This blog spot is the home to my ramblings. I am a free lance writer. Most of my work goes on Associated Content. Sometimes I write what is on my mind, sometimes I plug some of my writing, and sometimes a combination of the two. So, sit back read, enjoy, and we will see where it goes.
Bob Dylan released his first album 50 years ago yesterday. I don't think there has been a better song writer in modern times. His songs have been covered by just about everyone. Amnesty International just released a 4 disc set of covers called "Chimes of Freedom." Here is the oldest person covering Bob Dylan with some youthful help...
Here is a link to an article I wrote about the top ten Bob Dylan covers but it is probably outdated being two years old. Heck even when I went to the Experience Hendrix concert they covered two songs penned by Bob Dylan.
My favorite song by Dylan is "Every Grain of Sand"it touched me when I first heard it...
My favorite Dylan album is "Blood on the Tracks". Ithink my favorite cover of Bob Dylan is the one I heard at Wanee last year. I consider it one of the biggest musical moments I ever witnessed...
Well I am thankful for the 50 years of songs Bob Dylan has provided...
Pretty quite weekend for me. I had to run some errands Saturday morning so I took my daughter with me and we watched the latest Alvin and the Chipmunks movie. I think I have taken her to many theatre shows she came out and asked where the characters were at the end of the show?
My wife took advantage of me away to go have a girls day out. So I tried to get some writing done. Well the interruptions and the nap didn't help. Oh well family is more important anyway. So Saturday evening I tried to get a shamrock shake from McDonalds with the kids. They were out! So I fed the teenager and the other youngster and I had a drink. Then I called my wife and asked her to pick up a shake for me. No luck she went to two and they were sold out.
I didn't need one. Heck my ever growing waist size tells me that. However, it was a craving...
Anyway I ended up finishing what I needed to write on Sunday and then I hung out with the family not getting the other writing done. Oh well hopefully I will get some done on Monday.
A lot of cool thinks are happening on the writing side. The writing that tied me up this weekend was for a music magazine for a print article. Hopefully that will pan out. I will have a music column up and running soon.
So lots of things going on...
There are a lot of great blues or blues rock shows in and outside of Washington, D.C. this weekend. I think the combination of seeing the Experience Hendrix show, the warm weather, I am ready for Festival times. More than likely I probably won't go to any (sad face)but we will see. If I had to choose one I think it would be the Loomis Hamilton show in Rouzerville, Pennsylvania. The Texas guitarist was mentored by the legendary Bo Diddley. He is young guy but he is a riff master. You can read my preview here. Seeing him in a small place should be worth the trip. Rouzerville is outside of Hagerstown, Maryland.
Here is a clip from Youtube and a good reason to go..
I know it is probably 75 miles or so from D.C. or Baltimore, it is 30 some miles for me but those are country miles so it is still an hour. If you go early there is a free blues jam.
Tommy Castro plays Rams Head this weekend and so does Chris Robinson from the Black Crowes. Previews are highlighted. Chris is also playing the Red Palace Saturday night in Washington, D.C.
Tommy puts on a great show which will probably be incredible in the 500 seat venue in Annapolis.
Here is Tommy covering James Brown from the last time I saw him..
A Crowe alone. Chris is the guitarist for the Black Crowes but him on vocals and writing the lyrics should be different. Here is a taste of some of his solo stuff..
In Vienna, Virginia there is a benefit show at Jammin Java that should be pretty good plus it benefits a great cause. You can read about it here. Well off to work on some other things and getting ready for a spring like weekend.
My review is finally up so I can blog about it. Yes, I know he is old, but Smokey Robinson is a true legend. I didn't realize how many of the Motown classics he wrote, he really rates up there as a songwriter. He was in town for a benefit concert for the Duke Ellington School. As impressive as Smokey's resume is the school is also very impressive. Several of the school's graduates have gone on to have successful entertainment careers. The kids graduate from that school and go on to have success in other careers as well.
A shining example..
The students opened up and the above, Sylver Logan Sharp appeared with them and sang Smokey' "Since I Lost My Baby."
Robinson's and Motown's music influenced so much of the classic rock I enjoy. I enjoy Motown as well. I think Smokey opened with this just for me, here is the Rolling Stones version,,
Some shows you just don't say know to and Smokey Robinson is one of those. Especially when so many musicians are passing away you never know when you will get another chance. You can read my review here.
Here is Smokey Robinson performing in Washington at another time...
I love all the cool opportunities I have been given lately..
Waiting is a virtue. Not one that I am blessed with. As a writer I want my reviews up but I am glad they are up and they worked out all the kinks on the new site. If you have not noticed I enjoy guitar music. When I heard that the Experience Hendrix Tour was going to be playing at the Strathmore, well I worked my magic. Again I had to wait. There is a saying good things come to those who wait. This time it worked out wonderfully.
You can read my review here. It was the first time I used my pictures since I have been working with my editor, but he used them I guess he liked. I felt so in adequate with my nice, but still point and shoot camera, when most of the others had those huge lenses and fancy cameras. I think I did okay, I took a bunch maybe I went a bit overboard.
I love this one of Kenny Wayne Shepherd..
Here is Buddy Guy's set from the night via Youtube..
Added a few extras for you. Also some of my thoughts and ramblings. Hope you enjoy. Tomorrow will be about Smokey Robinson...
Cancer claimed another rocker yesterday. Michael Hossack the drummer for the Doobie Brothers died. He was the bands drummer 1971-1973 and 1987-2010 until the cancer took him out on leave.
The best way to pay tribute is to show samples of his work and legacy. Here is the bad from 1996 via youtube:
And even more recent in 2010:
The classic artists are disappearing rapidly we need to stop and listen to the music...
I should have a couple of reviews up this week on a new site. It is called DC Metro Theater Arts . My first two reviews are really neat concerts. The site will still have a lot of theatre coverage which I will be a part of, but it will also have a lot more music coverage. Which means I will be covering a lot more music, which I do anyway so it is a great fit. There will be some movie coverage and art coverage as well, so the site will be more inclusive to the wonderful art scene around Washington, D.C.
I might also start writing for another site about music as well which has the possibility of print articles as well. I don't want to blog too much about that before it happens. In the mean time my reviews are going out a little slower. It also means some of my material to blog about here hasn't been available. However, things should speed up soon.
Plus right now I am not signed up for a lot. I know you all have heard that before and end up covering a bunch of stuff.
I'm sleep deprived, I need to wrap up a review from the weekend. I'm not complaining it was a once in a lifetime event and I did get to see a legend. I'm excited about tomorrow night as I get to see one living legend and some talented musicians salute an ultimate legend. I'm not complaining. I know I used the world legend a lot but these are the true greats. I will share those later.
However, what I want to blog about is the show I saw on my birthday. It was a production of the musical version of The Who's Tommy. I'm a Who fan, I've seen the band a few times. I've seen the touring show of Tommy. I must confess I was truly impress by the students at Shenandoah University.Yes I know they have a strong reputation for music, dance and drama. However, these kids deserve a lot of credit. You can read my review here. The arts are strong at that institution.
Here is a selection from the Broadway Cast..
Here are The Who performing some Tommy numbers..
Stay tuned some neat posts will be coming up soon..
It sames like musicians are dropping like flies in 2012. Whitney Houston, Davy Jones, Michael Davis of MC5, guitarist Mac Weston and guitarist Larry Reinhardt are some I blogged about. Dick Kniss a bass player Peter, Paul, and Mary and Riot founder Mark Reale have passed away. But there are still more. UFO, Diamond Head, and Wishbone Ash drummer Robbie France and NRBQ drummer Tom Ardolino passed away. The above were some I didn't blog about but have passed away. I'm sure there have been some more obscure artists who passed away as well.
Ronnie Montrose was not obscure. However, he was the next rocker the world lost in 2012. Ronnie founded the band Montrose with Sammy Hagar. Before that he played with Van Morrison and the Edgar Winter Group. Official word on how he died has not been released. It is known he was battling prostate cancer. According to his official website "he chose his own exit the way he chose his own life."
His signature song was Bad Motor Scooter..
Recently he would give away a guitar o be auctioned off at each tour spot to support a local charity in need. Ronnie was more than Rock Candy..
It's old news now Davy Jones of The Monkees passed away February 29, 2012. A little late I know on this one. I have been distracted lately and not writing much. Busy at the day job, drama some of my other writing ventures, probably a bit of writer's block and so forth.
Davy Jones was a talented man. As a teenager he performed in Oliver! in London's West End and New York's Broadway. The two theatre capitals of western civilization. He also appeared in a lot of theatre on the West End later in his career. in between he starred in the 60's shoe The Monkees which created a pop band of the same name.
Here is the origninal video for The Monkees hit "I'm A Believer"
Here is a little taste of their show..
I've caught a few shows on re-runs here and there. A touching tribute can be found on his official website.
