Hell's Kitchen Radio #505: Brothers Hellberg Rejoice!

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Well 2023 is starting out a bit how 2022 ended: a bit sour. My dad passed in late December, which was a real kick in the gonads, after which I was happy to see 2022 fade away. And now the first few weeks of 2023 have seen the passing of Jeff Beck, David Crosby, Tom Verlaine and more. It's starting to feel a bit how 2016 when so many musical heroes passed starting with David Bowie. 

What else does 2023 have in store for us all?

Let the music play!

I invited my buddy, rock photographer Jay Blakesberg into the studio to talk about his history knowing and photographing David Crosby, and to play the music we both grew up on. There's a lot of Crosby-related tunes sprinkled throughout the show, interlaced with our colorful conversation.

Jay is nothing if he isn't a fine conversationalist.

He also was kind enough to bring a copy of his remarkable new coffee table book, RetroBlakesberg, full of photos all taken on film. I love that so many of the shows from the 80s and 90s in the Bay Area I actually attended!!!

Go to his site and check out the book. Pick up a copy. You'll be so happy you did. And if you're on Instagram, be certain to follow him.

Jay gives good radio too. I think we're going to make this a quarterly thing. That is, unless another legendary rock star dies before then. Where's Keith and Iggy? I'm seeing Iggy in a few months, so he better hold on.

Enjoy and please share.

jh

Hell's Kitchen Radio with John Hell
Mondays 8-10PM
Radio Valencia in SF
http://radiovalencia.fm

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Music is Love: David Crosby
Cowboy Movie: David Crosby
Long Time Gone: CSN

Interview with Jay Blakesberg

Wooden Ships: Jefferson Airplane
California: Joni Mitchell

Interview with Jay Blakesberg

Cowgirl in the Sand: Neil Young
Have You Seen the Stars Tonight: Jefferson Starship

Interview with Jay Blakesberg

Almost Cut My Hair: Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young
Helplessly Hoping: Crosby, Stills and Nash
Late for the Sky: Jackson Browne

Interview with Jay Blakesberg

Triad: David Crosby and Graham Nash
Lather: Jefferson Airplane
Suite: Judy Blue Eyes: Crosby, Stills and Nash

Interview with Jay Blakesberg

Guinnevere: Crosby, Stills and Nash 

John Hell's Live Bootleg Bonanza - Monday 6-8PM Pacific - Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young (In Tribute) - 1969

 

John Hell's Live Bootleg Bonanza

Monday's 6-8PM Pacific

http://radiovalencia.fm

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Shoot, two tributes in a row here on the Live Bootleg Bonanza. And this one really stings. I grew up loving Crosby, Stills and Nash, with and without Young. David Crosby's personality has always made me chuckle. I love that he was acutely aware that he was a cantankerous sort, and was OK with that. He knew his own misgivings and made peace with it many years ago.

I also love that he was such a huge fan of Jerry Garcia. I know after the 1970 "If I Could Only Remember My Name" sessions he wanted to join the Grateful Dead. He also knew there was absolutely no place for him in that band. It's like he was being a fanboy about it. 

I got to see him a week or so after he was released from prison in 1986, perform at the very first Bridge School benefit. Crosby was shaved bald and had a huge grin the whole show. I had just turned 16, and I went with one of the custodians from my high school that I used to hang out and get stoned with. I think the statute of limitations has run out on that one. HA!

I love that he was tweeting the day before he died. I almost have this sensation that he walked side-by-side with Death, as if to say "OK, let's go", stood up out of his chair and walked out the door. 

I hope he's rocking out with so many of his long lost musical friends. Maybe now he and Jerry can jam into eternity?

I start out tonight with some filler from a David and the Dorks show at the Matrix in San Francisco, recorded during Crosby's solo record sessions at Wally Heider studios in December 1970. This show features Crosby on guitar and vocals, Jerry Garcia on guitar and vocals, Phil Lesh on bass, Mickey Hart on drums. 

Lineage: KSAN-FM broadcast - Cyprus Remastered 2014

For the headlining show I want you to enjoy this really amazing, and very rare show, September 13, 1969, recorded by an audience member with perfect mic placement. CSN and Y were not even mentioned in the publicity for this small show at the Big Sur Folk Festival at Esalen. Joni Mitchell headlined. This show features Dallas Taylor on bass and Greg Reeves on drums.

The story goes that a guy and his girlfriend recorded this with a microphone on a wooden pole near the PA and they had a reel-to-reel (possibly an Ampex) tape recorder.

Lineage: Source: Audience > 3rd gen Reel > (unknown gen) DAT (48)

Transfer: DAT 60ES > M-Audio Audiophile USB > CD WAV > Goldwave - Resampling 44.1, minor edits and normalization to 100% > CD WAV tracking and Flac conversion

You can find my mostly-complete list of live shows right here. Have a request? Leave a comment.

Support these bands. Buy their officially released music and merch, and never ever sell live bootlegs. These are for trade only.

Stick around for my weekly music mix: Hell's Kitchen Radio, Mondays 8-10PM Pacific.

Enjoy and pay it forward.

jh

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