Pool Hall Stud Marky G is known to break out in a chorus of Tiny Dancer every now and again, too....

Nice job, Christina!

But I just discovered you guys a few months ago!...

Grammy-nominated Chocolate Drops shuffle lineup (AP)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Grammy-nominated Carolina Chocolate Drops have made a lineup change on the eve of the awards.  Nonesuch Records spokeswoman Melissa Cusick told The Associated Press that founding member Justin Robinson has left the band. Beat boxer Adam Matta and multi-instrumentalist Hubby Jenkins are coming aboard to join Rhiannon Giddens and Dom Flemons, she said.  The Chocolate Drops announced the change at a show last week. No reason was given for the switch.  "The Carolina Chocolate Drops have been playing together and touring the world for more than five years," Robinson said. "During those years, we have experienced great successes, heartbreaks, trials and triumphs. It is, however, time for me to take a separate road and though it is bittersweet, it is the best choice."  Robinson said he won't be touring with the band full-time, but may show up on stage every once in a while.

The Chocolate Drops are a North Carolina-based folk group in the old string band tradition that grew out of friendships made while playing with Piedmont string musician Joe Thompson and at the Black Banjo Gathering. The band is up for best traditional folk album for their critically acclaimed fourth album "Genuine Negro Jig" at the Feb. 13 Grammy Awards in Los Angeles.  "Folks can still expect great music from our group the same way a jazz band can change personnel without sacrificing the quality or the talent on stage," Flemons said.

A great day in Harlem...

SINCE its creation in 1958 A Great Day in Harlem has become an icon of jazz photography. It is also recognized, in the broader context of American photography, as a major work. Through appearances on posters, postcards, in books and maga- zines it is celebrated worldwide. Originally commissioned by Esquire magazine, the underlying concept was simple: to create a group portrait of living legendary jazz musicians on a Harlem street. However the photograph's compositional brilliance, its historic importance, no less the complex logistics required to organize the shoot, made Art Kane's achievement a notable event in the history of photography. (site)

Sittin' downtown in a railway station, one toke over the line....

Hey buddy, really?  I mean, I'm not the biggest fan of Wikipedia either, but....really?
 
A Connecticut man was arrested after he called 911 to find out how much legal trouble he could get in for growing marijuana, the Hartford Courant reported yesterday. Robert J. Michelson of Farmington, CT called 911 on Thursday to ask about the legal penalties for cultivating marijuana. Dispatchers traced his address and sent narcotics officers to his home. Read more

HIGH TIMES' TOP 25 POT SONGS OF ALL TIME - here

Here's hoping it's not a journey through Journey songs...

Troubadour Chris D off to the Caymans with family and a bunch of very cool musicians.  Chris, a close personal friend of Gregg Allman and a performer of note in his own right, has promised to review the cruise exclusively for Johnnykmusic, so stay tuned.  Listing of artists - (here)

Cayamo 2011: A Journey Through Song 
The music and the sea are calling again. You’re invited to join us as we sail through the Eastern Caribbean on Cayamo 2011: A Journey Through Song. The past three years have been filled with amazing moments, jaw-dropping performances, and spontaneous collaborations. We’ve also been witness to interactions not only between music idols and music fans, but music fans with each other.  These are instances that we will not soon forget. This year we will be departing on a seven day journey from Miami on February 13th, 2011, and making three stops in breathtaking Tortola (British Virgin Islands), St. Croix (US Virgin Islands), and Great Stirrup Cay (Bahamas). Cayamo is an event near and dear to Sixthman and with 2010 exceeding all of our expectations we can’t wait to put 2011 over the top.   (more)

 

Watch the full episode. See more Austin City Limits.

Johnny Gumbo sends greetings from the Great Northleft - enjoy!....

"Girl, I want to shake your Daddy's hand."

Highly recommended by Jim Kane, Bristol's oldies guru...

Kenny Vance heads to Trinity-on-Main (bristolpress.com)

NEW BRITAIN — You’ve read the ads. You’ve heard the news. Yes! Back by popular demand: Kenny Vance and the Planotones: Unplugged. This Saturday night at Trinity-on-Main. Live! Up close! Personal! Among today’s great vocal pop musicians, Kenny Vance and The Planotones have voices of original and inviting dimension.  The group, Kenny Vance, Johnny Gale, Kurt “Frenchy” Yahjian, Jimmy Bense, keyboardist Chip Degaard and Tony Gallino on drums, redefine oldies with vocal authority and freshness.  As exemplified by their signature song, “Looking For An Echo,” their material may be out of the 1950s and 1960 s.Yet, they consistently bring a unique and sophisticated point of view to their music. Call them “classicists,” who open the eyes of a new generation to a rich, historical musical style. Their cool and sultry musical approach is like an unexpected gift to someone hearing them for the first time.  The Planotones redefine oldies with vocal authority and freshness.

As a kid in New York, Vance was captivated by rock ’n’ roll. At 15, he was hanging around the Brill Building meeting other singers and songwriters and eventually formed the widely acclaimed group “Jay and The Americans.” The group recorded 15 albums, toured extensively and opened for The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.  In the years that followed, Vance produced the first record for Walter Becker and Donald Fagen — Steely Dan. In his early 20s Vance remained with Jay and The Americans throughout their 11-year career. He went on to compose, supervise and produce scores and soundtracks for feature films and television bringing the Alan Freed story, “American Hot Wax,” to musical life by recreating groups of the ’50s and ’60s for the screen.

Vance acted as musical director for “Saturday Night Live” and music supervisor for such films as “Animal House,” “Eddie and The Cruisers” and “Looking For An Echo.” As an actor he appeared in “Hurly Burly,” “Billy Bathgate,” “American Hot Wax,” “Eddie and The Cruisers” and in Woody Allen films, including Allen’s untitled upcoming feature.  Vance says he likes to hit the high notes best. His range, clarity and emotional fidelity have led The Planotones to new musical heights.  Saturday evening will feature three hours of music, as well as conversation, questions and answers with Vance and the audience.

Tonight at Infinity Music Hall in Norfolk...

Thursday 2/3 @ 8 pm: Carolina Chocolate Drops - Beat the cold with some red-hot Southern roots music! This trio of young musicians learned at the knee of old-time master fiddler Joe Thompson, then took an American tradition and gave it a hip and contemporary twist. One of the few remaining African-American string bands, the Drops play the traditional repertoire, with surprises like a version of R&B artist Blu Cantrell’s Hit ‘Em Up Style thrown in. Forget the ice and snow, these Chocolate Drops are melt-in-your-mouth good!

They say that breaking up is hard to do (remember when you held me tight, hugs and kisses all through the night)...

The White Stripes announce they are breaking up (per their website)

The White Stripes would like to announce that today, February 2nd, 2011, their band has officially ended and will make no further new recordings or perform live.   The reason is not due to artistic differences or lack of wanting to continue, nor any health issues as both Meg and Jack are feeling fine and in good health.  It is for a myriad of reasons, but mostly to preserve What is beautiful and special about the band and have it stay that way.  Meg and Jack want to thank every one of their fans and admirers for the incredible support they have given throughout the 13 plus years of the White Stripes’ intense and incredible career.   Third Man Records will continue to put out unreleased live and studio recordings from The White Stripes in their Vault Subscription record club, as well as through regular channels.  Both Meg and Jack hope this decision isn’t met with sorrow by their fans but that it is seen as a positive move done out of respect for the art and music that the band has created. It is also done with the utmost respect to those fans who’ve shared in those
creations, with their feelings considered greatly.

With that in mind the band have this to say:
“The White Stripes do not belong to Meg and Jack anymore. The White Stripes belong to you now and you can do with it whatever you want. The beauty of art and music is that it can last forever if people want it to. Thank you for sharing this experience. Your involvement will never be lost on us and we are truly grateful.”

Sincerely,
Meg and Jack White, The White Stripes

Happy Groundhog Day!...

(st)ELLA!...(st)ELLA!...

Okay, not so funny.....to you.  Don't know why there's no sun up in the sky, stormy weather (what, you thought I was going to do Lena Horne or Etta James?)...

Sawtelles email alert for February functions.  Check thesawtelles.com for full details on upcoming stuff.   They will have Tryptych with them if you need to get hooked up:

• Feb 4 (Fri)- Typhoon Restaurant, Main Street, Middletown 6-8PM (longer if you bang on the tables); great food, byob.
• Feb 16 (Wed)- Peter plays drums for Lys Guillorn at BAR.  Imagine that, a Sawtelle playing music at BAR, but not as a Sawtelle.
• Feb 18 (Fri)- Javapalooza, Main Street, Middletown 7:30-9:30PM.
• Feb 25 (Fri)- Funky Monkey, Watch Factory Shoppes, Cheshire Center 7-9PM
• Feb 28 (Mon)- Wesleyan Bookstore Cafe, Middletown 6:30-7:30PM; the Thinman makes some awesome food there.

Didn't go, wanted to, just didn't. My bad....

Robert Plant Offers Grace, Variety At MGM Grand (Htfd Courant)

With blues and country conventions lining every offering, even rock numbers had as much shape as power, whether the chugging rumble of "Cindy, I'll Marry You Someday" or a two-tone version of Led Zeppelin's "Houses of the Holy," which started on a cowboy trip gilded by crack multi-instrumentalist Darrell Scott on pedal steel guitar before building to a thunderous rock conclusion in which Scott shifted to an electric guitar.

Plant gave Richard Thompson's "House of Cards" a mannered delivery with vibrant flourishes, punching up its roomy groove. In adorning the mellow blues gospel of "Satan Your Kingdom Must Come Down," Plant's delicate handling included a near-withholding of many syllables in the song's early portions while Scott plucked out a ringing banjo backdrop.

Patty Griffin forged frequent vocal alloys with Plant, but was more compelling within the band's framework as a source of accents and counterpoint, adding bright spots to "You Can't Buy My Love." Her lead on the sturdy gospel of "Move Up" was lively and sharp, while Miller's gruff, snappy lead on "Somewhere Trouble Don't Go" served as a different, equally pleasant alternative direction. Scott's rugged voicing of "Satisfied Mind" was barroom country with substantial wallop as the rest of the band loaded its chorus. (more)

And, in the Only I Know What's Right For America category...

Some assholes from Martinsville, Indiana complained about this Bloomington North High School girl's rendition of the National Anthem, although not particularly good, that "the tune was unrecognizable" and "the rendition was disrespectful to current and former members of the military."  Here's the story.  Get a grip, people!

Compare with Marvin Gaye's untraditional, yet stirring, version:

Fins up! Jimmy Buffett says thanks y'all, see you at Jazz Fest...

 

Jimmy Buffett released from hospital after stage fall (mog.com)

American singer songwriter Jimmy Buffett was released from St. Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney this morning after falling off stage and knocking himself unconscious last night. Buffett was performing at the Hordern Pavilion in Sydney. At the end of the show he walked to the front of the stage to say goodbye to fans but misjudged his footing and fell face first down 6ft onto the concrete floor. He was unconscious for eight minutes. Buffett was rushed to the nearby hospital and stayed overnight. A one-line statement from his management this morning says, ‘Jimmy has been released from the hospital and is doing well.’ Jimmy Buffett was in Australia for three shows in Sydney only. He is not performing in any other Australia cities on this visit but is still scheduled to perform in Auckland, New Zealand on Saturday (January 29, 2011). Video of the accident is below:

Post-Huskies 2OT defeat to that little shit who ruined the Celtics for a decade mix.....

It's Alright (C J Chenier) Step It Up!

She's Changing Me (Fleetwood Mac) Heroes Are Hard To Find

You Can Have My Husband (Lou Ann Barton) Read My Lips

Single Petal of a Rose (Duke Ellington) The Great London Concerts

Blue Train (John Coltrane) Blue Note: A Story Of...

Blind (Talking Heads) Best of...

Passin'It Around (Coleman Hawkins) Body And Soul

You Must Believe in Spring (Freddy Cole) Always

She Walks Right In (Professor Longhair) A Proper Introduction To....

Progress (The Pretty Things) Get a Buzz

Frontera (Calexico) The Black Light

Reconsider Baby (Doug Sahm) The Last Real Texas Blues Band

Different Kind of Lightening (Jim Lauderdale) Wait 'Til Spring

Ebony Rhapsody (Nat King Cole) The Billy May Sessions

True Blues (Milt Jackson) Early Modern

Just arrived from Amazon.com (excellent)...

Genuine Negro Jig (Carolina Chocolate Drops) - All Music Guide review

Low Country Blues (Gregg Allman) - All Music Guide review

Interpretations: The British Rock Songbook (Bettye LaVette) - All Music Guide review

Harlem River Blues (Justin Townes Earle) - All Music Guide review

CAFE NINE RE-OPENS TONIGHT!

Oh, the weather outside is frightful (or, in Bill Walton's words, "horrrrrrrible")...

Another foot and a half???  No way.  Way!!  School closings.  More importantly, BINGO closings!  Non-essential (read insignificant) State employees stay home (that means you, Keith).   Makes one yearn for a hot, sunny Spring day down in N'awlins at Jazz Fest, chompin' on a roast beef po' boy, guzzling an ice cold Abita Amber, listening to Theresa Andersson, even if you have to put up with some obnoxious characters (and you know who they are).

(From her website bio) ...Her adopted home, which she moved to at the age of 18, also infused the record with special attributes. "When I first came to New Orleans, I really felt something inside of me was awakened." Like most residents of the Big Easy, Andersson is a music lover, steeped in the vintage sounds that have made the city famous. As a performer, her résumé includes dates with Dr. John, the Neville Brothers, Betty Harris, and members of the Meters. "All of that has filtered into me," she observes. "You can't help it when you're here." Listen closely to the aforementioned "Birds Fly Away," and at its heart, you will hear a sample of renown New Orleans drummer Smokey Johnson, one of her favorites. Regional legend Allen Toussaint even dropped by, ferried in his champagne-colored Rolls Royce, to perform on the bonus track "Now I Know."  (more)

Happy Australia Day!...

Watching the Australian Open prior to UConn/Marquette, listening to a grumpy Pam Shriver complaining about the 21-cannon salute as part of the parade celebration in downtown Melbourne during play.  Pam, get over it.  Remembering the John Butler Trio set at Jazz Fest a couple years ago on the recommendation of G-Man.  Fabulous! 

(From NPR) John Butler spent his early 20s learning how to play the guitar using so-called "open tuning," in which the strings are tuned in such a way that intricate fretting is unnecessary; it's a technique employed by many slide guitarists, among others. Once he'd mastered his sound, Butler abandoned his dreams of becoming an art teacher and embarked on a new life as a busker in western Australia. With the John Butler Trio, he's become a best-selling roots-rock musician; after shuffling the band's lineup, he recorded its new album, April Uprising.

So, let's have a listen to the Aussie:

My fellow Americans (and you too, Mark).....

UConn v Marquette or 'Bama v Red Storm?

We're left with Packers, Steelers....

So here's some Treme Song/Way Down in the Hole (Back 2 Back) - John Boutte/DoMaJe for y'all:

Sunday morning reading Keith Richards' Life mix...

Six Feet Deep (Sarah Borges) Silver City

Time After Time (Ernestine Anderson) Great Moments With...

Don't Worry 'Bout Me (Errol Garner) Contrasts

In Your Dreams (The Strollers) Million Dollars Worth of Doo Wop

In My Wildest Dreams (The Jayhawks) Smile

Spain (Chick Corea) Chick Correa Akoustic Band

Louisiana Moon (Big Daddy 'O') Rabadash Records

Mister Midnight (Johnny Ray) A Proper Introduction To...

Pressure (The Kinks) Low Budget

On the Wrong Side of the Railroad Tracks (Dr. John) Duke Elegant

Take It Easy (Jackson Browne) For Everyman

Rocket 88 (Rob Stone & the C-Notes) Just My Luck

Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood (The Animals) The Complete Animals
Wildfire (Daryl Hall) Soul Alone
Hey Now (Ray Charles) Blues Is My Middle Name
Once In a Lifetime (Talking Heads) Best of...

Darling, you send me, honest you do....

Happy 80th birthday, Sam Cooke!

In honor of Sam Cooke's 80th birthday, Amazon MP3 has made "Portrait of a Legend" their Daily Deal! Click Share and tell your friends that this is their chance to get 30 of Sam's greatest hits for only $3.99! Happy Birthday Sam!

NPR article -  

It feels strange to suggest that Sam Cooke isn't appreciated enough. Cooke, a legend of soul, has been celebrated in nearly every way a musician can. He's been included in lists of the greatest singers of all time, voted a charter member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and awarded a posthumous lifetime achievement Grammy. You can still hear his songs in movies and sing them in karaoke parlors.  But the adulation has an effect of obscuring what's most enduring about Cooke's legacy — that he never sat still long enough to become as big a star as he might have deserved. - (complete story)

Cafe Nine renovations...

Steel beam installation at Cafe Nine

WELL, THE RUMORS YOU HAVE BEEN HEARING ARE TRUE. We are taking a little down time this month to begin some renovation work here. We have been working behind the scenes for a while now with our fellow musician and architect Eric Epstein of Epstein Design to spruce up the place. We came up with a two-phase plan and are ready to go with Phase One starting on January 10.  Phase One will include changing the location of the bar, moving the soundboard, getting rid of that column that always blocks your view and cleaning up the floor.  Phase Two scheduled for April will include expanding the existing stage, moving the front entry to Crown St. and complete renovation of the bathrooms (yeah!).  It is our goal to improve the experience of both our patrons and the artists who perform here.

Since its inception, the vision of Cafe Nine's founder Michael Reichbart has been to provide a space for artists to create “music for the people” in an “ego free zone.” With these plans we hope we can keep his vision alive in our commitment to providing a home for original live music in our community.  Our thanks go out to everyone who has supported us over the years. We look forward to making your experience here better in the years to come.   - Paul Mayer and the Staff at Cafe Nine

Change your flight to Wednesday....

Happy Birthday, Johnny Gumbo!

2011 Jazz Fest rosters are out!...

Last night, I stumbled across an article at nola.com which said that the 2011 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival lineups would be announced just before midnight Wednesday.  Well, that's way past this cowboy's bedtime, but it's early Thursday morning now and we've got 'em!   The Pool Hall Studs and I will be arriving on Wednesday night of the second weekend this year (Gumbo is being his stubborn, inflexible self and will arrive late Thursday), so Thursday at the Fest is an option.  As always, there are some first weekend acts that we will miss: Robert Plant & the Band of Joy, Mumford & Sons, Justin Townes Earle, Tab Benoit, Robert Cray, Pine Leaf Boys, John Mellencamp, John Legend & The Roots, Dr. John, Arlo Guthrie, The Decemberists, Terence Blanchard.  But we will discover great ones that we never heard of.  Here are my preliminary picks (I will have to investigate others - COMPLETE LISTING):

• Thursday, May 5 - Wilco, Cyndi Lauper, Lucinda Williams, Galactic, Ruthie Foster, Michelle Shocked, Charlie Musselwhite, Johnny Sketch & the Dirty Notes, Amanda Shaw, The Iguanas, Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers, Delfeayo Marsalis' Uptown Orchestra, Little Freddie King Blues Band,  Gal Holiday & the Honky Tonk Revue, 

• Friday, May 6 - Arcade Fire, Willie Nelson, Gregg Allman Blues Band, Kermit Ruffins & the Barbecue Swingers, Buckwheat Zydeco, Edie Brickell, Eric Lindell, Soul Rebels Brass Band, Bonerama, Mingus Big Band, Luther Kent

• Saturday, May 7 - Jimmy Buffett, The Strokes, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Allen Toussaint, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Bobby Blue Bland, Fourplay, Marcia Ball, Aaron Neville's Gospel Experience, Jesse Winchester, Walter "Wolfman" Washington & the Roadmasters, Dr. Michael White & the Original Liberty Jazz Band feat. Thais Clark, C.J. Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band, The Jon Batiste Band, Wanda Rouzan's New Orleans R&B Revue

• Sunday, May 8 - Kid Rock, The Neville Brothers, Sonny Rollins, Robert Randolph & the Family Band, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, The Radiators' farewell, Cowboy Mouth, Papa Grows Funk, Rebirth Brass Band, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Sonny Landreth, Ellis Marsalis, Henry Butler, Anders Osborne, Rockin' Dopsie, Jr. & the Zydeco Twisters

Been tied to the whipping post....

Speaking of music heavyweights, how about these two behemoths shooting the shit about their upcoming joint concert tour at the recent Foxwoods gig- noted author (The Arc of Intersection) /balladeer (Tom Needs a Nap) Chris DuBose and legendary bluesman/Cher hubby Greg Allman.  Perhaps they are hearkening back to the Allman Brothers at the New Haven Coliseum (w/ Grinderswitch) circa 1975 with JohnnyK and Kenny?  Gregg just released Low Country Blues, his first solo effort since 1997 recorded last year just prior to his liver transplant.  You can hear it here (thanks Chris/Megan) - it's very good, produced by T-Bone Burnett (wondering what album in the last two years hasn't been) with guest appearance by Dr. John. :

Updated personal heads-up of music to buy...

Low Country Blues (Gregg Allman)
The Party Ain't Over (Wanda Jackson) NPR article
Midnight Souvenirs (Peter Wolf)
This Charming Life (Joan Armatrading)
Harlem River Blues (Justin Townes Earle)

See My Friends (Ray Davies)

Interpretations: The British Rock Songbook (Bettye  LaVette)  New Yorker article

Sea of Cowards (The Dead Weather)

Pickin' Up the Pieces (Fitz & the Tantrums)

Silver Pony (Cassandra Wilson)

Genuine Negro Jig (Carolina Chocolate Drops)

Rex Ryan's hacked iPod playlist...

Benny & the Jets ( Elton John)

Popsicle Toes (Michael Franks)

Feets Don't Fail Me Now (Little Feat)

Toes (Zac Brown Band)

Sky Pilot (Eric Burden)

Hallelujah Chorus (Handel)

Frigid Friday...

He rode shotgun and we caught up to her fast.  I saw the terror in her eyes in the rearview mirror 'cause I was driving with the ghost of Johnny Cash (The Sawtelles)

Yeah, it would has been easy to just lay around the shanty (mama) on a frigid Friday night, but we are hearty (if tainted) souls, so our party of four, absent Vin/Marcia who picked cross-country skiing in Vermont with Gus/Sue over us, make the trek over to Typhoon on Main Street, Middletown (The Reet's hometown) for some tasty Thai and equally tasty Sawtelles.  We're on a tight schedule.  We have reservations (no, not about the food or entertainment) at seven and the early Friday night traffic was dense, but Sharie insists we stop at the Red Dog for old times sake 'cause she used to date this big hairy biker guy (I think she met him online and they had a thing for awhile) and they hung out there.  Okay, Sharie, cheers.  Two shot limit, one for the road, and we resume our journey, arriving on time at Typhoon, but with no place to park.  The Reet suggests the girls be dropped in front and then, whatever - and we comply.  


Parking accomplished, Keith and I enter Typhoon to find it bustling, people briskly coming and going, The Sawtelles entertaining from their perches at the front of the main dining room.  We point out our dates to our hostess (I think the owner), but she tells us they requested we not be seated with them.  We know better, though - they adore us.  Typhoon is a b.y.o.b. establishment, so Keith stuff a beer into his jacket, while I brought along a bottle of pinot noir for Sharie and me.  The Reet opts for Coke.  I guess news of The Sawtelles' appearance has swelled the numbers significantly for our hostess commandeers the microphone, thanking us for coming, urging us to be patient, to drink, to converse, to enjoy the music while the chef works diligently.  We toast to something clever.

As we order our appetizers (crispy dumplings and....I forget the other), fellow Plantsvillain and Sawtelles drummer/percussionists/vocalist Julie Riccio graciously stops by to welcome us.  The Sawtelles, Peter and Julie Riccio,

Husband and wife duo the Sawtelles are a balance of four elements, alternate-tuned guitar, stand-up drum kit (ala Velvet Underground’s Mo Tucker) and two voices. Sparse but intricately arranged pop that is as lush as it is threadbare makes what is played as important as what isn’t.  Their self-produced DYI philosophy aligns them more with the hand painted Sun Ra LP’s of 1950’s and 60’s than it does with those striving for mainstream commercial success.

perform monthly on first Fridays at Typhoon from 6-8PM. The word is getting around.  Another word on the street, and you didn't hear this from me- understood?- is that they will be performing at a nearby annual rite-of-Spring festival, but if I told you which one, I'd have to kill you.   Dinner is finally served as we make our way through the pinot.  Delicious.  It's nearing 8:30 and The Sawtelles are still playing!  What troopers- I hope they're getting overtime!  Dessert, yes for Keith (a coconut something) and me (fried banana).  Check, please.  Before we exit, we pick up from Julie copies of Tryptych, the title of which I am not hip enough to figure out.  And we are OUT!

Kinda makes me yearn for a couple over easy...

Email from Jim Kane, Bristol's rock 'n roll guru/historian...

Hi Guys:  I was just online and was reading Bob Montgomery's "Bristol Bits" column.  He had a segment about the local band, The Galdiens.  He mentioned Larry Palin as a member, and if memory serves me right I believe BEHS's Russ Luce was also a member. But that was a long time ago.  I was wondeing if any of you can name the most successful rock n' roll band to come out of Bristol.  I give you a hint - they played in the middle '60s.  They were from Bristol Eastern High School.  They formed from remnants of The Rogues, and they called themselves The Squires.  The members were Mike Bouyea, Tom Flanigan, John Folcik, Jerry Pelletier, (all Bristol guys), and Torrington's Kurt Robinson.  They were signed by a major record label - Atlantic Records, and recorded a few songs.  As luck would have it, the British invasion was in full swing, so radio air play was dominated by the Brits.  The irony was that their songs went over with a bang in Europe.  They charted and are still paid royalties today.  Mike Bouyea had the most success.  He was WDRC's drive time disc jockey before moving on to Florida, Texas, and finally Toronto, Canada.  He went under the stage name -Mike Holland.  He also recorded solo albums while in Canada, with success.  He now is back in Bristol, living on Lardner Road.  I call him every so often, and the topic always goes back to the dances of the '60s , which were held in Bristol.  The Squires had a lot of success in Bristol, but were the only band to sign with a major record label.  (See Wikipedia post)

Don't fuck with a legend...

Cafe Nine is closing Jan 10-27 to undergo extensive renovations. Well, I suppose some would take issue with the dingy persona or the stage being stuck up in the front corner at the end of the bar or the poles that blocked your view of the stage, but I LOVED IT! Best of luck and DON'T SCREW IT UP!

Last day before renovations (courtesy of Dave Kelsey)

Just purchased- $19.99...

BLIZZARD!!!!!!!

Dion Dimucci's Top 15 Doo Wop Songs...

MY "TOP FIFTEEN' DOO WOP SONGS,
1-Could this be Magic,"The Dubs"
2-Maybe,"The Chantels"
3-In the Still of the Night,"The Five Satins"
4-There’s a Moon Out Tonight,"The Capris" 

5-Be My Baby,"The Ronettes"
6-I Wonder Why,"Dion & the Belmonts"
7-Oh What a Night,"The Dells"
8-Please Say You Want Me,"The Schooboys"
9-Church Bells May Ring,”The Willows"
10-Only You,“The Platters"
11-Can’t We Be Sweethearts,"The Cleftones"
12-This little girl of mine,"Cleftones"
13-Come go with me,"Del-Vikings"
14-Earth Angel,"The Penguins"
15-Shu Bop,"Dion & The Doo Wop Kings"

What you say 'bout yo' mama?....

Yo-Yo Ma Think Outside the Box Trivia Contest 
Win the deluxe 90-CD “Yo-Yo Ma: 30 Years Outside the Box” set! 10 winners in all!

Ariama.com is offering all of you music lovers a chance to prove your musical brilliance and win a copy of Yo-Yo Ma's fantastic "30 Years Outside the Box" deluxe box set! For your chance to win, all you have to do is get to know Yo-Yo Ma—and Ariama—a little better. Just sign up to follow Ariama on Twitter or become our fan on Facebook, and answer nine trivia questions about the cellist’s life and work. (You can hunt for all the answers you need and learn much more by browsing around Yo-YoMa.com, SilkRoadProject.org, and Ariama.com.

Ready to get hunting for trivia treasures? There’s just one more thing to know: in order to give everyone lots of time to explore the sites and enter the contest, we’ll be revealing a secret email address for your entries on January 31, 2011. At that point, our judges will determine the winners: the first ten entrants who have answered all the trivia questions correctly and who have fulfilled the Twitter/Facebook requirements. Good luck!

Contest entry requirements and details:

• All entrants must become a fan of the Ariama Facebook page or follow Ariama on Twitter. Please include your Facebook or Twitter name in your contest submission email on January 31, 2011.
• Contestants will have from 12:00 a.m. ET on January 6, 2011 until 11:59 p.m. on January 30, 2011 to explore three websites, ariama.com, SilkRoadProject.org and the Yo-Yo Ma Official Website, and discover answers to the contest questions.
• At 12:00 a.m on January 31, 2011 we will display an email address at the top of this page (www.ariama.com/info/yo-yo-box). Contestants will have 24 hours (until 11:59 p.m., January 31, 2011) to submit answers via email to this address. Please be sure to include your name, address, and Facebook or Twitter ID in your submission.
• The first 10 entries that include all correct answers and meet the contest entry requirements will win.
• Contest may only be entered in or from the 50 United States and the District of Columbia (excluding its possessions and territories).

Contest Questions:

Yo-Yo Ma.com:




1. What is the name of the special honor that President Obama will be awarding to Yo-Yo Ma in early 2011?
2. From what university did Yo-Yo Ma receive his undergraduate degree?
3. Where and what will Yo-Yo Ma be playing on January 30, 2011?


Silk Road Project:




4. Name the hip-hop anthem which Yo-Yo Ma and members of the Silk Road Project performed for New York City schoolchildren at the American Museum of Natural History.
5. What other instrument besides the cello has Yo-Yo Ma played as part of the Silk Road Project?
6. What is the name of the piece that the Silk Road Ensemble played in a Live from Lincoln Center performance in June 2009, which will also be repeated during their Spring 2011 US tour)? (Hint: you can see the video right on the Silk Road Project’s site—you can scroll through the video player to access all videos.)


Ariama.com:

7. Where was Yo-Yo Ma born?
8. How many Yo-Yo Ma albums are there currently on Ariama.com in total, including compilations and appearances on other artists’ recordings?
9. What is the earliest recording Yo-Yo Ma made for Sony Masterworks (then known as CBS) currently available on Ariama.com?


Thanks for participating in the "Think Outside the Box" trivia contest. Remember to come back to this page on January 31, 2011, where the email address to submit your answers to will be posted from 12:00 a.m. until 11:59 p.m..


Please view the Official Contest Rules for more details.

Come Saturday morning...

Waking up to a picture postcard scene outside.  Cup 'o jo.  Listening to to Joe's Pub Radio, seeing that Allen Toussaint has scheduled another series of Sunday brunch performances at the cozy Lafayette Street spot in NYC's East Village.  Bettye LaVette is there tonight.

The Black Keys are tonight's musical guests on SNL. 

The Black Keys, blues-rock band from Ohio, are the musical guests on Saturday Night Live tonight, which will be hosted by actor Jim Carrey. Singer -guitarist, Dan Auerbach and drummer-producer Patrick Carney make up the two-piece group. They've just released their sixth album, "Brothers". The Akron, Ohio, natives released their debut album, "The Big Come Full Story »

Can a party of six make it to Middletown by seven to catch The Sawtelles and eat Thai?....

The answer would be no! The Typhoon on Main Street was snowed out, rescheduled for next Friday.


 

PHS Marky G may be stuck deep in the swamps of Jersey, but it's Boom, Boom, Boom all night long at Cafe Nine...

From ctpost.com
The Iguanas will return (see last gig posting) to Cafe Nine in New Haven Thursday night, Jan. 6, an intimate venue the band has filled to capacity in the past.  "We love Cafe Nine," Coman said. "It's got a very nice, very welcoming atmosphere when we come there ... real comfortable. It's one of those places that you go in and it feels like, `Oh, yeah. I've been here before,' even when it's your first time going in there.  "It's a nice tight stage and it's a little bit of a challenge to fit on there sometimes, but it always makes for a good gig when you're right on top of each other because you can really hear everything that's going on. It's a fun place to play."  (Read more)

Geez, things looked so rosy after beating the Patriots....

The Brownies fire the Man-genius!

Look out, DUCK! Another list is coming right at you!...

Danny McCloskey's Top 20 Roots/Americana Albums for 2010  
Alternate Root Magazine

1. Justin Townes Earle - Harlem River Blues (Johnnykmusic pick)
2. Raul Malo - Sinners & Saints
3. Kings Go Forth - The Outsiders Are Back
4. Bettye LaVette - Interpretations: The British Rock Songbook (Johnnykmusic pick)
5. Paul Thorn - Pimps & Preachers
6. Robert Plant - Band of Joy (Johnnykmusic pick)
7. The Coal Porters - Durango
8. Carrie Rodriguez - Love & Circumstance
9. American Graveyard - Hallelujahland
10. Christine Ohlman - The Deep End (Johnnykmusic pick)
11. Carolina Chocolate Drops - Genuine Negro Jig (Johnnykmusic pick)
12. Mike Farris & the Cumberland Saints - 
           The Night The Cumberland Came Alive 
13. Alejandro Escovedo - Street Songs of Love
14. Marshall Chapman - Big Lonesome
15. Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings - I Learned the Hard Way (Johnnykmusic pick)
16. Crooked Still - Some Strange Country
17. Elizabeth & The Catapult - The Other Side of Zero (Johnnykmusic pick)
18. Truth & Salvage Co. - Truth & Salvage Co.
19. The Mountains & The Trees - I Made This For You
20. Paul Currerri - California

Looks like someone is flying solo!...

Interesting followup to Peter's recent posting about Sarah Borges and my brief conversation with Binky at Black-eyed Sally's indicating that the band was taking a hiatus from performing.  Curiously, as I am posting this, her Daniel Lee comes up on the iPod shuffle.

News from Cafe Nine:

(Saturday, April 2nd; 9:30 sharp showtime)

Eilen Jewell; w/ Sarah Borges • get ready for an unbelievable night of honky tonkin!! Boise-born and Boston-based, Eilen Jewell has quickly distinguished herself as one of the rising stars of a new generation of roots musicians. Her first two albums, "Boundary County" (self-released, 2006) and "Letters from Sinners and Strangers" (Signature Sounds, 2007) were astonishingly assured efforts, which matched Jewell’s understated yet insightful songs with a rugged blend of Americana styles. Fellow Boston native and Cafe Nine favorite Sarah Borges opens in her first solo outing here in New Haven! Don't miss this one!

  

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

From the management and staff of Johnnykmusic

So, you don't believe we're on the eve of destruction?...

Final trail mix of 2010:

Belle of the Blues (Janis Ian) Aftertones

Cajun Born (Emmylou Harris) Elite Hotel

Hey Now Baby (Professor Longhair) A Proper Introduction to...

Evidence (Thelonious Monk Quartet) At Carnegie Hall

Girl of My Dreams (Etta James) At Last!

Ting-A-Ling (Buddy Holly) True Love Ways

Willow Grove (Chick Corea) Remembering Bud Powell

On Your Way Down (Trombone Shorty) Backatown

Certain Things (Gil Scott-Heron) I'm New Here

Polka Dot (Desmond Dekker & the Aces)  The Israelites

The Girl I'm Gonna Marry (Fats Domino) Fats Domino

Cuarto Rojo (The Iguanas) Super Ball

Judy (The Pipettes) We Are the Pipettes

A find from The Dish...

Email from Trish:  Check out Johnny A at www.41bridgestreet.com/calendar Have you been to Bridge Street?  Ever heard of Johnny A?

JohnnyK:  First, no I have not been to Bridge Street.  Just went on their site and it seems like a pretty cool place.  I'm only slightly familiar with Johnny A.  I just checked to see that I have his 2004 Get Inside album, but I can't remember much about it.  I know he's supposed to be a guitar virtuoso, but little or no vocals, in the Santana, Jeff Beck, Duane Eddy vein.  Listening now, very tasty.

From Wikipedia, so it must be true:  

Johnny A. is an American guitarist/songwriter, born in Malden, Massachusetts. Growing up in Boston as a young child, he became interested in music, starting with drums at age six. Upon being exposed to The Beatles in 1964 (age 12), Johnny bought a $49 Lafayette Electronics guitar and started his life-long affair with the instrument.  After forming a band called The Streets and garnering heavy radio airplay on the now legendary Boston radio station WBCN, performing mostly in the Boston area, Johnny played with former Derek and the Dominos keyboardist Bobby Whitlock, then began a seven year stint as guitarist and musical director with The J. Geils Band front man Peter Wolf. He played on Wolf's albums, and co-produced one of them, Long Line 1996, as well as joining him on world tours. In 1986, Johnny's band, Hearts On Fire, placed second in the WBCN Rock & Roll Rumble only to be edged out by Gang Green. Johnny A. is the recipient of The Boston Music Award's - Blues Artist of the Year 2010

She and Him...and Al Anderson....

Johnny Gumbo, there is no 'I' in team (unless, of course, Mark is spelling)...

Teim????
Barry calls yesterday saying he's looking at flights to Nola for this year's Jazz Fest and has found a great rate on Expedia.  Only problem is that we'd be leaving Newark early Wednesday evening instead of early Thursday morning.  No prob, book it (although I was a tad put off by the little chuckle as I provided my date of birth).  So, we'll be arriving late evening and hook up with Gumbo when he arrives.  Oh?  Gumbo says he's not coming in from the  Great North Left until late Thursday?  WTF?  

Barry:  Hey JR, just reading the N.Y. Times food critic named the fried oyster blt at Cochon one of his best 15 dishes of the year.  I can see u eating it right now and my mouth is watering.   I know this opens up the Mother's joke for you other guys, but I didn't want to go there.

JR:  Thanks, and I know that at Cochon their service is great BECAUSE THEY CARE ABOUT CUSTOMER SATISFACTION!! 

JK:  It's because of the naval presence at Cochon's bar.  And, by the way, are you eating all of that?  (Btw, I've slept at Johnny Gumbo's Nude Lounge and it's not a pretty sight!)

Mark:  Allow me to introduce myself.  I'm just here being The Big Me.

Friends: 8 killed in NO fire musicians, artists....

NEW ORLEANS – Eight homeless squatters who died in a fire at an abandoned warehouse where they were trying to keep warm were accomplished musicians and artists who rejected the label "gutter punk," acquaintances said.  Firefighters said they could not tell the ages or genders of those who died Tuesday in the city's deadliest blaze in decades because their bodies were so badly burned. A 23-year-old man who escaped told the American Red Cross he could not get back in to help his friends because of the smoke, agency volunteer Thomas Butler said. The group had been burning debris to keep warm, with temperatures below freezing, authorities said.  A group of young people sitting on the steps of an abandoned house near the warehouse said the dead included three women and five men.  Rachel Park, 27, of California, estimated their ages ranged from 19 to 30. The victims never thought of themselves as homeless and rejected the "gutter punk" label used by some locals to describe transient youths, who are often seen begging for money or cigarettes on French Quarter Streets, she said.  "They were all accomplished musicians or artists — jolly, happy people," Park said. - (more)

Sarah needs water....

Johnnykmusic appreciates, indeed encourages, the submission of your music opinions/experiences.  Peter M happened upon our girl, Sarah Borges (sans Broken Singles), one evening earlier this month.  His observations:

Yes. PAs Lounge is in the same block as Sally O'Briens, where we all went one night to see that singer I like, old whatshisname.  PAs is a weird place....a bar and next to it a separate music space/empty room. You can take your drink from the bar part and go through a couple of doors....but don't go outside with your drink!....and into the music room. Beer in plastic cups. After a couple the 40-something blond bartender broke away from her f-bomb-loaded conversation with her trashy looking girlfriend at the bar and offered a glass if I was just there to drink, plastic for music listeners.

It was a release party for some guy's CD and Sarah was first on. She came into the bar and announced to somebody she hadn't had a drink since a time I didn't hear and was stopping smoking. She asked for a glass of water and was a little put out that blondie took a while to fetch it.

Took my plastic cup into the next room to hear Sarah's set. She was solo, not in stage costume, sang a few and got off. She sounded fine, but nothing inspired. She was still weirded out by blondie and re-told on stage the tale of the slow glass of water. Maybe she just wanted everybody to know she was not drinking. The audience was all 30ish hipster guys in hoodies and caps, Chuck Taylors, skinny music guys with scruffy beards or stubble....and real skinny girl friends. I had to be the oldest person there by 30 years. Watched the next band .... the lead singer said it was an honor to sing after Sarah .... holy shit, he thinks she's a legend from the past.

Walking back to my car the sound of music pulls me into Sally O'Brien's. A different world. Gray-beard band, no skinny hipsters here. Lots of relaxed-fit jeans, some of the same people that have been there all three times I've been in this bar over maybe four years. Old guy with the hat, fancy dresser, camel hair blazer with the collar turned up, showing off his dance moves, hustling the ladies, not as drunk as the last time I saw him. Serious middle aged dancers, one woman putting sexy dirty dancing moves on her partner with the gray Prince Valiant hair cut, plus a few ballet turns to make sure we know she can still do it. Somerville Saturday night.

R.I.P. Teena Marie...

LOS ANGELES – Teena Marie's last album, "Congo Square," was titled after a historical meeting place for slaves in New Orleans, featured a tribute to Martin Luther King's widow and also song "Black Cool," written for President Barack Obama.  No matter that Marie, 54, was white. The R&B legend revered and fully immersed herself in black culture — and in turn was respected and adored by black audiences, not only for her immense soulful talents, but for her inner soul as well.  "Overall my race hasn't been a problem. I'm a Black artist with White skin. At the end of the day you have to sing what's in your own soul," she told Essence.com in an interview last year while promoting "Congo Square." That album would turn out to be her last.  The self-proclaimed "Ivory Queen of Soul," whose many classic hits included "Lovergirl," Square Biz" and the scorching duet "Fire and Desire" with mentor Rick James, was found dead in her Pasadena home on Sunday at the age of 54. Authorities said her death appeared to be of natural causes.  (more)
Wikipedia  Five Key Songs



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