Opening up a bottle of merlot and enjoying some homemade garlic bread. It's great to be home.
Stepping out of the office, taking a little time off from the blog. Please check back in a few weeks for more new exciting and life changing posts. In the mean time, it might not be a bad time to give the archives a once over.
SD
P.S. (Below) Here is a post from one of last years archives - November '07
After I got home from South America, I've been sick. I was thinking about the time I saw something about animals in hospitals and how an animal can comfort you and help you heal. So I thought, since I'm not feeling good, I'll call Cosmo Kitty over to cuddle and comfort me so I can heal. I called her and she came trotting over. As I picked her up I said "Cosmo, my favorite kitty cat!" trying to gain some points. Apparently she sensed that I was sick and completely attacked me. Hissing, clawing and ran off. I thought right then and there, Cosmo might not be a good animal for healing people in hospitals.
Jul 28, 2008
Echo Location: Ottmar Liebert’s The Scent of Light-Echoes August CD of the Month
Nouveau Flamenco creator goes wide-screen on The Scent of Light
Ottmar Liebert is calling The Scent of Light his best album ever. I’ll need more time for that kind of assessment, but it’s certainly one of his best. It’s our Echoes CD of the Month for August...
Very nice!
Ottmar Liebert is calling The Scent of Light his best album ever. I’ll need more time for that kind of assessment, but it’s certainly one of his best. It’s our Echoes CD of the Month for August...
Very nice!
July 26th - Travel day home
After a canceled flight and being delayed a few hours, I finally got on my way home. It was great to play for all the different audiences throughout the summer tour. See you all next time!
SD
July 15th - Last night of the tour - Austin, TX
Two shows tonight in Austin, TX at the One World Theater. Can't believe how fast the last 5 weeks have gone. I enjoyed both shows tonight and it felt good to end the last show on a good note. Everyone is taking the bus back to Santa Fe except for me. I am flying home from Austin in the morning.
Jul 25, 2008
July 24th - Houston
Woke up early, dark and raining out. The Bus was parked by a shopping center so there was something for us to do in the morning. Got my rain coat out (no, it's not one of those yellow ones). It was really warm out so I wore shorts and flip flops along with my rain coat. Not a problem walking through puddles on the way to the mall.
Touring can be a trip. You go to places that you wouldn't normally ever go to. We are here one day and gone the next. Today I was walking around a mall that I'll probably never set foot in again. The bus feels like a time machine of some sorts, I guess It's a travel machine really. You never know what you're going to see when you wake up. It could be a brick wall or the Bay Bridge. You loose track of time, days, even weeks. Days don't really matter. Tues? Sat? Who cares! The bus is taking me to where I need to go and if it stops somewhere along the way, you get off and explore a bit and get back on when it's leaving.
After the band gear was loaded in, the rain started to down poor, It didn't stop for quite a while, amazing amount of rain left over from the hurricane that was in the area.
Tonight we played at a yoga center. A different experience then the House of Blues last night which I enjoyed very much(great crowd by the way). A very intimate setting tonight. People sat on blankets and pillows on the floor while we played.
Tomorrow will be the last show of the tour.
THURSDAY IN HOUSTON - From Ottmar's diary.
Touring can be a trip. You go to places that you wouldn't normally ever go to. We are here one day and gone the next. Today I was walking around a mall that I'll probably never set foot in again. The bus feels like a time machine of some sorts, I guess It's a travel machine really. You never know what you're going to see when you wake up. It could be a brick wall or the Bay Bridge. You loose track of time, days, even weeks. Days don't really matter. Tues? Sat? Who cares! The bus is taking me to where I need to go and if it stops somewhere along the way, you get off and explore a bit and get back on when it's leaving.
After the band gear was loaded in, the rain started to down poor, It didn't stop for quite a while, amazing amount of rain left over from the hurricane that was in the area.
Tonight we played at a yoga center. A different experience then the House of Blues last night which I enjoyed very much(great crowd by the way). A very intimate setting tonight. People sat on blankets and pillows on the floor while we played.
Tomorrow will be the last show of the tour.
THURSDAY IN HOUSTON - From Ottmar's diary.
Jul 23, 2008
Jul 22, 2008
Jul 21, 2008
Aspen, Colorado
Walked around a bit this morning, my first time to Aspen. Had lunch with Ottmar and Jon then came back to the bus to upload some photos to my flickr site. Playing at Belly Up this evening.
Jul 20, 2008
Jul 17, 2008
Jul 14, 2008
After Show - July 13th
Bus is ready to depart. It was great to play at the Mystic Theatre again. The audience was wonderful, thanks to everyone who came down to see us tonight!
Jul 12, 2008
Today - Day off
Day off in Petaluma
Early morning thoughts:
2:15AM: For some reason I can't seem to get to sleep, I've been laying here listening to music on my iPod. I've noticed I don't listen to music nearly as loud as I used to. Also, for the last few years or more I've been listening to music with the EQ flat. After being used to the way the albums sound with out it, adding the stock EQ sounds terrible to me.
Listening to Tomatito's Aguadulce album (love his grooves) and Vicente Amigo's Vivencias Imaginadas album. My favorite of his, to me that album has such a great vibe and the guitar tone is beautiful. I remember purchasing Vivencias back in late 95' or early 96', it wasn't easy to find either. Those were good times back then, I was studying with Paco Arroyo in Glendale and listening to a lot of new music. About a year later I picked up the Vazquez Rubio Blanca which I still use now. Don't think I'll ever find a more comfortable neck on a guitar then this one. Then again, after 11 years of playing it, I'm just so used to it that it's almost part of me when I play.
Going to try and get some sleep now -
SD
Early morning thoughts:
2:15AM: For some reason I can't seem to get to sleep, I've been laying here listening to music on my iPod. I've noticed I don't listen to music nearly as loud as I used to. Also, for the last few years or more I've been listening to music with the EQ flat. After being used to the way the albums sound with out it, adding the stock EQ sounds terrible to me.
Listening to Tomatito's Aguadulce album (love his grooves) and Vicente Amigo's Vivencias Imaginadas album. My favorite of his, to me that album has such a great vibe and the guitar tone is beautiful. I remember purchasing Vivencias back in late 95' or early 96', it wasn't easy to find either. Those were good times back then, I was studying with Paco Arroyo in Glendale and listening to a lot of new music. About a year later I picked up the Vazquez Rubio Blanca which I still use now. Don't think I'll ever find a more comfortable neck on a guitar then this one. Then again, after 11 years of playing it, I'm just so used to it that it's almost part of me when I play.
Going to try and get some sleep now -
SD
Newport Beach - Friday, July 11th
(above photo - sound check)
Hot and humid today in Newport. The guitar strings aren't very happy when that happens. Sound check at 3pm - show at 8pm. In the second set of the show I grabbed my electric guitar and the neck was very moist from the weather. It felt like a slip 'n slide when trying to play. I remember that from playing here last year. Other then that, a good time was had by all. I enjoyed the show and was able to sign a Thira CD for a fan, I always enjoy doing that. Thanks to everyone who came out to see the show tonight.
Tonight: heading back up north to Petaluma.
Jul 11, 2008
pictures from last night in Lodi, California.
click on the above photo to view more.
Thanks Yumiko, and thanks again for making sushi for us to have after the show!!
Jul 10, 2008
Today - Lodi Performing Arts Theatre
Took this picture before sound check. Looking forward to tonights performance.
pets
Warning to those of you who play guitar and are thinking about having pets. This may happen to you!
Day Off - July 8th - 9th
July 8th
It's great to have a few days off and since we were in San Francisco, I decided to stay at home for the time we were there. Cosmo was very happy to see me when I got in. She was in serious purr mode, sat on my lap and wanted to be petted for about an hour. Our friend that is cat sitting for us said she growled, hissed and tried to attack her the entire time. Always nice to hear that she was well behaved. Anyone out there want to cat sit for Cosmo? Sounds like a good time eeh?
Since we had a few days off, I thought it would be a good time to restring the guitar. You don't need the details, if you've been checking in from time to time, you know the usual story where my cat sneaks up on me and takes the strings, nothing new there. Hiding behind the plant wont fool me either. The cat is easily noticed and her advantage of sneaking up on me has been compromised! Although, that's a new one.
In the evening I had beer and bratwurst for dinner. As I was eating, it reminded me of the time I was in Dusseldorf, Germany last year. I ate at a great restaurant (wish I could remember the name) and had delicious sausages and beer. Haven't thought of that in a long time actually.
July 9th - Took the Bart into San Francisco around 8pm. Had nice dinner and drinks at Colibri and met up with the bus at midnight.
It's great to have a few days off and since we were in San Francisco, I decided to stay at home for the time we were there. Cosmo was very happy to see me when I got in. She was in serious purr mode, sat on my lap and wanted to be petted for about an hour. Our friend that is cat sitting for us said she growled, hissed and tried to attack her the entire time. Always nice to hear that she was well behaved. Anyone out there want to cat sit for Cosmo? Sounds like a good time eeh?
Since we had a few days off, I thought it would be a good time to restring the guitar. You don't need the details, if you've been checking in from time to time, you know the usual story where my cat sneaks up on me and takes the strings, nothing new there. Hiding behind the plant wont fool me either. The cat is easily noticed and her advantage of sneaking up on me has been compromised! Although, that's a new one.
In the evening I had beer and bratwurst for dinner. As I was eating, it reminded me of the time I was in Dusseldorf, Germany last year. I ate at a great restaurant (wish I could remember the name) and had delicious sausages and beer. Haven't thought of that in a long time actually.
July 9th - Took the Bart into San Francisco around 8pm. Had nice dinner and drinks at Colibri and met up with the bus at midnight.
Jul 8, 2008
Jul 4, 2008
Tonight in San Diego
This afternoon: Slept in a bit this morning, got up and went out to get some lunch. I enjoyed walking around the city and went over to the maritime museum for a bit. I like San Diego, great city.
This evening: I enjoyed the show tonight. After, I walked back to the hotel with Jon and Ottmar. On the way we caught a nice fireworks display, good timing.
So I get back to my room and realize, I'm really hungry for some reason, well at least that's the message I was getting from my stomach. I didn't really want to go back out since I'd been out all day so I decided to stay in and order a pizza. I order this pizza and after a while I'm starting to wonder when it's going to get here. I'm waiting, I'm waiting, I'm waiting and then I wait some more. I start to surf the net for a while, check email etc...oh yeah, I ordered a pizza, is this thing coming tonight? So I call the pizza place. They said "sure! the pizza is on it's way". Hm, what does that mean? the pizza is driving it self over here? Is it lost? Anyway, so I'm waiting again and after a bit I start pacing my hotel room wondering if I should call and cancel the order. Finally I get a knock on the door. At this point, I'm not even hungry anymore. The guy drops the pizza box in my hands and runs off as if he is in a big hurry, probably lots of orders because it's a holiday, well, so I hope. Is it safe to open the pizza box? So I open the pizza box and grab a slice and right off the bat the crust isn't even crispy, it's spongy. I lift the slice up and all of the toppings slide right off into the box. I try another slice and the same thing happens. I look up to the pizza Gods and I whimper a small and quiet "why?" I was able to take a bite WITH the toppings and yes, it was the worst pizza in the history of man kind. Flavorless. Not really surprised, but I guess I had some kind of hope since I finally got my food. So after a few bites, I calmly put the pizza box down and called it a night....
This evening: I enjoyed the show tonight. After, I walked back to the hotel with Jon and Ottmar. On the way we caught a nice fireworks display, good timing.
So I get back to my room and realize, I'm really hungry for some reason, well at least that's the message I was getting from my stomach. I didn't really want to go back out since I'd been out all day so I decided to stay in and order a pizza. I order this pizza and after a while I'm starting to wonder when it's going to get here. I'm waiting, I'm waiting, I'm waiting and then I wait some more. I start to surf the net for a while, check email etc...oh yeah, I ordered a pizza, is this thing coming tonight? So I call the pizza place. They said "sure! the pizza is on it's way". Hm, what does that mean? the pizza is driving it self over here? Is it lost? Anyway, so I'm waiting again and after a bit I start pacing my hotel room wondering if I should call and cancel the order. Finally I get a knock on the door. At this point, I'm not even hungry anymore. The guy drops the pizza box in my hands and runs off as if he is in a big hurry, probably lots of orders because it's a holiday, well, so I hope. Is it safe to open the pizza box? So I open the pizza box and grab a slice and right off the bat the crust isn't even crispy, it's spongy. I lift the slice up and all of the toppings slide right off into the box. I try another slice and the same thing happens. I look up to the pizza Gods and I whimper a small and quiet "why?" I was able to take a bite WITH the toppings and yes, it was the worst pizza in the history of man kind. Flavorless. Not really surprised, but I guess I had some kind of hope since I finally got my food. So after a few bites, I calmly put the pizza box down and called it a night....
Jul 3, 2008
Jul 2, 2008
Santa Barbara
Beautiful morning today in Santa Barbara. The show last night was a lot of fun at the Soho Music Club.
Great place to have the day off, we leave for San Diego tonight.
June 30th - Monday in Santa Cruz
Performed 4 songs on the radio with Ottmar at noon then coffee with Jon at the Pergolesi Cafe before sound check.
Performed at the Kuumbwa Jazz Center tonight. Two 75 min. sets. Both shows were sold out and the audience was great.
Performed at the Kuumbwa Jazz Center tonight. Two 75 min. sets. Both shows were sold out and the audience was great.
Pictures from the show at the Celebrity Theatre. Phoenix, Arizona.
Ottmar Liebert and Luna Negra. Celebrity Theatre. Phoenix, Arizona.
Originally uploaded by ochazuke.
Thanks Yumiko!
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