The Sports Premium fund has been linked to a robust action plan based on addressing the national weaknesses and trends in PE outlined in the Ofsted Report "Beyond 2012 : Outstanding PE for all Schools".
· Ensuring pupils have a good standard of physical fitness.
· Ensuring more able pupils area sufficiently challenged and their skills are extended.
· Developing pupils' teamwork and leadership through Sports Leaders.
· Equipping teachers with planning and subject knowledge to ensure progression.
· Resourcing curriculum and extra-curricular activities.
· Working with external consultants and other sports providers to provide pupils with a wider range of high quality physical activity.
In September 2013, the new sports premium was introduced to every primary school with the aim of improving the quality of PE and school sport provision and we are delighted to report the recent Government announcement that it will continue till 2020. Our Lady's will receive approximately £9,000 per year until 2020.
Our Lady's was recently selected by the DfE as one of only ten schools to be used for a case study highlighting excellent practice for using the sports premium to enhance high quality PE and school sport. The information from the case studies was valuable in supporting the Prime Minister and Edward Timpson MP (Minister for School Sport) in supporting the pledge for continuing the funding and guiding schools on best practice.
2012: YST: 2 National Awards: High quality PE runners up and winners of using PE and school sport as a vehicle to raise whole school attainment.
2012 Daily Telegraph: National Award for making best use of its facilities and time to deliver sport for all.
Our Mission statement for PE and School sport premium is to use the money to further support the teaching and delivery of curriculum PE as a whole school approach with staff CPD, alongside expanding the already strong programme of extra curricular activities to ensure pupils including targeted groups continue to develop and progress physically, socially, cognitively and emotionally.
Impact: To work with the whole school action plan to develop understanding of children's social, mental and emotional needs and identify strategies to further support their learning through Physical activity.
To support the effective delivery of the new curriculum for PE / cross curricular physical activity work.
Impact: The ipad is a valuable tool in curriculum PE. Its mobile capability allows it to be used flexibly both inside and outside of school and at sporting competitions. The ipad is a valuable tool in the lesson to model good practice, to inspire the children's learning, support materials and programmes used in the planning and to be used in subsequent lessons to recap on prior learning and highlight excellent practice. It is very effective in guiding teacher assessment and supports assessment from nursery to year 6 along with squad performances at competitions.
It will be used to create evidence for the whole school Case studies which are targeting pupils with SME needs and how PE plays a vital role in supporting these pupils. Evidence is already showing pupils becoming more confident and focused in lessons. Finally the use of the ipad is instrumental in enabling reports, photos and results to be published on the website.
Impact: Broadening even further the PE curriculum to improve the quality of teaching and learning.
Impact: A whole school innovative approach to teaching PE supported by the New NC which will support every child's physical, social, mental, emotional and cognitive learning.
Cross – curricular house competitions: A small amount will help buy resources such as medals etc to run a whole cross curricular school House competition linking to key sporting events: Winter Olympics and Paralympics, The World Cup and The commonwealth Games.
Impact: To inspire pupils to achieve their personal best and encourage team work to score as many points as they can in cross curricular sporting challenges.
Impact: An increased programme of extra curricular activities to incorporate new and inclusive sports / fitness activities. Healthier pupils, new skills developed including reporting skills at competitions and after school sessions.
Coaches for Gifted and talented pupils in PE as well as coaching for all.
Impact: Specialised coaching using coaches from clubs to support skill development and club links: The athletics squad won the Sports Hall athletics heats for the first time in 6 years, the boys won the city wide cross country for the first time ever, the football team won the Manchester City tournament and the basketball team won all their matches to be top of the central and East League.


Night off with an iPad full of games.
I had the strangest fever dreams last night. Normally my fever dreams are alarming, horrifying and haunting. And other -ing adjectives. Last night, I dreamed of buds bursting into bloom, of bugs carrying flowers on their backs, of a green world. It was all still strange but very peaceful and reassuring. I am the grips of the start of allergy season and my head feels stuffed and full of pressure, so I think my brain was just focused on the cause of it all.
Lately, I've been scheduling the hell out of every waking moment. I tell myself it's to make sure I keep the new habits I've picked up, and partly that's true. Partly it's that whole guilt thing, for sure. But partly, I think, it's because I am scared that if I'm not busy all the time the reality of my small life might sink in a bit.
Most hated level in Limbo yet.
Going to bed so very early tonight, and by so very early I mean within an hour of now. I've plied myself with benadryl and The Two Towers (why, honestly, WHY did I not read these before? I should never take advice from my pre-teen self) and a folder full of iOS games to soothe me to sleep.


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10 durable bongs and pipes that won't break and shatter your stoner heart
Let's look at the bongs and pipes that will withstand earthquakes, hurricanes, and most importantly, your clumsy friend.
Written by Steve Elliott
Photo courtesy of / 420pinups/ via instagram
With these durable bongs and pipes, you'll never have to worry about dropping your favorite piece again.
One clumsy moment can lead to what feels like a lifetime of regret. While glass has many things going for it, when it comes to pipes, there's a whole world of durable bongs that will keep you smoking for the better part of the next century. Even if you have a primo glass piece or a glass collection, it's always wise to hedge your bets by also having one or more unbreakable pipes and durable bongs. They come in handy when that one notoriously clumsy or careless friend comes over to smoke.
One of the most popular options for durable pipes is silicone. Then there are the traditional standbys, metal, and wood.
Let's look at the 10 most durable bongs and pipes that will withstand just about anything:
1. The Genius Pipe
If you're looking for a durable pipe that's both smooth and practically indestructible, The Genius Pipe, made of anodized aluminum, might be just for you. We're talking seriously unbreakable here. It's portable too since its only about as thick as the average smartphone. You can prepack The Genius at home using a sliding mechanism on top. The Genius delivers smooth hits, cooling down smoke using something called dimple technology. The dimples do this because the smoke "dances" around them before continuing onward. It also deposits some of the heavy particulate matter onto the dimples. This is a very solid smoking piece, and not a lightweight. It retails for $79.95.
Photo courtesy of geniuspipe.com
2. The Eyce Spoon
At least one spoon pipe should be a part of every serious smoker's arsenal, and The Eyce Spoon takes it to the next level. It's the best of both worlds, with an inlaid borosilicate glass bowl and a silicone body. You wouldn't want to beat on these durable pipes with a hammer, but just dropping them on the floor will almost never result in damage. This retails for $19.99.
Photo courtesy of eycemolds.com
3. Acrylic Double Bubble Bong – Equilibrium
Acrylic bongs are among the toughest and longest-lasting smoking pieces. They can be stored practically anywhere without fear of breakage. The Acrylic Double Bubble Bong Equilibrium has a double bubble base, giving more room for cooling and a smoother smoking experience. These durable bongs offer an enjoyable smoke at an economical price, retailing for about $20.
Photo courtesy of everyonedoesit.com
4. The Adventurer Silicone Unbreakable Bong
This piece is, according to the maker, Bend, Oregon-based Strong Silicone, "the original unbreakable silicone water pipe." It's simple to use, easy to maintain, and impossible to break. That means it's one of those durable bongs that's perfect for skiing, surfing, camping, rafting, mountain biking, lounging on the beach, or hanging out by the poolside. The silicone is BPA free, non-toxic, and 100 percent FDA-approved food grade. A removable interior silicone ice catch is easy to remove and clean. It also helps keep the smoke icy cool. A high quality inset glass bowl and diffused down stem seamlessly fit into the silicone body. And a suction cup concave base gives it bump-proof suction. The Adventurer retails for around $65, but it's possible to find it on sale for $39.
Photo courtesy of strongsilicone.com
5. Prometheus Pocket Pipe
The Promethus' design is engineered to fuse the benefits of a premium glass pipe with the durability of aircraft-grade aluminum. The Pocket construction delivers a glass smoking experience in a portable and easy-to-clean system. It's also versatile; it comes with three compatible Pyptek concentrate kits. The bowl is made of borosilicate glass and it's surrounded by an exoskeleton of anodized aircraft-grade aluminum. The Prometheus Pocket Pipe retails for $84.99.
Photo courtesy of pyptek.com
6. Trailer Park Boys Silibongs
You've seen the stoned antics of the Trailer Park Boys on TV. Now, you can get one of their most durable bongs made of an unbreakable silicone and featuring their lovable likenesses. There are options, of course. "The Julian" (purple), "The Bubbles" (blue), "The Ricky" (green), and the "Triple Threat" (black), which features all three guys. The Trailer Park Boys Silibongs retail for about $70.
Trailer Park Boys Bongs. Photo courtesy of famousbrandz.com
7. The Lady Killer Bong
The Lady kills everything but your throat, according to Killer Bongs. The sheer length of these bongs ensures they have a very large smoke capacity. Also, the standard interchangeable parts such as the bowl, downpipes, base, and grommets are all easily replaced. This durable bong typically retails for $49.99.
Photo courtesy of killerbongs.co.uk
8. Acrylic 2-Chamber Recliner and Bubble Bong
This smoking piece features two brightly colored chambers, giving extra cooling to the smoke. This yields a smoother hit, as the smoke has farther to travel from the bowl to the lungs. Each of the two chambers has its own thick rubber base. They are united by two tubes connecting one shaft to the other. The unique appearance of this piece makes it one of the best party bongs. It retails for $29.99.
9. Black Leaf Silicone Ice Bong
With a chamber of double-walled food grade silicone and a bowl of borosilicate glass, the Black Leaf Silicone Ice Bong gives the most frozen hit ever without melting away. Just put water into the space between the double walls and close the opening with the plug. Freeze the water pipe after filling it with water. The result is a silicone bong with walls of ice. This guarantees cool, smooth hits. Unfilled, the silicone pipe is light and easy to transport. This incredibly durable bong retails for about $80.
Photo courtesy of blackleaf.de
10. Killer Bongs Floor 60
Also known as the Straight Shooter, this massively effective bong doesn't rely on gimmicks or crazy designs. This black acrylic bong has but one purpose: To deliver a killer hit. Almost two feet tall, the Floor 60 does that very, very well. It retails for about $44.99.
Killer Bongs Floor 60. Photo courtesy of everyonedoesit.com
August 12, 2019 — Last Updated September 24, 2019

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Duma florulenta är en slideväxtart som först beskrevs av Meissn., och fick sitt nu gällande namn av T.M.Schust.. Duma florulenta ingår i släktet Duma och familjen slideväxter. Inga underarter finns listade i Catalogue of Life.

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florulenta

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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Home Cybersecurity
Symantec to Acquire Gideon Technologies for Risk Management Technology
Brian Prince
Symantec has agreed to acquire Gideon Technologies in a bid to add to its risk management capabilities to meet the compliance needs of the public sector.
Gideon Technologies specializes in vulnerability, configuration, policy and compliance management as well as network and asset discovery. According to Symantec, Gideon Technologies' security content automation protocol-validate configuration and vulnerability assessment tool will enhance Symantec's ability to meet the needs of its public sector companies.
"As the U.S. government continues to make the cyber-security of our country's public and private infrastructures a priority, Symantec will support public sector customers with standards-based solutions that meet their complex compliance requirements with the highest degree of accuracy," said Gigi Schumm, vice president and general manager public sector at Symantec, in a statement. "As demonstrated by this acquisition, Symantec is committed to SCAP and emerging standards and intends to lead the ongoing advancement of these standards."
The security content automation protocol (SCAP) is a series of specifications used to standardize the way in which security software products communicate software flaw and configuration information.
Symantec's plan is to integrate Gideon Technologies' SecureFusion product with the Symantec Management Platform to compliment its compliance offerings and allow the company to offer customers automated situational awareness and remediation management solution for their environment.
The deal is expected to close by the end of the March quarter. Financial terms were not disclosed.


Save these non-traditional Christmas dinner ideas for later by pinning this image and follow Woman's Day on Pinterest for more. This delicious steak dish may use simple ingredients, but its flavor. Feb 19, 2016 · Each traditional Christmas dinner menu features a main course—including ham, turkey, beef, and vegetarian options—paired. Browse our top Christmas dinner recipes and ideas, from ham and rib roast to goose and lasagna.
Let Cooking Channel help you make your Christmas dinner magical. Find healthy, delicious Christmas dinner ideas and recipes including beef, turkey and lobster recipes. Healthier recipes, from the food and nutrition experts at EatingWell. Sticking to Christmas tradition, this classic dinner menu features holiday favorites like braised Brussels sprouts, juicy beef.
Impress your friends and family by cooking an amazing Christmas feast inspired by recipes from expert Food Network chefs. Find easy Christmas dinner ideas, including appetizers, sides, mains, desserts, and drinks. These delicious recipes will guarantee an elegant holiday Save these scrumptious Christmas dinner recipes for later! Don't forget to follow Woman's Day on Pinterest for more great recipes.
Made from many layers of rolled and folded dough, puff pastry is. Enjoy easy ideas for holiday parties and holiday dinners, including the perfect eggnog and classic Christmas cookies. Make the most delicious Christmas recipes ever!. you need for a delicious& stress-free Christmas dinner. of Christmas recipes include ideas for.
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Here's everything you need for your Christmas feast. Sure-bet, no-stress comfort food thats easy to make and impressive to serve: Thats our idea of a great Christmas dinner! Sep 4, 2018. Whether you're cooking a meat or vegetarian main course, a tasty side, or dessert, look no further than these classic Christmas dinner menu.
Treat your family to something sweet this Christmas with the best dessert recipes from 20 years of Martha Stewart. Dinner Party Ideas. to Your Holiday Dinner. Dec 12, 2017. image. Pin these ideas! Save these scrumptious Christmas dinner recipes for later! Don't forget to follow Woman's Day on Pinterest for more. Bring out your best traditional Christmas dinner menu when you host the big holiday meal. While it's important to incorporate expected traditional recipes into. Christmas dinner is the time for a showy main dish.
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18 Easy Christmas Recipes. Subscribe; Food. Gift Ideas Valentine's Day. Whether you're cooking a meat or vegetarian main course, a tasty side, or dessert, look no further than these classic Christmas dinner menu ideas.
Browse our collection of Christmas Eve dinner ideas, including recipes for lasagna, casseroles, chicken, pasta and much more!
Browse our top Christmas dinner recipes and ideas, from ham and rib roast to goose and lasagna. Let Cooking Channel help you make your Christmas dinner. Plan your Christmas dinner menu with these no-fail recipes that are sure to impress. From roasted sides drizzled with maple syrup, to an impressive standing rib roast, to a delicate vanilla cake. F& W's entertaining guide offers amazing Christmas dinner ideas including recipes for easy hors d'oeuvres, dazzling centerpiece roasts and fast, tasty sides.
Christmas Recipes Cookies to decorate. Christmas dinner ideas. Party traditions like pudding and cake.
See top recipes, videos and get tips from home cooks like you for making this Xmas dinner recipes ideas special. Christmas Dinner Extravaganza 73 Photos Wow the crowd at the holiday dinner with our special recipes.
Check out Ina's rib roast with mustard and horseradish sauce. No matter which you choose, guests are Xmas dinner recipes ideas to love one of these delectable Christmas dinner menu ideas. Prepare a delicious Christmas dinner menu with inspiration from our 20-plus holiday food pairings.
Impress your friends and family by cooking an amazing Christmas feast inspired by recipes from expert Food Network chefs. Prime rib always makes an impression on a holiday dinner table.
But it's actually easy to prepare. This roast is wonderfully flavored with a prime rib. Try these quick and easy Christmas dinner menu ideas and recipes from Cooking Channel, such as crostini, dips, steak, broccoli and more mains and sides. Jamie Oliver's delicious collection of traditional Christmas recipes for the main course on Christmas Day. Previous Christmas dinner Ideas. Christmas dinner. Bring some excitement into your festivities this season with an alternative Christmas dinner menu! From new variations on old favorites, to creative desserts and cocktails, this list of the 15 best alternative Christmas dinner ideas is the place to discover unique new recipes!
Christmas Main Dish Recipes Christmas dinner is the time for a showy main dish. Inspiration and Ideas. " Made this for Christmas dinner and my family loved it. F& W's entertaining guide offers amazing Christmas dinner ideas including recipes for easy hors d'oeuvres, dazzling centerpiece roasts and fast, tasty sides. Nov 27, 2017. Looking for Christmas dinner ideas? Browse our collection of. I love to prepare this recipe for special occasions. —Lucy Meyring, Walden. With a roast goose this beautiful your family and friend will still be sighing well into the new year thanks to this Christmas dinner centerpiece.
Get the recipe. Take the stress out of planning Christmas dinner, with our collection of recipes that'll make meal planning a snap!
From glazed ham to stuffed roast pork, these recipes will be new holiday favorites. Make this Christmas the most delicious one yet with these incredible holiday dinner ideas. Here's everything you need for your Christmas feast including easy recipes for mains like turkey and ham, side dishes and casseroles, desserts, appetizers, and cocktails. The Ultimate Christmas Dinner Recipe. Impress your friends and family by cooking an amazing Christmas feast inspired by recipes from expert Food Network chefs.
Christmas Recipes Cookies to decorate. Christmas dinner ideas. Party traditions like pudding and cake. See top recipes, videos and get tips from home cooks like you for making this Christmas special. Looking for festive and delicious Christmas dinner ideas? Search no further.
We' ve gathered some of our best recipes—from appetizers to mains to desserts to. Eat, drink, and be merry with these amazing Christmas recipes and party ideas. Forget long hours in the kitchen with complicated recipes. Make this Christmas dinner a no-fuss, unforgettable evening with these easy, elegant menus.
Christmas Dinner Recipes Wondering what to serve for your big feast? Betty's got recipes for succulent roasts, impressive pasta dishes and more to make your merriest meal yet.


Hello everyone! This is the last weekend of June, where did this month go?? I'm sharing my card using Emma from Saturated Canary. I just love her curly hair. She is colored with Copics. I used Lawn Fawn stamps & coordinating dies, Chit Chat, for the sentiment.
The color combo (red/grey/turqouise) is from the paper We Are Family by Echo Park. I added the color purple for fun and I think it works together. I added a satin ribbon and some butterflies for embellishments. Lastly for a bit of shimmer, I used the Wink of Stella Clear pen all around the image for a sparkly halo.
Thanks for stopping by today! Don't forget there is still time to submit your project to our current Challenge over at the 7 Kids Challenge Blog.
These were so easy to make. I used a mason jar stamp and a punch that matched up perfectly. The mason jar outline is embossed with white embossing powder. I wrapped some burlap string around the top. I used some misc. alpha chipboard ephemera to individually label the tags.
I made a Start-to-Finish video of the tags HERE.
Here are two examples of how the tags look attached to gift bags.
The shop is celebrating Jamie's (Owner) Birthday, so she is currently having a 15% off SALE going on, ENDS June 29th, don't forget to use my discount code below for an ADD'L 10% off!
that can be used on your order from Not2Shabbyshop.
Good Morning Sunday! Here is a card that I made for My Style Stamps. It is their 1 year celebration and I have been invited back to share my creations.
I am using Flip Flop Love. This particular stamp set will not be on sale BUT will be FREE when you purchase $30 or more on Release Day (while supplies last). The flip flops are so cute with the heart pattern. I added some Yellow Stickles on the straps for sparkle.
I kept this card pretty simple and flat, easy for mailing. Another item from My Style Stamps is the Lemon Yellow Sequin Assortment. This is actually the very first time that I have incorporated sequins into my cards. Love it!
I created a Start-to-Finish video that you can watch HERE.
Join us on June 28th for a YouTube Hop for the NEW RELEASE!
Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful Sunday!
Happy Wednesday! A new challenge is up over at the 7Kids Challenge Blog, also check out if you WON and are in the Top 3!
"SENIOR-ita" Wanda is the image I used. She is soo full of character, I love her! She is colored with Copics. I gave her really puffy cheeks and added some blush with a pink chalk. I pictured her having lilac colored hair or that lavendar silver that some women ROCK! Her outfit and hearts are accented with Christmas Red Stickles. For her juicy red lips, I added Glossy Accents.
I pulled the sentiment and hearts w/coordinating die from Lawn Fawn - Say Cheese, Let's Roll and Let's Roll Die Cuts. I knew I had a heart somewhere with a matching die!
Lastly, she HAD to be on an Action Wobble!
Happy Sunday! My second card for Not2Shabbyshop featuring Sister Stamps: Sakura-chan & Sakura Set. I made a cute baby card.
The layout is similar to the Momotaro card. The banner and sentiment are from Lawn Fawn. All the images are colored with my Copics. I love how the purple color pops with the black background.
This card has lots of dimension. Using the Sakura set, I stamped the images in white ink in the background. All the elements are placed on top of a top note die shape from Stampin' Up!. I added some faux stitching with a white gel pen. Lime Green Stickles were appllied to the cherry blossoms for sparkle.
Last but not least, Sakura-chan is adehered to the card with an Action Wobble. Didn't I tell you that I'm addicted! Hope you don't get tired of these because I still have plenty to use up LOL.
For a closer look of my card, you can watch the video HERE.
Today is the last day of the 15% off SALE going on in the store, don't forget to use my discount code below for an ADD'L 10% off!
Good Morning Saturday! Let's get your crafty weekend started with a card. All of the products shown can be found at the 7 Kids College Fund Store.
I had in mind to create a sushi table scene when creating this card. I used three stamp sets and two coordinating die sets, all from Lawn Fawn. Pretty much everything is adhered with dimensional pop dots.
I added a few sparkles with Stickles - Fruit Punch & Star Dust.
There's still time to join our current challenge over at the 7 Kids Challenge Blog.
Have a beautiful & crafty weekend!
Isn't he adorable? I was at a crop with some friends and decided to color him. I currently don't have a Copic coloring video of him because I borrowed the "Peach" colors from a friend. As soon as I add those colors to my collection, I will film a coloring video =) BUT I do have a Start-to-Finish Video of the card assembly. You can watch it HERE.
My last card here, I fell in love with Action Wobbles. Guess what? I had to use them again in this card! I fussy cut Momotaro and one half of the peach and that is the part of the image that is interactive.
He is on top of layers of leaves from La-La Land Crafts (Open Leaf Flourish Die) and a Doily Die from My Creative Time (Stitched Doily Die). I used a premade corrugated cardboard card for my base. I had some Asian themed designer paper and jute rope to match his headband.
I love this card and I hope you did too. Thanks for stopping by! Come back for more projects featuring Sister Stamps.
that can be used on your order from Not2Shabby.
For my first card, I used the two owl images. Both are colored with my Copic markers and sparkled up with my Clear Wink of Stella pen. To make the card not so flat, I adhered the owls on with dimensional pop dots. I stamped the sand image continuously to fit the A2 card lengthwise. The "Relax" sentiment is from one of the new mini releases Unwined.
Card 2 is showcasing the image of the sailboat, colored with my Copic markers. The base of my card is corrugated cardboard. Each layer of the card is on top of dimensional pop dots. I die cut some designer paper to mimmic waves. "Just Sailing Along" is included in the set, as well as the star fish. I added some jute rope for a nautical touch.
Lastly, for my third card I went for a simple and masculine card. I carefully trimmed off the "You Are My" wording above the anchor image. I used the anchor to create a backgound pattern. "Husband" is from the set Just Fore You and the hearts are from Avocado Type.
Thank you for stopping by today. More projects to come from our fabulous DT over at the Avocado Arts Blog.
Good Morning! I've been invited to join the 7 Kids College Fund Design Team!!
Woohoo! Another crafty adventure for me and for you to follow along with. The awesome part of being on this DT is that I will be creating with items that can be found mostly in the store, no searching, looking for this or that, all the links will be provided =) I love being on DTs with talented ladies, they push me to bring up my crafty game!
If you like joining Challenges, then go to the Challenge Blog. We host challenges and your chance to win a gift certificate from the store and be in the TOP 3! How cool is that!
For this challenge, the theme is "ANYTHING GOES with an optional twist of EMBOSSING".
Pretty freakin' cool! LOL. Here is just another shot of the card from a different angle. All the images were colored with Copics and I added a bit of glitter with Christmas Red Stickles on the girl's bows.
So that is my exciting news to share and my very first project for 7 Kids College Fund! More projects to come, stay tuned!
7 Kids College Fund Challenge Blog.
Hello everyone! It's June! Summertime here we come! For this month's I Am Roses Challenge, you are to Alter a FRAME or include one in your project. I wanted to put up this picture of my scrappy friends that took place at my apartment when I first moved in. I had this magnetic board frame in my stash a while now, given to me by my friend Amy. It was time to take it out for this challenge, here is a picture of the original, it also came with magnets.
I first covered the metal sheet with a layer of dictionary paper and some Tim Holtz Tissue paper over that with mod podge. I painted the wood with white acrylic paint then I started the flower layering process. Honestly, this is the most flowers I've used on a project, but it was so worth it!
Here is a close up of the 3 flowers I used and how I layered them together.
Here is a corner of the frame in which I included this cute bicycle die cut from My Creative Time. Above the bike, you can see that I glued larger roses on top of the magnets that this came with. I also had the perfect size flat back pearls for the other magnets. The picture is not permanently adhered to the board, I can change out the picture whenever I want just by removing the magnets on the frame die cut.
I loved how this turned out. Please don't mind the heart above my friend's face, it's for privacy reasons =). Thank you for taking the time to view my project. You can watch my video here for a closer look. Come join this fun challenge over at the I Am Roses Challenge Blog.


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Are Movie Theaters About to Disappear? How VR Will Remake Hollywood
Alison E. Berman
Since the first public movie theater opened in the U.S. in 1905, movies have evolved significantly—sound, color, computer effects, high definition. However, one thing hasn't changed. We still go to the theater to see our favorite films on the big screen.
But for how long? During a panel at a recent program put on by 20th Century Fox Studios and Singularity University, an unspoken question lingered in the audience: Are movie theaters on the verge of extinction?
Long gone are the days when a movie was isolated to a two-hour screening at a public theater near you. Feature films are now built up months prior to release on multiple media platforms and are later continually expanded post-release.
Meanwhile, a powerful new medium is on the horizon.
Peter Diamandis testing a VR simulation at Exponential Leaders conference
After a few years in development, the first high-end consumer virtual reality devices are due in 2016. Consumer VR promises to immerse viewers in visual experiences more completely than IMAX—and from the comfort of their own couch.
And there's evidence this is exactly what we want. From buying bigger and bigger high-definition televisions to installing full surround sound in our family rooms—for decades people have been busily recreating the big theater experience at home.
But it's not just a fully immersive viewing experience that VR promises. It will also bring something entirely new by enabling the audience to become the producers of their own experience.
Look right, look left, look up, look down—each viewer in VR gets to dictate and experience their own sequence of the story. And what this means for Hollywood is that storytelling as we've known it is vanishing, and fast.
Moviegoing, however, has never simply been about storytelling or viewing feature films. Rather, going to the theater has historically represented a pillar of American culture and shared entertainment.
From left to right, Peter Diamandis, MD Executive Chairman Singularity University, Ted Schilowitz, Futurist in Residence at 20th Century Fox, Simon Kinberg, Producer of the X-Men series and The Martian, Chris Milk , CEO and cofounder of VRSE. (Not in photo: Jim Gianopulos, Chairman and CEO 20th Century Fox)
To date, Hollywood has evolved and adapted to cultural preferences and survived entertainment's decentralization, from television to Netflix. But VR may be more than just the next step in feature film entertainment.
When each member of an audience is wearing their own VR headset and dictating their own experience of a story, will people still want to sit down together in movie theaters? Will a new model of shared entertainment arise, or will entertainment become a more individual (lonelier?) phenomenon?
During the Fox Studios panel on "The Future of Entertainment, Film, and Virtual Reality," Simon Kinberg, producer of The Martian and the X-Men series, asked whether we are facing a societal shift in what shared experience is.
Kinberg is looking to the next generation of moviegoers and wondering whether that generation will even go to films in theaters if the in-theater experience becomes virtual. Though movie theaters offer the community appeal to current moviegoers, they may not hold that same relevance for future generations.
VR demo at Exponential Leaders conference.
Also on the panel was Chris Milk, CEO and cofounder of virtual reality company VRSE, widely known for creating Clouds over Sidra—a VR experience of the life of Sidra, a 12-year-old girl and Syrian refugee, who is living with her family in the Zaatari refugee camp (currently home to 130,000 Syrian refugees).
Milk works at the frontiers of interactive technology and is experimenting with VR as a canvas for human storytelling and to evoke empathy; a subject he unpacked in a TED talk earlier this year, remarking, "VR connects humans to other humans in a profound way that I've never seen in any other form of media."
During the panel, Milk pointed out that we are still only in the second year of VR storytelling and on just the very first iterations of the hardware. But Milk sees VR as a medium that does offer the opportunity for real human connection, though we're only beginning to explore how to make this work effectively.
VR is currently first and foremost visual. But new products are being developed to bring other senses into the VR experience, such as haptic gloves simulating touch. Knowing this, the ability for VR to create social connectivity only seems like the natural next step.
In the future, VR users may be able to watch and interact with other viewers of the same film who have logged in from different locations around the world. In this scenario, VR would, in fact, more effectively bridge the gap between you and the stranger next to you in a theater—though they may only be "next" to you virtually.
If, as Milk says, VR is a machine that can drive deeper compassion and make us more human, then the desire for shared-communal entertainment will continue, though physical theaters, as we know them, may very well disappear.
How do you think entertainment will evolve as VR enters Hollywood? Leave a comment here or connect with me on twitter @DigitAlison or @SingularityHub
Photo credit: Trevor Traynor
Alison tells the stories of purpose-driven leaders and is fascinated by various intersections of technology and society. When not keeping a finger on the pulse of all things Singularity University, you'll likely find Alison in the woods sipping coffee and reading philosophy (new book recommendations are welcome).
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Are Movie Theaters About to Disappear? How VR Will Remake Hollywood
Since the first public movie theater opened in the U.S. in 1905, movies have evolved significantly—sound, color, computer effects, high definition. However, one thing hasn't changed. We still go to the theater to see our favorite films on the big screen. But for how long? During a panel at a recent program put on by 20th Century Fox Studios and Singularity University, an unspoken question lingered in the audience: Are movie theaters on the verge of extinction? Long gone are the days when a movie was isolated to a two-hour screening at a public theater near you. Feature films are now built up months prior to release on multiple media platforms and are later continually expanded post-release. Meanwhile, a powerful new medium is on the horizon. [caption id="attachment_86577" align="alignnone" width="1220"] Peter Diamandis testing a VR simulation at Exponential Leaders conference[/caption] After a few years in development, the first high-end consumer virtual reality devices are due in 2016. Consumer VR promises to immerse viewers in visual experiences more completely than IMAX—and from the comfort of their own couch. And there's evidence this is exactly what we want. From buying bigger and bigger high-definition televisions to installing full surround sound in our family rooms—for decades people have been busily recreating the big theater experience at home. But it's not just a fully immersive viewing experience that VR promises. It will also bring something entirely new by enabling the audience to become the producers of their own experience. Look right, look left, look up, look down—each viewer in VR gets to dictate and experience their own sequence of the story. And what this means for Hollywood is that storytelling as we've known it is vanishing, and fast. Moviegoing, however, has never simply been about storytelling or viewing feature films. Rather, going to the theater has historically represented a pillar of American culture and shared entertainment. [caption id="attachment_86576" align="alignnone" width="1220"] From left to right, Peter Diamandis, MD Executive Chairman Singularity University, Ted Schilowitz, Futurist in Residence at 20th Century Fox, Simon Kinberg, Producer of the X-Men series and The Martian, Chris Milk , CEO and cofounder of VRSE. (Not in photo: Jim Gianopulos, Chairman and CEO 20th Century Fox)[/caption] To date, Hollywood has evolved and adapted to cultural preferences and survived entertainment's decentralization, from television to Netflix. But VR may be more than just the next step in feature film entertainment. When each member of an audience is wearing their own VR headset and dictating their own experience of a story, will people still want to sit down together in movie theaters? Will a new model of shared entertainment arise, or will entertainment become a more individual (lonelier?) phenomenon? During the Fox Studios panel on "The Future of Entertainment, Film, and Virtual Reality," Simon Kinberg, producer of The Martian and the X-Men series, asked whether we are facing a societal shift in what shared experience is. Kinberg is looking to the next generation of moviegoers and wondering whether that generation will even go to films in theaters if the in-theater experience becomes virtual. Though movie theaters offer the community appeal to current moviegoers, they may not hold that same relevance for future generations. [caption id="attachment_86586" align="aligncenter" width="1220"] VR demo at Exponential Leaders conference.[/caption] Also on the panel was Chris Milk, CEO and cofounder of virtual reality company VRSE, widely known for creating Clouds over Sidra—a VR experience of the life of Sidra, a 12-year-old girl and Syrian refugee, who is living with her family in the Zaatari refugee camp (currently home to 130,000 Syrian refugees). Milk works at the frontiers of interactive technology and is experimenting with VR as a canvas for human storytelling and to evoke empathy; a subject he unpacked in a TED talk earlier this year, remarking, "VR connects humans to other humans in a profound way that I've never seen in any other form of media." During the panel, Milk pointed out that we are still only in the second year of VR storytelling and on just the very first iterations of the hardware. But Milk sees VR as a medium that does offer the opportunity for real human connection, though we're only beginning to explore how to make this work effectively. VR is currently first and foremost visual. But new products are being developed to bring other senses into the VR experience, such as haptic gloves simulating touch. Knowing this, the ability for VR to create social connectivity only seems like the natural next step. In the future, VR users may be able to watch and interact with other viewers of the same film who have logged in from different locations around the world. In this scenario, VR would, in fact, more effectively bridge the gap between you and the stranger next to you in a theater—though they may only be "next" to you virtually. If, as Milk says, VR is a machine that can drive deeper compassion and make us more human, then the desire for shared-communal entertainment will continue, though physical theaters, as we know them, may very well disappear.

How do you think entertainment will evolve as VR enters Hollywood? Leave a comment here or connect with me on twitter @DigitAlison or @SingularityHub

Photo credit: Trevor Traynor

By Alison E. Berman

This article originally appeared on Singularity Hub, a publication of Singularity University.


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Costante Coter – scultore e pittore italiano
 Eugenio Coter – vescovo cattolico italiano


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John Vitale (December 28, 1965 – July 9, 2000) was an American football player.  He played college football as a center and offensive guard for the University of Michigan from 1985 to 1988. He was selected as a consensus All-American center in 1988. He later played professional football for the San Antonio Riders of the World League of American Football in 1991 and the Detroit Drive of the Arena Football League from 1993 to 1994.

Early years
A Detroit native, Vitale was born in 1965 and attended De La Salle Collegiate High School in Warren, Michigan.

University of Michigan
Vitale enrolled at the University of Michigan in 1984 and played college football for head coach Bo Schembechler's Michigan Wolverines football teams from 1985 to 1988. After redshirting in 1984, Vitale started nine games at left offensive guard for the 1985 Michigan Wolverines football team that compiled a 10-1-1 record, defeated Nebraska in the 1986 Fiesta Bowl, and finished the season ranked #2 in the AP Poll.

As a sophomore, Vitale was converted to the center position and started all 13 games at that position for the 1986 Michigan team that compiled an 11-2 record and was ranked #8 in the final AP Poll.  As a junior, he again started every game at center for the 1987 Michigan team and was selected as a first-team All-Big Ten Conference player.  In his senior year, he started every game for Michigan, completing a streak of 37 consecutive games as Michigan's starting center. He also served as a co-captain of the 1988 Michigan team that compiled a 9-2-1 record, defeated USC 22-14 in the 1989 Rose Bowl, and was ranked #4 in the final AP Poll. At the end of the 1988 season, Vitale was selected as the consensus first-team center on the 1988 College Football All-America Team.

Vitale was also known as a team leader who once showed up with a U-M winged football helmet design shaved into the side of his head.  Vitale had a close relationship with his head coach, Bo Schembechler.  Sportswriter Mitch Albom wrote about the following exchange between Vitale and Bo Schembechler. "You gonna work us today, Chief?" Vitale would ask.  'I'm gonna kick your butt," Schembechler would say. "Good," Vitale would answer.

Professional football
Vitale was not selected in the 1989 NFL Draft but attended training camp with the Houston Oilers.  A recurring back injury prevented him from playing successfully in the National Football League (NFL). He did play for the San Antonio Riders of the World League of American Football in 1991 and the Detroit Drive of the Arena Football League from 1993 to 1994.

Later years
After his playing career ended, Vitale worked for Wolverine Human Services.  His final position was as the director of a community center on the east side of Detroit that was later renamed the John S. Vitale Community Center in his honor.

Vitale was diagnosed with ependymoma, cancer of the spinal cord, in 1994 at age 29.  He married Lynn Abdelnour in 1998. In 1999, he found the cancer had returned and he started aggressive chemotherapy treatments.  When his father told him that the cancer had spread to his brain, Vitale said, "Well, this sucks."  According to sports columnist Mitch Albom, "those were the only negative words anyone heard him say." He died at age 34 in Grosse Pointe, Michigan.

References

1965 births
2000 deaths
All-American college football players
American football centers
Deaths from cancer in Michigan
Michigan Wolverines football players
Players of American football from Detroit
San Antonio Riders players
Detroit Drive players


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Virginia Athletics | November 2, 2014
Not so Cavalier
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- Third-ranked Virginia closed out the 2014 regular season Saturday night by downing Pittsburgh 6-1 at Klöckner Stadium. The Cavaliers (17-1, 9-1 Atlantic Coastal Conference) extended their winning streak to seven games, while the Panthers saw their season end with a 6-12 record (2-8 ACC).
The win extended Virginia's home field win streak to 29 games, the longest active streak in the nation and the eighth longest streak in Division I women's soccer history.
The Virginia fourth-years celebrated Senior Night in style as Morgan Brian scored twice in her return from duty with the United States Women's National Team and Danielle Colaprico added a goal. Junior Makenzy Doniak, sophomore Alexis Shaffer and first-year Stephanie Krouskos also scored for the Cavaliers, who tied a season high with six goals.
The Cavaliers took the lead in the 31st minute after Tina Lordanou was fouled just outside the box. Brian drilled the ensuing 20-yard free kick around the wall and inside the near post. Brian struck again six minutes later as Shaffer sent a through ball to Brian who scored her sixth of the season, on the breakaway.
Virginia extended the advantage to 3-0 in the 60th minute as Emily Sonnett made a run from her center back position into the attack and threaded a ball to Doniak, who turned and fired a shot inside the far post for her team-leading 13th goal of the season. The score also marked the sixth consecutive game Doniak has scored a goal, the third-longest streak in Virginia history.
Colaprico notched her sixth goal of the season in the 66th minute. She stole a ball in the midfield and dribbled to the top of the box, where she blasted a shot just under the crossbar to make the score 4-0. In the 74th minute Shaffer received a pass from Veronica Latsko and fired a shot off the underside of the crossbar and in for her fifth goal of the year.
Pitt got on the scoreboard in the 81st minute when Taylor Pryce scored on a pass over the top from Roosa Arvas. The final goal of the night came in the 87th minute as Krouskos chipped a ball over the keeper for the sixth Cavalier goal of the night.
Overall, Virginia outshot Pitt 36-3 and had an 11-1 corner kick advantage. Sophomores Morgan Stearns and Jessie Ferrari each played a half in goal for Virginia. Taylor Francis made seven saves in goal for the Panthers before giving way to Margot Shore, who had two saves.
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Tag: Blues Rock
What I've Been Listening To: Lil' Ed And The Blues Imperials/Full Tilt
Lil' Ed And The Blues Imperials – good golly, Miss Molly, sure like to ball, to borrow a famous line from Richard Wayne Penniman, the dynamite rock & roll artist known as Little Richard! I don't believe I had heard from Chicago blues slide guitarist Lil' Ed Williams and his backing band until this morning, when my music streaming provider served up their eighth studio album Full Tilt as a listening suggestion. Released in August 2008, this record is nothing short but an invitation to party, and I couldn't help to start grooving behind the wheel of my car. Did I mention I'm a passionate dashboard drummer? 🙂
Here are some excerpts from the band's official bio: In Chicago, a city overflowing with unrivaled blues talent, world-renowned Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials have been standing tall for over 30 years. The band's big sound, fueled by Lil' Ed's gloriously rollicking slide work and deep blues string bending, along with his rough-edged, soulful vocals, is as real and hard-hitting as Chicago blues gets…
…Lil' Ed Williams comes to the blues naturally. His uncle, Chicago slide guitar king and master songwriter J.B. Hutto, taught him how to feel, not just play the blues. Nine albums and thousands of performances later, Lil' Ed is now universally hailed as a giant of the genre. Lil' Ed and The Blues Imperials —bassist (and Ed's half-brother) James "Pookie" Young, guitarist Mike Garrett and drummer Kelly Littleton— have remained together for over 30 years —an extraordinary feat for any group—, the band fueling Ed's songs with their rock-solid, road-tested, telepathic musicianship…
The band's current lineup (from left): James "Pookie" Young (bass, backing vocals), Mike Garrett (guitar, backing vocals), Lil' Ed Williams (guitar, lead vocals) and Kelly Littleton (drums)
…Born in Chicago on April 8, 1955, in the heart of Chicago's tough West Side, Ed grew up surrounded by music. He was playing guitar, then drums and bass, by the time he was 12. Ed and Pookie received lessons and support from their famous uncle. "J.B. taught me everything I know," says Ed. "I wouldn't be where I am today without him." Ed and Pookie spent their teen years making music together, and in 1975 formed the first incarnation of The Blues Imperials…
…Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials released eight Alligator albums between 1986 and 2012. With each one, the band's national and international stature grew as their fan base —known internationally as "Ed Heads"— continued to expand. With 2006's Rattleshake, Ed and company reached a whole new audience. Die-hard "Ed Head" Conan O'Brien brought the band before millions of television viewers on two separate occasions. Success and accolades never stop pouring in…The group took home the Living Blues Award for Best Live Performer in 2011, 2012 and 2013. They won the prestigious Blues Music Award for Band Of The Year in both 2007 and 2009…
'Okay, enough of the hype,' you might think, 'show me the goods!' Ask and you shall receive. Why don't we just start with opener Hold That Train. Written by Williams, the tune got my immediate attention. If you're into electric blues slide guitar, how can you not love it?
Are you ready for the next tune? Here's Housekeeping Job, another fun track penned by Williams. Love that funky and soulful vibe. In addition to great electric slide guitar action, check out the tasty saxophone work by Eddie McKinley (tenor sax) and David Basinger (baritone sax). Damn, if this doesn't make you move, I'm afraid you might be deaf or dead!
Okay, let's slow things down to catch our breath with Check My Baby's Oil. This track was co-written by Lil' Ed and his wife Pam Williams. What I'm wondering is why would somebody want to hang out with a car. 🙂
First I Look At The Purse is speeding things back up. Co-written by Smokey Robinson and Bobby Rogers, the classic tune was first recorded by Motown act The Contours in 1965. Probably the best version I've heard of this tune is by The J. Geils Band and their fantastic "Live" Full House album from September 1972. But Lil' Ed and his guys, whose dynamic playing style reminds me a bit of the ultimate party band, aren't far behind.
Okay, all parties have to come to an end. Here's one more, and yes, it's sweet: Candy Sweet, another co-write by Lil' Ed and his wife Pam.
After having listened to this album, boy, do I feel like seeing these guys live. And they are indeed on the road. The only problem is, none of the currently scheduled gigs is within reasonable distance from my house. The closest I can see is New Year's Eve in Moon, Pa. While entering the 2020s with that kind of music sounds like a lot of fun, it would be a six-hour drive. Even for a music nut like me, that's a dealbreaker. Perhaps instead, I'll write a blues about it: Oh, Lil' Ed, can't you no see/Oh, Lil' Ed, can't you no see/Why can't you play a lil' closer to me…
Sources: Wikipedia; Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials website; YouTube
Author christiansmusicmusingsPosted on December 21, 2019 Categories What I've Been Listening To...Tags "Live" Full House, Blues, Blues Rock, Bobby Rogers, Candy Sweet, Check My Baby Oil, David Basinger, Eddie McKinley, First I Look At The Purse, Hold That Train, Housekeeping Job, James "Pookie" Young, Kelly Littleton, Lil' Ed And The Blues Imperials, Lil' Ed Williams, Little Richard, Little Tilt, Mike Garrett, Pam Williams, Richard Wayne Penniman, Smokey Robinson, The Contours, The J. Geils Band4 Comments on What I've Been Listening To: Lil' Ed And The Blues Imperials/Full Tilt
The Venues: Beacon Theatre
In July 2017, I introduced The Venues, a category featuring famous concert halls, such as The Apollo Theatre and well known TV music programs like The Ed Sullivan Show. For some reason, the category fell off the bandwagon after the third post in November that year – not quite sure why. In any case, I felt the time was right for another installment. One of the venues that came to my mind immediately is the Beacon Theatre in New York City, in part because the beautiful historic theater on Manhattan's Upper West Side is associated with two of my favorite bands: The Allman Brothers Band and Steely Dan, which both had frequent annual residencies there. The Dan still does! But first things first – a bit of history.
The Beacon Theatre opened as the Warner's Beacon Theatre on December 24, 1929. It was designed by Chicago architect Walter W. Ahlschlager as a venue for silent films. But when the original owners financially collapsed, Warner Theatres acquired the theater to be a first-run showcase for Warner Bros. films on the Upper West Side. By that time, the movie genre of silent films had already become obsolete. The Beacon, which subsequently was operated by Brandt Theaters, remained a movie theater over next few decades. It would take until 1974, when Steven Singer became the first owner who turned the Beacon into a venue for live music.
Fortunately, an effort in 1987 to convert the theater into a night club was blocked in court, given its historic and protected architecture. In 1982, it had been added to the National Register of Historic Places. Through the '80s and '90s, the Beacon Theatre continued to fill a spot in the midsize category venue in New York between the larger Radio City Music Hall and various smaller clubs and ballrooms. In 2006, sports and entertainment holding company The Madison Square Garden Company started operating the Beacon. In November that same year, the theater began a 20-year lease by Cablevision, which also leases Radio City Music Hall and owns Madison Square Garden.
Between the second half of 2008 and early 2009, the theater underwent a complete renovation. As reported by The New York Times, the work involved about 1,000 workers, lasted seven months and cost $16 million. The result can be seen in the above photo and is certainly stunning. I was fortunate to experience the mighty venue myself when I saw Steely Dan there in October 2018.
In addition to pop and rock concerts, the Beacon Theatre has hosted political debates, gospel choirs, comedians and many dramatic productions. The 2008 Martin Scorsese picture Shine a Light, which captured The Rolling Stones live in concert, was filmed there. In January 2016, Joan Baez celebrated her 75th birthday with a show at the Beacon. She also played the venue in May this year as part of her now completed 2018/2019 Fare Thee Well Tour. Time for some music that was performed at the Beacon.
Let's kick things off with the Grateful Dead, who performed two shows at the theater on June 14 and 15, 1976. Apparently, the following footage of Not Fade Away was captured during a soundcheck there, not one of the actual concerts but, hey, close enough! Plus, it's a fun clip to watch. Not Fade Away was written by Charles Hardin, a.k.a. Buddy Holly. His producer Norman Petty received a co-credit. The tune was first released as a single in October 1957. It was also included on Holly's debut album The "Chirping" Crickets, released in November of the same year.
Next up: The Black Crowes and Remedy. Co-written by lead vocalist Chris Robinson and his brother and rhythm guitarist Rich Robinson, the tune appeared on the band's sophomore album The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion from May 1992. The footage is from late August 1992 when the Black Crowes played a series of four shows at the Beacon.
James Taylor is one of my favorite singer-songwriters. One tune I dig in particular is Fire And Rain. He recorded it for his second studio album Sweet Baby James, which was released in February 1970. The song also came out separately as a single and became Taylor's first hit, peaking at no. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. This clip was captured during a show on May 30, 1998.
Here are The Rolling Stones with Jumpin' Jack Flash from the aforementioned Martin Scorsese concert film. Credited to Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, the tune was released as a single in May 1968. The film includes footage from two shows the Stones played at the Beacon. This performance is from their second night there on November 1, 2006.
Starting from 1998, The Allman Brothers Band played spring residencies at the Beacon for 19 years in a row except for 2010 when the theater wasn't available. This performance of Dreams is from their March 2013 series of gigs. The Gregg Allman song first appeared on the band's eponymous debut album from November 1969.
On April 1 and 2, 2016, Bonnie Raitt played the Beacon Theatre as part of her extended Dig In Deep Tour, named after her most recent studio album from February 2016. I caught her during that tour in August 2016, which thus far was the first only time. Her gig at New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark remains one of the best shows I've seen. Co-written by Gordon Kennedy and Wayne Kirkpatrick, Gypsy In Me is one of the tracks from Dig In Deep. Not only is Raitt a superb guitarist and great vocalist, but she also is as genuine as it can get. There is no BS with this lady. What you get is what you see!
From The Allman Brothers it wasn't a big leap to former member Derek Trucks, his wife Susan Tedeschi and the group they formed in 2010: Tedeschi Trucks Band. My knowledge of their music is fairly limited, and I definitely want to explore them more closely. Here's their take of Ain't Wastin' Time No More, another great tune written by Gregg Allman. It first appeared on the Allmans' third studio album Eat A Peach from February 1972, long before Trucks joined them in 1999. The song was also released separately as a single in April that year. This clip was captured on October 11, 2017 during what looks like a six-date residency the band did at the Beacon that year.
The last and most recent clip I'd like to feature is footage of Steely Dan from their 2018 U.S. tour, which ended with a seven-date residency at the Beacon. Of course, I couldn't leave out the Dan! This performance of Pretzel Logic was from their final gig on October 30. Co-written by Walter Becker and Donald Fagen, Pretzel Logic is the title track of Steely Dan's third studio album that appeared in February 1974.
Until last year when I saw them twice, which included the Beacon for an October 20 show dedicated to my favorite album Aja, I had never seen Steely Dan. Both concerts were fantastic. Fagen and co are currently touring again, which will bring them back to the Beacon in October. While the thought of returning to this beautiful venue is tempting, I can't justify it to myself, given I saw them twice last year and other shows I've been to or still consider for this year.
Sources: Wikipedia, The New York Times, setlist.fm, YouTube
Author christiansmusicmusingsPosted on August 29, 2019 Categories The VenuesTags Aja, Beacon Theatre, Blues, Blues Rock, Bonnie Raitt, Buddy Holly, Charles Hardin, Chris Robinson, Derek Trucks, Dig In Deep, Dig In Deep Tour, Donald Fagen, Dreams, Fire And Rain, Gordon Kennedy, Grateful Dead, Gregg Allman, Gypsy In Me, James Taylor, Jazz, Joan Baez, Jumpin' Jack Flash, Keith Richards, Martin Scorsese, Mick Jagger, Norman Petty, Not Fade Away, Pop, Pretzel Logic, Radio City Music Hall, Rich Robinson, Rock, Shine a Light, Steely Dan, Steven Singer, Susan Tedeschi, Sweet Baby James, Tedeschi Trucks Band, The "Chirping" Crickets, The Allman Brothers Band, The Black Crowes, The Rolling Stones, The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion, Walter Becker, Walter W. Ahlschlager, Wayne Kirkpatrick5 Comments on The Venues: Beacon Theatre
If You Can't See The One You Love, See The One You Can – Part 2
As more frequent visitors of the blog know, I generally dig tribute bands and wrote a feature about some of them about a year ago. While then I did not plan a part 2, the reality is I've seen many more tribute acts than I could ever feature in one post. So, who knows, this may turn into a series of occasional posts with additional parts in the future. For now, I'd like to focus on part 2. Since I couldn't figure out in which order to lists the acts, I decided to do so alphabetically.
As their name suggests, this band is a tribute to Queen. While I could not find public information on the backgrounds of the musicians, these guys from New York surely impressed me when I saw them last September at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, N.J. Almost Queen are Joseph Russo as Freddie Mercury, Steve Leonard as Brian May, Randy Gregg as John Deacon and John Cappadona as Roger Taylor. Their delivery of four-part harmonies and Queen's music, combined with their looks, make for a fun live experience. More information on the band and their impressive touring schedule that extends beyond the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, can be found on their website and Facebook page. Here's a sample: We Will Rock You and We Are The Champions.
This tribute to Chicago is one of the most compelling tribute bands I've seen, and without meaning to brag, I've seen many! Another group from New York, Beginnings is a national act, performing over 100 shows each year – great news for Chicago fans. Founded in the fall of 2002, the band consists of Mason Swearingen (bass, vocals), Johnny Roggio (guitar, vocals), Dan Hendrix (trombone, percussion, vocals), Adam Seely (saxophone, percussion), Doug Woolverton (trumpet, percussion), Scott Chasolen (keyboards, vocals) and Chris Milillo (drums, vocals). Beginnings' impressive member credits include recording and performing with artists like Peter Frampton, Don Henley, Aretha Franklin, The Temptations and Blood Sweat & Tears, and awards like the Billboard Songwriter's Award and ASCAP Songwriter's Award – frankly, way too many credits I can list here! Check out their website and Facebook page for more information. Here's a great rendition of Just You 'N' Me I saw during a recent summer concert. BTW, the band mostly focuses on Chicago's early and in my opinion best work.
This amazing tribute to Pink Floyd is the brainchild of musical director Damian Darlington, who also provides vocals and plays guitar and lap steel. Prior to forming the band in Liverpool, England in 2011, he had played for 17 years with long-running Aussie tribute The Australian Pink Floyd Show. The other members of Brit Floyd include Rob Stringer (keyboards, vocals), Ian Cattell (bass, vocals Chapman Stick, trumpet), Edo Scordo (guitar, vocals), Arran Ahmum (drums), Thomas Ashbrook (keyboards, vocals), as well as backing vocalists Ola Bienkowska, Angela Cervantes, Roberta Freeman, Emily Jollands and Jacquie Williams – quite a mighty line-up! For more on this band, read my previous post from March of this year when I saw them in Bethlehem, Pa., and visit their website and Facebook page. Here's Brit Floyd with Pink Floyd classic Comfortably Numb.
I have mentioned Decade on previous occasions, but as a huge Neil Young fan, I simply couldn't resist to include this fantastic tribute from New Jersey in this post. The band revolves around singer-songwriter and Neil Young tribute artist John Hathaway. A life-long fan of Young, Hathaway has faithfully studied this artist in and out, and it shows. While he typically focuses on capturing the music, he can also act like Young, which I have witnessed myself. To bring the Canadian artist's music to life in its full mighty, Hathaway is usually backed by a varying line-up of other long-time musicians. This clip of Old Man was captured during a gig earlier this year at Tim McLoone's Super Club in Asbury Park. The backing musicians that night included Gordon Bunker Strout (guitar, backing vocals), Pam McCoy (backing vocals), John Dickson (bass), Bob Giunco (drums), Thomas Stevenson (banjo), Dave O'Brien (pedal steel guitar), Jeff Levine (keyboards) and James Doyle (guitar, banjo). More information about Decade and John Hathaway is available on Facebook here and here.
The Doobie Others
I really dig The Doobie Brothers, so a tribute I came across last month caught my immediate attention. Ingeniously called The Doobie Others, this six-piece band from New York and New Jersey features Pat Montefusco (lead vocals, guitar), Joe Torres (lead vocals, percussion), Eddie Profet Jr. (bass, backing vocals), Allan Korenstein (keyboards, backing vocals), Mike Quadrino (saxophone, keyboards, backing vocals), Ron Lovisa (lead guitar) and Jim Del (lead & backing vocals, drums). While The Doobie Others mostly seem to perform in the New York-New Jersey-Connecticut tri-state area, their current schedule shows they occasionally venture out to other states on the East Coast. For more information, check their website and Facebook page. Here's the band in action with Jesus Is Just Alright. Captured during a summer concert last month, the footage doesn't do their high musical caliber full justice, but I feel you still get a good idea.
This band from Minneapolis is a great tribute to Tom Petty, one of my all-time favorite artists. Founded in September 2007 and named after one of Petty's songs, Free Fallin are Tom Brademeyer (as Tom Petty, guitar & lead vocals), Mark Larsen (as Stan Lynch, drums), Russ Lund (as Ron Blair, bass), Karl Swartz (as Mike Campbell, guitar & vocals), Dale Peterson (as Benmont Tench, keyboards, percussion & vocals) and Craig Volke (as Scott Thurston, guitar, keyboards, harmonica, percussion & vocals). Free Fallin is a full-time tribute band performing throughout the U.S. and even internationally. Check out their website and Facebook page, as well as this cover of Refugee from last year's Rock The Farm Festival in Seaside Heights, N.J., which I previously covered here.
Good Stuff is another outstanding tribute act I covered before here, but similar to Decade, I did not want to leave them out – how could I as a huge Steely Dan fan? Formed about a year ago and named after a Donald Fagen tune, Good Stuff features Mike Caputo (lead vocals), Don Regan (guitar), Axel Belohoubek (keyboards), Jay Dittamo (drums), Scott Hogan (bass), Phil Armeno (saxophones, flute) and vocalists Deanna Carroll and Linda Ferrano. Among them, these professional musicians have very impressive credits, such as tour pre-production for Madonna and David Bowie, and touring musicians for Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, The Duprees , The Les Paul Trio, Jose Feliciano and Keith Emerson – yep, that Keith of ELP. Similar to Beginnings, there is too much to list. I should also mention that in addition to Steely Dan, the band performs music by Gino Vannelli, Sting and Stevie Wonder. While this may look somewhat arbitrary, combining music from these four artists works pretty well. The key is selecting songs that have a common denominator, which is a jazz influence. Check out more about this unique tribute act on their website and Facebook page. Oh, and here's My Old School.
With the 50th anniversary of Woodstock going on, I'd like to close this post with a compelling tribute act to Jimi Hendrix. Again, if you are a frequent reader of the blog, the name Kiss The Sky may sound familiar, since I covered them before here. The band revolves around Jimi Hendrix tribute artist Jimy Bleu, who actually met Hendrix in 1968 as a teenager. The following year, Bleu attended Woodstock and got one of the guitar straps Hendrix used during his performance there. You can read more about his cool background story in the above post. Kiss The Sky covers music from both the Jimi Hendrix Experience and Band of Gypsys. Bleu's excellent backing musicians for The Experience include bassist A.J. Hager as Noel Redding and drummer Ted Edwards as Mitch Mitchell. The Band of Gypsys tribute features Jay Powerz as Billy Cox (bass) and James Jaxon as Buddy Miles (drums). You can find more information about this tribute act on their Facebook page. I also encourage you to check out this clip of Voodoo Child I took last October. Filming conditions weren't ideal, but I think the footage still gives a good impression about this outstanding band.
Pictured in the image on top of the post are (clockwise from upper left corner) Almost Queen, Beginnings, Brit Floyd and Jimy Bleu/Kiss The Sky.
Sources: Almost Queen website and Facebook page; Beginnings website and Facebook page; Brit Floyd website and Facebook page; Decade and John Hathaway Facebook pages; The Doobie Others website and Facebook page; Free Fallin website and Facebook page; Good Stuff website and Facebook page; Kiss The Sky Facebook page; YouTube
Author christiansmusicmusingsPosted on August 17, 2019 August 17, 2019 Categories UncategorizedTags A.J. Hager, Adam Seely, Allan Korenstein, Almost Queen, Americana, Angela Cervantes, Aretha Franklin, Arran Ahmum, Band Of Gypsys, Billy Cox, Blood Sweat & Tears, Blues Rock, Bo Diddley, Bob Giunco, Brian May, Brit Floyd, Buddy Miles, Chris Milillo, Chuck Berry, Comfortably Numb, Damian Darlington, Dan Hendrix, Dave O'Brien, David Bowie, Don Henley, Donald Fagen, Doug Woolverton, Eddie Profet Jr., Edo Scordo, ELP, Emily Jollands, Freddie Mercury, Free Fallin', Gino Vannelli, Good Stuff, Gordon Bunker Strout, Ian Cattell, Jacquie Williams, James Jaxon, Jay Powerz, Jazz, Jeff Levine, Jim Del, Jimi Bleu, Jimi Hendrix, Jimi Hendrix Experience, Jimy Bleu, Joe Torres, John Cappadona, John Deacon, John Dickson, John Hathaway, Johnny Roggio, Jose Feliciano, Joseph Russo, Just You 'N' Me, Keith Emerson, Kiss The Sky, Madonna, Mason Swearingen, Mike Caputo, Mike Quadrino, Mitch Mitchell, My Old School, Neil Young, Noel Redding, Ola Bienkowska, Old Man, Pam McCoy, Pat Montefusco, Peter Frampton, Pink Floyd, Psychedelic Rock, Queen, Randy Gregg, Rob Stringer, Roberta Freeman, Rock, Roger Taylor, Ron Lovisa, Scott Chasolen, Southern Rock, Steve Leonard, Stevie Wonder, Sting, Ted Edwards, The Australian Pink Floyd Show, The Doobie Brothers, The Doobie Others, The Duprees, The Les Paul Trio, The Temptations, Thomas Ashbrook, Thomas Stevenson, Tom Petty, Tribute Bands, Voodoo Child, We Are The Champions, We Will Rock You1 Comment on If You Can't See The One You Love, See The One You Can – Part 2
'Let's Spend The Night Together' Remains Compelling Rolling Stones Proposition
'Greatest rock & roll band in the world' delivers powerful performance at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium
Whether you agree or not with the label "greatest rock & roll band in the world" (I dig the Stones big time but still would choose The Beatles, if could only select one band), I believe it is safe to say The Rolling Stones are a unique phenomenon. For now more than 55 years, they have brought energetic blues-oriented rock to audiences around the world. And they did so again last night at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., during the first of two dates at that venue, as part of the previously postponed North American leg of their No Filter Tour.
At age 76, Mick Jagger remains one of the most compelling front men in rock. His voice still is in fairly decent shape. What's even more remarkable is that he doesn't appear to have lost any of his swagger. He is still a born show guy. He also continues to have the energy of a young man, allowing him to, well, move like Jagger. And let's not forgot his heart valve replacement surgery only happened a few months ago. Frankly, all of this is friggin' unreal to me. I will say that age hasn't been as kind to other core members of the band, but together they still sounded great.
The Rolling Stones (from left): Ronnie Wood, Mick Jagger, Charlie Watts and Keith Richards
I agree with everything Music Enthusiast recently noted during his review of the Stones' gig at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. These shows ain't cheap, but when a band puts on that kind of performance, spending big bucks is worth it, especially if you dig their music. And like Music Enthusiast, I was also surprised how fresh and dynamic Miss You sounded, certainly not my favorite Stones tune, and what a killer performance they put on for Midnight Rambler. Last but not least, I also love Brown Sugar, actually more so than Midnight Rambler, and Jagger and co delivered on this one as well. Hell, even the overplayed second and last encore (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction sounded cool.
Since most if not all more frequent visitors of my blog also follow Music Enthusiast, I'm going to deliberately highlight other tunes. Let's kick it off with the opener last night: Street Fighting Man. As usually credited to Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, the tune was first released as a U.S. single in August 1968. It was also included on the Beggars Banquet album from that same year.
Next up: Tumbling Dice from Exile On Main Street, a favorite among Stones fans. Even many critics who initially were lukewarm about it changed their opinions later and concluded it's one of the band's best records – I guess being a critic and saying something clever is hard, and I'm definitely happy I'm not one of 'em! Co-written by Jagger and Richards, Tumbling Dice also appeared as the album's lead single in April 1972, one month ahead of the record's release.
Are you ready for something acoustic? Well, ready or not, here's the second and last tune the Stones performed on the so-called B-stage. And even though as a country-oriented song it's less typical for the band, Dead Flowers off Sticky Fingers from April 1971 is one of my favorite tracks from what has become my favorite Stones record. Again, it's a Jagger/Richards co-write. Take me down little Susie!
The last tune I'd like to highlight is one of my other favorites from the Stones: Jumpin' Jack Flash. Recorded during the Beggars Banquet sessions, the track was released as a single in May 1968. While officially it is only credited to Jagger and Richards, according to Wikipedia, then-bassist Bill Wyman in his autobiography Stone Alone wrote that he came up with the tune's signature guitar riff on a piano but wasn't acknowledged by the Glimmer Twins – that doesn't sound nice!
Here's the setlist from last night.
Street Fighting Man
Tumbling Dice
She's a Rainbow (audience request)
B-Stage / Acoustic:
Slipping Away (Keith Richards on lead vocals)
Before They Make Me Run (Keith Richards on lead vocals)
Midnight Rambler
(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction
Core members Mick Jagger (lead vocals, harmonica, guitar, percussion), Keith Richards (guitars, vocals), Ronnie Wood (guitars, backing vocals) and Charlie Watts (drums, percussion) were backed by Darryl Jones (bass), Chuck Leavell (keyboards, backing vocals), Matt Clifford (keyboards, percussion, French horn), Karl Denson (saxophone), Tim Ries (saxophone, keyboards), Sasha Allen (backing vocals) and Bernard Fowler (backing vocals, percussion). In addition to Jagger, Wood stood out to me with excellent guitar work among the Stones' core members. And while all supporting musicians were top-notch, I'd like to call out Jones for his killer bass solo in Miss You and Denson for his strong sax work, which was on display during Miss You and other tunes.
Three fun facts I learned: Jagger said last night was the first time for The Rolling Stones to play at MetLife Stadium. During band introductions, he called Charlie Watts Frank Sinatra's favorite drummer – an allusion to Watts' age who turned 78 in June? No idea, but I found it funny. Watts didn't look bothered by it. Opening act The Wombats, an indie rock and power pop band from Liverpool, England, during their set mentioned that it was one of their songs, Techno Fan, to which Jagger danced during his post-heart surgery practice video that went viral on the internet. It sounded like that song choice led to outreach to the Stones and to The Wombats opening up for them last night – cool story.
The Stones are playing MetLife Stadium again on Monday, August 5. Then it's on to Denver (Aug 10) and Seattle (Aug 14). The last North American date and I assume the end of the tour is in Miami on August 31. The No Filter Tour kicked off on September 9, 2017 in Hamburg, Germany. There were a few bigger breaks throughout the two-year span. The schedule for the remaining shows is here.
Sources: Wikipedia, Rolling Stones website, YouTube
Author christiansmusicmusingsPosted on August 2, 2019 Categories ConcertsTags Beggars Banquet, Bernard Fowler, Bill Wyman, Blues Rock, Charlie Watts, Chuck Leavell, Dead Flowers, Exile On Main Street, Frank Sinatra, Jumpin' Jack Flash, Karl Denson, Mick Jagger, Midnight Rambler, Miss You, No Filter Tour, Rock, Ronnie Wood, Sasha Allen, Sticky Fingers, Street Fighting Man, Techno Fan, The Rolling Stones, The Wombats, Tim Ries, Tumbling Dice17 Comments on 'Let's Spend The Night Together' Remains Compelling Rolling Stones Proposition
Kenny Wayne Shepherd Returns With Great New Album
Kenny Wayne Shepherd first entered my radar screen about two years ago with the release of his eighth studio album Lay It On Down, which I covered here at the time. Now, the Louisiana guitarist is back with The Traveler. While Shepherd's music remains anchored in blues rock, his latest release also offers flavors of country, Southern and straight rock. No matter how you characterize it, this record simply presents fun music by a great guitarist who also proves he's a pretty talented songwriter.
For quick background on Shepherd, I'm quoting from his website: "In a 20-year recording career that began when he was just 16, Shepherd has established himself as an immensely popular recording artist, a consistently in-demand live act and an influential force in a worldwide resurgence of interest in the blues…At 16 years old, he signed his first record deal and burst onto the national scene with the release of his 1995 debut album Ledbetter Heights…In 2013, Shepherd further expanded his musical horizons by teaming with veteran rockers Stephen Stills and Barry Goldberg to form THE RIDES, whose first album Can't Get Enough helped to expand Shepherd's audience as well as his musical resume."
Released last Friday, May 31, The Traveler is the Shepherd's ninth studio album. Eight of the ten tracks are originals written by Shepherd. In addition to playing guitar, he shares lead vocals with Noah Hunt, who has been part of the Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band since 1997. The other members include drummer Chris "Whipper" Layton, a co-founding member of Stevie Ray Vaughan's backing band Double Trouble; Joe Krown and Jimmy McGorman (both keyboards) and Scott Nelson (bass). The Traveler appears on Concord Records and was co-produced by Shepherd and Marshall Altman with whom Shepherd also worked on his previous two albums. Let's get to some music.
Here's the opener Woman Like You, a catchy blues rocker with some nice horn accents, featuring Hunt on lead vocals.
Long Time Running is another great rock tune with horns and Hunt singing lead.
I Want You combines a classic blues riff, great horn fills and a more contemporary drum sound. Here, Shepherd is also handling lead vocals. It is one of the few tunes where he is playing a more extended guitar solo, something that is largely absent on the other tracks.
On Tailwind, a Southern rock style, acoustic-oriented tune, the band is slowing things down. Once again, Hunt is providing lead vocals
The Traveler also includes two covers: Joe Walsh's Turn To Stone and Buffalo Springfield's Mr. Soul written by Neil Young. As a big Neil fan, I couldn't resist the latter. With the dominant horns, it's a pretty cool version, in my opinion.
"I like albums to have their own identity, and I don't want to be one of those artists where you know what it's going to sound like before you even hear it," Shepherd stated. "I want the new material to be original and give the listener something different. A lot of these songs represent stories I've picked up on the road, and the experiences we've had along the way."
"The main thing is to catch the essence of the live shows," Shepherd further pointed out. "We're a live band, and when people listen to our records, I want them to hear what we sound like when we play live. As far as my playing goes, I'm still refining my approach, and learning that it's not about showing off or how flashy you can play. It's about serving the song and playing what's right emotionally. I want to move people in the depths of their souls, and to stir my own spirit. The only way I know how to do that is to get everyone recording together in the same room, and everyone's making eye contact. That's how spontaneous moments happen."
Shepherd and his band are busy touring the U.S. and Europe for the remainder of the year. Most of the U.S. dates are with Buddy Guy – damn, this should be an awesome show! Some of the upcoming gigs include Flagstaff, Ariz. (Jun 8); Cincinnati (Jun 16) ; Red Bank, N.J. (Jun 18) – dangerously close to my house – and East Providence, R.I. (Jun 21). Starting toward the end of the month, Shepherd is playing a series of concerts in Europe before returning to the U.S. in late July. The full schedule is here.
Sources: Wikipedia, Kenny Wayne Shepherd website, Kenny Wayne Shepherd Facebook page, Glide Magazine, YouTube
Author christiansmusicmusingsPosted on June 4, 2019 June 4, 2019 Categories New MusicTags Barry Goldberg, Blues Rock, Buddy Guy, Buffalo Springfield, Can't Get Enough, Chris "Whipper" Layton, Double Trouble, I Want You, Jimmy McGorman, Joe Krown, Joe Walsh, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band, Lay It On Down, Ledbetter Heights, Long Time Running, Mr. Soul, Neil Young, Noah Hunt, Rock, Southern Rock, Stephen Stills, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Tailwind, The Rides, The Traveler, Turn To Stone, Woman Like You4 Comments on Kenny Wayne Shepherd Returns With Great New Album
Walter Trout At Iridium: Blistering Blues Rock And Tales Of Survival
"Personally, I'm happy to be anywhere," stated Walter Trout, as he was introducing the second tune of his set on Tuesday night at The Iridium in New York City. The 68-year-old blues veteran wasn't referring to the storied music club in Manhattan's Theater District, which has seen such luminaries like Les Paul, Jeff Beck, Buddy Guy, Joe Walsh, Joe Satriani and Mick Taylor. Trout was talking about being on planet earth. It was the first of repeated references to survival he made throughout the show.
Five years ago, Trout found himself near death in a hospital with liver failure. "I was in Canned Heat," he sarcastically remarked, referring to his four-year stint in the blues rock band from 1981 to 1985, adding he is the only survivor of their lineup at the time. Trout is alive thanks to a liver transplant he received in 1994. When he was released from the hospital, he had to learn again how to talk and how to walk – and, yes, how to play the guitar!
Noting that playing guitar was the only thing he had ever known and that he had been a guitarist since 1969, Trout said he practiced six to seven hours every day. Eventually, his skills came back. Trout's agonizing recovery took one year. In 2015, he documented his ordeal in what he described as a very dark album: Battle Scars. And in January this year, he released what's aptly called Survivor Blues, a covers album with tunes Trout feels are forgotten gems. I wrote about this excellent record here. In fact, it was that album that brought Trout on my radar screen, which culminated in Tuesday night's show. And boy, what a great gig it was to watch!
Clockwise: Walter Trout, Teddy Zig Zag, Michael Leasure, Johnny Griparic, Paul Schaffer and Anthony Grisham
For the most part, Trout played tunes from Survivor Blues, as well as his two preceding studio albums We're All In This Together (2017) and the aforementioned Battle Scars. His great backing band included Teddy Zig Zag (keyboards, harmonica, vocals), Michael Leasure (drums) and Johnny Griparic (bass). There were also appearances by two guests: Tour manager Anthony Grisham (guitar) and Paul Schaffer (keyboards).
Let's get to some music. With a pole right in front of me, taking video was a bit tricky. The first song I'd like to highlight is Me, My Guitar And The Blues from Survivor Blues. The powerful cover of Jimmy Dawkins' title track from his 1997 solo album was the above mentioned second tune of the set. At about 1:42 minutes into the song, Trout explains the idea behind the covers album.
Almost Gone is the opener to Battle Scars, the first album Trout recorded after his long recovery from his liver disease and transplant. Now I get the feelin' that somethin's goin' wrong/Can't help believin' I won't last too long/Won't last too long, too long/Hey, I can see the writing on the wall/Hey, I believe I'm about to lose it all/I look around, I look around and everything I see/Reminds me of the way, reminds me of the way I used to be…
Another track from Survivor Blues is a song written by Sunnyland Slim called Be Careful How You Vote. The title track to his 1989 studio album couldn't be more timely, but the true highlight is the music. In addition to Trout's guitar, the tune features great Hammond and harmonica work by Paul Schaffer and Teddy Zig Zag, respectively – and all of it over a nice shuffling groove. If you watch one clip only, I'd recommend this one – it's worth all of its 12 minutes and 14 seconds!
I'd like to conclude with the title track of Trout's 2017 studio album We're All In This Together. This tune features a guest appearance by Anthony Grisham who does a nice job on guitar, taking solo turns with Trout.
Toward the end of the show Trout, spoke passionately about organ donation. He noted in the U.S. there are currently 120,000 people waiting for an organ. Each month, time is running out for about 2,000 of them – a true national emergency, as he called it. Trout also reminded the audience that humans have eight vital organs that could potentially save eight lives, pointing to himself as living proof what organ donation can do. Since November 2015, Trout has been a patron of the British Liver Trust. He certainly is a compelling ambassador.
Tuesday's gig at The Iridium was Trout's third date during his ongoing U.S. tour. The next upcoming shows include Bay Shore, N.Y. (tonight), Pawtucket, R.I. (Friday) and Plymouth, N.H. (Saturday). Altogether, the U.S. leg includes 17 gigs and concludes on April 27 in Pelham, Tenn. The current schedule also shows dates in Europe in May, June, August and October.
Sources: Wikipedia, Walter Trout website, YouTube
Author christiansmusicmusingsPosted on April 11, 2019 Categories ConcertsTags Almost Gone, Battle Scars, Be Careful How You Vote, Blues, Blues Rock, Buddy Guy, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Dawkins, Joe Walsh, Johnny Griparic, Les Paul, Me, Michael Leasure, Mick Taylor, My Guitar And The Blues, Paul Schaffer, Sunnyland Slim, Survivor Blues, Teddy Zig Zag, Walter Trout, We're All In This Together20 Comments on Walter Trout At Iridium: Blistering Blues Rock And Tales Of Survival
Clips & Pix: Stevie Ray Vaughan/Tin Pan Alley
Stevie Ray Vaughan was one of the greatest blues rock guitarists who ever walked on the surface of the planet. Tin Pan Alley is one of my favorite Vaughan renditions and perhaps the coolest slow blues I know.
The above clip of Vaughan and his backing band Double Trouble was captured during an August 1984 open air festival at Lorelei, a famous steep slate rock in Germany on the bank of the river Rhine. The festival was conducted as part of Rockpalast, a well-known long-running German music TV program and concert series I previously covered here.
According to Wikipedia, Tin Pan Alley was originally credited to Robert Geddins; later credit was given to James Reed. Vaughan recorded the tune for his excellent second studio album Couldn't Stand The Weather, released in May 1984.
While this live take is busier and more aggressive than the studio version, and I generally think less is more when it comes to the blues, it still gives me goose bumps, and I just find it amazing to watch. It's also not a coincidence I'm featuring the song.
After more than 25 years since my band days as a bassist, I decided to buy an electric bass guitar and a small amp (both for house use and nothing fancy). My first experience playing with other guys was in a blues band, and Tin Pan Alley was one of the first songs I learned on the bass after I had joined them. I've always thought the bass part on this track is really cool. As such, I was happy I still know how to play it, though it's definitely gonna take time to get comfortable again with the instrument.
Sources: Wikipedia, Rockpalast website, YouTube
Author christiansmusicmusingsPosted on March 3, 2019 Categories Clips & PixTags Blues, Blues Rock, Couldn't Stand the Weather, Double Trouble, James Reed, Robert Geddins, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Tin Pan Alley11 Comments on Clips & Pix: Stevie Ray Vaughan/Tin Pan Alley