Hello and welcome back. I haven't done a blog in almost three weeks because I was at a conference in Vegas (more on that in a minute) and then last week I was sick and just too exhausted to stay up and do one. Luckily, it was a pretty slow week for music in Richmond so not much lost.
Onto Vegas, land of glitz and sleaze all wrapped up into one sparkly, jingly package designed to seperate you from your money. Musically, its not as easy to find music in Vegas as it used to be, with acts confined to the big shows at the casinos. They no longer have piano bars and singers in every lounge in the casinos. Can't take any space away from the slot machines. Music in the casinos is just some upbeat, inoffensive pop music pumped in just like the oxygen to keep you awake, alert and spending money.
I did have the luck of stumbling upon a good band at the rooftop bar (51st floor) of the casino I stayed in, the Rio. On Tuesday, intending to go to sleep early (which meant before midnight), I decided to accompany some co-attendees of the conference up to Voodoo (the name of said bar) because they wanted to check it out. I had been up there the night before and figured one drink and I was gone. It was free to go up as the Rio handed out passes each night that were good any night but Friday & Saturday. All the better to get you up there to drink $8 beers and $13 drinks. But I digress.
So out on the deck (a beautiful view of Vegas) they were playing your standard hip-hop/dance stuff but inside was a band that was much better than I expected. They were called Sin City Sinners, the most famous member of the band being guitarist Brent Muscat, formerly of Faster Pussycat. They do have some originals but I caught the second set in which they covered Cheap Trick, Quiet Riot (with a former lead singer of Quiet Riot, Paul Shortino), AC/DC (with the singer from an AC/DC cover band who sounded just like Bon Scott), Black Sabbath and Kiss, among others. I don't know if I would have enjoyed this band as much anywhere other than Vegas because (1) I was starved for live rock music after hearing only dance/hip-hop at the bars and pool and the aforementioned casino music, (2) the crowd at the bar, including me, was just there to get drunk and have fun, including some crazy, chunky, middle-aged looking (I may be middle-aged but I try not to look it. Too much.) ladies who were dancing and yelling and singing and making the band crack up, and (3) the band had the perfect attitude for the room. Funny, even a little wink-wink, nudge-nudge cheesy at times, but they were excellent musicians and really bonded with the fun vibe of the crowd and the room.
So, thanks to Sin City Sinners, it was another late night at Voodoo. If I ever get back to Vegas, I may look up this band to see if they are playing a more rock n' roll (read dark, dirty and sleazy) room where there would be lots of off-duty strippers, tattooed rock dudes and "working girls" with big hair rocking out. And maybe some go-go girls dancing in cages, you know, just for atmosphere. BTW, if you are a fan of hair metal, check out their web site just to see the list of guest stars they are going to play with over the next few weeks or have played with. These guys are definitely well connected.
My other Vegas music experience occurred on Wednesday night (9/16). After I took advantage of the free drinks at the closing night dinner for the conference, I went to see Umphrey's McGee at the House of Blues with some of the cool people from the conference. We had missed the first set by the time we got there (incorrect start time on the web site I checked) but no matter, we paid and went in anyway because we were drunk and it was Vegas and if we didn't spend the money there, Vegas would get it from us somewhere else. No matter how you feel about the franchising of music venues, the House of Blues does it right with great sound, sightlines and bars well placed throughout the venue. I wish I could give you more detail about the show other than we drank more, we danced, had a great time and they played some excellent Floyd covers and "Dear Prudence" but I am still getting to know Umphrey's so I'm unfamiliar with most of their songs (didn't matter). I can tell you Umphrey's is an excellent jam band and I will definitely see them again if not in Vegas, definitely here in Richmond. Here they are doing Dear Prudence at the show. If you look closely, you can see me in silhouette. I think that's my hand that gets in the way of the shot early in the song. Sorry dude.
And here is the song at the end of the second set "Much Obliged" with a little "Rocky Mountain Way" thrown in at the end for good measure. My big nose also makes an appearance in silhouette in this one.:
As I was taxiing down the runway to leave Vegas, hung over, exhausted and, quite frankly, happy to be leaving (as my friend, Leslie, said "A little Vegas goes a long way"), I played this song on my iPod, Drive-By Truckers, "Checkout Time in Vegas", an appropriate song for my mood if there ever was one. ("Checkout Time" is followed by "Deeper In" and "Sinkhole" because you can never have enough DBT.)
Anyway, back to Richmond. Dance diva Lady Gaga is playing on Monday night at The Landmark Theater. Per an email I got Sunday night at 8 PM, "A limited number of tickets have been released for the LADY GAGA show tomorrow night Monday September 28th at The Landmark Theater ... Tickets are available now at all Ticketmaster outlets, www.ticketmaster.com, and The Landmark box office". The show starts at 8 and tix are $30. Though the hits she's had so far don't seem much more than above average dance music, I did come to respect her after reading the article about her in Rolling Stone. She is trying to blend fashion, art and music to create this larger than life character of Lady Gaga in a way not unlike Bowie. Whether she'll be a flash in the pan or not we shall see, but I give her points for trying. If you haven't heard her song "Let's Dance" you may have been asleep for the past year so here's the link (can't embed it): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M65zI9LH-as
In an unrelated article, the nominees for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2010 are in. Up for induction: the Red Hot Chili Peppers, LL Cool J, Kiss and Genesis are up for nomination alongside the Stooges, Donna Summer, ABBA, Darlene Love, Laura Nyro, the Chantels, the Hollies and Jimmy Cliff. Based primarily on influence, I'd have to go with the Chili Peppers (still producing great music after 25 years), LL Cool J (one of the few rap artists to still be active after 25 years and one of the first crossovers to big pop success), Kiss (millions of records sold and the first taste of rock and roll for many a child of the 70s), Genesis (everything through Abacab helped build progressive rock, past & future), The Stooges (huge influence on the punk and alternative movements), Donna Summer (introduced us to Europop and influenced divas for years to come. And she's a guilty pleasure of mine so I would feel validated.), Darlene Love (epitomizes the sound of those early 60s girl groups. Should get in for "Be My Baby" alone. Definitely influenced everyone from Springsteen to Amy Winehouse.), and Jimmy Cliff (helped introduce reggae to the world along with Marley.) For those I'm not choosing, ABBA had a lot of hits but little influence on other musicians. Laura Nyro, while a fine singer, had a fairly short-lived popular arc and I don't percieve her as being a huge influence on future artists. The Chantels were one of the first girl groups but I just don't know the songs and don't see them rippling through future generations.
Coming up on Tuesday at The National, is a guy who isn't in the Hall of Fame, but should be, Alice Cooper. Tix are $27.50 in advance, $32.50 day of show, doors open at 7 and show starts at 8 with opener 5th Avenue Vampires. Here's Alice doing Elected. This is a classic video and it has a chimp in it so you know its good. I know after this video, I'm writing Alice Cooper in for Governor of VA in the upcoming election.
I'll be back on Wednesday night with a U2 blowout and the upcoming weekend in Richmond so watch the Interwebs for that.
Peace.
Tony Jordan
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
BoDeans, Bugalo 6, Beatles, Elvis
Start with a little news. Some band from the 60s caused a stir this week when they released their remastered albums. For a witty review of the albums from these so-called "Beatles" check out Chuck Klosterman's review on the AV Club: http://www.avclub.com/articles/chuck-klosterman-repeats-the-beatles,32560/.
Tomorrow night, the old Toad's Place reopens as The Hat Factory with classic alt-rockers, The BoDeans. Doors open at 8, the show starts at 9 with openers Jonah Smith and The Hackensaw Boys. Tix are $25. Here's wishing The Hat Factory the best of luck. The more music venues in town, the merrier, I always say.
Local funk/jazz band Bungalo 6 will be at Sine Irish Pub in the Bottom on Friday night. The show will start at 9. Here's their list of influences from their MySpace page so you can dig where they're comin' from: Quincy Jones, Curtis Mayfield, Earth Wind and Fire, Tower of Power, Michael Jackson, Fiest, Erykah Badu, Donnie Hathaway, Lettuce, Jamie Liddell, Rick James, Isley Brothers, Guns and Roses, D' Angelo, Fiona Apple, Parliment Funkadelic.
That's about it for this week. There may be no blog next week as I am off to Vegas on Sunday for a conference. Pray for my soul as I enter that land of sin. To get us all in that Vegas mood, here's Elvis in Vegas in '70 before he got fat.
Thank you. Thank you very much.
Tony Jordan
Tomorrow night, the old Toad's Place reopens as The Hat Factory with classic alt-rockers, The BoDeans. Doors open at 8, the show starts at 9 with openers Jonah Smith and The Hackensaw Boys. Tix are $25. Here's wishing The Hat Factory the best of luck. The more music venues in town, the merrier, I always say.
Local funk/jazz band Bungalo 6 will be at Sine Irish Pub in the Bottom on Friday night. The show will start at 9. Here's their list of influences from their MySpace page so you can dig where they're comin' from: Quincy Jones, Curtis Mayfield, Earth Wind and Fire, Tower of Power, Michael Jackson, Fiest, Erykah Badu, Donnie Hathaway, Lettuce, Jamie Liddell, Rick James, Isley Brothers, Guns and Roses, D' Angelo, Fiona Apple, Parliment Funkadelic.
That's about it for this week. There may be no blog next week as I am off to Vegas on Sunday for a conference. Pray for my soul as I enter that land of sin. To get us all in that Vegas mood, here's Elvis in Vegas in '70 before he got fat.
Thank you. Thank you very much.
Tony Jordan
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Steel Mill, Stones & Feat drummer news, Rappin' Rodney
Not a whole lot going this week on account of the Labor Day holiday, so let's start off with a few news items.
Charlie Watts is still with the Stones, despite rumors to the contrary earlier this week. And the Stones are contemplating making a new album (possible with Jack White producing!) and an Exile on Main Street box set, which would kick ass. I was recently listening to the last Stones album "A Bigger Bang" which is pretty good. I was thinking though it really doesn't matter how good a new Stones album is because it will always be viewed up against the three album run they had with Beggar's Banquet, Sticky Fingers and Exile. And no album can stand up against those. The late 70s albums seem to have gained some stature over the last few years so perhaps it will take 20 - 30 years before the impact and worth of the full Stones catalog can be judged.
In sad news, Little Feat's drummer, Richie Hayward, is taking a leave of abscence from the band. He has severe liver disease (cancer) and may need a transplant. Richie is one of the founding members of the band and one of the greatest rhythm sections in rock history (with bassist Kenny Gradney). Send out some good vibes to Richie and hopefully we'll see him at their annual show at Innsbrook next year. In the meantime, the Feat soldier on with replacement drummer, Gabe Ford. Here's a clip from Richie's last show with the band (for now) doing "Spanish Moon":
Wednesday at The National, you can hear some of Springsteen's older songs and I mean pre-E Street Band songs when original E Street Band drummer Vini "Mad Dog" Lopez brings Steel Mill to town. Steel Mill was Bruce's band before he went off on his own and into history. Doors open at 7, and the show starts at 7:30 with the KRL Monsters of Rock performing Tom Petty's greatest hits and AC/DC tribute band Hells Bells. It will be interesting to see if Richmond native Robben Thompson, a former member of Stell Mill, shows up to play with the band.
That's about it for this week. I'll leave you with a video from the early 80's when everybody thought they could rap. Even Rodney Dangerfield.
Have a great Labor Day weekend!
Tony Jordan
Charlie Watts is still with the Stones, despite rumors to the contrary earlier this week. And the Stones are contemplating making a new album (possible with Jack White producing!) and an Exile on Main Street box set, which would kick ass. I was recently listening to the last Stones album "A Bigger Bang" which is pretty good. I was thinking though it really doesn't matter how good a new Stones album is because it will always be viewed up against the three album run they had with Beggar's Banquet, Sticky Fingers and Exile. And no album can stand up against those. The late 70s albums seem to have gained some stature over the last few years so perhaps it will take 20 - 30 years before the impact and worth of the full Stones catalog can be judged.
In sad news, Little Feat's drummer, Richie Hayward, is taking a leave of abscence from the band. He has severe liver disease (cancer) and may need a transplant. Richie is one of the founding members of the band and one of the greatest rhythm sections in rock history (with bassist Kenny Gradney). Send out some good vibes to Richie and hopefully we'll see him at their annual show at Innsbrook next year. In the meantime, the Feat soldier on with replacement drummer, Gabe Ford. Here's a clip from Richie's last show with the band (for now) doing "Spanish Moon":
Wednesday at The National, you can hear some of Springsteen's older songs and I mean pre-E Street Band songs when original E Street Band drummer Vini "Mad Dog" Lopez brings Steel Mill to town. Steel Mill was Bruce's band before he went off on his own and into history. Doors open at 7, and the show starts at 7:30 with the KRL Monsters of Rock performing Tom Petty's greatest hits and AC/DC tribute band Hells Bells. It will be interesting to see if Richmond native Robben Thompson, a former member of Stell Mill, shows up to play with the band.
That's about it for this week. I'll leave you with a video from the early 80's when everybody thought they could rap. Even Rodney Dangerfield.
Have a great Labor Day weekend!
Tony Jordan
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Unknown Hinson, Outside Lands Webcast, Hat Factory Website
Our computer crashed this week and we had to do a whole system reboot which means we lost everything we had saved. Luckily, I had backup for all the important stuff and most of the not so important stuff. But its amazing how long it takes to get the computer back to where you had it, reloading applications, redoing settings, downloading updates. I still don't feel like I'm back to normal.
There is a web site up for the Hat Factory (formerly Toad's Place): http://www.hatfactoryva.com/. The opening show will be The BoDeans on 9/11. Check out the web site for the full schedule.
Not a whole lot going on this weekend. Summer tours are ending and fall tours haven't begun yet. Horror rockabilly artist Unknown Hinson will be at the Canal Club on Friday night. Doors open at 8, there will be an opener (tba), and tix are $17 at the door. Unknown Hinson has a new live album out called "Live And Undead". You might dig this guy if you like ZZ Top or Webb Wilder. Here is the man a few weeks ago in Birmingham AL doing his song "Hippie Girl":
On the World Wide Internets this weekend you can catch the Outside Lands Music Festival live on YouTube. Yes, YouTube. This is the first time, to my knowledge, they are webcasting a music festival. The web site is youtube.com/outsidelands. The site isn't showing a schedule but just says they'll be "highlighting live performances from Dave Matthews Band, Built to Spill, Thievery Corporation and more!" The festival starts at 3:40 PM ET on Friday and 3 PM ET on Saturday & Sunday. Other bands include Incubus, Tea Leaf Green, Q-Tip, Tom Jones, Pearl Jam, TV On The Radio, Conor Oberst, Bettye LaVette, Robert Randolph, Avett Brothers, Modest Mouse, The Dead Weather, Lucinda Williams, Ween, Brett Dennen and Tenacious D.
I will leave you now with a song that will haunt your very dreams:
Have a great weekend!
Tony Jordan
Dylan's Gonna Tell You All Where To Go
Here is a story from the Guardian (UK) about Dylan doing the voice for a GPS system. I just hope the voice doesn’t turn into mumbly Dylan at times: “ ‘ake a tgaoa heeeee on to Wooothreoo Blvd..” What?
I’d like to have an Axl Rose on my GPS. He would just keep saying “You know where you are?!? You’re in the jungle, baby! You’re gonna diiiiiiiiiie!”
Here is the article: http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/musicblog/2009/aug/25/bob-dylan-sat-nav
I’d like to have an Axl Rose on my GPS. He would just keep saying “You know where you are?!? You’re in the jungle, baby! You’re gonna diiiiiiiiiie!”
Here is the article: http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/musicblog/2009/aug/25/bob-dylan-sat-nav
Friday, August 21, 2009
Free tickets for Skynyrd tribute at The National
Just got this from The National:
"*** FREE TIX *** As a thank you to all of you who have continued to support The National. TONIGHT at The National at 8pm is TUESDAY'S GONE - LYNYRD SKYNYRD Tribute and the tickets are 100% FREE no purchase necessary. Just come down to The National, walk in and enjoy some Legendary Sounthern Rock for FREE !!!"
So if you got a hankerin' for some free Free Bird tonight, head down to the National.
"*** FREE TIX *** As a thank you to all of you who have continued to support The National. TONIGHT at The National at 8pm is TUESDAY'S GONE - LYNYRD SKYNYRD Tribute and the tickets are 100% FREE no purchase necessary. Just come down to The National, walk in and enjoy some Legendary Sounthern Rock for FREE !!!"
So if you got a hankerin' for some free Free Bird tonight, head down to the National.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Drive-By Truckers, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Tribute Bands
A good weekend of music coming up at the National this weekend. Saturday is my beloved Drive-By Truckers, the best American rock band of the decade. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 day of show, doors open at 7, and show starts at 8 with opener Tift Merritt. If Bruce Springsteen, William Faulkner and Tennessee Williams had a baby who grew up watching 70's B action movies and listened to AC/DC, 80s punk and metal, Skynyrd, The Stones & Neil Young, that baby would be named Drive-By Truckers. The people love 'em. Get your tickets early because the show will probably sell out. The critics love 'em. Scores for the last four albums on Metacritic: 83 (out of 100) for "Brighter Than Creation's Dark", 78 for "Blessing and A Curse", 87 for "Dirty South", 87 for "Decoration Day" and Rolling Stone gave their epic "Southern Rock Opera" four stars. And to top it off ,it will be a Saturday night show with the crowd that a bartender at The National said is the biggest drinking crowd they get. Its gonna be hot, its be sweaty, its gonna be drunk and its gonna be rock n' roll.
Here they are on their recently released show from Austin City Limits doing "The Righteous Path":
On Sunday night at The National, Michael Franti & Spearhead come riding in on their biggest success so far, "Say Hey (I Love You)". Michael appears to be recovered from his emergency appendectomy last month and they'll be bringing their positive vibrations to the stage. Tix are $23.50 in advance, $26 day of show, doors open at 7, show starts at 8 with opener Aquabatics, a band from Richmond. Here is the article on Michael Franti in Thursday's Times-Dispatch. You always leave a Spearhead show high off the positivity and the only reasone I'm missing this one is because I'll be hitting up the DBT show the night before. Here is the video for "Say Hey":
If you want to get your 80s on for FREE on Saturday night, you can head to Innsbrook for the Season Finale featuring tribute bands Bruce in the USA- Tribute to Bruce Springsteen with Limelight- RUSH Tribute and Even Better than the Real Thing- U2 Tribute. If you really want to buy Gold Circle seats for this (Bah!), you can for $25. Otherwise the show is free and gates open at 4 PM.
I'll leave you with this video that I saw on BuzzFeed that I found very moving. No joke. It reminded me that life is full of little moments that may seem inconsequential at the time but you'll sometimes remember little moments like this more than you remember what are supposed to be the "big" moments in your life. For example, one of the few memories I have of my grandfather (who died when I was nine) was walking up to Dunkin Donuts one morning when he was visiting my house. On our way up to the store, he stopped and pointed out a mockingbird on a wire. A minor thing, nothing really "happened" but somehow its stuck with me. Now I am beginning to wonder what little moments my kids will remember when they are 40.
I'll see you at DBT on Saturday night. Have a great weekend!
Tony Jordan
Here they are on their recently released show from Austin City Limits doing "The Righteous Path":
On Sunday night at The National, Michael Franti & Spearhead come riding in on their biggest success so far, "Say Hey (I Love You)". Michael appears to be recovered from his emergency appendectomy last month and they'll be bringing their positive vibrations to the stage. Tix are $23.50 in advance, $26 day of show, doors open at 7, show starts at 8 with opener Aquabatics, a band from Richmond. Here is the article on Michael Franti in Thursday's Times-Dispatch. You always leave a Spearhead show high off the positivity and the only reasone I'm missing this one is because I'll be hitting up the DBT show the night before. Here is the video for "Say Hey":
If you want to get your 80s on for FREE on Saturday night, you can head to Innsbrook for the Season Finale featuring tribute bands Bruce in the USA- Tribute to Bruce Springsteen with Limelight- RUSH Tribute and Even Better than the Real Thing- U2 Tribute. If you really want to buy Gold Circle seats for this (Bah!), you can for $25. Otherwise the show is free and gates open at 4 PM.
I'll leave you with this video that I saw on BuzzFeed that I found very moving. No joke. It reminded me that life is full of little moments that may seem inconsequential at the time but you'll sometimes remember little moments like this more than you remember what are supposed to be the "big" moments in your life. For example, one of the few memories I have of my grandfather (who died when I was nine) was walking up to Dunkin Donuts one morning when he was visiting my house. On our way up to the store, he stopped and pointed out a mockingbird on a wire. A minor thing, nothing really "happened" but somehow its stuck with me. Now I am beginning to wonder what little moments my kids will remember when they are 40.
I'll see you at DBT on Saturday night. Have a great weekend!
Tony Jordan
Monday, August 17, 2009
Bruce Hornsby at The National
Here's another one: *** Just Announced *** BRUCE HORNSBY Saturday October 3rd @ 8pm ... Reserved Seat and General Admission Tickets on sale August 21st at all Ticketmaster outlets, nattickets.com, ticketstobuy.com, and The National box office.
Bruce H. puts on a fun show, taking requests from the audience and improvising.
The National web site indicates he will be with his band, The Noisemakers. Here he is solo working some requests into his song "Spider Fingers":
Bruce H. puts on a fun show, taking requests from the audience and improvising.
The National web site indicates he will be with his band, The Noisemakers. Here he is solo working some requests into his song "Spider Fingers":
Gogol Bordello at The National
*** Just Announced *** GOGOL BORDELLO Wednesday October 28th @ 8pm ... Tickets on sale Friday August 21st at all Ticketmaster outlets, nattickets.com, ticketstobuy.com, and The National box office
This band has insane energy. I love watching them on the festival webcasts. I missed them at Toad's when they played there last. Hope I can catch them this time.
I mean who doesn't like crazed gypsy punk?
Here they are at The Norva a couple weeks ago:
This band has insane energy. I love watching them on the festival webcasts. I missed them at Toad's when they played there last. Hope I can catch them this time.
I mean who doesn't like crazed gypsy punk?
Here they are at The Norva a couple weeks ago:
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Toad's Place Is Back!, Dar Williams, Derek Trucks, White Rabbits
Toad's Place is finally back in business and will now be known as the Hat Factory. Maybe all the artists who play there will wear a silly hat in honor of the name. Or not. Or maybe they'll let anyone who wears a silly hat in for free. Or not.
They'll be opening in early September under new management who sound like they should know what they are doing. The article in Style also says they'll be doing live music outdoors on Friday afternoons as if we need another reason to leave work early and start the weekend. Hopefully, they can overcome some of the fears people have about going downtown and specifically to the canal at night. It doesn't help much that nothing else has really materialized in that area along the Canal Walk. Looking forward to see what these guys can do with the place. Here is the article from Style: CLICK HERE.
Pollstar shows the first show there (as of now) is the Ten out of Tenn tour on Friday, 9/25. When I Googled to see if the Hat Factory has a web site yet, I also found out that Robert Earl Keen is booked there on 11/17 and that is confirmed on REK's web site.
Onto what is happening this week. Neo-folkies Dar Williams & Stephen Kellogg play at the Capital Ale House Downtown on Thursday night. Doors open at 7, show starts at 8, tix are $30. Here's what the press release on the Ale House web site says about Dar:
"Williams' growth as a person over her 15-year career has gone hand-in-hand with her evolution as an artist. Raised in Chappaqua, NY, and educated at Wesleyan University, Williams spent 10 years living in the thriving artistic community of Northampton, MA, where she began to make the rounds on the coffeehouse circuit. An early fan of her music was Joan Baez, who took Williams out on the road and recorded several of her songs. Williams self-released her debut album, The Honesty Room in 1993, then signed with Razor & Tie Entertainment in 1995, which has been her label home ever since. She has released one live album — Out There Live (2001); six studio albums — The Honesty Room (1993), Mortal City (1996), End of the Summer (1997), The Green World (2000), The Beauty of the Rain (2003), and My Better Self (2005); and one live DVD — Live at Bearsville Theater (2007).
Through it all, Williams' motivation as an artist is to "experience meaning without fooling myself," she says. "There are these moments where everything feels connected, and I think my art is about trying to find the stories that make us feel connected. That's the verve of my life. It's what keeps things interesting."
I saw Dar many years ago at an outdoor festival in Philly. I liked (and still do) hearing here tunes on the radio but that day she was just OK. It was hot, it was a fairly large amphitheater on the river and I was probably waiting for Los Lobos to come on so it may have been me. I would definitely give her another chance, especially indoors in a smaller venue, which I think would play to her strengths, and having a couple fine microbrews, which would play to my strengths. And she's kind of cute, so seeing her close-up would definitely add to the experience. For me anyway. Here she is doing her song "The One Who Knows" earlier this month:
Guitar great Derek Trucks and his band will play at The National on Friday night. Doors open at 7, show starts at 8 with opener Jesse Chong Band. Ticket prices are Orchestra 1 seating $35, Orchestra 2 seating $30, Balcony seating $25, Standing genral admission $20. Since Derek is usually associated with jam bands which are usually associated with dancing, I was a bit surprised to see this as a reserved seats event. Though he can get pretty jazzy with his band so perhaps he wants to allow people to chill. If you like blues guitar and you haven't seen Derek, be sure to check him out. I guarantee you a few absolutely jaw dropping moments. Here's a little video to tell you all about Derek Trucks Band while you groove:
The Low Anthem will be at The Canal Club on Friday night. Doors open at 7:30 and will open with Alex Enggist, Cannery Row, and Nathan Moore. Tix are $10 in advance, $12 at the door. You can check out the full set The Low Anthem played at The Newport Folk Festival on August 1 courtesy of NPR HERE. You might dig these guys if you like folky/country Neil Young, Dylan, or Ray LaMontagne.
Fiery Furnaces and White Rabbits play at The National on Sunday night. Tix are $15 in advance, $18 day of show, doors open at 7, show starts at 8 with opener "a Special Guest". Both bands are of the Indie Rock variety so you'll probably dig them if you like White Stripes, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Velvet Underground, The Who, Dylan, The Stones, Patti Smith, or PJ Harvey. Here's the video for White Rabbits' "Percussion Gun":
Wanted to throw in a couple reviews of recent shows from special correspondent, Mike L. "Had a great weekend of rock’n’roll. Soulive [opened for Wailers at Innsbrook last Friday] was really great with 2 sax players, drummer, lead guitar and keyboardist. The keyboardist played the bass line with his left hand and it was phenomenal. They’re out of NYC and were all instrumental until they brought out a guest singer for the last two songs. He reminded me of Al Green. Wailers were OK, not as good as two years ago. They’ve got a new lead vocalist who just didn’t’ have the energy level of the last time around. Their lead guitarist who I stood in front of was soaring off in the heavens. Not a bad night for $15 entrance fee and $4 beers.
DMB keeps getting better with age and I felt the new sax player was my MVP for the night. They had a full video screen behind the band that was outstanding technology - high definition. The place was packed and all the kids around me knew all the words to all the songs. I went with 3 - 17 year olds and boy do they know their music. Only downside is getting out of the parking lot at the Nissan Pavilion in Bristow which is an exercise in futility as you prepare for the 2 hour ride home. All in all a great weekend."
I'll leave you this week with a song my kids are lovin' right now. Even little Willie (almost 2!) asks for "Yoda":
Have a great weekend!
Tony Jordan
They'll be opening in early September under new management who sound like they should know what they are doing. The article in Style also says they'll be doing live music outdoors on Friday afternoons as if we need another reason to leave work early and start the weekend. Hopefully, they can overcome some of the fears people have about going downtown and specifically to the canal at night. It doesn't help much that nothing else has really materialized in that area along the Canal Walk. Looking forward to see what these guys can do with the place. Here is the article from Style: CLICK HERE.
Pollstar shows the first show there (as of now) is the Ten out of Tenn tour on Friday, 9/25. When I Googled to see if the Hat Factory has a web site yet, I also found out that Robert Earl Keen is booked there on 11/17 and that is confirmed on REK's web site.
Onto what is happening this week. Neo-folkies Dar Williams & Stephen Kellogg play at the Capital Ale House Downtown on Thursday night. Doors open at 7, show starts at 8, tix are $30. Here's what the press release on the Ale House web site says about Dar:
"Williams' growth as a person over her 15-year career has gone hand-in-hand with her evolution as an artist. Raised in Chappaqua, NY, and educated at Wesleyan University, Williams spent 10 years living in the thriving artistic community of Northampton, MA, where she began to make the rounds on the coffeehouse circuit. An early fan of her music was Joan Baez, who took Williams out on the road and recorded several of her songs. Williams self-released her debut album, The Honesty Room in 1993, then signed with Razor & Tie Entertainment in 1995, which has been her label home ever since. She has released one live album — Out There Live (2001); six studio albums — The Honesty Room (1993), Mortal City (1996), End of the Summer (1997), The Green World (2000), The Beauty of the Rain (2003), and My Better Self (2005); and one live DVD — Live at Bearsville Theater (2007).
Through it all, Williams' motivation as an artist is to "experience meaning without fooling myself," she says. "There are these moments where everything feels connected, and I think my art is about trying to find the stories that make us feel connected. That's the verve of my life. It's what keeps things interesting."
I saw Dar many years ago at an outdoor festival in Philly. I liked (and still do) hearing here tunes on the radio but that day she was just OK. It was hot, it was a fairly large amphitheater on the river and I was probably waiting for Los Lobos to come on so it may have been me. I would definitely give her another chance, especially indoors in a smaller venue, which I think would play to her strengths, and having a couple fine microbrews, which would play to my strengths. And she's kind of cute, so seeing her close-up would definitely add to the experience. For me anyway. Here she is doing her song "The One Who Knows" earlier this month:
Guitar great Derek Trucks and his band will play at The National on Friday night. Doors open at 7, show starts at 8 with opener Jesse Chong Band. Ticket prices are Orchestra 1 seating $35, Orchestra 2 seating $30, Balcony seating $25, Standing genral admission $20. Since Derek is usually associated with jam bands which are usually associated with dancing, I was a bit surprised to see this as a reserved seats event. Though he can get pretty jazzy with his band so perhaps he wants to allow people to chill. If you like blues guitar and you haven't seen Derek, be sure to check him out. I guarantee you a few absolutely jaw dropping moments. Here's a little video to tell you all about Derek Trucks Band while you groove:
The Low Anthem will be at The Canal Club on Friday night. Doors open at 7:30 and will open with Alex Enggist, Cannery Row, and Nathan Moore. Tix are $10 in advance, $12 at the door. You can check out the full set The Low Anthem played at The Newport Folk Festival on August 1 courtesy of NPR HERE. You might dig these guys if you like folky/country Neil Young, Dylan, or Ray LaMontagne.
Fiery Furnaces and White Rabbits play at The National on Sunday night. Tix are $15 in advance, $18 day of show, doors open at 7, show starts at 8 with opener "a Special Guest". Both bands are of the Indie Rock variety so you'll probably dig them if you like White Stripes, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Velvet Underground, The Who, Dylan, The Stones, Patti Smith, or PJ Harvey. Here's the video for White Rabbits' "Percussion Gun":
Wanted to throw in a couple reviews of recent shows from special correspondent, Mike L. "Had a great weekend of rock’n’roll. Soulive [opened for Wailers at Innsbrook last Friday] was really great with 2 sax players, drummer, lead guitar and keyboardist. The keyboardist played the bass line with his left hand and it was phenomenal. They’re out of NYC and were all instrumental until they brought out a guest singer for the last two songs. He reminded me of Al Green. Wailers were OK, not as good as two years ago. They’ve got a new lead vocalist who just didn’t’ have the energy level of the last time around. Their lead guitarist who I stood in front of was soaring off in the heavens. Not a bad night for $15 entrance fee and $4 beers.
DMB keeps getting better with age and I felt the new sax player was my MVP for the night. They had a full video screen behind the band that was outstanding technology - high definition. The place was packed and all the kids around me knew all the words to all the songs. I went with 3 - 17 year olds and boy do they know their music. Only downside is getting out of the parking lot at the Nissan Pavilion in Bristow which is an exercise in futility as you prepare for the 2 hour ride home. All in all a great weekend."
I'll leave you this week with a song my kids are lovin' right now. Even little Willie (almost 2!) asks for "Yoda":
Have a great weekend!
Tony Jordan
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