Jeff Lynne's ELO, Anaheim Honda Center, 6/20/19

Last Thursday, I got to see Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) which since 1972 has been the sole embodiment of the brilliant Jeff Lynne. Jeff's career as leader of ELO also includes being a solo artist, a member of the supergroup Traveling Wilburys, record producer of many artists, and long overdue induction into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame in 2017. 

Much like Paul Simon assembled for his touring band over recent years, Jeff Lynne's ELO is a tour de force of talented musicians that propel ELO's rock-symphony sound into the twenty-first century. That sound is in fact so well produced live to the band's recorded discography (and this is not a slight) that anyone can appreciate the musicianship, not to mention bringing several generations of fans to their feet, clapping and singing along to an extensive list of hits. So many big hits, that I had forgotten the stamp the 71 year-old Jeff Lynne has as a tunesmith in rock 'n' roll history. 

The band kicked off their 2019 tour at the Honda Center in Anaheim and here's a quick review by Steve Baltin.  In a rare move on my part, I've duplicated the setlist through mostly higher quality concert videos in my playlist this week. I've also added a couple of classics at the end not in the current tour rotation.

So, jump back into the ELO spacecraft where two young 20 year-old's sitting next to me at the show where transported back to the early 70's through mid 80's, and were completely rocking out, not to mention the throng of sixty-seventy year-old gray hairs.

Enjoy my friends!

June 1969, 50 Years of Music

Here's a playlist of songs from albums released in June, 1969. 

Enjoy my friends!

#NewReleases June, 2019 #Playlist

Here's a playlist I put together of new songs or new covers mostly put out just before June or in June of this year.

I can't wait to see the new documentary, Echo in the Canyon by Jakob Dylan about the 1960's "California sound" and the collection of musicians that flocked to Los Angles and hung together in Laurel Canyon. This playlist is sprinkled with a variety of new releases where the musical influences of the 60's and 70's are still with us today.

Included in this mix, is a song from the new Bruce Springsteen album, Western Stars, which happens to embrace the aforementioned west coast spirit and comes out this week, June 14.  Also, a song from the much anticipated new Black Keys album, Let's Rock, that comes out June 28th. Look for more playlists that will include songs from these two albums.

Enjoy the playlist my friends!

#ComedyMonday

Here's a little shout out to my dear friends Paul and Jane Hobbs who made the trip down from the Central Coast to see the very funny Jim Gaffigan at the Del Mar Fair last Saturday night.

On Sunday, Paul sent me a text me to say it was a fabulous show and with that in mind, thought I'd take a little music break and bring in some stand up and sketch comedy favorites this week.

This gives me a chance to share a clip of the great Tim Conway who recently passed away and like Gaffigan made everybody laugh every single time he did a bit. In my humble opinion, I think comedy is one of the hardest professions on earth. I know it's not brain surgery, but what a skill to examine life and then have the ability to make people laugh, over and over again.

I have tremendous respect for musicians and comedians as comedy like music soothes the soul. I hope you can have a few good laughs here to start your week. Enjoy my friends!