Strings Attached Podcasts
1.Strings Attached Concert Preview Podcast
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2.Music from the Strings Attached Series Podcast
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The last newsletter began with the Maya Angelo quote "People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."
This quote is quite on the mark when considering what to say about the next musical adventure on the horizon. It's 1:56 am and I just got off the phone with Steve Zirkel - both of us are very excited about a tune I've included in the setlist. Its one of those compositions that many of us would include in a desert island collection. This song came at a time in jazz history when bebop was reaching its cerebral intensity, and Miles Davis was insightful enough to bring it back to what is really important in music. He invented a whole new genre while at the same time being rooted in what the blues is all about – the expression of the soul. Or as Willie Dixon put it, "The Blues are the true facts of life expressed in words and song, inspiration, feeling, and understanding." The song "Blue in Green", featured some of the most radical jazz musicians of the time: Coltrane, Cannonbal Adderly, and Bill Evans. So while it might seem the song most removed from the typical blues sound, to zirk and I its right at home emotionally with all the other blues tunes we're planning to play.
So here we go, The first annual, Strings Attached plays the blues concert. You won't believe the guest artists and band I've assembled. Look into my eyes - you are getting very sleepy - YOU MUST NOT MISS THIS SHOW. . . well ok I know I say that about every show and I know where you mind might be going. College frats in a Nosiy 6th bar - loud, electric 3 piece guitar dominated sounds blasting from the stage. Heck, why not have this kind of scene in Church? Just kidding. You wouldn't think we do that would you. Who knows? Now in all seriousness - for this show It is my intention to present many shades of the blues.
ok. . .
For this show you'll hear original blues by each artist, but also a bit of gospel, covers of songs by Ray Charles, the great stride pianist James P Johnson, Miles, and even Mose Allison. So who's on the show you ask?
If you attended the White Album show in church last year, you might remember a certain artist who brought down the show and received several standing ovations for her performance of John Lennon's Revolution.
Its finally my pleasure to have Carolyn Wonderland perform more then one song. Do you ever wonder if the performer you see on stage is the same or different when they're off? What you see is what you get with Carolyn.
Not only can she completely blow an audience away with her musical power but she is one the most humble, sweet, and loving musicians I've had the pleasure of making music with. She has played with greats like Buddy Guy, Johnny Winter, Bob Dylan, Asleep at the Wheel, and Los Lobos and her music has been featured on
prime-time network TV dramas such as NBC's "Homicide" and
"Time of Your Life" on Fox!.
After years of talking about it and numerous games of phone tag I finally got amazing Malford Milligan.
Back in the late 80's there was a creative band called Stick People. This was around the time that Poi Dog pondering and Abra Moore came to Austin from Hawaii. Around this time I was living in a dilapitated old house in an almost food stamp level existence.
Anyway, Stick People was the kind of creative genre breaking band that only Austin could produce. Craig Ross played guitar, Mark Williams played cello and bass, Thor was on drums and the huge expressive voice of Malford Milligan fronted the band.
Malford Milligan is a world class blues/soul singer. With his nationally acclaimed band "Storyville," he recorded 3 CDs, performed on "Austin City Limits" 3 times; twice with "Storyville," and once with Eric Johnson, and has toured with BB King, James Cotton, Edgar Winter, Double Trouble, Kenny Wayne Shepard, and many more.
Malford has recorded on more than 30 albums with such artists as, Hal Ketchum, Marcia Ball, Doyle Bramhall, Alejandro Escoveda, Sue Foley, Stephen Bruton, Chris Smither, Eric Johnson, Double Trouble, The Boneshakers, and Toni Price among others.
Representing the power guitar trio genre on this show is Van Wilks.
IN the 80's I used to catch an occasional rock show at the legendary Steamboat club on 6th street. Van Wilks was always in session there with his huge marshall stacks. In his third decade as a veteran of the world-famous Austin music scene, Van Wilks "continues to make some of the citys hottest guitar rock.", says the Austin Chronicle. Creating music that brings his blues roots to the cutting edge with funk, hard-rock and melodic undertones. Van Wilks has toured nationally and internationally with such acts as ZZ Top (whose Billy Gibbons is one of Vans biggest supporters) and torn the roof off nightclubs and concert halls from Lubbock, Texas , the Virgin Islands, Moscow, Paris, Madrid, and countless points all over Europe
And finally, to take the show in a contrasting direction, we'll play a few tunes with Porter Davis. An acoustic ensemble with percussion, harmonica, acoustic guitar and vocals, Porter davis brings an amazing amount of emotion and sound from just three players.
Underneath the feel-good grooves, the expressive and honest lyrics, and the smooth 3-part harmonies, their music is founded on a deep appreciation for their musical roots. Before every performance, Dan, Mike, and Simon toast to the show, and pour a sip on the floor in reverence to the musical heroes who have come before them. Ray Charles, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Elvin Jones, Miles Davis, Townes Van Zandt, Muddy Waters, and Little Walter are all among the names honored each time the guys take the stage. This is a tradition Dan and Mike picked up during their studies in Ghana, West Africa in 2004. Chances are you will be gripped by Mike's innovative and unique choice of percussion instruments. Staying true to his beliefs, he draws the instruments, rhythms, and techniques entirely from their Brazilian and African roots.
We'll also have the honor of James Polk's and Kaz Kazzanoff's playing in the band.
James Polk (piano) has been in the music industry for forty years. During a ten-year stint on the West Coast, he was writer-arranger for Ray Charles, the Platters, and many others. He has been nominated for two Grammy Awards for his work with Ray Charles. Locally, Mr. Polk performs with Tony Campise, Alex Coke, and many others.
Saxophonist Mark 'Kaz' Kazanoff is well known to blues, rhythm-and-blues, and jazz fans around the world. Kaz has contributed horn arrangements, saxophone and harmonica solos, and original songs to more than 130 record albums over the last 25 years. While with the Antone's house band, Kaz recorded a number of fine records with the Antone's Record label, including work with Angela Strehli, Otis Rush, Buddy Guy, Albert Collins, Marcia Ball, Lou Ann Barton, Memphis Slim, Doug Sahm, Lavelle White, Pinetop Perkins, and James Cotton
Please join us on March 23rd for a snapshot of Austin Blues with the Strings Attached touch.
