David Gray, Conor Oberst, and RYAN ADAMS at CSUN last night...

Adrienne surprised me with her Christmas Date yesterday (we do dates instead of gifts). It started at Dr. Hogly Wogly's Tyler Texas BBQ, which honestly was so damn good that I would have been stoked already. Then we went to see David Gray, Conor Oberst, and Ryan Adams at CSUN. It was awesome to show her the music building and the MT room (unlocked, of course) where I spent those 'other' two years of grad. school...The venue is absolutely stunning and it was a real thrill to finally go inside it after all of those hours I've spent reading and studying near the fountain and in the trees out front and all the performances were great. I was really excited to see Conor solo because I've only seen him with MOF at the Greek (Insano Show, too). He played a couple of his 'classics' and ended with a kick ass John Prine cover...but... Ryan just outperformed both of them hands down. Very cool to see him with a full band after the amazing shows in Big Sur and at Disney Hall a few years ago. The reworked songs in electric form were done really well (Dirty Rain, Dear Chicago) and the setlist was a nice mix of "hits" and the last two records, of which I prefer Ashes and Fire, but the new one keeps growing on me with it's 80s sensibilities. He did his nice cover of "She's Not Me," by Jenny Lewis, which springs from him producing her record and continuing to play some dates with her including tomorrow night in SF. The performance of "Magnolia Mountain," (see above video if you aren't familiar with this tune) was quite exceptional. This is an old video, but it's still got mainly the same vibe with the Cardinals. I would argue that the backups were superior last night and that the spacey instrumental section (which makes this a Furthur favorite) was more compelling, but the track stands alone since it's release on Cold Roses back in '05. The full setlist was:Gimme Something Good, Let it Ride, Stay With Me, Dirty Rain, Magnolia Mountain, Dear Chicago, Lucky Now (solo acoustic), She's Not Me, When the Stars go Blue, Sweet Carolina, La Cienega just Smiled, I Love you, but I don't know what to Say, Come Pick Me Up. Thank you babe for the amazing date night and Christmas gift. You have really set the bar high for me this year. I love you and I don't know what to say ;)

Another Year....another Pickathon....Feist in the Woods

Feist headlined this year's Pickathon, which once again made for one of the best weekends of the year. We went earlybird this year and caught great sets on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday....There is more to come, but this particular set was definitely my favorite. I'm not sure if I actually cried, but it sure felt like I was weeping the entire first thirty minutes. On another note, we met Ms. Feist on Sunday morning after her sound check for her main stage set later that night. She took a picture with us, asked all about where we were from and how we found out about Pickathon and seemed very genuinely interested. I told her that I absolutely loved her newest record, Metals, and that we looked forward to her "electric" set. She couldn't have been more kind and gracious. P.S. I accidentally brought a non HD card this year, sorry....

The Wood Brothers: Stealin' @ the Mountain View Stage Pickathon 2012

The Wood Brothers perform a traditional tune called "Stealin'" at this year's Pickathon Festival at Pendarvis farm in Happy Valley, Oregon, just outside of Portland. The Wood Brothers are Oliver Wood, formerly of King Johnson, Chris Wood, bassist of the world renowned jazz/jam/experimental trio MMW (Medeski, Martin, and Wood), and percussionist Jano Rix. This tune features all three current members singing harmonies and Jano playing the "Shitar," which basically explains itself if you dig the video. From a percussionist's viewpoint Jano's creation is about as cool and creative as it gets. Hope ya likes.

Saturn Returns debut Record Campaign on Indie Go Go

Saturn Returns has just launched an indiegogo campaign to help print, distribute, and promote their debut album. The band wrote, rehearsed, recorded, mixed, and mastered the album all on their own, but knows that all records die if no one ever hears them. Different donation values bring different perks for the benefactor and the band is trying to raise $5500 for advertising, printing of new cds and vinyl copies of the record, and distribution of the record to proper marketing, selling, digital download servies, and radio outlets. Check it out!

The Newb Log is Back. Bring out your Pickathon!

The Newb Log is finally back in action with multiple new videos coming down the pike from Pickathon 2012, which just ended on Sunday. We start with a lovely acoustic tune by Montreal's The Barr Brothers. This tune was introduced as "One of our newest songs," and doesn't even scratch the surface of the variety of dynamic music the quartet produced during their two separate sets at the festival. They were the buzz of the morning on Saturday after a late-night performance on the Starlight Stage showcased their huge sonic capabilities as well as their classical precision. I have footage from all 6 main stage/barn/venues to come including an array of the acts and am happy to be sharing a small slice of the festival's most intimate moments with all my millions of readers. Hope you enjoy!

Wilco Cali Run goes on Sale Tomorrow

As if you didn't know that Glenn would kill it in this setting. Wilco is going to play some of the best in California venues including one of my personal favorites; San Francisco's Warfield Theater. The band will also be hitting a fantastic venue in San Diego; Copley Symphony Hall, where I saw many a performance during my Master's studies for the lovely student rush price of 10 beans. The acoustics and setting should be lovely for a little orchestrated pop music. Other venues include the Fox Theater in Oakland and the Hollywood Palladium. Check the band's website.

God's Away on Business

I think Tom Waits might be pissed about this video and rightfully so, but then again the man obviously has a great sense of humor so maybe not. Personally, I think it's freakin' awesome and had to post it even it's two Tom videos back to back.

Tom Waits new Record "Bad as Me," Out 10/24 Two Singles Released from Anti

So......It turns out that it's true. Waits has a new record coming out on Anti and judging by the two singles already released it seems as though it's going to get the usual reaction. The hard core fan base will go ape s**t, "New record of all original material! First in 7 years!" Meanwhile, "Bad as Me", the title track, which seems most closely related to "Phillipino Box Spring Hog" (Cool Story, Uncompelling Track) is the first single released and will make it easy for the critics and haters to say that this new release is just more of the same old Waits: "Cliche, deranged caricature of his former jazzbo self," etc., etc., you know the lines. Waits is one of those characters in popular culture that evokes such a wide range of strange commentary. From intellectuals attempting to show off their personal knowledge of brake drums and piano strings whipped against dumpsters to rock classicists who haven't changed their opinions on the guy since 1972. Sure, he loves to feed this fire and fights to control his ridiculous fabled persona by attempting to keep it that way via any means necessary including not authorizing biographies or even interviews these days, but critics write about him like he's John Cage. They just don't know what the f**k is going on. Personally, I'm way more in to this here ballad, "Back in the Crowd", than "Bad as Me" at this time, but the other little snippets that fly out of the vintage stereo equipment and the ratty old car in the "Private Listening Party" video, which included something that sounded like a new rockabilly track reminiscent of "Lie to Me," have me ready to fork over some dough for a hard copy and maybe even the LP.

Jeff Tweedy: "Open Your Mind" Solo Acoustic

Jeff Tweedy looking a bit like Mike Myers performing "Open Your Mind." Talk amongst yourselves. The new album The Whole Love is out on the 27th and this kid loves it. YHF freaks will revel in some of the weird they've channelled and all fans should enjoy the fact that it is very different from (The Album), which in the grand scheme of all things Wilco might be considered a little bland. I'll let you decide for yourselves. Thanks to Wilco Club Spain for posting this fantastic solo rendition.

SpiderGawd Performs "Celebration Day," at Brixton Southbay 4/2/11

SpiderGawd with special guest Ed Lyon who brought up doing this little bluegrass rendition of "Celebration Day, " by, of course, Led Zepplin. Pretty fun times and the video turned out nice as well...

Jack of Hearts performs "Like a rolling stone" at Bisbee Repertory Theatre

Jack of Hearts footage from the Arizona Mini-Tour. The band finishes the sold out Bisbee show with "Like a Rolling Stone," which frontman Jamie Israel has become accustomed to introducing as "The greatest rock-n-roll song of all time." Hope you enjoy. Tommy.

Neil Young Inducts Tom Waits into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame pt. 1

Another video from the 2011 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Neil Young's Speech and the short video for Tom Waits.

"Make it Rain," and a bit of Speech from Tom Waits 2011 Rock Hall Inductee

A Clip of the Fuse TV Presentation of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony 2011 featuring Dr. John, Tom Waits, Neil Diamond, Leon Russell, Alice Cooper, and Darlene Love.

Jack of Hearts (Bob Dylan Tribute) take AZ

The Jack of Hearts band erupted in Arizona this past weekend with two explosive shows performed at two completely different venues. The first set was performed in Chandler, Arizona, a neighbor of Tempe and a part of the larger urban area of Phoenix. The boys took the main stage at the Ostrich Festival, a great family event put on by Universal Fairs and including: Live music, Ostrich racing, Medieval Jousting, Pig racing, a Seal show, local venders, rides, and more. The sound set-up was as good as one could ask for at such a large outdoor event and the band was in top form performing an hour set of Dylan's best tunes from '65-'76. Standouts included "Tangled up in Blue," "Quinn the Eskimo," and "Like a Rolling Stone," which frontman Jamie Israel has become accustomed to introducing as "The greatest rock-n-roll song of all time." The crowd was a mixture of older folks standing and sitting to enjoy the Bob Dylan song repertoire and a large group of young tweeny-boppers lined up in front of the stage to have good seats for the next act, The Ready Set. While, the youngsters up front weren't really there for us, they did cheer (or scream and pull out their hair) enthusiastically and yell out about which band members were the cutest. The two bands couldn't have really been farther from each other in style, but it did make for a nice mix of patrons and the overall size of the crowd was definitely a big positive for the group and Universal Fairs.

Next it was a trip further south to Bisbee, Arizona, a beautiful little town nestled in the mountains near the border. Bisbee is an old mining town, which changed into more of a tourist attraction and artist's haven in the 70's and is now a melting-pot of extremely eclectic and artistic people who love their small community and it's rich history. Local, Dylan Charles, set the boys up at the Old Bisbee Repertory Theater and together with Nowhere Man and Whiskey Girl he performed Pink Floyd's The Wall in it's entirety. The pull of Bob Dylan helped boost that of Dylan Charles and The Wall and together was enough to pack the house and leave a few fans to listen outside. The crowd was insanely attentive for the entire program and gave both band's standing ovations. At one point I commented from the drums that they were a great crowd to which a kind lady yelled, "You're in Dylan country." Perfect. Post show we went down to the Grand for wonderfully cheap and stiff cocktails and then back to the house of local DeadHead musicologist "Steve" where we traded songs and harmonized over tequila, beer, and conversation. Thanks again to everyone involved with everything....Dylan, Universal Fairs, Jamie and Ali, Mr. and Mrs. Israel, K. Kerfoot, Nowhere Man and Whiskey Girl for the crash pad, Steve, and Uncle Dave. Possible vids and audio to come.....

Furthur @ The Greek Theatre 9/21

Last night Fischer Trucking of my home town of Petaluma rolled the stage, lights, and band equipment of Grateful Dead legends Bob Weir and Phil Lesh's new ensemble, Furthur, into the comforts of The Greek Theatre in Griffith Park. What does the trucking company that has been hauling the Grateful Dead since the early eighties have to do with the concert? Big and little Mike Fischer are the only reason that the author of this blog was able to attend. The concert didn't seem sold out, but upon arriving to claim the tickets left for myself and the beautiful Adrienne at will call we saw a line of at least a hundred wide-eyed hippies that disappeared up the hill and continued on for lord knows how long. The seats were the best that I've had the pleasure of enjoying at this venue and the show was pretty damn good. Highlights from the first set include opening with "Alligator," and closing with an up tempo "Mason's Children." John Kadlecik was in great form taking on his duties as the "Jerry," character of the group while other "youngsters" Jeff Chimenti on keys and most importantly Joe Russo (STUD) playing both rhythm devils were on fire. The soloing was great, the jams were blatantly well rehearsed form-wise with players actually having sheet music!!! Not the same get stoned and find your way through the mayhem Dead that many of the audience members still revel in. The band has evolved and certainly gone Furthur. Phil sang a number of his tunes throughout the night as well as classics from Bobby and John. The only bad thing I can say (for the entire show) is that Weir's guitar was pretty much inaudible for the majority of the first set. Second set highlights include a complete "Weather Report Suite," which pretty much blew my mind to even be included in the set. The bulk of the second half of one of my favorite pieces of vinyl, "Wake of the Flood." The ensemble played great throughout and the crowd went nuts everytime Weir came back to the mic. Then the set closed with a beautiful rendition of "Morning Dew," sung wonderfully and then shredded to pieces by Kadlecik. This was a real treat for deadheads as Kadlecik's vocal and guitar not only sounded like Garcia, but a young and vigorous Garcia circa 1972. After this lengthy performance I thought the second set was closed, but not before a high energy "Playin' in the Band," which really brought the house down. Phil then returned to the stage to give a quick heartfelt speech about being the recipient of an organ donation. Short and sweet was his touching tribute to the person who saved is life and 6 others and then he announced that they had one more....

He and Shim at the LA Food and Wine Festival

M. Ward and Zooey Deschanel are the duo She and Him. Their two albums "Volume 1," and "Volume 2" are both warm, fuzzy, analogue recordings produced by Ward and tastefully arranged with the help of Mike Mogis and other session cats. Deschanel's voice is one that I can only describe as timeless. It has a quality that when coupled with Ward's production style and smooth backup vocals creates recordings that would be impossible to place on a timeline if heard without prior knowledge or description. Despite the possibility of minor pitch issues- which may have gone unnoticed by this kid's trained ear- I would say that she didn't miss a single note last night and she certainly didn't hold anything back. I have heard both albums, but mostly couldn't wait or barely stand to hear her endearing and passionate renditions of their tunes "Sentimental Heart," and "Change is Hard." Beautiful. The rest of the Food and Wine Festival was also fantastic. We managed to find the LA Times Wine Club booth in the back which was giving out healthy pours of Roblar Sauvignon blanc and various other varietals and stayed in the vicinity. Near by was some delicious free blueberry lemonade for hydration and some free tequila in the form of shots and tequila-cran concoctions. Eventually we filled up and headed over to the stage where Deschanel and Ward played songs from both albums as well as some thoughtfully chosen covers including an acoustic guitar and ukulele duet of "Wouldn't it Be Nice," by the Beach Boys and a raucous encore of "Roll Over Beethoven," from the Chuck Berry catalogue. Zooey's telecaster shaped ukulele was pretty cool to see as well. Great set. Far away pic, but you see the scene. Your welcome LA Times for the free advertising. I know you need it.

Pickathon: Frank Fairfield "Sleeper"

No that's not the name of the tune. That's the name we dubbed Frank. This 23 year old kid was- in a move of shear genius- slotted right before Bonnie 'Prince' Billy at the WoodStage on the Saturday of this year's Pickathon festival at Pendarvis Farm just outside of Portland, Ore. Quickly, let me say Thank You to any and all who helped put on this festival!! What a treat. We are coming back with more numbers and for a longer stay next year. I hope it remains so moderately priced and special for years to come. Alright, back to Frank. So everyone is setting up early to get good seats for Will Oldham and the Cairo Gang (Awesome set by the way, but I stopped filming to further enjoy....) and has no idea who Frank Fairfield is until he drops all jaws and silences the crowd after saying "I'm gonna play some American songs fer ya'." In the first video (follow to youtube) you can here me saying "This kid's a sleeper," and "He's got an old soul my friend," by the end I yelled down to him "God Bless you Frank." My beautiful and always two steps ahead girlfriend Adrienne bought me his LP the following morning and I caught up with Frank near the main stage for a signing of it and a chat about his version of "Deep Elem Blues," not to mention his performing schedule in the Los Angeles area where we both reside.  Frank is currently touring Europe and bringing his renditions of classic tunes undoubtedly to bars, pubs, theatres, and pick-up jams everywhere he goes. We caught him three times at the festival and were really treated to find him, Blind Boy Paxton, and some other unknown members from other Pickathon groups in the Workshop Barn pickin' on our way out. A crowd of three turned into about 25 and Adrienne and I started a twirling stompdance session that really blew the performers away after starting with no audience and just playing for the fun of it. What a festival. Enjoy the footage and I apologize for the laughter and shaking in advance...

Fresh Vinyl (That's New To Me): MMW's Combustication

Just picked up Medeski, Martin, and Wood's arguably most accesible and popular album to date on wax. It was an easy decision to make. Take MMW throw in DJ Logic and press it on vinyl, "Um, yes, thanks. Ring'er up freakish dipshit with the lip-ring and purple mohawk that hasn't been spiked up in weeks." I brought it home and my new Spanish roommate says, "Awwwww yes, you should burn something like this for me because I am needing fresh music." You got it girlfriend! I know some people complain that Medeski is obviously classically taught and not a true jazz cat or that they stick on the same thing for too long and it gets boring, or whatever, but when you see them in Nor Cal and they come out of a super extended spacey trip into the tastiest clav groove you ever heard you just don't care. I have to agree with the old shirt with the BMW logo...."The Ultimate Grooving Machine." The slow warmth of "Everyday People," the instant entertainment of "Sugarcraft," the ridiculous jazz story on "Whatever Happened to Gus..." this ain't bein' me favorite of their albums, but it is good.

This should pain and sadden you.

Live Music Tonight: Parson Red Heads and Fruitbats

So.........I caught the Fruitbats on NPR/KCRW this morning and the set was pretty cool. I had first learned of this band in San Diego covering their tune "When you Love Somebody," with Ernie Garcia and StuntDouble. But, I had never really pursued checking the band out despite really enjoying the simple tune with its ups and downs in dynamics and intensity.....Then, yesterday I heard it on the radio and sure enough the DJ says that they're going to be on Morning Becomes Eclectic today so I gave a lis'. Well, they're in town because they are going to play at the Echoplex tonight and I am trying to roust some heads to go peep it out when I head over to the website to see about ticks and........I see that The Parson Red Heads are playing at the Echo tonight as well in a show promoted by my favorite local blog, Aquarium Drunkard. Well ho-lee-shit....what's a kid to do? I first heard about the Parsons from the Drunkard's Ram on L.A. a tribute to Paul and Linda McCartney's RAM album. The Parson Red Heads did one of the best re-makes on that album, which was awesome in spirit and benefitted charity, but in many cases failed to produce good renditions, in my opinion. Their version of "Ram On," stood out enough for me to remember their name and check out their myspace and eventually become a fan. So......this is a good problem to have if you are interested in going out to see some live music in Silverlake tonight, but it still presents a problem.....Parsons or Fruitbats......more to come on this tomorrow.....