A vote for Sarah and the boys is a vote for peace on earth and goodwill toward men...

.....(or maybe it's just a vote for Sarah and the boys)

Sarah Borges and the Broken Singles have been nominated as part of the 2007 Boston Music Awards. You can vote for the band in the categories of - VOTE HERE!:

Album of the Year (Indie)

Outstanding Americana Act of the Year

Local Female Vocalist of the Year

Goulish?....Robert Goulet dies at 73...

What ever happened to my Transylvania Twist?....

Happy Birthday to The REET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's only reality TV, but I like it....

The Next Great American Band- 2nd week....Johnnykmusic's rankings after performances Friday night; each band performed a Bob Dylan song, then an original composition.:

1. Clark Brothers (Maggie's Farm)
   
2. Tres Bien! (Subterranean Homesick Blues)
   
3. Franklin Bridge (Tangled Up in Blue)
   
4. The Muggs (Meet Me in the Morning) article
   
5. Cliff Wagner & the Old #7 (Don't Think Twice, It's Alright)
   
6. Likes of You (Blowin' in the Wind)
   
7. Six Wire (Mr. Tambourine Man)
   
8. Dot Dot Dot (Like a Rolling Stone)
   
9. The Hatch (It's All Over Now, Baby Blue)
   
10. Denver & the Mile High Orchestra (Freight Train Blues)
    
11. Rocket (Knocking on Heaven's Door)
    
12. Light of Doom (All Along the Watchtower)

Hey, this show isn't bad (and I cite the bad ratings as proof of that)! Unlike much of the American Idol crap, these bands have been together for awhile, they must do their own originals, the judges are more informed, and there are no washed up celebrity mentors. A variety of styles are presented, although I could do without the cute, shirtless 13 year-old heavy metal band, Light of Doom. Unfortunately, they will be around for awhile, I fear. I was rooting for Denver & the Mile High Orchestra (with a young Danny Ainge out front), but they needed to knock some socks off and didn't at all. Cliff Wagner & the Old #7 (a very good bluegrass band)will be a casualty of its genre. Clark Brothers are great musicians and seem like they can do anything well. Philly's Franklin Bridge is, by far, the funkiest of the lot. I like retro-British invasion Tres Bien! (great stage presence/catchy tunes) and Detroit's The Muggs (guitar-based rock/blues). Tall, bald lead singer for Like of You has a great falcetto (not that there's anything WRONG with that!), but tries to show it off a bit too much. The all-chick punk band, Rocket, has been disappointing so far (lead singer's voice doesn't cut it). Nashville's Livewire is polished, tight and did a wonderful cover of Mr. Tambourine Man.

Who should be voted off - Light of Doom/Denver & the Mile High Orchestra
Who will be voted off - Denver & the Mile High Orchestra/Cliff Wagner & the Old #7

Wikipedia site - here
Articles - Reality TV Magazine - Buddy TV

By the time she got to Woodstock.....

McCain mocks Clinton's Woodstock project (AP)

CONCORD, N.H. - Republican John McCain contrasts images of Woodstock and his years as a Vietnam prisoner of war in a new television ad that pokes fun at Democratic rival Hillary Rodham Clinton.

The commercial, set to air on New Hampshire television Thursday, decries a proposal, since scrapped, to spend $1 million for a museum in Bethel, N.Y., site of the August 1969 rock festival. Clinton and her fellow New York senator, Chuck Schumer, had backed the plan. The ad highlights McCain's criticism of excessive Washington spending, reminds voters of the Arizona senator's decorated war record and shows off his humor. "A few days ago, Senator Clinton tried to spend $1 million on the Woodstock concert museum," McCain says in the ad, drawn from Sunday's debate on Fox News.

"Now my friends, I wasn't there. I'm sure it was a cultural and pharmaceutical event," he says as images of the crowd and dancing concertgoers are shown. Republican presidential rival Rudy Giuliani, his head thrown back, is shown laughing at the joke during the debate. - complete article

The Sawtelles are appearing at a venue near you!...

FRI 26th 6-9pm @ cj sparrow, rt 10 cheshire, for the happy hour slot. plenty of food and beverages to indulge in.
SAT 27th: 9pm down in danbury at the ex- Hat City Ale House (The City Ale House), on main street. 3 bands, I assume we're on first.
MON 29th: we're attending the beatnik halloween bash. I"ll have a new outift this year hoping it'll score the worst costume award.
SAT Nov 3rd is Mandy's B'day Bash at Neverending Books, state street, near the flashing speed limit sign. all are welcome; bring something to eat or drink to share. Jellyshirts and Sawtelles are playing. you don't know Mandy? You prob have seen her out on the scene but just don't know her name. come out to help us all celebrate and put the face and name together. everyone else you know will be there so you should be there too. catch up with your friends and make new ones. eat. drink.

ciao - The Sawtelles

Yes, I watched it....shoot me....

I had The Reet tape The Next Great American Band. It has some curiosity appeal, certainly more than American Idol. Enjoyed the variety of styles, the abbreviated performances, the judges' (Johnny Rzeznik, Sheila E. and Ian “Dicko” Dickson) reactions. The first show pared sixty bands down to twelve. Can do without the orchestrated drama of one band given a second chance, then let go anyway. - article. Next show has each band playing an original composition and a Dylan cover.

Here are the 12 finalists wikipedia page:
* Cliff Wagner and the Ol’ #7
* The Clark Brothers
* Denver and the Mile High Orchestra
* Dot Dot Dot
* Franklin Bridge
* The Hatch
* Light of Doom
* The Likes of You
* The Muggs
* Rocket
* Sixwire
* Très bien!

Bob Dylan blows 'em away at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium...

From the tennessean.com - Holy cow. Dylan put on a stupendous show. He enunciated, he played guitar, he played keyboards, he interacted with his bandmates (including multi-instrumentalist Don Herron, who played for years across the alley from the Ryman at Robert’s Western World as a member of BR549), and his performance rang with humor and depth and musicality and all such good things. Jack White of the White Stripes showed up to help on a staggering, bluesy version of “Meet Me In The Morning,” and Elvis Costello played a surprise opening set. - complete review

Set List:
“Leopard-Skin Pill Box Hat”
“Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right”
“Watching The River Flow”
“You’re A Big Girl Now”
“The Levee’s Gonna Break”
“Spirit On The Water”
“Desolation Row”
“Working Man’s Blues #2”
“Things Have Changed”
“Most Likely You’ll Go Your Way and I’ll Go Mine”
“Meet Me In The Morning” (with Jack White)
“Highway 61 Revisited”
“Nettie More”
“Summer Days”
“Masters of War”
(encore)
“Thunder on the Mountain”
“Blowin’ in the Wind”

Hey, Josh, never expected to see you here!....

Country singer Danielle Peck was asked to sing the national anthem in Cleveland at the Indians/Red Sox playoff game, but Indians officials SWEAR they didn't know she was Josh Beckett's ex-girlfriend. Beckett was to pitch that night. - story

Lame interview at some hoedown, but here's Josh Beckett's ex-squeeze:

So, where do you think Amy Winehouse came from?....

The Ronettes featuring Ronnie Spector (yes, Phil's wife) on Shindig, 1965.


Ronettes--Be My Baby--Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, 2007

Gumbo in the great northwest???....

"I'm a-goin' home to Washington," Johnny Gumbo drawls as he strolls through downtown Southington one last time. "After all these years, I'm sick of the shit around here. Jesus, you can't even find a decent damn restaurant around," he growls, waving disgustedly at a noted Center Street eatery he is rumored to have frequented. "And then," he fumes, "if you ask a friend to freeload a truck for a mere six months or so, and who hasn't, he gives you a piece of CRAP! And they can stick that stupid Apple Harvest Festival up their ass, 'cause they ain't gonna have Johnny Gumbo to push around anymore. So, I've finally made up my mind. I'm goin' out West, where men are men and sheep are scared." Gumbo says that he's excited about his band's (The Johnny Gumbo Party Band) new album, which is getting rave reviews in obscure, pointless music blogs like the following:

Musicblogs-R-Us- After playing endless shows in the scumy coffee houses of Whocaresville, Washington in the 1960's, The Johnny Gumbo Party Band found themselves at the top of the the folk scene in 1969 with their debut album, This Thang Too Spicy For Ya?. The band's latest album, Western Horizons, hijacks Gumbo's poignant vocals with delicate finger-picked guitar to evoke simply stunning compositions. With standout tracks like "Accidents, I've had a few, but then again, too few to mention," and "Intersections are overrated" dominating radio airwaves far and wide, The Johnny Gumbo Party Band is an essential addition to any music lover's library.

I was a varsity tackle and a hell of a block....

From Wolfgang's Vault, Meat Loaf @ the Bottom Line, New York, NY 11/29/1977 (late show) - concert here Mr. Loaf in a small setting before he hit the big time performing material from Bat Out of Hell, one of JK's all-time favorite albums (without apologies). Great songs of teen angst, great theatre. In addition, he does a version of Phil Spector's legendary non-hit, River Deep, Mountain High.
Meat Loaf - vocals
Steve Buslowe - bass
Karla DeVito - vocals
Rory Dodd - vocals
Paul Glanz - keyboards
Bob Kulick - guitar
Bruce Kulick - guitar
Joe Stefko - drums
Jim Steinman - piano

Monday, I've got Friday on my mind....

Will there be gumbo in the state of Washington soon?

Is there really only one October? And, if so, is it important? Do Rocktober and Actober count?

Is anyone else really stoked about seeing FrankTV after seeing 450,000 promos for it?

Fionn Regan, who played with Lucinda Williams during her Town Hall gig, performs "Hunters Map" from the album The End of History on Late Night with Conan O'Brien tonight.

The Noisettes - pay attention. They will be appearing at Irving Plaza in NYC on Thursday with, among others, Fionn Regan.

Noisettes - Sister Rosetta (Capture the Spirit):

Harry Shearer series- Crescent City Stories....

I stumbled upon this article about a series on My Damn Channel; thought you might be interested.

Two years after breached levees caused flooding that devastated New Orleans, comedian/political satirist Harry Shearer and My Damn Channel return to the city after the networks and The President have gone. Shearer, who is a longtime New Orleans resident, debuts “Crescent City Stories,” a five-week series that features four local residents whose stories each tell a different side of post-Katrina New Orleans.

Wedding soundtrack....

Wondering why wedding music is mostly from 60's/70's/80's (and the kids know all the words!).....

Brown Eyed Girl ((Van Morrison)

Respect (Aretha Franklin)

Brick House (Commodores)

The Twist (Chubby Checker)

I Will Survive (Gloria Gaynor)

Build Me Up Buttercup (The Foundations)

SexyBack (Justin Timberlake)

The Wanderer (Dion)

Play That Funky Music, White Boy (Wild Cherry)

You Shook Me All Night Long (AC/DC)

That's the Way I Like It (KC & the Sunshine Band)

Van the Man in NYC tonight....

The Reet's friend, Louise, is going to the United Palace in NYC tonight to see Van Morrison for the second of three sold-out shows. Very jealous.

New York Times pop/rock listings: VAN MORRISON/BOBBY (BLUE) BLAND (Friday through Sunday) Through the years since he had hits with songs like “Brown-Eyed Girl” and “Moondance,” Van Morrison has lent his Irish soul to blues and Celtic music, country and R&B. Lately his live shows have been like visits to some suave late-1950s lounge where historical eras dissolve. Bobby (Blue) Bland, the longtime soul singer who’s opening the concerts, should keep him on his toes; despite some gaps in his voice, Mr. Bland can still ache and implore in ways that rival those of any singer alive. At 7 p.m., United Palace, 4140 Broadway, at 175th Street, Washington Heights, (212) 568-5260, theunitedpalace.com; $79 to $254. (Pareles)

Here is a YouTube clip of Van from The Last Waltz doing Radio with The Band:

Another list: The 50 worst songs ever....

Run for Your Life! It’s the 50 Worst Songs Ever! (Blender Magazine)
Some have crap-tastic melodies. Others are wretchedly performed. And quite a few don’t make any sense whatsoever. Blender removes its earplugs to present the 50 tunes we love to hate. - complete listing

Here are top top (bottom?) ten:
#10 PAUL McCARTNEY AND STEVIE WONDER “Ebony and Ivory” 1982
#9 MADONNA “American Life” 2003
#8 EDDIE MURPHY “Party All the Time” 1985
#7 BOBBY McFERRIN “Don’t Worry Be Happy” 1988
#6 HUEY LEWIS AND THE NEWS “The Heart Of Rock & Roll” 1984
#5 VANILLA ICE “Ice Ice Baby” 1990
#4 LIMPBIZKIT Rollin’” 2000
#3 WANG CHUNG “Everybody Have Fun Tonight” 1986
#2 BILLY RAY CYRUS “Achy Breaky Heart” 1992
#1 STARSHIP “We Built This City” 1985

johnnyk: Hey, I kinda liked Party All the Time, and Don't Worry was only painful after being played to death. It's the self-importance of some of the others that is so annoying. And where, by the way, is I Am, I Said?

I am, I said, to no one there, and no one heard at all, not even the chair....

Sting Tops List of Worst Lyricists (Reuters)

Maybe Sting should start writing more instrumentals. The school teacher-turned-rock star topped Blender's list of the worst lyricists, thanks to lines that betray "mountainous pomposity (and) cloying spirituality," the music magazine said.

The survey, contained in the November issue that hits newsstands next week, placed Rush drummer Neil Peart at No. 2, Creed frontman Scott Stapp at No. 3, Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher at No. 4, and soft-rocker Dan Fogelberg at No. 5. Want More Sonic Horrors? Blender assailed Sting for such alleged sins as name-dropping Russian novelist Vladimir Nabokov in the Police tune "Don't Stand So Close to Me," quoting a Volvo bumper sticker ("If You Love Someone Set Them Free"), and co-opting the works of Chaucer, St. Augustine and Shakespeare. A spokeswoman for the English rocker, who is currently in Belgium on the Police's reunion world tour, did not respond to a request for comment.

Blender described Canadian rocker Peart's lyrics as "richly awful tapestries of fantasy and science," and said Gallagher "seemed incapable of following a metaphor through a single line, let alone a whole verse." Further down the ranks, Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant (No. 23) was derided for his Tolkienesque musings on Gollum and Mordor in "Ramble On." Carly Simon (No. 31) was mocked for rhyming "yacht," "apricot" and "gavotte" in "You're So Vain." Paul McCartney made No. 38, thanks in part to "Ebony and Ivory," his socially conscious duet with Stevie Wonder . - article

Live Nation surveys Lucinda Williams concerts at Town Hall...

At Live Nation, we want to create great experiences for our customers. That’s where you come in -- we want your feedback on Lucinda Williams at Town Hall Theatre. If you thought Lucinda Williams was great – tell us! If you thought Lucinda Williams was just okay, tell us! Whatever your reaction – tell us! Your feedback helps us build a better concert experience.

Take Survey Now It should take only about 5 minutes for you to help shape the future of Live Nation concerts. As a token of our appreciation, everyone who responds will be entered into a drawing for season seats to a Live Nation amphitheatre! Click here for official rules and regulations.

And yet more Farquahr...

Johnny K.,

I happened to google Farquahr and came across your wonderful area. I wanted to add something to your lyrics that were posted for "My eggs don't taste the same without you". In between the two sections you wrote out I remember:

No more good morning kiss
No more I love you
No more laughs how the dog bit
the paper boy kid
My wasn't that good news?

I haven't heard that song in about 40 years! Thanks for the memories. Rita in Chicago

Another ode to the Farquahr...

Comment posted to My eggs don't taste the same without you:

My wife, a cousin (Purcell) to the McGowan boys, spent some of her early life in Branford and was especially close to Dennis who was her age. We had the privilege of attending a Farquahr concert at a pub in Essex back in '69. Dennis passed away a few years ago of cancer. One brother, Bobby, is still going strong, and we've visited with him a time or two in the past couple of years, most recently at a Purcell Family reunion in Branford this summer. Bobby is a great guy, and when we visited he was in the process of closing up the antique car restoration activities he and his brothers shared over the years. Standing in his "office" and trying to take in all the memorabilia which covered all possible surfaces in that room was pretty overwhelming and nostalgic. Somebody really should put a little friendly pressure on Bobby to chronicle The Fabulous Farquahrs!!

Shouldn't we have all of this, and David Byrne?...

Is it much to demand
I want a full house and a rock and roll band
Pens that won't run out of ink
And cool quiet and time to think

Shouldn't I have all of this, and
Passionate kisses
Well, Lucinda had a full house and a great rock and roll band Thursday night at Town Hall in NYC to close out her bi-coastal sets of five complete-album shows. Since Lucinda Williams (self-titled, released in 1988) is Keith's favorite, and since it was the first chronologically of the albums she's covering (she is not doing Ramblin' or Happy Woman Blues), AND since she's doing them in reverse order, we get the last date of the tour. I think that is a GREAT thing because she should pull out all the stops.

The Metro North 3:35pm out of New Haven gets us into Grand Central before 5:30pm, which allows us plenty of time to walk the few blocks west to Tony's DiNapoli, located just a few doors from Town Hall, for dinner. We also have time to briefly check out the Casablanca, the hotel Sharie picked out for overnight, but instead opted to buy a 56" TV (it was cheaper!). Nice digs. Leisurely dinner of grilled shrimp, fetticini with artichokes and chicken saltimbocca shared amongst the foursome. The Reet befriends some guys over at the bar while checking out the Yankees/Indians, while we order some espresso and cappucino to finish off the meal. Johnny Damon homers to lead off the game; life is good. The Reet and I retire to a bar right next to Town Hall to watch the Yanks until showtime while Keith/Sharie go to the M&M's store.

OPPS! It's showtime! Keith comes rushing into the bar to get us because Lucinda has started the show without an opening set from Fionn Regan! We rush to our seats (orchestra right, row J) just as she completes the first cut, I Just Wanted To See You So Bad. Great seats! Lu has her regular guys, Doug Pettibone on guitar, David Sutton on Bass, Butch Norton on drums as well as Chet Lyster on hand for guitars/pedal steel. Before each song, Lucinda gives us some tidbits of background information, then launches into them, but often halts mid-song to change key or whatever. Charming at first ("LU, we love you anyway!" a fan cries adoringly), it becomes annoying after awhile, almost like we are being played a bit. But the songs sound great and the band is tight. Only the closing I Asked For Water (He Gave Me Gasoline) was suspect because Lu can't get the old voice to flutter at certain ranges needed for the song, despite backing help from Susan Marshall, a redheaded Memphis gal who is introduced as a backup singer for Cat Power). Nonetheless, great set! LW promises great fun and guests for the second set. Standing ovation.

Intermission allows us to dash next door only to find the Yanks down 11-3. Damn! In the lobby, I bought the concert CD (to be picked up after the show).

Back in our seats for the second set. Lucinda announces that the chap standing next to her, Fionn Regan from her Lost Highway label, would perform. Oh, ok. He's a "Dylan-esque singer-songwriter" (oh God, isn't EVERYONE?) from Ireland. The audience is bored; he leaves to polite applause after one song. Lucinda and the band wander back on stage and the audience energy level jumps. "I wanna thank this guy for ridin' over here on his bike to help me out tonight - DAVID BYRNE!" Byrne appears, looking very fit and cool, straps on a guitar and launches into Buck Naked (see video clip below). The Talking Heads icon sounds fabulous, the crowd goes wild and Williams is visibly giddy. Keith/Sharie were telling us of these odd-looking dudes, hookers and genderbending peeps hanging out front earlier, one with just butterfly wings on. Well, ladies and gentlemen, please welcome David Johansen! Sharie yells over, "Hey, that's one of those guys!" Not Mr. Butterfly, though. He duets a very cool Jailhouse Tears with LW and the band. Susan Marshall avoids Joplin cliches with her outstanding version of Big Brother & the Holding Company's Little Piece of My Heart and Jim Lauderdale takes time off from thanking Lucinda (endlessly) and does some very tasty alt-country. We are expecting lots of stuff from West, but get very little. No hard sell here, Lu has everyone up and singing along with the encore closer, Talking Heads' Take Me To the River. House lights up, that's it. LOVED IT.

Streak the few blocks to Grand Central and catch the 11:22 to New Haven. Tired. Very Satisfied.

Guests:
Jim Lauderdale
David Byrne of Talking Heads
David Johansen of New York Dolls
Susan Marshall
Fionn Regan

David Byrne/Lucinda Williams "Buck Naked" at Town Hall 10/4/07:

David Johansen/Lucinda Williams "Jailhouse Tears" at Town Hall 10/4/07:

Off to NYC to see Lucinda!!!!!!....

The Reet pissed 'cause we will miss her beloved Yankees.

NY Times review of Car Wheels concert

Farquahr cd info requested by Runaway Jim....

Runaway Jim, responding to a post of 5/10/07, asks:

I'm not sure how active this blog is still or how much you're still getting info on the Farquahr, but I emailed you and I emailed John Wood (his address no longer works, unfortunately) trying to find more info. I grew up in Branford and remember seeing them a few times at the Branford Festival. A good friend of mine lived down the street from Danny MacGowan, a nephew of the MacGowan's. I'm looking to find some of their music in a format other than vinyl (CD would be ideal). Is there any way to get a copy of anything anymore or is it all lost in music history?

Saw a post somewhere with the work "Farquahr" and immediately thought of the band. It brings back memories of my youth (though I'm not that old at 28). I used to hang out with a kid when i was about 12-13 who lived down the street from one of the MacGowan's nephews. We used to listen to tapes of the band. The only song that really sticks out in my mind went something like "Stick with the dogs, they're man's best friend. You'll always get a little action." Do you have any information about the band or where I might be able to find some recordings (preferably CD if they exist) or somewhere I might be able to find the info? I grew up in Branford, spending most of my life there, though I'm in Providence, RI now. I remember the band would play occasionally at the Branford Festival on the town green. I remember an Italian song they sang with a guy dressed up like an Italian chef. They were tons of fun. I think I actually lived down the street from where they stored/worked on their antique cars.

Jim

While the adolescent pumps his way into his hat....

Our ever-hip Governor Jody Rell has officially proclaimed October 2, 2007 to be Bruce Springsteen Day in Connecticut. The Boss (Bruce, not Jody) kicks off his Magic tour tonight at the luxurious Civic Center in downtown Hartford. Ran into Todd/Liz at Slider's on their journey to the concert. Will try to get a report while playing golf with Todd on Wednesday.

POST-SHOW:
Bruce kills them in Hartford! Eric Danton review "...And then it happened, on “Night”: the Rock ’n’ Roll Moment. It’s that spark when an instant frozen in time seems to suddenly unspool, when the whole band locks in, turns a corner together and just takes off. Little Steven Van Zandt’s over sharing the microphone with Springsteen, Clemons plants himself like an anchor and pumps his lungs into that sax, bassist Gary Tallent bops in the back and drummer Max Weinberg holds it all together with no-frills rhythm."

Eric Danton review of Magic.

Lucinda NPR interview thanks to Trish...

HERE!

Concert review HERE!

Down the tubes....

A popular channel destination during commercials, pitching changes or just plain boredom has, in the past year, been The Tube Music Network. Although not a groundbreaking concept, its "...presentation (was) honest, intelligent and respectful of music and the people who love it." However, tonight, at channel 810, I was greeted with the news that The Tube had ceased operations. A trip to its website yields the following message:

Dear friend of THE TUBE Music Network, We regret to inform you of the fate that has befallen The Tube Music Network. October 1, 2007 The Tube ceased its national broadcast. Viewers, Artists, Music Companies, Investors, Business Partners, TV stations, Cable companies, Advertisers , Friends and our creative partners @Radical Media - your support of The Tube has always been highly valued and appreciated. The collective efforts of this team, fueled by the letters we received from viewers, sustained THE TUBE as it struggled through the financial limitations that ultimately contributed to its incapacitated state. Thank you for inviting The Tube Music Network into your life. Sincerely, The Tube Music Network staff