Don Van Vliet photographed in the Mojave desert in 1980 by photographer and filmmaker Anton Corbijn, who said this a few years ago about the shoot:
'I loved Don and he was a force to be reckoned with. I was proud to be called a friend of his. Many stories to tell but let’s just focus on one: without me having met him there would not have been a record title ’The Joshua Tree’. The photo here was taken in 1980 and i loved the shape so much that . . . thank you Don!'
From the streets of New Orleans to voices around the world — the spirit of #MardiGras lives in the music.
Playing For Change
Iko Iko
For Dr John
In Loving Memory
Well let's start the day with some Playing For Change clips!
" I get up at four thirty. My alarm is set for four thirty. Sometimes I sleep through it. But when I am good to myself, I get up at four thirty, get dressed, go down to a zendo (meditation hall) not far from here. And while the others, I suppose, are moving toward enlightenment, I am working on a song while I am sitting there. At a certain moment I can bring what I have learned at the zendo, the capacity to concentrate, I can bring it to bear on the lines that are eluding me.
Then I come back to the house after two hours. It is about six thirty now, quarter to seven. I brew an enormous pot of coffee and sit down in a very deliberate way, at the kitchen table or at the computer, and begin, first of all, to put down the lines that have come to me so that I don’t forget them. And then play the song over and over again, try to find some form.
Those are wonderful hours. Before the phone starts ringing, before your civilian life returns to you with all its bewildering complexities. It is a simple time in the morning. A wonderful, invigorating time".
from other sources mourning the passing of a legend of the counter-culture so called
"Country" Joe McDonald, a prominent hippie rock star from the 1960s, whose song "I-Feel-Like-I’m-Fixin’-To-Die Rag" served as a four-lettered condemnation of the Vietnam War, became an anthem for demonstrators and a significant feature of the Woodstock music festival, passed away on Sunday. He was 84.McDonald, who was a member of the band Country Joe and the Fish, died in Berkeley, California. His death, attributed to complications from Parkinson’s disease, was confirmed by his wife of 43 years, Kathy McDonald, in a statement released by his publicist.McDonald was a longstanding figure in the Bay Area music scene, where he shared the stage with notable peers such as the Grateful Dead, the Jefferson Airplane, and his former girlfriend, Janis Joplin. He composed or co-composed hundreds of songs, ranging from psychedelic jams to soul-influenced rock tracks, and produced numerous albums. However, he is most famously recognized for a talking blues he finished in under an hour in 1965 – the same year President Lyndon Johnson began deploying ground troops to Vietnam – which was recorded in the Berkeley home of Chris Strachwitz, the founder of Arhoolie Records.
HELP(2) is a brand new collaborative album, inspired by the landmark 1995 release 'HELP', which brings music lovers together in support of War Child's vital work delivering immediate aid, education, specialist mental health support, and protection to children affected by conflict around the world.
HELP(2) carries forward the spirit of the original ‘HELP’ album and was brought to life through a close collaboration with Abbey Road Studios, recorded predominantly across one extraordinary week in November 2025. Under the stewardship of acclaimed producer James Ford as Executive Producer, HELP(2) features an incredible line-up of contributors including Anna Calvi, Arctic Monkeys, Arlo Parks, Arooj Aftab, Bat For Lashes, Beabadoobee, Beck, Beth Gibbons, Big Thief, Black Country, New Road, Cameron Winter, Damon Albarn, Depeche Mode, Dove Ellis, Ellie Rowsell, English Teacher, Ezra Collective, Foals, Fontaines D.C., Graham Coxon, Greentea Peng, Grian Chatten, Kae Tempest, King Krule, Nilüfer Yanya, Olivia Rodrigo, Pulp, Sampha, The Last Dinner Party, Wet Leg and Young Fathers…amongst other musicians, engineers, mixers and producers.
In addition to the stellar cast of musicians involved, renowned filmmaker and Academy Award Winner Jonathan Glazer acted as Creative Director for ‘HELP(2)’, working with Academy Films to assemble a team of brilliant creatives and overseeing the filming and art direction for the project.
All proceeds from this album support War Child UK to protect, educate, and stand up for the rights of children living through conflict around the world.
HELP(2) represents hope for children whose lives have been torn apart by war. It is a testament to the generosity of artists and the music industry for making a positive difference towards securing a safer, brighter future for those children. Because no child should be part of war. Ever.credits
released March 6, 2026
2026, War Child Records
J.J. Cale - In Session At The Paradise Los Angeles
Featuring Leon Russell (1979 - 2003 remaster)
Almost like a fly on the wall, we are witness to the young J.J. Cale and Leon Russell, stretching out among friends in Russell’s Paradise Studios in Los Angeles, in June of 1979. In a 21 song set, they are having the time of their lives, and we are left to watch in wonder. Joining Cale and Russell are his wife, Christine Lakeland, along with Marty Green, Nick Rather, Jimmy Karstein, Bill Boatman and Ambrose Campbell.by Keith HannaleckThere isn't a bad track on this album. The playing is way more muscular than on his records. The band just lays right into it from the opening track Nowhere to Run and never lets up. You will not believe the bass pouring out of your speakers. The beat is big thumping tremendous and propels the whole album. The drums and guitars are crisp. The solos are tasty. The mood is very relaxed and the band is having a great time.The standout track for me is Going Down where they, ahem, take it up a notch. The energy on that track is just phenomenal, which is saying something since we've already heard the band in a rip-snorting version of JJ's signature song Cocaine. Studio owner, Leon Russell, lets it rip on piano and kinda snarls out of the side of his mouth. Then the saxes take over with a wailing chorus the whole backed up with fer-ro-cious rhythm guitar. It ain't all up-tempo though, JJ can sing a ballad with the best of ‘em viz Sensitive Kind.by Ray Chowkwanyun
Tracks
1. Nowhere To Run - 2:43
2. Cocaine - 2:58
3. Ten Easy Lessons - 4:20
4. Sensitive Kind - 3:33
5. Hands Off Her - 3:39
6. Louisiana - 2:38
7. Going Down (Don Nix) - 5:14
8. Roll On - 2:51
9. No Sweat - 3:13
10.Crazy Mama - 3:13
11.Fate Of A Fool - 2:55
12.Boilin' Pot - 3:36
13.After Midnight - 4:13
14.Same Old Blues - 2:55
15.Don't Cry Sister - 3:05
16.Call Me The Breeze - 3:22
17.Ever Lovin' Woman - 2:34
18.Katy Kool Lady - 2:39
19.Lies - 3:19
20.Don't Wait (Christine Lakeland Cale) - 3:31
All songs written by J.J. Cale except where stated
Personnel
*J.J. Cale - Guitar, Vocals
*Leon Russell - Piano, Organ, Vocals
*Christine Lakeland - Guitar, Harmonica, Backing Vocals
*Larry Bell - Piano
*Marty Grebb - Horn
*Nick Rather - Bass
*Jimmy Karstein - Percussion, Drums
*Bill Boatman - Guitar
*Ambrose Campbell - Percussion, Drums
*Pat ‘Taco’ Ryan - Brass *Shamsi Sarumi - Percussion
