The 60's and 70's, again?

This week the cover of Rolling Stone magazine has a photo of Jimi Hendrix with a review of his "newest" release, which I might add is reminiscent of his work with The Experience. Followed by the death of Alex Chilton (see previous post), and the opening of the Runaways movie, these three events save us from Justin Bieber and that ilk.
Also, after a viewing last week on PBS, The T.A.M.I. Show has been restored and released in all it's glory. Pick it up if just for James Brown's smokin' set. Well worth the twenty bucks.

Alex Chilton

Today, Alex Chilton died. Legendary vocalist of The Box Tops, Big Star, and numerous solo ventures, at age 59, way too young to leave us. Imagine, at age 16, he was an internaional star of what some say was a two hit wonder, The Box Tops.Great soulful voice.
"In my opinion, Alex was the most talented triple threat musician out of Memphis -- and that's saying a ton," said Replacements frontman Paul Westerberg. "His versatility at soulful singing, pop-rock songwriting, master of the folk idiom, and his delving into the avant garde, goes without equal. He was also a hell of a guitar player and a great guy."

Throughout the years and throughout New York City

Allman Brothers Band: Throughout The Years and Throughout New York City


My journey as a fan of the Allman Brothers Band began on a cold March night in 1971. Awaiting the arrival of a friend I stood among a throng of people on the corner of Second Avenue and Sixth Street. In my pocket I was holding two tickets for the Johnny Winter late show at Fillmore East. It was a few minutes before eight, and he was late as we were to have met an hour ago to get a bite to eat. As the early show ticker holders slowly moved into the theatre, a guy whom I never saw before walked over to me and asked if I wanted his spare ticket for the early show. With my friend was nowhere in sight, and I was cold, I took him up on his offer, pocketed the ticket, but remained outside in hopes of seeing my friend show up. At 8:30, now extremely cold, and with no crowd outside, I entered into the building. Ticket torn in half by the usher, and with program in my hand I walked to the upper balcony where I would sit. The opening act, The Elvin Bishop Group, was ending and the intermission with equipment exchange was starting to take place.
Walls of amplifiers, a Hammond B-3 organ and TWO sets of drums were taking their place on the stage. While a black and white cartoon played over the big screen behind the equipment, I could hear the sounds of guitars tuning up. The house lights still dimmed and with the cartoon now over, a single spotlight hit the stage and a simple announcement was made, “Ladies and gentlemen, The Allman Brothers Band”. Not the headliners for that night but after playing for a bit over an hour, you could have fooled me.
After the first show ended, I finally met up with my friend. It was about 11:15 p.m. and he was a bit angry that I had taking the opportunity to see the first show leaving him alone and out in the cold. After he calmed down, we went to get something to eat. Sitting in the pizza shop across the street I told him about this incredible band I just saw. While at first he did not believe me, he was there to see Johnny Winter; he changed his allegiance by 6:30 a.m. when we left the late show. The late show started late at about midnight, with the first act being cut short by a bomb scare. The entire audience had to vacate the venue and then reenter. By 2 a.m. we were back in our seats entertained by a very short set from Johnny Winter. Confused, I thought, due to the time and the scare, the “Brothers” would be cancelled. How wrong I was.
Same cartoon, same equipment, and then “thanks for waiting, we will make it up to those still here”. A different voice, no spotlight, and now a “1, 2, 3...” Statesboro Blues. Whew, the sun was coming up when we left the theatre.
A few months later I got to see the band close out the Fillmore East. The late show Saturday night was an amazing, marathon show. Again, a few weeks later at Central Park’s Wollman Skating Rink, and a few nights after that at The Manhattan Ballroom. The Academy of Music on 14th Street hosted the band a few times after the Fillmore closed .And after the Fillmore album was released but with the tragedy of losing one of the founders, Duane Allman, I saw the band at Madison Square Garden. Over the years with numerous personnel changes “the Brothers” have traveled all over Manhattan:, from Radio City Music Hall, The Beacon Theater, and now to the United Palace Theater in Washington Heights. Each year they play since 1971, I faithfully hand over my cash for a ticket and each time the lights are dimmed I am not disappointed.
Celebrating their 41st years together, The Brothers hit the stage this past Saturday night, with some changes in personnel over the many years, but still with that unmistakable sound known as The Allman Brothers Band.

Sat Night at The United Palace with The Allman Brothers Band

What an adventure!
Moving from The Beacon to the Palace was a change of venue but the same vibe existed as with most Brothers shows. However, the A Train to the theatre from The Villagewas halted due to the storm and a $30.00 cab ride was necessitated. Did take the A train home. The theatre is very conviently located with a huge NYPD presence to assist anyone needing directions.Oh yea, The brothers were hot.
Set 1) Done Somebody Wrong>>Aint Wasting Time No More>>Stand Back>>Hoochie Coochie Man>>Heart Of Stone>>Bag End>>Good Morning Little School Girl>>Whipping Post

3/13/10 Set 2) Little Martha>Blue Sky>Little Martha>>Dreams (Warren Solo)>>No One Left To Run With>>Sky Is Crying w/Bruce Katz>>In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed w/Bruce Katz>Oteil Jam>JaBuMaOt>In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed. E) One Way Out

Allman's Set List for Friday Night.

Looking forward to the annual March Madness as The Brothers hit the United Palace stage tonight. Last night's setlist:

Allman Brothers Band
March 12, 2010
United Palace
New York, NY

Set 1: Don’t Want You No More > It’s Not My Cross To Bear, You Don’t Love Me, Midnight Rider, Who’s Been Talking, Trouble No More, Blind Willie McTell (Bob Dylan), Egypt, Guilded Splinters, Woman Across The River

Set 2: Coming Home*, Lost Lover Blues*, Revival, All My Friends, Leave My Blues at Home > Oteil Jam > JaBuMa > Mountain Jam > Smokestack Lightning > Mountain Jam
Encore: Southbound*

* – w/ Susan Tedeschi



OPENING NIGHT (Thursday) Set List

Set 1

Dont Keep Me Wonderin>>
Hot Lanta>>
Statesboro Blues>>
Thats What Love Will Make You Do>>
No One Left To Run With>>
Desdemona>>
Every Hungry Woman>>
And It Stoned Me>>
Kind Of Bird

Set Two:

Melissa>>
Aint No Love>>
Come And Go Blues>>
Rocking Horse>Little Martha Tease> Jam>Rocking Horse
>>Black Hearted Woman>Oteil Jam>JaBuMaOt>>Black Hearted Woman>>
Jessica>Blue Sky Tease>Jessica

Closer:

Preachin' Blues (Warren & Derek)
One Way Out

Allman Brothers Band

Saw the ABB on Jimmy Fallon last night, a shortened version of WHIPPING POST was performed. Looking forward to one of the 8 scheduled dates at the United Palace.

Ray Davies Khoral Kollection

Got Ray's newest the other night and haven't finished listening to all the tracks yet but it is interesting to say the least. Any thoughts?

Jamie Cullum

This past Tuesday I downloaded the long awaited new release from the young jazzier piano player and crooner Jamie Cullum. Listed as THE ONE MAN BRITISH INVASION, Jamie and his band hit the stage of Town Hall in NYC last night. After a decent set by Imelda May, who is no slouch vocally herself, Jamie entered to thunderous applause.He led his guys through the ropes with no specific play list, play what he felt is the way he described it. He really appreciated his band mates for he introduced them each by name 3 times, and each time a solo was undertaken. Long on jams and improvs, Jaime displayed his outstanding piano playing, while the vocals sometimes sounded like a guy who smoked 3 packs of Luckies, which is not necessarily a bad thing.
Funny story about him hitting the news stand,picking up a copy of TIME OUT to see their recommendations for shows this week. He sees JAIME CULLUM: TOWN HALL SOLD OUT, a proudly reads the short synopsis to his band mates " Jaime Cullum is a cross between the worst aspects of Harry Connick and Billy Joel". Oh well, he does have a great sense of humor.

Ray Davies at Westbury

Saw Raymond Douglas Davies at Westbury Music Fair last Saturday night. Being part of the original British Invasion, The KinKs were and still are one of my all time favorites, so any review would be biased to say the least. An opening act, The 88, out of LA, did a short but sweet set of music very reminiscent of the early Small Faces and The Move. The quirky singer/guitarist had moves like Ray and a young Mick Jagger. A quick stage cover up with huge cloths, and two stools added to the 3/4 in the round theatre set up and Ray and his guitar, and his accompanist with an electric guitar took the stage for 90 minutes of great tunes. Mostly from the KinKs back catalogue, a few solo numbers thrown in, along with anecdotes from X-Ray, the time went quickly by. Waving goodnight, Ray reintroduced the 88 who magically reappeared and.......well, electric, You Really Got Me, Lola, and Low Budget, a wonderful way to end the evening.