Category: Tribute

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Revamp – Elton John Tribute Album

Loving this tribute, out today 🙂

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‘Revamp’ Track Listing:

  1. Bennie And The Jets – Elton John, P!nk and Logic
  2. We All Fall In Love Sometimes – Coldplay
  3. I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues – Alessia Cara
  4. Candle In The Wind (2018 Version) – Ed Sheeran
  5. Tiny Dancer – Florence + The Machine
  6. Someone Saved My Life Tonight – Mumford & Sons
  7. Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word – Mary J. Blige
  8. Don’t Go Breaking My Heart – Q-Tip featuring Demi Lovato
  9. Mona Lisas And Mad Hatters – The Killers
  10. Daniel – Sam Smith
  11. Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me – Miley Cyrus
  12. Your Song – Lady Gaga
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The Doors – 50th Anniversary Album Re-Issue

 

50 years ago in 1967, The Doors broke through to the other side for the first time with its eponymous début on Elektra Records. The Doors would go on to sell millions of copies and made stars of John Densmore, Robby Krieger, Ray Manzarek, and Jim Morrison. Today, the album is widely considered to be one of the all-time classic rock and roll debuts.

To celebrate this landmark recording’s 50th anniversary, the band has released THE DOORS: 50TH ANNIVERSARY DELUXE EDITION.

Packaged in a 12 x 12 hardcover book, THE DOORS: 50TH ANNIVERSARY DELUXE EDITION includes a remastered version of the album’s original stereo mix, available on CD for the first time in a decade and remastered for the first time in nearly 30 years. The album’s original mono mix was also remastered for this set and is making its CD début here. An LP-version of the mono mix is also included. The third disc features live performance from The Matrix in San Francisco recorded just weeks after The Doors was released. Music journalist David Fricke provides detailed liner notes for the set, which includes a selection of rare and previously unseen photographs.

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THE DOORS: 50TH ANNIVERSARY DELUXE EDITION offers a rare opportunity to hear the band on the verge of superstardom with live performances recorded during a March 7, 1967 show at the Matrix in San Francisco. The Matrix recordings heard on this deluxe edition were sourced from the recently discovered, original tapes, previously thought to be lost. The Matrix recordings originally released in 2008 were from a third-generation source, so the sound quality of the versions debuting here is second to none.

Packed with electrifying performance, the disc has live versions of eight tracks on The Doors, including “Twentieth Century Fox,” “The Crystal Ship” and “Back Door Man.” 

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The Airplane Family and Live Dead 69

I’ve become interested in the talent nucleus forged from Jefferson Airplane (The Great Society, Hot Tuna, Jefferson Starship) and The Grateful Dead (NRPS, Ratdog). They call themselves The Airplane Family & Friends.

The Airplane Family & Friends is the only National Touring Tribute to the music of Jefferson Airplane & “The San Francisco Sound.”

They will be celebrating Paul Kantner’s birthday March 18th and 19th at Sweetwater Music Hall in Mill Valley, California.

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Here is a video from The Airplane Family’s appearance at Daryl’s House in Pawling, NY.

 

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Ornette Coleman Birthday Broadcast

Happy birthday, Ornette Coleman! Join WKCR 89.9 FM New York City (Columbia University’s non-commercial student-run radio station) as they honor Ornette Coleman by playing 24 hours of his music all day Thursday, March 9th.

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Randolph Denard Ornette Coleman (March 9, 1930 – June 11, 2015) was an American jazz saxophonist, violinist, trumpeter and composer. Born and raised in Fort Worth, TX, he was one of the major innovators of the free jazz movement of the 1960s, a term he invented with the name of a 1961 album. From the beginning of his career, Coleman’s music and playing were largely unorthodox. His approach to harmony and chord progression was far less rigid than that of bebop performers; he was increasingly interested in playing what he heard, rather than fitting into predetermined chorus structures and harmonies. His raw, highly vocalized sound and penchant for playing “in the cracks” of the scale led many Los Angeles jazz musicians to regard Coleman’s playing as out-of-tune. He sometimes had difficulty finding like-minded musicians with whom to perform.

Coleman originally intended “Free Jazz” as simply an album title, but his growing reputation placed him at the forefront of jazz innovation, and free jazz was soon considered a new genre, though he has expressed discomfort with the term, as his music contains a considerable amount of composition. Coleman’s melodic material, while skeletal, strongly recalls the melodies that Charlie Parker wrote over standard harmonies, and in general, the music is closer to the bebop that came before it than is sometimes popularly imagined.

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After the Atlantic period and into the early part of the 1970s, Coleman’s music became more angular and engaged fully with the jazz avant-garde which had developed in part around his innovations. The mid-1990s saw a flurry of activity from Coleman: he released four records in 1995 and 1996, and for the first time in many years worked regularly with piano players.

In September 2006 he released a live album titled Sound Grammar with his newest quartet. This was his first album of new material in ten years and was recorded in Germany in 2005. It won the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for music, Coleman being only the second artist to win the award.

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Asia – Symfonia: Live in Bulgaria 2013

Progressive rock has been decimated  by the deaths of Keith Emerson, Greg Lake, and John Wetton within the last year. Prog Rock Magazine will be featuring a cover story about John Wetton’s music and life in their next issue.

Asia has released a three-disc live set, Symfonia: Live in Bulgaria 2013 which serves as their memorial to late singer John Wetton.

It was recorded in the Plovdiv Roman Theatre at the Sounds of the Ages festival four years ago and marks one of guitarist Sam Coulson’s first appearances with Asia after he replaced founding member Steve Howe. “The band never sounded better,” Wetton later said of the performance.

Asia, ‘Symfonia: Live in Bulgaria 2013′ Track Listing
“Sole Survivor”
“Time Again”
“Face On The Bridge”
“My Own Time”
“Holy War”
“An Extraordinary Life”
“Days Like These”
“Open Your Eyes”
“Only Time will Tell”
“Don’t Cry”
“Heroine”
“The Smile Has Left Your Eyes”
“Wildest Dreams”
“Heat of the Moment”

Read More: Asia Dedicate Upcoming Live Album ‘Symfonia’ to John Wetton | http://ultimateclassicrock.com/asia-symfonia-live-in-bulgaria-2013/?trackback=tsmclip

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Our 50 Year Journey with Livingston Taylor

I was chuffed to find out that our warm friend Livingston Taylor is celebrating 50 years as a musician, performer, and educator. Tomorrow, Wednesday, January 18th, will officially be declared “Livingston Taylor Day” by both Boston Mayor Marty Walsh and Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker. It gave me pause as I reflected on what Livingston Taylor has meant to our lives.

My wife and I have been dedicated fans of Liv’s music for 47 years. We have been blessed by Livingston’s charm and wit 10 times in concert.

I recall the first concert at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY, in July of 1970. Livingston Taylor was the opening act for Jethro Tull and unknown musician to us but he melted our hearts quickly. He sat directly on a stool in front of us playing acoustic guitar. We became enthralled as Liv sang, “Carolina Day”. We hunted down his first vinyl LP the next day and played it often during our dating years.

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The next concert was three years later, in December 1973 at the University of New Haven. I made arrangements with his manager Don Law to interview Livingston before the concert. I was forced to conduct the interview with a fellow WNHU-FM air personality. I warned this person NOT to mention James Taylor during the interview. I had been warned it infuriated Livingston Taylor to be asked or compared to his brother. That person swore to me he would not do that.

We get to the locker room before the show and Randy Newman, Liv’s opening act is pacing the floor and frequenting the restroom.  He stood off to the side as we interviewed Livingston Taylor. Don’t you know the idiot I am doing the interview with asks Livingston, “So what’s it like to have a famous brother like James? Livingston looks at him and then me and says, “Sorry, interview is over.” I pushed the saboteur off the locker bench, telling him, “Thanks for screwing this up for the station.” Randy Newman then said, “Hey guy, you really blew it for your buddy there.”

Many years later I had a good laugh with Livingston recalling that moment with him at The Towne Crier Cafe in Pawling, NY. We saw him perform there four times, once with his sister Kate Taylor. Livingston was always cordial after the show, willing to sign his CDs and chat with us. We would get seats right next to the stage and order dinner/desert. Livingston would come out of the kitchen, ascend the stage and ask us, “How was the desert? They have the best deserts at The Towne Crier.”

Note: Livingston Taylor will be performing the debut of his new album, Safe Home at the Towne Crier Cafe which is now located in Beacon, N.Y., on Saturday, Jan. 21.

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His signed book Stage Performance has proven invaluable to me as an educator. It has helped me refine how I connnect with my students. I have a peer in music and education with Liv giving me solace 🙂

So that has been our cherished 50-year journey with Livingston Taylor. We’re looking forward to seeing him receive his honors in Boston tomorrow. We won’t be there in person but we will be attending in the music of our hearts.

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Day Of The Doors, January 4th, 2017

50 years to the day of the release of their début album, January 4, 2017 will be proclaimed “Day Of The Doors” in the city of Los Angeles. The proclamation will be made Los Angeles City Council member Mike Bonin during a public event at the intersection of Pacific and Windward Avenues, the location of the iconic “Venice” sign.

Founding Doors members John Densmore and Robby Krieger will be on hand at the event as will family members of the late Ray Manzarek and Jim Morrison.

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The special Day of the Doors sign made by local Venice artist Alberto BevacquaI.

I recommend a couple of Doors publications to enhance the celebration.

First, try to find the Music Icons magazine on your local newsstand, The Doors, 50 Year Salute to the Dark Poets of Rock, The Story Behind Every Album. 

It is  well-organized. I took my time with the magazine, listening each day to a Doors album and reading the related pages. I found the content comprehensive and an entertaining read.

Second, I suggest acquiring the coffee table sized book, The Doors by The Doors with Ben Fong-Torres. It is a structured reference of The Doors history, told directly by Ray Manzarek, Robby Krieger and John Densmore. It is illustrated with lots of their private archive Doors photographs which I have never seen before.

The book  is available from amazon third-party sellers.

Finally play some Doors music to take part fully in the “Day Of The Doors”.

 

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Celebrate Ornette

Celebrate Ornette – SONG X RECORDS

A deluxe, limited edition box set paying tribute to the legendary Ornette Coleman. The set includes two dozen performances from some of modern music’s most iconoclastic artists, all centered on the visionary saxophonist/composer/bandleader/thinker’s incomparable legacy of music, ideas, and revolutionary spirit.

This supreme set includes all 24 performances from the two events, Ornette’s last performance at the “Celebrate Brooklyn” show and his Memorial at Riverside Church. The limited edition of only 1600 hand numbered sets boasts 4 LP’s, and the Deluxe 5 Disc Gatefold which is composed of 2 DVDs, 3 CDs, an exclusive black and white Ornette poster and a 26-page collector’s booklet with extensive liner notes by James Blood Ulmer, John Snyder, James Jordan, and Denardo Coleman. The albums are pressed on 128-gram vinyl at the legendary United Record Pressing in Nashville, Tennessee.

As a special bonus in the Gatefold, an original Ornette Coleman 10-page linen Memorial Program, signed by Denardo Coleman, is also included.

Featuring: Master Musicians Of Jajouka, Bill Laswell, Branford Marsalis, Bruce Hornsby, Cecil Taylor, David Murray, Flea, Geri Allen, Henry Threadgill, Jack Dejonette, James Blood Ulmer, Jason Moran, Joe Lovano, John Zorn, Karl Berger, Laurie Anderson, Nels Cline, Patti Smith, Pharoah Sanders, Ravi Coltrane, Savion Glover, Sonny Rollins, Thurston Moore, Yoko Ono.

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36th Annual John Lennon Tribute Honors Donovan

Theatre Within’s Annual John Lennon Tribute joyously celebrates John Lennon’s life, music and timeless message of peace, love and social activism. It is the only ongoing John Lennon Tribute concert in North America or Europe officially sanctioned by Yoko Ono.

This year’s Tribute will feature folk-rock legend Donovan, who will be honored as the recipient of the 2016 John Lennon Real Love Award. Having accompanied the Beatles on their historic journey to India, Donovan will perform a special extended set dedicated to John Lennon, which will include Beatles songs and his own classics.

“I am delighted to be honored at this year’s ‘John Lennon Real Love Award.’ And I am amazed to say that John has written a song through me which I will sing at the Tribute with special guests. Please support Theatre Within and remember, PEACE BEGINS WITHIN.”  — Donovan

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Dear Jerry Let’s Play 2

Dear Jerry: Let’s Play 2 two epic concert events honoring the diverse musical talents of Jerry Garcia. Set to take place Friday, October 14, 2016 and Saturday, October 15, 2016 in the MD/DC/VA metropolitan area, the milestone events pay tribute to the iconic musician with two-nights of unprecedented performances by an extraordinary lineup of musicians. Dear Jerry: Let’s Play 2 follows Blackbird Presents’ and the Jerry Garcia family’s acclaimed 2015 concert, Dear Jerry: Celebrating the Music of Jerry Garcia, set for release on Friday, October 14, 2016 and currently available for pre-order.

Dear Jerry: Let’s Play 2 – kicks off October 14th at Washington D.C.’s DAR Constitution Hall with “Jerry Uncovered: Exploring Jerry Garcia through the JGB Songbook,”. Featuring performances by Warren Haynes (on lead guitar and vocals), Alison Krauss, John Medeski, Don Was, Jamey Johnson, Raymond Weber and more.

The following night, at Fairfax, Virginia’s EagleBank Arena, Haynes, the Avett Brothers and other special guests will lead “This Is 30!,” a performance that recreates a classic Jerry Garcia Band show from October 1986, a gig that marked the Grateful Dead singer’s return to the stage.

Pre-sale tickets go on sale, today, Tuesday, August 30, 2016 at 12PM via ticketmaster.com. Use code: JERRY to purchase pre-sale tickets.

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