Roger Bartlett!

http://www.rogerbartlett.com/

So while in New york City I made it a point to hang with Roger Bartlett. He is the original Coral Reefer guitarist and so cool. He was on most of the early stuff up through the "Havana Day Dreaming" album. We spent some time talking and recording some stuff in my hotel room. It was cool. Roger is still performing in NYC all the time. In fact he played his guitar for three hours before we talked. Dedication. The mark of a great player. Look for him down the road. 'Nuff said.

One of my favorites was the Coral Reefer Band reunion. "Live at the Windjammer" which I credit my pal (and fellow lunch money punk) Bob Robinson with putting together. This is a must have cd for the Parrothead out there. Go buy it NOW. It is available on CD Baby. He has some other cool recordings up there too. I have them all. They are fabulous and a must-have for the serious parrothead. Thanks Roger. You rock as always.

http://www.rogerbartlett.com/

Imagine...

2011 DSP Andrew Talbert. (You can click on the picture to enlarge it)

So I was in New york City this week. I have been there several times but I have never had time to see much. This trip I stopped by the Dakota. I took some pictures just to remember the moment. I will tell you that I felt really weird being on the sidewalk that John Lennon died on.
All of us are Beatles fans. When you listen to the music you hear something special, something that captures a moment in time. I was just in the Ed Sullivan Theater this week watching David Letterman do his show live with Paul Shafer and his band...WOW that was incredible...the Beatles played there...you remember or maybe you don't. Either way the music is amazing. To think that someone could take a member of this bands life before it was time is well...I felt sadness and anger at the same time. All in that one spot. After all these years, I still felt that.
Before I left this time I bought a picture of John Lennon with his New York City shirt on. It is in a frame over my shoulder in my studio now. John was the man. They all were and still are. No one will ever take that away. Strawberry Fields Forever.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-b7qaSxuZUg

Summer Tour 2011 !!

Tall Paul and Quincy! http://www.tallpaul.com/

On my recent visit to Key West a couple of weeks ago I ran into the 2011 Summer Tour of Tall Paul and Quincy. I knew they were playing at Margaritaville Key West and of course we made a point of being there for the opening night. We had a blast. Not only was the music great and the margaritas fabulous, well, the company was outstanding. Kristie flew down from Nashville and Howard http://www.keywesttime.com/ and his wife Cyndy drove down from just north of Key West. Yeah that mile marker thing....24 baby. We had fun and I am so glad that Howard drove us back to the Casa Marina after the show. The margaritas were way too good....Did I mention these guys put on an awesome show? I love their music. 'Nuff said.

Oh left to right...me, Cyndy, Tall Paul, Kristie, Quincy, Charlotte, Howard Livingston. The dude in the back is...well none of us know...he just jumped into the picture...what's up with that?

JD Souther!

JD Souther. Photo DSP 2011 Andrew Talbert.

My story. I arrived at the Arts Center Sunday night with a couple of tickets in my pocket all alone. Boy that was a loss for someone. I had been here before. I knew this would be a special show. I had been very busy lately with so many things happening. I hadn't slept much after travel to Key West and my daughter's graduation from high school the day before. I had harvested forty pounds of honey earlier in the day in the Carolina Summer heat. I knew I would be two hours from home when the show ended and I had to get to work at 6:00 the next morning. I really didn't care. That is what coffee was invented for. I knew I would love this show. I did. I really did.

I made a couple of new friends in the general admission line. I usually do. That is part of what I like about concerts, just meeting people and sharing experiences. After the show I talked to Chris for a while and sat down with JD. We talked about mostly the Canadian Grand Prix race earlier in the day. This was a continuation of the conversation I had the last time we talked. I should have recorded some sound bites, my digital recorder was in my pocket, but honestly I just sat there and enjoyed it all. That is life. Enjoying the moment. I have learned that at my age. You should get that from my blog. Enjoy the moments, life comes at you fast.

I will end this posting session by saying I would go see this show again right now. I love the songs and this artist. He has written so many cool songs. I now have the just released "Natural History" cd. It is a masterpiece with so many awesome players, most of them I have been standing next to the last twelve months or so. You can see that on the blog if you research the artist list. This cd is a "must have." You can have my word on that.

http://www.jdsoutherstore.net/store/

Here is a few lyrics from my favorite song from the night. In the meantime I have my traveling shoes on. I'll see you down the road.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgefLta3bqo&feature=related

Out in the shiny night, the rain
was softly falling
The tracks that ran down the boulevard had
all been washed away

Out of the silver light, the past came softly calling
And I remember the times we spent
inside the Sad Cafe

Oh, it seemed like a holy place,
protected by amazing grace
And we would sing right out loud, the
things we could not say
We thought we could change this world
with words like "love" and "freedom"
We were part of the lonely crowd
Inside the Sad Cafe

Oh, expecting to fly,
we would meet on that beautiful shore in the
sweet by and by

Some of their dreams came true,

some just passed away
And some of the stayed behind
inside the Sad Cafe.

Chris on Piano.

Chris. What a great player.

JD Souther Opens His Tour...

http://www.jdsoutherstore.net/store/

JD Souther. He has wrote songs that I would bet my last dollar you have heard on your radio. He has the history. He is a piece of the "Southern California Sound" you know so well. I really enjoy his intimate concerts at the Arts Center. This is always a special moment. You really have to go see him perform to understand the connection between being in the presence of your past. The musical past. It is an awesome thing to feel and hear great song writing being performed by the actual song writer. Did I mention all the stories about people like Warren Zevon?

Honestly I thought "New Kid in Town" was so over-played when the Eagles hit with it in the 1970's. The first time I heard JD play it I fell in love with it. I really love his version of this song. It is awesome. Capital "A." Just 'sayin.'

Go watch if you like:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFf8uVBBLo4&feature=related

There's talk on the street, it sounds so familiar
Great expectations, everybody's watching you
People you meet they all seem to know you
Even your old friends treat you like you're something new

Johnny come lately, the new kid in town
Everybody loves you so don't let them down

You look in her eyes, the music begins to play
Hopeless romantics, here we go again
But after a while you're looking the other way
It's those restless hearts that never mend

Johnny come lately, the new kid in town
Will she still love you when you're not around?

Chris Walters and Me Last Sunday...

Chris and me after the JD Souther show last Sunday in Carrboro, North Carolina. Chris is an awesome piano player and was the only guy on the stage with JD. What a great show! He adds so much to an already great show. I have seen Chris perform with Peter Mayer several times and followed his work with JD for some time now. He is quite the talent.

Jill Andrews!

http://www.jillandrews.com/

Jill was on hand to open the show for JD. There were many people who had driven several hours just to see her perform. She was great! She has a new cd and put on a great show. She hails from Knoxville, Tennessee. She will be on the tour with JD for a while so go see her. Am I the only one who thinks she looks like Demi Moore's sister?...and yes that is a compliment.

Robert Plant. A few thoughts.

Well. I don't have any pictures of Robert. But my head is full of stories. That is what this blog is for. Let me spill a detail or two.

I was standing backstage. It was mid-day on Sunday. The stage was set for Robert and his Band of Joy. It was the finest equipment we had seen most of the week. Well. Maybe the new Yamaha mixing console the Doobie Brothers brought was on par...That one took six guys and a lift truck with a boom to load out way after midnight....Even so I was impressed with the quality of the sound equipment on this stage. I was standing next to the mixing board just scanning the back stage area. In comes Robert Plant. Unnoticed. He had come in with sunglasses and a stocking hat covering his hair. He walked right up to me and stood. I am thinking he was three inches from my shoulder. I slowly, very calmly motioned the new stage manager over and said "We need some security...I turned to Robert and said Robert...the green room is about fifteen feet that way." He smiled and walked that way. Soon the back stage was locked-down for the rest of the show.

I have to tell you I never took a picture after the one above. I was asked not to take pictures so I didn't. It is all good. I saw Patti Griffith from 10 feet away with Buddy Miller and Robert Plant smiling as they took the stage. I sat next to Jim Lauderdale on a road case and watched the show from twenty feet away. I watched the encore happen as they all smiled and took in the moment before the final song.

Robert Plant is one of the best vocalists I have seen perform. Period. I have seen so much live music I can't even remember it all.
That is part of the reason for this blog. To try to remember the years and the stories. What I will tell you is Robert has the history, he has some special charisma that few have, and his vocal talent is very special. I am ready for another Robert Plant show!

That is all from Merlefest. I have been so busy it took almost a month to record all of this on my blog. But I have a JD Souther show in less than a day! Onward!

Oh...finally. My favorite moment. "Ramble On." I love the song but afterwards Robert asked from the stage "Can you FEEL IT?"
I was standing in front of the stage at this point having just watched some people my age sway in the crowd. I smiled real wide and I said out loud "Damn Right I did." I think a tear rolled down my face.

See you down the road my friends.


Leaves are fallin' all around, time I was on my way
Thanks to you, I'm much obliged for such a pleasant stay
but now it's time for me to go, the autumn moon lights my way
for now I smell the rain, and with it, pain
and it's headed my way
Aw, sometimes I grow so tired
but I know I've got one thing I got to do

A-ramble on, and now's the time, the time is now
Sing my song, I'm goin' 'round the world, I gotta find my girl
On my way, I've been this way ten years to the day
Ramble on, gotta find the queen of all my dreams

The Setlist...

This is the setlist. I took this picture at the guitar-tuning station. There was one on the floor I left for a friend from Maryland. I thought this was a cool picture. It is full of Zep songs. The show was awesome. When I saw the setlist I think the hair on my neck stood up. The roadie with Robert said "Yeah you can take a picture of that." He was a busy guy.

Robert Plant...

Robert Plant is in the house. These are the guitars Buddy Miller will play soon.
http://buddymiller.com/

Buddy Miller appeared back stage with his long-pointed shoes on and I said damn I want a picture of that. I just got back in from Key West this week as I write this. On the trip on the planes I was reading the Keith Richards book "Life" which I have had for a while with no time to read it. Well I got through most of ithe book on this trip. He makes mention of the "long boots" in this book. I thought they were cool as hell. I love Rock and Roll.

Let me set this scene up for you. We were told to not speak to any of the band. We were told to not take pictures when the band members arrived. I was one of twelve people back stage during this show. There were two Wilkes County Sherriff deputies at each entrance guarding the doors. I had my stage shirt on so I could come and go. It was a lock-down I have not seen the likes of since Steve Martin was here last year. More in a moment....

Sand....Nice.

Every year there is sand sculpture at this festival. I like this stuff. It is very cool to see artists make this happen over several days. I took this picture on my way to my final stint on the stage on Sunday morning. It is almost time for me to head that way. Robert Plant is coming and I freakin' can't wait to see him.

Lyle Lovett!

http://www.lylelovett.com/

I have various pictures of Lyle from this night. This was one of my favorites. The first time I saw Lyle was in Memorial Hall on the campus of UNC Chapel Hill back in the late 1970's when he opened for Bonnie Raitt. That was so long ago. He still looks pretty much the same these days. As I look at him I remember talking to Robert Earl Keen one night about Lyle. He had many things to say and they were all good. According to these guys, contrary to popular myth, they were not room mates in college in Texas. But they did play together at times. REK called Lyle a great "player." He certainly shows that from the stage. He is also a first-class person. He entered the stage with grace speaking to everyone and left the stage later after the show stopping to talk to anyone who wanted to speak with him all the way to the bus. My kind of guy. I'll stop there with my stories but there are some more for later.

"My Favorite Mistake" A song I really love...


So like I said before
I could not have known
How this fairy tale would finally go
Still the only certain thing for sure
Is what I do not know

So like the years and all the seasons pass
And like the sand runs through the hour glass
I just keep on running faster
Chasing the happily
I am ever after

I just keep on running faster
Chasing the happily
I am ever after

Lyle and Martin.

I took this picture because I like both of these guys alot. Martin is a dj on WNCW http://www.wncw.org/index.html which is one of the best radio stations around. Lyle is instantly recognizable as a Texan musician and I will tell you he is one of the freaking nicest guys in the music business.

If you want to hear some really cool music try streaming WNCW sometime. We can get them on the net here or if we are in the area we tune in on the radio. Martin has been an announcer for the Merlefest stage for a while now and he is a really cool guy.
http://www.wncw.org/staff.html

Sam Bush!

http://www.sambush.com/

Not only is Sam one of the nicest, down to earth guys you will ever meet, he is probably the best mandolin player on the planet right now. I am pleased I have spent some time talking with him and cutting-up backstage. Particularly last year when he played so many times with so many people he looked like he was drained! He is in demand as a player and quite fun to hang with. My favorite musician is one who talks to anyone and acts like the rest of us. He is one of them. So he gets a ten from me. 'Nuff said.

Doc Watson and Sam Bush.

Two amazing players. Grammy-winning, best in class...they keep coming back to this event for so many years. For those that may not know the festival is named for Doc's son Merle. Sam has been here from many years ago and these two are best friends. Not to mention they are among the best at what they do, if not the best.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4d8detsvTA

The Wailin' Jennys

http://www.thewailinjennys.com/bio/
Nicky, Ruth, and Heather. They played solo and they sang backup. In this picture they were singing backup on the Hillside Album Hour. They are very popular. I keep my ear tuned to the crowd as I walk around. I love to listen to comments about who likes what as I walk around the audience. Durning the days at Merlefest I wander around and just listen. The name of this band came up many times. So they have the game on you might say. Check them out. They have some fabulous harmony and they are easy on the eyes too.

Joan is Rocking!

http://joanosborne.com/

As I write this I am less than twenty four hours in from Key West on a few hours of sleep. I am behind in my blog and I really want to share some cool stuff from all my recent adventures. There are others coming and I really need to get down and pound out some stuff! Also as I write this I am listening to a replay of "One Way Out" from the time this picture was taken. I had such a great time at this show. I LOVE Joan Osborne and James Nash works so hard to put on a super show.

Go check out the video...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhNHGWT8p4I

Yeah baby. You can hear me in the back ground of this video to the right. I was right on the stage smiling and clapping my hands. I loved this show! I said "Yeah" a few times that day.

Lord, I'm foolish to be here in the first place,
I know some man gonna walk in and take my place.
Ain't no way in the world,
I'm going out that front door
Cause there's a man down there,
Might be your man I don't know.
Cause there's a man down there,
Might be your man I don't know.

James Nash!

picture copyright 2011 DSP Andrew Talbert

I love this picture. I should explain what this event was. This picture was taken at the Hillside Album Hour at Merlefest. The Waybacks started a tradition of playing an album from start to finish with some usually awesome players and vocalists helping out. Over time they have played Led Zeppelin, The Stones, and The Beatles. This year the rumor was they were playing something American. And so it was, the Allman Brothers' "Eat a Peach." The whole double Album. It was awesome!

http://www.waybacks.com/

I lived through the "Eat a Peach" album debut. I was at the New Orleans Allman Brothers show when they played most of this album live in the early days. I remember the moments of the details of how this album was recorded. This guy brought it back to life. He put his soul into itl. The band was AWESOME. The crowd was OFF THE METER. It was a moment. I am telling you about it in print. Really, you just had to be there. I hope I gave you a feel for it. Get out. See live music. Live. Now. This is the real deal. Thanks James! As I shook your hand at the end of the show I said thanks for giving eveything. He really did. He really did. It ROCKED.

Joan Osborne!

Well the last time I saw Joan live was New Orleans. When she walked up I just really smiled. I could not wait to hear her sing. I really love her vocals. I was so close and I could not quit taking pictures of her. I guess I wanted to tell her how much I love to hear her sing. That's all. She rocks.

Hillside Crowd at Merlefest.

It is becoming the "thing" at Merlefest. The "Hillside Album Hour." The crowd is HUGE on the side of a hill. And the music. Well. It is off the meter. You really have to be there. I suggest you make reservations now for next year. This gig is 110% awesome!

Jim Lauderdale!

http://jimlauderdale.com/

Name a song. He wrote it. I really love this guy. He has great cds. Awesome songs. You just have to check out his catalog. He has wrote some great ones. And he opened the stage before the Hillside Album Hour.

I will tell you about him sharing the backstage with me at the Robert Plant gig soon. Not to mention the guitar story...stand by.

The Tony Rice Unit.

http://www.tonyrice.com/

Here is a guy how hails from mere miles from me. He plays gigs very close to me all the time. He is one awesome player. This is a group shot from the front of the stage. Tony is a super player!

Local Crew.

As we load out the Doobie Brothers...they all have cases that are cool. They all have names and a place on the trailer. It is an 18 wheeler. What I would call a whole bunch of stuff including the brand-new Yamaha digital board on the second story of the sound tower. That thing weighed hundreds of pounds and took a real crew with a fork-boom truck to move. The volunteer crew rocks. They make this festival work. From front to back. We all love music and good time. That is why we are here.

John McFee!

http://www.doobiebros.com/biography/john-mcfee/

John. A guy who shares my first name. First I will apologize for not having a primo-picture of him. I have some back stage photos I won't share. But I really love his history of playing with all my favorites in the music bid'ness. Yeah I spell it like that. Anyway. John is the man! I love his history and all the players he is friends with. So here is a picture of him on stage with Pat playing his part. He is the man on guitar. Thanks man. You rock. See why I love this band? They are all so awesome.

So Many Pictures So Little Time...

Thanks Tom.

Tom Johnston!

http://www.doobiebros.com/biography/tom-johnston/

One of my favorites. He was there from the beginning and the vocal behind many of the famous Doobie tunes. I have so many cool pictures I wish I could show you them all...from backstage to front stage. I really like this guy. Thanks Tom for a great live show and some awesome recorded vocals.

John Cowan!

http://www.johncowan.com/

John on bass. He always rocks. Check him out! At Merlefest he is the bass man to have on your stage.

Patrick Simmons!

http://www.doobiebros.com/biography/patrick-simmons/

Pat Simmons. Yeah I listen to the crowd. So many people call him the backbone of this band. I am a bit more objective. I have been a fan since the day they broke FM in the 1970's. The whole timeline. I have seen people come and go in this band. Live in concert and on albums. I was there and have the albums too. Patrick is a rock for sure. And I would never take anything away. Thanks Pat.

No matter who you like the whole band rocks and yes you are a major part of that. So I thank you. I love the Doobie Brothers from beginning to end. This moment was so good. Worth every bit of work I did this weekend. Yeah I am not cheap but I working for free to hang with the bands and the crew.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71vUJdu4Gr4&feature=related

Percussion

The back beat. They keep the time. There were two drummers and you should just go buy the music to listen to hear them. They rock.

http://www.doobiebros.com/

The Brothers Gear...

I love guitars. I like to look at them. I like to feel them and play them. Talk about them. Great players make them come to life. There are some great players within 50 feet of me tonight as I take this picture. The crowd awaits. It will be AWESOME. Are you with me?

Doobie Logistics.

I have made a career of logistics. I really like this picture. There is so much behind everything that happens in life. Behind every great band is a crew of great people. Check this out. Organization baby. Get it done. Rock n' Roll. Yeah.