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ABOVE ^ Fluteman John and Al Anderson, original Wailers lead guitar player, in Rockin' Robin vintage guitar shop, Houston.
Al Anderson is reggae's most famous lead guitarist, having played lead guitar for Bob Marley for years, and later with Peter
Tosh.
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ABOVE ^ Al Anderson, original Wailers lead guitar player, in Rockin' Robin vintage guitar shop, with Trevor
Flowers, leader of Houston's local reggae/funk band Irie I's. For Irie I's festival dates, please see links to Festival Tours.
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ABOVE ^ Kokopelli is the 16-century old, dreadlock fluteman god of fertility. He was considered to be so powerful
that young women would run away screaming terror at the sight of him, whereas mature married women would welcome him into
their bedrooms. His image can be found in ancient pictographs and petroglyphs widespread around the arid SW US. He is the
unregistered trademark of Fried Piper Studios.
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ABOVE ^ The original fluteman, provenance unknown.
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ABOVE ^ Fluteman John feelin' the spirit of Bob Marley (with Irie I's) at Tropical Express in Kemah Texas.
Our inspiration and tunes come from the Natural Mystic. Give thanks and raspect, every time.
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Above ^ IRIE I's reggae band. Listen for us in the Kemah area this summer (Sundance B&G, Tropical Express,
Toucan Alley, Marribelle's, etc.) We will take you on a Caribbean cruise whithout leaving your shoes. ALSO, see below for
Bob Marley Festival Tour schedule and Legends of Rasta Reggae Tour (formerly the Bob Marley Festivel): Our band will be on
stage at the festival at all the Texas cities' Festivals. SEE YOU IN TEXAS. Peace.
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Houstons roots rock reggae band ZION (formerly Trevor Flowers and
Irie I's) with Fluteman John the Fried Piper, will be playing at ALL the Texas cities on the Festival Tour this summer. Come
catcha fya with us (go to Festival Links on Page Two).
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2002 UPDATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FlutemanJohn Wails with the Wailers, again! Dateline: Houston
and Austin, April 25, 26, 27, 2002 With humble respect and gratitude, once again, I wish to thank the legendary Wailers for
their kindness and hospitality toward me. For the third year in a row, I showed up at the clubdates for the Texas leg of the
Wailers tour, and was invited to play flutes, live onstage with the gentle giants of reggae music, the original Wailers, joining
with the musical legacy of the legendary Bob Marley. Massive raspect and all honor to the man, Hon. Robert Nesta Marley O.M.,
and to the Father of Creation, from whom all good things flow. The three-night Wailers weekend began in Houston at Fitzgerald's
on Thursday. When Al Anderson walked into the venue to check the stage, I warmly met him with "Greetings, to the greatest
Reggae guitarist in the world!" He smiled, shook my hand, and said, just like last year, "Fluteman, did you bring your flute?"
I replied certainly, and he said that we would play together that night. For the past three years I have had an open invitation
to play live with the Wailers, and I have joined them onstage six times now, each experience more blissed and more blessed
than the last. Here is this year's (2002) update. In 2000 and 2001 I appeared onstage with the following original Wailers:
Al Anderson, Bob Marley's original lead guitar player; Aston "Familyman" Barrett, Bob's musical director and original bass
guitar player, original Wailer and Upsetter; Earl "Wya" Lindo, originator of the bubblin' B3 organ sound heard on nearly every
Bob Marley recording (I told Al Anderson a couple years ago that the whole world imitates what Wya Lindo invented on the Hammond
B3, and he strongly agreed); Marcia Griffith, original "I-Three" vocalist; Keith Sterling, keyboards, and Nambo, trombonist
for Bob Marley and Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers. This year 2002 saw the repatriation, to the traveling troupe, of the
original Wailers horn section, no less than Glen De Costa on sax, and Vin Gordon, slide trombonist. You will recall Vin's
immortal trombone and vocal duet with Bob Marley on "Running Away", Vin doubling on the 'bone with a low soulful accompaniment
to Bob's "Well, well, well, well, well, well, ya running away, did you come up and say ya running away?" Vin's sweet style
is as pure and strong and stirring as ever, and combined with Glen's sax, the sound is just like the old days; you close your
eyes and expect to see Bob come running out between the amps, arms and dreads flying, fully waging the revolution against
ignorance, prejudice, and iniquity. Also touring with the group are Gary Nesta Pine, Wailers lead vocalist, Drummy Zeb, who
has graduated from hand percussion to full drum kit, Drummy's awesome guitar partner Ras Mel, and the two beautiful female
backing vocalists from Jamaica; altogether the tour fielded eleven players (not counting fluteman), of which Al, Familyman,
Wya, Sterling, Vin, and Glen had all played extensively with Bob Marley, live and on all the famous Island recordings. I felt
like I was in a redwood forest, standing in a field of giants. The sense of awe I felt in the presence of these mighty players
is almost indescribable. Just being there was overpowering, but playing in the horn section, sharing a mike with Vin three
nights in a row! And this was the third year in a row, for a total of six evenings' engagements since January 2000! I am the
luckiest Wailers fan in the world. All honor to the Marleys, the Wailers, and the eternal music of Bob Marley and the Wailers.
Best wishes to Familyman and the Wailers that they get the fame and legacy of the music they created, which was kept from
them by historical events and selfish people. The first night was beautiful, the crowd was "Well Pleased" and the Wailers
were in full force. Familyman had given me permission to DAT tape the show again, with the proviso (the same as a year ago)
that I give him the original DAT tape recording after the show. No problem. With his permission we again made two stereo originals
at the same time, by having two recorders running. Family kept me honest, because first thing after the show, in the dressing
room, he asked for the tape, I ran out and got it, gave it to him, all according to plan, and everybody was happy. This was
the second time I recorded live with the Wailers. (I will mix down a CD with the "best of" as soon as I get a chance. Thanks
to Taper Tim and Tapir Productions for the volunteerism on the digital taping side!!) Ras Idi, the lead guitar player and
singer in my local reggae band ZION (fromerly Trevor Flowers and Irie I's) came for the show, and we enjoyed the generous
company of the Wailers before and after the big stage show. Cosmic Force was downstairs, and D.R.U.M. opened for the Wailers,
so all the Houston reggae lights were in the house. It was the event of the year. After the show, I drove home exhausted,
fell over in bed, and at 8 AM Friday morning, got up to do it again. I picked up my good friend Jomo, a visionary dread painter,
reggae musician, and performance artist from Houston, and we took off for Austin, and two more glorious days and nights
with the Wailers. (I met Jomo a couple years back, when his Nyabhingi Ital feast was announced on Scotty's Rice Radio Reggae
show. I showed up, jammed with the reggae band, reasoned with the good dreads and reverent prayer, digitally recorded all
the beautiful drumming and chanting, and made good friends for life, with Jomo and Idi. I was very happy they could come and
share in the Wailers experience with me.) When we got to Austin, we checked into rooms right across the hall from Familyman
and right next door to Al, Vin, and Drummy. After a welcome relax, we hit the club for sound check. It was another excellent
musical adventure, and I played my wood and silver flutes while floating a few inches off the stage. We had a great night,
and for the encore we took the stage back with a mellow mood and a respectful rendition of Redemption Song with just Al on
guitar and Gary singing, but then I took over with my bamboo flute, and Vince the Wailers' sound man turned me way up, and
we filled the hall with the melody ("Old pirates yes they rob I"). Bob Marley?s spirit was wholly in the venue, and the crowd,
young and old, was moved in their very souls by the word sound and power. Give thanks and praises to the Most High, every
time. After the Friday night show, there was a small party for the Wailers at some rich dude's art-deco house in Austin, and
we got very high with lots of music and picture-taking. Familyman said put some music on, so we blasted my new CD, where I
took twelve old Bob Marley and the Wailers tunes from Lee "Scratch" Perry's "Upsetters" studio days, dubbed the vocals in
and out (Peter, Bunny, and Bob), and laced in many wood and silver flute melodies and harmonies, re-creating the Wailers'
(Peter Bunny and Bob's) beautiful vocal melodies and harmonies in "flute dub". The Wailers LOVED the CD. In fact when
Al heard it on my car stereo earlier that day he said, "Familyman is gonna love this!" So the Wailers and Fluteman in dub
are blasting on the eight foot high speakers, and Vin said, you know Glen plays flute, so I gave Glen my silver flute, and
I picked up my wooden flute, and we gave a righteous "karaoke' concert in this guy's living room, and guess who is audience?
Aston Familyman Barrett, Earl Wya Lindo, Vin Gordon, THE WAILERS!! I was jamming Wailer's music, WITH the Wailers, FOR
the Wailers. Just an unbelievable experience! There was a Natural Mystic vibe flowing and blowing in the air in that room,
that I will never forget. What a VIBE! The next day was magic for me. Al Anderson, Vin Gordon, Jomo, and I ate lobster then
hit the music stores and pawn shops, just like I always do with Al, him looking for vintage guitars, pedals, amps, etc. On
the way out of the first joint, I happened to look down and there on the counter, by the register, was a flute. It had a tag
that said $175. I am always searching for a spare flute, so I took a closer look. It was a Gemeinhardt (the best), just like
mine, which I have had since high school. Open tone holes, beautiful instrument, blew good, and was in darn good condition
for a 30 (?) year old pipe. I flipped the tag over and it said, "Flute $25". I looked up at the proprietor and asked if this
was for real, he said yeah, he had it all year and couldn't sell it. I played a dozen notes and a few scales on the beautiful
shiny fife. I never spent a better or faster twenty-five dollars in my life. Later at the hotel I took a closer look, and
stamped on the head joint were the words "SOLID SILVER", just like my flute. When I told Al, he was almost excited as I was,
and very happy for me to make a find like that. He said that was the kind of event that made worthwhile all the time spent
scouring all the pawnshops and music stores all over the world. I have Al to thank for striking "silver"! Give thanks, every
time! My luck seemed endless when I was in the presence of the Wailers. In fact, Al last year, and Vin this year, asked me
to record with them in the studio! I cannot wait. Maximum Raspec' and humble gratitude again to the Wailers unflinching generosity.
That night we capped the three day concert run with another glorious show of Bob Marley and Aston Barrett's immortal music,
the crowd was enchanted, and that brought my total Wailers gigs to six. Many thanks also to the sound blaster who opened for
the Wailers 2 nights in Austin, none other than the Killer Bee's Papa Mali aka Malcolm Wellborne, who did a great job as selector,
playing very vintage stuff. He knew Glen and Vin were in the house, and come on with some incredible Wailers dubs from the
early days. Vin leaned over to me and said "Dat bo-woy know what he doin' playin de old stuff". After the show, Jomo and I
drove back to Houston, with smiles that went nearly 'round our heads, grooving to the Wailers on the stereo, with the heart-beat
pulse of the insistent one-drop pulsing in our hearts and minds. We were in the clouds! All powerful respect to the might
Wailers and the immortal music of Bob Marley and the Wailers. (Drummy Zeb just called from New York, for me to send him a
CD, and Vin invited me and Jomo to Ochos Rios, Jamaica, to his house, and we may just go in August, when Gary Nesta Pine,
the Wailers' lead singer is getting married! Give thanks and praises, to the most High, Haille Selassie I, the First, King
of Kings, Lord of Lords, Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah, Jah RASTAFAR I! One Love, and see you all again next year!
Peace. flutemanjohn
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2002 NOVEMBER UPDATE . . . . . . . Dateline: Houston and Austin, November 2,3,and 4. The Wailers returned to Texas, still
on the same world tour, and graciously invited me to play live with them. I was on stage all night with The Wailers, for three
nights in a row, and recorded from the soundboard all three nights. This brings the total to nine times that I have played
live with the Wailers. Drummy Zeb told me "You are one of us. We don't let any other person in the country do this," have
an open invitation to play and record with the Wailer on Tour. Once again, it was incredible, just to be in the presence of
these mighty legends, not to mention playing along! Thanks to Fams, Al, Wya, Vin, Glenn, Keith, and all the Wailers, right
from the heart, everytime! The following is a table of dates I have played with the Wailers.
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CHRONOLOGY of flutemanjohn playing LIVE with Bob Marley's
legendary band THE WAILERS in
TWENTY TWO live stage shows from 2000 to 2009 (WHAT A DECADE!):
2000 Feb 25...Antone's/Austin...Invited
up on 4-song encore...Marcia Griffith sang live. Original Wailers included Al, Wya, Fams, Keith, and original horns. Same
set list as Dec 31 1999 Negril, JA commercial live CD
2001 Jan 29...Fitgerald's/Houston...First Recording (Larry Fox)...flutemanjohn played on six songs
2001 Feb 2...Antone's/Austin...Played most of the night
2002 April 25...Fitzgerald's/Houston...2nd Recording (Taper Tim) bad mix, no flute
2002 April 26/27...Antone's/Austin
2002 Nov 2...Numbers/Houston...3rd Redording (Gary Hartman, Tapir-dude extraordinaire!) Great stereo recording,
flutemanjohn on stage all night
2002 Nov 3/4...Antones/Austin...4th & 5th Reccording (Austin taper dudes)...Played all night
Number Ten was at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Denver Colorado, August 23, 2003, no sbd rcding, but audience MD recording
(Ryan Bear) and DJ Postman Roger Dread WGNU Radio has a digital Video recording. I am still trying to get the Video for
the Wailers (Please Mister Postman!). Anybody who has this show on Video, or the whole show on Audio (Ryan's minidisc recording cuts off in Redemption Song, just when the flute starts to become audible) please contact flutemanjohn!
2004 September 17...Engine Room in Houston, on stage with Erica Newel of the Melody Makers, recording by Sound Man Ed
(Thanks!). Show was filmed by A&E network for Bob Marley documentary to air December 2004 on A&E network. If anyone
gets this video, please let me know!
2004 September 18...Live on stage with the Wailers at the second day of the third annual Austin City Limits Music Festival.
75,000 people through the gate that day, probably about 50 or 60 thousand of them at the Wailers' 5pm set.(Followed
by Trey Anastasio of Phish.) A nice fan recognized me and sent me the set on CD...Thanks!)
2006 September 1...My 13th live Wailers show (9 days out of back surgery), at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
(Woodlands Amphitheater), Woodlands (Houston), Texas, probably around 5 or 6 thousand people, Al Anderson back with the band
for "The Unity Tour" (Wailers, 311, Pepper). I am hoping to get audio, video, or pictures from the show, if any person can
help me with this, I will dump vintage BMW CD's or Wailers CD's on them, for the favor. Please email flutemanjohn in Houston
at flutemanjohn@earthlink.net
2007 February 8,9,10,11, bringing my appearances with the Wailers to a total of 17 stage shows. Thurdsay Feb 8 @ LaZonaRosa
in Austin, Friday Feb 9 @ Gypsy Tearoom and Ballroom in Dallas, Saturday Feb 10 @ Grant Street in Lafayette, and Sunday Feb
11 at House of Blues in New Orleans. No known recording, pictures, or video. It was my longest single run with the Wailers;
four-city tour leg. Elder Wailers Emeriti present and playing live on stage with me, Famililyman Barrett on bass, Al Anderson
on lead guitar, Keith Sterling on keys, Nambo and Chico on trombone and sax. Also, the French Connection on backing vocals,
and Yvad fronting the band as Wailers' lead singer (Yvad was discovered by Cidella Marley, from the Melody Makers.) Also included
guest appearace by Alafia from D.R.U.M. on djembe (last two shows). Again, if you have and recordings or videos, please contact
me at flutemanjohn@earthlink.net.
2007, August 5 at Camp Zoe, Round Springs Missouri, for the Big Summer Classic. My 18th appearance with the Wailers.
Flute on five songs during the set. 1 hours set recorded by Zoe Radio and Nugs.net. (GREAT RECORDING!) Original Wailers
included Al Anderson, Aston Barrett, Chico on trumpet, Sterling on keys. Other veteran Wailers included Drummie Zebb on kit,
RasMel on guitar, Cristian on keys, Elan on lead vocal, and two little birds. Estimated crowd 10,000 campers. Special
to me, Missouri is my original home dirt and has soaked up a lot of my blood sweat and tears subce the Fifties, plus Camp
Zoe is a beautiful and historic summer camp, with white liffs and cave, clear springs, and deep woods, and I actually attended
camp there as a kiddie camper for a couple summers, when I was about ten or so, so wow. The gravity vectors pulling me
back to the Missouri Ozark hills for this one show were irresistable.
2008, 3 city Texas tour with Fams, Jr. Marvin, Sterling, and Chico. 4/17 at La Zona Rosa in Austin, 4/18 at Ft.Worth
Main Street Arts Festival (est 5-10,000), and 4/20 Houston Internation Festival (est several thousand happy people. Stayed
every night in the same hotels, so lots of after-parties and good vibes with the band. This was my 19th, 20th. and 21st live
appearances with the Wailers in the big stage show, since early 2000. RASpect to the Real Rootsman. Seen?
2009, Al's "Original Wailers" at Warehouse Live, Houston, 4/5/09, played the entire finale (including Al's new version
of "Redemption Song", and a rockin' "Exodus"). 22nd live appearance with the Wailers. Had fun before the show with Al Anderson
and my sons, checking vintage rock gear at Rockin Robins, where Al stopped in his tracks to listen and watch my young son
Lucas jam out on uke for a moment, and after the show at Mai's all night Vietnamese Restaurant with Al Anderson, Christian
Colin, and my two sons Ryan and Lucas, who are now friends of the band (and Lucas is a veteran Wailer, having appeard onstage
with me a year ago, hangin and bangin with Fams and Junior). Extraordinary new band included Rohan Reid on bass guitar, and
Erica Newell (Melody Makers) back on the tour. I-diginous (from elements of Cosmic Force) and Major Riley opened the night.
Great fun.
Thanks to Al Anderson, Junior Marvin, Familyman Barret and all the incredible Wailers for their graciousness in letting
this amateur musician, and world's luckiest Bob Marley fan, join them in their non-stop world-tour and tribute to Hon. Robert
Nesta Marley. O.M.
One Love, flutemanjohn
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flutemanjohn@earthlink.net
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