Green Arrow Radio

Throughout his decades-long career, Mister Dan Hicks stood as one of contemporary music’s true eccentrics. While steeped in folk, his acoustic sound knew few musical boundaries, drawing on country, call-and-response vocals, jazz phrasing, and no small amount of humor to create a distinctive, albeit sporadic, body of work which earned him a devoted cult following. He attended college in San Francisco, where he switched to guitar and began playing folk music. He returned to the drums, however, when he joined the Charlatans, one of the Bay City’s first psychedelic bands. Although the Charlatans were short-lived — they issued only one single during their existence — they proved influential throughout the San Francisco musical community and were one of the first acts to play the legendary Family Dog. formed the acoustic group Dan Hicks & His Hot Licks in 1968 as an opener for the Charlatans, but soon the new band became his primary project. After adding a pair of female backing vocalists — “the Lickettes” — the group issued its debut LP, Original Recordings, in 1969. After a pair of 1971 records, Where’s the Money? and Striking It Rich, they issued 1973’s Last Train to Hicksville, which proved to be a very successful album for the Hot Licks. This is a re-visit conversation for Mr. Hicks and I as I welcome him into New England for a July 26th show in Fairfield, a July 28th show in Northampton, and on July 29th at the Barn in Brooklyn CT. We have a few laughs and there is some talk of new material and the potential arrival of a potential new album.

Check out my time shared with Mr. Dan Hicks here.

Its always fun to meet up with people for conversations while they are on the road. This is no exception. I had the pleasure of grabbing a few moments of the well documented Grateful Dead historian’s time. David will be coming to Bridgeport Connecticut two times in the near future and I would venture to say it will be two ‘not to be missed ‘ shows. With a brand new album out (TWISTED LOVE SONGS), his Grateful Dead hour, and a passion for the southwest, David and I chat about so much in such a short time and I invite you all to check out our conversation here.

For all the info on David, his tour and his history CLICK HERE for the David Gans website.

As guitarist for pop-metal band Danger Danger, Andy Timmons toured the world opening for Kiss and Alice Cooper, sold over a million records worldwide, and had two #1 videos on MTV, plus amassing a discography that includes 7 solo releases that range from blazing guitar instrumentals, to blues, and even a Beatles/Elvis Costello-inspired collection of pop tunes. As a session player, he’s been highly featured on CDs by drumming legend Simon Phillips, a live CD with Olivia Newton-John (Andy has been her music director/guitarist for several U.S. tours), two internationally acclaimed CDs by Kip Winger, recording sessions for Paula Abdul, Paul Stanley, and countless radio and television jingles. He has also played alongside many of his heroes such as Steve Vai and Joe Satriani (as a regular guest on their G3 tours in Dallas), Eric Johnson, Steve Morse, Mike Stern, Ace Frehley, Ted Nugent, and Pierre Bensusan, as well as some of his fave ’60’s singing stars such as the Beach Boys, Lesley Gore, and Gordon Waller…..But perhaps the best story is in his work with BARNEY. SAY WHAT????

Listen here for some great music talk and shared laughter.

and comin’ round the mountain…….

click me gang.

Over the years, Bill Frisell has contributed to the work of such collaborators as Paul Motian, John Zorn, Elvis Costello, Ginger Baker, The Los Angeles Philharmonic, Suzanne Vega, Loudon Wainwright III, Vic Chesnutt, Rickie, Lee Jones, Ron Sexsmith, Vinicius Cantuaria, Marc Johnson (in “Bass Desires”), Ronald Shannon Jackson and Melvin Gibbs (in “Power Tools”), Marianne Faithful, John Scofield, Jan Garbarek, Lyle Mays, Vernon Reid, Paul Bley, Wayne Horvitz, Rinde Eckert, The Frankfurt Ballet, film director Gus Van Sant, David Sanborn, David Sylvian, Petra Haden and numerous others, including Bono, Brian Eno, Jon Hassell and Daniel Lanois on the soundtrack for Wim Wenders’ film Million Dollar Hotel. Certainly this work has established him as one of the most sought-after guitar voices in music. The breadth of such performing and recording opportunities is a testament not only to his singular guitar conception, but his musical versatility as well. This, however, is old news by now. In recent years, it is his role as a composer and band leader which has generated increasing notoriety. For over ten years, Bill Frisell has quietly been the most brilliant and unique voice to come along in jazz guitar since Wes Montgomery. I happen to find the diverse nature of Mr. Frisell’s bodies of work to be just as touching and timeless as individual colors that a painter chooses to reflect their thought.

Take a moment to listen to Mr. Frisell with MisterG here.

The pleasure was all mine getting a moment to talk with Mr. Emmanuel. His work is that which I hear differently every time I get a taste. Tommy Emmanuel has a professional career that spans over four decades and continues to intersect with some of the finest musicians throughout the world. A household name in his native Australia, Tommy has garnered hundreds of thousands of loyal fans worldwide. Tommy’s unique style - “finger style” - is akin to playing guitar the way a pianist plays piano, using all ten fingers. But to me, this conversation reveals more than the love of songwriting and guitar playing, but a respect for the learning, teaching and the soul inside of style. If I am introducing you to someone new here, I hope you take more than a short moment to dive in, if you are one of the many who already are amazed by what you see and hear when Tommy Emmanuel plays, listen to our conversation here to perhaps see into ‘the mystery’.
I want to thank Tommy, his management and Kevin Richards at Favored Nations for helping me meet up with Tommy.

Shortly before he makes his way to Europe with Lou Reed for the BERLIN project, I had an opportunity to talk with Rob Wasserman about what has been going on recently and to see if there might be a look into some sounds to come. Known by many for his Grammy award winning album Duets, his creative partnerships with many great artists from Reed and Elvis Costello to members of the Grateful Dead family including Jerry Garcia and Bob Weir, Rob is getting a chance these days to make some music for himself and has actually shared some of that to premier on greenarrowradio. It is a pleasure to hear someone speak so naturally about the bass and the approach to creating new sounds without ever compromising the integrity of the music. In this conversation, there is an inside look at who Rob is working with these days and where he stands in his efforts to put together a special album with DVD documentary, the Woody Guthrie Project has been an on-going effort for Rob and we find out where that project stands today. I want to thank Clare , Sara and of course Rob for taking the time to speak with me and bring brand new (and wildly hot) music for my listeners and their open minds and thirsty earholes. So stay tuned to WHUS and greenarrowradio for more of this previously unreleased and fresh music.

Check out our Conversation here.

Lead by electric violinist/vocalist/mandolinist Joe Deninzon, Stratospheerius unleash their fourth collection of songs. Hot on the heals of their acclaimed CD, “Live Wires“, “Headspace” brings their live energy into the studio. Vocal rock anthems like “New Material, “Old Ghosts“, and “Today is Tomorrow“, shout alongside some ripping instrumentals. From the bluegrass punk of “Gutterpunk Blues“, to the psychedelic roller coaster ride of “Mental Floss“, and the bigger and louder sequel to the Heavy Metal Hora “Heavy Shtettle II“. The disc also features a unique cover of The Police “Driven to Tears“. This album is filled with memorable hooks alongside the ‘without a net’ instrumental jams the group has built its reputation on. Influences range from the Mahavishnu Project, Mr. Frank Zappa and the mighty Zeppelin, to Dave Matthews, Radiohead, Jeff Beck, and Bela Fleck.
I had the chance to chat with Joe to discuss the new album, the strangest billings he’s been a part of and….well just LISTEN TO OUR CONVERSATION HERE.

with thanks to Anne at LeightonMedia

Our good friend Pedro Arevalo will be visiting the area with Dickey Betts and Great Southern May 24-27 at the Ridgefield Playhouse and the Mohegan Sun Casino. I look forward to bringing you fine open minded and thirsty earholed listeners a first hand review of one of these shows, but strongly suggest you get out there yourself and get a feel for this rockin’ live show! In our visit, we talk about what has been going on in the last year, side projects and there are some real clear hints of some new, unheard recordings coming home with me to be spun just for you all…..stay tuned for the goods.

Pedro Arevalo and MisterG catching up here.

Pedro Arevalo

Music Matters Entertainment and Jamland Productions presents an evening with Wet Willie, with opening act the Tony Tyler Trance, on Saturday, April 7 at Club 29 in Decatur, GA. This is the full Wet Willie lineup, including founding members Jimmy & Jack Hall! Don’t miss this rare opportunity to see these icons of Southern Rock. Jack Hall of Wet Willie has recently joined Alabama blues greats Mojo:Saint. I’m pleased to announce that Mojo:Saint has just been added to the lineup, and will go on at 8:30. I had the chance to record another conversation with Tony Tyler, who about a year ago was just getting it all started and I believe you will see what I mean when I say “My how he has grown”. As the opportunities get more and more, Tony seems to have a good grip on where he wants to be and what he needs to do. We discuss the above mentioned show, a little on the new album and as always some fun banter.

Listen to Tony Tyler conversation here.

The night was set..there was a very nice crowd at the Main Pub in Manchester, CT. Melvin was in rare form I thought. You know, it is always good but there was this medley at the end of the night that just blew the house down. A Parliament and P-Funk type jam ensued out of the fog, and I know my head is still spinning from this funkin’ good time. We had real serious dancing grooves going on, sexy mamas out there shaking their booties and there was even a couple of your favorite WHUS DJ’s spotted in the crowd AND on the dance floor. In this conversation, Melvin tells a tale revolving around his first on stage experience with the late/great Mister James Brown.

Check out our chat right here: you dig.

Melvin and G right before the show.

I took some time recently to catch up with our friend J.J Grey of the Florida based group Mofro. The new album is doing well and the first leg of the tour has been reportedly “blowing J.J. away”. The fans have been ready for a new album and there should be no disappointment when the get through listening to COUNTRY GHETTO. This album has some noticeable differences throughout and is still, like the others filled with solid songwriting, thoughtful care and flare and possibly an album like no other. But, check out our quick catch up session and get it from the man himself. I’d like to thank J.J and Megan from Madison House Publicity for helping make this happen once again.

Check out our Catch Up Session here.

Check out my conversation with Keller Williams. The usual one man band has some rather impressive friends on his new album DREAM. We talk about the album, the dog and so much more that you won’t want to miss out. A little background: Singer, songwriter, & guitarist Keller Williams is literally a one-man jam band. His fascinating live shows feature him solo on-stage with a Gibson Echoplex Digital Pro looping unit, and he creates his backing loops in the moment, building and improvising as he goes on his custom-made ten-string guitar, and thanks to his equally as quirky, upbeat, & semi-surreal songs (which he frequently weaves into extended, half-improvised medleys) and his warm, friendly tenor singing voice, Williams is an utterly unique performer whose musical eccentricities don’t keep him from being immediately accessible. This is easy to tell from our chat.

Enjoy our conversation here.

In my brief conversation with Mr. Cray, we discuss his brand new release, LIVE FROM ACROSS THE POND. The Robert Cray Band’s first ever live release. It is a fantastic double cd set that will give any listener a look into a live show from start to finish. Learn why they decided to finally put a live release together and when the group will be opening up for Eric Clapton next. The Robert Cray Band will be playing live January 12th at the Garde Arts Center in New London CT, and again on January 17th at the Ridgefield Playhouse.

Listen to our conversation here.

Robert Cray with Friends E.Clapton/Derek Trucks etc..

Robert Cray says that Buddy Guy’s guitar solos sound like laughter from space, but they can also peal like the cries of lost souls attempting to cross the River Styx. If these 47 songs on three CDs plus a DVD boasting a new 75-minute documentary and six performances from the Montreux Jazz Festival prove anything, it’s that Guy is one of the most dynamic, diverse, expressionistic, and emotional guitarists–in any genre. The set neatly examines the 70-year-old Chicago blues legend’s half-century career, starting with a ragged but soulful “The Way You Been Treating Me” cut in 1957 at a radio station in Guy’s native Louisiana that finds him developing his searing, exploratory style. A year later, he’s in Chicago working with tunesmith Willie Dixon, and the rest is history (chronicled in Anthony DeCurtis’s excellent lines notes) that leads from the glory days of Chess Records to Guy’s early breakout recordings for Vanguard to his modern-day mastery. The most recent recordings often find him working with acolytes: Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Keb’ Mo’, Jonny Lang, Bonnie Raitt, Keith Richards, and John Mayer (who duets with Guy on the unreleased “I’d Rather Be Blind, Crippled & Crazy“). B.B. King, who along with Guitar Slim was Guy’s most important early influence, also joins Clapton and Guy on a stirring acoustic version of John Lee Hooker’s “Crawlin’ Kingsnake.” This set shows that Mr. Guy is always growing as a musician–not only as a player whose frenzy, improvisational instincts, and tonal control keep stretching with age, but as a stylist who was unafraid to put aside his trademark electric approach in 2003 to make the acoustic Blues Singer/primal North Mississippi juke joint music part of his gig.

Listen to my chat w/Mr. Buddy Guy here.

This conversation will prove that. Bo Diddley knows how to rock and roll, he knows how to entertain an audience, but I learned that he also likes to talk about the things that are going on. Who better than Bo to talk about how things look from a perspective he has gained just weeks short of his 78th Birthday. Bo Diddley will be at the Mohegan Sun on Sunday December 17th. If you have never had the opportunity to see him live, this is a great time to catch him as he’ll mention in this chat, he is workin’ on some new stuff, always adding new ingredients to his musical pie.

HEAR BO DIDDLEY’s THOUGHTS HERE.

Not only was Melvin hanging out and chatting about a couple of projects, he is also going to be at the Main Pub in Manchester on Dec 2. This is a mix of our chats on Thursday and Saturday with a couple of hints of some groove. If you have never seen Melvin live, you’ve got to go and check this out. See you there.

LISTEN TO OUR CHATS HERE.

The Show looked like this. I think I got caught up in the Thanksgiving sentiment as I went back to some roots that have obviously branched out over the years. It went like this:

Listen to me, Pat Boyack
Too old is Getting Younger everyday, Watermelon Slim
She’s Gone, Hound Dog Taylor
Instrument of Pleasure, Jeff Chaz
Samson and Delilah, Blind Gary Davis
Something you got, BB King/Koko Taylor
Little by Little, BB King/Lowell Fulson
2:19, John Hammond
‘Til the Money Runs out, John Hammond
Big Black Mariah, John Hammond
Cold Cold Ground, Tom Waits
Mama Roux, Dr. John
Goin’ back to N.O., Dr. John/Neville Brothers
Home Movies, the Jamie McLean band
Get out of my Life, Jerry Garcia Band
Georgia on my Mind, Willie Pooch
Little Bag (in search of), Chris Spies
Groove on Up, Melvin Sparks
***Melvin Sparks Conversation***
She’s a Bad Mama Jama, Melvin Sparks
House Party, Javon Jackson
Freak, Sugarbitch
Chingiz, Banco De Gaia
Boys-n-Berry, the Cubby Creatures
DIY, Ext Clov
You’re my Girl, Neil Young
Baby I love you, Aretha Franklin
Stray Cat Blues, the Rolling Stones
Highway Song, Hot Tuna
Midnight Blues, the Allman Brothers
Baghdad Blues, the Microscopic Septet
Dirty Drawers, Vassar Clements
Green Onions, Vassar Clements
Little Miss Strange, Jimi Hendrix
Make me Know it, Elvis
Dirty Dirty Feeling, Elvis
Such a Night, Elvis
Evangeline, Jerry Garcia Band

Why don’t you head on down to the Main Pub in Manchester CT and catch the Jamie McLean Band, that’s right the Jamie McLean formerly of Dirty Dozen Brass Band. While the Dirty Dozen groove is infectious & timeless, the sideman guitar slinger slot holds it’s limitations. Having always been a songwriter, singer and front man, Jamie began to focus on his roots and in the early part of 2004 he formed his own group the Jamie McLean Band. Over the past year and a half Jamie’s songwriting, filled with catchy hooks, beautiful lyrics and scorching guitar work has mingled with the soulful gumbo of the deep south and while The Jamie McLean Band is based in New York City, the influences of southern rock, blues, R&B and funk is unmistakable. Jamie McLean Band will be touring in support of This Time Around throughout the year. We are fortunate to get them on November 18th. Look for their entertaining and energized sets throughout the Northeast and across the country this year both on their own and supporting national artists.

CLICK HERE FOR JAMIE AND G TALKING ABOUT THE BAND.

Tom Rush is a gifted musician and performer, whose shows offer a musical celebration…a journey into the tradition and spectrum of what music has been, can be, and will become. His distinctive guitar style, wry humor and warm, expressive voice have made him both a legend and a lure to audiences around the world. His shows are filled with the rib-aching laughter of terrific story-telling, the sweet melancholy of ballads and the passion of gritty blues. Rush’s impact on the American music scene has been profound. He helped shape the folk revival in the ’60s and the renaissance of the ’80s and ’90s, his music having left its stamp on generations of artists. James Taylor told Rolling Stone, “Tom was not only one of my early heroes, but also one of my main influences.” Country music star Garth Brooks has credited Rush with being one of his top five musical influences. Rush has long championed emerging artists. His early recordings introduced the world to the work of Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne and James Taylor, and in more recent years his Club 47 concerts have brought artists such as Nanci Griffith and Shawn Colvin to wider audiences when they were just beginning to build their own reputations. Tom will be singing, playing, and story telling October 6th at the Riverside in Danielson. This is a must see event.

Take a listen HERE to our conversation.

Havens first rose to fame in the Greenwich Village folk music scene that also fostered Joan Baez and Bob Dylan. In 1967 Havens became one of several Village-based artists signed to Verve Records & released several albums to mostly local notice. In 1969, Havens opened the Woodstock Festival. His performance received continuous ovations and kept playing encores until he ran out of songs. Finally, he decided to improvise a version of “Motherless Child” to which he added a verse with the word “Freedom” repeated over and over; this song was featured in the Woodstock film fastly becoming an international hit. He followed up this success with the 1971 release of Alarm Clock, which featured a popular rendition of George Harrison’s “Here Comes the Sun“. Often noted for his guitar skill; some of his recordings feature a drum sound which is actually his foot tapping on the floor. His guitar playing makes extensive use of open tunings and an unconventional thumb-fretting style. John Lennon said about Richie Havens during an interview for Rolling Stone in 1971: “He plays a pretty funky guitar.” Still maintaining his status as a folk icon, as he continues a busy schedule touring the globe with fiery performances. Connecticut welcomes Richie to the Strawberry Park Folk Festival in Preston, CT on September, 15th.

Listen to what Richie has to say here, and go see him play.

Who else but Little Steven can bring a Rolling Rock and Roll Show, that’ll simply blow your minds and eyes and Thirsty Earholes Away. Coming on Sept 19th to Foxwoods Casino, get yourselves ready for a show that beats ‘em all. The Zombies, The Mooney Suzuki’s, The Woogles, and even The Downbeat 5. The show will return once a month with a new lineup. Tickets are a reasonable as can be, like this show was made for college students. So c’mon UCONN, lets fill the Foxwoods Casino up with Huskies. A little history lesson first: You may know Steve from The Sopranos (he plays Silvio Dante) or as the longtime guitarist from Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band. Now you can get to know him as the coolest DJ in the country, a proud throwback to the late-night hipster jocks of long-gone 1960s and ‘70s FM radio. He is an acclaimed record producer for artists such as Bruce Springsteen, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, Artists United Against Apartheid, Darlene Love, Lone Justice, Gary U.S. Bonds, and the Arc Angels. A gifted songwriter, he has written songs for artists including Jimmy Cliff, Southside Johnny, Gary U.S. Bonds, Brian Setzer, and Darlene Love. In addition, Steven is a well-known musician in his own right, performing as a founding member of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band as well as w ith his own band Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul. He has worked to further human rights since the early 1980’s, spearheading the hugely successful anti-apartheid Sun City project, and establishing the Solidarity Foundation in 1985 to support the sovereignty of indigenous peoples. He has been honored twice by the United Nations for his human rights achievements, and received the International Documentary Association Award for his film The Making of Sun City. Little Steven’s Underground Garage, which debuted on April 7, 2002, continues to garner rave reviews from journalists and listeners alike. The program launched with 20 affiliates and has grown to an unprecedented 140 affiliates in 200 markets across the United States and Canada. It can locally be heard on 104.7 WMOS / New London Sunday nights at 10pm,
99.1 WPLR / New Haven on Sunday mornings at 8am.

LISTEN TO STEVIE TELL YOU ABOUT THE SHOW IN HIS OWN WORDS.