Saturday, January 31, 2009

Air Mail?

A peregrine falcon has been rescued after flying to Hawai'i. They normally nest in Alaska and Canada.

Saturday Music Digest

A new exhibit of Beatles art:

http://www.beatlesnews.com/blog/the-beatles/200901310806/beatles-art-featured-at-45th-anniversary-party-next-week.html

A bass man gets ReBorn

http://www.examiner.com/x-1396-San-Jose-Culture-Examiner~y2009m1d30-Rebirth-for-bass-man-in-Rebirth-Brass-Band

Stupid Music meets Latin Jazz

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/01/arts/music/01play.html?_r=1

New Jersey fights over a State song

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hE-gJ2QYAromWiZLsdCfXT0U9ubQD962BTOO0

And yet another great band name-Backyard Tire Fire!

http://www.jambase.com/Articles/Story.aspx?storyID=16502

Happy Anniversary!

"Turn Down That Stupid Music!" turns one year old today!

Obligatory Stupid Music video can be accessed by clicking the post title.

Friday, January 30, 2009

Air Kaua'i Grounded Yet Again

Kinda hard to fly without aircraft...

Friday Music Digest

Salsa played by a string quartet?

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/30/arts/music/30grau.html?ref=arts

A preview of Grammy Week

http://top40-charts.com/news/Jazz/Grammy-Jazz-Ensembles-To-Perform-At-Prestigious-2009-Grammy-Week-Events/45803.html

Dave Alvin: the best of the High-Tone years

http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/68912-dave-alvin-the-best-of-the-hightone-years/

Remembering Richie Valens

http://www.mysanantonio.com/entertainment/38595512.html

And a preview of this weekend's festivities in Clear Lake Iowa...

http://www.mercurynews.com/centralcoast/ci_11587641?nclick_check=1

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Play by Play.....

Friday is Gil Santos's last day at work at WBZ radio in Boston, where he has been since the 1960s. Thankfully he will continue as the radio voice of the New England Patriots.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gil_Santos

He has called Patriots games continuously since 1966, except for a stretch between 1980 and 1990. His 30 years of services makes him the longest-serving current announcer in the NFL, tied with Merrill Reese of the Philadelphia Eagles.

-snip-

In addition to the work at WBZ, Santos has called games for the Boston Celtics, Boston Breakers, Providence Friars basketball, Penn State Nittany Lions football, and Boston College Eagles football.

Gil was in fact Penn State’s radio play by play guy for many years. He and Paterno are bosom buds.

Aloha, Gil!


Icebound Island

Lake Winnipesaukee, 1/29/09

Big Chill in Hawai'i

Record-low high temperatures on Kaua'i and Mau'i!

Got Snow!

I took this nice shot this morning looking down across "The Broads" on Lake Winnipesaukee from Long Island in Moultonborough- this is Gunstock Ski Area in Gilford. Gunny got 11 inches of snow yesterday.

Thursday Music Digest

Jazz with a little Israeli flavor

http://www.freep.com/article/20090129/COL17/901290318

Hoagy!

http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/kuar/arts/article/10/1036/952094/Programs/Skylark:.The.Music.of.Hoagy.Carmichael/

Good vibes with Bobby Hutcherson

http://www.contracostatimes.com/music/ci_11573115

A review of La Ball's new album

http://www.timesofacadiana.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090129/NEWS0104/90127006/1002/NEWS01

And Dr. John does Tahoe

http://www.tahoedailytribune.com/article/20090129/ENTERTAINMENT/901289942/1016/NONE&parentprofile=1058&title=Innovative%20Dr.%20John%20changed%20music

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Got Snow?

Snow and sleet in the evening...then a chance of snow after midnight. Total snow accumulation of 12 to 24 inches.

Governors Island, Impeached?

Auwe! No more money, and to add insult to injury, the used ferry the City bought is a lemon...

Wednesday Music Digest

A new version of the theme from "The Simpsons", which has in the past been covered by NRBQ

http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/01/27/fall-out-boy-offer-metallic-take-on-the-simpsons-theme/

In music, math counts!

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/education/38513489.html

Heart-healthy classical music

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/culturemonster/2009/01/michael-tilson.html

Tribute to Freddie Hubbard

http://www.jazzpolice.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8104&Itemid=116

And Johnny Rivers sighted!

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/music/la-et-valentine28-2009jan28,0,7823119.story

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Billy Shears, Mon!

Easy Star Records is issuing a reggae version of "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" by the Easy Star All-Stars on April 14. (There's a very brief audio clip at the link.) The album features guest vocals from Steel Pulse, Matisyahu, Bunny Rugs (Third World), Ranking Roger (English Beat), Sugar Minott and The Mighty Diamonds, among others. The first single, “With A Little Help From My Friends,” featuring Luciano, will be released on iTunes Feb. 10.

Reviewed: The Mother of All Stupid Music Box Sets

Today's the official release date of the box set of "The Tiffany Transcriptions". It's about time!

"The 150 songs include plenty of blues tunes, amazing versions of such jazz classics like “C-Jam Blues” and “Jumping at the Woodside” done western swing style, as well as rags, dancehall pieces, novelty tunes, drinking songs, double-entendre pieces and stomping numbers that reveal a musical direction not always credited to Wills and the Texas Playboys."

Modernizing the Hula

A profile of Keo Wolford and Halau Na Kamalei

Tuesday Music Digest

Interview with the dB's

http://www.riverfronttimes.com/2009-01-21/music/amplified-heart-chris-stamey-and-peter-holsapple-of-the-db-s-spend-a-weekend-in-st-louis/

Blame it on the bossa nova!

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/27/arts/music/27song.html?ref=arts

Hard core sax in Florida

http://www.tampabay.com/SearchForwardServlet.do?articleId=970742

Rebirth of a music hall

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/25/nyregion/westchester/25artswe.html

And Boz Scaggs goes full circle

http://www.theage.com.au/news/entertainment/music/full-circle-to-jazz-brings-boz-scaggs-back/2009/01/26/1232818335254.html

Monday, January 26, 2009

A Reef Grows Near Brooklyn?

Latest news on the re-development of my old home island in New York Harbor. Latest proposal has an indoor tank with a vertical coral reef...

Monday Music Digest

A jazz fest in South Africa

http://www.artzone.co.za/template_level2.asp?parentseq=5976

Remembering Fathead

http://cbs11tv.com/local/david.fathead.newman.2.917487.html

She's 100 and plays the blues

http://lubbockonline.com/stories/012509/loc_381243659.shtml

A preview of JazzFest 40 in New Orleans

http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=31754

And a review of Eric Burdon live

http://www.torontosun.com/entertainment/columnists/jane_stevenson/2009/01/25/8137051-sun.html

Sunday, January 25, 2009

New Kailua Beach Legislation Proposed

"It was once America's best beach - now erosion has taken Kailua's shoreline out of the running. Literally digging away at the sand, creating a five foot drop-off. Slowly working it's way up the coast".

Happy 250th Birthday Bobby Burns

Pass the Scotch

1 cooking bag
suet
ground lamb
onions
oatmeal, rough cut
turnips
carrots
parsnips
celery
butter
beef broth
salt/pepper


Precook onions and meat in pan with butter. Set aside. Cook oatmeal,
adding meat and onion mix. Add melted suet. Place into cooking bag
along with remaining ingredients, adding enough broth to keep the bags
contents submerged at the bag's base. Tie off bag and prop upright in
baking pan. Cut two or three 1/2 inch slits into top of bag. Bake at
375 degrees for forty minutes or until done.

P.S. Don't overcook.

Sunday Music Digest

High school bands play Berklee

http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2009/01/25/high_school_bands_showcase_jazz_skills_at_berklee_festival

A new jazz exhibit in Maine

http://www.artdaily.org/index.asp?int_sec=2&int_new=28599

A new season of Stupid Music in Texas

http://www.heraldbanner.com/local/local_story_025010225.html

Another great review of "Box of Danger"

http://chromiumswitch.org/pfdanger.html

And a Larry Coryell sighting

http://www.jazzpolice.com/content/view/8101/69/

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Kaua'i Trout Fishing Season

Department Chairwoman Laura H. Thielen says more than 20,000 stocked trout will be in the waters, each weighing at least one pound. She says fishing should be good this year because the fish love the rain and cold weather at Kokee.

Growing Up In 1950's Kailua

As Spock would say, "fascinating".

"As we progressed in school, there were more chores. At Kailua High School, every month some students had “work” day. We worked in the cafeteria, helping to prepare lunch, in the office delivering notes, etc to classrooms, in the audio-visual room running projectors and worked with the custodians doing general clean up.

Perhaps a byproduct of this was that we never would had thought of vandalizing our school. I don’t remember one single incidence of someone stealing classroom equipment or messing up our school.

The fact that paddling was allowed could have been a factor as well. If someone really misbehaved in the classroom, they could be sent to the Principal’s office. There, Mr. Charles Clark would ask a young person to bend over and whack! After a whack or whacks with the paddle on the behind, young men would come out of the office with really red faces, and probably red behinds as well."

Cat Meets George

Yusuf Islam, the singer formerly known as Cat Stevens, has collaborated with Beatles associate Klaus Voormann on a cover of George's 1973 song 'The Day The World Gets 'Round'.

Saturday Music Digest

Jazz with a mission

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/24/arts/music/24ches.html?ref=music

Django's birthday

http://www.findingdulcinea.com/features/profiles/r/django-reinhardt.html

R.I.P. to Welsh guitarist Mickey Gee, best known for his work with Dave Edmunds

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/cardiff-news/2009/01/23/welsh-guitar-hero-mickey-gee-dies-after-illness-battle-91466-22757985/

Cigar box guitar fest

http://www.dogtownwire.net/lifestyle/music/1152-local-cigar-box-guitar-maker-and-performer

And a look at a long overdue Graham Bond reissue

http://www.ccmusic.com/item.cfm?itemid=CCM20002

Thursday, January 22, 2009

R.I.P. "Fathead"

(Jazz.com photo)

Legendary jazzman David "Fathead" Newman has departed at age 75. One of his better later-life projects was called "Bluesiana", a jazz trio with the late Art Blakey on drums and Mack "Dr. John" Rebennack on piano.

Surf's Up!

22-foot wave faces predicted!

Thursday Music Digest

Latin jazz at Lincoln Center

http://www.playbillarts.com/features/article/7888.html

Do musicians really care about sound quality?

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13645_3-10145353-47.html

Clean-up needed on aisle 5...

http://www.nj.com/entertainment/music/index.ssf/2009/01/live_jazz_in_aisle_five_as_sup.html

Another review of the Stupid Music this week in DC

http://www.scrippsnews.com/node/40156

And a new release from NRBQ's Terry Adams!

http://nrbq.com/

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

6 Feet And Counting

72 inches of global warming wince December 1. We are on pace to come close to last year.

Tuesday Music Digest

Norwegians cross musical boundaries

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/features/2009/0120/1232059660713.html

Exposed! The plot to keep jazz down...

http://www.jazz.com/jazz-blog/2009/1/19/exposed-the-plot-to-keep-jazz-down

Freddy Cole sighted

http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2009/01/singer_pianist_freddy_cole_sho.html

A review of the Stupid Music in DC

http://www.reporternews.com/news/2009/jan/20/no-headline---web_black_tie_and_boots/

And a review of the Mother of All Stupid Music box sets

http://blogcritics.org/archives/2009/01/19/094748.php

Monday, January 19, 2009

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Friday, January 16, 2009

Got COLD?

Saddle Hill's low this morning was -16.3, which is the coldest it's been here in over a decade.

The NH State Capitol of Concord set an alltime low for this date with -24. And Berlin hit 39 below at 7 AM.

Friday Music Digest

For you folks with vinyl LPs, a fitting new turntable

http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/01/16/ces.luxury.turntable/index.html

Bengali jazz fusion?

http://www.thisiscroydontoday.co.uk/theguide/Music-Zoe-Rahman-s-Bengali-Jazz-Fusion/article-597711-detail/article.html

Remembering MLK with song

http://www.theoakbook.com/MoreDetail.aspx?Aid=2803&CatId=8

Stupid Music goes to Washington

http://www.amarillo.com/stories/011609/new_12273619.shtml

And a profile of Roswell Rudd

http://www.jazz.com/encyclopedia/2008/12/16/rudd-roswell

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

And Another One...

Cor-do-ba?

Or

Core-d'oh-buh!" ?

Many people don't know that many years ago he owned land up here in the sticks.

Prisoner R.I.P.

Also "Secret Agent"

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2009

The performer inductees are:

Jeff Beck
Little Anthony & the Imperials
Metallica
Run-D.M.C.
Bobby Womack

Early Influence Category Inductee:

Wanda Jackson

Sidemen Category Inductees:

Bill Black
DJ Fontana
Spooner Oldham

The Big Chill

Well, as happens every year, we have reached THE coldest week. We currently have arctic air blasting down from the North Pole at about a thousand miles per hour, and it's a tropical 5 degrees here on Saddle Hill.

It will be 8 below tonight, with a high tomorrow of 8 above. Tomorrow night it will be a balmy 10 to 16 below, and Friday the high will be 4 above.

Wednesday Music Digest

The Wigs reunite. I'm thrilled.

http://onmilwaukee.com/music/articles/thewigs.html?17779

A tribute to Chris Gaffney

http://www.pastemagazine.com/blogs/whitman/2009/01/a-man-of-somebodys-dreams-a-tribute-to-the-songs-o.html

New music from Mau'i

http://www.mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/513667.html?nav=15

A "Song Swap" here in New Hampshire

http://seacoastonline.com/articles/20090114-ENTERTAIN-901140346

And how to completely miss the point of music!

http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=31556

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Tuesday Music Video

Charlene Darling sings!

Monday, January 12, 2009

Finally!

Jim Ed Rice and I moved to Boston at the same time (1975) and he was one of the best hitters I had ever seen. Today, on his final try, he got elected to Baseball's Hall of Fame.

Tommy, Can You Hear Me?

Happy birthday to certified nice guy (and formerly a brief resident of Meredith NH), NRBQ drummer Tom Ardolino! Long may your cymbals ride...

UPDATE: Click on post title for a recent Tommy performance!

Monday Music Digest

Q & A with a music critic

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/12/business/media/12askthetimes.html?_r=1

50 years after the music died, a visit to the Surf Ballroom

http://www.kimt.com/news/local/37431604.html

Rock and soul music

http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=31551

Loew's Theatre in Hoboken has some tasty live shows upcoming

http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=31551

And "American Routes" comes to CD

http://www.theadvertiser.com/article/20090111/LIFESTYLE/901110317

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Test Pattern, Continued

Some but not all of my technical glitches have been worked thru. I obviously have improved the posting capability but still have sporadic problems when using other browsers.

Click the post title for more

R.I.P. "Che Fong"

Original "Hawai'i Five-O" cast member Harry Endo has left the building...

Daily Video

Not music this time, but a visit to the summit of MT. Washington in winter.

Saturday Music Digest

Noted SF jazz venue Yoshi's makes some changes

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/01/09/DDK9155U1B.DTL

A visit with keyboardist Larry Willis

http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=31378

Livin' la vida Lobos

http://www.dailybreeze.com/ci_11409423

An interview with Al Kooper

http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2009/jan/09/why-al-kooper-hates-local-writers-but-loves-san-di/

And Motown turns 50

http://uk.reuters.com/article/chinaNews/idUKTRE5085EJ20090109

Friday, January 9, 2009

SuperFerry Update

The Environmental Impact Study (EIS) is out:

"A draft environmental impact statement on harbor improvements to accommodate the Hawaii Superferry finds that the interisland vessel would adversely impact cultural activities at harbors, add to traffic, and potentially lead to the loss of natural resources and recreational activities in commercial harbors.

However, the vessel would also provide a “significant beneficial impact” on public health and safety by providing a superior type of marine transportation and help with disaster planning and emergency response."

"I Was Right About The Comet!"

Comet Lulin (C/2007 N3), discovered in 2007 by a collaborative team of Taiwanese and Chinese astronomers, is swinging around the sun and approaching Earth. The photogenic comet has a bright tail and an "anti-tail" visible in mid-sized backyard telescopes.  At closest approach in February, Comet Lulin is expected to brighten to naked-eye visibility.

Friday Music Digest

Not the Darlings from the old Andy Griffith Show, but The Darlin's!

http://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/rock-candy/rock-candy/2009/01/tennessees-those-darlins-liven-up-off-broadway-tonight/

Nashville Skyline meets Stupid Music

http://www.cmt.com/news/nashville-skyline/1602346/nashville-skyline-texas-is-a-musical-treasure-chest.jhtml

A look at the music behind the film "Forgetting Sarah Marshall", filmed at Turtle Bay

http://thecelebritycafe.com/cd/full_review/13877.html

Stretching the limits of jazz

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/musicnightlife/2008605478_jazz09.html

And jazz meets Jagger?

http://www.nj.com/entertainment/music/index.ssf/2009/01/jazzing_up_jagger_and_co_compo.html

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Happy B-Day Elvis

In honor of today being The King's date of birth, a story of how he met The Beatles...

Thursday Music Digest

Music that knows no boundaries

http://www.nj.com/entertainment/music/index.ssf/2009/01/music_that_knows_no_boundaries.htmlA

Satchmo sighting?

http://www.jazz.com/music/2009/1/8/louis-armstrong-featuring-lonnie-johnson-i-m-not-rough

Mardi Gras kicks off in N'Orleans

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28543100/

Carlene Carter reappears

http://www.courant.com/entertainment/events/hc-soundcarter0108.artjan08,0,6081398.story

And R.I.P. to longtime LA classical music radio host Gene Parrish

http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-parrish8-2009jan08,0,3272346.story

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Hawai'i Disaster Relief Coming

O'ahu and Kaua'i have been designated as eligible...

Surf's Up

8-12 foot wave faces predicted...

Cool As a Breeze

Windmill farm, Sanbornton, NH

Wednesday Music Digest

Hugh Masekela interview

http://tonight.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=4782873&fSectionId=449&fSetId=251

Dizzy Gillespie and Dr. Jazz

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123128087267758759.html

Learn to play guitar from Sting

http://www.thestandard.com/news/2009/01/06/apple-intros-new-iphoto-and-imovie-gets-sting-teach-you-guitar

Behind The Who's guitar smashing

http://www.dailybreeze.com/lifeandculture/ci_11381163

And R.I.P. to Stooges guitarist Ron Asheton

http://www.nme.com/news/the-stooges/41900

Monday, January 5, 2009

"Barney" On Ice

As mentioned here on the blog last year sometime, our local PD's prized piece of equipment is "Barney" (named after Don Knotts, natch), which was purchased from a police department in California. This is a classic 1967 Ford Galaxy.

The past few days, we have seen old "nip it in the bud" make a rare winter appearance. This had to do with massive snowfall removal efforts behind the Police station, which necessitated Old Barn having to be moved out of harm's way.

Monday Music Digest

A review of the new Trace Adkins CD

http://www.boston.com/ae/music/cd_reviews/articles/2009/01/05/trace_adkins_x/

Cuban ham!

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/05/arts/music/05paqu.html

The 5 most anticipated music events of 2009

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music/2009/01/04/2009-01-04_five_most_anticipated_pop_music_events_f.html

Ray Benson, Texas Jewish Ambassador

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2009/jan/04/one-time-closet-jew-benson-now-145an-ambassador/

And 40 years of synaesthetic improvisation!

http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=31417

Testing 1, 2, 3...

So sorry for the lack of postings-I am in the midst of changing back from the "beta" web browser to something that actually works.

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Guitar Fest

Today's birthday boy, Steve Stills!

Big Al Does New Year's Eve

Here's a review of the NYE show in Northampton MA by former NRBQ guitarist Big Al Anderson and his current band The Balls. The Balls are no slouches, as they are comprised of rhythm guitarist Jim Chapdelaine, keyboardist Reese Wynans, who played for many years with the late Stevie Ray Vaughn, and Glenn Worf and Chad Cromwell, AKA the rhythm section for Dire Straits' Mark Knopfler.

Saturday Music Digest

Preparing tomorrow's orchestras

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/music/la-ca-colburn4-2009jan04,0,22027.story

A Love Supreme

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/04/books/review/Keepnews-t.html?em

Checking out some recent jazz releases

http://uk.reuters.com/article/billboardCharts/idUKN0234110420090102

A folk music center in California celebrates 50 years

http://www.claremont-courier.com/pages/Topstory010309.1.html

And Soleto Fest 2009 announces its lineup

http://broadwayworld.com/article/Soleto_Festival_USA_Announces_Its_Complete_Program_52267_20090102

Friday, January 2, 2009

B-52s Being Recalled

Click post title for the story...

Friday Music Digest

A Year In The Life

http://www.examiner.com/x-2082-Beatles-Examiner~y2008m12d31-2008-Paul-Ringo-Dhani

Corky Siegel sighting

http://www.freep.com/article/20090101/ENT04/901010301/1039/ENT

Top 15 Kiddies' albums of '08

http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2008/12/31/baby-beats-beyond-2008s-top-15-childrens-music-albums-nos-15-11/

Digital downloads set record

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-music1-2009jan01,1,2447723.story

And a profile of New Orleans jam band Galactic

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/jan/02/fx-galactic-expands-new-orleans-sound/

Testing, One, Two, Three...

I am still having tech problems-but I found out one possible cause. I had my brother update my Internet Explorer browser the other night, and he apparently gave me a beta version of IE 8 which still has problems.

As a result postings will be limited for a few more days. Patience!

Thursday, January 1, 2009

And The Scenic Route

A year in video in 2 minutes

Video Of The Year

From Nor-vay, an entire year compressed into 40 seconds...

New Year's Day Music Digest

2008 in Jazz-a review

http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=31497

How music heals in crisis

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/sweet-note-for-hard-times-how-music-heals-in-crisis/81697-19.html

An interview with Los Lobos

http://regulus2.azstarnet.com/blogs/confirmationhearings/12760

The Island Rose

http://www.mauiweekly.com/features/story8486.aspx

And a new box set of old-time music

http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0102/p13s01-almp.html