Boycott St. Lucia & St. Kitts

Now that may seem an unusual title but some small Caribbean islands tone deaf to their tourist dollars that sustain up to 80% of their economy have sided with Japan to over turn the ban on whaling. Now why would they do this? Because Japan bought their votes with money sound familiar? All six Caribbean island members of the IWC — Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines — voted Sunday for a declaration deeming the whaling ban "no longer necessary." The declaration passed, 33-32.

How tone deaf are these particular islands - their draw is their environment. The Japanese are a bunch of punks. The "scientific research" loop hole they negotiated should be closed. If they love whale meat so much have factory farms grow and harvest whales in captivity and the Japanese who like to eat them drive the harpoons into them while they watch.

The vegetarians aren't as whack ado as they are portrayed - respect for all of gods creation (however you define god) would lead to a much healthier world on a variety of fronts including industrial run off from land based factory farms. Hey I love a steak as much as anybody but I could just as easily live off of Grouper, cereals, and salads. It's healthier and would lower health care costs if red meat faded from our diet and became less prevalent.

So if you are lucky enough to be heading to the Caribbean to surf, holiday or honeymoon, visit an island who's leadership isn't so easily bought and sold or managed by a bunch of hypocrites like the ones we have on Capital Hill.

World Party

The Jewish Mother show was only one set and that's the bad news Karl's throat and voice is shot. What do you expect after being off the road for so long and then trying to do all these one nighters in a row? He doesn't get a break until the end of the month and then his schedule gives him two weeks off. He really should rest his voice. He needs to come back to the venues he wasn't able to do a full show for, and can the one nighters. Hopefully he'll exercise more control over his schedule and do three shows a week instead of seven. His management team should wise up!

Now for the good stuff; What we saw at the Jewish Mother was fantastic for any fan of music let alone the World Party Faithful. I am so impressed and delighted even to have just heard one set. I'm a new fan in a big way! I remember those album covers coming to the station and just not being able to get past the covers. Where's the Norman Blake and Doc Watson? World Party what is that more 80's abomination? Closed minds are not good, and I'm not perfect, far from it, but time has given me and perhaps Karl another chance. We get time. Life is a grace period in a way to figure it out and what drives us, gives us meaning, fulfill's us. It's an opportunity to manifest our individual visions or not. But everyday, every moment the choice is there.

Anyway back to the music! All I needed was one listen. Within seconds I was hooked (no pun intended) and I have both feet firmly on the band wagon. If the scheduling gods let Karl rest his voice World Party will be too big for these smaller venues in a year, or even by the time this little tour is over. They need to do the right thing and reschedule the cancelled shows because for the first time in a long time there was a real buzz in the audience. I mean it was palpable. You could feel the excitement in the air. It's been a long time (maybe since Jerry last came to town) that I felt that way. It was a mixture of redemption, and excitement so much more so than a sporting event or premiere because music is spirit and Karl's way of expressing the familiar and the sublime is fun. It was the most fun I've had for twelve dollars in a long time. We were jacked for the second set.

But we didn't act like a bunch of crazies and tear the place down. No Karl's music is on the other end of that tip. We were totally supportive and understanding. I hope that gets us another visit this summer when his schedule is less demanding and his voice is stronger.

It's like picking up the steel string after not playing for months and months on end. You have to build up your fingers and hand strength. The vocal chords are human, so is Karl, and so are his fans. You dig? I think he feels horrible about dashing out on us. No worries mate we understand. Bring it on back when you're ready. We’ll be there!

Paul

Long John Baldry

More than overdue I need to get this posted - I remember my older sister’s favorite album with the baby faced Elton John and Rod Stewart on the back cover, and Ron Wood in the credits. "Hey you would like this," she said one day handing it off to me nonchalantly. I took care of my records and she new I was playing the daylights out of the Allman Brothers "Beginnings". “Hey who's this Leadbelly guy?” What do you want from a 14 year old? Well in one listen back in 1974 I have never, ever heard a better rendition or scarcely a better song than Flying. "Since we all know the lyrics can we lower the lights" Ka-Boom – right between the eyes man you have to believe, and then the magic appears. If John did nothing else in his entire life the album "It Ain't Easy" is a gem, a milestone, a scorching rock n’ blues album for all time. You won't see it on Rolling Stone's Top 100 list. That is why I am long over due in posting something about it. Through my decade on the air it was a special show when I cautiously pulled it from its paper sleeve and spun any one of the original ten tracks - including "Conditional Discharge into Don’t Try To Lay No Boogie Woogie on the King of Rock n’ Roll”

They were all favorites "Let's Burn Down The Cornfield" indeed. How about “let's melt down the mixing board” or “lets scorch up the turn table” or “lets fire up the air ways.” It was my secret weapon my hurricane of musical righteousness when I wanted to jolt the Phil Collins Wham decade out of their pop slumber and serve up something real! This album combines everything I love about music - passion – smart lyrics - story telling - hammering blues - gritty playing - traditional covers – keyboards, sax, harp, righteousness (Mr. Rubin), soul and inspiration. This is serious. I am not just blowing smoke. This may be song for song the greatest rock n' roll album I have ever heard.

Elton
If you are not aware of it then check it out and if you are dust it off again. If you are on the air play it, all of it, and often. To give you an idea of how revered this album is the original shrink wrap while obviously ripped open is still attached to the sleeve (from 1971?). It’s not tight enough to warp the album or loose enough to fall off. From the first play no one was throwing anything of this album away.

Thank you John Baldry wherever you are! Reaching through from the infinite I hope you somehow hear my finite words of praise and thanks. When you walk into the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame this album cover should be one of the first ones that greet you! If you don’t see it ask them and then tell them to get a clue. Go to his web site and read up on the details and order your copy with new tracks I haven't heard yet - oh my.....

It Ain't Easy - Long John Baldry