young man”
“This is the 21 century sister! …… and mind you, they taste just as good as white ones, maybe even better!”
I grabbed Muddies head out of the trash can from between the beer cans, whipped it clean and stepped towards the door ….
”Merry Christmas sister!”
“Happy Holyday Seasons” She replied calmly.

I slammed the door and rushed home, carefully holding Muddies head with both hands.

Back home, it was just after twelve, Christmas had already gone, the house was empty.
I still ignored the dog (you don’t piss on The Band).

By now Muddies head had already started to meld a little.

I took a gulp of my warm pale beer left, bit off Muddies running nose and I thought to myself: This is Christmas?

Entered at Mon Dec 28 21:03:52 CET 2015 from (156.47.15.10)

David P

Growing up I had a GE table radio powered by tubes. At night I could pick up some great 50,000 watt clear-channel stations, including WLS in Chicago, WLAC and WSM, both out of Nashville. While we had some great stations here in Atlanta, I enjoyed listening to the programing on out of town stations as well. WSM had the Grand Ole Opry and the live broadcasts afterwards from Ernest Tubb's Record Shop. WLAC played R&B and blues. One Sunday night I remember hearing The Who's "My Generation" for the first time on WLS in 1965.

Entered at Mon Dec 28 17:05:53 CET 2015 from (82.18.230.252)

Ian W

Like Peter V, my first bike was second-hand, a rather old style and with a freshly repainted frame. I don't recall that it had any gears but I may be wrong. My second bike (the one I used to cycle to school and on occassional long trips of 25 miles or so and back) did have gears but I don't think it was a Sturmey- Archer. The school had bike sheds and, if you lived more than 3 miles from the school and passed the official cycle proficiency test, the local council gave you a contribution to the maintenance of the bike (7 shillings and sixpence per term - or around 37 pence in modern UK money). It saved the council paying for a bus pass to get to school.

Also, like Peter V, I got a portable radio one year and, also, like Peter, it was the size and weight of a small but fully-packed suitcase. The aerial (antenna to folks across the ocean) was in the lid, so opening the lid was essential, which made for a rather strange outline if you listened under the bedclothes at night. And night-time was the best time because reception was much better then. Yes, Radio Luxembourg for sure (and I, too, recall the Horace Bachelor advertisements, not to mention the dreaded "We are the Ovalteenies" jingle) but also occasionally AFN (as MELODY MAKER used to note upcoming programmes of blues and jazz) and also VoA (which carried the Willis Conover jazz programmes, preceded by a short version of "Take the A Train").

I lived near Heathrow Airport, at a time when night flights were not banned but infrequent, and, on clear nights sometime around or just after midnight, you could hear a distant and initially quite quiet sound of a plane approaching. The sound would get louder and a lumbering Avro York (which was derived from the Lancaster bomber and used a similar wing with four Rolls Royce Merlin engines) would slowly come in, supposedly carrying mail from the troops in Cyprus. That was my sign to turn off the radio, if I had not already done so, and try to get some sleep before heading off to school on the afore-mentioned bike in the morning, generally after listening to the TODAY programme on the radio.

I would like to add that, whilst I did not face the hill that Peter had to climb, I was subjected to the very thick fogs (smogs, even) that could envelop and almost smother you in those days in London. Many mornings demanded a school scarf wrapped around the lower part of the face to keep the filthy stuff at bay. On the other hand, I also passed close by what had been the Hanworth Air Park and then included an off-shoot of the Aston Martin, so that, very occasionally, I would see these gleaming sports cars out on road tests, with their throaty roars, around the time (or maybe just before) they became iconic with the advent of the James Bond films.

You may not be able to bottle that kind of nostalgia but music is an effective carrier of memories.

Entered at Mon Dec 28 16:46:04 CET 2015 from (184.145.67.135)

Mike Nomad

Entered at Mon Dec 28 10:45:56 CET 2015 from (65.95.177.223)

JT

Subject: Condo

No, Carl. All the way from Yonge and Eglinton. A condo.

Entered at Mon Dec 28 05:20:10 CET 2015 from (68.171.246.142)

Bill M

Entered at Mon Dec 28 02:53:31 CET 2015 from (184.145.67.135)

Mike Nomad

Entered at Mon Dec 28 02:08:19 CET 2015 from (184.66.107.71)

Carl(bonk)

The Chelsea?

Entered at Mon Dec 28 00:49:07 CET 2015 from (118.143.21.5)

Kevin J

Happy New Year, everyone......and thank you, bassmanlee !

Entered at Sun Dec 27 16:42:26 CET 2015 from (65.95.177.223)

JT

Subject: YONGE ST.

I am on the 21st floor staring downtown along Yonge St. toward the CN Tower at 10:41 AM on Sunday morning after Boxing Day. There are almost no cars. It is a precious time.

Entered at Sun Dec 27 00:05:34 CET 2015 from (68.171.246.148)

Bill M

Entered at Sat Dec 26 21:10:23 CET 2015 from (198.209.226.131)

Ben Pike

Subject: Another Band Book

Skimming "The Band, Pioneers of Americana Music" makes it seem like a good book for those new to the group, but pretty old hat for us that grew up on it. Anyway, it is another book on The Band. I like the cover shot, a variant on the back of the brown album cover.

Entered at Fri Dec 25 22:19:56 CET 2015 from (108.2.144.116)

bassmanlee

Subject: Hiawatha

While Mrs lee and I do not exchange gifts per se, I was on Amazon this week and threw the J. Robbie R. book Hiawatha and the Peacemaker into the cart for both of us. Our major Christmas decorations are Christmas childrens' book from the Mrs vast collection. (She works with and read to little persons and we have tons of childrens books.) Wow. Nice job, Robbie and Caldecott winner illustrator David Shannon, with whom Mrs already was familiar.

Included in the book is a CD with one song by Robbie, The Peacekeeper. If someone else has posted these lyrics, my efforts are in vain. As this is (still) Christmas where we are, the parallels to the Reason for the Season are striking.

(The lyrics are my transcription and may not be entirely accurate.)

The Peacemaker

Many hundred years ago in the North Country, war drums thundered through the pines,

Indian Brothers, killing one another, hand to hand, tribe against tribe

They said, he came over the water in a stone canoe, a sign-less prophet story, just could be true

CHORUS (1)

Put up your colors, put up some smoke, a darkening of the sun, and the words that he spoke

Everybody knew, he’s the one, they call the Peacemaker, Peacemaker

(CHORUS (2) and after)

He went from village to village, Nation to Nation

Spreading the Great Law of peace and salvation

Let us stand back, make some room for the Peacemaker, Peacemaker.

Verse 2:

He saved a chief called Hiawatha from the depths of despair,

Took him under his wing with a message to share,

When five tribes came together except one wicked shaman,

Who wore snakes in his hair, they said no one could stop him

As the peacekeeper approached this deadly shaman,

He began chanting and singing a song so powerful, so strong

CHORUS (2)

They uprooted a tall white pine

And into that hole threw all their weapons of war

They replanted that big pine and called it the Tree of Peace

From that day on and evermore…

Call out to the world from your dark soul,

And soon he will reach you from wherever he’s gone…

CHORUS

Hiawatha spread the word, that’s how the people heard

Hiawatha was the messenger, a disciple of the Peacemaker, the Peacemaker

Entered at Fri Dec 25 13:26:07 CET 2015 from (70.193.130.134)

David P

A downside to the resurgence of vinyl is that there are only a few remaining pressing plants in operation. This has resulted in backlogs in meeting the rising demand for new product. This is compounded by the fact that the machinery used in pressing records is no longer being made. To solve the problem, a few enterprising record manufactures have scoured the globe to locate pressing equipment, which for the most part has been mothballed in storage. Some companies have been refurbishing the old equipment to be used in new pressing plants and quite a few have been opened recently.

Entered at Fri Dec 25 12:43:56 CET 2015 from (87.144.163.143)

Norbert

Subject: Not a Christmas story, just hang in there

Christmas isn’t the most beautiful time of the year (Google learns):

Vertical Christmas stress:
This is the stress specific to a particular event or time of year. So at Christmas you might feel busy and pressured because of the shopping, cooking, cleaning and organising for the holidays. There may also be pressure on finances. Finally, you may feel less healthy due to eating and drinking more and exercising less.
All of the above may feel even more pressing if you are a parent (especially a single parent), a carer for someone elderly or sick, in insecure housing or other stressful circumstances.

Horizontal Christmas stress:
For example, a return to the parental home for an adult may trigger feelings associated with being a child of that family: this might include feelings of dependence, powerlessness, resentment, feeling unheard or unimportant, having to fit in around others or guilt if you don’t.
For families where someone has an eating disorder the focus on food can be very difficult.

Christmas can revive memories of the loss, or envy of others who still have their loved ones.

For the sad:
Know It’s OK to have sad, angry or disappointed feelings about Christmas and what it brings up for you.

The brokenhearted:
The solo Christmases caused by a breakup are overtly indulgent, luxuriating in their own self-pity — or whichever warm seasonal drink they've opted to drown themselves in.
And if you're lonely, worried about your job, your marriage or relationship is in difficulty or you are suffering from bereavement, far from being the best time of year, Christmas can be the hardest.
Don’t succumb to catastrophic thinking: Just because it’s like this now, doesn’t mean it always has to be;!

Anyway realize that the world is bigger than yourself — know there are people that you can help, and even when you don’t always deserve it there are people who love and believe in you.

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

My heart goes out to the fucked-up, the lonely, the troublemakers, the fragile, the dysfunctional and the desperate.

Christmas can mean whatever you want ……… Christmas is what you make of it...... Belief in the profound power of friendship maybe comes somewhat close to Christmas......

If all of the above doesn’t help …… just hang in there, we still have The Last Waltz and liquor (cheers)..... and always remember it’s just for one day, good luck! ;-)

Entered at Fri Dec 25 07:08:27 CET 2015 from (70.121.40.130)

Glenn t

"Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me..." - Jill Jackson Miller and Sy Miller

Entered at Fri Dec 25 04:03:48 CET 2015 from (24.224.128.101)

joe j

Entered at Thu Dec 24 21:21:17 CET 2015 from (173.3.51.97)

Jeff A.

Entered at Thu Dec 24 20:56:41 CET 2015 from (65.95.177.223)

JT

Subject: What counts

I wish all here a fulfilling time with family and friends.

Entered at Thu Dec 24 19:39:32 CET 2015 from (174.1.58.122)

Lisa

Wishing everybody a very Merry Christmas and happiness in 2016!

Entered at Thu Dec 24 17:54:19 CET 2015 from (68.171.246.9)

Bill M

Entered at Thu Dec 24 15:32:36 CET 2015 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Subject: A Secondhand Christmas …

A short Seasonal article "A Secondhand Christmas" added on my website. See link.

Entered at Thu Dec 24 15:06:23 CET 2015 from (65.95.177.223)

JT

Subject: Vinyl

Jeff A: Thanks for the note re Columbia House. I went and some of the articles regarding its resurgence. Apparently, it will look nothing like the Columbia House of old. Maybe to a slight resemblance, but from what I read, it sounds as if this is another 'buy on-line' vinyl and that one can do in many places now. It sounds as if the owner is counting on its name to attract customers, but the product sold will not come with 8-12 units for 1 penny (as before). Nevertheless, this once again shows the current rising interest in vinyl. I've changed my music buying substantially as have so many. When I buy now in a record store or on-line, I buy vinyl. (very few cds now)

Entered at Thu Dec 24 14:18:15 CET 2015 from (173.3.51.97)

Jeff A.

Entered at Thu Dec 24 14:12:28 CET 2015 from (83.249.161.239)

NorthWestCoaster

Entered at Thu Dec 24 13:22:09 CET 2015 from (184.145.67.135)

Mike Nomad

Entered at Thu Dec 24 10:47:00 CET 2015 from (77.102.201.158)

Al Edge

Just seen Pete M's e-mail to Jeff and the sad news of his passing. Special thoughts for his family at this time.

Entered at Thu Dec 24 07:23:42 CET 2015 from (203.160.29.153)

Fred

Entered at Thu Dec 24 05:36:29 CET 2015 from (69.125.228.57)

Jeff A.

Entered at Wed Dec 23 20:03:26 CET 2015 from (100.2.21.114)

Joan

Entered at Wed Dec 23 16:46:16 CET 2015 from (65.95.177.223)

JT

Subject: Landy's Band book

I have just scanned Elliott Landy's photo book. In a word, it is a superb piece of work.

Entered at Wed Dec 23 05:38:17 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Sing Me Back Home - Suzy Bogguss

Sitting back in my "Rockin Chair", a real nice oak desk chair. Listening to some comfort tunes on youtube with the head phones. There are certain voices that bring me absolute comfort in the evening, like Waylon for example.

I think anyone would be hard pressed to not acknowledge the talent of Suzy Bogguss. I love Emmylou, Martina, Joni and many more. However for me the strongest, most wonderful voice, from the most beautiful lady is Suzy Bogguss. The comments from Chet Atkins about her singing is worth reviewing. So this is for Peter M. to "sing him back home".

While sitting back listening, another great video is Kris Kristofferson singing his old "Sunday Morning Comin' Down", on the passing of Johnny Cash. Kris acknowledged how much he was loved every where in the world he went. Then Kris became a little choked up when he said,"I've always liked what Bob Dylan said about John. He said John is like the North Star that you can navigate your ship by."

Entered at Wed Dec 23 05:11:27 CET 2015 from (69.125.228.59)

Jeff A.

Entered at Wed Dec 23 00:04:04 CET 2015 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter v

Entered at Tue Dec 22 23:57:48 CET 2015 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter v

And all that time we guessed it was his scarf which was apricot.

Entered at Tue Dec 22 21:27:40 CET 2015 from (68.171.246.23)

bill M

NwC: Thanks. The answer is probably Facebook - a friend posted a photo of him licking his privates.

Entered at Tue Dec 22 21:02:26 CET 2015 from (100.2.21.114)

Joan

I want to wish everybody a very happy holiday stay safe\

Entered at Tue Dec 22 18:22:01 CET 2015 from (156.47.15.10)

David P

Entered at Tue Dec 22 18:13:06 CET 2015 from (156.47.15.10)

David P

Subject: Carly Simon

Interesting that Ms. Simon's memoir "More Room in a Broken Heart: The True Adventures of Carly Simon" was written with Stephen Davis.

One of the songs she recorded with Hawks involvement was a reworked version by Dylan of Eric Von Schmidt's "Baby Let Me Follow You Down." A short clip of that song is featured in the link above.

Entered at Tue Dec 22 17:38:39 CET 2015 from (108.52.119.37)

Luke

Subject: Carly Simon & The Band

I don't post very often, but thought I'd share this. While paging through Carly Simon's new autobiography, I came across a section featuring The Hawks. Apparently they spent some time together while she was trying to get a record deal. SHE HELD THEM IN AWE! They had backed up Dylan. And, it looks like she had a crush on Robbie.

Entered at Tue Dec 22 16:47:19 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Who is Gonna Fill Their Shoes

As more of the good folks leave our world, very often it puts you in touch with your own mortality. It's never too late to try to be a better person.

This video and song is for that purpose. I often think of the people I miss and the artists that so enriched our lives. Here are a few of them.

Yes Jerry the sight is so much better when we have "meaningful" things to share.

Entered at Tue Dec 22 15:57:21 CET 2015 from (74.14.7.222)

JT

Subject: Dignity

The passing of one of us who contributed so positively reminds us all about the importance of maintaining the dignity of this site. Peter served as a positive example for us all and we should strive to emulate him. We have lost others who showed similar dignity and sadly are gone. You all know who they were.

If we can only leave the dissension behind and show care for our writings with sensitivity to all involved here, this will be a better place. Happy holiday to all.

Entered at Tue Dec 22 13:27:29 CET 2015 from (184.145.67.135)

Mike Nomad

I've been away. Sorry to hear about Peter's death. Thanks, Jeff, for posting his email to you. I'm sure he would have had no objection to it being shared. A good email. Yes, sad . . . .

Entered at Tue Dec 22 12:20:37 CET 2015 from (83.249.161.239)

NorthWestCoaster's Dog

Subject: Internet

Link to Bill M.

Entered at Tue Dec 22 03:16:19 CET 2015 from (173.3.48.203)

Jeff A.

Norbert, you sly old fox. You did write that you were going to move to Holland again, did you not? And what, become a driving instructor?

Entered at Tue Dec 22 01:44:48 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Address!

Don't know what I'm thinking Joe. There is a P.O. Box 127.

Entered at Tue Dec 22 00:56:20 CET 2015 from (173.3.48.203)

Jeff A.

I did find the first FB message he sent me. I do hold private communication sacrosanct. Unless i know it is okay i don't believe in repeating what is in e mails or any private communication,such as letters, conversations, etc. Today there are so many.

I've thought about this one. i think Peter would want this shared, possibly as his way of a return appearance here. There is nothing in it that is private or controversial, and a lot of it is Band related. The last line is rather poignant.

"Hey hey Jeff, I've been lax in communicating since getting your "Brooklyn In My Bones" shirts. The biggest surprise I get is when I wear one to a creole zydeco music gig. These country guys from Lawtell and Opelousas Louisiana always have a tale to tell me about the great times they've had (often unexpectedly) in Brooklyn. I went to see Cedric Watson and Bijou Creole play at the Academy of Music and he and this major African musician, Sidi Toure, regaled me with tales of warmth they received in Brooklyn. Alexis loved it when I wore one to her gig in the Phila suburbs, earning me a priceless "Alexis hug". Ms Vicki dug it too. I lived in Bay Ridge at Ft Hamilton Parkway and Marine Ave till 1960, I was 7 when they started building the Verrazano Narrows Bridge. We had to take the Staten Island Ferry to leave the borough to move to Phila. Back regularly to see relatives thru the 60's and 70's. In about '95 or so I had the honor of seeing Levon play a benefit for Henry Dodgill at St Patrick's. I was shocked shitless to see he was playing on the stage in my grade school's auditorium and even more shocked to be directed to the restroom where I peed in a urinal I'd last used 45 years earlier. Enough reminiscing in this initial contact. As a guy who bought The Band's records in high school, I couldn't believe I'd struck up a friendship in the 80's with Rick and Levon. All you gotta do is keep showing up and "don't be an asshole". Rick would greet me in Baltimore or NYC and say "You came a long way to see me, man!". I missed Lee's first Ramble and then attended about 4 a year at The Barn and countless more on the road. He and his staff always treated me like a VIP and I felt like the luckiest dog on the planet. They introduced me to guys like Weider, Jimmy V, , Larry, Hubert Sumlin, Sid McGinnis, Joe Louis Walker, Mike Merritt, Eric Lawrence, Steve B, Howard J, Amy, and on and on. If my life ended next week I'd have to say I'd had "an adult portion."

Entered at Tue Dec 22 00:44:36 CET 2015 from (68.171.246.31)

Bill M

Entered at Tue Dec 22 00:05:32 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Hey Joe........where you goin'........

ME......

965 Haida Avenue

Port Alice BC

V0N 2N0

If it doesn't work Joe let me know on Face Book. I'll send you a private message there hopefully it will work there.

Entered at Mon Dec 21 23:01:15 CET 2015 from (107.77.97.30)

JQ

Subject: Peter M and Ian Mac

This one seems the right tone too for the sadness here now -

Entered at Mon Dec 21 22:33:05 CET 2015 from (24.224.128.101)

joe j

Norm, I'd like your mailing address again if you would. A friend would like a copy of AATT.

Entered at Mon Dec 21 22:31:04 CET 2015 from (24.224.128.101)

joe j

Condolences to all on the passing of a GB friend. Peter was a voice of moderation, a true gentleman with an exquisite taste in music.

Entered at Mon Dec 21 20:03:14 CET 2015 from (100.2.21.114)

Joan

Entered at Mon Dec 21 19:29:59 CET 2015 from (86.169.103.169)

Dunc

Subject: Sorry

Sorry to hear about Peter M's passing. I enjoyed his posts.

Entered at Mon Dec 21 19:25:22 CET 2015 from (68.171.246.25)

Bill M

Norbert and Peter V: Sorry for mixing you up. Earlier this year I heard of an update to the famous New Yorker cartoon: On the internet of things, nobody knows you're a toaster.

Entered at Mon Dec 21 19:17:02 CET 2015 from (69.112.112.38)

Bob F

Subject: Peter M

I always enjoyed Peter M's posts on Ian McLagan and The Faces. If I remember correctly he posted that he and his wife got some last minute Dylan tickets last tour and had a great time at the show. Linked in Peter M's honor is one great rock and roll song by The Faces.

Entered at Mon Dec 21 17:48:56 CET 2015 from (87.144.163.143)

Norbert

Thought about Peter today.

But for Jeff I know little about him.

To me he seems the kind of guy that forms the backbone of our society.

Men that go in silence, in their sleep.

They’re your father, brother or mother. They’re what you always wanted to be, they’re the better part of you.

Men that save your life.

Men that fight for us in terrible wars,

never complain yet suffer in silence.

Men that work in mines and factories,

till their heart brakes.

Just a man that loved The Band.

Rest in Peace my Friend.

Entered at Mon Dec 21 17:34:13 CET 2015 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Entered at Mon Dec 21 17:12:02 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Peter M

A very "positive" man. Some time back when I was bemoaning that I was a useless old man, much to my surprise a post from Peter appeared. He was telling me that the way I still worked that I was an inspiration to many.

These are the things you don't forget. A person like Peter who would much rather say something nice. It costs nothing and does so much. The world needs more people like Peter.

I've a feeling that there are people he left behind that will carry on his positive way and he won't be forgotten.......good bye Peter.....and than you.

Entered at Mon Dec 21 16:57:38 CET 2015 from (68.171.246.130)

Bill M

Entered at Mon Dec 21 16:07:18 CET 2015 from (68.171.246.13)

Bill M

Entered at Mon Dec 21 15:58:07 CET 2015 from (24.114.78.51)

Kevin J

Condolences to Peter's family.

Entered at Mon Dec 21 15:46:03 CET 2015 from (83.249.161.239)

NorhWestCoaster

Subject: Peter M

My condoleances - A strong voice in GB, but on the balanced side.

Entered at Mon Dec 21 14:00:01 CET 2015 from (98.110.49.157)

Ben

Peter, I've been an Elvis fan since I first heard his music when I was 6 or 7. His catalog has been tinkered with numerous times over the years. There have been releases where they've removed some instrumentation to focus more on his voice. There have been other releases that overdubbed new instrumentation and still others that have been remixes such as 'a little less conversation'. It seems like they'll never find ways to repackage Elvis, but as long as the original recordings are still available, I don't really have a problem with it.

Last week, I had the good fortune of finding a used copy of the Japanese remaster of 'Astral Weeks' for 8 bucks. The sound on this disc is definitely an improvement over the original CD version of 'Astral Weeks'. I haven't gotten the recently released version of AW yet, but for now I'm very satisfied with this version.

Entered at Mon Dec 21 12:36:25 CET 2015 from (98.110.49.157)

Ben

I'm very sorry to hear about Peter M. He seemed like a very kind person.

Entered at Mon Dec 21 12:06:42 CET 2015 from (24.199.71.83)

Jon Lyness

RIP Peter M, very sorry to hear it. Your voice will be missed.

Entered at Mon Dec 21 03:43:25 CET 2015 from (184.66.107.71)

Carl (BONK)

...so fill to me the parting glass, good night and joy be to you...

Entered at Mon Dec 21 03:27:25 CET 2015 from (173.3.48.9)

Jeff A.

I should look for the email, but i remember him getting a big kick out of seeing Levon play in his old school in Brooklyn, a gig Levon did with the Bennett Brothers.

Entered at Mon Dec 21 02:27:18 CET 2015 from (184.66.107.71)

Carl (BONK)

Sad news. Did anyone here know Peter? Where was he from? Did he have a family?

Entered at Mon Dec 21 00:19:17 CET 2015 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

If I Can Dream … I only bought the 45, which has had massive airplay here. I think it swamps him. As I said, his later voice sounds harsh, and I thought not quite on the note in one or two sections I might get the CD. The backing is very good. It does throw up the question, why buy the vinyl version when the whole thing is an electronic construct in the first place? It is many miles from any mystic analogue connection between Elvis and Master Tape, so much played with. So CD is the natural medium for it.

“Catalogue Strays” is THE best Van boot. And put together by someone who really knew the catalogue too.

Entered at Mon Dec 21 00:16:48 CET 2015 from (173.3.48.9)

Jeff A.

I have made some very good, long lasting friendships that have begun with the direct link to a love for The Band. Most of those began at Band shows.
There'a decent amount of people that I've met in person as a result of the GB. Some i consider friends. One goes back about a decade, she's a fine lady.

When i think of how many of my solid friendships began as a result of music, it's a very large percentage. Then there's those that began in diners or pizza places, on trains, or just walking down the street. Things happen, you start talking. If neither person is too jerky, you might make a friend.

Entered at Mon Dec 21 00:10:27 CET 2015 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Entered at Sun Dec 20 23:33:14 CET 2015 from (70.194.208.142)

Calvin

Entered at Sun Dec 20 23:08:55 CET 2015 from (87.144.163.143)

Norbert

Very very sorry to hear about Peter M. He is one of us, thanks Peter have a good journey.

(missed Jeff's, Lisa thanks pointing me at it)

Entered at Sun Dec 20 22:41:35 CET 2015 from (174.1.58.122)

Lisa

I'm so very sorry to hear about Peter M. I always enjoyed his posts, "From the pond". Jeff, did you know him personally? A gentle soul ...

Entered at Sun Dec 20 22:38:10 CET 2015 from (87.144.163.143)

Norbert

Subject: RoseAnn Fino

Bob F, just listened to RoseAnn, sounds great! (and I mean that).

Entered at Sun Dec 20 22:12:19 CET 2015 from (87.144.163.143)

Norbert

Joan & Lisa thanks.

Entered at Sun Dec 20 22:07:11 CET 2015 from (87.144.163.143)

Norbert

Subject: The First of Pete Seeger's 90 withheld FBI files

Zimbabwanian hackers helped this GB to publish the first of 90 withheld Pete Seeger files:

The Honorable Dr. J. Edgar Hoover, Director
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Washington, D. D.

Dear Dr. Hoover,

T-1 a confidential abroad source and listening in expert with extremely sensitive ears and outspoken personality
has gathered objectionable PS0213 information as listed below. Involved Objects:

Pete Seeger
Toshi Ohta (alleged girlfriend)
Yoshima Ohta (alleged mother in law)
Aiko Ohta (ped)

.........................TRANSCRIPT:........................................................................................

PETE SEEGER:
…Ahh, I say this fucking Hoover is paranoid!

TOSHI OHTA (girlfriend):
yeah ….. "They'll hide under your beds those dirty reds" … that’s the fear he spreads....make me mad!

YOSHIMA OHTA (mother in law):
Ohh!
If I had a hammel!
I'd hammel him in the molning!
I'd hammel him in the evening! ….
I’d hammel him all over his land!
I'd hammel out his dangel!
I'd hammel him out as a walning!

PETE SEEGER:
….. say that again Ma …”

........................END TRANSCRIPT:..............................................................................

Dr. Hoover your view on this matter would be must helpful.
May I hear from you at your earliest convenience?

Respectfully,
Martin L. Travis
Enclosure: ENCLOSURE

Entered at Sun Dec 20 21:50:36 CET 2015 from (173.3.48.9)

Jeff A.

The guy was born wrong and angry Ben. Can't get nothing right. His statement to us both: "The only thing that makes it different is your continual accusations that the whole world is against your ethnicity. " I've never written anything that could be interpreted that way here at all. Maybe that is how he perceives all Jews, i dunno.

Out of respect to Peter M, i'm gonna find a turtle preservation society and send em a few bucks.

Entered at Sun Dec 20 21:30:02 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Well done Bob

That's a good sound Bob. Well done, she has a powerful voice, a good singer.

Entered at Sun Dec 20 21:24:29 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: 'Tis the Season

You two characters could actually be funny if it wasn't so pathetic. You should be close enough to each other to fight with each other right there.

Two Jew boys is no different than two Finn boys, two Swede boys, two Indian boys or any other breed.

The only thing that makes it different is your continual accusations that the whole world is against your ethnicity. Grow up. When you can't find any one else to fight with or annoy you fight with each other and call each other names.

Of course, it's 12:21 here and I'm drunk. My four year old grandson Liam and I, been at it all night. We put away 2 - 40 pounders of Captain Morgan rum.....Liam is so drunk I can hardly see him, yup that has to be the explanation alright.

You guys must live very lonely unhappy lives to be so nasty and bitter all the time..........sad.

Entered at Sun Dec 20 21:10:32 CET 2015 from (69.112.112.38)

Bob F

Subject: Devil Says

David P, my daughter RoseAnn Fino recorded an ep this year in one session. Four songs, no frills. Real independent artist stuff. I'm not saying it meets your criteria but I'm real proud of what her and the band were able to come up with. The link is to her web site where you can hear the lead song 'Devil Says'. Please give it a listen.

Entered at Sun Dec 20 21:09:38 CET 2015 from (173.3.48.9)

Jeff A.

Peter Mullowney, our kind hearted Peter M., friend to and savior of turtles, died in his sleep last night. This is really sad. Peter was a good man.

Entered at Sun Dec 20 20:59:26 CET 2015 from (174.1.58.122)

Lisa

Subject: Boys, boys!

Things are getting very unseasonal around here. Not nice at all, especially now. Here's an interesting article about Joni Mitchell's "River", with links to many different singers' versions.

Entered at Sun Dec 20 20:33:38 CET 2015 from (98.110.49.157)

Ben

Rockin Chair, you racist, anti-semitic mutherfucker. While you are on your way out to you KKK meeting or Klan rally, let me take this opportunity to advise that the term "Jewboy" is not acceptable unless you're referring to Kinky Friedman.

Entered at Sun Dec 20 18:02:30 CET 2015 from (173.3.48.9)

Jeff A.

Norm, I guess there's no discouraging you from drinking & posting. To write here "Peter I think you should be illustrating that story, like Robbie's book. I particularly want to see the comic strip part of those two Jew boys down in some alley littered with beer cans and stuff, (with their little hats on) trying to punch each other out." indicates that once again you are far past moist , you are drowning ...please stay off your ships today. You might hurt some one other than yourself.

Entered at Sun Dec 20 17:22:17 CET 2015 from (24.114.78.51)

Kevin J

Norm.......Really nice to see the GB having a positive influence in this way and especially great to know your daughter is directing Santa to present such a gift to her daughters ! I was at the dentist on Wednesday and sitting down looking at the coffee table with books and magazines on it in the lobby, I noticed a Dr. Suess book........Immediately my mind drifted back to being a little kid and the great memories of learning to read and learning to learn and imagine..........a book like " Hiawatha and the Peacemaker" will no doubt create positive images and memories of our First Nations people........and that's a damn fine thing.....especially as there is so little balance in the images and environments we all see so often relating to the "Indians"

As you said, RR certainly is a man of diverse interests and talents......not a bad life of achievement for a guy with a grade 9 education !

Entered at Sun Dec 20 17:08:18 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Songs of the Time

When "Hotrod Lincoln" came on the radio, if we were driving in our cars, it was pedal to the medal. We all gave every endeavour to kill our selves like lunatics!

Entered at Sun Dec 20 17:02:12 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: The Finishing Touch....or Finnishing

Peter I think you should be illustrating that story, like Robbie's book. I particularly want to see the comic strip part of those two Jew boys down in some alley littered with beer cans and stuff, (with their little hats on) trying to punch each other out.

There has to be a picture of (who was it picking his nose). I'm sure this would be a best seller.

Entered at Sun Dec 20 16:50:51 CET 2015 from (70.193.160.137)

David P

"We tell ourselves stories in order to live."
--Joan Didion from her essay "The White Album."

When incorporated in music stories can sing to the heart, reveal secrets to the soul, and pose questions to the mind.

As we review the music we heard this year, we must ask ourselves what specific music spoke to us in a way that mattered. Did it merely entertain us in a fleeting moment of pretense, or did it strike deep into our hearts, souls and minds.

We ask ourselves questions in order to make sense of our lives. Do the experiences and questions related in song ring true to us or do they fall flat soon after the lyrics and notes fade. There are those songs we hold dear and at a moment's notice can be replayed from our memory. From the distant radios, phonographs and sound players of the past and present we can clearly recall these songs in our minds that speak to our hearts and souls. Magically they can bring back the memories of the times, places and people we were with when we first heard them.

Ask yourselves, is there music you heard this year that meets this criteria?

Entered at Sun Dec 20 16:29:29 CET 2015 from (68.171.246.155)

Bill M

Entered at Sun Dec 20 15:13:11 CET 2015 from (98.110.49.157)

Ben

Peter, Very interesting post. I didn't know that you were an Elvis "completist". Does that include the FTD releases? I'm a big Elvis fan, but not a "completist". I don't have the wallet for it.

What are your thoughts on the "If I Can Dream" project? I haven't heard any of it yet. When I come across a used copy of the CD, I'll likely pick it up.

Also, interesting comments about Van bootlegs. I'm a bootleg collector and I generally stay away from CDR's. I have a decent collection of Van silver CD boots. I just picked up a used copy of "Catalogue Strays" which is a 3 cd set spanning nearly Van's entire career. I probably have half of the tracks on this set on CD singles and other artists' albums, but it's nice to have it all collected on one set.

Entered at Sun Dec 20 13:09:19 CET 2015 from (70.193.160.137)

David P

I have many older cds that are no longer playable. Over time the reflective surfaces degrade and become unreadable. This is known as disc rot and affects dvds as well.

Entered at Sun Dec 20 11:42:04 CET 2015 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Now sit down children. It’s time for our music lesson.

George, you take the triangle.

No, Levon. There’s only one triangle.

I’m sure George can keep time.

You might be better than him, but it’s his turn.

Cathy … stop trying to kiss the boys.

No, dear. It’s not just being friendly. Rickie’s gone quite red in the face.

Ben! What did you say? Come out here.

No, stand still. And stop picking your nose. I said stop it.

So what did you just call Jeff?? And what is a Bronx putz? Is it rude dear? Because Bull –what you just said – is very rude.

Why did you call him that?

Oh, he called you Surly Jersey.

Do you come from the Channel Islands, Ben, dear? Because ethnic slurs are not permitted in my classroom.

You don’t? So why did you call him that Jeff?

Why?

“Because he is,” isn’t an answer, dear. Is it because you don’t like his pullover?

I know your mummy knitted it, Ben. She told me.

When dear? When you went home with blue paint on it.

Yes, she telephoned the headmaster.

Yes, he did speak to me.

Levon … stop picking on Robbie.

What? Who took your lunch money, dear?

I’m sure Robbie didn’t take it. Now sit still. No, you can’t have the triangle.

Now, Ben and Jeff, you can both come and sit here. In front of my desk. That’s right. You can both have penny whistles. And all right, Levon. You may have the tambourine.

Good! That’s lovely children. Now if Garth will come out here and play the piano, we can all sing Here We Go Round The Mulberry Bush.

No, Richard. Bush isn't a rude word.

No, it isn't dear.

So what do you think it means?

Oh. Go and stand outside the headmaster's study. Now back to our song …

Entered at Sun Dec 20 10:57:16 CET 2015 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Do you know Joyce Grenfell’s primary school teach monologues (linked)? Do listen through. It gets better and better. I feel a pastiche coming on.

Entered at Sun Dec 20 10:52:46 CET 2015 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

My mistake with the new Elvis was in failing to note the number on the sleeve. Individually numbered. #213. That means it was always designed as a collectable. That also means many copies will never feel the pleasure of a stylus penetrating their grooves. So quality doesn't matter. Just make sure the sleeve perfectly replicates 1970s RCA. I should have bought the whole album n CD for £9.99 rather than shelling out £6.99 for flawed vinyl.

Entered at Sun Dec 20 09:52:58 CET 2015 from (173.3.48.9)

Jeff A.

Funny, you can't even write a simple short paragraph without getting nonsensical. I'm here since 02,& for what it's worth do no recall you posting past a handful or less of recent years. Yet you write : " Finally, let me set the record straight, you Bronx bullshitting Putz. I've been reading and posting on this guestbook since the 90's. Maybe all the schmutz up in the Bronx is effecting your brain or maybe you've been toking on your Hanukkah menorah, but I have been here participating on this guestbook as long as you have. Shalom. "

Since the 90s would be longer than I have. Not as long. Once before you claimed that you have traded tapes with people here.

So, who remembers "old Ben" for longer than just a handful of years? Anybody? Surely, if you do not type with crooked fingers there will be posters who recall you.

Entered at Sun Dec 20 09:39:16 CET 2015 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

CD v vinyl

Neither medium is perfect all the time. In the 70s those K-Tel TV advertised LPs squeezed 30 minutes on a side, were very low level and sounded awful. In the 50s and early 60s, 45s pressed by Decca UK using their ffrr system are held to sound best, so that a Decca pressed American rock classic on London (UK) will sound and play better than the American original. A classical collector tells me that early stereo Decca or HMV LPs are the most sought after, because they’re better pressings. But what about all those beautifully packaged DGG (Deutsche Gramophon) classical LPs? Not worth anything, he tells me.

With new vinyl, some pressings of classic LPs are taken from CD masters, so replicate the CD and lose the original vinyl mix and compression.

As to CD, there is still variation. I know from manufacturing DVDs that you can have them pressed from a proper glass master (which will cost about £300 for the master), or you can have them duplicated by burning just as you might do at home. The “properly replicated” CDs will be consistent in quality and should last a long time. The burned ones won't. When you buy a box of CDRs to burn, there will usually be a few failures in a box of 100, however prestigious the name. I had a box of Sony that I threw out after half the first ten failed. I had a box with BASF on the label that were worse. They all buy them in cheaply and rebrand. Those archiving on CDR will seek out Japanese archive quality: JVC Archive PRO or MAM-A from Mitsui, or Taiyo Yuden with blank white labels (the print on CDs was found to “sink through” on early failed discs).

So on bootleg CDs, usually burned on CDRs, you are very lucky if you haven’t had a failure. The “Genuine Authentic Basement Tapes” CD set went light green and died for most buyers. There are so many tales of blank Van Morrison bootlegs on CD that you wonder whether they’re designed to discourage.

So is new vinyl best? Just yesterday I bought the Elvis Presley If I Can Dream 45. The album “If I Can Dream” with the London Philharmonic overdubbed sits at the top of UK charts. I managed to pick up a complete reissue set of the 10” 45 rpm Elvis Number Ones series very cheaply a couple of years ago and am something of an Elvis completist. If I Can Dream played fine out of the sleeve, crackle and hiss free. Nice heavy vinyl. On RCA (which is now Sony) so a good name. I flipped it over. Bridge Over Troubled Water. Instant Rice Krispies … crackle and pop for the first six or seven seconds. I hadn’t cleaned it, just run an anti-static brush over it. By a minute in it was distorted. Yes, the stylus was now covered in gunge and fluff. I let it play to the end … it cleans the grooves. Then I cleaned the stylus in a gel pot and it played without distortion, but the crackle and pop remain for 6 seconds at the start. So a new disc was full of crap in the grooves and a bad pressing.

On performance, the elaborate backing really show up the flaws and harshness in the late Elvis’s voice.

Entered at Sun Dec 20 05:55:01 CET 2015 from (98.110.49.157)

Ben

Jeff, In my view, Burnett's claim that vinyl is "the best sounding, most durable medium, by far" is simply hyperbolic. In my experience CD's are far more durable than vinyl. A laser doesn't have the potential to damage a CD that a record needle does. I buy plenty of used CD's that are scuffed up and have light scratches on the play side and the vast majority play perfectly. Most used albums in similar condition will likely play with a great deal of static and/or skip.

I don't know why you are indicating a preference for a "properly manufactured vinyl" over a "properly replicated CD". It goes without saying that either a record or CD can be defective. I doubt that any of us have a preference for a defective product. I've always understood that the mastering of the CD or record was the primary factor that determined it's sound quality. There are so many variables when it comes to this, that these blanket statements, by either Burnett or you are worthless.

For any catalog title, let's say "Music From Big Pink" for example, there have been so many different versions of the albums released over the years, throughout the world that you would need to obtain and listen to each one to make a definitive judgement on the sound quality. Some of the vinyl copies may sound better on your particular setup, while other CD versions may sound better. And how exactly do you qualify what sounding better is? Again, it seems to me that this is an extremely subjective endeavor.

Now, saying that you prefer the experience of playing records more than CD's is an entirely different thing. And that is a legitimate position to take. Playing records is certainly a more interactive experience. You need to get up and turn the record over after 20 or so minutes. You have a larger cover and artwork to look at and liner notes that can be read without a magnifying glass. I understand why some people enjoy this aspect of the listening experience.

Finally, let me set the record straight, you Bronx bullshitting Putz. I've been reading and posting on this guestbook since the 90's. Maybe all the schmutz up in the Bronx is effecting your brain or maybe you've been toking on your Hanukkah menorah, but I have been here participating on this guestbook as long as you have. Shalom.

Entered at Sun Dec 20 05:02:57 CET 2015 from (173.108.136.195)

Ben Pike

Subject: The Last Waltz and Cat Stevens

There is a static camera complete take of "The Last Waltz" on You Tube. Black and White. Does anybody know if this is one of the cameras from the Film, or what? Peter, I find that Cat Stevens is still a very beloved figure in the U.S. The pre "Mona Bone Jackon" stuff never really made it over. The "Tea For the Tillerman" album made him big over here. I think he had a sideman, much like Jim Croce, who helped him shape his music into commercial dynamite. "Budda and The Chocolate Box" was his last big album, and then there were three stiffs after that during which I guess he found religion. Yusuf has been a modest success. I think the lightweight lyrics reflect the man, but there were great moments "On The Road To Find Out" "Sun C/79" and the stunning "How Can I Tell You?" It is interesting to me how so much of this endless, boring Muslim squabble does come down to the Cat Stevens/Rushdie flap, if that's not being too simplistic. When someone insults your God you are not, actually, allowed to kill them. Unless you accept this, you are not ready to join civilization. Has Yusaf made the leap? Hard to say......

Entered at Sun Dec 20 02:31:52 CET 2015 from (173.3.48.9)

Jeff A.

Subject: T Bone Blues

The actual steak. T Bone's article i first saw.

Entered at Sun Dec 20 01:56:11 CET 2015 from (173.3.48.9)

Jeff A.

Ben this is not the article i linked, but it's all i can find right now. It appears the one i linked was T Bone's side of this and some more.

I included the quote in my post because i find it interesting. Personally I think properly manufactured vinyl sounds better than properly replicated cds. Far as durability goes, if you care for your vinyl correctly it's great. CDs take a variety of beatings, as a result of getting hauled here & there, coat pockets, cars, even the fact that they are compact can lead to them being left in sunlight, on radiators, next to ovens, more easily......, & yes the sound can be effected. They are more portable & more easily used. But, far as a sound environment, I'd be real happy with vinyl , reel to reel, & cassettes, with cassettes for listening in cars. & then we'd not have all the problems that the newer technology of the cd unleashed upon society . And those problems are something i have discussed since my entry here in August 2002. T Bone talks about some in the articles. I realize you have only been around a few years and have a comprehension issue, so you may not have seen or understood much of my writing.

But really..What's a matter? Did you miss your Surly Sons Of Jersey Anonymous meeting? One thing about this GB. Most of us here, not all, but most of us, never have given a rat's ass about getting a response. Some do get upset. There's people who have really gotten excited about it over the years. Most recently, just a few months back, old Norm seemingly burst a few capillaries when is posts were not responded to. It's not unheard of. PSB & School teacher were amongst those who got scolded.But, anyone who has reading comprehension skilss here can tell YOU, that i certainly have never structured posts to get responses or care if i receive a response or not. My posts are between me & God.

Norm, in regards to this subject Surly Jersey introduced, anytime you begin to get that lonely feeling again, just shrug it off. I assure you, Neptune noticed every post you ever made & listens to Playing For Change along with you.

Entered at Sun Dec 20 01:02:36 CET 2015 from (98.110.49.157)

Ben

Subject: cd vs vinyl

Jeff, I just tried your link and it didn't work. Anyways, I strongly disagree with T-Bone regarding vinyl's superiority over the CD. I think blanket statements like this are pretty idiotic. Does he go into some detail about this in the article? Or did you just place that quote in your post to get a response?

Entered at Sun Dec 20 00:43:15 CET 2015 from (173.3.48.9)

Jeff A.

Subject: Read this

New article by T Bone Burnett. Lot of interesting important points about how streaming is effecting the music industry & artists. He also writes "...vinyl — it is still the best-sounding, most durable medium we have for listening to music, by far."

Entered at Sat Dec 19 21:30:59 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Videos!

Thanks Bob. Gravy worked fine. (I was just making pancake brunch for my grand kids, there was a pancake eating contest going on.)

The first one wouldn't work for me. I know the song of course, I was going to mention his early album Jackson produced....I was too lazy I guess.

The link I have provided is Jackson Brown & Teresa Williams playing the song in Alabama. Jackson talks a little about Warren's upbringing and off the wall writing. The he mentions his folks as explanation why Warren was a little different. "His father was a Russsian immigrant Jew, and.........his mother was a Mormon!"

Entered at Sat Dec 19 20:19:34 CET 2015 from (174.1.58.122)

Lisa

Entered at Sat Dec 19 19:50:11 CET 2015 from (69.112.112.38)

Bob F

Subject: How To Make Gravy

I love this Christmas song.

Entered at Sat Dec 19 18:54:54 CET 2015 from (69.112.112.38)

Bob F

Subject: Mama Couldn't Be Persuaded

Norm, there's a great song on the first record Zevon did with Jackson Browne about his mama and gambling father.

Entered at Sat Dec 19 18:13:35 CET 2015 from (87.144.163.143)

Norbert

Subject: thanks

Thanks all for your nice welcome, feels good!

Norm, yes one sunny day we’ll set sail from La Rochelle. We’ll drink and sleep with the wind (you sail, Ilkka, Lars and I drink that is ;-).

Entered at Sat Dec 19 18:07:15 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Let yer mind wander

That's right Bassman. Letting your mind get back to another time. Zevon spent some growing years in Fresno. I had two cousins in Palo Alto. way back when Warren Zevon was mixed up with the whole herd. Linda's band ( some of Eagles) some of Fleetwood Mac and one of his mentors and promoters Jackson Browne.

My cousin Mark Peters, (his mum and mine are sisters), Mark is a cello musician. Mark now lives on the island of Madeira near the Canary Islands and his career is in an orchestra.

Anyway I remember, Zevon's old man was a bookey for Mickey Cohen. Back in those days when it was cool for every one to go to New York and be a folk singer he put some time in there too I think.

Kevin, my youngest Amanda and her two little folks are here. I just showed Amanda your link to Robbie and his book. Now I have to go and buy it. She was thrilled, and with the illustrations. Amanda is in University and is getting to be a very fine artist.

Entered at Sat Dec 19 16:45:23 CET 2015 from (108.2.144.116)

bassmanlee

Subject: Poor pitiful me & wheels on fire

Not to mention the lovely Linda Ronstadt.

On this morning's NPR show Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me they had an item about the newly trendy "hover" boards having a propensity to catch fire, followed by a fade to station ID using Our Boys doing Wheel's On Fire. Cute.

Entered at Sat Dec 19 16:38:23 CET 2015 from (98.110.49.157)

Ben

Subject: Zevon

Zevon absolutely belongs in the rock and roll hall of fame. He was a brilliant and unique songwriter and performer. I picked up the 'Headless in Boston' CD for 5 bucks used and was very pleased with it.

I don't download or stream music, I'm a CD guy, and I'm glad I took a chance on this title. These grey area CD's can be a bit of a crapshoot.

Entered at Sat Dec 19 16:14:17 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Warren Zevon

A colourful boy Kevin. One of his songs that went country covered by Terri Clarke, "Poor Poor Pitiful Me".

Entered at Sat Dec 19 14:49:19 CET 2015 from (24.114.78.51)

Kevin J

Entered at Sat Dec 19 12:38:13 CET 2015 from (83.249.161.239)

NorthWestCoaster

Sorry, "g" and "v" are next to eachother in my Swedish keyboard.

Entered at Sat Dec 19 12:13:59 CET 2015 from (83.249.161.239)

NorthWestCoaster

Subject: Echo?

"If my memory serges me well" I have seen the post of Makkah Live here somewhere.

Entered at Sat Dec 19 08:28:14 CET 2015 from (203.160.29.153)

Fred

Subject: WZ

Ben: I'm not sure if you know about this (or not) but if you go to archive.org you can find quite a few Warren Zevon concerts that can be listened to and/or downloaded. The quality varies from show to show.

Entered at Sat Dec 19 07:10:11 CET 2015 from (98.110.49.157)

Ben

Subject: Warren Zevon

I just picked up a Warren Zevon radio broadcast CD recorded in Boston in 1982 called "Headless in Boston". The sound quality is very good and the performance is excellent. Zevon was a one of a kind talent. Great songwriter and performer.

Entered at Sat Dec 19 05:06:19 CET 2015 from (173.3.48.9)

Jeff A.

Ben you've managed to prompt a Peter post about a songwriter he feels strongly enough about to twice refer to as a dickhead. Just the fact that he used that term is enough to make me smile, but the fact that it seems he appropriated the use of the term from steady exposure to me , has made me kvell with pride. Peter, i can't recall you ever using the term before. Though I've not used it here steadily, I have used it here enough, but it is part of my or any self respecting Brooklynite or other native NYers daily vocabulary.

Entered at Sat Dec 19 04:40:49 CET 2015 from (173.3.48.9)

Jeff A.

Separately, though i did not know them when i lived in or worked in The Bronx, there are several name NYC players from The Bronx, who i have worked with (still unreleased) or am friends with, that made a good living working steady music gigs in Bronx after hour social clubs in the early & mid 80s. We're talking 5 mornings a week, like 11PM, or midnight till maybe 4 or 5 in the morning. The Bronx has one helluva untold history. very fucking rough.

One of my best friends, favorite people in the world is from Da Bronx. We worked together back then, shared that apartment. He he was separated from his wife, & had hot & cold running broads. Three steady girlfriends. And did not deceive, they all knew he had two other girls. One looked like a short Italian Barbara Streisand, the other two were great cooks. I had one girl friend who was a lousy cook. My buddy later married one of te great cooks, & they are still happily married & depend upon each other.

So, if i couldn't be from Brooklyn, being from Da Bronx, or Manhattan, or Queens would be fine with me. My cousin the drummer grew up on the Upper West Side of Manhaatan, it was a good place to grow up then.... Only part of NYC i ain't real crazy about is Staten Island.... I ain't quite sure why we ever wanted i.t

Entered at Fri Dec 18 23:55:00 CET 2015 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

So that is how Robbie got the idea fot the Last Waltz.

Entered at Fri Dec 18 23:42:37 CET 2015 from (98.110.49.157)

Ben

Peter, Get a grip. My point was simply that neither Stevens, Denver or Humperdink are rock. End of story.

I'm sure we can all provide a list of well known performers who are not rock. I realize that I pulled Engelbert out of left field, but for some reason as I was typing, he's the name that came to me.

Entered at Fri Dec 18 23:41:39 CET 2015 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Entered at Fri Dec 18 23:37:55 CET 2015 from (58.104.12.128)

Wallsend

Entered at Fri Dec 18 23:25:12 CET 2015 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Englebert had two UK number ones in the summer of love: the horrible Release Me and the equally bad The Last Waltz.

Hang on, didn't the title get re-used by The Band?

Entered at Fri Dec 18 20:52:37 CET 2015 from (100.2.21.114)

Joan

Norbert thank you for your post I really enjoyed it. I really enjoy it when you post.

about cat there's always been so much controversy swirling around him. The one thing I could say is he seems very much at peace with himself when I saw him on the R&R Hall of Fame.

Entered at Fri Dec 18 19:53:35 CET 2015 from (98.110.49.157)

Ben

Bob, My comments about Cat were strictly related to his induction intio the rock and roll hall of fame. That's it. I don't think of Cat as any more of a rocker than John Denver or Engelbert Humperdink.

Entered at Fri Dec 18 19:52:30 CET 2015 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Chrissie Hynde is very definitely rock and roll. Attitude, scruffy clothes, bad language but some great songs,

Entered at Fri Dec 18 19:42:48 CET 2015 from (184.145.116.226)

Kevin J

Entered at Fri Dec 18 18:49:48 CET 2015 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

The ultimate First Cut is The Deepest is P.P. Arnold, but again close association with the writer. Like someone we’d best not mention or me and Norm will get told off again, he liked to choose other singers to sing his stuff.

But on his own … Matthew and Son, Moonshadow, Father and Son, Lady d’Arbanville, Oh, Very Young, Where Do The Children Play, I Love My Dog, Peace Train.

The name change didn’t help him, nor did unforgivable dumb comments about Salman Rushdie, which caused 10,000 Maniacs to eradicate their cover of Peace Train from albums. Rightly so, at the time.

Anyway, though apparently a dickhead, he was a great songwriter and singer. But quite a lot of the great ones were dickheads.

Entered at Fri Dec 18 18:49:53 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Gregg Allman & Jackson Browne - Mellissa

Two old friends. You can see how much they enjoy singing together after all these years. As many of the comments agree. About the best version of this song you can hear. Tears your heart out.

Entered at Fri Dec 18 18:36:33 CET 2015 from (69.112.112.38)

Bob F

Thanks Norm. I think fans of any artist in the HOF can make a legitimate argument for their inclusion.

Entered at Fri Dec 18 18:30:16 CET 2015 from (184.206.230.15)

BenPike

Subject: A rough year all over...

Peter, I lose track of overall years... But yes, even Richard Thompson's album did not thrill me year. It's sort of growing on me, but usually a Thompson album will have two or three great songs jump out at me right away.

Entered at Fri Dec 18 18:14:00 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Cat Stevens

Bob, we are certainly in agreement and his music was played by a lot of guys in a lot of bars out here. Moon Shadow, Longer Boats.

I would offer than no one bothered to comment and stave off another useless argument over nothing (that is called a "debate" I guess).

Entered at Fri Dec 18 18:05:47 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: The Three Stooges

I always thought it was Mo, Larry and Curly that was begat.

Noah!, OH NOAH!.....what a ya want! I want you to build an ARK! I want it 300 cubits by 100 cubits.....what the fuck is a cubit?

I forget if I told yuz how Jesus got his name.

Once upon a time.....he was born in this real mangy place. Well these wise guys heard he was born so they went to visit him and take him some toys an' stuff. Well it came to pass, this mangy place was sorta like Bilbo Baggins place it was real low kinda. One of these wise guys was real tall and as he was comin in to drop off his present, he hit his head in this low door way. He grabbed his head an' says "JESUS CHRIST!"

Mary looks at Joseph an' says y'know Joe.......that sounds a lot better than Hoiman. Lets call him that......so they did..........THE END

Entered at Fri Dec 18 18:03:32 CET 2015 from (69.112.112.38)

Bob F

I don't understand the Cat Stevens comments at all. Cat was one of the greatest songwriters of all time. So many classics it would be stupid to try to justify. Plus he made great records. The guy owned years. If it wasn't for the anti Muslim angle he would have gone into the HOF way earlier. Maybe in England and Canada you guys didn't get it or in Ben's case you weren't born yet but here in America Cat's music will last forever.

Entered at Fri Dec 18 17:57:35 CET 2015 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Entered at Fri Dec 18 17:50:01 CET 2015 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Just out, remastered at last too. The third disc is all unreleased material - extra take and BBC sessions, but the real joy is LONG sleeve notes by Van Morrison, revealing that "Them" on record is him and session guys, NOT the band, at least until the final album. Here Comes The Night was Jimmy Page on guitar, Alan White on drums, Phil Coulter on keyboards, and The Ivy League on backing vocals.

Baby Please Don't Go features Jimmy Page on guitar and double-tracked on tuned-down guitar to sound like a 6 string bass added to the normal bass player.

So when you think, 'Well, the guitarist in Them played great stuff …" it was Jimmy Page.

Entered at Fri Dec 18 17:39:59 CET 2015 from (184.145.116.226)

Kevin J

“And Noah was five hundred years old: and Noah begat Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

Noah was six hundred years old when the floodwaters came on the earth.”

….at age 700, he’d had enough of the Levon-Robbie feud and left the GB !

Entered at Fri Dec 18 17:25:03 CET 2015 from (184.66.134.56)

JT

Subject: Mehutin

Better to be in-laws than outlaws. On the other hand, 'To live outside the law, you must be honest'.

Entered at Fri Dec 18 17:23:58 CET 2015 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Interesting. When I started and got stuck on my idea for a book on "least popular albums" by major artists, like Cahoots and at the time, Self Portrait, I'd picked out Chicago III as the best example. I never heard Chicago IV. I wore out CTA and Chicago II on nonstop play, and Chicago III was another where I kept playing it for days trying to find a spark.

Entered at Fri Dec 18 16:36:20 CET 2015 from (173.3.48.9)

Jeff A.

I've got to run, but, Norm, when you ask how your post about RR's post Last Waltz career could lead to etc etc, you know this, but here is the line: "I had that thought when there was a lot of negative crap directed his way.". That was the hook you laid out right there. Left out, there's no room for argument, no reason for any kind of less than agreeing response...People need to read, it's that simple. That line, combined with Peter' next response, is what got old Ben going. He could have not answered, which was the easiest thing to do, just ignore it, but, he bit your bait. Nothing wrong with that....And if you look at his remark about "Now, if we start discussing Levon's career after the last waltz, just how long do you think it will be before someone comments about how bitter and angry Levon was and some of the "mean" things he said about Robbie." you'll see where he is coming from.

Just a minor aspect of the psychosociology of it all. Which of ocurse, you are aware of.

School's over for the morning Norm. You got recess now. Play nice.

Adifuckingos.

Entered at Fri Dec 18 16:23:07 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Late 60's - Early 70's

Jerry, I remember when Chicago first started picking up steam. They were (sorta unlikely) friends with The Doobie Brothers. In our small town areas and gigs it was always, (listening to Chicago) well who is going to play music like that? There were never many horn players around back then. Some of the Doobie's stuff tho' was playable to us.

Didn't matter much tho' because CCR was huge out here.

Entered at Fri Dec 18 16:08:31 CET 2015 from (5.246.144.19)

Makkah Live

Subject: Released!

Good to see Norbert here again - as always. He said to me once that "you are not growing old, you are just getting wiser". I must be EXTREMILY wise by now because this happened for fifteen years ago. - I felt warm in my heart after his story. And welcome back to France after the retairement. A lot has changed, believe me.

Entered at Fri Dec 18 15:48:32 CET 2015 from (173.3.48.9)

Jeff A.

Norm, I think, but am not certain, that what Ben just wrote indicates that your post begat his post. You two are now joined at the hip. Possibly related even. Jerry, they're regular mekhutnes (in laws).

Entered at Fri Dec 18 15:38:58 CET 2015 from (184.66.134.56)

JT

Subject: CHICAGO 1-4

Chicago 1 and 2 are excellent. I found 3 to be good and 4 very good.

Entered at Fri Dec 18 15:34:07 CET 2015 from (98.110.49.157)

Ben

Everyone that posts here has a different perspective on all things Band related. Does that even need saying? So, again I don't understand the uproar created by my comments about Robbie yesterday. I don't think I wrote anything that hasn't been expressed here before by myself and others.

Now, if we start discussing Levon's career after the last waltz, just how long do you think it will be before someone comments about how bitter and angry Levon was and some of the "mean" things he said about Robbie.

My point here is simply that it's a two way street when it comes to discussing Levon or Robbie on this forum.

Entered at Fri Dec 18 14:33:34 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Begat!

I never liked that begat word Peter. After reading that post, and the wonderful one Norbert has brought us for Christmas I realize how wise you fellows really are. So without having to walk up a mountain and find the Dali Lama maybe you could explain to me how.....making a simple statement about my thoughts on Robbie's life and career is spoiling for a fight?

Screw this.... saying something nice is against the grain now I guess.

Norbert, old friend it is so good to hear from you again. I recall many years ago when you invited me to that old farm in France. I really am hoping to take you up on that. I have to stop and see Lars on the way. I'm hoping in this next year. Peace and comfort be with you and your family in this holiday season.

Entered at Fri Dec 18 13:47:03 CET 2015 from (108.16.242.238)

Peter M.

Entered at Fri Dec 18 13:41:46 CET 2015 from (83.249.161.239)

NorthWestCoaster

Subject: Norbert's post

Good to see Norbert here again - as always. He said to me once that "you are not growing old, you are just getting wiser". I must be EXTREMILY wise by now because this happened for fifteen years ago. - I felt warm in my heart after his story. And welcome back to France after the retairement. A lot has changed, believe me.

Entered at Fri Dec 18 13:01:59 CET 2015 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

JT, just to check, by "first four albums" do you mean the first two double albums? (CTA / Chicago II)? I loved both but thought "Chicago III" defines the classic "third album issue."

We often have our 2 and 4 year old grandkids here. You have to be careful If they both draw pictures, and you only praise one of them, the other is distraught "Why didn't you say my picture was good?" They can't understand that praising one is not criticising the other. I call it the Robbie-Levon problem.

Jeff: Jesus, Noah, Moses and all the Popes. I'm not sure about comparison. Jesus was active for just three years (out of 33), to Moses's 120 and Noah's 950. Mind you, when I see that Noah begat Shem, Ham and Japeth at age 500, I realise there is hope for us all. I mentioned this to Mrs V who scornfully tells me that biblical "years" are probably lunar months, so making him 38. But I like to think he was still managing at 500.

Entered at Fri Dec 18 02:14:41 CET 2015 from (98.110.49.157)

Ben

Kevin, When you get past the artists who get into the r&r hof on the first ballot, there's a great deal of subjectivity in many of the other selections. I think Leonard Cohen definitely belongs in. Whether or not any of his music was technically rock, he definitely has the attitude and style of a rocker.

Cat Stevens is a good songwriter, sure, but he is not a rocker. Now if someone sets up a 'soft rock' hall of fame somewhere, maybe Cat can be transferred over there.

Entered at Fri Dec 18 01:39:59 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: New notes

That is really interesting Jerry. I never had the good fortune to see them. You need to, (or maybe you have) seen the musicians who were involved with those guys and went on to different venues, and you never even know they played music with those guys.

Ben, what a very ridiculous comment some one may have a different point of view. Yours was not a different point of view. Shake your head. You had to start comparing Robbie's life to what every one else had done. You just don't get it. Every one else here has made the comments to you. I was not saying, (in any way) that Robbie had done better or greater than any one else. I simply commented on what he had done as an individual. It had nothing to do with any one else in the Band. You brought that forth and invited all the comments from Calvin and every one else on yourself.

Your point of view is your own, and had nothing at all to do with my comment. Maybe you should go and discuss it with your shrink........and your partner from "da bronks".

Entered at Fri Dec 18 01:24:22 CET 2015 from (173.3.48.109)

Jeff A.

Entered at Fri Dec 18 01:21:44 CET 2015 from (184.66.164.212)

JT

Subject: Chicago Transit Authority

Chicago: It was the late 60s and I went to the O'Keefe Centre to hear/see something I had never heard/seen before. A group of musicians were playing jazz-oriented rock with horns and a vocalist that could blow most of the others out of the water. At that time they were called Chicago Transit Authority. I was absolutely stunned! Any of you who were around in those days to witness the birth of a new popular music form know what I'm talking about. It was as profound an experience to me as when I first heard MFBP and said to myself that were were entering a new era. What a time it was. I heard Blind Faith that same year (I think) and had witness Johnny Winter at Massey Hall. But Chicago was something else! Listen to those first 4 albums. They are stellar.

Entered at Fri Dec 18 01:20:22 CET 2015 from (173.3.48.109)

Jeff A.

Entered at Fri Dec 18 01:18:03 CET 2015 from (98.110.49.157)

Ben

Rockin Chair, Why are you surprised that someone responds to your post with a different point of view? How is that any different from what's been happening on this guestbook for the past 20 years. Get over it.

Entered at Fri Dec 18 01:15:47 CET 2015 from (173.3.48.109)

Jeff A.

Took a break from writing and peaked. Norbert, Happy Holidays to you, what the hell are you smoking or drinking :-)? i want to see that episode when it airs, that's a damn good one.

Pete, you've been so pleasant, now don't go getting smug on us. (" Five amazing individuals. Some gained pleasure by playing the same songs over and over, some by creating new songs. And new soundtracks.) Rick wrote or at least co-wrote a nice amount of new songs, was involved in some very fine new projects. And he was a work horse.
Like many great artists of the past century, his repertoire was wide and greatly varied. In the spirit of the old time blues artists like Lonnie Johnson & others who performed all kinds of music, Rick played his own material, The Band's material, and material that he loved... Johnny Mathis, Johnny Paycheck, Lionel Richie, Sam Cooke, was just some........And Rick was a minstrel, he loved & lived to perform and putting on the miles to bring music to his fans was part of his life.

There's all kinds of artists. Some need to feel and connect to their fan base, some want to, others don't...but you know what- the ones that do & connect, the ones that mean something to people, they connect hard, and most of them really do enjoy people.meeting and knowing people...The Band was so important in people's lives, and the other 4 continued to bring that, but also themselves directly to people. And don;t forget, you know, The Band was it;s members- the sound was who they were. Being amongst their fans, what those 4 guys gave is irreplaceable...

It is actual life that inspires or produces ...life inspires & produces life, love,the best art...it's not intellect or pretense and intellect, or talent and intellect alone in a vacuum that will create the best art...... Soundtrack work is great, pays well, and people hear it and it has an effect. But to me, there's no comparison between the effect of all the various post Last Waltz works, RR's soundtrack work and the effect that Rick, Richard's, Levon's & Garth's time in the bars, club,s auditoriums, and theaters, had.

That said, I'm not looking for comparisons. Ben began this, Pete, you continued, then as i addressed up top, you wanted to tie it up in a bow. If it's gonna get discussed at all, let it be honestly. RR was not the only one presenting new material or new projects. But he was the only one that wasn't performing for and connecting with his audience on a very personal level.. His choice. I could care less.He wanted out of the Band, his call, no one's right to tell him what to do. That never was the issue for me.But when Norm might have indicated it was because of most of the othe r guys doing drugs. RR was doing just as many and continued to ( your writing was very unclear Norm)

There's no law says that there is only way to be an artist. What RR has done, well good for him. It satisfies him, the record company and film company bean counters and lawyers and deal makers & obviously fans. But we are all entitled to our appreciation of what we appreciate.And our opinions. My opinion is that between 1976 and Levon's death, the other 4 members of the Band did more good in our lifetime than Jesus Christ, Noah, Moses, and all the Popes did combined. To me, what RR did ain't in the league of any of those guys. Not even Charlton Heston .

Adios

Wait...... Shalom Calvin, i don't know how often you saw Rick. There was a wide range in his performances. If you caught a night that seemed like an oldies act,well you caught a bad night. It could happen and i don't dispute your opinion..Rick had some bad nights.and/or some half bad nights.. Your opinion is yours, and maybe it was that way that night. But it wasn't ever a norm. But if you saw Rick perform a couple dozen or a couple hundred times in various incarnations, you wouldn't call any of these incarnations an oldies act. No way. I know that. You would only consider the whole of Rick's live performances in the 80s and 90s a blessing on this earth.

Now Adios.

Entered at Fri Dec 18 00:56:41 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: To the Moon Alice!!!

Gawd Damn unreeeel! Some times it's hard to treat some people here with respect because if they read their posts back to themselves they would realize they don't deserve it.

I just about laugh my guts out. I make an innocent comment about Robbie Robertson that is "only my own" observation. This becomes fuel for a fire for some air heads to take it to another level. "Yeah but Rick did this, Levon did that!"

It had fuck all to do with what any body else did. Shake yer head a little. Ben, you obviously got nothing else to contribute, but an argument just as Peter said. Don't try and buy your way out of it. You had to make it some kind of competition. At least have the balls to admit it.

The same as the contributions of the Bronks bone head, who accuses me of being drunk or "sober up". Truth is I very seldom drink anything stronger than green tea. However he needs to take a look at his typing, which becomes even worse when he comes home drunk and trys to "articulate" :-)

This does get pretty hilarious. I was making a comment about Robbie Robertson's career and life, (part of which) was as a member of "THE BAND". His post Band career has been very interesting to many of us. (Not a bone of contention to argue against the other members of the BAND). Who we all love, and I a lot longer than many because, I'm not any more important than any one else. I just been around before you were finished wearing diapers Ben.

Entered at Fri Dec 18 00:04:18 CET 2015 from (184.145.116.226)

Kevin J

LINKED: Leonard Cohen RRHOF induction. The speech starts at the 4 minute mark. The induction was by brown eyed girl's and Lester Bang's main man Lou Reed. I could watch this one all night.

Entered at Thu Dec 17 23:40:48 CET 2015 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Entered at Thu Dec 17 23:39:00 CET 2015 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

It has to be someone else singing it, but First Cut Is The Deepest on its own will serve as Cat Steven's passport. Ten great songs? It is more than most manage.

Entered at Thu Dec 17 23:38:25 CET 2015 from (184.145.116.226)

Kevin J

As to Cat Stevens....at least he was played on rock radio.....Madonna never was ! In that vein, the best speech at one of these RRHOF induction ceremonies was by Leonard Cohen. Recognizing the awkwardness of the moment, he began with:

"So, I'm reminded of the profetic statement of John Landau in the early seventies. He said: 'I've seen the future of Rock & Roll and it is not Leonard Cohen'."

Entered at Thu Dec 17 22:55:04 CET 2015 from (98.110.49.157)

Ben

Subject: Hall of Fame

Kevin, I was also pleased that Deep Purple are finally getting in. Mark II Deep Purple were a great hard rock band. I always liked them better than Zeppelin or Sabbath.

There have been lots and lots of questionable inductions over the years. A couple that come to mind are Cat Stevens and Hall and Oates. Now, I enjoy some Cat from time to time, but in what bizarro alternate reality is he rock and roll? I'm sure Lester Bangs rolled over a few times in his grave the night Cat was inducted.

Entered at Thu Dec 17 22:30:05 CET 2015 from (184.145.116.226)

Kevin J

Entered at Thu Dec 17 22:20:29 CET 2015 from (184.145.116.226)

Kevin J

Announcement was today....Deep Purple is finally in. So is Steve Miller. Chicago also deserving. Cheap Trick also in and that seems debatable. NWA was never rock but a hugely important music rap band. All in all, these selections are at least better than many years. We are running out of famous rock n roll bands !

Entered at Thu Dec 17 21:51:35 CET 2015 from (87.152.123.103)

Norbert

Subject: The Girl who saved the Band

At the CD shop, almost today, just before closing time and on my way out, I noticed, there was only, or still, one last Band CD left. The yellow TLW CD. Precisely at that moment an old man in a wheel chair stopped in front of that last Band CD. He took the CD in his hands, knock with his ring against the plastic cover, as if he tested the quality. He whipped away an imaginary dust particle and carefully put the CD back in the rack. I wanted to walk on but stopped again as I saw a little girl now also looking at that last Last Waltz CD. After a while she picked it up and walked towards the cash desk.

The man in the wheel chair and I followed. At the cash desk the old man asked the little girl if she was a Band fan, she smiled and said it was a gift for her dad. “Will you play it loud and if you like it tell it to your kids about this Band? he asked. “If I like it…. sure!” she replied and off she went.

I helped the old man though the door. Outside we watched the girl step in the back of a car …..”Now that was the last one of The Band, guess that’s the end” I sad slowly……..the old man looked up to me and shook his head ….”No …… you just saw a new beginning….” and he drove away.

I closed my coat and watched the car with the little girl in the back drive away. She cleaned the fogged window with her hand and waved to me with the yellow Band CD on her way to save the world …….. Instinctively I knew the old man was right ……….. it was something sacred like….. …. dew in the morning dawn ……. I looked up, it had started snowing again, time to go home and I smiled as I walked into the dark German Christmas eve……….a new beginning.

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

I sold our BMW, our air-cooled Porsche 911 (which almost doubled in prize ;-) and our nice German house is for sale now. In sometime we will be moving to either Frankfurt or Holland (Rotterdam?). But only for 5 or 6 years, then we will move on to France again (Vendee or Lot) but this time for good. ..... a new beginning.

Entered at Thu Dec 17 21:35:09 CET 2015 from (98.110.49.157)

Ben

Peter, I'm not interest in rehashing the feud for the umpteenth time. I don't think any of my comments today have done that in any way, although I did note the fact that Robbie was in a better financial situation than the others due to his songwriting royalties. Do you consider that rehashing the feud in some way?

Again, my interest here isn't to attack or bash Robbie. But, I feel that the other members of the Band, particularly Rick and Levon busted their ass for years performing Band music and keeping the legacy of the Band alive. So, when Robbie's post last waltz work is praised to the skies, I can't help but offer a counterpoint.

Entered at Thu Dec 17 20:40:46 CET 2015 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Entered at Thu Dec 17 20:28:47 CET 2015 from (98.110.49.157)

Ben

I don't begrudge Robbie's decision to retire from the road in 1976. He certainly had every right to do that. However, When we discuss this, I do think it's important to recognize that he was in a more secure financial situation than the others due to his lucrative songwriting royalties.

Calvin, I reject the notion that you can't compare Rick and Robbie's post Last Waltz work. Of course we can. We have the recordings that have been released over the years. In Robbie's case, we have a number of soundtracks in addition to his solo releases.

I also reject the idea that Rick was "essentially an oldies act". He really wasn't. He played a variety of material over the years. Sure, he probably played 'stage fright' and 'it makes no difference' along with some others at every single show, but how does that differ from the vast majority of successful musicians?

Entered at Thu Dec 17 19:42:13 CET 2015 from (173.3.48.109)

Jeff A.

Five great talents, one great band. No one's contribution unessential. All leaving great legacies.

Sayonara for the day.

Entered at Thu Dec 17 19:16:38 CET 2015 from (173.3.48.109)

Jeff A.

Entered at Thu Dec 17 18:38:40 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Oh Yeah!

Got to go do some work on my barge.....leave you with a chuckle I just had. These arguments.....whose best, remind me of the Hollywood jokes of old.....That still prevale today I guess.

First kid, "bet my Dad can beat up your Dad!"

Second kid, "what d-ya-mean.....my Dad is your Dad."

First kid, "We got a new Dad at our house this year."

Second kid, "Yeah yer gonna like him, we had him last year."

Entered at Thu Dec 17 17:41:38 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Calmer Waters

Thank you Kevin. My point exactly. I don't see at any time trying to make some one more important than another,

On an aside note. We have young Mr. Trudeau on our coast this morning, talking with the Vancouver Major. He did do one , (to us) very important thing that he had promised. This was something that I was irate about along with many of my people. A stunt the conservative gov. pulled off. Nonsensical stupid sons-a-bitches. They shut down the Coast Guard Station in Vancouver. Now the Libs have reopened it.

Entered at Thu Dec 17 17:20:46 CET 2015 from (184.145.116.226)

Kevin J

I'll also add that the road doesn't become any better the more money you have...I thought it might...trust me, it doesn't.....better pillows, better views, prettier reception staff, quicker check-in......same F*cking drag !

Entered at Thu Dec 17 17:15:14 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Well Explained

Thank you Jerry. That's how it was meant.

Entered at Thu Dec 17 17:09:37 CET 2015 from (184.66.134.56)

JT

Subject: 16 years

On the road = away from home

Anyone who has stayed consistently in motel rooms and travels on buses or in cars to get there (the usual) knows that this is a tough go. Never mind the hours and the toll it takes on the traveller and on those who are left behind. '16 years' is an ode to a tough life. It is meant as a statement of a man who wants to take his experience and direct it elsewhere. It is a statement to remind those of us who were the beneficiaries of this hard life that it was enough for at least one man. To make a go of the rest of his life, it had to change. Take it for what it said. It was the statement of a weary man who wanted to look forward to something different. What it was reaped rewards but it was time to do something different. We sometimes are lucky enough to make a change. That's how I took it.

Entered at Thu Dec 17 16:36:45 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Debate?

My comment about Robbie certainly wasn't meant as a contest over whose legacy is greater or more important. That is not a contest. Every man is important in his own right. It doesn't matter at all who is greater or more important. That is a childish position.

My comment was directed only to the fact that many were disappointed with the end of the BAND. As sad as that was to see Robbie had other seeds to sew, other visions.

Any one ever having been on the road knows what a shit life it "can be". Some love it, others do not. There is no other way to express it. Staying in some crap hotels, eating shit food some times. Some want to work at other projects and wake up knowing where you are in the morning.

To turn this into a debate, or "argument" over who is best only continues the stupid pissing match. That was not my point at all.

Entered at Thu Dec 17 16:23:42 CET 2015 from (173.3.48.109)

Jeff A.

And everyone ignores Garth's immense recorded output.

But, in any event, there's many ways to measure "legacy." Perceived mass public notice is one. In that regard, I think time & history is giving it to Levon these days. Of course, the last man standing with the access to the starmaking machinery gets last rights - meaning more time to try to find a different way to implant his interpretation of the past since Levon's final act& a connected public backlash finally put a very large dent in his first efforts.

There will never be any resolution to this one. And if the world still exists in 50 years, the debate will include the debate. People may actually consider our drivel important. Now wouldn't that be a fucking crime.

Entered at Thu Dec 17 16:03:40 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Work & WORK

I didn't spend a lot of years, or time on the road.....but, I can honestly say. I've worked in logging in the bush. I commercial fished for 30 years. When not fishing, operating my tug, and even now with travelling from one port to another, loading and off loading machinery I work up to 16 hours some times.

Putting in 4 or 5 hours on stage is every bit as hard as those other jobs. Also in our little gigs we had no roadies or crews to set up and break down and load and unload equipment. We did it all. Many times finishing at one in the morning in Washington state. Break down and load equipment. Go thru' customs at the border, lucky to get home by 3 in the morning or later. Many times I had another job to go to as well.

The road?.........no thanks.

Entered at Thu Dec 17 15:57:10 CET 2015 from (65.189.212.146)

Calvin

I Love Rick, listen to his Live stuff more than any Post LW Music. But he was essentially an Oldies Act, which Robbie Never was, And Levon stopped being near the end of his career when he started working with Larry Campbell.

LIke I said, Rick is far and away my favorite, but comparing his career post 1980 to Robbie's? Not even close.

Entered at Thu Dec 17 15:50:08 CET 2015 from (184.66.134.56)

JT

Subject: Levon and the HAWKS

Levon and the Hawks played bars in Toronto and toured extensively from the very early 60s until they joined Dylan in 1965. And those were long nights until midnight often or later.

Entered at Thu Dec 17 15:25:33 CET 2015 from (68.171.246.2)

Bill M

Entered at Thu Dec 17 14:47:03 CET 2015 from (98.110.49.157)

Ben

Subject: Robbie

Before this turns into a Robbie love fest, I'd like to say that my main interest in these musicians is in their music, both live and studio.

On that score, I rank Levon and Rick, both with the reformed Band and solo, with a far greater legacy than Robbie since the last waltz.

We have hundreds of full length performances of Levon, Rick, The Band and various combinations to enjoy, while there is one Robbie performance, plus a handful of guest appearances.

It's fine that he retired from the road, although his claim about "16 years on the road" in the last waltz is quite an exaggeration. Frankly, the Band as a live unit were in semi-retirement after the 'Rock of Ages' concerts. They did zero shows in 1972, 3 in 1973, tours with Dylan and CSNY in 1974, zero shows in 1975 and a final tour in 1976. That's hardly a backbreaking touring schedule.

In addition, when you discuss the post last waltz period, you should at least acknowledge the fact that Robbie by all accounts was in a far better financial position than the other members if the Band due in large part to songwriting royalties.

Entered at Thu Dec 17 13:19:59 CET 2015 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Entered at Thu Dec 17 03:29:25 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: The Road!

A thought occurred to me a long time ago. What a very diverse person Robbie Robertson is. I had that thought when there was a lot of negative crap directed his way.

The BAND, was a chapter in his life. I expect it was hard for him to watch some of his mates from such a long time, abuse themselves with booze and drugs.

It's not hard to understand when following where his life road took him. He had so many projects to do and so many other ambitions after being on "The Road".

The scores for movies, his own music that he sang and played himself. His ambition for the work he has done for First Nations people and his heritage. His energy for children and his books.

It's easy to admire him and his accomplishments. Good on him.

Entered at Wed Dec 16 20:45:36 CET 2015 from (68.171.246.22)

Bill M

If Rob the Organ were still with us, he would no doubt confirm that Jerome K Jerome lapsed into the same rhythm for a wonderful 1.75 paragraphs of "Three Men in A Boat".

To again bring Gordon Lightfoot back into the picture, I'll note that both Longfellow's great epic "Hiawatha" and Lightoot's great epic "The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald" took place in and around the same lake, Gitche-Goomie.

Entered at Wed Dec 16 20:09:42 CET 2015 from (83.249.161.239)

NorthWestCoaster

Subject: "Speaking in languages" by Paul Simon

BTW My favourite Paul Simon line.

What is the advantage to speak a language with only 5 million people? You can get lonely in an airport! - Maybe you'll understand that no one speaks your language and never will. A very talented Finnish young lady has understood this to 100 per cent. He has written the alien language in the newest Star Wars movie picture. Listen to closely, this is closest you will ever get to Finnish language!

Entered at Wed Dec 16 19:14:21 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: The Tree of Peace

The illustrations by David Shannon are wonderful.

Entered at Wed Dec 16 18:39:05 CET 2015 from (156.47.15.10)

David P

It seens that Robbie has read Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, whose poems include "The Song of Hiawatha" and "Evangeline: A Tale of Acadie."

Entered at Wed Dec 16 18:38:39 CET 2015 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Anyone recall Mike Oldfield's Hiawatha? With lovely narration.

Entered at Wed Dec 16 17:33:34 CET 2015 from (24.114.51.44)

Kevin J

Subject: New Song

LINKED: Robbie reading fom his new book.......interesting on that level but more interesting to me for having more audio from the new song......which I am really loving the more I hear from it.

Do be prepared to sit through 2 seperate 15 sec ads !

Entered at Wed Dec 16 13:13:12 CET 2015 from (69.112.112.120)

Bob F

Joan, thanks. Yes, I've kept the photos in a closet in a room where the temperature and humidity control is good and consistent. Back then he wasn't mass producing. In fact he said he had to set up his development equipment especially to do my photos. Whatever. He has great photos. His Janis Joplin concert photos are amazing.

Entered at Wed Dec 16 02:43:27 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Thank you...Thank you very much!

Mikey & Sad- David for your kind words. The information for determination is readily available on line. The government from 2000 to date. Under the watch of the Liberal Gov. Paul Martin's corrupt gov. was a shame to the Liberal loyal.

Stephane Dion & Michael Ignateiff both very well educated and up standing men could not salvage that mess. I do watch a lot, and read a lot, (tho' just an illiterate ignorant tug boat captain, my long education tho' not quite as refined is extensive).

One question to you. If you choose to blame the Conservative gov. in every way.....consider. In the 2011 election NDP won 103 seats. The liberals 34 (Lowest in history). Do you think anyone else had any thing to do with all those people voting NDP? Michael Ignateiff lost his own seat. That would be a vote of "no confidence."

Entered at Wed Dec 16 00:39:29 CET 2015 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Subject: Best of 2015 Theatre

This may be of little interest as most won't have seen the plays, but the link takes you to some great pictures from the plays, actors and actresses of 2015.

Entered at Tue Dec 15 20:48:32 CET 2015 from (100.2.21.114)

Joan

I think it was Bob F who mentioned that he had Landy prints. I know you said you keep in a closet but it's the closet temperature controlled i.e. not too humid and not too hot. Richard and I have been collecting photos many years. It's very important to have archival paper and will if used

Entered at Tue Dec 15 20:21:36 CET 2015 from (131.137.34.213)

sadavid

Subject: the carbon-dated dynamic duo

Ronnie and Gord stay awake.

Entered at Tue Dec 15 20:04:24 CET 2015 from (184.145.116.226)

Kevin J

Entered at Tue Dec 15 20:04:05 CET 2015 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Thanks for that link, John D. Ronnie looks great. He's still delivering the lines … no plot spoilers. Watch it.

Entered at Tue Dec 15 19:53:54 CET 2015 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

I didn't realise Laika was a bitch. Still, she was also Russian. Customs may differ, even for dogs.

Well, they obviously do. I can't envisage Neil Armstrong whipping it out and anointing the side of a NASA bus.

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Jeff A.

Adventures in Moist Articulation. If Jan could engage a BAC level app to the GB that somehow presented BAC's with posts, well, the last 11 or so years (i've been around over 13) would prove instructional. An Anger Meter would be a lot of fun to have here too.

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Bill M

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John D

Ronnie Hawkins at 80 years of age has recorded The Band's Christmas Must Be Tonight. Here is an interview from Thursday night; with Ronnie and Gordon Lightfoot.

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sadavid

Peter V: it's a great line, but Laika was a lady -- given her druthers, she'd have squatted behind the bus.

As a political analyst, the WC makes a good towboat driver. Way beyond moist and well into 'all wet.'

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Peter V

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David P

Before joining the Raiders, Freddy had been an integral member of Billy Joe Royal's band. Billy Joe was also an important part of the Atlanta music scene, who'd recorded such classics as "Down in the Boondocks" and "Hush", both written by Joe South.

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Jeff A.

Mike, I 'm truly humbled to be able to recognize Norm.

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Mike Nomad

Jeff, I was moved by your generous and gracious recognition of our dear friend and fellow poster Norm's remarkable and wide-ranging talent as a political commentator, particularly in the national sense as it applies to the Canadian political scene, but to bestow the unprecedented and entirely unexpected honor to dear Norm as the "moist articulate GB poster" of the year is damp praise indeed. Well done!

Entered at Tue Dec 15 04:10:04 CET 2015 from (99.16.133.205)

Adam

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Adam

There's 154 photos... black & white, color and infrared. divided into sections like "Big Pink Days", "California 1969", "Live Performance", etc. There are many many unseen photos, even for someone who has seen most of the Landy photos out there. Some great shots of the guys backstage at Winterland and Fillmore East, dream like live shots, and tranquil family life country portraits that portray the guys in The Band like normal everyday people, worksmen and laborers of their craft.

Entered at Tue Dec 15 03:38:39 CET 2015 from (68.171.246.129)

Bill M

. Just in from seeing "Mavis", the documentary. Good. Nice footage of young Bob D, nicer interview clips of the older Bob D. Nice to see a bit of TLW too, and interesting how different the experience is when it's in the context of a focus on Mavis. Oh yes, a moving bit of Levon, managing to sing along in his livingroom. I would have liked to see and hear more of Donny Gerrard but at least a magnificent Mavis-Donny duet is the last song on the soundtrack.

Entered at Tue Dec 15 02:39:15 CET 2015 from (173.3.49.139)

Jeff A.

There's a lot to what Norm wrote about the connection between cursing and being articulate.

End Of Year GB Lists. Moist Articulate GB Poster: Norm. No one is even close.

Entered at Tue Dec 15 02:05:32 CET 2015 from (24.224.128.101)

joe j

As much as I railed against his father, I'm willing to give Trudeau the Younger a bit of grace time. His predecessor, Harper, was a mean man, enough to put you off conservatism altogether.

Entered at Tue Dec 15 01:30:04 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: People who swear.......

On Yahoo..look it up. A study shows! people who swear a lot are more "articulate" than those who abstain. I always knew that anyways.

Now Jerry is trying to get himself off the hook by saying "I just responded". It's all good.

There are many rebutles Kevin regarding Stephane Dion, and Michael Ignatief. Trying to engage in some chicken shit partnership with the NDP because he knew he didn't have balls enough to win an election on his own. Ignatief, an opportunist whether he was in England, USA, or Canada who did not display enough integrity to be believable for people to support him, so blame electioneering for their failures, bullshit. It was obvious and I have spoken to so many long time Liberal supporters who were so irate, they voted conservative.

However I respect your opinions. The one statement you made, (after driving to Port Hardy, and doing my work and thinking about this) Kevin, and I honestly thought you above this.

Justin Trudeau, "Practise in the art of literally knocking out wife beating members of Harper's government." Well shame on you Kevin how many did he knock out?. That statement suggests that "MEMBERS" of the Conservative government go around beating their wives. Well, you should be writing for the Toronto Sun.

We all, (any of us that are sensible and sane) applaud young Justin for what he did. I told you before. Justin is a friend of my sister, who was for many years a director and co-ordinator for the Victoria Rescue Co-ordination Center, (before down sizing). I also have thought of him as a stand up guy.

Doesn't matter what he did then, but to now start out by changing all the goal posts from his "election promises) makes him no better than any one else. So he better shape up or I'm comin' after him........right after I deal with Mike Nomad!

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Mike Nomad

Kevin, like B'rer Fox, "he lay low." Me tangle with Norm? Unthink my health insurance covers those kinds of scraps. After all, Norm reads Sun columnists. That's scary enough! But I agree: Give Pierre's boy a sporting chance.

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Bob F

My experiences were not quite as happy. I purchased a set of Dylan prints from Landy in Woodstock, 1980. I kept my prints in a closet all these years. No light. When ever I look at them I notice they are fading more and more. I paid top dollar back then. Young and stupid.

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John D

I have to agree with JT. If I've ever done a "first" on this guestbook I was the first I believe to purchase one of his prints; when he first put them up for sale years ago. I then came back to this guestbook to talk about it and encouraged others to buy these beautiful pieces of art.

I bought the "Brown" album cover print. I've met Elliott a couple of times in Woodstock and everything he does is first class.

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JT

Subject: The Book: E. Landy

Bob F: The book ships to Toronto. I'm there next week. If received, I'll let you know. I have no doubt though that this will be a fine effort. From my communications with Mr. Landy and from what I've seen of his work, he is highly committed and everything he does is first class.

Entered at Mon Dec 14 21:42:15 CET 2015 from (69.112.112.120)

Bob F

I read some great music bio's/memoirs in 2015:

Patti Smith - M Train

Peter Guaralnick - Sam Phillips The Man Who Invented Rock 'N' Roll

Willie Nelson & David Ritz - It's A Long Story: My Life

Warren Zanes - Petty The Biography

Tom Doyle - Man On The Run: Paul McCartney in the 1970's

Entered at Mon Dec 14 21:16:16 CET 2015 from (69.112.112.120)

Bob F

JT, I see that Elliot Landy was selling his new Band book at The Morrison Hotel Gallery in NYC this past Saturday. I was wondering if you received your copy in the mail yet and if yes, you're thoughts?

Entered at Mon Dec 14 20:38:23 CET 2015 from (156.47.15.10)

David P

Another famous "beer major" at Emory a decade or so later, Peter Buck, dropped out to attend the University of Georgia in Athens, where he became a founding member of R.E.M.

Two other famous musicians who attended Emory, Amy Ray and Emily Saliers, managed to graduate after forming the group Indigo Girls. I first saw them performing back then at a small bar near the campus.

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JT

Subject: Avoiding the fray.

I try to avoid politics in discussion and especially on a music site. Discussion of politics should be reserved to 'slow news days'. Too much of this kind of discussion results in cognitive indigestion and that's never good for the brain. I responded to Norm only to say that I am wary, but then I'm wary of all politicians. Justin Trudeau is a young man with a mission, but they all have missions and when power and control is the goal, various results may occur. Sometimes they have been good for me and mine, and other times, not so good. Yes, Kevin, check out the Waterboys... past and present.

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Kevin J

Peter...thank you for the lists.....I've marked the Simon Felice and Waterboys for purchase as a result of the reminders.

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David P

Kenny Rogers & The First Edition, with Mickey Jones on drums, had a hit with Mac Davis's "Something's Burning" in 1970.

Levon wasn't the only musician with an acting role in "Coal Miner's Daughter." Billy Strange, who co-wrote "A Little Less Conversation," had a small part in the film playing steel guitarist Speedy West, who produced and played on Ms. Lynn's first hit single "I'm A Honky Tonk Girl."

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bassmanlee

Subject: Mac Davis

I have a recollection of seeing Mac Davis on an afternoon talk show during his "hit" period. He and, I think, Hellen Reddy were taking questions from the audience. A young man stood and said he wished to have a career in the music industry, and asked if he should attend college as a music major. Mac replied, "I went to college for a year...I majored in beer."

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Rockin Chair

Subject: East & West

I don't agree with every thing you have said Kevin. It's enough to say that from Ontario and Quebec, we will never agree on politics.

Out of respect to this page, I'm not going to write a great diatribe. Only to say don't portray the Liberals to be a bunch of angels. There has been enough deceit and mismanagement of our money in that outfit that you well know. Bill's remark about the No Down Payment party...well our MP here for a long time was John Duncan, a conservative. I have no control over how other people vote.

However I am very happy to share the love of good music we can agree on, and always will. The very best to you and yours in the holiday season and on into the new year.

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Kevin J

“Harper freely admitted to loathing the older Trudeau, despite an adolescent fascination, writing ungraciously after his death in 2000 about meeting him for the first time in the streets of Montreal. ‘‘There I came face to face with a living legend, someone who had provoked both the loves and hatreds of my political passion, all in the form of a tired-out, little old man."

The above observation of Stephen Harper on meeting Pierre Trudeau on the streets of Montreal ( just weeks after the death of Trudeau’s son Michel in an avalanche accident in British Columbia ) captures perfectly the nastiness and to the bone ugliness of the man. And that was not a one-off bad day or clumsy choice of words. In a sharp break from the Canadian way of doing politics, one of the first acts of Harper’s government a decade ago was to hire the George W. Bush advertisement team and direct them to run negative/personal hate ads full time against the opposition leader. In the past, it was accepted that such directed negative advertisements would only be run during the 45 day election campaign. No such Marquess of Queensberry rules for Harper’s gang......

.......They took their lead from an advertisement that mocked Jean Chretien’s paralysed face and speech impediment ( which was a result of him having polio as a child ) and then set out through a relentless campaign of hate to destroy a great and honourable man like Stephan Dion – making it appear in a 2 year long campaign that tat he was a wimp and fairy little man ( when quite the opposite was true ). Next came the character assassination of Michael Ignatieff – again through a multi-year campaign of hate ads playing day after day, year after year………even running ads showing Ignatieff's disable wife……………….They tried to do the same with Justin Trudeau. It didn’t work. He refused to counter with a single negative ad saying rightfully that Canadian are better than that and that he had faith that enough people would understand that. This was a man who knew how to stand up to bullies ( practised in the art of literally knocking out wife beating members of Harper's government )

I am all for balance and fair commentary but I take great exception to folks here nodding and winking in agreement to an article in the Toronto Sun of all places which had at its core the mocking of policies like multi-culturalism and bilingualism that define what is is to be a Canadian. I take great exception to folks getting into a lather about immigration and mocking Justin Trudeau for standing proudly on the runway of a Canadian airport to welcome the 25,000 Syrian refugees……………………..as to looking South for my comfort, sorry that’s not me….it was Harper though. Do you not remember in 2003, Harper – then opposition leader – running down to the US to APOLOGISE for Chretien’s decision to NOT join the invasion of Iraq. ( Canada had gone to Afghanistan and fought gallantly in the toughest of the tough neighbourhood there for a decade ). Chretien’s decision to stay out of Iraq was, of course, proven correct and he no doubt saved thousands of Canadian lives by making it....

I would rather be writing about how Norm was 100% right on Brian Setzer and how that Elvis Bryan Adams song was great....but..

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Peter V

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David P

Subject: Mac Davis

Most people's impression of Mac Davis comes from his saccharine pop star image after he achieved success in the music business. But like a lot of stars, he paid his dues over the years climbing his way up the ladder.

In the '50s Mac moved from Texas to Atlanta during high school. Here he joined a band called the Zots (see link) and was part of group of young musicians that included Ray Stevens, Jerry Reed, Joe South, Freddy Weller and others that later went on to greater fame.

Mac later moved to the West Coast, where he worked with Nancy Sinatra and became a staff writer for her publishing company. One day his old friend from Atlanta, Freddy Weller (who'd joined Paul Revere & the Raiders), came by and showed Mac a guitar lick he'd learned from Joe South. Inspired, that lick became the opening for a song he was working on called "In the Ghetto." The rest is history, as it later became a hit for Elvis Presley. Another great song that Mac co-wrote, "A Little Less Conversation," was also recorded by Elvis. That song was co-written with session guitar ace Billy Strange, who also worked with Nancy Sinatra.

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Peter V

But actually I am interested … it just brought the quote to mind.

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Peter V

I see your point, Ben. It isn't his best album, but I think it is boosted in my mind because I saw him live at the end of last year, previewing tracks from it and I was eagerly awaiting them. "Stretch of The Highway" is classic JT. Funnily enough, it's not been a fantastic year. There have been a lot of "very good and worthy" albums. I think in previous year, probably only my Top Four would have made the ten. Conversely, I reckon my Top Ten tracks would be worthy most years.

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Rockin Chair

Subject: The Point is!

That is just the point Bill. It's your "Sun" on your turf where the critism is coming from. Sure we have our own "Sun". Kevin would sooner quote some guy from the USA who Kevin agrees with because that guy is supposed to be an expert on how our country is run.....right.

You took your shots at the last Prime Minister. This kid is now talking out of both sides of his mouth. I don't need family assistance with my salary. As soon as the votes are cast he has two women looking after his kids that we are paying for. We are going to run a ten billion dollars deficit. Now.....oh that was only a guide line they say. Now we'll spend as much as we want.

I guess you guys will be happy when the rest of the country is as broke as Ontario. Instead of some one with economic education and sense enough not to put up with bull shit, now you got a kid who is a grade school teacher who will listen to all the air heads like Paul Martin.

Entered at Mon Dec 14 05:28:45 CET 2015 from (184.66.134.56)

JT

Subject: Balance

He can have as much time as he needs. I read the NYT too and keep an open mind. I have concerns but then I had concerns with all of them. Like all of them, some of what they do is good and some is less so. As you know, politics...its not all one way. It depends what the issue is. I'm sure the new regime will do some good and I'm waiting to see. As for the newspapers, they are the press and like politicians, they too walk the tightrope. It depends what side you fall on and on what issue. Balance!

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Bill M

Joe J: I forget who it was in the '70s, maybe "Rolling Stone", who gave the Perjury of the Year Award to Mac Davis for his "Rock And Roll I Gave You The Best Years Of My Life".

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joe j

Subject: Country Funk 1969-1975

Link to an interesting compilation featuring Link Wray, Bobby Charles, Bobbie Gentry and Bobby Darin as well as lesser known artists like Johnny Adams, John Randolph Marr, Dale Hawkins and Mac Davis (I know but listen to 'Lucas was a Redneck).

Entered at Sun Dec 13 23:39:51 CET 2015 from (173.108.126.35)

Ben Pike

Subject: Awards

I don't know, Peter, I am no James Taylor snob but that album is a first class snoozer if you ask me, his first since "Walking Man." Speaking of which, did you realize The Band, Elvis, and James Taylor all recored "The Promise Land" around the same time? I hope you will not try to deny me my 2015 award for "Best Band Photograph Unearthed For the Benefit of The Guest Book" (!?)

Entered at Sun Dec 13 20:55:11 CET 2015 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Subject: Best of 2015- MUSIC

My BEST OF 2015 list is up. I've separated music and theatre this year. The music one has album sleeves, best ten songs (with YOUTUBE links) and ten best concerts. Feedback welcome - on my site or here.

Entered at Sun Dec 13 19:44:49 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: The New York Times?

Get back over the border where you belong Kevin! Now you know why yer not allowed out here.

Entered at Sun Dec 13 19:30:14 CET 2015 from (24.114.72.129)

Kevin J

Instead of spending time reading/promoting 3rd rate drivel rehashing embarrassing crap like Canada was hurt by adopting brilliant nation changing policies like official bilingualism and multi-culturalism, the attached link is for Jerry and Norm to read.......it's from a paper worth reading - The New York Times.......not a bird cage/cat shit accessory like the Toronto (fox news) Sun.

As Obama’s deputy national security adviser, says ‘‘Trudeau’s going to be on the stage for a long time. He’s got a ton of talent.’’

Let's give him more than 2 weeks, for crying out loud.

Entered at Sun Dec 13 19:24:18 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Justin Trudeau's worst Nightmare

Christina Blizzard article Jerry, the Sun. Really interesting. Caroline Mulroney.

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JT

Subject: Further regrets

Norm: No surprise there. There will be further regrets. I have the view that there is not that much to choose usually between our 3 major parties, but on 2 or 3 occasions, there have been differences in my life. This is likely one of them.

Entered at Sun Dec 13 16:45:20 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: The Big Ticket

I agree Jerry. The last big one we went to was Eagles at Rogers Arena in Vancouver.....25,000 people. I like the small rooms like The Commodore.

Have you read the article by Mark Bonokoski in this morning's Toronto Sun? It needs reading.

Entered at Sun Dec 13 16:03:26 CET 2015 from (184.66.134.56)

JT

Subject: Live performances

Norm: Yup. I read about this. Its near impossible to ever get tickets to see Springsteen. He sells out in minutes. I tried once during an acoustic tour. I'll stick to the records.

In fact, we have just about given up going to any large arena venues to see/hear anyone. I'll do a few hundred seat venue, but if we go to live music now, its in small clubs or small auditoriums.

Entered at Sun Dec 13 15:46:17 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Bruce Springsteen

Jerry, last night on SNL, they were talking about a tour Bruce is just starting (I think). He is to the album "The River" on this tour. Apparently the entire album.

Entered at Sun Dec 13 15:00:29 CET 2015 from (184.66.134.56)

JT

Subject: Not really reissues

It is wonderful to get music from artists' work of years past. Another one is the recent Springsteen with added tracks. These releases give shape to the ultimate release. In that sense, they are not really reissues but expansion to understand how the ultimate album came to be. 'Historical recordings' are welcome. I wish we'd get more of them. I know there is still tons of stuff in the 'vaults'.

Entered at Sun Dec 13 14:20:32 CET 2015 from (184.66.134.56)

JT

Subject: REISSUES

Bill M: Thanks. The BT and The Cutting Edge, of course. I'll look into the other box you note. My list is for 2015 new releases.

Entered at Sun Dec 13 04:40:37 CET 2015 from (68.171.246.153)

Bill M

Entered at Sat Dec 12 18:14:41 CET 2015 from (184.66.134.56)

JT

Subject: Few more

1. Florence and the Machine

2. Jason Isbell

3. Bob Dylan (some will disagree... oh well)

4. Sleater-Kinney

5. Destroyer

I'm done.

Entered at Sat Dec 12 18:10:33 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Guitars!

Linked, Brian Setzer's collection of Vintage 50's & 60's Gretch guitars.......and some hot licks.

In adding up my guitars the other day, I forgot in 1970 I bought a Gretch Tennessean model.

Entered at Sat Dec 12 17:52:00 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: amps & Mikes

In a link that Kevin provided a ways back. (It appears no one bothered to read it). Carlos Santana in interview explains a great deal about mikeing his guitar amp 7 mikes he uses and explains the positioning of them.

In the link I provide back a bit Hey! Elvis etc. Look at how many mikes are in front of Brian Setzer's amp.

The kid from Joisey running off at the mouth probably didn't watch the video. His comment "Brian probably never played music like they did 60 years ago" shows he really hasn't seen Brian Setzer's "Orchestra".

Entered at Sat Dec 12 17:43:35 CET 2015 from (184.66.134.56)

JT

Subject: When the rain comes...

Sunny and beautiful yesterday. Rained all week before yesterday. Today.. just looked out the window... overcast.. road slightly wet... likely rain is coming.

If you'd like to keep your rain, that's ok with us.

Entered at Sat Dec 12 17:40:51 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Confirmation

Oh, I know what you were saying Jerry. I was agreeing with you. It is the whole idea of being a performer isn't it.

Jerry! are you getting any rain down there? If not do you want some?

Entered at Sat Dec 12 17:37:33 CET 2015 from (184.66.134.56)

JT

Subject: Not a criticism, just a fact. More 2015

Not a criticism, Norm. We all are. Not a criticism. Just a cold, hard fact. If we are lucky, we try to inject a little authenticity and originality into our act. And that makes it all interesting, don't you think... Like the 'change' you tube you mention.

1. Courtney Barrett

2. The Waterboys

3. The Unthanks

4. Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams

Entered at Sat Dec 12 17:35:15 CET 2015 from (67.87.216.240)

Jeff

Entered at Sat Dec 12 17:30:15 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: By Definition

OK Jerry, then by definition on the "Playing For Change" videos all those people from every corner of the earth playing beautiful music together must be poseurs?

There are so many musicians, (entertainers) who seem a little off the wall. Michael Jackson, Prince, Boy George, just for a beginning.

Brian Setzer is what he is, but he is a kick ass guitar player and his two compadres in Stray Cats had rythmn to burn.

Entered at Sat Dec 12 17:24:04 CET 2015 from (184.66.134.56)

JT

Subject: 2015: some good ones

Some exceptional albums: 2015

1. Father John Misty

2. Rhiannon Giddens

3. Lee Harvey Osmond (Tom Wilson)

4. Amy Helm

5. Ben Caplan

Maybe more to come.

Entered at Sat Dec 12 17:15:53 CET 2015 from (184.66.134.56)

JT

All are poseurs under the skin. Genes, genes, every where genes. There was an original once. Started as a one-celled animal and moved forward. Poseurs..one and all.

As for music, someone picked up a stick and banged it with some sort of rhythm and sometime someone picked up a string and stretched it and twanged it and it made a sound and then someone picked up a hollow tube and blew into it. Then either these were banged and twanged and blown together and a group evolved. All poseurs. Saturday morning in Vic... what else is there to do but philosophize with the pen (keyboard).

Entered at Sat Dec 12 14:32:21 CET 2015 from (98.110.49.157)

Ben

Subject: Setzer not Seltzer

Rockin Chair, Hold your horses and don't sick your daughter on me, please....Like I wrote, my primary impression of Setzer is from over 30 years ago with the Stray Cats. I haven't followed his solo career at all.

I've been listening to a lot of rockabilly artists lately. Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins, Elvis. I seriously doubt that Setzer or Chris Isaak for that matter have made music in a studio or on a stage that has come close to what those SUN artists did 60 years ago.

Entered at Sat Dec 12 13:48:55 CET 2015 from (68.171.246.15)

bill M

Fred: Thanks. Ron and Gord look so much like an aging Bob and Doug MacKezie that I'm thinking they should remake "The Twelve Days Of Christmas" next year.

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Rocki Chair

Subject: 'Oy Vay!

Well......I'm not Jewish in any way, so I don't even know what a "poseur" is....although......come to think of it I got quite a lot of Jewish friends. One of my lawyers, Mike Kreugel is a Jew..he's a crazy little fucker too. They all seem to have some kinky sense of humour. I don't think you even know what a sense of humour is.

If the Stray Cats were up when you were in high school, that means yer about the same age as my oldest daughter, Except.......Marcia is a biker. She'd probably stomp yer ass inta the grou'........even tho' she only weighs about a buck and a quarter.

Well anyway, Carl Perkins, (The King of Rock-a-Billy) had them on his shows. There are many, many people who play with Brian Setzer, including, Ricky Skaggs, Marty Stuart, Bruce Springsteen and on, and on.

Like I said at the beginning.........if you don't like him, I don't give a fat rat's ass........but! you can like who ever you want. Maybe you do eat lox spread on yer bagles........do you actually eat those things??

Entered at Sat Dec 12 10:45:18 CET 2015 from (98.110.49.157)

Ben

Calvin, Artimus Pyle tours with a tribute to Skynyrd. I have no idea who the other musicians are in the group, but at least it's billed honestly.

Rockin Chair, Brian Setzer always seemed like a real poseur to me. The Stray Cats were very big for a couple of years when I was in Hign School and they just seemed very phony and cartoonish. For a retro kitschy 50's tribute, I prefer Sha Na Na over The Stray Cats any day of the week.

JeffA, if you think I would eat some dreck such as lox spread you clearly know nothing about me.

Entered at Sat Dec 12 08:05:33 CET 2015 from (203.160.29.153)

Fred

Subject: Mr. Lightfoot and The Hawk

Entered at Sat Dec 12 07:57:52 CET 2015 from (69.125.228.17)

Jeff A.

Entered at Sat Dec 12 06:10:10 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Hey Elvis! - We're Gonna Rock This Town - Brian & Bryan

There is no doubt....and I don't give a fat rat's ass what any of youze experts say.....for a 50's style guitar picker...no one can beat Brian Setzer, maybe close was Danny gatton.

Brian Setzer's orchestra is exceptional........Brian Setzer & Bryan Adams do complement eah other. This is real straight ahead "Rock & Roll"!

Entered at Sat Dec 12 05:57:39 CET 2015 from (65.92.195.13)

Bill M

Entered at Sat Dec 12 05:06:08 CET 2015 from (65.189.212.146)

Calvin

But That is clearly a homage/tribute and they let the fans know way up front it isnt the official band.

Anyone ever see Tull's Martin Barre Solo? He is only asking $20 Sunday Night.

Entered at Sat Dec 12 04:44:32 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Appetites

HOLY FUCK!............

Entered at Sat Dec 12 04:38:39 CET 2015 from (74.14.75.103)

Kevin J

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JT

Subject: Jay Teller's macaroni

"I can cook a Kraft Dinner in a half an hour // so why don’t you love me?"

Jay Telfer - "Live, Love and the Pursuit of Happiness"

Entered at Sat Dec 12 01:50:49 CET 2015 from (65.92.195.13)

Bill M

Calvin: You might know this already, but when we were casting around for music to catch when in Brighton last month, one of the choices was a Kinks hold-over group featuring Mick Avory, John Dalton and another guy who'd been an auxiliary Kink for a long time.

RC / JT: I was googling for a reference to a wonderful line from one of Jay Telfer's other songs, which goes, "I can cook a Kraft Dinner in half an hour so why can't you love me?". I've had occasion to ask the same question, but have yet to receive a reasonable answer. Didn't find it, but I did find the attached article; I knew about the Bedelia marriage and the script-writing in Hollywood, but I didn't know about his association with the "Prom Night in Mississippi" documentary.

Entered at Sat Dec 12 01:46:41 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Unbelievable!

Kevin! ..........what I fuck are you smokin' today? I'm truly upset son. Which hand do you wipe yer ass with boy!?

John Donabe you old criminal!.....looks like you've known about this for a while an' you bin keepin' it under wraps!...............:-)

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John D

The Piano that Elton John used to write all the early material with Bernie Taupin is there as well. Neil Young has already moved many of his instruments and artifacts there.

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Kevin J

Happy news about that music centre in Calgary. The Arts are an easy target for all sorts of groups and the examples of funding dead mice stuck on a pole in museums always brings out the predictable howls…….but, but……I always remember that project somewhere in the US, I believe led by Wynton Marsalis where they took a bunch of inner city kids….all of them failing miserably in the sciences and all of them having no exposure to or education in music. They started 30 minutes a day of music classes – mandatory. Some were gifted, most were not but all persevered at their own pace……within 6 months, all were progressing musically but the benefit was a remarkable improvement in all of them re: achievement in the sciences.

By the way, a similar link has been found with adding 2nd languages and using a left hand to ward off Alzheimer’s. If you are right handed – start brushing your teeth 3-4 times daily with your left hand. About a decade back I became ambidextrous. Took about 6 months. There is a joke in there somewhere about having a clear mind but no teeth at 80 but I ‘ll leave it for now…..

Entered at Fri Dec 11 19:50:36 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: The Last Frontier

Totally unrelated and SKOCKING! A few nights back I watched a documentary. (As I have friends in Alaska and a have been up there some, this is particularly interesting to me).

This documentary was like a movie, only very real. The amount of gangs of mostly black men who have migrated to mostly Anchorage. Between 2001 - 2008 gun fights, drive by shooting murders, gun fights with police were absolutely out of control. You get to see these gun fights live!

Interviews with police officers, and former gang members. One young man in his 20's, pulled up his shirt and showed his synthetic body. He had 15 bullets removed and survived, from a rival gang. Shooting and killing even in drive by elevated your "stature" in a gang.

Just this morning, Susan called me in "Look at this". Alaska has more murders by guns than any other place in the nation now. In a conversation with my friend yesterday, he told me I don't go any where without my gun. Even in Juneau, he said just the other day in broad day light a woman he knows, walking into a hotel in Juneau had a gun stuck in her face and her purse taken. There is so much heroin in Juneau now..........progress??

They had put together a tactical squad in Anchorage to deal with the gun problem. Once they thought they had it under control they disbanded the squad. Within 6 months things were the way they were before and they had to start it up all over again.

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JT

Subject: Calgary music building

Norm: I was unaware of the National Music Centre. I will certainly remember it and when it is done, when I am in Calgary, I'll try to check it out. Thanks.

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David P

Subject: Southern Rock Opera

In 2001 the Drive-By Truckers recorded "Southern Rock Opera," a chronicle of life in the South told against the backdrop of the tragic story of the original line-up of Lynyrd Skynyrd. The music on the double album is powerful & relentless and the no holds barred imagery cuts to the core of the life & times of that era in the South.

Entered at Fri Dec 11 17:46:10 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Bill & Kevin & Jerry

Just watching on the morning news. The construction of the "National Music Center" in Calgary. Have any of you seen this? Very impressive. Like a museum of music too. Apparently they have the mobile recording studio of the Rolling Stones housed there among many other things. It is also attached to an old blues club.

Entered at Fri Dec 11 16:38:25 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Santana

Kevin! Thanks for that link. That was a real eye opener.

Bassman Lee, there is a CD of tribute of the band songs..aw heck can't remember the name at this moment. It's down in my music room. Anyway, I've had it a few years now. Where I first heard My Morning Jacket. The more I listen to them, the more impressed I am.

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Bill M

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NorthWestCoaster

Subject: Playing (or singing) bass

Another ghastly post on Christmas and playing bass from bassmanlee in a row of a few days!

This is how it is: "Bass is more than just a guitar with two fewer strings. It has a different tone, scale length, feel and _MUSICAL ROLE_, and in many cases it requires a different conceptual and technical approach." ... but you probably knew that already :-)

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bassmanlee

Subject: Love for Levon

Thanks, Rockin Chair (I think) for the initial link to the Love for Leon clips. There is a complete (but for the deleted bits) stream of the entire show. Positively stunning lineup (see link) and a great show. I was sad to see it end! This show flew under my radar at the time (2012). For anyone who has not seen it and loves the Band, it's must-see. And it led me to check out My Morning Jacket, who are at least interesting and something "new" to me.

Also for Rockin Chair, one of the advantages to playing bass is that you usually get to play with guitar players that are WAY better then you are. I've had the priveledge to play with a couple of smokin' guitar-slingers over the years, the best of whom sadly passed a few years back.

Entered at Fri Dec 11 14:10:57 CET 2015 from (98.110.49.157)

Ben

Subject: I stand corrected, 0.2 percent of Iowa population is Jewish

Jeff, Fuck off, I'm sure you've heard this before but you really are a putz.

Clearly in my previous post I was describing my personal experience with my wife's family in Iowa. These people had never met a Jew before. Period

I don't know why feel the need to comment on that. Do you think my subject line was meant literally for some reason?

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Jeff A.

Entered at Fri Dec 11 12:42:42 CET 2015 from (98.110.49.157)

Ben

NorthWestCoaster, Thanks for the clarification. My initial response to your comment was possibly a little hasty. After I posted it, I thought about visiting my wife's family in Iowa for the first time and the fact that I was certainly the first Jew that many of them had ever met.

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Ben

Subject: Molly Hatchet

Calvin, You're absolutely right that Skynyrd isn't the only exmaple of a band with only one original member touring. They are probably the highest profile and most successful band that is doing this. They still play large venues.

It's interesting that you mentioned Molly Hatchet. They are basically doing the same thing as Skynyrd (although the singer isn't related to Danny Joe Brown) on a much smaller scale. In the case of Hatchet, a guy who joined them in the mid 80's after their "heyday" named Bobby Ingram bought the rights to the band and re-launched them with a motley crew of musicians and a Danny Joe Brown soundalike singer. Apparently, they tour a lot in Europe and have a large fan base there.

When this fake version of Hatchet began touring, some of the original members and the singer who replaced Danny Joe Brown on the third and fourth Hatchet album started their own Hatchet band which they named 'Gator Country'.

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NorthWestCoaster

Subject: Ben about Jews

Thanks Ben for the response. Your honest question deserves an honest answer: - No, I never met a person who has represented him/herself as a part of Jewish culture or Jewish religion or the State of Israel. Who knows, maybe I am 1/144 a Jew or a Gipsy. I don't really care. I am a part of the well-preserved Finnish semi-Arctic monoculture with only 5 millions people. I was 22 when I first talked to a living "nigger". Yes, I am born and raised with these kind of words. Here in Sweden they used to call us for "just another Finnish Devil".

That's good enough for me ... good enough ... good enough... (BTW That's for Rick Danko!)

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Peter V

The Animals & Friends is just the drummer, John Steel. In fact, they're a good evening's entertainment, especially as they've toured the UK with Steve Cropper twice. Review linked with general comments.

The Searchers are a better evening's entertainment, even though there's "Mike Pinder's Searchers" touring as well, the main "The Searchers" are definitely one to see.

Entered at Fri Dec 11 05:14:20 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: A Little Slack

No.....I agree with you Calvin, and I appreciate your guys input. I was only using Skynrd as an example. How I started this thread was just to account the music we all used to play as compared to what is nominated for "Grammies" now. I had a hard time finding that particular song by the originals. I chose it because other than every band that hit the stage playing "Sweet home", we chose others and we did a respectably good job of a lot of those tunes. I was fortunate enough to have some real hot players in my band, (far better than I).

I too am a long time Poco fan. For a second, back to the Love for Levon concert. It was just mind boggling to see all those people who I have long been a fan of on one stage. Too many to name, but ....damn, Joe Walsh, Roger Waters, David Bromberg, Joan Osborne.....what a show to see. The love for Levon was certainly confirmed by the peers who could sing all those songs. It shows why we are all here.

Well yer a lucky man Bill.........but.......next time I come by your house in February, and see all those lights......I'm rippin' 'em all down ..:-)

Entered at Fri Dec 11 04:51:43 CET 2015 from (65.92.195.13)

Bill M

RC: I know "Ten Pound Note" very well. It was a minor hit here in '70. When I won the top 10 from a radio station that August, and the station didn't have a copy of one of the actual top 10, I asked if I could have "Ten Pound Note" instead. So I got my copy from the hand of the station's program director, Duff Roman - who a few years earlier had been the first man to record Levon and the Hawks after they left Hawkins.

The guy who wrote "Ten Pound Note", Jay Telfer, had had some success with his earlier band, A Passing Fancy. The link is to their first and biggest record; note the Bo Diddley rhythm and guitarist Phil Seon's stab at Robbie-style guitar.

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Calvin

Had to be 7-8 years ago a Band Billing itself as Molly Hatchet came through wanting real money for tickets and one guy in the band had played with a Band Member who had been on the last Hatchet Album.

When I go to a classic show these days I research who is actually going to be in the band.

A Band Jeff and I both Love, Poco, is fronted by Rusty Young, one guy who played for a few years in the late 1980s, and two guys who joined in the 201X.

The Music industry is full of guys going out on tour as a band they were in, but doesnt exactly exist anymore. Like I said, A Pet Peeve of Mine. It almost seems like fraud to me.

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Kevin J

The Tom Pacheco thoughts/memories about Rick in Carol's piece really caught my attention as well, Norm. I miss Rick so much on all kinds of levels....I have such great memories of seeing him live and sharing a few of those occasions with loved ones that have also passed on....good memories to have.

Entered at Fri Dec 11 03:25:16 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: I'll leave a light on for you

Tom Pacheco.........God Bless you Rick..........

Entered at Fri Dec 11 03:14:27 CET 2015 from (98.110.49.157)

Ben

Subject: Skynyrd

The issue I have with the reformed Skynyrd is simply that Ronnie Van Zant was irreplaceable. He was a great singer and songwriter. In my view there is no Skynyrd without him.

What they've been doing for the past 28 years has been little more than a tribute to Skynyrd. The tour that the remaining members with the addition of Johhny Van Zant undertook on the 10th anniversary of the plane crash was actually billed as a tribute. After that tour was a success, they dropped the "tribute" and continued touring and began recording as Skynyrd.

As a live act, they are something like Beatlemania, basically a good recreation of the original, but their albums have been very generic and undistinguished southern rock.

Now, I have no issue with Gary Rossington going out and playing this music, he has every right to continue making a living, but the group should not be billed as Skynyrd. It should be billed as a tribute to Skynyrd or under a different name.

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Rockin Chair

Subject: Reflecting

Had to drive down to Campbell River and back today, 3 hours each way.No radio but CBC. Susan stuck in one of her CD audio books, and I immersed myself in thought.

This legacy of Lynrd Skynrd. I understand the thinking and for the most part agree that the original members of a band that put the work and talent in song writing, arranging and performance are usually the most respected and held dear to the hearts.

However I have two questions. Is it not different when some members leave because a band is dysfunctional, or to pursue other projects, or other careers, than if most of a band is wiped out from a tragedy?

On the other hand, for example, Gary Rossington, Johnny Van Zant, and Billy Powell perhaps wanting to "pick up the torch" and carry on the legacy for the others.

The difference also is, I had to try and get my head remembering. I ended up having to have a look on wiki when I got home. So many of those guys, like Ricky Medlocke were in that band in the early days. They had to have some influence on what sound was formed. So who is everyone picking as the "original band"?

The one story I read and remember hearing about that was funny. Billy Powell's talent on piano. He was a roadie for over a year. One day while setting up, Ronnie Van Zant came in and caught him playing piano. He was amazed. He said "YOU CAN PLAY PIANO LIKE THAT ALL THIS TIME AND YOU NEVER TOLD US?" Billy then became the piano player.

While down in Campbell Creek today, I managed to get a little music on one of my favourite FM stations. The link is to a song and band.......I couldn't even begin to remember when I last heard it. Most of you may not know it. I'm pretty damn sure Bill M, Kevin J, Mike N, and Jerry T most likely will.

Steel River............Ten Pound Note

Entered at Fri Dec 11 01:40:51 CET 2015 from (68.196.243.80)

Jeff A.

Entered at Fri Dec 11 01:13:40 CET 2015 from (65.189.212.146)

Calvin

And Ben, it isnt even that is is a motley crew. As I Pointed out, most of the current lineup of Skynard had substantial careers as stalwarts in other bands. They just werent in SKynard. I think at one point half of Sabbath had spent years in Deep Purple. Great, but they werent Black Sabbath.

And the Herman Hermit's Featuring Peter Noone was pointed out by my as 1) At least he isnt touring as the band and 2) Somehow the Lead Singer/Face of the Band seems more legit as the last man standing in the band than if it is the drummer.

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Peter V

Mike Nesmith's mother invented "Liquid Paper" originally "Mistake Out." Isn't White-Out a competing brand? In Britain it was Tippex, Snopaque or Liquid Paper.

Entered at Thu Dec 10 23:14:11 CET 2015 from (84.215.171.237)

jh

Subject: Remembering Rick Danko

:'/

Entered at Thu Dec 10 22:15:12 CET 2015 from (156.47.15.10)

David P

Remembering Rick on this day.

Ben: Michael Nesmith's mother invented white-out correction fluid and later sold the company, Liquid Paper, for $47.5 million. Nesmith himself also founded Pacific Arts Video in 1974, a pioneer in the home video market.

Entered at Thu Dec 10 21:41:33 CET 2015 from (98.110.49.157)

Ben

Bill M, Interesting point about the same studio musicians playing on both Raiders and Monkees records. Would this include some of the same musicians who played on the Beach Boys and early Byrds albums?

David P, That's a great Michael Nesmith story. He sounds like a good guy. Wasn't he from a wealth family? I know that Gram Parsons was a trust fund guy, but I seem to think that Nesmith was also from a wealthy background.

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Bill M

Monkee music and Raiders music was played on record by the same group of people, for the most part. Lotsa Blaine in particular.

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David P

I was talking to an old friend of mine recently and he reminded me of the time we went to see Michael Nesmith playing solo at the small Bistro club here in Atlanta. The Monkees had recently broken up at the time and he had begun recording a series of albums with his First National Band. It was just him on acoustic guitar that night and he sang a lot of his original songs, including Joanne, Some of Shelley's Blues, The Grand Ennui and Propinquity.

The kicker was that he joined by friend & me at our table during a set break. We shared a pitcher of beer and he told us how glad he was no longer a Monkee. While he admitted the money he made was good, he was now able to perform his own music without a management group dictating every move. In his Texas drawl, he told a few funny stories about the days of private jets and Ferraris. He really came across as a downhome humble guy without a star ego.

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Peter V

Entered at Thu Dec 10 17:32:14 CET 2015 from (184.145.116.226)

Kevin J

Subject: Amps

LINKED: Carlos Santana shares some amp stories

Entered at Thu Dec 10 17:21:08 CET 2015 from (156.47.15.10)

David P

My favorite releases from this year:

Jason Isbell -- SOMETHING MORE THAN FREE
Randall Bramblett -- DEVIL MUSIC
Amy Helm -- DIDN'T IT RAIN
Larry Campbell and Teresa williams (self-titled)
Don Henley -- CASS COUNTY
Mark Knopfler -- TRACKER

Archival Releases:
Dylan -- THE CUTTING EDGE 1965-1966
Dr. John -- THE ATCO/ATLANTIC SINGLES 1968-1974
Allman Brothers Band -- LIVE AT THE FILLMORE EAST (Mobile Fidelity Hybrid-SACD reissue)
Lovin' Spoonful -- Sundazed reissues of the mono mixes of the first three albums

Entered at Thu Dec 10 17:01:35 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Amps

I had meant to comment. On the stage of the "replacement" Lynrd Skynrd crew, there was Peavey amps almost every where.

On the stage for the "Love for Levon" concert there are Fender amps almost very where. The sound difference, (not accounting for the guitars or style of plating) is very different.

What is your preference David.....where the heck is Pat Brennan?

Entered at Thu Dec 10 14:58:47 CET 2015 from (98.110.49.157)

Ben

Subject: Take no prisoners, Herman

Bill M, I'm surprised that Peter Noone would behave like that. Maybe someone spiked his drink or maybe he was channeling his inner Lou Reed?....

I've been going back and exploring a lot of music from the 60's that I hadn't paid much attention to before. Paul Revere and the Raiders are a group that I've discovered and they were pretty good. Some of their early stuff was garagey. Not hardcore garage like The Sonics, but light to medium garage.

I haven't made it to Herman's Hermits catalog (and don't really plan on exploring it), but I have re-discovered the Monkees. The Monkees made some really good music. I understand that they were "maunfactured" and considered un-hip at the time, but dammit, much of their music holds up quite well.

Entered at Thu Dec 10 14:44:19 CET 2015 from (98.110.49.157)

Ben

Subject: Skynyrd

Calvin, I think you hit the nail on the head regarding Skynyrd. I have listened to most of the albums they've released over the past 25 or so years and by and large they suck. Now on stage they do a reasonable job of recreating a vintage Skynyrd concert. Johnny Van Zandt sounds very close to Ronnie. But, to your point, this current version of Skynyrd is about as relevant to the original as if Terry Danko and Garth hired some motley assortment of sidemen and began touring as The Band.

Entered at Thu Dec 10 14:42:09 CET 2015 from (68.171.246.128)

Bill M

Calvin: A couple of summers ago we caught a golden-oldied double-bill - Paul Revere and the Raiders opening for Peter Noone. Revere, surrounded by non-originals who'd mostly been with him since the '70s or '80s, was terrific - entertaining, funny, respectful. While Noone still had Herman's voice and Trump's hair, he also had what I now realise was a Trump-like approach to people - so we walked out at the first ethnic slur.

Entered at Thu Dec 10 14:02:30 CET 2015 from (67.84.77.168)

Jeff A.

Jews started out as Semites. Yet there are Mongoloid & Negroid Jews.Of course, Arabs are Semites too, so the whole cocept of being anti semitic as being hateful of or opposed to Jews is wrong too.

Entered at Thu Dec 10 13:33:57 CET 2015 from (65.189.212.146)

Calvin

I also remember all the ridiculous crap McCartney got for the "It's A Drag" comment. Really stupid.

In some way it is hard to put Skynard in Context. 5 Albums Before the Crash and 9 After. Gary Rossington is still out there touring (And Releasing Albums that actually chart as well as the Original 5) With Damn Yankees Drummer, Blackfoot's Guitarists and The Black Crowe's Bassist, and of course Van Zandt's Brother on Vocals. A Bit shameful if you ask me. The Brilliance of the first two albums, which to my mind were much better than the other three the original band released from 1975-1977 kind of get lost in the 9 albums of mediocre music they have released since.

But it's a Pet Peeve of mine, Band's using a name to tour with barely a presence of the guys who made the band great. This Past Sunday Iron Butterfly wasn't playing too far from me for $20-$25 Dollars with the Dummer, a Guy who joined in 1995 and three Guys who had joined in the 2010s. Ridiculous. Could you see Garth or Robby touring with 4 guys calling themselves the Band? Something really, although I get the fact Butterfly wasnt exactly the same 5 equal parts the OQ was.

On the Other hand if Im free the night I might pop down and see Herman's Hermit Featuring Peter Noone. Although I'm told there is a competing Herman's Hermits band out there as well. At least he is honest about it just being him.

I don't know if it's just a Midwest American View, but I grew up with the notion (And Im guessing all my friends had it) there was a difference between being Jewish as a race as being part of the Jewish Faith. I'm guessing we did so to process the whole Sammy Davis Jr thing (Of which I'm only half kidding)

So When will everyone start posting there "Best of 2015" Lists? I usually get a new album or two out of them.

Entered at Thu Dec 10 13:13:13 CET 2015 from (70.193.134.95)

David P

Entered at Thu Dec 10 13:05:38 CET 2015 from (70.193.134.95)

David P

Bill M: I did post that I first saw Lynyrd Skynyrd playing at Funnochios, an Atlanta nightclub, in 1972. The lineup was Ronnie Van Zandt vocals, Gary Rossington & Allen Collins guitars, Leon Wilkerson bass, Billy Powell keyboards and Bob Burns drums. Ed King was brought in later when they began recording with Al Kooper. Most of those sessions where at the Atlanta Rhythm Section's Studio One in Doraville, just north of Atlanta. Kooper had moved here at the time and was living in the toner suburb of Sandy Springs.

Entered at Thu Dec 10 06:56:05 CET 2015 from (84.215.171.237)

jh

Levon & the Hawks with a young, wild Richard Manuel on lead vocal, recorded and produced by Henry Glover in Bell Sound Studio, NYC, 1965.

Entered at Thu Dec 10 05:42:49 CET 2015 from (69.125.228.23)

Jeff A.

Entered at Thu Dec 10 04:27:51 CET 2015 from (98.110.49.157)

Ben

Jeff, You're very predictable. When someone disagrees with you, your response is to question their reading comprehension. Whether you like it or not, the fact is that several branches of Judaism accept a child as Jewish whether the mother or father is Jewish. Period. End of story.

Entered at Thu Dec 10 04:26:19 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: My Morning Jacket - It Makes No Difference - Love Foe Levon

I guess the concert I most wish I could have seen live is this one. I've watched these boys for quite some time now and I'm convinced they are by far the best band to tribute the songs of the BAND.

The integrity to do the justice to them come thru' completely in everything they do. The guitarist, I think his name is Carl Broemel has for sure mastered some Robbie licks in this song particularly. The drummer has some of Levon's style.

Another favourite from this show is Gregg Allman and Warren Hayes cover of Long Black Veil. It would be hard to beat this show.

Even two Jews continually fighting on the Guestbook can't top that........I hope there ain't any Pallestinians aroun'.

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Jeff A.

Entered at Thu Dec 10 02:23:54 CET 2015 from (69.125.228.23)

Jeff A.

Entered at Thu Dec 10 01:22:42 CET 2015 from (69.125.228.23)

Jeff A.

Ben, you can think anything you want. As i've indicated in the past, we in NY have always given a learning curve to Jersey Jews. See Ben, we're back to reading comprehension. If you followed my prior post, you would not be writing a response to an imaginary slight of your Jewishness. There was none. i could care less if some one is a 1/16th Jewish, that's Jewish enough to be part Jewish. or Jewish. If you can be sent to the gas chambers, you're Jewish. i have a friend who is black and raised some kind of christian in Long Island , but she's Jewish in my book. She sounds & behaves like a typical NYC Jew broad any time she wants to. She can also sound like a Puerto Rican, an Arab, or an Israeli. She speaks Hebrew fleuntly, lived in Israel, married and divorced an Israeli. She also speaks Arabic and Spanish fluently. Has 4 masters degrees. She goes to church sometimes , goes to synagogue sometime,s and celebrates all the Jewish holidays, makes Pesach in her home. not an ounce of Jewish blood, but to me , she's a Jew. But religion is very different. To me. Religion stops at the conservative interpretations. I don't give religious credit to real loose interpretations of any religion.And as far as conservative goes to even be conservative: Some one want sto say they walk the walk, walk it. None of this kosher at home, not in restaurants bullshit,. You're either kosher, or you're not. I don't necessarily feel structured religion is a good thing, but, again, reform, reconstructionist- phooey say I. Now, on a related subject, I'm probably as black as i am Jewish. And I'm pretty pale and don't sound like most NYC black men usually have sounded in the past.

Entered at Thu Dec 10 00:40:19 CET 2015 from (98.110.49.157)

Ben

Subject: who is a Jew redux

Jeff, I'm a secular agnostic cultural Jew who is married to a secular lapsed Catholic. I haven't been inside a synogogue since my bar mitzvah over 30 years ago. I don't speak any Hebrew, I do know a smattering of Yiddish words, but I'm certainly as much of a Jew as you or any ony else.

I disagree with you about who is considered a Jew by the "religion", whatever that means. There are multiple denominations of Judaism and the more modern ones such as reform and reconstructionist consider a child Jewish if the father is Jewish.

Entered at Thu Dec 10 00:37:14 CET 2015 from (65.92.195.13)

Bill M

Re Christmas lights, while I'm with RC that the decorations shouldn't go up as soon as soon as Halloween's over, I've come around to welcoming the long delay in pulling the lights down. Anything that whispers 'colour', light' and 'hope' in frigging February is more than fine by me.

Since David P didn't chime in to repeat his own memories of Skynard in the olden days, I will add that I believe he saw the original three-guitar group with Ed King, late of the Strawberry Alarmclock (who Richard Manuel surely had in mind in his finest spoken moment in the TLW movie). I wonder if "Incense Peppermints" was on the set list?

Entered at Thu Dec 10 00:30:03 CET 2015 from (63.142.158.9)

JQ

In addition to all of the horrors and madness of Hitler, he also got it wrong and backwards when he pushed for his super race: few things make any species stronger than integrating and expanding the gene pool. Peter's right about the canine evidence of this too. Narrowing it produces 6-fingered cretans - not that 6 fingers would never be useful I suppose..

Entered at Thu Dec 10 00:01:53 CET 2015 from (69.125.228.23)

Jeff A.

I only browsed through the posts, & shall return later or manana to read them more thoroughly,but will say, if Jewish heritage descends from the paternal side , you're Jewish enough to go to the gas chambers. But Ben regardless of the rate or percentage of intermarriages, to be considered Jewish by the religion your lineage must be n the mother's side. It's cut & dry, non negotiable.Reform congregations may not care, but that degree of reform never really is a official branch of any religion in my opinion. Conservative Jews do care. Conservatives would insist on the maternal link. So people can be of part Jewish heritage, but not be Jewish in the eyes of the religion or the religious culture .Part Jewish, half Jewish etc etc,all work. OF course, you can be 100 % Jewish in the eyes of the religion, and not practice the religion. That's me.i speak Hebrew, well i still ahve teh correct accent, and can speak sone, but forgot most of it. I knwo the religion, btu forgot a great deal. I rememebr the customs. I'm a Jew. If i had to make a choice-I'd move to Israel even though the U.S is my home. Ben, There's a big difference between culture and religion, and then again, the majority of the culture does come out of the rekligion.then came TV, rock and roll, marijewjuana, and everything went to hell. The shickses (black & white) got to us yonkels, and the shagetzes ( black and white) got to the maidels and things are looking up.

Entered at Wed Dec 9 23:57:42 CET 2015 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

As we know, mongrels are healthier and brighter than interbred dogs. Even without my family leaving Britain, I get Dorset back to infinite generations on my paternal granddad, but according to my step grandmother, my paternal grandmother who died when my dad was two years old was Anglo-Indian (she was very beautiful in the one photo). Then my mother was descended from Jersey-French and Welsh. And we never even got out of the country!

Entered at Wed Dec 9 23:39:03 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Mis - interpretation

You sure didn't need to apologize on my account Bassman. I meant "bad" jokingly. I thought they were great.

The "touchy" subject of ethnics I thought we were probably past and "playing for change" now.

Entered at Wed Dec 9 23:38:19 CET 2015 from (69.125.228.23)

Jeff A.

Norm, you're on the right track. We go straight down the middle. Which side is the Jewish side depends on geography. OF course, the only reason we didn't decide to choose top or bottom is that with men, both the circumcised member and the proboscis are significant.

Entered at Wed Dec 9 23:30:16 CET 2015 from (108.2.144.116)

bassmanlee

Subject: Jokes and all

Ok, without getting into what constitutes a “bad” joke, I will apologize, to a degree, and say I meant no harm.

Whether humor is “bad” or “good” lies in the eyes of the beholder. I apologize for the link, which I did not vet. I just wanted to see if that joke was a mime widely circulated. I did not do due vigilance on the site. My bad. If we remove ethnic humor, what do we have left? Erudite puns?

Tom Leherer, on the other hand, was a talented satirist of the 50/60’s social and political landscape and deserves to be remembered. No apologies there. What you make of it is a reflection through your own lens. Explore further. “Poisoning Pigeons In the Park” for example. “National Brotherhood Week”. “Vatican Rag”. Totally NOT-PC. Brilliant, but definitely Sick, and very daring in its day.

Me thinks the greater point is the ability to laugh at ourselves. If all these Idealists running loose in the world today could have this ability, maybe Mr. Lennon’s ideals would be possible.

I, too, am an American mutt. Despite quizzing the progenitors, all now deceased, and big brother the Lawyer making considerable effort to research, we are still not sure of all the details. English? Welch? Scottish? German? Dutch? When your ancestors fled from trauma, traveling though foreign ports, trying to get to the Promised Land, who knows what tales they told. Then we get to America and all bets are off. I have an officially “African-American” niece. You don’t wanna mess with her...go watch some Key and Peele.

Entered at Wed Dec 9 23:14:32 CET 2015 from (98.110.49.157)

Ben

Subject: who's a Jew

David P, That standard isn't followed anymore except by Orthodox Jews. The fact is that the rate of intermarriage among Jews (at least in the U.S.) is very high, so if being Jewish was dependent solely on the mother than within a few generations there would be very few non-orthodox Jews left.

Entered at Wed Dec 9 22:58:55 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: I think it's time for THE Christmas Song

Basically what you are saying in that sly very correct English grammar Peter is that "Trump" is a "blow hard asshole"......hunh?

This Christmas now is just a lot of crap. As soon as (or before) they finish taking that Halloween junk out of the stores, they are putting up the Christmas stuff. That's a full two months before Christmas.......come on!

I don't know about that crazy old Scandahouvian character or what breed of Christian he is, but our Anglican faith celebrates Christmas more briefly than most I think. It's not a long drawn out celebration.

Our tree goes up a week before Christmas and comes down the day after New Year. When we were kids we were taught the trimming of the tree was done by all family on Christmas Eve. We are pushing it doing it a week early.

It bugs the hell out of me when you drive around and see people with Christmas lights all aglow in February!

Entered at Wed Dec 9 22:30:42 CET 2015 from (156.47.15.10)

David P

Entered at Wed Dec 9 22:18:56 CET 2015 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

On another matter “to trump” is British English for “to fart.” There’s some discussion about whether it’s regional. Some claim it’s Northern, but I always knew it in the South. So To Trump is to emit noxious hot air from one’s fundament.

Entered at Wed Dec 9 21:30:11 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Half Breed

Yeah..but what about those of us that are just mutts? Welsh, Scot, English, Mexican, Salish Indian.

In Sechelt, we all used to play hockey. After playing we all trecked up stairs into the bar and have a couple of beer. Not for any particular reason, but all the white guys would sit together and all the Indians would sit separately.

One night I come up, grab a beer as I'm walking away from the bar, one of the Indian guys, Calvin Craigan says,"Hey Jones! ever notice how all the white guys sit over there and all us Indians sit over here?" I say....so? He says "Well.......you got to stand in the middle". They all laughed at me!

Bass man those jokes were pretty bad. It's hard to say which was worse the Christmas carol or the Jew. Did you look one click to the right from the Jew joke. The diplomat who kept wanting water?

Entered at Wed Dec 9 21:05:29 CET 2015 from (96.245.114.250)

bassmanlee

Subject: Jewish joke, my version

Told to me by an old friend, who is.

So, two guys (presumably not goys) are having lunch in a Chinese restaurant. Somehow the subject of the Diaspora comes up. “Did the Jews really get scattered to the four corners of the Earth?” one asks. “Like, are there Jews in China?” So the other guy calls the waiter over and, with some difficulty, asks him the question "Are there any Chinese Jews?". The waiter is puzzled and says he does not know, but he will go check. After several minutes he comes back and says, “So sorry! No Chinese Jews. We have pineapple Jews, grape Jews, and tomato Jews. No Chinese Jews!”

Alternate version above.

Entered at Wed Dec 9 21:02:40 CET 2015 from (184.145.116.226)

Kevin J

…and a half-Catholic is where your bottom half is allowed to have as much fun as you want as long as the top half goes to Confession once a week…….those with really long legs are not allowed to have any fun at all.

Entered at Wed Dec 9 20:45:29 CET 2015 from (98.110.49.157)

Ben

Subject: half jew

Rockin Chair, it doesn't quite work that way. A half-Jew is simply someone who has one Jewish and one non-Jewish parent.

Entered at Wed Dec 9 19:32:10 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: A half Jew??

Which half??.....bottom half or top half???

Entered at Wed Dec 9 19:05:54 CET 2015 from (98.110.49.157)

Ben

NorthWestCoaster, You don't personally know any Jews? How can you be sure. Do you mean that you've never met a Jew in your entire life? Not even a half-Jew somewhere along the way... That's just flabbergasting. I realize that the majority of Jews in the U.S. are concentrated in a handful of states, but still that's surprising.

Entered at Wed Dec 9 18:26:24 CET 2015 from (83.249.161.239)

NorthWestCoaster

I shall return with exact theological dates of the beginning and ending of Christian Xmas. In the meantime - don't ask Peter V because he has already thrown away Xmas Tree ;-)

Entered at Wed Dec 9 17:54:35 CET 2015 from (83.249.161.239)

NorthWestCoaster

Subject: Politically correct holidays

On serious side: Thanks bassmanlee for the post. But why to call Christmas for just a "holiday". I've known a lot of Muslims who never had even dreamed to call Eid al-Fitr (ʻĪd al-Fiṭr) for just a "holiday". I don't personally know a single Jew but I can hardly imagine anyone of our gb friends to call Hannukah for just a "holiday". That's why I as a Christin shall call the GODDAMNED CHRISTMAS for "Christmas" even here in gb.

Entered at Wed Dec 9 16:33:22 CET 2015 from (96.245.114.250)

bassmanlee

Subject: Christmas carols

On a lighter note...

Grabbed (in the dark) a random chunk of Christmas...er...Holiday CDs to lug to work this morning. Yes, there is a box of them, carefully stored each spring and unearthed around Turkey day. Everything from sappy to snappy, orchestras, bluegrass, New Age, you name it. 'Tis the season, which lasts from NO EARLIER than just after Thanksgiving and into early January. As it should. But for the true spirit of the season, it's hard to beat Tom Leherer's 60's classic which will probably be performed acapella at this weekend's band gig. (See link.)

Entered at Wed Dec 9 16:32:29 CET 2015 from (156.47.15.10)

David P

Prior to hooking up with Al Kooper Lynyrd Skynyrd had recorded their early material at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio with Jimmy Johnson producing. They didn't generate interest with the record labels right away, but the recordings revealed the band's potential. The material was later released in 1978 under the title "Skynyrd's First...And Last." Early on they were co-managed by Alan Walden, brother of Capricorn Records president Phil Walden.

Entered at Wed Dec 9 15:09:23 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Imagine - Playing For Change

In respect of John Lennon........I should have thought of this...........

Entered at Wed Dec 9 14:56:02 CET 2015 from (184.66.134.56)

JT

Subject: John Lennon

John Lennon: my take. His music is burned in my brain. He was at the forefront of ideas that mattered and he expressed himself, sometimes in an outrageous manner, to make a point. He captured the media effectively with brutal honesty. Whether you agreed with him or not, he put himself out there because he cared. He 'got' Dylan earlier than most.

Entered at Wed Dec 9 13:53:18 CET 2015 from (96.245.114.250)

bassmanlee

Subject: Skynyrd

Probably posted this before. I saw Skynyrd in maybe '76 or '77 while on spring break trip to Ashville, NC. It was a triple bill at the local arena with the Atlanta Rhythm Section, then Charlie Daniels Band and then Skynyrd. This was the brief period after Ed King left but before Steve Gaines joined, so it was only Rossington and Collins on guitars. They more than made up for it.

As a couple of Yankees, we were afraid to open our mouths amid the thick Southern drawls around us lest we give ourselves away. The Rebel spirit was high. The men's room was littered with empty Jack Daniels and Southern Comfort bottles to the point where you had to slide step to avoid stepping on them and falling on your ass. Lots of firecrackers. Great show!

Entered at Wed Dec 9 13:33:16 CET 2015 from (99.244.8.134)

John D

I'm a day late; but thinking of John Lennon. Still miss him. Saw Julian's memory of the tragedy last night. He jumps on a plane to America and everyone was talking about it and the headlines in the paper are all about his Dad. How surreal it must have been for him. God Bless Johnny.

Entered at Wed Dec 9 12:50:48 CET 2015 from (70.193.131.204)

David P

I first saw the group in 1972 performing at a club called Funnochios on Peachtree Street in Midtown Atlanta. This is where they were "discovered" by AL Kooper, who signed them to the MCA Sounds of the South imprint. It was a rough & rowdy club, adding an element of danger to the overwhelming experience of seeing such a talented band performing close up in the crowded confines.

Entered at Wed Dec 9 06:20:19 CET 2015 from (24.114.71.220)

Kevin J

Entered at Wed Dec 9 03:54:35 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Lynrd Skynrd - 1977 The Last Time

Here you are Kevin. I never could find the original of that song I wanted to, but this was a great concert.

I never did get to see them live. About 1978 or 9 I saw Donnie Van Zant with his band .38 Special. I told about that concert here before. At the Commodore Ball Room in Vancouver. Way to small of a room for those guys. I never thought any one could play loud enough to drive me out but they did.

Entered at Wed Dec 9 01:25:59 CET 2015 from (173.3.51.239)

Jeff A.

Entered at Tue Dec 8 23:19:50 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Lynrd Skynrd

From the mid seventies...(it's 48 years since that plane crash since the infancy of that band those guys created there has to have been more than 20 members) is when I was involved in a lot of bar work. Those early 70's were the years out here on the west coast when Southern Rock absolutely took over.

Lynrd Skynrd, Marshall Tucker Band, Dickie Betts, The Charlie Daniels Band, ZZ Top was what we all mostly played. It slid more into country coming into the mid 80's. But those 70's of Southern Rock were very reminiscent of the 50's rock & roll. Then the 60's of folk, then English Rock and the California sound, then CCR, then Eagles.

Every bit of that was full bore ahead and absolute fun. So what are we left with now? Listening to every breath Bob Dylan took in every place he chose to cough or hum a tune he was engaged in writing.

There is nothing fresh and new for us!....We're too fuckin' old to probably deserve it any way :-) :-)

Entered at Tue Dec 8 21:11:05 CET 2015 from (96.245.114.250)

bassmanlee

Subject: More Skynyrd

Doing a bit of digging, the show I saw was one released on DVD in October of this year - still have not found a recording date - in which they perform their first two albums, Pronounced Lynyrd Skynyrd and Second Helping I believe in their entirety. So no substandard new material as these were both damn good records. (Produced by Al Kooper, so there is even a Robbie connection through the electric Dylan days.) The show is in the band's hometown of Jacksonville, FL so both the band and the crowd are pretty pumped and there was much less cheesy posturing than the clip posted by Rockin' Chair. Actually it was pretty enjoyable if you like that kind of thing.

I thought that Rossington was still with them but the guy I figured was him was, I thought, called another name by Johnny, so I am at a loss as to which one he is.

Entered at Tue Dec 8 20:33:00 CET 2015 from (70.193.131.204)

David P

Today marks the 35th àniversary of John Lennon's murder in New York City. On the turntable is the all-analog mono LP reissue of "Rubber Soul," released 50 years ago on December 3.

Entered at Tue Dec 8 19:38:23 CET 2015 from (68.171.246.158)

Bill M

The back-story, much of which Sandy wouldn't have known, is that when Robbie Lane and the Disciples replaced Levon and the Hawks as Hawkins' backing band in '64, Hawkins also decided to hire an additional guitarist directly - not because Domenic Troiano needed the help, but because Hawkins wanted someone tied to himself rather than Robbie Lane so that he wouldn't lose his whole group en masse whenever the Disciples decided to move on. It seems thatwhen the Disciples did indeed move on, Starr went to Buffalo for a busman's holiday while Hawkins assembled the other new musicians. That done, he went to Buffalo to fetch Starr - and to hire Konikoff, who he knew well through Stan by this time.

Entered at Tue Dec 8 17:34:14 CET 2015 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Keeping on keeping on through this huge live download. If they're doing it a show at a time, try De Montfort Hall, Leicester 2 May 1965. I've been skipping around the list looking for sound quality. Classic solo show. The reference to Donovan in Talking World War III Blues went well with he audience, plus it includes If You gotta Go and With God On Our Side.

Entered at Tue Dec 8 17:27:42 CET 2015 from (63.142.158.9)

JQ

Jeff, I think your right. This is a situation where sadness tips into a hopeless depression. Humanity is the earth's viral load. I just read that not too long ago you could safely drink from every river in America. Except those at the coasts infused with salt water for a short distance -

Entered at Tue Dec 8 17:04:36 CET 2015 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Entered at Tue Dec 8 16:54:42 CET 2015 from (173.3.51.239)

Jeff A.

Subject: Borrowing Time

Norm, while it's no solution, I've said this since my teen years- the 70s. The human race has over industrialized itself & there's no return. Efforts to control pollution are important & admirable, but there are greater efforts to thwart those efforts. There's too many people, & too many businesses & business people that only care about money, too many developing countries that only care about money, & that's always been the bottom line. None of this is a secret. By the time i was 12, 13 years old, it was apparent to just about anyone who was paying attention that the world was fucked. Maybe the next world after ours will be better. Cause this one , if we ain't on borrowed time yet, we're using up our timeouts or something like that.

Entered at Tue Dec 8 16:12:17 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Planes Trains & Automobiles

As I watched that video I linked, I was thinking of all the tragedy that band suffered and ending in law suits by widowed wives. That caused my mind to wander over the amount of artists right from Buddy, Richie and the Big Bopper. Patsy Klein, Johnny Horton. Stevie Ray Vaughn in a helicopter.

The dangers of travel in the business.........

This also got me to thinking, (because of the up front green house gas control being worked on at this time.) I used to have a popular mechanics book that dealt with air quality. For example, the amount of oxygen burned by only one jet liner crossing the Atlantic is staggering. Consider the amount of constant air travel. Add to that the amount of constant deep sea shipping. The attempts to control air quality and climate change seem quite feeble.

Entered at Tue Dec 8 15:56:34 CET 2015 from (24.114.71.220)

Kevin J

LINKED: Excellent interview with Robbie Robertson in new Rolling Stone magazine.

Lynyrd Skynyrd: They were a mighty fine band at one time...but that recent link is almost the definition of how rock music can sometimes be a pile of shit. Unwatchable. No wonder the kids moved on to other types of music. I guess the estates are making money off this band but what a shame to have this collection of clowns pop up when searching for a song as Norm was doing. Maybe in 20 years when searching for a Band song, we'll be directed to a performance by Jim Weider's Weight band.......at least in that case we know the performance will be beautifully and respectfully done.

Entered at Tue Dec 8 14:53:40 CET 2015 from (98.110.49.157)

Ben

Subject: Skynyrd

bassmanlee, as far as I know Gary Rossington is still playing with Skynyrd. He is the sole remaining member of their classic lineup. However, Rickey Medlocke who was in an embryonic version of Skynyrd and later went on to play with Blackfoot has rejoined Skynyrd and as far as I know continues to perform with them.

Entered at Tue Dec 8 14:20:19 CET 2015 from (96.245.114.250)

bassmanlee

Subject: Jerry Lite

Trey Anastasio. A bit Phishy, that.

Entered at Tue Dec 8 14:10:45 CET 2015 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Entered at Tue Dec 8 13:47:04 CET 2015 from (96.245.114.250)

bassmanlee

Subject: Skynyrd

Interesting coincidence. While messing with laundry and bills last night, caught a Lynyrd Skynyrd show on VH1 from a version later than the link Rockin' put up. (Not sure of the year.) While I thought there was at least ONE original member, there don't seem to be ANY left, since at the point this particular show was taped, pianist Billy Powell was gone. Only Johnny (little brother) Van Zant has any connection to the original lineup. So basically they are a tribute band. And people dissed the reformed Band lineup...

Entered at Tue Dec 8 00:27:13 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: I know a little!

Well the bigger the city, the brighter the lights Bigger the dog well the harder the bite........

I know a little 'bout love, baby I can guess the rest!

When I'm thinking about the music we used to play with a crowded bar and keeping the dance floor full, this is some of the stuff we used to do.

So I don't know what to make of this shit that is nominated for Grammies......my Grammie would laugh at it. Maybe I'm in the wrong life cycle now........I don't know.........

Entered at Mon Dec 7 22:03:22 CET 2015 from (68.171.246.20)

Bill M

Entered at Mon Dec 7 22:01:35 CET 2015 from (173.3.49.248)

Jeff A.

Subject: Al, I think you want to go to Pittsburgh on Jan 16th.

See the link. Don't jump in the river if you ain't in Pittsburgh.

Entered at Mon Dec 7 20:19:41 CET 2015 from (100.2.21.114)

Joan

Entered at Mon Dec 7 19:39:08 CET 2015 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

The Dylan "Live 1965" Christmas gift for purchasers of the big box DID download properly yesterday. 209 tracks. At the moment, I'm on The Hollywood Bowl 3rd September 1965 with Levon and Robbie (and Al Kooper and Harvey Brooks). The recording is way better than the Forest Hills or Hartford boots were from the era. Quite stunning. I also suspect they played better too … Forest Hills has long jangling instrumental before his voice comes in. There's still intros at Hollywood Bowl, but they seem more purposeful.

On Maggie's Farm the interplay between Levon's drums and Al Kooper's organ is fabulous. It's atypical Levon but so propulsive.

Entered at Mon Dec 7 18:49:10 CET 2015 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Entered at Mon Dec 7 18:12:21 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Finally!

I don't see why we had to pry that outta yuh Jerry! You guys have far more patience, or perhaps interest than I. I can't even look to some of this award nomination any more. There is so little there that interests me.

I'm sure it was not the same when we were young,(in our area). I played a lot of the music my old man played. My son plays a lot that I play, plus his own. It was never like what is portrayed in (for example) the "Buddy Holly Story". The middle aged people down there saw Rock & Roll as the devil's music and criminal etc, etc.

Even the lyrics to a lot of the rap & hip hop music are violent. I can't recall any of our music being that way. Much of the youtube video you can surf thru' to get an understanding of what IS right now, is hard to consider as music......that of course is just a personal feeling as to what one feels as "music to the ears."

Television is the same, if you do a poll of how many cop shows are now on TV. Considering we looked at how many westerns were on in the late 50's early 60's a while back. Now these "Criminal Minds" that play in marathons over and over has to be saturating young minds with violence.

Entered at Mon Dec 7 18:01:32 CET 2015 from (24.114.71.86)

Kevin J

.....and we'll know we've all lost the plot when we turn on PBS and the Pledge Drive week features burnt out Electronic Danse Music DJ's spinning mixes of yesteryear instead of pathetic old geezers in leather pants and wigs playing the rock songs of the 60's !

Count on the hosts of the PBS shows to still be wearing beige cardigans, though.

Entered at Mon Dec 7 17:22:49 CET 2015 from (184.66.134.56)

JT

Subject: Alien

OK, I'll say it. With few exceptions, the chosen music in Grammy categories is exceedingly foreign to me. I also don't recognize many of the names listed. I was doing OK until about 10 years ago. This year is the worst. And when I reviewed the top 50 albums in various lists and magazines, I barely recognized either the album name, the song name or the artist. So here we go again...that generational thing...I do recognize that anybody on such a list likely has talent. But the music forms that capture youth's imagination is foreign to me in many respects.

Entered at Mon Dec 7 17:03:59 CET 2015 from (131.137.34.213)

sadavid

Oct '16 ?!? -- I'll have to start taking better care of myself . . . .

No doubt the time was needed to give the infamous Lucy's Chicken Ranch Incident its proper due . . . .

Entered at Mon Dec 7 16:33:47 CET 2015 from (68.171.246.130)

Bill M

Entered at Mon Dec 7 16:06:54 CET 2015 from (131.137.34.213)

sadavid

Bill M: thanks for posting the Grammy noms . . . year after year, we reconnect with being old and out of touch . . . .

I expect S. Claus will bring me a copy of the JRR memoir this xmas -- I don't think S. C. is clever enuf to make it the audiobook, which is too bad inasmuch as JRR excels at same. Was surprised to see Patti Smith's reading of a Jo Nesbo nominated -- that might be interesting.

Entered at Mon Dec 7 15:41:10 CET 2015 from (68.171.246.154)

Bill M

Among the projects competing against the BT set is the absolutely wonderful "Native North America" - see link. In the long list of thank-yous is one to Robbie Robertson.

Entered at Mon Dec 7 15:28:31 CET 2015 from (68.171.246.8)

Bill M

Subject: BT box gets Grammy nomination

Scroll down to category 67 at link.

Entered at Mon Dec 7 12:00:34 CET 2015 from (77.102.201.158)

Al Edge

Lovely headline P.

:-0)

I really am savouring the Cherries - and their fabulous manager!

A real breath of fresh air. Like a snapshot into what used to be.

Entered at Mon Dec 7 10:59:44 CET 2015 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Entered at Mon Dec 7 07:05:13 CET 2015 from (219.89.13.40)

Rod

I'll feel complete when I find an Epiphone Howard Roberts like RRs. Pretty expensive now and they don't have the greatest reputation. I had a chance to buy one when I was much younger but needed to buy a motor bike for work. Just found out that Washburn released a copy a few years back - but not in the right colour.

I did buy a double CD of Levon's two self titled albums over the weekend. I was never a big fan at the time but that first one sounds pretty good now.

Entered at Sun Dec 6 21:57:15 CET 2015 from (184.66.134.56)

JT

Subject: Tribute to The Band Dec 19, 2015 Victoria BC Herman's Jazz Club

Dec. 19, 2015: Herman's Jazz Club, Victoria BC: Tribute to The Band. Tickets on sale at Lyle's. Unfortunately, we won't be here for it. If anyone is in the area, Herman's is a great venue... good food, nice people. David Vest plays there often and we go there when we can.

Entered at Sun Dec 6 20:46:49 CET 2015 from (184.66.134.56)

JT

Subject: Brown is the new royal colour

I agree, Norm. Writers often try to be controversial to raise the ire of those who read and get attention. To that end, he 'got me'. But I don't care. I just want to say that he needs to hear that he needs to back up and his opinion with a valid and structured criticism of the songs on 'The Brown Album'. If he cares and tries to do that, he is doomed to fail.

Entered at Sun Dec 6 19:54:53 CET 2015 from (77.102.201.158)

Al Edge

Norm accusing someone of babbling like an idiot!!!!!!!

You couldn't make it up

That said Norm lad you're absolutely spot on of course! About me babbling that is. Not about that fucking cretin including Big Pink though.

:-0)

Entered at Sun Dec 6 18:52:37 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Mason Williams to Glenn Campbell

In considering Glenn Campbell as a musician, and also Ovation guitars, one of the most hallowed guitar instrumentals is "Classical gas".

In this video the sound person obviously screws up as Glenn ends up turning his guitar up. Then he moves and stands right in front of the monitors.

I forget, was it you Peter? mentioning how a guy went after a Gibson to play rather than his Martin for tuning issues on stage. Well that is one of the greatest things I love with Ovation. They stay in tune much better especially with some one like me who is heavy handed on the strings. Some guys like Wilf Warkentin are so light on their guitar and are such masters. I recall looking at Wilf's "Flying V" one time. He had played it for years and the frets were unmarked. My guitar after about a year had groves in the frets and they needed dressing.

Guitars I have owned (and still should) 1963 Gibson Hummingbird, Fender Mustang, Walnut Gibson 335, Eko 335 copy pair of Jumbo Guild acoustics 6 & 12 string 2 Ovations, Fender Telecaster altered with Humbuckers Black 335 Gibson............oh well

Entered at Sun Dec 6 17:30:13 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Calm Waters

Good morning Jerry. I don't recall you ever getting worked up over anything, unlike many of us. Most generally my comments are meant with tongue in cheek as a joke. I don't see a need to put a little smiley behind things all the time to support that fact. I like to think every one, (almost) here mature enough to understand that.

The man is certainly entitled to his opinion, and sometimes writers comments are done on purpose to spark debate and reassure themselves that some one is actually reading what they write.

I have done that myself back in the day when there was so many of those on this sight that frothed at the mouth when some one spelt words wrong etc. My quirky sense of humour would not allow me to let that go. I guess we drove some of them away by not being, "literally correct enough."

Entered at Sun Dec 6 17:11:46 CET 2015 from (184.66.134.56)

JT

Subject: 'Writers and critics throughout the land'

Norm: I'm not getting worked up personally. I just want to point out that despite his opinion (and he is entitled), he is alone on this from anyone else I read. There are the regular people and then there are writers. Writers had the responsibility of saying what they think but then the obligation to back up what they opine. Even in the ones he picks in the 10, he misses the mark at times and his reasoning is often (not always) weak. He did pick some lame ducks to write about. If he had tried to back up his opinion on The Brown Album, he would have run into a lot of trouble, IMO.

Entered at Sun Dec 6 16:52:34 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Adam Pockross

I suppose any articles as regards the BAND, or any band for that matter are going to be discussed, however have any of you bothered to research the writer?

This is what he has to say about himself! He calls himself a "crack reporter, engaging interviewer, and a plugged in social guy."

From 1998 to 2004 he was a bartender fer chris-sake. by the look of him, he is early 40's. Not with standing the fact that he is trying to make a name for himself as a "seasoned professional writer", his opinion carries little "WEIGHT", when he has very little experience with what he chooses to be a critic of.

I don't see getting all worked up over an article and opinion that doesn't even matter.

Some body give Al a sedative, he is definitely "on the Edge", he's babbling like an idiot.

Peter! I know how dear to your heart the gawd damn T shirt is. If yer ever short, I've got so many T shirts I'll never wear them all if I live to be 200. Susan and my daughters and other people won't stop giving them to me. Even Northern Buoy, (Chris & Theresa) gave me a very nice one with a silk screen picture of the BAND on it. You can't have that one it was a special occasion and very special T shirt.

Now a days I'm being given "Hoodies", I'll have to give some of you guys them I guess.

Entered at Sun Dec 6 15:59:55 CET 2015 from (184.66.134.56)

JT

Subject: ' never surpassed their first album'

I read the article.The problem with this type of article is that it demeans the artists who appear on such a list. While in some cases the followup albums may be of lesser status in one way or another, for The Band, The Brown Album does not fall below MFBP in any way and some feel it surpasses it. So in two ways, the author has missed the boat here. He has reduced the status of both the musicians and the 2nd album when this was not warranted. No one with any true knowledge of The Brown album sees it as so far below the quality of MFBP that they would have considered either the musicians or that album as warranting inclusion in such a list. MFBP may not have been surpassed but The Brown Album can stand beside it as a followup album that stands high in quality of songs and musicianmanship. The author missed the mark here.

Entered at Sun Dec 6 15:12:46 CET 2015 from (68.171.246.7)

Bill M

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David P

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Al Edge

Kev from NE Pa.

As you say - how the hell did the cretin compiling that list arrive at such a conclusion regarding the Brown Album and Stagefright as failing to emulate Big Pink.

Blimey - nobody except Pat B - has championed Big Pink more than me but we're talking of such unique excellence with all three that bracketing the boys offerings with the offerings of some of the other artists on that list is blasphemy enough but to even hint at the two follow ups falling in any way short of sublimity is surely punishable by garrotting.

Entered at Sun Dec 6 13:23:08 CET 2015 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

What's happened to Canadian quality? Mrs V has told me to throw away my grey "Montreal" T-shirt because it is so badly frayed. I bought it in 1993, so it's only 22 years old. OK, I've worn it a lot, but you don't expect a garment to fall apart a the neck like that. In vain I protested that it should be kept and disposed of after a dirty task, like painting the fence. "When did you last paint a fence?" was the response. Well, I guess that was around the time I bought the T-shirt.

I have decided to hide my Van Morrison early 90s T-shirts.

Entered at Sun Dec 6 12:04:26 CET 2015 from (77.102.201.158)

Al Edge

Hilarious. The dentist bit completely cracked me up. Not seen them before. Thanks for posting.

:-0)

Entered at Sun Dec 6 03:17:43 CET 2015 from (68.171.246.31)

Bill M

"Dylan said he had no thoughts about future engagements ... "But basically we're just having a holiday.'

"That 'holiday', according to guitarist Robbie Robertson of the Band, consisted in almost non-stop jamming. ... 'He just likes to play all the time,' Robertson said. 'We had to say Give us a rest. We could hardly finish our first album because he wanted to play all the time.'

The article goes on to report the songlists of the Band and Dylan, together and separately, but I'm sure that whoever cares already has that info.

Entered at Sun Dec 6 01:58:48 CET 2015 from (82.22.145.205)

Ian W

The recording from Boston in October 1965 in that listing I posted was unexpected but, while I cannot say for sure, the song titles match the ones on a tape that circulated some time back that was from Chicago in November 1965.

In respect of the Newport/acoustic "Tombstone Blues", I should have mentioned that the final verse may be derived from a different source from the rest of the recording, as the sound is completely different. All the verses from the released version are performed with only some relatively minor word changes. And, where the chorus is in the album version, Dylan strums his guitar to fill what would otherwise be a gap.

The April/May 1965 concerts (with the sad exception of the 9 May concert) seem to be from the Nagra operated by Pennebaker's sound recordist Robert van Dyke.

Entered at Sat Dec 5 22:17:57 CET 2015 from (71.58.236.105)

Kevin from NE PA

Subject: Bands that never surpassed their first LP

OK - I know these types of lists are meant to bring about discussion but there is no way the Band should be on this list. While they are not in the top ten, they get Honorable Mention. One has to click thru the list to get to the Honorable Mentions.

Entered at Sat Dec 5 19:34:02 CET 2015 from (174.1.58.122)

Lisa

Subject: Alun, for Al

This has been around for a while, but it will give you a laugh, guaranteed!

Entered at Sat Dec 5 19:08:21 CET 2015 from (77.102.201.158)

Al Edge

Ha ha

Spot on there mate!!!!

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Jeff A.

Even when serious, i'm Jacobing. Joshua came later in the bible. I'm Yaakov in Hebrew. Well Al, we're both funny guys. Actually, anyone on this GB is seriously funny in some sense. Just by being here.

Entered at Sat Dec 5 18:12:17 CET 2015 from (82.22.145.205)

Ian W

You're welcome, Bill.

One of the more interesting cuts is the acoustic "Tombstone Blues" from a workshop at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965. Dylan sings only the verses and the tune resembles "I Once Love A Lass", particularly on the last line of each verse. There is no chorus and the overall effect is to produce a very different song from that on "Highway 61 Revisited" or on tour with The Hawks. Had Dylan sung a totally different set of lyrics at Newport and then released "Tombstone Blues" on the album, I doubt whether we would have connected the two. Fascinating.

I also have a vague memory that, in "Eat The Document" or something similar from that period, Dylan performed "Tombstone Blues" acoustically, possibly in the background of some scene. On the other hand, perhaps my memory is addled.

I wonder what we'll get in a year's time by way of a "Copyright Extension" release from 1966.

Anyway, does an MP3 download to a maximum of 5000 people constitute a "release" at all under European copyright law? And, whether it does or not, who would risk a court case against Sony when, even if you won, most people who want this "stuff" would have already got it by the time the case had gone through the full legal process, so you'd be unlikely to recoup even your legal costs, let alone manufacturing and distribution costs?

Entered at Sat Dec 5 16:25:21 CET 2015 from (68.171.246.152)

Bill M

Subject: link to article about Robbie's new book

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Bill M

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Ian W

The notes first:

No, I didn't type them but, yes, I had to spend a bit of time adjusting them, so they would come up on GB looking OK. No gold star, then.

Now the Dylan downloads:

The "live 1965" one worked perfectly. Each individual track is numbered and they downloaded in the correct chronological sequence.Only MP3 is available but I am told that somebody, with more techie knowledge than I, has already converted the files to WAV or FLAC, with an improvement in quality, and then uploaded them. I don't know the name of the website, though, I'm afraid.

In contrast, the download of the 18-CD set was an absolute mess. First, they told everyone who was eligible at much the same time, so their servers got overloaded and simply crashed. Then, they re-sent the codes (in batches, I believe)and I downloaded successfully - EXCEPT the sequencing was crazy - all the Track 1s, followed by all the Track 2s, followed by all the Track 3s and so on. On top of that, they sequenced them so that all the Track 1s were in alphabetical order of the song titles, then all the Track 2s in similar alphabetical order and on and on. I could say that the sequence was random, which is not technically correct but it might as well have been random because of the difficulty in locating tracks and readily playing different takes of the same song.

Since the second attempt,I have been sent a third download code, which is supposed to have resolved the problem. Unfortunately not - well, not in my case, anyway. I downloaded them in MP3 format (which suits me for various reasons) whereas the e-mail that came with the third code said that they had corrected the FLAC files but were not now going to use the WAV format (too difficult, I guess) and there was no reference at all to whether they had adjusted the MP3 files. I have complained but have received no reply.

Entered at Sat Dec 5 13:45:40 CET 2015 from (77.102.201.158)

Al Edge

:-0)

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John D

Ian did they download properly. I know some who ordered the 18 disc set had real problems downloading the original 18 for a number of days.

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Jos

Subject: TLW complete vid

Maybe it has been posted here before - but there's a vid on YouTube with the complete Winterland recording of TLW. It's in my page link.

Entered at Sat Dec 5 13:07:30 CET 2015 from (173.3.49.220)

Jeff A.

i read the spelling Alun for the first time. The guy is from Liverpool, it made me wonder.

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David P

The Hawks may have first crossed paths earlier with Jesse Ed Davis when he joined Conway Twitty's band at age 18.

Entered at Sat Dec 5 11:02:53 CET 2015 from (77.102.201.158)

Al Edge

Is watching film of your hero first thing in the morning really meant to reduce you to an emotional wreck weeping simultaneous tears of joy, regret and unbridled inspiration?

Can rock music really be so powerful.

Cheers Bob lad. Fucking unbelievable. Peerless.

BTW - mine arrived in the post yesterday. The missus calmly snaffled it with the imperious and depressingly disdainful reality check that it remains hidden away and unopened until Christmas morning for formal presentation by the grandkids.

The question is do I regress 55 years and reprise my sneak thief role of unearthing Chrissie pressies clumsily hidden in the cubby hole under the stairs by my dear folks all those years ago?

:-0)

Entered at Sat Dec 5 10:50:20 CET 2015 from (77.102.201.158)

Alzheimer's Edge

To be Frank I can't remember Geoff lad

:-0)

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Bill M

Referring to the Tillison lineup, while Stan Szelest may first have met Jesse Ed Davis while touring through Oklahoma with Hawkins in the early '60s, Sandy Konikoff first encountered Davis and the other Oklahomans in '66 at a time when he was sleeping on Levon's couch in LA. (Sandy made a beeline back to Toronto upon leaving Dylan, but soon returned to LA, which Levon hadn't left yet.

And to bring Bobby Starr in again, after leaving Hawkins around '66, he moved to Buffalo to join Stan and Sandy's old group, the Ravens, playing twin leads with Ernie Corallo.

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Ian W

An MP3 download is now available to those who bought the 18-CD version of BOOTLEG SERIES Vol.12

Mostly from the earlier acoustic shows (including material new to collectors) but some with The Hawks (but little that's new):

BOB DYLAN – 50th ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION: 1965

February 17, 1965 (Les Crane Show, WABC-TV Studios, New York City, New York) 1. It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue – 4:24 2. It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding) – 7:25 Bob Dylan – vocals, acoustic guitar and harmonica Bruce Langhorne – electric guitar

March 27, 1965 (Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, Santa Monica, California) 3. To Ramona – 4:22 4. Gates of Eden – 7:13 5. If You Gotta Go, Go Now – 2:11 6. It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding) – 7:34 7. Love Minus Zero/No Limit – 4:04 8. Mr. Tambourine Man – 5:27 9. Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right – 3:27 10. With God On Our Side [incomplete] – 1:22 11. She Belongs To Me – 3:36 12. It Ain’t Me, Babe [incomplete] – 1:10 13. The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll [incomplete] – 0:20 14. All I Really Want To Do – 2:22 15. It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue – 4:41 Bob Dylan – vocals, guitar and harmonica

April 30, 1965 (The Oval, City Hall, Sheffield, England) 16. The Times They Are A-Changin' – 3:25 17. To Ramona – 4:24 18. Gates Of Eden – 6:58 19. If You Gotta Go, Go Now – 2:54 20. It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding) – 8:02 21. Love Minus Zero/No Limit – 4:36 22. Mr. Tambourine Man – 6:06 23. Talkin’ World War III Blues – 4:49 24. Don't Think Twice, It's All Right – 3:56 25. With God On Our Side – 4:49 26. She Belongs To Me – 4:24 27. It Ain't Me, Babe – 3:44 28. The Lonesome Death Of Hattie Carroll – 5:06 29. All I Really Want To Do – 2:44 30. It's All Over Now, Baby Blue – 5:04 Bob Dylan – vocals, guitar and harmonica

May 1, 1965 (Odeon, Liverpool, England) 31. The Times They Are A-Changin' – 3:03 32. To Ramona – 4:25 33. Gates Of Eden – 7:10 34. If You Gotta Go, Go Now – 2:21 35. It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding) – 7:54 36. Love Minus Zero/No Limit – 3:59 37. Mr. Tambourine Man – 5:47 38. Talkin’ World War III Blues [incomplete] – 4:25 39. Don't Think Twice, It's All Right – 4:07 40. With God On Our Side – 4:46 41. She Belongs To Me – 3:57 42. It Ain't Me, Babe – 3:56 43. The Lonesome Death Of Hattie Carroll – 5:23 44. All I Really Want To Do – 2:51 45. It's All Over Now, Baby Blue – 5:07 Bob Dylan – vocals, guitar and harmonica

May 2, 1965 (De Montfort Hall, Leicester, England) 46. The Times They Are A-Changin' – 2:55 47. To Ramona – 4:21 48. Gates Of Eden – 6:58 49. If You Gotta Go, Go Now – 2:14 50. It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding) – 7:40 51. Love Minus Zero/No Limit – 3:59 52. Mr. Tambourine Man – 5:44 53. Talkin’ World War III Blues – 4:36 54. Don't Think Twice, It's All Right – 3:52 55. With God On Our Side – 4:52 56. She Belongs To Me – 4:08 57. It Ain't Me, Babe – 3:50 58. The Lonesome Death Of Hattie Carroll – 5:20 59. All I Really Want To Do – 2:35 60. It's All Over Now, Baby Blue – 4:52 Bob Dylan – vocals, guitar and harmonica

May 5, 1965 (Town Hall, Birmingham, England) 61. The Times They Are A-Changin' – 3:15 62. To Ramona – 4:05 63. Gates Of Eden – 6:52 64. If You Gotta Go, Go Now – 2:19 65. It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding) – 7:41 66. Love Minus Zero/No Limit – 4:21 67. Mr. Tambourine Man – 6:02 68. Talkin’ World War III Blues – 4:40 69. Don't Think Twice, It's All Right – 4:02 70. With God On Our Side – 4:49 71. She Belongs To Me – 4:14 72. It Ain't Me, Babe – 3:41 73. The Lonesome Death Of Hattie Carroll – 5:33 74. All I Really Want To Do – 2:56 75. It's All Over Now, Baby Blue – 4:41 Bob Dylan – vocals, guitar and harmonica

May 6, 1965 (City Hall, Newcastle, England) 76. The Times They Are A-Changin' – 2:57 77. To Ramona – 4:10 78. Gates Of Eden – 6:51 79. If You Gotta Go, Go Now – 2:11 80. It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding) – 7:44 81. Love Minus Zero/No Limit – 3:57 82. Mr. Tambourine Man – 5:26 83. Talkin’ World War III Blues – 4:21 84. Don't Think Twice, It's All Right [partial false start, complete] – 4:39 85. With God On Our Side –5:05 86. She Belongs To Me – 4:23 87. It Ain't Me, Babe – 4:10 88. The Lonesome Death Of Hattie Carroll – 5:34 89. All I Really Want To Do – 2:51 90. It's All Over Now, Baby Blue – 4:54 Bob Dylan – vocals, guitar and harmonica

May 7, 1965 (Free Trade Hall, Manchester, England) 91. The Times They Are A-Changin’ – 2:59 92. To Ramona – 4:30 93. Gates of Eden – 6:50 94. If You Gotta Go, Go Now – 2:28 95. It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding) – 7:50 96. Love Minus Zero/No Limit – 4:14 97. Mr. Tambourine Man – 6:02 98. Talkin’ World War III Blues – 4:27 99. Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right – 3:32 100. With God On Our Side – 5:04 101. She Belongs To Me – 4:01 102. It Ain’t Me, Babe – 3:56 103. The Lonesome Death Of Hattie Carroll – 5:32 104. All I Really Want To Do – 2:46 105. It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue – 5:00 Bob Dylan – vocals, guitar and harmonica

May 8, 1965 (Savoy Hotel, London, England) 106. She Belongs To Me – 2:48 Bob Dylan – vocals & guitar

May 9, 1965 (Royal Albert Hall, London, England) 107. The Times They Are A-Changin’ [incomplete] – 3:10 108. To Ramona – 4:36 109. Gates of Eden – 7:08 110. If You Gotta Go, Go Now – 2:15 111. It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding) – 8:11 112. Love Minus Zero/No Limit – 3:53 113. Mr. Tambourine Man – 6:19 114. Talkin’ World War III Blues – 4:36 115. Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right – 3:36 116. With God On Our Side – 5:03 117. She Belongs To Me – 3:37 118. It Ain’t Me, Babe – 3:53 119. The Lonesome Death Of Hattie Carroll – 5:19 120. All I Really Want To Do – 2:42 121. It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue – 5:05 Bob Dylan – vocals, guitar and harmonica

May 10, 1965 (Royal Albert Hall, London, England) 122. The Times They Are A-Changin' – 3:17 123. To Ramona – 4:07 124. Gates Of Eden – 7:11 125. If You Gotta Go, Go Now – 2:13 126. It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding) [dropouts] – 7:34 127. Love Minus Zero/No Limit – 3:37 128. Mr. Tambourine Man – 5:50 129. Talkin’ World War III Blues – 4:32 130. Don't Think Twice, It's All Right – 3:58 131. With God On Our Side – 4:54 132. She Belongs To Me – 4:19 133. It Ain't Me, Babe – 3:47 134. The Lonesome Death Of Hattie Carroll – 5:32 135. All I Really Want To Do – 2:40 136. It's All Over Now, Baby Blue – 4:57 Bob Dylan – vocals, guitar and harmonica

June 1, 1965 (BBC Studios, London, England) 137. Ballad Of Hollis Brown – 4:52 138. Mr. Tambourine Man – 5:55 139. Gates Of Eden – 6:50 140. If You Gotta Go, Go Now – 2:34 141. The Lonesome Death Of Hattie Carroll – 6:03 142. It Ain’t Me, Babe – 3:51 143. Love Minus Zero/No Limit – 3:39 144. One Too Many Mornings – 4:00 145. Boots Of Spanish Leather – 6:21 146. It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding) – 8:35 147. She Belongs To Me – 4:25 148. It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue – 4:58 Bob Dylan – vocals, guitar and harmonica

July 24, 1965 (Contemporary Songs Workshop, Newport Folk Festival, Freebody Park, Newport, Rhode Island) 149. Tombstone Blues – 5:25 Bob Dylan – vocals, guitar and harmonica

July 25, 1965 (Newport Folk Festival, Freebody Park, Newport, Rhode Island) 150. It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry – 3:29 Bob Dylan – vocals, guitar and harmonica Michael Bloomfield – guitar Barry Goldberg – organ Al Kooper – bass Sam Lay – drums

August 28, 1965 (Forest Hills Tennis Stadium, Queens, New York) 151. She Belongs To Me – 4:05 152. To Ramona – 4:22 153. Gates of Eden – 6:31 154. Love Minus Zero/No Limit – 3:36 155. Desolation Row – 9:31 156. It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue – 5:01 157. Mr. Tambourine Man – 5:36 158. Tombstone Blues – 5:37 159. I Don’t Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Have Met) – 4:38 160. From A Buick 6 – 3:14 161. Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues – 5:22 162. Maggie’s Farm – 4:42 163. It Ain’t Me, Babe – 4:34 164. Ballad Of A Thin Man – 5:41 165. Like A Rolling Stone – 5:59 Tracks 151-157: Bob Dylan – vocals, guitar and harmonica Tracks 158-165: Bob Dylan (vocals, guitar and harmonica), Robbie Robertson (guitar), Al Kooper (organ), Harvey Brooks (bass) and Levon Helm (drums)

September 3, 1965 (Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, California) 166. She Belongs To Me – 3:44 167. To Ramona – 4:00 168. Gates of Eden – 6:13 169. It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue – 4:48 170. Desolation Row – 9:38 171. Love Minus Zero/No Limit – 3:38 172. Mr. Tambourine Man – 5:41 173. Tombstone Blues [incomplete] – 4:37 174. I Don’t Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Have Met) – 4:19 175. Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues – 4:47 176. From A Buick 6 – 2:57 177. Maggie’s Farm – 4:19 178. It Ain’t Me, Babe – 4:13 179. Ballad Of A Thin Man – 5:38 180. Like A Rolling Stone – 5:31 Tracks 166-172: Bob Dylan – vocals, guitar and harmonica Tracks 173-180: Bob Dylan (vocals, guitar and harmonica), Robbie Robertson (guitar), Al Kooper (organ), Harvey Brooks (bass) and Levon Helm (drums)

October 29 or 31, 1965 (Back Bay Theater, Boston, Massachusetts) 181. Tombstone Blues [dropouts] – 4:46 182. I Don’t Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Have Met) [incomplete] – 2:02 183. Baby, Let Me Follow You Down [partial, intro clipped] – 3:24 184. Ballad Of A Thin Man [partial, intro clipped, dropouts and tape speed varies] – 5:15 Bob Dylan (vocals, guitar and harmonica), Robbie Robertson (guitar), Richard Manuel (piano), Garth Hudson (organ), Rick Danko (bass) and Levon Helm (drums)

October 30, 1965 (Bushnell Memorial Hall, Hartford, CT) 185. She Belongs To Me – 3:21 186. To Ramona [incomplete] – 0:18 187. Gates of Eden [incomplete] – 0:25 188. It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue – 4:51 189. Desolation Row [incomplete] – 0:16 190. Love Minus Zero/No Limit [incomplete] – 0:49 191. Mr. Tambourine Man – 6:36 192. Tombstone Blues – 5:21 193. Baby, Let Me Follow You Down – 3:19 194. Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues [incomplete] – 0:28 195. Maggie’s Farm – 3:56 196. It Ain’t Me, Babe – 5:27 197. Ballad Of A Thin Man [incomplete] – 0:47 198. Positively 4th Street – 4:29 199. Like A Rolling Stone – 2:52 Tracks 185-191: Bob Dylan – vocals, guitar and harmonica Tracks 192-199: Bob Dylan (vocals, guitar and harmonica), Robbie Robertson (guitar), Richard Manuel (piano), Garth Hudson (organ), Rick Danko (bass) and Levon Helm (drums)

December 4, 1965 (Berkeley Community Theatre, Berkeley, California) 200. Tombstone Blues [incomplete] – 4:54 201. I Don’t Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Have Met) – 5:04 202. Baby, Let Me Follow You Down – 3:55 203. Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues – 5:35 204. Long Distance Operator – 3:45 205. It Ain’t Me, Babe – 5:33 206. Ballad Of A Thin Man – 5:34 207. Positively 4th Street – 4:33 208. Like A Rolling Stone – 5:55 Bob Dylan (vocals, guitar and harmonica), Robbie Robertson (guitar), Richard Manuel (piano), Garth Hudson (organ), Rick Danko (bass) and Bobby Gregg (drums)

All songs written by Bob Dylan except “Baby, Let Me Follow You Down” arranged by Bob Dylan

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Bill M

Didding deeper into my pile of stuff, I find a short set of notes from an August 2002 conversation with Roger Tillison. He mentioned playing with Jesse Ed Davis, Bobby Keyes, Levon Helm and Gordon Shryock (see link, noting reference to another band called the Band). He went back to Oklahoma right after, by which time Levon was in New Orleans, wanting to start a group.

Another note, from an October '02 chat with Frank Rondell, Frank mentions his group recording at Mira studio in '65 (just as Levon and the Hawks had done) and jamming with the Hawks at Tony Mart's. (Rondell, from Hamilton, had released a cover of "Someone Like You" in '61 or '62, and would certainly have guested with Hawkins and the Hawks over the years.

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Jeff A.

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David P

It was Jesse Ed Davis's bottleneck playing with Taj Mahal on "Statesboro Blus" that inspired Duane Allman to learn to play with a slide. Duane had a glass bottle of Coricidin cold medicine at the time and that's what used for his slide.

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Kevin J

I imagine many here go straight to the GB and don't check the "What's New" section regularly.......worth checking the December 3 link to a CTV interview with RR.

Bill M: Thank you for that info on Bobby Star....I love those stories.

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Bill M

David P: Thanks for confirming that it was Jesse Ed on banjo on the Tillison LP. The arrangement that surprised me was his "Get Up Jake" - more like an Allmans thing than what the Band or Ian and Sylvia did with the song.

Amazing coincidence that you guys are talking about the Gibson 400. Earlier today I was sorting through some old papers and found a note of Bobby Starr telling me that Robbie used a 400 as well as a Telecaster back in the day.

Bobby Starr (Schwab, really) knew Robbie very well back then, studied him, copied him, threatened to overtake him at one point. To the degree that he is remembered at all, he is remembered for two killer soloes in the classic Robbie Telecaster style - on Jay Smith's 1964 version of "Howlin'" and on Ronnie Hawkins and the Hawks' 1965 version of "Diddley Diddley Daddy". The latter is simply astonishing. Though I've heard bootleg tapes where Robbie whould achieve the same frightening, feral sound, I don't recall hearing him play that way on record. If you have the 'teardrop-Elvis' edition of Greil Marcus's "Mystery Train", you'll find him saying nice things about the record (which made it onto a UK semi-legit comp) because he thought Ronnie was being backed by Levon and the Hawks as opposed to Robbie Lane's group with Bobby Starr on guitar. Subsequent editions include no mention of "Diddley Diddley Daddy".

Entered at Thu Dec 3 23:19:19 CET 2015 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

The clip reminded me of the very special vintage guitar shop in Bath about 5 or 6 years ago. A friend was searching for a sturdy 1958-60 Gibson acoustic for stage work, getting tired of tuning his Martin between every number. So we walked in and heard fantastic guitar from the other room … it sounded like the Joe Bonamassa clip. We looked round to see which visiting star it was (it's that sort of shop, could have been anyone) and there's an 11 year old kid playing. Extraordinary! I wonder what he's done since.

Entered at Thu Dec 3 22:49:06 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Down in the Flood

I expect you guys must have watched these youtube videos. Takes a lot of time. There is a lot to absorb there.

Entered at Thu Dec 3 22:10:17 CET 2015 from (69.112.112.120)

Bob F

I would think when deciding on the 2, 6 or 18 cd set a casual listener can use the liner notes from John Wesley Harding. When Frank asks the three kings how far they want to go in. One of them answers "not to far but just far enough so's we can say that we've been there". On the other hand some might say “we’re going all the way ’til the wheels fall off and burn. Til the sun peels the paint and the seat covers fade and the water moccasin dies”

Entered at Thu Dec 3 21:58:14 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: I Dug up a Diamond

For some reason your link won't work for me David. All the other guys do. About that story of Seeger wanting to cut the wire. In one of the many DVD's I have I can't remember who it was now, but some one explained that was not true.

Joe Bonamassa spoke of the "Wall nut 335" he searched for. I had one I bought new about 1975. Got really broke in the early 80's and had to sell it......damn.

In this link, at 3.00 Mark Knopfler & Richard Bennett solo with two Les Paul Gibson's. With all respect to Eric Clapton, but for me I far more enjoy Mark's playing. This solo how these two guys guitars talk to each other is class.

Entered at Thu Dec 3 21:54:59 CET 2015 from (74.14.7.222)

JT

Subject: What 'The Cutting Edge' is and what it isn't

The best of the recorded 1965-66 3 albums are indeed on the primary releases. However, as so many have said, Dylan's process of arriving there is of great interest. These cuts are not for repeated listening, with some notable exceptions (She's Your Lover Now is one good example; it never made it to the primary releases). If there is such a thing as a Dylan student (like a student of Shakespeare), the Cutting Edge is the evolving manuscript for the final magnificent output of those years.

Entered at Thu Dec 3 21:26:05 CET 2015 from (69.112.112.120)

Bob F

Peter, exactly. The first set and Tell Tale Signs also contained a great deal of material we'd never heard. It adds to the excitement and initial listening pleasure. I'm finding the most enjoyable way to listen to A Cutting Edge is to make playlists. When I listen to cd sets as released I get bogged down quickly with the repeats of the same songs. Also, I would have loved disc 18 as my younger self. I would have been up all night with my earphones listening to that muddy sound. As an old man, I have no patience with getting through it more then a couple times. PSB was correct in his review of A Cutting Edge when he said Dylan had released the best versions of the songs on the three records.

Entered at Thu Dec 3 21:00:24 CET 2015 from (156.47.15.10)

David P

Norm, I got to play one of those a few years ago in the back room of the local Guitar Center, where they keep the expensive vintage stuff. It was a later model that my friend ended up buying. The salesman had it hooked up through an old Deluxe Reverb and the combination sounded so sweet, even when I was trying my best not to embarrass myself.

Entered at Thu Dec 3 20:19:10 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: 1962 Gibson Super 400 CESN - Joe Bonamassa

Joe Bonamassa stops by a music store.......pay attention a minute David..you'll probably learn a lick or two here.

Entered at Thu Dec 3 20:17:18 CET 2015 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

As a release, I'd rank it higher too. Live 66 was great, but we had decent bootlegs already. The Basement Tapes were longer, but A Tree With Roots had covered so much of it, so not a surprise.

The thing about Another Self Portrait was SO much of it was (a) a surprise (b) a very pleasant surprise. Maybe not the best of the lot, but as an exciting completely new look at old material, it was the outstanding release of all.

Entered at Thu Dec 3 20:13:33 CET 2015 from (156.47.15.10)

David P

Subject: Retrograss

Check out this "retrograss" version of "Maggie's Farm" recorded by David Grisman, John Hartford and Mike Seeger. The late, great Mr. Seeger, a founding member of the groundbreacking New Lost City Rambleres, sings & play guitar on his arrangement of the song. The irony is that, when Dylan opened his controversial, abbreviated electric set at Newport in 1965 with this song, legend has it that Mike's half-brother Pete was infuriated and wanted to cut the power to the stage. Some say he really just objected to the volume level that over-loaded the P.A. system. Years later Mike, along with David and John, came up with this version that even Pete could appreciate.

Entered at Thu Dec 3 20:08:36 CET 2015 from (69.112.112.120)

Bob F

Subject: Bootleg Series Ranked

This is a fun read. I think I'd rank Another Self Portrait higher and A Cutting Edge a little lower. Every release in the Bootleg Series has been really great. I just wish the prices of the deluxe sets didn't make him look so greedy.

Entered at Thu Dec 3 19:59:03 CET 2015 from (69.112.112.120)

Bob F.

Subject: Out In The Street

Al, did you see this yet?

Entered at Thu Dec 3 18:18:47 CET 2015 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Subject: Countrified soul

Loving You Sweeter Than Ever … fun, and it's more a "version" of the song than a send up. I was expecting something like Run C&W (linked doing Hold On I'm Coming)/

Entered at Thu Dec 3 17:47:54 CET 2015 from (156.47.15.10)

David P

Subject: Roger Tillison's album

Roger Tillison did a completely different take on "Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever," as producer/arranger Jesse Ed Davis switched from his trademark bottleneck guitar to lead banjo. Bobby Bruce's fiddle added harmony lines to highlight this "new grass" arrangement of the Motown classic. The concept may seem off-the-wall, but it works in a fun way.

Entered at Thu Dec 3 16:49:56 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Con-firm-a-tion

Thank you so much for that Kevin......now I can relax and go about my business....you crazy little......

After what is going on in California I hear those Syrian people are thinking maybe they are better off where they are :-(

Entered at Thu Dec 3 16:49:25 CET 2015 from (24.114.74.212)

Kevin J

Sad to read about the continuing troubles of the singer.....but the story today had a video of "Nothing Compares 2 U" and watching it again reinforced what a stunning work it is. 1990.....doesn't seem like 25 years ago!

Entered at Thu Dec 3 16:09:27 CET 2015 from (24.114.74.212)

Kevin J

Dompet Kuilt Paris is just confirming that it was a Leslie speaker....Phew!

Entered at Thu Dec 3 03:03:56 CET 2015 from (70.193.135.241)

David P

Bill M: Great find on the Roger Tillison LP. I still have my copy that I bought upon its release. It is currently available on CD from the Wounded Bird reissue label. Levon first met Roger when he was hanging out in L.A. with the Tulsa group of musicians after leaving the Dylan tour. They became friends and Roger later moved to Woodstock.

Entered at Thu Dec 3 00:56:57 CET 2015 from (68.171.246.26)

Bill M

Entered at Wed Dec 2 17:43:10 CET 2015 from (156.47.15.10)

David P

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Peter V

Radio Two had a report on two British hikers attacked by a Grizzly in Canada this morning. The DJ said "Mr Bullock was seized by the leg …" then laughed and said, 'I could so easily have read that the other way round …"

Entered at Wed Dec 2 02:56:43 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Leslie the Speaker

It's 6 PM here. We lost our power last night at this time, (I was just putting our dinner in the oven..bloop!) It was off for about and hour and a half, but we just got our internet back now.

A leslie was my first thought, because if you listen to Jerry's guitar when he's just warming up a few notes before he starts to play the song it has that sound. I've worked with Leslies quite a bit. The old '67 Thomas organ I had a while back had leslies in it.

It just didn't seem right to me.....but I'm no expert. It does look home made tho'. It's like my younger brother. He was always coming on stage with some creation of his own making. Some of it really worked tho'.

Entered at Tue Dec 1 16:31:22 CET 2015 from (156.47.15.10)

David P

From John Simon's description and others I've read, I don't believe Robbie used a Leslie speaker cabinet. Along with his musical genius, Garth was also an electronics wizard. He could pick up some parts & a circuit board and build a compact effects box. By triggering an oscillating mechanism or photoelectric cell, one could modulate the signal from the guitar or other instrument to create the same type of vibrato effect of a spinning Leslie speaker.

Entered at Tue Dec 1 15:55:21 CET 2015 from (96.245.114.250)

bassmanlee

Subject: Leslie, part II

According to the nifty little animation in the above-linked Wiki page, Leslie speakers did (or could) have a rotating baffle in front of the bottom speaker. So that is a Leslie or imitator behind Phil. The front of the cabinet would have been finished wood. Whether this would be used for Phil's bass or to spread the sound of Brent's organ, (and why they turn them around backwards) only Ramrod knows!

Entered at Tue Dec 1 15:42:01 CET 2015 from (96.245.114.250)

bassmanlee

Subject: That spinning thing

That is not like any Leslie I've ever seen. My recollection is that they had a large downward pointing speaker, 18" or more, and then a pair of horns on a rotating hub on top, driven by a belt and a variable speed motor to give them their distinctive warbling sound (due to the Doppler effect.) I saw Michael Hedges back in the '80s using just the top portion, mounted on a stand, with two mics positioned 180 degrees from each other. Nice effect, but you could get about the same result with a phase shifter stomp box for about a tenth of the cost! But it wouldn't be ACOUSTIC.

But who knows. There appears to be another Leslie cabinet over by Brent, which would make sense for a real organ sound. But the Dead did all kinds of weird things, many dedicated (sic) to their "space" jams.

Entered at Tue Dec 1 15:21:28 CET 2015 from (75.98.19.133)

Bill M

Entered at Tue Dec 1 10:53:01 CET 2015 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Entered at Tue Dec 1 10:35:37 CET 2015 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Anyway, back to the GD. There appear to be two set lists taped to the side (a long show then … I mean one set list that runs to two pages). The "10" looks like a piece of paper or card stuck on. Who knows? Channel 10 on the mixing board? Put in position 10 on the plan of the stage? This goes in the truck tenth? Set the volume at 10 as there's no 11? It's not a logo or a model number.

Entered at Tue Dec 1 03:42:52 CET 2015 from (173.3.49.84)

Jeff A.

Entered at Tue Dec 1 03:19:54 CET 2015 from (173.3.49.84)

Jeff A.

Entered at Tue Dec 1 03:19:32 CET 2015 from (108.16.242.238)

Peter M.

Entered at Tue Dec 1 01:59:13 CET 2015 from (208.181.205.152)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Explanation

I've been trying to figure this out?.......haven't come up with it. I'm thinking maybe David Powell would have an explanation.

As in my last post I've always been really interested in stage setup....I have done some really cool things in this regard.

At about 2:48 of this video you can see. Over beside Phil Lesh is a high sort of cabinet with the #10 on it. Inside is something spinning. I'm trying to figure out what it is?

Entered at Tue Dec 1 01:07:47 CET 2015 from (70.193.167.71)

David P

Ben, Another group the Blues Magoos, who were popular at the time, actually opened, followed by The Who. The Magoos had an interesting gimmick, using a Theremin during their set. Three act concert bills were common back then, so you really got a bargain with ticket prices around $5.

Entered at Tue Dec 1 00:57:32 CET 2015 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

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