Fleetwood Mac at the SAP Center in San Jose, California November 25, 2014

Fleetwood Mac performed in concert at the SAP Center in San Jose, California during their 2014 tour.  Here is drummer Mick Fleetwood giving his thanks to the crowd at the end of the show.  Mick has been with Mac for the duration of their existence as a band and shows no signs of slowing down.  He is a rock solid, amazingly fluid, drummer.  The band put on a very electric, entertaining show.

"Jack's Lament" - Jack Swartz

A rendition of "Jack's Lament" which was featured in "The Nightmare Before Christmas", a film directed by Tim Burton.  This is Jack Swartz doing the vocal chores. 

KING CRIMSON JAM 1973

This is a video of King Crimson improvising live in Bremen in 1973.  King Crimson, in its original run, blended a diversity of musical styles in their playing.  A wild variation of instruments are utilized here.  In addition to guitar, bass and drums, flourishes of flute, violin, mellotron and percussion are injected.  An interesting noise results.  The players include Robert Fripp, John Wetton, David Cross, Bill Bruford and percussion whirlwind, Jamie Muir.  It is nice that a lot of these performances were recorded as the band's personnel could shift quite quickly.

"FORBIDDEN PLANET" SOUNDTRACK CREATION EXPLAINED

This is a very cool little demo video by Ben Burtt on how some of the movie soundtrack for the science fiction classic, "Forbidden Planet" was produced.  Burtt manipulates analog tape machines and fiddles around with tape speeds, feedback, and looping to produce some of the sounds Louis and Bebe Barron originally created for the movie.  The sounds of outer space and an alien landscape generated right from the sound lab.  Wonderful!

Farewell to Candlestick Park with Paul McCartney, August 14th, 2014

Paul McCartney performs a Beatles tune, "The End", at Candlestick Park's final event. This was Paul's last song. Incredible night, August 14, 2014.  Nice fireworks action at the end of the show.

Groovy Pop Art Rock Legends and Celebrities

A collection of groovy pop art paintings for sale at The Almaden Art and Wine Festival in California.  The rock legends and celebrities on display included: Carlos Santana, Jimi Hendrix, George Harrison, Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin and Audrey Hepburn.  A stone cold gas if you know what I mean, Cat.

Rick Springfield and Pat Benatar Concert Mixing Desks

These are the mixing boards for Rick Springfield and Pat Benatar when they played recently at The Mountain Winery in Saratoga, California.  They were located back in the bleacher seating section of the facility.  I think Springfield's board is located on the left side of the image and Benatar's is on the right.

Lo-Fi iPad Sound System

Trying to desperately setup a music system on July 4th, I was able to find some old Acer PC computer speakers which I hooked up to an iPad.  The results were definitely lo-fi.  One of our guests to our Fourth of July party were able to give us some better sound output by bringing along their Jambox.  Yahhh!!!!

Disneyland Main Street Storefront Sign

One of the storefronts lining Disneyland's Main Sreet touts this sign.  The shop is supposedly a seller of musical instruments.  I don't know if Walt Disney himself originated the slogan but a nice sentiment none the less.

Keith Moon Assualting His Drumkit

Keith Moon, the magnificent former drummer of The Who, is seen here during the filming of The Who's "Who Are You?" promotional video.  Love the intensity.

African Bottlecap Rattle

This a short video of an African rattle that is constructed of some wood, wire and flattened bottle caps!  A nice, dry jingle is produced by this simple percussion instrument.  Imagine if you had about twenty of these little beauties rattling away! The gentle sound one of these instruments produces is akin to a small rain stick.  Very soothing, really.

Chapman Stick Orchestra circa: Unknown

I came across this interesting photo in the waiting room of the place where my son takes music lessons.  A Chapman Stick Orchestra!  I would guess this picture was taken in the late '70's/early '80's when the unique instrument was gaining followers.  Very cool. 

San Jose Chamber Orchestra, "A Night In Venice" Fundraiser, January 19, 2014

The San Jose Chamber Orchestra held a fundraiser on January 19, 2014.  The event was themed "A Night In Venice".  Merriment ensued with accordions and a string quartet serenading the attendees.  Dinner and auction followed.

Lou Reed, R.I.P.

Lou Reed, a rock and rock original, just recently passed away.  I have been a long time listener of his material stretching from the Velvet Underground to his sizable solo work. I saw him perform live only once.  It was in the mid-1980's at the Old Waldorf club in San Francisco.  The club was basically a glorified bar with a stage.  Lou performed a very strong set.  The tone wasn't of the live "Rock and Roll Animal" style rock histrionics of hired gun immaculate solos and playing but a stripped down, basic rock band approach.  I think it was one of the best live rock shows I have ever seen. Lou will be missed.  What a remarkable song writer, performer and personality. 

One Night With Janis Joplin

The initial stage set for One Night With Janis Joplin.  The backgrounds changed as the play progressed.  We saw the last performance of the play at the San Jose Rep.  Mostly a concert of Joplin songs by the actress portraying her along with a Big Brother and The Holding Company cover band.  A very well played set of songs.  There is a thin narrative which accompanies the music that fills in Joplin's discovery of blues music, her elation at live performance and her subsequent disillusionment with everything.

Tenor Sax For Middle School Band

My son, Jack, is learning to play tenor sax for his middle school band.  Practice makes perfect.  He is doing well.

Time Lapse Camera Fun

Time lapse sequence of some of my duties at work in a video conferencing TV studio.  A post to EMI only for the sound effects added to the video, I guess.

Joan Jett and The Blackhearts at Mountain Winery in Saratoga, September 7, 2013

Joan Jett and The Blackhearts perform at The Mountain Winery in Saratoga, CA., September 7, 2013.  I forgot what a nice cover version she does of "Crimson and Clover".

The Monkees In Concert at Mountain Winery In Saratoga, CA., 08/14/13

The Monkees, Mike Nesmith, Mickey Dolenz, and Peter Tork, perform "Randy Scouse Git" at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga, CA. on August 14, 2013.  It was a very enjoyable show.  The boys did a lot of alternative takes on their classic songs.  Mickey playing the tympanis center stage for "Git" was a particular highlight.

SMOOTH CRIMINAL DANCE ROUTINE 2013

My son's dance take on Michael Jackson's Smooth Criminal.  Nice dancing!  Click the link below to see the dance video:



SMOOTH CRIMINAL DANCE ROUTINE 2013