Wreckless (Yet Controlled)

Thanks to all the good folks who made it out to Otherlands last weekend to hear me play! It's always a bit weird and scary to play without the guys, but I was graciously joined by some comrades who made it a lot easier and much more fun. Special thanks to my longtime friend Matt Oliver who played a dazzling lead and slide guitar, and David Twombly (The Archives) who folk-rocked the modified miniature drum kit, as well as played harmonica and handled some of Ted's usual backing vocal duties. It was a wonderfully loose evening, complete with a handful of Standard tunes, three or four covers and a bunch of really old and brand new originals.

Here's how it went:

STARTOWN GAZING
SKYLINER
A HARD RAIN'S A-GONNA FALL>>PAINT
PITTSBURGH, PA 1983


-with David-
ROSEMARY (SING SO SWEETLY)
PERPETUAL AFTERNOON
NO MAN ALIVE
GREAT BIG COSMIC

BORDERLINE (Madonna)
STARRY-EYED


-with David and Matt-
VIA CHICAGO (Wilco)
BACK TO SLEEP
THE OUTSTANDING TRUTH
IT'S HARD TO PRETEND YOU'RE NOT LEAVING
CORTEZ THE KILLER (Neil Young)
WHAT MAKES YOU THINK
SWEET MAMA ANGEL
SUMMER
1424 (JIMMY'S DRUNK)
DON'T SHIT WHERE YOU EAT (Ween)
SINGING YOU A SONG

On the Standards front, we're set to record "Great Big Cosmic" at the world famous Sun Studio during the second week in January. Needless to say, we're pretty psyched. Thanks for your incredible support during 2006. It's been a really fun year for us; we're glad to have had you along. And 2007 should be even better, with the release of a brand new record! Happy Holidays to you and yours, dear friends. May the blessings of the season overflow and carry you into a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year!

Paisley Shirts and Tight-Rolled Jeans

Undoubtedly, this photo (even ignoring the date imprint) tells the story of just how long Matt Oliver and I have been friends. Our friendship actually started about 5 years before this, but this is when we both really starting getting into music--for Matt, it was the electric guitar; for me, clearly, it was the allure of the oh-so-versatile tambourine.

The last time Matt and I played a show together was, well, never! Aside from back porch jams and the occasional performance at a wedding, we have never shared a stage. Until this week, that is! Hope you'll come join these two handsome young men on Saturday, December 16 at about 9 p.m. at Otherlands (641 S. Cooper in Midtown Memphis) for a great evening of music. I promise not to wear that shirt!

We'll be joined by our pal David Twombly on percussion. Another David--David Brookings--is scheduled to open the show at around 8:30 p.m. Otherlands is a smoke-free, ALL AGES venue that serves beverages for folks of all ages, as well. The first 10 paid attendees ($5 cover) will receive a special holiday gift. Alright! See you there!!

Can't hear it on the radio...or can you?

Thanks again to our pals Dennis, Ric and Luca of Rock 103 for having us on the show yesterday afternoon as part of their "Great Unplugged" series. As always, we had a ball playing music and trying to match D 'n R's quick wit. Ted succeeded with the latter; me, not so much.

Here's a shot of me with the lovely Luca in the background. Luca does all of the logistical work for the show, lines up callers, etc. She does a great job in all respects--especially with trying to keep the boys in line! Luca's younger brother, Andras, was a stellar Film & Video student of mine several years ago.

Here's Ted--looking dapper, as always--in school attire, sans necktie. How fortunate we are to have wonderful day jobs and be able to play "rock star" in the off-hours. Thanks again to Dennis, Ric and Luca for having us. Stay tuned for info regarding the "Great Unplugged" CD. As previously reported, we played two songs live on the air (Still Stay and In the Books). They were both recorded; it's our understanding that one of those will be chosen for inclusion on the disc!

*As a side note, I hope you'll come see me play a rare "solo" show at Otherlands (641 S. Cooper) on Saturday, December 16 around 9 p.m. I'll be joined by my dear old friend Matt Oliver, formerly of the Memphis-based band Stout, and our pal David Twombly of The Archives. It should be a lot of fun, and we should be done by 11 p.m. Alright...early night! This is an ALL AGES show, and Otherlands has a wide array of beverages (both stimulants and depressants) for all to enjoy!!

"The Great Unplugged"

Hey folks! Sorry for the late notice, but Ted and I will be playing live on the Dennis & Ric show this Thursday afternoon (12/7) sometime around the 4 o'clock hour. The show airs on 102.7 FM (Rock 103).

Most of you undoubtedly know how supportive Dennis, Ric and Luca are of local music and, specifically, how much they have meant to The Central Standards in 2006. Their latest project is called "The Great Unplugged" which is an acoustic CD that they're recording from live, in-studio performances by local artists.

Our turn is tomorrow, and we plan to do unplugged versions of Still Stay and In the Books. Hope you'll listen tomorrow afternoon and pick up a copy of the CD when it's available. More info to come!

*For those who are planning ahead during this busy holiday season, I hope you'll come see me play a rare "solo" show at Otherlands (641 S. Cooper) on Saturday, December 16 around 9 p.m. I'll be joined by my dear old friend Matt Oliver, formerly of the Memphis-based band Stout, and our pal David Twombly of The Archives. It should be a lot of fun, and we should be done by 11 p.m. Alright...early night! And, Otherlands does serve adult beverages!!