redd granite

I am a rocker. I may have said it before earlier, in spite of the softer side of our original music, I am rock all the way through. And while I do not mean to derail the upcoming redd appearance with the Dazzling Weasel Faces (when you get the website right, Marty?), the irony of Styx coming to town here in Dallas in mid-November, and me sitting on the back porch listening to Dennis DeYoungs greatest hits cd….well, somehow it just seemed a bit ironic. Some say the parting of the ways from him in Styx (he truly being the founder with the Panozzo bro’s, not JY like the current lineup likes to say in concert) was a rift of musical styles.  Some say it was his big ego. Some say he became an emotional wreck difficult to deal with. I do not know or care.  While I adore the current line-up, including Lawrence Gowen (why do Canadians like the voices of DeYoung and Gowen ((who is Canadian)) so much?), I do miss DeYoung.  OK. Could not take “Babe” in concert.  But I sit here listening to his greatest hits, and this is music that flows, is insightful, jazz influenced, man, it is good shit…..So I thought I would do a shout out. And if any of you have not picked up his latest cd…100 Years From Now….do it.  Get on the website and look for info on it www.dennisdeyoung.com , see if you can get a copy. The title song is one of my top 20 of all time, and, if you can believe this, a number 1 hit in Quebec….remember the Canadian reference?  Well, there you go.  Not sure how up to date the website is, the last post from his wife was June of 2009.

A Bit Older Now

And to sure folks, right now as I finish this post, “Black Wall” is playing on the CD, and this is one of my top 10 of all time, as is Styx’s “Show Me The Way”, another DeYoung penned song.  I do not think even my beloved Doors have 2 songs in my top 10….there you go.  Hats off to you Dennis.  I understand the tiff, the lawsuits, the current guys bagging on you on occasion, but you know, really, Styx was the best, and I mean the best, when all of you were together…Shaw, Young, Panozzo x two, DeYoung….the chemistry, talent for song writing, voices, performance was second to none.  I still remember growing up in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Styx was a local icon before the market ever knew of them…..and I miss you guys

And Dennis, if you do come through Dallas playing music of Styx with DSO….well, I think it is cheesy, but I will be there, in the front row

It is confirmed! redd granite will join the infamous Dazzling Weasel Faces at Selena’s Table, 2004 W. Valley Mills drive, Waco Texas. This will be a full halloween get up with costume contests for clients, staff, and pets. Pets? This is a fund raiser for the Waco Humane Society so there is a cover charge that benefits this great cause. Never have been to this establishment, so if the stage is small, look for a redd granite set squeezed into the middle of the normal DWF set. Rumor also has it that Carlos, the r.g. house pet may make an appearance as “Mutt Mail” hmmm

Could not find a website for Selena’s (shame on you, I will have to sell them web development service from Penland Corner Consultants www.penlandcorner.com while I am there).  HOwever, judging by some other information I found on the web, this place is up and coming and good.  Check out www.jimramonasrestaurantjourney.blogspot.com for a write up on this spot

OK folks.  I am seriously behind and not writing these in order. Please forgive my lack of organizational skills, it is a daily affair. On Monday, Oct 12, the wife unit and I went to see U2 in concert at Jerry’s World.  For those not local to Dallas Texas area, this is a up coming used name for the new Cowboys staduim in Arlington Texas.  A tax payer partial financed spectacle that is the vehicle to line the Jones family pocket further.  This is forwarded by the fact that since this stadium opened, the number of non-football events has out numbered the Cowboys games significantly.  And this did not seem to happen in the old home of Cowboys in Irving.  Oh well, Jerry’s World is truly impressive. Its not like I had a burning desire to see U2, but, 1) we were long overdue to be out with these friends as we always have a large time with them, and 2) U2 is one of the supergroups that you have to say you have seen, whether you like it or not.

The first order at Jerry’s World is to find parking that is less than the going rate of $75 for something reasonably close to the center. My creative friend Bob had found this shopping center about 3/4 mile away where, if you go buy something from one of the retailers for $40, put the receipt in the window of your car, you will not get towed.  Excellent….at least you recieve some other value than a place to put your car and walk.  Hats off to this shopping center.

As stated, the venue is a remarkable place………for a sporting event.  It is truly shitty as a music venue. If you are sitting 1/2 way up or more, the accoustics bounce off of the ceiling creating a jarbled mess of noise. They tried to control this with some strategically hung draping, but no way.  My estimate is that of the reported 70,000 people there, 30,000+ experienced these conditions by way of there seat assignment. It was so bad, we ended up going down to one of the now famed “party decks” much closer to the floor behind the stage and stood for over half of the concert. Sound quality was much better here.

U2 is U2. They have the longevity and standing to be in the category they are.  The concert was good, they performed extremely well, once we had the sound thing figured out.  They have been together without personnel changes for nearly 30 years, and it shows.  Really, if you are a U2 fan, you must see them.  Me?  Well I enjoyed being out with friends, even though it was a school night. Best song?  Vertigo and Still Haven’t Found What I Am Looking For. They mixed several new songs off of new cd, and they were pretty strong as well.  Of course, we came to the part of the evening when Bono leaps on the political thing…..sorry, no place for this in concert. Overall, happy I went to say I have seen them

One sad part, the sound knocked out the quality of the opening act Muse.  We were still high during their set, and this group (again, not right down my alley, but have now seen them three times) you need to go see if you can.  I have always thought they are one of the more premier live bands out there.  But I cannot comment on how good or bad they were, the sound sucked so bad.

Overall, Concert C-, the night out A.  Thanks for arranging Bob!!!

Funny thing happened on the way to the dirt tracks to watch some sprint car races on Friday, 16 October…..after much rain during the week, and even though we had nearly two days of sunshine, I guess the track just didn’t dry out enough to run a show that night.  A friend and myself went tot he track only to see it dark.  Clearly we needed a quick Plan B….you don’t burn kitchen passes! He quickly suggested seeing the Black Crowes at the Palladium Ballroom, Dallas, Texas. I think he wanted to do this that night all along, but he was being flexible going to the dirts.  You see, I am a big fan.  See another post on this subject on www.hybriddebateblog.com. That post captures my interest. Well the Palladium is a general admission venue that holds about 1500.  Great place to see a concert.  Its dog eat dog in getting as close to the stage as you dare. We arrived in plenty of time. Not sure who the warm up band was, did not stick inside to listen.  Night was beautiful, and this venue overlooks down town Dallas sky line.  So we took our refreshments and hung out there. Black Crowes came on about 10p. This is a straight up jam band with commercial appeal.  Chris Robinson’s voice was in good form, and fine control. Without being too lengthy on the musical part, these guys seemed to focus on jamming, but staying commercial as most audience does not appreciate too much jamming.  they were fairly tight.  Unpretentious. Not much interaction with the audience, which for the most part is a good thing. The set lasted easily over 1.5 hours before the encore. I am not that into this group, I own no cd’s from them. I consider them a middle of the road group with decent song writing skills and rock appeal. I listen in concerts very closely to the music and how tight the group is.  These guys get a A for this, very tight. I wish I could remember individual songs and comment, but really, I just am not that familiar with the music outside of the normal hits.  They closed with “She Talks To Angels” which is by far my favorite song of theirs.  Great lyrics…..and I get into lyrics as I know that truly insightful ones are hard to come up with. ‘ The age of the crowd averaged about 35.  This is a result of the length of time this band has been around. Difficult to imagine they go back nearly 15 years. The crowd was decently enthusiastic, fairly controlled. But gauging by the less popular songs, which is always a true measure, the crowd was fairly into them, again, a signal of their musical tightness. With the celebrated relationships in the entertainment circle that Robinson has had, I found it interesting, as he looked no different than the grunge of Kurt Kobain, and truly his southern dirt upbringing was reflected. Again, unpretenious, and this is good Overall, very glad I went.  Final grade for the night: B. Go see them if you enjoy this kind of music and experience, but I would not knock myself out doing so if not. Next review: Alice In Chains, Chevelle, Puddle Of Mudd, Saving Abel, October 23.  Posting soon.

It appears I will be joining the Dazzling Weasel Faces Saturday, Oct 31 for a Halloween show in Waco. I will confimr here on this board once the plans are finalized…..in the meantime, the information for their performance is as follows

Selena’s Table, 2004 N. Valley Mills Drive….Oct 31 7-10p.  Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door with proceeds benefitting the Waco Humane Society. Costume contests…..and pets welcome as they will have their own costume contest….(I am certain your pets love you dressing them up!)

We will use this forum for discussions on redd granite and Dazzling Weasel Faces acitivities and events, music news, music reviews (I see a butt load of concerts….I really do like the music). In fact, stop off often.  We use this forum to display our life long interest in music and our compositions. No, its not professional, yes, there are a bunch of those out there who are doing this so much better and sounding, and yes, those can accuse us of being a bit self-engrandizing, at the end of the day, it is something that has been a part of us for a very long time solidified by a life time of friendship. I will add to this particular post a little later, must go to see Alice In Chains (review to follow) but I am not through introducing this discussion board.

Ok, I am back.  Concert was great.  There will be a review in posts here later this weekend.  I am also overdue to post a review on the Black Crowes who I saw last Friday.  Live music performance has always been a passion, and I spend a lot of $$ on concerts.  So back to earlier discussion, we are proud to have a forum such as this to share, discuss, and hopefully entertain.

Please check in her often. It will be worthwhile.

Later…….J