IT'S A ROLLING STONE FOR NYC CUTTING ROOM

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THE GLORIOUS CORNER

By: G. H. Harding

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The Cutting Room

CUTTING ROOM RULES-- It was unquestionably the show of the year in New York City as Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood, joined by former-Stone member Mick Taylor performed at Steve Walter’s Cutting Room enclave. Surrounded by celebrities, like Monkee-Micky Dolenz; Soprano/Springsteen star Steve Van Zandt and his wife Maureen; designer Tommy Hilfiger with his wife Dee Ocleppo; producer-extraordinaire Russ Titleman; John McEnroe; pr-man David Salidor; David Bowie-guitarist Earl Slick; movie-director Ethan Cohn; photographer Derek Storm; and concert-promoter Ron Delsener; the pair, joined by keyboardist Al Kooper, ripped into a 90-minute set of guitar-grinding, blues mostly from Mississippi electric blues pioneer Jimmy Reed, including “Going To New York” and “Big City.” 

Wood acquitted himself terrifically while Taylor, who barely said a word to the audience all night long, was economic, yet stunning, in his guitar work. In fact, on one number they both played slide guitar and the effect was totally mesmerizing. While the pairing may seem surprising, the duo goes way back: Wood was a huge fan of Taylor's in England in the Sixties. He would even fill in for Taylor when he was stricken by stage fright in his band the Gods. "He used to be too nervous even to go on, and he'd say 'Ronnie, play my bit for me," Wood recalled. "Mick Taylor always underestimated his talent." 

Dolenz, in town for several business meetings (including tonight's Rockers On Broadway event in the West Village), as well as tub-thumping his new Live At BB King’s collection, sat back and soaked up each note. Rumors of Keith Richards and possibly even, Mick Jagger showing up were for naught. But the tightly packed crowd loved each and every second of the show. Also shining onstage was the opener "I Ain't Got You," followed by "I'm That Man Down There" and "Big Boss Man." 

Walter’s original Cutting Room location on 24th street was an iconic locale not only the diverse number of acts that performed there (Sting; Jimmy Webb; Neil & Peggi Young; Garth Hudson; even Lady Gaga was signed there) but for its engaging atmosphere. This new location, on 32nd street has been open and operating for several months; a soft-opening they often call it, but, was creatively reborn and officially re-opened with this show.

CLOSING NOTES --- What a great guy producer Russ Titleman is. Not only is he the producer of Eric Clapton’s game-changing album Journeyman several years back, but he told us that there is a newly, mastered release of Clapton’s ground-breaking Unplugged album (this is the show that was on VH 1), including several songs performed but not included on the original release … Have you seen the video to Capital Cities’ great track “Safe and Sound?” The duo, joined by a plethora of exuberant dancers from various eras and cultures participate in a dance-off inspired by Capital Cities and the majestic setting of the Los Angeles Theatre. Directed by Grady Hall from Motion Theory and choreographed by Mandy Moore (Silver Linings Playbook), it’s one of the best of the year for me … PR-man David Salidor, navigating Micky Dolenz around the Cutting room Saturday night, celebrates 30-years running his own PR-shop come March. He's handled the likes of Madonna, Debbie Gibson, Z. Z. Top, and of course Dolenz. Congrats! ... The lines are blurring between what is a "short film" and what is an advertisement. L’Invitation Au Voyage is a one minute "film" made by director Romain Gavras for Louis Vuitton. In it, David Bowie is seen playing harpsichord and singing his song “I'd Rather Be High.” While this isn't officially considered an advertisement it is being used as an introduction to a new Vuitton campaign which will also star Bowie … David Crosby will release his first new solo studio album in twenty years on January 28. Croz is only the fourth studio album of his solo career dating back to 1971's If I Could Only Remember My Name and followed by 1989's Oh Yes I Can and 1993's Thousand Roads. The album will be released on Blue Castle Records, a label that he started with Graham Nash two years ago and is produced by Crosby, James Raymond, and Daniel Garcia. In addition to Crosby's band, the album features guest players including Wynton Marsalis (“Holding On To Nothing”), Mark Knopfler (“What's Broken”), Leland Sklar (“Find A Heart”) and Steve Tavaglione (“Morning Falling” and “Find A Heart”). Crosby said of the album and forthcoming tour: "I admit I have been lucky, but this tour is really a high point for me. I get to go out and play this record that we have made live: the studio is good but live is even better. I am going to have a blast, and I suspect anyone else who comes to see us will too." … Speaking of Graham Nash, his current book Wild Tales is without a doubt one of the best memoirs like this I have ever read. He’s honest, forthcoming, factual … and, funny!

 Photo Courtesy Of: The Cutting Room