TimmyB

If there is a hero in the film industry it's Michael Moore.

Hey paisly, King Crimson are amazing in all their forms, I feel the same way about Yes too.

In Crimson currently it's Robert Fripp (obviously) on guitar, Adrian Belew (spelt correctly) on guitar, Trey Gunn on Warr guitar, rubber bass, fretless Warr guitar and Pat Mastelotto on drums. I've seen this line up of Crimson three times, unfortunately I missed the '95 tour where they had two bass players and two drummers. The other two were Bill Bruford on drums (who was the original Yes drummer) and Tony Levin on stick bass (who was the bassist you saw during the ABWH tour paisley).

This current Yes line up is as definitive as they come with Chris Squire on bass, Jon Anderson on vocals, Steve Howe on guitar, pedal steel, Rick Wakeman on keyboards and Alan White on drums.

Unfortunately I've never seen Bill Bruford and wished he was in this current line up, but I don't want to put White down, he is a great drummer too. And since White took Bruford's place in 1973 he has been a mainstay in Yes.

Don't get me wrong I like Ween a lot and have listened to them since around my university days, which would date back to '94. I was mainly joking around with what I was saying and don't take anything too seriously when Ween are quoted.

Just like I'm going to have a hard time taking your quote, kung, seriously "Ween graciously loaned the song to Phish and when they got it back the interest was a throng of wooks." I don't think Phish had to ask Ween's permission to cover Ween, or anybody else for that matter. That's the great thing about songs, just like roses, they're free.

That statement thanking SCI is funny though.

Hey Esau, The String Cheese Incident has never covered 'Roses Are Free'. It sounds like Gene Ween is making fun of the "jamband" scene again.

When I saw Ween at Bonnaroo in it's first year they seemed more than happy to perform 'Roses Are Free' and lap up the applause. Applause that was due to Phish making it popular for them to all that were at that show.

That's a busy day in Toronto Willy.

Sat 07/17/04

Los Lobos @ Harborfront Centre

Chris Isaak/Bernie Leadon (original lead guitarist of the Eagles)/Olu Dara @ Toronto Blues Fesitival

Chris Hillman (of the Byrds) & Herb Pederson @ Exibition Place

I thik I'll have to pass Jewel by for one of these gigs.

Hell even Rod Stewart @ The Molson Amphitheatre

I'll be there on Friday night. This will be my seventh YES concert and they are one of my all time favorite bands. I've seen three different incarnations of Yes and this is their definitive line-up, with the return of Rick Wakeman. Every player is a master at his instrument and Jon Anderson hasn't lost a step vocally.

I remember last year there were rumours that Yes was going to co-headline a tour with The Dead. It's a good thing for The Dead that this tour didn't happen. Yes would have blown The Dead off the stage each and every night.

WOW I didn't know that BIG STAR were back together! And with Ken Stringfellow of R.E.M. and MINUS 5 fame, that's sweet.

I got into Big Star in 1998 while I was starting to listen to GOLDEN SMOG. Golden Smog were a alt-country-rock super band outfit that included Jeff Tweedy of Uncle Tupelo and Wilco (who's CD Single 'Outtasite (Outta Mind)' has a cover of Big Star's 'Thirteen'), Gary Louris and Ron Perlman of The Jayhawks, Dan Murphy of Soul Asylum, Kraig Johnson of Run Westy Run (who's album 'Green Cat Island' was produced by Peter Buck)and The Jayhawks and most recent member Jody Stevens of Big Star.

Luckily I saw Golden Smog perform two of the best gigs I ever attended in my life in December of 1998. Four lead vocalists performing amazing originals and covers all night. I even requested 'Revolution Blues' by Neil Young to Dan and Jody while Gary and Jeff were performing 'Radio King'. After the song Gary wanted to do something different and Dan shook his head no and said in the mic "This is a request from the audience, our drummer Jody doesn't know this song but we'll try it anyway." They ended up performing a helter skelter version of one of my favorite songs by my favorite artist.

About the quote by Jim Dickenson about "Big Star's cult following seriously skewed toward rock writers and musicians who count for a high percentage of conference delegates" not many quotes have ever rang more true.

When Rolling Stone released the Special Collectors Issue The 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time (RS Issue 937) Big Star had three records on this list. Since the band only had three studio records this is pretty impressive. Also since none of them have even been certified gold this also reinforces Jim's above quote.

It's too bad that THAT 70's SHOW didn't use the Big Star original of 'In The Street' instead of having someone cover them. I like Cheap Trick and all, but the original version is far better.

I have witnessed Galactic twice and both times have been at Bonnaroo. Now I don't know if it was the atmosphere of the event, but I thought both shows were quite good.

Yes they are not the best band in the world but they are a good time for a reasonable price. I might pass this show by or I might go, I have yet to decide. This isn't because I don't want to see Galactic, I do. It's just I'm going to way too many shows this summer already, and the summer hasn't even started yet.

I know MarcO dislikes it when Phish phans complain constantly about every aspect of the band, but I have got to say this. WORST ALBUM COVER EVER!

I mean seriously a six year old could design a better cover.

Wilco's official website www.wilcoweb.com has Wilco performing on the second day of Lollapalooza at the Molson Amphitheatre on August 6, 2004. I'm so happy that all the bands I want to see at this "two" day festival are all on the second day. In order of personal importance, Wilco, The Flaming Lips, Gomez, The String Cheese Incident, The Polyphonic Spree and Sound Tribe Sector 9.

Pink Floyd had two keyboards on stage during their tours. Obviously Rick Wright, with Peter Woods during The Wall Tour, Jon Carin in the 1980's and '90's.

Also Roger Waters In The Flesh Tour in '99-00 had Jon Carin and Andy Wallace on keyboards.

Paul McCartney also performs with two keyboardist when he is peforming piano or keyboards with either his late wife Linda and or now presently with Paul "Wix" Wickens.

Also the piano men Elton John and Billy Joel often if not always have two keyboardist on stage. Elton John has had the likes of Fred Mandel on stage in the eighties. Billy Joel had David Rosenthal during his 1993-94 tour. Plus when Billy and Elton tour together they perform together at the end of every night.

Bruce Hornsby since leaving 'The Range' to go solo has had John "J.T." Thomas on organ and keyboards.

Eric Clapton's last three tours. Clapton was and is heavily influenced by the band.

During the 1998 PILGRIM WORLD TOUR the keyboardist were:

1. Tim Carmon, who has also played with Babyface (who obviously introduced Tim to Eric), Gladys Knight, Lalah Hathaway, Jon B., Shai and Wayman Tisdale.

2. Kenneth Crouch, who has played with his uncle Andrae Crouch, Herbie Hancock, Joe Zawinuland and Bill Evans.

During the REPTILE TOUR in 2001.

1. Billy Preston, who has played with The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Steve Winwood and B.B. King just to name a few. He has also penned the the multi-platinum standard 'You Are So Beautiful' which was performed by friend Joe Cocker. He also wrote 'Will It Go Round In Circles' that has been performed by Trey Anastasio Band.

2. David Sancious, who was an original member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, giving the E Street Band two different combinations of two keyboardists. David has also been on stage with Santana, Peter Gabriel, Sting, Natalie Merchant and Yousou Ndour.

On Eric's present ME AND MR. JOHNSON Tour which makes stops at the AIR CANADA CENTRE on JULY 7 and HSBC ARENA on JULY 9.

1. Billy Preston again.

2. Chris Stainton, who is a fantastic blues keyboardist, which is fitting for the middle of this tours set. He peformed with Eric as a solo keyboardist during the 1994 'NOTHING BUT THE BLUES' tour.

I'm back.

1. 'Let It Rain' charted at US # 48.

2. 'Hoochie Coochie Man' written by Willie Dixon made famous by Muddy Waters. Eric recorded this song for 'From The Cradle' '94 and performed it live that same year. At the CONCERT FOR NEW YORK CITY in 2001 Clapton performed the song with BUDDY GUY and it ended up on the compilation album.

3. 'Walk Out In The Rain' Is one of those rare songs that Bob Dylan has given away without releasing it himself. Dylan has done this a few times for Clapton with songs 'Sign Language' off of '(no reason to cry)' in 1976, 'If I Don't Be There By Morning' and 'Walk Out In The Rain' both on 'Backless' released in 1978. Other Dylan songs that Clapton has performed are 'Knockin' On Heavens Door' in 1974, 'Don't Think Twice, It's Alright' and 'My Back Pages' in '1992, and 'Born In Time' in 1998.

I'm a big Bob Dylan fan and look forward to seeing this song performed live as I will likely never hear Dylan do it.

4. 'Bell Bottom Blues' the amazing self penned track that originated on 'Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs'. This song the Trey Anastasio Band performed during his first tour as a solo artist.

The last Clapton tour he performed 'Bell Bottom Blues' acoustically, and it will be nice to see it performed electrically with Doyle Bramhall II on second guitar.

5. 'I Shot The Sheriff' the Bob Marley song that originated on Marley's 1972 album 'BURNIN''.

Eric Clapton put Bob Marley on the world map when he recorded 'I Shot The Sheriff' in 1974 for his comeback album '461 OCEAN BOULEVARD'. The debut single off of '461' 'I Shot The Sheriff' ended up hitting #9 in the UK and was a number one hit in the US.

Marley didn't chart in the America until his third album 'NATTY DREAD' which was a half year after Clapton topped the charts with Marley's tune.

I've seen EC perform this song several times and it's always well received by the crowd.

6. 'Milkcows Calf Blues'

7. 'When You Got A Friend'

8. 'They're Red Hot'

9. 'Kind Hearted Woman Blues'

All the above songs are written by the King of the Delta blues Robert Johnson. They all appear on Clapton's latest release 'ME AND MR. JOHNSON' released this year, as a tribute to Clapton's favorite artist of all time.

Those who know Clapton know that he's performed Johnson tunes his whole life. The first song that Eric sang lead vocals on was the Johnson tune 'Ramblin' On My Mind' on JOHN MAYALL'S BLUESBREAKERS FEATURING ERIC CLAPTON released in 1966.

Johnson tunes I've seen Clapton perform live are 'Malted Milk', 'Sweet Home Chicago' and of course the classic 'Crossroads'. I'm not sure but I don't think Eric has ever performed these Johnson tunes until this tour.

10. 'Got To Get Better In A Little While' a relatively rare track that I never though I would see Clapton perform live. It has been released on DEREK AND THE DOMINOS 'IN CONCERT' album in 1973. It was re-released as 'LIVE AT THE FILLMORE' by Polydor's Chronicles label in 1974. The studio version of this song is avaliable on Clapton's CROSSROADS box set released in 1988.

Slowhand hasn't done this song ever night and I really hope to hear it in Toronto or Buffalo.

11. 'Have You Ever Loved A Woman' a song that Clapton has performed several times and has ended up on many records. Most famously on 'LAYLA'. I've seen this performed mutiple times, it never changes much from tour to tour, EC has perfected it long ago.

12. 'Badge' A song that Clapton was forced to record to contribute to the final CREAM album fittingly titled 'GOODBYE' released in 1969. Clapton cowrote it with his good friend the late great GEORGE HARRISON. Who performed many times together throughout their careers.

I have never seen 'Badge' live in concert and I can't wait to get it this time. It hit UK #18 and US #60.

13. 'Wonderful Tonight' the hit song off of the hit album 'SLOWHAND' in 1977. The song was written for Patti Boyd, who I'll speak more about later. It hit #16 on the US charts in 1978 and has been performed at nearly ever Clapton tour since.

14. 'Layla' Eric Clapton's signiture tune. Written for Patti who was George Harrison's wife at the time. She would end up leaving Harrison and marrying Clapton and divorcing him as well. 'Layla is the title track off of my favorite Clapton album DEREK AND THE DOMINOS 'LAYLA...'. It was not initially released as a single but later became a classic radio track, charting years later in 1982 in the UK hitting #4.

15. 'Cocaine' another hit off of 'SLOWHAND' reaching #30 in the US in 1980, backing 'Tulsa Time'. Eric has also performed J.J. Cale tunes through out his career. Songs like 'After Midnight' on Eric's debut in 1970, which was re-recorded for the 'CROSSROADS' box set in 1988. Clapton's also recorded 'Travelin' Light' on his 2001 'Reptile' record.

16. 'Sunshine Of Your Love' the rock classic off of CREAM'S 'DISRAELI GEARS' which hit #5 in the US in 1968. Often in the encore and on this tour every night Robert Randolph performs on this tune with Eric. Eric often performs this CREAM classic.

17. 'I Got My Mojo Working' the Muddy Waters track is also performed with Randolph during the encore. I've never had this one and it will be a nice way to end the show.

I hope this helped people who were on the fence on whether they would see EC or not fall the way of going to the show. He is one of those few players that can make you cry hearing just one note from a guitar solo. I hope these shows won't be my last, and I see Clapton years and years to come.

Clapton tickets went on sale this morning for Buffalo.

ERIC CLAPTON

HSBC ARENA

FRI JUL 9, 2004 7:30PM

WITH VERY SPECIAL GUESTS ROBERT RANDOLPH & THE FAMILY BAND

Tickets are avaliable at www.tickets.com and range from $55.00 to $75.00 American, plus service charges.

If you can't make this gig, he's also playing Toronto at the Air Canada Centre on WED JUL 7, 2004.

The band is:

Eric Clapton - Guitar, Vocals

Nathan East - Bass, Vocals (Has been with Clapton on most records and tours since 1985. And has also toured with Phil Collins and many others)

Chris Stainton - Keyboards (Started with Clapton on the 'From The Cradle' album in 1994, a great blues keyboardist)

Steve Gadd - Drums (A fantastic drummer that has been with Paul Simon and many others)

Doyle Bramhall II - Guitar, Vocals (Came to fame as a young guitar gunslinger out of texas in the band ARC ANGELS in 1992. He along with another young Texan guitarist, vocalist Charlie Sexton joined with DOUBLE TROUBLE, Stevie Ray Vaughan's old rhythm section. Double Trouble consisted of Chris Layton on Drums and Tommy Shannon on Bass and along with Doyle and Charlie the Arc Angels was born. Due to substance abuse problems the band didn't last too long and Bramhall had to take a break to recover. In 1999 Doyle released an album called 'Jellycream' on RCA and his come back began. Many took notice including Roger Waters who subsequently had Bramhall play lead guitar on Waters' 'In The Flesh' tour from 1999-2000. Clapton also was a fan using two Bramhall songs 'Marry You' and 'I Wanna Be' on Claptons colaboration with B.B. King on their record 'Riding With The King' which was released in 2000. Bramhall also appeared on that record and Clapton's next album 'Reptile' in 2001. Where Bramhall cowrote 'Superman Inside' with Clapton and Susannah Melvoin.

Every Clapton tour from '89 on has had Andy Fairweather Low as the second guitarist until now. Not to take anything away from Andy but Bramhall will put some edge to Clapton's playing that we haven't seen in some time)

Billy Preston - Hamond Organ, Keyboards, Vocals (Billy Preston made famous for performing with the Beatles and the Rolling Stones has also had a successful R & B career. Clapton performed on on of Billy's albums in the seventies. Billy toured with EC on the 'Reptile' tour in 2001 and luckily for us has returned.

Sharon White & Michelle John - Backing Vocals (I don't know these two ladies, so I have nothing to say about them. I don't think they've toured with EC before)

I've seen EC five times over his last three tours, starting with the 'Nothing But The Blues Tour' in 1994. And this will personally be my favorite set of material that I'll be seeing Slowhand do.

Here's the set from his latest show at NEC, Birmingham, England 04/30/04.

1. Let It Rain (Eric Clapton/Bonnie Bramlett)

2. Hoochie Coochie Man (Willie Dixon)

3. Walk Out In The Rain (Bob Dylan/Helena Springs)

4. Bell Bottom Blues (Clapton)

5. I Shot The Sheriff (Bob Marley)

6. Milkcows Calf Blues (Robert Johnson)

7. When You Got A Friend (Johnson)

8. They're Red Hot (Johnson)

9. Kind Hearted Woman Blues (Johnson)

10. Got To Get Better In A Little While (Clapton)

11. Have You Ever Loved A Woman (Billy Myles)

12. Badge (Clapton/George Harrison)

13. Wonderful Tonight(Clapton)

14. Layla (Clapton/Jim Gordon)

15. Cocaine (J.J. Cale)

Encore:

16. Sunshine Of Your Love (Jack Bruce/Pete Brown/Clapton)(with Robert Randolph)

17. I Got My Mojo Working (McKinley Morganfield AKA Muddy Waters) (with Robert Randolph)

About the set:

'Let It Rain' is off of Eric Clapton's debut solo album that was self titled and released in 1970. It was released before DEREK AND THE DOMINOS 'Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs' the very same year. The song is cowritten with Bonnie Bramlett who Clapton was introduced while Delaney And Bonnie were opening for Blind Faith in 1969. Eric loved the duo so much he ended up touring with them as their lead guitarist after the Blind Faith tour, which is documented on the Atlantic/Atco 1971 release DELANEY & BONNIE WITH ERIC CLAPTON 'On Tour'.

Interestingly enough Clapton did not want his name on the album so predominantly, he tried to continue the attempt at anonymity with the name DEREK AND THE DOMINOS, repacing ERIC with DEREK.

Husband to Bonnie, Delaney Bramlett convinced Clapton to record a solo record where he sang lead vocal on a whole record for the first time. The Delaney And Bonnie tour was Clapton's introduction to the members that would soon be on his first solo record and the members of DEREK AND THE DOMINOS. Bobby Whitlock on keyboards and vocals, Carl Radle on bass and Jim Gordon on drums. The original recording of 'Let It Rain' also had Delaney and Bonnie, Leon Russell on keys, Bobby Keys (of Rolling Stones fame) on sax, Rta Coolidge, Sonny Curtis and Jerry Allison on vocals and finally the great Stephen Stills on guitar and vocals.

'Let It Rain' is one of my favorite song off Clapton's debut record and I'm looking forward to hearing it for the first time)

Unfortunately I just got an emergency phone call and have to attend to a family member in the hospital. I will finish writing my 'About the set:' overview when I return home.

I'll probably see you guys after work. I hope the Fat Cats play a late show so I can actually witness some music tonight.

I'll be at Day 2 without at doubt! I fell in love with the Flaming Lips when I first saw them perform with Beck in '02, and have seen them twice since. I've been a fan of Gomez since their debut record 'Bring It On' in '98. Plus SCI to boot!

Looking forward to seeing the Polyphonic Spree and Sound Tribe Sector 9 for the first time too.

I wish I was there I saw Guster last fall at Lee's Palace and it was amazingly fun. Unfortunately I was at work tonight and was unable to attend.

I hope to see them at Bonnaroo this summer, though it depends on what else is on other stages at that time.

So how was the gig anyway?

The Ads are fantastic, I laughed so hard when I saw them. The commericals should be put on TV in edited versions. I saw Jerry Seinfeld on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart a couple of weeks ago promoting these ads, he must be getting paid a ton for them.

Wish I could go Brian, but it's another day I have to work the night shift. I guess I shouldn't complain, even though I do. My job pays for all the other gigs I attend, which are many.

I know it will be a great show though. So everybody have fun.

I'm a bit upset, I seem to recall the last time that Drums & Tuba performed at PJC they played well past two in the morning.

I ended up getting off work and arrived at PJC around 1:40AM only to find the band had finished and had already loaded up their van.

Rachael told me that the band got off around 12:30AM so we went home and I cried myself to sleep on my wee pillow. To any that attended the gig how was it?

This one goes out to MarcO and all of The New Deal fans out there.

The New Deal are performing during the Canada Trust Toronto Downtown Jazz Festival.

The New Deal - Wax Poetic opening

Thursday July 1 at 8:00PM

Toronto Star Stage Nathan Phillips Square

Queen & Bay Street

$20.00

more info at www.torontojazz.com

I guess they are not as broken up as once thought.

I thought you meant Leftover Salmon? But I guess I was wrong. Looked like some pretty big fish though.

Unfortunately I'm on the night shift tonight, but hopefully I can make it to PJC by last call.

I first saw Drums And Tuba open for Oysterhead in 2001 in Michigan. And I saw them again the last time they played PJC.

The second time I saw Drums And Tuba was around the same time I saw a King Crimson gig. I found the two bands had a lot in common. The guitarist and Tuba player in Drums And Tuba both use digital delay machines, which are often utilized in King Crimson. Also both bassist Trey Gunn of King Crimson and guitarist Neal McKeeby of Drums And Tuba have two basses and guitars on stage at the same time. Later I found out that Adrian Belew of King Crimson has performed on stage with Drums And Tuba which I thought that makes sense and it's pretty cool too.

I got to go to work, I hope to see you tonight.

In my humble opinion Radiohead is the best band to come out of the UK since U2. And 'OK Computer' is the best album of the past ten years.

I had tickets to see Radiohead at Maple Leaf Gardens in 1998, but passed it up to see Eric Clapton at the Gund Arena. My favorite guitarist ever is EC so it was a easy decision to make.

I finally saw Radiohead at the Air Canada Centre's Sears Theatre on OCT 17, 2000. Then I saw them again AUG 3, 2001 with The Beta Band (another great UK group). And Finally on OCT 15, 2003 at the Concert Hall at Skydome. All the gigs were amazing and I look forward to seeing them again.

I read recently that Radiohead have been in the studio again so hopefully they will be releasing another record soon.

This sucks! It's the same day the Bernie Leadon the former lead guitarist of the Eagles is performing in Toronto. I've seen Los Lobos twice and they are fantastic, but hopefully I'll be able to see them at Bonnaroo this year, since I'll have to pass up this show in Toronto. I grew up listening to the Eagles and have always wanted to see Leadon. He has also played with Dillard & Clark, The Flying Burrito Brothers and many other country rock legends.