The first thing you hear on this record is the sound of an acoustic guitar and a gospel-like chorus of ooohs. It is soulful, graceful, soothing. And then the song kicks in and all bets are off as you slide down into the depths of Simeon Flick’s psyche where he explores his consciousness and his […]
Alter ego: “The other” in Latin. A second-self that is believed to be distinct from a person’s normal or original personality. A person who has an alter ego is said to lead a double life. FADE IN Once upon a time there was someone named Christopher (some called him Cady) who was lost in the […]
He never will forget at all The day he played at the Albert Hall A million sessions ago it seems He is a session man A chord progression A top musician — “Session Man,” The Kinks Kinks leader Ray Davies’ 1966 ode to the unsung heroes of the concert stage and recording studio was about […]
I didn’t think I was ever likely to get past first base with her, but even in the early days I knew she was much more than a mere baby sitter. Her name was Channel 6. These days she’s also known as XETV and The CW but she’s always let me call her Lady Six. […]
Hello Troubadourians! In previous columns I’ve spoken a lot about monitors and I guess I just assumed that everyone A: knew what monitors were, B: knew what they needed to hear in them, and C: could communicate their needs in a way that could be understood by sound engineers and bandmates. In my conversations and […]
Of all the good things that have been visited upon my life, by far the most treasured and rewarding of them are my sons. Each of their stories is unique, as is each son’s relationship with me. The winding paths that intertwine our stories account for only part of the narrative though. Much of each […]
Cincinnati has the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Country Music Hall of Fame has been a mainstay in Nashville for decades. Downbeat magazine has a Jazz Hall of Fame, which they maintain down in Orlando, Florida. And if you ever find yourself angled into Euclid, Ohio, you can take in all things oompah […]
It won’t be long now. Soon I won’t be boring my family and newly made friends on park benches with updates regarding the movie I’m making. A Box Full of Rocks: The El Cajon Years of Lester Bangs is almost done. Sure, there are many finishing touches. But, the end is in sight. I’m even […]
Garrison Keillor is a sneaky guy. Over the last 40 years he has quietly, but consistently, worked his way into the homes of America on that forgotten medium — live radio broadcasts — from his home in Minnesota. He was retro before retro was even close to cool. Like Mark Twain and Will Rogers, he […]
