I always liked the band Heart, not only because Ann and Nancy Wilson were both great vocalists, but also because they liked Led Zeppelin, and used those influences in their own music. My favorite Heart album is Dog & Butterfly because of the song “Mistral Wind,” which conjures up shades of Zeppelin from Physical Graffiti. I’m also very fond of “Barracuda” with it’s Bonham style drum rhythms and heavy guitar riffing.
My favorite memory is actually a concert story. I was ejected from the Heart show at the Austin Convention Center for snapping photos of Ann and Nancy Wilson. (insert exclamation here!) Yup, the ushers busted me big time. I guess it wasn’t too hard to spot me on the floor with an old school 35mm Olympus camera, with zoom lens no less! The guy walked me to the door and threatened to take my film, but somehow I got the camera back to my car without losing it. Wouldn’t you know it, the Wilson sisters pictures never came out.
But I did get back into the concert, sans camera, for the final encore. All is well that ends …

This DVD is a fascinating look behind the board, inside the studio, and into the heart and soul of the music we all know and love. Again I have to say, if you’re really into collecting music, this is a historical document and a must have for any fan of classic rock, R&B and jazz. Tommy was there, in the right place, at the right time, making music magic for over fifty years.
Tom Dowd achieved many outstanding technical high points during his distinguished career in the music business as recording engineer, arranger and producer. His work with Atlantic and Stax Records is legendary, as is his pioneering work with eight-track recording.
‘Tom Dowd & the Language of Music’ features appearances by the Allman Brothers Band, Eric Clapton, Les Paul, Ray Charles, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Aretha Franklin.
Here’s a short list of some of my favorite hit songs & albums that Tom Dowd produced & recorded:
Singles:
“Walkin’ the Dog” by Rufus Thomas
“Good Lovin” by The Rascals
“Mr. Bojangles” by Jerry Jeff Walker
“Son Of A Preacher Man” by Dusty Springfield
Albums:
Disraeli Gears & Wheels Of Fire by Cream
The Allman Brothers Band at Fillmore East & Eat A Peach
Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs …

Seven Mary Three has just released their sixth album, titled Day&Nightdriving. It’s co-produced by Brian Paulson who has also worked with Wilco, Son Volt and Beck.
The album provides uncompromisingly honest reflections about reconciling a career in a rock group with home life, and balancing personal commitments to bandmates and those of family.
Seven Mary Three are most widely known for their platinum debut album American Standard, featuring the Number One rock radio hit “Cumbersome.” The group has toured with Aerosmith, Matchbox Twenty and Three Doors Down.
It could be said the band is a success just for the fact they’ve survived for six albums, moving from their original independent label home of Mammoth, over to the major label Atlantic Records, and now they’re back with an independent again, Bellum Records.
Listen to their Day&Nightdriving Ecard at dayandnightdriving.com
Seven Mary Three Official Website: www.7m3.com
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I’m so glad to see two of my favorite sixties bands nominated for induction into this year’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Dave Clark Five with Dave Clark on Drums, Mike Smith Lead Vocals & Keyboards, Lenny Davidson Lead Guitar, Rick Huxley Bass Guitar, and Denny Payton on Alto & Baritone Saxophone, Harmonica & Guitar. They were the first band to knock the Beatles out of a number one UK chart position in 1964 with their first hit song “Glad All Over.” I wore out my copy of their American Tour album from 1965!
And The Ventures (co-founders in 1958) Don Wilson (Rhythm Guitar) and Bob Bogle (Lead & Bass Guitar,) Nokie Edwards and Gerry McGee (both on Lead Guitar) and Mel Taylor on Drums. My first favorite surf group before The Beach Boys, The Ventures were right up there with Jan & Dean and The Surfaris.
Another of my favorite artists, John Mellencamp was also nominated. The official ceremony is March 10th at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame also announced the induction of harp legend Little Walter in its sideman …

This DVD and book cannot be overlooked, especially for any serious music collector. Just think of all the great music that you’ve heard and loved over the last fifty years. Most of it (or at least half) is probably covered in this DVD or book.
Atlantic Records: The House That Ahmet Built:
This 2007 DVD video release from Rhino/WEA is a glorious tribute to Ahmet Ertegun, who established and nurtured Atlantic Records into one of the biggest music labels today. The DVD features Bette Midler, Ruth Brown, Ray Charles, Eric Clapton and a cast of thousands.
The hardcover book is also available, and both are highly recommended:
it’s an amazing insiders look at who was onstage and what went on backstage.
What’d I Say: The Atlantic Story (560 pages with 1,000 photographs)
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2007 was an amazing year for classic rock! We flashed back to the Summer of Love in 1967 and celebrated musical milestones like the Monterey Pop Festival. We saw some of our favorite groups reunite for a world tour, like Genesis and Van Halen. And Eric Clapton hosted his second Crossroads Guitar Festival featuring guitarists B.B. King to Steve Winwood. I give thanks for such great music, when 40 year anniversaries ping back to 1967 and it all came together in San Francisco and down in Monterey.
I saw Clapton live in concert back in March with Doyle Bramhall II and Derek Trucks on slide guitar, and they just tore it up at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. They played alot of tunes from the early 70’s like “Motherless Children,” “Anyday and Tell the Truth” from the Layla album.
The 30th Annual Dallas International Guitar Festival featured guitars on display from Clapton, Hendrix, Santana, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Leo Fender and the first Marshall amps. Eric Johnson performed along with others like Andy Timmons and Rick Derringer
R.I.P. Dan Fogelberg 1951–2007:
Dan Fogelberg may be gone but he’s not …

Tonight’s the big night, the big show, the ultimate reunion concert. Led Zeppelin at London’s O2 Arena, live on stage, to benefit the Ahmet Ertegun Education Fund. The concert was originally scheduled for late November until Jimmy Page injured a finger, setting the concert back until December 10th.
Rolling Stone Magazine has a good article about the band’s rehearsals with Jason Bonham, who is behind the drum kit, filling in for his late dad John. And did you see their picture on the cover of Rolling Stone? Jimmy Page with a head of silver hair, Robert Plant still curly & scruffy, and the clean cut John Paul Jones.
In addition to headliners Led Zeppelin, Bill Wyman and the Rhythm Kings, Paul Rogers, Paolo Nutini, and Foreigner will also perform in this special tribute concert to Atlantic Records founder and musical mentor, Ahmet Ertegun.
And just in time for Christmas gift giving, you can get the Led out to your favorite fans…
Led Zeppelin: - Led Zeppelin: The Song Remains the Same (Collector’s Edition) (2007)
Mothership 2CD/1DVD - Two-CD career spanning collection of classic tracks!
Deluxe version also contains a bonus DVD featuring 90 minutes of live performance video from …

The 50th Grammy Nominations were released today with Kayne West leading all nominees with 8 and Amy Winehouse receiving 6. The 50th Grammy show will be held The on February 10 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Here is a complete list from Grammy.com
THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF RECORDING ARTS & SCIENCES, INC.
Final Nominations List
50th Annual GRAMMY® Awards
For recordings released during the Eligibility Year October 1, 2006 through September 30, 2007
Note: More or less than 5 nominations in a category is the result of ties.
General Field
Category 1 - Record Of The Year
(Award to the Artist and to the Producer(s), Recording Engineer(s) and/or Mixer(s), if other than the artist.)
• Irreplaceable
Beyoncé
Beyoncé Knowles, S. Smith & Stargate, producers; Jim Caruana, Jason Goldstein &
Geoff Rice, engineers/mixers
Track from: B’Day
[Sony Urban Music/Columbia/Music World Productions]
• The Pretender
Foo Fighters
Gil Norton, producer; Adrian Bushby & Rich Costey, engineers/mixers
[Roswell/RCA Records]
• Umbrella
Rihanna Featuring Jay-Z
Kuk Harrell & C. “Tricky” Stewart, producers; Kuk Harrell & Manny Marroquin,
engineers/mixers
Track from: Good Girl Gone Bad
[Def Jam]
• What Goes Around…Comes Around
Justin Timberlake
Nate (Danja) Hills, Timbaland & Justin Timberlake, producers; Jimmy Douglass &
Timbaland, engineers/mixers
[Jive/Zomba]
• Rehab
Amy Winehouse
Mark Ronson, producer; Tom Elmhirst, engineer/mixer
Track from: Back To Black
[Universal Republic Records]
General Field
Category 2 - Album Of The Year
(Award to the …

It’s big news and already been blogged to death. Led Zeppelin has announced a reunion concert for November, along with another best of collection CD release. I have to say it’s wonderful to see a musical tribute to the late great Ahmet Ertegun, who nurtured so many artists and bands careers at , . It’s also a good cause; the concert will raise funds for the Ahmet Ertegun Education Fund.
Ahmet and his brother Nesuhi Ertegun were also honored at the 40th Montreux Jazz Festival with an all star concert. The Ertegun’s contributions to our musical legacy are staggering. Read any of the books about him or Atlantic Records and you can see what I mean.
Sources:
http://ahmettribute.com/
http://www.ledzeppelin.com/
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MusicRamble.com is laid back music commentary and personal favorites from a couple of music junkies, David and Mike.
We aim to feature the best of the blues, classic rock, acoustic, R&B, & rock ‘n roll. Plus a look at new releases, concerts and special events.
Previously musicians-blognet.com, our new venture takes us Online, On The Air, On Stage & On The Road.
Mike has over 20 years experience in the music industry, from club & radio DJ to Warner Elektra Atlantic Records sales, marketing and promotion, he also plays drums & bass guitar and jams with local musicians. He’s also published as a guest blogger on CybersMusic, Electric Guitar Review & Fans On The Run. Mike’s personal blog is This Crazy Cosmos.
David plays guitar and bass and spent a few years working in the music industry at the retail level. His extensive knowledge reaches into every genre of rock, blues, metal and alternative. He has several other blogs including Ramble On and CyberCoder.
Oh yeah, one more small fact, Mike and David are brothers.
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