I saw Melissa Etheridge on Saturday with Deb....she really was great. She has a really fine electric guitar player who gets a lot of interesting sounds from his guitar....and her energy level is right up there!!!!...she plays and sings and dances around the stage....if you like her stuff, I recommend catching this show....
Friday night I will see James Taylor. I have always loved his music, though I haven't kept up with things he has done recently and I have never seen him live. I look forward to this show....seventh row, dead center......
While I am at it, I also have tickets to see Dylan, Steve Earle, Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings, Clear Eyes, Levon and a couple others at the Fest at Saratoga in August....the show is Sunday and I would like to Fest at my place on Saturday....email if interested....
"It's like a warning to me...... Stay still, Shakey, and you'll turn to rust and dust....... So I keep on moving" -Neil Young
Monday, June 30, 2008
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Sultans of Swing
Ok, I took Alison down in favor of this one. If you really want to check out Alison, please ask, and i will post a link....but this one highlights my friend Glen and his guitar playing....
More Tree
Ok, so yesterday I was moaning that they were just now taking down those two white pine right next to my house.They are doing so well that I asked them to take down another three....a cherry also on that side of the house that you who have been here may not know it at all, it was hidden....and the two other pines in the back of the house, to the left as you look at my back yard....there is another tree there that will likely also have to come down after getting rid of all the others, but that one kenny could take down for me.....(are you reading this, kenny?)
The maple, of course, is staying.....
AND, they have been hired by two of my neighbors on the spot (now that the two pines have been brought down without a problem...(knock on wood, the bulk of one trunk is still standing, but the guy was like, this is the easy part)
of course, my lawn is a complete mess and all the bushes on that side of the house are also gone, and GOSH the neighbors are CLOSER than EVER now.....
The maple, of course, is staying.....
AND, they have been hired by two of my neighbors on the spot (now that the two pines have been brought down without a problem...(knock on wood, the bulk of one trunk is still standing, but the guy was like, this is the easy part)
of course, my lawn is a complete mess and all the bushes on that side of the house are also gone, and GOSH the neighbors are CLOSER than EVER now.....
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Pine Trees
Right now the tree guys are here, taking down the two trees next to my house...you who have been here, know the two....
Those big pines right next to that back 'porch' area.....
I just realized, i don't even think i have a picture of them
And i hate the thought of destroying them (though i had to....if lightening or snow or wind or ice conditions were right, and one or both came down, either me and my house are gone, or the neighbors and their house are gone...really, they are that tall and that large and that close....and SOFT wood)
But, it is a pity, they are just going to be saw dust now....and they were living and breathing just this morning
I need some sort of way to honor them.... The truth is, they never did hurt me....Maybe a song....
I wonder, these men who do this for a living...they are nice guys, are they ever sad that they took down a tree?
They seem to understand their business, they must have some appreciation for the trees....but yet, they do this every day
I am sad for my trees.....
My guitars are made of out trees, pine trees as a matter of fact......
Most of them, anyway.
Those big pines right next to that back 'porch' area.....
I just realized, i don't even think i have a picture of them
And i hate the thought of destroying them (though i had to....if lightening or snow or wind or ice conditions were right, and one or both came down, either me and my house are gone, or the neighbors and their house are gone...really, they are that tall and that large and that close....and SOFT wood)
But, it is a pity, they are just going to be saw dust now....and they were living and breathing just this morning
I need some sort of way to honor them.... The truth is, they never did hurt me....Maybe a song....
I wonder, these men who do this for a living...they are nice guys, are they ever sad that they took down a tree?
They seem to understand their business, they must have some appreciation for the trees....but yet, they do this every day
I am sad for my trees.....
My guitars are made of out trees, pine trees as a matter of fact......
Most of them, anyway.
Monday, June 23, 2008
NEIL YOUNG FLORENCE
It is amazing to me that he just played this show yesterday and it is on YouTube. Enjoy...i hope i have that kind of energy at sixty some years old!
Sunday, June 22, 2008
David's B-D Party Gig!
Wow! What a great weekend!
It started on Wednesday, actually. I went to my guitar lesson at David's house and had dinner....another great meal!!!! My friend and guitar playing buddy, Glen from Canada had arrived earlier in the day after a grueling trip across NYS from Toronto to the wild Berkshires!!!
We played some pieces....Glen worked out the solo from Jeff Buckley's version of Hallelujah on electric guitar, and with my vocals and acoustic rhythm, we figured we had something worth playing to an audience....and Karen and David agreed....if I get a copy of the tape and Glen agrees, I may just post it, or a link to it, here.....
We also tried on The Losing End (I REALLY like Glens electric guitar playing on that...but that was not recorded), The Night They Drove Ol' Dixie Down, Big Yellow Taxi and Folsom Prison Blues....again, Glen's feel for creating texture over the guitar and around the vocals is excellent and he is a joy to create music with (as well as just being a good friend and fun companion!), so I was looking very forward to the rest of the weekend...which didn't disappoint!!!
Thursday
Like always, I worked on Thursday and planned to go to Open Mic at Card Lake Inn. This week was different, though.....Glen was going to be accompanying me!...his first open Open Mic...LOL. Karen also came along, as well as many of Linda's family members (sister, mom and etc) to see Linda and her daughter Cory sing, and Jen and Ed from the office.....
Cory and Sammy played two songs and Cory did her best job ever!!!! Fantastic voice and wonderful expression.....Jen from work also did some pieces and she sure sounds great!!! Glen and I did three songs.....with a 'quiz' (let's see if you can figure out what these songs have in commom...)....Big Yellow Taxi (with Karen on Piano), Hallelujah and The Night They Drove Ol Dixie Down (with Linda doing an excellent job on vocals!!). We ended with Folsom Prison Blues and Karen on Piano, which, for bonus points, also has some tie in with the other three songs!! We had a really nice time and Karen, Glen and I sat and drank and talked until we got kicked out!!
Friday
Again, work interferes with fun!! ...but eventually I get to the Uncommon Grounds in time to hear the last student play the recital, and then it was time for the adults....but I was eating!!!! Glen and I had sandwiches and watched the adult students play together. Of note was Lisa, who played and sang two lovely songs she had written....I hope she continues the path...those songs are great! It was also real nice to again see Nick and Greg, David's friends and partners in crime...lol
After the common ground, Glen and I were getting a little nervous about playing on Saturday and having enough time to get our shit together, so while David and company went out to dinner, we went back to their place to practice. Working out an arrangement of a musical piece can take time and experimentation....in the end, I really liked what we came up with, and I hope (if I find a way to post it) that you do too....
Saturday
Oh, joy! I don't have to work, but I do have to run some errands, including taking lots of yucky stuff to the dump...which I did before heading off once again to MA. We worked out our pieces, practiced, got nervous, took showers, forgot to eat, did a lot of laughing, took a walk, some took a nap.....
and then it is time to go to the Monterey General Store and set up. My friend Sammy is working the store that night, I find that Nan and Robin have come to support us (thanks guys, i REALLY appreciate it!), other people start to come up, we do a sound check and the show starts!!!
I am still laughing over Glens introduction......
'Here is our friend Glen Polsen from...what town are you from?'
'Canada...it is a little north of here'
well, maybe you had to be there....
Some highlights for me from David's gig include Alison, Babylon and Wish You Were Here. Nick did a lot of singing, Greg actually sang one too (and sang well!), but his main contribution, as always, is his guitar playing....Glen laid down those textures, Karen supported on piano and David led the show with his guitar playing and singing and great enthusiam.
As things were winding down, I was called up for a solo piece and did Barstool Blues, followed by Hallelujah with Glen doing his great guitar thing (I hope you guys get a chance to hear that!)and David on bongos... and the band helping me with Angel from Montgomery.....then my moments were finished and I got to escape for a while.....
Thank you David for allowing me a piece of your gig to do some music, thanks to Glen for great guitar playing and David, Karen, Nick and Greg for support of many kinds (OH YEAH, and Greg for fixing my string buzz, Nick for his vocal coaching, and David and Karen for just being great friends in between everything else!!! ) I had a great time, guys!!!
I also want to thank Nan for coming all that way to support her friends...what a very nice thing to do!!!....and Robin for also coming out....we are gonna get you on that Open Mic stage one of these days for SURE...
Well, i have to get to work now, I am sure I have forgotten to mention something, likely someone or something important....please forgive me and remember, that is why they call me scattered!!!
It started on Wednesday, actually. I went to my guitar lesson at David's house and had dinner....another great meal!!!! My friend and guitar playing buddy, Glen from Canada had arrived earlier in the day after a grueling trip across NYS from Toronto to the wild Berkshires!!!
We played some pieces....Glen worked out the solo from Jeff Buckley's version of Hallelujah on electric guitar, and with my vocals and acoustic rhythm, we figured we had something worth playing to an audience....and Karen and David agreed....if I get a copy of the tape and Glen agrees, I may just post it, or a link to it, here.....
We also tried on The Losing End (I REALLY like Glens electric guitar playing on that...but that was not recorded), The Night They Drove Ol' Dixie Down, Big Yellow Taxi and Folsom Prison Blues....again, Glen's feel for creating texture over the guitar and around the vocals is excellent and he is a joy to create music with (as well as just being a good friend and fun companion!), so I was looking very forward to the rest of the weekend...which didn't disappoint!!!
Thursday
Like always, I worked on Thursday and planned to go to Open Mic at Card Lake Inn. This week was different, though.....Glen was going to be accompanying me!...his first open Open Mic...LOL. Karen also came along, as well as many of Linda's family members (sister, mom and etc) to see Linda and her daughter Cory sing, and Jen and Ed from the office.....
Cory and Sammy played two songs and Cory did her best job ever!!!! Fantastic voice and wonderful expression.....Jen from work also did some pieces and she sure sounds great!!! Glen and I did three songs.....with a 'quiz' (let's see if you can figure out what these songs have in commom...)....Big Yellow Taxi (with Karen on Piano), Hallelujah and The Night They Drove Ol Dixie Down (with Linda doing an excellent job on vocals!!). We ended with Folsom Prison Blues and Karen on Piano, which, for bonus points, also has some tie in with the other three songs!! We had a really nice time and Karen, Glen and I sat and drank and talked until we got kicked out!!
Friday
Again, work interferes with fun!! ...but eventually I get to the Uncommon Grounds in time to hear the last student play the recital, and then it was time for the adults....but I was eating!!!! Glen and I had sandwiches and watched the adult students play together. Of note was Lisa, who played and sang two lovely songs she had written....I hope she continues the path...those songs are great! It was also real nice to again see Nick and Greg, David's friends and partners in crime...lol
After the common ground, Glen and I were getting a little nervous about playing on Saturday and having enough time to get our shit together, so while David and company went out to dinner, we went back to their place to practice. Working out an arrangement of a musical piece can take time and experimentation....in the end, I really liked what we came up with, and I hope (if I find a way to post it) that you do too....
Saturday
Oh, joy! I don't have to work, but I do have to run some errands, including taking lots of yucky stuff to the dump...which I did before heading off once again to MA. We worked out our pieces, practiced, got nervous, took showers, forgot to eat, did a lot of laughing, took a walk, some took a nap.....
and then it is time to go to the Monterey General Store and set up. My friend Sammy is working the store that night, I find that Nan and Robin have come to support us (thanks guys, i REALLY appreciate it!), other people start to come up, we do a sound check and the show starts!!!
I am still laughing over Glens introduction......
'Here is our friend Glen Polsen from...what town are you from?'
'Canada...it is a little north of here'
well, maybe you had to be there....
Some highlights for me from David's gig include Alison, Babylon and Wish You Were Here. Nick did a lot of singing, Greg actually sang one too (and sang well!), but his main contribution, as always, is his guitar playing....Glen laid down those textures, Karen supported on piano and David led the show with his guitar playing and singing and great enthusiam.
As things were winding down, I was called up for a solo piece and did Barstool Blues, followed by Hallelujah with Glen doing his great guitar thing (I hope you guys get a chance to hear that!)and David on bongos... and the band helping me with Angel from Montgomery.....then my moments were finished and I got to escape for a while.....
Thank you David for allowing me a piece of your gig to do some music, thanks to Glen for great guitar playing and David, Karen, Nick and Greg for support of many kinds (OH YEAH, and Greg for fixing my string buzz, Nick for his vocal coaching, and David and Karen for just being great friends in between everything else!!! ) I had a great time, guys!!!
I also want to thank Nan for coming all that way to support her friends...what a very nice thing to do!!!....and Robin for also coming out....we are gonna get you on that Open Mic stage one of these days for SURE...
Well, i have to get to work now, I am sure I have forgotten to mention something, likely someone or something important....please forgive me and remember, that is why they call me scattered!!!
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Getting ready
Hey!
I am listening right now to the David Hodge and Friends, in David's livingroom, getting ready for their gig tonight. They sound really good....if you are in the Berkshire Mountains tonight, you might want to drop by the Monterey General Store (in Monterey, MA, of course)7-9pm for the show.
I will be playing with them for a few songs, even....
(Click on the title for more info on the venue)
Babylon sounds real fine....
I am listening right now to the David Hodge and Friends, in David's livingroom, getting ready for their gig tonight. They sound really good....if you are in the Berkshire Mountains tonight, you might want to drop by the Monterey General Store (in Monterey, MA, of course)7-9pm for the show.
I will be playing with them for a few songs, even....
(Click on the title for more info on the venue)
Babylon sounds real fine....
Sunday, June 15, 2008
CATCH UP
So many things have happened since I was last blogging! I never finished the HGS housewarming...but it was a lot of fun as you can see in the pictures i posted. Last weekend, i saw Robert Plant and Allison Krauss in Canandaigua, NY. It was an excellent show, much better than i had anticipated. Went with my friend, Bugs....met his very nice friends Bill and Charlotte, had a wonderful meal.....drove home through a hail storm....but it was a nice weekend.
My air conditioner is broke, so yesterday i cleaned house while waiting for the repair person to show up. My air conditioner is still broke, and Sears is trying to get some money out of me for it, anyway (it is less than two years old, and i paid a premium price for it...you'd think that 'buying a brand' should mean that it should last longer than two years, don't you think??? NOT SO....the a/c is made out of cheap parts and designed to break down...and you HAVE to buy that warranty service, don't you know???....tried to tell me that since the compressor is broke (and is warrantied for five years) that is free, but i have to pay all other parts and labor.....well, no, the warranty reads "fixed free of charge"
Ok, enough complaining about a/c....but that, as you can imagine, means i don't sit here and type very much...the coolest place i know is my car.....LOL
The new thing i did this week is go to a Folk Song Circle at Spencertown Academy....what a nice group of people!!! I will certainly be returning there.....
Please note the new feature on my side bar...the quotes.....
I like this one a lot......
My air conditioner is broke, so yesterday i cleaned house while waiting for the repair person to show up. My air conditioner is still broke, and Sears is trying to get some money out of me for it, anyway (it is less than two years old, and i paid a premium price for it...you'd think that 'buying a brand' should mean that it should last longer than two years, don't you think??? NOT SO....the a/c is made out of cheap parts and designed to break down...and you HAVE to buy that warranty service, don't you know???....tried to tell me that since the compressor is broke (and is warrantied for five years) that is free, but i have to pay all other parts and labor.....well, no, the warranty reads "fixed free of charge"
Ok, enough complaining about a/c....but that, as you can imagine, means i don't sit here and type very much...the coolest place i know is my car.....LOL
The new thing i did this week is go to a Folk Song Circle at Spencertown Academy....what a nice group of people!!! I will certainly be returning there.....
Please note the new feature on my side bar...the quotes.....
I like this one a lot......
Happiness is not achieved by the conscious pursuit of happiness; it is generally the by-product of other activities.
- Aldous Huxley
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