Latch Music Blog

Mike Keneally is always on Latch Music Radio

“Wooden Smoke” is Mike Keneally’s tenth recording effort. Mike is an amazing diverse musician that came into global prominence as Frank Zappa’s “stunt guitarist”/keyboardist/vocalist in Frank’s last touring band. Besides having his own great band, Mike is well known as a guitarist and right-hand man for Steve Vai. For “Wooden Smoke”, Mike had been playing a lot of acoustic guitar sitting on the floor in his living room. This inspired him to create this delightful, mainly acoustic collection of soundscapes. The vocal arrangements are out of this world. “Wooden Smoke” is able to challenge the listener and be accessible at the same time. Check it out, you’ll be glad you did.

Musicians for “Wooden Smoke”

Mike Keneally - Guitar, Keys, Singing & Sounds
Marcelo Radulovich - Atmospheres & Sounds (Tracks 1, 3, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12 & 14), Melodica (Track 9)
Nathan Hubbard - Drums, Percussion & Sounds (Tracks 3, 4, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 & 14)
Rick Musallam - Guitar (Tracks 2 & 10)
Tricia Steel - Vibes (Tracks 1 & 11)
Matt Resnicoff - Vocals (Tracks 2, 4 & 10)
Lee Elderton - Saxes (Track 6)
Chris G - Drums (Tracks 4 & 10)
Bryan Beller - Bass (Track 14)

Tracks for “Wooden Smoke”

1. Hello
2. Bags
3. Haugseth
4. 2001
5. New England
6. Nanny-Ass Crow
7. Dee ‘n’ A
8. Boom
9. Legs
10. Father’s Day
11. Pantomime
12. Machupicchu
13. Wooden Smoke
14. Thanksgiving

Click here to learn more about ”Wooden Smoke”.

Congahead Movies
Congahead is Martin Cohen’s website. Martin Cohen started Latin Percussion, Inc. in 1964. Congahead is the place where Martin has included from his personal collection many pictures, interviews and video clips of famous percussionists. The Congahead movie page is very cool, with lots of short clips to check out. Some of the interesting clips are Carlos “Patato” Valdez and Candido Camero doing an in-store conga jam, Carlos “Patato” Valdez peforming a Tumbao, Zakir Hussain hanging out in the Latin Percussion store talking about tablas and checking out the Udu Drums, and Harvie Swartz performing Bass Guajira. Click here to go to congahead movies. Great fun to check out.

“Up For It” is a great example of how improvisation can lift one’s spirit. The Keith Jarrett Trio had played at this open air jazz festival next to the Mediterranean for many years, but this particular year the weather had been very nasty. With each member of the trio dealing with different health issues, it was a challenge to be inspired to play. However, rather than cancel their performance the Jarrett trio decided to go for it. Plastic tarp was put into place to help protect the musicians and instruments from the elements (which we all know never works out as planned - the piano still got waterlogged, and Gary Peacock was dodging leaks with his bass!) But, despite it all, from the the first notes you can tell that the hassles of dealing with the elements were set aside while they traveled into “The Zone” of spirited collective improvisation. I am convinced that only musicians who have had many years enjoying making music together can tap into what this trio and music is all about. “Up For It” may seem similar to other Jarrett trio recordings, but it is great example of how music is always the best!

Musicians for “Up For It”

Keith Jarrett - Piano
Gary Peacock - Bass
Jack DeJohnette - Drums

Tracks for “Up For It”

1. If I Were A Bell
2. Butch & Butch
3. My Funny Valentine
4. Scrapple From The Apple
5. Someday My Prince Will Come
6. Two Degrees East, Three Degrees West
7. Autumn Leaves
8. Up For It

Click here to learn more about “Up For It”