So My Big Brother Was Playing Guitar And I Thought I'd Try It Too





Unknown Credit

August 26th marks the last day the world heard Stevie Ray Vaughan play Number One, his signature Fender Stratocaster, at Alpine Valley in 1990. Since Stevie Ray Vaughan's untimely and shocking passing, his influence and legendary status has only gained in momentum.

At the 2015 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction, the man who is responsible for Stevie Ray Vaughan ever picking up a guitar inducted his little brother. And the moment was not lost on Jimmy Vaughan. While he did talk about Stevie Ray sneaking around to play his big brother's guitar when told not to, he credited his brother's sobriety with saving his own life.

Whether it was his raw and emotional guitar playing or his truth about addictions, much can be said about Stevie Ray Vaughan's influence on people to change their lives for the better. From Bonnie Raitt to John Mayer, Stevie Ray can be attributed to helping them become clean and also become the best guitar players that they could be. He also influenced many to simply become the best person they could be. 

 

One has to wonder where in the musical world would Stevie Ray Vaughan be now? What other songs, such as Lenny, Riviera Paradise, or Pride and Joy would Stevie have gifted to us. He was the epitome of the blues. He hit the very bottom and rose to stardom, only to be lost so very young in such a tragic way. Sobriety found him loving life to the fullest and playing the best shows of his career.

In the time since Stevie's passing, a true testament to his staying power is how timeless his music is. His songs were not jockeyed for an era or a style of music. Stevie Ray played the blues. He lived and breathed the notes he played. Music was his passion and that was evident every time he picked up his guitar. 

Scottish singer, Sandi Thom, said that once after a gig at El Mocambo in Toronto, she was one of a handful of people left in the building. Off in the distance, she heard the unmistakable sound of Stevie Ray's guitar. She is not the first to have heard his signature heavy handed riffs when the lights are turned off. El Mocambo was a favorite venue for Stevie. She followed the sound, to see a shadowy figure in a room, hunched over playing guitar. Both he and the sound disappeared when she turned on the lights. In the end, we're all chasing the ghost of Stevie Ray Vaughan.   

It seems like to me that he’s just out on tour and he’s going to come back soon, but then I remember. I’m not going to ever get over losing him, I’m not going to get over this crazy thing.

~Jimmy Vaughan



2188 Stoll Road ... How A Big Pink House Changed Our Musical Roadmap

Sounding less like a polished choir than a wandering militia, they appear displaced, out of time. The voices have no discernible connection to the moment the record arrived in 1968. They might as well be selling elixirs from the back of a horse-drawn rig, moving at the slow, deliberate pace of backroads rural America in the days before [farm-to-table] artisan shallots. ~ NPR - Fifty Years On, The Band's Music From Big Pink

When Rick Danko agreed to a $125 a month rent for a house with a big basement on Stoll Road in Saugerties, he thought he was just renting a place to relax after some time on the road with Bob Dylan. Rick Danko, Richard Manuel, and Garth Hudson were enjoying some normal time after being on the road for so long as The Hawks. Woodstock's mystique and intriguing vibe along with a changing time in music helped to hone a sound that would become The Basement Tapes sessions with Dylan. The band without a name was already well known in the music world, and being called Dylan's Backing Band would only get you so far on your own. The Basement Tapes churned out songs such as This Wheel’s On Fire, Tears of Rage, I Shall Be Released, The Weight, and Chest Fever. The songs were an amalgam of soul, rock, jazz, rock, and a new simple sound to counter the psychedelic sound coming out of the UK in the form of Led Zeppelin. Americana was conceived at 2188 Stoll Road in the big pink house. The Band was born there.

In 1969, Rolling Stone referred to them as the band from Big Pink. And then name that Robbie Robertson suggested finally stuck and The Band was officially born. The aura of that summer and that time is captured in Music From Big Pink. Levon Helm's return to the band solidified the powerhouse. 

While Tears of Rage, This Wheel's on Fire, and I Shall Be Released were written by Dylan, The Band was able to showcase their own song writing ability. Also showcased was their range in vocal talent as each member took a turn at the lead vocals. No, it wasn't perfect. Their voices were straining, but their intentions were pure.

One cannot deny the historic impact this album would have on rock and music history. If you don't believe me, believe Eric Clapton and George Harrison. It is told that Clapton disbanded Cream when he heard Music from Big Pink to create something more authentic. And in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction of The Band, he admitted going to Woodstock to ask to join them - but he never did. Harrison and the other Beatles also appreciated the simple and pure sound enough so that...well just listen to The White Album.

Fifty-five years ago, our music became more simple but more complex. The lyrics were true and well thought. The sound, a composite of the roots for Americana. The Band was catapulted to their proper place outside of Dylan's backing band and into their own realm. Music from Big Pink is a fundamental rock album.

Tears of Rage

To Kingdom Come

In a Station

Caledonia Mission

The Weight

We Can Talk

Long Black Veil

Chest Fever

Lonesome Suzie

This Wheel's on Fire

I Shall Be Released

What Are Your Top Five Live Music Moments

 

Metallica Bonnaroo 2008 PMGC

One of the questions always asked of new music fanatics that I meet is: What is your top live music moment? What shows will stay with you forever - and why. Go ahead and take a few to ponder this yourself. What made it so special? Was it your favorite song? A special super group of musicians? 

I'll share some of mine and I'd love to hear about yours. 

My Morning Jacket Peach Festival August 2017 

Blowin' in the Wind ->Melissa->All Things Must Pass->Beautiful Ones

It's safe to say that, except for Madison Square Garden, I've never not seen My Morning Jacket in the rain. This show was no exception. Opting to be the cool kids on the side of the ski slope at Montage Mountain, we donned the rain gear and danced up a storm in the deluge.

Have you ever cried your eyes out in a rainstorm? 2016 was a pretty horrible sad year for loss and 2017 wasn't fairing any better. When Blowin' in the Wind transitioned to Melissa ... all emotions were released. The Peach Festival was pretty much an Allman's festival. With the loss of Greg in May of 2017, we all know there would be a lot of special tributes. This would be one of them. After a beautiful nod to George Harrison, the familiar notes of a song no one expected drifted across the Pennsylvania night, rain soaked sky ... Beautiful Ones by Prince. At this point, the mass memorial for our dearly departed artists was on. It was cathartic, cleansing, and just a beautiful moment in music. 

Pearl Jam Bonnaroo 2008 

Betterman

It looks like the Milly Way I had just commented as the lighters were flickering in the hot Tennessee evening. Bonnaroo 2008 was the first festival that Pearl Jam had played since the Roskilde Festival in Germany saw eight fans trampled to death. We all knew how special it would be for the band, especially when 70,000 fans could peacefully converge upon a Tennessee farm. It was the 18th song and the first of three encores. The audience took over singing for Eddie and you could feel the energy and you could feel his joy. To quote Eddie, This is fucking beautiful. It was beautiful and so very special. (Use link to watch via YouTube - the video is blocked Pearl Jam - Better Man (Bonnaroo '08) - YouTube)

(c) Jeff Kravitz

U2 - Live Under the Brooklyn Bridge November 2004 

I Will Follow

When you get a phone call that one of your all-time favorite bands is playing less than 100 yards from where you sit at work, it's hard to not be excited. 

U2 was playing under the Brooklyn Bridge. I could not contain myself. My coworkers had never seen me so excited. Not only did Bono sound incredible, his voice was so strong, I kept thinking that it was also the anniversary of Michael Hutchence's passing. Michael and Bono were friends. The thought stayed in the back of my brain as the hits were played. Out of Control and I Will Follow were magical. The Irish flag was brought out, the crowed danced and jumped, there was such an energy with the backdrop of Manhattan sparkling across the river. 

And after everyone left and we took some photos, I went to make my way to the deli before my night shift. And there he was. The man himself walking towards their trailer. I stopped thanked him and simply said You sounded so wonderful. This night was for Hutch. And then yer man Bono hugged me. I'm still looking for anyone who has that photo. I don't care if it's CCTV surveillance footage. 

Mad Dogs and Englishmen - Lockn 2015

Space Captain

When anyone says they are going to re-create the infamous Joe Cocker Mad Dogs and Englishmen at a festival with some of today's phenomenal talent along with some of the original members, you better buckle up. All songs were spectacular, including Susan Tedeschi's version of The Letter and the finale, With a Little Help from My Friends with Leon Russel. But it was Space Captain with Tedeschi and Chris Robinson splitting vocals - reminding us that we are all learning to live together. When you're surrounded by tens of thousands of fans, all gathered for the same purpose, that does sound so easy. 

Levon Helm Bonnaroo - 2008

The Weight

Okay, Bonnaroo 2008 was pretty phenomenal. Hearing that Levon Helm was going to play his first of a few shows following cancer treatments was a gift. Standing near Levon with two of your closest drummer friends was a blessing. The excitement to see Levon behind the drums and hear that famous voice was magic. But it was The Weight that we all needed. 

So this was definitely a difficult list. There are so many amazing music moments that are honorable mentions. Temple of the Dog at Madison Square Garden in 2016, Boy George at Irving Plaza in 2014, INXS at The Metro in Syndey 2000, Gary Clark Jr and Jimmy Vaughan at the Iridium...so many. 

I do have to add though, a magical moment of someone whose name I didn't get but he provided me with the realization that Jeff Buckley would never be forgotten. 

Cantab, Cambridge Mass in 2021. He began with a poem that was way too Dylan but it also hinted of Buckley. Then he played. 

He began the chords that haunt me, Jeff Buckley's Lover, You Should've Come Over. After crying through the entire song, I was able to tell him not only how wonderful he was, but that Jeff played that very song a few blocks away at The Middle East. It was, and will forever be, a musical highlight.

And then there are the ones that never happened. Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jeff Buckley, George Michael, Nina Simone, and on and on. So what's my point here. Go see shows. Go see them all. And on top of everything, remember that when you talk during that one song you don't like, it could be someone's favorite. 

Gogol Bordello - City Winery 2021 PMGC

Okay I am cheating. I have a moment not defined by setlist but by a life defining moment:

May 12, 2005

Dark Star Orchestra 

Nokia Theatre

Right after Dark Star performed a show by The Warlocks from October 8, 1989 Hampton Beach, my true love asked me to marry him. 

I said "absolutely 100% yes!" 

The band went into They Love Each Other and then into a jamming Good Lovin' before the house lights went on and Hey, Hey Paula could be heard wafting through the departing crowd. 

If there is a dark that we shouldn’t doubt, and there is a light don’t let it go out: Happy Birthday, Bono!

                                                                                                   Unknown Photo Credit: Red Rocks

                  I appreciate the absurdities of being a rock star quoting the Scriptures.

Paul David Hewson was born on May 10, 1960, and has never looked back. The morally conscience lead singer of U2 has been a shapeshifter through the years, adapting to sounds and style. He is a humanitarian, a philanthropist, a family man, a brilliant lyricist, and a perfect lead singer for one of the world’s most renowned rock and roll bands.

Unknown Photo Credit

Many don’t realize the amount of times Scriptures or Psalms help to shape the stories or message of their songs. The band has deep religious roots, so deep it almost drove the band apart at one point. A favorite attribute, and also sticking point for many, is that he wears his heart on his sleeve. Modern day psalm writer? He may disagree but he does practice what he preaches:

We don't have to please God in any other way really other than to be brutally honest - that is the root not just to a relationship with God but is the root to a great song … I want to hear a song about the breakdown in your marriage, I want to hear songs of justice, I want to hear rage at injustice and I want to hear a song so good that it makes people want to do something about the subject.

Unknown Photo Credit

He does not shy to speak the truth for justice and equality. His honesty is both his strength and his weakness. It’s probably what makes him the perfect lead singer and rock star. In the past, particularly the ZOO TV years, there was a gray area of humbleness and hedonism that aligned into characters such as The Fly and MacPhisto. Who can forget the dance with the woman at the front of the crowd during Live Aid? The Super Bowl Sunday performance after September 11^th? Or his daring political rant on the night of the Enniskillen Bombing before going into one of the best versions of Bloody Sunday? He is also very honest about himself:

Taylor asked: "What's one thing that you've learned about God through your reading of the psalms?"

Bono answered: "He listens."

Next up from Taylor: "What's one thing that you've learned about yourself through your reading of the psalms?"

Bono said: "I don't listen enough." All Art if Prophetic – David Fuller and Bono Interview

 

Unknown Photo Credit

Sending lots of love and thanks for the words to contemplate, displays of kindness, and moments of inspiration. Happy Birthday Bono! xoxoxo

Dressing like your sister
Living like a tart
They don't know what you're doing
Babe, it must be art
You're a headache, in a suitcase
You're a star

 

Someone has likened prayer to being on a rough sea in a small boat with no oars. All you have is a rope that, somewhere in the distance, is attached to the port. With that rope you can pull yourself closer to God. Songs are my prayers.

― Bono, Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story

Excellent Bono/U2 reads:

Surrender - 40 Songs, One Story - Bono
Walk On Spiritual Journey of U2 - Steve Stockman
U2 At the End of the World - Bill Flanagan
Into the Heart - Niall Stokes

I appreciate the fact that I and we have affected and entertained a lot of people: Kurt Cobain

For example when we're back stage and the lights go out and the manic roar of the crowds begins., it doesn't affect me the way in which it did for Freddie Mercury, who seemed to love, relish in the the love and adoration from the crowd which is something I totally admire and envy. The fact is, I can't fool you, any one of you. It simply isn't fair to you or me. The worst crime I can think of would be to rip people off by faking it and pretending as if I'm having 100% fun. Sometimes I feel as if I should have a punch-in time clock before I walk out on stage. I've tried everything within my power to appreciate it (and I do,God, believe me I do, but it's not enough). I appreciate the fact that I and we have affected and entertained a lot of people. It must be one of those narcissists who only appreciate things when they're gone. I'm too sensitive. I need to be slightly numb in order to regain the enthusiasms I once had as a child. 

excerpt from Kurt Cobain's  suicide letter 1994

I am sure that most my age remember where you were when you heard the news. It was the day the music died for us. April 8th, 1994 will be forever remembered for me as standing in my neighbor's laundry room hearing that Kurt had died three days earlier from his own demons and guilt that he wasn't enjoying his life as much as he should. Kurt Cobain was 27.

Born in 1967 in a town he would grow to hate, his parent's divorce shaped the angst-ridden, gifted artist very early on in life. 1991 introduced us to Seattle grunge. Being a middle school student full of confusion, angst, and happy that the fall's newest fashion would be Washington State flannel, ripped jeans and boots, Nirvana ushered in for us the music of how we felt. Nirvana, along with Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, and Pearl Jam made it okay to feel sad, angry, resentful, and introspective.

But besides being a gifted, lyricist, Cobain's musical talent was not noticed by most. While it seemed like he was yelling out his words without a care, Kurt Cobain had almost perfect pitch. Nirvana only released three studio albums. But, it would be their set at 1993's MTV Unplugged that captured their artistry for many.  Kurt's odd request of stargazer lilies and black candles like a funeral was an eerie premonition from this soon to be mythic music legend.

The truth is, whatever you believe, it was Courtney's jealousy, a conspiracy, Kurt has his problems. Be it addiction or issues with his mental health. He was also dealing what he probably felt was being a hypocrite. He wrote his music and played in his band to rebel against the system, to rebel against the cool ones. In 1994, Kurt was being emulated, elevated, and compared to artists that he did not feel he was good enough to be compared to. He didn't want to sell out. He in fact fought with Eddie Vedder over that simple fact. You're famous, you sold out. Today, this is what Eddie Vedder has to say about that:

I don’t talk too much about him in respect to Krist (Novoselic) and Dave (Grohl) and I know he said that early stuff about not liking us,” Vedder added. “But there’s a couple of complimentary things that he said in public about me as a human being, which I’m proud exist. But if Kurt were around today, I know he’d say to me, ‘Well, you turned out OK.’ 2009 The Sun

Kurt, I believe, was too vulnerable and sensitive to be who he was. Sadly, that is what made him Kurt. And for Kurt, it was better to burn out that to fade away.

When Nirvana was on the rise, Metallica sent them a fax that read: “We really dig Nirvana. Nevermind is the best album of the year. Let’s get together soon, Metallica. PS, Lars hates the band.”

So If There Were No Angels, Would There Be No Sin? Pearl Jam - Yield

 

The band read Daniel Quinn’s Ishmael while writing and recording the album. Mike McCready said the title Yield is reflective of just that … yielding to getting older and wiser, comfortable with not taking the angry side to things and just letting go. ~Doing the Evolution RockDaily.com. 1998

Yield, the fifth album from Pearl Jam released on February 3^rd, 1998 was straight up rock with a side of literary mixed with some existential reflection. With Eddie Vedder sitting back and allowing the band to take on some of the writing, Yield is an amalgam of the styles, stories, and feelings of the whole band. Even the musical production was more of a team effort. Lyrically, this is a wonderful, poetic, literary, and contemplative album. Musically, it is way more structured and polished. And these are both good things.

Ament stated that everybody really got a little bit of their say on the record...because of that, everybody feels like they're an integral part of the band. Weisbard, Eric, et al. Ten Past Ten. Spin. August 2001.

 The critics noticed Pearl Jam's maturity on this album and many were thankful for it. It wasn't written for the radio, this album was written for the band and for those who grew with Pearl Jam from the angry flannel Dr. Marten days. 

They want you to hear Yield as an album rather than as a pop-culture event, distancing themselves even further from their anthem mongering, trauma-sharing, flannel-flaunting youth. Pearl Jam might not be the generational spokesmodels they used to be, but they’ve grown up to be a looser, livelier band, writing sharper tunes to fit their dense, intricate guitar fuzz. Before, the band’s best songs were the change-of-pace ballads: the brawny acoustic strumming of “Daughter,” “Nothingman” and “Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town.” Yield marks the first time Pearl Jam have managed to sustain that mood for a whole album. ~Rolling Stone Yield by Mark Shefield March 1998~

On a personal note. When I think of or hear any song from this album, I think of a long car ride with doubt and fear and the red dashboard lights of a Pontiac on an early fall night. Isn't amazing how music does that?

 

Let’s break down Yield track by track.

Brain of J

Opening is very reminiscent of Vs. We’re being told what to believe, how to behave, this is one of the heavier songs on the album and should not be used to judge the vibe of the album. 

Faithful

A song about understanding, being tired, and constantly controlled. Yelling, crying, believing.

No Way

A matter-of-fact kind of song (and music) that is about just accepting that you don’t have to keep trying to prove yourself. It’s a song that builds as if a crowd begins to grow one by one in the same feeling on a march to a park.

Given to Fly

The song everyone says sounds like Led Zeppelin’s Goin’ to California … meh, possibly. I can hear it faintly but any comparison ends there for me. However, this is one of the most beautiful and powerful songs on the album. It’s to the person whose been beat down and counted down for the count.

The song begins deceivingly peaceful and you’re hit with that wave of the ocean, that fist to the jaw, still wanting to help others feeling imprisoned and trapped, all freed into flight as the song again slows.

Wishlist

Simple

Beautiful

I wish I was a sailor with someone who waited for me

I wish I was as fortunate, as fortunate as me

I wish I was a messenger and all the news was good

I wish I was the full moon shining off a Camaro’s hood

Pilate

One of the literary inspired songs on the album.  Jeff Ament was having a re-occurring dream about a dog on his porch. In Mikhail Bulgakov's Master and Margarita, Pilate’s best friend is his dog Banga…if you were wondering what Like Pilate I have a dog was referring to. It’s an interesting and very artistic interpretation and comparison of his own dream and Pilate.

This masterpiece of a book also inspired Patti Smith in her album, Banga – so highly recommend this book.

Do the Evolution

Second song inspired by a novel. This time it was Ishmael by Daniel Quinn.

It’s happened. Everything in this song has happened. Technology has taken over everything as has greed and corruption.  The End.

The Color Red

We’re all crazy. Very Schroeder keyboard circusy here.

MFC

Throwback to Vs for me for the sound alone. This is the perfect pissed off, get out of town, driving song.

 

Low Light

Aments reply to his own dream and confusion as to the dog dream.

I’ll find my way from wrong, what’s real.

The dream I see

 

In Hiding

Inspired by Charles Bukowski’s habit of hiding away for days, this song is sweeping in feeling. The feeling of the song is 180 degrees different from holding one's breath and shutting down.

Push Me, Pull Me

Another contemplative song on this album that questions everything and the “push and pull” of questioning existence.

 

All Those Yesterdays

This song is essentially saying, why don’t you relax.