Saturday, April 18, 2009

Happy b'day Mike Vickers!


The Manfred Mann member turns 69 today.

Happy b'day to the late Alexander "Skip" Spence!


The Moby Grape member would have turned 63 today. He passed away in '99.

Today is "Record Store Day."


Record stores are becoming a dying breed. Go out & patronize your local stores.

Friday, April 17, 2009

Congrats to "Ollabelle's" Fiona McBain & Tony Leone!



Fiona recently gave birth to the couple's first child, a baby girl.

Levon Helm's April 4th "Midnight Ramble" set list.


Great set list w/ Kevin Bacon & his bro (Bacon Bros.) as the opening act.

Ophelia
Same Thing
Battle Is Over
Simple Twist
Bye Bye My Love
Drown In My Own Tears
Long Black Veil
Got Me A Woman
Ashes of Love
Did You Love Me
Deep Elum Blues
All La Glory
Train Robbery
Holy Cow
Anna Lee
Rag Mama Rag
Mardi Gras Day
Black Friday
Rock and Roll Shoes
Everybody Loves A Winner
Time Out for the Blues
King Harvest
The Shape I'm In
Chest Fever
The Weight


Remembering Carlton "Carly" Barrett today...


The Reggae drummer for Bob Marley & The Wailers passed away 22-yrs ago today @ the age of 36.

Happy b'day Roy Estrada!


The Mothers of Invention member turns 66 today.

"The Band's" 1st live performance 40th anniversary.


It was 40-yrs ago today when The Band took the stage for the 1st time known as The Band. Ironically, it actually marked the halfway point of the five band members (Robbie Robertson, Levon Helm, Rick Danko, Richard Manuel & Garth Hudson) as they had been performing together as The Hawks (w/ & w/ out Ronnie The Hawk Hawkins & Bob Dylan's back up band several years prior to officially becoming The Band.

The Band had just finished recording its self-titled Brown Album (predominantly in LA) & promotor Bill Graham & The Band mgr Albert Grossman lined up a multi-night live session @ Fan Fran's Winterland (the same venue for The Band's last official live performance The Last Waltz).

Winterland has since been torned down, but The Band's music has lasted the test of time. Artist Randy Tuten created the concert's poster (as shown above). He recently told us that the original poster is hanging in a friend's residence. Check out famed Woodstock, NY photog Elliott Landy's pics from the moments leading up to The Band hitting the stage April 17, 1969, including the hypnotism of Robertson who fell ill prior to the shows.
Youtube.com has some of the live performance from '69, but no video footage.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

One year & counting...our blog's first anniversary!


It was one-year ago today Jan Hoiberg of the official The Band website recommended we produce a blog so that he could link our spring'08 Woodstock, NY trip photos on his website. So we have him to blame for an amazing experience over the past year. We have met so many great folks, both virtually & in person, thanks to creating this blog. The blog is primarily based on our love for The Band & Bob Dylan, but those artists branch out to so many other artists & events. We continue to remain loyal to those artists & fortunately have become aware of so many more.

Here's to the next year & many more! Please keep your input coming.

Our heartfelt thanks go out to the following who have supported us in ways too large to count:


Jan Hoiberg (The Band official website)

Levon Helm's Helmland team (most notably Tony LoBue, Paul La Raia, Anna Lee & Justin Guip)

John Simon (producer of many The Band albums & musician extraordinair)

Jim Weider (amazing guitarist & frmr reunited The Band member)

Butch Dener (frmr reunited The Band road mgr)

Jon Taplin (frmr The Band road mgr & The Last Waltz producer)

Carol Caffin (frmr Rick Danko publicist & current operator of Rick's Sip the Wine blog)

Danielle Ferrusi (Rick Danko's niece & current operator of Rick's official Myspace page)

Elliott Landy, Barry Feinstein & Bill Scheele (famous The Band & Bob Dylan photographers)

Ronnie "The Hawk" Hawkins & his website team

Sid Griffin (author of The Million Dollar Bash & musician)

Sebastian Robertson (Robbie Robertson's son who operates Robbie's official Myspace & facebook pages & the official The Band facebook page)

Mickey Jones (actor & frmr Bob Dylan drummer)

David Zuck (Garth & Maud Hudson's webmaster)

Mary Wogan (operates Visions of Dylan blog)

Tad Johnson (owner / operator of the beautiful W. Saugerties, NY Opus 40)

Jeff Alexander (music historian & owner of Cousin Moe Music)

Bob of Michagan (frequent contributor to this blog)

Chris Bergson & wonderful wife Kate

David The Director McDonald

Amy Helm & Jay Collins (Levon Helm's daughter & son-in-law & amazing musicians)

Ollabelle

Prof. Louie & The Crowmatix

Randy Tuten (famous poster creator, including The Band's 1st Winterland live performance)

The Band The Band (best The Band tribute band)

Last Waltz Ensemble

Bow Thayer & Perfect Trainwreck & team

Water Street Films (Jeremy & Jason are hard @ work w/ the upcoming Richard Manuel doc)

Adria

Best of Classic Rock blog

Jon Heuer, the Rock & Roll Guru

Matt Wardlaw of Addicted to Vinyl blog

Barbara (aka Layla - operates two wonderful blogs)

Peter Merrigan (great musician & attended the '69 Woodstock fest)

The Band website's Guest Book contributors

Many residents & merchants from Woodstock & Saugerties, NY

......& most importantly, all of our readers & participants.


We love you & thank you. Rock on!

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Robbie Robertson website in the works.


Recently, Robbie Robertson's son, Sebastian Robertson, commented to a fan on his official Robbie Robertson Myspace page that a website in his father's namesake is in the works. We are definitely looking forward to it. Currently, Sebastian also operates the official Robbie Robertson facebook page (as well as the official The Band facebook page).

"Layla's Classic Rock" blog.


Not only is our friend Barbara busy w/ her Gone, But Not Forgotten blog (among others), she frequently updates her very cool Layla's Classic Rock blog. Similar to our Plochmann Lane blog's objective, she consistently brings to her classic rock viewers updates on artists from Jimi Hendrix to U2. As a matter of fact, she just purchased tix to the upcoming U2 tour.

Check out Layla's Classic Rock blog as all of us who produce & operate similar genre blogs bring different & unique elements to the table.

Thank you, Barbara, for all of your informative & creative hard work!

"Gone, But Not Forgotten" blog.



Our friend Barbara, who operates more than one great music-related blog, has produced a very informative & detailed blog listing numerous musicians of varying genres who have unfortunately left us. Check out her Gone, But Not Forgotten blog that lists the musicians' year of passing, photograph, brief musician bio & a color-coded cause of death.

Monday, April 13, 2009

Levon Helm's website releases new album's cover art.


Here's what Levon Helm's Electric Dirt album (set to be released June 30th) will look.

Allen Toussaint '74 interview from "Rocks Back Pages."


Interesting article about the great musician / sognwriter Allen Toussaint printed 1 1/2-mths prior to The Band's The Last Waltz, of which he was instrumental (also on Rock of Ages). His work w/ Dr. John & the New Orleans music scene is touched upon. Allen has a new album coming out soon.

Levon Helm's new album track listing.


Track listing for Electric Dirt to be released June 30th.:


1) Tennessee Jed
2) Move Along Train

3) Growing Trade

4) Golden Bird

5) Stuff You Gotta Watch

6) White Dove

7) King Fish

8) You Can’t Lose What You Ain’t Never Had

9) When I Go Away

10) Heaven’s Pearls

11) I Wish I Knew How it Would Feel To Be Free

Steve Winwood / Eric Clapton recent press release.


From Steve Winwood's Myspace page:

LIMITED EDITION 2-DISC CD/DVD FEATURING THEIR CAPTIVATING MADISON SQUARE GARDEN PERFORMANCE AVAILABLE MAY 19, 2009 FROM REPRISE RECORDS
(New York, NY) – After their extraordinary sold-out three-nights at Madison Square Garden last year, Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood are set to release a 2-disc CD/DVD of their amazing performances on May 19, 2009 from Reprise Records. The rock legends took the stage together for just three concerts in a highly anticipated collaboration, performing a string of hits that included Blind Faith’s "Presence of the Lord," and "Can’t Find My Way Home," in addition to Clapton’s classics "After Midnight" "Tell the Truth" and "Crossroads" and Steve Winwood’s "Dear Mr. Fantasy" and "Glad." The limited edition CD/DVD set also includes "The Road to Madison Square Garden," an exclusive documentary which features interviews with both men, as well as rare footage and photographs of Cream, Traffic and Blind Faith.
Bonus performances on the DVD include "Lowdown," "Kind Hearted Woman" and "Crossroads."Both Winwood and Clapton have long and prestigious musical careers with countless honors and awards to their names. Their musical paths connected in 1969 with the formation of Blind Faith, a group that pioneered the fusion of rock and blues into tremendous studio and stage success. Despite critical and popular acclaim, the band was short-lived with only one album and a brief 1969 tour that debuted July 12 at Madison Square Garden and ended August 24th in Hawaii. Since that final show, Winwood and Clapton have remained friends, but had only performed together a few times over the years for an occasional song at a charity event. The 2008 Madison Square Garden shows were the first full Winwood-Clapton concerts in 40 years.Steve Winwood is currently signed to Columbia Records and released an album of new music, NINE LIVES in 2008. Eric Clapton’s compilation album Complete Clapton was released in 2008 on Reprise Records.
CD Disc One
1.Had To Cry Today
2.Low Down
3.Them Changes
4.Forever Man
5.Sleeping In The Ground
6.Presence Of The Lord
7.Glad
8.Well Alright
9.Double Trouble
10.Pearly Queen
11.Tell The Truth
12.No Face, No Name, No Number
CD Disc Two
1.After Midnight
2.Split Decision
3.Rambling On My Mind
4.Georgia On My Mind
5.Little Wing
6.Voodoo Chile
7.Can’t Find My Way Home
8. Dear Mr.Fantasy
9.Cocaine
DVD Disc One
1.Had To Cry Today
2.Them Changes
3.Forever Man
4.Sleeping In The Ground
5.Presence Of The Lord
6.Glad
7.Well Alright
8.Double Trouble
9.Pearly Queen
10.Tell The Truth
11.No Face, No Name, No Number
12.After Midnight
13.Split Decision
14.Rambling On My Mind
15.Georgia On My Mind
16.Little Wing
17.Voodoo Chile
18.Can’t Find My Way Home
19. Dear Mr.Fantasy
20.Cocaine
DVD Disc Two
The Road To Madison Square Garden, an exclusive documentary featuring new interviews with Eric and Steve, together with rare footage and photographs of Cream, Traffic and Blind Faith.Rambling On My Mind: The final preparation for the three legendary performances highlighted by an acoustic soundcheck performance by Eric of the Robert Johnson standard "Rambling On My Mind."Plus Bonus Madison Square Garden Performances of "Low Down," "Kind Hearted Woman" and "Crossroads."

"The Band" "facebook" page to hold prize-winning trivia contest today.


Robbie Robertson's son Sebastian Robertson will be hosting a trivia contest today relative to The Last Waltz rock doc on the official The Band facebook page. The first fan to answer the question correctly will receive The Last Waltz box set. Good luck.

The Last Waltz to play @ Toronto's "Fox Theater" this month.


Toronto's Fox Theater will present The Band's The Last Waltz (1978 rock doc) April 21st beginning @ 7 PM.

http://www.foxtheatre.ca/schedule/#day21

Kris Kristofferson "Rolling Stone" article / interview.


Actor Ethan Hawke does a nice job providing Kris Kristofferson fans a cool insight on The Last Outlaw Poet in the recent Rolling Stone issue. We find out that Kristofferson performed before Jimi Hendrix the night of his last concert & recently put a poser country musician (quite possibly the unnamed (in the article) Tobey Keith) in his place prior to a big gig. Definitely worth the read.

"Rolling Stone" article regarding the upcoming "Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test" movie.


Gus Van Zandt (Milk director) is shooting the new Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test movie. The actual bus is sitting on Ken Kesey's Oregon property. Here is Rolling Stone's online article about the movie:

Happy b'day Riff West!


The Foghat & Molly Hatchet member turns 59 today.

Beatles "Help" anniversary.


The Beatles recorded Help 44-yrs ago.

Happy b'day Al Green!


Al Green turns 63 today.

Happy b'day Jack Casady!


The Hot Tuna & Jefferson Airplane member turns 65 today.

Happy b'day to Lowell George!


The Little Feat member turns 64 today.

Levon Helm's new album release date confirmed.


Levon Helm's Electric Dirt album set for release June 30th.

Here is a little listen of one of the new tunes thanks to Jan Hoiberg of the official The Band website:

"I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free" (4.9 MB MPEG-3 file)

Levon Helm interview held in his kitchen following a "Midnight ramble."


From a blog called When You Awake:

Jim Weider upcoming live dates.


The reunited The Band member & solo artist Jim Weider has announced upcoming New England dates:

JIM WEIDER'S PROJECT PERCoLAToR
INN ON THE BLUES
Date: April 30, 2009
Time: 8:00pm
7 ocean ave.York Beach ,Maine
ProJECT PERCoLAToR , featuring Jim Weider -Guitar,Rodney Holmes -drums ,Mitch Stein - guitar , and Steve Lucas -bass will be performing the CD "Percolator" and more ! (Tapers welcome as the club allows) 9pm show!
tickets :207-351-3221
http://www.blogger.com/www.innontheblues.com

JIM WEIDER'S PROJECT PERCoLAToR
INN ON THE BLUES
Date: May 1, 2009
Time: 8:00pm
7 ocean ave.York Beach ,Maine
ProJECT PERCoLAToR , featuring Jim Weider -Guitar,Rodney Holmes -drums ,Mitch Stein - guitar , and Steve Lucas -bass will be performing the CD "Percolator" and more ! (Tapers welcome as the club allows) 9pm show!
tickets :207-351-3221
http://www.blogger.com/www.innontheblues.com

JIM WEIDER'S PRoJECT PERCoLAToR
The INN at Willow Pond
Date: May 2, 2009
Time: 8:00pm
Manchester,VT
05255-1429
ProJECT PERCoLAToR , featuring Jim Weider -Guitar,Rodney Holmes -drums ,Mitch Stein - guitar , and Ron Jenkins-bass will be performing the CD "Percolator" and more ! (Tapers welcome as the club allows) for tickets call :800-533-3533 or 802 -362 -4733 info@innatwillowpond.com

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Happy b'day Pat Travers!


The musician turns 55 today.

Happy b'day to the late Tiny Tim!


The eccentric musician would have turned 77 today. He passed away in '96 after suffering a heart attack.

Happy b'day John Kay!


The Steppenwolf singer turns 65.

Little Sammy Davis online article update.


We have seen Little Sammy Davis perform live twice @ Levon Helm's amazing Midnight Ramble & for a wonderful, little elderly man, he has a very large presence. Here is a link to an online article about the great blues musician who recently suffered & is recovering from a stroke:
http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090412/NEWS/904120321