RADIO HANNIBAL

The Wrecking Crew, The Musicians Who Formed The Soundtrack Of The 60's

Yesterday I had the pleasure of seeing The Wrecking Crew at The Cleveland International Film Festival.  It's a joyful celebration of the unheralded musicians who performed on countless records in the 60' and 70's.  The list of artists is way too lengthy.

It was a revelation, even for me, to discover how many albums they appeared on.  In those days the musicians who played on an album weren't typically listed.  Thus, they remain quite anonymous.  Drummers Hal Blaine and Earl Palmer are a couple who've been recognized through induction into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. 

The movie is a loving tribute created by Denny Tedesco, son of Wrecking Crew guitarist Tommy Tedesco.  The project is 12 years in the making and counting.  It's just wrapping up its festival circuit and Denny hopes to go for a general theater release as well as a DVD release. 

The problem arises in the fact that there's samples of about 300 songs in the fim and getting them cleared at a reasonable cost is a daunting task.  The typical short sightedness of the record industry is at play here. 

So, learn about this amazing part of rock and roll, spread the word and, if on the odd chance you know someone in the industry, let them know this film needs to be seen and appreciated by a wider audience. 

Here's the trailer:
 

Music Hunting On The Net

This story from The New York Times March 16 illustrates  and combines, wonderfully, two loves of mine...music and the net.  It's all about a song heard long ago and trying for many years to find it.

Eventually, through the help of the net, the writer finds the song with the help of a stranger.  Then in turn passes it along to another who, like him, had been searching for the song as well. 

Now I want to hear the song, "Just A Little Lovin" by Sarah Vaughan, too.  In fact, it's there on iTunes and is now the top download in her library.  From an obscure recording to the number on spot all due to this story and the net. 

By the way, Shelby Lynne covers the song nicely too, as the title tune from her most recent release, a collection of Dusty Springfield covers.

New Cavaliers Song By Bootsy

I'm not sure what Bootsy Collin's ties are to Cleveland other than his connection to the Rock Hall.  For whatever reason Bootsy took it upon himself to come up with a new Cleveland Cavaliers song as the team readies for the playoffs and battles for home court throughout.  And yes, it's damn funky. 

 

Leslie Basalla and The Boys From County Hell

St. Patrick's Day morning found me and friends in the crowded Cambridge Room at the House Of Blues in Cleveland.  We were there to catch the first performance of the day for The Boys From County Hell.  See post below. 
A 3 hour show with one break made for an exhilarating time.  Some songs I haven't heard them perform in a couple of years. 
During the second set some of us were right up at the stage.  Leslie Basalla, vocalist for Vital Mines, the late Dan McCafferty's band (see an earlier post), arrived to enjoy some of the show.  A deal was soon brokered with the band by friend, Mary Flynn Therber, to have Leslie sing on the duet Fairytale Of New York.  
Here's the performance. 

Here's also a bit of Dirty Old Town. Sorry, it starts a bit out of focus.

The Boys From County Hell

There's a band in Cleveland that has changed my life.  No, not in some profound way.  It's just that they have become the catalyst behind two annual traditions for me.  Every Christmas Eve, Eve and every St. Patrick's Day morning you'll find me in the Cambridge Room at the House Of Blues watching The Pogues tribute band, The Boys From County Hell.
In today's Plain Dealer Michael Heaton writes about the very talented and very entertaining band comprised of a group of area musicians culled from other bands. It does help if you are a fan or at least familiar with The Pogues.  Though I have dragged friends, unfamiliar, who are now fans as well. 
I can't think of a better way to kick off a joyous day of celebration and camaraderie.  I'll see there this Tuesday morning.  I'll be the one with a camera instead of a Guinness in my hand for the first time. 

Boys from the County Hell

Find The Joy In Life

This clip of comedian Louis CK on Conan's show last week is becoming viral and that's a great thing.  Too often we gripe about all that is wrong and forget to remember what an amazing age we live in. 
Everything's amazing, nobody's happy