Step Into My Radio!

In the past few months I've been trying to fill some gaps in my collection related to various tours/albums.  One album happens to be the X-Static release of 1979.  I've uncovered quite a few promo and marketing materials.  

The band was out on the west coast and seemed to have taken part in some rather quirky marketing schemes.  And it's super clear that Daryl Hall & John Oates have a strange penchant for being placed inside large musical instruments, recording devices, etc.  (okay, okay, we all know that's not true!).  

Press Kit - Press Release

So check this out.  Someone had the idea of creating a large transistor radio where fans could enter and listen to the new X-Static album.  Personally, I think this is brilliant!  

Press photo.

 When you put the album and it's promotion together there really was a concise plan linking it all together.  Especially when you add the videos shot for 3 tracks which include, Wait For Me, Portable Radio, and Intravino.  

The props in the videos all link back to the transistor radio theme, hence X-Static...or, no static.  Afterall, static interrupts the flow of the music, it ruins the song you might be listening to.  

And if you were lucky enough, you may have received an invitation to attend a show at the Roxy featuring the new album.  The audio for the November 4th show is available out there in the bootleg trader's world.  This show was broadcast live on KLOS-FM in Los Angeles. Here's the setlist for that show:

Radio promo invite to the shows at The Roxy in L.A.

The Roxy - November 4, 1979

The Woman Comes and Goes
Don't Blame it on Love
Rich Girl
Do What You Want, Be What You Are
It's a Laugh
Sweet Soul Music
Band Intros
Serious Music
Wait For Me
Sara Smile 
She's Gone
Pleasure Beach
Be Bop Drop
Intravino
Room To Breathe 

Fabulous, right?!?!  Now here are the 3 videos recorded for X-Static.  I had the chance to speak with Adam Friedman, the director, a while back.  He was 22 at the time.  The Portable Radio vid was actually an afterthought from John who asked him to record this one quickly.  There is also a video recording out there of The Woman Comes and Goes.  I have yet to locate it, but trust me I'm working on it!  Hope you enjoy the videos!

UPDATE:  Thanks to VEVO and poster Jay I've added the video for The Woman Comes and Goes!

Possession Obsession...Again.

Being a collector of all things Hall & Oates I continually add things to my collection.  Most of what I purchase is from Ebay.  But, I also frequent record resale shops, etc.  These acquisitions of both from Ebay.  The first item is a Bigger Than Both of Us Press Kit which I was stoked to find!  The second is a set of pictures with the negatives from the early 80's.  Love that yellow leather!!

Cover - Bigger Than Both of Us Press Kit

Press release and press photo.

Press photos.

And here are the pictures!  I think they speak for themselves!!

Thanks for reading this short entry.  I'll be back very soon and we'll start chatting about the upcoming Rock 'n Roll Soul Hall of Fame Induction ceremony.  My tickets have already arrived!

Do It For Love - K

Dirt, Desert, and Philly Soul Darlings!

Have I been away too long?  Probably!!  This post stems from a conversation happening on Facebook regarding the 2003 Hall & Oates spread and article in Dirt Magazine.  The spread featured Daryl Hall, John Oates, Tanner Oates, and Hall's longtime friend, Marcia Strassman (although named as Marcia Strassburg in the article). 

Marcia (of Welcome Back Kotter fame) and Daryl have been friends since the mid-seventies.  So friendly, in fact, that Daryl gave Marcia a "wings necklace" in which she wore on a regular basis.  She can be seen wearing it in episodes of Welcome Back Kotter as well as in press photos.  Hope you enjoy!

Life is Good!!

The Great Blue Hill.

What an incredible show!  I am still reveling in the happiness three days later!  My friend and I arrived at the Historic Prowse Farm in Canton, MA for the Life is Good Festival at about 4PM.  Our goal was to pick up our passes, tour the festival grounds, grab something to eat, and settle into our spots for the show.



Our passes needed to be picked up at Will Call upon arrival.  After traveling from the parking lot to the festival grounds via the super efficient shuttle, we proceeded to the Will Call tent.  My tickets for entry were waiting...however, my passes for side stage viewing were missing.  Of course anxiety set in...but the Life is Good staff is wonderful and they assured me my passes would be found and delivered within an hour.  They allowed us to go into the festival and told us to return in 45 minutes or so.  

Life Is Good Food Stalls.

Let me just say, what a beautiful setting for a festival.  Prowse Farm is an amazing piece of land with a lovely meadow and a pond in the center.  This historic property boasts the Great Blue Hill as it's backdrop.  The festival grounds are clean with trash/recycle/compost repositories within every few yards.  Staffers are stationed at these repositories to help you make decisions as to where your trash needs to go.  It's quite incredible!  Children pranced, danced, and frolicked in the meadow as their parents looked on from their blankets.  It was such a wonderful, family friendly atmosphere.  Music played from one of the three stages at all times.  An overwhelming positive feeling and good vibes were present for the entire evening.

Summer Shack Ribs, Cole Slaw, Kettle Chips, and Magic Hat.

Delicious smells wafted through the air from the line of food stalls that met us upon entering.  After walking the grounds and checking out the different areas we decided to have a bite to eat.  We split the ribs and an order of kettle chips from the Summer Shack booth.  Needing a beverage to wash that down we each selected a Magic Hat #9....it's got a great apricot finish...must find this at my local package store!!  Both the ribs and kettle chips were great and hit the spot quite nicely!  

We finished our food and beer and then it was time to check for the passes.  Upon arrival at the Will Call tent we were greeted by the wonderfully friendly and helpful Chelsea who had our passes ready to go!  YAY!  We were golden!  I was so excited to learn that our passes were actually listed as artist's guest passes and would give us full backstage access.  Omigosh!  Hyperventilation!  

Life Is Good Artist Hospitality Area

Beverages!

Off we went to the backstage entrance, proudly donning our wristbands!  Sure enough, we were allowed right in and treated like queens!  And the first face we saw upon entering the artist hospitality area is celebrity chef Ming Tsai!  (As an aside...call me crazy...but the best perk might just have been the REAL bathrooms as opposed to the Port-A-Potties!)  

We needed another one of those Magic Hat #9's!  As we were in line, who popped up??  Brian Dunne, drummer extraordinaire!  As always, he was super nice and we were so happy to see him.  Chatting away with Brian I suddenly felt an arm around my shoulder....ELIOT LEWIS!  So great to see him and talk...it had been a few months...always glad to catch up!!  

Me, behind the soundboard.

We still needed that beer!  HA!  Back in line we went like giddy school girls!  2 Magic Hat #9's please!  The artist hospitality area was a great space.  Lots of areas to relax and enjoy the music and food.  Beautiful tents, chairs, pillows, and floral arrangements.  We found a nice little seating area and took in the surroundings.  

Sea of people!

We could hear The Roots playing in the background at the Positive Purpose Stage (they were supposed to be on the Main Stage however some of the band ran into some travel issues which forced the stage swap with Dawes).  It was getting close to show time so we took our places behind the soundboard at the Main Stage.  We could look out and see The Roots finishing up their set.

Teleprompter laptop

Andrea, my favorite Production Assistant, arrived and took her place behind the ever important laptop which controls the teleprompter on stage.  She promised me a set list after the show!  (And came through as always!  Thanks, Andrea!)

The butterflies hit!  Out of nowhere!  It's that pre-show excitement/nervousness/elation.  It happens every time!  Then we see the guys coming up on stage, waiting off to the side.  Wooo!  We are about to get started.  Daryl donned his guitar.  Porter and John waved to us!  All of the guys were casually chatting.  Each one with a smile on his face.  Here we go!!  The band ripped into Out Of Touch!  Being a festival they decided to go with a set list used previously at the Ryman Auditorium show in Nashville earlier this year.  

Happy Daryl!

I will say that they played one of THE best versions of Uncanny that I have ever heard.  It was the perfect combination of funky and soulful!  The crowd simply ate it up!  Daryl and John were both loving the crowd right back.  Daryl had very few issues with his monitors and even the sound tech was rocking out!  At one point John did have trouble hearing drums but that was quickly remedied.  Looking out on the sea of people, I was so proud of my favorite band.  

John Oates in the zone!

After the show we spoke with Paul Pesco for a few moments then headed back to the hospitality area.  One more celebratory beverage was in order!  Daryl Hall & John Oates had once again proved that they can deliver a stellar show that is fresh and fun even after 40 years.  

Next on deck....The Borgata - Atlantic City, NJ on October 4th and Tower Theater - Upper Darby, PA on October 5th.  Until then...Do It For Love!  x K

 

Daryl moves the hair from his face.

Set list and passes.

Daryl & Charlie

The fellas.

Joe and D chat between sets.

Charlie and Porter

The Professor

Paul Pesco snaps and audience pic.

Life Is Good and a Change of Season

Well, the summer is coming to a close and I am gearing up for the upcoming Hall & Oates performance at the Life is Good Festival in Canton, MA on Saturday September 21st!  The weather forecast is looking good and I am excited for the chance to see my most favorite band play in the late summer sun!  

I'm currently debating what camera to bring.  Do I go with my old standby...the Canon PowerShot S5IS or do I step out of the box and try the Olympus SP-600UZ that I have been procrastinating on picking up and using?  The Canon takes excellent shots in dark theaters where there are frenetic stage lights...that's usually why I go for it.  But given that this is an outdoor show where presumably there will be lots of natural lighting...I may be tempted by the Olympus!  I really won't have room for two cameras in my bag so I need to make a choice...and fast!

Another reason I am excited for this particular show is that The Roots will be on just before H&O take the stage!!  Oh yes...THE ROOTS!  This wouldn't be the first time these fellas would share a stage.  It should be noted that Daryl Hall sat in with The Roots on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon back in October of 2011 upon the release of his album Laughing Down Crying.  Also, Daryl performed at Philadelphia's 4th of July celebration along side The Roots and Queen Latifah back in 2012.  

As a fan, I am secretly hoping for a mini jam session between H&O and The Roots.  I have this sneaking suspicion that they will make it happen.  I hope I am not proven wrong!  

And seeing as we are in this transition of seasons I thought it would be the perfect time to post some pics of the Change of Season Tourbook.  It's one of my most favorite books with some amazing photos inside.  Enjoy!  And I will have a full report on Life Is Good this weekend!  Until then, do it for love!

Change of Season Tourbook Cover

Daryl in the mirror.

Centerfolds!

John...articulating.

Dressing room.

I Ain't Gonna Take it This Time.

Nile Rodgers...the Hall & Oates connection.

INXS, Daryl Hall, and Nile Rodgers during the recording of Original Sin.

Anytime I see Nile Rodgers performing on television, etc, this picture pops into my head.  Nile's Sunday night's appearance on the MTV Video Music Awards with Pharrell Williams and Daft Punk was no exception.  


This picture was taken in 1983 during the recording and production of INXS's Original Sin from their 1984 album titled "The Swing".  Nile was producing the album for INXS.  He had worked on producing and arranging the remix of the Hall & Oates' hit "Adult Education" earlier in 1983 and decided to call in Hall for some additional vocals on Original Sin.  Daryl and Michael Hutchence (pictured seated next to Daryl) supply the vocals for the chorus.  

As I mentioned above, this wasn't the first time Daryl had worked with Nile.  Rodger's had worked on the arrangement and production of the remix of "Adult Education" earlier in 1983.  Nile and Daryl would hook up once more in the eighties.  This time both Hall and Oates would be involved.  Daryl and John cut a cover of the Gamble & Huff classic, "Love Train" for the original motion picture soundtrack, "Earth Girls are Easy".  It just happens that Rodgers was the producer for the project! 

This wouldn't be the last time Daryl, John, and Niles would get together!  In December of 2003 they were each presented with New York Heroes awards by the New York Chapter of the Recording Academy.

Photo courtesy BMI.com

I urge you to check out Niles' recent work with Daft Punk.  It's got that just-right mix for R&B and Funk.  Here are a few vids to check out!

Las Vegas Turnaround 2013 - Part 2!

OK...where'd we leave off??  Oh that's right...our lousy 80's party!  HA!  Fear not!  Our next day was truly one for the record books!  We started off with a delicious breakfast at Mr. Lucky's 24/7.  For what they are (a Rock n' Roll Denny's according to one waiter), the food was quite good!  Jimmy opted for a Bacon Waffle...wish I had thought to take a snap of it....the thing actually had chips of crunchy bacon IN IT!  IMO, you can't go wrong with bacon....EVER!  

Jim and Phil at the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop.

Off we went to our bus!  This lovely bus would be taking us on our History Channel Tour of Gold & Silver Pawn Shop (Pawn Stars), Toy Shack (Pawn Stars), Ultimate Sports Cards & Memorabilia (Pawn Stars), Rick's Restorations (American Restoration), and Count's Kustoms (Counting Cars).  


We had an incredible day meeting all of these History Channel stars and getting to see where all the action takes place.  It was really a once-in-a-lifetime experience!  Special thanks to Phil Nichols and Susan Perrin of Right Track Booking Agency for organizing the event.

The D-Man.  Courtesy Vicky Sullivan.

And now...on to the show!  I always get this nervous butterflies-in-my-tummy feeling before every single Daryl & John concert.  I don't know if it's the excitement of being with all my friends or knowing that my idol is going to be singing my favorite songs only feet from me...after all the gigs I've seen, I still can't explain it.  It's an experience that just takes over every cell and seeps through every pore.  True elation!  


The set list was standard and to be expected for a casino show.  Daryl was dashing in his black western style shirt with white trim.  John looked fab in his button down shirt and jeans.  The band was at top form!  They sailed through hit after hit with ease!  This Las Vegas crowd ate it up!  They loved it, and the more love the crowd showed the more the band threw that love right back out there!  Amazing!  


As always, we were treated to two encores and then the party was over...but, was it?!?!  Oh no, the night was young.  We still had to DASH over to Vinyl Las Vegas (also in the Hard Rock Hotel) to see the one and only Eliot Lewis perform at 11:30 PM.  Seats secured, Jimmy ran up to our room to get our cameras which were not allowed into the Hall & Oates show.  

Eliot Lewis and John Oates performing "Save Me".

The place was packed at showtime!  Eliot took the stage and treated the crowd to his own tunes as well as covers of songs from some of the greatest musicians that have influenced his musical journey throughout the years.  Special guest appearances were made by John Oates, Klyde Jones and Porter Carroll Jr.  

Eliot Lewis performing at Vinyl - Las Vegas.

Lewis and Oates treated us to a new track,from John's latest solo venture (Good Road To Follow), called Save Me.  This was truly one of the best songs John has ever written!  Klyde Jones joined Eliot and they shared with us a song that both artists have sung lead vocals on in past incarnations of the Average White Band...Walk on By.  And later in the show Porter Carroll Jr. took us all to church with a super-soulful rendition of Sara Smile.  Dare I say I may have enjoyed this experience more than the Hall & Oates concert?!?!  Hmmm....almost!

Next up!  Night 2!!!

Las Vegas Turnaround 2013 - GOODIES EDITION

On every H&O trip we venture out on we inevitably come back with various Daryl & John (and band) related goodies!  Some we find by accident and some we go in search of!  Here's out haul from Las Vegas Turnaround 2013!  

H&O spread in HRH Magazine!

History Channel Tour laminates signed by the cast of American Restoration.

Signed CD's from Klyde Jones and Paul Pesco.

Paul Pesco Special Edition Guitar PickLace.

Night 1 Set List.

Night 2 Set List.

HRH Schedule w/ H&O Promo.

Eliot Lewis @ Vinyl Las Vegas Tickets.

Paul Pesco Special Series Chrome PickLace.

AMS Catalog signed by Paul Pesco & a Paul Pesco LFDH pick!