The Band The Band performance tonight @ the Colony Cafe.

The Band's tribute band The Band will perform tonight @ Woodstock, NY's Colony Cafe on Rock City Rd.

Richard Manuel's "Whispering Pines" recording location.

Here are photos of New World Home Cooking, a wonderful restaurant & catering business owned by tv chef Ric Orlando in West Saugerties, NY off Rt 212. This also happens to be the previously named The Getaway where Richard Manuel, along w/ Rick Danko & Jim Weider, recorded his Whispering Pines album. The performance was in '85 for a private gathering. Whispering Pines is a posthumous release in the '00s.

Barry Feinstein's new Bob Dylan book.

Unfortunately, we could not attend Barry's autograph session @ Woodsotck, NY's The Golden Notebook bookstore on Tinker Street, but we were still able to line up an autographed copy. Barry is an accomplished Bob Dylan photographer from the '60s & '70s & lives in Woodstock.

Wontcha keep Miss Anna Lee company?

We purchased this autographed copy of Anna Lee's southern style cookbook @ Woodstock Music Shop. Anna Lee is the extremely nice lady coin in a few lyrics of the famous The Band tune The Weight. She attended the same Levon Helm Midnight Ramble that we did back on March 29, 2008. Anna Lee is an old Arkansas schoolmate of Levon's.

Colony Cafe.

This unique looking bldg, located on Rock City Road between Woodstock Cemetary & Woodstock Music Shop, has held court to live performances by Rick Danko & Garth Hudson.

Rick Danko's grave in Woodstock, NY.

The Band's bassist Rick Danko was laid to rest following a heart attack in Dec. '99. His grave sets next to his son (Eli) towards the rear-center of the Woodstock Cemetary on Rock City Road. Here are two photos of Rick's grave stone, as well as, two photos depicting the general location of his grave site. Basically, as you enter the cemetary's gates, you can walk straight towards the rear of the cemetary & after you cross the final perpendicular cemetary blustone driveway, his flat ground level stone is about 2-3 rows back still in the center. Some of the traditional paraphenalia (i.e - self-titled framed album CD cover) is gone besides a few small stones.

"The House of Todd" & "Utopia" - Todd Rundgren.

Here are photos related to Todd Rundgren - musician & producer. He was an Albert Grossman disciple, engineered The Band's Stage Fright album, produced his own music & had his own "Utopia" video studio that now houses Woodstock Radio on Albert's frmr Bearsville commercial property (next to Bearsville Theater).

Thanks to Bob Andrews of Michigan, he provided us w/ directions to Todd's frmr Mink Hollow Road residence located just outside of Bearsville. Mink Hollow is a deadend road w/ a trail that starts @ the end of it. Todd's gray modern frmr home is on the left before the trail head's parking lot. Unfortunately, the property is not conducive to good photo opportunities as it is quite gaited. Given the location of the home (near a trail head), it's not overly surprising his house was robbed in the early '80s (it's not exactly secluded).

John Simon in Ellenville, NY.

Tonight we met frmr The Band producer & jazz musician John Simon for the 1st time. John has also worked w/ Eric Clapton, Janis Joplin & numerous other musicians. Unfortunately, our picture didn't come out the greatest, but our memories are instilled vividly. John was joined by drummer Bob Emry & bassist Lew Scott @ Ellenville, NY's Aroma Thyme Bistro. John produced The Band's two most revered albums Music from Big Pink & The Band (self-titled album). John & The Greater Ellenville Jazz Trio plays every Thursday @ the Bistro & it is an amazing experience. For those of us too young to have experienced The Band during its heyday, folks like John are living Smithsonians to us. The restaurant was packed w/ patrons, including John's wife. Ellenville is about 45-50 minutes south of Woodstock, NY.

Thank you, John!

Site of Richard Manuel's "Whispering Pines" recording.

We were asked a bit ago where The Band member Richard Manuel recorded his Whispering Pines album, which is listed as being set @ The Getaway in West Saugerties, NY. Thanks to a couple of The Band Guestbook posters, we've been informed it is now Ric Orlando's New World Home Cooking, a wonderful restaurant we ate @ prior to the March 29, 2008 Levon Helm Midnight Ramble we attended. The website has much information about Ric & his restaurant, including some photos.

http://www.ricorlando.com/

The Band producer John Simon & Aroma Thyme Bistro in Ellenville, NY.

The genius behind the production of The Band's 1st two albums - Music from Big Pink & The Band - holds jazz court @ Aroma Thyme Bistro @ 8:30 PM every Thursday. We're heading there tomorrow night & are very much looking forward to it. Great food & music & no cover.

By the time we get to Woodstock.....

We're headin' to Woodstock, NY tomorrow afternoon to take in more wonderful summer sightseeing, John Simon @ the Aroma Thyme Bistro & another Levon Helm Midnight Ramble. We'll definitely post photos, etc. from our trip.