Every so often...
life will throw you a curve ball and recently, there was a pretty wacky one thrown at me when I received a phone call last month from actor, John C. Reilly. He'd been given my number from a mutual friend who recommended me for the newly-open drummer's seat with his country-folk group, John C. Reilly & Friends. I was floored and he's exactly how you might think of him...kind generous and funny as hell, but on top of all that, the dude's got some pipes! Yes, he can actually sing and play the guitar really well, which came as a welcome surprise to me. We did two rehearsals, learned about 30 songs then hit the road for a three-day trip up the west coast to Santa Barbara, San Francisco and Santa Cruz. It was a blast and the shows were pretty much at capacity and extremely fun.After, he and the rest of the band all shook hands with one another and said their goodbye's (all eight of us!) he asked if I was free to do another run in late May, which happens to be this very weekend. Yes! The shows are in Portland, Vancouver and Gorge, WA...you can check my website for details...maybe I'll see some of you out there. Fortunately for all involved, I've had some time off from the CRB and have been available to play these shows with them and it's been a total gas. John is a tremendous talent and one helluva nice guy, so go see him, buy his music and watch his movies. He's hilarious!
Curve balls can be fun.
Grateful
It's been a rough couple of months for musicians and lovers of music. We lost Levon Helm, Andrew Love, Skip Pitts, Duck Dunn, Chris Ethridge, Adam Yauch and Dick Clark, all in just a few weeks of one another...and just this morning I learned of the passing of the great go-go master, Chuck Brown. My good friend and walking miracle, Ben Cauley was recently in the hospital and we were all praying he'd pull through, which he did. Thank goodness and God bless you, Ben.In losing all of these great people all at once, I've been struck with a profound feeling of sadness mixed with an overwhelming feeling of gratitude that I'm still here, walking around on this planet, able to make music and share in the many joys this life has to offer. That there are so many wonderful people around me too who are healthy and happy, constantly giving of themselves without wanting anything in return. I feel lucky. Lucky that I was able to trade licks with Skip on many occasions and watch that big smile of his as he tore into the opening lines of the Theme From Shaft. That I was fortunate to see Levon play and then shake his hand afterward, telling him how much of a hero he was to me. He hugged me like we were brothers and I felt like we were.Lucky to know the music that Adam Yauch gave to the world. He was only a few years older than I am now, so that one hit me pretty hard. I loved his style, bass playing, flow, attitude and humble nature. What a loss. I was 19 years old, working at Poplar Tunes Record Store in Memphis, when Licensed To Ill came out and it completely floored me. I was into Run-D.M.C., Houdini, Sugarhill Gang and LL Cool J at that time, but these dudes had something special that resonated with me immediately. Being the youngest employee there, many of my elders frowned on my daily playing of that record in the store and I frequently got my ass chewed out for it, but I didn't care. That groove was bad and helped guide me to the path I'm on today.Thank you, MCA!And Duck Dunn...wow. I never had the opportunity to see him play and that's a shame cause he was around Memphis a lot when I was growing up, but I managed to miss him somehow. Not his recordings though, no sir and we'll all have them with us, forever. So many of my good friends have told me stories about playing with Duck and what an amazing feel he had on the bass. Souful, funky, groovin, understated and totally baddass. Heaven just got a lot funkier.May we never forget any of them and in the immortal words of Levon..."All the best to us. Stay stout!"
Another Good Man Gone
Theme from Shaft...check. Isley Brothers, It's Your Thing...check. Lead guitarist and musical director with Isaac Hayes for over 35 years...check. Ladies & gentlemen, please say hello and goodbye to Memphis' very own soul brother, Charles "Skip" Pitts. I had the pleasure of playing quite a few shows with The BoKeys when this cat was on guitar and lemme tell y'all, he definitely knew how to make it fonky. Rest in peace, Skip. You will most certainly be missed.
Good-bye, Sencha!
Every morning for the past month, I've been waking up and making tea, first thing and then sitting quietly with my thoughts. It's one of the best ways to start your day, even though most of the time my days begin at 11 or 12 o'clock, but hey...that's how it goes for late night folk, right? And not just any old tea either, but a beautiful Japanese greed tea called, Sencha Fukamushi Special from a fantastic little store down in San Diego, Halcyon Tea. You gotta go there.
My good buddy, James opened up this shop a few years ago and has been kicking butt and when I went down there last month for a visit, he treated my friend (who surprised everyone with his knowledge of leaf) and I to one of the best cups either one of us had ever tasted. Exquisite flavor, very mild and not too strong but a wonderful aroma. I absolutely love this stuff and for the past four weeks or so, it's been waking me up and helping me get it together. Until today, that is cause I emptied the bag and drank the very last spoonful. Bummer.
I guess I'm gonna have to call James and have him mail me another bag of it cause I think I might be addicted. I should mention that this little teapot/mug combo from Forlife has made the morning ritual easy and hassle-free. Comes with a stainless-steel tea infuser built-in, which makes cleaning a breeze.
Honestly, as much as I love coffee (and I do mean LOVE), getting back into drinking green tea has had some positive effects and I've noticed my disposition throughout the day is much more relaxed, I feel calm. Hmm...I was on the Halcyon blog today and found this fantastic post from one of their new employees regarding her experience with discovering the joys of tea..."I was not much of a tea drinker before starting at Halcyon Tea back in September, and I certainly never dealt with the loose leaf. I’d have the occasional, once-per-month bag of Lipton black tea. So, I’ll be honest—when asked to observe the various tea notes and characteristics (e.g. sweet, floral, dry, smooth, bright, earthy, fruity, etc.), or front-of-the-mouth versus back-of-the-mouth sensations—I felt like I was being asked to speak a foreign language. I’d take a sip of a tea, and not be able to make a single discerning statement except, “tastes good!” I wondered if I’d ever be able to appreciate all of our magnificent teas, or be able to help someone find exactly the right one.Then, over the course of a few months of steady tea drinking, it happened! I began to pick up on those subtle notes and sensations, and my palate began to transform. “Sweet” was no longer the teaspoon of sugar “sweet” that I formally connected with that taste. Notes that are considered “earthy” became more appealing, and I found myself being temporarily transported to a garden, or a grassy field of flowers when sipping from my cup.To truly understand tea’s subtlety, I needed to drink it more slowly. I had to take my time, and really search for the various notes and mouth feels (e.g. light or full-bodied, smooth, crisp, buttery, dry, clean, etc.) of each tea. This conscious appreciation made me realize how interesting tea really is, and also how different one tea is from the next. Tea drinking has even changed the way I eat food! I now find myself taking smaller bites, and noting the various flavors and textures like I’d never had before.So, the lesson I’ve learned from drinking tea? Slow down, take small sips, and be curious. Sounds like one I can apply to every corner of my life.Cheers! Jena"
Good stuff.Oh yeah...I should mention James is also a super sick drummer, but more on that later. HA!
Think Melodically
I've received a lot of feedback lately from folks saying they would like to see more videos and lessons on this blog and I have to say that I'm extremely flattered. Thank y'all so much for your wonderful words of encouragement and I will do my best to continue posting my grooves, ideas and stuff I like to play, hopefully without too much boring commentary thrown-in! The two I'd like to share today are coming from a little bit different place than some of the others, as they have more of a melodic thing going on, where I'm playing rhythms that are not only supportive of the tune but also accentuate the guitar parts and play off of that. For me, learning the melody of a song is extremely important and really helps to determine exactly what I'm going to do or say...how my own voice will be heard and still lift up the tune at the same time. With this first groove, which is from The City Champs tune, The Set-Up, I am playing an 8th note pattern on the hi-hats but accenting the downbeat, and if you listen to the track...[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2-RetzZCzQ]you will notice the rhythm that the guitarist, Joe Restivo, is playing before the melody comes in has a similar accent happening throughout. Here's the groove for The Set-Up...[vimeo http://vimeo.com/39740740]Taking that same melodic approach, here's Chinatown...[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Au3ekSUurmM]My playing got a little sloppy and bombastic there but you get the general idea. The guitarist and I are actually playing a very similar rhythmic pattern together, creating a nice sonic bed for the organ melody to lie in. Awww...[vimeo http://vimeo.com/39740288]Again, I wanna say how much I appreciate everyone who has paid a visit to this blog and made comments, I'm having a great time with it. I'm not much of a clinician, so if anyone has something specific they'd like to know in regards to a particular sticking or various permutations, feel free to inquire and I'll do my best to answer whatever question you might have. Oh, and please don't hesitate to purchase some of the bands' music, here...we'd love you for it!Much Love & Respect.
Hodgepodge
My mind is kinda racing around at the moment, lots of stuff going on and some of it is related, while the rest is just random thought. Thinking about what I gotta do this week, paying bills, getting the oil changed in the car, phone calls, emails, letters, eating good, sleeping good, getting some kind of exercise routine together and yes, practicing some drums. All of this is running around up there in my dome and it's just a big 'ol jumbled mess, making me wanna do nothing.Tuesday evening, I arrived back in LA and was pretty exhausted after my long day of traveling...the never-ending good-bye with the fantastic Tulsa folk, two flights, and half-hour drive back home wore me out. Haven't wanted to pick up a pair of sticks at all but a friend of mine recommended I listen to a Mel Lewis interview from the late 8o's, which led to watching videos of Baby Dodds and that really got me going. Then, I listened to a recent Tom Waits interview from NPR and that blew my mind, completely and (although inspired) I still didn't really feel like playing but at least my head was in the right place. Well, earlier today I sat and watched Elvin Jones, Different Drummer and low and behold, finally got fired up enough to lay down a little ditty. My camera was about to give me fits and even though it's low quality, I got it figured out, sat down at the little Rogers kit and this beat rolled outta me. I call it, The Hodgepodge.[vimeo http://vimeo.com/39454599]
Time of my life...
This is a photo of the great David Hidalgo...
...and he is, without a doubt, at the very top of my list of people I would love to work with. No, wait...let me rephrase that...I would absolutely KILL to work with, in just about any musical setting because I consider him to be one of the greatest talents in the universe and my hands-down favorite singer in the world.Well, guess what folks? My wish came true...along with everyone else of course!David is currently on tour with a boat load of other guitar gods, paying tribute to the late Jimi Hendrix and the show just happened to roll through town a few days after we got here. Our good buddy Greg Spradlin, in town visiting us from Little Rock, knows him pretty well and rang him up to see if he was interested in stopping by to see what we were up to. About an hour later, he showed up to the session and hung out all day, telling everyone stories and vibing on the music we were making. After a few hours of listening and without any push from anyone,"Hey, I got an idea for the end of that tune. You mind if I put a guitar part down", he asks?One take was all that was necessary cause he played it perfectly the first time through and with a huge smile on his face. Everyone was stunned, but he didn't stop there. A moment later, he left and drove back across town to his hotel to get his special guitar he calls the Hidalgo-phone, so that he could use it on a second tune. Wow, what a guy. Not only can he really play but he works very fast. One of the coolest cats you're ever likely to meet and a complete genius savant musician. Thank you, David...you are incredible. All of the musicians on this session were in awe that night, as well as our good friends who shared in the moment. This session with Jesse Aycock has yielded tremendous results in the week we've been here and I can't say enough good things about the positive, talented, loving & supportive scene in Tulsa, OK.Good times.Oh, and I'll save the story of the three-hour late night crazy drunken jam session for another post cause right now my head is still in the clouds.
Ahh, that San Diego sunshine, sho does a body good!
Just spent the weekend, two hours south of LA, back in my old stomping grounds of SD and had too much fun, hanging and recording with the great blues & jazz artist, Robin Henkel. We tracked 15 or 16 tunes in two days and never did more than two or three takes of each. He's real cool to work with and there's not an ounce of pressure or stress, just an easy, relaxed environment. Drinking coffee, eating chili dogs and watching old movies, like Dr. Strangelove. Good times!
He was gracious enough to loan me his vintage 1960's Pearl drum set for the session, which made my load that much lighter and they sounded killer.
...augmented (of course) with some bitchin Agop's and my 80's Pearl snare. Whew!
My trip was made even better when Robin invited me to play with he and harmonica great, Billy Watson, another long-time colleague of mine. Wow, what a time we had and dig my set-up for the gig...
Robin even took the time to give yours truly a much-needed guitar lesson and my drummin fingers were sure sore afterward, but maybe something will come out of it yet, we'll see. I'm still working on it. Hey, but don't I look like a songwriter?
Well, guess it's time for bed now. Gotta get up and start packing for my trip to Tulsa...two-week recording session with the great, Jesse Aycock at the world famous Church Studios...Leon Russell's old place. Crazy. Joining me on this adventure is the one and only brilliant genius musician, CRB guitarist and my right-hand man, Neal Casal. It's gonna be good! Jesse is on fire right now and his music is fantastic. Check out his Kickstarter campaign here...Oh, almost forgot...they just announced the release of the CRB's debut...
Big Moon Ritual, coming to your door on June 5th!Much love, y'all.
Catfish John
"Momma said, don't go near that river..."[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FjMeSK2IVk]This is still one of the best moments in my life...being on stage with all these guys and Phil Lesh standing over there, groovin his ass off right next to me. What a time! Very much looking forward to getting back out on tour with the CRB.Stay tuned...
Ain't forgot about 'cha
Just been super busy with life stuff and there's great stuff happening, so sit tight and I'll be back real soon with lots more goodies. Meantime, check out this program from BBC Radio and listen to The City Champs' Joe Restivo give the low-down on the Craig Charles Funk and Soul Show, this Saturday, Feb 11th...BBC Radio 6xoxo
End of the Beginning
We played 118 shows, from March 28th to December 31st, 2011...an amazing year of touring with a great new band. Then, on New Year's day we headed into the remarkable Sunset Sound recording studios for a fantastic week-long adventure, making our first album together. We tracked 27 songs in six days and that's really all I'm allowed to say at this point, however I'm confident it's going to be a great record. I'm saving any photos and videos from the session until we get a little further along with mixing and such but wanted to deliver this one very special image, taken by the master himself, my friend and cohort, Neal Casal. Dig it...
Touring will begin once again for this Brotherhood in early June, so stay tuned.
Train Beat
The way I like to approach a good 'ol train beat is by using a series of singles, doubles and paradiddles, all played with accents...four on the floor...two and four on the hats.For inspiration: Johnny CashLet it roll.[vimeo http://vimeo.com/34762717]
Gearin' Up!
One more gig this year, then it's into the studio we go to put down our first recording. Everyone in the CRB camp is getting ready for it especially me, as I'm putting all of my toys, new and old, into the basket.
This here beat maker is ready to get busy.
Dead Days
Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, Wavy Gravy, Betty Cantor...these folks hold a special place in the history of American rock-n-roll and are, by all accounts, now big fans of our music. How did this happen so fast? Those who were present this past week at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco, witnessed history and if you saw the smile on my face, then you knew how completely elated the feeling was. I mean, sharing the stage with Chris Robinson for more than nine months and over 115 shows across the U.S. is an amazing honor, in and of itself, but when you add Phil Lesh & Bob Weir to that equation you have a whole other ballgame, entirely.Early into our last east coast run, while discussing possible guest sit-in's for our four-night stint at Great American Music Hall, CR mentioned to us that Phil might be sitting-in on the last set of the third show. Exciting news and for those reading who aren't aware, Phil was the bassist for the Grateful Dead and Bob Weir played guitar alongside Jerry Garcia. Both are still very active and doing quite well.Anyway, knowing how things go in this business, I tried not to get my hopes up too high in regards to possibly playing with Phil cause I didn't wanna be bummed if he wasn't able to make it. Well, he did and he played his ass off too, which came as a great surprise cause the dude is 71 years old.
The show was fantastic that night and one I'll remember for a long time to come. But to top it all off, on the last night, we were given the chance (once again) to jam with the great Bob Weir. Wow.
Really good time. Thanks, Bob!
For all four shows, Betty Cantor-Jackson, Grateful Dead archivist and longtime member of their production team, sat to the side of the stage, recording every note that was played. Her recordings of the Dead are as legendary as the shows themselves and to see her smiling next to us was an incredible moment in time. As honored and humbled as their kindness made me feel this past week, I have to wonder to myself...these folks are legends...has the CRB been given the nod from the Dead's royalty?Whatever the case, yours truly is certainly grateful.
Reflections
End of the year is near, one last tour of the west coast then its into the studio we go to record our first album. Pretty psyched about it all and looking back over the past 9 months or so, I'm reminded of all the traveling we've done to get to this point. Just over a hundred shows in such a short time, back and forth across the country several times, we've been really busy and although exhausting, it's been super fun. I'd like to think we're all a little bit wiser and have maybe even learned a thing or two about life, as well as music. Who knows, but whatever the case, we've certainly racked up a ton of memories.
Less than two weeks to go on this last run before we break for Christmas. Excited, tired and extremely grateful for this gig. We've come a long way, but we're just now getting started.
More great pics from a gifted photographer...
My good buddy, P. Chandler Moulton has done it, once again...he's come to one of my shows, shot some amazing photos, and shown them to me and the world. What a guy! Y'all please dig on this vibe, right here...Thank you, my friend for being such a good dude.Peace.Oh, and by the way...the CRB thanks you, too!
Like A Dumbass...
I acted upon impulse and had my ass handed back to me. When will I ever learn? On Friday, I went to visit a couple of buddies of mine...I use the term "buddies" very lightly at this point cause about an hour into our visit, they decided to talk me into going with them to workout in their favorite gym that boasts the title of "Toughest gym in Los Angeles", but what did I care...I was only going for a quick workout with some friends. No big deal, right? Well, trust me when I tell you that this is no ordinary gym, but one belonging to Muay Thai boxer, Joe Schilling. Yes, I said Muay Thai. One of the toughest, bloodiest and most lethal of the boxing arts. It's called, The Yard and this place was chock full of baddassery. Schilling had just come from winning a huge match with Kaoklai Kaennorsing, who he knocked down three times in the first round, which made him the newest WBC Interim Champion, giving the Americans total respect.In walks the Sluppy. HA!I don't know if it was the ten minutes of jumping rope, followed by ten mins of jogging, followed by numerous reps of squats, crunches, planks, then push-up's, but something killed me. Completely dead. Out for the count. Done. Fin. Total asthma attack, which forced me outta there fast. I'm sure once I left they were all laughing at me and I don't know if I can ever go back in there and show my sad face again. It's gonna take a lot if I do. Guess I need to build myself up to it. I did get to shake Joe's hand though and what a monster of cat he is in person. Holy crap.
New Website
Two weeks into this tour and we get word that our new website is finally up as of today and totally rockin. Check it out here!