The Old and the New

It is hard not to run into the dilemma of the old and the new in the NYC music scene. If a band is around for any period of time it is old. If a band is still playing after that initial flurry of activity, if it is around a year after that first batch of shows, they are old.

How could they not, considering the flow of talent passing through. It is not 1975 but still there are plenty of bands wanting to play. In fact, I would speculate that there are probably more bands out there now doing more styles of music through out the city and beyond.

So bands come and bands go and some will stay a little longer than others. The reasons for such things vary. That is not what I am pondering here. No what I am dealing with is what one should do in relation to such bands, the old and the new.

Two things run through my head. My passion for certain bands and my desire for new bands. And the dilemma is who do I go see? It is like that Robert Palmer tune, Rip Tide. "Torn between two loves, the old and the new". Is it the band that I have seen twenty times over the past few years or the group that just finished a month long run at Arlene's and might just be something to check out.

Will I go with the tried and true and know I will see a good show. Generally true. Or will I go check out the new act and maybe walk out thinking, Wow! It happens. Rarely. Sometimes it is the old act that makes me say,"Holy shit!" Such shows are worth the rest.

And at the end of the day I still do not have an answer to my dilemma.

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Ten Wishes for my Birthday. . . lol

A birthday recently passed and did the usual things - a dinner or two. Checked out two shows featuring some of my favorite acts. In short an enjoyable week.

As is often the case with a birthday, I have found myself pondering those things I would love to get but just will not happen.

If nothing else, I can list them here. All relate to in some fashion to music and rock & roll. . .

1. The need for more green. . olive green rock tee-shirts. Brown and red tee-shirts are good too. I am tired of black rock tee-shirts. Honestly, it is rare i find a shirt I really like.

2. The recent recordings/ album of the now defunct Glorious Revolution.

3. In that same vein I imagine a joint effort featuring Karen Curious on vocals and Bernie Torme doing the guitar on Karen's tune, Rising Sun.

4. A venue up in White Plains, the size of the Vintage, perhaps not as nicely furnished but with a nice big bar, a good kitchen and a solid stage, and sound and light system.

5. An investment fund that would allow for such a place and the money to properly advertise and promote the shows in it. It simply takes money to make money.

6. Ideally a group of investors who could stand behind such a venue, and the artists and musicians performing there.

7. A road trip down to Florida to catch up with a buddy and check out LA Guns, who are playing down there soon enough.

8. Another trip over to the UK to check out a 2nd Bernie Torme show. Especially considering that he will be out on tour this fall supporting his new CD, Flowers and Dirt.

9. An iPhone that can load all my music. Got another year on my contract. . .

10. Dinner with my wife Joanna and son Philip, who also has a birthday happening soon enough. Oh wait, this one is no longer a wish. . . dined with them tonight at the Lucky Buddha.

The list could go on but some of these truly are doable. They may not be given to me on a silver platter, but that makes them more desirable.  Time will tell. In some respects they are pretty boring. . . but I figured I would not get into Dana Danger and the like, etc. . .

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