William Blake’s “Ancient of Days” 1794
So many records slither out each year. And the process for many of the artists producing them is like sweating blood. A great gulf often exists between their imagining, writing, recording and touring, and we the listeners. But the intimacy that hovers over that relationship because of the deep reactions music can generate can span that chasm. Such is the case with the Blind Boys of Alabama. They have been pounding the pavement for the Lord since 1939! In 2017 they teamed up with the intricate producer and guitarist John Leventhal to create “Almost Home.” You can be a hard practicing atheist and find soul like this pressed with energetic theistics.
Photographer Annie Leibovitz
kate blanchette
“The first time you do something only happens once”
The late soul singstress Sharon Jones. She came to the music world not a moment too late beginning her career at 40 ! Joined here by the singular organics of the legendary Mr. Jones
Some Parkway Diner imagery from a recent visit. Still Worcester’s best meatball sandwich in MHO!
“Jalopy Heart
What could you want with my jalopy heart? (2)
It’s rusty and battered and fallin apart
It’s got me wastin your time trying to get it to start
My jalopy heart
Though I still may know how to love (2)
I still may know
What could you want with my rattlesnake skin? (2)
I shed it before and I’ll shed it again
Nearly useless and grey as an old mans chin.
My rattlesnake skin.
Though I still may know how to feel (2)
I still may know
What could you want with my antique music box voice? (2)
It’ll play you a song with faintly audible noise
Now a dirge but ones a song of your choice
My antique music box voice
Though I still my know how to sing (2)
I still may know ”
Dorothy Day, founder of the Catholic Worker Houses which continue to assist urban poor.
A film I shared during the making of last year’s calendar. Worth revisiting if only for the so consoling if questing wisdom in the voice of Dizzy Gillespie. A truly great first name to have. He was in fact finally named Dizzy because of his penchant for clowning and capriciouness.
“Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention
J Geils Band
Jonas Clark Hall Basement of Clark University (formerly the Women’s Gym)
October 19th 1970
Jonas Clark Hall was built in 1887, two years before Clark University opened as a graduate school only institution. Male undergraduates were first admitted in 1902 and females in 1942.
Performing at the Boston Tea Party the night before, Frank Zappa brought to Worcester an incredible band of Aynsley Dunbar (drums), George Duke (piano/keys/trombone), Ian Underwood (organ/keys/guitar), Jeff Simmons (bass/vocals) and Flo & Eddie aka Howard Kaylan (vocals) and Mark Volman (vocals/percussion) of The Turtles who performed under the aliases to skirt contractual limitations of performing under their own names.
Worcester’s own, J. Geils Band was the opening act. Led by J on guitar, Magic Dick on harmonica and Peter Wolf on the vocals.
The basement of Jonas Clark Hall had poles throughout and a wooden floor. Amazingly it was used at that time as the Women’s Gymnasium, but it had low ceilings and okay acoustics. It was the only time I recall a concert being held in it.
J. Geils was still somewhat of a New England band at that point. It would be a few years later in 1972 where their single “Lookin’ for a Love” broke through. To me, they were a fun blues band. I was there to see Zappa.
Zappa was 30 at that time and skinny as a rail, which was obvious by the fact that he did not wear a shirt. His melding of jazz, rock, classical and sophomoric and insightful lyrics was unique.
“TV dinners by the pool,
Gee I’m glad I finished school.”
Ever take a minute just to show a real emotion
In between the moisture cream & velvet facial lotion?
Ever tell your kids you’re glad that they can think?
Ever say you loved ‘em? Ever let ‘em watch you drink?
Ever wonder why your daughter looked so sad?
It’s such a drag to have to love a plastic Mom & Dad
The improvisational genius of the band was in full display. George Duke was incredible. Aynsley Dunbar was outstanding. Flo and Eddie were enjoying themselves. Zappa was electric.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=151Rl_oqBxc”
Have not verified w/ Dr. West but I believe this would have occurred in tandem with Mr. Zappa’s visit to Worcester in 1970
A prophetic piece from the legendary Sparrow in 1959 given events in Ukraine!