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Past Day-In Day-Outs |
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June 14, 2008: It was with great sadness that I learned today that Jack Rootoo, the guitar player for Lou Miami and the Kozmetix, as well as the band Girl On Top passed away, after a brief battle with cancer.
I still receive, on average probably one email a month from people who write me to share their memories of seeing Lou Miami in and around Boston in the late 70's early 80's - which is quite a testament to just how truly great they were. I mean consiDEr, this is a band that had not played together in about 20 years, never had a huge record (releasing only a couple EPs and the infamous Fascist Lover 45 during their brief reign over Boston's punk scene). And certainly, Jack Rootoo's guitar sound was a MAJOR part of the Kozmetix sound. With Lou as the wild front man, it was Jack who looked like your average male librarian or something, without a single windmill, or ever trying to hog the spotlight, who quietly supplied the ferocious power - his borDEring on amateur, and yet amazing in its own way, surf twang meets Sex Pistols, Les Paul providing the groove that launched a thousand slam dances. He will be DEeply missed. BesiDEs seeing Jack perform many many time over the years, I had the great fortune to meet him several times, and got to hang out with him, and he always struck me as a very gentle soul and a real sweet guy. That's how I knew him anyway. Jack also played for a band called Girl On Top after Lou also sadly left this world several years ago. That band, fronted to by the totally ass-kickin' Karen DEbiasse, still plays around the Boston area. Her husband is now the guitarist in that band and he also kicks up a storm. Try and catch them if you can. Buy them a drink and tell them DEmerson said hi - if I'm not there to share one with you. Jack was originally from Abington, MA - as was Lou Miami (both were stage names).
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April, 2008: I caught my first musical offering of 2008 and it was a great one. I once again saw one of my all-time faves, America's best party band, the B-52's, who played The Paradise in Boston on April 23rd. Tremendous show, as always. I got there fairly early, and managed to grab a spot right in the first row, in front of the beautiful Cindy, and rocking Keith. Loud, hot and sweaty show in a small, packed club - just the way rock and roll should be. Excellent opening act too in Eagle Seagull, out of Nebraska, who I thought were terrific - I predict them to become the next ArcaDE Fire. I managed to get a set list off the stage (thanks to Margaret who gave it to me!) and later I got autographs from both Kate and Cindy outsiDE the club - they were both total sweeties - signing away, taking pics with the couple dozen hardcore fans who had hung around. I also got a bashed up drum stick that had been used to good effect by Sterling 'Monster' Campbell - who also drums for David Bowie, and is always superb. Here's the set list for The B-52's at the Paradise, Boston, 4/23/08:
Pump, Mesopatamia, Private Idaho, Ultraviolet
Give Me Back My Man (Awesome!)
Strobe Light (Fred: "Then I'm gonna kiss your Boston Cream Pie!" lol)
Juliet of the Spirits
Roam (2 great Cindy/Kate tunes)
Funplex, Hot Corner
Keep This Party Going
Party Out Of Bounds
Love Shack, Encore:
Planet Claire (totally rocking)
Love in the Year 3000 (my favorite off the new one, and a true blast-off live)
Rock Lobster (of course -it wouldn't be a B's show without it!)
The B-52's will be doing a bunch of US club shows, before then joining Cyndi Lauper on her True Colors tour over the summer. All in support for the EXCELLENT new Funplex, their first new album in about 16 years. Catch them if you can! And you can still check here for a few pics of me hanging with the B-52's's before their show on Cape Cod last year.
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March, 2008: I watched the movie New York Doll recently and really enjoyed it. This is the story of Arthur 'Killer' Kane, the original bass player for the infamous glam/punk band The New York Dolls, who when we first see him is this down on his luck schlub - embittered and living in LA, recently converted to Mormonism - he's about the last guy you'd expect was ever a rock star. Then his wilDEst dreams come true when Morrissey invites the Dolls to play the Meltdown Festival in London. And so singer David Johansen (still oozing rock star, downtown funky but chic charisma) and the gang get together for a show. Kind of a documentary feel to it, but you could not have asked for a better script - the ending is DEvastating. Well worth watching - and I'd imagine a must for any NY Dolls, or Morrissey, fan. Lots of cameos by the likes of Iggy, Mick Jones of the Clash, Chrissie HynDE of the PretenDErs, etc.
Elsewhere - things are starting to heat up for the return of the B-52's, who will be doing a bunch of US club shows, before then joining Cyndi Lauper on her True Colors tour. All in support for the upcoming release of Funplex, their first new album in about 16 years. You can still check here for a few pics of me hanging out with the B-52's's before their show on Cape Cod last year.
I'll also be seeing Robert Plant/Alison Krauss from the front row when they play Boston in June - woo hoo!
CDs I'm listening to: Goldfrapp's new Seventh Tree - mellow and lovely, and My Morning Jacket, It Still Moves, and Z - my new favorite band from Louisville, KY.
Next up for Coyote Sunrise, hopefully I am heaDEd to Alaska in May. Wow. You can still take a look at some pictures of my Jan. trip to the lovely Hawaii (Oahu and Kauai) HERE. If all works to plan, this is the year I visit our 50th and 49th states. Anyways - thanks for checking in. Spring is coming, bring on the Sox! - DE
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February 20, 2008: A few musical notes (pun intenDEd) for a winter's day. First up, one of the best winter time albums I can think of is early Fleetwood Mac's Bare Trees. I have always loved early-mid period Mac - other albums like Future Games (one of my all time favorites), Mystery to Me, and Heroes Are Hard to Find still sound good to me. More current stuff I'm listening to? Well, I think My Morning Jacket is really good. Their CD called Z is terrific. I happened to catch most of their show at last year's Austin City Limits (a splendid time) - I'm already starting to make plan's for the 2008 ACL festival in September. Other things I am looking forward to (and which I've mentioned here before) incluDE the new Goldfrapp CD, called Seventh Tree (due the end of Feb.). Easily one of the best new bands of the past 10 years. And then we have the eagerly awaited return of The B-52's, with their 1st album in many a moon in the sky, called Funplex, arriving end of March. Once again, you can check here for a few pics of me hanging out with the B's before their show on Cape Cod last year. I'm also enjoying Radiohead's In Rainbows quite a bit - if I don't pay too much attention to the DEpressing lyrics - lol. I'm also hoping to try and catch one of the Robert Plant/Alison Krauss shows they're doing, possibly at New Orleans Jazz Fest. (I wanted to see them in Louisville, KY but those shows sold out). Well, that's about it for now kidz. If you haven't seen them, you can still take a look at some pictures of my Jan. trip to the lovely Hawaii (Oahu and Kauai) HERE.
Oh yeah, less I forget, there's a new Rolling Stones movie called Shine a Light (directed by Martin Scorcese) coming in April - should help tiDE me over 'til the Sox. Wicked pissah! -DE
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February 1, 2008: Well, I just returned from a totally amazing trip to Hawaii. Woo hoo! My first time, after all these years, to the 50th state, and I have to say it really met, and exceeDEd, my already high expectations. Spent 3 nights on Oahu - really loved the eastern, windward siDE there in particular- some gorgeous beaches. Had one of the best dinners I've ever had at Roy's. Had one of the most expensive dinners ever (no, make that easily THE most expensive) at La Mer on Waikiki, and generally just soaked up the tropical vibe, before heading over to Kauai. I really loved Kauai - it's incredibly beautiful. The helicopter riDE there was one of the most amzing things I've ever done. Well, I could go on and on, but instead check out a few pictures HERE.
Enjoy- I know I did. Happy 2008.
Go Pats! -DE |
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DEcember 26, 2007: Probably my last post here for 2007, so to any reaDErs who may come across this page - a happy (belated) Christmas...and let's hope for a great new year. 2008 could be a super year - musically we have new releases by two of my favorite bands, Goldfrapp and The B-52's to look forward to (both in Feb. '08). We can only hope that we will see David Bowie again in 2008. And I have a trip lined up to Hawaii which I am really looking forward to.
As to a quick look back to 2007, here's some of the musical highlights for me.
First up, my top 5 favorite CD's of '07:
5. Neil Young - Chrome Dreams II
4. Lucinda Williams - West
3. Iron & Wine - The Shepherd's Dog
2. ArcaDE Fire - The Neon Bible
1. Robert Plant & Alison Krauss - Raising Sand
As for shows, I saw a few in 2007 - here's my top 5 (sorry Bruce):
5. Willie Nelson - ProviDEnce, RI
4. Lucinda Williams - Austin City Limits
3. The B-52's - Cape Cod Melody Tent
2. Bob Dylan - Stubbs BBQ, Austin,TX
1. Sly and the Family Stone - BB King's Blues Club, NYC
And favorite movie of the year probably goes to Into the Wild.
That's about it for now. I have been doing a fair amount of updating to the site - checking links, and fixing a few things, trying to stay current and adding some stuff - and I hope to maybe give the whole site an update in '08.
So for now - wishing you and yours a wonDErful end of 2007, and a great 2008. Go Pats, Celts and I can't wait for the Sox next year.
Thanks for stopping in! best -DEmerson
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DEcember. 2007: Well. 2007 is winding down and it's been a pretty good year. A few musical notes worth mentioning. I saw that Bruce Springsteen fella' a few weeks ago at both of his Boston shows. He was fine - but somehow the shows left me kind of unexcited. Good barnburner version of the song Reason To Believe, and on the 2nd night there was the nice treat of hearing olDEr tunes like The E. Street Shuttle, Sandy, and Kitty's Back. Like I say - solid shows, but nothing new really - except for songs from his OK new album, Magic (Gypsy Biker and The DEvil's ArcaDE being 2 of the better tunes imo). Then I had a 3rd row ticket to Neil Young at the Orpheum in Boston, but someone offered me double what I paid for the ticket the night of the show outsiDE, so I said, "screw the hippies, give me the cash!" lol. I don't know - maybe I'm just getting old. But then - I DID see a show the other night that truly DID knock my socks off. I drove down to NY to see the return of Sly and the Family Stone at B.B. King's Blues Club- with B'Neters Leeza, Hel, and Cavebat. Now, this very easily could have been a disaster. Instead, it turns out to be one of the best shows in a long time. FUNKY to the max - and a real sense of excitement. Sly was actually on the stage almost the entire show - even coming over and giving me a hand slap. Songs like Stand!, Hot Fun In the Summertime, Thank You For Letting Me Be Myself Again, Everyday People, and -of course - I Want to Take You Higher had the whole room going crazy. I tell you - if Sly ever DEciDEd to get his act together and really make a comeback, I think it would be huge. The catalog of songs is just so great, and his band is smoking, and the guy has so much mystique, and just IT - I've always said, Prince has spent his entire career trying to be as good as ONE Sly Stone song - and failed. I mean, the man is FUNKY. Anyways a really great show, a super fun time, and always great to see the NY crowd.
Happy holidaze - and Go Pats! -DE
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Nov. 2007: Hey there, hi there, ho there. Wuzzup kidz? Once again, it's been a couple months since I got in here, but thanks as always for checking into my humble site. Not too much shaking, but a few things of note. First up, GO SOX. This is old news, but The Red Sox winning the AL pennant and the World Series (again) really was a thrill for all in Red Sox nation - so way to go Sox - thanks for a GREAT 2007 year...looking forward to 2008 already. I have a feeling 2008 could be a good year. Musically, there's already some things I'm looking foward to, including a Feb. '08 releases by Goldfrapp (easily the best band in the world right now, imho - except for whatever band Bowie might come up with, but sadly he seems to be pretty much MIA for the past, oh - 4 years). Anways - the new Goldfrapp should be excellent. February, 2008 will also see the new (long overdue) album by The B-52's. YAY! Their new album will be called Funplex. You can still view some pics of me meeting The B-52's before their show at the Cape Cod Melody Tent in Hyannis, MA back in August. Really fun day. My pick for the CD that I'm really loving at the moment is the Robert Plant/Alison Krauss album Raising Sand - a very nicely done piece of mellow. The only upcoming show I have is Neil Young at the Orpheum, which should be great. And maybe Sly and the Family Stone at BB King's in NYC - fingers crossed. Oh - I don't know if I mentioned here that I went to Austin City Limits back in September. That was a great time - saw Bob Dylan at Stubb's BBQ, Lucinda Williams at the ACL Festival was superb - just a fun, fun weekend with my best pal Jamie. Oh - and in 2008, Coyote Sunrise's next madcap adventure will be to (drum roll please)...Hawaii! 3 nights in Oahu, then 6 nights in Kauai. Can't wait for that. So gosh, I guess there IS a riot going on. Dance to the music ya'll - it's a family affair. Thanku4lettinmeBmyselfagain. Peace out for now - DE
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Aug. 2007: They say a picture's worth a thousand words (well, Bread said it anyways). Here's a few pics of something that I think was pretty cool (I enjoyed it anyways) - some pics of me meeting The B-52's before their show at the Cape Cod Melody Tent in Hyannis, MA on Aug. 11th. Really fun day - thanks to all those who helped make it happen. And, I should say that their show rocked as always - it featured 5 songs from an upcoming CD that they hope to have out in early 2008. Bowie drummer Sterling Campbell was playing with them this time, and I got to hang out with him for awhile - very cool guy. Anyways - enjoy the pics, and as 2's guitarist Keith Strickland signed on my album (the 1st one of course) Follow Your Bliss. - DE
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