My good friend Glen Sobel showing us why he's one of the best in town.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1P7cN4DbA0

Last night I went to see one of my favorite artists at a little dive in downtown LA. His name is Chris Duarte and he's from Atlanta via Austin Texas. Boy just plays the shit outta his guitar and I was pleasantly blown away, once again, by this virtuoso. Nice guy too. Attention guitarists: If you play like this guy, please get ahold of me, lets start a band! Enjoy this little taste of Chris...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNs0GxQsN14

Heres some PSA's I recently did along with some friends for a VERY worthy cause. Check it out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiBzMZBAfkY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-y6XAYMC-48

I could be this good.... BTW he's 16 yrs old when this was shot. Enjoy.
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHDjGtj18X0

So....its been awhile since I've blogged but got inspired, finally. I've had the blues big-time lately, and  thats just not me. A total emotional rollercoaster has been makin me feel like Eore ( ya know, the jackass from Winnie The Poo). Relationship issues, family sickness, ( yes, its ON again) battles with financial arrangements I've made with irresponsible people I've trusted has given me a serious lack of confidence in myself and some of the people I associate with. What do ya do to get yerself back to the way yer supposed to be, you ask? How about 3 days of binge-drinking in New Orleans? Thats exactly what I did. Just got back from my annual trip to the "Big Easy" to ride on a float in the St Patricks Parade,  and ,even though it rained the whole time I was there, we had a ball! Saw my friends down there (where I'm referred to as "Mistah Junkie) visited my favorite watering holes and Creole food establishments, and had a suite at the Ritz Carleton.I'm pleased to say that that town is recovering nicely and so am I. The spirit of that town and the people in it make my recent troubles miniscule compared to what they have been through. I highly recommed you visit New Orleans and experience all the things that make me happy. Cant wait for next years visit! Pictures to post soon.
 Let the good times roll-again!
 
                                 Junkie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6OB0I7-YC4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6OB0I7-YC4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6OB0I7-YC4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEmD1BKo2oU

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QT4qgou2IDs

 
 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-s8JFTt-vo
Yet another of my "Rainy Nite Favorites". Probably my favorite live band of all time, NRBQ, performing on the "NBC Night Music" show from a number of years back, featuring their classic line up. THIS is what live rock n roll is all about, as far as I'm concerned. Enjoy!

Junkie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nRi97miUCE

Memories of my hero- the Late Country Dick Montana from the Beat Farmers.

Hey kiddies. I have been enlightened. Just when I thought that I had seen it all as far as concerts were concerned, and if you know me,you know how many I attend. Along comes Metallica, who put on a performance that was above and beyond professional and ass kicking as I have seen in a long time.I attended their performance in Portland Oregon this evening, away from the jaded LA crowds that I,unfortunatly, am usually surrounded by. What I witnessed tonight surpassed anything I have seen lately, in terms of the whole concert experience that I fell in love with when I was just a lad. The sound, lighting, staging ( a center staged NON REVOLVOVING one!) and especially the performance were one of the best I have ever seen. For all those idiotic "Metallibashers". I give a big fuck you. Check out this tour when it comes to a city near you. It will enlighten you. And for all the "traditionists" who can't get over the fact that Cliff is dead, and Jason was the man, may I add that Robert Trujillo is the new engine that makes this band go. He was amazing. The perfect fit. Do NOT miss this tour! Kudos as well to Down, who, along with The Sword, opened the show. Phil Anselmo has never sounded better,in my opinion.

     happy, and extremely rocked,

                 Junkie

 

           

My friends, the band Little Caesar reunited recently with original guitarist Apache. Here is a video from their show at Paladino's recently, listen who he's sending the song out to...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQ8Xv5AXBzE

I get depressed sometimes about people who I know who have limited knoweledge about things that they are "into". Music, obviously being one topic that many people think that they know alot about because they listen to it alot. In other words, the fact that they bombard themselves with whatever it is they listen to somehow makes them an expert on that subject.Sort of like the average bozo who buys a digital camera. The fact they OWN a camera somehow makes them a photographer. WRONG! The fact is, I dont think that people are really LISTENING anymore. I think that the presentation, and past catalogue of particular artists makes more of an impression than the actual product itself. For instance, I recently went to see a wonderful performance by legendary rock singer who was going in a different direction with his music. I absolutely was floored by how wonderful this direction was. I got it, I listened to it, I UNDERSTOOD that he wanted to go in a different direction with his talent, and did so, along with another artist of a completely different musical genre. It showcased musical diversity, which is what I am all about, and made me appreciate him as a more well rounded artist than just a guy trying to rehash old hits. I ran into a friend of mine backstage and he told me how much he hated the show. He was expecting the hits and nothing but. Another could not get over the fact that he looked older. Still another exclaimed his disgust for the fact that one of the band members played a banjo for part of the performance and "banjo's and steel guitars dont belong in rock n roll". I realised just how limited my friends tastes are when it comes to music.There would be no further discussion. It sucked, and thats all there is to it. They were expecting something else, and didnt get what they expected so they completely panned this great artist for entering a new phase of his career. I felt bad for them in their lack of thinking.

But thats what popular music has become for many. Listening and understanding require effort. Many people are not interested in effort. They want music to either soothe or excite them immediately without forthought. They want a "hook" that can be repeated over and over or else it is unlistenable to them. Its like the difference between a book with pictures and one without. Chances are, you will appreciate the book without the pictures more, but the one with the pictures will be more popular and easier to read. Last night, I witnessed a stunning performance by Liquid Tension Experiment. Musically and technically one of the most mind blowing performances I've ever seen. If you want to know more about them, look them up. It may require you a little effort to do so, you have been advised. After the show I went to one of my old hangouts and ran into some friends of mine who are in a band which borders on punk and metal. I told them about my experience and , from a fellow musicians point of view, the amazement of the level talent that this performance had on me.  Asked who the band members were, I told them it was 3 guys from Dream Theater and bassist Tony Levin. I was then given a look of disgust and the comment,"those guys suck". I was shocked, once again, by the lack of thought in the reply. Kind of like someone telling you that Einstein was stupid. I shook my head and finished my beer.

Recently, one of my heroes, the great George Carlin died. Yes, he DIED, he didnt "pass away", to paraphrase his distate for euphemisms. I was sad and talked to a co worker about how much I admired him and his thoughts. "He was the guy who said the dirty words, right?" was her reply, referring to his old comedy routine about the seven words you can never say on television. I was glad in a way that she knew something about him, but was also sad that that was ALL she knew about this great thinker. Basically, all she knew about him was what was said on the news on TV after he died. Maybe I'm a weird-o, but I will try to teach the musings of Carlin to those who are willing to listen and learn. That will be my quest, at least until they get bored and the effort it takes for me to teach, or them to learn subsides. As far as music goes, what do we do? They have taken music appreciation out of schools, and we have an enire generation of people who know all the words to "Lollypop" and couldnt tell you who Miles Davis is. And, worst of all, they dont give a shit. I try to keep myself from looking down on people like this but its getting harder to do. I dont want to sound like a "know it all", and I'm not. But it sure is getting scarey out there.

I hope I got at least part of my point across. Now its time for me to sign off and go watch the Three Stooges. LOL. I'll be back when I have something to say.

 

                                             Junkie