Music notes of - um - note

Doreen Taylor in one of the photos from her book, "Coming Home." And I am NOT a chauvinist pig for posting it.

*I've been sorely lacking truly local content on the blog lately. So I'll start by mentioning that Flower Power is playing a free show at the William E. Hare American Legion, 43 W. Second St., Lansdale from 8 to midnight Friday the 26th.
*This is one of those rare weeks when North Penn School District has let me down. For whatever reason, I can't get any information on the Knight of Jazz, which is supposedly happening Friday, or the NPHS Indoor Guard/Percussion Show, which is scheduled for Saturday. Because these are high profile events, I don't like to just put info. in the paper without confirming it first. Can anyone help me on this? Why is this being kept a secret from me?
*Model, dancer and singer Doreen Taylor has recorded a CD of hit songs from the '40s and posed for a 36-page book where she recaptures the va-va-voom of World War II-era pinup girls. Both are called "Coming Home," and part of the proceeds go to help the military troops of today through Special Operations Warrior Foundation, a nonprofit that supports more than 60,000 Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps special operations personnel and their families. What a great idea this is! Although the red carpet release party in Philly Friday night is by invitation only, you can learn more about the "Coming Home" project at http://www.doreentaylormusic.com/.
*The British band Muse is playing the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Seriously? I wasn't all that impressed with the song "Uprising," which is a somewhat of a jock jam. Oh, I get it now - they had songs in the "Twilight" movies! Yeah, whatever. I do, however, think their song "Feeling Good" from the film "Seven Pounds" is exceptional. I just can't wrap my brain around this band playing a major arena in the States, that's all.

Flirting on the job

So I'm at a media preview for the "Picasso and the Avant Garde in Paris" exhibit Friday at the Art Museum - one of the reasons I love my job - and I find myself unexpectantly smitten by singer/songwriter/cabaret performer Karen Gross.
Karen works for WHERE Magazine and had brought an intern with her to check out the new blockbuster exhibition, which I will be writing a story about (tentative publication date in The Reporter is Friday Feb. 26).
I knew about her cabaret show "Sex and the Single Singer," and had always admired her alluringly full lips in her publicity photos, but did not know she was a writer by trade! That's my heart you hear going pitter-patter.
She introduced herself, and I said: "You're the 'Sex and the Single Singer' Karen Gross."
Karen was so excited that someone knew about that 'other side' of her life, and noted that she was playing the Tin Angel in Philadelphia March 19. She got bubbly when she saw my nametag. She seemed to remember that I had written an article on her (to be accurate, I think it was a blurb of her show in a Valentine's event story in our weekend section).
"It's so good to meet you in person. Give me a hug," she said.
O ... M ... G! Meee-ow!!!

Um, wait ... what was I there for again?
I had only talked to this woman on the phone one time before that day, and suddenly I was having a really hard time keeping my attention on the artwork. And this is Pablo friggin' Picasso we're talking about on the walls!
Now I really want to see Karen's show 7:30 March 19 at the Tin Angel, 20 S. Second St., Philadelphia. Cover is $15 and reservations are required by calling (215) 928-0770. Also, visit http://www.tinangel.com/

But for now, I must settle for

www.karengross.com/home.html

and www.youtube.com/karengrossmusic.

SIGH! I feel like Marcia Brady in the Davy Jones episode of "The Brady Bunch."

Hanky panky through history

I find Valentine's Day to be the most repulsive, made-up holiday of them all. So it's a pretty big deal if one of these "seasonal" events makes me laugh out loud.

The Young Friends of the Penn Museum in Philadelphia succeeded in doing just that with "Cougars, Playas, and Baby Mama Drama in the Ancient World"!

After the latest installment of Snowmageddon, it's been pushed to Feb. 18.

There's mingling and a cash bar. Admission is $10, $5 for museum members (includes one complimentary drink).

Register at http://www.penn.museum/.

"And I hope 'dis jam is gonna last"

Here's a photo from the final jam at the Haiti benefit at Sellersville Theater. Shame to hear that there are still major issues with getting aid to the people, even after all the outpouring of compassion locally.

One of the twits on Twitter recently wisecracked: "So the iTunes store has Bob Marley's 'Legend' on sale for a limited time for $9.99. Doesn't everyone in the world already own this album?"

Oh, but there's a new way to experience it, my friend!

On Saturday, the Keswick Theatre in Glenside is going to have a Canadian outfit called Classic Albums Live performing that essential reggae retrospective cut for cut ... on Robert Nesta Marley's 65th birth anniversary, no less! Tickets range from $19.50-$32.50. Call (215) 572-7650 or visit http://www.keswicktheatre.com/.

Originally released in 1984, "Legend" was declared by Rolling Stone to be #46 on a 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list published in 2003. Listening to the disc certainly brings some warm sunshine, regardless of the season.

I was also surprised to learn that three of Marley's sons were Grammy nominees last weekend, just because it's so tough to follow up greatness.

I can only give you a YouTube link to one of the Marley Classic Albums Live clips because it isn't letting me embed the video itself :(

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_eYzdC2PLM

Rock on, Rob!

Coming Tuesday to The Reporter's Lifestyle section, the intriguing story of 1985 Souderton grad Rob Bonfiglio (bon-feel-e-o), the husband of Carnie Wilson and co-star of Game Show Network's "Carnie Wilson: Unstapled."

The couple's musical passion brought them together, and now you can watch them trying to balance their music, Carnie's TV schedule, their two young daughters, and alone-couple time every Thursday night.

It's downright upsetting that Bonfiglio's band, The Skies of America, didn't hit it huge, probably due to being on the indie label Damask Records. The title song of their disc, "Shine," was on the "Bridge to Terabithia" soundtrack. It also features a cover of Badfinger's "Come and Get It" and a bunch of satisfying Beatles-inspired power pop. It's what Fountains of Wayne would sound like if they stopped screwing around so much with the humor of their lyrics, and got down to business.

Don't get me wrong, I have much love for Sellersville product and FOW singer and songwriter Chris Collingwood. But have a listen for yourself.
www.myspace.com/theskiesofamerica

In 2009, Bonfiglio put together a solo album called "Bring on the Happy." The title says it all because these are the kind of songs you ought to put on at the end of a hectic day.
www.myspace.com/robbonfigliomusic

Although he likens it to Paul McCartney's "McCartney" album, the only similarity I observe is that McCartney and Bonfiglio played all the instruments and wrote all the songs on their respective solo works. Unlike the hurried, work-in-progress vibe that's present on most of "McCartney," Bonfiglio's songs on "Bring on the Happy" are actually thought out.

Then again, Bonfiglio wasn't bickering with John Lennon and George Harrison at the time he was making his "record."
Here's a link to sample the McCartney disc.
www.amazon.com/McCartney-Paul/dp/B000002UC5

One of the times we really connected in our conversation was when Bonfiglio recalled having a social studies class with Mr. Rossnagel in a migraine-headache-yellow, basement classroom in the 1930s section of the former Souderton Area High School building. Here I thought I was the only one that remembered that dungeon-like classroom.

On my honor, I will do my best ...

Those opening words to the Boy Scout Oath, from my days in Lansdale's Troop 610, popped into my head as I prepare to write a story commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America. I have my own standout Cub and Boy Scout memories, but I'm more interested in hearing yours, either as a scout, leader or involved parent. E-mail me at bbingaman@thereporteronline.com or call me at (215) 412-8905.

As the Scout Motto says: Be prepared.

Meanwhile, check out the alumni link at http://www.scouting.org/.

Hooterville

The Hooters in a recent performance.

One of the intriguing concert dates of the new year at Sellersville Theater will be Jan. 23. There will be solo performances by members of The Hooters, namely Eric Bazilian and John Lilley.
Among Bazilian's career activities have been writing the Grammy-nominated "One of Us" by Joan Osbourne, "Kiss the Rain" by Billie Myers and "Private Emotion" by Ricky Martin (haven't heard those last two in ages!), and playing guitar on Clay Aiken's debut album.
Lilley, meanwhile, has recently discovered within him "a sleepin' cowboy who has a lot to say and won't shut up." The result is the album "Lucky Kinda Guy."
And I would imagine there will be some old-school Hooters tunes in the mix somewhere ;)
Anybody remember when The Hooters played at North Penn? They were playing in about every high school in the Delaware Valley at that time. I want to say that was 1982 or 1983.
Show time is 8 p.m. on Saturday the 23rd with tickets from $21.50-$33. Call (215) 257-5808 or go to www.st94.com.

More links: www.myspace.com/ericbazilian, www.johnlilley.com.