Showing posts with label Chuck Berry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chuck Berry. Show all posts

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Simply Six: Michael Casinelli (Sons of Edison)


1. For many artists, they cite a defining moment for themselves when they knew
they wanted  to   be a singer.  For many it was the appearance of Elvis on the Ed
Sullivan show,  to   another generation it was the Beatles’ appearance on Sullivan
half a decade later.  Is there  such  a defining moment for you?

It was more like the whole musical journey for me. I was captivated from the start. At first, it was the early R&B and do-wop groups, Chuck Berry, Bill Haley, Buddy Holly, and then surf music, the British Rock Invasion, and Motown.

2 . When you’re not creating music what are you listening   to?  Who are some of
your favorites?

I like listening to rock groups like Lifehouse, Matchbox Twenty, Florence and the Machine, Evanescence, Goo Goo Dolls, 3 Doors Down, Dishwalla, and singer songwriters like Adel.

3. What would you say is your greatest moment so far as an artist, either on record
or live?

About 10 years ago, when Willie Nelson heard one of our songs playing at a technician’s workstation at a post production company, and Willie asked if he could have a copy of that song for his personal listening, (and it wasn’t a Country song). It gave me confirmation, like nothing else previously, that I am a songwriter.

4.  Do you believe music can change the world or is just something   to  listen   to?
How much can music influence current events?

It’s been said that music is the glue that holds our memories together. I agree with that statement. As far as having the power to influence current event, there is historical evidence that it can and does. There has been music and songs that have accompanied every major global conflict and social change. “Give Peace a Chance”

5. How has technology affected the music industry?  How has technology affected
your career as a musician?

No doubt about it. Sound recording equipment, digital technology, multi-tracking, synthesizers, digital effects, etc. have revolutionized the music industry and what we hear. Furthermore, the incorporation of motion visuals with music has also changed music industry.
Sons of Edison could not do what it does without the technological advancements over the past 30 or 40 years. And to think it all stated with Thomas Alva Edison’s inventions of the microphone, phonograph and the motion picture camera. Here’s some trivia, the first words recorded and heard through the original phonograph was Edison reciting the poem, “May Had a Little Lamb.”

6.  Now for my Barbara Walters question:  If you were a pair of shoes what type of
shoes would you be?

Definitely, I would have to say, “running shoes.” You never know when you have to hightail it out of some dive bar or away from a police pursuit.

Thursday, November 8, 2007

Will Hoge at Bonnaroo


This review originally appeared on my blog altrjiranga mitjina on July 1, 2005:


Most people have heard of the famous quote about Bruce Springsteen...."I have seen the future of rock and roll and its name is Bruce Springsteen." Now I'm not going to argue that point. But I will say that if there is a future for rock and roll it will be due to people like Will Hoge.

Will played what they called the cafe tents at Bonnaroo. These were small tents set up that sold beer or coffee. They had tables set up and probably held a hundred people if everyone was jammed together. From what I gather this was the first year they did this. The state of Tennessee was pushing Bonnaroo to feature more local acts. So Bonnaroo decided to use these cafe tents to showcase some of the local acts. Will is from Nashville and got the call to come play. He played two shows at the fest.

Will played the first show like his life depended on it. He played as if this was going to be the last show he ever played and decided to go out in a blaze of glory. This was the third time I've seen Will play and all times he's given a great show, but there was something about this one that was more intense. He played with an intensity that most performers never exhibit.

All the shows I saw at Bonnaroo were great, but Will played more with his soul and heart than almost anyone else there. (I have to say Joss Stone gave a soulful show also.) It's hard to decribe, but you know what it is when you've been to one of those shows. You can walk out of a show and think it's great, but than every now and than if you get lucky you walk out of a show and feel like you've been beat up, as exhausted as the singer, like the singer has taken your life and just looked inside it and told you secrets that you never imagined. That was what this show was.

Will knows his rock history. He dedicated Bye Bye Johnny to Johnnie Johnson, the pianist that played with Chuck Berry and helped shape the future of rock and roll. He always throws in a few covers that work great. My only complaint is that normally he ends his show with no instruments or backups at all. He steps away from the microphone and just sings, with nothing but his voice powering the lyrics. It's a great ending, this time he didn't. But it still was a great show.

The first time I saw Will he opened for John Hiatt, during John's acoustic tour. Will perfomed with just his guitar and no band. Normally opening acts aren't worth listening to, but he was great. After his show he stayed around selling copies of his cds and signing autographs and talking to anyone that wanted to talk.

Will and his band travel all over performing. They've released a couple cds, their newest one is a live cd. Go to WillHoge.com and check him out.

It's nice to know that there is still a future for rock and roll.

Saturday, October 6, 2007

Will Hoge


I've seen a lot of great musicians. I've listened to a lot of great albums. One of my favorites at the moment is Will Hoge. Will is a singer/songerwriter/band leader from Nashville Tennessee. He's had one album on a major label, Blackbird On A Lonely Wire, that came out on Atlantic Records. Due to creative differences he left the label to put his music out on his own. Since than he's put out more than a few albums. His first album was Carousel, followed by his Atlantic debut and than his more recent offering is The Man Who Killed Love. Two recent live albums are During the Before and After and Again Somewhere Tomorrow.

Will brings a passion and honesty to his music that is missing in many of today's biggest name stars. He writes his songs from the working man's perspective. He writes about love and life in a way that matters. He's not afraid to write political songs either. His Bible vs. Gun is one of the best anti-Iraq songs I have heard. After Katrina he wrote a song called Washed by the Water that to me is one of the best songs about the destruction caused by the hurricane. The first night I heard him play this song live I have to admit to having tears in my eyes, like most of the people at his concert that night.

As good as his live albums are Will shines live. He is one of the best performers I have ever seen live. His concert at Bonnaroo is one of the best shows I have ever seen. The passion he brings to his recorded music he more than doubles when he performs them live. On stage Will is a presence to behold. He sings his music with a love for music that it lacking in so many other singers. Will's knowledge of music is deep, he isn't interested in just who the newest pop star is or what they are performing. Not long after Johnnie Johnson, Chuck Berry's pianist died, I saw Will live. On stage Will dedicated a song to the man and told of his brilliant contributions to rock and roll. How many bigger stars would even know who Johnnie Johnson was?

So if you have a chance to see Will Hoge live don't miss it. Try his cds. I've turned quite a few people on to Will Hoge and no one has complained yet. He's that good.