Marc Percansky & Matt Steichen Share Excerpts from Bob Dylan In Minnesota at Electric Fetus in Minneapolis

(L to R) Jennifer, Marc and Matt

Yesterday afternoon, Electric Fetus in Minneapolis hosted a book signing and reading featuring Marc Percansky and Matt Steichen, two of the four Minnesota writers who contributed to the third book in K.G. Miles' Troubadour Series, Bob Dylan in Minnesota. Both writers shared stories and read passages from the book to a small but appreciative audience. (The other two Minnesota contributors to this book, Paul Metsa and myself, were here in Duluth yesterday. We still haven't figured out a way to be in two places at once.) 

Among those present though were photographer Gary Firstenberg and Nevada Bob Gordon, whose book Fifty Years with the Wrong Woman I helped polish for publication. The two were returning from Nashville after recording Nevada Bob's seventh album there.

Marc Percansky (Photo courtesy
Gary Firstenberg)

As a teen Marc Percansky was a professional magician, periodically returning to this profession over the years. He's done magic shows for Bob, Prince, The Who and many others. (Not a bad gig if you can get it.) These days he is an independent concert, music and event promoter based in the Minneapolis/Saint Paul area.

Matt Steichen has had a background in journalism, public relations and marketing in the Twin Cities since 2006. He’s written and presented on the topic of Bob Dylan’s life and music to a variety of audiences including a packed house at Duluth Dylan Fest this past May. (You can read his talk here. You'll also find links to several YouTube clips.) Steichen has seen Dylan in concert 50 times beginning in the year 2000. He now lives in Lakeville with four sons and his wife, Jennifer, whom he met at a Dylan concert in 2004.

Matt Steichen. (Photo courtesy Jennifer Steichen) 

Magic Marc (Photo courtesy Jennifer Steichen) 

Jennifer Steichen with Marc Percansky

Earlier this month Matt and Marc held a well-attended book signing at Barnes & Noble. Autographed copies of Bob Dylan in Minnesota can be found at both Electric Fetus and B&N, if you can find the correct one. And if you can't find the book at your local bookstore, either ask them to carry it or look for it online. 

Related Links

Bob Dylan in Minnesota: Troubadour Tales from Duluth, Hibbing and Dinkytown

Backstory on A Salute to the Music of Bob Dylan and a Reminder of Dylan's Fondness for Duluth -- Magic Marc Percansky (Part I)

Marc Percansky and A Salute to the Music of Bob Dylan (Part 2)
Matt Steichen's podcast The Bobcats

Matt's Duluth Dylan Fest talk:

Matt Steichen Pulls Back the Curtain on Bob Dylan & His Fans 

Inside the Studio: Still More Blood and Tracks as Paul Metsa's Wall of Power Features MN Music Luminaries

Dateline: Tuesday, October 23

While half the country has its eyes looking forward to what will happen at next Tuesday's Mid-Term Elections, a small segment of the population is looking past the election to the release of yet another set in the Bootleg Series on November 2. More Blood, More Tracks is Bootleg 14 and this time around it's outtakes from an album which some have called Dylan's best, Blood on the Tracks.

The significance of this moment in time has not been lost on Minnesota Dylan and music fans. Five of the album's ten songs were recorded at Sound 80 Studios in Minneapolis, but the local musicians who performed with Dylan in two late December sessions were never, by a twist of fate, credited on the album for the roles they played.

For this reason, Bootleg #14 is a vindication of sorts.

Star Trib photographer Renee Jones Schneider took photos for the paper.
"Yes, a Dylan fan." Photo shoot first, then filming.

In response to next week's release, Paul Metsa untangled some strings in order to pull together the original team that recorded this epic album 44 years ago. Production took place in a studio at Metro Cable Network Channel 6, which will be re-assembled for several upcoming editions of his Wall of Power program, the first to be aired Saturday October 27 at 8:00 and 11:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Having had the privilege to be present, I took copious notes and photos which I also plan to share in the next days leading up to the BOTT release. Paul Metsa invited each of the players to tell their stories live, and everyone associated with the filming that took place, and everyone watching from the peanut gallery, seemed riveted in place as they listened. The four musicians present included Billy Peterson, Gregg Inhofer, Peter Ostroushko and Kevin Odegard. Bill Berg and Chris Weber were piped in via Skype and telephone.

Kevin O (left) signs a CD for Paul Metsa.

In addition to the players, Minneapolis Star Trib critic Jon Bream, who is also embedded in this story, was present for his take on the way things unfolded.

Listening to the stories and watching the interactions provided many new revelatory moments for everyone who was present. For example, I was unaware that Peter Ostrousho, who became a household name for his decades-long role on Prairie Home Companion, had never recorded in a studio until that evening in 1974 with what could be called a Minnesota version of the Wrecking Crew.

The five songs featuring the Minnesota crew were Tangled Up In Blue, A Simple Twist of Fate, Idiot Wind, Lily Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts, and If You See Her, Say Hello.

For those unfamiliar with the story, Bob Dylan had recorded this album three months previous in New York. For whatever reasons, Dylan must have had mixed feelings about the results because in December he decided to take another stab at recording a couple of the songs. By means of his brother David, a select group of Minnesota players got tapped for what amounted to two sessions. The album covers had already been printed (200,000 or 500,000 depending on what source you pull from) and the Minnesota players were not credited.

Wikipedia: The album reached  No. 1 on the Billboard 200 charts and  No.  4 on the UK Albums Chart. The single "Tangled Up in Blue" peaked at No. 31 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. The album remains one of Dylan's best-selling studio releases, with a double-platinum U.S. certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). In 2015, it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

In some ways the project appears to be a replay of Bob's Blonde On Blonde re-take in which he didn't feel wholly satisfied with what he was hearing after the New York Sessions then either, choosing to give it another try in Nashville. On that occasion he was famously seeking that "wild mercury sound." On this occasion the acoustic album seems to have captured a "mild mercury sound" that was instantly recognized as a gem.

From what I hear CBS will also be airing a clip this Saturday at 10, a nod to the historic nature of this release which is also getting a lot of attention in the local media.

The studio was a beehive of activity from mid-morning till evening rush hour, not only with the "stars" but also a host of technicians, family, friends and folks like myself who were present to document the event. A big shout out to Marc Percansky for all the behind the scenes legwork, Rubin Latz for his help as "Backup Capture Man" and everyone else whose names are too numerous to list.

EdNote: I once read a story about Hunter Thompson when he was covering the Kentucky Derby as a journalist for Esquire. Thompson had passed deadline and the magazine was waiting to go to press. He had plenty of notes but there was nothing coherently assembled yet. The editor said, "Just send your notes, we'll use them as is." And that is what I am going to do here the next couple days. I have 3000 words of notes and lots of photos. The aim is to give you an idea of what a special moment this was. Like Mr. Metsa, I will break it into pieces for a couple episodes. 

(L to R) Billy Peterson, Gregg Inhofer, Kevin Odegard, Peter Ostroushko

Trivia: Odegard means “empty farm” in Norwegian.

“All the better guitar players in the room hate my guts because they didn’t get in the room.”—Kevin Odegard ... "Lonnie Knight was out of town. He should have gotten on that gig."

* * * *
Discussion with Gregg Inhofer

Gregg Inhofer on keyboards, with Billy P
The Rhythm Section

¾ German 1/8 French 1/8 Irish
“I was working for Kevin, Billy Peterson and Bill Berg (drummer)
They needed a studio keyboard player. First impression: “Cool”
He (Dylan) had my respect. I wasn’t a fan. I was studying jazz/rock fusion. Dylan’s tunes were technically simple. “I wasn’t a fan like the other guys.”

I ask about not being mentioned on liner notes
“I take my own 50% responsibility. I should’ve called David (Zimmerman). I was naïve about business and didn’t follow up.”

(about being on the album) “Serendipity. Right place at the right time.”

“All roads lead to now. It is what it is. I had to let it go a number of times.”

* * * *
Photo shoot was first, then filming.
Staging took a lot of time
“Paul will do intros…"

Mic check
Jon Bream imitates Dylan

The show begins
“Good evening ladies and gentlemen. Welcome…”

Lights, cameras, action. The show is underway.
(L to r) Metsa, Odegard, Inhofer, Ostroushko, Peterson, Bream

Related Links
A Brief Review of Jon Bream's Dylan: Disc By Disc 
Billy Peterson, Cookin' @ the O
Kevin Odegard's Artifacts Seasoned with Blood On The Tracks, Sweat and Tears
MORE BLOOD, MORE TRACKS DELUXE EDITION to Be Released on November 2 
Minneapolis Sessions appear on DISC 6 Tracks #4-8
  

TO BE CONTINUED

Dylan Mural Makes Monumental Impact In Minneapolis

Marc Percansky (center) with team of artists from Brazil.

I was surprised at how popular the Mall of America became after it was completed in 1992. Over and over again I heard people from out-of-state say they were looking forward to visiting it when coming to Minnesota. Now, there is a second attraction that seems to be generating out-of-state buzz and even international chatter. It's the new Dylan mural in downtown Minneapolis, and having visited it this past weekend with my family I can see why. It's an impressive tribute to the legendary Minnesota-born singer-songwriter.

The mural itself is quite extraordinary, but equally noteworthy are the stories behind the mural. Marc Percansky graciously offered details about the painting of this monumental work of art, calling it one of the Twin Cities' greatest landmarks. I have no doubt it will live up to this label.

"It is already turning into a major tourist attraction," said Percansky. "I guess you could call it the world's largest Bob Dylan Mural. People that pass by it who haven't seen it before love to stop and take photos of it. To me it is very thrilling and I am fortunate that it is in my hometown!"

Shortly after it was completed friends of mine sent me stories that were in the Minneapolis papers. And in the first six months it seems there have been endless numbers of photos posted online from all over the world. But Percansky insists, "There is nothing like seeing it with your own eyes. Standing in the parking lot and looking up at it from a proper distance at all 5 stories high. It is really a mind blowing work of art!" Now that I've stood beneath it, I have to agree.

Primary credit for this achievement goes to Eduardo Kobra, who Percansky calls "the Bob Dylan of his field. No one else could have done as good of a job as him."

The more Marc and I spoke the more I learned, so I thought it would be worthwhile to share some of that here. I asked the kind of things I thought inquiring minds might want to know.

EN: Who were the artists?
Marc Percansky: Four Brazilians -- Agnaldo Brito Pereira, Cesar Almeida, Marcos Rafael and Eduardo Kobra -- and two Minnesota artists -- Erin Sayer & Yuya Negishi who moved to the Twin Cities from Japan in 2010.

EN: How long did it take to complete?
MP: Painting began on August 26th and was completed on September 8th, 2015. Kobra's whole concept was already planned in Brazil before he came over. Then he mapped out a strategy 20 days before they started to get the job done on time. It then took 12 days with around 12 hours a day to finish it. Joan was the onsite coordinator and made sure the artists had everything they needed while they worked. They would often have their lunch meals prepared right there. They were very hard working guys. The weather was very cooperative during that time. I only recall one rainy morning towards the end that held things up just a bit. On the last day Eduardo finished his signature just above the Brazilian Flag. He then gave it a thumb's up to the crowd and then later that day left town with his studio crew to do another mural.

EN: How much did it cost?
MP: About $50,000.00

EN: How long did they plan it before tackling the actual assignment?
MP: Goldman Sachs, which co-owns The 15 Building at 15 South 5th Street, hired the Hennepin Theatre Trust to manage the project, which was launched in November of 2014. The huge white wall on the west facade was the perfect location for this mural. It is right in the heart of downtown Minneapolis.

EN: What approvals were needed?
MP: To my knowledge, only city approvals were needed.

Marc created two pages to catalog the articles and other details about the project here at his Magic Marc Productions website. This is the link to the second page.

Here are some other links Marc sent last night:
Eduardo Kobra's Website: http://eduardokobra.com/ 
Hennepin Theatre Trust's Website: http://www.hennepintheatretrust.org/ 
Made Here's Website: http://www.madeheremn.org/

What a difference a little color makes on a drab day in the city.

Top of Page Photo Credit: Bob Dylan Mural by Eduardo Kobra - Agnaldo Brito Pereira, Cesar Almeida, Magic Marc, Marcos Rafael and Eduardo Kobra / Downtown Auto Park / 509 Hennepin Avenue / Minneapolis, Minnesota / September 5th, 2015 / Photo by Joan Vorderbruggen

You Got To Have Friends: Ruby Shows Why Dogs Are Man's Best

Ruby

As the Red Mug crowd gathered last night for the Northland screening of Magic Marc Percansky's Ruby the Dogumentary, no one had any idea what to expect. By evening's end, the two hour film had created infectious quantities of laughter. Suzanne Johnson's celebratory party favors -- dog-themed candies, popcorn and such -- were the perfect embellishments to a fun event that at times was also sentimental.

Friends of recent Dylan festivals all know Percansky as the Master of Ceremonies for the Salute to the Music of Bob Dylan concert last year and the upcoming MC for the Acoustic Salute that will take place May 23.

The three hour event at the Mug began at seven sharp. Magic Marc welcomed everyone who came out, introduced Ruby, and briefly talked about the film. Zane Bale shared a few words about the activities in the upcoming Dylan Festival followed by Nelson French, VP of the Armory Arts and Music Center board, who shared about this year's May 23 Acoustic Salute at the Sacred Heart, which is a fund raiser to save and restore the Duluth Armory. He also noted that Scarlet Rivera, who will be here that weekend, is performing in Finland (up the North Shore) on Sunday the 24th. Scarlet's special one night event is called the 2015 Bob Dylan Birthday Cotillion. (A cotillion is a "French country dance." My guess is you should be prepared to move your feet.)

Magic Marc then introduced Gene LaFond, who was asked to share a Bob Dylan story, began by noting that when Percansky was 14 he opened for Lafond and Larry Kegan once. Kegan was a high school friend of Dylan's who had a diving accident and became a quadriplegic. (LaFond and Kegan attended Dylan concerts together and performed music together for many years.) The story LaFond told was about a somewhat hilarious incident at Bob's farm when Larry and another wheelchair-bound friend said they would like to go on a canoe ride. It was quite the rescue operation, both hair-raising and hilarious.

Percansky then introduced Michael Johnson, who was brought onboard the Ruby project in the last year to assemble and direct the film which was four years in the making. Johnson shared that initially he wasn't interested at first but after reviewing the footage "I came up with a concept." It needed to be something he could believe in and went for a non-linear edit of the ten hours of footage Percansky had already captured. He said he truly enjoyed this past year getting to know Marc and working on this project.

The film is dedicated "For Ruby: April 27, 2007" but last night's screen was dedicated to John Bushey, and "anyone dealing with a life-threatening issue."

The film itself is really about a man and his dog, with dog stories, dog humor, and everything the constitutes the life of a dog, including being in a parade, and being a film star. Ruby's a Doberman, one of the smarted dog breeds. The film includes a brief summary of how Doberman had been developed in the nineteenth century by Karl Friedrich Dobermann in Germany.

One of the taeaways that I'd never thought of before was that in the Creation story, God created all the animals on the sixth day, then man and woman on the seventh. In other words, God made our pets first.

The real star in the film is Percansky himself. His uninhibited love for Ruby sparkles throughout. I've often noted that one reason why people will go see movies with their favorite stars is that they enjoy spending a couple hours with them, whatever their doing on the screen. Magic Marc has already won the hearts of his friends, and will win many more hearts as this film gets more widely shared.

Ruby, thanks for being willing to get out there in front of the camera these past four years. We never saw you complain once.

For the record, Ruby graduated dog training even if she doesn't like to "sit."

(L to R) Magic Marc, Gene LaFond, Amy Grillo

It only seems right to end with a couple dog quotes.

"A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself." 

--Josh Billings

“The world would be a nicer place if everyone had the ability to love as unconditionally as a dog.” 
-- M.K. Clinton

“The better I get to know men, the more I find myself loving dogs.”

--Charles de Gaulle

Minneapolis Art Seen: Northern Spark @ the Walker and a "Fantastic" Jack at Even Break

On a corner table at Even Break.

Saturday I made a flying trip to Minneapolis and had the good fortune of picking up a number of arts-related events. The day began with the delivery of Brutie, a German Shepherd that we were watching for a friend who had undergone open heart surgery. This was followed by the delivery of a Dylan painting I sold as a result of the Red Mug show I curated in May. After my lunch with "Magic Marc" Percansky, producer of the annual Salute to the Music of Bob Dylan events in the Twin Cities (and now this past month in Duluth) I met J.Z. Howard -- author of the novel All of Me Wants All of You -- for coffee at Dunn Bros. in Edina, doing some prep work for an upcoming interview.

I was told he's not Jack.

From here I found my way to Even Break Gallery near the corner of Penn and 50th Avenue South to hear John Geenen, a motivational speaker whose talk was titled "Change Your Way of Thinking. His business card says, "He's not Jack," but he looks so much like Jack (Nicholson) that it's only natural that the slogan for his motivational speaking is "Jack Up Your Thinking." If I get time I'll share my notes later this week.

Even Break Gallery brought to mind a number of other gallery experiences I've had in spaces back east. It's a second floor location so if you're accustomed to finding a place by its storefront or showroom window, you may have a problem. There are plenty of lofts and galleries of this kind in New York, and my most recent visit was to a gallery similarly located in Allentown. Co-owner of Even Break, Gretchen Seichrist, was a whirlwind as she prepared things for the event. My overly early arrival gave me time to take in the art which seemed to fill every space in every room, including the kitchen and bathroom.

Seichrist is similarly a singer/songwriter who in addition to painting also performs. I acquired her Patches & Gretchen CD titled Even Breaks to listen to and keep me awake later as I planned to return to Duluth late that night. (EdNote: This is original, thought provoking work by an original person who has chosen to not fit a mold.)

Sophronia at The Walker Art Center.

Alas, the original plan had been to spend the weekend, but as the day approached I had to crimp it, which was too bad because when you read about Northern Spark, you know going in that you can't grasp much on the fly.

Northern Spark is an annual art all-nighter in Minneapolis that takes place in 38 venues involving 250 artists sharing 125 projects. Since some of this was to take place outdoors, my guess is that a lot of people had to alter their plans when the weekend weather riled up the Twin Cities. Projects like Sophronia had contingency plans. Other may not have been so lucky.

Kathy McTavish at the Walker

Upon leaving Even Break I headed to the Walker, which gratefully has indoor parking as another torrential downpour was preparing to consume the city. In addition to seeking out a few fellow Duluth artists I did a quick walk-through of the museum's contemporary art collection and then a very slow walk through the Edward Hopper exhibit, which features the drawings that went into twenty of his most famous paintings. It was very generous of the Walker to share all its treasures for free like this.

Other exhibits included re-enactments of old school drawing classes (actual, real artists drawing a staged set-up with very skilled models who I half thought were art and not people.

By late evening it was time to head north. The torrential rains and lightning were very real reminders that Mother Nature can also create amazing 3-D effects. By 1:30 a.m. I was crashing... in my bed.

Old School Art School, "Office at Night"

Meantime, art goes on all around you. Engage it!

Marc Percansky and A Salute to the Music of Bob Dylan (Part 2)

As part of the upcoming May 17 Salute to the Music of Bob Dylan I've been interviewing the musicians who are taking part. This is part two of my interview with Marc Percansky, co-producer and co-promoter of this event. Part one covers the backstory on how Salute came to be.

EN: What was your background before becoming a concert promoter?
MP: I was born and raised in Minnesota. My family owned a nightclub in town, a very famous one. I grew up there, the first 13 years of my life, from ’66 to ’79. It was there for forty years, the top night club in town. It was called the Flame Café. We had everybody there. We had Willie Nelson, he was young, and Fats Waller, Patsy Cline. We lost our liquor license and closed down, but the first 13 years of my life I watched that. It was one of those rare places that had a broadcasting station within it and a stage that rose out of the ground.

I had a relative on my mom’s side who was in vaudeville. I was performing magic from twelve years old on, so the concert promotion came as I got more associated with the musicians in town here I figured I might as well do my own concerts.

Before that I did a little stuff in real estate, I was licensed in New York. I did some stuff in Los Angeles with Sally Kirkland, the actress. I made some short films in los Angeles. I worked in what was at the time the largest record store in the country called HMV. I started that… but the concert promotion started actually in 2010. Rambling Jack Elliott was my first one. Many of the musicians that are involved I actually met there.

EN: What is the "Magic" of "Magic Marc" Percansky?
MP: I’ve been doing magic since I was seven, eight, nine years old. After my Bar Mitzvah, which is when you become a man, I said “Now I’m and man and now I’m going start doing professional magic shows.” I did it for 25 years. I performed everywhere. And I just thought it was a great thing because when you do magic they just come to see the tricks. They don’t care who you are.

I stopped doing magic for a while, but the name Magic Marc kinda stuck so I am using it still. Probably the rest of my life I’ll use Magic Marc. But there’s many different levels of magic. With Bob he’s a magician of words and music.

EN: I grew up doing magic, but was self-conscious when it came to performing.
MP: Bob once asked me to show him tricks. I never told anyone this… There’s a magic trick that involves a mental prediction board. It’s a little board with three slots. It’s a magic reading or reading the other person’s mind. I told him to write on this board whatever your thinking. The first is “Picture in your mind whatever color you like.” He wrote down “Royal Blue.” Next is to pick a card and he picked the seven of diamonds. The last thing was to name a favorite food. He thought about it and had to put something different than anyone would ever write. What do you think his favorite food was? Kasha.

I guessed it. It was a good trick, but I could never forget that he said, “Kasha.”

Photo by Doug Webb / Connect Artists

EN: How well did you know the guys from Blood On The Tracks?
MP: I was a little boy when it was recorded but I’d never met any of them until that night at the Pantages in ’04. And Kevin is the one I became closest with right off the bat. I hung around with him a lot after that show. I really miss him.

They’re gonna get their due. I believe they’re going to release a Bootleg Series with their stuff. It’s still one the greatest things ever. Kevin’s the one I’ve been the closest with. This wouldn’t have happened without him. It’s a lot of work.

EN: Tell us a little about the Duluth show coming up.
MP: We have over 25 names here. They’re all great people.

It’s been a while since I’ve been to Duluth. I did do magic for Louis Kemp once. We’re not used to doing this inside. In fact, we’ve never done this inside. I like it to be fast paced. We have a great selection of music. Some of them know Bob. Scarlet [Rivera] is the one who I go back the furthest with.

EN: Why is the music of Bob Dylan important?
MP: This isn’t a tribute we’re doing. I don’t call this a tribute. It is a salute, because let’s face it, they have tributes all over the world, but this is a salute. We’re paying respect, we’re paying an homage. We’re all inspired by him. I don’t think there’s anybody else… He’s written the book. He’s still writing the book. Everybody can listen, watch and learn from him. I don’t see myself ever being in any other kind of salute or tribute. I’ve listened to him my whole life. My mom, when I was a little boy, had eight-tracks she listened to when I was growing up. I’ve never stopped listening. We’re lucky to have him around. Like George Harrison says, they’re going to be studying him 500 years from now. They’ll study his stuff. They’re studying it now.

The funny thing is, I never get tired of it. He’s so diverse. There’s nobody finer in music. That’s the reason I’m involved.

We’re coming to Duluth and want to make a good impression.

I’ve loved every stage. I’m Jewish and even love his Christian phase.

He’s been an artist. And like Scarlet they’ve sacrificed their lives to do their art and their music. I’ve learned a lot from him about life. He likes people to do their own thing.

* * * * *

EdNote: This blog entry and others like it have the aim of raising awareness for the upcoming Salute to the Music of Bob Dylan concert which will kick off the 2014 North Country Dylan Celebration in Duluth and Hibbing. Sacred Heart Music Center, May 17, 2014. For tickets to this event visit dulutharmory.org/events.

Visit the Salute Facebook page and share with your friends by clicking the Invite button. 

A Salute to the Music of Bob Dylan is a presentation of the Armory Arts and Music Center and Magic Marc Productions.

PHOTO CREDITS

Top: Bob Dylan mural painting at 4th Street/13th Avenue SE, Minneapolis, MN, Sept. 28, 2011 ~ Surgey Trubetskoy c 2006

Photo by Doug Webb 

Middle: Phot by Nelson French, backstage at Rambling Jack Elliot concert, June 19, 2010

Bottom:  Doug Webb