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Paul Shaffer on his Apr. 22 New York show, new album & more

Paul Shaffer / Photo courtesy of CBS
Paul Shaffer / Photo courtesy of CBS

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…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHIm7ITmsjo

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…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBvCIzU_Y_Q

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.

Is it true that James Brown lifted the cape concept from Gorgeous George, the old professional wrestler? Did you ever hear that?

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.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyy-b2Rg3uA

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Culture Entertainment Music

That Dog’s Anna Waronker on New York & the band’s new 7″

That Dog

 

The Los Angeles-based band known as That Dog formed in 1991, inking a proper record deal with David Geffen’s DGC label within two years. That Dog went on to release three albums with DGC, touring alongside major acts like Blur, The Wallflowers, Weezer, Beck and the Counting Crows. The quartet of Rachel Haden, Anna Waronker, Tony Maxwell and Petra Haden disbanded in 1997, although none of the members of That Dog ever abandoned music; for example, that is Petra Haden’s violin work you hear on Green Day’s “Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life).” A proper That Dog reunion happened in 2011, leading to more shows in 2012 and finally a new album slated for release later this year; at this time it appears that only Rachel, Anna, and Tony are onboard for the forthcoming studio effort.

Before the new music from That Dog hits stores, Hello Records is releasing the limited-edition Totally Crushed Outtakes 7″ today, Mar. 31. One of the four tracks, “Silently,” features Beck on banjo. To learn more about the Outtakes, Downtown spoke with Anna via e-mail. More on Anna can be found at www.annawaronker.com, while That Dog keeps up an official page on Facebook.

What do you remember about the first gig you ever played in New York? Was it as part of That Dog?

Anna Waronker: I think the first show we ever played in New York was opening for Beck and Evel Kneivel at The Grand. It was a tribute to Evel Kneivel and Beck was asked to perform. We were on tour with Beck at the time so we were also on the bill. All I really remember was that we learned our tour manager misplaced most of our merch cash, I tried to shield a very pregnant Kim Gordon from the crowd, and we had a lot of wigs backstage.

Do you have a favorite of the Totally Crushed Out outtakes? Are there other outtakes in existence, by the way?

AW: I love the acoustic version of “Silently.” And I love that Beck played banjo on it. We were such good friends and collaborators during that time. It was fun to have him on one of our songs.

Members of That Dog have contributed to the work of Weezer, Beck, Mike Watt, The Rentals, Jimmy Eat World, Todd Rundgren, Nada Surf…plenty of great artists. Did that have to do with hanging out with other artists often, as opposed to the work of agents and managers?

AW: Absolutely. It was a very creative and social scene. For us, it was fun to work with different people. Mostly friends. Some people we looked up to.

Promoting Totally Crushed Out outtakes aside, what’s coming up for you? Any chance of more That Dog shows in the future?

AW: Well, we are finishing a new album. It’s pretty close to being finished. It’s been a very cool experience making a new album together. It’s like we picked up where we left off when we were at our most creative state. We are also doing a 20-year anniversary show for Retreat From The Sun at the El Rey in Los Angeles on Apr. 8. We will have some fun guest stars.

When not busy with music, how do you like to spend your free time?

AW: Mostly with kids. Whether our own or with nieces and nephews.

Do you have a favorite restaurant in New York?

AW: Tony lives in New York, so he has lots of favs, including Barrio Chino (Mexican), Via Carota (Italian), and the Grand Central Oyster Bar (for Oysters, of course). New York can’t be beat for amazing food options, but I have to say L.A. is giving New York a run for its money.

Finally, any last words for the kids?

AW: Be creative however you need to. Take risks. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, we all make them. Don’t be too hard on yourself, it’s a waste of time. Know when to make your own rules and then make them.

https://soundcloud.com/sammeans/ms-wrong/s-QWGGU

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Culture Entertainment Music

Q&A with Kenny Loggins, Sam Moore, G. Love & more about “The Music Of Aretha Franklin” at Carnegie Hall on Mar. 6

franklin-new

Every year when March rolls around, music fans in New York City know to expect a major concert benefit being presented by City Winery’s Michael Dorf. This year is no exception as Mar. 6 brings The Music Of Aretha Franklin at Carnegie Hall, the 14th installment of Michael’s Music Of series. Among the artists slated to perform the works of the Queen Of Soul are Melissa Etheridge, Kenny Loggins, Glen Hansard, Rhiannon Giddens, G. Love, Sam Moore, CeeLo Green, Todd Rundgren, Antibalas, Allen Stone, Taj Mahal, Living Colour, and Bettye LaVette. Arguably the most prominent and impressive lineup ever assembled by Michael and team.

Downtown had the pleasure of speaking with six of the evening’s performers: Kenny Loggins, Sam Moore, Ron Pope, G. Love, Ruthie Foster, and Richard Thompson. Few artists can bring entertainers of all genres together like Aretha Franklin, and this Q&A helps explain why that is. 100% of the net proceeds from the Mar. 6 event are given to music education organizations for underprivileged youth, including Young Audiences New York, Little Kids Rock, and Church Street School Of Music; well over $1 million has been raised through prior events.

More on Michael Dorf and his event series can be found at www.musicof.org. Those looking to catch a public dress rehearsal of the Carnegie Hall event can try finding tickets via the City Winery website.

Do you remember the first time you heard Aretha Franklin? Or at least the first song by her you’d heard?

Kenny Loggins: “Natural Woman” — I was in high school. 

Sam Moore: I’ve known Aretha since she was a teenager playing piano for her father the famous Reverend C.L. Franklin. That’s around 60 years ago. 

Ron Pope: There was never a time in my life before Aretha. Her voice was always there. I remember singing along to “Respect” as a really little kid. Sometimes I’d sing lead, sometimes I’d sing the background parts. I remember when I learned that she was singing the word “propers” in that song; when I was little, I always thought it was “popcorn.”

Ruthie Foster: I grew up listening to Aretha. Her gospel recordings with her father, Reverend C.L. Franklin, were a mainstay in our house when I was a little girl.

G. Love: I’m thinking that I surely grew up listening to the sounds of Aretha on the radio my whole life. I do remember my parents being crazy about the soundtrack for this movie The Big Chill, and I’m pretty sure “Natural Woman” was on that cassette. They wore it out! As I grew up and into music my Uncle Billy turned me on to Booker T & The MGs, who were the Stax Records backing band and recorded many of Aretha’s hits with her. So I always loved Aretha and the sounds behind her.

Richard Thompson: It would have been “Respect.” I was at school over in London, and that must have been 1964? It’s the first record of Aretha’s that got much airplay.


Do you have a favorite Aretha song?

Kenny Loggins: “What A Fool Believes” — I totally went to school on her reinvention. 


Sam Moore: Well, she won the Grammy for my song “Hold On I’m Coming” in 1981, and I’ve stolen her arrangement done by the brilliant Arif Martin for my live performances. I recorded one of her big hits written by Ahmet Ertegun, “Don’t Play That Song For Me,” and I’ve heard her performing it and her shows with my arrangement.


Ron Pope: “Baby, I Love You” is my very favorite song of Aretha’s; it has everything I want in a record. Her lead vocal is lights out, the harmonies she sings with her sisters are interesting and effective, Jimmy Johnson’s guitar is so damn smooth driving it all along, they have King Curtis and those horn parts that feel iconic but are still understated. The recording is absolutely everything. The Swampers and King Curtis!? Unreal! And it’s like two minutes long! You want to explain to someone why she’s the Queen? Play them that!


Ruthie Foster: Her rendition of “Amazing Grace” is my favorite!

G. Love: I think my favorite is “I Never Loved A Man (The Way That I Love You)” — just the dynamic of the performance and the groove hits me!

Richard Thompson: I love her version of “You Are My Sunshine.”

Where was the first gig you ever played in New York City? What do you remember about it?

Sam Moore: Oh my goodness. The Apollo Theater on the package as an opening act in 1963, I believe. I remember legendary female comedian Moms Mabley telling me, after Dave [Prater] and I sort of phoned in a performance because there were very few people in the house at the time we went on, “not to be lazy on stage and to get out there, even if there’s only three people in the audience and give them the show they paid their money to see! Do your best don’t ever shortchange the house, even if it’s just the waiters and waitresses at a club you’re playing as your career progresses.” Her words have never left me since and every time I walk out on stage I strive to give the audience 100% or more of me and my vocal gift. 


Ron Pope: My first real gig in New York was at The Bitter End when I was about 19 or 20, playing with my band The District. I remember feeling excited. Here I was, just some kid from Georgia playing a stage Bob Dylan had been on! Lots of our friends came out since it was our first show — and we begged them. Afterwards, Paul and Kenny from The Bitter End were so complimentary of the band, and we established a relationship that put us back on that stage at least 200 times over the next few years. No matter how many times I go to that club, I’ll never forget that first night.

Ruthie Foster: My first gig in New York City was at a place called Terra Blues, just off Bleecker and Thompson in The Village. The blues artist — and actor — Guy Davis was playing and took a break, I talked to him for awhile about music and told him that I played and sang to and had just moved from Texas. He let me play during his breaks that night. I had a gig two nights a week at that venue for three years afterwards!

Kenny Loggins: Two months before I played for the first time in New York City, I was there as a tourist. When I walked past Carnegie Hall, I said to my girlfriend, “Maybe someday I’ll get to play there.” Ironically, two months later I played there with Jimmy Messina as the opening act for Delaney & Bonnie and Billy Preston.


G. Love: My first gig, aside from busking in Washington Square Park a couple times in 1991 on a road trip down from Skidmore College — where I went to school for a year — would’ve been The Grand for our showcase for the New Music Seminar. I remember the crowds were a bit tougher than the amorous crowds we had achieved at the Irish pubs in Boston but we kept our head down and played that shit proper. Right after that things started clicking and we played Brownies, Cafe Sinead, The Bottom Line and CBGBs Gallery, where we scored our first deal with Epic Records in 1993.

Richard Thompson: It was the Fillmore East, 1970. The bill was something like Fairport Convention — my band — Savoy Brown and Traffic. Bill Graham was at the side of the stage as we came off, and said, “Wow! I’ve never seen that before.” We were feeling quite pleased with ourselves, till he added: “I’ve never seen a band go onstage not knowing what the second number was going to be!”


Do you have a favorite restaurant in New York?

Sam Moore: There are so many great ones. I haven’t really been in New York a lot in the past couple of years.

Ron Pope: Awash on 6th Street, for sure. As I tour, I try to find Ethiopian food that good all over the world, but it never stacks up to Awash! When I lived in The Village, I’d eat there at least twice a week. When I come home to New York from the road, that’s the first place I want to eat.


Ruthie Foster: I recently visited and played New York City and had a great experience at a wonderful restaurant called Khe-Yo in TriBeCa, that’s become my favorite! It’s has a lot of Laotian-inspired dishes which are great for sharing with friends.

Kenny Loggins: I’m excited to try the Chef Andrew Carmellini‘s newest restaurant.

G. Love: That’s a tough one, but I sure love Joseph Leonard’s and The Diner in Brooklyn.

Richard Thompson: I love Avra, the Greek seafood restaurant. I think it’s at 48th and Lex.


What’s coming up for you besides this show at Carnegie Hall?

Sam Moore: On Thursday night, the 9th, I will be at the Beacon Theater with a bunch of amazing artists at the God’s Love We Deliver fundraiser, and then I’m going to Scottsdale, Arizona the weekend of Mar. 18 at the Celebrity Fight Night tribute to a dear friend who we lost last year, Muhammad Ali. I’m also in the studio recording an album project actually a couple of album projects with the award-winning and most amazing producer, an artist Rudy Perez. Rudy has an album launching in the next couple of weeks, and the single from that album is a duet I was humbled to participate on, a little song written by Charlie Chaplin called “Smile.” 

Ron Pope: I will be back in October to play at Terminal 5. I can’t wait for that one; I’ve never played there but I’ve seen so many incredible bands on that stage.

Ruthie Foster: I have U.S. and European tours coming up with my new CD on the horizon! Joy Comes Back is the title; it’s a celebration of all the transitions in my life, love and music since my last recording.

Kenny Loggins: My new children’s book: a reimagining of Footloose in which Jack, now a zookeeper, secretly lets all the zoo animals out of their cages to dance under a full moon.

G. Love: I’m writing this in Byron Bay, Australia, where I performed last night at the Byron Bay Surf Festival. Next stop is NYC, and the day after Carnegie Hall, I fly to Phoenix to start a month-long West Coast tour with my band Special Sauce. The original trio is still going strong closing in on 25 years!

Richard Thompson: I’m out the whole of April, and I’ll be fairly local a couple of times — Tarrytown on Apr. 14 and Port Washington Apr. 19. I’m also releasing two acoustic records, Acoustic Classics 2 and Acoustic Rarities, probably in May.

Finally, any last words for the kids?

Richard Thompson: Listen to Aretha! There is such a thing as musical intelligence. Her voice is at the service of the song, not the other way ’round. She doesn’t show off, she uses her extraordinary vocal gifts sparingly to emphasize the emotional peaks of the songs.

Sam Moore: I actually working with my wife on a project with Florida International University developing curriculum to teach kids grades K through 12 the great and rich histories, legacies and contributions of the amazing American-born talented musical artists of past decades and generations who brought — to not only American culture — but the world the gift of music all of the joy it brings.

Also, my great-niece Courtney Trice is going to be duetting with me at Carnegie Hall. Not bragging or prejudice, she is amazing! I am so proud to have the pleasure and joy of introducing her to the world the right way and I want to thank Michael Dorf and his entire organization for affording me the opportunity to pay honor and tribute to my “Ree Ree” and do my portion of her salute justice with Courtney and her powerful vocal abilities at my side performing my duet version from my Overnight Sensational album of “Don’t Play That Song.” 

Ron Pope: 10 years ago, I sang on the subway platform to make a living, and now I’m playing at Carnegie Hall. Whatever you decide to do with your life, stay focused and do it with your whole heart. You’ll end up where you’re supposed to be.

Ruthie Foster: My words for the kids would be to stay true to who you really are and when times get tough remember that music is a healer. It’s definitely been my light!

G. Love: Be original, be passionate, bring enthusiasm, energy and love. Make a connection and expect magic to happen. Leave it all onstage every night and stay on the hustle. It’s about the journey in music there’s no top to the mountain — you just gotta keep on climbing and enjoy the view! The best thing about music is that every night can be your best show ever, and that’s what I say the minute I wake up on show days, “Tonight I will play my greatest show ever.” Then I beat it the next night.

Kenny Loggins: Follow your dreams. They will always take you somewhere fun.

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Culture Education Events Music

Eric Bogosian & Michael Dorf on City Winery’s Jan. 4 Church Street School for Music & Art benefit

Photo: Christian Jensen

Photo: Christian Jensen
Photo: Christian Jensen

The Church Street School for Music and Art — as located in Tribeca — is the area’s only non-profit school for the arts. The institution has served the downtown and outer community since 1990. On Jan. 4, City Winery will be hosting a fundraiser for the school with plenty of stars present. Performers are scheduled to include Sugarland vocalist Jennifer Nettles, Sonic Youth guitarist Lee Ranaldo, screenwriter/producer Ed Burns, actor Harvey Keitel, DJ Spooky’s Antartica Symphony, and actor/author Eric Bogosian.

Downtown had the pleasure of conducting Q&A with not only Eric Bogosian in advance of the event, but also City Winery owner Michael Dorf and its marketing director Jillian Santella. Other performers at City Winery include Teddy Thompson (Jan. 1), Buster Poindexter (Jan. 13), Alejandro Escovedo (Jan. 19-21), Bettye Lavette (Jan. 29), and Marc Cohn (Feb. 14-15). Michael will also be presenting his annual benefit at Carnegie Hall on Mar. 6; this year will be a tribute to Aretha Franklin including performances by Todd Rundgren, Taj Mahal, Living Colour, Allen Stone, Kenny Loggins and Melissa Etheridge.

For tickets to the benefit show, click here. The Music Of Aretha Franklin at Carnegie Hall has a home at www.musicof.org. Eric Bogosian can be followed on Twitter via @Eric_Bogosian.

You have written and starred in plays, produced plays, written multiple published novels, appeared in a lot of film and television projects, and have even produced dance-related events. Do you have an easy way of describing how you earn a living?

Eric Bogosian: I describe myself as an author and actor.

Is there a particular project of yours that you are most proud of?

EB: The website 100monologues.com — currently featuring over 60 videotaped monologues by New York’s best actors — is a huge project we’ve been working on for over three years. I’ve very proud of it. We will keep building the site through 2018 when all 100 monologues will have been posted. The site is free and like I say, features many of the most popular and exciting actors who live and work in New York City. Take a look!

Do you remember the first show you ever attended at City Winery?

EB: I have never been to a show at City Winery. Michael and I go back to The Knitting Factory days. Because I don’t drink alcohol, City Winery has been off my beaten path.

What will you be doing at the Church Street School benefit? Any idea yet?

EB: I will perform a couple of monologues from the 100 Monologues.

City Winery is known for hosting a lot of benefits. Do you have specific criteria for when it comes to getting involved with a cause?

Michael Dorf: No criteria, there are so many issues in the world today. It is balancing out how we can spend our resources helping out. We have a platform to both raise money and awareness — I feel it is our responsibility to try and make the world a better place.

A lot of huge artists have played at City Winery in New York. I remember reading about Billie Joe from Green Day performing on-stage there. Gregg Allman had his recent residency…Is there anyone you’re still hoping will perform at City Winery?

MD: So many. We have a long list. I want Bonnie Raitt. We did a private show with Neil Young, would want that every night if we could. [Bob] Dylan, Bruce [Springsteen], oh yeah, Ryan Adams, how amazing would that be. How about a special night of Rihanna?

Before City Winery, you had The Knitting Factory. Do you see City Winery as a continuation of The Knitting Factory? Or are they entirely different venues in your eyes?

MD: Well, people have said, City Winery is a Knitting Factory for grown-ups. Yeah, there is some overlap. We had all standing shows mostly with a beer in-hand…That worked great then. Now being more calorie-conscious and having achey knees, I’d rather sit. It will be 30 years since I started The Knitting Factory and I guess both have worked in the lifecycle of myself downtown, serving many friends.

City Winery has locations in multiple cities. How involved are you in other cities’ locations?

MD: I run them all. And of course, when I say run, it is a great team running currently 750 employees growing to 1,000 employees in a year — take that Trump, that’s real job creation! I picked the name “City” so we could grow to many markets. Our business is very scalable and I am planning on aggressive growth over the next few years to more than 10 locations.

What is your favorite item on the City Winery food menu?

MD: A great burger goes with Bordeaux. But somedays I’m more in the mood for a white wine, so I go for a piece of fish. Our menu was really designed to complement your wine, not wine to go with your food. We inverted the typical process of ordering.

Do you have a go-to wine from the City Winery menu?

MD: No. There are so many different styles and favors, so much terroir. I’m a Pinot fan if forced to go to a deserted island thing.

Church Street School benefit aside, what’s coming up for you?

EB: My non-fiction book on Armenian assassins, Operation Nemesis, will come out in trade paperback in February via Little, Brown. Also I am guest starring in numerous episodes of The Get Down and Billions this coming season.

Jillian Santella: As always, we have music almost every night of the week! Some musical highlights in early 2017 include Art Garfunkel, Shawn Colvin’s January residency featuring Graham Nash, Richard Thompson and Patty Griffin, Josh Ritter and more. We’ve got a fantastic New Year’s Eve Party in our Barrel Room, featuring entertainment from Wasabassco Burlesque, open bar and light bites. In addition, we are open in the Barrel Room restaurant for dinner and drinks every day, lunch on weekdays and Sunday brunch — including a bottomless brunch drink option. We also have some exciting wine classes coming up, such as “Wine 101: Brunch & Wine Pairing” on Sunday, Jan. 8.

Will you be hosting another March benefit concert at Carnegie Hall in 2017?

MD: Yes, March 6 is the music of Aretha Franklin. It will be my 14th year raising money for music education programs, there are nine different organizations this year getting funds.

When not busy with work, how do you like to spend your free time?

EB: Gardening, jigsaw puzzles and model airplanes. But I don’t think of my time as free or not free. It’s all one to me.

MD: I love giving interviews. I spend time with my family, kids. Two are now in college and one still in school downtown. She still likes me… I will admit that I like to golf when I can early mornings, hiking and being upstate when possible.

Do you have a favorite restaurant in New York?

EB: The Odeon.

Finally, any last words for the kids?

EB: I have lived in Tribeca for over 30 years. Our neighborhood was built on music, dance and art. It is our lifeblood. For me, children playing music is a symbol of peace and love between neighbors.

MD: Shit, does that mean I’m suppose to be an adult? I don’t feel like one. Nah. I think what Lisa [Ecklund-Flores] is doing at Church Street School is critical for the community. It is more than an after-school music program and also more than just serving a rich Tribeca community. In fact, I think being in Tribeca hurts the perception of them needing funding. They offer many scholarships and the teaching staff give much more time and effort than they are paid for. They are teaching kids to practice, giving them self-confidence, unleashing an inner creative streak that they might not have developed at home or regular school. They serve a very important role in our community, especially as more music programs get stripped away from public school budgets. Add to that the very challenging Tribeca real estate issues, which really don’t allow a non-profit — or many creative for-profits — to exist. Rent and getting enough space is a huge challenge for the arts, especially downtown. Right now, they are seriously-challenged and I hope this benefit helps them through part of it. I encourage all to come.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JE781dM7kzE

Categories
Culture Music

Marillion’s Steve Rothery on his Nov. 8 gig at the PlayStation Theater, the new album “FEAR,” and more

Marillion

Marillion
Marillion

In its 37 years as a band, Marillion has accomplished almost all of the things that a collective of musicians would strive for. The group has had platinum-selling releases in its native country and elsewhere, recorded numerous internationally-charting hit songs, played large venues on most of the world’s continents, and become regarded as one of the top artists of its genre. The fanbase of the prog-rock band is so dedicated that it has not only produced an annual Marillion convention for nearly a decade and a half, but it crowdfunded a United States tour before that concept even really existed.

Released on Sept. 23, FEAR is the 18th studio album by Marillion. Produced by Mike Hunter in conjunction with the band, FEAR has already charted in the Top 10 in England, Scotland, Germany, Poland and the Netherlands. International touring in support of FEAR continues with a Nov. 8 appearance at the PlayStation Theater. The current touring lineup of vocalist Steve Hogarth, guitarist Steve Rothery, keyboardist Mark Kelly, bassist Pete Trewavas and drummer Ian Mosley has been in tact since 1989, promising Marillion’s live set in New York to be tight and focused as ever.

Downtown caught up with Steve Rothery for some Q&A, covering the past, present and future of Marillion. The quintet can be visited online at www.marillion.com, beyond keeping up accounts on Twitter and Facebook.

Marillion / Photo: Alison Toon
Marillion / Photo: Alison Toon

Where was the first gig that you ever played live in New York City? What was it like?

SR: It was at the Pier 84 supporting Todd Rundgren on the 8th August, 1983. It was a pretty good audience as I remember, unlike our subsequent New York concerts later in the year supporting Rush at Radio City, which was like being thrown to the lions!

For someone coming to see you at the PlayStation Theater, what should be expected? A mix of songs from all your albums? I ask because, your band has now released 18 albums and its songs are known to be more than four minutes apiece.

SR: The set will be a mixture of what we consider to be some of our strongest material from over the years, and will also include two or three tracks from our new album FEAR.

How would you describe the new Marillion album to a long-time fan that hasn’t heard it yet?

SR: It’s powerful, cinematic and contains some of our strongest work. Most critics have placed it in the top three of our album releases.

Do you have a favorite song on the new album?

SR: Probably “The New Kings” or “White Paper.”

Marillion's Steve Rothery
Marillion’s Steve Rothery

When it comes time to writing longer songs, or “suites,” what is the creative process like? Do you write everything cohesively? Or piece together fragments?

SR: We jam around ideas for a few months which are then used as the building blocks for the creation of the new songs. They continue to evolve over time.

Marillion is possibly the first notable band to ever put out a fan-funded album. Where did that idea come from?

SR: When we announced that we couldn’t afford to tour the U.S. in 1997 because we’d lose $60,000, a fan started a tour fund using the Freaks mailing list on the Internet; this was before the WWW became popular. The fans raised $70,000, enabling us to tour the U.S., and we noticed that the single largest contribution was from the U.K. It showed us that the Marillion fanbase was a global community and that the Internet would one day be very important in us reaching that fan base. When we were free of a label, we approached our fans and asked if they’d be interested in paying for a new album a year before it was released. Over 10,000 said yes which enables us to make the Anoraknophobia album.

Years before that, the band also had a U.S. tour crowdfunded. Beyond loyal, is there a way to describe the average Marillion fan?

SR: Intelligent and passionate about good music.

Next year brings the 15th Marillion Convention. What happens at one of those?

SR: They’re a gathering of 3,000 of our most ardent fans from around the world. We play three different concerts over the three nights and the atmosphere is truly incredible.

More than 35 years since Marillion first formed, is there a particular accomplishment that you’re most proud of?

SR: Making the music we wanted to make with very little interference and the consistency of our albums over the last 34 years.

When not busy with Marillion, how do you like to spend your free time? Are you still running the British Guitar Academy?

SR: Free time, what’s that? (laughs) I released my solo album The Ghosts Of Pripyat in 2014 and I’ve toured that quite a lot. I also recently released the first volume of my Postcards From The Road photographic diary.

Do you have a favorite album of 2016?

SR: Dave Foster’s Dreamless.

In having toured New York for decades, do you have a favorite restaurant in town?

SR: St. Andrews at 140 W 46th St.

Finally, Steve, any last words for the kids?

SR: I’m really looking forward to playing New York again, it’s such an amazing city. I’m even staying on for four days afterwards for a holiday with my wife.

Categories
Culture Events Music

Kasim Sulton talks Feb. 5 show with Todd Rundgren, recent “3” album, growing up in New York, working with Blue Oyster Cult and more

For the most elite of music fans that read liner notes and take note of the musicians and songwriters behind the hits, Kasim Sulton needs no introduction. For everyone else, Kasim Sulton is one of those musicians who you regularly hear the work of on the radio, at bars, at weddings, at sporting events, and practically anywhere where you hear music playing. As one example, he played bass and sung on Bat Out Of Hell by Meat Loaf. He has otherwise been a part of recordings by Joan Jett, Hall & Oates, Jon Bon Jovi, Cheap Trick, Celine Dion, and Mick Jagger, to name a few artists.

Beyond his session work, Kasim has been playing with Todd Rundgren for nearly 40 years. This long-standing musical partnership has included several incarnations of Utopia and also the semi-reunion of The Cars – called The New Cars – in 2006 and 2007. As part of Todd’s current lineup alongside keyboardist/guitarist John Ferenzik, guitarist Jesse Gress and drummer Prairie Prince, Kasim will be playing at the NYCB Theater at Westbury on Feb. 5; the tour hit Manhattan’s Gramercy Theatre back on Dec. 19. Todd Rundgren is not known for playing many of his hits live, yet this tour is of a different breed, titled “Fan Favorites.”

I had the opportunity to do some Q&A with Kasim, who put out 3 – only his third solo album despite a prolific solo career – back in 2014. When doing that interview, I had not yet realized that Kasim’s other band – Blue Oyster Cult — is also playing at the NYCB Theater at Westbury the following night on Feb. 6; I should have asked how tour scheduling usually works in situations like that. Either way, the guy works hard and was a pleasure to correspond with.

For more info on Kasim Sulton and his various projects, click on over to www.kasimsulton.com.

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Todd Rundgren and Kasim Sulton

I remember seeing you live with Todd at Westbury when you had a broken foot and had to hobble on and offstage. Was that the biggest challenge you ever faced when touring?

Kasim Sulton: Touring is challenging, even when things are going smoothly. Living out of a suitcase, constantly moving around, keeping your focus and performing five nights a week can tend to wear you out over the course of a month, but I don’t think I’d do well punching a clock day in and day out. I will admit that touring with a broken foot wasn’t easy, but at least I didn’t have to stand on it for 90 minutes. I chose to sit on a chair for those shows. Made it a lot easier.

You also worked with Todd in The New Cars a decade or so ago. Looking back, was being part of that band an enjoyable experience?

K: That was a great experience. I’ve been close with [Cars guitarist] Elliot Easton and [Cars keyboardist] Greg Hawkes for a long time, and the idea of “reinventing” The Cars with Todd, Prairie Prince and myself had the potential of being a band that should have lasted longer than it did. Unfortunately, just as we were gaining momentum, Elliot was injured when our tour bus stopped short and in the middle of the first tour, we had to cancel a bunch of shows so he could recover. That interruption effectively prevented us from maintaining the attention we received up to that point. The band went on to do more shows, but getting back that initial excitement was next to impossible.

You have been working with Todd for over 30 years. Most marriages don’t stay together that way, let alone bands. How is that you guys manage to stay on such good terms for so long?

K: I like to think that I complement Todd. Granted, Todd has many “faces” when recording and performing live. He’s done shows completely solo, EDM tours, big band tours — 10+ people on stage – [while] most of his solo records don’t involve any musicians other than himself. But it seems I’m always working with him. Comfortability? Familiarity? I’m not sure. I do know that we sing well together, I respect his talent and over the years have gotten to the point where I know what he wants and expects from another musician without having to have it spelled out…April [2016] will mark my 40th year working with Todd.

Some people know you primarily as a member of Utopia and Todd’s band, others for your sideman work, others for your solo career. When a stranger asks what you do for a living, do you have an easy way of describing yourself?

K: I just say “I play music for a living.” I’m not sure it needs to be more complicated than that. Although, if I feel the need to be slightly sarcastic for some reason, I’ll say “I travel for a living.” Because when you really think about it, I’m traveling more than I’m actually playing music. I recently did a show with Blue Oyster Cult. We were playing in northern California. I left my house in New York City at 5 a.m. Drove to JFK [Airport] for an 8 a.m. flight to San Francisco. Got into San Francisco at noon and drove four hours up to Eureka, California, where the show was. We played for about 90 minutes and turned around and did the entire trip in reverse. It was something like 16 hours of traveling to play for an hour and a half. I’m tired just explaining it to you!

Who was the first sideman that you really took note of?

K: Probably Ronnie Wood when he was in The Jeff Beck Group. It was a very short stint for him. Maybe a year, at best. But his bass playing on the Beck-Ola record is some of the most amazing stuff I had heard at that time. It wasn’t just “bass parts.” He was adding a dimension to the songs that made them so much more exciting. So of course that piqued my interest and I started incorporating that kind of playing into what I was doing. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that, like myself, he was a guitar player first and a bass player second.

In spite of your prolific nature as a musician, you’ve only made three solo albums that I’m aware of. What sparked the creative of “3,” your latest solo release?

K: I’m always writing songs. Some take longer than others. I’ve never been an artist that sits down and cranks out record after record. Wish I could do that. I pain over each and every note, lyric and chord change. Because I’m constantly working with other bands and artists, I have to find short periods of time between other tours to work on my material. Put those two facts together and it’s no wonder it takes 10 years for me do a solo record. I do feel 3 is my best work yet and I’m very proud of it.

Kasim Sulton July #2

How would you describe 3 to someone who’s familiar with your work with other players but hasn’t yet heard it?

K: 10 really good songs. Melodic and thoughtful. It’s really a good-sounding record with some stellar musicians performing along with me. I even have the other three members of Utopia on this record; Todd, Roger Powell and Willie Wilcox appear on a couple tracks.

Are there any plans for a solo show in the New York area anytime soon?

K: I just played at The Cutting Room in November, and I’m planning on something very special later in the year. It’s a little too soon to say what it is exactly other than it will be a live show featuring me.

Do you remember the first gig that you ever played in Manhattan?

K: Probably Reno Sweeney with a band called Sleepy Hollow. This would have been 1973!

When you tell people that you’re from Staten Island, do you tell them that you grew “on” Staten Island or “in” Staten Island?

K: That’s a very good question. One that I’ve yet to figure out the answer to. To make it easy I usually say I’m from New York City. That saves me the angst of trying to be grammatically correct.

Do you have a professional accomplishment that you’re most proud of?

K: Two things really. Playing bass on Bat Out Of Hell. It’s the third biggest-selling record of all time. Right behind Thriller and Dark Side Of The Moon. The other would be writing the only hit single Utopia had, “Set Me Free.”

When you’re not busy with your career, how do you like to spend your free time?

K: Oh, I putter around the house. Love to cook and I make a pretty good eggplant parmigiana. Gotta sweat the eggplant first.

Finally, Kasim, any last words for the kids?

K: Follow your heart. Dream big. Be kind to others. Try new things. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Love honestly.

-by Darren Paltrowitz