Music Ramble

The Who Bridgestone Halftime Show

Mike Withrow — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 14:00:57 +0000

The Who sounded a little off at the start of the Bridgestone Halftime Show, but their opening number “Pinball Wizard” was a great choice.

Nice segway into “Teenage Wasteland.” It was so abrupt I thought at first it was a network edit.

“Who Are You?” emitted it’s usual power, as Pete Townshend did his signature windmills on a red Stratocaster.

Then another cool segway from “See Me, Feel Me” into “Won’t Get Fooled Again.”

The light show, the lasers, the pyrotechnics, the round stage with custom built-in LEDs spelling out The Who were truly awesome.

Pino Palladino on bass displayed the same stature John Entwistle used to; a quiet stillness in stark contrast to the manic motions of his bandmates.

Zak Starkey bashed straight ahead on an incredible looking drumset. Did you see his cymbals with The Who circle logo? Just like a second Moon rising.

Yes, Pete Townshend did his signature windmills, but I didn’t see Roger Daltrey twirl the microphone. They may be older, but The Who still have the raw power that propelled them into the World’s Greatest Rock Band.

Super Bowl XLIV was one of the best games I’ve ever seen. I’m so happy to see the New Orleans Saints come from behind to win their first Super Bowl. I’m sure Bourbon Street will never be the same!

Grammy Awards 2010

Mike Withrow — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 14:00:05 +0000

The 52nd Annual Grammy Awards show was long and sometimes boring, but it’s always great to see such great artists performing together.

First I gotta say I was really pleased to see Neil Young named as the 2010 MusiCares Person of the Year. Young was honored with an all-star tribute last Friday by Dave Matthews, Elton John, Elvis Costello, Emmylou Harris, Leon Russell, Norah Jones, Sheryl Crow and Stephen Stills, among others.

Best New Artist award went to the Zac Brown Band. What a thrill to see them perform with the legendary Leon Russell.

20-year-old Taylor Swift won her first three Grammys, Best Female Country Vocal and Best Country Song, for her single “White Horse,” and she captured the big prize, Album of the Year. Her duet with Stevie Nicks was really cool, I just wish they had stayed on key.

Best Comedy Album went to host Stephen Colbert. He’s no George Carlin, but I enjoy his show.

Record of the Year went to Kings of Leon, presented by Norah Jones and Ringo Starr. What an honor to have your Grammy Award presented by one of The Beatles.

Dave Matthews Band performance was great with so many artists on stage, plus the string section.

The tribute to the great Les Paul with Jeff Beck was awesome! Imelda May was so glamorous the way she sang “How High the Moon.” I really like the way the Grammy producers present an In Memoriam of artists who have passed away in the past year.

View all the winners on the official website www.grammy.com

Experience Hendrix Tour

Mike Withrow — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 14:00:09 +0000

Now in it’s fourth year, the Experience Hendrix Tour will feature a who’s who of rock royalty.

Billy Cox, Brad Whitford, Chris Layton, Doyle Bramhall II, Eric Johnson, Ernie Isley, Hubert Sumlin, Joe Satriani, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Susan Tedeshi, Sacred Steel featuring Robert Randolph, and Vernon Reid will be performing on stage alongside other special guests like David Hidalgo, who may also appear on certain dates.

Once again Gibson Guitars is the official sponsor of this incredible tour.

The Experience Hendrix Tour begins March 4th in Santa Barbara, California.
Experience Hendrix Tour Info

www.experiencehendrixtour.com

The Who Super Bowl XLIV

Mike Withrow — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 14:00:11 +0000

The Who will play this year’s Bridgestone Halftime Show during Super Bowl XLIV on February 7th.

So what songs will they play? How would you decide the set list?

My Generation Won’t Get Fooled Again because we’ll Join Together. Who Are You? I Can’t Explain the Pinball Wizard. I Can See For Miles from my Magic Bus, You Better You Bet. The Kids Are Alright with their Squeeze Box.

Will founding members Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend have their usual touring partners with them? Currently that’s Simon Townshend on rhythm guitar, Pino Palladino on bass and Zak Starkey on drums.

We’re happy to see NFC Champions the New Orleans Saints playing in their first ever Super Bowl game. Who Dat?

www.nfl.com/superbowl/44

www.thewho.com

Bob Lefsetz

Mike Withrow — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 14:00:56 +0000

I totally agree with this statement by Bob Lefsetz…

Music needs to be meaningful and fun, loose yet precise, it’s got to encapsulate all elements of life. To the point where we can’t help but be drawn in, jump up and dance, wide-eyed and elated.

From his post about The Telethon:
lefsetz.com/

I’ve been reading Bob’s posts about the music industry for years. I discovered him on Rhino Records, one of my favorite music labels.

Yep, music should be fun, loose and meaningful; laughing or crying, it has to touch us deep inside, and give us something to relate to.

Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Ray Charles, Neil Young; their music connects with my soul, their lyrics resonate in my heart, their songs move me. And that’s what it’s all about.

Eric Johnson working on new album

Mike Withrow — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 14:00:51 +0000

MusicRadar has a great interview with Austin guitarist Eric Johnson, who is working on a new album, due out this spring. His last studio album, Bloom was released in 2005.

Producer engineer Andy Johns is mixing the album. Guest artists Jimmie Vaughan, Jonny Lang and Steve Miller also contribute performances.

Upcoming shows are listed on Eric Johnson’s MySpace page.

www.ericjohnson.com

NAMM Slam 2010

Mike Withrow — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 06:06:03 +0000

The annual NAMM show gets bigger and better every year. So big, in fact, it’s hard to cover all the great gear coming out. However, there’s some great posts about Winter NAMM 2010:

Fender.com blogged about their 2010 Fender Showcase Finale.

Gibson Guitars previewed the new Slash 2010 Appetite Les Paul guitar.

Ludwig Drums has their NAMM wrap up on their Facebook page.

Yamaha Musical Instruments celebrated their 50th anniversary at the NAMM show this year.

GuitarWorld.com has a Virtual Gallery and New Gear Guide.

Harmony-Central.com has Winter NAMM 2010 Coverage.

MusicRadar.com has a video collection under Hot Products.

Namm.org has their 2010 NAMM Show Closing Press Release.

The next show is summer NAMM in Nashville, June 18 through the 20th.

If I was blogging from Denny’s, this post would be a NAMM Slam.

www.namm.org/thenammshow/2010

Peter Frampton & Martin Guitars at NAMM 2010

Mike Withrow — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 08:59:33 +0000

Peter Frampton sharing stories at the Martin Guitars Booth, Winter NAMM 2010.

Frampton has a new album coming out April 27th; ‘Thank You Mr Churchill’ is a deeply personal album recorded at his home studio.

Special guests include Matt Cameron of Pearl Jam and Motown’s legendary Funk Brothers.

www.frampton.com

Fender Limited Edition 3G Android Phone

Mike Withrow — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 04:09:39 +0000

Guitar Geeks take notice! Fender is about to launch a Limited Edition Eric Clapton phone! It’s a 3G smart phone from T-Mobile that runs on the Android platform, and will use many of the 16,000 Android Market apps available from Google, like Guitar: Solo and Music Light.

The new signature phone will be available starting January 20th, with preloaded music from Eric Clapton including “Layla, My Father’s Eyes, Rock & Roll Heart,” and “Wonderful Tonight.” Songs by Avril Lavigne, Brad Paisley and Wyclef Jean will also be preloaded.

Another reason it’s a limited edition; it has a beautiful case designed in a Fender guitar sunburst finish. Even the accessories are created with the guitar fan in mind, what else would we expect from Fender? Additional Fender branded shells, Fender carrying case, a screen protector and a docking station with integrated speakers called a Rock Dock will be available.

T-Mobile has new music sync software developed by doubleTwist that’s free and makes it easy to manage and sync music, videos and photos from Windows or Mac. The software will come pre-loaded on the new phone so users can connect and sync right away.

The enhanced music player by HTC toggles between different views allowing users to change an album or song just by touching the album art. You can also create your own custom ringtones. The phone also comes equipped with a 16GB microSD card to store lots of music.

The phone also offers one-touch access to Google’s mobile services like Google Search by voice, Google Maps, YouTube and Picasa. Initially it runs Android 1.6 and will probably be updated to Android 2.1 when available.

Jason Bonham at Winter NAMM 2010

Mike Withrow — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 05:38:57 +0000

Jason Bonham at the Ludwig booth talking about Ludwig’s Vistalite Plexiglas drums, that were originally introduced in 1972.

Did you know John Bonham played an amber Vistalite set in Led Zeppelin?

Jason’s website jasonbonham.net displays a beautiful yellow Vistalite set with a Zeppelin logo on the bass drum head.

www.ludwig-drums.com

www.namm.org

www.namm.org/thenammshow/2010

Winter NAMM 2010

Mike Withrow — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 05:58:28 +0000

The 2010 Winter NAMM Show opened today and runs January 14th through the 17th at the Anaheim Convention Center.

There’s more than 1,500 exhibits with over 50 NAMM University sessions, with daily meetings for music retailers to talk about maximizing sales and marketing. There’s also many new sessions addressing how social media fits into today’s marketing plans.

There’s more than 70 sessions in the new Hands-On Training H.O.T. Zone, designed to help NAMM members overcome today’s challenges in a tougher market. An entire series of free special training seminars and meetings are offered on 21st Century Musical Instruments, 15 common mistakes made by small businesses, concert lighting, digital mixing and recording, wireless strategies and much more.

There’s plenty of exciting live performances scheduled with Ace Frehley, Brian Auger, Craig Chaquico, Dick and Jimmy Dale, George Lynch, Jorma Kaukonen, Michael Anthony (Chickenfoot), Mike Inez (Alice in Chains), Nikki Sixx, Nuno Bettencourt, and Vernon Reid.

That’s not all the artists that will be there, just a sampling of the many great musicians and performers that will appear over this weekend.

I found some early NAMM Show video on Harmony Central’s YouTube Channel, with much more to come…

Tony Levin at the Music Man Booth at Winter NAMM 2010

Seymour Duncan Booth at Winter NAMM 2010

www.namm.org

www.namm.org/thenammshow/2010

Y Not Ringo Starr

Mike Withrow — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 07:00:00 +0000

Ringo Starr has a new album! For the first time in his career, Ringo has produced his own album, with a little help from his friends.

“Y Not” was just released on Hip-O Records, and features some very special guests…

Paul McCartney plays bass on “Peace Dream” and adds vocals on “Walk With You,”
Joe Walsh, Dave Stewart and Steve Dudas of the Roundheads on guitar,
Benmont Tench of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers on keyboards,
Don Was and Mike Bradford on bass,
Ben Harper, Joss Stone and Richard Marx on vocals,
Ann Marie Calhoun on violin,
Tina Sugandh on tabla and chants.

www.ringostarr.com

Happy Birthday Jimmy Page

Mike Withrow — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 03:53:54 +0000

Happy Birthday to Jimmy Page, one of our favorite English musicians, guitarists and songwriters, born January 9th, 1944.

If you’ve ever marveled at a successful career, Page is a great example; from his early studio sessions, through the Yardbirds to Led Zeppelin to The Firm, his work with Robert Plant and David Coverdale, and his solo years. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has inducted Jimmy Page twice, once for The Yardbirds in 1992, and then Led Zeppelin in 1995.

Did you know Jimmy Page also produced all of Led Zeppelin’s albums? He used many creative techniques in the recording studio and is noted for inventing reverse echo, an effect used on “You Shook Me” and “Whole Lotta Love.” Page also compiled and produced the various album collections and box sets after Zeppelin disbanded.

His website www.jimmypage.co.uk lists his outstanding discography, which names Mothership as his last work.

soundbites0 has an awesome video tribute to Jimmy Page on YouTube…

www.ledzeppelin.com

2010 MusiCares Person of the Year Neil Young

Mike Withrow — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 03:31:05 +0000

One of our favorite singer songwriters, Neil Young has been named the 2010 MusiCares Person of the Year. It’s the 20th anniversary of the event, which honors artists for their musical and humanitarian accomplishments.

An all-star tribute to Neil Young happens in L.A. just days before the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards show, featuring Ben Harper, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Dave Matthews, Elton John, Emmylou Harris, Jackson Browne, James Taylor, John Mellencamp, k.d. Lang, Leon Russell, Lucinda Williams, Norah Jones, Sheryl Crow, T Bone Burnett and Wilco, among others.

Sources:
www.grammy.com/

twitter.com/TheGRAMMYs

www.neilyoung.com

The Atlantic Records Time Capsule

Mike Withrow — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 20:30:10 +0000

Capture the spirit of Ahmet Ertegun and the excitement of the music with the ultimate collectors Limited Edition Box Set…The most comprehensive anthology of Atlantic Record’s first 62 years…

The Atlantic Records Time Capsule features:

165 timeless tracks on 9 CDs
140-page full color book
Memorabilia & vintage swag
Over 200 “from the inside” images
“The House That Ahmet Built” DVD
Custom metallic “Time Capsule” box
Individually numbered certificate of authenticity
Exclusive quotes and stories from the artists and leading characters

The Atlantic Records Time Capsule www.atlantictimecapsule.com

Atlantic Records YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/AtlanticVideos

Atlantic Records #1 label in 2009

Mike Withrow — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 05:58:04 +0000

One of my favorite record labels and former employer, Atlantic Records is ranked number one in the music industry for the second year in a row.

According to Nielsen SoundScan, Atlantic had the biggest total album market share in the U.S. for 2009, that’s a combination of current albums and catalog for a total of 7.3%. Atlantic also lead the digital album market in 2009, with a share of 8.45%.

Atlantic Records had a big year in 2009; the label scored with 19 albums ranked inside the Top 20 on the Billboard 200 Album Chart with 11 Top 10 debuts!

Atlantic had 5 out of the Top 20 Artists of the Year in Billboard magazine’s year-end charts:
Flo Rida (Poe Boy/Atlantic)
Jason Mraz (Atlantic)
Nickelback (Roadrunner Records)
T.I. (Grand Hustle/Atlantic)
Zac Brown Band(Home Grown/Big Picture/Atlantic)

Source: www.lovemusic.co.nz
twitter.com/lovemusicnz

Warner Music Group www.wmg.com

Atlantic Records Home www.atlanticrecords.com

Atlantic Records Store store.atlanticrecords.com/

NEW! The Ultimate Collectors Limited Edition Box Set…A Comprehensive Anthology…
The Atlantic Records Time Capsule features:
165 tracks on 9 CDs
140-page full color book
Exclusive Memorabilia and Vintage Swag
“The House That Ahmet Built” The Ahmet Ertegun Story on DVD
atlantictimecapsule.com

Rock Band adds Paul McCartney

Mike Withrow — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 16:50:17 +0000

Paul McCartney is now the first of the Beatles to have solo material included in Rock Band!

‘New York City Pack 01′ includes these three live tracks: “Band on the Run, Jet and Sing the Changes,” which is a Fireman track. All three game platforms are supported, Xbox 360, Wii and PlayStation3.

These songs were just released and are now available for download at the Rock Band Music Store and LEGO Rock Band Music Store.

McCartney’s triple play of three concerts at New York’s Citi Field was recorded and released last November as ‘Good Evening New York City.’ These 3 live Rock Band tracks are taken from that CD/DVD package.

Currently there are 390 bands with over 1,000 songs currently available through Rock Band, from Harmonix and MTV Games.

The Beatles: Rock Band was just released last September, and has already sold over one million games. These 3 albums are also available for download from www.thebeatlesrockband.com: Abbey Road, Rubber Soul and Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.

www.paulmccartney.com

www.rockband.com

www.thebeatlesrockband.com

games.kidswb.com/official-site/lego-rock-band

thebeatles.com

Happy Birthday Stephen Stills

Mike Withrow — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 07:06:54 +0000

Happy Birthday to guitarist, singer, songwriter Stephen Stills, who was born January 3rd, 1945 in Dallas, Texas.

We’re big fans of his earlier work with Buffalo Springfield and especially with Crosby, Stills & Nash (and sometimes Young.) His solo material is great too, like “Treetop Flyer” (in this video.)

Did you know Jimi Hendrix invited Stills to play bass in the Experience, and also played on Stills’ first solo album?

Stephen Stills has a new album that was just released last October:
“Live at Shepherd’s Bush” is a CD & DVD with 28 tracks in stereo and 5.1 Surround Sound. Recorded Live in London at Shepherd’s Bush, Stills played two full sets, a solo acoustic set, plus another set with a full band.

This career-spanning concert includes “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes,” one of our all time favorites. It’s on Rhino…if it’s retro and it rocks, it’s on Rhino Entertainment www.rhino.com

Hey Stephen…We’re glad to hear that you came through your prostate surgery with flying colors. Even though that was two years ago, Long May You Run!

stephenstills.com

www.crosbystillsnash.com

www.csny.com

Happy Birthday John Paul Jones

Mike Withrow — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 05:55:46 +0000

Happy Birthday to John Paul Jones, born January 3, 1946. Musician, multi-instrumentalist, producer, composer and arranger, Jones’ work with Led Zeppelin is legendary, not only on bass but keyboards as well.

Jones is currrently working with a new group, Them Crooked Vultures, featuring Jones on bass and piano, along with Dave Grohl of Nirvana & Foo Fighters, and Josh Homme of Kyuss & Queens of the Stone Age. Their debut self-titled album was released last November.

www.johnpauljones.com

www.ledzeppelin.com

www.themcrookedvultures.com

Happy Birthday Sir George Martin

Mike Withrow — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 05:07:43 +0000

Sir George Martin celebrated his 84th birthday today. As the Beatles producer, he was sometimes referred to as the “fifth Beatle” because he was responsible for so much of the Beatles sound on record, plus he was the first person outside the group to actually play on their recordings.

One of Martin’s most amazing recent accomplishments was the remixed Beatles LOVE soundtrack for the Cirque du Soleil show at the Mirage in Las Vegas. Father and son musical directors George and Giles Martin remixed and resampled the Beatles catalog to assemble the final mix of 26 songs for the soundtrack album, and won a Grammy the following year.

wikipedia.org has a detailed write up on Sir George Martin and his distinguished career. It’s great to see his son Giles follow his father’s footsteps as musical director and producer for The Beatles: Rock Band.