cfyves.com - Music

Drum gig - Playing Friday with Platinum Drive

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 22:34:00 -0300

Thought I'd just throw this out there.

Recently I've been looking to play some gigs, play more music again.

I've had the pleasure of playing with Platinum Drive a few times lately and will be playing with them at The Silver Fox in Summerside on Friday night.

Last sunday afternoon I had the pleasure of sitting in with Muddy Buddy for a Canada Games volunteer rally at the Credit Union Place.

I'm still looking for work... and would gladly consider a full time gig.

New music on the way : Krantz Carlock Lefebvre

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 13:23:00 -0300

This morning, I got an email from waynekrantz.com, a fan mailing list I subscribed to long ago.

Hadn't received an email from that list in a long time. Too long in fact. Wayne Krantz is a truely great guitar player from NYC and some of his trio recordings have been favorites of mine for some time.

I remember reading that the trio was on hiatus and I was disappointed by the news.

But this morning... what a great surprise. Seems as though the trio is alive once again!

They are releasing an album and are called "Krantz Carlock Lefebvre".

Here they are at the Montreal Drum fest in 2005... Keith making a little noise.

I love these guys.

Drum clinic yesterday for Music Rocks Academy

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 09:42:00 -0300

Yesterday I had the pleasure of doing a short drum clinic for Music Rocks Academy in Summerside.

I was invited by Moe Hashie, one of the Academy's instructors, to give an hour long drum clinic.

So I talked a bit about warm up excercises and some of the stuff that I've practiced over the years and currently practice. I took some questions about influences and favorite drummers. It was fun.

Got to see some faces I hadn't seen in quite a while. It was a fun time.

Played some grooves... Moe asked me to play some faster stuff, so I played around the kit a bit faster and talked about playing around the kit getting the motion of the body smooth.... talked about stick control a bit as well. So I played a pattern around the kit slowly and gradually sped it up.... which in fact I had to do a bit to get it going faster. Playing on someone else's setup is always a bit different..... when the toms are a couple of inchs off where you are a customed to, it makes a difference.

Finally, a couple of the guitar instructors got up on the stage and we had a little jam. Played Crazy Train, Enter Sandman and Moby Dick (which I hadn't heard in a long long time).

It was a fun time.

Metallica interview for Rock 'n Roll hall of fame

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 23:27:00 -0300

Found this and it coincides with my late purchase of Death Magnetic on iTunes.

Metallica's music had a great impact on me growing up... I consider a few albums classics.

So here it is:

Sad news in the music world

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 13:06:00 -0300

The great Louis Bellson has passed away.

Louis was a jazz pioneer and also pioneered using 2 bass drums.

He will be missed.

Zappa plays Zappa is amazing

Mon, 29 Dec 2008 17:36:00 -0300

Some of you out there currently zipping about the internet have never heard of Frank Zappa, nor have heard of his music.... while some others likely have (and some of the "some" are likely fans)....

I had heard that Dweezil Zappa had started touring with a show (or band) called Zappa plays Zappa... this instantly caught my attention. I really really wanted to see this show... being a fan of Zappa's music for a number of years I've often thought of some day finding some people to play some Zappa stuff.... and the thought of seeing a somewhat "authentic" live performance of his music was exciting.

Of course, living on the east coast here in Canada, we don't get many shows like this come through the maritimes.... I've driven to Quebec city and Montreal to see shows/festivals... this time around, the band did tour to Quebec, but the logistics of time VS $$ just didn't work out for me.

BUT... I bought this DVD... Zappa plays Zappa.

This DVD is very very awesome. Musically, it is super..... I couldn't compliment it enough. For any Zappa fan, I would strongly suggest this DVD. This band is great and Frank's music comes to life!!

In the first song I fell in love with this DVD.

Check it out here on Amazon

I would have to say that I'm very very happy that Dweezil has taken up this project to bring back Frank's music. The production is great, the playing is great.... the music does live. Dweezil, congrats on the super work you're doing with this and THANK YOU for doing it!!!

Favorite musicians - Steve Weingart

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 22:09:00 -0300

This video clip is from the Dave Weckl band which includes another one of my favorite musicians... but in this post I wanted to post about Steve Weingart.

I remember several years ago when I used to go to the Montreal Drum Fest faithfully (haven't been able to attend in several years now) there was a band in the lineup that I didn't really know.

In fact, it was a band that I believe Steve was filling in for.. he was playing along side of Joey Heredia and Marco Mendoza . After we got in Montreal, little did I know that I was staying in the same hotel as many of the artists performing @ the drum fest.

We had heard that these guys were playing at a local bar... 3 nights in fact.. plus at the drum fest (on the saturday I believe).

We went down to the small place they were playing in and had front row seats to a mastery of musicianship. Their performance was nothing short of awesome.

After that show (on the thursday night) we met the band afterwards.... it was very cool to chat with them.

On the friday after the drum fest I was gonna make my way down to watch them again... and I met both Marco and Steve in the hotel lobby, we chatted a bit (they recognized me from the night before) and I let them know I was gonna see their show.... it was neat because they invited me to take the cab with them.

When we got down to the club, I paid for the cab ride.... I remember Marco thanking me (as I did it without offering or anything) and he told me "tonight you're our guest" and he proceeded to tell the door man I was with the band that night.

That friday and the next night on the saturday, I remember chatting with the guys a bit... I remember sitting with Steve and just chatting music for a little bit. About studying formally vs self-taught studying... about playing live....... stuff like that.

Steve was (and most likely still is) very cool.... he seemed to share when I asked my questions, seemed very down to earth... and left a long lasting impression of someone passionate about music and sharing his knowledge... for me it was one of the best learning experiences chatting with him and watching his incredible talents in a small setting.

A great talent on the keys!

In the video....
Dave Weckl - drums
Tom Kennedy - bass
Steve Weingart - keyboards
Gary Meek - saxophone

A favorite - Hiromi Uehara

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 22:32:00 -0300

I don't really buy CDs like I used to.... nor do I buy any new music (in whatever format) at the pace I used to. And I do not illegally download music. I usually buy from iTunes when I do get something.

That being said, I'm a guy who happens to love drums.... and has played drums live, studied them, been a hired hand.... played bands.. showcases... recorded.. .and I absolutely love music.

Music has always done something to me.... a good groove just does "it" ya know?

Over the last few years, I "discovered" an artist that I've followed since.

Hiromi Uehara.

She has this way of playing the piano/keys that not many could attain. And her band is simply amazing.

I bought most of her albums.. I think I'm missing one.

One album features a great drummer that really caught my eye at a Montreal Drum Fest some years back. Dave Dicenso.... amazing talent on the kit.

And on the other albums, I got to discover another great drummer. Martin Valihora. He's a great drummer... plays great jazz feel and can also lay down some great feelin' grooves.

Here's a clip from Hiromi's latest album.

Hiromi Uehara - "Ue Wo Muite Aruko" live in Palermo (11/2008)

Iron Maiden - on CNN Revealed (3 parts)

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 00:14:00 -0300

Let me start by saying that Iron Maiden has been one of my all time favorite bands. I'm happy that I got to see them live a couple of times and that for the level of success they've had in their careers they have always appeared to be grounded..... I have the utmost respect for them.

These video clips are from CNN Revealed and shows interviews along with clips from their live shows and routine while on their latest tours....

Enjoy!

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

http://edition.cnn.com/CNNI/Programs/revealed/

ACDC to sell new album as WalMart exclusive??

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 19:22:00 -0300

I was pretty surprised to see this.... but maybe it's a gag.

ACDC is mentioned as possibly selling their upcoming album through WalMart... exclusively... on CD....

It would somewhat shock me, as digital sales seem to be where the market is and will be. I've switched to iTunes myself.

But, say if this did happen... I'm not anti-CD... and if the album had a ton of strong material on it... .I'd still possibly buy it.

Still kinda surprising though.

(ACDC + WalMart here)

Voivod - Making of Katorz

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 11:36:00 -0300

I just found this clip on Youtube and wanted to post it.

Voivod have always been one of my favorite bands and "Piggy"'s guitar playing in Voivod has been one of the most unique voices in music (in my opinion). When we speak about bands that sound original, Piggy's phrasing and composition style certainly made Voivod's legacy as one that has a unique sound in Metal.

This short clip has some short commentary from his band mates and on an upcoming documentary (which is probably out as I write this).

Enjoy!

RIAA - Tides changing?

Sun, 16 Mar 2008 00:11:00 -0300

Here's a post on some of the latest RIAA stuff.

Looks like the RIAA will likely find a "change of pace" in their constant pursuit of lawsuits against seniors, kids... anyone and everyone....

Instead of taking the route of changing the businesses practices to meet the ever growing demand for media..... and find new ways to make tons of money.

Anyway.... check this out!

Jeff Healey - RIP

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 22:38:00 -0300

Today I heard the sad news.

Jeff Healey, a very gifted musical voice has passed away at the age of 41.

To play the guitar as Jeff did without the use of his eyes seems to show that his intrument truely was an extention of his being.

To whom I have never personally met, I have certainly enjoyed your special musical touch in the soundwaves over the years.

Jeff, RIP.

(Yahoo! - Reuters)

Maxim apologizes to The Black Crowes

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 21:23:00 -0300

Earlier in the week I read an article online, that mentioned that Maxim magazine had reviewed the new Black Crowes CD... but there was a catch.

The reviewer hadn't actually listened to the whole thing.

So, this guy wrote a review of an album without really hearing the album.

I really found this...
a) hilarious
b) absurd
c) sad

I think this can only serve to really lower the value of anything that is in the "review" section of their mag.

Anyway.. it seems that Maxim magazine offered their apology to The Black Crowes.

(Read about it here on Yahoo!)

Herbie Hancock - Album of the year

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 08:02:00 -0300

I honestly don't have to much interest in the Grammys.

I really love music, but usually I don't listen to what "the masses" listen to.

I was totally surprised to see that Herbie Hancock won the Album of the year @ the Grammys... of course, I didn't watch the show.... because I'm generally not interested in award shows like that. Maybe I'll post why some day.

I was very pleased to see Hancock honoured with that award. Hancock's a truely great musician and his legacy speaks for itself.

Congrats!

(AP on Yahoo!)