SHINE A LIGHT!

Amen!














I became a lifelong Rolling Stones fan in 1974, when at aged 14 I piled into a car with a bunch of friends and drove from South Miami to the Cameo Theater in Miami Beach to see the movie "Ladies and Gentlemen, The Rolling Stones!". A film that 'toured' the country with a massive quadraphonic sound system. Fantastic film, amazing sound!

Thanks to the 16 (yes 16!) tickets I won over the weekend from the local radio station Sunny 105.9, last night I had the pleasure of taking my 10 year old son (and a dozen friends), to see his first Stones movie at the local premiere of Martin Scorsese's new concert documentary "Shine a Light" featuring The Rolling Stones in concert.













my portrait of a slightly younger(!) Mick



As far as Scorsese rock-documentaries go...he's now 3 for 3 in my book (he also directed the rock-doc chart topper "The Band's Last Waltz", and the more recent Bob Dylan Bio pic "No Direction Home")....as for the Stones, they just keep on proving your never, ever too old to rock 'n' roll! After all, the blues men jam until they drop.












The IMAX film , clocks in at 2 hours and 2 minutes, is beautifully shot (although maybe a few too many close ups!), and has impeccable sound, and really has a nice variety of Stones tunes. Some of my favorite song selections were: Shattered, She Was Hot, All Down the Line, As Tears Go By, and Some Girls.
Plus, on a few songs some great cameo's like: Loving Cup - with Jack White, Champagne & Reefer - with Buddy Guy, Live With Me - with Christina Aguilera. When I last saw the Stones in Miami '94, they did this last one with Sheryl Crow for the HBO Pay-Per View Concert.

But, I think the highlight of the film for me was not the cameos, nor the Clintons, the old news footage, or even the giant screen. It was an amazing sequence of (my favorite singer in the band) Keith Richards standing at the mic, minus guitar, belting out the song that made him my favorite - "You Got The Silver" - bloody awesome.


The movie opens nationally this Friday (4/4). Go see it if you can, you won't be sorry, my son wasn't - he sat mesmerized for the whole thing!
Next I'm off for the soundtrack.


A few other Stones films I've enjoyed over the years:
Rock n Roll Circus
Gimme Shelter
Let's Spend the Night Together
Video Rewind
Stripped
Forty Flicks

....for your listening pleasure I'm attaching a rare take of that Keith song - with Mick signing the lead. Enjoy.

Rare Mick lead vocal

You've Got The Silver.mp3

SHINE A LIGHT

MARTIN SCORSESE

THE ROLLING STONES

ROCK PARTY!

GEORGE THOROGOOD And The THE DESTROYERS
Melbourne, Florida March 19th 2008



















The bad boys are back in town. At 58, George still knows how to rock and roll. His stage persona is an odd mix of Chuck Berry moves, and an Andrew Dice Clay-like guy who knows he's the shit, but can also censor himself and deflate his ego all at once.

















I imagine most of his set is the same as the last time I saw him in 1985 - "Bad to the Bone," "Move It On Over," "Who Do You Love," "One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer" and my fave "I Drink Alone".

Although he did add a few new favorites the rockin' "Rock Party" (which kicked off the show), and "I Got My Eyes on You" both from his 2006 CD, "The Hard Stuff", and "Get a Haircut" from the '90's. I had to cut out during the first encore, so I'm not sure if another favorite of mine "Madison Blues" was played or not.



















At one point a young boy (a band member's son?) joined them onstage and shaked maracas. At the end of the tune George jammed with him at the stage's edge, kool indeed.




















George sounded and looked great, it's a solid show he presents, with much nostalgia and singing along. But, The Destroyers bill themselves as the World's Greatest Bar Band, and I think that would be the best place to see them...a bar, small hall, or festival where you can get up and boogie!



















Jim Suhler and Monkey Beat opend the show. Jim is an amazing guitarist, and also a member of the Destroyers. I read one review that said " there are two guitarists in the Destroyers. One is brilliant, the other is George"...I'm not sure I'd go that far, but the guy does kick ass.

Madison Blues

madisonblues.mp3

GEORGE THOROGOOD AND THE DESTROYERS

JIM SUHLER

THEM CHANGES......

BUDDY MILES
September 5, 1947 – February 26, 2008

On October 26th, 2007 I had the pleasure of seeing one of my musical heroes. Buddy Miles. Buddy has a long rock and roll history, starting with a bang playing for The Delfonics and Wilson Pickett, then in the seminal rock/funk/psychedelic blues band Electric Flag with Mike Bloomfield, his own band The Buddy Miles Express, through his time in Hendrix's Band of Gypsies.












After Jimi passed away, Buddy worked succsessfully with Bootsy Collins, Carlos Santana, and many others till his luck ran out in the late 70's due to addictions and bad decisions and he ended up doing some time until the mid 80's.

He regrouped and got some gigs in advertising, most notably the lead vocal job in the highly successful California Raisins ads.

Recently, Miles reunited with Billy Cox (of the Band of Gypsys) to re-record songs from the Band of Gypsys live album, with various of guitarists filling in for the late Hendrix. "The Band of Gypsys Return," was released in 2006.



















Last October, Buddy played at my friend's club the Sebastian Beach Inn, in Sebastian Florida. He spent the night meeting folks, taking pictures and signing autographs and telling stories. A real sweet man. Then Buddy and the band put on an awesome (but slightly disjointed) set, featuring a great guitarist - Randy Pavlock. Obviously tired, the show was to end, but the crowd chanted for my favorite Down By The River. Completely drained, Buddy relented, because he obviously and truly adored his fans. They kicked into an extended, haunting, and painfully beautiful cover of the Neil Young classic.

Buddy then said good night. I say goodnight now too. Rest In Peace kind soul.

















photos by Java John

Buddy is survived by his partner, Sherrilae Chambers.
DONATONS FOR BUDDY and FAMILY www.myspace.com/buddymilesband

Last week (Feb. 25, 26 and 28) Eric Clapton and Stevie Winwood performed 3 Concerts at Madison Square Garden... their first official full concerts together in nearly 39 years, since Blind Faith! During one of those shows, they paid tribute to their old friend Buddy Miles.
Enjoy:

Clapton and Winwood 08 - Them Changes

them changes - clapton winwood.mp3

Down by The River

buddymiles-DownbytheRiver.mp3

Buddy Miles and Carlos Santana

BuddyMilesCarlosSantana-ThemChanges.mp3

Buddy Miles and Billy Cox

CoxMiles_ManicDep.mp3

BUDDY MILES

JIMI HENDRIX

SEBASTIAN BEACH INN

RANDY PAVLOCK