Mike Keneally was a member of Frank Zappa’s last band, and impressed the audience with his simultaneous guitar and keyboard solos, sometimes while also singing. He kept the Zappa association even after FZ’s death, working with Dweezil and serving for a while as archivist of the FZ vault. Since then, he has embarked on a solo career and launched a number of interesting and sometimes brilliant albums.
All Music Guide calls Mike Keneally the “leading progressive rock genius of the post-Zappa era”, and their reviewer Sean Westergaard rated Keneally’s The Universe Will Provide with the only five star rating he’s ever granted.
The point of this sycophantic slobber? I’m going to see him in Louisville in a few weeks, for free, at a guitar clinic being held at a music store. Taylor Guitars is sponsoring his clinics so that they can push their equipment, which I understand.
But I’m reminded of how sad I felt when I saw Dave Brubeck performing 20 years ago at what was essentially an outdoor paintings and crafts show outside DC. There were a few dozen people gathered around the tent catching the performance.
Does this bother anyone else? Am I being a snob? Obviously this is a “supply and demand” issue. I’m not bothered in either case by the fact that these gentlemen were making a living. I’m only bothered that they have to do this sort of stuff when (of course IMHO) they should be at Carnegie Hall. I guess it just seems demeaning. in comparison with their awesome talents.
Well, at least that’s more dignified than wearing a giant doughnut with sprinkles on it like Daryl Dragon (the Captain of Captain and Tenille) did in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade a few years back. I really felt sorry for the guy.
I saw another Zappa alum, Vinnie Colaiuta, do a drum clinic in Denver. I was just happy to see him play, period.
Go to the DGM site and look at the new releases, there is a new album out (I am not sure of the Artist’s name, Oteri?, Obdeki?, Osomething) with Keneally, Levin and a host of other cool Musicnins on it.
Thank you sir. I’m on Inner Knot and just saw this yesterday. I hadn’t heard of the artist either.
I figured I’d see you and Biffy in here, and got a grand total of one other response so far (thanks, mack!). So MK may be unappreciated, or just unknown (at least in these parts), or this thread just didn’t generate much interest in the first place. Oh well.
I’m going to see him in Louisville in a few weeks, for free, at a guitar clinic being held at a music store. Taylor Guitars is sponsoring his clinics so that they can push their equipment, which I understand.