I have been blessed to get tickets for numerous recent Furthur shows in the City, Phil's birthday at the Best Buy last year, the last show at Radio City Music Hall and this performance the last night of a eight show run at the Beacon. I had a seat in 101 in the orchestra so sight lines and sound would be excellent and I was with a zoner buddy who is fun to be with. The vibe in the place was festive and you could not notice any exhaustion on most folks part, as there was magic in the air, as that pre-show hustle and bustle that is a hallmark of a show in New York
The band launches into " Here Comes Sunshine" and it is very clear the band want to jam tonight. The vocals are crisp and John and Phil are dialed in, as with the version that opened up the last show in Albany, the bands has places to go kids so you better jump on the bus. They develop a sweet melodic jam that high lights Jeff and Joe's contributions. and then they jump right into a fun and well received "1/2 Step". This version has the Beacon faithful singing along, in decent key I might add, and similar to the version they played in Wallingford, they do a nice jam in it.
The sing along continues with a spot on "Dire Wolf" with crisp harmonies from Sunshine and Jeff. It was clear that Levon Helm was weighing on the minds of many including the band and they next began a wonderful tribute to the man with a poetic and emotional version of " He's Gone". Bob had been low key in the mix so far this night and he did a understated reading that was very appropriate for an ailing friend. Once again the band extended the song with a rich jam that showcased Phil and Jeff contributions. They teased at a couple things during this jam "Dark Star" and even "I Know You Rider" to this ears. My tour buddy agreed.
This would end up with a raucous version of " Easy Wind" sung by John. It was great and featured some of his loudest playing of the night. I had to laugh and think that this was for the Secret Service and their recent escapades in Columbia.
"I been chipping them rocks from dawn till doom
While my rider hide my bottle in the other room
Doctor say better stop balling that jack
If I live five years I'm gonna bust my back, yes I will ."
Then they sprang on the biggest surprise of the night on us, " Viola Lee Blues" as they had played it just on Saturday night. This version is really when things got off the track with the song having taken some twists and turns since I last heard it. They started the song as usual but during the first jam, led by Jeff, they went into this traditional jazz jam that was really good. It is always a treat to hear Phil play his bass with a more traditional jazz influence, like he did during the version of "Fever" at RCMH with Diana Krall, Elvis Costello, and Larry Campbell.
The second jam is where things got out of control as the ferocity of the jam switched up in tempo and they did a massive "Cumberland Blues" tease. I honestly thought they were gonna do it, but it was just one of the sickest teases I have seen this band do and they went back to the chorus. OMG! The place went nuts it was like Stony Brook 1970 Halloween all over again.
Staying with the 1970 theme they went deep for a version of" Black Peter" that clearly was for Levon and it was beautiful. They built it up nice but it was not too over the top and Bob did it justice.
They ended the set with a high spirited version of " Cosmic Charlie" with Phil pointing to us during the " Go on home your Mama is calling you" verse and this set was done. Maybe one of the longest and strongest first sets of this run as well.
Set II had to be the cat's meow and the band did not disappoint opening up with a crushing uptempo version of " Shakedown". The band was on fire and Joe Russo was dancing on air. This reading was more like a 1981-82 version and there was no " shake it shake down chorus." They went old school for the Beacon faithful. The crowd was loving it and Phil was dominant in it. He played some of his loudest notes of the show during this and they jammed out of this not stopping and we got to come up for some air for a solid " Dear Mr. Fantasy" which you know had to be for Levon as well.
"Dear Mister Fantasy play us a tune
Something to make us all happy
Do anything take us out of this gloom
Sing a song, play guitar
Make it snappy"
Cassidy was Bob entrance in to the second set and he more than stepped up to the plate. Like the version they played at RCMH this version is stellar and was a refreshing choice. This version just goes places and was one of the best I have seen this band play.Once again John, Jeff, and Joe are right on it. You will thoroughly enjoy going along for the ride embellishing all the insights that this song provides and again the band jams out of this song, are you noticing a trend here? The band's transition tonight are outstanding, as we all know this band has had it challenges with transitions in the past. They clearly hint where they are going and led by Phil we arrive at " Dark Star". I am sure this is the only time both of these songs have been paired and it worked like a charm.
This version of " Dark Star" is short but is focused and features some deep grooving quickly as John's solos are quite good.
They trade off the first verses and then hint very quickly where the "bus" is heading next as Phil leaves no doubts that we are continuing with our deep psychedelic motif and arrive at the "Other One" This version is not the in your face but is full of twists and turns and begs you to notice the nuances this band can do together when they are dial in. Before even getting to the second verse they race back into " Dark Star" to sing the second verse and then it right back into the " Other One" to sing the second verse of this classic. The band really does a amazing job of reaching a powerful peak before Bobby steps back up to the microphone.
They continue to jam and Phil is signaling and they pounce into " Help on the Way". They are totally into it and the band is playing as one as they slither into a huge " Slipknot!". They are going deep when we get one more opportunity for this band to steal our faces right off our heads and perfectly rockets into the " Golden Road to Unlimited Devotion" during the "SlipKnot!" jam. The crowd roars in approval and even begins singing the first verse before the band does, I know you westies will find most displeasure in that faux pas but hey that is what we do back east.
The band once again raises the roof on the old restored Beacon and then storm back into "Slipknot!" with utter perfection.It was a thing of beauty although I would loved a huge ballad before we arrived at "Franklin's Tower" which Phil delivered with passion and zeal. The band rocked it out and it was a huge send off to all and sadly Levon, who would pass on the next day. The other note worthy point is that this second set was one non-stop composition and that in its self is very cool.
When Phil arrived back for his donor rap, he received an extra long ecstatic applause from the New York faithful and they turned up the house lights behind Phil so he could all see us and smile.
The band sent us on our way with a heartfelt version of Brokedown Palace that was the best one I have seen this band do. The band offered warm embraces to each other as this run concluded and we all streamed out the doors into a warm spring night with wide grins.
Happy Trails.
"Gonna leave this brokedown palace
On my hands and my knees, I will roll, roll, roll
Make myself a bed by the waterside
In my time, in my time, I will roll, roll, roll"
You can stream the show here on the Archive
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Earth Day 2012
With our country still reeling from the Great Recession of 2008 it seems that it is once again socially acceptable to exploit the Earth even more, as if before was not enough, as we are being led to believe this will create millions of all the new "jobs" in our country which we justifiably do need. Clearly in this process the increasing of profits and power of the multi-conglomerate corporations will dominate. These soulless organization, that many "open mined" and libertarian Americans prefer today to blindly trust today, rather than a government agency like...gasp! The EPA. Corporations just live from one earning statement to the next and are pushing forth an agenda that is reckless and short sighted for the quality of life for humanity and all the other species that exist here.
If we just think about our own day to day existence and our impact on the Earth since 1960 each person in our country has increased the trash they produce from 2.7 lbs to 4.4 lbs. In 2010 this has produced about 250 millions tons of waste in our country alone. The vast majority of this now sitting in landfills and at the bottom of the oceans.
That is simply not sustainable and guess who created this? The consumerist culture promoted by our "friends" in big business and Wall Street.
Many of us do not want to even accept the fact that we may be reaching a tipping point in our own lifetimes due to the over consumption of the world's resources. Half the world Arctic ice has melted alone in the last fifteen years. That is an area about the size of the United States. Right now there is the same amount carbon dioxide in the atmosphere as there was 6000 years ago when the last Ice Age ended.
Plus with the world's population at over 7 billion today and projected to reach 9.2 billion mid-century our challenges will only magnify.
Sadly they could reach critical mass.
What can be done you ask?
Many things but it does start with each of us committing to "downsizing" our own lives.
One of the greatest efforts that could be done all over the world, but especially here in the States is source reduction. Which simply means stopping waste at the source. This covers all areas of the waste stream from product production with less materials, to extensive recycling, to eating less meat protein, actually conserving energy, and weening ourselves off fossil fuels.
Here is a great link with dozens of beneficial facts that can help awaken all of us from the drunken consumer stupor we have been living in the past 100 years.
This quote from Charles Dickens resonates even more so today.
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of
wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the
epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness,
it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything
before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were
all going direct the other way - in short, the period was so far like the
present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being
received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only."
Now get your asses busy kids.
If we just think about our own day to day existence and our impact on the Earth since 1960 each person in our country has increased the trash they produce from 2.7 lbs to 4.4 lbs. In 2010 this has produced about 250 millions tons of waste in our country alone. The vast majority of this now sitting in landfills and at the bottom of the oceans.
That is simply not sustainable and guess who created this? The consumerist culture promoted by our "friends" in big business and Wall Street.
Many of us do not want to even accept the fact that we may be reaching a tipping point in our own lifetimes due to the over consumption of the world's resources. Half the world Arctic ice has melted alone in the last fifteen years. That is an area about the size of the United States. Right now there is the same amount carbon dioxide in the atmosphere as there was 6000 years ago when the last Ice Age ended.
Plus with the world's population at over 7 billion today and projected to reach 9.2 billion mid-century our challenges will only magnify.
Sadly they could reach critical mass.
What can be done you ask?
Many things but it does start with each of us committing to "downsizing" our own lives.
One of the greatest efforts that could be done all over the world, but especially here in the States is source reduction. Which simply means stopping waste at the source. This covers all areas of the waste stream from product production with less materials, to extensive recycling, to eating less meat protein, actually conserving energy, and weening ourselves off fossil fuels.
Here is a great link with dozens of beneficial facts that can help awaken all of us from the drunken consumer stupor we have been living in the past 100 years.
This quote from Charles Dickens resonates even more so today.
Photo courtesy of The Verge.com
Late on the bus
I first saw Diana Krall sit in with Furthur last year at Radio Music Hall, she did a sweet version of "Ripple" in the first set and then came back for the encore with her husband Elvis and Larry Campbell to jam on "Fever". I recently awoke early one morning to her singing the sweet and hopeful song "Maybe You'll Be There" from her first album. Wow! what a way to start the day.
That song got into my head and heart.
I saw the version from her Paris DVD and she just enchants you, with here subtleties of being in the song and her graceful and revealing expressions as she sings simply bewitch you.You can see as she sings the final verse she knows he will never come back, although that bittersweet moment is only there for that moment.
A true goddess she just radiates beauty and emotion through her singing and playing. I'm head of heels. Ok thanks for indulging me in my latest celeb crush.
If you watch there vids I am sure you will agree.
"East of the Sun & West of the Moon"
"Let's Fall In Love"
"Maybe You'll Be There"
"Cry Me A River"
That song got into my head and heart.
I saw the version from her Paris DVD and she just enchants you, with here subtleties of being in the song and her graceful and revealing expressions as she sings simply bewitch you.You can see as she sings the final verse she knows he will never come back, although that bittersweet moment is only there for that moment.
A true goddess she just radiates beauty and emotion through her singing and playing. I'm head of heels. Ok thanks for indulging me in my latest celeb crush.
If you watch there vids I am sure you will agree.
"East of the Sun & West of the Moon"
"Let's Fall In Love"
"Maybe You'll Be There"
"Cry Me A River"
Waiting on the rain
We might like to forget our connection to the natural world or allow ourselves to be constantly distracted by the modern world, but we need rain and when it has been weeks and weeks when we have not had it here in New England you do take notice. It is not even May first and the streams and rivers look like it it is late August after a severe drought.
That is not good.
We need rain and badly.
You know that right?
Help may be on the way as a good soaking is coming, they are projecting 3", and I awoke at 2:30 am when the large drops of a weak front came through hitting my bedroom window. I looked out the window and the street was barely wet and it shortly stopped.
I was so anxious I could not fall back asleep for over an hour.
Which is highly unlike me.
Now the skies are grey and thickening and the air is cold as the cooler air off the ocean settles in and the winds have shifted to the northeast, and we will get that long over due Nor'easter'.
Enjoy the rain.
You might enjoy this old song by Randy Newman.
" I Think It's Gonna Rain Today"
That is not good.
We need rain and badly.
You know that right?
Help may be on the way as a good soaking is coming, they are projecting 3", and I awoke at 2:30 am when the large drops of a weak front came through hitting my bedroom window. I looked out the window and the street was barely wet and it shortly stopped.
I was so anxious I could not fall back asleep for over an hour.
Which is highly unlike me.
Now the skies are grey and thickening and the air is cold as the cooler air off the ocean settles in and the winds have shifted to the northeast, and we will get that long over due Nor'easter'.
Enjoy the rain.
You might enjoy this old song by Randy Newman.
" I Think It's Gonna Rain Today"
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Levon Helm an American original.
With the passing of Levon Helm this past week, the world of music lost one of it's great ambassadors.A man who loved music and shared that passion with the world for decades.
We all have a connection to the songs of The Band, even if it was an old classic Americana song such as Long Black Veil that they covered.They were one of the few great rock bands that could draw on so many influences and introduce it to the modern rock audience. I was very lucky to see The Band open up for the Grateful Dead on the last night of the Dead's fall tour of 1983. This entire show from that night has been part of my soul ever since and seeing the Band that night, for the first time as well, was an enormous part of it. When they busted out " The Shape I'm In" they had us all up on our feet clapping and boogieing.
It was as clear a Watkin Glen reunion we would ever see, being in upstate New York and such, and both bands did not disappoint. The Band did open two shows later in the year and here is that performance, which is exceptional and is very similar to the show I saw. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30B1tb9g4GU
In 1984 the Band also open two shows in Ontario, Canada and the last two Grateful Dead performances at Soldier's Field in 1995. The Band's set that night in Syracuse was high energy and faithfully played, as this new Band was just hitting the road and with the Cate Brothers as part of the band. This updated version may have been better than original in many ways.
The Last time I saw Levon play was at the free concert they would played as a tradition at Gill's Farm in Hurly, New York each October. I saw the show in 2009 and it was really special as they played It Makes No Difference, which his daughter Amy sang. During this song a giant turkey vulture flew right over us all.Made you have to wonder if Rick was dropping by? I do regret never making it to a Ramble over the last couple years as I know from many people they were quite special. Levon we will miss you but you will never be forgotten brother.
Here is a shot from that crisp fall day in 2009.
Here was the set list from the concert from 10/22/83
We all have a connection to the songs of The Band, even if it was an old classic Americana song such as Long Black Veil that they covered.They were one of the few great rock bands that could draw on so many influences and introduce it to the modern rock audience. I was very lucky to see The Band open up for the Grateful Dead on the last night of the Dead's fall tour of 1983. This entire show from that night has been part of my soul ever since and seeing the Band that night, for the first time as well, was an enormous part of it. When they busted out " The Shape I'm In" they had us all up on our feet clapping and boogieing.
It was as clear a Watkin Glen reunion we would ever see, being in upstate New York and such, and both bands did not disappoint. The Band did open two shows later in the year and here is that performance, which is exceptional and is very similar to the show I saw. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30B1tb9g4GU
In 1984 the Band also open two shows in Ontario, Canada and the last two Grateful Dead performances at Soldier's Field in 1995. The Band's set that night in Syracuse was high energy and faithfully played, as this new Band was just hitting the road and with the Cate Brothers as part of the band. This updated version may have been better than original in many ways.
The Last time I saw Levon play was at the free concert they would played as a tradition at Gill's Farm in Hurly, New York each October. I saw the show in 2009 and it was really special as they played It Makes No Difference, which his daughter Amy sang. During this song a giant turkey vulture flew right over us all.Made you have to wonder if Rick was dropping by? I do regret never making it to a Ramble over the last couple years as I know from many people they were quite special. Levon we will miss you but you will never be forgotten brother.
Here is a shot from that crisp fall day in 2009.
Here was the set list from the concert from 10/22/83
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- Encore:
-
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
I woke up to this song recently and it was the first time I had ever heard it. What a nice way to start the day as I was still in a dream it seemed. Diana Krall " Maybe You'll Be There"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMsvBwvZ7U8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMsvBwvZ7U8
Bernadette Peters at the Jorgensen 4/13/2012
I will get this out of the way right here and now. I love this woman and it goes back to seeing her on television back in the 1970's and it was sealed when I saw her in The Jerk. I have been very lucky to see Ms. Peters perform in Alittle Night Music and Follies over the last two years and I saw her performance of the first tour of Into The Woods in Boston in 1986.It is an understatement to say she one of the true treasures of Broadway.She was closing the season at the Jorgensen Theater at the University of Connecticut with a two night run.
Ms. Peters had a 30 piece orchestra with her and her main music collaborator Marvin Laird conducting and on piano.She came on stage to a warm welcome in a stunning lavender sequin dress, with a slit right up the center. Tonight it was both of Bernadette's legs we were to admire and she looked radiant. She opened the show with a festive version of " Let Me Entertain You." This was followed by a torch light reading of " No One is Alone" It was a delicate and moving version. Her voice was in wonderful form. Next she belted out a fun reading of " There is Nothin' Like a Dame" This was followed by a new song for her. Peggy Lee's "Fever". She laid on her side the black grand piano bathed in soft spot lights and delivered a sultry version that was smoldering.She had captivated the audience with her own twist on this classic.
She gave us little back ground on one of her favorite musicals and album covers from her parent's record collection. It was Carousel and she sang the song " Mister Snow." Next she sang " Some Enchanted Evening" this was followed by the highlights of this night of music. She delivered a Sondheim trifecta beginning with a touching version of " In Buddy's Eyes" from Follies. This was followed by a emotionally riveting version of "Losing My Mind". I have to say this version was better than the one I saw her perform in Follies. She owns this song now and it was beautiful. Laird was on piano for this one as well. She next delivered a devastating version of " Johanna" from Sweeney Todd that blew me away. The next jewel was a brilliant interpretation of the classic "Shenandoah" as with previous songs this night it was just the torch light singer and Laird on piano and it was easily one of the best songs of the evening. Next we got a heart wrenching reading of " Not a Day Goes By". This was followed by a sweet version of "When You Wish Upon a Star" and then two more classics from Company " You Could Drive a Person Crazy" and possibly her most popular song " Being Alive" with both showcasing her range and depth of emotion and voice that only Ms. Peters can do.
She encored with a sweet ballad that she wrote herself called " Kramer" about one of her beloved dogs.
Ms. Peters is still a dynamic and delicate force and her love for performing is still very clear and greatly appreciated.
Ms. Peters had a 30 piece orchestra with her and her main music collaborator Marvin Laird conducting and on piano.She came on stage to a warm welcome in a stunning lavender sequin dress, with a slit right up the center. Tonight it was both of Bernadette's legs we were to admire and she looked radiant. She opened the show with a festive version of " Let Me Entertain You." This was followed by a torch light reading of " No One is Alone" It was a delicate and moving version. Her voice was in wonderful form. Next she belted out a fun reading of " There is Nothin' Like a Dame" This was followed by a new song for her. Peggy Lee's "Fever". She laid on her side the black grand piano bathed in soft spot lights and delivered a sultry version that was smoldering.She had captivated the audience with her own twist on this classic.
She gave us little back ground on one of her favorite musicals and album covers from her parent's record collection. It was Carousel and she sang the song " Mister Snow." Next she sang " Some Enchanted Evening" this was followed by the highlights of this night of music. She delivered a Sondheim trifecta beginning with a touching version of " In Buddy's Eyes" from Follies. This was followed by a emotionally riveting version of "Losing My Mind". I have to say this version was better than the one I saw her perform in Follies. She owns this song now and it was beautiful. Laird was on piano for this one as well. She next delivered a devastating version of " Johanna" from Sweeney Todd that blew me away. The next jewel was a brilliant interpretation of the classic "Shenandoah" as with previous songs this night it was just the torch light singer and Laird on piano and it was easily one of the best songs of the evening. Next we got a heart wrenching reading of " Not a Day Goes By". This was followed by a sweet version of "When You Wish Upon a Star" and then two more classics from Company " You Could Drive a Person Crazy" and possibly her most popular song " Being Alive" with both showcasing her range and depth of emotion and voice that only Ms. Peters can do.
She encored with a sweet ballad that she wrote herself called " Kramer" about one of her beloved dogs.
Ms. Peters is still a dynamic and delicate force and her love for performing is still very clear and greatly appreciated.
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