I'm Jaded, I'll Admit It

I’m jaded, I’ll admit it. In an era of music where singers like Justin Bieber and Miley Cyrus are celebrated, I’m jaded.

That’s why on Saturday when I got to sit thru one of the best nights of music I can remember, I feel a little less jaded.

Saturday at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus I had the pleasure of listening to Carole King and James Taylor play hit after hit after hit for nearly 3 hours and I wished it could have gone on longer.

Forty years ago King and Taylor played at the now defunct Troubadour club in Los Angeles as they helped usher in the singer-songwriter era of the early 70’s and now in 2010 they shared the stage in the “Troubadour Reunion Tour” and if you closed your eyes, you would swear you were back in 1970. Yea, his hair has receded, they both have more lines on their faces but their voices….their voices are like a fine wine. It just seems to get better with age.

Performing in the round they were accompanied by members of the original band from the 1970 shows, guitarist Danny Kortchmar, drummer Russell Kunkel and one of my favorites bassist Leland Sklar who were essentially the band on the King’s “Tapestry” album and Taylor’s “Sweet Baby James”.

The concert had many great moments as they passed the spotlight back and forth singing some of the most memorable songs of our generation. Songs like “So Far Away”, “Country Road”, “Jazzman”, “Sweet Baby James”, “ I Feel The Earth Move”, “How Sweet It Is”, “Natural Woman”, “Carolina On My Mind”, “Sweetwater Jack”, “”Shower The People”, “It’s Too Late”, and “Fire And Rain” were just a sampling of the 28 songs they played as you sat there after each song and thought “how can they top this?” and they would come up with another amazing song from their vast repertoire.

The musical highlights were many but some of the most memorable moments were non-musical. Taylor’s back stories about his songs, King’s energy and huge smile as she danced around the stage and especially the finale when the two sat down on two stools, she interlocked her arm thru his and they gave a stirring rendition of “You Can Close Your Eyes” and at the end she laid her head on his shoulder and he gave her a kiss on the forehead showing us what the two of them mean to each other.

You know I just don’t see a reunion tour of Justin and Miley in 40 years and I’m happier for it.

Today I feel a little less jaded.

Nuff said, least till next time
Peace
Bear

Random Thoughts On A Sunny Day!

What a beautiful day outside. Sun shining, the winter blues peeling away, a young man’s fancy turns too……. Aw what am I talking about, I’m not a young man and my thoughts turn to what else….music.

This summer music scene looks promising with some big acts returning to the North Coast. A large variety of festivals, art shows and events are going to make this a fun summer.

The summer really kicks off on May 22-23rd with the 41st Anniversary of the Hessler Street Fair. Local artists and craftsmen will be displaying their works as some of the best local bands in the area keep the party going all day long. The fair starts at 11am each day and goes till dusk in this historic area of Cleveland. Last year over 14,000 people came to the party. I’ll be there at the Cleveland Rock and Roll booth so plan on coming out and say hi. For more info goto

http://www.hessler.org

I’ll also be at OddMall out in Hudson May 8th. Come out to one of the largest indoor craft and art shows in the area. Make a day out of it and come support the local artists and pick up some really cool stuff. For more info goto http://www.oddmall.info

One of the best local musicians around David Budin will be playing with Long Road at Nightown on May 6th. As David describes this show “We have, probably, our most varied set of songs ever -- with everything from the '60s singer-songwriter stuff that we specialize in, to a 2010 song that's actually being played on radio stations now, to folky versions of early-rock songs, a Beatles song, a rousing traditional old-English tune, a couple of '70s Baxter Shadowfield originals, an acoustic version of a '60s psychedelic blues number, that song about the forest fire, a '50s TV theme song, and more -- including two songs I guarantee you've never heard before. And we have many new songs (that is, songs we haven't done before).” For only $10 that’s a lot music. Call Nightown for reservations at 216-795-0550.

The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame is holding it's 9th annual Spring Benefit – It’s Only Rock and Roll at Public Hall. It's an eclectic lineup this year, amd it’s going to be a great show complete with 2010 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee Terry Sylvester and Tommy James of the Shondells. Tickets are $15 for balcony seating. All proceeds go to support the Rock Hall’s education programs.

The Rock Hall It’s Only Rock and Roll Benefit proceeds will support the Museum's award-winning educational programming, which explores the impact that modern music has had on our culture, politics and society and reaches more than 50,000 students and educators on site and at great distances each year.

For more information on the Museum's FREE educational programming and to get tickets to this event, please visit www.rockhall.com.

Like I said earlier the summer concert season is coming with some big names. Some can’t miss shows (in my opinion) Ringo Starr and His All Star Band will be playing at Nautica on July 20th. Nautica is probably the best place to see a show these days (again in my humble opinion) and I can’t wait to see Ringo along with band members Edgar Winter and Rick Derringer play. Some other shows I am looking forward to is the Troubadour Tour of Carol King and James Taylor July 7th at Quicken Loans Arena, Jackson Browne September 19th at Tower City and the one show I wouldn’t miss, Roger Waters comes back to Cleveland performing “The Wall” September 28th at Quicken Loans. The only thing better would be for LiveNation to announce shows by Paul McCartney and David Gilmour! What do you think Barry? For info on all shows goto www.livenation.com

National Record Store Day is April 17th and I’ll be making the trip out to my favorite vinyl store, Blue Arrow Records at 16001 Waterloo Road. Blue Arrow Records is working closely with their neighbors at MUSIC SAVES (they will have the bulk of special releases. To see a list, check out their website: www.musicsaves.com and This Way Out. Blue Arrow Records and This Way Out will also open at noon on Record Store Day! Blue Arrow will have a handful of special releases, as well as goodies and prizes for customers. This Way Out is offering 10% off on records all day! So come on out, buy some vinyl while supporting local record shops and hear some live music. What is a better way of spending a Saturday!

The lineup of bands that will be playing at Blue Arrow and Music Saves:
4-5:30pm White Hinterland DJs at MUSIC SAVES (they play the Beachland later that night)
5pm Will Rigby DJs (of the dB’s, drummer for Steve Earle) at Blue Arrow Records5:30pm The Lighthouse and the Whaler at MUSIC SAVES6pm Prisoners at Blue Arrow Records6:30pm The Muttering Retreats at MUSIC SAVES
7pm Tasty Cakes at Blue Arrow Records
7:30pm Cloud Nothings at MUSIC SAVES

So that should get you started to thinking ahead to the dog days of summer. Speaking of dog, I gotta go try to catch my Great Dane puppy chasing some geese off my property!
Nuff said, least till next time
Peace Out
Bear