tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76845255969437206062024-03-13T18:59:21.347-07:00god of bluesDon Reahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13474603914674939933noreply@blogger.comBlogger1100125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684525596943720606.post-13216769414538552852012-12-24T13:29:00.000-08:002012-12-27T10:53:41.818-08:00Good tidings from Hope and Social...<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/55202497?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0&color=cc6633" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe><br /></div><BR><a href="http://www.hopeandsocial.com/"><b>Hope and Social</b></a>'s Seasonal and mellifluous contribution to the Leeds based charity for the homeless '<a href="http://www.simononthestreets.co.uk"><b>Simon On The Streets</b></a>'. This is part of a Christmas compilation of 14 other festive songs which can be purchased for a 'pay what you like' contribution from <a href="http://www.justgiving.com/anthologieschristmas2012/"><b>justgiving.com/anthologieschristmas2012</b></a>. <BR><BR>Happy Christmas everyone!<BR><BR>PDon Reahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13474603914674939933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684525596943720606.post-7332686809521342582012-12-22T10:26:00.000-08:002012-12-27T10:53:41.889-08:00Remembering Joe Strummer through Marley...<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="640" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Dc5dg6oVXq0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /></div><BR><a href="http://www.bobmarley.com/"><b>Bob Marley</b></a>'s Redemption Song sung by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Strummer"><b>Joe Strummer</b></a> in one of his collaborations after the heady days of <a href="http://www.theclash.com/"><b>The Clash</b></a>. H/T to <a href="http://www.billybragg.co.uk/"><b>Billy Bragg</b></a> for reminding us of Joe's untimely passing 10 years ago. In <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0552772429/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=banksyboy-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=0552772429"><b>The Progressive Patriot</b></a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=banksyboy-21&l=as2&o=2&a=0552772429" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /> Billy explains how The Clash changed his life at the 1978 <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_Against_Racism"><b>Rock Against Racism (RAR)</b></a> concert in Hackney:<blockquote>The Clash taught me a valuable lesson that day, which I have in the back of my mind every time I write a song or step out on to a stage: although you can’t change the world by singing songs and doing gigs, the things you say and the actions you take can change the perceptions of members of the audience...</blockquote>PDon Reahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13474603914674939933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684525596943720606.post-72356947605919961382012-12-21T04:28:00.000-08:002012-12-27T10:53:41.888-08:00Sensing the Divine in engineering...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d06At8queSM/UNRSRV_vj9I/AAAAAAAABlE/jJlICQ0CsQc/s1600/Fullscreen%2Bcapture%2B21122012%2B102248.bmp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d06At8queSM/UNRSRV_vj9I/AAAAAAAABlE/jJlICQ0CsQc/s640/Fullscreen%2Bcapture%2B21122012%2B102248.bmp.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Have been a fascinated viewer of the <a href="http://www.channel5.com/shows/chris-tarrant-extreme-railways"><b>Extreme Railways series on Channel 5</b></a> presented by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Tarrant"><b>Chris Tarrant</b></a>. This week's edition featured the <a href="http://www.konkanrailway.com/"><b>Konkan Railway</b></a> which runs down the West coast, covering mountainous and marshy terrain thought by the British to be totally unsuitable for a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permanent_way_(history)"><b>permanent way</b></a>. Built over 8 years between 1990 and 1997 by a wonderfully enthusiastic team who overcame some incredible obstacles despite a heavy price paid in life and limb. The highlight for me was hearing the Chief Engineer <a href="http://twitter.com/rbojji"><b>Rajaram Bojji</b></a> proudly escorting Mr T to a vantage point to witness the incredible <a href="http://wikimapia.org/1006874/Panval-Nadi-Viaduct"><b>Panval Viaduct</b></a>, at 210 feet the third highest bridge in the whole of Asia: <br /><blockquote><b>It never stops amazing me, it fills my heart with such a happiness I'm telling you. There must me some kind of ultimately divine spirit which makes humans to think and do things which look apparently impossible.</b></blockquote>PDon Reahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13474603914674939933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684525596943720606.post-14354674199222096542012-12-20T07:43:00.000-08:002012-12-27T10:53:41.820-08:00That Nativity Factor...<div style="text-align: left;"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Wkx-iqqI7So" width="640"></iframe></div><br />Yep, would you Adam and Eve it, there's been a competition to find a short 3 minute film about the Nativity. You can check out all the entries on <a href="http://thenativityfactor.com/"><b>The Nativity Factor</b></a> website and although, in my not always very 'umble opinion, I think some of the entries are a bit naff, I can understand why they picked the winner. However, prompted by His <a href="http://davidkeen.blogspot.co.uk/"><b>Opinionated Vicar</b></a>(age), I tracked back the link to the original slightly longer version of the runner up, The Christmas C(h)ord, and also concur with <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/11872644403415655350"><b>David Keen</b></a>'s view that this one is a bit good! I definitely prefer this longer version, all credit due to the <a href="http://goingpublic.org.uk/theatre"><b>Going Public Theatre Co.</b></a>, written and performed by Dai Woolridge, flmed and edited by Andy Toovey.<br /><br />Of course, there is a very strong link to another theme from our book, <a href="http://www.thesecretchord.co.uk/"><b>The Secret Chord</b></a>, it would be wrong not to mention it ;-) In fact, we researched a section about the link between the word 'cord and 'chord' which was edited out, maybe in the next mini-tome? <br /><br />And now for something completely different, this stunning film has so much context, clarity and authenticity it would be even more wrong not to include it:<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><BR><iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/bjQDl95tOcU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><BR>First spotted on my buddy <a href="http://philipstreehouse.blogspot.co.uk/"><b>Phil Ritchie's blog</b></a><BR><BR>PDon Reahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13474603914674939933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684525596943720606.post-18346944597653439792012-12-18T21:52:00.000-08:002012-12-27T10:53:41.833-08:00ALAN LOMAX interviewed by Charles Kuralt in 1991<br /><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Zdj0pmQMTQI" width="853"></iframe><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/MbOnsIptqDc" width="853"></iframe><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/9r6FxXrWJjI" width="853"></iframe><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/pcX56sTPWp0" width="853"></iframe>Don Reahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13474603914674939933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684525596943720606.post-10231160803440846092012-12-18T21:42:00.000-08:002012-12-27T10:53:41.816-08:00Muddy Boots Vol. 1 w/Husky Burnette, Lone Wolf OMB, The Scissormen, and more!<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Following the <a href="http://www.muddyrootsmusic.com/" target="_blank">Muddy Roots Festival</a> this year the folks from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thecrackerswamp" target="_blank">Cracker Swamp Productions</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/nobrowproductions" target="_blank">No-Brow Media</a> got some pals together to have a hoot n' holler at the famed <a href="http://frypharmacyrecording.com/" target="_blank">Fry Pharmacy</a> studio (<i>The Most Memphis studio in Nashville.</i>) Here's part one ::</span><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/RlJhtq_UQE4" width="853"></iframe>Don Reahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13474603914674939933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684525596943720606.post-24788640393376444482012-12-18T21:26:00.000-08:002012-12-27T10:53:41.837-08:00LORRAiNE MADDEN - Walk With Me<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Charlie from Old Gray Mule turned me on to this beautiful lady. <br />Sadly, she passed on earlier this year.:</span><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/nYxWDrIoyf4" width="640"></iframe><br /><br /><br /><br />Don Reahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13474603914674939933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684525596943720606.post-40557110596586355962012-12-16T09:13:00.000-08:002012-12-27T10:53:41.881-08:00Catching lightning in a bottle... Jools Holland<div style="text-align: center;"><object width="640" height="504"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.bbc.co.uk/emp/iplayer/player.swf"></param> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param> <param name="FlashVars" value="playlist=http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/playlist/p012htrn&config=http://www.bbc.co.uk/emp/iplayer/config.xml&config_settings_showFooter=true&config_settings_showUpdatedInFooter=true&config_settings_language=en&embedReferer=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01pgqfw&config_settings_showPopoutButton=false&enable3G=true&embedPageUrl=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p012htrn&config_settings_autoPlay=false&config_settings_suppressRelatedLinks=true&uxHighlightColour=0x267571&guidance=unset&config_settings_showShareButton=true&domId=media-player-emp&mediatorHref=http://open.live.bbc.co.uk/mediaselector/5/select/version/2.0/mediaset/pc/transferformat/plain/vpid/{id}"></param> <embed src="http://www.bbc.co.uk/emp/iplayer/player.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="504" FlashVars="playlist=http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/playlist/p012htrn&config=http://www.bbc.co.uk/emp/iplayer/config.xml&config_settings_showFooter=true&config_settings_showUpdatedInFooter=true&config_settings_language=en&embedReferer=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01pgqfw&config_settings_showPopoutButton=false&enable3G=true&embedPageUrl=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p012htrn&config_settings_autoPlay=false&config_settings_suppressRelatedLinks=true&uxHighlightColour=0x267571&guidance=unset&config_settings_showShareButton=true&domId=media-player-emp&mediatorHref=http://open.live.bbc.co.uk/mediaselector/5/select/version/2.0/mediaset/pc/transferformat/plain/vpid/{id}"></embed></object><br /><BR></div>Last night's fascinating and insightful programme looking into <a href="http://www.joolsholland.com/"><b>Jools Holland</b></a>'s career in music and as a TV presenter. As well as an unbelievable player along with his encyclopaedic knowledge of recording artistes and industry history, he also commands great respect from many musical legends because of his talent. As a personal benchmark I often gauge an artist, band or solo, by whether they would be good (or quirky!) enough to appear on <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006ml0l"><b>Later with Jools</b></a>. <BR><BR>Throughout the programme there were many gems about music, notably in his demonstration about the difference between learning by ear and a typical piano lesson and then when he enthused about his band, "the perfect band". Describing soul singer <a href="http://www.rubyturner.com/"><b>Ruby Turner</b></a>, an integral part of his big band line-up: <blockquote>"she is us... it's not about the sound, it's about the feeling, and then you hear this sound and this is, like, coming from a completely different place to the modern world but touching a thing that's alive and vital now, and it's all those things of the church, of the blues, of everything all mashed up into this thing that hits you like a nuclear reactor."</blockquote> Another succinct explanation of the core theme of our book "<a href="http://www.thesecretchord.co.uk/"><b>The Secret Chord</b></a>"... <BR><BR>The full <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/i/b01pgqfw/"><b>programme available for next 6 days</b></a>.Don Reahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13474603914674939933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684525596943720606.post-18909572562802901982012-12-12T04:58:00.000-08:002012-12-27T10:53:41.834-08:00Blind Boys of Alabama in the Real World...<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F42979922&show_artwork=false"></iframe><br /></div><BR>From the <a href="http://realworldrecords.com/gold/"><b>Real World Gold</b></a> collection, <a href="http://petergabriel.com/"><b>Peter Gabriel</b></a>'s label, recorded when the <a href="http://www.blindboys.com/"><b>Blind Boys of Alabama</b></a> were on the label. The <a href="http://youtu.be/zPH-E9hyaUw"><b>song was originally written</b></a> and recorded by <a href="http://www.benharper.com/"><b>Ben Harper</b></a> but this version demonstrates a real connection to the song. Read more on the collaboration on Canada's <a href="http://music.cbc.ca/#/blogs/2012/11/The-stories-behind-Peter-Gabriels-Real-World-Records-Blind-Boys-of-Alabama"><b>CBC Music article here</b></a>.<BR><BR>Another theme we touch on in our book <a href="http://www.thesecretchord.co.uk/"><b>The Secret Chord</b></a>... <BR><BR>PDon Reahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13474603914674939933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684525596943720606.post-26333528451837212802012-12-10T06:46:00.000-08:002012-12-27T10:53:41.873-08:00LONNiE HOLLEY - Just Before Music<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">@ <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LonnieHolley" target="_blank">Facebook</a> // <a href="http://www.dust-digital.com/lonnie/" target="_blank">Dust To Digital</a> //</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aSiw7y4gmnE/UMX1ENJyjNI/AAAAAAAAHKM/ydy47c7mHc8/s1600/lonnieholley092409jpeg-953b63dac3cbc90f_large.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="403" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aSiw7y4gmnE/UMX1ENJyjNI/AAAAAAAAHKM/ydy47c7mHc8/s640/lonnieholley092409jpeg-953b63dac3cbc90f_large.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Lonnie Holley is an outsider artist from Birmingham, Alabama that makes music as idiosyncratic and full of found elements as his art work. Made off the cuff with a dude from Deerhunter and a dude from Black Lips it's a wonderfully odd collection of deeply personal and evocative music. Is it blues? Sounds like it to me.</span><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/vDh_GyrMU4A" width="853"></iframe><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="640" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/RKdukTx3Zxo" width="853"></iframe>Don Reahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13474603914674939933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684525596943720606.post-34802662382784919732012-12-08T21:25:00.000-08:002012-12-27T10:53:41.877-08:00ALiVE AT THE DEEP BLUES FEST - Alive Records Artists Visit DBF and Record A Classic Live Scorcher<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-leaPrrDVHNs/UMQTDGM_JpI/AAAAAAAAHJQ/flHSIybUDOo/s1600/18301_10151083196801198_388546144_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-leaPrrDVHNs/UMQTDGM_JpI/AAAAAAAAHJQ/flHSIybUDOo/s400/18301_10151083196801198_388546144_n.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Chris Johnson @ Bayport BBQ where this was burned.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>@ <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AliveNaturalsoundRecords" target="_blank">Alive Records</a> // @ <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/alive-at-deep-blues-fest-live/id573319986" target="_blank">iTunes</a> // <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009Y2K52S?ie=UTF8&camp=213733&creative=393177&creativeASIN=B009Y2K52S&linkCode=shr&tag=ricksaundersw-20&qid=1355030230&sr=8-3&keywords=alive+at+deep+blues+fest" target="_blank">Amazon</a> // <a href="http://www.bayportbbq.com/" target="_blank">Bayport</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bayport-BBQ/105014029561561?fref=ts" target="_blank">BBQ</a> // <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Deep-Blues-Festival/48314447004" target="_blank">Deep Blues Festival</a></b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is the future's retro blues. This is our Blue Cheer, our Blues Magoos, our Buddy Miles, our Spirit, our post-Black Crowes/Keys/stripes music. Jimi'd and Jim'd, Sonny and revenant. The smell of weed in the woods and the Bad Company you keep playing filtered through the trees. This is that band you heard at the skanky bar under the bridge that one time that blue your mind with groove and black lit stories....but it's ten years later and they're ten years older but still crushing the sound of your youth. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is the album you give your cool mom or dad or an old friend for xmas (after you burn it for yourself), sit down with 'em across the kitchen table with good bourbon and cold water, maybe you'll step outside for a joint, but this is gonna be your soundtrack and your going to remember the moment. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Recorded at DBF founder Chris Johnson's Bayport BBQ joint in Minnesota June 29-July 1st 2012 it documents why Alive Records is such an important asset to hard blues based rock and roll. The seven bands here hail from Alive's stable and range from Radio Moscow's Van Halen Fair Warning played by Hendrix sound VS. Buffalo Killer's CSN/Cursed Diamond 'Crowes to Left Lane Cruiser's Zep-infected hill country with a knife behind its back and a big smile party blues to the tautly noisy polishing rag blues of the Welsh team of Henry's Funeral Shoe - yet they are all cut from the same cuffed and dirty worn just right pair of 501's. It's super rock with out posture, it's dirty ragged blues without a society, it's (D) All of the above. Get some.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>Don Reahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13474603914674939933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684525596943720606.post-2525800668834798352012-12-02T07:29:00.000-08:002012-12-27T10:53:41.838-08:00Rolling Sideways with Hope and Social...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://static.ow.ly/photos/normal/1bZFY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://static.ow.ly/photos/normal/1bZFY.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />Photographed by <a href="http://www.twitter.com/watfordgap"><b>Paul Webster</b></a></div></br>There's nothing quite like a <a href="http://www.hopeandsocial.com/"><b>Hope & Social</b></a> gig! They are total entertainment, a 'proper' band, with a capability to play either acoustically to a handful, as a full band to a noisy throng packing out a pub or rocking it up with extra players on an outdoor festival mainstage. Each show ranges from energy filled mayhem through to poignant moments which land up captivating all beholders. <br /><br />They represent one of the new paradigms of how to make a business out of a band, semi DIY and keeping control strictly in-house. Whilst the public perception may be one that borders on them being relatively corporate as a result of a highly creative and comprehensive online image, reality is a bit different. Their mission is to produce quality music, to go out and entertain by giving their all on stage and to do it all superbly. They are not phased by a lack of current worldwide success and have a refreshingly realistic attitude about the modest but desirable extra income that the band supplements with other sources of revenue. These sort of subtle distinctions set them apart and I'm confident careful analysis would reveal even more than covered here. <br /><br />So despite all the full-on hard graft, the serious amount of traveling and all their crazy mishaps you come away from meeting them thinking they are actually quite happy with their lot. However, the first distinction would be to declare that 'Happy' does not convey enough about the Hope & Social (H&S) phenomenon and instead use the word 'Joy' in preference to 'Fun', and even 'Content' instead of 'Happy'. This is not to say they are not ambitious, but theirs is a compelling mix of quirkiness and contentment with a convincing lack of fear of failure. <br /><br />They are quick to point out that one of the elements that helps define their musical identity is their studio, The Crypt, which is their inspirational workspace. This is mainly a private recording studio, a rented crypt(!) of a church near Leeds, which they have made their own. With recording equipment they describe as compact yet comprehensive they definitely make the most of it as listening to their recordings clearly shows. Whether the whole band or a subset are in residence there, they then becomes H&S at that moment, the music flows and develops without the potential open chequebook approach when working in a commercial studio. <br /><br />There is also a candour about how the band works together. Clearly there are different skill-sets and abilities and, because other jobs get in the way, varying availability. However, there is a sense that there is not the strain of jealousy and demarcation that often is rife within other bands. They seem to operate in true community and long may it last! <br /><br />Last night they nipped down to the metropolis during their current UK tour to play the iconic <a href="http://www.unionchapel.org.uk/"><b>Union Chapel in London</b></a> as part of the <a href="http://www.greenbelt.org.uk/"><b>Greenbelt Festival's</b></a> inaugral <a href="http://adventurous.me.uk/"><b>ADVENTurous day conference</b></a>, of which more soon. It's inevitable that the venue adds or detracts from the performance, out in the audience last night they sounded superb, honed from their current busyness. Early on in the set singer Simon identified that the layout of the Union Chapel, with everyone seated in its formal pews, was radically different to their previous nights gig in a packed Working Men's Club in Halifax and maybe they were not quite as relaxed as usual, having to work harder to woo the seated 'congregation'. <br /><br />They kicked off with a sublime version of '<a href="http://music.hopeandsocial.com/track/ripples-rock-my-boat"><b>Ripples Rock My Boat</b></a>' from the CD '<a href="http://music.hopeandsocial.com/album/april"><b>April</b></a>' and rattled through a relatively short set with favourites such as '<a href="http://music.hopeandsocial.com/track/pitching-far-too-high"><b>Pitching Far Too High</b></a>' and the walk out into the audience H&S classic '<a href="http://music.hopeandsocial.com/track/looking-for-answers"><b>Looking For Answers</b></a>'. Songs from their new album '<a href="http://music.hopeandsocial.com/album/all-our-dancing-days"><b>All Our Dancing Days</b></a>' included '<a href="http://music.hopeandsocial.com/track/lets-be-bold-2"><b>Let's Be Bold</b></a>' and the Springsteenesque '<a href="http://music.hopeandsocial.com/track/one-way-home-2"><b>One Way Home</b></a>', all played with an exuberance and confidence that so characterises their shows. <br /><br />H&S are an ultra hard working bunch of gifted guys who love what they do. They are proud of their material, committed to entertain as a primary artistic mission, all with the inescapable sense that the listener may take deeper meanings from the layered lyrics. They acknowledge the influence of the E Street band on some of their writing style and would be proud to wear 'What Would Bruce Do?' wristbands, yet turn out accessible music which is distinctly theirs. <br /><br />These distinctions occur in the lyrics too. They maintain a balance weighed toward sentiment rather than schmaltz, whimsical rather than emotional and, as mentioned earlier, joy in addition to fun. Their songs make you smile one minute, then you're hiding the tears the next, and it is actually almost too easy to pick songs appropriate for weddings and funerals! <br /><br />If success could be measured as commitment then they would rule the roost. When Hope and Social take to the stage, wherever and whatever the size, they do exactly that! <br /><br />Catch them on the last few dates of their current tour: <br /><br />Dec 04 - <a href="http://www.songkick.com/concerts/14161634-hope-and-social-at-yorkshire-house">The Yorkshire House</a> - Lancaster - <b><a href="http://www.songkick.com/concerts/14161634-hope-and-social-at-yorkshire-house">buy tickets</a></b><br /><br />Dec 05 - <a href="http://www.songkick.com/concerts/14159964-hope-and-social-at-hare-and-hounds">Hare & Hounds</a> - Birmingham - <b><a href="http://www.songkick.com/concerts/14159964-hope-and-social-at-hare-and-hounds">buy tickets</a></b><br /><br />Dec 07 - <a href="http://www.songkick.com/concerts/13959099-hope-and-social-at-fibbers">Fibbers</a> - York - <b><a href="http://www.songkick.com/concerts/13959099-hope-and-social-at-fibbers">buy tickets</a></b><br /><br />PDon Reahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13474603914674939933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684525596943720606.post-11034900531863634442012-11-29T02:26:00.000-08:002012-12-27T10:53:41.817-08:00Former CBS record label mates convention....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AMPLb_hAMBc/ULc3Gw8N8wI/AAAAAAAABks/4nazo2k4HkI/s1600/IMG_1258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="334" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AMPLb_hAMBc/ULc3Gw8N8wI/AAAAAAAABks/4nazo2k4HkI/s400/IMG_1258.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><br />Had an unexpected reunion with former CBS records labelmate <a href="http://johncooperclarke.com/"><b>John Cooper Clarke</b></a>, still strutting his stuff as the definitive punk poet... On the right (my left in the photo) is one of my son's craft stalls (Sam's Wood) with his wooden creations displayed in the Essex town of Wivenhoe, where JCC now resides.<br /><br />We reminisced about the various shared acquaintances and personalities from those days, compared notes on our life stories since being 'signed' and generally put the world to rights. Have to say his detailed memory from those heady days is impressive, he hasn't aged a bit ;-)<br /><br />Here is one of my favourite examples of his work: <br /><blockquote>I wrote the songs that nearly made <br />The bottom line of the hit parade<br />Almost anthems, shoulda been hits<br />Songs like... Puttin' on the Ritz <br />Some enchanted afternoon <br />Twenty-four hours to Levenshulme<br />Dancin' in the daylight, singin' in the smog<br />You ain't nothin' but a hedgehog <br />So close and yet so far <br />Do you remember they way we are<br />I'd like to get you on a speedboat to china<br />From an idea by George Steiner <br />Ain't no blag - uncle's got a brand new jag<br />Ain't no slouch - mama's got a brand new couch <br />She ain't heavy, she's my sister <br />Not to leave out twist and whisper <br />Brand new leapordskin pillbox glove <br />Baby you and me we got a greasy kind of love</blockquote> P</div>Don Reahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13474603914674939933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684525596943720606.post-82613710402194552632012-11-24T22:04:00.000-08:002012-12-27T10:53:41.892-08:00JiM JONES REVUE - interview w/Classic Rock Magazine<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Rupert from JJR sent me this excellent interview with Matt Frost from <a href="http://www.classicrockmagazine.com/" target="_blank">Classic Rock Magazine</a>. I'm delighted to share it. Rupert is the guitarist for JJR (and Beth's big brother) and has been one of my hip conduits into whats fresh in London, alt-blues/roots/whatever for many years. It's great to see a bunch of good dudes do good. Cheers! (Click the pic to embiggin)</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qDlcako0P9U/ULGx2TiupPI/AAAAAAAAHIQ/ldXpfpX5Aok/s1600/The+Blues+Magzine+page+3+Nov+2012.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qDlcako0P9U/ULGx2TiupPI/AAAAAAAAHIQ/ldXpfpX5Aok/s640/The+Blues+Magzine+page+3+Nov+2012.jpeg" width="467" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-poR9H009kfw/ULGxxZH_ZvI/AAAAAAAAHHo/zC5ZTOXSDm0/s1600/The+Blues+Magazine+Page+1+Nov+2012.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-poR9H009kfw/ULGxxZH_ZvI/AAAAAAAAHHo/zC5ZTOXSDm0/s640/The+Blues+Magazine+Page+1+Nov+2012.jpeg" width="460" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MURRrO24pmU/ULGxybs_5jI/AAAAAAAAHHw/FOKLQ4D5ZpM/s1600/The+Blues+Magazine+Page+2+Nov+2012.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MURRrO24pmU/ULGxybs_5jI/AAAAAAAAHHw/FOKLQ4D5ZpM/s640/The+Blues+Magazine+Page+2+Nov+2012.jpeg" width="464" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0NTIDiFJdek/ULGxz08tiWI/AAAAAAAAHH4/j-SZmTZ8fzQ/s1600/The+Blues+Magazine+Page+4+Nov+2012.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0NTIDiFJdek/ULGxz08tiWI/AAAAAAAAHH4/j-SZmTZ8fzQ/s640/The+Blues+Magazine+Page+4+Nov+2012.jpeg" width="473" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5Zr4V96PEog/ULGx0k73WCI/AAAAAAAAHIA/ZkfhM_fGh8o/s1600/The+Blues+Magazine+page+5+Nov+2012.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5Zr4V96PEog/ULGx0k73WCI/AAAAAAAAHIA/ZkfhM_fGh8o/s640/The+Blues+Magazine+page+5+Nov+2012.jpeg" width="464" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2wzprrClE_8/ULGx1hRowOI/AAAAAAAAHII/-kDSvMfAXMI/s1600/The+Blues+Magazine+page+6+Nov+2012.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2wzprrClE_8/ULGx1hRowOI/AAAAAAAAHII/-kDSvMfAXMI/s640/The+Blues+Magazine+page+6+Nov+2012.jpeg" width="460" /></a></div><br /><br />Don Reahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13474603914674939933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684525596943720606.post-16782166316560977042012-11-23T03:44:00.000-08:002012-12-27T10:53:41.821-08:00Do justice, love mercy and walk humbly...<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/az-gajhqZqs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /></div><BR>One of the themes Jonathan and I develop in our book <a href="http://www.thesecretchord.co.uk/"><b>The Secret Chord</b></a> is the way some music takes on deeper significance when particular associations are made with it. This is a perfect example: a tribute single to keep awareness of the tragedy at Hillsborough featuring a host of pop luminaries under the banner The Justice Collective singing the <a href="http://youtu.be/C1KtScrqtbc"><b>Hollies emotional song 'He Ain't Heavy, He's my Brother'</b></a>. <BR><BR>Although engineering a Christmas chart topper is an uncomfortable strategy, with the revelations the recent enquiry exposed this does give plenty of validity. The Justice Collective ensemble is headed up by composer <a href="http://guychambers.com/"><b>Guy Chambers</b></a>, Text JUSTICE to 80010 to pre-order the single now. Texts cost £1 + standard network rate with proceeds going to the Hillsborough Families' legal costs in their quest for justice.<BR><BR>PDon Reahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13474603914674939933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684525596943720606.post-32066646551014088022012-11-21T03:23:00.000-08:002012-12-27T10:53:41.876-08:00Synod stalemate...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QQggwb7yrc8/UKu5Sa30_VI/AAAAAAAAMWI/mryWyZpW7_s/s1600/All+right,+Justin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="474" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QQggwb7yrc8/UKu5Sa30_VI/AAAAAAAAMWI/mryWyZpW7_s/s640/All+right,+Justin.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />...shamelessly nicked from <a href="http://bishopalan.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/things-to-come.html"><b>Bishop Alan's blog</b></a>...</div><BR>Whilst the synod vote on women bishop's failed to reach the overall 2/3 majority of all three 'houses' and despite the profound sadness so many feel, on reflection perhaps we should consider the outcome may be for the best? Whatever the result yesterday evening there would have been no winners as such, even staunch objectors to the introduction of women bishops concede that there will come a time when women are appointed so. But at what cost would it be if the vote went through yesterday?<BR><BR>Personally I am totally in favour of bishops, regardless ;-) I was also taken by surprise at the depth of sadness I felt when the result was read out. But what I cannot endorse is the idea that we cannot be one in communion when served by a woman. And if the vote had gone through, as has been so more eloquently been expressed by most commentators, it would have enshrined in law that there should be provision BY A MAN for those that objected on theological grounds.<BR><BR>Now I know there are some that are sincere in that belief, however, listening to the live stream from Synod yesterday it was revealing how many that hold that view see it as a 'right', a personal preference for which a theological objection has been tailored. It was also made abundantly clear that advocates of the no vote felt this 'provision' had not been fully documented. I am unsure whether the church (in this case, read C of E) and Bishops in the House of Lords will have legitimate or legal standing to comment authoritatively on other matters whilst condoning the discrimination that is still rife and would have been formalised.<BR><BR>So yesterday has produced a mixed message. On one hand there was an overwhelming majority to accept women bishops, on the other hand the church has not moved any further forward. On one hand the Bishops and Clergy do seem to be more of one mind and yet on the other it would appear the House of Laity do not proportionately represent the rest of us. Furthermore whilst the clergy will feel the laity are a waste of space (see Twitter last night!!!) without us there is no church?<BR><BR>And the best moment during the debate? When the Bishop of Leicester attempted to bring some Christlike perspective with this comment during his speech: "Will this chamber be as full for the Living Wage debate tomorrow. Will the queue for the public gallery be as long?" <BR><BR>There is always hope... <BR><BR>P Don Reahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13474603914674939933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684525596943720606.post-19647369159740573142012-11-15T03:19:00.000-08:002012-12-27T10:53:41.836-08:00Rational certainty versus Blessed assurance...<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/PBXnbIUm12o" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /></div><BR>The enigmatic <a href="http://www.cornelwest.com/"><b>Dr Cornel West</b></a> discussing writing his memoir with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Late_Late_Show_with_Craig_Ferguson"><b>Craig Ferguson on the Late Late Show</b></a>... and quoting the words of one of my favourite old hymns!<BR><BR>P h/t <a href="http://twitter.com/iancron/"><b>@iancron</b></a>Don Reahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13474603914674939933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684525596943720606.post-45222682173014510932012-11-09T08:31:00.000-08:002012-12-27T10:53:41.882-08:00Make love your goal...<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/zNpeK7sDLzE" width="640"></iframe></div><br />The full version of <a href="http://www.facebook.com/gabrielleaplin"><b>Gabrielle Aplin's</b></a> The Power of Love which is about to hit our screens as the soundtrack to <a href="http://youtu.be/0N8axp9nHNU"><b>John Lewis' charming Christmas 2012 advert</b></a>...<br /><BR><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/0N8axp9nHNU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /></div><BR>Those of us ancient enough will recall this is a stripped down, alternative version of one of <a href="http://youtu.be/ShN8UIk5-mw"><b>Frankie Goes to Hollywood's</b></a> number one hits. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frankie_Goes_to_Hollywood"><b>FGTH</b></a>, fronted by charismatic singer Holly Johnson, was one of those incendiary yet short lived bands in the 80s that made fantastic music with the assistance of legendary producer <a href="http://www.trevorhorn.com/"><b>Trevor Horn</b></a>.<br /><br />PDon Reahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13474603914674939933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684525596943720606.post-29250906363965544072012-11-08T06:57:00.000-08:002012-12-27T10:53:41.875-08:00BAYPORT BBQ - A Deep Blues Juke Joint<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: right;"></div><div style="text-align: right;"></div><span style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qHwNq9sXJMg/UJvFgaVXovI/AAAAAAAAHGk/4XHMqQO_BwM/s1600/391123_10150439272046198_1891400031_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: black;">@</span><b> </b></span></a></span><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bayport-BBQ/105014029561561?v=wall" target="_blank">Facebook</a> // <a href="http://www.bayportbbq.com/" target="_blank">Web</a></span></b><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qHwNq9sXJMg/UJvFgaVXovI/AAAAAAAAHGk/4XHMqQO_BwM/s1600/391123_10150439272046198_1891400031_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"></a><br /><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qm8jqCr3hoM/UJvFnO53DrI/AAAAAAAAHGs/oPIQ63Z8KOU/s1600/CHRIS%252520JOHN-thumb-560x471.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="540" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qm8jqCr3hoM/UJvFnO53DrI/AAAAAAAAHGs/oPIQ63Z8KOU/s640/CHRIS%252520JOHN-thumb-560x471.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Mr. Johnson with James Leg of Black Diamond Heavies</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Knowing that i'm vegan you might wonder what the hell i'm doing hyping a BBQ joint. First of all, people are always gonna eat meat so it might as well be BBQ and Bayport BBQ in Minneapolis (<a href="http://www.ci.bayport.mn.us/" target="_blank">Bayport</a>, <a href="http://www.city-data.com/city/Bayport-Minnesota.html" target="_blank">technically</a>) ain't yr average BBQ joint. Run by Chris "Wisconsin" Johnson and his family, Bayport BBQ has become the nations premier venue for fresh punk infected hard blues and it's myriad offshoots. This sound we call Deep Blues (whatever that is.) MSP's <a href="http://www.citypages.com/" target="_blank">Citypages</a> Mag did a fine piece on Mr. Johnson, his BBQ and his cat bird seat as the boss of the Deep Blues Festival franchise. I found it worthy of re-posting here without permission. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>PS- Alive Records has released a monster set of performances by bands in their stable (Buffalo Killers, Lee Bains, Left Lane Cruiser, Brian Olive, Radio Moscow and more.) It was recorded at Bayport BBQ and is available (CD and BBQ sauce red vinyl!) <i><a href="http://www.alive-totalenergy.com/x/?page_id=3744" target="_blank">HERE</a></i>.</b></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">By <a href="http://www.citypages.com/authors/rick-mason/" target="_blank">Rick Mason</a><br /><br />Just off the main drag in an unassuming Minnesota river town is an outpost of the deep South and an underground musical phenomenon whose ripples extend far across the globe. Bayport, on the St. Croix just south of Stillwater, may be home to a state prison and a massive windows factory, but it has a small-town, Midwestern feel that's been sharply tinged lately by the pungent aroma of southern barbecue and the hard-edged sounds of the blues. <br /><br />Chris Johnson is the equally unassuming owner of City Pages' <a href="http://www.citypages.com/bestof/2012/award/best-blues-club-2455265/">Best Blues Club of 2012</a>, Bayport BBQ, whose menu sports barbecued ribs and white whiskey, and whose tiny performance space regularly hosts artists like Scott Biram, Rev. John Wilkins, T-Model Ford and Buffalo Killers, representing the raw, surprisingly diverse movement collectively known as deep blues. A former insurance man, Johnson is also the founder of the Deep Blues Festival, which has miraculously survived despite myriad problems since its 2007 debut. <br /><br />In fact, survival could be the theme tonight as Bayport BBQ celebrates its second anniversary with a show featuring Tav Falco and Panther Burns along with Texas one-man-band John Schooley. Falco is a former Memphis running mate of Alex Chilton who has been based in Europe for a couple of decades. He could almost be a godfather of the deep blues movement since his music is a surreal blend of rock'n'roll, country, blues, rockabilly, tango and European cabaret, all slathered in Memphis soul. The evening will include a short film Falco made in 1974 featuring hill country blues icon R. L. Burnside. </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">When Johnson established the BBQ it was sort of the last shot at a dream repeatedly hammered by circumstances summed up by a classic blues line: If it wasn't for bad luck, wouldn't have no luck at all. Johnson absorbed heavy losses from the first three Deep Blues Festivals, and only the restaurant's success has enabled him to continue bringing the music he loves to Minnesota.</span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br />Without saying so directly, Johnson radiated a mixture of satisfaction and relief as he sat dressed in chef whites at a table in his restaurant one recent afternoon, reflecting on his somewhat unlikely journey deep into the heart of the blues and his joint's second birthday. It's a path that's also made Johnson well known in a burgeoning deep blues community that extends far beyond the banks of the St. Croix. Mention Johnson's name to virtually anyone in the deep blues realm and the response will invariably be something along the lines of, "Yeah, Chris is a good guy."<br /><br />For the uninitiated, deep blues refers to the kind of primordial, unadulterated, gloriously ragged blues rooted in the Mississippi Delta and Mississippi's northern hill country. The late music journalist Robert Palmer wrote an historical account of the style in an early 1980s book that he called Deep Blues, which led to a Robert Mugge-directed documentary film that focused on then-living blues stalwarts like Burnside, Jessie Mae Hemphill and Junior Kimbrough. A guy named Rick Saunders also has a longstanding blog called Deep Blues that Johnson cites as a key to his education in the genre.<br /><br />At some point, perhaps inspired by bands like the White Stripes or festival appearances by guys like Burnside, a younger generation of musicians picked up on the gutbucket glories of hard, outsider blues, and, sensing a spiritual connection, began adding similarly rough elements of punk, country, folk, metal and bluegrass.<br /><br />"It's real raw, passionate music," Johnson said. "I can find the connection between all these bands. When you hear something that's real and passionate and you believe it's from the heart, that connects with me. I feel I can really appreciate what they're doing."<br /><br />For Johnson, the great revelation that essentially changed his life was discovering gravelly Mississippi blues vet T-Model Ford opening for Johnny Winter at the Cabooze. Growing up in the small southern Minnesota town of Jackson, Johnson had liked a lot of mainstream rock, and remained a music fan as an adult, attending a lot of shows. But Ford in particular blew him away, prompting Johnson to check out Ford's label, Fat Possum, which in turn unveiled its roster of similarly wizened blues guys, and eventually led to the younger artists they were inspiring.<br /><br />"It just opened the door. Now I had known Mississippi Fred McDowell and Son House, and I knew some of the elder bluesmen, but not in that new environment where they were influencing Gun Club and these guys who were taking it in a new direction."<br /><br />Gradually he got to know some of the musicians personally, bringing some in to play block parties in his Hudson neighborhood, as well as some benefit shows, including one to keep Hemphill from being evicted from her home. Finally, Texas troubadour Scott Biram suggested he rent a room and sell tickets. Instead he tried a festival.<br /><br />Johnson invited 18 bands to participate in the first Deep Blues Festival in 2007, situated on a driving range in River Falls. After a summer-long drought, the skies opened up on the day of the festival and there was a deluge of rain. Nevertheless, he said, "We had 130 paid tickets, we had 50 musicians. So there's 200 people hangin' out and they loved it. Nobody left." His favorite story from that year involves a sheriff's deputy hired to provide security. After his shift was over, the guy went home, changed clothes, went back to the festival and finally left happy after buying ten CDs of music. Johnson, however, lost 30 grand.<br /><br />The next year, Johnson staged the festival over three days at the Washington County Fairgrounds. Again it poured one day, attendance was far below the break-even point and he lost another $30,000. In 2009 he moved the festival to the Cabooze in Minneapolis, intending to use both the indoor and outdoor stages. But it was one of the coldest August days on record, there was a competing blues festival nearby, scant press coverage, and he dropped yet another 30 big ones.<br /><br />Besides uncooperative weather, Johnson knew he was battling the fact that none of the artists were well known, and the entire genre was a niche without a mass audience. "We weren't getting the love from anybody," he recalled, except the bands themselves and hardcore fans, who came from 15 countries to attend.<br /><br />Even Johnson's attempt to mount a show with a big headliner failed. Although the members of the Black Keys, who Johnson had gotten to know personally, agreed to do a show with him, their agent nixed the deal at the last minute.<br /><br />Meanwhile, Johnson was still looking for a new career after selling his insurance business and liked the idea of opening a small restaurant where his three kids could help out and he could put on some live shows. He'd always liked to cook, had worked at a bakery as a kid and through college, and had become somewhat accomplished as a pastry chef. So he bought the long-vacant building that previously housed the gourmet Bayport Cookery, added a barbecue pit, came up with some Texas-inspired barbecue recipes and opened in 2010 on Halloween.<br /><br />Two years later the restaurant is supporting itself and Johnson's family, and Bayport is a regular stop for the quirky lot pursuing the increasingly diverse essence of deep blues.<br /><br />"I chose to do this to be different," Johnson explained. "Our bar is different. Our music is different. The food is different. So hopefully it's a destination where people will appreciate it and want it. There's just not very many Texas barbecues in Minnesota. Deep Blues, the festival, started here just because it was my back yard.<br /><br />"We do things a little differently. We do an early show, so it doesn't really connect with the late night, club scene crowd. But I have no interest in being out until two in the morning unless I absolutely have to. I'm going to be 50 in February and I got my kids and I'm busy here all week, so I guess it's out of convenience. <br /><br />"The music end of it, I still pay out more than we take in in revenue. All the ticket money goes to the performers. I still have some guarantees for the occasional band that I just wanna see. I wanna have John Wilkins here. We can't get the ticket buyers to support his shows, so I take a bit of loss on that. But I just think it's important. I want my kids to know who T-Model Ford is. I just think that when you get the opportunity to have one of these people come through here and play, I wanna figure out a way to try to make it happen."<br /><br />Last summer's resurrected Deep Blues Festival was an artistic success too. Johnson avoided hemorrhaging barrels of cash by aiming to break even, doing it on a smaller scale with one stage set up inside the restaurant and another in the patio out back. He limited ticket sales to only 120 and they cost $150, but for that you got three days of music from 26 bands, all the food you could eat and a real sense that the deep blues movement is thriving on a genuine communal spirit.<br /><br />A little more widespread recognition may be coming next month with the release of Alive at the Deep Blues Fest, featuring the performances of seven bands from the Alive Records roster that played last summer's event, including Buffalo Killers, Left Lane Cruiser, Radio Moscow, Henry's Funeral Shoe, Brian Olive, John the Conqueror, and Lee Bains III and the Glory Fires. Bains and his band will play a record release show at Bayport December 1.<br /><br />Sometimes it's been a struggle, but Johnson can now appreciate a certain satisfaction from establishing a beachhead of outsider blues in an unlikely spot.<br /><br />"When I put on the very first festival I said if I'm the only ticket buyer, if I'm the only person standing there, at least I got to see 18 bands I really wanted to see," he said. "And I've gone on with that attitude for every show I've ever done. All I can do is put it on and if people want to be there and share it with me, great. But I never did it to try and do anything more than give the bands a paycheck. I always wanted to take care of the musicians. And I hope it meant more than just a paycheck. Some just want their fee and go. But there's a large percentage that are into it and love the connection, love meeting the other bands. They love seeing the other bands. They love the camaraderie. It's a gathering, it's a networking thing. So there's definitely a sense of community with the musicians. And I like that.<br /><br />"We accomplished some things and it's pretty neat. Bands got signed because of the festival. Connections got made. Careers got launched. Definitely friendships were formed, and lots of good things happened. Still are."</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></b><br /><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Bonus! </b><a href="http://www.bbqsluts.com/bayport-bbq/" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">Here</a><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">'s a fine review of Bayport's food.</span>Don Reahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13474603914674939933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684525596943720606.post-68168059565178519812012-11-07T22:12:00.000-08:002012-12-27T10:53:41.886-08:00Hangin' With OLD GRAY MULE ~ Like A Apple On A Tree<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mc6ZLu17zIA/UItiPybCvpI/AAAAAAAAHF0/74Cfhue0SuQ/s1600/Like%2520A%2520Apple%2520cover%2520art.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mc6ZLu17zIA/UItiPybCvpI/AAAAAAAAHF0/74Cfhue0SuQ/s400/Like%2520A%2520Apple%2520cover%2520art.jpeg" width="395" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>@ <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Old-Gray-Mule/209707362029?fref=ts" target="_blank">Facebook </a>// <a href="http://www.oldgraymule.com/" target="_blank">Web</a></b></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If Lockhart, Texas is the BBQ capital of Texas then OLD GRAY MULE is the band at that BBQ. CR Humphrey aka (more or less) <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Old-Gray-Mule/209707362029?fref=ts" target="_blank">OLD GRAY MULE</a> has made his best album yet, which is actually sayin' something because OGM has always been special, each album a little different while retaining that Texafied hill country thing. Humphrey started OGM out as a two piece instrumental outfit, started working with a few different drummers, then he started adding vocals, sometimes even his own. He does what needs to be done, he gets who needs to be got. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This round he's got <a href="https://www.facebook.com/lightnin.malcolm?fref=ts" target="_blank">Lightnin' Malcolm</a> doing some vocals, and some drums (a wicked guitarist as well, saying Malcolm just plays some drums is like saying a '69 Cadillac Coupe DeVille is a just a car,) south Australia's <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SnooksLaVie?fref=ts" target="_blank">Snooks LaVie</a> on vocals, cheerleading and harp, New Mexico's CW Ayon makes an appearance of course, as do a few other players, most notably Cedric Burnside. It's a sonically raw and immediate boogie that just makes you helpless but to get down. There's a lot to love here. Somebody has <i>finally </i>covered the Lyrics Born version of RL Burnside's <i>Someday Baby</i>, and to hear Cedric on his grandfather's classic <i>Come On In</i> is a haunting treat. This <i>is</i> OLD GRAY MULE so of course we get some instrumentals too, and as I've said before about OGM </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">instros you</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> never seem to miss the vocals. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Like A Apple...</i> is a confident sounding album with some strident boogies and tough, smart new blues that continue to establish fresh blues horizons. It's also a real funass album you can put on for the kids in the morning (just skip the cover of <i>Stagger Lee!</i>) and the grown folks at night. It's the blues walkin' like a man, it's the blues, as T-Model Ford says, "Like a apple on a tree...hangin'." </span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is what a Texas apple tastes like.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is the album that'll get you through the winter. Your feet'll keep the floor warm, and your hips will keep greased and workin' through the spring. Dig it then give them your money.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="410" src="http://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/v=2/album=2869471114/size=grande3/bgcol=0a0505/linkcol=bb4292/" style="display: block; height: 410px; position: relative; width: 300px;" width="300"><a href="http://oldgraymule.bandcamp.com/album/like-a-apple-on-a-tree">Like A Apple On A Tree by Old Gray Mule</a></iframe></span><br /><div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/5HgmIjEQ75Q" width="640"></iframe></span></div><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/vxr7HgX4uC0" width="640"></iframe></span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/c7Xi3-C5bxc" width="640"></iframe></span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/QqJi81tro3k" width="640"></iframe></span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>Don Reahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13474603914674939933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684525596943720606.post-57471966832518806682012-11-05T07:02:00.000-08:002012-12-27T10:53:41.885-08:00MississippiPublicBroadcasting Visits Clarksdale's Sunflower River Blues Festival<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="460" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/6MDvwluuD4I" width="840"></iframe><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Don Reahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13474603914674939933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684525596943720606.post-81232965604363265772012-11-04T04:16:00.000-08:002012-12-27T10:53:41.890-08:00Whoever has an ear to hear...<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/LZAi7DlVN2g" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /></div><BR>For those with family members, friends and senses that understand, an excellent mini TED talk...<BR><BR>P Don Reahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13474603914674939933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684525596943720606.post-56128212519461177182012-10-31T21:19:00.000-07:002012-12-27T10:53:41.884-08:00OLD KERRY McKEE - Wooden Songs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kzn4bJFqCbo/UJCqiQG3FUI/AAAAAAAAHGM/KAAgUfu4QtA/s1600/Old+Kerry+McKee.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kzn4bJFqCbo/UJCqiQG3FUI/AAAAAAAAHGM/KAAgUfu4QtA/s400/Old+Kerry+McKee.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>@ <a href="http://www.oldkerrymckee.com/" target="_blank">Web</a> // <a href="https://www.facebook.com/oldkerrymckee?fref=ts" target="_blank">FB</a> // <a href="http://greatest.se/" target="_blank">Label</a> - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Greatest-Records/184293737900" target="_blank">fb</a> // <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/old-kerry-mckee/id446102468" target="_blank">iTunes</a> // <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009B2W5X8?ie=UTF8&camp=213733&creative=393177&creativeASIN=B009B2W5X8&linkCode=shr&tag=ricksaundersw-20&qid=1351742766&sr=301-1" target="_blank">AMZN</a></b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Wooden songs are crackly with history, with soil and human grease. They are subliminally powered by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THlgU-8dMYg" target="_blank">16HP </a>and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPTKQiBuZk8" target="_blank">him</a> and standing arm in arm with <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSfhXPA3V9A&feature=related" target="_blank">them</a> and every american blueser that came before b</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">ut filtered through Swedish sun and forest floor. While they remind one of the aforementioned they do not bow, but rather they are used as starting blocks to sonic expansion. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Textures take Wooden songs to a different focus using an audio palette of blues-infected folk brushed with samplings </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">of old record crackles, radio broadcasts, the clatter and drone of machinery and whatever</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> to bring out layers of ghosty familiarity. It's music that is as wonderfully odd and dextrous as Malcolm Holcomb, as menacing as a primitive church of Christ riven 16HP and others and as mysterious as your dead Uncle's collection of blues 78s that were kept near that back room in the basement. The one with the dirt floor. </span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There's a creepy David Lynchian vibe throughout Wooden Songs, sinister and primitive sounds of tension and harvesting at night, underpinned by Nick Drake-like melodies and fanned by suggestions of Tim Eriksen's studied appalachian death moans. Sweden is always selling us back our culture in interesting permutations and with varied success. Old Kerry McKee is a raw winner. </span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Swedish high lonesome metal machine music rules. </span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/oXRSpn_hxdY" width="640"></iframe></span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/348IynsHqKE" width="640"></iframe></span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/N3IkvC5Fgsg" width="640"></iframe></span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>Don Reahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13474603914674939933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684525596943720606.post-38049264031222581072012-10-30T07:12:00.000-07:002012-12-27T10:53:41.880-08:00miXendorp - remiX of BiLLY JONES - AiNT GOOD LOOKiN' <object height="81" width="100%"> <param name="movie" value="https://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F3428908"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed allowscriptaccess="always" height="81" src="https://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F3428908" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="100%"></embed> </object> <span><a href="http://soundcloud.com/mixendorp/aint-good-lookin-billy-jones">Billy Jones - Ain't Good Lookin (miXendorp edit)</a> by <a href="http://soundcloud.com/mixendorp">m i X e n d o r p</a></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Don Reahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13474603914674939933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684525596943720606.post-35806053499055960882012-10-29T06:02:00.000-07:002012-12-27T10:53:41.879-08:00Mississippi Meets New Mexico:: CW AYON - Lohmador!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b2TkhRL6gW0/UItah5nXk8I/AAAAAAAAHFU/I068oU7lK0M/s1600/image_3746638.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b2TkhRL6gW0/UItah5nXk8I/AAAAAAAAHFU/I068oU7lK0M/s400/image_3746638.jpeg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b></b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></b></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>@ <a href="https://www.facebook.com/cwayon?fref=ts" target="_blank">Facebook</a> // <a href="http://www.cdbaby.com/artist/CWAyon" target="_blank">CDbaby</a> // <a href="http://www.reverbnation.com/cwayon" target="_blank">Reverbnation</a> // <a href="http://cwayon.bandcamp.com/" target="_blank">BandCamp</a> </b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">CW Ayon has just released his fourth</span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">album and its just as fine as previous. His groove is more refined now, and his delivery sexier but no less tight. The dude plays some smoothass hill country blues, </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">except CW's hills are the mountains of </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-B2Bwjd790" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">New</a><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qx05v_T4SZU" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">Mexico</a><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> (but evidently the Mississippi runs through them.) </span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If you or a friend are new to the post-R.L. Burnside/Junior Kimbrough lovin' blues scene and want to ease on in, or you've been listening to this stuff for a dozen years and want something fresh- You want this album.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here's a free taste:</span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><iframe class="widget_iframe" frameborder="0" height="320" scrolling="no" src="http://www.reverbnation.com/widget_code/html_widget/artist_656026?widget_id=50&pwc[design]=default&pwc[background_color]=%23333333&pwc[included_songs]=1&pwc[photo]=1%2C0&pwc[size]=fit" width="100%"></iframe></span> <br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">PS- Check our CW Ayon with <b><a href="http://www.oldgraymule.com/" target="_blank">Old Gray Mule</a></b></span><br /><br />Don Reahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13474603914674939933noreply@blogger.com