Marshall.

All pictures whether you like them or not are ©Andrew Talbert 2011. © 2011 Down South Productions. My testimonial is I will never make a dime off a musician or artist. It is all theirs. I do this for them.

Well. This is where I end this segment of my blog. I am trying to be cerebral while drinking a Red Hook beer and listening to Marshall sing on my studio monitors.

If you refer back to my November blog which you can do by using the search box at the top left of this google sponsored blog you will see my comments on Tim Krekel. Long story short, I was huge fan of both of them, Tim and Marshall. More than that I have watched a favorite artist of mine lose a very close friend before and after it happened. I was one of the guys living in North Carolina wanting to see them play together in Nashville at the Bluebird back a few years ago when I would get the printed flyers each month. I would circle their names and wish I could work it in. I used to stick them in my office on the wall and just look at the paper. I never did. I can't do it all. I go as hard as I can.

So I still feel that the last cd from Marshall was her best ever. It comes from love of a friend and a loss. I really get that. I am at that age. What a great cd. I love every song on it. Go buy the book. I never even talked about the Willie Nelson story she told us. It is in the book. http://www.amazon.com/They-Came-Nashville-Marshall-Chapman/dp/0826517358/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1296262915&sr=1-1


Before I sign off I should say I heard some songs are ready for the next release! A new cd! I am glad to hear that.

So go get her books, go get the latest cd. I will put my word on it. You will love it and work at seeing the next live show with Marshall Chapman. She ROCKS, and remember I love this woman. But she has Chris in her heart. She will tell you that.

Big Lonesome
That’s my name
Ever since you went away
Things just ain’t the same
Big Lonesome
That’s me
Until you come back home
Big Lonesome’s all I’ll be

The Break Between Sets.

Marshall talking to the front row during the break. People. Go see her, she is awesome.

http://www.tallgirl.com/content/

Marshall Chapman!

I just saw Marshall back in November. That's where I heard about this show. Chris, her husband told me about it and here I am. I wanted to see a full two sets with her.

I can never get enough of her performances. She is such an old soul, full of rich stories, full of detail about life experiences, such a song writer, charisma like all the greats. I forgot to mention the Southern accent. That is such an attraction for me. Successful and talented people with Southern accents. Is there anything better?

When I explain to people about who she is the first thing that really comes to my mind is "I love this woman." So Southern and so damn cool. She is always on edge when she performs. I understand that so well. She has high expectations of herself. The funny thing is she ALWAYS over-delivers. So Marshall, this probably won't help but please relax. You ROCK even when you are chilling! Your fans love you.

The Band and the Host.

Michael, Becca, and Jim. In the kitchen as we were all talking. This is the beauty of the house concert. Talking with friends, enjoying a drink and some awesome music in an intimate setting. Get your tickets early. This place is popular!

Before I move on I want to relate a quick story. As I talked to these guys they mentioned Tim Carroll and Elizabeth Cook. Check out the liner notes when you purchase the cd... http://www.michaelandbecca.com/ I perked up and said I listen to Elizabeth all the time on Sirius 63 Outlaw Country on her show "Apron Strings." She is also a rising performing star who I think has the ability to be a real superstar in the country music world. Keep your ears open, she rocks!

http://www.myspace.com/michaelandbecca

http://www.elizabeth-cook.com/

http://specials.tribstar.com/nashville/timcarroll/

My favorite Elizabeth Cook song, there are a few:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VXH16Y8o6A

Finally. I will mention the cover of "Drivin' My Life Away." This whole cd is great and I wish you could hear the way they wrote the songs they wrote. Go see them live they will tell you during the show. Cool stories, 'Nuff said. In the meantime here is my favorite Eddie Rabbit cover. I am listening to it as I write this. They rock it!

Well, the midnight headlight
Find you on a rainy night
Steep grade up ahead
Slow me down makin' no time
I gotta keep rollin'
Those windshield wipers
Slappin' out a tempo
Keepin' perfect rhythm
With the song on the radio
Gotta keep rollin'

Oooooooh, I'm driving my life away
Lookin' for a better way, for me
Oooooooh, I'm driving my life away
Lookin' for a sunny day

Becca'

I just liked this picture. I have to confess. I had my new Nikon SLR on my neck. I never used it as I was in such a quiet, completely full room of fans who came in with a waiting list wanting to come in. I was not going to make noise taking pictures with an SLR as I was too close to the front. I shot almost 1000 pictures with my trusty Canon Powershot which is very quiet. It is an awesome camera for what it is. Sometimes you just have to respect the artist and the crowd. Let me tell you...I enjoyed this show and as I like to tell people all the time "I have lived" and moments like this put a big smile on my face. I am never bragging, I am only sharing because I love music. It is my favorite passion in life.

Michael and Becca'

http://www.michaelandbecca.com/

Here is the opening act. Jim said they were good stuff. All the way from Nashville.

Well I will back that up. I have to say I listen to music so many hours a day and I never embellish a bad performance. My thoughts on this duo? They ROCK!

The cd is so well produced and the fidelity is extremely good. They have good stories about song writing and living. The music is excellent. I encourage you to buy the cd, tell your friends, and spread the word about this cool couple. Their star is rising.

Dr Jim Roberts...

http://learnedplacemusic.net/

This is the man to talk to about a great house concert almost on the campus of Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. Jim Roberts, PHD. Yeah, he and his wife work for Duke University and they have a beautiful house almost within sight of the campus. It is a great place in the woods with tons of parking on a cul de sac!

I never like to rate things as best because everything is relative. Let's just say this venue is among the best. Yes, close to the top marks of what a house concert can be. Keep on reading.

Jay Spell.

http://www.jayspell.com/

One of my good friends, Bill Buckner, emailed me and said Jay Spell died. My heart kind of sank. That was a day or few ago. Jay passed away right at the end of December. The 30th or 31st depending on decimal points. No matter. The point is he is not with us anymore. I had to think about it for a while.

I try not to feel sadness when people leave the living but any person who played some of my favorite music is always a distant friend of mine. It comes from my love of music. We are all connected. My intention is only to help musicians succeed so I can go see them perform and smile. I really enjoy that.

In my very humble opinion some of the best Jimmy Buffett music came from the late 1970's. I was there in full force. Live and recorded, movies, I saw it all. All I could. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vpu95-MYgtw

"You had to be There" was and still is one of my favorite Buffett albums. Jay Spell was all over it. He was on the tour. I was there so many times. Carowinds so many times. I guess I should post a ticket stub or so and tell some war stories. That is for another time.

Most all of the artists who Jimmy had on the stage are very special in their own way. Jimmy has a similar trait I inherited from one of my my grandfathers which is I like "the best." I have to say that anyone who has played for any length of time with Jimmy ranks among the best at their craft. When you are on this level only the best will do. Jay was one of them.

Yes, Jay was one of them. Jimmy used to introduce him so long ago as being from "Spiveys Corner, North Carolina." I would smile as a native North Carolinian who had spent fifteen years of my youth in Mississippi I thought this was so cool. Southern boys hittin' the big time doing well. I freakin' loved it. That is why to this day I call myself a Jimmy Buffett fan not a parrothead. I was there so early on and I still love it all. Great memories. Parrotheads make this whole thing much bigger than any fan base ever would. And for a fan that is a great thing.

Jimmy has always had that ability to enhance a great story. "Blind" Jay Spell as they have called him was always great. Jimmy made him a very cool player by association and Jay continued to play some awesome blues and boogie until this last year. I already miss him. But even as I write this I am listening to him play with a smile and a tear too. "Nuff said.

Here are some cool links to visit with a bottle of Cella Lambrusco like I did back then:

http://www.jayspell.com/

Saturday Night Live Video:

http://www.jayspell.com/buffett/

Love this one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjFGtpuXK5Y

And more...the FM Movie Trailer...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vpu95-MYgtw

The myspace page:

http://www.myspace.com/jayspellmusic


As the son of a son of a sailor
I went out on the sea for adventure
Expanding the view of the captain and crew
Like a man just released from indenture

As a dreamer of dreams and a travelin' man
I have chalked up many a mile
Read dozens of books about heroes and crooks
And I learned much from both of their styles.

The House is Rockin'

The house was rocking! Everyone starting dancing from the first song. By midnight the house was moving! Wow. This crowd was ready to party. They had the music and everyone was well-fed on Cajun food. It was a great New Years Eve. Happy New Year 2011 all!

http://www.papamojosroadhouse.com/

http://www.papamojosroadhouse.com/papa-mojos-roadhouse-music-events.htm

Mel Melton.

The food was awesome. The music was great. Mel knows how to bring Louisiana to North Carolina. He could have filled the house twice or more. It was great.

Papa Mojo Jam Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gi2TO12hI44

Will is Rocking.

Will McFarlane. He is a great player and I am glad he is in my area.


http://www.willmcfarlane.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjGivYXWS58

The Art.

The art on the wall. This place is cool. Restoration is everywhere. Louisiana is everywhere and that is good with me. Makes me feel like I am at home. I am glad Mel lives in my state and we have the same Southern genes. Did I mention how great the food was?

http://www.myspace.com/wickedmojos

Max Drake!

Well before I start talking about everyone else I will add a comment about Max. The Stoneville, North Carolina guy who graduated with some of my friends, yeah he is a great player! He can smoke a guitar. I love to watch him play.

Here is a video of Max at another gig:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_9t1p_6TPg&feature=related

I don't know. I just liked this shot....even with my new DSLR Nikon at home, my pocket camera was ok.

Last Night...The Fairlanes.

http://www.myspace.com/thefairlanesgreensboro

The Fairlanes. Papa Mojo's Roadhouse. The food was awesome. The music rocked!
HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone.

Warren, Steve, Gregg.

Three greats. On one stage. I have over two thousand pictures of this show. I shared a few due to time constraints. Life is so short. I have been watching these guys for so many years it is all a blur. I can tell you I enjoyed this performance and watching them talk and slap backs after the show was over. 'Nuff said.

Gregg Allman.

http://www.greggallman.com/

Well what can I say about Gregg. New album in a week! Yes. It was a tough year for him in 2010 health-wise but he is back. I saw him not so long ago and he was in not so great shape but it seems he is coming back now. I am happy. Life with no Gregg Allman in the world would be a drag. A real Southern gentleman. I hope I am watching him perform in twenty years. Countless times, I never tire of it.

http://www.youtube.com/user/greggallmanlcb


http://www.hittinthenote.com/cart/s-10-gregg-allman.aspx

Steve Miller.

Steve on stage. He has been a favorite of mine since the early 1970's. That was the first time I remember listening to him. About 1974.

It was the early '70's. I remember this friend I had in Mississippi. His name was Jim Walker and we hung out quite a bit always enjoying cool music. Back then you bought vinyl lps or 8-tracks. I was always opposed to 8-tracks due to the "inferior" design. I was a cassette tape fan. Multi-coated, the best Japan could offer. Nakamichi, the best, TDK triple coated, etc... It seemed more civilized...LOL. I was such a purist, they said that about me in the snobby audio stores. OK laugh with me because I really don't take myself serious. But. I am who am I am.

Anyway I bought the vinyl and recorded the cassette tapes. I still have my Nakamichi Dragon deck. One of my fondest recollections is Steve Miller playing "the Joker" on an old 8-track picked up at a 7-11 store at Jim's house. I loved that track. I still do. There is a whole debate about that word "pompetous." I have spent some time looking it up...

Some people call me the space cowboy yeah
Some call me the gangster of love
Some people call me Maurice
Cause' I speak of the pompetous of love

People talk about me baby
Say I'm doin' you wrong, doin' you wrong
But don't you worry baby don't worry
Cause' I'm right here at home

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qd5ag754UAQ

Steve and Carlos.

Steve's godfather was Les Paul. That is a long story but you should read all the history on the internet. It is very cool about his father and how he met so many cool people very early in life. My kind of guy. Most of the artists he got to either meet or play with over time are my favorites so I naturally have always taken to Steve's music. I mean it must be cool for T Bone Walker to just stop by your house to record!

The story behind this picture is one of my favorite moments of this performance. Not so long ago Les Paul died. http://downsouthradiohour.blogspot.com/2009/08/les-paul.html
Right before he died he called Steve and asked him to sing a song at his funeral. It was this song. Carlos on harp and Steve on vocals. I freakin' loved it.

Here is the song performed in 2005. Go check it out. I loved it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dELpW_l4ZV4

If you like Les Paul, music in general, and want to hear a great tribute cd well this is one to get:

http://www.amazon.com/Paul-Friends/dp/B000A9QKMI/ref=sr_1_10?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1293923418&sr=1-10

Steve Miller's Guitar and Set List.

This is probably my favorite picture from the Christmas Jam. First I am a HUGE Steve Miller fan and seeing the set list and guitar just sort of makes my evening. He had to cut it down due to the time allowed but it was still great. More on that in a moment.

Love is nice when it's understood...
It's even nicer when the feeling's good
You got me flipping like a flag on a poll
Come on, baby, let the good times roll.

Ivan Neville.

Ivan is back at the jam again. He has been here before and he always rocks. The Neville Brothers are some incredible talents. How does all this happen in one family?

http://www.dumpstaphunk.com/

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

Got time for a video? Here's Warren and Ivan at Tipitina's in New Orleans doing John Fogerty's "Fortunate Son."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LT2caeYbwcM&feature=related

Ron Holloway and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band!

At the Christmas Jam there is always a great selection of horn players. This year was no exception. I have lost count of how many of these Jams Ron Holloway has been to but it is a pretty big number. He has a history of playing with Government Mule, Little Feat, the Allman Brothers Band, and many others. He can always crank out some stunning sax solos. http://www.ronholloway.com/

The Dirty Dozen Brass Band http://www.dirtydozenbrass.com/ from New Orleans was a welcome addition this year. I have to say I loved the Drew Brees Saints jersey as I am a life-long fan of the Saints. These guys have played with everyone from David Bowie to Elvis Costello. They rock!

The Man at the Jam.

Warren Haynes. http://www.warrenhaynes.net/home.html

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

Warren started this jam over twenty years ago to benefit Habitat for Humanity. Each year it attracts awesome national musicians and people who come back year after year to just experience a great event in a very cool city, all for a great cause. I think each year is very different but I can say every year is fabulous fun! It is hard to describe in print! I will say go out and look on etree for the audio. There are many people always recording these great shows. http://www.etree.org/

Ahh.. the guitars...

Some of the many guitars backstage at the jam. There are so many cool ones.

Back in Asheville for the Christmas Jam 2010!

http://www.xmasjam.com/2010/
First you get a ticket to this always sold-out show, then you make your plan to try to find a place to stay...fast forward.

IT WAS COLD OUTSIDE! It always is. This is a general admission show meaning you stand outside in very cold and windy conditions most years until they decide to open the doors which might be as late as 45 minutes before the show starts. Just like this year. Of course I get there early to talk and hang out anyway.

As I come into the venue I stood in an empty arena on the floor and took quite a few pictures. I really liked the lighting this year. The red mirror balls were a nice touch. And the new lighting crew was the best ever.