tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71640593052445033502024-02-06T21:52:45.268-05:00Official Blog of The Chicken SlacksThe Chicken Slacks band members share their experiences on and off the stage. Take a closer look into the world of the hardest working soul band around.The Chicken Slackshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01707214381816768804noreply@blogger.comBlogger164125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7164059305244503350.post-36801043248899089832013-12-31T17:44:00.000-05:002013-12-31T17:46:25.493-05:00Happy New Year!!<br />
It's been a good year for the Slacks! 8th anniversary of our residency at <a href="http://www.cantab-lounge.com/">The Cantab</a>. (The Boston Herald says we are the <a href="http://bostonherald.com/entertainment/music/music_news/2013/08/check_out_these_resident_bands_before_the_students_return">best Thursday residency</a> in town!) Lots of weddings in seven states. Two inspiring benefit gigs. Mardi Gras at the <a href="http://www.cnotehull.com/">C Note</a>. And one of our own-- drummer Ted Sullivan, married his beautiful wife, Jean Rogean.<br />
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Thanks to our fans and partners for all your great support. We wish all of you a great New Year's Eve and a prosperous 2014. Don't forget to dance!<br />
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And join us tonight at the Cantab!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwwuqzkyOSTPREL-vum4DtEf-RFE3qpHWtwPwfiuueqg6rWY1v8PCtIk41U4H0dny3cPkg9gd81FmZJz3pI2LkX6r_SErYN8IXlft5NekVpOjFv4Hgdos-uyKjJQ7AQlExOZCQ2XOGn3I/s1600/NYE+Cantab+2014+small+for+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwwuqzkyOSTPREL-vum4DtEf-RFE3qpHWtwPwfiuueqg6rWY1v8PCtIk41U4H0dny3cPkg9gd81FmZJz3pI2LkX6r_SErYN8IXlft5NekVpOjFv4Hgdos-uyKjJQ7AQlExOZCQ2XOGn3I/s320/NYE+Cantab+2014+small+for+web.jpg" width="206" /></a><br />
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Soulful regards from all of us,<br />
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Tracy Fontes<br />
Jeremy Valadez<br />
Mike Reavey<br />
Michael Duke<br />
Slick Rick<br />
Ben Ricker<br />
Ted Sullivan<br />
Curtis Jerome HaynesThe Chicken Slackshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01707214381816768804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7164059305244503350.post-67939906829660160712013-12-18T18:08:00.000-05:002013-12-18T18:11:47.509-05:00Everyday Will be Like a Holiday<br />
Every year we like to post the great <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Bell_(singer)">William Bell</a> singing "Everyday Will be Like a Holiday," which was released as a single on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stax_Records">Stax</a> records in November, 1967. However, this year, Warner Music Group has blocked access to the video on YouTube!<br />
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Not to worry! Dig this great 1969 rendition by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byron_Lee_and_the_Dragonaires">Byron Lee and the Dragonaires</a>. Byron Lee, who died in 2008, was a major player in the Jamaican music industry, as a performing artist (since 1950), a promoter, and as the owner of Dynamic Sounds Recording Company, perhaps the best and most popular studio in the Carribean back in the day (Toots and the Maytalls, Eric Clapton, The Rolling Stones). The 14-member Dragonaires are often cited as one of Jamaica's earliest ska bands, although many would say their success was largely due to Lee's business and political connections, and not so much to their pioneering music. They've released over 60 albums, and The Dragonaire's, without Lee, continue to perform today. (<a href="http://www.byronleemusic.com/index.html">Website here</a>.)<br />
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The Dragonaire's version of "...Holiday" is actually a pretty straight and faithful rendition of the Stax version. Sweet sounds. Check it out!<br />
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<b>Trivia</b>: Byron Lee and the Dragonaires played as the hotel house band in James Bond's Dr. No.<br />
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<br />The Chicken Slackshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01707214381816768804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7164059305244503350.post-77125475464291716192013-11-28T15:15:00.005-05:002013-11-28T15:19:33.886-05:00Happy Thanksgiving from The Chicken Slacks!!<br />
Thanks to all our fans for the great support this year!<br />
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_&_Dave">Sam and Dave</a> say it best: here's a great live version of "I Thank You," with an awesome eight-piece horn section and a fat Hammond B-3 organ.<br />
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Have a great holiday season!<br />
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<br />The Chicken Slackshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01707214381816768804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7164059305244503350.post-138088151463600582013-11-26T15:01:00.000-05:002013-11-26T15:01:09.407-05:00New Year's Eve at The Cantab Lounge!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPd7NWjQcXGCK3ibIvcKLPis4E3xMl8sfEmK_q5-G25fCtsyOq4VBZL0u2bvcT5H-pvFY9e_ppqQsb3mc0fV7oSH7lEn5BFrztLZpTBbfyRdP2Uof9-zVor7l_ZUm1P4-dqQXUFgggbeQ/s1600/NYE+Cantab+2014+small+for+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPd7NWjQcXGCK3ibIvcKLPis4E3xMl8sfEmK_q5-G25fCtsyOq4VBZL0u2bvcT5H-pvFY9e_ppqQsb3mc0fV7oSH7lEn5BFrztLZpTBbfyRdP2Uof9-zVor7l_ZUm1P4-dqQXUFgggbeQ/s320/NYE+Cantab+2014+small+for+web.jpg" width="206" /></a><br />
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New Year's Eve at <a href="http://www.cantab-lounge.com/">The Cantab</a> is always a great party!<br />
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Music starts at 9:30. Free champagne toast at midnight. See you there.<br />
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The Chicken Slackshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01707214381816768804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7164059305244503350.post-41329646882347852422013-10-31T17:39:00.003-04:002013-10-31T17:40:24.608-04:00Halloween, the Red Sox...<br />
Great day in Boston! Congrats to the Red Sox! Been quite a year.<br />
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AND...come on down to the Cantab tonight to celebrate Halloween!! Costumes encouraged.<br />
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To get you in the mood, dig this early footage of Screamin' Jay Hawkins performing "I Put a Spell on You."<br />
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<br />The Chicken Slackshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01707214381816768804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7164059305244503350.post-79193513864319179212013-09-16T17:34:00.003-04:002013-09-16T17:35:38.727-04:00This Thursday!<br />
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The Eighth Annual celebration of our residency at <a href="http://www.cantab-lounge.com/">The Cantab Lounge</a> is this Thursday, September 19! Please join us for a romping good time, featuring <a href="https://www.facebook.com/brotherwayne.wayne">Brother Wayne</a> spinning classic vinyl, special musical guests, giveaways, prizes, and your favorite classic funk and soul band, The Chicken Slacks.<br />
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Thanks to our fans for such great support over the years, and thanks to Steve and Fitzi at The Cantab for keeping us around!<br />
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See you at The Cantab Lounge, this Thursday night, 9:30 - 1:30 AM! 738 Massachusetts Ave., (Central Square), Cambridge, MA. (617) 354 2685<br />
<br />The Chicken Slackshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01707214381816768804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7164059305244503350.post-11738590333876466792013-09-03T18:56:00.002-04:002013-09-03T18:57:09.832-04:008th Anniversary Circus!!!<br />
Proud to announce our 8th Anniversary Circus at <a href="http://www.cantab-lounge.com/">The Cantab Lounge</a>, an annual celebration of a beautiful residency and of all who have supported us for so many fun years! Special guests, giveaways, always a good time.<br />
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Come see us Thursday, September 19, 9:30 - 1:30 AM. Details to follow!</div>
<br />The Chicken Slackshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01707214381816768804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7164059305244503350.post-58472647995817195952013-08-15T14:56:00.001-04:002013-08-15T14:56:23.138-04:00Busy busy busy<br />
Nine weddings in the next eight weeks!<br />
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Here are a couple pics from Diana and Scott's wedding this June at the <a href="http://www.flaghill.com/">Flag Hill Winery</a> in Lee, NH. Thanks to Marina DeMarco at <a href="http://www.genevehoffmanphotography.com/">Geneve Hoffman Photography</a>!<br />
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Tracy, Rick, Mike.<br />
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<br />The Chicken Slackshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01707214381816768804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7164059305244503350.post-19416292489297171182013-08-12T18:48:00.001-04:002013-08-12T18:48:28.510-04:00Cantab is the place to be on Thursdays, says the Herald<br />
Thanks to our friend, journalist Jed Gottlieb, for including the Chicken Slacks on his<a href="http://bostonherald.com/entertainment/music/music_news/2013/08/check_out_these_resident_bands_before_the_students_return"> list</a> of must-see club residencies in an article for the Boston Herald. He give The Chicken Slacks the nod for Thursdays!The Chicken Slackshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01707214381816768804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7164059305244503350.post-20828993812223357092013-08-05T13:23:00.000-04:002013-08-05T13:24:04.626-04:00Sometimes we go to our own weddings<br />
Congratulations to our drummer Ted Sullivan and his new bride, Jess Rogean! We wish you many years of health and prosperity.<br />
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Saturday, August 3, Barnstable, MA </div>
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<br />The Chicken Slackshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01707214381816768804noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7164059305244503350.post-24391140155659190782013-06-27T14:48:00.000-04:002013-06-27T14:48:03.495-04:00"That's the Way Love Is"<br />
Remembering<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/25/arts/music/bobby-blue-bland-soul-and-blues-balladeer-dies-at-83.html?pagewanted=all"> Bobby Blue Bland</a>, one of the all time great soul-blues artists, who passed away last Sunday.<br />
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Here's his 1963 hit "That's the Way Love Is," which reached #33 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the Billboard Hit R&B Singles. Classic soul.<br />
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<br />The Chicken Slackshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01707214381816768804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7164059305244503350.post-1145629165081271052013-06-13T16:13:00.004-04:002013-06-13T16:20:07.897-04:00This is great news<br />
One of the all-time classic pop/funk albums has been re-issued! "<a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/inspiration-information-wings-of-love-20130508">Inspiration Information</a>," a 1974 masterpiece by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shuggie_Otis">Shuggie Otis</a>, has been released with a companion album, "Wings of Love," a compilation of 14 unreleased cuts.<br />
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Shuggie, son of the famous band leader and producer <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Otis">Johnny Otis</a>, made his initial splash at the age of 15 as a blues guitarist, appearing on Al Kooper's 1969 <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kooper_Session">Kooper Session</a>. In 1970, B.B. King called Shuggie "his favorite new guitarist."<br />
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"Inspiration Information," a trippy, jazzy ride that still sounds contemporary, was Shuggie's third and final album for Epic Records, taking three years to complete. Shuggie wrote and arranged all the music and played all the instruments except horns and strings. The album hit #181 on the Billboard Top 200, and Shuggie has not released an official new project since.<br />
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Check it out!<br />
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Also-- check out "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kooper_Session">Strawberry Letter #23</a>," released in 1977 by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Brothers_Johnson">The Brothers Johnson</a>. You may remember this cut from its extended play on Quentin Tarentino's film <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackie_Brown_(film)">"Jackie Brown"</a>. Shuggie wrote the song and plays guitar on the track. The song went to #1 on the Soul Singles chart.<br />
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<a href="http://www.npr.org/2013/06/04/188676452/shuggie-otis-40-years-later-still-an-inspiration">Check this out</a> from NPR. Shuggie is touring to support the new release! He'll be at <a href="http://www.scullersjazz.com/">Scullers Jazz Club</a>, in Alston, MA, for two shows on August 7.<br />
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<br />The Chicken Slackshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01707214381816768804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7164059305244503350.post-33222376160411029322013-05-23T18:02:00.001-04:002013-05-23T18:06:23.625-04:00More funky treasures from our Music Director<br />
Every Thursday, our Music Director, emcee, and sax player Jeremy Valadez posts a new deep gem on our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ChickenSlacks">Facebook timeline</a>, featuring obscure, and sometimes not-so-obscure, cuts from the vault.<br />
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Check out some of his recent offerings of classic funk:<br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xLnmt87bdc">Does Your Mama Know</a>, by<a href="http://www.allmusic.com/artist/rudy-love-mn0001217855"> Rudy Love and The Love Family</a>. Bass-driven funk with awesome group vocals.<br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNinKGrSJtY">I'd Be Nowhere Today</a>, by The Nu People. Rare psychedelic funk! Can't find any info on these guys at all, anywhere. Any help out there? Maybe <a href="http://recordkharma.blogspot.com/">Brother Wayne</a> knows.<br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5beXjDfZ6I">Funky Pants</a>, by Oceanliners. Guitar-driven funk instrumental with a complex, interweaving horn arrangement. Oceanliners went on to become The Sunshine Band, of <a href="http://www.allmusic.com/artist/kc-the-sunshine-band-mn0000299668">K.C. and The Sunshine Band</a> fame.<br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlLKvw8LIBc">Color Blind</a>, by <a href="http://www.allmusic.com/artist/frankie-beverly-mn0000169446">Frankie Beverly's Raw Soul</a>. Message song with an incredible groove, reminiscent of <a href="http://www.allmusic.com/artist/sly-the-family-stone-mn0000033161">Sly and the Family Stone</a>. What color is harmony?<br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhL4Bt8Wpmw">Firewalker</a>, by <a href="http://www.reverbnation.com/junglefiremusic">Jungle Fire</a>. A contemporary cut from a great San Diego band! Bass-heavy dance floor instrumental with a Latin feel. Nice sax solo starts at 1:15. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/junglefiremusic">Check out their Facebook page</a>.<br />
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See you at <a href="http://www.cantab-lounge.com/">The Cantab</a>!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVn-1AGiMt0x_oNFOdjw_4gsttOez5lqfsrl-qwWJRpwH3ZcmFtWgsRK79KAm1qM-fXQJj42Nk3F88lnYydwHh8mCT21wezI9nh_DfEUP9S6c7p1CLXw4NMp0r1SqgogC0rzuFXCgXf_o/s1600/Sweet+Tea+and+Jeremy+05jan2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVn-1AGiMt0x_oNFOdjw_4gsttOez5lqfsrl-qwWJRpwH3ZcmFtWgsRK79KAm1qM-fXQJj42Nk3F88lnYydwHh8mCT21wezI9nh_DfEUP9S6c7p1CLXw4NMp0r1SqgogC0rzuFXCgXf_o/s320/Sweet+Tea+and+Jeremy+05jan2012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sweet T and Jeremy gettin' it right.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVn-1AGiMt0x_oNFOdjw_4gsttOez5lqfsrl-qwWJRpwH3ZcmFtWgsRK79KAm1qM-fXQJj42Nk3F88lnYydwHh8mCT21wezI9nh_DfEUP9S6c7p1CLXw4NMp0r1SqgogC0rzuFXCgXf_o/s1600/Sweet+Tea+and+Jeremy+05jan2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a>The Chicken Slackshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01707214381816768804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7164059305244503350.post-35303376360869376472013-05-09T15:27:00.000-04:002013-05-09T15:27:21.915-04:00Thanks to Ben and Ted<br />
It's been a year since <a href="http://www.benricker.com/">Ben Ricker</a> (keys) and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhR6cwBq1C0">Ted Sullivan</a> (drums) joined the band, and they've been awesome. Thanks, guys, for your hard work. Here's looking to many more years together!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyqECPDxKx9NAMDZfpHTgM5_wwwDyqfaYpYqnkLjfAvnreU1EZMeq7iG3IJfB3AxRAu69O824Uy0k2S23-zwBjVtjZjbjVxuQkAua0hbC_GVOfpc-lvq7LMM9OMn1ZktafCu1A-uvsgm0/s1600/Ted+Sullivan+FB+shot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyqECPDxKx9NAMDZfpHTgM5_wwwDyqfaYpYqnkLjfAvnreU1EZMeq7iG3IJfB3AxRAu69O824Uy0k2S23-zwBjVtjZjbjVxuQkAua0hbC_GVOfpc-lvq7LMM9OMn1ZktafCu1A-uvsgm0/s320/Ted+Sullivan+FB+shot.jpg" width="320" /></a> Ted</div>
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Ben<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq2V3Vp69380-3BfKy2UBrrpLpyscYsBjZcS-NJFoloR8YWhy-pCVkVMRsO168pVQuIO8QJrzlUwpTKxuuSmjdMgtSVnJnXNUpWpAHWWrZa4aWRxHIeGWP743ZanCBvugoDuehpXwtAQ8/s1600/Ben+Ricker+FB+shot.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq2V3Vp69380-3BfKy2UBrrpLpyscYsBjZcS-NJFoloR8YWhy-pCVkVMRsO168pVQuIO8QJrzlUwpTKxuuSmjdMgtSVnJnXNUpWpAHWWrZa4aWRxHIeGWP743ZanCBvugoDuehpXwtAQ8/s320/Ben+Ricker+FB+shot.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />The Chicken Slackshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01707214381816768804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7164059305244503350.post-33404606983746781212013-04-26T15:53:00.001-04:002013-04-26T15:55:23.391-04:00Greetings from California<br />
One year since moving to Sacramento, and all is well! I continue to book the band, thanks to the internet and thanks to Jeremy, our esteemed Music Director, who does a great job when face-to-face is required. I'm missing The Cantab, after playing every Thursday for six years.<br />
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Just spent a weekend with Slacks founding member Justin Berthiume, who moved to San Francisco in 2009. Justin is thriving as a science teacher at a San Francisco charter school, and was in Sacramento to attend a two-day conference on environmental research and policy.<br />
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He's still living on Haight Street, in an apartment once famously occupied by The Grateful Dead. The place is the last stop on one of San Francisco's tourist bus routes, and the question Justin is asked the most is "how much rent do you pay?"<br />
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Here's a shot of Justin, directing from his drummer's chair, during a memorable gig at the funky <a href="http://www.169barnyc.com/cmsmadesimple/">169 Bar</a> in NYC.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4k3I-_7w6uS9tREx5RDhDmZxh2UbNBpKgUOCi8RBR9rn7wOE2fqmxP0GY0LiJdmMs6VjJbDPLc2VfwfW8o0IbmJ8AE3wL0W9tFhrsgfOuIopYSFqFzLHT7NxFOTL8c4-1CO4sRAkuBM8/s1600/zoomer%5B6%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4k3I-_7w6uS9tREx5RDhDmZxh2UbNBpKgUOCi8RBR9rn7wOE2fqmxP0GY0LiJdmMs6VjJbDPLc2VfwfW8o0IbmJ8AE3wL0W9tFhrsgfOuIopYSFqFzLHT7NxFOTL8c4-1CO4sRAkuBM8/s320/zoomer%5B6%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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Looks like I'll be in Boston at the end of August. See you at The Cantab!<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7164059305244503350.post-77841189995367396862013-04-18T14:30:00.002-04:002013-04-18T14:30:35.232-04:00Our home town<br />
We're proud of Boston for its courage in the face of the Marathon tragedy. Saw this a couple nights ago-- Colbert sets a great tone in this monologue to open his show. <br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Fzu76u34LQo?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe> </div>
<br />The Chicken Slackshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01707214381816768804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7164059305244503350.post-32171870817835860052013-03-23T19:56:00.001-04:002013-03-23T19:56:36.371-04:00Spring time<br />
Well, gee, not much new to report-- everything chugging along just fine. <a href="http://www.cantab-lounge.com/">Cantab</a> is packed every Thursday night. Summer calendar is getting full.<br />
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So how about this to celebrate the start of spring: how about you put some new life into those dance moves of yours?<br />
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The Boogaloo, the Funky Chicken, the Mashed Potato...here's how to move like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Brown">James Brown</a>.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Zdz88MBWomo?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<br />The Chicken Slackshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01707214381816768804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7164059305244503350.post-60137008328705592422013-02-12T12:46:00.000-05:002013-02-12T12:46:05.037-05:00Mardi Gras in New Orleans<br />
For Fat Tuesday-- three versions of the Mardi Gras classic, composed and first recorded in 1949 by Professor Long Hair:<br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-lq4tDkNKk">Mardi Gras in New Orleans</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Professor_Longhair">Professor Long Hair</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSl8mIjwXYg">Mardi Gras in New Orleans</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fats_Domino">Fats Domino</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucnugCk7M5Y">Mardi Gras in New Orleans</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dirty_Dozen_Brass_Band">The Dirty Dozen Brass Band</a>. LIVE!<br />
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The Dirty Dozen Brass Band.</div>
<br />The Chicken Slackshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01707214381816768804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7164059305244503350.post-15633695120845799842013-02-08T13:47:00.000-05:002013-02-08T13:47:29.520-05:00Mardi Gras!<br />
Coming up: our fourth annual Mardi Gras party at one of the great venues, The <a href="http://www.cnotehull.com/">C Note</a> in Hull, MA!<br />
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<br />The Chicken Slackshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01707214381816768804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7164059305244503350.post-45659529822215415032012-12-25T18:01:00.001-05:002012-12-25T18:01:06.502-05:00Merry Christmas!<br />
Enjoy the great <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donny_Hathaway">Donny Hathaway</a> singing "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pj1mVUEHeUE">This Christmas</a>," released in 1970 on Atco. Merry Christmas, everyone!The Chicken Slackshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01707214381816768804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7164059305244503350.post-47421375689075738082012-12-24T14:45:00.001-05:002012-12-24T14:45:34.110-05:00A couple more for a soul Christmas<br />
<a href="http://otisredding.com/">Otis Redding</a>'s rendition of "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwCcVRH8idA">White Christmas</a>," was released by Stax in October of 1968, ten months after Otis' death. It's an introspective, almost melancholy version of the Isaiah Berlin classic, and is the second song covered by both Bing Crosby and Otis. ("<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXmLjbTBcdU">Try a Little Tenderness</a>" being the first.) Both recordings show Otis' genius at turning a song into his own.<br />
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And that's what <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Brown">James Brown</a> does with "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SENE9S479Zk">Please Come Home for Christmas</a>." The last thirty seconds of this recording is James Brown going completely James Brown. The track, co-written by the great <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Brown_(musician)">Charles Brown </a>and Gene Redd, appears on "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/James-Browns-Funky-Christmas-Brown/dp/B000001EFD">James Brown's Funky Christmas</a>," a 1995 collection of seasonal tracks released in 1966, 1968, and 1970.<br />
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We wish you a fine Christmas Eve!The Chicken Slackshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01707214381816768804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7164059305244503350.post-6244000897111923742012-12-20T17:04:00.001-05:002012-12-20T17:04:40.795-05:00And here's another <br />
Sweet ballad from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carla_Thomas">Carla Thomas</a>: "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtEii7wJ0As">All I Want for Christmas is You</a>." First recorded in 1963, the recording appeared on Atlantic's "<a href="http://www.allmusic.com/album/soul-christmas-mw0000177903">Soul Christmas</a>," released in 1968.<br />
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Carla Thomas, "The Queen of Memphis Soul," was born in Memphis in 1942, a daughter of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rufus_Thomas">Rufus Thomas</a>. Her first recording, "'<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvVHLyDthoA">Cause I Love You</a>," was a duet with Rufus, recorded at the brand new Satellite Studios, a precursor to <a href="http://www.history-of-rock.com/stax_records.htm">Stax Records</a>. "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAmHhBiXVjw">Gee Whiz (Look at his Eyes</a>)" was recorded soon after. Distributed by Atlantic, it became her first breakthrough hit, reaching the top ten on the pop charts and the top five on the R&B charts. The song propelled Satellite/Stax into the national spotlight.<br />
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In addition to "Gee Whiz," Carla is perhaps best known for her 1966 recording "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQjh_PFnkBc">B-A-B-Y</a>" and her 1967 duet with <a href="http://otisredding.com/">Otis Redding</a>, "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wP7VU6AVIgc">Tramp</a>."<br />
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"Soul Christmas" is a must-have for soul fans!The Chicken Slackshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01707214381816768804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7164059305244503350.post-58211283337419978562012-12-13T14:53:00.000-05:002012-12-13T14:58:32.442-05:00Holiday favorites-- top five<br />
We'll be posting five of our favorite holiday soul songs over the next few days.<br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMfgGZAyuGo">Here's</a> the great <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Bell_(singer)">William Bell</a> singing "Everyday Will be Like a Holiday," released as a single on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stax_Records">Stax</a> records in November, 1967. In January, 1968, it climbed to #33 on the R&B charts.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"Everyday Will be Like a Holiday" was co-written by Bell and Booker T. Jones, and produced by Booker T. at Stax Studios in Memphis. The recording features an awesome opening guitar riff written and performed by Booker T. himself. Booker T. also sings the high harmony.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"It was not really designed to be a Christmas song," claims Bell. "We wrote the song in October. Rhythmically, rather than put tambourines on it, we put bells, just shaking them for the rhythm. When the record came out they played it during the holiday season and they just adopted it as a holiday record."</span><br />
<br />The Chicken Slackshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01707214381816768804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7164059305244503350.post-38255000480942323752012-11-21T19:05:00.001-05:002012-11-21T19:05:49.185-05:00Happy Thanksgiving!<br />
Thanks to all who have supported and inspired us this past year!<br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxQM7GXA8Tc">Here's</a> one of the great thank you songs, from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_%26_Dave">Sam and Dave</a>. Enjoy your holiday!The Chicken Slackshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01707214381816768804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7164059305244503350.post-25237223238615062032012-10-30T16:49:00.006-04:002012-10-30T17:11:45.095-04:00The Harvard Crimson writes up The Chicken Slacks<br />
Thanks to Benjamin Naddaff-Hafrey on <a href="http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2012/10/30/soul-and-the-slacks/">this fine article</a> about The Chicken Slacks for the <a href="http://www.thecrimson.com/">Harvard Crimson</a>. Ben interviews four Slacks players, plus our friend <a href="http://www.chicksinga.com/">Kit Holliday</a> and founding member Justin Berthiaume. Nice description of The Cantab scene.<br />
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Here Ben discusses soul music and cover bands:<br />
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"Soul music, even in its original form, has mostly been played by cover bands. Many soul and Motown greats would cover each others' songs, which in turn were often written by songwriting teams. With the exception of singer-songwriters like Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder, soul and Motown music has always been sung by thrown voices; snatches of melody and refrain that come out of the dance halls and bars through the voice of a singer. So when Valadez talks about "putting a little Chicken Slacks into it," he and his band are essentially doing the same thing with their arrangements that the 'original' artists did. Only they are working decades later and most frequently in a bar where high-definition is something that comes with a channel in the 800s rather than off a vinyl cut from more wax."<br />
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<br />The Chicken Slackshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01707214381816768804noreply@blogger.com0