Good God

There seems to be a growing trend back to songwriting that has some depth beyond sexual predation. I really like it. It isn't that everything should have a deep meaning- humour is more than appreciated too- but there should be some humanity involved somewhere. To speak from the heart is to be honest and straight forward. I love the hooks and the playfulness, the short sweet little pop tunes and the ones that can grow into musical adventures that even the artist did not anticipate. It is a thing of fascination to me to watch the artist stretch out and find new places to go with a piece. It is the sign of the best among them, truly.

billy harvey @ the Broadway Bar, San Antonio

A recent addition to my repetoire of soulfull songwriters is, of course, billy harvey. I have now seen him 3 times and each wa quite different. Acoustic guitar only, full band, and one-man band. He is not afraid of doing any of his music in any of these settings either! I think he had a little more fun when he had others to jam with, but last evening was still impressive.
The Broadway Bar is really new- so much so that I had to go find it. I have worked in this city with various bands for more than 20 years, so that was a bit of a shock. Apparently, SA is trying to grow again, actually a good thing.

While bh set up more than I had anticipated him with, it still looked bare bones on that pretty good sized stage. I was tempted to get on one of the couches behind him but didn't. Didn't need to make the guy paranoid; besides that, it was a minimalist PA, no monitor and I probably wouldn't have heard a whole lot.
As it was a very warm crowd of Buttercup loyalists greeted billy, and even sang a couple of songs with him. I think he was a little surprised. I guess he doesn't realize how bloody infectious those tunes of his can be. They are as bad as buttercup for getting stuck in my head and invading even dreams! Quite irritating sometimes!
I am not going to give away his set, or some of his approaches. Instead I thoroughly recommend anyone interested catch him in both formats- band and alone.
I had such a neat time, even during the slower songs that lost many people to the normal bar distractions. It's no fun feeling like a jukebox for much of your set.

i would like instead to talk about Billy's CDs. He has three out, the latest of which is Pie. I happen to think it is by far the tightest and best produced one he has done, but that's what happens as you grow artistically. I went backwards one CD at a time. Toast, #2, is a trip and a half, and seems to be a little haphazard. I will have to see if he will chat with me about that sometime. Last evening, I bought his first effort- More Happy Than Sad.
wow.
That's what first albums should be. I have gone through it at least five times since last night. As a matter of fact, the title of this entry is the last song on the CD.
It really touched me.....I even may put the lyrics up here. They are quite heartfelt and moving. I know where he is coming from completely.

There is movement back to the spiritual creatures that we truly are, and it seems to be finding voice in the music world in particular. Del Castillo , Billy, even Buttercup are all indicitive of it. We are all searching for what makes us feel like we are not alone out here, and music is crossing that barrier. We are, if my imagination is to be believed at all, the canaries of the universe. there is no more important instrument played by anyone,anyhere, than the human voice. Raised one or many to the Creatour, it uplifts us more than anything else. And it isn't about religious worship- it is about giving voice to our Oneness with the whole of Existance. This probably belongs on my other blog about esoteric stuff, but the two subjects ar every connected. i am not always certan where to end one and begin the other. As I move into this new phase of musical changes, the lines are blurring even more. I feel often that I have been through a kind of worship after a gig, and no, it isn't just alcohol talking. I often don't drink at all.

anyhow, it is getting late and I have a busy day ahead. go out there, find bill's site, watch the vids, and listen to the tunes, then find the CDs. He has them with him where he plays. I think he will go far soon, so be quick.

more later- must sleep.

a quickie...

I really hate quickies. well, most of them anyway.....
I am so far behind I think I am in front! I have yet another weekend of music travel coming up and I am behind schedule STILL!
Okay here goes:
Buttercup at the San Pedro Playhouse Cellar theatre. I don't think I would've come up with this venue for them, but it ended up being much fun. Only 60 seats, and I used the stage as a footrest part of the time. these guys are going to work at being a little different each time I think. they work at setting moods. I lent them some luminarias to guide the way to the door (it's on the side of the building.) They had a living room lamp on the stage to provide lighting part of the time. No working painter this time. But a wild backdrop on the stage. The set list is up on their sight already, so I will leave most of it to the imagination. the only thing that cannot be represented is Joe trying to play saw. It was good for some laughs, but he finally pulled it off with a mallet from the glock instead of the bow. (The bass player from Billy's band needs to give hima few lesson. I mean, the saw didn't have strings! What's a guitar player to do?)

On the whole a delightful evening, worthy of more words than I have given it here. I was only a little miffed by all the folks there who needed to go outside to chat or smoke, interrupting the progress a little. The guys took it in better stride than I actually. I got tons of pictures, many of them in the true Buttercup spirit. They ar eon my webshots site, and no, they aren't necessarily mistakes. With BC it is hard to tell where mistakes end and art begins.....they are helping me find that part of myself, while giving me a big earful of neat music.

b. harvey, part 2

The hell with this attempt at continiuty; I am just going to write when the mood strikes me. Like right now.
I just drove home from Austin, where I had gone to see Billy Harvey play.He opened for a fellow he used to play with, Bob Scheinder. tonight billy had a fll band with him, a real boon for me, because I had only seen his acoustic set before. I was suitably impressed with the delivery, as well as a couple of new songs they did. I have a strangely written set list in my journal- I will post it in awhile.

I must someday apologise to Bob- I walked out on him. I was not there for him, and honestly, he didn't catch my ear. It wasn't a lack of talent, or even bad songs. It just wasn't anything new in the sea of Austin music. I was still in a billy mood. i got in the car, put on the BH cd called Toast, and cruised down a nearly empty highway back to the stifling arms of SA. I was glad for the peculiar humour and company of bill's music.

*********************************************************************

Things happen for a reason. At least so we are told. A massive hurricane threatened much of Texas, then turned and left us alone. As a result, where I would have been on Saturday night changed drastically. Del Castillo wasn't playing, so I got to hear someone else, someone who has caught my ear lately. There was no apparent rhyme or reason to this, but it worked out well. I really enjoyed watching the Harvey group, and I didn't have to get overheated to do it! Now I just have to figureout what the reason for having to give up DC for yet another week was, and where bill's music fits into my lifestyle right now.
That could take awhile. I think I will go get a little brain dead before I wrestle with that one.

But I can't wait for the next gig, Billy. Warning- you have a new fan!

Ravi Shankar....

and his daughter of course. I am writing this one out on paper. Be patient please. I was so amazed at his/their performances, this will be a long one! Let me say this much- AWESOME. The man is 85 and he ran circles around all the other musicians on that stage.

I KNOW I owe others credence at the moment, but I must write about this concert. I will go sit at a coffee house otmorrow and get a lot of this stuff out and up , i promise. Hurricane aside, I will endeavour to make the appropriate comments for all concerned.

I have been listening to Ravi since 1970, and I cannot say how ecstatic I am to have finally been able to see him live. "Concert For Bangladesh" in't a bad way to see him, but....yee gods, I have not been to so moving a gig in a long time, and that includes my beloved Del Castillo.

More in the next day or two.

namaste

Help!

I have got way too many bands on my agenda! This next 6-8 weeks is just crazy with all the possible music. I have to start a calendar for JUST music! crazy.
And here's an irony- the week I am planning to be out of town to be with DC out of town, NO ONE else is scheduled to play.........not fair.
Well, they'd lose out anyway. DC's home for a while. My loyalties are pretty easy to see, I think.

Oh well. Could be worse- life could be boring and predictable again. Now to land that fella I have my mind set on. (I ain't tellin'! ;)

Billy Harvey

Okay, I have owed this guy for awhile now, so the CD's on, and here goes.
Doing a one man acoustic set, Billy opened for the Cup up in Austin and I was impressed. Good songwriter with a sense of humour and humanity. Lot like the Cup. I could see the fit.
I bought one of his CDs, the latest in fact, called Pie. He is apparently a Trent Reznor sort, doing almost all the album himself. There are a few bands like that- The The, Aztec Camera, to name a couple that most of you probably don't remember.
He is also a talented producer, using a unique approach. He works with Bob Schneider out of Austin, if you would like to hear more of his work.
Speaking of work, check out the website! I have to look at it at work, because my dial-up system chokes on it. Lots of neat graphics and you can see videos and listen to several songs. Very neat
The music. Well, we go from bouncy pop tunes that will haunt the mind in sleep or waking state, to ballads that could make any drunk cry in his beer, to rocking pieces I cannot wait to see him do live with a band. There's much resemblance to Buttercup in the joyful use of pop hooks in songs that would have fit right into the pop era of the late '60's. But the guy thinks. the little ditty that opens this CD is called Stupid Daniel. I am 99% certain that is based on the movie PI, and with a simple infectious song, he makes a point akin to the beatles' Fool on the Hill.
I really like that.
I am waiting to see him again. I have to admit it took me a song or two to really pay attention, something I kinda regret. Luckily, the man is out there playing a lot, so I will get the chance in the near future.

'Nuff said for now.

the List

Buttercup
Billy Harvey
Sexto Sol
Lara & Reyes
Brotherhood

Okay that's the list.
I owe each of them about 2 pages worth of write up but I am getting seriously back logged. Think it is time for a laptop; then I can write wherever I am, and post later.
Damn. you'd think I was publishing my own rag again. Except for not having to go out and get advertisers, this is almost as much work! at least i don't have to try to get to press by such-and-such date!

Must put out the trash and such tonight- I have a Ravi shankar gig to make tomorrow, and a friend to call tonight. then I can sit and start trying to talk about these people with some clarity.

back in aflash hopefully!

Oh!

Well, that just smarts! (joking of course..) my guys prefer the road to being home! I am jealous. Out there meeting new fans but getting upset that I go out and find new bands! how double standard of them! ;)


I hear from the antsy one of Del Castillo that the road has been good. They may just not want to come back home if this keeps up! We Texas fans are going to have to prove to them who it is that truly loves them I think. Those others are just fly-by -night fans who turn to other music when the band moves on ( uh-oh! I hear an arguement starting up when they get home....better watch it, or I may have to pay some penance!)

I really do miss DC and cannot wait to celebrate in Waco with the Posse. We are all a little tired of weekends without them, and knowing that others are where we can't be. I think. I know I am.

I am so glad that there are other fans out there, but I bet they understand now why I complain of needing my DC fix. It has been too long as is. I know Joey down in Corpus is going even more nuts. The energy that comes from these six guys is just so addictive. Maybe they should come with a warning label. But where would we stick it?!

(hee hee!)

the 24th cannot come soon enough, my brothers. You are sorely missed down here.

namaste.
Jazz

Goodbye, Gatemouth

I hate mondays. Sinus headache and now this: Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown has passed from this world. That sucks. He wasn't young, and he had been ill, so it wasn't a surprise, but to lose anyone in the music industry just sucks.
You will be missed, good man. Teach them youngsters up in the heavens a lick or two, okay?

namaste.

a can of worms....

Alrighty then, he may get a bit tired of me talking about him, and may even have begun to believe I am some sort of stalker (which I am not,) but I have got to rave on about this guy Joe Reyes.
This city has produced some tremendous musicians, but none of them really seem to get far from this place, and it just chaps my hide!
I have for years blamed it on a black vortex, a negative whirlwind that keeps those of us who should be able to break free held fast to the
“lameness” of this town. I am not certain what it is about this place, but progress just takes longer here. Or I am listening to mass media and being dooped into believing that everywhere else just has more to offer. I have lived in and visited a lot of places, and I know it isn’t true, but my frustration over the music scene here not getting taken seriously is not eased by that knowledge.

Joe is a huge example of what I mean. From what little I know of him, he seems content to go out and be involved in numerous projects, putting his special spice into everything he plays. He is a great producer, with a great ear for detail from what I have heard, and an unparalleled guitar player here. I have not heard him play classical guitar yet, but I do not doubt he is able. He has the hands for it. He knows the subtlety of hand fingering in Spanish music, and the guitars he holds are obviously just an extension of himself....that means to me that he understands Segovia, and Bream. Maybe someday. Maybe one day he will take my chiding seriously and do a solo CD, proving to the rest of the world what he is.

I am frustrated for him, and yet immensely happy for myself that he has not yet been discovered by someone big enough in the industry to take him away. It means I might get to hear more of what he can do, even if he is thoroughly tired of my face turning up at every gig I can. I have seen him with Buttercup, the Swindles, Patricia Vonne, and Lara & Reyes in the last few months. None of these share much musically in common,....except for him.
They all recognise his ability, and get a real kick out of playing with him. When he cuts loose and lets what is inside him come out through that instrument, well.....I would have to put it in poetry, because it is. Simple as that. Poetry written in music.

A bit mushy, granted, but it is true. I am particularly fond of Buttercup, but Joe’s playing has stopped me, turned my head, in all these groups I have seen him with. I am an artist and a writer, and I cannot tell you what it is that one guitarist has and another doesn’t that can do this. He’s got it though. And for the time being, San Antonio has him. As much as I would like to see the world acknowledge him, I am also glad he has chosen to stay home, and be a local boy first.

Maybe that’s it. It isn’t that SA holds on, so much as something I haven’t found here yet that makes some of the people here just not want to leave. I have seen much of the world, and while things out there are familiar enough that I am comfortable there for awhile, no single place has ever whispered in my ear “This is where you belong.” Perhaps that is what I hear in this guy’s music. This is where he is supposed to be. And I guess me too for awhile.
He, and the other musicians he works with, give me reason to stay put. And for a time anyway, I feel like I might fit.

I owe all of them thanks then; they give me a place to rest my weary feet for a bit, and a soundtrack to live by.

A Cuppa Crown

Buttercup at the Triple Crown, San Marcos, Texas.

Wow. I thought I had worked small places before. This stage was actually smaller than the one at the Pour House in SA. Yet they got all the guys on there, managed to move around and get stuff done! I was impressed.
The Triple Crown is small , but not a bad little venue. I don't know much about the San Marcos music scene- with Austin so close, it is either very competitive or dead. I wasn't too keen on the zydeco played so loud in such a small place, but that's was the porch is for I guess. The band sounded good, especially when I could think between notes! Not every place known to man should be made into a live music venue.
My backyard for instance. I have thought more than once of having a private party with a band, but after the mariachis my neighbours bombarded me with, I thought better of it. Just can't see doing that to the local pets and wildlife- the heck with the people. The wanna-be drummer on the other street needs to take a hint and QUIT. Yikes. Do people just not realize when they have no sense of rhythm? (That might explain some dancers....)

I digress!
************************************************************************************
and a busy day passes without completing that thought.

Tens of thousands.
that's how many songs I think I must know the lyrics to, and yet I keep finding out there are so many more I do not know at all. A lot of them don't care about, BTU it is surprising how many songs there are out there. Buttercup keeps pulling up all sorts of stuff I don't know by a band I thought I would know: the Kinks. My cousin Bruce in Denver has less than 150 albums, and more than half of them are Kinks. I have gotten my exposure, and still they come up with stuff I don't know. Princess Marina. Very Kinks tune, for some reason beyond mere convenience, I hope (I think!) dedicated to me.....about people who think that image is everything, even in the face of abject poverty. Not sure if that had meaning beyond the surface. I missed it if so....

The presence of a handful of real fans in an otherwise not too welcoming place can change a band's performance completely. BC seemed to thrive on the group of SA fans who came up (the San Antonio Consortium, per Mr. Erik) and they poured it on for several of the early songs. By the time they got to the stuff that needs a quieter setting, the audience was paying attention. I like that. Art is not beyond the average mind. They may need reminding to look up from the day's drudgery, but most will. And they walk away a little different for it.

***************************************************************************
whew.
I am behind schedule!
And pronouce that like the Brits, purely for emphasis.
What have I missed so far......White.
Man, I haven't seen that much white in one spot in a bar in many a year. It was some "no-white-after-Labour -Day" joke I suppose, and the guys wore it well, but it was heck on the flash! Luckily, Buttercup seems to like working in the dark, so this time they just showed up better.
Horns....poor Dale was pulling a double person shift all by self. He did well, especially with no amplification, but in this little place, that would have been suicide!
Music....well, the reason I drove that far, of course! Set list is up on their sight, but the intenseness of the first couple of tunes doesn't show by merely listing songs. cutting daisies was very powerful! There was a little rock star in the air I guess. (probably Danzig. He's short little cuss!)sick Yellow Flower was the strongest I have ever heard it- they took it to a height I wish they could've caught on the CD. Studio never does quite go where live can, though.

I must make apologies for my recalcitrant flash. I missed a couple of really good shots due to what I think was a failing battery.
After too short a time, the Cup vacated the small stage, and once again I was left wanting more. Had to settle for the CD on the drive home.
Thankfully, there will be a next time.

Aawww....

I so tickled.

My Webshots site, home to over 760 Del castillo pictures and 200 + more of other bands has had over 10,000 hits. Aw. I guess somebody else out there really does like looking at what I love to do. I will keep it going. It is a harmless, pleasant hobby to share with others.

Thanks folks.

:))

J.

Nothing More

Wow, wait a minute, hold on, this just isn't the way it is supposed to be!
San Antonio has always had a lame music scene, due to competition with Austin.
Right?
Ha.

I just heard yet another band tonight that convinces me SA has come somewhat into its own. They are called Nothing More, and while a Christian band (something I did not expect when I looked at their site- but like I care)(it is about the music after all), I was so impressed I had to sit a few moments and give these kids majour kudos! They are all quite young, but dang what talent. I heard Fripp guitars, Tony Levin fretless bass and drums that would have made Bill Bruford proud! I really thought for a moment there I was listening to the next stage of King Crimson. Wow. How often do you hear of a rock band of any kind with a fretless bass player?! I only caught two and a half songs by these guys and I want to see more. I am lucky- they are local, so that shouldn't prove too tough. Check out their site at www.nothingmore.net. I think they are on My space Music too, but haven't looked yet.
I must describe one more thing and I will stop ranting: the drum piece...... I am old hat in this city. I remember Evil Mothers' wild and crazy ending to many shows. They would have all the members playing drums, usually 55 gallon type, and one of them on fire in the center of the stage. It was mesmerizing and scary. I half expected them to light the ceiling of the Rock Showcase on fire!
Now these kids weren't even born, or if they were, they were toddlers.

The drummer pulled the floor tom and snare out, set them up between the two guitarists and they started this wildly inventive conversation. The other two guys were gone! I blink and the two guitar players are gone and the other guys are on stage, with drum sticks. This begins an interplay between the three of them that must be seen to be believed. ANY marching band worth its weight would love to have gotten ahold of these guys. They were in perfect synch through the whole ten minute routine. The movements were strong and decisive and obviously well practiced. I dare say flawless. Absolutely amazing.
And to boot, the music's really good. Strong voices, tremendous guitar work, bass and drums to rival almost any heavier band. Check them out.

I feel bad! I went to the gig to see my son-in-law's band, Brotherhood! Totally different type of music, but I think Nothing More was a pretty hard act to follow.
(Brotherhood actually tore it up big time, though I don't think the same people were in front of the two bands. Very diversified crowd tonight!)
I'm pooped. Gonna go sleep, and tomorrow finish my review of Buttercup's gig.
Ciao

(OH! before I hang up, have heard from the DC front out there on the East Coast, and they are having a good time. Even had David Bryne in the audience in NYC. they are going to be so bored with us normal people when they come back home.....;)

Blueberry Hill

Word has it that legend Fats Domino is found and okay. I wonder of the many other entertainers and artists native to New Orleans. It may be some time before we know. Goddess bless that poor city. I don't know how they will ever be able to reclaim it, or make it what it used to be. In a single move, it has changed forever.

Despite soaring gas prices, I am venturing to San Marcos to see Buttercup this evening. I am having to seriously rethink any further driving plans I may have been making. I cannot imagine what Del Castillo is going through; two fully loaded vans and one of them pulling their gear. That has to be a bite in the wallet in the north east. Just take a little longer to get there guys and save by conservation. (Eric, Jason, you listening?) Safe trip. We await you back home.
and poor Patricia and Bobby! They went off on their much anticipated European tour, only to come back to all of this! What a home coming!
It doesn't take much to change everything, does it?

September Song

Leaves play upon a silver breeze....


Okay, I am proving my age there. Chad and Jeremy. Most of you don't have a clue, do you? Well, one of the bad females on the old Batman series once stole their voices. That and the song are about all that remains of a wonderful singing duo. Shame.

I wish that in Texas, the turning of the year to September meant what it does up north- down here, it just means we have at least 30 more days of blistering heat. Yech.

I am recuperated finally from last weekend's escapades and looking forward to a couple this weekend. My dear boys in DC are on their way to the East Coast, where they will spend much of the next 20 days wowing and wooing, I am sure. I had hoped to be going to NYC or Annapolis, but it is not to be. I will have to wait for Albuquerque and El Paso again to travel. Considering current gas prices, probably just as well. It might actually be cheaper to fly, but where's the fun in that? I want to go through Roswell and Carlsbad again, and maybe Marfa too (look them up if you don't understand- very neat places, all.)

In the meantime, I will have to settle for the DVD, which is NOT what they are like at all anymore. I am hoping that despite my feelings at the time of inconvenience, this new batch of film becomes a new DVD. It would be good to get their real power up there on DVD. And it would mean some new tunes to listen to now and then.

I still have Buttercup to go see. They are an interesting group of guys. I have offered to lend them props and such out of my house, and they are game for the input! Ooo...if they only knew what box they have just opened. My imagination can get a little weird now and then. But...they seem to like challenges. Good. I like the adventurous sort!

And there's San Antonio's annual Jazz Alive, provided it isn't so hot I can't stand it. I just wish there was stuff in between, during the week....I have learned to turn off the boob tube (meaning it makes you into a boob, not some sexual reference. Down, boys.) and I am trying to find things out in the community to put in its place. SA isn't a little town, but it sometimes feels like it. The sidewalks at least yawn and scratch themselves about 11 PM, though they don't actually roll up til later.... It is a little sad that the only ones I can find out doing stuff at midnight are the bats of society like me, usually in bars and rarely being productive. Maybe I need to start something. I am the master of chaos after all. It's my job.

(heehee)


nighty night.