Because there's only ONE October!...

Here is the October schedule of The Sawtelles:

10-03-08 hamden fm in the hamden library parkinglot 12:30-3:30

10-05-08 la hacienda, new haven- we're on at 2:20pm with bands all day and nite long. call ahead to make sure event is going on...860.620.2497

10-09-08 fair haven fm- by the grand ave spinning bridge- 5-7pm

10-10-08 the space- we're on the bill with P's old bandmate, marykate oneil. other bands as well. we're prob on early-ish

10-12-08 garlic fest- at the bethlehem fairgrounds, 12:30-1:30. do you love garlic?? cooking demos, samples, food court, rides, lectures

10-31-08 books and co- BIG BIG BIG show with numerous acts. start time 7pm. big show w/many acts. come see what it is about.

then: 11-01-08 UKE NIGHT at the Buttonwood Tree w/ poptelles, hot time harv (NJ), brian skidmore (CT), amazing dick leufstedt (MA), moose karloff (NYC) and others who have not confirmed yet. this is the first uke show the buttonwood will host and we're gonna prove that ukuleles are not all Tiny Tim... this will be a $10 donation at the door show, but if you don't have it COME ANYWAY and contribute what you can. start time 7:30 sharp. Hot Time Harv can be quite funny and filthy and heavy on the innuendo, so take that into consideration if you are bringing the younguns! take them for some ice cream at that point.

Glory days in the wink of a young girl's eye...

Yeah, just sitting back trying to recapture
a little of the glory of, well time slips away
and leaves you with nothing mister but
boring stories of glory days

The Boss to play Super Bowl halftime

NEW YORK (AP)- Another Super Bowl, another rock 'n' roll superstar at halftime. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will perform at the 2009 Super Bowl halftime show in Tampa, Fla., the NFL and NBC announced Sunday night. Continuing a run of major talent that has lately included the Rolling Stones, U2, Paul McCartney, Prince and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, the biggest television event in the nation will showcase one of its most beloved rock 'n' roll artists. The Super Bowl will be played Feb. 1 at Raymond James Stadium.

The 2008 Super Bowl show was watched by more than 148 million viewers in the U.S., the NFL said in its release. It wasn't always that way: For years, the game's halftime show was made up of local and college marching bands and drill teams. Chubby Checker in 1988 was the first popular musician to perform at halftime, and Michael Jackson upped the ante in 1993. His sister Janet provided the show's most infamous moment with 2004's "wardrobe malfunction" — and the show has stuck with straight ahead rock acts ever since.

Bruce on Letterman:

New Lu (Little Honey) out October 14...

Riding down the highway / Going to a show / Stop in all the by-ways / Playing rock and roll / Getting robbed / Getting stoned / Getting beat up / Broken boned / Getting had / Getting took / I tell you folks / It's harder than it looks / It's a long way to the top / If you wanna rock and roll
Lucinda Williams' latest effort, Little Honey, which closes with a cover of AC/DC's Long Way to the Top (above), is set for release in October on Lost Highway Records. Wow, our girl, uncharacteristically happy and content, is cranking these bad boys out like crazy after years of agonizingly long periods between releases (1988 Lucinda Williams, 1992 Sweet Old World, 1998 Car Wheels on a Gravel Road). Apparently, some cuts are from last year's West writing period, while at least one dates back about thirty years. You can catch the album's first cut, Real Love here. Meanwhile, the former queen of depression plays at New Haven's Shubert Theater on Saturday, October 4 (8pm, $50). Unfortunately, after catching her with George/Trish at the Calvin up in Northampton and in NYC at Town Hall with Keith/Sharie, I will be golfing with the boys in Richmond, RI that day. Sorry, Lu. (Rolling Stone Review)

Real Love Circles And X's Tears Of Joy Little Rock Star Honey Bee Well Well Well If Wishes Were Horses

Jailhouse Tears Knowing Heaven Blues Rarity Plan To Marry It's A Long Way To The Top

It's fall festival time...

Putin rears his head and comes into the air space of America...

He's got alot of nerve!

Nancy, still no HOF nomination for Neil Diamond...

Sorry, it's Neil Diamond gets dissed again time. Whatever your thoughts on Nancy Kennedy's stud boy, put them aside and vote for Wanda Jackson and four of the other 2008 Rock 'N Roll Hall of Fame nominees (in the comments section, please note your reasons, alternative choices, crush on Neil Diamond, and/or hopes for the future of mankind):

It's that time again. This may be the most important election of our lifetime, I think (maybe):
	Metallica
	Run-D.M.C.
	Wanda Jackson
	Jeff Beck
	War (does Eric Burden get in too?)
	Little Anthony & the Imperials
	The Stooges
	Chic
	Bobby Womack
	I am sooooo pissed about Neil, I could just spit!
Free polls from Pollhost.com

"All the Way" - A Chicago Cubs tribute by Eddie Vedder...

Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder lets his passion for the Cubs shine through in this tribute song to the Chicago Cubs. For more Cubs coverage visit www.mouthpiecesports.com

CMT 40 greatest road songs....

Johnny Gumbo must have hummed along with a few of these while travelin' the US of A:

01 Willie Nelson - On the Road Again.mp3
02 Roger Miller - King of the Road.mp3
03 The Allman Bros. Band - Ramblin' Man.mp3
04 John Denver - Take Me Home, Country Roads.mp3
05 Johnny Cash - I've Been Everywhere.mp3
06 Asleep at the Wheel - Get Your Kicks on Route 66.mp3
07 Hank Williams - Lost Highway.mp3
08 Kathy Mattea - Eighteen Wheels And A Dozen Roses.mp3
09 Alan Jackson - Drive (for Daddy Gene).mp3
10 Brooks & Dunn - Red Dirt Road.mp3
11 Merle Haggard - Movin' On.mp3
12 Steve Earle - Copperhead Road.mp3
13 Hank Snow - Ninety Miles an Hour (Down a Dead End Street).mp3
14 Lucinda Williams - Car Wheels On A Gravel Road.mp3
15 Jerry Reid - East Bound and Down.mp3
16 Alan Jackson - Mercury Blues.mp3
17 Clint Black - Nothin' But The Tail Lights.mp3
18 Roy Orbison - I Drove All Night.mp3
19 Lee Ann Womack - A Little Past Little Rock.mp3
20 George Strait - Amarillo by Morning.mp3
21 Highwaymen - Highwayman.mp3
22 Montgomery Gentry - Speed.mp3
23 Bobby Bare - Detroit City.mp3
24 Jo Dee Messina - Heads Carolina, Tails California.mp3
25 Rodney Crowell - Leaving Louisiana in the Broad Daylight.mp3
26 Dwight Yoakam - Guitars, Cadillacs.mp3
27 Trisha Yearwood - On A Bus To St. Cloud.mp3
28 Merle Haggard - White Line Fever.mp3
29 Bobby Bare - 500 Hundred Miles Away From Home.mp3
30 Martina McBride - Cry On The Shoulder Of The Road.mp3
31 Asleep At The Wheel - Hot Rod Lincoln.mp3
32 David Ball - Riding With Private Malone.mp3
33 Ricky Skaggs - Highway 40 Blues.mp3
34 Terri Clark - A Little Gasoline.mp3
35 Dave Dudley - Six Days On The Road.mp3
36 Junior Brown - Highway Patrol.mp3
37 Little Feat - Willin'.mp3
38 Julie Roberts - Break Down Here.mp3
39 Steve Wariner - Drive.mp3
40 Keith Urban - Where The Blacktop Ends.mp3

Beantown blues lovers got the blues...

BOSTON BLUES FESTIVAL SUSPENDS PRODUCTION

It is with mixed emotions that Blues Trust Productions announces that, for the first time since 1995, there will not be a free Boston Blues Festival in September at the Hatch Band Shell. Due to spiraling usage fees administered by the State of Massachusetts for the venue and the challenge of securing the necessary support of sponsors, arts councils, and media coverage, there is no other option than to take time to rethink how best to fulfill the mission of promoting Blues music and assisting the artists who perform it.

We are grateful to those who assisted us in presenting and showcasing this great music in the picturesque setting by the Charles River. We were astonished that we were able to pull it off once. The twelve year run is nothing short of a miracle! The acknowledgement and appreciation of veteran Blues artists, who were recognized with the Blues Trust Lifetime Achievement Award, made the hard work gratifying.

The positive aspect of this announcement is that we are now free of the stress and uncertainty of meeting the burden of raising the necessary capital to present the artists. To be able to pursue other passions and make sacrifices, which benefit us personally, is a new and liberating feeling. Springtime is the time for renewal and rebirth! You’re invited to check back to this space to witness our metamorphosis.

More emails about the Fabulous Farquahr...

Hi Johnny K -- I have a friend who has repeatedly asked me to obtain a Farquhar CD for him. Do you know if any are available and where I might get one? Thanks in advance, Paula

Love your blog on the Farquahr. They played under that name for the first time in my night club in Wilmington, Vermont. Prior to that they played in another club I managed under the name The Mcgowan Brothers and Doug Lapham. The name Farquahr comes from an old Jackie Gleason character and was suggested as a name change by my late brother, Frank Dougherty. The original poster featuring the new name sits in my house today. Bill Dougherty

Queen of the Alaskan Frontier....

Lucinda getting politically pissed off....

Lucinda Williams plots protest songs EP

NEW YORK (Billboard) - Lucinda Williams will release a digital-only EP of protest songs on October 28, two weeks after the veteran roots-rocker's ninth studio record, "Little Honey," reaches stores. "Lu in 08," which is timed to hit a week before the U.S. presidential election, sports four live tracks, three of which are covers: Bob Dylan's "Masters of War," Buffalo Springfield's "For What It's Worth," and the Thievery Corporation/Wayne Coyne collaboration "Marching the Hate Machines Into the Sun."

The fourth cut is the Williams original "Bone of Contention," which was originally intended for inclusion on "Little Honey." "It's a pretty powerful protest song," Williams told Billboard.com. "The track didn't come out the way I wanted it to (in the studio). We went out to do some shows, and I played the song live by myself at Summerfest (in Milwaukee). It just came out killer." Williams returns to the road on September 25 in Asheville, N.C., to promote "Little Honey." It marks the follow-up to the largely down-tempo release "West," which started at a career-best No. 14 on the Billboard 200 in February 2007.

Little Honey review

Ruthie leaves her band at home...

It was a difficult choice between Big Al Anderson & the Balls (no relation, I think, to Keith and/or his balls) and Ruthie Foster, but we had already planned to see Ruthie, on my recommendation based on her amazing Blues Tent show at this year's JazzFest, by the time I became aware of the Windsor favorite son's free concert. In retrospect, we should have changed our plans. But, that's life (that's what the people say).

Off to the CT Folk Festival & Green Expo we ventured. I'd email them about the food/drink policy and received an informative reply from Barbara Manners, its director:

Hope you will find the others phenomenal too, but Ruthie has been a favorite of mine since I first saw her in Canmore, Alberta in the summer of 2003 or 04 (as i get older, the years tend to merge!) if you have lawn seating $35 tickets then you need to bring chairs (low back preferably) or blankets or tarps for grass and can bring coolers and byo beer, wine etc. If you have reserved seating (we provide the chairs, closer to front) you can still bring a cooler but you won't have as much room to store it since the chairs are next to each other so i wouldn't bring anything too large that doesn't fit under your chair unless you're willing to take a chance and just put the cooler further back and go access it from time to time (i do that sometimes at festivals). Looking forward to the weekend. Barb

Saturday's piece of the festival/expo puzzle was held at Edgerton Park, a sprawling 22-acre former Frederick Brewster 18th-century English-style estate and garden on Whitney Avenue deeded to the City of New Haven in the 1960's. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. We luck out with a prized on-street parking space directly across from the park. Next is the unloading of chairs, coolers, bags; then a short walk to the entrance where we get to pay $40/ticket for lawn seating, while being bombarded with enough paper fliers to render this Green Expo a threat to U.S. forestry. On the positive side, we are all issued tiny, push-button flashlights that we can hang around our necks.

The venue is smaller and less crowded than expected. A row of merchandising and information booths lines the entrance, opening out to an expanse of well-manicured, rolling lawn. A portable band stage backs up to the Cliff Street wall of the park; rows of chairs have been placed in front and center for preferred seating with the soundboard equipment directly behind. We unpreferred attendees are left to grab the remaining lawn spaces, which are plentiful.

Earlier in the afternoon (1pm to 4pm), there had been a free family concert featuring Yale's Tangled Up in Blue, the Ronny Cox Band and the Professors of Bluegrass. The park was then emptied and closed until 5pm, when the Professors would reappear to start the evening, paid session. The lineup:
5:00pm-5:30pm Professors of Bluegrass
5:40pm-6:10pm Allison Moorer
6:20pm-7:05pm Harry Manx
7:15pm-8:00pm Ruthie Foster
8:10pm-9:00pm Holmes Brothers
9:15pm-10:30pm Steve Earle

The Professors of Bluegrass appear shortly, but screw around with soundchecks (why, they just performed an hour ago!) before offering a variety of bluegrass styles. I, unlike any of my compatriots, like bluegrass music, albeit in small doses. I enjoy, they tolerate, the 45-minute set. I give a C+, they others give a D. Second up is Allison Moorer, wife of Steve Earle, sister of Shelby Lynne, delivering a very pleasant acoustic set, highlighted by a duet of Where Have All the Flowers Gone with Earle. Besides having a new CD, Mockingbird, out, she blogs her tour travels with hubby, Earle. All parties seem to enjoy Allison. Grade B.

It has begun to dawn on me that, being a folk festival, there are no backup musicians here (slap forehead). Uh Oh. That means Ruthie will likely (probably) have no band! A shame, for Reet, Keith, Sharie won't get to experience Ruthie's complete, unbelievable energy, although I have no doubt her performance will satisfy. The breaks are brief, limited to announcements by an NPR-ish gentleman to fill out questionnaires, visit booths, buy a ticket for a guitar raffle. The Canadian folk/bluesman, Harry Manx, precedes Ruthie. Seated on a stool, playing an assortment of guitars/banjos, Manx charms us with his take on the blues and an offbeat sense of humor. Keith offers that Manx would be great to hear in a small club somewhere. We give him an A.

Finally, time for Ruthie. Per her website bio, Foster, ...by pretty much anyone else’s standards, had already been soaring for years. Since returning to her native Texas in the mid-’90s after a period of walkabout that found her touring with the U.S. Navy band Pride (“We were bad ass!”) and even spending a few years in New York City under contract to Atlantic Records (“I think they were looking for Anita Baker meets Tracy Chapman,” she muses. “I sent a headshot to my dad, and he said, ‘Who is this white woman with my baby’s nose?”), Foster quickly established herself as one of the acoustic music world’s brightest stars. From the Kerrville Folk Festival to Austin City Limits to stages all across North America and Europe, she was winning thousands of new fans a night and selling a staggering average of 100 CDs per show. At a festival in Canada, she even broke Ani DiFranco’s record by selling 1,000 CDs in a single day. (“I love Canada,” laughs Foster.) All those records carried considerable critical acclaim, too, especially her last two, the Lloyd Maines-produced Runaway Soul and the live Stages. Both live and on disc, Foster mixed contemporary folk with old-school gospel and blues with dazzling efficiency, showcasing a powerhouse voice that drew more favorable comparisons to the likes of Ella Fitzgerald and Aretha Franklin than the poor girl knew what to do with. You can still hear traces of that Foster on her new album — most notably in the rootsy fun of “Beaver Creek Blues,” the gospel revival spirit of “Mama Said” and the dark, stomping a cappella thunder of the Son House cover “People Grinnin’ In your Face.” But Papa Mali had an entirely different kind of Ruthie Foster sound in mind when recording commenced at Austin’s Congress House Studio, and Foster was delighted to discover that his vision tapped deep into her own roots as a music lover. Together with a crack band including drummer George Sluppick (Mofro), bassist Glenn Fukunaga (Dixie Chicks, Terri Hendrix) and Hammond B3 player Anthony Farrell (Greyhounds), they set out to make an honest to goodness classic soul album. The kind that, in a different era, with a different singer, could just as easily have been called The Phenomenal Sam Cooke.

She strolls out onto the stage, smiling broadly. "I like to mix a little gospel with my blues," she quips. "I'm blessed being sandwiched between Harry Manx and Steve Earle and the Holmes Brothers, Allison Moorer, too. So many great people here today!" Foster has a strong, expressive voice, but she shows it off with restraint. She samples tunes from her The Phenomenal Ruthie Foster including Son House's People Grinnin' in Your Face, Lucinda Williams' Fruits of My Labor and her own Heal Yourself as well as Travelin' Shoes and Woke Up this Mornin' from her 2002 Runaway Soul CD. The set was over in short order. Jeez. Solid A+ despite the lost opportunity for the others to hear her with a full band.

Please let me know, should I stay or should I go? It's after 8:30 now. As we wait for the Holmes Brothers, Sharie searches for some warmth, in the absence of Keith, she looks to purchase a long-sleeved tee shirt from the vendors, but finds none. Ruthie Foster is at the CD table signing copies of her CD's. I've already got her latest and ask her if Runaway Soul is available. A quick inquiry yields a no, so I thank her and mention her fabulous show at Jazz Fest. "What a wonderful time there," she replies, smiling. We reassemble for the Holmes Brothers, who, according to our program, are "one of today's great blues groups, their music mixes soul, blues, gospel, R&B and country into a sound that Billboard Magazine has described as utterly astounding and the NY Times calls deeply soulful, uplifting and timeless. Reet doesn't like them at all and Sharie is soon calling them something her parents would listen to. They are a guitar/keyboards, bass, drums trio of older gents who sing the blues in gospel-type harmonies. I want to like them, but quickly become a bit distracted, although I disagree with the majority and like their gospel finale. Sorry, a Grade D for the Brothers.

Steve Earle is the real deal, a modern revolutionary who has lots of critics and passionate fans on his side, and I admit I haven't given him a sustained listen, but I've never been able to really get into him. Saw him live once before at the Newport Folk Festival, where he joined Lucinda Williams on a couple songs prior to his own set. A well-lubricated Williams sent him off with a legendary shout to the crowd, "Hey, y'all, let's give it up for Steve Fuckin' Earle!" But after two songs, I liked Christmas in Washington (Come Back, Woody Guthrie), nods all around indicated we were out of there! So we packed eveything up, leaving a pile of paper goods, plastic and beer cans for the organizers to pick up later. (Just kidding, a little "green" joke!)

Not a bad concert, just one of unfulfilled expectations. I wonder how Big Al was?


Performers have needs, too.


Some in the crowd sought attention.

Saturday, Saturday....

It's getting late have you seen my mates
Ma tell me when the boys get here
It's seven o'clock and I want to rock
Want to get a belly full of beer

My old man's drunker than a barrel full of monkeys
And my old lady she don't care
My sister looks cute in her braces and boots
A handful of grease in her hair

Don't give us none of your aggravation
We had it with your discipline
Saturday night's alright for fighting
Get a little action in

Dinner at FioreII in Middletown last evening with Tom/Kath and was served by a young David Bowie. Meant to be a compliment to her.

Absent too much rain, we plan to see The Phenomenal Ruthie Foster at Edgerton Park in New Haven with Keith/Sharie.

We will miss: Saturday, September 13th is the "Come Home to Windsor" concert and fireworks celebration in honor of Windsor's 375th anniversary. You won't want to miss this very special concert featuring Big Al Anderson and the Balls on the Windsor Town Green beginning at 4:00 PM. Opening for Big Al is Bus 13. (see below)

Big Al Anderson and the Balls in Windsor (free!) on Saturday...

"Big Al Anderson and the Balls" Concert & Fireworks - September 13 - windsor375 website

Saturday, September 13th is the "Come Home to Windsor" concert and fireworks celebration in honor of Windsor's 375th anniversary. You won't want to miss this very special concert featuring Big Al Anderson and the Balls on the Windsor Town Green beginning at 4:00 PM. Opening for Big Al is Bus 13. Following the concert, enjoy a brilliant, colorful and heart pounding fireworks show in the meadow of the Loomis Chaffee campus, just a short walk from the Windsor Town Green beginning at 7:30 PM. Both events are free, courtesy of the many generous Windsor 375 sponsors!

FOOD-The Windor Lions Club will be selling food on the Windsor Town Green during the concert. Town ordinance 12-5 prohibits the consumption of alchoholic beverages on town property. The Loomis Chaffee School is an educational facility and therefore an alcohol and drug free environment.

MORE CONCERT INFO:
Windsor's own BUS13 will open for Big Al Anderson & The Balls.
BUS13 is known for their blend of alt-rock, alt-country, and power-pop flare. The bands lineup includes Todd Daniels as singer/songwriter, acoustic and electric guitars, and harmonica. Mike Armentano as lead guitarist, Mick Johnson on bass, and Roger Goulet on drums. BUS13 has released three independent albums including "Reflector" (2003), "Band Radio" (2005), and "Underground Parties and Other Fabulous Shoes" (2008).

BUS13's music has been inspired by a wide variety of artists and styles including Jeff Tweedy/WILCO, Ryan Adams, Eagles, John Lennon, Neil Young, and Hank Williams Sr. . The band has garnered national radio attention since 2003 with Daniels' folk inspired song "My Green Bike" released on their "Reflector" CD. BUS13 has twice been recognized by XM Satellite Radio as one of the "Most Notable Futures Bands" in America - first in 2003 with their song "Mobilistic Man" and most recently with their latest release in 2008 with their song "Bella Bandido". BUS13 takes the stage at 4PM on Saturday, September 13th.

Taking the stage following BUS13 is Windsor's own Big Al Anderson and the Balls.
Windsor's "BIG AL" ANDERSON - "300 Pounds Of Twangin' Steel & Sex Appeal!" - To headline Windsor 375 Concert with his band "Big Al Anderson & The Balls"! Alan Gordon Anderson grew up in Windsor, Connecticut, the son of a bass-playing father and piano-playing / teaching mother. Big Al Anderson, a former member of The Wild Weeds and NRBQ, is one of the most prolific songwriters in music today. He's been called one of the greatest rock guitar players. Ever. He's known on Nashville's Music Row as one of those elite writers of country songs who consistently pens hit after hit. Over 200 cuts at last count. Is he country or is he rock-n-roll? The answer is yes. Big Al Anderson is both not to mention a healthy measure of blues, soul, and pop. His awards include:
2000 BMI Writer of the Year
2000 BMI Country Award -- Popularity as Measured by Broadcast Performances
"Big Deal ", "Powerful Thing ", and "Unbelievable"
BMI One Million Broadcast Performances
"Unbelievable"
1999 BMI Country Award -- Popularity as Measured by Broadcast Performances
"Unbelievable"
1997 BMI Country Award -- Popularity as Measured by Broadcast Performances
"All You Ever Do is Bring Me Down"
1996 ASCAP Country Award -- Most Performed Songs
"Without Your Love"
Connecticut Songwriter if the Year Award in 1979, recording his "You're Gonna Be A Sorry Man" for his gold-award winning release Wild Streak. Al is bringing the same band of ace Nashville musicians that he's played with since going to Music City over 15 years ago. The Balls Glenn Worf on bass, Reese Wynans on keyboards, and Chad Cromwell on drums.

The Windsor 375 planning committee is very pleased and proud to have Big Al Anderson & The Balls headline the Windsor 375 Concert on Saturday, September 13th on the Town Green. Concert starts at 4PM.

In the words of John McEnroe, YOU CAN'T BE SERIOUS!...

Most popular #1 songs in the 50 years of the Billboard Hot 100 chart (50 years)- article:

1. The Twist (Chubby Checker)
   
2. Smooth (Santana/Rob Thomas)
   
3. Mack the Knife (Bobby Darin)
   
4. How Do I Live (Leann Rimes)
   
5. The Macarena (Los Del Rio)
   
6. Physical (Olivia Newton-John)
   
7. You Light Up My Life (Debbie Boone)
   
8. Hey Jude (Beatles)
   
9. We Belong Together (Mariah Carey)
   
10. Un-break My Heart (Toni Braxton)

For your Tuesday morning....

The Bobby Dylan Victoria's Secret advertisement- some would say clever, some would say creepy; you be the judge (you don't think the ad could possibly be aimed at crossdressers, do you?...hmmmm, Dylan in sexy lingerie- yikes!):

A show not to be missed...

Was idly perusing the Cafe Nine music schedule and was suddenly slapped in the face by the Saturday, November 22nd posting for GO KAT GO! presents The Blasters; w/ Sarah Borges and the Broken Singles • I would buy advance tickets for this one if I were you • tickets available online

Sarah Borges and the Broken Singles will be there with new lead guitarist Lyle Brewer showing off songs from their album-in-progress. This will be the 8th visit to the Musicians' Living Room, and may be the hottest ticket.

From Wikipedia: The Blasters are a rock and roll music group formed in 1979 in Downey, California by brothers Phil Alvin (vocals and guitar) and Dave Alvin (guitar), with bass guitarist John Bazz and drummer Bill Bateman. Phil Alvin explained the origin of the band's name: "I thought Joe Turner’s backup band on Atlantic records – I had these 78s – I thought they were the Blues Blasters. That ends up it was Jimmy McCracklin. I just took the 'Blues' off and Joe finally told me, that’s Jimmy McCracklin’s name, but you tell ‘im I gave you permission to steal it." Their self-described "American Music" was a blend of blues music, rockabilly, early rock and roll, punk rock, mountain music, and rhythm and blues. They have a devoted fan base and have received largely positive critical reviews, but have earned only limited mainstream success. Critic Mark Deming wrote of them, "the Blasters displayed a wide-ranging musical diversity [and] were a supremely tight and tasteful band with enough fire, smarts, and passion for two or three groups.

Damn you, Hanna!...

The reason I may not play golf Saturday morning:

I'm feeling very still and I think my spaceship knows which way to go...

Ground Control to Major Tom
Ground Control to Major Tom
Take your protein pills and put your helmet on

Ground Control to Major Tom
Commencing countdown, engines on
Check ignition
and may God's love be with you
I'm watching Friday night television (Yankees not on 'til ten) and a Lincoln car commercial catches my ear, first the ground control to Major Tom lyrics of David Bowie's Space Oddity, then, hey, that sounds like Cat Power! Here it is:

Hump you very much...

They say it's yer birthday!
Congrats to former golf/tennis partner Chuck Helenek on his birthday today; we don't know what one it is, but we won't let that bother us. Here's a birthday greeting from Joe Cocker directly from Woodstock, 1969! YouTube- A little help from my friends
Songs with Chuck:

Chuck E's in Love (Rickie Lee Jones)

(Sorry, it stopped here. Any ideas, 'cause there can't be just one! Don't do it for me, do it for CHUCK!)

Business hours are over, baby?
An end for Conchords? One of the most successful Kiwi shows to strike it big in the United States may be coming to an end. A British music magazine is reporting there will only be one more series of the grammy-award winning Flight of the Conchords. Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie are apparently struggling with their second series and say they have an album full of half-completed songs. It's understood the Kiwi duo have been auditioning for Hollywood movies. - OneNews - YouTube-It's business time!

Labor Day festival report from Johnny Gumbo.....

Beer at a festival? Oh, my Gawd!!!
The Gumbo took in his first PigOut in the Park here in Spokane over the weekend and it was great. Went a couple of days. Missed my sidekick, johnnyk, to critique the music but will offer my own rendition even tho it will lack the color and eloquence of the master blogger.

First of all, PigOut has been going on in Spokane for 29 years so it was pretty well organized (from an event coordinator's standpoint). Spokane is about the size of Hartford and has a really nice park along the Spokane River that goes right through the middle of the downtown area. PigOut started out as a food festival but now it's more of a music festival with food that goes on for 6 days. Lots of different foods (40+ booths) and plenty of it for the price, thus the name PigOut. I had some great catfish and slaw, "Rip" dogs with kraut, pulled pork, corn on the cob, and some great Thai food (not sure exactly what it was, maybe dog, but sure was good), and then some great desserts, best of all fresh strawberry shortcake. And....imagine this! A family festival with beer/wine tents. Well controlled in & out, had to pay a buck cover charge to get in, strategically located by the stages, lots of seating area with tables so you could take your food in, get some beverages, sit down and take in the music. Ahh...to be free of the closed minded!

The music ran the gambit from Hip Hop Ska (?) to country western. Local to regional and some big time acts. 75 in all over the 6 days and all free (once again, innovative thought - paid for by revenues from the beer/wine tents!). I managed to take in a handfull. Of course, the biggest was Lucinda Williams, first time to Spokane, who played to a huge crowd (biggest in PigOut history, according to organizers!) on Sunday night. Last time I saw her was at Toad's Place in New Haven about 5 years ago. She wasn't too happy that nite because they had a Red Sox/Yankees game on the tele that kept takin' the audience's attention away. I've always been a lukewarm Lucinda fan as I think she has a great voice and is a great story teller but is just to "downbeat" for me for a live venue. The Gumbo needs to be able to dance and Lucinda loves those ballads, especially dark ones. She played about a 90 minute set, had lots of tunes from her different albums (which she made sure she mentioned each time) and seemed to like the Spokane folks (no TV's around).

Others I saw.....Too Slim and the Taildraggers (blues and country rock, and yes the Gumbo did dance), my "favorite", Sammy Eubanks Band (four overweight,over-the hill rockers who played everything from CCR to Waylon Jennings to Sammy's own blues compositions), Big Mumbo Blues Band (catchy blues band with a great "big" soulful vocalist, kinda Ella Fitzgeraldy like), Handful of Luvin (four young, high energy kids playin' a combination of folk/rock/bluegrass/reggae music, mostly instrumental, terrific electric fiddle player), and Civilized Animal (program said "...high energy Hip Hop Ska Punkster Party band", not sure what that means, they were good but I still don't know what kind of music it was). And my big disappoint of the event, Ricochet. Had heard their music on the radio and liked it so was anxious to hear them as they are a big time country act. Got to the stage area around 8 PM, show was to start at 8:15, expected some delay as usual, as they had to redo the stage from the previous show that was over at 7:15. Heard a lot of tuning up and adjusting, but by 9 couldn't take it anymore and left. Don't have much tolerance for that kinda shit. Don't know what time they came on, but have shuffled Ricochet over into that category of bands that think more of themselves than their audience.

All in all, a great time. So if you ever want to come this way around Labor Day, let the Gumbo know and we'll go "PIGOUT" together.