Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Springsteen, Joel team up for Obama


WASHINGTON (AP) -- Rock stars Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel are teaming up for their first joint concert to benefit Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama.

Obama plans to attend the concert at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City on Oct. 16, the day after Obama's final debate with Republican John McCain at Hofstra University, located several miles outside the city in Hempstead, N.Y.

Seeing the two superstars together won't come cheap. Tickets start at $500 and range up to $10,000.

The event was first reported by the Huffington Post Web site and confirmed by an Obama aide.

Springsteen also planned to perform Saturday at a Philadelphia rally to boost the Obama campaign's voter registration drive. Polls show a close race between Obama and McCain in Pennsylvania, a state John Kerry won in 2004.

NPR MUSIC TO STREAM ENTIRE BOB DYLAN ALBUM, TELL TALE SIGNS, WEEK AHEAD OF RELEASE


NPR Music will exclusively stream Tell Tale Signs, the highly-anticipated forthcoming album from Bob Dylan, beginning Tuesday, September 30 at midnight, one week ahead of the album's release on October 7. The entire two-CD, 27-song set will be available to hear on-demand at NPR Music for the week leading up to its release.

Tell Tale Signs is the eighth installment in Dylan's "Bootleg Series," and features previously unreleased recordings, live performances and alternate versions of songs recorded during sessions for some of his most acclaimed albums, Oh Mercy and Time Out of Mind among them. Also included on the album are Dylan's recordings for the soundtracks of the films "Lucky You," "Gods & Generals" and "North Country," as well as "32-20 Blues," his first ever release of a Robert Johnson song.

The complete track listing for Tell Tale Signs and additional information about the album will be available at NPR Music starting tonight, where there is also an extensive archive of past interviews with, and music by, the legend: www.NPR.org/music.

Thursday, September 25, 2008

28 Years Gone - John Henry Bonham


On September 25th, 1980, the world lost one of the greatest musical talents it has known. Today marks the 28th anniversary of John Henry Bonham's tragic death. Amid rumors of possible replacements in the band, it was never even a discussion to have someone replace Bonzo, how could you? His fellow bandmates issued a historic statement: "Due to the tragic death of our dear friend and band mate, we can no longer continue as we were...."

Undoubtedly one of the most influential drummers of all time, (perhaps the greatest) Bonzo's impact on our musical landscape is still being felt each day. With unmatchable skill, groove, dynamics and sheer power, no drummer has come close to replicating the things he did on the kit. On December 10th 2007, his son Jason joined his old bandmates in Led Zeppelin to perform a spiritually inspired 2 hour+ set. Jason filled in with greatness and shined as he led the band through classics such as "In My Time of Dying," "Dazed and Confused," "The Song Remains the Same" and a rendition of "Kashmir" which some said it was like his dad came down and joined him. John was surely drinking a Guiness and watching proudly as his old mates blew the roof off the O2 Arena with his son on the skins.

In memory of Bonzo, lets watch a classic clip of "Moby Dick," his drum solo centerpiece from the Royal Albert Hall in 1970!



RARE GOODNESS

Two guys named Jim jam together in 1968!
Bleeding Heart.

Monday, September 15, 2008

Shine On: Pink Floyd founder Richard Wright dies at 65

Pink Floyd keyboard player and founder member Richard Wright has died, aged 65, from cancer.

Wright appeared on the group's first album, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn, in 1967 alongside lead guitarist Syd Barrett, Roger Waters and Nick Mason.

Dave Gilmour joined the band at the start of 1968 while Barrett left the group shortly afterwards.











Gilmour said: "He was such a lovely, gentle, genuine man and will be missed terribly by so many who loved him."

Writing on his website, he added: "And that's a lot of people. Did he not get the loudest, longest round of applause at the end of every show in 2006?"

Wright's spokesman said in a statement: "The family of Richard Wright, founder member of Pink Floyd, announce with great sadness that Richard died today after a short struggle with cancer.

"The family have asked that their privacy is respected at this difficult time."

He did not say what form of cancer the self-taught keyboard player and pianist had.

Live 8

Wright, a founder member of The Pink Floyd Sound - and other previous incarnations including Sigma 6 - met Waters and Mason at architecture school.

Pink Floyd achieved legendary status with albums including 1973's The Dark Side Of The Moon, which stayed in the US album chart for more than a decade.

Wright, known as Rick earlier in his career, wrote The Great Gig In The Sky and Us And Them from the album.

Waters left the band in 1981, performing his last concert at London's Earls Court.

Wright, together with Gilmour and Mason, continued to record and tour as Pink Floyd during the remainder of the 1980s and into the 1990s, releasing their last studio album - The Division Bell - in 1994.

In 2005, the full band reunited - for the first time in 24 years - for the Live 8 concert in London's Hyde Park.

Wright also contributed vocals and keyboards to Gilmour's 2006 solo album On An Island, while performing with his touring band in shows in Europe and the US.

Story from BBC NEWS:
Published: 2008/09/15 17:14:15 GMT

MUSIC BINDS US ALL

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Authentic Roots Reggae in South Florida




There are not many real reggae “bands” left out there...reggae artists and singers are a dime a baker's dozen but reggae bands such as Third World, Steel Pulse and UB40 where the members typically remain the same as in rock bands are quite rare. Fourth Dimension aims to bring back this vibe and take it to another level.

Fourth Dimension founded in 2000 is considered a "local reggae legend" according to the Miami Herald and is without a doubt the most groundbreaking reggae band to surge from the South Florida scene. This ethnically diverse quartet specializes in various styles of bi-lingual reggae and their repertoire consists of a positive and uplifting experience. The band describes its sound as “Authentic Roots Reggae out of this World”, because its members are from the Caribbean, the US and South American Heritage. No wonder then, that their following is equally diverse: from hard-core lovers of reggae, to tye-dye jam band connoisseurs, to Baby Boomers. Audiences are thus blessed with a performance mix of Bob Marley Style music, Lee “Scratch” Perry-like dub stylings, the current Sizzla style toasting, the traditional Burning Spear style and Latin-Spanish reggae.

Performing over 250 shows a year has prevented them from quickly releasing a real album. But good things come for those who wait and after 8 years Fourth Dimension's new album, " Invazion" is scheduled for release in 2008. The highly anticipated album will feature new drummer Joe "Grind" Fagan and will be mixed and co-produced by Karl Pitterson the legendary engineer responsible for the Exodus album; named "The Best Music Album of the 20th Century" by Time Magazine and most notably working with a lengthy list of stellar names such as Bob Marley & The Wailers, Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer, Burning Spear, and of course, Steel Pulse, as well as Mick Jagger, Robert Palmer and Grace Jones outside of reggae music.

From the pulsating sounds of the bass guitar to the extensive vocal array, Jah Steve will electrify your soul. He was born and raised in Miami, Florida where he has been involved in the reggae scene for years and has backed up Jamaican “Studio 1” greats such as Derrick Morgan. He names Wailer's bassist Aston "Familyman" and Eric Clapton as his musical role models.

Melodic grooves, imperial brass, combined with lead and backing vocals, Pierre, “The Reggae Maestro” the keyboard player contributes a cutting edge to this band’s sound. Born to Argentine parents in Long Island, New York. At the age of seven, he moved and was raised for the next fifteen years in Puerto Rico. Here he received seven years of training on the piano before moving on to the keyboard. Growing up in Puerto Rico has influenced Pierre’s love for the Caribbean’s diverse melodies and heart-pumping rhythms. He is largely in part influenced by the vibrant sounds of reggae. The music of Bob Marley, Culture, Israel Vibrations and others has created his love for Roots reggae.

"Strings", Lead and Rhythm Guitarist, provides the sweet sounding harmonies and vocals of FOURTH DIMENSION. Strings is endorsed by First Act Guitars of Boston, MA as a part of their "Emerging Artists" series. Their guitars are played worldwide by artists such as Adam Levine of Maroon 5, Brad Whitford of Aerosmith, Rusty Anderson of Paul Mcartney, Henry Garza of Los Loney Boys and other players from bands such as: Guns N Roses, Los Lobos, Nine Inch Nails, Ministry, The Cure Originally from Puerto Rico "Strings" provides a Caribbean feel to his performance. The world music vibe and international players such as Santana, Ernest Ranglin, Dwight Pinkney, Hendrix and various other blues, jazz and fusion guitarists technically influence him. Strings, moved to South Florida in 1995 in order to advance in his music career. Here he obtained a music business degree, freelanced and played in a fusion of bands.

Joseph "Grind" Fagan was born in Florida with Jamaican parents who have instilled the Jamaican culture in their son. He began playing the drums at an early age of five which became his passion. His talent is driven by heavy influences in Reggae, Gospel, Hip Hop and Jazz. Dennis Chambers, Carlton Barret and Dave Weckle have also been inspirations. Joseph studied with Jonathan Joseph, Russ Miller and attended Musicians Institute of Hollywood California. Joseph has toured with Lady Saw, John Holts and many other R&B and reggae acts.. His love for reggae, Caribbean and world music led him to get together with Jah Steve, Pierre and Strings; therefore commencing on their journey through the Multi-Dimensional Hypercube and Around the World.

Fourth Dimension was Nominated and Voted “Best Band” Reader’s Choice by Florida’s City Link Magazine and The New Times Magazine two years in a row in 2002, 2003 and 2005.

FOURTH DIMENSION will take you on an innovative musical journey while breaking all the rules of the space time-continuum. It is an experience you do not want to miss.

09/13/08 The Dive Bar Fort Lauderdale, FL
09/14/08 Jazid Miami Beach, FL
09/17/08 Original Fat Cats Ft Lauderdale, FL

Saturday, September 6, 2008

A Magically Delicious Tribute to the Great Theloneous Monk





















Brother Theloneous: Belgian Style Abbey Ale

THis tasty ale has a rich dark raspberry like color with a finger of off-white head that fades fast. The score is primarily based on a great color and a tolerable head. Excellent nose filled with sweet fruit (cherry, plum), dried fruit (fig, raisin), and spice (pepper, ginger). This smells like Dubbel all the way.

THe taste is fruity, spicy, a bit peppery as it proceeds, a hint of dark chocolate--good stuff. A delicious, quality ale, well done, and flavorful. A better mouthfeel from more effervescence would do wonders for BT, already a fine representative of the style.

Like a Belgian “Dark Strong Ale”, the beer is rich and robust with an ABV of 9.3%. The package is a 750 ml bottle with a traditional cork and wire finish or 12oz 4 packs and features a label picturing the jazz master himself.

Vital Statistics
Style: Belgian Style Strong Dark
Color: Dark mahogany
ABV: 9.4%
Bitterness: 32 IBU's

Update: Dead Tour/Obama in PA

Obama Benefit on October 13 in Pennsylvania

Just a quick update on our story from earlier this week in regards to The Dead reforming to support Presidential hopeful Barack Obama. When we first reported there were no details available, today we learned that the boys will gather on October 13 at the Bryce Jordan Center at the Penn State campus in State College, PA. The date marks the first time in four years that Dead alumni Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart will have performed together.



The Dead To Tour In 2009
Obama Benefit on October 13



Word on the Web is that the surviving fellas from The Grateful Dead — bassist Phil Lesh, guitarist Bob Weir, and drummers Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann — are getting back together to tour in April and May of 2009. There are no further details available at this time and no indication who will join the core four to complete the lineup. Past lineups of The Dead and The Other Ones have included Warren Haynes, Steve Kimock, Mark Karan, Jimmy Herring, Susan Tedeschi, Joan Osborne, Jeff Chimenti and Rob Baracco amongst others.

Prior to any 2009 tour details, Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart announced last Friday (8/29) that they will join together again on October 13 to perform a benefit concert for the Presidential campaign of Senator Barack Obama, with the city, venue, special guests and other details to be determined pending further discussions with the Obama campaign.

Last February, Weir, Lesh and Hart performed together for the first time since 2004 at the hugely successful "Deadheads for Obama" show at The Warfield in San Francisco. Now founding Grateful Dead drummer Bill Kreutzmann joins his musical brethren in service of this historic cause.

Stay tuned to dead.net for further details, ticket information, etc.