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.
Happy 68th Birthday to Charlie Musselwhite. He is considered among the best harmonica players in blues. He is moving into the sixth decade of his career with over 25 albums released. He was great enough to make it into the Blues Hall of Fame. His resume icludes 14 W.C. Handy Awards and a half dozen GRAMMY nominations.
Here he covers a 1927 blues called "Newport News Blues"
"Gone Too Long"
"In Your Darkest Hour"
Well I hope you enjoy! I have a lot of things in the works for next month so stay tuned!
Today is the late Elmore James 95th birthday. Just going back and listening to his music you can actually hear how many blues musicians he influenced. He was called the King of the Slide Guitar, but his influence went farther than that. This list includes greats like Albert King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, The Allman Brothers, Derek Trucks and many others.
Listen to the music and it will sound familiar, you can hear his influence...
Here is another..
and another song...
Well I hope you enjoy and I will have a new post soon
January was a kind of up in the air month for me. I didn't really request any assignemnts so I didn't really cover a lot. I picked up a unique Chinese dance performance which was truely a cultural delight and then I covered The Savannah Disputtation last week in Reston. Asa patron of the arts I did go see Irving Berlin's White Christmas at the Kennedy Center at the beggining of the month.
Without haviong the shows I have been staying busy volunteering at a Cold Weather Shelter, so far I have helped out on three nights and I have siugned up for two more this week. On the bright side it has given me the chance to read more. Besides the obvious bright side of helping those who need help. So, I guess their will be some blog posts on what I am reading. I used to do that, then I kind of stopped readong books for a while.
I am a manic reader, a streaky reader. I am much more likely to start a book and misplace it some where and not come back to it then I am to finish one. I know a lot of writers read a lot more than I do. I don't know how they do it. I guess when I am juggling real life stuff, family, and lives other destractions plus writing it is hard to find time for it or at least that is my excuse.
Well I am confirmed for one concert and one play next month. I am still waiting for a few others which could also involve interviews. Plus who knows what else will happen.In the immediate future I will have some more festival lineups, some sports posts, and who knows I am sure there will be some surprises.
Not only did I include some coming attractions, I think there might be some confessions, and a lot of ramblings.I will be back soon with another post.
Well the first play I covered this year was The Savannah Disputation. Like always it is neat to see a different play, at a different theater, and put on by a different production group. This time it was The Reston Community Players who put on their performances at the Reston Community Center. What a complex! The theater was beautiful and the rest of the facilities were really neat. Here is a link to my review.
The clip below was about the play's New York debut..
It was a good time full of laughs as it questioned the difference between the religion beliefs of the charecters. It has been a light month for me seeig performances, but I will be back next month covering a lot of good stuff and maybe some itnterviews.
Wanee Festival is coming up quick..April 18-20. Today they announced their lineup.
Allman Brothers
No surprise here The Allman Brothers will be there! They will be playing two nights...
Here they are last year at the Festival performing "Jessica"
Widespread Panic
Also playing two nights are Widespread Panic! The Panic are another incredible jam band. Here they are from the 2011 Wanee Festival with special guest Luther Dickinson....
Gov't Mule
Gov't Mule will be performing featuring Warren Haynes..Here the band plays "Bad Little Doggie" last year at the Festival...
Tedeschi Trucks Band
Derek Trucks will be one of the hardest working musicians at the festival.Playing with the Allman Brothers and his wife...Here they perform "Down Don't Bother Me" last year at Wanee...
Jaimoe's Jasssz Band
Jaimoe is the legendary drummer and one of the founders of The Allman Brothers. He will be busy two playing with the Allman Brothers and his Jasssz Band.
Below they play.."Feel So Glad" at Wanee 2011...
Michael Franti and Spearhead
Michael Franti and Spearhead will be providing some great reggae vibes at Wanee this year. Below they perform "Say Hey"
Robert Randolph and the Family Band
I had the pleasure of seeing this band ope for Eric Clapton too many years ago. Robert to me is like the Jimi Hendrix of the Steel Guitar. Check them out below...They perform "The Word" from Wanee 2010...
Leon Russell
Not surprising Wanee highlighting a legend in Leon Russell...below is "A Song for You"
Tower of Power
I have seen this horn section back up several bands. Here is your chance to see them on their own..
Below they perform "What is Hip"
Les Claypool's Duo de Twang
Every festival needs a little bass and Les Claypool is one of the best. Below they perform with Chris Robinson on "Battle of New Orleans"
Electric Hot Tuna and Jorma Kaukonen's Fur Peace Ranch
Jorma Kaukonen is performing with the legendary Hot Tuna and bring his Fur Peace Ranch with him! Here they perform "I Am A Light in this World" at Wanee 2012...
Maceo Parker
Maceo Parker will be delivering the original funk to Wanee. Here he performs "Pass the Peas"
Steel Pulse
Steel Pulse will be providing some more positive reggae beats when they play Wanee.below they perform "Global Warming"
North Mississippi All Stars
When I saw them at Wanee in 2011 they were quite impressive. If you get a chance to see this band you don't want to miss it!Here they are in 2010 at Wannee performing "When the Mean Old Wind Died Down"
Blackberry Smoke
This up and coming jam band will be performing at Wanee..
Here they perform "Good One"
Galactic and Friends
Galactic is no stranger to Wanee they will return this year with friends. here they perfrom "Give it Up" from Wanee 2011...
The Greyboy Allstars
Another up and coming jam band The Greyboy Allstars here is a video for their song "Still Waiting"
Voices of the Wetlands Allstars
This Tab Benoit led band features some of the best in New Orleans music. Cyril Neville,Waylon Thibodeaux, Johnny Vidacovich, Jumpin' Johnny Sansone, and Big Chief Monk Boudreaux make this a band not to miss.Here they perform "We Make A Good Gumbo"
Dirty Dozen Brass Band
Another New Orleans favorite, the funky Dirty Dozen Brass Band. Here they perform "Ain't Nothin' But A Party" at Bonnaroo 2002....
Royal Southern Brotherhood
This All Star group came together in 2012 and became one of the best blues rock bands of the year. It features Devon Allman and Mike Zito on guitars, Charlie Wooten on bass, Yonrico Scott on drums, and Cyrille Neville on percusion. Cyrille, Devon and Mike provide the vocals. Here is there video for "Gotta Keep Rockin'"
Bobby Lee Rodgers Trio
Like Devon Allman, Bobby Lee Rodgers is no stranger to Wanee. He will be back in 2013. Here he performs Ike Stubblefield from Wanee 2011...
The Lee Boys
The Lee Boys are an incredible Steel Guitar sacred band. They were quite impressive when I saw them last year at the Western Maryland Bluesfest. Here they perform "I'm Not Tired"
Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad
Billed as a physcodellic reggae roots band. They will fit nicely at Wanee...Here they perform ".45"
The Revivalists
A New Orleans rock band on the verge of breaking out. They sound worth checking out... Here is their video for "Criminal"
Monophonics
A San Francisco band combining funk, soul with a dash of Physcodellic sound for seasning.
Here they perform "Spannish Moon"
Boombox
Electronic dance music pulling from vintage blues and rock. If thwat sounds like fun then Boombox is a musical unit to check out at Wanee 2013. Below they perform "Mr. Boogie Man"
Flannel Church
Southern flavored funk and R&B create this cool band. It features Derek Truck's little brother Duane on drums. They jammed at Wanee last year and they are returnng this year..Here they perform "Who Knows" at the Legendart Iridium CLub in New York
Yeti Trio
This trio makes improvised fussion music. Here they perform "I'm the Slime"
Not bad it is only January and I have shared the lineups for Mountain Jam, Jazzfest and Wanee! Stay tuned for more..
Well since my last blog post on college basketball I have written several more recaps.
We will start with...
Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech lost in overtime at home against Virginia Tech. The Yellow Jackets could have used a win over the Hokies. You can read my recap here. Below are highlights..
Next Georgia Tech got beat by the Duke Blue Devils. You can read the recap here.
Florida Gators
The Florida Gators have fared much better than Georgia Tech. The Gators whipped the LSU Tigers 74-52 in Baton Rouge. You can read my recap here.
Next the Gators visited Texas A&M and whipped them 68-47. You can read my recap here.
Finally the #17 Missouri Tigers were supposed to challenge the Gators but Florida crushed them 83-52.You can read the recap here.
Like I said I was picking up the basketball coverage. I was lucky enough to find highlights for all the games for the blog. I will be back soon with another post.
I remember Earl Weaver as the manager of the Orioles from my teen years. I was living in the Washington DC area at the time, closer than I do these days, and well Washington didn't have a team. Baltimore had the Orioles and they were the home team. He was a colorful baseball manager. He managed some good teams for the O's. He died in his sleep from an apparent heart attack. His wife by his side. He was 82 and died aboard an Orioles' Fantasy Cruise ship.
He had a career record of 1480-1060. He was the manager of the Orioles from 1968-1982 and als 1985-1986. His number was retired by the Baltimore Orioles and he became a member of the baseball Hall of Fame. Baseball lost one of their best managers.
Caution on all clips he was a colorful manager. Here he is in action...
Here is another one...
Howard Cossell commenting on his retirement...
Thanks for the memories. Thanks for a great reason to blog about baseball! R.I.P..may the three run homers come through for you.
Well when you have a season like the Jacksonville Jaguars did the off season is long and busy. I am continuing my coverage of the team with some of their off season moves for Outside the Redzone.
First up the Jaguars fired their General Manager Gene Smith you can read my article here.Next they hired a new general manager David Caldwell and fired their coach you can read about that here. Then they hired a new coach which you can read about it here.
What it all means? Well the team went under new ownership this season. Now that the season is over the owner is putting his stamp on the team after an awful season. He wants a winer. The team went with sharp football people who lack prior experience. Caldwell hasn't been a GM and Bradley hasn't been a head coach. So there will be some growing pains. However, there will be new energy around the team and a fresh attitude.Hopefully better results.
Here the team introduces the new GM:
The new coach Bradley..
Well I will be back with a new post soon. Probably one on basketball, but I am covering another show tonight and festivals are announcing big news so we will see!
Yesterday I shared the 2013 Mountain Jam line up today I will share The 2013 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival line up better known simply as Jazz Fest! I was fortunate to go to this festival once and it was incredible! A blend of multiple styles of music.
The Festival runs April 26 through Sunday May 5 for specific lineups per day please check out their website.
Billy Joel
The biggest names in music play this festival. Also probably a bunch of folks you have never heard before who will blow your mind musically. Billy Joel is one of those biggest names. He recently played the 12.12.12 Concert.
Fleetwood Mac
You may have heard the rumors that Fleetwood Mac has reunited once more for another tour. One of their stops will be JazzFest.
The Dave Matthews Band
Another big nam, The Dave Matthews Band will also play the Fest. They are no strangers to playing festivals and big stages.
Maroon 5
This band has moves like Jagger..
The Black Keys
Another band that is developing quite a following is The Black Keys.
John Mayer
One of the most popular guitar/singers out there John Mayer will also be performing.
Widespread Panic
One of the biggest jam bands out there, Widespread Panic will be playing the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Like my previous post they will also be playing Mountain Jam.
Daryl Hall and John Oates
Do anyone remember these guys? I am sure you do let me find a video to rewind your memory.
Phoenix
B.B. King
The King, a living legend in Blues Music, and incredible entertainer, and a headliner at Jazz Fest. Yes, B.B. King will be there!
Frank Ocean
Earth, Wind, and Fire
A classic old school band here...
Willie Nelson and Family
Willie Nelson is a legend!
Little Big Town
Little Big Town is headed for the Big Easy. Last year they enjoyed a number one hit with this song...
George Benson
Of course there is jazz
It is a wonderful festival with a lot of bands. I will list some more below but cut down on comments and videos due to space.
Jill Scott, Jimmy Cliff, Gypsy Kings, Jeffrey Osborne, Patti Smith, Ben Harper with Charlie Musselwhite..
That last combo deserved a video...
Band of Horses, Gary Clark Jr, Andrew Bird, Maze, Juan Louis Guerra y 440 and Los Lobos
There is still more! The Little Willies, Kem Roy Ayers, Laura Bell Bundy, Dianne Reaves, and the Stanley Clarke/George Duke Project
Charles Bradley, Wayne Shorter Quartet, the legendary Taj Mahal with the Real Thing Tuba Band...I have seen Taj Mahal open for Eric CLapton and at The Wanee Festival...
Calexico, Eddie Palmieri Salsa Orchestra, Vashawn Mitchell, Jushua Redman Quertet, Mutemath, and the amazing Ana Popovic...
The Mavericks, Little Joe Y La Familia, Campbell Brothers, Brushy One String of Jamaica, dobro master Jerry Douglas, Daryl Coley, Magary Lord of Bahia-Brazil, Male Debale of Bahia-Brazil, The Del McCoury Band with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band..wow Bluegrass and jazz mixing it up! Doc McKenzie and the Hi Lites, Pokey LaFarge, Salio from the Republic of Georgia, Robert Mirabal, Martha Redbone, Bill Miller, Pura Fe, A Tribe Called Red, Yellow Bird Indian Dancers, Stoney Creek Indian Dancers, Oneida Longhouse Singers and Dancers. Here comes the Funk! Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue, Aaron Neville, Dr. John, Allen Toussaint, Irma Thomas, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Pete Fountain, The Nevilles, Rebirth Brass Band, Galactic, Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk, Better than Ezra, The Meter Men with Page McConnell, Kermitt Ruffins and the Barbecue Swingers, The 35th Anniversary Celebration of "One Mo' Time!" Marc Broussard, Chris Owens, Amanda Shaw and the Cute Guys, Papa Grows Funk, and Cowboy Mouth Tab Benoit is someone you should discover..
Anders Osborne, Theresa Andersson, Big Sam's Funky Nation, slide master Sonny Landreth, Jon Cleary, John Boutte, the legendary Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Irvin Mayfield and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, Jeremy Davenport, Deacon John, Davell Crawford, Terence Blanchard, Rockin' Dopsie Jr and The Zydeco Twisters, Henry Butler, Donald Harrison and Bonerama.
One heck of a lineup for one of the best festivals in the world! I am getting festival fever over here!
Right now Hunter Mountain in New York is a snow covered ski resort. Come June 6-9, 2013 Hunter Mountain will be the home of the 9th Annual Mountain Jam Music Festival. Isn't it great in the dead of winter we can talk about the warmer weather and music festivals.
Well the initial lineup for the 9th Annual Mountain Jam includes:
Phil Lesh and Friends
Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh is playing the festival with some friends with one of his favorite side bands.The band features Warren Haynes and John Scofield on guitars. Joe Russo will compliment Lesh on drums and Jeff Chimenti rounds out the band on keyboards.
Here is 35 minutes of jams from one of Phil's stops at Mountain Jam....
Widespread Panic
Another great jam band will be making the trip to the Catskills...I can't believe they have been playing for 27 years.
Gov't Mule
Warren Haynes is going to be one busy guitar player at this festival playing with Phil Lesh and the Mule
Primus
Phil Lesh won't be the only bass player thumping it down Primus will be in town..
Those are the headliners but I will continue with the line up
Dispatch
Described as Indie/Roots Rockers Dispatch will be making their Mountain jam debut
The Avett Brothers
This band is playing their third Mountain Jam this June
Gary Clark Jr.
He recently jammed with the Rolling Stones and I have heard nothing bad about him. Gary Clark Jr. appears to be the real deal.
Soulive featuring The Shady Horns
Soulive...
with The Shady Horns..
Running out of space so also appearing...
Jackie Greene
ALO
Amy Helm
Amy is the daughter of the late legendary drummer of the Band Levon Helm who is very talented. I saw her with Levon and she has skills.
and there is more....
Deer Tick
Rubblebucket
Nicki Bluhm & The Gamblers
The Revivalists
David Wax Museum
SIMO
Plus there is the chance more bands and artists will be added. It is a very solid lineup. Stay tuned to my blog I will share the ews on other festivals when I get it...
Monday night into Tuesday morning I spent 10.5 hours volunteering at a cold weather shelter. The weather had been a bit on the warm side for January but Ihad turned into a 40s high 30s kind of day with a cold rain. Not the day you would want to be out on the streets. Not like there is a good time to be homeless. It is a place I will be back helping out at again soon.
Lets face it times are hard. My family struggles to keep from being homeless. So, I have no problem lending my time to help others. They are a lot like me. Perhaps I have a better support group. Sure some have problems I have my share. It is in these personal tough times the degrees of seperation dissappear.
When the weather is bitter or icky I don't want to be homeless. If I can help shelter folks from a cold rain, a hard freeze, snow and ice, or just plain giving them a break from the streets or whereever they make their homes.I'd like to see year round shelters. Summers get hot and humid. Plus the storms we went through the big stoerm at the end of June, the scorching hot temps, Sandy coming through. It rains in the fall, summer and spring. There is a need then too.
Winter is perceived harsher. The threat of folks freezing to death, hypothermia, and more illnesses going around in the winter can easily mae the argument for a cold weather shelter. Maybe things will turn around and the homeless will find homes. Until then we need to help hem,
Almost went Country on my blog post today. However, I discovered today was Joe Pass birthday. Since he is considered one of the best jazz guitarists to ever leave Joe won out. Joe was born on this date back in 1929 and passed away in 1994 at the age of 65. He left behhind quite a legacy of jazz guitar.
Here isa young Joe Pass jaming on a Fender Jaguar...
Here he is in 1975 with Ella Fitzgerald....
Here he plays his own tune Joe's Blues in 1984...
Here Joe performs all things you are from 1991..
I wanted to get a good representation of Joe Pass through the years. Thanks for the licks and I hope you R.I.P. Happy NBirthday Joe Pass!
Sames like every year I get to add something new in my writing cap. This year is no exception as I was fortunate enough to review a dance production. Even better for me the dance production was a little more special. I was able to see the ong Kong Dance Company with the Guangdong Song and Dance Ensemble perform Qingming Riverside at the Kennedy Center. You can read my review here.
Here is a trailer for the program from 2008:
It has been played in a few places around the world but this current tour marks the first time in North America and it was the second stop. The first stop was Toronto.
Here is an another video...
I loved how it combined poetry, music, art, theater, video and dance to create something neat. I came away thinking it was quite a cultural experience...
Ok I have been a bit of a slacker on cllege basketball coverage. However, now that the college fooball season is over and we are inching closer to the madness the basketball coverage will be increasing. I am covering the Florida Gators and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets for Outside the Redzone the same teams I covered for football.
The Florida Gators
The first basketball recap of the season was Florida's win over Wisconsin. You can read that recap here.
Here are some highlights since I like to add a little extra to the blog...
Next recap for the Florida Gators was their huge win over the Georgia Bulldogs. You can read that recap here. Sorry couldn't find highlights for this game. Here is a quick recap of the game...
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Like I said it has been a slow start for me on the basketball articles. I only have one for Georgia Tech and that was of their loss to the North Carolina State Wolfpack. You can read that recap here. I found highlights from that game...
More Yellow Jackets coverage to come.
Well I am covering some things so more performing arts posts will follow, I have written some more football articles, so there are a lot of things on tap for the blog.
Today is Rod Stewart's 68th birthday. January appears to be a great month to be born if you want to be a rock star. Well let's get right to the fun stuff of spanning Rod's career.
Here he performs "Mountain Dew" with the Jeff Beck Group
Rod Stewart with The Faces
Here is Rod Stewart in the 80's with Some Guys Have All the Luck..
Here is an ad he did with Tina Turner..
Here is something a bit for recent...
and a fun one just for kicks...
Happy Birthday Rod Stewart..thanks for the songs and the jams with Jeff Beck, Ron Wood and moore.
