My favorite solo album by Isaac Hayes is Hot Buttered Soul. This album is straight ahead soul delivery. What I love about the album is that it is complementary . By this I mean that Isaac Hayes a great songwriter in his own right pays tribute to the songwriting duo Burt Bacharach and Hal David with the extended “Walk On By”. Then he ends the recording with an 18+ minute rendition of Jimmy Webb‘s “By The Time I Get To Phoenix”. We so love Jimmy Webb’s songs.

Check out the superb groove that Isaac Hayes on piano establishes with The Bar-Kays on ”Hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic”. Tasty Wah-Wah playing going on. You will not be able to sit still for that one trust me.

Hot Buttered Soul is a landmark soul gem that you must listen to in its entirety to gain the full appreciation.

God bless you Isaac Hayes you make the music of our heart soulfully complete

Track Listing

Side One

1. “Walk On By” (Burt Bacharach, Hal David) – 12:03
2. “Hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic” (Isaac Hayes, Alvertis Isbell) – 9:38

Side Two

1. “One Woman” (Charles Chalmers, Sandra Rhodes) – 5:10
2. “By the Time I Get to Phoenix” (Jimmy Webb) – 18:42

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• Isaac Hayes: Walk On By (anothersicknote.com)

She has released a couple of tracks on SoundCloud for preview listening. Here is the track “Once”.

There is also an 18+ minute short film called “When Brave Bird Saved” that uses Laura Marling’s latest recording as a soundtrack.

Her artful music is quite engaging

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Elvis Costello is an established artist with a 35 year music legacy. I find him cameleon like at times, adaptive and prolific at others. I collected his music actively from his début album in 1978, My Aim Is True up to North (2003). I have been on hiatus with Declan MacManus‘s (His real name) musical output for the past 10 years.

Looking back upon his discography I pull out this gem of a collaboration, Painted From Memory (1998). All 12 songs on the original studio recording were co-written by Elvis Costello and Burt Bacharach.

The next chapter in this landmark recording is unfolding. Please see the Web link below to understand the evolution of their partnership to Broadway

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Google announced and demonstrated Google Play Music All Access at the Google I/O Conference today. A logical phase in the evolution of the Google Cloud Music strategy.

I signed up for a 30 day “free” trial. If I decide to pay for a monthly subscription it will cost me $7.99 a month ($9.99 if I decide to buy later).

Google positions Google Play as a Version 1.0 cloud music store. Google Music released in May 2011 translates Google Play into two-year beta. The question you may be asking is what did Google do in two years with Google Play? My direct response is “parity” with the rest of the cloud music players Pandora, Rdio, iTunes and Amazon Cloud Player. I respect “parity” can be an enormous undertaking but this makes Google Play a follower not a leader in the crowded cloud music marketplace.

She’s Not There

Three “natural” technology competitive advantages Google failed to capitalize on with Google Play 1.0.

1) YouTube integration (limited to Share YouTube Video now). This is a trump card for Google, especially since Google announced a YouTube subscription model just recently.

2) Google+ integration. Social networking with Google Play should be a slam dunk. Google Play Hangouts as a listening party makes perfect sense.

3) Voice activated Google Play is missing. “Okay Google. Play me Three Dog Night’s Celebrate.”

Google Play as the “Spotify” killer greatly exaggerates the situation.

High on my list is to hear Google Play on an HTC Beats Audio so I can better discern Google Play’s sound on a smart phone.

That’s my first take on Google Play.

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The Doors – The Doors App (Official Trailer)

Jac Holzman is the consummate music visionary who continues to shape our entertainment taste by effectively wielding technology for highest interpretation value. I love that he is excited about the fiber optic connection he has to Warner Music Group and the InterWeb. I continue to be influenced by Jac Holzman as he asserts himself as subject matter authority in digital music content usability.

It stands to reason that the first person to review the app on iTunes would be Bruce Botnick, The Doors audio engineer and record producer. He is the definitive source along with Jac Holzman to the band’s creative historic output. What better seal of approval existent (next to Ray, Robbie and John) is there to confirm the digital archive than Bruce’s role and responsibilities with The Doors.

The Definitive Doors – Five Stars

Beautifully laid out with great depth and sensitivity to the true history, the band and their music. It works extremely well on my iPad 1 with no crashes or gotcha’s. I highly recommend it to all present and future Doors fans.

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My brother in-law and I just saw them in concert sitting 4th row center on Wednesday May 8th at the Oakdale. See the Related Articles section below for the link to the concert review I posted last week. I love the special effects staging they had for us that night….

You’re going to love what you hear from Howard 100 tomorrow trust the music of our heart

They are one of Howard’s favorite bands.  Here are some pictures from the Top’s rehearsal taken by Scott “The Engineer” Salem at SiriusXm Studio 69 in New York City.

1) Dusty Hill

2) Billy Gibbons

3) Frank Beard

ZZ Top is in the Metro New York area for two performances on their latest tour

1. MAY 14, 2013

   BERGEN PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, ENGLEWOOD, NJ
2. MAY 15, 2013

   THEATER AT WESTBURY Westbury, Long Island

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Dear The Frank Zappa & The Mothers’ Little Helpers,

Yeah. We couldn’t help it. It’s that Special Day for mothers everywhere – still mean and almost 50! To commemorate, memorialize and remind that some things never change. No matter what you do, stating the obvious is often the first necessary step to solving a problem. We appreciate your support and authority in representing Frank Zappa’s intent as an Artist and Humorist. We gratefully and proudly present this Special Edition* of HELP I’M A ROCK / IT CAN’T HAPPEN HERE & WHO ARE THE BRAIN POLICE? On Red Vinyl, 12″ at 45 revolutions per minute. We hope you’ll have it in your hot little helping hands in time to commemorate the American Revolution. Those were the days.

L I M I T E D   E D I T I O N

*What’s so special? Check this out:
Side 1: HELP I’M A ROCK / IT CAN’T HAPPEN HERE Original Stereo 1966 Mix
Side 2: WHO ARE THE BRAIN POLICE? Original Mono Release
WHO ARE THE BRAIN POLICE? Basic Trackings (Rock your own mic!)

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If you want the tree free edition browse over to Zinio.

The We’re In The Band special edition (19 page spread) features three articles by vegan music industry insiders, mega-mogul Russell Simmons (Beats and Eats), hardcore rocker John Joseph (Guest Editor:Punk Planet, main article written by Hillary Pollick (Assistant Editor)), and Goo Goo Dolls drummer Mike Malinin (Meat is Murder). Combined they share with interested readers why they are committed to vegetarianism. Each article also has article insert interviews with additional musicians who embrace the vegan lifestyle.

I especially liked the compilation album column, Mixtape Movement that lists five benefit recordings from 1987-2012.

Well let me publish this post and go make a Celestial Seasoning’s Red Zinger tea to sip while I read this month’s issue. I have so much to learn about vegan news and music now

JD and the Straight Shot

May 8, 2013

Toyota at the Oakdale Theatre

Wallingford, Ct.

I can confirm that this venerable power trio is way more than a “lil ole band from Texas”. They came out, hit their marks on the stage and cranked out their classic blues rock for 90 minutes non-stop. The sound they produce together will grip ya. You feed off their energy song after song. I am always amazed the hurricane gale strength three musicians amplified delivers at the combined center of their respective sound.

What I love about ZZ Top is that they are all meat and no-filler. They had a unique stage setup that takes effective use of wireless networking especially those long cylindrical mike stands. This picture I took with my iPhone captures what I visually experienced. They  had some very cool and captivating graphic effects.

ZZ Top is symbolically associated with sex, cars and rock and roll. They produce great driving music. Gimme All Your Lovin always revs my engines

The opening (warmup) act was JD and the Straight Shot. The band is led by Jim Dolan on lead vocals and guitar. They did a 30 minute set. The song I liked the most by this ensemble was the psychedelic cover of It’s A Beautiful Day’s White Bird. 

ZZ Top Set List

1. Precious and Grace 
2. Heartache in Blue 
3. Waitin’ for the Bus 
4. Jesus Just Left Chicago 
5. Flyin’ High 
6. Pincushion 
7. Heard it on the X 
8. I Gotsta Get Paid 
9. Gimme All Your Lovin’ 
10. A Fool for Your Stockings 
11. My Head’s in Mississippi 
12. Nasty Dogs and Funky Kings 
13. Certified Blues 
14. Chartreuse 
15. Sharp Dressed Man 
16. Legs   

And yes they still have those white fuzzy guitars from the Legs video  

Encore

1. Tube Snake Boogie 
2. Viva Las Vegas 
3. La Grange / Sloppy Drunk / Bar-B-Q 
4. Tush

Related articles

• ZZ Top Oakdale Concert Review – Stay Tuned (musicofourheart.me)

So my revised goal is write that up tomorrow and post it by early evening. Will do my best to make that happen.

In the meantime here is a video of the standout song I heard performed last night by the “Same three guys, same three chords”

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I just watched the YouTube video for the forthcoming John Fogerty album, Wrote A Song For Everyone. Sitting in the studio together are two legends Bob Seger and John Fogerty recording, “Who’ll Stop The Rain“. It gave me chills to watch them sing and play together on this classic CCR song. I love seeing Bob Seger working with John Fogerty as they produce a magnetic interpretation.

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My favorite moment of the night was when Bob said, “Okay, We go back to Live Bullet“, one of the best live rock albums of all time, bar none. He dug down deep transporting us back to Cobo Hall in Detroit Michigan, 1975. Bob and the Silver Bullet performed the connected songs, “Travelin Man” and “Beautiful Loser”. It was better than the original live recording. I became transfixed by the timeless passion he raised through these two songs.

He showcased two new songs from his forthcoming studio album that he projects will release August-September 2013, “All the Roads” and “California Stars”. Bob performed them seated at center stage with an acoustic guitar. When can I place my pre-order Capitol Records? C’mon. c’mon, c’mon

I especially liked the song, “California Stars”,  with lyrics by Woody Guthrie. I urge the reader of this blog post to have a listen on Spotify to and then read up on the Nora Guthrie project, Mermaid Avenue.  Bob Seger has been majorly  influenced by Billy Bragg, Wilco and the memory of Woody Guthrie. I find Bob Seger’s country songs are perhaps his most heartfelt musical moments, as he shares his deep love for country music.

Bob Seger commented to the fans holding up “Happy Birthday Bob” birthday signs that his birthday was on Monday May 6th. He thanked them for recognizing the event ahead of time. He then stated, “I’m going to be 68 and I feel good.” Intuitively he followed those remarks with “Rock and Roll Never Forgets”, the last song of the night.

We left the arena feeling great about the legend, the person, Bob Seger. There were couples dancing in the hallway as we walked out with the night moves.

Set List:

1. Long Twin Silver Line
2. Tryin’ to Live My Life Without You
   (Written by Eugene Williams and Originally performed by soul singer, Otis Clay )
3. The Fire Down Below
4. Mainstreet
5. Old Time Rock & Roll
6. All the Roads
7. Her Strut
8. Like a Rock
9. Travelin’ Man/Beautiful Loser
10. Roll Me Away
11. Come To Poppa
    (Willie Mitchell cover)
12. California Stars
    (Lyrics by Woody Guthrie, Song: Billy Bragg/Wilco)
13. We’ve Got Tonight
14. Turn the Page
15. Sunspot Baby
16. Katmandu

Encore #1

1. Against the Wind
2. Night Moves

Encore #2

1. Hollywood Nights
2. Rock and Roll Never Forgets

Related articles

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I recently wrote about Greil Marcus in my A-Z Music Journalism (February, 2013) blog series. As Paul McCartney would say, “I am chuffed” to see that SVA prizes Greil Marcus’s cultural criticism to have him as 2013 commencement speaker. Music criticism has vaulted ahead to being valued and honored on a more intellectual level. This is an important development for Greil Marcus’s literary body of work as it relates to the elevation of cultural criticism’s role in the arts.

I have to say that the book after Mystery Train that peaks my interest is Mr. Marcus’ 1989 book Lipstick Traces: A Secret History of the 20th Century which is a fascinating study of the hidden voices of counterculture in 1970s London, 1950s Paris, and Zurich and Berlin in the nineteen-teens. The book inspired a soundtrack album by Rough Trade and a theatrical adaptation by the Rude Mechanicals of Austin, Texas.

The event takes place on Thursday, May 9, 2013, 1pm, at Radio City Music Hall, 1260 Avenue of the Americas, New York City. The ceremony is a ticketed event and open to students and invited guests only. It will be streamed live via a webcast at www.sva.edu/commencement. That’s where I plan to watch Greil Marcus speak , thank you ahead of time InterWeb and SVA!

Bumbershoot: Seattle’s Music and Arts Festival will be hosting a gangbuster Bumbershoot 2013. Take a look at the lineup below and then navigate to the Bumbershoot Website to increase your knowledge about this way cool event.

Bumbershoot takes place at the Seattle Center which is complete with a Monorail system, the Space Needle and the Experience Music Project. I find this spot reminiscent of the New York Worlds Fair site.

Adding Bumbershoot 2013 as a strong possible to the wish list in the music of our heart.

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I love their moniker ”The Only Band That Matters”.  Ain’t that the truth

So what’s your favorite song and album by The Clash?

I’ll tell you mine.

Favorite Clash Song: “Should I Stay or Should I Go

Favorite Clash Album: Sandinista!

Let’s start with their new single, “Get Lucky” from the forthcoming album Random Access Memories which is a collaborative effort with Daft Punk(Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter), featuring Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers.

Nile Rodgers is a major catalyst in music. He explains on the video below how he creates with his guitar. He then pinpoints his role with Chic, his mutual respect for David Bowie and Donna Summer. It’s so cool to see how enthused he is to work with Daft Punk.

The second time was as part of the Jimi Hendrix Tribute where he shredded like nobody’s business.

Joe Satriani will release his new album, Unstoppable Momentum on May 7th.

As a music collector I find this collectible of keen interest. I just don’t have a spare $150 to spend for this memorabilia package right now (only 300 available).

I have followed the Music Hack Days actively for the past two+ years now. I have finally found the niche to pursue as a music hacker in earnest with a stated purpose and direction.

My tool of choice is to buy a Raspberry Pi credit card computer ($25-$35) and accessories (TBD)  that allow me to exploit the media center and music hack options. I am eager to emulate, test and then build upon that learning to create a music hack of  merit.

(I freely associate music songs with ideas and vice-versa, so the song by Prince, “Raspberry Beret” continually comes to mind when I think about Raspberry Pi and music…)

Raspberry Pi is a “hot” phenomenon with the ever-growing Linux crowd. It is the lowest cost way to teach yourself how to program in the Python programming discipline. First and foremost its a great toy that you can feel free to experiment with and make a modicum of success right away.

Like most technology revolutions Raspberry Pi has forged a community of enthusiasts that want to succeed together at the low-end of the spectrum for now.

Mark my words it is my “mind’s eye” prediction that Raspberry Pi designers/developers a.k.a hacks will produce commercial electronic solutions worthy of attention and initial sales by the time the Consumer Electronics Show happens in January 2014. Raspberry Pi is poised for exponential growth.

Here are just a few of the early music hacks I have discovered with Raspberry Pi.

1) How to Hack your Raspberry Pi to Play Music Wirelessly from any IOS Device

2) Raspberry Pi Synthesizer

And when all else fails, remember we Got The Beets LOL!

3) BeetBox

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I associated the song with Cat Stevens and his A&M recording, Teaser and the Firecat.

Teaser and the Firecat (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

May each of you have a wonderful Sunday

Peace,

Ed

There are 38 Dylan songs in the Dead’s live catalog.

I have gravitated to one collaborative recording in particular, “Queen Jane Approximately” from Bob Dylan’s 1965 double album, Blonde on Blonde.  I am torn as to which is my favorite live rendition. I first listened to the Dylan cover compilation recording on Postcards of the Hanging (Grateful Dead/Arista). It was recorded on December 29, 1988 at The Oakland Coliseum in California. Bob Weir handles the lead vocal with Dylan inflections on a couple of stanzas.

I next listened to the Dylan & The Dead  live recording on Bob Dylan’s Columbia label. This live recording happened first on July 19, 1987 in Eugene, Oregon.

I located a video on YouTube that underscores the English Tudor symbolism of Queen Jane. However, in 1965 Dylan himself told journalist Nora Ephron that “Queen Jane is a man”.^[4][8]

It is amazing that Bob Dylan and The Dead performed live in concert together at all. If you attended in person any of the Dylan and Dead live shows you probably never knew that it was indeed a simple twist of fate that Bob Dylan and The Dead gelled as a performance nucleus.

Read this Open Culture educational media article about the Dead and Dylan rehearsals to learn more about what finally changed Bob Dylan’s mind to agree to the tour. Bob Dylan’s wry wit about the often Dead rumored “acid-trip” is expressed about the shows at the end of his two-level quote. There is also an audio link on that page that lets you play individual tracks from the 74 song five-hour+ rehearsal!

In Chronicles, Volume 1 he writes:

After an hour or so, it became clear to me that the band wanted to rehearse more and different songs than I had been used to doing with Petty. They wanted to run over all the songs, the ones they liked, the seldom seen ones. I found myself in a peculiar position and I could hear the brakes screech. If I had known this to begin with, I might not have taken the dates…. There were so many [songs] that I couldn’t tell which was which-I might even get the words to some mixed up with others.

Dylan eventually excused himself from the studios, intending never to return. But an encounter with a local jazz band — call it a simple twist of fate — brought him back. Dylan and The Dead started playing through his big repertoire. It was tough sledding at first. “But then miraculously,” he adds,  ”something internal came unhinged.” “I played these shows with The Dead and never had to think twice about it. Maybe they just dropped something in my drink, I can’t say, but anything they wanted to do was fine with me.”

The Capitol Theatre has christened its lobby bar as “Garcia’s” in honor of the legendary Grateful Dead guitarist and singer, who considered the venue was of his favorite in the country. The bar, which formally opens May 16-18, will operate seven days a week and will host live music. The opening ceremony will feature three night’s of performances by Reid Genauer and Friends.

The news came yesterday, at the end of the final night of Furthur’s nine-show run at The Capitol Theatre. Garcia’s daughter Trixie was on-hand for the announcement. “We chose to launch this idea at the Capitol because of its long and illustrious history with the Grateful Dead and the jam scene,” said Trixie. “We hope that it becomes a hub for the community to share stories and continue to build lifelong memories and friendships. Pete Shapiro and the Capitol Theatre staff were the appropriate partners to do this with because of our shared goals and his continued love and support of the Grateful Dead community. Just as important to note is the fact that Jerry’s parents supported our family by owning and operating a bar in San Francisco in the 1940’s and so it seemed right to reconnect with our family tradition.”

Garcia’s will be the first bar to be officially associated with Jerry Garcia’s family.

Garcia’s will include rare photos, artwork and equipment, including vintage never-before-seen shots from famed music/fashion photographer Roberto Robanne, who met Garcia in 1966 and had unlimited access to the band. The bar will also have a 18” bronze sculpture of Garcia’s hand, which has been loaned to the establishment by noted philanthropist and Grateful Dead fan Scott Brittingham. Garcia’s will offer craft beers, as well as wines and spirits, with a focus on local producers. The bar will also host concerts from emerging artists on nights when the theatre is closed.

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There is nothing like a Grateful Dead show. The music, the feeling that you experience at their concerts is the most original cosmic force existent.

This magazine does an incredible job in 100 pages of capturing and documenting the 48 years of America’s greatest band. It’s a tremendous value at $11.99 to have a well curated, cross-functional collection of excerpted articles from the original pages of Rolling Stone Magazine.

I urge you to buy a copy of this special collectors edition for your very own. The photographs by Jay Blakesberg, Herb Greene, Baron Wolman, Jim Marshall and others beautifully articulate the halcyon era of Rock’s Longest Strangest Trip.

I sang this song with Richie Havens on the way to work this morning and it comforts the music of our heart during our time of mourning.

God Bless You Richie Havens, you are the True Soul of Our Peace!

Father, open our eyes, that we
may see, to follow thee. Oh lord
grant us, thy lovin' peace, and let
all dissension cease. Let our fait,
each day increase, 
and Master - Lord please-
Open our eyes, open our eyes-

He has given us, hills and mountains, he 
has given us, level places. 
He has given us food and clothing, 
given us shelter from the storm and the rain-
And all that he provided,
kept us shelter from the storm and the rain-

Grant us thy lovin' peace,
and let all dissension cease,
let our faith each day increase,
and Master - Lord please
Open our eyes, open our eyes

© EMI Music Publishing Author: Leon Lumkins 
(Leon Lumkins and the Gospel Clefs)

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I have always treasured listening to Richie Havens interpret the songs of Bob Dylan. His heart and voice communicated the exact essence of Dylan’s words with unique reverence. I often wondered what Bob Dylan felt when he heard Richie Havens performing his works. I received my answer yesterday in the NY Times Richie Havens Obituary.

Mr. Havens played many songs written by Mr. Dylan, and he spent three days learning his epic “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall.” A man who heard him practicing it stopped him on the stairs as he headed for the dressing room of a nightclub, and told him it was the best he’d ever heard the song sung.

“That’s how I first met Bob Dylan,” Mr. Havens said.

Citation: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/23/arts/music/richie-havens-guitarist-and-singer-dies-at-72.html?ref=music&_r=0

Performed at the tribute to Bob Dylan concert…

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He goes to prepare a place for us. I feel his soul ascending as I try to find solace inside the wonderful music he played for us.

Thank you Richie Havens for your beautiful voice and the peace you warmly create in all of us.

I was fortunate to see Richie Havens perform a couple of times live. My favorite moment was to sit across from him at Players Tavern in Westport, Ct. on my birthday in 1978. He was very cordial to us that evening. I loved the vibe he shared as he played guitar and sang so passionately.

I love his album Stonehenge the best. My favorite track is “Minstrel from Gault”. He opened the Woodstock Music and Arts Festival on August 15, 1969 at 5 p.m. playing that song.

Then my son and I caught Richie Havens at The Jammy Awards in 2006 at The Theatre at Madison Square Garden where he opened the evening with The Mutaytor. Check out the energy of Freedom from that night.

http://www.myspace.com/video/themutaytor/freedom-with-richi-havens-live-at-the-jammys/45560624

Richie Havens we send you loving prayers as you join your spirit as one with Woodstock Nation.

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One blog post alone can never do justice for a radio disk jockey who has the most infectious energy going on so watch for more posts about Brucie on this Website. Cousin Brucie has been a part of our lives for 50+ years. I recall listening to Cousin Brucie on AM 770 radio WABC where Bruce Morrow was an ABC All-American. I would hear him on my hand-held transistor radio that I bought with my paper route money. We loved the New York City Top 40 radio competition between the WMCA Good Guys (570 AM), WINS (1010 AM) with Murray the K and the WABC All Americans. Our music education grew enormously as the three stations battled for our listener loyalty.

Murray the K (WMCA) positioned himself as the “5th Beatle”. While Cousin Brucie got the exclusive honor of introducing The Beatles at Shea Stadium in 1965.

Cousin Brucie has entertained us with his natural charm and genuine love for people and the music ever since The British Invasion. He has hosted many live shows and featured radio broadcasts from Palisades Park on Saturday nights.

He hosted an oldies show on WCBS-FM for 23 years from 1983-2005. He has done the satellite radio show with infectious energy and wonderful warm enthusiasm since 2012.

Cousin Brucie has authored three books, all of which I want to get and read for my music book collection.

• Cousin Brucie: My Life in Rock ‘N’ Roll Radio (1987)
• Doo Wop: The Music, the Times, the Era (published November 1, 2007)
• Rock & Roll:…And the Beat Goes On (published October 1, 2009)

Maybe one day I can get one of his very special bobble head dolls he talks about and gives away on the show

Cousin Brucie

Cousin Brucie

Cousin Brucie

We love you cousin!

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