Last night I spent over three hours watching the documentary, “History of The Eagles.” I love every minute of it!
The documentary, which had its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival last January, is in two parts and is currently on Showtime and can be purchased on DVD, or streamed — there are so many options in today’s digital would.
Like most rock ‘n roll bands, much of their creativity comes from the battles with their demons, which are the vital spirits of creative imagination. For me their music takes the listener to an extrasensory event that is seeking Lorca’s “Duende,” ” . . a momentary burst of inspiration, the blush of all that is alive, all that the performer is creating at a certain moment.” This is what makes music intoxicating.
So, “What’s with the rusty old tractor?” you ask.
One of the things that stood out the most in the Eagles documentary was something Don Henley said near the end, when he referenced a Neil Young quote about quitting before you rust. The reference was about music, or was it?
Most of us who have lived with the music of the Eagles are beginning to feel old and rusty, but Henley put a new perspective on it:
“I don’t see rust as a bad thing. I have an old 1962 John Deere tractor that’s covered in rust, but it runs like a top. You know the inner workings are just fine. To me, that rust symbolizes all the work done and all the experiences gained. From where I sit, rust looks pretty good.”
Last thing I remember, I was Running for the door I had to find the passage back To the place I was before “Relax, ” said the night man, “We are programmed to receive. You can check-out any time you like, But you can never leave! “
— from the Eagles, “Hotel California”
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Glenn Fry and Don Henley of The Eagles — Sam Jones/Showtime
One of the best covers of an Eagles song is that of Tucson native, Linda Ronstadt – Desperado (Simple Dreams Tour – Atlanta 1977)
Those oldies but goodies reminds me of you The songs of the past bring back memories of you I always remember the first night we met The songs they were playing I never will forget
I always will treasure them so close to my heart They always will haunt me although we’re apart Each time that I hear them a tear’s bound to fall For I love those memories that I, I-I recall
Those oldies but goodies reminds me of you The songs of the past bring back memories of you Forever they will haunt me but what can I do
Those oldies but goodies reminds me of you (Oldies but goodies reminds me of you)
[Spoken:] Yes, dear, they are playin’ our songs And they will always remain our songs And each time you hear them I hope you, too, will cherish The wonderful memories that our love once knew For these songs are just a symbol of the love that I had for you
Those oldies but goodies reminds me of you The songs of the past bring back memories of you Forever they will haunt me but what can I do
Those oldies but goodies reminds me of you (Oldies but goodies reminds me of you)
The Zydeco Dots at The Continental Club, Houston, Texas — (09/24/06)
Roger Wood and James Fraher
Roger Wood writes in the Introduction to his 2006 book, Texas Zydeco:
“No matter where you may have lived or traveled or what your tastes in music might be, somewhere along the way you have likely encountered the uncanny sound of zydeco. For many people it is but a fleeting moment of exposure, leaving them slightly confused but somehow enthused by their sudden involuntary foot-tapping. For certain others it is an even more visceral awakening, the start of an ongoing relationship with a potent force. For some, there is no memory of their first encounter, for they have known it all their lives — the phrase ‘Texas zydeco’ is not an oxymoron but a cultural fact.”
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Bar at Houston’s Continental Club — Images by kenne
On CBS nightly news the announced the death of JJ Cale by saying, “You may not know his name, but the know his music.” Well, yes, for many of younger generations, but I know the name and his music. He set the tone of music for the last half of the 20th century — may he rest in peace! The master of music not to love!
Texas Johnny Brown at Miller Outdoor Theater, Houston, 2001
Texas Johnny Brown at Miller Outdoor Theater, Houston, 2001 — It was a hot-humid night in Houston when Johnny left the stage giving his performance a very personal “Texas Johnny” touch.
Texas Johnny Brown at Billy Blues in Houston, 1999 — Images by kenne
Another Houston Blues Legend has passed away. KPFT program host, James Nagel (The Blues Hound) has written the following on the Texas Johnny Brown website:
“It is with great sadness and heavy heart that we share the news of the passing of an American treasure and true blues legend. John Riley Brown, better known as Texas Johnny Brown, was diagnosed with liver and lung cancer this past April and after a short but gallant fight with the disease passed away this afternoon (Monday, July 1) at the age of 85 at his home in Houston, Texas.
With a career that spanned over six decades, Texas Johnny Brown played or recorded with a virtual who’s who of the blues world, including Amos Milburn, Ruth Brown, Bobby “Blue” Bland, Junior Parker, Lavelle White, Buddy Ace and Joe Hinton. One of the all time beautiful blues classics, “Two Steps From The Blues,” was penned by Johnny and considered by many as one of the finest blues songs ever written. His CD, “Nothin’ But The Truth,” on his own Choctaw Creek Records, was nominated for a W.C. Handy Blues Award in 1999 for Comeback Album of the Year.
His accolades are many, but his true legacy lay behind his beautiful smile, warm heart and undying love for his family, fans and the music that brought all of us so much joy.
Final arrangements are pending. Please keep this blues giant and his family in your thoughts and prayers. May God bless Texas Johnny Brown.”
Although made famous by another blues legend, Bobby “Blue” Bland (Bland just past away June 23rd), “Two Steps from The Blues” was written by Johnny Brown and played by him on that hot-humid night in 2001 at the Miller Outdoor Theater, as pictured above. Like most blues lovers in Houston, when I think of “Two Steps from The Blues,” I think Brown, not Bland. (Too bad Wikipedia doesn’t even mention Brown when giving credit to the song. Somebody needs to take care of this!)
Over the years, blues lovers have had much for which to be thankful, and even with the loss of Texas Johnny Brown, the blues is alive and well. If you don’t think so, here’s one reason — on the 2001 billing at the Miller Outdoor Theater was Diunna Greenleaf and playing with her was a 16 year-old kid out of Austin, Texas, Gary Clark, Jr. If you don’t know about this young man, you need to.
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Texas Johnny Brown at Houston’s Big Easy, 2005 — Image by kenne
When George Jones passed away in late April of this year, I made a note to share one of my favorite songs of his, “Bartender Blues.” Actually it’s a James Taylor song written in 1977.
“It’s hard to describe but it’s so tight and so sculpted. It was just remarkable to hear someone make that sound with a human voice. And it sounded like someone singing who had listened to a lot of steel guitar, the way he bends notes and phrases. To me it sounds like a steel guitar in a human voice.” — James Taylor in Billboard, April 27, 2013
Now, two months out I’m posting my note to share with my music friends. Click here to read a very thoughtful article in The New Republic, “Why George Jones Ranks With Frank Sinatra and Billie Holiday.”
Bartender Blues by James Taylor
Now I’m just a bartender And I don’t like my work But I don’t mind the money at all I see lots of sad faces And lots of bad cases Of folks with their backs to the wall
Chorus: But I need four walls around me to hold my life To keep me from going a-stray And a honky-tonk angel to hold me tight To keep me from slipping away
I can light up your smokes I can laugh at your jokes I can watch you fall down on your knees I can close down this bar I can gas up my car I can pack up and mail in my key
Chorus:
Now, the smoke fills the air In this honky-tonk bar And I’m thinking ’bout where I’d rather be But I burned all my bridges I sank all my ships And I’m stranded at the edge of the sea
There were many excellent performers at this year’s Tucson Folk Festival and one returning for the 9th year was Robyn Landis. This award-winning songwriter is a New York native who moved to Tucson from Seattle in 2010. Her songs are very poetic and easy to connect. I love the words to this song — Roots, by Robyn Landis.
Give me the soil give me the rain give me the wide open plain give me sky and the deep down below
Give me the food give me the sun make me the favorite one and I’ll show you how much we can grow
And I would put down roots with you I would plant my feet, stretch my arms so high rising up, digging down in the rich sweet ground That’s all I wanted to do is put these roots down with you
Give me the space give me the light give me the timing just right I’ll bloom colors that you’ve never seen
Sing songs of nourishing sound keep flower friends all around glossy leaves shading me with their green
Give me the very best care Grow us a family to share Build a high earthen bed for our dreams
Add all the love you can spare keep it all out in the air and allow it to bend in the breeze
And I would put down roots with you I would plant my feet, stretch my arms so high reaching up, spreading down in the soft damp ground That’s all I wanted to do is put these roots down with you
Give me the seed give me the start give me a tender with heart and I’ll blossom for spring after spring
Keep me protected and warm in the occasional storm and we’ll weather whatever they bring
And I would put down roots with you I would plant my feet, stretch my arms so high bursting up, seeking down through the endless ground That’s all I wanted to do is put these roots down with you Put these roots down with you Put these roots down with you Put these roots down with you
I will be sharing more photos and videos from the Festival on this blog in future postings — Enjoy!
The 28th annual Tucson Folk Festival began yesterday — five stages and over 500 musicians. Not only is there plenty of music, but workshops, arts & crafts, food and children’s show. This little girl was playing in the fountain in El Presidio Park where one of the stages is located. Her mother, carrying the youngest of three, followed her around taking joyful photos. After awhile it felt good to warm up in the sun.
More postings to come on this annual event in the Old Pueblo.
When we are home on Saturday evening, we watch the sun gone down and listen to Marty Kool’s “Blues Review” on KXCI — one of my favorite ways to enjoy life.This short video will give you a feel for what I’m writing about. You will also notice the running water sound coming from the fountain on the patio — another sound I love. If you are curious, the music in the background is Andy Poxon doing “Please Come Home.”
Just like the white winged dove Sings a song Sounds like she’s singing Who who who Just like the white winged dove Sings a song Sounds like she’s singing Oh baby oh said oh
And the days go by Like a strand in the wind In the web that is my own I begin again Said to my friend, baby Nothin’ else mattered
He was no more than a baby then Well he seemed broken hearted Something within him But the moment that I first laid Eyes on him all alone On the edge of seventeen
Just like the white winged dove Sings a song Sounds like she’s singing Oh baby oh said oh Just like the white winged dove Sings a song Sounds like she’s singing Oh baby oh said oh
I went today maybe I will go again Tomorrow And the music there it was hauntingly Familiar And I see you doing What I try to do for me With the words from a poet And the voice from a choir And a melody nothing else mattered
Just like the white winged dove Sings a song Sounds like she’s singing Oh baby oh said oh Just like the white winged dove Sings a song Sounds like she’s singing Oh baby oh said oh
The clouds never expect it When it rains But the sea changes colors But the sea Does not change And so with the slow graceful flow Of age I went forth with an age old Desire to please On the edge of seventeen
Just like the white winged dove Sings a song Sounds like she’s singing Oh baby oh said oh Just like the white winged dove Sings a song Sounds like she’s singing Oh baby oh said oh
Well then suddenly There was no one left standing In the hall yeah yeah In a flood of tears That no one really ever heard fall at all Oh I went searchin’ for an answer, Up the stairs and down the hall Not to find an answer Just to hear the call Of a nightbird singing Come away come away
Just like the white winged dove Sings a song Sounds like she’s singing Oh baby oh said oh Just like the white winged dove Sings a song Sounds like she’s singing Oh baby oh said oh
Well I hear you in the morning And I hear you At nightfall Sometime to be near you Is to be unable to hear you My love I’m a few years older than you
Just like the white winged dove Sings a song Sounds like she’s singing Oh baby oh said oh
Back in the 90’s one of the best blues venues was Billy Blues on Richmond avenue in Houston. We weren’t wild about the food, but the beer and music was super.
The Billy Blues Bar and Grill opened in 1993, closing it’s doors in 2001. One of the things Billy Blues was also known for was the iconic 63-foot saxophone sculpture; made of a random mix of materials including a Volkswagen Bug, surfboard and several beer kegs, which stood outside the blues club. Several attempts were made to sell sculpture, but removal costs didn’t attract a buyer.
The big brass was built by legendary Texas artist Bob Wade, a fixture in the 70’s Texas Cosmic Cowboy counterculture, as a special installation for Billy Blues Bar & Grill. Wade will overseeing the removal of the saxophone from its current location to the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art. This non-profit will insure the sculpture is properly preserved. — Great move!
Living in the mid-west in the 60’s, many of us would frequently listen to the powerful radios on the Mexican border. The Austin singer/songwriters Bruce Robison and Kelly Willis have a song that captures the times.
Old Rusty Tractor — Image by kenne
Glenn Fry and Don Henley of The Eagles — Sam Jones/Showtime
The Zydeco Dots at The Continental Club, Houston, Texas — (09/24/06)
Bar at Houston’s Continental Club — Images by kenne
Image Source — Google.com
Texas Johnny Brown at Miller Outdoor Theater, Houston, 2001
Texas Johnny Brown at Miller Outdoor Theater, Houston, 2001 — It was a hot-humid night in Houston when Johnny left the stage giving his performance a very personal “Texas Johnny” touch. 
Texas Johnny Brown at Billy Blues in Houston, 1999 — Images by kenne
Texas Johnny Brown at Houston’s Big Easy, 2005 — Image by kenne
When George Jones passed away in late April of this year, I made a note to share one of my favorite songs of his, “Bartender Blues.” Actually it’s a James Taylor song written in 1977.
Becoming is Superior to Being 