Thursday, April 17, 2014

First/Last-'The Essentials' The E Street Band


"The E Street Band has been musician Bruce Springsteen's primary backing band since 1972. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014. When not working with Springsteen, members of the band have recorded solo material and have pursued successful careers as session musicians, record producers, songwriters, actors, and other roles in entertainment."
I am thrilled that two new members of the E Street Band are participating in my First/Last in anticipation of the big show this upcoming Tuesday in Pittsburgh at Consol Energy Center. Tickets are still available so get them while you can.

Everett Bradley plays percussion and sings backup and has his own solo career as well. He has a cool project called "Holidelic" that puts a "flashy, bass-heavy retro-futuristic take on the holidays".

Barry Danielian plays trumpet in the 'beefed-up' horn section and is also an accomplished studio player that performs regularly on Broadway in NYC clubs.


Image courtesy of BruceSpringsteen.net


The first album you ever bought?
Everett Bradley: Sly and Family Stone “Greatest Hits”.
Barry Damielian: Herbie Hancock "Thrust".

Your last album bought?
Everett: Pharrell Williams “Girl”.
Barry: Gregory Porter "Liquid Spirit".

Favorite album of all time?
Everett: “Songs in The Key Of Life” Stevie Wonder.
Barry: Too many to pick just one!  Probably John Coltrane " A Love Supreme" or Miles Davis "Kind of Blue".

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
Everett: ??? I can always find something I like or learn from a record.
Barry: Don't really have one. I can learn something from anyone, even people I don't dig! I'm not a fan of Heavy Metal.

First concert attended?
Everett: Shalamar Indianapolis.
Barry: Boston Symphony Orchestra, 1972.

Last concert?
Everett: Madonna Milan.
Barry: Ted Nash Big Band world premiere of "Chakra Suite" at Jazz at Lincoln Center.

Favorite concert ever?
Everett: Prince ‘Love/Sexy’.
Barry: Earth, Wind & Fire, 1981.

Least favorite concert?
Everett: Janet Jackson ‘Velvet Rope’.
Barry: Can't remember... I left, and deleted those files from the memory banks.


Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
Everett: I have fond memories of Pittsburgh, one of my dearest friends lives there, and I played the Ken Page role in ‘Ain’t Misbehavin’ at The Pittsburgh Public Theatre in 2004-5.
Barry: I've played here with BS&T, The Jukes, Tower of Power, Queen Latifah, Eddie Palmieri and did a clinic/concert at Carnegie-Mellon. A great music town with lots of history.


Thanks, Everett & Barry. It means a whole lot that you took the time.

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