Greene Daze

What Day Job is He Talking About?

2011-12-17T16:36:00.000-08:00

Me: "That's all well and good, Jerry, but not everyone has a day job to keep until their night job pays, not in this lousy economy, anyway. What do you have to say to those people?"

Jer: "Go to http://jooble-us.com, dumb-ass"

Scott H. Saber: Gone, But Not Forgotten

2011-09-12T05:14:00.000-07:00

Couldn't think of a better way to get back in the game than to pay homage to my dear friend, my 'brother', Scott H. Saber (aka "Buff"), killed September 11, 2001, exactly 10 years ago yesterday - Scott was attending a seminar at the Twin Towers the morning of the 11th when they were hit.

The one memory I'll always have of Scott, aside from the fact I always knew he had my back, was him sitting in his den late at night, with the light on, patiently waiting for myself and/or our friend Henry to cruise by late night for some good old-fashion tomfoolery. It never mattered to Scott when we came by, or even if we came by - he was there, like a rock, simply looking for a laugh whenever the moment would present itself. And laugh we did......

Good friends, like Scott, are irreplaceable. He now lives in my heart, which overflows with joy whenever I think of the good ol' days...

What I would do to just turn that corner one more time - to see you sitting in your den, with the light on, waiting on your best friends, waiting to laugh.

RIP my brother - we will never forget, never....

Am I Missing Something?

2010-05-06T10:57:00.000-07:00

Been too busy to post so please accept my apologies. One question:

Could "Backwards Down the Number Line" be Phish's "Touch of Grey"?

"I'm just a bill, yeah, I'm only a bill, and I'm headin' up to Capitol Hill..."

2010-03-23T12:19:00.000-07:00

It is now time for House Minority Leader Jon Boehner and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell to sit down and shut their collective mouths up. Governing thru fear and deception has run it's course, and we, the people, are no longer buying what both of you clowns are selling.

However, I must say, they do represent the GOP, aka "the party of "No", quite well, as they both have no ideas, no balls, and now, no one to wipe the tears pouring from their eyes. As the President signed this bill into law sometime around noon today, you could just see (and feel) the floodgates open. The good news for Johnny and Mitchy, though, is that they have each other. I wonder - do you think they say 'No' to each other as much as they say it to America?

But what a great day for The Democratic Party... and our Nation. Congrats to President Obama, Speaker Pelosi, and Majority Leader Reid for all having the chutzpah to see Health Care Reform to it's conclusion. They would have made the late Rep. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass) proud today, who spent most of his adult life advocating Health Care reform for middle and lower-class Americans. It was fitting that his son, Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), was able to cast one of the votes which led the House to pass the bill late-Sunday night.

A healthier Nation is a stronger Nation. Today, we are much stronger!!!

TLG Live Webcast: Courtesy of Honest Tunes Radio

2010-03-08T20:59:00.001-08:00

Thought I'd pass along this juicy little tidbit that came my way via text from a distinguished colleague and a man who truly knows music, Daniel Gold. Thanks for keeping me in mind (and in the loop) - It's been a while....Hey, your site rocks, and I'm so looking forward to tomorrow night's live webcast of Tea Leaf Green (and the the many that will follow:-)

Oh yeah, the resaon for the post: DGold will webcasting tomorrow night's Tea Leaf Green show, LIVE, on Honest Tunes Radio, KXUA, Fayetteville, AR. That's tomorrow, people, Tuesday, March 9..

All the necessary information can be found here.

I'm in...Sweet!!

Red Hillz Music on FAYA!!!

2010-03-01T07:28:00.000-08:00

Who says James Brown is the hardest working man in show business? The presses haven't even begun to slow down for Red Hillz's "Dub Like an Antelope - Legends of Reggae Celebrate the Music of Phish", and already Henry K is set to release the 2nd record on his new label, this one celebrating the music of our beloved brothers from across the pond, the one and only: The Who.

I've heard most of the record already, and I can honestly say "Out Here in the Fields" kicks ass. Well done, Henry. Like a fine wine, you seem to get better with age...

SCI BACK IN BUSINESS

2010-02-03T19:39:00.000-08:00

What better way to get back in the game than to bring you the best news, music-wise, I've heard in quite some time. My friends on the west coast shot me the email I've been looking for since that last night in Red Rocks, August 2007:

After almost a 3 year hiatus in which the band performed only once (recently at Rothbury), String Cheese Incident will reunite this summer for 2 storied runs: The first, July 23-25, at Red Rocks Ampitheatre and the other, 7/29-8/1, at Horning''s Hideout - both venues soaked, 'drenched' if you will, in Cheese tradition and nostalgia....as much for the band as for their legion of fans. In short, you'd be hard pressed to find 2 finer venues in the country to see the Cheese. Am I wrong?

Anyhow, welcome back, gentleman!! I think I can speak for all of my crew in saying we really appreciate the opportunity you're giving all of us to see you perform live once again. We realize now, more than ever, that your music is a gift.

I can only hope we've given back as much as we've received...

MY NEW YEARS

2010-01-04T20:14:00.000-08:00

I managed to catch 3 of 4 and there's much to report back on, so please check back by week's end

Just wanted to say Happy New Year to everyone and best of luck in'10 and beyond..

The Calm Before the Storm

2009-12-20T20:52:00.000-08:00

7 days till the circus comes to town, and only 71 miles between my crib and AA Arena.

I'm calling 'Meatstick', NYE, 3rd set. Anyone?

Dub Like an Antelope - LIVE on iTunes!!

2009-12-05T08:01:00.001-08:00

Congrats to my brethren Henry K, representin' the 516 in ways not seen before.

From bullshitting about this concept in your living room 6 months ago through today, the journey has been everything I thought it would be and more. Thank you for letting me be apart of it. The record is dope. No reason this won't go Gold..none at all.

Folks, you can get "Dub Like an Antelope -Legends of Reggae Celebrate Phish, here

Dub Like an Antelope: The Preview

2009-11-27T09:31:00.000-08:00

Pumped.

The Simple Truth about ObamaCare

2009-11-26T07:32:00.000-08:00

For those not decided on which way to go on ObamaCare, all one has to do is watch, and listen to, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas spew one inaccuracy after another, babbling if you will, until Matt Lauer is forced to shut her up. And duh, Senator, we know there will be an increase in the deficit, as ther would be with any major overhaul of healthcare put forth by either party. Did you really need to repeat the obvious 5 times in 3 minutes???

Folks, it's really quite simple, so let me break it down for you:

Public Option = More Choices (Public or Private) = More Competition = Lower Prices for Consumers = GOOD for the People, BAD for the Insurance Industry

No-Public Option = Less Choices = Less Competition = Higher Prices for Consumers = BAD for the People, GOOD for the Insurance Industry

Anyway, it's sad that the GOP's messages of wanting to lower health care costs for all Americans and making health care available to everyone is exactly the opposite of what they truly want: Profitabilty for the insurance industry and pharmaceutical companies at the expense of all Americans.

Just listen to the GOP's fearless leader, Sen. Kay Baily Hutchison. But do me a favor and really listen....

Happy Turkey Day, everyone...

Brent vs. Kyle: The Tally

2009-11-17T09:05:00.000-08:00

Wow! Obviously, both musicians have very loyal and passionate fans, which is what we like to see. In saying that, the final tally is as follows:

Number of responses: 12

BRENT - 8

KYLE - 4

Thanks to everyone who participated -know that your vote does count here on Greene Daze which, living in Palm Beach County, Fl, is something we don't get much come Election Day each year.

A special shout out to Dave O, skillfully representing the West Coast who, as he mentions is, was, and will forever be a Cheesehead. Also to my homeboys Dano, D, Jack, Henry K, and Axle - their passion for the jam is unwavering, and know when they leave a comment, it best be recognized, as they collectively have 1000+ live shows under their belts.

The Heavy Pets tonight, PGroove in a couple of weeks, then Phish on New Years. Not bad, not too bad at all...

THE POLL

2009-11-12T11:35:00.000-08:00

BRENT MYDLAND

vs.

KYLE HOLLIGNSWORTH

In the middle of the Radiators show last Friday night, my good friend (let's just call him Mr. Maloney for this piece), posed to me a question I would have never thought him to ask. He questioned which ivory tickler, on his best night, I thought was better: Kyle Hollingsworth of String Cheese Incident or the late Brent Mydland of the Grateful Dead?

I was taken aback at first, as those who know Mr. Maloney know his fondness for the Dead, his utter respect for their musicianship, and what they've meant to him throughout the years. I should also mention his admiration for The Cheese has been well documented. Either way, I figured Brent was a shoe-in, but no so fast ladies and gents. We then asked one of other good friends, and again, there was a little back-and-forth, but Kyle actually got the vote. "Ok then", I muttered, "let's put it to the masses." And so here we are.

Tell me who you think was better and why. The Poll will close this coming Monday, November 16th, at high noon. The pun was intended.

**As usual, Rad's video courtesy of our good friend Adam, whose amazing footage can be found here and scattered throughout The Leopard Lounge, located at the bottom of the page. The Rads show? You tell me:

Here's to the Winners...

2009-11-08T15:41:00.003-08:00

Say what you want about the Yankees having the biggest payroll in baseball - it's not like I haven't heard it every year since their last championship in 2000. But as we now know, money doesn't win championships. Heart, grit, determination, never-say-die, believing in what you're doing - these characteristics are what counts, they're what champions are made of.

So congrats to my boys in Pinstripes, 2009 World Series Champions. Thanks for bringing the Commissioners Trophy back home where it belongs.

Exiled in Indio

2009-11-04T07:21:00.000-08:00

Wow - what an amazing weekend!! Phish truly pulled out all the stops -from the moment we pulled in to the lot to the last note played, the festival could not have been run any better.

What you're looking at here is a virtual tour of the Empire Polo Club, the host-venue for the weekend, along with some footage of the surrounding scenery. "Breathtaking" is the only word that comes to mind. Indio is a city where the San Jacinto Mountains segue solemnly into the Mojave Desert, where sunrises and sunsets are unimagineably spectacular, where Palm Springs and Rancho Mirage seem like cities in another State. It's a place unto itself, a place where people can meet, dance, and sometimes sing....

So picture these beautiful surroundings...throw in a weekend with Phish (and 35K of your closest friends)...then to top it off, the band covers The Rolling Stones' Exile on Main St. on Halloween..I'll tell you what - Indio will never, ever, be the same :-)

A quick shout out to my brethren Henry K, who's on the verge of greatness with the release of "Dub Like An Antelope", Reggae's Tribute to Phish, which is due out next month. Thank you, Henry, for giving me the opportunity to work with you on this record, and also out in Cali this past weekend . From the first brainstorm session 6 months ago in Boca up until now, it has been a wild ride. Much success, my brother! Also to Rianna and Shena.."nice meeting both of you..real nice..looking forward to seeing you in Miami for New Years"

"I will be reviewing the entire weekend as soon as time permits - until then, "make every song you sing, your favorite tune..."

The Dead Honored Tonite at the NY Historical Society

2009-10-19T17:24:00.000-07:00

From the NY Times:

Grateful Dead to Rise in New York Exhibition
By Dave Itzkoff

The Grateful Dead at 710 Ashbury St, San Francisco, in 1966.

Though the Grateful Dead are most closely associated with the Haight-Ashbury district of San Francisco, the Upper West Side of Manhattan can briefly lay claim to that industrious and ever-evolving band in the weeks and months ahead. In March, the New-York Historical Society will open an exhibition on the Grateful Dead that will trace its history and cultural influence.

In a release, the society said that the exhibition, to be called “The Grateful Dead: Now Playing at the New-York Historical Society,” would feature artwork, posters, marionettes and other stage props as well as banners and decorated fan mail from throughout the band’s 30-year career. Prior to its opening, the society will hold a fundraising event that will be attended by the Grateful Dead members Phil Lesh and Bob Weir, where items from the Grateful Dead Archive at the University of California, Santa Cruz, will be previewed.

More information on that event, which is scheduled for tonight, will be available online at nyhistory.org.

Update:
For those of you in the City tonight, you'll notice the Empire State building looking more like a rainbow than a building. No, you're not having a flashback. The Historical Society pulled some strings to show their appreciation to the band for their generosity regarding the exhibition..

Cool!

Soon Come!!

2009-10-19T06:12:00.001-07:00

I have been working with Henry K Productions for the past 3 months on a project involving reggae musicians and the music of Phish, and will be announcing the details here over the next week or so.

For those planning on attending Festival 8, be on the lookout for freebees relating to this project, as I will be traveling to Indio, CA with the man himself, Henry K - We have many goodies to give away....

Again, bookmark this page to be the first in the know...

One Love..

The Times They Are a Changin'....

2009-09-30T07:41:00.001-07:00

As some of you may noticed, I'm doing a little housekeeping on the site. Nothing major, but I figure if I'm going to keep this train moving forward, it would be nice to mix things up every now and then. Plus, with all the new gadgets coming out faster than I can type, incorporating them into the site seems like the logical thing to do.

I won't bore you with the details each and every time I add or take-away something, but the first installation is worth noting:

The Cryppie

Located on the right side of the page, I've added a bunch of new sites I visit from time to time, so make sure you take a second and have a look. Naturally, I'll be adding to the list as I come across sites I like.

Search
You can search the entire site, from Day 1 thru the present, by entering a keyword into the search bar, which is located on the upper-right part of the page.

The Leopard Lounge

Located at the bottom of the page, I will be streaming video content from some of my favorite musicians, with new artists being added and taken away at least once a week, or 4 times a month, whichever comes first :-) This week features some choice jams -STS9, The Disco Biscuits, The Heavy Pets, and Pgroove...just to name a few. Each time you refresh the page, a new set of videos will display.

You'll also notice there will content in the Lounge that will never change. Videos shot by my good friend AD Firtel, as well as any content featuring Jerry Garcia , will both be mainstays in the Lounge. In my opinion, they both represent best what Greene Daze is all about -our love for the jam.

AD - Missed you last night at the Pets, but watching Jackie Bones as we speak. Sweet-ness!

For newbies to this site, I've reposted one of my favorite videos shot by AD -The Bill Kreutzmann Trio opening their show last year at the Culture Room with The Grateful Dead's "Eyes of the World". As some of you may remember, I was lucky enough to sit down with Scott Murawski and Oteil Burbridge before the show and ask them a few questions about the band. Truly one of the most memorable nights of my life....

All Jam and No Toast..Just the Way I Like It!!

2009-09-25T17:06:00.000-07:00

TGIF..Have a great weekend, everybody.

Lets' Get Ready to Rumble!!!

2009-09-19T11:40:00.000-07:00

Although this video is from 2 years ago, most of the comments made manage to hold true for tomorrow's game. Well, there are a couple of differences:

1) Mangini's gone - Thank heavens!! He just sucked as a head coach.

2) Pennington's gone - How can you win when you can't throw the ball further than 20 yards?

3) Jets play at home - You surely will hear my voice above all others, as 75,000 screaming lunatics, dressed in Greene and White, root for our D to decapitate Tom Brady (figuratively, of course), while we watch "The Franchise" pick apart what appears to be weaker Pats D than in previous years.

Buy the hype or don't - doesn't matter either way. Come tomorrow at 1, The Pats will be wishing it was snowing like "The Guy from Boston" said. Unfortunately for them, the forecast calls for 70 degrees and not a cloud in the sky.....

Happy New Year....

2009-09-18T13:10:00.000-07:00

To all my Jewish friends and family, I wish you all the best this upcoming New Year!! Anyone on the South Shore of Long Island is welcome to come by my house for cake and coffee - figure around 8-8:30

Shanah Tovah...

Just Wanted to Say.....

2009-08-30T16:31:00.000-07:00

"Sorry, folks"...there, I feel better already.

I feel the need to apologize to my massive phan-base for not really keeping up on things. Greene Daze should be a place where you can visit daily (or at least a few times a week) with the hopes of taking your mind off the cold, cruel world, even if it's for a couple of minutes...to laugh, sing, or just veg.

Whether it be a good jam, a Senator sticking a foot into his/her mouth, or the Jets' brass fucking our shit up again, I feel you've come to expect more from me, and I want you to know I expect more from myself. I realize I never got to the PGroove /THP review, nor followed up on my weekend with Phish. Not that I don't have my reasons, but my excuses are my own.

So, please forgive me for the lack of follow-up recently. And please check back for some more goodies down the road..

"When Was the Last Time Any of You Picked Up a Fucking Book?"

2009-08-18T12:58:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the overlap in the 3rd video - I really loved the close-up shots, which the others do not have. When I get back to West Palm, I'll fill ya'll in on both Hartford and Saratoga Springs. Both were memorable, but for very different reasons

Kis Kis Say...Fa Fa Fa Fa Fa Fa Fa Fa Fa Fa

Meet You on the Lawn in 22 Hours....

2009-08-13T18:13:00.001-07:00

Life is good....real good!

Has It Really Been 14 Years?

2009-08-09T10:10:00.001-07:00

RIP my good friend...you are missed beyond the scope of reality

PGroove + The Heavy Pets: The Culture Room Will Never Be the Same

2009-08-05T16:50:00.000-07:00

Been dyin' to write this review, but have not had the time. So the best I can do, is lay down this rhyme.

The Pets and PGroove, all in one night. The boys came to play, man, were they tight!

You had Brock, Albert, and Adam, holdin' it down. With Jeff, Mike, and Jim, finding the sound.

And when Brock flipped the switch, and rattled this rhyme. Suspended 'bove ground, for this moment in time.....

A special "Thanks" to Ethan and Co. over at South Florida Jams for bringing this show so close to my crib. You guys cease to amaze me.

And to my homeboy Adam, who continues to shoot amazing video of all our favorite bands, and is kynd enough to share them with the rest of us. Your effort is truly appreciated!

Next stop -the 203 and the 518.....Ain't Life Grand?

To Pay or Not to Pay... Are You Kidding Me?

2009-07-15T08:05:00.000-07:00

From The JetsBlog.com:

“I do not know,” Washington told me in a phone interview, when asked if he’ll show up on time. “Honestly, the situation is pretty much the same as it was in minicamp (last month). We’re at a standstill. Not a standstill, but nothing has really changed.”

In that case, the two sides are far apart in negotiations. Washington, coming off a Pro Bowl season, is due to make $535,000, the final year of a four-year, $2 million rookie contract. He’s seeking at least $6 million per year, and the Jets’ initial offer was believed to be in the $2 million-a-year range. Insulted, Washington staged a three-week boycott of voluntary workouts, although he did return for the latter stages of the off-season program.

My feelings regarding Leon Washington are well known. He is one of the, if not the, most exciting player in football. If he would get more touches, the rest of America would already know this.

The Jets brass not only insulted Leon with their measly offer of 2mil per year, they insulted their fans. We have suffered long enough, and it is clear, quite clear, that one of the paths that will lead us to victory this year, and the many that will follow, is the one Leon Washington will trailblaze. Without him, all roads lead to mediocrity.

Hey Woody - Give the man his money, and give it to him now!!

P.S. -For those opening the "Woody" link above, please take note I am Jewish and I found this hilarious. No offense intended.

STRING CHEESE INCIDENT: Act II, Scene 1?

2009-07-04T10:45:00.000-07:00

Thank you, iclips.net! It was amazing watching SCI tear it up last night at Rothbury, their first live performance together in almost 2 friggin' years - has it really been that long? The band looked like thay were having the best time, and their playing refected just that.

For those not in the loop, Rothbury is streaming live today and tomorrow from 1:30pm on, and tonight's schedule looks ridiculous.

Next best thing to being there.....

If The Thunder Don't Get You, Lightnin' Will...

2009-06-25T06:50:00.000-07:00

The first bluesman..

'The Fear is Gone'

2009-06-19T17:44:00.000-07:00

From today's Wall Street Journal

Marching to Freedom Square
By Alireza in Tehran

There is something in the air in Tehran these days. We remain afraid, but we also dare to speak.

I left my home in Tajrish along with my family at 3 p.m. to head to the protest on Monday. We knew that people were supposed to gather in Enghelab [Revolution] Square at 4 p.m. and march toward Azadi [Freedom] Square. From Gisha Bridge onwards, we saw people walking. Cars were blowing their horns and people were flashing the victory sign. I also saw a group of about 20 militiamen with long beards and batons on motorbikes.

My hand was hanging out of the taxi window with a little green ribbon -- the color of the reformists -- tied around my finger. One of the militiamen told me to "throw that ribbon away!" When I refused, 15 people attacked me inside the car. They beat me with their batons and tried to pull me out.

My wife and my daughter who were sitting in the back seat cried and held me tight. I also held myself tight to the chair. As they tried to shatter the car windows the driver went out and explained that he is just a taxi driver, we are just his passengers, and he hadn't done anything wrong. After about five minutes they left us alone.

Soon we joined the crowd at Enghelab Street. What I saw there was the most magnificent scene I have ever witnessed in my life. The huge numbers of people were marching hand-in-hand peacefully. There were no slogans being shouted. Hands were held up in victory signs with green ribbons. People carried placards which read: silence. Young and old, men and women, rich and poor were marching cheerfully. It was an amazing show of solidarity. I was so proud.

Enghelab Street, the widest avenue in Tehran, was full of people. Some estimated that there were one to two million people there. As we marched, we passed a police department and a Basij base. In both places, we could see fully-armed riot police and militiamen watching us from behind fences. Near Sharif University of Technology, where the students had chased away Mahmoud Ahmadinejad a few days before, Mir Hossein Mousavi (the reformist president-elect) and Mehdi Karrubi, the other reformist candidate, spoke to the people and were received with cries of praise and applause.

My family and I had put stickers on our mouths to represent the suppression of the regime. Other people carried signs. One quoted the national poet Ahmad Shamlu: "To slaughter us/why did you need to invite us/to such an elegant party." Another made fun of the government's claim that Ahmadinejad won 24 million votes: "The Miracle of the Third Millennium: 2 x 2 = 24 million." Others just read: "Where is my vote?"

When we finally arrived at Azadi Square, which can accommodate around 500,000 people, it was full. We saw smoke coming from Jenah Freeway and heard the gunshots. People were scared but continued walking forward.

Later, my sister told me that she saw four militiamen come out from a house and shoot a girl. Then they shot a young boy in his eye and the bullet came out of his ear. She said that four people were shot.

On my way home at around 2 a.m. I saw about 10 buses full of armed riot police parked on the side of the road. There were scattered militiamen in civilian clothes carrying clubs patrolling the empty streets. And in Tajrish Square I saw a boy around 16 holding a club, looking for something to attack.

At Ahmadinejad's "victory" ceremony, government buses transported all his supporters from nearby cities. There was full TV coverage of that ceremony, where fruit juice and cake were plentiful. At most, 100,000 gathered to hear his speech, including all the militiamen and soldiers.

We reformists have no radio, no newspaper, and no television. All our Internet sites are filtered, as well as social networks such as Facebook. Text messaging and mobile communication were also cut off during the demonstrations. And yet we had hundreds of thousands, if not millions.

The state-run TV station has announced that riot police will severely punish anybody that demonstrates. Ahmadinejad called the opposition a bunch of insignificant dirt who try to make the taste of victory bitter to the nation. But his remark was answered by the largest demonstrations ever.

Older people compared Monday's gathering to the demonstrations of 1979 which marked the downfall of the Shah's regime. They even said that this event was larger.

Democracy is a long way ahead. I may not be alive to see that day. With eyes full of tears in these early hours of June 16, I glorify the courage of those who have already been killed. I hope that the blood of these martyrs will make every one of us more committed to freedom, to democracy and to human rights.

Pink Floyd: The Making of The Dark Side of the Moon

2009-06-15T08:32:00.001-07:00

The next time you find yourself with 50 minutes to spare, I highly recommend watching this. Any music fan will appreciate the genius that is David Gilmore and Roger Waters. They were so far ahead of their time it's not even funny.

Sit back, relax, then click the link below to watch the documentary:

Pink Floyd: The Making of The Dark Side of the Moon

What Comes Down Must Go Up....

2009-06-10T07:28:00.001-07:00

With all that's going on in the world, and I realize there is much, what is going largely unnoticed is the ever-increasing price of gasoline. An increase at the pump of $1/per gallon has been realized over the past 6 months, and there's really no end in sight - that is just insane.

Where is the outrage that was so prevelant last year? Doesn't anyone remember being bent over the pumps like a cheap whore and taking it the old-fashioned way? Surely you couldn't have blocked that out in such a short period of time..Ok, then...let me ask you this..

Remember $4.20/per gallon? Yeah, I thought so. Well, it's comin' folks, and it's going to be nasty...possibly nastier than $4.20. Add to that a weak economy and skyrocketing unemployment, and you can see where this could become an even worse situation than what we went through last year

But what can we do about it? Our represenatives in Washington are way to beholden to Big Oil to even consider taking profits from their fishing, golfing, and hunting buddies...There truly is not enough oil off our own shores, or in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, to make domestic production an alternative, plus, we wouldn't even see that production come to fruition for at least 5, maybe 10 years.

But I wonder: As a nation of 250 million strong, why are we in the weaker position? Why do companies like Exxon/Mobil dictate to us? Can't we just kick their collective asses? It may not reduce the price of gas, but I'd sure feel a whole lot better...

Seriously, without real answers to these questions, I'm sorry to have to say the fellas should plan on rollin' those trousers down, again, while the ladies should count on having to hike those sundresses up, each and every time we visit the pump this summer...

Can anyone spare any KY?

To Good to be True?

2009-06-08T13:39:00.000-07:00

First Phish, now SCI...

The first rehearsal....

More Cheese....Pleeeeeease!

King Louis XVI Said it Best.....

2009-06-04T20:57:00.000-07:00

REBA, PART I

When people ask me what a Phish show like, I normally don't have an appropriate response. Like a Grateful Dead show, you have to physically be there in order to know what all the fuss is about. For those who can't make it to the shows this summer, but still are very curious, this Reba, from Tuesday night in Jones Beach, NY represents best what Phish is, and what they do..

Great seeing the boys back on stage having a good time...and even better catching up with old friends in both Boston and New York. The band ripped ..period...Hartford and Saratoga Springs up next.....

REBA, PART II

Aaah!! It's Good to be The King...

The Countdown....

2009-05-30T14:22:00.000-07:00

G-d willing, within the next 24 hours, I will be standing on this very field, taking in Fenway for the very first time.

See ya'll there...

Such a Night...

2009-05-16T07:51:00.000-07:00

It's been at leat 15 years since I've seen Dr. John perform live, which really makes me wonder what the hell I've been doing all these years...Good thing is, all that ends tonight in Coconut Creek, where the Good Doctor will once again remind us why New Orleans is the city that it is, and why we, as a Country, need to come together to restore her to her natural state.

His relevancy should not be underestimated, as he has played with all the greats - all of them, and continues to do so well into the 21st Century. Just the fact The Band had asked him to appear at their final performance speaks volumes . He shared the stage that night with legends in their own right, cats some of you may have heard of - Eric Clapton, Neil Young, Van Morrison, Bob Dylan, Jonie Mitchell, Neil Diamond, Muddy Waters...Not bad company if you ask me.

The Heavy Pets, our local heroes, open her up at 7pm, followed by the Man himself at 9...If I don't do it, somebody else will...

To Serve or Not to Serve?

2009-05-12T06:14:00.000-07:00

Got jury duty today - all day. Not sure if I'm able to serve impartially though, as growing up in NY, I've been a victim of a crime on a number of occasions, as have my friends and family. Truth be told, I think I'm damaged goods....tainted, if you will. I don't think the defense attorney is going to want me on that jury, and he would be just in excusing me.

Or maybe I'm underestimating my ability to block all that out and serve impartially. Isn't that what our Founding Fathers intended for us to do when they wrote the Constitution? Would I be un-American if I can't do my civic duty and serve? Hmm....

Two things I do know:

I'd never thought I'd see the day when I'd be posting from inside the Palm Beach County Courthouse....that's a first (and hopefully, the last)...

...and this Talking Heads' performance is so...what's the word?

Perfect.

The Boys Minus 1 (or is it plus 2?)

2009-05-01T11:08:00.000-07:00

I must admit this sounds pretty good...doesn't hurt to have Warren and Branford trading licks either..

A quick shout out to my Cous Dave, skillfully representin' the 212. You paid your respects like any true Deadhead would..and I agree, Branford needs to play every show (not just 1 or 2) and Bobby should just shut the hell up.

The Deliverence -The Jets Get Sanchez

2009-04-28T09:11:00.000-07:00

Going into this season with Kellen Clemens at quarterback was something nobody was looking forward to -probably not even Kellen. It was downright depressing just thinking about it.

With Sanchez, the Jets have a potential franchise quarterback. I say potential because he's only played in 16 college games - hardly enough to say one way or the other if he has what it takes to make it in the NFL. Plus, he has not a clue what the New York media can do to a professional athlete, no matter how talented he or she is.

In saying that, it's about friggin' time the Jets brass showed some chutzpah and made this happen. With Coles, Farve, Baker, Bowens, and Barton lost during the off-season, it's nice to see someone is working to bring players to New York.

Up In Smoke....Is There Any Other Way?

2009-04-20T11:13:00.000-07:00

Ahhhhh...The good 'ol days!

**This trailer is hereby dedicated to my good friend Dave from OKC. It's amazing we didn't burn the house down!!**

Dave - Check out my interview with Oteil and Scott here.

THE DEAD - GREENSBORO, NC 4/12/09

2009-04-13T15:03:00.000-07:00

Set 1:

01. The Music Never Stopped>
02. Jack Straw
03. Estimated Prophet>
04. He's Gone>
05. Touch Of Grey>
06. I Need A Miracle>
07. Truckin'

Set 2:

01. Jam> Shakedown Street>
02. All Along The Watchtower>
03. Caution>
04. Drums> Space>
05. Cosmic Charlie>
06. New Potato Caboose>
07. Help On The Way> Slipknot!> Franklin's Tower
08. Encore: Samson And Delilah

So, what do you think?

Remembering 2004 and The Phair-Weather Phan...

2009-03-22T11:09:00.001-07:00

Sports and Music are similar in many ways. I believe the most prolific similarity is that as a fan, you support your favorite artists the same way you support your favorite teams - through thick and thin. There is no middle gound, no wavering, no hurtful bashing when things don't go your way. In other words, you're with them when they're sippin' champagne out of crystal flutes, and you're with them when they're swillin' ripple out of styrofoam cups.

Now that Phish's return is official and the band seems to be back on track, there appears, once again, to be an enourmous amount of support and love from their phans. And why not - most have waited for this day since the last note was played that infamous weekend at Coventry. For those who've supported the bandmates through their trials, tribulations, successes, and failures post-Coventry, you deserve everything that's coming to you, as it's not easy to defend those so many chose to attack.

The backlash against Phish the day they called it quits in Winter of 2004 was extraordinary. Many phans who had seen the band rise from nothing and had the pleasure of enjoying so many incredible musical moments with them turned on them like a cheap suit.

Gone was the appreciation of all they had accomplished throughout their 21 years.
Gone was the understanding of what the band was going through towards the end.
Gone was the support and love they gave to the band when they were on top.

For these so-called phans, all that was left was bitterness and resentment - "How could they do this to me? And then came the mudslinging - so much of it I wrote a piece for the now-defunct 101report.com (whassup Rich?), where David Gans actually took a moment to comment on how he's noticed much of same. Messageboards on websites like Jambase, Phantasy Tour, and LiveMusicBlog were innundated with so much Phish-bashing that, if you didn't know any better, you would think the band just committed one of the most heinous crimes against all of mankind.

And when Trey went back on tour with his own band, it got even worse. No support, no love, no appreciation, no willingness to see him through what was probably the most difficult time in his life. No, "I got your back". There was nothing but hate. Bloggers were lining up by the truckload with the sole intention of ripping him to shreds, as that was the cool thing to do at the time and hey, who wants to be thought of as un-cool?" Never in my life had I seen such an assault on a man who had brought so much pleasure to so many people for so many years...

I always wondered if Trey read any of what was being written, and if he he had, did it bother him? Did he feel betrayed...resentful? Was he sorry he ever picked-up a guitar? Did he feel he was going to have to do this alone? Most of all, I wondered if he was he asking himself why he should have to prove himself all over again after 21 years of doing just that.

The answers to those questions, and many others, lie in Trey's head. But the point here is not what Trey was thinking or how he and the band were feeling post-breakup - it's about what their supposed phans said and wrote about him and the band once they announced they were done, and how it continued to get worse after Trey re-emerged with his own band and wrote a shitload of new music, which some, including myself, found un-inspiring. Now, it seems, those same people are back, jumping on the proverbial bandwagon, writing how much they love Phish and have always supported the band through thick and thin.

My response to them, these Phair-weather Phans, is simple - too little, too late. You're not welcome back in the scene, and probably shouldn't have been here to begin with. You know nothing about loyalty or commitment, and even less about life. You couldn't think for yourself if you tried, and your words today are more meaningless than the words you wrote when all of this went down in '04. I would appreciate it if you acknowledged your selfishness and utter disrespect for the band, pack your bag, and move along. And I think I speak for every phan who weathered the storm and stood by their heroes through all the madness - The band deserves more, and so do we.....

For the rest of us, well, it's good to be back....but come to think it, we never really left...

con'd......

2009-03-13T01:41:00.000-07:00

Welcome Back, Boys!

2009-03-07T06:16:00.000-08:00

What a night it must have been...and the best (and only) thing about not being able to make these shows is that Phish is allowing downloads of all 3 historical nights at no cost to the consumer. Sure there's video on You Tube, but there's nothing like chillin in your crib and listening to an entire show from start to finish.

The energy during Fluffhead>Divided Sky is off the chain, but the band truly starts firing on all cylanders during NICU -if you really listen, you'll hear what I heard.

Go here to download these shows for FREE....see you in June.

Would Love to Stay and Chat....

2009-02-12T09:44:00.001-08:00

My apologies for the lack of entries recently. We are in the middle of our busy season and I have about 10 minutes free time each day to shower, eat, and respond to emails.

My good friend Alex sent me this link. Click here if you want to access many, many hours of incredible, live music, all available for download, at no cost to you.

You're welcome.

Happy Birthday Mick!!

2009-01-26T10:07:00.000-08:00

Mick Taylor, playing the nastiest slide guitar, with the Stones (circa. 1972), doing Robert Johnson's "Love in Vain". Mick turned 60 on Januray 19th.

Could he play guitar or what?

A New Day..

2009-01-20T11:01:00.000-08:00

There is much work that needs to be done to repair The Nation...

Let's all be part of the solution..

Fire Up the Winnebago....or Not!

2009-01-09T09:50:00.000-08:00

I'm thrilled Phish has announced dates for their Summer Tour, truly I am. But ticket availibility, if Hampton is any indication, is minimal, and the odds of the average fan getting to see any of these shows is slim to none. And playing venues like Jones Beach in NY doesn't make it any easier, as the demand will far exceed supply.

The public on-sale date is a joke, as ticket brokers (scalper-scum) use software to lock everyone else out while they grab up all the tickets. I was locked out of the "word verification" window for 60 seconds last time, and by the time I was allowed to type in a word, all the tickets were gone. And if that wasn't enough, Ticketmaster owns Ticket Now, so when they tell you your request has been denied, Ticket Now advertises those same tickets for hundreds of dollars over face. Hmmm...Ticketmaster runs out of tickets at face, but has plenty to scalp for huge profits.

Am I the only one who sees the injustice in all this?

1/15 - A quick shout out to the Duxbury Kid, who was by my side that night when Kid Rock met The Hard Rock Kid. I think he would agree the only thing better than Phish in Vegas was Jerry in Vegas...

1/22 - Guitar G-ds, Volume 1...Neil brings it home...

The Cure, thankfully...

2009-01-08T09:23:00.000-08:00

I can't seem to shake this, so I'm not going to force it. Sometimes in life you need to let things run their natural course, for better or for worse. When all is said and done, however, the important thing, I think, is to have no regrets. Yes! That must be it - to have no regrets.

But if and when you come to realize you regret not doing something, and there's no way to get it back, what's the process that leads to "having no regrets"? How do you go from A to B, when A will always be A?

When I start asking myself shit like this, I usually break out my Cure collection (yes, you heard me right - the Deadhead is a closet Cure junkie), and more often than not, forward to "A Letter to Elise". The song runs the gamut of every emotion ever known to mankind, and then some..it puts me in a place where I need to be. Is it somewhat disturbing? Sure it is...isn't that why we listen to The Cure in the first place? If we don't suffer a little than how will we ever know true happiness?

So, the journey from A to B begins, and I must say, it's nice to have Robert Smith along for the ride...

Thanks For The Memories..

2009-01-05T19:15:00.000-08:00

I've done a lot of reminiscing these past 2 days -more than I have in 20 years. I must say it feels good to think back to the glory days of my youth. It seems like only yesterday I was going to my freshman orientation at UMass. I didn't have a clue back then. Not that I have one now, but I'm working on it, should be any day now.

From my senior year in high school to graduation day in college, I danced to this song more than any other song. It represents more to me than I could possibly put into words, so I'll just leave it at that.

It reminds me most of one night I spent with friends at the Limelight in NYC....one very long night.

The Big Flop

2009-01-02T15:49:00.000-08:00

With one exception, nobody, and I mean nobody, loves the NY Jets more than me. And for those that claim they are the teams' biggest fans, I don't doubt you, not for a second - I just haven't met you. May the Good Lord end your suffering and bring you peace sometime soon.

But in honor of my Dad, and his love for 'Ol Blue Eyes, I dedicate this to him. As with many children my age, I was forced to listen to Frank belt out "Here's to the Winners" numerous times throughout my childhood, but was quick to find "Here's to The Losers" when Googling NY Jets 2008 Season. Dad, even though I'm a thousand miles from home, I feel your pain.

If it were my team, I'd get rid of every player on the roster except one, fire all the coaches, and build around the most exciting player in football, Leon Washington. I can dream, can't I?

But for now, we're back to eating baloney sandwiches and baked beans 3 times a day. Can someone please pass the mustard?

Those Were The Days, My Friends....

2008-12-31T20:51:00.000-08:00

12/31/85

Happy New Years to all!!

Been There So Long He's Got to Callin' It Home

2008-12-25T07:01:00.001-08:00

A good friend of mine took this shot of Phil outside the Nokia Theatre NYC during his fabled run there last month. Apparently, Phil was taking a pic of his name on the marquis above the theatre. How cool is that?
Nice, job H....it's very rare to get a photo of someone like Phil in his natural surroundings, doing what any other tourist would be doing in the City.

10/31/08

"PHRANKENSTEIN"

Merry Christmas Everyone!!

Jerry Band Does Dylan

2008-12-18T23:58:00.000-08:00

9/1/90

Five weeks after Brent left our world forever, Jerry Band plays Shoreline, and finishes up strong with Dylan's Tangled Up In Blue.

Talk about emotion...

Just Another Crazy Night in Delray Beach

2008-12-08T19:39:00.000-08:00

11/29/08

The Radiators, with Peter Musso on harmonica, opening up the second set with War's Low Rider. Is Camile feeling it or what?

For the full review of both nights at City Limits, go here

Butterfly Song

2008-12-03T07:45:00.000-08:00

I used to have to be stoned to enjoy something like this.

You Gotta Believe! The 2008 NY Football Jets

2008-11-25T10:23:00.001-08:00

I've been a suffering Jets fan since I was old enough to sit still for 3 hours and watch them lose consistently at Shea Stadium - lets call it 35 years:

35 years of watching them blow huge halftime leads (watch any Indianapolis game the past 10 years and you'll know what I'm talking about)

35 years of watching them draft unknowns, while Hall of Famers sit tight and are picked soon after (see Ken O'Brien and Johnny "Lam" Jones)

35 years of high school level coaching (see Walt Michaels, Joe Walton, Rich Kotite, and now that I think about it, every single head coach since Weeb Ewbank).

35 years of the worst play-calling in NFL History - There aren't enough pages to write on to cover this one. You'll have to trust me.

35 years of the poorest ownership and upper-management money can buy.

35 years having to tell business associates, people you've just met, friends, family, or anybody for that matter, that you are a Jets fan. Do I look like I need your pity?

35 years of incarceration - with baloney sandwiches and baked beans served 3 times a day.

But there's light in the cell I've been living in these past 3 decades, a light I've never seen before.

With consecutive victories on the road against the Pats and the undefeated Titans, 2 perennial AFC powerhouses, we sit atop the AFC East and are demanding respect from the rest of the League. And if you don't give it to us, as Tennessee didn't, we will take it. And we will punish you for not giving it to us in the first place.

So today, November 25, 2008, on this beautiful day in sunny S. Florida, I decree the following:

No more baloney sandwiches - No more lights out at 8 - No more sharing my cell with another inmate. No more picking up the soap.

These are the 2008 NY Football Jets. No more!

President-Elect Obama...Welcome!

2008-11-07T19:00:00.000-08:00

President-Elect Obama gave his first press conference today, and I must say he looked awfully Presidential. And having 19 of the most influential politicians and business leaders at his side didn't hurt either.

My thoughts on his victory run the gamut, but one thing is for sure - the Democratic Party, with President-Elect Obama at the helm, was given a mandate by the American People to turn this country around. And unlike President Bush's victories the past 2 elections, this was a landslide, a shellacking, if you will. The people want change, real change, and that means excluding the GOP from legislating - period, end of story. They had their shot, now it's our turn. I'm actually looking forward to Sen. McConnell obstructing the business of Congress for another 2 years and losing even more seats come the next election. That's what happens when you take the American People for granted, isn't it Senator?

I ask you: Where was the bipartisanship when the GOP controlled both Houses and The White House? Did they move to the middle to solve the real problems we face as a Nation? Did they listen to the calls coming from the blue-collar worker working 2 jobs or the child without Health Insurance needing thousands of dollars in medical care? Did they listen to Mother Nature begging us to right the wrong of Gobal Warming? Did they? No, they didn't. They used and abused the system to get what they wanted, until there was nothing left to take.

So I say let them sit down, shut up, and wait their turn. Their calls for bipartisanship are meaningless and void, and shouldn't be considered as genuine. Our collective voices were heard as one on Election Day. I say let our elected officials carry out the will of the American People and push the agenda we elected them to push. That's why we have elections in the first place, isn't it?

My most heartfelt congratulations to the President-Elect. Here's hoping he does it his way.

Back to Back..Chicken Shack

2008-10-31T14:48:00.000-07:00

As you can see, I saved the best for last: The BK Trio jamming Franklin's Tower - check out Oteil scat-singing, right around the 3 minute mark. Is he smooth or what? How do you pull that off in the middle of a malicious Tower jam? You don't, Oteil does!!

Again, many thanks to Bill, Scott, and Oteil for letting me into their world for a couple of minutes - the whole night truly was magical....

Halloween means so many different things to me on so many levels I really don't know where to begin. So I won't begin at all. I'll just say , "Happy Halloween, be safe, and don't be sorry.

Come say hello if you see me at The Heavy Pets tonight down in Lauderdale. I'll be Pimped-Out Uncle Sam. Why?

'Cause that's who I am.

Panic + The Pets = 6 Hours of Bliss

2008-10-29T14:24:00.001-07:00

Caught Panic at The Fillmore Miami Beach last night. Nice venue, good sound, solid show. Enjoyed the first set a little more than the second, which is a little different than how it normally plays out.

They did 'Airplane', a song I hadn't heard live since back in the late '80's, when Mikey was singing it. It was one of those musical moments you don't soon forget. As we will never forget Michael Houser, and all that he gave to us. Man, could he play guitar..

Post-Panic, The Heavy Pets played a free, late-night show at the Purdy Lounge, which was a total throwdown.

If you haven't caught these guys live, do so, and do it quick. They're young, they're hungry, and they can jam!! Look for more on The Heavy Pets here, and over on Kyndmusic, in the weeks and months to come.

For now, all I ask is to enjoy the video - The BK Trio do Bertha.

Right Outside This Lazy Summer Home..

2008-10-26T19:48:00.001-07:00

I am truly blessed - I must be. Not only did I get to meet 3 legends this past Friday night, I witnessed those same artists light the Culture Room on fire -3 hours of blistering improvisation.

The Bill Kreutzmann Trio rolled into town over the weekend, and I was fortunate enough to be able to sit down with Scott Murawski (Max Creek) and Oteil Burbridge (Allman Brothers) and chat about what's going on their world these days - and believe me, there's plenty!! And for what it's worth, I did get to shake Bill's hand and introduce myself to him, something I will never, ever forget. Thank you for that, Bill.

My good friend Adam Firtel shot this video, and also took many outstanding shots during the show. Look for them when I post the interview (and the show review) over on Kyndmusic later this week.

Brought to you by the Letter 'M' and the Number '420'

2008-10-21T18:35:00.001-07:00

11-15-96

I was thinking this should anchor the week, as it truly is magical, and down-right nasty. Unfortunately, I couldn't wait that long.

Popper takes it with him

Such a dirty old man...

Tail and Nothin' but a Long Booty....

2008-10-20T12:12:00.001-07:00

In honor of Phish returning to our World, and the fact I'm burnt to a crisp on politics and the run-up to Election Day, I give you the band, with a host of different artists, each and every day this week.

I'll try to get a little more motivated tomorrow and get back to the real issues we're facing as a Nation, as we move closer and closer to electing our next President. But that can wait, can't it?

Today's video highlights George Clinton and Co., landing their Mothership smack- dab in the middle of 'Canes Country, 3rd night New Years, '03-'04, Miami.

Some say this New Years run was the last one the band really showed up for before their final bow 8 months later.

Not seeing every show from that weekend on, it's hard to say. I've heard Camden was good, Keyspan with Jay Z decent, etc..and so on..

What I can say for sure is the the 3 nights I did catch over this weekend ripped - their playing was superb, emotions were high, and the band, along with the crowd, were both having the best of times leading up to and including New Years Eve.

Figures the one night I missed was the night Funk came to town.

Time Out!

2008-10-18T18:24:00.001-07:00

We'll get back to politics on Monday (will we ever!).

Until then, enjoy the tunes, enjoy your weekend, enjoy life.

Oh, and TLG kicks serious ass..

Olbermann Goes Ballistic!!!

2008-10-15T15:44:00.001-07:00

From the Associated Press:

THE POLL: A CBS News-New York Times national poll on the presidential race.

THE NUMBERS: Barack Obama, 53 percent; John McCain, 39 percent.

OF INTEREST: Obama has moved into a commanding lead in this poll of likely voters after he had 48 percent to McCain's 45 percent among likely voters before last week's town hall debate. Independents have swung back and forth in this poll, but Obama has claimed a clear 51 percent to 33 percent lead in that key group. Four of five of each candidate's supporters say their minds are made up and won't change before the election. About a fifth of voters, 21 percent, say their opinion of McCain has grown worse in the last few weeks, citing his negative attacks and choice of Sarah Palin as his running mate.

DETAILS: Latest poll conducted Oct. 10-13. It included telephone interviews with 1,070 adults nationwide, including 972 likely voters. The sampling error was plus or minus 3 percentage points.

MORE: http://www.cbsnews.com

http://www.nytimes.com

Palin gets the 'ol Bronx Cheer in Beloved Philly

2008-10-13T18:21:00.001-07:00

Today's Washington Post-ABC News poll:

ASKED OF LIKELY VOTERS: If the 2008 presidential election were being held today, and the candidates were (Barack Obama and Joe Biden, the Democrats) and (John McCain and Sarah Palin, the Republicans), for whom would you vote?

Obama 53%.......McCain 43%

One Month Ago..

Obama 47%.......McCain 49%

Gov. Palin:
There is nowhere to hide. For 22 days, you belong to the American people, and there's literally nothing you can do about it. I almost feel sorry for you and the Senator.

Oh, and Governor, if you've ever been to Philly, least of all a Flyers game, you would have known to keep your tuchas at home on the couch. They really take offense to people like you.

Straight-Talk Derailment: The Un-Doing of Sen. McCain

2008-10-10T10:03:00.001-07:00

One month ago I was worried, really, worried. McCain's numbers were getting stronger, Barack's weaker, and the number of days between then and Election Day was dwindling. Then, the financial sector melted, literally, and so did Sen. McCain's campaign.

For the record, I respect and admire Sen. McCain immensely for his brave service to this Country. He is truly an American hero.

But anyone dumb enough to say publicly, "The economy really isn't my strength", not once, but twice, surely doesn't deserve to be our President - shouldn't be our President, don't you think?

Then, his peculiar and erratic behavior during the week we bailed out Wall Street only brought his numbers down further. Suspending his campaign? I don't think so, Senator.

Next, the Senator refused, on principal, to participate in the first debate, then flip-flopped and agreed to, offering no explanation as to 'why', was the strangest thing I've ever seen in politics. Whack job!

Then came the best of 'em all: Taking credit for the success of the Bailout Bill just before it got voted down and killed in the House, BY HIS OWN PARTY. Well done, Senator!!

'Scary' to think what our future holds if he can dig himself out of this ditch and win the Presidency. He's going to need one heck of a shovel, though, and a whole lotta help digging...

BACK IN THE SADDLE!!!

2008-10-06T11:47:00.000-07:00

My first posting on Kyndmusic in over a year. It's good to be home, boys!!

Dave/Greg: I appreciate the opportunity you've given me to write again. Looking forward to some good jams!!

Show review: PBS w/Page BB Kings, NYC 9/26/08

So, what are you waiting for?

Hampton, naturally...

2008-10-01T15:44:00.001-07:00

PHISH HAMPTON 2009 from Phish on Vimeo.

No slight on Phish or their fans (as I'm one of them!), but when I think of Hampton, I don't think of Phish. I think about The Grateful Dead. I think about 1987 and '88, The Hampton Boys from UMass, making the trek in the Coup, a story told for a every mile driven.

That's the Hampton I know. And while I'm thinking of it, a quick 'shout out' to those in "the know". There will only be one "Sheets of Rain" or is it "gnats"?

And now that I've said what I had to, my first reaction on hearing the good news about Phish was, and still is, "Bring it on, boys...What took you so long?"

With some new material and a little rehearsing, they may be able to rekindle the flame. On the other hand, they may be done. I guess we'll all find out together. Looking forward.......

***By the way, I've now seen this video posted on 2 of my favorite sites, LiveMusicBlog.com and Gadiel.com - don't I feel like a shmuck. The video's pretty cool, though.

Porter Batiste Stoltz McConnell - It's All Good!!

2008-09-30T17:09:00.001-07:00

Caught the show at B.B. Kings last Saturday in the City - It was like Page had been playing with them for years!

Review and pics on Kyndmusic coming up this weekend..

What do you get when you cross The Pope with a Rabbi?

2008-09-27T13:01:00.000-07:00

Several centuries ago, the Pope decreed that all the Jews in Italy had to convert to Catholicism or leave. There was a huge outcry from the Jewish community, so the Pope offered a deal. He'd have a debate with a religious leader of the Jewish community. If the Jews won, they could stay in Italy; if the Pope won, they'd have to convert or leave.

The Jewish people met and picked an aged and wise rabbi to represent them in the debate. However, as the rabbi spoke no Italian, and the Pope spoke no Yiddish, they agreed that it would be a 'silent' debate.

On the chosen day the Pope and rabbi sat opposite each other.

The Pope raised his hand and showed three fingers. The rabbi looked back and raised one finger.
Next, the Pope waved his finger around his head.
The rabbi pointed to the ground where he sat.

The Pope brought out a communion wafer and a chalice of wine.
The rabbi pulled out an apple.

With that, the Pope stood up and declared himself beaten and said that the rabbi was too clever. The Jews could stay in Italy.

Later the cardinals met with the Pope and asked him what had happened.

The Pope said, 'First I held up three fingers to represent the Trinity. He responded by holding up a single finger to remind me there is still only one God common to both our beliefs.'

'Then, I waved my finger around my head to show him that God was all around us. He responded by pointing to the ground to show that God was also right here with us.'

'I pulled out the wine and wafer to show that God absolves us of all our sins. He pulled out an apple to remind me of the original sin.'

'He bested me at every move and I could not continue.'

Meanwhile, the Jewish community gathered to ask the rabbi how he'd won.

'I haven't a clue' the rabbi said. 'First, he told me that we had three days to get out of Italy, so I gave him the finger.'

'Then he told me that the whole country would be cleared of Jews and I told him that we were staying right here.'

'And then what?' asked a woman.

'Who knows?' said the rabbi. 'He took out his lunch so I took out mine.'

To my Jewish friends and family, I wish you all a very Healthy and Happy New Year..

"Shena Tovah"

Fit to be President?

2008-09-25T07:08:00.001-07:00

It just keeps getting uglier....

Do you Moodoo?

2008-09-22T06:16:00.000-07:00

I woke up psyched today!!! Really pumped. And I'll tell you why in a second. But first, I think you should know a little more about who's spewing this nonsense and where I'm coming from..

Some of you may recognize my name from previous postings on other sites. I've submitted pieces regularly to the world's greatest indie jam-rock site, Kyndmusic.com, and before that, the now-defunct The101Report.com (whassup, Rich???). In addition, you can also find some of my work on Jambands.com.

I've been fortunate enough to sit down for extensive interviews with Reggie Scanlan, bassist for The Radiators, as well as the transcedent Perpetual Groove, currently my favorite band on today's circuit. Was invited backstage to party with P-Funk at the HOB in Orlando and have had close encounters with 2 of my musical heroes: Phil Lesh, bassist for The Grateful Dead, and The Doctor of Funkenstein himself, George "Ain't No Rap Like a Booty Rap" Clinton - both taking place in New Orleans at the annual Jazz and Heritage Festival. And I've heard Jerry Garcia play his sweet guitar live no less than 188 times over the span of 12 years, something you'll find me bragging about every now and then.

I love the NY Jets, The Yankees, The Islanders, and The Knicks, which bodes well for where I live, as there are more New Yorkers in S. Florida than there are Floridians. I almost feel we're the home team when I go see my teams play down here!

Finally, I'm a liberal-loving Democrat, but not foolish enough to believe both parties are not 100% beholden to special interests. Change? Not in my lifetime..

Back to why I'm so giddy: I'm leaving on vacation to NY in 2 days for a week, and although my original plans have been scaled back a little, I still have much to look forward to:

Wed: Unfortunately, Lotus sold out at the Mercury Lounge. Chilling with friends on Long Island.
Thurs: Jamming, literally, with my roommate from college (and also one of my best friends). Dueling axes till dawn- there goes the neighborhood!! And we've got The Radiators playing locally at the Bayou Restaurant should we get the itch.
Fri: PBS w/Page McConnell of Phish at B.B Kings in the City. 1 of 4 dates scheduled nationally. Word.
Sun: Jets-AZ game @ Giants Stadium (Gotta have tonight boys!!)

But most of all, it's always nice spending time with family - My mom makes a killer Rosh Hashana dinner. Please feel free to stop by for cake and coffee either Monday or Tuesday of next week

Seriously, folks, how can you not love the City this time of year???

You can look for the full PBS w/Page review next week over on Kyndmusic. And for goodness sake, download "I Get High", a free mp3 by the band, by clicking the link below. Sweetness!!

"I Get High" Download Link by PBS w/Page

And yes, I Moodoo..Do you?

Welcome!! If I can just have a minute...

2008-09-21T14:18:00.001-07:00

I won't keep you today...too busy watching football and the Ryder Cup. That dude Ian Poulter is money, but I don't think it's enough to keep the Cup across the pond. Let's bring it home, boys...

So, I'm a 44 year old Deadhead. These days, being a Deadhead has less to do with being a devoted fan of the perennial kings of jamness, The Grateful Dead, and more to do with an ideology, a "way of life", if you will.

Their music brought us all together, but it's our community which has brought their ideas and their culture to levels the band could not possibly have imagined. It is that to which I am so grateful for.

So let's keep it real here on Greene Daze...and let's never forget where we came from..