With the 4th of July this week, The Acoustic Storm will celebrate the holiday weekend with All-American acoustic rock. You'll hear U.S. artists like the Eagles, Tom Petty, Doors, Dylan, Stevie Nicks, John Mellencamp, the Allman Brothers and many more.
The American theme will kick off with Bruce Springsteen's acoustic demo for "Born in the USA," and continues with Don McLean's "American Pie" and "America" from Simon & Garfunkel. Plus, we'll spotlight one of Michigan's favorite sons, as Bob Seger goes into the Eye of The Storm.
Have a safe and happy holiday weekend, and celebrate with us on the All-American Acoustic Storm!
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Upcoming Artists in the Eye of The Storm
The Beatles will kick off the Summer of '08 on The Acoustic Storm, as we'll take a closer listen to two of their most brilliant albums, "Rubber Soul" and "Revolver" June 21-22.
Within the span of just eight months, The Fab Four expanded their creative vision with the release of two records that incorporated everything from folk-rock to orchestral arrangements, to Indian music. We'll hear acoustic demos for "Norwegian Wood" and "Got to Get You into My Life," as well as the studio versions of "Eleanor Rigby" and "In My Life."
A couple of weeks later, we'll celebrate the Fourth of July Weekend with our annual All-American Acoustic Storm, featuring Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band in the Eye of The Storm.
Here's the schedule of featured artists on The Acoustic Storm through July...
#504 (6/21-22): Beatles "Rubber Soul" & "Revolver"
#505 (6/28-29): Jethro Tull
#506 (7/5-7/6): Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band
#507 (7/12-13): Donovan
#508 (7/19-20): Rolling Stones
#509 (7/26-27): Traveling Wilburys
Within the span of just eight months, The Fab Four expanded their creative vision with the release of two records that incorporated everything from folk-rock to orchestral arrangements, to Indian music. We'll hear acoustic demos for "Norwegian Wood" and "Got to Get You into My Life," as well as the studio versions of "Eleanor Rigby" and "In My Life."
A couple of weeks later, we'll celebrate the Fourth of July Weekend with our annual All-American Acoustic Storm, featuring Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band in the Eye of The Storm.
Here's the schedule of featured artists on The Acoustic Storm through July...
#504 (6/21-22): Beatles "Rubber Soul" & "Revolver"
#505 (6/28-29): Jethro Tull
#506 (7/5-7/6): Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band
#507 (7/12-13): Donovan
#508 (7/19-20): Rolling Stones
#509 (7/26-27): Traveling Wilburys
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
The Acoustic Storm 500
May is here and that means the 500th Acoustic Storm is right around the corner. Not that it was a race to get there, but the landmark program just happens to arrive on the same date as the Indianapolis 500, on May 25.
On the 500th show, Bruce Springsteen goes into the Eye of The Storm, and we'll remember E Street Band keyboardist Danny Federici with an acoustic version of "Thunder Road" from the legendary 1975 Hammersmith Odeon concert in London. You'll also hear an acoustic demo of "Born in the U.S.A." from Springsteen's home-recording sessions for the "Nebraska" album, a live take on "Born to Run" and something from the latest album, "Magic."
Since The A.S. 500 falls on Memorial Day weekend, we'll play some songs for the occasion, including David Bowie's unplugged performance of "Heroes" and a beautiful rendition of "My County 'Tis of Thee" from David Crosby and Graham Nash, featuring guitar from the late Michael Hedges.
The annual Mother's Day Acoustic Storm is coming up this weekend (5/10-5/11). Jefferson Airplane-Starship's extended music family will go into the Eye of The Storm, with a taste of Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Cassidy's Hot Tuna. Plus, we've got music from moms like Joni Mitchell, Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders, and Nancy Wilson of Heart. The theme of maternal acoustic-rock will continue with a trio of tunes from The Beatles, along with Pink Floyd's "Mother," and Randy Newman's original recording of "Mama Told Me Not to Come."
On a personal note, the 5/11 Acoustic Storm is dedicated to Lynne T. Parets. My mother passed away last year and May 11th is her birthday. A lot of my musical inspiration comes from Mom as well as my maternal grandparents. Nana was an accomplished concert pianist and violinist, while Papa was a gifted opera singer.
By the way, if you have any suggestions for the Mother's Day Acoustic Storm or the Father's Day show coming up 6/14-6/15, feel free to drop me a line at jp@acousticstorm.com .
Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers get the Storm profile treatment 5/17-5/18, as they're scheduled to return to the road May 30 (Steve Winwood is the opening act for several dates). Petty has also been busy reviving his old band Mudcrutch with an album and tour.
Here's the upcoming line-up for The Acoustic Storm:
5/10-5/11: Jefferson Airplane/Starship music family (Mother's Day show)
5/17-5/18: Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
5/24-5/25: Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band (Acoustic Storm 500th show)
5/31-6/1: Steely Dan
6/7-6/8: Neil Young
6/14-6/15: Eric Clapton - including bands he helped father (Father's Day show)
Thanks for your support in making 500 Acoustic Storms possible!
You can view archived listener posts at The Acoutic Storm Forum .
On the 500th show, Bruce Springsteen goes into the Eye of The Storm, and we'll remember E Street Band keyboardist Danny Federici with an acoustic version of "Thunder Road" from the legendary 1975 Hammersmith Odeon concert in London. You'll also hear an acoustic demo of "Born in the U.S.A." from Springsteen's home-recording sessions for the "Nebraska" album, a live take on "Born to Run" and something from the latest album, "Magic."
Since The A.S. 500 falls on Memorial Day weekend, we'll play some songs for the occasion, including David Bowie's unplugged performance of "Heroes" and a beautiful rendition of "My County 'Tis of Thee" from David Crosby and Graham Nash, featuring guitar from the late Michael Hedges.
The annual Mother's Day Acoustic Storm is coming up this weekend (5/10-5/11). Jefferson Airplane-Starship's extended music family will go into the Eye of The Storm, with a taste of Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Cassidy's Hot Tuna. Plus, we've got music from moms like Joni Mitchell, Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders, and Nancy Wilson of Heart. The theme of maternal acoustic-rock will continue with a trio of tunes from The Beatles, along with Pink Floyd's "Mother," and Randy Newman's original recording of "Mama Told Me Not to Come."
On a personal note, the 5/11 Acoustic Storm is dedicated to Lynne T. Parets. My mother passed away last year and May 11th is her birthday. A lot of my musical inspiration comes from Mom as well as my maternal grandparents. Nana was an accomplished concert pianist and violinist, while Papa was a gifted opera singer.
By the way, if you have any suggestions for the Mother's Day Acoustic Storm or the Father's Day show coming up 6/14-6/15, feel free to drop me a line at jp@acousticstorm.com .
Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers get the Storm profile treatment 5/17-5/18, as they're scheduled to return to the road May 30 (Steve Winwood is the opening act for several dates). Petty has also been busy reviving his old band Mudcrutch with an album and tour.
Here's the upcoming line-up for The Acoustic Storm:
5/10-5/11: Jefferson Airplane/Starship music family (Mother's Day show)
5/17-5/18: Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
5/24-5/25: Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band (Acoustic Storm 500th show)
5/31-6/1: Steely Dan
6/7-6/8: Neil Young
6/14-6/15: Eric Clapton - including bands he helped father (Father's Day show)
Thanks for your support in making 500 Acoustic Storms possible!
You can view archived listener posts at The Acoutic Storm Forum .
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Earth Day Acoustic Storm
This weekend, the Storm will revolve around the Earth with an environment of acoustic-rock, including "eco-tracks" from Paul McCartney ("Mother Nature's Son), Neil Young ("After the Goldrush"), Joni Mitchell ("Big Yellow Taxi") and even Marvin Gaye ("Mercy Mercy Me, The Ecology"). Of course, there will also be some sub-themes, like songs about the rain and songs about the wind. So help us think about Ma Nature this weekend on the Earth Day edition of The Acoustic Storm.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
The Storm Springs Forward
The vernal equinox has arrived...basically spring has sprung. So we'll celebrate with some springtime acoustic rock on the 3/29-3/30 Acoustic Storm, including a song to start baseball season and some cameo (audio) appearances from MLB'ers past and present. Since it's almost April Fool's Day, "The Joker" goes into the Eye of The Acoustic Storm with Steve Miller in words and music.
As long as we're looking ahead, here are some other upcoming artists in the Eye of The Storm:
4/5-4/6: John Fogerty & CCR
4/12-4/13: Billy Joel
4/19-4/20: Bob Dylan (Earth Day theme)
4/26-4/27: Stephen Stills & CSN
As long as we're looking ahead, here are some other upcoming artists in the Eye of The Storm:
4/5-4/6: John Fogerty & CCR
4/12-4/13: Billy Joel
4/19-4/20: Bob Dylan (Earth Day theme)
4/26-4/27: Stephen Stills & CSN
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Donovan Comes to Town
Donovan made a rare concert appearance in Phoenix Feb. 6 with a solo, acoustic performance at the historic Orpheum Theatre.
With just his shiny green acoustic guitar and trademark vibrato vocal, the Scottish troubadour put on a highly entertaining show by revisiting much of his rich catalogue of songs. He played the hits, but also performed several deeper tracks, often tapping his Celtic ancestry.
Launching into some of his earliest compositions without fanfare, Donovan rendered faithful renditions of "Catch the Wind" and "To Try for the Sun" (which, by the way, was recently recorded by Lindsey Buckingham).
He warmed up the humorous side of his storytelling with an introduction to a Scottish pirate song called "Henry Martin," noting the similarities between Johnny Depp in "Pirates of the Caribbean" and the Stones' Keith Richards.
On a more serious note, Donovan memorialized the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, his long-time spiritual advisor, who had passed away the day before at the age of 91 in the Netherlands. 40 years ago this month, Donovan ventured to the Maharishi's Meditation Academy in India with The Beatles, the Beach Boys' Mike Love and jazz musician Paul Horn to study transcendental meditation.
Before performing "Hurdy Gurdy Man" as a musical tribute, Donovan told the audience, "a dear friend, the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi has dropped his body to move on, but has left a great legacy, a wonderful meditation program. This song is dedicated to all the students of the teachings of this Yogi."
A peace warrior since the early '60s, Donovan updated a couple of anti-war songs with references to the Iraqi conflict; Buffy Sainte-Marie's "Universal Soldier" and his own composition from the Vietnam era, "To Susan on the West Coast Waiting."
Other song highlights included "Sunny Goodge Street;" "Jennifer Juniper;" "Wear Your Love Like Heaven;" "Lalena;" "Eldorado;" "Season of the Witch" and "Atlantis."
He saved his biggest hits for the end of the show with inspired versions of "Sunshine Superman" and "Mellow Yellow," while wrapping up the night with his encore, the jaunty "There is a Mountain."
The following morning, I had the opportunity to interview Donovan at his hotel in downtown Phoenix. Not surprisingly, I discovered that not only is he a great artist, but a terrific person as well.
You can hear Donovan's tribute to the Maharishi leading into an unplugged version of "Hurdy Gurdy Man" on next weekend's Acoustic Storm (2/23-2/24).
That same weekend, we'll be featuring our annual "Silver Screen Acoustic Storm" with acoustic rock from the movies. Since The Beatles had their fair share of cinematic experience, we'll profile the Fab Four in the Eye of The Storm. I hope you can join me then...
With just his shiny green acoustic guitar and trademark vibrato vocal, the Scottish troubadour put on a highly entertaining show by revisiting much of his rich catalogue of songs. He played the hits, but also performed several deeper tracks, often tapping his Celtic ancestry.
Launching into some of his earliest compositions without fanfare, Donovan rendered faithful renditions of "Catch the Wind" and "To Try for the Sun" (which, by the way, was recently recorded by Lindsey Buckingham).
He warmed up the humorous side of his storytelling with an introduction to a Scottish pirate song called "Henry Martin," noting the similarities between Johnny Depp in "Pirates of the Caribbean" and the Stones' Keith Richards.
On a more serious note, Donovan memorialized the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, his long-time spiritual advisor, who had passed away the day before at the age of 91 in the Netherlands. 40 years ago this month, Donovan ventured to the Maharishi's Meditation Academy in India with The Beatles, the Beach Boys' Mike Love and jazz musician Paul Horn to study transcendental meditation.
Before performing "Hurdy Gurdy Man" as a musical tribute, Donovan told the audience, "a dear friend, the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi has dropped his body to move on, but has left a great legacy, a wonderful meditation program. This song is dedicated to all the students of the teachings of this Yogi."
A peace warrior since the early '60s, Donovan updated a couple of anti-war songs with references to the Iraqi conflict; Buffy Sainte-Marie's "Universal Soldier" and his own composition from the Vietnam era, "To Susan on the West Coast Waiting."
Other song highlights included "Sunny Goodge Street;" "Jennifer Juniper;" "Wear Your Love Like Heaven;" "Lalena;" "Eldorado;" "Season of the Witch" and "Atlantis."
He saved his biggest hits for the end of the show with inspired versions of "Sunshine Superman" and "Mellow Yellow," while wrapping up the night with his encore, the jaunty "There is a Mountain."
The following morning, I had the opportunity to interview Donovan at his hotel in downtown Phoenix. Not surprisingly, I discovered that not only is he a great artist, but a terrific person as well.
You can hear Donovan's tribute to the Maharishi leading into an unplugged version of "Hurdy Gurdy Man" on next weekend's Acoustic Storm (2/23-2/24).
That same weekend, we'll be featuring our annual "Silver Screen Acoustic Storm" with acoustic rock from the movies. Since The Beatles had their fair share of cinematic experience, we'll profile the Fab Four in the Eye of The Storm. I hope you can join me then...
Friday, February 1, 2008
Kicking Off February
It's always a lot of fun to find acoustic versions of songs you've never heard before. A couple of weeks ago, my old radio friend Lee Powell sent me the CD-single of "On the Way Home," a live, acoustic version of the Buffalo Springfield classic from Neil Young's forthcoming "NYA Performance Series Vol. 1: The Riverboat." You may have heard me play that track on last week's show when Neil was the featured artist in the Eye of The Acoustic Storm. The latest volume of Neil Young's archival series captures some of his earliest live recordings at the Toronto coffeehouse, The Riverboat.
I'm also looking forward to spinning tunes from a soon-to-be released acoustic album by Pat Benatar, plus previously-undiscovered acoustic versions from The Fixx, as well as Little Feat, courtesy of the band's Paul Barrere & Fred Tackett.
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The Acoustic Storm will be "kicking off" February with a couple of songs for this Sunday's Super Bowl teams. The NFL's ultimate game is being played in The Acoustic Storm's backyard in Glendale, Arizona. So we'll play Jackson Browne with "I Am a Patriot" for New England and Billy Joel's 2006 live performance of "New York State of Mind" for the Giants.
Also on this weekend's show...live Pink Floyd, The Beatles with a vocal demo from "Abbey Road," Ray Davies of the Kinks with an acoustic take on a British Invasion classic, and some nifty acoustic work from 6 & 12 string guitar wizard Leo Kottke. Plus, Elton John goes into the Eye of The Storm.
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On a sad note, the music world lost a fine singer-songwriter January 19th with the passing of John Stewart. John's career got underway in 1961 when he replaced Dave Guard in the Kingston Trio. As the folk scene gave way to rock in the late '60s, Stewart continued to write songs. In fact, he penned "Daydream Believer," which hit the top of the charts for the Monkees.
John Stewart really came into his own as a solo artist. After meeting and marrying fellow folk singer Buffy Ford, he released his solo debut, 1969's "California Bloodlines." He recorded it live in the studio in Nashville, while across the hall Dylan was recording "Nashville Skyline." Other critically-acclaimed John Stewart albums include "Willard," "Cannons in the Rain," and "Wingless Angels."
He often performed in Phoenix, Arizona and became one of the Valley's most popular artists in the mid 1970's. In fact, John Stewart recorded "The Phoenix Concerts" at Symphony Hall in 1974.
Teaming up with Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham, Stewart released the album "Bombs Away Dream Babies" in 1979, featuring "Gold," which reached #5 on the singles chart. Two other tracks from that album, "Midnight Wind" and "Lost Her in the Sun," would also hit the top 40. It was around that time that I interviewed John Stewart live on K-104 (KIOG-FM/KQXE-AM) in Phoenix.
Stewart's later success mostly came as a songwriter. Nanci Griffith, Rosanne Cash, Mary Chapin Carpenter and Joan Baez are among the artists that have recorded his material in recent years.
The Acoustic Storm will remember John Stewart on this weekend's show, with one of his best-loved songs, "July, You're a Woman."
I'm also looking forward to spinning tunes from a soon-to-be released acoustic album by Pat Benatar, plus previously-undiscovered acoustic versions from The Fixx, as well as Little Feat, courtesy of the band's Paul Barrere & Fred Tackett.
*******************************
The Acoustic Storm will be "kicking off" February with a couple of songs for this Sunday's Super Bowl teams. The NFL's ultimate game is being played in The Acoustic Storm's backyard in Glendale, Arizona. So we'll play Jackson Browne with "I Am a Patriot" for New England and Billy Joel's 2006 live performance of "New York State of Mind" for the Giants.
Also on this weekend's show...live Pink Floyd, The Beatles with a vocal demo from "Abbey Road," Ray Davies of the Kinks with an acoustic take on a British Invasion classic, and some nifty acoustic work from 6 & 12 string guitar wizard Leo Kottke. Plus, Elton John goes into the Eye of The Storm.
*************************
On a sad note, the music world lost a fine singer-songwriter January 19th with the passing of John Stewart. John's career got underway in 1961 when he replaced Dave Guard in the Kingston Trio. As the folk scene gave way to rock in the late '60s, Stewart continued to write songs. In fact, he penned "Daydream Believer," which hit the top of the charts for the Monkees.
John Stewart really came into his own as a solo artist. After meeting and marrying fellow folk singer Buffy Ford, he released his solo debut, 1969's "California Bloodlines." He recorded it live in the studio in Nashville, while across the hall Dylan was recording "Nashville Skyline." Other critically-acclaimed John Stewart albums include "Willard," "Cannons in the Rain," and "Wingless Angels."
He often performed in Phoenix, Arizona and became one of the Valley's most popular artists in the mid 1970's. In fact, John Stewart recorded "The Phoenix Concerts" at Symphony Hall in 1974.
Teaming up with Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham, Stewart released the album "Bombs Away Dream Babies" in 1979, featuring "Gold," which reached #5 on the singles chart. Two other tracks from that album, "Midnight Wind" and "Lost Her in the Sun," would also hit the top 40. It was around that time that I interviewed John Stewart live on K-104 (KIOG-FM/KQXE-AM) in Phoenix.
Stewart's later success mostly came as a songwriter. Nanci Griffith, Rosanne Cash, Mary Chapin Carpenter and Joan Baez are among the artists that have recorded his material in recent years.
The Acoustic Storm will remember John Stewart on this weekend's show, with one of his best-loved songs, "July, You're a Woman."
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