Posted By Alex 10/15/06

Posted By Greg 8/28/06

Posted By Alex 7/11/06

Goodbye SYD

I’ve often wondered why everytime someone mentioned the name Syd Barrett, it also entailed description of madman,crazy person, acid freak, nutcase but yet no one really considered how his music spoke highly and ambitious about the true man. It certainly was way more than drug casualty stories etc etc….The core of who he really was before he was diagnosed with mental illness and before he walked away from his future….and yes literally walked out of London back to his mothers house in Cambridge ….He was the ideal RockStar of glamour and decadence ..but somehow he also decided to leave it all behind him and reduce his life to simplicity in his garden…

His Ideas reflected like no others…When I think of the enormous influence of the Pink Floyd and the timeless direction of their music…I think of Syd and how his impact of writing and storytelling resonated thru the happening scene that was the swinging 60’s and the psychedelic era….I think of what he could have accomplished if he could have continued…I think of the first time hearing him when I was a teenager and being completely blown away by what I was listening to…it was incredible and highly original….i thought to myself, I have never heard anyone write/play music like this guy during those early years..i could see why so many people were turned on by his vision…his influence ran deep inside that generation…and it still continues to inspire artists who are open minded to reach out for his music and the influence of the Pink Floyd today…..and so today I get the sad news that Syd is gone, and their certainly won’t ever be anyone like him…someone who basically didn’t realize anymore how much of an impact he gave the music world and how the future of music can always look back and recall his name…..his reclusive years were just dealing with his mental illness and not wanting to be surrounded by those people who pressured him to make music and put himself under a spotlight…it was no longer his ambition….he dealt with other issues that even today, we are complicated by….His struggle became a completely lost medical issue that just made it hard to communicate with his friends…yes,sure drug use didn’t help the matter but as a young man you never know what to expect in your youth when you experiment with psychedelics and your young adulthood is kicking in high gear…we’ve all been there…..anyway,it’s not easy to try and explain mental illness…but I can certainly say that before all the madness, there certainly was beauty that will continue to resonate thru our future lives, especially with the impact that the PINK FLOYD has created in Rock Music History…..All I can say is Thank you Syd Barrett for changing my life and giving me some sense of direction with music, inspiring the way I approach music….accepting the facts that you could no longer come back to us but yet you will always be here amongst all artists and creativity…You will always shine like the sun…I believe there is a great gig in the sky waiting for you…...shine on!!

Posted By Greg 6/12/06

Follow your heart... and good things will come.

For an up-and-coming band, working hard week in and week out to make great music and get exposure, what would a music industry person consider the point of going up to a town like Ossining New York to perform, where there is sadly no music scene... Industry Schmindustry!

Ossining is where I grew up, its a small town on the Hudson River with alot of character and alot of really wonderful people. I got the idea early this year that it would be great fun to go back up there and perform at the Village Fair, and I'm lucky enough to have three of my best friends as bandmates, so they were happy to make the trip.

The best thing about they day for me was reconnecting with an old friend, my first bass teacher and mentor, Kendall Buchanan. When I was 16 years old, in high school, Kendall played bass with the late jazz guitarist Sonny Sharrock, at an assembly in my high school auditorium. This was the first time I ever really grasped and saw the power of the electric bass. Just watching this guy hold it down for Sonny, playing so may different styles, with unbelievable ease and precision was so mesmerizing that I approached him immediately after the performance to ask if he gave bass lessons.

He said that he doesn't teach regularly but would be willing to take me on as a student. For the next six months or so, I he gave me a lesson every week or so, and it was never confined to 30 or 60 minutes, we just jammed and talked and became friends. Then when I went off to college in the Fall of 1993, we lost touch, and I didn't see Kendall again until Saturday, thirteen years later!

Standing on stage, there was nothing more satisfying than looking to my left and seeing my old friend and mentor standing there with a huge smile on his face during our 90-minute set. Additionally, looking out over Main Street at this unique multi-cultural community that played such a part in my life. Ossining New York is always going to be a big part of my me whether I am living there, in New Jersey, or wherever else I go. I always have a piece of Ossining in my heart.

Special thanks to everyone at the Ossining Chamber of Commerce for inviting us to play. Thanks to all of my old friends and family who made it to the show, and thanks to my hometown for giving me so much inspiration!

Posted By Dave 5/19/06

Posted By Greg 5/3/06

I've been listening to some great CDs lately, would like to share with everyone.....

Recently stumbled across an album of duets on Rhino Records from 1967, of two soul greats, Otis Redding and Carla Thomas. The album is called King & Queen, and man oh man is this an amazing record! Usually the idea of the duet is a neat novelty, but to be pulled off for an entire record flawlessly, funky, soulful, I don't think there is a bad track on this record, in fact, I know there is not! I mean, what other soul singers could pull off a song with the title "Ooh Carla, Ooh Otis" and not have it sound cheesey???? Well pick up this record and find out! Here's an amazon link.(hey amazon, make the commission check out to the buzz ha ha)

Have you heard the hype about the new Bruce Springsteen collection of Pete Seeger covers? Well, believe it ! OK, so no matter how hard I try not to be biased about my favorite musicians, Bruce has not put out anything that I have not loved since 1992's Human Touch. But what I love most about Bruce right now is that he's reached that stage in his career where he puts out exactly what he wants and follows his own heart all of the way. I've read a few fans complaining about this and last year's somber acoustic Devils and Dust (another masterpiece in my book), and my response is, well... whatever! Anyway, "We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions" is a joyful uplifting fun romp from start to finish, with a lively energy reminiscent of the Gospel Tent at the New Orleans JazzFest. Go get this album. I'm not going to link anything here except Bruce's own site.

Finally, my third pick, is the latest studio album from New York City's southern rock band, Leroy Justice. These guys have been around for a long time, and they have come a really long way. After a few lineup changes over the years, the band has finally hit a stride which is absolutely apparent when hearing how well the rhythm section now works with lead guitarist/singer Jason Gallagher and keyboardist Sloan Marshall. Their most solid effort to date, "Revolutions Son" has ten solid tracks of raw rock n roll n soul. Not overproduced or underproduced, this album captures the sound and energy of their live show, which recently landed them on a prime spot at the SXSW festival in Austin, Texas. If you like straight up southern rock in the tradition of the Black Crowes, though breaking new ground, definitely check this out.

Thats all for now! See everyone in Washington Square Park next week!

Posted By Greg 4/24/06

Attended the world premiere last night of the movie "Wetlands Preserved: The Story of an Activist Rock Club"

Last night I was fortunate enough to be in attendance for the world premiere of a new documentary on the story of my one-time hang out and home-away-from-home, the former Wetlands Preserve, in New York City's Tribeca district.

Open from 1989 until September of 2001, the Wetlands was truly the greatest New York City scene for improvisational rock music, the first place to open the doors for so many of these bands to thrive, and the only club where I would ever go without knowing who I was going to see. To this day, there still is no place in New York where I will just "GO". No matter how many great rooms for music in New York there are, there has been a void since the club was forced out of business for Luxury Condomium developments. Similar to what New York is losing in the punk scene with the impending doom of CBGB's, there will never be another place like the Wetlands.

Watching clips and interviews with the owners, staffers, artists, all familiar faces from my years as a patron, so many emotions were stirred up. Though I never got personally involved, the huge role of being a center for left wing activism, was truly another huge part of what the Wetlands was. Thankfully, that aspect of the organization still exists and is still making a difference. The web site, http://www.wetlands-preserve.org is still the Wetlands Activism Center, and if you want to get involved, you can find out about upcoming events there.

My first Wetlands experience was around 1994, if I recall correctly. My friend Matt and I went on a Tuesday to see a Dead cover band. My final night there was the Spin Doctors reunion show in September of 2001. I remember at the end of the night, I almost walked out without taking one last look around. It was about 4 AM, and I went downstairs to the then about empty lounge for one last time, looked at the beautiful bathroom walls, and sadly stepped outside knowing that a part of my life was gone forever. There will never be another Wetlands, but especially thanks to Dean Budnick's great film, the message and the spirit remain forever.

A little more information on the film can be found at http://www.relix.com/wetlandsmovie/

Posted By Dave 4/20/06

Posted By Greg 4/5/06

I just wanted to throw a few links to some cool articles I've come across recently. Can't wait to see everyone in the city tomorrow!

Why the British Don't Jam: A Nation's Shame Revealed

Much Ado About Water

Posted By Greg 3/10/06

Review: Tea Leaf Green & UMELT at the Knitting Factory 3/9/06

What a great night last night. The knit was packed just enough for it to be crazy but not so bad that it wasn't fun anymore. This was my first full TLG show (saw em at moe.down) and my first UMelt in well over a year. Man did both of these bands bring the heat. Completely different styles making for one great night of music. You guys all probably know how good these bands are b/c you've either seen em or listened to em before, but if you are going tonight, DO NOT MISS UMELT.... not that alot of people did miss their set last night. The place was maybe 1/4 full when they started but close to 3/4 packed by the end, and they did rock the hell out of the Knit last night. I was seriously blown away by these guys and how far they came. Their songs are sounding more and more unique, stronger vocals, and I just think their guitarist really does have a style that stands out among the crowd, not giving into temptations in his playing that could make them sound like every other band. They don't, they're sick, and don't miss them. Tea Leaf Green were also a blast. I'm really impressed with their songwriting, their connection with the audience, their energy, and their keyboardist is such a great singer. The clarity in his voice and his soulful style rival many of the great ones. Yeah they rocked too. Those lucky enough to have tix for tonight are definitely in for a treat. I think next time they breeze through TLG will be at Irving and UMELT will be headlining the knit at least..... cheers, Greg

Posted By Greg 2/5/06

Posted By Alex 12/29/05

Hello, A few things that were quite incredible in 2005…No particular “single” artist but these particular events were really something that came out of the past, and highly recognized in the present reminding all on this earth that music is quite the double dose of great medicine for all people around the world, regardless of race, genre, political masturbation…. 

1. Seeing Dave,Nick,Richard and Roger, the almighty PINK FLOYD on stage together finally at LIVE8…putting their differences aside, recognizing their impact and using it for a positive cause, most of all,rekindling their friendship….life is short, but the Floyd is timeless and will always take us into the future of the future….
2. THE CREAM (back for a small visit to set the stage on fire) …hearing Ginger,Jack,and Eric playing in pure improvisational formula has been something I’ve been waiting for most of my adult life….just to hear Clapton get away from that “sappy,cheesy,so-called blues crap” he’s been feeding us for the past 20 years was a relief…finally we hear him “push” the demon out of his guitar and soar without a net…it was probably good medicine for him to set himself free and quite impressive to hear him claim his skills…my only gripe was strap on a Gibson, put aside that damn fender!!  …...as far as Jack/Ginger…this powerhouse rhythm section are connected like no other….true,effortless,beauty.
3. The re-discovery of the lost tapes “Thelonious Monk with John Coltrane LIVE in Carnegie Hall 1957” this gem of a recording just transcends the culture of Jazz music past and present…a reminder of just how amazing and gifted Coltrane and Monk were…the quality is brilliant, the legacy is timeless, the re-discovery is a blessing because something so precious almost got forever lost and none of us would have ever been honored to listen….as I always say “God Bless John Coltrane”
4. The Devastation of NEW ORLEANS and all the musicians and joyful noise that suffered due to the massive Katrina…this city will be back, No doubt…the music there is currently brewing in the souls of those musicians effected…another reason to give music birth and grow up to tell those heartbreaking stories….just wait till that Wave of New Orleans music hits us all….move over Katrina, this one’s gonna be bigger !!
5. This War in Iraq is still here, there will NEVER be a solution to Terror…more Americans are dying everyday..America is still a beautiful,proud,strong country but in the eyes of many thru-out this earth, we are hated…and Hatred is a sad HUMAN QUALITY….and certainly not the legacy of God,Allah,Buddah,Mohammed,Jesus,Jehovah,Dali llama, Krishna…..when are we gonna learn?
6. George W.Bush still has his head up his ass, his entire administration has proven to be out of line in America and thru-out the world…even though this may not be rock n roll related, I’d still like to actually break a fucking cheap imitation “made in iraq” LesPaul over his head and probably kick him off stage into a raging moshpit….now that would be Rock n Roll !!
7. Last but not least “ MAINSTREAM RADIO STILL SUCKS “ …if you call it innovative, I suggest you should start calling your mother “YO” or everytime you speak, your sentences should end with “YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING”…..yeah this is quite a bright future for your kids?
8. and finally “SUPPORT LOCAL LIVE MUSIC”  it will do you some good and make you a better person…..you just never know if your actually in the presence of greatness….only time will tell and showing your support is the best way to encourage the future of music…..Happy NEW YEAR!!  And may 2006 bring you new licks J

Posted By Greg 12/19/05

Posted By Greg 12/16/05

Posted By Alex 11/28/05

IN SEARCH OF A NEW FUTURE

 Or atleast when I think of Frank Zappa/TheBand/PinkFloyd/Robert Wyatt/Bartok/John Coltrane/BrianEno/ and the endless list of groundbreaking artist that redefine the term “THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX”

 WHAZUP!.... … so here’s a little insight on what this all means,  the goal has ALWAYS been "not to sound like anything we've heard " but that’s always the challenge....”you can hear the influence but not the actual"

And so the songwriting and the ideas have always had that little secret behind it, ....mostly, the goal to create a new genre of music incorporating things in a tasty, positive way by mixing unexpected genres such as swing music with spacerock or throwing progrock time signatures into a bluegrass tune etc etc… just mixing and experimenting with things that you wouldn't expect to fit......melody is an indefinite phrase of sound and harmony and quite the best food for thought…

...the music comes thru with that perspective and somehow tastefully done rather than having it sound forced and unnatural ....it almost sounds like it has it's own new cutting edge and that turns people on or atleast those who can tune into what “cutting edge” means....it's kinda like experimenting with going ahead of our present times with music and exploring a new future for music....that is BUZZUNIVERSE

Posted By Greg 11/28/05

Thanksgiving Weekend in NYC

It's been a really long time since I've been able to dedicate an
entire weekend to seeing live music rather than playing it.
Thanksgiving weekend in NYC is always a blast, but this was my first
in about four years in NYC, since my wife is from St Louis, and so
much of my other family is Massachussets, I've missed alot over the
years. Anyway, definitely had a great time.

Friday Night started off with the Meters. I'd been excited about
this for a long time, and was not disappointed. Was my first time
at Nokia, and I guess it wasn't like I expected. I didn't know
there were only seats way in the back, and didn't make any effort to
get in early, which made finding a comfortable spot a bit of a
challenge. Ended up settling in just fine though. I thought the
show started off pretty good, but about half way through, absolutely
took off. Right after the slow R&B number (be my lady?), everything
just completely rocked until the end. The crowd in my section was
way more into talking then enjoying the show, and it was the same
when I went and found more of my friends, but what can ya do.
Definitely a good time.

After the Meters, I headed down to Kennys Castaways, where two great jambands from NJ booked a post-moe/meters gig, Natural Breakdown and Unexplained Bacon. I was going more to see Natural Breakdown, who I caught for the first time at the Great Bamboozle last year, and are seriously an incredible band. They're from the New Brunswick area, and their keyboardist/singer, Eric Waldman, has been playing around for years, and is also an amazing solo-acoustic performer, one of the best I have seen. Sporting a new, incredible bass player since the last time I saw them, they absolutely tore it up, and my one wish (as usual) was that there were more people there to see them.
They did about 8 originals, and a great Doors cover. Check
em at http://www.naturalbreakdown.com

After they were done, Unexplained Bacon played, who are were a BLAST too, but just for the hell of it, my friends and I headed over to
the Lions Den around 3:00 to find out what all of the fuss is over a
band talked about much lately, U-MELT.

Well, all I can say is that I wish I could have stayed longer,
because these guys, had me sucked into a trancelike state and blown
away from the second I walked in the door. Not to discredit the
other bands I saw earlier, but their hard work and road-tested
technique was showing in every note they played. I've seen the New
Deal several times, as well as brothers past, P-Groove, Particle,the
biscuits obviously, but even though I wasn't able to stay for long,
it was obvious that UMELT is carving quite their own path. Anyway,
had to take off early b/c my ride back to Jersey was leaving, but
had a blast.

I was so tired Saturday afternoon that the moe. show didn't even
seem exciting to me, but by the time 6:00 rolled around, we were
ready, and all I can say was that moe was on fire from the
word "GO"! What a show! I swear I am never let down by these guys,
as far as I am concerned they are the jamband that just flat out
ROCKS! And I'm not saying they're the only band that ROCKS, but
they are in my eyes just about ultimate "no qualms about it" jamband
that will play a three or four song set with long segues and manage
to flat out ROCK. They just sent my mind and body into a frenzy all
night, and the highlight for me was "32 things" which I always
thought was a stupid song but man was it a good time watching them
play it.

No latenight shows Saturday, had enough and was excited for bed. If
I didn't have band rehearsal at noon Sunday, maybe I would have
stayed out, or even considered going to Poughkeepsie for Hot Tuna
last night, but I am just glad that I got to have a hell of a
weekend seeing live music in the city!!!!

Posted By President Ray 11/2/05

Wow what a week it’s been! I got to see Cream at MSG on the first AND 3 rd nights. It was an amazing experience. The show Monday was powerful and gritty and the crowd was really into it. They put out an incredible amount of sound for 3 guys. I had never seen Ginger Baker before live and he totally blew me away. His 10+ minute drum solo on “Toad” was the highlight of the shows for me. He played like he has 3 or 4 hands. I went back on Wednesday after scoring a ticket for under half price right on the side of the stage and had a perfect vantage point for the show.

Cream really kicked it up a notch for the final show. I just loved Jack Bruce’s singing, bass playing and also his harmonica solos. Clapton ripped off piercing solos on so many of the songs. It was great to see him after almost 20 years. They played the same setlists as back in May when they played the Royal Albert Hall in May. The DVD is awesome and if you don’t have it, you will love it.

I also saw Mike Gordon and Leo Kottke on Saturday at Irving Plaza, with my good buddy Kevin who was at the first Cream show too. I was very impressed by the range of songs they played, as well as the quality of the songs and the jamming as well as the interplay between the two and also I enjoyed the stage banter. The crowd was very respectful for the most part and didn’t interfere with the acoustic performance. I had a great time. We are also going to see Trey next Tuesday!! That is a lot of great shows in a few weeks. I am also going to see one of my 3 favorite guitarists, Derek Trucks, with the Derek Trucks Band at Town Hall on Nov. 12.

I got Trey’s “Shine” (dual disc) yesterday and I just love it! I have been listening to it nonstop since. The songs are great and it is so full of energy. Greg, I can’t wait to see you at Roseland. Look for you on the rail. I will save you a spot if Kevin and I get in first. I was struck by the sound of Trey’s voice on the album. He sounds great. The songs have so much energy and I know they will be incredible in concert. This is the 3 rd tour Trey has done this year and I was fortunate enough to see the first 2 and I was blown away. I am sure Trey and 70 Volt Parade are going to kick some serious ass at Roseland!

Alex, I will have a great Cream show for you the next time I see you. It is from the last show at MSG ( 10/26/05), the last Cream show ever. They have already turned down lucrative tour offers. It’s a shame.

To Buzz Universe: best of luck on the new CD. I can’t wait to hear it. I hope to get a chance soon to visit you at your studio.

Posted By Alex 10/31/05

The GONG TRILOGY  ( flying teapot/Angels egg/You )

 GONG has always been an underdog in the progrock world of Canterbury music of the 70’s, but yet is has been one of such impact…this band has never stopped it’s evolution…1966 until the present day it just rediscovers itself prolifically and provacitivley…the man behind the concept “Daevid Allen” is the actual grandfather of how psychedelic music should sound  acoustically or electrically…his sense of creativity is undying…..the mind travels, the swirling dances,the journey you are taken on when listening to this amazing collection of music is indeed like no other…The Trilogy is such a folklorish tale put into music on how we as people are to interact with this planet and the spirituality of being ZERO and developing into YOU…it has such creative little characters such as pot-head pixies,fred the fish,captain Capricorn,hi-t moonweed, zero the hero, and the list goes on and on as these characters all come together to tell this quirky story of adventure and gliss…and the music isn’t shabby at all, it’s actually quite intense and mindboggling with good taste,and a great splash of progrock …I’ve always believed that Trey Anastasio (from Phish)  may have created his spinoff philosophy of “gamehenge” that so many psychedelic hippie jamband fans may have thought of as original and stood alone in this jamband community BUT unfortunately it seems like “gamehenge” is a similar concept and “idea spinoff” of THE GONG TRILOGY which came into existence back on Easter Sunday of 1966….AND SOOOO, this famous Anastasio thesis which may have struck gold with so many music lovers just goes to show that Trey has admitted to listening to GONG in college and also he may have sipped some of that delicious tea in the flying teapot……and so it’s quite simple…I mean, I like phish but I LOVE GONG!!!

Posted By Dave 10/31/05

Q: What the heck is a “Kind of Blue”, and why should I own one?

A: Because it’s the greatest work of art that America produced in the 20 th century, that’s why!

Q: Sez Who?!?

A: Me – and an army of three million that has made “Blue” the best selling jazz album of all time.

Q: OK, so it’s popular. Why is it so good?

A: You could write a book to answer this one (And indeed, someone did write a book)

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0306810670/qid=1130456401/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/104-7717129-9564703?v=glance&s=books

http://tinyurl.com/877gb

To make a long story short, this album has four of jazz’s best soloists performing at the top of their game.

Q: Who?

A: Miles on the trumpet, John Coltrane on tenor sax, Julian “Cannonball” Adderly on alto sax, and Bill Evans on piano. (Bassist Paul Chambers was no slouch, either.)

Q: OK, great musicians. Won’t they be flying all over the place playing stuff I won’t get?

A: They definitely fly, but you’ll get all of it. Miles wrote some simpler songs, so that Trane and Cannonball wouldn’t get too carried away.

Q: Well, if the tunes are simple and they don’t get too carried away, what’s so great about that?

A: What’s great about Kind of Blue? Two things: The What and The How. The WHAT are Kind of Blues’ compositions. They are sparse and beautiful – a lot quieter than you might expect. They are not mere excuses to jam thoughtlessly. They are concentrated and intense.

The HOW is trickier to explain. Maestro Miles didn’t put a lot of chord changes in the tunes. The band made it interesting by playing different scales called modes. Don’t worry though – you don’t need to know the techniques to love the music.

Q: Is Kind of Blue mellow?

A: Yes and no. Guys like Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie played like raging forest fires. On Kind of Blue, Miles and the gang play more like candles. But it’s still fire. And it’s still cool.

Q: Cool?

A: Yes, whatever beatnik or bohemian came up with “Cool” as a way to describe art, this album is what he had in mind. ENJOY!

Posted By Freddy 10/29/05

Don't put my music on MTV or VH1. What ever happened to the singer-song writer? Let me hear an original tune, that's not on the fucking radio. Wake up people!  Corporate yuppies are taking over the music biz. Support your local artist. It is them who reflect our "hoods" and past times. So, all you lazy asses, go see The Breadbox Band, with their taste of jam with no sticky peanut butter. Like to dance?  Go feel the groove of Blue #9 , funky 70's with a twist Jethro Tull . Looking for emotions and insight?  Be intimate with Neil Cleary, and yes he is great singer-song writer. Got jam band?  Go see Moodras.  They will bring a new word of meditation. So, support live music, DAMN IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And, if you are up for something a little more interesting, it's simple; GONG. It is a trip of musical spheres that communicate across galaxies.

Posted By Greg 10/27/05