here in Shanghai. The temperature is in the high 70’s a nice change of pace from the last couple of stops we’ve made. This city is huge, they tell me there are 20 million people in the greater metropolitan area and growing. As far as I know we’re only due to stay here a couple of days before we head on to points north, so I don’t if I’ll get a chance to see any of the sites or not. I’m hoping to get to see the City God Temple if I do. At any rate I hear it’s snowing up a storm back home( around a foot and a half at the house) but my wife says it’s clearing out and supposed to warm gradually in the days to come. The talk of snow has reminded Eddie of one of his favorite albums which he puts forward as this weeks recording of note. The album is “Dis” by Jan Garbarek released in 1977 on the ECM label. Jan on saxaphones and wood flute is joined by Ralph Towner on 12 string and classical guitars with field recordings of a windharp in the mix for three of the six pieces including the title track. This music has a rare spacious nature to it , which is a quality present in a number of releases on this label over the years. To Mr. Ersatz’s credit, I find “Dis” to be as listenable today as it was when I first heard it over 30 years ago, well worth checking out. Speaking of checking out I should go down to the front desk and see what this “message” light on the phone in my room means. I’ll write more soon as I get elsewhere, Happy Halloween and take care. Image courtesy of twistedpapers.com
October 29, 2009
October 18, 2009
where it’s still warm but not quite as much as the Sudan was. This is a city full of history and people, quite unlike anywhere we’ve visited so far on this tour. The manager of the club we’re playing is an old friend of Eddie’s and we might stay a couple of extra days to play a party for a mutual friend they seem to owe a favor to. Hank and Harold are going out tomorrow to see some ancient religious sites and I might tag along if I feel up to it. After we leave here we are supposedly off to China next, although transportation issues are still arising..we’ll see. Meanwhile Mr. Ersatz has requested that this weeks recording of note be “Marscape” by Jack Lancaster and Robin Lumley. Released in 1976 on the RSO label this album features all the members of the band Brand X plus Jack Lancaster on woodwinds and Bernie Frost and Simon Jeffes. It’s a great collection of fusion oriented tunes played with a mixture of delicacy and gusto. Mr. Phil Collins turns in a rock solid performance on the skins here as do the rest of the Brand X boys on their respective instruments. I was lucky enough to see Brand X back in the summer of 1977 and it was a high energy show and I had a front row seat , it was a great night as I recall. Anyway a wonderful disc to check out , should you get a chance. Speaking of chance I think I’ll try and find someplace close by to get some dinner. Hope all you folks back home are doing OK, thanks for checking in on me. I’ll post next when we move on from here, take care. Thanks again to the guys at twistedpapers.com for the great images I’ve been using in this “Tour” blog.
October 7, 2009
should be the title of this post. After a few days here in Khartoum I’m ready for a cool down. It’s been in the low 100’s every day here so far and the hotel we are staying at, lacks any of the comforts that would alleviate that state. It cools down to the low 80’s at night, but the ballroom we’ve been playing in retains the heat of the day more than I would prefer. At any rate tonight is our last one here and then it’s farther east to points not fixed yet. My wife back in the states informs me that some friends of ours have contacted her to express their good wishes for me on my journey as described in this blog. I should remind those folks and any others who might be “believing” this bit of fun, to refer to my blog entry from the 21st of June this year, which addresses the “reality” aspect of this trip and my companions. Speaking of Mr. Ersatz…. Eddie’s musical pick of the week is an album titled “Divisions On A Ground” by Richard Harvey, originally released on Transatlantic records in 1975. Being an introduction to the recorder and it’s music this disc features Harvey on recorders along with a six piece ensemble. Recorded at St. Paul’s Church, Wimbledon Park, London in July & August 1974. The works here ( by Vivaldi, Matthysz, Handel, Finger, van Eyck, and Loeillet ) span about a century of Baroque music at it’s popular peak. Mr Harvey though a mere 21 years of age when this record was made, brings 17 years of playing the instrument to bear on these pieces with beautiful results. No real standout number here, just a wonderful collection of gracefully performed musical works that are a great listen. Well that’s about it from here for now, hope all is well for you folks wherever your are, please stay tuned for more. Image courtesy of twistedpapers.com
September 20, 2009
from beautiful Cairo, Egypt. It’s been sunny and warm since we left Greece with no major distractions on the route. Hank didn’t seem to enjoy his time on board the boat as much as his brother Harold, but he seems to have recovered now. The schedule only calls for us to be here for a few days before we head south to the Sudan where I understand it’s quite a bit warmer than here. This is a really bustling city and I hope to get out and see it while I’m here. There is also a music shop that I want to visit while I’m here that is supposed to have some accordion related items I’m seeking. Speaking of music…Eddie has asked me tell you that the pick this week is ” Travelling” by John Williams (the guitarist) released in 1978 on Cube records in the UK. Mr Williams is joined on this recording by some excellent players as they explore contemporary reworkings of some of the classic gems of J.S. Bach and more. Having studied with Segovia early in his career, Mr. Williams displays a level of fierce exactitude in his performances that helps drive these modern arrangements. The album is arranged and produced by Stanley Myers. My favorite track is the version of “Sheep May Safely Graze” arranged by and featuring Richard Harvey on recorders. A very pleasant musical excursion that you might enjoy if you give it a chance. Well Hank must be feeling better cause he’s at my door and wants to catch a bite to eat before the gig, so we are off to find some food. You folks all have a good day and I’ll post when we head south later in the week.
September 11, 2009
I can’t really say and now I’m getting ready to leave. The food has been wonderful and the people even more so. The rest of the band is in no hurry to move on, but Eddie says there are gigs to do elsewhere, so onward we go. I’m caught up on postcards to back home and my laundry so I’m hoping to get some sightseeing done. Meanwhile Eddie informs me that this week’s recording of note is the 1982 release “Counting The Beat” by Swingers a trio headed up by Phil Judd (ex-Split Enz) on Mushroom records. This disc yielded 2 numbers that charted down under and was the only release for this band. They can be seen in the film musical “Starstruck”to which they also contributed some of the soundtrack material. The album is slightly bent pop of the first order with the horn duties falling to the fabulous Brecker Brothers with excellent results. My favorite tracks are “More” and “True or False” which starts off with a lilting mandolin chorus only to resolve into a variation on the melody to “Staying Alive” as the tune finishes up. Overall a very solid effort you should hear. I think we’re looking to pick up a couple of dates on the way to our next confirmed booking, but I’ll post you folks as soon as we get where we’re headed. Have a good day and take care. Image courtesy of twistedpapers.com
August 25, 2009
one of the most unusual birthday parties I’ve ever played at or attended. I’ve always been somewhere between amused and amazed at some of the people Eddie counts as his friends, and the guest list for this party was full of them. Something about gentlemen in military uniforms from what are now defunct forces that makes me laugh, although quietly to myself since they tend to brandish their weapons after a few drinks to punctuate their point in conversation. Both the Headstock Brothers and myself took the opportunity to take a complimentary bottle of sparkling wine back to our room after the gig, figuring that Eddie would be out for the duration of the evening, which he was. I did get a pseudo-cryptic note from Eddie shoved under the door while I was sleeping it off, which as best as I can tell contains this week’s musical recording of note “Shoot Out The Lights” by Richard and Linda Thompson. Released in 1982 on Hannibal Records this album is a must have for anyone’s collection and features brilliant vocal and guitar work throughout. The title track alone is worth the price of admission but for me the real clincher is “Wall of Death” which stands as one of the greatest folk-rock tunes of all time. Once again Mr. Ersatz has picked a winner, do check it out if you have not already. Well thats about it from here, next stop is Greece (if it hasn’t burnt to the ground before we get there). I’ll post you when we arrive, meanwhile have a good day! image courtesy of twistedpapers.com
August 16, 2009
here in Venice I thought I’d better catch up on blogging and more before we move on. The tour is going well so far and according to Eddie we’re actually making some money, although the band has yet to see much of it. Hank and Harold (the Headstock Brothers) managed to get out to the country to visit some friends of theirs and returned with wine and cheese of a most excellant nature which they shared with the rest of the band, much to our delight. I guess the next gig will include a private birthday party for an old business associate of Eddie, but so far no more details on location. At any rate, Eddie says the musical recording of the week is “Hommages” by Gavin Bryars released on Les Disques du Crepuscle in 1981(Belgium). This disc is a collection of four pieces performed by an ensemble including Gavin Bryars himself. The tone of three of these pieces is decidedly ambient in nature , the other track “The English Mail Coach” is a more strident but still minimalistic composition. The players on this record do a wonderful job of maintaining a delicate balance on the quieter tracks that results in what I would term “ambient acoustic jazz” or something on that order. All in all I agree with Eddie, a very nice recording indeed. One more musical note on the week. The band and Eddie would like to express their personal thanks, admiration, and respect to the one and only Les Paul, who played and invented his way into the musical fabric of the world, in a way few have or ever will. He will never be forgotten. Time to get my stuff together for the next leg of this trip, have a good day, more to come soon.
image courtesy of twistedpapers.com
August 5, 2009
after a fun week in Monaco. No real news to report, just a quick update. I also wanted to give appropriate recognition to Stan and Russell over at TwistedPapers.com who are the source of the wonderful images I’m currently using in the “world tour” part of this blog. Go check out their site I think you’ll enjoy it. Meanwhile it’s time to catch a train, more soon when I get to Venice.
July 27, 2009
here in what I guess is outer Monaco. We are booked for only 3 days but Eddie hopes to pick up another date before we go to Venice next week. Hank and Harold have a relative of some sort near Venice that they want to visit and there could be a home cooked meal in it so I’m keeping my fingers crossed. We’re going to try out some new arrangements this week and I’ve got an accordion solo worked out that will make Eddie’s ears burn. Speaking of Eddie, his musical pick for this week is an album titled ” Kaleidoscope of Rainbows” by Neil Ardley. Released on Gull records in 1976, recorded in London this album features a brilliant ensemble about a dozen strong, featuring among others the wonderful Barbara Thompson on saxes and flute. This album is great from start to finish and I believe was released on CD a couple of years back. I saw Barbara Thompson and her group Paraphanelia III at the Bulls Head Pub in London, summer of 1978 . It was a good show in a very small room as I recall. Anyway I agree with Eddie on this one so check it out if you can, I’m off to do laundry..ahh the glamour of the road. More soon.
image courtesy of twistedpapers.com
July 15, 2009
this city of Nice. Although Paris was lovely, it’s very pleasant on the coast here, warm and scenic. The accomodations at the hotel are more than adequate and it’s a treat not to have to haul our gear around town from gig to gig. The ballroom has a pretty good sound to it and the Headstock brothers have an in with the kitchen staff ,so we’re eating well. We’ve got a week here then it’s off to Monaco or thereabouts. Meanwhile Eddie says his musical pick of the week is “Are You Glad To Be In America” by James Blood Ulmer. Recorded Jan.17,1980 in NYC and originally released on Rough Trade Records in the UK. This recording captures some of the best aspects of “harmolodic” music of the time. The band is in great form and the production is lean and mean. Tracks like “Jazz is The Teacher (Funk is the Preacher)” and “Layout” are real gems. Yeah I have to agree with Eddie on this one, this music is like watching vintage cartoons, it never gets old, ever. Anyway I should get on with laundry if I hope to have anything to wear onstage this evening. Have a good day, more news at our next stop.
image courtesy of twistedpapers.com
