Salute To Woody

In 2006, I was on vacation in our nation's capitol with my mother and daughter.  We were resting one evening with the tv on the local public televison station.  They were showing American Masters with their focus on Woody Guthrie.  It was an enlightened program that highlighted many things that I didn't know about the man.  Many years ago, I picked up a CD at a garage sale that turned out to be one of the best things I have every found.  It was called Folkways: A Vision Shared - A Tribute to Woody Guthrie and Leadbelly.  I would like to share some of highlights from that disc with you. All of the following are covers of Woody Guthrie songs. The first is by Bob Dylan doing "Pretty Boy Floyd."  The nest song is U2 doing the song "Jesus Christ."  The following song is done by Woody's son Arlo.  It is called "Deportee."  There is also a cover done by Bruce Springsteen called "I Ain't Got No Home."  I will finish this up with Woody Guthrie doing "Hobo's Lullaby."

Music for today:

Loudon Wainwright III
June 5, 1993
Somerville Theatre
Somerville, MA
listen here (put LoudonWainwrightIII1993-06-05 in seach engine)

The Last Waltz Ensemble
February 22, 2008
The Pour House
James Island, SC

George Thorogood

In the summer of 1986, I was in Upstate New York at West Point Military Academy supporting the cadets for their basic training. I was in an ambulance company in the US Army.  I worked as a medic. It was a beautiful Summer morning right on the Hudson River.  We were waiting for the cadets to start their calisthenics on the exercise field.  I here them marching above on a cliff.  There is metal walkway that goes down a sheer rock face wall.  Just as they get to the walkway, I hear on the loudspeakers "Bad to the Bone", and they were marching in synch to the tune.  It gave goose bumps, because it so freaking cool.  So my little salute to the Delaware Destroyer would not be complete without  The tune "One Bourbon One Scotch One Beer."  To continue on the drinking theme, We have the old favorite (and something I used to do alot of when I imbibed) "I Drink Alone." 

The other soldiers that I was stationed with were from 101st Airbourne Division at Fort Cambell, KY.  I have a special bond with these guys.  On the day that I left Germany, it was on December 12, 1985.  Unbeknownst to me, a plane with serviceman form the 101st left the same airfield with a two hour difference.  The only thing is that they were not so lucky.  Their plane crashed in Newfoundland killing 248 servicemen.  By the time I got home and called for a ride, My mother answered with this reply, "You're alive."  Six monthes later, I am serving with the guys who were friends of dead soldiers.  That can weigh on a person's soul.  I just thought I'd share that story.

Music for today:

Little Feat
April 11, 1978
Warner Theater
Washinton D.C.
listen here

Little Feat
March 25, 2007
Colonial Theater
Phoenixville, PA
listen here ( put into search engine Little Feat and look for 3-25-2007)

Historical Reference To Food

Just recently, I had a friend point out an interesting aticle to me.  It is about art imitating life.  The famous fresco of The Last Supper has been copied, but the sizes of the plates have been changed to reflect the changing palete of the culture regarding their views towards food.  So in this world of supersized food choices, this attitude is not new at all.  Gluttony has been been around for many years.  This is a problem in which I face on the road to losing weight.  The temptation is great sometimes.  I am in the process of gaining new skills to eat properly before the surgery.  I have success one day and setback the next day.  But, I am on the road.   Now for a little pick me up of some little ditties, I offer these tunes by R. Crumb & his Cheap Suit Serenader's "My Girl's Pussy."    Here is another good number: "Cheap Suit Special."  If you have never heard of R. Crumb, he is a cartoonist that was big in the underground era in San Franciso in the 1960's.  He has also done the art work for a Grateful Dead cd as well as one for Big Brother and The Holding Company.

Music for today:

The Kinks  

November 27, 1969

Fillmore West

San Francisco, CA

listen here (look under The Kinks 11-27-69)  

My recording has filler from other perfomances not found at sugarmegs.

The Kinks     

November 13, 1970

Fillmore West

San Francisco, CA

listen here

Grateful Dead

July 8, 1990

Three Rivers Stadium

Pittsburgh, PA

View from the Vault DVD

John Mayall

Earlier today, I listened to a great show by John Mayall and The Blues Breakers.  It was recorded at the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis, MN back in 1991.  What makes it so special is that I was at that particular show.  I went with fiancee.  She hadn't heard much of him.  We had gotten there early, and she told me that she needed to use the restroom.  So, I waited for her.  When she came back, she told me that she had gone snooping around the place and poked her head in the theatre.  She said that she saw an old man in tight leather pants on stage.  She must have thought that he was a roadie or something.  When we took our seats, there was a great performer opening up for John. I just can't remember who she was.  By the time John took the stage, my fiancee turned to me and said,"That's the guy I told you about.  That's him."  I just laughed.  Here are some all-time classic performances of the Godfather of British Blues.  These tunes come from a killer album called "The Turning Point":  "The Laws Must Change"; "California" and "Room to Move."  Here is an example of early Mayall from 1966 with him doing "Parchman Farm."


Music for today:

John Mayall
March 31, 1991
Guthrie Theatre
Minneapolis, MN
listen here (put John Mayall in Search engine and look for date)
I was at his show the year earlier.  My roommate and his friends dragged me out in a blizzard to drive them to the Cabooze to see him.  They had picked up his lastest release Chicago Line, and they had to check him out.  It was a great concert.  Mayall mentions The Cabooze at the Guthrie show.

Baron Von Tollbooth outtakes 1972

The Runaways movie soundtrack

Shutter Island movie soundtrack
Martin Scorsese allowed Robbie Robertson (from The Band) to hand pick all the music for the film.  It is by far the most haunting score I have ever heard.  It is truly a great collection.   There is nothing quite like it.

Will Be Back Soon

There has been some discussion on several places on the internet recently about things of a otherworldly nature.  I have never made my feelings know on the subject for fear of reprisal.  No, I am not going to on a soapbox and start to preach.  Let me first say that I celebrate someone's life rather than their passing.  I never remember the date someone died.  Once you are in the circle of life, you are part of it even if you pass away.  The atheist scientists call this the Laws of Thermodynamics that energy continues in a different form.  I personnaly believe in the Resurrection of the Dead.  Here is a great song by David Gilmour that address this point: "There's No Way Out of Here."  Here is another great tune called "Let's Get Metaphysical." I could point to any one thing that has been more of a saving grace in my life, it is this belief.  No matter how bad it gets, I will survive - I will get by.  I took some photos of some grave sites for my family tree in a rather large cemetary.  As I was taking these shots, I saw two grave stones that were side by side.  The first one read. "Butts."  The second one read "Waites."  I wonder if they didn't plan that?  I went to the the office to get some information on locations of some of the graves, and this signe was in the window, "Will be back soon."  I would like that as my epitaph.  Speaking of that, it reminds of this song by King Crimson. 

Music for today:

Grateful Dead
December 10, 1973
Charlotte Coliseum
Charlotte, NC
It was part of the Download Series which is no longer available.

Grateful Dead
December 18, 1973
Curtis Hixion Convention Hall
Tampa, FL
listen here

Grateful Dead
December 19, 1973
Curtis Hixion Convention Hall
Tampa, Fl
Released as Dick's Picks 1.  This was a Charlie Miller remaster.

The Runaways

     I saw a great film recently about the 1970's all girl rock band The Runaways.  It featured the talents of Kristen Stewart in the role of Joan Jett and Dakota Fanning as Cherie Currie.  Up to this point, I haven't been much of a fan of Stewart, but she rocked as Jett.  The intensity and pent-up agression that one would possess to be a rocker, she played that with authority that I have never witnessed.  Fannning brought a sinful sexuality to the role that it would have Chris Hansen come running with film crew in tow.  She burned up the screen.  It has been said of her that she is a old soul.  This is major star with the whole universe to brighten.  There is no role to tough for her to handle. Let  the music speak for itself,  First up, this song was duplicate in the film, "Cherry Bomb."  The next comes from the same show.  It is them doing the classic Lou Reed tune "Rock and Roll."  The next comes from the The Old Grey Whistle Test. It is the song "Wasted."  This next number comes from the movie soundtrack.  The tune features Dakota Fanning and Kristen Stewart on vocals; it is them doing "California Paradise." 
     After the breakup of the band, Joan Jett went solo, and she put out her music on her own label after she was rejected by almost every major record label.  Her hunch paid off huge.  The song "I Love Rock and Roll" went to number #1 on the charts.  She also put out the song "Bad Reputation" to show that success hadn't gone to her head.  She will aways be a rocker.  Lita Ford, who played lead guitar with The Runaways, has had a great career of her own since leaving the band.  Here is a great example of a duet  that she did with Ozzy Osbourne called "Close My Eyes Forever."

Tuesday on Turner Classic Movies, they are celebrating the 100th birthday of Akira Kurosawa.  He is a legendary Japanese filmmaker.  They are dedicating the entire day to him.  If you like great film, this is a golden opportunity to check it out.  So in his honor, I offer this song.

Music for today:

Grateful Dead
December 8, 1973
Cameron Indoor Stadium
Duke University
Durham, NC
listen here

A Milestone

Today is a huge milestone for my family.  My father turns 73 which may not seem to be a big to many of you, but the life expectancy in our family for the males was under 73.  Every day my father lives is more than any male has ever done.  He talked to his youngest brother, and he gave my dad the following advice, "Just wake up in the morning, that's all you gotta do."  My hat's off to my dad.

Today is also special in that we secured our MVP catcher Joe Mauer to a long term contract.  He will be with the team for another 8 years. Here are the particulars about his contract.  So in his honor, I offer the following tune in congratulations: "Centerfield."

Music for today:

Grateful Dead
December 4, 1973
Cincinnati Gardens
Cincinnati, OH
It was released as the bonus disc for the Winterland '73 box set.  There was the second set on that disc.  Chalie Miller rematered the complete show.  That was the recording that I listened to this afternoon.

Grateful Dead
December 6, 1973
Cleveland Convention Center
Cleveland, OH
listen here