Thursday, January 22, 2009

Drive-By Truckers & Dar Williams

The big story this weekend is the return of the Drive-By Truckers to The National. They are working on a new album but have decided to squeeze in a few shows and thanks to their connection to Richmond (lead singer Patterson Hood named the Richmond show on 3/28 as one of his top five DBT shows of last year), they will be here on Saturday night. Doors open at 7, show starts at 8, tix are $20 in advance and $25 the day of the show. If you are planning to go, get your tix in advance because they sold out last time, which I unfortunately found out. I would totally be going to this show, but my string of bad luck/timing with DBT continues. My dad and his wife are coming this weekend and we couldn't change the date because they wouldn't be able to come down from Philly again for at least a month and they are anxious to get the kids their Xmas gifts before Valentine's Day hits. I will hopefully see them when they return again later this year.

If you are wondering whether you would like to see DBT, ask yourself, "Do I like rock n' roll?" If yes, then go. The music is a cross between Neil Young (who they play with on Booker T (of the MGs) new album), Lynyrd Skynyrd, 80s alternative/punk, Widespread Panic and Social Distortion and the lyrics are like if Bruce Springsteen grew up in Alabama in the 70s and read a lot of William Faulkner.

Also on Saturday night, Toubab Krewe play at the Capital Ale House Music Hall. Doors open at 8 and tix are $10. Here is what the Ale House web site says about them: "Blending Malian, American, and "Dirty South" influences into a genre all its own, Toubab Krewe "has set a new standard for fusions of rock 'n' roll and West African music," says Banning Eyre at Afropop Worldwide. Members of the group developed their unique sound over the course of numerous extended trips to West Africa, where they immersed themselves in the local culture and studied and performed with masters such as Lamine Soumano, Vieux Kante, Madou Dembele, and Koungbanan Conde. The magnetic instrumental quintet formed in early 2005 and has attracted a diverse and devoted national following, captivating crowds everywhere from the Bonnaroo Music Festival and the Blue Note to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The band's energetic performances and acclaimed self-titled debut have won them praise from the New York Times, Global Rhythm, and Afropop Worldwide."

On Monday night at The National, Dar Williams brings her folk-pop in. Doors open at 7, show starts at 8:30 and tix are $20. Joshua Radin and Jesse Harris are opening. This is a reserved seat show. In the article in today's Times-Dispatch, they mention that she had help on her new album from Gary Louris (of the Jayhawks), Rob Hyman (The Hooters) and Suzanne Vega. You'll like Dar if you like John Hiatt, Joni Mitchell, Emmylou Harris, Jonathan Brooke, and Paula Cole.

That's all for now. Have a great weekend!

Tony Jordan

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