Live from Laurel Canyon:
Songs & Stories of American Folk Rock
Friday, March 11, 2022 at 8pm
presented by Irvine Barclay Theatre
This performance will include one 15-minute intermission.
Program
Songs by The Mamas and The Papas, The Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, the Doors, Crosby, Stills, Nash, Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, Carole King, Neil Young, Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne, America, and the Eagles
Brian Chartrand: Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Creator of Live from Laurel Canyon
Holly Pyle: Vocals
David Freeman: Vocals
Lamar Gaines: Keys
Will Gaines: Bass
Todd Chuba: Drums
Adam Armijo: Electric Guitar
Laurel Canyon is located in the Hollywood Hills of Los Angeles, CA. Laurel Canyon Boulevard connects northern LA suburbs in the San Fernando Valley to artsy West Hollywood and the now infamous Sunset Strip. The Canyon housed artists as early as the beginning of the 20th century as major motion picture companies set up production around Los Angeles. The Canyon became a sort of de facto artist community as the entertainment and night life industry grew. Musicians especially enjoyed the rural feel and seclusion the canyon provided but also its proximity to the night life on Sunset Boulevard and beyond. Fast forward to 1965, when our story starts….
Based on the success of California Dreamin’ The Mamas & The Papas all took up residence in the Canyon in 1965 which almost started a movement of artists, both aspiring and successful, to be a part of this community. Follow the twists and turns of the side roads off of Laurel Canyon Boulevard between 1965 and 1975 and you’d find some of the musicians who redefined American popular music and inspired the “LA sound” of the early 70s; artists like the Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, the Doors, Crosby, Stills, and Nash, Neil Young, James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, Carole King, Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, America, and the Eagles.
The set list will be announced from stage and subject to change
California Dreaming – The Mamas & The Papas (1965)
“…The first song we would like to perform really captures this movement and the elusive dream of California. It was actually written by then NYC based folk singer/songwriter John Phillips and his wife Michelle when they were living in Greenwich Village in 1963. The duo eventually became a foursome with the addition of “Mama” Cass Elliot and Denny Doherty, and moved to LA where the song was recorded and released in Dec 1965. The band, of course, is The Mamas and Papas.”
Mr. Tambourine Man – The Byrds (1965)
“…This song made them stars overnight and gave a young David Crosby a taste for fame. After his initial success with the Byrds, Crosby would put on a cape and drive around town in his new green Porsche which he modified with a VW engine. He was also given the nickname “Lawrence of Laurel Canyon” by his bandmates.’”
For What Its Worth – Buffalo Springfield (1966)
“…Stills and Young immediately put a band together and everyone moved into Stills’ manager’s house in the canyon and began rehearsing. They called themselves Buffalo Springfield, a name they took from the side of a steamroller parked on the street. Their first gig was at the Troubadour less than a week later. The success of these early shows helped land Buffalo Springfield the opening gig on the upcoming Byrds tour.”
Light My Fire – The Doors (1967)
“…Due to the success of the Doors’ first single, they were invited to perform their hit live on the Ed Sullivan show. While initially agreeing to changing some of the lyrics to this song, Jim Morrison enraged the shows executives when he sang the original lyric “Girl we couldn’t get much higher.”
Helplessly Hoping – Crosby, Stills, and Nash (1969)
“…Now, these sorts of spontaneous jam sessions were par for the course in the canyon, however this particular session was special for two reasons; not only was it the first time Crosby, Stills, and Nash jammed together, but Graham, unbeknownst to him, had just walked into his future home.”
Woodstock – Joni Mitchell (1970)
“…’Ladies of the Canyon’ Mitchell’s third solo album was released in April of 1970 on the Reprise label. This album featured a more pop oriented approach to both Joni’s writing and production; a step away from the sparse, folk production of her debut album. It also featured many piano based songs including her rendition of “Woodstock” which was released by her pals CSNY that same year.”
Something in the Way She Moves – James Taylor (1968)
“…A young James Taylor makes his way to London where his demo tape lands in the hands of Peter Asher who help him get a record deal at the Beatles’ new label Apple. This was the song he performed for Paul and George to get him that deal.”
Cinnamon Girl – Neil Young (1969)
“…the story goes that Neil wrote this song as well as Cowgirl in the Sand and Down by the River in one day while suffering from a 103 degree fever.“
Will You Still Love Me – Carole King (1971)
“…In 1968, after divorcing her husband, King decided to move her two daughters to Laurel Canyon and work on her own material. Released in late 1970, her second solo album Tapestry featured new material as well as reinterpretations of her earlier work. With numerous hit singles Tapestry held the No.1 spot for 15 consecutive weeks, remained on the charts for nearly six years, and has sold over 25 million copies worldwide.”
Old Man – Neil Young (1972)
“…Released in February 1972, Neil Young’s fourth solo album “Harvest” reflects his more settled personal life. With the huge success of CSNY, he purchased a ranch in the Santa Cruz hills south of San Francisco. This next song was written in honor of the land’s longtime caretaker.”
Sister Golden Hair – America (1975)
“…For both ‘Holiday’ and ‘Hearts’, America enlisted the production expertise of George Martin, the famed Beatles producer, who, after their break up in 1970, had more time to pursue other projects. This was the first single on Hearts.”
California – Joni Mitchell (1971)
“…many song from Joni’s “Blue” album were inspired by her breakup with Graham Nash and her budding relationship with James Taylor.”
Running on Empty – Jackson Browne (1977)
“…After his second album “For Everyman,” Jackson Browne continued to release albums and tour with his Canyon friends Linda Ronstadt and Joni Mitchell. Recorded mainly on the road and released in 1977, Jackson’s fifth record was his biggest commercial success. Unlike most live releases, this collection featured no songs that were previously released on studio albums. It also featured songs recorded in hotel rooms, on the tour bus and backstage. As such, this album really explores his life on the road.”
You’re No Good – Linda Ronstadt (1974)
“…Linda Ronstadt was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona where at a young age, she began singing with her brother and sister. At 18, she moved to LA to form The Stone Poney’s. After releasing three albums in 1967/68, the band broke up and she began work on her first solo album “Hand Sown ... Home Grown” in 1969 which is considered the first alternative country album by a female recording artist.”
Hotel California – The Eagles (1976)
“…Don Henley claims this song is a “song about a journey from innocence to experience. Nothing more.” And maybe that’s how it started, but now the song – a song that started as an instrumental demo by Felder and then massaged into a multi-million selling hit by Henley and Frey, now represents something much more than a singular journey of a band, or a Canyon, but the journey of a generation.”
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