Southington weekly concerts on the Green...

Tonight @ 7 PM - The Barons- "playing hits from the past."
(From their website) - The Barons are one of the tri-state's hottest "oldies" groups with over 30 years of performing experience, combined with the areas top musicians. The Barons are known for their hits "Pledge of A Fool", "Remember Rita" on Epic Label, and "Possibility", on Old Town Records under the name of The Crowns. These tunes will take you back to the 50's and 60's while being performed the way music used to and the way it should be. The vocalists consist of three males and one female and are supported by five dedicated musicians.

The Reet feels like home...

May I inquire discreetly, when are you free to take some tea with me?....

Lovely Rita meter maid,

Nothing can come between us.

When it gets dark I tow your heart away.

Standing by a parking meter,

When I caught a glimpse of Rita,

Filling in a ticket in her little white book.

In a cap she looked much older,

And the bag across her shoulder

Made her look a little like a military man.

Lovely Rita meter maid,

May I inquire discreetly,

When are you free to take some tea with me?

(Rita!)

Took her out and tried to win her.

Had a laugh and over dinner,

Told her I would really like to see her again.

Got the bill and Rita paid it.

Took her home I nearly made it,

Sitting on the sofa with a sister or two.

Oh, lovely Rita meter maid,

Where would I be without you?

Give us a wink and make me think of you.

The Reet needs this doctor...

Picked up at Replay Records in Hamden while cruising up Route 10 on a Sunday afternoon...

Replay Records is mostly a vinyl store, but some eclectic jazz, rock, oldies, etc.

Standards (The Three Sounds) - $7
Todd (Todd Rundgren)- $7
Live On Planet Earth (The Neville Brothers) - $7
Greatest Hits (Jan & Dean) - $4

I think I may pick up this CD (out on Tuesday)...

Understated, cool Black Keys version of Buddy Holly's Dearest:

Rave On...

Rave On Buddy Holly by concordmusicgroup

June 25, 1969...

Lydia Pense & Cold Blood at the Fillmore:

3rd annual Save the Tatas fundraiser...

Colbert, White to record together...

NEW YORK – Stephen Colbert and Jack White are cutting a record together. Colbert has featured the former White Stripe on "The Colbert Report" all week during his "rock odyssey" series, "Dr. Pepper Presents StePhest ColbChella `011 — Rock You Like a Thirst-Icane."  On Wednesday's program, White agreed to produce a song for Colbert through his record label, the Nashville-based Third Man Records.  White said he would pair Colbert with a Third Man act, the goth girl rock band Black Belles. They're to perform on the program Thursday night, and Colbert has promised to join them.  This is White's second collaboration with a late-night talk show host. Last year he released a live rockabilly album with Conan O'Brien.

Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys and Dr. John at Bonnaroo...

"Dr. John — whose 1974 album 'Desitively Bonnaroo' gave the festival its name, and who performed that album in full with the Meters and Allen Toussaint late on Saturday night at Bonnaroo — collaborated with Dan Auerbach, of the Black Keys."

Still time to get your June Sawtelles fix....

Thurs 23rd:  Best Video music series.  Best Video on Whitney Avenue in the Spring Glen section of Hamden.  Sawtelles are kicking it off at 8pm; will they do it again after we've blown thru??

Fri 24th:  Javapalooza, Main Street, Middletown 7:30-9:30pm

Sat 25th:  New Canaan farmers' market 10am-12pm.  Rain probably cancels the music.

The Wild, the Innocent and the E Street Shuffle...

Clemons, Springsteen, Sancious, Lopez, Federici, Tallent

• "The E Street Shuffle"
• "4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)"
• "Kitty's Back"
• "Wild Billy's Circus Story"
• "Incident on 57th Street"
• "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)"
• "New York City Serenade"

The E Street Band

• Clarence Clemons – saxophone, vocals
• Danny Federici – accordion, keyboards, organ on "Kitty's Back", second piano on "Incident on 57th Street", vocals
• Vini "Mad Dog" Lopez – drums, cornet on "The E Street Shuffle", vocals
• David Sancious – clavinet, electric piano, keyboards, organ solo on "Kitty's Back", piano, soprano saxophone on "The E Street Shuffle", string arrangement on "New York City Serenade"
• Bruce Springsteen – guitar, harmonica, bass guitar, mandolin, maracas, vocals
• Garry Tallent – bass, horn, tuba, vocals

Go ahead, try it!...

The Google Doodle - a tribute to Les Paul

From Google:

The electric guitar brings back memories for me of exchanging riffs with friends and wearing out cassette tapes as I meticulously learned songs. Today, we’re attempting to recreate that experience with a doodle celebrating the birthday of musician and inventor Les Paul.  For the next 24 hours on the Google homepage, you’ll find an interactive, playable logo inspired by the guitar developed by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee that made the sound of rock and roll possible.  I hope you have as much fun playing with and sharing the doodle as we did making it (special thanks to engineers Kristopher Hom and Joey Hurst and doodle team lead Ryan Germick for their work). Crank up your computer volume and make some music!

Update Jun 17: Wow—in just 48 hours in the U.S., you recorded 5.1 years worth of music—40 million songs—using our doodle guitar. And those songs were played back 870,000 times! We’re glad you enjoyed jamming out last week, and you can keep playing: the Les Paul doodle now has a permanent home.

The trainwreck continues...

Our girl is completely out of it again (and was booed) at a concert in Belgrade (story).  Now, it's reported that she has canceled her tour dates (story)

My eggs don't taste the same without you...

The chair where you sat, is occupied by the cat
I wish you had taken him too
I'm sitting here fried, you took my sunny side
My eggs don't taste the same without you.

(originally posted 10/3/06, but continues to stir fond memories with old Farquahr fans- see comments) - Facebook 

New comment from Millie:

Millie, here. I posted 2 years ago. Tonight (6/18/2011) just back from a John Morgan performance on Cape Cod at Jake Rooney's on Rt 28. in Harwichport. Nostalgia Night. Apparently John played same building 45 yrs ago when it was the Chuck Wagon.. Great show with lots of Farquahr music, lots of memories of the P-Town Jug Band and the Fabulous Farquahr.  John will play in Hyannis every Friday nite at the Anglers club. Check his web site (not kept current) for his cell phone and he will tell you where he is scheduled to play.  How sad to see all these great local musicians now gone or no longer performing. What great memories their fans have!!

Thanks for sharing, Millie!

Since I posted in June about the Fabulous Farquahr, I've received a number of comments and emails, many asking for more information about the group. So far, I have come up with very little. Does anyone know of (or could write) a comprehensive history of this beloved band? I received this touching note in the comments today from Cape Cod Girl and thought I would post it:

I have a tape of my Dad and I playing the guitar and singing "My eggs don't taste the same without you." I was 3 at the time...and it's one of my most precious treasures. The song meant so much to me that for my wedding, I tracked down a record and had it played for my dad and I to dance to...it was a surprise for him and we laughed and cried the whole time. I still have the record - hanging on my wall.

Remember a 60/70's Cape Cod band called the Fabulous Farquahr, whose members were known as Barnswallow, Hummingbird, Condor and Flamingo Farquahr? Saw them many times both at the Crystal Palace on the Cape and at Dock & Dine in Saybrook. When Jim Kane mentioned them to me, I tried to find some info and, unfortunately, came up with the following from the Shoreline Antique Auto Connection website posting:

In some sad news, we received a broadcast notice dated 10/23/2004 from our friend and noted local musician Fred Vigorito, about the passing of another local person well known in both music and antique auto circles, Mr. Frank McGowan. Quoting from Fred's e-mail: "...Sadly, we report that Frank McGowan of the Fabulous Farquahr died on Thursday, Oct 21 at the age of 65. The GJB's relationship with Frank and the Fabulous Farquahr goes back to the 1960's and the WTIC Hootenanny Road Show. Over the years we did some of our most exciting shows with the Farquahr. The first big show was at Joel Schiavone's Palace Theatre in New Haven, and we sold all 2000 seats! It was truly a memorable evening. The Farquahr also appeared regularly at the Dock and Dine in Saybrook, at Christies and Pufferbellies on Cape Cod, and any place in CT that could handle a sellout crowd. I've always described them as the most entertaining group I had ever listened to. They were exciting, funny, energetic, and always in tune with their audience. Frank was their emcee, and lead vocalist on many of their tunes. Whenever he saw me in the audience, he'd have me stand as he described the "fabulous Galvanized Jazz Band!" We loved Frank, and the Fabulous Farquahr, and we're going to miss them..." I looked around further and eventually found Mr. McGowan's obituary published at the Clancy Funeral Home web site. Here is the text:

"Frank McGowan, June 08, 1939 - October 21, 2004...Birthplace: New Haven CT...Resided In: Branford CT...Visitation: October 24, 2004; Service: October 25, 2004; Cemetery: St. Agnes Cemetery...In Branford October 21, 2004, Francis T. "Frank" McGowan, lifelong resident of Branford...Survived by his fiancée, Robin Swanson, and her four sons, of Branford, brothers, Jack (Sue) McGowan and Bobby (Caren) McGowan of Branford; sister Peggy (Jim) Piergrossi of Guilford; sister-in-law Marcia McGowan of Branford. Also survived by eight nieces and nephews. Pre-deceased by his brother Dennis McGowan and nephew Sean McGowan. He was born in New Haven June 8, 1939, son of John and Margaret Purcell McGowan. He worked as an entertainer as Flamingo Farquahr in the musical group The Fabulous Farquahr, and he had a lifelong interest in classic cars. He was a longtime member of the Ancient Mariners Drum Corps, and the Sons of the Whiskey Rebellion...Funeral from the W. S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home, 504 Main St., Branford, Monday morning at 9:30 with a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Mary Church at 10:00. Burial in St. Agnes Cemetery. Friends may call Sunday from 4 - 8 PM...In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Stony Creek Fife and Drum Corps Seaside Hall Restoration Fund, Stony Creek, CT 06405."

Ain't no drag, Papa's got a brand new bag...

Happy Father's Day!

The 'Big Man' leaves the band...

Clarence Clemons dead at 69
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Clarence Clemons, the burly saxophone player who played a crucial role in shaping Bruce Springsteen's early sound, died on Saturday, six days after suffering a stroke at his Florida home, media reports said. He was 69.  The New York Times said Clemons' death was confirmed by a spokeswoman for Springsteen. Reuters could not immediately confirm the reports.  Clemons, dubbed the "Big Man," started working with Springsteen in 1971 and was a charter member of the backing group that came to be known as the E Street Band.  His gritty, evocative saxophone solos powered such notable Springsteen songs as "Born to Run," "Jungleland," "Prove It All Night," "Tenth Avenue Freeze Out," and "Badlands."

On stage, Clemons proved a worthy foil for Springsteen and his bandmates. In a 1975 concert review, Rolling Stone said Clemons betrayed an "ominous cool" in contrast to guitarist Steven Van Zandt's "strange hipster frenzy."  "Clarence was the big black saxophone player who completely represented the tradition of rock 'n' roll and R&B," Van Zandt told Britain's Mojo magazine in 2006.  Alongside Van Zandt, Clemons personified the E Street Band, and he took it hard when Springsteen broke up the group for a decade in 1989. But by then, Clemons was being used less in the studio. On stage, he was often reduced to playing tambourine or engaging in crowd-pleasing theatrics, like kissing Springsteen during the live staple "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)."

Saturday morning...

Listening to Miles Davis' Ballads and Blues
Listening to Robert Palmer's Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley
Listening to Amos Lee's Mission Bell

Which suddenly turns into Song Tag (this is what happens when you don't play your normal Saturday morning round of golf):
Belle of the Ball by Waylon Jennings
Red Rubber Ball by The Cyrkle
Red Red Wine by UB40 (written by Neil Diamond)
Spill the Wine by War
War! by Edwin Starr (What is it good for? Absolutely Nothin'.)
Shining Star by Earth, Wind & Fire
Sun Is Shining by Bob Marley
Here Comes the Sun by The Beatles
I Hear You Knocking by Dave Edmunds (hey, it's close enough)
Knocking On Heaven's Door by Bob Dylan
Back Door Man by The Doors
My Back Pages by The Byrds


Enough, already!

I write the songs that make the whole world cringe - and I turn 65 today...

And, while you are cringing, I'll let you know that Kenny Rogers is returning to MGM at Foxwoods on Saturday, presumably to see what condition his condition was in.

Hubert Sumlin with the Nighthawks at FTC in Fairfield, CT back in March, 2011...

Better late than never.  Got this off my cell phone today while transferring some pics and , yes, I KNOW  it's sideways!  So, you can sit there and bitch that I was an idiot and shouldn't be allowed to take vids with a cell phone or just deal with it - and listen to some great music.  Your call.

 

(Per Wikipedia, so it must be true) - Hubert Sumlin (born November 16, 1931) is an American blues guitarist and singer, best known for his celebrated work, from 1955, as guitarist in Howlin' Wolf's band. His singular playing is characterized by "wrenched, shattering bursts of notes, sudden cliff-hanger silences and daring rhythmic suspensions". Listed as number sixty-five in the Rolling Stone 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time, Sumlin continues to tour and play blues guitar. He is cited as a major influence by many artists, including Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, Robbie Robertson, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimmy Page and Jimi Hendrix. (more)

For consideration in Brooklyn by G-Man, Yvette & JFK : The Bandana Splits...

This is an email press release from Muse Box, which sends me stuff because they think I'm a music critic or something.  Anyway, I sampled and I kind of liked these guys - The Bandana Splits: 

Sometimes all that glitters IS gold.  At first glance, The Bandana Splits look like a pin-up girl group from the early 60s, yet behind the cutesy façade lurks a serious power pop trio. Annie Nero, Dawn Landes, and Lauren Balthrop were brought together by geography and their love of The Andrews Sisters charm and Spector-like musicality. Along with producer Sam Cohen (Apollo Sunshine/Yellowbirds) The Splits have effortlessly crafted your new favorite record.  The Bandana Splits’ self-titled debut album sends listeners whirling through the space/time continuum, conjuring images of soda jerks and varsity jackets. However, they’re much more than a throwback piece. Recorded at Landes’ Saltlands Studio in DUMBO, Brooklyn, the record displays their unique songwriting and sweet 3-part harmonies performed live around an old RCA ribbon microphone.  Accompanied by spastic guitar, Muppetesque drum and bass jams, and slinky organ riffs, Cohen sonically infused the record with Motown grooves, Brazilian psychedelia, and a tasteful dash of classic country schmaltz.  In support of their debut release, the girls are excited to be performing a bunch of shows around NYC this summer. You can feast your eyes and ears on the Bandana Splits at any, or preferably all, of the scheduled happenings below.

Website  -  Myspace  -  Facebook

Tour dates:

June 18th – Brooklyn, NY - Littlefield (Farewell to Normal Scene Party)

June 21st – New York, NY - Joe's Pub (part of Make Music New York)

July 9^th  – New York, NY - The Mercury Lounge (7 pm w/ Elizabeth & the Catapult and Harper Blynn)

Friday night lights...

Hall of Famer passes on...

(Email from Jim Kane, Bristol's oldies guru)- A good friend of mine, Carl Gardner, lead singer for the Coasters, has passed away.  It was my band's good fortune to have played with and for the Coasters many times.  Carl was an inspiration to both of my kids.  They both played for Carl and the Coasters, and were proud that Carl chose them to be his band during the 80s in Florida.  He is in the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame, and the Coasters were the first group ever elected to the Hall.  Check out the Hartford Courant's web site - there is a great write up about Carl.

 

Carl Gardner, founding member/lead singer of Coasters dies at 83

Carl Gardner, a founding member and lead singer of the Coasters, the renowned R&B vocal group whose memorably amusing hits included "Yakety Yak," "Charlie Brown" and "Poison Ivy," has died. He was 83.  Gardner, who had been battling congestive heart failure and Alzheimer's disease, died Sunday in hospice care in Port St. Lucie, Fla., said his wife, Veta.  The Texas-born Gardner was lead tenor vocalist for the Los Angeles-based R&B vocal group the Robins before he and fellow Robins member Bobby Nunn teamed with Billy Guy and Leon Hughes —along with guitarist Adolph Jacobs — to form the Coasters in 1955. (more)

Saturday, September 17th, the Funky Meters are coming to FTC!...

MEMBERS ONLY????  That means you, Mark!

BMW OF BRIDGEPORT DRIVING MUSIC SERIES ★ members only event

(from FTC website)- Take a listen to the old Meters records from the ‘60s and ‘70s and tell me they didn’t invent Funk. With classic tunes like “Cissy Strut,” “Look-Ka Py Py” and “Fire on the Bayou,” the Meters can always free your mind with Funk. And as original members of the Meters, Art “Poppa Funk” Neville, on keys, and George Porter Jr., on bass, have reigned supreme in the worlds of funk, R&B, jazz and rock ever since. The musical family that surrounds the Meters legacy has spawned different combinations of the Neville Brothers Band and helped breathe life into the early music of Dr. John and Lee Dorsey, to name only two. They’ve inspired countless others. Now, they’re coming to StageOne for one of our most memorable Members Only events to date.

To be present for their timeless and swirling organ grooves, their early-funk muffled guitar licks, tight melodies and raw New Orleans power is to be in the presence of absolute musical greatness. This is what you get when you support FTC. The Funky Meters. Damn.  “The Funky Meter's set easily proved that they could teach any band something about how to really jam a song, and the Austin audience responded with our own unique brand of rowdy craziness.” – Austinist.com

I said, I can't find nothing wrong with being friends, 'cause sometimes
She lets me use the car
She said, if you can't find nothing wrong with your mind
You'd better find something wrong with her,
So I began to try to explain that it wasn't just wasn't what she thought
I'd better find something to do with my time
The fact is I've just been caught!
 

Robert Palmer with Lowell George, Allen Toussaint and the original Meters from Palmer's excellent first album (read before Slick Robert), Sneaking Sally Through the Alley (and who hasn't?)

Blackie & the Rodeo Kings....WHO?

Tom Wilson, Stephen Fearing and Colin Linden — the three guys who make up Blackie and the Rodeo Kings — may look a little rough around the edges, but they’ve always had a powerful effect on women. Rosanne Cash, for example, was brought to tears when she heard Wilson’s sub-baritone version of Folsom Prison Blues at the Edmonton Folk Festival in 2006. They were nice tears, too. She liked the Blackie version of her father’s song so much she brought more members of the Cash family to see them perform at a later tour stop in Portland, Ore. (more)

Blackie & the Rodeo Kings appear at the Living Room in NYC on Tuesday, June 14.

Get the invite?...

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - For rocker Jack White and his model wife Karen Elson, parting is such a sweet party!   The couple said they plan a celebration on Friday night in Nashville, Tennessee, in honor of their pending divorce, which they also announced on Friday.  An invitation posted online said the get-together will mark White"The party will include dancing, photos, memories and drinks with alcohol in them. This is only for close personal friends and family so please no plus ones or dead beats," the invitation said. and Elson's "6th anniversary and their upcoming divorce with a positive swing bang hum dinger."  (more)

Eric Lindell Band in coming to town...

(From Wikipedia, so it must be true) - Eric Lindell is an American singer-songwriter, born in San Mateo, California, who came to national prominence after relocating to New Orleans. His recording career began in 1996. Beginning in 2006, he has grown in popularity from being a local/regional New Orleans-based artist to tour nationally and internationally. His last three releases have been on Alligator Records. They are 2006’s Change In The Weather, 2008’s Low on Cash, Rich In Love and 2009’s Gulf Coast Highway. Eric’s music has been described by USA Today as “pumping soul into funk, blue and roots-rock.” (April 23, 2009). The Chicago Sun-Times called Lindell “a tremendous raw talent…with a fully realized musical vision.” (January 20, 2008). The Los Angeles Daily News says “Lindell serves up bluesy blue-eyed soul smothered with a big heap of New Orleans funk…The shuffling interplay of electric guitars, percolating organ and Creole horns never fails to make you feel like dancing all the way down Canal Street.” (January 27, 2008)

Eric Lindell will be playing twice in the area this Summer:

• June 25 (Sat, 5-7PM) at the Paulie's Nola Jazz & Blues Festival In Worcester, MA
• June 26 (Sun, 6PM) at the 2011 RCA Summer Music Festival  at Bayley Beach in Rowayton, CT (near Darien) 

Arts & Ideas Festival in New Haven this weekend featuring concert by Yo Yo Ma...

(Yale Daily Bulletin) - Eastern and western musical traditions will intertwine when cellist Yo-Yo Ma's Silk Road Ensemble presents a free concert on the New Haven Green on Saturday, June 11, the opening day of the International Festival of Arts & Ideas.  The performance, which takes place at 7 p.m. on the Elm Street Stage, culminates a day of activities that include tours for bikers, canoeists, walkers and foodies; a children's film festival and other family activities; and an "Ideas" talk by Ma and the Silk Road Connection at 3 p.m. in Sprague Memorial Hall, corner of College and Wall streets.  This mixture of performances, films, talks, tours, and community- and family-oriented activities will continue each day throughout the festival, which concludes on Saturday, June 25.  In keeping with the festival's theme this year, "Across Borders, Across Time," the event will bring together both international and local artists and experts, and feature works ranging from the classical to the avant garde. - (more)

VIDEO

BROCHURE

Listed Below are links to pdf program notes on each performance:

Adamantine/Frame Dances
Baby Loves Salsa

 Body Against Body & Serenade/The Proposition

Bang On a Can All-Stars
The Cripple of Inishmaan

Emeline Michel

Lionel Loueke
Making Up the Truth
The Silk Road Ensemble with Yo-Yo Ma

Solider Songs
Yale Institute for Music Theater

Thursday morning newly-opened trail mix...

I Only Have Eyes For You (Betty Carter) Finally

Tippi-Toes (The Meters) Best of..

Bundle of Joy (Johnny A) Get Inside

Angel (Fleetwood Mac) Heroes Are Hard To Find

Let's Get Lost (Terrance Blanchard) Let's Get Lost

Mr. Music Master (hoagy Carmichael) Best of...

Coming Up Roses (Melvern Taylor) Fabuloso

Brother (Gil Scott-Heron) The Revolution Will Not Be Televised

But Beautiful (Mel Torme) A Foggy Day

Wind (Laura Nyro) Live: The Loom's Desire

Call Me (Al Green) Greatest Hits

Objects In Motion (Jim White) Drill a Hole in That Substrate
Bring It Down to Jelly Roll (John Fogerty) Blue Moon Swamp
Down In the Valley (Otis Redding) The Very Best of...
Let's Make More Love (Nat King Cole) The Billy May Sessions

Question of the day: What's on Anthony Weiner's iPod?...

Me and Mr. Johnson (Eric Clapton)

You Can Leave Your Hat On (Etta James)

Dick in a Box (The Lonely Island featuring Justin Timberlake)

Paradise By the Dashboard Light (Meatloaf)

Boneyard Shuffle (Hoagy Carmichael)

It's Over (Roy Orbison)

Can't You See Me, Darling? (Ray Charles)

Wang Dang Doodle, All Night Long (Pointer Sisters)

Ten Cent Pistol (The Black Keys)

Midnite Cruiser (Steely Dan)

Shoot the Moon (Norah Jones)

Bring It On Home to Me (The Animals)

Peel Me a Grape (Anita O'Day)

Whatcha got?

Southington "Music on the Green" tonight...

"Memphis Soul Spectacular" - A high-energy tribute to the southern soul sound that rocked the planet.

(per Wikipedia, so it must be true) - Memphis soul, also known as Memphis Sound, is stylish, funky, uptown soul music that is not as hard-edged as Southern soul. It is a shimmering, sultry style produced in the 1960s and 1970s at Stax and Hi Records in Memphis, Tennessee, featuring melodic unison horn lines, organ, bass, and a driving beat on the drums. Many of the songs in this style were performed by vocalists backed by the house bands for Stax and Hi Records. The Memphis soul sound was different from the Motown Sound from Detroit Michigan. After the rise of disco in the late 1970s, Memphis soul declined somewhat in popularity.

Press release from Promo*PR...

StormVox Records will release A Tribute to Billie Holiday on July 5, 2011 – a new compilation featuring Angela Bassett as the guest narrator and musical performances from some of today’s hottest musical talent including Esperanza Spalding, Babyface, Rocco DeLuca, Boz Scaggs, Shelby Lynne, and more!  Full track listing is below.  One of the highlights is Grammy-winner Esperanza Spalding’s interpretation of “I’ll Look Around.”  Billie Holiday’s vocal and songwriting legacy continues to influence generations of musicians. Admired all over the world for her deeply personal and intimate approach to singing, Holiday’s music continues to inspire and touch people in ways that transcend the decades since her passing over 50 years ago.

As a young child, actor Peter Stormare (Fargo, The Big Lebowski, Armageddon, and more) fell in love with Billie Holiday’s music.  With a plan to one day honor her pioneering work, Stormare has officially released A Tribute To Billie Holiday via his label, StormVox Records.  “I discovered Billie Holiday through my mother who recommended the autobiography, Lady Sings The Blues by Billie Holiday. From the moment I opened the book, my life was never the same again.”  Peter continues, “Billie’s blunt words cut like knives, opening my eyes to her struggles but also opening my soul to something bigger.”


A Tribute To Billie Holiday Track Listing
1.    Angela Bassett – “Intro”
2.    Deborah Cox – “Fine and Mellow”
3.    Shelby Lynne – “You’ve Changed”
4.    Erin Boheme – “Them There Eyes”
5.    Renee Olstead – “Good Morning Heartache”
6.    A.J. Croce – “Ain’t Nobody’s Business If I Do”
7.    Patti Austin, Dave Koz & Luis Conte – “Body and Soul”
8.    Rocco DeLuca – “Lady Sings The Blues”
9.    Esperanza Spalding – “I’ll Look Around”
10. Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds – “Strange Fruit”
11. Frida Payne – “Billie’s Blues”
12. Boz Scaggs – “Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me”
13. Rickie Lee Jones – “They Can’t Take That Away From Me”
14. Brownstone – “God Bless The Child”

Esperanza Spalding's cover of "I'll Look Around"

Happy 72nd Birthday, Gary U.S. Bonds!....

This guy peaked in the early 60s, but didn't turn into just an oldies act, hooking up with Southside Johnny and Bruce Springsteen to put out some very good stuff into the 1990s.  Mr. Bonds will be celebrating tomorrow at B.B. King's in NYC.

A rare distinction for Gary is that he managed to transcend the decades with hits. His inspiration for Bruce Springsteen and Steven Van Zandt, who had grown up on Bonds' music led to a chance meeting in 1980. A friendship developed and, shortly after, a musical collaboration which resulted in Bonds' "Dedication" and "On the Line" LP's, with singles: "This Little Girl Is Mine," "Out of Work," "Jole Blon" and "Daddy's Come Home". Reviews noted "...His gritty, soulful and powerful vocals....even better than before...."

Classic John Ryan Album Released!...

Western Horizons Records announced today they are at last re-issuing The Hope Song, John Ryan with Orchestra, the legendary cult classic which has been the jewel of many a record collection, sometimes fetching thousands of dollars as it passes hands on Ebay.

The record, recorded live at the iconic Brass Guitar in the mid-1990's, features Ryan singing pop and jazz standards in his unique, faux-lounge style which, at first blush, might seem bland, but with attentive listening it blows away the hipper-than-thou cafe society crowd. Backed by the understated Rodney Greaves' Love in a Diner Men's Room Orchestra, Ryan croons, swings, teases his way through classics like Tom Jones' What's New,Pussycat, Andy Williams' Moon River, Captain & Tenille's Do That To Me One More Time and, of course, the incomparable Neil Diamond gem, I Am, I Said.  Fans of his later Johnny Gumbo material might be surprised at this offering, but Ryan is a man of many styles, moods, taste (not that there is anything WRONG with that).

Not for everyone; are you hip enough?

All others Palin comparison....

 Sarah Palin's version of the midnight ride of Paul Revere:

"He who warned the British that they weren't going to be taking away our arms by ringing those bells and, um, making sure as he's riding his horse through town to send those warning shots and bells that, uh, we were going to be secure and we were going to be free."

Maybe she was speaking of Paul Revere & the Raiders regarding the British Invasion?

Some Lou Ann Barton to get your through Friday....

Lou Ann Barton is touring with Jimmie Vaughn & the Tilt-A-Whirl Band and will be playing the Infinity Music Hall in Norfolk on June 13th.

(From Wikiapedia, so it must be true) - In the early 1970s, she was a member of the Triple Threat Revue, with W. C. Clark and Stevie Ray Vaughan. She was a founding member of Vaughan's band Double Trouble, and did a stint with the jump blues band Roomful of Blues. During that time, in 1975, she joined up with W. C. Clark to form his W. C. Clark Blues Revue.  She recorded the album Old Enough for Asylum Records in 1982, a well-received recording that was co-produced by Jerry Wexler and Glenn Frey. Despite positive reviews, Old Enough did not sell well, and her tenure with Asylum Records was a short one. Barton recorded Forbidden Tones, a pop-oriented EP for Spindletop Records in 1986 that also failed to find a wide audience. Her next release was the 1989 album Read My Lips for the Austin-based Antone's Records, a triumphant return to her blues roots that featured inspired versions of songs made famous by Slim Harpo, Hank Ballard and Wanda Jackson, among others. Barton later collaborated with singers Marcia Ball and Angela Strehli on the release Dreams Come True (1990).  In 1990 Barton made an appearance on Austin City Limits with the W. C. Clark Blues Revue. The show was taped in celebration of Clark's 50th birthday. Other artists included Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimmie Vaughn, and Kim Wilson of The Fabulous Thunderbirds.

It was the 3rd of June (another sleepy, dusty Delta day)...

12th Annual Black-eyed & Bluesfest

Eran Troy Danner 5:00-6:00
Johnny Rawls 6:15-7:30
Christine Ohlman 7:45-9:15
Anthony Gomes 9:30 -11:00
Join us again in Bushnell Park for an evening of BBQ & Blues!

Food & Beer from Sally's  - Free Admission!!!

Sponsored by:
Hartford Advocate /HDI / GHAC / CT Blues Society / Evelyn W. Preston Memorial Fund, Bank of America, Trustee / City of Hartford, Office of Cultural Affairs 

New CPTV music series debuts this month...

I've not yet visited Norfolk's Infinity Music Hall, but heard many great things about the place.  On my to-do list.  Starting this month, CPTV will be hosting a weekly concert series akin to Austin City Limits:

"Move over Austin City Limits. Connecticut Public Television and Infinity Music Hall & Bistro have joined forces to create a new live music concert television series for the 21st century.  Premiering in May 2011, INFINITY HALL LIVE is a new CPTV-produced series of music specials that offers viewers a “best seat in the house” experience celebrating the music and energy of today’s top performers in an intimate setting. Every special will be shot at Infinity Hall, an acoustically perfect, historically-renovated 19th century hall in Norfolk, Connecticut. The hall, which opened two years ago, was once a venue for vaudeville stars, and since October 2008 has featured performers ranging from Judy Collins and Jane Monheit to Tower of Power and Leon Russell.   Each episode of the INFINITY HALL LIVE TV series will include the “All Access/Backstage Pass,” offering a look at the artist offstage, both before and after the concert. While at press time the performers for the series were still being confirmed, viewers will be certain to see a top-notch collection of musical artists from rock, pop and folk music."

The schedule looks like this:

6/17/11 (9pm) - The Smithereens

6/24/11 (9pm) - Rusted Root

7/1/11 (9pm) - Open Wings Busted Strings

7/8/11 (9pm) - Jonathan Edwards

7/15/11 (9pm) - The Wailin' Jennys

7/22/11 (9pm) - Shelby Lynne (a MUST see)

7/29/11 (9pm) - Tim Reynolds & TR3

Ray Davies - See My Friends...

Artists collaborating with Ray on the See My Friends album:

• Better Things (Bruce Springsteen)
• Celluloid Heroes (Jon Bon Jovi & Richie Sambora)
• Days/This Time Tomorrow (Mumford & Sons)
• A Long Way From Home (Lucinda Williams)
• David Watts (The 88)
• You Really Got Me (Metallica)
• Lola (Paloma Faith)
• Waterloo Sunset (Jackson Browne)
• Til the End of the Day (Alex Chilton)
• Dead End Street (Amy Macdonald)
• See My Friends (Spoon)
• This Is Where I Belong (Black Francis)
• Tired of Waiting (Gary Lightbody)
• All Day & All of the Night/Destroyer (Billy Corgan)