Odds and Sods for Thursday, November 20, 2008

I'm back.

Man, I've been hearing all of these great things about the Project Object tour and I am kicking myself for not catching them in New York on Monday night but oh well, I'll be finally seeing them at World Cafe Live this Sunday night (doors open at 6:00 p.m., the concert starts at 7:30)

Here's my little darling leaving for tour last week and yeah, you have to know your Zappa music to understand the outfit. Erm...nice tail, Eric:



While I haven't found much in the way of reviews on line, there was a very nice comment in my blog yesterday from "Herr Brain Pang" and he said this:

"Great show last night in NYC. Interesting that some of the improv jams had a bit of a David Allen Gong meets Zappa vibe, which is just fine by me. Ike seriously killed with his all-powerful vocal and scorching guitar. His hair looked better than usual, too, heh heh. The Slick kid had my friend's jaw on the table. Rare that I ever want more at a show, but I could have took a couple more numbers. Only complaint: Andre didn't do "San Ber'dino." Based on the previous time I saw him play, he now OWNS that song. Food complaint: the BBQ chicken was so full of water that it was like eating air."

Ha ha - yeah, the food at BB Kings seriously sucks, is incredibly overpriced, and I know I've voiced my opinion about that many times here along with the fact that you are required to eat (food minimum charge) when all you really want to do is watch the show...and there is nothing worse than waiters blocking your view and clattering silverware and plates when you are trying to listen to some really fine music.

Oh well. It is what it is and other than the food, I do enjoy when J&E play there.

I also saw a journal entry here written by "Jai" which made me smile:

"Speaking of tributes, last night i went to see Project/Object - the Frank Zappa tribute. Dweezil Zappa has his own tribute to his dad, Zappa Plays Zappa, they're pretty damn good, but Project/Object i feel is somewhat better. i think it's because P/O has Ike Willis (one of Frank's singers from over the years). never saw P/O before, always meant to, and i am so glad i finally saw them."

I'm glad you did, too, Jai. Thanks!

Then there was this note, sent to the band via their website:

"Greetings:

Saw you guys last night at the Iron Horse and was blown away along with my 17 year old son!

Bravo to you folks, fuck Dweezil!

Keep up the good work and we will see you again soon. Maybe even tonight at Toads! :-)"

Pretty cool, huh.

ETA: This just in from Andre. Man oh man...

"Due to Adelaide Gail Zappa and her incessant, worldwide legal attacks on fans honoring Frank Zappa's music, and attempts to negate his request (according to the Zappa hotline, Dec 1993) to "Play My Music", the Project/Object show for Fri 21 Nov 2008, at Bill's Bar in Boston, has been cancelled.

Stand by for further details on the threatening letters. All other shows, have proceeded fantastically or are proceeding as planned, since what we do is 100% legal under US law. It's sad that lawyers are being enriched every year by this useless letter-writing campaign (all clubs also get threat letters).

FYI - The band Ugly Radio Rebellion, who you'll remember was under attack for Dec. 2007 shows, just had to cancel all their Nov 2008 shows due to a couple of clubs' unfounded fears of Adelaide Gail Zappa suing them. Bogus Pomp in Florida also recently was attacked for celebrating this music. Artists in Germany also continue to be attacked. What a waste of good money that could be used to release more Zappa music......

We are not breaking any laws and we will continue to perform Frank Zappa music for you. And maybe even a little of the music of Mozart, Stravinsky, Gustav Holst, The Seeds ('Pushing Too Hard' used in 'Sy Borg'), Yes (1984 'bamboozled' solo section), The Beatles (medley played on 1988 Zappa tour), Richard Berry (Frank quoted "Louie Louie" DOZENS of times), Herbie Hancock (riffs quoted in 'Greggery Peccary'), Culture Club ('I'll tumble for ya'), The Doors ('The End', 'Light My Fire')..and on and on and on....

I am conducting research into where and when Frank Zappa got permission to perform, record or parodize ALL of these and many, many other various artists' music. Of course sometimes he sought permission, and when RECORDED and RELEASED, he certainly paid mechanical royalties. But certainly many times he didn't.

For a guy who has a LARGE part of his art based on USING THE MATERIAL OF OTHERS, his estate is strangely, hypocritically opposed to any one else doing the same!

Thank you
Andre Cholmondeley

You know, I read an interesting comment at I think Kill Ugly Radio. A fellow who owned a record store said "Whenever Zappa cover bands played in my area, the next day I sold a ton of Frank Zappa CDs."

Yeah, well, guess who gets the money for that? Not Andre and Project Object, that's for sure. And in speaking from personal experience and as a total musicologist, and I know I've said this many times before, but up until the time Julie and Eric came home from the School of Rock in 1998 and played Zappa for me, and up until the time I saw Project Object perform live around the same time, I did not own one Zappa album. Gary and I were into British blues/rock and we thought Zappa sung weird songs about dental floss. We had no idea of his brilliance. So yes, yes, yes, once we were turned on to them and went to Project Object shows, we went out and bought Frank's entire catalogue.

I just wish all of this shit would stop, I really do. Musicians are supposed to be all about peace, love and understanding. It shouldn't be a fucking "business" where your creative soul is raped and pillaged.

But let me add that while I am copying and pasting comments from fans, I personally enjoyed watching Zappa Plays Zappa in Canada and really wish this didn't turn out to be a competition but rather a collaboration...but the animosity is just mind blowing. And to have a sweetheart like Adrian involved in this convoluted war...BLEH!

And speaking of Ade, switching gears real fast to the Adrian Belew Power Trio, now this REALLY made me smile - a whole thread devoted to Side Four Live posted yesterday at Progressive Ears, another favorite cyber hang-out of mine:

"This cd has been out for about a year now so I'm sure it's been discussed before. Anyhow, I just bought a copy last week and I'm enjoying the hell out of this one!

I've hesitated on most of Belew's studio output due to pop orientation of many of his releases and because of some of the cheesy artificial sounds he prefers in the studio.

None of that on this fabulous live trio recording. Just three great musicians playing their collective asses off with loads of energy and attitude. Definitely worth the pricey website only edition at this point. Anybody else enjoying this one?"
*****

"Reid,
I saw these three perform in July. They were awesome."
*****

"Sides One, Two, and Three are fantastic, as well. Run, don't walk, dude."
*****

"Loved the Power Trio at the Iron Horse (Northampton MA) and digging a good-sounding recording of the Buffalo show from a few nights before."
*****

"I saw the power trio earlier this year and picked up the live CD right then and there on the spot after hearing them play. Fantastic stuff!"
*****

"This fabulous live trio recording...

....I was there that night...braved ice and snow and windy conditions, but I made it!!! saw them the previous night in Dayton, OH, as well...if you get a chance, by all means get to one of their shows!!"
*****

Yeah, that really made my day and very cool that a year after its release, the CD is still getting a lot of attention. Oh man, I cannot wait for the studio release next year!

So while I didn't go to New York on Monday night to catch the Project Object show at BB Kings, I did have a girlie date with Julie and after doing some shopping (bleh, I hate to shop but with Julie it's cool and somehow I ended up buying myself knee high black leather boots that go with absolutely nothing I own but for which Julie has the perfect dress and is going to wear on Saturday). Actually, I can wear them with jeans but I kind of look like a deranged middle-aged dominatrix or worse, a total lunatic with an imaginary riding crop wandering the streets of downtown Philadelphia and approaching strangers asking "Where's my horse? Have you seen my horse? He must be somewhere...otherwise I'd never be wearing these boots, right? Right?"

Nah, I'm kidding. The boots are way cool and I will probably buy myself some *gasp* skirts which will work much better and Julie can share anything of mine any time she wants.

But that's not what we really did Monday night. Well, we shopped and I bought inappropriate boots but that wasn't the fun part. We spent over three hours camped out at Tria Wine Bar. Oh. My God. I'm in love.

I started out with a lovely glass of ROSÉ CAVA "ARIA," SEGURA VIUDAS, NV (Penedès, Spain), described as "Festive Catalan sipper with deep strawberry and red berry fruit from local Pinot Noir grape". Julie had MALBEC BLEND "DON TIBURCIO," BODEGAS BENEGAS, '04 (Mendoza, Argentina) "Structured yet classy blend aged in French oak with plum and cassis flavors from small producer". Yes, we got nicely toasted but the real star was the food...small plate after small plate of total gems.

Our first course was "Warm Poached Black Mission Figs with Gorgonzola and Prosciutto di Parma" only of course we asked them to "hold the prosciutto di Parma" and they did, and awesomely deducted the cost from our tab accordingly. With that we munched on Spiced Almonds. We put ourselves in the hands of Antonio, our most knowledgeable and charming server, who then recommended a cheese board. At his urging, we had a trio of the most sublime cheese ever - LA TUR (Piedmont, Italy · Goat, Sheep & Cow-P).

"Carefully whipped blend of three milks, shaped like a cupcake and heavenly as a cloud".

Wait. What is Cow-P? Ha ha - I don't want to know.

The LA Tur snuggled up to SOTTOCENERE AL TARTUFO (Veneto, Italy · Cow-P).

"Fragrant and smooth, while sexy slivers of black truffles lie under the ash", and next to that was my absolute favorite, EWEPHORIA (Friesling, The Netherlands · Sheep-P).

"Sweet, crunchy, caramel starburst of addictive butterscotch flavor".

But that's not the best part. Each cheese sample came with a tiny pot of dipping sauce. The La Tur was accompanied by honey with pieces of real honey comb; the Sottocenere paired up with pureed squash, and the Ewephoria with fresh cranberries.

We weren't through yet.

Out next came "Bruschetta with caramelized onion with feta", and the absolute show stopper of the night, "Truffled Egg Toast with Fontina Cheese", which was actually a lightly toasted brioche dusted with shaved truffles, fontina cheese, and topped with a sunny-side up egg and fresh cracked black pepper. You have never tasted anything so sensual in your life.

And yes, the wine continued to flow. At this point we changed our selection but damn if I can remember what we had. I think...but I am not sure...that I had PROSECCO, BELE CASEL, NV (Veneto, Italy) "Effervescent thirst quencher; sunny peach and nectarine flavors and a dry finish" and Julie may have had MARCILLAC "LO SANG DEL PAIS," DOMAINE DU CROS, ’06 (Marcillac, France) "Obscure gem from SW France displaying red fruit and peppery spice using local Fer Servadou grape" but after three or four glasses, I can't vouch for that and will have to double check with my daughter the wine diva.

Antonio was not through with us yet, urging us to have a "light dessert". Good freaking lord, that was yet another highlight of the evening. A plate of cookies - fennel wafers and toasted pine nut confections that came with a dipping pot of fresh lemon curd.

I could seriously eat at Tria every day of the week.

Except that I tend to eat that well at home, too. I was going to take a photo but I haven't seen my camera since J&E took it with them to Europe - I'm sure it's in a backpack somewhere but I keep forgetting to ask. But yeah, Gary was feeling frisky last night and made porcini mushroom filled ravioli swimming in a lovely sauce of really good olive oil, roasted garlic, shallots, mushrooms, chopped tomato, and white asparagus.

Yeah, yeah, I'm food obsessed. So what?

Speaking of that, I may as well share yet another pathetic Robin story. Despite all of the eating mentioned above, I have been trying to watch my weight and I swore I would stay away from the Christmas cookies Gary is already baking...he started early this year because Julie and Eric are leaving next Saturday to go back out on tour in Australia. He made old fashioned buttery sugar cookies and he put them in a big tupperware cake dish to keep them fresh.

Oh, how I wanted those cookies. But I am an addict when it comes to sweets, and I knew if I just tasted one, I'd end up eating twenty-seven. I refrained, I refrained, I refrained, until finally, I couldn't take it anymore. So when no one was looking, I lifted off the lid and saw a cookie with my name on it. It was huge and misshapen and since Gary makes these cookies by using a drinking glass dusted with sugar as a "cutter", I figured he had enough batter left for more than one but not quite two cookies so he made one by hand with what remained. I closed my eyes and dreamily bit into it, expecting to be assaulted by the taste of butter and browned sugar. So imagine my horror when I bit into something weird and doughy and salty. Wtf?

And then I recalled a conversation Julie had with Gary.

"Dad, if you put a piece of sliced bread in with the cookies, they'll stay fresher."

Well, we didn't have sliced bread, but we did have whole wheat hamburger rolls and Gary took the top half of one and stuck it in with the cookies.

So that's what I sunk my teeth into instead. A weird soggy half of a hamburger roll that had been hanging out with cookies.

Needless to say, it was a total buzz kill. I spit it out and left the cookies alone. I figured it was some kind of divine message to go upstairs like a good girl and not eat anything so fattening before bedtime.

But I was so, so bummed.

The end.

Later,
xo

Tours, tours, and more tours

Hi there:

So Eric is currently on tour with Project Object, and I hear that despite the fact that Andre and Eric barely got home from the Adrian Belew Power Trio European run in time for any lengthy rehearsals, the first night of the show went amazingly well and Ike Willis is back, baby. Tonight's show is in Anapolis at Rams Head on Stage, and you can purchase tickets right here.

Tomorrow they will be at BB Kings in New York, and I have to tell you, I am half-tempted to hop a train and make this show. I hear percussionist Ed Mann is simply brilliant (as always) and I don't know if I can wait until Sunday's show at World Cafe Live. But we'll see.

Here's an old shot Gary took last year of Eric, Ike, and Dave Johnsen last year at Mexicali Blues in Teaneck. I love that venue...it's just so cool. And have I mentioned I loathe the new Photobucket thumbnail non-option? It's like, either post a thumbnail which will blow up into a large photo or post a large photo that covers the whole right hand side of the blog and links. It really sucks!



Anyway, all I know is, Project Object has two Zappa alumni with them this time around and you never know, there's always the chance someone else "interesting" may join them on stage so here's what was lovingly referred to as the "Blue States Tour" by someone on a Zappa forum board somewhere. Except...ha ha ha happy happy joy joy...they all pretty much turned out to be Blue States, didn't they? Yay, America! (Christ, when is the last time I said that? Erm...never?)

Sun 16 Nov Rams Head Annapolis MD - 22.50 21+
Mon 17 Nov BB Kings New York NY - $18/$20 All
Tue 18 Nov Revolution Hall Troy NY - $18/$20 18+
Wed 19 Nov Iron Horse Northampton MA - $17.50/$20 All
Thur 20 Nov Toads Place New Haven CT - $15/$17 All
Fri 21 Nov Bill's Bar Boston MA - $17/$20 18+
Sat 22 Nov Asbury Lanes Asbury Park NJ - $15/$17 18+
Sun 23 Nov World Café Live Philadelphia PA - $18 All

ETA: Hey, I snagged me a set list:

zooot allures
magic fingers
t'mershi duween
advance romance
ez meat (1978 version)
apostrophe
jones crusher
big swifty

SET TWO

cruisin for burgers
tryin to grow a chin
blessed relief
flakes
broken hearts are for assholes
king kong
packard goose
i'm the slime
village of the sun
echidna's arf
don't you ever wash that thing

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
zomby woof

Oh, I am loving that selection. Now I really can't wait!

In other news, my other favorite bassist, Tony Levin has updated his Stickmen MySpace page and he's sure got something exciting in the works...

(It should be noted that this photo was the correct size when I lifted it from Tony's MySpace page so it wasn't subject to the Photobucket thumbnail rule. Tony and drummer Pat Mastelotto look great in this pic, don't they? So does Michael Bernier, while I'm on the subject)



Stick Men
A European Tour for March/April/May 2009 is being booked presently for the Stick Men...we will keep you posted as we have confirmations. Stick Men are tentatively booked as the opening band for Eddie Jobson’s UKZ debut performance in NYC in Jan 2009! When Eddie confirms we will let you all know,Cheers! Stick Men

Oh, if that happens in NYC in January, we will so, so be there. There is also something exciting brewing for the ABPT in January, 2009 but I do not want to jinx it so I'll just leave it here as a tease and as soon as I get definite confirmation, you will all be the first to know.

And that's the news for today.

Later,
xo
P.S. Julie has updated her blog and I wish to clarify something. That is not my kitchen and that is not my stove. She cooked at a friend's apartment. Not that she likes my stove any better, mind you, the little gourmet snob... (God I love her)

I want...

Okay, so I'm drinking tonight and in my last lucid moment before passing out face down on my desk, I will tell you what I want.

I want that idiot, Sarah Palin, to go away. I do not want to be reading this.

I want someone in Hungary to translate something for me. Apparently Julie is the headline of the Hungarian Zappa Society. If you speak/read Hungarian, please go to this website and tell me what the hell it says in the comments section here.

Yeah, there's a lot I want, but at least in this particular case, I got my wish:



Continuing on...

I want to post a chapter from my new novel but I'm scared and shy. So I will have another drink or seven and see if that helps and if so, check back later. If not, I promise to post something by the end of the weekend. I'm starting to get really psyched.

I do not want to be twenty again but I want to look twenty. Is that wrong?

I want everyone I love to be happy. Now that I know is not wrong.

I want Project Object to have the best tour ever -- how can it not happen with Eric Slick on drums -- and while I won't be at the Wilkes-Barre opening show this Saturday night, I sure as hell will be at World Cafe Live next Sunday and if you want to join me, purchase your tickets right here!

I want to write a coherent blogpost. But you cannot do that whilst drinking.

The end.

Later,
xo

Bleh

I'm sorry, I haven't been in the mood.

Maybe it's the post-euphoria of the election, the Phillies' World Series victory, the finale of the Adrian Belew Power Trio European tour, but sadly enough, I find myself with nothing much to say. I've been struggling with National Novel Writing Month because my heart just isn't into writing it quite yet (in other words, I want to get to the meaty, humorous chapters and maybe I should be attacking it that way - writing those first and working them in later)... and yet I know...I know I can do this and I know I'm funny...only I don't feel very funny right now and I just can't force it. I'm not unhappy...don't get me wrong...but I just feel kind of bleh. Hey, it happens.

But then I find something like this on line and I'm smiling again. When the Adrian Belew Power Trio were in Moscow, Ade broke a string and Julie and Eric had to wing it and do a spontaneous jam while repairs were made. I love this!



And then the mailman came and brought me the coolest gifts ever -- a total surprise from huge Adrian Belew fan Tickledrop...said parcels contained a download DVD of the King Crimson Festival in Moscow, a Splinter Group DVD featuring one of my favorite guitarists, Peter Green, a book called This is Your Brain on Music by Daniel J. Levitin which looks absolutely incredible, and speaking of absolutely incredible, homemade goodies in mason jars which I have not identified yet...I am waiting for clarification from Tickle as to what each is and will open them when the whole family is present.

Anyway, I'm kind of in blog transition land. Last night Julie made us a fantastic dinner but took photos for her own blog so my talking about that is probably out; as far as tidbits from the European tour...ditto...so what do I do now? Well, I know one thing. I have lots of friends who are writers and have really awesome novels out right now. Do I enter the world of book reviewer? Or should I use this weird, uneasy period of time to solely work on my new novel and maybe post excerpts here? Bah! I do not know what I want or what to do.

You know what? I need to be writing. I need to stop blogging and whining right this second and work on my novel. It's the only way I'm going to feel human again.

Wait: How excited am I to read this in the newspaper just now:

"WASHINGTON – President-elect Obama plans to use his executive powers to make an immediate impact when he takes office, perhaps reversing Bush administration policies on stem cell research and domestic drilling for oil and natural gas.

John Podesta, Obama's transition chief, said Sunday Obama is reviewing President Bush's executive orders on those issues and others as he works to undo policies enacted during eight years of Republican rule. He said the president can use such orders to move quickly on his own.

"There's a lot that the president can do using his executive authority without waiting for congressional action, and I think we'll see the president do that," Podesta said. "I think that he feels like he has a real mandate for change."

Okay, I started the above post on Saturday. It's now Monday morning. Look what I just came downstairs to - an incredible, all-inclusive interview with Adrian at All About Jazz. I'm not even going to post excerpts - go read the whole thing - the title is "Adrian Belew: Power Trios and Crimson Heads".

Oh, and another date has been added to the Adrian Belew Power Trio tour, which will run from April to June, 2009...and that would be Shank Hall in Milwaukee, WI on April 17. It's not on their site yet but it's up on Pollstar...keep a look-out for a lot more dates across the United States to be added. And if you want to hear a brilliant version of Young Lions recently recorded in Switzerland, Eric has now put that up on his own MySpace page.

Oh man, maybe I'm not feeling so bleh after all. Yeah!

Later,
xo

Odds and Sods for Monday, November 3, 2008

Have I mentioned lately how much I miss Julie and Eric Slick? Thank God for You Tube:



There's the Adrian Belew Power Trio performing the title track off their new soon-to-be-recorded studio album, "E", a couple of nights ago in Den Haag, Netherlands.

So a couple of cool things.

There's an awesome article/interview with Adrian written by Matthew Shapiro over at State of Mind Music Magazine.

Here's some great quotes from the article:

"Q: What was your intention in putting together this trio with Eric and Julie? It's so interesting to see a musician of your caliber recruiting these two young players and together tackling some incredibly complicated music.

A. As usual‚ it's form follows function. I had written some music‚ which I felt was real suitable for a power trio. I really liked the idea that I was free to play whatever I wanted and I could play a lot more guitar than I normally do. I tried a couple of different combinations that didn't quite work out. It just so happened that I went to the School of Rock to do a seminar for their kids. The founder of the school‚ Paul Green‚ said‚ "You have to check out these two students of mine who already graduated‚ Eric and Julie -- a brother/sister team that are just the best players." So‚ I said to bring them in and we'll play a song together. Really‚ it was just so perfectly timed with what I had in mind. I would have never guessed that I would be so lucky to get such great players. They're so young and their energy level is amazing‚ yet they're so mature that their confidence and competence is there.

Q. Yeah‚ they're phenomenal. And not just for their age.

A. Yeah‚ for any age.

Q, I think you touched on the key word: confidence. They're so on top of their game. Julie throws it down so hard‚ and Eric's drumming‚ his touch and his feel are so beyond his years.

A. He is exactly what I'd like to be if I was a drummer. And it's the same with Julie as a bass player. They really know what to do in my music. They've studied the King Crimson stuff‚ my solo stuff‚ the David Bowie stuff‚ the Talking Heads stuff‚ Frank Zappa‚ so they've grown up on stuff that I was involved in. That was their education. It's just really serendipitous that here I am playing with someone who actually knows my music‚ but they're 21 years old....

Q....That's great. It's must be really cool to see them grow‚ not only as musicians‚ but also as people. And also‚ to see the communication between the three of you grow. They have the sibling communication…

A. Sure‚ that unspoken thing that siblings have. But I think now‚ we are a trio. Their father‚ who was here tonight and has seen a bunch of shows‚ said we sounded like one person tonight. It's really become that way. And as people‚ they're truly gifted. I don't think of them as kids at all. I forget they're so young because they know so much. And they're gifted in so many other ways‚ not just music. They're terrific people to be with and travel with. We just have a ball. We have a real‚ unique closeness. It's just so much fun. All of our shows are good. They never let me down. Not even once. I can't say that about a lot of the bands that I've played in‚ and I can't say that about a lot of the experienced musicians I played with that I admire. Sooner or later they're going to fall on their faces. Eric and Julie haven't done that. They're just super...

...I've got something so powerful and precious now‚ and Robert (Fripp) loves it too. I'll tell you the quote he gave me after he saw this band. He said‚ "King Crimson would have a difficult time following this power trio." [laughs]...

Anyway, this is a four page article complete with photos...please click on the link and read the rest...keeping in mind that this interview took place before the summer and certain things may no longer be "current".

So the list of cool people who came out to see the European shows continues to grow. I already told you about Markus Reuter Also attending shows were Theo Van Rock, Chris Harford, and, featured below, Reinier Parengkuan of Cucurullo Brullo Brillo.



Hey, also, don't forget about Andre Cholmondeley's new tour blog. I love the way he incorporates a music lesson into each post - he really gives his blog a different spin than the rest of us though I cannot help but cut and paste a bit right here because it really made me smile:

"...another great show!! I was fooled - we all were- with this place when we got there and saw the little stage...the small amps.....it's a jazz club (Bill Frisell coming up next week...) and that always wigs us out a bit...right away we were considered TOO LOUD ..and that is usually the case..... also the sound system is usually waaaaay inadequate built no, this system was actually pretty ballsy...

but as i let the posters and listing on the wall sink in, I realized it was more diverse than "just jazz" -- they had funk bands, pop stuff, electronic...and the main floor area was open/no seats, so that was a good sign.

Sure enough - they crowded in there and were a rocking crowd!! It got pretty packed....

here as in in NL, some super-Crimson freaks were flipping out when they hit those numbers...and I was even surprised by the RARE appearance of "Elephant Talk"..very cool..."

And then there's this:

"what a killer show!! I'll keep saying it -- the band thrives-- like any good live band - on a rabid, involved and engaged audience. And this show, closing out the Dutch Trilogy (Groningen, Den Haag, Eindhoven) was just memorable stuff...

Started out with a spirited soundcheck, including trying out some parts for the "e" recording sessions coming up..."

Man, Andre's blog really rocks and to see photos of Chris, Theo, and to read a really touching tribute to the late Jimmy Carl Black, you really need to read the whole thing. Here. Let me make it easy. I'll repost the link.

Jimmy's website now says the following, which made me a bit teary-eyed this morning:

"Jimmy passed away peacefully last night Saturday 11/01/08 at 11:00 o'clock pm. Jimmy says hi to everybody and he doesn't want anybody to be sad."

Here's my Jimmy Carl Black story. I met him for the first time in East Germany in the summer of 2003 at the first Zappanale festival Eric and Julie ever played, when they were sixteen and seventeen years old. After Eric performed, Jimmy walked over to me.

"You're his mother?"

"Yep."

"You did good, woman. But only one problem."

"What's that?" (And you have to understand, I'm completely starstruck. For the first time, I'm meeting and hanging backstage with Ike Willis and Napoleon Murphy Brock and we're talking Zappa and John Lennon...drinking beer...etc. etc.)

"The problem is," said Jimmy looking over at fellow drummer Eric Slick..."How the hell do I go on stage now and follow that kid?"

He hugged me hard and smiled that big, happy grin.

Anyway, Jimmy does appear, along with the aforesaid very young Eric and Julie, in the documentary, Rock School. I do not remember if he's in the trailer I just linked or not...I will have to check it out and if not, do some snooping around as I do know some footage of him from the movie exists somewhere on line.

I keep having the same image of him, though. There was a really cool outdoor cafe in Germany we all hung out at...and no matter what time I passed by, there was Jimmy, with a whole bottle of whiskey in front of him...smiling, shaking hands, signing autographs...

Wow. It was just a little over five years ago but it feels like a lifetime.

Arghhh...as my favorite waiter once told me, "Time fries, Lobin."

Later,
xo

Oh. My. God.

Well, I hope everyone downloaded the Swiss radio show link I posted yesterday because I still haven't recovered from that.

But for now, here's my first Oh. My. God. moment of today:



Eric, you sound like you are sitting behind a 50 piece kit. I think this is from Thursday night's show in the Netherlands.

And in my next Oh. My. God moment, if you are a regular reader of my blog, you know I mention Jeff Menke a lot and I have to tell you, his radio show on Saturday evenings is one of the best in the entire United States. It's called Rainbow Bridge - it starts at midnight, and tonight he'll not only be playing a "surprise" from the Adrian Belew Power Trio, he'll be playing promos the trio did for the radio station as well. Here's the link to listen live!

But yeah, I did say it was another Oh. My. God moment and that's because Jeff sent me outtakes from the promos. And here they are -- truly hilarious (and that's a photo of Jeff on the far right)

And finally, for those of you who might be wondering: "Why is Robin blogging right now? Isn't this the start of National Novel Writing Month? Doesn't she have a minimum of 2,500 words to write today?"...the answer is Why yes, it is and I do. I started earlier this morning, am up to 1,100 words, and the name of my new book (which took me most of today so far to decide but I'm really, really pleased) is "Sparrow Rising". I will be posting a link to the work in progress tomorrow...though I am tempted to post the synopsis now...maybe I'll come back in, edit this post, and add it...

Later.
xo

The Loves of My Life...

...the Adrian Belew Power Trio backstage Wednesday night in Den Haag, Netherlands (*SEE ETA JUST ADDED)



And you gotta love the energy in this...from the same show:



*ETA: OH. MY. GOD.



Finally, want to hear the trio on Swiss radio? I found this on the Projekction forum board:

"Last week I've seen the Adrian Belew Power Trio here in Milan and it was a great concert. A couple of days before the band played in Lugano (italian-speaking Switzerland) and the show has been recorded and broadcasted by the national radio.

A friend of mine made a recording out of it and I'm willing to share it (hence the subject). It's in AAC format and you can download it from here:

Link!

In my opinion it even surpasses the great Side Four and, as a plus, you get the band's rendition of Neurotica."

I haven't listened to that yet but I'm really looking forward to it. I also know there will be a future broadcast with tunes specially selected by the trio...stay tuned.

And this just in...if you want to purchase one of my books today, there is a special Halloween promotion over at my publisher's website - you'll get 20% off! Here's the link and here's the info:

"To celebrate this spooktacular day, Phaze Books is giving you a 20%
discount! Just enter this promotional code when you check out:

CANDYCORN

Good for 20% off everything, on Halloween day only.

Happy Halloween and happy shopping!"

Phaze Books
www.Phaze.com

Later,
xo

The Adrian Belew Power Trio European Tour - another installment, sort of

Not to be repetitive or anything but it's true, basically everything I know about the current Adrian Belew Power Trio European tour I'm still getting solely via Julie and Eric's blogs because between the time difference and being super busy, we have barely connected at all nor have I been able to translate most of the reviews I've found. All I can say is, what little I do know is that this is an immensely successful tour and they are really, really happy.



Yeah, I think so!

And to add to the mix of great bloggers, I just this minute learned that their techie/tour manager and Project Object guitarist extraordinaire Andre Cholmondeley has started an on line journal as well, and oh boy, it is ever extensive and informative! Here's the link, which I will make permanent and add to my blogroll.

But you know me, I did manage to find a few other things. Here's some really cool links which will lead you to some interesting Adrian Belew Power Trio tidbits:

First, after clicking the ABPT link above to see some of the kind comments left on their MySpace site, wander over to Kill Ugly Radio where...what's this? A post by Eric Slick?

Then, Beana Bern, the fantastic photographer I mentioned in my post below, blogged about the recent ABPT concert she attended in Austria, and all of the photos in my post today were taken by Beana, who gave me permission to post them. Anyway, here's what she had to say:



"Every now and again (more often than I ever expect) something rolls into this little Tyrolean Valley and brings the world I remember with it. Last night the Adrian Belew Trio played a club called Komma in a little village about 30 minutes east of me. I rolled into the club just in time to hear Eric kick things off and remembered how often I find myself in awe at his talent…His sister, Julie, is also quite a prodigy and when you glue those two together with Adrian’s style its a pretty amazing show. The sound in the club wasn't perfect and there was one drunk douche bag who kept “conducting” the band as though he was driving but neither of those two things prevented me from enjoying myself. For those of you not sure who Adrian Belew is, hes a rock legend whose played with plenty of amazing musicians among them King Crimson. I first saw the Trio play at the 1st Annual Paul Green School of Rock Festival and knew they were worthy but enjoyed last nights show much more. Complicated rock is more fun for me in a little room where I can concentrate. After the show and a little QT they packed it in and so did I. All in all, an exceptional night of rock in Tirol..."

From the Bass Player Magazine Forum Board:

"Julie Slick is one hell of a bass player as you already know and she's currently on tour with Adrian Belew. She's started a new blog which is pretty damn cool. And man is she easy on the eyes."



"Saw them last night in Milano. She was playing a Lakland with a MarkBass amp and a MarkBass 4x10. She was using a Toneworks pedalboard and a couple of effects before it that I could not figure out, one must have been a compressor, lots of knobs. She has to keep standing the hell that Adrian creates on guitar, because the guitar is not taking particular care of keeping the groove or tonality. (Note from our author: Huh? I am going to chalk this up to an Italian to English translation glitch)

They did a couple of numbers from KC where she walks shamelessly barefoot in the footsteps of his majesty. All in all the Slick brothers are a hell of a rhythm section, laughing and joking while meeting the needs of complicated music." (Note from our author: Brothers? Ha! Yep, I'm right about the translation stuff)

Pretty cool, huh.

Here's a blogpost coming out of Spain. While I was able to translate it using Google translate, when I went to cut and paste it in ye olde blog, it turned back into Spanish. Weird! So click on that link and go to Google translate right here, being sure to click "Spanish to English" (d'oh) and you can read what it says and see a cool photo or two.

From the Planet Crimson forum board:

"Catched the trio in Woergl, Austria yesterday, and "e" had the crimson sparkle flying, a truly astonishing piece!

Only 70 people in attendance (Markus Reuter being amongst them), which is a shame, but Adrian & the Kids seemed to enjoy the gig nevertheless and received a storming reception. Adrian promised to be back soon, so I guess the trio might be a permanent touring outfit, which is good news. Don't miss them!"

I think the 70 people issue is addressed in either Andre, Eric, or Julie's blog...they changed venues on them at the last minute or something...basically they've been playing to large, enthusiastic crowds every night - so much so that they are already getting offers to return to Europe next fall.

In my world, in three days I begin the challenge that is National Novel Writing Month. I thought I was ready to rock; all of a sudden I've had a change of heart and might do something completely different which is way scary because it means I haven't thought out anything other than the actual story. Oy.

I really, really need to meditate further on this today.

Later,
xo

P.S. Go Phillies!

Odds and Sods for Sunday, October 26, 2008

Julie and Eric are doing such fabulous blogging while on tour that I'm thinking I should actually do some writing posts but strangely enough, I'm not in the mood. However, my free and usually 100% inaccurate Yahoo horoscope for today says: "You will have a good combination of positive energy and free time, today! Have fun. You're more in touch with your feelings than you have been in quite some time and you can communicate them as clearly as possible. It's a good day to sit down with your sweetie and do just that!" so okay, okay, let's break the Yahoo curse -- it sounds good to me. Onward and upward! This is going to be a journal entry containing all kinds of flotsam and jetsam...should be fun.

First let me post some photos which Julie didn't nick for her own blog har har. I have absolutely no explanation or stories to go with any of these pics though both Julie and Eric do kind of touch on some in their respective blogs. I kind of think they speak for themselves, anyway:












I'm really wondering about that hotel room photo which appears that they are inches away from the ocean. Or is that an optical illusion? I can't tell! Man, if that was their actual room, how awesome. And um, no comment as to the topless photo but let me just say they are part of a hilarious series and as much as I would love to post the photo of Ade and Eric inexplicably eating dinner in suchlike fashion...something tells me I'd better not.

An incredible photographer, Beana Bern took some amazing, amazing shots of the trio a few days ago in Austria, and here is the direct link.

Here's a You Tube of "Matchless Man" from a recent show but warning, it's a tease and not the whole song and you can't see Julie but you sure can hear her...damn!



Finally, tomorrow night ABPT will be performing in Aschaffenburg, Germany. I google imaged that city...have a look:



Gah! I repeat, why am I not on this tour?

In Belew-related news, kind of, the engineer for the trio's new studio album will be none other than Saul Zonana, and there's a way cool article about Saul and one of his new endeavors right here.

If I may take a minute to write about my own life, last Friday night I read from one of my novels at Bluestockings in New York City.



I had a lot of fun doing that and it was way cool meeting fellow author Donna George Storey in person as our paths have crossed many times in on line world, both at Zoetrope Studios and via weirdly parallel writing careers. We've appeared several times together in the same magazines and she also wrote an erotica novel with an actual plot and intelligent, thoughtful characters. Her book, Amorous Woman is brilliant. Simply brilliant.


After the reading, we ate at a really great Japanese restaurant called Hasaki in the East Village. I had grilled wild salmon with basil miso. It was to die for. And speaking of food, and speaking of basil, as you also may know, Julie got her food porn ideas from me -- and Gary and I are the one who nurtured that palate, damn it, so here's a few food porn shots of my own -- it's what Gary made me for dinner tonight and I'll post the recipe beneath it...but first, we had an appetizer of a salad made with red lettuce, (marinated/prepared by Gary) fresh mozzarella, tomato and basil, imported olives, sliced portabello mushrooms sauteed in a bit of teryaki sauce and all tossed together in a roasted garlic dressing:



Our main course was this: Sweet Potato Ravioli with Basil-Brown Butter



Serves 6 as an appetizer, 4 as an entree (makes about 20 ravioli)

2 large sweet potatoes, baked through in oven wrapped in foil, scooped out hot
1 teaspoon five spice powder
1 bunch chives, chopped
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 package wonton skins
Egg wash (1 egg mixed with 2 tablespoons water)
8 tablespoons butter, divided
1 tablespoon canola oil
1/4 cup packed Thai basil leaves, plus extra for garnish
1 tablespoon Chinese black vinegar
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

To make the ravioli filling: in a bowl, combine the sweet potato, five spice, chives and honey. Check for flavor and season with salt and pepper. When filling has cooled, form ravioli: place wonton skin down, lay one large Thai basil leaf in center, top with puree and another basil leaf. Brush egg wash around edges and top with second wonton skin. Seal tight and repeat with remaining filling and wonton skins. In a sauté pan over high heat, melt 4 tablespoons of butter and add canola oil. Sear the ravioli until crisp, then turn and sear second side until crisp. Remove ravioli to a paper towel-lined plate. Position 3-5 ravioli per pasta plate on top of puree. Add remaining butter to pan and brown. When butter is browned, add basil, taking care to stand back because the natural moisture in the basil will cause the oil to pop. Add vinegars and stir to combine. Drizzle sauce over ravioli and serve.

You wanna talk about sick? That was one of the sickest dinners ever. And I didn't even have to go to Europe. (Ha ha - sour grapes, sour grapes...but seriously, I've eaten all over the world, too, and not too many chefs rival my husband or my daughter and I understand Eric is also rapidly becoming "one of them", too.)

Speaking of food yet again, tomorrow I am having lunch with Joan Baez. No, really, I am. Details will follow.

No one can ever say my life is boring.

Later,
xo
P.S. There is a chink in the photo posting tonight in blogspot - hence the gigantic pics I am totally powerless to shrink. I'll try playing with them again tomorrow...

Adrian Belew Power Trio on Tour - Switzerland to Spain

Help, help, I've been rendered redundant.

Ha ha, I'm just kidding, but between Julie Slick's fabulous new tour blog (or is that food blog?) and the fact that there haven't been any on-line journal reports coming out of Switzerland or Spain, I am kind of left in the dust on this tour. Sob.



Not to mention the fact that Julie took my camera with her; is loading photos to my photobucket site; then using them for her own blog! Oh well, at least she left me with the one posted above.

All kidding aside, what parent in the world wouldn't want to hear this from their kids:

"I love my life. I have the best life in the world."

Seriously. If Gary and I have done nothing else in all our years on this planet, that is enough. We are literally walking around so damn proud and teary eyed it's ridiculous.

Yep, both Julie and Eric have instant messaged me how much they love their lives repeatedly ever since hitting Budapest last week. This is a tour of dreams come true - they adored Budapest; Lugano, Switzerland was breathtaking; San Sebastian, Spain is some sort of utopia, and early this morning they left for two days in Italy. I did speak to them at 2:00 a.m. their time following their show in Barcelona last night, and they were ecstatic.

Julie said: "Totally rocked - best show so far. But ya know, we were meant for clubs. We didnt really get to see Barcelona unfortunately though...too bad we have a day off in Milan tomorrow. Such a tough life huh?"

Eric told me he and Ade were flying - the club was packed, the reaction of the crowd amazing...you can just feel their happiness oozing right through the computer monitor.

But I do have something really excellent to report which is sort of Adrian Belew Power Trio related. Please listen, via the web (or the radio if you are in the Philadelphia area) to WXPN radio (and that's the link to "listen live") tonight between 6:00 and 7:00 p.m. eastern. Gary, who has also updated his Guitar God blog, has done something way, way amazing and you'll have to listen to XPN to find out. Cool? Cool! (And don't forget to check Gary's blog - he is up to #7 on his all time Guitar God list and you may...or may not...be surprised at his choice).

Oh well. I've got nothing else to say at the moment but I did hear there were a ton of journalists at the show last night...I'm hoping something pops up on line later today, especially a You Tube, so I'll keep checking and I will come back in and add it to this post if I get lucky. But for now...

Later,
xo
P.S. Oh, wait. I did find this pretty amusing blurb on, of all places, the Kawasaki Motorcycle Forum Board. Though Earl Slick may be surprised to find he is now the father of two musical prodigies...heh...

"If you like Zappa drumming, check out video on youtube of the Adrian Belew Power Trio. Adrian played lead guitar for Frank back in the 70s, then moved on to Talking Heads, David Bowie, King Crimson, and many more great gigs. His trio consists of Adrian on guitar & vocals, Eric Slick (a 21-year-old MONSTER) on drums, and Eric's gorgeous 22-year old sister slapping the Tony Levin out of a bass. Yes, the slick siblings are the offspring of Earl Slick, so they've got good rock n roll genes! Eric does stuff on the tune "Young Lions" that I had previously thought only do-able by the likes of Neal Peart and Mike Portnoy."

Indeed!