Jesse Winchester and Elvis Costello

A few weeks ago I started seeing rave reviews for the then-upcoming season 2 of “Spectacle – Elvis Costello with …” Season 1 seems to have slipped by me and a whole lot of other people, but lots of fanfare for this year. I set my DVR to record the series, but did not get around to watching the first episode until a few days ago. I’m now a rabid fan. While I always respected Costello’s work, it never really moved me. But, in his role as a talented host with tons of lore to share with his guests, he is compelling.

The first show was with Bono and Edge from U2. I’ve been a U2 fan since I first saw then on the Live Aids world-wide telecast in the mid-eighties. I saw them live in San Francisco about 20 years ago and they blew me away – one of the best live shows I’ve ever seen. (And on June 16th, I, Eileen and my son Jesse will be seeing them in Oakland!) Anyway, they were great with Elvis, all of them sharing stories from there respective beginnings and eventual “path-crossings.”

The second show cemented my new-found zeal: Jesse Winchester, Neko Case, Sheryl Crow, and Ron Sexsmith. As expected, the latter three were all wonderful, but I want to talk about Jesse Winchester, my own son being his namesake.

After getting his draft notice in 1967 he fled to Canada, refusing to take part in the Vietnam war. In 1969 he met Robbie Robertson of “The Band” who helped him record his first album released in 1970. Many consider that first album to be a masterpiece with songs like “Yankee Lady” and “Brand New Tennessee Waltz” among many great compositions. (Bernie Taupin once said that his big regret was that he did not write “Brand New Tennessee Waltz.”) Jesse lost a lot of his recording career because of his sojourn in Canada, but finally returned for concerts and recording sessions under the amnesty program. I consider Jesse Winchester to be one of the greatest songwriters alive today, and that is why is was a true joy to see and hear him on Elvis’ show.

They started the show with Elvis powering into “Payday” one of Jesse’s great upbeat compositions and eventually Jesse did a solo performance of a ballad from his new album that I had not heard yet. It was stunning, in fact so much so that Neko Case, who was sitting right next to him had tears running down her face near the end. Wow!

I could go on and on about Jesse and his songs, but let me just say that if you have not heard his work, by all means check it out. I’m so glad he is still on the planet with all of us, and still writing and singing fantastic songs. Oh, and check out the Spectacle show with Elvis on the Sundance Channel.

~ Tom

Andy & John

The world would be a whole lot better place if these two rascals were still with us…

Back from vacation

We just got back to our home in Alameda a few hours ago after taking a week off to Seattle and back.  It was great to see my daughter and her family in Seattle – grandkids are a trip.  They do not have television (a choice they made to keep the kids from being TV slaves), so I really was not paying much attention to the news during the last week.  And you know what?  The world went on without me, and I had a mellow time not worrying about how it went on.

Having returned and just brought up the news on my computer, I see that Dick Cheney is even more of a raging asshole than when I left him a week ago.  As one of my heroes, Bugs Bunny would say: “What a maroon!” 

I hope you all had a happy holiday, and I wish everyone the new year they are hoping for.

~  Tom 

Jingle Bells Rock

Quite often a familiar song will just keep running through my brain, especially after not hearing it for quite a while. Well, for the last week I have been playing “Jingle Bell Rock” over and over on the old noggin juke box. In case you have forgotten, it was written and sung (at least originally) by Bobby Helms. It’s really a great Christmas holiday song, lasting past Christmas and into a snowy winter. I can’t get it out of my head, especially the bridge.

Here are the lyrics. If you actually know the tune, I defy you not to start singing it in your head.

Jingle Bell Rock

(Bobby Helms)
Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock
Jingle bells swing and jingle bells ring
Snowing and blowing up bushels of fun
Now the jingle hop has begun
Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock
Jingle bells chime in jingle bell time
Dancing and prancing in Jingle Bell Square
In the frosty air.
What a bright time, it's the right time
To rock the night away
Jingle bell time is a swell time
To go gliding in a one-horse sleigh
Giddy-up jingle horse, pick up your feet
Jingle around the clock
Mix and a-mingle in the jingling feet
That's the jingle bell,
That's the jingle bell,
That's the jingle bell rock

Sometimes things make me smile

Thank you Mr. President II

I just ran across another terrific column scolding us for becoming “small and mean” in not recognizing the pretty stunning accomplishments President Obama has made since his inauguration.

I know it may sound a bit over-dramatic on my part, but sometimes I truly wonder whether  this country even deserves this President.  I, for one, am proud that he is my President, but I would be a fool to believe that I will agree with him about every issue. 

I was particularly proud listening to his speech given in Norway when accepting the Nobel Peace Prize.  That took some courage to point out to an audience of “peaceful people” that there truly is evil in the world and that sometimes it can only be checked by the use of force when all else fails. 

~  Tom

Thank you Mr. President

I hear all these attacks on the President from the right, and much bitching and moaning from the left about his so-called failings, and I get discouraged.  But here is a “must-read” article for those like me who really believe that Barack Obama is something special, who if given the chance will make a lasting difference in this country – all for the better of course.