The Luber Blog

Prince + More: Nostalgia Night 2009! (3/28/09)

2009-03-29T13:14:00.000-07:00

To promote his new, 3-CDs-At-Once release, Prince announced he would play 3 shows at 3 venues in LA on the same night. Thanks to a friend getting great tix for free at work, I got to attend the 1st of the 3 sold-out shows, which was at the Nokia Theater. Upon entering the room, you could immediately feel the energy that comes with a hot ticket show. It reminded me of the vibe at Chicago’s Rosemont Horizon for the Purple Rain show back in the day (one of my first-ever and favorite concerts). Basically, people were just damn psyched. As the full house waited for Prince to come out and the PA blasted danceable hits from the 80s (including hits by Prince and Michael Jackson), Magic Johnson came walking in to take his seat. The people in each section Magic walked by in his seat-hunt jumped up to give him a standing ovation. It was like watching the wave at a college football game as the mixed-race crowd stood to honor the legend during his long walk through the theater.

Prince took the stage and proved that he hasn’t lost a step or aged a bit since those days of Purple Rain. In fact, he appeared more confident and at the same time more gracious and appreciative of his ability to bring people together to celebrate his music. At one point he told us that a friend of his said, “music is what we do” but Prince told him, “no, I AM music…we are all music…and music is what brings us together”. He was backed by great musicians that included a female drummer, a harmonica soloist, 3 background singers, a bass player and a keyboard player. Prince shredded on guitar and worked the room like only the best can. He played around 2 new songs, both of which unfortunately sucked. The rest of the show focused on hits and covers. The hits included “Let’s Go Crazy”, “Controversy”, “I Feel For You”, “If I Was Your Girlfriend”, “Kiss”, “1999”, and “Purple Rain”. The covers included an insane, funked up jam of “Play That Funky Music White Boy”, “Crimson and Clover” with GREAT guitar work, The Beatles’ “Come Together”, Edgar Winter Band’s “Frankenstein”, and a Prince-less, harmonica-led sick cover of Hendrix’s “Little Wing”. The encores were awesome – he did 2 songs The Time recorded: The Bird and Jungle Love! Then Sheila E came out to drum and sing “The Glamorous Life”! The crowd went ballistic. For anyone who grew up in the 80s, the closing half hour felt like being sent back in a time machine to a great mid-80s party. Everyone walked out with an ear-to-ear grin.

As we got in the car, my friend said she also had free tickets to see Tom Morello’s side project away from Rage Vs the Machine, so we ran over to the Fonda Theater in Hollywood. We walked in to the half-filled club as Tom was playing some lame song and some wasted 22 year-old in the crowd was puking his guts out in the area we wanted to hang. I was ready to circle back to the door and go home when Tom invited his friends Slash and Jerry Cantrell (Alice In Chains) to the stage to play “Wish You Were Here”! Then Sen Dog from Cypress Hill took the stage to lead the band in “Insane In the Brain” and “Rock Superstar”. Then the singer from Slipknot took the stage and became Axl Rose as Slash led the band in rocking versions of “It’s So Easy” and “Paradise City”. The crowd went crazy! Then, and this is truly strange, the band played a rocking cover of "Play That Funky Music White Boy". I haven't checked the Guiness Book but has anyone else gone to TWO concerts in the same night (weddings excluded) and heard that song played BOTH times?! Nostalgia Night 2009 was a blast.

The funniest part of the night was the Earth Hour celebration in downtown Los Angeles, showing how we can all save power by turning our lights out for an hour all around the world. As we walked out of the Prince show, we walked through the Earth Hour celebration as we headed to the car. Every network news camera was there to cover what was LITERALLY a few lights in a courtyard being turned off while a DJ played crappy music to a crowd of people who had nothing better to do. There was Los Angeles, making its best effort to show the world how “green” we can be: turning off 3 lights and celebrating it. We would have stood around to laugh for a few minutes but we had to run to the next nostalgia event.

Lollapalooza 2008 (8/4/08)

2008-08-04T23:50:00.000-07:00

Just completed Lollapalooza weekend 2008 in Chi-town. As always, it was a total blast. This was the 4th year that Lollapalooza was a Chicago-based music festival…and the first time they sold it out. In fact, all three days were sell outs with 75,000 people attending each day. Despite the huge influx of people, the event remains a well-run machine thanks to the City of Chicago and C3 Presents from Austin, Texas. What makes it so special? The unique location (in the heart of Chicago’s beautiful parks surrounded by the amazing skyline now known as Gotham City thanks to Batman), the great summer weather (mid-80s and not even THAT humid this year), the Midwest vibe of the crowd, the tasty food from local Chicago restaurants (ribs, pizza, pulled pork, cheesecake on a stick, pad thai, etc), the prices for food and drink ($3 for Vitamin Water, $5 for great sandwiches), the plethora of port-o-potties, and of course the incredible musical line-up.

Yes, a musical line-up that allowed us to see all of this in just 3 days: Jeff Tweedy solo acoustic, Duffy, The Black Keys, Cat Power, Raconteurs, Radiohead, Dierks Bentley, Perry Farrell, Explosions in the Sky, Okkervil River, Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, Wilco, Rage Against The Machine, Flosstradamus, Iron & Wine, The National, and Nine Inch Nails. The electric jolt of happy buzz from all that music is what kept us (a group in the top 1% of the age bracket) bopping around for 3 days in the heat to the endless barrage of music, noise, freaks, funny t-shirts, mile-long walks and heart-attack-on-a-plate meals while surrounded by the energy of people born between 1983-1992. I’m not used to being in places where you’re old if you were born before 1980 but that was the case here! This didn’t stop our ever-evolving crew for a second from having a blast….in fact it probably inspired us. After all, it doesn’t seem like that long ago that we were learning our way through this type of environment at Grateful Dead shows at Alpine Valley. That’s in our DNA now…

Reviews? On Friday, Tweedy played the Kids Stage and was hilarious as he kept asking the kids to shout out requests. Since that area was packed with Wilco fans (who tend to be significantly older than kindergarten), there weren’t many requests coming from kids. “Am I putting you kids to sleep? You’re all kind of nodding off and staring in the wrong direction! OK, adults – YOU shout out some requests.” Tweedy played acoustic versions of several Wilco songs and lectured the kids that “if your parents don’t have any Woody Guthrie music in your house, then they are BAD parents.” He of course launched into a Woody Guthrie tune at that point. When he played “New Madrid”, he was joined by a former member of Uncle Tupelo (unfortunately not Jay Farrar, so it was not a notable reunion…but was still great to hear). We ran from him to Duffy, who actually sounded better than her CD. She had a great voice and proved that she’s worthy of all the UK hype she has received for her retro-soulful sound. This was a definite highlight. The Black Keys did their thing and brought the garage rock to Lolla. Good stuff. Cat Power was great, although her mellow, heroin-rock vibe wasn’t an ideal fit with the bright summer sky and the rush of people throughout the area trying to get settled for the Raconteurs at the nearby stage. I’d like to see her in a small, dark club when I’m not worried about being crushed by too many sweaty young people or standing behind The Tallest Guy At The Festival for a more popular act. The Raconteurs of course rocked the house. The combo of Jack White, who can do no wrong with his wild stage presence and his guitar & vocal talents with Brendan Benson who can sing like Dennis DeYoung of Styx, is both fun and compelling. Due to some brutal scheduling (something that should be fixed for next year), we had to bail on the Raconteurs half-way through to bolt to the other main stage a mile away in time for Radiohead. Radiohead was The Headliner of the entire event. Normally this would close out the festival, but Radiohead was only available today. They were stellar as usual, covering their catalog from their most recent release, In Rainbows, all the way back to The Bends. Thom Yorke’s unique stage presence and all of the crazy sounds the rest of the band squeezes out of their instruments always makes for an interesting set that works all parts of your brain (in case the special cookies you brought and mixed into a bag of Bear Naked granola weren’t already doing that for you).

After Radiohead, we trekked all the way out to the South Loop to hit Reggie’s Rock Club (2105 South State). A guy I’m friendly with opened the club 10 months ago and I have to say it’s the best club I’ve been to in America since The Wetlands in New York. There’s a rock club in one room, an intimate acoustic-music kind of stage in another room that is surrounded by a full bar and restaurant with walls smothered in rock memorabilia, and a phenomenal record store on the top level that you haven’t seen the likes of since 1979. The owner gave us a full tour and then topped it off by showing us his penthouse loft at the top of the building! We felt like we were in an Entourage episode as we took the elevator from the club (where SPIN magazine was hosting a Lollapalooza party) to the loft that was covered in more rock memorabilia, African art, all kinds of random trinkets, hand-made furniture, sports memorabilia, and anything else unique you could think of! We sat out on the massive deck, had some beers, ate a snack at the bar-like kitchen and then headed down to the restaurant room to try out the food. After eating a burger and a portabello mushroom sandwich, I can tell you that you won’t find better food in a music club anywhere in the US. (OK, so I haven’t dined at every music club in the U.S., but I’m pretty confident I can stand by that quote.) The burger had some special spice on it as well as crumbled onion ring pieces, etc….The bottom line is: if you have any music fan in your heart or soul, GO TO REGGIES the next time you’re in Chicago!! They even have the Reggies Rock Bus that picks people up at sports events, concerts, etc…all you have to do is call the club and request the bus! The South Loop isn’t exactly Beverly Hills, so keep that in mind as you trek out there….but don’t skip the trek. As Ferris Bueller would say, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

On Saturday, we heard Dierks Bentley as we were walking in to the festival. I liked what I heard and intend to check out more of this country-rocker’s stuff. The rumor going around at this point was that Slash was on the grounds and was going to jam with Perry Farrell at the DJ Tent. That area was packed as people waited for the Big Moment. I stood there for 15 minutes wondering what was going on. Perry was spinning records with some friends on stage. The records were playing quietly and he was paying more attention to his friends than the music or the audience. No one knew whether his set had started or if he was just warming up. Every once in a while, Perry would grab the mike, yell “yeah, Lollapalooza” and then chug some champagne with one arm up in the air as he received applause from the crowd. It was all so bizar that I started to wonder whether something funny had been put into my purple Vitamin Water. I was solo at this point so I walked slowly through the crowd to hear what people were saying. “Dude, is this the show or is he warming up?” “Where is Slash?” “Who is Slash?” “He’s that dude with the hat from Guns n Roses.” “Who is Perry Farrell?” “He’s from Jane’s Addiction”. “What’s Jane’s Addiction?” “I don’t get it – is this the show?” After 20 minutes of this, I couldn’t take another minute of the circus act. I bailed to get my second serving of pulled pork and headed over to see Explosions In the Sky, a MAJOR HIGHLIGHT of the entire festival. This Austin, Texas quartet serves up some intense instrumental music that goes from mellow soundscapes to huge powerful crescendos as the musicians jump around like they’re testing new pairs of Nike Air. Hypnotic, captivating and moving, this is a band worth listening to and seeing live again for sure. Caught a couple minutes of Okkervil River on the way to some pulled BBQ turkey and Bud Lite. Good folkie-indie-rock. Next came Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings. DAMN this was good! This former prison guard has soul oozing out of her pores. She works the stage like Tina Turner on Red Bull and is backed by a band that puts the Blues Brothers to shame. If you’ve seen Amy Winehouse perform, you’ve seen this band. I would go see this band any time in a club. Hot stuff. Had to leave early to get a good spot for Rage Against the Machine. As always, VERY powerful. This rhythm section is like a tank plowing through a building. Combine that with Tom Morello’s crazy guitar sounds and Zack de la Rocha’s passionate anger and you’ve got a ball-busting rock band with a message. The message is basically anarchy, but it’s damn exciting to watch them convey it. They had to stop their set 3 times due to the mosh pit getting completely out of control. Kids were passing out and getting hurt near the stage as the maniacs slammed around in reaction to the tunes. Zack had to make a speech about taking care of each other…and even handed the mike to a security guard as they warned that the show would be cut short if people didn’t take care of one another. They tore through their classic material as the massive audience freaked out. We left half-way through due to the painful scheduling snafu (why, C3….why?) so we could run to the mile-away other main stage to catch the second half of Wilco. All of Wilco and their visiting horn section were wearing crazy, colorful, rhinestone covered country-western suits that Tweedy bragged the band had sewn together. He even joked that they were cooler than Radiohead because Radiohead didn’t sew anything! Wilco played a great set of their strong material that dipped back to Being There. They’re still on a roll with the amazing musicianship enhancing Tweedy’s songs.

As we walked to Michigan Avenue after the show, thousands of people were crowding near the Congress hotel to scream and cheer at the top of their lungs. The youthful energy of the crowd was completely electrified by Rage Against the Machine. We were witnessing the happiest energy possible truly exploding out of everyone who attended the event. At the same time, if we didn’t know any better, we could have imagined we were at the 1968 Democratic Convention as it felt like chaos was literally taking place before our very eyes. Cops were everywhere (mostly on horseback) so nothing got out of control but it definitely had that feeling that anything could happen, good or horrible. Bodies everywhere screaming at the top of their lungs can be a bit disorienting to say the least. We jumped into our favorite post-Lolla hang, the Hilton Hotel bar. There’s nothing like a cushy couch in front of a TV and a giant window facing the concert crowd as you sip a gin and tonic and munch on bar pizza.

Sunday kicked things off with Iron & Wine. ANOTHER HIGHLIGHT! His albums are amazing but live was even better, featuring incredible musicianship and harmonies adding intricate layers of sound to each song. It was unique, mellow, trippy and Grateful Dead like. I felt that he could take this show to a huge level with the right amount of hard work and marketing. Next we caught techno DJs Flosstradamus at the techno tent, where they were spinning incredibly fun, trippy techno. At least it was fun until the fat guy near us projectile vomited his beer all over the place. That led us to bail and get some pulled pork and Vitamin Water. While we ate, we talked to some of the 20-somethings who traveled from Cleveland, St. Louis and Colorado to enjoy the event. We also talked to a late 20-something army veteran who had served overseas and felt that Ron Paul should be President no matter what. Only Ron Paul can handle what lies before us, according to this veteran. His friend, who hadn’t heard of anyone in politics other than Ron Paul, George Bush, John McCain and Barack Obama, agreed that Ron Paul should definitely be our leader. After this enlightening conversation, we ran in to catch Broken Social Scene. The Canadian indie pop-rock group played a fun set of their experimental music that featured a lot of people on stage and all kinds of instruments from horns to fiddles. Then we caught a few minutes of The National. They sounded good, opening their set with “Start A War” and drawing a decent crowd. Unfortunately, the pressure to get a spot for Nine Inch Nails pulled us (and most of the attention for The National) over to the bigger stage in the area for the next set. Trent Reznor should be proud. He made headlines when he played the first Lollapalooza in 1991 and there he was, drawing a massive crowd in 2008 for a show that deserved an A+, hands down. It freaked me out to think that I was already a big, longtime concert-goer in 1991 and most of this crowd was either in diapers or learning multiplication at that time. The fantastic part of this set, other than the incredible performance, top-notch musicianship, artful lighting, and smart set-pacing was the passion the audience fed back to the band. They jumped up and down and sang along like they personally felt the angst in every lyric. When the band played “Hurt” near the end of the set, a song Trent introduced as one he “wrote while in a very dark place and then passed it on to a friend [Johnny Cash]”, the crowd literally sang along like their lives depended on it. This set, loaded with great new material that included an excellent ambient mid-set, felt like it was coming from an artist at the top of his game who still feels he has something to prove.

All good things must come to an end. Lolla 2008 ended as we were all escorted out through the gates via the long, horizontal line of Chicago police on horseback. We headed to the legendary Dues for some Chicago deep-dish pizza, part of our annual Lolla closure routine. As they called our party of 4 to be seated, “table for Trent Reznor”, we happily sat down to eat gobs of bread and cheese and begin looking forward to Lolla 2009. Festival!

Holiday CD 2007 > 2008

2007-12-07T16:20:00.000-08:00

Additional song selections at the bottom.
* Buy the whole CD or download select songs from iTunes.
** Definitely buy the whole CD.

Volume 6 / Disc 1

1) I’m From Barcelona – “Oversleeping” from LET ME INTRODUCE MY FRIENDS (2007)
Naturally, given their name, this band is from Sweden. Led by singer-songwriter Emanuel Lundgren, he and his 28 friends create infectious pop music guaranteed to put a smile on your face. This is the rare CD where every song is good, catchy and fun. The live show is great too – they rocked Chicago’s Lollapalooza this summer at their American concert debut. Kids will love this CD. **

2) Josh Ritter–“Right Moves” fromTHE HISTORICAL CONQUESTS OF JOSH RITTER (2007)
Josh nailed it this time. 31 and from Idaho, Josh recorded his 5th CD in a Maine farmhouse with a variety of great sounds and arrangements. This track has a 70s pop feel that reminds me of some of John Lennon’s final solo work. Check out his live show. **

3) Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band – “Livin’ in the Future” from MAGIC (2007)
An American treasure and one of the best live acts ever in rock, The Boss returns with a great batch of songs that recall his classic sound as he continues analyzing the gap between American ideals and American shortcomings.This track sounds celebratory but it’s actually addressing apathy and how what you never thought could happen has happened already.Do not miss this tour! **

4) Paul McCartney – “Ever Present Past” from MEMORY ALMOST FULL (2007)
This tune proves that Sir Paul can still write a hook laced with crack. The CD is just OK despite some decent Wings-like material.

5) Arctic Monkeys–“Fluorescent Adolescent” from FAVOURITE WORST NIGHTMARE (2007)
More solid, catchy Brit-pop-rock from this Sheffield, England band of 21 and 22 year-olds.

6) Lily Allen – “Knock `Em Out” from ALRIGHT, STILL (2006)
One of the first musicians to launch a career via My Space, this 22 year-old from London writes hilarious lyrics that fit perfectly with her unique hybrid of hip-hop, pop, calypso, ska & reggae. *

7) Ben Harper – “Say You Will” from LIFELINE (2007)
Now 38 and on his 9th studio album, Southern California native Ben Harper continues to deliver good songs and grow as an artist. *

8) James Brown - “I Got the Feelin’” released as a SINGLE (1968)
The Godfather Of Soul (1933-2006), died on Xmas day of pneumonia-related heart failure. A pioneer who influenced nearly every rhythm-based genre of music, Brown took himself from utter poverty (picking cotton) to launching a recording and touring career in the 1950s that eventually led him to becoming a civil rights activist, a black community leader and an American institution. RIP.

9) Amy Winehouse – “You Know I’m No Good” from BACK TO BLACK (2007)
She sounds like a 1960s Motown soul diva but she’s actually a 24 year-old, tattoo-covered Jewish girl from London with a serious addiction problem. Producer Mark Ronson brought the hip to Amy’s soul-jazz-blues sound, creating a CD with some great songs. *

10) Brett Dennen – “Darlin’ Do Not Fear” from SO MUCH MORE (2006)
Heavily influenced by Paul Simon’s Graceland, this 28 year-old, 6 foot 5 redhead from the CA cowboy town of Oakdale is off to a good start with a distinctive sound and admirable collection of songs. I expect we’ll be seeing more of Brett. *

11) Spoon – “The Underdog” from GA GA GA GA GA (2007)
Produced by Jon Brion, here’s a great tune from the 9th release by 36 year-old Britt Daniel’s Austin-based indie rock band.

12) Bright Eyes – “If the Brakeman Turns My Way” from CASSADAGA (2007)
At 27, Omaha’s Connor Oberst continues to grow as a writer. Good album, great tour…start following this guy’s career now! **

13) Jackie Greene – “So Hard To Find My Way” from AMERICAN MYTH (2006)
Also 27, Jackie Greene is a great singer-songwriter from Monterey, CA who is less artsy than Connor Oberst and more folk-blues-roots-based. In addition to his solo career, he is currently fronting Grateful Dead bass player Phil Lesh’s band. **

14) Arcade Fire – “Intervention” from NEON BIBLE (2007)
Like the Killers in 06, Montreal’s finest has channeled their inner Springsteen to take on the world with their giant sound. *

15) Rocco DeLuca – “Speak To Me” from I TRUST YOU TO KILL ME (2006)
Clearly influenced by Led Zeppelin and Jeff Buckley, this 32 year-old from Long Beach, CA is signed to Kiefer Sutherland’s record label. DeLuca plays the Dobro steel guitar as he brings his Appalachian folk and blues influences to his collection of songs.

16) Ryan Adams – “Everybody Knows” from EASY TIGER (2007)
Newly sober and fresh off the road fronting Grateful Dead bass player Phil Lesh’s band, 33 year-old Ryan Adams has brought these events from his past year into his new music and lyrics. This is a beautiful sounding CD with some to-be-classic songs. *

17) Travis – “Closer” from THE BOY WITH NO NAME (2007)
On their 5th release, this Scottish band from Glasgow brings back producer Nigel Godrich to reclaim their influential sound. *

18) Angelique Kidjo w/Peter Gabriel – “Salala” from DJIN DJIN (2007)
Recording for almost 20 years, Kidjo hails from the West African country of Benin. Now in New York after years in Paris, she has recorded a great (yet uneven) CD featuring many celebrity collaborations. Her powerful voice and team of virtuoso musicians create a collection of compelling, unique and soulful Afro-beat pop. Here she is with the artist who first turned me on to World Music. *

20) Eddie Vedder – “No Ceiling” from INTO THE WILD (SOUNDTRACK) (2007)
Sean Penn asked Eddie to provide music for his new film…Eddie pulled through with some of his best material in years. *

21) Wilco – “Impossible Germany” from SKY BLUE SKY (2007)
As usual, Jeff Tweedy has made me proud. He got sober, quit smoking and can now sing high notes that had been out of reach. This is the first Wilco CD with members Pat Sansone and guitarist Nels Cline, who lets loose ½-way through this 70s-sounding track.**

21) Neil Young – “Boxcar” from CHROME DREAMS II (2007)
Still going strong at 62, you can always count on Neil to deliver. Uneven album but a great tour and a great work-in-progress artist. *

22) Mavis Staples w/Ry Cooder – “On My Way” from WE’LL NEVER TURN BACK (2007)
She started in 1940s Chicago with her dad and siblings as The Staples Singers, who grew from a major gospel act into the musical voices of the 1960s civil rights movement. The legendary Mavis returns at age 68 with Ry Cooder producing civil rights-era songs. *

Volume 6 / Disc 2

1) Band Of Horses – “Is There A Ghost” from CEASE TO BEGIN (2007)
29 year-old leader Ben Bridwell’s South Carolina-based rock band returns with a strong sophomore release and that epic sound. *

2) The View – “Superstar Tradesman” from HATS OFF TO THE BUSKERS (2007)
Barely out of high school, this foursome from Scotland is a hit in the UK. Influenced by the bands led by drug-addled, UK tabloid star Pete Doherty, The View writes fun, catchy punkish rock. *

3) Klaxons – “Golden Skans” from MYTHS OF THE NEAR FUTURE (2007)
Called a Nu Rave band for their late-80s and early-90s psychedelic dance-rock influences, this London-based band is a UK success.

4) Modest Mouse – “Dashboard” from WE WERE DEAD BEFORE THE SHIP EVEN SANK (2007)
Led by 32 year-old Isaac Brock from Issaquah, Washington, Modest Mouse continues the Talking Heads-influenced sound they started on their 2004 CD. New band member as of this CD: guitarist-songwriter Johnny Marr (former co-leader of The Smiths).

5) James Brown - “My Thang” from HELL (1974)
The Hardest Working Man In Show Business sure knew how to bring the funk. RIP.

6) Rodrigo y Gabriela – “Tamacun” from RODRIGO Y GABRIELA (2006)
After meeting in their hometown of Mexico City while in a thrash-metal band, Rodrigo y Garbriela moved to Dublin, Ireland and reinvented themselves as an acoustic guitar duo. Influenced by Flamenco and classical Hispanic music, they play with a fast-paced fire that has made World music exciting for hipsters. *

7) Radiohead – “Jigsaw Falling Into Place” from IN RAINBOWS (2007)
Oxford, England’s Radiohead, one of the world’s most progressive bands, chose to make their 7th release available only as a digital download from their website...and allowed the consumer to name the price! For those keeping track, I paid 5 pounds. *

8) Shocking Pinks – “Second Hand Girl” from SHOCKING PINKS (2007)
Nick Harte is the one-man, lo-fi band from New Zealand known as Shocking Pinks. His first American release is a compilation of songs from past Kiwi releases. Doesn’t his voice sound like Kip Dynamite? I expect good things to come from Harte. *

9) Iron & Wine – “Lovesong of the Buzzard” from THE SHEPHERD’S DOG (2007)
Iron & Wine is Sam Beam, a 33 year-old folk-rock singer-songwriter from South Carolina who graduated from Florida State and moved to Austin, Texas. I’m blown away by the beauty and originality of his sound and compositions, influenced by Nick Drake and Paul Simon. I’m told there’s not a bad song in his catalog, which is extensive despite starting just 5 years ago. **

10) The White Stripes – “Effect & Cause” from ICKY THUMP (2007)
At 32, after a great year as a Raconteur, Jack White returned to home base for another solid album with x-wife Meg White. *

11) The National – “Start A War” from BOXER (2007)
Formed in 1999 by a group of friends from Cincinnati now living in Brooklyn, The National mixes gloomy rock with orchestral pop to critical acclaim. Known for their academic songs, the band is clearly influenced by Nick Cave and Leonard Cohen. *

12) Robert Plant & Alison Krauss – “Killing The Blues” from RAISING SAND (2007)
Led Zeppelin’s “golden god” further explores the soft side of Zep for an ultra-laid-back collection of old-time songs, dueting with Alison Krauss, the 36 year-old bluegrass superstar from Central Illinois. This tour should be great. Led Zep reunion tour in 08?! *

13) Joni Mitchell – “This Place” from SHINE (2007)
The songwriting goddess returns at age 64 after a 5 year absence. I love this song about the environment, but not the rest of the CD.

14) José González – “How Long” from IN OUR NATURE (2007)
His solo classical guitar sound remains compelling as the 29 year-old Swede returns with new songs influenced by our times. **

15) Fields – “Song For The Fields” from EVERYTHING LAST WINTER (2007)
Based in Birmingham, England, Fields is made up of 4 Englishmen and a woman from Iceland. This great song from their new CD was also on their debut EP last year, 7 From the Village. Although I’m not familiar with this new release, the EP was a must-buy.

16) Datarock – “Fa-Fa-Fa” from DATAROCK (2007)
This trio from Norway wears their Talking Heads and Devo influences on their sleeves while making catchy, trippy dance-rock.

17) Interpol – “The Heinrich Maneuver” from OUR LOVE TO ADMIRE (2007)
The former NYU students have now achieved their major label debut as they continue to deliver interesting, Joy Division-influenced art rock. Overall the new songs are more atmospheric and less concise. They deserve an award for wackiest CD cover of the year.

18) Iggy & The Stooges – “My Idea Of Fun” from THE WEIRDNESS (2007)
Iggy Pop reunited the Ann Arbor, Michigan band that launched his career in 1969, to record this CD produced by Steve Albini. Although the album is only mediocre, the live show was the #1 highlight of this summer’s Lollapalooza in Chicago.

19) Boston – “Rock and Roll Band” from BOSTON (1976)
You can’t call yourself a rock fan until you’ve played air guitar to Boston. Their 1976 self-titled debut is one of the best-selling debut albums in US history with over 17 million copies sold. Boston exploded onto the music scene when disco and punk were taking over and they haven’t left the radio since. Lead singer Brad Delp killed himself in March via carbon monoxide poisoning. RIP. **

20) Smashing Pumpkins – “Tarantula” from ZEITGEIST (2007)
Billy Corgan grabbed drummer Jimmy Chamberlain and dusted off the old band name despite the absence of James Iha and D’arcy.

21) Velvet Revolver – “Pills, Demons & Etc.” from LIBERTAD (2007)
The old Guns n Roses guys keep bringing the rock, substituting Stone Temple Pilots frontman Scott Weiland for Axl Rose.

22) Linkin Park – “What I’ve Done” from MINUTES TO MIDNIGHT (2007)
Produced by Rick Rubin, these age 30-ish guys from the Valley (LA burbs) keep rocking hard and selling millions of CDs.

23) John Fogerty – “I Can’t Take It No More” from REVIVAL (2007)
At 62, Creedence Clearwater’s frontman sounds as spry as in the Vietnam era on this great flip of the bird to Bush! 1 more year...

IN CASE YOU STILL WANT MORE…

1) Blitzen Trapper – “Country Caravan” from WILD MOUNTAIN NATION (2007)
2) James Brown – “Papa Don’t Take No Mess” from HELL (1974) RIP
3) Café Tacuba – “53100” from SINO (2007)
4) Eagles – “Long Road Out Of Eden” from LONG ROAD OUT OF EDEN (2007)
5) Foo Fighters– “Long Road To Ruin” from ECHOS, SILENCE, PATIENCE & GRACE (2007) 6) Patty Griffin – “Heavenly Day” from CHILDREN RUNNING THROUGH (2007)
7) Don Ho–“Tiny Bubbles” from TINY BUBBLES (1966) RIP
8) Norah Jones – “The Sun Doesn’t Like You” from NOT TOO LATE (2007)
9) Lavender Diamond – “Oh No” from IMAGINE OUR LOVE (2007)
10) Ryan Shaw – “Nobody” from THIS IS RYAN SHAW (2007)
11) The Shins – “Australia” from WINCING THE NIGHT AWAY (2007)

Holiday CD 2006 > 2007

2006-12-13T13:34:00.000-08:00

Additional song selections at the bottom.
* Buy the whole CD or download select songs from iTunes.
** Definitely buy the whole CD.

Volume 5 / Disc 1

1) Kraak & Smaak – “Money In The Bag” (remix) from BOOGIE ANGST (2006)
The hottest band in Holland, K&S formed in 2003 when 2 DJ friends from Leiden, Holland hooked up with a keyboard player. 4 of the top Dutch musicians supplement their live act, which debuted in May of 2005 and is taking over Europe. Word is they do a great show. The original version of this song is what landed them their record deal. **

2) Bob Sinclar Featuring Gary Pine – “Love Generation” from LOVE GENERATION (EP) (2005)
38 year-old Bob Sinclar is a French DJ who produces dance music in a variety of genres. This song was a huge hit throughout Europe and Australia at the end of 05, running into 06. That’s Jamaican singer Gary Pine providing the happy vocals.

3) Billy Preston – “Will It Go Round In Circles” from EVERYBODY LIKES SOME KIND OF MUSIC (1973)
The guy known as the 5th Beatle died of hypertension this summer, just months shy of his 60th birthday. In addition to this #1 hit from 1973, Preston leaves behind an amazing history including being the first musical guest on SNL, the keyboard player in the last Beatles live performance (the legendary London rooftop show), a session player on the best Rolling Stones albums, multiple Beatles solo records and music by Ray Charles, Little Richard, Aretha, Dylan, Jackson 5 and more, plus the Beatles’ LET IT BE album, including the great keyboard solo on “Get Back”. His most recent work includes STADIUM ARCADIUM tracks for the RHCP and the brand new Clapton-JJ Cale CD. I saw Billy perform with a partly reunited version of The Band in 1991. RIP.

4) Gnarls Barkley – “Crazy” from ST. ELSEWHERE (2006)
Definitely the 2006 Wacky Song of the Year. You had to live under a rock to miss this one. Almost every act at Lollapalooza played their own version of “Crazy” this summer in Chicago. Gnarls Barkley is DJ-producer Danger Mouse with rapper/singer Cee-Lo.

5) Sergio Mendes Featuring John Legend – “Please Baby Don’t” from TIMELESS (2006)
Brazilian Sergio Mendes found major success on A&M Records with his group Brasil `66 starting in the mid-60’s. A keyboard player who performs pop songs bossa nova-style, Mendes’ sound helped define lounge music. From his recent will.i.am-produced comeback album, he performs this song with its writer, up-and-comer/Grammy winner John Legend, an incredibly talented Ohio native who graduated high school Salutatorian and was an English major at Penn before becoming a pop star. Sounds like a classic.

6) Loose Fur – “The Ruling Class” from BORN AGAIN IN THE USA (2006)
I couldn’t let a year go by without Wilco leader Jeff Tweedy being on the Holiday CD. Here is a catchy and goofy little ditty from Tweedy’s side project with multi-instrumentalist/producer Jim O’Rourke and Wilco drummer Glenn Kotche.*

7) Sufjan Stevens – “Chicago” from COME ON FEEL THE ILLINOISE! (2005)
I ran out of space last year, so this year’s re-release of this amazing song got me to include it here. This critically acclaimed, 31 year-old singer-songwriter from Michigan claims he will make an album for each of the 50 United States. He has done MI and IL so far. *

8) M. Ward – “Chinese Translation” from POST-WAR (2006)
One of my favorite artists out there, 31 year-old Matt “M” Ward is from Portland, Oregon and puts on a great live show with a Dylan vibe. Last year’s TRANSISTOR RADIO was a superior album, but this one is good too. Definitely check this guy out. *

9) Midlake – “It Covers The Hillside” from THE TRIALS OF VAN OCCUPANTHER (2006)
My first discovery via Sirius satellite radio, Midlake is a band made up of former University of North Texas jazz students from Denton, TX. Their second album, TRIALS has a 1970’s pop-rock sound a la Lindsey Buckingham-era Fleetwood Mac. **

10) The Killers – “Read My Mind” from SAM’S TOWN (2006)
This great, Vegas-based pop-rock band returned with their sophomore release and a new sound. Jury’s still out but I love this song.

11) Keane – “Is It Any Wonder” from UNDER THE IRON SEA (2006)
This English trio found huge success across Europe with this, their 2nd album. Here’s a catchy song that did well around the world.

12) Death Cab For Cutie – “Crooked Teeth” from PLANS (2005)
30-year old Ben Gibbard’s Washington-based band released this CD in 05 and continued to build on its success through 06.

13) Jerry Lee Lewis w/B.B. King – “Before The Night Is Over” from LAST MAN STANDING (2006)
The Killer (who happens to share my birthday) is now 71 and still going strong. Famous for his crazy, piano-thumping style, his 1957 hits “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” and “Great Balls Of Fire” and his 3rd marriage at age 23 to his 13 year-old cousin, Jerry Lee has never stopped touring. After years away from recording, he has released a comeback CD with 22 great duets. *

14) Bruce Springsteen–“Pay Me My Money Down” from WE SHALL OVERCOME:THE SEEGER SESSIONS(2006)
One of the year’s best CDs, Springsteen formed a new, rootsy, 12-member band to record classic folk songs popularized by Pete Seeger. This album feels like one big, inspirational party as they sing songs about war and poverty in celebratory fashion.**

15) Ruth Brown – “This Little Girl’s Gone Rockin’ from ROCKIN’ WITH RUTH (1958)
Atlantic Records was known as The House That Ruth Built thanks to her popularizing of R&B in the 50s. She died in Nov at 78. RIP.

16) Bob Seger – “No More” from FACE THE PROMISE (2006)
Back from an 11 year hiatus, Detroit’s classic rock voice returns an octave deeper at 61, but still going strong. Great anti-war song.

17) The Who – “Mirror Door” from ENDLESS WIRE (2006)
24 years since their last record, the 2 surviving Who members return with new material. This strong song captures their classic sound.

18) The Secret Machines – “All At Once (It’s Not Important)” from TEN SILVER DROPS (2006)
From Dallas, these 2 brothers and a drummer released a strong second album that they call space rock. This song will grow on you. *

19) Neil Young – “Lookin’ For A Leader” from LIVING WITH WAR (2006)
Neil never stops! Now he’s ripping Bush & Friends a new one…and doing it well. His summer tour with CSN was the year’s best.**

20) Johnny Cash – “God’s Gonna Cut You Down” from AMERICAN V: A HUNDRED HIGHWAYS (2006)
Gone but not forgotten, The Man In Black returns from the grave with an amazing CD of songs he recorded on his death bed. **

21) Josh Ritter – “Here At The Right Time” from THE ANIMAL YEARS (2006)
Idaho’s Josh Ritter is a 30 year-old singer-songwriter who built a following in Ireland before a major label released his music here at home. His second major label release continues to show his Springsteen-Dylan-Leonard Cohen influences. Check out his live show.

Volume 5 / Disc 2

1) Lindsey Buckingham – “To Try For The Sun” from UNDER THE SKIN (2006)
The front man and producer for Fleetwood Mac’s most successful work returns with his first solo record in 14 years. The same solo artist who brought us the “Holiday Road” theme from the movie VACATION still sounds young and creative at 57. *

2) Ali Farka Touré & Toumani Diabeté – “Sombou Ya Ya” from IN THE HEART OF THE MOON (2005)
From Mali, singer-guitarist Touré was one of Africa’s most internationally celebrated musicians. Known as “the African John Lee Hooker” because of the way his music mixed traditional Malian music with American blues, he generated a lot of attention in the Western world via a great 1994 album with Ry Cooder, TALKING TIMBUKTU. This beautiful 2005 album, his second to last, is a collaboration with Malian kora player Toumani Diabeté (considered the world’s best) and led to a Grammy award this year for Best Traditional World Music Album. Touré died of bone cancer in March of this year at 67. RIP. **

3) Josh Rouse – “Quiet Town” from SUBTITULO (2006)
Currently living in Spain, 34 year-old Josh remains one of my favorite artists, even though this CD doesn’t compare to NASHVILLE or 1972. Be sure to give his stuff a listen and see him in concert whenever he passes though your town. *

4) John Mayer – “The Heart Of Life” from CONTINUUM (2006)
He’s one of those guys you want to hate but can’t. He’s 29, has it all, and ventured down the cheesy, pop music path…but then he shook things up and seems to have found himself musically. This is a really great song from an album that has a handful of `em. *

5) Tom Petty – “Square One” from HIGHWAY COMPANION (2006)
Approaching American Treasure-status after close to 30 years as a rock star, Petty at 56 keeps keeping on. Fair album, great song.

6) Alexi Murdoch – “All Of My Days” from TIME WITHOUT CONSEQUENCE (2006)
Born in Scottland, raised in London, 33 year-old Murdoch attended Duke University and moved to LA. A 2002 self-released 4 song EP gained him attention when TV shows and movies like GARDEN STATE used his songs. 4 years later, he released this first album.

7) Paolo Nutini – “Last Request” from THESE STREETS (2006)
Here’s a great song by another up-and-coming Scottish singer-songwriter. Hard to believe, but he’ll just be turning 20 in January.

8) David Gilmour – “Smile” from ON AN ISLAND (2006)
1 year after the huge Pink Floyd reunion at Live 8, Floyd’s co-front man/guitarist released his 3rd solo album (his 1st in 22 years; 12 years since his version of Floyd’s last album). Excellent tour – the 2 set show featured the entire new album and lots of Floyd classics.

9) José González – “Heartbeats” from VENEER (2006/2003)
From Sweden, yes I said Sweden, this 28 year-old singer-songwriter first released his debut album in 2003. As interest built after one of his songs was featured on the season finale of T.V.’s THE O.C., he re-released the album in 2006. His melodic, solo classical guitar sound is compelling. The live show is just like the album. Oh, and his parents are from Argentina…hence, the name. *

10) Bob Dylan – “When The Deal Goes Down” from MODERN TIMES (2006)
Bobby Z, now 65, took 5 years to release his latest studio effort. It’s another good one. Featuring his current touring band, the CD sounds exactly like Dylan’s current live shows. No new direction here, he’s basically continuing down the LOVE & THEFT path. *

11) Band Of Horses – “The Funeral” from EVERYTHING ALL THE TIME (2006)
From South Carolina, 28 year-old singer-songwriter Ben Bridwell formed this band in Seattle. Vocally he reminds me of My Morning Jacket’s Jim James. On Bridwell’s list of heroes is the next band, Built To Spill. Brace yourself, this song takes it up a notch.

12) Built To Spill – “Conventional Wisdom” from YOU IN REVERSE (2006)
From Boise, Idaho, guitarist-singer-songwriter Doug Martsch founded Built To Spill in 1993. Influenced by Neil Young, J. Mascis and Steven Malkmus, Martsch has gone on to influence scores of indie bands. Martsch, who at 38 looks more like a homeless computer geek than a rock star, plays a mean guitar. This catchy song features the only extended jam of the 2006 Holiday CD. *

13) Wolfmother – “Woman” from WOLFMOTHER (2006)
This Australian trio rocks. Period. Sure, their psychedelic metal is derivative of the 70s, but they manage to make it sound fresh and fun. With one of the best albums of the year and one of the best live shows out there, Wolfmother is a band to check out. **

14) Arctic Monkeys – “I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor” from WHATEVER PEOPLE SAY I AM… (2006)
This indie rock-punk quartet from Sheffield, England took the UK and indie rock by storm this year, but I expect 1-hit wonder status.

15) The Hellacopters – “Everything’s On T.V.” from ROCK & ROLL IS DEAD (2006)
Formed in 1994, this Swedish rock band released a great tune in 06 that shot through my car radio and caught my attention.

16) Pearl Jam – “Life Wasted” from PEARL JAM (2006)
I’m not the die-hard fan I once was, but I give PJ credit for becoming smart road warriors and for pulling together a decent CD in 06.

17) Red Hot Chili Peppers – “Torture Me” from STADIUM ARCADIUM (2006)
Still around & going strong, RHCP are true Survivors. Their 9th studio album is a great double-CD with strong songs and superior musical interplay. Their closing set for 75,000 fans at Chicago’s Lollapalooza this summer was a triumphant musical moment. **

18) The Raconteurs – “Broken Boy Soldier” from BROKEN BOY SOLDIERS (2006)
Detroit friends Jack White of White Stripes and singer-songwriter Brendan Benson blended their sounds for this side project. Thanks to Jack, their live set at Lollapalooza was outstanding. *

19) Pink Floyd – “See Emily Play” from THE PIPER AT THE GATES OF DAWN (1967)
Founding member Syd Barrett died at 60 this summer from pancreatic cancer. He was Floyd’s singer-songwriter-guitarist from 1965 to 1968, when LSD-triggered mental illness left him unable to perform. (Lucky for Gilmour). This song is one of Syd’s best. RIP.

20) Starsailor – “In The Crossfire” from ON THE OUTSIDE (2006)
Inspired by Jeff Buckley, this English band (the last to work with Phil Spector) took their name from a 1970 album by Jeff’s dad, Tim.

21) Golden Smog – “Corvette” from ANOTHER FINE DAY (2006)
An ongoing side project with members of The Jayhawks, Soul Asylum & Jeff Tweedy, this gem belongs to Jayhawk Marc Perlman.

Songs I wanted to include (and recommend) but did not have room for:
Amadou & Mariam - "Coulibaly" from DIMANCHE A BAMAKO (2005)
Art Brut - "Good Weekend" from BANG BANG ROCK & ROLL (2006)
Beck - "Cellphone's Dead" from THE INFORMATION (2006)
Beth Orton - "Conceived" from COMFORT OF STRANGERS (2006)
Cheb i Sabbah - "Toura Toura" (The Nav Deep Remix) from LA GHRIBA (2006)
The Guggenheim Grotto - "Philosophia" from WALTZING ALONE (2006)
James Hunter - "People Gonna Talk" from PEOPLE GONNA TALK (2006)
Justin Timberlake - "Losing My Way" from FUTURESEX/LOVESOUNDS (2006)
Lily Allen - "Smile" from SMILE EP (2006)
Lou Rawls - "You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine" from ALL THINGS IN TIME (1976) [RIP]
The Mars Volta - "Vermicide" from AMPUTECHTURE (2006)
The Mountain Goats - "Sail Babylon Springs" from BABYLON SPRINGS - EP (2006)
Prince - "Fury" from 3121 (2006)
Ray LaMontagne - "Empty" from TIL THE SUN TURNS BLACK (2006)
Richard Hawley - "Room With A View" from JUST LIKE THE RAIN - EP (2006)
Silversun Pickups - "Lazy Eye" from CARNAVAS (2006)
Sonic Youth - "Incinerate" from RATHER RIPPED (2006)
Tapes `n Tapes - "Insistor" from THE LOON (2006)
Taylor Hicks - "Do I Make You Proud" (single) (2006)
Thom Yorke - "The Clock" from THE ERASER (2006)
TV On the Radio - "Wolf Life Me" from RETURN TO COOKIE MOUNTAIN (2006)
The Walkmen - "Lost In Boston" from A HUNDRED MILES OFF (2006)
Wilson Pickett - "In the Midnight Hour" from IN THE MIDNIGHT HOUR (1965) [RIP]
Yo La Tengo - "Beanbag Chair" from I AM NOT AFRAID OF YOU... (2006)
Zero 7 - "Futures" from THE GARDEN (2006)

Bridge Benefit 2006 (10/21/06)

2006-10-23T13:33:00.000-07:00

Neil Young was clearly in a great mood at his 20th Bridge Benefit concert at the Shoreline Amphitheater, benefitting the Bridge School for severely disabled children in the Bay Area. Whether his mood was a feeling of pride for reaching the 20th year milestone with a sell-out crowd, or instead a pure joy for life after surviving an anneurism just a little more than a year ago was unclear. Whatever the reason, Neil displayed a higher-than-usual level of affection for his wife, Pegi, and a higher-than-usual level of attentiveness to the actual performances. For much of the day, Neil was sitting on stage left, watching the performers with a smile and waiting for a chance to sit in with many of them. This year's lineup included Davendra Banhart, Gillian Welch, Death Cab For Cutie, Trent Reznor, Brian Wilson, Foo Fighters, Pearl Jam and Dave Matthews Band.

As always, Neil kicked off the show solo acoustic after Pegi's warm introduction. He opened the show with the great "Flags Of Freedom" from his strong 2006 anti-Bush album LIVING WITH WAR. He was then joined by Pegi on harmonies for a beautiful "Long May You Run" and an exceptional "Comes A Time" with his colorful friends, the dancing Native Americans in full traditional headdress.

The first act to perform was Devendra Banhart, joined by guitarist Bert Jansch (whom Neil seemed particularly excited about). This act seemed great - mellow, trippy and weird. Unfortunately, I was starving and in need of some concert food. Not only did I miss some interesting songs, but I missed a cover of one of my all-time favorite David Crosby songs, "Traction In the Rain". Having never even seen Crosby play this tune, I was bummed to be stuffing my face rather than watching the performance. I think this band is based in LA, so I hope to get another chance to see them.

Next came the rootsy Gillian Welch with David Rawlings. They did their usual, beautiful acoustic rootsy duo thang and closed out their set with a great cover of Neil's "Country Girl", which brought Neil out in mid-song to join them. This was special, considering that Neil almost never (and maybe never) plays this song live.

Death Cab For Cutie proved to be a decent live act, especially when forced into the Bridge Benefit's acoustic setting. Songs like "Crooked Teeth" and "Soul Meets Body" translated well to this format. The surprise of their set was a great cover of Graham Nash's "Millitary Madness". This year's batch of artists was clearly in tune with the Bridge family thing with the Crosby, Nash and Neil covers.

Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails came next with the first solo gig of his career. Watching him with a piano and cellos was nothing compared to his powerful, electric set at Coachella 2 years ago. Although this was intense and almost interesting, I was overall kind of bored and wishing that THIS was the time I ran out to the food lines. Oh well. Trent played songs like "The Fragile", "Right Where It Belongs" and the classic "Hurt". This was not the right format for his music.

Foo Fighters came next. Damn, these guys are great. The acoustic format was perfect for them, thanks to their recent completion of an acoustic tour. Dave Grohl has a great voice when he doesn't have to scream, and here he got to show it off while singing one hit after another. This set was a show-stealer and an all-time Bridge highlight. The crowd ate up every second of it as the band played "Everlong", "Marigold", "My Hero", "Big Me", "Skin and Bones", "Times Like These". Excellent, excellent set.

Brian Wilson and his giant band kicked ass too. They brought the party music to the show as Brian took us back in time to the happy California sound he invented. Opening the set with "Heroes and Villains" from SMILE was a great way to start, given the legendary story behind the 30-year SMILE saga that was finally resolved last year. Then, Brian sat on a stool surrounded by his band and performed one great hit after another. "Wouldn't It Be Nice", "Sloop John B", "Row Row Row Your Boat", "God Only Knows", "Do You Wanna Dance", "I Get Around", "Help Me Rhonda", "Good Vibrations" with Neil Young on organ, "Johnny B Goode", "Surfin' USA", and "Fun Fun Fun". Fantastic set.

Pearl Jam played a great set that featured the best musical moment of the night and one of the best Bridge moments of all time. This was when Neil joined them for a killer version of "Throw Your Hatred Down" from their 1995 collaboration MIRROR BALL. Neil and Eddie traded vocals and then Neil and McCready had some ripping guitar duels that gave many the kind of ear-to-ear grins you hope for when watching musicians of this caliber. PJ's set featured "Elderly Woman", "Parachutes", "Throw Your Hatred Down", the traditional drinking song "I Used To Work In Chicago", "Daughter", the Tom Waits tune "Picture In A Frame", "Man Of the Hour", "Better Man" and the very exciting cover, "Crazy Mary". This brilliantly performed rare song took many of us back to the early 90s when Seattle ruled the country. Great set.

Dave Matthews Band was fun. "Loving Wings", "Grace Is Gone", "Warehouse", "Ants Marching" and then a fantastic "Cortez the Killer" with Neil trading vocals and dueling guitars with Dave while Boyd Tinsley did his crazy soloing on the violin. Solid set.

Neil then performed with The Prairie Wind Band, which appeared to be a rag-tag collection of his friends and neighbors. This wasn't so special. If I caught it in a bar on a random night, I would have shit my pants...but on this stage after hours of this level of music, it was just OK. Also keep in mind that it was midnight by the time they took the stage and we had been at the show since early-to-mid afternoon. This band had a honky tonk vibe that performed "Field Of Opportunity", "Homegrown", "After the Garden", "Goin' Back", "Four Strong Winds", "Harvest Moon" - a beautiful version featuring a band member sweeping a well-miked broom across the stage to capture that sweeping sound from the recording, and "Human Highway". The big encore of the night brought all of the day's performers back on stage for a rockin' version of "Rockin' in the Free World".

Overall, another great Bridge Benefit by the most genuine artist out there...who remains a vital creative force after 40 years in the business. Long live Neil Young.

Tobacco Money Buying Our Congress (9/21/06)

2006-09-21T18:00:00.000-07:00

Check it out - here is the 2006 list of the US Senators and Representatives in Congress who are pocketing the most money from Big Tobacco companies. Funny how the same politicians who preach about Jesus, Family Values and Protecting The Country are quietly pocketing thousands of dollars from companies that push the deadly, addictive products that cause the deaths of 450,000 Americans every year. That doesn't sound too consistent with protecting us or loving Jesus and families to me, does it to you?? Every year in America, tobacco kills 150 times the number of people who died on September 11th. But you won't hear about that from assholes like Rick Santorum who pretend to want to make us all safer! Does this piss you off? Let the politicians know! If they represent you, FIRE THEM! YOU HAVE THE POWER TO DO IT!

The top 20 recipients of tobacco contributions in Congress so far in the 2005-2006 election cycle:

Top 10 Senators Contribution Totals
George Allen (R-VA) $34,000
Conrad Burns (R-MT) $29,500
John Ensign (R-NV) $28,500
Rick Santorum (R-PA) $22,000
Ben Nelson (D-NE) $20,500
Orrin Hatch (R-UT) $16,000
Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) $14,000
Richard Burr (R-NC) $13,128
Elizabeth Dole (R-NC) $13,000
Norm Coleman (R-MN) $12,000
Click Here To Contact Your Senator!!

Top 10 Representatives Contribution Totals
Ron Lewis (R-KY) $34,500
Eric Cantor (R-VA) $26,750
Jim McCrery (R-LA) $25,500
Robin Hayes (R-NC) $25,000
Henry Bonilla (R-TX) $22,000
John Boehner (R-OH) $21,000
Edward Whitfield (R-KY) $21,000
Mark Kennedy (R-MN) $19,000
Mike McIntyre (D-NC) $19,000
Allen Boyd (D-FL) $18,000
Click Here To Contact Your Representative in Congress!!

In addition to individual contributions, tobacco PACs have donated more than $1.2 million to non-candidate committees, including leadership PACs affiliated with individual members of Congress.

Name of Leadership PAC / Affiliated Member of Congress Contribution Totals

Freedom Project / John Boehner (R-OH) $41,000

Every Republican is Crucial / Eric Cantor (R-VA) $36,000

Together for our Majority PAC / Tom Reynolds (R-NY) $35,000

New Republican Majority Fund / Trent Lott (R-MS) $30,000

Rely on Your Beliefs Fund / Roy Blunt (R-MO) $27,000

Bluegrass Committee / Mitch McConnell (R-KY) $25,128

Senate Victory Fund PAC / Thad Cochran (R-MS) $25,000

Republican Majority Fund / Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) $24,500

Committee for the Preservation of
Capitalism / Jim McCrery (R-LA) $22,500

Next Century Fund / Richard Burr (R-NC) $22,500

AMERIPAC: The Fund for a Greater
America / Steny Hoyer (D-MD) $22,500

Promoting Republicans You Can
Elect PAC / Deborah Pryce (R-OH) $22,500

"The tobacco companies have been found guilty of a 50 year conspiracy of lies, deception, disease, and death and of continuing to violate the law, but members of Congress are still taking millions of dollars from them and failing to take action to protect kids," said William V. Corr, executive director of the Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund. "Our leaders should stand up to the tobacco companies, return their contributions and reject future donations from this rogue industry."

"Despite court findings that tobacco companies hurt the public interest by lying about the dangers of smoking and marketing products to children, the cigarette makers through generous campaign contributions have maintained access and influence to Members of Congress who are supposed to be protecting the public good," said Common Cause President Chellie Pingree. "The tobacco industry and its allies continue to buy their way around Capitol Hill at the public's peril."

Pop Culture Hits New All-Time Low/MTV Video Music Awards 9/1/06

2006-09-01T12:21:00.000-07:00

Tonight's MTV Video Music Awards may have been the most horrifying thing I have seen on television since the World Trade Center buildings came crumbling down. I used to look forward to this amazing celebration of music and pop culture...and now I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. I just zipped through the 3 hours on Tivo in 40 minutes. The entire show was my idea of Hell. What the fuck has happened to MTV? What has happened to America?! Did I sleep through a nuclear war that only the retards survived? I know I've gotten older, but I was able to enjoy the video awards long past my teen years. I'm convinced this is not me getting older but MTV dumbing down their show to something way LOWER than the lowest common denominator. People wonder why our country is so stupid that George Bush and his freaky buddies can get away with being our leaders?!! MTV obviously wants their audience to remain at the intellect of Timmy from South Park, ensuring decades to come of psychotic, power-hungry, greedy politicians sneaking their way into power behind the backs of the clueless. The funniest aspect of this is that after 3 hours of melting everyone's brain to mush, Al Gore took the stage to give a global warming lecture! That's like teaching calculus to the little kids on the short bus!! What's the point?!?! At least NASCAR has something to celebrate...there's for sure another generation of geniuses coming up through the system who will be bright enough to understand and get excited about ad-covered cars driving in circles. I hope MTV has lots of stock in Ritalin b/c this show was geared towards every kid with ADD in America....the show constantly cut from camera 1 to camera 2 to camera 3 to 4 every half-second. Those who didn't have ADD before watching this show certainly have it now.

This production made MTV's production of Live 8 look like a masterpiece. Host Jack Black wasn't funny. The people presenting awards were idiots like Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie, J-Lo, The Rock and other no-talents who have been promoted by the mass media dreck that makes money off celebrating these awful low-lifes who have zero to offer the world. Then there's the clips featuring the Jackass crew, making the Jerry Springer show look like Meet The Press. If the Jackass crew weren't bad enough, there's the hip-hop people who now make up more than half the show. Rather than being drug-addled low-lifes smothered in tattoos and bloody sores, they're jumping around in giant, tacky jewelry and gym shoe sponsorships. Either way, the most interesting thing said by either camp was typically "yeeah yeeah yeeah MTV!" One guest after another was paraded onto the stage in a pathetic display of what our youth culture has become. I never thought I'd see the day when MTV became the channel for young retards and Comedy Central became the show for the young intellectuals!! Also, where were the great live performances? Even a talented guy like Justin Timberlake presented schlocky, lip-synching, generic crap along the lines of most of today's MTV "artists". The Raconteurs were on stage all night but only shown performing 10 second outros to commercials...even when Lou Reed and the ZZ Top dude were sitting in!

I don't see why any of the kids watching would be encouraged to buy music, feel a part of a music community or feel like they learned anything new from watching this show. Remember the days when Michael Stipe ran through the crowd changing his politically-themed t-shirt when accepting each award? Now each artist appears to have been plucked off skid row or some cultureless suburb with a thrift shop and thrown on stage to act like a clown. There is SO MUCH good music out there. If MTV wanted to be consistent with their pre-2000 history and consistent with having Al Gore speak about one of the world's most important issues, they would acknowledge artists that aren't so insulting to any kid intelligent enough to take the SAT....and would hire a producer capable of producing a decent awards show that doesn't require psychiatric medication to watch. It angers and saddens me that a channel with so much potential - and a history of sometimes hitting its potential - could be sooo far off the mark. If I had kids old enough to watch MTV, so long as MTV remains like it was tonight, I would have the channel removed from my cable package.

Chicago's Lollapalooza 2006 (8/7/06)

2006-08-07T11:07:00.000-07:00

Chicago truly shined once again as Lollapalooza returned to the city’s parks for its 2006 incarnation. This time around, the event was a 3-day music festival that doubled in size to include 69 lakefront acres of Grant Park and Hutchinson Field (home to last year’s event and Radiohead in 2001). Last year’s event was attended by 60,000 total paid attendees, raised $400,000 for park improvements and pumped $15 million into the local economy via hotels, restaurants and transportation. This year, ticket sales grossed $8 million with 166,000 total paid attendees and $800,000 was raised for the parks….with significantly more money than last year entering the local economy. Again run by Austin, Texas’ Capital Sports & Entertainment, entrance to the event cost $130 for a 3-day pass. Despite a less-than-incredible overall lineup, this fee was worth every penny thanks to the combination of the beautiful setting, great food, well-behaved crowd, eclectic mix of musical talent and close-to-flawless festival execution by Capital. Sure, there were some little things that could have been better….but Capital deserves a major pat on the back for getting people in to the festival each day with no lines, keeping food and drink lines running between 1 to 10 minutes max, keeping the bands performing on schedule, and having more than enough port-o-potties spread across the fields in easily accessible locations. As for what could be better: It took 15-20 minutes to walk from the first main stage to the second. If the stages really need to be this far apart, why not book music that appeals to different types of people on each main stage? It would be nice to not have to think about missing a band due to the thought of walking for 20 minutes in the heat. Another problem this year: Bass sounds were overwhelming the North main stage the entire weekend. This is the type of issue that needs to be addressed quickly during a festival since it clearly drags down the potential enjoyment of the music. Final complaint: By having 8 stages, it meant that most available real estate needed to be filled with stages...including the food areas. Last year you were able to go to the food areas to get a break from all of the music, relax, eat and talk to friends. This year, you had to digest your pulled pork sandwich while some awful band not worthy of a better stage was screeching into the microphone, forcing you to shout to your friends to tell them how great the festival’s BBQ sauce tasted.

Don't get me wrong - there is very little to complain about from this event. The vibe was great - friendly staff, no in-your-face cops, well-behaved crowd and the usual festival freaks who dressed in clown outfits, court jester get-ups and who-knows-what-else. One day we agreed to count the clowns just for laughs...when we hit 8 clowns in one hour, we stopped because it seemed like there would be too many to count. Some people on-line have been complaining about the amount of corporate sponsorship at the event. First of all, the artists weren't being sponsored (Neil Young's biggest fear)...the event was being sponsored. Sure, every stage and just about every piece of real estate was sponsored by some major company like Bud Light, AT&T and Adidas. It's thanks to those sponsors that this festival was able to be such a success for the fans. I see nothing wrong with that...especially after attending events without sponsorship that had dirty port-o-potties and endless lines for everything.

On Day 1 of the event, our crew (which ranged from 2-10 peeps depending on the time) got to see Ryan Adams, Secret Machines, The Raconteurs, Violent Femmes and Ween. Ryan Adams played a nice set that didn’t include enough of his well-known songs to truly captivate the crowd. People instead looked at him like “what the hell is this” and talked to their friends through most of the set. We, however, were entertained thanks to his set featuring a lot of musical improvisation as well as 3 Grateful Dead covers (“Franklin’s Tower”, “Wharf Rat”, and “He’s Gone”). There was nothing earth-shattering here, but for a sunny summer day in a park with friends surrounded by Chicago’s great skyline, it made for pleasant entertainment. Thanks to that 20 minute walk (see above) and the need to eat some of Chicago’s finest (BBQ pulled pork, beer, BBQ chicken sandwiches, pizza, sausages, Vitamin Water and did I say beer?), we only caught the tail end of Secret Machines. They appeared to be playing a typically interesting, rocking, psychedelic set that would have been fun to catch in its entirety. We then faced some incredibly difficult decision-making…the type of decision-making that should be reserved for the office. We had to choose whether to see My Morning Jacket or The Raconteurs. We chose The Raconteurs. Why? We have seen MMJ in clubs and know we would see them again in clubs. The Raconteurs are a one album band that may never exist again, due to Jack White’s regular gig in the White Stripes...and why make a whole night in a club of just seeing that 1 album? We made a great decision because this set turned out to be a festival highlight. Jack White stole the show with his exciting stage personality, riffing and solos. He rocked out on some great covers, including Gnarls Barkely’s “Crazy” and Nancy Sinatra’s “Bang Bang My Baby Shot Me Down”. Pitchfork has compared this set to a beer commercial. God forbid the indie scene have to listen to songs that aren’t concise ideas like the Velvet Underground catalog. Lighten up, Pitchfork. Have some fun. This set rocked. Period. We caught the Violent Femmes doing their thing next. They played the classics and sounded good. Although this set would have been a blast at Metro in 1986, today it was background entertainment that would have fit in better at Milwaukee’s Summerfest. Next came Ween. I don’t know how to describe Ween other than to throw words around like weird, freak, Zappa and weird. They brought out the smoke machines and light show to enhance their bizarre songs that are stylistically all over the place while featuring solid musicianship. It was a fun set that provided a good closer to the end of the first day.

Day 2 featured the hottest weather of the 3 days as the humidity came on strong and the sun got a chance to shine as the clouds faded away. The first set we caught was Built To Spill. They were on the North main stage, which had such severe sound trouble that it was tough to enjoy the set. The band started things off with some lame songs and weak performances but the material and performances dramatically improved as the set went on. Right when things were getting great, we had to do the 20 minute hike in order to get to Wolfmother on time. We fought our way to a great spot in the massive crowd right as Perry Farrell took the stage to give the band a dramatic introduction. You could definitely feel the buzz surrounding the Wolfmother stage. The crowd wanted to see these guys….as did the large number of press photographers gathered in front of the stage. A young trio from Australia, Wolfmother knows how to rock 1970's style. They may be 100% derivative, but they’re damn fun. Their sound mixes early Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and a handful of generic 70's hard rock bands. Throw in top-notch stage performance schtick, great vocals, drums and a bass player who also plays organ and you’ve got Wolfmother. This set entertained us from start to finish while the crowd ate it up like the polish sausages being served in the food section. Wolfmother was definitely a festival highlight. We were already exhausted as a result of the music, the heat and yet another 20 minute walk to Sonic Youth by the time they took the stage. They played that North main stage with the weak sound so we all sat on the lawn and only half- paid attention to this great band. They played their new album, which sounded good. Then it was time for BBQ pulled pork sandwiches, Vitamin Water and beer. Common took the stage next. This performance was considered a big deal due to the fact that last year’s festival featured no major rappers…and here was Common, a successful hometown rapper playing to an audience much larger than he’s used to. He did a great job combining moments of freestyle rap with his jazzy recordings. His band featured a great jazzy drummer, keyboard player and DJ. His set was a blast that was very well-received. This guy has talent as well as a great sound and vibe. Next came Thievery Corporation. They had a huge band that blended all forms of world music into one giant dancefest. They brought the party and had the whole crowd smiling and wanting more. We all agreed that we would see them live again any time. We then caught a few minutes of Manu Chao, who also performed a danceable set of world music. Then we headed over to the big draw of Kanye West. This was exactly what I expected: pure crap. I don’t care what the critics say but this guy is overrated. He’s a good producer and wrote a masterpiece in “Jesus Walks” but after that I just don’t see it. He drew a large crowd – probably 60,000 people. This, by the way, was probably the whitest hip-hop crowd in the history of hip-hop concerts. You would think Common and Kanye would bring at least some diversity to the festival audience! Where was the diversity?? Jazz Fest in New Orleans has such a great blend of people attending the event. Why not this Chicago event? Was there not enough hip-hop to justify the ticket price to the black community? Has the Lollapalooza name only been marketed to the white concert-going crowd all these years? It would be nice to see some diversity next time around. Anyway, back to how Kanye is overrated. The Chicago Tribune interviewed several teenagers who loved his set, so maybe that’s the level of sophistication his music is intended for. Whatever the case, after giving it at least 30 minutes, we unanimously thought it sucked…so we headed out. We walked across the street from the park to a giant hotel. We gathered in their bar with a view of Michigan Avenue, ordered drinks and stuffed our faces with food until we began drifting into comas. That’s when we all went to Wicker Park and literally crashed for 12 hours.

As soon as we woke up, it was time to head back for more! We headed out to the streets of Wicker Park with the goal of finding some Pop Tarts before jumping in a taxi to Grant Park. After all, it would be a bit rough to kick off the day with BBQ pulled pork sandwiches for breakfast. We entered a local corner store where the employee was too busy watching sports on his small black & white television to acknowledge our existence while his buddy was standing outside laughing with a shiny, silver colored garbage can-top balancing on his head. He was cracking himself up, so this overall scene made for a trippy, amusing way to start the day. We ultimately got to the festival and kicked things off with Nickel Creek. They were a perfect morning band…wholesome, happy bluegrass with the Chicago skyline behind them. Band leader Chris Thiele is a future rock star. He led the band through a great set that included covers of Radiohead’s “Nice Dream” and Britney Spears’ “Toxic”. “Toxic” was a blast and went over incredibly well. Thiele took a huge political risk by stepping into sensitive Chicago territory when he said that he liked the Cubs better than the White Sox. If it weren't for the heat or the lack of beer being consumed at that early hour, his comments might have launched a Woodstock 99-like tirade in the crowd...but that fortunately didn't happen.

I concluded during this set that musicians like Chris Thiele and Jack White are such a rare breed. It’s good to know that there are still young artists coming up who are truly mastering their craft, doing their homework to learn the roots of the music and at the same time keeping everything current and fresh. There is something ageless about artists like these. Think about Neil Young, Bob Dylan and Kurt Cobain. I’m not saying White and Thiele are or will be on the same level of artistry as those 3. But those 3 artists all had wisdom way beyond their years as youngsters and, although we’ll never know how Cobain would have progressed, the other 2 maintained their youth and creativity throughout their aging process. It’s as if they were never young…and were never old….they just always channeled something magical. I think White and Thiele share those traits….and look forward to seeing what comes from them down the road. Throw Jeff Tweedy in there too...but I'll save my praise for him until the next paragraph.

After Nickel Creek, we did the 20-minute trek to see Matisyahu. Although this was entertaining, early-afternoon festival fare, I think the whole Hassidic reggae thing lacks depth. The bearded Phish fan has a great band but he lacks the artistic depth to match their sound. The crowd seemed to like it but I think that’s due to his Flavor Of the Month status. We’ll see where he goes, but I wasn’t impressed. Poi Dog Pondering came next. I unfortunately didn’t get to see them in their prime, 10-12 years ago. I used to hear great things about Poi Dog…but this set was not impressive or entertaining. Next up was my favorite band, Wilco. It was a trip for me to be standing behind a crowd of thousands to see an artist I used to see in the 100-person capacity Lounge Ax back in 1991. Jeff Tweedy is the only artist whose career I have followed since the beginning. It’s been a thrill to watch him grow and watch the crowd slowly grow with him. Tweedy is finally starting to get the respect he deserves. He is the Neil Young/Tom Petty of my generation and I intend to remain a fan indefinitely. I expect that one day he’ll have his breakthrough record with the mainstream world, a la Bonnie Raitt in the late-80's…when he’ll be heralded as Best New Artist after having been around forever. Sporting a beard that rivaled Matisyahu’s and an I-just-rolled-out-of-bed-and-bought-my-outfit-at-the-local thrift-shop look, Tweedy led his band of top musicians through a solid one hour set of songs both familiar and new. He was in perfect voice - as if he finally stayed away from cigarettes for an extended period. Wilco opened with “Shot In the Arm” and the entire crowd sang along with every word. The set featured crowd pleasers like "Heavy Metal Drummer", "Via Chicago" and "I Am Trying To Break Your Heart" as well as 4 new songs. A horn section sat in for a few tunes, including some of the new material. Tweedy was hilarious as always when he joked about the giant zit on his forehead and complained that he can only imagine how big it must look on the Jumbotron videoscreen. Tweedy also joked after getting the crowd to sing along with one of his songs that as the band gets bigger, he's trying to get better at the whole crowd participation thing, despite the awkwardness of it all. After Wilco came more BBQ pulled pork sandwiches, Vitamin Water and beer. Then the entire festival crowd gathered at the South main stage for the official festival headliner: Red Hot Chili Peppers. There was an endless sea of people (estimated at 75,000) as the RHCP played a kickass set of funky, jammy rock. 43-year-old bass player Flea let his freak flag fly as he jumped around the stage wearing a psychedelic unitard that looked like one, giant body tattoo. Flea's bass and Frusciante's guitar combined to create a feel that was at times reminiscent of the Grateful Dead shows that had become a summertime Chicago staple in the 90's at the nearby Soldier Field. The happy crowd of all ages danced and sang along as the RHCP served as the perfect end to a great music festival weekend. Their story of going from cult band status to heroin death, explosion of success, key band member leaving to do heroin, downhill slide, key band member returns better than ever, band surpasses their previous level of success and then gets cocky enough to release a double CD...all led to this triumphant moment at Lollapalooza 2006. They headlined Lollapalooza II in 1992, rode out many crazy years in the music business, got discovered by new generations...and in the post-dot com, post-cell phone, post iTunes, George W. Bush era, here they were, sounding at the top of their game, playing to a massive crowd of people in the heart of Chicago after a rousing introduction by their peer, Perry Farrell. The RHCP did their job and left everyone happy and wanting more.

As the festival wound to a close, I found myself exiting the grounds next to one of the event's most colorful clowns, a banana. I'm not used to walking next to bananas, so I couldn't resist striking up a conversation. I asked the banana if it was hot being a banana at Lollapalooza, given that it was close to 90 degrees and humid for the 3 days of the event. The banana, who was a bearded hippie and looked something like the lead singer of the Spin Doctors, told me, "man, you wouldn't believe how hot it was!" I asked him if lots of people wanted to take his picture. "I probably posed for 1,000 pictures today. It was great." I then asked the question I was most curious about. "What inspired you to be a banana for Lollapalooza this season?" He said, "When I woke up the other morning I just felt like I should dress up...and it seemed like being a banana would be perfect. I mean, my friend was going to be a hot dog, so I thought I should be a banana." I liked his logic. I laughed while exiting the park and thought, "I'm ready for Lollapalooza 2007."

Crosby Stills Nash & Young Triumph Again (8/1/06)

2006-08-01T16:20:00.000-07:00

On Monday night, July 31st, Crosby Stills Nash and Young rocked the Hollywood Bowl with powerful new material and an incredible catalog of politically-fueled classics that made for a must-see rock concert. Between American politics coming full circle since the early 70's and Neil Young's new "Living With War" album speaking out against the current corrupt administration, this show felt like an important political statement for the year 2006... not a reunion tour trying to re-live the early 70's. Don't miss this show when it passes through your city. The epic, 3-hour-plus event features the opportunity to see the premiere elder statesmen of political rock with something important to say...and they say it with passion and rage. Each song in the setlist proves the strength of their songwriting, playing and singing. Although this is their 3rd reunion tour since 1974, it is by far the most relevant. The 1999 reunion tour was fun b/c they were finally playing together. The 2002 tour felt like a nostalgia act that had run its course. This tour is The Tour. This is the exact concert I had waited my whole life to see from this collection of musicians. I actually never thought I'd get the chance see them so fired up on stage together. With the theme of the night being Fuck Bush, How Sad That We're As Fucked Now As We Were During the Vietnam-Watergate Era, and You Can Make A Difference If You Stand Up And Speak Out, these 4 talents have delivered the tour of their careers.

Neil Young's latest CD, the powerful LIVING WITH WAR, is the heart of this show. To have such a strong, relevant political statement to tour behind has proven to be the perfect vehicle to rejuvinate this band. Just as Neil lifted CSN to a higher level, they did the same for him. He looked as psyched to be singing their songs and sharing a stage with friends that date back 40 years as they looked to have his energy and presence on their stage. Honestly, if CSNY were in their 20s rather than their 60s, this tour wouldn't only be the most talked about tour on the road, it would be headline news. An excellent video production aided the band in getting their powerful message across as news footage from the past few years drove the point home that it's time for a big change in this country. One can easily conclude that any show that opens with a song from Neil's LIVING WITH WAR and closes with "Rockin In the Free World" is one loud, powerful statement...and it was. Shortly before "Rockin", the show built its way up to Neil's new "Let's Impeach the President". This was a fantastic moment as the band and crowd sang their hearts out. Rather than show the band members on the videoscreens, nothing but lyrics were posted so that everyone could sing along....and sing along they did. Between all of this were classics like "Millitary Madness", "Find the Cost of Freedom", "Ohio", "Chicago", "Immigration Man", "Almost Cut My Hair", "For What It's Worth", "Southbound Train" and "What Are Their Names". The powerful, yet current feeling of these songs stands as a testament to the incredible strength of the CSNY songwriting catalog. Other rock stars have had 30 years to rival this collection of honest, topical, melodic material...and no one has. Equally powerful were the non-political songs like "Only Love Can Break Your Heart", "Carry Me", "Our House", "Deja Vu", "Teach Your Children", "Guinnevere", "Southern Cross", "Helplessly Hoping" and new-ish songs like Stills' bluesy "Old Man Trouble" and Nash's "Milky Way Tonight".

The performances were perfect throughout the night. The show followed the typical CSNY format: a set of rock followed by a set of acoustic music that breaks the 4-some into duos and trios and then another set of rock. David Crosby and Graham Nash are still the best rock harmony singers of all time. Both are still in perfect voice. Neil is still Neil...one of a kind. Stephen Stills couldn't look or sound any worse. In fact, the band has compensated by limiting his vocals so that the songs don't get butchered: Crosby and Nash handled most of the vocal duties for "Wooden Ships" while Neil Young provided the 100% dead-on perfect harmony parts for "Our House" that Stills originally provided on the recording. Stills did rip on guitar and he sounded great on his keyboard-driven, bluesy "Old Man Trouble" - his deep, gravelly voice is now a perfect fit for that kind of material...but it's a real stretch for him to handle CSNY material. He should be a lesson to singers everywhere not to abuse their sinuses, throat or lungs. Augmented by musicians mostly from Neil's camp, the band featured a great pedal steel player, organ player, trumpet player (for Neil's new album) and a great drummer.

I was seated behind music legend Rick Rubin, who was bobbing his head and dancing all night long. A few seats away were Bill and Luke Walton as well as Billy Crystal. Everyone was enjoying this show. The whole night, I couldn't help but thinking that I was finally witnessing The Triumphant Moment. A band that was leaders of their generation and had it all....and then blew it...was finally back on top of their game and relevant once again. The sad part is the reality of the political circumstances that led them back to where they belong. If this tour ends up being the closing chapter of the CSNY saga, they couldn't have done it in a more fitting way.

Setlist:
1. FLAGS OF FREEDOM
2. CARRY ON
3. WOODEN SHIPS
4. LONG TIME GONE
5. MILITARY MADNESS
6. AFTER THE GARDEN
7. LIVING WITH WAR
8. RESTLESS CONSUMER
9. SHOCK AND AWE
10. WOUNDED WORLD
11. ALMOST CUT MY HAIR
12. IMMIGRATION MAN
13. FAMILIES
14. DEJA VU

Set 2

15. HELPLESSLY HOPING
16. OUR HOUSE
17. ONLY LOVE CAN BREAK YOUR HEART
18. GUINIVERE
19. MILKY WAY TONIGHT
20. TREETOP FLYER
21. ROGER AND OUT
22. SOUTHBOUND TRAIN
23. OLD MAN TROUBLE
24. CARRY ME
25. TEACH YOUR CHILDREN
26. SOUTHERN CROSS
27. FIND THE COST OF FREEDOM

[With the band off stage, Neil's legendary giant mike is brought out and roadies tie a giant yellow ribbon around it as Hendrix's "Star Spangled Banner" plays over the P.A.]

28. LET’S IMPEACH THE PRESIDENT
29. FOR WHAT IT’S WORTH
30. CHICAGO
31. OHIO
32. WHAT ARE THEIR NAMES

Encore
33. ROCKIN' IN THE FREE WORLD

Howard Stern Reads My Words (1/27/06)

2006-01-27T18:00:00.000-08:00

Below are my words, read on-the-air by Howard Stern this morning at 9:25...followed by the backstory:

"Here’s where Jann Wenner is REALLY a hypocrite: He has Rolling Stone publish obituary after obituary for people from the music world dying of lung cancer while he fills his magazine with cigarette ads! If he’s so sad about the deaths of these music industry people, why is he pushing the thing that killed them on his readers?

George Harrison and Warren Zevon are only 2 of many lesser known names who have been memorialized….plus as Eddie Van Halen lost half his tongue and John Cougar Mellencamp had his heart attack, Jann has continued to push smokes on his readers. If he really cared about the music community, the same community that made him rich, he would stop whoring out his magazine.

As for FOJ, I always laugh with my friends about the reviews RS gives to any project Mick Jagger is affiliated with. It seems as if every Stones album is the next Exile On Main Street…the next masterpiece. Why doesn’t Jann just marry Mick?"
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As a Howard Stern fan of 17 years and a Rolling Stone subscriber for 21 years, today was a big day for me. First, I should mention that this Monday marked 4 years since my mother's death from lung cancer (despite her not smoking past the age of 35). It still feels like fresh news...so attending an evening minyan service on Monday to read the Kaddish was a pretty depressing way to start the week. There were some funny aspects to the service, but nothing like 2004 (see Update 20: Two Years Ago Today). I mention my mom both because her death inspired my tiff with Jann Wenner and because it was great to end the week on a high note in her memory.

About a year ago I wrote Jann Wenner a letter. I explained that he is one of my lifelong heroes, that I'm a RS subscriber of 2 decades and that the inspiration from his magazine led me to a decade of fun in the music business. (In fact, I almost started my music career with a RS summer internship during college that was on the verge of being locked up when I was told that I was being bumped at the last minute because Bono's niece wanted the job and Jann was too close with Bono to not give the internship to her...so I wound up at SPIN.) In my letter to Jann I questioned why, now that we know what we know about cigarettes and their addictive nature, he continues to publish so many tobacco ads. Now that we're seeing the rock stars of the 60s and 70s drop dead from cigarettes, it's very clear what the long term use of that legal product does (and it's every bit as ugly as the illegal heroin that has killed so many glorified rock stars). So now that we know how truly dangerous it is, why would he push that product on his readers and the music scene? Sure, it looked cool for rockers to always be smoking. Sure, it's always been rebellious...and rock and roll is a rebellious art form. But now we know from seeing firsthand what we didn't really know throughout the previous decades of RS issues. I also pointed out to Jann that for a magazine that has historically exposed the hypocrisy in government and politicians, it sure seemed odd that he could pull such a blatantly hypocritical move on his readers and the music scene. Well, Jann never wrote me back. For the past year, I wanted to find a way to be sure my message got through to Jann. The second I heard Howard Stern ranting on Sirius this week over Jann's hypocrisy, I had to act. Howard was pissed because Jann gives Friends of Jann (FOJ) like Mick Jagger and Yoko Ono glowing reviews regardless of the quality of their work, yet treats Howard like a friend to his face but just allowed a negative article to be published about his first week on Sirius. I decided to email Howard the main points of my letter to Jann and see if by any chance he agreed with my argument. To my surprise and excitement, the next day Howard read my email on the air word for word with conviction! Thanks Howard! Now if we could just get Jann to respond the way the CEO and President of MTV responded to my Live 8 rant....

Holiday CD 2005 > 2006

2005-12-14T12:00:00.000-08:00

* Buy the whole CD or download select songs from iTunes.
** Definitely buy the whole CD.

Volume 4 / Disc 1 – Holiday CD 2005/2006

1) Paul Pena – “Gonna Move” from NEW TRAIN (1973 / 2000)
Paul Pena was a blind, San Fran-based blues artist from Mass who played in the 70s bands of BB King and Bonnie Raitt, and opened for Zappa, Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead. His 2nd album, New Train, is a classic. Supposed to be released in 1973, it got hung up in legal issues until 2000. Paul made a living off the royalties from his song “Jet Airliner”, which became a 1977 hit thanks to the Steve Miller Band. In 1999, Paul starred in a documentary on Tuvan throat singing called “Genghis Blues”. He died this October. **

2) Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings – “How Long Do I Have To Wait” from NATURALLY (2005)
Like James Brown, Sharon is from Augusta, GA. After honing her chops in church, she moved to Brooklyn as a teenager in the 70s and became a session singer for gospel, soul, disco and blues. In the 80s, she had to work as a corrections officer at Rykers Island Jail. In 1996 she hooked up with a label in NY that led to her singing for others and by 2002, a solo career.

3) Ben Lee – “Catch My Disease” from AWAKE IS THE NEW SLEEP (2005)
From Sydney, Australia, Ben Lee first became known at the start of his teens when leading the band Noise Addict. Thanks to Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth, Beastie Boy Mike D released their music in the US on the Beastie’s then-new label. By age 18, Ben went solo. I caught his live show that year and predicted big things. 8 years later it’s just his second hit but we’ll see more…

4) Josh Rouse – “Winter In the Hamptons” from NASHVILLE (2005)
Josh is one of my favorite artists. He is touring in January so do NOT miss him – excellent live show with a top-notch band. Josh is from Nebraska but lived in many places before settling in Nashville for years. Written and recorded before getting divorced and moving to Valencia, Spain, this CD is a goodbye to Nashville and his wife. **

5) Willie Nelson w/Toots Hibbert – “I’m A Worried Man” from COUNTRYMAN (2005)
Still going strong at 70, Willie just released an all reggae CD. Here he duets with Toots again on a Johnny Cash classic.

6) The White Stripes – “The Denial Twist” from GET BEHIND ME SATAN (2005)
The White Stripes are back, still the real deal and continuing to grow. I think this CD is overrated but there are some solid tunes. *

7) Beck – “Girl” from GUERO (2005)
Beck’s depression is gone after marrying Giovanni Ribisi’s twin sister. Back are the fun tunes and the Dust Brothers as producers. *

8) The Killers – “All These Things That I’ve Done” from HOT FUSS (2004)
This band from Vegas writes great British-influenced 80s pop-rock songs. Their Live 8 performance of this tune sold me. *

9) The Arcade Fire – “Rebellion (Lies)” from FUNERAL (2004)
From Montreal, Canada and loved by legends like Davids Byrne and Bowie, this experimental band has a great CD and live show. The title “Funeral” comes from the handful of tragedies that struck the band’s families during the recording process. **

10) Ben Folds – “Landed” from SONGS FOR SILVERMAN (2005)
From N. Carolina and on the edge of 40, Ben Folds Five’s leader is still writing great songs and piano parts. Amazing live show. *

11) Chris Pierce – “Are You Beautiful” from STATIC TRAMPOLINE (2005)
From Los Angeles and with a degree in jazz studies from USC, Chris has been playing around LA since he was a little kid. This catchy tune was featured in the film “Crash” and comes from his debut CD, released by Jimmy Buffett’s label.

12) Common – “Be” from BE (2005)
Lonnie Rashied Lynn from the South Side of Chicago has been around since the early 90s as Common Sense and then Common, sticking with his intelligent jazz-rap despite the popularity of gangsta. “Be” was produced by now-superstar Kanye West. *

13) Bright Eyes w/Emmylou Harris– “We Are Nowhere and It’s Now” from I’M WIDE AWAKE IT’S MORNING (2005)
Definitely one of my favorite artists. Connor Oberst, a/k/a Bright Eyes, is a great lyricist from Omaha with his heart in the right place. The real deal and only 25, I think he’ll be around forever. This CD is definitely worth buying as is a ticket to each of his concerts. Each of his songs take on a new sound, so don’t think each song or CD sounds like this one. **

14) M. Ward – “Radio Campaign” from TRANSISTOR RADIO (2005)
My favorite CD of 2005. I saw Matt “M.” Ward open for Bright Eyes at the end of 04. He was great. His tunes range from folk and bluegrass to blues and trippy rock. They’re short, catchy, melodic and produced like they’re coming from a random basement from yesterday, tomorrow or 100 years ago. He’s 30, from Portland, Oregon and 4 CDs into what I expect to be a long career. **

15) Neil Diamond– “We” from 12 SONGS (2005)
The Jewish Elvis returns. Like Johnny Cash, 64 year-old Neil turned to music guru Rick Rubin to make a raw, schmaltz-free album and bring some hip to his career. Smart move. I expect this tune will be showing up in countless wedding montage videos. *

16) Fiona Apple – “Extraordinary Machine” from EXTRAORDINARY MACHINE (2005)
Back from a 6 year hiatus and several public meltdowns, 28 year-old Fiona first recorded this CD with local hero Jon Brion. She scrapped all but 2 songs (including this) despite a leak via the internet, and brought in Dr. Dre’s guy, Mike Elizondo, to produce.

17) Van Morrison – “Stranded” from MAGIC TIME (2005)
Ireland’s own Van the Man just turned 60 and is still cranking out beautiful tunes.

18) Neil Young – “When God Made Me” from PRAIRIE WIND (2005)
Lennon and Jerry G may be gone, but this rock god keeps going strong at 60. While jamming at the Hall of Fame ceremony this year, Neil’s vision went blurry. He learned he had an aneurysm and needed brain surgery. Between getting the bad news and having the surgery, Neil went to Nashville to make a new CD. This tune presents some great questions for those who use religion to divide us. *

19) Sia – “Breathe Me” from COLOUR THE SMALL ONE (2004)
Sia, from Adelaide, Australia, is the female singer in Zero 7. This song was featured in the closing minutes of the “Six Feet Under” series finale during a montage that showed us what happened to all of the characters over the next 80 years.

20) Sigur Ros – “Hoppipolla” from TAKK… (2005)
The trippy band from Iceland returns with a great new CD. This time they’re actually singing in their native language, rather than the made up gibberish of past CDs (not that we would know the difference). Their live show is definitely worth checking out. *

Volume 4 / Disc 2 – Holiday CD 2005/2006

1) Rolling Stones– “Rough Justice” from BIGGER BANG (2005)
This year the Stones released their best album since 1981’s TATTOO YOU. Apparently it took the fear of losing drummer Charlie Watts to cancer to get Mick and Keith to finally collaborate like old times and create a CD worth discussing. *

2) Oasis – “Lyla” from DON’T BELIEVE THE TRUTH (2005)
Manchester, England’s Gallagher brothers, a bit older and humbler, return with yet another catchy rock tune.

3) My Morning Jacket – “What A Wonderful Man” from Z (2005)
This will be one of the most talked about CDs of the next year. 26 year-old Jim James of Kentucky has found a new sound and finally composed some great songs that will really put him on the map. With a great live show to match, this is a band to keep an eye on. **

4) The Dead 60s – “Riot Radio (2005)” from THE DEAD 60s (2005)
This band from Liverpool clearly wears their love for the Clash on their sleeves. This was often on the radio during my drive to work.

5) Nine Inch Nails - “The Hand That Feeds” from WITH TEETH (2005)
After a 6-year drug and depression-induced hiatus, Trent Reznor returns at age 40 with a great CD featuring the amazing drumming of Nirvana drummer/Foo Fighters leader Dave Grohl. Amazing live show, filled with the energy and passion of the Nirvana era. *

6) Foo Fighters - “No Way Back” from IN YOUR HONOR (2005)
This is one of those great, rocking tunes that makes you want to leap off your desk while playing air guitar. Dave Grohl & Friends are back with another solid batch of songs. Would have been a great single CD but they stretched it to a double (1 acoustic, 1 electric). *

7) Doves – “Black and White Town” from SOME CITIES (2005)
This trio from Manchester, England makes solid, catchy British pop-rock.

8) Robert Plant - “Tin Pan Valley” from MIGHTY REARRANGER (2005)
Never shy to exploring new territory, Led Zeppelin’s front man begins this tune as light electronica and then half way through rocks it like Zeppelin at its wildest. His voice may not soar like it used to, but he’s still got it.

9) Audioslave - “Doesn’t Remind Me” from OUT OF EXILE (2005)
If this track sounds like a mix of Soundgarden and Rage Against the Machine, it’s because you’re hearing the singer from the former with the musicians from the latter. On their second album, I think they finally found their own sound on this great track.

10) Coldplay - “Talk” from X&Y (2005)
You had to be living in a spider hole to avoid this band in 2005 as their success reached around the globe. Despite some undeniably great songs, I’m still not sold on this U2-Radiohead-Dave Matthews hybrid of a band. *

11) Mars Volta - “The Widow” from FRANCES THE MUTE (2005)
With a great singer, great musicianship, and an amazing live show featuring great stage presence and serious rock, Mars Volta has all the elements of a rock legend except the songs. They claim they don’t want to write conventional songs but I claim that’s a cop-out. If they can get over their Cobain-like fear of being stars and write more songs like this, there will be no stopping them.

TRACKS 12-20 ARE DEDICATED TO THE VICTIMS OF KATRINA AND THE PEOPLE WHOSE LIVES HAVE BEEN AFFECTED THE STORM

12) Pink Floyd – “Wish You Were Here” (live) from LIVE 8 in 2005
When pigs fly….that’s when people thought Roger Waters would return to his old bandmates. Finally, after 22 years, one of the best bands in rock history (the band that invented the flying pig) reunited this summer for a great 4-song reunion that brought chills to viewers around the world. Roger dedicates this song to its original subject, former band leader/acid casualty Syd Barrett.

13) Randy Newman – “Louisana 1927” from SONGBOOK VOL. 1 (2003)
Mr. “I Love L.A.” was born in that city 62 years ago but spent much of his childhood in New Orleans. He wrote this song about a previous flood, released it in 1974 and released this version in 2003 in a collection of bare bones versions of his best songs. Covered by Aaron Neville, this tune practically became the Katrina theme song. New Orleans is one of the most vibrant towns and best music cities in America. May the city be reborn….and may the political awakening caused by the storm bring good to the country.

14) John Mayer Trio – “Gravity” (live) from MTV/VH1 KATRINA BENFIT in 2005
Tired of the pop charts, John formed a blues trio with major session players Pino Palladino and Steve Jordan. Good move. After watching the Katrina benefit, I couldn’t get this Steve Ray Vaughn and Jimi Hendrix-like tune out of my head for days.

15) BB King w/Mark Knopfler – “All Over Again” from 80 (2005)
Blues god BB King is still rocking and sounding great at 80. Incredible. Joined here by Dire Straits leader Mark Knopfler on guitar.

16) Wilco – “One By One” from KICKING TELEVISION (LIVE IN CHICAGO) (2005)
On top of my list since 1991, Jeff Tweedy finally has the ultimate live line-up. This song features Woody Guthrie’s lyrics. **

17) The Refugee All Stars – “Living Like A Refugee” from LIVING LIKE A REFUGEE (2005)
The guy who ultimately filled my gig with the Rolling Stones Ticket Queen recently completed a powerful documentary film called The Refugee All Stars about a group of civil war refugees in Africa who formed a band to keep their sanity. Financed by the Ticket Queen, Paul McCartney, Keith Richards and Steve Bing, this WILL make news in 2006-2007. www.refugeeallstars.org **

18) Paul McCartney – “Too Much Rain” from CHAOS AND CREATION IN THE BACKYARD (2005)
Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich helped Sir Paul create his best CD since 1989’s FLOWERS IN THE DIRT. *

19) The Meters – “Mardi Gras Mambo” from FIRE ON THE BAYOU (1975)
Key to the heart and soul of New Orleans is the Neville family…so here they are. Before the Neville Brothers came The Meters, which featured Art & Cyril Neville. The Meters opened for the Stones on tour after releasing this album. 2 years later they broke up.

20) USA For Africa – “We Are the World” from WE ARE THE WORLD (1985)
It’s still so simultaneously beautiful and ridiculous. Due to the MJ trial, Live 8, the state of the world and 20 years flying by, I’m including this piece of the 80s. In order of appearance: Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Kenny Rogers, James Ingram (“Somewhere Out There”), Tina Turner, Billy Joel, Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Dionne Warwick, Willie Nelson, Al Jarreau (“Moonlighting” theme), Bruce Springsteen, Kenny Loggins, Steve Perry (Journey), Daryl Hall (Hall & Oates), MJ, Huey Lewis, Cyndi Lauper, Kim Carnes (“Betty Davis Eyes”), Chorus, Bob Dylan, Ray Charles, Stevie & Springsteen, Chorus, Ingram & Ray.

Tracks I wanted to include (and recommend) but did not have room for:

Spoon - "I Turn My Camera On" from GIMME FICTION
The Redwalls - "Thank You" from DE NOVA
Habib Koite & Bamada - "Wassiye" (live) from FOLY! LIVE AROUND THE WORLD
Jackie Greene - "Honey I Been Thinking About You" from SWEET SOMEWHERE BOUND
Breakestra - "Family Rap" from HIT THE FLOOR
John Legend - "Ordinary People" from GET LIFTED
Sufjan Stevens - "Chicago" from ILLINOIS
Rob Thomas - "Lonely No More" from SOMETHING TO BE
Stereophonics - "Dakota" from LANGUAGE. SEX. VIOLENCE. OTHER?
Supergrass - "Tales of Endurance (Parts 4, 5 & 6) from ROAD TO ROUEN
Ash - "Meltdown" from MELTDOWN
Louis XIV - "Finding Out True Love Is Blind" from THE BEST LITTLE SECRETS ARE KEPT
Mia Doi Todd - "The Last Night Of Winter" from MANZANITA
Queens of the Stone Age - "Little Sister" from LULLABIES TO PARALYZE
The Raveonettes - "Love In A Trashcan" from PRETTY IN BLACK

ZaZa Lazar - An Exclusive Interview With Rock's Most Famous Canine Roadie (11/16/05)

2005-11-16T22:20:00.000-08:00

How many dogs can claim to have met Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, U2, the Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen and about a dozen other music legends? For French Bulldog ZaZa Lazar, it's just part of her rock `n' roll jet-setter lifestyle. Thanks to my mid-90s stint working for the Rolling Stones, I was recently granted special access to ZaZa to learn more about her adventures. Our conversation led to the following piece, which recently appeared in the Fall 2005 Edition of the Chicagoland Tails Pet Magazine.

Tails: It sounds like you're living a pretty exciting life!
ZaZa: I'm a very lucky Bulldog. I have a great mom.

Tails: Who is your mom?
ZaZa: My mom is Shelley Lazar, VIP ticket director to the stars. She's been in the concert busines since Woodstock and I don't mean that Woodstock on MTV with the explosions. I mean the Woodstock.

Tails: May I ask how old you are now?
ZaZa: I'm 26 months old, but people say I don't look a day over 6 months.

Tails: What's a typical day like for you?
ZaZa: When we're at home in San Francisco, a normal day is to wake up, do some stretching, take a morning piddle and a poop,
head to the office, do lots of ball throwing and catching, play with my squeaky toys, and hang out for an hour with Jab (my walker). Afterwards, we head back to the office for some rest, then head home for an evening romp in the park and to watch some "Law and Order" and "CSI".

Tails: What about when you're on the road?
ZaZa: If it's a travel day, I stay in my fancy carry-on bag with the Tiffany & Co. luggage tag attached. I always travel by plane. I don't do the bus thing. I only stay at first-class hotels and definitely enjoy those accommodations. I especially love the down comforters and soft pillows. On a show day, I head over to the empty arena for sound check. I always like sound check because it's like having my own private concert without people spilling beer on my head.

Tails: Do you hang out backstage?
ZaZa: Sure. After sound check, I go backstage.

Tails: What's that like?
ZaZa: It's great fun. Backstage you get to meet movie stars like Jack Nicholson and you get to be fed by the backstage caterer. I can't say no to broiled chicken and a good piece of filet mignon!

Tails: We've all heard crazy rock `n' roll stories before, but have you ever had to do anything questionable to get backstage?
ZaZa: I thought we agreed not to discuss that.

Tails: The people want to know, ZaZa.
ZaZa: Well, I have actually been known to offer "favors" in order to get backstage. That's all I'm going to say.

Tails: Does a lot of partying go on backstage?
ZaZa: I can't tell you too much because no one would let me back there if I start gossiping. But I am clean and sober. I have always been and always will be. Well, I do have the occasional sip of wine, but that's it.

Tails: Anything else you'd like to divulge?
ZaZa: Again, I don't like to talk about such things. I abide by my signed, licked, and delivered confidentiality agreements. I'm always willing to pose for the many paparazzi who seem to follow me around, but I can only tell so much to reporters.

Tails: Do you have any rock `n' roll doggy friends?
ZaZa: My best friend is my cousin, Ruby Tuesday. Ruby is a Maltese whose mom is Jane Rose, the manager of Keith Richards from the Rolling Stones.

Tails: I'll bet that dog can party!
ZaZa: Ha, you reporters don't give up. Ruby is a cool cat. We love listening to music together.

Tails: Do you have a favorite song?
ZaZa: It depends on my mood. When I want to rock out, I listen to the Stones, and Bruce Springsteen's "Born To Run" really gets me going. When I'm in a mellow mood, James Taylor's "You've Got A Friend" calms my soul.

Tails: What about "Who Let The Dogs Out?"
ZaZa: Ugh, that's so cliche. If I feel like dancing, I listen to Donna Summers' "Hot Stuff".

Tails: Do you have any special talents?
ZaZa: I'm very talented. I've learned a lot from Mick Jagger, like how to strut. I also have perfected my tongue-hanging Gene Simmons impression. And I do a little acting, too - for instance, to get extra attention, I pretend I'm Bono. You know, lots of attitude.

Tails: Have you influenced the set lists at my shows?
ZaZa: Well, Frenchies like me are known for being quite flatulent. Some people on the road have suggested that Dylan has played "Blowin in the Wind" in my honor.

Tails: What do you think of Snoop Dogg?
ZaZa: I have some issues with him. Mainly because he's not a real dog. I really think it's time for him to be honest with everyone and just admit it.

Tails: What about Trimph the Insult Comic Dog? Have you ever met him?
ZaZa: I'm sure his breath stinks from all those cigars he smokes.

Tails: What exciting things do you have coming up?
ZaZa: I have a tour with the Stones and another with Paul McCartney. Love to chat more...but my limo's waiting.

Chicago's Katrina Benefit / The Redwalls by Jerry Marcus (10/11/05)

2005-10-11T14:45:00.000-07:00

This special Katrina Benefit coverage comes to us from Chicago's very own Jerry Marcus:

Caught the Katrina Benefit tonight at the Metro, Chicago's home of indie rock. It was clear from the get go that (i) I was a full driver's license (16 years) older than all of the kids in the first four rows, and (ii) the whole night revolved around, and was leading up to, The Redwalls.

The Redwalls were nothing short of off-the-hook. Think Bowie, Dylan, Lennon and T.Rex all wrapped together, mixed up with a bunch of kids from Deerfield, Illinois, one of whom had perfectly teased out hair and a killer (fake?) British accent. Some may even say these kids, dressed cooler than Beck at his best, are the very poppy nephew of the band into which it took Wilco ten years to evolve.

However you slice it, they're on fire. They took the stage and shredded "Robinson Crusoe" with perfectly staged Beatlesque harmonies and drum fills reminiscent of Keith Moon. The three front-men of the four piece band were absolutely fluid, switching between lead and rhythm and bass guitars as well as lead vocals. The most frustrating part of the night was trying to determine which of the three had the sickest vocals - and whether or not I liked the Dylan look alike with the big hair and British accent or the starry-eyed fresh faced kid in the middle as my favorite front man. These are kids that are tight as fuck on guitar, shred their vocals, and melted the insides of every girl tonight at the Metro. They even came out for the Katrina Benefit encore and busted "This Land Is Your Land" -- and it actually worked.

Granted, they're no match to the depth of a band like the White Stripes. The Redwalls are pop-candy, and they got it down cold. It's clear Capitol Records hooked them up with the best stylist, a seasoned production team to maximize all the hooks and guitar riffs on their album, and staged all their harmonies on shared microphones at either end of the stage.

If you haven't yet heard them, download their album De Novo and listen to tracks 2, 3, 8 & 10. I'd do it now if I were you. Clear your schedule and empty your CD player -- this is gonna take you on a 2 week binge.

-Jerry Marcus

luberblogging since '05

The LuberBlog - Let's Blog It Out, Bitch!

Ten Years Ago : Jerry Garcia 1942-1995

2005-08-09T16:20:00.000-07:00

JERRY GARCIA

August 1, 1942 - August 9, 1995

Thanks again, Jerry! We miss you...

Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter's 1995 eulogy to Jerry Garcia as read at Jerry's funeral:
Jerry, my friend,
you've done it again,
even in your silence
the familiar pressure
comes to bear, demanding
I pull words from the air
with only this morning
and part of the afternoon
to compose an ode worthy
of one so particular
about every turn of phrase,
demanding it hit home
in a thousand ways
before making it his own,
and this I can't do alone.
Now that the singer is gone,
where shall I go for the song?

Without your melody and taste
to lend an attitude of grace
a lyric is an orphan thing,
a hive with neither honey's taste
nor power to truly sting.

What choice have I but to dare and
call your muse who thought to rest
out of the thin blue air
that out of the field of shared time,
a line or two might chance to shine --

As ever when we called,
in hope if not in words,
the muse descends.

How should she desert us now?
Scars of battle on her brow,
bedraggled feathers on her wings,
and yet she sings, she sings!

May she bear thee to thy rest,
the ancient bower of flowers
beyond the solitude of days,
the tyranny of hours--
the wreath of shining laurel lie
upon your shaggy head
bestowing power to play the lyre
to legions of the dead

If some part of that music
is heard in deepest dream,
or on some breeze of Summer
a snatch of golden theme,
we'll know you live inside us
with love that never parts
our good old Jack O'Diamonds
become the King of Hearts.

I feel your silent laughter
at sentiments so bold
that dare to step across the line
to tell what must be told,
so I'll just say I love you,
which I never said before
and let it go at that old friend
the rest you may ignore.

One Year Later, in August 1996, Robert Hunter published this email to Jerry:
Dear JG,

it's been a year since you shuffled off the mortal coil and a lot has happened. It might surprise you to know you made every front page in the world. The press is still having fun, mostly over lawsuits challenging your somewhat ...umm... patchwork Last Will and Testament. Annabelle didn't get the EC horror comic collection, which I think would piss you off as much as anything. Nor could Dough Irwin accept the legacy of the guitars he built for you because the tax-assessment on them, icon-enriched as they are, is more than he can afford short of selling them off. The upside of the craziness is: your image is selling briskly enough that your estate should manage something to keep various wolves from various familial doors, even after the lawyers are paid. How it's to be divided will probably fall in the hands of the judge. An expert on celebrity wills said in the news that yours was a blueprint on how not to make a will.

The band decided to call it quits. I think it's a move that had to be made. You weren't exactly a sideman. But nothing's for certain. Some need at least the pretense of retirement after all these years. Can they sustain it? We'll see.

I'm writing this from England, by the way. Much clarity of perspective to be had from stepping out of the scene for a couple of months. What isn't so clear is my own role, but it's really no more problematic than it has been for the last decade. As long as I get words on paper and can lead myself to believe it's not bullshit, I'm roughly content. I'm not exactly Mr. Business.

I decided to get a personal archive together to stick on that stagnating computer site we had. Really started pouring the mustard on. I'm writing, for crying out loud, my diary on it! Besides running my ego full tilt (what's new?) I'm trying to give folks some skinny on what's going down. I don't mean I'm busting the usual suspects left and right, but am giving a somewhat less than cautious overview and soapboxing more than a little. They appointed me webmaster, and I hope they don't regret it.

There are those in the entourage who quietly believe we're washed up without you. Even should time and circumstance prove it to be so, we need to believe otherwise long enough to get some self sustaining operations going, or we'll never know for sure. It's matter of self respect. Maybe it's a long shot, but this whole fucking trip was a longshot from the start, so what else is new?

Your funeral service was one hell of a scene. Maureen and I took Barbara and Sara in and sat with them. MG waited over at our place. Manasha and Keelan were also absent. None by choice. Everybody from the band said some words and Steve, especially, did you proud, speaking with great love and candor. Annabelle got up and said you were a genius, a great guy, a wonderful friend, and a shitty father - which shocked part of the contingent and amused the rest. After awhile the minister said that that was enough talking, but I called out, from the back of the church, "Wait, I've got something!" and charged up the aisle and read this piece I wrote for you, my voice and hands shaking like a leaf. Man, it was weird looking over and seeing you dead!

A slew of books have come out about you and more to follow. Perspective is lacking. It's way too soon. You'd be amazed at the number of people with whom you've had a nodding acquaintance who are suddenly experts on your psychology and motivations. Your music still speaks louder than all the BS: who you were, not the messes you got yourself into. Only a very great star is afforded that much inspection and that much forgiveness.

There was so much confusion on who should be allowed to attend the scattering of your ashes that they sat around for four months. It was way too weird for this cowboy who was neither invited nor desirous of going. I said good-bye with my poem at the funeral service. It was cathartic and I didn't need an anti-climax.

A surreal sidelight: Weir went to India and scattered a handful of your ashes in the Ganges as a token of your worldwide stature. He took a lot of flak from the fans for it, which must have hurt. A bunch of them decided to scapegoat him, presumably needing someplace to misdirect their anger over the loss of you. In retrospect, I think Weir was hardest hit of the old crowd by your death. I take these things in my stride, though I admit to a rough patch here and there. But Bob took it right on the chin. Shock was written all over his face for a long time, for any with eyes to see.

Some of the guys have got bands together and are doing a tour. The fans complain it's not the same without you, and of course it isn't, but a reasonable number show up and have a pretty good time. The insane crush of the latter day GD shows is gone and that's all for the best. From the show I saw, and reports on the rest, the crowd is discovering that the sense of community is still present, matured through mutual grief over losing you. This will evolve in more joyous directions over time, but no one's looking to fill your shoes. No one has the presumption.

Been remembering some of the key talks we had in the old days, trying to suss what kind of a tiger we were riding, where it was going, and how to direct it, if possible. Driving to the city once, you admitted you didn't have a clue what to do beyond composing and playing the best you could. I agreed - put the weight on the music, stay out of politics, and everything else should follow. I trusted your musical sense and you were good enough to trust my words. Trust was the whole enchilada, looking back.

Walking down Madrone Canyon in Larkspur in 1969, you said some pretty mindblowing stuff, how we were creating a universe and I was responsible for the verbal half of it. I said maybe, but it was your way with music and a guitar that was pulling it off. You said "That's for now. This is your time in the shadow, but it won't always be that way. I'm not going to live a long time, it's not in the cards. Then it'll be your turn." I may be alive and kicking, but no pencil pusher is going to inherit the stratosphere that so gladly opened to you. Recalling your statement, though, often helped keep me oriented as my own star murked below the horizon while you streaked across the sky of our generation like a goddamned comet!

Though my will to achieve great things is moderated by seeing what comes of them, I've assigned myself the task of trying to honor the original vision. I'm not answerable to anybody but my conscience, which, if less than spotless, doesn't keep me awake at night. Maybe it's best, personally speaking, that the power to make contracts and deal the remains of what was built through the decades rests in other hands. I wave the flag and rock the boat from time to time, since I believe much depends on it, but will accept the outcome with equanimity.

Just thought it should be said that I no longer hold your years of self inflicted decline against you. I did for awhile, felt ripped off, but have come to understand that you were troubled and compromised by your position in the public eye far beyond anyone's powers to deal with. Star shit. Who can you really trust? Is it you or your image they love? No one can understand those dilemmas in depth except those who have no choice but to live them. You whistled up the whirlwind and it blew you away. Your substance of choice made you more malleable to forces you would have brushed off with a characteristic sneer in earlier days. Well, you know it to be so. Let those who pick your bones note that it was not always so.

So here I am, writing a letter to a dead man, because it's hard to find a context to say things like this other than to imagine I have your ear, which of course I don't. Only to say that what you were is more startlingly apparent in your absence than ever it was in the last decade. I remember sitting in the waiting room of the hospital through the days of your first coma. Not being related, I wasn't allowed into the intensive care unit to see you until you came to and requested to see me. And there you were - more open and vulnerable than I'd ever seen you. You grasped my hand and began telling me your visions, the crazy densely packed phantasmagoria way beyond any acid trip, the demons and mechanical monsters that taunted and derided, telling you endless bad jokes and making horrible puns of everything - and then you asked, point blank, "Have I gone insane?" I said "No, you've been very sick. You've been in a coma for days, right at death's door. They're only hallucinations, they'll go away. You survived." "Thanks," you said. "I needed to hear that."

Your biographers aren't pleased that I don't talk to them, but how am I to say stuff like this to an interviewer with an agenda? I sometimes report things that occur to me about you in my journal, as the moment releases it, in my own way, in my own time, and they can take what they want of that.

Obviously, faith in the underlying vision which spawned the Grateful Dead might be hard to muster for those who weren't part of the all night rap sessions circa 1960-61 ... sessions that picked up the next morning at Kepler's bookstore then headed over to the Stanford cellar or St. Mike's to continue over coffee and guitars. There were no hippies in those days and the beats had bellied up. There was only us vs. 50's consciousness. There no jobs to be had if we wanted them. Just folk music and tremendous dreams. Yeah, we dreamed our way here. I trust it. So did you. Not so long ago we wrote a song about all that, and you sang it like a prayer. The Days Between. Last song we ever wrote.

Context is lost, even now. The sixties were a long time ago and getting longer. A cartoon version of our times satisfies public perception. Our continuity is misunderstood as some sort of strange persistence of an outmoded style. Beads, bell bottoms and peace signs. But no amount of pop cynicism can erase the suspicion, in the minds of the present generation, that something was going on once that was better than what's going on now. And I sense that they're digging for "what it is" and only need the proper catalyst to find it for themselves. Your guitar is like a compass needle pointing the strange way there. I'm wandering far afield from the intention of this letter, a year's report, but this year wasn't made up only of events following your death in some roughly chronological manner. It reached down to the roots of everything, shook the earth off, and inspected them. The only constant is the fact that you remain silent. Various dances are done around that fact.

Don't misconstrue me, I don't waste much time in grief. Insofar as you were able, you were an exponent of a dream in the continual act of being defined into a reality. You had a massive personality and talent to present it to the world. That dream is the crux of the matter, and somehow concerns beauty, consciousness and community. We were, and are, worthy insofar as we serve it. When that dream is dead, there'll be time enough for true and endless grief.

John Kahn died in May, same day Leary did. Linda called 911 and they came over and searched the house, found a tiny bit of coke and carted her off to jail in shock. If the devil himself isn't active in this world, there's sure something every bit as mean: institutional righteousness without an iota of fellow feeling. But, as I figure, that's the very reason the dream is so important - it's whatever is the diametric opposite of that. Human kindness.

Trust me that I don't walk around saying "this was what Jerry would have wanted" to drive my points home. What you wanted is a secret known but to yourself. You said 'yes' to what sounded like a good idea at the time, 'no' to what sounded like a bad one. I see more of what leadership is about, in the absence of it. It's an instinct for good ideas. An aversion to bad ones. Compromise on indifferent ones. Power is another matter. Power is not leadership but coercion. People follow leaders because they want to.

I know you were often sick and tired of the conflicting demands made on you by contentious forces you invited into your life and couldn't as easily dismiss. You once said to me, in 1960, "just say yes to everybody and do what you damn well want." Maybe, but when every 'yes' becomes an IOU payable in full, who's coffer is big enough to pay up? "Fuck 'em if they can't take a joke!" would be a characteristic reply. Unfortunately, you're not around to explain what was a joke and what wasn't. It all boils down to signed pieces of paper with no punch lines appended.

I know what I'm saying in this letter can be taken a hundred ways. As always, I just say what occurs to me to say and can't say what doesn't. Could I write a book about you? No. Didn't know you well enough. Let those who knew you even less write them. You were canny enough to keep your own self to yourself and let your fingers do the talking. Speaking of 'personal matters' was never your shtick.

Our friendship was testy. I challenged you rather more than you liked, having a caustic tongue. In later years you preferred the company of those capable of keeping it light and non-judgmental. I think it must always be that way with prominent and powerfully gifted persons. I don't say that, for the most part, your inner circle weren't good and true. They'd have laid down their lives for you. I'd have had to think about it. I mean, a star is a star is a star. There's no reality check. If the truth were known, you were too well loved for your own good, but that smacks of psychologizing and I drop the subject forthwith

All our songs are acquiring new meanings. I don't deny writing with an eye to the future at times, but our mutual folk, blues and country background gave us a mutual liking for songs that dealt with sorrow and the dark issues of life. Neither of us gave a fuck for candy coated shit, psychedelic or otherwise. I never even thought of us as a "pop band." You had to say to me one day, after I'd handed over the Eagle Mall suite, "Look, Hunter - we're a goddamn dance band, for Christ's sake! At least write something with a beat!" Okay. I handed over Truckin' next. How was I to know? I thought we were silver and gold; something new on this Earth. But the next time I tried to slip you the heavy stuff, you actually went for it. Seems like you'd had the vision of the music about the same time I had the vision of the words, independently. Terrapin. Shame about the record, but the concert piece, the first night it was played, took me about as close as I ever expect to get to feeling certain we were doing what we were put here to do. One of my few regrets is that you never wanted to finish it, though you approved of the final version I eked out many years later. You said, apologetically, "I love it, but I'll never get the time to do it justice." I realized that was true. Time was the one thing you never had in the last decade and a half. Supporting the Grateful Dead plus your own trip took all there was of that. The rest was crashing time. Besides, as you once said, "I'd rather toss cards in a hat than compose." But man, when you finally got down on it, you sure knew how.

The pressure of making regular records was a creative spur for a long time, but poor sales put the economic weight on live concerts where new material wasn't really required, so my role in the group waned. A difficult time for me, being at my absolute peak and all. I had to go on the road myself to make a living. It was go od for me. I developed a sense of self direction that didn't depend on the Dead at all. This served well for the songs w e were still to write together. You sure weren't interested in flooding the market. You knew one decent song was worth a dozen cob bled together pieces of shit, saved only by arrangement. I guess we have a few of those too, but the percentage is respect ably low. Pop songs come and go, blossom and wither, but we scored a piece of Americana, my friend. Sooner or later, they'll notice what we did doesn't die the way we do. I've always believed that and so did you. Once in awhile we'd even call each other "Mister" and exchange congratulations. Other people are starting to record those songs now, and they stand on their own.

For some reason it seems worthwhile to maintain the Grateful Dead structures: Rex, the website, GDP, the deadhead office, the studio ... even with the band out of commission. I don't know if this is some sort of denial that the game is finished, or if the intuitive impulse is a sound one. I feel it's better to have it than not, just in case, because once it's gone there's no bringing it back. The forces will disperse and settle elsewhere. A business that can't support itself is, of course, no business at all, just a locus of dissension, so the reality factor will rule. Diminished as we are without you, there is still some of the quick, bright spirit around. I mean, you wouldn't have thrown in your lot with a bunch of belly floppers, would you?

Let me see - is there anything I've missed? Plenty, but this seems like a pretty fat report. You've been gone a year now and the boat is still afloat. Can we make it another year? What forms will it assume? It's all kind of exciting. They say a thousand years are only a twinkle in God's eye. Is that so?

Missing you in a longtime way.

rh

Chicago's Lollapalooza 2005 (7/26/05)

2005-07-25T21:10:00.000-07:00

I knew I was in for a good weekend when I got in the car to drive into Chicago from the suburbs and the Grateful Dead's "St. Stephen" came on the radio. Given that this song is never on the radio, I figured a unique experience was right around the corner. I picked up my friend Bill and we took the L to the Michigan Avenue area. We arrived at Chicago's Buckingham Fountain and were greeted by a young volunteer. "Welcome to Lollapalooza 2005," he said. After hosting Radiohead for an outdoor, concert-in-the-park test run on 8/1/01 (see "Chicago + Radiohead Do Good"), this weekend the city of Chicago finally followed up with the first big event at Hutchinson Field, the city's new lakeside park: Lollapalooza 2005.

Hosted by Lollapalooza founder Perry Farrell of Jane's Addiction, the event was a definite success. Approximately 65,000 people attended the 2-day concert. Modeled after Southern California's Coachella and Austin's Austin City Limits Festival, this 2-day event presented 60 international touring bands and over 10 local restaurants. Performers ranged from Liz Phair and The Killers to the Pixies and Widespread Panic. Light on hip-hop and electronica, this festival featured mostly alt rock and jam-oriented music. Weezer, Arcade Fire, G-Love, Drive-By Truckers, Spoon, Ben Kweller, Digable Planets, Death Cab For Cutie and Primus all performed to enthusiastic crowds despite the high humidity and 100 plus degree weather. Sandwiched between Buckingham Fountain and Chicago's museums, the lakeside event featured 4 stages in opposite corners of the park. Each hour, bands would perform on the 2 stages diagonal from each other, surrounded by Chicago's beautiful skyline. Just outside this field was the food area, where Chicago's restaurants had booths serving BBQ ribs, pizza, cheeseburgers, ice cream and even some healthy items for the California types.

As we walked around, Bill and I passed a man around 50 years old dressed in full millitary garb (hat, boots and all) with a Hitler-like moustache that could possibly have been glued on above his lip. The moustache curlie-q'd out into a few twists like that of a character in one of those movies based on a comic book. He held the American flag in one hand while the other appeared poised to draw a weapon out of his pocket. Written in thick, black permanent marker on his back was "Psalms 16:30" or some number like that. With eyes that appeared to be possessed or simply under the influence of a special treat from a Widespread Panic fan, he was casually pacing around the food area. When we passed him, we noticed that he wore a name tag that stated "My Name is Popeye". Bill and I looked at each other and simultaneously said, "Did you just see that?" We weren't sure whether Popeye was a Vietnam veteran or had just gotten off tour with The Village People. There was no way we could walk past him without learning exactly what he was doing at Lollapalooza. I had to ask. I figured he was going to try to sell me Jesus, war, peace, America or some combination of the 4. Either way, I was prepared for an interesting answer....however, not quite as interesting as the answer I got. We approached Popeye. "Hi, Popeye. What's going on? You're all suited up today". With a very serious look on his face, he gazed deep into my eyes. I prepared myself for today's bible lesson. "Paintball is very dangerous," Popeye stated. It took me a second to absorb these words of wisdom. They weren't QUITE what I was expecting. I was recently invited to a bachelor party where everyone played paintball, but I couldn't attend that day so I didn't really learn how dangerous paintball truly is. I hear it can leave welts, but I didn't realize the serious danger. I wanted to hear more. "Yes, Popeye, very true," I said. He continued, "Kids today are NOT being taught how to use these military weapons. They're just SENT out there and they start shooting. They don't even give these kids cups to protect themselves! It's VERY dangerous." Shocked that I was actually having this conversation with a man named Popeye in military garb holding a U.S. flag while Spoon was blasting in the background, I had to hide my uncontrollable laughter behind a fake asthmatic cough. "Interesting point, Popeye." Agitated, not by me but by the topic of paintball, Popeye angrily stated, "We need LAWS. We need LAWS to protect the children from paintball." He then walked away. Stunned, I too walked away....and quickly forgot about the bizarre paintball incident as I purchased a great pulled pork sandwich from one of the local Chicago restaurant vendors.

Popeye wasn't the only character who made me realize that Pfizer and Merck can be good for America. When introducing the Pixies, rock star Perry Farrell gave a great, heartfelt speech about how we can all do our bit to save the world from global warming. Given that it was 100 degrees with humidity to match, it made sense to hear his speech. He said multiple times that if we all use our cell phones to text message the special number, we can send a message to Washington that we need to change our policies. We all pulled out our cell phones, ready to be told the special number. He then said, "And now - here they are - the Pixies!!" Out came the Pixies...and they launched into one of their classics. However, Perry never gave us the special number! What a crackhead! I was psyched as hell to see the Pixies but couldn't stop laughing at the fact that I was holding my cell phone, ready to text message some imaginary, magical number! Ah, the beauty of lost brain cells....Perry Farrell played right into the hands of South Park, The Simpsons and Bill O'Reilly. It was truly hilarious.

Anyway, Chicago and concert organizers Capital Sports & Entertainment of Austin did a great job with this event. The lineup overall was just OK, but it was real good considering that they pulled it all together at the last minute. Given that the event was a success and raised over $400,000 for Chicago's Park District and brought in $8 million in tourism, I'm guessing they'll do it again. With more advanced notice, they can hopefully pull in headliners like that of Coachella and Austin City Limits. The bands I caught did a good job. Even Billy Idol was fun. He brought the MTV Spring Break vibe out of the crowd as everyone jumped around to his hits while asking the people next to them, "isn't he like 50 or something?" The Killers did a solid job as the new Duran Duran; Cake and Primus brought their quirky versions of jam-oriented tunes to the Windy City, with Les Claypool surrounded by two gigantic rubber duckies; Perry Farrell's new band was a less convincing Jane's Addiction-lite; Liz Phair was somewhat entertaining with her increasingly schlocky rock songs; Drive-By Truckers busted out straightforward southern rock with a Jay Farrar vibe; Weezer turned the entire park into a frat party as every idiot there (including me) belted out the lyrics to The Sweater Song; Arcade Fire drew a huge crowd and totally won everyone over by the end of their set as the crowd was clapping along to the band's unique tunes with their hands raised above their heads; the Pixies rocked as always and Widespread Panic brought the jamband vibe to the event with their southern brand of hippie rock. Despite the fact that Widespread Panic isn't a headliner like Radiohead, Jane's Addiction or Nine Inch Nails, they definitely were able to attract the cute hippie chicks to the festival on Day 2 when they performed. It was a big difference from Day 1, which featured more 200 pound girls than I ever care to see in one place again. I don't think I had seen a crowd like that since I was a kid wearing an I'm With Stupid t-shirt waiting in line for cotton candy at Six Flags' Great America. The sweltering heat brought back memories of Coachella 2004 and flashbacks to every Gatorade commercial I'd ever seen on TV. I always wanted to be like Mike, but never this bad. Despite sweating like a pig, eating like John Belushi and learning lessons about paintball, I walked away with nothing but good memories of Chicago's Lollapalooza 2005. Here's to 2006......

Letter To MTV re Live 8 (7/7/05)

2005-07-06T21:57:00.000-07:00

This letter was emailed to the CEO and President of MTV. The CEO responded within an hour with a very kind response apologizing for my disappointment and strongly admitting the blown opportunity. Out of respect for him, I will not be posting his response.

Dear Tom and Van,

As an MTV viewer for the past 21 years and as a person whose life was changed by MTV’s coverage of Live Aid, I feel compelled to let you both know how disappointed I am with your coverage of Live 8 this weekend. It was insulting to both the artists and the viewers. MTV missed a huge opportunity to inspire a new generation.

MTV’s coverage of Live Aid literally changed my life. As a teen glued to MTV for over 12 hours, I learned about Led Zeppelin, The Who, Eric Clapton, David Bowie and more. I learned what political activism was all about and became a politically active person. I also learned who Bill Graham was and wrote him a letter after the event thanking him for the inspiration. His assistant wrote me back and I wound up pursuing a career in the music business that led me to working at Bill Graham Presents and on the Rolling Stones Voodoo Lounge Tour. It's sad to think that instead of kids 20 years my junior having THEIR lives changed by MTV’s Live 8 coverage, they'll instead forget the event as quickly as their latest super sized extreme grape Slurpee. The next would-have-been music historian, the next Jann Wenner, the next Peace Corps leader and the next Mother Theresa likely switched off his or her TV to use Play Station, watch AOL or just missed the message of the event due to scrolling through the endless b.s. via Tivo.

Maybe there’s a good explanation for the way you broadcast Live 8. If so, millions of us would love to hear it. According to the NY Post, required commercial time, the last minute scheduling of artists and an 8 hour time limit were the excuses. I don’t see how those are excuses. There were plenty of commercials during Live Aid, but they were aired BETWEEN ACTS! This time, major artists were regularly interrupted mid-song to either cut to an endless parade of commercials or, even worse, mindless banter from your roster of pretty-faced, empty-headed VJs who have spent too much time selecting their clothes to have ever learned a thing about music! I’ve never missed Martha Quinn so much! Seriously, your coverage showed close to no complete sets by the artists who performed. Of the songs that were shown, most were cut short. Even “Comfortably Numb” was interrupted by useless banter right before one of the best guitar solos of all time. That’s sacrilegious! Last minute scheduling of artists is typical of many music events – a qualified producer and director should have been able to pull this off. I’m sure a pro like Joel Gallen could have nailed it. Were your directors and producers fresh grads from Full Sail? They should never work again! It was literally dizzying to watch the on-screen shot jump from the VJs to a few seconds of an act to another country to endless commercials - and that’s NOT because I’m over 30. Thank god for Tivo! Even with that it was painful. I can’t imagine you got any viewers to sit through all of those commercials once they realized that there was practically no music coverage! And for the record – Sway, Rachel and Amir saying “oh my god – this is so historic” is NOT MUSIC COVERAGE!!! As for the 8 hour limit, why not divide up what was shown on each of your channels? MTV and Vh1 could have shown different coverage (Dido on one, Linkin Park on another, Floyd on both). For those of us not on medication for ADD, M2 and Vh1 Classic could have shown unedited music coverage. Come on guys, synergy! Synergy!

Despite this rant, I generally applaud you guys at MTV. Unlike many of my 30-something peers, I like that we can always count on MTV to be the fresh face of today’s pop culture. Although I think it’s wrong that MTV staples like The Real World have devolved from a show about different kinds of young adults living together to a show about how fast a group of pretty, empty-headed, fake-breasted and bench-pressed alcoholic chain-smokers can hook up with each other in the hot tub, I still have to hand it to you guys for programs like The Osbournes and Punk’d. You have proven time and again your ability to not only reinvent your brand but to continue to hold on to the youth audience of today. That is a major accomplishment...and since you are smart enough to achieve that, I would have thought you would be smart enough to make Live 8 the incredible pop culture/educational TV moment that Live Aid was 20 years ago.

Disappointed but still rooting for you and hoping the rumor of a "re-do" is true,
Luber

Chicago Smoking Ban (6/28/05)

2005-07-01T13:55:00.000-07:00

AS PRINTED IN THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE ON 7/1/05

CHICAGO ALDERMEN ACT TO BAN SMOKING

I'm a Chicagoan living in Los Angeles. When smoking was first banned in restaurants and bars here, smokers freaked out and restaurant and bar owners feared that their businesses would be ruined. For the seven years since the ban, the same size crowds have continued to flock to the bars and restaurants. The ban did not hurt the economy. Colleen McShane of the Illinois Restaurant Association stated in the article that Jack's in Skokie has been hurt by Skokie's smoking ban ("Aldermen act to ban smoking," News, June 30). A piecemeal ban, suburb by suburb, can hurt business due to the ease at which a smoker can travel to the next suburb where smoking is still allowed. A giant city ban or entire statewide ban, however, essentially leaves smokers with the option of staying home or smoking outside. Human nature and statistics show that smokers will not choose to stay home.
Luber

My Michael Jackson Experience (6/13/05)

2005-06-13T22:07:00.000-07:00

Well, today Michael Jackson was set free to do what he does best....which is WHAT exactly? I was a huge fan as a kid...and the Victory Tour promoting both the Jackson 5 reunion album of the same name and Michael's album "Thriller" was one of my first concerts. It was also one of my most memorable, due to the huge spectacle at Comiskey Park. I'll never forget seeing tons of green lasers shooting into the sky as Michael sang "Human Nature". The thousands of teenage girls from the inner city surrounding me were screaming, crying and literally fainting. There was no bigger star than Michael Jackson at that time. But since the 90s started, it has been one sad, downward spiral.

A few years back, I got my own, personal up-close look at Michael and his family. In 1997, the year the Jackson 5 were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, I volunteered to work at the Induction Ceremony at a nice hotel in Cleveland, Ohio. Working on the artist relations team, it was my job during the afternoon to grab artists from their hotel rooms and bring them down to the ballroom for a soundcheck. Then, that night, during the dinner-ceremony, it was my job to take the artists from their dining tables and bring them backstage in time for their induction. The show had a tight schedule to keep things moving along for the live audience that packed the ballroom and to flow smoothly for the VH1 taping. I was assigned to deal with Crosby Stills and Nash, P-Funk, the Bee Gees and the son of Bill Monroe. This involved running through a crowd that included Brian Wilson, Tom Petty, Shawn Colvin, Diana Ross, Prince, James Taylor and Emmylou Harris.

During the day when one of my artists was soundchecking for the evening performance, an uptight publicist-type with an ultra-anal personality approached me due to the laminate pass I was wearing around my neck. He asked me, "Do you work here?" I said, "Yes". He said, "I'm hoping you can help me because we have a HUGE problem here." I knew right away that I couldn't help this guy because he had nothing to do with my artists and I knew the question would therefore be off my turf and over my head. I was thinking I should say, "Wow, I really should refer you to someone else." However, a part of me wanted to be helpful and the other part of me was really curious to see where this would go. After all, what could be such a HUGE problem at a music awards event that wasn't being televised live? "So what is this HUGE problem," I asked. "Well I represent the Jackson family. And as you know, the Jackson 5 are being inducted tonight." Did he think I was stupid? "Yes, I'm aware of that," I said. "Well we REALLY need to rearrange the tables," he explained. Picture a giant hotel ballroom with round tables like you would find at a wedding. On one end of the room is a giant stage for the event and then the rest of the room is filled with round tables of 10. "What's wrong with the tables," I asked. "Well the Jacksons are sitting at that table there near the middle of the room. And The Artist (that was Prince's name in those days), who is ONLY PRESENTING an award, not GETTING one, is sitting at a table much closer to the stage." I glanced at the tables this dude was talking about - they were so close to each other that I couldn't believe he was serious. This was like two junior high girls at a Bar Mitzvah fighting over who gets to sit closer to the Bar Mitzvah boy. If this was a concert, it would be like Prince had 3rd row seats where he'd have to crick his neck up, and the Jacksons had 8th row seats in the center. Not only was this "HUGE problem" ridiculous, but it then dawned on me that I was now stuck in the middle of a fight between the Jackson 5 and Prince!! If you had told me in high school (when those 2 camps made up 50% of the music I was listening to) that I would one day be dealing with this situation, I would have shit in my pants. This was just too entertaining. I had to come up with a solution....and fast. I instantly concluded that these people were so full of shit that I had to give a response that was EQUALLY full of shit. I reached deep inside and pulled out a gem. "Oh - please understand - we purposely arranged the seats this way for the comfort of the Jackson family." "How so," he asked. "Well, you know how the paparazzi are always hounding Michael. We wanted to be sure that he had as much space from the photographers and press as possible. So we decided that rather than putting him so close to the stage where Prince is sitting, that we would put him in the middle of the ballroom where he would be surrounded by too many tables for the photographers to hound him. We felt this would be MUCH more comfortable for the entire Jackson family - and as inductees this evening, we wanted to put their comfort TOP on our list." Holding back laughter, I'm thinking, "Is this goof gonna buy what I just dished out?" He thinks for a second, and then extends his hand to mine and says, "Thank you. Michael thanks you and the entire Jackson family thanks you. Will you please explain this to Jermaine and Tito?" What what WHAT!?!? My eyes almost popped out of my head! He wants ME to explain this bullshit to Jermaine and Tito!? Two of the artists who played a big role in one of my favorite teenage concerts? Two members of the Jackson 5?!?! I gulped down some stress and said, "Sure - absolutely."

Within 2 seconds, Jermaine and Tito Jackson were in my face, waiting for my explanation. As I was giving my rap to Jermaine and Tito, all I could hear in my head was the old joke from the Jackson's 1980s Pepsi commercial that lit Michael's hair on fire. "Tito - Tito - I need a tissue! Tito - I need a tissue!" I was trying my hardest to block this out and not crack up as I shared my seating chart explanation with the Jackson family. Jermaine and Tito were as nice as could be, each shook my hand and thanked me profusely. Talk about Victory! Later, during the event itself, Michael wound up not leaving his hotel room. In fact, we couldn't get him to come down for his induction. Diana Ross was ready to go and so were the Jacksons...but Michael was upstairs. We were told it was a security issue. Security issue?! We were in a secure, nice hotel filled with lots of other major rock stars! Production staff were cracking jokes into our walkie talkie headsets, saying that Michael was probably having sex in his room with Bubbles the Chimp. Anyway, Michael finally came down through some random side entrance and was inducted with his brothers. He didn't want to perform, so they were the only present inductees who didn't.

I had to run to the bathroom before the next act. To get to the bathroom, I had to walk past the Jackson family as they took their official Hall of Fame photo. I was literally standing next to the photographer, 5 feet from the Jackson 5. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Here were 4 good looking black men in tuxedoes standing with a guy in a sailor suit who had the whitest skin on the planet! I have NEVER seen someone so white. I stood there stunned, just absorbing the bizarre scene. Michael did NOT fit in to this picture! And it wasn't just the contrast of the sailor suit with the tuxes! Michael seriously looked like part reconstructed burn victim and part mannequin...It was one of the oddest things I've ever seen in my life. This experience only ADDED to many in a night that stands out as one of my most memorable. THAT is my Michael Jackson Experience.

[If you like Michael Jackson stories, then be sure to check out the Michael Jackson chapter in Howard Stern's book, MISS AMERICA. His story towers above this one - I have never laughed as hard as the time I read that chapter on an airplane.]

These Things Happen To Me (5/25/05)

2005-05-30T20:55:00.000-07:00

Craziest thing just happened. So I go to dinner w/my friend Rick Garcia, who I hadn't seen since he sat right behind me by coincidence at the Bob Dylan concert about 2 months ago. Since that show, I had been wanting to tell him a funny story that happened at the Dylan show. That night, as I was walking into the show w/my friend Clark, Clark was telling me how he is finally going to decorate the house he bought 2 years ago. He doesn't know how so he's hiring an interior decorator....and it turns out she gave him a reference - Rage Against the Machine co-leader and guitarist, Tom Morello. Clark was saying "how am I supposed to reach a rock star like Tom Morello on the phone to talk about his decorator?" So we walk into the Dylan show and after the opening act we go to grab a beer. As we're walking to the bar, I see someone who looks familiar. "Hey Clark, isn't that Tom Morello?" Holy shit! It is - so Clark goes up to him and starts talking about the decorator! Only in LA! Jump forward to tonight at a tiny tiny Mexican restaurant. I'm eating with Rick and I'm telling him this exact story. I'm kind of loud b/c I'm into my story telling, but I figure no one cares b/c everyone looked far removed from the music scene and the English language. But I notice the guy at the table next to me keeps looking at me each time I say Tom Morello. The guy looks like a scruffy young, part Mexican Adam Sandler with long hair and looks kind of familar but I figure he is either bored since he's alone or is a Rage Against the Machine fan and wants to hear what I'm saying. Anyway, we move on to the next topic, which was our thoughts on the latest Mars Volta record. We discuss Mars Volta for a few minutes and then Rick leans in and whispers to me "do you realize who is sitting next to us?" Holy shit - Zack de la Rocha!! He must have thought I was purposely telling the story about his x-partner in crime to get his attention! Out of control! Only in LA! Then it gets crazier - in walks Cedric, the lead singer of Mars Volta! He's there to have dinner with Zack! There they were, 2 of the best front men in rock from the past decade and they're sitting 5 feet from us talking about skateboarding. One's a millionaire and the other is well off....and both are serious talents who look like they crawled out of some high school skateboard club. CLASSIC night. People always joke that these things only happen to 2 people: me and Rick. Rick and I don't normally hang out, but tonight proved that our combined powers can produce multiple rock stars. Crazy stuff.

The Music Conclave (4/6/05)

2005-04-06T19:42:00.000-07:00

As the world mourns Pope John Paul II and the Catholic Church approaches the process of selecting a new Pope, word has been spreading through the music community of rock star Neil Young's brain aneurysm. This near-tragedy has pointed out to the music world that they too should have a plan in place for the loss of their leaders. "Selection of the Pope by conclave dates all the way back to 1271, " says one music executive, who requested anonymity. "It's now 2005 and we don't even have a plan?!" This widespread concern led to bicoastal meetings today to determine whether a plan was ever put in place. Just hours after discovering the potential of the internet for music marketing, the music executives learned that a Music Conclave Plan does exist. It turns out that years after inventing the term “rock and roll” in 1952, music radio DJ Alan Freed drafted a plan by which the successors to the music elite could be named. Thanks to extensive nationwide searches today, that plan was just discovered by prosecutors in the Michael Jackson trial. The plan was stuck to a page of the porn magazine Finally Legal, found in Jackson’s home and entered into evidence in Jackson’s child molestation trial. It is unknown how the conclave plan wound up in the self-proclaimed King of Pop’s possession, but the judge released the plan to the music executives.

Before his passing away in 1965, Freed specifically stated in the Music Conclave Plan that Bob Dylan is the first artist for whom a conclave must be held. Despite his good health and creative rebirth in the past 8 years, rock and folk legend Bob Dylan is now 63 years old. Should Bob Dylan pass, the music elite will need to name a new Dylan. Although music critics have granted the title of The New Dylan to over 1,200 singer-songwriters since 1964, there can be no official New Dylan until the passing of Bob Dylan and the official naming via conclave. Bob Dylan has served as Bob Dylan since 1959, when he began performing in the Minnesota folk circuit and changed his name from Robert Zimmerman. Zimmerman followed a long standing music tradition by selecting his own name. Before him, names had been selected like Little Richard and Buddy Holly. Zimmerman selected the name Dylan after combining the inspiration of Welsh poet Dylan Thomas with the sound of his own middle name, Allen.

The conclave must begin no fewer than 15 and no more than 20 days after Dylan's death. Any singer-songwriter in good standing may be elected. It is not necessary to be a folk singer or guitar player to ascend to the position of the new Dylan. To begin the conclave process, 117 of the music elite will gather in Cleveland, Ohio, home of the birth of the term "rock and roll". Before gathering in Cleveland, each member of the music elite must first be approved by Jann Wenner, Ahmet Ertegun and CEO of Starbucks Coffee, Orin Smith. Almost all of the 117 music elite eligible to vote in this conclave will have rubbed shoulders with Bob Dylan. Despite sharing the stage and recording "We Are the World" with Dylan, USA For Africa members Cyndi Lauper and Journey’s Steve Perry will not be eligible, according to a press release from Starbucks. In keeping with the roots of rock music, the elite will seclude themselves in the private office of Hugo’s Used Chevrolet car lot in downtown Cleveland. Once inside, an Organizational Committee will be responsible for overseeing that all proper procedures are followed. Although the names on that committee have not been publicly revealed, all speculation points to Keith Richards, David Crosby, Ozzy Osbourne, Eddie Van Halen and the Grateful Dead’s Bob Weir, along with their translators. Each of the 117 music elite will be seated in his own beanbag chair with 1 black Sharpie and several ballots on thick, glossy paper in the shape of a woman’s ass. Disguising his handwriting, each writes his choice on the ballot and folds it twice. Each then holds his ballot so it can be seen and walks to the front of the office. The ballot is placed on a golden plate, then slid into a ballot chalice. Each bows and then returns to his beanbag chair. Ballots are counted at a table at the front of the office. Names are read aloud. A needle and thread are used to join the ballots and they are placed aside. Votes are totaled. To elect a new Dylan, a 2/3 majority plus 1 must be reached. Voting will be repeated twice each morning and afternoon for 2 days until that is achieved. No conclave is to last over 4 days. Materials will be provided to help the music elite stay awake through the conclave process. After each vote, ballots are burned in a giant party bowl by honorary music elite member Tommy Chong. The public will know that a new Dylan has been selected when thick clouds of smoke and the smell of burning rope cease to seep through the windows and under the doors of the Used Chevrolet Office.

There are several possibilities for the new Dylan. Many unnamed members of the music elite have suggested that Dylan's own son, Jakob Dylan, is in the running. So is world savior and one time co-writer Bono Vox. Bruce Springsteen will be considered as will the now-24-year-old Connor Oberst of Bright Eyes. According to one music executive, "despite interest in the African region, the world is definitely not ready for a black Dylan". Whomever is selected has a lot to live up to. This was a Dylan who was the first to go electric. He was also the first Dylan to appear in a Victoria’s Secret TV ad. It is also the first time a Dylan has written his autobiography. He has truly paved a fresh path for the new Dylans who will follow.

Upon his selection, the new Dylan will be escorted to the nearest Starbucks, where his status will be announced and he will perform his first song as the new Dylan, an acoustic version of "Forever Young". With the odds of this conclave not being necessary for 20 years, the music elite have plenty of time to keep their eyes out for the next Dylan. In the meantime, they can mourn the loss of the Pope and read about the rich, untalented children of Bob Dylan's contemporaries in the latest edition of Rolling Stone magazine.

Gen X Tsunami Benefit Concert (1/18/05)

2005-01-18T19:58:00.000-08:00

Tonight was one of those reminders of why I live in California. I've seen tons of great hippie benefit shows by all of my classic rock heroes, but this was the first time I saw this kind of a show where MY generation did it all. It felt good. Jack Black decided to pull together a bunch of people and throw a tsunami benefit concert at the Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles. I think the place holds 2,000-3,000 people. I was lucky enough to get one of the $100 tickets. The night begins with the house lights going down and Will Ferrell takes the stage. The crowd, mostly 25-40 year-olds, is freaking out, shouting out lines from Will Ferrell movies. It was hilarious. He didn't even know what to make of it. He's funny just standing there doing nothing. He then said we were in for a real treat. "Dexy's Midnight Runners are here!" He joked for a bit and then said he had rehearsed a song for all of us. He sat down at the keyboard and said he will now sing "Propeller" by Coldplay. He puts 2 fingers on the keyboard and the Coldplay CD begins to play. He lip synchs the entire song along with the CD. Half way through the song, while pretending to sing, he takes a call on his cell phone, eats a hamburger and reads the paper...every once in a while returning his head to the mike to fake sing a line or 2. It was classic. The crowd loved it.

After Will came Tenacious D, Jack Black's spoof of a rock band with his friend Kyle. They were hilarious, just serving as MCs and telling jokes to the crowd while the stage was getting re-set. Stoner rock music humor pretty much comprises the banter between these 2 goofs. It was perfect. They introduced the next act, Josh Homme from Queens of the Stone Age. Josh played a 3 or 4 song acoustic set that included Dave Grohl as a guest on acoustic guitar and a performance of the Queens hit "No One Knows". Tenacious D returned for another set of hilarious banter.

Then Eddie Vedder took the stage. The crowd freaked - this was definitely a Pearl Jam audience. Eddie played a solid acoustic set. He did "I Me Mine", the Cat Stevens song "Trouble", The Who's "The Seeker", I think I'm forgetting 1 random PJ song, then "Last Kiss" and then, with Kyle from Tenacious D on acoustic guitar, The Beatles' "You've Got To Hide Your Love Away". Excellent set.

Then out came CHRIS ROCK! I've always wanted to see Chris Rock and like the rest of the crowd, was freaking out. He was hilarious. He talked about the Pistons-Pacers fight in Detroit. "I couldn't believe it. I was sittin there thinking - the revolution HAS COME! Giant black guys are punching little white guys in the face! This is exactly what Martin Luther King envisioned! It's here! I had a dream! Giant black guys will kick the shit out of little white guys! Yes, everyone.....it's Martin Luther King day today. I'm going to do what I always do on Martin Luther King day...I'm going to fuck a white girl in the ass." 5 minutes of Chris Rock was worth the $100 admission. He introduced the next act, Dave Grohl.

Dave Grohl was great. He joked about how it sucks to have to follow an Eddie Vedder set. He opened with a new song, "The Best", then played a great version of "Everlong". One guy shouted out "YEAH!" so loud during the song that Dave started cracking up while singing. It was a great moment. He did an excellent version of "Times Like These" and then played a Chris Rock request, "Tired Of You". Dave was great. He was followed by more Tenacious D MC schtick.

Beck took the stage next. He played an incredible, acoustic "I Guess I'm Doing Fine", followed by an equally good "Everybody's Gotta Learn Sometimes". I was hoping for a Jon Brion appearance, but no. Then Beck did "Lost Cause". During this song, Will Ferrell came out in the equivalent of an all red Spiderman suit, basically head to toe red spandex with only his face exposed. He began doing performance art dancing to Beck's song. It was one of the funniest things I've ever seen. Beck stopped in the middle of the song and they began a fake argument. "Will, this is a really serious, heartfelt song. It's part of me. What are you doing?" "Oh, sorry, I didn't realize." "Will, can you please stand all the way back in the corner?" Beck then returned to singing and Will slid across the floor, writhing around like a fish out of water. The whole moment was incredible. Beck then played a song I didn't know on a weird accordion-like instrument. Great set.

Tenacious D then performed for close to an hour. This was the low point of the night b/c the joke gets old after a couple songs and after seeing such incredible talent do only 4 songs each, it was tough to see a fake act do 10. They opened with a cover of Queen's "Flash Gordon" theme. A lot of what they did was funny, but their between act banter was much better. They talked about the movie they have in the works - sounds like the next Blues Brothers. Jack wants Meatloaf to play his father. If Meatloaf isn't available, he'll ask Frank Black of the Pixies or Ozzy. Jack is definitely hilarious, but an hour of The D is a bit much.

Encore time was amazing. The show went electric for the first time. The All Star jam session! Dave Grohl on drums, Eddie Vedder on lead vocal, Beck and Josh on electric guitars and The D doing their thing. Basically Eddie and Jack took turns with lead vocals within each song. Seeing Nirvana's drummer with Pearl Jam's leader was really cool. They did the Chambers Brothers' classic, "Time Has Come Today". Then came Eddie leading in the Byrds' "So You Wanna Be A Rock n Roll Star" and Led Zep's "Good Times Bad Times". Amazing stuff. The crowd was freaking by this point. They then went BACK into "Time Has Come Today" and Will Ferrell came out to his own mike, wearing his shirt twisted around to look like a bra with his pot belly hanging over his tight pants as he played the cowbell. Again, a piss-in-your-pants hilarious moment. As the song faded to a close, the band left the stage and Will was still there playing the cowbell. A GREAT night. We went to the after show party but I had to leave to get up early for work. Only celeb I saw was Nicholas Cage with a young date (new wife?) and my musical hero, Jon Brion. I knew he'd be there somewhere. I stood around for a couple minutes to talk to him but someone had his ear forever and I had to crash. Cheers to my generation of rock stars!

Holiday CD 2004 > 2005

2004-12-31T22:58:00.000-08:00

Volume 3 / Disc 1 – Holiday CD 2004/2005

1) The Polyphonic Spree - “(Section 12) Hold Me Now” from TOGETHER WE’RE HEAVY (2004)
Tim DeLaughter and his fellow freaks from Texas in the flowing robes return with another happy, catchy tune.

2) Toots & the Maytals w/Willie Nelson – “Still Still Moving To Me” from TRUE LOVE (2004)
Reggae legend Toots Hibbert, who coined the term “reggae” in the late 60s, just recorded new, slicker versions of his classics as duets featuring stars like Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, Gwen Stefani and Trey from Phish. Great CD. Willie wrote this one.

3) Los Lonely Boys – “Heaven” from LOS LONELY BOYS (2004)
These three Mexican-American brothers from Texas were playing and recording locally until Willie Nelson saw them in a club and they became his favorite local band. He invited them to record their special blend of rock, blues and soul in his studio and next thing you know, they have a strong national radio presence. I just saw them at the Bridge Benefit – they put on a great live show.

4) Ricky Fante – “Smile” from REWIND (2004)
After 4 years in the marines following high school in D.C., Ricky moved to L.A. to make it in the music biz. The talented 20-something achieved his goal of applying his gospel and R&B roots to creating an old school soul record. Co-writer Jesse Harris (wrote Norah Jones’ “Don’t Know Why” ) helped him create a great collection of songs that brings classic 60s soul to life.

5) Franz Ferdinand – “Take Me Out” from FRANZ FERDINAND (2004)
Here’s a new band with a unique sound from Glasgow, Scotland that brings a danceable beat to Brit pop-rock with some great songs.

6) Robert Randolph & the Family Band – “I Need More Love” from UNCLASSIFIED (2003)
Robert and band’s studio debut, nominated this year for a Grammy (Best Rock Gospel Album), captures their unique mix of rock, funk, blues, soul and gospel. Raised in the Jersey hood, Robert was out in the streets until he got active in the House of God Pentecostal Church, where he mastered the pedal steel guitar playing and singing that has been a Church tradition since 1930s Philly. Robert then plugged into the very white and secular jamband music scene with 2 cousins and friends. Their great shows snowballed.

7) Scissor Sisters – “Take Your Mama” from SCISSOR SISTERS (2004)
This New York band wears campy 70s influences on their sleeves, like in this catchy, old school Elton John soundalike.

8) Simple Kid – “The Average Man” from #1 (2004)
Simple Kid is Irish-born, London-based singer-songwriter Ciaran McFeely, described by critics as Beck meets anyone.

9) Phish – “The Connection” from UNDERMIND (2004)
Phish finally managed to write a short, catchy, jam-free radio tune. Had they not announced their impending breakup right before the CD’s release, this could have been the radio hit that leader Trey always wanted. I think it’s a great, catchy tune…even if it sounds more like Del Amitri than Phish! A tribute to Phish is on Disc 2.

10) Modest Mouse – “Float On” from GOOD NEWS FOR PEOPLE WHO LOVE BAD NEWS (2004)
Great song that sounds nothing like this Seattle band’s usual work. This CD isn’t special, but I highly recommend their previous CD of quirky pop, THE MOON AND ANTARCTICA.

11) Bruce Hornsby w/Sting & Eric Clapton – “Gonna Be Some Changes Made” from HALCYON DAYS (2004)
Hornsby returns to his 80s, radio-friendly sound with some help from Sting on harmonies and Clapton on guitar.

12) Garage A Trois – “Sprung Monkey” from EMPHASIZER (2003)
Cool, loungey instrumental music from this jazz/funk side project of Charlie Hunter (solo guitarist), Stanton Moore (drummer for Galactic), Mike Dillon (percussionist/vibraphonist for Les Claypool and Critters Buggin’) and Skerik (sax for Les and Critters).

13) Norah Jones – “Sunrise” from FEELS LIKE HOME (2004)
Another real nice song from Norah Jones, the human version of Prozac.

14) Crosby-Nash – “Lay Me Down” from CROSBY-NASH (2004)
David Crosby and Graham Nash, my musical heroes and former employers, return with their first album as a duo since 1976. It’s 2 CDs that would be stronger as 1, but it’s got some gems. They still sound great together – ageless voices, perfect harmonies.

15) Snow Patrol – “How To Be Dead” from FINAL STRAW (2004)
Around for a while in the UK but new to America, this Scottish band hopes to rank up there with Coldplay and Travis.

16) Wilco – “The Late Greats” from A GHOST IS BORN (2004)
Another cool little ditty from Jeff Tweedy. In my 14 years of following and idolizing his career, this album is the first time I think he took a step backwards. Hopefully the drug problem he recently kicked is to blame. Meanwhile, as a live act, he has reinvented Wilco’s show and taken it to a much higher level. Again, he’s the real deal.

17) Elvis Costello – “Monkey To Man” from THE DELIVERY MAN (2004)
Elvis can still write good songs. It’s good to hear him rocking out again.

18) Loretta Lynn w/Jack White – “Portland Oregon” from VAN LEAR ROSE (2004)
One of the best albums of this year. A must-buy. White Stripes leader Jack White produced this comeback for the veteran 68 year-old country artist. Featuring the great storytelling of country songwriting, it’s framed by that raw sound of the White Stripes. She’s from Kentucky, been recording for over 40 years, had over 50 Top-10 hits, was married at age 13 and had 4 kids by the time she was 18. Her husband bought her a guitar and she got a record deal shortly thereafter. The movie Coal Miner’s Daughter is her life’s story. She spent the 90s taking care of her husband until his death. This is her first album in 12 years.

19) Ray Charles w/BB King – “Sinner’s Prayer” from GENIUS LOVES COMPANY (2004)
A major story this year is the recent loss of the genius, Ray Charles. Musically, he truly covered it all in his 73 years. He recorded his last album with some friends as he was dying. Here he prays for mercy with fellow legend BB King.

20) U2 – “Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own” from HOW TO DISMANTLE AN ATOMIC BOMB (2004)
Another U2 ballad strong enough to make you teary-eyed, Bono wrote this one to make peace with his dad as he lay dying.

Volume 3 / Disc 2 – Holiday CD 2004/2005

1) Zero 7 - “Warm Sound” from WHEN IT FALLS (2004)
Great CD of late-night mood music from a duo of British songwriters/producers who bring in guest vocalists and musicians to make a sound that blends acid-jazz, soul, pop and electronica. Don’t worry if you hear static – it’s supposed to sound like an old record.

2) Beck w/Jon Brion - “Everybody’s Gotta Learn Sometimes” from ETERNAL SUNSHINE SOUNDTRACK (2004)
Another great and bizarre movie by Charlie Kaufman, Eternal Sunshine For the Spotless Mind features a score composed by L.A.-based genius Jon Brion. Producer of the Fiona Apple records, session musician for countless others and composer of scores for I Heart Huckabees, Magnolia and Punch Drunk Love, Jon Brion is a musical powerhouse who plays an incredible, weekly Friday night gig at a club in my hood called Largo. In addition to the score for ESFTSM, Jon produced and played all of the instruments on the closing credits cover of this 1980 hit by the Korgis, featuring Beck on vocals.

3) Jolie Holland – “Old Fashioned Morphine” from ESCONDIDA (2004)
A raw Nora Jones, this late-20-something former Texan blends blues, country, folk and swing through a decent collection of songs.

4) Bright Eyes – “Lua” from I’M WIDE AWAKE, IT’S MORNING (2005)
Bright Eyes, a/k/a Connor Oberst, is one of my favorite artists and definitely someone to watch in 2005. This CD comes out in January – he’s touring so don’t miss it! Critics wet their pants over this guy for a reason – he’s the real deal. He’s 24, from Omaha, has his own label, has been prolific for years and recently moved to New York for inspiration. When I put him on Volume 1, I wasn’t totally sold…but I’ve now seen him perform 3 times including this October when he blew me away with this unusually mellow song.

5) Sean Hayes – “Little Maggie” from ALABAMA CHICKEN (2003)
From North Carolina but living in San Francisco, this 30-something folkie released a great CD of what is described as Appalachian ambient folk music with a Nick Drake vibe. He’s friends with Jolie Holland (above). Here’s an old-timey cover.

6) Paul Brill – “Trindade” from NEW PAGAN LOVE SONG (2004)
My friend and the leader of the first band I managed, Paul Brill (SF Envelope), released a new solo CD this year that marks his continued growth as an artist. I’m proud to say that he’s getting great reviews from many media outlets. Check out his CD on iTunes.

7) Sonic Youth – “Unmade Bed” from SONIC NURSE (2004)
This New York City band has been together since 1981, playing and recording a self-described challenging mix of rock, noise, jazz and modern composition. Whereas they used to make me want to jump off a building, their recent set at Neil Young’s Bridge Benefit converted me with this song and a few others from their latest CD.

8) Yeah Yeah Yeahs – “Maps” from FEVER TO TELL (2003)
This is one of those great songs that fights its way into your head and won’t go away. It sounds nothing like the rest of the album by this New York punkish band, which rocks much harder and sounds like the White Stripes meets 80s New Wave with a female singer.

9) Secret Machines – “Light’s On” from NOW HERE IS NOWHERE (2004)
Veterans of Texas-based bands with label deals, the members of this band moved from Texas to New York to make things happen. Their unique sound, often described as Pink Floyd meets 80s New Wave, is getting widespread critical acclaim. Here’s a catchy song.

10) Interpol – “Slow Hands” from INTERPOLANTICS (2004)
The cool New Yorkers return with their 80s/Joy Division influences and a collection of even catchier songs than last time.

11) Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds – “Nature Boy” from ABBATOIR BLUES
Nick Cave is a late 40-something Australian who was a Goth rock pioneer in his early days. I’ve never really listened to him but this tune from his new double CD is cool, featuring the London Community Gospel Choir.

12) Pixies – “Debaser” (Live 1990) from DEATH TO THE PIXIES (1997)
A very welcome comeback. This late-80s/early 90s band that served as a huge inspiration to Kurt Cobain (you’ll hear it) reunited this year as an incredibly successful touring act. I caught them in May at Coachella and HIGHLY recommend them to anyone who likes Nirvana. They have an interesting mix of Frank Black’s on-the-edge persona and Kim Deal’s soothing vocals and bass lines.

13) Velvet Revolver – “Slither” from CONTRABAND (2004)
Velvet Revolver is Guns n Roses without Axl. Normally the band member who flees loses the band name, but not Axl. Finally the other guys found an interesting front man (Scott Weiland of Stone Temple Pilots) and returned with a CD that features some great rockers, some ballads and some crap.

14) TV On the Radio – “Don’t Love You” from DESPERATE YOUTH, BLOOD THIRSTY BABES (2004)
This multi-cultural trio from Brooklyn builds artsy, edgy tunes on feelings of drama and tension.

15) Ba Cissoko – “Wawata” from SABOLAN (2003)
From Guinea but living in Marseille, France, this group is named after the band’s leader who is one of the 2 kora players. The other kora player, Sekou Kouyate, creates a new sound by electronically enhancing his kora. This has earned him the nickname The Jimmy Hendrix of Africa. This is their debut album.

16) Phish – “Reba” (Live) from LIVE #11 AT McNICHOLS SPORTS ARENA IN DENVER, CO (11/17/97)
After 21 years, the Vermont quartet announced this spring that they would break up at the end of their summer tour. They are joining a real short list of major, successful bands that cut things short on their own terms (The Beatles, The Band, The Clash, The Police, Talking Heads). It’s tough to choose 1 track for a Phish tribute since no one song captures their sound. “Reba” successfully captures how goofy a Phish song can be AND how incredible their musical interplay can be through the jams that make up such large parts of their songs and shows. “Reba” has 3 sections – the 2-minute nursery rhyme beginning, the composed section and then my favorite part, the long improv section which begins around 6 minutes in. I challenge you to find a tighter rock band that plays material this complex. This is a huge loss to the live music world….but I think they’ll be back.

Volume 3 / Disc 3 – Holiday CD 2004/2005

1) Green Day – “American Idiot” from AMERICAN IDIOT (2004)
I want to give a shout-out to W. This one’s for you. So are the new songs you’ve inspired on this CD and the classics that you unfortunately made relevant again. Here’s a great song from a must-buy CD, right up there with DOOKIE, Green Day’s best work.

2) Elvis Costello – “Peace, Love & Understanding” from ARMED FORCES (1979)
Probably Elvis’ best recording, this Nick Lowe cover says it all.

3) Neil Young – “Rockin’ in the Free World” from FREEDOM (1989)
It may sound celebratory, but it’s actually ripping on those who turn their back on this country’s problems and say “f**k it, I’m in the free world!” Written for the Bush Senior era, it applies even more to Junior.

4) Jackson Browne – “For America” from LIVES IN THE BALANCE (1986)
Turning political resulted in a major detour for Jackson Browne’s career, but this great song is still timely.

5) Bob Dylan – “Masters of War” from THE FREEWHEELIN’ BOB DYLAN (1963)
A monster of a political song, from the master himself. How sad and pathetic that these lyrics ring so true 40 years later.

6) Crosby Stills & Nash – “Long Time Gone” from CROSBY STILLS & NASH (1969)
Crosby wrote “The darkest hour is always just before the dawn, and it appears to be a long long time before the dawn.” Yup, a long long time: 4 more years.

7) Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra – “Big Man” from WHO IS THIS AMERICA? (2004)
This great 14-piece, Brooklyn-based band brings back the Afrobeat sounds of the late Nigerian star Fela Kuti. Some jazz, funk, horns, African rhythms and political lyrics mix together to make for a solid, fun album and a GREAT live show.

8) Jackson Browne – “Lives In the Balance” from LIVES IN THE BALANCE (1986)
This is one of my all-time favorite political songs. The lyrics really nail it.

9) Jill Scott – “My Petition” from BEAUTIFULLY HUMAN: WORDS AND SOUNDS VOL. 2 (2004)
A great political song from a solid neo-soul CD by Philly’s Jill Scott.

10) Prince – “Dear Mr. Man” from MUSICOLOGY (2004)
2004 marked the return of Prince. It seems like all great artists have to take a major detour to rediscover themselves and return to brilliance. The Purple One has returned with a great album and tour.

11) Ray Charles – “What’d I Say Parts I & II” from WHAT’D I SAY (1959)
Ray Charles, 1930-2004, died this year of liver disease. Another American musical institution is gone. Ray was a pioneer who covered every genre of music from jazz to blues to gospel, country and R&B. I saw him perform at the Hollywood Bowl in 2000 and he STILL had it! His fight against racism helps him to fit in comfortably with the political music on this CD. Here is a taste of some of Ray’s many classics. Clear Channel wasn’t around yet, but this song was banned from many radio stations due to its sexuality.

12) Ray Charles w/The Blues Brothers – “Shake Your Tailfeather” from THE BLUES BROTHERS SOUNDTRACK (1980)
I first got turned on to Ray Charles when I was a kid and my grandma Leona took me to see The Blues Brothers movie.

13) Ray Charles – “Hit the Road Jack” from the single HIT THE ROAD JACK (1961)
A #1 hit and winner of the 1961 Grammy for Best R&B Recording.

14) Ray Charles – “I’ve Got A Woman” from RAY CHARLES (1957)
Ray’s first #1 hit.

15) Ray Charles – “Georgia On My Mind” from GENIUS HITS THE ROAD (1960)
Ray’s biggest hit, a cover of the 1930 standard that he is most associated with, proved that he could sing anything from any genre. This recording won 2 Grammy awards and clearly inspired Don Henley when he wrote “Desperado” for The Eagles.

16) Ray Charles – “I’m Movin’ On” from THE GENIUS SINGS THE BLUES (1961)
Ray’s version of country music.

17) Ray Charles – “A Song For You” from MY WORLD (1993)
Ray did an amazing cover of this Leon Russell song. Another Grammy winner. Just 2 years ago, cable televised a Willie Nelson birthday special where Willie and Leon sang this song with Ray. Ray’s performance was so powerful that Willie cried on camera.

18) America – “A Horse With No Name” from AMERICA (1972)
When classic rock records were first being released on CD, I bought America’s Greatest Hits. Great CD. My uncle was shocked someone my age would buy this because America was his favorite band throughout law school. This one is for Uncle Joe, 1949-2004.

19) Ray Charles – “America the Beautiful” from A MESSAGE FROM THE PEOPLE (1972)
Ray adjusted the lyrics to his liking and created another classic. He said America may be racist, but I can still be patriotic.

20) Graham Nash – “We Can Change the World” from SONGS FOR BEGINNERS (1971)
Volume 3 ends with a positive reminder from the hippie era. If we all do our bit, we can hopefully clean up W's mess and bring great progress to our incredible country.

Death With Dignity (11/11/04)

2004-11-11T19:49:00.000-08:00

AS PRINTED IN THE L.A. TIMES ON 11/14/04

ASHCROFT RESISTS THE `RIGHT TO DIE'
Re: "Ashcroft Wants Oregon Suicide Law Blocked," Nov 10:
President Bush and the religious conservatives should leave the "death with dignity" debate alone. After being diagnosed with terminal cancer three years ago, my mother rapidly declined from an active 58-year-old businesswoman to a helpless victim of paralysis as the cancer spread to her brain.

Confined to a bed without control of her arms, legs, bladder or bowels, she cried out every day for us or her nurses to put an end to her misery. With no hope for recovery, she simply wanted to end the horror and die with dignity. Because of current laws outside of Oregon, she instead had to suffer like this for weeks. Most of the 170 people who have legally been assisted with death in Oregon have been cancer victims. The religious zealots fighting the right to die need to learn the reality of the situation and stop encroaching on the rights of those who don't share their views.

Bridge Benefit 2004 (10/24/04)

2004-10-24T18:24:00.000-07:00

Once again, Neil Young and wife Pegi hosted an incredible benefit concert for the Bay Area's Bridge School for children with severe speech and physical impairments. This was the 18th Bridge Benefit and my 9th. The mostly acoustic concert ranges each year from great to amazing to out-of-control (11 on a scale of 10). This year was amazing...thanks to an incredibly eclectic lineup and every artist bringing his/her A Game. Here it is: Neil Young, Tegan & Sara, Eddie Vedder, Los Lonely boys, Sonic Youth, Ben Harper, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Tony Bennett and Paul McCartney.

We got stuck in ridiculous traffic on the way to the Shoreline Amphitheater in the heart of Silicon Valley (Mountain View). Thanks to the traffic, we missed the traditional opening/welcoming speech by Pegi Young as well as the brief film that teaches what the Bridge School is all about. We also missed Neil Young's opening 3-song solo acoustic set of "Sugar Mountain", "Do I Have To Come Right Out And Say It" and "Long May You Run". Tegan & Sara were the first act after Neil. They played the Bridge a few years ago - they were so interesting last time that I ran out to the concessions for turkey corn dogs and french fries. I'm sure this year would have been no different, so I didn't mind the fact that we were parking the car during their set.

We arrived at our seats just in time for the next act, Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder. Eddie did a solid solo acoustic set that featured some lesser known Pearl Jam songs as well as some songs I'd never even heard. He played "I Am Mine", "Man of the Hour", "I Believe in Miracles", Spongebob's "Baby Beluga", "Here's To The State of Mississippi" and "Last Kiss". Eddie clearly felt at home on this stage, surrounded by the Bridge students for his 7th year as a performer, knowing that Neil Young and lots of other amazing artists were behind the stage hearing his set. Despite the fact that he is one of the most outspoken rock stars, Eddie joked that he is one of those people who believes an artist should keep his political views to himself. Without preaching, he said that everyone should be sure to vote - he said he's sure we all want people to stop living in fear, to earn a living wage and to have clean air and water...and he's therefore sure we'll do the right thing. He then adjusted some of the lyrics to a Tim Robbins song from Bob Roberts ("Mississippi") where he sang in different verses that Donald Rumsfeld, John Ashcroft, Dick Cheney and George Bush should each "find another country". The crowd loved this and I have to say it felt damn good to hear since I literally agree with the lyrics. As he did in Pearl Jam's set last year, Eddie dedicated "Last Kiss" to his "girlfriend", a wheelchair-bound Bridge graduate who is now a junior at Berkeley. Eddie joked that he doesn't know how the 2 of them have avoided all of the tabloids. It was a great moment - the excitement in the girl's face throughout the song could bring tears to your eyes.

Los Lonely Boys were next. They are the 3 Garza brothers from Texas. (The drummer's real name is Ringo). They've been performing bluesy pop their entire lives and finally, thanks to Willie Nelson giving them their break, are making their name known. They did a fun, good-spirited set of tunes from their radio-friendly album. This is one of those acts where you don't think you've ever heard them before but then recognize a few songs and say "I've heard this a billion times on the radio". They're also likely soon to be one of those bands you hear while walking down the grocery aisle looking for hamburger buns. Regardless, they brought nice 3-part harmonies and great guitar and bass work to their poppy, bluesy tunes that were well-received by the crowd. I expect we'll be hearing more from them. They played "Crazy Dream", "Hollywood", "More Than Love", "Senorita", "My Loneliness", "Real Emotion" and "Heaven".

Next came the alt rock pioneers, Sonic Youth. I saw them open for Neil in `91 on the Ragged Glory tour. Throughout that set I debated pouring lighter fluid on my head, lighting my hair on fire and diving head first from the balcony just to make the music stop. I found them more interesting at Coachella last year but still wasn't sold. THIS time in the acoustic setting, I was blown away. Their music wasn't for the majority of the crowd, but my group was way into the intense, hypnotic, psychedelic jams by these legends. I honestly don't know 1 song by these guys but I look forward to seeing them like this again. They played "I Love You Golden Blue", "Stones", "Unmade Bed", "Paper Cut Exit" and "Rain On Tin". Both Kim Gordon and Thurston Moore reminded everyone to save our country and vote.

Ben Harper was next. He did a good set of his arguably derivative music that ranged from soul to reggae to blues to gospel. His voice really got to shine on some tunes as he belted them out with passion. Others were turkey corn dog-worthy. He sang "Oppression", "Homeless Child", "Where Could I Go", "Diamonds On the Inside" with Eddie Vedder, "Amen Omen" (this was amazing), "There Will Be Light" and "In the Lord's Arms" with his mom - a touching moment. Interesting that like Lenny Kravitz, Ben Harper is half black and half white/Jewish.

Red Hot Chili Peppers played a great, fun set that got the whole crowd going, especially the teenagers. Hard to think of this band doing an acoustic set, but Anthony Kiedis managed to both sing in tune and run around like a madman on stage. John Frusciante brought his A game, providing amazing harmonies and guitar work through the set. Some sound troubles plagued their set, leading Flea to get visibly irritated, but Anthony calmed him down with some good vibes. They played "By The Way", a GREAT cover of Neil's "(It's Gonna Take A) Lotta Love", "Otherside", a cover of the Ramones' "I Just Wanna Have Something To Do", "Parallel Universe", "Road Trippin'", a hilarious crowd-pleasing cover of the cheesy 70's pop tune "Brandy (You're A Fine Girl)", "Under the Bridge", and "Their Red Hot". The crowd sang along on the hits as legendary rock/rap/country producer Rick Rubin looked on from stage left, watching over the band he helped turn into a multiplatinum success.

After the psychedelic funk-pop of the Chili Peppers, legendary 78 year-old crooner Tony Bennett took the stage. What a strange but weirdly refreshing change of pace! From trippy, jammy music to a loungey act with schmaltzy, talking song intros and a well-dressed band of adults. Before more than one song, as he leaned against the grand piano, he said,"I love a piano. I love a piano." Anyway, this guy can still SING. Damn! He played jazz standards and was very well received by the crowd, from the kids to the 60-somethings. He played "The Best Is Yet To Come" and "Maybe This Time" where he hit notes that brought the crowd to its feet. He even made a political speech, "My personal prayer is that some day someone will find a way for people to stop killing each other." He then played "If I Ruled the World". Tony then brought out an artist whom he met in the 60s and presented an award to in the days before fame and stadium tours, Sir Paul McCartney. Paul said that he had Tony sing this at his wedding to his new wife, Heather, and since it was their song, they would sing it together and dedicate it to Heather. They played "The Very Thought Of You". Paul was psyched and afterwards said "I got to sing with Tony Bennett!!!" Tony played a couple more songs (including 2 encores, which no one does at the Bridge - it led me to get a chicken cheesesteak). The crowd of course loved "I Left My Heart in San Francisco".

Next was Neil Young. I've seen Neil a billion times, but this short set was one of the best I've seen. He blew me away. He was in a talkative mood, perfect voice and played amazing songs. He opened solo acoustic with "Pocohantas", possibly because we lost Marlon Brando this year? Then he was joined by his wife and Eddie Vedder for "Harvest Moon". SO good. He then moved to the piano. Cracking the audience up, Neil made fun of Tony Bennett by saying "I love a piano". The audience went nuts. Neil said everyone was autographing a guitar backstage and Tony had to draw a piano because he doesn't care about guitars. He signed his name with "I Love A Piano". Neil then played 2 songs on piano I'd been waiting to hear forever. They were both on my first Neil Young bootleg, a 1971 Royal Albert Hall show that I picked up while living in London. I listened to that cassette constantly while traveling through Europe in college and after seeing Neil tons of times, realized how special it was that he was finally playing these tunes. "Journey Through The Past" and "On The Way Home". Incredible. Before "On the Way Home", Neil joked how when he recorded that with Buffalo Springfield as a youngster, the producer wouldn't let him sing it thanks to his voice being...his voice! The crowd loved the story. His wife joined him for the return to guitar. He explained that this next song was recorded in the 70s for a CSN&Y record that never came to be, "Human Highway". Then he sat down with his banjo, told a story about losing his dog, Elvis, and how this song was for Elvis. But first he said, "I love a banjo". He played "Old King", then returned to guitar and played "Comes A Time". For his final song, Neil told a story about being a kid in Canada and listening to this old Canadian folk song over and over, "Four Strong Winds". Through the whole Neil set I was thinking about how timeless his songs are - you can't tell if he's singing a song from the 60s, today or the future. He just creates his own special vibe. I also couldn't help noticing how he's aged the past few years...which led me to think that he'd better stick around another 25 years because there will never be another one like him.

There aren't many people who can perform after Neil Young, but one of the few would have to be Paul McCartney. The crowd of course went nuts for the former Beatle, who ignited the energy level just by walking on stage. Amazing when you think that all rock musicians, from every act on stage tonight to the new people you hear on the radio to legends like CSN, the Rolling Stones and the Grateful Dead, were ALL influenced by The Beatles. Different artists had their pockets of fans at the show on Sunday, but EVERY person in the crowd from 16 to 66 was going nuts for Paul. Paul's voice was exactly like The Beatles' albums - it was eerie. Anthony Kiedis was right when he earlier warned the crowd that Paul would bring tears to their eyes. Paul had the crowd dancing with his opener "(Baby You Can) Drive My Car", then played the old Beatles ballad "Til There Was You". His band was excellent, adding the perfect touches to each song. Paul then introduced a song he used to play with John before they were The Beatles. It was called "In Spite Of All the Danger". He went solo acoustic for an incredible "Blackbird". Then came a tribute to John with a song Paul wrote after hearing John had died, "Here Today". This was followed by the band returning for a brand new song from a forthcoming album. I don't know the name, but this song was a stinker. Neil Young joined Paul for a great duet backed by the band, Neil's "Only Love Can Break Your Heart". Paul then told a funny story about how he used to joke about being French with John and sang "Michelle (Mabelle)". This was followed by a solo acoustic "Yesterday", which he played on the same guitar he used on the Ed Sullivan show. Very cool. Spine-tingling moments here. The band returned for an amazing "Get Back" that had the crowd boogying like a Dead show. Paul then took to the piano for "Let It Be". Amazing. The entire crowd was singing along with all of these songs, but you really felt it here. After the song, Paul walked up to the front mike and said "Yes, let it be. Let it be Kerry." The crowd went nuts. An incredible, rocking Dead-like "Lady Madonna" followed, and then the show closed with an incredible "Hey Jude" that brought Neil front and center for harmonies and EVERY artist from the whole day, led by Eddie Vedder, on a side mike for the "nah-nah-nah-nah" part. You looked around the crowd and could feel the seratonin and adrenaline flowing. It was 8 hours into the show but Paul could have kept going 3 more hours and the crowd would have loved it. The 18th Bridge ended on a very high note. A Beatle surrounded by such a variety of musical artists, all influenced by his talents. The Bridge students had a blast and so did the 20,000 people in attendance, including myself.

Festival Express (8/6/04)

2004-08-06T14:18:00.000-07:00

Festival Express is a film that is likely coming to an art house near you. Run - do not walk - to see this movie. If it isn't one of the Top 5 music films of all time, it is definitely in the Top 10. Festival Express is a documentary that follows a 1970 Canadian rock festival tour that featured the Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, The Band, Buddy Guy, The Flying Burrito Brothers and a few others, including Sha Na Na. All of the artists traveled across the country in a train called the Festival Express. For those artists, the tour was a 24/7 party consisting of playing festival shows before half-filled stadium audiences, followed by all-night drug and alcohol-influenced jam sessions on the train. The film mixes concert footage with on-the-train footage and current interviews with the surviving artists, like Phil Lesh and Bob Weir. The craziest thing about this film is that the footage was supposedly lost for 30 years! It was finally discovered and pieced together recently. The entire film was shot in a way that makes you feel like you are riding that train with the legends and in the front row of each evening's concert. That, combined with great sound quality and incredible live performances, gave me an ear-to-ear grin on many occasions. I knew I wasn't alone when the audience erupted in applause after several tunes. There is A+ concert footage of The Band, Buddy Guy, The Dead and Janis, who truly steals the show. The train footage could not be more captivating. You feel like you're watching these incredible talents via a hidden camera as they share some of those high times that you've experienced with your closest friends. The highlight of the film is a scene on the train when The Band's Rick Danko is leading Janis, Jerry and Bobby in song. They're all high on psychedelic-laced alcohol, having the time of their lives hanging and singing together. Picture the "Tiny Dancer" scene in ALMOST FAMOUS - except this is the real deal. The scene ends with some interesting sexual tension between Jerry and Janice after Jerry professes his love for her. Jerry Garcia is the most featured artist in the film - and there's lots of great footage of a young, healthy and very happy Jerry. You get a rare glimpse into Jerry's off stage life in the more innocent days. He has a wide grin through most of the film as you see him hanging and playing with friends, bouncing around in the audience to Sha Na Na like any other dorky rock fan and even having a serious moment when he addresses the concert crowd about gate-crashing. (1995 wasn't the ONLY year for gate-crashing). This film is special because it gives you some insight into what it would have been like to hang, party and travel with this crowd of incredibly talented, like-minded souls. It is special because it features incredible concert footage from some of rock history's finest in a way that makes you feel like you're there. It is special because it captures that magical time when MUSIC was what the music world was all about - not business and not who had the best face for TV. It is special because it gives yet one more look at so much incredible rock talent that is no longer with us. If this movie was 14 hours long, I would have had no problem staying glued to my theater seat for its entirety. Once it's out on DVD, I will watch it 200 times. For any Deadhead, musician or music fan, Festival Express is a must see.

On a final note, here is the Grateful Dead song about the experience:

"Might As Well"
Words by Robert Hunter; music by Jerry Garcia
Copyright Ice Nine Publishing.
Great North Special, were you on board?
You can't find a ride like that no more
Night the chariot swung down low
Ninety nine children had a chance to go
One long party from front to end
Tune to the whistle going round the bend
No big hurry, what do you say?
Might as well travel the elegant way
Might as well, might as well
Might as well, might as well
Might as well, might as well
Might as well, might as well
Ragtime solid for twenty five miles
then slip over to the Cajun style
Bar car loaded with rhythm and blues
Rock and roll wailing in the old caboose
Long train running from coast to coast
bringing long the party where they need it the most
Whup on the boxcar, beat on the bell
Nothing else shaking so you might just as well
Might as well, might as well
Might as well, might as well
Might as well, might as well
Might as well, might as well
Never had such a good time
in my life before
I'd like to have it one time more
One good ride from start to end
I'd like to take that ride again
Again
Run out of track and I caught the plane
Back in the county with the blues again
Great North Special been on my mind
Might like to ride it just one more time
Might as well, might as well
Might as well, might as well
Might as well, might as well
Might as well, might as well