Amazing Escovedo Show Last Night

I'm still reeling from last night's show at Higher Ground! I will say, without a doubt, this was the most amazing concert I've ever been to... and that's saying a lot! I'm still a little tongue-tied and am reliving every song Alejandro and his fellow musicians performed. A partial set list and not in any particular order: Dear Head On the Wall (opener), Rosalie, I Was Drunk, Seven Years, Evita's Lullaby, Arizona, Put You Down, With These Hands, Everybody Loves Me, Velvet Guitar. What was great fun was that he has added "Castanets" to his set list - after a moratorium in protest to the fact that he found out GW Bush had (the Los Lonely Boys' version recorded on the tribute CD Por Vida) the song on his iPod! He played it with total abandon!!! He also did a few new ones that were just fantastic. He is collaborating with singer/songwriter Chuck Prophet and is headed soon to the studio to record a new album - if I could pre-order right now I would!

The stunning conclusion to the show was when everyone unplugged and joined us in the middle of the small audience to perform "I Wish I Was Your Mother". I can't begin to express how gorgeous and moving it was and I was nearly weeping. I admit I can get really emotional about music - but I don't think I was the only one there with tears welling up. Escovedo is an astonishing songwriter, poet, musician, arranger, etc. and he has put together a group of musicians of the highest degree of excellence.

If you ever have the chance to see Escovedo live... run, don't walk. You will be moved.

Birthday Props to Ringo Garza

Today is Ringo Garza's 26th birthday. If you don't know him, Ringo is the youngest brother of Henry and Jojo Garza - otherwise known as Los Lonely Boys. Ringo is an amazing and talented drummer, as well as a beautiful singer. You've heard it told that no one can harmonize like sibs, and these brothers are amazing! Ringo has seen a lot of life for being just today 26 years old. He was born with drumsticks in his hands(ouch)and has been playing professionally "since he was an itty bitty dude" (quote from his papa, Enrique). He is a husband and father of two gorgeous children and is one of the dearest people you'll ever meet (if you're lucky enough to meet him!).(Ringo on right)


HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RINGO!

Alejandro Escovedo Tonight!

I'm very excited about tonight's show at Higher Ground (So. Burlington, VT) - one of my musical heros will be playing with his small orchestra. I "discovered" Alejandro Escovedo a couple of years through my love of the Garza brothers - Henry, Jojo, and Ringo - AKA Los Lonely Boys. I wasn't familiar with Escovedo then, but LLB had contributed the Escovedo song Castanets on the tribute album "Por Vida" which was produced & created to raise needed funds to help the artist pay his mounting medical bills. Escovedo had been fighting for his life with a near fatal case of Hepititus C.

I delved into Escovedo's music and discovered his genius, his magnificence. I highly recommend all of his music, most recently The Boxing Mirror - his first following a miraculous recovery and road back to health. You can hear his struggle, his angst, notably, how he has had to change his life and give up the familiar comforts that may have gotten him to where he was. It is both painful and beautiful.

A must for fans is Escovedo's brilliant "By the Hand of the Father". By The Hand of the Father was an original theatrical work that combined spoken word, music, and video to dramatize the unique 20th century journey of the Mexican-American father.
The album is powerful, capable of making you weep! I only wish the theatre production was still touring.

So, tonight I finally get to see Escovedo perform live and I know it will be a momentous night!

Funny thing about string!

Ha,ha... did you know that cotton string can be dangerous to your personal self? I got a chuckle out of this warning - on first encounter, that is. I do realize that in the hands of some.... well, just be careful.

Today's Bit of Wisdom!

There were 3 men who died and before God would let them into heaven, he gave them a chance to come back as anything they wanted.

The first guy said " I want to come back as myself, but 100 times smarter. So God made him 100 times smarter.

The second guy said "I want to be better than that guy, make me 1000 times smarter. So God made him 1000 times smarter.

The last guy decided he would be the best. So he said "God, make me better than both of them, make me 1,000,000 times smarter.

So God made him a woman!!

Thanks to Sparky in London, England for this one:

Tony Blair and George W Bush had been sent to HELL. The Devil had prepared two cells for them. Tony Blair walked into this dingy cold room that had rats running all over it. The Devil said, "Tony Blair, this is your eternal punishment!" George W Bush was not looking forward to his cell, so imagine his surprise when he entered a beautiful pink room with Pamela Anderson inside. The Devil announced, "Pamela Anderson, this is your eternal punishment!"

Something to think about...

Some really interesting reading in this weeks issue of Rolling Stone (RS) (11-15-07.
In the article WHERE WE'RE GOING, RS interviewed 25 influencial artists, leaders, and scientists. I've selected just a few quotes that will stay with me.

"With global warming, somebody's baby is going to have to burst into flames to make people do the right thing." Chris Rock.

"We're in a position where we have to get people to see that their common humanity is more important than their differences." Bill Clinton.

"Here we are, the most clever species to have lived. So how is it we can destroy the only planet we have?" Jane Goodall.

Winter & Burton Snowboarding Arrives in Burlington

Downtown Burlington was jamming last night with the fifth annual Queen City Sessions on the park. Sponsored by Burton Snowboards (Burlington is HQ to Jake Burton Carpenter's empire) and Sugarbush, the rail jam marks the start of the snowboarding season. This year's jam showcased all new rail features, a bigger and better start structure, live graffiti, beats by DJ CRE8, tons of free giveaways, awards and a live set from a local cover band, Bone Cobra in City Hall Park.

Carlos and Deborah Santana - after 34 years... the Bummer

I was so sad to hear about the Santana's impending divorce after 34 years of marriage. I've been a fan since the 60's and have always admired the fact that they were a happy and stable family and endured - dispite the usual rock-star, Hollywood crap that is more the norm. But, it happens... even to the BEST of them, and I do mean BEST!

This is a tough time for Carlos and Deborah, and the kids. I hope they all weather well the unsettling shifts and changes ahead. Knowing how difficult divorce can be, my heart goes out to them.