Number 68 March 23, 2011

It's very human, and proper, that the passing of one person can distract us from the tragedy in Japan, and the tumult in North Africa.  My grandparents used to take me to Carmel and Palm Springs for vacations when I was a child.  We were in Palm Springs at The Racquet Club, I believe it was November of 1957, and I was just 5.  It was late afternoon, and I was in the bar (in those days it was quite acceptable to be in a bar, and even on a bar stool, with one's parents.  I had a rude awakening in my early teens, when it was no longer deemed cute.)  The bar looked out on Court 1.  150 feet away, through the plate glass, Elizabeth Taylor and Mike Todd were finishing their tennis lesson.  They shook hands with the pro, and then kissed in the fading light, black clouds against the red sky above them.  I felt a pulsating wave force I've always described as a 60 cycle hum.  "No wonder everyone is looking at her!" I thought.  Hers was an other-worldly beauty, but there was a a glow of energy that only a few mystics possess.  Perhaps that glow was the great spirit that will be known for all her charity, generosity, and courage.  Sleep well, brave one.    

Number 67 March 18, 2011

Check out some of Jimmy Page's session work.  No wonder these recordings sound great!
Page was the favoured session guitarist of producer Shel Talmy, and therefore he ended up doing session work on songs for The Who and The Kinks as a direct result of the Talmy connection.^[19] Page's studio output in 1964 included Marianne Faithfull's "As Tears Go By", The Nashville Teens' "Tobacco Road", The Rolling Stones' "Heart of Stone" (released on Metamorphosis), Van Morrison & Them's "Baby Please Don't Go" and "Here Comes the Night", Dave Berry's "The Crying Game" and "My Baby Left Me", Brenda Lee's "Is It True," & and Petula Clark's "Downtown." Under the auspices of producer Talmy, Page contributed to The Kinks' 1964 debut album and he played six-string rhythm guitar on the sessions for The Who's first single "I Can't Explain"^[18] (although Pete Townshend was reluctant to allow Page's contribution on the final recording, Page also played lead guitar on the B-side "Bald Headed Woman").^[20]
In 1965 Page was hired by Rolling Stones manager Andrew Loog Oldham to act as house producer and A&R man for the newly-formed Immediate Records label, which also allowed him to play on and/or produce tracks by John Mayall, Nico, Chris Farlowe, Twice as Much and Eric Clapton. Page also formed a brief songwriting partnership with then romantic interest, Jackie DeShannon. He also composed and recorded songs for the John Williams (not the classical guitarist) album The Maureeny Wishful Album with Big Jim Sullivan. Page worked as session musician on Donovan Leitch's Sunshine Superman 1966 & the Johnny Hallyday albums "Jeune Homme" (1968) and "Je Suis Né Dans La Rue" (1969), the Al Stewart album Love Chronicles in 1969, and played guitar on five tracks of Joe Cocker's debut album, With a Little Help from My Friends.

Number 66 March 10, 2011

I've had the privilege of seeing some of the greatest performers for many years over their careers.  I've been going to see Ravi Shankar and B.B. King for over 40 years, and Eric Clapton for over 30 years.  B.B. played the Fox in Oakland February 24, and Eric was at the HP Pavillion March 2.  I was struck by the realization that although B.B. is in advanced years, and plays sitting down now, his act has been consistant throughout his career.  There is banter with the audience, a song for thre ladies, a song for the guys, an excellent band with a jazzy back up guitar player, and of course B.B.'s wonderful playing.  It's a style of entertainment that goes back to vaudeville. In the old days, B.B. would put his hands on his hips, wag his fingers at the audience, and mime both sides of a boy/girl argument.  And of course, there is that tone, identifiable with one note.  Just as B.B. acknowledges Charlie Christian and Django Reinhardt as influences, B.B. has influenced everyone who has come after him.  Which brings me to Eric. His singing is probably at its most relaxed  now, and without the wonderful Doyle Bramhall and Derek Trucks, who have been with him the last few years, there is more room just to hear Eric's fluid, beautiful playing.  And my, Willie Weeks and Steve Gadd are marvelous.  Gadd has played with everyone from Steely Dan to Jim Hall and all the CTI artists.  With Eric, he is simply the best drummer in the world - simple, and perfect.  I'll get to see Ravi, and Anoushka, in May