Benefit for Marty Grebb – May 27, 2015 Canyon Club Agoura, CA
By Andy Goldfinger

This was a show for the ages. A benefit by the greatest organization for championing musicians, the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund, and they brought together one of the most prolific and giving groups of individuals on this night. We’ll start with the man this event was for, Marty Grebb, who opened the show with an amazing set. He did not look like a man fighting for his life. He played multiple instruments with incredible deft, alto sax, keyboards & guitar. His band was just incredible with a horn section featuring Jimmy Roberts among others plus Jon Woodhead on guitar, the amazing Gary Malabar on drums (he also played with Leon Russell), and several others coming in and out, including Dennis Tufano, founding member of the Buckinghams along with Marty, and they ripped off a couple Buckinghams songs. Mart’s voice was in fine form.

Next up was Ivan Neville who shared the horn section Marty had out there and ripped off a set that got the place alive with the sounds of Nawlins. With Marty sticking around playing keys and his son and nephew joining him on a couple of songs I am here to tell you there is a torch being passed. I was fairly pessimistic of late as to whether there is a new generation of musicians to take the torch from the likes of these incredible folks, and I do believe we have hope people. Without a doubt Ivan brought the funk, and the family lineage is most certainly being passed on.  Ivan played several instruments while wandering the stage and getting the massively packed crowd into grooving frenzy.

Then there was Leon Russell. Man oh man. I had heard things about Leon, and they were not necessarily positive. Well folks, I am here to tell you, go see Leon! He was outstanding. Voice was exceptional, told some great stories, especially about B.B. King and some of their sessions. He then launched into one of his songs that B.B. had recorded. His piano playing was really really good and he kept the band and audience engaged. Then, he was joined on stage by a 15 year old phenom, Ray Goren. Remember I mentioned the torch being passed, good lord. This young man had the crowd mesmerized, playing Red House with Leon and the band. Not only unbelievable chops, but passion and emotion in his playing very rarely seen by someone his age, and just the nicest kid. And his family just as nice. Truly gives me hope for the future of music.

And then the queen. The incomparable, beautiful, unimaginably gifted Bonnie Raitt. What can one say, holy carp. Her voice and her playing was so exceptional, as it always is, but the emotion and love on this night was clearly evident. Bonnie had with her on stage 4 decades of band mates including Frebo and Johnnie Lee Schell, plus her current band of Ricky Fataar (drummer extraordinaire), Hutch Hutchinson (bass), Mike Finnigan (keys). The versions of Angel From Montgomery and Nick of Time were spellbinding, and that is only a couple of the songs in her lengthy set. Her set was full of stories and heartfelt emotion as was everyone’s. Marty Grebb is truly loved by his friends and peers.

Once they become available I will add photos from the supremely talented Rich Saputo.

Dirty Knobs – May 23, 2015 Soho Santa Barbara, CA
By Andy Goldfinger

Tonight marked what was the unofficial beginning of The Dirty Knobs summer 2015 tour, their first real tour ever.   Without a doubt the only place to start is their favorite place to play, the Soho in Santa Barbara. If you have never been to Soho put it on your list of venues to see a show. Excellent ambiance, bar and all the amenities, even a killer patio, and with newly renovated stage. Sadly there is a design flaw in the new stage and that is there are 4 small steps in the front of the stage. This was clearly an oversight as when the end of the evening was approaching and the alcohol had been flowing inevitably there were wanderers, and a couple did wander up. Luckily they left the stage before Chinner permanently disposed of them.

It turned out to be a classic Dirty Knobs evening, complete with several shout outs to “Dan the Pool Man” more than the usual customary shout out, but with the wives not in attendance things were a bit looser for sure. As Gator announced that the upcoming song “Don’t Jerk My Johnson”, a new song written for longtime manager and stage impresario Chinner, was part of the Penis trilogy, as was the “Don’t Choke My Chicken”.

They played several new songs all of which are just smoking with that sound that only the Knobs can bring. The evening also saw some vocalizations by drummer Swampfox who Gator dubbed as the best singer in the bunch. The evening also saw Ape play one of his songs with the band. IT was a raucous crowd with many spilling out onto the patio.

The tour picks up June 10th in Santa Cruz at Moe’s Alley, and then continues up to Marin on the 11th, The Sweetwater in Mill Valley the 12th and then concluding at the Lido Theater in Newport Beach.

The Waterboys – Fonda Theater 5/13/15 Los Angeles, CA
By Andy Goldfinger

May 13, 2015 – I had the good fortune to see the Waterboys this past Wednesday at the Fonda Theater in Hollywood (Thank you Goldenvoice).  While I am familiar with their music from 30 years ago I admit I have not kept up with the band too much.  It was not until a very good friend passed away last year that I began to revisit the band’s music because of his love for the band, and as is my way I was playing tributes on the Flying Eye, and the Waterboys became a new staple.

Their music has been evolving unbeknownst to me.  Mike Scott has kept things going in a fantastic way.  If you recall the early sounds of the band it was heavily flavored with the an Irish sound, that has now given way to a much more wise ranging sound.  The current band, which boasts an alumni of over 70 musicians, is lead by founder and clear front man Mike Scott – vocals, guitar, piano, longtime member Steve Wickham – electric fiddle, mandolin, Ralph Salmins – drums, Paul Brown – keyboards, backing vocals, Zach Ernst – guitar and David Hood – bass.  The band was quite tight and the crowd were clearly there for them, with many in the crowd actually dancing, a phenomenon rarely seen.

In January 2015 the album Modern Blues was released and they ran through several cuts including “Still a Freak” and “I Can See Elvis”, both of which were featured just this week on Music Gumbo and Monday Music Massage (http://archive.flyingeye.com).  The new music is excellent and offers a wide range of sounds which is something I personally find appealing.  As an added bonus the opening band Connor Kennedy & the Minstrel was outstanding.  They have a album of live music which I managed to commandeer.  You will be able to hear their music in the upcoming weeks here on the Flying Eye Radio Network.

The Flying Eye archive is always at your disposal (http://archive.flyingeye.com)