Tabla

[Steven]

Hi,

A couple of months ago, Kush correctly picked up on who a tabla player
is in an "outlaw country" band (without the band having been identified by me).
It was in this thread: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=35140&start=15.
(Another country music related thread with a connection to L.C. is:
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=35546.)
For Kush and others to enjoy, here's a link to a clip of Billy Joe Shaver and his
band performing "Thunderbird." It includes some very fine drum and tabla playing
by Jason McKenzie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTpYstFMzns.

My original exposure to the tabla was mostly through hearing it as accompaniment
to Ravi Shankar's sitar performances.

[Kush]

That was freakin' awesomeness!
Thanks Steven - that went straight up the ranks among my favorite youtube clips. I can hear the tabla influence on his drum playing , especially from around 3.15 min. Jason Mckenzie is also part of the Austin based groups Atash and Sunray Project.

http://www.jasonraymckenzie.com/bio.html

I downloaded the Live at Billy Bob's CD but the 4 min something Thunderbird track has neither the drum nor the tabla solo. They always manage to screw us by leaving out parts from the whole! I presume the entire cut is on the DVD.

A personal story to share about Billy Bob's Texas : I had been there one time with my mother and another friend and Willie Nelson was playing - we arrived late and were standing at the edge of the seated area towards the back. My mother was a small Indian lady in an Indian saree in a roomful of drunken cowboys and cowgirls in cowboy boots and hats who all made way so she could have a better view. And then Mr. Nelson acknowledged her presence with a tip of his hat from that very stage you see in the youtube clip!

You have also made me a fan of Billy Joe Shaver with your postings. Here is a favorite:

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

[Diane]

Billy Joe Shaver and his
band performing "Thunderbird." It includes some very fine drum and tabla playing
by Jason McKenzie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTpYstFMzns.

Thanks Steven - a fabulous performance!

You and Kush bring some diamonds here. Some things never change.

[Steven]

Hi Kush,

I'm with you on your appraisal of the performance. Thanks for the link to Jason's site and for the link to
"You Asked Me To." I like "You Asked Me To." A song with a song character expressing a different attitude
on compliance is Billy Joe Shaver''s "Ragged Old Truck."

The personal story you wrote about is touching. Glad you shared it.

Met Jason before a Billy Joe Shaver concert this summer. I let him know how much I enjoy his music,
including his tabla playing. I emceed the show. Was an honor to do so.

[Kush]

Steven - that's terrific you got to emcee Billy Joe Shaver's show - yes I am a fan now! Another favorite is 'Star in my Heart' sung a capella at the same concert. Beautiful lyrics

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhSFVsGrF18

I was actually already a fan of many of his songs by way of Waylon Jennings

Diane - good to see you here - the original clip from Steven reminded me of Springsteen's comment "some of the greatest concerts are 3 mins long, 10 minutes long...it's not the time in your life but the life in your time" when people go on about how long his [Springsteen's] concerts were. That clip - think it was about 11 mins - was an epic concert in itself.

p.s. I never thought I would hear 'Live Forever' played with tabla accompaniment (although I wish the volume was turned up just a little more). A song I first heard on one of the Highwaymen albums (Willie, Waylon, Johnny and Kris)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObEF-oHq5pA

[Steven]

Hi Kush,

You'd have enjoyed the show. Wish you could have been there. Agree with you about the lyrics of "Star In My
Heart." They are an example of artistic bravery. B.J.S. shines in this regard. Always has.

[Steven]

Hi Diane,

As Kush said, it's "good to see you here." About bringing diamonds here, another that people can find on their own
is "I'm Just An Old Chunk of Coal." The song draws from the process that results in creation of a "diamond." Great
metaphor for personal evolution. Your post brought the song to mind.

[Kush]

Hi Steven,

Here is a clip of Billy Joe Shaver talking about his own life and of how he got his break from Waylon Jennings - maybe you have seen this already or know the story.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2YgrBpYs1M

- it is interesting so many accomplished people attribute their initial success to someone else who gave them a break. I am thinking of Tony Bennett -> Frank Sinatra and Kris Kristofferson -> Johnny Cash.

Waylon Jennings singing Billy Joe Shaver's song Old Five and Dimers (live 1975)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yU_CKQMLy74
(was that a tear running down his face as he sings the song ?)

...and I had to post Waylon's own song again - 'I Do Believe'. It is very sufi -ish
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=758n46rIR1M

[Steven]

Hi Kush,

Have very recently seen the interview clip. The interviewer did a fine job.

The Waylon Jennings "Old Five and Dimers" clip is terrific. It appears that it was
a tear. -- He thoroughly made the song his own in the performance.

Enjoyed hearing "I Do Believe" again.

[Diane]

I agree with you and Bruce about epicness, Kush (as I do on most things).

I finally got to the Johnny Cash I'm Just a Chunk of Old Coal song, Steven. Here's one for you: I Dug Up a Diamond - Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Da9lBOSJhR4