Greetings! Did you ever think about the roots of creativity and where it comes from? Specifically, did you ever think about the roots of Bob Dylan’s creativity, and where THAT comes from? I find myself thinking about this quite often, in fact, whenever I listen to Dylan’s music, this thought seems to pop into my head, and the thought is, “Where does he get this stuff?”. I mean, who comes up with lines like, “The sweet pretty things are in bed now of course/ The city fathers they're trying to endorse/ The reincarnation of Paul Revere's horse/ But the town has no need to be nervous.
The ghost of Belle Star she hands down her wits/ To Jezebel the nun she violently knits/ A bald wig for Jack the Ripper who sits/ At the head of the chamber of commerce.” *

     Now, it’s not just the imagery, which no one else alive could have come up with, but look at the rhyming pattern. It’s AAAC/ BBBC, which is really pretty unusual. Here’s some more.

“The geometry of innocent flesh on the bone/ Causes Galileo's math book to get thrown/ At Delilah who's sitting worthlessly alone/ But the tears on her cheeks are from laughter.”

“Where Ma Raney and Beethoven once unwrapped a bed roll/ Tuba players now rehearse around the flagpole/ And the National Bank at a profit sells road maps for the soul/ To the old folks home and the college.” *

     These are some of my favorite Dylan lyrics, but there are countless examples of this kind of thing in his work. In this one song that I’ve quoted, “Tombstone Blues”, Bob rhymes “sick in” with “chicken” and “boys in” with “poison”. Not exactly June/ moon/ spoon stuff.

     Now, I’ve written quite a few songs myself, and they’ve been very well received by the people who’ve heard them, but I could never come up with anything remotely resembling the kind of writing Bob Dylan did in his early–mid years, and I don’t think anyone else could either, although a few have tried, most notably Bruce Springsteen and Patti Smith. Neither they, nor anyone else, have come anywhere close to The Master. There’s just no frame of reference for this stuff, or, at least there wasn’t before Bob Dylan. And let’s also not forget that Bob writes alone, unlike other great songwriters of our age, like Lennon-McCartney or Jagger-Richard, and NO ONE, does this kind of word association like Bob. He invented it!

     I think Bob, himself, summed it up best (as usual), when one of the Stones asked Bob who was the better songwriter. Bob’s reply was, “Well, I could have written “Satisfaction”, but you never could have written “Mister Tambourine Man”. Nuff said. Bob Dylan, Poet Laureate of the 20th Century (and probably beyond). Next time you’re someplace and one of Bob’s songs from this period comes on, stop and listen, really listen, to the lyrics and what they mean, and ask yourself, “Where does this come from, and what does it mean?” It’s mind boggling!

     Recommended shows for this week are:

Tonight, Thursday, August 25th, we kick off the weekend with THREE OF A PERFECT PAIR, featuring TONY LEVIN, ADRIAN BELEW, and PAT MASTELOTTO. This show is prog-rock paradise. Separately and together, these guys have played and recorded with the likes of John Lennon, Peter Gabriel, Pink Floyd, Mr Mister, XTC, Talking Heads, David Bowie, Frank Zappa, NIN, David Sylvian, Laurie Anderson and of course, King Crimson. 

Friday, August 26 is the start of the three day BLUESTOCK FESTIVAL at Hunter Mountain. Headliners are BUDDY GUY, ROBERT CRAY, and ELVIN BISHOP, plus about twenty more great acts, including our own Bruce Katz and Alexis P. Suter. Also of note, Shemika Copeland and “Steady Rollin’” Bob Margolin, who played with Muddy Waters for years. Should be a good one, and I’m gonna try to get there for at least one day. More info at www.bluestock.com.

If you’re not heading up to Hunter, there’s an interesting show at the Falcon Friday night. It’s BERNARD ‘PRETTY’ PURDIE, who drummed on thousands of hit records over a 40 year period, including, it’s rumored, a few Beatles sessions. Purdie was one of the busiest drummers on the East Coast back in the day. Catch him while you can!

Saturday, August 27, we’ve got two great shows to pick from. BADFINGER rolls in to The Bearsville Theater, and ROBBIE FULKS returns to Marbletown Multi-Arts in Stone Ridge. Robbie is one of America's most multi-faceted and imaginative songwriters and singers. His unique combination of the smartest parts of country, rock and folk is even more apparent in a live setting. Fulks' music is intelligent, funny, dark, beautiful and honest. It lives at the intersection of George Jones, Elvis Costello and Shel Silverstein. And Badfinger, I’m sure, need no introduction, owing to their string of hit records like “No Matter What”. And let’s not forget that in their former incarnation as The Ivies, they were the first band signed to The Beatles’ Apple label.

If you’re not plumb tuckered out by Monday, head on over to The Bearsville Theater for a taste of the bayou with local favorites, VOODELIC. Last year, they were on the short list of local acts to appear at Mountain Jam, and even though I voted for them, they didn’t win, but this year, they were at Mountain Jam. This venue is a touch more intimate!

If you work in the city, or just happen to be there on Tuesday and/or Wednesday, CROSBY, STILLS, and NASH will be at The Beacon Theater for two shows, sans Young. Still very worth checking out, especially if you’re in the neighborhood anyway.

Have a great week!

* All quoted lyrics from “Tombstone Blues” by Bob Dylan. Used by permission.

Greetings! Last weekend, The Belleayre Music Festival was kind enough to comp us two tickets for the Jimmy Cobb So What Band. I couldn’t attend myself, so I asked my friend, Christian Benningnus, to cover the event for you, the Townsman readers. Christian was kind enough to write this review for us.

50th for Kind of Blue, an Evening of Brass and Silver

The day's rain and heat subsided, replaced by a cool country dark which would set the evening's tone. Coursing along rain-washed asphalt past black mountain silhouettes, I was accompanied by my beloved and by Bowie's David Live, en route to The Belleayre Music Festival.  The night's billing featured drummer Jimmy Cobb's So What Band, a tribute to the 50th anniversary of Miles Davis's quintessential Jazz album Kind of Blue, and to Cobb's role as sole-surviving member of that legendary line-up.  Cobb has played and recorded with Jazz greats such as John Coltrane, Cannonball Adderley, and Wes Montgomery, and his sensitivity to ensemble playing remains at the fore in the So What Band. 

Throughout the set, the band's dynamics drifted subtly in and out of tricky syncopation, delicate passages and the occasional hard groove, always faithful to understated line and grace. Along with Cobb, bassist Buster Williams and pianist Larry Willis represented the old guard, reminding the Jazz fan that properly observed tradition always breathes life.  While these three essential Jazz musicians provided support for the horn section, their interplay was a session in the joyful science that is Jazz. Willis's chordal ideas were inventive but Williams' playing was especially strong, his laid-back approach belying authority and gut.  The horn section included Vincent Herring (alto saxophone), Javon Jackson (tenor saxophone), and Christian Scott (trumpet). Scott's ability to capture Miles Davis's nuanced voice was well-suited to the aim of The So What Band, but Jackson's phrasing and attack were particularly notable. His soloing incorporated surprising hooks and burn.

Kudos must also be expressed for Belleayre Music Festival. The natural beauty and lush greenery of the surrounding Catskills provide an exceptional setting for good music.  The facility and grounds are both intimate and well-maintained, allowing for enjoyment of the concert without distraction.

And Kudos to Christian for this excellent review. It almost makes me feel like I was there!

After a whirlwind of activity and shows last week, this week, we only have two events that I’m recommending, but they’re both doozies! Saturday night at The Bearsville Theater, there will be a reunion of the great LEFT BANKE of “Walk Away Renee” reknown. I went to high school with these guys, and I’m really looking forward to this one.

Then on Monday and Tuesday, the amazing ALBERT LEE stops in at The Iridium in Manhattan. Monday night it’s a tribute to Les Paul, with Mister Lee performing with Les’ trio. Tuesday night, I imagine it’s ‘just’ a regular Albert Lee show. To see what this guy can do, pick up “Sweet Little Lisa” by Dave Edmunds. Albert is the featured guitarist on this cut, and my Facebook friends already know that I regard this as one of the two greatest recorded guitar solos of all time, the other being, “The Way I Walk” by Robert Gordon, featuring the immortal Link Wray.

Enjoy your week, and don’t forget to visit the new Reservoir Music website at www.reservoirmusiccenter.com. See ya!

     Hi everybody and welcome to this week’s Reservoir Music Notes. I hate to say it, but Summer’s almost over and the days are already getting shorter; a sobering thought! But, it’s still hot, and I’m still wearing shorts and a T shirt, so I guess Winter’s not quite here yet! Which means it’s still pretty hospitable for hitting the streets and supporting live music. There’s some really cool shows this week, but we’ll get to that later.

     You may have heard by now that Mick Jagger’s got a new band! They’re called Super Heavy, and it’s a super group of sorts. The other members are Joss Stone, Dave Stewart of The Eurythmics, Damian Marley (Bob’s son), and A.R. Rahman, a well known film scorer. Now, to me, this sounds like a band that might create some interesting music, but I was surprised to find that online comments about the band were almost 100% negative! And that’s before anybody even heard any of their music!

     I don’t understand that kind of pre-conceived negativity. If you hate their music, fine, but at least hear it first before forming an opinion. Only time will tell, I suppose, but I heard their first single a couple of times, and while it wasn’t that memorable, it also was pretty good and definitely bears further listening. The album is coming out in September, the single is online now, and a tour is possible.

     Tonight, Thursday, August 11, newly local resident, STEVE EARLE, brings his Dukes and Duchesses show to the Tarrytown Music Hall. The Dukes and Duchesses features Steve’s wife, singer Allison Moorer, who’s a major talent in her own right, with a successful solo career. The Earles are the first family of Americana. Steve is an innovator of the first order who seems to be at home in almost any genre, from rock n roll to country to bluegrass to even hip hop. He’s also a first rate songwriter, picker and performer. His show at The Bearsville Theater a couple of years ago was one of the best I saw all that year, so this is obviously highly recommended.

     Friday night, August 12, is a pretty major night for music. If you’re downstate, JOHN HYATT begins a two night engagement at the City Winery in Manhattan. Now Hyatt is one of our best songwriters and also a rocker of the highest caliber. I’m a latecomer to his talents and have never seen him play live, so this is a must see of the highest order. Also on Friday night, BOB DYLAN brings his band into Bethel Woods Center for the Arts with LEON RUSSELL opening. That’s a double bill that’s tough to beat!

     Saturday night, August 13 sees the great guitarist ERIC JOHNSON pull into THE CHANCE in Poughkeepsie. Johnson is top shelf all the way! His fretwork is unclassifiable and crosses all genre lines. Eric Johnson is one of the greats, and you will not be disappointed if you dig masterful, innovative, inventive, and creative guitar playing. This is a show that you do not want to miss!

     Wrapping up the week is a very special show. STEVE STEVENS will be playing Les Paul Night with Les’ band at The Iridium in Manhattan. Steve is best known as Billy Idol’s guitar player during Billy’s glory days. I was always impressed with Steve’s playing, and not just because he lived in my friend’s building in Manhattan where we would pass him in the halls at 3 AM, usually in the company of a couple of beautiful women! No, it was all about the guitar playing with Steve. He had the right tone and he played the right licks. He elevated Billy’s music. After he and Billy parted ways temporarily, Steve joined up with Hanoi Rocks vocalist, Michael Monroe to release some music under the name, Jerusalem Slim, and later on released a couple of albums with drummer extraordinaire, Terry Bozzio and Woodstock’s own Tony Levin. The man has quite an impressive track record!

The Steve Stevens show would be my Pick of the Week, but this week’s live music line up is of such a high level with no clunkers anywhere, that I really have to make every show a Pick of the Week this week. You just can’t go wrong with anything this week, so have a great one, and I’ll see you here next week.

     Hi again! I’ve been spending all my time this week on Spotify, Grooveshark, Pandora, and Last.fm, wading into the waters of internet music. All the sites I mentioned are streaming audio sites where you can create your own playlists for free, and if you want to access your music offline, or on your phone or mp3 player, you can upgrade to a premium account for a modest fee. It’s really cool and I’ve spent all week creating playlists of my favorite music. In fact, I’m listening to my Grooveshark playlist as I write. They have almost everything you’d want, and even perform one of the long lost functions of radio, that of turning the user on to new music or rare tracks by their favorite artists. My biggest complaint is that none of them seem to have The Beatles, but I suppose that’s to be expected, since Itunes only got them a short while ago. I highly recommend checking out some of these sites, especially if you haven’t bought a CD in years and your mom sold your record collection. You’ll feel like a kid again.

     There’s a new music venue in Kingston that y’all should make an effort to support. It’s called The Roundout Music Lounge, and it’s located, not surprisingly, down by the Roundout, at 21 Broadway. It’s a nice, cozy, comfortable, small venue, with a full bar and a good food menu. The neighborhood’s great, and everybody seems to be playing there already. So please check it out. We need all the live music spots to stay open.

     Also, over at Harmony, in Woodstock, owner Sha Wu has expanded the music room to include the whole restaurant, and they’ve opened up the snack bar that’s attached. What’s ensued is almost an entirely new room, and one that serves food pretty late, for all of you who forgot to eat dinner. The best part though, is that with the larger room, Harmony could actually fulfill it’s potential as a great live music room that could bring some national acts to Woodstock. We can only hope.

     It seems like most of the cool live music this week is concentrated on the weekend, so let’s get to it.

Friday night, August 5th, is the grand opening of the aforementioned Roundout Music Lounge. They had their ‘soft’ opening a few weeks ago, but I guess Friday’s gonna make it official, so head on down, if you’re so inclined. Should be a fun party.

     Also on Friday night, is this week’s Pick of the Week. THE DUKE AND THE KING are playing at the Byrdcliffe Barn, which looks like a really cool place to see a band. The Duke and The King is composed, mainly, of Simone Felice (formerly of the band, The Felice Brothers, still currently an actual Felice brother) and Robert Bird Burke, with a rotating cast of other characters. Now, The Felice Brothers never moved me. I know they’re well loved, just not by me. But The Duke and The King, what I’ve heard, has been damn good. Their promo pics are intriguing, and they describe themselves as “a soul-folk-glam ensemble from the sticks of New York”. So, that’s something I wanna go to, and you should too.

     For jazz fans, this week is pretty much as close to Valhalla as you can get. The Belleayre Music Festival hosts RAVI COLTRANE on Friday night and THE MUSIC OF MILES DAVIS featuring JIMMY COBB’S SO WHAT BAND ON Saturday night. A weekend of jazz royalty with Coltrane and Miles! Ravi Coltrane is John and Alice Coltrane’s son, and has established himself in the front ranks of jazz sax players. Drummer  Jimmy Cobb is the last surviving member of Miles’ “Kind of Blue” combo. This year is the 50th anniversary of the release of Miles’ groundbreaking album, and Jimmy and his boys have been takin’ it to the people! So it’s jazz heaven this weekend at Belleayre.

     My old friend MICHAEL POWERS is at Club Helsinki on Saturday, so I’m gonna head on up to say hello. I haven’t seen Michael in a few years, so it should be a nice reunion. Michael’s a first class blues guitarist who rocks. If you see me there, say hello.

     Finally, Ole’ Levon’s in town this week, so THE RAMBLE is on! This week’s guests are Jimmy Vivino and John Sebastian, so it should be pretty special. Still a few tickets left as I write this, so pony up your dough and go!

     See y’all next week!