Joined: 29 Jan 2004 Posts: 1504 Location: Methuen, MA
Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2005 5:18 pm Post subject: Happy 4th of July!
Here's wishing everyone a happy, fun, and safe 4th of July holiday.
Any plans for live music?
I plan on seeing my guitar teacher's band, BarrNone, at least once over the weekend. Then, if tickets are still available, I'll be going to a triple bill on Thursday night- UFO, Mountain, and Rick Derringer. And, on Saturday the 9th, it's my annual Allman Brothers show (and, they return to the area in August, so I'll have an encore this year!).
Joined: 19 Feb 2004 Posts: 103 Location: Upper left coast
Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2005 2:38 pm Post subject: Portland Waterfront Blues Festival July 1-4, 2005
Attended all four days of the Portland (Oregon) Waterfront Blues Festival over the weekend. Weather was great (mid 70s, sunshine), lots of amazing local Portland blues musicians, and some top touring performers, including Buddy Guy (great Friday night set), Charlie Musselwhite, Kenny Neal and Billy Branch; Saturday was focused on Zydeco/New Orleans bands, and also a tribute to Ray Charles that included about 30 of Portland's top players and singers; gospel music Sunday with Mavis Staples headlining; Monday brought the local Journey to Memphis finals for IBC contenders, and IBC winners Jimi Hocking (solo) and Diunna Greenleaf & Blue Mercy Band (band) performed. Other highlights: blues harmonica blow-off, huge fireworks show over the river. All in all a great way to spend the holidays!
Joined: 04 Nov 2003 Posts: 886 Location: SF Bay Area
Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2005 4:02 pm Post subject:
Watched the amature fireworks on the beach for awhile and then went and jammed with RedSuede. Great night all around and RS was playing some inspiring stuff. _________________ There are no such things as wrong notes, there's only the look on your face.
My Stuff: www.stevekirbymusic.com
Joined: 29 Jan 2004 Posts: 1504 Location: Methuen, MA
Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2005 9:25 am Post subject: Re: Happy 4th of July!
JohnnyZ wrote:
I'll be going to a triple bill on Thursday night- UFO, Mountain, and Rick Derringer. And, on Saturday the 9th, it's my annual Allman Brothers show (and, they return to the area in August, so I'll have an encore this year!).
I'm still buzzing over the Allman's show last night. Even though the sound was poor (muddled) inside this hockey arena concrete and steel venue (Verizon Center in Manchester, NH), the setlist was the most enjoyable I've heard from them in many years. Hoochie Coochie Man early on set the tone. And, I'm glad I bought the Instant Live cds- the sound is incredible- nice and clear, great separation- well worth the $25.
The Thursday night triple bill was a good time too. Rick Derringer was awesome, though I think he overdid the showmanship thing with too much hype talking. Mountain then blew the house down. Leslie West and Corky Laing still got it. I was priviledged to meet them both outside their tour bus before the show, and they signed my 32-year old painting of the Mountain Climbing album cover which I made for my senior high school year final art project. Leslie actually wanted it, but he saw my hesitation as I pondered giving up something from my past, and told me that I'd better keep it... And, finally, it was UFO's turn. As much as I heard people saying how awesome UFO was/is, they did nothing for me. They were loud and impressively powerful (especially Jason Bonham on the drums), but that's it. I gave them 3 songs to convince me to stay, but as the 4th song started, sounding exactly the same as the previous 3, I was glad to head home. Overall, a very good night. _________________ Soul on Eleven
Joined: 29 Jan 2004 Posts: 1504 Location: Methuen, MA
Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2005 5:12 pm Post subject: Re: Happy 4th of July!
JohnnyZ wrote:
Any plans for live music?
I'm still abuzz from the shows I saw this past Saturday night at the Woodstock Guitar Festival '05...
The opening act at the Bearsville, NY (yes, small town; sneeze and you've missed it; part of the Woodstock conglomerate of tiny, surrounding towns) Theater was this young guy named Joey Eppard, a solo acoustic performance. Joey had a Flamenco(sp?) style of guitar playing combined with a percussiony beat from the upper palm of his hand on the face of his Ovation. Incredibly quick, precise, accurate notes and beats. And, to add to my being very impressed was his clever and often witty lyrics. Now, I'm not a lyrics person at all- it's always been about the music and sound for me, but I couldn't help being drawn in to actually listening to the words. Oh, and I almost forgot- what an incredible voice! Strong and melodic, and flawless. If I had to compare, I'd say very much like Ian Gillan. And, finally, if I wasn't blown away enough, Joey ended his hour-long set with a strong vocal and guitar run, breaking all but one string which he plinked to the end. Just plain awesome! FYI, Joey's band, which he tours with and has cds, is called "3". Trust me, it's a great cd. I urge everyone to buy it to support this guy, and spread the word. He is that good...
Next- the Jim Weider Band II. Jim is known as a Woodstock, NY legend. His most notable foray into the music business was a stint with the 90's version of The Band. Jim has been dubbed the "King of the Telecaster", and seeing one of his shows will have you agreeing. The guy simply burns. Perhaps, rocking out is a better description. Anyway, another amazing performer. Great band too, and especially his partner-in-guitars, Jesse Gress (Todd Rundgren, Tony Levin bands). And, a very cool moment- Jim coming up to me after the show and saying, "Hey Johnny! Thanks for coming out tonight!"
Finally, it was Johnny Hiland's turn. Johnny came to Woodstock, from what I gather, was due to Jim Weider. I had never heard Johnny play, just heard of him. I only knew he was a country-type player from down south. And, he did start out with a fast-picking countryish tune (man, did he ever pick fast!), but then he surprised me by playing tunes with blues and rock styles. What was particularly interesting, was his rock style was very Steve Vai-ish. Come to find out, after buying his only cd, reading the credits- who produced the album? None other than Steve Vai (this blew me away!). Anyway, Johnny put on one helluva show. He was a great "front man"- kept the audience interested and on their toes. Great sense of humor too. Even made us nervous by trying to get us to sing along! But, going back to his guitar playing- just absolutely incredible. The amazing part was his speed. If any of you know John Petrucci- I dare say that Johnny is just as fast, if not faster. And, Johnny picks every note with precision, and with seemingly ease. Very gracious man after the show too. Oh, I almost forgot to mention- Johnny's band was a "power trio", something that he said was very knew for him. And he seemed very pleased with this new "format", and especially with his bass player, Mike Hill. This kid was incredible. The drummer was very very good too.
In conclusion, these three performances in one single night was one of the best I've ever witnessed. If you get a chance to see any one of them, do it!
Joined: 09 Feb 2005 Posts: 197 Location: San Jose Ca.
Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2005 12:12 am Post subject:
Jesse Gress. Great Player. Sold him one of my vintage Marshall cabinets back in the day when he lived in Northern California. Written some cool books and can play Jeff Beck like nobody's business!
Joined: 29 Jan 2004 Posts: 1504 Location: Methuen, MA
Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2005 4:05 pm Post subject:
Jesse Gress is, indeed, a great player. I saw him with the Jim Weider Band II several weeks ago at a tiny venue in NH, and he completely rocked out. At times, it was burning "guitar wars" between Jesse and Jim, simply incredible...
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