Heard at Wood n Tap tonight, reminding me of sound blasting from Jonathan's room...

Black coat
White shoes
Black hat
Cadillac, yeah

The 2014 Jazz Fest lineup is out!...

Well, the suspense is over. At around one o'clock on Tuesday afternoon,  the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival released the 2014 festival lineup - and it is pretty damn good!  The headliners, scoffed at by Fest purists like the late cynic Johnny Gumbo, are outstanding (even given that Christina Aguilera is one of them).  But it is the depth that is impressive.  Forget the first weekend and Thursday of 2nd, 'cause we are not arriving until Thursday night.

On Friday, psyched about Alabama Shakes, but hoping everyone gets a chance to see locals-by-way-of-Bronx Hurray For the Riff Raff (great show at Cafe Nine last year), the legendary Alejandro Escovedo, Mia Borders, the Iguanas (hoping on a smaller stage), Lost Bayou Ramblers.  And that's not mentioning Chaka Khan, Amanda Shaw and Pharoah Sanders!

Saturday will be insane with Bruce and the boys - could break records (not necessarily a good thing, viewing-wise).  But beforehand we get Allen Toussaint, Johnny Winter, The Head & the Heart.

Sunday, we have Shorty closing (with our best bud Sneaky Pete on guitar). Really looking to see Delbert McClinton, Chick Corea and John Fogerty (there's a bathroom on the right).  The Radiators are back!  Aaron Neville, Terrence Blanchard.

Flights are booked.  Bring it!

NOJAZZFEST.COM

1st Weekend
Friday, April 25  -
Saturday, April 26 -
Sunday, April 27 -

2nd Weekend

Thursday, May 1 - (a bit light)

Friday, May 2 -  (loaded)
Alabama Shakes
Alejandro Escovedo & The Sensitive Boys 
Hurray for the Riff Raff
Theresa Andersson
Lost Bayou Ramblers
The Iguanas
Mia Borders
Amanda Shaw & the Cute Guys

Saturday, May 3 -
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
Johnny Winter
Allen Toussaint

Sunday, May 4 - (loaded)
Arcade Fire
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
Chick Corea & the Vigil 
John Fogerty
Aaron Neville
the Radiators
The Terence Blanchard Group

It's January, it's The Sawtelles!...

hello folks.  happy 2014!  we've finally got some gigs this month.

tomorrow, tues 14th we'll be at Klekolo World Coffee, court st Middletown 8p. free.

thurs 16th at Three Sheets/ ex-elm bar ex-rudys for Kriss Santala's singer songwriter nite.  music STARTS 9p w/Bill Beckett, we're on second at 9:30 followed by Matt Thomas (MT Bearington) and ending with Sam Perduta.  open mic follows.

thurs 23rd the SSP !! will be opening the DressUps/Bronson Rock show at the Outer Space.  music starts with us at 8pm.  $5.

check www.thesawtelles.com for other stuff that might be happening.

ciao.

P+J

Waiting for the 2014 Jazz Fest lineup (out next Tuesday)...

Speculation continues about who will show up at this year's Fest.  No, we are not talking about that persistent 'Return of Johnny Gumbo' rumor, we're talking about who will be included in the official lineup release on January 14.  Looks like one of my long time favorites, Chick Corea, is certain (since he posted it on his website). Hurray For the Riff Raff?

While we wait, does anyone look familiar in this Jimmy Fallon skit (Mark, you tight-pants guy)?

Bye, Bye (with) Love, Phil Everly...

(CNN) -- Singer Phil Everly -- one half of the groundbreaking, smooth-sounding, record-setting duo, the Everly Brothers -- has died, a hospital spokeswoman said.  He was 74.

During the late 1950s and early 1960s, Phil Everly and his brother, Don, ranked among the elite in the music world by virtue of their pitch-perfect harmonies and emotive lyrics.  Rolling Stone labeled the Everly Brothers "the most important vocal duo in rock," having influenced the Beatles, the Beach Boys, Simon & Garfunkel and many other acts.  Along the way, they notched 35 Top 100 songs -- more than any other vocal pair.

The Everly Brothers' sound -- with Don's lower register generally ringing in perfect thirds with Phil's higher voice -- was the backbone of dozens of hits.  The two began as songwriters before signing a deal in 1957 with Cadence Records. They became international sensations over the next five years with tunes such as "Bye Bye Love," "Wake Up Little Susie," "When Will I Be Loved" and "All I Have to Do Is Dream." In terms of record sales, their chief rivals during this stretch were Elvis Presley and Pat Boone.

Their style -- a product of their blend of rock 'n' roll with Appalachian folk, bluegrass and other genres more closely aligned to their Kentucky roots -- helped them earn inductions in both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Country Music Hall of Fame.  (more)

Anomalous Harmony, Present and Past - Norah Jones and Billie Joe Armstrong Sing Everly Brothers (NY TIMES article)

Foreverly - Roving Gambler

Happy New Year from Johnnykmusic!

Maybe I will get motivated again in 2014!