The News Review:
- Tab Benoit: Louisiana blues
- Springsteen keyboardist Danny Federici dies at 58
- Public invited to Senior Fest in Allegan
- Ann Rabson Dolly Parton and The Raconteurs
- Turning the beat (and kids) around
Tab Benoit: Louisiana blues
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette – Pittsburgh Post Gazette – Apr 21, 2008
htm –>Tab Benoit: Louisiana blues4. 08Monday April 21 2008By Jim White Pittsburgh Post-GazetteThe swampy bluesy musical stew that has simmered forever in fertile Louisiana soil has always produced great music. Early jazz and blues flourished there. Cajun influences added spice.
Springsteen keyboardist Danny Federici dies at 58
stuff.co.nz – Apr 21, 2008
we grew up together" Springsteen said on the Web site. Federici had suffered from melanoma for three years and last played with the E Street Band at a concert in Indianapolis on March 20 delivering an accordion solo on the song 4th of July Asbury Park (Sandy). Like Springsteen Federici was born in New Jersey and played the accordion from an early age performing at parties and clubs and developing an interest in jazz and blues music. He first joined Springsteen in the late 1960s when the singer songwriter who would become known as "The Boss" was still an unknown and Federici's organ accordion and keyboard work was considered a key part of the E Street Band's signature sound on such songs as Hungry Heart. Nicknamed "Phantom" he was often overshadowed onstage by the out-sized presence of saxophone player Clarence Clemons but on leaving the band to seek treatment for his illness in November of last year Federici was described by Springsteen as "one of the pillars of our sound. "When Springsteen put the E Street Band on hiatus during the 1990s to explore other projects Federici recorded a solo jazz album titled Flemington after his New Jersey hometown. He released a second album Sweet in 2004.
Public invited to Senior Fest in Allegan
mlive.com – Apr 21, 2008
and entertainment from the T & E Project Band. Senior Fest workshops will include “Saving Energy in the Home” with Dale Congdon of the Allegan County Resource Development Committee (ACRDC) “History of American Traditional Blues Music” with John Speeter of Genitiva Health Care and “De-Stress Your Mess” with Beth Dean of Airway Oxygen. By attending the workshops festival goers can also learn about basic computer skills guardianship issues diabetes and how to avoid financial scams. Health screenings will include hearing aid checks blood sugar and blood pressure and bone density screenings. Attendees will also have a chance to see a demonstration of Nintendo Wii and how video games can provide fun healthy exercise for older adults. While the Senior Fest is free of charge attendees must pre-register in order to reserve a place for lunch and to participate in the workshops.
Ann Rabson Dolly Parton and The Raconteurs
fredericksburg.com – Apr 21, 2008
The music itself finds the band all across the board from arena rock (think Styx) on "Rich Kid Blues" to the doo-wop of "Many Shades of Black. " Harmonies and some well timed trumpet flourishes contribute wonders to the arrangements which could be considered the aural antithesis of the Stripes’ "White Blood Cells. " Benson’s keys steal the spotlight in "You Don’t Understand Me" with a forcefulness that brings to mind Dylan’s "Ballad of a Thin Man. " Much like White’s work producing Loretta Lynn "Consolers" shows at times that he can be a powerful behind-the-scenes player. However the album always finds its way back to the primal guitar stylings of the genuis standing in the shadows.
Turning the beat (and kids) around
Providence Journal – Apr 21, 2008
Some students hadn’t played an instrument since fourth grade when the district strapped for cash dropped art and music programs in middle school. Another young man however has been playing the drums for 13 years; he plays keyboard and drums every Sunday at his father’s church. “If they had an all-music school” said the drummer 16-year-old Derrick Jones “I’d be in it. ” Collins led the group through a short blues riff in the G chord. “Hold on a minute” said Collins wearing his trademark sweater printed with a musical score. “Let the piano players have a solo on the D chord. ” Collins reminds visitors that this is the first time these teenagers have played together as a group.