The idea for We Are Not Afraid resulted from the increasing senseless violence experienced by citizens of this world and a desire to try and make a difference by bringing awareness to the issues and the organizations dedicated to helping the victims. At countless rallies of support following attacks around the world people can be spotted holding NOT AFRAID signs. These images inspired this effort.
A song by a Nigerian reggae singer, Majek Fashek, titled “We Are Not Afraid” fits this project beautifully and says what we believe and feel. Majek has graciously agreed to donate all royalties from its release and use in the video to the two beneficiaries of this project, the IRC and HRW. Kevin Godley, who has directed videos for U2, Paul McCartney, Peter Gabriel, Sting, Eric Clapton and many others, is directing a music video incorporating photos of noteworthy artists posing with a NOT AFRAID sign to be released in September 2016.
Now, you could argue that we're living in a time when, on a global scale, things are better than they've ever been, but...
WE ARE NOT AFRAID to stand against the countless acts of violence, hate, discrimination, and abuse witnessed globally.
We promote non-violence, respect for diversity, universal education, and peaceful resolution of conflict.
We will not allow these despicable acts to change our way of life or shake our demand for a free society globally.
We want to bring attention to those organizations that are helping victims globally.
as this is a good thing and Donald Fagen pops up in the video (2:27) we thought we'd share this here and now.
OK. Time to "Spot The Star". See you in Peaceville...
2017 is the year Steely Dan lands in Las Vegas for nine dates in April. Presale starts tomorrow January 17 for American Express card holders, while the rabble can grab their tickets January 20.
Here's the press release:
LAS VEGAS (Jan. 16, 2017) – STEELY DAN's yearly residencies in New York City are now the stuff of legend — and the west coast faithful always had to cross a continent to join in on the multi-night fun.
That's about to change: In 2017, Steely Dan founders Donald Fagen and Walter Becker will play a nine-night Steely Dan residency at the Opaline Theatre at The Venetian ® in Las Vegas, Nevada between April 12 - April 29 (dates below ).
Donald and Walter are again supported by "the best touring band on the stage today": Jon Herington (guitar), Keith Carlock (drums), Freddie Washington (bass), Jim Beard (keyboards), Roger Rosenberg, Walt Weiskopf, Michael Leonhart , Jim Pugh (horns) and Carolyn Leonhart, Cindy Mizelle, and La Tanya Hall (backing vocals). Critics and fans now rightly evoke the legendary Big Bands of a previous era as the only apt comparison for the virtuosity, versatility, and vise-like cohesion of this Steely Dan musical collective.
These master musicians will treat audiences each night to a diverse set of classics, drawn from Steely Dan's extraordinary catalog of infections tunes, bodacious harmonies, irresistible grooves, and, of course, those sleek, subversive lyrics — all decked out in perfect Sin City style: sparkling solo work and blazing musicality sewn up into ensemble arrangements of skintight fit.
American Express® card members can purchase advance tickets beginning Jan. 17 at 10 a.m. PT through Jan. 19 at 10 p.m. PT. Tickets will go on sale to the public on Jan. 20 at 10 a.m. PT and can be purchased through ticketmaster.com, The Venetian Box Office, and charge-by-phone at 1-800-745-3000. Tickets are subject to applicable service charges, and event time and date are subject to change.
Visit steelydan.com and Steely Dan on Facebook for tour news and updates as they develop.
Will it be heavy on hits? Here's how The Venetian (venetian.com) describes the upcoming shows:
Steely Dan’s nine-night exclusive Las Vegas residency, titled “Reelin’ in the Chips,” will entertain audiences with a “greatest hits” set of diverse selections from the band’s extraordinary catalog. Steely Dan has sold more than 40 million albums and helped define the soundtrack of the '70s with hits such as “Reelin’ in the Years,” “Rikki Don't Lose That Number,” “F.M.,” “Peg,” “Hey Nineteen,” “Deacon Blues,” and “Babylon Sisters.”
UPDATE January 18:
The tickets cost between 60 and 210 dollars. You decide if that's an acceptable price.
Or why not pop on over to sites like stubhub.com who states that "our mission is simple: help fans find fun" where you - as of writing - can pay $101 and up for the very same tickets. :)
Legal Ticket Scalpers.
We'd rather stick with the true and tested "creative" additional costs/fees of the official ticket vendors...
This week sees the reopening of the restored Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Alabama with daily tours for visitors as well as working as a fully functional record studio.
Founded in 1969 by the group of musicians camed "The Swampers" - David Hood, Jimmy Johnson, Roger Hawkins and Barry Beckett - it became the place where Percy Sledge recorded his When A Man Loves A Woman, Aretha Franklin came to record her big breakthrough album and artists like Bob Dylan, Rolling Stones and Otis Redding cut classic tracks. As did Paul Simon, Bob Seger, Rod Stewart, Cat Stevens and the Staple Singers. Plus many more.
In 2013 Lee Sentell made the documentary "Muscle Shoals" that eventually got Dr Dre/Beats Electronics to put money into renovating the studio.
And here's a couple of tracks recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio:
50 years ago today in 1967, The Doors broke through to the other side for the first time, with their classic debut album.
To celebrate this the band will release The Doors: 50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition, a 3 CD/1 LP set (available on March 31).
Disc One (Original Stereo Mix) Disc Two (Original Mono Mix)
1. “Break On Through (To The Other Side)”
2. “Soul Kitchen”
3. “The Crystal Ship”
4. “Twentieth Century Fox”
5. “Alabama Song (Whisky Bar)”
6. “Light My Fire”
7. “Back Door Man”
8. “I Looked At You”
9. “End Of The Night”
10. “Take It As It Comes”
11. “The End”
Disc Three: Live At The Matrix, March 7, 1967
1. “Break On Through (To The Other Side)”
2. “Soul Kitchen”
3. “The Crystal Ship”
4. “Twentieth Century Fox”
5. “Alabama Song (Whisky Bar)”
6. “Light My Fire”
7. “Back Door Man”
8. “The End”
LP (Original Mono Mix) Side One
1. “Break On Through (To The Other Side)”
2. “Soul Kitchen”
3. “The Crystal Ship”
4. “Twentieth Century Fox”
5. “Alabama Song (Whisky Bar)”
6. “Light My Fire”
Side Two
7. “Back Door Man”
8. “I Looked At You”
9. “End Of The Night”
10. “Take It As It Comes”
11. “The End”
Recently one of the earliest known recordings of The Doors was released.
Seven songs recorded by a fan with a borrowed reel machine, at The London Fog in L.A. Here is an interesting interview with Doors guitarist Robbie Krieger talking with People about the early days:
