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Deap Vally | The Port Of Los Angeles | September 14, 2013

Click here to check out the other blog entries I wrote up for the bands (The Section Quartet, Nightmare & The Cat and Dead Sara) I was able to catch at the 2013 Port Of Los Angeles Lobster Festival.

Deap Valley
Deap Valley

Deap Vally is a Los Angeles based rock band consisting of Lindsey Troy (guitar and vocals) and Julie Edwards (drums and vocals). From what has been written about them, the two met at a crochet class. Their music, however, is anything but pedestrian. Following the path that the The White Stripes and The Black Keys blazed, Deap Vally’s sound is a mix of hard rock and blues … only they do it a little sexier.

Dressed in halter tops and short jean shorts, they took the stage to even more drunken cat calls than the female in the prior act was subject to. The two girls, visually speaking, at least from my vantage point, couldn’t have been more different. Lindsey was petit and blond. Julie was tall and redheaded. They both looked rock and roll, and they proved it. The cat calls stopped as soon as they started playing.

Deap Vally's setlis.
Deap Vally’s setlis.

Raw and gritty, loud and grimy, and filled with attitude, while watching the rocking duo perform, it was hard for me to not oogle. I was particularly fixated on the drummer.  With her curly red hair thrashing around her set, and her long leg stomping the high hat, I’ll have to say that a dirty thought may have crossed my mind here and there.

Some may say that Deap Vally’s style of music may have already been done, but that didn’t seem to bother their fans, who made sure that they told all “newbies” before the set that the band was really good.

I liked their set and wouldn’t mind catching them play a smaller, more intimate gig in Los Angeles.

Deap Vally's Julie Edwards.
Deap Vally’s Julie Edwards.
Deap Vally's Lindsey Troy
Deap Vally’s Lindsey Troy
Deap Vally's Julie Edwards.
Deap Vally’s Julie Edwards.
Deap Vally's Julie Edwards.
Deap Vally’s Julie Edwards.
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Mistah F.A.B. on Sway In The Morning: The Best Freestyle of 2013?

The first time I ever heard of Mistah F.A.B. was while I was working on Snoop‘s ninth solo album Ego Trippin’. Snoop recorded a song called “Life of da Party” featuring Too Short and Mistah F.A.B. It was a hot single, due in large part to the stellar features,  even making it onto some of Billboard’s charts.

A buddy of mine forwarded me a link (on 8/29/13) of Mistah F.A.B.’s freestyle on the radio show “Sway in the Morning”.  He absolutely killed it. The freestyle also seemed to come genuinely off the dome as Sway even threw out topics during the freestyle  for the rapper to ruminate on. Mistah F.A.B. didn’t miss a beat. He killed it.

To me, this is what hip hop is about. A true M.C. does what Mistah F.A.B. did. He’s definitely set the bar high for the rest of the year.  I doubt we’ll be hearing any other rappers freestyle in the immediate future. There’s really no way you can compete with this.

I hope you enjoy this as much as me.

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The Day The Beatles Made Me Cry

Earlier this week, I attended the memorial service for a neighbor of mine. Her husband had emailed me a little over two weeks ago about the service, and I was shocked at the news. Although I do not live in the same condominium complex anymore, for the 5 years I owned property there, their family was the best possible neighbors anyone one could ask for. I remember how we used to gossip about the trust fund baby who lived in the penthouse, and gleefully complained about his seriously crazy behavior. I remember when we gave each other simultaneous smirks in the garage after trust fund baby was hauled off to “rehab”. Mean spirited or not, we always had a good laugh about that.

The service was scheduled for Wednesday afternoon. I gave myself an hour to get there, but I should have known that the 405 would have other plans for me. I got to the service late, and quietly sat myself down in a pew in the back. The final speaker, a well dressed, older looking gentleman, was up front reading his personal recollections of the deceased. He concluded his remarks with a story recalling the first concert they attended (Elvis Costello) and the last musical event they attended, an opera, and further noted that it would be her first and last opera. It was a lovely, personal story.

When he concluded, and made his way back to his seat, music started to play. With the opening chord progression, I could tell it was The Beatles’ “Let It Be”. I can’t remember which version of “Let It Be” was playing, but it really didn’t matter because I was already focused in on the lyrics:

When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be
And in my hour of darkness she is standing right in front of me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

My eyes stared watering, and I quickly gave up any attempt to stop the tears from tripping onto my black pants.

And when the broken hearted people living in the world agree
There will be an answer, let it be
For though they may be parted, there is still a chance that they will see
There will be an answer, let it be
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be

It was a poignant parting message, made even more poignant when I later researched the history of the song that evening. McCartney said he had the idea of “Let It Be” after he had a dream about his mother during the tense period surrounding the sessions for The Beatles (the “White Album”). McCartney explained that his mother—who died of cancer when McCartney was fourteen—was the inspiration for the “Mother Mary” lyric. He later said, “It was great to visit with her again. I felt very blessed to have that dream. So that got me writing ‘Let It Be’.” He also said in a later interview about the dream that his mother had told him “It will be all right, just let it be.”

I later found out while talking with others in attendance that the husband had played “Days” by The Kinks to start the memorial service. I started to well up during that conversation. It may be an uptempo song, but the lyrics in that song still made me quite emotional.

Thank you for the days,
Those endless days, those sacred days you gave me.
Im thinking of the days,
I wont forget a single day, believe me.

I bless the light,
I bless the light that lights on you believe me.
And though you’re gone,
Your’e with me every single day, believe me.

Music is powerful stuff. Put in the right context it can make any grown man cry. On a slightly overcast day, within the four walls of a church, near the place I used to live next door to the deceased, during a beautifully respectful memorial, The Beatles made me cry.  If the music tells the story, she was loved and will always be remembered, whether in song or in their hearts.

Rest in peace, Karen.

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Alabama Shakes | Hollywood Palladium | July 17th, 2013

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What is it with me and female fronted bands these day? It seems that I just can’t seem to get enough of them. On July 17th, 2013, I went to the Hollywood Palladium to check out the Athens, Alabama-based quartet Alabama Shakes. I can’t pinpoint the time I first heard their music, but I remember that the song I first heard was “Hold On”. It was a Southern rock/blues tune that sounded modern enough for today’s radio, but also seemed rooted in classic 60-70s soul as well. But stylistic impressions aside, it was the lead singer’s voice that pierced through the music and into my psyche. I bought their debut album, “Boys & Girls” sometime August or September 2012 (I remember this because I bought their album the same time I bought The Heavy’s “The Glorious Dead” which came out around then).

I pressed play on “Boys & Girls”  in my car, it kept playing the rest of the day while I drove around town running my errands. For a debut album, I was smitten with their sound, and definitely one of the better albums I had bought in 2012. After watching Brittany Howard perform a tribute to Levon Helm with with an all-start cast (including Elton John, Mavis Staples, Zac Brown, Mumford & Sons, etc), and Ms. Howard showing EVERYBODY up,  Alabama Shakes quickly became a band that I put down on my list as “must see live”. Fast forward to 3:30 of the video below to see what I’m talking about. 

IMG_2194I met up with some friends,and after giving each of them their ticket, we head inside inside the venue. While my friends got some drinks, I walked over to the merchandise booth to purchase a special poster that band had printed for their two gigs at the Palladium.  A limited edition, signed by the artist, and numbered (167/200) poster that’s going to find a nice spot somewhere in my crib once it’s been properly framed. It’s probably one of the cooler posters I’ve purchased this year.

We had just missed the first of the two opening bands perform and we floated about in the venue to find decent spot to watch the next band, Fly Golden Eagle, take the stage.  As my friends and I were meandering the GA area to find a spot to stand, I noticed someone very familiar looking around for a place to watch as well. Holy, shnykies. It was Brittany Howard. I’m a total photo slut when it comes to snapping pictures with musicians I’m into, and having done this on several occasions before, my body seem to go in to autopilot.

DSC02045As I handed my camera off to a friend, I whispered to Brittany that I was huge fan, and whether I could snap a quick picture. She looked hesitant, and I assured her that I would keep it on the “down-low”. My friend snapped the picture, and the flash went off. So much for on the “down-low”. I could tell that Ms. Howard reluctantly took the picture (I think her biting her lip kind of tips it off), so I apologized, thanked her and told her to “break a leg” … but I still got a picture! Woohoo! It also goes to show how awesome Brittany Howard is for wanting to support her fellow musicians by actually hanging out in the General Admittance area to watch the other bands play just like all of the other concert-goers in attendance.

Having blown her cover, Ms. Howard and her friend scurried away to blend back into the crowd. Fly Golden Eagle started playing and I think most everybody else was focused on the stage. I didn’t notice others swarming around her for photos, so I think that I kept it on the “down-low” as much as I could.

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Fly Golden Eagles set was solid. A band based out of Nashville, their music seems to touch upon classic-rock and psychedelic vibes.  The lead singer’s vocal delivery had a friend of mine comment that he had a Dylan-ish sound (translation: sounded kinda like Bob Dylan).  I agreed. I liked the band, and I’ve checkout some of their older music and they are a solid “add” on facebook. 

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The only part of the show that I could have done without was the wait between sets. Wanting to get up as close as I could to see the Alabama Shakes do their thing, I thought that I’d be able to float closer up front after Fly Golden Eagle closed their set. Nothing doing. It appeared that everybody wanted to be up close to the Shakes, and people were guarding their space, not moving a square inch, for the 40 minutes between sets. C’est la vie. If you are a fan, and you want to see YOUR band up close and personal, you’ll stay in the same spot for as long as it takes. Kudos to those staked their territory.

The Alabama Shakes took to the stage, and amazed. Their set list was as follows:

  1. Rise
  2. Hang Loose
  3. Hold On
  4. Always Alright
  5. I Found You
  6. Heartbreaker
  7. Boys & Girls
  8. Be Mine
  9. I Ain’t The Same
  10. Worryin Blues
  11. Mama
  12. Itch
  13. On Your Way
  14. Gimme All Your Love
  15. You Ain’t Alone

Encore

  1. Gospel
  2. Heat Lightnin’
  3. Heavy Chevy

The band is a well-oiled machine, and can jam with the best of them, but this band is Howard’s. At 24 years old, her voice is way more mature than her years, with every word sung from her mouth coming from something deep inside her soul. I don’t know about her past, but it certainly felt like she was singing from place of entrenched memories, whether painful, angry or joyful. Her performance is one that makes concert goers feel like they are there in the here and now, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the venue lost money on drinks during their set because you would have been a fool to stop watching.

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Sometime during the set she bantered with the audience for a minute and concluded by stating, “You got to give a little to get a little.” Brittany and the band gave us their souls, and we gave them our fan loyalty. I think that’s a fair trade. 

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An Amazing Cover of The Who’s “The Real Me” by 12-14 Year Olds…. There’s Hope For The Future of Rock-And-Roll!!!

These 12-14 year olds are in a band called Breaking27, and they give me hope in the future of rock-and-roll. I’ve only seen this video, but it’s enough for me to proclaim that I’d actually pay a cover to see these kids play … covers. Let’s hope they keep it up. In my opinion, the skies the limit.

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The Universe Wanted Me To Listen to the Talking Heads’ “This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody)”

In a weird, cosmic way, through a series of subtle and not-so-subtle little bits of life events, the universe led me to this song: Talking Heads’ “This Must Be The Place”. To summarize:

– A couple weeks ago, I saw on my twitter feed that David Byrnes was offering a free download of his latest set of recordings with St. Vincent. I downloaded it;

– That weekend, I went to the Make Music Pasadena Festival and I heard an Artist/DJ mix in a vocal stem of Talking Heads “Once In A Lifetime” into a song he was performing;

– Several days later, during a late night of drafting agreements for work, I arbitrarily decided to play  three albums on repeat.  The two that mattered most for purposes of this blog entry were Arcade Fire’s “The Suburbs” and Talking Heads’ “Remain In Light” (the third was Vampire Weekend’s “Modern Vampires of the City”);

– I went to see an artist perform this past weekend, and met a friend of hers who recommended that I check out a Sean Penn movie on Netflix called “This Must Be The Place”;

– I wrote and published the blog entry on the Make Muisc Pasadena festival two days ago and decided to listen to Talking Heads’ live album “Stop Making Sense” while writing it;

– It’s now today and I’m watching the movie “This Must Be the Place”. Half way into the movie the protagonist has dialogue with a child that goes as follows:

“Tommy: “Can you play something? Please, just one song.”
Cheyenne: “I don’t play anymore and besides I don’t even know if I remember how.”
Tommy: “My music teacher says once you learn you never forget.”
Cheyenne: “Maybe he was just trying to be nice or he was just trying to worm some money out of you.”
Tommy: “Please, just one!”
Cheyenne: “What do you want me to play?”
Tommy: “‘This Must Be the Place’ by Arcade Fire”
Cheyenne: “Nonsense. ‘This Must Be the Place’ is by the Talking Heads.”
Tommy: “No, it’s by Arcade Fire.”
Cheyenne: “Trust me, you’re delusional. ‘This Must Be the Place’ is by the Talking Heads. Arcade Fire only did a cover.”
Tommy: “Oh” [sings] “Home is where the…”
Cheyenne: “Where are you going? I was just seeing if the guitar was in tune.”
Tommy: “Oh, sorry””

I paused the movie and checked my iTunes and vinyl collection. I never purchased the Talking Heads or Arcade Fire album with this song. The universe wanted me to hear this song. It looks like I’ll know what to spend my Ameoba gift certificates on this weekend.

Just felt like sharing. Thanks for reading.

 

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Phaze | “Arrival” and “Legendary” | New Videos

My client Phaze has been putting out a lot of dope content these days. The latest two videos he dropped recently are, in my humble opinion, top notch. It starts with the music. Phaze has really been stepping up his lyrical game as of late, and it really comes through with the content and flow. The slick beats certainly add to his game.

Though he doesn’t appear in the video for “Arrival” (released May 24, 2013), the edits and cuts of the video (which was shot in India) are visually amazing. I actually feel that by not appearing in the video, it sets forth a confident statement by Phaze and the director that the music speaks for itself.

The video “Legendary” was released earlier in the month (May, 18, 2013) was shot in Los Angeles and already has over 16,000 views (as of May 31, 2013). Shot at the Tar Pits in Los Angeles, the video again used terrific visual imagery. The beat, produced by C Ballin, is smooth and steady, matching the lyrical flow.

If you like what you see and hear, spread the word. If you want to keep up with Phaze and his music follow him and his label respectively on twitter at @officialPhaze_ and @MrSobat … Ohh yeah … you can follow me too if you’d like here @Methodman13. I’d like to think I post some cool stuff too … LOL.

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When Music Can Help A Life

I’ve always believed in the adages of “what goes around, comes around” and “one good deed deserves another.”

A few weeks ago my friend, Susie Suh, posted on her Facebook page about a fund she was heading up to raise money for a friend who is dealing with Lupus. Her story was particularly moving for me because her friend was a veteran of the music industry.

The music industry can be a cruel beast. We only hear about the stories of musicians who have hit tough times, but there are countless numbers of people who work behind the scenes, whose stories aren’t as publicized, who’ve helped to put together the music of our lives. I was particularly moved because I work in the music industry too, and I’ve known (and know) what it’s like to hit a tough patch.  I felt the need to get this particular story out because I can only imagine if something like this ever happened to me and I needed help, I’d want some of my friends to help me out as well.

Jolie Levine is a veteran of the music industry.  Although I’ve never met her, I definitely know of the projects she’s worked on.  Here’s a short list from her “resume”:

  1. Michael Jackson’s “Bad”
  2. “We Are The World”
  3. Alanis Morrisette’s “Jagged Little Pill”
  4. Kelly Clarkson’s “Thankful”
  5. No Doubt’s “Return of Saturn”

The list goes on.

My friend Susie wrote up a nice little summary of her friend’s struggle:

“My name is Susie Suh and my dear friend Jolie has Lupus. Jolie has been self-employed in the music industry for over 30 years, but for the past few years her health has deteriorated to the point where she has not been able to work. With no health insurance and no work, she has been financially struggling and physically suffering.

Our goal is to raise enough money for Jolie to go to a medical treatment center in June for several months where she can be monitored by doctors and begin to regain her health. In addition, we would also like to raise enough money to cover any additional medical expenses, legal fees, and also cover her basic living expenses for approximately one year while she waits to hear if she is granted Federal Disability by early 2014. All additional funds will be donated to LupusLA.

Jolie and I met when she worked on the first record I professionally recorded. I have always known Jolie to be kind, loving, and thoughtful. I asked Jolie to write a short excerpt about what she has been going through and this is what she wrote:

In 2007 I was diagnosed with Lupus by my HMO Doctor. Lupus is an auto-immune disorder that has many complications and affects everything in your body – physically and mentally. It is also difficult to diagnose because no two patients have the same symptoms as Lupus mimics many other diseases. The Doctor said at the time that I had “Baby Lupus” and so I wasn’t referred to a specialist. But eventually I became so ill that I couldn’t get out of bed.

I am fortunate to have worked as a freelancer in the music industry for over 30 years. However, my poor health prevented me from leaving home most days. I was also a Musician’s Union member from which I received health insurance. However, around 2008 my inability to work ended that benefit, leaving me un-insured.

Chronically sick with Lupus, and lacking income and insurance, I started going to a government sponsored health care clinic. After several months my Lupus was not only confirmed, but it had gotten worse.

Lupus requires the attention of many specialists, including a Rheumatologist, Neurologist, Gastroenterologist, Dermatologist, and more. Although I am very grateful for the care I get from the government system, the heavy workloads and inherent red tape delay the referrals to specialists that I so desperately need.

The passing of time has drained my savings. I received State disability for almost a year, and in 2012 I filed for Federal Disability, but it was denied for lack of sufficient documentation at the time. Working through the health care system, documentation is trickling in, and I am appealing the decision. I won’t get a court date until the end of 2013.

For over 5 years I have been battling this disease without proper care and no way to earn a living. I am truly grateful for any help I receive.

(Lupus has no cure, but can be managed with proper treatment and lifestyle changes.)”

If you feel like doing a good deed for the day, I’d like to encourage you to donate a few dollars.  You can click through HERE.

If you are in the Los Angeles area, and are willing to make a sizable donation, please consider joining the relief effort by purchasing a ticked for a benefit concert this Friday (5/31/13) at Henson Recording Studios. Tickets are $150, but the list of performer is a who’s who of music history: Carnie and Wendy Wilson of Wilson Phillips, Dave Stewart, Siedah Garrett, Glen Ballard, David PAck, Greg Phillinganes, and the list goes on. Tickets are available for purchase HERE.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Vinyl Fetish | “Tuesday Heartbreak” by Stevie Wonder on 7″ Vinyl

“Tuesday Heartbreak” was the B-Side of the vinyl, 7″, 45 RPM single of “You Are The Sunshine of My Life”.  It was written and produced by Stevie Wonder and was track number 4 on Stevie’s fifteenth studio album “Talking Book”. Stevie Wonder played all of the instruments on this track, except for the alto saxophone, which was played by David Sanborn, one of the most commercially successful American saxophonists in music history.

Enjoy!

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In Memoriam | Lena Horne | 1917-2010

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On May 9, 2010, Lena Mary Calhoun Horne, professionally known as Lena Horne, passed away.  A talented actress, engaged social activist, and sublime vocalist, Lena Horne was one of the first female jazz vocalists that I fell in love with.

I got introduced to Jazz music in middle school at the same time I delved into musical theater.  There was a musical called “Show Boat” (a heavy musical that dealt with integration and interracial romance) that I was researching at the local library, and I remember finding a version of my favorite song from the musical on a jazz sampler.  The song was “Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man” and it was performed by Lena Horne.  There is a lot of history and trivia out there, and rather than write it all out here, I suggest you click on this IMBD link to read more.

Heaven.  Her voice was expressed so much emotion and expression that my heart melted, and she’s been a constant staple of my jazz collection and playlist rotation ever since.

Today, I remember a voice that I fell in love with.  With her passing back in 2010, a little bit of my heart broke. A classic beauty, sublime talent and divine individual doesn’t come around that often.  I’m just glad a bit of her soul is still with us in recordings and video.  Below are some of my favorite Lena Horne performances.

R.I.P., Lena. My “Lady” of jazz.

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