| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| OldManInaCoffeeCan |
Posted - 05/25/2005 : 18:42:36
OldManInaCoffeeCan has once again seen Rich Gilbert do his beer-slide
guitar trick and written up a concert review. He also interviewed Joshua Black
Wilkins about his and Rich's upcoming plans.
Joshua Black Wilkins and Rich Gilbert at The Mercy Lounge
Delivering Those Hard Country Blues
As I pulled into the old Cannery warehouse parking lot off 8th Ave. South on
May 19, 2005, I turned down "Devil in a Black Dress", finished my
smoke, and was getting out of my truck when this guy pulled up next to me
and asked, "Hey, who's playing here tonight, anybody good?" I looked around
as if I wasn¹t sure if he was talking to me, and then with a smart-ass
Brooklyn looking smirk on my face I gave him my spiel, "What are you kidding
me, Joshua Black Wilkins and Rich Gilbert are playing here tonight. You
gotta check it out, they're fuckin' awesome. Joshua writes all of his own
songs, they call it Alt Country, but it¹s really Hard Country Blues, and
Rich Gilbert, you ever heard of Frank Black?" He nodded his head and said
somewhat enthusiastically, "Yeah, he's one of my favorites." "Well then," I
said, "you know who Rich Gilbert is, come on in, you¹re going to love this
shit."
Joshua showed up at The Mercy Lounge with his "A+" band at his side. Of
course The Duke of Fender was there, and Steve Latanation was on drums and
Scott McEwen on bass. "As well as engineering and producing records, Scott
plays for Tarbox Ramblers out of Boston, as well as Rosie Flores," Joshua
told me. "I first saw him play when he was on tour with Hank Williams III in
September 2001, and met him officially on the first day of recording '17th
and Shelby' (he was hired by Bart Weilberg for the album)."
During the show, I actually took my eyes off of Rich and Joshua, however
briefly, to check out the bass and drums. Good thing I did, Steve and Scott
really had something goin' on all night. You could tell that they knew
Joshua's music intimately. Steve was strong on the drums and Scott kept busy
on the bass.
While Joshua cut back on the set list for this show, he sure didn¹t cutback
on his performance. I don't think that son of a bitch knows how to get up on
a stage and sing a song without giving it his all. Or at least I haven't
seen it happen yet. In addition to "strumming that damn thing" (from the
lyrics to "Hellbent and Brokenhearted"), Joshua played some harmonica. It
sounded really good, but he didn't play it very much. I guess he didn't want
to take up too much of Rich's time.
Damn, I could listen to The Duke of Fender play all night long and still
want more. Tonight, however, I only got about an hour and a half. I was
spoiled from the three-hour late show the other night at Layla's, but, hey,
1 1/2 hours of Rich and his Fender is still pretty damn good. As usual, Rich
served up a heaping helping of extraordinary guitar-playing along with some
of his signature showmanship, which included slidin' with his Heineken and
rubbing the strings of his Fender against his amp.
Perhaps the thing I'll remember most about the night¹s performance was the
on-stage chemistry between Joshua and Rich. This is the first time I really
noticed how Joshua¹s faith in Rich allows him to focus on singing his songs
the way they need to be sung, because he knows Rich will play his songs the
way they need to be played.
After the show I talked with Joshua and the boys. As Joshua and I were
talking about paying one's dues, Rich walked by and said, "You¹ve got to
walk a little before you can run, and most of the time it's still better
than real life." We all got a good laugh out of that bit of wisdom.
I was also able to talk with Steve Latanation, who, Joshua said, "still
plays with Agent Orange, one of the most influencial American punk bands
there has ever been." Steve moved to Nashville in 2001 to check out the
music scene here. A couple of years later he heard Joshua singing some of
his "Hellbent and Brokenhearted" songs down at Layla¹s Bluegrass Inn and his
immediate response was, "Who do I have to kill to sit in on some of that,
that'll kick the shit out of you!" He gave Joshua his phone number and told
him that he had to call him. Steve ended up playing drums and all of the
percussions on "Hellbent and Brokenhearted" and he plans to do the same on
Joshua's new album.
We ended the night with a couple of pictures on stage and then Joshua gave
me something for fb.net's Surfer Rosa. It was a helluva night and I ended it
the way it began: I got into my truck, cranked up "Devil in a Black Dress"
and finished my smoke.
The following are Joshua's responses to a few other questions I asked
him. This is dedicated to the late Skip "Play me a train song" Litz, who I
didn't have the pleasure of knowing but of whom Joshua and the boys speak
highly.
OMIACC: When your A+ band is not available who do you prefer to fill in, or
how does that work?
JBW: This usually works by calling literally a list of players that know my
stuff. Some players are better for short shows, some are better for long
ones. I don't have favorites except for the guys on the records.
OMIACC: What is the name of your producer, along with Rich, that you're
waiting on to be available for your next album?
JBW: Can't say right now since nothing is final, but he is great and has
great ideas for me.
OMIACC: Who do you anticipate playing on the album?
JBW: Certainly Rich will be all over it. Steve Latanation on drums and
percussion. The other people will be selected mainly by the producer. But it
will be people that play with me around town and maybe some extras, time
will tell.
OMIACC: Which songs from "17th and Shelby" and "Hellbent and Brokenhearted"
are you considering re-recording for the new album?
JBW: Off "17th and Shelby" , "Woman like this", "Already there", "Buy me a
heartache", "Diamond rings"; off "Hellbent," probably not. That record came
out the way it was supposed to, as a solo-minded CD. The next record will be
a lot more band oriented, louder, faster, tighter and more
live-in-the-studio. A lot more dynamic, much like the live shows have been
with Rich. Usually by the time I get a CD released, I will have written
enough material for at least another one. The story is the same here. I have
a lot of songs waiting in line.
OMIACC: Are you going to include "All my Friends are Druggies and Drunks" on
the new album?
JBW: Maybe. I had recorded that song twice on "Blackboots and a Suitcase,"
but it is always changing in feel. That song is also one of my very first
songs I wrote, some ten years ago, only the music has changed some, and the
additional second half, with "Amazing Grace," "House of the Rising Sun" and
a few other improv verses here and there.
OMIACC: Are you going to showcase any of the new material this summer?
JBW: Always do. We have already started playing new ones, like "Pretty as a
Junkyard", "Shackles and Chains", "If I run into you again (I hope I'm
driving)", "Shame on Alabama", "Skid Marks", and some others. I am always
bringing new songs to the shows and often times teaching them on stage to
the band. Although I'm not against rehearsals, hardly do we have time for
them and with a revolving cast of musicians, as long as Rich knows what I'm
doing, that's all that I can ask for. There will be a good bit of rehearsing
before recording the next CD, but mainly to help write the arrangements for
several songs that are not completely fluid. That will be Rich and the
producer's job most likely.
OMIACC: How's the summer schedule shaping up?
JBW: Slowly but surely. Have some shows confirmed. Rich may be gone from
late June through July, so once everyone¹s schedule is set, we will go from
there. It is definitely something I want to do (go on the road) this summer,
but there are a lot of factors involved. Being an independent artist and not
very well known, it's hard to get shows that can pay for the band. I do want
to do some solo shows on the road, especially if the solo acoustic CD comes
out soon. Things look better everyday here in Nashville and I can't wait to
get Rich and the boys on the road with me.
The Duke of Fender, CoffeeCan, and That Alt Country Bastard
|
| 35 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| kathryn |
Posted - 06/11/2005 : 11:10:06
D'oh! I didn't think of that!
 I still believe in the excellent joy of the Catholics |
| fbc |
Posted - 06/11/2005 : 09:04:31
and your car is bitchin' |
| OldManInaCoffeeCan |
Posted - 06/09/2005 : 18:26:39
[Decided to post the June 8th Bluegrass Photos Only in a separate thread] |
| OldManInaCoffeeCan |
Posted - 06/06/2005 : 04:37:17
Touche fbc! (you got me on that one, nice)
And, Surfer Rosa, I'm planning on you and Joshua going out and hanging with us, but more than likely, the two of you will disappear for hours at a time...
|
| fbc |
Posted - 06/06/2005 : 03:15:43
quote:
Originally posted by OldManInaCoffeeCan
and fbc next to Julia (Keep your hands to yourself now fbc)
o-kay oldman, if you say so. but i can't be responsible for Julia's hands now can I
"No matter how shitty things get, you just have to do a little dance." |
| Surfer Rosa |
Posted - 06/06/2005 : 02:11:35
That should keep me more than happy |
| OldManInaCoffeeCan |
Posted - 06/04/2005 : 18:22:22
Wait, I do have a personal experience concerning accents, me and my buddy from New Zealand, before I was married mind you, use to go out to the bars and I would always be doing pretty good with the ladies until that smooth sounding son of a bitch opened his mouth and started talking in that English sounding accent and all the ladies would just go googly-eyed over him and forget all about me...go figure! |
| OldManInaCoffeeCan |
Posted - 06/04/2005 : 18:09:00
Hmmm, let's see, Ok, how's this...I'm driving, Julia in the middle of the front seat and fbc next to Julia (Keep your hands to yourself now fbc), you can sit in Mr. Kathryn's lap in the back seat and Surfer Rosa can sit in Joshua's lap in the backseat,...there, I think that'll get keep Surfer Rosa happy, and fbc can either bring his hometown girlfriend with him, or I'm sure he wouldn't have any trouble finding someone to squeeze on here in Guitar Town, especially if he turns up the English accent, most girls here in the states, and maybe the world over I don't know, go weak at the knees when they hear some of that, or so I'm told... |
| kathryn |
Posted - 06/04/2005 : 15:22:34
If I may ask, on Surfer's behalf, where will Mr. Joshua be sitting?
I still believe in the excellent joy of the Catholics |
| OldManInaCoffeeCan |
Posted - 06/04/2005 : 14:04:25
Oh yeah, and if Surfer Rosa and fbc come on down, we take Surfer Rosa upfront with us and fbc can be the backseat with you guys...sound cozy? |
| OldManInaCoffeeCan |
Posted - 06/04/2005 : 13:57:02
I'd love to take you for a ride Mrs. Kathryn...You let me know when you're coming down for Joshua or a Honeycomb show here if we get one and we'll take it out honky-tonkin and parkin', you and Mr. Kathryn in the backseat and Mrs. CoffeeCan and myself upfront... |
| kathryn |
Posted - 06/04/2005 : 13:46:06
Hot wheels and a hot momma! I bet cruisin' around in that is fun!
I still believe in the excellent joy of the Catholics |
| OldManInaCoffeeCan |
Posted - 06/04/2005 : 13:45:19
Check it out, this is what I wanted to take to the 3rd Annual Cumberland Run HotRod show,
but she just wasn't up for it, not Mrs. CoffeeCan, she's still in great shape,
but my '66 needs a lot of TLC...I hope to have it on the road again later this summer...
1966 Ford Galaxie and Julia (Mrs. CoffeeCan) [circa 1992]
|
| kathryn |
Posted - 06/01/2005 : 17:37:53
quote:
Originally posted by OldManInaCoffeeCan
Thanks for finally defining that big word that you've used for the second time now.
I will stop using big words. 
I still believe in the excellent joy of the Catholics |
| OldManInaCoffeeCan |
Posted - 06/01/2005 : 16:26:22
Yeah Kathryn, however, as you can imagine, none of these photos capture the complete picture. I mean in the photos he's handsome, but in person he's even better looking. In the photos he looks muscular and strong, but in person he's even more so. And, none of these photos do his eyes justice. You should see him before a show, he is so fuckin clear-eyed and focused. After the show he is more relaxed and humorous. So, get your ass down here and see for yourself.
[I say all of this out of respect for Joshua, he appears to be a helluva guy, and as you can imagine, in his business, looks and other superficial qualities are very important, so I don't want my photos or reviews to take away from the complete package that is Joshua, or fail to convey all the right qualities and attributes (for the music business) that Joshua has]
P.S. Thanks for finally defining that big word that you've used for the second time now. |
| kathryn |
Posted - 06/01/2005 : 15:38:49
That second-to-last photo (penultimum!) isn't bad either, OldMan!
I still believe in the excellent joy of the Catholics |
| OldManInaCoffeeCan |
Posted - 06/01/2005 : 15:18:36
Yeah fbc, Joshua and Rich have really jelled together quite nicely. I can tell a difference from the first time I saw them through this most recent time (the 3rd show I've seen). Joshua and Rich appear to be very comfortable playing Joshua's songs together. This last time there appeared to be more non-verbal commuication between the two of them, more nods of the head, and smiles. It appeared as if they were both on the same page, so to speak, with less of a need for verbal communication.
And, Steve Latanation and Scott McEwen were really tight musically at The Mercy Lounge. That was the only time I've seen them play with Joshua. Of course, as Joshua stated, both of those guys have been playing with him for the last couple of years. Both appeared to be excellent muscians and very familiar with Joshua's songs.
Joshua is definitely doing things the right way, that is, he is a great singer-songwriter and he surrounds himself with great musicians (the best of all is Rich Gilbert. What a validation and confidence builder it must be for Joshua to have someone of Rich Gilbert's caliber believe in him and become his musical mentor and partner. I think I said it best when I stated in the Bluegrass Inn review that it appears that Rich Gilbert has become a musical step-father to that Alt Country Bastard)
|
| fbc |
Posted - 06/01/2005 : 13:22:02
w'oh! where did these come from?
nice photos Oldman. always a trick up your sleeve.
guitar tech junkie always wants to see pedals, the dukes secret weapons of mass distortion
and i swear if i tried bending the high E that muh it would take off the tips of my fingers YEEOUCH!
How's the music sounding now, Rich? You've seen a few gigs, are they getting tighter than ever?
i know josh has kicked it around a while, but can you see him blossoming around Rich and co?
and his Gibson. Mwah!
it all looks beautiful to me
|
| Carl |
Posted - 06/01/2005 : 09:59:23
He's really bending those notes! I say again, nice guitar!! |
| OldManInaCoffeeCan |
Posted - 06/01/2005 : 07:34:07
These first two are for Surfer Rosa and Kathryn:
These next three are for Guitar Man (fbc):
Hey Guitar Man, can you stretch your strings this much? [the last time I saw stretching like this was at the strip club when my buddy was getting a lap dance and "Tonya" stretched her G-String around his head]
|
| OldManInaCoffeeCan |
Posted - 06/01/2005 : 07:10:33
Hey K, I posted the Graceland info on the Kingly Cave thread.
And, I must clarify the record for posterity, Mrs. CoffeeCan is fuckin awesome, she treats OldMan right, she's got mucho patience with me, she picks me up when I'm down (as opposed to kicking me when I'm down) and holds on for the ride when I'm up (I'm a very passionate person who is mostly high but sometimes low) and she still thinks I'm funny (or at least she has developed a somewhat convincing fake laugh). So, any posts or vibes from me to the contrary should be dismissed as sour grapes most likely caused by not getting any the night before, if you know what I mean (give me sex, drugs[smoke and whiskey], and rock-n-roll and I'm a happy man).
[I'm gonna spend the next few minutes trying to post some new pictures from The Mercy Lounge]
|
| kathryn |
Posted - 05/31/2005 : 10:52:07
OldMan, you make sure to post all that good info you've got here
when Tre's DB make its way to Kingly Cave, OK? And tell
the Missus to lighten up. It's Frank, it's good!
I still believe in the excellent joy of the Catholics |
| blackboots24 |
Posted - 05/31/2005 : 01:01:02
The new "jbw" t-shirts should be available this weekend at the Cumberland run. This is all in thanks to Rich's wife by the way. And OldMan gets one. Then he'll get his photo made with it on.
joshua black wilkins |
| OldManInaCoffeeCan |
Posted - 05/30/2005 : 22:43:24
quote:
Originally posted by vilainde
Gee, how many more FB/Pixies tees do you have? And how long will it take before these guys put a restraining order on you?
Congrats OldMan. Keep on pleasing us with these delightful reviews.
Denis
I know the god of rock n roll / Yeah I sold him my soul!
Hey thanks Denis, I've got a few more tees, but what I really wanted was a JBW tee-shirt at The Mercy Lounge but they didn't have any. As for the restraining order, never happen here in Guitar Town, I know all of the judges (not to imply that would have a bearing on the case, mind you).
I'm glad you're enjoying these. But I must tell you, the cat's out of of the bag here at my house. After telling my wife that I was going to a 3rd Joshua and Rich show (once again she declined because it was on a school night) she wanted a little more explanation as to why I wanted to see them again. So, what the fuck, I came clean and told her I was posting pictures and reviews of the shows at fb.net. Well, as you can imagine, she was a little surprised, but not too much considering my obsession for "all things Frank" and my love of good music, especially live performances. My son thinks it's cool as shit and my daughter just rolls her eyes. I overheard my wife telling some of our friends about it this weekend, with a little bit of pride in her voice, I think...or maybe she was being sarcastic...But don't worry, I'm gonna keep these reviews and photos real and loud, just like that Alt Country Bastard and The Duke of Fender play their music.
|
| OldManInaCoffeeCan |
Posted - 05/30/2005 : 20:56:07
quote:
Originally posted by fbc
dare we experience the King's home like frank did? trippin over graves?
cornered the boy kicked out at the world
the world kicked back alot fuckin' harder
What a great pun by The Man, "trippin over graves", of course you have the psychedelic trippin and then the stumbling/trippin over Elvis' grave because the marble encasement of the grave sticks up a few inches above the ground and it is very easy to trip over it...Graceland is fucking awesome, and Frank nailed some of the sights there when he sings:
"See they got jumpsuits on the headless cast" (many of The King's famous rhinestone jumpsuits are displayed on headless mannequins)
"Polished jewels under two inch glass" (there is a small building in The King's compound where you walk through and view jewelry and other valuables encased in security glass)
"And bullet holes in Vernon’s room out back" (Uncle Vernon had his own room in a building behind the big house, and Elvis and his Posse were fond of shooting their guns back there)
"Don’t worry the posse won’t shoot you" (unless they had a little too much to drink during target practice and missed the target)
Something else I notice on my visit inside Graceland, as I left the downstairs "jungle room" with its leopards and wall to wall and ceiling to ceiling carpet, and I ascended up the stairs to the kitchen, there was a strong, lingering smell of fried bacon captured and forever preserved in the stairway and kitchen. You know, The King consumed copious amounts of fried bacon and other delicacies, including peanut butter and banana sandwiches, around the clock.
|
| OldManInaCoffeeCan |
Posted - 05/30/2005 : 20:37:14
Hey guys, I'm back...had a great Memorial Day weekend at Beaver Dam on Kentucky Lake (Tennessee River)
Nashville is warm and beautiful this time of year and always hospitable, so get your asses down here, what the fuck are you waiting for, we'll get some advance notices from Joshua for his June, July and August schedule, pick a date to travel and I'll pick you up at the airport. I'll take some time off from work and show you a helluva time...plenty of outdoor fun in the day and honky-tonkin at night...and yeah, we gotta go to Memphis and visit The King at Graceland, Sun Records, Staxx Musuem of American Soul Music, Beale Street for the Blues, and the Rendezvous Restaurant for the ribs.
By the way, this invitation is for anyone here at fb.net, just come on down, bring your family and/or friends, and I'll guarantee you won't be disappointed.
|
| fbc |
Posted - 05/30/2005 : 11:48:02
dare we experience the King's home like frank did? trippin over graves?
cornered the boy kicked out at the world
the world kicked back alot fuckin' harder
|
| kathryn |
Posted - 05/30/2005 : 11:28:40
I hear they give discount rates for groups at Graceland.
We could do a tour there after whooping it up in Nashville!
I still believe in the excellent joy of the Catholics |
| fbc |
Posted - 05/30/2005 : 11:25:48
count me in!
cornered the boy kicked out at the world
the world kicked back alot fuckin' harder
|
| kathryn |
Posted - 05/30/2005 : 11:18:29
Thanks for the invitation, Mr. Wilkins. OldMan Richard
should host a massive fb.net get-together at his place
and we can all descend upon your next show with
Rich Gilbert!
I still believe in the excellent joy of the Catholics |
| blackboots24 |
Posted - 05/30/2005 : 11:09:44
Anyone want to come to a cool hotrod show in Tennessee?? Rich and I will be at the Cumberland Run Next Saturday, June 4th. Check it out at www.cumberlandrun.com He will also be playing with Jen Jones and the Camaroes right after we get done. Oh, there will be lots of moonshine, be careful.
joshua
joshua black wilkins |
| fbc |
Posted - 05/27/2005 : 09:32:54
*car loaded. one rolled for the road. tossed a coin, now heading north hoping surfer lives there* |
| Surfer Rosa |
Posted - 05/27/2005 : 05:36:09
*packs bags & leaves note on kitchen table* |
| fbc |
Posted - 05/27/2005 : 04:42:06
Surfer, you're in.
i'll be driving so need a partner in crime
"SMOKEBOX!!!"
Nashville here we wanna come! |
| Surfer Rosa |
Posted - 05/26/2005 : 14:54:30
I'm getting better all the time fbc, you know what they say about practice and all. |
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