"Come thirsty, leave happy"

 

Lansdale craft distiller Boardroom Spirits, has officially unveiled their newly expanded distillery and tasting room at 575 W. Third St.

A project that was apparently in the works ever since Boardroom Spirits launched in 2016, the tasting room has moved to a part of the building that had previously been used for storage, making the bar space at least four times bigger than it was. It can hold 80 people.

The addition of 2,400 square feet also means expanded distilling operations. A new 528-gallon still by Hagyo Distilling in Hungary, pictured below, is expected to quadruple production.

 

 

The tasting room and bar includes two bathrooms, a dedicated space for chefs and caterers, shuffleboard, a large bar that acts as the focal point for gatherings and an automated bottling line. 

 

Sure to be a hit at the new Boardroom Spirits tasting room is this tabletop hand-shuffleboard game.

 

Phase two expansion plans include an update to the exterior façade and landscaping, and an adjacent 1,000-square-foot warehouse with a capacity to increase to 4,000 square feet. 

The tasting room’s cocktail menu has also been revamped thanks to new tasting room manager James Cleland. New cocktails include the Knee Buckler, a mix of Northbound rye whiskey (the Northbound name is a reference to the restaurant in Souderton), Boardroom's Fresh ginger infused vodka, lime juice (Boardroom insists on squeezing it fresh) and honey; Executive Punch, a blend of Boardroom's recently-released Northbound spiced rum, red wine simple syrup and aromatic bitters; and the Made in the USA Mai Tai, featuring Boardroom rum, the Northbound spiced rum, Boardroom's 80-proof triple sec (the reason why this simple-but-effective variation on the mai tai will sneak up on you), lime juice and house made orgeat (a syrup made from blanched almonds). 

There's no denying the smooth difference local, fresh and premium liquors -- with no artificial flavors, food coloring, preservatives or sweeteners -- makes in mixing a superior tasting cocktail.  Another recently-released spirit from Boardroom is nocino, a black walnut liqueur.

Celebrity chef, fitness authority and author Robert Irvine was so impressed that he invested in Boardroom and became a co-owner in 2017.

The distillery will continue to host Foodie Weekends, themed by cuisine (ramen night) or dish (mac n cheese slider trios), with local catering partner Fry’s Catering, and bi-weekly Macaroon and Martini cocktail workshops in partnership with local catering collaborator Mixie Chics. 

And yes, Boardroom Spirits liquors can be purchased at Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores throughout Pennsylvania, as well as in the new tasting room, which is open 4 to 9 p.m. Thursdays, 4 to 10 p.m. Fridays, 2 to 10 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays.

Left to right: Boardroom co-owners Vlad and Marat Mamedov and Zsuzsa Palotas, and tasting room manager James Cleland.

What is a "Greatest Hit" anyway?

Steve Winwood's sold out "Greatest Hits" tour stop at the Tower Theater in Upper Darby was not so much this

as it was this:

What I'm saying is that, with the exception of the No. 1s "Roll With It" and "Higher Love," the 69-year-old blue-eyed soul singer/keyboardist/guitarist ignored the 1980s, the period of the bulk of his greatest hits.

Whaaaaat?

The first inkling this might happen came as Winwood  took a seat behind a Hammond organ. That keyboard's distinct and classic sound would probably rule out the more synthesized sounds of "Valerie," "While You See a Chance" and "The Finer Things." It should be mentioned that the gifted multi-instrumentalist in Winwood's rock-solid band freed "Higher Love" from its '80s sonic prison by playing the song's chirpy synth hook on saxophone.

Sure I absolutely expected to hear Spencer Davis Group, Traffic and Blind Faith songs -- the 1970 Traffic song "Empty Pages" still sounds quite fresh -- but was not expecting something branded as "Greatest Hits" to so grossly under-represent Winwood's most commercially successful decade.

"Did Steve Winwood just not have a good time in the '80s?," I wondered.     

Then I read something he said to Digital First Media's Gary Graff: "I remember, at some point in the '90s, there were people who were following me for my work in the '80s who weren't familiar with either Traffic or Spencer Davis, and didn't know that I was the same person that sang 'Gimme Some Lovin'' or the same person that sang 'Can't Find My Way Home' (both big-time crowd-pleasers at the Tower). I do specifically remember one person coming up to me after a show to say: 'I loved the show, but why did you finish with a cover of a Blues Brothers song?'

So I have these different sort of levels and phases I've gone through, and one phase isn't always familiar with the other phases."

 From what I could tell, Winwood's Philly faithful skewed close to Winwood's age, and therefore found "Dear Mr. Fantasy" and "Low Spark of High Heeled Boys" to be satisfying enough. The audience was also appreciative of the opening set by Winwood's daughter, Lilly (who appears in my "Roll With It" video above), who has a storytelling singer/songwriter thing going that would fit in very well at the Philadelphia Folk Festival.

Later I discovered Winwood recently released a "Greatest Hits Live" album, culled from the tour, that features "Back in the High Life Again," "Arc of a Diver" and "Freedom Overspill" -- songs I really wish I could have heard.

When you really want to like a smokey whiskey, but just can't

It's a better than average Friday when a free whiskey sample crosses your desk.
"This is Stolen?" What's that about? And is that a 45 rpm record jacket?
Taking inspiration from a quote from Picasso that "great artists steal," Stolen is the name of a new-to-the-U.S., 46% alcohol by volume, aged 11 years artisanal spirit that originated in New Zealand. The gimmick is using charred whiskey barrel staves, plus a secondary barrel-finishing process -- where what the makers refer to as "the juice" is continually analyzed for taste and nosed for aroma till it meets the boldness test.
"Drink it like it's stolen," they seductively say.
Smokey whiskey is quite manly, and I feel like I should've sipped it while smoking a cigar. But just like with Jim Beam Black, I have a hard time getting into it because the smoke flavor is overkill. but that's nothing that ginger ale can't fix. Does that make me a wuss, or a whiskey snob? I mean I do know the difference between whiskey with an "E" and whisky without it.
Give me Evan Williams' Honey or Cherry, or Jim Beam Apple on the rocks any day!
What I wish Stolen would've sent me is a link to cocktail recipes so I knew what the heck to do with it. I took the liberty of supplying it to you here. 
They also have a smoked rum and something called "Overproof" rum.
Since Talk About the Passion is mostly a music blog, I need to mention what was in the 45 rpm jacket in the package, besides cards introducing me to Stolen Whiskey. No, there was no record.

 Rapper Phranchyze and alt country singer Nikki Lane and rocker Jonathan Tyler (did they spell his name wrong on this photo?) are into Stolen.

However, I think Phranchyze prefers Hennessey and Horchata. He has a song about it.

 

Whoa, am I actually a better DJ than Moby?

For the last year, I've come to rely on my Spotify at work more than I ever thought I'd have to.
CNN, a staple in our newsroom, is slowly discovering the dire consequences of prioritizing entertainment value over journalism by not holding Trump's feet to the fire. Cannot stand all the idiotic talking heads trying to brainwash us that a repulsive bullying fascist is normal. So to drown out that nonsense, I've created this playlist that borrows heavily from 30 Days, 30 Songs (which it looks like is morphing into 1,000 Days, 1,000 Songs), and a little from Moby's imagined playlist if he were to DJ the inauguration.
 WARNING: Some of my playlist songs contain rather strong language. But too bad. These are my not-so-subtle thoughts on Dumb Donald, and it keeps me from losing my mind by reminding me I am not alone.
What's disappointing is Moby's Spotify leans too much on Vietnam War era protest songs. Sure, you can nitpick me for choosing W-era songs like "Mr. President" by Doylestown native Pink & The Indigo Girls, folk songs from the World War II era (when Americans shot Nazis instead of electing them), an impeachment-urging song from the Nixon years and an '80s new wave throwback by Heaven 17 that quaintly references President Ronald Reagan (which the British group pronounces "Ree-gan"). But don't my songs fit the nightmare we're in a little better than John Lennon's "Imagine?"
I look forward, albeit reluctantly, to adding more tunes as they come out. 

A look back: 2016 Philadelphia Folk Fest

Philadelphia Folk Fest Replay Weekend starts TONIGHT at 6pm! Tune in all weekend to hear this summer's show. INFO: https://t.co/Vbu6aRkamu pic.twitter.com/kAwt22aNqR

— iradiophilly (@iradiophilly) November 23, 2016

Shoutout to IRadioPhilly for rebroadcasting Folk Fest Nov. 23-27! It gives me an excuse to offer my own unique flashback from this year's Fest.
This one will stand out in my memory because I was granted access to the areas that only performers, Folk Fest stage/technical crew, and other VVIPs are allowed -- making for a perspective of Folk Fest I never imagined possible.


Finally tracking down Philly rising talent Hurricane Hoss after her "first big rodeo" on the Main Stage, she was still in costume, but transitioning back to her real-world self, Sarah Larsen. She knew that my day had been more challenging than it ever should have been. Maybe that's why she was able to talk me past security.

.@Hurricane_Hoss is my new favorite artist because she got me into the ultraprivate performers area #PhillyFolkFest pic.twitter.com/PzTckyQ7mT

— brian bingaman (@brianbingaman) August 19, 2016

She said that Hurricane Hoss represents "all the best parts of myself." It was after our interview for my Friday coverage for Digital First Media Philly, when she introduced me to Saturday evening Main Stage performer Si Kahn, who instantly welcomed me by bringing me an urgently-needed plate of really delicious food. Kahn justified it by coining a phrase he attributed to Thomas Jefferson about it being important to freedom of the press by feeding them. I haven't been able to verify that, but THIS GUY GETS IT!
Kahn is a fascinating cat, who really deserved a story unto himself. But a blog post will have to do. The son of a rabbi, he grew up in State College, moved to the south to be an activist for the civil rights movement (Kahn informed me that "We Shall Overcome" actually has 12 verses), and also founded the Grassroots Leadership organization. Among the other causes close to his heart is Musicians United to Protect Bristol Bay. Kahn's been recording since 1974, he knew Pete Seeger, has written four books, has a degree from Harvard, plus a Ph.D!! If I didn't have a deadline to meet at the time, I would've hung out and picked this guy's brain through the night. But you'll have to settle for this playlist instead.


When I asked him about the state of folk music, he said, "It's fabulous," and appropriated the quote by Mark Twain that the reports of the death of folk music "have been greatly exaggerated."
But wait, there's more! Who should I encounter on my way out, but the Where's Waldo of the festival circuit -- Souderton native, singer/songwriter and renowned Forrest Gump impersonator Paul Dengler, who has a new Instagram.

A chick-lit standout of 2016

 

As soon as I cracked open "Finding Tambri" by Georgia Author of the Year finalist Sherry Meeks, I knew this was a book for my wife, who is a bathtub reader. That means you don't lend her any reading material that you don't want wrinkled from water exposure.
Yes, I know I passed the buck. Don't judge me.
Tambri is a bitter, lost soul after her young son dies, leading to her marriage to her high school sweetheart falling apart. However, it looks like she could be on the cusp of finding love again.
The author uses a non-traditional narrative of short stories from different character perspectives, which my wife said made "Finding Tambri" hard to follow because of the way it jumps around.
"It's about the trials and tribulations of marriage and relationships. She's an excellent writer and brings you close to the characters," my wife says.
The 211-page "Finding Tambri" is available from Amazon and Barnes & Noble and you can find more at www.sherrylynnmeeks.com. 

The Beatles' unique connection to Philly

It was terrific meeting John Lennon's half-sister, Julia Baird, this year when she came to Sellersville Theater with The Mersey Beatles. One thing she said that sticks with me, because of how mind-blowing it is, is that there are 5,800 Beatles tribute bands worldwide. You can't say the same thing about the Backstreet Boys!

Julia is a tiny lady. At right is my good friend, Rick White.

 Hey, wot's that Mersey Beatle doing? Messing with my hair?

A little before that encounter, I paid a visit to Plymouth Meeting dermatologist Steve Binnick. In his clinical room, I was surprised to see a photo of the genuine Beatles that looked something like this.

Dr. Binnick explained that his dad, Bernie, was a co-owner of Philadelphia's Swan Records, the label of Freddy Cannon, Danny and the Juniors, the early records of The Three Degrees, and Link Wray in the pre-"Rumble" days. Swan also was the first American record company to release The Beatles' No. 1 "She Loves You." 

Other small American labels that put out Beatles singles, before Capitol Records assumed control of their American releases, included Vee Jay and Tollie. They're highly collectible.

Dr. Binnick has retired, and sadly, that's likely the last chance I'll see that picture. 

WMGK proves every time that Southeastern Pennsylvania's Got Talent

My ears were ringing judging this year's 102.9 WMGK House Band Competition. However they were also treated to some high quality live bands in the quest to see who gets selected to represent Philadelphia's classic rock radio station during major events such as the Big Bad Bonfire, Brew Blast and opening for classic rock acts during their annual summer concert. The official house band also gets the coveted prizes of $1,000 of new gear and two days of recording studio time.
So far, advancing to the finals are Taggart, Green Machine, and a band I personally got to witness rise to the cream of the crop, Kategory 5 (Obviously spelling doesn't count).
It's a challenge coming up with a score for vocals, stage presence, crowd reaction (Full disclosure: stupidly over the top fans hurt your score!), musicianship and adherence to/understanding of MGK's playlist.
Each band must play the same assigned song by MGK. That night's was "Desire" by U2. Since I was in a cover band for 6 and a half years, and that was one of our go-to tunes, I paid close attention to each band's reading. I was impressed that all four showed their attention to detail by having a harmonica for the solos at the end.

Party Hat was quite fun, with a set that featured "Back in Black" (AC/DC), a well-executed "Jump" (Van Halen), an inspired version of The Doors' "Break on Through" with the Jim Morrison spoken word "Dead Cats, Dead Rats" -- which unfortunately was spoiled by a drum hardware malfunction --and a song rarely done anywhere -- "One Thing Leads to Another" by The Fixx. They stood out because of their keyboards-forward approach. Would like to know they sequenced The Who's "Baba O'Riley!"

For the record, I LOVED AM Radio. I want their clothes! What ultimately hurt their chances was they leaned classic pop, rather than classic rock.

Before you send hate mail, it's because that I know the difference that MGK keeps asking me to judge. I was in the radio biz 15 years; I know what I'm talking about.

Chester County's Exit Strategy had the unenviable task of following Kategory 5. Here's their rendition of .38 Special's "Hold on Loosely."

My favorite part of their set was a spirited performance of Led Zeppelin's "Black Dog."
Upcoming semi-final rounds are taking place Aug. 11 at Havana in New Hope, and Aug. 18 at Chickies and Pete's near the sports complex in South Philly. The finals are scheduled for Parx Casino the 25th. 8 p.m. is the start time, 7:30 for the finals.

Forget her not: Southern chanteuse Kim Meeks

"Forget Me Not," a four-song EP about heartbreak by Macon, Ga. singer/songwriter/keyboardist Kim Meeks presents a pop/jazz vocal performance that will remind you of Fiona Apple and Sarah McLachlan. She gets outstanding instrumental backing from producer and engineer Joey Stuckey. Dude plays everything, and his guitarwork brings additional artistry.

Aimed at those of us 'of a certain age,' "Everybody's Pretty" is a profoundly melancholy narrative about hitting the wall.


Although the song does make me smile because I initially thought she was singing "everybody's pretty when they YAWN" ... which is when people look pretty ugly.
Fortunately this live performance of the song dispenses with the unnecessary 48-second, scratchy-record surface noise intro that's on "Forget Me Not."
"You're a drama queen/looking for a king. But just one won't do.
With your heart out on your sleeve/everyone can see that it's all just a game to you," Meeks sings on "Inside," which has a neat piano hook.
The title track is memorable for its unexpected soft-loud dynamic shifts.
Learn more about this artist at www.kimmeeksmusic.com and facebook.com/kimmeeksmusic.
And if you thought that was interesting, check back here later. I'll tell you about her sister Sherry's fiction novel, "Finding Tambri."

'Cause what else are you gonna do on a Tuesday?

Held in honor of the Summer Solstice, ValleyArtScene and Grace Notes Piano Studio sponsor the fourth annual Make Music Upper Perk -- a whopper of a free music event, especially for the Upper Perkiomen Valley, Tuesday June 21.
The first notes begin at 10 a.m. and wrap up with a 9 p.m. campfire in New Goshenhoppen Park ... ON A TUESDAY. There's metal, classical, folk, concert bands, rock, and much more, to discover by a lot of people you've probably never heard play before.
Venues are Java Good Day Cafe, 231 Main St., East Greenville; the Upper Perk YMCA, 1399 Quakertown Road, East Greenville; the Upper Perkiomen Library, 350 Main St., Red Hill; the Upper Perkiomen Community Thrift Shop, 301 Fourth St., Pennsburg; the Schwenkfelder Library and Heritage Center, 105 Seminary Ave., Pennsburg; Art on Main, 218 Main St., East Greenville; Pennsburg United Church of Christ, 775 Main St., Pennsburg; outside at St. Mark's Church, 81 Main St., Pennsburg; and the Upper Perkiomen Community Life Center, 104 Main St., East Greenville.

Also in honor of the solstice is June 18th's yoga and holistic Moyo Festival, held 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at 4335 W. Skippack Pike on the Schwenksville side of Skippack Township.

Need to get word out about special public events in "Ticket" magazine and www.tickettoentertainmnent.com? Shoot me an email at bbingaman@21st-centurymedia.com.

Pet Sounds at 50 and reflections on talking to Brian Wilson

It was 50 years ago this week that The Beach Boys' released their celebrated "Pet Sounds," which featured signature hits like "Wouldn't It Be Nice," "Sloop John B" and "God Only Knows."

(C) Capitol Photo Archives

A magnum opus from Brian Wilson, Wilson and a band featuring Beach Boys alumni Al Jardine and Blondie Chaplin are on a world tour performing the ambitiously creative album in its entirety.
While you're waiting for the September tour dates in southeastern Pennsylvania, a special four-disc "Pet Sounds" anniversary edition is set for release on June 10. It includes mono, stereo and alternate mixes, vocal harmony tracks in isolation, and insight into Wilson's Phil Spector-esque use of full-on live takes, with flutes, saxophones, xylophone/marimba, and even bits from the dog barking session that graced the outro to "Caroline, No."
During the studio chatter on that track, Wilson can be heard saying: "Hey Chuck, is it possible we could bring a horse in here, if we don't screw anything up?"
Then someone chimes in: "Brian, my horse would be so bitchin' in here."

Brian Wilson signs an autograph in a photo from the "Pet Sounds" 50th Anniversary booklet.

(C) Capitol Photo Archives

Other neat outtakes are work-in-progress versions of "Good Vibrations," various live performances through the decades, the unused backing track "Trombone Dixie" and humorous custom introductions for radio stations for "Caroline, No."

Today Pet Sounds was released 50 years ago. I just can't believe it. I recorded it to bring love to the world. pic.twitter.com/zap6gJzS4k

— Brian Wilson (@BrianWilsonLive) May 16, 2016

As sweet as that tweet comes across, Wilson himself is friendly enough, but frustratingly tight-lipped and disengaged when talking one-on-one about the tour, "Pet Sounds," "Love and Mercy" ... anything.
"Ticket" writer Dutch Godshalk and I were astounded that a phone interview we did with the famously tortured genius took maybe 14 minutes. Here's a couple different theories I have about that:

1. Brian Wilson is one of these cats that plays mind games with the press. Bob Dylan took it to a horrifying extreme in the 1967 documenatary "Don't Look Back."
2. Wilson justifiably has trust issues and doesn't open up to very many people.  
3. A catastrophic combination of past drug use and mental illness may be contributing factors to him staying within an invisible insular bubble, in the name of self-preservation. When I asked for his thoughts on the opiod problem in America, he acted like he had no idea what I was talking about. When asked how his daughter, Carnie, and her husband -- musician and 1985 Souderton grad Rob Bonfiglio -- were doing, he said he hadn't talked to them in some time.  

In sad conclusion, this world is an extremely cruel place for purely original and vulnerably sensitive people like Brian Wilson. It just grinds them up and spits them out. "I Just Wasn't made for These Times," indeed!

Bookmark this link now!

While researching for an interview with Peter Murphy, who is back on the road for the first time in a long ol' time, I made the mind-blowing discovery that someone had managed to archive the playlists of just about every episode of "120 Minutes."
Thank you, thank you, thank you, Tyler C., whoever you are!

I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say that Sunday night MTV music video program was a direct pipeline from risk-taking college radio to the mainstream. How else could "Smells Like Teen Spirit," "Under the Bridge," or "So Alive" by Love and Rockets have broken through in the era of ridiculous big-hair metal, Paula Abdul, Michael Bolton and New Kids on the Block?
Speaking of Nirvana, I made a discovery from the "120 Minutes" archive that they stole the riff from "Come As You Are" from Killing Joke.
 


And who remembers a Philly band called The Wishniaks?

 

Then there were moments of unadulterated, you-had-to-be-there weirdness like this!!!


As you move through the years, from VJs "Downtown" Julie Brown ("wubba, wubba, wubba") to Carolyne Heldman to Kevin Seal to Dave Kendall to Lewis Largent, etc., it's fascinating to review the transition from the tail end of '80s new wave to the '90s alternative rock boom, and eventually to the re-branded 2000s show, "Subterranean."
That so many volunteers spent time VCR-ing shows, and writing down the songs, at home back in the pre-internet time is a testament to the awesomeness of  "120 Minutes."
It's a walk down memory lane with one colossal and blissful fall down the rabbit hole!

Local live music highlights

I posted reminders to TicketToEntertainment.com about some home-grown talent performing this weekend.

There's No Good Sister, with a show at Steel City Coffee House Friday night, the 11th.



And at World Cafe Live on Sunday the 13th, youngster Ben Kessler plays his 100th show ever. 

What you'll see at the 2016 Philadelphia Auto Show

It's Auto Show time again. It runs through Feb. 7 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
In case you missed it, I was live tweeting from the Media Preview Day Jan. 29.
A rep from Volkswagen told me over lunch that Detroit is the one and only A-level auto show. New York, Los Angeles and Chicago are B-level shows, and Philadelphia is considered a C-level show. Now doesn't that just give you an inferiority complex? Philly's auto show is a fun time, and we should be proud of it. 700,000 square feet, 250,000 people and influencing $3 billion in sales doesn't sound C-level to me.
Somehow I doubt New York's going to have the Fiat Pope Francis rode in during the 2015 World Meeting of Families, like we have!  

Note the little Vatican flag @FIATUSA #phillyautoshow pic.twitter.com/8yIY12yKwZ

— brian bingaman (@brianbingaman) January 29, 2016

The pope could've had a limousine, but instead chose a compact. The car was auctioned off during the Auto Show's Black Tie Tailgate preview event to benefit Catholic Social Services, Casa Del Carmen, Mercy Hospice and the Philly archdiocesan schools of special education.

One tweet that really got people's attention was of this Kia.

Wow, what would you call that color? @Kia A1A concept car @phillyautoshow pic.twitter.com/vMkrdBT15x

— brian bingaman (@brianbingaman) January 29, 2016

This year, I finally got around to doing a Camp Jeep Test Track ride. That camera wobble was due to the rough terrain of the off road simulation.

1 of the @phillyautoshow highlights is Camp @Jeep. See what Wrangler can do! https://t.co/Y9AYHOzpm4

— brian bingaman (@brianbingaman) January 29, 2016

The Wrangler's 285 horsepower is sexy, but it only gets 21 mpg highway ... as opposed to the new Honda Civics that get 42. That's the truly great thing about the Philadelphia Auto Show -- you get to see what all the noteworthy manufacturers have to offer (some are even offering test drives) under one roof.
For example, you probably wouldn't think about Rolls Royce if it was out of your price range, but it doesn't hurt to look while you're here.

This @rollsroycecars convertible is a massive vehicle #PhillyAutoShow pic.twitter.com/ezyTNL2OcS

— brian bingaman (@brianbingaman) January 29, 2016

Dr. Fred Simeone of the Simeone Automotive Museum in Philadelphia was on hand at media day to highlight the 50th anniversary of the first American victory in the World Sportscar Championship races, and the cars from the museum's collection that won it all for the U.S. in 1966-1969. The motivation for trying to make a name for the U.S. in world racing, Simeone said, was that Caroll Shelby and Henry Ford Jr. had a mutual dislike for Enzo Ferrari, whose namesake race cars typically dominated the circuit. "Was it a big deal? Was it expensive? You're damn right," Simeone said. The rare 1965 Cobra Daytona Coupe, Ford GT 40 Mark II and Ford GT Mark IV are part of the museum's eye-catching display at the Auto Show.

Besides the new Auto Show eKEY, here are just a few of the other fun interactives at the show.

You could win a trip to Cancun by doing this at @phillyautoshow pic.twitter.com/gaZu96G59s

— brian bingaman (@brianbingaman) January 29, 2016

A green screen dance with Jan from @Toyota? Yes, please #PhillyAutoShow pic.twitter.com/MFbI1eZmlx

— brian bingaman (@brianbingaman) January 29, 2016

As the old Exxon ad used to say: "Happy motoring."

Brian Bingaman meets Ryan Bingham

Ever since WXPN started championing the music of Americana singer/songwriter Ryan Bingham in 2007-2008, it's given me fits of existential angst: Maybe if my name was a few syllables shorter, and had I been in Texas, I coulda been a contender!
Bingham's song, "The Weary Kind," was the main theme of the movie "Crazy Heart," and won an Oscar, a Grammy and a Golden Globe. Now that's a rare hat trick!!! Here's "Crazy Heart"'s star, Jeff "The Dude" Bridges, performing it.


I recently fulfilled a professional goal, that I used to joke about ("Who's that guy running around out there imitating my name?!"),  by interviewing Bingham. Here's a link to that story for you. When I asked him what songs he'd like to hear in a Ryan Bingham tribute show -- because you know my next step is to create a "Brian Bingaman Sings the Songs of Ryan Bingham" concert -- he left it wide open. "I just hope that whoever was doing it would play the songs that inspired them," he said.  This would be one of them.


Now how the heck do I get that gravelly, raspy Tom-Waits-meets-Steve-Earle sound? The guy is 34 years old and sounds like that.

Random thoughts on Christmas music

Johnny Mathis wrote on the back cover of one of his Christmas records that every home needs to have some of those seasonal songs. With Philly's 98.1 WOGL sort of joining the early all-Christmas format flip this year, there's just no getting away from it.
*It's a shame that with the all-Christmas terrestrial radio stations in the area -- including More 101 in Philadelphia, 100.7 WLEV in Bethlehem and 99.5 WJBR in Wilmington -- they only actually play a small sample of the wealth of holiday musical offerings out there.
*"Linus and Lucy" by the Vine Guaraldi Trio is NOT a Christmas song, just because it was in "A Charlie Brown Christmas." Please stop treating it like one.


*Despite the passing reference to it snowing Christmas Eve in the opening verse, "Same Old Lang Syne" by Dan Fogelberg is more of a New Year's song. When it was originally released in 1980, it entered the top 40 singles chart on Dec. 27.
*This time of year is so weird because it is the only time ever you will hear Wham! (with a double dose of George Michael in "Do They Know It's Christmas" by Band Aid), The Carpenters, Amy Grant and Jose Feliciano on the radio. Does no one remember Jose's top 5 Doors cover from 1968?!



*Walmart Radio is playing some re-makes of Christmas classics that are so terribly done that I want to tune in terrestrial radio to cleanse the bad taste out of my ears. Make that nonsense go away.
*It's the mooost stress-ful time/of the year. Or it's the most wonderful time to drink beer. I also have my own rude, obscene alternate lyrics for the wretchedly campy song "Happy Holidays."
*There's a howler of a bad lyric in "There's No Place Like Home For The Holidays:" "From Atlantic to Pacific/Gee, the traffic is terrific." Traffic is never terrific. Horrific would be more accurate.
*Is Dean Martin really as drunk as he sounds on his records, or is that just an act?



*I break into The Beach Boys every time "Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow" comes on, thanks to Paul Rudd's character in the movie "Forgetting Sarah Marhsall."


*I do my Vince Vaughn impression every time "Here Comes Santa Claus" comes on, thanks to the movie "Fred Claus."
*What's with the threatening tone of the song "Santa Claus is Coming to Town?" What happened to peace on earth, and good will to all?
*Someone in particular who gets into the season is Neil Diamond -- a Jew who's recorded at least three Christmas albums. His cover of Adam Sandler's "The Hanukkah Song" is fun.

Thanksgiving music

There's no Thanksgiving songs, you say.
With assists last year from "Paste" magazine and WXPN, I found that's not necessarily so. I'll start your Turkey Day soundtrack off with something that didn't turn up on Spotify, "Thanksgiving Prayer" by Johnny Cash. Would love to know how the Man in Black ended up on an episode of, according to the YouTube poster, "Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman."

When I was growing up, and without fail traveling to be with my paternal grandmother's side of the family every Thanksgiving, my mom had me convinced that the song that begins "Over the river, and through the woods/to grandmother's house we go" was about Thanksgiving. That was until I recently found "Over the River" by Danny Kaye & The Andrews Sisters, which has lyrics about Christmas. I refuse to believe "Over the River" is a Christmas song! And since I'm a holiday purist -- believing in breathing space for holidays, instead of the overlapping Hallo-Kwanz-ukkah-mas mess advertisers and stores have forced on us -- I can't bring myself to pollute my Thanksgiving playlist with a Christmas song. We'll all be bludgeoned to death by Christmas music soon enough.
Luckily, my wife knows I'm not insane (nor is my mom), and agrees that not only is "Over the River" a Thanksgiving song, but said there is a verse of "Over the River" that ends "Hooray for Thanksgiving Day." So who can tell me where a recording of that variation can be found?

I was also dismayed to find that The Beatles B-side "Thank You Girl" is not on Spotify. Come on, Macca! The world didn't end when The Beatles music was made available on iTunes. Gimme a break! The good news is the cover by The Smithereens is brilliant, and I will reward that band by sharing this interview I did with Pat DiNizio.

So fire up your Spotify and sing along with Arlo Guthrie (I get a kick out of his $14.27 reference from Roger Miller's "Dang Me" in the now-50-year-old "Alice's Restaurant"), through all the thank-you songs I could think of, to Dan Bern's modern-day-Desolation-Row "Thanksgiving Day Parade." Any suggestions you have for additions are encouraged!

Down the YouTube mashup rabbit hole

Yeah, yeah, yeah, you're going to tell me that mashups are so 2006. I don't care.
Thought most of them were complete crap until one of my Facebook friends shared this haunting pairing of completely unrelated songs -- "The Boys Are Back in Town" by Thin Lizzy and "Monkey Gone to Heaven" by The Pixies. My seal of approval for a mashup, besides if it rhythmically fits, is given if it causes you to appreciate the original songs more.  


Then that cursed YouTube, always at the ready to suggest something related to what you've been searching lately, pointed to another Pixies mashup, "Where is My Mind?" coupled with The Beastie Boys' sadly overlooked War on Terror commentary "In a World Gone Mad."

There's several "Smells Like Teen Spirit" mashups, but the one that makes the most sense is this one with White Stripes' "Seven Nation Army," Seven Nation Teen Spirit, if you will  

Then these next two were so good -- because of the polar opposite juxtaposition of overt '70s pop with '80s hard rock -- they brought actual tears to my eyes.

  STAYIN' IN BLACK

SUPER JUMPER

Memorable and creative local band names from MGK's 2015 House Band Competition and beyond

Just like covering the Philadelphia Folk Festival, I think being a judge in the WMGK House Band Competition could become an annual thing for me.
A semi-final round Aug. 6 at Havana in New Hope featured mid-day jock Debbi Calton as emcee, and a slate of competing bands whose names are burned into my brain.

• There's Bradley Cooper's Left Arm, featuring James Darlington, the husband of Lansdale interfaith minister Rev. Dr. Deborah Darlington, on bass.

• The band I thought was going to win was Moroccan Sheepherders because of all the wild stuff they had going on stage -- three-piece horn section, multiple singers, a guy on bongos, interesting set list ...

• The band that did win was Fuzzy Side Up, and they will be a force to be reckoned with during the contest finals Aug. 20 at Parx Casino.  

•  And check out The Naturals!

Other favorite local band names I have are Norristown's Jean Claude's Damn Van. And don't forget Crossroads Tavern semi-regular Two For Flinching.

Worcester Township bar The Keystone Lounge has a whole scene of crazy band names to keep an eye out for, among them: Funk Church and Native Maze (as opposed to Native maize). Another of those bands that you can sometimes catch at The Keystone, Mr. Fuzzy & The Barbarian, is scheduled to play the Music on Main Street Lunchtime Concerts series in Lansdale's Railroad Plaza at noon Sept. 9

New adventures in hi-fi

A visit to my stepdaughter's townhouse greeted me with the surprise that she and her boyfriend had "inherited" a circa 1960 Voice of Music hi-fi record player, manufactured back in the days when people didn't consume their music on the go, unless it was on the car radio.
Some of its functionality has diminished. The other speaker isn't working. And I've either forgotten how to activate the platter drop, or it's not working either.
The young people -- who smartly knew to use a nickel as an anti-skip device -- were impressed how much I was able to improve the sound simply by tweaking the speaker balance, bass and treble. They were also wowed that it was possible to stack 10 records, or more, on the spindle for hours of hands-free party DJ entertainment (which sadly, I was unable to successfully demonstrate). I think the smell the vacuum tubes make when they heat up makes them nervous.
"They're not used to having to do that," my wife explained, reminding me how children of the '90s interface with their music.
Selections we listened to included some latter day vinyl by Phantogram and the first interesting (but not quite classic) album that Pink Floyd ever made, 1971's "Meddle."

I got my stepdaughter's record collection started at Christmas 2013, thanks to The Vinyl Closet: K-Tel's 1982 compilation "Hit Express," The Beatles' odds and ends "Hey Jude," Arlo Guthrie's "Alice's Restaurant," "Frampton Comes Alive," "Crosby, Stills and Nash," The Who's "Who's Next" and Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon," still with the posters.

And you're welcome for the Pandora's Box of rabbit hole links.