During the fall and winter seasons, you are most likely doing all of your reading indoors, commute included. When the weather gets warmer in New York, reading is something that many people choose to do outdoors, whether at the beach, at a park or on a rooftop. In turn, Downtown has some books to recommend to its readers:
Well-known to reality TV watchers of HGTV, Robert and Cortney Novogratz known how to redesign living spaces of all kinds. This hardcover book offers up plenty of design tips, no matter the size, locale and/or climate of your home.
A unique cookbook, Salad For President is a wonderful collection of inventive recipes and conversations with architects, musicians and all sorts of artists. Artist spaces all over the world are visited by Julia, as Laurie Anderson, photographer Willie Wegman, The Boredoms’ Shinji Masuko, and ceramicist Yui Tsujimura all participated.
Hal David co-wrote some of the biggest love songs of all time, including “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head,” “What The World Needs Now Is Love,” “There Is Always Something There To Remind Me,” and “To All The Girls I’ve Loved Before.” Hal’s wife Eunice has written a book in tribute to her late husband, offering insight into how some of his biggest hits were written and what it was like being married to the legendary lyricist.
It is often said that without The Sex Pistols, there would be no punk rock, and as the founding guitarist of The Sex Pistols, a lot of rock music’s roots go back to Steve Jones. In this memoir, the host of Jonesy’s Jukebox covers all facets of his life — he has done plenty as a musician, producer, actor and host since the Pistols disbanded for the first time in the late 1970s — and fortunately, for our entertainment, he writes just like he speaks.
Chef Nikki Dinki has a major fanbase as a result of her many appearances on television. But unlike many chefs, she has a wonderful story about learning how to eat well. Meat On The Side isn’t preaching for anyone to become a vegetarian — quite the opposite — but it does show how anyone can easily start eating more vegetables and wind up loving it.
Asterios Kokkinos is a prolific podcaster and writer, and this faux-catalog has hundreds of jokes within its 56 pages. Anyone who read toy catalogs — or even classified ads — during their formative years will love the attention to detail shown in Toys “4” Cheap. As an aside, Asterios’ followers on Patreon can get a podcast made exclusively for them.
As the mother of Foo Fighters founder (and Nirvana drummer) Dave Grohl, Virginia Hanlon Grohl helped raise one of rock’s biggest names. For this book, Virginia speaks to the mothers of Dr. Dre, Amy Winehouse, R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe, Maroon 5’s Adam Levine, The Beastie Boys’ Mike D, and the Haim sisters, sharing a lot of heart-warming tales in the process. And of course Dave wrote the book’s foreword.
California native and photographer Michael Zagaris photographed nearly every big name in rock that came through San Francisco in the 1970s and 1980s, including The Clash, The Grateful Dead, Blondie, Eric Clapton, and Led Zeppelin. This collection — which awesomely-features Lou Reed on the cover — contains a lot of previously-unseen work and is said to be the first in a series of collaborations between Michael and Reel Art Press.
Black Sabbath may have recently wrapped its farewell tour, but the British quartet remains popular as ever in 2017. This coffee table book looks beautiful, containing over 150 photos within its glossy pages. The whole pre-farewell history of Black Sabbath is tracked in What Evil Lurks, which contains a foreword from Machine Head’s Robb Flynn.
If Black Sabbath isn’t as heavy as your metal goes, then check out the debut comic from the band Slayer. The story was based on Slayer music videos. Available in print, Kindle and comiXology formats; beyond this comic series, the band will be on tour with Lamb Of God and Behemoth this summer.
Few musicians have logged more television time than Paul Shaffer. In addition to being David Letterman’s bandleader and sidekick from 1982 to 2015, Paul was part of the band on Saturday Night Live for nearly five years. He also starred in the CBS sitcom A Year At The Top, hosted the VH1 game show Cover Wars, and appeared in the classic comedy This Is Spinal Tap; there is a long-standing rumor that Paul was offered the role of George Costanza on Seinfeld.
Off-screen, Paul’s credits as a musician are also very impressive. He got his start in musical theater, serving as musical director of the Toronto production of Godspell, eventually finding his way to Broadway in New York. While still in the SNL fold, he was a major creative force behind The Blues Brothers. Early into his Late Night With David Letterman tenure, he played keyboards for Robert Plant’s post-Zeppelin band The Honeydrippers and contributed the impressive synth solo to Scandal’s “Goodbye To You.” He co-wrote the song “It’s Raining Men” for The Weather Girls, which went Top 10 around the world and has since been covered by RuPaul and The Spice Girls’ Geri Halliwell. He has also released several solo albums, one of which Grammy-nominated and two of which produced by Todd Rundgren.
Paul has not slowed down his leaving the Late Show With David Letterman. He has been the musical director of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony since its inception. He was the musical director and on-screen accompanist for 2015’s Primetime Emmy-nominated A Very Murray Christmas. Last year he recorded his third solo album alongside his Letterman bandmates, Paul Shaffer & The World’s Most Dangerous Band, as released via Sire Records on Mar. 17; it features vocals from Dion, Jenny Lewis, Bill Murray, Darius Rucker, Shaggy and Valerie Simpson.
In support of The World’s Most Dangerous Band, Paul and band will be appearing at the Theater At Westbury on Apr. 22. One night earlier, the show comes to Montclair’s Wellmont Theater. Paul spoke to Downtown about his new album, the tour, James Brown, New York and plenty more. He can followed on Twitter via @PaulShaffer.
First, I wanted to ask you about the book you wrote a couple of years ago. Was it enjoyable for you to write the book in considering that you are primarily known as a sideman and a host and all that? Or was writing a book a completely different creative experience for you?
Paul Shaffer: Well of course it was. I was very much lucky to have David Ritz writing it with me. He is a pro, does a lot of music biographies, started with the Ray Charles book that he did back in the 70’s and Marvin Gaye and on and on…A lot of process was sitting with David and remembering stories that happened, and then you know putting them together with him and making a book out of it. I loved the process.
Sure. Was there a lot of material that was leftover from the book? A lot of stories that you still feel you hope to tell one day in another book or another form?
PS: Of course…I didn’t get to talk about about seeing Siegfried and Roy in Las Vegas with James Brown and then hanging out with all three of them later on…That is a book in itself really, but yeah, I couldn’t put everything in there…That certainly was one of the things I realized about the book that I did write a little bit inside…
Speaking of things that are inside, a lot of people know of course that you co-wrote the song “It’s Raining Men,” but I was curious if you had been otherwise in the co-writing game, trying to place music with other artists. Or was that just a one-off for you?
PS: I have written a few other things but it was a sort of a one-off. My co-writer was Paul Jabara, who wrote a number of other hits including “Last Dance” by Donna Summer. I had back in the 70s, when I was working in the studio as a session musician, I had done arrangements for this guy. One song we did together was called “One Man Ain’t Enough,” so he was already working towards that concept…
Anyway, Paul called and said, “I’ve got this title I want to write and you were so great as my arranger. I would love it if we co-wrote this thing.” He said, “What do you think about the title ‘It’s Raining Men?’” I said, “I will be right over,” and that is how it came about. I have written a few other things, songs, I mean comedy songs of course. One called “Kung Fu Christmas” for the National Lampoon back in ’74… Really I just love to play. I just love the immediate ratification that you get from playing the piano and playing songs that I love. Writing was just never a priority with me…That is all I can say.
So you do have the upcoming show at Westbury with The World’s Most Dangerous Band and the album coming out on Rhino/Sire. Does that mean that you and the band are still fully intact and you hope to keep it going, even though you are not on TV every night?
PS: Well, we love to play together. Everybody is doing their own thing now…I brought everybody back together to do the album and there was just, I was in love with the reunion, you know. We all loved playing together and felt comfortable playing together. After all those years, now we speak the same language, so we did the record together, we had a great time together and it all, it made sense to do some live appearances, which we are going to be doing springtime. Everybody was interested so you know, simple as that…
For somebody who is a fan of yours and the other musicians for years on television but may not be so sure of what they are going to see live on tour, do you have a way of describing the show?
PS: Well, I am going to be telling a lot of stories…I would be bringing them out as stories about times on the Letterman show, different artists that we’ve worked with and then in many cases, backing it up with some of the music. You know. James Brown is a guy who was just such a great influence, my very favorite, and I got to play for him so many times on Letterman. Every time was a lesson…so you know I wanted to tell the audience about that and then you know demonstrate in songs…We are also going to be playing tunes from the new album.
Well, you’ve mentioned so far James Brown a couple of times. I remember you often coming in and out of commercial on Letterman, doing the James Brown cape routine. Is that something you ever talked about with him?
PS: With James?
Yeah.
PS: No…We got into a routine for, I think years, where every Friday I would do the routine and a different celebrity would come out and put the cape on. The pinnacle of it was when he himself did it, James Brown came out himself to put the cape on me. So you know, that was, I could have retired that after that. It was such a thrill but I did not get to…I never did.
PS: Yeah, I have read it, sure. I have read it in the history books, I did not get a chance to confirm it with him, no, in any of the conversations I had, but I believe it. You know, it makes sense. I remember, well, I am old enough to remember Gorgeous George and I remember his outfits and his capes and stuff. So if James Brown has to be pretty honest if he ever did it admit it personally…It would be an honest thing to say, “I got it from a wrestler.”
So you have the upcoming tour and you have the album coming out on Rhino/Sire. When you have a free moment, what do you like to do in your spare time?
PS: I have two kids, my daughter is 23 living, she is out of the house, but my son is a senior in high school still at home, and I just like to spend as much time with him as he has for me. That is my priority and I have my best times with him and my daughter too, so hanging out with them, that is it.
I must say that you created or at least you portrayed two of the greatest comedy characters ever between Artie Fufkin and your impression of Don Kirshner. Do you have aspirations to act or be on the camera without an instrument again?
PS: Sure, I love it. I found the experience very musical, especially comedy, comedy in front of an audience, because it is something like getting that reaction from the audience and the waiting for it and then going on with your line and timing is just perfectly. I enjoy it so much and getting that kind of response from an audience is just the same as getting a response for one’s music from an audience. I would love to do small acting, yes.
Cool, and back to the hobby thing, do you have a favorite restaurant in New York? I realize that you have been here for over 40 years in New York.
PS: Yeah. I still go to a place called Caffe Cielo, right near the Ed Sullivan Theater, so I used to have lunch there very often. Now they have moved farther down in the Theater District to 49th Street, but I still go there because there is a group of friends who have lunch at the bar. Also, Gallagher’s Steakhouse on 52nd it’s right by the old theater where I used to work. That’s a place I go for the oxtail soup. So those are the two places that come to mind.
Still a Midtown West guy, cool. And so finally, Paul, any last words for the kids?
PS: Well, yes, hey kids…That’s it. (laughs) You know keep your nose to the grindstone. and enjoy being a kid.
Bob Gruen is not only one of the most famous rock photographers, but one of its most prolific as well. If you’ve seen a photo of John Lennon wearing a “New York City” t-shirt, Bob took it. If you’ve seen a photo of Led Zeppelin standing in front of an airplane with their logo on it, Bob took that one, too. He has captured countless iconic images over the past five decades that we’ve grown accustomed to seeing on posters, shirts and the pages of books.
As a 50-year resident, Bob Gruen’s name is practically synonymous with downtown New York. Thanks to Carol Klenfner’s connection, I had the opportunity to conduct a Q&A with Gruen about his past, present and future, garnering a rare look at the man behind the lens. His work ethic is to be admired, and his “last words” are inspiring to all, not just to photographers. Much of Gruen’s classic work has recently been reissued, but there is a permanent display at Edition Hotel at 5 Madison Ave. [Editor Note: This article originally appeared in the Spring 2016 issue of Downtown Magazine.]
What was your first paying gig as a photographer?
Bob Gruen: I lived with a rock band [Glitterhouse] in the ’60s, and when they got a deal at Atlantic Records, they used my photos for their publicity. Atlantic then hired me to shoot Tommy James and the Shondells, when they were opening at a presidential rally for Hubert Humphrey.
What is it that you like most about living downtown?
BG: There is less traffic, and it’s quieter, because most of the streets are shorter and smaller than uptown, and the buildings are lower, so there’s more sky. But we’re close to everything going on in the city.
When did you first move downtown?
BG: I moved to Sullivan Street in June 1965, and I thought the Feast Of St. Anthony was a great welcome. I’ve lived in the West Village since 1970.
What is it that keeps you living in Manhattan, as opposed to moving to L.A.?
BG: I’m not moving to L.A., because I’d only last a few days there! The sun is nice, but it’s way too spread out, and there is so much traffic, it takes hours to get anywhere, and when you meet someone in L.A., they say, “How are you doing?” In New York they say, “What are you doing?” I like to be doing things.
Is your neighborhood on the verge of becoming another SoHo?
BG: I think the West Village is becoming another SoHo with high-priced shops and luxury condos, but I’m not ready to move.
Do you have a favorite venue in Manhattan for photo shoots? Or at least a favorite for concerts?
BG: I don’t really have favorite venues where I take photos, but I always like to see shows at the Beacon [Theatre], because it’s such a beautiful theater, and the sound is good. Past favorites were Max’s [Kansas City], The Bottom Line, CBGB’s and Don Hill’s, all now gone. But now, I think, for a club, I like Bowery Electric.
To you, is music good these days? Or are the best days of pop and rock behind us?
BG: I usually think the best day is today. You can’t go back, and I find good music all over town.
In October, your book on John Lennon was re-released. How does it compare to the original release?
BG: The new edition of John Lennon: The New York Years has a new cover and 16 new pages with 24 photos not published before.
Do you feel that there are any misconceptions about John? Or is there something you wish more people knew about him?
BG: John was very open about his life; I don’t think there are misconceptions. If people really want to know about John Lennon, they should read the last two interviews he gave — the BBC interview by Andy Peebles and the Playboy interview by David Sheff — both available as books. John expressed himself very clearly and had learned a lot from his five years of raising Sean [Lennon].
Do you have any exhibits in the works? Or any other books?
BG: There is a new permanent installation of 45 of my photos in the Billiard Room [in the Clocktower Restaurant] at the new Edition Hotel on 24th Street. This year, I released a new book of photos of Yoko Ono, See Hear Yoko, and there was a reissue of…TheClash. Photographs by Bob Gruen….My large 500-photo monograph, Rock Seen, is now in its 4th printing. I’m currently working on an autobiography.
Is there anyone you haven’t yet photographed but still hope to?
BG: I’ve met many very interesting people, and I can’t say there is anyone special I can think of I’d like to photograph. But I go out all the time, and I’m always happy to meet new people.
If a person were thinking of getting into photography as a proper hobby, is there a particular camera you’d recommend to start with?
BG: The camera doesn’t matter as long as you’re comfortable with it; they all do mostly the same things. It’s what you do with it that matters.
Is there a photograph or a particular shoot that you’re most proud of? Or see as your biggest accomplishment?
When you’re not busy with your career, how do you like to spend your free time?
BG: I’m busy with my career most of the time, but I like to travel and visit with my family and grandchildren now.
Finally, Bob, any last words for the kids?
BG: I always tell people that if you take a lot of pictures, you’re bound to get a good one, and if you only show the good ones, people will think you’re good. Other than that, learn from the past, look to the future, but live in the present.
With Black Friday and Cyber Monday just a few days behind us, there is still plenty of time for some gift-planning for this holiday season. Below are 11 deluxe album releases from classic artists for Downtown readers to consider:
Available in both LP and CD formats, some of Phil Collins’ classic albums have been remastered with new liner notes added in. Phil’s 2010 covers album, Going Back, is in revamped format, now condensed to 14 songs with an alternate tracklisting.
Less than a year after the tragic and sudden loss of David Bowie comes the release of Who Can I Be Now? (1974 – 1976), the second in a series of Bowie box-sets. Available in 12CD, 13LP and digital formats, the collection includes the previously-unreleased 1974 album The Gouster in addition to other previously-unreleased mixes.
Available as both a 3CD and a 5LP set, The Complete BBC Sessions captures Led Zeppelin in its best form — live, that is — between the years of 1969 and 1971. An expansion of the original BBC Sessions release from nearly 20 years ago, this collection includes eight previously-unreleased recordings, in addition to extensive liner notes from Dave Lewis.
The Elektra Years includes all six Elektra-released studio albums released by The Cars. This collection was digitally-remastered by The Cars’ principal songwriter Ric Ocasek while its artwork was overseen by drummer David Robinson. Arguably the most underrated classic rock band of all time.
Toto is largely known in the States for its ballads, as opposed to being known internationally as one of the most accomplished musical collectives ever to reach pop radio; its members have played on thousands of albums. At this Montreux Jazz Festival performance from 1991 — the set includes a CD and DVD with the same setlist — the group mixes up a few hits with some Sly Stone and Jimi Hendrix covers.
This release is an interesting compilation of several Peter Gabriel releases, making for a mix of live performances from 1988, 2002 and 2004, in addition to a documentary. Two DVDs that guarantee you learn a lot about the former frontman of Genesis, who is still playing on some of the world’s biggest stages.
The Scorpions have literally been at it for 51 years, and this DVD — a live performance from a few years back — still shows the German hard rock legends in fine form. The Scorps play all the hits in their hometown with plenty of pyro and on-stage excitement surrounding them.
Micky Dolenz is still associated with The Monkees, having been a major part of 2016’s #1 album Good Times!. But Micky has recorded consistently over the years, even when The Monkees were not active, and The MGM Singles Collection is great proof of that. This single CD collection includes lesser-heard collaborations with Harry Nilsson, Randy Newman, Peter Tork and Starship’s Michael Lloyd.
Bryan Adams has sold close to 100 million records and singles worldwide, and this 1996 concert — a single DVD with a booklet — shows why. In front of a capacity crowd at London’s Wembley Stadium, Bryan Adams plays hit after hit, leaving me to wonder why he isn’t one of the staple artists on classic rock radio. As an aside, his Jeff Lynne-produced 2015 album Get Up is fantastic.
Recorded as part of KISS’ 2014 residency at the Hard Rock Hotel, Rocks Vegas is a concert DVD with an accompanying CD; the DVD includes a seven-song acoustic set not featured on the CD. Selections from all eras of the KISS catalog are featured, makeup and not.
The Independent Years: 1983-2004 is fairly-explanatory by its name, featuring four Social Distortion albums in vinyl form: Mommy’s Little Monster, Prison Bound, Sex, Love & Rock ‘n’ Roll, and the early years compilation Mainliner (Wreckage From The Past). Each of the four LPs is colored differently, with Social D’s 2004 album looking beautiful in gold translucent vinyl. The punk godfathers are still at it, of course, now in their fourth decade.
As the weather gets colder, New Yorkers have a need to layer up for warmth. Arguably the warmest non-jacket item that a person can wear, the cashmere sweater is an article of clothing that simultaneously provides ultra-warmth and fashionability. Yet not all cashmere is sourced or prepared with the same level of care, making some designers stand out far and apart from others.
Kinross Cashmere, with offices in both New York City and Boston, is currently sold online and at over 500 retailers nationwide. Originally part of Dawson International — a world-renowned luxury textile company headquartered in Kinross, Scotland — Kinross Cashmere is now a U.S.-based cashmere and luxury natural fiber apparel line. It is currently the only company in its industry with a bluesign certification.
Downtown spoke with a few folks from the Kinross team to learn more about the brand: Co-Founder Andy Bartmess, Co-Founder Mary McCann, and Creative Director Suzanne Pond. Between the three Kinross team members, there was some great knowledge dropped about the geography and materials needed to produce a top-tier cashmere sweater and also where to find some great razor clams in Downtown Manhattan.
Do you remember the first cashmere item you ever owned?
Suzanne Pond: My first cashmere item was a red sweater one of our family friends gave me as a kid. It was the softest coziest sweater I had ever tried on and I couldn’t wait for the weather to get cool enough so I could wear it. My mom would only let me wear it on special occasions since it was such an expensive piece for a little kid to wear, and that feeling of wearing the bright red, soft sweater on the most special days of my childhood has stayed with me ever since.
A lot of people first heard of cashmere via the Led Zeppelin song title “Kashmir.” Is there any relation between the two?
SP: While the song doesn’t really have anything to do with cashmere, the song title certainly does. Kashmir is a region of northern India, and it is reputed to be the original 18th century source of shawls made using hair from the fine winter undercoat of a certain breed of goat — this fine goat fiber eventually took the name of its origin and came to be known as cashmere. The Led Zeppelin song is more about Robert Plant’s adventures driving through the Sahara Desert in northern Africa. As it happens, the vast majority of the best quality cashmere material in the world today also comes from the regions around a desert, but it’s the Gobi, not the Sahara.
What is it about that your cashmere that provides so much warmth?
SP: Cashmere goats live in extremely harsh environments and their coats have evolved to insulate them from those conditions. The warmth is related to the fineness of the fiber which makes it more effective at blocking the cold airflow. Cashmere is one of the finest commercially-available fibers, and we select only the highest grade fiber for our garments, making them especially warm and soft.
You are known as a Scottish company, but also have offices in Boston and New York City. What is it that is worked on in the New York office?
SP: In the beginning, we were owned by the Scottish luxury textiles company Dawson International; headquartered in Kinross, Scotland. Besides Kinross, they also owned well-known cashmere brands like Ballantyne and Pringle. We became a privately-held business in 2014, after Dawson International closed its operations. Boston is our home office and includes Finance, Customer Service, Design, Sourcing and Distribution. Our sales team and showroom are based in our New York City office.
How does a company go about becoming a bluesign® Systems Partner?
SP: It’s not easy! The bluesign governing body is based in Switzerland. They have an extensive and arduous process to test and certify a company’s supply chain to ensure it treats all the people and communities it interacts with respectfully, lawfully and responsibly, and that it does no harm to the environment. Certification starts with detailed documentation of the production process and includes several cycle audits, inspections and improvements. In total, this process took us more than a year to complete and we are proud to say that we are the only company in our industry with a bluesign certification.
Do you remember the first store in New York that carried Kinross Cashmere products?
Mary McCann: Absolutely, in 2001 Rothmans’s, on Park Avenue South and 18th Street, was the first store in New York to carry Kinross Cashmere. It’s a men’s clothing store carrying luxury brands that have a similar core mission to ours, so it’s a true honor to work with the team there. They remain huge supporters and continue to carry Kinross Cashmere.
Do you have a favorite Kinross Cashmere article of clothing? Or one that you wear most often?
MM: Living in the Northeast, nothing beats the perfect black cashmere turtleneck. An iconic silhouette in a luxury fiber is my must-have. It is the most versatile sweater as it is the perfect companion to jeans for a casual weekend look or can be dressed up with skinny black pant or pencil skirt for the office.
What’s coming up for Kinross Cashmere in the near-future?
MM: We just launched our women’s Spring ’17 collection and have introduced a luxury tissue weight cotton yarn and new range of tees that are made in the USA. We are finalizing our Fall ’17 range, showcasing woven coats, super-lightweight worsted cashmere and accessories in addition to our yummy cashmere sweaters. We are pleased to announce that we are introducing a new men’s collection in Fall 17, designed by a menswear guru, which includes fine shirtings made in the USA, Italian knit ties and accessories.
Are there any brands that Kinross Cashmere partners with?
MM: No, currently Kinross has not partnered with any brands, although it has been on the radar and our customer may see some partnerships in the future.
When not busy with work, how do you like to spend your free time?
Andy Bartmess: What’s free time? (laughs) When I am not in the office, I spend my time enjoying the great outdoors via running, biking and paddling. New England is home to a vibrant arts community and I support the local arts scene by catching all the new shows at the repertory theaters and exhibits at the local museums.
Do you have a favorite restaurant in New York?
AB: Casa Mona, a cute quaint neighborhood restaurant in Gramercy. Two words: razor clams!
Finally, any last words for the kids?
AB: The world currently produces millions of low-quality apparel that can only be worn a handful of times. This is a huge waste of raw materials and a major source of greenhouse gasses. It’s worth it to invest in beautiful, high-quality clothes that will last. The younger generation is in-tune with sustainability and longevity. Cashmere is the perfect item!
