Woody Herman

Woody Herman

My new M. O. M. (Moment of Meaning)

I've mentioned this before that my Dad would play different genres of music on the weekends.  In Junior High, he played Woody Herman's Thundering Herd album that came out in 1974.  Every song on this album is great.  I have 3 samples here today.  Woody inspired me to want to play in the high school jazz band.  I actually was admitted when I was in the 8th grade as the baritone sax player.  I was short so they had to put pillows in the chair and put the sax on a rolling stand so I could play it.  I went on to play 2 years in the Oklahoma State Jazz Band too.  I was later able to see Woody Herman's Big Band play when I worked at Harrah's Reno.  Free shows in the cabaret for employees with drink tokes!!

Corazon was on the Thundering Herd album.  Corazon is a Carol King original.  Woody plays soprano sax on Corazon.  Four Brothers is a classic Woody sound.    Many have covered Four Brothers over the years.

The last song was recorded in 1945 and is an uptempo song with Woody singing and playing clarinet.  My M. O. M. is Woody Herman and the Thundering Herd for opening me up to big band music and a love for jazz.

Corazon

Four Brothers

Caldonia

Here is a pic from 1978 with me second from the left - front row in the white jacket playing alto sax in the Okla State Jazz Band.

Here is a Facebook link for Woody Herman:

Woody Herman FB

Jethro Tull

My new M. O. M. (Moment of Meaning)

"Let me bring you songs from the wood..."  This was the first Tull album I bought back in 1977.  His theatrical rock songs were captivating.  His flute playing was amazing. His first album came out in 1968 and I had heard songs on the radio from time to time.  The 1977 album Songs From the Wood contained songs that were intriguing and different for me.

I would later see him in concert in Denver CO in the early 1980's.  Awesome concert and stage show!  He was also an influence to me for wanting to learn to play the flute which I taught myself to do in about 1985 so I could play the song Can't You See by Marshall Tucker Band with my cover band, Situation in Reno NV.  Even though one of the coolest songs is Locomotive Breath I was much more enamored by this 1977 album overall in it's entirety.  

My new  M. O. M. is the 1977 Jethro Tull album - Songs From The Wood.  The entire album is one of my favorites.  Enjoy!!

Check it out:

Songs From The Wood



Velvet Green


Jethro Tull Web Site:

http://jethrotull.com/

Reflections

Reflections

My new M. O. M. (Moment of Meaning)

Soon after we finished high school, my best friend got an apartment in Tulsa near the University I believe in 1978 or 79.  Lynn Williams was and is a friend to many.  He was my best friend through junior and senior high!  Many fond, permanent memories were created.

I would go over to his apartment and we would just sit and listen to albums and drink Little Kings and Big Mouth Mickeys.  He introduced me to the two songs/albums highlighted here in this post among others.  Songs that would open new pathways of new music for me into the future.  Other artist included The Alan Parson's Project, ELP, The Eagles, etc.

My 1st M. O. M. is the 1977 Billy Joel album - The Stranger.  We can all probably recognize the opening piano and whistle of the title track immediately.  The entire album in one of my favorites.  I would later see Billy in Reno NV back in the mid 1980's.  Awesome!!

Check it out:

The Stranger


Billy Joel web site

My next M. O. M. is Epitaph by King Crimson.  The 1969 album is In the Court of the Crimson King.  Wow, this was mind-blowing at the time.  It was also my first introduction to the vocals of Greg Lake.  Yes, he is the Lake in Emerson, Lake and Palmer!!  They were the first concert ticket I bought myself and attended.  I will have more from Greg later with the Works Volume ! album.

For now, enjoy a sample of his amazing voice.  RIP Greg!

Epitaph



King Crimson web site

Greg Lake web site

Here we are in Skiatook OK probably in 1977 - seniors at SHS.  Me at the net and Lynn covering the back court.  We spent many hours on this court!!!

The Nights In White Satin

The Nights In White Satin

My new M. O. M. (Moment of Meaning)

I was a senior in high school when I first heard this song by the Moody Blues.  I was mesmerized!  It was so intense, enchanting and complex all at the same time.  I would stay up late listening to this song and all of the songs on the 2 album set: This Is The Moody Blues (a greatest hits type of album) from my bedroom 25 stories up overlooking downtown Tulsa.  I was a bit melancholy at the time and was dreaming of what my my future might hold.

Justin Heyward wrote and sings the song.  It was released in 1967.  I was and am moved by his pleading vocal with every line provoking deep meaning to me.  My M. O. M. is the entire production and at :18 seconds into this clip right after the flute comes in you hear the deep bass line of John Lodge.  And then the poem at the end... Everyone had to memorize this poem!!  OMG what does it all mean????

Breath Deep and enjoy...

The Nights In White Satin



Moody Blues official web site

Me and the Moody Blues back stage at the concert at Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio CA back in 2001, I was the Director of Slots at the time.  They signed my CD of This Is The Moody Blues.  This was a dream come true!!!

Chicago Transit Authority

Chicago Transit Authority

My new M. O. M. (Moment of Meaning)

I have seen Chicago with my Dad
I have seen Chicago by myself
I have seen Chicago with my Wife
I have seen Chicago all through my life!!!

This group has special meaning for me.  Back in 1971 or 72, My Dad took my sister and I to our first rock concert in Tulsa OK.  That alone was impressive with him coming from a Big Band/Classical background.  I first heard of Chicago when I was in 6th grade ( in Coopersville Michigan ) and my choir teacher came into the room and told the class, "You all have to hear this!"  He proceeded to play the Chicago II album and the song, "Colour My World."  I was hooked from that point on.

My favorite album was Chicago VI recorded in Nederland Colorado and the song Just You And Me.  Although I can list numerous favorite songs.  As a sax player, their horns were and are amazing and inspiring.  I bought my first album with my own money and it was Chicago III.  Awesome album.  They are all good.  Even the new line up.  Back in 1992, I hired a guy at the Empress Casino in Joliet Illinois from the south side of Chicago, Jim Quimette, who said he actually grew up with a few of these guys.  Jim played trumpet.  He was a great player and a great guy. RIP my Friend!!

Here are a couple of songs that spark that M. O. M. for me:

SONG #1:

Just You And Me



SONG #2:

Beginnings


Peter's bass part at this point in the song is my MOM!!!


ENJOY!!!

While My Guitar Gently Weeps

While My Guitar Gently Weeps...

My 1st post in awhile.  My new M. O. M. (Moment of Meaning)

This post will be focused on a very good friend of mine - The late Byron Walker.  He passed in 2009.  Byron was a great friend, mentor and guide.  He played guitar (awesome blues guitar) sang and wrote music.  He wrote Make it Hurt which was featured on the 1987 KOZZ Homegrown album in Reno NV.  I played tenor sax.

I met Byron at Harrah's Reno back in 1983 or 84.  We started a cover band called Situation.  We played around town and in the California area.  Through this collaboration, he taught me more about music than my 2 years at Oklahoma State.  Byron could hear a new song a couple of times and be able to play it!!!  It was amazing.  He taught me how to set up and tear down sound equipment.  Taught me how to record my own songs.  From that I was able to help run sound for the Reno Jazz Fest a couple of years.  He mentored me on writing my own songs.  We had some FUN!!!  I still miss him.  I am glad I still have a number of recordings with Byron and I playing together.

So, why this post.  I think of Byron very often.  But I always stop and say thanks for what he meant to me EVERY time I hear WHILE MY GUITAR GENTLY WEEPS.  I never heard him play the song but the song has become my link to him always.  I have numerous versions of the song on my playlists.  Original, covers and live versions.

My M. O. M. today is: While My Guitar Gently Weeps by George Harrison.

This is my recent favorite by Santana with YoYo Ma on Cello.  And India Arie on vocals

While My Guitar Gently Weeps




And here is a song that our band Situation recorded one night during a practice session.  Byron just started playing a blues progression and we all just jumped in.  I am on tenor sax.  Byron has the 2nd guitar solo at 3:27 into the song.  Bryan Grimm had the 1st guitar solo.  Bill Lapham was on bass and Tracy Gallaway on drums.  Byron opens up the tune with his killer guitar.

Byron and Keenan Blues Instrumental:
 

Thanks Byron for all of the great memories.  M. O. M.