This recording is from the June 25th, 1967 of "Our World" which was the first international sattelite link up and the Beatles performed "All You Need Is Love" as the UK's contribution to the program. 

The Beatles assembled with friends (including Mick Jagger, Kieth Richards, and Brian Jones from the Rolling Stones) added overdubs to the already recorded backing track.  We have here what is nearly the released version, although the tamborine at the beginning will be replace by a snare drum roll at a later overdub session. 

This is the complete tape as broadcast.

"All You Need Is Love"

There was a hearing at the State House today about 3 bills aimed at coping with the sub-prime mortgage foreclosure crisis in Massachusetts. For more info and updates, see the Mass Alliance Against Predatory Lending.

Most of Worcester's politicians at the state and local level support these measures, and several made an appearance at a press conference in front of City Hall today.

Funny video produced by the Worcester Love folks.

Cha-Cha Connor, Brendan Melican, and Bruce "Snow Ghost" Russell are this week's panel. We talk about the poor, the library, and Jordan Levy.

mp3 link, show notes, feed

The weather has been so nice this week, I got to thinking about hiking. Did you know there is a trail that goes 90 miles through Worcester County from Rhode Island to New Hampshire? It's called the Midstate Trail, and I recommend it. I posted a trail diary a couple years ago, along with a printable guide (PDF) that I hope some will find useful. It's published under a Creative Commons license, so you can use it for your own purposes without asking.

I thought this was pretty cool and I would love to see and hear it in action. 

"My piece will be comprised of a kind of carpet of one hundred guitar pedals, which benefit attendees must walk on in order to enter the main dining and performance space. A guitar will be plugged into and run through all the pedals, and then into an amp."

Here's the link

Pardon my moment of bragging, but I've discovered this weekend that I took three gold medals at the annual local homebrewing competition, as well as Best of Show honors.  My Scottish 80-Shilling ale was the big winner, with the other golds being for my Belgian Pale Ale and my Columbus IPA.  (I guess it was an IPA after all, Alec...)

This Friday May 9th at Ralph's will be a benefit show for the George Chiasson memorial fund. George was a great father, husband, brother, friend and musician among many, many other things. The benefit starts at 8:00 sharp and the line up is as follows: Cold Duck, Sinners Local 519, Brilliant, Hip Civilians, Bart Caruso Band, Childhood and Thinner. Come on down listen to some great music and raise a glass to George.

Worcester Magazine reports that at Tuesday's City Council meeting, Gary Rosen called for local hearings about a possible decriminalization of (small amounts of) marijuana in Massachusetts.

What did he say? Here's the video.

If you swing by WCCA (415 Main St) after 6pm on May 1, before your Turtle Boy activities, you will be able to attend the annual Art Attack! festival, and, as a bonus, have your photo taken with Bruce "Snow Ghost" Russell. What a deal.

Worcester Magazine is reporting that weekday circulation of the Telegram & Gazette is down 4% compared to this time last year. Nationally, newspaper circulation is down about 3.5%.

Considering that T&G circulation had been falling much faster than average lately, I think the news could have been worse. (My own take on the numbers.)

Hey guys-

The 2008 Turtle Boys are less than a week away, and the lineup is looking great.  

We've got 20+ of Worcester's best bands/performers at 9 different walkable venues up and down Green Street/Kelley Square (plus Nick's).

Music starts at 6:30 with Soulstice kicking things off at the Lucky Dog, and goes until 2am.  Compilation CD's will be available for donations (all money benefits Ernie Boch's "Music Drives Us") and t-shirts & guitar picks will be free. 

Oh, and we're not charging a cover.  

Check out the full schedule, and see you there.

This week Brendan and I talk about cops shooting dogs, political mavericks, and Bruce Willis. Bruce Russell speaks briefly. mp3 link, other formats, feed, low-fi versions

This Saturday the corner at Vincent's will be graced by Six Foot One featuring Pete Sjostedt (Hip Civilians and Ape Hangers) and Chris Tomaillo (Go) then yours truly and I believe a Michael and possibly a Paul, we may or may not play the Bride Stripped Bare by Brian Ferry front to back.

Does anyone have recommendations for where to see authentic traditional music groups around Worcester?  I'm especially interested in Irish music, but lots of traditional music forms interest me.  Ed Melikian's ensemble once a month gives an amazing performance of traditional Armenian music at Sahara, for example.  My wife and I saw him play there a couple of months ago, and it really blew me away (plus there was a belly dancer!).  But I'm looking for other places to see these traditional forms of music, if anyone has suggestions.