Review: NAMM music show The Anaheim Convention Center was once again the center of the musical instrument universe Jan 18-21, as the NAMM Show came to town. Some highlights from the hundreds of booths: iCOUSTICS, acoustic-electric guitars with speakers built into the sound hole so you can play without an amp, and play along with other sounds piped into your guitar via iPod or other instruments... RMS acoustic amp with sleek design (see below) and SIERRA guitars, from Musicorp -- stylish products, well made, lots of features, good price points (www.musicorp.com)... A new type of guitar capo that allows creation of new chords, since it effectively plays the bar chord for you (plus, turn it around and it's a regular capo -- two products in one!)... the very good VG line of Stratocaster electric guitars (from Fender and Roland) that lets you mimic many kinds of amp sound profiles, all from within the guitar (just plug it in, no extra boxes or wires needed to get the effects)... HotHand, a box allowing "tremelo in the air", just wave your strumming hand in the air after hitting a chord and you get the effect you normally get from that little silver wand on electric guitars -- surf guitar legend Dick Dale showed it off for onlookers... Piano Wizard, great learning software (Guitar Wizard comes later in 07)... and Peavey touted their TransTube amps -- true tube feel from a solid state (tubeless) product -- we at The LA Report have been Peavey fans for years. Stevie Wonder, Laurence Juber and Dale were among the many music stars who came through to perform or peruse during the four day expo. Can't wait for '08! --Don Rose Music Review: The Killers Gridlock, New Years Eve event, Jan 1 2007, Paramount Studios This hipster wannabe gathering for suburbanites and the generally clueless was the brainchild of a consortium of over ten of LA’s more successful club promoters. The ill fated evening is said to have been a break-even affair for the organizers, but at least someone made a killing. Dubiously revered as the “most significant band around,” by the UK Telegraph newspaper in an interview on January 3rd, Brandon Flowers and his clan commanded a rumored $400,000 for their New Years Eve performance at LA’s historic movie lot. Hailing from Las Vegas, the four member unit brandish a contemporary hipster swagger, one that defies the general lethargy of LA’s long redundant and painfully cliched rock posturing. Forget the leather trousers, tattoos and JD swilling, The Killers' melding of eighties rock and electronica offered a refreshing soiree of quality musicianship that translated well live. Flowers and Co’s youthful resilience and technical dexterity somehow convince that they're worth the money – even at $150 a ticket. Okay, they may have been hipster (ish) two years ago, but as four guys from Vegas in their mid twenties, they still carry more than monthly flavor. Yep, cliche for some is discovery for others, and despite the oasis of potential bohemia that is Paramount plummeting to the depths of rock concert suburbia, the band made it tolerable, performing all the high rotation hits; Mr Brightside, When You Were Young and Bones entertained via a blend of indie guitar appeal, competent vocal skills and nice mixing. Flowers' heritage as a Mormon fuels a sober ambition that sees The Killers maintain focus and lucidity. At 25 he fronts a band whose New Millennium commercial rock will have North American radio preoccupied for a while yet. Still, the 25 year old Flowers laments he will never emulate the output of his idols. "The Smiths released two albums a year, plus singles and fresh B-sides - that's just incredible to me," he says. "Look at the volume of product Bowie released just between 1970 and 1975. I don't know if we'll ever make that many records! Nowadays, it seems impossible to have a successful career without these long gaps between releases. Sam's Town is being released two years and four months after our first one because of all these other commitments, and I truly believe this kind of schedule is holding us back creatively.” | |
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New Music: PAUL McCARTNEY - CD Review "Memory Almost Full" - 13 new Macca tracks - comes out June 5, almost exactly 40 years after the Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper" debuted and helped usher in the Summer of Love. "Pepper" was a groundbreaking album. The new disc is not, but is a very good effort, and like many a Macca musical marvel of years past, can hook you on repeat listenings. The new CD has at least 2 tunes like that, which feel like hits (Dance Tonight and Ever Present Past), and there's lots more solid songcraft elsewhere as well (nostalgic track 9, That Was Me, especially pleased). Overall, the new CD may not sound as solid to some as his last effort, the acclaimed "Chaos and Creation in the Backyard," but I like the continuing inner exploration by Sir McCartney, sharing thoughts and feelings about his past and about growing older. (I mean, come on, even The Cute One can't rely on Silly Love Songs forever.) Perhaps, planned or not, he is in the midst of a "Paul-past" trilogy; if I'm right, his next album should be most interesting indeed, since Part 1 and Part 3 of most trilogies tend to be the best. --Don Rose (For Paul's side, see below.) Hear Music releases Paul McCartney’s 21st solo album on June 5th - the first release on the new Hear Music label (formed by Starbucks Entertainment and Concord Music Group). Memory Almost Full will be available at Starbucks locations and traditional music retail outlets internationally. Also, check out meyesight.com, Paul’s online scrapbook with exclusive Memory Almost Full assets just for fans. Below is a letter written by Paul McCartney himself introducing Memory Almost Full and explaining its creation: I started this album, Memory Almost Full, before my last album Chaos And Creation In The Backyard (released September 2005). The first recording session was back in the autumn of 2003 at Abbey Road with my touring band and producer David Kahne. I was right in the middle of it when I began talking with Nigel Godrich about a brand new project (which became Chaos And Creation In The Backyard).
After the Grammy nomination when everything concerning Chaos was finished I returned to making this album. I was wondering if I would enjoy it, but actually I really loved it. In places it’s a very personal record and a lot of it is retrospective, drawing from memories of being a kid from Liverpool and summers gone. The album is evocative, emotional, rocking, but I can’t really sum it up in one sentence.
There is a medley of 5 songs towards the end and that was purposefully retrospective. I thought this might be because I’m at this point in my life, but then I think about the times I was writing with John and a lot of that was also looking back. It’s like me with ‘Penny Lane’ and ‘Eleanor Rigby’ - I’m still up to the same tricks!
I know people are going to look at some of the songs and interpret them in different ways but this has always been the case. The thing is that I love writing songs, so I just write and write. I never really get to a point where I start thinking I’m going to write about specific subjects. Inevitably though, what I am thinking finds its way into what I’m writing.
The opening track of the album is ‘Dance Tonight’. I recently got myself a mandolin and I was just playing about with it and came up with the basis of this track. A couple of weeks ago we made the video, which was great fun. It’s directed by Michel Gondry (Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind) and stars Natalie Portman and Mackenzie Crook. We had a good time doing it.
The album title came after I had finished everything. For me, that’s when they normally come, with the exception of maybe Sgt. Peppers, otherwise I don’t think I have ever made an album with The Beatles, Wings or solo where I have thought of a title and a concept first. I was looking for something that would sum the whole thing up and ‘Memory Almost Full’ came to mind. It’s a phrase that seemed to embrace modern life; in modern life our brains can get a bit overloaded. I realized I had also seen it come up on my phone a few times. When I started bouncing the idea round with some friends they nearly all got different meanings out of it, but they all said they loved it. So the feedback helped solidify the title.
After completing the album I then started thinking about the album artwork and how I’d want it to look. I really wanted to make the CD a desirable object. Something that I know I’d want to pick up from the shelf, something that would make people curious. The album sleeve itself includes an etching by a friend of mine, Humphrey Ocean.
I really enjoyed making this album with David Kahne and I’m proud of all the songs. We had a great time. I hope that the fun we had will communicate itself to the people who are going to listen to it.
All the best, Paul McCartney, April 2007
Website Spotlite See "Home Purchasing Club" - a web comedy series that spoofs Home Shopping channels: www.BuyHPC.com . Notable episodes: “Baby No Go” and “One size fits all” -- both featuring Kristen Wiig, hilarious chamelienne from SNL '07. Broad(band) comedy videos and social networking in one -- that's one way to describe the idea behind SuperDeluxe -- superdeluxe.com -- a site with unique shows from top sketch/standup writers and performers (like Louis Katz and Richard Belzer, seen above). The LA press party Jan. 23 put on by Cornerstone Promotion brought out Jamie Kennedy plus other comedy kin and SuperDeluxians, at the cool art space Heavyweight (aka HVW8, 661 n Spaulding). NAPSTER is still offering a cool deal - a FREE 7 DAY TRIAL. The LA Report loves their recent banner ad, which says that if you have a favorite song you want to hear, you now have a week to "get sick of it". We also like their service. One reason: you can re-download paid tracks if you lose them or if they get damaged. Not all services do this. Viva Las Napster! www.napster.com Product Spotlite  RMSAC40 Acoustic Amp. Power: 40 watt RMS. Speaker: 10” (Woofer), 2” (Tweeter). 2 Channels with separate volume control: Channel One: 3 pin mic input, 1/4” line input, CD input, Volume control. Channel Two: 1/4” guitar input, Active/Passive electronics selector, Volume, 3 band EQ w/ mid frequency control, Reverb On/Off and reverb control, Chorus On/Off and chorus control, Effects loop (Send/Return), Line out, Power switch. Dimensions: 20”H x 23”W X 15”D. List: $199.99
D BRIEF: DVD-CD-HD  BEATLES - LOVE - Cirque soundtrack of the Vegas show: grade A. Many hail it as a masterpiece. I stop short of that, but it is a great album. Reminds me of the effect Brian Wilson's SMiLE first gave my ears. Both discs are sonic heaven. LOVE makes you SMiLE.
Rhino and Elektra Records salute the 40th anniversary of one of the greatest rock bands ever with the release of Perception. A 6-CD, 6-DVD boxed set! Presents all of The Doors' classic studio albums with legendary vocalist Jim Morrison, each supplemented with rare and unreleased audio and video tracks. Perception was produced in cooperation with surviving band members John Densmore (drums), Robby Krieger (guitar), and Ray Manzarek (keyboards), with The Doors' longtime engineer Bruce Botnick back behind the boards. Each of the six albums is presented with bonus audio - much of it previously unreleased - on a remastered CD along with an additional DVD including a 5.1 DTS encoded Surround Sound mix of the album and additional tracks as well as a photo gallery, lyrics, and discography, and two videos of songs from that album.The box itself is cool and clever, with a peephole to peer into. Also released: a new coffee table book "The Doors by The Doors." To celebrate all this Doorsmania, all 3 surviving Doors took over the Sunset Strip last November for book signings, an exhibit viewing and a live performance at the Whisky. more>>
Show your phone The Doors! Text Doors to 74466 for official Doors Ringtones and more. Requires compatible handset and service through participating carriers. Standard text messaging rates apply. See your contract for details. Available content subject to change. (c) 2006 rhino.  PET SOUNDS 40th Anniversary Edition, out on Capitol (shown here) -- the Good Vibrations sound better than ever. Beach Boys' best. You can hear the genius behind Pet Sounds LIVE this summer, as BRIAN WILSON is touring.
Jerry Lee Lewis recently released Last Man Standing, a set of duets and special guest appearances featuring music greats like Jimmy Page, Springsteen, Neil Young, Eric Clapton. I liked the Ringo rocker, especially the brief closing banter between Lewis and Starr. The album title stems from the fact that, of the Great Talents launched by Sun Records (JLL, Elvis, Johnny Cash), Jerry Lee is the last one still alive (and rockin'). Shout! Factory DVD release: the latest in the exclusive line of Dick Cavett DVD Titles, Hollywood Greats. In stores September 12, the collection features interviews with Bette Davis, Marlon Brando, Katharine Hepburn, Alfred Hitchcock, and Orson Welles among other Hollywood legends. (More on Shout! Factory below.) 
The Quiet Earth is finally out on DVD. A must-see sci-fi classic from New Zealand, an intelligent 1985 "last man on Earth" tale. An appealing apocalyptic-aftermath tale.
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 EARTHQUAKE DESTROYS LA!
Okay, not a real one, but a damn good stimulation in the 1974 all-star classic film starring Charlton Heston. Universal Studios Home Entertainment's EARTHQUAKE is now on DVD. More EARTHQUAKE DVD info here. SOMETHING TO SHOUT ABOUT: Shout! Factory is an L.A.-based company that consistently releases stellar product, which The LA Report gives high marks to. From their SCTV boxsets to their Dick Cavett collections and Herb Alpert 's "Re-Whipped" classics, they always seem to hit homeruns. One of their releases, "Under the Covers" from hip pop rockers Sid 'n Susie (aka Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs of the Bangles) was featured on another LA treasure, "Breakfast with the Beatles" (radio show hosted by Chris Carter). Learn more about all the fine Shout Factory items at www.shoutfactory.com.
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DEAN DEAL: GO GETTA GREAT GUITAR The LA Report likes this deal - a DEAN acoustic guitar with nice hardshell case, under $200, at WEST LA MUSIC on Santa Monica Blvd just west of the 405 freeway. |
RIP James Brown: A Remembrance from Dawn Laureen (Special to The LA Report) 
Out of all the wonderful people I have met, I was in complete awe of Mr. Brown. I met him and his late wife at the House of Blues - in one of the private rooms within the Foundation Room in the 90s. I was in the green room, waiting for the show to go on, when a gentleman in a off-white tuxedo rushed into the room asking for the photographer. I identified myself as that person and he said "Come with me - Mr. Brown would like some photographs taken."
I was led into the smallest of the private rooms within the Foundation Room. It was about 10 x 5. Mr. Brown was there, his right hand man (I can't remember his name), his wife and some of the backup singers.
Mr. Brown wanted photos of him with his wife, and his right hand man. I then became part of Mr. Brown's personal entourage (and photographer) that evening. Later, as we made our way through the Foundation Room with Mr. Brown leading us -- Mrs. Brown, then me, Mr. Brown's right hand man, and the other gals in line -- everyone in the room stopped what they were doing and saying and turned their heads to look in awe at the Godfather of Soul as he exited the Foundation Room to hit the stage.
The next night, I went to Mr. Brown's signing at the Virgin Records store - to give him a duplicate set of photos that I had taken of him the night before. He was surprised and appreciative when I handed him the photographs. He couldn't believe they were for him. He thought I wanted him to sign them for myself.
I did ask him to sign the photo of me with him, which he did. Then, he took the duplicate photo of me with him, turned it around to face me right side up and asked ME to sign if for HIM. I was so stunned that my brain blanked out and I was only able to sign my name.
Later, I received an honorable award from the Advertising Photographers Association for one of my photographs of Mr. Brown from that evening.
A great man who influenced my musical and photographic world... Merry Christmas to the Godfather of Soul and to all of you.
xo
Dawn www.dawnlaureen.com |
trivia question
What are the odds that 2 of the greatest pop singer-songwriters ever -- both rising to fame in the 60's, both writing a classic tune nominated for Song of the Year in 1968 -- would have the same first name? Who are they? What are the songs? Scroll down for the answers. pop culture spotlight: 1966!
Even if you didn't major in math you probably can figure out that last year was the 40th anniversary of the year 1966 -- the year media-historian, author and producer Hal Lifson dubbed the greatest year ever for pop culture.
And it's hard to argue with his thesis. Look at all that spawned during that seminal year: Star Trek, the Monkees, Batman (the campy TV series), the Beatles' REVOLVER album (often voted best of all time in music polls) and the Beach Boys PET SOUNDS album (re-released last year in a grand 40th anniversary edition by Capitol). Get the new Pet Sounds and celebrate - or re-listen to Revolver (I even saw it at Starbucks -- at inflated prices, of course) - and while you're at it, get Lifson's 1966! book and CD, both will give you hours of endless summer fun, in any season.
trivia answer
Paul McCartney and Paul Simon. Macca's "Hey Jude" battled Simon's "Mrs. Robinson" for best song of 1968; Simon won. (The latter Paul's latest CD called "Surprise" was featured in a wonderful 2 hour special aired on KCRW's show "New Ground" hosted by Chris Douridas; check KCRW.com or KCRWmusic.com for the show's availability online.)
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Beatle Hollywood Bowl concerts remembered... part of LA lore...  Les Perry's fine LA Beatle show on KCSN FM (Sundays 10am--2pm) recently played raw recordings of the Fab Four playing at the Hollywood Bowl in 1964 and 65, including an intro by then-DJ Bob Eubanks, whose mortgage money helped bring the Fabs to LA. Let's all tell Les to play More of this stuff! Twas great, gear, not grotty, and all that rot. Carry on, then.
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