I attended a pretty incredible evening of music over at Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock Sunday night.
The occasion was a special Ramble that featured songwriter and actor Kris Kristofferson, who delivered an extremely poignant solo set, beneath the shimmer of a lone spotlight, to a darkened room full of people who care deeply about the quality of their live music.
Kristofferson has this legend-like aura about him that far transcends his accomplishments, which include writing the song "Me and Bobby McGee" and starring in "A Star is Born" with Barbara Streisand. There is a vibe about this guy that says pioneer, outlaw, troubadour and everyman.
His performance was raw and unpolished, passionate and from the heart, delivered without gimmicks — no bells, no whistles; just a guy with a guitar and a harmonica.
I've seen some pretty incredible evenings of music up at Levon Helm Studios, and that's not even taking into account the fact that Levon plays his down-home, dixieland-infused, Saturday night-serenade and Mard-Gras-rip-roaring romp several times a month during his Midnight Ramble concerts....That's a jack-in-the box all to itself, kind of like Guy Lombardo on New Year's Eve and Billy Graham on Sunday morning, all rolled into three hours of music.
Up at Levon's barn there has been Emmylou Harris, Elvis Costello, Allen Toussaint, Bruce Hornsby, Joan Osborne, and many, many others. But there was something different about Kris Kristofferson. He and Levon seem cut from the same cloth, reared in the same part of town, and instilled with the same values. They are also both actors and musicians. And the authenticity with which each speaks, never mind plays music, is something out of holy scripture, something we rarely hear these days, something to really hold onto, and something in which we can find meaning.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Peter Yarrow
I just hung up the phone with Peter Yarrow, from Peter, Paul and Mary, who has a new book out, called "Day Is Done." It's a children's book, and Yarrow, who spent many years in Woodstock as a child, and still owns a home there, will perform at Oblong Books and Music in Rhinebeck on Saturday, Dec. 5.
I just have to say that there was something very genuine and meaningful in Yarrow's parting words at the end of our phone conversation: "Thank you, my brother."
I'll leave it at that.
The Jonas Brothers in my back pocket?
I'm sure some people might be interested in such a prospect, but I'm happy to view them at a distance for now, thank you very much.
LG CHOCOLATE TOUCH PUTS THE JONAS BROTHERS ON LIMITED EDITION BACK PLATE
AND IN YOUR BACK POCKET
WHAT: LG Mobile Phones proudly presents limited edition Jonas Brothers
back plates for their newest handset, LG Chocolate Touch. Allowing
users to take Nick, Kevin and Joe wherever they go, the sleek back plate
features the dynamic trio as seen on their recently released album,
'Lines, Vines and Trying Times,' as well as the signature logo for their
Change for the Children Foundation. Bringing the Jonas Brothers right
into the palm of your hand, users can transform their LG Chocolate Touch
into the ultimate Jonas Brothers mobile device.
WHO: Available exclusively to Verizon Wireless customers, the first
1000 consumers who use their LG Chocolate Touch to redeem free Jonas
Brothers music downloads will receive a limited edition back plate and
SD Card with 30 minutes of never before seen concert footage. All LG
Chocolate Touch users will also have the opportunity to download up to 6
Jonas Brothers songs from their various hit albums. LG will also make a
$30,000 donation to the Change for the Children Foundation in support of
the campaign.
WHERE: LG Chocolate Touch is available at Verizon Wireless locations across the nation. Jonas Brothers music can be downloaded at www.vcastlive.com/jb or visit www.lggiftwithpurchase.com/jb for your chance to win a limited edition back plate and SD Card featuring exclusive concert footage.
Oh how I wish I was at Bonnaroo right now....
This just in from the good folks at Bonnaroo:
In celebration of the holiday season, beginning next Friday, November 27th at 12:00 PM eastern, we will offer a festive holiday pre-sale for all 2010 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival tickets.
In addition, with each ticket purchase we will send a Bonnaroo holiday greeting card featuring a unique, iconic photo from Bonnaroo's colorful past. All persons who place their order by December 16th will receive their complimentary card in time to give as a gift this holiday season!
Pre-sale ends at 11:59 PM eastern on Thursday, December 31st, so take advantage while you can and give the gift of Bonnaroo this season! Visit www.bonnaroo.com for more information.
Discounted Holiday Merch Packages & Limited Edition Calendar!
We are pleased to announce that we will be offering a limited edition 2010 Bonnaroo calendar, as well as heavily discounted merch packages during the holiday pre-sale period! The calendar will feature an eclectic mix of artist photos from previous years, along with a creative, sleek design that will help you count down the days until next year's festival.
Craft your own merchandise package with your choice of vintage t-shirts, vintage posters and the limited edition Bonnaroo 2010 calendar...all at a discounted price. The perfect gift for music lovers!
Get your tickets in 5 easy payments of $50
That's right! We're once again offering general admission tickets for 5 easy payments of $50.00 plus applicable fees or a pair of VIP tickets for 5 payments of $285.00 plus applicable fees through our holiday pre-sale. Visit www.bonnaroo.com for more information.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Ringo and Paul
This is pretty cool. And even if you didn't know who this person was, wouldn't you just want to hang out with this guy anyway, because he just LOOKS so cool?
RINGO STARR DECLARES “Y NOT”!
For the first time ever, Starr produces himself on his most personal album yet. Ringo is joined on Y Not by old and new friends including Paul McCartney, with whom Starr sings on Y Not’s stunning first single, “Walk With You,” a moving new song about the power of friendship. Ringo meets Hip-O on Starr’s latest solo effort released January 12th on Hip-O Records/UMe
Throughout recorded history, great artists across the universe have dared to ask “Why?” On January 12, 2010, one brave man named Ringo finally boldly declares the ultimate answer -- Y Not.
For the first time in one of popular music’s most enduring and illustrious careers, Ringo Starr has decided to take charge and produce himself. The result is perhaps the most personal and impressive album of this rock legend’s entire solo career. How on earth did Starr finally locate the absolutely perfect producer to work with him? “Well, I looked in the mirror,” Ringo says with a smile. “And I was looking real groovy that day.”
Starr’s decision to take a stronger role in the recording of his latest and greatest solo album was a significant and fortuitous one. “I didn’t do it at the start,” Starr says. “I was the least involved in the production of the Beatle records. And then with my solo records, I worked with some other great producers like Richard Perry, Arif Mardin, and Don Was. So it just seemed like that’s the way that it goes. Then suddenly, it’s another point in your life, and you say, `I’m going do this now.’ So I’ll be producing anything I make from now on. That’s the good news. It’s a confidence thing, I suppose. And Y Not is really another way of me saying, “Yes, I can.”
The joyous result of Starr looking in the mirror is Y Not, a groovy and deeply felt song cycle that finds Ringo leading a smaller core group of old and new friends including longtime pal and recent brother-in-law Joe Walsh, Dave Stewart and longtime Roundheads member Steve Dudas on guitar, Benmont Tench of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers on keyboards, Don Was and Mike Bradford on bass. The album also features Starr’s engineer and co-producer Bruce Sugar on keyboards, as well as some special guests like Joss Stone, Ben Harper and Richard Marx on vocals, Ann Marie Calhoun on violin and Tina Sugandh -- aka Tina The Tabla Girl – on tabla and chanting. Starr’s songwriting collaborators on Y Not also include familiar and new names like Joe Walsh, Dave Stewart. Joss Stone, Glen Ballard, Richard Marx, Van Dyke Parks, Gary Nicholson plus Gary Wright and his former Roundhead band member, Gary Burr.
Yet no collaborator featured on Y Not is likely to receive as much attention as Starr’s former bandmate and longstanding mate Paul McCartney, who adds a characteristically brilliant bass part to the inspiring “Peace Dream” -- Starr’s latest heartfelt plea for peace and love -- and even more notably provides his unmistakably fabulous vocals to “Walk With You,” an exquisite new composition by Starr and Van Dyke Parks.
“Walk With You” is a moving, even spiritual meditation about the lasting power of friendship, and McCartney’s inspired participation on the track was a testament to McCartney’s generosity of spirit and musical talent. “Paul was doing the Grammys, so he came over to the house and was playing bass on `Peace Dream.” So I played him this other track and Paul said, `Give me the headphones. Give me a pair of cans.’ And he went to the mike and he just invented that part where he follows on my vocal. That was all Paul McCartney, and there could be nothing better. He makes it bigger and he makes it fuller. It makes the song like a conversation between us, and that was Paul’s idea to do his part one beat behind me. That’s why he’s a gen-i-us and an incredible bass player.”
Indeed, there’s a whole lot of genius on display throughout Y Not. Highpoints here include “Fill In The Blanks,” the album’s rocking opening track written, played and sung only by Starr and Walsh. Then there’s “The Other Side Of Liverpool,” a revealing autobiographical song that explores Starr’s earliest and darkest days. “People believe I was born, was a Beatle and lived in a big house,” Starr explains. “And where I come from was a very dark, damp, violent neighborhood. I wanted to write another little snapshot of my life, and I’m going to do this every album. It’s better for me than doing it in a book. In two lines I can say what would take five pages. Like the song says, “The other side of Liverpool is cold and damp/Only way out of there/drums, guitar and amp.”
Starr was already particularly thrilled with one early review for the first album he produced that came from someone he helped produce too. “I just played it for my son Zak,” Starr explains. “And Zak was so great. He said, “Dad, it’s great. This rocks! You should have been doing this forever. It’s nice coming from your boy, especially since he’s a really good drummer.”
Listen for yourself. And hear Ringo Starr – also a really good drummer -- doing exactly what he should be doing today and forever.
Why?
Y Not.
RINGO STARR DECLARES “Y NOT”!
For the first time ever, Starr produces himself on his most personal album yet. Ringo is joined on Y Not by old and new friends including Paul McCartney, with whom Starr sings on Y Not’s stunning first single, “Walk With You,” a moving new song about the power of friendship. Ringo meets Hip-O on Starr’s latest solo effort released January 12th on Hip-O Records/UMe
Throughout recorded history, great artists across the universe have dared to ask “Why?” On January 12, 2010, one brave man named Ringo finally boldly declares the ultimate answer -- Y Not.
For the first time in one of popular music’s most enduring and illustrious careers, Ringo Starr has decided to take charge and produce himself. The result is perhaps the most personal and impressive album of this rock legend’s entire solo career. How on earth did Starr finally locate the absolutely perfect producer to work with him? “Well, I looked in the mirror,” Ringo says with a smile. “And I was looking real groovy that day.”
Starr’s decision to take a stronger role in the recording of his latest and greatest solo album was a significant and fortuitous one. “I didn’t do it at the start,” Starr says. “I was the least involved in the production of the Beatle records. And then with my solo records, I worked with some other great producers like Richard Perry, Arif Mardin, and Don Was. So it just seemed like that’s the way that it goes. Then suddenly, it’s another point in your life, and you say, `I’m going do this now.’ So I’ll be producing anything I make from now on. That’s the good news. It’s a confidence thing, I suppose. And Y Not is really another way of me saying, “Yes, I can.”
The joyous result of Starr looking in the mirror is Y Not, a groovy and deeply felt song cycle that finds Ringo leading a smaller core group of old and new friends including longtime pal and recent brother-in-law Joe Walsh, Dave Stewart and longtime Roundheads member Steve Dudas on guitar, Benmont Tench of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers on keyboards, Don Was and Mike Bradford on bass. The album also features Starr’s engineer and co-producer Bruce Sugar on keyboards, as well as some special guests like Joss Stone, Ben Harper and Richard Marx on vocals, Ann Marie Calhoun on violin and Tina Sugandh -- aka Tina The Tabla Girl – on tabla and chanting. Starr’s songwriting collaborators on Y Not also include familiar and new names like Joe Walsh, Dave Stewart. Joss Stone, Glen Ballard, Richard Marx, Van Dyke Parks, Gary Nicholson plus Gary Wright and his former Roundhead band member, Gary Burr.
Yet no collaborator featured on Y Not is likely to receive as much attention as Starr’s former bandmate and longstanding mate Paul McCartney, who adds a characteristically brilliant bass part to the inspiring “Peace Dream” -- Starr’s latest heartfelt plea for peace and love -- and even more notably provides his unmistakably fabulous vocals to “Walk With You,” an exquisite new composition by Starr and Van Dyke Parks.
“Walk With You” is a moving, even spiritual meditation about the lasting power of friendship, and McCartney’s inspired participation on the track was a testament to McCartney’s generosity of spirit and musical talent. “Paul was doing the Grammys, so he came over to the house and was playing bass on `Peace Dream.” So I played him this other track and Paul said, `Give me the headphones. Give me a pair of cans.’ And he went to the mike and he just invented that part where he follows on my vocal. That was all Paul McCartney, and there could be nothing better. He makes it bigger and he makes it fuller. It makes the song like a conversation between us, and that was Paul’s idea to do his part one beat behind me. That’s why he’s a gen-i-us and an incredible bass player.”
Indeed, there’s a whole lot of genius on display throughout Y Not. Highpoints here include “Fill In The Blanks,” the album’s rocking opening track written, played and sung only by Starr and Walsh. Then there’s “The Other Side Of Liverpool,” a revealing autobiographical song that explores Starr’s earliest and darkest days. “People believe I was born, was a Beatle and lived in a big house,” Starr explains. “And where I come from was a very dark, damp, violent neighborhood. I wanted to write another little snapshot of my life, and I’m going to do this every album. It’s better for me than doing it in a book. In two lines I can say what would take five pages. Like the song says, “The other side of Liverpool is cold and damp/Only way out of there/drums, guitar and amp.”
Starr was already particularly thrilled with one early review for the first album he produced that came from someone he helped produce too. “I just played it for my son Zak,” Starr explains. “And Zak was so great. He said, “Dad, it’s great. This rocks! You should have been doing this forever. It’s nice coming from your boy, especially since he’s a really good drummer.”
Listen for yourself. And hear Ringo Starr – also a really good drummer -- doing exactly what he should be doing today and forever.
Why?
Y Not.
It IS beginning to look a lot like Christmas....
I mean, when I think Eddie Van Halen and rehab, I think to myself, now how many shopping days ARE left until Christmas?
IGO Records is happy to announce the release of
"Christmas In Rehab,"
the hilarious new Christmas single by singer-songwriter-humorist,
KACEY JONES.
If you've heard the Cledus T. Judd version of "Christmas in Rehab"
then you've already heard half the story.
Radio Programmers, if you're ready to hear the REST of the story
(the original full version of the song) please click here for a broadcast quality MP3: www.airplaydirect.com/kaceyjones
Kacey's version of "Christmas in Rehab" is also available on
CDX #1027, track #4
Says Kacey, "I love Cledus's version of 'Christmas in Rehab' and, as a songwriter, I figure it's a win-win situation for me no matter which version radio decides to play... in fact, it would be FUN to see what would happen if deejays put the two versions in a cage-match... that's bound to send one of us back to rehab!"
To view the slide-show MUSIC VIDEO of Kacey's version click here:
VIDEO
"Christmas In Rehab" was written by Kacey Jones, Rich Fagan, & Joe Collins and is available on the new Kacey Jones album,
"Donald Trump's Hair" (IGO Records)
and the new Cledus T. Judd album,
"Polyrically Uncorrect" (E-1 Music).
for more information
www.kaceyjones.com
www.MySpace.com/kaceyjonesmusic
info@igorecords.com
Lovin' the song "Wheels" by the Foo Fighters...
I was never big into Nirvana, though I was in a band in college - called Guerilla Theater, mind you - that covered "Smells Like Teen Spirit" when that song was all the rage and grunge was new to the masses.
But I have always loved the Foo Fighters and Dave Grohl, particularly after I heard him interviewed by, dare I say...TERRI GROSS!! Ok, I said it.
Anywho, I received this press release this week and I am told a screener is in the mail, which I really want to see. And these images are striking, wouldn't you agree?
GRAMMY® AWARD-WINNING BAND, THE FOO FIGHTERS, GIVE AN ELECTRIFYING PERFORMANCE IN NEW "VH1 STORYTELLERS" SPECIAL TO BE SIMULCAST AROUND THE WORLD
“VH1 Storytellers: Foo Fighters” to Premiere Worldwide Beginning Friday, November 27 at 11:00 PM* on VH1 in the US and on MTV’s Channels Across 162 Countries
Full Episode Available at Storytellers.VH1.com Following On-Air Premiere
Santa Monica, CA, November 19, 2009- Six-time Grammy® Award winning rock band, the Foo Fighters, had the crowd on their feet during a taping for “VH1 Storytellers” October 28 at Sony Pictures Studio in Culver City, CA. Fans can watch this exclusive performance when “VH1 Storytellers: Foo Fighters” premieres Friday, November 27 at 11:00 PM* on VH1. The US premiere kicks off a global roll-out for this latest edition of “VH1 Storytellers,” as the special will also debut on MTV channels across Europe, Asia, Australia and Latin America beginning Friday, November 27 (check local listings). The broadcast, which will air in 162 countries, marks the first-ever global premiere of the iconic series, “VH1 Storytellers.”
The one-hour on-air special will feature the Foo Fighters performing a selection of some of their most popular hits in addition to their latest single from the new album Foo Fighters: Greatest Hits. Following in the “VH1 Storytellers” format, the Foo Fighters will answer questions from the audience and give viewers a unique opportunity to hear the inspiration behind such hits as “Big Me”, “My Hero” and from their new album “Wheels.”
The full on-air show will be available online at Storytellers.VH1.com following the on-air premiere.
"VH1 Storytellers: Foo Fighters” is a production of VH1. Patrizia DiMaria produces with Lee Rolontz, Rick Krim and Bill Flanagan serving as executive producers.
VH1 connects viewers to the music, artists and pop culture that matter to them most with TV series, specials, live events, exclusive online content and public affairs initiatives. VH1 is available in 95 million households in the U.S. VH1 also has an array of digital channels and services including VH1Classic, VH1 Soul, VH1 Mobile, VH1Games and extensive broadband video on VH1.com. Connect with VH1 at VH1.com.
But I have always loved the Foo Fighters and Dave Grohl, particularly after I heard him interviewed by, dare I say...TERRI GROSS!! Ok, I said it.
Anywho, I received this press release this week and I am told a screener is in the mail, which I really want to see. And these images are striking, wouldn't you agree?
GRAMMY® AWARD-WINNING BAND, THE FOO FIGHTERS, GIVE AN ELECTRIFYING PERFORMANCE IN NEW "VH1 STORYTELLERS" SPECIAL TO BE SIMULCAST AROUND THE WORLD
“VH1 Storytellers: Foo Fighters” to Premiere Worldwide Beginning Friday, November 27 at 11:00 PM* on VH1 in the US and on MTV’s Channels Across 162 Countries
Full Episode Available at Storytellers.VH1.com Following On-Air Premiere
Santa Monica, CA, November 19, 2009- Six-time Grammy® Award winning rock band, the Foo Fighters, had the crowd on their feet during a taping for “VH1 Storytellers” October 28 at Sony Pictures Studio in Culver City, CA. Fans can watch this exclusive performance when “VH1 Storytellers: Foo Fighters” premieres Friday, November 27 at 11:00 PM* on VH1. The US premiere kicks off a global roll-out for this latest edition of “VH1 Storytellers,” as the special will also debut on MTV channels across Europe, Asia, Australia and Latin America beginning Friday, November 27 (check local listings). The broadcast, which will air in 162 countries, marks the first-ever global premiere of the iconic series, “VH1 Storytellers.”
The one-hour on-air special will feature the Foo Fighters performing a selection of some of their most popular hits in addition to their latest single from the new album Foo Fighters: Greatest Hits. Following in the “VH1 Storytellers” format, the Foo Fighters will answer questions from the audience and give viewers a unique opportunity to hear the inspiration behind such hits as “Big Me”, “My Hero” and from their new album “Wheels.”
The full on-air show will be available online at Storytellers.VH1.com following the on-air premiere.
"VH1 Storytellers: Foo Fighters” is a production of VH1. Patrizia DiMaria produces with Lee Rolontz, Rick Krim and Bill Flanagan serving as executive producers.
VH1 connects viewers to the music, artists and pop culture that matter to them most with TV series, specials, live events, exclusive online content and public affairs initiatives. VH1 is available in 95 million households in the U.S. VH1 also has an array of digital channels and services including VH1Classic, VH1 Soul, VH1 Mobile, VH1Games and extensive broadband video on VH1.com. Connect with VH1 at VH1.com.
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