Alice In Chains – Black Gives Way To Blue
Release Date: 09/29/2009
Spotlight Tracks: Check My Brain, Your Decision, When The Sun Rose Again, Black Gives Way To Blue

Alice In Chains joined the ranks of bands who did what many hold to be unthinkabe, reforming with a new singer. This was obviously met with mixed emotions but the end result was completely amazing if not mind blowing. Here’s my opinion about this move. I feel that if a band is going to reunite after losing a main and iconic member such as Layne Staley (or like Blind Melon did after the passing of Shannon Hoon), you need to not only be able to stand your ground and be respectful and honor your legacy, you need to be able to be willing to make a new beginning with material that will stand on it’s own. Alice In Chains has done just that with William DuVal and their new album “Black Gives Way To Blue”.

My first impression of the album was that when it was over, I couldn’t believe what I had just heard. This could’ve and should’ve been the album to follow “Jar of Flies”. I just couldn’t believe that this wasn’t Layne Stayley singing these songs. DuVal sounds eerily like Layne Stayley but offers enough of his own voice on “Last of My Kind” to show that while he does sound like Layne he can hold his own. If the opening track “All Secrets Known” doesn’t make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up I don’t know what will. The “double lead vocals” of DuVall and longtime guitarist/singer/songwriter Jerry Cantrell are so strong and their voices weave in and out of tight melodies.

Cantrell’s songwriting is absolutely stellar on this album and DuVall shares credit on two incredibly strong tracks on the album, “Last of My Kind” and “A Looking In View”. The songs are dynamic, melodic and absolutely beautiful. Even the heavier tracks on the album have a stong beauty to them. “Check My Brain” is total old school Alice In Chains that could’ve been on “Dirt” yet songs like “Your Decision”, “When The Sun Rose Again” and the title track take us to a more acoustic, meloncholy side of the band more reminiscent of their “Sap” and “Jar of Flies” EPs. Their abilty to go from ripping your face off to making you wanna sink into a chair with a pair of headphones is amazing and is something the band was heading towards the end of their time with Layne.

Alice In Chains really reminds me a lot of Pink Floyd with the way they play with different dynamics of musical moods. Any Alice In Chains fan should totally love this album. It’s got every element of Alice In Chains that I loved so much of this band and while it could’ve been the perfect follow up to “Jar of Flies”, it totally sounds new, fresh and able to stand on its own. Whoever said that you can’t ever go back has obviously not heard this album. They have taken us back but at the same time moved us forward. I think the future looks great for Alice In Chains and this album.

Wendy Dio, the wife and manager of legendary heavy metal vocalist Ronnie James Dio (DIO, HEAVEN & HELL, BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW), has released the following statement to BLABBERMOUTH.NET:

“Ronnie has been diagnosed with the early stages of stomach cancer. We are starting treatment immediately at the Mayo Clinic. After he kills this dragon, Ronnie will be back on stage, where he belongs, doing what he loves best, performing for his fans.

“Long live rock and roll, long live Ronnie James Dio.

“Thanks to all the friends and fans from all over the world that have sent well wishes. This has really helped to keep his spirit up.”

============================================

I think I can speak for metal fans all over the world when I say that we send Ronnie and Wendy nothing but positive vibes and best wishes. In his 67 years, Ronnie James Dio has melted faces as the front man Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, DIO and recently for Heaven & Hell. Dio is a true metal god and rock icon who has been one of the most influential artists of all time.

I know he can pull through this. He has been through way worse. Hell, he’s worked with Vivian Campbell so after going through that, he can pull through this. In all seriousness, my positive thoughts and best wishes go out to Ronnie and Wendy. Ronnie, it’s not your time brother. We still need you here!

Thanksgiving day is hands down my favorite holiday.  It’s a non-secular holiday in which you give thanks by stuffing your face with kick ass food.  In all seriousness, giving thanks is something I do every day but I decided to make an entry just to say thanks.  A HUGE thanks go out to all my readers (whether you like me or not) for keeping up with the blog and voicing your opinions (whether I like it or not)!  I truly appreciate your feedback and I hope you will continue to read on and argue on!

A huge thanks to all my friends and family (near and far) for all the love and support that you give to me.  I truly love you all and I hope you all know that no matter how much distance is between us, you are all close to me at all times, on my mind and in my heart.

Thanks to my fellow bloggers who have linked me and that I have linked to help each other spread the word of music whether it be critical, entertaining or all the above.  You all entertain me and bring a huge smile to my face so many thanks for that!

Last but not least, a special thanks to Mr. Miner and all Phish fans for the countless hours of laughs and entertainment.  Keep it coming!

Thanks to my buddy Jaymz, I have been enjoying probably the funniest blog on the planet. The blog is called FUCK YOU PHISH. I haven’t laughed this hard in sometime and it was really funny to read. Phish fans are some of the most inconsistent fans any band can have. You have Phish fans who love the band yet can be critical of them and then you have the fans who little tiny baseball caps have been fitted too tight on their heads and they believe that Phish can do no wrong whatsoever.

The best part about the later mentioned Phish fans is just how upset they get at folks who call out Phish for not being perfect. When the band makes a crappy album or has a crappy show, a fan should be able to call them out for that and not be considered a traitor or any less of a fan for doing so.  Phish fans can really annoy the crap out of me and I’ve pissed my share of fellow Phish fans off.  Hell, just read my blog.

Fuck You Phish proved to me that there is a Phish fan out there with a sense of humor proving that not all Phish fans are a bunch of mindless, pretentious, tight baseball cap wearing jock freaks that lets a band piss in their ears and call everything they do “amazing”.

Hope you enjoy myself!

Like many my age, I grew up a fan of the Los Angeles/Hollywood Hard Rock and Metal scene.  If it was loud and obnoxious, I loved it.  Motley Crue, RATT and Poison, were just a few of the many bands that I loved as a kid.  In their prime, they were the Kings of the Sunset Strip but before anyone know who they were, they were just another slew of unknown bands that roamed the strip handing out flyers hoping to get folks to check out their shows as venues like Whiskey A Go Go, The Roxy, Gazarri’s and the Troubadour only to go hang out and post show party with friends and fans at the Rainbow Bar and Grill.

I remember growing up in New Orleans and reading about all these awesome places and thinking that this was an entire world away.  I would just read all my magazines like Cream, Circus, Hit Parader, Metal Edge and Rip and day dream about what it would be like on a Friday night, walking up and down the strip handing out fliers to all the hot chicks, playing to packed houses of screaming fans and then partying like a debaucherous rock star at The Rainbow Bar and Grill until the wee hours of the morning.  I would lose myself in these fantasies for hours as I laid in my bedroom with the headphones on blasting “Out Of The Cellar” or “Shout At The Devil”.  I figured I would never get out to California to see these places so I just continued to dream and wonder about all of it’s splendor.

In November of 2009, I got to live the dream finally and go out to California.  My wife’s sister and her family live out there so after being invited out to visit them, I excitedly took them up on the offer and made my way to California.  The week before my trip, I carefully planned out my “Day In Hollywood” and figured out what I wanted to see and do.  My awesome Sister-In-Law loaned me her vehicle and I made my way down the 101 for my Hollywood adventure.  Most of you might be thinking, “Dude, why did you go during the day?  Nothing is going on cuz everything happens at night brah!”  Well, that’s just why.  I had no real desire to take in the nightlife or to take in shows at any of the venues.   This was a soul journey, much like my pilgrimage to Macon, GA last month.  This was just about me taking in the vibe and the spirit of the city.

My first stop was the Rock Walk at Hollywood’s Guitar Center.  Just walking up to the awning of the store gave me goosebumps.  Seeing hand prints of all the greats was so awesome.  I just made my rounds checking them all out and it was so much fun to see them.  I literally got excited when I saw Ronnie James Dio’s prints and right away had to have my picture taken with it.  Iron Maiden’s prints included prints from Eddie the ‘Ed and Zakk Wylde’s prints had not just his hands but his beer can as well.  Motorhead’s prints featured Lemmy’s signature middle finger and Def Leppard’s prints included Rick Allen’s foot which I found to be pretty humorous.  While I was there, I figured I’d go in and pick up some guitar strings since I needed some anyways for the gig the following week.  The guys there were really super cool and offered me some great directions to my next stops down the road.

I found a pay lot a bit down Sunset so I pulled in and payed five bucks for unlimited time (SCORE!) and gathered my bag and camera.  I started walking down Sunset and right away I could literally feel the energy of the place.  I could just pictures tons of long haired dudes walking up and down the sidewalk handing out fliers to their upcoming shows with hopes of being the next big thing out of California.   As I made my way down the road, I see The Roxy, The Whiskey A Go Go, and The Rainbow Bar and Grill.  This was it!  This is the block where many bands played some legendary shows.  This is where Van Halen was discovered, this is where Motley Crue played, this is where The Doors not only played but were signed.  What an absolutely amazing thing it was to see these legendary places.  I looked in the windows, took pictures of the marquees and took in the over all vibe and spirit of these places.

With a rumbling in my tummy, I strolled over to The Rainbow Bar & Grill.  I seemed to be the only one there so I just walked in the front door and was greeted by the manager who was a really cool guy.  I told him my lil story and that this was my first visit ever to Hollywood.  He was so kind and invited me to tour the place which was really awesome.  He pointed out to me all the places where all the famous people hang out inside.  I saw the place where Guns N Roses filmed a scene for their “November Rain” video, I got to see where Ronnie James Dio has stat a few times and I even got to see the place where Lemmy of Motorhead frequently hangs out playing video games while drinking Jack & Coke at the outside bar.  Once I took in all the cool sights inside, I made my way to the outside bar where I was greeted by my bartender Kat.  She recommended the cheeseburger and fries which I got along with a cold Rolling Rock to wash it down.  The food was amazing and Kat and the guys working there were super kind and friendly.  They told me some great stories of folks that hang out there and seemed to be pretty stoked about having a first timer there.

As I finished my meal and beer, with a full stomach I felt like I had succeeded in taking in all that I wanted to take in.  I picked up a t-shirt to show that I came, I saw and conquered (an awesome burger that is)!  I paid homage to the greats and the spirits of those that were left behind.  I had a great lunch at the legendary Rainbow Bar & Grill and had a great time hearing all of their stories and experiences.  As I walked back to the car with a smile on my face I felt like a void in my life had been filled.  I felt like all those years dreaming and wondering about what it was like could finally be replaced with actual experience.  Ok, so I didn’t get to play these places or bang a ton of hot groupies but I did get to experience the town and take it in first hand like I’d always wanted to do.  I can’t help but feel that while LA/Hollywood might not seem to have a heart, like Jerry Garcia says in “Shakedown Street”, “Don’t tell me this town aint got no heart.  Ya just gotta poke around!”

Lacuna Coil pulled into Atlanta on November 7th as part of the HARDDRIVE RADIO tour and I was lucky enough to see them twice in one day. They played an amazing acoustic set at Criminal Records in Little 5 Points to a very appreciative audience earlier in the day and it was an awesome way to give the fans something different and fun. They did a short but sweet four song set that was closed out with a gorgeous acoustic version of “Shallow Life” which was the first time they had ever performed this song live. It was such a treat to be hearing this for the first time ever. I loved that they really did great acoustic renditions of their songs. It wasn’t just the songs played normally with acoustic guitars. I could really tell that they put some effort and thought into the translation of the songs to acoustic and it made for a really pleasurable listening experience.

The band was in amazing spirits and they were so appreciative of the support and made their way out to meet and greet the fans. I had a great time meeting the band. Cristina was an absolute doll and really a cool person to talk to. I also really enjoyed talking to their singer Andi and guitarist Pizza about acoustic music and life on the road. They were super cool and without a doubt the nicest band I have ever met. To this point I had decided that I wasn’t going to the show that night at the Masquerade since they were only playing 40 minutes as an opening act but they were so awesome I just had to see them in all their glory and besides, my wife pretty much made me go!

I got to the Masquerade around 8pm and the energy in that place was just amazing. I forgot what a great place to see a metal show it was. The place was packed wall to wall and I think it would be safe to say that it looked like a sold out show. The house lights went down and the crowd went absolutely nuts. The band took the stage and once the opening notes of “Survive” kicked in the the crowd just lost it and started jumping and moshing. It was nice to see an audience so responsive to them. The band just fed off of the energy from the audience and continued to push it to the next level. One of the biggest things that stood out to me was the amazing dynamics between Andi and Cristina. They’ve always had a great dynamic together on stage both being lead vocalists but this was different. Andi seemed to exude a confidence I hadn’t seen before and his voice was super strong. In the past, in all honesty, I felt it sometimes painful to hear him as he didn’t always seem in key but he must have really worked hard on this because he was nailing it both on his solo spots and on the harmony parts with Cristina. It was truly something to see and hear!

It was a the 3rd song in the set, “Fragments of Faith” that things really took off. Andi and Cristina addressed the crowd and let them know that they had to be ready to give them all they had. The song kicked in and the entire audience was pumping fists in unison and pogo jumping. I could literally feel the floor of the venue bowing up and down as they jumped. The energy was so intense and you could totally see that as the audience got more intense, the band pushed right back with more. I felt like I was at a European festival as opposed to Atlanta, GA. This is Andi’s song without a doubt. This is the one where he takes everything he has and throws it directly into the eye of the storm. He puts so much into it that the audience completely fixates themselves right to him as Cristina steps back allowing Andi to truly own the stage. As the song progressed, Cristina and Andi stood at the edge of the stage almost as if they were summoning the crowd surfers to the front and as they made it to the front would high five them and send them back to where they came. This energy seemed to spread as more and more people began surfing to the front. This was something to be seen as the audience seemed to be completely connected and drawn to this band.

Cristina thanked the audience for all of the years of support and dedicated the next song to all the fans that had been there for them since day one. They launched into “Heaven’s A Lie” from the Comalies album which was met with a roar that was so loud that my ears pounded before the song even kicked in. They delivered it with such energy that even I found myself pumping my fist in the air with the audience and not looking back. The band did a fantastic job mixing old and new material in a way that the set had a flow to it. It’s hard to make 40 minutes work when you’ve got as extensive of a catalog as Lacuna Coil has but they made it work without a doubt. They made the most of their 40 minutes and showed that audience just what they’re capable of.

Closing the set out with “Our Truth” was truly unfortunate. Unfortunate for the band that had to follow them! The audience went apeshit and jumped up and down in unison like it was Castle Donnington or something and just gave the band everything they had. In turn, Lacuna Coil gave the audience every last bit of energy they had. You could totally see it in the bands faces that they could’ve gone on for easily another hour. They were drenched in sweat they looked like they were having the time of their lives.

Lacuna Coil did in 40 minutes what many bands cannot do and haven’t done in two hours on the stage. They went out there with their most solid material and hungry hearts and gave that audience all they had. In return, they got back 100% from the audience. Even performing without their bass player (who was sent home with an arm injury of some sorts) should’ve been an impossible feat but they modified it and pulled it off and made the most of that show. It’s always exciting when a band you love exceeds your expectations. I had seen Lacuna Coil once before and trust me , they were great but this time, they were amazing. The energy on stage, the strength of their set list, the confidence and the appreciation and humbleness that they convey all at once was amazing to take in. As the house lights came back on I just stood there with my mouth open at what I had just witnessed. I just nodded my head with a smile and exited the club pretty much forgetting that there was even another band performing after them.

Lacuna Coil solidified themselves to me this night as force to be reckoned with. They are not some nu-metal band that has worn out their welcome or that has lost steam over the years. On this night, Lacuna Coil solidified themselves to me as true Metal force to be reckoned with. I am excited for their future and for my future as a fan of this band.

Lacuna Coil – Masquerade – Atlanta, GA – 11/07/2009
Survive
Underdog
Fragments of Faith
I’m Not Afraid
Heaven’s A Lie
Fragile
I Won’t Tell You
Spellbound
Our Truth

Phish – Atlanta, GA – Fox Theater  11/9, 11/10, 11/11/1995 [torrent of all three shows]

11/09/95
Set 1: Tweezer Reprise, The Divided Sky, Prince Caspian, Punch You In the Eye, Simple > Reba, Tela > Sample in a Jar
Set 2: Theme From the Bottom > Julius, The Lizards, Bathtub Gin[1] -> The Man Who Stepped Into Yesterday > Avenu Malkenu > The Man Who Stepped Into Yesterday Reprise, Life on Mars?, Hello My Baby, The Squirming Coil
Encore: Loving Cup

11/10/95
Set 1: Bouncing Around the Room, Runaway Jim, Taste That Surrounds, The Old Home Place, It’s Ice, Dog Faced Boy, Maze, Guyute, Cavern
Set 2: Free, Scent of a Mule, You Enjoy Myself -> Crossroads -> You Enjoy Myself, Strange Design, Sparkle, AC/DC Bag, Sweet Adeline
Encore: Harry Hood

11/11/95
Set 1: Cars Trucks Buses > Mike’s Song > A Day in the Life > Poor Heart > Weekapaug Groove, The Horse > Silent in the Morning, Ya Mar, Stash, Amazing Grace[1], Fee > Chalk Dust Torture
Set 2: Also Sprach Zarathustra > David Bowie, Suzy Greenberg > Uncle Pen, Fluffhead, Sleeping Monkey > Frankenstein -> Suspicious Minds > Hold Your Head Up, Run Like an Antelope
Encore: Acoustic Army, Good Times Bad Times

14 years ago today, my life was literally changed forever! On this day, for the first time I would see my first Phish show at The Fox Theater in Atlanta, GA. This was a huge time for me in my life. At the beginning of 1995, I had just discovered Phish, The Grateful Dead and all of my father’s folk albums and my life was changed. I was at a point in my life where I knew I needed to be a different person and I was desperately seeking myself. I dabbled in a bit of everything but it was in this music that something spoke to me. Something reached deep into my heart and into my mind and pulled me deep into a world that I never knew existed and a world that I couldn’t have been more happy to embrace and become part of.

On November 9th, 1995, I got off of work from my fast food job around 5pm. I went to the rest room and changed out of my stinky ass clothes into my corduroy bellbottoms and my tyedyed Grateful Dead shirt. I got in my car and made my way out of Jonesboro, GA to downtown Atlanta. I got there, parked and I strolled around the Fox Theatre, ticket in hand and just took in the scene of my first Phish show. There were people everywhere looking for tickets, selling stickers, pipes, shirts, you name it. They were all over the place. Feeling a little overwhelmed, I made my way into a coffee shop right next to the Fox where I literally ran into Mike Gordon. I told him I was a fan and that I was excited that this was my first show. He smiled and said, “I’m kind of in a hurry but walk with me and we can talk.” I was a bit star struck so I walked with him through the crowd as people shouted, “Hey Mike!” He smiled and waved and just continued to talk to me. We talked briefly about music and what books he was reading. He then looked at me and says, “Your first show huh? Wow. I hope you enjoy it.” He smiled and when I asked if he’d pose for a picture he politely agreed and then made his way to the backstage door. I couldn’t believe it. I already knew it was going to be a special night.

When I got inside the Fox Theater, the energy was so high. I had no idea what to expect. I had live shows already in my collection so I knew they were good but the mystery! What would they open with? How would they sound? How would the audience be? The band came on and opened with “Tweezer Reprise” and right away the place erupted with energy and EVERYBODY was dancing and grooving to the music. Right away I could feel this energy that just cannot be captured on Maxell XLIIs or even on video. You can hear it, but you can’t feel it. Being part of it was pure magic. I just looked at everyone and felt like I had found my tribe. This girl came up to me and hugged me and said, “Just let go man and dance!” I just closed my eyes and before I knew it I was doing that dumb hippie swaying thing. It was then I totally understood the “hippie dance”. It’s like you just let go and move with the music. As corny as it sounds, it just kinda happens. The music literally takes you over if you let it and you just move.

The lights were amazing, the people were amazing and the band was playing at it’s career peek (as we would all learn later). I couldn’t believe just how amazing it was. Song after song just took me away and before I knew it, it was over. I had danced with some amazing people, made some great new friends and found my tribe. To my dismay, I didn’t have tickets to the next two nights but thanks to a generous scalper out side who sold me two tickets at face value, I was able to live the dream again for two nights in a row. I called my job and told them I had the flu and that I was running 102 fever. They told me to stay out the rest of the week. For the next two nights, I would congregate with my people. Each night I would meet new people and also bond with the same people from the previous nights. We would laugh, hug and tell stories of each others lives. They would all welcome me as the “new guy” in the tribe with open arms and share with me their tour stories, their food, their beverage and their overall good vibes.

These three nights were where my life had changed forever. Up until that point, the music lived in my ears, mind and heart and helped me to work towards the change that was about to come. After the November 11th show, I knew I had found my place. I knew there was a place for me and that there was a tribe for me. From there, I would build friendships, morals and beliefs that would last me a lifetime and that I would carry and instill to this day. Even as the scene changed over the years for better and for worse, I would find other bands and other branches of my tribe to become part of. 14 years later, I still look back at these three days and remember that this is where it all started.

When I look back at the set lists for these shows, they are pure gold.  They are the kind of set lists that people look back on now and pretty much leave them speechless.  When I look back on them, I remember the magical feeling of knowing that I was witnessing something really special.  I had no idea that it would later on be considered legendary but at the time, I truly know I was seeing a run of shows that I would never forget for as long as I lived!

It’s amazing how even though I try to be the most open minded music listener I can be, I still turn my nose up and ignore certain bands and artists just on what I’ve read or heard about them before hearing a lick of music.  For instance, if you asked me if I liked Kings Of Leon, I’d say that I fucking hated them but I’ve never heard a lick of music by them.  I hate them because I read an interview once where all they did was bitch and talk about how much they disliked being famous and how they’d rather stay home and get stoned and play music.  They say that yet they continue to make music and sell out arenas.  Why don’t you quit if you hate it so much?  Anyway, you get my drift here?  That’s exactly what I had done to Cat Power (aka. Chan Marshall).

All I remember knowing about Cat Power was hearing all about her live meltdowns at her shows.  She would freak out mid song and run off the stage canceling the show.  She would yell shit at the audience for talking or something like that.  All of these things mixed with the fact that she was a darling of the “indie” scene (which I already despise) didn’t make exploring her music the least bit enticing.  Of all things, it would take a class on Bob Dylan to introduce me to the music of Cat Power.

As part of this evening class I had been taking on Bob Dylan’s music, I decided to conduct a little project of my own and see just how many cover versions of Dylan songs I could track down via YouTube.  Among the hodgepodge of amazing renditions of Dylan songs was a Cat Power cover of “Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again”.  I reluctantly clicked play and suddenly was completely sideswiped and hit in the face with a one two punch of some of the most amazing Memphis sounding rock & roll I had heard in years.  Her sultry, dark and rich voice backed by the Memphis Rhythm Band was pure ecstasy.  “Ok, this has to be her only good song since it’s  a Dylan cover.” I said.  I was about to be proven very wrong!

I saw also a video for a song “Lived In Bars” and the title alone captured my attention so I just had to be brave and click on the video.  What happened here?  I melted right into this song.  My first time watching the video I was just completely captivated by her as a person.  She’s absolutely gorgeous and she totally becomes the song.  It’s so hard to not look like a complete douche in music videos but in this video, she totally captures the mood and the story of the song.  My second and third viewing of the video I just closed my eyes and settled into the song and I was in love.  The way she was able to construct a song so intricate with such simple words floored me.  I went right to iTunes and I purchased her most recent album called “The Greatest“.

I have been listening to this album nonstop and I just can’t put it down.  Much like “Lived In Bars”, the songs are absolutely beautiful.  She’s almost a more Americana version of Hope Sandoval.  Listening to this album easily brings down my blood pressure to nearly nothing.  It’s soothing, beautiful and you can really melt right in to it.  The production is exactly what I love to hear music like this sound like.  It’s well produced but it’s not slick and over polished.  It’s very rich sounding.  It’s as thick and muddy as the Mississippi River that beckoned her back to her roots to make this album.  It’s an absolutely gorgeous collection of songs that is soothing, painful and uplifting all at the same time.  Thanks to Bob Dylan, I have discovered probably one of my all time favorite albums.  Isn’t it funny how things happen like this?  Oh, and I still have no intention of listening to Kings of Leon. That is unless they’ve done a great Dylan cover or something.

My wife has been out of town for nearly a month for her job so needless to say, I had to find ways to keep myself busy to keep from going nuts and missing her.  I decided a couple of weeks ago that the Thursday I had to myself I would go to Macon, GA.  I promised myself that since we moved back to Atlanta that I would make it a point to go seek some much needed inspiration by paying a visit to the resting place of Allman Brothers Band members Duane Allman and Berry Oakley.  The Allman Brothers Band has been a huge source of inspiration for me for well over 20 years.  Much like the Grateful Dead, the Allman Brothers Band has been a huge part of the soundtrack of my life so it seemed only suiting that to find some inspiration, I needed to go back to where it all began.

Being less that two hours from Macon made for a nice and easy trip.  I loaded up the iPhone with some Allman’s and hit the road.  One of the first things I noticed before I got to Macon was an exit sign for High Falls Road which was so insane because High Falls was actually playing when I saw it.  I just smiled to myself and just knew it was going to be a fun trip.  My first destination was The Big House.  The Big House is the place that the band, their families, and various friends called home from 1970 to 1973.  It was such a surreal feeling to be standing on the steps where these guys once hung out with their families, drank beer and just plain out lived.  Unfortunately, the Big House isn’t open to the public until December but just being able to see it up close and take in the spirit of it all was a moving experience.  I just smiled to myself, took a few pictures and then made my way back to the car.

My next destination was Rose Hill Cemetery.  I pulled into the cemetery entrance and right away I got this sinking feeling.  Rose Hill Cemetery is not only the place where Duane Allman and Berry Oakley are buried but it’s a place where the Brothers spent a lot of time hanging out, partying and just beign a band of brothers.  This place also inspired songs such as the Duane Allman instrumental “Little Martha” and the ever legendary “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed”.  I found a map posted that showed where all the “famous” people are buried and I found the location of Duane and Berry’s graves.  Unfortunately, there was no indication of where Elizabeth Reed’s tomb was so I figured I would just walk it.  I started walking and finally found my way to Duane and Berry’s graves.  Right away my breath was taken away.  First off, the graves are surrounded by a beautiful, black rod iron fence.  My guess is all the years of people coming to the graves, doing rubbings and leaving shit there took it’s toll so this was a great way to still allow you to view the tombs but to keep your distance.  I was going to leave a necklace but out of respect decided it was best to just leave good thoughts and take only inspiration.  The graves are absolutely beautiful and once again, I just smiled and meditated a bit.  In my mind, I thanked them for all the inspiration and music that had become the soundtrack of my life over the years.  It truly was yet another lifting experience.  It also took me back to realize that they were both so young when they died but had accomplished so much in their short lives.  Most don’t accomplish what they did or leave the size of a footprint they left in three times their lives.  I stood up and decided to make my way to seek out Elizabeth Reed which in a cemetery this size would be like searching for a needle in a hay stack.

As I walked back up to the road, I found myself looking over the railroad tracks and taking in yet another breathtaking sight.  I had a grand view of the Ocumulgee River rolling on in all it’s black muddy glory.  I immediately thought of the Grateful Dead song “Black Muddy River” and began to just settle into the sight of it when I hear a voice from behind me say, “We like to refer to her as the Ol’ Muddy Ocumulgee.”  I turned and there was a City of Macon employee sitting on his truck eating his lunch.  He introduced himself to me and we shook hands.  He saw my shirt and knew right away why I was there.  He told me that he likes to eat his lunch everyday at Rose Hill over looking Ol’ Muddy.  “It’s peaceful and the folks around here don’t bug you.” he joked.  We shared a bond immediately.  We were both musicians and both Allman Brothers fans.  He has lived in Macon for many years and knows Rose Hill like the back of his hand.  I told him I was seeking out Elizabeth Reed’s grave and he says, “Hop in and I’ll take you to her.”  I hoped in his truck and in a minute we were right in front of Liz Reed’s grave.  I managed to get a few pictures and he even snapped one of me standing behind her headstone.  He told me the old legend about where the song title for “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed” came from.  In a nutshell, he said that it had something to do with a certain female that Dickey Betts used to have “fun” with near this site and in order to change the names to protect the innocent, he used Elizabeth Reed’s name from the gravesite.  We shared a laugh and he offered me a ride back to my car.  We sat a bit more and talked about guitars, the love of music and how many great guitar shops and pawn shops are in Macon.  I pretty much heard his life story which is the kind of fodder that a songwriter like me just lives for.  He was a great guy and as we parted ways I gave him a copy of my CD.  It was really cool talking with this fella but at this point, my tummy was yearning for some good old fashioned soulfood.  He gave me great directions to my final destination, H&H Restaurant.

I got a bit turned around on all the one way streets so I found my way to the Visitors Center and once again, right when I walked in the women knew right away that I was in town for a pilgramage.  “Are you lookin’ for Rose Hill Cemetery darlin’?” the lady asked me.  I told her that I had found all I was looking for and that my final destination was H&H Restaurant.  She just smiled, gave me a map and said, “Darlin’, you’re almost there.  Now you go and get you some of the best food in town ok?”  I got back in the car and in less than three minutes I was in the parking lot of H&H and ready to fill myself with some good vittles.  First bit of order was to situate myself just right so I could get a good picture myself in front of the famous H&H sign that sports the infamouse Allman Brothers Band mushroom.  Once I got that, I made my way inside.  Just like the other sites, my stomach kind of tightend and my breath was taken away.  I could really feel the spirts of my heroes in this room.  The walls were covered with edge to edge pictures of the Allman Brothers Band and the various side projects of their careers.  I made my way to a table and right away ordered my food.  Fried Chicken, sweet corn, rice with gravy, snap beans and glass of sweet tea to wash it all down properly.  I dove right into this food and with the first bite I knew right away why they call this soul food.  There is something to be said about a meal that is good with all the love, respect and gratitude to the customer that is taking it all in.  I took in every bite with a smile and I took in all the images on the wall and the feeling that at one time, the Brothers sat in this very room eating and dreaming of things that were yet to come.  When I was done and ready to go, I was told to go through the kitchen to pay which I thought was odd at first.  I made my way through the kitchen to pay and all of the sudden I was standing right next to Mama Louise herself, the woman responsible for keeping my heroes full of good soul food.  She smile and thanked me for coming and hoped that my first time was a good one.  She says to me, “You look like my boys used to way back when.”  I just smiled and asked her I could give her a hug and she replied, “Sure you can darlin’. You give me that hug!”  I hugged her and thanked her for the great food and that I couldn’t wait to come back.  She welcomed me back anytime and I offered her a copy of my last CD.  She smiled and said, “I will give this a listen.  I love hearing music of all kinds.  Thank you so much.” and she hugged me again.  I was so taken in by this.  I paid my bill, got my H&H T-shirt and made my way to the car.

On the drive back to Atlanta, my mind was full of all the great memories that I had made for that day.  Even in one day I didn’t get to see everything but it was a great start.  I thought about how amazing it was seeing all these legendary sites.  I thought about my little friend, the City of Macon worker and his kindness and our great conversation.  I thought about the sweet little ladies at the Welcome Center and the great experience of meeting Mama Louise.  The people of Macon seem to be really sweet and welcoming people.  I felt very much welcomed and embraced on this day and most of all, I got to pay my respects to the ghosts of my heroes.  What made this trip even more amazing to me was the fact that I didn’t even realize that this very day was the 38th anniversary of Duane Allman’s death.  After all that I had done that day, it didn’t even click with me until I got home and read this on a blog.  That right there made this trip even more exciting for me at the end of it all.  It’s almost as if I was called and pulled to Macon. I went there seeking inspiration and I left feeling inspired.  Mission accomplished without a doubt!

I have been taking an awesome evening class called Bob Dylan Revisited in which myself and a few other fellow Dylanophiles discuss Bob: The Man, The Poet, The Performer, The Troubadour and the many other hats that he has worn over the years.  One of the things that I’ve loved about this class is diving deep into his music and seeing just how many artists Mr. Zimmerman has inspired over the years.

So many acts have covered Dylan over the years so as a little project, I headed over to YouTube and found some amazing clips of some of my favorite acts doing Dylan songs.  While the Dylan influence in most of these acts is very obvious, it’s really fun to see their own interpretations of these songs.  Whether its note for note like the Black Crowes or different and original like KT Tunstall, you just can’t go wrong with these songs.  I hope you’ll enjoy these versions and maybe feel moved to go hear the originals.  Enjoy!

Derek Trucks Band – Down In The Flood (Live)

Cat Power & The Memphis Blues Band – Stuck Inside of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again

The Black Crowes – Rainy Day Women #12 & 35 (Live In Moscow, 1991)

Drive By Truckers – Like A Rolling Stone

Neko Case – Buckets of Rain

The Grateful Dead & Neil Young – Forever Young

Susan Tedeschi – Don’t Think Twice It’s Alright

KT Tunstall – Tangled Up In Blue