The Shed
Two more weeks to go before hitting the road again with the CRB and today I got myself back into the woodshed...a brand new one and it was so nice! I feel grateful to have a space where I can work, totally undisturbed. YAY!
And be careful what you wish for folks...cause when I got back to the house this afternoon, a big giant box was waiting for me at the front door... Oh. My. Gosh.
Wow. I've wanted one of these for a long time and can't wait to get this bad boy into my studio tomorrow to see and hear. Will you look at that grain?!
Way Over Yonder (in Santa Monica)
Listen up, LA...the CRB is back from a fantastic summer tour and will be playing in this wonderful city, once again this coming weekend, so grab the kids and get on down to the pier in Santa Monica!http://lineup.wayoveryonder.net
Saturday, September 27th @ 5:25 PM on the main stage.
Cleveland, Tonight!
So psyched to be rockin' once again in Cleveland, Ohio. The CRB will hit the historic Beachland Ballroom stage tonight at 8PM, so c'mon if you're comin'!
Solid.
A Word On A Hero, Now Departed
In most everyone's life, there are certain people who are influential in our understanding of things...parents, friends, teachers, brothers & sisters. Folks we often look up to, speak highly of and remember for our entire lives for the effect they had on our growth. Personally, I can name quite a few who've left a lasting impression on me. Dad, Mom, Jim & Barbara Hardin, their son Joseph (my closest friend), Lulah Hedgeman (my high school music teacher)...many more and of course, there are tons of artists & musicians.Then there are also people who completely changed your life forever and helped you find direction when you needed it most. Today, I learned of the passing of one such individual and it's hit me to the core.His given name was Leo Morris but most folks knew him as Idris Muhammad, his name after he converted to Islam, and he was one of the greatest jazz & funky soul drummers who ever graced our planet. His sound was immediately recognizable. A tight, definite and purposeful swinging groove that made you want to get up and throw down a funky boogaloo two-step the minute you heard it.I first became aware of him when an old acquaintance told me I needed to listen to Lou Donaldson if I wanted to know what boogaloo sounded like. So, I went out and bought Alligator Bogaloo on Blue Note, which features Lou on alto sax, George Benson on guitar, Melvin Lastie on trumpet, Lonnie Smith on Hammond organ and a drummer named Leo Morris.This recording completely changed my life, forever.A hair over 35 mins in length, containing only six tracks, the album feels like it's over before it even starts but I can tell y'all that the second I heard his badass confident drumming, all the questions I had in my mind up to that moment (who was I, where was my sound, how could I incorporate everything I've learned into one thing) all were answered and I knew what I wanted to do.Right away, I put a group together and began my journey playing this style of music, which lead me to the doorstep of many musicians whom I now call friends. Robert Walter, Cochemea Gastelum, Chris Stillwell, Dan Prothero, Mike Andrews, Charlie Hunter, Joe Restivo, Al Gamble, Fred Wesley, Melvin Sparks......this list goes on.It was almost exactly twenty years ago that I first heard that recording and I've been studying him ever since. Today I mourn his passing but rejoice in all I've learned and am still learning from this great man.Swing on, brother Idris. Swing on!
Idris Muhammad November 13, 1939 - July 29, 2014
Summer Tour Ends, Vacation Begins
It's been one helluva run with the CRB and the Fall shows will be coming up shortly but first, it's time for a break.
See y'all real soon...
Vegas, Baby!
Tonight the CRB will play the first of a three-night run at the fabulous Brooklyn Bowl in Las Vegas, then tomorrow morning I'm taking my sweetheart for a ride on this crazy thing...
High Sierra and Jay, the Great
The CRB just spent two days in the mountains of Quincy, CA at the High Sierra Music Festival and we had a great time. A ton of friends were there, musicians, compadres and about ten thousands freaks. So much fun and this photo (taken by a true master of the lens) totally captures the experience...
This cat is the real deal...Jay Blakesberg. He's been photographing the biggest in business for a long time and he knows what he's doing. A favorite of the Grateful Dead, Jay has been there, done that, seen it and shot it. Do yourself a favor and go buy his new book, JAM. It's fantastic!Oh, and he's a good dude, too!
Now for a couple of days off in beautiful Santa Rosa. I think I'll go swimming!Xoxo
Never Ceases To Amaze
This latest run with the CRB has been going really well...we're all having a blast and making friends all over the place. I feel incredibly lucky, grateful and happy to be able to do this for a living and I keep my father's voice of wisdom forever close to me, "Just stick with it, son".Thanks, Dad!I really love what I do and it's always a pleasure meeting good people, especially a great photographer with not just an eye for detail but a kind heart as well and good manners...someone who really knows the game.Phil Clarkin has it down.https://www.facebook.com/PhilClarkinPhotography
Look for him. Hire him. Buy his photos.You're welcome.P.S. 13, 16 & 20...my latest tub-configuration. Very pleased.
Comfy Blanket Times
Head Regal makes the best blankets you can buy and for a guy who spends a lot of time on a tour bus, this one here came at the perfect time.
Head RegalGo get you one!*Photo by Neal Casal
Yeah, So This Happened Tonight
Bun E Carlos: "Can I come back and say hi to George?"Brian Sarkin (CRB tour mgr): "Sure, absolutely!"I'm sitting backstage as he comes walking in with a few of his buddies, says hello to everyone then sees me and says, "Hi, George! I brought you a present!" He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a vintage Rogers drum key."Here ya go!"
I was completely floored. Bun E is one of the sweetest cats, ever. He and our tour manager Brian have been friends for years, so I had an idea he might show up tonight here in Milwaukee but I surely wasn't counting on it cause I think he lives more than an hour from here.Anyway, he was having fun and stayed for the entire show and was a total gentleman. Hanging out with us backstage, he was kind and very complimentary of the band and of my playing. I couldn't believe it. Having seen us two years ago, he seemed very excited about the sound of the band as it is right now. What a guy!
Bun E and me!Many thanks to Neal Casal for snapping this great pic of us.
How Do They Get All This Stuff?
The Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio is a bit of a mind-blowing experience if you've never been there before and today, I had my mind blown. Truly.
Some of the coolest guitars, drums, amps & stage clothing belonging to everyone from Elmore James to Stevie Nicks...it was exciting to see it all. But I kept wondering how in the world they'd managed to acquire the personal effects of a guy like Muddy Waters? I mean, they have his frickin Martin acoustic that he played at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1967. How did they get that?Anyhow, it was a great experience and I would encourage any music lover who's traveling through Cleveland to stop in and visit this place. Wow.
Charlie Watts' snare!
Old Friends, New Drums
I recently commissioned Johnny Craviotto to build a new snare for me...something very warm but with enough projection to get over the volume our band plays at...and when he agreed to do it exactly as I asked, I let him be until the job was finished. He called a couple of weeks ago and said the drum was ready and that he was gonna deliver it to me in-person before my gig in Santa Cruz. He was true to his word and when he arrived at the theater, an old and mutual friend of both of ours was there to meet us...Dave Patrick. Johnny and I were elated.
"Big Dave" (as he's known) ran a drum shop in Memphis when I was just starting out and in addition to being a completely kind, loving soul, Dave may have also been one of the first to ever sell a pair of drumsticks to my dad (for me, of course). I remember visiting his shop when I was very young and listening to he and Dad converse about the trials of the music business and the feeling was most encouraging to my young ears. Anyhow, Dave left Memphis and bringing those loving vibes with him, came out to California many years ago to continue in the drumming community and has had much success. He'd worked alongside Johnny in his early days of drum building but they'd not seen one another for several years, so the three of us, along with Dave's lovely wife, had a nice chat before I had to go to sound check. It was a great time, full of memories, healing and laughter. These are some of the nicest folks on the planet and I'm one lucky dude.Oh, the drum?
And in case you're unaware, Johnny Craviotto is one of the greatest drum builder's around.
Delighted
The third studio album from the CRB will be out on April 29th.
Phosphorescent Harvest -- AmazonI can't wait. It's a good one, too.
Busy times ahead.
Is It April, Already?
Doggone, time sure is moving fast this year! Spent a couple weeks in rehearsals working it out with the CRB for the upcoming tours in support of our latest studio effort and it seems as though the time has crept up on me. Next weekend, the madness begins with a festival down in beautiful Live Oak, Florida...directly on the banks of the Suwanee River. Dig it...waneeLooks like we'll be in some good company. Hell yeah.redemption sparkle
This dude...
Billy Harvey is a true artist.Thoughtful, wonderful musician, funny as hell, incredibly cool, extremely generous and he's my friend. Recently, he asked if I'd help him record a new album, which I gladly obliged and doing so has been one of the highlights of my life & career. I am grateful. Thank you, Billy. These songs are amazing and I can't wait to hear them when they're finished and the record is done. We are all looking forward to it's completion, the subsequent release and the knock-down-drag-out-big-time-thrown-down-block-party that will ensue soon after. So listen friends, y'all better brace yourselves for this one. It's definitely gonna piss some people off. In a good way -- HA!Ladies & gents (mostly ladies)...check it out,Billy Harvey -- Kickstarter
Track #2
Go on and get you some...CRB -- About A StrangerFull album, Phosphorescent Harvest is being released April 29th!
Train A'Gonna Roll...
...one 'mo time!See our upcoming tour dates here,CRB -- Tourand here's some recent love for our new studio album...CRB -- Roling Stone MagazinePlease come see us!
Many thanks to the wonderful and talented Guy Eppel for taking this amazing photo. Check him out at, Guy Eppel PhotographyLove & Respect.
Been feeling this sh*% lately...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eoSXpNZD9o...just some plain old badass fonky drumming.Popcorn!