Keeping the Beat: Jeff Porcaro

Recently, while conducting an interview with Richard Fulco, the founder of the music blog RiffRaf, our conversation drifted to the Grammy Awards, which I had been lucky enough to attend in January. We were talking about the odd pairings of musical acts the Grammys always seem to offer, and which more times than not, fail miserably. Case in point for this year: Chicago and Robin Thicke. As we talked about it, Richard said something to the effect that not every singer can cross-over to other genres and make it work. For example, not every R&B singer can sing rock and vice versa.

photo via Wikipedia

That got me thinking about how often rock drummers for example, can hold their own across different musical styles. Today marks what would have been the 60th birthday of one of the few drummers to excel far beyond the limits of rock. Jeff Porcaro was well known as one of the founding members of Toto, but as a session musician, he did way more than “Hold The Line.”

For the entire article, please jump over to Keeping the Beat: Jeff Porcaro on EarthHertzRecords.com

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A Night with Ringo and Friends

Up in the Catskill Mountains, very close to the footprint of where Woodstock was held in 1969, there now is one spectacular venue to see a show. Winding paths lead to various concession stands, eating areas, and other fun things. The architecture blends perfectly with the countryside. The pavillion where the stage is set, sits halfway down the hill with seating rising up around it. The view is so serene, it's not hard to understand how half a million people peacefully cohabited here for three days in less than ideal conditions.

The event for the night was Ringo Starr's All Starr Band. Fun.

The All Starr Band this year consists of Steve Lukather (lead guitarist,vocals Toto), Richard Page (bass,vocals Mr. Mister), Todd Rundgren (a little bit of everything), Greg Rolie (keys,Santana/Journey), Mark Rivera (keys,sax), and Greg Bissonette (drums).

Starting the show was Ringo singing "Matchbox" and next going into "It Don't Come Easy." As this was my first time seeing Ringo, I was happily surprised how well he commands the stage. Light on his feet, he uses the whole stage and enjoys a really nice rapport with the crowd. Throughout the set, he would bounce between center stage and behind the drums.

Originally I had thought the All-Starrs would each do a few songs, but instead they each did one of their own songs, then handed it over to the next. First up was Todd Rundgren who asked "Have the drugs kicked in yet?" Assuming the old vibe from the Woodstock days might still be evident...it wasn't far from the truth. Although this time, I think the drug of choice might have been Prozac. This crowd was just a little too mellow for this rockers' liking...people, you're at a rock show...it's time to boogie. Rundgren began his night with "Hello, It's Me," ...nice.

Greg Rolie took over next with "Evil  Ways" and mentioned it was 43 years ago, in that summer of '69, that they first played it at this site. Steve Lukather, one guy who really seems to love his job, said this was "the best summer vacation of my life." He then launched into "Rosanna," helped out by Mark Rivera on the upper range of the song. Richard Page did a fine job on "Kyrie" then bringing the circle back to Ringo.

It was a good mix. How can it not be enjoyable when you are going to hear the hits from each member of the band.  From the fun songs like "Yellow Submarine" and "I Don't Want To Work" to the memorable hits "Africa" and "Broken Wing" to the 'just don't stop' songs like "Everybody's Everything" and "Hold the Line.", the music just got better.  

There were not a lot of surprises at this show. Except for the songs Ringo decided to highlight off his new CD, every other song was pretty much expected. And that was a good thing. All hits, all the time....what's the problem there?  Was it one of the best shows I've ever seen...not at all.. But I never expected it to be.  It was a lot of fun for me and I think for the band. If you like at least two members of the All Starr Band...you'll have a enjoyable evening.

Because after all...we'll get by with a little help from our friends.

Peace.
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Road Trip Destination: An All-Starr Night

Another Saturday, another night of live music, another road trip..albeit a short one.

Tonight we take a drive from the weekend house in eastern PA and cross the Delaware into New York. Upstate NY that is. Seeing a show at a venue we haven't been to before...Bethel Woods. Home of Woodstock...the real one in 1969.  The show: Ringo Starr's All Starr Band.

Now as much as The Beatles were my first musical influence, I have never seen a Beatle live. Who would have thought that Ringo would be my first. Over the years, I have heard how every incarnation of his All-Starr  Band is so much fun. Tonight I find out for myself...looking forward to it.

This show was a last minute decision, fueled a lot by the tweets of one of the All-Starr Band...Steve Lukather.  Steve is a great guitarist, known primarily as the lead guitarist of Toto.  Steve is also a great tweeter, very personable...very human. His tweets over the past two weeks have covered his anticipation of playing with the rest of the band, and as the days progressed, his excitement in the progress of rehearsal.

Since it doesn't take much to get me pumped to hear new music, those tweets were enough for me. Also the prices at this venue were so much more reasonable than in the NY metro area. So, in a few hours a party of three will jump in the Sabaru for about an hour's drive.

Time for a little traveling music.

Little Feat "Let it Roll" ...one of the best travelin' tunes
War "Low Rider" ....add a little funk to the trip
Stevie Wonder "You Haven't Done Nothing" ...keep it going
ZZ Top "I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide" ...well, just because.

Won't be long before we hit the road...the review of the show tomorrow on the music blog.

Windows down, volume up...and drive.

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And What The Hell Does She Know Anyway?

Yeah, yeah.  Everybody felt the need to chime in.

After admitting that Metal was not my strong suit, I tried to show I can think outside the box and highlighted a band most people are not familiar with, Primal Fear. While I do, on occasion get questioned on my methods for deciding on the taste of the day, usually it is people bitchin' that I should have included a specific song of the singer or band I am showcasing.

But with this post...everyone had an opinion. How could you not have Metallica? If you were doing a German band, how could it not be The Scorpians, and what about AC/DC? Seriously, did ya not think I might have considered them...first? Well...Kat always has a plan. And while I may be a bit trashy...I am never obvious (well almost never). Sometimes you need to think ahead...some of those might be featured in other posts...not necessarily in the Metal context. So one and all...calm the f&$k down.

Ok then. Let's get on to the taste for today. It is not a great morning, another night without sleep, so I'm taking an easy road today. Again, this is somthing I had thought about before and this morning seems like one hell of a good time to do it.

The One-Hit-Wonder.

We all know them, we all have a few that we love and probably a bunch that we hate. With every generation of music there will always be those bands that burst upon the scene, shoot up the charts and crap out just as quickly. One of the most notable examples...Norman Greenbaum's "Spirit in the Sky." I hope the rumors that he's lived quite comfortably off the royalties his entire life, are true.

The Monroes were a band out of San Diego who, just as their single was heading up the charts and were opening for bands such as Toto and Greg Kihn, found out their Japanese label would no longer support the US market. End of the dream. But the song that did have some success is one of my favorite one-hit-wonders.


Enjoy this all too brief taste of fame and fortune.

The Monroes "What Do All The People Know?"

Apparently when it comes to Metal...more than me.

Any suggestions for more one-hit-wonders can be left in the comment area or emailed to me.

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