To quote John and Yoko, "And so this is Christmas, and what have you done? Another year over and a new one just begun."

Actually, we here at the site did a lot this year. Collectively we saw and heard a ton of live music from the likes of Kid Rock, Al Kooper, Kanye West, Dion, Flogging Molly, The Rolling Stones, W.A.S.P, L.L. Cool J, Foo Fighters, Wishbone Ash, The Pogues, Thomas Dolby, Mountain, Tom Petty, Van Morrison, The Grassroots, Madonna, Guns & Roses, Phil Lesh & Friends, Primus, Trey Anasatsio and many more.

We got turned on to Never The Bride and a spectacular young band from Britain, The Dykeenies. Bob Dylan released one of his all-time greatest collections, "Modern Times," and there was sensational new stuff from The Arctic Monkeys, The Who, Los Lonely Boys, Elton John, Babyshambles, Donald Fagan, Eric Clapton, and all the rest.

Phish released a DVD from their Brooklyn Coney Island shows from a few years back, and Pink Floyd released an amazing DVD as well.

Fact is, with all the insanity and negative vibrations flowing through our planet, the musicians came through as always. These wonderful artists provided us all with much needed and appreciated relief and entertainment. To one and all, including the roadies, the producers, and everyone else involved with getting the music to us, we say thanks. We couldn't do it without you, and the "it" in this case refers to getting through the days of our lives.

Also this year, I had the pleasure of seeing the great Billy Connelly perform. He said something like, "Auld Lang Syne, Happy Birthday, Jingle Bells! Another year over just that quick!" He's right. We are reelin' in the years faster than a Ministry guitar solo.

Al Kooper's first 60's group, The Blues Project, used to do a number that went, "No time like the right time and baby the right time is now." It may be 2006, 2007, 1956, or 1964, but it's always now. Now is all we've got and all you need is love.

On behalf of everyone here at the site we wish you, "A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Let's hope it's a good one without any fear."

Peace.

Ray D'Ariano

 


1957 - Jerry Lee Lewis married his 13 year old cousin while still married to his first wife, Jane Mitcham. Youthful bride Myra Gale Brown was also the daughter of the bass player in Lewis band.

1969 - The decade ended on a tragic note for The Rolling Stones when a fan at their Altamont Speedway concert was killed with a knife at the hands of the Hells Angels security squad.

1988 - Roy Orbison played his final performance at the site that is now the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, near Cleveland, Ohio.

1995 - The Beatles were back at number 1 on the U.S. albums chart in when their compilation "Anthology 1" vaulted to the top for the first of three weeks.
 
New this month . . .
CD Reviews:
" The Beatles Love
" Bob Seger Face The Promise
" The Who Endless Wire
" Peter Frampton Fingerprints
Concert Reviews:
" The Brian Setzer 5th Annual
Christmas Extravanagnza
Feature articles:
" MySpace Discovery Zone
featuring Matt Beal, CS Audio Project
and Strange Land
" Heady Spaghetti and Salmon on the Hammond
A Look at Al Kooper's Home Movie
" Frank Marino Part Two:
The Dr. Music Interview
" The Asia Reunion Tour Part Two:
The John Wetton Interview
Best of the Best:
" Boston

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