The Band Guestbook, December 2017

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Jeff A.

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Fred

Wishing everyone all the best in 2018.

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Peter V

Subject: The Last Jedi

Link to my film review of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, on the grounds that many of you will have seen it.

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Peter V

So how did Levon manage? He said he married a Canadian woman platonic friend to avoid the draft. He says “I became a Canadian landed immigrant and that fixed the draft issue.” But surely, even dual nationality was not a fix to the issue. A student at my university got drafted who had dual British & US nationality and had to return fast, and not go back. Or was the window for conscription quite narrow, so that once you’d passed it, you were OK? In which case, just being able to stay in Canada for a period would have been enough … but they were constantly crossing the border. Did the “Landed immigrant” count as “applying for Canadian citizenship”?

In the late 60s there were all sorts of stories running around UK universities about British guys who went over to do a year’s course, or a summer school and got served draft notices, though I don’t know if any were actually drafted. There must have been one or two to keep the rumours fuelled. In one of those major crossroads in life I was offered a place to do a research degree on Realism in the American novel at Tulane in New Orleans, or Hollywood & The Novel (my choice) at East Anglia. I’d seen a visiting professor from Tulane speak brilliantly on Realism (Frank Norris, Sinclair Lewis, Upton Sinclair etc) and was so impressed I applied. I chose East Anglia … Hollywood & The Novel was all my idea, and I never thought a university would accept it for a thesis, but they did. And in the UK you got a government grant, so you didn’t have to teach on the side to survive, or have to repay it. I recall rumours about the draft were a minor factor. In retrospect, it’s one of the huge “What if …?” moments in my life. I like New Orleans too.

The government grant plus an absolute refusal to enter the Vietnam War are why I feel a great debt to Harold Wilson. RIP!

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Bill M

"I was able to work in the States on the basis of an H-1 visa, which we kept renewing. All you really have to do is get a work permit sorted. Get set up with the IRS down there and pay your taxes." Remember that Gord's manager from '64-'71 was Albert Grossman.

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Bill M

A US-born friend of mine stayed in the US to finish his grade 12, and then university, when his parents were tranferred to Toronto for work reasons. Being a diligent scholar, he accessed the admirably public data on the draft and found that when you registered, you registered in a particular pool - of your choosing to some degree. And he found that nobody had ever been drafted from the Toronto pool, which consisted largely of the sons of Canada-based US diplomats and corporate execs. Naturally he registered there, and of course never heard from the draft board. He would certainly have dodged if he had heard, but that proved unnecessary.

But what interests me most at this point is what arrangements were made by Albert Grossman and other managers to keep their US-based Canadian clients out of the army. Some, I'm sure, we're totally under the radar. Others likely had a series of renewable short-term permits. Some, like Neil Young had nothing to worry about because of existing health conditions. But so little seems to have been written about it - Young's book tells his tale, but Robbie's is silent. As is David Clayton Thomas's. One of the Janis Joplin has her group dressing bassist Brad Campbell as a woman, makeup and all, so as to evade capture on tour at one point. I'm thinking this must have been the Kozmic Blues Band, where Brad was the only Canuck; in Full Tilt he was one of four - so again, what magic did Grossman perform? Hmm - maybe he registered everybody in Toronto?

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Jeff A.

I do hate to say it, but a lot of Twitler's tactics are typical old primtive NYC methods. but not those of anyone of any acclaim or consequences. The small timers, that never got anywhere are the ones that would use his bullying and terrorist approaches. And they usually never got far, were always very limited in their respective corners. Many of em never get past square one, some get a little somewhere but never get real far. I've said it many times, but if he was born poor or middle class, & grew up with that mindset, Twitler woulda not been gale to get a janitors job here in NY.. But so much of his approach, the phrases, the mannerisms, even the syntax and phrasing, is very very familiar to NYers. As wild as his speech is, as weird & as discombobulated as it is, so much f it is still NYC. Alot of people here speak int hat broken way, he has elevated it further though, no one can compare to him in that area.

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Peter V

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Mike Nomad

With apologies to my Scottish friends, what typically British bullshit.

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JQ

Bill M - I never knew that a green card resident could be drafted. They got me at 18 but I didn’t serve with anybody but Americans. I like the draft, as an equalizer, and perhaps all those rich GOP parents living in the burbs might not have been so gung-ho about the Iraq invasion if their darlings might have had to go -

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Bill M

Back to Blues Project / Seatrain: it occurs to me that Andy Kulberg must've had something of a soft spot for Toronto musicians of they day, as organist Peter Jermyn of Luke and the Apostles was offered Al Kooper's vacant spot in the '60s, and negotiations were entered into to recruit Luke (Gibson) as vocalist in the early '70s.

The Apostles were a known commodity in NY, and the original lineup recorded its only 45 there for Electra, produced by Paul Rothchild. Jermyn told me in the '70s that he wanted to do it but turned down the offer because he'd need a Green Card, which he saw as coming with an automatic draft notice. Luke may have had similar reservations, or maybe he was just sick of band politics.

Certainly the prospect of being drafted kept lots of talent in Canada - but certainly not all. I wonder how the band members managed it? I know of only one, a member of the Great Scots, an LA-based band of Nova Scotians, who was drafted and sent to Vietnam, which he survived. Dewey Martin, eventually of Buffalo Springfield, did his stint of duty, but that was in '61 or '62, a simpler time.

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Peter V

Subject: Sir George Ivan Morrison

Thee you go. Photo of Sir Ivan and Prince Charles linked plus article in Belfast newspaper.

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Peter V

Sir Barry BeeGee (Gibb) is the other this year. Again, well-deserved. These awards are getting better, with Sir Van last year. There are photos online. They really do wear morning suits and get tapped on the shoulders with a sword.

The obvious missing one is Keef, but commenting on Sir Mick's investiture he said he would accept an honour, but only if it was King.

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Bill M

It's worth mentioning that Seatrain started out as the tail-end of the legendary Blues Project - i.e., bassist Andy Kulberg and drummer Roy Blumenfeld once Kooper and Katz had started BS&T and Kalb and Flanders had found other things to do. Larry Atamanuik replaced Blumenfeld for the two middle LPs and then joined Winter Consort.

Maybe Dunc woould know if Atamanuik is a Scottish name. I'd always assumed Ukrainian until I was in Edinburgh a couple years ago and saw a suburban bus heading to some three- or four-syllable place ending in "uik".

For what it's worth, the only records I know that Larry was on in his days in Toronto were two 45s by Dean Curtis and the Lively Set (ca '65), one 45 by the Luv-Lites (ca. '67) and the first two King Biscuit Boy albums ('70-'71; both had Richard Bell on piano, and the first had former Suede, John 'Johnny Rhythm' Rutter, on BG vocals and percussion). Come to think of it, the above-mentioned Dean Curtis moved on to take former Hawk Jerry Penfound in Quorum, and appeared on their second LP.

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John D

Congratulations to SIR Richard Starkey aka Ringo Starr. Nice to see it happen.

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Jeff A.

Bob, what do you think of the lyric to Find Yourslef? We agree that Ro Fino is a serious and wonderful; writer and performer. We agree that Find Yourself is great musically, and that GaGa gets our YaYAs on it. But, i gotta tell ya, as far as a song goes, i think Find Yourself is a horrible lyric. That lyric is just plain old rubbish. The musical performances are great, but would you expect Willie's kid to hire bums?

JQ, that was a killer show you saw. Sea Train and It's A Beautiful day were killer bands. I bet Tull was too, but they were never really much my taste. I enjoyed em when they'd hit the radio , but, tull wasn;t something i'd listen to at home or put in a player in my car.

Norm, it's good your spending time making music with friends and family.

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Peter V

Richard Greene was the violinist. Brilliant player

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JQ

I saw Jethro Tull in 1971at the LA Forum and I believe that Seatrain was the opener, then It’s A Beautiful Day, then JT. Did Seatrain have a violinist too, like IABD? One or the other did Orange Blossom Special, faster and faster, which was a huge crowd pleaser. I dont know if I’d seen a Forum show (maybe Chicago) up to that point and the big, loud sound was so dam powerful and new to me then. Sort of life changing.

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Peter V

JQ: the third season has just finished in the UK. As it ended, they said a 4th was in the works.

On two recommendations … yours and his … it's on order.

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JQ

PV - Does your mate have good taste?

We’ve completely binged on The Detectorists, right through season 2 and then back through season one; which we had mostly forgotten, details wise. An aspect I like is the pub thing, one’s local, the center of social life, pub quiz, etc. I know in Ireland those country pubs have just about faded out now; reckon it’s the same story in England? We loved watching the series and I’ve read there’s a 3rd season in the works.

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Bob F

Subject: Lukas Nelson & Promise Of The Real

One of the best records I heard all year was by Lukas Nelson. Check out this great song Find Yourself with Lady Gaga on background vocals. What a groove.

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Peter V

Yes, Seatrain did two LPs with the same title. The second is the George Martin one. I haven’t heard Marblehead Messenger in years, but it always had a Cahoots / Chicago III reputation if you see what I mean. It was one I was looking forward to greatly at the time, but found a tad dull.

JQ: I was just in a shop and a friend told me his best album of 2017 was … Jake Xerxes Fussell’s: What in the Natural World too.

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Rockin Chair

Subject: The Rose in Paradise

Hello John D! Up until a couple weeks ago I still had roses blooming. A few days ago I was mowing my lawn. Now the mowing was not so much for the grass, but the gawd damn leaves off the cherry trees. I hate raking them so I mulch them with my mower.

So Happy New year to allayuz. Keep the faith and the music moving. I have kinda taken I hiatus from things electronic. Since retiring, (it's a year now!) I sort of haven't bothered with my cell phone, Face book or much of anything like this. I kinda lost interest.

I've gotten into playing music again. My youngest brother and I played together for years. We have picked up with some of our old friends that we played with for a long time and are starting up some gigs. Some of our life long fans are very enthusiastic for our music. Kinda feels right.

So keep safe and hope the new year is good to us all. Maybe we will be able to get by without the crazies who run some of these countries bringing war upon us. Remember WAR WHAT IS IT GOOD FOR????ABSOLUTELY NOTHING......say it again y'all.

Take a look on youtube, there is a video, the picture is just a highway rig and a guy on a motor bike, but the Allman Brothers playing, "Goin down that road feeling bad" super hot slide picking.

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Jeff A.

Subject: Elliott Randall in Seatrain

Elliott Randall was in Seatrain for a while too. there's a picture of em on his website. Photo # 6, taken 1969.some really great photos all around. there's one of the Planotones at the bitter end, the guy at the mic, in our right corner is Angel Rissoff, RIP.

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John D

Double vision again Jan. By the way, Happy New Year Jan. It's probably warmer in Norway than it is here this week.

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jJohn D

No Peter I have not seen the Cilla TV series. The George Martin Box is for those who are completists. I wouldn't pay for what they are asking for it now. I was fortunate enough back in the day to receive it as a promo. By the way, being the completist I am, I just ordered Marblehead Messenger. I have the one prior; which I always thought was there first CD; but in fact was there second. The first Seatrain CD is rather obscure. Yes Bill, I remember Larry well. I don't believe he made it to the "Watch" CD; which was not produced by Sir George.

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Jeff A.

A little later I asked her if she ever heard of Muddy Waters. She responded: "They run deep?"

I have two respectable witnesses.

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b.lee

Subject: Singing

Lisa,

I have sung in one form or another from childhood. I sang in school choirs since primary school. Of course being the son of a music teacher, this was sort of mandatory. Choir, Band or both. But singing for the hell of it was not out of question. I remember being 10 or 12, singing Simon and Garfunkel and Peter, Paul and Mary songs in harmony with my brother while sitting in the back of the boat as Dad motored us out to the fishing hole on the Rideau canal.

These days I sing in the band, mostly harmony and sing tenor (not my natural bass) in a Catholic church choir, which is a bit odd because I am not Catholic. (Long story, although my brother served as a Jewish Cantor for a few years and he's Episcopalian!)

While working in Midland, Michigan a few years ago I fell in with a group of ladies at an impromptu late night round-robin after the folk festival, managing to find empty harmonies somehow, mostly by just opening my mouth and not thinking too hard. After a few Folk Society sing-ins and a rehearsal or two, I even played a gig with them. My spotlight song was Turn Your Radio On.

And then there are the odd late nights when the acoustic and the songbooks come out and I do my quixotic interpretation of Beatles, folk, and who knows what else. I have notebooks with songs I transcribed from LPs and Cassettes up to 40 years ago.

Singing is one of the joys of life. I'm not really that good at it, but is sure is fun!

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Bill M

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Dunc

Thanks, Lisa . Not a singer, but I do a mean 'It's All Over Now' at the karaoke. Not so often now.

Related to Burt Bacharach, I saw two contrasting shows in the same concert hall.We have a wonderful concert hall in Glasgow.

Just a few years ago, I saw Burt himself play - a brilliant band/orchestra and three great young singers, one of whom was a really great guitarist. The soundtrack to our lives. Great song after great song. Brilliant musicianship.

About twenty years ago, I saw Dionne Warwick. She zomped through the Bacharach hits in a medley, then gave us the American song book. Certainly a really good singer, but when the hour was up, that was it, finished. No encore. A flat evening.

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Peter V

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jh

Rolling Stone Magazine just published their «10 Best Music Videos of 2017» article. And I am *in* one of those videos, even «playing» bass there for about a second. I kid you not.

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Bill M

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Peter V

I assume you've seen the Cilla TV mini-series, John?

I hadn’t known there was a George Martin 6 CD set. Just read the track list on amazon. It’s astonishing in its range. It also goes for £168 – £30 a disc, as does the 1 disc Highlights version. These are 2001 releases and there’s just the one remaining new one for sale so I guess they can ask whatever they want.

The big surprise is how many children’s favourites on my in-car playlist for the grandkids are his … Nellie the Elephent, Robin Hood (Dick James version) Hole in The Ground, Right Said Fred, My Brother … plus the great Rolf Harris ones we no longer play.

What I hadn’t realized was that Sun Arise by Rolf Harris was released at the same time as Love Me Do. I just checked. Love Me Do had its week on the chart at #27, and the next week Sun Arise entered at #21 on its way to #2 in the chart at Christmas 1962. It must have overshadowed Love Me Do in his mind!

I’m pretty sure I have every track on Disc 3 – the 60s pop hits … on 45. The one I never realized was George Martin is Land of 1000 Dances by The Action … a recent acquisition in the Record Store Day 45s box of The Action. I also hadn’t realized he produced the Mahavishnu Orchestra.

The weird choice to me on the set is Seatrain’s Marblehead Messenger. He also produced their previous album, which is the more popular one with its brilliant fast take on “I’m Willing.”

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Bill M

Subject: Robbie Robertson's interest seems to have saved a Toronto club

Here's a link to an article in the Thursday "Toronto Star". If you skip ahead to near the end you'll find the story of Robbie and his biographical documentary.

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Jeff A.

Separately, though I'm no singer there are times that i have a real specific way, timing & phrasing, that the song needs to be sung with to work out with the music, and there's been two times i had to show two different extraordinarily gifted for real and successful vocalists how to sing the song, the way in to the song. Though i had given em recordings of me singing em, i guess they didn;t do their homework or it didn't stick, & because there was only one way in, they couldn;t find the way in to the song...... ........

Sometimes i do scratch vocals when the band is tracking live. But i hire some of the greatest singers alive for real vocals.. There are three of the best on this next project ( i may still add two more songs & another vocalist, there's ten tracks now), and odds are unless anyone here heard of em through me, they never heard of em. But they are names in the industry. One of em, a woman, backed up Aretha Franklin, Celine Dion, many others. She's a good friend, a truly amazing singer, & leaves most of the singers getting hits & airplay in the dirt.. Same for the two guys on the project, truly amazing vocalists. There's one big name singer too.

What i like to sing besides my own stuff, - well, there's a lot. But i don't usually sing along with radio or records. and i never sing along at a show. Why people do that is beyond me, Didn;t they go to hear the vocalist?

. I'll sing songs when there's no music going, songs I'm working on or songs i really dig. But a song'll get in my head and i'll start singing. What songs? Well, could be anything, something, an occurrence, a sight, a sign, a thought might lead me , immediately, or down a line, to think of a song, and I'm off. Blue Sky ( Allmans) is one of those songs that can just hit me sometimes.....

Sometimes a song takes a root, and i might fall in to other ways to perform the song. The End is Not in Sight , by The Amazing Rhythm Aces is one of those.. i had a really different and cool way to perform the song, whole different arrangement on it, several years back. Many years ago i used to love to sing most of the New Riders songs off their first record, cause i learned em when i was learning guitar, same for a bunch of Poco songs.... "When i need good lovin I always .........".still pops out of my mouth occasionally.

I do have jaw stuff that interferes with decent singing. A dentist caused me to have TMJ in 1986 or 87. By 93 i was 95% out of the woods, one of the last true gnathologists , a 85 or 86 year old man dentist that had been working on me for two years. But he retired suddenly, his younger partner ( who was kind of a friend, & coincidentally was the dentist for Donald, Amy, & Levon too, down here in the city) never completed the process fully. But, for a good while i was right enough and I was able to enjoy singing almost decently.... but over time things starting reversing some, enough to interfere with any kinda real singing

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John D

Peter got me listening to Cilla Black again. From there my wife gave me the Blu-ray video of George Martin called Produced By George Martin that came out in 2012. I saw it once on PBS and found it both entertaining and informative. That leads me to a CD that got delivered today, Matt Monro, The George Martin Years. All things Sir George this Christmas. And oh yes began listening to the George Martin 6 CD box set again. Peter Sellers speaking A Hard Day's Night is worth the price of admission. Sir George. A brilliant man; who was also a musician, and an arranger.

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Bill M

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Lisa

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Lisa

After Peter's mention of Cilla Black I listened to a number of different versions of Anyone Who Had A Heart, and it got me thinking ...

When I was a kid my parents had some great opera recordings, so I fell in love with opera at an early age, and my first ambition in life was to be an opera singer. Didn't happen, of course, but I have always loved to sing. And Burt Bacharach's songs are just a blast, you can really let go. I had a hard time shutting up and listening to Sheridan Smith, Cilla, et al - just wanted to belt away at top voice.

So I was wondering, anybody else here just love to sing? I know Jeff and Norm are pros, but what about the rest of you? And what kind of songs do you like to sing?

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Jeff A.

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Mike Nomad

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Jeff A.

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Mike Nomad

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Jeff A.

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Mike Nomad

Johnny Bower was born John Kiszkan. (Not sure why I convey this other than I hadn’t known.)

Season’s greetings to everyone, espy the old BFB gang.

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Bill M

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Bill M

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Mike Nomad

Thanks, Al. Perhaps Bob F could alert us when the EP becomes available.

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Al Edge

Merry Chrimbo and Happy New Year to all fellow Bandites.

PS. I've been kindly blessed with a sneak preview of RoseAnn's forthcoming 5 track EP.

Fuckinghell we are all in for a rare treat is all I'll say.

:-0)

PPS Cheers for heads up on that programme Dunc.

PPS Cheers Pete for all your reviews. Immense mate.

:-0)

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Dunc

Subject: Wayfaring Stranger

Peter, Roger, Al and Norbert - the BBC Scotland series, Wayfaring Stranger is on BBC iplayer just now for Xmas period. (3 episodes)

The influence of the music of the old world on the new world. Interesting and some really good performances.

I wish my American and Canadian friends could see it.

Black Jack Davy playing just now with Bob, now Archie Fisher showing where it came from, The Three gypsies.

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John D

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John D

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Dunc

Merry Xmas, Norbert. Enjoyed your post.

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Dunc

Nothing like constructive criticism, Peter.

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Peter V

As usual this year's favourite Christmas background CD was a budget one from 1986 issued by the W.H. Smith store, basically carols but with trumpets as well as organ. We have been playing it for 30 years and no other carols record touches it. "W.H. Smith" as a record label only had a few releases.

Then yesterday I put on Ben Keith's "Seven Gates" produced by Neil Young … Christmas music to pedal steel on 'repeat'. I thought it an inspired choice as the background to a large family party, until halfway through the second playing, Mrs V said "Can you please take that muzak crap off. It's driving me mad!" and I saw others nodding in agreement. Oh dear. Back to Phil Spector again then. On reflection, "Seven Gates"is the closest Neil Young ever got to muzak.

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NorhWestCoaster

Subject: A Christmas surprise/ Norbert

For nearly twenty years ago we were wandering on the French mountains. I don't remember if it was Christmas or New Year. Cellular phones were not in every ones pockets back then. We had one from the proud German make Siemens. Ms NWC wanted to make a call to some relative but connected by insidence to Norbert instead. Norbert's mother answered... There were some confusion first but it went just allright!

At some point during the Christmas/New Years dinner after a few glasses one of us always asks: "Do you remember when we...?" "Yes!"

What a warm moment in one's life which happens only once.

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NorthWestCoaster

Subject: Christmas

If our old true friend NORBERT so why not me...

It is really an anti-climax here for us. The Swedish nazi-site has announced J. S. Bach's Christmas Oratory as the music of the week. Wagner I could accept but Bach? As always Bach is our Christmas music at home (beside Christmas Carols sung by King's College Choir). Either 1.) Swedish nazis have become northwestcoasterians or 2.) I have become a nazi. I prefer nr 1.

There are (semi)serius thoughts of becoming Americans again. Ms NWC's ancestors were American citicens and it is possible for those people to be Americans. Maybe I, as a spouse, can be an American too. If Melania can, why not me? I dream of eating hot dogs in Brooklyn, growing potatoes in Idaho, driving a Porsche as a queer in Frisco.

Onnellista Uutta Vuotta

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Peter V

A few years ago, the UK had a series of DVDs in uniform cases covering virtually all of Hitchcock, Regrettably, I only bought about four, but Rear Window was one. It's great to re-visit classics. On the plane from the USA , having watched The Secret Scripture again, everything new seemed to be either kids or superhero, but nestling in there was The Maltese Falcon which I'd rate as the best film I've seen on a plane since I watched Casablanca back in the days when they had one film on a big screen at the end of the cabin.

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JQ

TCM - Turner Classic Movies - just began a 24 hour Hitchcock marathon! Right now it’s Rear Window to be followed by North by Northwest and then it looks like all the best. Strangers on a Train tomorrow morning! Company’s gone and we’re settling in for the night: 1 strong coffee, popcorn, Oregon Pinot Noir, etc.

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Bill M

JQ: I agree about "Time Has Come Today" - Awesome song, especially when they come back in after the weirdness. Their drummer, Brian Keenan, was a peer of our guys on the NY/NJ scene in the mid '60s, and his group at the time (I forget the name) released a 45 on ATCO at about the same time as the Hawks did. Post Chambers Brothers, he was in Genya Raven and Baby, who recorded an awesome cover of "Flying" (the one that Long John Baldry a bit later).

Dunc: When you watched "Yonge Street Rock and Roll Stories", you likely noticed that Jon and Lee and the Checkmates were big news in Toronto. Their bassist, Peter Hodgson, was also in Genya Raven and Baby.

Peter V: A great R&B cover of "Tennessee Waltz" was released in '63 by Frank Motley and the Motley Crew featuring Curley Bridges.

There was no vinyl under the tree this morning, but there were four CDS - a Best of Otis (no "Tennessee Waltz", I'm afraid) and a three-CD Hawks/Band bootleg, "Crossing The Great Divide". Some great new (to me) early stuff.

Entered at Mon Dec 25 19:54:11 CET 2017 from (70.121.56.235)

glenn t

Merry Christmas to all The Band fans. Many thanks to all those who are regular (and infrequent) posters, and to Jan for keeping this guestbook going. Peace, love, joy to all!

Entered at Mon Dec 25 16:43:05 CET 2017 from (62.251.71.189)

Norbert

Yesterday, Christmas Eve and already in the dusk, our village postman rushed by to deliver an “over looked” envelope. In the door I noticed the cold wind from up north, a forerunner of heavy snow fall.

I sat down in the easy chair in front of the fire place, poured some more wine and turned the envelope a few times around in wonder.

I opened the envelope, what could it be?

….It was a Band CD; ….. a closer look thought me that this CD once belonged to me, a long time ago. ….

Staring into the fire I traveled back to the NY City, Christmas Eve 2003, …. .

………waiting for my plane at JFK, I happen to sit next to fellow waiting man. He’d got a one-way ticket for the homeless to New Zealand. He was a nice guy, we chatted briefly and already I had to go so I said goodbye and wished him the best of luck. Just before checking in I realized this man could use The Band and I made a fast return and handed him the Band CD I carried with me. It already had my name on it and I apologized for that. That was what I could remember about this CD.

While opening the CD cover yesterday evening, a little note from my homeless friend dropped out and I began to read it …..

Someday in New Zealand he got a lift from a man, it was a long ride from almost a day. At some point the man in the car even paid dinner for the homeless man. At the end of that ride the homeless man gave the driver the Band CD to show his gratitude and also that CD was almost the only thing he had to give.

The man in the big car drove away, but stopped after a few hundred feet, he was moved by the gift from the homeless man, reversed and drove back up to the homeless man and asked him if he had a place to stay for the night. The homeless man said he did not have and gladly accepted the offer from the driver that he could stay for the night with his family.

To make a long story short, the driver had his own company, the two men became friends, the homeless guy started working for that firm from the driver. He man grabbed this chance with both hands and worked his way up. Later he married the only daughter of the driver. Last year the driver had died leaving his daughter and son in law the firm. Recently, going through the drivers stuff, my friend had found The Band CD again….that was what he had written me.

I thought about his luck …. does it take so little to get lucky? ….. I walked outside, to close the window blinds, it was snowing ….. I looking at our beautiful house, the roof covered with a thick white blanket now, I realized that I have been lucky too…. I also got a Band CD from someone long ago, and also one or two people have given me a chance someday …. maybe now is a just the right time to be thankful and think about them who are not so lucky.

Dinner time,

Merry Christmas to you all.

Entered at Mon Dec 25 13:12:34 CET 2017 from (24.222.133.112)

joe j

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Peter V

Subject: Rolling on the river

Link to Solomon Burke doing a live version of Proud Mary in 2009. A lot of fun.

Entered at Mon Dec 25 10:02:25 CET 2017 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

JQ: The Dectectorists … I watched a new episode a few days ago, the last of Series 3. They announced a Series 4 for next year at the end.

I agree about Toby Jones. I haven’t seen him on stage, and it’s 6 years since he did live theatre. Inspired casting for “Dad’s Army” was Toby as Captain Mainwaring, and Bill Nighy as Sergeant Wilson. Pity the sscript wasn’t as good as the cast.

Country Soul has its own section on my shelves. The Kent Country Got Soul series of compilations, the Country Funk series, the Dirty Laundry – the Soul of Black Country, and its sequel. I love that stuff and Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham are involved in a lot of it.

The Band, Levon & The Hawks and Levon Helm solo did a lot of stuff that would fit the category. Motown covers … Lovin’ You Is Sweeter Than Ever, Baby Don’t Do It, plus He Don’t Love You, Holy Cow. Lots of Levon solo. Levon fits especially because of his accent. Tony Joe White, some vocal Link Wray, Larry Jon Wilson are great. Then the black guys doing country songs … try Otis Redding on Tennessee Waltz, Joe Tex on King Of The Road. I'd start any compilation with Solomon Burke doing Proud Mary.

Entered at Mon Dec 25 09:19:46 CET 2017 from (203.160.29.183)

Fred

JQ: I've heard that there is a third season (this year). I've only seen seasons 1 & 2. I guess I'm waiting for the third season to magically appear on my computer like the previous two did. ; )

It's a nice change of pace from most TV fare. I really liked the two seasons I watched. Fingers crossed for the third one.

I put Toby Jones in the category of a select few (of actors) who are good in anything they are cast in --- even if the movie/TV show is a clunker.

Entered at Mon Dec 25 05:22:40 CET 2017 from (67.80.29.139)

Jeff A.

Entered at Mon Dec 25 05:04:45 CET 2017 from (63.142.158.9)

JQ

it's just a conversation, some true & false impressions and questions for all the folks here i can learn something from. so, am i on your shit list now? it's been well attended by a lot of contributors here through the years, some stay and some move on, just not worth the imperial agro, etc

Entered at Mon Dec 25 04:28:25 CET 2017 from (67.80.29.139)

Jeff A.

BTW, Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals didn't open till 1959... & Muscle Shoals Sound Studios didn't open till 69.... Remember soul music was already happening many places.

Entered at Mon Dec 25 03:09:23 CET 2017 from (107.77.97.51)

JQ

Jeff and PV - Of course you guys are correct about the wide and international spread of soul music. I was thinking about the definition and epicenter of those styles. I think the integrated aspect of Country Soul is unique, where southern white guys seem to use more of their original voice rather trying to mimic a black voice. Consider Charlie Rich and Dan Penn as examples.

Jeff, you mentioned the Chambers Bros and I recall that their integrated group pleased a lot of fans back then. I loved Time and I think there was also a long version that we heard sometimes, and always looked forward to, on AM; which was the only radio we had then.

The Detectorists: PV - I watched the season that was available (are there more coming?) and thoroughly enjoyed it. Do you think that Toby Jones has entered the group of English actors who are worth watching for their performance, stand alone? I think he has. Is he active on the stage as well?

Entered at Mon Dec 25 01:20:27 CET 2017 from (67.80.29.139)

Jeff A.

Sugar Pie DeSanto is still performing once in a while in San fransisco.

Rescue Me was written by Oliver Sain, in St Louis. He produced Fontella Bass &Bobby McClure, a great St Louis singer who died young. The band was originally the Oliver s\Sain Soul Revue.... Before that Sain was Litle Milton's bandleader, they were based in StLouis. Soul music comes form everywhere.

Entered at Mon Dec 25 00:46:39 CET 2017 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Tamla Motown definitely gets included in UK thoughts as “soul.” Though someone said Motown is about teen love, and Stax / Volt / Atlantic about adult love. Also, if you listen to any of those below, there’s as much "soul" as Stax / Volt / Atlantic.

Ain’t Too Proud To Beg – The Temptations

Don’t Look Back – The Temptations

Reach Out I’ll Be There – Four Tops

I Can’t Help Myself – Four Tops

You Keep Me Hangin’ On – Supremes

Going To A Go Go – Miracles

Tears of A Clown – Smokey Robinson

Uptight – Stevie Wonder

I Heard It Through The Grapevine – Marvin Gaye

Baby Don’t Do It – Marvin Gaye

War – Edwin Starr

That was just random. Discos and UK soul bands would have mixed them up happily with Memphis stuff, and Chicago stuff from The Impressions, Curtis Mayfield solo, Major Lance, and from the Chess label for Rescue Me by Fontella Bass, Who’s Cheatin’ Who by Little Milton, Soulful Dress by Sugar Pie DeSanto. And New Orleans for Robert Parker and Lee Dorsey.

I have many playlists of soul, and as discos did in the 60s, I’ll add in All or Nothing (Small Faces), Keep On Running (Spencer Davis), Let’s Hang On – Four Seasons, Out of Time – Chris Farlowe, Got To Get You Into My Life – Cliff Bennett. Those white records slid easily into soul playlists. As did Geno Washington & Jimmy James … black artists working in Britain.

Entered at Mon Dec 25 00:33:14 CET 2017 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Subject: Happy Christmas

LINK is to a YouTube for The Felice Brothers Christmas song from last year, "Country Ham." Have a good listen to the words. Enjoy the day!

Entered at Sun Dec 24 22:56:20 CET 2017 from (67.80.29.139)

Jeff A.

Entered at Sun Dec 24 21:31:37 CET 2017 from (68.116.44.170)

JQ

PV - I recall, at some point in the 80's, a girl that worked for me, 1 generation removed, referred to "early" Wham as to what I should be listening to. Is Motown from the 60's considered soul music? I think of soul as strictly from Memphis and Muscle Shoals, that general area - Country Soul too, my all time favorite category.

Entered at Sun Dec 24 16:32:17 CET 2017 from (81.152.133.163)

Dunc

Subject: Thanks and Merry Xmas

I'm working through the Beatles' albums just now - a few plays for each over the holiday. Reminds me of primary school to the youth club to dances. Just done Beatles For Sale, now Magical Mystery Tour.

Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year, Eveybody.

Thanks for your posts. I value your contributions.

Entered at Sun Dec 24 15:29:14 CET 2017 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

I don't mean Wham & Slade …

Fred: Adjusting our listening to the season? I've never thought about that, but it's a point I'm going to give some thought too. Funny, dark Autumn days make me think of the Church Youth Club as an early teen … and therefore early 60s chart pop songs. Reggae is summer. Hmm …

Entered at Sun Dec 24 14:32:36 CET 2017 from (203.160.29.183)

Fred

Peter: I find that it is a seasonal thing, listening to those mentioned previously and foregoing all else. It seems I listen to The Band, Springsteen and Nick Lowe moreso in autumn compared to the rest of the year. Summer seems to be the time of 60s/70s R&B and rock/pop and Chuck Berry. Ska in the spring.

Then there's stuff I listen to primarily during the day or at night.

It gets too complicated at times. : )

Jeff: sometimes "honourable", sometimes not. All depends. Different folks, different viewpoints. ; )

Entered at Sun Dec 24 14:04:43 CET 2017 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Anyway enjoy it Fred. Nothing more pleasurable than immersing oneself in the music of one’s heyday. As I do daily with 60s soul.

Entered at Sun Dec 24 13:30:32 CET 2017 from (67.80.29.139)

Jeff

Entered at Sun Dec 24 09:28:26 CET 2017 from (203.160.29.183)

Fred

I always felt the Clash were not a punk band (although they did start out that way). A (sort of) late 70s English version of The Band's Americana.

And XTC crafted so much un-punk-like music.

As for me: the punk costume never really held any appeal. Nor the obligatory sneering at life. Also I valued my long(ish) hair back in the day. : )

I forgot to add Joe Jackson to that list of recent listening. Ooops!

Entered at Sun Dec 24 05:26:22 CET 2017 from (67.80.29.139)

Jeff A.

Entered at Sun Dec 24 05:20:24 CET 2017 from (203.160.29.183)

Fred

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to one and all.

Entered at Sun Dec 24 00:45:20 CET 2017 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Subject: Best of 2017 - Screen

Done theatre and music. This year SCREEN gets its own section … my choices of films and TV from 2017. Please add yours / comment!

Entered at Sat Dec 23 03:49:45 CET 2017 from (24.184.48.247)

Jeff A.

That's a great photo of young Rick! Thanks Terry & Jan.

Assuming that Twitler hasn't canceled it in other countries, Merry Christmas to All of you who celebrate it.

Entered at Sat Dec 23 00:06:11 CET 2017 from (84.209.128.180)

jh

Rick Danko, 11 years old, school photo posted by brother Terry Danko on FB.

Entered at Fri Dec 22 21:10:48 CET 2017 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

I would be remiss as a record collector nerd and anorak, if I failed to point out that the record you see spinning in the film has the yellow Parlophone logo, so is the EP, not the single.

Entered at Fri Dec 22 20:46:55 CET 2017 from (96.49.94.173)

Lisa

Merry Christmas everybody, best wishes to all you special people!

Entered at Fri Dec 22 20:30:17 CET 2017 from (67.246.38.157)

Joe Frey

Subject: Hillman, Buckingham & McVie

Peter, I agree that Red Sun is the strongest track. RS selected In My World - - I didn't agree. joe

Entered at Fri Dec 22 18:12:43 CET 2017 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Now that would be a fine band … Thanks for the reminder, Joe. I had Chris Hillman’s “Here She Comes Again” in my “2017” Playlist from the UNCUT covermount disc. I meant to buy the album, and forgot about it.

I also tend to more back catalogue albums than new. The Lindsey Buckingham & Christine McVie album had some heavy rotation in the car and “Red Sun’ nearly got into my ten favourite tracks. The thing is, I prefer the tracks where Christine McVie is the lead vocal.

Entered at Fri Dec 22 17:42:44 CET 2017 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Subject: Sheridan

Dunc mentions Gavin & Stacey, where Sheridan Smith plays the sister. As I said, she's a good choice for #11. Link is to her as Cilla Black, from the TV mini-series "Cilla", I linked this months ago, or even years ago.

She re-does Anyone Who Had A Heart on her new album. As well as City of Stars from La La Land, Crazy and Superstar.

As I've mentioned we spent a happy half hour with "Anyone Who Had A Heart" comparing Sheridan Smith from "Cilla", Cilla Black's version, Dionne Warwick's version and Sheridan Smith's new version. We decided Sheridan from the "Cilla" TV series was the best, perfectly replicating George Martin's arrangement. Then came her 2017 version, then Cilla Black with Dionne Warwick a long way behind. Cilla Black had covered it but brought an uninhibited youthful passion to the song that renders the original Dionne looking cold. George Martin improve the arrangement too. Burt Bacharach said years ago his favourite was the rawer Cilla Black version. While Sheridan retains Cilla's passion, she is actually a more controlled singer.

Entered at Fri Dec 22 17:34:57 CET 2017 from (67.246.38.157)

Joe Frey

Subject: Best of 2017

Well, I went back thru my 2017 purchases and out of the 68 records acquired, 52 were catalog albums (Peter Green and early FM, Paul Butterfield, Neil Young, Bonnie Raitt, the Rolling Stones, Steely Dan, The Cate Brothers, Tom Petty, Gregg Allman and others) Out of the 15 current records I Purchased in 2017, I would characterize them as follows:

1. Records I would listen to on a regular basis.

Ray Davies - Americana

Chris Hillman - Bidin' My Time

Gregg Allman - Southern Blood

Lindsey Buckingham and Christine McVie

Stanton Moore - With You in Mind

The John Sally Ride

2. Records I would occasionally listen to.

Trombone Shorty - Parking Lot Symphony

Van Morrison - Roll with the Punches

Jason Isbell - The Nashville Sound

Shalby Lynne and Allison Moorer - Not Dark Yet

3. The remaining 5 will be donated to my local library.

On the re-issue front, I have enjoyed the re-mixed Sgt Peppers - a revelation to me. Also, On Air, by the Rolling Stones and the Jesse Ed Davis Anthology.

Have a great holiday everyone. Joe

Entered at Fri Dec 22 17:20:26 CET 2017 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Subject: Josienne Clarke and Ben Walker

As they will be unfamiliar, let's add a link from the BBC Folk Awards 2015, with traditional English folk. Their current album is originals. She has that pure voice.

Entered at Fri Dec 22 17:16:37 CET 2017 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

JQ: I had a discussion on Ray Davies' "Americana" last week in a friend's record store. He was playing it and I said, 'Oh, you like it too.'

'No, not at all,' he said, 'I thought it was utter crap the first time through a few weeks ago, and because I like Ray Davies, I wanted to make sure.'

It is a "Marmite" album apparently … love it or hate it. He concluded that he agreed with his first impression. I like Ray's sense of irony and the title track is ironic, but then the spoken voice bits get annoying.

OK, if I take that one out there were three contenders for #11. "Sheridan" by Sheridan Smith (probably a bit MoR for many here); "Playing With Fire" by Jennifer Nettles, technically last year, but it didn't appear in UK shops. And "overnight" by Josienne Clarke and Ben Walker - very folky and probably hard to find. I bought it at the gig.

Entered at Fri Dec 22 10:55:50 CET 2017 from (81.152.133.163)

Dunc

Thanks, Bob F. That unfinished line should read that the article related to the music industry was interesting, but sad.

Wish I had been there, Jeff.

Ok Peter, that's my next four.

JQ. Coincidentally, just finished watching the boxed set of Gavin and Stacey last night. Rob Brydon is brilliant as Uncle Bryn. Really enjoyed series. I don't know if you saw it in the States,JQ, but if you didn't look up Rob Brydon doing his small man in a box impression.

Away to small ones' xmas carnival today.

Entered at Fri Dec 22 06:10:18 CET 2017 from (107.77.97.16)

JQ

Sorry, they’re all Michael Winterbottom - I got confused with Stephen Frears.

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JQ

I just watched this, the 3rd of the Trip movies with Rob Brydon and Steve Coogan. These deals really hit my comedy sweet spot. It’s the same theme as the first two: fancy food, great beauty shots - land and cityscapes - funny impersonations and riffs on Philomena, Coogan’s success, Don Quixote and the Inquisition. A new director this time - Winterbottom, and I think it’s better than the Italy one. On Netflix.

Entered at Thu Dec 21 23:40:23 CET 2017 from (107.77.97.16)

JQ

I didn’t listen to much new stuff this year but my favorite is Jake Xerxes Fussell’s: What in the Natural World. Uncut had it at #44 which he was really happy with. I tried hard to like Ray Davies’ Americana but must admit I found it to be rubbish. Apologies PV; I’m digging into the rest of your list and trust your taste and I’m rarely disappointed -

Entered at Thu Dec 21 22:10:28 CET 2017 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Dunc, you're getting old favourites with a good band. As far as new material, that's Jimmy Cliff's Vietnam plus Jimmy duets on Mother & Child Reunion. It's not "new light through old windows" really, but a very good series of versions of what we know.

Entered at Thu Dec 21 22:08:57 CET 2017 from (67.80.25.74)

Jeff A.

Entered at Thu Dec 21 18:49:36 CET 2017 from (24.44.153.18)

Bob F

Subject: Gregg Allman - Song for Adam

Peter & Dunc, great lists. I really like the Gregg Allman record. Check out this great video for Song For Adam.

Entered at Thu Dec 21 18:37:33 CET 2017 from (81.152.133.163)

Dunc

These are the albums I bought in 2017, which I play the most. Nothing really new.

CSNY Roosevelt Raceway, Westbury, NY Sept 1974.

Steely Dan -Aja

Steely Dan - Can't Buy A Thrill

Steely Dan - Gaucho - (almost saw them, but they cancelled)

Jesse Winchester - Humour Me (great New Grass Revival album)

JJ Cale Okie

JJ Cale Grasshopper (had them on vinyl, had a collection on CD, but missed them)

Tracy Chapman Our Bright Future (thought I should get something more of her in addition to her greatest hits)

Asleep At The Wheel - love that Texan swing. The singer is a really good singer.

Love Affair - Greatest Hits (great pop)

Paul Simon - Songs From The Capeman (That's Me Complete Now)

Neil Young - Live At The Cellar Door

Neil Young - A Treasure

Paul McCartney - Band On The Run

Paul McCartney - Ram

Paul McCartney - McCartney II (all remastered very well)

But I gave away double that amount of albums.

I never bought Bob's recent bootleg or his triple album set. Two albums of standards was enough.

Entered at Thu Dec 21 17:48:27 CET 2017 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Entered at Thu Dec 21 17:46:34 CET 2017 from (81.152.133.163)

Dunc

Subject: Thanks

Thanks Bob F. Looking forward to playing the album on Xmas day before we all meet up on Christmas day. The article related

Thanks, Peter, - two interesting reads. I appreciate your reviews. I'm looking forward to getting the Stones two disc set on Christmas day. I will buy Ray Davies, Otis Redding, PP Arnold and Paul Simon albums. Am I getting something different from the Paul Simon album? I've got to be sure I'm going to play them. I culled about thirty albums to Oxfam record shop, recently. Didn't play them, but once did.

Glad you had a good birthday party, mate. I thought your tribute to John Wetton was the best piece of writing related to GB this year. I have him playing on Family tracks.

The one that got away. I would have liked Family to have done an album, where they are sitting and are all quiet, because I think the showmanship maybe overshadowed some really good songs and musicianship. Or am I talking crap? I'm thinking about a couple of items on YouTube.

Playing 'Anyway' by Family just now. Some really good music and Chappo is a really good singer.

Entered at Thu Dec 21 14:55:09 CET 2017 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Subject: BEST OF 2017 - MUSIC

My BEST OF 2017- MUSIC is now on line. Albums, Reissues, Archive issues, Songs, Most Played, Live gigs.

Do comment there or here. Hopefully it will inspire some here to post their Best of 2017 lists. Go for it!

Entered at Thu Dec 21 14:44:54 CET 2017 from (24.44.153.18)

Bob F

Subject: How To Make Gravy

It's the 21st of December.

Entered at Thu Dec 21 00:31:42 CET 2017 from (65.92.194.4)

Bill M

Peter V: This post's for you, principally - you and Jerry T in absentia (RIP). Flipping through "Becoming Electra", a new-seeming label history in the music section of my local bookstore, I came across a few paragraphs devoted to the multinational late '60s group Eclection (two Australians, one Englishman, one Montreal-seasoned Fenno-Norwegian and one Canuck). I learned that their name was suggested by none other than Joni Mitchell, whose good friend Marcie was at the time the girlfriend of the Canadian in the group, Michael Rosen. Apparently Marcie and Michael told Joni of the group's ethnic makeup and she replied something like, "That's certainly an eclectic mix. You should call yourselves Eclection."

Entered at Wed Dec 20 11:43:13 CET 2017 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

JQ: Hamilton is sold out to the end of June, and they have ensured no secondary market … you only get your ticket scanner e-mail 24 hours before the performance, and they ID everyone. I've signed up for an alert for when they release July to December tickets. Unfortunately, Ticketmaster will only select seats for you, which is crap. Often, if a show is hard to get, I put "select your own sets" and find two single seats that are left over. We don't mind not sitting together.

The trouble is, when a show runs 6 days a week in a large theatre converted to the purpose (it took 16 months), and is set to run for years, you know that actors need vacations, you may well see understudies, and because of vacations, understudies need understudies … which is why otherwise I avoid the big long running musicals. It's in an odd theatre … in Victoria, so not in the main Covent Garden commercial theatre area, nor on the South Bank's more "artistic" theatre area.

Still, I'll try for the second half of 2018 when tickets are released. Though apparently the whole of this run went in minutes. The trick will be to go straight for Monday nights.

Entered at Wed Dec 20 05:00:27 CET 2017 from (67.80.29.77)

Jeff A.

Entered at Wed Dec 20 03:00:58 CET 2017 from (63.142.158.9)

JQ

Thanks for that Peter - will you be taking in Hamilton?

Entered at Wed Dec 20 00:57:35 CET 2017 from (67.80.29.77)

Jeff A.

Entered at Wed Dec 20 00:35:00 CET 2017 from (67.80.29.77)

Jeff A.

His story of how Google ripped him off is very important too.

Read in progression,the last paragraph of Miller's article is very powerful.Anyone who has read my posts since i entered in 02 knows i've been decrying the digital causes (delivery & recording go hand in hand) of the entire music industry. I've always screamed about how the digital world has effected the great studios and engineers, as well as the artists, labels, publishers, etc etc, on and on...

. It' still possible to find great engineers, & great studios but increasingly, so many great engineers have become assholes. Why? cause they can't make a living, or are working much to hard to make one..Now,in their late 50s, 60s, and 70s, they are working as hard as they did when they were 20, maybe harder, and making the same or less money. and many of these guys are running all over the world to do it. No joke. i could tell ya stories. and it's a fucking shame. But, also, you gotta realize, that this effects the artists they work with too. It falls on the shoulders and on the sound of the artists that hire them....

Entered at Wed Dec 20 00:13:10 CET 2017 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Subject: Best of Theatre 2017

My annual round up of theatre. You might enjoy the vast variety in the photos of productions. Music to follow …

Entered at Tue Dec 19 23:40:45 CET 2017 from (24.44.153.18)

Bob F

Subject: The Loneliness Of The Long Distance Rocker

If you've ever cared about music, please take a minute and read this Rhett Miller article.

Kev, very very funny. Trouble No More is a masterpiece by the way.

Dunc, I loved Witnesses! I hope you signed up for the online Neil Young Archives. It's presently free and amazing.

Entered at Tue Dec 19 18:49:08 CET 2017 from (86.128.254.41)

Dunc

Subject: Yongue Street

I was googling and saw it on a site called Vimeo, which I have never used before.

Yes I enjoyed seeing the young Robbie and Levon playing Bo Diddley. Robbie's contributions were good. I always feel he speaks well. I enjoyed the scenes of the street well - Le Coq D'Or, Brown Derby and the young people on the street. It was about dancing in those days - boy meets girl.

I didn't realise that Yongue Street was only place you could get alcohol. Good to hear mentions of Robbie and the Robots and The Consuls. And the Canadian input into Hound Dog. Well done, Bill - a good watch. I'll watch the others in series.

Entered at Tue Dec 19 15:45:02 CET 2017 from (65.92.194.4)

Bill M

Dunc: Thanks. Yes, I was listed as a Researcher, along with singers Eric Mercury, George Olliver and Cathy Young, plus Neil Young's brother Bob. The first three all appeared as commentators - but nobody ever lets me near a camera, and only the bravest lets me near a microphone.

In any case, I'm glad you saw it and interested to know the how. Was it on TV, or commercial DVD or what? As far as I know, it appeared (in three parts - the '50s, early '60s R&B, late '67 folk/rock) just a couple times back when it was released - around 2012, I suppose. Did you see the stunning home video of young Robbie turning up with Levon in the late '50s - even before Robbie was in the Hawks?

Entered at Tue Dec 19 12:09:15 CET 2017 from (86.169.29.122)

Dunc

Thanks, Kevin. Witnesses became ridiculously far fetched - won't recommend.

I watched a documentary on Yongue Street and I think I noticed our own Bill M in the credits. I enjoyed it, probably because I had done my footwork exploring the haunts of the Band.

Not stuck in the middle, but stuck in the past. My Xmas albums, now finalised, will be The Stones at the BBC (thanks, Peter), Sandy Denny at the BBC (only saw her once when I was 18 and I wasn't really familiar with Fairport's music at the time), and Neil Young's new old one. (thanks, Bob F). Really like Neil's old stuff.

Entered at Tue Dec 19 03:45:09 CET 2017 from (65.92.194.4)

Bill M

Kevin J: your mention of Vietnam reminded me of an annoying bit of Greil Marcus's book on LARS that I'd read last night. Talking about dyland and the Hawks touring Europe, he says, "They carried the country with them, the drama they enacted was no more or less American than Coca-Cola or Mickey Mousen Charlie Chaplin or the Vietnam War." What on earth is that supposed to mean, when the the last two were, respectively, principally British and principally Vietnamese? (Plus there's the fact that two thirds of the group carrying "the" country were in fact also not American.)

Entered at Mon Dec 18 22:22:40 CET 2017 from (107.77.97.55)

JQ

Hi Kevin - I think it tough because there’s so little new info about The Band now. However the folks here remain great music listeners and I find the tips and music knowledge to be a great part of all this. (C’mon Pat B!) Current events too. Was it you Kevin that brought Larkin Poe to our attention? I was in Atlanta last week and they’re damn proud of them now too! Eddie’s Attic there is a great venue and was their home joint for a good while, pre-fame.

And course I’d like to see more posts and I hope Jan doesn’t throw in the towel due a to low interest perception. This and the season makes me think of some of the great contributors we’ve lost over time: Rollie, Steve, David P and the good doctor come to mind. Did we lose JTull too?

Happy Christmas everybody!

Entered at Mon Dec 18 21:18:45 CET 2017 from (184.146.92.228)

Kevin J

The What's New section of this GB for December 18 has a number of interesting items but of particular note is the 2nd item from JH's friend Craig who has complied all of RR's media and interviews for Testimony. Scroll down to the bottom to access the great Herle Burly podcast. Highly recommended. It is in two parts.

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Kevin J

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Jeff A.

Oy vey es mir, Virgil was no evangelical . As matter of fact, he had a thing for a Jewish girl, but her family moved North when the Civil War was on the horizon. Her family had wanted him to convert so the romance could proceed, and they could be grandparents ( Moishe or Miriam Kane woulda been the first), but when he heard he had to get his pecker chopped, he wouldn't consider it. The poor guy was devastated. There's a song but that too.

Entered at Mon Dec 18 12:51:19 CET 2017 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

The actual line is "You can't raise a Caine BACK UP when he's in defeat." The narrator has said that his brother is dead, but consider that he might be referring to himself as the defeated one and unable to get back to where he used to be mentally or materially (plus the little pun on raising cane or Kain).

Entered at Mon Dec 18 10:04:43 CET 2017 from (82.40.223.42)

Mike

Subject: Night they drove old Dixie down

The richness and authenticity of the lyrics of this wonderful song are let down a little by the last line "You can't raise a Cane when he is in defeat". You can't raise him because he's dead, not defeated. So the following might do a little better for the last two lines: I SWEAR BY THE HOLY JUDGEMENT SEAT YOU CAN'T RAISE A CANE WHEN HE IS DOWN SIX FEET With best wishes.

Entered at Sun Dec 17 10:08:00 CET 2017 from (24.114.71.18)

Kevin J

Or Poe's:

"That my days have been a dream/ Yet if hope has flown away/ In a night, or in a day/ In a vision, or in none/ Is it therefore the less gone?"

Or better yet, just the straightforward rock n roll of Rod Stewart's "Italian Girls" from Never a Dull Monent:

"She was tall, thin and tarty/ And she drove a Maserati"

Dunc: I love ya and glad you are enjoying your retirement with such musical and visual ( TV & movie ) accompaniment ... Currently watching the Ken Burns Vietnam series. Much brilliance in terms of film making, some clumsy music selections but highly recommended....albeit depressing to see such unnecessary death over so many years. Thank you for the dvd tips........ BTW, Bob F is currently on holiday in Katmandu. It may be a while before we here from him though as Jeff is reporting that the border guards somewhere near Mongolia confiscated his copy of "Trouble No More" and Bob has gone underground in an effort to recapture the lost discs.

Entered at Sat Dec 16 22:33:04 CET 2017 from (95.244.148.118)

Francesco Sinibaldi

Entered at Thu Dec 14 15:12:45 CET 2017 from (24.184.48.232)

Jeff A.

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Jed

Jeff-I grew up a few blocks from madison hs...shocked to read that story.On a different note,Madison had a great gym albeit the rims were a bit tight.

Entered at Thu Dec 14 06:55:11 CET 2017 from (67.80.26.66)

Jeff A.

Subject: The Alice Merton Story in Bill Board

Entered at Thu Dec 14 03:17:37 CET 2017 from (67.80.26.66)

Jeff A.

Subject: Nicole Atkins - Darkness Falls So Quiet

Dig this one- i mentioned it a good while ago. This song been getting good play here a while now.

thought i posted this one in between the other two but i guess not.

Entered at Thu Dec 14 03:07:47 CET 2017 from (67.80.26.66)

Jeff A.

Subject: Josh Ritter - Feels Like Lightning

good one from Ritter, gets alot of airplay here too.

Entered at Thu Dec 14 02:56:29 CET 2017 from (67.80.26.66)

Jeff A.

Subject: Alice Merton - No Roots

this song has been getting a lot of adult contemporary play for a while.It;s damn good- there are also some acoustic versions of it on you tube. Whoever produced it, i'd think that the producer is responsible for the sound that the hit version has. not exactly my taste, but very powerful and kinda compelling. The vocal is excellent, as is the song.

Entered at Wed Dec 13 23:08:34 CET 2017 from (67.80.26.66)

Jeff A.

Entered at Wed Dec 13 20:35:31 CET 2017 from (67.80.26.66)

Jeff A.

This happened less than two miles from home yesterday. High school kids killing each other. A rumble with knives. I've no info as to the root cause. this article doesn't say it but i though some one died. I grew up around the corner from James Madison High School, one of the non hosting schools represented.

Entered at Wed Dec 13 09:19:54 CET 2017 from (86.158.93.104)

Dunc

Thanks, Jeff. I think streaming demeans the music. The music is not valued. As I said in the Summer, I got access to Amazon Music for the first time. I noticed I wasn't giving new music to me a fair chance. Rushing through songs etc.

I don't stream at all now. But I was reading that young people access songs through their phone, often not paying and this is the difference compared to my generation - will discard the song - unlike the way my generation value these songs for life. Don't know if that is true or not.

Entered at Wed Dec 13 01:18:26 CET 2017 from (24.184.50.252)

Jeff A.

Subject: Spotify losing fortunes, Spotify execs earning 7 figures.

and of course, the songwriters and artists get paid borscht.

Entered at Wed Dec 13 00:44:32 CET 2017 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter v

Any opinions on Van Morrison’s new standards album, Versatile? I’ve listened through twice and have severe doubts. Great playing, but frankly I am tired of these songs, and he does them very well, but adds nothing new. On the other hand, can’t stop listening to the recent one by Imelda May.

Entered at Tue Dec 12 22:31:36 CET 2017 from (86.158.93.104)

Dunc

I'll go with Monty Python, Bill M. Coincidentally, I saw Spamelot in Toronto..... And the bloody printer has just gone. That's it!!!!!!!!! Right Through the fucking window. 5 things broken in 5 days. I don't believe it.

Nice to hear from you, Kevin. My Xmas book is the new Le Carre. I rewatched the Gary Oldman film last night.

Thanks, Peter. It's the two disc version I'm getting with the second disc being The Stones sing Rogers and Hammerstein.

Other Xmas discs will be Sandy Denny 'Live at the BBC' and Neil Young's new old one. I went to the local shop today and it had sold out, so will go to Central Glasgow to get it. Thanks, Bob F.

Am watching the French 'Witness:A Frozen Death', Kevin and Bob F. Scary.

And also box setting 'Gavin and Stacey'. Great stuff.

Entered at Tue Dec 12 21:58:38 CET 2017 from (24.184.50.252)

Jeff A.

Subject: Dickey Betts going out on a short tour.

Entered at Tue Dec 12 17:45:27 CET 2017 from (213.205.198.58)

Peter v

There are two versions of On Air in the UK, one CD Or two CD de luxe. In the USA last week I only saw the two CD version which is yellow. The one CD is orange. Every British band in those days did Hi Heel Sneakers. We did Long Tall Shorty too - same song, different words. A friend’s band also did Mo Shorty, the guitar instrumental version.

Entered at Tue Dec 12 16:19:19 CET 2017 from (65.92.193.32)

Bill M

Entered at Tue Dec 12 15:28:56 CET 2017 from (99.227.166.246)

John D

Hee Hee.

Entered at Tue Dec 12 11:00:34 CET 2017 from (86.158.93.104)

Dunc

Subject: Hi Heel Sneakers

Enjoyed the post, Peter. Took me back. So that's my Xmas album, I bought it last night. One worrying thing...I could only see a description of what is on Disc 1. Disc 2 is not The Stones sing 'The American Song Book' is it? Mick doing 'Some Enchanted Evening'. Surely not?

I'm into 60s just now. Just played The Searchers, Marmalade, The Kinks, The Hollies, The Animals, Love Affair's Greatest Hits, Flowers (Bumbles liked this compilation), With The Beatles and Please Please Me. And from America The Byrds and The Loving Spoonful's Greatest Hits.

I remember when the nation seemed to be obsessed with Hi Heel Sneakers. The first time I hard it was at the youth club. I was disappointed. The group played a lot of R n'B standards and all I wanted was covers of the charts. I think it's sad the demise of the youth club. A warm place where boy meets girl, listening to records and once a month a live band. But from that first hearing, everywhere you went you heard Hi Heel Sneakers.

My first TV when I got married was a Grundig. Pure Quality, Man. (say in Glasgow accent)

Thanks, Peter

I feel a country song coming on. My Dyson, my shower and my washing machine have just broken in the last 48 hours. Ordered two sets of bells from Amazon for me and the wife. 'Unclean, Unclean!'

Congrats, Ari.

Entered at Tue Dec 12 08:54:05 CET 2017 from (68.196.220.75)

Ari

Recorded an album of originals this summer with Rob Fraboni. It was surreal and the album should be coming out in the next few months!

Entered at Mon Dec 11 22:21:33 CET 2017 from (85.164.75.178)

jh

Entered at Mon Dec 11 19:21:40 CET 2017 from (70.24.156.137)

Mike Nomad

Entered at Mon Dec 11 17:44:56 CET 2017 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Indeed. RIP. My sister had Johnny Halliday EPs from French holidays. BUT I would argue with that "The French Elvis" tag. I'd say "The French Cliff Richard." I like Cliff Richard too, but there is a significant difference.

Entered at Mon Dec 11 13:15:18 CET 2017 from (99.227.166.246)

John D

Entered at Mon Dec 11 13:13:30 CET 2017 from (99.227.166.246)

John D

Wonderful memories Peter. Amazing what a piece of music can bring back visual memories of a youthful time. Happens to me a lot. I can hear a song and it can take me back to the time and place of my youth and it's always happy thoughts. What did Garth say in The Last Waltz? And I'm paraphrasing here. Music is a healer. Something like that.

Entered at Mon Dec 11 10:50:12 CET 2017 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Really enjoying the Rolling Stones “On Air” BBC recordings. There are some bits of nostalgia here. Memphis, Tennessee is from their first BBC session in October 1963. It’s the lyrics: “the PHONE BOY took the message” “Her MOTHER did not agree” “try to get her number back in Memphis Tennessee”. They are exactly the erroneous ones my teen garage band used to do. A memory was dredged up. Our rhythm guitarist had one of those Grundig tape recorders with little square plastic microphone, which he would put against a large ancient wireless to record the Top 20 Show on Sundays, and the odd live appearance on Saturday Club. We learned a few songs from that tape recorder, and I reckon one was from that long lost (until now) Rolling Stones broadcast.

The other one I noted was Hi-Heel Sneakers from April 1964. The song only has two verses, which are repeated in the Tommy Tucker version. Mick Jagger was happy to go on prestige national radio only knowing verse 2 and no more, and just kept repeating verse 2. It’s not hard! I can recite the right ones now.

The whole set reminds me how hugely influential the Rolling Stones were in bringing R&B to a mass audience. We’d all say “This is a Chuck Berry / Muddy Waters / Bo Diddley / Solomon Burke / Howlin’ Wolf song” but in reality we first learned most of them from the Rolling Stones. Eight Chuck Berry covers on “On Air.” Many of the songs on "On Air" are ones they never recorded. e.g. They also do Levon's old favourite, Fannie Mae.

Entered at Sun Dec 10 21:26:44 CET 2017 from (47.20.222.99)

Jeff A.

Entered at Sun Dec 10 20:05:49 CET 2017 from (24.114.71.18)

Kevin J

"Smile, Soul, Fretless, Pool shark, Radiant, Restless, Infinite. Rick Danko."

Entered at Sun Dec 10 18:41:59 CET 2017 from (24.114.71.18)

Kevin J

18 years has passed so quickly. Think of Rick a lot and with sadness every December. So many great memories though.

Entered at Sun Dec 10 16:02:38 CET 2017 from (83.250.90.242)

NorthWestCoaster

Subject: RIP Johnny Halliday, the ELVIS in France

I must admit that I - with my cider bottle shoulders - felt unease when Ms. NWC was in love with the handsome Johnny Halliday. The music was tight, honest, strong semi-aggressive but always women-friendly. There is an OPTIC 2000 shop in France which is selling eye-glasses. In the south of France they used good ol' Johnny in their advertizing. "Wow!" shouted Ms. NWC when we rode thru a Provencal village in the middle of the night. Johnny did it right. Three Presidents of France were presenton the funeral.

Entered at Sun Dec 10 14:50:49 CET 2017 from (83.250.90.242)

NorthWestCoaster

Subject: Self-drive cars

If the internet was invented by the devil - like I assume - the self-driving cars are invented by his/her mother. The ultimate form of driving a car is rallying. (US posters: scroll now, rally is not about precidential election!) Already in the eighties we transported us "on the wrong side of the road" in a humble Ford Escort to Chester in Wales to watch the RAC Rally. My dream was to see this British rally. A Finn won it, of course.

The year 1980 will always be remembered in the history of the vanishing European civilization. The car maker SAAB put an end to their rallying department. I wrote a letter to the CO of SAAB where I warned for a bancrupt. Unfortunately I had right.

Entered at Sat Dec 9 15:35:22 CET 2017 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

There are only a limited number of artists where collectors are fanatic enough, but certainly The Beatles, Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin are the ones where you see people with LED light magnifying glasses at record fairs, checking the matrix numbers.

There's a store in LA that listens to every album on sale and grades the quality of the pressing, so they might have a dozen "Rubber Soul" all at different prices … all near mint, but different pressings.

Entered at Sat Dec 9 14:18:13 CET 2017 from (99.227.166.246)

John D

You make a good point Peter. I remember years ago I had a good friend at Capitol Canada. He gave me an entire Beatles Japanese Vinyl catalog. It sounded better than any previous vinyl or CD to this day that I owned. I might not get this right; but back then the Japanese didn't make as many copies from what they called "The Mother?" Have I got that right. There are those here who know what I mean; but that sound was unbelievable.

Entered at Fri Dec 8 23:50:09 CET 2017 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter v

Entered at Fri Dec 8 21:38:13 CET 2017 from (99.227.166.246)

John D

Yes that's the one jh. An industry friend was given one when it came out in 2015 and basically said it was OK. Now he's not a vinyl aficionado His reaction was, I got it all. If David P were still with us, he would have a much better answer..

Entered at Fri Dec 8 19:13:23 CET 2017 from (84.209.128.180)

jh

Subject: OQ vinyl box

It’s this one, yes? More info. about the set welcome.

Entered at Fri Dec 8 17:43:37 CET 2017 from (82.69.47.175)

Peter V

Entered at Thu Dec 7 17:50:59 CET 2017 from (67.70.151.66)

Bill M

Entered at Thu Dec 7 00:20:34 CET 2017 from (184.146.92.228)

Kevin J

I am generally not a fan of passing along “joke” e-mails but thought the autocorrect one especially funny and relevant as every damn time I send a WhatsApp message, autocorrect figures out a way to mess things up !

Thanks to Michael C and Bill M for the Tom Rush mentions. Lovely guitar as well as that voice. So much music and great to have this place to be reminded of or introduced to music.

Anyone who hasn't already done so, run don't walk to the 'What's New" section of this GB and check out the John Scheele photos of The Band.....Wow !

David Herle: Every fan of the Band should check out the two part interview that David Herle did with Robbie Robertson. Look for "Herle Burly" with Robbie. Might be the best RR feature interview ever done.. The off the record intro is very cool.

Entered at Thu Dec 7 00:18:22 CET 2017 from (67.80.30.33)

Jeff A.

Entered at Wed Dec 6 21:28:01 CET 2017 from (40.139.179.11)

Peter V

Entered at Wed Dec 6 21:24:48 CET 2017 from (40.139.179.11)

Peter V

“The man who invented autocorrect has died. Restaurant in Piece.”

Entered at Wed Dec 6 18:09:51 CET 2017 from (107.77.97.19)

JQ

I think the expression here comes from blackjack - the most popular card game in US casinos - where the original bet is doubled based on the optimism that the one allowable next card will deliver a winning hand.

Entered at Wed Dec 6 18:02:55 CET 2017 from (64.229.14.210)

Bill M

Entered at Wed Dec 6 16:13:27 CET 2017 from (40.139.179.11)

Peter V

A language question. John D said “double down” on albums, and I have a bottle of Poland Spring water in front of me, and the label says “Double Down - Grab two.” In Britain, we’d say “double up”. I’ve never noticed it before … then saw it twice in 5 minutes. I knew double down was a gambling term, but didn’t know it as having two of the same thing.

Entered at Tue Dec 5 21:48:39 CET 2017 from (63.142.158.9)

JQ

Subject: Choktaw Bingo

James McMurtry's a good writer and this one is the closest he ever got to a hit. I read a piece recently where this song was referred to as our new national anthem!

Entered at Tue Dec 5 21:06:59 CET 2017 from (99.227.166.246)

John D

Ha Ha. Good one Bill!

Entered at Tue Dec 5 19:50:22 CET 2017 from (24.114.53.13)

Bill M

Entered at Tue Dec 5 17:01:25 CET 2017 from (99.227.166.246)

John D

That set actually came out in 2015. Still sells on Amazon here for $186.00. Got all the music and don't need to double down; but David P would have. The man loved his vinyl.

Entered at Tue Dec 5 02:19:58 CET 2017 from (67.81.97.62)

Jeff A.

Entered at Tue Dec 5 00:47:53 CET 2017 from (63.142.158.9)

JQ

When this mess gets fixed I think he’ll be one of the heroes and great characters of the whole thing, a la Sam Ervin. In his Texas, monotone, mouth-closed and angry voice: “This is just flat ridiculous”. I’ll happily buy his ringtone when/if it arrives. He’s on fire today on MSNBC!

Entered at Mon Dec 4 23:13:13 CET 2017 from (24.114.77.181)

Bill M

Peter V: I saw it in my local store a couple weeks ago, but because I don't follow these things I convinced myself that it had been around for years and had been reordered for the Xmas rush. David P would have plugged Robert Ludwig's work on Big Brown. BTW, is Mr Ludwig still aboveground?

Entered at Mon Dec 4 15:37:55 CET 2017 from (208.181.205.134)

Rockin Chair

Subject: Lightfoot - Second cup of coffee

Watched some documentary of Lightfoot yesterday. Some interview with his drummer who went in his dressing room and found him face down when he had that aneurism and thank fully they fixed him up. So many of Gordon's songs I spent a lifetime singing and enjoyed every minute.

Always seemed to me "Second Cup of Coffee" was a song to sing when you were by yourself with time to reflect. At times sitting out on the deck of my fish boat on a nice calm day with my net out in the water.

"And if I don't stop this trembling hand from reaching for the phone,

I'll be reaching for the bottle before this day is done."

Entered at Mon Dec 4 14:28:26 CET 2017 from (40.139.179.11)

Peter V

I miss David P. I’d love to know more about these reissued 180gram Band vinyl albums. Remastered from what? Analogue originals? Who knows? I guess we must all have all of them as no one seems interested.

Entered at Sun Dec 3 12:16:26 CET 2017 from (83.250.90.242)

NorthWestCoaster

Subject: News and Updates

Thanks Mr. Hoiberg for News and Updates from November 4th and onwards (pics and video). The only problem seems to be my good ol' Linux system etc. which seem to protect me too rigorously for all the bad things in the internet. I have to start Windows 10 instead :-(

I admire you for keeping this site alive. I would have been too scary already for fifteen years ago!

Entered at Sat Dec 2 18:57:09 CET 2017 from (83.250.90.242)

NorthWestCoaster

Subject: Insect bread (mainly to Bill M who has figured it out completely and will - with a bit of luck - survive a BIG meteor hitting Saskatchewan.)

You're welcome, Bill M.

During the WW2 there were substitutes for several exotic things: coffee, tobacco, chocklate. There goes a story in the family from early fifteens when the real coffee FINALLY came to the stores thanks to Olympic Games in Helsinki: after a long ride on the train we came home and I - a three/four years old guy - said: "Now we are going to have a real good coffee!" (Everybody laughed nicely...) What a sad difference to see girls and macueraus sipping cappucino in Cafe di Roma in Cannes.

Entered at Sat Dec 2 18:17:42 CET 2017 from (100.33.245.182)

Jed

John D-most grateful you suggested Neil on live stream last night.He wad magnificent-the setlist,his intensity, the singing,Neil's acoustic guitars, banjos,piano,etc. all were spot on.

Entered at Sat Dec 2 00:26:58 CET 2017 from (67.80.30.39)

Jeff A.

Entered at Sat Dec 2 00:14:30 CET 2017 from (98.14.251.145)

Peter V

Just saw The Band Capitol Albums 1968-1977 boxed set of LPs. All on 180 gram vinyl.

Entered at Sat Dec 2 00:02:30 CET 2017 from (84.209.138.227)

jh

The lovely Norah Jones’ «What Am I to You?», recorded in 2004, with sprinkles of musical magic from Levon and Garth all over the track.

Entered at Fri Dec 1 17:36:38 CET 2017 from (64.229.15.189)

Bill M

We've lost another great one. I expect that US president It will demand the deceased be accorded full military honours.

Entered at Fri Dec 1 15:45:22 CET 2017 from (99.227.166.246)

John D

Subject: Neil Young Tonight

Well, it's Neil Young's secret concert tonight on the internet. Strong rumour is that it will be in Omemee Ontario. "There is town in North Ontario." Streaming on CTV.ca

Entered at Fri Dec 1 15:31:09 CET 2017 from (172.12.248.174)

Paul

Thanks for the link to Tad Robinson. I have always known the guy's name, but never really followed up. He's got fantastic versions of Eight Days a Week and Too Late to Turn Back Now on youtube, also. Future research.

Entered at Fri Dec 1 00:55:40 CET 2017 from (98.14.251.145)

Peter V

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