by Bart Mendoza
Photo by: Carla Sweet

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Welcome to F.Y.I! What is FYI? Well, basically, I'm a fan of San Diego Music history. Okay, I'm obsessed. In my quest for this bit of trivia or that, I dig up lots of info that is just too detailed for use in my regular writing gigs. This is what you'll find here. Details on pending catalog releases, discographies, anecdotes, lists, trivia and more will be found here. Please feel free to send in any questions regarding San Diego music history, either touring groups coming to town or local heroes- and I'll do my best to get you an answer.

FYI June 2008
Upcoming releases has been moved to the end of the column

Bits and Pieces:

Astra Kelly's resume continues to add to her resume. In addition to hosting KPRI's "Homegrown Hour" playing local artists, she wil be guest hosting KNSD's "Concert's On The Square" series every Friday throughout the summer.

On a related note, Kelly and Cathryn Beeks will no longer host acoustic acts at Dublin Square on Wednesdays, though their Monday night open-mic show at the venue remains in place. www.listenlocalsd.com

Ratt is back with original members, save the late, great Robin Crosby. The new album will have the clever title "Ratt Comes Back." How much marketing research went into that one?

+44 is still working on a second disc, as are roots rockers The Sleepwalkers.

Anya Marina has signed with Chop Shop Records, also the home of The Republic Tigers and Jade McNelis.

Peter Sprague has signed on as guitarist with jazz vocalist Dianne Reeves band. He tours France, Spain and Sweden with her throughout July and returns in October for another month long jaunt. Greg Douglass has signed on as guitarist with legendary sixties blues rock group The Electric Flag for dates beginning in August.

As I Lay Dying vocalist Tim Lambesis' sideproject, Austrian Death Machine, will release their debut album this fall via, Metal Blade Records. The title: "Total Brutal."

Shades of Starbucks. Greg Laswell is the first artist to be signed in a promotion with Whole Foods stores. His album will be carried by the chain.

The Way The Fabric Falls has released their third CD/ EP "Vans or Nikes?" and will head out on a tour of the East Coast, Japan and Australia starting June 5to premote their new CD in June. The band next heads into the studio in August for their first full length album. Ed Strumar (The Longdrop and Cliche') will be at the board.

Ravi Shankar Honored
Ravi Shankar will be honored on June 14, 2008 at the Museum of Making Music's 6th annual "Evening of Note" fundraiser. Proceeds from the evening support the museum's ongoing educational outreach programs, workshops, performances and exhibitions. The event includes performances by Kamau Kenyatta and the San Diego Youth Symphony & Conservatory String Quartet. Following the reception, the gala program-emceed by Marty Levin, NBC 7/39 News Anchor-includes special performances by the Patnaik Sisters Indian Dance Troupe, Peter Sprague & Fred Benedetti, youth cello prodigy Nathan Chan and a special commemorative presentation for the honoree, Ravi Shankar.

For tickets and information, please call (760) 438-5996, ext. 212 or visit www.museumofmakingmusic.org.

San Diego Press
San Diego artists turned up in major publications recently.

The April 2008 issue of UK magazine "Classic Rock" gives Dirty Sweet's "Of Monarchs and Beggars" a rave. The half page article write up includes a full color live pic.

On May 11, nationwide Sunday newspaper magazine, "Parade," rarely ever reviews albums, but they did so in the case of Tristin Prettyman's "Hello," under the banner "Fun in the Sun." They rate it highly. Pic included

The June 2000 issue of revered U.K. magazine Mojo features their annual Mid-Term Report, citing "Ten New bands You Need To Hear Right Now." One of their picks (and probably everybody elses) is The Night Marchers. Pic included.

Eric Clapton / JJ Cale
JJ Cale is a long time San Diegan (Escondido to be exact), but he has rarely played anywhere, let alone locally. In 2006 he collaborated with Eric Clapton on the album "Road to Escondido," scoring a Grammy in 2007 for "Best Contemporary Blues Album." On March 15 of that year Eric Clapton performed at The Sports Arena and too the delight of the audience, he was joined by Cale for a five song acoustic set:

"Anyway The Wind Blows," "After Midnight," "Who Am I Telling You?," "Don't Cry Sister," and "Cocaine".

The show was reportedly recorded for possible future release, but so far the only thing out there is this brief clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xg63-uOgUJ8 Clapton of course has been no stranger to San Diego. His earliest appearance locally was October 20, 1968 with Cream, again at The Sports Arena. That show was also recorded by their label.

New from Ugly Things
Mike Stax keeps unearthing awesome goodies from rock 'n' roll's illustrious past- here's the latest from his Ugly Things Records:

1-2-6: GRAVEYARD PARADISE: The Complete 1 2 6 & Taboo Recordings, 1966-68

Hailing from the coldest, northernmost region of Norway, 1 2 6 (One-Two-Six) were inspired by the sounds of the Beatles, the Kinks, the Who and Bob Dylan, but blended these influences with an approach that was distinctly European. The brilliant original songwriting of Asa Krogtoft allied simple beat group arrangements and melodic psychedelic pop with a unique, often surrealistic poetic sensibility. This 28-track CD anthology includes their complete works: the Curtains Falling album, non-LP singles, demos and rarities, and both singles by Asa's post-1 2 6 band Taboo, all from the original master tapes.

Graveyard Paradise is the first time this material has been released outside of Norway since the '60s. It includes an amazing array of original music: raw beat group rave-ups, dark folk-rock excursions, post-Revolver/Pepper psychedelic moves, gorgeous orchestrated pop, and heavier freakbeat sounds. The deluxe 16-page CD booklet is loaded with rare pix and full liner notes.

2008 Fiesta Del Sol Festival Line Up

The 2008 Fiesta Del Sol Festival, held June 7 and 8, 2008 at Fletcher Cove has an impressive line up, featuring a decent mix of locals and eighties favorites.

Saturday

8:00-9:00pm The Romantics

6:30-7:30pm Elijah Emanuel and The Revelations

5:30-6:15pm Transfer

4:15-5:15pm Venice

3:00-3:45pm Lady Dottie and the Diamonds

2:00-2:45pm Orquesta Primo

1:00-1:45pm Hoi Polloi

12:00-12:45pm Boys & Girls Clubs of San Dieguito Youth Arts Academy

Sunday

7:45-8:45pm The English Beat

6:15-7:15pm Marc Ford

5:00-5:45pm Stripes and Lines

4:00-4:45pm Diego Roots

3:00-3:45pm Sol E Mar

2:00-2:45pm Atomic Groove

1:00-1:45pm The Credentialed

12:00-12:45pm Youth Showcase with Code Red, The Funky Kicks, Tan Sister Radio

2008 El Cajon Concerts on the Green
El Cajon's Concerts on The Green" free music series is underway. Every Friday, through Sept. 5, from 6- 8 p.m., all ages, on The Prescott Promenade. No indie rock this time out, but a lot of long time favorites. Four recommended shows are below, check out the whole series line-up at www.downtownelcajon.com

June 6 Eve Selis
June 13 Sue Palmer
June 27 The Cathryn Beeks Ordeal
Aug 15 Bill Magee Blues

John Loves Rosie
It's true. John Lennon had a thing for Rosie & The Originals. He considered their debut single, "Angel Baby / Give Me Love," to be one of his all time favorite records and often spoke of the songs. Quoted in Rolling Stone (11/23/68) Lennon said of "Give Me Love": "It's an amazing record. It's one of the greatest strange records, it's all just out of beat and everybody misses it - they knocked off the B side in ten minutes. I talk Yoko's leg off telling her this is it, this is what it's all about!". He would go on to tell Life Magazine in a 1969 interview that Rosie was his favorite female singer. Led Zeppelin were also huge fans and even mentioned Rosie in song, but Lennon went the extra mile and actually recorded "Angel Baby." Here is the release history of the song including both authorized and unauthorized albums, with two bonus San Diego related tracks to kick things off.

01/24/69 "Give Me Love" - Rosie & The Originals
Although this is just conversation, it counts as it's on countless bootleg CD's - John and Paul discuss this song during The Beatles "Get Back" sessions.

01/26/69 "Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling" - Frankie Laine. John Lennon plays a few bars of this song during The Beatles "Get Back" sessions.

1971 "Angel Baby" - Rosie & The Originals
A quick busked version during John's birthday party found on expanded versions of the bootleg "Lets Have A Party."

1974 "Angel Baby" - Rosie & The Originals
Recorded by John in 1973 during the Phil Spector produced "Rock 'n' Roll" sessions, though ultimately not included on the album. This version (3:11) was available only on "John Lennon Sings the Rock 'n' Roll Hits," (Adam VIII Ltd. Records) a grey market TV-advertised album, with a truly shoddy cover.

19?? "Angel Baby" - Rosie & The Originals
Bootleggers made this 3:11 outtake the title track of a vinyl bootleg L.P (Wizardo WRMB326)

19?? "Angel Baby" - Rosie & The Originals
A bootleg Lennon cassette which includes the 3:11 version of the song.

1980 "Angel Baby" - Rosie & The Originals
A vinyl bootleg LP called "John Paul George Ringo in The Seventies" (Melvin MR12 S) includes the song.

1982 "Angel Baby" - Rosie & The Originals
With no official release in sight, bootleggers issued an unauthorized 45 (Abby Records A80L 739) of the tune, backed by John's version of the Ronettes "Be My Baby." The superb picture sleeve mirrors the album graphics. They use the 3:11 version.

11/03/86 "Angel Baby" - Rosie & The Originals
"Menlove Avenue," a collection of outtakes, included the first official Capitol records release of "Angel Baby," though in a different longer edit (3:39) then the "Roots" album. Vinyl and cassette only.

04/13//87 "Angel Baby" - Rosie & The Originals
This is the CD edition of "Menlove Avenue," released after the vinyl and cassette.

19?? "Angel Baby" - Rosie & The Originals
A CD bootleg of "John Lennon Sings the Rock 'n' Roll Hits," is issued by Chime Records (BADCD160). The 3:11 version.

10/30/90 "Angel Baby" - Rosie & The Originals
The 3:44 version of the song is included on the "Lennon" four CD box set from Capitol Records (disc three).

2001 "Angel Baby" - Rosie & The Originals
A bootleg box set (Vigotone 235/237) "John Lennon: Brandy Alexanders and the Wall of Sound (Rock 'n' Roll Sessions)," includes the "Roots" (3:11) version.

2001 "Angel Baby" - Rosie & The Originals
A second bootleg box set, titled "The Jesse Ed Davis Tapes" (Voxx Records) includes the song plus an additional outtake version.

11/02/04 "Angel Baby" - Rosie & The Originals
Recorded three decades earlier, the song finally makes it onto the "Rock 'n' Roll" album, as a bonus track on the reissue, in a new mix.

2008 "Angel Baby" - Rosie & The Originals
The album "Unbootlegged 08 - Get That Fly" (No Tapo Records) includes the 1971 birthday party busked version

Upcoming Releases

June 1 2008	OAKS	CD release at The Casbah
June 1 2008	The Way The Fabric Falls	Vans or Nikes
June 3 2008	Jewel	Perfectly Clear- first release for new label,Valory Records
June 3 2008	P.O.D.	Greatest Hits: The Atlantic Years
June 6 2008	Calico Horse	CD release at the Casbah
June 7 2008	The Shenanigans
June 13 2008	Leonard Patton	Love, Live and Song - CD release at Dizzy's
June 24 2008	Janiva Magness	CD release at Anthology
June 24 2008	Hacienda Brothers	Arizona Motel - features Dave Gonazalez of The Paladins
June 25 2008	A Scribe Amongst the Lions	CD release at the Casbah
June 27, 2008	Kenny Eng	CD release at Lestat's
June 27, 2008	Melissa Vaughn	CD release at Lestat's
June 28, 2008	Gregory Page	CD release at Lestat's
July 8 2008	Greg Laswell	Three Nights from Alto Nido
July 10 2008	Allison Adams Tucker	Come With Me
July 26 2008	Just Like Jenna	CD release at Soma
July 29 2008	The Kingston Trio	Turning Like Forever
Aug 2 2008	Buckfast Superbee	CD Release at The Casbah
Aug 15 2008	Peter Sprague & vocalist Kevyn Lettau	CD release at Dizzy's
Aug 18 2008	Jazz Ensemble	CD release at Dizzy's
Sept. 30 2008	The Shambles	Original Tangent: Singles, Rarities and More (a new collection with all the single A-sides, rare tracks, new material and a few surprises. Available from Red/Sony Distribution via San Francisco / Australia / Sweden's Zip Records)

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