I’ve always thought it would be cool to have a Trek road bike, and recently I got my wish! I’m very happy with it, and it’s a considerable upgrade from my 90’s era Costco mountain bike. And about 20 lbs lighter! It’s a FX series hybrid. This shot is from… do you recognize it? …the Chehalis Western Trail in Olympia. That day my father-in-law and I put in a 35 mile ride. I was feeling that for a few days afterwards! Legs and “saddle” both. Like I said, very pleased with the bike. And I got pedals that will accept cleats or ‘regular’ shoes.
[This is repost from my old website. But as it turns out, this was Billy Preston’s last public performance before his tragic and premature passing — which makes it even more meaningful to me that I got to be there. cnd]
Billy Preston @ Bumbershoot 2005
On September 4, 2005 I went and saw Billy Preston on the Miller Lite Blues Stage at Bumbershoot 2005 in Seattle. Billy has performed with music’s top acts for 35+ years, but I went primarily because Billy is the honorary “fifth Beatle” — having played on later albums such as the White Album (1968) and Abbey Road (1970). That makes him (along with Paul McCartney) my musical mentor when it comes to my band, Creme Tangerine. Billy’s fun, music-loving style and tremendous talent is a joy to watch and the crowd was really into it, singing along on several of his well-known tunes. We managed to avoid the rain, and apart from the broken keyboard pedal and disconnected pedalboard on the organ (a bad day for feet apparently) we had an awesome time! Billy and his four-piece band (Billy: keyboard [Korg Triton] and organ [Hammond B3-ish], electric guitar, bass, and drums) performed the following:
Set List
Opening Jam (on Hammond) “It’s my pleasure”
With You I’m Born Again
Ray Charles: Georgia
Ray Charles: ???
Beatles Medley: Yesterday intro, Imagine
Beatles Medley: Let it Be
Beatles Medley: Get Back
Amazing Grace (on Hammond) – tribute to Hurricane Katrina survivors
Will it Go ‘Round in Circles?
Nothing from Nothing
You Are So Beautiful
Outa-Space Jam (band solos)
Stones: Jumpin’ Jack Flash
Pictures
Note: It was quite dark and although I was only about 20′ from the stage, between the mediocre stage lighting and my light-hungry camera these didn’t turn out terribly well. But you’ll get the idea. Click on a picture for a larger version.
