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STAX RECORDS/CONCORD MUSIC GROUP TO ISSUE STAX 50

Submitted by press(5)

Sat, 01/27/2007 - 4:43pm

Deluxe 2-CD set, out March 13, 2007- for the Grateful Web

The 50th anniversary of the legendary soul label Stax Records will kick off with the release of a deluxe edition 50-song, 2-CD box set titled Stax 50: A 50th Anniversary Celebration. The most comprehensive Stax hits collection ever — featuring for the first time all major Stax hit singles — Stax 50 will formally inaugurate Concord Music's re-launch of Stax. The set is packaged in a hardcover box with lenticular cover art of the famous snapping finger logo. Street date is set for March 13, 2007.

Last month, Concord Music Group announced a year of activity that will include deluxe reissues, special events and the reactivation of the legendary label with a slate of new artist signings.

Stax 50 features hits from the Memphis label's heyday of the 1960s and '70s, including the many legendary artists who jointly created the "Stax sound," among them Sam & Dave, Otis Redding, Booker T & the MGs, Isaac Hayes, The Staple Singers, Carla Thomas, Rufus Thomas, Johnnie Taylor, Eddie Floyd, William Bell, The Dramatics, Little Milton, The Mar-Keys, Mel & Tim, Jean Knight, and The Emotions.

Stax Records holds a critical place in American music history as one of the most popular soul music record labels of all time — second only to Motown in sales and influence, but first in gritty, raw, Southern-steeped soul music. Stax placed more than 167 hit songs in Billboard's Hot 100 pop charts as well as a staggering 243 hits on the R&B charts. In addition to the "core" artists who appear on Stax 50, the label was also home to recordings by Albert King, Big Star, Richard Pryor, Bill Cosby, Moms Mabley and even the Rev. Jesse Jackson.

As noted in Stax historian Rob Bowman's extensive liner notes for the box, "The story of Stax Records is about as improbable and unforeseeable as any tale could possibly be." The label was launched in Memphis by a white country fiddler named Jim Stewart and his sister, Estelle Axton. The name came from combining the first two letters of each of their last names. Originally known as Satellite Records, with a roster that spanned pop to blues to rockabilly, the label's 1960 name change to Stax cemented the label's commitment to R&B and soul, commencing with Rufus & Carla Thomas' "'Cause I Love You." Within a short time, Stax, based in a former movie theater on Memphis' McLemore Avenue, grew into a self-contained indie powerhouse with its own studio, A&R staff, writers, producers and house band.

Concord Music Group, which acquired the legendary Memphis label as part of its purchase of Fantasy Records in 2004, will also honor Stax's 50th year by releasing definitive collections, rare performances, unreleased tracks and more from the Memphis R&B imprint in deluxe new packages. Plans for digital releases, remixes and other projects are also in the works; the anniversary year's releases are slated to include more than 20 CDs and DVDs.

In addition, Concord Music Group will reactivate Stax this year as a dynamic new force in contemporary R&B music committed to the power and legacy of their forbearers. The first new Stax signings are Isaac Hayes and Angie Stone.

TRACK LIST

DISC ONE

1. CARLA THOMAS – "Gee Whiz (Look at His Eyes)"
2. THE MAR-KEYS – "Last Night"
3. WILLIAM BELL – "You Don't Miss Your Water"
4. BOOKER T. & THE MGs – "Green Onions"
5. RUFUS THOMAS – "Walking the Dog"
6. OTIS REDDING – "I've Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now)"
7. THE ASTORS – "Candy"
8. OTIS REDDING – "Respect"
9. SAM & DAVE – "You Don't Know Like I Know"
10. THE MAD LADS – "I Want Someone"
11. SAM & DAVE – "Hold On I'm Comin'"
12. CARLA THOMAS – "Let Me Be Good To You"
13. MABLE JOHN – "Your Good Thing (Is About To End)"
14. EDDIE FLOYD – "Knock on Wood"
15. CARLA THOMAS – "B-A-B-Y"
16. OTIS & CARLA – "Tramp"
17. THE BAR-KEYS – "Soul Finger"
18. ALBERT KING – "Born Under a Bad Sign"
19. SAM & DAVE – "Soul Man"
20. OTIS REDDING – "(Sittin' on) The Dock of the Bay"
21. OLLIE & THE NIGHTINGALES – "I Got a Sure Thing"
22. BOOKER T. & THE MGs – "Soul Limbo"
23. EDDIE FLOYD – "I've Never Found a Girl (To Love Me Like You Do)"
24. LINDA LYNDELL – "What a Man"
25. WILLIAM BELL & JUDY CLAY – "Private Number"
26. JOHNNIE TAYLOR – "Who's Making Love"
27. WILLIAM BELL – "I Forgot To Be Your Lover"
28. CARLA THOMAS – "I Like What You're Doing (To Me)"

DISC TWO

1. BOOKER T. & THE MGS – "Time Is Tight"
2. THE EMOTIONS – "So I Can Love You"
3. ISAAC HAYES – "Walk on By"
4. RUFUS THOMAS – "Do the Funky Chicken"
5. JOHNNIE TAYLOR – "Jody's Got Your Girl and Gone"
6. JEAN KNIGHT – "Mr. Big Stuff"
7. ISAAC HAYES – "Never Can Say Goodbye"
8. THE DRAMATICS – "Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get"
9. THE STAPLE SINGERS – "Respect Yourself"
10. ISAAC HAYES – "Theme From Shaft"
11. THE BAR-KAYS – "Son of Shaft"
12. LITTLE MILTON – "That's What Love Will Make You Do"
13. FREDERICK KNIGHT – "I've Been Lonely for So Long"
14. SOUL CHILDREN – "Hearsay"
15. THE DRAMATICS – "In the Rain"
16. THE STAPLE SINGERS – "I'll Take You There"
17. MEL & TIM STARTING – "All Over Again"
18. THE TEMPREES – "Dedicated to the One I Love"
19. THE STAPLE SINGERS – "If You're Ready (Come Go With Me)"
20. JOHNNIE TAYLOR – "Cheaper To Keep Her"
21. SOUL CHILDREN – "I'll Be the Other Woman"
22. SHIRLEY BROWN – "Woman to Woman"

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Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance

Submitted by gratefulweb(60)

Thu, 07/06/2006 - 2:59am

The 16th Annual Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival of Music and Dance will be held from July 20-23 at the Trumansburg Fairgrounds in Trumansburg, NY. This year's headliners include hit country singer John Anderson, politically conscious reggae hip-hoppers Michael Franti & Spearhead, African music legend Thomas Mapfumo & Blacks Unlimited, Rajasthani gypsy-Indian fusion band Musafir, Honduran Garifuna singer Aurelio Martinez, Irish supergroup Cherish the Ladies, Grammy-winning country singer-songwriter Jim Lauderdale, polyethnic percussion and visual performance ensemble Cyro Baptista & Beat The Donkey, Indie Rocker Johnny Dowd, and sixty more world-class bands and artists.

The festival was founded by roots rock band Donna the Buffalo, who will perform three times over the four days of the festival. Now in its sixteenth year, the festival brings some of the best contemporary and traditional roots music from around the world together in the tiny town of Trumansburg, New York. Festival organizers estimate that around 12,000 people will attend GrassRoots.

All festival proceeds are donated to organizations that support local arts, education and the global fight against AIDS. The GrassRoots Festival is truly a grassroots organization, being community-run, not-for-profit and vehemently non-commercial. The GrassRoots Festival is also one of the few festivals of its size and scope who promotes social and ecological responsibility in real, active ways, such as encouraging festivalgoers, staff and vendors alike to not only recycle waste materials, but also compost food scraps.

franti The GrassRoots Festival, in addition to presenting over 60 bands on four stages, also offers a visual art exhibit; a juried craft fair; over 20 food vendors providing a wide variety of cuisines, including organic and vegetarian; a "healing arts" area, where free massages and other therapies are provided; a chamber orchestra concert; all night zydeco and Cajun dances on Friday and Saturday nights; kids' areas for both young and teenaged children; free yoga classes; free dance instruction; a children's parade; drumming workshops and much more.

Tickets for this year's festival are priced as follows:

Adult 4-day pass:
$75 in advance (web & phone orders through July 7, outlets sell through July 19!)
$85 at the gate

Single Day Passes:
Thursday: $30
Friday: $40
Saturday: $45
Sunday: $35

Youth 4-day pass (age 13-15):
$35 (both in advance & at the gate)

Under 12:
FREE with guardian

Camping:
All onsite camping is sold out. Camping is available at the GrassRoots offsite lot (on Agard Road in Trumansburg) and is $40 for the weekend. A free shuttle bus runs nonstop 24 hours a day to the offsite lot.

Parking:
Parking is free at the GrassRoots offsite lot (on Agard Road in Trumansburg) and is serviced by a 24-hour shuttle bus. Parking is also available for a price at various lots near the fairgrounds.

Volunteer opportunities are available for a weekend pass, please email volunteer@grassrootsfest.org to learn more. The gates open Thursday at noon and close at dark on Sunday. Camping is available for a fee. Please call 607-387-5098 or visit www.grassrootsfest.org for more information.

For more information, contact the GrassRoots Festival office at 607.387.5098 or visit the GrassRoots website at www.grassrootsfest.org

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Wakarusa Music and Camping Festival 2006 Part II

Submitted by Philip Emma(0)Fri, 06/23/2006 - 11:24pm

Thanks for waiting to read about the best part of Wakarusa! The best three shows of the festival lay here in the second half of the review. In this section, I want to tell you which bands earned my top three ribbons of the festival. Please keep in mind that I could not possibly see all of the bands that played, although I did try to see most.

Bela Fleck & the Flecktones

Wakarusa Music and Camping Festival 2006

Submitted by Philip Emma(0)Mon, 06/19/2006 - 8:18pm

Part 1 - festival pictures

Big Meat Music

Submitted by gratefulweb(60)

Thu, 06/01/2006 - 10:29am

What is the essence that is "Big Meat"? The signature sound that originates from four close friends can only be described as improvisational Rock n' Roll.

In their rural hometown of Pomfret, CT, located in the northeast "Quiet Corner" of the state, we started to learn how to play our instruments together in 1995. While most kids in Pomfret complained of boredom, we entertained ourselves with music. By the year 2000, "Big Meat" had successfully taken the "Quiet" out of the "Corner" and replaced it with juicy grooves, high-intensity and climaxing improvisation, and completely original compositions. They performed constantly in high school, producing their own shows from the lights to the sound. On summer weekends they set up a shoddy PA system and threw a rug on the grass to play at local parties. They always had fun and established such a strong subconscious level of musical connection that they knew "Big Meat" was something special by the time they graduated high school in 2001.

"Big Meat" was separated during our college years because we attended different schools. We dealt with our separation as best we could, coming together during the breaks and summer months to play clubs, festivals, bars, and parties throughout New England and Pennsylvania. When school was in session we played occasional college gigs.

While most bands might break up in the midst of such adversity, our separation only improved our sound. At our respective colleges, we all formed and lead our own musical side-projects that expanded our musical diversity and pushed our individual skills to the limit. When playing in "Big Meat," any member can steal the show, but in these various side projects, we were each expected to carry the show on our shoulders. Each time we reunited, our instinctual musical connection remained, and each member was more musically-capable, more confident, and more eclectic and versatile then ever before. In college, our minds had matured, and we began to understand our roles in the band. It became more and more evident that when our forces combined, we were "Big Meat."

It's the band that is the show, not any one individual. It is the unique outcome of their jolly foursome's collaboration that makes them special. The music is deep and often complex. The lyrics are stories ranging from monsters invading the house to anecdotes about dreaming you're a golden retriever, taking you through adventures like getting sprayed by a skunk and running from the dog catcher. We maintain a steady humor but also delve into the more serious inquiries of the human state, such as our own wish to make music for everybody's enjoyment, including ours.

Big Meat is playing their last run of shows in Orlando before packing up and moving back to CT. Their last show in Fla will take place on June 24th at the Rocket Pub in Orlanda, Fla.

10KLF Blends the Best of Music & Nature

Submitted by press(5)

Thu, 05/25/2006 - 3:19pm

Phil Lesh & Friends will play 10K!- for the Grateful Web

The 4th Annual 10,000 Lakes Festival (10KLF) will serve as the tour-ending destination for headliners Phil Lesh & Friends and Trey Anastasio, and a springboard for four nights of music, camping, and relaxation with over forty artists scheduled to perform July 19-22 at the Soo Pass Ranch in Detroit Lakes, MN.

Trey will reunite with former Phish band mate Mike Gordon (bass) who will be joined by Marco Benevento (keyboards) and Joe Russo (drums) in the appropriately titled acronym ensemble ?G.R.A.B.' Former Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh and his band bring an ever-rotating caravan of talent for a set of improvisation and inspired jams.

The 10,000 Lakes Festival's line-up also includes The String Cheese Incident , Keller Williams Incident (performing with The String Cheese Incident), O.A.R. (...Of A Revolution) , Keller Williams (solo), Umphrey's McGee , The Benevento/Russo Duo featuring Mike Gordon , Medeski, Martin & Wood , Big Head Todd & The Monsters , Railroad Earth , The Everyone Orchestra , Hot Buttered Rum and over forty additional bands.

Recent artist additions to the 10,000 Lakes Festival include Assembly of Dust , RAQ , Papa Mali , and The Breakfast.

Enjoying the scene's top performers within the stunning natural beauty of clear lakes and spacious, wooded campgrounds provides all attendees an unparalleled festival experience. Drawing from a pool full of talented national, regional, and emerging acts, the 10,000 Lakes Festival seeks to be the nation's premier music and camping festival destination.

The festival website is offering interactive elements including 10KLF-TV featuring streaming video clips of more than two dozen of the performing artists. Additionally, emerging and unsigned bands have the opportunity to perform at the festival through the online portion of the 'Cosmic Break' competition. Three bands out of the thirty included in the Cosmic Break Voting Booth will be selected to perform at the 10,000 Lakes Festival. More information on the Cosmic Break and 10KLF TV is available at the festival website.

The 10,000 Lakes Festival is partnering with Renewable Choice Energy to offset the carbon emissions created by the energy use of the weekend event with the purchase of wind power certificates. To minimize the environmental impact of the festival the unique partnership supports the addition of renewable wind resources to the power grid to make the 10,000 Lakes Festival a carbon neutral event.

10,000 Lakes Festival Show Details:
Wednesday, July 19 - Saturday, July 22, 2006
Soo Pass Ranch
25526 Cty Hwy 22
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501

For tickets or more information visit www.10KLF.com or call 800-493-3378.

Advance General Admission Music & Camping Tickets are $135. Limited tickets are available at this price range and the cost will increase to gate price July 5.

VIP Ticket Packages are $350 per person and are available for a premium music and camping experience. Each VIP Ticket includes 2 meals per day Thu-Sat, a 10KLF camping chair, 6 drink tickets, access to the backstage VIP lounge, and access to the special VIP seating section at the Main Stage.

Each General Admission and VIP ticket covers camping and all music from Wednesday, July 19 through Sunday, July 23.

For non-camping music enthusiasts, there are 3-Day Music Only tickets available for $90 which include music Thurs. 7/20 - Sat. 7/22

1-Day Music Only: $50
Any day | Wed. 7/19 - Sat. 7/22

Children 12 and under are admitted at no charge with their parent's paid admission.

All listed artists have confirmed their appearance at the 10,000 Lakes Festival; however, artists are subject to change without notice. Tickets are available at the Official 10,000 Lakes Festival website: www.10KLF.com or by calling 800-493-3378 and at Ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations and MusicToday outlets.

Official 10,000 Lakes Festival website: www.10klf.com

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Local Music Review: Torrid Flesh

Submitted by derek(0)Wed, 10/19/2005 - 3:48pm

I lucked out on this one. I showed up at Pinky's this past Wednesday to hang out with my new friends Iconocaust. Shred had given me a call and said that their new CD was finished and he had a signed copy for me to pick up at their show. Definitely pick up "The Natural Evolution of Metal" from there website! Awesome stuff!

Local Music Review: Iconocaust

Submitted by derek(0)Wed, 10/12/2005 - 2:57pm

For years Denver has been overlooked as a source for new music. Everyone knows about L.A, Seattle and New York but I guess the main stream media in this country figures Denver is backwater country town and if someone happens to come out of this area playing metal, rock, or rap it was just a fluke. Well some of the best metal I have heard in the last several years has all been in some of the local bars and warehouses in the Denver/Boulder area. RCA and Sony need to set up shop here in Denver if they want to get in on the new music revolution, L.A.

Music, Jewelry, & Glass

Submitted by gratefulweb(60)

Sun, 09/04/2005 - 2:43pm

Handmade fused glass- for the Grateful Web

Hannah Upham is an artist from rural Farmington, Maine. She grew up in Farmington and in her high school and early college years she was a successful biathlete, combining the sport of cross-country skiing with rifle shooting. She was named to many national and world jr. teams and competed all over the world.

Attending Northern Michigan University brought her into the Olympic Education Center in Marquette, Michigan where she could train for her sport while simultaneously taking classes toward her Art Education Major. In 1998 she graduated from Northern Michigan University and after traveling for a while throughout Europe the Caribbean and the US, bought a house and has taught as and Art Teacher and cross-country ski coach for 3 years in her home town of Farmington.

Hannah is now in Boulder, Colorado, studying Art Therapy at Naropa University. Though she misses her quaint little house in Maine, she is on a mission to save the world through art.

Find out more about Hannah in her bio...

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Dark Star Orchestra, has vowed the 'Music Never Stop'

Submitted by press(5)

Fri, 05/06/2005 - 1:54pm

Rob Eaton - 12.30.04 - Denver, CO- for the Grateful Web

Following a brief pause in the music following the sudden, tragic loss of band co-founder, keyboardist, and vocalist Scott Larned on April 24, Chicago-based Grateful Dead tribute act, Dark Star Orchestra, has vowed that the 'music never stop' and plan to continue as a nationally-touring entity.

Scott Larned passed on from complications from heart failure during the last week of the band's Spring tour and cancelled six of the remaining shows that tour. Dark Star Orchestra will resume touring with their May 27 Irving Plaza performance with 'special guests' filling the keyboardist/vocalist slot throughout the May and June tour. The band is currently auditioning for keyboardists as a full-time, touring replacement only. Qualified, serious, and interested applicants may email DSO band manager Norman Gopin for more information.

A recent message from DSO band mate Rob Eaton (rhythm guitar, vocals) accurately sums up the band's perspective and feelings:

The remaining band and crew have decided to continue and move forward playing the music of the Grateful Dead. Scott would have wanted it that way. He worked very hard to build the band to the place it is today and it would be an injustice to him and the music to pack it in. One great way to honor his memory is to play on. The music is bigger then any one of us and that's something Scott always professed.

Will it be the same? It will be different but the music is the same and that's what will get us all through. Our next tour will be a difficult one for us emotionally and we hope our family and friends will be there to help us through. We will start our next tour with "very special guests" filling in on keys until we can find just the right person to join our family full time. Scott's passing has brought us together in a way we never imagined. Scott will always be with us at every show and at every turn.

Peace to everyone-

Rob Eaton

The Larned family has asked that anyone interested in offering donations or contribution s d irect them to be made in Scott's name to the American Heart Association or to Scott's favorite charity, the Rex Foundation. Information about Scott's life and further ways to support him in memory are at www.darkstarorchestra.net.

Upcoming Dark Star Orchestra tour dates:

05/27/05 FRI Irving Plaza New York , NY

05/28/05 SAT Irving Plaza New York , NY

05/29/05 SUN Toad's Place New Haven, CT

05/30/05 MON Toad's Place New Haven, CT

06/01/05 WED Lupo's Providence, RI

06/02/05 THU The Chance Theater Poughkeepsie, NY

06/03/05 FRI Count Basie Theatre Red Bank, NJ

06/04/05 SAT Electric Factory Philadelphia, PA

06/06/05 MON Mexicali Blues Cafe Teaneck, NJ

06/07/05 TUE Mexicali Blues Cafe Teaneck, NJ

06/08/05 WED Northern Lights Clifton Park, NY

06/10/05 FRI Somerville Theatre Somerville, MA

06/11/05 SAT Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom Hampton Beach, NH

06/13/05 MON Higher Ground Burlington, VT

06/14/05 TUE Higher Ground Burlington, VT

06/16/05 THU The Tralf Buffalo, NY

06/17/05 FRI Forward Hall Erie, PA

06/18/05 SAT RippleFest Bluffton, OH

07/15/05 FRI Fraze Pavilion Kettering, OH

07/17/05 SUN All Good Festival Masontown, WV

07/21/05 THU 10,000 Lakes Festival Detroit Lakes, MN

08/17/05 WED Veteran's Park Amphitheatre Springfield, OH