Miles Davis Featuring Sonny Rollins: "Dig" (2010 re-issue)

Re-issue of classic Miles Davis album includes two bonus tracks: "My Old Flame" and "Conception."

Concord Music Group has re-issued the classic Miles Davis album, Dig, featuring two bonus tracks. This is part of the Original Jazz Classics Remasters series, and it sounds amazing.
These recordings were made when jazz records were finally allowed to spread out into a long format. No rushing through the songs, no clipped solos. On these recordings the musicians were able to show their talent, their passion. It's there, in every glorious note.

The energy and stamina these guys had is amazing. After all, this entire album (including the two bonus tracks) was recorded all in one day - October 5, 1951. Miles Davis wrote most of the material for this album.

"Dig"

The album's title track, "Dig," starts right off as if we're arriving in the middle of a great party. It takes no time to get in the swing of it. No easing in. This is a fast-paced jazz gem, with Art Blakey keeping things up with his great work on drums. Sonny Rollins, Miles Davis and Jackie McLean all take solos.

"It's Only A Paper Moon"

"It's Only A Paper Moon" is the only cover (of the original five tracks, that is). It was written by Harold Arlen, Billy Rose and E.Y. Harburg. Nat "King" Cole recorded a version in the 1940s, and it's also been covered by Ella Fitzgerald.

This version by Miles Davis has excellent energy. It's got a great swinging rhythm with Tommy Potter on bass. Miles Davis is bright and playful on his lead part.

Jackie McLean did not play on this track.

"Denial"

"Denial" is another fast-paced tune, with Miles on fire right out of the gate. Just wonderful. A few minutes into the song, Art Blakey lets loose on the snare drum, and with each turn goes a little wilder, a little louder, using more of the kit. This song seems to end a bit too soon.

"Bluing"

Walter Bishop gets to start "Bluing," playing over the nice bass line by Tommy Potter. It's nearly a minute before the horns come in at all.

This song has a slower, swinging rhythm, which is very cool. It's a wonderful beat that allows plenty of room for Miles and Sonny and Jackie to play. And play they do. This track is nearly ten minutes long. Ten minutes of jazz bliss, with warm solos. It does have, however, an uncertain ending.

"Out Of The Blue"

"Out Of The Blue" has a quicker swing tempo. Miles Davis takes the first solo, and Sonny picks up right where Miles left off. What a flow there is to this tune. Everything comes together beautifully toward the end. And this song has a wonderful bass line. This is the track that concluded the original record.

CD Bonus Tracks

The two bonus tracks on this release are from the same session, October 5, 1951. Both songs are covers.

The first is "My Old Flame," a song written by Sam Coslow and Arthur Johnston. It starts with just piano, but the horn and bass come in soon. Miles' work is beautiful and tender. Find a partner, turn the lights down low, and play this track.

The second bonus track is "Conception," written by George Shearing. It begins with a frantic energy, especially coming out of that last track. The horns relax for a bit a few minutes in, to let Walter Bishop and Tommy Potter come to the fore.

CD Track List

1. Dig
2. It's Only A Paper Moon
3. Denial
4. Bluing
5. Out Of The Blue
6. My Old Flame
7. Conception
   

The musicians on this CD are Miles Davis on trumpet, Sonny Rollins on tenor saxophone, Jackie McLean on alto saxophone, Walter Bishop on piano, Tommy Potter on bass, and Art Blakey on drums.

This re-issue was released by Concord Music Group on September 28, 2010. Four other titles from this series were also released on that date, including Vince Guaraldi Trio: Jazz Impressions of Black Orpheus, Wes Montgomery: Boss Guitar, Chet Baker: It Could Happen to You and Bill Evans Trio: Waltz for Debby.

(This review was originally posted October 12, 2010.)

Dave Brubeck: "The Definitive Dave Brubeck" (2010 Release)

This wonderful two-disc retrospective includes both early and recent work from one of the world's best and most interesting jazz pianists.

How would one go about choosing tracks for an album titled The Definitive Dave Brubeck? That's a pretty serious task, with so much material to pick from. Brubeck has been performing and recording since the 1940s. And on December 6th, he'll be celebrating his 90th birthday.

What this two-disc set does is provide a lot of material from his early years, including tracks from The Dave Brubeck Trio, and then a lot of material from the last few decades. It basically skips the 1960s and 1970s.

The first disc is material from his early years, with particular emphasis on the years 1950 to 1953. This disc focuses on his interesting interpretations of others' material, and is full of shorter tracks, many of them under three minutes. Several tracks are of The Dave Brubeck Trio, including two from their first commercial recording session in 1949.

"I Found A New Baby"

The first disc opens with "I Found A New Baby," which is Dave Brubeck performing solo on piano. His style and command are already apparent on this early recording from 1942.
"I Found A New Baby" was written by Jack Palmer and Spencer Williams.

"(Back Home Again In) Indiana"

"(Back Home Again In) Indiana" starts with just piano for a minute or so. The others come in with a force and drive, and Dave's piano playing takes on a new intensity. This is The Dave Brubeck Trio, from their first commercial recording session. This song was written by Ballard MacDonald and James F. Hanley.

"That Old Black Magic"

"That Old Black Magic" is another recording of The Dave Brubeck Trio. On this one, Cal Tjader is on bongos, giving the song more of a Latin jazz feel. This track was recorded in 1950-1951.
"That Old Black Magic" was written by Johnny Mercer and Harold Arlen, and has been covered by many artists over the years, including Glenn Miller, Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland.

"Avalon"

"Avalon" begins as fun parlor-type music. Then about forty seconds in, the style changes. The song seems to have an urgency to it, which makes sense as the track is only just over two minutes long.

This is a song made popular by Al Jolson, who also co-wrote it with Vincent Rose and Buddy DeSylva.

"How High The Moon"

There are two versions of "How High The Moon" on the first disc. The first version is The Dave Brubeck Trio. Cal Tjader plays vibes on this version, as well as drums. It was recorded in 1950-1951.

The second version is a live recording from March 2, 1953. This version cooks and features Paul Desmond on alto saxophone. Dave Brubeck does a little "Ain't She Sweet" tease four minutes in.
"How High The Moon" was written by Morgan Lewis and Nancy Hamilton, and featured in the 1940 Broadway production Two For The Show.

"Over The Rainbow"

"Over The Rainbow" starts with just Dave on piano. His playing is soft and sweet, a friendly voice whispering dreams. The sax doesn't come in until the end, and when it does, it's gorgeous - played by Paul Desmond. This track was recorded in Boston in October of 1952.

"Over The Rainbow" was written by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg for the 1939 film The Wizard Of Oz.

"All The Things You Are"

The first disc concludes with an excellent live recording of "All The Things You Are" from December 14, 1953. There is a very brief intro on piano and then the band kicks in. Dave Brubeck's playing is just amazing on this track.

"All The Things You Are" was written by Oscar Hammerstein and Jerome Kern.

Second Disc Features Original Material

The second disc focuses mostly on Dave Brubeck's own compositions, though doesn't shy away from a few of his most famous and wonderful covers. The second disc is where most of the real magic is. The first four tracks on the second disc are live recordings.

"Koto Song"

The second disc begins with a live recording of "Koto Song" from August 8, 1982. This is a wonderful, beautiful and moving song of introspective exploration, blending classical and jazz elements. At times, it's sad and haunting, and there are sounds at the end that bring to mind some underwater magic.

Dave Brubeck wrote "Koto Song." Chris Brubeck (Dave's son) plays electric bass on this track.

"Black And Blue"

"Black And Blue" conjures fantastic images of a lone figure by a lamplight long after dark, long after the rest of the world has given up the day.

And suddenly there is more life to the night still, as the horn attests to. And a few minutes in, things change and images are shattered. The song grabs hold and shakes you about. It's incredible. It's one of the best tracks on this CD. Like New Orleans on a new drug. The horn is left on its own at the end to finish the tale.

Chris Brubeck plays both the electric bass and the bass trombone on this track, switching partway through the song. "Black And Blue" was written by Fats Waller, Andy Razaf and Harry Brooks.

"St. Louis Blues"

"St. Louis Blues" begins with piano, It sneaks up on you and has you before picking up the tempo two and a half minutes in. It has the audience too, as they suddenly clap along. But Dave silences them again quickly before then giving them what they want. - The band then joins in, and the song takes on a swinging blues feel - with a sensational rhythm, and some manic energy behind it, and on top of it, and all over it.

There is also a great bass solo by Chris Brubeck six minutes in. Then Dave Brubeck takes control, commanding the piano, the band, and all who listen. Holy moly!

"St. Louis Blues" was written by William C. Handy.

"Take Five"

"Take Five" is Dave Brubeck's most famous song, and perhaps deservedly so, even though he didn't write it. It was Paul Desmond who composed this one.

This live version is beautiful and fun - right from the start, with that familiar piano lick (which causes an eruption from the crowd). Randy Jones is incredibly impressive on drums, holding the rhythm, while being loose enough to explore. And Bill Smith is marvelous on clarinet.

Dave Brubeck is just amazing when he takes the lead - finding places of beauty and taking the listener there before leading back to the original groove.

"(Variations On) Brother, Can You Spare A Dime?"

"(Variations On) Brother, Can You Spare A Dime?" is just piano. It's sad and wonderful, and then four minutes in, it becomes more playful, whimsical, before returning to more somber tones.

"Here Comes McBride"

"Here Comes McBride" has a cool groove, like a person sneaking around, tip-toeing in an exaggerated manner - without a worry of getting caught. This song is just great fun, with nice work on bass by Christian McBride (yes, the McBride of the song's title). It ends with a reference to "Here Comes The Bride" (also known as "Bridal Chorus").

"Here Comes McBride" was written by Dave Brubeck.

"Forty Days"

The album concludes with some serious horn playing by Bobby Militello on "Forty Days." He plays over a nice groove, the piano sounding pretty below the excited horn. Then the bass takes the lead when the song has returned to a calmer place. And then Dave Brubeck's piano is beautiful and earnest and even intense at times. This song has an urgency that it builds to, then ends on a quieter note.

"Forty Days" was written by Dave Brubeck.

CD Track List

Disc One:

1. I Found A New Baby
2. The Way You Look Tonight
3. (Back Home Again In) Indiana
4. Laura
5. Singin' In The Rain'
6. That Old Black Magic
7. Sweet Georgia Brown
8. Perfidia
9. Avalon
10. How High The Moon
11. Look For The Silver Lining
12. This Can't Be Love
13. My Romance
14. Lulu's Back In Town
15. Over The Rainbow
16. How High The Moon
17. All The Things You Are
    

Disc Two:

1. Koto Song
2. Black And Blue
3. St. Louis Blues
4. Take Five
5. (Variations On) Brother, Can You Spare A Dime?
6. Here Comes McBride
7. Waltzing
8. Day After Day
9. Forty Days
   

Musicians appearing on this two-disc set include Dave Brubeck on piano, Paul Desmond on alto saxophone, Bobby Militello on alto saxophone, David Van Kriedt on tenor saxophone, Bob Collins on baritone saxophone, Dick Collins on trumpet, Bill Smith on clarinet, Ron Crotty on bass, Jack Weeks on bass, Chris Brubeck on electric bass and bass trombone, Wyatt "Bull" Ruther on bass, Christian McBride on bass, Michael Moore on bass, Cal Tjader on vibes and drums, Herb Barman on drums, Lloyd Davis on drums, Joe Dodge on drums, and Randy Jones on drums.

This CD is scheduled to be released November 16, 2010 through Concord Music Group.

(This review was originally posted November 10, 2010.)

Holland Greco 2-13-11 Set List

Holland Greco - 2-13-11 - Thirsty Crow, Silverlake, CA

SET I
1. Guilty Pleasure Zone
2. 100 Proof
3. I Like It Rough
4. Vampira
5. There's A Party Going On
6. Breathless
7. Fist City
8. Mystery Train
9. Stuck

SET II
1. Missing You Madly
2. Speedway
3. Only Up From Here
4. Flashback
5. Where Eagles Dare
6. Triangle
7. The Road Is My Middle Name
8. Bedford Stuyvesant

("Vampira" is a Misfits song)
(In the first set, Matt Kolher joined her on electric guitar for "There's A Party Going On," and stayed for the rest of the set.)
(Matt did the lead vocals on "Mystery Train" - Holland sat that one out)
(Josh Lopez did a set between Holland's two sets, and Holland sang backing vocals for his entire set)
(During the second set, Danny, from the audience, played fiddle on all but the first two tunes)
(Holland played triangle on "Triangle")
(In the second set, Matt Kolher joined her on electric guitar for "Triangle," "The Road Is My Middle Name" and "Bedford Stuyvesant")
(There was no encore)
(The show started around 3 p.m.)

Holland Greco will be playing next Sunday and the following Sunday at the Thirsty Crow.

Chet Baker: "Sings - It Could Happen To You" (2010 re-issue)

Re-issue contains four bonus tracks, including two that have never before been released.

As one might guess, Chet Baker Sings - It Could Happen To You focuses on Chet Baker's vocals more than his trumpet-playing. Does he have an excellent voice? No, not really. But there is an innocence to it, and therein lies its charm, and he makes it work. He's able to play on his strengths. The album has a wonderful, sometimes sweet, sometimes playful quality.

This recording is from 1958, when Chet Baker was 29 and addicted to heroin. Is his addiction obvious? Certainly not from his trumpet playing on this recording. He sounds like he's in complete control. Most of the songs Chet Baker chose for this release were tunes originally written for musicals, including three by Richard Rodgers And Lorenz Hart.

"Do It The Hard Way"

The album opens with "Do It The Hard Way," a song written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart for the musical Pal Joey. It features a nice steady bass line by George Morrow. (George Morrow also played bass for Max Roach and Sonny Rollins, among others.)

Chet Baker does a vocal trumpet line. It's not really scat - but is more like him imitating a trumpet solo with his voice. Which is interesting, because Chet Baker is known for his skill with the trumpet. In fact, he's probably more famous as a trumpet player than as a vocalist. That vocal section leads to some nice work on piano by Kenny Drew.

"I'm Old Fashioned"

"I'm Old Fashioned" was written by Jerome Kern and Johnny Mercer. It was written for the 1942 film You Were Never Lovelier. This song features more great work on piano by Kenny Drew. This album is Kenny Drew's only recording with Chet Baker, which is a shame, because they sound so good together.

Kenny Drew also played piano with Charlie Parker, Buddy Rich and John Coltrane, among others.

"You're Driving Me Crazy"

"You're Driving Me Crazy" was written by Walter Donaldson for the 1930 musical Smiles. Many versions of this song have been recorded over the years by artists such as Guy Lombardo, Rudy Vallee, Nick Lucas, Billy Holiday, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong and Peggy Lee.

Chet Baker plays trumpet on his version, as well as sings. It's his trumpet-playing that excels. His singing is interesting on this one, for he almost mumbles some of the lines. But again, he makes it work. The piano and bass play off each other so well.

Dannie Richmond plays drums on this track.

"It Could Happen To You"

"It Could Happen To You" was written by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke. Chet sings, "Keep an eye on spring/Run when church bells ring/It could happen to you."

On this track, Chet does what would be his trumpet solo vocally. Donnie Richmond plays drums on this song.

"My Heart Stood Still"

"My Heart Stood Still" is the second of three Rodgers & Hart songs on this release. Chet Baker plays trumpet on this one, over a nice rhythm. His horn comes across better than his vocals, which again have a mumbling quality at times.

There is some nice work on drums by Philly Joe Jones and a cool turn on piano by Kenny Drew. This song was written in 1927 for the musical A Connecticut Yankee.

"The More I See You" features Chet Baker on horn. There is some more wonderful work by Philly Joe Jones and Kenny Drew, as well as Sam Jones, who plays bass on this track.

"Everything Happens To Me"

"Everything Happens To Me" is an easygoing tune written by Matt Dennis and Tom Adair. Chet Baker plays trumpet on this track, and his trumpet seems a bit playful over the steady rhythm. As with most of the tracks, a piano solo follows the trumpet.

"Dancing On The Ceiling"

"Dancing On The Ceiling" is the album's third and final Rodgers & Hart song, this one written for the musical Ever Green. In this one, Chet sings vocally what would be his trumpet solo. And like his trumpet solos on this recording, it's followed by a piano solo.

Chet sings, "She dances overhead/On the ceiling near my bed/In my sight/All through the night." The song ends with the lines, "I love my ceiling more/Since it is a dancing floor/Just for my love."

"How Long Has This Been Going On?"

"How Long Has This Been Going On?" is a mellow love song with a good groove. It was written by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin for the musical Funny Face. Chet's trumpet solo is really good, but seems a bit brief. Dannie Richmond plays drums on this song.

"Old Devil Moon"

"Old Devil Moon" is the final track of the original release. It is a more uptempo track that begins with drums. It was written by Burton Lane and E.Y. Harburg for the musical Finian's Rainbow. The song has a nice groove and some great work on piano.

Bonus Tracks

This special CD re-issue contains four bonus tracks, two of which (tracks 13 and 14) were never before released.

The first bonus track is "While My Lady Sleeps," a mellow tune which focuses on the vocals, with the piano playing beneath them. the song has a nice late-night feel.

"You Make Me Feel So Young" is a fun upbeat song made famous by Frank Sinatra and Mel Torme. Chet Baker's rendition is really good. On this track he does his version of scat - vocalizing a trumpet solo. That is followed by a piano solo which is fun and playful.

The final two tracks are alternate takes of "The More I See You" and "Everything Happens To Me." Both are slightly shorter than the original versions. This version of "The More I See You" features a nice trumpet solo by Chet Baker. And on this version of "Everything Happens To Me," Chet does some different things vocally. And his trumpet solo sounds sweet and wonderful.

CD Track List

1. Do It The Hard Way
2. I'm Old Fashioned
3. You're Driving Me Crazy
4. It Could Happen To You
5. My Heart Stood Still
6. The More I See You
7. Everything Happens To Me
8. Dancing On The Ceiling
9. How Long Has This Been Going On?
10. Old Devil Moon
11. While My Lady Sleeps (Take 10)
12. You Make Me Feel So Young (Take 5)
13. The More I See You (Take 8)
14. Everything Happens To Me (Take 2)

Chet Baker plays trumpet and does the vocals. Kenny Drew is on piano. George Morrow plays bass on tracks 1, 2, 5, 7, 8, and 14. Sam Jones plays bass on the other tracks. Philly Joe Jones plays drums on most tracks. Dannie Richmond plays drums on tracks 3, 4, and 9.

This CD was released on September 28, 2010 through Concord Music Group. Four other titles from this series were also released on that date, including Miles Davis Featuring Sonny Rollins: Dig, Vince Guaraldi Trio: Jazz Impressions of Black Orpheus, Wes Montgomery: Boss Guitar, and Bill Evans Trio: Waltz for Debby.

(This review was originally posted October 22, 2010)

February 2011 Concert Calendar

Here are some concerts in February that I recommend. Most of the bands listed are bands that i've reviewed for Suite101. Please check back throughout the month, as i'll be adding more listings as i get them.

February 1, 2011 (Tuesday)
Gaelic Storm - Ram's Head, Annapolis, MD
James McMurtry - Continental Club Gallery, Austin, TX
Martin Sexton - Burton Cummings Theatre, Winnipeg
(special guest: Christine Fellows)

February 2, 2011 (Wednesday)
Gaelic Storm - Ram's Head, Annapolis, MD
Hot Club Of Cowtown - Nottingham, UK
James McMurtry - Contintental Club, Austin, TX
Yonder Mountain String Band - The Venue, Gainesville, FL

February 3, 2011 (Thursday)
Gaelic Storm - Lincoln Theatre, Raleigh, NC
Shadow Shadow Shade - The Satellite, 1717 Silverlake Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
(with Wet & Reckless)
Yonder Mountain String Band - Freebird Cafe, Jacksonville, FL

February 4, 2011 (Friday)
Anita And The Yanks - Novel Cafe, 1713 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA - 7 p.m.
Marshall Chapman - Fairhope, AL
Ellis Paul - Jammin' Java, Vienna, VA - 7:30 p.m.
Ticket: $20.00
Yonder Mountain String Band - Revolution, Ft. Lauderdale, FL

February 5, 2011 (Saturday)
Black Party Politics - The Roxy, West Hollywood, CA
Tickets: $12
Gaelic Storm - Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa, Ashville, NC
James McMurtry - Crighton Theater, Conroe, TX
The Nields - Watchung Arts Center, 18 Sterling Rd., Watchung, NJ - 8:00 p.m.
Ellis Paul - Jammin' Java, Vienna, VA - 10:30 a.m.
Special Family Show; tickets: $10.00
Ellis Paul - The Flash, Kennett Square, PA - 8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $22.00
Yonder Mountain String Band - Jannus Landing, St. Petersburg, FL

February 6, 2011 (Sunday)
Ellis Paul - Watercolor Cafe, Larchmont, NY - 4:00 p.m.
Tickets: $20.00

February 7, 2011 (Monday)
Hot Club Of Cowtown - London, UK

February 8, 2011 (Tuesday)
James McMurtry - Continental Club, Austin, TX

February 9, 2011 (Wednesday)
Hot Club Of Cowtown - Second Street Live, Fort Smith, AR
Yonder Mountain String Band - The Music Farm, Charleston, SC

February 10, 2011 (Thursday)
Hot Club Of Cowtown - Fayetteville, AR
Shadow Shadow Shade - The Satellite, 1717 Silverlake Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
Yonder Mountain String Band - The Orange Peel, Asheville, NC

February 11, 2011 (Friday)
Hot Club Of Cowtown - Cain's Ballroom, Tulsa, OK
Ellis Paul - Concerts By The Lake, Hawthorne, FL - 8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $15.00
Yonder Mountain String Band - The Orange Peel, Asheville, NC

February 12, 2011 (Saturday)
Hot Club Of Cowtown - Blue Door Cafe, Oklahoma City, OK
Ellis Paul - The Hideaway Cafe, St. Petersburg, FL - 3:00 p.m.
Special Family Show; Tickets: $10.00
Ellis Paul - The Hideaway Cafe, St. Petersburg, FL - 8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $25.00
Yonder Mountain String Band - The Tabernacle, Atlanta, GA

February 13, 2011 (Sunday)
EZ Tiger - Redwood Bar And Grill, Los Angeles, CA
Ellis Paul - Cayamo Cruise, Miami, FL
Yonder Mountain String Band - Buster's, Lexington, KY

February 15, 2011 (Tuesday)
James McMurtry - Continental Club, Austin, TX

February 16, 2011 (Wednesday)
Gaelic Storm - State Theater, Eau Claire, WI
Over The Rhine - Folk Alliance, Memphis, TN
Yonder Mountain String Band - Jefferson Theatre, Charlottesville, VA

February 17, 2011 (Thursday)
Gaelic Storm - Englert Theatre, Iowa City, IA
Shadow Shadow Shade - The Satellite, 1717 Silverlake Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
Yonder Mountain String Band - Lifestyle Communities Pavilion, Columbus, OH

February 18, 2011 (Friday)
Gaelic Storm - Egyptian Theater, Dekalb, IL
Yonder Mountain String Band - Madison Theatre, Covington, KY

February 19, 2011 (Saturday)
Gaelic Storm - Wisconsin Union Theatre, Madison, WI
Hot Club Of Cowtown - Nocona Nights, Nocona, TX
The Brian Kinler Band - M Bar, Hollywood, CA
Yonder Mountain String Band - Orpheum Theatre, Madison, WI

February 20, 2011 (Sunday)
Gaelic Storm - Wausau Performing Arts Foundation, Wausau, WI
Over The Rhine - Nashville, TN
Yonder Mountain String Band - Canopy Club, Urbana, IL

February 21, 2011 (Monday)
Over The Rhine - WoodSongs, Lexington, KY

February 22, 2011 (Tuesday)
James McMurtry - Continental Club, Austin, TX

February 23, 2011 (Wednesday)
Gaelic Storm - Central Lakes College, Brainerd, MN
Yo La Tengo - El Rey Theatre, Los Angeles, CA

February 24, 2011 (Thursday)
Gaelic Storm - Fitzergald Theatre, St. Paul, MN
Shadow Shadow Shade - The Satellite, 1717 Silverlake Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

February 25, 2011 (Friday)
Country Joe McDonald - McCabe's, 3101 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, CA
(Tribute to Woody Guthrie)
Gaelic Storm - Val Air Ballroom, Des Moines, IA
Ellis Paul - Freeport, ME - 11:30 a.m.

February 26, 2011 (Saturday)
Gaelic Storm - Old Rock House, St. Louis, MO
Ellis Paul - Homegrown Coffeehouse, Needham, MA - 8:00 p.m.
Opening act: Flynn; Tickets: $22.00

February 27, 2011 (Sunday)
Gaelic Storm - Peoria Civic Center, Peoria, IL
Ellis Paul - The Highland Place, Maplewood, NJ - 7:45 p.m.
Tickets: $20.00

February 28, 2011 (Monday)

Memories Of My First Grateful Dead Concert

What makes me think of this now? Well, i think of it often. Music has been so closely twisted with all the important moments of my life - the insignificant ones too, honestly. And of course then it often seems that the music was the importance of the moment, and the rest somehow got tied to it. And some vanished from it - but the music remains. And that year - 1988 - was such a crucial one for me. So many firsts that year. Lost my virginity, became a vegetarian, escaped from Catholicism. And i saw my first Grateful Dead concert. It was April 7th, 1988 - at the Centrum, in Worcester, Massachusetts (the city of my birth).

I had wanted to see the band for a long time. I first listened to them in 1982, when i was ten. Actually, that's not true. The first time i heard them was 1978, but i wasn't aware of who they were at that time. But i remember hearing "I Need A Miracle" on WAAF, the local FM rock station. The bus driver would play that station on the way to school. Well, one of the bus drivers - the Good Bus Driver. He liked WAAF, and he liked it loud. So did we. And i loved "I Need A Miracle," but it wasn't until 1982 when my cousin (who is three years older than me) got "Skeletons From The Closet" for Christmas that i really listened, that i put the name to the sound. Because by then i had heard the name, but had assumed they were something harder, something i wouldn't like. But holy fuck, i remember listening to "Casey Jones," and thinking, "This is folk!"

That year, 1982, i saw my first concert. It was Heart, with John Cougar (not yet Mellencamp) as the opener. It was with some reluctance that my parents took my brother and me to this show. And it would be the only one that year. I think i might have asked to see the Dead, but maybe not. The first year that i'm certain i asked to go was 1985, when i was thirteen. But my parents - who are terrified of drugs - said no fucking way. No fucking way again in 1986. In 1987, the Dead toured with Bob Dylan, and i thought, "Okay, finally, i can go," because my parents have several Bob Dylan records. But no.

So the next year, 1988, when i was sixteen, i didn't ask them. I asked the guy who cut my hair to get me a pair of tickets. Kind of odd, now that i think of it. I mean, you associate the Dead with long hair and all. But yeah, the guy who cut my hair was this seriously cool guy who had ticket connections - some woman he knew, if i remember correctly. Anyway, i got a pair of tickets. I think they were sixteen dollars. I asked this girl Cindy Hawes to go with me. I didn't even know her. I don't think i'd spoken a single word to her, but i thought she was adorable. So i went down to her locker one day and asked her if she liked the Grateful Dead. She said yes or sure or of course or something positive like that, and so i asked her if she wanted to go to the show with me.

Cindy lived in the next town over, in a dome. It was the coolest-looking house i'd ever seen (and maybe still is). It was set off the road a bit, so you had to go up this long dirt driveway to get to it. But yeah, it looked like a beehive or something. Her parents - her mom, actually - drove us into Worcester. By this time, i'd been to quite a few concerts at the Centrum. And the routine was you'd go get some food and a soda at the mall across the street before the show. The mall was always its most crowded before a concert. So Cindy and i walked into the mall, expecting masses of people. And there was no one. I mean no one. Not a single fucking person. Dead fans couldn't have cared less about the mall. I think that was the moment i realized i was in for something special.

I owned five or six Grateful Dead albums by then, and there was a weekly Dead radio show on WZLX (which was my station of choice - no longer WAAF), so i knew a lot of the music. And of course "Touch Of Grey" had been a big hit the year before. Actually, the day of the concert i was in biology class, holding my tickets, and someone said to me, "You know, they might not even play 'Touch Of Grey.'" As if that was a reason not to go. I was like, "Of course i know that." I didn't care if they played that or not. I didn't care what they played. Well, actually, i hoped they'd play at least one or two songs from American Beauty, which was already my favorite record (still is).

Anyway, the band opened the first set with "Touch Of Grey."

Everyone was up and dancing. And we had plenty of space, because - silly us - we actually went to our assigned seats. That's something i wouldn't do much afterwards, but at the time that's what we did. The folks who had the seats near us clearly had decided to move closer, so we had plenty of dance space. Only, Cindy had busted her leg, and so she wasn't dancing all that much.

This was the first concert that i ever saw in which the band did two sets. And no opener. No bullshit. Just Dead. I wandered around a bit during the set break, and found people sort of camped out in the perimeter where the concession stands were. These folks looked like they hadn't been inside yet. Some, i think, were asleep.

The second set opened with "Sugar Magnolia," a song from American Beauty, so i was ecstatic. And it went into "Scarlet Begonias," another song i absolutely fucking loved (and still love). What i wasn't prepared for was "Space." Billy Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart finished their drum solo (a highlight for me, as i had started playing drums a couple of years earlier), and the rest of the band came back on stage and went into the section of the concert known as "Space," which is this wild (sometimes good, sometimes not-so-good) improvisational piece. I was so blown away by it that i was certain that it was the climax of the show. I fully expected the concert to be over when they finished "Space" - and so was totally shocked when they went into "The Wheel"' and then a few more tunes before ending the second set.

The encore that night was "Box Of Rain," also from American Beauty.

This concert - though, honestly not the best by Dead standards - sort of ruined me for other, more standard shows. They set the bar higher. Around that time i was finished with contemporary pop and rock anyway. Contemporary pop music went horribly wrong in 1986, and i had gotten into a lot of 1960s music at that point. And in 1988 and 1989, i got really into the Boston folk scene, which was amazing at that time. Lots of people were just starting - Ellis Paul, Jon Svetkey, Jim Infantino, Brian Doser, Patty Griffin, Marty Sexton, The Nields, Brooks Williams, Cheryl Wheeler, Fred Small, Dar Williams.

Music was changing. That is, my musical world was changing. And the Grateful Dead were a big part of it. I managed to catch another forty shows before Jerry's death in 1995. Not nearly enough, if you ask me, but i did get to see them in a number of different places - Foxboro, Pittsburg, Raleigh, Washington D.C., Orchard Park, Hartford, Albany, New York City, Boston, Baltimore, Eugene, Mountain View, Oakland, Portland. Lots of great memories. I don't know if Cindy ever went to another show. But the girl i took to my second show - Chelsea (named after a Joni Mitchell song) - definitely stayed on the bus. I ran into her a few years later during those great Boston shows of 1991. I was happy that she was there, because i had given her my favorite T-shirt (a "space-your-face" themed tie-dye). I wonder if she still has it. Okay, she almost certainly doesn't still have it. But hell, i still have my first Dead T-shirt, though it's almost completely fallen apart. I got it in 1986 or 1987, and wore it to my first show - it says, "Twenty years so far."

January 2011 Concert Listings

Please check back, as I will be adding listings throughout the month.

JANUARY

January 1, 2011 (Saturday)
Ellis Paul - Portland, ME - 8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $20.00

January 4, 2011 (Tuesday)
Mieka Pauley - Iron Horse, Northampton, MA

January 5, 2011 (Wednesday)
Mieka Pauley - Infinity Hall, Norfolk, CT

January 6, 2011 (Thursday)
Mieka Pauley - The Landing, 353 Pine Point Rd, Scarborough, ME

January 7, 2011 (Friday)
Anita And The Yanks - Novel Cafe,1713 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA - 7:00 p.m.
Mieka Pauley - Foxboro, MA - 8:00 p.m.

January 8, 2011 (Saturday)
The Evangenitals - Las Vegas Country Saloon, 425 Fremont Street, Las Vegas, NV - 9:00 p.m.
Ellis Paul - Ashland Coffee & Tea, Ashland, VA - 3:00 p.m.
Tickets: $7.00
Ellis Paul - Ashland Coffee & Tea, Ashland, VA - 8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $16.00
Mieka Pauley - Highline Ballroom, New York, NY

January 9, 2011 (Sunday)
Anita And The Yanks - Cat 'N' Fiddle, 6530 W. Sunset Blvd, Hollywood, CA - 7 p.m.
Ellis Paul - Panzer House Concerts, Columbia, MD - 7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $20.00

January 12, 2011 (Wednesday)
Gaelic Storm - Culture Room, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Hot Club Of Cowtown - Continental Club, Austin, TX

January 13, 2011 (Thursday)
Gaelic Storm - Freebird Live, Jacksonville, FL
Keller Williams - Vilar Center For The Arts, Beaver Creek, CO

January 14, 2011 (Friday)
Cake - Sunset Cove Amphitheatre, Boca Raton, FL
Marshall Chapman - Girlfriend Weekend, Jefferson, TX - 9:00 p.m.
The Evangenitals - The Press Restaurant, 129 Harvard Ave, Claremont, CA - 10:00 p.m.
Gaelic Storm - Plaza Theatre, Orlando, FL
Ellis Paul - Narrows Center For The Arts, Fall River, MA - 8:00 p.m.
Tikets: $20.00
Keller Williams - Sheraton Ballroom, Steamboat Springs, CO
The Young Dubliners - T. Boyle's Tavern, Pasadena, CA
Tickets: $15

January 15, 2011 (Saturday)
Cake - Jannus Landing, Tampa, FL
Gaelic Storm - Pasco Hernando Community College, New Port Richey, FL
The Nields - Driftwood Folk Cafe, 19 Town Square, Plymouth, MA - 8:00 p.m.
Ellis Paul - Wolfeboro Inn, Wolfeboro, NH - 1:00 p.m.
Tickets: $10.00
Ellis Paul - Wolfeboro Inn, Wolfeboro, NH - 8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $20.00
Keller Williams - Aggie Theatre, Fort Collins, CO - 9:00 p.m.
Tickets: $27.50 advance; $30 at door

January 16, 2011 (Sunday)
Anita And The Yanks - Cat 'N' Fiddle, 6530 W. Sunset Blvd, Hollywood, CA - 7 p.m.
Cake - House Of Blues, Orlando, FL
Gaelic Storm - Engine Room, Tallahassee, FL
Keller Williams - Boulder, CO

January 17, 2011 (Monday)
Cake - Centerstage, Atlanta, GA

January 18, 2011 (Tuesday)
Cake - Centerstage, Atlanta, GA
Mieka Pauley - The Stephen Talkhouse, Amagansett, NY
Tickets: $10

January 19, 2011 (Wednesday)
Cake - Centerstage, Atlanta, GA
Hot Club Of Cowtown - Continental Club, Austin, TX
Willie Nelson & Family - The House Of Blues, Anaheim, CA - 7 p.m.
Tickets: $62.50 advance; $65 day of show

January 20, 2011 (Thursday)
Cake - Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN
Gaelic Storm - House Of Blues, Dallas, TX
Mieka Pauley - Rockwood Music Hall, New York, NY
Free show
Martin Sexton - Petit Campus, Montreal
(with special guest: Joanna Mosca)
Keller Williams - Granada Theatre, Dallas, TX
Tickets: $22/$30

January 21, 2011 (Friday)
Anita And The Yanks - Novel Cafe,1713 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA - 7:00 p.m.
Cake - Minglewood Hall, Memphis, TN
Marshall Chapman - Laurel Theatre, Knoxville, TN - 8:00 p.m.
Gaelic Storm - The Parish, Austin, TX
Ellis Paul - Zoey's Cafe, Ventura, CA - 8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $15.00
Martin Sexton - Capital Music Hall, Ottawa
(with special guest: Joanna Mosca)
Keller Williams - Fitzgerald's, Houston, TX - 9:00 p.m.
Tickets: $18 advance; $20 at door

January 22, 2011 (Saturday)
Cake - Work Play Theatre, Birmingham, TN
Marshall Chapman - Learned Place, Durham, NC
Gaelic Storm - House Of Blues, Houston, TX
Ellis Paul - San Diego, CA - 5:00 p.m.
Special Family Show
Ellis Paul - San Diego, CA - 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $15
Mieka Pauley - Uncommon Ground, 1401 W Devon Ave, Chicago, IL - 9:00 p.m.
Tickets: $10
Martin Sexton - Mod Club Theatre, Toronto
(with special guest: Joanna Mosca)
Keller Williams - Antone's, Austin, TX - 9:00 p.m.
Tickets: $23.50 advance; $25 at door

January 23, 2011 (Sunday)
Anita And The Yanks - Cat 'N' Fiddle, 6530 W. Sunset Blvd, Hollywood, CA - 7 p.m.
Marshall Chapman - Pittsboro, NC
Ellis Paul - McCabe's, Santa Monica, CA - 7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $17.50
Martin Sexton - Studio at Hamilton Place,Hamilton
(with special guest: Joanna Mosca)

January 25, 2011 (Tuesday)
Hot Club Of Cowtown - Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle, UK

January 26, 2011 (Wednesday)
Gaelic Storm - Exit In, Nashville, TN
Martin Sexton - The Intersection, Grand Rapids, MI
(with special guest: Joanna Mosca)
Yonder Mountain String Band - Varsity Theatre, Baton Rouge, LA

January 27, 2011 (Thursday)
Gaelic Storm - Variety Theatre, Atlanta, GA
Hot Club Of Cowtown - SECC-Clyde Auditorium, Glasgow, Scotland
Martin Sexton - Royal Oak Music Theatre, Royal Oak
(with special guest: Joanna Mosca)
Keller Williams - Orpheum Theatre, Flagstaff, AZ
Yonder Mountain String Band - Workplay Soundstage, Birmingham, AL

January 28, 2011 (Friday)
Gaelic Storm - The Handlebar, Greenville, SC
Hot Club Of Cowtown - SECC-Clyde Auditorium, Glasgow, Scotland
Ellis Paul - The Edge, Rock Hill, SC - 8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $10.00
Martin Sexton - Turner Hall, Milwaukee
(with special guest: Joanna Mosca)
Keller Williams - Club Congress, Tucson, AZ
Tickets: $20 in advance; $22 at door
Yonder Mountain String Band - Cannery Ballroom, Nashville, TN

January 29, 2011 (Saturday)
The Evangenitals - Fernwood Resort, 47200 Highway 1, Big Sur, CA
Gaelic Storm - Neighborhood Theatre, Charlotte, NC
Ellis Paul - Charlotte, NC - 7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $15.00
Martin Sexton - Clyde Iron Works, Duluth, MN
(with special guest: Joanna Mosca)
Keller Williams - Marquee Theatre, Tempe, AZ - 9:00 p.m.
Yonder Mountain String Band - Tennessee Theatre, Knoxville, TN

January 30, 2011 (Sunday)
Anita And The Yanks - Cat 'N' Fiddle, 6530 W. Sunset Blvd, Hollywood, CA - 7 p.m.
Hot Club Of Cowtown - Manchester, UK
Martin Sexton - Fargo Community Theatre, Fargo, ND
(special guest: Joanna Mosca)

January 31, 2011 (Monday)
Gaelic Storm - Ram's Head, Annapolis, MD
Hot Club Of Cowtown - Birmingham, UK
Yonder Mountain String Band - The Social, Orlando, FL