Posts Tagged ‘Rock & Roll’
Top Seven “Forever Young” Benefit Show Moments
This weekend’s two “Forever Young” Benefit CD Release Shows were something special. We performed two: one for kids, and one for folks who like booze. Both were outstanding, and filled with inspiring, outrageous, and silly moments. Here are my top seven: 7 – Fundraising Is Fun We raised nearly $1000 for children’s media research and…
Read MoreThe Only Living Boy In New York: Benjamin Wagner’s “Forever Young” LP Track-By-Track
Growing up, “The Boxer” and “Bridge Over Troubled Water” were in far heavier rotation than “The Only Living Boy In New York.” Sadly (perhaps), it took 2004’s “Garden State” to re-introduce this Simon & Garfunkle classic, the b-side to “Cecilia.” Apparently, Simon wrote the song as a thinly-veiled message to Art Garfunkel when he jetted…
Read MoreForever Young: Benjamin Wagner’s “Forever Young” LP Track-By-Track
In the summer of 1971, my mother was learning to play acoustic guitar. I was born in September, deep in the heart of the Singer/Songwriter Era: James Taylor, Carol King, Bob Dylan Jackson Brown, John Denver, Crosby, Stills & Nash were all on heavy rotation on The Wagner Family hi-fi. My birth announcement was the…
Read MoreWon’t You Be My “Forever Young” Neighbor?
Exactly one-month from today, on Saturday, October 2, I’m releasing a brand-new LP, “Forever Young.” It’s a collection of songs I loved growing up that I hope my three-month-old daughter, Maggie, will love someday too. Of course, I’m counting on you and your family enjoying it as well! The record features many of my dearest…
Read MoreWhere Are You Calling From? (Or, Virtual Rock & Roll)
I probably should have known better than to be working on a new album during MTV Video Music Awards season, but here I am, knee deep in “Forever Young” with less than two weeks to go until the channel’s big night. The timing was, of course, to be expected. As my colleague, Rachel, put it,…
Read MoreAm I Off The Rails?
With “Forever Young,” I may be off the rails. A few weeks ago, rock journos Greg Kot and Jim DeRogatis aired a special episode of their weekly “Sound Opinions” program called “Off The Rails.” In the show, the two tallied artists who’d detoured unforgivably from the promise of their early career: Lauryn Hill, Metallica, Liz…
Read MoreJeff Jacobson’s Abatab
I first met my pal Jeff Jacobson at singer/songwriter Casey Shea’s wedding. He was sitting at the kitchen table drinking coffee with chanteuse Amy Hills. I sat down and slipped right into their conversation, one that continues to this day. Jeff has a thoughtful demeanor and dry, self-effacing wit. He’s one of the best guitarists…
Read MoreWake Up, Maggie (I Think I Have Something To Say To You)
Loving music led to playing music led to writing music led to performing music led to recording music. Still, I wouldn’t have bet on this. Tony, Chris, Ryan and I started recording “Forever Young” in February. The record is due in October, and benefits The Fred Rogers Center. The conceit is simple: record a bunch…
Read MoreMister Rogers, Jeff Tweedy & Me
It’s been quite the few weeks around here. As more than one person has said, “You delivered two babies in two weeks!” Of course, while I couldn’t be much prouder of “Mister Rogers & Me,” the film doesn’t hold a candle to Maggie. Nonetheless, the film’s premiere has played a roll in my three-week paternity…
Read MoreSomething To Say
It wasn’t until somewhere around Christopher Street that I realized that Thursday night’s Rockwood Music Hall set was littered with references to breaking silence, speaking up and being heard. From “Giving Up The Ghost” (“It’s impossible to argue / It’s impossible to scream”) to “Live Forever” (“There’s nothing left here to say”), “St. Anne (Of…
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