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music just performed | music being prepared | tales of the echo beach band | music from the laptop | music from the stereo | music at large | as seen on tv |
Tuesday, October 07, 2003 5:38:01 PM: Some pioneers of the blog medium (including Adam Curry, pictured below) just met this past weekend at BloggerCon in Boston. Many participants posted to their blogs about the convention. I've found Werner Vogel's blog a valuable source of what those at the meeting are doing and thinking about as this medium evolves.
Thursday, October 16, 2003 3:45:12 PM
Zebulon Restaurant San Francisco, last night. What a great venue! The staff is gracious, the audience was responsive to our material, the food is great, the acoustic space is just bright and airy enough to play without a PA. Thanks to Scott and Frank for doing a fine fine job sitting in with us.
Saturday, October 11, 2003 10:43:56 AM
Borders Fremont last night, two hour set in the cafe. We set up in a circle. Frank Ellis sat in on percussion. Everyone's ensemble and solo playing sounded just great. We appreciated the positive audience comments, the CDs sold, and the support of the Borders staff.
Wednesday, October 29, 2003 9:40:11 AM
John of Echo Beach, months ago, recommended to me the CD Wakafrika by Manu Dibango, as a source of guitar styles and rhythms applicable to our band. Now I'm investing the time to absorb the CD.
The setlist for our Union City concert in three days will include most of the tunes from our recent concerts, but highly changed in playing order. Our November shows will be the last playing of many of these tunes for a while because in December and beyond I plan to focus the band on playing new material to prepare for recording sessions for our first album. Right now I'm planning the mix of styles and tempos for the album (its arc from start to end).
Monday, October 20, 2003 9:59:57 AM
I have been procrastinating but no longer. Today I start work on a songlist for Echo Beach's first album, to be recorded in late '03 / early '04.
Tuesday, October 14, 2003 11:38:10 AM
The setlist is formulated for tomorrow night's Echo Beach concert at Zebulon Restaurant here in the City. Forthwith: Place To Be, Girl From Ipanema, Morning/Midday with echo, Delicate Creature, Sharkbeat, Merengue, Killer Joe, Jamaican Sun, Afro Blue, Tune Up, Blue Bossa, Vagabond Virgin, Wave, Footprints, Solo marimba piece with loop, Solo acoustic guitar piece with loop, St. Thomas, Viva Tirado, One Note Samba, Cal's Pals, So What. Guest musicians: Scott Mason will join us on the drumset, Frank Ellis on percussion.
Thursday, October 09, 2003 2:53:36 PM
I'm rehearsing tonight with percussionists from the El Camino Youth Symphony. The percussion section is under the direction of Ken Crawford. It's an opportunity to keep upgrading my sightreading chops.
Tomorrow night Echo Beach returns to Borders Fremont for the first time in two years to play a concert.
Tuesday, October 07, 2003 5:39:14 PM
The setlist is prepared for this Friday night's concert in Fremont. I've spent most of this afternoon in marimba practice including looping.
Friday, October 03, 2003 5:33:16 PM
[this entry for tech heads only] "Science!" - I figured out the optimal method for loop recording using the Akai Headrush pedal. The pedal is taking a signal via mic cable from under my marimba where I've planted a Shure AXS 6 mic on a boom stand, and the Headrush output goes to a Roland Super Cube 100 amp. Finally! Two key parameters for a clean, pleasing loop:
Mastering the technique for seamless looping was a goal to prepare for next Friday's gig at Borders Fremont. Now on to other matters such as continuing work on "Mr. Coaster" with John, and "eveninglory" on my own, and song selection for album recording. :-)
Thursday, October 30, 2003 1:26:27 PM
Sleater-Kinney - "Get Up" video; Crosby, Stills & Nash - "Chippin' Away" video; Nick Cannon - "Gigolo" video (I laugh at this clip but what of his kid audience from his Nickelodeon show and Drumline? This video as a followup to those projects is akin to Will Smith following up "Parents Just Don't Understand" with Prince's "Cream".); Fleetwood Mac - "Peacekeeper" video; Green Day - "Last Ride In"; Metallica - "Whiskey In The Jar" video on Launch
Wednesday, October 29, 2003 7:45:40 PM
Drummer / bandleader Babatunde Lea - longform video of "EPK" from 2003, on Launch
Tuesday, October 28, 2003 7:03:24 PM
Soundtrack to Men With Guns, Nancy Zeltsman: marimba
Tuesday, October 28, 2003 6:23:23 PM
The whole Dwight Twilley Tulsa CD
Tuesday, October 28, 2003 10:45:15 AM
Thursday, October 23, 2003 1:17:01 PM
Videos selected from Launch:
Thursday, October 23, 2003 11:29:48 AM
The Windowpanes - "Big Star" from the 'panes website in mp3. The 'panes are a San Francisco "indie jangle power pop" band and I met their guitarist Matt Granz just the other day.
Tuesday, October 21, 2003 11:37:51 AM
Sonos Handbell Ensemble - the Introduction section of James Meredith's Kodo Tryptich in mp3 format. Sonos is a Bay Area percussion group playing an intriguing eclectic repertoire often in conjunction with other musicians.
Monday, October 20, 2003 10:01:08 AM
Steve Houghton - Signature Series on CD. Drummer Houghton has just released a very interesting new album: a re-recording of Shelly Manne's mid-'60s album of Gershwin tunes. I've met Steve through the Percussive Arts Society. I enjoy his drumming very much and I've learned a great deal from his teaching.
Saturday, October 18, 2003 3:34:12 PM
Clarinetist Scott Hill - "Questions and Answers" in mp3 from his website. The tune comes from his album Narrow Streets released last year. Scott plays in the Bay Area (Hotel Utah, Starry Plough, Red Devil Lounge, etc.) with Scott Amendola and groove.org among others. I like the sound of this, a lot.
Friday, October 17, 2003 1:11:56 PM while I assemble an Echo Beach demo kit for Horizons in Pacifica. Pete Escovedo plays there tomorrow night and I'm hoping EB will play there before 2003 is done.
Thursday, October 16, 2003 3:53:14 PM
Videos selected from Launch:
Wednesday, October 15, 2003 1:32:27 PM
Videos selected from Launch:
Tuesday, October 14, 2003 5:15:33 PM
SF's Project Pimento - "You Only Live Twice" with accompanying Flash animation. Theremin Lives!
Tuesday, October 14, 2003 10:25:26 AM
Mark J. Stevens - "Ibiza Sunrise (Chill Out Jazz Mix)" on mp3.com.
Tuesday, October 14, 2003 9:07:11 AM
Pops Staples and Ry Cooder - "I Shall Not Be Moved" a full-song clip in Windows Media from the album Where We Live, sales of which benefit Earthjustice.
Monday, October 13, 2003 1:14:51 PM
Quicktime song clips from Television's Live at The Old Waldorf San Francisco 6/29/78, at the Rhino website.
Monday, October 13, 2003 12:51:10 PM
Fresno State Percussion Ensemble playing Bruce Hamilton's "Raptures of Undream" - an mp3 file
Thursday, October 09, 2003 2:04:06 PM
Solo marimbist Naoko Takada - Velocities in Real Audio.
Tuesday, October 07, 2003 9:36:56 AM
These two cuts from the CD Her Greatest Hits available on Amazon (with sound clips available) and on Glennie's website. This 2-CD set covers most of her career, a spectrum of music from "Maple Leaf Rag" to the experiments with Bjork. Individuals with any level of musical curiosity will be rewarded by exploring Glennie's repertoire IMO. Her control of dynamics and choice of material (among other qualities) equal emotional communication.
These cuts from the Born To Be Wild CD.
Sergio Mendes and Brazil '66 - "Mais Que Nada", "Night and Day", "Fool On The Hill" from Greatest Hits on CD
Gilberto Gil and Caetano Veloso - Tropicalia 2 on CD.
Friday, October 03, 2003 4:28:56 PM
Medeski, Martin and Wood - "Uninvisible" in Real Audio. Great to jam with on the marimba.
Friday, October 03, 2003 2:44:42 PM
Cheap Trick - "My Obsession" in Real Audio.
Thursday, October 02, 2003 9:37:56 AM
Wednesday, October 01, 2003 2:18:22 PM
Friday, October 31, 2003 10:03:15 AM
David Van Tieghem - These Things Happen on vinyl
Wednesday, October 29, 2003 8:41:07 AM
Terje Rypdal, Miroslav Vitous, Jack DeJohnette - To Be Continued, side one on vinyl
Saturday, October 18, 2003 4:38:09 PM
Connie Kay (drums) and Milt Jackson (vibes) - "Statement" on vinyl from the ABC Impulse collection The Drums. Hank Jones and Paul Chambers are the other musicians on this date in 1961.
from the same album, Roy Haynes - "Snap, Crackle"; Dannie Richmond - "The Berkeley Underground".
Friday, October 17, 2003 6:19:02 PM
While I work on Percussive Arts Society business, Dave Samuels's Presentation on CD of Tjaderized, A Cal Tjader Tribute. The musicians: Dave Samuels (vibraphone, marimba); Dave Valentin (flute); David Sanchez (tenor sax); Eddie Palmieri and Michael Wolff (piano); Steve Khan (guitars); Ray Barretto (congas); Bobbie Allende, Karl Perazzo, Marc Quinones (percussion); Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez (drumset). Sound clips here. Dave and Caribbean Jazz Project are playing The Kennedy Center on 10/31 and 11/1.
and then, Arthur Lee and Love - "Live And Let Live", "The Good Humor Man He Sees Everything Like This", "Bummer In The Summer" and "You Set The Scene" from the CD the forever changes concert recorded in London this year.
and then, Milt Jackson - "This Masquerade" from the CD Reverence and Compassion. Milt plays another few beautiful solos and lead lines on the vibes. Leon Russell gets another royalty check :-).
followed by "Half Life of Absolution", "Last Train Home", "Better Days Ahead" by the Pat Metheny Group on the CD The Road To You. Echo Beach played "Last Train Home" in rehearsal in the past and I can foresee bringing that out into the light of day along with "Slip Away" and some other Metheny tunes in the next several months. Conversation is percolating amongst Justin, John and me about the Metheny/Mays repertoire these days. We are all fans of many of his songs (solo compositions and those with Lyle Mays) and of his musicianship on guitar, and also of sometime-collaborator Dave Holland's bass playing and for that matter just about any configuration of musicians with which Pat records. A note of acknowledgement to Terry O. who introduced me to the first PMG album at his home in Ocean Beach back in '78. A major moment for me.
followed by the Max Roach Quartet playing "Scott Free - part 1" on vinyl, the album's Scott Free. Cecil Bridgewater on trumpet and fluegelhorn, Odean Pope on tenor sax, Tyrone Brown on bass, Max on drumset. I saw this quartet twice in the '80s. Their music tore it up as only their music could!
Monday, October 13, 2003 8:09:30 PM
A cassette of Cheap Trick's (actually Robin wasn't there) Rockline show from this summer. CT and Fountains of Wayne are on TV this week on VH1, a concert taped at the Experience Music Project.
Monday, October 13, 2003 6:12:43 PM
A mix tape I recorded seven autumns back:
Sunday, October 12, 2003 11:05:58 AM
This weekend thusfar: Neville Brothers - Treacherous, side three on vinyl; Fleetwood Mac - Kiln House side two on vinyl; Cheap Trick - Heaven Tonight on CD.
Wednesday, October 08, 2003 6:52:38 PM
Yesterday: The Move - Shazam on vinyl. This whole album (released in 1970) is masterfully done, and Side One is especially strong, full of surprises and some of Roy Wood's best songs. Crisp production, choral vocal parts, both crunchy and lighter-than-air guitar parts. Laughs throughout. Great drumming throughout by Bev Bevan (a catalyst for my own career as a drummer), bass playing by Rick Price that showed Tom Petersson more than a few things. My friends Rick and Jim tipped me to this album back in the day and it's one I will never stop enjoying.
Tuesday, October 07, 2003 6:04:52 PM, listened last night:
Monday, October 06, 2003 11:34:46 AM
CDs yesterday: Andy Narell - Little Secrets; Double Image (Dave Samuels / David Friedman) - Duotones and Open Hand; Brian Slawson - Bach Beat (I notice that guitarist Elliott Randall worked on this percussion album, interesting. Percussionist Slawson worked with Stevie Ray Vaughan on a different project). 45s today: The Monkees - "As We Go Along" (I don't know which guitar part Neil Young played but they're all very well-played parts); Elvis Presley - "Return To Sender"; Derek & The Dominos - "Bell Bottom Blues"; Eagles - "Outlaw Man" (last three in glorious mono); Eurythmics - "Would I Lie To You?"
Sunday, October 05, 2003 12:53:11 PM
Richard and Linda Thompson - Hokey Pokey side two on vinyl today; "Dimming of the Day" from the DVD soundtrack of Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood yesterday.
Thursday, October 02, 2003 9:40:07 AM
Yesterday - Tangerine Dream - Underwater Sunlight on vinyl
Thursday, October 30, 2003 4:39:52 PM
If I were to point to the strongest catalyst which led me into action to form Echo Beach in '91, that catalyst was years of listening to the album M'Boom by the group of the same name, led by Max Roach. Buymusic.com has all the tracks from that album for sale. "Rumble In The Jungle" was a mainstay in our band's live sets in the '90s. We began playing "Morning / Midday" early in our gigging life and we still play it today in fact we'll be playing that song in about 48 hours, at Borders Union City. Bottom line: this is an album of dance jazz that's 100% percussion, very beautiful, very primal at times, very entertaining, unique, timeless.
Wednesday, October 08, 2003 7:35:04 PM
Not planned but the band appears in an ad this week on page 82 of San Francisco Weekly, adjacent to containers of Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer(!), a brand which I haven't consumed since college. The Weekly offered us the ad when a band previously booked for it, broke up (ah showbiz). Aerosmith and Kiss are in the ad next to us. This Echo Beach ad amuses me because (a) it makes me feel good to have perservered as a musician in this town to have appeared as a band member in ads for Mabuhay Gardens in the '70s, and in ads with my own band in the new century and (b) I was a fan of Aerosmith in the '70s and saw them at Winterland back in the day. They continue to play live and so do I.
Pictures tell the tale of our gig at Borders San Mateo on September 21st.
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Thursday, October 30, 2003 6:08:39 PM
The Bangles are at #37 with "Something That You Said" on the Radio and Records National Airplay Chart this week.
Thursday, October 30, 2003 11:40:16 AM
On Saturday 11/1 the Sacramento Philharmonic Orchestra performs Frank Zappa's Dupree's Paradise. If I weren't playing a gig that night I would like to be there.
Wednesday, October 29, 2003 7:05:57 PM
Drummer Neil Peart (of Rush) has posted a Flash-based multimedia presentation from his book Ghost Rider, on the Rush website. IMO, he's able as ever to capture the essence of fleeting emotions, in words. In this book he mines hopelessness and hopefulness from his own life, infused with observation and imagination, evidenced in even these short clips from the book. Nothing to do with Rush or even drumming (in what I heard); everything to do with how to get through life. Oh, and elsewhere on the Rush site there's Quicktime footage of the band in Toronto playing "Closer To The Heart" and "Paint It Black" at the SARS Relief benefit concert.
Wednesday, October 29, 2003 10:55:45 AM
Here is a New York Times story on trumpeter / entrepreneur Irvin Mayfield's recent activities. The story might well be subtitled "How He Keeps Up With Wynton" (no easy task!). Irvin performed a few months ago with Los Hombres Calientes at Yoshi's.
Thursday, October 23, 2003 10:34:16 AM
Last night I was in the balcony to hear Evelyn Glennie and the San Francisco Symphony performing the West Coast Premiere of Chen Yi's Percussion Concerto. This was a percussion performance tour de force for Glennie with the Symphony providing vigorous ensemble playing behind her. Edwin Outwater conducted. Performed with equal attention to texture and flow, by the Symphony without Glennie, were Haydn's Symphony No. 59 in A major, Fire and the percussion-rich Symphonic Dances, Opus 45 by Rachmaninoff.
Monday, October 20, 2003 10:09:36 AM
Two nights ago: Pete Escovedo and Band at Horizons, Pacifica. An evening out with our wives for Rob (of Echo Beach) and me. Escovedo has such a hot band! I enjoyed the precision of the arrangements, and Pete's fantastic timbale playing, along with the whole presentation by these gentlemen.
Monday, October 13, 2003 12:41:47 PM
The Forum concert two nights ago by The Red Hot Chili Peppers received a very positive review in the L.A. Times today.
Thursday, October 09, 2003 2:50:23 PM
Here's a content-rich music blog fed by a group of contributors. It's called "If Six Was Nine" (great blog title, great song). Nice job!
Thursday, October 09, 2003 12:29:21 PM
guitar / bass / keys / drums...dynamic song concepts / compositions; everchanging instrument relationships in a jazz/funk rhythm mix with absolutely solid momentum; imaginative playing with chops = Monkey Knife Fight. I saw Justin's band (he's the leader) at Last Day Saloon last night and had a great time.
Wednesday, October 08, 2003 3:55:45 PM
Here's another music-centered blog by another San Franciscan. The blog's title is "Agony Shorthand".
Sunday, October 05, 2003 12:54:52 PM
A new interview with Pat Metheny at jazzreview.com
Friday, October 03, 2003 6:06:12 PM
The song parody page at Antwon.com...hehe
Friday, October 03, 2003 2:49:29 PM
Evelyn Glennie plays with the San Francisco Symphony in 3 weeks. I'll be there 10/22. I first saw her play with the National Symphony at the Kennedy Center almost 10 years ago and I try to catch each of her tours through SF. Musicianship at the highest level across the percussion family. Totally inspiring.
Thursday, October 30, 2003 1:45:28 PM
Mills, Buck, Stipe and Rose: great Q&A. I hope their new album in '04 is "up" to their potential. How could they leave "Bang And Blame" off In Time?
Wednesday, October 29, 2003 8:07:12 AM
Mike Mills, Peter Buck and Michael Stipe of R.E.M. are interviewed on the Charlie Rose show tonight. Despite recent appearances by Bill Berry with the group he apparently isn't back permanently.
Wednesday, October 15, 2003 11:13:31 AM
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Maurice Jarre (composer and conductor), excerpt from "Dr. Zhivago Suite" seen on cable channel 32 (Comcast San Francisco) via the satellite service of Classic Arts Showcase.
Thursday, October 02, 2003 9:36:32 AM
Charlie Rose appears to be a major fan of Dave Matthews. DM is guest on tonight's show, and the DM Band was profiled for an hour on an earlier show.
Frank Zappa and the '78 band - "Suicide Chump" and "Dancin' Fool" (the Saturday Night Live version) videos from the new (released 2/4/03) audio/video DVD Halloween complied by Dweezil Z. and Joe Travers (manager of the Zappa archives). The audio comprises New York performances from late October '78, with alternate mixes in 5.1 and in stereo. The disc is for sale at Best Buy and on the Zappa website. Video highlights: the last couple of minutes of Frank's guitar solo in "Suicide Chump" when he begins to turn up the heat, and the audience reactions on Saturday Night Live at the end of "Dancin' Fool" (many of them appear stunned by this polite performance). Here is a full review of the disc.
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