Road to the Grammy's/House of Blues

The House of Blues on the Sunset strip is said by many to be LA's premier live music venue.  It has three floors, a full-size balcony and several bars. The Mick Fleetwood Blues Band played there on Thurs Jan. 28th. as part of a Haitian Earthquake Benefit.
http://www.houseofblues.com/venues/clubvenues/sunsetstrip/

There was some talk of guest artists such as Billy Gibbons and Slash, but our start time kept getting pushed back.  We went on close to midnight and played a rockin' but abbreviated set.

One highlight for me was to play the house's Hammond B-3 organ.  It is a unique beast.  Each one a little different.  I visited my friend Gene Argel a few days before leaving Maui to get a few tips on how to drive it.  "You gotta relax on this thing" is what he said.  He was right.  The is very little action on these things, so extraneous finger movements can end up sounding like slop (unless that's what you're going for!) and as I found out, you must be careful around the "preset" keys.  If you hit one by mistake, you may end up with a totally different sound then you wanted, or none at all.  The latter is what happened in my case.  I hit the stage, went to hit the keys and NOTHING!  Quickly, however, I noticed the errant key and dialed it up in time for the down beat.  What a pleasure to play through such an expressive instrument.  You simply cannot beat electro-mechanical with digital.  The rotating Leslie speaker is a must!!!

With any luck, I will be playing more of these in the future!

Another highlight was re-connecting with the lovely Hesper and her friends.  Thanks for hanging out so late on a Thursday!shaka!

                                                                           

Mick's Custom Cocktail Kit

Lenny and Mick

Vodoo doll

     

Road to the Grammy's/Hollywood

If New York is the city that never sleeps, then Hollywood is the city that can't stop talking about itself . The endless chatter, the traffic, the "in your face" backround music. Slow down Hollywood, take a deep breath...put down that phone...well on second thought, don't...you might hurt yourself.

Lenny meets a new friend. You can have a photo with Bugs Bunny, but he's gonna turn around and ask for money!! Another hustle, and this town is full of them!

We arrived on Wed. night at the Roosevelt Hotel. It is right on Hollywood Blvd. Built in 1927, it was the sight of the first Academy Awards.

A martini at the LIBRARY LOUNGE was the first order of business! Thanks Carl!

All the cool cats hang out at the Tropicana Bar, the site of many movies.

Lenny and I found a cool pizza joint. Great sauce! Cheap eats! OK, there is hope.

Night scene on Hollwood Blvd. First pink stretch Hummer Limo I've ever seen!

By day...

Your name here...

Mick Fleetwood Blues Band performed at Shep Gordon's annual New Year's Eve party at Mala in Wailea. This year proved to be just as much fun as last year with such notables as Chad and Mike from Nickleback, Alice Cooper and John Mayall (pictured) sitting in. Mayall, who's band spawned the careers of many British Blues musicians (Mick included!), sang two tunes. I can't remember the name of the first, but I do recall him showing me the piano part at sound check. It was a sort of Boogaloo thing. The second tune was "Help Me" by Sonny Boy Williamson, a minor blues. Mayall was real cool and personable. He played some harps that Mick had hanging around his house. He broke it down in true Mayall fashion. He is a consummate performer who knows how to entertain!

Alice Cooper was great as well. His self-deprecating comments were hilarious! "I never play these songs like the album" he said. To which Mick replied "Don't worry, I'll make sure of that." We rocked " School's Out" and I think "No more Mr Nice Guy" and rung in the New Year. Due to resort regulations (the fun police) we had to stop shortly after midnight.

Chad Kroeger sang the hell out of "Born on the Bayou." I don't know anybody who can come close to John Fogerty, but he can.

Alice Cooper with the "Cooperettes"

So the next big news is that "Blue Again" has been nominated for a Grammy in the category "Best Traditional Blues Album." We are all very excited to have even been nominated. On Jan 28 we will play the House of Blues in Hollywood to benefit the Haitian earthquake victims. Then two nights off before the Grammy's. Look out LA!