Photo by Myron Hart
Trey Hensley and Rob Ickes graced our stage at the Fur Peace Station last night and treated us all to an amazing journey through a sonic wonderland. Truly good stuff! I got to sit in on the encore. These guy’s pyrotechnics are so compelling that I picked one of the slowest songs I know for our ensemble… How Long Blues.
A good time doesn’t even begin to describe the experience.
Photo by Izze Kaukonen
Blood moon and lunar eclipse tonight. I don’t know if I’ll be able to stay up to see the whole thing but hey… it’s the thought that counts!
Photo by Vanessa Kaukonen
Great weekend. Got a killer motorcycle ride in today with our daughter Izze. A river run… not too hot and not too cold.
Perfect weekend!
eaglesteve
I was able to catch Gregg & Duane in 71. The A Brothers were the second band to play before Johnnie Winter & Rick Derringer at the Philly Spectrum. Years later I took our then 18yr. old son to see the A Brothers. He knew of Warren Haynes but asked me who the Blonde hair guy on the organ was.I almost told him to walk home. He actually had a college course ” The history of R & R” He has made a few HT shows over the years
@Jorma
Thank you, Jorma.
Same here: his thing not my thing, but what an amazing guitarist. And he sure comes across as a nice guy in his back and forth with others on collaboration albums.
(And thanks for the studio info. Good call by RCA.)
Gregory LeNoir Allman (December 8, 1947 – May 27, 2017)
Never forgotten.
RIP Bro
Good morning, Jorma:
I’m curious. Did you ever cross paths with Chet Atkins? Any thoughts on his playing?
Met Chet in the mid 90’s while recording Land Of Heroes in Studio C of the sister building to the old RCA studios at Sunset and Ivar where the Airplane recorded through Crown Of Creation. Takes Off was recorded in Studio C in LA and the other Airplane projects in the big room… Studio A. Anyway, Michael Falzarano and I were working on Land Of Heroes in Fred Bogert’s Studio C in Nashville. I ran into Chet in the hallway one day. Chet was a gracious gentleman and it was an honor to meet him. At the time he was more interested in Model A cars than guitars which was cool, because I’m a car guy too. Chet is arguably one of the greatest guitarists of all time and of course I appreciated his work. That said, his thing was not my thing and I never learned any of his music.
Greg – great points on Larry Taylor and Roland Kirk! So many more great bass players could be added to to the list I offered. However, I have to disagree (respectfully, of course) that any of those names could be deleted 🙂. And, John O. – yes indeed – I think we all agree on the one and only Jack Casady!
Jack is the best rock bassist, and probably
the best all-time electric bass player that ever lived!!!
He’s an American treasure.
Always waited for the rumble or grumble from the bass players at shows where they were “allowed” to solo.
Great array inventoried ,everybody could add or delete names ,but the list is representative of the best .
Larry Taylor could stop a show with a solo.
Had the privelage to see Mingus in Westport at playhouse ,his command of his band was impressive .
Saw Roland Kirk & later Return to Forever at same venue.
The fusion stuff went beyond my capacity to follow ,often found it confusing .
Good to see Jack in the list .
The JA takes off gave everybody a sample of things to come with electric bass.
Interesting, informative, and entertaining doc on YouTube about bass great Jaco Pastorius titled “Jaco Pastorius- The Lost Tapes Documentary.” So many great bassists across so many styles of music (i.e. Willie Dixon, James Jamerson, Jerry Jemmott, Jack Casady, Stanley Clarke, Carol Kaye, Jack Bruce, John Entwistle, Charles Mingus, Ron Carter, Duck Dunn, Phil Lesh, George Porter Jr., Robbie Shakespeare, etc.) and this cat was one of the best!
Jorma, Is there ANY chance of a Vital Parts reunion?…..get Denny and Steeler and play a few gigs?….the late 70’s/early 80’s records really hold up.
Not much my friend. Time has indeed marched on.
I understand the aversion to DC.
OVER Easter weekend we rendezvoused with family in the Middleburg va .locus.
We additionally had a gig in Md.
I was the driver so I didn’t look at the map , quite the contrary I had a misconception ( completely uninformed ), and as we regularly travel to the Charlottesville , Roanoke , Lewis burg area I just assumes that region was our destination .
When your driving through WVa it’s not unusual to be driving 85mph+ and be passed by state troopers and other traffic .
To the point we got in just before dark and stayed at the Welbourne ( colorful history associated with the war between the states). Went for an early morning 40 mile bike ride and crossed Manassas creek twice .
At that point , my curiosity took control and I went to buy a local map .
I was unaware that we were 45 minutes NW of Dc.
Pretty soon the weekend tourists and TRAFFIC made it abundantly clear we were not in South Central va , but instead just over the ridge from suburban DC and all that implies.
On a musical note , my son recommended we go Saturday night to a favorite local bar where they have a reputation for supporting up and coming local musicians , we reluctantly agreed to go with one of those errant caveats that the music better be good.
This joint was owned by a Vietnam vet and his wife ( we bought each other a few beers),but the band was superlative , three gals known as the “High birds”,, banjo, acoustic bass and guitar , all three sang ( extraordinarily), and two of the three were prolific songwriters ( 80% original stuff and very good , mountain bluegrass ).
They said they had an album coming out this summer , we’ve downloaded a few of their songs .
Check them out , support live music .
Out
Greg – thanks for the tip on Van in Northern Virginia I September! I guess I got my wish of him showing up in the mid-Atlantic :). As much as I despise DC and the metro area (for many reasons – nightmarish traffic being one of them), I just may have to go all in on this one! Gotta see Van live! Thanks again for the tip.
Hey Jorma, just listened to Jefferson Airplane – If You Feel Like China Breaking (Live in Hamburg, 05/10/1968) from Youtube. The sound and video are excellent. You are playing a gibson SG I believe. There are quite a few of airplane shows on Youtube just recently. The sound is excellent and the music is incredible. No video, just music. The same with electric Hot Tuna shows from the 70s. I’m glad but how can this be? I have to echo Dave S. and say thanks for the music and so many great times over the years. Cheers!
@Greg martelli
Go Greg! I actually appreciate alliteration alot. Good job!
Hi Jorma, There’s times when we’re wrong and have to man up. High Flyin’ Bird from the 1965 sessions is in the right key (Bm). My guitar tuner was erroneously set to 442Hz instead of 440! Just to set the record straight on that. And upon listening again, there’s some nice guitar work from you in there, that I missed or didn’t hear before. By the way, your music has been a large part of the soundtrack of my life, for some 50 years, and I’d like to take a moment to thank you for it. Thanks so much & take care …
@Ed
Footnote, Ed:
Lee Ross, author of phrase Fundamental Attribution Error died this past winter Showed how we usually attribute perceived deficiencies of others to personality flaws, but chalk our own up to situation. He also seems to have claimed to come up with theory on his own, but it’s been around since at least 40’s. Big thing in substance abuse recovery. Can I get an amen, someone?
Chappy
Looks like van the man ( or conversely the crusty curmudgeon ), will be at Wolf trap 9/7/22
If it’s a weekend & I haven’t yet checked ,we’ll probably get on the bus.
@Ed
Dig it, Ed. Zimmy wrote of his discomfort with having to present a standoffish alter-ego to distance himself from the lunatic fringe (and unprepared journalists). Larry wasn’t Dylan-bashing. Something off-the-cuff to keep us tuned in while introducing a song his wife and he were about to perform, I think.
FWIW,someone I know toured with Dylan at one point, in the band, and told me stories reflecting warmth and kindness.
Maybe, Another Side of Bob Dylan.
Hell of way to go. Then survivors suffering the indignity of seeing half your remains used to sell a record. That Zimmerman is one cynical folkie. “…When your gravity fails and negativity don’t pull you through…”. Obit says Dylan’s perceived public aloofness came from yer man. Well, they hacked their way through the stardom jungle, laying some great tracks. That Judith Hensley’s stage fright was too much for anything close to that life. She opted out. Paul Siebel, who wrote Louise, and was compared to Dylan went straight, too. That reminds me of a gag I was just a bit behind with on timing, so did not voice. Opening for Jack & Jorma, Larry Campbell alluded to needing thick skin to be in Dylan’s company. Later, he introduced an unnamed guest as his hero (Jorma), to generous applause. There was a pause, which was my cue to announce, “We love you Bobby”. After the laughter, I would have asked why he wasn’t at Woodstock.
One of Bob Dylan’s main collaborators has died…
RIP Bob Neuwirth…The lower half of his body is seen on the cover of “Highway 61″…
@BrendanC
Yeah, I was reading some stuff sounded like he was kinda going off the rails of the Covid conspiracy train. I’m guessing he’s just gettin’ crusty in his old age. Kinda sounded like the kind of rants angry old men can get off into. Hope he’s not talking to himself yet. Caught some of his stuff on YouTube done in ‘20 or ‘21. Dude’s still got the pipes.
@Greg martelli
After hearing “Back on Top” I needed to check that band out. I did just that earlier this century – first overseas, then stateside (Candy Dulfer on Sax Continent side). I had only been a casual listener. That changed. As you report: impressive (of the 10 or so shows I caught, he ran through a couple). Big hand for the band! says Van. He did go postal during lockdown, however. Up on soapbox about pseudo-science, Big Pharm owning politicians, etc. and how holding super-spreader events should be a personal choice.
Chappy ( got it right this time), get traveling shoes on for Van.
His back up band is superlative ,”greasy”, as the adjective goes .
He’ll give you 90 minutes of raw energy ,not 91 ,not 89.
You’ll be lucky if he plays Wild Night ,as your feet will be FLYIN .
We knew we were in good compsny and made the right decision when Chrissie Hynde(spell?), was two tables away for the performance .
He doesn’t kick as high anymore as he did in the last waltz ,but he’s still Shakin all over .
Don’t miss him.
When I read your post ,it made me chuckle .
He was the last entertainer that we always wanted to see ,but chances had eluded us.
It was worth the wait.
First time I’ve ever been accused of that…
I want to father a plastic baby doll with Grace…
Thanks for responding to my comment about Judy Henske & High Flyin’ Bird. I decided to put Early Flight on my turntable to see what the original 1965 version sounds like, in 2022. My first impression was that it seemed too fast, so I checked it. It’s supposed to be (I think) Bm-E-Bm-E, Bm-F#7-Bm, G-A-F#7 etc. But for some reason they bumped it up a tone, so it’s in Cm! If you slow it down to where it should be it sounds much better. The other thing I noticed was that it seemed to be primarily a vehicle for Signe & Marty (can hardly hear Paul singing). The later version in the Monterey Pop movie is the correct key & of course has Grace on vocals, and Paul even sings a verse himself. That was an amazing performance, by the way – a band firing on all cylinders!
@Greg martelli
You say Chalky, I say Chappie. No excuse, me. I had my glasses on. Visions of white perch dancing in my head perhaps?
Greg and John O – always great to hear experiences…thanks! Hope to catch Doobies this summer or fall. Van is a little more elusive as he doesn’t seem to get to the mid-Atlantic very often. I read about The Who show in Cincinnati the other night. Some good friends of mine were at the show back in ‘79…of course they had no idea what happened until after the show. Sounds like Pete and Roger paid a nice tribute and honored their fans the other night.
@john o
Yes! Brian has charisma!
I want to apologize ,I reread email
I should have had my glasses on @6:11
I did not mean to title with Chalky ,that was meant to be Chappy
Thanks
The Doobie Brothers were one of my favorite bands back in the 70s. They had a unique sound and style I liked them especially when high, which was all the time back then. Had a chance to see them a couple years ago at Bethel Woods (site of Woodstock}. They didn’t disappoint! They blew my mind. I saw lots of great acts there over the years. If you’ve never been there you have to go.
Chalky
Young Rascals we’re the first “national rock band we saw ( although they were a Ny Metropolitan area band ,Vagrants (Leslie West ), opened for them,at the “shell”at Beardsley park in Bridgeport( they were on fire).
Prior to that my parents took me to Yale bowl to see herb Albert and Tijuana brass w/Sergio Mendes and Brazil 66 ( in 66).
As for Hendrix ,Electric Lady land is superior to the two live shows that I saw w/Experience .
The outlier was the Doors ,two shows – two universes ,”weird times inside the gold mine).
Don’t miss Van ,you’ll get 90 minutes of energy.
Saw The Who Sunday night in Cinn ,first show there in 43 years after turnstile debacle .
Backed by Cinn -symphony .-long live rock
Bill Payne ( little feat ), is frequent keyboards for Doobies on tour
Keep on trucking Chappy
@Chappy
Hey Chappie, you ever get a holt to that Texas Blues? Just wonderin’ if you did and what you thought.
Hope to catch Trey and Rob someday soon. So glad live music has returned in full force. Next up on my slate is Orianthi Panagaris in June, Jimmie Vaughan, and Los Lobos/Tedeschi Trucks in July….all in Virginia. And, for any music historians…sounds kinda weird saying that…just finished an auto-bio by Felix Cavalerie (Young Rascals) which was somewhat interesting although pretty vanilla (still a good read though) and am in the middle of “Long Train Running – Our Story of The Doobie Brothers” by Tom Johnston and Pat Simmons. This book is really entertaining, interesting, and informative. They have several tips of the hat to JA, Jorma, and HT. Highly recommend this book. I’ve attended over 1,600 shows in my life and time. Many acts I never had a chance to see due to my age (Hendrix, etc.), however, there is a short list of greats who I’ve still yet to see live but wanted to…and the Doobie Brothers are at the top of that list along with Van Morrison and a few others…
I was lookin to buy-in to a show on the Ranch but don’t see anything on those dates…Oh well…
Hey Brian welcome back.
Kinda missed your charisma!
Saw the Blood Red lunar eclipse last night too.
Happening right now and it got dark…
Cool!…