VALLARTA-NAYARIT CLASSIC ROCK FESTIVAL IN MEXICO
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THE GLORIOUS CORNER
Story By: G. H. HARDING
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| Sam Smith |
PURE TODD – It was billed as an unpredictable evening, and when you apply that adjective to Todd Rundgren, you know it’s like putting fire on the gasoline. Todd ambled onstage with his three-piece band and dove right into his signature “Hello It’s Me,” owing to getting it out of the way early, and adding if you wanted to leave early, you would have already heard the hit.
Apparently, the point of the evening was to select songs from his hit-list literally on the fly. Todd, sitting down, for much of the show, was simply terrific. “Love Of The Comon Man,” “Lysistrata,” “One World,” “It Wouldn’t Have Made Any Difference,” and a strong, strong “Love In Action” were all delivered powerfully to the SRO crowd.
He also did a series of covers, which was not only startlingly, but perfectly delivered; Clarence Carter’s 1970 hit “Patches,” Zager & Evans “In The Year 2525” and the Ramsey and Fen song “Muskrat Love.” Amazing choices; totally unpredictable!
Todd regulars Kasim Sulton and Prarie Prince were spot-on excellent and Prince, especially astonishing. Sulton, who has a new solo album out, was just excellent and the musical rapport he shared with Todd made you realize why they have worked together for so long.
Todd’s an acquired taste for sure and I first acquired that taste back in college, and compellingly followed him through his brilliant early solo albums, including Something/Anything (alas, no “Black Maria” tonight) and A Wizard A True Star, to his Utopia band, and his brilliant video production forays.
I even remember when he always would close his shows with the great anaemic “Just One Victory.” It might not mean a damn thing to Todd anymore, but I missed that closing song. Great show. Thanks to BB’s Peter Abraham for the assist. The club in fact, was as crowded as I've ever seen it. Brilliant night!
SAM SMITH --- Has Sam Smith been selected to sing the theme tune for the upcoming James Bond movie, edging out Lana Del Rey?
Brit-“Stay With Me” singer Smith has been in talks with Bond producer Barbara Broccoli about performing the theme, but our sources said it was more of a get-to-know-you chat.
Actually, Del Rey I believe would be the better choice, as her atmospheric antics might well fit the movie better. And, while we're talking the movie (which is not even scheduled until 2015 or 2016), our source insists there’s not even a script prepared, so we may be jumping the gun just a bit.
And, continues our source, Bond-Daniel Craig isn't even signed yet to do it. Expect a lot more hysterics over all these points in the New Year.
COMO MEXICO --- The Vallarta-Nayarit Classic Rock Festival will be held December 11-15, 2014 with events taking place throughout Riviera Nayarit and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
Supported by the Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit Tourism Boards, the four-day event will include 3 days of classic rock music performances, a showcase gallery of famous album cover art, concert photography, a charity golf outing to benefit DIF (a local children's charity), and parties at some of the most popular night spots in Puerto Vallarta & Riviera Nayarit.
On Saturday evening in Puerto Vallarta, there will be a party honoring several Giants of Rock for their accomplishments in classic rock.
Festival creator and producer John Zaring announced 19 acts that will appear during the daily concerts in Nuevo Vallarta. The lineup includes Americana rockers the BoDeans, blues favorites Fabulous Thunderbirds, rock-a-billy specialists Lee Rocker and Slim Jim Phantom of the Stray Cats, country rockers Poco, Pure Prairie League and Firefall, and iconic classic rock bands Jefferson Starship, Kansas, Cheap Trick, Foghat and the Spencer Davis Group.
Several solo artists and singers will have their sets backed by the festival's all-star 'house band', including Dave Mason (Traffic), Gary Wright ("Dreamweaver"), Craig Fuller (lead singer of both Little Feat and Little River Band), former Journey lead singer Steve Augeri, Monkees-frontman Micky Dolenz, former Grand Funk Railroad singer Mark Farner and blues legend Sam Moore (Sam and Dave).
The house band includes stellar musicians from several legendary rock acts, including former Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan lead guitarist Jeffrey 'Skunk' Baxter, former Fleetwood Mac guitarist and rock-a-billy legend Billy Burnette, The Cars guitarist Elliot Easton, bassists Kenny Lee Lewis of Steve Miller Band and Kenny Gradney of Little Feat, drummers Curly Smith (Boston) and Kenny Aronoff (John Fogerty, John Mellencamp), and keyboardist Teddy 'Zig Zag' Andreadis (Carole King, Guns 'n Roses).
Zaring said, "As the world's first and only festival celebrating classic rock, fans can expect 3 days of performances by some of the greatest musicians from the era. Whether you love roots rock, blues, soft or hard rock, you won't be disappointed!"
SIMON SAYS --- Simon & Schuster announced yesterday that music writer Robert Hilburn will pen the 12-time Grammy winner Paul Simon biography; which does not yet have a title or a publication date.
Hilburn, who worked as music writer and editor for The Los Angeles Times for 35 years (and, is a great, great friend), has previously written a biography of Johnny Cash and his own memoir, Corn Flakes with John Lennon and Other Tales from a Rock 'n' Roll Life.
The Simon bio is described. by the publisher, as a gripping, inspiring portrait of an artist, including the toughness and heart it requires to avoid giving in to the many factors — from rejection to self-doubt to writer's block and complacency — that have derailed so many pop artists.
And, knowing Simon a bit … there is a lot to write about. I do hope that Simon is forthcoming and at 73 years old, he should. I know Hilburn will ask the right questions and I do hope the sessions are taped … as they would be fascinating. His is a true American-story.
In a news release, Simon said: "I thought seriously about writing my own memoir, but I'd rather devote my time to making music, which continues to hold my full attention. I'm confident Robert Hilburn will write an insightful book. I enjoyed and admired his biography of Johnny Cash and I think he'll tell my story well."
SHORT TAKES: Catch Monkee-Micky Dolenz on Huffington Post Live this Friday as he tub-thumps his appearance on Oprah's Where Are The Now show Sunday night ... Eddie Redmayne's performance as Stephen Hawking in The Theory Of Everything is being talked about as the performance of the year. He's great; I cannot wait to see this one.
SIGHTINGS: Glen Campbell-bio writer Mark Bego with WOR’s Tom Cuddy at Walker’s in Tribeca; and, PR-pasha Randy Alexander with radio-tip-sheet legend Kal Rudman.
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