The Black Crowes have had two tours which I missed that I've kicked myself over. One was touring the States with Oasis on the (kind of hokey but ultimately well-named) Brotherly Love tour. Few bands have made their mark on rock music like Led Zeppelin. Their heavy blues-inspired material has become a staple for today's artists almost 20 years after the group's last album, "Coda." Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page has been revitalizing some of the band's most famous numbers along with a new generation of rockers, The Black Crowes.The Black Crowes certainly weren't new generation in 2000, but what do you expect from old media like CNN. The writers for CNN still refer to The Rolling Stones as young whippersnappers. Glide Magazine, which is not old media! and is an excellent resource for music info of all genres, re-tipped me off to this collaboration with a YouTube clip of Jimmy and the Crowes in their media section . I also want to give a shout-out to Hidden Track (Glide's music blog) which is quickly becoming my favorite resource for music news, commentary, and blogging from guys I probably would have loved to have met in my freshman dorm. They were probably the guys with 500 Phish tapes but probably treasured a couple Miles Davis and Bob Marley bootlegs also. The Internet is such an awesome source for rediscovering music as anybody reading this knows so well already. The latest Billboard charts and newly released albums are as useless as a one-armed drummer (wait, forget that last comment). Bring me the classics.
A few weeks ago I watched again Martin Scorsese's film which
documented the last concert by The Band and I was inspired to
write a few words i see fitting:
The Last Waltz
I just want that thing
When voices join in harmony
And in that fleeting moment,
Meaning coalesces on the ear,
All dark, dissolving, clouds the alleyways no more
And fresh bread scent of home pervades the air
No sandal soles
In dust of broken homes
Nor callused toes peep bloody from the garment hem,
And all the big parades
And shock and awe
And swagger on the carrier decks and medals
Jangle helpless in the face of what is fair
I just want that thing
When friends draw in, some living some begone,
Some brittle, none forgotten
All beloved everyone.
Then dash the glass into the fire
Then well up unashamed my heart
Beyond the reach of fear
Of faith, blind, bigoted and drear
And then across the great divide
Rise men and women unafraid
To dash in loss their bracelets at the wall,
And hearing them
Hope holds me in its thrall.
I just want that thing
When empathy prevails
When man evolves beyond the crass
And reason comes of age
When dogma, cant, and witchcraft
All are banished to the past
When voices join in harmony at last.
Grateful Dead Radio pledges to offer live performances, unreleased recordings, and even programs hosted by band members. The channel, which is expected to launch this summer, also will offer music from the musicians’ individual projects. Previously, SIRIUS has created channels that focus exclusively on the music of The Who, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, The Rolling Stones, David Gilmour and Pink Floyd, Elvis Presley and George Strait.Alright Sirius, where is my free month?
All bands come and go. Some by choice, others by fate. Some groups span decades, others only months. In the early nineties, there was a band who rose to popularity overnight, and like many others before and after them, vanished the next day. Now, that's not to say they weren't great -- they were. Blind Melon was a melting pot of modern music. To be exact: a dash of the Dead, a pinch of Zeppelin, a tablespoon of Pearl Jam, one cup Black Crowes, and... Bam! Perfection! You can't say that about the Killers.
It’s a rare day when Eric Clapton decides to sit-in with another band without much pomp and circumstance. But, this Saturday, Slowhand did just that, dusting off his guitar and joining one of his former bandmates for a handful of songs at Berkshire, UK’s Countryside Rocks. Halfway through his former Blind Faith bandmates’ performance, Eric Clapton joined Steve Winwood for a series of songs from the supergroup’s heyday, including "Presence Of The Lord, "Can't Find My Way Home” and "Had To Cry Today.” Clapton also helped Winwood through a pair of Robert Johnson covers, "Crossroads” and "Little Queen Of Spades,” as well as Winwood’s "Gimme Some Lovin'." The Johnson covers are no doubt familiar to longtime Clapton fans: the guitarist recorded the former song with Cream and the latter number on his 2004 album, Me and Mr. Johnson.
The UK gig marked the first time the former bandmates have played together in decades and the first time Clapton has tackled material from Blind Faith’s self-titled album in some time. Clapton and Winwood are expected to collaborate again at Chicago’s Crossroads festival this summer.
Source: Jambands.com
Concert Review
632 Days Ago. In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina's storm surge caused 53 levee breaches in the levee system protecting metro New Orleans. Katrina devastated the City of New Orleans scattering its residents, including so many musicians both famous and not-so-famous, resulting in a diaspora into any and all neighboring states.
We've been keeping an eye on the reemergence of Sly Stone after many years out of the spotlight. From a small handful of surprise appearances with his sister at Family Stone shows to an ill-fated Grammy appearance last year, Sly has slowly been showing his face and mohawk. And now comes this news of a European tour for the Family Stone. It remains to be seen whether Sly will actually show up to any or even one of these shows. But I'm really hoping that he does show up and that the shows get positive reviews.Sly Stone is to join the Family Stone for their first European tour in over twenty years. The funk group are to play a one-off date in the UK - at the unlikely venue of The Opera House in Bournemouth on England's South Coast. The show on July 28 will be Sly's first show with the family in Britain since 1987. The reclusive musical genius has made very few appearances in the last few years, though he did join the group for a very short performance at last year's Grammy Awards.
Sly Stone joins original family members, trumpeter Cynthia Robinson, and sister Vet Stone on the nine-date European tour. The full line-up reported by the Guardian newspaper includes: Lisa Stone, Skyler Jett, Anthony Yates, Joseph Yates, Stefon Dubose, Mike Rinta, Johnnie Bamont, Tony Stead, Alfia Fisher and Funn Robertson.
See Sly at the following events and shows this July:
Umbria Jazz - Umbria, Perugia, Italy (12)
Montreux Jazz Festival - Montreux, Switzerland (13)
Blue Note Festival - Gent, Belgium (14)
North Sea Jazz Festival - Rotterdam, Holland (15)
Nice Jazz - Nice, France (19)
Pori Jazz festival - Pori, Finland (20)
Olympia Hall - Paris, France (23)
Jazzaldia - San Sebastian, Spain (27)
Opera House, Bournemouth Opera House (28)
Tickets for all venues are on sale now.
Source: Uncut
Blues legend Bo Diddley is reportedly in intensive care following a stroke which occurred over the weekend. The stroke has reportedly affected the 78-year old musician's speech and speech recognition.
"You're more likely to get all four Beatles on stage."A master is someone who makes a skill or talent look easy and effortless. Richard Ashcroft is a master musician. I can't take my eyes away and cling to every word. I don't think the sunglasses look "dorky" at all, everything looks good on him, like he's not even trying to look "cool". He's "IT", THE Rockstar God. I would bow down to thee, oh Rockstar God Supreme, but I am not worthy ! That's my humble opinion and I'm sticking to it.Well said.
Concert Review:Other show highlights were 'Teddy Picker' from the new album Favorite Worst Nightmare and 'When the Sun Goes Down' and 'Certain Romance' from WPSIATHIN. In a move they must have certainly learned from 'The Strokes' (AM is unabashed fans), there was no encore. Just alot of disgust and odd looks when the house lights came on. But that didn't stop the Brits in the house from doing their soccer (er, football) chants right outside the ticket window after the show for the confused American fans. As the Brits performed an oddly love-infested conga line (I'm not kidding) into the warm Manhattan air, I couldn't help but smile as for 75 minutes, I was right where I should have been. Enjoying a phenomenal band on their continued rise to the top in the world's greatest city. Life is good.And yeah, I'd love to tell you all my problem
You're not from New York City, you're from Rotherham
So get off the bandwagon, and put down the handbook
Yeah, yeah, yeah
They don't call him Bud for nothing. Former Married With Children star David Faustino, who played Bud Bundy on the hit sitcom, was partying with his favorite bud when he got busted on May 12 in New Smyrna Beach, FL, according to the National Enquirer.
It's not the first time the 33-year-old actor has dabbled in doobie. Enquirer readers were the first to learn that he bought into the Natural care Collective medical marijuana clinic in Reseda, CA, just so he could get his hands on the very best Silver Kush wacky tobaccy.
Faustino, who filed for divorce from Andrea Elmer, his wife of six years, in February of this year, saw his good time in Florida go up in smoke when he was busted by New Smyrna Beach police and charged with possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana and disorderly intoxication, police sources told the Enquirer.
At least, he did better than many arrested actors of late -- looking unshaven and scraggly in his booking mug shot, he still managed to face the camera wearing a sunny illegal smile.
Source: Starpulse
Veteran musician PRINCE sold out 140,000 tickets for seven London gigs in just 20 minutes Friday crashing an online booking website in the process. .Source: music-news.com
The Purple Rain star earlier announced he will perform 21 concerts in the British capital later this year (07). The sold out gigs will all take place at the O2 Arena, formerly the Millennium Dome, in August and September. Organisers have now added another eight concerts at the same venue, which are also expected to sell out extremely quickly.
A bronze bust of soul singer Otis Redding has been unveiled outside the Guitar Center at Hollywood's RockWalk. The late star's widow Zelma Redding and daughter Karla Redding-Andrews attended the ceremony on Friday, which was organized to honor all performers at 1967's Monterey International Pop Festival.Source: Starpulse
The Mamas and the Papas singer Michelle Phillips - the only living member of the '60s folk-rock group - attended the 40th anniversary event.
She says, "I'm a little overwhelmed that I'm really the only one here. I know that I can speak for all of us when I thank all of you very much for being here."
Pianist and songwriter Al Kooper also attended the ceremony.
The RockWalk was established in 1985 to honor musicians who have made a significant contribution to the history of music.
Another Cream reunion has been ruled out by bassist Jack Bruce because he can't stand being on the same stage as bandmate Ginger Baker. The trio, Bruce, Baker and Eric Clapton, played shows in London and New York in 2005, but the bass player, who turns 64 today, insists hopes of a world tour and new recordings are far fetched.
He says, "I don't think we'll do another reunion because none of us want to do it. It doesn't mean it won't happen, but at the moment none of us are in love with the idea."
Bruce admits his often-difficult relationship with Baker won't help any future reunion plans: "It's a knife-edge thing for me and Ginger. Nowadays, we're happily co-existing in different continents, with Ginger in South Africa, although I was thinking of asking him to move. He's still a bit too close.
"It's all Ginger's fault. He's a terrible guy. Ask anybody, ask his ex-wife. Although, according to my wife, it's as much my fault as it is his."
It's shaping up to be Paul Kantner Day here at The Weight:
These days, not many people are paid tribute in song. Sure, Syd Barrett has "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" and Marilyn Monroe (and later, Princess Di) has "Candle in the Wind," but what if told you that there is one man who has at least five songs (and I say at least, because I'm sure there are others) written in his memory. And I'll add a wrinkle -- I would bet that less than 5% of all Americans even know his name. Stumped? Well, in case you missed the title of this post, he is none other than Richard Manuel, beloved member of The Band, whose life came to a tragic halt in 1986. Richard was perhaps one of the most well-loved and well-respected musicians of his time. A gifted songwriter, keyboardist and musician, Richard was often (and justifiably) referred to as the "white" Ray Charles. Indeed, it's no coincidence that Ray was his idol. He co-wrote with Bob Dylan and was Eric Clapton's inspiration. Since his death, he's had songs written about him by The Band, Robbie Robertson, Eric Clapton, Counting Crows, Drive By Truckers and probably many more. I dare you to listen to "I Shall Be Released" from Festival Express and tell me you weren't fighting back the tears. I'm not going to write a biography on the life and death of Richard Manuel -- there aren't enough words and frankly, it's unimportant. I am just one guy who wants to ensure that Richard's memory lives on and that he is recognized for what he did and how he moved the spirit of music forever.I was madly in love with Richard... At the time, [1975] we had the same troubles. I felt insecure and he was clearly insecure, and yet he was so incredibly gifted....For me he [Richard] was the true light of the Band. The other guys were fantastic talents, of course, but there was something of the holy madman about Richard. He was raw. When he sang in that high falsetto the hair on my neck would stand on end. Not many people can do that.
The Weightstaff is heading out west this summer. I think we just added to the itinerary. I gotta say, I think that statue looks a whole hell of alot like Paul Kantner.The city of Winslow, Arizona responded by erecting a life-size bronze statue and mural commemorating the song, at the Standin' On The Corner Park. The statue (believed by some to resemble songwriter Jackson Browne), stands leaning against a lamp post, securing an acoustic guitar between his right hand and the shoe of his right foot. Above his head, a metal sign, crafted in the style of U.S. Route shields, displays the words "Standin' on the corner". The mural on the wall behind the statue is that of a fake storefront, and includes what would appear to be the reflection of a red Ford pickup truck driven by a blonde-haired woman. The second floor of the mural features an eagle perched in one of the windows.
In a bit of sad news: On October 18, 2004, a fire destroyed the building and the park is closed indefinitely. As of November 9, 2006 the City of Winslow has come to an agreement with the owner of the property adjacent to the park, wherein the City has purchased the land. Plans are underway to clean up the lot, secure the wall, save the mural and restore the park.
The "corner" is actually that of North Kinsley Avenue and West 2nd Street (eastbound State Route 99) in downtown Winslow.
Source: Wikipedia
HAPPENINGS TEN YEARS TIME AGO
May 14 to 20, 1997
Crosby, Stills & Nash are inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall Of Fame. Neil Young also gets the call, as part of Buffalo Springfield, while other inductees are Joni Mitchell, The Bee Gees, The Jackson Five, Parliament/Funkadelic, and The Young Rascals.
I was born to live in New York City. The music scene, culture, fast-paced action, Wall Street..all of the cliches about living here...I wanted it. Too expensive? Who cares! Live in a one room studio where you can eat in the kitchen and have one foot on the bed? Sounds great!Well, I'm standing on a cornerWhere is this Winslow, Arizona? F*ck it, I'm goin. The only girls I figure I would see in a flatbed Ford in the Northeast would probably have less teeth than I can count on one hand. But the ones in Winslow, they are probably smoking hot. Kind of like Christie Brinkley in Vacation, except forget the Ferrari. She's rockin' the truck in this part of town.
in Winslow, Arizona
Such a fine sight to see
It's a girl, my Lord,
in a flatbed Ford
slowin' down to take a look at me
Lighten up while you still canThanks, Eagles. Great advice! I figure getting out to AZ is the easy part. Getting my hair into the Henley 'fro may be a bit trickier...
don't even try to understand
Just find a place to make your stand
and take it easy
Pink Floyd Members Appear At Barrett Tribute
Uncut has reviewed Derek and the Dominos' essential 'Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs.' For some reason, they gave it only 4 stars. They must have left off the fifth star for 'savings'.Clapton had grown obsessed with the kind of rootsy Americana he had first heard in the summer of 1968 on Music From Big Pink. It was a moment of revelation that led to the break-up of Cream: he even paid a call on The Band in Woodstock to ask if they had a place in their line-up for another guitarist. They didn't. But Clapton found an alternative playing behind Delaney and Bonnie Bramlett, a husband-and-wife duo backed by Carl Radle, Jim Gordon and Bobby Whitlock whose engaging American roots-rock drew on a rich mix of country, soul, blues and gospel influences. In effect, Clapton split Blind Faith to elope with Delaney & Bonnie. He continued to tour with them into 1970, by which time their ad hoc backing band had grown to include further disciples such as Leon Russell, Rita Coolidge, Bobby Keys, George Harrison and Dave Mason.Read the full review here
A fight has broken out at a Boston Pops gig where Ben Folds was making an appearance.
The show at Boston's Symphony Hall on Wednesday (May 9) saw two men struggling in the balcony - one with his shirt pulled off - as several people stood around them.
Witnesses say they heard a scream from the balcony and the sound of chairs falling, then a second scream as the fight escalated.
Conductor Keith Lockhart halted the performance.
Boston police spokesperson David Estrada said police officers on security detail at the hall, escorted the men off the property and no charges were filed, reports CNN.
Source: NME
The wonderful Rumblestrips have revealed that they will play a secret FREE show in Bristol next Wednesday as part of the French Connection 'A New Movement’ online campaign.The Rumble Strips are:
All fans need to do is sign-up to the following official A New Movement site www.anewmovement.com to put themselves in with a chance of winning tickets to the Rumblestrips evening Bristol show. Those lucky enough to win tickets will be notified of the precise venue the day before the show (i.e. next Tuesday).
Zane Lowe played The Rumblestrips brand new single 'Motorcycle’ last night. Catch the muchas positive chat in Zane’s Radio One chat room here - http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/mbradio1/F2675881
Source: music-news.com
It's official. We were ALL right. She was on crack.Rocker COURTNEY LOVE is still mortified about her behaviour when she first met COLDPLAY frontman CHRIS MARTIN, because she was rude and high on crack cocaine. The former HOLE singer is further embarrassed because she accused him of being in a rival British band, while Martin behaved like the perfect gentleman. Love says, "The first time I met Chris Martin I was on crack and I was an absolute a**hole and I kept saying, 'Aren't you in TRAVIS?' to him. "I was just so horrible to him and I can't believe that he was so nice to me."
Source: Starpulse
Give me the Guess Who. They've got the courage to be drunken buffoons, which makes them poetic...Live American Woman...have you ever--the most brilliant piece of gobbledygook EVER!So, here's to our Canadian friends -- The Guess Who. We stand on guard for thee!
This 
From today's AM New York - City Clubs Falling Silent
Buyers, lured by the mystique of the Lower East Side's arts and music scene, pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to live at the center of it. A few years later that same edgy nightclub goes out of business, having received many noise complaints from the new condo owners, and pinched by skyrocketing rents driven up by those same well-heeled neighbors.
As a real estate professional by day and concert goer by night, I'm both fascinated and sick to my stomach about the loss of one music venue after another due to rising rents in further gentrifying areas of Manhattan. I can't help but think that Manhattan is turning into a caricature of itself, no different than the Greenwich Village-style food court at New York, New York hotel and casino in Vegas. Cleaning up Times Square I'm all for...but turning it into an urban Disney utopia, not so much.
Sure CBGB's hadn't had many meaningful acts prior to its victory lap. But even still, walking by the awning for the first time when it was still a viable venue stopped me dead in my tracks. So did seeing what was left of the Fillmore East, which is a mosaic-covered light post highlighting the Allman Brothers Band's historic nights at the venue. As of 2007, the former entrance lobby to the Fillmore East is a branch of Emigrant Savings Bank. The rest of the interior has been gutted and rebuilt as an apartment complex.
You have to read Bill Graham's letter to The Village Voice stating his reasons for closing the Fillmores back in 1971. Have things changed for the better, or just gotten much, much worse? (Scroll down a little to find it).
Why do people move to New York? Wanting to be a character from Sex and the City? Friends? Seinfeld? Or is it the promise that there must be SOMETHING in that big vast city that will click with you and make things right...that will fulfill everything that is missing from post-college life that isn't happening the way you had hoped. "Hell, its gotta be better than [insert town here]." After all, 100 friends in college quickly become 20 buddies to go out with to reminisce about college. 20 buddies to go out with becomes 8 guys who didn't move away or get married. Which becomes 5 guys, 4 guys...wait, have I talked to anyone besides my boss or doorman this week?
Fellow blogger Perez Hilton has made available Green Day's cover of 'Working Class Hero'. Billy Joe and the boys have done a great job with Lennon's lyrical masterpiece.As soon as you're born they make you feel smallCheck it out here
By giving you no time instead of it all
Till the pain is so big you feel nothing at all
A working class hero is something to be
A working class hero is something to be
They hurt you at home and they hit you at school
They hate you if you're clever and they despise a fool
Till you're so fucking crazy you can't follow their rules
A working class hero is something to be
A working class hero is something to be
LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- Tom Poston, the tall, pasty-faced comic who found fame and fortune playing a clueless everyman on such hit television shows as "Newhart" and "Mork and Mindy," has died. He was 85.
"Genius is a term often bandied about these days but Mr. Turner will deserve it if he continues down this road." 4/5 The SunThis is just a sampling of the praise heaped on ex-punk/current-folkie Frank Turner's first solo EP coming out May 7th in the UK. It features 'The Real Damage' an ironically upbeat folk number with some genius true story lyrics.
"Turner is such a sharp observer that he really ought to write a book." The Times
"(Frank) has come up with a selection of originals...Bittersweet requiems for teen punk dreams and dark folk adventures in the flesh trade." Daily Mirror/Ticket
“It’s hard-hitting. It’s brave. It’s happy, it’s sad, it’s amusing, it’s harrowing. In short, it’s bloody great.” 8/10 Rocksound
Favourite with fans and industry alike, The Real Damage is a funny, real-life tale documenting the perils and pit-falls of those all too familiar wasted weekend with friends; Frank’s astounding lyrical and storytelling talent coming to the fore.
