Miscellaneous Ramblings on a cold Sunday afternoon...

Donald Fagen on the cover of his latest cd. The release date is March 14 and I can't wait. I remember the days when Steely Dan would release a new lp I would rush down to the store to get a copy on the release date. Well I am growing older but not up! Look for me at the store on March 14th...although I have been listing to some pre-release stuff form this disc! As they used to say on the Andy Griffith show about the girls "She's mighty fine" In this case this disc is mighty fine. You can hear a sample or two on Donald's web site http://donaldfagen.com/

Speaking of Andy Griffith, we lost Don Knotts yesterday. Wow what an icon. I have spent many years living a stones throw from Mt. Airy, NC which is the real Mayberry so I guess maybe things like this sort of weigh on your mind when you lose a great actor like that. Sail on Barney. I am thinking maybe I should find my "Ghost and Mr. Chicken" video and sit down for a while and sort of soak it in.

For the Derek Trucks fans out there you probably have heard but for those of you who haven't there is a new cd from the DTB that is top shelf. http://www.derektrucks.com/index.html
"Songlines" is the title and it sounds like Derek and the band are continuing to make some heavy inroads to greatness. Go check it out... it has some killer tracks on it.

Beer. New Orleans. Two of my favorite things. One of my favorite characters from history, Ben Franklin once said "Beer is proof God loves us and wants us to prosper" So I am thinking of beer and prosperity, for New Orleans that is. Heck it is Mardi Gras.. let's hope New Orleans can get the prosperity back. http://www.mardigrasneworleans.com/schedule.html
Beer? Well check out this article on nola.com. I have had my share of Dixie beer over time... http://www.nola.com/living/t-p/index.ssf?/base/living-5/1140201495141350.xml
Another favorite is this one: http://www.abita.com/ They even have New Orleans restoration items you can buy. Cool stuff. If you have never had a purple haze beer you need to go get one right now...Well it may not be everyones favorite but it is a very nice raspberry beer with a real clean finish.

Well I better stop rambling so I will close this week with a Mardi Gras comment. Fat Tuesday is this coming week. February 28. http://www.carnaval.com/cityguides/dating.htm Go get your King cake while you can! I'll fly my mardi gras flag for a few more days. Until next time, See ya down the road.

John Prine!!!

John Prine. The 2006 winner (this past week) of a Grammy award for "Best Contemporary Folk Album" for his latest cd "Fair and Square." This cd is absolutely one of the best things I have heard from Track one to the end. A quick story. John said at one point he still had his Grammy jacket on and it still had some Mariah Carey makeup on it!

John's show last night was awesome. His band is very tight and it is a joy to watch a performer still in his prime. Yep, Prime Prine. I published this photo in black and white after having several conversations last night about black and white photography with numerous people. I only took two photos during the show but I have a pal who should give me a link to some very fine shots I will soon share of both John and Keith last night. More to come on that.
In the meantime I will tell you to check John's calendar and get out to see him on this tour. He is getting rave reviews and you cannot spend your money in a better place. He played until I thought I heard a rooster crow and he rocked from start to finish. What a bargain. As the Who song says "They call it a bargain, the best I ever had!" Nuff said.

Keith and Jerene Sykes

Keith and the lovely Jerene Sykes last night after an awesome opening performance at War Memorial Auditorium. Keith sounded absolutely great and was a hit with the sell-out crowd. Look for Keith http://www.keithsykes.com/ to tour in the coming weeks with his "World Tour of I-40" Tour dates are still being added so watch his web site for a town near you! Trust me he is not to be missed! Listen to this link http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4583390 for a recent interview on NPR with John Prine talking about a song they wrote together for John's GRAMMY-WINNING cd!

Smiles after the show last night!

The lovely wife Julie and me with John Prine last night in Greensboro at War Memorial Auditorium. John put on yet another of his classic performances. I have lost count of how many times I have seen John but I know it dates back to the first one in 1978 at Mississippi State University. As I told John last night I remember a time when we both lacked a single grey hair but you know what, it is great to still be alive and listening to great music. Thanks John for the music and the picture!

Jason Wilber and Pat McLaughlin in Greensboro last night.

Jason Wilber http://www.jasonwilber.com/ and Pat McLaughlin http://www.patmclaughlin.com/ last night after the Keith Sykes http://www.keithsykes.com/ and John Prine http://www.johnprine.net/ show in Greensboro. Two very talented musicians who put on one fine concert last night. This Prine tour is not to be missed. These guys are very awesome whether playing mandolin, harp, guitar, or just singing background vocals. Check out their web sites for their own music as well.