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live music just performed | live music in preparation | tales of the echo beach band | music from the laptop | music from the stereo | music at large | as seen and heard on tv |
Monday, April 26, 2004 10:58:05 AM
Our setlist yesterday at Borders Sunnyvale was: extended drum introduction, "Afro Blue", "Merengue", "Cal's Pals", "Delicate Creature", "Place To Be", "Wave", "Killer Joe", "One Note Samba", "Morning/Midday", "Footprints", "Girl From Ipanema", "Key West Intermezzo", "Fall", "So What", "Mysterioso/Freddie Freeloader", "St. Thomas". Michael Pinkham guested on the drumset after an all-night post-gig drive from Arcata. Way to go Michael! This Borders mezzanine is a great acoustic space. Thanks to the audience and the CD buyers!
Monday, April 19, 2004 9:57:01 AM
Our setlist last night at Borders McCarthy Ranch was: "Wave", "Key West Intermezzo", "Afro Blue", "Killer Joe", "One Note Samba", "Morning / Midday", "Footprints", "Girl From Ipanema", "Fall", solo marimba piece (in E and Em this time), "Place To Be", "So What", "Cal's Pals", "St. Thomas", "Blue Bossa", "Freddie Freeloader", and "Delicate Creature". Three years since our last gig at McCarthy Ranch, and last night we had a warm welcome from the Cafe audience, and Matt the manager. Thanks to all the CD buyers!
Monday, April 05, 2004 1:00:29 PM
Our setlist yesterday at Towles Cafe was: "Viva Tirado", "Killer Joe", "Morning/Midday", "Ain't No Sunshine" in 6/8, "Sitting In Limbo", "Moanin'", "Merengue", "Fall", "Delicate Creature", "Blue Bossa", "Afro Blue", "Tune Up", "Freddie Freeloader", solo marimba piece, "Key West Intermezzo (I Saw You First)", "Place To Be", "Footprints", "Wave", "Ain't No Sunshine" in 4/4 as a ballad, "One Note Samba", "Cal's Pals", "Vagabond Virgin", "So What", and "St. Thomas". This was the first time the band played "Freddie Freeloader", "Sitting In Limbo", and "Ain't No Sunshine" and the first time the whole band (not just John and Justin) played "Moanin'".
Friday, April 30, 2004 4:57:27 PM
An mp3 of some marimba keyboard warmup (the chord progression from Sting's "Invisible Sun") today is here via the production facilities of Audblog
Thursday, April 22, 2004 12:16:20 PM
Woodshedding for upcoming rehearsals: Brian's new drum piece; "Bright Size Life" and "Slip Away" by Pat Metheny; my own tune "Mr. Coaster".
Thursday, April 15, 2004 3:56:03 PM
An mp3 of some marimba improvising I did today is here via the production facilities of Audblog
Monday, April 05, 2004 1:12:06 PM
Yesterday morning before our gig I wrote a new chart for "Mister Coaster". (The third version so far, and we still have not played the tune other than to jam on the changes in rehearsal). John chose a melody as we were setting up to play the gig yesterday but ultimately, it wasn't yet time to unloose the piece on the world. This piece of music is by far the most belabored I've written in nine years of composing for this band, but the effort will be worth it. During the band's lunch break yesterday I discussed the chart with Justin and John, which was good input for my next rewrite! For one thing, Justin helped me understand repeat marks better. Getting there!
Monday, April 26, 2004 11:02:01 AM
Here is a beautiful sound, of a Balinese musical phrase style called "Kotekan" as recorded by Gamelan Sekar Jaya. GSJ will perform on May 8th in Oakland at The Oakland Day of Percussion.
Thursday, April 22, 2004 12:14:52 PM
iTunes: Fleetwood Mac - "Walk A Thin Line"; Kate Bush - "Room For The Life"; The Kinks - "Celluloid Heroes"; The Strawbs - "Lay Down"; T. Rex - "Bang A Gong (Get It On)"; Thin Lizzy - "I Don't Want To Forget How To Jive"; Traffic - "Something New"; U2 - "Electrical Storm (William Orbit Mix)". (can you tell that my 'British Rock' folder was playing?)
Saturday, April 17, 2004 12:16:38 PM
Election Year Music: "Hot Plate Heaven At The Green Hotel" and "Rhymin' Man" from Broadway The Hard Way -- Frank Zappa and the '88 Band. The funniest Zappa album? Could be! The burningest band? You Be The Judge!
Friday, April 16, 2004 11:16:40 AM
Tears for Fears - "Break It Down Again" maxi-single on CD
Thursday, April 15, 2004 11:32:41 AM
iTunes: Gary Burton - "Tossed Salads And Scrambled Eggs"; Alex de Grassi - "Overland"; Terry Gibbs and Buddy DeFranco - "Rockin' In Rhythm"; Weather Report - "Boogie Woogie Waltz".
Monday, April 12, 2004 11:24:31 AM
Echo Beach - Demo 2003 on CD. It's been a few months since I listened to this and as much as I like it I'm struck by how many tunes we play now that are at faster tempos than anything on the CD, and by how much richer the texture of the band is now compared to 14 months ago when we recorded the CD.
Anton Fig - "Inside Out", "Jan/Feb/March", "Tears", "Anyway That You Want Me", "Heart of Darkness", "KWYG II", "Brian Wilson overdubs" from Figments.
Tuesday, April 27, 2004 12:26:43 PM
Gene Clark - No Other on vinyl. 30 years after its release this remains for me one of the most powerful albums -- poetically and musically -- of the '70s. Clark (a great songwriter and singer) receives musical support here that is the richest of his career (including The Byrds). Special mention to Lee Sklar's bass work. This review compares the record favorably to Skip Spence's Oar which I haven't heard (although I met Spence a couple of times but that's another story); Big Star's Third (which I have heard); and Dennis Wilson's Pacific Ocean Blue (which I have heard). The review cites these records as distinctive personal statements (agreed). I think in the case of No Other and Pacific Ocean Blue there's a lyrical theme of human strengths, mistakes and frailties that unites the records as well.
Wednesday, April 21, 2004 2:34:23 PM
Weather gradually becoming warmer. It's warm enough for riddim of Jamaica, from Mr. Desmond Dekker and his vinyl offering Dekker's Sweet 16 Hits.
Wednesday, April 07, 2004 7:54:12 AM
Michael Nesmith and the First National Band - Magnetic South on vinyl.
Pat Metheny, Ornette Coleman, Jack DeJohnette, Denardo Coleman, Charlie Haden - Song X on vinyl.
Tuesday, April 06, 2004 2:23:05 PM
KDFC-FM while studying
Thursday, April 15, 2004 11:34:23 AM
Bassist Al Carlson is sitting in with us this Sunday at Borders Milpitas. We rehearsed with him last night. It's gonna be a good gig.
Friday, April 16, 2004 11:20:50 AM
Last night, San Francisco Ballet performing to the music of Erik Satie, Scott Joplin and more. The Satie pieces were my favorites. I also enjoyed being introduced to the music of Franck and Massenet. Everything was entertaining.
Monday, April 12, 2004 11:24:12 AM
It's more than rare, it's a day to be treasured when you can see performances by Emil Richards, Joe Porcaro, an ensemble led by Eugene Novotney, leading regional players led by such people as Bill Yeager plus impressively talented and dynamic student ensembles such as those at San Diego State U., and a lot more. I was lucky enough to catch all of this two days ago at the 1st Annual San Diego Day of Percussion. Days like these make the work so rewarding that I do for Percussive Arts Society.
Friday, April 09, 2004 9:25:13 AM
Here's a New York Times story on Benders (nothing to do with "Futurama") -- people who modify mass-produced sound-making toys to allow them to interface with controller modules such as keyboards, so the toys can be performance instruments. Check it out, it just looks fun.
Thursday, April 08, 2004 7:24:42 PM
Tomorrow I'm leaving for San Diego where I'll co-host the 1st Annual Day of Percussion at San Diego State University. We've got a great lineup of musicians performing and teaching. I hope it's a hit; a lot of people have put a lot of energy into making the Day happen. This summer I'm running for re-election for the office I hold as Chapter President of Percussive Arts Society California Chapter and if I lose the election this Day of Percussion will be my next-to-last in office. Between you, me, and your monitor, I want to win and to continue the experience.
Tuesday, April 06, 2004 2:15:55 PM
Here is the blog of a fellow (a bass player and actor) named Garen Ewing who lives in East Grinstead in the U.K. He recently saw Brian Wilson with band and orchestra on the Smile tour there in the U.K. and he gives a detailed review of the show in his blog. Good job on the blog Garen!
Thursday, April 29, 2004 9:59:24 AM
Patti Smith and band played "Mother Rose" from the new album trampin' on Live with Regis and Kelly.
Friday, April 16, 2004 4:56:03 PM
Watching the latter part of The Concert for George today on VHS it struck me again what a unique philosophical (metaphysical) perspective Harrison's songs began to take once he started studying the music of India (like he got materialism out of his system almost completely with "Taxman" and then moved on). (Saturday, April 17, 2004: What was I thinking of? After "Taxman" there's "Piggies" and "Savoy Truffle"!). What a great writer of love songs with a consistent message expressed through many points of view. In the metaphysical vein, I remember hearing the single of "The Inner Light" ("Lady Madonna"'s B-side) at my friend Scott's house right after it was released. The song didn't strike a chord then. It does now and I think this is one of Jeff Lynne's best-ever vocals for all the plainspokenness it has (which matches the lyrics and the sitar performance by Anoushka Shankar). I appreciate this concert 1) cause it's live, 2) cause it gathers the particular group of musicians that it does playing these specific songs by Harrison and others, and 3) there are so many drummers and percussionists on stage! Capaldi/Starr/Keltner/Emil Richards/Ray Cooper, the ensemble from India, and more! And for guitar-lovers like me ya got yer Albert Lee/Eric Clapton/Mike Campbell thing happening, and more! Extra added attractions are Sam Brown, Jools Holland, Billy Preston, Gary Brooker, Paul McCartney and it doesn't stop there. Extra added trivia -- Ron Blair back on bass with the Heartbreakers (haven't seen him since the '70s). Eric Clapton may be remembered for this show as much as for Cream and Layla when all is said and done. I think it's that great a set of performances that he organized.
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