A few of my favorite Mike moments, in no particular order. Sh'mon.

• Who's Lovin' You?
  Ed Sullivan Show. 1969. Coolest 11-year-old on the planet.
• Got to Be There/Brand New Thing
  Holy crap.
• Motown audition.
  James Brown split at 2:20. He was 10.
• Billie Jean
  Motown 25th Anniversary.
• James Brown passes the torch to Mike. And Prince.
  History on tape. With time code!
• You Can't Win
  From The Wiz. His vocal kills me. Especially at 2:25.

The event was fabulous, really an honor and a pleasure to take part. Thanks to Les for suggesting little ol' moi; Linda and Michael and everyone at the Northshire for hospitality and a kick-ass store; Rosanne for being there and just for being Rosanne; and especially to the ever-fascinating Michelle, whose stories we could have listened to all night long. (So go buy the book, y'all!)

• Download: BlackCrow.mp3 | ACaseOfYou.mp3 | AllIWant.mp3

• Flickr: Full Screen | View All

More

• The Book |LA Times review
• Michelle Mercer
• Northshire Books
• Joni Memories: New Orleans 2000

Labels: live, music, photos

Our friends at the best web site in the world, jonimitchell.com, report:

Michelle Mercer book signing w/Bryan Thomas in Vermont - June 13

Michelle Mercer will be reading from and signing her book Will You Take Me As I Am: Joni Mitchell's Blue Period at Northshire Books in Manchester Center, Vermont on June 13th at 7pm.

Special musical guest Bryan Thomas (no stranger to the Joni Internet community) will provide the soundtrack to the book signing with a short, live set of his inimitable music after the reading.

The bookstore is located at 4869 Main Street in Manchester Center. Call 802-362-2200 or 800-437-3700 for more information.

• The Book
• Michelle Mercer
• Northshire Books
• Joni Memories: New Orleans 2000

RSVP to this event at ===> Facebook

Labels: in the news, live, music

We interrupt our regularly scheduled shameless promotion of the new album 1369 Lights to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the release of the debut album Radio Plastic Jennifer - by giving it away.

That's right: Radio Plastic Jennifer was released/unleashed April 1, 1999. Ten short years ago.

And it's yours now.

For free.

DOWNLOAD THE ALBUM

The folk-funk-busking-with-a-beat-box sound of 1999 is available for free download here:

• Radio_Plastic_Jennifer.zip | Lyrics and Liner Notes

DOWNLOAD THE SONG

Releasing the first album was so painful that I had to write a song about it on the second album. So "Jennifer" - with its Electric City ego chorus - is included here as a bonus.

• Jennifer.mp3


• 
  

SEE THE VIDEO

Producing the song about producing the album was so painful I had to make a music video about it. Starring Jennifer herself! With a cameo appearance by the Kamikaze Hearts, circa 2001.



You think you're too big for Schenectady. You ain't big enough.

No foolin'.

Cheers,

B.

PS: Happy Birthday to Maya tomorrow, too! It's her first! Our little April Fool.

SMART ROCK: Bryan Thomas, Ten 27 Push the Musical Envelope
Greg Haymes, Times Union
"With One Three Six Nine Lights, [Thomas] rocks harder than on any of his previous five albums, all of which are first-rate. With Prince as his primary musical touchstone, Thomas' uncompromising songs are specifically local, yet gloriously global. He writes smart, and he writes from the heart, balancing intellect, passion and politics."

What We've Got Here
John Brodeur, Metroland
"Opener 'Muse,' which (perhaps unwittingly) borrows a verse melody from Springsteen's 'Blinded by the Light,' lays out the band mentality from the get-go-it's one of the most 'rock' tracks in Thomas' great catalog. The sound of the electric guitar, a staple of his live sets over the years, has never been as front-and-center as it is here; wailing Stratocaster solos simply dominate some songs. He is as self-referential and Capital Region-centric as ever-characters, and entire musical phrases, from elsewhere in his career make cameos here-but that's what makes him such a compelling artist. Few performers could maintain such a thematic through line in their material without actually copying themselves; Bryan Thomas continues to blaze new trails (besides the one that leads to Delmar) while staying true to himself, and to his hometown."

Bryan Thomas' 'One Three Six Nine Lights' a well thought-out adventure
David Malachowski, Daily Freeman
"Combining an exotic blend of Springsteen's guitar power, Prince's voice and both artists' songwriting sensibilities, Thomas takes it to another level. In 'Muse,' he sings about how you can 'take the girl out of Schenectady' while shifting in and out of an airy falsetto, as his clever phrasing floats over minimalist guitars - that is until the upright piano solo. 'Lights' has some real crunch, but the stunning 'Sam' - in which he imagines Troy's Uncle Sam viewing pictures of interracial relationships, and what his reaction might be in 1766 - is maybe Thomas at his best. "

Happiness is as close as your own backyard
Matt Mac Haffie, Troy Record
"Thomas has a history of releasing nothing but stellar CDs. His fifth, One Three Six Nine Lights, is no exception. The triple threat of knock-out vocals, intelligent songwriting and signature guitar style make for an ultimately satisfying listening experience."

And for more fun:

Bryan Thomas Knows Where the Funk Is
AllOverAlbany.com
"We recently bounced a few questions Bryan's way (that would be toward Delmar). He emailed answers back about finding the funk at pre-school soccer games, why he name-checks local places in his songs so often, and what he thinks is the best-kept secret about the Capital Region."

Labels: 1369, music

Flickr: Set | Slideshow

"On January 30th, 2009, the WMHT-TV studios became the Exit Dome for a night to support WEXT and the Local 518 artists of all genres. With Bryan Thomas, Matthew Loiacono, Railbird ft. Sarah Pedinotti, 28N, Ramblin Jug Stompers and Sgt Dunbar and the Hobo Banned.

Labels: hiddencity, live, music, photos

Guzzo at the CRUMBS blog reports:

Concert to Benefit Exit 97.7: We Can't Promote This Enough

January 30th, 2009, the WMHT-TV studios become the Exit Dome for the night.

Exit 97.7, WEXT is proud to support the Local 518 artists of all genres. In a night that will showcase some of the best, brightest, and those we asked, we'll be celebrating our efforts to support the Local 518 in a concert where some artists give back to Exit 97.7.

Get your tickets ($60 for a pair) by supporting the music.

Show time: 7p

Scheduled acts: Bryan Thomas, Matthew Loiacono, Railbird ft. Sarah Pedinotti, 28N, Ramblin Jug Stompers and Sgt Dunbar and the Hobo Banned.

Labels: hiddencity, live, music