Am I man enough to take on Bettye LaVette Twice In One Night? Yes I am.

           
Click here to download:
Am_I_man_enough_to_take_on_Bet.zip (334 KB)
The High Preistess of emotionally drenched, gut-punch, way-down-deep-inside soul and R&B singing, Bettye LaVette is playing The Purcell Room in London on Thursday night.

Actually, Bettye is playng two shows: one at 8pm and 10pm. I'm pulling double duty and going to both. There is no way that I could allow myself to leave the venue knowing that Bettye was coming out to deliver the (more) goods.

 
My love affair with Bettye started when my good friend, The Kingfish, turned me on to her album, "Child of the 70's".  After that I latched on to "I've Got My Own Hell to Raise" (check our her version of Lucinda William's "Joy") and "Scene of the Crime". This last album was recorded with the Drive-By Truckers and Spooner Oldham backing her up.  Patterson worked with Bettye to write the song, "Before the Money Came: The Battle of Bettye LaVette". Are you unfamiliar with Bettye's story?  Do you want to find out about her in under five minutes? Just hit play, brothers and sisters. (all those album links I gave you are to reviews...worth the read)
 
Here are the songs I mentioned plus a few others that make my water boil:
 
 
Now, I am flat out hooked on her new album, "Interpretations: The British Rock Songbook". To everyone of the artists that she covers on this set...sorry, Bettye owns these songs now. This video is her rendition of The Who's, "Love Reign O'er Me", performed at the Kennedy Center Honors in 2008. Surely you have seen this, right? If not...buckle up.
 
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I'll post my review of the night's two shows. Bettye is my fave female singer of all time. I won't sacrifice her at the Alter of Unmet Expectations (assuming I set them too high)...I am just happy to get the chance to see her...twice.
 
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My concert going  is about to pick up a mighty head of steam. I have already seen Winwood/Clapton and Willie Nelson...and now, Bettye on Thursday. After that I take off in an all out sprint until I hit the Wilco gig in September. Here is what is on the menu (for now):
  • The Hold Steady
  • The Black Keys
  • Stevie Wonder / Alejandro  Escovedo / Carinne Bailey Rae / Florence Rawlings (festival)
  • Jackson Browne
  • Jeff Tweedy (solo gig)
  • Buddy Guy
  • Leon Russell
  • Kris Kristofferson
  • Wilco
Yeah...LOTS of concert reviews coming up. 

 

 

Tagged Bettye Lavette Drive-By Truckers gigs live music London Music Spooner Oldham The Who

The first tix of my Spring Gigs have arrived! Clapton & Winwood, 21st May @ Wembley Arena

Ah...Clapton & Winwood. I've seen Clapton twice and once was on his Blues tour supporting the "From the Cradle" album.    

I have the recent Clapton/Winwood MSG live set. I was surprised how good it was. Actually, I was surprised how good Clapton was. In my opinion, Clapton now needs someone to push him...push him to play to his abilities...not God-like, but guitar-hero like.  In recent years, the "push" has brought him to Claptonian peaks: Bob Dylan 30th Anniversary, Clapton & Jeff Beck, Clapton & Winwood, Clapton & The Allman Brothers, Clapton and Derek Trucks, Clapton and Buddy Guy...

Looking forward to this go-round with Winwood.  Winwood knows Clapton and what buttons to push and knobs to turn. He does it from behind the organ and from behind the guitar. Winwood can play, dammit. His six string work is phenomenal. I ask you, if you are unfamiliar with Winwood's guitar playing, to watch this eight minute Traffic vid from 1972. Hot Damn!

My good mate, The Kingfish (owner of Mojo Music in Sydney...my fave record shop), sold me this entire set on DVD. We watched it three times straight over a couple dozen beers. This isn't the beers talking...Winwood takes flight.

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Speaking of Clapton needing a push...here are two songs from Clapton's guest spot with the Allman's at last year's Beacon run. Little Wing is jaw-drop material and wait until you hear him solo'ing in the middle of a Trucks/Haynes Fret Sandwich. Extra mustard, please.  
Go to this link and download them. Oh what fun it is to be triple-whammied by the Clapton/Trucks/Haynes Trilogy...picking out who's who is the fun part.  Tell me what you think: 
Here is the entire Clapton part of the set list from that show:
  • Key to the Highway (Clapton vox)
  • Stormy Monday 
  • Dreams
  • Why Does Love Have to be so Sad
  • Little Wing
  • Elizabeth Reed (you will be paralytic after this)
  • Layla (Clapton vox)
If you want the set, let me know and I will upload it. 
Tagged Allman Brothers Derek Trucks Eric Clapton gigs live music Music riffs Stevie Winwood Tune Tags vids Warren Haynes

The Ballad of the Music Fan and the Stolen Mix Tape (Part 3): Sometimes you can't make it on your own...

Before you check out this post you should have a read of parts 1 & 2 of this story. This way you will be in the know and can follow along with part 3:

When we last left our hero, Mix Tape Guy, he was off to see the Allman Brothers courtesy of a couple free tickets from yours truly. He and the friend that he took along had an as advertised great time at the show. They got there early enough to enjoy the tailgate scene and left late enough to hear the last notes echoing off the trees around the arena and out into the late summer night's sky.

The set list was filled with old-time used-to-be's and some rabbit-outta-the-hat cover tunes. Have a look:

08/29/09 - Comcast Center (Great Woods), Mansfield, MA

Don’t Want You No More
It’s Not My Cross To Bear
One Way Out
Midnight Rider
Good Morning Little Schoolgirl
Stand Back
Dreams
Can’t Find My Way Home
Statesboro Blues
Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad? (rabbit-outta-the-hat cover tune!)
Black Hearted Woman 
Mountain Jam
Dazed and Confused (rabbit-outta-the-hat cover tune!)
Mountain Jam
Encore: Whippin' Post (ode to our "Mutual Friend")
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Mix Tape Guy's antennae are always up for great gigs. But when U2 comes to town he needs not rely on an aerial to tell him to tap out a few tickets on the interweb. This past Sunday night (20th September), U2 played Foxboro Stadium located right outside of Boston, Massachusetts. Mix Tape Guy and another Concert Crazy Classmate from Keene, New Hampshire went to the show. 

$275 a piece got them tickets in the last row of the lower bowl.  Good seats...if it wasn't for the overhang.  This dang piece of steel and girder interfered with their line of sight to the "claw" stage and, even worse, blocked out half the sound system.  Stadium shows have huge jumbotrons that allow you to see the action.  Fine. When you can't hear the music the way you should, that is a deal breaker.

Mix Tape Guy and Concert Crazy Classmate considered the deal broken and scouted out two empty seats five rows down. They were empty and our heroes were game; off they went to better sights and sound. 

Midway through the show, wouldn't you know it, some Dude comes up and claims one of the seats is his (where the hell was he for the start of the gig?). Mix Tape Guy appealed to the concert lover in the Dude and asked if he would mind if he and his friend (Concert Crazy Classmate) squish-stand in the other unclaimed seat. No problem, says Dude.  

In between songs Mix Tape Guy strikes up some blah-blah-blah conversation with Dude. Dude says he has two club seats for the Monday night show and asks Mix Tape guy if he wants to buy them for $400 a pop (face value $500). Mix Tape Guy and Concert Crazy Classmate fess up and decided the tix were too rich for their blood. No worries. At least they are loving the U2 show they are at. Gig'ers can't be choosers.

Two songs later, out of nowhere, Dude says to Mix Tape Guy, "looks like you are enjoying the hell out of this show...here, you can have the tickets for Monday night". 

Whoa. Repeat...Whoa.

Music-Karma is a strange thing. There is something about music...live music...that makes the fantastic, tangible. Live music is a sweet privilege. Music sometimes translates best live and speaks in native tongues.  It is the kind of language that is primal and brings out a communal purpose of enjoyment in true give and take fashion.  It is give and take with the artists and audience and give and take with each other...the concert goers. 

I'll say it again: Live music is a sweet privilege.  It doesn't matter if you are into U2, Black-Eyed Peas or Megadeath.  That same communal spirit is alive and well in the rhythms and the rapture of the song and the scene.

Needless to say, Mix Tape Guy was floored by the offer.  Dude gave the tickets. Mix Tape Guy took them.  Give and Take. 
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The next day was a bit of a mad scramble for Mix Tape Guy.  Prior commitments were getting in the way of his attending the gifted-second U2 show. Concert Crazy Classmate was already a no-go.  Ultimately, Mix Tape Guy just couldn't wrangle free of his prior commitments and would not be able to go to the show. Had Music-Karma hit a dead end? Was this the end of the line for a Good Song-maritan deed?  Not with Mix Tape Guy at the helm. He knew what had to be done. 

If you did not read Parts 1 & 2 of this story, you may be a little lost. A quick refresher for you:

Mix Tape Guy and I have been in a Music-Karma volley for almost two decades. The serves have been few and far between, but when it is in play it is a grand-slam event. Most recently I surprised Mix Tape Guy with a pair of free-of-charge tickets to see the Allman Brothers. Now, Mix Tape Guy is in the same position to pass on the Music-Karma to worthy dedicated music-head.

Mix Tape Guy remembered an old co-worker who fit the bill. He rang her up and laid the big-gig on her. Her response...?

Whoa. Repeat...Whoa.

Job well done, Mix Tape Guy.  His friend and her husband are going to the U2 show tonight (Monday the 21st) and are probably fist-pumping as I type this. Mix Tape Guy would tell you that it felt great to do that. Almost as good as if he went himself (...even better than the real thing?).

Needless to say, the ex-coworker was floored by the offer.  Mix Tape Guy gave the tickets. Ex-Coworker took them.  Give and Take. 
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I'll say it again: Live music is a sweet privilege...and at times, a glorious gift.

Here is a gift for you. Two live tunes.  One is an absolute Allman's fave of mine. I have stood in many fields on many days and nights listening to the Allmans play this live, while rocking back and forth to it's happy vibe.  Whenever/wherever I hear it I take the the time to stop what I am doing and get carried away with it. 

And, since we talked about U2, here is a classic live U2 song to put your ears on. This is one of my favourite live versions of this song off of Rattle and Hum.  I love the gospel-y background vocals.  I've seen U2 twice and unfortunately I have not yet heard this song.

Tagged Allman Brothers Bow-Down Post friends gigs Mix Tape Guy riffs stories The Lure of Going Around U2

"Just ask the Axis. He knows everything": My iPhone is The Axis

"Bold as Love" is one of my fave Jimi Hendrix songs. That is where the lyric quote in this post's title comes from.  Every time I pick up my iPhone I think of that lyric.  If the Axis actually does know everything, then i am officially naming me my iPhone, The Axis.

The Axis,  has been glued to my right hand since I moved to London. The apps on it have become invaluable to my getting around, knowing what is what and keeping in touch with my people around the globe. Yes, It does know everything...well, at least everything I need it to know.

One thing I want to always know is, who is playing gigs where I am. I have two great music / concert apps that help me keep in the know on local live sounds: iConcertCal & iLike's "Concerts".

Both work in sync with your iTunes library. There are plug-in for iTunes that use your artists to help customize alerts for concerts in your area for your "favorite" (meaning artist in your iTunes library) bands.

iConcertCal:

This plug-in monitors your iTunes music collection and spits out a customised concert listing in your area. In the "view" menu for iTunes you can set the visualizer for "iConcertCal" and a personalised calendar of concerts will come up. 

The sister  iPhone app works just like the iTunes plug-in, but with a few Phone-y features:
  • Buy tickets and get directions to the show
  • You can sort by venue, artist or by date
  • Email option to send reminders to yourself of friend
  • A sample button to hear what the band sounds like (but, hey, they are a "favourite" band so you should know that already...)
iLike's Concerts:

iLike's is similar in the way it crawls you iTunes library to find out your "favourite" artists. Here is what this one can do:
  • Browse local concerts personalized to your iTunes library
  • Get notified when your artists announce local shows (via "push")
  • Search by artists or venue and mark your favorites
  • Buy tickets and get directions to the show
I don't have a preference as of yet but here is what each is telling me:

Similar alerts in iConcertCal & iLike's "Concerts"
  • Jeff Beck
  • Mark Knopfler
  • Elton John
  • Joan Baez
  • The Dead Weather
  • ZZ Top
  • Fleetwood Mac
  • Steve Earle
  • Andrew Bird
  • Wilco
Different alerts for each:
  • iConcert Cal: David "Honeyboy" Edwards, Deer Tick, Sea Sick Steve
  • "Concerts": James Taylor
A mixed bag of results with similar and different artists for each app. Good thing I check them both or otherwise I would be pissed off at my iLike app for not telling me about David "Honeyboy" Edwards. Likewise, my wife would like to see James Taylor, but iConcertCal is trying to put me in the doghouse by not informing of his gig. 

Side note: James Taylor is touring Europe in November & December.  I am willing to bet he planned that tour after the World Series just in case his (our) beloved Red Sox make the series. 

So, for the time being I will use both apps to keep my ears posted as to who is gigging in my neighbourhood.  They each get high marks for letting be know about Ray Lamontagne at the Royal Albert Hall last Thursday.  Glad I went to that one. 

There is one other music app I am using on a regular basis: Wolfgang's Vault "Concert Vault" app. I love this one for streaming shows straight from the deep, deep trove of live treasures that is Wolfgang's Vault. If you have a Valut account (free), you can sync up your web app playlists to the iPhone app.  This is my go-to app when I am in need of a live fix. 
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I'm using lots of other apps to keep me going in London. Attached are screen shots of my first three screens. I have used these most often since I moved here. 

My home screen has the essentials:
  • All my gmail, calendar and contact apps
  • Google Maps & Around Me. When using these two in tandem I have been able to find everything I need to. I look like a freak staring at the phone in my hand while the little blue ball leads me on the path to my destination...but I get there.
  • My social media apps: Twitterific, Facebook & Brightkite. I need to finally admit that I am not just a geek-in-training, but an actual flown blown social media freak. using twitter a few other services I can find out and keep up on all kinds of things that interest me, specifically music related stuff.
  • I have my trusty productivity apps on hand too: MindMeister (mindmapping), ReQall (note taking / reminders and Remember the Milk (todo lists). Evernote is a powerful web-clipping software that allows you to take audio and picture notes as well. 
  • I am also using Instapaper.  This is a great app for reading things on the go. There are a lot of articles and blog posts that I like to read but don't want to be stuck at my computer reading all of the time. This app allows you to access all of the articles (text only for easier downloading) that you choose to read later through their web app.  This one is great for reading stuff while on The Tube. 
My second screen is all about me getting around in London:
  • My clock for showing me timezones for the US and Australia
  • The London guides from Lonely Planet & Frommers
  • The oh-so-handy London Tube and AtoZ apps
  • XE currency exchange until I master the conversion rates
  • Tripit is a great way for me to put all of my Euro jaunt itineraries in one place (off to Ibiza Spain in October!)
My third screen is all about staying in the know:
  • The afore mentioned music apps are here
  • The local London review and awareness apps: Qype, Yelp (very helpful so far) and What's On
  • Food and drink apps Zagat and Drink are very helpful for finding hot spots and staying away from dead spots
There are a slew of other apps (a page of sports apps) that I use, but the ones above I use most often.

Anyone have any others I should have handy...?

     
Click here to download:
Just_ask_the_Axis._He_knows_ev.zip (348 KB)

Tagged apps gigs Hendrix iPhone riffs travel

My First Gig at the Royal Albert Hall since moving to London: Ray Lamontagne

Bow-down songs: Jolene, Trouble, Shelter.
Tagged Gigs Live London Riffs Stubs

A heavy load to bear: David "Honeyboy" Edwards totes the Delta Blues Legacy to London and I am going to see him

 

I was in a bar reading the book, "Delta Blues" by Ted Gioia.  I had just finished a few pages on David "Honeyboy" Edwards. Honeyboy, 94 years old, is one of two remaining living blues legends that came from the vaunted Mississippi Delta (the 96 year old Pine Top Perkins being the other).  Apparently, Honeyboy was with Robert Johnson the night Johnson was poisoned. 

When I finished reading this section I grabbed my trusty iPhone and looked up to see if Honeyboy still walked among us. What I found out next  was nothing short of an incredible coincidence. I almost shit myself when I saw that not only is Honeyboy still alive, he is still playing gigs and is going to be playing London on the 25th September.  

Hot Damn!  This will be a bow-down event of the highest order.

I punched up the ticket provider for the gig and scored two seats to see Honeyboy play his Delta Blues.  Yes, Honey is 94, but this music is old-timey and it is about lineage and lifelines back to the Delta...not, lighting fast playing.  

Here are a few Honeyboy classics:
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This gig is part of a small blues festival called, "Not the Same Old Blues Crap".  Hey...I LOVE the same old blues crap. Nonetheless, the line-ups are good and I plan on seeing a few other acts.  I haven't seen any of these, have you...?
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A recent gig:
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Random interview with Honeyboy at a blues fest:
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Tagged Delta Blues gigs London riffs

The Front Row: If you care, you're there...

The next best thing to being in the band is being with the band.  The other night I was at a concert and I was in the front row.  The front row. Close enough to be with the band.

At one point or another, we've all wanted to be in the front row. If the concert means something to me, I need to be in the front row.  I want to be able to see the interaction between the band members; to see the "nods" when someone calls out for the song to end or a chord change; to see the emotion with that they are playing with (or disinterest which unfortunately is sometimes the case); the reaction to the crowd; to be part of those first few feet of "response".

That is my role in the band when I am in the font row...to respond and give them something to feed off of.  It is my way of giving back to the band and giving to the performance.  That is what you do as a fan, you respond to what is being played.  This plays out best in a small club or theatre where there is arms-length distance. But, not all front row'ers are like minded.  For instance, if this is a big legacy act like Bruce or the Stones, the front row could be filled with "suits" or "one-timers" or "gift-ers" (i.e., they got the tix as comps).  You are not going to get the same reaction from the front row with these types.  If it is a club show and it is general admission, you can bet that the front row crowd is filled with true believers ready to give back to the band.

My point is that the front row exists and not just at concerts. Anyone can make their way to the front row if it means that much to them. If you don't care that much, fall back into the crowd, don't hold a spot that someone else may desperately being trying to get to.  If you aren't passionate about it, why do it?  Your time and energy could be best used elsewhere.

If you aren't in the front row, and you want to be, get there.  The front row is where it all happens. If you care, you're there. And those on the other side will know it.
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I left that show feeling great; I felt a sense of accomplishment. I went to see Booker T. Jones, a true legend of American music and one of my favourites. This was no oldies act.  He is on top of his game.  He said he just recently "found his sound".  Just recently?!?  This is Booker T of Booker T & The MGs...the guys responsible for one of the most recognisable sounds in American music...they were the Stax house band!  They did "Green Onions" and "Time is Tight". They played on all of Otis Redding's cuts, too (!).  And now Booker T says he has found his sound? 

He was still trying to make it to his own front row. You should have seen him...leading the band, playing those sweeping Hammond B3 licks...he was on top of it all.  He was down deep in the groove and loving it. I was giving it right back to him. The calls of "Boooker Tee!".  The approving glances. Yep, I was doing my part. I even got an autograph at the end of the show. Sweet.

He is touring with the Drive-ByTruckers (a damn good band in their own right) and they backed him up Booker T on his latest album, Potato Hole. Go check 'em out if you have the chance.

What's your front row story?

   
Click here to download:
The_Front_Row_If_you_care_your.zip (1092 KB)

Tagged gigs riffs sparks

10 years on and I still ache for Lucinda

Just about 10 years ago I saw Lucunda Williams at the Somerville theatre in Massachusetts. I had just found out who she was after the release of "Carwheels..." when she was every critics darlin'. She was mine, too.

 She sang with sexy southern drawl and she told vivid stories of an exotic and ragged life. How come I didn't know more about her...she covered the Wolf's "gasonline"!!!

 The show I saw was rich with slows and fasts that made the 2+ hours flash by. She had a shithot band, too; "Joy" was front burner material.

 So Lucinda, tonight we meet again...this time it is in Sydney. We are at different places in our lives today, but I'm still as deep in your groove as I was those 10 years ago.

 See you at the show...

 Sent from The 6149

Tagged gigs riffs
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