Rhapsody and mp3 listening

Inara George-An Invitation with Van Dyke Parks
This is the daughter of Little Feat founder and former member of The Mothers-Lowell George. The arrangements by Van Dyke Parks are out of this world.

Will Bernard- Blue Plate Special
My old friend and musical comrade has a new album on Palmetto records. It's an all star funk workout. My favorite cut is the beautiful version of How Great Thou Art.

The Grateful Dead- Wake Of The Flood/Blues For Allah-Rhino-re-issue.
Conventional wisdom says that The Dead were better live than on record,but these 2 albums make a strong case for the recorded work of The Dead,

Ben Folds- Way To Normal
I keep meaning to listen to check out Ben Folds and I'm a little late to the party but digging this album. Nice wurlitzer solo on Free Coffee, A strong nod to Bennie And The Jets on the opening cut.

Elvis Costello-Out Of Our Idiot-
A compilation from the 80's just out on cd again. features 2 of my all time favorite E.C. songs-Imperial Bedroom (The title song of my favorite E.C> album although it wasn't on the album) and Heathen Town which borrows a line from Frank Loesser's Sit Down You're Rockin The Boat from Guys and Dolls.

Todd Rundgren-Arena-
Lots will be said about this hard rockin laptop recording. What I am digging the most are the song Power Pop song Courage which would not have been out of place on Faithful (1976) and Weakness which blends Clapton/Hendrix Blues with The Philly Soul Todd sound that we know and love.

Herbie Hancock with Joni Mitchell- River- from Then and Now The definitive Herbie Hancock-This is a live version from the Yahoo/Nissan live set.

Bob Dylan Tell Tale Signs-
The 8th edition of The Bootleg Series focusing on 1989-2006 outakes which in some cases surpass the released versions.

George Duke- Feel- It's as good as Faces In Reflection and it features F.Z. as Obdewl X playing guitar on several cuts.

Thelonious Monk-Solo Monk
Simply the best.

O.K. that's all for now, Tonight is The Ascended Masters(Bill's prog/fusion group) show at Eyedrum gallery, Tomorrow is The Dave Ellington Trio at Twains, You've got to check them out, an great Organ trio with an amazing set list. See you there,

Recent Transcendent Gig Moments

One of the highest musical moments of recent days fro me occurred yesterday at a barbecue that we played on the porch at St. Dunston's. It was when Rick Burgess played and sang the Robert Johnson song popularized by The Cream-Crossroads. We had Bill Hatcher playing his always amazing 6 string Bass Guitar and J.R. Miliken doing his best Ginger Baker. Some of the best guitar and bass playing I've been near and with the tree's Blowing in The Wind and turning colors it was perfection. I've been on a Robert Johnson kick so we also did Love In Vain, which I knew originally from the stones but recently i have been digging Clapton's version and all of his Robert Johnson versions from Me and Mr J. with Billy Preston, Chris Stainton, Steve Gadd among others.
Last Friday at Atlantic Seafood, someone asked for some Dylan, so me and Del did a medley which I sang of Blowin In The Wind (based on Stevie Wonder's version) that segued into Sam Cooke's A Change Is Gonna Come which I have heard was inspired by Blowin In The Wind. Sacred Tapestry highlights this week are the Little Feat grooves that Bill and I got into yesterday and the version of Eyes Of The World by The Grateful Dead which we also played on Friday to the delight of the bartenders. Playing the High Holy Holidays at Temple Beth David with The Rhine Family was also a wonderful experience. The harmony's that Melissa and Melody sang were music to my ears.

Jazz Piano Summit 08

Jazz Piano Summit


On October 19th it will be my honor to participate again in the 2nd annual GSU Jazz Piano Summit. Last year I played in a Piano duo with the great Tyrone Jackson who you can hear most Tuesday's at Twains in Decatur with Joe Grandson. This year I am playing in a Piano Duo with the legendary Johnny Knapp who has played for Billie Holiday, Phil Woods, Toots Thielman,Barbara Streisand,Bob Newman, and even did gigs with my Uncle Hal back in the 50's. Needless to say I am really looking forward to this.. check out www.johnnyknapp.com for info on his amazing career.

Chips

Anyone know why Kroger all of the sudden does not have Naturally Preffered Cracked Pepper and Sea salt Potato Chips? They have every other kind in the Natural section but not that one. they are the best and you don't gain weight on them. Oh well.