First published in  Lonely Goat Print Magazine Volume II - #11

December 1999 Goat Notes

Goat Greetings...kind tidings of the season to you and yours.

I've always thought I was a lot like the constantly questioning caterpillar from that classic tale Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. It seems, however, that I always start this column in the role of the white rabbit exclaiming, "Oh dear! Oh dear! I shall be too late!" I do hope it is not too late.

A heartfelt thanks to everyone who showed up at the THANKSGATHERING on Sunday November 28. Ancient Harmony absolutely rocked Ziggy's for four hours and I can honestly say that I've not experienced such a positive vibe and open atmosphere for a long time. Everyone, and I mean everyone, seemed to have arrived prepared to GET DOWN. Arms, legs, hips and hair were just swinging with the groove set down from our Georgia brothers. We were treated to two encores and I think we could have danced for at least two more. Mega thank yous go out to Mark Bloomfield for his tremendous support and drive. This event would not have happened without him. Next time you see him give him a big hug and a huge thank you. Mark has some great ideas for future events. Let him know what or rather who you would like to see and definitely let him know if you'd like to get involved in helping to promote these happenings. Additionally, major thanks go out to Jay at Ziggy's and the always supportive staff. I shudder to consider the state of kind music in North Carolina without the existence of Ziggy's. We are truly blessed with this venue. Keep your eye out for future "Sunday Matinee" events. We had so much fun that it would just be crazy not to try it again sometime. Then again, nobody said we aren't crazy already.

Ancient Harmony will be back at Ziggy's for a Friday show on January 7. Bring your groove and your smile and I guarantee a time you won't soon forget.

Dark Star Orchestra finally arrived in November and I personally got everything I had hoped for. As promised, there will be a special issue of Lonely Goat in the next few weeks covering the tour through North Carolina. Mad props for Bob Robertson, who led our road crew along with Jumanji, Mama K, and yours truly. Thanks also again to DSO for their incredible support of this idea. They are a kind bunch of folks with a lot to offer. Finally a shout out to the local triad area folks - Ziggy's was the show of the tour!

 Here's a few items from Grateful Dead Records. Dick's Picks, Volume 15 is in the stores. It's from Raceway Park in Englishtown, NJ. The show is 9.3.77. This is supposedly one Dick Latvala, the acclaimed holder of the keys to the vault, had slated for release before his recent departure from our reality. Also new is the first official Phil Lesh and Friends release, Love Will See You Through. It contains "highlights" from June and July shows in 1998 where the "friends" were Jorma Kaukonen, Pete Sears, Prairie Prince, Caitlin Cornwell and Zoe Ellis. Finally, the most exciting release from GDR is So Many Roads. It is a five disc set which attempts to provide a chronological representation of the music of the Grateful Dead from 1965 to 1995. Compiled and hand picked by a team of David Gans, Blair Jackson, Steve Silberman and Dick Latvala, the selected tracks range from legendary live performances to never before heard demos and rehearsals. Of course, no box set could ever fully communicate the range and depth of the Grateful Dead's music but this is a great starter set for the new fan and has just enough gems to entice the hard core collector including comprehensive liner notes and some spectacular graphics.

Local news of note includes new developments from Winston Salem based Jive Turkee. Personnel changes are afoot including the addition of a new bassist and keyboardist. Chris Novak, formerly of Charcoal, will be tickling the ivory in the future and Pete Sangimino, formerly of Daddy Catfish, will be laying down the bass lines. JT has two dates in NC this month. I recommend checking out a show, especially the MMW fans.

Our heads up band this month is Southern Groove Society from Chapel Hill. They've been playing under this name since the fall of 1998 and are just starting to gel into a more improvisational outfit with some original material to complement the cover tunes. Expect funk, blues, reggae, and some improvised jazz. The band is comprised of Dave Daniels on drums, Martin Jarrard on bass, Dave Ivey and Steven Stewart on guitars, and Jessica Stewart on vocals. There is a link to them on the Lonely Goat website. Check out their website, download a few audio tracks, and check them out live if you get the chance. Let Lonely Goat know what you think.

Time for thanks...I'm excited about having another new artist on the cover this month, Duncan Stewart of Greensboro. Seth Broadstreet has provided another page in the Lonely Goat comic story and I'm excited about continuing this series. I'll be welcoming him back to the cover in January for his annual New Years feature. J.D. Edwards has provided two great articles this month and I just can't thank him enough for his contribution. Finally, Wildman Steve has returned with a CD review. Thanks to everyone for your continued support.

be seeing you...