Welcome to the working week, as Elvis Costello so succinctly put it, oh so many years ago. Was it really 35 years ago when Elvis C. released his first records? Yes, I guess it was. I bought the first British 45’s at Discophile on 8th Street in Manhattan in the summer of 1976, and they immediately blasted me out of my comfort zone. It took 27 years for Elvis Costello and The Attractions to be inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, 2 years longer than the minimum 25 years since their first record’s release. This year, The Hall celebrated their 26th anniversary by inducting Neil Diamond, which seems pretty astounding to me, considering that Stevie Ray Vaughn, T Rex, Willie Nelson, The Moody Blues, and Joe Cocker are still waiting for their number to be called. Induction ceremonies for this year’s class, which also includes Alice Cooper, Tom Waits, Leon Russell, Dr. John, Darlene Love, Jac Holzman, founder of Elektra Records, and Art Rupe, founder of Specialty Records, will take place in March at The Waldorf-Astoria in Manhattan. Interestingly enough, Leon Russell is being inducted as a sideman, not for his own body of work.
Last night was The Malibooz and The Doughboys show at The Bearsville Theater, and The Doughboys were quite a surprise. I knew that they were favorites of Little Steven’s Underground Garage, so I should have been prepared for some blasting rock and roll, but the band outdid themselves, performing original songs and well known rock and roll classics from the 50’s and 60’s at an extremely high energy level. Memorable songs included The Yardbirds’ “Over, Under, Sideways, Down”, The Rolling Stones’ “Paint it, Black”, and the best version of Bo Diddley’s “Hey Bo Diddley” that I’ve ever heard, outside of the master himself. Hopefully we can get these boys up here again for their own headlining show.
It’s pretty amazing that in the depths of winter, with snow falling practically every other day and temperatures near zero, we can still manage to have a full week of exciting and uplifting music to entertain us. This week’s recommended shows:
Friday, January 28 – For those of you who will find themselves downstate, BLONDIE CHAPLIN will be making an all too rare appearance at Brooklyn’s Rock Shop. If the name isn’t familiar to you, it should be. Blondie and his brothers and cousin were in a band called The Flame, and were discovered in their native South Africa by another band of brothers and cousins, The Beach Boys. Brought to America as the only outside act to be signed to The Beach Boys’ Brother Records, Blondie later became a member of The Beach Boys, singing lead on “Sail on Sailor” and other songs during that period. In the 80’s, he moved to New York and toured with The Band and Rick Danko’s solo projects. It was during this period that Blondie and I became friends and laughed about the fact that my younger brother sold him his gold top Les Paul during a sojourn in LA in the 70’s for $250.00. That guitar is still Blondie’s main axe! What a bargain, and what an investment! That guitar today is worth around $30,000, and could be worth as much as $90,000. Since we never positively dated it, we can’t be absolutely sure of the value, but that’s still some rate of return! But, I digress. While living in New York, Blondie also put together a solo project called Skollie, with fellow South African expatriates, Keith Lentin and Anton Fig, best known for his long running spot as David Letterman’s drummer. Also in the 80’s, Blondie appeared on the 20th Anniversary Byrds reunion album. Since the Bridges to Babylon Tour in the 1990’s, Blondie has been backing vocalist and occasional guitar player with The Rolling Stones. Impressed yet? If you’re in the city this Friday, drop by The Rock Shop. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
Also on Friday, January 28 - An all-star band debuts at The Towne Crier in Pawling. Calling themselves BLUE CHICKEN, half of this band comes from Levon Helm’s band, and the other members are Randy Ciarlante, best drummer in the Hudson Valley, former member of The Band, and current drummer for The Organiks, and Sid McGinnes, guitar player from The David Letterman Show. This show is definitely gonna be worth the drive to Pawling.
Saturday, January 29 – Closer to home, JOHNNY WINTER brings his band into The Bearsville Theater. The man Muddy Waters called his son has been carrying the torch for the blues for years, and is certainly one of the greatest practitioners of the form on electric guitar ever! And why isn’t HE in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?
Saturday and Sunday, January 29 & 30 – Back to NYC for ROBERT PLANT at The Beacon Theater, no introduction needed for Led Zeppelin’s former singer and frontman, who’s re-entered the charts recently showing a softer side via his albums with Allison Krause and this year’s Band of Joy, one of my favorites of the year. Seriously, if you can make it to the city this weekend, this is my Pick of the Week.
Sunday, January 30 – Americana sweetheart, IRIS DEMENT, brings her most unusual voice into Club Helsinki in Hudson. As I’ve mentioned before, Club Helsinki is the coolest club around, and Iris is one of the most unique vocalists you will ever hear. Highly recommended.
Enjoy your week and stay warm.
Last night was The Malibooz and The Doughboys show at The Bearsville Theater, and The Doughboys were quite a surprise. I knew that they were favorites of Little Steven’s Underground Garage, so I should have been prepared for some blasting rock and roll, but the band outdid themselves, performing original songs and well known rock and roll classics from the 50’s and 60’s at an extremely high energy level. Memorable songs included The Yardbirds’ “Over, Under, Sideways, Down”, The Rolling Stones’ “Paint it, Black”, and the best version of Bo Diddley’s “Hey Bo Diddley” that I’ve ever heard, outside of the master himself. Hopefully we can get these boys up here again for their own headlining show.
It’s pretty amazing that in the depths of winter, with snow falling practically every other day and temperatures near zero, we can still manage to have a full week of exciting and uplifting music to entertain us. This week’s recommended shows:
Friday, January 28 – For those of you who will find themselves downstate, BLONDIE CHAPLIN will be making an all too rare appearance at Brooklyn’s Rock Shop. If the name isn’t familiar to you, it should be. Blondie and his brothers and cousin were in a band called The Flame, and were discovered in their native South Africa by another band of brothers and cousins, The Beach Boys. Brought to America as the only outside act to be signed to The Beach Boys’ Brother Records, Blondie later became a member of The Beach Boys, singing lead on “Sail on Sailor” and other songs during that period. In the 80’s, he moved to New York and toured with The Band and Rick Danko’s solo projects. It was during this period that Blondie and I became friends and laughed about the fact that my younger brother sold him his gold top Les Paul during a sojourn in LA in the 70’s for $250.00. That guitar is still Blondie’s main axe! What a bargain, and what an investment! That guitar today is worth around $30,000, and could be worth as much as $90,000. Since we never positively dated it, we can’t be absolutely sure of the value, but that’s still some rate of return! But, I digress. While living in New York, Blondie also put together a solo project called Skollie, with fellow South African expatriates, Keith Lentin and Anton Fig, best known for his long running spot as David Letterman’s drummer. Also in the 80’s, Blondie appeared on the 20th Anniversary Byrds reunion album. Since the Bridges to Babylon Tour in the 1990’s, Blondie has been backing vocalist and occasional guitar player with The Rolling Stones. Impressed yet? If you’re in the city this Friday, drop by The Rock Shop. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
Also on Friday, January 28 - An all-star band debuts at The Towne Crier in Pawling. Calling themselves BLUE CHICKEN, half of this band comes from Levon Helm’s band, and the other members are Randy Ciarlante, best drummer in the Hudson Valley, former member of The Band, and current drummer for The Organiks, and Sid McGinnes, guitar player from The David Letterman Show. This show is definitely gonna be worth the drive to Pawling.
Saturday, January 29 – Closer to home, JOHNNY WINTER brings his band into The Bearsville Theater. The man Muddy Waters called his son has been carrying the torch for the blues for years, and is certainly one of the greatest practitioners of the form on electric guitar ever! And why isn’t HE in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?
Saturday and Sunday, January 29 & 30 – Back to NYC for ROBERT PLANT at The Beacon Theater, no introduction needed for Led Zeppelin’s former singer and frontman, who’s re-entered the charts recently showing a softer side via his albums with Allison Krause and this year’s Band of Joy, one of my favorites of the year. Seriously, if you can make it to the city this weekend, this is my Pick of the Week.
Sunday, January 30 – Americana sweetheart, IRIS DEMENT, brings her most unusual voice into Club Helsinki in Hudson. As I’ve mentioned before, Club Helsinki is the coolest club around, and Iris is one of the most unique vocalists you will ever hear. Highly recommended.
Enjoy your week and stay warm.
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