Late Night Pick of the Night: Black Keys, GWAR reviews "War Horse", RIP Ralph McDonald, More free Xmas mashups

Tonight's Late Night Pick of the Night is a repeat of The Black Keys on The Colbert Report.  Colbert is on at 11:30 PM on Comedy Central, then rebroadcast throughout the next day.

GWAR is now branching out to do movie reviews.  Here Oderus Urungus and Balsac the Jaws of Death review the new Steven Spielberg movie "War Horse".

Songwriter ("Just the Two of Us", "Where is the Love?") and percussionist Ralph MacDonald has passed away at the age of 67.  Read his obit HERE.  This guy played on a whole lot of major albums in the 70s, including "Saturday Night Fever", Bowie's "Young Americans", and with George Benson, Jimmy Buffett, Harry Belafonte, Bee Gees, Billy Joel and many others.  Read his full discography HERE and prepare to be impressed.  As far as solo work, he is probably best known for "Calypso Breakdown" from "Saturday Night Fever"


Finally, Juan Rapido of Radio Valencia in San Francisco has turned me onto some more Christmas mashups.  HERE is a link to dj BC's "Santastic" series.

The Congress, Furthur, People's Blues of Richmond, Keller Williams, New Year's Eve

We are going to cover up through New Year's Eve because (1) there isn't a lot going on in the clubs what with that Christmas thing happening and (2) we've got family coming in next week so I don't know if I'll get to this because I'll be (a) entertaining guests, (b) getting drunk, or (c) a & b.

Friday night (12/23), The Congress, DJ Williams Projekt, and Murphy's Kids will be at The National.  BTW, The National brightened up their web site and I like it.  The show starts at 7 and tix are $15.  The Congress have a real classic rock sound.  Think The Band, James Gang, and the Black Crowes, Here is The Congress doing "Reisen" at their show in Denver in October:

If you are at home on Friday night and you likes you some Grateful Dead, check out the rebroadcast of the Furthur show from June on the TRI Studios website.  It will run at 7 PM ET and then again at 10 PM ET.  Here's the setlist.  One Set: Playin’ In The Band > Crazy Fingers > Jack Straw, Brown-Eyed Women, Big Bad Blues, The Wheel > Unbroken Chain> The Other One> Uncle Johns Band > Lady With A Fan > Terrapin Station > Terrapin Transit > At a Siding > Terrapin Flyer > Terrapin Refrain, Black Peter, Mountain Song > I Know You Rider

Post-Christmas, you can check out People's Blues of Richmond and THINK! at The Camel on Monday (12/26).  The bands will play alternating sets starting at 10 PM and it's $5 to get in.  The band also says that the first one to vomit gets a free shot on the band.  You'll dig these guys if you like drinkin', Led Zep, Canned Heat, or Col. Bruce Hampton. Here's PBR doing "Nihilist Blues":



On Thursday (12/29), Keller Williams is doing two shows at The National.  The first show is a Kids show at 2:30 PM.  Get there early to get in the interactive drum circle and bang away with Keller.  Keller has innocent, funny lyrics in his "adult" songs and always like audience participation so I can see his talents lending themselves well to kids songs and shows.  Tix are $17.  I may try and hit this one up with the kids, depending on what they want to do and what visiting relatives and their kids want to do.  Here's a little video about Keller and his kids show:



Then, Keller does a show with the electro-funk band Pimps of Joytime later that night.  Doors open at 8, show starts at 9.  Tix are $18 in advance and $21 at the door.  No opener so get there on time.  There is going to be three sets, one set of K-Dubalicious (reggae), one set of The Pimps Of Joytime followed by a loopy dance set by Keller.  I couldn't find any videos of Keller with Pimps of Joytime so I figured I'd get one of the Pimps videos and then you can just imagine Keller playing with them.  I think you can hear that they'll fit well together.



Keller records on the SCI Fidelity label and you can download a free SCI Fidelity sampler featuring Keller, String Cheese Incident, Lotus, EOTO, Emmitt-Nershi Band, and Younger Brother HERE.

Got a few shows on New Year's Eve.

There is the 4th Annual Rhythm & Roots Party with Jackass Flats, A Good Natured Riot and the Green Boys at The Camel.  This is where you'll go if you want bluegrass and Americana.  It'll start at 8 PM and tix are $20.

Then you've got your Three Sheets to the Wind show at The National.  This is where you'll go if you want to ring in the new year like it was 1979 with the smooth, yacht rock sounds of Three Sheets, and Members Only, the 80's cover band.  Tix are $30 in advance and $35 at the door.  Show starts at 8.

If you want the Dead, check out King Solomon's Marbles, the Grateful Dead cover band at Cary St. Cafe.  Show will start at 10 PM and cover is $10 which includes party favors and a midnight toast.

For those of you who still need dinner ideas for the holidays, let's consult the Vegan Black Metal Chef and his recipe for Holiday Hell Roast.  Thanks to Justin for showing me this one.



I'll check in with a Late Night Pick of the Night tomorrow and then you probably won't hear from me until next year.

Have a Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Happy Kwanzaa, Joyous Winter Solstice, and a Happy and Rockin' New Year!

Tony Jordan

Late Night Pick of the Night: Kylesa

Tonight, have your mind blown by heavy psychedelic band Kylesa on Last Call with Carson Daly at 1:35 AM on NBC.  Carson will be showing two Kylesa songs from their show at the Troubadour in LA this past September.

Late Night Pick of the Night: Mariachi El Bronx

Tonight, check out updated mariachi music from Mariachi El Bronx on Letterman at 11:35 PM on CBS. I saw these guys on one of the festival webcasts and while they wear the mariachi costumes, they are definitely not your average mariachi band that you find flitting from table to table in fancier Mexican restaurants.  They inject the mariachi with some punk attitude.

Late Night Pick of the Night: Mastodon, Beach Boys reunion tour

Tonight's Late Night Pick is heavy metal band, Mastodon, on Last Call with Carson Daly at 1:35 AM on NBC and then repeats the next day on FuseTV.  Their latest album "The Hunter" was metal magazine Kerrang's top album of the year for 2011.

Also, the Beach Boys announced they will do a 50 show reunion tour for their 50th anniversary.  That's all of them together including Brian Wilson.  This tour intrigues me for a few reasons.  One, after years of acrimony and lawsuits, will they be able to stand each other for 50 shows?  Two, will they sound good and will the new music they are promising be any good?  Three, where will they set ticket prices and what demand will there be?  They haven't announced the dates yet, but it's a 50 date international tour so I wouldn't expect to see them at Innsbrook this year.

Late Night Pick of the Night: Gary Clark Jr.

Been hearing a lot about blues guitarist Gary Clark Jr. from people that have seen and it's all been good.  The Washington Post declared he is poised to be a breakout star in 2012.   Check him out tonight on Letterman at 11:35 PM on CBS.

Gary will be on NPR today live at noon.  Here's the info: "Friday the 16th, Gary Clark Jr will be performing as part of the WXPN Free at Noon concert series. Tune in to the live broadcast at 12pm ET on WXPN Philadelphia at 88.5, your local NPR station that carries World Cafe or listen online at NPR.org!"  If you miss it, they usually archive those on NPR.org so you should be able to find it there.

Late Night Pick of the Night: Dawes, FloydFest 2012 lineup

Folk-rockers Dawes will be on Conan tonight at 11 PM on TBS.  Dawes just announced that they'll be playing FloydFest here in Virginia in 2012.  FloydFest will go down this year July 26 - 29.  Looks like a pretty good lineup for FloydFest in 2012.  Besides Dawes, they've got Allison Krauss & Union Station, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Brandi Carlilie, Leftover Salmon, Bruce Hornsby, Ricky Skaggs, Sam Bush, Galactic, Gary Clark Jr., Toubab Krewe, Anders Osborne, Hoots & Hellmouth, and more.  Anyone want to go?

Atlas Sound, Woods, Diamond Center, Hamaganza, Jason Mraz, Susan Greenbaum,

If you are going to go out and see some music, this is the weekend to do it because after this weekend, things appear to dry up for at least the next month.  All our little rock n' roll friends go home to their families, wish for new guitars from Santa, play New Year's Eve shows everywhere but Richmond, and then settle in for a long winter's nap, emerging from hibernation sometime in the spring to play a few gigs to get their shit together before they play all the summer festivals.

We begin on Thursday night at The National with Atlas Sound, the solo project for Deerhunter front man, Bradford Cox.  Tix are just $15, doors open at 7 and the show starts at 8 with openers Frank Broyles and then, Carnivores.  You'll probably dig Atlas Sound if you like spacey, experimental rock like Sigur Ros, Velvet Underground, Bjork, Brian Eno, Leonard Cohen, and Suicide.  Here's Atlas Sound with "Quick Canal":

On Friday night, the big show (and you know it's a big show because I'll be going, said the humble narrator) is Woods, MMoss, and The Diamond Center at Strange Matter.  It's $10 to get in, doors open at 9:30, show starts at 10 with The Diamond Center and make sure you get there in time to see them.  Woods has a good critical buzz and is low-fi indie folk-pop. Think Grateful Dead, Kinks, Bright Eyes (Conor Oberst). I would classify Mmoss & Diamond Center as heavier, psychedelic garage rock. Think electrified folk, early Dead, Airplane and Pink Floyd; Velvet Underground; Neko Case; Nick Cave; Sonic Youth.  Here's Woods, "To Clean":


and here's The Diamond Center, "20 Twin":



If you are in a giving mood on Friday, No BS! Brass Band will be having their 3rd Annual Food & Coat Drive at The Camel.  Bring 2 canned food items for a $2 discount on the cover charge which is $7.  Show starts at 9 PM.  Here's the band playing "I Ain't Even Gonna Call Ya" in Birmingham AL in 2010:

Also, Friday night the annual Hamaganza begins.  You'll find Hamaganza at Balliceaux for the Opening Night Show on Friday night (starts at 9 PM) and then the Main Event show will be at Capital Ale House downtown on Saturday (starts at 9 PM).  As always, the festivities are led by the Richmond's favorite large transvestite, Dirtwoman.  If you've never been to one of these, expect the unexpected.  You may see rock bands, jugglers, whistlers, city council members,  you just never know.  It's free admission if you bring a ham or you can give a suggested donation of $10 at the door.  Money and ham all go to the Central VA Food Bank.

Monday night, hometown boy Jason Mraz will perform a special acoustic show at the Carpenter Theater to benefit SPARC, the School of the Performing Arts in the Richmond Community, which I believe he was a member of when he was young.  Tickets run $35, $100 (VIP), and $150 (Gold Circle).  A little pricey but this is a benefit so the money is going to a good place.  Jason and Toca Rivera (who will perform with him on Monday) have been travelling the world, performing and filming the journey.  Here's a little glimpse of their visit to Manila, Phillipines where they helped out a charity that fights human exploitation and  human trafficking.  Keep up the good works, Jason!



Finally, Susan Greenbaum will be doing an acoustic show at Ashland Coffee & Tea on Wednesday night.  The Ashland Coffee & Tea site is not working as I write this so check it later or check Susan's Facebook page laer to see the time and cover charge.  I would guess 7 PM for the start and if that's too early, well, then have an extra coffee or tea while you wait.  Cover charge, I'll go $10 or less.  Don't hold me to that though.  Here's Susan at the Carpenter Center in November of this year:



I'm outta here.  See you at the Woods, MMoss, Diamond Center show on Friday night.  Let me know if you are going.

Tony Jordan

Late Night Pick of the Night: Deer Tick

Deer Tick (good band, horrible band name) will be on Conan tonight.  Wait, I just got an image of a giant deer tick attached to Conan and getting bloated with his late night TV host blood.  Gross.  Anyway, Conan is on at 11 PM on TBS.

Free Xmas Music, Late Night Pick of the Night: Wild Flag

Some FREE Christmas music to download:

 - Check out DJ Riko's latest Merry Mixmas Christmas mashup along with all the ones he made going back to 2002.  That's here: http://www.djriko.com/mixmases.htm
 - Paste Magazine has 40 new Christmas tracks from bands like Deer Tick, Fitz & The Tantrums, Polyphonic Spree, She & Him, Woods, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Shelby Lynne, moe., Keb Mo, and more.  You can stream it or download it in 2 easy chunks HERE.

Tonight on David Letterman, check out my latest favorite band, Wild Flag.  Dave's on CBS at 11:35 PM.  Wild Flag's debut album is making all sorts of top albums of 2011 lists. 

Late Night Pick of the Night: Manchester Orchestra

Somewhat slim pickings tonight so we'll go with a repeat of Last Call with Carson Daly with Manchester Orchestra.  Last Call is on NBC at 1:35 AM and then repeated on FuseTV a few times the next day.  If you are a Man O fan you may want to send them you singing along with the chorus of their song "Virgins".  They will then mix all the submissions into one big mighty chorus behind them.  Check the link to their site above for details.

Late Night Pick of the Night: M83

Watch electronic pop artist M83 on Last Call with Carson Daly tonight at 1:35 AM on NBC.  You can also catch repeats a few times the next day on FuseTV.

Delbert McClinton, Ghost of Pop Fest, The Atkinsons, No BS! Brass Band, Gene Gene the Dancing Machine

We are easing toward the holidays or rushing depending on what you are doing at the moment.  Friday night, The Atkinsons will be at Poe's Pub.  Show starts at 9 and cover is $5.  I feel obligated to mention that because (1) The Atkinsons are a fine local Americana band and (2) I didn't contribute as much $ as I usually do to Poe's this NFL season.  Since I moved here in 2000, Poe's has been my place to go to see the Eagles when the game is not carried over our local airwaves.  We get enough Eagles games on TV that for the $25 it costs me in beer and food to go to Poe's for a game it still comes out cheaper than buying the NFL ticket on the satellite.  But the Eagles haven't been any good this year so I haven't had the urge to blow $25and a Sunday afternoon and have my blood pressure rise watching them suck mightily.  So Poe's, I'll be back next year.  In the meantime, go check out some music there.  Here's the Atkinsons performing "No Ordinary Home" at WRIR Studios in May:

Also on Friday night, No BS! Brass Band will be at Balliceaux.  It's free to get in and the show starts at 10:30.  Saw the band on the Richmond Flying Squirrels float during the Christmas Parade and even though we were all the way at the end of the parade, they were still rockin'.  Here is their latest video for "Dr. Wily" in which they keep Richmond safe from robots:



Blues man Delbert McClinton will be at The National on Saturday night.  Tix range from $20 (general admission) to $30 (reserved).  Door open at 7, show starts at 8 with opener Barrelhouse.  Had to use this clip only because I don't think Delbert will have the Solid Gold dancers with him on Saturday night.  Delbert seems slightly uncomfortable with the whole Solid Gold format.

Also on Saturday night, the Ghost of Pop Festival will go down at Gallery 5.  It's only $5 to get in, the show starts at 7:30 and you'll see Richmond bands My Old Ways, Young Adult Fiction, The Trillions, Goldrush, Kid Is Qual, and The Druthers.  For descriptions of the bands, check out Andrew Cothern's The Richmond Playlist blog on the River City Rapids site since that's where I found out about the show.

It's too early for Christmas music at least for me.  I can't start listening to that until about a week before Christmas or I'll get sooooo tired of it.  So let's have the only man cooler than Santa Claus...who's that?  Oh my God....can it be?    YES!  That must be Gene......Gene.....The Dancing Machine!!!



Have a great weekend!

Tony Jordan

Best Debut Albums of 2011, Dobie Gray Drifts Away (RIP), Late Night Pick of the Night: Chevelle

Metacritic has a list of the Top Critically Rated Debut Albums of 2011.  A little something for all music fans in there.  I can personally attest to the fun that is the Wild Flag album, which I have been grooving on lately. 

Dobie Gray of "Drift Away" and "The In-Crowd" fame passed away at 71 on 12/6.  I didn't know that his stage came from Sonny Bono and was inspired by one of my favorite sitcoms of all-time, "The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis".  Read the full obit HERE.

Finally, check out alternative metal band Chevelle tonight on Jimmy Kimmel at midnight on ABC.

Late Night Pick of the Night: Black Keys, Shonna leaves Drive-By Truckers, RIP Hubert Sumlin

Toinight's late night pick is The Black Keys who will be on the Colbet Report tonight at 11:30 PM on Comedy Central and then repeated a few times over the next 24 hours.  I'm sure the Black Keys will play something from their new, critically acclaimed album "El Camino".  They did a fine job on Saturday Night Live last week.

In Drive-By Truckers news, bassist Shonna Tucker has left the band.  She had been in DBT for the last eight years.  Click HERE for notes from her and band leader, Patterson Hood.  Shonna was starting to come into her own in DBT, taking lead vocals and lead writing credits on a few songs on the last few albums.  Perhaps she wanted to do more of that and decided to strike out on her own.  I'll miss her bass playing, harmonies and her cute butt.

One of the top 100 guitarists of all time in a recent Rolling Stone poll of musicians has passed away.  Hubert Sumlin, who played with Howlin' Wolf and Muddy Waters and influenced Jimmy Page, Jimi Hendrix, Keith Richards and many others, died at 80 years old on Sunday.  Read the obit in Rolling Stone HERE.

Late Night Pick of the Night: Ryan Adams, Ryan Adams webcast, The Angriest Guitar Player Ever

Tonight alt-country troubadour Ryan Adams will be on Letterman at 11:35 PM on CBS.  Also, on Jonah Hill, talking about the new movie "The Sitter", and the very sexy Kristen Johnston.   There will also be a Ryan Adams concert webcast live from Letterman's Ed Sullivan Theater starting tonight at 8 PM.  Click the Letterman link above to get there.

Here is the Angriest Guitar Player in the World, courtesy of my friend, Tony Schott.  If you are in the South Jersey area, be on the lookout for the Tony Schott Band.  He plays much better than this guy.  BTW, beware if you watch this at work.  There is much cursing, though it's in a British accent so just tell people you are watching the latest BBC documentary and that it's OK because you are getting some culture:

Late Night Pick of the Night: Shelby Lynne, Mojo Magazine Top 50 Albums of 2011

Tonight, Americana singer-songwriter Shelby Lynne will be on the Tavis Smiley show on PBS.  Check your local listings for the time because it varies. 

Also, Mojo Magazine released it's list of Top 50 Albums of 2011 today.  I was happy to see my new favorite White Denim come in at #6 for their album "D".  And my old favorite, Drive-By Truckers (who may be coming to The National soon) also made the list for "Go-Go Boots".

Late Night Pick of the Night: Cee-Lo Green, Best New Music of November

Tonight watch 2011 Soul Train Music Awards Best Male R&B/Soul Artist Cee-Lo Green, whose "F**k You" song gets chickened up in the latest Muppets movie.  He'll be on Last Call with Carson Daly at 1:35 AM on NBC, then repeated a few times the next day on FuseTV.  As an added bonus, indie country rockers Delta Spirit will also be on the show.

Check out the most critically acclaimed music of the last month on Metacritic's Best New Music of November article.  Best of November: Sepalcure by Sepalcure.  Metacritic is also collecting and compling the Music Critics Top 10 Lists HERE.  With six magazines/web sites reporting so far, the current leader is Let England Shake by PJ Harvey.

Late Night Pick of the Night: Bono

We're going back to Comedy Central tonight for the Late Night Pick of the Night.  This time it's the Daily Show with John Stewart's turn.  Bono from U2 will be on.  Not sure if he'll perform anything.  But he's always interesting and I'll want to see if John will jibe him a little for the Spiderman musical debacle.  I saw a song from the Spiderman musical during the Macy's parade broadcast, you know, when they are killing time the first hour while they wait for the parade to reach Macy's so they show all the Broadway stuff.  It was pretty brutal.  The choreography was ridiculous and the costumes even more so.  The Green Goblin looked like a fat piece of broccoli.  Kraven the Hunter and Carnage looked like they were action figures for three-year-olds. 

The Wailers, Switchfoot, Bonobo, Cotton Jones, Diamond Center, Skydog, No BS! Brass Band

The Wailers get your musical week started Wednesday night at Kingdom.  Tix are $25.  Doors open at 7, show starts at 8 with openers Duane Stephenson, Rollers Rights and The Offset.  Here's The Wailers a couple years ago in St. Petersburg, Russia of all places.  This is "So Much Things to Say":



Also, Wednesday night, at The National, pop-punk-ska band 311 will perform.  Tix are $40, doors open at 7, show starts at 8 with DJ Soulman, then 311 will play two full sets.  Not sure if DJ Soulman will play prior to and/or between 311 sets so I wouldn't get there late, just in case.  Here is a track from their 2009 album, "Uplifter" called "Hey You" (not the Pink Floyd song):



Thursday night, Cotton Jones & Diamond Center will be at The Camel.  Diamond Center, the heavy psychedelic band from Richmond, will open when the show starts at 8:30 (doors open at 7:30).  Cotton plays slightly psychedelic indie folk music.  Well, just listen.  Here's Cotton Jones doing "I Am the Changer" live on Michigan State University radio back in '09:



102.1 The X has their holiday show at The National on Thursday night with Switchfoot, Airborne Toxic Event, Drew Martin & The Limelights, & Against Grace.  Door open at 6:30, show starts at 7, tix are $20 in advance, $23 day of show.  Expect the music to sound like the stuff you typically hear on 102.1 The X.  Here's Switchfoot's latest, "Dark Horses":



At the Canal Club on Thursday, it's soulful chill out electronica night with Bonobo.  Reinhold and Mister Jennings of PLF will open.  Show starts at 9, tix are $15 in advance and $20 at the door.  Here's Bonobo with "The Keeper" featuring Andreya Triana:



Friday night, check out Allman Brothers tribute band Skydog at Cary St. Cafe.  They'll start around 10:30 PM.  I'm not sure about the cover charge but I'm sure it will be minimal.  Here's Skydog live in the studio recorded  in April doing "Ain't Wasting Time No More":



On Saturday night at The Camel, No BS! Brass Band will play with BadMan opening.  Show gets under way at 9:30.  Here's NO BS! playing what appears to be Halloween this year because I don't think they usually dress like that:



If you're in the mood for more brass and more bands be sure to catch the Christmas Parade starting at 10 PM on Saturday right down Broad St.

Have a great weekend!

Tony Jordan

Late Night Pick of the Night: Tinariwen

Tonight we head to The Colbert Report with Stephen Colbert for both biting and funny political commentary and the African desert blues band Tinariwen.  Colbert is on at 11:30 PM on Comedy Central and then repeats a lot over the next 24 hours.  Here's Tinariwen with Carlos Santana at the Montreaux Jazz Fest:

Late Night Pick of the Night: Das Racist

Hope you all had a splendid Thanksgiving weekend.  I caught "The Muppets" movie with the family on Sunday and it was excellent, with "Rainbow Connection" still bringing a lump to my throat after all these years.

Tonight, check out the experimental, satirical and funny rap band Das Racist (the name is tongue in cheek) on Conan at 11 PM on TBS. 

Late Night Pick of the Night: Paul Simon

It's Paul Simon week here in Richmond so check out Paul tonight on a repeat of Conan at 11 PM on TBS.  Matthew Broderick is on too. 

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Paul Simon, Carbon Leaf, Poston Brown Project

As to be expected, at least in Richmond, it's a slow week for concerts the week of Thanksgiving.  But as with most Thanksgivings, people come back to visit their hometown and homeboys Carbon Leaf are no exception.  They'll do a show at The National on Friday night.  Tix are $15.  Doors open at 7, show starts at 8 with openers Say Chance and Scars on 45.  Here's Carbon Leaf performing "The Sea" in Charlottesville earlier this month.



Also on Friday night, Poston Brown Project will perform at Cary St. Cafe.  Show starts at 10 and it's $7 to get in.  As they put it, "We play covers that you like to hear and like to get drunk to."  And they promise to play lots o' Dead since they'll be at Cary St. Cafe.  Here they are doing "Friend of the Devil" at Ashland Coffee & Tea in June:



On Tuesday night, the ageless and perpetually wonderful Paul Simon will be at the Landmark Theater.  The show starts at 7:30 PM.  Tix are $87 and $67 and if you didn't get 'em yet, they are down to "Partial View Seats".  Here's Paul performing "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" in 2000:



For your Thanksgiving weekend listening pleasure, here's 10 seconds from every hit song of the 70's.  This was my AM radio period so it was a nice walk down nostalgia lane for me.  I listened to 1976 - 1979 and was struck by a couple things.  I had forgotten how many hits Barbara Streisand had in that era.  The Bee Gees owned 1977 with seeemingly every other song being by them, written by then or produced by them.  Some people may dismiss disco (I dig it) but it brought a nice bit of funkiness to hit radio.  The absolute MOR whiteness of the 1976 hits was pretty bad.  HERE is the link.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!  I'll see you at "The Muppets" movie this weekend.  It's looking like "The Muppets" may be one of the best reviewed movies in the history of Rotten Tomatoes.  It currently has a 100% Tomatometer score with all 60 critics who have seen it loving it (an average score of 8.1 out of 10).

Tony Jordan

Late Night Pick of the Night: Portugal. The Man

A night of repeats on the late night shows for Thanksgiving week.  We'll go with Portugal. The Man (yes, that's how you write it, though I guess he must differentiate himself from Portugal. The Country, especially for internet searches) on Last Call with Carson Daly at 1:35 AM on NBC and then on repeats the next day on FuseTV.  Also, appearing will be Nirvana producer and Garbage band member, Butch Vig.

Springsteen to tour in '12, Late Night Pick of the Night: M83

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will tour in 2012.  This has been confirmed on Bruce's official web site.  They announced four dates in Europe and said they will be announcing US dates soon. 

Sounds like there will be a new album too.  Interested to hear who will be playing sax instead of Clarence.  I would say “replacing” but no one can replace Clarence.

Tonight's Late Night Pick of the Night is electronica band M83 on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on NBC at 12:35 AM.  Also interested to see the other guests, Jason Segel (talking Muppet movie), Deepak Chopra & Michele Bachmann.  Not sure if Jimmy will interview Ms. Bachmann but even if he did I wouldn't expect much fireworks.  I like Jimmy's humour but he's not the type of guy to ask hard-hitting questions.

Late Night Pick of the Night: Tom Morello w/Ben Harper, 40 Years of Black Sabbath

I usually don't do Leno because I'm not a fan, but the musical choices on late night TV are really slim tonight and this pairing should be a guitar extravaganza.  Tom Morello will be joined by Ben Harper tonight on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno at 11:35 PM on NBC.

For your Friday viewing pleasure, here's a nice video retrospective of 40 Years of Black Sabbath and their many, many, many lead singer changes.  Click HERE.

Review: Manchester Orchestra, White Denim, Dear Hunter; Late Night Pick of the Night: Vince Gill

A quick review of last night's Manchester Orchestra, White Denim, Dear Hunter show at The National.  Dear Hunter came on first and definitely led the night in beard quality with lead singer Casey Crescenzo's Zach Galafanaikis appearance and bassist Nick Sollecito channeling JEB Stuart's beard.  Dear Hunter featured a relentless (but in a good way) triple guitar attack that gave their songs a psychedelic edge.  Think the last few minutes of The Beatles' "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" which they ended their set with.  I also heard elements of Arcade Fire, Death Cab for Cutie, My Morning Jacket & Smashing Pumpkins.  The keyboardist also added some swirling elements and interesting touches that added depth and variety to the songs.  I enjoyed these guys.

Next up was my find of the night, White Denim from Austin.  I loved these guys.  They had a maximum R&B/blues feel but it wasn't straight-forward blues.  It was the blues was filtered through punk and prog.  The songs were streteched out as if jamming but the sharp rhythm changes could definitely not have been unrehearsed.  However, the tempo changes didn't feel forced.  In my conversation after the show with the bassist, he said they were about 95% rehearsed and about 5% improv, primarily on the solos.  The rhythm section, bassist Steve Terebecki (who, with his thick black-framed glasses, looks like the 12 year old geek from every 80's pre-teen movie) and drummer Joshua Block locked in thunderously, calling to mind The Who at times.  The guitarists, James Petralli & Austin Jenkins, could play clean, classic rock style solos and also fuzzed up, distorted harsh Chicago blues.  Influences that I heard were White Stripes, early Steve Miller Band, Minutement, firehose and maybe even, moe., and they even locked in a groove with an African beat for a while.  I think I asked the bassist two or three times to come back to Richmond when they have a chance and if they do, you are all coming with me to see them.

Finally, the headliner, Manchester Orchestra, who, for me, was the most disappointing band on the bill.  Every tune seemed to follow the same soft/loud/soft/loud pattern with little variation.  While they did that well, the lack of any curve balls (except one humorous slower song which I beleive was about courting a Hollywood actress or perhaps stalking her) led to the show feeling repetitive.  The keyboardist had a second drum kit behind him that he played on occassion nd rather than adding some counterrhythms to the music, he played exactly the same thing as the main drummer, making it louder but not necessarily better.  The crowd was definitely into them the most, headbangin' when the loud parts of the songs came on, but there never seemd to be that explosion when the band and the crowd lock in.  I did enjoy the personable and funny lead singer Andy Hull who kept things light in between songs. 

Tonight's Late Night Pick of the Night is country singer-guitarist Vince Gill on Jimmy Kimmel on ABC at midnight.  Vince will be coming to Richmond soon (12/9 to be exact) for a Christmas concert with his wife, Amy Grant.

Late Night Pick of the Night: Michael Stipe, Kermit & Miss Piggy

Tonight on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Michael Stipe, formerly of REM, will surely discuss the REM breakup.  And also promote REM's new greatest hits album.  It will be interesting to see if he performs a song and whether it will be an REM song or something else.  Also, Kermit & Miss Piggy will be on to promote the much anticipated, at least in my house, new movie, "The Muppets".  And, if that was enough, we get to find out what the hell Martin Short has been up to, because he'll be on the show also.  Late Night is on NBC at 12:35 AM.

Manchester Orchestra, Dear Hunter, White Denim, Barstool Heroes, Peace Beast

Wednesday night at The National is Manchester Orchestra, The Dear Hunter & White Denim.  It's $19 to get in and show starts at 7:30 with White Denim (note that their site says they start at 7, I don't know who to believe! You're tearing me apart!), then Dear Hunter, then MO.  Get there early because all the bands are getting a nice critical buzz. All fall into that broad indie rock category. Comparable bands in parentheses. I haven’t seen any of them live before but just feel the need to see some new music so I think I'm going to the show even though it looks like I'll be flying solo.  Of the people I asked, had a couple doing Daddy duty while moms are away, a couple were still burned out from the Hank3 show on Sunday night, and one at band practice.  Anyway, here are the  influences/similar bands in parentheses if you want to know: Manchester Orchestra (Bright Eyes, Death Cab for Cutie, Nirvana, Weezer, Modest Mouse), The Dear Hunter (Sufjan Stevens but can get louder) & White Denim (Stooges, CCR, MC5, Stones, Yardbirds, Hendrix, White Stripes). If you are heading to the show or want to join me, let me know.  Let's do a video from all three bands.

This is the heavy video for Manchester Orchestra's latest.  It's called "Virgin" and both the video and the music remind somewhat of "Division Bell" era Pink Floyd.  I have no idea what the video means but it left me uneasy.  Which I believe was the intended effect.



Here's the Dear Hunter with "We've Got a Score to Settle" live:



And here's White Denim playing at my senior prom performing "Street Joy". OK, well it's not really my senior prom but it could have been with all the big hair, big shoulder pads/ruffles on the girls dresses' and cheesy mustaches on the guys.  I hope the band wears these tuxes tomorrow.



Big hip-hop show at The National on Thursday night with Curren$y / Method Man / Big KRIT / Smoke DZA / Fiend / The Pricks / Corner Boy P.  Tix are $25 in advance, $28 day of show. Doors open at 7, show starts at 8.  Here's Curren$y doing "Elevator Music" ("all we do is ride around and get high to it"):


 And here is some classic Wu-Tang Method Man:

Also Thursday night at The Camel, RVA band Peace Beast and Memphibians (from Jacksonville FL) will perform an early show.  Doors open at 6, show starts at 7.  It's only $3 to get in and you'll be outta there by 9.  Peace Beast is inspired by 60's garage rock.  The Memphibians have a slightly dischordant heavy psychedelic groove going on.  If you want to check out some tunes by the bands, click through on the link above to the event announcement on Facebook.

On Saturday night, you can get your outlaw country on with Barstool Heroes at The Republic.  This is again an early show, which is great news for those of us that like to sleep.  This is the Republic's 2nd anniversary show.  Barstool Heroes comes on at 7 and then DJ Amy Alderman will start at 10:30.  It's FREE to get in so money is no object.  Here's the band doing a Jerry Reed song at Cary St. Cafe earlier this year:



Well it gets late fast in these parts so I'm outta here.  Have a great weekend!

Tony Jordan

Late Night Pick of the Night: Mastodon

Let's get heavy tonight with metal band Mastodon on Last Call with Carson Daly.  Last Call is on at 1:35 AM on NBC.  The Chicago Tribune recently said about Mastodon, "Sometime in the last few years, who knows exactly when, Mastodon became the greatest metal band in the world."

Late Night Pick of the Night: Bela Fleck & The Flecktones

Bela Fleck & The Flecktones are back with a new album, "Rocket Science" and a new/old member, Harold Levy, who left the band in 92, back on board on harmonica and piano.  Check 'em out tonight on Jimmy Fallon, also featuing Jane Lynch and Ron Howard.  That's on at 12:35 AM on NBC.

Also note that Bela Fleck & The Flecktones will be at University of Richmond on April 22 of next year.

Robert Randolph, Josh Ritter, Hank 3, Joe Bonamassa

Pedal steel guitar player extraordinaire Robert Randolph comes to The National on Friday night with his band, The Family Band.  Robert Randolph is the best guitar player I have seen since Stevie Ray Vaughan and I don't throw SRV's name around lightly.  Tix are $23.  Doors open at 7, show starts at 8 with opener The Bush League.  Though Robert plays mostly original stuff, he still touches on the classics. Here he is with the Family Band doing Hendrix's "Voodoo Chile" at the North Sea Jazz Festival earlier this year:



Saturday night, singer/songwriter Josh Ritter will be at the University of Richmond Camp Concert Hall at the Booker Hall of Music at the Modlin Center for the Arts.  Damn, that's a mouthful.  Tix are sold out but if there are any left or some become available they will be $34 but there are discounts if you are a senior citizen, a kid under 12 or a U of R Employee or Student.  The show starts at 7:30 with opener Sarah Harmer.

Also Saturday at The National, you can check out the Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience.  Jason is, of course, the son of late Zep drummer John Bonahm, and Jason played drums for the Led Zep reunion show that took place a few years ago.  There was an interview with Jason in today's Times-Dispatch and you can check that out HERE.  Tix are $25, doors open at 7, show starts at 8 and it doesn't look like there is an opener.  Here they are doing one of my favorite Led Zep tunes, "Kashmir".  There was a month in high school where every day when I came home from school, the first thing I would do would be to run to my room and crank up "Kashmir" as loud as my little Sears stereo could go.  Note that they are not trying to look like Led Zep as the lead singer has considerably less hair than Robert Plant.  Not that there is anything wrong with that, my bald-headed friends.



At The Republic, local Americana band The Atkinsons will play.  Show starts at 7 with opener Eric Hunter and it's FREE to get in.  The Atkinsons have a new CD, "Mile Marker", out and I'm sure they'll play lots of cuts from it at the show so you can check it out.  Here's The Atkinsons performing "Eileen" at Ashland Coffee & Tea last December:



Blues guitarist Joe Bonamassa will be at the Landmark Theater on Sunday night.  The show starts at 8 and there appears to be no opener.  Tix are $51 and $81.  I first saw Joe when he was with a band called Bloodline which featured Joe, drummer Erin Davis (son of Miles), rhythm guitarist Waylon Krieger (son of Robby from the Doors), and Berry Oakley Jr. (son of Berry Oakley from the Allman Brothers).  Joe was all of 17 years old at the time and though technically good, he didn't play with the band as much as play over the band, soloing without much thought for where he fit into things.  I recently saw him on a show on DirecTV and he has matured into a fine blues player, and though he was mostly solo on the show, I could see that he has learned how to play within himself and when to let it all hang out.  Here's Joe doing "So Many Roads" (not the Grateful Dead song) at the Blues Cazorla festival:



Alt-country artist Hank 3 (aka Hank Williams the 3rd) will show all sides of his musical personality when he performs at The National on Sunday night.  Tix are $15 in advance, $20 day of show.  Doors open at 7, show starts at 8 and it'll be a whole mess o' Hank 3.  He'll play for 2.5 - 3 hours, starting with a Country set, followed by a louder, Hellbilly set, then finally a set with his new stoner metal / doom band Attention Deficit Domination.  Here's Hank performing in the country segment of the show on 11/8 in Charlotte:



That's the weekend!  Have a good one!

Tony Jordan

Asobi Seksu @ Camel, Late Night Pick of the Night: Feist

Japanese indie rockers Asobi Seksu come to the Camel tonight.  It's $10 to get in, doors open at 7, show starts at 8 with Canary Oh Canary, The Absent Center, and The Trillions.  Asobi Seksu will come on around 11 PM, rock n' roll time.  Asobi Seksu has been compared to some of the 90's shoegazing bands.  Here's their latest video for "Perfectly Crystal", which reminds of The Sundays or Happy Mondays:


Tonight's Late Night Pick of the Night is singer-songwriter Feist on Jimmy Kimmel at midnight on ABC.  Here's Feist performing "Comfort Me" at the Canadian Broadcasting Company 75th Anniversary Celebration last month:

Late Night Pick of the Night: Death Cab for Cutie

Death Cab for Cutie, along with Girl In a Coma (there's two band names that are depressing and oh so emo), will be on Last Call with Carson Daly tonight at 1:35 AM on NBC and repeats the next day on FuseTV. 

Late Night Pick of the Night: Wale

After a day off yesterday (I was sick), we're back with tonight's LNPOTN, critically acclaimed rapper from DC, Wale.  He'll be on Jimmy Kimmel tonight on ABC at midnight. 

Don't forget to vote today!

GWAR Guitarist Corey Smoot Dead, Late Night Pick of the Night: Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit, David Lynch DJ Mix

In sad news, GWAR guitarist Corey Smoot aka Flattus Maximus was found dead yesterday on the band's tour bus.  HERE is the story from Rolling Stone.

Tonight's LNPOTN is former Drive-By Truckers guitarist/singer Jason Isbell and his band 400 Unit on Letterman tonight along with Bill Cosby.  Jason wrote some of my favorite DBT songs and he has a new album out "Here We Rest" that's getting some good press.

And for your Friday listening pleasure, HERE is a DJ Mix from director David Lynch, which is not as weird as I thought it would be, though it's quite enjoyable.

Fitz & The Tantrums, Chris Robinson, Ellersoul Records Revue

Things get under way this weekend on Friday night with a blues revue at the Glen Allen Cultural Arts Center.  The Ellersoul Records Revue will feature music from Marion James, Ivan Appelrouth, Terry Garland, Andy Poxon, Julius Pittman & The Revival, and Lil' Ronnie & The Grand Dukes.  It's $20 to get in, show starts at 8, there is a meet and greet starting at 7 and you'll get a free Ellersoul Revue CD.  You can check out all the bands on the Ellersoul Records site.

You can spend Saturday night with neo-soul/R&B band Fitz & The Tantrums.  They'll be at The National.  Tix are $18 in advance, $20 day of show.  Doors open at 7:30, show starts at 8:30 with opener Walk the Moon.  Here's Fitz & The Tantrums performing "Don't Gotta Work It Out" on Leno in September:



On Sunday night at Strange Matter, you've got a hard rock bill featuring Torche, Part Chimp, The Coathangers and Gritter will perform.  Doors open at 7:30, show starts at 8.  Tix are $12 in advance, $14 day of show.  Make sure you get in early enough to check out all-female garage/punk rockers, The Coathangers.  Here's Torche's oddly endearing video for "UFO" in which a mushy monster attacks LA.



And here's The Coathangers peforming "Sicker":



At Strange Matter on Monday night, Wino, Premonition 13, Gates of Slumber & Windhand will play on a psychedelic metal bill.  Doors open at 8, music starts at 9 and its $12 to get in.   Get there in time to see classic metal sounding (think Sabbath) Premonition 13.  BTW, Wino is the lead singer for Premonition 13.  Here's Premonition 13 doing "La Hechicera de la Jeringa".



On a poppier note, Goo Goo Dolls will be at The National on Monday night.  Tix are $30 in advance, $35 at the door.  Doors open at 7, show starts at 8 with opener Ryan Star.  This is Goo Goo Dolls latest single, "All That You Are".  Yep, sounds like Goo Goo Dolls.

Also on Monday night, classic punk rockers Misfits headline a giant bill at Kingdom, at the site of the old Alley Katz.  Haven't been there yet but from the pictures it looks like they've fixed the place up.  It's $20 to get in on Monday.  Show starts at 5 PM and will go until midnight or so.  On the bill (in order of appearance) Good Mourning Dolly, Far Beyond the Valley, The Loathed, Cimmerian, Point Blank, Juicehead, then Misfits.  Here's Misfits latest, "The Devil's Rain".  It's a fan made video, but it works for me.


Finally, Chris Robinson of the Black Crowes brings the Chris Robinson Brotherhood to Canal Club on Tuesday night.  Tix are $18 in advance, $20 at the door.  Doors open at 7 and it looks like there will not be an opener because it's billed at "An Evening With....".  Here's the band doing "Tumbleweed in Eden" in July in Chicago.



Have a great weekend!

Tony Jordan

Best Music of October, Late Night Pick of the Night: Chickenfoot

Metacritic has listed the most critically acclaimed albums of October HERE.  Top rated album of the month?  Empros by instrumental metal band Russian Circles.  I was bummed to see the new Jane's Addiction album in worst reviewed albums of the month.  I'll still go see them on tour if they come close, though, just to see "Three Days" live again.

Tonight's LNPOTN is Chickenfoot on Jimmy Kimmel on ABC at midnight.  Chickenfoot is the "supergroup" made up of Michael Anthony & Sammy Hagar from Van Halen, Chad Smith from Red Hot Chili Peppers and Joe Satriani.  While I doubt the music is too deep, it may make for a good time.  They are definitely striking a nerve with their audience as their US tour of theater-size venues is sold out.

Late Night Pick of the Night: Paul Simon

Holy crap!  Conan two nights in a row after not showing up on LNPOTN for months.  Tonight, Conan has Paul Simon who has yet another great album out.  Paul will be at the Landmark on November 29.  There are still some Balcony tickets remaining for the show but get them soon.

Late Night Pick of the Night: Cobra Starship

Slim pickings tonight on late night tv.  We'll go with Cobra Starship on the Conan show at 11 PM on TBS.  One, because Cobra Starship is the best band out there tonight and, two, because we haven't checked out Conan lately.  Conan is not getting bands that are as good as when he was in NY.  After that crazy summer when he was out of work and was very funny on his tour and on the web, I thought and hoped that Conan would come back with the edge he seemed to regain that summer.  But it just didn't happen comedically or musically.  But I haven't watched him in a while so maybe he is getting his mojo back.

Late Night Pick of the Night: Megadeth

It's Halloween so you gotta do some metal right?  Megadeth is back with their new album, Th1rt3en, which just happens to be their thirteenth album and is also really annoying to try and type.  They'll be on Jimmy Kimmel Live tonight at midnight on ABC.  Pee-Wee Herman aka Paul Reubens will be on too.  Bonus!

Late Night Pick of the Night: Duran Duran

Duran Duran will be on the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson tonight at 12:35 AM on CBS.  Never been a huge Duran Duran fan.  I liked "Rio" when it came out but then they blew up mega-huge and I dismissed them as a boy band, correctly or not.  I have listened back at the post-"Rio" 80's work and they wrote some pretty good pop music for a time there.  You also have to respect them for still being in the game at this point and releasing some good new music rather then just trotting themselves out as a retro hits band. 

Late Night Pick of the Night: GWAR

Gotta go with hometown boys (aliens? monsters?) GWAR on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon tonight at 12:35 AM on NBC.  Just in time for Halloween.

“We are overjoyed that Jimmy had the good sense to invite us back”, declared GWAR front-thing Oderus Urungus (whose tweets are hilarious — follow him @therealoderus) “as we had planned to return anyway. Now Fallon can do the show with his head still attached to his body.”

Chromeo, Mayer Hawthorne, Crystal Castles, Papadosio

We begin the weekend with 80's music enthusiasts Chromeo at The National on Thursday night.  They are not a cover band but instead play original music on 80's era instruments.  You can read an interview they did with Style Weekly HERE.  Tix are $30.  Doors open at 7, show starts at 8 with openers Breakbot and Mayer Hawthorne.  Be sure to get there early to see neo-soul artist Mayer Hawthorne.  Mayer's latest album "How Do You Do" recently debuted at #1 on iTunes R&B/Soul Chart.  Since I like them both, let's do a video from both Chromeo & Mayer.

Here's Chromeo gettin' all the girls in the room pregnant in their video "When The Night Falls":

 And here's Mayer Hawthorne performing "The Walk" on Tuesday night on Letterman:

On Friday night, Crystal Castles will be at The National.  Tix are $25 in advance, $30 day of show.  Doors open at 8, show starts at 9 with "A Special Guest".  We'll file Crystal Castles in the electronic pop category. You may dig them if you like ELO, Kraftwerk, New Order, Pet Shop Boys, Orchestral Manoeuvres In the Dark, or Daft Punk.  Here's their video for the song "Celestica":



Also Friday night, surf guitar legend Dick Dale will be at Capital Ale House Downtown.  Doors open at 8 and there is no opener listed so get there early.  Tix are $25 in advance, $30 day of show.  Dick Dale is probably best known for his song "Misirlou" which opened up the movie "Pulp Fiction".  Here is a happening little video of Dick Dale & The Del Tones playing the song in the 1963 film "A Swingin Affair":



Saturday night, jam band Papadosio is at The National.  Tix are $15 in advance, $18 at the door.  Doors open at 8, show starts at 9 with opener The Werks.  Here's Papadosio performing "Method Of Control" at Camp Barefoot 5 in WV in August.



Ska & reggae band 808 will be at Conch Republic Rocketts at Rocketts Landing on Saturday night.  This is a Halloween party so be sure to dress up because there will be prizes.  808 starts at 8:30 (shouldn't they start at 8:08?).

On Sunday night, Crooked Fingers will be at The Camel.  Tix are $11 in advance & $13 at the door.  Doors open at 8 and the show starts at 8:30 with openers Strand of Oak and Clint Maul.  Crooked Fingers is the solo project for Archers of Load frontman Eric Bachmann.  You might dig him if you like Springsteen, Leonard Cohen, Nick Drake, Neil Diamond, Bob Dylan, Tom Waits or Paul Westerberg.  Here's the video for their latest called "New Drink for the Old Drunk":



Just back from a tour of TX, New Orleans and Athens GA is heavy psychedelic band The Diamond Center.  They will be at The Cellar Door on Sunday night with Teru Teru & Imperial China.  Show starts at 10 PM and its either free or there will be a minimal cover.  You can check out a video from the band HERE when they played Cous Cous in January but I can't seem to embed it.

It's not often you see bluegrass humor, let alone funny bluegrass humor featuring Noam Pikelny of Punch Brothers, Steve Martin, Ed Helms (The Office, Daily Show) and some other musicians you might recognize.
You have to go to the Funny or Die site to see it.  HERE is the link.

Finally, the first pick in the new Grateful Dead Dave's Picks series will be the show from The Mosque (now the Landmark) in Richmond on the hallowed Spring '77 tour, 5/25/77 to be exact.  Not sure when exactly it's coming out and if you can buy it seperately or you have to join this Dave's Picks subscription thing but you can check out http://dead.net for more details.

Have a Happy Halloween everyone!

Tony Jordan

Panic at the Disco @ National, Late Night Pick of the Night: Chris Young

At the National tonight,you've got punk-poppers Panic at the Disco.  Tix are $27.  Doors open at 6:30 and the show starts at 7:30 with openers Foxy Shazam & Patrick Stump (singer/guitarist for Fall Out Boy).  Here's the video for Panic at the Disco's latest song, Mercenary, which is on the Batman: Arkham City video game soundtrack:


Tonight's Late Night Pick on the Night is country singer Chris Young on the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, partly because Chris Young's latest album had recieved pretty good reviews and partly because I haven't watched Craig Ferguson for a while and he amuses me. Craig Ferguson is on at 12:35 AM on CBS.

Late Night Pick of the Night: Mayer Hawthorne

Check out neo-soul dude Mayer Hawthorne on Letterman tonight.  It's sweeps month so Eddie Murphy will be on too, hopefully not singing.  Eddie needs to make another comeback after he blew the good will from the "Dreamgirls" Oscar nomination with another string of crappy movies.  Letterman is on at 11:35 PM on CBS.

Late Night Pick of the Night: Primus, Bridge Concert Replay

I usually base my Late Night Pick of the Night on the musical guest only, but the lineup on Jimmy Kimmel tonight is hard to pass up.  Musical guest is Primus and you also get Zach Galifianakis (god, that's hard to spell) and Mike Judge talking about the return of Beavis & Butthead.  Jimmy Kimmel is on ABC at midnight.

Also, if you missed the Bridge Concert webcast on Saturday featuring Norah Jones, Neil Young, Beck, Dave Matthews, Arcade Fire, Carlos Santana, Mumford & Sons and Devendra Banhart, the replay is still being streamed on YouTube HERE.  Once you get there click "Live".  A word of warning.  You can't fast forward on the stream.  Because of that, and mistakes yesterday by my son and then by me, I have now watched the first 2 hours three times but haven't seen the rest.  So I'm being very careful right now not to upset the stream.  If you want to check out the show, do so today because I don't know how much longer they plan on keeping it up there. 

Late Night Pick of the Night: Glen Campbell

Glen Campbell, recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's and supporting what may be his final album, Ghost on the Canvas, will be on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live tonight on ABC at midnight.  I've been digging the title track of the album, which was written by Paul Westerberg (Replacements). 

Late Night Pick of the Night: MUTEMATH

Alternative rock band (does that term mean anything anymore?) MUTEMATH will be on Jimmy Kimmel Live on ABC tonight at midnight promoting their well received new album "Odd Soul".  Here's their cool video for their new song "Blood Pressure":

Late Night Pick of the Night: Wilco, Thurston Moore & Kim Gordon breakup, Free Downloads

Wilco has yet another amazing album out and on tonight's repeat of Late Show with David Letterman, they promote that album, "The Whole Love" by playing a song from it.  Check it out at 11:35 PM on CBS.

Thurston Moore & Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth have ended their marriage after 27 years.  The bad news is that this may be the end of Sonic Youth.  The good news is that Kim Gordon is now available and I'm always hot for chick with guitars.  HERE's the story.

Finally there is a new website that offers free legal downloads from indie labels to help promote their albums.  It's called The New Record.

Minus The Bear, New Found Glory, Conspirator, Beirut

Doing this a little early this week because my wife is going out of town for a conference and I know I won't have time to do it on my usual Thursday night or I'll be too exhausted from watching the kids to want to do it.

The music week kicks off on Thursday night with math rock band Minus The Bear at The National.  Tix are $20 in advance and $23 day of show.  Doors open at 7 and the show starts at 8 with opener The Velvet Teen.  This is the 10th Anniversary tour for Minus the Bear and they will play their 2002 debut album "Highly Refined Pirates" in its entirety.  Here's the band's video for "Pachuca Sunrise":


If you are in the mood for something a bit more retro and yacht rockin' that night, check out Three Sheets to the Wind at The Republic.  The show is FREE and the show will start at 9:30.  Three Sheets will be celebrating the music of Orleans that night.  It should sound something like this including the awesome facial hair:


Friday night will be Pop Punk night at The National with a five band bill featuring New Found Glory / Set Your Goals / The Wonder Years / Man Overboard / This Time Next Year.  They'll be opening the doors at 6 and starting at 6:30 so they can fit all those bands in.  Tix are $18 in advance and $21 day of show.  New Found Glory will be live on the HDNet channel on Sunday night at 9:30 PM so if you don't make it to the show or just want to relive it, you can check it out there.  Here's a little preview of the show at the National.  It looks like their is much camaradarie on the tour and lots of equipment too.  And it's apparently awesome.


At the Canal Club on Friday night there will be whole buncha jamtronica with the Shockoball w/ Conspirator featuring members of The Disco Biscuits w/The Former Champions & Ghost Payne.  Doors open at 9 and tix are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.  Here's a long tasty run from Conspirator from Fort Lauderdale earlier this month:


On Saturday at 8 PM and Sunday at 5 PM Eastern Time there will be a webcast of Neil Young's annual all acoustic Bridge School Benefit Concert which supports the work of the Bridge School helping people with severe speech and physical impairments to communicate using technology.  Besides being a great cause, it's always a great concert.  I was lucky enough to see the show on Halloween in '99 and the bill included Neil (of course), The Who, Green Day, Brian Wilson, Lucinda Williams, Pearl Jam, Emmylou Harris, Sheryl Crow and Smashing Pumpkins.  Needless to say, it was an amazing show.  This year's show will have Neil, Arcade Fire, Dave Matthews, Foo Fighters, Eddie Vedder, Los Invisibles featuring Carlos Santana, Beck, Mumford & Sons, Tony Bennett, Norah Jones and Devendra Banhart.  You'll find the webcast HERE.  Here's some highlights from the show I saw in '99.  If you look reeeeeeaaaaalllllly closely, you may see me up on the lawn.  Or not.


Next Tuesday at The National, Beirut will be performing.  Tix are $22.50 in advance, $25 at the door.  Doors open at 7, show starts at 8 with opener Basia Bulat.  It's apparently an all "B" show.  If you want to check out an entire Beirut show, you can go HERE (sorry, can't embed it).  If you just want to check out their latest video for "Santa Fe", well just look below.  It's your typical guy loses girlfriend & dog, guy gets girlfriend & dog back, guy loses girlfriend & dog, guy gets something tale:


Have a great weekend!

Tony Jordan

Late Night Pick of the Night: Fleet Foxes

Harmony heavy folk rockers Fleet Foxes will be on a repeat of the Late Show with David Letterman tonight at 11:35 PM on CBS.  Here's Fleet Foxes doing "Helplessness Blues" live in August:

Late Night Pick of the Night: Kylesa

Psychedelic metal band Kylesa will be on a repeat of Last Call with Carson Daly tonight.  That airs at 1:35 AM on NBC and you can also catch repeats on Fuse TV.

If you are in Charlottesville this Friday evening, you can check out Kylesa at Cartoon Network's Adult Swim Block Party.  That's a FREE event.

Late Night Pick of the Night: Beirut

Tonight watch indie world pop band Beirut on the Late Show with David Letterman at 11:35 PM on CBS.  The sometimes gross, always entertaining, Artie Lange will be on too.  Beirut will be at The National on October 25.

Folk Fest, Warren Haynes, G Love, Fantoberfest, Lonely Teardrops

This is, of course, Richmond Folk Festival weekend, Richmond's grandest event.  Where else can you walk around Richmond on a Saturday afternoon and travel around the world musically, from Mexico/Texas (Los Tres Reyes) to the Pacific Coast of the US (Git-Hoan Dancer, Tsimshian dance & song) to Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia (Mary Jane Lamond & Wendy McIsaac) to New Orleans (Steve Riley & The Mamou Playboys) to China (Qi Shu Fang Peking Opera).  There's also a whole stage set aside for the kids, mandolin & turkey call contests, lots of food and adult beverages.  Check out the web site for all the info.

There have been a couple good articles that can point out highlights from you.  One from Chris Bopst in the Richmond Times-Dispatch HERE and one from Style Weekly HERE.  But you can just go and walk around with an open mind and an open ear and you'll hear great music and be entertained and maybe learn a little something too.  Yes, there will be a lot of people and you will do some walking but its a small price to pay for having some of the world's great musicians come to your backyard.  The Folk Fest runs from 7 PM to 10:30 PM on Friday, noon until 10:45 PM on Saturday and noon to 6:15 PM on Sunday.  And if you want to stop by and say hello I'll be working as a volunteer backstage (well, side stage) at the MWV Stage from 11:30 AM to 3 PM on Saturday. 

Warren Haynes has played with the jam band granddaddies (Allman Brothers, various offshoots of the Grateful Dead) and on his own (Gov't Mule).  He'll be in town on Friday night at The National with his Warren Haynes Band, which is more old school soul/R&B than Gov't Mule.  Tix are $28, doors open at 7, show starts at 8 and there is no opener, just two full sets of the WHB.  Warren never gets tired and will jam with anyone.  I wouldn't be surprised to see him show up at the Folk Fest on Saturday trying to jam with the Tibetan Monks.  Here's the Warren Haynes Band at his annual Xmas Jam last year doing "Rivers Gonna Rise":


On Saturday G Love & Special Sauce bring their brand of bluesy pop soul to The National.  Tix are $20 in advance, $25 at the door.  Doors open at 8, show starts at 9 with opener The Apache Relay.  Here's his latest, "Just Fine":

Also Saturday, Fantoberfest will be held on the 700 Block of Allison between Broad & Grace right next to The Republic. This is a benefit for Connor's Heroes that will feature music by Less Than Jake, No BS! Brass Band, Long Arms, Kings Of Belmont, The Big Payback, People's Blues Of Richmond, plus DJ sets by Audio Ammo.  There will also be beers from local and regional breweries Starr Hill, Legend, Devil's Backbone, Hardywood Park, Southern Tier, and more.  Tix are $12 in advance, and $15 at the gate and it'll run from noon to 9 PM.  Here's Less Than Jake's "The Rest of My Life":

Finish out a fine weekend of music Sunday night with Lonely Teardrops and Midway Charmers playing "garage rock extraodinaire" at Bandito's.  The show starts at 9:30 and it's FREE to get in.  Here's Lonely Teardrops performing at Cary St. Cafe in February of this year:


That'll do it for this weekend and dammit, isn't that enough?!?  What more do you people want?!?  See you at the Folk Fest!

Tony Jordan