A weekly audio postcard from the wide musical world of America’s best-loved band!
My friend Ira Marlowe turned me on to a CD he produced, titled A Little Bit Sane. The artist is Ponder, and all the songs are by its principal, Amos Glick. The CD is a nicely varied collection, each track with a flavor and atmosphere all its own. Glick avoids the tropes so grievously overused … Read more
Glenn Mar’s photo and review of Rubber Souldiers at Slim’s on January 22.
Hello and Happy New Year! I started 2011 on the high seas! Jam Cruise 9 was a great party, in the best possible sense of the word: amazing music going at all hours, a comfortable and quiet bedroom just a few feet away at all times (I got MORE sleep than usual on board – … Read more
Ted Templeman produced Captain Beefheart‘s 1972 album Clear Spot. Here is an excerpt from my interview with Templeman in the 10/9/81 issue of BAM, the California Music Magazine: Ted Templeman: Beefheart was so crazy! If he didn’t think the drummer was playing with enough soul, he’d make him wear blackface. One day he stopped and … Read more
Saturday, December 18, 7:30 pm: Songs of Sweet Surprise! David Gans, Ira Marlowe, and The Secret Identities (Mario DeSio and Kenny Dinkin) at the Art House Gallery, 2905 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley. $10. 510-482-3336 Wednesday, December 22, 8 pm: Rubber Souldiers TRIO at Iron Springs Pub and Brewery, 765 Center Blvd., Fairfax CA. No cover! Great … Read more
Thursday, December 9, 9 pm: Casey Neill and DG at the Starry Plough, 3101 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley CA. (510) 841-2082. DG plays first. (Collisionville had to cancel due to an injury.) Friday, December 10, 8 pm: Dedicated Maniacs and DG at the Brookdale Lodge, 11570 Hwy 9, Brookdale CA – in the Santa Cruz Mountains … Read more
Last night’s Rex Foundation benefit at the Fillmore was, as predicted, a tremendously pleasing and illuminating musical gathering – and a warm, comfortable family reunion, too. I enjoyed Jesse McReynolds‘ contributions, with the Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band and with David Nelson and Friends, too. Here’s what Jody Stecher told me in email today (edited for … Read more
The Gans Gig Update is all about northern California until the first of the year, when I head to Florida for Jam Cruise and a house concert. Just starting to formulate plans for the winter. Stay tuned. Friday, December 3, 8:30pm: Rubber Souldiers at Rancho Nicasio, Nicasio CA Saturday, December 4: Rex Foundation Benefit – … Read more
I spent the last two evenings with Dark Star Orchestra at the Regency Ballroom in San Francisco. Friday night they played 6/7/77, very much in the band’s wheelhouse for all incarnations. But last night they covered some new ground: an April 1969 show that had originally happened in the ballroom right next door to where … Read more
Please read my review of Friday night’s David Nelson Band show and then do yourself a huge favor and plan to attend one of these shows: SUN, NOVEMBER 7 Moe’s Alley, 1525 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz CA THU, NOVEMBER 11 w/ Great American Taxi Ashkenaz, 1317 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley CA FRI, NOVEMBER 12 w/ … Read more