From The Desk Of Allen Dresser

Archive for the ‘Lights! Sounds! Music!’ Category

We have had the pleasure of seeing James Casto in several venues. We have truly enjoyed his music and blown away with his voice, playing and writing.

He is a drummer who learned to play piano so that he could get the songs in his head out for us all to enjoy. Click on the player on the right to hear some great music! You can even book James for a private concert in your home!

But don’t just take my word for it, check out the reviews here:

“With a rock style that is reminiscent of Billy Joel or Joe Jackson, Casto performed songs such as “Lost” (which reminded me of Marc Cohn’s “Walking in Memphis”), “Two Inches Deep” and “Courageous.”… after seeing (him) perform I am a fan…” — Devin Grant, Charleston Post and Courier

“His lyrical style reminds me of Bruce Springsteen, very Americana and very real. It took me a couple listens catch the stories behind the songs, but it wasn’t due to his lyrics, but the fact that his voice is so mesmerizing.” — E Jeff Einowski , CD Babel

“With his percussive groove-gospel piano style to his soulful, passionate voice, James’ collection of songs will reach anyone with a human heart. It is faith without alienation, love without bounds, and a gift you will treasure for years to come.” — Fran Snyder – Founder, ConcertsInYourHome.com

If you are in the Atlanta, make a point to get out and see James!

I had never heard “Two Little Fishes and Five Loaves of Bread” by Benny Goodman until today…at church!

The sermon was from John 6 about the feeding of the 5000, a well-known bible story to most everyone. The kicker was during the offering time when our GREAT music team pulled out this gospel tune from the 1940′s. It was a truly unique juxtaposition of two worlds that mean the world to me – my faith and music. I only wish my dad could be alive to hear such a swinging celebration of praise through a big-band arrangement of this gospel gem.

If you are curious, go to the church website and check it out. Look under the Resources Tab then media. Find the service for January 10 2009. The tune is at the 18 minute point in the service. I hope this blesses you as much as it blessed me.

Daytona Beach Weekend

I was lucky to be in Daytona Beach in the Sixties which was a hot bed of some great music. Rock and Roll, Soul, Psychedelic, and more.

Check out F.M Dobies and Jeff Lemlich’s podcast, Florida Rocks Again, Episode 42 is Daytona Beach Weekend and features a good cross section of the bands at the time. I was in “The 2/3rds” and “Third Condition”. If you have the curiosity of a cultural anthropologist, listen to the lyrics of “Clean Town” by the “Earthmen”. Check it out! Click here to ROCK AGAIN!

Here is the set list from this episode:

THE PREMIERS: Daytona
THE HUNGRI I’s: Half Your Life
THE HALLMARKS: Troubled Soul
THE 2/3rds: 2/3 Baby -
Link to GarageHangover site article for the die-hard Florida Garage Band Fans!
Gene McCormick vocal and keyboards, Allen Dresser guitar, Ralph Citrullo Bass, Phil Jones drums
THE NIGHTCRAWLERS: I Don’t Remember
THE ALLMAN JOYS: You’ll Learn Someday/You Deserve Each Other
THE EARTHMEN: A Nice, Clean Town
THE MIXED EMOTIONS: I Lied
THE SURFTONES: Black Bottom Inn
TOMMY KNIGHT: Say You Do
CHARLES VICKERS: Baby Sometimes the Road is Rough
THE BREWED: Lifeless Love
THE 2/3rds: All Cried Out
CONLON & THE CRAWLERS: I Won’t Tell
CHUCK CONLON: Poor Little Mixed-Up Kid
THE NIGHTCRAWLERS: Show Me the Way/All Day and All of the Night
FLOYD MILES & FRIENDS: Goin’ Back to Daytona
DENNIS WHEELER: Down in Daytona
SANDY & THE BEACHCOMBERS: Daytona Darlin’
HALF JAPANESE: Daytona Beach
SUZI QUATRO: Daytona Demon
THE THIRD CONDITION: Monday in May

OK, this is NOT bluegrass, but it is one heckuva drum solo!

Drummer Lee Allen, Asheville NC, with the “Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band”

This band is all about the “bounce” and as funky as they can be…

Earl Scruggs and Steve Martin and more on David Letterman