Experience Hendrix

The Gekko's spent last night at the Experience Hendrix show last night. It was essentially an all star game of Fender guitar players (Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Susan Tedeschi, Robert Randolph, Jonny Lang, Steve Vai, Los Lobos’ David Hidalgo and Cesar Rosas, Eric Johnson, Ernie Isley, Living Colour, Chris Layton of Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble and The Slide Brothers a/k/a Chuck and Darick Campbell of Sacred Steel).

It was a good show for the most part. Living Colour's rendition of Crosstown Traffic and Kenny Wayne Shepard's solo on Voodoo Child were the highlights of the evening for me.

But I was never a big Jimi Hendrix fan and last night's show highlighted why. I can take an occasional Hendrix guitar solo but 10 minute solos of loud, fast and distorted guitar on each song flat out wore me out. I get it. All you guys can play.

It's a three hour show which was about a half hour too long for me but if you are into guitars it really is a show you need to take in.






Other items of note.

1) The Taft Theatre is a dump. What it lacks in comfortable seating it makes up for in warm beer and three urinals in the men's john.

2) Brad Whitford of Aerosmith, I think you need to talk to Sally Fields about a Boniva script.

3) Bootsy Collins, C'mon man. If you're going to sing a Hendrix song, would it have killed you know the lyrics before you got up on stage. Watching you read Purple Haze lyrics off a program was kind of a buzz kill. It's especially worse given that you narrated Jimi's voice in his biography.

Like a Rolling Stone

Despite feeling like a manatee was sitting on my chest, the Gekko's went to NKU last night to catch the latest Bob Dylan show.

As I've said before, I've never owned a Dylan CD or really knew that much about his catalog of music. All I know is this guy's band totally rocks and I'll try and catch at least one of his shows every tour. In fact, from last night's show, I think I could audibly understand about ten words from the lyrics.

One of the things I like most about his show is he doesn't pollute it with a bunch of trivial jabber about the local dining cuisine or how this song is off his new album which you can buy at Amazon or how he was inspired to write a song after watching Charlie Sheen in a hotel lobby; they announce the band and the band plays.

The second thing I like about his shows is that the music arrangements are entirely different from a previous tour. As I told the Lovely Mrs. Gekko last night, I felt like I was at a rockabilly revival.

So if you have never seen a Bob Dylan show in person, trust me, you've gotta get to one. Remember, the guy is almost 70.

Rumpke Mountain Boys - "(Pigs) Three Different Ones" Pink Floyd cover

The Gekko's will be out tonight catching the Rumpke Mountain Boys at the Red Rock Tavern. If you're bored come join us.

OMG

A couple of months ago, the Gekko's went through the summer concert schedule and couldn't find a lot of shows we were interested in seeing.

The Lovely Mrs. Gekko suggested we go to the John Mayer show. Both of us like John Mayer as a guitar player, not so much as a pop star, so I was hesitant to see one of his shows because of the potential teeny bopper crowd.

None the less, we drug Midas along with us and it was about what I expected. Let me describe the crowd with this text message exchange


You.............. So how was the show?

Average person at the Mayer show.......... OMG I wuz sooo wasted.

That gives you an idea of the crowd demographic.

Regardless, I spent most of the night trying to stay hydrated with anything that would give me a brain freeze.

Mayer can flat out play. He did an awesome cover of Ain't no Sunshine mix with Wrapped Around My Finger and the guitar solo on Gravity when he laid his axe on the ground and played it like a steel guitar.

He also got a couple of good jabs in at Lady Gaga and U2.

We probably won't see Mayer again until this crew of fans turns into parents and their kids go to the show screaming OMG...........

311

For a good time... check out 311 (or 3-1-1 as Gordon calls em) on Saturday at Riverbend. I guarantee good music, fun and a quality contact buzz.

For more info...

Ronnie James Dio Dead at 67

A metal legend has fallen.
Ronnie James Dio, former frontman of Black Sabbath and his own band Dio, died today from stomach cancer. He was 67.
His wife, Wendy, posted the sad news on his website: "Today my heart is broken, Ronnie passed away at 7:45am 16th May. Many, many friends and family were able to say their private good-byes before he peacefully passed away. Ronnie knew how much he was loved by all. We so appreciate the love and support that you have all given us. Please give us a few days of privacy to deal with this terrible loss. Please know he loved you all and his music will live on forever."

More...

Summer concerts start

Last night, Gordon and the Lovely Mrs. Gekko (my no drama mama), headed up to Columbus for the start of our summer concert attendance.

Mrs. Gekko, is the real music fan in our family. Gordon basically puts his satellite radio on Deep Tracks and keeps it there. It's probably no coincidence that I believe that the end of rock and roll occurred when Journey released "Oh Sherry". For me, REM is considered a new, hip band.

None the less, we caught My Morning Jacket last night and let me say, I haven't heard a band with such good guitar riffs since Van Halen was in their prime. These guys can flat out jam. If you get a chance to catch a show of theirs. Do so.

Notes from the day.

That Arena District in Columbus is pretty cool....... if places were actually open. C'mon there was a concert going and the Clippers were in town and yet half the places were closed.

The Lifestyles Community Pavilion is a great venue for a show. Maybe Mark Mallory and Company should quit blowing taxpayer money on a choo choo train through town and look into getting a place like this in down town Cincinnati.

I still don 't get the deal with the pot smoking. I'm going to assume the tree these people smoke is much better than the stuff I smoked as an adolescent but I grew out of that 20 years ago. Maybe I shouldn't complain. After all, I knew I was getting a contact buzz when I started waxing philosophic about Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon.

The summer shows in Cincinnati are down this year so the Gekko's are planning some out of town travel to catch some better acts. We're heading to Summerfest for a couple of shows and contemplating a Bonoroo run.

If you go to a show and you hear a middle aged dude talking about Pink Floyd and The Wizard of OZ make sure you say high.

Why the music business is tanking

Are you kidding me?

Look, I love The Boss. I'm one of the few Springsteen fans who actually thinks Nebraska is one of his best albums. But this CD stinks yet it's the 24th on this list.

Bruce's life in LA has taken his toll on the grit that defined his music for years. If this CD is one of the best for the 2000's. We're going to need to TARP program to bail out bad music soon.

Here's a taste of one of Bruce's works from the 2000's, I think you'll understand what I'm talking about.

30th Anniversary

Today marks the 30th anniversary of The Who concert tragedy, where 11 people were trampled to death getting into a festival seating show.

I was in high school at the time and had friends who drove down from Lancaster to attend the show.

These friends showed up to school the next morning totally unaware of what happened the night before; a testament to the 24/7 news cycles of today.

I will never forget the photographs of piles of clothing and shoes collected from people trampled but still managing to get into the show.

I'll also never forget that I had tickets to an Aerosmtih show at Fairgrounds Coliseum in Columbus (is that place still open) that was subsequently canceled due to concerns about festival seating.

Another interesting note is that I've subsequently met people who were at a Led Zeppelin show earlier that year who basically said the same thing happened to them.

WVXU has detail of the victims and the tragedy here.

The sad thing is that after 30 years, the dump, I referred to as the Cincinnati Mausoleum, still stands.

Dylan goes electric

The Lovely Mrs. Gekko has been on a Bob Dylan kick of late so she talked me into going to the Bob Dylan Show at Fifth Third Field in Dayton last night. I'm glad she did.

The line up of Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp and Bob Dylan proved to be the best show for the buck you'll ever see. Trust me. You don't have to be a big fan of their music to appreciate the craftsmanship of their trade.

Notes..............

Willie - It took all of about one minute of music before I got my first wiff of ganja. After the first three songs, I had an incredible craving for Cheetos and Pink Floyd. When the show was over, I kept having flashbacks to my lava lamp and black light posters.

When people watch guitar players, they tend to look at the left hand on the guitar. What separates the great ones is what they can do with their right hand. Nelson's son Jacob, takes a back seat to few when it comes to his guitar play.

Willie, I realize you are 76, but let's work on those triceps buddy. They looked like sheets hanging off a clothes line.



Mellancamp - I haven't see Mellancamp since September of 1980 when he opened for The Kinks as John Cougar and The Zone. Much my hair line, little was recognizable from that show.

Back then, there was no fiddle and/or an accordion. Now there's no Hot Night Cold Town. Like all the shows last night, Mellancamp did an excellent job of giving the fans the songs they wanted and yet moving on with a new style.

Have you heard the PSA where one in eight Americans struggles with hunger? I don't personally know an American that struggles with hunger but Mellancamp's violinist obviously does.

Give the poor girl a cheeseburger John.

Dylan - I was expecting a country/blues/acoustic
Lyle Lovett type of show from Dylan.

Boy, was I wrong. The band came out rockin'.

The only songs I knew by name were Highway 61, Like a Rolling Stone and All Along the Watchtower.

It actually probably helped that I never knew all his stuff, since I woundn't be waiting the whole night for him to play my favorites. Instead, I could just kick back and listen to the band kick ass.

None of the performers were what I would call showman. They all seem to spend more of their energy making the music right. And I would much rather have that than some drunk come out on stage with the "Thank You, name your city, Last night we ate at city's proclaimed best restaurant, and had something really good.

Tonight, the Gekko's are off the see The Fabulous Thunderbirds. If I can get over my contact high from the Willie fans from last night.

Summer is near

If you are a regular reader of this blog, you know that the Gekko's are big summer concert folks.

Nearly every week, somewhere in the Cincinnati area is a national act playing for free. I actually like the free shows better because in general the acts are 1) out of rehab 2) actually into the music 3) not self absorbed assholes and 4) not Coldplay.

Unfortunately, this year's schedule is fairly lame. Even the paid acts schedule this summer look weak. The Gekko's plan on heading to Fifth Third Field to see Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan and that's about it.

The free summer show schedule this year is as follows....

Summerbration - Blue Ash
Diamond Rio
Rodney Atkins
James Otto

Mason Fireworks
Huey Lewis

Blue Ash Fireworks
Gretchen Wilson

Miami Meadows
Marshall Tucker
Fabulous Thunderbirds

Sycamore Twp.
Orleans
Elvin Bishop

Taste of Blue Ash
Three Dog Night
Kansas
Commodores

I still waiting to see the line ups for The Chili Festival, Seafood Festival and a few others. I'm guessing that slim budgets are making for slim acts. Mrs. Gekko thinks that the only acts at these festivals are those who need health insurance for their liver transplants.

Regardless, we'll be starting out festival season this weekend at Taste of Cincinnati to see Sullivan Janszen on Sunday night.

Now we just need some global warming and cold beer to get this summer off to a good start.

It ain't your money

Some lyrics to a song by Kathleen Stewart.

Listen to the song here.....

D

Don't spend my grandson's paycheck.
He's only two years old.
With Obama in the White House,
His future's bought and sold.
Stop this immoral spending spree.
Stop assaulting our liberty.
Let me help you comprehend:
It ain't your money to spend.

Born and bred for freedom.
Got me a lot of rights.
They're all but disappearing
Before your fiscal appetites.
You're taking the fruit of my labor
To give your next-door neighbor.
I'll say it from beginning to end:
It ain't your money to spend.

What a Rush

While I'll never be the panty throwing, groupie fan of Rush as Midas is, I do think they should be in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in front of inductees as Black Sabbath, Jeff Beck, Van Halen and Hep C carrier, Madonna.

Here's an article in USA today on the Canadian power trio.....

Let's be honest. When you write 20-minute songs that spin futuristic tales of cruel priests ruling from the mythical Temples of Syrinx — cue up Rush's seminal 1976 album 2112 — you're not going to threaten Madonna's pop culture reign.

But after 19 studio albums, 35 million in record sales and a fan base that could outflank the Deadhead army, the question remains legit: How is it that the Canadian power trio has yet to nab either a Grammy or a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?

More.....

Signs of the impending depression #44

How do you know the Next Great Depression is upon us?

When people are only willing to fork over $180 a ticket for a March, 2009 Billy Joel/Elton John concert ticket.

Billy Joel and Elton John will bring their Face 2 Face to U.S. Bank Arena on March 10.

Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at Ticketmaster outlets, the U.S. Bank Arena box office, or charge by phone at 513-562-4949. Reserved tickets are $180, $100 and $54.50.

The duo last toured together in 2003.

$180 to see these two has beens? Clearly a sign of an impending financial debacle. By the way, when was the last top forty record either of these guys had?

More....

Why journalists are idiots. #881

If you ever needed proof that your average journalist is a full blown moron. You need look no further than Rolling Stone's list of 100 Greatest Singers.

1 | Aretha Franklin by Mary J. Blige

2 | Ray Charles by Billy Joel

3 | Elvis Presley by Robert Plant

4 | Sam Cooke by Van Morrison

5 | John Lennon by Jackson Browne

6 | Marvin Gaye by Alicia Keys

7 | Bob Dylan by Bono

8 | Otis Redding by Booker T. Jones

9 | Stevie Wonder by Cee-Lo

10 | James Brown by Iggy Pop

11 | Paul McCartney

12 | Little Richard

13 | Roy Orbison

14 | Al Green

15 | Robert Plant

16 | Mick Jagger by Lenny Kravitz

17 | Tina Turner

18 | Freddie Mercury

19 | Bob Marley

20 | Smokey Robinson

Bob Dylan at #7? Huh

If Bob Dylan sang Karaoke at you're local watering hole he'd have to do it dodging beer bottles being hurled at him.

Notable ommissions. No Ann Wilson, Meatloaf or Eddie Vedder both of whom can carry a tune better than BOB DYLAN AT #7.

To rub some salt in the wound They list The Boss at #36.

Look, I love Springsteen, but part of the reason is that I know when I sing along, people can't really tell if those horrible sounds are coming from me or my car stereo.

Other notes

John Lennon and Paul McCartney weren't even the best singers in their own group.

I guarantee Luther Vandross (#54) can make any song Bono ever did (#32) sound better... even while dead.

Patsy Cline (46) behind Kurt Cobain (45)? Take the crack pipe from these guys.

This is probably one of the worst of these kinds of list that's ever been compiled.

Read it for yourself if you can stand the smell.

This is just wrong

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced their nominees for the Hall.

Last year, after inducting America's favorite Hep C carrier, Madonna, I was ready to call the Hall irrelevant. Not it's official.....

CLEVELAND - Run-D.M.C. could "Walk This Way" into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The 1980s rap act, along with Metallica and the Stooges are among the nine nominees for next year's hall of fame class, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation announced Monday.

The other nominees are guitarist Jeff Beck, singer Wanda Jackson, Little Anthony and the Imperials, War, Bobby Womack, and disco and R&B group Chic, the only nominee back from last year's ballot.

The five leading vote-getters will be announced in January and inducted April 4, 2009, in Cleveland.

I don't have a problem with Metallica. In my mind, they meet the criteria for induction; they added something to the genre of rock and roll music and generally considered the band who resurected metal music. But Run DMC, who's contribution to the genre was a cover of an Aerosmith song?

In addition, the Hall's going to consider Jeff Beck over Stevie Ray Vaughn? Run DMC over Tupac?

War over Average White Band?

Still, no Rush?

Chic?

This is a joke.

Barracuda

The Gekko's went out for our last outdoor concert of the year; Cheap Trick, Heart, & Journey.

First, let me say that I've been to Buffett & Dave Matthews concerts that weren't as crowded last night. I was surprised given that I hold Journey responsible for ending good rock and roll when they released Oh Sherry.

General notes

Cheap Trick - The guys are starting to show their age but I'll always love the name Bun E. Carlos.

Heart - I don't know why they share a stage with any band. This is the second time I've seen them and they get it going better than any concert act I've ever seen. I'm hoping to see them some day where we get to see a full show rather than the one hour warm up.

By the way, love the covers, Love Rain on Me and Goin' to California. I wish more bands did good covers of others music.

I also loved the tribute to Sarah Palin when they did Barracuda.

Journey - Let's just say that whole concert was set up for lots of Mom's to sing along with a band and call it rock and roll. But what else would you expect from the band that single handedly killed rock and roll.

Shakin'

Probably the best way to describe the Eddie Money show last night at Taste of Blue Ash.

We didn't get to sit through the entire show because of rain but it didn't take a lot of songs to realize that Eddie was about 15 years older than Kenny Loggins is; except that Kenny's a year younger.

It was clear that Eddie really lacked any wind to do a song or to play his sax with any gusto. Instead of Shakin' it should be Breathin'

None the less, it was a good time listening to all those great 80's tunes.

Notes

Eddie did a song honoring troops. He made it clear that he wasn't pro or con any politician. You need to be Eddie. You're going to need some hip and knee replacements in the future. I think you should be touting socialized medicine in your show.

Eddie! Don't do the hip shake thing; unless you take a calcium supplement. All night, I was worried we might slide off the ramps in front of the stage.

More Jessica.

I'm All Right

Last night, Gordon and Mrs. Gekko went over to the Taste of Blue Ash to see Kenny Loggins.

I was never a big Loggin's fan, but I have to admit he put on a great show with a lot of energy.

He also surrounded himself with a great band who could really kick out the rock.

We're out tonight to see Eddie Money. After the chair madness at the Taste last night, wish me luck.

Henhouse

Any frequent reader to taxmanblog know's that both Gordon and Midas are big fans/groupies of the Canadian rock band Rush. If you have any spare change left over after paying local, state, federal taxes, and paying for smokes and beer... Rush's latest live album "Snakes and Arrows - Live" is well worth the cost - 16 American dollars on Amazon.com.

Other than the oil in Alberta's tar pits, Rush is one of the few good things coming out of Canada right now.