Last Minute Vibes

Song #147: Cal Tjader - Reza

Late Night with Jimmy Fallon

I read an article on the Band Bench on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Nearly equivalent to the bleachers at any sporting event, the Band Bench are a few rows of the audience dedicated to fans of the musical guest. Then at the end of the taping, these lucky few get to stand behind the band and dance on to the performance. When I heard that EDAS favorite, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings were slated to be there (4/28/10), I used some of my considerable New York Industry Influence to grab a pair of tickets (I really just visited this website and filled out the form and I was lucky enough to win 2 seats!! I thoroughly consider fellow NYers to do the same!). Before I knew it I was being herded like cattle throughout the bowels of the GE Building at 30 Rock for hours waiting on various lines and being yelled at by various Pages. 

Accompanying me was the lovely Lee, who's Theater Tech skills came in handy when it was time to chose a spot on the scaffolding. As you can see she is very wise and talented as we (me more) are visible throughout SJDK's performance of their hit single, Better Things, of their newest album I Learned The Hard Way. I am on the right side, and can be seen groovin' behind the Bassist (visual aid below).

The best part of MY performance comes at the end when Jimmy Fallon is thanking the guests and signing off, that's when I go into some sort of spastic Robot/Squid Combo maneuver, definitely not for amateurs... All in all it was a great (yet long) afternoon, but getting to watch such great action from not only Sharon Jones, not only the Dap Kings, not only Jimmy Fallon, Michael Caine, and (Mr. Show with Bob & David Alum) Mary Lynn Rajskub, but the world famous, legendary Roots Crew providing all the musical interludes as well. Below I posted the episode, (which should skip right to the music, if it doesn't then just skip ahead to the absolute last segment) Sorry about the NBCommercials.

Song #146: Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings - Better Things

Can't We All Just Get Along?

Even though the first lyrics in this song are "April 26th, 1992" the actual title and anniversary of the Rodney King riots is today, April 29, 1992. On marginally related note, I always know Spring is here when Sublime becomes a viable music decision again. No one likes to listen to a trio of Shirtless Long Beach Brosefs in the middle of the Winter, but when that sun is out and women start dressing pretty again, people are outside walking their dogs and eating and drinking at streetside cafes, you can find me listening to Robbin the Hood or 40 oz to Freedom.

Eric, Bud, Bradley and Lou-Dog (The Dalmation) are were Sublime

For me as well as many of my peers, the California trio that seems to be a cross between Toots and the Maytals and MC5 really strikes a chord with me since they are an authentic alternative 90s band, fusing everything from Pre-Emo indie Punk to soul stirring acoustic jams to Old School Roots Reggae.

Update: During writing this post, I just discovered that Sublime (Now legally named "Sublime With Rome) is Reuniting (Obviously sans Bradley, R.I.P.) and playing here in NYC THIS WEEKEND. Tickets are already sold out for their back to back nights at Roseland Ballroom... Why was I not informed? Oh Craigslist, here we go...

Song #145: Sublime - April 29, 1992

Cash Wednesday

Song #144: Johnny Cash - Tennessee Flat Top Box

Nina Simone Lives @ 92Y Tribeca

Tomorrow night (Wednesday April, 28), one of my absolute favorite New York venues, 92Y Tribeca, is hosting a rare screening of what sounds like an amazing film about Nina Simone. Apparently The Rise and Fall of Nina Simone: Montreaux, 1976 full showcases what I explained before as her extremely volatile yet delicate personality. 

Here is the entry from 92Y Tribeca's website:

Long before Lady Gaga erased the line between pop music and performance art and decades before Britney Spears and Amy Winehouse left crowds shaking their heads in laughter or concern, there was the legendary Nina Simone. On July 3rd 1976, Simone stepped onto the stage of the Montreux Jazz Festival after a two-year hiatus in Africa. Belligerent, beguiling and admittedly "half high", Simone gave the Swiss audience a searingly vulnerable musical set, liberally spiced with bizarre musings, forgotten lyrics, fits of temper and querulous shout-outs to her dear (but sadly, absent) friend, David Bowie.  The filmed performance has become a cult sensation on DVD, but only when re-created with a live (and preferably, drinking) audience can this goldmine of comedy, tragedy and musical brilliance be fully appreciated.

This two-hour showcase is a bipolar evening of music, laughter and indoctrination into the ever-growing cult of Nina, including bonus video clips, games, historical re-enactments and a special tribute performance by Joe's Pub cabaret idol Roslyn Hart (The Shells Show).

The screening and performance combination sounds like its going to be unreal, especially the part about watching it as a member of a live audience. The last screening I went to at the fabulous Downtown Y was a long hidden Jim Henson Documentary on the 1960s. I was even fortunate enough to meet Mrs. Henson. You never know what's going to happen down at 92Y Tribeca.

P.S. The following day they are screening TRON


Song #143: Nina Simone - Do I Move You?

Sometimes Unrequited

You know, finding a picture of Bob & Rita Marley together was far more difficult than I thought it would be. I think that probably speaks to his modern day Tiger Woodsian escapades. Oh well, here is probably the most famous of the I-Threes (Can you name the other two? No peeking) Rita Marley in one of her earliest outfits, the Soulettes. Happy Mon Day.

Song #142: Rita Marley & The Soulettes - My Desire

Me & My Bitch

Just for juxtaposition's sake... Putting this song next to yesterday's 99.9% similar song. What's the difference, if any?

Song #141: Notorious B.I.G. - Me & My Bitch