Songwriting with a Sense of Place: Part 1- India
Emotional Maps: Songwriting with a Sense of Place Howard Gladstone explores the importance of place in his songwriting in this three-part blog series, writing about India (Part 1), Spain (Part 2), and New Orleans (Part 3). These are emotional maps, not travelogues — songs that grow from the character and contradictions of each locale. Rather […]
Robbie Robertson Interview
The Robbie Robertson Interview by Howard Gladstone From The Rolling Stone Interviews Vol. 1. Published in Rolling Stone magazine, 27 December, 1969. Copyright © 1969, 1971 Straight Arrow Publishers, Inc. Howard Gladstone released a Band/Dylan-influenced CD of his own music entitled Sunflowers Light The Room in 2002. See the Howard Gladstone web site for more information. The author’s commentsThis 1969 Robertson interview […]
Woodstock Remembered at Fifty
Woodstock – 50 Years On! In the summer of 1969, radio DJs were talking about an upcoming fantastic music festival in Woodstock, New York, featuring all the bands and artists I dreamed of seeing. I called a phone number they provided on-air to try to buy tickets. The phone rang off the hook and was […]
Howard Gladstone Recounts His Healing Journey
In 2014 Howard Gladstone experienced a sudden onset spinal stenosis, resulting in emergency spinal surgery. Four disks in his neck were fused with a titanium plate. He spent 10 days in hospital, three months in a rehabilitation centre, and a lengthy period at home furthering his recovery. Initially totally paralyzed, he eventually regained the ability […]
A Tale Of Two Guitars
My first guitar was a Kent 6-string, purchased from the Eaton’s catalogue, for $10. Whatever little money I had was earned from caddying for tips on the local golf course, and prior to that, delivering newspapers. I had that guitar for a few years until I could afford $90 for a nice 6-string Spanish-made guitar. […]
New book on miscarriages of justice and devastating personal cost; Howard Gladstone’s song covers same territory
Howard Gladstone’s song Tammy (The Wheels of Justice) musically recounts the miscarriage of justice in Ontario that led to the wrongful conviction of Tammy Marquardt in 1995. Tammy was accused of murdering her 2 year old son; she would spend 13 years in prison for a crime she did not commit. In 2011 a new trial […]
“Music is the last thing to go” for Glen Campbell
The documentary movie, “I’ll Be Me,” sensitively portrays the progress of Alzheimer’s in country singer/guitarist Glen Campbell. In spite of his ongoing mental deterioration, the fabled guitarist/country singer goes on the road to perform a nation-wide farewell tour, at the urging of his family. Bravely supported by his wife, and a band including three of […]
Art or Commerce? Or Both? Bob Dylan Box Set presents challenge.
I admit to a Bob Dylan addiction. Nonetheless I have a mixed, uneasy reaction to the latest box set release. I want it !! I don’t want it. I’m talking about “Cutting Edge 1965-66”, the box set of 18-unreleased CDs, in a limited edition of 5000. It’s not just the money – carries a big […]
Two New Songs and The Story Behind The Music
Howard Gladstone releases two new songs : “Gridlock City” and “Runaway Train”. Both are available for free download from his website www.howardgladstone.com … “Gridlock City” takes a humorous and satiric look at a big city’s traffic and transit woes, and the political gridlock that can’t find an effective way to deal with it. It has a fun, 1950’s […]
The Influence of Pete Seeger Remains
I was saddened to learn of the passing of Pete Seeger. Even at age 94 Pete remained a passionate believer and activist in social justice, using song as a tool for change. Pete Seeger’s work is a lasting inspiration for songwriters. His work combined powerful messages of social justice with lyrical imagery and singable melodies. […]
