Weekend Picks: Arlo Guthrie, Benefit for Jason & Liz Throckmorton, People's Blues of Richmond, John Kadlecik Band, DJ Williams Projekt, Mekong Xpress

People's Blues of Richmond will play their show that was postponed by snow last weekend on Thursday night and I can't think of a much better, or louder, way to start your weekend. That goes down at The Broadberry. Tix are $10 advance, $15 day of show. Doors open at 8, show starts at 9 with Jouwala Collective opening. They'll be touring in February out west to Colorado, San Francisco, Nevada, Nebraska, St. Louis and Chicago so come give them a good Richmond send off. Here's their full set on 3/5/15 at Ziggy's in Winston-Salem when they opened for JJ Grey & Mofro.



Friday, Mekong Express will get funky at Cary Street Cafe. That gets underway at 10 and it's $7 to get in. Here they are playing "The Pushback".



Saturday afternoon, from noon to 7, there is a special Benefit for Jason & Liz Throckmorton. "Jason & Liz Throckmorton were involved in a terrible accident recently, they were both injured badly and Jason, unfortunately, lost his mother in the same accident. While they are recovering at home now, Jason will not be able to go back to work for quite some time and will need some financial assistance to help with his bills." The event takes place at Cary St. Cafe. This event was put together quickly so only one band, British Sterling, is confirmed. but I'm sure there will be some other fine music and it's a great cause, so stop by and contribute and have a beer or two.

Saturday and Sunday at Modlin Center for the Arts Alice Jepson Theatre, folk legend Arlo Guthrie brings his multimedia show, "Alice's Restaurant 50th Anniversary Tour" to the stage. "Curated with talented musical guests, an awe-inspiring light show, and previously unseen images from the Guthrie archive, this performance will spotlight the Thanksgiving events that transpired in 1965." Tickets range from $10 to $50 depending on who and what you are. The show starts at 7:30 PM both nights. Here's a clip of Arlo doing "The Motorcycle Song" from an earlier performance on this tour. It starts with a little claymation based on the song, Arlo talks for a moment and then Arlo and the band play the full song.

Over at The Broadberry Saturday, guitarist John Kadlecik brings his band to town. John was a founding member of Dark Star Orchestra and then was tapped to join Phil Lesh & Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead in Furthur. Tix are $15 advance, $17 day of show. Doors open at 8, show starts at 9 and no opener is listed. John still plays with the Dead guys every once in a while. He'll be joining Phil Lesh & Friends for two shows in Vegas in February. John doesn't just play Grateful Dead songs. He also plays songs from The Police, Bill Withers, Traffic, Jimmy Cliff, Dylan, some originals and here's one from Pink Floyd:



Tuesday night at The Broadberry, DJ Williams Projekt performs for your pleasure. Doors open at 8, show starts at 9. It's $8 to get in. No opener is listed. The band will playing at The Broadberry every Tuesday night in February with a different theme each night. This Tuesday in Funk Night and few get funkier than DWP! Here they are doing Band of Gypsys' "Power of Soul". Not sure if they'll do this on Funk Night or save this for Rock Night. Go both nights and find out.



That'll do it. Have a great weekend! I'll leave you with a new song that sounds like old school funk with a twist from Bibio. It's not much of a video but I dig the song. This is "Feeling":



And I'll bring you a classic too. Bob Dylan and Eric Clapton doing Dylan's "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right":



Tony Jordan

Late Night Pick: Borns

Alternative/indie/glam rock/folk/pop singer/songwriter Borns will be on the Late Late Show with James Corden tonight (CBS, 12:35 AM). You don't have to go to work tomorrow so have another beer or glass of wine and stay up late and watch. Borns will appear at many of the big festivals this year including Coachella, Sasquatch and Boston Calling. Here's Borns' "Electric Love":

Weekend Picks: Grant-Lee Phillips, Marcia Ball, Moon Taxi, Yonder Mountain String Band

If you want to catch a show this weekend before Snowmageddon '16 hits, and you've got some cash, head to The Tin Pan on Thursday night for New Orleans boogie-woogie piano player, Marcia Ball. I've seen Marcia a few times and she always puts on a fun show. Get a table near the wall so you can get up and dance. If you go, get there early if you want to get in. The Tin Pan web site says tickets will be available at the door but the advance tickets sold out. You may want to call The Tin Pan before heading over if you want to be sure. Show starts at 8, there is no opener and tix are $50. If you miss Marcia here, you can always head down to the New Orleans Jazz Fest this year and see her on the last day of the festival. Soooooo many good bands at this festival this year. Here's Marcia playing at the Kessler Theater in Dallas in December:



I'm going to keep the two Friday and Saturday listings short because I'm assuming that most of these shows will be postponed due to the impending snowy doom. The State Police are telling people not to drive and to stay home so do check the conditions and, of course, check with the venues before heading out.

Friday - Broadberry, Fear of Music: A Talking Heads Tribute with The Slank opening. Doors open at 8, show starts at 9, tix are $12 in advance, $15 at the door.

Saturday - Broadberry, People's Blues of Richmond with Atlas Road Crew opening. Doors at 8, show at 9, tix $10 advance, $15 at door.

Saturday - Carpenter Theatre, Jackson Browne. This is billed as "An Evening With Jackson Browne" which usually means no opener. This show is Sold Out, but if they have it, you might find some tickets if people bag out, and if they postpone it, you might find some tickets for the new date if people get refunds. Doors open at 7, show at 8.

You may have caught Moon Taxi at Friday Cheers last summer. Now, they'll be at The National on Tuesday night. Described as an indie alternative progressive jam band, when I saw them at Cheers, I just thought they wrote some catchy, upbeat songs and they didn't seem to jam too much at Cheers. Maybe they stretch out more when they have a longer time to play. Find out on Tuesday. I'm sure they'll play lots of stuff from their new album, Daybreaker, too. They'll also be at Coachella this year, where they'll kinda, sorta be opening for Guns n' Roses. OK, they are playing on the same day. But that counts, right? Tix are $18 in advance, $20 day of show. Doors open at 6:30, show starts at 7:30 with now RVA band, The Congress. Here's Moon Taxi performing the reggae influenced "Who's To Say?" a month ago in Birmingham AL:



Next Wednesday (1/27), Americana/jam band, Yonder Mountain String Band, take the stage at The National. Tix are $25, no opener is listed, doors open at 7, show starts at 8. YMSB has been recording some new music so maybe they'll bust some of that out for ya. YMSB recently posted some free downloads of covers from our recent dear departed classic rockers Glenn Frey (Life in the Fast Lane) and David Bowie (Ziggy Stardust). Here's some of that "Life in the Fast Lane":



Ashland Coffee & Tea hosts singer-songwriters Grant-Lee Phillips and Steve Poltz on Wednesday (1/27). Show starts at 8, tix are $15 advance, $18 day of show. Rolling Stone recently listed Grant-Lee Phillips' upcoming album, "The Narrows", as one of the most anticipated country albums of 2016.  Here he is performing "Loaded Gun" which will be on that album:



That'll do it! Have a great weekend! Stay warm and safe, but get out and play in the snow a little.

In honor of Glenn Frey, here's a favorite of mine from his solo career, from those Miami Vice days, this is "Smuggler's Blues":

Glenn Frey - Smuggler`s Blues Video (1985) from MTVClassic1 on Vimeo.

Tony Jordan

Weekend Picks: Tribute to Bowie, Lettuce, Goldrush, Sleepwalkers, Susan Greenbaum, Strange Brew & Sports Bar

The weekend kicks off on Thursday with funk-jam band Lettuce at The National. Tix are $20 in advance, $25 day of show. Doors open at 7, show starts at 8 with openers Rome Fortune. Lettuce is already lining up the festival gigs for the spring and summer with appearances at their own festival, Fool's Paradise in St. Augustine, along with Roosterwalk in Martinsville VA on Memorial Day weekend, Gem and Jam Festival, and Mountain Jam. Here's "Phyllis":



Pop-rockers Goldrush play their only show this month Friday night at The Camel. Tix are $7. Doors open at 8, show starts at 9. The Dawn Drapes and Clair Morgan open. Here's the latest video from Goldrush, "Settle Down". But please don't settle down at the show Friday night. It's Friday night, after all!

Over at Capital Ale House Downtown Friday, Sleepwalkers will rock out with The Trillions opening. Doors open at 7, show starts at 8. Tix are $13 advance, $15 at the door. Here's Sleepwalkers performing "Prey and Pressure":



Movie Club Richmond and Hardywood Brewery give you movies, music and beer Friday night. They will show the classic "Strange Brew" starring Bob & Doug McKenzie (Rick Moranis & Dave Thomas) starting at 9 PM. Coo-loo-coo-coo-coo-coo-coo-cooooooo! Right after the movie, Sports Bar, will play some garage rock for ya, eh. So put on your toque, grab some donuts and drink some brewskis at Hardywood Friday night, you hosers! The event is a fundraiser for Video Fan Forever who help Movie Club present screenings like this, so make at least the $5 suggested donation. I couldn't find any videos of Sports Bar, so here's the trailer for "Strange Brew":



And then there's this:



Susan Greenbaum may wear a toque if it's chilly on Saturday at Ashland Coffee & Tea but we know for sure she'll be performing all of Carole King's "Tapestry" that night as well as on the 22nd in the same place. She'll also do some of her originals. Show starts at 8 both nights and there is no opener. Tix are $20 in advance, $23 day of show. Get your tickets fast though. They are close to selling out. Here's Susan honoring the late Robbin Thompson by playing his song, "Real Fine Day":



As you all know by now, David Bowie passed away this past weekend. I met the thin white duke for one brief moment on the opening night of his North American Glass Spider tour (7/30/87). It was at Veterans Stadium in Philly. My friend knew one of the chefs at the fancy restaurant in the Vet and he arranged for us to get dinner and tickets for the show. We had just completed dinner and one of our party excused themselves to go to the restroom but soon came running back in saying, "Bowie is at the bar! Bowie is at the bar!" We rushed into the bar to see David Bowie in the flesh, taking pictures with some record company bigwigs around a cake to commemorate the tour opening. Almost as soon as we got there, one his handlers was hustling David out of the room, saying he had to get ready for the show. As he walked by me, I held out my ticket stub and he signed it for me. Unfortunately, the ticket stub was lost, but I still have the memories of seeing David fucking Bowie right in front of me. He was as stylish and graceful as you'd think he would be and I still remember that beautiful smile.

I also owe a great debt to the "Ziggy Stardust"album. In the summer of '90, I was adrift. I stayed in my college town over the summer. I had no job other than a part-time bar tending gig as I continued an unpaid  internship at WZZO. My parents had just divorced, so I was avoiding going home. Other than hanging out with my good friend, Lia (a Bowie fanatic, as it turns out), who kept me company watching movies and MTV and made me the occasional spaghetti dinner, there wasn't much of a social life for a poor boy like me. I spent much of the summer drinking cheap beer, watching Phillies games (they were really bad) with the sound off on the TV and listening to two albums that had been released on special edition CDs that summer. the Beach Boys' "Pet Sounds" and "Ziggy Stardust". Bowie's tales of loneliness, alienation and romantic longing touched me deeply that summer as I tried to figure out what to do with the rest of my life and how to get there. "Lady Stardust" in particular, hit me that summer. The melancholy music and plaintive vocals seemed to be mine as I crossed that threshold to the "real world" and mourned the shattering of my family and my lost days as a student. But the hopefulness of the lyrics, touched by sadness, made me feel that I would be alright even if I had to go through this difficult time now and with an underlying message that rock n' roll would save me, or at least soothe me. So thank you, David Bowie, for giving me a thrill with a one time meeting and carrying me through a long, hot, difficult summer.


Tony Jordan

Late Night Pick: Leon Bridges

Neo-classic R&B singer, Leon Bridges, is on Jimmy Kimmel Live tonight (11:35 PM, ABC). His album, "Coming Home", is up for Best R&B Album at The Grammys. From that album, here's "Smooth Sailin'":



Here's Kacey Musgraves singing a song I found very touching. This is "Late to the Party", which she performed on the Late Show last week:

Late Night Pick: Kacey Musgraves

Country singer-songwriter Kacey Musgraves is on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert tonight (11:35 PM, CBS). Kacey performed with Willie Nelson on NYE and if Willie likes her, she's alright by me! Actually, she was alright by me before that. Spin Magazine likes her too. They named her song, "Dimestore Cowgirl" the #1 Country Song of 2015. This one is from Kacey's 2013 debut album, "Same Trailer, Different Park":



This is Kendrick Lamar performing "Untitled 2" on the Tonight Show last night:

Late Night Pick: Kendrick Lamar

Rapper Kendrick Lamar's "To Pimp a Butterfly" is being widely hailed as one of the best albums, if not the best album, of 2015. He's on the Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon tonight at 11:35 on NBC. From that album, here's "King Kunta" (language NSFW):



And here's two-time Grammy nominee Andra Day on last night's Late Show:

Weekend Picks: Donna The Buffalo, Butcher Brown, No BS! Brass Band, Dismal Swamp Lords

You can start your weekend with a FREE show at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Funk/jazz band Butcher Brown will be playing as part of Friday Art & Wine. The event runs from 6 - 8 PM. BB has been in the studio recently so perhaps they'll be working out some of those new tunes live on Friday night. Here's BB performing "Syd" at SXSW this year:



No BS! Brass Band takes over The Broadberry for a Saturday night get down throw down. Tix are $12 in advance, $15 at the door. Doors open at 8, show starts at 9. No opener is listed. This show is a warm-up for their appearance at NYC Winter JazzFest which takes place Jan. 13 - 17. Here's the new video for No BS' "3 AM Bounce":

Folk rock band Donna The Buffalo is at Capital Ale House Downtown Sunday night. Tix are $15 in advance, $17 at the door. Doors open at 8, show starts at 9. The Tide Rose will open. DTB is playing at my favorite place in Key West, The Green Parrot, tonight. Wish I was there! Here's their set at The Funky Biscuit in Boca Raton the other night:

Also Sunday night, a FREE show at Bandito's with Red Necromancer, Dismal Swamp Lords and The Hellhounds. It starts at 9. This should be a good way to avoid those Sunday night blues by listening to some swamp/punk/blues/rock.

That's it! There's been a lot of talk about the Guns N' Roses reunion this week. They'll be playing Coachella this year and possibly touring. Early rumors are that if they tour. tickets will cost $200+ and that's for stadium shows. Here's their full set from The Ritz in NYC back in 1988, when they were the most dangerous band in the world, you could see them in a club and it only cost you $13.50 to see them.



Tony Jordan

Late Night Pick: Andra Day

Retro-soul singer/songwriter Andra Day will be on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert tonight (CBS, 11:35 PM). You may have seen Andra on the Christmas commerical for Apple singing with Stevie Wonder. Tonight, she'll perform "Rise Up" from her debut album, "Cheers to the Fall". Here she is putting her own spin on Muse's "Uprising":