Jaimoe

Phish keyboardist Page McConnell's all-star group, Vida Blue, digs deep into a Seventies-era rock-funk-jazz-fusion candy jar, pulling out a handful of seven groovy, playful and technically awing tracks. Begun as a side project during Phish's hiatus, Vida Blue (who adopted their moniker from a Seventies baseball pitcher) are a stellar trio composed of McConnell, Funky Meters drummer Russell Batiste, and bassist Oteil Burbridge, who has logged time with the Allman Brothers Band. The groove alone on the psychedelic track "Most Events Aren't Planned" -- with its gel-like keyboard effects -- is enough to hook Phish fans, as well as loyal followers of Herbie Hancock and the Headhunters. Vida Blue show off their improvisational chops on the playful "Where's Popeyes" and the serene "Final Flight." Recorded in one week in the heat of New Orleans, Vida Blue is hypnotic and soothing -- a serene nightscape of shooting stars and floating keyboards.

KERRY L. SMITH

(June 25, 2002)

29 June 2002

Pino Palladino to play bass for the tour

Bobby and I welcomed Pino to L.A last night. By some incredible stroke of good fortune he was in the USA (Philadelphia) about to fly to the UK after working some sessions in Miami. He agreed immediately to step in to this difficult post. He is a gentleman and a professional.

We talked a little about his role here, and I made it clear we do not expect him to attempt to emulate, parody or copy John Entwistle in any way. Pino is a master in his own way, but the one request I made was that - at first - he play as loud as he can bear!

We have two rehearsals before the Hollywood Bowl - one today (Saturday) one tomorrow.

For my part I am not attempting to deliberately establish any sense of memorial or tribute to John. Unlike others I entirely respect (including many of John's friends and family) I don't feel I know for certain that John would have wanted us to go on. I simply believe we have a duty to go on, to ourselves, ticket buyers, staff, promoters, big and little people. I also have a duty to myself and my dependent family and friends. I also want to help guide Roger and the rest of the band at this time, all of whom have been shaken by John's death.

Roger left entirely to me the decision as to whether or not to go on with the tour. I think he hoped in his heart it would not be over so suddenly.

My immediate mission is to complete this tour in good heart, and to remember John in my quiet and private times. It is easy for me to smile when I remember John. I loved him unconditionally. I will try hard not to fall into any of my usual mini-depressions on this tour. Pino is determined to enjoy the music, and so am I.

We are musicians, entertainers. We can do it. We have the right tools. No worries.

Pete

Agreed, Entwistle has always made his money through Who tours, not by his solo record contracts. The majority of bands of a certain ilk make most of their money touring - Phish, Stones and Dead all included.

Actually AD, Pete and Roger were encouraged to continue with the tour by Entwistle's immediate family. It's gotta be hard for Pete and Roger because neither one likes each other too much. John was the stabilizing force in the band. I don't think The Who should be put in a money-grubbers category with the likes of Lynyrd Skynryd and the Beach Boys.

I can't believe it, but it's true. A Moon and Ox-less Who are honouring all their booked concert dates, including Toronto. Do I want to go? I'm really undecided. They are my fav band ( along with the Allmans ), but with only 2 surviving members, and one of them is Roger, I just don't know.

Bob, are all the Nathan Phillips Square shows cancelled? I think they might be.

That wasn't my fault. The dubber dubbed in Beavis & Butthead audio over the commercials, not me. It sure made for an interesting Electric Circus... for a change.

Let's make it the Beverley. I'll call you tomorrow from work.

Hey Bob, I'll be at Scofield. I work until 7, then I'm walking over to Nathan Phillip's Square. It'll be great.

... John Entwistle would still be alive.

Yeah Andre, I know that guitar now. Dave never plays it. I played the very same guitar at Centre Stage Music in Kingston. With an envelope filter, that guitar could even make Giggles sound good.

Andre, does Dave have a new guitar? I didn't know he owned three G&Ls - I'm referring to the semi-hollow body. If he owns one of them, I'm envious. I thought Dave's seldom used guitar was the ASAT Classic - basically the same one as mine.

Actually, starting at 12:30, it's Who all day and night. Kids Are Alright at 1pm, Classic Albums: Who's Next at 3pm, Isle Of Wight at 4pm, Live From Royal Albert HAll at 5:30. This programming will repeat all day and night. As the MC5 said: " It's time to kick out the jams motherfuckers "!

I can only air videos we have in our data base. I can't air movies on a whim - although I wish I could. The Kids Are Alright is perfect because it's a doc. They do have The Isle Of Wight concert ( although an incomplete version ).

So, since I work at MuchMoreMusic, and am a Who fan, Craig Halkett ( former vj and currently head programmer ) has allowed me to air any Who video I want. I'm replacing videos by Marc Anthony, Shakira, NSYNC etc... with The Who. The programming change starts at 12:30. Get ready for live " Won't Get Fooled Again ". Also, The Kids Are Alright movie will air this afternoon, probably at 2. MMM is doing it right. It's going to be Who all day. Damned right. I'm glad I'm here. What videos do you guys and gals want to see at 12:30?

Zack Starkey is The Who's drummer, and has been for at least 5 years. Yes, he is Ringo's kid and a Moon worshipper.

If they do tour, it should be as a tribute to John, with guest bassists ( if that's feasible ) - but they can't call themselves The Who. It was tough enough to accept them as a Moon-less Who, but a Moon and Entwistle Who, no way!

Oh, they know how to put on a show. Gilmour is a genius guitarist.

I was upstairs at the Silver Dollar listening to Crazy Strings for most of the night, but I caught the last few songs of BBF and liked what I heard. I guess the sound got better near the end. Lucky for me. I'll catch them again for sure.

Actually Velvet, I do think Page purposely ripped off " Machine Gun ". He did the same with " Dazed And Confused " - a 60's folk tune. I like what Zep does to the songs they are " influenced " by, but Page and Plant ( yes, along with hundreds of blues performers etc... ) don't always admit to their origin.

Waters and Gilmour will never play together again. They hate each other. Pink Floyd without Waters is not Pink Floyd.

I'm devastated. Not arguably one of the greatest to ever play the instrument. Influential and the stabilizing backbone in The Who. Lead bass players everywhere owe a debt of gratitude and respect to The Ox. Listen to Live At Leeds and tip a pint or two for John.

This is devastating news. The Who are my favourite band, and have been for over 20 years. The Ox was arguably rock's greatest bassist. His bass style was truly innovative, highly skilled and creative. He was one of the few early rock bassists ( maybe the only one )who made bass guitar a lead instrument. The Who should be done as a band. They were never the same after Moon's predicatable demise and Entwistle added as much or more to The Who's sound and musical direction. The Who were recording new material and would have performed some new tunes during their upcoming tour. This is sad. sad news.

Thanks for the info. I'll definitely check you guys out. Chicago's is one of my favourite pubs/clubs and plus, it has damned good burgers. I'll be there next Monday for sure.

I like Page and Beck too. If you listen to the end of " In From The Storm " - from any of Hendrix's live versions, you'll hear Beck's classic, " Rice Pudding " from Beck-Ola. With Page, the most obvious example of Hendrix thievery is in the Zep classic " No Quarter ". The main power-chord melody/riff is lifted from " Machine Gun " the original 1969/70 Band Of Gypsies album. Listen to the middle, slowed-down bridge of " Gun ". It's obvious.