billy

Again...
He complained tonight that he has never had a review of his latest CD, Pie, so I will have to compose something. It's on I-Tunes now, too, if you want to listen. Trust me, it's worth it. The guy is an amazing songwriter. He played a new one (sorry my notes are out in the car at the moment...,) brand new out of the box still in the wrapper new tonight, and I was really moved. His playing is just growing by leaps. He seems to have stretched out a little further every time I see him. It just makes me choke to think that this talent could go unheard, when crap gets to the top of the charts.
He said someone reviewed his stuff on Itunes and made him cry! Something about "he'll never make it- he's too good."

People, speaking from the heart here, it doesn't have to be Billy, he has a legion of fans at the moment, but get out there, find a group or performer that moves you like this guy gets to me and put him/her/them on a pedestal. Okay, well maybe not, but get out there and support your local musicians, dang it! Especially in Austin, where gigs are hard to come by and it is easy to get lost against the basic background noise. True success is measured by how you are remembered, and a lot of these folks deserve to be known. Met a new one tonight, as a matter of fact- Mike Rosenthal. I'll write more on him later.
My point is that the big record companies play only to what can sell the most merch. It is up to us, the REAL listeners in the world, to make certan to hear as much as we can by those the corporates will ignore, and pass on as much as we can. Again, it's all about finding the treasure by looking a little closer. Or listening, in this case.

Where the hell is Neiderwald?

Ya know, you can find treasure anywhere, if you just look a little closer. When driving through Texas on the back roads, it's easy to move so fast that you pass by some pretty neat places. They are often unassuming in size and shape. They can look like just another local dive on the side of a lonely stretch of highway. Do not be fooled.

Alice's Restaurant is in the tiny town (pop. 584) of Neiderwald, off highway 21, south of Austin, Bastrop, and kinda in the middle of cow country. It's soul is based in the Arlo Guthrie tune and movie of the same name, and if for some reason you are not familiar with either, it is high time to correct that.
The beauty of the hippie ideal at its peak was the communal nature of humans: the ability to live and let live and still be friends, even if only for an afternoon. I am afraid the best of those times has been forgotten in the ever faster technology bound world we all live in. There are only a few pockets of this sort of hope and simple joy to be found anywhere anymore. Alice's out in Neiderwald is one of them, and I recommend to all to find it, experience it, and maybe keep it in your heart for when things get too tough out here. Here are a few reasons why.

First, let's talk food. It is one thing to sit and eat a meal. It is another to revel in every BITE. The Sunday brunch buffet was astounding: moist sweet pork chops, eggplant steaks, two types of potatoes, corn and green beans, baked beans, breakfast stuff, cake and brownies, wonderful coffee...if I have to go on, well, you just aren't into food. And the little extras brought around just because.....scallops wrapped in bacon, rosemary skewered shrimp off the barbie...I haven't even seen the menu yet (it's online) and I am sold.

If salivating like that isn't enough for you, let's talk music. Jelly Jar was the main reason for my trip out to this lovely place. They are a South Austin band that runs the gamut from country to rock to blues, all with equal verve and expertise. They have something that a lot of musicians would love to find- a strong basic band that loves to have folks sit in, add in your two cents and take the ceiling just a little higher. Miss Karen is a throaty, smoky blues singer. Ricky is a talented and poignant songwriter, Gary and Charlie a strong and able rhythm section. Tom is up front with his banjos and tremendous voice. On top of that today we had Albert Besteiro Jr.,bassist for Del Castillo pulling duty as lead guitar. If that man ever tells you he can't play guitar, kick him for me! And tell him who it's from!
they played a lovely long set, going from their own brand of country rock to Jimi Hendrix (All Along the Watchtower, sung by Bert!), to Karen's lovely torch songs, to a new piece written by guitarist Ricky, entitled The Disaster song. I am a sensitive soul sometimes, and this one caught me; it's about New Orleans, and how her fate has touched all of us, even from far away. I had to put my sunglasses one for awhile out of embarassment for being too moved. Amazing writing, sir.Make certain that one goes on the next CD.
After a casual set change and time to sit and chat with everyone, another band came up, known as Kat's Meow. The guitarist was a tall, white bearded young fellow by the name of Slim Ritchey, also out of Austin I believe, and man, no holow body has seen such expert use in my company in a long time. Gary from Jelly Jar sat in on a sparse kit of snare, brushes and highhat. On the upright bass, Francie kept up one of the wildest paces I have heard out of a bassist in awhile! I know drummers are crazy, but I am pretty convinced right now that they all took lessons from this one bass player! Damn, girl!
Fronting these folks was a little pixie by the name of Kat Edmondson. When I saw her up there, I wasn't sure what to think. soaking wet, she probably doesn't weigh 98 LBS! A cute little blonde thing that would drive most of the guys crazy, she changed my tune by starting hers. I was astounded at the voice that came out of her! The group did a lot of old standbys from the 30's, 40's and 50's, very very well. My personal faves were probably the swing tunes. I could hear them playing in a speakeasy, Kat dressed up in flapper regalia. I don't know if they are a regular group or a happenstance get-together, but I would sit and lsiten to them just about anywhere. It was a lovely surprise after a great day.

Folks, next time you have had enough of city living, and need a mental break, especially if it is a music filled sunday, head out to Alice's. It is just one of those places you will fall for, and go back to, just because. If you see me there, introduce yourself and I will buy you a cuppa joe.
and many thanks to all the folks I met out there. You are a good portion of the reason why it was just such a neat experience. My friend Casey and I have already promised ourselves to come back out. Soon.


www.alicesrestauranttx.com
www.jellyjar.com

My luck just sux...

I have had the most active social life I have had in years lately, and the DAY I go on vacation?! It dries up...oh, it's only a for a short while, but it doesn't seem right to spend this time wondering what the heck to do with myself......

I spent last night with Del Castillo and Monte Montgomery,and it was wonderful and fun and memorable, and I was supposed to go to Navasota...until I found out tickets were $100 a piece. Ouch.(In all fairness, it is a fund raiser for a hospital.) I love the guys, but not quite that much. There's Waco in a couple of weeks anyway. And Alice's restaurant in Neiderwald for brunch with Jelly Jar tomorrow. and billy next week. and Sexto sol tonight at the Brew Haus.

Okay, I don't know what I am complaining about! I just didn't get to be with my Boys tonight and I am a little disappointed. But they sound like they are tired, and need a few down days, which ain't happening til closer to Thanksgiving. Busy busy band.....

Yesterday's performances were just the stuff of history. The Boys came out and did a really good set, then Monte came out an did a blistering set too! THEN, the coup de grace, the encore- Rev and Mike joined Monte's group for a tune. Then the brothers came on, and played a round of guitar wars (absolutely blazing solos out of all three!) and finally with the addition of Bert on bass and Alex on lead vocals, "While My guitar Gently Weeps" was given a ride it will not soon forget.
They pulled out the stops with another tune that took all of us in the audience to musical heights that might be considered obscene. Shivers up the body, no voice left from the screaming, adreneline so high as to be off the scale..... The hell with coffee! Give me jam sessions like that one- to go!

Whew! I was worn down. Monte ended the night with this lovely tune I am afraid I do not know the name, of about being alone in the spotlight. He really has a great voice and just innovative knowledge of his guitar. Most amazing guitar players, and I rarely write about any who aren't, feel the guitar to be an extension of themselves, ...I may have that wrong, really. A great number of the famous ones act as if it is a part of them, a piece of who they are, a mate, a lover,..... a true friend who has never betrayed them. I think it comes down to poetry. I will have to try. My point here was that for some reason, in Monte, I perceive a different relationship. That well-worn, pretty plain acoustic, in his hands, becomes something else. It is more than merely an extension of him; it is as if it is not an outside extension, but something inside, like he absorbed the guitar into his system.

Every now and then, a guitarist I am watching will get to that point: where the guitar and he/she are no longer seperate creatures, but so in tune with each other, player and instrument, that they are a single "something new."
I suspect the players may get that description before some listeners do. I am something of a musician, but I know the feeling from my art and writing. Sometimes you just get somewhere different, and you know it is special. I am sure Monte has bad days like anyone, but both times I have seen him now, I have gotten a similar feeling.
Ah well.

I must get on with the little things in life, like laundry, and club hopping. I miss my boys even more right now, and will have to be satisfied with listening to the Kennedy Center performances again. and wait for Waco with baited breath. finding the plaster to fill in the cracks is the hard part.

Disclaimer

Okay folks...well, I never thought I would have to worry about this, but think it might be time.
This Is A Blog- an online journal, a place to scream out my joy and gnash my teeth in frustration. It is not a solicited sales pitch for any one or thing, save my own POV (point of view). I do not directly speak for any of the bands that I write about here, nor do any of them EVER directly ask me to write anything about them here. I only recently became aware that there were a fair number of people reading this thing. I'm still not sure why.....

Anyway, please know that I have a queer sense of humour and a lot of opinions, and I am working off steam, good or bad, here. I have written for a couple of music rags and published my own back in the DIY '80s. I just can't seem to get the diatribe about music out of my world! But I do not speak for anyone else, though I hope I speak eloquently enough to encourage others to listen to what I've found, and maybe go do some exploring for themselves. There are so many artists of extraordinary caliber out there.....the record companies only feed us what is sellable. It is up to us to find, and treasure those beings out there not loud enough or slick enough for the big labels.

And I hope that doesn't insult any of the bands I have written about. I do think you are worth much, or I would not spend my time talking about you. And traveling insane miles to see you. And plying your music to others from all corners of the world. Nothing moves me so much as music, nothing else can lift me and carry me away from this world's insanity as does music. Nothing touches my soul as does music, and all of you must have touched me, or I wouldn't babble on about you so. I know fame and fortune were and are on your minds. I do wish you luck for your dreams; I just don't want to lose you to it so totally that I can no longer hear the heartbeat, the raindrop, the flap of a butterfly's wing in your songs. That would be a crime beyond reckonings, a deed so heinous as to be unpunishable...no payment high enough.

I often wish I was wealthy and could start my own label. I already have a name for it, and I have my eye on a certain bunch to start my stable. Maybe someday folks. Until then, I do what I can to support live music and the tremendous musicians I have found to make it.

Just don't take this site too seriously. It is one fan, trying to make a little difference.

namaste, and sai Ram.

it's still too far away but....

April 2006, Austin Texas sees the greatest street insanity in recording history. Yes, folks, I said recordING history. The arrival of Del Castillo's long awaited third CD will cause joyful panic and insane rapture in the streets!

I'm guaranteeing this- 'cos I'm startin' it!

NOW.

(figured I would get a jump start on the nut cases- I'm probably crazier than all of them anyway!)

In all seriousness, I expect one hell of a huge release party in at least that city if not SA and Houston and Dallas and well...anywhere else they have made fans already.
Wow- wouldn't that be cool! A CD release TOUR. Just the big places though.
Granada, Paramount, San Antonio's Majestic Theatre..... NOW we're talking party.


I am just glad to hear they are finally getting this Cd done. I know they probably have enough material for another one already, but I will take what I can get. It has been too long in the making for most of us rabid fans. And - Doug! You better come to Austin for this! We gotta jam again!

Ciao!

Weekend shake up

Well, things happen for a reason I guess. I was supposed to go to El Paso and then Albuquerque again to be with Del Castillo, and other things got in the way. I was really in a traveling mood though, so I went a different direction: north. I went to Dallas to catch Billy Harvey, twice, actually, in two days. The first was at the Cavern, on lower Greenville Ave., the bar strip. I have been to both the original Cavern site in Liverpool (now a parking area) and the Chelsea Drugstore in London (Rolling Stones' song "You can't Always Get What You Want"?). This place did not resemble either one..... it was nice little club, but nothing particularly special. Billy's short set was well received, but left me hungry for more. Sadly, I spent most of the rest of the night driving around looking for something to do. Equally sad, Dallas can be like that. Just not very satisfying....
I was ready to go home Saturday morning. I knew of two bands in SA that would be playing that I wanted to see. Yet for some reason I kept delaying my return home. I am happy to say that staying was a good choice in the end.
Right now, the sun is about to come over the horizon (I drove home after the gig, for several reasons) I need to go get back into my coffin for awhile at least, and then I will continue the story.
no need to wait by the computer, but I do have much to tell you! Sleep first though.....

******************************************************************
approx.1.30 PM

That cursed day star is still up but so am I so I continue.
Bend Studios. Dallas. They have got a really good idea going here. By day a mild mannered yoga studio for the rich yuppie and student sorts that live in the area.By weekend night, a small intimate place to listen to singer/songwriters who have trouble being heard over the usual club noise. (that was really bad English, but I have to take poetic license now and then...)

The place is small; they claim up to 80 people but I think that would be a bit over-crowded. Last night was about 30, and seemed a little low. There is a good midline somewhere in there. Soft lighting, decent acoustics and a better sound system than many clubs use, chairs or mats or beanbags for the limber or brave....BYOW (bring your own wine) or buy water or tea from them. It was a relaxed atmosphere, and it was enough to show off the artists' talents. It was also small enough a situation that the musicians felt at ease with us and could joke or expound on a piece. It was really a good way to see a singer.
It reminds me of the Wiggle Room, SA's avant garde art spot for music. You have to know where the Wiggle Room is to find it, which means that the audiences tend to be small too. There are about 20 bleacher seats for a bird's eye view and about 50 chairs on the floor, usually in a semi-circle around the stage. Other than overly chatty people failing to take it outside, not a bad place. Everyone behaves for the most part and cleans up after themselves, and gets to hear some really good music in a more intimate setting.
Anyway back to this place in Dallas. Opening for Billy was Kristy Kruger, an independant singer/songwriter who spends much of her time driving from place to place around the US, playing her music and enjoying the traveling. I wish I had had that sort of nerve when I was younger. Maybe when I get older....
She has very much got her own style, and the songs have depth, humour and honesty going for them. I don't know if she has a website but I will try to find out.
Kristy's music reminds me a lot of early Suzanne Vega; it cuts to the quick sometimes, but is really descriptive and thus draws the listener into her world. That's one of the things about this new (or maybe revived) songwriting trend that I like: paint me a picture. Draw me into your world. Tell me how you see things. Even if I don't agree, at least we have started the basis of communication. It is a good feeling to walk away from a gig feeling like you and the artist have connected on some level, however minute. i was really impressed by Kristy's powerful tunes, especially when they come out of someone so quiet. i will review the CD I bought when I get a chance.

and billy.

Well, I have gushed on this guy enough. I think he is getting a little wary of me too. Seem to bring that out in some folks....Let me leave it at this: his writing is getting more intense, his delivery is maturing, and his sense of humour is something to be experienced in person. I enjoyed the heck out of myself last night, and have come not to regret staying in the big D, even when I had trouble filling in the time. I must advertise both for end and Billy: they record these concerts and sell the CDs at the Bend Studio website. So you can hear last evening's performances if you wish. I bought two of the past BH performances, and while it is not the same as being there, what I have heard already convinces me that the Cds are good investments. I have to encourage Buttercup to do something similar.

And on she goes. Much to do after knocking around a foreign city for too long. Must get on with it. More pictures to go up soon, and maybe a more bands to write about. Next weekend is Del Castillo, and I am really looking forward to it. I miss my guys.
They are going to disappear into the larger fabric of the music world soon, so I will take every chance I can to be at their gigs. They are already too few and far apart....such is the price of attempting fame.

laters!



www.kristykruger.com
www.billyharveymusic.com
www.bendstudios.com

and, "oh yeah!"....

Happy birthday, Mr. Lennon. I cannot believe it has been nearly 25 years. The world has changed so much, and not much for the better. Your voice for such poistive change has been missed for a long time already. Yet your song Imagine remains a beacon in this world for those who want to believe the human race has within it the ability to rise above the animal in us, and be something greater.

Imagine.

and never forget.

namaste.

My thumb hurts!

DC is in Lubbock, or was last night ( I forget the time! ) Brotherhood played down at the Rabbit here in town. Me? I was in Austin, yet again. Last night it was Salim. Couple of nights ago I got a late wild hair and went up to see Billy Harvey and band at the Saxon pub. Last night, it was Billy, a fellow named John Goudie, and Buttercup. I haven't seen BC in WEEKS it seems. It was just too much fun and way too short a set. I am looking forward to Grackle Mundy bigtime!
My thumb is complaining to me because of Odie! Well, okay, not because of him but what he gave me! The last song they did had some heavy tambourine in it and he handed it off to me when he had to start playing bass. I had a blast playing along, but OW! It was made for a drum kit and the screws that hold on the chimes left a minour imprint on my Mound of Venus! (Oh cut that out! It's the pad at the base of the thumb! Go read a chiromancy book! Scheez....)

Seriously, everyone was in a rockstar mood tonight! John Goudie's band got the crowd coming in from the Willie Nelson gig outside all fired up. (this was at the venue in Austin called Stubb's. There is an outdoor arena, and also a stage inside. Not a bad little club, but the inside acoustics are questionable!) I liked what I heard, wouldn't walk out on them at a club, but I was there for other reasons. I was delighted that Billy's band was with him again. I have come to like them a lot. they work well with his music, and yet kind of draw him out too. He has a lot more rockstar in him than I think he wants to admit. Donny Wynn had been with Goudie's band, but also played with Billy. Kudos for the double shot tonight, Don!
Billy and co. Pulled one on me the other night by revamping a couple of tunes. They funked up Piggyback Ride, and ganga-ed Frozen Through! the changes were enough I had trouble singing along! The new versions are neat though, and the audience last night knew enough of his stuff to appreciate the dry humour. He also did a song I had heard at Threadgill's and know to be new. I call it Go, because I don't have a title
yet. I wrote down most of the set list at Threadgill's and made up what I didn't know. Until further notice, it's called Go. Nice tune. I am waiting to hear what he does with it for his next CD.


And then there was Buttercup. Dang I didn't realize how much I had missed them! It was almost as bad as going to see DC after they have been on the road for months. And the guys were just charged for some reason. They started off with Egypt and a couple of others that require tight harmonies. Then they decided to just kick it in the nuts! I do not think I have ever seen them get quite so volatile. They have let loose for a song or two on occassion but this was just out and out rock and roll! Ww-ooow. Coolness! I hope I got a few good shots of this more intense gig, 'cos come Mundy, I don't that anyone would believe me!

New songs for both BH and BC and they are driving me crazy making me wait! I keep asking after new CDs. I think Buttercup will beat Billy, but I could be wrong. he's got a lot of material already. Right person just needs to push him a little I think.
If I lived in Austin, I suspect it would be me.As it is, I will keep after Buttercup. (These people are going to hate me by year's end! ;)

It is horribly late, I'm home from Austin but too wired to sleep, so I will go do more writing or drawing or whatever. And plot my menu for the Grackle Mundy dinner I am helping out with! You got to admit, a band encouraging the audience to be part of a dinner party is pretty neat. But I am really glad I have Monday off, so I can get the cooking done!

more later, and remember: Keep San Antonio Lame!

the Round Up Got Rattled!

Okay, the first surprise was to find out that the thing in San Marcos was some kind of highschool reunion/fund raiser. Took me back a few steps. Then Emilio- yes, THAT Emilio- played BEFORE DC....
Alright. I can put up with two strikes.... I was waiting to see if anyone in the band had gotten a facial tattoo or piercing! (roadies don't count Eric! I expect it out of you!)
In all seriousness, it was a neat gig, and very well received by the locals as well as the loonies like me who traveled distance just for DC. The Guys must miss their Texas crowds, 'cos they just poured it on and then pushed a little further for the encore. They have always wowwed me, reminding me why I have become so willingly involved in their world after vowing to never do that again with any band.
I watch fingers FLY over fret boards, I hear percussion and bass lending both support and encouragement, and Alejandro's vocals soaring over all of it and I just know.
I know it is possible for the Voice of the One to speak through us, as we are merely parts of a much greater thing than any of us can singularly put to words. We have to come together in peace, and love, and in doing so, we find that place in each of us that belongs to everything else. From there, from that hidden point of Light in each of us, comes the vibrations that make groups and composers like Del Castillo so astounding. And they don't just tap into each other- they tap into us too. And we into them. That is where the joy of their music comes from- complete belonging, to each other, to ourselves, to the universe....to the One.

No details this time. It gets redundant. The power, the depth, the joy and the music must be experienced to be understood. My hope is that day by day, more will join us, and together we might start healing our fragile world.

I truly believe music has that power, and Del Castillo is one of its finest messengers.

NAMASTE- and Sai Ram, my brothers.

a commentary

I don't know who else pays attention to them , but I am getting tired of this advertising blots being attached to my writing. I guess Blogger isn't watching too closely, or makes money with it.
My apologies to anyone reading for the idea they hav been lead astray. And damn it people- I am just a writer. Stop using me as a billboard!

(shh...whisper this!)

(not to dis anyone I have been talking about lately, but this weekend is special....I get to finally see my Boys again. It has been way too long. that is unless they cancel due to sunshine again.....
in all fairness that was Phil's idea. I just think it really funny. They did the right thing in being cautious, but it was such a drag to have perfect days and know that we still weren't going to get to see the Boys. They probably appreciated some down time at home with wives and kids though. I know the kids have missed their daddies. I don't have to ask about that.
I have been having so much fun finding new music out there, yet I haven't forgotten why I got started looking around out there again, and it is Del Castillo. They are special, and they have lead me to others of similar ilk. But I can only spread myself so thin, and this weekend is for DC- first putting out fliers for the Floore's gig, and then in the park in Sunday in San Marcos.
don't fear my new found band friends- I will be back. they still have a lot of time on the road, and I have found such lovely things to fill the time with. Someday I hope to get DC to hear some of you. )