Last night show of Phil Lesh and Friends at the Asheville Civic Center was incredible. It was 2 full sets and ran from 7pm-11pm, with about a 45 minute break between sets. The opening act(The Benevento Russo Duo featuring Mike Gordon) actually closed the show because they were going to be late because of travel delays.
2 of the "friends" were an added bonus to seeing Phil and hearing the songs I love. they were Joan Osborne on vocals and the incredible John Scofield on guitar.
The second set was a lifetime listening experience. DARK STAR was a very welcome surprise. The energy in this song and EYES OF THE WORLD was dramatically important to us listeners, and fed right to us perfectly. Scofield was blistering. As a jazz guitarist some may wonder how he would be. I had no doubts. If any 2 people know about the art of improvisation, it is Phil Lesh and John Scofield.
Joan Osbornes beautiful and soulful rendition of HE'S GONE was magnificent. When she sang the line "Steal your face right off your head", the crowd went crazy. This was good to see because the crowd seemed to a lot younger than I thought. At first I was worried that this was just a filler for this crowd while Phish is off the scene. But they knew the line and followed along with it. This brought a smile to my face.
Definitely one of the highlights of my musical experiences. It is great to see music played that will never die. It may get rendered differently, but this keeps it not only fresh but everlasting.
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Sunday, June 18, 2006
UNCLE HENRY
Everyone has one. Their most memorable relative. For me it is my Uncle Henry. He seems to pop up in my memory all the time in all kinds of situations. Steph and I call these "Uncle Henry moments". Steph, who got to know Uncle Henry for a short while before his passing, really dug him and gets the jist of these moments.
Whenever I eat pringles I think of him(that was his favorite and forbidden snack).
Whenever I go for "seconds" at a dinner, I think of him. It seems whenever we were at family functions and UH was there, we would both go for seconds at the same time, and if I was behind, he would ask me what my hold-up was.
The other day I got a wicked sunburn when I took Liam and his friend to the pool. Steph accused me of "bikini-watching" and it served me right. All I could think of was UH's ham-radio card he passed around with this written at the bottom"Hobbies:Fishing and Girl-Watching". This is my favorite of UH's. The way I look at it is, I can't help it-it's just my hobby. Way to go Uncle Henry.
My all time favorite memories growing up was listening to my Dad,UH and my Uncle Joe argue about current events in that small apartment my Great-grandmother had above UH's. There would always be a bucket of Kentucky-Fried-Chicken, "Gansett" tall-boys, and a cloud of smoke. Some would turn their heads at this "unhealthy" situation. For me it is a memory, and a wonderful one at that. I was always amazed at how well UH could argue. It used to drive everyone crazy because they all felt he was stubborn. He LOVED to argue about current topics, or just anything that was on his mind. There was always someone willing to debate. You just had to realize you're entering the coliseum with a true gladiator. You see, I always agreed with UH. Sure he was stubborn, but he had good intentions and could back it up. Steph always tells me I am pulling an "Uncle Henry" when I seem to be very stubborn when arguing. I don't get upset about this. I feel sort of proud to be referred to the true master.
Then there is the "Joanie, lets bolt out of here" head wave. Whenever he wanted to leave a function, he would look for his daughter Joanie and give her the head nod toward the door. This may seem like something that anyone does or has done. Not in this case. If you ever saw how UH did it, you would understand. And if you ever wanted to leave somewhere and let your partner know, all you had to do was the "Uncle Henry". That's it-no words. You could be across the room and get the message across.
There are lots more moments. All I hope is that he sees me from "up-there", and smiles knowing that he is behind the emotions in these moments. And I hope he realizes that he was a very cool and hip uncle.
Whenever I eat pringles I think of him(that was his favorite and forbidden snack).
Whenever I go for "seconds" at a dinner, I think of him. It seems whenever we were at family functions and UH was there, we would both go for seconds at the same time, and if I was behind, he would ask me what my hold-up was.
The other day I got a wicked sunburn when I took Liam and his friend to the pool. Steph accused me of "bikini-watching" and it served me right. All I could think of was UH's ham-radio card he passed around with this written at the bottom"Hobbies:Fishing and Girl-Watching". This is my favorite of UH's. The way I look at it is, I can't help it-it's just my hobby. Way to go Uncle Henry.
My all time favorite memories growing up was listening to my Dad,UH and my Uncle Joe argue about current events in that small apartment my Great-grandmother had above UH's. There would always be a bucket of Kentucky-Fried-Chicken, "Gansett" tall-boys, and a cloud of smoke. Some would turn their heads at this "unhealthy" situation. For me it is a memory, and a wonderful one at that. I was always amazed at how well UH could argue. It used to drive everyone crazy because they all felt he was stubborn. He LOVED to argue about current topics, or just anything that was on his mind. There was always someone willing to debate. You just had to realize you're entering the coliseum with a true gladiator. You see, I always agreed with UH. Sure he was stubborn, but he had good intentions and could back it up. Steph always tells me I am pulling an "Uncle Henry" when I seem to be very stubborn when arguing. I don't get upset about this. I feel sort of proud to be referred to the true master.
Then there is the "Joanie, lets bolt out of here" head wave. Whenever he wanted to leave a function, he would look for his daughter Joanie and give her the head nod toward the door. This may seem like something that anyone does or has done. Not in this case. If you ever saw how UH did it, you would understand. And if you ever wanted to leave somewhere and let your partner know, all you had to do was the "Uncle Henry". That's it-no words. You could be across the room and get the message across.
There are lots more moments. All I hope is that he sees me from "up-there", and smiles knowing that he is behind the emotions in these moments. And I hope he realizes that he was a very cool and hip uncle.
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Recent Prog Purchases
I've made a few music purchases lately. I've been delving back to the prog-rock circuit for inspiration. Here are 3 noteworthy...
1)NEAL MORSE-"?"...You can't go wrong with Neal's work. He has taken a christian path with his works now. That's okay. The music is still 100% powerful, epic and incredibly arranged and produced. The former leader of SPOCKS BEARD had us worried for a while back there. When he left the band because he had decided to change his life and follow the teachings of Jesus, we got worried. We thought all he would release was hymn and praise worship(which he does now). But he put our minds at ease with his first "Testimony" and now "?". He gets his message through, and he still rocks!
2)FLOWER KINGS-"Paradox Hotel"...Double album from the Swedish proggers. This band is still in fine form, led by Roine Stolt, and never lets us down with anything they put out. The first disc is okay, but the second disc is phenomenal. I find myself just playing disc 2, but this makes it all the worth the purchase.
3)TRANSATLANTIC-"Building the bridge & Live in America"...This DVD is amazing. First of all Transatlantic is a prog-rock supergroup consisting of Neal Morse(Spocks Beard), Roine Stolt(Flower Kings),Pete Trewavas(Marillion) and Mike Portnoy(Dream Theater). Building the Bridge is a 2-hour documentary on the recording of "Bridge Across Forever" album. If anyone has ever heard this, you would understand why a documentary narrated and told by only the members is so crucial. From the lay downs at Neals home studio, to the recording in Nashville, back to Neals house for overdubs--this is why I love this music. Perfect for the fan.
1)NEAL MORSE-"?"...You can't go wrong with Neal's work. He has taken a christian path with his works now. That's okay. The music is still 100% powerful, epic and incredibly arranged and produced. The former leader of SPOCKS BEARD had us worried for a while back there. When he left the band because he had decided to change his life and follow the teachings of Jesus, we got worried. We thought all he would release was hymn and praise worship(which he does now). But he put our minds at ease with his first "Testimony" and now "?". He gets his message through, and he still rocks!
2)FLOWER KINGS-"Paradox Hotel"...Double album from the Swedish proggers. This band is still in fine form, led by Roine Stolt, and never lets us down with anything they put out. The first disc is okay, but the second disc is phenomenal. I find myself just playing disc 2, but this makes it all the worth the purchase.
3)TRANSATLANTIC-"Building the bridge & Live in America"...This DVD is amazing. First of all Transatlantic is a prog-rock supergroup consisting of Neal Morse(Spocks Beard), Roine Stolt(Flower Kings),Pete Trewavas(Marillion) and Mike Portnoy(Dream Theater). Building the Bridge is a 2-hour documentary on the recording of "Bridge Across Forever" album. If anyone has ever heard this, you would understand why a documentary narrated and told by only the members is so crucial. From the lay downs at Neals home studio, to the recording in Nashville, back to Neals house for overdubs--this is why I love this music. Perfect for the fan.
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
What a week.
A lot of sad news this week. First Vince Welnik died on Saturday. He was the Keyboard player for The Dead in their last run in the 90's as well as the Tubes. He played with them after the death of Brent Mydland, and toured along with Bruce Hornsby, which gave The Dead a great sound with the 2 keyboardists.
Then came the news yesterday of the death of Billy Preston. Another great keyboard player who played with everyone from the Beatles to the Stones and just about every gap in between. If you don't know who this is, just listen to his performance of "That's the way God planned it" on THE CONCERT FOR BANGLADESH. There is always the talk of how great this concert was because it was George Harrison's first appearance since the Beatle breakup, or getting Dylan and Clapton back on the concert stages. etc. etc....For me it was Billy Prestons performance of this song. It raises the hairs on my neck everytime I see this or listen to this.
Finally today for some reason I was thinking about Dan Folgelberg. I decided to visit his web page and there was a note from him saying that he has advanced prostate cancer with no hopes of writing or performing in the near future. It sounds bad and it makes me sad.
Case in point-Only the good die young.
Then came the news yesterday of the death of Billy Preston. Another great keyboard player who played with everyone from the Beatles to the Stones and just about every gap in between. If you don't know who this is, just listen to his performance of "That's the way God planned it" on THE CONCERT FOR BANGLADESH. There is always the talk of how great this concert was because it was George Harrison's first appearance since the Beatle breakup, or getting Dylan and Clapton back on the concert stages. etc. etc....For me it was Billy Prestons performance of this song. It raises the hairs on my neck everytime I see this or listen to this.
Finally today for some reason I was thinking about Dan Folgelberg. I decided to visit his web page and there was a note from him saying that he has advanced prostate cancer with no hopes of writing or performing in the near future. It sounds bad and it makes me sad.
Case in point-Only the good die young.
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