CARBON / SILICON @ Fnac Ternes Paris Nov 8th 2008

Tony James , Mick Jones and the interviewer

Mick Jones ( ex- Clash ) and Tony James ( ex- Generation X ) are in Paris this afternoon at the Fnac store in Les Ternes to promote the first Carbon / Silicon album.
These guys keep on talking and talking ... about their new band and everything in general. Mick is quite funny , they answer some questions from the audience and then sign a few cds.
Very nice hour spent with those guys who used to be Punk rockers and who are now dressing like some bankers from the City .

Signing stuff

Greements de Fortune @ Fnac forum Nov 7th 2008

After a meeting in the heart of Paris , i went to the Fnac Forum store in Chatelet, a band was about to play in the store . didn't really pay attention as i've never heard about it. They started playing as i was looking for a couple of cds. What they were playing sounded really good so i went to see them.
Greements of Fortune , that's the band, is Funky and really grooving. As they were playing more and more people keep gathering around the stalls. I though they were really great, if Kool & the Gang could be half as good as this band it would be fantastic ( not the case as their last cd is complete crap ).
First I though they were English ( or american ) as the guys were speaking english between songs but then i felt that something was wrong ... in fact they're French.
Their songs are really good and they're tight. It was a surprise to discover such a great band when i wasn't expected it.
The guitar player is very good and knows how to play soft ( à la Nile rodgers ) or really heavy.
They've just played 5-6 songs for 30 min but they 've 'Funked' the place.
Check them here , they are great :
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=57585976
After listening to the songs on Myspace i'm a bit disappointed, live they are much more better than this ( listen to the last song to have a taste of what they are live ).
Very COOL !

The Yardbirds + Samuel James @ Radio France for FIP Paris Nov 6th 2008

The Yardbirds live @ Radio France for "FIP" with opening artist Samuel james Paris Nov 6th 2008

Samuel James

First on stage is american bluesman Samuel James , that's his first album released in France and his first ever show in Paris. He's on his own with his acoustic guitar , playing in front of a "vintage" mic for the vocals AND the guitar ( that's not plugged ).
He's young and he's playing the blues but not the english blues , the original acoustic blues à la Robert Johnson , Booker White or Son House , his influences.
Nice to hear some real vintage blues.

The Yarbirds Feat. French guitar player Jean-Michel Kadjan ( left )

Then we have The Yardbirds , formed in 1963 and still active , this band is famous for having 3 of the best guitar players ( Eric Clapton , Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page )in the 60's.
The only survivors from the original line-up are drummer Jim Mc Carthy and former bass player and now on guitar Chris Dreja. For this french tour they ask french guitar player Jean-Michel Kadjan to join'em. With 3 guitars they should rock.
Opening song " Train kept a rolling" set the record straight, they're here to rock ( and blues ). We're treated to a best of ... ( "Heartfull of soul" ,"Still i'm sad", "for your love" ... See complete setlist below )
The young guitar player is doing great as well as their harmonica player. They have an american on bass and vocals who's playing with them for many years now , his voice is a little bit low in the mix but it's hard to fight ( and win ) with 3 guitars. Chris Dreja is funny to me, like watching my dad rockin' on his fav tune.
Show ends with a great version of "Dazed & Confused " in its original form , remember that Led Zeppelin played its first gigs under the name The New Yardbirds.
The encore is " Im a man" . (i don't think they played "i wish you would" )
Great Night

The Yardbirds + Setlist & Invitation

The Yardbirds are playing the New Morning club in Paris on Nov 20th.

Samuel James is playing tomorrow on friday the 7th @ the Sunset club in the heart of Paris.
http://www.sunset-sunside.com/
check his blues here :
http://www.myspace.com/sugarsmallhouse

Samuel James :

"Train kept a rolling":

OBAMA 44TH President ot the USA

CONGRATULATIONS
YES HE CAN
OBAMA IS ELECTED !!!

Tony Joe White @ Bataclan Paris Nov 4th 2008

Tony Joe white @ Bataclan Paris Nov 4th 2008.
Not that many people tonight , the balcony is closed and it's a seated event , so probably around 500 frenchies.
Support slot Jessica Lea Mayfield played a decent set with her acoustic guitar , she has a good voice but her songs are a bit average and are way too melancolic,

Tony Joe White is playing seated with his trade-mark black hat , sunglasses and harmonica around his neck. The lightning is... confidential.
Small band : a drummer and a keyboard player ( playing the bass part ) .
Tony has no setlist so his musicians have to be very carefull to what the 'master' is about to play.
His low-tuned voice is still doing it and his guitar playing has the 'touch' .
If you don't know his " swamp rock" maybe you'll think some songs are sounding a bit the same but it takes time to fully appreciate his writing skills. he's well-known for writing " Polk salad Annie" that was a huge hit for him and Elvis Presley who covered that song.
I don't know if i'm getting too old but it was quite loud down the front.
Nice evening

"Polk Salad Annie" :