Zooey Deschanel has been cast in the lead role in a new HBO series portraying the life of rock ‘n roll groupie Pamela Des Barres. During the rock Golden Age of the 1960s, Des Barres filled the pages of her journal with stories of her exploits bus-hopping and free-falling with some of the leading musicians [...]
Posts Tagged ‘Jimmy Page’
Sat Eye Candy: Terry Reid
November 13th, 2010 |
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SUPER LUNGS INDEED!
Terry Reid was the man Jimmy Page originally wanted to sing in Led Zeppelin. Reid turned him down, preferring to helm his own solo career, and this footnote has long defined this musical lifer to many. However, if one listens in to the music Reid made in the years that followed his choice one discovers a vibrant, unique vocalist, a fierce, tough guitarist and a songwriter of enduring might. His self-titled 1969 album and 1973′s River are too bonafide classic rock treasures, the latter featuring some of the most eloquent, gorgeous playing ever from David Lindley. While not nearly as prolific in recent years, Reid continues to play clubs worldwide, often with high-powered musician pals stopping by to jam with the master. Serious record geeks have long been hip to Reid’s catalog, and JamBase is happy to provide a nudge towards the unconverted today in honor of the man’s 61st birthday today. Reid really is all that and the proverbial bag o’ chips, and the curious should begin their explorations with Water Records’ reissue of River and the boffo 2-CD anthology Super Lungs The Complete Studio Recordings 1966-1969. Hey, if he’s good enough for Cheap Trick to tackle on their debut (“Speak Now Or Forever Hold Your Peace”) or for The Raconteurs to cover (“Rich Kid Blues”) he’s certainly good enough for you! (Dennis Cook)
We begin with one of the best numbers in Reid’s early arsenal.
Here’s Reid in 2006 performing one of his most meditative, moving songs at Dingwalls in London.
This clip features a portion of Reid’s performance at the very first Glastonbury festival, a real workout where he’s joined late in the tune by another unsung 70s great Linda Lewis.
Not hard to understand why Jack White and his pals wanted to dig into this one.
And here’s The Raconteurs tackling the tune at Glastonbury a few years ago.
Here’s Terry getting funky on a Michael Jackson cover with guitar whiz Waddy Wachtel.
A more laidback version than the fire-breather that appears on Terry Reid, this is still a sweet take on Bob Dylan’s classic.
Here’s Cheap Trick covering Reid’s “Speak Now,” which always proves a great springboard for this band.
Back to Dingwalls for one of Reid’s songs that’s been covered by The Hollies, CSNY and John Mellancamp, amongst others.
Two of Reid’s thoughtful best. It’s impossible to pin down in words how lovely and real and necessary this music is. Many thanks to GoodGigsVids for posting these clips on YouTube.
River is one amazing track after another, but this is the best boogie in the bunch, particularly on this live version. You’re cheating yourself if you don’t explore Terry’s music. That’s just a fact.
Terry Reid Tour Dates :: Terry Reid News :: Terry Reid Concert Reviews
JamBase Questionnaire: Soulive
November 12th, 2010 |
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Welcome back to JamBase’s baker’s dozen to the bright lights of the music world. Last time we heard from Rubblebucket.
 New Album |
Jazz has been mulling over The Beatles since the Fab Four first started cranking out hits. But unlike other forms of pop opportunism in the genre, The Beatles provided sexy grist for robust jazz musicians, providing the launching pad for some of the most enjoyable excursions ever from George Benson, Booker T & The MGs, Jimmy Smith and others. Today, The Beatles are no less relevant or present, with their story filling up books, video games and last year’s remastered catalogue. So, the time seems ripe for Soulive, three of today’s shreddiest, most sophisticated players, to wrap their talents and fertile imaginations around what Paul, John, George and Ringo wrought.
Rubber Soulive (released September 14 on Soulive’s own Royal Family Records) is a total keeper on par with 60s gold like The Other Side of Abbey Road and McLemore Avenue. Like those landmark releases, Rubber Soulive finds Eric Krasno (guitar), Neal Evans (organ) and Alan Evans (drums) truly inhabiting the music, sounding equally at home on ballads “In My Life” and “Something” as they do on burners “Tax Man” and “Drive My Car.” Rather than tackle the Rubber Soul album as implied by the title, Soulive’s outing cherry picks Beatles tunes that fit the trio like a glove. The three longtime partners shine in this stripped down setting, too, showing off the chops and interplay that first brought them to folks’ attention a decade ago. Soulive are stunning collaborators able to incorporate vocals, horns and much more, but there’s something really satisfying about hearing the clean, crisp lines these three primo musicians draw together. Hearing them move inside songs that reach across our culture is to hear new passages and possibilities open up even as we get that sweet Beatles hit. Rubber Soulive is as fine a pairing of rock and jazz as anyone has ever produced, but one expects nothing less from top flight cats like Soulive. (Dennis Cook)
Soulive is currently in the midst of their fall Rubber Soulive Tour, which stops at the fan favorite Bear Creek Festival this Saturday before heading to Chicago on Friday, November 19. Find the full schedule here.
Here’s what Soulive had to say to our inquiries.
 Neal Evans by Rob Chapman |
1. Great music rarely happens withoutÂ…
Eric Krasno: Vibe. Not to sound cheesy but the best music is made when the people making it are friends and respect one another.
Neal Evans: Great ideas and great expectations.
Alan Evans: Inspiration
2. The first album I bought wasÂ…
Eric Krasno: I think it was Led Zeppelin 2. That band made me want to play music. Their albums completely blew me away as a kid; I would listen over and over.
Neal Evans: The Jackson 5′s Going Back to Indiana, on vinyl!
Alan Evans: First album I bought with my own money was Men At Work’s Business As Usual, and I still have it!
3. The last song or album to really flip my wig wasÂ…
Eric Krasno: The song “Everlasting Light” by The Black Keys. I love the sound of their records – hard, gritty and his voice sounds great on that track.
Neal Evans: Veckatimest by Grizzly Bear. Absolutely one of the best albums I’ve ever heard from top to bottom.
Alan Evans: “Sin’s A Good Man’s Brother” by Grand Funk Railroad
4. When I was a kid I wanted to grow up to beÂ…
Eric Krasno: A hybrid of Jimi Hendrix and Jimmy Page
Neal Evans: Probably a lot of things I don’t remember, but I did want to be a football player at one point before realizing my stature and pain threshold was much better suited for musicianship.
Alan Evans: Professional basketball player
 Eric Krasno by Chad Smith |
5. My favorite sort of gig isÂ…
Eric Krasno: I love festivals like Bear Creek where I get to see other good music and hang with friends. It’s like a show and a reunion at the same time.
Neal Evans: A packed room of people that are hyped and ready to throw down. I feed off of the crowd’s energy; it’s the best performance fuel imaginable.
Alan Evans: When I’m not thinking, it’s just happening.
6. One thing I wish people knew about me isÂ…
Eric Krasno: That I was actually a bass player before guitar (get me on the gig!!)
Neal Evans: I make a mean fish taco.
Alan Evans: I never really thought of myself as a drummer
7. I love the sound ofÂ…
Eric Krasno: A 60s Fender Precision Bass with old Flatwound strings on it.
Neal Evans: A great vintage drum set.
Alan Evans: My children laughing. Nothing tops that.
8. One day I hope to make an album as fantastic asÂ…
Eric Krasno: Stevie Wonder’s Fullfillingness’ First Finale
Neal Evans: Michael Jackson’s Off the Wall
Alan Evans: Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On
 Alan Evans by Rob Chapman |
9. The best meal I ever had on tour was atÂ…
Eric Krasno: A restaurant on the top floor of my hotel overlooking Tokyo, Japan. We had our own personal chef. It was ridiculous!!!
Neal Evans: Hugo’s in Portland, Maine
Alan Evans: I can’t even come close to answering that one.
10. I always find the coolest audiences inÂ…
Eric Krasno: Japan. I love the States but in Japan they really know how to listen and appreciate the dynamics in a performance. We get spoiled performing over there.
Neal Evans: Cities that I’m playing for the first time. I feel that I have to work harder to prove myself and express that what I’m trying to do musically is well worth the audience’s time and attention.
Alan Evans: NYC
11. The worst habit I’ve picked up being on the road all the time isÂ…
Eric Krasno: Eating after the show. I’ve been recently cutting that out and exercising in the morning on tour, which makes a big difference.
Neal Evans: Eating food that I know is really unhealthy, especially late night after gigs.
Alan Evans: Honestly, I don’t have any bad habits from the road.
12. The Beatles or the Stones? Por que?
Eric Krasno: That’s a tough one. The Beatles are the best studio band ever in my opinion. The Stones are one of the best live bands and have been around for over 40 years. If I have to pick I’d have to say I’m more of a Beatles guy myself because I love them so much as songwriters.
Neal Evans: The Stones, reason: “I Love Rock N Roll.” -Alan Merrill
Alan Evans: Way too hard to answer. I’m not touching that one.
13. The craziest thing I ever saw wasÂ…
Neal Evans: When the second plane hit the second world trade center tower on September 11, 2001.
Alan Evans: Stevie Wonder standing right next to me on stage playing with us.
Soulive Tour Dates :: Soulive News :: Soulive Concert Reviews
JamBase | So Heavy
Go See Live Music!
Led Zeppelin no longer the real Led Zeppelin: Robert Plant
August 17th, 2010 |
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English rocker Robert Plant has asked rock band Led Zeppelin’s fans to stop expecting a reunion tour because the band no longer exists. Plant reteamed with bandmates John Paul Jones and Jimmy Page for a 2007 tribute to music mogul Ahmet Ertegun. Even though he said it was a lot of fun, there was a [...]
Phish 6.22.10 – 6.29.10 | Photos
July 2nd, 2010 |
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Phish Summer Tour stopped
by Mansfield, MA this past week with a June 22 performance at Comcast Center (formerly Great Woods), and
continued
on June 24-25 for two nights at the Susquehanna Bank Center in Camden, NJ. After that, the band treated
audiences
to two nights at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, MD on June 26-27,
before heading to the Constellation Brands Performing Arts Center (CMAC) in Canandaigua, NY on June 29.
Photographer
Dave
Vann was on hand to capture the action.
View the photos in our gallery below or click to the next page to view them all at once.
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siteRoot=”http://www.jambase.com”;var newPhotoIndex=”0″;$(document).ready( function() {
$(“#GalleryWidget”).load(siteRoot+”/Photos/Widget.aspx?galleryID=84″);}); 6/22/10 – 6/29/10 – Phish Summer Tour
(Mansfield, Camden, Columbia, Canandaigua) View Photos
Be sure to keep up to date with all things Phish via the JamBase Phish Twitter Feed.
All shows are available for download at Live Phish.
All setlist information from phish.net.
Tuesday :: 06.22.2010 :: Comcast Center :: Mansfield, MA
I: Lit O Bit, Camel Walk, Possum, The Divided Sky, Dirt, Sample in a Jar, Kill Devil Falls, Dr. Gabel, Run Like
an Antelope
II: Mike’s Song > I Am Hydrogen > Weekapaug Groove, Sneakin’ Sally through the Alley -> Light -> 46
Days, Limb By Limb, Golgi Apparatus, Slave to the Traffic Light, Loving Cup
E: First Tube
Notes: This show featured the Phish debut of Lit O Bit and the debut of Dr. Gabel. In Antelope, “Marco Esquandolas”
was changed to “Leo Esquandolas,” followed by a Page solo.
Live Phish Download
Thursday :: 06.24.2010 :: Susquehanna Bank Center :: Camden, NJ
I: David Bowie, Stealing Time From the Faulty Plan, Water in the Sky, Ocelot, Uncle Pen, Boogie On Reggae
Woman, Gumbo > Timber (Jerry) > I Didn’t Know, Birds of a Feather, Bouncing Around the Room, Reba, The
Rover
II: Down with Disease -> Crosseyed and Painless > Nothing > Twenty Years Later > Harry Hood >
Fluffhead > Julius, You Enjoy Myself
E: Bug
Notes: During I Didn’t Know, Trey mentioned his prediction from the 6/7/09 Camden show that the Flyers would
win the Stanley Cup and announced that Fish would perform a voodoo vacuum solo for next year’s Cup. Some fans
in the audience then began chanting “Let’s Go Flyers.” Reba did not have the whistling ending. The Rover was a
Phish debut. At the start of the YEM vocal jam, some fans again chanted “Let’s Go Flyers.”
Live Phish Download
Friday :: 06.25.2010 :: Susquehanna Bank Center :: Camden, NJ
I: Alumni Blues > Letter to Jimmy Page > Alumni Blues, Big Black Furry Creature from Mars, Runaway Jim,
Army of One, Free Man in Paris, Summer of ’89, Split Open and Melt, The Sloth, Time Turns Elastic, Golgi
Apparatus
II: Chalk Dust Torture > Prince Caspian > Heavy Things > Alaska > Also Sprach Zarathustra -> Billie Jean
Jam -> Also Sprach Zarathustra > Light -> Possum > Character Zero
E: Shine a Light
Notes: This show featured the first Alumni Blues since July 24, 1999 (222 shows) and the first Letter to Jimmy Page
since July 15, 1994 (587 shows). This show featured the Phish debut of Free Man in Paris (Joni Mitchell). Both Chalk
Dust and Caspian were unfinished. 2001 contained a Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ quote from Trey, the ensuing Billie
Jean Jam contained a Thriller tease from Trey, and the second “verse” of 2001 contained still more Billie Jean teases,
all on the first anniversary of Michael Jackson’s death. Billie Jean was a Phish debut.
Live Phish Download
Saturday :: 06.26.2010 :: Merriweather Post Pavilion :: Columbia, MD
I: Crowd Control, Kill Devil Falls, AC/DC Bag, Sugar Shack, Tube, In The Aeroplane Over The Sea, Stash,
Backwards Down the Number Line, NICU > 46 Days, Suzy Greenberg
II: Rock and Roll > Free, Fast Enough for You, Sparkle > Tweezer, The Horse > Silent in the Morning >
Wolfman’s Brother > Slave to the Traffic Light > Tweezer Reprise
E: Show of Life, Good Times Bad Times
Notes: Prior to the start of the first set, Mike teased Do You Feel Like We Do. This show featured the Phish debut of
In the Aeroplane Over the Sea (Neutral Milk Hotel). Rock and Roll contained Moby Dick teases.
Live Phish Download
Sunday :: 06.27.2010 :: Merriweather Post Pavilion :: Columbia, MD
I: Walfredo, Mellow Mood, Stealing Time From the Faulty Plan > The Divided Sky, Tela, My Soul, Ginseng
Sullivan, Sample in a Jar, Bathtub Gin, Brian and Robert, Run Like an Antelope
II: Wilson > Meatstick -> Saw It Again -> Piper > Ghost -> Jumpin’ Jack Flash -> Saw It Again > Contact,
You Enjoy Myself
E: Fire
Notes: This show featured the first Walfredo since September 30, 2000 (131 shows). Antelope contained Brian and
Robert teases and an alternate “Michael Esquandolas” lyric. Meatstick contained Japanese lyrics. Jumpin’ Jack Flash
was a Phish debut. Piper, Ghost, Contact, YEM and Fire all contained Saw it Again quotes. YEM also contained
Jumpin’ Jack Flash teases and, in the vocal jam, quotes of Saw It Again and Surfin’ Bird (The Trashmen). The lyrics to
Fire were changed to “Let Jon Fishman take over.”
Live Phish Download
Tuesday :: 06.29.2010 :: CMAC Performing Arts Center :: Canandaigua, NY
I: The Connection, Down with Disease > Sample in a Jar, Ocelot, Reba, Horn, Funky Bitch, Undermind, The
Ballad of Curtis Loew, David Bowie
II: Possum, Mike’s Song > Simple > I Am the Walrus > Weekapaug Groove > Limb By Limb > Joy, Harry
Hood > Golgi Apparatus
E: First Tube
Notes: This show featured the Phish debut of I Am The Walrus. Weekapaug was unfinished.
Live Phish Download
Thursday, 07/01/2010 Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion at Walnut Creek , Raleigh, NC
I: Llama, Roses Are Free, Kill Devil Falls, Time Loves a Hero, Alaska, Water in the Sky, Runaway Jim > The
Moma Dance > The Divided Sky, Cavern
II: Backwards Down the Number Line > Halley’s Comet -> Light > Fluffhead > Have Mercy, Light Up Or
Leave Me Alone -> Free > Wading in the Velvet Sea, The Squirming Coil > Suzy Greenberg
E: Boogie On Reggae Woman
Notes: This show featured the first Time Loves a Hero since December 31, 2002 (127 shows), the first Have Mercy
since December 10, 1999 (189 shows), and the first Light Up Or Leave Me Alone since December 30,
1999 (181 shows), which was subsequently teased in Suzy.
Thanks again to Phish.net for the setlists!
All photos Used with permission from Phish. Photos by Dave Vann © Phish 2010.
6/22/10 Mansfield, MA
Used with permission from Phish. Photos by Dave Vann © Phish
2010
Used with permission from Phish. Photos by Dave Vann © Phish
2010
Used with permission from Phish. Photos by Dave Vann © Phish
2010
Used with permission from Phish. Photos by Dave Vann © Phish
2010
Used with permission from Phish. Photos by Dave Vann © Phish
2010
Used with permission from Phish. Photos by Dave Vann © Phish
2010
Used with permission from Phish. Photos by Dave Vann © Phish
2010
6/24/10 Camden, NJ
Used with permission from Phish. Photos by Dave Vann © Phish
2010
Used with permission from Phish. Photos by Dave Vann © Phish
2010
Used with permission from Phish. Photos by Dave Vann © Phish
2010
Used with permission from Phish. Photos by Dave Vann © Phish
2010
Used with permission from Phish. Photos by Dave Vann © Phish
2010
Used with permission from Phish. Photos by Dave Vann © Phish
2010
Used with permission from Phish. Photos by Dave Vann © Phish
2010
Used with permission from Phish. Photos by Dave Vann © Phish
2010
Used with permission from Phish. Photos by Dave Vann © Phish
2010
6/25/10 Camden, NJ
Used with permission from Phish. Photos by Dave Vann © Phish
2010
Used with permission from Phish. Photos by Dave Vann © Phish
2010
Used with permission from Phish. Photos by Dave Vann © Phish
2010
Used with permission from Phish. Photos by Dave Vann © Phish
2010
Used with permission from Phish. Photos by Dave Vann © Phish
2010
Used with permission from Phish. Photos by Dave Vann © Phish
2010
Used with permission from Phish. Photos by Dave Vann © Phish
2010
Used with permission from Phish. Photos by Dave Vann © Phish
2010
6/26/10 Columbia, MD
Used with permission from Phish. Photos by Dave Vann © Phish
2010
Used with permission from Phish. Photos by Dave Vann © Phish
2010
Used with permission from Phish. Photos by Dave Vann © Phish
2010
Used with permission from Phish. Photos by Dave Vann © Phish
2010
Used with permission from Phish. Photos by Dave Vann © Phish
2010
Used with permission from Phish. Photos by Dave Vann © Phish
2010
Used with permission from Phish. Photos by Dave Vann © Phish
2010
Used with permission from Phish. Photos by Dave Vann © Phish
2010
6/27/10 Columbia, MD
Used with permission from Phish. Photos by Dave Vann © Phish
2010
Used with permission from Phish. Photos by Dave Vann © Phish
2010
Used with permission from Phish. Photos by Dave Vann © Phish
2010
Used with permission from Phish. Photos by Dave Vann © Phish
2010
Used with permission from Phish. Photos by Dave Vann © Phish
2010
Used with permission from Phish. Photos by Dave Vann © Phish
2010
Used with permission from Phish. Photos by Dave Vann © Phish
2010
Used with permission from Phish. Photos by Dave Vann © Phish
2010
6/29/10 Canandaigua, NY
Used with permission from Phish. Photos by Dave Vann © Phish
2010
Used with permission from Phish. Photos by Dave Vann © Phish
2010
Used with permission from Phish. Photos by Dave Vann © Phish
2010
Used with permission from Phish. Photos by Dave Vann © Phish
2010
Used with permission from Phish. Photos by Dave Vann © Phish
2010
Used with permission from Phish. Photos by Dave Vann © Phish
2010
Used with permission from Phish. Photos by Dave Vann © Phish
2010
Used with permission from Phish. Photos by Dave Vann © Phish
2010
Used with permission from Phish. Photos by Dave Vann © Phish
2010
Used with permission from Phish. Photos by Dave Vann © Phish
2010
‘Led Zeppelin’ sued for infringement
June 30th, 2010 |
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‘Led Zeppelin guitarist has been sued for alleged plagiarism by a folk singer, who is said to be the original writer of the track ‘Dazed and Confused’ According to TMZ reports, a folk singer Jake Holmes has sued guitarist Jimmy Page for allegedly stealing the hit song from him, 41 years after the fact. Holmes [...]
Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page inducted into Mojo Hall Of Fame
June 11th, 2010 |
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Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page was inducted into the Mojo Hall Of Fame during the music magazine’s annual prize giving ceremony.
At the event on June 10, Page, 66, was hailed for his groundbreaking contributions to modern music at the 2010 Mojo Honours List Awards, which are voted for by readers of the publication.
“The ‘80s are [...]
Saturday Eye Candy: The Yardbirds
May 8th, 2010 |
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PERHAPS THE MOST UNDERRATED BRITISH INVASION BAND OF THEM ALL!
While the guitarists in the 1960s incarnations of The Yardbirds get the lion’s share of historical recognition – easy to understand when one band helps launch the careers of Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page – but today we salute co-founder and original bassist Paul Samwell-Smith, who turns 67 today. A noteworthy music producer since he left the band in 1966, Samwell-Smith helped forge one of the most original, influential group sounds to emerge from the 1960s and played a key role in re-popularizing the blues with young people around the globe.
Though often a quite hard-edged group, The Yardbirds had a way with pop hooks, particularly this continuing radio staple.
Clapton was always pretty damn good, eh?
The Yardbirds were at the epicenter of pop culture in the ’60s, which score them strange spotlights like this scene from Michelangelo Antonioni’s Blow-Up where they play “Stroll On.”
In many ways, this band made the blues hip to folks who might have never encountered libidinous gems like “I’m A Man” without them.
A taste of Page in his first full flowering.
And we end with an indestructible bit of rock rightness. It is to be hoped that guitarists will continue to mine this one forever more.
Led Zeppelin’s ‘Stairway To Heaven’ is Britons’ favourite rock song
April 19th, 2010 |
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Led Zeppelin track ‘Stairway To Heaven’ has been named the UK’’s favourite rock song.
The song, first released in 1971, was one of three Led Zep tracks, which made the top 10 in a poll by digital station Absolute Classic Rock.
‘The Who’ came out at the second spot with ‘Won”t Get Fooled Again’, while their [...]
Sat Eye Candy: Fleetwood Mac
November 7th, 2009 |
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A SMATTERING FROM ONE OF ROCK’S GREATEST SOAP OPERAS
We don’t really have a particular reason for choosing Fleetwood Mac this week. Maybe it’s just the gypsy in our soul, but here’s a handful of good ones from a band that’s made an awful lot of swell rock ‘n’ roll since 1967, no matter what the lineup might be.
Let’s jump off with a nasty classic from the early Peter Green led years, later covered by Jimmy Page and The Black Crowes during their short union.
Things changed radically in 1975 when Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks joined the Mac. Dark hued and driving, “World Turning” was an early collaboration between Buckingham and Christine McVie.
Speaking of heavy, this one penned at the height of intra-band squabbling, romantic and otherwise, is a model of restrained power with chorus full of stubborn strength. This version was captured during their 1977 tour of Japan.
Here’s Stevie and Lindsey doing acoustic renditions of “Landslide” and “Big Love” at their induction ceremony into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1998.
One name in Mac’s storied history lost to most outside their hardcore fan base is Danny Kirwan, who wrote some great tunes, played some pretty guitar, and sang with a pleasantly sweet ‘n’ sour tone. Here’s a cool Kirwan number from 1969′s Then Play On.
For some Fleetwood Mac enthusiasts, the songwriting department just hasn’t been the same since Christine McVie retired from the group in 1998 and took sumptuous slow burns like this with her.
As kiss-offs go, this is a contender for all-time pop champ. Just think of a lover that’s wronged you and belt it out!
The Feelies: Crazy Rhythms
November 5th, 2009 |
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By: Ron Hart
Straight outta Haledon, NJ, The Feelies were the complete antithesis of cool back when they officially formed during the year punk broke (1976, kids). Named after a deep reference from Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World and dressed like the kids who ran the math club in high school, this quartet of North Jersey suburbanites were the outsiders amongst the outsiders of the NYC underground during the late ’70s. They hated gigging in the city because driving through the tunnels gave them headaches, drank coffee the way Jimmy Page downed Jack Daniels before shows, and were known to shave onstage with electric razors plugged into their amplifiers.
But once co-frontmen Glenn Mercer and Bill Million switched on their guitars as the terse, tight rhythm section of bassist Keith Clayton and one-time Pere Ubu/Electric Eels drummer Anton Fier kicked in their boxcutter-sharp, jittery grooves, The Feelies were an unstoppable force. Their sound was pure minimalism, taking the repetitive patterns of such modern classical composers as Terry Riley and Steve Reich and compounding it with a Bo Diddley groove stripped down to the studs a la the Velvet Underground, creating a sonic style as unique as their image. Originally released in 1980 on the UK-based Stiff Records, the group’s debut, Crazy Rhythms, is only LP to feature to Mercer/Million/Clayton/Fier lineup and remains one of the all-time great albums from the New Wave era. Now, after years of being out of print after the album’s U.S. label, A&M Records, got sucked up by the Universal Records machine, Crazy Rhythms is available once again for a whole new generation to enjoy its quirky genius thanks to Individuals frontman Glenn Morrow’s Bar-None imprint out of Hoboken, NJ, home of The Feelies’ favorite haunt, Maxwell’s.
Remastered and repackaged in a very cool slimline digipak (this is key, as the album’s cover art featuring headshots of the original members of The Feelies against a sky blue backdrop is one of the main selling points – just ask Weezer, who paid homage via the cover of their 1994 debut), the CD and LP of Crazy Rhythms only features the original 9 tracks – which includes such favorites as “The Boy With The Perpetual Nervousness”, “Fa ce-La,” and their scorching cover of The Beatles’ White Album rocker “Everybody’s Got Something to Hide Except for Me and My Monkey” – at the request of the band in order to maintain the integrity of the album’s initial issue. However, the CD does include a download card that features five bonus tracks, including the original Rough Trade 7-inch single version of “Fa ce-La,” demo versions of “The Boy With The Perpetual Nervousness” and “Moscow Nights,” and live renditions of the title track and a cover of the Modern Lovers’ “I Wanna Sleep In Your Arms” from a March 2009 show at the 9:30 Club in Washington, DC.
Also released in tandem with Crazy Rhythms is its equally-indispensible 1986 follow-up, The Good Earth, produced by Peter Buck of R.E.M. and one of the true cornerstones of that jangly, college rock sound we all love so much.
JamBase | Jersey
Go See Live Music!
Wilco | 10.18 | Chicago
October 26th, 2009 |
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By: Cal Roach
Wilco :: 10.18.09 :: UIC Pavilion :: Chicago, IL
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|
Jeff Tweedy – Wilco by Casey FlaniganIt has taken the hype surrounding Wilco‘s first show in the “huge arena” that is UIC Pavilion to make me realize how NOT huge this band actually is. It’s easy to forget sometimes; music critics have been lavishing praise on the group since its second album (1996′s Being There), WXRT DJ Marty Lennartz calls them “the greatest American band,” and when Jeff Tweedy and company headlined the second night of Lollapalooza last year it seemed Wilco had grown capable of conquering the largest of stages. Still, I couldn’t even find a taker for my extra ticket outside the sold-out Sunday night show, and there were quite a few seats in the room that never got filled. But, the music certainly had no trouble filling the space, and the band seemed as relaxed and excited as ever playing to a big hometown crowd.
However, I was surprised at the crowd’s lack of enthusiasm. I know it was a Sunday night, but most people in the stands never stood up the entire show. It didn’t seem to faze Wilco, though. The band fed off the enthusiasm of the diehards, clearly having a blast, but attuned to the mood swings of the songs. “A Shot In The Arm,” the second song of the night, exuded the kind of raw energy most bands have to reserve for the finale. There was a ferocity in Tweedy’s voice during the cathartic “nothing” mantra at the end of “Misunderstood” that was almost cruel, and the sickening regret of “I Am Trying To Break Your Heart” resonated as clearly in the fractured genius of Glenn Kotche‘s drumming as in the words. Nels Cline, as usual, offered the visual pyrotechnics of the night, but his playing was equally kinetic. His solo in “Impossible Germany” channeled the slippery melodicism of Jimmy Page circa 1969, yet he brings an experimental jazz sensibility to nearly every jam, making rock & roll turn its head and go, “Where have you been all my life?”
This isn’t to say anybody in the band was overshadowed. Pat Sansone was a huge presence whether on keys or guitar, slaying note for note with Cline during the thrilling “Hoodoo Voodoo” romp in the encore. Mikael Jorgensen‘s organ was stunning on “I’ll Fight” and “Hate It Here.” John Stirratt took a turn at lead vocals for his “It’s Just That Simple,” the lone representative from Wilco’s debut album, A.M. And nothing could’ve prepared you for the Tweedy-versus-Cline battle that ended “Handshake Drugs,” a surge of pure potential energy, a conduit for the imagination of the audience to conjure the missing ambiance between the throttled guitars. These two got into some serious Neil Young/Danny Whitten territory at times – sometimes it’s better without the sucker-punch payoff, kids.
 Wilco by Casey Flanigan |
Seven of eleven songs from this year’s Wilco (The Album) made appearances, and the band opened with “Wilco (The Song),” possibly the most genuinely good-natured song Tweedy has ever written. Cline was freaking out instantly, jumping around and spastically slashing the air with his axe. Sinister masterpiece “Bull Black Nova” was an early highlight. “Enjoying the arena rock?” quipped Tweedy before “Deeper Down,” and it seemed the crew had finally fine-tuned the sound in this difficult room, the subtle beauty of the song really sinking in. “Sonny Feeling” blazed far more brightly than on record, feeling like it could’ve come straight out of the late ’90s, quintessential Wilco. As with all great live bands, the new material burst to new life, with the show prompting a total reconsideration of the new album.
Nothing shook me harder than “One Wing.” I’d first heard it in an embryonic state at Lollapalooza, where it ended in a brief, formless jam that gave way to “Spiders,” altogether the highlight of the show. The recording on the new album hadn’t really struck me as amazing, but they’ve perfected it live. Aching harmonies and just enough soaring interplay by the whole ensemble create a concise, yearning anthem that will break your heart.
It is Jeff Tweedy’s ability to hide anguish inside a gorgeous tune that propels Wilco, but it takes a collective conviction to bring these tunes to life. So, in making a case for today’s “greatest American band,” you might think that Tweedy isn’t the greatest songwriter or singer around, nor is any member of Wilco the indisputable king of his instrument. They don’t even stand up as the best live band in the country. But, when you cross-reference all those factors, they certainly seem worthy of consideration.
Wilco :: 10.18.09 :: UIC Pavilion :: Chicago, IL
Wilco (The Song), A Shot In The Arm, Bull Black Nova, You Are My Face, I Am Trying To Break Your Heart, One Wing, Misunderstood, At Least That’s What You Said, Deeper Down, Impossible Germany, It’s Just That Simple, I’ll Fight, Handshake Drugs, Sonny Feeling, Jesus, Etc., Theologians, I’m Always In Love, Hate It Here, Walken, I’m The Man Who Loves You
Encore: You Never Know, Heavy Metal Drummer, Just A Kid, Kingpin, Monday, Outtasite (Outta Mind), Hoodoo Voodoo, I’m A Wheel
Wilco tour dates available here.
JamBase | Chicago
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Tues Double Shot: Trower
September 29th, 2009 |
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SUCH A LOT OF FEELING IN THIS GUITAR HERO!
 Robin Trower |
In the tradition of ’70s FM radio, JamBase’s new Tuesday offering presents readers with a pair of fab tunes from an artist worthy of the Double Shot treatment. Last week we rocked out with Brian Eno, and this week it’s Robin Trower‘s turn.
While never as feted as fellow Brits like Eric Clapton or Jimmy Page, especially in the States, amongst a certain crowd Trower is equally revered. He briefly made the U.S. charts in the 1970s with his extraordinary trio and from that stretch we offer up the title cut from 1974′s Bridge of Sighs. Besides Trower’s amazing, emotive guitar work, note the killer lead vocal from bassist James Dewar, one of rock’s largely undiscovered treasures. Not every man can sell a line like, “Cold wind blows and gods look down in anger on this poor child.” And the second half of Trower’s double shot is the incendiary “Whiskey Train” from his Procol Harum days. Stay calm and rock on, children!
Robin Trower is still an active force, hitting clubs and theatres worldwide. Find his tour dates here.
Led Zeppelin: Visual Biography
September 21st, 2009 |
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Led Zeppelin: Good Times, Bad Times A Visual Biography Of The Ultimate Band
By Jerry Prochnicky & Ralph Hulett, foreword by Anthony DeCurtis
Arrives October 1
 Led Zeppelin |
Led Zeppelin: Good Times, Bad Times, A Visual Biography of the Ultimate Band captures the public and private lives of the legendary band through rare and iconic photographs, accompanied by insightful commentary. The book arrives in the 40th anniversary year of the group’s first two albums, Led Zeppelin I and Led Zeppelin II, as well as their first four U.S. tours.
Led Zeppelin embodied the fabled rock star lifestyle of sex, drugs, and rock & roll, but much more than that, they came to define the music and culture of the 1970s. Now, four decades later, Led Zeppelin — Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones and John Bonham (1948-1980) — continue to draw the fascination, admiration and awe of legions of fans, young and old.
A general overview of the band’s history leads readers into the core of the book, a collection of 200 striking photographs, more than half of which are rarely or never before published. These images offer views of the band onstage, backstage, recording in the studio, on tour and at home. From their very first performance in Denmark on September 7, 1968 (as the New Yardbirds) to their last performance in London on December 10, 2007, this volume captures Led Zeppelin in all their electric glory.
Pre-orders for the book can be made here
Jimmy Page snubs autobiography plans
September 9th, 2009 |
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Rock legend Jimmy Page has left many fans disappointed after snubbing plans to pen an autobiography.
The Led Zeppelin star recently made the revelation at friend Gary Kemp’s book launch.
“I’ve had so many offers over the years but I’m not interested,†the Daily Express quoted him as saying.
“I wouldn’t know how to go about it,†the [...]
Robert Plant awarded CBE
July 13th, 2009 |
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The former Led Zep frontman has been made a Commander of the British Empire. In your face Jimmy Page OBE!
Robert Plant was honoured as a CBE by Prince Charles in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace on Friday, letting the former Led Zeppelin singer finally one-up guitarist Jimmy Page.
While Page is a member of the Order of the British Empire, Plant now outranks him with his new title of Commander of the British Empire.
Plant didn’t seem to think this really mattered. “If we can remember each other’s phone number at this time in life it’s a miracle,” he said. “We’re still good friends, we both enjoy a rather dark sense of humour that comes, I think, from being on the wrong side of the tracks for all those wild years.”
Led Zeppelin have not played together since their one-off O2 Arena gig in December 2007. Though Page had tried to reunite the group for a tour with bassist John Paul Jones and drummer Jason Bonham, the late John Bonham’s son, Plant declined to join them. Instead, he is concentrating on an ongoing collaboration with American singer Alison Krauss.
Asked if a Led Zeppelin reunion may still be on the horizon, Plant pretended to be hard of hearing. “Sometimes I go a bit deaf in either ear, especially when people are talking nonsense,” he said.
guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2009 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds
Robert Plant awarded CBE
July 13th, 2009 |
No Comments
The former Led Zep frontman has been made a Commander of the British Empire. In your face Jimmy Page OBE!
Robert Plant was honoured as a CBE by Prince Charles in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace on Friday, letting the former Led Zeppelin singer finally one-up guitarist Jimmy Page.
While Page is a member of the Order of the British Empire, Plant now outranks him with his new title of Commander of the British Empire.
Plant didn’t seem to think this really mattered. “If we can remember each other’s phone number at this time in life it’s a miracle,” he said. “We’re still good friends, we both enjoy a rather dark sense of humour that comes, I think, from being on the wrong side of the tracks for all those wild years.”
Led Zeppelin have not played together since their one-off O2 Arena gig in December 2007. Though Page had tried to reunite the group for a tour with bassist John Paul Jones and drummer Jason Bonham, the late John Bonham’s son, Plant declined to join them. Instead, he is concentrating on an ongoing collaboration with American singer Alison Krauss.
Asked if a Led Zeppelin reunion may still be on the horizon, Plant pretended to be hard of hearing. “Sometimes I go a bit deaf in either ear, especially when people are talking nonsense,” he said.
guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2009 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds
Robert Plant awarded CBE
July 13th, 2009 |
No Comments
The former Led Zep frontman has been made a Commander of the British Empire. In your face Jimmy Page OBE!
Robert Plant was honoured as a CBE by Prince Charles in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace on Friday, letting the former Led Zeppelin singer finally one-up guitarist Jimmy Page.
While Page is a member of the Order of the British Empire, Plant now outranks him with his new title of Commander of the British Empire.
Plant didn’t seem to think this really mattered. “If we can remember each other’s phone number at this time in life it’s a miracle,” he said. “We’re still good friends, we both enjoy a rather dark sense of humour that comes, I think, from being on the wrong side of the tracks for all those wild years.”
Led Zeppelin have not played together since their one-off O2 Arena gig in December 2007. Though Page had tried to reunite the group for a tour with bassist John Paul Jones and drummer Jason Bonham, the late John Bonham’s son, Plant declined to join them. Instead, he is concentrating on an ongoing collaboration with American singer Alison Krauss.
Asked if a Led Zeppelin reunion may still be on the horizon, Plant pretended to be hard of hearing. “Sometimes I go a bit deaf in either ear, especially when people are talking nonsense,” he said.
guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2009 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds