Hope Concert VI Count Basie Theatre 12/23/2012

 Bobby Bandiera presented his now annual Christmas/Holiday Concert at the Count Basie Theatre this past weekend.
 For those who do not know, Bobby is currently the side additional guitarist Bon Jovi uses on their tours, and also the guitarist with the Asbury Jukes. Each year Bobby presents a holiday concert at the Count Basie Theatre with funds raised going to local charities, this year being the Parker Family Center and The Cancer Institute of New Jersey. Of course the recent effects of Superstorm Sandy were addressed several times and had a big part to do with the song selection for the show. During Southside Johnny's Better Days, he changed one lyric to state "Last night I saw Sea Bright Sleeping in the street".
 As usual Gary U.S. Bonds and Southside Johnny were announced, and the night included a couple special guests, Jon Bon Jovi, David Bryan of Bon Jovi and the amazing Ben E. King.
 The majority of the show had a backing band which included, Joe Bellia and Rich Scannella on drums, John Berry on trumpet, Jim Celestino on guitar, Graham Maby on bass, Bob Burger and Ray Andersen on guitar, Lorenza Ponce on violin & backing vocals and of course Bobby Bandiera on guitar, among many others.
  The show, as it usually is, was very fun and full of performers performing with each other. The clear highlight for me was Southside Johnny and Gary U.S. Bonds performance of the Sam & Dave classic Hold On I'm Comin", where Ben E. King came out and joined them in what felt like a true New Jersey jam session.
  Here is the setlist with main performers noted(where possible).

       Tim McCloone

            Most Wonderful Time of the Year
            It's a Marshmallow World-Maureen McCrink Lead Vocals
            White Christmas-Layonne Holmes-Lead Vocals
            You're a Mean One Mr. Grinch
            All Alone on Christmas w/ Bobby Bandiera on guitar

       Bobby Bandiera's Rock & Soul Revue

            Blue Christmas-Jon Bon Jovi w/David Bryan on Keyboards
            Run Rudolph Run-Jon Bon Jovi w/David Bryan on Keyboards
            The Letter(Boxtops/Joe Cocker cover)-Jon Bon Jovi w/David Bryan on Keyboards
            Who Says You Can't Go Home-Jon Bon Jovi w/David Bryan on Keyboards & Lorenza Ponce on violin

            It Don't Come Easy(Ringo Starr cover)-Jim Celestino Lead Vocal
            Too Much Heaven(Bee Gee's Cover)
            Presence of the Lord(Blind Faith Cover)-Layonne Holmes Lead Vocal
            Vehicle(Ides of March Cover)-Ray Andersen Lead Vocal
            Tragedy(Bee Gees cover)
            Bridge Over Troubled Water(Simon & Garfunkel cover)-Bobby Bandiera Lead Vocals
        
            This Magic Moment-Ben E. King w/Southside Johnny on Backing Vocals
            Spanish Harlem-Ben E. King w/Southside Johnny on Backing Vocals
            Under the Boardwalk-Ben E. King w/Southside Johnny on Backing Vocals

            Christmas is On-Gary U.S. Bonds
            This Little Girl-Gary U.S. Bonds
            Jole Blon-Gary U.S. Bonds

            Hold On I'm Comin'(Sam & Dave cover)-Southside Johnny, Gary U.S. Bonds, Ben E. King
            White Christmas-Southside Johnny, Gary U.S. Bonds, Ben E. King
            Better Days-Southside Johnny
            I Don't Wanna Go Home-Southside Johnny
            This Time It's For Real-Southside Johnny
            Hearts of Stone-Southside Johnny
            Talk To Me-Southside Johnny

            Goodnight Sweetheart-All
            Stand By Me-All
            



           

Merry Christmas 2012

Hidden Mickey's 2012

 A few hidden Mickey's from our trip to Disney World.

Dave Brubeck - R.I.P.

My Hometown Oct. 29 & 31 2012

Well I guess everything dies baby, that's a fact, but maybe everything that dies someday comes back.*

 *Atlantic City by Bruce Springsteen

                                    

Jersey Shore Oct. 28 & 29

             I hope everyone stays as safe as possible.

Love for Levon - Izod Center 10/3/2012

          Last night I was fortunate to see the Love for Levon concert at the Izod Center in New Jersey. The concert was a benefit to save the Barn, the home of Levon's Midnight Rambles since 2005.
          Both the Dirt Farmer Band and the larger Levon Helm Band, now the Midnight Ramble Band, acted as house band. The band features leader Larry Campbell on Guitar and Fiddle,Amy Helm & Teresa Williams on vocals, Justin Guip on drums, Jim Weider on Guitar, Brian Mitchell on keyboards, Erik Lawrence and Jay Collins on saxophone, Howard Johnson on Tuba and Steve Bernestin on Trombone. these great musicians played throughout the show and were joined by musical director Don Was on bass. Kenny Aronoff, Shawn Pelton & Jaimoe(from the Allman Brothers) shared drum duties, along with Steve Jordan guesting on a couple songs. G.E. Smith played guitar throughout the night also.
           I was not sure what the format on the show would be. Would artists come and go or jam throughout the show? Would they do Levon /Band songs, or their own songs, or both?
           The show started with Q104.3 DJ Ken Dashow telling a story about meeting Levon at the old Lone Star Road House. Allman Brothers/Govt. Mule guitarist Warren Haynes quickly came out and got the show started. From there on, all the performers sang songs that were affiliated with Levon and the Band. An amazing show and one filled with great performances. Larry Campbell introduced the artists for each song. Original Band member Garth Hudson joined on a couple songs also.
           Here is the setlist with the featured performers.

                The Shape I'm In - Warren Haynes
                Long Black Veil - Gregg Allman & Warren Haynes
                Trouble in Mind - Jorma Kaukonen & Barry Mitterhoff of Hot Tuna
                The Wheels on Fire - Midnight Ramble Band w/Larry Campbell Lead Vocals
                Little Birds - Midnight Ramble Band w/Amy Helm & Teresa Williams Vocals
                Listening to Levon - Marc Cohn
                Move Along Train - Mavis Staples
                Life is a Carnival - Allen Toussaint
                When I Paint My Masterpiece - John Prine & Garth Hudson on Accordian
                Anna Lee - Bruce Hornsby
                Ain't Got No Home - Jakob Dylan & Rami Jaffee/keyboards of the Wallflowers
                Whispering Pines - Lucinda Williams w/Rami Jaffee on Keyboards
                Rag Mama Rag - John Hiatt & Mike Gordon of Phish on Bass
                     
                                              Intermission

                Baby Don't You Do It - David Bromberg & Joan Osbourne w/Rami Jaffee on Keyboards
                I Shall be Released - Grace Potter
                Tears of Rage - Ray LaMontagne & John Mayer on Guitar, Rami Jaffee on Keyboards
                Rockin' Chair - Dierks Bentley w/Jon Randall & Jessi Alexander
                Chest Fever - Dierks Bentley w/Jon Randall, Jessi Alexander and Garth Hudson on Organ
                A Train Robbery - Eric Church
                Get Up Jake - Eric Church w/Rami Jaffee on Keyboards
                Tennessee Jed - Larry Campbell Lead Vocals, John Mayer Guitar, Steve Jordan Drums
                Up on Cripple Creek - Joe Walsh & Robert Randolph w/Rami Jaffee on Keyboards
                Ophelia - My Morning Jacket
                It Makes No Difference - My Morning Jacket
                The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down - Roger Waters & My Morning Jacket
                Wide River to Cross - Roger Waters

                The Weight - All

Happy 4th of July

Andy Griffith

                                                                              R.I.P.

Donna Summer - R.I.P.

Long live the Queen

Imagination Movers-Count Basie Theatre 5/10/2012

     The Imagination Movers came to Red Bank New Jersey just as they did last year. We took our little angel to see the 4:00 show and had a great time.
     The Imagination Movers consist of Rich Collins, Scott Durbin, Dave Poche and Scott "Smitty" Smith. For their Rock-O-Matic tour, additional musicians Kyle Melancon on drums and Brian(not sure of his last name) on keyboards and bass fill out the band.
     As with the shows last year, the Movers put on a show that was not only great for kids, but one that adults could have great time at also. They mixed in classic pop and rock songs into their own great songs. They also lip synched one song(ABOVE), so they could perform a group dance number.
     Some references to famous locals Bruce Springsteen and Kevin Smith were made a couple times during the show, and a snippet of Rosalita was played during the final song.
     They all ventured out into the audience to interact with the children in the audience. Rich even made his way into the balcony to make sure all the kids got a chance to high five him.
     Hopefully they will make Red Bank an annual stop so we can get a chance to see them as much as possible.
     Here is the setlist and some photos.

        Dance Kung Fu(first verse & chorus) / Imagination Movers Theme Song
        Shakeable You
        Friendly Guy
        Everybody Sing
        Rollin'
        Peter Gunn Theme
        Buckets & Cans / Jump(Kriss Kross cover) / Jump(Van Halen cover)
        Playing Catch / Twist & Shout / Shout(Isley Bros. cover) / Shout (Tears For Fears cover)
        Mother in You
        Seven Days a Week
        Get Up / Walk This Way(Aerosmith cover)-See clip above
        Brainstorming
        Rock-O-Matic
        Mover Music(Jump Up)

        Clocks(Coldplay cover) / All the Small Things(Blink 182 cover)
        My Favorite Snack
        Price Tag(Jessie J cover) / One(U2 cover)
        Put Your Hands Up

    

Squeeze-Count Basie Theatre 4/25/2012

Last night Squeeze and The English Beat performed at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank New Jersey.
The current line up of Squeeze features Glen Tilbrook and Chris Difford of course, the brilliant songwriters who have written some of the best songs of the past 30+ years. They are joined by bassist John Bentley who was with the band for 3 of their best albums; Argy Bargy, East Side Story & Sweets From a Stranger. Simon Hanson and Stephen Large on drums and bass respectively, are from Glen's band The Fluffers.
I have seen Glen several times solo, but this is only the second time I have seen Squeeze, the first being in 1985. They were great and will hopefully continue to tour for years to come. Glen and Chris' voices sound virtually unchanged since last time I saw them.The setlist contained 22 songs and not one bad choice among the 22. I can think of probably 25 more songs off the top of my head that I would love for them to have done in addition to those. They could easily make 3 setlists without any duplications and they would each be great.
Opening for Squeeze were the English Beat. Dave Wakeling is the only original member of this line up of the English Beat, with Ranking Roger fronting the U.K. version of the band.
Still, the Beat were loved by the crowd, and performed several of their hits, along with Tenderness, a hit for Wakeling's other band General Public.
Opening the show was local band River City Extension, who got a very warm reception. Glenn Tilbrook even joined them on guitar for Mexico.
Here is the setlist. Although The Knack was listed on the Squeeze setlist, it was not performed.

                     The English Beat
                  I'll Take You There
                  I Confess
                  Tears of a Clown
                  Tenderness
                  Ranking Full Stop
                  Mirror in the Bathroom
                  Save it For Later

                      Squeeze

                  Take Me I'm Yours
                  If I Didn't Love You
                  Tough Love
                  In Quintessence
                  Revue
                  Model
                  Who's That
                  Is That Love
                  Points of View
                  Melody Motel
                  Heaven
                  Bang Bang
                  Cool For Cats
                  Up the Junction
                  Another Nail in My Heart
                  Goodbye Girl
                  Annie Get Your Gun
                  Hourglass
                  Pulling Mussels(From the Shell)

                  Slap and Tickle
                  Tempted
                  Black Coffee in Bed

In Memoriam-Levon Helm

       The great Levon Helm, drummer and singer for The Band, passed away today at the age of 71. Mr. Helm was also an accomplised actor, probably best remembered for his portrayal of Loretta Lynn's father in Coal Miner's Daughter.

        I was fortunate to see Mr. Helm perform in the first incarnation of Ringo Starr's All Starr Band back in 1989. He performed such classic Band songs as Up on Cripple Creek and The Weight. He also played The Shape I'm In which was sung by fellow All Starr Rick Danko who was also one of Levon's Band mates. If that wasn't enough, he played alongside 4 other great drummers during that show: Ringo Starr, Jim Keltner, Zak Starkey and Max Weinberg. I imagine they felt pretty lucky too.
        My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends, and i wish him much peace. Take a load off.
       

Dick Clark R.I.P.

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

          This weekend the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame will hold its annual induction ceremony. Congratulations to all this years inductees.
           Sadly, the Rock Hall has failed to include a few bands who, like them or not, should probably be included. Don't get me wrong, the Rock Hall is great. I have been able to visit it a couple times and find it to be one remarkable place, despite disagreeing on several omissions over the years.
           Here are some of the performers I would like to see inducted, in no particular order.

       Dire Straits: Some of the best pub rock you can imagine with one of the most distinctive guitar sounds ever.

       Rush: Not a big fan, but surely deserving of being inducted.

       Kiss: See Rush, plus they created rock marketing.

       Chicago: Great musicianship and a killer horn section.

       Emerson Lake & Palmer: The Rock Hall is not a fan or Prog rock. Genesis was inducted more for the Phil Collins era.

       Yes: Ditto

       Jethro Tull: A great band who made so many themed albums, and continually had great musicians. Barrimore Barlow is one of the greatest drummers ever.

       Cliff Richard: The British Elvis. Never a huge chart act in the United States, so he may never get in.

       Bon Jovi: Amazing live shows. One of the greatest criteria of rock music is that it can be fun. As my wife says, if Jon looked like Tom Petty they'd be in.

       Squeeze: Great songs about life for young adults living in London. Pulling Mussels, Black Coffee in Bed, Tempted, Annie Get Your Gun are some of their best, most popular songs, and they have about 50 more that are even better.

       Go Go's: One of the first popular all girl groups who played their own instruments. Incredibly catchy songs, that are still good.

      
    

Happy Birthday

           For our little angel.

Well now on a summer night in a dusky room
Come a little piece of the Lord's undying light
Crying like he swallowed the fiery moon
In his mother's arms it was all the beauty I could take
Like the missing words to some prayer that I could never make
In a world so hard and dirty so fouled and confused
Searching for a little bit of God's mercy
I found living proof


                                                  From  Bruce Springsteen's Living Proof

Loretta Lynn-Morristown Community Theatre 3/30/2012

    I finally was able to see the legendary Loretta Lynn in concert in Morristown New Jersey the other night. At 76 years old, and with 2 broken ribs, she sounded pretty amazing and performed for close to an hour.
   Her back up band The Coalminers opened with a couple songs, who were followed by Loretta Lynn's twin daughters Peggy and Patsy then performed a few of their own songs before thelegendary Ms. Lynn performed.
  Ms. Lynn took requests and performed many of her songs which are considered country classics. Towards the end of the set, the Coalminers took center stage to perform a couple songs.
  An acoustic version of Citizens Band Radio performed a well received set to warm the crowd up prior to Loretta Lynn's band.

  Here is the setlist.

               The Coalminers

  Love's Gonna Live Here Again

 When I'm Gone

               Peggy & Patsy Lynn

 All I Gotta Say About That

 One of These Lonely Nights

 Livin' on Tulsa Time


               Loretta Lynn

 They Don't Make 'Em Like My Daddy Anymore

 You're Lookin' at Country

 When the Tingle Becomes a Chill

  I Wanna Be Free

 Here I Am Again

 You Ain't Woman Enough to Take My Man

 Blue Kentucky Girl

 Fist City

 She's Got You

 Lead Me On

 Honky Tonk Girl

 One's on the Way / The Pill

 Your Squaw is on the Warpath

 Somebody Somewhere(Don't Know What He's Missin' Tonight)

 Don't Come Home a Drinkin'(With Lovin' on Your Mind)

 Hole In The World / How Long (Eagles Cover) - The Coalminers

 Man of Constant Sorrow - The Coalminers

 Gospel Medley(Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven/Who Says God's Dead/Where No One Stands Alone)

 Coal Miners Daughter

Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band-Wells Fargo Center 3/29/12

           I was fortunate to see Bruce and the expanded E Street Band on Thursday night in Philadelphia. Many changes in the setlist from the previous nights show. The band sounded great and the crowd was just as good. I love the early stages of Bruce's tours because they tend to be heavy on new material, and the concert "theme" is very much dictated by the new material.
           Of course being in Philly meant taking advantage of one of the cities delicacies.
           Here is the setlist and some photos from the area. Tour premieres are in bold.

    We Take Care of Our Own
    Wrecking Ball
    Night
    Death to My Hometown
    My City of Ruins
    Thundercrack
    Jack of All Trades
    Trapped
    Easy Money
    Prove It All Night
    Darkness on the Edge of Town
    Waitin' on a Sunny Day
    The Promised Land
    Apollo Medley(The Way You Do the Things You Do/364-5789)
    Streets of Philadelphia
    The Rising
    We Are Alive
    Thunder Road
    ****Encore****

    Rocky Ground (with Michelle Moore)
    Kitty's Back    
    Born to Run
    Dancing in the Dark
    Tenth Avenue Freeze-out

2012 Academy Award Nominations

                  This year the Academy has decided that the amount of movies nominated for best picture can range from no less than 5 and no more than 10. Here are the films I think will be nominated for Best Picture.

              The Artist
              The Descendants
              Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
              The Help
              Hugo
              Ides of March
              Midnight in Paris
              Moneyball
              War Horse
            

Light of Day 12-Paramount Theatre- 1/14/2012

             The annual Light of Day concerts came to Asbury Park New Jersey January 11-15. What was once a one night event has become an all out festival. In Asbury Park alone there were 16 different shows for the Light of Day organization, which raises awareness and funds for Parkinson's and ALS research. The initial concert and now festival all originated with Bob Benjamin, a local concert promoter/manager.
              Each year the central concert usually features Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers, except for the second year, where Joe performed with No Spring Chickens.
              For the fourth year in a row, this concert was held at the Paramount Theatre in Asbury Park. The line up, as in other years, features several full band performances interspersed with solo acoustic performances. Most of the performers have performed at the Light of Day shows at some point. Each year, these artists give their time and talent to this great cause, and in true New Jersey music fashion, join each other throughout the evening.
              Joe Grushecky was once again the headliner, and was joined for the 9th time at the Light of Day shows by longtime friend and sometime collaborator Bruce Springsteen.
              This years lineup included Lisa Bouchelle, Garland Jeffreys, Joe D'Urso & Stone Caravan, John Eddie, Willie Nile and Southside Johnny & the Poor Fools. The Poor Fools are made up of a few members of the Jukes and Soozie Tyrell of the E Street Band. Music legend David Bromberg performed at this years benefit along with the great Peter Ecklund on trumpet. Mr. Ecklund has been living with Parkinson's disease since 1999 yet continues to perform and record. Sadly for the first song he joined Mr. Bromberg on, his microphone was not working well, but that was quickly fixed.
              For the encore, Max Weinberg of the E Street Band took over drum duty for Joffo Simmons of the Houserockers.
              For the second straight year the Rock and Roll Chorus opened the show with a few pop/rock covers.
              Here's hoping that in the near future, we can have these concerts again, but celebrating the fact that a cure has been for for Parkinson's & ALS. Then the same can be done for another good cause.

              Here is the setlist. If a song is completely unknown, I will mark with question marks(???????).

                      Rock and Roll Chorus
                        Animal
                        I Saw Her Standing There
                        Who Loves You
                        Home Sweet Home
                        Thank You

                     Rob Dye
                       Precious Ones
                       Cars Trucks & Buses

                     Lisa Bouchelle
                        Take it Out on Me
                        Heaven on Credit
                        Only the Tequila Talking w/Guy Peterson
                        American Dreams Gone Wrong
                        Midnight Special
                        Kitchen

                     Anthony D'Amato
                        Arrowhead
                        On the Banks of the River Where I Died
      
                     Joe D'Urso & Stone Caravan
                        Noisy Guitars w/snippet of I Wanna be Sedated
                        Let it Go
                        Tell Me Why w/ Peter Obitz
                        Waitin' on a Train
                        All I Needed Was You(Southside Johnny cover) w/Linda Chorney & Willie Nile
                        Come Down With Me Tonight

                     Bruce Tunkel
                        You Found Me
                        Land of the Free

                     Garland Jeffreys
                        Coney Island Winter
                        I'm Alive
                       Contortionist
                       'Til John Lee Hooker Calls Me
                       35 Millimeter Dreams
                       Wild in the Street w/Bruce Springsteen
                       96 Tears

                     Linda Chorney
                        Fins
                        Cherries

                     John Eddie
                        Happy New Year
                        Seemed Like a Good Idea At the Time
                        Fall For It Every Time
                        Drink Me Rich
                        Going Straight to Hell
                        Low Life

                     David Bromberg
                        Demon in Disguise
                        Bring It With You When You Come/Wooly Bully w/Peter Ecklund
                        Nobody Knows w/Peter Ecklund
                        Statesborough Blues

                     Willie Nile
                        Gotta Be a Buddha in a Place Like This
                        Cell Phones Ringing in the Pockets of the Dead
                        The Innocent Ones
                        House of 1000 Guitars
                        Blitzkrieg Bop/California Sun/Sheena is a Punk Rocker(Ramones Medley)
                        One Guitar w/Bruce Springsteen & Dime Store Junkies, James Maddock

                    Israel Nash Gripka
                        Let it Go
                        Fools Gold

                    Southside Johnny & the Poor Fools

                      Set included

                      Postcards From Hell
                      Love on the Wrong Side of Town
                      Can't Let Go(Lucinda Williams cover) Soozie Tyrell Lead Vocal
                      I Don't Want to Go Home
                      Trapped Again

                    James Maddock
                      4 song set included
                      Chance                
               
                    Bruce Springsteen
                      Incident on 57th Street- solo acoustic

                    Joe Grushecky & the Houserockers

                      ???????????????? w/David Bromberg
                      East Carson Street

                    With Bruce Springsteen from here on

                      Darkness on the Edge of Town
                      Never be Enough Time
                      Adam Raised a Cain
                      Save My Love
                      Talking to the King
                      Atlantic City
                      Johnny 99
                      I'm Not Sleeping
                      Because the Night w/John Eddie, Garland Jeffreys & Willie Nile
                      Waitin' on a Sunny Day
                      Pumping Iron
                      Light of Day w/Max Weinberg & All
                      Promised Land w/Max Weinberg & All
                      Twist & Shout w/Max Weinberg & All
                      Thunder Road  Bruce Solo w/ Joe Pelesky of the Houserockers & Boccigalupe on keyboards

                     
             
                        
                

Light of Day Kids Show-McLoones Supper Club 1/14/2012

        This year the Light of Day concert series held it's first ever kids show at McLoones Supper Club in Asbury Park.
         Kids were treated to Dawnie, of Peanut Butter & Jammin, Mr. Ray, and Rock Academy Kids Bands.
         Dawnie,AKA Dawne Allyne, performed solo and performed  several of her songs including Little Caterpillar, The Kangaroo Hop, Silly Willy Freeze, The Great Big Castle and Imagination Train Station.

         Mr. Ray, Ray Andersen, performed with Joe Bellia on drums and Mike Doktorski on bass. He performed such songs as I'd be a Dinosaur, Kalien the Alien and fittingly, Teach Your Children.
         A very fun show for a great cause.