Eric Himan Sings In Philadelphia!

I have seen Eric Himan play the World Cafe more times than I'd care to admit. I am addicted, and cannot keep away when he is playing. At his most recent show, when he was in Philly with Levi Kreis, He was every bit as amazing as always. The first song I pick here is an old school song, found on a n early album. It is just a beautiful song. This is No Urgency from I Go On...



I couldn't resist posting a cover Eric did of White Rabbit by Jefferson Airplane. Like with most of what Eric attempts, he pulls it off brilliantly.

Being Human Season 2 Episode 5

Tonight at 9PM/8PM Central on BBC America, Being Human returns with a new episode. This one really gives us some insight into Mitchell. 1969 - kinda like the hangover from the summer of love, at least for Mitchell. He wakes up blood-soaked, not even sure where he is. He wakes to the sounds of The Velvet underground featuring Nico singing Venus in Furs from their 1967 debut album.



He panicks when he hears a noise in another room, only to figure out it is Herrick, who leaves to pick up the car, while Mitchell must clear the scene of any evidence of the debauchery that has taken place. He cleans to the sounds of Herman's Hermits 1964 hit Something Good.



When he goes to leave, he sees the police interviewing the building, and slips into an apartment, taking the pretty young woman by surprise. When we cut back to the present day, the house is invaded by the police, who take Mitchell away, surprising his mystified flatmates.




Mitchell is taken to the police headquarters, where he meets with the current chief. He brings Mitchell the cell of a recidivist prisoner, one he would like Mitchell to take out, while he watches. Mitchell is less than impressed, and leaves. When he gets home, he finds George and Annie chatting, George speaking of his girlfriend Sam and their growing relationship. Mitchell mentions his relationship with Lucy. The boys leave, and there is an eye calling to Annie, a fellow ghost. Seems she wants Annie to babysit her child, also a ghost. Annie reluctantly agrees, but for only a few hours. We return to 1969, with Mitchell telling his prisoner way more than he should, obviously struggling with what his vampire life leads him to do.





In perhaps the scariest scene of the show, Mitchell runs in to Lucy outside the hospital, and something is definitely wrong. He can't stop smiling, and it is so very eerie. I mean, could dinner with Lucy cause a dark and brooding vampire to change this much? We hope not, because Lucy leaves Mitchell to chat with the evil religious zealot, and they obviously have plans afoot. Back at the flat, Annie is struggling with her ghostly charge, but George steps in to help her quiet him. They discuss their lives, and George's desire to have kids of his own.




In 1969, Mitchell's prisoner escapes, and retrieves a policeman to aide her cause. Unfortunately, it is Herrick, who seems to have discovered his fascination with uniforms. George meets Sam and her daughter at the schoolyard, trying his best to win over the daughter. Annie discovers the secret to watching the baby, and starts to really like having him around.




George starts talking to his flatmates about his plans, which include moving Sam and her daughter in with the vampire and ghost. Annie understands the desire to form a family - she'd like to adopt 'little Tim', but Mitchell will have none of it. He thinks George is rushing things, and it is a bad idea. And thinks Annie is going mad. He and George exchange words, and George decides he might have to move on. Will Annie keep Tim, or will his Mother return? Will George, Sam and Molly live happily ever after? Will the Constable leave Mitchell alone or did he just push too hard? Did Herrick make his kill his hostage? And who is making love to the sound of Jefferson Airplane's Somebody To Love?



Guess you will have to tune in to find out. You can find out more about Being Human online at their official website here.

Saturday Rocks at Woodstock

One 600-acre farm was the home to over 500,000 music fans, braving the elements, many with the assistance of, shall we say, chemical enhancement. It was 1969, a time when the youth of America were celebrating freedom and love, and this three-day concert was steeped in both. The line-up was impressive, although some big names shied away, not sure about it. We now know that many consider it one of the seminal events in the history of rock, something the documentary made very clear.

I have had a thing for The Band for some time. I was a fan when I went to see the movie The Last Waltz while still in high school, and that made me love them even more. Robbie Robertson is incredible. Here they are with perhaps their best known song, The Weight.



Richie Havens is best known for his uncanny ability to blend the folk and soul music with his amazing voice and musical agility. His ability to use the rhythm guitar to evoke so much, coupled with his distinctive vocals, set him apart from many. He was the first act to take to the stage at Woodstock, and kicked it off with an amazing performance of Freedom.



Creedence Clearwater Revival were one of the first 'name' bands to sign on to the concert, but not without reservations nor caveats. They did not want to be the focus of the show, nor did they want to participate in the documentary being filmed. And their set started at 3AM. It was later said to be an issue with front man John Fogerty, and some of the other band members were disappointed with their experience. However, one can't be anything but excited by their performance of Put A Spell On You.



With the unmistakable sound of Grace Slick's voice, the psychedelia of Jefferson Airplane was sure to be a highlight of the weekend. Although Slick was less than excited about the 3AM start time, calling it "morning maniac music", the performance of Somebody To Love does stand the test of time.



While Richie Havens might have opened the show, it was left to Jimi Hendrix to close it out. What could be a more iconic close to the show than to have Hendrix play the Star-Spangled Banner as only he could. But there is the bittersweet side to watching this clip, which also includes the outstanding Purple Haze, as just over a year later in London, a victim of his own excesses. But not before sharing his talent with the world.