January 15, 2025

SAMANTHA FISH PLAZA LIVE, ORLANDO

 SAMANTHA FISH

PLAZA LIVE, ORLANDO 

Monday December 30th 2024


When Ms. Samantha Fish takes the stage dressed in her Elvis '72 studded black leather jacket and elephant bellbottoms, a Monroe ‘do, looking finer than Pinky Tuscadro , with the badass swagger of Chrissie Hynde and a white Gibson SG slung over her shoulder, you know you are in for some serious rock ‘n’ blues trouble! Bathed in a deep blue light, that’s just how she appeared, (smothered in a deep blue light) in Orlando last Monday night at The Plaza Live.


Samantha and band were there to kick out the jams, and that’s exactly how she started the show off, with a killer version of the 1969 tune Kick Out The Jams, by the MC5. A band that many considered to be very early Punk. As an aside, and possibly why she chose this number, in 2024 the infamous MC5 lost two founding members, Wayne Kramer, and Dennis Thompson. (May they rest in peace.)

After that rousing gig opener, Samantha and her band then tore into the title track of her 2015 album Wild Heart, while welcoming the crowd that was a mix of 15–65 year old music lovers. Keeping up that high pace, next was a personal fave, Better Be Lonely from 2021’s fantastic Faster disc. Samantha then said to the crowd, "You guys are lively for a Monday night!" adding, "it is Monday, right?!" The band and crowd began playing with her by shouting out different days.


The groove slowed up for a Fish classic Chills and Fever (actually it’s a cover of Ronnie Love’s 1961 Northern Soul hit, that would later be an early British hit for Tom Jones.) It's such a great song, and Samantha really makes old songs her own. My favorite is Hello Stranger, originally a hit for Barbara Lewis in the early 60’s and Later by Yvonne Elliman in the mid 70’s. All three versions are unforgettable.

Next, we heard Poor Black Mattie (a tune written by a man she cites as a major influence, RL Burnside), and then Somebody’s Always Trying (a Ted Taylor cover), Wow. Psychedelic Funk Rock Blues. Throughout the night, she often reminded me of a few other of her heroes like Benmont Tench, Keith Richards or even Angus Young.


Showing off her experimental side, Sam often crouches down for minutes at a time and manipulates her foot pedals with her hands to an amazing effect! She’s quite skilled with her feet as well.
Then, she performs Deathwish Blues, the title track from her recent collaboration with Jesse Dayton that has one of the greatest lyrics ever, “Your kiss is like a death wish baby”. It's a rocking little number that led into Bulletproof, a 2019 track from the album Kill or Be Kind, that starts off with a real Foghat/Jimmy Page lick on her cigar box - slide guitar. Then, she kicks it into high gear with a cut called Miles To Go.

Samantha switched up guitars again, slinging on her silver Gibson SE for another one of her signature tunes, Bitch On The Run. Midway through this great song Samantha slows it down, and she gets a slightly painful look on her face, almost like somebody bumming a drink, but in a sweet way. And she says, “You’re feeling good? All right. I need your help (looking pained), I’m up here working my ass off…(much applause)…and, you know earlier? When I had you guys sing Chills and Fever? Um, not trying to be critical, but um, I just feel you know you can give it a little more moxi Look, I’ll cut the bullshit. You follow me - right now right now I’m feeling it.” (Pause) “Not bad, but I’m gonna make you do it one more time, just for the hell of it for my own ego. You got this Orlando!!” And we did.


There were three songs and 23 minutes left of the show, starting with a moody Dream Girl which featured several great leads and jams, breaking a string or two. Then, a bluesy a 13-minute jam Black Wind Howlin’ (with hints of a Zeppelin sound) where halfway through she made her introductions; fantastic musicians all for sure. They've got to be. To keep up with her as she jams through a string break and a guitar switches! I imagine six white SGs back stage!
Samantha and band took to the stage for one more time with another RL Burnside penned tune Goin’ Down South, where she asked the crowd to stay standing. We were happy to oblige. This song featured more of her killer slide work, and fine finger picking. Then the performers took their bows and said goodnight. Kick out the jams indeed!

Many thank you to Samantha and her team, and The Plaza Live for all their help allowing me to cover this concert!

Here is a link to an interview I did with Samantha Fish a few years back for Public Radio WFIT. I'm hoping for another chat soon!

https://youtu.be/Ouw0F5u3ByM?si=Ey-pKYeeapcpf1k1




February 07, 2024

SWEET RELIEF TRIBUTE TO RAMBLIN' JACK ELLIOTT

 

SWEET RELIEF TRIBUTE TO

RAMBLIN' JACK ELLIOTT

January 28th, 2024


Howdy Pardners! 


Whoa! The excitement was high in the lobby of the Masonic San Francisco Sunday night for the Sweet Relief: A Tribute to Ramblin' Jack Elliot concert! I'd been eagerly awaiting this concert since its announcement, for a number of reasons, not the least being it fell on my birthday. I mentioned the lobby because everyone was jammed around a few big screen TVs watching the 49ers win their playoff game. Priorities, I suppose. SF won, so the show then could go on!


Much to my delight, our first performer of the evening was a woman whom I believe will end up being the "matriarch" of folk music in the future, my friend Sarah Lee Guthrie. After some kind works about Jack and touring with him, Sarah Lee opened the show with one of her granddaddy Woody Guthrie's tunes, "Hard Travelin". Then she introduced Melissa Carper. I'd not heard of her, but she was awesome. The two duet-ed on Melissa's tune "Ramblin' Soul", while she rocked the upright bass.


Next up was Mike Beck, a fellow I'm not familiar with, but he performed a tune I'd recently fell in love with of Jack's called "South Coast" – whew!


Not many folks know that John Oates (yes, that John Oates of Hall & Oates fame) in the recent past released a very folky/bluesy album, so what a pleasure to see him show up to pay tribute to Jack! John performed a great rendition of Furry Lewis's "Falling Down Blues". Very nice indeed. 


Then we heard from Corb Lund, with a fantastic tune of his called "The Truck Got Stuck", with lyrics:

The Chev got stuck and the Ford got stuck 

But the Chev unstuck when the Dodge showed up

But the Dodge got stuck in the tractor rut,

Which eventually pulled out the Ford...

– lol, wonderful.


Peter Rowan. I'd become familiar with Peter about 25 years ago when we booked his brother at our venue in Florida. I've become a great fan of the Rowan Brothers, so what a treat to finally get to see Peter! He took the stage singing Jimmie Rogers' "Mule Skinner Blues (Blue Yodel #8)”, and claimed to have just discovered how to yodel! Next he welcomed back Sarah Lee to join him in a beautiful version of "The Cuckoo" (traditional).


In 1973 the world fell in love with a woman the folk scene had already loved for a decade, Maria Muldaur! I was right on board. So, I'm overjoyed to have seen Maria twice this past year! Earlier she did a few numbers at Wavy Gravy's birthday, and tonight she performed a few for Jack. Starting with Dylan's "I'll be Your Baby Tonight", and Blind Willie Johnson's "Soul Of A Man". Excellent choices!


That last tune started to gnaw at my emotions. But I was dumbfounded to find myself crying when Dave Alvin took the stage and started in on the powerful "King Of California". I didn't know much about Dave or this tune, but now it is a favorite. What a presence Dave has on stage, and the crowd loved him. Next, he covered Tim Hardin's "If I were a Carpenter".


One of the main reasons I wanted to attend this amazing event was to see the irrepressibly wonderful Victoria Williams, who took the stage next. As of this writing, 23 years ago tomorrow will be the anniversary of Ms. Williams along with The original Harmony Ridge Creekdippers performed at the Florida folk venue my wife and I owned - Kool Beanz. It is also the 30th Anniversary of the album Sweet Relief: A Benefit For Victoria Williams. A record of top musicians of the era covering her songs, designed to raise awareness of multiple sclerosis, and to raise funds for Victoria after she had been recently diagnosed with MS.

Victoria started into her "Opelousas" (with the refrain, “Sweet Relief” of course becoming the title of the LP). I've heard a number of versions of her song by her and others, but tonight had a real magical vibe! I did get to visit with her for 15 minutes after the show. It made my day. Love ya Vic!






Also at the Wavy Gravy party was Steve Earle, Steve showed up for Jack as well. He broke out one of the few songs Jack actually wrote (you see, Ramblin' Jack tends to wonderfully turn other's tunes into his own!) "912 Greens". We'll hear more from Steve soon in the program. Lubbock, Texas' Andy Hedges was up next, absolutely killing it on Dylan's "Diamond Joe"! 


Another big reason for attending this tribute was because I saw Rickie Lee Jones on the bill. My dad so loved Rickie Lee (coincidentally the year before she debuted, he had a look alike girlfriend!). Her first release "Chuck E's in Love" did not do much for me when it came out. I did not see what he and others saw. This was not just another pop song, it had a jazz tinge to it, with Ms. Jones' beat poet like delivery. When I did finally get it, I was all in with Rickie! 

Sarah Lee introduced Rickie Lee, and she opens with "I bet you never thought you'd hear me sing this song:...'I was busted flat in Baton rouge'..." whew! A truly funky version of Kristofferson's "Me and Bobby McGee", funky with a funky dance! Lovley! Even lovelier was her follow-up covering the traditional "I Ride An Old Paint". I learned of this tune from the Linda Ronstadt version, so nice to hear Rickie cover it just as beautifully.


For some reason, all my favorite songs were being played tonight!! Birthday Karma? 


Joe Henry then takes the stage covering Woody's "1913 Massacre", yeah there was no holding back the tears tonight. Much of the audience seemed to be quite emotional as well.


I honestly have not known much at all about Nathaniel Rateliff. I recognized his name and voice, but was not prepared to the amazing take on Hoyt Axton's "Gypsy Moth". One of those old gems that was so far back in my musical memory. What a joy to hear. "like I said it's an honor to be here, um, man I don't normally get nervous, but MAN that song was tough to learn! BTW, this is Luke Mossman who plays guitar with me in the Night Sweats. I started to figure out the cadence of that song, but I'd be damned if I could do the guitar part, and sing it at the same time!" Then the two broke into their own tune "And It's Still Alright".


10 years ago, I had the pleasure of seeing the Jackie Greene open for Govt Mule. What a talented performer! Tonight, he covered the traditional song "Old Blue". I will definitely learn more about him.


Jackson Browne took the stage next (strumming familiar chords) taking me all the way straight back to Halloween, Miami 1976, and the Jackson/Orleans/Pablo Cruise concert. "Here's a song that Jack recorded, it's a Gary Davis song...back then if you wanted to hang around the guitar stores everyone hung around, you had to be able to play this song (violin kicks in). It was years before I knew what this song was about. If I wanna sing it now, I have to sing the rehab version!" "Cocaine" (runnin' all 'round brain) with some new lyrics, and a lil help from Steve Earle because he knew the "unrepentant verses"! Jackson then played a very moving "Far From The Arms of Hunger". He is one of the most powerful songwriters of our generation for sure.


On the bill it said Special Guests. As if the previous list was not special enough, out walks Bob Weir! The crowd start howling and yelling "wolf!" He takes the stage tinkering with equipment "I didn't get to the soundcheck today, because I was at a BALL GAME!" The guy next to me knows I'm a Dolphin fan, and shouts out "GO Niners! Right?! C'mon" - lol. Right.

I instantly know the tune. Bobby then says, "I'm gonna try something new, I'm gonna try, like our friend Steve Earle did (but I've never done this before), I gonna try to tell a story...and play guitar at the same time"...and he gives this great lead in to "When I Paint My Masterpiece". Man, I told you they were all my favorite tunes tonight! My fave Bobby vocal!

Then Mr. Weir welcomed Joan Baez on stage to join him in Willie Nelson's "Blue Eyes Crying in The Rain".


Joan took center stage. Talking about Jack and Dylan, she joyously covered Bob's "Don't Think Twice, it's Alright", and followed it with a song she wrote (one of a very few), that I'd never heard of. "Coconuts" hmmm...interesting dittie: 

Coconuts sitting in my hand

Remindin' me of my island man

And my island man sitting in his hut

Dreamin' about my coconuts.


Well then! So much fun. So great to finally see Joan, I had tickets to see her a while back but her mom (Joan Sr.) fell ill, and so she had to cancel the gig. [hmmm, so?]

Side note: I had written to Joan requesting a pair of autographs, one to auction for charity, the other to hang in our venue. Her mom answered my request with photos and a beautiful hand written letter apologizing for her handling the correspondence and not Joan personally. So I wrote her back saying no need for apologies, we were thrilled! "But, oh, btw...I remember you are Mimi Farina's mom too...I would love to have a photo to hang next to Joan's!" She explained that she was very sorry, she did not even have her own Mimi autograph! Then she added Mimi's address, and said "if you do reach out, ask her to send her mom one too!!" How sweet. Enough about me, now where was I?



 

Now we are nearing the show's finales. Ramblin' Jack Elliott takes the stage to a massive standing ovation, of course! There he was, at 94 hunched over a bit, greeting all his friends and hugging all the gals on stage left.

The legend sat down and kicked into his signature tune "San Francisco Bay Blues" – goosebumps time!! Git it you ol' cowboy!! Wow. Next off Peter Rowan equipped with mandolin kicks off "Rolling in My Sweet Baby's Arms" with Victoria. Then Jack took a verse, and all joined in. Truly amazing. 


I grew up listening to live folk music concerts like this on record, what an honor to be there on this night, for this this new California transplant!



The next day, I decided I should call Jack himself – I've had his number from a mutual friend. He answered!


"Hello, hello? I was sent by our mutual friend "Florida Pete" Gallagher. How are you? I was at the big concert Sunday night; it was my birthday. I wondered if I might get a few words from you about the event?" I spewed forth. There was a long pause.


Jack said, "It was the best show ever". Then a very long pause. "It was really the best show ever. There were so many friends! It took me 15 minutes to recognize them all! So many friends. I saw my old friend Jackson Browne, I didn't recognize him. He had a beard; I asked his name. Oh I told him I used to have an old friend also named Jackson Browne, but he didn't have a beard. Later I called him to apologize forgetting him, he said there were 'no worries, Jack'".


Mr. Elliott (92) then mentioned "it's been a fantastic week", although he was sad that he started losing his voice last week, especially since he has a gig tomorrow! So I said maybe we should cut this short, to save his voice, he agreed, but we both rambled a few minutes more...I then asked if we could have a proper interview soon, he agreed and wished me happy birthday!


for Dad.

Java John Goldacker




October 03, 2023

The ZOMBIES Are Coming!! The ZOMBIES Are Coming To SF!!


The ZOMBIES Are Coming!! I finally had the pleasure of seeing The Zombies 5yrs ago,  
and now I'll get to photograph them in San Francisco!

 Iconic British Invasion Band The Zombies (http://www.thezombiesmusic.com) kick off N. American Tour Oct 1st and at Palace of Fine Arts on Thursday, Oct 5th in San Francisco. Touring in support of their latest release ‘Different Game’.


NEW ALBUM, DIFFERENT GAME CHARTS TOP 20 IN THE US & UK WINNER OF THE SXSW 2023 GRULKE PRIZE FOR CAREER ACT 

"The Zombies are still in the game and still playing for keeps” - American Songwriter 

“The new material is absolutely enchanting” - Goldmine Magazine 

"Still-hungry group flexing their creative muscles" - MOJO Magazine 

“Everyone plays like they were dealt a perfect hand” - Den of Geek 

“These 60’s legends are proving that it’s still the time of the season” - Rolling Stone 

North America Shows: Sunday, Oct 1 - Massey Theatre - New Westminster (Vancouver), BC Monday, Oct 2 - Washington Hall - Seattle, WA Tuesday, Oct 3 - Aladdin Theater - Portland, OR Thursday, Oct 5 - Palace of Fine Arts - San Francisco, CA Friday, Oct 6 - Alex Theatre - Glendale (Los Angeles), CA Saturday, Oct 7- Belly Up Tavern - Solana Beach (San Diego), CA Monday, Oct 9 - Lensic Performing Arts Center - Santa Fe, NM Wednesday, Oct 11 - Boulder Theater- Boulder, CO Friday, Oct 13 - Fitzgerald Theater - St. Paul (Minneapolis), MN Saturday, Oct 14 - South Milwaukee PAC - Milwaukee, WI Sunday, Oct 15 - Old Town School of Folk Music - Chicago, IL Tuesday, Oct 17 - Queen Elizabeth Theatre - Toronto, ON Wednesday, Oct 18 - Royal Oak Music Theatre - Royal Oak (Detroit), MI Thursday, Oct 19 - Brown County Music Center - Nashville, IN Friday, Oct 20 - Ludlow Garage - Cincinnati, OH Sunday, Oct 22 - MGM Northfield Park - Northfield (Cleveland), OH Tuesday, Oct 24 - The Birchmere - Alexandria, VA Thursday, Oct 26 - The Cabot - Beverly (Boston), MA Friday, Oct 27 - Adler Hall at the NY Society of Ethical Culture - New York, NY Sunday, Oct 29 - Keswick Theatre - Glenside (Philadelphia), PA 


About The Zombies: The second UK band following The Beatles to score a #1 hit in America, The Zombies infiltrated the airwaves with the sophisticated melodies, breathy vocals, choral back-up harmonies and jazzy keyboard riffs of their 1960’s hit singles “She’s Not There” and “Tell Her No.” Ironically, the original lineup disbanded just prior to achieving their greatest success – the worldwide charttopping single “Time of the Season,” from their swan-song album Odessey and Oracle, ranked in the Top 100 of Rolling Stone’s ‘500 Greatest Albums of All Time.’ To this day, generations of new bands have cited The Zombies’ work as pop touchstones, and the band continues to be embraced by new generations of fans. Following the break-up of the original band, Blunstone went on to develop an acclaimed solo career, while Argent rocked arenas in the 1970’s with his eponymous band ARGENT, but the legend of The Zombies continued to take on a life of its own. By the start of the new Millennium, Blunstone and Argent were inspired to resurrect The Zombies, which has led to several critically-acclaimed new albums and 2 decades of worldwide concert performances.