Criss-Crossed

As some of you may have noticed, we slipped a new free MP3 onto the homepage a few weeks ago, a live track labelled "GOOD TIMES." The only problem is that it wasn't "GOOD TIMES" at all, but a live cut of the band playing Thelonious Monk's "Criss-Cross." Thanks to Original HFQ member Russell Farhang (who plays violin on both tracks), the error was brought to our attention and has been corrected. Our webmaster and designer extraordinaire Tom Romer said he'd wondered about the track when he first put it up, but just figured it was some crazy instrumental version of "GOOD TIMES." Tom gives the band a lot of credit. Anyhow, here it is at long last, a wild, eleven minute live version of the tune in question, recorded six years ago this month (08/03/00 to be exact) at Pete's Candy Store in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The band was in a pretty free mood that night and, while its only an audience recording and you can practically hear the effect that the heat was having on the band and the wooden instruments, you may find it's worth a listen, especially given the weather! Turn down the lights, grab your favorite cool beverage and check it out.

I-Tune, U-Tune, We All Tune to I-Tunes!

Lots of folks want to know where to find Howard Fishman CDs. It's easy! You can pick them up on our website (we currently are running a "complete set special"), on amazon.com and on cdbaby.com, among other places. Four of the five CDs are also available on most digital downloading sites; here are links to their i-Tunes pages: Look At All This!, I Like You A Lot, The Howard Fishman Quartet and Do What I Want, just click the links at top.

It Gets Weirder

Folks in the audience for the fourth and final installment of "THE OLD, WEIRD AMERICA" at Joe's Pub saw something new -- a sea change in the rhythm title with tuba replacing upright bass. The unexpected substitution (Ian was unavailable) led to unexpected -- and pleasantly surprising -- musical results. So much so that our man on tuba (Ron Caswell, of Slavic Soul Party fame) has been pressed into duty for the band's upcoming gigs. What does the tuba do to the music? Well, as you might imagine, it adds a decidedly funkier, more New Orleans-y feel, suitable for moving around in a slow, steamy weather kind of way. Or, you could just come and see (and dance) for yourself (see below).

Get Yer i-Tunes Now!

Here are links to the four HF albums now available on Apple i-Tunes. Want to help spread the music? Send a friend your favorite Howard Fishman song -- it'll only cost ya 99 cents! "Dating Game,""Mary Ann,""Best Is Yet To Come,""Dirty,""Katie La La"...they're all there! Look At All This!, I Like You A Lot, The Howard Fishman Quartet and Do What I Want, just click the links at the top.