三個活潑小矮人 + 兩個摸魚樂師 @ Jazz Bakery

22 AUG 2003, I aM PEI, Ron, Wannan, "a friend", 還有我, 到位於 Culver City 的 Jazz Bakery 聽 "Latin Jazz".

晚上九點多, 到了 Jazz Bakery, 我們一行五人在售票處掏出了學生證, 跟老闆交談了一兩句(看他不是很樂意給我們折扣), 買了學生票 ($25/2=$13), 我們當中只有"a friend" 真的是學生(Art Center); 在入口附近徘徊了一下, 我們等第二場.

今晚的組合, 屬於"傳統"的爵士樂團, 演奏的曲目有些可在爵士電台(KJazz)中常聽到, 聽眾的年齡層明顯偏高. 小喇叭手 Bobby Rodriguez, 薩克斯風手 Justo Almario, 貝斯手 Abe LeBoriel 三位是團中的靈魂人物, 鼓手 Alex Acuna, 鋼琴手 Linda Martinez 兩位則比較像是臨時加入陣容, 居陪襯地位.

以上是去東岸之前寫的, 現在對那場演奏已經記憶模糊了, 我想就這樣交代吧! :p

Recent Event "Wishlist" & "Report" (Constantly Updating)

Hey girls and boys, ladies and gentlemen,

To avoid too many last minute information (it still will happen though), I posted my own wishlist of recent events based on my reserch (even though I know that most of the performers are not known for you guys). The reason I do this is to see if anyone will be curious or interested to join me. All you need to do is just simply tracking the list through time.
As for the dates of events, I don't even know if I can make all of them. Anyway this is just a wishlist to remind myself and share w/ everyone.
Do check back often on the LIST, I might keep on revising and updating the posted material. Feel free to response or contact me if you would like to know more, join me, or share thoughts!
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(Revised 10/09)*** The following is the most recent status: ***

Report!!!

1. Thanks to Yang's credit card, and I will be collecting G3'03 money for him from everyone ($25 each) prior to the event coz this is a big bill for him.

2. Being to James Taylor 10/07 concert in person, I got a better idea the seating we had for G3'03 @ Greek Theater. Honestly, these "benches" are the very last 3 rows in the theater (but, if desire to next level price will be +$14 more). The fact is~ it's far. Prepare a binoculer if you got one. Pray that the show won't be sold out, so we can move forward in "C" section (+$14 more automaticaly upgrade :p)

G3 Tickets have been purchased. Since Yang and me went to theater box office
to buy ticket, the surcharge $8 *7 ticket = $56 total has been saved up!
10/18(SAT 19:00) G3 '03 @Greek theatre
Ticket price are $25, $39, $49 or $69 plus "convenience charge $8" if from Ticketmaster, respectively will be about $33, $47, $57 or $77.
Participants for now (7, "one of the BIGGEST" concert group ever): Cheng-I, Yang, Aaron,Wan-nan, Yao-Hsien, Byrd and me (Tickets have been purchased ready.)

ps: Please note that I had updated some ticket price including the f**king ticketmaster surcharge. Do check it out. Any for whoever is interested and curious about some of the artists, I got some cds or dvds for you to check out : (Richie Kotzen, Marty Friedman, Alex Skolnick, and Liz Phair, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Yngwie Malmsteen...)

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10/18(SAT 19:00) G3 '03 @Greek theatre
(please refer to my post before, information already listed)
$33, $47, $57 or $77(already included $8 surcharge through ticketmaster).

10/25(SAT 12:00) Drum Day @House of Blues, Anaheim
Annual "DW" drum workshop event lineup information is in the link
$38.85 ($25+$9.85 surcharge through ticketmaster).

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*** Thoughts about past participated performances: ***

8/22 (FRI 21:30) Latin Jazz Bobby Rodriguez, Alex Acuna @Jazz Bakery
$13. at the box office w/ a student ID.
Originally from east LA, Bobby Rodriguez, Grammy Nominee (said on the website), gave us a very casual but full of dynamic emotional expression at the night. featuring Alex Acuna(drums), Abe Laboriel(bass), Justo Almario(sax), Linda Martinez(piano)(or link, or link)
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8/29 (FRI 14:00) Marvin "Smitty" Smith drum clinic @Professional Drum Shop Hollywood
$ free.
Since I could not make it, I asked "Yang" (this lucky guy) to go get the autograph for me. He has that friday off. As I said, this kind of event is the "Bestbuy" (actually you almost pay nothing but move your ass to get there) coz it focuses on the musician; intimate setting (again not big concert); demonstration and Q&A disccussion (you can ask question like after a lecture); you can get autograph and even have a picture w/ the musician. Somemore you can enter a free raffle since it is sponsered. How lucky this guy again, "Yang", got the First Prize the day: a "piccolo snare drum"! Anyway to get more detail about the event please refer to "Yang". Too damn lucky this guy......
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9/3 (WED 19:00) Sheila E. @West LA Music
$ free.
West LA Music borrowed the little park across the street behind the library, which is a nice setting. Sheila showed more than around hundred people gathered. Introduced by he father (also a percussionist), she enknowledged that how she was never been taught formally but influenced by him. She demonstrated bongos, digital percussion and drum set; and asked some audiences came up to jam together. In the end she used bongo to had a duet w/ her father and ended w/ timbale a song from her very first single album.



She didn't focus on any technique but seems to be very enthusiastic about children learning, the creative concept of music.
Later on followed the raffle. I didn't anything as usual but at least I got autographs again. :)
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*CANCELLED*9/5 (FRI 22:00) Richie Kotzen @Club Lingerie
Too bad missed the chance to see this young super "Genius" solo guitarist.
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9/9 (TUE 13:00-15:00) Marty Friedman @West LA Music
Ex. "Megadeth" guitarist gave out a clinic (again a no cost show w/ giving out, and I wasn't able to make it, Yao-Hsien went to help me get autogragh :p . There will be pictures posted after getting from him)
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9/10 (WED 19:30) Friedman/Poland/Skolnick Guitarevolution @Troubadour
Marty Friedman/Chris Poland (both ex. "Megadeth" guitarists)
Alex Skolnick (ex. "Testament" guitarist)
$17.50 @ box office the day of the show.
I went to the show myself due to not familier w/ the club and not sure can get ticket. It's a small loft performing place. Camera is allowed.
Alex's trio started out first. If first time seeing hima and judging from the "re-Jazz-arranged" rock tone, you might not recognize that he was the former "Testament" Guitarist at all. Truly a big transformation after finishing music BFA in school again (after leaving the band).

Chris's "OHM" went second. Also a trio but a soly different compositon. A very rich music by only three players in a band, which I think is the most technically balanced among three musicians. Chris was one of the very original guitarist of Megadeth. Robby Pagliari played a six-string fretless bass totally show the distinguish ability. Kofi Baker; I just figured out the drummer, whose father is "Ginger Baker" (1966 Ginger Baker (drums), Eric Clapton (guitar, vocals) and Jack Bruce (bass & vocals)); had a long solo at the second last song.

Marty went last. One of the most well known ex-guitarist of Megadeth. In a way shared the similarity of Steve Vai's show (in my opinion, it also got duet guitarists in a band, and he is the lead and main focus); however is a little bit old trick feeling. Overall Marty did show the charm of his playing. Comparily his band is too much normal that can be expect (except the guitarist did a lot of good unit and duet playing paired w/ Marty, which is not so easy task).

End of the show, I purchased cds and, figured Chris and Robby was outside of bar chatting w/ some fans. Of course I didn't let go the great chance to get their autographs. More people gathering becoz the only marker I have at the spot. Chris asked me hang on till he finished the signing session (coz the marker I have). I didn't let go the second chance I asked him if Alex is coming out; and he promised will grab him for me if he didn't show :p .Thus I got two of the three on the "Guitarevolution" poster and the cds. Last one is Marty. He stayed in PA room untill a while later. I followed some Japanese fans and got it w/ ease. Bravo!
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9/17 (WED 20:00) Liz Phair @Avalon Hollywood (foremally "the Palace")
Indie Lo-Fi Riot Girrrl.
$35.6 ($25+ surcharge through ticketmaster).
Ok. I just figured that Avalon Hollywood is right infront of Capital Records. Both buildings are standing right infront of each other across Vine Street.
I get to listen to Liz's music from my brother. Actually I don't know that much about her. What I know is that her songs are very "daring" ("Parental Advice" on lyrics kind of stuff). Other than that, I think she apparently goes towards a sexy figure maybe Bcoz Capital (from the new cd cover, website, promo photos, etc.)
Never being in her concert, I can still smell the "very commercial setting" (5 more musicians on stage, 1 Gtr, 1 Bs, 1 Dr, 1 Kb, 1 Kb/Gtr/Percussion.) My God this is more than usual, plus she actually play Gtr herself also! In a sexy short skirt dress, she sang and played not as good as I thought (at least I was expecting someone who got famous by a 4-track garage recorded album). Somemore, the guitarist and her keep changing guitar every single tune! What really disappointing is that, the general performance of those newer commercially crafted songs are far worse than the simpler, earlier tunes(which she had played only a few in the show). She is not a craft singer coz she is a song writer/singer so I try not to pick on that. Still it's a pity that taking so many man power and studio effort for a concert but in vain; and Liz sort of became a flurty sexy "alternative pop singer".

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NEWs!
9/24 (WED) Lisa Germano's show @ Largo had been rescheduled.

10/4 (SAT 22:00) Lisa Germano (another link) @ Largo.
$ 10. (cover) plus drink charge.
Participants: Aaron, Wannan, and me.

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10/6 (MON tba) Steve Vai and his Band offer a rare non-arena appearance @ MI’s (Musician's Institute) main concert hall. It was a final-dress-up-rehersal!!
Again a pity, missed the event due to problem of getting passes.
$ (should be Free? but need a "Pass").

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10/7 (TUE 19:30) James Taylor @Greek theatre
I went to see matser of the master drummer Steve Gadd
$53. (purchased through ticketmaster, $8 surcharge included)

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MY SASSY GIRL 我的野蠻女友

資訊落後, 昨天才看到我的野蠻女友, 果然不負盛名地讓我嚐了幾顆催淚瓦斯和幾口笑氣, 噢...我是不是太濫情或者品味太"大眾"了? ... :P

這部片子第一次看就讓我看了好幾遍, 我想我不是太無聊就是太缺乏愛情的滋潤了. 記得上一部一次能讓我看好幾遍的電影是 Monster Inc. (可能那個時候也太無聊 ;p )
其實沒有想要, 也寫不出一篇文章來報導或討論這部電影. 只想擷取一些畫面, 做個簡單的紀錄, 順便可以讓大家回憶一下內容, 觸發一點感想.
(這些影像版權屬於 EDKO FILMS LTD. / EDKO VIDEO LTD.)
[ I am not intended to or capable of writing an article discussing the movie My Sassy Girl. Just want to post the images here to refresh your memory of this movie or even evoke memories of something else. Do you have any? *__^
All rights of the images belong to EDKO FILMS LTD. / EDKO VIDEO LTD. ]

		是不是有一種說法: 女人在愛情上比男人勇敢, 而且喜歡不斷地給男人考驗?

G3' 03

Artist: G3' 03 (Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Yngwie Malmsteen)
Time: Oct 18 2003 (Ticket on sale 8/24 Ticketmaster)
Location: Greek Theatre

(the copyright of image belongs to Joe Satriani's webpage)

Hey everyone,

Just informed by my coleague Joo-young that "G3' 03" is coming this October.

As some of you know, "G3" means a concert by three guitarist, founded by my favorite guitarist Joe Satriani. Of course, there will be always Steve Vai (also one of my favorite guitarist.) The third one has been rotated as a guest position, used to be:

Eric Johnson, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Adrian Legg (King Crimson), Rober Fripp (King Crimson), Michael Schenker (MSB, Sccorpions), Uli Jon Roth, John Petrucci (Dream theater), and now Yngwie Malmsteen (BTW, if you read carefully enough in the history of G3 2001, you will find both Virgil Donati- 上次的千手觀音無影腳! and Tony Macalpine, those who we just saw @ Baked potato, were in Vai's lineup.)

Moreover, what a coincidence that we just mentioned about guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen @ Baked Potato. Anyway this is very interesting to me if you know Yngwie Malmsteen before, coz he is the kind of an ego person that proud of his guitar speed as if he is best of the best. Also for me it is very curious if can see "Joe's hippy technical + Vai's personal progressive + Malmsteen's classical influence" all together at once. And, how this three person will play together in the 4th quarter of the sets... 再次徵求勇敢的台灣人們於8/24前報名.

Good Evening

Mr. I
My suggestion is that you write everything in English. It is the universal Language of the world. And, also I read chinese slower than a snail crossing the road.

english reading comrade

長途電話公司的劣行

"喂, X 先生嗎? 您好, 我是 XXX 長途電話公司, 是這樣的, 我們公司最近有新的優惠方案, 打中國大陸, 每分鐘 X 分錢, 而且我們是沒有月費的, 另外我們是用海底光纖電纜, 通話品質保證是一等一,...請問 X 先生您現在用的是哪家電話公司?" "呃, 我打台灣耶..." "喔, 您打台灣是吧, 是這樣的, 我們公司打台灣跟中國大陸一樣也是 X 分錢一分鐘, 沒有月費, X 先生您要不要考慮加入我們公司?...." "呃...我現在用的這家其實還不錯...." "您不要考慮了, 我們公司保證是最低價格, 用的是專用海底光纖電纜, 而且沒有月費, 你現在用得是哪家公司呢? 應該不會比我們便宜吧? ...." "喔...我再想想看....." "X 先生, 您就試試看一個月嘛, 好不好, 我們公司保證是最低價格, 最高品質, 而且沒有月費..." "......." "......" "......." "X 先生謝謝您, 請您稍後, 待會我請另一位先生幫你公證....." -_- 唉.....

說起被長途電話公司騷擾的經驗, 大家一定都有, 不過今天我要揭發的不是這種令人不勝其擾的電話推銷, 而是與推銷承諾不一且巧立名目收費的劣行.
請看下面兩張帳單的局部照片:

首先令人震驚的是 Total Service Taxes and Surcharges (8.95) 比 Call Charges (5.11) 高出不少, 稅金和服務費用比電話費還高?? 有無搞錯???
再來就是服務費+稅金高達 12 項 !!!??? 仔細看內容, Carrier Access Charge, Subscriber Line Charge, Carrier Universal Service Charge, Telcome Surcharge, High Cost Surcharge,....這些叫做"沒有月費"?? 我打電話去求證過了, 那些都是 monthly charge...., 我向服務員反應說, 當初 sales 跟我說沒月費, 她說"我們沒有月費, 不過有些 surcharge 是必須的..." 天哪! 我真懷疑消費者是不是待宰羔羊...

再看到 911 Tax ??? 這是瞎咪東東??? 長途電話我還是第一次被課這種稅, 加州出事需要打電話到紐約州去求救?? 還是請國外救援??? 這是哪門子邏輯???

另外還有一件事也值得提出, 如果不是我"心情不爽", 打電話去"無理取鬧", 問說"為什麼surcharge 和 taxes 比電話費本身還貴??" 那位小姐也不會發現前兩項 charges 是二個月的 charge 而不是一個月的, 當場幫我扣除2.99... (what??? 有無搞錯???) okay...電腦搞錯是吧, 那我可不可以只付賬單數字扣除 2.99, "我不建議您這樣做, 這樣您下個月可能會被 charge late fee...." (what??? 有無搞錯???)

於是我得到了結論, 電腦的錯不是錯, 電腦如果有錯, 人要去配合, 千萬不可自以為是老大, 當心被 K...... 我明白了....我們根本就是活在 Matrix 的世界, 不要去質疑為什麼, 也不要想要改變理所當然的世界, 大家只有削足適履的份啦!!!

哼!! 休想我繳齊這個月的數目!!! >:

Found Another Event Sat Night

Hi dude,

Found another event is happening in next 24 hours...
Artist: Lisa Germano(莉莎.潔曼諾)
Location: Largo
Time: 08/09/03 8:30pm
Cover: around $15 (plus minumum?)

補充摘自CD中文側標, 沒時間, 加上有點懶了.

“聆聽他真的無法輕鬆愉快, 但如此直接的傷痛, 嚇人的坦白就是有股懾渾魔力讓人無法自拔”.

因為同樣待過 4AD 這個另類Label, 名字會被和 Kristin Hersh 放在一起. 如果硬要說是黑暗意境的頹廢滄涼, 可以聯想男性的 Nick Cave, Tom Waits.

令人好奇的是 "Largo" 這個地方… It says on the LA Weekly and website if you can find it:
“A sit-down club with a strict no-chattering policy.”

加上從 Website Link 發現的 eels, Neil Finn, Aimee Mann, Michael Penn 等等一些名字來看,有相當的小眾個性和嚴肅詩意.

我知道有人已經正在吃泡麵中,不過如果有”夠勇”的台灣人,還是可以來電跟我報名的!

版主抓狂及網誌重新開張公告

大家好,
一二天前, 為了整理電腦及將網誌主機獨立出來, 遂重組兩台電腦, 且重灌軟體...
因錯估重建網誌的難度及細節, 以致"手動更新"所有文章跟回應到抽筋... ><
目前看起來...又正常了, 唯有之前的回應文章時間不對, 但我已將原發表時間附註於回應後, 希望能忠於原味. *昏倒中*
以後網誌應該會比較正常... (希望) :P

Due to maintainance and reconstruction of the computers, my weblog had been shut down for a little bit more than one day. It seems okay now, so we can "happily" continue "chatting" again! :)

C.A.B. 演奏會: 烤馬鈴薯+樂器技藝精湛的Fusion夜晚

Ron, "亦宛然", 肥羊和我這次到 Baked Potato － 一個網頁上自稱位於 (West) North Hollywood, Yahoo map 顯示地址為 Studio City, 實際上很靠近 Universal City 的小型酒吧型的演奏場所. 時間 2 AUG 2003. 樂團: C.A.B.

晚上八點多, 我們一行四人抵達目的地, 幸運地在門口附近找到路邊停車位. 因為打算吃這兒的的烤馬鈴薯當晚餐, 我們來得算是不晚. 選了舞台右方第一排的座位, 剛坐下就被 A 了$20.00 門票, 接著來招呼我們的 waitress 成為今晚最大的壓力來源..., 如果不乖乖的定時掏錢買酒, 少不了頻繁的"問候"...

可能點烤馬鈴薯的客人不少, 烹調不及, 我們的馬鈴薯送到一會兒, 樂團已經開始演奏第一個 set. 由左至右舞台上站/坐了 keyboard 手 Steve Weingart, bass 手 Bunny Brunel, 鼓手 Virgil Donati, 吉他手 Tony MacAlpine. 前兩首曲子, 感覺上接近傳統爵士的音色, 釋放出輕鬆隨興的氣氛, 只有在吉他手一小段即興中, 隱約察覺他們其實還流有 fusion, prog-rock/metal 的血液. 從第三首歌開始, 樂風轉向 fusion, 各人玩弄技巧的即興片段也增加, 當中 Tony MacAlpine 和 Virgil Donati 受到較多青睞, 當然千手觀音－ Virgil Donati, 我們此行主要朝聖對象, 是最受矚目的.

Bunny Brunel 以三跟手指彈 bass, 他的 solo 給我的感覺跟其他團員比較起來傾向"感性"的路線(這個感覺很個人, 或許可能有部分是 bass 的音色造成的?), Ron 將之評為技法上較為傳統, 不易搭配當晚吉他與鼓的風格; Tony MacAlpine 的即興演奏, 對樂器外行的我, 最能吸引注意的就是他靈活的指法. 想像跟著吉他的旋律一起飄升, 感覺隨著樂手臉上沉醉的表情一起著迷, 我分不清楚這是不是一種"神入"樂器技巧的欣賞/享受心理狀態, 加上聽覺感受的綜合效果?

Virgil Donati 的 solo

第一個 set 的最後一曲後部, 輪到鼓手的即興片段, 其他團員離開舞台, 留下 Virgil Donati 成為舞台焦點, 鼓技的狂飆也自此開始. Virgil 的演奏帶給聽眾的是視覺和聽覺的雙重享受, 他的雙手不負盛名地快速逡巡於各 piece 間, 高速的動作形成"千手觀音"的幻覺 :D , 鼓棒在手指間的旋轉變化也吸引的不少讚嘆 (讓我想到我轉筆的技巧只能算小巫了...); 除了手,令 Virgil 成名的, 還有他的佛山無影腳!! Virgil 右腳一個踏板, 負責大鼓, 左腳控制二個踏板, 分別對應大鼓(右)和踏鈸(左)(未查證), 速度快得像...呃..."在騎腳踏車一般"... :P, Ron 上一篇 post 上的網站連結中, 可以找到對於Virgil高超技法的描述: 精通多旋律, odd-time playing and intricate phrasing(懶得去查:p), 炫目般快速, 有力, 及精準的鼓點, 切分音的重複節奏?...等. 有興趣請參考這裡. Virgil Donati 在即興的高潮還站了起來, 不過最瘋狂的要算是他把鼓棒給甩了出來...:p, 請看本文 Virgil 的solo照, 他右手拿的鼓棒現在遭 Ron 竊據中 (太爽了!!)... ;)

中場休息, 到處要簽名的 Ron 是收穫最豐富的. 其他人則還在跟 waitress 纏鬥中..., 我決定點最後一瓶 Heineken 當花瓶...Ron: Ginger Ale...肥羊: Ginger Ale?... 亦宛然: Vodka Lime...

第二場的表演, 並沒有超出第一場的表現, 或許是累了. Waitress 學會了不再來打擾我們, 學習曲線似乎有點緩... (其實是演奏快結束了)

十二點多大家帶著滿足的心情, Ron 帶著一拖拉庫簽名離開...... :)

New Event...Last-Minute Post

Hi every one there,

As some of you all know already (from my personal promotion). Tonight there's a Porgressive fusion Jazz Rock performance @ Baked Potato the group is "C.A.B." featuring Virgil Donati, Tony Mac Alpine, Bunny Brunel, and Steve Wiengart .

Since it's last-minute post, I am going to make the long story short here.
C.A.B.is a combination of a few talented and well technique fusion player. their bios are here.
The noticiable one is Virgil Donati. (就是我說的千手觀音啦!) He is my new icon w/ not only "hand-full" but "foot-pedaling" technique on drums.

Another thing, if you had check the website of Baked Potato already u will notice their menu has only one thing-Baked Potatos some of us are planning to go get it tonight.

So tonight, for those who desired to go for the event, everyone can meet at my place Westwood@ 7:30(for the dinner potatoes if you are following), or just call me up first on my cell phone. The cover might be 15 dollars I expect, plus two minumum drinks charge (so depends on what you get), and a plus if you order an axtra, the potato (which I am going to do tonight).

The show starts @9:30, can call me if you have any questions.