Away Team

The music and legacy of ZZ TOP - “That Little ol’ Band from Texas,” that has been part of the world’s musical landscape for over 40 years – will be celebrated with the October 11th release of A TRIBUTE FROM FRIENDS.

The album, to be released by Show Dog-Universal Music, features 11 classic ZZ Top songs interpreted by top-flight artists working in a broad range of musical genres. All of the album’s tracks have been newly recorded, specifically for the project. These include Filter’s performance of “Gimme All Your Lovin’,” Grace Potter & The Nocturnals’ take on “Tush,” as well as Wyclef Jean’s “Rough Boy,” “Legs” from Nickelback and Wolfmother’s interpretation of “Cheap Sunglasses.”

The album kicks off with “Sharp Dressed Man,” from The M.O.B., Mick Fleetwood’s ad hoc group that includes fellow Fleetwood Mac founder John McVie as well as Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and guitar great Jonny Lang. Fleetwood commented, “We’re delighted to honor ZZ Top this way. Their legacy, like that of the original Fleetwood Mac, is steeped in the blues we all love so much. I know that Steven and Jonny feel as strongly about their legacy as John and I do.”

After Billy F Gibbons, Dusty Hill and Frank Beard, the original–and continuing– members of ZZ Top were informed that A Tribute From Friends was in the offing, they issued the following statement:

“When we were told there was going to be a ZZ Top tribute album a while ago and logically asked, ‘Who are we paying tribute to?’ Then we found out that a bunch of great artists were paying tribute to us and we were in disbelief. For the past forty or so years, all we’ve done is get out there and crank it and try to have a good time while doing so. To a great extent, we’ve succeeded since we’re still having a good time so that would be reward enough for ‘the same three guys playing the same three chords.’ Now comes A Tribute From Friends and we’re so delighted that our music resonates with these great musicians whom we so admire.”

A Tribute From Friends also includes “Waitin’ for the Bus/Jesus Just Left Chicago” by Daughtry, “Got Me Under Pressure” from Duff McKagan’s LOADED and Mastodon’s version of “Just Got Paid.” Coheed & Cambria contributed the anthemic “Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers” while country superstar Jamey Johnson’s track is the seminal “La Grange.” Of their invitation to be a part of the album, lead singer Chris Daughtry said, “We were completely honored! A classic great band with amazing songs? We’re in!” And of ZZ Top’s music, “It’s classic! Simple chord progressions, great riffs with hooky choruses…very inspiring to a band like us.”
The co-executive producer of A Tribute From Friends is Carl Stubner, ZZ Top’s manager, who noted, “A Tribute From Friends underscores the legacy of ZZ Top in the most musical way possible and illustrates just how important Billy, Dusty and Frank have been to successive generations. It was a privilege to work with the pantheon of brilliant artists who contributed their efforts and so much love to this project.”

Since Billy, Dusty and Frank founded ZZ TOP on the last day of 1969, the band has been responsible for the worldwide sale of over 50 million records highlighted by many of the very same songs heard on A Tribute From Friends as well many others including “Sharp Dressed Man,” “Pearl Necklace,” “I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide,” “Tube Snake Boogie” and a score of smash hit albums that include the RIAA Diamond Award winning (10 million sold) Eliminator as well as gold and platinum winners Afterburner, Fandango!, Deguello, Recycler, Antenna, El Loco, Tejas, Tres Hombres plus compilation sets. Their hit repertoire, iconic and award-winning videos and massive touring schedule has made them a favorite with audiences throughout the world and beyond – they previewed a track from their forthcoming album aboard the Soyuz space vehicle. They are recipients of the Texas Cultural Trust’s 2011 Texas Medal of the Art and had previously been named “Official Texas Heroes” by the state’s House of Representatives. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones in 2004 who cited the band’s remarkable consistency and longevity and, first and foremost, the fact that ZZ Top is “steeped in the blues,” calling them “the heartbeat of the whole country and the heartbeat of rock ‘n’ roll.”

Waitin’ For the Bus/Jesus Left Chicago-Daughtry by RCA Music Group

A TRIBUTE FROM FRIENDS – TRACK LISTING
1. “Sharp Dressed Man” – The M.O.B. (Mick Fleetwood, Steven Tyler, Jonny Lang & John McVie)
2. “Gimme All Your Lovin’” – Filter
3. “Tush” – Grace Potter & The Nocturnals
4. “Legs” – Nickelback
5. “Cheap Sunglasses” – Wolfmother
6. “Got Me Under Pressure” – Duff McKagan’s LOADED
7. “Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers” – Coheed & Cambria
8. “Just Got Paid” – Mastodon
9. “Rough Boy” – Wyclef Jean
10. “Waitin’ for the Bus / Jesus Just Left Chicago” – Daughtry
11. “La Grange” – Jamey Johnson

For more ZZ TOP click here.

Eagle Rock Entertainment, through its subsidiary Eagle Records, is delighted to release Boogie 4 Stu on April 19, 2011. A tribute to pianist Ian Stewart, a founding member of the Rolling Stones who went on to serve as their long-term road manager, this album will be released near the 25th anniversary of his passing. Sales from Boogie 4 Stu will benefit the British Heart Foundation.

Boogie 4 Stu, mixed by Glynn Johns, was created and produced by fellow pianist Ben Waters, a member The A, B, C & D of Boogie Woogie, which also features Charlie Watts. Initially planned by Waters as a solo album, Boogie 4 Stu soon took on a life of its own. The album highlight for many will be the version of Bob Dylan’s song “Watchin’ The River Flow,” which features Mick Jagger on vocals & harmonica, Keith Richards on guitar, Charlie Watts on drums, Ronnie Wood on guitar and Bill Wyman on bass. Although all musicians recorded their respective tracks at different times and locations, this song marks the first time Wyman has recorded with his colleagues since 1992. PJ Harvey, who happens to be Waters’ cousin, also contributes to the album, as well as Jools Holland, whose studio the CD was recorded in. The album finishes with the Sam Cooke track “Bring It On Home,” performed by Ian Stewart with Rocket 88 at the Montreux Jazz Festival.
As well as his work with the Rolling Stones, Ian Stewart played with a host of other talents including Led Zeppelin [this album is named after their track Boogie With Stu], Howlin’ Wolf, The Yardbirds, his own band Rocket88 and more. Keith Richards said, “Ian Stewart. I’m still working for him. To me the Rolling Stones is his band. Without his knowledge and organization … we’d be nowhere.”

“Everyone who is on the Boogie 4 Stu album knew Ian Stewart really well,” says Waters. “…Despite this I felt many music fans needed an introduction to the man and his music. To some he was a roadie that played a bit of piano, to his friends and fans the opposite was true.”

BOOGIE FOR STU TRACKLISTING
1) Boogie Woogie Stomp (Albert Ammons)
Piano – Ben Waters
2) Rooming House Boogie (Amos Milburn)
Keith Richards – Guitar
Bill Wyman – Bass
Ben Waters – Piano, Vocals
Ady Milward – Drums
Derek Nash – Sax
Clive Ashley – Sax
3) Worried Life Blues (Big Maceo)
Charlie Watts – Drums
Keith Richards – Vocals
Ronnie Wood – Vocals, Guitars
Dave Green – Double Bass
Jools Holland – Hammond Organ
Willy Garnet – Sax
Don Wellor – Sax
Ben Waters – Piano
4) Boogie For Stu (Waters, Holland)
Ben Waters – Piano
Jools Holland – Piano
Dave Green – Double Bass
Charlie Watts – Drums
Willy Garnet – Sax
Don Wellor – Sax
5) Make Me A Pallett On Your Floor (Jimmy Yancey)
Jools Holland – Piano, Vocals
Ben Waters – Hammond Organ
Dave Green – Double Bass
Charlie Watts – Drums
Willy Garnet – Sax
Don Wellor – Sax
Alex Garnet – Baritone Sax
6) Midnight Blues (Trad)
Charlie Watts – Drums
Jools Holland – Piano
Ben Waters – Piano
7) Lonely Avenue (Ray Charles) Recorded On Stu’s Piano
Pj Harvey Vocals, Bv’s Sax
Ben Waters, Piano, Organ, Bv’s
8 ) Watchin The River Flow (Bob Dylan)
Keith Richards – Guitar
Mick Jagger – Vocals, Harmonica
Charlie Watts – Drums
Ronnie Wood – Guitar
Bill Wyman – Bass
Ben Waters – Piano
Tom Waters – Alto Sax
Willy Garnet – Sax
Don Wellor – Sax
Alex Garnet – Baritone Sax
Dave Swift – Tambourine
9) Roll ‘Em Pete (Big Joe Turner)
Hamish Maxwell – Vocals
Charlie Watts – Drums
Dave Green – Double Bass
Jools Holland – Piano
Ben Waters – Piano
Willy Garnet – Sax
Don Wellor – Sax
Terry Taylor – Guitar
10 Suitcase Blues (Albert Ammonns)
Ben Waters – Piano
11 Bring It On Home To Me (Sam Cooke)
Ian Stewart Live From Montreux Jazz Festival With Rocket 88









Watching The River Flow by Eagle Rock




For more BOOGIE FOR STU click here.

BEE GEES
In Our Own Time
Eagle Rock Entertainment
8 out of 10

So why are we reviewing a BEE GEES DVD on a hard rock/metal music website? Because I grew up in the 70s. And there was no bigger band in the late 70s than the BEE GEES. Saturday Night Fever came out in 1977 about the Disco scene in New York. If the Producer of the film didn’t fight for them, they’d have never been on the soundtrack, and that may have meant that you may have never heard of the BEE GEES. That soundtrack is the second best selling soundtrack ever. No children, Titanic did not outsell Saturday Night Fever. That’s how huge the soundtrack is.

So while I expected the DVD to be more of a concert what I got was the extensive history of the band. Most people only know of the ‘disco era’ BEE GEES, but they started out on TV in 1960, 17 years prior to Saturday Night Fever! Brian Epstein the manager of the Beatles was sent a demo of them and after watching a sound check had them come to his office and sign a contract that afternoon.

Their sound began in the true early 60’s rock genre. Think Beatles and early Rolling Stones. Through the 60s and into the 70s their sound matured as they did. They had several hits long before their disco sound; New York Mining Disaster 1941 was their second single and first top 20 radio hit in 1967. To Love Somebody was their second big hit that has since been covered by Gram Parsons, Rod Stewart, Janis Joplin, The Animals, Nina Simone, Otis Redding, and more.

Almost by accident in the early 70s Barry Gibb in the studio found out he had a falsetto voice as well as his regular singing voice. And that is when the BEE GEES sound solidified, and they took the world over, if only for a short period of time.

They had more top ten songs that they wrote for other people in country, rock, pop, and soul, than they had as recording artists themselves. Diana Ross, Barbra Streisand, & Celine Dion are just a few of the artists to top the charts with BEE GEES penned songs.

The DVD also covers the deaths of Andy and Maurice, the trials of the road, the studio, brothers in family and in a band, and shouldering the stigma of ‘the band that killed disco’.

Would you call them an influential band? I don’t think so (Faith No More did cover their I Started A Joke for what it’s worth), but if you are a child of the 70s and you still own your original vinyl copy of SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER, and still play it, Tragedy, and other BEE GEES classic tunes on your iPod like I do, then this DVD is just for you. As told by the BEE GEES themselves.

The only thing missing on the DVD is a concert (which is why I gave it an 8 out of 10). It would have been a great way to finish off the story that is the BEE GEES. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t pick up BEE GEES In Our Own Time. It just means that after you watch and learn how proliferant that the BEE GEES are, you should go pick up BEE GEES One Night Only as a great companion piece.

To purchase BEE GEES In Our Own Time click here.
To purchase BEE GEES One Night Only click here.
For more BEE GEES click here.

Rock producer and historian Denny Somach today announced the establishment of the Classic Rock Society of America. The organization will be devoted to the preservation, promotion and celebration of classic rock music by the artists, musicians, producers and fans of the most popular musical category of the past fifty years.

Somach is a recognized expert on Classic Rock and considered one of the architect’s of the Classic Rock radio format, which has become dominant in broadcasting and attracts millions of listeners. He has produced over 7500 hours of classic rock programming and maintains one of the largest archives of audio, video and data related to the topic. Somach has also authored numerous articles and books on the subject and appeared as an authority on shows including Today, Larry King , CBS Early Show, Dateline NBC, CNN, CNBC, MTV and others.

“The appeal of classic rock artists like the Beatles, Rolling Stones, the Who, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, the Doors, Moody Blues, Yes, Grateful Dead, Jethro Tull, Aerosmith, Styx, Deep Purple, Queen, the Allman Brothers and many, many others has never been more popular,” said Somach. “Classic rock has become cross-generational and is the most popular rock music format not just in the US and Canada, but around the world.”

The Classic Rock Society of America (CRSA) is an organization where people from all over the world can experience and commemorate their favorite music. Many colleges and universities have classes about this music and it is being taught everywhere. The CRSA will act as a resource center for students and teachers, enabling them to further enhance their study of classic rock.

CRSA was inspired by the UK’s Classic Rock Society, with a membership of thousands, and Classic Rock magazine, a publisher, recording label and music promoter. Both organizations are dedicated to the growth of all classic rock music. The UK’s Classic Rock Magazine presents a number of live shows, including the recent High Voltage Festival, which featured ZZ Top, Foreigner, Asia, Bachman-Turner, Uriah Heep, Argent and a reformed Emerson, Lake and Palmer to celebrate its 40th anniversary.

Rick Wakeman is the honorary Chairman of the U.K. Classic Rock Society. “When I contacted him about the Classic Rock Society of America we were launching, he immediately lent his support and thought it was about time something like this was established in America.” Subsequently the other founding board members including John Wetton of Asia and Dave Cousins of the Strawbs have publically announced their support.
“I have also spoken to over fifty musicians, producers and managers who are more than happy to not only lend their name but become actively involved in the Classic Rock Society of America,” stated Somach.

The Classic Rock Society of America will debut as an interactive web site and its own radio channel. It will also include marketing and promotion entities. The virtual society will eventually have a physical location where musicians and fans can visit and enjoy the many facets of the musical genre. Somach said, “We have already been contacted by a couple of municipal development organizations about locating a facility in their communities.”

For more CLASSIC ROCK SOCIETY OF AMERICA click here.

From USA TODAY:
The concert business will end 2010 on a sour note, Live Nation Executive Chairman Irving Azoff told analysts today.

“We’re still not seeing a consumer recovery” in ticket sales, after a summer when revenues declined, Azoff said at a meeting organized by Liberty Media. Liberty owns 14% of Live Nation, the No. 1 owner of concert halls and, with Ticketmaster, an e-commerce powerhouse.

Next year may improve, he said, as hitmakers who sat on the sidelines in 2010 plan major tours. He’s especially optimistic that the cast of the TV show Glee, Van Halen, Avril Lavigne, Christina Aguilera, and Fleetwood Mac will fill arenas and ampitheaters.

Read the whole article here.

***EDITOR’S NOTE: Sure Glee and Van Halen MAY pack arenas in 2011. But Christina Aguilera already cancelled her tour this year because of poor ticket sales. Fleetwood Mac has always been steady ticket sellers but they’ve gone the way of the Eagles (who cancelled shows this year also) and the Rolling Stones as far as insanely escalating ticket prices. Is the general public going to shell out up to $200 each to see the Mac do a greatest hits package yet again? Sure they forked it over for Lady Gaga this summer, but she is the anomaly not the norm this concert year.

You want to pack arenas again? You want to sell tickets again? It’s a simple fix that everyone in the industry except Live Nation seem to understand. Lower the ticket price.

Do you know where your ticket price comes from? first and foremost it is the band’s guarantee. So if the smoking gun is to be believed, Aerosmith received $1,000,000 per gig for their last 18 show run. The production costs of the show equal the second part of the ticket price. Everything from the local crew (people that set up and tear down the show) to dressing room demands, to feeding up to 100 people backstage two or three meals per show (say $25,000 per show).

If your local venue holds 15,000 people then for the last Aerosmith tour $66.66 went to the artist Guarantee and $2 went to production cots. That’s $68.00 per 15,000 people, assuming the show sells out. Most promoters don’t bet on a sell out. They take HALF the house as a figure to base the ‘break even’ point for each show. Here the math gets fuzzy and harder to figure out. Now the promoters have come up with a sliding scale for tickets. You want to get sweat on by a band? Then they figure you’ll pay up to $200 or more for that privilege. You want to smoke a joint in the nosebleed sections then you are only paying $60 or so.

It all boils down to the promoters paying too much money for the rights to the artists’ tour. Most of the major promoters have seen this and are attempting to get the bands to lower their guarantees. Allowing them to lower their ticket price, thus getting more people through the door to sell merchandise and beer to. Live Nation wants to be the biggest, and the baddest, so they keep over bidding for artists and over paying them to ensure that LN has more tours, more shows, and more artists than anyone else.

This results in you the music fan having to decide if you want to shell out your hard earned money in this cash strapped economy to see your favorite band or to sit at home and pay a bill, or get your car repaired. When concert tickets are as much as new car payments, your decision is pretty simple.

Based on the spring and summer concert ticket sales for 2010 it seems you the music fan and concert goer have spoken out by simply NOT buying high dollar tickets. Most promoters AND artists have heard you. And they are working to reduce ticket costs while still making money themselves (after all music IS a business… sadly).

Live Nation, based on many industry reports and articles I have read, haven’t figured that out yet. They want to be top dog. And they seem to be saying they’ll get there regardless of you, the fan, (read you the bottom line… you pay their bills, not the artists, not their employees, you the one buying the tickets) and how these ridiculously high ticket prices negatively impact you.

On October 12, Eagle Rock Entertainment will simultaneously release the DVD and Blu-ray editions of the long-awaited Ladies & Gentlemen…The Rolling Stones. This is probably the most sought after Rolling Stones concert performance and it has been fully restored and remastered from the original film print and multitrack audio masters. Ladies & Gentlemen follows the highly successful CD reissue of Exile On Main Street (Universal Music Group) in May of this year and the Stones In Exile DVD (Eagle Rock Entertainment) on June 22, 2010. The October 12 releases will be followed shortly after by a deluxe edition box set with additional bonus material and memorabilia.

Filmed in Texas in 1972 over four nights of the “Exile On Main Street” US tour, Ladies & Gentlemen was premiered at the Ziegfield Theatre in New York on April 15, 1974 and released into selected cinemas across the USA shortly afterwards. Bonus features on this release include tour rehearsal footage from Montreux, plus two interviews with Mick Jagger; one from a 1972 Old Grey Whistle Test show, and one filmed in 2010.

The line-up for this show comprised Mick Jagger (vocals), Keith Richards (guitars), Charlie Watts (drums), Bill Wyman (bass), Mick Taylor (guitars) with Bobby Keys (saxophones), Jim Price (horns) and Nicky Hopkins (piano). Ladies & Gentlemen was billed at the time as “…the most powerful rock film ever made” and is considered by many fans to be the finest Rolling Stones performance ever captured on film. This is simply unmissable!

Ladies & Gentlemen… The Rolling Stones Track Listing:
Brown Sugar
Bitch
Gimme Shelter
Dead Flowers
Happy
Tumbling Dice
Love In Vain
Sweet Virginia
You Can’t Always Get What You Want
All Down The Line
Midnight Rambler
Bye Bye Johnny
Rip This Joint
Jumpin’ Jack Flash
Street Fighting Man

For more Rolling Stones click here.

A music writer can spend two to three nights a week in clubs and venues watching artists and musicians perform. We write about what we saw, so that you the reader can find out what you missed because you didn’t go to the show. For the most part, show reviews tend to be good if not fair. Trying to entice you off your couch, out of your house, and into the venues to see the artist the next time they come through town.

Sometimes they can be very critical, everyone has a bad day, artists and musicians are no exception. Sometimes they have bad shows, from equipment problems, to PA problems, to health problems. But very rarely will you see a show so bad that you will write what may become the quintessential worst (read BEST) show review ever.

There are only two or three artists who could ever warrant such a review, because there are only really two or three artists that could have such a complete meltdown on stage. Fiona Apple (already happened), Oasis (already happened), and of course Courtney Love.

David Malitz of The Washington Post witnessed the latest on stage meltdown by Ms Love, and wrote what in my opinion may become the greatest show review ever.

Some Excerpts:

From David Malitz at the The Washington Post:
“Imagine a Hole concert that doubles as a complete Courtney Love meltdown. Not too hard to do. Now imagine it being 10 times more disastrous than that — we’re talking one incomplete song after another, offensive and rambling stage banter, exhibitionism, a mass exodus of paying customers. Now imagine it being nearly three hours long. You can start to get a picture of the epic train wreck that was Hole‘s Sunday night show at the 9:30 Club.”

David continues:

“She took the stage nearly an hour past the advertised 9:30 start time, smoking a cigarette and rambling about how she was late because, allegedly, she had just been hanging out with a senator friend. (She left the friend’s identity a mystery.)
She also introduced an assistant, Lisa, who was onstage for the entire show filming Love on an iPhone. Not on the side of the stage. Not filming a few songs. The entire show, onstage, often directly in front of Love.”

Still not sure this is the best review ever?

Please check out the entire enterview at The Washington Post

I leave you with this last excerpt:

“When Love did get around to singing, her voice sounded as if something had died in her throat. Love has a blood-curdling howl, by far her most effective asset as a performer. She should have used it more on Sunday. During the choruses of “Miss World” and “Violet” — two of her best and most popular songs — she turned the microphone to the crowd and didn’t bother singing. Other times she skipped lines in order to cough or take a sip of water or just . . . not sing. Of the nearly 30 songs (or song fragments), not even a handful were completed without some minor disaster.
Love took a request for “Rock Star” despite admitting that she didn’t remember how to play it. She stumbled through half the song without strumming one correct chord. She played a new song, “Pretty Your Whole Life.” It was bad. Half an hour later, she played it again. It was worse.”

Take 10 minutes and follow the link to the full review at The Washington Post. You’ll be glad you did.

Carlos Santana was initially intimidated by mentor Clive Davis‘ pitch for his next album — another “Supernatural“-style all-star collaboration, but this time on a collection of iconic rock songs by the likes of the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, AC/DC and others.
“I was like, ‘No, I don’t know if I want to do this one, Clive. This one’s a little challenging,‘” the guitarist and bandleader told Billboard.com.
“And he would stay on the phone for at least 45 minutes to an hour, three times in one year, and I was like, ‘Oh, lord…’ But then I started realizing that someone with that intense passion of commitment couldn’t be wrong, so I had to trust him. And it was incredible.”

The album — Santana‘s first since “All That I Am” in 2005 — is due out in September and is not yet titled. The track list is being finalized as well, but during sessions Santana reunited with “Smooth” partner Rob Thomas on Cream‘s “Sunshine of Your Love” and worked with Joe Cocker on Jimi Hendrix‘s “Little Wing,” Scott Weiland on the Rolling Stones‘ “Can’t You Hear Me Knocking,” Chris Daughtry on Def Leppard‘s “Photograph,” Soundgarden‘s Chris Cornell on Led Zeppelin‘s “Whole Lotta Love,” Papa Roach‘s Jacoby Shaddix on Deep Purple‘s “Smoke on the Water” and rapper Nas, who lays down rhymes on AC/DC’s “Back in Black.”

Santana chose half of the songs while Davis, Sony Music‘s chief creative officer, picked the other half. Davis, who originally signed Santana in the 1960s, masterminded his 1999 comeback “Supernatural,” a worldwide smash that also garnered nine Grammys.
“What I brought to the table is my heart, knowing that I complement, I don’t compete,” Santana said of the recording sessions. “I brought my heart, trusting that there’s enough in me of purity and innocence and genuineness that I couldn’t possible, excuse the expression, fuck it up. I know Eric (Clapton). I know Jeff Beck. I know Jimmy Page. And they know me. I have supreme certainty and confidence that they’re going to say, ‘Hey man, I love what you did with my song.”
While he considers every song “incredible,” Santana said his very favorite is the Beatles’ “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” which he recorded with India Arie and cellist Yo Yo Ma.
“I sent the song to George Harrison‘s widow, Olivia, and I got back an email that says, ‘Carlos, I listened to the song and I started crying and jumping with joy at the same time. And I want you to know that George really loved you, because he understood your passion for compassion.’ And I was like, ‘Bam!’ that’s like George Harrison himself, through his beautiful wife, validating my existence and what I did with that song.”
Santana plans to preview some of the covers during his upcoming summer tour with Steve Winwood, which gets under way June 30 in Saint Paul, Minn. He also plans to have Winwood “join my band” for collaborations he hopes are “totally different” than what fans might expect.
“I would prefer not to do Steve Winwood or Santana songs with him,” Santana explained. “I would like to go to the Bob Marley repertoire or Marvin Gaye or African music by King Sunny Ade or really, really obscure other-side-of-the-tracks. So I’m crossing my fingers.”
After the summer tour with Winwood, Santana is returning to Las Vegas in August for his second residency at the Hard Rock Hotel. Santana is touring Europe in September and October, including a stop at London’s O2 Arena.
Santana has another album ready to go as well, an all-instrumental set called “Shape Shifter,” which he recorded with his band and he plans to release after the next album has run its course.

Current SANTANA dates:
5/25/2010 Tuesday Pavilhão Atlântico, Lisbon
5/28/2010 Friday Le festival MAWAZINE Rythmes du nde, Rabat, Morocco
6/30/2010 Wednesday Xcel Energy Center, St Paul, MN Steve Winwood
7/1/2010 Thursday Summerfest, Milwaukee, WI Steve Winwood
7/3/2010 Saturday Saturday in the Park Festival, Sioux City, IA Steve Winwood Free Festival
7/4/2010 Sunday Starlight Theatre, Kansas City, MO Steve Winwood
7/6/2010 Tuesday Riverbend Music Center, Cincinnati, OH Steve Winwood
7/7/2010 Wednesday Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, Indianapolis, IN Steve Winwood
7/9/2010 Friday Midwest Bank Amphitheatre, Tinley Park, IL Steve Winwood
7/10/2010 Saturday DTE Energy Music Theatre, Clarkston, MI Steve Winwood
7/11/2010 Sunday Molson Amphitheatre, Toronto, ON Steve Winwood
7/13/2010 Tuesday Quebec City International Summer Festival, Quebec City, QC Steve Winwood
7/14/2010 Wednesday Lebreton Flats, Ottawa, ON Steve Winwood
7/15/2010 Thursday Bell Centre, Montreal, QC Steve Winwood
7/17/2010 Saturday Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, Bethel, NY Steve Winwood
7/18/2010 Sunday Nikon at Jones Beach Theater, Wantagh, NY Steve Winwood
7/20/2010 Tuesday PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel, NJ Steve Winwood
7/21/2010 Wednesday Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, CT Steve Winwood
7/23/2010 Friday Comcast Center, Mansfield, MA Steve Winwood
7/24/2010 Saturday Trump Taj Mahal Casino/Hotel- Etess Arena, Atlantic City, NJ Steve Winwood
7/25/2010 Sunday Jiffy Lube Live, Bristow, VA Steve Winwood
7/27/2010 Tuesday Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheatre, Virginia Beach, VA Steve Winwood
7/28/2010 Wednesday Time Warner Cable Music Pavillion, Raleigh, North Carolina Steve Winwood
7/29/2010 Thursday Chastain Park Amphitheatre, Atlanta, GA Steve Winwood
7/31/2010 Saturday 1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheatre, Tampa, FL Steve Winwood
8/1/2010 Sunday Cruzan Amphitheater, West Palm Beach, FL Steve Winwood
8/25/2010 Wednesday The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, NV
8/27/2010 Friday The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, NV
8/28/2010 Saturday THe Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, NV
8/29/2010 Sunday The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, NV
9/1/2010 Wednesday The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, NV
9/3/2010 Friday The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, NV
9/4/2010 Saturday The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, NV
9/5/2010 Sunday The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, NV
9/29/2010 Wednesday O2, Dublin, Ireland
10/1/2010 Friday O2 Arena, London,UK
10/2/2010 Saturday MEN Arena, Manchester,UK
10/3/2010 Sunday Newcastle Arena, Newcastle,UK
10/5/2010 Tuesday Gleredome, Arnhem, NL
10/6/2010 Wednesday Sportpaleis, Antwerp, BE
10/7/2010 Thursday König-Pilsener-Arena, Oberhausen, Germany
10/9/2010 Saturday Hallenstadion, Zürich, Switzerland
10/10/2010 Sunday Zenith, Dijon, FR
10/12/2010 Tuesday Bercy, Paris, France
10/13/2010 Wednesday SAP-Arena , Mannheim, Germany
10/15/2010 Friday O2 Arena, Prague, CZ
10/16/2010 Saturday O2 World, Berlin, Germany
10/17/2010 Sunday Olympiahalle, Munich, Germany
10/19/2010 Tuesday Mediolanum Forum, Milan, Italy
10/20/2010 Wednesday Rothaus Halle , Friedrichshafen, Germany
10/23/2010 Saturday O2 World, Hamburg, Germany
10/25/2010 Monday Arena Fyn, Odense, DK
10/27/2010 Wednesday The Globe, Stockholm, SE
10/29/2010 Friday Vestlandshallen, Bergen, Norway
10/30/2010 Saturday Vikingaskeppen, Hamar, Norway

For more information visit Santana‘s website here.

Source: Reuters.com

 

The first time I witnessed the phenomona that is Jonny Lang was 13 years ago at an outdoor amphitheatre in Hartford, CT.  Jonny was a mere 16 years old, and already on his way to becoming the world’s next great guitar virtuoso.  The year was 1997… now 5 albums, several tours, and a Grammy later, Jonny helps fill in the blanks of his life since then.  Kid Jonny and I spoke about the Grammy’s, God, and a certain Idol he also worships.

AWAY-TEAM:  First of all, congratulations on your new album ”Live at the Ryman” which came out on April 20th.  Great album, I’ve  been listening to it quite a bit.

JONNY LANG:  Aw man, thank you.

AWAY-TEAM:  I really enjoy it.  I’ve been a fan of yours for a while.  But, I know you’ve been wanting to do a live album for a good while…why the Ryman Auditorium?  What made you choose that as the venue for your first ever live album?

JONNY LANG:  Well there’s a few reasons. Probably the main one just being, we had a good show that night, um.  And we had been recording most of our shows leading up to that, and that happened to be the one that, ya know turned out to be the best out of the ones that we had recorded, so.  But also just the fact that it’s the Ryman, it’s a historic venue, and it was such a great place to play, ya know, so I’m glad it turned out to be that particular show just because of that, ya know.

AWAY-TEAM:  So uh, one of the things people really enjoy about your work, aside from your voice, is watching you play guitar, and just kinda watching a craftsman at work.  Is there any chance we may get an accompanying DVD of this performance sometime down the road?

JONNY LANG:  You know, there was no video shot at that show, but we are looking to do a live DVD thing in the near future here so…  I’m not sure exactly when that would come out, but yeah that’s in the works.

AWAY-TEAM:  Cool. I’ll keep my eye out for that… Your current tour, it’s called “Live By Request”, has somewhat of a unique format.  Tell me about that.

JONNY LANG:  Well basically it’s just a um, we kinda had this idea that people could write in to the website, tell us which show they’re going to, and then request the songs they would like to hear for the night.  Then we tally up the number of votes for whatever songs were requested and pick the top three or four or whatever, and then do those.  Sometimes it ends up being some of the same songs we’ve been playing over the past few years, but sometimes people pick older songs, earlier back in the catalog and we’ll throw those in the set.  So it’s just kind of a fun thing to switch it up a little, ya know.

AWAY-TEAM:  Right.  So you said that you kinda tally up the votes on that, so do you get to see all of the songs?  Have you seen any really cool songs that anyone’s requested that may not particularly be your song, but you said “Wow, I’ve never really played that live before, it’d be pretty cool.”?

JONNY LANG:  Yeah, I think people are just trying to be a little funny (laughs).  They’ll put in a Lynyrd Skynyrd song like “Free Bird”…

AWAY-TEAM:  (laughs)

JONNY LANG:  But uh, you know nothing really that out of the ordinary or strange.  No Steely Dan requests or anything like that, so.  (laughs)

AWAY-TEAM:  How about, I know you used to play a little Jimi Hendrix when you first started out.  Any of that coming back at all?

JONNY LANG:  Ya know, not really.  Um, yeah we used to do “Spanish Castle Magic”.  No, we haven’t done that in a while, but that’s a good idea, we might do that one.

AWAY-TEAM:  Yeah, I actually remember you playing that.  The first time I ever saw you play, was back in 1997, it was at what was then the Meadows Music Theatre in Hartford, CT.  You were about 16 at the time, and opening up for Aerosmith, and I remember saying to myself “Man, this kid’s only 16, and not only is he opening up for one of the greatest rock bands in the world, he’s actually giving ‘em a run for their money”.  I was just blown away by your performance.  What was it like back then, when you found out your first big tour was gonna be with those guys?  Were you intimidated? Excited?

JONNY LANG:  Man, just excited. And ya know they didn’t really give us a reason to be intimidated, they were all just so nice to us.  Yeah, they were just really great guys, and it was just fun.  It was a blast.

AWAY-TEAM:  Speaking of young talent, your younger sister Jessica (Jesse Langseth) was actually a semi-finalist on Season 8 of American Idol.  Has she been coming to you for advice or help? Or is she more of a “If I’m gonna do this, I’m gonna do it on my own” type of person?

JONNY LANG:  You know, she’s really smart. And uh, she’s very street smart too, and socially very capable.  So…she doesn’t need much help from big brother, but yeah we talk about stuff like that.  But yeah she’s got her head screwed on pretty good, so.

AWAY-TEAM:  Any chance we might see you working together in the future?

JONNY LANG:  Oh yeah.  There’s always a chance of that. Ya know, she’s um, she’s kinda I think taking a little bit of a break from the music thing at the moment.  But, it’s her passion.  It’s what she loves to do, so I’m sure she’ll be doing it for the rest of her life, on and off at least.

AWAY-TEAM:  Hey, that’s great.  She’s got the drive…..Now, back to tour mates, and collaborations.  You’ve toured and collaborated with people from all genres of music.  Ya know, from The Rolling Stones, to Buddy Guy, BB King, Sting, you’ve even played Crossroads with Eric Clapton.  And actually most recently, you played on Cyndi Lauper’s new album.  Is that correct?

JONNY LANG:  Yeah.  Yeah man, she made an incredible album.  I haven’t heard the final, I guess, version of it, but. Yeah she recorded it in Memphis, and it’s basically, ya know older soul and blues tunes, and she recorded it old school, one take-no overdubs kind of thing.  Man, she understands that music incredibly well, and is singing amazingly on it.  So I’m really excited for that record.  We’re actually doing some upcoming television shows for that record. (June 22nd and 24th, on The Howard Stern Show, and Regis and Kelly, respectively)

 AWAY-TEAM:  Yeah, I thought it was a really cool little twist for her music.  That was pretty cool.

JONNY LANG:  Yeah dude, she’s a deep, she’s a real deep person.  A true artist, ya know.

AWAY-TEAM:  Well if you could choose one person, from any genre, that you haven’t worked with, to do a collaboration with, who would it be?

JONNY LANG:  Man… It’s a tie between James Taylor and Stevie Wonder I’d say.  Those two, that would be just a dream come true.

AWAY-TEAM:  Wow, that would make for a great project.

JONNY LANG:  Yeah, they’re my favorites.

AWAY-TEAM:  Now back in 2000, you tragically lost your bassist Doug Nelson, right around that same time you kinda found your faith.  You were drinking heavily, and doing a little bit of drugs, and then thankfully found God.  Was Doug’s death ultimately what set you on that path?  Or when did you sort of hit “rock bottom” and decide it was time to turn things around?

JONNY LANG:  Man, I really didn’t have a like “rock bottom” experience per se, I was loving the partying and stuff like that.  So it was more that God just kinda stopped me in my tracks so to speak.  But, yeah you know what, Doug’s death happened a while after I kinda, I guess started my relationship with God.  It definitely affected my life, ya know he was a close friend, and a great guy, and when you lose somebody close to you it gives you a good healthy check on how important life is, and ya know, makes you realize what things are important, and what things you’re kinda just wasting your time with.  But yeah, he was a great friend, and just a great guy.

AWAY-TEAM:  The album “Turn Around”, which came out in 2006, earned you a Grammy for Best Gospel Album.  That was actually your last studio album, so when can we expect some new JONNY LANG?

JONNY LANG:  I’ve kinda started working on the next studio record, and it’s still in the trying to figure out where it’s going stage, I guess.  Stylistically, I’m trying to figure it out.  I’ve never written so many songs before, so there’s tons of songs to pick from, and uh.  It’s weird, every album cycle is different, it’s a different experience, and this one is just kinda moving slow for some reason.  Sometimes it happens right away, and sometimes it doesn’t, ya know.  I guess the main goal is to come up with something that is, you don’t wanna compromise the quality of it just to get it out there, so I try to make a good record no matter how long it takes. (laughs)

 AWAY-TEAM:  That’s important.  Now, you said that you were searching stylistically for what this new album’s gonna be like.  Should we be looking for something closer to the Gospel on “Turn Around” or closer to your roots on “Lie to Me”?

JONNY LANG:  Um, man, I really don’t know, actually.  I think it’s gonna end up being more of a fusion of like soul music and um, I guess just it’ll be more about the songwriting.  Ya know it might be more about the songs on this one, than the last one…if that makes sense.

AWAY-TEAM:  So more stress on the lyrics, as opposed to the actual musical composition?

JONNY LANG:  I think both.  But I think, it may be a little bit more intricate, as far as the musical arrangement and the lyrics go, ya know.  A little bit more of a crafted album, if that makes sense.  So, at least for me, (laughs) take a little bit more time with it.

AWAY-TEAM:  Well I’m certainly looking forward to it.  I know you’ve done a little bit of acting in the past, as well.  You were in “Blues Brothers 2000″, and an episode of “The Drew Carey Show”, that was all back in 1998.  Can we expect to see…

JONNY LANG:  (laughs)  I don’t know if it was acting.  It was more like just standing there trying to not look like an idiot. (laughing) But, yeah man. (laughs)

AWAY-TEAM:  (laughing)  So you might’ve just answered my question.  So, no more acting in your future?  Is that right?

JONNY LANG:  Probably not. Man it terrifies the life out of me.  I am not a natural born actor, for sure.  It scares me.  (laughs)

AWAY-TEAM:  I mean you play in front of 20-30,000, and it’s like second nature, but I guess acting is just a whole different realm, huh?

JONNY LANG:  I guess so man.  I guess when you’re on a stage and you’re kinda far away from people, you feel like you’re kinda isolated in a weird way.  It’s not as nerve-wracking for some reason in my mind.

AWAY-TEAM:  Well, one more question…you now live in California, and your manager Greg Classen, like myself, is from Massachusetts.  Who’s gonna win Game 7 tonight Celtics or Lakers?

JONNY LANG:  (laughing) Oh boy…well, being a guy who’s from Minnesota, as far as sports go anyway, I don’t really have a team, although I do live in L.A.  Ya know, I don’t know man, it’s such a good series, I would love to see Boston win.  Just because, that particular L.A. team has had such a good record, so it’d be nice to see Boston win for a change.

AWAY-TEAM:  I knew I liked you for a reason. (laughs)

JONNY LANG:  (laughs)  Yeah dude, I think I really like Boston a bit, because they’re more of like “street ballers”.  They’re like more rough, ya know, rough around the edges. So I kinda like that, I like their style.  But who knows man, it’s gonna be a good one.  (Sadly, I was hoping for Jonny to get his wish.  And we all know what happened.  Dammit.)

AWAY-TEAM:  Well, hey man, thank you so much for your time.  It’s been a great honor to speak with you…

JONNY LANG:  Aw, thanks man.

AWAY-TEAM:  Unfortunately, this last time you came around, just recently you were here in Ft. Lauderdale, and I was unable to make it out to the show.  but I’ll certainly be there next time you pass through Florida.

JONNY LANG:  Yeah dude, if you come out man, come back and say hey.

AWAY-TEAM:  I sure will…

JONNY LANG:  Call Greg, or the label, or something, and come back  and get hooked up man.

AWAY-TEAM:  Hey, if you wanna beat up on someone on the links (Jonny had just finished up on the golf course when we spoke) too ya know I’m free there.

JONNY LANG:  Oh dude, let’s do it.  I need a golf partner man, nobody here plays golf, so I usually end up playing by myself.  So that’d be cool man.

AWAY-TEAM:  I don’t know if what I do is called golf, but I’ll sure try. (laughs)

JONNY LANG:  (laughs)  Cool man, that sounds good.

AWAY-TEAM:  Well, hey man, thanks again, and like I said, next time you’re around I’ll definitely make it a point to get together with you.  Hopefully we’ll be talking about another Grammy here.

JONNY LANG:  (laughs)  I hope so man.  (laughs)

AWAY-TEAM:  Alright brother, well good luck tonight with the show, and with the rest of your tour, and hopefully we’ll be talking soon.

JONNY LANG:  Thank you man.  Thank you.  Take care.

AWAY-TEAM:  Take it easy.

JONNY LANG:  Bye.

For more information on Jonny Lang, such as tour dates, to request a song for one of those dates,  as well as to pick up his latest album visit http://www.jonnylang.com/

Special thanks go to Jonny Lang for so graciously giving me his time, Jonny’s manager Greg Classen for helping to coordinate things, and to Amanda Cagan at ABC PR for making this all possible.

Photos courtesy of Wayne Crans at Dead Bird Photography.

The second promotional video taken from the un-released material on Exile On Main Street – “Following The River” is an amazing vintage style animated story based video, following the journey of the Mississippi river from source to end. “Following The River” is one of ten previously unreleased tracks, from the Exile On Main Street Deluxe Edition, available on iTunes and Amazon NOW!

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