Happy Birthday Bill Payne

Bill Payne is best known as a founder and keyboardist for the legendary band Little Feat and today is his birthday. Today's post will have a throwback Thursday feel to it as I revisit some memories, share some music and celebrate his birthday.

"Let it Roll"

The musical writing highlight of 2013 for me was getting the chance to interview Bill Payne. You can read my interview at DC Metro Theater Arts. Also four videos of music were added to the article by editor for your listening and viewing pleasure!

Below is a video from his solo tour with Gabe Ford performing "Gringo"

 

Here is my review of Bill Payne's tour stop at The Birchmere in Alexandria, Virginia.

 

Below he performs with The Hooligans, a band whose latest release Bill produced..

 

 

 

We will end this post with some classic Little Feat...

 

The Review of Bill Payne's show

Bill Payne's Tracing Footsteps Tour is an experience, an intimate look into an artist's world. You can read my review here. Besides being one of the founders and piano/keyboard player for Little Feat, he is a reknowned session player as well. I didn't even know he played on this songm till he played the riff and told the story..

I'm not a fan of giving stars. After interviewing him, seeing his show, and meeting him I would give him 5-stars as a person. Laid back, friendly, talented and he gave a thrree hour show! But I was honest, it was good, a better experience than a concert. I liked the second set a lot more than the dirst set. I also thought some casual fans might not like his song selection for Little Feat tunes. Though it appeared the audience was long time, familiar fans.

Here is a bit from the current tour at a different stop...

Another cool thing was the special guest. It was a local guitarist Billy Thompson who I have seen play a few times. He is local in that he lives fiarly close to me and plays in my neck of the woods often. He didn't always live close to me and he has played some big time festivals and with some big names. However, it is a cool experience to see someone you know playing with a legend at a legendary venue. Yes, he played great and held his own on stage with Gabe Ford and Bill Payne. I chatted with Bill Payne after the show and he gave Billy a lot of praise.

Here is Billy Thompson performing...

There are more clips on my review of both artists. Anyway, I shared my thought process on this review and gave some more insight. Hope you enjoyed and I will be back with another post soon! 

Tommy Emmanuel

Okay I knew Tommy Emmanuel was a great guitarist. It is the reason i signed up to review his show. I knew the venue, The Birchmere was a super place to see and hear musicians play. The show exceded my expectations. One the opening act was Anthony Snape, who I wasn't familier with before the show. He turned out to be a talented songwriter, a solid guitarist, and a gifted singer. He was aslso very energized and excited to be opening the show. I met him after the show and he appeared to be very humble as well.

Here is Anthony Snape in action...

Okay he looks a lot different now than in that video.Here is one a bit more recent...

Then there was Tommy Emmanuel who lived up to his hype and then some. He was a great showman. His show was part clinic, part awe inspiring, and 100% entertaining. You can read my review here. If you have never seen him in concert put it on your bucket list.

Here he is in action at the same club but a year or o before the show I covered..

More Tommy...he played this one and I thought it was really neat!

I'll be back with a new post soon! 

Interview with Little Feat's Bill Payne

The plus side to my writing adventures is the fact from time to time I get to talk to some pretty cool people. In the past I have interviewed guitar master Yngwie Malmsteen, The Queen of Bluegrass Rhonda Vincent, and some other cool folks. I was able to add another one on my list when I interviewed one of the founders of Little Feat, their keyboard/piano player Bill Payne.

The interview was great. Obviously we talked about his upcoming tour and show. However, we also touched on his art, music, and some rock and roll history. You can read my interview here.

Here is a promo from the current tour...

Here he perfroms "Rooster Rag" at another famous club...

and a classic from the band that made him famous..

Hope you enjoy and I will be back soon with anbother post! 

Duncan Sheik

Well I went to the Birchmere in Alexandria, Virginia on Sunday. It is a legendary music hall where lots of big names have played. On this night I came to see Duncan Sheik, the GRAMMY and Tony Award winning musician.

Here is Duncan performing "I Don't Do Sadness" from the musical Spring Awakening at the same venue but this was back in April...

You can read my full review here.When he played the song above he was joined by singer Laura Warshauer,,,

Here she is performing one of her songs

Courrier was the opening act they performed a 30 minute set. They are a real likable band with a lot of talent. Here is a little bit from Sunday someone caught on Youtube...

Well that was my musical adventure. Stay tuned I  will be back soon with a new post...