If when you travel you look for great music venues and artists who are playing, continue reading. Make sure to check out the Fillmore in San Francisco. Intimate , even though you may not always get a seat. I’ve had a lot of fun there…
Here’s a new song by Train performed at the Fillmore. Sorry for the video quality – but let it play… and enjoy this cheerful song! Hope it kicks off a great weekend.
It should be no surprise to any music aficionado – or anyone on the planet for that matter – that Adele received 6 Grammy nominations last night, including the most prestigious awards. And this young artist is a mere 23…
Who were her influences? Well growing up in London, she had many – but one moment she says inspired her the most is when she saw Pink in concert.
There are so many wonderful music-related venues in England, that Adele’s nominations and success reminded me of a London trip where I visited Abbey Road, the most famous music studio in the world, home to the Beatles.
Nothing special to see… no music to be heard… but I had a fun little glimpse of history, and imagines the Beatles walking up to the door. One of their album covers was shot right outside. It did inspire me to buy the “Let it Be” sheet music for the piano, so I did get something more out of it.
All of this reminded me of a Frommer’s article called “A Music Lovers Guide to Britain.” Here is the link. It mentions everything from spending a day in Liverpool… to visiting a dinosaur of a record store. http://www.frommers.com/slideshow/?group=701
In the meantime, I am going to go back to enjoying Adele…and hoping her voice heals after surgery so there will be more from this incredible talent. It is rare that you can download an entire album and like 90% of the songs.
Although “Rolling in the Deep” garnered most of her Grammy nominations, “Someone Like You” is not to be missed. At the tender age of 23 it sounds as if she’s had her share of heartbreaks.
“Nothing compares, no worries or cares… regrets and mistakes they’re memories made…who would have known how bittersweet this would taste? Nevermind I’ll find someone like you. “
…… Soulful crooning, deep lyrics, and powerful voice.
Check it out:
Aug 24th |
Travel Tip Tuesday: Top Ten Outdoor Concert Venues |
John Mayer at the Hollywood Bowl Sunday, Aug. 23
Finally beautiful weather here in Southern California….perfect for a John Mayer concert at the Hollywood Bowl!
Sunday afternoon at the outdoor venue….
into the evening with a full moon shining down on the packed house of Mayer fans.
Any local will tell you that this is one of the best, – if not THE BEST – Los Angeles attractions. When you visit Tinseltown, use all the resources possible to get a ticket…Stub Hub and Craig’s List are good options if tickets are sold out. The Bowl is home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic, but there are other artists’ concerts sprinkled throughout the season which runs June -Oct.
Make sure you picnic before hand to dine under the stars – that is part of the whole amazing experience. if you bring alcohol, get there early to sit on the grass outside, otherwise you’ll be relegated to pavement! No alcohol is allowed to be brought in the theater. Otherwise you can bring in your dinner and eat at your seats – buying your beer, wine, or even sangria once inside – but it’s pricey – one beer costs $9.00! There is also a quaint restaurant at the Bowl…or you can order at least 24 hours in advance for the Bowl catering service (Patina restaurant – one of LA”s finest) to pack you a picnic.
Parking and traffic are still the biggest problems – another reason to get there early.
There are other outdoor venues throughout the country that are still operating through September, since most places still have nice weather. Check them out if you are traveling to these destinations!
Here is a list of the Top 10 outdoor concert venues in America….(there are other lists out there but I agree most with this one.)
1) The Gorge, George Washinton – right on the Columbia River
2) Charter One Pavilion – Northerly Island, Chicago, Ill.
3) Red Rocks Amphitheater – Morrison, Colo. (On another note – look into the Moab, Utah Music festival every Labor Day weekend. A 40 minute boat ride takes you down the Colorado River into a cavernous red rock grotto where a grand piano and symphone awaits you to perform in the red rock cave. Nothing short of amazing.)
4) The Backyard at the Bee Cave – Austin, Texas
5) Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood, CA
6) The Greek – Berkeley, CA
7) Summer Stages – Central Park, NY
8) Bands on the Beach – Pensacola FL
9) Dallas Cowboy Stadium, Dallas, TX
10) Shoreline Amphitheater, Mountain View, CA
BONUS: John Mayer is scheduled to appear at two of the above locations in the next couple of weeks – Aug. 28 at the Gorge… Sept. 1 at the Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado..He’s in Irvine, CA tonight. He has more of a bad boy edge than the last time I saw him, which brings even more electricity to his performance. Gotta go download his “Stop This Train” right now…
For more http://music-tours.suite101.com/article.cfm/the-top-ten-outdoor-concert-venues
It is Elvis week again at Graceland, still going strong to commemorate the King’s life and death – of which the 33rd anniversary is Monday. It is a week of costume contests, candle light vigils by his grave at Graceland, and people who knew him giving fans anecdotes about his life. Thousands of grieving fans from all over the world make the pilgrimage, just to feel closer to him for one day, or week.
And although it’s always crowded, you still can find some room …where broken hearted lovers come to cry away their gloom…
Anyone who has ever been to Graceland knows, it is easy to leave Graceland heartbroken, and you don’t even have to stay at the Heartbreak Hotel. I know because I was one of those forlorn souls….not even of a generation to truly appreciate Elvis, but I reluctantly became a fan. (Paige – you know what I am talking about..)
Wise men say..only fools rush in. But I… can’t… help… falling in love with you…
My experience goes like this – I was there during Elvis week for the 25th anniversary of his death, covering it for the Travel Channel. The crowds were enormous. The first day there, I remember calling home and telling stories about how depressing it was to be there – so many people crying over Elvis, spending all their vacation money to come here, and of course dressing up like Elvis for no particular reason. I couldn’t believe these people, and snobbishly I thought they needed to get a life.
Paige Ryan, Amy Troiano, Tracy Gallagher at Graceland
The next day I got to tour his private planes, one called Lisa Marie…and visit his grave that was COVERED with gifts from people all across the globe…
Take my hand…take my whole life too..
And of course, I spent hours inside of Elvis’s Memphis mansion, affectionately called Graceland. It looks like nothing has been touched – the 60s shag rugs in the jungle room…
Jungle room at Graceland
His desk and writing room… and of course the hall where you can watch music videos, and look at all his gold records, momentos, and photos of his life.
We’re caught in a trap…I can’t walk out..because I love you too much baby…
That is where I realized I had crossed the line. All day Elvis music filled the neighborhood. Finally after absorbing hours of his music, his soulful and sometimes vulnerable lyrics grabbed me as I examined his life, tremendous talent, and the tragedy of such an early death. (OK his charisma wasn’t bad either…)
As the song goes, I was all shook up… I understood the tears being shed outside his home, by people he’d never met. Seeing all he had accomplished – and could have accomplished -against the backdrop of his depression, drug addiction, and an unhealthy lifestyle left me achingly sad.
Do the chairs in your parlor seem empty and bare? Do you gaze at your doorstep and picture me there? Is your heart filled with pain – shall I come back again? Tell me, are you lonesome tonight?
If you are an Elvis fan, and even if you aren’t, Graceland is a nice piece of Americana history…as well as a intimate look at the King of Rock and Roll.
