It’s-A-Happening
This Saturday, March 31, from 8:00 PM until 12:00 AM, The New York Roots Music Association presents, in its entirety, Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era.
The influential compilation of American garage rock singles released in the mid- to- late 1960s originally came out as double album in 1972 on Elektra Records. Sire Records re-issued the set in 1976 on the cusp of the punk explosion. Originally assembled by Jac Holzman, the esteemed founder of Elektra Records, and Lenny Kaye, the long-time lead guitarist for the Patti Smith Group, an expanded edition of the double-album, released as a four-CD box set, came out on Rhino in 1998.
Owing to the extraordinary influence of the first collection, four more sets have been released over the years. Nuggets II: Original Artyfacts From The British Empire And Beyond came out on Rhino in 2001. It reflects the British side of the psychedelic/garage coin. Is the best of all the boxes, other than the original. Oddly, it is out of print. Two additional sets of American music are also available. Love Is the Song We Sing: San Francisco Nuggets 1965-1970, a four-CD set released on Rhino, came out in 2007. Where The Action Is! Los Angeles Nuggets 1965-1968, an oversized, coffee table, book-shaped, four- CD set came out on Rhino in 2009. There is also Children of Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the Second Psychedelic Era – 1976-1996, released on Rhino in 2005. It is now out of print. The four-CD set of post-punk, psychedelic-influenced bands includes some artists from the short-lived, West Coast “paisley underground” scene.
NYRMA Presents Nuggets Vol. 1 includes performances from a panorama of local music legends, iconoclasts and 60’s music aficionados. Those performing include Joe Lauro, Jon Geffner, Danil Dreger, Annie Mark, Bill Walsh, Eammon Bowles, Stephen Lombardo, Tom Pfiefer, Rich Wisneski, Stephen Hunking, Andrew Fortier, Mary Lamont, Jim Marchese, Randy Hudson, Anthony Liberatore, Paul Schmitz, Terry Day, Eric Crugnale, Rich Umbach, Steve Kaplan and many more.
The evening will feature Long Island’s answer to the famed “Wrecking Crew,” the NYRMA All-Stars: Tom Ryan, Howard Silverman, Steve Prisco, Gary Dawson, Mick Hargreaves, Dave Wise, Chris James and Pete Crugnale. The cover is $10, with a full cash bar. The event will be held at the American Legion Post 1812 at 115 Southern Pkwy, in Plainview.
Yesterday and Today
Fans of 60s music should look for the two new albums from ex-Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr.
McCartney’s Kisses On The Bottom (Hear Music) is a departure for McCartney. The great songwriter only penned two songs for this collection. The rest of the album features his interpretations of songs from the great American songbook. The album works well and McCartney clearly understands and appreciates the material. McCartney is assisted on the album by the veteran jazz production team of producer Tommy LiPuma and engineer Al Schmitt.
Primarily recorded at Capitol Studios at the iconic Capitol Tower in Los Angeles, the recording took place in the same room where Frank Sinatra and many others cut some of the greatest jazz/songbook tracks in American recording history.
The other half of the Beatles’ rhythm section, Ringo Starr, is back with 2012 (Hip-O). Mr. Starkey is on a roll. Since Liverpool 8 in 2008 and Y Not in 2010, Ringo is being reflective in his songwriting lyrics, yet making fresh-sounding new music. Ringo produced the album and is supported by such musicians as Joe Walsh, Benmont Tench from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Don Was, Dave Stewart, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Edgar Winter. In a stroke of genius, two other musicians joined this album. Legendary jazz bassist Charlie Haden plays on “Think It Over” and Van Dyke Parks plays various instruments on “Samba.” Starr’s looking back to his seminal Liverpool days seems to be rejuvenating him to enter a new phase of creativity.