God Shammgod and basketball in Taiyuan, China

Today is the release date of Jim Yardley's Brave Dragons: A Chinese Basketball Team, an American Coach, and Two Cultures Clashing, a book  I have been thoroughly enjoying. Jim, the Pulitzer Prize winning New York Times Bureau Chief, was a…

Alan Paul and Big in China Videos

I finally got some decent video of my current band. Two tunes from Uncle Mike's, NYC 1-13-12 are below. Looking forward to seeing many of you Saturday, March 3 at TSTI. Bob Dylan's "You're Gonna Make Me lonesome When You Go": John…
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Surprise CD pick: Jaimoe’s Jassz Band. WSJ and Guitar World interviews with Jaimoe and Jr. Mack.

I spoke with Allman Bros drummer Jaimoe about his great solo album and his band's gig tonight in NYC for the WSJ Speakeasy blog. This was really a pleasure because I really enjoyed  the album, Renaissance Man, far more…

Jamming with Mark Karan – “Got Love”

In honor of last night's totally fab Ratdog concert broadcast live from Bob Weir's TRI Studio, I uploaded another tune from my completely fun night playing with Ratdog guitarist Mark Karan. The song is the Woodie Alan original "Got Love If You…

Mark Karan, lead guitarist with Bob Weir…and Alan Paul

Mark Karan with Bob Weir and Ratdog for the first time in... a long time... Rehearsal for a live online broadcast, which airs tonight, Weds. January 25 at 8 pm EST, 5 pm PCT. Mark Karan with me, Norm and Chuck at San Fran Big in China…

Big in China is an Amazon bargain book

Big in China is a bargain book on Amazon again... There are only three left right now... I really don't know if that means after that it reverts back to full price only, but if you're looking to buy Big in China, you might just want to click…

From the Archives: Dennis Johnson old school interview

RIP DJ. (September 18, 1954 – February 22, 2007). He was voted into the Hall of Fame three years after his sudden, tragic death. I interviewed him from my office in Beijing about a year before he passed away. The interview originally ran in…

RIP Etta James: “I’d Rather Go Blind”

When Etta James passed away last week , most obits seemed to focus on her great version of the classic torch song "At Last," which Beyonce sang for the Obamas at the 2009 Inauguration Ball. (Etta was rightfully pissed that it wasn't her singing…

Big in China band Friday the 13th in Tribeca

Alan Paul and Big in China return to Uncle Mike's in Tribeca for another night of blues and rock. Original tunes, Allmans, Dead, Dylan and more... Warm up your January night and shake off the post-holiday blues. Make Friday the 13th a lucky…

Big in China one of the year’s best music books

Big in China was featured as one of Jamband.com's 2011's best books about music. Thanks guys. What a pleasant surprise. And I also just noticed that   the book is currently on sale on Amazon for over 50% off - just $10.40. That's far cheaper…