As much as I hate to give away my age, Three Dog Night was mandatory listening material during my formative years. Founded in 1968, the band’s earliest lineup landed over twenty top-forty hits by 1974, all of which were rotated at our junior high school mixers. And I was still getting mileage out of their stuff by the time I hit college.

Lead guitarist Michael Allsup’s work laces a score of the band’s Billboard heyday tunes, among them “One,” “Never Been to Spain,” “Mama Told Me Not to Come” and “Shambala.” Whether wielding a Les Paul or a Strat, you’ll find him still playing TDN’s greatest hits to a tee live on stage with the current formation.

Incidentally, Mike’s “official web site” charts high on my fave list, pulling in 5+ stars for its Netscape nostalgia, “menus to hell” and sense of humor. Be sure to read his online tales from the rock and roll road.

Three Dog Night’s current tour schedule can be found at their decidedly more conventional site.

Larry Carlton Plays the Sound of Philadelphia alert!

Just prior to its February 15th release, Larry has generously posted the album online. We’re talking FULL tracks, ladies and gentlemen.

Old schoolers like ourselves really appreciate Larry’s treatment of the timeless sound of Gamble and Huff. Despite the fact he’s assembled a superb band and vocals for this recording, it’s all about the guitar. Don’t miss this!

Be sure to root for Larry at this year’s Grammy Awards. He’s nominated in the Best Pop Instrumental Album category with Take Your Pick,recorded with Asia’s premier guitarist Tak Matsumoto.

Don begins play at the Bob Hope Golf Classic tomorrow and, this year, he’s been paired with golf pro Matt Kuchar and actor Joel Gretsch.

The pro-am foursomes consist of a professional golfer plus three amateur players. To make spotting a favorite actor, sports hero or television personality easier, each round puts all of the celebrities together on the same course. Don and the other musicians teeing off this year sure make for a great jam band, namely Steve Cropper, Alice Cooper, Tommy Thayer, Steve Azar and Danny Saraphine.

Seldom can employees boast 40 years’ company seniority. Both Rick Haynes and Terry Clements can.

Not only that, bassist Rick and lead guitarist Terry have worked for the same boss – Mr. Gordon Lightfoot – for a combined 81 years’ tenure. Both were instrumental (pun intended) in polishing the legendary troubadour’s signature sound during the peak of his career.

Gordon knows, accept no substitutes. These stringbending siamese twins are still backing their boss and don’t show any signs of calling it quits. As long as an unstoppable Lightfoot keeps their fingers nimble by taking his show on the road, it’s likely we’ll see Rick and Terry performing at their respective diamond jubilees.

Gordon Lightfoot @ Massey Hall 2011

Footnote: We got word late yesterday about Terry Clements’ untimely passing on Sunday, February 20. On behalf of Don and myself, our heartfelt condolences to the Clements family, Gordon Lightfoot and band, and all who loved him. May he rest peacefully.
– Mary Bieler, Webmaster

Creed Taylor Incorporated, “one of the most influential independent labels in the history of modern jazz,” celebrates its 40th “anniversary” with Masterworks’ release of the CTI Records: The Cool Revolution box set. The now defunct CTI spent the 70′s securing a niche in jazz recording history and also helped launch the career of entertainer George Benson. By the way, the label’s very first production in 1970 was an album by an unknown free-form jazz quartet featuring a young crack guitarist by the name of Don Felder. . . . . .Sony Pictures Home Entertainment plans to release the 1981 animated cult film Heavy Metal in blu-ray technology on January 25. The nice side effect: fans of the soundtrack will be able to enjoy Don’s contribution “Heavy Metal – Takin’ a Ride” in 5.1 DTS-HD master audio. . . . Speaking of listening to Heavy Metal. Get tickets to Don’s upcoming California show on November 20 in Coachella at the Spotlight 29 Casino Showroom here.