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Today is my birthday. Tonight I go to the Keg with my wife for my annual birthday steak.

Detroit, Round 2

I am going again to Detroit. This time it is to play at a conference. It was kind of a last minute thing so we'll see what it entails. Now I have to go learn songs.

Played the Jazz Festival Three Years Running

Friday turned out amazing. We ended up driving to Finch and then taking the subway to the show. As per usual, Craig and I were the first ones there so we went to our trailer that was waiting for us.

Before our sound check we went to a bar, which promptly told us it was last call at 5:45pm due to the heavy accumulation of protesters on University Avenue.

So we went back, did our sound check, put on our duds, and rocked the house. This is the first show I ever did in sunglasses and I really liked it. My Kool-Moe-Dee's allowed me to see the crowd, instead of glare from stage lighting.

The crowd was very into the show. That's the good thing about general admission shows. We played to a great crowd because they all wanted good seats for Maceo Parker.

Maceo was fantastic. I'm not one of those kind of people that go around telling everyone that funk legend Maceo Parker talked to me, but he did. All that goes on in those kind of conversations is an exchanging of hellos, and then you go on with your life. We rocked, he rocked. Life goes on.

We stayed for the whole thing, ate our street meat, and then went home the same way we came.

Then I went to work the next morning.

Busy Day Today

Today I'm not going to say much as there is a lot to do:

1) Drive my wife to work.
2) Clean out the car.
3) Wash the dishes.
4) Assemble my suit bag of stage attire
5) Assemble my bass
6) Get Lunch
7) Go to work

I'll let you know how it turned out on Monday.

Maceo Parker

Tomorrow Lori opens for Maceo Parker. This is going to be great. Maceo was a part of the JB's so just to be in the same room as him is going to be a thrill. I love horns. Wow, I'm so excited. Here is a clip of one of my favourite Maceo joints.

Drake. Love him or not, he's Canadian.

I find myself pulling for Drake. I'll be honest, I wasn't too thrilled with his appearance at the Grammy's. That was my first real chance I got to see who he was.

Before that, the only thing I had heard of him was that he was rumoured to be with Rhianna. I really hope it was true for the brief time that was news.

Then came the Sprite commercial where he wasn't feeling it. And neither was I. Established icons like Grant Hill or LeBron James get Sprite commercials, not unproven rappers that don't even have records out.

But then it changed. Adrian (Bent) started playing drums for him. Drake then started giving props to Slakah (the Beatchild). I've met Adrian, and have many friends who know him. And if you read my blog you know what I think of Slakah.

Then I realized that the better Drake does, so does everyone else. So bring it home big fella, if you're feeling it or not.

My First Tuesday Night at home in a while

There have been some complications with the gig at Alter Ego. Most of my fears from my previous post have come to fruition. So right now they are suspending all of the Tuesday gigs and trying to find a spot where we fit into their weekly schedule. In layman's terms, they are trying to find a night where they can make enough money to pay us, but is not too busy where they wouldn't need us anyway.

It seems like they are trying to use live music to make immediate money on it. That is the first mistake. Everyone knows, correction, almost everyone knows you don't make money off of live music until you have established yourself as a venue for live music. You can't just throw a band up there and expect all their friends to show up.

For example, I'm not in high school or college for that matter. At my age, people have jobs and responsibilities so to depend on their attendance on a weekly basis because their friend is in a band is ridiculously naive. Also, most of their money is allocated even before they make it (ie. mortgages, cars, etc.) so even if they show up, they're not spending a lot. And rightfully so.

Anyway, I will let you know when we're back on.

Father's Day

This post goes out to my pops. One of the greatest things about my dad is that he always wants me to release my inner rock-star, even to this day. As part of that we have been to many shows together. To show his awesomeness I am going to list some artists we have seen together. These are the ones that immediately come to mind, there are more:


Bad Company
The Choir
Earth Wind and Fire
Buddy Guy
The Jeff Healey Band
Colin James
B.B. King
King's X (four or five times)
Alison Krauss and Robert Plant
Joe Satriani
Screaming Trees
Soul Asylum
The Spin Doctors
Stevie Ray Vaughan

New Addition to the Family

Earlier this week some co-workers of mine set up a seven string guitar to a really kickin' Mesa Boogie amplifier because we were joking around and they wanted me, as a bass player, to release my inner-metal-angst. It was a lot of fun and I think I did pretty good because the seven string guitar has a low B on the bottom, just like a five string bass does. This made it easy to play those heavy riffs I love so much.

I had to have this kind of guitar so I set one aside for me to pick up. Because I am not the next John Petrucci, I decided to go a little smaller and pick up an Ibanez AX7221 (see below). It plays really good and all the guys at work were really excited for me.

It's also nice to pick up because I've been quietly working on some projects over the last few years that are starting to come to fruition. It all starts with opportunity.

Gettin Ready

Tonight is another rehearsal with Lori and family. We're getting ready to play the jazz festival on the 25th in support of Maceo Parker. Here is the first ever tune I played with her at the Canadian Musician 30th Anniversary Bash. This footage was recorded by Wavstudios.

2010: The Shows

This year I plan to go to a bunch of shows, thanks to my best friend winning a seasons tickets to the Molson Amphitheatre this summer. Two big dates really stand out for me.

July 13 - RUSH One of the greatest bands ever returns home for a visit. I'll be there.

September 18 - Alice in Chains One of the top Seattle bands ever. Definitely my favourite but I will listen to arguments for Heart and Pearl Jam. If there's enough time, I will listen to an occasional argument for Soundgarden.

2010: The Gear So Far

This year has been exciting not only for the jobs, and the new music that's come out; but also for the gear that I've picked up.

If you read my previous post on gear you'll see the bass and the pedal I've picked up. I have not picked up the Genz Benz head yet. I have some things to add to that list.

First, I have put the DR Marcus Miller strings on my Fender.

Second, I am picking up a Peterson Sonuus B2M. It is a bass signal to MIDI converter. I have some ideas I want to try with it so we'll see.

2010: The music so far ....

To continue from Friday, 2010 has been a great year for music. Well, for me at least.

The CD's I have picked up have all been incredible.

I found out that Alice in Chains had a new album. It's very good.
I was introduced to a band named Transatlantic, and their album "The Whirlwind" is incredible.
Monica came out with a very nice album that I like.
I was introduced to a young lady named Janelle Monae. She has two records out now and she's the first singer to really knock me on my ass since Lauryn Hill's miseducation album.
Morcheeba got wise and brought Skye back on board. Their album is pretty good.
Massive Attack has a new release which is a very nice listen. It was nice to hear the singer from TV on the Radio, a band I really like, on their first track.

That's all nice and everything but there's more.

I have pre-ordered the latest release from The Choir. I can't wait until that comes in the mail.
I just got my hands on the new Fyahhorns and de Brigade disc. It's pretty good.
Damon Alexander and the Ten Cent Rentals are coming out with a new disc I'm getting shortly.
Ayah is coming out with her project with DJ Jazzy Jeff. This album is going to be incredible.
The Slakadeliqs record is currently being mastered as we speak. I can't wait to get my hands on that.

That's all I can think of for now. There's more. It's been a great year, and there's still half of it left.

2010: The Year of Musical Rebirth

Whenever you go to certain churches, their ministers always decree something. It would sound something like this. 2008, the year of Harvested Abundance. You get the drift. Everyone around church will then go "Boy in 2008 I'm really going to get me some Harvested Abundance."

For me, it seems to be going like this: 2010, the year of musical rebirth.

I should have known, the very first seconds of 2010 I was on stage with some of the people I love most. Then I played on a musical soundtrack for a hit movie at Hot Docs. Then I kind of joined a soca band that just finished their first CD. Now I'm getting ready to play for the girl that's opening for Maceo Parker at the Jazz Festival here in Toronto.

That's just for starters.

I'll get into all the great Cd's I've got this year already on Monday.

I'll Always Find Out.

Today I found out my wife was hiding something from me.

It started back last week when I was recording some original r&b/hiphop lines for a friend of mine. It was brought to my attention that my style of bass playing fits very well into the "Atlanta" style of this new R&B stuff such as Andre 3000, and B.o.B. B.o.B. is the dude that sings "Created A Monster" on the video game Madden 10. I LOVE that song.

Upon further discussion another name was also mentioned, Janelle Monae. I had to research her this week for a job I have coming up at the end of June. I wish it was playing for her but I can only dream. I've been hearing some rumblings about her recently so I was looking forward to checking her out.

I decided to look up one of her first videos called "Many Moons."

For those who don't know me let me tell you what I am a sucker for:

1. black hair creativity - I love black hairstyles, the creativity is fascinating.
2. pant-suits - I love a woman in a pantsuit, that is kryptonite for me.
3. slick dance moves - I'm not into these dance reality shows. Real dancers don't need to take their feet off the ground.
4. creative vocal harmonies - I love vocal layering and arranging.

We'll leave it at that.

While I'm watching this video, I ask my wife, "Have you heard of a girl named Janelle Monae?" She replied that she's heard of her from a long time. I asked why she kept her from me. Oh the hurt, oh the hurt.

Roll the clip (courtesy of http://www.jmonae.com/).

Monica sings National Anthem at NBA Finals

I wonder who's idea it was to have background singers accompany Monica to sing The Star Spangled Banner last night. I don't know whether Monica is more beautiful or talented, but I do know is that those background singers made her sound "not cool, totally lame."

I just wished that they would have let her have some class and go out there and sing it by herself. I hope it wasn't her idea. That would suck.

I'm not even going to put it up. It's on YouTube if you want a chuckle.

NEW MORCHEEBA with SKYE ON VOCALS!!!

Today is a special day for all people that are fans of the original Morcheeba lineup. They release their first album with Skye Edwards as the lead vocalist for the first time since 2002. Eight years is a long time. A lot has happened to me in eight years. Ironically my life is coming around full circle so it is fitting to me personally that Skye should be back singing with Morcheeba.

You can see one of my other posts containing the video of World Looking In. To celebrate, I'm putting up their new video Even Though, courtesy of PIAS Recordings. Enjoy.

Andrew Stewart's 30th Birthday Jam Bash

I was invited by Andrew to go to his birthday bash at Chalker's Pub and Billiards on Friday night. It essentially was a celebration of his first 30 years and of the people that got him there. I am not one of those people though I wouldn't mind being one of the guys who gets him to 50 and beyond.

I will say, after going to this event, I know him a lot better now than I did on Thursday. It turns out that we know a lot of the same people. I spent the evening chatting the majority of the time, and listening to some great music provided by Andrew and his all-star calibre cast of friends.

I really should go to more of these things. Hopefully he has a 31st bash.

Procrastination

I moved in October and haven't still set up my office yet. I don't know if that's a bad thing or a good thing, but if I had to guess I'd say it's a bad thing.

So my goal this weekend is to do some serious cleanup and get some things done.

See you Monday.

New RUSH!!

If you go to your preferred digital download store of choice, you can download the two new Rush tracks that will be coming on their upcoming album. Also, these tunes will be played on their Time Machine tour this summer.

Stay tuned for RUSH week on Inside Randall's Pocket sometime in July

Alter Ego, The Update

I am still doing Tuesday nights playing for Lily Ostos at Alter Ego in Streetsville. Last night was no exception. Actually there was one exception: our sax player was destroying everything he was playing. That is not only a good thing, but a great thing.

Last week it was the keys guy destroying simple standards and turning them into musical gold.

Who will it be next week?

Come and find out at Alter Ego between 9 and 11pm on Tuesdays.

A Family Channel Moment

I am one of the worst hockey players in our league. I said "one of" because I am not the worst. For years I played on a team which continually got our asses kicked. Ask my wife, she came until she couldn't take it any more. This summer I am on a new team. I still play badly but the team is better so last night presented me with an awkward situation.

We played a team that I feel is worse than the team I played on. I didn't know how to feel about it. We beat them 41-5. I thought I had my first ever hat trick with a supposed four goal game. I will admit it was a little uncomfortable scoring 41 goals on someone. One of the goalies on the team I previously played on committed suicide so those feelings were creeping in the back of my head.

As I skated around I remembered going to the funeral, and then playing a gig at the Supermarket right after. It was odd. Then the game ended and my new team got its first win of the season.

The league removed the last 17 goals we scored in the third period from their records. I guess it was punishment for running up the score. So I ended up with two goals. No hat trick.

But we won.