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July 30, 2006

It Doesn't Get Any Better Than "The Malo"

Raul Malo

Saturday, July 29th, was a very hot summer night at the Coach House, as the audience waited with anticipation for the "man with the golden voice" to transcend the stage. And, there usually is a lot of that anticipation floating through the air with the Coach House's usual two opening acts. This time around local singer, songwriter and guitarist, Brooke Ramel, opened the show with a half hour acoustic set. Ramel was followed by actor/singer, John Corbett (Northern Exposure), a raucous 45 minute set of Southern Rock which seemed to win the crowd over. Taste in music is tantamount to individual choice, but let's just say that Corbett seemed to warm the stage and crowd even more for what was to take place next...Raul Malo, or "The Malo" as he's known.

It was Mr. Malo who had the ladies mesmerized and glued to their chairs. The amazing thing is that he doesn't even have to do much at all. Singing is so natural to him he does it with ease and it oozes that Latin charismatic charm. So much so, that his voice resonates the room because of his wondrous vocal range. Who else can be singing a mellow tune and bring it all the way back to a rockin' version of "Twist and Shout"? He can and does very easily.

So, there we were in out box seats, so to speak. It was our first time sitting in the black box area, as I call it. VIP Section, or whatever it might be tagged. A perfect area to scan the crowd and watch the audience reaction. No doubt, they were under his spell. It's nice to hear a singer do his own material mixed with personal renditions of old classics, like "At Last", Etta James most famous blues recording. Throughout the night he offered a range of songs done in his own style and stemming from the likes of Van Morrison's "Bright Side of the Road" to Guantanamera (originally by the Sandpipers in the 60's and revived in the movie the Buena Vista Social Club).

Some might remember that Raul Malo was at one time the lead singer for the music group, The Mavericks, who won several CMA Awards in the mid 90's. Though some of those songs are now a part of the past, they are still remembered in his shows and the crowd loved hearing "Dance the Night Away" and several others. Since that time, Malo has carved his own way in the music world tapping different resources from Latin to Classic Standards, along with his own personal songwriting abilities.

This past week, Raul Malo's newest album "You're Only Lonely" was released on Sanctuary Records. Produced by Peter Asher and consisting of 12 classic standards, ranging from Barry, Maurice and Robin Gibb's "Run To Me"; Willie Nelson's "Angel Flying Too Close To The Ground"... to Randy Newman's "Feels Like Home" (a duet with Martina McBride).

Of course, there's nothing like a live show to bring it all home, so be sure to check out www.raulmalo.com for tour dates and locations in your area. You won't want to miss this performance!

Posted by CindyLu at 8:41 PM

July 29, 2006

Live from BlogHer (Part 1)

Is the Next Martha Stewart a Blogger?: Using blogs to help commercial ventures

This weekend, some of the Barflies are at BlogHer, a women's blogging conference. Miss Jen is speaking, and Tink, Wanda and Lauren are here, as well as Erika and Megan.

Here are some notes from the panels.

Maggie Mason - moderator (editor, Readymade.com, writer Mightygirl.com)
Pim Techamuanvivit - Chez Pim (food blog)
Marnie MacLean - knitting
Andrea Scher - Superherodesigns.com - jewelry, photography, life
Gayla Trail - gardening

Experiences with big corporate entities?
Marnie - the difference is that if you want to publish a recipe, a pattern, you have to pitch it and wait for approval. But with your own online journal, you can publish immediately and that is such a boon.

Gayla - when you write for other people, they own you and your words. And people are not used to that. I wanted to get paid fairly, but I also wanted to retain my rights. They wanted to own the idea as well as the words forever. And I resisted that. If you give up your rights, someone else can make money off you forever. Raad the cotnract and be tough. Stand up for yourself. And it's not just money, it's also about their vision, which is important.

Pim - don't worry about whether or not you're going to syndicate or make money from advertising.Just get it out there and build your brand.

Maggie - but don't blog for free, especially for big sites like Yahoo! etc. One of the best things you can do is to list yourself as a freelance writer on your resume, because you are, even if you don't know it yet. If you are blogging, you are a writer.

Talking about building your brand:

Andrea - Fun and easy are core values. If they don't meet that, it won't last for me.

Marnie - In terms of the craft blogs, you need to offer people something, free patterns, a reason to come back and link to you, and forward you, and you'll be surprised at how it snowballs after that.

Pim - your brand comes when you know your voice. That sounds new agey, but when you know yourself and what your blog is about, really know your reader and what they come back to see and what they want to read. It really is important, when you write, think about how you sound, and who the people are that are out there. And the more you do this, the more you realize it's not just what you say, but how you say it. And that becomes your brand, a definition that someone can give. It's important that if you are trying to build a brand, that you have something with a catch.

Maggie - the best thing you can do is be yourself. People can smell fake a mile away online,

Anyone here gotten paid for blogging? And how much should you ask for?

A couple of people, but usually in the context of other companies (mainstream media jobs that want bloggers internally), or projects that companies want to push.

How far are you willing to push the limit with sponsorship from companies that want to reach your audience?

Gayla: Part of the reason I started this is to cut through that crap. I consider it a sell-out. I am open to sponsorship though, only in the blogging section, it's not hugely profitable, but up to know, I've been paying for the site.

Pim: I can only speak from my own position today. In two years, I might be selling out completely, but right now, the way I look at it is I haven't gone out to seek sponsorship, but the way I look at it, is I would take sponsorship from something I can stand behind, something I would use. Dannon was recruiting bloggers for their site, and they paid pretty good, but I don't eat that yogurt with growth hormones, so I couldn't in good conscience talk about that. I write about eating locally, eating responsibly, eating organically.

Does anyone have a concern about being perceived as "domestic" or "crafty"?

Marnie: Apparently knitting is very "domestic". Who knew? I was unpopular when I knit as a child, but I don't care about being unpopular now. This is a good chance to discuss with poeple how these activities were traditionally done by men, but have only become women's activities lateley.

Gayla: I used to have a problem with it, when I was younger. I just like to make things with my hands but I had a real problem with it because all my friends were really tech-y and I do still experience an undermining of that in business, but I've come around. It doesn't bother me anymore. I'm sort of the worst offender in some ways, because my site is called "You Grow Girl" and perhaps that's exclusionary, it has a female connotation.

Andrea: I wanted to be a painter, but hustling your painting sucks! Beading is, well, how cheesy is that? But it's fun and easy!

Pim: I think you can care about shoes and still be a very strong woman. I'm not worried about it. (applause) I'm not trying to temper my voice so that I speak more to men or women; I just talk.

Maggie: Martha Stewart is one of my idols, and Oprah on top of that. I mean, look at some of the eye rolls you get about Oprah, even from some advanced men. But if you can take the concept of "women's work" and make money off it, you can really blindside everyone. I mean, look at the dollar signs that are out there!

Posted by DJWanda at 11:14 AM

July 25, 2006

Jack Ingram @ The Whisky-A-Go-Go: July 24, 2006

I'd been looking forward to this show from the moment I heard about it - and not just because Jack Ingram could be the most gorgeous man on earth. He's also a wickedly talented performer - and everyone who went into the show that night left raving about what a star Jack Ingram is.

Okay, the doors opened at eight, and the house band went on at nine. Like most house bands, I thought them terribly average, but liked them a lot better at the end of their set, when they gave a plug for the radio show I produce, Altville. Sin City All-Star Travis Howard came on next, putting on a rocking set that included a song he'd written for Miranda Lambert's Kerosene CD, "I Can't Be Bothered." Jack's labelmate Taylor Swift, a very sweet 16-year-old singer-songwriter who put on a worthy effort (and who had boots that envied Emmylou Harris'), but whose stage presence seemed forced. In between acts, three pole dancers - that may be a little harsh - I believe they were introduced as "Cowbellas" - danced badly choreographed routines to songs like Gretchen Wilson's "Redneck Woman." I'm not sure what the point of their being was, if only to irritate the audience that they were being subjected to this nonsense.

It was getting pretty late by the time Jack Ingram started his set at 10:30pm, but his energy was strong enough to give second wind to everyone, including those of us who were seriously wondering how we were going to make it to work by 8am today. Jack kicked his set off with a couple of songs from earlier albums like Hey You and Electric, before throwing in a couple of promising new songs from his next CD, his latest hit "Love You" and of course his #1 record "Wherever You Are," which was introduced with an earnest remembrance of Jack's having listened to Sunday morning 'Countdown' shows on local radio stations and dreaming of the day when maybe his song would make it to the top of the chart. Fortunately, with "Wherever You Are," Jack was able to achieve that dream, and bring forth a little hope that maybe there is hope for top 40 radio after all.

Posted by darlin at 11:46 AM

We're from Canada; What's Your Excuse?

"Thank you for your time!" the border patrol jovially says to Jessee Havey, as she exits customs while wondering, "What the hell is that all about?"

Meanwhile, another agent gruffly asks Leonard Podolak, "What are you coming into the States for?"
"I'm going to LA to shoot a video." No more questions asked about the nature of said 'video'; Leonard is stamped through.

Such were the experiences of The Duhks as they made their way from their Canadian home of Winnipeg to the outrageously hot climate of LA to shoot a video - no, not for that - for their new song "Out of the Rain" from their forthcoming CD Migrations. Stopping by the Altville studios to tape some songs for the show, they were tired from their flight, and frustrated that the airline lost their luggage. Fortunately, they were able to borrow an acoustic guitar from their labelmates Shurman, and I was able to find a bongo drum in one of our studios, so they wouldn't have to make do with an upside down cardboard box as a makeshift percussion. Despite the setbacks, they were in good spirits.

The Duhks performed "Mists of Down Below" from their last record The Duhks, and three songs from their forthcoming record, including "Ol' Cook Pot", "Mountains O' Things," and the first single, an achingly beautiful ballad called "Out of the Rain", the first song lead singer Jessee Havey has written. If the rest of the album is as good as that sampling, the Duhks' third album will see them soaring to new heights.

Look for Migrations to hit stores on September 12.

Posted by darlin at 10:45 AM

July 24, 2006

Tom Jones @ Hollywood Bowl, 7-22-06

I remember when I lost my cherry. It was 1995, it was with my friend Karla—who was also a virgin—and we both went into it more for shits’n’giggles. Little did we know it would change our lives, that when it’s all over, there’s no going back.

Yes, my first Tom Jones concert eleven years ago at the Universal Amphitheater, where we only went because tickets were a ridiculous seven bucks, altered me forever more. No longer was Tom Jones just some schlocky Vegas relic still trying to keep the glory alive. He was a veritable sex machine. The song that triggered my affinity wasn’t “It’s Not Unusual” or “What’s New Pussycat,” it was a single that aired ubiquitously on Radio Europe in 1994 when I was studying abroad and all I heard on the radio were the same 10 songs over and over. I didn’t take to Sheryl Crow’s “All I Wanna Do is Have Some Fun,” but I did eventually succumb to the dance floor magnet—“If I Only Knew.”

Since then, I’ve seen him in concert about nine times. I’ve seen him at performing arts centers, I recently saw him in all his glory in Vegas, I even once drove up to San Fran to see him at the Fillmore. But when I saw him last year at the Greek here in L.A., I realized my mission: Pop people’s TJ-cherries. I popped three that night, and all three lovely ladies left agreeing that they wanted to hump him. Knowing that the man known as The Voice is sexy, and the only man I’d ever say that about, doesn’t make me fruity. On the contrary, I bring chicks to his shows because it’s an aphrodisiac. He oozes sex. Though he’s 65-years-old, he could bag more babes than anyone half or even a third his age. He gets more panties thrown at him nightly then you’ll ever have the salacious pleasure of removing from bothered bodies in your life.

Last year, it was three virgins. This year: 10. I had to go through Group Sales for his concert at the Hollywood Bowl to arrange a dozen tickets together. (He nearly sold-out two straight nights at this 18,000 capacity venue, over 40 years after the start of his career!) “But if you deflowered 10 people, why’d you need 12 tix?” you’re asking. Because one of them, Barflies’ very own Lauren the Adnostic, was so smitten last time, she returned. (Incidentally, one of my honeys from last year was stoked about seeing him again, but the show fell on her cousin’s wedding. The last one really wanted to go, but we broke up since then and I wanted her to think I was bringing a date.) So the night finally arrives and the lot of us met up on site beforehand for a delectable potluck. Joining me were old friends, friends from work, friends from out of state and out of country, and another Barflier, Liz the Tinkinator, and her sister, Nancy, who CRIED when she found out where Liz was bringing her as a surprise. Nancy, who ditched her husband and son behind, is my new favorite person.

After our picnic, we found our way to our seats, where we had over half the row. Because of the amount of wine, vodka, and Irish whisky consumed beforehand and during the show, I suspect a few people seated were irritated by more than their sticks up their asses. C’est la vie. We caught the end of the opener, the Pete Escovado Orchestra, which wasn’t unlike seeing Tito Puente, only the drummer happened to be Sheila E. of Prince notoriety. The only thing more impressive than her extreme hotness was her drumming prowess. Her solo, captured on the Bowl’s four Jumbotrons, was a whir of flesh and drumsticks. Then the real spectacle took place.

ToJo (my newest nickname for him) opened with “Tom Jones International” from his recent album produced by the Fugees’ Wycleaf Jean. You read right. Dressed in tight black pants and a black shirt that looked like it had been bedazzled with black beads, the scorching summer heat turned him into a sweaty mess faster than usual. He announced that his set would consist of tracks from his three newest albums, which also included his umpteenth repackaged Greatest Hits and one of early rock covers performed with pianist extraordinaire, Jools Holland. When the lead-in strains of “Delilah” began, Lauren and I looked at each other wide-eyed, excited, yet confused why it appeared so soon on the set-list.

“Why? Why? Why? Delilah. YOU BITCH, YOU SLUT. YOU WHORE. My, my, my Delilah. YOU BITCH. YOU SLUT. YOU WHORE. So, before, they come to kick down my door…”

Evidently, not everyone at the Bowl was familiar with this little amelioration of the chorus the way Flogging Molly fans are when they cover it. No matter, most people around us had a good laugh and the cool older ladies in front of us I think joined in. As for the 12 of us, we ripped that strumpet Delilah a new one with great fervor. When Tom sang “Help Yourself,” we were all magically transported to Pleasuretown, where Ron Burgundy and Kelly Bundy were doing it on a rainbow. And when he sang to me how I could leave my hat on, well, it was all I could do to keep from going the full monty.

Here I must add that his set was disappointingly short. Barely over an hour. Not than I know many men that age who can perform at that level—his dance moves could make Shakira blush—but it was easily the shortest show of his I’d ever seen. I’d like to blame the Bowl’s early curfew. He did not play many of my favorite songs, ones that are staples of his set list: “If I Only Knew,” “Daughter of Darkness,” “Burnin’ Down the House,” and, gasp, “Sex Bomb.” He did, naturally, please and delight us with “What’s New Pussycat” and “It’s Not Unusual.” Earlier in the night, once we took our bench, the fantastic bulge in my pocket was revealed. I’d procured panties for all the ladies in the group. Only a few were launched during these musical chestnuts.

All in all, everyone had a kick-ass time. They’d seen the Welsh Wonder in action, and they were convinced I wasn’t making it up—my fanaticism—this whole time. When he did Howlin’ Wolf’s “300 Pounds of Heavenly Joy” reworked as 200 lbs, because, well, he’s svelter, I think I heard some, uh, how to put this delicately, some squishing. TJ’s band was as solid as ever, owing much to the brass section. By the time he closed with “Kiss” (it all comes back to Prince) as the encore, we were 12 punch-drunk giddy ToJo fans, dancing with abandon, anxiously waiting for Tom’s return. I’ll order four dozen tickets as soon as they go on sale.

Posted by occulator at 12:53 AM

July 19, 2006

Finding Love - A Moment with Shawn Mullins

"Somebody came to my show not too long ago, and she goes, 'I wish you would do that song.' She didn't know how to say it without criticizing me. It was really sweet, though; she was like, 'You know, you almost get that note. You don't quite hit it, but that's what I like about it.' I think there is something about that kind of emotion, though - there definitely is, not just for my voice, but for a lot of stuff that a lot of us listen to, and you end up hearing stuff that's not perfect, but there's something human and emotional because of that."

That's a story Shawn Mullins shared (not realizing I was rolling tape) when he came in-studio earlier today to tape some songs for Altville, the radio show I produce. He said that in reference to one of the most beautiful songs on his latest CD 9th Ward Pickin' Parlor, "Find Love." I'd asked him to play "Find Love" live so we could air that version on Altville, as well as the studio version we've been playing, and I have never seen anyone perform a song so intensely and so passionately. He shyly confessed afterward that that particular song is a very, very personal one, and he rarely plays it live, because it's so close to his heart, which made me feel so honored that he'd be willing to allow us to play it on Altville.

Just about all of the artists that come through Altville are super-appreciative of the radio play, but Shawn went above and beyond that by sharing "Find Love" with us. My respect for him only increased when, after breaking a string at the end of a song we were taping, he insisted we record the song again. No complaints from the peanut gallery - we were more than happy to listen to him play again. In addition to being extremely generous, Shawn's also a perfectionist - a dangerous combination.

Shawn had a top 10 hit on the pop charts back in 1999 for his song, "Lullaby," but 9th Ward is without a doubt an Americana album. In fact, some people (and I'm one of them) would argue that Soul's Core (the album that included "Lullaby") is an Americana album, too (don't believe me? Listen to "Twin Rocks, Oregon" or his cover of Kris Kristofferson's "Sunday Morning Coming Down"). Shawn continues his "tribute to country's past" in 9th Ward, with the murder ballad "Cold Black Heart," but also includes progressive Triple A-type songs like "Beautiful Wreck" (which has already reached #1 on the Triple A charts) and "Blue As You." Half of the album was recorded in the New Orleans studio, the 9th Ward Pickin' Parlor, and after Hurricane Katrina destroyed it, Shawn named the album after the studio as a tribute, making his cover of "House of the Rising Sun" particularly poignant.

Altville airs locally on KZLA Sunday nights at 11pm. Listen to the show in the next few weeks to hear more about Shawn Mullins, or even better - pick up a copy of the album itself, and find out why "Find Love" - not to mention Shawn himself - is so darn special.

Posted by darlin at 5:48 PM

July 18, 2006

Stranger than Fiction: A Summer Guide to Books About Music

It's summer. The days are long. It's hot. And if you're like me, you are looking to stay cool, perhaps by the pool with a book, or lounging between the aisles at the library, or at least in a Barnes and Noble sipping Frappacinos and reading books without having to buy them for a long time.

Which is why Big Kev and I have come up with a list of books you may or may not want to read this summer. Forget the best sellers, these are books by, for, and about music lovers. Rock on!

The Life and Times of Little Richard: The Authorised Biography by Charles White

DJ Wanda: Little Richard's influence on music is indisputable. There are also some great rare photos and interesting tidbits in this book, which bills itself as the "Authorised Biography" of Little Richard. That being said, when I finished the book, I didn't really like Little Richard as a person or care what happened to him. He writes extensively about his deviant sex life, his drug use, his homosexuality, his redemption and numerous "falls from grace," but somewhere in the middle, I stopped caring. It's all strangely hollow. I think he might be insane. I remember that when I saw him at SXSW, he worked the crowd, with helpers to hand out religious tracts. I have a signed autographed picture that says "God Loves and Cares for you. Please don't forget that."

Big Kev: I believe Little Richard is insane. That makes him a better rock star. The book might have been intended as a way for him to confess his sins in order to redeem himself, but the confessions come off as just plain bragging. I don’t know how much of what he says is true, probably not much, but he is quite a teller of tales. It’s up to the reader whether or not to believe stories of his airborne religious awakening or his backstage three-way with Buddy Holly and a stripper. Yes, it’s hollow and empty, but at least it’s sleazy.
About your SXSW experience - he’s been handing out the same picture and religious tracts for well over a
decade. I got one when I saw him play in 1994 and my wife got the same one a couple of years ago when he
jumped out of a limo in Hollywood and started handing them out to people on the sidewalk.

Wrecking Crew: The Really Bad News Griffith Park Pirates by John Albert

DJ Wanda: Out of all the books we've read so far, this is easily my favorite, which is surprising because I am definitely not a baseball fan. This is not a book about baseball, however, although if you love the game, you'll find much to delight you here. John Albert actually writes a book with believable male characters, and there are precious few of those around. Yes, the characters are not always likeable; they make poor choice after poor choice. But they are fallible, human, and struggling and you root for them just as much as any sports team. In that way, I believe John Albert has written an essentially "human" story; his character captures the male voice just as well as "male" authors like Hemingway, Faulkner, and Cormac McCarthy. Unlike Hemingway (too unfeeling), Faulkner (too hard to read) and McCarthy (too dark), Albert really voices a kind of "everyman" in his protagonist, if that "everyman" were an unemployed ex-junkie. And really, who hasn't felt like that? The book spares no one: the female characters are just as culpable as the male (no hookers with hearts of gold here) and everyone struggles with their own demons.

The book is bleak at times, funny at others, and sometimes downright gross. Well-written and captivating. A good read, any time of year.

Big Kev: Not really a music book per se, it’s actually more of a feel-good sports story, but it has some musicians as real-life characters. Wanda’s favorite guitar hero Dave Navarro makes an appearance as well as an un-named, wig-wearing rock star that is probably Gene Simmons. As the saying goes – close enough for rock and roll. Anyway, we made the rules so we get to break them whenever we want to.

Here’s the story – a bunch of misfits, 12-steppers, and bohemian types get together and form an adult-league baseball team. Superficially, this book is about baseball but you don’t have to have an interest in baseball to enjoy it. It’s full of fascinating characters, each of whom has their own hard-luck story, finding each other and establishing friendships and support networks. Before I make it sound like some kind of corny Norman Rockwell painting, I have to say that not all of the intertwined stories have happy endings. Sometimes it’s heartbreaking, sometimes it’s hilarious, but it’s never boring. There’s some pretty disgusting stuff here, but I mean that in a good way. Highly recommended.

I met John Albert, the author of this book, twenty-some years ago through a mutual friend. I barfed at his house and he made an audio recording of it. Long story.

Don't Try This At Home: A Year in the Life of Dave Navarro by Dave Navarro and Neill Strauss

DJ Wanda: My boyfriend got this for Christmas, so I read it. This is the ultimate cheesy vacation read - all calories, no nutrition. Even if you are a huge Dave Navarro fan (and I don't know any), I can't imagine why you would want to spend 10 minutes in the life of a self-centered, narcissistic asshole like Dave Navarro, let alone a year. I kept putting this book down, and swearing I would never pick it up again, then picking it up. I kept wishing he would overdose and die, but I knew he was still alive, and had a cheesy reality show, so he wouldn't. What a shame. After finishing the book, I couldn't tell you why the man is famous. Almost everyone near him dies at some point; I believe that the man sucks the life out of people, like a modern day Dorian Gray. Read this if you have absolutely nothing better to do and don't pay for the book, by any means.

Big Kev: What a snooze-fest. For a book about an egotistical rock star, this is incredibly boring. He’s certainly no Little Richard – as a talent or even the subject of a book. For some reason, I want to compare him to Courtney Love. They’ve both become the kind of celebrity that is famous merely for being famous. Sure, they both make albums once in a while but nobody ever hears them or buys them. Both Navarro and Love have worn out the welcome mats of countless drug rehab centers, but at least Courtney Love does interesting things like breaking into houses and starting bar fights. All Dave Navarro does in this book is stay home and take drugs. One of the few highlights is when his whole body breaks out in scabs.

If this book were made into a movie, who would you cast as Dave Navarro – Corey Feldman or Gary Coleman?

Posted by DJWanda at 10:48 AM

July 14, 2006

Miranda Lambert @ House of Blues Anaheim: July 13, 2006

My week of really great music continued Thursday night with Miranda Lambert at the House of Blues Anaheim. Yes, the same Miranda Lambert who was second runner-up in the second season of Nashville Star. But don't hold that against her - before I heard her CD, I had written her off as, well, a Nashville Star contestant. Then, at the suggestion of a trusted friend who RAVED about the title track from her major-label debut, I listened to Kerosene, and finally understood what the big deal was. Miranda wrote or co-wrote every ten of the eleven tracks on her album, most of which she performed at the show, as well as covering Steve Earle's "Hillbilly Highway", John Prine's "Angel from Montgomery," and Merle Haggard's "Tonight the Bottle Let Me Down" - which just shows how good her taste is. Her opener, co-writer, and member of the Sin City Allstars Travis Howard joined her for a couple of tunes, including "Angel," and her second single "Bring Me Down," which he co-wrote. Overall, a high-energy, kick-ass show from a little but loud Texas girl with a lot of attitude. She'll perform again tonight at the House of Blues LA.

Posted by darlin at 11:15 AM

July 13, 2006

Lyle Lovett @ Greek Theatre: July 12, 2006

You can probably guess that this concert was amazing - and it was. It really was. I missed the Blind Boys of Alabama, who opened for Lyle, because I was getting drunk in the parking lot (I had priorities), but from what I could hear, they sounded great. Lyle Lovett is alt-country meets jazz meets gospel, and all of his songs tell the most amazing stories, much like Lyle does in between those songs with his dry sense of humor. Just as impressive as Lyle was his quartet of backup singers whot belt it out like no one's business, and the sheer size of his "Large Band," (I think there are 23 pieces in his band), and OH MY GOD THAT SOLO HIS CELLO PLAYER PERFORMED!! Even though he played for two hours, that was barely enough time to scratch the surface of his vast library of material, but that just makes you want to see him again next time, right?

Posted by darlin at 9:06 AM

July 12, 2006

Nickel Creek @ House of Blues Sunset Strip: July 11, 2006

The 'good ole boys' may not like Nickel Creek because they aren't bluegrass in the traditional sense - they've frequently been described as 'newgrass,' a title which I'm sure Nickel Creek would resist mostly because Nickel Creek seems to resist being lumped into any category. Regardless of how one chooses to describe them, there is absolutely no denying the virtuosity of this band - they really are THAT good. What's most remarkable about them is that they have the ability to play each song just slightly differently than the last time you saw them - not so different that it's unrecognizable, but just enough to show that they can do THAT, too. In addition to a nice sampling of their three albums, the band also covered that song about "Short People Have No Reason to Live" and a very funny acoustic version of a Britney Spears song I probably would have found even more hilarious if it had been a song I was familiar with (I think the name of the song is "Toxic," but I'm not versed enough in the Brittany discography to say for sure). They closed with each member performing one solo song (fiddle player Sara Watkins performed a Tom Waits song that left me in tears), before closing the show the way they work best - all of them feeding off the others' energy and talent that makes bluegrass seem cool to the young people, too.

Posted by darlin at 9:53 AM

July 11, 2006

The Wreckers @ House of Blues Anaheim: July 9, 2006

The latest "buzz group" in mainstream country is The Wreckers (comprised of Grammy-winner Michelle Branch and her best friend and former back-up singer Jessica Harp), who took a break from either touring with the supremely untalented boy-band of top 40 Country - Rascal Flatts - or playing casinos filled with old people who were mad "because they lost all their money," according to Ms. Harp. Unfortunately, doing so many tours has not translated into many ticket sales for the duo, seeing as how the HOB show obviously did not sell well, and the venue was frantically trying to make up for lost ticket sales by hounding the audience with constant reminders that they not only had overpriced drinks for sale, but also snack items.

Despite Branch's pop success, The Wreckers succeed as one of the more talented acts in Top 40 Country. Their harmonies blend together perfectly, and the balance between the two makes them a true duo - and not just "Michelle Branch and Her Partner." The pair took turns at lead vocals, and also share most of the writing credits on the songs from their debut CD Stand Still, Look Pretty. You also gotta love their ballsiness - what other mainstream country group - which caters to a demographic of 40-year old mothers who like the 'family-friendless' of country - would not only record a song with the phrase, "The thing that I done wrong was put up with his bullshit for far too long," but LEAD their show off with that song?! Other highlights included their current single, "Leave the Pieces" (co-written by local-girl Jennifer Hanson - daughter of one of the boys from Alabama), their future single, "My, Oh, My," the song that SHOULD be a single, "Tennessee," and the very funny "Only Crazy People Fall in Love with Me." For their encore, the girls covered Deana Carter's coming-of-age hit "Strawberry Wine" and the title track from their album. Disappointingly, they didn't play the Patty Griffin cut from their album, and they only played for a little over an hour. After paying $75 for a pair of tickets, and traveling an hour to get to the show, it almost didn't seem worth it....On the other hand, considering that I could have paid twice as much to see them play for half as long when they open for Rascal Flatts (who I hate) this Friday, I think I made the right choice.

The Wreckers will perform again at the Canyon Club in Agoura Hills next Tuesday, July 18.

Posted by darlin at 10:39 AM

July 10, 2006

My view of the Hootenanny

Well it wasn't much. Didn't have too much fun at the Hoot this year. I didn't take the heat very well.
I pretty much sat in the shade and watched people go by. I didn't even shop very much and that isn't like me.
It was refreshing to hear James Intveld and Big Sandy. It was cool that Wanda Jackson took the stage but her vocals didn't project very well. Maybe she was hot, too! My friend seemed to enjoy The Living End. I'm actually surprised that they are finally on the bill or even playing in America, isn't it a bit late for them? They should have played the Hoot like 5 years ago when they had that big hit.
When we finally got into the park, we went to eat and sat down at the second stage. Don't remember the bands name (I think they were first to play) and basically the vocals were not good for the sound that they were playing and I think the lead singer just wanted to basically tell how much he hates women and look cool but I think he looked ridiculous.
We ended up leaving during Flogging Molly. I was sad.

Posted by Tinkinator at 10:19 PM

July 6, 2006

"Blight At The End Of The Funnel" Opening Reception with ADZ, Flipper, Channel 3, and DI - July 1, 2006

Text and Photos by Kevin Hillskemper

Ed Colver is a Los Angeles photographer and artist known primarily for his photos of the Southern California Music scene of the late 70's and early 80's. His pictures are in every single book of LA punk history. You've seen his stuff.
Blight at the End of the Funnel is an exhibit that includes not only his photographs but some of his multi-media installations as well. It's at the Cal State Fullerton Grand Central Art Center in Downtown Santa Ana. It was nice to see his photographs blown-up onto high-quality paper and mounted on a wall instead of on yellowing newsprint or having the crease of a book running through the middle of them. Since all of the hype and hoo-hah was about the photos, I will say a little bit about the installations. What I really liked about them is the artist's use of humor to portray outrage. Some of the harder hitting works are more tragic but it's coming from the same place. Most of it being political satire, it's both comic and tragic. I'm tripping over myself, aren't I? What the hell am I blabbing about? I'm not a fricken art critic.
He uses the American flag a lot in his work. It was strange to see this show during the same week that the same symbol was being used to sell ground beef, beer, and used cars.

After the book signing, ADZ hit the stage and did a short set of punk rock with a capital Rock. They did a few of my favorites from their "Transmissions from Planet Speedball" album (which features Ed Colver cover art) and a fine version of "Do The Nihil" by F-word.

Flipper played forever. They took the stage in full daylight and didn't leave until it was completely dark. The once-enthusiastic crowd became listless and bored during the course of their marathon dirges. I liked it. Ears did perk up occasionally for favorites like "Ha Ha Ha" and "Sex Bomb Baby." I wanted to hear "I Am The Earthworm." Do they still play that? Did they ever?

Channel 3 brought the crowd back to life. I haven't seen them for a long time and I think they're better than they used to be. I was reminded of how great "You Make Me Feel Cheap" is. Not necessarily a great song, but a great overall concept.
Oh yeah, Ed Colver did the cover for their "Fear Of Life" record.

DI closed the show. Casey had already been working the crowd for hours. He must have had a conversation with every person there. He talked right up until showtime, jumped on stage, and then continued talking without missing a beat. He's not human.
The band did manage to play a few songs like "OC Life, " "Falling Out, " and "Hang Ten in East Berlin."
Then they played a few more songs like "OC Life," "Falling Out," and "Hang Ten in East Berlin."

What exactly did I say about humor and tragedy? Maybe you can explain it to me.
Blight at the End of the Funnel runs until August 20, 2006 at
California State Fullerton's Grand Central Art Gallery
125 N. Broadway
Santa Ana, CA

Posted by Big Kev at 7:45 PM

Pat Green @ House of Blues, Sunset Strip: July 5, 2006

Yeah, yeah, so I know I'm probably the lone Pat Green fan who reads barflies, but fuck it - I'm going to tell you how awesome this show was anyway! Texans and wanna-be Texans alike invaded the Sunset Strip last night to see a guy who can sell out arenas in his homestate play the much smaller House of Blues, which was conducting VERY thorough security searches (fortunately, the HOB staff was even joking about it - they were probably the nicest I've EVER seen them). The Texans who came out to this show, however, were almost obnoxious about their Texas pride - I mean, what other state would even consider bringing a Texas flag to wave during the show? Can you even imagine a state like, say, Minnesota representing itself as such? If you love Texas so much, why not just go back there? Anyway, Pat's best songs are not his radio hits ("Wave on Wave" which put him 'on the map' in Top 40 Country is easily his most boring song IMO), but he still has enough brains to know that if he's got a song like Radney Foster's "Three Days" in his repertoire, he'd better damn well keep playing it. Other crowd favorites included "Southbound 35," "Take Me Out to a Dancehall," "Carry On," "California," and "Crazy," which I'll admit, made me cry like a baby.

Diss Pat Green all you want for his Top 40 success. Then go buy his Three Days CD. And then his Lucky Ones CD. And then maybe Wave on Wave (but skip the title track). And Dancehall Dreamer. And oh, yeah, Cannonball will be released on August 22. Get that one, too.

Posted by darlin at 9:24 AM

July 3, 2006

After the Hoot there was: James Intveld and Rosie Flores

For those who don't wish to melt in 90 degree temps, there are several nighttime events after the Hootenanny to meet that desire. One of those events was the James Intveld/Rosie Flores show at the Blue Cafe this past Saturday night. Can you say "supercharged" like the Energizer Bunny? I'm sure you can! That's exactly what this show was all about.
When Rosie hit the stage as the opening act, I wasn't quite there yet. Having new carpet installed in your place will make you late every time. But, once I hit the parking lot, a few songs into her set, I could hear Rosie's voice echoing through the night sky. I realized how much I'd missed seeing her play, because it'd been a few years, and I don't get out as much as I used to. I eventually make my rounds slowly and Rosie is a sure bet to make you rock the night away. She's the little Rockabilly Filly from Austin who stirs it up!
She certainly set the stage right, because when it was time for James Intveld to take it, the crowd was really ready! And, he took their souls and ran with it. The girls were weak at the knees, and I'd say the guys were pretty mesmerized themselves! A veteran takes the stage and commands it - that is what James Intveld did. When he's onstage, he can take the tiger by the tail and wind it around his finger. And you know, when I do go out I want to be assured I have a good time, and I did, regardless of the fact that I worked sun up to sun down!
I could go on, but would rather share some pictures to capture the night. Pictures tell the story.

Posted by CindyLu at 2:30 PM

July 2, 2006

Throw Rag at the Key Club - June 29, 2006

For those of you who were wondering if Throw Rag would be "any good" without Jacko, let me set your mind at ease. Throw Rag was in rare form last Thursday as they blew the roof off the Key Club with an impromptu show featuring The Cheatin' Kind, Lonesome Spurs, and Shaun Kama & the Kings of the Wild Frontier. In the Plush Lounge downstairs, Grease Demon's RJ cooked up a tasty brew with Hasil Valens y Los Muertones and The Irish Brothers between bands. My one regret was not taking more pictures for y'all.*

First off, that gal from the Lonesome Spurs has a great wardrobe! Anyone who can wear that outfit gets my vote and then some. And her red Samsonite kick-drum? Two thumbs up from this gal! They call themselves the "White Stripes of Country" but Lynda Kay is way prettier than Meg and could probably kick her butt. Since she only uses one foot for her Samsonite kick-drum, she could kick Meg's ass with the other foot! I walked in about half way through their last song, so I'm not going to comment on the sonic similarities of the Lonesome Spurs and the White Stripes; I'll leave that for you to decide.

I also enjoyed Hasil Valens y Los Muertones. Ths up-and-coming band played just about every song they knew and then some they didn't, but what they lacked in repetoire, they more than made up for in energy. I enjoyed their hybrid rocka-psycho-Spanglish-billy.

The Irish Brothers were solid and professional, dashing off their set accompanied by their new green lights, which put everything in a sickly glow. I hear this band all the time and have to say that they are still one of the loudest bands ever in small spaces. Bring earplugs. A bemused Captain SeanDo stood quietly on the floor, taking in the band. He must have been taking notes, because he later asked Karl and his "man toe" to come up on stage and shimmy for the folks while Throw Rag played. Karl, already well lubricated, didn't need to be asked twice. Clearly, Hot Karl has a career as an exotic dancer in his future!

Midway through the set, which consisted of a nice blend of "oldies" (Lady Boo, Only Drink on Days that End in Y, Three Way Cross) and newer songs, Captain Sean Do started taking off his clothes. I was able to capture most of that with my New Nokia 6061. For anyone that thinks there might be a sonic or visual "hole" left where Jacko stood, you, my friend, are flat out wrong. Throw Rag is delivering the high energy, high desert rock they have always delivered, straight from the Other Desert Cities to Hollywood, California.

*First off, let me say that the batteries in my FinePix camera DIED at the Key Club, leaving me only with my cellular phone, a new Nokia 6061. I think Miss Jen would be pretty proud of the way these photos turned out (and this was before I figured out the Night Vision setting) and the fact that I actually figured out how to transfer them from the phone to the computer and then to this post. Suffice it to say that if I had MMS, I could have mopho blogged from the show!

Posted by DJWanda at 6:44 PM

This Should Go On Forever - Wanda on Wanda

This article appeared in the June 29th edition of the OC Weekly. Imagine my surprise when Wanda actually performed "Right or Wrong" (along with "Mean, Mean Man", "Fujiyama Mama" and "Riot" at the Hootenanny! I was melting, and not just from the heat!

Among the performers I’ve met—a stellar lot that includes Janice Martin, Larry Collins and Buck Owens—Wanda Jackson is the only one who actually had me shaking in my boots. Backstage at the Crazy Horse, I was sweating so bad and shaking so hard, I could barely speak. So when I started thinking about Wanda, I couldn’t stop: most folks are in the dark about what a phenomenal songwriter she was. At a time when squeaky-clean cupcake Kitty Wells was the standard for female country singers, Wanda stood out with her amazing vocal skills and raw sexual presence. In fact, music writer Nick Tosches once famously described Wanda Jackson as “the greatest menstruating rock & roll singer whom the world has ever known.” I don’t know if I’d put it quite that way, but I couldn’t agree more.

Here are 10 of my favorite Wanda Jackson songs:

1. “Wasted” (1955): Written by Wanda Jackson and her father, Tom Jackson. This is kind of a rare one; in fact, I didn’t know this was a Wanda Jackson song until the Stumbleweeds covered it, and I thought it was the best song I’d ever heard. Now I know why. This song should be more famous than it is.

2. “Fujiyama Mama” (1957): An Earl Burrows song recorded in 1957, this song languished until becoming a huge hit for Wanda in Japan late in 1958. When Wanda toured Japan, she was received with a red carpet and thousands of bowing fans. It’s still a scorcher live.

3. “Right or Wrong” (1960): This song has a Patsy Cline vibe to it, but it is pure Wanda. Recorded in 1960 and released with the B-side “Funnel of Love.”

4. “Funnel of Love” (1960): Vaguely suggestive and still hot 46 years later, Wanda’s sexy growling and Roy Clark’s amazing experimental guitar (yes, Hee Haw’s Roy Clark) make this track sound contemporary today. It’s no surprise that the Cramps wanted to partner with Wanda on this for her 2003 album of duets, Heart Trouble.

5. “I Gotta Know” (1956): An early Wanda song penned by Thelma Blackmon, this features a slow-fast-slow-fast rhythm that alternates between rockin’/tearful and country/rockabilly and allows her to demonstrate her powerful pipes and emotional range as she implores her boyfriend, “If our love’s the real thing/where is my wedding ring?” Guitar whiz Joe Maphis took the solos, while Buck Owens was the session guitarist.

6. “Riot in Cell Block #9” (1960): Wanda’s cover of Lieber-Stoller’s classic switches the setting to a women’s prison and makes earlier versions sound tame. This is always a treat live.

7. “Let’s Stop Kicking Our Hearts Around” (1961): Written by Wanda for Buck Owens, this was never a hit for Wanda but went to No. 8 for Owens in 1962. Owens, who was a session musician before he realized his own fame, played guitar on all Wanda’s major recordings from 1956 through 1958.

8. “This Should Go On Forever” (1961): A more mature Wanda sings this tear-jerker. She never does this one live, but it’s still one of my favorites.

9. “Mean, Mean Man” (1958): Written by Wanda after a suggestion from her father, this song chronicles the singer’s frustration with a “mean, mean man” who is never around, calls late for dates, arrives late, doesn’t kiss her, and is generally “low down.” I know this guy. And like Wanda, I love him all I can.

10. “Hot Dog! That Made Him Mad” (1956): I’m not sure whether I like this song more for its tune or its message, an instruction manual on how to infuriate your boyfriend by laughing in his face, flirting with strangers, and dating his friends. The carefree nature of this song may prove that Wanda was into girl power long before the Spice Girls.

DJ Wanda hosts Howdylicious! on KUCI-FM 88.9 every Sunday, 8-10 p.m. Visit www.kuci.org for more info.

Catch Wanda Jackson at the Hootenanny with Rev. Horton Heat, Tiger Army, Flogging Molly, Supersuckers, Horrorpops, the Living End, Chris Spedding & Robert Gordon (Reunion), Lee Rocker, Manic Hispanic, Big Sandy, James Intveld, Ricky Warwick, 3 Bad Jacks, Hellbound Hayride and Calavera. At Oak Canyon Ranch, 5305 E. Santiago Canyon, Irvine; www.ticketmaster.com or www.thehootenanny.com. Sat., noon. $35-$100. All ages.

Posted by DJWanda at 6:39 PM