As part of my Valentine's Day celebration, I am offering up love songs from some of my favorite artists. I am a huge fan of Garrin Benfield's music, and have been since I purchased his 2004 album, 'Where Joy Kills Sorrow'. It was my introduction to him, and it still remains near and dear to my heart. There is something glorious about the last track on the album, "Be Love". As a singer, Garrin shows such great control, a perfect complement to his layered music. It reminds me why I fell in love with his music to start with. This is Garrin Benfield with "Be Love".
"Be Love" can be found on Garrin's fantastic album, 'Where Joy Kills Sorrow'. You can purchase the album from iTunes, CD Baby, and Amazon. To learn more about Garrin Benfield, visit his official website. You can also 'follow' him on Twitter, and 'like' him on Facebook.
It has been a while since I featured the music of Garrin Benfield, and now seemed like the perfect time to look back over the past decade, and choose a couple of the beautiful songs he wrote to make this night that much prettier. I will begin with a stunning song off the 2002 album I still play from time to time, 'Nowhere Is Brighter'. I will admit to not knowing of Garrin when this album was released, once I did hear his amazing artistry, I went out and purchased this one. Among the amazing songs on it is "Hungry Ghost", a song I still find captivating.
The first album I purchased by Garrin was 'Where Joy Kills Sorrow', his 2004 release that was a slightly dark, moody album I immediately loved. I had no idea who this handsome San Fransisco-based guitarist was, but I knew I found music that I could love for the rest of my life. And one of the great songs that found my heart was the title cut, "Where Joy Kills Sorrow".
And, finally, I will end with a song off his latest release, 'The Wave Organ Song'. I was thrilled to attend the CD Release Party in Manhattan in 2011, and heard much of the music live. I was also lucky enough to have my video camera and still camera with me, catching the picture at the top of the post, as well as a clip of the performance of "Believe Me", a stunning song. The song manages to capture the strength and beauty of real emotion, all with a soft voice, with nary a power-note in site.
To learn more about Garrin Benfield, visit his official website. While there, you might want to check in to his tour schedule, for he is also a live performer not to be missed. You can also find him on Facebook. His music can be purchase where great music is sold, like iTunes, Amazon, and CD Baby. You'll find five albums, all a big part of my music library, and will ready to be a part of your collection.
Often when we think of Matthew Shepard, we think of the handsome thin blond, with a sweet smile on his lips. And for most of the year, that is great. He was a student at the University of Wyoming, majoring in Political Science. Matthew should be remembered for the the nice and kind young man his friends and family has described, a normal young man who left his family way too soon. You see, Matthew died fourteen years ago, almost two months shy of his 22nd birthday. His death was a vicious one, with Matthew being beaten and, to some extent tortured, and then left to die in a field in Laramie, Wyoming, tied to a fence.
The image above is not pretty, but is one we should never forget. Shortly after midnight on October 6, 1998, Matthew met two boys in a club, and they chatted. Soon they offered to drive Matthew to his home. They never made it there. They drove him to a remote area, and proceeded to hit, pistol-whip, and torture Matthew. They tied him to a wooden fence, still alive. They left him, taking his address. When he was discovered 18 hours later, he was in a coma. No one knows for sure when he did, but it is hoped that it happened before he was left to die. He was taken to a hospital, and remained in a coma. Matthew Shepard was pronounced dead at 12:53 a.m. on October 12, 1998.
When Matthew was being beaten, the attackers were also battering him with verbal abuse, calling him all kinds of names, including 'faggot'. When news about the brutal murder came out, students at the University of Laramie, as well as from other schools and communities in the area, came out to form a quiet and respectful candlelight vigil for Matthew. Soon, vigils were popping up across the country, from coast to coast.
When it came time for his funeral, an ugly group of religious zealots decided to hire a bus to they could disrupt the grieving of his family and friends, in order to promote their misguided hatred and ignorance. They claimed to be spiritual people, although their ugly words and mean ways showed very little of the ways and words of the man they claimed to love, Jesus, the Son of God. Rather than taking the moral high ground to comfort a family and community in need, took the low road, and tried to use their pain to promote a political agenda.
As is often the case, the dimwitted zealots could not keep their plans quiet, and when people heard about the planned protest, they came up with a plan of their own. A group of boys and girls came out to the funeral wearing white, a sporting large white wings. They planned to stand between the mourners and the zealots, spreading the wings to protect those attending the funeral.
Two young men, who will remain unnamed by me for they have had way too much exposure than any ugly bigot deserves, were found in possession of Matthew's wallet and shoes. They were arrested. One plead guilty and testified against the other the escape the death penalty. The other was found guilty of felony murder. While the court was considering imposing the death sentence, Matthew's parents spoke out, asking for life sentences, not death. They felt enough death had been brought by hatred, and it was time to end the cycle.
Each year, Matthew's death is remembered by many as a symbol of how hate, greed, and ignorance breeds violence and bigotry. Matthew Shepard lost his life because others thought it was okay to beat the gay boy and leave him to die. Still others thought is was okay to disrupt the funeral of people who just experienced a big loss, all to promote their own lives of hatred and ignorance. But we mustn't focus on those poor, unhappy people. Instead, remember those who stood against the funeral crashers, those who came out for the vigils across the nation for a young man they didn't know, and those who didn't let the misguide young men get away with murder. Remember those who worked long and hard to create national 'hate crime' legislation in the name of Matthew Shepard, protecting LGBT people from the mindless crimes. And if we continue to remember, just maybe we can keep another young gay man or woman from falling victim to hate. Listen as Garrin Benfield sings "What You're Hiding", which he performed at Sullivan Hall in New York City in 2011.
Rest In Peace, Matthew Shepard. In remembering Matthew's life and death, this post will be up all day.
Clockwise: Coyote Grace; Avi Wisnia; Eric Himan; Tom Goss; and Garrin Benfield.
Well, I was going to be coy about this, but to hell with that. It's my birthday today, so I wanted to be surrounded some of my favorites cover songs I've been lucky enough to not only hear live, but to tape, too. And, while I am at it, there are some of my favorite pictures I've taken of these talented and very good looking artists. And, did I happen to mention they are LGBT artists, too? Coyote Grace ended a fantastic set at World Cafe Live last July with a cover of a song by the West Coast band Ma Muse. To add to the fun, they invited singer/songwriter Eric Himan and Ty Greenstein, of the band Girlyman, to make "Hallelujah" a joyful experience.
When I found out Avi Wisnia would be performing at the World Cafe at the Queen in Wilmington, Delaware, I was thrilled to jump at the chance to see him play. Neither me nor my friends were disappointed, and we had a great time. Check out when Avi sings a jazzy cover of TLC's "No Scrubs," written by Kandi Burruss, of the Real Housewives of Atlanta fame.
I had been a big fan of Garrin Benfield and his music for several years before I finally had the chance to see him perform live. Afterwards, I could listen to him play forever, and even had a bit of a crush on him. I love the way he utilizes technology to layer his performance, while other times, just let the voice and guitar handle it. One of the times it is just a boy and his guitar is when Garrin sings a cover of the Alex Chilton song, "Thirteen."
I have been a fan of Eric Himan for a long time, hainv found him online and scooping up all the music I could find. Needless to say, whenever he is in the area, I am eager to hear him, and I have never been disappointed. I just saw him again in March, and Eric sang a great acoustic cover of the Police song, "Message In A Bottle."
I first saw Tom Goss when he opened for Eric Himan on tour a couple of years ago. I've been hooked since, attending shows in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and even in Delaware. Tom is worth a little travel. While he normally doesn't do many cover songs, at a recent show with Jeffrey Johnson, Tom managed a couple of them. None were more charming than this cover of Jack Johnson's "Better Together".
Check out the latest video form Singer/songwriter Garrin Benfield, as he covers Standing On The Moon by the Grateful Dead. Garrin is responding to a call from the Dead, well, I'll let Garrin Explain it. "The Grateful Dead are asking people to submit a video of them covering a Dead tune," explained Benfield. "If selected, the video will be first played on dead.net, and then hopefully progress to a final round when it will be posted on all their online sites and featured in the Dead Almanac."
I think Garrin does a great job with his cover. There is a hypnotic nature to it, almost languid. And there is something about seeing the creative expression of an artist, of a musician, that just takes my breathe away.
So go to YouTube here, and hit the "LIKE" button. You can find out more about Garrin Benfield when you visit his official website here. And you can find his latest album, The Wave Organ Song, on iTunes and Amazon.
It took me several years of loving Garrin Benfield's music before I was finally able to make it to a live show, but I am so very grateful I did. It was incredible, and gave me an even better appreciation of the talent of this musician. I've been to two separate shows with 3 different friends, none of who had any real knowledge of his music. All three left the shows as fans of the man. Here is Garrin playing Wichita at a show in New York City.
You can find out more about Garrin at his official website here. And if he is playing anywhere near you, I would buy that ticket, and make sure you see him. Here are the dates for his upcoming shows.
I wanted to compile a video that would prove once and for all what a lucky man I am. After all, I got to see Jason Antone, Levi Kreis, Eric Himan, Tom Goss, Nathan Leigh Jones, Garrin Benfield, Amy Regan, Shaun Hague, Jake Walden, Coyote Grace, Gareth Asher, Avi Wisnia, Jeffrey Johnson, and Namoli Brennet all perform live last year. They appeared at the World Cafe Live!, PSALM Salon, Joe's Pub, Sullivan Hall, MilkBoy Coffee, NightCat, World Cafe at the Queen, and Black Fox Lounge. Yep, I am a freakin' lucky man. Enjoy the highlights of my "show season."
Support independent musicians by attending their shows in your area, and buying their merchandise. You will not only feel better, you will undoubtedly be assured a better seat in heaven when the shows start.
Clockwise: Tom Goss, Eric Himan, Jake Walden and Garrin Benfield.
They are just the beginning to the list of names of talented artists I shall be mentioning over the next few days. I shall be taking a look at the new music of 2011, much of which I have covered here on this blog. There was a number of amazing LGBT musicians who released new material, and I was lucky enough to see several of them live. But I shall start with what was a bit of a first for me, and that was appearing in a music video. I was able to do that with the gracious assistance of Tom Goss when he was filming the first single off his latest album, Turn It All Around. It's All Over is the joyous first single off a great album, one that really rocks!
Another favorite of mine released a new album this year. Eric Himan worked with the the talented Namoli Brennet on Supposed Unknown, a brilliant album that shows Himan's growth as a songwriter and as a performer. It also had a gritty and sexy video for the first single, Dust.
I managed to catch Garrin Benfield twice in the last 12 months or so, and am grateful for each opportunity. I swear Garrin's music enchants me, and brings me to a place I'd love to live full-time. I was beyond thrilled to make it to his New York City album release party for The Wave Organ Song. It is an outstanding album, one I am listening to once again today, and still can't get enough. Here is the video for the first single, Walkin' Time Blues.
I was introduced to Jake Walden by Tom Goss, and have been blessed to have gotten to know the talented and handsome man. So when he hit the road earlier this year to support the release of his latest album, Same Something Different, I couldn't wait to see him. And I was not disappointed. The new music was great, as you can see in the video for the first single, Even In Your Doubt.
You can purchase Same Something Different from iTunes, Amazon, or Jake's online store. If you are lucky enough to have the opportunity to see any or all of these talented artists performing live, I would say do it, without hesitation.
Garrin Benfield has a new video out, and I am really loving it! The video was directed, edited by Leo Herrera, who also handled the Special Effects. To start wit, I must admit I am totally enamored with Garrin's music. I think the man is brilliant. I have The Wave Organ Song in my collection, and can't hear it enough. I find it intoxicating. It just pulls me out of myself, and cradles me is this amazing melodic world. That world includes Walkin' Time Blues, written by Garrin and partner Jason Durant.
You can find out more about Garrin Benfield at his official website here. You can also find him on Facebook here. You can find his album on iTunes here, or on Amazon here. You can also order it from CD Baby here.
After completing more dates on the Wests Coast, Garrin Benfield is traveling around the Northeast, with dates in New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Vermont, in early November. I will admit I am a big fan, and only got the chance to see him live in the past year, but made it twice, and am about to make it a third time. I've put the show at The Grape Room on my calendar. Check for the date nearest you.
If Garrin has a show near you, I would advise against missing it. Go, hear, and love every minute of it. Check out this clip from the CD Release Party in New York City. The song is Colors In You from the latest album, The Wave Organ Song.
This is a clip from the show at the Grape Room last December, my first time to hear Garrin play live. I was damn near giddy before the show, I was so excited. The song is Are You With Me?, also from The Wave Organ Song.
You can find The Wave Organ Song on iTunes for $9.99 here, or on Amazon.com for $8.99 here. For more about Garrin Benfield, check out his official website here.
Top: Garrin Benfield. @nd Row: Jason Antone, Eric Himan, Levi Kreis. 3rd Row: Nathan Leigh Jones. 4th Row: Tom Goss and Garrin Benfield.
As I was thinking about the blogiversary, I couldn't help but be reminded that I am a very lucky boy, having been able to catch some seriously good shows over the last 6 months. It all started last December, when I got to see Garrin Benfield for the first time! I have been a fan for several years, and have collected it all. Somehow, our schedules just never seemed to be in synch. So I was unbelievably excited when I had the chance to see him at the Grape Room in Manayunk, PA, with dear Mistress Maddie. It was a fantastic time!
When I saw Jason Antone, Levi Kreis and Eric Himan at The World Cafe Live! in Philadelphia, PA, in early January, I will admit it was not the first time I had the chance to enjoy them. I saw a show in Virginia in December, but my pictures were bad. I did have a great time, for I caught the show with Sweet Tom Goss and his husband, Mike. But in January, I was the show with family, having my sister, my niece, and cousins along to share the joy.
I was so very excited to catch Tom Goss at The Psalm Salon in Philadelphia, PA, for his CD Release Party for the new one, Turn It Around. With an album of new music, I knew it would be thrilling, but it surpassed my expectations. What a great time!
I went to another CD Release Party, this time for Australian singer/songwriter Nathan Leigh Jones at Joe's Pub in New York, NY. I was joined there by the delightful David Dust, who will always make for a fun time. But we both had a great time when David Raleigh sang an opening number, and Nathan played the entire album for the appreciative audience.
And just a few weeks ago, I was back in New York City to see Garrin Benfield at Sullivan Hall in New York, NY. Yes, after having missed his several years in a row, I was catching a second show, another CD Release Party. To be sure, I was loving the new album, The Wave Organ Song, but hearing it played live, well, that was just spectacular!
I look forward to catching more show, and bringing them back for you, my friends. Jake Walden is coming to town soon, Eric Himan is coming back in support of his latest album, and so many others are looking to play. And I am always more than willing to hear!
Saturday, May 14, 2011, I was joined by my friends James and Brian to see the amazing Garrin Benfield performing at Sullivan Hall in Manhattan. I've been a fan of Benfield's for several years, and only got the first chance to see him live the end of last year. I will not miss a show if I can help it, cause his music just invigorates me, washes me clean of burdens and transports me to a place I love to be. Before the show, I was able to convince James, a photographer, to take pictures for me, and so I have far better pictures than I would ever manage on my own. Thank you James! (You can find his blog here & website here)And that left my hands free to be working the video camera, and have some treats for my readers. Treats like Rock N' Roll, a new song from The Wave Organ Song album. Here he is joined on stage by his sister, Claudia.
Originally, I was planning on doing an elaborate write up on what a great album The Wave Organ Song is cause, well, it is. Garrin has a way of communicating on a highly personal level with his music that might be jarring, only somehow, it isn't. He's not telling stories with his songs, he is sharing a piece of his life. His music and lyrics weave a tapestry not meant to be admired in a museum, but instead lived with in your home, sometimes wrapped around you to keep you warm. A perfect example would be another song from the new album, Colors In You.
One of the reasons I picked to go to the show was because it was a birthday present to myself. It was the perfect gift - music that I love, a live show with dear friends. And I get to receive presents like this, hearing Garrin perform an amazing cover of the late Alex Chilton's introspective song, Thirteen, which can be found on the new album.
Well, let me start off by saying whether it is an advent of my age, the music I listen to, r whatever, but when I hear a musician really start to jam live, it is as close as I get to having sex in a public place any more. When Garrin had completed his cover of John Lennon's Give Peace A Chance, I felt as thought I needed a cigarette, even though I had given up that habit 4 months before. Yep, I was breathing a little heavy, felt a little drain and just a tad sweaty. It really was that good. Here's Give Peace A Loop, what do you think?
It was an outstanding evening, made even better by great company. Afterwards, Brian, James and I went to get something to eat, and revel in the music of the evening. James thought that any evening that including great covers of Alex Chilton and John Lennon had to be great, and Brian sat there smiling and laughing, basking in the afterglow of wonderful music and company. You can find The Wave Organ Song on iTunes for $9.99 here, or on Amazon.com for $8.99 here. For more about Garrin Benfield, check out his official website here. Garrin is out on tour in California now, so if you have the chance, go. To check out his tour schedule, go here. And buy his music. You won't regret it.
I have been a fan of Garrin Benfield for several years, and somehow never managed to see him play live. I was beginning to think there was something the fates didn't like, but that has since changed. In the last 6 months, I have seen Benfield twice, in Philly in December and just last weekend in New York City. At the show at The Grape Room, I was blown away. This is a clip of Garrin performing his own composition, Colors In You.
This next clip is from the show in New York. I am so glad I went to it. In fact, I considered it a bit of a birthday present to myself, and I did a fine job choosing that one! I met up with some dear friends, and they also joined be at the show. Benfield was brilliant. Here is part of the song, The Loop, and in particular, the Jam section.
The photos above were taken by me as Garrin Benfield prepared for the show.
On Saturday May 14, I went to the CD Release party in Manhattan for Garrin Benfield's new album, The Wave Organ Song. I have been looking forward to this show for some time, and it most certainly did not disappoint. While I gather my various materials together - video and photographs - I thought I would post this compilation tape with clips from many of the songs performed at the show at Sullivan Hall in the West Village.
While I was in town, I met with friends, some of whom accompanied me to the show. Mal & Helen met for drinks before the show, but had to get home to help son John with some homework. Brian and James had the whole evening set aside for drinks, a show, and a late dinner. It was a great night, filled with love, laughter and music. Can't ask for more!
Left to right: Helen, Mal, me, James & Brian. Below: Album Cover Art.
On a cold Wednesday night, I made my way to the Manayunk section of Philadelphia to see Garrin Benfield play at the Grape Room. It was December 15, and I can't tell you how excited I was, driving up with Garrin's music blaring on the way. I have been dieing to see Garrin live for about 5 years now, so finally getting the chance had me very excited. I was meeting up with fellow-blogger and friend Mistress Borghese, or Maddie. Maddie wasn't all that familiar with Garrin's music, but a night out, after all, is never a bad thing. Maddie was also kind enough to take pictures while I manned the video.
Before the show, I was chatting with Maddie when Garrin entered the club. I smiled and mentioned it, although Maddie would never miss a handsome man making an entrance. It was not long before Garrin came up to me to say hello, and I was totally thrilled. I am such a fan of his music, have all his albums, so I was excited to hear whatever he played. To have him recognize me, well, I was over the moon!
When Garrin got on stage to play, he played a healthy 6-song set. He opened with I'm Only Sleeping, the Lennon/McCartney song he puts in a definite Benfield frame. I was so excited I was listening to him live, well, I kinda accidentally hit the pause button in the middle of the song. Luckily, I accidentally hit it back to play. From the first note on the song to end, I was not disappointed. I love to hear him playing the guitar, and his use of electronics to record and loop so he can layer and texture the live music is amazing.
His second song was Are You With Me?, one he had written although it hasn't appeared on an album yet. I love it's kind of dreamy quality, almost hypnotic.
One of the first songs I heard when I first came across Garrin was a video of a performance of the song What You're Hiding, dedicated to Matthew Shepard. It blew me away, and now listening to it live, I can tell you, several years later, it still moves me like few can. I got goosebumps!
For the fourth song, he sang Thirteen, written by Alex Chilton. There is a sweet playfulness to this song, an innocence that is irresistible, especially in Garrin's performance of it. It brings you back to that almost child-like time at the beginning of the teen years.
I had seen a couple of fan videos of Garrin singing The Colors In You, his own song I am hoping makes it on to the next album. When he started playing it, I was totally excited, and again, the drive paid off. The song is fantastic, with an honesty and truthfulness behind it that I find remarkable. It almost has a feeling of a prose piece to me, a discussion of love and relationships. When Garrin really starts to let loose on the guitar, I thought i had died and gone to heaven. It evolves from a haunting ballad to an intense psychedelic jam.
For the final song, Garrin's own Rock N Roll, I didn't get it on video, cause, well, somehow, I screwed up. But the song is another fantastic new song, and one I can't wait to hear recorded.
After the show, as Maddie & I waited to see Garrin, the bartender asked if we had seen him before. I explained I hadn't, but wanted to enough to drive 80 minutes each way. He responded that he was blown away, and 'that was some of the best music I've ever heard played live.' Pretty high praise from a bartender in a music club! And, I couldn't argue with him one bit.
Maddie mentioned to Garrin how his music was so very moving, so very personal, Maddie had to dab an eye once or twice during the set. I plan to not wait another 5 years to see Garrin play again, and am ready to become a groupie! Of course, I had to get a picture taken with him, and Maddie was once again kind enough to take it for me.
For more about Garrin Benfield, check out his official website here. You can get a bit of biographical info, links to some free music, and check out his touring schedule. If you like what you've heard here, I would suggest you join his mailing list, and get to a show as soon as possible. It is well worth it!
I am going to see Garrin Benfield on Wednesday night in Manayunk, PA, at the Grape Room! I have been wanting to see the San Fransisco-based performer live for several years. I am crazy for his music. I have all his albums Living A Dream, Nowhere Is Brighter, Where Joy Kills Sorrow, and August Live, as well as some bootleg 'tapes' of some of his live shows that Garrin gave me the link to download. I keep an eye on YouTube for clips like this, of Garrin performing the Joni Mitchell song Black Crow.
I also love catching the clips from other live shows, like the following from the Bobolink Music Festival in 2009, with him singing I'm Only Sleeping.
Can you tell I am excited? You can check out Garrin online at his official website here. You can find plenty of free downloads there, by clicking on the 'MUSIC' tab.
