Gruene Hall

I was fortunate enough to attend Gregg Allman's show at Gruene Hall 6/2/10.  Wow!  What a show it was!  Unfortunately I didn't get many photos...and none of Gregory that were any good.  Actually my husband got a good one of the back of his head as he was being escorted through the mob back to his bus.  LOL!  Oh well.  Despite the photoless evening it was a good one spent with family and friends.  A much needed getaway for me!  Gregory looked and sounded fabulous as always.  He performed several new songs from his upcoming CD due to be released January 2011, one of which is "Floating Bridge", already a fan favorite as evidenced by the roaring round of applause it received.  As I said it was an awesome show.  Wish I had more, but I don't.

Remember:  While there is music, life is no waste.

Ok. It's been a while.  Hasn't it!  Right now I'm trying out Blogger Mobile.  Things have been so screwy lately for me that I never know if I'll have internet or not...or even a computer for that matter. Life is tough sometimes so I'm doing what I gotta do! 

I do plan to post more often...or when I can.  One thing I've learned in the last two years is not to make definite plans.  They usually don't happen.  But I will do my best to report more often.

And to those who have commented to me that they think I lead a sad life because I devote a lot of my time to promoting my favorite musician, Gregg Allman... well you know where you can go. LOL!  I don't owe an explanation to anyone.  But I will say this:  Music is my life, not any one single musician.  And if I want to devote my time blogging about and promoting a tuning fork then I will.  B flat is my favorite by the way.

I do have a show coming up!  FINALLY!  Last show was over a year ago.  I have tickets to see Gregg Allman on June 2 in New Braunfels, TX, at Gruene Hall.  Man, I am soooo ready!!

Until then, adieu!  And remember:  While there is music, life is no waste.

Mo' Changes!!

Notice the new name? I've decided to disconnect myself from my Allman Brothers Band online personality. Not that it's a different personality really. It's still me. A name's a name. But I've decided to carry on with my own name. It's time to move on...and on...and on. Time to put my best foot forward and all those other cliches. Don't get me wrong. I'm still a fan of Gregg Allman's. That won't ever change; however, changes do happen and have happened to cause me to grow up a bit and take off those peach colored glasses. So...here I am. Expect good things from this blog. I know I do.

Stay tuned. And remember: While there is music, life is no waste.

Yoko Ono? Oh yes!

It has come to my attention that the Plastic Ono Band has reformed, has an album out, and is planning a reunion concert. Wow!

So here we go....



I've said before that I'm not good with reviews....but that's not going to stop me from giving an opinion. First some facts about the album Between My Head And The Sky. Yoko is joined by her son, and co-producer, Sean Lennon, and creative Japanese artists Haruomi Hosono,Yuka Honda and Cornelius (Keigo Oyamada, Naoki Shimizu and Yuko Araki). The album has received rave reviews by Rolling Stone, Mojo, and Spin, to name a few.

The question is: Does this impress me? The answer is: NO! So I decided to find out for myself.

Love her, or hate her, Yoko Ono is one unique individual to say the least. Personally, because of my love for John Lennon, and out of respect for him and their son Sean, I've learned to tolerate her. Although her singing (if you want to call it that) I have not learned to accept. Never will. With that in mind, I listened to excerpts of each track on the CD. I have to say that I am impressed. Seriously. The album is a mix of raw rockin'-out funk, techno, psychedelia, and Yoko's own brand of artsy babble. Personally I dig the rockin' funk. The first cut is called "Waiting For The D Train". I couldn't help but like it. It reminded me of the Plastic Ono Band of old when John was heading the group. Some raw raunchy Rock!! Other tracks along this line include, "Ask The Elephant!", "Hashire, Hashire!", and the title track, "Between My Head And The Sky". The techno tracks include, "The Sun Is Down!", "Moving Mountains", and "Watching The Rain". Mostly these tracks include techno beats with Yoko spouting some of her artsy poetry stuff...if you want to call it that. I noticed two tunes that may be somewhat retrospective for Yoko, "Memory Of Footsteps" and "I'm Going Away Smiling". These tracks are backed by piano and strings. It seemed to me from the snippets I heard that she may have been talking about her past with John....remembering him. The rest of the tunes, which are many, are the artsy, psychedelic stuff that I mentioned earlier. Not really my bag, man! IF any of you decide to purchase this CD, be forewarned that Yoko's warbling occurs throughout this album....that means on all songs!

Now the question is: Would I buy it? The answer is: Nope. There are only a few tunes I like on the album, the raunchy rock stuff. Other than that, the rest is filler for me. And that's just not enough for me to shell out my money for the entire CD. Maybe downloads of the tunes I liked. Maybe!

The concert!



Just like the poster says, the new Plastic Ono Band will perform a concert February 16, 2010, at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Included will be original members Eric Clapton and Klaus Voormann. Paul Simon and Bette Midler will be getting in on the act as well. This should be an interesting show. I look forward to the reviews.

Now it's time for....

THE GREGG ALLMAN PHOTO OF THE DAY


Gregory circa 1974. Photo by Charlie Auringer.

Stay tuned. And remember: While there is music, life is no waste.

Long Live The King!!

I LOVE ELVIS!!!

I've had an exhilirating day celebrating the birthday of the King! ELVIS, baby! YEAH! I've loved Elvis since...well since I can remember. It's hereditary in my family. All day yesterday, and last night, Turner Classic Movies (TCM) played nothing but Elvis movies. I was in Heaven!

I was also excited to learn about the Elvis 75: Good Rockin' Tonight boxset. The 4 CD set includes a healthy selection of Elvis' work from his first recording of "My Happiness" in 1953 to his posthumous 2002 hit "A Little Less Conversation (JXL Radio Remix Edit)". Even though I have many MANY MANY Elvis CDs, albums, and cassettes, this new boxset will be going on my wishlist. Just one thing, though.... Priscilla Presley and Jerry Schilling co-hosted this evening with Robert Osborne on TCM. If I heard them correctly, they stated that a comprehensive box set, including ALL, every last one, of Elvis' studio recordings, is in the works. I MUST HAVE IT!!! And I will have it, too.

To me, Elvis is a symbol of my childhood. Memories of my grandmother and mother. Elvis was and is a safe haven for me. A beautiful, exciting, charismatic man who brought awareness of many things, good and bad, to this woman's eyes. I love him more than words could ever express. When I hear or see him, I am happy. Long live the King!

So...in honor of Elvis Aron Presley, I shall forgo my usual photo of the day to bring you...

THE ELVIS PRESLEY PHOTO OF THE DAY



What a gorgeous man!

Stay tuned. And remember: While there is music, life is no waste.

The Allman Brothers Band NYC dates...and other stuff!

Just a reminder folks. Gregg Allman & Friends is still out touring. Here are the remainder of the dates.


01/8/10
Richmond, Virginia
The National
CLICK TO BUY TICKETS



01/9/10
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Harrah's Atlantic City
CLICK TO BUY TICKETS



01/12/10
Ridgefield, Connecticut
Ridgefield Playhouse
CLICK TO BUY TICKETS


01/13/10
Ridgefield, Connecticut
Ridgefield Playhouse
CLICK TO BUY TICKETS


01/15/10
Torrington, Connecticut
Warner Theatre
CLICK TO BUY TICKETS


01/16/10
New Bedford, Massachusetts
Zeiterion Theatre
CLICK TO BUY TICKETS


Also, to get the latest info on all things Tribal, hop over to Devon Allman's Honeytribe to view latest videos of their in studio shenanigans. All the info you could ever want regarding their upcoming album Space Age Blues is there!!

The news that everyone has been waiting for: The Allman Brothers Band New York dates!! This year the Allmans will be performing at The United Palace Theatre at 4140 Broadway in Washington Heights. The Beacon Theatre was booked by Cirque du Soleil from January until possibly August. According to Gregory L. Allman the show will go on because "one monkey don't stop no show." HAHAHA!!! That's my boy!



Here's my take on it because it's my blog and I can. The Allman Brothers have played the Beacon Theatre for 20 years, steadily bringing in folks from all over the country as well as the world. Last year I talked with the owner of The Viand, a cafe next door to the Beacon Theatre. When he was asked about The Allman Brothers run, he stated that he looked forward to hosting fans, band members and crew, and colleagues because not only are they some great people, but also, as a businessman, the revenues during the run are some of the best of the year for him. So...there ya go! The New York Times stated in a recent article:

"The theater stands to gross far more from “Banana Shpeel,” which is booked for nearly 100 performances at the Beacon, than it did from the Allman Brothers Band, which played 15 shows there in 2009. (Last month Cirque du Soleil said it had postponed the New York opening of “Banana Shpeel” by three weeks so the production could have more rehearsal time at the Beacon, after a Chicago run was poorly received by critics there.)"


In other words, The Allman Brothers who have steadily brought in astronomical revenues not only for The Beacon Theatre AND Hotel, but also surrounding businesses, were ditched for a circus performance with bad reviews. WTF?!?!?!?!? So now we faithful followers will have to get used to a hall with notably poor acoustics. Not to worry. According to Mr. Allman, "With our sound system, we'll make our own damn acoustics." And now we will have to familiarize ourselves with a new area. Once again...not to worry. Gregory states he and colleagues may rent a bar so that fans will be offered, "a safe, safe place to get loaded or talk to the pretty women -- do the things that us guys do." Thank you Gregory! Always lookin' out for us. *ahem*

On to business! The Allman Brothers Band United Palace Theatre dates are as follows:

Thursday, March 11, 2010.

Friday, March 12, 2010.

Saturday, March 13, 2010.

Monday, March 15, 2010.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010.

Thursday, March 18, 2010.

Friday, March 19, 2010.

Saturday, March 20, 2010.

I know! I know! That's not very many dates you may say. Far short of the 15 that were played last year. It has been my experience that the boys will add more dates later on, and I'll be sure to bring 'em to ya! Until then, tickets go on sale January 15, 2010, at 10am EST, and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.

The seating chart:




Now for.....


THE GREGG ALLMAN PHOTO OF THE DAY

This photo was taken by Tami Goldsmith, November 28, 2006.

Stay tuned. And remember: While there is music, life is no waste.

A Fresh Start

I'm back in the saddle again...


Hey folks! Time for a new blog. I've been out of touch for a while due to some unforeseen and unfortunate circumstances. Now I'm ready to rock and roll!!! Seriously. Time for a change of subject and a change of address....since I can't get into my old blog. Here's what y'all missed.... http://greggswoman.blogspot.com


I decided that my subject, Gregg Allman, was too narrow. No disrespect intended to Gregory at all. I will still dole out the 411 on Mr. Allman because he's the subject at which I'm most proficient.


Now on to bigger and better things! My new blog will be dedicated to music and just anything I can think of. But mostly MUSIC!! I plan on reporting news, conducting interviews, performing reviews (even though I'm not really good at that), and just plain spouting off.


Some news! George Potsos from Devon Allman's Honeytribe report they have gone into the studio as of January 2 to record their new album Space Age Blues due out May 2010. I can't wait! They are recording their album at the famous Ardent Studios in Memphis, TN.


Tony Tyler! I'm proud to say that I know this young man personally and have watched him flourish over the last few years. Now....he's coming out with an album Under The Lights. This album due out “soon” was mastered at Abbey Road Studios. I know what an enormous Beatles fan Tony is, so I can imagine how stoked he was and is about this! Here's the promo video for Under The Lights.









And for the crème de la crème, Gregory L. Allman. Gregory's New Year's Eve performance from Lincoln, RI, was broadcast live on Sirius/XM. During his show, he reports that he has a new album coming out. Now....here's the deal. Having been a fan of his for a while now, and having him promise a new album every year but failing to deliver, I wasn't too moved....until he pulled out some new tunes during the show! I can officially say that I'm excited! Jamo Van de Bogert, drum tech extraordinaire, was kind enough to divulge the name of the tunes in question. One was an old public domain song that is Country-down-funk called “Floating Bridge”. Great tune! The other song was penned by Gregory and Mr. Warren Haynes entitled “Just Another Rider”. It's about time we received new material from Gregory. I for one will be waiting eagerly for this gem to arrive!


And that's all for the news. So let's recap:



Space Age Blues by Devon Allman's Honeytribe
Under The Lights by Tony Tyler
As Yet Unnamed Album by Gregg Allman




And now for a segment of the blog I will call.....



THE GREGG ALLMAN PHOTO OF THE DAY

This photo was taken by me at the House of Blues in Dallas, TX, October 20, 2007.


Y'all stay tuned.....and remember: While there is music, life is no waste.