Music has always been a part of my life -- now welcome to the journey. Just a little blog to reminisce, review, rant and rave about the music in my life. "Music is my mother and my father. It is my work and my rest,my blood, my compass, my love" ~Jeff Buckley
Rockaway Beach Blvd - One month post Sandy. PMCarlson2012
I don't even know where to begin. One year ago, we were faced with the unknown, only things we had practiced in drills and were taunted with Irene. One week I was training for the marathon and the next working marathon tours to help our devastated city. Time and again, our resilience was proven.
Personally, three things that got me through the most. First, the support of all of you and friends on social media. You checked in and sent out updates. You passed along the word of where and how to donate. You sent me music, jokes about hipsters and reminded me to sleep. More importantly, you asked "how can I help?"
Second, music. Music was that blanket at 3am when I slept feet away from those working with the hospitals, my therapy on the subway to clear my head, and a much needed night of enjoyment at the 12-12-12 concert. So many artists from NY and NJ were impacted by this storm that music was the only thing they could offer to help. It was also these same musicians that weren't afraid to get their hands dirty. So many helped to rebuild, feed and visit those affected.
Third, okay you know this answer. Without my loving husband, I would not have gotten through this. Granted, we saw each other maybe three or four times in one month since he too was helping in the affected areas. But your encouragement was felt and without that, I would not have made it through.
One year, so many memories and lessons learned. It made me a stronger person, a harder worker and apt to slow down and enjoy the moment a little more. The final chapter of Sandy for me is almost here, as next week, I join 40,000 others to run the NYC Marathon. Maybe I had to earn the marathon, to really appreciate it. Well, I think I have and I am ready. See you out there New York City.
Ever since I was a young yinzer growing up in Western PA, I wanted to move to NYC. Because of Cyndi Lauper, Reading Rainbow, Tina Turner -- I was moving to NYC and no one was going to stop me. If you ask me what I remember about moving to NYC, part of it was the romantic image in my head of the sax player in Central Park or the subway,the sound of it echoing into the dark, steamy night (steamy now I know courtesy of Con Ed). Tina Turner, Glen Fry, Bananarama all used NYC as the backdrop. It was the sax that capped it for me.
So without any order in mind, my favorite Sax Solos of the 1980's.
You Belong to the City by Glen Fry. You cannot get anymore NYC than this - the opening scene alone, a vantage point from Brooklyn, starting at the South Street Seaport then panning wide to reveal the World Trade Center. It's a classic night-life NYC. The lyrics alone paint the picture of anonymity in NYC, even more so at night. The interwoven scenes of Miami Vice also help the 80's feel. Love this song, it's NYC to me.
Next up, Quarterflash with Harden My Heart. I actually had not seen the video until recently (nothing says 80's more than swinging light bulbs and a wood paneled trailer). The sax intro makes this song and helps to give it that sound that means the 80's to me ... almost as much as the next song.
Yes, George Michael, Wham! and Careless Whisper. From an early age, I have loved Georgios Kyriacos Panagiòtou, or as we all know him, George Michael. Faith, while I had no idea at the time (nor should any ten year old) what half of those songs were talking about, introduced me to sounds like I had never heard before and haunting videos life Father Figure. It would be one of his last Wham! songs though that would always remind me of those 80's.
Quintessential 80's sound with sultry sax and lots of hair: Hall and Oates Maneater. While not one of their best songs when it comes to complexity, it is a defining sound for Hall and Oates and hands down one of the most recognized songs from the 80's.
This next song not only has an incredible sax solo but has one of the best bass lines of an 80's song (fangirl moment for John Taylor). Duran Duran's Rio is arguably another one of those 80's best of hits ever with one of the top videos from the 80's as well. But here is some trivia for you all. Who played the sax solo for the song? Well, if you watch the video you would say "John Taylor or Nick Rhodes" but no - you have been duped. It was actually Andy Hamilton, a British saxophone player who has played with not only Duran, but with Wham (see above) Elton John, David Bowie, and more.
Ahh, the mates from Down Unda, Men at Work with Overkill. And, again, another haunting video full of sunsets and mystery ... and Colin Hay going through some type of paranoia. Ghosts appear and fade away ...
And who can forget Sade's Smooth Operator? The jazzy song begs for the saxophone. Without the woodwind, this song would be missing something. This song song about a jet-setting, womanizing business man was usually never heard in its full form and was nominated for a VMA for it's 4 minute version. Ladies and gents, here is the eight minute full version.
And how can you mention sax solos without mentioning INXS? Kirk Pengilly made the sax sexy in the 80's. While bands were jamming to guitar and synthesizer solos, Kirk made us weak in the knees with his famous sax solos in songs such as New Sensation, Johnson's Aeroplane, Kick, The One Thing, , Never Tear Us Apart and this one - Lately. This performance is not an airplay sax solo, so this is a cheat move.
So there is my list of some of the best sax solos of the 80's ... you think they will ever make a comeback?
Ladies and Gentlemen, I'd like to introduce to you the greatest guitar player in the world...
Eric Clapton introducing Stevie Ray Vaughan on August 26, 1990 Alpine Valley
Every August for me is a reminder of how brief and wonderful life really is. In a span of 7 days in August of 1990, I lost my father and the musician that helped me through his illness, Stevie Ray Vaughan.
Although I didn't know then, I know now why Stevie had such a lasting impact on me and why his music was like a security blanket in my twelve year old mind full of questions, angst and sadness. Stevie had been to hell and back and his takeaway was that Love was the answer. He'd seen greed and known addiction, but love seemed to be his saving grace. Love yourself and love one another was his constant message.
Tonight, I made the realization that not only is it 23 years since his passing, but I am the exact same age that he was when he boarded that helicopter in Alpine Valley. Knowing that he had almost seen death, overcome addiction, been divorced, played Carnegie Hall when he was 30, had Eric Clapton calling him the greatest guitar player, fell in love, and inspired so many that they could overcome anything by the age of 35 is simply incredible to me. To be that good, I understand how hard he had to work, how dedicated he was and how much he loved music.
To this day, I still chase the ghost of Stevie Ray. Every artist I see thinking, I don't want to miss the opportunity again. I was twelve, it wasn't like I was given much choice, but he is one of less than a handful of artists that I feel that way about. He inspired me and speaks to me that much.
Stevie also reminds me of those last months with a man I knew so little about. Sitting in my room, not far from my ill father, I would listen to Stevie sing and play from the heart. It's a connection that will be forever.
Not one video (that anyone knows of) exists of Stevie's last show. There are several taper recordings of those final songs this legend played. Rumor is he played the best he ever played that night - the sound coming out of his guitar larger than the valley itself. The last song Stevie ever played, he played it with his heroes, Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy, Robert Cray and his brother Jimmy Vaughan. It was fitting that Stevie would play Sweet Home Chicago with his heroes who in turn would look to him, as theirs.
Stevie Ray Vaughan, I cannot thank you enough for what you have given me as a gift. It isn't just your songs, its your lessons of love, hope and understanding.You also give me the soundtrack to the priceless memories of my father.
Stevie Ray Vaughan set list from Alpine Valley WI August 26, 1990
I have to surmise that it seems that my music adventures come in tsunamis. No, I cannot simply go to see a show. My behavior is quite obsessive when it comes to music, I openly admit. I had a perfect close to July this year, seeing a legend. one of my favorite bands multiple times, and an 80's icon.
When you are a rock and roll fan, you would travel far and wide to see legend, Robert Plant. Although some are mad at him that he won't do a Zeppelin reunion - I get it. He's moved on and in true artist style, he isn't in that vibe anymore. He has embraced southern blues and he has done so with his entire being.
I've seen him in Tennessee and twice in New York, but when I heard he was playing in Brooklyn, it was an opportunity not to be missed.
There was quite the mix of audience members from four year- olds to probable 1970's groupies. And we were all there for the same reason. I knew the show would be good, but when he opened with Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You, I just knew the night would be fantastic. He didn't disappoint. He continued with varied versions of In the Mood, Black Dog, Goin' to California, Four Sticks, Friends, a soulful cover of Fixin' to Die, What is and What Should Never Be, Rock and Roll and a few others. For someone not in the Zeppelin mood - he was that night. The songs would all start out mysterious, bluesy, tribal, and then WHAM, pure rock and roll Led Zeppelin. What everyone is Prospect Park received that night was a gift. Robert Plant is not only a legend but he is a talented musician who continues to learn about the job he loves so very much.
Moving right along. Back in 2008, I witnessed the beginning of my love affair with this Gypsy Punk band from New York City's Lower East Side: Gogol Bordello. Maybe it is my Slovak background and the numerous Sunday's spent listening to polkas, but I fell in love immediately. With the release of their latest album Pura Vida Conspiracy, I had the opportunity to see them three obsessive times in one week.
Pasha and Elizabeth
Every time I see Gogol Bordello, there seems to be more energy, more synergy and more mosh pits. Eugene exudes nothing but positive energy, Sergey is a Russian violin god and, I do miss Yuri, but he chose well with the new accordion player, Pasha. If you get the opportunity - do not miss them. Warning though, if you stand up front, be prepared to dance, fit pump, jump up and down and crowd surf.
Just when I thought my musical adventure had come to an end, a co-worker told me that none other than Sheila E was performing for free at BAM's Metrotech lunch series. You must check out their summer calendar folks. I saw Richie Havens a few years back - and it's free!
So I trekked down to Metrotech in the rain and made it just in time to hear the first cheers from the crowd. And there she was - the drummer for Prince, Sheila E. Highlight of the lunch hour show? Hearing the classic Belle of St. Marks live
So there you have it, my end of July music extravaganza. I never, ever pass up the opportunity to see music if it is possible. If you love music as much as I do, surround yourself with musicians that do the same. You want to walk away from a show knowing they gave their all for you and enjoyed every minute of it!
My only true want in life was to always live somewhere where I could have access to music. Not just record stores but live music - large venues, small venues, backyards and barrooms.
I am blessed to live in the neighborhood of music: Bay Ridge Brooklyn. From Kitty Kiernan'sto the Kettle Black all the way down to the Irish Haven, you can hear musicians singing their dreams into the streets at all hours of the day.
Below are some local artists to check out (and in truth many have become friends and I am blessed to know such talented folk). I have included their website / facebook info.
Let's start with John Rafferty, Brooklyn's story teller. His latest album, Lucky, is simply perfect. Done in mere days, this album captures a the ups and downs of life. And let me tell, you , he loves this album and he should be proud of it. Many artists strive to capture what came to him naturally.
Next up is Xavier Cadriche. A swimmer, Irish lover and singer rolled into one -- come on what is not to lose? Xavier plays all around the Ridge and has been doing some gigs at the LIC Bar as well. I have to say what impresses me the most about Xavier is that you can tell he loves music - he knows music! You wont be disappointed if you make the trek out to see him
What can I say about Dan Avery? On a Sunday in Bay Ridge after lingering to the end of the 5th Avenue Street Festival, the about mentioned John Rafferty said "we gotta go see this kid." And John, you were so right!
He played acoustic from all generations and then his own material. The talent glowed around this this kid (kid I say). There is hope, America, these young ones remember the classics. When he played Simon and Garfunkel's The Boxer, I was completely sold. He was so good that, in fact, we told Mr. Rafferty himself this kid was going to put him out of business. Dan, I know you're from Jersey, but you have been playing a lot here in the Ridge (Kelly's and the Monk)so consider yourself a Bay Ridge artist. https://www.facebook.com/#!/freedanavery
Now, these aren't the only Bay Ridge artists, there are so many more. Some don't play as much as we'd like, but they are still Bay Ridge's best - folks like Andrew Gerardi or Pill Hill Radio. If you see them on a playbill outside your local haunt (which I believe Andrew is playing out in the Hamptons at the Boardy Barn September 9th)
I will never forget the moment I first heard Jeff Buckley's sweet yet complex voice in Sydney. From that moment on, I searched for all of his music, eventually stumbling upon his father's. I am sure that statement would make him haunt my dreams again - but Jeff, it's true for so many. And besides, your father's music played the role of being the soundtrack to the very first roadtrip I took with the man who is now my husband. You have played such an important part of my life.
When I heard that a "bio-pic" of Jeff and his father was being filmed, I was so skeptical. I am not usually a fan of bio pics. Also, what possible story could you tell about a man who didn't really know his famous father?
A little background for those who are not familiar. Tim Buckley was a musician who rose to fame in the 60s. You can try and classify him as folk, but his influences showed in his later works - funk, psychedelic and rock. He made nine studio albums and other live recordings -- all before he died at the age of 28. In 1966, at the age of 19 his son Jeff was born but he rarely saw him, as he and Jeff's mother divorced.
Fast forward to 1991. You're the son of famous singer and someone asks you to perform at a memorial concert in honor of a father you've met twice. You don't sing his songs but you bear an uncanny resemblance to him. Curiosity, doing the right thing, uncertainty - who knows what Jeff must have been thinking.
That is where the director Daniel Algrant gets involved. Because Jeff sadly passed in 1997, there was no recantation of the event or what feelings were behind the performance. So, how do you take the story of a very famous son who is conflicted about his father's legacy and make it believable?
In the summer of 2012, signs for filming went up for Greetings FromTim Buckley at St. Ann's Church. Wow, I thought, this must be about the Tim Buckley memorial as well. Ok, I was starting to give the movie a chance. I began to research Penn Badgley, the actor made famous from Gossip Girls, who was picked to play the role. I was a little dismayed - I just could not see it happening to appease so many loyal fans.
The chance to see the premiere of the film at the Tribeca Film Festival - would not be missed. I chatted with some people in the crowd. Some where Penn Badgley fans, others Jeff fans. I waited and wondered how I would walk out of their feeling since I walked in a skeptic.
St. Anns Church Today
If you weren't a Tim Buckley fan before the film, chances are you will be when you leave the theatre. The story of Jeff and his father is told beautifully and cleverly through the Memorial Concert at St. Ann's Church in Brooklyn. The invitation to play of course stirs emotion in Jeff, but that emotion is played through flashbacks of his famous father's start in music.
Eveything but the concert itself is semi fiction, a genius way of telling what Jeff must have gone through preparing to play the concert. The story is woven between 1991 and 1966 without seeming too wrought with flashbacks. Most of the music is Tim Buckley, except for two scenes: One that involves Tim watching Charles Mingus perform in the village following a night of his own performance at Cafe Wha? The second is the ending when Jeff (actually Penn) sings Lilac Wine ( a song Jeff used on his debut album, Grace).
As Jeff struggles with the memory of a father who was absent most of his life, Tim struggles with being s lost soul in a seemingly loveless marriage. The buildup to the concert is essentially taking the viewer to the point where Jeff Buckley became a blip on the radar. When people recognized that he wasn't Tim Buckley's son, but that he was Jeff Buckley happened that day in 1991 in that church. Jeff walked out of his father's shadow.
I said I was doubtful about anyone playing Jeff. Penn Badgley proved me wrong. He captured the essence of Jeff between the quirkiness, the mannerisms that were uncanny and the way he was able to turn his voice into the instrument that Jeff had. I was able to ask Penn,Daniel, and Anthrax's Frank Bello if they studied the photographs of Jeff that Merri Cyr had taken over the years that she worked with him. They both said they had seen some of her pictures but didn't focus on mimicing. It truly was as if they had taken her photographs and brought them to life.
The highlight for all was listening to an audience member state the following: I knew Jeff and I knew Tim and I was at the concert. He went onto say how he appreciated the liberties that they had taken with the film because it told the story beautifully.
For me, as a fan who knows the Jeff and Tim story,and knows who all the characters were, it was a surprisingly great film. For those who don't know the ins and outs and back story, I would be curious as to what they thought. Is it necessary to know who Gary Lucas is and how important he would become in Jeff's life?
Jeff and his father deserved to have a film this beautiful, musical and honestly told. Walking out of the theatre, I began to think that this was probably the longest that Jeff and Tim had ever spent together.
Tim Buckley - Once I Was
Jeff Buckley 1991- Tribute to Tim Buckley - Once I Was
Have you ever had the chance to celebrate your heroes? I was given the wonderful opportunity to celebrate the work of Sting and his wife Trudie at the We Are Family Foundation Honors Gala. The foundation is based on the premise that we are all in this together, as its mission statement reads: Its mission is dedicated to the vision of a global family by creating and supporting programs that inspire and educate people about mutual respect, understanding, and appreciation of cultural diversity – while striving to solve some of our biggest global problems at the same time.The foundation encourages and empowers those who want to, for lack of a better phrase, do good.
Sting and Trudie, for many reasons are a couple I look up to. Their love of each other and humanity is humbling. Trudie's work to save the rainforests, indigenous populations and her work with UNICEF is inspiring. If it wasn't for Sting, I never would have been inspired to write my first play - and see it performed. His desire to educate through his music is what, for me, allows him to transcend the ranks of celebrity into humanitarian.
The night was a celebration of positive actions to help better this world. I was astounded by the gifted Slater Jewell Kemker , the mind and soul behind the film An Inconvenient Youth. Her passion about global climate change has lead her to become a vocal and passionate spokesperson - at only 20 years old. She too was inspired by the works of Sting and Trudie Styler.
Ndaba Mandela, the grandson of Nelson Mandela, was also on hand to lend praise along with the President and CEO of UNICEF to a couple who do more than just preach - they act. Raising millions for relief, assistance and awareness of many organizations, this couple demonstrates that you can use celebrity to make change.
Immediately, when they walked into the room, the first thing you notice is that - this couple really, really, really loves one another. Their deep affection and respect for each other was even more appreciated when Sting stepped aside and Trudie read the speech for the night.
Then the party began. If it wasn't enough knowing I would have a very private Sting concert, the fact that Nile Rodger, Chic and Sam Moore were performing brought perfection to the night. Hearing Sam Moore sing the song made famous by The Blues Brothers was just the beginning of some musical memories.
Sting - began the night with Englishman in New York, tweaking the first line ever so slightly. Fields of Gold and Brand New Day took second and third songs. This man is in his 60s and sounds and looks incredible. And the whole time, his wife sat at the side of the stage, I swear, swooning over each word.
Sam Moore joined Sting for an incredible Every Breath You Take and a surprising version of Bill Withers, Just the Two of Us. The night ending with some 70's classics, and of course, with We Are Family.
The night was special to say the least. Yes, he's one of my favorite bassists and she is the reason why I began yoga, but try something for one second. Think of some celebrities - do they focus on making the world a better place for the future generations? Do they strive to empower those who have been given no chance to live? That is why I look to these two - this couple - as an inspiration. They inspire me to work that much harder to think about charity work and giving a voice to those who have none.
The clips I took are only about 30-60 seconds long...the music was just too good :)
