R.I.P Tony Rice

 Tony Rice the great Bluegrass guitarist has passed away.  Eight years ago I was able to catch Tony Rice with Peter Rowan and the McCourys' my thoughts on the show are available here. 

Here performs "Church Street Blues"

"Blue Railroad Train"

A guitarist who played with Peter Rowan, Jerry Garcia,  David Grisman,  Ricky Skaggs,  Bela Fleck, and Jerry Douglas. Playing with the likes of those musicians it is no wonder he was inducted into  the Bluegrass Hall of Fame.

"Guitar Space Summertime" jamming with Jerry Garcia

"The Soul of a Man Never Dies" with Ricky Skaggs

The legend will be missed!

R.I.P Rob Wasserman

Rob Wasserman passed away on Jun 29, 2016. The bassist was 64. The Grammy Award winning worked with a bunch of musicians including Bob Weir, Lou Reed and David Grisman to highlight a few.

Here is his Grammy Award winning song with Bobby McFerrin...

"Easy Answers" Bob Weir, Neil Young, and Rob Wasserman..

Here is an all bass version of "Satisfaction"..

Ratdog with "Lucky Enough"...

Rob Wasserman was an incredible talent on the bass, his music will be missed. May he rest in peace.

Battle of the Bands: Panama Red

The list of Battle of the Bands participants..

 I snagged it from STMcC Presents 'Battle of the Bands': 

@ ‘FAR AWAY SERIES’ by clicking HERE.
@ ‘TOSSING IT OUT’ by clicking HERE.
@ ‘YOUR DAILY DOSE’ by clicking HERE.
@ 'BOOK LOVER' by clicking HERE.
@ 'CURIOUS AS A CATHY' by clicking HERE.
@ 'THE SOUND OF ONE HAND TYPING' by clicking HERE.
@ 'DCRELIEF - BATTLE OF THE BANDS' by clicking HERE.
@ 'THIS BELLE ROCKS' by clicking HERE.
@ 'THE DOGLADY'S DEN' by clicking HERE.
@ 'CHERDO ON THE FLIPSIDE' by clicking HERE. 
@ 'ANGELS BARK' by clicking HERE.
@ 'JINGLE JANGLE JUNGLE' by clicking HERE.
@ 'WOMEN: WE SHALL OVERCOME' by clicking HERE.
@ 'J.A. SCOTT' by clicking HERE.
@ 'NOVELBREWS' by clicking HERE. 
@ 'HOLLI'S HOOTS AND HOLLERS' by clicking HERE. 
@ 'QUIET LAUGHTER' by clicking HERE. 


Bluegrass legend and the songwriter of "Panama Red" with yours truly.. 




I was going to go jazz with a good guitar showdown but I through it out the window at the last minute. I decided to continue where I left off on my last Battle of the Band. The picture may indicate bluegrass. However, I think this selection more fits in psychedelic, country rock of the early 70's. I haven't heard the song in years so I am dusting it off for the Battle of the Bands.

Lyrics from nrpsmusic,com:

PANAMA RED

(PETER ROWAN)

CHORUS
PANAMA RED, PANAMA RED
HE'LL STEAL YOUR WOMAN, THEN HE'LL ROB YOUR HEAD
PANAMA RED, PANAMA RED

ON HIS WHITE HORSE, MESCALITO
HE COME BREEZIN' THROUGH TOWN
I'LL BET YOUR WOMAN'S UP IN BED WITH
PANAMA RED

THE JUDGE DON'T KNOW WHEN RED'S IN TOWN
HE KEEPS WELL HIDDEN UNDERGROUND
BUT EVERYBODY'S ACTING LAZY
FALLING OUT AND HANGIN' 'ROUND

MY WOMAN SAID, "HEY PEDRO
YOU'RE ACTIN' CRAZY LIKE A CLOWN"
NOBODY FEELS LIKE WORKING
PANAMA RED IS BACK IN TOWN

CHORUS

EVERYBODY'S LOOKING OUT FOR HIM
'CAUSE THEY KNOW RED'S SATISFIES
LITTLE GIRLS LOVE TO LISTEN TO HIM
SING AND TELL SWEET LIES

BUT WHEN THINGS GET TOO CONFUSING, HONEY
YOU'RE BETTER OFF IN BED
AND I'LL BE SEARCHING ALL THE JOINTS IN TOWN FOR
PANAMA RED

CHORUS

Warning labels: Adding lyrics kind of like warning labels. Some videos may also have drug references. I did say psychedelic early 70s music and Panama Red was a strain of marijuana as well. 

Contestant One: The Original version (kind of) The New Riders of the Purple Sage

Contestant Two: Old and In The Way

This song was recorded about the same time but released two years later in 1975. Yes I am bringing back Jerry Garcia and David Grisman. Joining them is Peter Rowan, John Kahn, and Vassar Clements.

Changing it up slightly and narrowing it down to just two versions this go away. Vote for the version you like best. There are some great live version out there as well.

I will be back on the 22nd with the winner! Thanks for visiting and remember to vote in the comments!

Remembering Jerry Garcia

It was 20 years ago today when Jerry Garcia passed away. I remember I was in my car driving home from a college course when I heard the news on a classic rock radio station.

This is a taste of my very first Grateful Dead concert...

Needless to say I was hooked after my first show. He was one of the first musicians who passed away that I felt something about. I knew things would change, but I did not know how much until I went to shows of various splinter groups of the band.

Here the Jerry Garcia Band covers The Beatles with "Dear Prudence"..

I recently featured a bluegrass cover Jerry Garcia had done on my recent Battle of the Bands. I will pick another song from that album to spotlight here..."Stealin'" with David Grisman...

I guess in a year that marks 50 years of the Grateful Dead and 20 years of Jerry Garcia being gone. That no matter how you found the music it certainly has been...a long, strange trip..

Thanks for visiting and I will see you soon!

Battle of the Bands: Jerry Garcia style with Doc Watson, Taj Mahal

Today is Jerry Garcia's birthday and it is also time for the Battle of the Bands. I'm in the mood to combine things a bit.



Hopefully this is the updated list of participants. I snagged it from STMcC Presents 'Battle of the Bands': 

@ ‘FAR AWAY SERIES’ by clicking HERE.
@ ‘TOSSING IT OUT’ by clicking HERE.
@ ‘YOUR DAILY DOSE’ by clicking HERE.
@ 'BOOK LOVER' by clicking HERE.
@ 'MIKE'S RAMBLINGS' by clicking HERE.
@ 'CURIOUS AS A CATHY' by clicking HERE.
@ 'THE SOUND OF ONE HAND TYPING' by clicking HERE.
@ 'DCRELIEF - BATTLE OF THE BANDS' by clicking HERE.
@ 'THIS BELLE ROCKS' by clicking HERE.
@ 'THE DOGLADY'S DEN' by clicking HERE.
@ 'CHERDO ON THE FLIPSIDE' by clicking HERE. 
@ 'ANGELS BARK' by clicking HERE.
@ 'JINGLE JANGLE JUNGLE' by clicking HERE.
@ 'WOMEN: WE SHALL OVERCOME' by clicking HERE.
@ 'J.A. SCOTT' by clicking HERE.
@ 'NOVELBREWS' by clicking HERE. 
@ 'HOLLI'S HOOTS AND HOLLERS' by clicking HERE. 
@ 'QUIET LAUGHTER' by clicking HERE. 

Jerry Garcia is best known for his work with the Grateful Dead and his work with his own band The Jerry Garcia Band. However, Jerry also was into folk music and was a fan of bluegrass music. So my selection today is the title track of Jerry Garcia and David Grisman's album "Shady Grove."

It is a beautiful album and if you enjoy this type of music I highly recommend the album.

Now for the competition..

Contestant Number One

Doc Watson

Contestant Number Two

Taj Mahal

A bluegrass legend in Doc Watson battling it out against a blues legend, known for his love of world music and fusion of musical sounds. The song a beautiful traditional piece dating back to the 1800's maybe longer. I think Jerry would enjoy this battle and I hope you enjoy it as well! Please vote in the comments. I look forward to who you favor in this battle.

Simple Music

I bought a CD yesterday, a rare event these days, but something I evidently did quite a bit of in the past. It was "Shady Grove" by Jerry Garcia and David Grisman. It is a collection of folk songs recorded between 1990 and 1995 between two musicians(occasionally more). Songs from long ago, played on guitars, banjos and mandolins. The CD was incredible in my opinion.

Yes, I am a fan of Jerry and the Grateful Dead. I also listen to a lot of different music. But this disc is simply, two musicians, playing old time music. Great music and the music performed in a way that you feel the emotion of the song. I like that in music when you can feel it.

"Shady Grove" was a CD that had been on my radar for a while, but for some reason or another I never bought. It was definitely worth the wait, and I wish I had purchased it earlier. It wasn't what I expected, but that is fine. It is a wonderful collection of songs.