Band of The Week - The Rainmakers

As a native of the fine state of Missouri, I am embarrassed to have to admit I had never heard of these guys until I saw a Facebook post by an old high school buddy. Thanks to Steve Weiss for uncovering a missed opportunity for me.

Back in 1983 the band "Steve, Bob and Rich" burst onto the scene. Pretty cool name, eh? By '86 they had added a drummer and released their first album which Newsweek magazine called "the most auspicious debut album of the year". I guess not reading Newsweek explains how I missed this one. Here's one from that album.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65oq2C4PJmA&feature=related

Here was a shocker for me - filmed at the Backstage in Ballard - which is actuall Seattle - in 1988. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPWnNDFbv74&feature=related

But fast foward to today...here is a soon to be classic tune - enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRBo18Q7BwM

The Mission - Ski Washington

I had a vision this past winter of skiing every lift in the state. I managed that but still have a couple of rope-tow only ski hills to go (Echo Valley, Badger Mountain and Hurricane Ridge). I ran into a reporter for the News Tribune who shared my vision - he wrote up this short piece in last week's edition of the paper - http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/11/11/1902157/six-little-ski-gems-of-washington.html

Craig - I hope to see you one of the hills this coming winter!

Working In The Northwest Woods

I've been rather busy of late finishing up writing my first book. Consequently, entries here have fallen on lean times although I think that should change a bit now that I've passed that milestone. The next phase of this project is the marketing aspect - figuring out how to bring attention to the book.

Here is the list of available versions -
For you Kindle readers - http://www.amazon.com/Working-Northwest-Woods-ebook/dp/B005YNH876/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1320770110&sr=8-1

If your eReader is the Barnes and Noble Nook go here - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/working-in-the-northwest-woods-dennis-willard/1106995642?ean=2940013229730&itm=1&usri=working%252bin%252bthe%252bnorthwest%252bwoods

The softcover edition can be had at either of these sites:
1) - http://www.amazon.com/Working-Northwest-Woods-personal-Northwest/dp/1466388897/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1320770110&sr=8-2
2) - https://www.createspace.com/3698744

A hardcover edition can be ordered here:
http://www.lulu.com/product/hardcover/working-in-the-northwest-woods/18168626?productTrackingContext=search_results/search_shelf/center/1

I hope you enjoy the read!

Band of the Week

James McMurtry....

Having grown up in the sixties, I have a very soft spot in my heart for the singer songwriters who still manage to take a stab at social issues and do it with both talent and passion.  There are still plenty such musicians around, but too few that seem to reach anything like serious penetration of popular music.  James McMurty is one such performer who manages to reach deep into his soul and pull out songs that seem to absolutely leave a trail of West Texas dust behind them.  His distinctive voice and right-to-the-heart lyrics have won him serious musical acclaim, yet there are still so many folks who have not yet had the privilege of listening to him.

His 1989 album - Too Long in the Wasteland - had some real gems - like this one that seems to sum up our gypsy ways that see us moving from place to place  -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JOwHt7uOzA&feature=related

In 1992 he followed up with an album titled Candyland that continued that gruff and gritty tale of life just a bit under our comfort zone.  Here's a tune about a trip across the border from Eagle Pass Texas to the town of Piedras Negras ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZRdVv8CJSc

After his two initial albums, which were produced by John Mellancamp who met McMurtry while working on a film written by Larry M's father novelist James (Terms of Endearment, The Last Picture Show, Lonesome Dove, etc), he continued to generate considerable critical praise while staying just below the radar.  In 2006 his album Childish Things received song and album of the year at the Americana Music Awards.  From that album came this little zinger: the song of the year that year.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTW0y6kazWM  Much like many of the songs from the sixties and seventies, McMurty makes you a bit uncomfortable while he asks us "what, exactly, is going on?".

Lots of good tunes and good musicians.  Lyrics that will make you ponder things and make you think.
Check out James McMurtry.

Whale Tale

no comment required...

http://www.flixxy.com/humpback-whale-gives-show-after-being-saved.htm

A New Feature - Band of the Week

It seems I'm always listening to some group that borders on the not-too-well-known, or maybe even the un-known, or according to Suzanne "why are you listening to that crappy jazz again?".  Regardless of disagreements over my obviously mature musical tastes, I thought it would be fun to drop a new group on you every week just to (a) offer you some different tunes and (b) to help move you toward a more open-minded, less Hollywood directed collection of music.  So here is the inaugural week's nomination.

 

              The Boomers.

For starters, there is a party band in Florida that claims this name.  That is not who I'm referring to.  The Boomers I enjoy are from Ontario.  That's in Canada eh, not the one in California.  The core of this group is a fellow named Ian Thomas.  He has a well known brother, Dave Thomas, who was half of the SCTV Bob and Doug McKenzie - "Hey - Take off hoser!".  You might remember them.   While brother Dave was feigning being a beer-swilling Canadian hockey fan (and making a pile of dough on tv and the movies), brother Ian was making some incredible music.  He was in a number of bands before joining up with the group that in 1991 became The Boomers.

Let's start with their biggest hit - at least here in the Lower 48 -
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxEmnYFvAm0

Here is another wonderful tune - four guys in a classic two guitar / bass / drum band with an absolutely pure and simple song that incorporates clean solid rhythm, some fabulous bass playing and crisp vocal harmonies -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_2ZT7QzwAw&feature=related

And here is a song that I just can't play loudly enough while I'm driving in the car.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKMcVHFZlYI&feature=related

Here's a tasty little tune that just makes you want to bounce..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FO0hIQ_bkU&feature=related

When I bought my first Boomer's album, I found myself categorizing it as Rock-Psychology since so many of the lyrics are deeply personal, penetrating and exceptionally thoughtful.  The band has four albums.  Check them out.

More info at - http://www.almarecords.com/artist.php?id=15

Doing the Impossible...

I have a friend who is climbing Mt Baker this coming weekend and is making ready for the trip with training both mental and physical.  I noted today she had a post on her Facebook page about having a conversation with the climbers she is going with and she mentioned it was like "climbing with 5 Ueli Stecks".  I recognized the name of Ueli Steck having just recently seen a video of his made while climbing a Swiss mountain.

Take a few minutes and watch this video....then ask yourselft what, exactly, in any of our lives is so difficult as to be impossible.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdHlyjM_8_E