Patrick On Music

My Morning Jacket

2009-04-22T15:06:00.001-07:00

I have been listening to My Morning Jacket a lot lately, and I am really impressed. They have an X-Factor going that is really cool, with good songs and solid vocals. It is roots, genuine music that is at the same time polished and very well done in every way. They maximize their musical talents and that is very instructive when you think about how complete the music sounds without any really over-the-top musicianship. My Morning Jacket is a very nice band that is becoming one of my favorites. Check out the video below:

Affordable organic clothing

2008-12-14T17:14:00.000-08:00

Organic cotton tees and other types of organic cotton clothing are a great way to help to heal the environment and support green sustainable agriculture, and musicians and fans of good music are always counted on to be open minded enough to help to usher in the changes that we need as a society. We have to be observant concerning the way that we spend our money and try to support organic farmers and clothes organic, and the nice thing is that organic cotton tees are quite affordable when you shop at the right eco business. Support the green economy with organic cotton tees and other affordable organic clothing.

KUNV in Las Vegas

2008-11-23T16:55:00.000-08:00

I have been living in Las Vegas for seven years now, with three different three month respites to Flagstaff, Reno, and Sedona. I like to get out of the big city because I love hiking and I love nature, and it is always a good idea to spend the summer someplace other that Vegas if you are not a camel.

I have come to appreciate many things about Las Vegas, however, and one of the very best things about living here is the public radio station KUNV. They play real jazz around the clock on Monday through Friday, and several of the on air personalities are actually accomplished, working jazz musicians in their own right, so the programming is quite authentic. John Nasshen, who is the drummer in the band Quintessence, is my own favorite KUNV jazz voice.

On the weekends they have a number of different shows that are devoted to different types of music that one rarely hears on the radio. There is a Hawaiian music show, a reggae show, bluegrass, women songwriters, blues, The Grateful Dead Hour with David Gans, world music, the Lyons Den, which is jam bands and other expansive music, the Word Up show, which is conscious hip hop...and they even have a Doo-Wop show.

When people who don't live here think about Las Vegas they generally don't realize that we have everyday people here living everyday lives. And one of the simple pleasure of my everyday life here in Las Vegas is KUNV.

Mayan calendar 2012 research

2008-11-20T17:13:00.000-08:00

Mayan calendar 2012 is an interesting topic, and there are many musicians out there who are into the end of the Mayan calendar and 2012. To many people, especially back in their early days, and the Mayan calendar and STS 9 went hand in hand, and it is indeed an interesting topic.

I have studied Mayan calendar 2012 information over the years, and I have taken a long look at a lot of the research that is out there. Many feel that the end of the Mayan calendar is indicative of some sort of gloomy scenario, but to me, it signals the end of one cycle of the evolution of consciousness and the beginning of another. For this reason, I am looking forward to December 21 2012 and I would encourage others to look into the fascination research that exists concerning Mayan calendar 2012.

Affordable solar music

2008-10-30T17:30:00.000-07:00

Affordable solar power is truly the wave of the future, and some of the future is seeping into the present as we realize the need to turn to renewable energy sources. Living in a sustainable manner is the only way that we can heal the planet and enjoy a bright tomorrow, and fortunately, there are many green sustainable products that can help us make strides on the direction of sustainability and eco friendly living.

For people who love to listen to their music through their iPods, there are solar iPod chargers out there that are the perfect model of affordable solar power. There are also universal hybrid solar chargers that will charge not only your iPod, but your laptop, cell phone, and GPS devices as well. Every little bit helps, and if you envision a scenario where most people were using these affordable solar devices whenever they could, the net gain would be significant.

Someday we will be getting all of our energy from renewable source like wind turbines and solar panels, but in the meantime, we can make a difference through the use of readily available affordable solar option such as the solar iPod chargers and universal solar chargers.

Bela Fleck and the Flecktones Video

2008-09-16T13:00:00.000-07:00

I first heard of Bela Fleck and the Flecktones back around 1990 or so when they were the opening act for the Grateful Dead for a few dates. The fact is that I learned about most of the important things that have significantly influenced my life from the Grateful Dead in one way or another, and being pointed toward the Flecktones is another thing that I am, uh, grateful to them for. They are amazing and every player in the band is a true virtuoso. Don't believe me? Check out this video of the band performing "Big Country."

Genesis With Peter Gabriel

2008-09-15T14:50:00.000-07:00

I have loved Genesis since I was a teenager, and the Genesis that I listened to at first was the material with Peter Gabriel on lead vocals and flute. The band was truly unique, and loaded with a lot of talent. Listen to The Musical Box:

I even liked the very first album, From Genesis To Revelation, and it sounds good to me today. Gabriel would wear elaborate costumes on stage, and his storytelling and the epic nature of the compositions are without peer.

Ali Farka Touré Videos

2008-06-26T10:59:00.000-07:00

I guess you could say that I have been researching music all of my life since I listened to Motown coming out of the Philadelphia A.M. radio station that my mother listened to when I was a little kid. That research has been ongoing, and one artist that will find you if you are seeking is the Malian guitarist and singer Ali Farka Toure. He passed away in 2006, but his musical legacy will live on into perpetuity. Check out the videos and enjoy this legendary musical force.

Cubanismo!

2008-06-23T10:41:00.000-07:00

I have a lot of respect for world music and listening to traditional styles that are new to you is the way that you widen your musical palette as both a listener and as a musician. There is a great album that I picked several years ago called Cubanismo! that I found to be very inspiring, and every time I listen to it I learn something new. I recommend Cubanismo! and here is a little sample in the video below.

(Flickr Image)

KRS-One Video

2008-06-05T14:50:00.000-07:00

I have to admit that I did not get into hip hop until after 2000, but I made up for lost time rather quickly and did my research. Any time you consider the history of hip-hop you won't get far into the conversation without hearing the name of KRS-One mentioned. He is an eloquent voice for the culture and a legend in his own time. Below is a video for "Outta Here."

(Flickr Image)

Tom Jenkinson: Squarepusher

2008-06-03T07:00:00.000-07:00

Tom Jenkinson is an artist that is known as Squarepusher, and he makes electronic music that I guess you would say is mostly drum and bass in terms of genre, but to me it sort of defies a pure definition. The thing about his music is that aside from programming and sampling, he is one of the better live electric bass players that you will ever hear, so he is really a musical force of epic proportions. He is tasteful in the way that he uses all of his talents, and he is "out" but still makes sense, at least he does to me. Check out this video.

Doctor Didj Video

2008-06-02T16:15:00.000-07:00

I guess it was back in 2000 or 2001 when my son and I went to a festival at a place called Horning's Hideout, which is outside of Portland in Oregon. The featured band at the fest was The String Cheese Incident, who were in their heyday at the time. One of the other acts that we saw there was a guy called Dr. Didj (Graham Wiggins)who is a great didgeradoo player who also holds a doctorate in physics. He samples on stage and layers things, and the band is funky and out there a bit. If you have never heard Dr. Didj, play the video below. You are in for a treat.

Grateful Dead Chords and Lyrics: Blow Away

2008-06-01T08:05:00.000-07:00

Over the years, the Grateful Dead had a few different keyboard players, and the one thing that they had in common was that they were for the most part maligned by fans of the band. Brent Mydland was my favorite, and he had a fantastic voice that is really one of the better ones that I have heard in the genre of rock music. He was extremely soulful and expressive, and the texture of his voice was extraordinary. He also wrote some good songs, and this one, Blow Away, is my favorite.

Blow Away
(Mydland/Barlow)

Ab Eb
A man and a woman
Bb Bbsus4 Bb Bbsus4 Bb
Come together as strangers.
Ab
When they part
Eb Bb Bbsus4 Bb Bbsus4 Bb
They're usually strangers still.
Ab Eb
It's like a practical joke
Bb Bbsus4 Bb Bbsus4 Bb
Played on us by our Maker.
Ab
Empty bottles,
Eb Bb Bbsus4 Bb Bbsus4 Bb
That can't be filled.

Cm Dm
Baby, who's to say
Eb F
It coulda been different now that it's done.
Cm
(Baby, who's to say....)
Dm
Baby, who's to say
Eb F
That it shoulda been anyway.
Cm Dm
Baby, who's to say
Eb F
That it even matters in the long run.
Cm
(Baby, who's to say.)
Dm
Give it just a minute.
Eb F
And it'll blow away.

It'll blow away.

Gm F
Gm Eb F

You fancy me to be
The master of your feelings.
You barely bruise me
With your looks to kill.
Though I admit
We were sometimes brutal in our dealings,
I never held you against your will.

Chorus

Jam on verse chords

Gm F
Gm Eb F

Your case against me is so
Very clearly stated
I plead no contest,
I turn and shrug.
I've come to figure all importance
overestimated.
You must mean water when you beg for blood.

Madonna Tour Dates

2008-05-28T10:47:00.000-07:00

I am about the same age as Madonna, and I can remember grooving to tunes like "Like A Virgin" back in the '80's, and I always thought that Madonna's music was a lot of fun, though I realize that she has her detractors among serious fans of music. Madonna is in great shape and she still has plenty of energy, so she is going on tour late this summer, and the dates are posted below:

Sat 08/23/08 Cardiff, UK Millennium Stadium
Tue 08/26/08 Nice, FRA Stade Charles Ehrmann
Thu 08/28/08 Berlin, GER Olympiastadion
Sat 08/30/08 Zurich, SWI Dubendorf Airfield
Tue 09/02/08 Amsterdam, NET Amsterdam Arena
Thu 09/04/08 Dusseldorf, GER LTU Arena
Sat 09/06/08 Rome, ITA Olympic Stadium
Tue 09/09/08 Frankfurt, GER Commerzbank Arena
Thu 09/11/08 London, UK Wembley Stadium
Sat 09/20/08 Paris, FRA Stade de France
Sun 09/21/08 Paris, FRA Stade de France
Sat 10/04/08 East Rutherford, NJ Izod Center
Mon 10/06/08 New York, NY Madison Square Garden Arena
Tue 10/07/08 New York, NY Madison Square Garden Arena
Sat 10/11/08 New York, NY Madison Square Garden Arena
Wed 10/15/08 Boston, MA TD Banknorth Garden
Sat 10/18/08 Toronto, ON Air Canada Centre
Sun 10/19/08 Toronto, ON Air Canada Centre
Wed 10/22/08 Montreal, QC Bell Centre
Thu 10/23/08 Montreal, QC Bell Centre
Sun 10/26/08 Chicago, IL United Center
Mon 10/27/08 Chicago, IL United Center
Thu 10/30/08 Vancouver, BC BC Place Stadium
Sat 11/01/08 Oakland, CA Oracle Arena
Tue 11/04/08 San Diego, CA PETCO Park
Thu 11/06/08 Los Angeles, CA Dodger Stadium
Sat 11/08/08 Las Vegas, NV MGM Grand Garden Arena
Tue 11/11/08 Denver, CO Pepsi Center
Sun 11/16/08 Houston, TX Minute Maid Park
Thu 11/20/08 Philadelphia, PA The Wachovia Center
Sat 11/22/08 Atlantic City, NJ Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall
Mon 11/24/08 Atlanta, GA Philips Arena
Wed 11/26/08 Miami Gardens, FL Dolphin Stadium

Photo: AaronQuigley @ Flickr

Anselmo Crew: My Town

2008-05-20T14:18:00.000-07:00

I stumbled on this compilation double CD a few years ago that features "Balkan beats and gypsy jams from the dance floors of Eastern Europe." I am of Hungarian descent a few of the cuts are from Hungarian groups, and one of them is Anselmo Crew. This is very cool and high energy stuff. Check out this video for the tune "My Town."

Sound Tribe Sector 9 Tour Dates

2008-05-08T13:50:00.000-07:00

When I lived in Athens, Georgia there was a young band that was emerging that was based there with a very interesting instrumental sound called Sound Tribe Sector 9. They have gone on to consistently draw jam band crowds around the country with their mix of atmospheric, drum and bass, and hip-hop influenced grooves. Some of their upcoming tour dates are published below, and you can get the complete scoop at STS9.com. (Art: KrisD.net)

Fri 08/15/08 San Francisco, CA The Independent
Sat 08/16/08 Berkeley, CA Greek Theatre
Fri 08/22/08 Troutdale, OR Edgefield Amphitheater
Sat 08/23/08 Redmond, WA Marymoor Amphitheatre
Thu 09/04/08 Boulder, CO Boulder Theater
Fri 09/05/08 Morrison, CO Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Sat 09/06/08 Morrison, CO Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Widespread Panic Summer Tour Dates

2008-05-07T12:11:00.000-07:00

The first time I had the the pleasure of seeing venerable veteran southern rockers Widespread Panic was ten years ago at an event in Athens, Georgia called "Panic In The Streets." Athens is the band's hometown, and they had the opportunity to play a free show downtown right in the middle of the street, which was of course shut down for the day.

I went on to see them often over the ensuing years and I like to keep abreast of their touring plans. They just announced their summer tour dates last week, and they are posted below along with a video of the band performing "Ain't Life Grand."

Jun. 15, 2008 Manchester, TN
Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival
Doors: 12:00pm
On Stage: 8:45pm

Jun. 20, 2008 Los Angeles, CA
Orpheum Theatre
Doors: 7:00pm
Show: 8:00pm

Jun. 21, 2008 Los Angeles, CA
Orpheum Theatre
Doors: 7:00pm
Show: 8:00pm

Jun. 22, 2008 Los Angeles, CA
Orpheum Theatre
Doors: 7:00pm
Show: 8:00pm

Jun. 24, 2008 San Diego, CA
Civic Center
Doors: 6:00pm
Show: 7:00pm

Jun. 25, 2008 Flagstaff, AZ
Pine Mountain Amphitheater
Doors: 5:00pm
Show: 6:30pm

Jun. 27, 2008 Morrison, CO
Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Doors: 5:00pm
Show: 7:00pm

Jun. 28, 2008 Morrison, CO
Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Doors: 5:00pm
Show: 7:00pm

Jun. 28, 2008 Morrison, CO
Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Doors: 5:00pm
Show: 7:00pm

Visit WidespreadPanic.com for the complete listing.

Israel Vibration Video

2008-05-05T13:14:00.000-07:00

I have been listening to a lot of roots reggae today and that of course includes the great Israel Vibration. I got into these guys about ten years ago and they make fine music that contains a powerful and universal message. Check out the video below of a live performance of "Red Eyes."

Steely Dan Tour Dates

2008-05-04T15:37:00.000-07:00

One of the greatest bands of all time in my estimation is Steely Dan. Their music is ultra-sophisticated yet still easy to digest. It's complex at times but it swings and their lyrics are as cool as the music. Guess what? Steely Dan is touring, and the dates are posted below.

Sun 06/08/08 Hollywood, FL Seminole Hard Rock Live
Mon 06/09/08 Clearwater, FL Ruth Eckerd Hall
Wed 06/11/08 Alpharetta, GA Verizon Amph. At Encore Park
Fri 06/13/08 New York, NY Beacon Theatre
Sat 06/14/08 New York, NY Beacon Theatre
Tue 06/17/08 New York, NY Beacon Theatre
Wed 06/18/08 New York, NY Beacon Theatre
Fri 06/20/08 New York, NY Beacon Theatre
Sat 06/21/08 New York, NY Beacon Theatre
Mon 06/23/08 Boston, MA Bank Of America Pavilion
Wed 06/25/08 Wallingford, CT Chevrolet Theatre
Fri 06/27/08 Atlantic City, NJ Borgata Hotel
Sat 06/28/08 Camden, NJ Susquehanna Bank Center

Dead Can Dance: The Carnival Is Over

2008-04-28T16:42:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite groups of all time is Dead Can Dance. They make ephemeral music that demonstrates a number of different influences from around the world. It is haunting, beautiful, and what I would consider to be spiritual without being didactic in any way. Check out this video for "The Carnival Is Over."

There Is A Shangri La

2008-04-23T15:47:00.000-07:00

I love music as everyone knows, and when you are a musician and a fan of music you tend to hear music in unusual places. I walk my dog in some sand dunes that are behind a park near my house, and this time of year the birds combine to produce beautiful music that is as moving as it is amazing. Nature provides her own music for us, be it the bird songs of spring, the whooshing of the ocean lapping the sand, or the syncopated rhythms of the raindrops plopping outside of our windows. Nature and music walk hand and in hand, and nature is extremely inspiring to musicians and artists of every stripe.

Yesterday was Earth Day, and I must say that I have been very cognizant of environmental issues for many years, long before the recent awareness that global warming has spawned. There is nothing that is more important than sustaining the health and viability of the planet that we call our home. Not only is it a practical necessity and a moral obligation, but nature is also the thing that brings us so much joy. When you go on vacation you don't visit a nuclear waste site or a landfill. You usually go to the beach or the mountains or someplace that is full of natural beauty, and we need to preserve this precious resource.

There are some good folks out in Orange, Texas, who understand the value of Mother Nature and they have built a wonderful nature preserve there called Shangri La Gardens and Nature Center. They have been awarded the U.S. Green Building Council's Platinum certification for LEED®-NC. They are just the 50th project in the entire world to be awarded this certification, which is reserved to honor only the greenest of building ventures.

Shangri La has undertaken the noble task (which is clearly a labor of love to them) of demonstrating the way that we can live in tune with Mother Nature, and I personally feel that learning to do this is the key to our very survival as a species.

If you have the opportunity, visit Shangri La in Orange, TX. It is truly an exceptional achievement borne of the highest intentions.

The RZA: Bobby Digital, New Album and Tour Dates

2008-04-20T10:49:00.000-07:00

I love the Wu-Tang Clan, and I am especially fond of the RZA. I like everything that he has ever been involved in, and I really like the albums where he adopts the persona known as "Bobby Digital." The tenth anniversary of the unleashing of Bobby Digi is upon us, and the RZA is celebrating by releasing a new album, Digi Snax, and going on tour to promote it. The dates for the tour are below. If you have never experienced Bobby Digital, you are in for a treat.

Tue 06/10/08 Houston, TX Warehouse Live
Wed 06/11/08 Austin, TX Emo's
Thu 06/12/08 Dallas, TX Palladium Ballroom
Sat 06/14/08 Denver, CO Cervantes Ballroom
Sun 06/15/08 Salt Lake City, UT Urban Lounge
Tue 06/17/08 Tucson, AZ Rialto Theatre
Wed 06/18/08 Phoenix, AZ The Brickhouse
Fri 06/20/08 Los Angeles, CA Music Box @ Fonda
Sat 06/21/08 San Francisco, CA 1015 Folsom
Mon 06/23/08 Portland, OR Hawthorne Theatre
Tue 06/24/08 Seattle, WA Showbox SoDo
Wed 06/25/08 Vancouver, BC Richard's On Richards Cabaret
Fri 06/27/08 Calgary, AB Sled Island Festival
Mon 06/30/08 Minneapolis, MN First Avenue
Tue 07/01/08 Chicago, IL House Of Blues
Wed 07/02/08 Pontiac, MI The Crofoot
Fri 07/04/08 Ottawa, ON New Capital Music Hall
Sat 07/05/08 New York, NY Webster Hall
Mon 07/07/08 Philadelphia, PA Trocadero Theatre
Tue 07/08/08 Washington, DC 9:30 Club

Guitar Tablature

2008-04-17T13:33:00.000-07:00

When I first learned to play the guitar my teacher would write things for me in tablature, and many song books had chord forms printed out in tablature for you, but these were limited, and the books were expensive. I never saw any full solos or riffs written out in tablature unless my teacher did it, and I was paying fifteen dollars for a half hour of his time so as he was figuring things out and writing them down it was on my dime and it was very expensive.

There are many things about the explosion of information that has taken place because of the ubiquitous use of the Internet that have transformed the world as we know it, but for the guitarist, the ready availability of guitar tabs is a major breakthrough. I still use them all the time and it is amazing the way the riffs and chord progressions sink in after using the tabs. You muddle through one day using the tabs as a guide, and the next day you find yourself playing the tune from memory. I find it to be amazing the way that the mind works in that way, and that's one of the reasons I like playing music.

If you are looking for Nirvana guitar tabs, or Beatles guitar tabs, a good resource that I am aware of is Guitar World. They have tons of tabs and videos and they add more all the time, both in-house and through reader contributions. Check out their site, it is a very valuable resource.

Grateful Dead Chords And Lyrics: Crazy Fingers

2008-04-16T09:52:00.000-07:00

I feel as though learning to play Grateful Dead songs is a lot of fun, and it always teaches me something about music in general, especially if I take the time to learn all of the correct riffs. RUKind.org has always been a great resource for learning Dead tunes, and they even offer audio support. Below are the chords and lyrics to a hauntingly beautiful song, "Crazy Fingers," and lower still is a video of the tune being performed at the Dean Dome in North Carolina in 1993.

Crazy Fingers
(Garcia/Hunter)

D C G
Your rain falls like crazy fingers
Bb F Fm Gsus4 G
Peals of fragile thunder keeping time
Bb Bbm Ebmaj7 Cm G Gsus4 G
Recall the days that still are to come. Some sing blue.

Hang your heart on laughing willow
Stray down to the water, deep sea of love
Beneath the cool calm face of the sea swift undertow.

Fm Ab Eb
Life may be sweeter for this, I don't know,
Fm Ab Eb Cm/G G7
See how it feels in the end.
Ab Ao7 Ebmaj7
May Lady Lullaby sing plainly for you
Dmaj7 Dbmaj7 Db7 Dbmaj7 Gsus4 G
Soft, strong, sweet and true.

Cloud hands reaching from a rainbow
Tapping at the window, touch your hair
So swift and bright strange figures of light float in air.

Who can stop what must arrive now?
Something new is waiting to be born
Dark as the night you're still by my side shine inside .

Gone are the days we stopped to decide
Where we should go, we just ride.
Gone are the broken eyes we saw through in dreams
Gone, both dream and lie.

Life may be sweeter for this, I don't know,
Feels like it might be all right,
While Lady Lullaby sings plainly through you
Love still rings true.

Midnight on a carousel ride
Reaching for the gold ring down inside
Never could reach it, just slips away but I try.

Bob Dylan Chords and Lyrics: It's All Over Now, Baby Blue

2008-04-07T15:26:00.000-07:00

I am always amazed by the work of the incomparable Bob Dylan, and he is a fantastic performer as well as perhaps the greatest songwriter of all time. Many people have covered his tunes over the years, and of course they continue to do so. I think that Jerry Garcia was able to render the Dylan tunes that he did beautifully, and one of the songs that he was known to cover was It's All Over Now, Baby Blue. Check it out below:

It's All Over Now, Baby Blue
(Dylan)

A G D
You must leave, now take what you need you think will last
A G D
Whatever you wish to keep, you better grab it fast.
Em G D
Yonder stands your orphan with his gun;
Em G D
Crying like a fire in the sun.
F# A Asus4 A
Look out; all those saints are coming through
Em G D
And it's all over now, Baby Blue.

The highway is for gamblers, you better use your sense.
Take what you have gathered from coincidence.
The empty handed painter from your streets
Is drawing crazy patterns on your sheets.
The sky too is falling over you,
And it's all over now, Baby Blue.

All your seasick sailors, they are rowing home
Your empty-handed army is all going home.
Your lover who has just walked out your door
Has taken all his blankets from your floor.
The carpet too is moving under you,
And it's all over now, Baby Blue.

Leave your stepping stones behind, there's something calls for you
Forget about the dead you've left, they will not follow you
The vagabond who's rapping at your door
Is standing in the clothes that you once wore.
Strike another match go start anew,
And it's all over now, Baby Blue.