The Blues Blogger

Several weeks ago I wrote an article called Still Feeling the Groove. In that post I drifted back almost 40 years; recalling a time where change was occurring in the TheBluesBlogger household. The lively place I called home wasn’t so much fun anymore. We moved out of the house I grew up in and into a small apartment. The vibrant household was now filled with a close stressful silence. But it was always the music that made the hard times of growing up go away… So I filled my new bedroom with the sweetest sounds I could get… And in the process drove my poor impatient father crazy…

The Year Was 1969

and this was the time frame towards the end of the year, that both my sister and brother left town. I can clearly remember when I snagged my brother’s copy of The Allman Brothers Band self titled 1969 album debut. It seemed the album helped fill the void I felt when he moved out from the room we had shared all our life. At the time I certainly had a chip on my shoulder, but I do have to give my family credit for being the influence of so much music back then. Until this day, I have continued to hold on to some of those albums, The Allman Brothers Band’s first LP is one of them…

“Yes Bro it was me who took your album! Close to 40 years has passed and the mystery is finally over.”

I can’t remember the last time I heard this album, but it must be at least 25 years ago. So this weekend I gave it a spin; converting it to an MP3 format so I can be more active and mobile when listening. Right from the very first cut Don’t Want You No More, I was hooked once again. And for the next 35 minutes I took a reflective trip back through time.

I recall how my father thought it was just plain strange that a 9 year old could get so into listening to this stuff. But my father never shared a room with a guitar player who practiced these blues and jazz riffs all day and night. It must have been an innate necessity for me. It also helped me focus my nervous energy on something. Besides… somebody had to play some tunes, because the silence was far too deafening.

Since we moved to the apartment and my brother moved out of town, the Saturday afternoon rehearsals with his band were no more. There were no real instruments in the house for me to pretend with, so I replaced them with chop sticks, different size glasses of water, a comb and plastic film. This of course fueled my dad’s neurosis as I’m sure it sounded bad and the apartment was much closer quartered than our house… It would take over 8 years of separation, but eventually my brother and I did hook up when he moved into my apartment in NYC when I moved there in my late teens. The music would once again continue and a new found respect and partnership would form…

It’s impossible to sum up the almost 40 years of The Allman Brothers Band illustrious history in a few paragraphs. One thing for sure, right from the start, the band had so many challenges… In the beginning years of the bands existence, they endured the deaths of band members Duane Allman and Berry Oakley. Drugs would take its toll on most of its members. On again off again separations and re-unions resulted…

Throughout All the Years

from their 20th Anniversary re-union in 1989, to 1995’s Rock n Roll Hall of Fame induction, 1996’s Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental performance for “Jessica,” the band has endured the test of time… In 1999, The Allman Brothers Band celebrated their 30th anniversary with an 18-night stand at New York’s Beacon Theater… The 21st Century also saw the Dickie Betts part ways, but still the band continues to this very day playing their special blend of genius for their fans and curious newcomers.

It is interesting to note that in 2003 out of Rolling Stone Magazine’s top 100 guitarists of all time, four are Allman Brothers alumni:

#2 Duane Allman
#23 Warren Haynes
#58 Dickey Betts
#81 Derek Trucks ( the youngest player on the list )

The Allman Brothers Band were the principal architects of Southern Rock. They combined many elements of music and helped advance the rock genre as a medium for improvisation along with bands such as Cream. To this day, the band remains a force to be reckoned with. As I write this, the band is currently on tour. I strongly suggest if you’re in the area that you check them out. They are an amazing band with a rich history and incredible musicians that will soulfully rock you through the past and into the future… You can find their current tour schedule by clicking the link here:

I must admit I have listened to their debut release several times while writing this piece. After all these years, it really was a great listen and a real blast reflecting on. What an inspiration they are …

The videos I chose in this post show two songs from their debut album; a then and now perspective of this amazing band. Notice original drummers Butch Trucks and Jai Johanny “Jaimoe” Johanson as they continue to shoulder the band after nearly 40 years…

Now I think it’s best to turn the ball over to the readers of this article. You can help by filling in those gaps with your comments… So do you have a favorite song? Or a favorite year and lineup that appealed to you the most? Where we’re you in 1969 as The Allman Brothers Band were carving their niche on the music world?

Tags: Blues News, Blues Reflections, Reflections, The Seventies, The Sixties by The Blues Blogger
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I do a lot of soul searching on this blog… I listen to selected pieces of music as a way to relax and ponder aspects of my life I haven’t thought of in many years. Recently I was thinking about how my life has changed since my heart attack last fall. One thing I know for sure, I feel more at ease when reflecting back to certain moments from my past… And for the first time ever, I’m beginning to get clarity on past events that were once complicated to comprehend.

I Was Inspired by Terry Kath

Between growing up listening to my brother play guitar every night and the sounds of Mike Bloomfield, Buddy Guy, Eric Clapton and then Terry Kath, it’s no wonder my interest in being an engineer in a recording studio developed. Yes I was young in the late sixties, but while there were many things I couldn’t comprehend because of my age, I was still miles ahead of any kid, or some adults for that matter, when it came to music.

Towards the end of 1969

circumstances were starting to shift drastically in my household. My father’s own heart attack in his late forties appeared to be a defining moment for several members of my family. He survived, but it was serious. It knocked him out of work force and he was never the same. His zest for life disappeared and that glow I so fondly remember was lost. The harmonica that he always carried around in his pocket I never saw again.

My mother worked hard putting in 6 days a week twelve to fourteen hours a day to make ends meet. Because I was only ten, and was too young to understand the scope of the situation, my thoughts became muddled in selfishness. It would be a point in time I have only recently come to understand as I blamed my father for so many unnecessary things.

As we headed into the seventies the vibrant house I grew up in became very sombre. My parents on one income could not afford the payments, and sold the house. Both my brother and sister decided to discover their own lives and moved out. My parents moved into an apartment where I would have my own bedroom for the first time. I spent all my time in that room hiding from all the things I didn’t want to understand. I got lost in my own thoughts and would listen to endless amounts of music… Everything I could get my hands on I would listen to. Any album cover I could read I would read… And I started to write; escaping into a world that would take me away from the bummer of my family going their separate ways…

Chicago Transit Authority

was a band that seemed to combine all the elements I heard in my household while growing up. It was a unique and very successful blend of genres. It was the first double LP I could call my own and a gift from my brother when he moved out of the room we had shared all our life. I then became enthralled by the incredible guitar work of Terry Kath and the soulful infectious rhythmic grooves I heard on the album.

Almost 40 years later

this LP stands out as a major influence to many musicians and older rock music buffs. The band owes more to artists such as Benny Goodman’s swing style rather than the rock riffs of Elvis or Buddy Holly. Original band members Walter Parazaider, Terry Kath, Danny Seraphine, Lee Loughnane, James Pankow, Robert Lamm, and Peter Cetera formed a group with a unique vision and the result was a diverse powerhouse that created a “new rock sound with horns.” The group’s desire to make it big turned out to be more successful than they ever dreamed.

As most people already know, the band shortened its name to Chicago for their second album and became a pop ballad juggernaut. While they gained huge massive appeal, many of their fans went elsewhere after their first two albums. For older music lovers and rock historians that first album has gone into the history books as a hugely creative, experimental and very musical piece of work on the same level as some of the best music ever produced in a debut effort.

The Apple Doesn’t Fall Far From the Tree

My own son tries to figure out in his own way how to deal with a father with a heart condition. When he gets concerned, I try and tell him that it’s a different era today than in his grandfather’s time. We know well more in advance as to what is going on. And we can take preventative measures long before it can get too out of hand… As I said in the beginning my priorities have changed … After 9 months since my own heart attack, thanks to my wife TBBW, I have lost over 50 pounds. I’m eating better than ever and have an appreciation and understanding of things I never had before. I also enjoy my long walks with my faithful golden retriever Lucille.

The Chicago Transit Authority album has played a huge significance in remembering moments in my past. But I have to ask you… Does CTA’s first album after 40 years play any significance in time for you? Do you have any favourites from this classic album in music history? Please leave your comments …

Tags: Reflections, The Seventies, The Sixties by The Blues Blogger
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My How Time Flies

Where has the time gone? It’s an interesting journey as I attempt to weave my personal life together with my experiences relating to music… This one in particular is a little more personal and telling than others, but it’s a story that I remember fondly. ( You can find Part 1 of this article by clicking here. )

While putting together Part 2 of this piece, I came across a recent article written about Vannelli. There was a quote that stood out that plays through my head. In it he said, “Passion operates on its own frequency.” It has a nice ring to it! I definitely believe it is needed in order to gain any kind of respect from your audience. Gino made mention of this zeal when discussing his latest stay in Holland and his involvement with several Dutch jazz musicians. The video you see above clearly shows that he still has the passion and desire. It’s an example of one of his well known songs re-arranged in a new setting that is performed to perfection.

Gino continues to be busy creating new musical works that to me compare with fine art. He is currently working on an album that, if all goes well, will be out this October or November 2008. Many of his loyal fans are anxious to see what Gino has discovered and created this time around. It will be the follow up to his 2006 release, These Are the Days… Prior to that he came out with Canto in 2003; a musical foray into a more classical endeavor sung in a combination of Italian, French and English lyrics. Slow Love in 1998 and Yonder Tree in 1995 were more jazz influenced releases.

Then I started to recall my own experience with Vannelli. In 1991 he was in the midst of moving his family from L.A. to rural Oregon. We discussed how his working habits changed since becoming a family man. And the itch he was getting as he prepared to go out on the road after 12 years … As I typed the words below, I remembered my telephone interview and I started to

Flashback To 1991

For 17 years, Gino Vannelli has experienced a very successful and consistent career. Since 1973’s Crazy Life, his music has gone through many changes, reflecting the fact that the times and the methods people use to express themselves have progressed. With his latest release, Inconsolable Man, Vannelli enters his career’s third decade, proving he still has the skills to survive music’s turbulent moments.

In 1974 he received his first Grammy nomination for “Powerful People”. Then came his nomination for best pop performance for “I Just Want To Stop” in 1978. As well, he has received five consecutive Juno awards as Canada’s number one singer. In the 80s he scored hit singles with “Living Inside Myself”, “Black Cars”, and “Wild Horses” in 1987. In that same year he and his brother Joe won recording engineer of the year.

With his new release Vannelli mixes a bit of the old (by retaining some of the feel he maintained throughout the 80s) with currently available technology. As a result, the record has more of an R&B feel to it, and we get to see a truer side of the man’s personality. He dwells more on the human condition, expressing current themes that exist in today’s society. Stylistically somewhat different, songs like “Should I Lose This Love” and “The Jokers Wild” set this release apart from his previous recordings, and I don’t think Vannelli would want it any other way.

Speaking to Vannelli at his home is Los Angeles; he had a soft-spoken, relaxed, and sensitive attitude.

“I always try to keep my ear trained and my heart open to the possibilities of music”, he commented.

There appears to be a side to his character that needs to break free. As time goes by, certain things have dictated a degree of change, and for one reason or another these changes may have prevented him from touring. But certain technological modifications, along with a change of heart, have propelled him back to the stage after a 12-year absence.

“It’s sort of like a monster within you”, Vannelli explained. “And if you don’t let him out, he starts devouring up the cage. So this monster started devouring up the cage inside my body, and so I said that I was going to let him out and together we will take a peek. I don’t know what he looks like, and I don’t know how solid the cage is, but let’s do it.”

Throughout his career, Vannelli’s brother Joe has been there to help out by acting as co-producer and arranger, as well as contributing most of the keyboard work. “Joe and myself have a healthy relationship. He does what he does, and I do what I do, and together we are a team”.

Besides Joe, others joining Vannelli on his tour include Enzo Tedesco on drums, Mike Miller on guitar, and background vocalist Maxayne Lewis.

“You know, I’m really happy with the way rehearsals have been going. It’s a very unique sounding show. We’ve reproduced the records to a tee and more.”

As the conversation continued, I asked Vannelli about his family and if he found enough time to spend with his four-year-old son while recording.

“I’ve been devoting as much time as I can to my family. It’s certainly a different perspective on life having to take care of a little boy instead of spending hours at the piano. You find as you get older, and you get more people in the household, time management becomes the essence of existence,” Vannelli answered.

While L.A. has been Vannelli’s adopted home for 12 years now, he plans to move his family to the northwest at some point, as he finds himself tiring of the smog and congestion. He also hopes a move will inspire ‘a birth of creativity”.

At some point in the conversation, we started to discuss the current music marketplace. I was curious as to his thoughts on what was being produced today, and if he had any specific artists that he preferred to listen to.

“Music is kind of in a strange place right now. I’m not really a listener these days to pop radio, although I do listen enough. It seems to me that, especially in the U.S., a lot of record companies are really more interested in signing a dance group or a heavy metal band, rather than a solo artist. There are some exceptions, but not many. I can’t say that there is a problem, but music is so unspecific these days. A lot of people have mastered doing a pop record, where as 20 years ago, the great pop records and producers were few and far between. Although productions are great and a lot of musicians are great today, I suppose the only missing ingredient is that truly well composed songs are not commonplace. So in that sense, I will always go back and listen to Paul Simon’s Graceland, which has a lot of really nice lyric writing. And of course Sting’s last work is really good. As well, I listen to a lot of classical and jazz music.”

A lot of Vannelli fans of the 70s developed a taste for his inventiveness. As the 80s approached, his music began to progress in different directions, and some of his older fans may have felt left out.

“The physical universe depends upon change. Everything atomically is moving. If an artist keeps repeating himself and doing the same kind of stuff, it becomes very hard to handle,” Vannelli explained. “To me, “Black Cars” is fun to do, and something like “Wild Horses” I’ve never done before. So whether some of the things I’ve done is everybody’s cup of tea will be up to them. You can’t be all things to all people all the time”.

That doesn’t mean any of his older fans should despair. In his live performances he will span his whole career, going right back to the very first work he ever recorded. Vannelli assures us that his band is a very tight, skillful, and entertaining unit.

Since Vannelli hasn’t released a record since Big Dreamers Never Sleep (which was three and a half years ago), he is very excited to get rolling again. With his new single, “The Time Of Day”, receiving such excellent response from the radio stations, it would appear that Gino Vannelli will continue to receive the respect he deserves well into this decade.

Gino Vannelli Returns To The Stage After 12 Year Absence

Back To The Present

And that was the article. So there you have it … The title of this post was taken from a song of Gino’s from 1991’s Inconsolable Man. I never forgot his kind words of encouragement… I wanted to mix a bit of the past with a some of the new and create a unique updated article that honors this great artist. I hope you enjoyed the journey… Thanks Gino.

Last but not least, I would not have the opportunities that exist today if it weren’t for my family. Their love and support is truly my driving force… Since my heart attack last fall I have now shed over 50 pounds. Thanks to TBBW, I’ve been eating great and exercising. And I feel fantastic!

Now forgive me as I must prepare the evening I owe TBBW for finding the above article. I will post updates in the comments below. But before I go … I have to ask you… Do you have any Gino Vannelli stories or relate any of Gino’s music to times in your life? Please feel free to send your comments below.

Thanks for being there.

Lost In Time,

TheBluesBlogger

 

 Moment to Moment [4:48m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

Tags: Jazz Reflections, Reflections, The Seventies by The Blues Blogger
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When I first started this blog I mentioned I hadn’t written much in the past 20 years. Since my heart attack last fall, I decided I would take a journey and rediscover myself through my love of writing and joy of music… As a result TheBluesBlogger was born and I had a canvas to work with.

I always wanted to do an article featuring Gino Vannelli. His story, as you will see, is an interesting addition to this site… From the very beginning of his career, I enjoyed listening to his music. Some of Gino’s songs throughout many of his albums and the level of musicianship involved was remarkable … I have an enormous respect for Mr. Vannelli.

Before I started to write this piece, I kept on thinking about a previous article I did on Vannelli over 17 years ago. I called this the “lost article” as I have searched unsuccessfully for it. A few days ago my wife TBBW came into the den with a playful grin holding something behind her back. Making me close my eyes, she then told me to open them as she held the missing article in front of me. I was a bit surprised as it has been well over 10 years since I’ve last seen it. As I went to reach for it, she pulled it away… “A night of fine dining and good lovin,” she said. Reminding me of the promise I made if she ever found it. It was to be a home cooked meal with no kid too! Boy I had my work really cut out for me. Was it going to be worth it? Well I guess we will see.

Reading through my article after all that time passed, got me even more intrigued to do something else for this very talented artist. Times sure have changed since then. Especially the way we deliver information. I no longer require a publisher to have my work read and I enjoy the freedom to express myself and the process tremendously.

Gino Vannelli

was born in Montreal Canada in 1952. Vannelli developed a love for music at an early age. His father was a jazz musician and it helped inspire Gino who went on to study drums and music theory at McGill University… He gained further influence through jazz drummers such as Ed Thigpen, Joe Morello, Gene Krupa and Elvin Jones.

Vannelli formed his first band at the age of 12 called The Cobras. This band featured his brother Joe on keyboards and it set the stage for Gino to further develop his guitar playing and singing. It would also mark the beginning of a unique and innovative partnership with his brother. At 14 Vannelli love for classical music grew, and he would attend The Montreal Symphony concerts regularly.

At 17 Gino picked up his first record deal with RCA Canada. Shortly afterwards he moved to Los Angeles with Joe in search of a U.S. record deal. The Vannelli brothers had a difficult time getting any real commitments, as their music appeared to go beyond the safe mainstream territory that was so popular in the seventies.

A Desperate Act

Feeling his time was running out in L.A. and with a move back home beckoning, he tried something a little crazy … He would hang out in front of A&M studios and wait for then head Herb Albert to appear. When Gino spotted him in the parking lot of the studio, he ran past security and asked Herb for an audition. Instead of being apprehensive, Albert got interested and granted Vannelli his wish.

As somebody who listened to a lot of music growing up, I welcomed the innovative style when listening to the Gino’s early stuff. The keyboard work of Joe Vannelli was astounding to me. I must admit I digged the whole Vannelli scene. Yes … Gino had that Saturday night fever v-neck white jump suit look, but those were the times, man. The chicks also dug it! As a fan of the music itself, you needed to look beyond just the hair, dance kicks and hips. If you couldn’t, you really missed out on something. He always had great musicians playing with him! Guys like drummers Mark Craney, Casey Scheurell and Enzo Tedesco. Guitar players Carlos Rios and Mike Miller and the list goes on … Gino not only has charisma, he has more talent than a lot people ever gave him credit for. Throughout his career, he created a decent sized fan base and a huge following in both Europe and Canada that still exists until today.

Back in 1991

out of the blue, I was called by a friend who was an entertainment editor. He asked if I would consider writing an article on Gino Vannelli for one of his magazines. At the time, Vannelli just came out with the album Inconsolable Man, three and a half years after his previous album Big Dreamers Never Sleep. It was also going to be his first live tour in 12 years.

I recall starting my gig at the recording studio the same year that Gino’s successful 1978 album Brother to Brother was released. Coincidentally, I ended up meeting and working with several of Vannelli’s road people at the time. It marks a very interesting chapter in my life. I guess those guys thought I was cool because they were always trying to drag me out of the studio and onto the road with their current projects.

Anyway …

I agreed to do the article because it was a change of pace from what I was doing in 1991. And I felt that perhaps I could put something interesting together. I remember truly trying to do the best job I could and I really enjoyed the whole experience. My biggest challenge was overcoming my inexperience of the telephone interview. I’m terrible on the phone and much preferred to discuss matters in person. Unfortunately this is not always possible.

After the article was published, Gino requested to meet with me and we got together one night… And he gave me one of the greatest compliments I ever received; a positive endorsement for my writing style. He also said I had a gift that should be explored and I should go after it and see where it took me … We discussed a bit about our studio days and life in general. And then we both set out on our desired paths. I never forgot our meeting and his words of encouragement. How ironic that it became one of the last writing gigs I have done until recently.

I didn’t want to give too much biographical information in Part 1 because I decided I’m going to turn the clock back to 1991 and give my readers of this blog the opportunity to view that Vannelli article. In Part 2 of Moment to Moment, I will take you on journey back 17 years to a musical flashback with TheBluesBlogger and the great Gino Vannelli … And I will also keep you posted on my special night with TBBW. Not too much personal information of course, but perhaps the food portion of the evening. Any ideas on what I should be cooking? I really could use your suggestions!

Look for Part 2 soon … In the meantime …

Keep On Groovin,

TheBluesBlogger

Tags: Jazz Reflections, Reflections, The Seventies by The Blues Blogger
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