Save Travels to Ravi Shankar

The master of the sitar, Ravi Shankar passed away this week at the age of 92. I remember being about 6 years old when I first heard his music. My parents had a copy of "The Concert for Bangladesh" album and I eagerly put it on to hear some "Beatles" rock and roll; which I already loved. What I heard on Side One was the strangest, most captivating music I had ever heard and it rocked my little brain wide open. Up until I heard Ravi as a kid, I had loved music but I don't think I had ever really HEARD music. His was music you had to open up your entire heart and mind to really hear. He was my gateway into more "challenging" music; jazz, classical, and the Grateful Dead. After hearing Ravi Sharkar, the AM Radio hits of the 70's just wouldn't do! As I sit here today at 42 years old listening to Ravi's epic "Raga Asa Bhairav", I still feel the same awe that I did at 6 years old. There is no other artist who can transport me musically the way Ravi did and will continue to do. Safe and peaceful travels Ravi.....and thank you.

R.I.P. Dave Brubeck

Jazz pioneer and pianist extraordinaire Dave Brubeck passed away today at the age of 91. While he may not be considered "cool" in the hipster jazz world due to his huge crossover success, his talent and innovation cannot be denied. He left so many wonderful recordings that he will never really be gone. Here is just one of the greats!

Songs for a Sunday by Lord Huron

A strong contender for top 10 album of the year has to be this debut folk-rock beauty by Lord Huron called "Lonesome Dreams". It's one of those albums that sounds nice on first listen but the more you play it, it begins to really sink in and take you over. Think Fleet Foxes jamming with My Morning Jacket in the woods during Autumn after a bad breakup and you kind of get the idea. Every song on the album is amazing, but these are a couple of my personal favorites. Enjoy!

The Stones turn 50!

Unless you've been living under a rock, you know that The Rolling Stones are celebrating their 50'th anniversary with some kickoff shows in London this week. Opening night featured a killer setlist with the highlight being a rousing take on "Midnight Rambler" featuring former band member/guitarist Mick Taylor simply killing it! I love the stripped down nature of this...just amazing talents still playing the best rock and roll ever recorded. Welcome back boys!!

“I Wanna Be Your Man”
“Get Off of My Cloud”
“It’s All Over Now”
“Paint It Black”
“Gimme Shelter” (with Mary J. Blige)
“Wild Horses”
“All Down the Line”
“I’m Going Down” (with Jeff Beck)
“Out of Control”
“One More Shot”
“Doom and Gloom”
“It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll (But I Like It)”  (with Bill Wyman)
“Honky Tonk Woman”
“Before They Make Me Run”
“Happy”
“Midnight Rambler” (with Mick Taylor)
“Miss You”
“Start Me Up”
“Tumbling Dice”
“Brown Sugar”
“Sympathy for the Devil”
Encores:
“You Can’t Always Get What You Want” (with choir)
“Jumpin’ Jack Flash”

Ian Hunter-"When I'm President"

Who would have thought that one of the best songs I've heard all year would come from former 1970's Mott the Hoople frontman Ian Hunter?! Admittedly, I haven't heard much about Ian since the early 1980's brilliant "All of the Good Ones are Taken" but after listening to this smart, melodic beauty I can't wait to hear the rest of the album!

 


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Merry Christmas from CeeLo and the Muppets!

A Christmas song with CeeLo Green and the Muppets with a "manamana" sing-along?! I may just be getting into the spirit. Total awesomeness!!

Trey sings for the East Coast

Watching the devastation to the East Coast from Hurricane Sandy has left me feeling broken and helpless this week. My thoughts and prayers go out to all those poor people who now have to rebuild their entire lives. Last night on Jimmy Fallon, Phish guitarist/singer Trey Anastasio tried to heal through music by playing a beautiful version of the Five Stairsteps soul classic ""O-h-h Child"". This really got to me tonight. Thanks Trey!