for more info: www.waneefestival.com
REPOST: Jambands “Warren Haynes Presents the 22nd Annual Christmas Jam, Asheville Civic Center, NC”, published 12/24/10: http://bit.ly/ePFY2B
Before we made it to the Asheville Civic Center, we caught a few bands during the Christmas Jam by Day. We stopped at the Emerald Lounge for a great set by a Nashville group named The Last Straw, and also saw Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Artemis Pyle play a few songs as well. It was a grand ole time in typical southern fashion, and afterwards we strolled up the hill for the Xmas Jam.
Umphrey’s McGee was on stage when we walked into the area marked off for VIPs giving us plenty of breathing, standing and dancing room. Their light show, as always, is amazing, the bass line was low with a heavy drum beat during the second song “1348,” and then John Bell (Widespread Panic) showed up to play “Ain’t No Sunshine”, one of my favorite Bill Withers’ song. Bell sounded incredible and the song was brilliantly funky.
photo by: Allison Murphy
The electricity in the air was palpable as we anticipated the debut of The Warren Haynes Band. Ruthie Foster welcomed us and introduced “A Special Little Taste of the Warren Haynes Band.” She also said something about welcoming friends and family and it sure felt like family around me, even though this was my first Christmas Jam ever.
The Warren Haynes Band then came on with all cylinders firing. The first song, “Man in Motion,” featured Warren’s unmistakable twang on the guitar and some extra depth from the DDBB horns. The crowd was psyched and intent on discovering what Warren’s new style would be and how his band would sound. It turned out to be full of soul, dance, funk, blues: a southern rock mesh of beautiful sounds. With the second song I was able to start to see the personalities of the group take form with Warren’s singing, Ruthie’s beautiful voice, Ivan Neville on keys sparkling, accenting where needed, (oh yeah and Warren shredding). “Sneakin’ Sally” was killer and Ron Holloway and his sax made it all that dirtier with Ivan’s keys hitting the right spots along with the relentless drum and bass beat by Terrence Higgins and Ron Johnson, respectively. Beautiful.
photo by: Allison Murphy
I know… totally plugging myself here, but I’m so excited. “Officially” published now.
10. The Christmas Jam Ale was delicious going down. But it crushed me the next morning.
9. Dirty Dozen Brass Band opening the Pre-Jam, and setting the tone for the whole weekend.
8. New band The Last Straw from Nashville TN. Rocking southern sound, and wonderful nice people. Can’t wait to see them in NYC!
7. The Satellite Gallery showcasing incredible photos from Allison Murphy, Danny Clinch (this one being my favorite), David Oppenheimer, Dino Perrucci, Don Van Cleave, Jay Blakesberg, Kirk West, Stewart O’Shields.
Poster Art By: Eugene Serebrennikov (Hyp_inc), Gary Houston, Jeff Troldahl, Steve Johannsen & More
6. Standing next to Artemis Pyle at the Emerald Lounge – no more than 5 feet from him. Wow.
5. VIP tickets for Christmas Jam allowing us to get into the Pre-Jam at the Orange Peel, and extra amenities at the Christmas Jam. They fed me, and they had a separate bar line (albeit always very long), coat check and private bathrooms.
4. Steve Miller, a cappella and Carlos Reyes on harp. Song dedicated to Les Paul. Breathtaking, goosebumps.
3. The Warren Haynes Band. No words. Seriously. Highlight: Sneakin’ Sally through the Alley
2. Gregg Allman and Warren Haynes, acoustic, playing Melissa at the Pre-Jam. Brought me to new heights.
1. The Players: Warren Haynes, Ruthie Foster, Ivan Neville, Ron Holloway, Ron Johnson, Terrence Higgins, Kevn Kinney, Audley Freed, Gregg Allman, Steve Miller, John Bell, JoJo Hermann, Umphree’s McGee, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Cody Dickinson and so many more…
I knew this was in litigation back in the summer, but I hadn’t heard anything else until now.
From the website linked above.
“Hello fans of music – this is an URGENT message!
George Porter Jr., Russell Batiste and Brian Stoltz, individually and as members of PBS, LLC, need OUR help.
They have been sued by their former management company, Higsteppin’ Productions, LLC, owned by Phil Stepanian, for a huge sum of money (more than a half-million dollars, yes, that’s right, over a half-million dollars), which they do not have, cannot pay, and should not owe.
Both Porter and Stoltz have had to file for bankruptcy protection, and they risk losing their homes, assets, and life’s work. GEORGE MAY LOSE HIS ROYALTIES AND PUBLISHING RIGHTS! As y’all already may know, through their work collectively and individually with the Meters, the Neville Brothers, Doctor John and Allen Toussaint (to name just a few), these wonderful musicians have contributed an immeasurable amount to the cultural landscape of New Orleans, America and the world.
You can help by clicking on this widget below – or go to the SAVEPBS.ORG website:
The audio links are up. For your enjoyment….
Lettuce/Nigel Hall Band: http://www.archive.org/details/lettuce2010-10-02.tlm170.flac16
Soulive: http://www.archive.org/details/soulive2010-10-02.tlm170.flac16
I picked up this book as a recommendation from a friend of mine. I actually got the book months before I read it – well, it was summertime and I had been busy dancing at a lot of shows, so my down time was usually spent sleeping and not reading. But I have to say, this book was a great end of the summer read.
The Last Block in Harlem was a great read, I actually devoured it in about 5 hours. I’m known to devour books when I like the voice of the characters, and I just ate this up. It obviously starts in Harlem, present time, and shows the essence of Harlem, the colors, the smells, the heart and energy of Harlem, NYC.
The narrator’s name is never revealed, and I’ll try not to say too much about the storyline – please just read it, it’s a great read – but it follows this man into a new world, away from the corporate bullsh*t and into an adventure of his own, taking pride in his neighborhood, meeting the characters that he never had the time to meet before, and enjoying the moments on his uptown ‘hood. The serene calmness of it all gets riled up involving the local government, the beginnings of a local uprising/movement/taking back the power of a group of neighbors, and then gets all funky in the end. I won’t reveal what happens, but hopefully you’ll pick it up and find out, and then I can talk to you about it.
Check out Amazon here:
I am now officially published on Jambands.com.
I’m very excited. Click here for pictures and more…. Woo Hoo!!
Please stay on the lookout for my recap of my birthday celebration with Levon’s Midnight Ramble up from Woodstock, NY. It was a magical evening at Levon Helm’s (drums, The Band) studio, on his property in Woodstock, along with friends Assembly of Dust. It’s coming… and it was incredible
Also to come, Gov’t Mule‘s show in Westbury, NY. Sneak peek: I was close enough to see Warren’s fingers p u l l on the strings. Yep, not just slide, not just plucking, but PULLING. My my my my my.
Trombone Shorty
My birthday extravaganza happened this past weekend, starting with NOLA funk down at the Water Taxi Beach with Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue w/ Jon Cleary. I danced in NOLA style and met new friends, and strangers alike. It was the day 1 of the 4 day birthday celebration, and I had just begun to shed the week’s annoyances and focus in front of me. With some burgers from the grill, friends mosey-ing around me, and some highly sweetened margaritas, I started it off on my dancin’ foot.
Thursday: Trombone Shorty, if you haven’t seen him, is a monster on that trombone. Not to mention, a showman in his own right, he gets the crowd pumped, and blasts that trombone loudly, commanding attention. Trombone Shorty not only plays trombone, but he plays trumpet, and there were already 2 saxophonists and a trumpetist up there. It went down, it got funky, it was incredibly loud (thank goodness for my musician earplugs). Highlights: when the band all dropped their instruments and played drums/percussion for what it felt like 10 minutes. I met Trombone Shorty (ok, I shook his hand), and I got a ride home from a good friend (thanks Peter!). A perfect start to what became a perfect birthday.
Photo by: Robyn Gould
Jon Cleary
Friday: Benevento/Russo Duo & Bobby Lee Rodgers, NYC.
Saturday: Midnight Ramble w/ Levon Helm and special guests: Assembly of Dust, Woodstock NY
Stay tuned for more. This weekend is still being processed by my slow moving brain.
photo by: Dino Perrucci
There was a lot of buzz about these guys. A LOT. God Street Wine, popular in NYC in the 90′s and played often at The Wetlands, had 2 weekends filled with four incredibly well received shows in July. Never seeing them before, I did not know much more then “these guys are great, you’ll love them”, and as fate would have it I got a free ticket. These reunion shows were put on as a benefit for The National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
photo by: Dino Perrucci
The first weekend, at The Gramercy was packed with people. The crowd was 40-ish, and everyone was pumped up to see these guys.
Words don’t do justice as pictures and video. Enjoy the ride. I had a blast.
Gramercy Shows:
photo by: Dino Perrucci
7/09/10: Set 1: Borderline, Light My Candles, Run To You, Fortress Of Solitude, April Rain ->Weird Dream, Thirsty, Mile By Mile ->Hellfire, banter – setbreak announce Set 2: Electrocute, Imogene, Stupid Hat, Silver ->Cheap Utah Blues ->Waiting For The Tide ->The Other Shore ->The Princess Henrietta Encore break Home Again encore break #2: Come Together ->Who Do You Love
7/10/10: Set 1: When She Go ->Molly ->Good Night Gretchen ->She Comes Up Softly, Drive West, Who’s Driving ->Dirty Little Secret, Ladyfingers, Epiphany Set 2: intro, Change Your Mind, Call It Love, She Said Dark ->Fourth Of July, R.U. 4 Real?, Manatolking Town, Brand New Pussycat > Crashing Down ->Into The Sea Encore: Dear Prudence, Nightengale
Irving Plaza Shows:
7/16/10 Set I: Wendy, Big Papa, Lighthouse, Crazy Head > Goodnight Gretchen >Hammer and Spike > Stupid Hat, Bring Back the News Set II Stranger, Mile By Mile > Epiphany > I Still Like You > Water > Feel The Pressure > Morning Cigarettes > Waiting For The Tide, Get On The Train Encore 1: Any Major Dude Will Tell You, Brick House Encore 2: Thirsty
7/17/10:
Set One: Nightingale, Driving West, Better than You, Hellfire, The Ballroom -> 6:15, Feather, Straight Line, Imogene Set Two: Good Dream, Snake Eyes, Princess Henrietta, Strange as it Seems, Tina’s Town -> Cheap Utah Blues -> Deep Drag, Diana, Borderline Encore 1: Ticket to Ride, Sweet Little Angel Encore 2: Other Shore -> Into The Sea
