Ray LaMontagne @ The Troubadour

Someone posted on a Ray forum that Ray's performance at the Troubadour was dissapointing and he actually left early. What a shame, best show I've seen yet. I think that every concert experience is different from one individual to another and we can’t really base our opinions about a musician on that. I’ve seen Ray several times and have even flown to Ireland to see him and I can tell you that several things about last night made it one of the best concerts I’ve seen.

First off I got to meet both Isaac and Dave, two members from the Ray forum board, and that in itself was great. We talk to each other so much on there that it’s nice to meet people face to face. Thank goodness Isaac got there early and saved a space in the front of the line. The whole anticipation waiting in line was great. We talked everything Ray. Like Isaac put it, I think we all should get an honorary PhD in Ray.

We stood right side of the stage facing Ray and were exciting the minute we saw the set list. It was the entire TTSB album. I for one thought that is was great that he did the entire album. So many times I’ve wondered would I enjoy it more live or the recorded version, I must say live was amazing. I can’t believe how people rocked out to Three More Days. I agree with Dave, I felt like the roof was going to come down. People where pumping fist, singing along and genuinely into the moment. It was truly an experience. I cried when he sang ‘Lessons Learned’ it still moves me and hearing it live the effect was just the same if not more.

The set finished and he came out for an encore. Sang some songs off Trouble which on some people sang along and on others his voice alone stood out. He left the stage but we still didn’t have enough. We all started chanting Ray, Ray, Ray, Ray, and out he came again. He said something to the effect of “you know I can’t do this all night” and I replied, “sure just bring out your pillow”. I recorded Please and Burn. I was going to upload to youtube but it was taking ages so I've posted them on the live download section on the forum. YOu can click on the link to the right side of my page to access it. Forgive me but the sound on “Please” in the start is not good I was covering the mic and didn’t notice and the picture is somewhat dark it was dark in there but it’s the best I could do. I think Isaac recorded some more. I really want a copy of “Three More Days” that was so great I can’t even tell you.

So the night ended we all waited around and no Ray. We could see him upstairs but he wasn’t coming down. Finally, I decided to make my way to the security guard. Charm goes a long way, as I made my way up the stairs towards Ray. I walked in this tiny room and Ray was talking to another guy facing the door. He looked up as I was walking towards him and said “I remember you” while pointing at me. I kissed his cheek, hugged him and we chatted for a while. He signed my set list and said come say hello when you come to London. OMG, it was unbelievable. I asked him about the London gig and Union and he said it’ll just be him and a guitar the band is not with him so he’s a bit nervous about it but excited.

I could go on for ever but I’ll stop now. So to end, to each is own, no all experiences are the same. I’d say 17 songs, front row, meeting Isaac and Dave, hugging Ray would make it a pretty fantastic night in my book.

Wolfgang Puck

Celebrity Chef Wolfgang Puck to Host the 24th Annual American Wine & Food Festival this Saturday Night

Wolfgang has been a client of my company for many years and we are proud to be a supporter for Meals on Wheels.

If you're interested in feasting on some of the most spectacular food join us this Saturday, September 16, 2006, as celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck and Barbara Lazaroff bring together the world's most talented chefs, wine and spirit purveyors for a Spectacular Culinary Event.

"A line up of today's most prominent chefs will converge on Los Angeles for the 24th Annual American Food and Wine Festival. A star-studded gathering of over 40 celebrated chefs will come together with more than 70 fine wine and spirit purveyors in honor of the occasion."

The event will be held at the Universal Studios' back lot from 6 to 11 p.m., the 24th Annual Wine & Food Festival is open to the public and will feature live bands, a live and silent auction - including fabulous vacation getaways, great wines and fine dining gift certificates - and, of course, an epicurian feast. The Festival's high-energy lounge will showcase the talents of award-winning Spago Pastry Chef Sherry Yard. An estimated 2,500 guests are expected to attend. Proceeds from the charity event will benefit Los Angeles Meals on Wheels programs.

I know I'm posting this very late but you can still get tickets at the door. Tickets $300 per person at the door, but very limited and will only be sold as space allows. For more information you can visit www.awff.org, or e-mail tickets@wolfgangpuck.com.

A full list of auction listings can be viewed at www.wolfgangpuck.com

Last year the foundation raised $1.1 million a record-breaking success, the Puck-Lazaroff Charitable Foundation, has put together another esteemed line-up of celebrity chefs.

Since its inception in 1982, the Puck-Lazaroff Charitable Foundation has supported the American Wine & Food Festival, raising more than $15 million for Los Angeles Chapters of Meals on Wheels. This is the largest privately-funded organization of its kind in the country, if you are not familiar with Meals on Wheels, they serve thousands of meals each day to Los Angeles' homebound senior citizens, disabled and terminally ill patients. Both Puck and Lazaroff are celebrated for their philanthropic efforts and spirit in supporting Meals on Wheels.

"The Meals On Wheels Association of America (MOWAA) is the oldest and largest organization in the United States representing those who provide meal services to people in need. MOWAA works toward the social, physical, nutritional, and economic betterment of vulnerable Americans. The St. Vincent Meals on Wheels in Los Angeles is the largest privately-funded meals program in the country. Every day, they prepare and deliver nutritious meals for seniors and the frail homebound across Los Angeles who cannot shop or cook for themselves, many of which have specific medical dietary needs. There are 90 meal programs in the greater Los Angeles area. The St. Vincent program is the largest of them and also supports some of the other programs by preparing meals for them. The St. Vincent program itself prepares an average of over 2,600 meals per day and has a delivery are of 46 square miles. If a person in need lives outside of this area, and there is no local meal program for them, St. Vincent will still deliver to them. The Meals On Wheels Association of America provides the tools and information its programs need to make a difference in the lives of others. It also gives cash grants to local senior meal programs throughout the country to assist in providing meals and other nutrition services. " -Meals On Wheels

Mission Statement: "The mission of Meals On Wheels Association of America is to provide visionary leadership and professional training and to develop partnerships that will ensure the provision of quality nutrition services."

Two French Masters

"Two French Masters: Edouard Boubat and Jean-Philippe Charbonnier"

2006-08-13 until 2006-09-30
Duncan Miller Gallery

AUGUST 15 - SEPTEMBER 30, 2006

Duncan Miller Gallery brings to Los Angeles the sensuous and romantic photography of Édouard Boubat and Jean-Philippe Charbonnier – the World debut of this unique collection.

"Both Boubat and Charbonnier used photography as a means to reveal humanity in all its poetry. Their photographs, for all their lush sensuality, passion and elegance, have a genuine quality that marks the confident eye of true masters. The Duncan Miller Gallery invites you to feel and experience the romantic allure of these artists." -from Duncan Miller Gallery

"Poetic ... rich with texture ... this grouping generates plenty of humanistic warmth."
-from Los Angeles Times review, August 25, 2006

The Swell Season

I was out to dinner with my BFF yesterday and on the ride back she put in The Swell Season. Immediatley I was hooked. Lucky for us they will be in Los Angeles performing at a very intimate venue call Cafe Largo.

I just found out that a few days ago NPR played Falling Slowly, how did I miss that? I absolutley love this song, I have it playing on my myspace profile. Falling Slowly is a collaborations between Frames frontman Glen Hansard and a Czech exquisite named Marketa Irglova, and it's from his latest side project The Swell Season . This album is full of beauty but at the same time it makes you ache of unrealized expectations and yet still manages to leave you with some sense of hope.

You can check them out on The Swell Season's MySpace

Falling Slowly

I don't know you
But I want you
All the more for that
Words fall through me
And always fool me
And I can't react
And games that never amount
To more than they're meant
Will play themselves out

Take this sinking boat and point it home
We've still got time
Raise your hopeful voice you have a choice
You've made it now

Falling slowly, eyes that know me
And I can't go back
Moods that take me and erase me
And I'm painted black
You have suffered enough
And warred with yourself
It's time that you won

Take this sinking boat and point it home
We've still got time
Raise your hopeful voice you had a choice
You've made it now

Take this sinking boat and point it home
We've still got time
Raise your hopeful voice you had a choice
You've made it now
Falling slowly sing your melody
I'll sing along

Fingerprints Vinyl Blowout

"On the weekend of Sept. 16th and 17th we will be staking out a corner of our parking lot and dragging 1000s of vinyl records out under our tents for a special blowout sale. Due to astaggering amount of great new collections coming in, we have pulled almost half of our existing stock LP for quick sale. There are some real gems in here, but we need the room to get out the new stuff. Please join us for this opportunity to pick up some very cheap wax. We will also be blowing out the remainder of our VHS and cassette tape collections on the same terms (though unlike the vinyl, this might be your last shot at these formats, as we are phasing them out.)"

*There will be 1000's of LPs and 12-inch singles from almost every genre including - rock/pop/soul/hip-hop/electronic/indie-rock/jazz/blues/country and more.

*We will be pumping out our remaining stock on VHS and Cassette tape (finally, I know).

The Deal:

*Saturday, Sept 16th (10-6) - 50% off marked price on selected vinyl and all VHS and Cassettes.

*Sunday, September 17th (10-6) - 75% off marked price on selected vinyl and all VHS and Cassettes.

*We will be peppering each days selection with fresh stuff including toys, books, and other items.