Cracks In Sidewalks

A number of years ago, while living in NYC, I came home from work to an unexpected message.  It was from Taj Mahal, the blues legend.  Taj and I have been friends for a long time and every once in a while he would surprise me with a call when he came on into town.  This message said in a voice that could only be his, “Audrey, it’s Taj.  If you get home before 7pm call me at the hotel,” and he left his number.  I walked into my apartment from work around 6:45.  I was happy and surprised to hear Taj’s voice on my machine and glad it was not yet 7pm.  So I gave Taj a call.  He picked up the phone and said, “can you get to the hotel by 7:15?  If you can I’ll be outside waiting for you.  We’re being picked up.”  Luckily it wasn’t too far from my place, and I told him I could make it if I just kept on what I had worn to work that day.  Throwing some water on my face and a little lipstick too, I ran out the door.

I got to the hotel and there was Taj waiting outside for me looking all rested and dapper.  When I got out of the taxi I gave him a big hug and then asked him where we were going.  He said Allen Klein (once manager of The Beatles and the Rolling Stones) was picking us up, and taking us to dinner.  The next thing I knew a big limo pulled up and I was shaking hands with Allen Klein and a woman that worked with him and jumping into the limo with Taj.  I knew right away I was in for an adventure if nothing more than by the company I was keeping.  In the car Allen Klein proceeded to tell Taj how he just finished making the “Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus” and he was taking us to DeNiro’s restaurant in TriBeCa for dinner and had arranged with “Bobby” a little private screening for us.  He continued to tell us that his son had convinced him to finally do something with the footage and finish the film and that he and several others who worked on getting the film finally made were going to be at dinner too.  At that point he mentioned that so far the only persons he had shown the film to were Yoko and Sean, so everyone was really excited for Taj to see it and they couldn’t wait to talk to him and see his reaction.  You have to understand if you don’t already know, here we were it was 1996 or there about, and this film had been shot in 1968.  Everyone in the music business knew that this footage existed, but no one had ever seen it nor thought they would and I couldn’t believe that I was about to.  I was thinking of my business partner and all my other music friends knowing how much they would like to be sitting where I was that evening.

During dinner I found myself between Allen Klein and Taj, music and rock and roll history.  It was an amazing dinner.  Allen Klein’s son and the rest of the crew were asking Taj all sorts of questions about the filming, of what at the time was suppose to be a BBC special airing in 1968.  It appears that Taj was one of only a few during the shoot who was not tripping on acid and therefore one of the only persons alive with a clear recollection of the event and what actually took place.  For my part I decided this was a good evening for listening.  I wanted to be able to remember and savor this experience.

After dinner we were taken upstairs to De Niro’s private screening room where the film was ready for us to watch.  We were escorted to seats in the middle of the room where we would get the best sound and I felt very privileged to be there. Taj sat to the right of me, Allen Klein to the left, and eight or so other people who had worked on the films completion and put their heart and soul into the project were scattered around us just waiting for our response.  They had been so close to the film and really wanted to see objective first time reactions of someone who was there, and someone who wasn’t, both seeing the movie for the first time.  After so many years of living with this footage they were excited to finally be able to be show the movie, and in particular to Taj.  I just happened to be in the right place at the right time and needed to pinch myself from time to time to believe that it was real.  I was watching music history while sitting with music history!

If you haven’t seen the “Rolling Stones Rock & Roll Circus,” it starred of course “The Rolling Stones,” and featured the likes of “Taj Mahal,” John Lennon and Yoko Ono with a group they dubbed “The Dirty Mac,” whose band-members were Eric Clapton (Cream), Keith Richards (the Stones), and Mitch Mitchell (Hendrix).   Included as well in what turned out to be a two day line up filmed in a replica circus big top with Mick Jagger as the circus ringleader, along with trapeze artists and fire-eaters, was “Marianne Faithfull,” “Jethro Tull,” the “Who” with one of their best performances ever recorded, and “Eric Clapton” with his own band.  It also proved to be the last public performance of Stones’ guitarist Brian Jones.

Happy with our reaction, and pleased that Taj enjoyed the movie so much Allen Klein dropped us back off at Taj’s hotel where Taj proceeded to teach me how to smoke a cigar.  In between puffs of one of Taj’s famous cigars, and a few coughs and gags on my part, we conversed about the evening and the movie.  Soon thereafter I left for home my head spinning in the cab thinking of who I could call at such a late hour when I got there.  I was too wired from the events of the evening and wanted to share my night with someone, so I called one of my closest friends in California, as it was three hours earlier in Santa Cruz.

There have been many rumors and stories as to why it took so long for this film and footage to surface, and I am certain there are many sides to this story, but whatever the reasons I’m happy that almost 30 years after the fact it did.  Personally as someone who has worked in music and surrounded herself with music and musicians, my evening with Taj and Allen Klein viewing the “Rolling Stones Rock & Roll Circus,” definitely ranks in the higher stratosphere of greatest evenings ever.  It’s funny because I have never written about this evening and only shared this story with a few close friends.  I guess it took more than 10 plus years and a blog to do so, but in the scheme of this movie’s history I guess that’s not such a long time.

To view Mick Jagger introduce “The Dirty Mac” band starring John Lennon (as Winston Leg-Thigh) and to hear the the band play the Lennon/McCartney tune “Yer Blues,” simply click on the link below or cut and paste it into your browser.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxEX__YXmDs&feature=related

I think I must have been the only grown woman in NYC that had never had a facial, that is until the other day when a close friend treated me to one of the most luxurious experiences, the “Swiss Tech Revitalizing Treatment” from SkinCareLab Spa in NYC’s SOHO.  To say I was in heaven would be an understatement, and my esthetician Vivian, a beautiful Irish woman with an inviting accent to match, was excellent.  She had a perfect touch, explained to me what she was doing each step of the way without being overly talkative, and treated my face, hands and feet with loving care and attention.

I was surprised when I walked into the room to have my facial that I was going to be laying in a contoured comfy bed cozily made up and preheated creating an environment ready for relaxation before my facial even began.  I can’t tell you the order of what all Vivian did to me, I can only say she did a lot and did it well.  During my treatment Vivian never left my side and never quit pampering me.  When products were on my face and they needed time to settle and do their job, she was there massaging my shoulders, hands, or feet.  I totally did not expect for so much of my body to be attended to.  I must say it was a welcome treat and I felt completely spoiled and cared for.  When my facial was complete I looked in the mirror and saw a completely hydrated glowing face that looked significantly younger then the one that entered their premises an hour plus earlier.  My face looked like I had had more than just a treatment.  I was very pleased!

Before I left I asked Vivian for a brochure of some of the formulas she used on me that day as I had already decided to document this experience and pass it along to you. I was told she used a Swiss line of products by Valmont and that they are supposed to be some of the finest skin care products on the market today.  She said that the formula’s she used to firm and hydrate my skin were enriched with RNA and DNA, I’ve listed some below, and that she used a colligan mask on me as well.

Having had numerous massages in my life, but never a facial I must say this ranks up at the top of great indulgent body experiences and I highly recommend it to all my friends.  SkinCareLab’s spa also provides full body massages and treatments for both men and women.  If you can afford it, you can’t afford not to treat yourself to a session at this intimate SOHO spa.

To find out more about the services and products offered at SkinCareLab Spa, go to www.skincarelab.com   And for those of you who live elsewhere you can go online to check out all the products they offer including the Valmont line of skin care products.  SkinCareLab’s facility and apothecary are overseen by New York dermatologist Dr Bradford Katchen, who makes a point of stocking some of the most hard-to-find skin care lines from Europe and America.  Check it out.

Here are just some of the Valmont products Vivian used on me: Water Falls cleanser, Vital Falls toner, Exfoliant, Purifying Pack masque, Grafted DNA, Renewing Pack masque treatment cellular, and 24 Hour crème emulsion conditioner.

They recently opened the “Bethel Woods Center for the Arts” in Bethel, NY.  It is located on what some consider to be sacred ground; the ground where the legendary “Woodstock” music festival took place almost 40 years ago.  For this post I’m going to focus on “The Museum.”   There are also several pavilions for concerts, beautiful grounds, and other events taking place at the center throughout the year, but since we went up to visit the museum, The Museum is this week’s “Monday Crack.”

First of all I didn’t quite know what to expect.  A museum that’s job was to capture and encapsulate an experience such as Woodstock; I thought it would be close to impossible for it to really work.  To tell the story of an event that changed and defined a generation, what an awesome task.  I wouldn’t have wanted it on my own hands.  You had to know that every person who was going to walk through the door was going to come in having preconceived ideas, judgments, and opinions.  I knew I did.  I was ready to enjoy, but I was just as ready to be critical.

I have to say I was more then pleasantly surprised.  They did a really terrific job of explaining history and events, while making it informative and more importantly contextual.  That’s what I kept saying to my date.  “They really gave this a context.”  Through the use of text panels chronicling the times, artifacts from the period, interactive displays, and films, they brought that experience and time in history to life.  You didn’t have to be there and live through those years to “get” what took place, how it happened and why.

The story is told through personal stories and profiles, interspersed with the music of the festival, and the historical events that were happening in the world, not just the U.S.A. during those years leading up to the famed festival.  It highlights the political, social, and cultural transformations that were shaping our lives and the lives of our brothers, sisters, parents, and neighbors, and it tells the story from all sides, demonstrating the tension and conflicts that all families were facing.  The museum is not only a lot of fun but it is a very good educational tool.  And I believe part of the mission of its founders was to keep alive and pass along some of the ethos that represented that late 60’s era, with peace, respect, consideration, as well as a continued connection to our planet topping the list.

For myself the highlight of the museum were the films, and seeing so much young raw talent.  It was also the “hippy” bus as it was really true to life.  But what I loved most like I said earlier is that somehow the creators really created a platform with context from which we all could collectively jump into and view an historical event that took place during an historical troubling time in our countries history.

For information about the Bethel Woods Museum go to the link below by either clicking on it or cutting and pasting it into your browser.

http://www.bethelwoodscenter.org/museum.aspx

A couple of weeks ago I found myself flipping through the channels on my television and saw that “I’m Your Man,” the Leonard Cohen concert documentary of his life, music, and poetry was on PBS again and I decided I needed to see it one more time as it’s such a rich movie.  Not only is it inspiring and beautiful musically, but you hear in Leonard Cohen’s own words about his life, his struggles, his weaknesses, his thoughts, and what drove him to write at different times during his long prestigious career.  You learn about the artist and his artistry

Directed by Lian Lunson with music produced once again by famed music producer Hal Wilner, the concert portion of the film takes place in Sydney, Australia in 2005 at the Sydney Opera House and stars an impressive roster of guest artists performing Leonard Cohen songs.  This included the likes of Rufus Wainwright, Martha Wainwright, Kate & Anna McGarrigle, Linda Thompson, Teddy Thompson, Nick Cave, Jarvis Cocker, The Handsome Family, Beth Orton, Antony, with backup singers Peria Batalla and Julie Christensen and a special performance by Leonard Cohen with U2’s Bono and The Edge filmed specifically for the movie.

The story is told by Cohen and is taken from interviews that were filmed in LA.  It is interspersed with old photo’s and home movies from Cohen’s life, spanning from his childhood in Montreal, to life as a monk, the past and present day.  Cohen speaks candidly of his journey, his influences, the twists and turns his life has taken, his spiritual quest including becoming a monk, and it also delves a bit into the rumors of his romantic life and female escapades of which he has also became famous.

“I’m Your Man” is worth seeing on so many levels.  Released in 2006 this award- winning story is incredibly interesting and the music is fantastic!  If at any time over the past 40 years you have found yourself taken by this wonderful musician poet, or if this is the first time you are being introduced to Leonard Cohen, he is someone you will want to know, and this is a movie you will want to see.   Available on DVD, it also plays occasionally on PBS.   If you haven’t already experienced its pleasure, consider taking the time to do so.

Below is a link to the movies trailer.  Get a preview by either clicking on the link below or cutting and pasting it into your browser.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPUnexRUD4U

A little over a year ago I was in Santa Cruz, California visiting some close friends who are both musicians and my friends boyfriend who is Irish American suggested we go see some little independent Irish film about some musicians, featuring Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, called “Once.”  As he almost always makes good suggestions and has good taste, we both agreed to go with him to the movie.

The experience of seeing something that touches you deeply and having it come so unexpectedly was more than a pleasant surprise.  The music in this film with all its songs written by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova is great!  I walked out of the theater totally uplifted and so happy that somehow I had heard about this little film.  When we got home my friends boyfriend downloaded the soundtrack and I’ve been a fan ever since.

This May I had the honor of seeing Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova perform live at Radio City Music Hall.  It was truly a special evening for all.  Their lives have changed so much over the past year as “Falling Slowly”, from the movie “Once”, won the Academy Award for Best Song.  They have gone from almost obscurity to opportunities they only dreamed could come true, and it was apparent they were grateful.  Glen actually spoke of the last time they were in NYC.  It was two years prior and he talked about how excited they had been to sell out a little club downtown, called Piano’s, that holds about 150 people.  He told a story of how he and Marketa were walking up 6th Avenue and he pointed out Radio City Music Hall to her and said, “that’s where you want to play,” never dreaming that two years later that’s exactly what they would be doing.

Marketa’s family came from The Czech Republic for the concert, to see their daughter perform at Radio City.  And her sister unassumingly jumped on the stage to sing harmonies with Marketa on a song she performed without Glen.  I have to say the concert was one of the best concerts I have ever been to not only because I love their music together, but by how humbled they were by their own experience this year and for how grateful they were for the opportunities being given to them.  They were truly appreciative that somehow word of mouth whispered from sister to brother, friend to friend, made this little film about a music busker and his dreams of recording, a sleeper hit big enough to capture the imagination of the Academy Awards and an audience worldwide.

So for those of you who haven’t seen the movie “Once”, my hype this week, rent it.  The dialogue is a little hard to understand at times but the movie and music are well worth it.  Also for those of you who haven’t had the opportunity to see Glen and Marketa perform live, there is also a DVD out called The Swell Season, Live from the “artist den.”  It’s of a session they recorded live in Seattle and it is also very good.  But nothing beats hearing them perform in person, and I just found out that they are starting another tour this week.  In NYC they will be playing Central Park Rumsey Playfield on September 17th at 7pm and it looks like tickets are still available.   It’s a national tour so check your local listings, their Myspace and Facebook pages, or go directly to their website to get complete city listings and see if they are playing near you.  For my European friends they will be starting a European tour after they finish touring the U.S.  I highly recommend buying tickets.  Don’t miss the opportunity to see them perform.  It’s a treat.  Glen is also a lot of fun to see live.  He’s got lots of stories and has a gift of the Irish blarney in him too.

To read more about Glen and Marketa and to hear their song “Falling Slowly,” check out today, Monday the 11th’s, “Daily Tune On.”  For tour information check out The Swell Season website.  The address is http://www.theswellseason.com/

Welcome to “Cracks In Sidewalks”, an array of discoveries.  I decided that the first official “Weekly Hype” should be about my own site.  I am very excited and thrilled to share all this with you!

The idea of this site came into my head over a number of months and has taken many forms since it first appeared.  But once it did, it was like the floodgates opened and I just couldn’t stop.  Since then my head has been constantly to the ground checking out cracks in sidewalks where ever I go, and dreaming of things to write about in my sleep.  I can’t begin to tell you how many new roads and discoveries I have made, good times and laughs I have already had as a result, and how many discoveries good times and laughs I hope it will bring to you.

The site is broken down into pages under the “Explore” heading. These are permanent and self explanatory, “Categories,” some of which will be daily, others weekly, some monthly, and Grishnak the Praying Mantis who stands as the site watchman.  Beginning Wednesday you will find daily postings every day until Friday continuing Monday through Friday each week thereafter.

I am happy to say and very grateful that Singer/Songwriter/Recording Artist, Dana Calitri, agreed to be my first interview for my monthly magazine style interview under “In My Circle.”  Next month I’ll be sharing with you my conversation with Gail Currey, who worked on such movies as “Jurassic Park” and “Pirates of the Carribean” while at Industrial Light & Magic, and is current VP/General Manager of Lucasfilm Animation.

I want to give a special thanks to Todd Kelsey who helped me with all things technical and also provided the site with its watchman, Grisnak.

So thank you for your time and have fun exploring the site!   Check out some “Daily Cracks”, enjoy the “Daily Photos”, read about and listen to the “Daily Tune On” of Tim Buckley, The Boswell Sisters, Etta James and Dr. John for starters, make a Bette “Blue Blood”, grab a coffee and sit down and read about Dana Calitri and her career, find a hanky and enjoy the “Story of Zoe & Yoshi”, and please support this site by sending it to all your friends and family.

Warmest regards,

Audrey

I went to the MoMA (Museum of Modern Art) in NYC last Thursday night to listen to a group from Paris called, “Les Primitifs Du Futur”. They play music from the 1920’s and 1930’s. The musicians are set up on a little makeshift stage and play outside in the Sculpture Garden of the MoMA. This concert I later found out was part of a series theme entitled “Dali: Imagined Musical Landscapes.” It draws upon varied musical influences that might have inspired Dali’s paintings leaving lots of room for the imagination and a wide spectrum of musical colors to explore.

I have to say, the setting of the concert was almost as fun for me as the band. Sitting outside knowing you are surrounded by some of the greatest artwork in the world definitely adds to the ambiance. MoMA Thursday Nights takes place, you guessed it, every Thursday night now through August 28^th. The concerts are broken down into two sets, the first taking place at 5:30pm with the second one following at 7pm.

In between the two sets I took some time to explore the museum, checking out some photography, then visiting some of my other favorites, De Kooning, Gauguin, Matisse, Chagall, and at last Jackson Pollack. I’ll talk about the band again at some future date, but it included an excellent saxophone playing scat singer, a good rhythm acoustic guitarist, a vibraphonist who also played xylophone and drums; some beautiful French vocals from a wonderful female vocalist; and a ukele, musical saw, theremin playing female virtuoso. Definitely entertaining!!

So this weeks hype of the week; if you’re visiting NYC, have friends coming to NYC this summer, you happen to live in NYC, or you happen to live in NYC and are looking for a great date suggestion, this is an evening well worth planning. Admission to the MoMA on Thursday nights is $20 and that includes the musical concert.

For a list of upcoming MoMAthursdayNight concerts go to www.MoMA.org

The Museum of Modern Art

11 W.53^rd St. (between 5^th and 6^th Avenues)

(212) 708-9400

You will find directions on their website. For more information you can also call the MoMA.

Last Friday night I went to a local restaurant for a late night drink with a friend.

We had already been out to dinner but weren’t ready to call it a night, so we stopped by a restaurant called Bette in the West Chelsea neighborhood in Manhattan and ordered one of their special vodka drinks called a “Blue Blood”.

A “Blue Blood” is made with vodka, blackberry puree, and lemon lime soda, with a twist of lime on the side.

Being a major fan of blackberries and blackberry jam, I had never had a drink like this before. It was so refreshing and great for summer!

So if you happen to be in West Chelsea I highly recommend you stopping by Bette for dinner, appetizers, or drinks. And if you want something truly unique and especially good, try their “Blue Blood”.

If you happen to be someplace else, which most of you are, go and buy some blackberry puree and lemon lime soda, then try mixing it with your favorite vodka. Twist a slice of lime, put it on the side of your glass, mix your ingredients and drink it down. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Bette

461 W. 23rd St.

(between 9^th and 10^th, closer to 10^th)

New York, NY 10011

(212-366-0404