2004

In 1977, American photographer Kate Simon tagged along on the bus during Bob Marley and the Wailers’ breakthrough European Exodus Tour, capturing the images that form the core of her new book, Rebel Music — Bob Marley and Roots Reggae.

“When Bob was on the road, he was playing [soccer] at every spare moment — after sound check, in the hotel rooms,” says Simon. “I think he loved [soccer] almost as much as he loved music.”

Simon’s photography is paired with anecdotes and reflections from the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Island Records founder Chris Blackwell and Patti Smith, who penned the introduction. Simon also offers extensive commentary and stories behind the photos of Marley, whom she befriended in the Seventies.

“From the first time I heard Bob’s voice and saw him sing, [I knew] this was not an ordinary pop singer,” Simon said. “This was someone who happens once every many generations and yet as a person . . . he was really accessible and really helpful.”

Only 2,000 copies of the book will be available with 350 deluxe versions signed by Eric Clapton, whose cover of “I Shot the Sheriff” helped propel Marley’s career. The wood-box bound book is available through the publisher’s Web site (genesis-publications.com). Simon’s 400 mostly unpublished photographs capture Marley everywhere from the One Love Peace concert in Kingston, Jamaica, to his home with his family. Simon also photographed Marley’s 1981 funeral. “The entire mountainside was covered with people who were just coming out in love for Bob,” she says. “It was unforgettable.

“He was something else,” Simon continues. “A really lovely guy . . . He created such a treasure trove at such a young age.”

Source rollingstone.com.

With the September national release of “The Honest Hour” The Assembly of Dust

Phish called it a career last night (Aug. 15) at the end of the second day of its weekend-long finale in Coventry, Vt. Before a crowd of more than 70,000 fans, the Vermont-based jam band wrapped things up with a rare performance of “The Curtain With,” which guitarist Trey Anastasio told the crowd he’d written in 1985 while living in a cabin in a neighboring town.

Yesterday’s three-set affair was understandably an emotional one. During the second set, both keyboardist Page McConnell and Anastasio broke down in tears while addressing the audience.

Set three was a surprisingly mellow affair, opening with “Fast Enough for You” and winding down with “Slave to the Traffic Light,” before a massive fireworks display was set off just outside the concert grounds at the Newport State Airport.

The quartet was on fire during the first set, offering definitive versions of “Mike’s Song,” “Weekapaug Groove,” “Chalkdust Torture” and “Possum,” among others. Anastasio and bassist Mike Gordon brought their mothers, as well as longtime manager John Paluska, onstage to dance during the jam in “Wolfman’s Brother,”

Early arrivals to the festival awoke Saturday to the news that state police had begun turning away cars approaching the concert grounds. More than 20 miles of traffic backed up on I-91 and conditions at the mud-filled camping area deteriorated due to heavy rains.

In a move that echoed 1969’s Woodstock festival, thousands of fans abandoned their cars on the side of the highway and walked or hitchhiked to the concert site, an effort profusely praised by the band once it took the stage that evening.

After a tentative Saturday first set that featured such older staples as “Run Like an Antelope,” “Axilla,” “Sample in a Jar” and a closing cover of Jimi Hendrix’s “Fire,” the band hit peak form during such second set stunners as “AC/DC Bag,” “David Bowie” and “Character Zero.”

The band seemed to mirror the fatigue of the crowd during its third set, fashioning strange, psychedelic jams out of “Stash” and “Free.” But a second wind gave life to a cover of the Who’s “Drowned” and an encore rendition of the smile-inducing “Harry Hood.”

The concerts were simulcast on XM Satellite Radio and in Regal Cinema movie theatres throughout the United States.

Source billboard.com.

Coldplay’s Chris Martin and Jonny Buckland have confirmed their only US show of the year.

The pair, who are currently working on songs for their third album, will appear at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles (November 20).

The performance is part of ‘A Sounds Eclectic Evening’, a benefit for Los Angeles independent radio station KCRW.

More acts will be announced in the coming months, but Rilo Kiley have confirmed support.

Coldplay made their live US radio debut on the station in 2000.

Last year

Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts is being treated for throat cancer, a spokesperson for the band said today (Aug. 14). The 63-year-old musician was diagnosed in June and has completed four weeks of a six-week course of radiotherapy at London’s Royal Marsden Hospital.

“He is expecting to make a full recovery and start work with the rest of the band later in the year,” the spokesperson said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The spokesperson said Watt’s treatment had not interfered with any tour or recording plans for the Stones, who have been “relaxing between work commitments” following a world tour last year.

Known as the most laid-back member of the band he joined more than 40 years ago, Watts has also performed with a variety of jazz ensembles.

Source:billboard.com

Gov’t Mule, Primus’ Les Claypool, Blues Traveler and the Drive-By Truckers are among the acts getting down and dirty on “Under the Influence — A Jam Band Tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd.” Due Oct. 5 via Sanctuary, the 11-track collection also boasts contributions from Big Head Todd and the Monsters, the North Mississippi Allstars, Galactic and moe. with John Hiatt.

Gov’t Mule takes on “Simple Man,” a song the band “has performed several times prior to this recording,” says frontman Warren Haynes. “It’s amazing what you can do with three chords, if they’re the right three chords.”

Big Head Todd tackles “Sweet Home Alabama,” one of the most enduring rock tracks of the 1970s. “It was very challenging to give the song a new interpretation,” admits vocalist/guitarist Todd Mohr. “The track was a blast to work on and I think we were successful in honoring the song, while presenting it in a completely contemporary setting.”

Other Skynyrd cuts that have been redone for the tribute include the immortal “Free Bird” (Blues Traveler), “Call Me the Breeze” (Claypool), “Every Mother’s Son” (Drive-By Truckers), “Ballad of Curtis Loew” (moe. and Hiatt), “Gimme Three Steps” (Disco Biscuits), “Whiskey Rock a Roller” (North Mississippi Allstars), “Four Walls of Raiford” (Yonder Mountain String Band), “Saturday Night Special” (Galactic) and “Workin’ for MCA” (Particle).

Source Billboard.com.

The Las Vegas Jamband Society returns to Indian Springs, NV on October 8, 9, and 10 to present the latest installment of the Area 51 Soundtest…4 the Music.

This year’s lineup features the Soundtest debuts of Sound Tribe Sector Nine (playing 2 nights), Col. Bruce Hampton and the Codetalkers, Tea Leaf Green, and Signal Path. Rounding out the main-stage lineup, and making their triumphant returns to Indian Springs, are MamaSutra and Olospo.

The popularity of the Area 51 Soundtest has grown over the first three years of its existence. Previous attendees have been treated to music from Dark Star Orchestra, Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, David Nelson Band, Ominous Seapods, Mood Food, Motion For Alliance, David Gans, and each festival has featured legendary late-night sets from legendary late-night powerhouse Particle. Last year

Bruce Hornsby has slated a trio of late-October New York performances in vastly different settings. Under the banner of “Three Nights on the Town,” the veteran artist will host an Oct. 26 jam session at famed jazz club the Blue Note, an Oct. 28 solo piano performance at Carnegie Hall’s Zankel Hall and a full band show the next night at Town Hall.

With a capacity of 200, the first show, dubbed “Jammin’ at the Blue Note,” promises to be the most intimate. While “special guests” are expected, it is unknown exactly who will fulfill that promise. The possibilities are exciting, seeing as Hornsby is a one-time touring member of the Grateful Dead and an artist who has shared stages with Bruce Springsteen, Chick Corea and Ricky Skaggs, among many others.

Add to that Hornsby’s latest album, “Halcyon Days,” which boasts guest appearances by Eric Clapton, Sting and Elton John. Bumped one week to Tuesday (Aug. 17), the set will be Hornsby’s first for Columbia after a career spent with RCA.

Source billboard.com.