Leonard Skinner.

Leonard Skinner, whose enforcement of a 1970's classroom policy against long hair inspired some of his students to name their Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, has died, The Florida Times-Union reported.

You can read that story here:

http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2010-09-20/story/leonard-skinner-lynyrd-skynyrd-namesake-dies-77-0

It is strange to live several decades. You see things like bands come to life and slowly fade into history. I can remember the first time I heard "Sweet Home Alabama" on a cassette tape in a car. I was in Greenwood, Mississippi and it was well into the morning hours after a friend's gig I had had just helped to load out. The song was new and the band was unknown at this time. I think I have told this story on my blog before. But I always love a good story whether I am telling it or hearing it.
If you want, you can go back in the archives and look for the part about how I was not far from the plane crash site that took many of the band's lives so many years ago.
Enough of that, I am not sad about getting older, in fact I am glad I live in an interesting time and have some cool stories to share. Thanks Leonard.

Sweet home Alabama
Where the skies are so blue
Sweet Home Alabama
Lord, I'm coming home to you
Here I come Alabama

The Dukes of September Rhythm Revue!

Here they are. Michael McDonald, Donald Fagen,and Boz Scaggs.
Picture © 2010 by Andrew Talbert

What a show! It was a blast. They played some of their own music and many covers. Everything from the Grateful Dead's "Shakedown Street" to the Beach Boys "Help me Rhonda" and all the way to the song the O Jay's made popular "Love Train." Two hours of solid music. If you take beautiful warm weather, an all-star band, and a great venue you have the makings of a spectacular show that you will never forget. This was a great one!

Good reading about the tour:
http://radiodupree.blogspot.com/2010/06/dukes-of-september-rhythm-revue-tour.html

A nice video overview of the show:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCVuKlt1QjA&feature=related

People all over the world, join hands
Start a love train, love train
People all over the world, join hands
Join a love train, love train

The next stop that we make will be England
Tell all the folks in Russia and China too
Don't you know that it's time to get on board
And let this train keep on riding, riding on through

People all over the world, join hands
Start a love train, love train
People all over the world, join hands
Join a love train, love train

Donald Fagen.

Donald. He can play the keys in all configurations. A great talent and he will always be one of my favorites.


http://www.steelydan.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Fagen

Michael McDonald...

http://www.michaelmcdonald.com/

Mike was all over several instruments branching out from his typical keyboards. He has the voice for sure. I never tire of his vocal tracks. This guy has some serious soul. I can remember a time period back in the late 1970's that I listened to his vocals for weeks and weeks on my car cassette player. He has some great recordings.

The last time I saw Mike perform he opened for Steely Dan. I took my daughter and she fell in love with his music. I think she liked him better than Steely Dan..she has the t-shirt for sure..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G54lfxiid_w

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eiq1hih7URE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGO-Cr_BU_0

Boz Scaggs!

http://www.bozscaggs.com/

In my mind Boz Scaggs stole the show. Maybe it was just me. Nah it was the crowd too. Several times we stood and he was the first to get everyone to deliver a standing ovation. Not that there weren't a whole bunch of those. These guys are loved by all in this audience. This one cranked the crowd. I was one of the first on my feet. I really love this music.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65EoK4OelZU

Baby's into runnin' round
Hangin' with the crowd
Putting your business in the street
Talkin' out loud
Sayin' you bought her this and that
And how much you done spent
I swear she must believe
Its all heaven sent
Hey boy
You better bring the chick around
To the sad sad truth
The dirty lowdown

I have seen Michael many times solo and with the Doobie Brothers. By now I have lost count of the Donald Fagen and Steely Dan shows, but I had never seen Boz live. I have been a fan since the 1970's and I have everything he has ever recorded. When he plays a tune I know it by three beats. In fact he played one of my favorites, a Teddy Pendergrass cover, "Love TKO." I hear a chord strum and I named it out loud. He played "Rag Mama Rag" and I named that one too by three seconds. The couple seated just in front of me turned around and said "You're good." I just laughed. I thought naa I just listen to too much music and I love it all.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srdtqGPSrEY&feature=fvst

Donald and his Background Singers.

I just added this picture not because it was particularly sharp but it does have a lot of things to take away. You can see the facial expressions going on during this song and the connection of Donald and Carolyn as they perform. They truly love what they are doing and you can see them all through the show smiling and really getting into what they do. To me I always enjoy seeing this from a concert.

The Lovely Carolyn Leonhart...

http://www.carolynleonhart.com/


http://www.myspace.com/carolynleonhart

Carolyn was born into a musical family. I have seen her perform on the last two Steely Dan tours. As I stood in the parking lot and talked to Dan fans I had never met before one theme came through several times. The background singers are not only musically outstanding but they always look very good. I remember a guy who was a serious Steely Dan fan tell me he was there to see the "lovely Carolyn Leonhart" I smiled. At the time I was there to see the "lovely" Victoria Cave but that is another story.

Michael on trumpet in the earlier picture is Carolyn's brother. I just thought I would mention that for the trivia file.

I took this picture during one of her two solo moments. I really love this pose and the whole stage presence in this shot. She has quite the voice. Too bad my pocket camera doesn't show the details my binoculars do...'nuff said.

Ready Freddie Washington...

http://www.readyfreddiewashington.com/

One of the best bass players on the planet. Freddie Washington. Excellent!

The Dukes of September Horn Section...

The Horn section....Michael Leonhart, Walt Weiskopf, and Jay Collins. They rocked! And they are really an all-star group.

http://www.michaelleonhart.com/

http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/musician.php?id=11252

http://www.jaycollinsband.com/

Jon Herington!

Jon on stage for the opening song. He is really an awesome player. I spent considerable time just watching him play solos through the night. http://www.jonherington.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XN30zTpozRw

Jon Herington's guitars sit on stage alone just before the band took the stage. I like the guitar stands. I own one of those myself. More on Jon in a moment.

For the uninitiated Jon is the guitarist for Steely Dan these days and he is damn good.


http://www.jonherington.com/

Road Runner Mobile Amphitheatre...

http://ncmusicfactory.com/

Just before the show in Charlotte. The Duke of September are going through the sound check. I am sipping a frozen drink and listening to Donald Fagen sing. It is hot and I am a stones throw from uptown Charlotte. I can't wait for the show. This will be a good one.

By the end of the night my photo count was 1732. People ask me how I do that and I always say at 5 frames a second I can take a bunch of shots and still have my camera off for over 80% of the show. I have some really cool shots from the side and the front of the stage. Not too bad...besides, I love photography.


http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/17386/194399

http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2010-08-19-dukes19_ST_N.htm