|
Welcome to Dave's Trading Post! All of my favorite artists reside in this
area. Links,
pics, cd collections and more are all a click away. If you know of any links that should be on this site please
email me at dave@daverotella.com.
The Collections:
|
The Boots:
|
|
|
JACKSON BROWNE - back to
top -
I think I was about 12 and I was at a friend's for lunch. His brother was
into great music (though I didn't realize it at the time) like The Eagles,
Springsteen and Jackson Browne. Anyways, he puts on Running on Empty and I
get lost in the lyrics. I just loved it. I remember going home and telling
my dad about this guy...Browne-something. My dad immediately says "you
mean James Brown". The rest is history. It was when I picked up Late For
The Sky that I knew that I had found a favorite for life.
23 years later there is nothing that Jackson has released that I don't
enjoy. I've
seen him about 10 times and every time has been a great experience. Later
on in high school I began DJing and started a business, Backstreet
Productions, and folks new that when "The Load-Out/Stay" came on that it was the end of the evening. Today I still follow the Bride & Groom's last dance with Jackson's version of Stay. Of course, I then offer the crowd "just one more song!".
If you have a minute check out these Jackson
Browne sites.
JacksonBrowne.com
The Jackson Browne Unofficial Home Page
My Collection
PETER CASE
Funny story, I'm in Niagara Falls, NY one evening buying cds at an old,
used records store that I use to frequent - Zoundz 2001 - and I come
across the Peter Case cd "Six Pack of Love". I had heard about Mr. Case
and new he was from Buffalo, so I picked the disc up. I had purchased so
many discs that night that I really never got to listen to it. Years later
on the John Hiatt Internet list - Shot of Rhythm - folks were raving about
Mr. Case's music. I went out and picked up "Torn Again" and really liked
what I heard.
Since that time I've picked up all of Peter Case's discs including, my
favorite, "Flying Saucer Blues". This great new disc is a MUST have
for anyone's collection. What an amazing disc. Anyway....all of his music
is great and you'd be crazy not to go out and pick one up for
yourself! You can read up on some of his discs at:
Vanguard Records
Peter Case Official Web
Site
My Collection
JOE ELY - back to top -
In 1993, Dave P. and I headed down to the Meadowlands in New Jersey to see
a Springsteen and friends' benefit concert. Bruce opened up with an
Acoustic
set and was joined by a few of his friends. One of these friends was Joe
Ely. They sang "Blowin' Down The Road" together and later Joe performed
"Settle For Love". I had heard the song before but to hear it live was
incredible. On the way back to Niagara we stopped at a local Jersey
record shop and I picked up "Love & Danger". Wow! Texas rock and roll at
it's finest.
Since that fateful day back in '92 I have collecting many of Joe's cds. The ultimate Joe Ely disc
would have to be Letter to Loredo. Probably one of the best discs I have
ever purchased. It's timeless. Front to back this is a great piece of work
and should be in everyone's collection. If you don't have it, you should!
Anyway, to find out more about Mr. Ely and his wonderful repertoire of
work
visit these informative sites:
Welcome To Letter to Loredo
Bernhard's Joe Ely Page
Joe Ely Official Web Site
My Collection
STEVE EARLE - back to top -
I've enjoyed Steve's music since I first heard Guitar Town
back in High School. For some reason I always missed him whenever he came
to Southern Ontario, but I finally saw him up in Toronto this year. Great
show. His new cd Transcendtal Blues proves that he is
actually getting better with age (can't say that about many artists
these days).
Steve's sister Stacey opened up the Toronto show and was very
impressive. So much so, that I bought both her cd's. Check out her disc
in the right column. Got to meet her and Steve after the show but
unfortunately my camera was out of batteries after one picture with
Stacey, so I didn't get one with her or Steve. This photo is Willy and Johnny
Rock with the lovely Stacey Earle!
Steve Earle
Stacey Earle
The
Steve Earle Reference Page
Steve Earle Tour Dates
My Collection
BILLY FALCON - back to
top -
Back in '91 my wife and I went to see Stevie Nicks at Canada's Wonderland in Toronto. The opening act was a guy named Billy Falcon and we were blown away. I had never heard a note by this guy but that night I became a fan. I went out looking for his album Pretty Blue World the very next day. From then on, my wife and I were hooked. I think my wife has worn both of the discs out twice! Yeah, unfortunately there are only 2 Billy Falcon cds available but both are fantastic and a must for any collector of great music. Lyrically and musically. Songs like Heaven's Highest Hill and Wonder Years are testaments to his incredible songwriting talents.
I've searched the net for a few years trying to find information on Billy and I finally found the Billy Falcon web site. There's a great forum and a store..so, you can pick up those 2 classic discs! And... as I found out...Billy's daughter Rose has a new album coming out!. Great to hear the Falcon family is still making music. Check out these sites for more info (photo above from Kity's site):
Billy Falcon Pretty Blue World Wide Web
Kity Kity's Fan Site
Rose Falcon Official Web Site
My Collection
STEVE FORBERT - back to top
-
Once touted as the next Bob Dylan, Steve Forbert was one of those
names I had heard of, but I didn't really know anything that he recorded other than Romeo's Tune. Now,
unknowingly I had seen Steve open up for Clarence Clemons at the old
Melody Fair back in the early 80's with my friend Dave. Dave bought a few
of Steve's discs but I was very narrow-minded in my music purchases back
then and never ventured out into new territory.
Simliar to the way I found Mr. Hiatt and Mr. Waits, I picked up Steve's American In
Me CD about 6 years ago...based solely on his name. The more I listened to his
incredible lyrics , the more I liked his style. I picked up the Crossroad
Palms disc and, like the afore mentioned artists, it was so good that it triggered my quest to buy
everything Steve had released.
Steve's last effort "Evergreen Boy" is definitely one of his best and I'd
suggest it to anyone looking for something new to add to their
collections. Here are some sites I frequent when looking for info on Steve
and his music:
The Steve Forbert Official Web Site
The Steve Forbert Home Page
Rocking Horse Head
My Collection
JOE GRUSHECKY - back to top
-
It's not a surprise that I came to know Joe Gruschecky and the Houserockers through Bruce Springsteen. But that's what music is about...the connections. Hell, I came to know Warren Zevon and Southside the same way and they are 2 of my all-time favs to this very day! Doesn't get much better.
Well, I caught Joe's show in Toronto on Nov. 10, 2006 at the Cadillac Lounge and Joe and the boyz were fantastic. Though I had a few of Joe's CD's (American Babylon, True Companion and Fingerprints) it was the live performances on some of the Springsteen boots I had (Light of Day shows, etc.) that really caught my attention.
Joe is a true rocker with soul. His lyrics are rooted in real life stuff...and well, I tend to like that, as you can see by my list of musicians. He's real and he's not just a buddy of Bruce's...he's a great singer/songwriter and like many artists I like...I wish more people could get the opportunity to listen to his work. On that note, do yourself a favour and pick up Joe's new CD "Good Life". It's fantastic. And if he's anywhere near your town check out the live show...it's great and it took my fan-ship (if that's a word) to a different level.
Check out Joe's Official Web Site:
Joe Grushecky
TOM PETTY - back to top -
Funny story! I had just finished an exam...it was grade 9. My dad came by
the school to pick me up and one thing my pops always did when we were in
the car was to quiz me on who sang whatever song was on the radio. A song
I had never heard, Refugee, came on and my dad said "you have to hear
this, it's great". Well, he was right and he then took me to a record
store downtown and we picked up this album by a guy named Tom
Petty. Though it's not my favorite Petty album it is one of the best
albums I ever bought. I've been a Petty fan ever since and other than the
Jeff Lynne era, I've loved everything he's done. To me the greatest song
he ever put out was Casa Dega!
You know, TP is so damn good that even my
Rappin' brother, Reggie, loves his music. What a testament!
Tom Petty & The
Heartbreakers
My Collection
POCO - back to
top -
Back in High School I was a big Eagles fan. I collected all of their solo efforts and anything I could find that related to the Southern Californian band. Then one day I came across a band called Poco's Legend album and I was mesmorized by the harmonies.
Could there actually be a band with better harmonies than the Eagles (or CSNY for that matter)? After the purchase of Under The Gun, Blue & Grey and Cowboys & Englishmen I was convinced, in my humble opinion, that Poco was, by far the best harmonizing band in rock and roll. Spending much of my time in Toronto and Niagara Falls, New York record stores I began to see the extensive
body of work that Poco had created. So, I began my quest. It wasn't until I picked up Good Feelin' To Know and Pickin' Up The Pieces that I began to tout these guys as my favorite "band" (yes, I consider Bruce, Hiatt & Waits to be in a different cagegory). The Eagles took a backseat as I drove down the Poco highway pickin' up anything that had their name on it.
As of February 2003 I finally completed re-purchasing all of those great albums on disc (finally found Live & Crazy Eyes at CD Now). And after visiting their new official web site it seems a new album is on it's way.
If you say to someone "have you every heard of Poco?", many will scratch their heads and say no. If you say "you must have heard Heart Of The Night and Crazy Love", then they get it. To me they are the most underrated band in the history of music. To this day I think that Yanks Old Niagara is the only bar in Canada where you can walk in on given day and hear a Poco tune (usually something from Legacy) coming from the Jukebox. I suggest you take a minute and vist their new web site and vote for their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!
If you do not own a Poco CD, do yourself a big favour and pick up anything, really! My favorites are still Deliverin', Good Feeling to Know, Rose of Cimmaron, and Indian Summer, but there is not a bad album in their entire collection.
Check out these great sites for more Poco information:
Poco's Official Web Site
Poco Legacy Homepage
Poco Classic Web Site
Timoth B. Schmit's Official Web Site
Paul Cotton's Official Web Site
Jim Messina
Rusty Young Steelpage
TODD SNIDER - back to top -
Here we are again...a great singer/songwriter that flew under my radar for way too long. Thanks, however, to a visitor to this little web site (who's name I do not remember but to whom I am grateful) I am now a Todd Snider fan...a big fan (not sure how "big" is measured...suffice it to say I really dig this guy's music). One day I'm surfing through my emails and somebody had come across my list of music and realized we had the exact same taste, but as this person put it "it was amazing that I didn't have ANY Todd Snider" in my collection. So, this person kindly sent me a bootleg from The Rocky Mountain Music Festival (I think that's it). One listen...okay maybe two or three...and I was a fan...not yet a "big" fan, but a fan. Over the last several years I have been able to pick up all of Todd's domestic releases and there's not a bad offering in the collection...the man has a way with words and is a must for any serious music fan..."big" fans! From songs like Alright Guy to The Devil You Know...the lyrics will make you laugh, think and just have some fun. He's been compared to John Prine and it's to see why once you have a few of his CD's in your collection. Both Prine and Todd are fantastic lyricists with similarities to brilliant writers such as John Hiatt, Lovett, Forbert, Peter Case, and Joe Ely. Too bad I didn't find this music until about 2004, but better late than never! As my 3 year old son says..."Happy Birthday to you Country Joe". 'nough said!
Here are a few great Todd Snider these sites:
Official Todd Snider site
Todd Snider Lyrics
My Collection
SOUTHSIDE JOHNNY - back to top -
Man, I guess it was back in 1980 when I was over in Niagara Falls, New York at a record store that I came across the This Time It's For Real album. I had been into Bruce since about 1978 and the words Asbury Jukes jumped out at me. When I flipped the album over I saw Bruce and Stevie's name all over the song credits. I had never heard any of Southside's music at that point in time but I bought the album anyway (besides my Aunt was paying for it...so, there wasn't a hec of a lot of risk involved). That night I put the album on and immediately fell in love with the sound. The horns, the lyrics, the melodies, it was all there. I was only 14 at the time, but I knew this was something that I needed to hear more of. Here began my Southside obsession.
Over the years I have introduced many of my friends and family to Southside's music and most have become big fans. I've met South, Bobby, LaBamba and many of the band in the past and all were kind enough to chat, sign albums and take a few photos. Other than, Trash It Up, I'd recommend all of Southsides albums to any newbie, particularly I Don't Wanna Go Home & Hearts of Stone. However, I must say that Slow Dance and This Time It's For Real will always be my favorite 2 albums. If you are a music fan, and I'm thinking you are if you are reading any of this, then I suggest you add this Rock Legend to your collection. You'll be glad you did!
Here are a few great Southside Johnnyt these sites:
Official Southside Johnny Site
The European Southside Johnny Tribute Site
My Collection
WARREN ZEVON - back to top -
Way back in high school (and I mean, way back!), I was flipping through the cheapie bin at Flipside and I came across Bad Luck Streak In Dancing School. I have no idea why I picked it up, but I did. I noticed that Jackson Browne, David Lindley, Don Henley, & Glenn Frey had contributed to the album. Wow! Those were the guys I was listening to at the time and I figured, any friend of theirs was a friend of mine. Then I noticed that Springsteen was listed as one of the writers of Jeanie Needs A Shooter. That was enough for me. Off to the cashier I flew!
How could you not fall in love with this album (Bad Luck Streak In Dancing School)? Hell, the title alone and that album cover sold me. The funny part was that the Springsteen song (sorry Bruce) was nowhere near the best song on the album. Gorilla You're A Desperado, Certain Girl I've Been In Love With, Bed of Coals (with Linda Rondstadt)...these were simply amazing.
As with all of the artists mentioned on this page, I proceeded to purchase Warren's entire collection. Album after album I was taken buy Mr. Zevon's lyrics. I still am. Even Mutineer has grown on me...though if you are looking to try something I would suggest Mr. Bad Example and Warren Zevon (self-titled).
I met Mr. Zevon after a show in Buffalo and was amazed at how cordial he was. I've seen 10 or 11 shows and will treasure each and every one. He'll always be in my "Desert Island" collection and in my top 5 of all-time!
We miss ya Warren! Here are some great Warren Zevon sites to check out:
Warren Zevon Homepage
The Zevon Fan Archives
The Warren Zevon Other Page
Life 'll Kill Ya
Rolling Stone Article
My Collection
- back to top -
|
|
|
|
-
Ultimate Caddy
-
DANIMA Technolgies Inc.
-
Dave's Links
-
-
|
|
|
|
Joe Grushecky
Good Life
Billy Falcon
Made Man
Todd Snider
The Devil You Know
Southside Johnny
Into The Harbour
LL Cool J
Todd Smith
Bruce Springsteen
Seeger Sessions
Click on cd
for more info
|
|
 |
|
