Forget all the rock stars! This is Walt-Freakin-Frazier! I was at the Park Hyatt to pick up Miss Thang and there he was - resplendant in a bight blue suit with a pink cotton shirt festooned with pink satin flames. Clyde still dresses super fly!
You see, Walt's the reason I'm a basketball nut. When I was a kid I watched him lead the Knicks to a waold championship. The games were on tape delay in Toronto and my folks let me stay up late to watch the post-11:30pm broadcasts. I drove my mom crazy, anxiously bouncing my basketball against the wall making little black marks that I spent most of the next morning cleaning. When I played hoops, I was always Walt Frazier dishing off a hot pass or driving (my version of driving) down the lane.
I took this once in a lifetime opportunity to tell Walt the story. He thanked me with a big smile on his face and then folded himself into a cab to head of to the ACC for his gig as a color analyst with the Knicks. Walt Freaking Frazier. Sweet!
Friday, October 10, 2008
Friday, October 3, 2008
More AC/DC
There's a new album coming out in a couple of weeks, Black Ice. There has been a lot of anticipation among those of us who have longed for their return to form. Advance word was overwhelming that this new record was going to be a nugget.
Well, with the arrival of the first single, Rock N Roll train, came disappointment. This is B level AC/DC at best. XM radio channel 53 is programming all AC/DC all of the time and it not only revs up the engines for one of the world's greatest rock bands but it also shines the klieg lights on some of their duller moments. Certainly RNR Train cannot stand up to anything previous to For Those about To Rock. And then yesterday I heard, for the first time, War Machine and it was aweful. A second listen a few hours later confirmed the worst. And yet, as a diehard fan I STILL hold out hope against hope that the new album will rock.
My favourite AC/DC album remains Powerage. maybe it's because it was the first AC/DC album I ever bought (certainly not the first I ever heard) or maybe it's because of all of the records the band ever recorded, it sounds to me like their most diverse without sacrificing the quality of the material.
Bob Lefsetz pointed out that the band hasn't had a consistent album since the death of Bon Scott - with rumours of Scott's involvement with Back In Black before his death. Sadly, that seems to be the case. Half of For Those about to Rock is great and after that every album has had one, maybe two, shining lights.
AC/DC's coming back on tour and I'll be there. I hope that Black Ice is better than the first two songs suggest.
Well, with the arrival of the first single, Rock N Roll train, came disappointment. This is B level AC/DC at best. XM radio channel 53 is programming all AC/DC all of the time and it not only revs up the engines for one of the world's greatest rock bands but it also shines the klieg lights on some of their duller moments. Certainly RNR Train cannot stand up to anything previous to For Those about To Rock. And then yesterday I heard, for the first time, War Machine and it was aweful. A second listen a few hours later confirmed the worst. And yet, as a diehard fan I STILL hold out hope against hope that the new album will rock.
My favourite AC/DC album remains Powerage. maybe it's because it was the first AC/DC album I ever bought (certainly not the first I ever heard) or maybe it's because of all of the records the band ever recorded, it sounds to me like their most diverse without sacrificing the quality of the material.
Bob Lefsetz pointed out that the band hasn't had a consistent album since the death of Bon Scott - with rumours of Scott's involvement with Back In Black before his death. Sadly, that seems to be the case. Half of For Those about to Rock is great and after that every album has had one, maybe two, shining lights.
AC/DC's coming back on tour and I'll be there. I hope that Black Ice is better than the first two songs suggest.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
I Ain't Like It Used To Be
There are two phenomenon that cause me great consternation. On the surface they seem to be polar opposites to one another but is reality they are intertwined.
On the one hand we have those music fans that are constantly bemoaning that music just isn't as good as it used to be and that records definitely sounded better in the analog days long before digital.
On the other hand we have those grizzled veterans who swear up and down that music is still a vital and exciting part of their life and they discover at least 2 or 3 records a year that come close to changing their lives every bit as much as the first time they heard the Beatles' Revolver.
Are either of these people telling the truth? I don't think they are and i think both are.
You see, when you're growing up and you're starting your life as a music fan, everything is fresh and new and exciting. Every new record is a profound discovery that seeps in to your soul and enters your bloodstream. In retrospect, how can anything you hear in subsequent eras of your life compare to those first few years of discovery?
On the other hand, there are kids today discovering new music for themselves and they are having the same experience as we had oh so many years ago. In a couple of years, they will discover the music that we loved and they will embrace it but it still won't be the same as the records that were recorded for them today by their generation of musicians.
No point...just saying.
On the one hand we have those music fans that are constantly bemoaning that music just isn't as good as it used to be and that records definitely sounded better in the analog days long before digital.
On the other hand we have those grizzled veterans who swear up and down that music is still a vital and exciting part of their life and they discover at least 2 or 3 records a year that come close to changing their lives every bit as much as the first time they heard the Beatles' Revolver.
Are either of these people telling the truth? I don't think they are and i think both are.
You see, when you're growing up and you're starting your life as a music fan, everything is fresh and new and exciting. Every new record is a profound discovery that seeps in to your soul and enters your bloodstream. In retrospect, how can anything you hear in subsequent eras of your life compare to those first few years of discovery?
On the other hand, there are kids today discovering new music for themselves and they are having the same experience as we had oh so many years ago. In a couple of years, they will discover the music that we loved and they will embrace it but it still won't be the same as the records that were recorded for them today by their generation of musicians.
No point...just saying.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
What ever happened to...
The title could apply to any number of artists but in the case of this post I am talking about Wide Mouth Mason and The Soundtrack of Our Lives. before you begin typing away about how both bands still exist and have released new music (I know, I know), please hear me out...
In the mid-90's Wide Mouth Mason literally burst out of nowhere - if you consider Saskatoon nowhere. Freshly signed to a major label they toured across Canada as an unknown opening act for Big Sugar. Each night, by the end of their set - after a rousing version of Stevie Wonder's "Satisfaction" and guitarist Shaun Verrault's orthodontic pyrotechnics - the crowd was converted. When their debut came out it was no surprise that it was certified gold in Canada and their touring base was solid. Three guys, one stage, incredible show, awe inspiring sound. I watched them do the same throughout the mid-west of the U.S. In Kentucky, while opening for Kenny Wayne Shepard, I watched as the guys got a standing ovation just for walking through the club after their blistering set.
Wide Mouth Mason were a blues-based band. As a classic three piece it made sense. After the first flush of success they settled in for their second album and decided they wanted to reach a pop audience. Their album sales declined. And on the third album as they continued down that path their sales continued to dwindle. You can blame it on many things and there's no definite answer but if a band does something well, why not stick to it, perfect it and let your audience celebrate it. Wide Mouth mason never lost their live edge but their performances suffered from weaker material.
As for The Soundtrack of our Lives...their performance 5 years ago at the Opera House in Toronto was a rock and roll epiphany for me. Their command of the stage and dynamic performance revived my faith in rock and roll and kicked my ass into the new millennium. The album Behind The Music was classic mixing The Who, Stones and Pink Floyd into a beautiful stew. the single "Sister Surround" got a ton of airplay and the video was in regular rotation everywhere. Their lead singer wasn't your everyday pretty boy but audiences couldn't take their eyes off of him. The band was poised to be the next big thing. And then they recorded their new album and the music wasn't as vital. Critics panned the record and music fans voted with their wallets. The Soundtrack of Our Lives disappeared off the North American landscape as quickly as they had appeared.
It's a shame that Wide Mouth Mason and Soundtrack of Our Lives aren't forces anymore. Their live shows were what put "incendiary" in to rock and roll.
In the mid-90's Wide Mouth Mason literally burst out of nowhere - if you consider Saskatoon nowhere. Freshly signed to a major label they toured across Canada as an unknown opening act for Big Sugar. Each night, by the end of their set - after a rousing version of Stevie Wonder's "Satisfaction" and guitarist Shaun Verrault's orthodontic pyrotechnics - the crowd was converted. When their debut came out it was no surprise that it was certified gold in Canada and their touring base was solid. Three guys, one stage, incredible show, awe inspiring sound. I watched them do the same throughout the mid-west of the U.S. In Kentucky, while opening for Kenny Wayne Shepard, I watched as the guys got a standing ovation just for walking through the club after their blistering set.
Wide Mouth Mason were a blues-based band. As a classic three piece it made sense. After the first flush of success they settled in for their second album and decided they wanted to reach a pop audience. Their album sales declined. And on the third album as they continued down that path their sales continued to dwindle. You can blame it on many things and there's no definite answer but if a band does something well, why not stick to it, perfect it and let your audience celebrate it. Wide Mouth mason never lost their live edge but their performances suffered from weaker material.
As for The Soundtrack of our Lives...their performance 5 years ago at the Opera House in Toronto was a rock and roll epiphany for me. Their command of the stage and dynamic performance revived my faith in rock and roll and kicked my ass into the new millennium. The album Behind The Music was classic mixing The Who, Stones and Pink Floyd into a beautiful stew. the single "Sister Surround" got a ton of airplay and the video was in regular rotation everywhere. Their lead singer wasn't your everyday pretty boy but audiences couldn't take their eyes off of him. The band was poised to be the next big thing. And then they recorded their new album and the music wasn't as vital. Critics panned the record and music fans voted with their wallets. The Soundtrack of Our Lives disappeared off the North American landscape as quickly as they had appeared.
It's a shame that Wide Mouth Mason and Soundtrack of Our Lives aren't forces anymore. Their live shows were what put "incendiary" in to rock and roll.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Bob Egan
One of my favourite Canadian musicians isn't Canadian at all. I met Bob Egan when he was a member of Wilco during the Being There years. He lives in Kitchener now and plays with Blue Rodeo. Here is the beginning of Bob's bio:
It officially started backstage at the Irving Plaza in New York City when Johnny Cash shook my hand and asked if I was the new steel guitar player in Wilco. "Well, I'm not sure Mr. Cash. I've never played full-time in a band and I have this business back in Chicago. I mean they asked me to join but that's a pretty big step, it is a tough business."
He nodded and looked me in the eye, "It can be a hard road but if your heart's in it, it can be a good life."
An hour later as I watched Johnny from side stage I had tears in my eyes from the power of his music. Jeff Tweedy turned to me and said "Are you gonna join this fuckin' band now?"
A month later I sold my business and got on a tour bus for a 2-year ride. That was a decade ago.
It officially started backstage at the Irving Plaza in New York City when Johnny Cash shook my hand and asked if I was the new steel guitar player in Wilco. "Well, I'm not sure Mr. Cash. I've never played full-time in a band and I have this business back in Chicago. I mean they asked me to join but that's a pretty big step, it is a tough business."
He nodded and looked me in the eye, "It can be a hard road but if your heart's in it, it can be a good life."
An hour later as I watched Johnny from side stage I had tears in my eyes from the power of his music. Jeff Tweedy turned to me and said "Are you gonna join this fuckin' band now?"
A month later I sold my business and got on a tour bus for a 2-year ride. That was a decade ago.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Led Zeppelin at London's O2 Arena
The hoi paloi were out that night. For the record, I am not a part of the hoi paloi. A colleague of mine watched the concert from the Ertegun box and had this story to tell me.
Mick jagger and his girlfriend were also in the ox that night. Like most of the crown, jagger spent a majority of the concert on his feet dancing the night away. Near the end of the concert, Jagger's assistant suggested that he should leave early to miss the crowds coming out of the arena. he agreed and said his good-byes to everyone he knew in the box. he gathered his coat and headed out the door.
But before the door closed Zeppelin went into "Kashmir" and the door burst open again. Jagger ran back in, threw down his jacket and reclaimed his position in the box to dance to one more tune. I understand it was a terrific night for everyone.
Mick jagger and his girlfriend were also in the ox that night. Like most of the crown, jagger spent a majority of the concert on his feet dancing the night away. Near the end of the concert, Jagger's assistant suggested that he should leave early to miss the crowds coming out of the arena. he agreed and said his good-byes to everyone he knew in the box. he gathered his coat and headed out the door.
But before the door closed Zeppelin went into "Kashmir" and the door burst open again. Jagger ran back in, threw down his jacket and reclaimed his position in the box to dance to one more tune. I understand it was a terrific night for everyone.
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