Miles Davis, The Fillmore West, 1970
Seeing Airto Moreira last weekend in Telluride has me going back into Miles Davis’ early 70’s stuff. Airto was percussionist on ‘Bitches Brew’ and ‘Live/Evil’, among others, and toured with Miles. I came across this 1970 show from the Fillmore West in San Francisco – a lineup which included Airto.
They were opening for another group of musicians. Who were they? Well, let’s think about this. It’s 1970. San Francisco. Who could it possibly be? You guessed right, this April night in San Francisco, Miles Davis and his crew opened for the Grateful Dead. Can you imagine?? Well, we can try our best to recreate the night 36 years later.
Here’s Miles’ set, with this lineup:
Miles Davis – trumpet
Steve Grossman – soprano saxophone
Chick Corea – electric piano
Dave Holland – bass, electric bass
Jack DeJohnette – drums
Airto Moreira – percussionApril 12, 1970
Fillmore West Auditorium
San Francisco, CA1. It’s About That Time – 10:38
2. Directions – 11:58
3. I Fall in Love Too Easily – 1:46
4. Sanctuary – 3:46
5. Footprints – 10:23
6. Agitation – 1:46
7. No Blues – 7:40
8. Bitches Brew – 14:20
9. Spanish Key – 11:11
10. The Theme – 0:46To round out the evening, the Dead hit the stage. Now you don’t think I’d leave you high and dry after listening to Miles and company kick off the evening, do you? The entire Dead set, my friends, is streaming right here.
Is this cool or what? But wait, there’s more (I know, I sound like an infomercial).
- Check out Dark Funk for 3 more full Miles shows from ’68 and ’69.
- Also check out MoogPower for ‘Panthalassa’, a Bill Laswell mixed album of Miles’ early 70’s stuff. Very cool.
- Look into Miles’ music on Amazon. I recommend this.
Seeger Sessions: American Land Edition
The latest Springsteen / Seeger Sessions news is an October 3rd re-issue of ‘We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions”. It’s called the “American Land Edition”, and will include – you guessed it – “American Land”, which I guess we can finally confirm is a Springsteen original.
Also featured are studio versions of Blind Alfred Reed’s “How Can a Poor Man Stand Such Times and Live” and Pete Seeger’s “Bring ‘Em Home” with modified lyrics by Springsteen, as well as “Buffalo Gals” and “How Can I Keep From Singing,” which were previously included only on the DVD side of the original DualDisc edition. – – from this Yahoo article
Hmm, is this a calculated ploy to get more money from the Springsteen faithful? Or is it a semi-spontaneous, good-will gesture of getting these songs “officially” released? To be fair, the extra songs will be available as individual downloads on iTunes, but like many Boss freaks, I need to hold it in my hands. So, I’ll be shelling out a few more bucks for this edition. *sigh*
Here’s “American Land” from the US tour finale…
Bruce Springsteen & the Seeger Sessions Band:
American Land(mp3) – live, June 25, 2006 in Holmdel, NJLyrics can be found at this previous post.
Crooked Still
I have some bluegrass to get out of my system. A few of my coming posts will lean toward the bluegrass / traditional side as I showcase some cool artists I’ve come across. First off is Crooked Still.
For those who had the pleasure of seeing Bruce’s Seeger Sessions tour, you undoubtedly noticed the banjo player with the bushy ‘do. His name is Greg Listz (Dr. Gregory Liszt actually, he has a Ph.D. in Biology from M.I.T.), and his full time gig is banjo man for Boston bluegrass outfit Crooked Still. Joining Greg are sweet singin’ Aoife O’Donovan (it’s pronounced “EEf-uh”), Rushad Eggleston on cello, and Corey DiMario on bass.
One of the free mp3’s offered on their web site is this forlorn bluegrass ballad. I like the dynamic of the instruments. The cello and banjo trading off riffs is a cool touch. And Aofie’s soft & sweet vocals add a lot to the tune as well. As you’ll hear, there’s some serious folkybluegrass goin’ down in Beantown. If you like what you hear, pick up one of their CD’s.
Crooked Still:
Look on and Cry(mp3) – from their debut CD, ‘Hop High’. You can check it out here.- Their new CD, ‘Shaken by a Low Sound’ will be released August 22nd on Signature Sounds, You can buy an advance copy here.
- Crooked Still’s Official Site | MySpace Site
Airto and Flora in Telluride
I just returned from a much needed vacation in one of the most beautiful spots on earth: Telluride, Colorado. That pic above is the view from my parents’ place. Not bad, eh? I timed my trip to coincide with the Telluride Jazz Celebration; three days of fun in the
sunrain featuring Herbie Hancock, Soulive, Terence Blanchard, Ernie Watts, and Regina Carter, among many others. Of those others were the guests of honor, Brazilian jazz legends, percussionist Airto Moreira and his wife, singer Flora Purim.
Airto met Flora in Rio de Janeiro in 1965. A couple years later, he followed her to New York City, where he met up with bassist Walter Booker, who introduced Airto to jazz greats like Cannonball Adderly, Lee Morgan, Paul Desmond, and Joe Zawinul. It was Zawinul who recommended Airto to Miles Davis for the Bitches Brew sessions in 1970. Airto and Zawinul also went on to form Weather Report with Wayne Shorter, Miroslav Vitous, and Alphonse Mouzon.
Watching Airto over the weekend was something to behold. I was a volunteer stagehand for the festival, and helped Airto and his band (Eyedentity) set up for a late night gig at the Telluride Conference Center. The man does absolutely amazing things with an assortment of latin percussion instruments, including his voice. Just really cool stuff. One of the songs that really hit me hard was “Tombo in 7/4”, an Airto original that really lets loose with the percussion. Every band member had percussion in hand, and away they went. The version here is a little faster paced than what I heard in Telluride. It’s one of those songs in which it’s humanly impossible to sit still (which I did see some people doing – they must have been dead).
Airto Moreira:
Tombo in 7/4(mp3)Bonus: Miles Davis (with Airto on percussion):
Sivad(mp3) – from Live/Evil- Airto’s Official Site
- Airto on Amazon
Marah Video from Schuba’s Tavern
It’s been a while since I’ve caught up with Marah on the road via one of Milwaukee Zack’s great videos. Well, here’s a performance of “So What If We’re Out of Tune (with the Rest of the World)”, live at Schuba’s Tavern in Chicago on Thursday night (July 28). Everybody say “Thank you Zack!”
Being James Brown, by Jonathan Lethem
If you haven’t had a good fix of James Brown lately, or if you’re not that familiar with his stuff other than what you’ve heard in hip hop samples, allow me to steer you toward a great piece in Rolling Stone magazine by Jonathan Lethem. It’s an in depth look at the James Brown of 2006, and the James Brown Band of 2006. From spending days with the band in an Augusta, Georgia recording studio, to a JB gig in Gateshead, UK, Lethem really captures James Brown: the soul / funk superstar, the strict and unforgiving band leader, the lonely, abandoned inner child, and the troubled older adult (with the law, marriage, etc.). It also captures those surrounding him, his band in particular. Obedient and respectful servants of the man on stage and in the studio, but very real people with real musical aspirations behind the scenes.
Lethem is an amazing writer, as you’ll see. I’ve enjoyed a few of his imaginitive sci-fi books (Gun, With Occasional Music, Girl in Landscape, As She Climbed Across the Table), and was happy to come across this RS article.
The online article also has a link to a James Brown Essential playlist, 9 full songs including “Cold Sweat”, “Think”, “Please, Please, Please”, and “Lost Someone”. There is also a 20 minute mp3 interview with Lethem. Take a few minutes out of your online cruising and enjoy this…
Article: Being James Brown – Rolling Stone article written by Jonathan Lethem
The Artist: James Brown’s Official Site | Wikipedia Entry | Buy His Music
The Author: Jonathan Lethem’s Web Site | BibiliographyReckless Kelly Rocks La Zona Rosa
There’s just something about me and Texas music. Steve Earle, Townes Van Zandt, Old 97’s, the Reverend Horton Heat, Jerry Jeff Walker, Blaze Foley, Joe Ely, etc. etc… some damn fine music has its roots in that big ol’ state. There are two music meccas I have yet to visit, but one day certainly will: New Orleans and Austin, Texas. Since the late 90’s, Reckless Kelly has been one of the greatest roots rockin’ Austin bands around.
Reckless Kelly is made up of brothers Willy and Cody Braun, David Abeyta, Jimmy McFeeley, and Jay Nazz. Willy and Cody, originally from Challis, Idaho, started off touring with their dad in a Western Swing band called Muzzle Braun & the Boys. They relocated to Austin in 1997 and have been tearing it up as Reckless Kelly ever since. They can count Joe Ely as one of their fans. I just posted about Joe Ely. It’s all connected, man. Scary.
On August 8th, Sugar Hill Records will release ‘Reckless Kelly Was Here‘, a 2-CD collection of a live performance at La Zona Rosa in Austin. Also included is a very impressively shot DVD of the performance. I’ve been getting more and more into these guys the more I hear ’em. Come to Arizona, boys.
Here’s a couple of special sneak peeks at the upcoming release. One showcasing their great version of a Richard Thompson tune, and another that shows off their sense of humor, which really comes across in their live show. As a father of two little girls, anyone who can work the Wiggles into a wild Texas rock n roll show is OK by me.
Reckless Kelly:
1952 Vincent Black Lightning(mp3) | Richard Thompson cover
Reckless Kelly:Wiggles & Ritalin(mp3)- Buy Reckless Kelly Was Here.
- Check out their Official Site here, where they’re streaming the entire album, and have a whole lot more cool stuff too.
New Bruce Cockburn: Life Short Call Now
Flying completely under my radar last week was a brand spankin’ new release from my other favorite Bruce, Mr. Cockburn. ‘Life Short Call Now‘ is his first studio offering since 2003’s ‘You’ve Never Seen Everything‘. I was introduced to Bruce’s music back in 1994 when I heard “Southland of the Heart” on the radio. Back in 1994 there was one cool station in Phoenix: 101.5 KZON (now one of those “Free FM” stations). “Southland” came from ‘Dart to the Heart‘, an album that zeroes in on matters of the heart, relationships, longing, L-O-V-E baby. From there, I dug into Bruce’s catalog, and was hooked.‘Life Short’, released July 18 here in the U.S., is Cockburn’s 29th – yes 29th – album. It’s everything you’d expect from a quality Cockburn album: the intelligent and insightful lyrics, calm yet urgent vocals, and an array of eclectic and wholly original melodies. Check out the falsetto on the haunting “Beautiful Creatures”; the unwavering faith of “Mystery”; the pounding rhythm of the instrumental “Jerusalem Poker”.
I’m not sure why Cockburn isn’t as popular down here in the US as in his native Canada, but that’s just fine by me (and Bruce is probably okay with that too). But by all means, if he stops through your town on his current tour supporting this album, go and see a living legend.
Here’s one off the new record with Ani DiFranco lending a hand with background vocals.
Bruce Cockburn (w/ Ani DiFranco): See You Tomorrow (mp3)
And while you’re at it, check out this cool version of Bob Dylan’s “Chimes of Freedom”:
Bonus Tune: Bruce w/ Yossou N’Dour: Chimes of Freedom (mp3) – 8/3/1994, Columbia Records Hour
- Buy Life Short Call Now.
- See Bruce’s Tour Dates.
Blowfly’s Punk Rock Party and Ickmusic Contest
FREE STUFF ALERT >> CLICK HERE TO GO RIGHT TO THE CONTEST
Let’s have some fun, huh? Who wants to get down in person with the original “dirty mouth of the South?” Look out, because Blowfly is coming to your town, and I’ve got two tickets to give away, along with an advance copy of ‘Punk Rock Party’ (not out until September 12), and a Blowfly t-shirt to boot.
‘Punk Rock Party’ will be released on Jello Biafra’s label, Alternative Tentacles. Blowfly’s M.O. is “dirty” remakes of well known tunes. On this album, he takes on punk classics like the Dead Kennedys’ “Holiday in Cambodia”, reworked as “R. Kelly in Cambodia” (with guest vocals by Jello himself), the Ramones’ “I Wanna be Sedated” (which morphs into “I Wanna Be Fellated” – lol), and my personal fave, an updated Clash classic, “Should I Lay this Big Fat Ho?”.
Blowfly is actually 61 year old Clarence Reid, who was a songwriter for many R&B acts of the 60’s and 70’s (Sam & Dave, KC and the Sunshine Band). His knack for making funny (and obscene) versions of others’ songs led him to adopt his alter ego, Blowfly. His debut album, ‘The Weird World of Blowfly’, was released way back in 1971. Since then, dressed in full on superhero getup, Blowfly has released more than two dozen completely tasteless and vulgar versions of many popular tunes. I’m not about to repeat the song titles here, but if you’re ready for a laugh (and you’re an adult who’s not easily offended fer crying out loud), check out his discography on All Music, and be disgusted and amused by the song titles.
Here’s a mix of a few songs from ‘Punk Rock Party’…
Blowfly:
Punk Rock Party Megamix(mp3) – includes “Should I Lay This Big Fat Ho”, “I Wanna Be Fellated”, “Playing with Myself”, “R. Kelly in Cambodia”I’m going out on a limb and guessing that his live show is one entertaining, smut-funkin’ affair. This I gotta see! I’ll be checking Blowfly out at the Clubhouse in Tempe when he hits town in September.
And now…
+++++++++ The Ickmusic Blowfly @#*& Contest! ++++++++++
Okay, we’ll have three winners here. Here are the prizes:
- Grand Prize Winner receives two tickets to see Blowfly in their town (tour dates & locations listed below), an advance copy of ‘Punk Rock Party’, and a Blowfly t-shirt.
- First Runner-up will receive ‘Punk Rock Party’ and a Blowfly t-shirt.
- Second Runner-up will get a Blowfly t-shirt.
Click here to see the trivia question, and to submit your answer.
Check out Blowfly’s Official Site | MySpace Page
Here are the tour dates:
Bruce in Amsterdam, part two
Get yer Seeger Sessions Boss on…
May 16, 2006 in Amsterdam
Part Two
Intro to How Can a…
How Can A Poor Man Stand Such Times And Live?
Jacob’s Ladder
We Shall Overcome
Open All Night
Pay Me My Money Down
My City Of Ruins
Ramrod
You Can Look (But You Better Not Touch)
Band Intro
When The Saints Go Marching In
Buffalo Gals