It's been a good long while since I sat down and wrote about these guys, and it's too bloody hot outside to be doing much else. On the desk in front of me are nine CDs of pictures from the Whitewater gig and about 8 or 9 rolls need to go in for developing from the gig at Sam's here in town ;ast weekend. The spirit within the band has just been so high lately it is difficult to catch in words. There is a level of happiness among the guys that is contagious. One of the reasons if Rick's pending marriage; I've hestitated writing about it, as it is no one else's business, and he himself has not chosen to annouce it. Rick is a very friendly guy off stage, but intensely private. Let me just say that I have seen these two together for about two years now, and this is a good thing for both of them. It can be a hard wait for the right one, but the near constant smile on his face these days tells me the wwait was worth it for him. Congratulations, my brother.
The first gig was at a lovely place out near Canyon Lake, north of San Antonio. I wasn't sure about the gig, but looked up the place and figured it would be worth the trip. I am really glad I went- it ended up not being quite as hot as I expected, the crowd was mostly newbies and a wide range of ages, and Melo was back! I was surprised to hear Melo was sitting in for the evening- it is apparently not a permanant thing, but Mike likes the interplay with a percussionist, and he and Melo just fit together. http://www.whitewaterrocks.com/
Whitewater has a stage area that can hold Lyle Lovett and his big band, with about 3000 capacity for the audience. DC however played the smaller stage, which was behind the "skybox" seating. It was an advantage in my book as we got more shade more quickly, making the whole event more tolerable to me. I was sorry that more people hadn't bought tickets, so the guys could play the big place, but the intimate setting ended up being a great thing. Lots of new fans by the end of the evening!
(figured nearly a year later it was time to publish this! ;p )
Monday, June 16, 2008
Monday, June 02, 2008
The Black Cab Sessions
www.blackcabsessions.com
The advent of smaller and more portable technology has given birth to a fun, wild, offbeat method of listening to new music: the Black Cab Sessions. For those who haven't been to London, the black cab is as common, or nearly so anyway, as pigeons in Trafalgar Square. Some unique thinking people in the UK have decided to do something unusual in one- record a single song by as many or as few musicians and in one case, poet, as they can stuff in the cab and still have room for driver and sound and camera person.
The result is a fascinating view not only of the music and musicians, but of London as well. Were it not that I understand where technology had to get to, I would be asking "Why didn't someone come up with this before?!"
They've become a non-profit hit on YouTube and at the above website, with performances from people like the Kooks, Spoon, and Death Cab for Cutie.
What a fun and unique perspective. Cheers, folks!
The advent of smaller and more portable technology has given birth to a fun, wild, offbeat method of listening to new music: the Black Cab Sessions. For those who haven't been to London, the black cab is as common, or nearly so anyway, as pigeons in Trafalgar Square. Some unique thinking people in the UK have decided to do something unusual in one- record a single song by as many or as few musicians and in one case, poet, as they can stuff in the cab and still have room for driver and sound and camera person.
The result is a fascinating view not only of the music and musicians, but of London as well. Were it not that I understand where technology had to get to, I would be asking "Why didn't someone come up with this before?!"
They've become a non-profit hit on YouTube and at the above website, with performances from people like the Kooks, Spoon, and Death Cab for Cutie.
What a fun and unique perspective. Cheers, folks!
so Passes Another Legend
http://music.msn.com/music/article.aspx?news=317054>1=7702
Bo Diddley, one of the reknowned bluesmen of the world, has left us. More later, after I've had time to digest this saddening news.
sometime later:
I think I know why I haven't sat down and raved about this man's history in music.
I am tired of people dying. I remember my grandmother sitting in her home in Austin, looking about five years old, saying "All my friends are dead." Though I didn't understand then, she broke my heart in that moment. I would've given anything to take away that obvious loneliness.
Sadly now, I am starting to understand what she was talking about. I am tired of burying people, and I know as I age it will do nothing but get worse. I think what I have to try to remember is to celebrate that those people , especially to me, in the music world, got far enough out there that I got the chance to see and hear them. Their uniqueness was what has made this life so special that I should mourn a stranger so. Bo's music made him a friend, a familiar face and voice to my world.
I cannot thank him enough for all the hardship I know he faced to make that music.
I am sorry there will be no more new Bo Didley in my lifetime....but I will make SURE the next generations know about the roots of what they call their own.
Rest in Peace, Bo. I know you understand now.
Bo Diddley, one of the reknowned bluesmen of the world, has left us. More later, after I've had time to digest this saddening news.
sometime later:
I think I know why I haven't sat down and raved about this man's history in music.
I am tired of people dying. I remember my grandmother sitting in her home in Austin, looking about five years old, saying "All my friends are dead." Though I didn't understand then, she broke my heart in that moment. I would've given anything to take away that obvious loneliness.
Sadly now, I am starting to understand what she was talking about. I am tired of burying people, and I know as I age it will do nothing but get worse. I think what I have to try to remember is to celebrate that those people , especially to me, in the music world, got far enough out there that I got the chance to see and hear them. Their uniqueness was what has made this life so special that I should mourn a stranger so. Bo's music made him a friend, a familiar face and voice to my world.
I cannot thank him enough for all the hardship I know he faced to make that music.
I am sorry there will be no more new Bo Didley in my lifetime....but I will make SURE the next generations know about the roots of what they call their own.
Rest in Peace, Bo. I know you understand now.
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