New England Music Scrapbook Newsletter
Alan Lewis, Editor

Our Corner of the Rock 'n' Roll Life

November 10, 2007
Issue 2007:248

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We've got Thrills, chills, Dirty Water
What more do you need?
When the big beat hits ya
Comin' from your transistor
Like the T at full speed
When the big beat hits ya...

-- "Boston Lullaby," Dudick/Naihersey.
Copyright c. 1980 by Camaraderie Music, BMI.
All rights reserved. Used with permission.


. . . . .


BRATTLEBORO, VT, November 9, 2007 - A current Yahoo News headline says
that a Broadway strike may darken theaters. If I look into this news
story, it will have to be later. But much of my current research into
the mid-nineteenth-century vocal group, the Alleghanians, has bearing
on the early history of the Broadway play. An Alleghanians
sister-in-law, Matilda Heron - a revolutionary actress who we all
ought to know about - for all practical purposes created the role of
Camille as we understand it today. And though I could not prove it at
the moment, available evidence suggests that the Annie Kemp who sang
as a member of the Alleghanians during the 1856-1857 concert season is
the same person as the Annie Kemp Bowler who was a member of the
original cast of "The Black Crook," which is widely considered to be
the first full-scale Broadway musical. There is lots, lots more. So
I have been thinking much lately about the Broadway play.

When I was a little kid, I did not see a lot of children's fare. Many
of the movies I watched at the Milo Theater in Milo, Maine were
Broadway musicals.

I don't know whether there is a widely accepted category of "high
popular art," but there should be. The Broadway play, "Of Thee I
Sing" by the Gershwins, would be a classic example. The people
working on Broadway have produced some amazing entertainment.

We, of course, were deeply saddened at the loss of Robert Goulet, a
singer-actor with substantial Massachusetts ties. I found it
hilarious that when CBS radio news illustrated his best-known play,
"Camelot," they used a sound clip of, not himself, but rather of
Richard Burton singing the theme song. Goulet would have gotten the
joke (which, no doubt, was not intended). For me, Goulet's "If Ever I
Would Leave You" is every bit as much a part of the fabric of the
1960s as The Beach Boys' "Heroes and Villains," Bob Dylan's "Ballad of
a Thin Man," Aretha Franklin's "I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love
You)," or John Lennon's "A Day in the Life."

We have a couple items or more toward the end of this issue that I am
treating something like press releases, though they are not marked as
such and were probably sent to a mixed group of fans and freelance
music journalists. They still seem mostly press release-like to me.


SIT 'N BULL PUB
The Closing "Bash for the Bull"

Evidently the

SIT 'N BULL PUB

is the latest casualty of The Station fire in Warwick, Rhode Island.
A sprinkler system, which is judged to be prohibitively expensive, is
now required for establishments of the purpose and size of The Sit 'n
Bull. So the club, which is over 20 years old, is now closing.

This information was sent by my e-friend Maria McLaughlin, in the form
of a notice credited to Meghan Kelly of the GateHouse News Service.
The headline reads, "Maynard Pub Closing Because of Fire Regulations."

"Bash for the Bull," which initially was intended as a fundraiser, is
now being styled as a farewell party. "Bands Seth Connelly and
Friends, The Love Dogs, True West, The Fools and more will be playing
at the Nov. 11 event which will also feature a barbecue buffet. More
information is available at www.bashforthebull.com."

http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x96468319

In the realm of club bookings, for many acts the Sit 'n Bull was a
terrific alternative. The room will be sadly missed.


LYDIA WARREN
Demoing on a Mac Mini

While the other members of The Lydia Warren Band have been away,
Warren, herself, has seemed quite industrious. Recently she sent us this:

"I'm playing a solo set at the Step Up 4 Kids Charity Dinner this
Saturday at 7pm! It's at the Freeport Hall (IBEW) in Dorchester,
Massachusetts, and I'm playing in the VIP lounge. Oh la la! There
are still some tickets available, and you can get them here:

http://www.stepup4bpkids.com/CharityDinner.html

"My good buddies in The Soul Band and James Montgomery are also playing!

"I have a few more solo gigs this month, so check out the website.

"I've been recording demos like a maniac on my little Mac Mini, so
songs are flowin' for the next album!"

http://www.LydiaWarren.com/

-- Bandless Lydia Warren Mailing, November 9, 2007


RACHAEL SAGE ON THE LIFETIME CABLE CHANNEL

Rachael Sage is no ordinary New Yorker. No, she is a New Yorker with
paint in her hair. It is hard to beat attractively decorated hair.
Rachael is also definitely human. And her music is on the Lifetime
cable television channel this very morrow: specifically, Sunday. Here
is the high-end lowdown from Rachael's colleagues at MPress Records:

"Hey y'all! Just a little bit of good news to brighten your weekend:

"** Rachael's music is going to be on TV! **

"Tune in to the Lifetime Channel on Sunday, November 11 at 9pm
Eastern/Pacific (8pm Central/Mountain) to hear her songs 'Trouble' and
'Wildflower' in the soundtrack of the original movie 'It Was One Of Us.'

"To read more about the film, you can visit IMDB.com and search 'It
Was One Of Us.' Woo hoo, and Happy almost-Thanksgiving to everyone..."

-- "Rachael Sage on Lifetime TV This Sunday,"
November 10, 2007

Give me a kid with hair
Lovely painted hair...


= = = = =


BRIEF ITEMS :


ACROBRATS

Do you know about a Lynn, Massachusetts band called

THE ACROBRATS?

We are told that The AcroBrats (or, Acro-Brats) is one of the last
bands announced for the "Rock Band" video game soundtrack lineup.
Evidently this same group had a cut on the soundtrack of either
"Guitar Hero" or "Guitar Hero 2."


NIGHTINGALE
At the Folk Alliance Gathering

Two-thirds of the members of a New England concert ensemble, dance
band, and trio of music teachers,

NIGHTINGALE,

lives a short walk from here. One of them sent this:

"Wish us luck when we showcase November 10 at the Northeast Regional
Folk Alliance."

-- Becky Tracy, "Nightingale Events," November 7,
2007

Good luck to all three musicians of Nightingale! If you go to this
year's Northeast Folk Alliance get-together, you can wish them luck up
good and close.

I once scared the living daylights out of a member of Nightingale.
All I did was walk by while the band member, back to me, was
gardening. This person must have been in incredibly deep thought that
I inadvertently interrupted. All I can say is, it is a sight I hope
never to see again. I almost got spaded to death just for being there.


GRATEFUL DEAD AT THE BOSTON TEA PARTY

A new-to-us e-mail correspondent, Gerry, who is based in my old home
state of Maine, sent this tip regarding the famed old rock music hall,
The Boston Tea Party:

"Grateful Dead did a three-night run of spectacular music which can be
found on www.archive.org 12/29-31/1969"


LORI McKENNA
To Play This Year's
Boston Music Awards Show

Russell Chudnofsky (Guitarzan, Skypaint, Etc.), a Lori McKenna
accompanist, among much else, sent this:

"Lori and the band will be playing the BMA show December 1st at the
Orpheum."

-- Russell Chudnofsky, "Lori McKenna; Guitarzan
in December," November 8, 2007


FANCY TRASH
In the Studio

"In the 'band news' department, we've been recording! We spent last
weekend at The Pushkin in Greenfield with Max Adam (Amity Front) at
the board. The goal was to catch live run-throughs of the songs we
played as the Double Wide Fancy Trash Big Band, back at our
Anniversary Show. Two days, and sixteen songs later ... well, we're
not sure yet. Should be taking an assessment any day now and we'll
let you know what comes of it."

-- "Fancy Trash ... Recording," November 7, 2007


TOM RUSH
Wyoming

ONE OF TOM RUSH'S RECENT ASPIRATIONS has been to once again own a New
England address ... or at least an East Coast address. It is a thing
that has not entirely gone according to plan. For those who like to
keep track of where Rush is living or who just like to check in from
time to time as to how the guy is doing, here is an excerpt from his
latest mailing:

"Sorry for the long silence. Life here has been amazingly complex
lately. 'Here' is now Wyoming. Again. We've headed back to the
breathtaking mountain vistas, meandering rivers and abundant wildlife
of Jackson Hole, leaving behind the balmy breezes, nodding palms and
glistening beaches of Santa Barbara. What a pair of hellholes!"

-- "Tom Rush Newsletter," November 5, 2007


STEVEN TYLER OF AEROSMITH
On "Two and a Half Men" This Week

Aerosmith's

STEVEN TYLER

did some voice acting that was included in an episode of the series,
"Two and a Half Men," which ran earlier this week. The notion behind
the appearance is that the maid of the Charlie Sheen character also
works for Steven Tyler. The e-mail correspondent who sent us this
tidbit did some research and found that Tyler has had at least one
other appearance on the show.


THE KILLERS
With Lou Reed

We received several reader queries this week. Here is one of them:

"Do you know anything about the band, 'The Killers,' having a song
with Lou Reed?

"There was an ad for the album, 'Sawdust,' which advertised it. It is
called 'Tranquilize.'"

http://www.geocities.com/nemsbook/fred.htm


DAVIE ALLAN AND THE ARROWS

Did anyone out there follow the 1960s band,

DAVIE ALLAN AND THE ARROWS?

I have been reading the booklet that comes along with a Davie Allan
collection. The booklet's main writer is described, or
self-described, as an Allan/Arrows fanatic or some such thing; but
even taking this into account, the group sounds really interesting
well beyond mere superfan puffery.

Meanwhile, I have been looking up Allan individually, and Davie Allan
and the Arrows collectively, in my large collection of 1970s rock 'n'
roll books; and so far, neither has drawn so much as a single index
entry. I only have one book left to check: the original Rolling Stone
Illustrated History of Rock and Roll.

Do you have any idea what happened to cause many history-minded 1970s
rock journalists to miss, ignore, or even reject Davie Allan and the
Arrows? If you do and you would be willing to share what you know,
please e-mail us by way of the following Web page:

http://www.geocities.com/nemsbook/fred.htm

I am VERY curious.


ROCK BAND
Late Bonus Songs

Sent from one Tribe fan to another

* Death of Cool - Can't Let Go
* Honest Bob and the Factory to Dealer
Incentives - I Get By
* Timmy and the Lords of the Underworld - Timmy
and the Lords of the Underworld
* Tribe - Outside

From the Rock Band Forums. Last few bonus songs.


NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK
Parallel on MTV

One of our most regular e-mail correspondents believes there is a
direct parallel, intended or otherwise, between the MTV movie,
"2ge+her," and the creation of the Boston boyband, the

NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK.

If you have an observation on this question that you would be willing
to share, please e-mail us by way of the following Web page:

http://www.geocities.com/nemsbook/fred.htm

The movie's title could be thought to be more suggestive of a Prince
parallel; but, of course, the question here runs a lot more than title
deep.


end BRIEF ITEMS


= = = = =


DAR WILLIAMS
On DVD at Last!

The following, which was originally dated November 8, 2007, may not
exactly be a press release, but it is not exactly not a press release
either. I am including it here, as is, for you to do with as you please:

Dar William's new DVD - Live at Bearsville is in stores now!

Buy Dar's new DVD, Live at Bearsville, through Music Space and get $4
off the price if you use the code DARDVD. This offer is good through
December 5, 2007. Makes a great Holiday gift!

Having released seven albums, including 2005's critically acclaimed MY
BETTER SELF, her first-ever DVD, Live at the Bearsville Theater,
provides abundant evidence of Williams' tuneful gifts, charming humor
and empathic nature. Playing her acoustic guitar, Williams presents
sixteen songs, including most of her best-known works, in solo fashion
or accompanied by her longtime backing band. Williams offers to the
Bearsville audience triumphant renditions of favorites from her early
career like the classic "Iowa (Traveling III)," "The Babysitter's
Here," "When I was a Boy," "As Cool As I Am" and the gorgeous
"February," along with recent songs like the resplendent "Spring
Street," "Beauty of the Rain" and a new song "The Easy Way."

A DAR WILLIAMS DVD strikes this scene observer as a really good idea.
- Ed.


CLUB 47 / CLUB PASSIM 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
Coming to a Harvard Square Near You

The November 8, 2007 Club Passim press release included the following
at the bottom. Some of the people named basically WERE the Harvard
Square folk music community of the late 1950s and early 1960s.

I'd just like to add a special word about one of these people. As
much as can be said about Paul Williams being THE pioneer in rock
journalism with his several incarnations of Crawdaddy, the very
earliest rock journalist I personally read was the Boston Herald's own

AL KOOPER.

Back in his days with The Blues Project, he did a little music
writing, here and there, in fanzines and possibly in other types of
publications. He wrote well and was always interesting. Al Kooper
most assuredly would be among the first group of rock journalism
pioneers we would name.

Here is that passage from the Club Passim press release:

"In January 2008, Passim Celebrates 50 years with a year long
celebration beginning with a 50th Anniversary 'Hoot' January 6th with
emcee Robert Jones, performances from The Charles River Valley Boys,
Geoff Muldaur, Al Kooper, Jim Kweskin, Silver Leaf Gospel Singers,
Mitch Greenhill and many, many more! A concert with Joan Baez March
28th at Sanders Theatre, an Intimate conversation with Joan Baez and
Steve Morse at Club Passim March 27th! Many more 50th Anniversary
announcements to come."

JOAN BAEZ PRETTY NEARLY SINGLE-HANDEDLY got the ball rolling.
Members of The Charles River Valley Boys were our heroes. After JB's
departure for California, I thought Jim Kweskin was the big star of
Harvard Square folk. Mitch Greenhill's guitar picking captures the
essence of the early-1960s Boston/Cambridge guitar sound. He also
played on one of the classic albums of the early 1970s, "Traveling
Lady" by Rosalie Sorrels. As Peter Wolf would say, this cast of Club
47 characters is the real deal.

Bob Dylan may always be connected with Green Witch Village; but from
the time of "Another Side of Bob Dylan" and forevermore thereafter, he
fit in a lot better with the Harvard Square folk.


YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN
Original Cast Recording

PRESS RELEASE
November 7, 2007

DECCA SIGNS ON TO RELEASE THE CAST RECORDING FOR YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN
WITH MUSIC AND LYRICS BY THREE-TIME TONY AWARD WINNER MEL BROOKS

CD IN STORES DECEMBER 26TH

New York, NY-- IT'S ALIVE! Decca Broadway is proud to release the
original cast recording for the new Mel Brooks musical, YOUNG
FRANKENSTEIN, based on the Oscar-nominated smash-hit 1974 film. The
cast, which includes Roger Bart ("Desperate Housewives"), Megan
Mullally ("Will and Grace"), Tony Award® winner Sutton Foster ("Drowsy
Chaperone"), Tony Award® winner Shuler Hensley ("Oklahoma"), Tony
Award® winner and SCTV's Andrea Martin, Fred Applegate ("The
Producers") and Christopher Fitzgerald ("Wicked"), head into the
studio to record with producer Doug Besterman on November 12th.

The show opens on November 8th at The Hilton Theater (213 W 42nd St)
with the album slated to arrive in stores December 26th. YOUNG
FRANKENSTEIN features a book by three-time Tony Award winner Mel
Brooks and three-time Tony Award winner Thomas Meehan and music and
lyrics by Brooks. Young Frankenstein is directed and choreographed by
five-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman. Musical supervision is by
Glen Kelly.

Decca Broadway is home to several cast recordings including SPRING
AWAKENING, SPAMALOT (Grammy Award-Winner), WICKED (Grammy
Award-Winner), MAMMA MIA!, SEUSSICAL and THE WILD PARTY.

For more information on the YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN cast recording, please
contact Rebecca Shapiro (rshapiro@...) at Shore Fire Media,
718.522.7171 or Jodie Thomas (Jodie.Thomas@...) at Decca Label
Group, 212.333.8311.

www.YoungFrankensteinTheMusical.com

IT IS HARD AT TIMES TO ACCOUNT FOR what different people find to be
particularly meaningful. I once worked with a nurse who was totally
taken by the "Young Frankenstein" scene in which the late, great Marty
Feldman explained the proper pronunciation of the name, "Igor." To
me, it was just another really good scene; but for my friend, it was
much, MUCH more.


DOWNLOADABLE CONTENT FOR ROCK BAND
List Sent Us by a Regular E-Mail Correspondent

The Police pack:

* "Roxanne"
* "Synchronicity II"
* "Can't Stand Losing You"

Queens of the Stone Age pack:

* "3s and 7s"
* "Sick Sick Sick"
* "Little Sister"

Metallica pack:

* Three or six songs, none announced yet

Black Sabbath pack:

* "N.I.B." (cover)
* "Sweet Leaf" (cover)
* "War Pigs" (cover)

David Bowie pack:

* "Moonage Dream"
* "Heroes"
* "Queen Bitch"

Punk pack:

* "Ever Fallen in Love" by Buzzcocks (cover)
* "I Fought the Law" by The Clash
* "Rockaway Beach" by The Ramones

Single Songs:

* "Fortunate Son" by Credence Clearwater Revival
* "Juke Box Hero" by Foreigner
* "My Sharona" by The Knack
* "Cherry Bomb" by The Runaways
* "Bang a Gong" by T-Rex
* "Joker and the Thief" by Wolfmother
* "Brass in a Pocket" by Pretenders
* "My Iron Lung" by Radiohead
* "Buddy Holly" by Weezer

It's worth noting that some of these songs are featured in previous
Guitar Hero titles. Synchronicity II was in "Rocks the 80s" and War
Pigs was in Guitar Hero 2. Further, Queens of the Stone Age's 3s and
7s is a song from Guitar Hero 3.


Star Trek (2008)

Here's the confirmed cast list:

Chris Pine as James T. Kirk
Zachary Quinto as Spock
Karl Urban as Leonard McCoy
Simon Pegg as Montgomery Scott
Anton Yelchin as Pavel Chekov
Zoë Saldaña as Uhura
John Cho as Hikaru Sulu
Eric Bana as Nero (the villain of the film)
Leonard Nimoy as the older ("current day") Spock
Bruce Greenwood as Christopher Pike
Winona Ryder as Amanda Grayson, Spock's human mother
Rachel Nichols in an unknown role

I AM CERTAIN YOU WILL AGREE that casting Winona Ryder as Mister
Spock's mother is totally logical. - Ed.


NEMSnews

New England Music Scrapbook
Brattleboro, Vermont

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. . . . .


IF YOU HAVE FRIENDS WHO WOULD BE interested in any of the items in
this issue, please forward this newsletter to them. Thanks! We
believe this is one of the main ways we pick up readers.


As a rule, we do not post SHOW LISTINGS. The reason is quite
simple. Though our name is the NEW ENGLAND Music Scrapbook, probably
an easy majority of our readers are based outside the six New England
states. The great majority of show listings would be of no interest
at all to the great majority of our readers.

We make exceptions when show listings are part of an item of more
general interest. CD-release events are great examples. For us, the
main point of an item of this sort is that an act has a new record.
The show being announced is of secondary interest to us - if that - as
far as the contents of our newsletter goes.

In the very few, truly exceptional instances where we post show
listings...


... Shows can be canceled, sold out, or even moved to another
date or location. We recommend checking the Web, calling ahead or
otherwise confirming details.


To SUBSCRIBE to this newsletter:
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Issue 2007:248

Published no less often than monthly.
We're guessing eventually we'll settle
into an every-other-week schedule.

Copyright © 2007 by the New England Music Scrapbook. All rights reserved.

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