Bob Dylan Birthday Bash
THIS SUNDAY IN NJ
Upcoming Schedule
Sunday 5/24 - The Starving Artist Cafe, Stockton, NJ (Bob Dylan Birthday Bash - all Dylan all day with 20+ performers, Mick/Ron duo on around 2:00)
Tuesday 5/26 - Nottingham Tavern, Hamilton, NJ (Mick Solo Set) 6:30 - 8:30
Thursday 5/28 - Pet Shop, Jersey City, NJ (full band with Tom O’Grady sitting in on drums, Mint 400 Records Night w/ The Extensions, Above the Moon, and Gardenia). The Successful Failures on first at 8:00.
Hello and happy Friday to ya.
When I was a kid I found my parents’ old record collections. Lots of 45s in little booklets. I dug in. Much of it sounded boring to me—Perry Como for example. However, I was instantly attracted to the sound of Hank Williams, specifically his voice. It sounded like something out of a Bug Bunny cartoon. I felt the same thing about Elvis Presley—his hiccuping and vocal gyrations sounded exciting and fun. To my 6 year old ears Hank and Elvis fit right in with Alvin and the Chipmunks and other “children’s music” I listened to.
There was always music playing in our house. My mom played classical as well as ragtime on the piano (lots of Scott Joplin!). And of course the Beatles could always be heard somewhere. My older sisters were playing the rock bands popular at the time: Queen, Styx, Jethro Tull, Foreigner and eventually bands like U2, Elvis Costello, and Joe Jackson. I took it all in. And I’m thankful to have grown up in such an environment.
Bob Dylan though…I think I found him on my own. Like Hank and Elvis he has his own way of singing that not everyone likes, but it pulled me in right away. I started with the greatest hits album—Dylan colored in blue with the harmonica rack around his neck. I wore that album out. Then in college as an English major I took a class called “Literature of the Blues”. The professor was a Dylan-head and we spent weeks analyzing the lyrics and listening to songs like “Maggie’s Farm” and “It’s All Over Now Baby Blue”. As the years went by my love for his music has only grown stronger. His songs are smart and literate but they have attitude and pathos. I look to Dylan for guidance. I love his musical courage to keep creating and to follow his bliss, even against popular demand. And I love his refusal to fall into celebrity. The guy is in it for the music. By God the man is still on tour!
So that’s why I decided to put together this show celebrating Bob’s 85th birthday.
I’m thankful to Tod the Mod for hosting at his restaurant/venue The Starving Artist Cafe in Stockton, NJ. It’s gonna be a fun afternoon. I recruited close to 20 acts, a lot of old friends and local area musicians, to choose a couple of Dylan songs to perform. We’re going to get rolling around 11:00 AM and continue all afternoon. I can’t wait to hear what songs people choose to play.
So come on out and join us! Delicious food at Todd’s place and if you want an alcoholic beverage bring your own.
Ron Bechamps and I got together on Wednesday to run through some of the tunes we’ll be performing on Sunday. Here’s a recording of us rehearsing “I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight”.
As always thanks for reading and thanks for listening, - Mick
Here’s the plan:
11:30 - Patrick Packey Thompson
11:45 - Leon Stanley (Combo du Jour)
12:00 - Chris Pauley and friends
12:15 - Matt Williams / Williams Boy
12:30 - Jason Ager
12:45 - Jarrett Crawford (Loose Panic)
1:00 - Brian Erickson (The Extensions / Paper Jets)
1:15 - Justin Pope
1:30 - Greg McGarvey
1:45 - Jerry Lardieri (The Make Three)
2:00 - Mick Chorba/Ron B (The Successful Failures)
2:15 - Paul Crane (Bastards of Melody)
2:30 - John Larson (from RI - The Silver Fields)
2:45 - Thom B/Charlie/Harry
3:00 - Lloyd, Lally, & Wasicko
3:15 - Bill Burns-Lynch
3:30 - Frank Pinto
3:45 - Alex Wolfson
What I’m listening to:
J Mascis - solo albums Elastic Days and What Do We Do Now (vinyl)
Been listening to a lot of Bob Dylan to get ready for the 5/24 show at The Starving Artist Cafe in which we celebrate Mr. Dylan’s 85th birthday.
What I’m reading:.
I just started a nonfiction book called We Will Be Jaguars by Mitch Anderson and Nemonte Nenquimo
I’m listening to the audio book John & Paul: A Love Story in Songs by Ian Leslie. This is a fascinating look at Lennon and McCartney’s friendship and songwriting partnership. It’s awesome so far. Love the narrator’s British accent.
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