Norman's Rockwell

No Sophomore Slump

2009-02-15T22:42:00.000-08:00

I just finished doing something I haven't done in a decade or two. I played several dozen Beatles songs, including I'll Be Back, Tell Me Why, Julia and Michelle, on my (new) acoustic guitar. Picked up an inexpensive Yamaha with birthday funds. It occurred to me that I've never actually owned a real acoustic guitar. The first guitar I ever bought, and it's displayed in the corner of this very room, is not a hollow body, but is considered an acoustic electric. It's not really good for either, but it's a piece of my musical history. Anyway, after the old Ibanez couldn't hold a tune in church today, I determined that it was time for a new member to join the family. It took me about 90 minutes to pick out a guitar and then the salesman brought out a minty fresh one from the stock room. Trying to help the musical economy!

So this evening, I unwrapped the new guitar, tuned it up and went to town. First I worked on what will be the special music at church next month: a little spiritual from Sign "O" The Times. Then I spent an hour with the Fab Four and a fake book I bought at Olsson's in Georgetown during the Reagan administration. I learned this past month that Olsson's finally shuttered. I've always loved playing the Beatles, ever since I first taught myself how to strum chords on a borrowed guitar.

This morning, I lead the 8:15 worship service in the beautiful Boyer Chapel at church. My second sermon was entitled "Drop Me In The Water." It was based on an Old Testament text, 2 Kings 5, which was a challenge. From all accounts it served its purpose in proclaiming God's greatness. The special music today was Rev. Al Green's Take Me To The River. Rivers (the Jordan, Hudson and Cuyahoga) were a central motif.

I've got my work cut out for me as I have claimed the 3rd Sunday of every month to preach at church. Since my next sermon will be between Lent and Easter it might be a little heavier that the first two. I've selected John 2 from the choices of readings. I'm having fun, though it is a bit like walking a tight rope. Between the sermons and homilies once a month for the youngsters (and faculty) at Wesley School's chapel, I'm getting my church on. If you are in the L.A. area on a Sunday, join me. I'll spring for coffee afterward.

A note of thanks to my amigo, Christo, who sent me Prince's 21 Nights. It's a lavish coffee table book that came with a fantastic live CD, that went straight into the iPod. The album, not the book.

In non-musical news, non-church news, congrats to my driver Matt Kenseth who won his first Daytona 500 today in the driving rain. So what if the race was shortened. A win is a win!

I hope that you had a love-filled Valentines' Day or at least a pleasant Saturday night. As for tomorrow: Happy Presidents' Day. My top 5 favorite Presidents, in no order:

Abraham Lincoln

James K Polk

Barack Obama

Woodrow Wilson

Theodore Roosevelt

Peace & Disco Beats

GRAMMY Live Blog

2009-02-08T20:08:00.000-08:00

11:29 PM

Last year's Grammy Show was superior. Even though this one had Radiohead, U2 and Macca. I thought that Springsteen was invited. Glad we didn't go after all. Save the dough for next year. We have Springsteen and U2 to look forward to next time anyway. OK, in the morning, I'll format this blog into chronological order.

Checking the non-televised winners, I find some solace. Duffy won pop album of the year for Rockferry which improves with each play. Zappa Plays Zappa won best rock instrumental! Springsteen's Girls In Their Summer Clothes won best rock composition aka song. Hands down, the best lyric of the past several years in any genre. Peter Gabriel's spiritual Down To Earth from Wall-E nabbed best song written for a film. My choice for video, Weezer's Pork & Beans was a winner. I got the long-form Grammy winner Peter Bogdonovich's Running Down A Dream for my birthday this weekend (thanks, cousin Chris). So the pre-awards would have been fun to attend. Problem is you have to buy the ticket for the big show (which is always a bit of a let down).

Time to power down the blog. Phew. Goodnight, Tonight.

Peace & Disco Beats

11:22 PM

As big a let-down as last year for Album of the Year. I saw this coming from miles away. Plant and Krauss made a quality disc, but the punctuation at the end of this slate is a little flat. Robert Plant is deserving for maintaining. The academy though is doing itself no favors by having these younger acts performing, but not winning. This could be the final nail in the retail music coffin.

Time to wrap up. The wrap up music is playing. Wrap it up.

Back to a ringer: Stevie Wonder. However I don't recognize the song he's playing. Am I out of touch? Nope. It will be back to Franz Ferdinand in the morning.

11:17 PM

Plant and Krauss are on. The sound is horrid. What's going on!? At least they've got a light fan going to get those golden locks moving on both of them. I have to imagine that the sound on the stage is alright, because they are in tune. Just sounds like there is no accompaniment. Heaven knows that Led Zeppelin probably deserved any number of Grammys in their time, but I'm not sure this collaboration is representative of the best work of the nominated artists this year.

Hooray, Rick Rubin is producer of the year.

11:08 PM

I'm going to predict (again) that Plant/Krauss win album of the year. Just a feeling the way this is going. Although Shi'staynze and Coldplay are nice bets. Ne-Yo has no chance and Radiohead is still too avant garde for the Grammys.

Nice to see trumpeter Terence Blanchard and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band during Allen Toussaint's tribute to Nawlins. I met Mr. Blanchard at last year's Grammys, a dear and talented fellow. What's happened in the last 30 minutes that I didn't blog. Well, Neil Diamond performed. I walked the dog in the rain. Made sweet green tea.

10:38 PM

Jamie Foxx could have been a star at Motown in the '60s. He's one of the few acting talents that can really sing. This tribute to the 4 Tops is amazing. The producers chose really good people (Smokey, T.I. & Foxx) to join original Top Duke Fakir. Doesn't hurt that those are two of the best records ever.

10:30 PM

Now, I like JT, but he's the male version of Carrie Underwood. He's ubiquitous and now he's sung twice tonight. Someone show T.I. how to wear a hat. The hip-hop summit was ok (it was saved by M.I.A.'s presence). Neil Portnow is talking about Obama. I remember when the President won his second award for reading his autobiography. That makes him the first Grammy Winner to hold the highest office in the land. Represent!

10:26PM

Forget the Avengers movie, Samuel L. Jackson will apparently be playing Waldo in the new film Where the F is Waldo. Only Sam could make those glasses look hip.

10:17 PM

Gwyneth Paltrow IS the walking disco ball. She just introduced the "utterly brilliant" Radiohead. Uh, Gwyneth, Coldplay is in the room...

Thom Yorke is doing his thing with the USC marching band. That's a cool gig for the students. Radiohead are outclassing the rest of the field with this perf. Easily the most interesting act.

10:11 PM

Respect to Neil Diamond, but I can't hear his songs without thinking of Will Ferrell's riotous spoof of him on SNL. Or Diamond in black face in the Jazz Singer remake with Olivier.

10:06 PM

Yawn. Sugarland and Adele are earnest. But at the 2/3 mark, this show needs pep.

McCartney was in fine form, although good old Dave Grohl was overplaying. I Saw Her Standing There is a ringer. A Beatle is a ringer. You have to enjoy it. It's good for you.

Kudos for the due-today M.I.A. for her performance. She held her polka-dotted and very pregnant own with Jay-Z, T.I., Kanye and Lil' Babee Shi'staynze. In fact, for my money, the producers could have let M.I.A. do all of Paper Planes.

9:41 PM

Herbie Hancock out-dressed P.Diddy. Wild. Record of the Year. I voted for M.I.A. Denied. It's the Plant/Krauss show. Keep in mind this is the award for the the best single of the year. There's no way this recording was tops in that category. I like Robert Plant, but this is mystifying. Their song was not a hit single! But that's why I vote, so I can comment

9:32 PM

How committed am I to the live blog? Not very. I love the Grammy Awards, but I'm underwhelmed. Patty said (since the show is not live here in L.A.) that we'd be home by now. Or at least out at dinner after the awards. This is my first real attempt at a real time blog not including Election night, which was amazing. I might limit it to a check in every half hour. Katy Perry took a lot out of us.

9:27 PM

Kanye is needing his S-curl spray. The Mullet-fro is taking me back to 1984. He's channeling Andre Cymone more than Michael. Oh, the music dropped out again. Too bad that didn't happen during Katy Perry's act. I hope Duffy wins best new artist!

9:20 PM

Does anyone really care about Katy Perry? She descended in a jumbo chiquita banana! Nothing says Grammy like giant pieces of fruit on stage. Carmen Miranda would approve... of the mutated produce. Katy looks good, but she can't really dance or even move. She kissed a girl, but couldn't walk and chew gum at the same time. Patty is pained and says "Katy, get back in your banana."

9:16 PM

I know I supported Kid Rock for best Rock Album. Coldplay certainly sold the most albums that featured a band playing its own instruments. Wondering why Chris Brown is on the run from the law. CBS keeps touting him during the show, but the news bumpers say he's on the lam.

I won't bag on the kids too badly. This will probably be the most viewed Grammy Awards since Michael's heyday by virtue of the Jonas/Miley appearances.

9:13 PM

Superstition. Don't let the Jonas Brothers sing a long with this song. "Very sacrilegious."

9:10 PM

Stevie Wonder must have gotten a call from the Obama's to play with the Jonas Brothers. It was pointed out to me that though they play their own instruments, no one takes a solo within the context of the JB's music. Stevie's not mixed in this well, but he's singing the heck out of this song, like the boys can't. And soloing no less.

9:05 PM

Jennifer Hudson's outfit made much more sense this time around. And her vocals were great as usual, even if the mix left something to be desired. I have to remind myself that she's already an Oscar winner, a Golden Globe winner and a Grammy winner in the past 24 months since NOT winning Idol.

I predicted back in December at the nomination show that the Plant/Krauss team-up will win a grip of hardware. Let the count begin.

8:52 PM

"It's Miley!!"

8:45 PM

Kid Rock is playing a medley of his songs, including All Summer Long which was a surprise hit this Summer. The sound mix is getting curious. I can't imagine all of these vocal break-downs are intentional.

8:42 PM

At least Coldplay acknowledged that they were trying to be Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts' Club Band. I wanted Sara Bareilles to win the songwriter's award for Love Song. Duffy and Al Green did a nice job of presenting. Al's brief take on Moon River has been the best performance so far.

8:28 PM

I understand she's popular, an Idol veteran, and is racking up Grammy's, but Carrie Underwood doesn't need to be on the show every year. Wow and flutter, the sound is going in and out. That ain't my TV.

8:20 PM

Michael Caine called, he wants his glasses back. Coldplay are performing Lost. 60 Minutes did a piece on them right before the telecast. Chris Martin apparently repaints his piano on a regular basis. And he wishes his band had more personality. I found that interesting. Been there. So, as a result they spared us a moment with Andy Rooney. But we get Jay-Z! And now Viva La Vida. Hard for them to follow U2. They're like a technicolor, kid brother version of the monochromatic (much more impressive) U2.

8:13 PM

Timberlake cannot keep up with the Reverend Al Green. This is a 50th GRAMMY moment. Complete with wonky sound mix. Or maybe that was intentional. Al looks good though!

8:09 PM.

The Grammy Awards are on (previously recorded)! Bono and U2 opened and ran through their song, Get On Your Boots. So new that the lyrics had to be flashed on screen behind them. Not their strongest lead single, but it's U2. Always entertaining.

Whitney Houston just presented the Best R&B Album award. She seemed a little tipsy or woozy or whitney. Jennifer Hudson, your winner, brought her purse on stage with her. She can just tuck that gramophone in their and get back to her seat. Miss Hudson's outfit was not as flattering as it should have been.

Let's leave the comedy to the comedians. Poor JT and the Rock not working the room very well.

Happy Birthday, Stewart

2009-02-07T10:08:00.000-08:00

Ah, post-Birthday musings. What a wonderful night last night. The Aroma cafe was perfect. Even if were outdoors and had waterfalls on three sides of our casbah.

Some of you know that I sponsor a child through World Vision. His name is Stewart and he resides in Uganda with his family. I became connected to him through World Vision's Experience Africa exhibit last year. There were so many children in need of monetary and spiritual support to choose to sponsor. It was overwhelming.

I selected Stewart because of his angelic face and because his birthday falls the day after mine. So, I'm taking the time to wish Stewart a very happy 8th Birthday! I know he won't see this blog, but this little man, his family and village are in my daily prayers. Prayers for a long, healthy and happy life, free from violence, disease and poverty; full of fun, peace and God's love and care. I hope he got his present on time. Stewart's WV liaison wrote me a note that was decorated with drawings by Stewart several weeks ago. He loves football, so there were several soccer balls in the margins. How cool to get mail from him all the way from Uganda.

World Vision is a wonderful organization. They receive the left-over Superbowl souvenirs that feature the losers printed as winners. WV distributes these clothing items to needy folks around the globe. My joke is that somewhere in Africa people think the Patriots had a perfect season last year. Seriously, it's nice that the manufacturers donate the shirts so WV can clothe folks.

Several people gifted me with donations of ducks and chicks to the globe's neediest from World Vision for my birthday. Two friends also donated in my name to assist abused girls in underdeveloped countries. I'm pleased that they were moved to honor me so and that this is such a wonderful cause. God bless them and the staff at WV.

Peace and Disco Beats

Rainy Night In NoHo

2009-02-06T22:51:00.001-08:00

Thanks to everyone who sent their Birthday wishes. Extra thanks to those who braved the rain to join me for cake at Aroma. The donations to World Vision were wonderful. To my extended family and friends near and far, I want you to know that you are loved and appreciated. You make me feel so young!

Peace & Love

The 100 Yard Dash Away From The 30's

2009-02-05T23:21:00.000-08:00

Dog my cats, it's raining.

I've spent the evening putting together a few collages for my birthday gathering tomorrow night. Yes, I will be working at the studio tomorrow. I've got performers counting on me. My new extended family. Anyway, I have boxes of pictures I haven't looked through in (gosh) a decade in some cases. Back to the Idle Kings, the beginning of my life in Los Angeles, my misspent youth.

Just a few random thoughts.

1. Etta James is justified, little crazy, but so. She should have been invited to sing for the Obamas as long as At Last was part of the programming. This is Beyonce's second miscue, after last year's Grammy's when she called Tina the "Queen of Soul." Huh? Now, I know Beyonce is not responsible for either incident, but she's the common ground in each.

2. Franz Ferdinand continues to challenge me. This group puts out an album and makes me want to get right back at it. Tonight: Franz Ferdinand has some wonderful disco-rock moments, especially the lead single Ulysses and No You Girls. And worst, I've missed two chance to see them here in town the past month. They played an in-store at Amoeba last week. Dang.

3. Thanks to all of you who've helped me get to 40, especially the Missus, Mom & Dad, Nate & Gmom. Thanks to everyone who's made my musical career so fulfilling, especially Doug & Bryan, Larry, Dave, Adam & Lady T, Dennis & Scoots, Henry, Montana, Mikey & Mark. Scrap what F.S.F. said about no second acts in American lives. I'm on to Act III, so far as I can tell. Wait until you dig what's coming next for yours truly. Music, preachin' and a whole lot of love. It was three years ago on my birthday that I decided to take the band to the UK for the first time. Who knows what new madness I'll conjure?

4. John Lennon. Can't believe I'll be older than him very shortly. God bless his immortal soul and memory. The first song I will listen to in the morning will be the Beatles' Birthday. It's been my sole B-day tradition for the past 22 years.

The next time I see you, I will have begun my 5th decade. Thank you, Lord!

Peace & Coconut Creme Cake

Main Events I Won't Be Attending

2009-01-30T07:02:00.000-08:00

Just when I thought it was safe to not attend the Grammys. The tickets are very expensive, even for voting members of the Academy. Plus, the nominees list wasn't that thrilling to me. So, I made the executive decision to stay home. Last year for the 50th Grammy Awards, rumor was that McCartney and Michael would perform. Don't get me wrong: Tina tore the house down after Aretha raised the roof. It was a heckuva a show, but what if...

Now in the past 72 hours came announcements that Macca, Springsteen, Radiohead and Jay-Z would be there. Oh, and then today comes word that Kid Rock, Robert Plant and U2 will be on the bill. Whaaaaa!? Well, I'm just going to watch it in HiDef in the comfort of my own home. Maybe I'll put on the tux and strut around the beige carpet and loiter by the bar in my kitchen nursing a glass of veggie juice. Still, no Michael, so I can rest easy.

Then, in the e-mail this morning came the lineup for Coachella which Prince headlined last year. Now, there's no way you could get me out there. The 116 degree direct sun, no shade desert? With 21,000 of my closest friends? Never! Not unless you had McCartney, and like, Fleet Foxes and Franz Ferdinand or Public Enemy and the Black Keys along with Amy Winehouse and Leonard Cohen thrown in for good measure. What? They're all playing Coachella? DANG!

No regrets. The economy hasn't bouyed enough to afford the tix to either event.

Sometimes life is funny that way. I wish you all a happy weekend. I'm hoping to catch the AMCB set at Brennan's if I'm not exhausted after a day at the studio and the drawing class I'm attending at the Norton-Simon in Pasadena. Got to get my culture on!

Peace & Disco Beats

Eli Stone Hits Britain

2009-01-27T21:17:00.001-08:00

Thanks to the UK Soul Mates who alerted me that they heard "Everyone's Ingenue" on telly! Here in the States, the season premiere of Eli Stone was back in October. Nice to know that the show made it across the pond, my song intact. And better yet, that some of you caught it.

In music news, I will not be performing at this year's IPO in Liverpool. But, I'm contemplating a return to the UK in 2010. Even numbered years seem to work out well. If God wills it, I will be there to entertain you... somehow.

Peace & Disco Beats

"Definitely, Maybe" - Great LPs of My Lifetime (First In A Series)

2009-01-24T09:36:00.000-08:00

Days like today remind me of my discovery of Oasis. Rain coming in sideways, dreary January mornings walking to the bus stop and then on to the studio with an uphill mush. The music on my walkman propelling my legs made by five lads from Manchester, England.

It was the beginning of 1995. I had little exposure to British pop to that point. I knew Blur's campy Girls & Boys; Elastica's booming Connection was all over modern rock radio. But that was about it. Then one night, I was in the Tower Records on Ventura when I spotted a magazine called MOJO. The headline was "The Band You've Always Wanted." Really? A few days later, I trotted into Hollywood to seek out this band's debut CD.

For Christmas, I received a gift certificate to Blockbuster. They were pioneering the try before you buy model that eventually ran them out of business. It was my first time, so I sheepishly asked the attendant to listen to a disc called Definitely, Maybe. From the opening wall of guitars on Rock'N'Roll Star I was hooked. I didn't even need to hear the rest of the album. I got it and was back at my Hollywood hovel in minutes with the album cranked up. The next day I went to a newsstand and bought every British music mag I could lay hands on, including MOJO. BritPop became my crack for the next 3 years.

This past week, I put together a new play list of BritPop favorites. Oasis figures heavily. They became all I wanted to listen to in early '95. I only caught the music video for Live Forever once, but I would play it in my apartment constantly. Its chorus, "You and I are gonna live forever," became a mantra for me. A few days later, I shelled out $9 for an import CD single of Oasis' non-LP single Whatever. Wow. It was as if the Beatles had been reborn. I proceeded to buy up import single after import single to get all of the B-Sides. All in the span of two weeks.

The rain came down, I was making little money. It was a lonely time, but I had Oasis to amp me up. Then I saw the LA Weekly: Oasis were coming to town. I was late on the jump. Tickets had started at $10.67 (the show was sponsored by KROQ, the cost of the tickets being their location on the FM dial), but I missed out. I went to a broker and paid a whopping $35 for a standing room ticket. But what standing room. I was right next to the stage the whole night. Kicked in the head, pushed, jolted, bopped. Whatever. The show was glorious. They stoically tore through 95% of their album. Cigarettes and Alcohol still rings through my mind as I think about it. Oasis finished the set with I Am The Walrus. Ha ha. The nerve! They had it and have never lost it.

I lingered around the Palace's dance floor after the show, soaking up the atmosphere. From behind the stage emerged this shorter fellow with a Beatle Mop Top. It was lead guitarist, Noel Gallagher. I walked right up and introduced myself and told him how amazing the band and the CD were. He was very kind and seemed genuinely humbled by my compliment. He said "Thanks, nice to meet you, etc," and then was off for the bar.

Noel and his brother Liam have gotten bad raps over the years for being unapproachable, boorish, untalented... Whatever. I will always rank Noel among the coolest of my peers. Things came full-circle, in 2006, when I got to record at Monnow Valley Studio in Wales where Oasis had their first sessions for Definitely, Maybe.

Definitely, Maybe continually shows up on Top 100 lists. I'm not sure where it stands for myself but certainly within the Top 50. The CD is still as fresh and exciting as when I first heard it. So of it's time: Cool Britannia.

They paved the way to my taste for new and established UK acts like Supergrass and Pulp and the Austin Powers phenomenon. With their very personal battle with Blur, they competed to put out superlative records on a regular basis. It was exciting to visit record stores back then to hear what would come out of England next. Yes, for a long time, Oasis were the "Band I Always Wanted."

Peace

Not So Chic, But Rock Hall Gets a Run(-DMC) For Its Money

2009-01-22T07:12:00.001-08:00

Well, friends here we are a few days into the Obama administration and I'm still excited. Bought all the various newspapers I could. It will take me a while to read through them, but I'll do my best.

On to music. The Rock Hall class for 2009 was announced recently and as usual, I am disappointed by the omission of Chic. This band, not simply a disco act or one-hit wonder, deserves the recognition. Perhaps in another decade, founding member Nile Rodgers will be honored as an individual in a technical category for his production and writing prowess. Le Freak excites me every time I hear it. Their other big hits, I Want Your Love and Good Times form the basis of a great jazz influenced dance canon. Oh, well.

[Search my blogs for previous entries touting the worthiness of Chic's induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.]

As for this year's class, I'm only truly thrilled for Run-DMC. They are one of the cornerstones of hip-hop and modern rock. Yeah, I said it. Without Run-DMC, no Beastie Boys, no Beck, no Public Enemy, no Aerosmith comeback or Johnny Cash's valedictory run. Why? Because along with the awesome, influential music Run-DMC created, their act is associated with the seminal label Def-Jam and a producer for the ages: Rick Rubin. To call Rubin a genius is fair. Plus Run-DMC was fun, they weren't about abuse, drugs or guns. They were all about the kicks, the Kangols and the rhymes. Their induction performance, minus deceased DJ Jam Master Jay, will be moving and spectacular. Run-DMC's inclusion in the Rock Hall will also open the gates for other deserving rap acts, like P.E., the Beastie Boys & (yeah, I said it) LL Cool J.

Congrats to the other inductees including Bobby Womack & Jeff Beck.

Peace & Disco Beats

King Day Thoughts

2009-01-19T07:25:00.000-08:00

My first blog of the new year. Happy 2009 everyone. I am feeling optimistic and hopeful about the direction my life and the times are heading.

I'm thinking about the reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. this morning. It's been several years since the last time I went to his childhood home in Atlanta. Yesterday I preached at church for the first time and used two excerpts from his speeches, the Nobel Prize Acceptance and the sermon the Drum Major Instinct. In researching Dr. King, a huge light bulb came on. I am actually a few months older now than King was at the time of his assassination. Isn't that crazy? He was 35 when he won the Nobel Peace Prize. When I was 35, I hadn't even gotten the band to England.

My sermon was based on John 1:43-51, the calling of Phillip & Nathanael. It was entitled "Called (In The Name Of Love)." I spent time discussing how those disciples' reactions to their call was different, but ultimately yielded the same result; how in love, with love and in the name of love are the best ways we can respond to the call. Remember, He knows our hearts better than we do.

[Note: I will be preaching again on Sunday Feb. 15 at North Hollywood First United Methodist Church. The worship begins at 8:15 AM. Contact me or the church for more details]

During both of the worship services, I performed U2's Pride (In The Name Of Love), which was written about MLK. The second time I did it, in the main service I was nearly levelled to tears by the power of the lyric. To this day, I'm surprised that it took a band from Ireland to write the definitive pop song about Dr. King.

This has been a busy new year for me. Yesterday with the preaching; and at the studio I have a new role around the back of the house. I'm now supervising the singers and improv performers at the studio. It's exciting work and edifying, too. I'm supremely thankful to God that I'm actually doing a job that I don't want to leave at the end of the shift. Frankly, I'm thankful that I have a job.

Tomorrow, I have to be at the studio, but I will be near TV sets as much as possible. The DV-R will be set to capture all of the festivities for Obama's Inauguration. I attended Bush, Sr.'s inaugural while I was in college. It was fun, even though I was the loyal opposition. I have some twinge of regret at not being there in person tomorrow, but looking at the forecast, it will be toasty and in the low 80s here. Sorry, East Coast.

So, I encourage everyone to find a way to celebrate Dr. King in their hearts and actions. To paraphrase, King felt peace is a way of life, not a concept. Today is not just a day off, it's a day on!

Peace & Disco Beats

Christmas Round Up

2008-12-27T13:08:00.000-08:00

My Christmastime was marvelous. I hope yours was too. I'm extending mine. As I type, I'm listening to Dylan Thomas reading his poem "A Child's Christmas In Wales." It is simply one of my favorite works by anyone. I'm still going to memorize it someday. I'll let you know when I'm ready to recite it.

The week was alternately wet and frigid in Los Angeles. Perfect weather for doing a lot of eating. We went to the Huntington and the Norton-Simon museum. Christmas Eve church service was very moving and the candlelight ending was poignant. It was nice having Mom in town for the Yuletide.

The Monday Night Living Nativity was fun, even if we were frozen in place. A special note of gratitude to the couple who brought corporate cocoa to us. I'm sure we had the church's most irreverent cast of characters. I'd post pictures, but I'm afraid the rest of the congregation might "tsk, tsk" us for the next 12 months.

With Mom around and the weather inclement, we watched DVDs of the first season of Newhart. For my money, still the funniest sitcom ever. Followed closely by Fawlty Towers. What is it about hapless hoteliers that's so comical? I guess it's the absurdity of having to tolerate strangers and employees that no one else would in the name of service.

I got to one movie this week: Danny Boyle's Slumdog Millionaire. Easily one of the best films of 2008. We also watched A Christmas Story, 25 years on. I can vividly remember seeing the Santa's mountain set in Higbee's at the Terminal Tower. My first brush with Hollywood as a kid.

I'm going to endeavor to keep Christmas longer this year. Even if the tree has to come down early. The spirit will remain. Smiling more. Certainly laughing more. Happy Birthday, Jesus.

Peace & Minced Meat

Top 10's For 2008

2008-12-19T19:51:00.000-08:00

Hey Soul Mates, I know, I've been a little lax in getting my year end Top 10's posted.

It's been a busy month: working the Christmas Tree lot, work in general. Festivities. My GRAMMY ballot arrived today, so that's on tap. Went to see Zappa Plays Zappa last Friday at the Roxy. That was an amazing 3 hour tribute to the genius of Frank Zappa led by his son Dweezil and Zappa alum, Ray White.

I was going to list the 10 best things I'd heard all year so I could include some non-2008 releases, like Springsteen's Magic (which would have taken the #2 LP slot and the #2 single slot for Girls In Their Summer Clothes) and David Ruffin's Unreleased Album from 1970 (#4 LP of the year). I'd also thought about marking the 30th anniversaries of the Stones Some Girls (crucial to my musical development) and Chic's Le Freak (still one of my top 5 singles of all time). But I'm omitting them and sticking to my usual format.

So here we go, just in time for a Joyeux Noel and the last days of Christmas shopping. I hope that if you purchase these as CDs or downloads that you enjoy them. Or at least are you might be curious about my selections.

Top 10 LPs of 2008 in ascending order.
#10 Blind Boys Of Alabama, Down In New Orleans
#9 Raphael Saddiq, The Way I See It
#8 Keane, Perfect Symmetry
#7 ABC, Traffic
#6 Duffy, Rockferry
#5 Supergrass, Diamond Hoo Ha. This record will forever remind me of trying to drive out of Oxford at peak hour.
#4 Black Keys, Attack & Release. Swamp-blues straight outta Akron, special sauce by Danger Mouse. Apocrypha tells us this production was borne out of material for an Ike Turner LP. I kid you, not!
#3 Fleet Foxes, Sun Giant (EP). Haunting.
#2 Fleet Foxes, Fleet Foxes. Shimmering.
#1 Norman Kelsey, A Talent For Loving. I'm biased. But if I'm lying, I'm flying.

Honorable Mention: MIA, Kala; Mariah Carey, E=MC2; Jimmy Needham, Not Without Love.

Top 10 Singles or tracks of 2008
#10 Robin Thicke, Magic
#9 Fleet Foxes, English House
#8 Keane, The Lovers Are Losing
#7 Black Keys, Strange Times
#6 Duffy, Warwick Avenue
#5 Fleet Foxes, White Winter Hymnal
#4 Peter Gabriel, Down To Earth
#3 Sara Bareilles, Love Song
#2 Norman Kelsey, U Had The $
#1 Norman Kelsey, Everything My Heart Desires. See notes for #1 LP.

Honorable Mention: Supergrass, Rebel In You; Oasis, I'm Outta Time; Black Keys, Oceans & Streams; Alicia Keys & Jack White, Another Way To Die; Coldplay, Violet Hill; Gnarls Barkley, Run and Blind Mary; Keane, Spiralling; REM, I'm Gonna DJ.

For 2009, I'm looking forward to fresh albums from Bruce Springsteen, Franz Ferdinand, Adam Marsland, D'Angelo and I hope and pray the NEW Michael Jackson!

Peace & Disco Beats

Give Peace A Chance

2008-12-08T10:00:00.000-08:00

This morning I delivered the homily for chapel at church for the Wesley School. Our theme this month is "peace." So I decided to split time for two poets. John Lennon and Maya Angelou. I was very pleased that several of the 4th graders knew Lennon's lyrics when I quizzed them. I.e. who said "Give peace a chance" or "All you need is love?" A couple of the girls were very quick tell us it was John Lennon. Turns out they had done book reports on him and the Beatles.

Today is the 28th Anniversary of John's assassination. What a pity he is gone. I can remember the following day, Tuesday morning, waking up to Strawberry Fields Forever on the radio. My 6th grade teachers (in their early 30s) were devastated. We spent the day talking about him and listening to his records.

John's music and the lessons of his life are as important as ever. As I clean the house, I have the Imagine album playing. Mr. Lennon means a lot to me. I've made two pilgrimages to Mendips and Strawberry Field in Liverpool. Played the Cavern Club several times. Visited the Dakota and Strawberry Fields in NYC. My wedding anniversary is even the same as his and Yoko's. Betcha didn't know that.

(Me at Mendips, 2008, flashing the peace sign. Previously unpublished photo.)

So for the homily, I decided that I needed to invoke John and remember him to a new generation of peace-loving people. As I mentioned, I also shared thoughts about Ms. Angelou. Then I read her poem "Amazing Peace." Appropriate for the season, "Amazing Peace" was composed a few years ago for the lighting of the National Christmas Tree ceremony. When I finished I stressed to the students that people like Lennon and Angelou are important because they promote Peace at all costs and under all circumstances. We should endeavor to do the same.

Peace. What an amazing concept. Waiting for the Prince of Peace to return, we gotta do our part. 'Tis the season every season.

Happy Xmas, War is over if you want it.

Peace & Mersey Beats

GRAMMY Nominations Concert Review

2008-12-03T21:47:00.000-08:00

Let me start with this: it was simply fun to be in the house and know that something was on the line.

Even though my GRAMMY dreams are deferred for another day, we had a swell time at the Nominations Concert at L.A. Live. It's a prime place for concerts and the Grammy shows are fun because I get to see many different performances. Foo Fighters ferocious take on You're So Vain, Mariah's Christmas (Baby Please Come Home), and the duet between B.B. King and John Mayer on Let The Good Times Roll were the highlights for me. Plus, Mariah looked great as Mrs. Claus. Frankly, all the artists did their thing, except for the vocally anemic co-host Taylor Swift. I was surprised they didn't let LL Cool J break out a classic hip hop number. But then, I'm not sure what rap songs are in the Grammy Hall of Fame.

John Mayer's post-show concert was entertaining. He performed solo and ran through his hits (Waiting On The World To Change, Wonderland) and tasteful covers (Crossroads, Free Falling). Most of his banter focused on his recently becoming tabloid fodder and mocking the "industry" in the audience for not making signs for him.

Overall, the nominations are lacking for my taste. Few artists I supported in the prelim round got nods. Raphael Saadiq did well. Bruce got several for the best song of 2008, not written by me, Girls In Their Summer Clothes. Peter Gabriel was nominated for his spiritual Down To Earth from Wall-E. But that's about it.

The awards show will be hip-hop heavy. Lil' Wayne, a crowd-pleaser apparently, who was atrocious on SNL, leads the nomination pack. But there will be plenty of rock if the Academy can convince Bruce to show up and persuade Radiohead to perform. Now that the Jonas Brothers made Best New Artist they are a ratings no-brainer for CBS. Seems a lock that Coldplay will perform as well as Robert Plant & Allison Krauss, who will rock this year's old-timey vote. Mark my words, Plant & Krauss are going to clean up. This is the kind of act and LP that my fellow voters love. As of now, I won't tip my hand, but for me, voting in many categories will involve much thoughtful listening - because I haven't heard much from the nominees.

Looking at the nominee list, I might be able to sit this show out. Unless they put together a really strong line-up of performers. As Duffy & Lil' Wayne's live TV performances showed me, most of the newer acts are lacking in stage presence. Their music videos may be representative, but the proof is in the live stage work.

It was very cool and I feel like I accomplished a lot by getting my album entered into the competition. I was also touched by the wonderful words of encouragement I received from you all. Thanks for the prayers. I'm looking forward to putting together my next record. Writing is slow going, but I've got three lyrics done. I need another dozen before approaching the studio. So, we're looking at another year before new music from yours truly. In the meantime, if you don't have A Talent For Loving yet, what are you waiting for? It also makes a great Christmas or Hanukkah gift.

Peace & Disco Beats

Tomorrow Night Never Knows

2008-12-02T23:16:00.000-08:00

Happy December. Christmastime is here again. Ain't been 'round since you know when.

I'm getting very excited about tomorrow night: GRAMMY Nominations will be announced. I will be in attendance at the Nokia Live for the event. It's not clear how many categories (other than the 4 marquees) will be announced. May be that the majority of the nominations will be released on Thursday morning. Regardless, it should be a fun night. Gotta look sharp. Anything can happen in Los Angeles. I might meet Paris and become her latest, newest BFF.

There will be plenty of performances for the show. John Mayer is doing a whole concert. Morris Day and the Time are playing the after-party. I'm looking forward to BB King and Mariah. The show airs live on CBS at 9 PM, EST. Check your local listings.

I'm believing that there will fantastic news to share with you on Thursday. No matter what, I've felt blessed through the whole process. My dog agrees with me. Or maybe it's the snacks. I'm rooting for some other artists to get nominations, too. I'll be pleased if the Black Keys, Raphael Saadiq, Keane, Fleet Foxes, Mariah & Bruce are recognized with nods.

So I continue immersing myself in vintage Temptations, who could be nominated tomorrow for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance, too. I went to Amoeba last night and got a copy of Temptations Live! from a concert date in 1966. Spectacular. I also have been studying David Ruffin's The Unreleased Album. What a gas to discover some new music. Along with Christmas music, the Tempts are in heavy rotation on my iPod.

Facebook finally got me. It's been a mind warp catching up with people I knew in 1st grade and college. A positive experience so far. I had been reluctant to sign up for "FB" and even after I logged on, I was leery. But finding all of these familiar faces has been cool. Especially since I moved around a lot as a kid. There are friends that I thought I'd never reconnect with and they are alive and well. So, if you are on Facebook, look me up. I have a musician page along with my profile. Of course, I will maintain my presence on MySpace. It's more advantageous for getting out my music.

Peace & Golden Gramophones

Thankfulness '08 Version

2008-11-26T08:03:00.000-08:00

It's Thanksgiving. Time to take stock of what I'm thankful for this year. Although I tell God all the time that I'm thankful for everything everyday.

But the emphasis this year is on the opportunities I've had to serve my church and community. I've had a blast assisting with morning chapel on Mondays. Leading Bible study has been cool and enlightening. Going to the San Fernando Valley Rescue Mission on a monthly basis has made me even more grateful that I earn enough to keep a roof over my head and food on the table.

I'm also thankful for my family: Patty, Callie, Renee, Mom & Dad, Nathan and Herb, Gmom, Nil & Uma. I'm appreciative of my church and musical families. Thanks for your love and support this year and every year. Friends and fans around the globe, I've got a lot of love for you too.

In one week, the GRAMMY nominations will be announced. I'll be at the Nokia theatre for the live concert and TV program, believing. Believing. Thanks to everyone who has expressed their support in action and in prayer for my career and this particular endeavor.

Thanksgiving has always been a favorite holiday of mine. It signals the beginning of the Christmas season for one. As a kid, the Wednesday before Turkey Day meant traveling: to Pittsburgh, to East Lansing, to Alexandria, to Oakland, to Atlanta, and now to Corona. A sense of adventure and the promise of tasty food. I hold those memories dear and look forward to creating new memories this year.

I wish you and your family a very Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving.

Peace and Cranberry Sauce

The Boss's Latest Is Free

2008-11-24T17:24:00.000-08:00

New music has arrived on the interwebs. Fans of Bruce, or Obama for that matter, need to check out Working On A Dream. This was a song that Springsteen debuted while touring in support of Obama's presidential campaign. It's free on iTunes this week. I'm awaiting the whole new album from the Boss since it sounds like a true sequel to 2007's Magic, which featured the E Street Band in all its glory. Bruce and Co. will be the halftime entertainment at the Superbowl in January. Maybe he'll perform at the GRAMMY awards the following week. No doubt Springsteen will be in DC for the inauguration. Yours truly will watch two of those three events from home.

Other fresh cuts I'm digging right now include Keane's very 80's The Lovers Are Losing and the return of Q-Tip with Gettin' Up. I'm still getting my Motown education on with the Temptations. I'm hoping to check out their show with the Four Tops at the Gibson on Friday.

Happy Thanksgiving Week

Temptations

2008-11-16T17:05:00.000-08:00

On the Temptations.

Part 1: Thanks, Vanity Fair. This month's issue of the magazine features an (all-too brief) oral history of Motown Records. It was fascinating to read the first person accounts of the early years of Hitsville and Berry Gordy's successes. The vintage pics and current photos by Annie Leibowitz of the surviving Motown roster are wonderful.

The article reminded me how much I adore the records that came out of Detroit's hit factory. Many of the songs had gotten so overplayed on "oldies" radio, that I had forgotten how amazing the singles were on their own merit. As a youngster, I really enjoyed Smokey Robinson and the Miracles and of course, the Jackson 5. In later years, I gravitated toward the grittier sound of James Brown and the Stax label because their records felt fresher to my ears.

The real rediscovery was my love of the Temptations. I met the Temptations at the Charlotte airport coming home for Christmas as a freshman in college. I still have their autographs on a random piece of paper in my office. I can remember when I first moved to Los Angeles, I was really into them. I learned all of the vocal parts to their biggest smashes: Ain't Too Proud To Beg, My Girl, Just My Imagination, and I Can't Get Next To You. Each one of these cuts is legendary and we all know the words! The Tempts deserved to be part of the earliest Rock Hall induction classes.

So, I downloaded a bunch of Temptations records last night. Oh boy, they sound great. I blasted them on the stereo late into the night. The performances are brighter and more potent than I remembered. Get Ready is playing on right now. Wow. Sing it, Eddie! There are tracks I got that I have never heard before. Now, that's fun to uncover great performances lost in the tidal wave of the Classic Hits.

Part 2: This week's Rolling Stone has a spread on the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time. FYI, the survey covers the Rock & Roll era, 1955 to the present. The musicians who were polled got it right for the most part. Each voter got to select their Top 20 which was then compiled into a list of the Top 100.

It's a crime though that Temptation Eddie Kendricks is missing from the list. [Steely Dan's Donald Fagen, Harry Nilsson, Teena Marie, Boy George and Rick James, also absent, would make my favorite 100.] I'm pleased that the voters recognized David Ruffin's contributions. But it seems odd that they neglected to include Mr. Kendricks, whose falsetto performances are as equally influential as Mr. Ruffin's iconic vocals. I'll drop Rolling Stone a line.

In the meantime, dig the sounds of the Temptations when you can. They really are the most amazing vocal group of all time. Without them, there's no Jackson 5, Sly & The Family Stone, Hall & Oates, Boyz II Men, Bee Gees, etc. I'm going to crank them Tempts up again. Sorry, neighbors. Don't Let The Joneses Get You Down.

Peace & Psychedelic Soul

Barack And The Family Stone

2008-11-05T10:38:00.000-08:00

My fellow Americans,
I've found the perfect soundtrack for this morning: Sly & The Family Stone's Greatest Hits. Jubilant, slightly defiant and entirely energizing. Though these songs are 40 years old, they sum up the moment perfectly. Hope overflows from these tracks and Sly's multi-culti pop family. Here's a sample of their wonderful songs spinning on my iPod:

Everyday People
Stand!
Everybody Is A Star
Sing A Simple Song
You Can Make It If You Try
I Want To Take You Higher

Let's get it together and keep it together, America. No matter our color, sex, religious belief or economic status. We all still speak English; democracy is alive. Sly speaks to us from the pregnant past to the funky future we are embracing. We are all Everyday People in a victorious new day! We've got to live together. You can make it if you try. And everybody is a star, or at least they can be now.

America rejoice. It took a lot of faith, hope and unity to get us to this moment. That's worth fighting for and remembering. In case you missed it or want to relive it, dig Obama's victory speech!

Peace to all of you. I do want to take you higher! I am Everyday People!

Not Morgan Freeman, But An Actual Black President

2008-11-04T21:20:00.000-08:00

Wow. Barack's speech has given me more hope for America's future than any I've ever heard. Seeing President-Elect Obama with Joe Biden is beyond moving. We have a real blended family taking over on Pennsylvania Avenue. Finally, we're witnessing the American Dream. Obama is the perfect face for our country. Truly a world citizen.

Barack's address to Chicago and the nation was smooth and firm. Easily the most amazing speech I've heard in my life. It really felt like watching a movie with a charismatic thespian (like Mr. Freeman) playing the President. America is once again a land of opportunity for all. One of the New York Times editorials stated that the American Civil War ended tonight. There will still be struggles, but we can see that the tide has changed. A new generation has spoken and we're seeing a bold, new America unfold.

Looking at the previous 43 Presidents, now I get to see a face that looks like mine. Now, there is a President with an equally different middle name as myself. Finally, there is a brown face in charge. This is so energizing. There are many problems facing our nation. My prayer is that as a country, as humanity, we can live up to the promise of our choice of President. Not just because he's black, but because of what he represents. Sea change. I hope that we all can celebrate Obama's win and unite in a meaningful way to restore the economy, heal cultural wounds, help the needy and educate our youth.

Surreal. We will get to tell our grandchildren that a monumental shift occurred tonight. How cool is that? I'm so pleased that I got to share the evening with my family and friends. Thanks for the phone calls everyone. Time to watch the rest of the coverage. Sigh.

Peace

#44... Your New President

2008-11-04T20:09:00.000-08:00

History. Rarely have I ever felt a positive part of American History before. But tonight is different. Barack Obama has blasted through the toughest glass ceiling. We got the news from Jon Stewart, who said "At 11:00 PM, Barack Obama is the President-Elect." This is too exciting for words.

I had a chance to talk to my Father twice on this historic occasion. My Dad who knows first hand the civil rights struggles that made this night possible. Thanks, Dad. I can't wait to talk to him tomorrow to get his further perspective. Of course, I can't wait to discuss with my Mom, too.

God bless you, President-Elect Obama. I wanted to be Commander-in-Chief as a kid, but always thought it would be impossible as a "non-white" person. The mantra of "you can grow up to be anything in America" never rang true until tonight. As a student of history, I couldn't be more excited. We'll get a woman into the White House soon enough, but for tonight let's keep on Baracking!

McCain has just conceded. Pinch me. Have we really elected a black man President? World, did you see that! Barack Obama has won and so have we. We put our votes where our mouths (and Constitution) are. He's black, y'all! And he's the new leader of the FREE WORLD. World, I am sorry for the last 8 years. The nightmare is over. Hope has come home to America.

I am so anxious to hear Barack's acceptance speech. Oh my! We've raised a toast to Barack and an administration that restores America to its former greatness.

Peace & Love

Barack Like Me

2008-11-04T07:47:00.001-08:00

VOTE!

The most patriotic thing we can do as Americans right now is to VOTE!

You all know that I'm supporting Barack Obama. He's had my endorsement for months. And Fred Armisen needs the work. I'm looking forward to watching the returns tonight.

May I remind you again? VOTE!

Time for me to get myself to the polls.

Peace and God Bless America

GRAMMY Update and a Different Madonna

2008-10-29T17:26:00.000-07:00

Only one week to go with nomination balloting for the 51st GRAMMY Awards. Thanks for all of the prayers and positive feedback! I've been reaching out to as many folks as possible to make them aware of my entries. It is a challenge being an independent artist, but heck McCartney is independent, too. Ah, the competition. Ha ha.

One of the coolest aspects of the balloting is being listed alongside legends (Macca, Al Green, Springsteen), peers (Gnarls Barkley, Raphael Saadiq, Robin Thicke) and folks I just plain know and like (Supergrass, Fleet Foxes). Balloting ends on Nov. 5. Again thanks to all of the Grammy voters who are considering my entries for nomination.

Monday, I had an afternoon off to visit the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena. They have a gorgeous Raphael, the 500 year old Madonna and Child with Book. As some of you know, I'm a huge fan of Raphael's. His colors are so vivid and his faces are spellbinding. I picked up a cool Taschen book on his work to learn more. I'll use it as a checklist to figure out where else to go 'Raphaelspotting.'

This was my first trip to the Norton Simon and I think it's one of the better collections in L.A. The atmosphere is unhurried and contemplative compared to other local museums. Worth the trip. Then, it was a table full of tapas at Bar Celona on Colorado Blvd. It was like being on a holiday. A great day in the valley, y'all.

Peace & Disco Beats

8th Wonder! One More Grammy Entry From "A Talent For Loving"

2008-10-22T10:36:00.000-07:00

Hey y'all.
A discovery today: the title track from my CD, A Talent For Loving, is an official Grammy entry in the Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance category. Quite a surprise to find myself in that company, but I am not complaining. That brings the total entries for the 51st Grammy Awards up to 8.

The other previously announced entries are:
Record of the Year (Everything My Heart Desires)
Song of the Year (Everything My Heart Desires)
Album of the Year
Best New Artist
Best Male Pop Vocal Performance (Everyone's Ingenue)
Best Pop Vocal Album
Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance (Everything My Heart Desires)
and now Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance (A Talent For Loving)

Reviewers and fans alike have raved that my CD has something for everyone. Apparently NARAS, the Grammy's parent Association, feels the same way. I am very honored and blessed by God.

I'm also pleased, because I will be attending the The GRAMMY Nomination Concert Live at the Nokia theatre on Dec. 3. This show will be presented on CBS at 9 PM EST. Check your local listings.

Peace & Disco Beats

Shindig! Digs Me

2008-10-20T23:31:00.000-07:00

Wow, thanks for the outpouring of prayers and support for my Grammy bid. I'm simply thrilled that the Grammy leadership placed my work among that of so many of my heroes and peers in seven categories. Here's hoping enough voting members are able to check out my record before the November 5 deadline. There's something else important happening of an electoral nature that week. My music is a perfect tonic for the times, methinks. Celebratory, ya dig?

Here's the latest print review from the UK based Shindig! Magazine:

"(Kelsey) has totally reinvented himself as a soul man! When I first saw him perform in this milieu at IPO Liverpool 2006, I was duly impressed; the man was Prince, Marvin Gaye and Smokey Robinson rolled into one! Kelsey is the consummate showman who gives it his all... Put on the CD, point the laser to track four, grab a loved one, and prepare yourself for a romantic evening as you dance to 'Everything My Heart Desires.'"
- David Bash, Shindig! Magazine, Oct. 2008 (UK)

Peace & Disco Beats