This post is actually more about the venue than the show.  I have a list of some of the live music venues I'd like to get to in various cities and was able to knock one off the list this past weekend when I was in Chicago for work. The Old Town School of Folk Music is located a short cab ride (or easy ride on the brown line) from the Loop (downtown) area.  The Old Town Schools main reason for existing is to, surprisingly, teach music!  Their About Us section tells the story: The Old Town School of Folk Music teaches and celebrates music and cultural expressions rooted in the traditions of diverse American and global communities. As we finish our 51st year in 2008, enrollment in Old Town School tuition programs averages close to 6,000 students per week, 2,700 of them children. The Lincoln Square and Lincoln Park facilities hold hundreds of classes and workshops in music, dance and art for adults, children and teens seven days per week, 48 weeks per year. Early childhood and middle school music programs thrive in three suburban branches as well as in several community outreach programs throughout the city. The School presents performances by internationally known touring artists, the best of Chicago's local artists and its staff and students virtually every weekend. Most Wednesday nights feature free concerts through AfroFolk Live and La Peña, popular and long established Community Programs. Some 85,000 come to these concerts and attend the Chicago Folk & Roots festival in nearby Welles Park annually. Throughout our 50 year history, what has set the Old Town School of Folk Music apart from other music teaching programs has been the philosophy that music is for everyone. The founders wanted the School to be a place where, as founder Frank Hamilton said, "teacher and student would be partners in learning." This philosophy is still in place and the Old Town School continues to be a place that gives people the tools to make their own music. Young and old, beginners and advanced players, people from various cultures and traditions come together to create music and learn from each other. Steve Earle has had songwriter workshops at Old Town in the past. I can just hear it: "Good morrrning Mr. Earle..." Of course, they also have a wonderful intimate auditorium for shows with table and cushioned bench seating on the main floor and a small balcony level, meaning there isn't a bad seat in the place.  I caught the second of three sold out shows by Tinariwen, a "desert blues" ensemble from Mali.  Tinariwen are "touareg" people from the Sahara desert area who have been performing for years.  Again, I'll let the Old Town info tell their story: One of the most mesmerizing live bands to ever set foot on the Old Town School stage, Tinariwen's sound is one of raw simplicity and melodic beauty with songs ranging from the epic and universal to the intimate and personal. Trance inducing and mesmerizing, their unique music was born from the Malian desert in which they have led a rootless Touareg existence. A Tinariwen live show is visually stunning as well with band members wearing traditional Touareg robes and turbans. Both political and poetic, Tinariwen in concert is an uplifting and powerful experience. Most of the crowd knew the songs and about the floor in front of the band was cleared of tables and full of fans dancing through the entire show.  An African band playing stratocasters!  Now that is cool! If you are in Chicago make sure to check out their lineup. Upcoming shows include Joe Henry, Dan Hicks, Cowboy Junkies, Patty Larkin, Carrie Newcomber & Eliza Gilkyson, Tony Rice Unit and Carrie Rodriguez. http://www.oldtownschool.org If you've got a live music venue that is a shrine to you, drop me an email and let me know about it!   don@americanaroots.com

Hard working blues-man Coco Montoya recently released a hand picked collection of some of his best stuff on The Essential Coco Montoya, out on Blind Pig Records.  I have been fortunate enough this past week to enjoy both the new disc and a taste of some of the tunes LIVE.  I saw Coco play a double bill with the excellent Tommy Castro Band at the Detroit area's best live venue, Callahan's in Auburn Hills. Coco has been at this blues-rock thing for about 30 years now, but he didn't start life in the music world as a guitarist.  His rise in the music world started with a meeting in the 70's with bluesman Albert Collins, who took on Coco as his drummer. Five years later John Mayall snatched up Coco who played guitar with The Bluesbreakers for 10 years before going out on his own in 1993. His band consists of keys, bass and drums backing Coco's powerful voice and even more powerful guitar.  The sold out crowd was more than pleased with the bands energetic performance.  My favorite tune of the show was I Need Your Love in My Life from Coco's 2000 release Suspicion.  Callahan's is a relatively small club seating just over 200 packed in, so seeing a band as energetic as Coco's is a real big thrill packed into a small place. The new disc Essential while hand picked by Coco, includes tunes only from three previous Blind Pig releases from the mid nineties.  As you would expect since this is a Blind Pig release  it doesn't contain material from any of Coco's Alligator Records releases from 2000-2007. He certainly has enough material on his previous Blind Pig releases to nicely fill an "Essentials" disc though.  Coco did say at the show that he is working on a new release scheduled for next year.   Certainly the new Essential disc is well worth checking out, but make sure to check Coco out if he comes anywhere near you!!

I love to watch my young kids run through the sprinkler.  They get a smile on their face of pure joy at what they are doing.  Nothing else matters or could be any better at the time!  This is also what it's like to watch Mike Farris perform live.  I'd heard about his live shows and even got to review his latest live cd recently.  Nothing though compares to live performances, especially one of his, which I saw at The Ark in Ann Arbor this past wednesday. [caption id="attachment_1801" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="....Just turn on the sprinkler..."] [/caption] If you don't know his story, Mike was lead singer for the heavy rockin' and partyin' band Screaming Cheetah Willies.  He overcame from some serious personal problems and since has directed his career focus toward who he credits helped him get through the dark days, now using his fantastic soulful voice as lead singer and guitarist of his fantastic rockin' soulful bluesy gospel group Mike Farris and the Roseland Rhythm Review. Well, if Jesus is hosting a party in heaven tonight, I bet I know who's music he is playing! The crowd on a wednesday night was smaller than it should have been to welcome a nine piece group traveling from Nashville, but you would never have know it by the bands performance.  They could have been playing in front of a Super Bowl crowd judging by their energy (and the overwhelming crowd response to the band). In addition to a horn section, which always adds a great deal of energy to the show, the Roseland Rhythm Review boasts another secret weapon, the McCrary Sisters.  To call them backup singers is a little unfair; perhaps co-lead singers would be more accurate.  Think of a couple Aretha Franklins (without the silly hat) standing in and you get an idea of the power they bring.  Not all the sisters were at this show, but there were two of them and man can they sing! The songs were mostly ones from their recordings Salvation in Lights (studio) and Shout! LIVE recorded at the Station Inn in Nashville last year and include classic traditionals as well as classic sounding compositions by Farris himself.  The classic traditionals included Sit Down Servant, Oh Mary Don't You Weep and  Precious Lord Take My Hand mixed with originals Selah! Selah! and Streets of Galilee, as well as covers of Sam Cooke's Change is Gonna Come and Mahalia Jackson classic Trouble of the World which Farris says he remembers picking up on a cassette tape and popping into his car stereo and being totally mesmerized by the power of the song. Mike came out into the lobby after the show to sign autographs and just mingle with the crowd. He couldn't have been nicer and even though his inspiration doesn't lie here he couldn't have been more down to earth! There are a number of his live performances on YouTube.  Run through your sprinkler for awhile to get in the mood then go check some of these out!

After seeing countless shows over the years I still really enjoy most of the shows I choose to go to. Rarely am I blown out of the water anymore yet I sure was last week at the Junior Brown concert which I posted on a few days before.  Somehow the guys at Callahan's in Auburn Hills, MI enticed Junior to their small (about 200) seat venue.  Junior traveled to Michigan but love of his music was already clearly here as shown by the VERY enthusiastic packed house. For those of you who aren't familiar with Junior let me 'splaine.  Back in the 80's Junior was constantly switching back and forth between guitar and steel guitar when it hit him- why not have an instrument with both.  Thus was born the "Guit-Steel" around 1985 and the  legend of Junior began. [caption id="attachment_1767" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Junior with the Guit-Steel"] [/caption] Pair the energy of the guit-steel with Brown's barritone and you have a true musical force.  His only accompanyment is bass and stripped down drum kit.  He generally switched between guitar and steel 3-4 times per song, if not more! His catalog is wide ranging, from his hero Ernest Tubb to Albert King to many of his own often humorous tunes. The show was opened up with one of Detroit's best bands The Deadstring Brothers, which I have reviewed here before! If this Austin native comes anywhere near you make sure you go and find out "what BROWN can do for you!"

John Nemeth- Live AND Recorded

I recently had the opportunity to see John Nemeth live at my favorite local venue, the very intimate Callahan’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill in Auburn Hills, MI.  This place has been hosting the best Blues and Americana acts coming to the Motor City area in the last couple of years.  John Nemeth and his band fit in perfectly. 

If you saw the picture on the front of John’s latest cd Love Me Tonight, you might be led to believe he’s some kind of pop crooner, wearing a black suit and a hot babe.  Not so.  She must be draped over John because she has good taste in music and like soulful blues, because that’s what John and band deliver. They just happen to deliver in suits!

His sound would lead you to believe perhaps he grew up singing in a southern Baptist church, but the soulful singer and harmonica player hails from Boise, Idaho where he grew up singing in a Catholic Church and playing in local bands. He eventually joined Junior Watson’s band and also spent a couple of years as a member of Anson Funderburgh & the Rockets.  He was eventually signed by Blind Pig and put out his first disc for that label, Magic Touch in 2007. The new disc is also a Blind Pig release with ten of the eleven tracks written by John.  His music is a soulful rhythm and blues highlighted by John’s harmonica and vibrant voice, reminiscent of Robert Cray.  Both are standouts on Fuel For Your Fire. Also especially strong are the title track Love Me Tonight, and My Troubled Mind.

 The band’s live show is just as energetic and fun, with many in attendance choosing to dance away some of their troubles on the small dance floor.  If John comes to a club near you make it a point to check him out.  In the meantime, snag a copy of Love Me Tonight and start dancing!

 

 

I am a relatively new convert in the ways of singer/songwriter Chris Knight. I was turned on to his music only a few years ago by Eric Banister (our editor) and Ray Randall (our podcast guru). It took me a few spins to get accustomed to Knight’s vocals and presentation of songs but make no mistake I’m a huge fan now days. If you are unfamiliar with Knight, he was born in a mining town known as Slaughters, Kentucky. He released his self-titled debut album when he was 38. Since then, Knight was released five more albums which include songs that have been picked up by some of the bigger names in Country music: John Anderson, Blake Shelton, The Great Divide, The Road Hammers, Montgomery Gentry and the Confederate Railroad. This past Friday, I had the opportunity to catch his live show in San Antonio. This was my first full live Knight show (I did catch a small set at the Mercy Lounge in Nashville a few years ago). Chris packed the venue (Sam’s Burger Joint) which is often hard to do in my hometown (unfortunately). My first note of interest was how diverse the crowd was mixed with half college / half elderly (> 30). In San Antonio, radio is a bitch around here. We have a Clear Channel station known as the Outlaw which covers the Southern half of San Antonio mixed in with KNBT (New Braunfels) which covers the North side of San Antonio coupled with a KSYM (Third Coast Music) which is a part time Americana/Texas station. The point is, Chris Knight, doesn’t get the mainstream attention which I am guessing is something he is accustomed too around the entire USA. To pack a place in like Sam’s, is no easy feat so it was my surprised to see so many fans singing along to his entire catalog of songs most of the night. The crowd was into it and Chris Knight seemed pretty impressed by that fact encouraging folks that they would be back and to bring out more friends. Chris rarely shows much emotion up on stage as he’s widely noted for his shyness up under the big lights but he did share a few laughs with the audience. His set list included starting off the night with a few cuts from his latest album followed by a barrage of his hits. This is what impressed me the most though. I had little idea how deep his full catalog of music was in terms of popular songs until he played through 1.5 hours of all of my own personal favorites which include: It Ain’t Easy Being Me, Down The River, Rural Route, Dirt, Cry Lonely, Jack Blue, A Pretty Good Guy, Becky’s Bible, Enough Rope, Framed, Oil Patch Town. Chris is an amazing songwriter coupled with a brilliant way of presenting character based stories (often in first person). It is extremely hard not to believe this guy hasn’t done half of the things he sings about as he is able to deliver the story perfectly through song. Eric Banister interviewed Christ Knight a few months ago and asked him if it is ever a problem of people associating you and the characters in a song a little too closely. To which Chris replied “It’s not really a problem. Some people tend to believe that I’ve done everything in my songs. I don’t care, let ‘em believe.” In summary, this was a fantastic live show. I would highly recommend catching Chris live either via the full band or solo. Each type is different in its own right but neither disappoint in carrying the story through. Chris Knight is and should continue to be featured as one of the key players on the Americana Music scene. He is the definition of singer/songwriter and does it with raw musical genius minus all the glitz and glam.

Man, can this festival be frustrating.  Too many great shows to choose from and too many great places to try to eat at! I spent SXSW with Gregg Geil, his wife Nicole, as well as Hickorywind.org founder Larry and his wife Heather romping about Austin in an 'earal'  and oral orgy of sound and taste! Gregg has posted on some of the happenings in Austin already, so I'd like to add some photos to give a 'taste' of what this thing was like. We spent thursday night at Antone's at the Americana Music Association Showcase at a jam packed Antones.  The next day we had the Americanaroots.com and Galleywinter.com showcase at the Waterloo Ice House.  Saturday was spent at The Continental Club seeing Jon Dee Graham and James McMurtry in the afternoon.  In the evening I happened upon the Countryline Magazine showcase at The Ranch on 6th and saw Ruby Jane, Jeffrey Steele (Nashville songwriter extrordinairre) and Brandon Rhyder. There were probably only 30 other shows we would have liked to see.  The great music, coupled with great food (Salt Lick BBQ and Guero's Taco Bar especially) made for one fantastic weekend! [caption id="attachment_1192" align="aligncenter" width="253" caption="Carrie Rodriguez at Antones"] [/caption] [caption id="attachment_1198" align="aligncenter" width="283" caption="Band of Heathens at Antones"] [/caption] [caption id="attachment_1199" align="aligncenter" width="209" caption="Sarah Borges and me"] [/caption] [caption id="attachment_1202" align="aligncenter" width="288" caption="Two Tons of Steel- Waterloo Ice House"] [/caption] [caption id="attachment_1203" align="aligncenter" width="328" caption="Wrinkle Neck Mules at the Ice House"] [/caption] [caption id="attachment_1204" align="aligncenter" width="196" caption="Scott Miller at the Ice House"] [/caption] [caption id="attachment_1205" align="aligncenter" width="203" caption="Josh Grider Trio at The Ice House- new EP is fantastic!"] [/caption] [caption id="attachment_1206" align="aligncenter" width="323" caption="Tim Easton at Jovitas"] [/caption] [caption id="attachment_1207" align="aligncenter" width="302" caption="Ruby Jane Smith at The Ranch"] [/caption] Man was that fun!

Obviously the future of the music business and the continued access to great music for we fans depends upon new talent developing.  I have tried to highlight talented young artists whenever possible, because without them coming along we'll all eventually be stuck listening to the bands that play the Super Bowl Halftime shows! I was unable to see my favorite young band The Belleville Outfit (biggest frustration of SXSW-too many great shows, only one set of ears..)  I was however, able to see several young artists/bands that caught my ear and hopefully will become mainstays. One who is already on her way is Ruby Jane Smith and her band The Ruby Jane Show.  She performed at the Country Line Magazine Showcase at The Ranch in Austin.  Ruby has spent most of her 14 (yes 14) years in Mississippi but now resides in Austin.  Last year she was one of the youngest musicians to ever be invited to play SXSW.  She has also played the Grand Ole Opry and been freatured on the CBS Evening News. Did I mention she's 14?  Especially telling was her command of the stage.  She bounded around the stage prior to the opening number encouraging and firing up the band (although they sure played like they didn't need any firing up!)  Often alternating between fiddle and guitar (during the same tune) she showed amazing poise and talent for someone who doesn't even have their wisdom teeth yet!  My favorite tune of the night was on original Smoke in My Eyes so she's got songwriting talent as well! Another band I saw and have listened to is Austin band The Fireants. This is another group who, like their friends The Belleville Outfit, play way beyond their years. They play music with influences of country, bluegrass and roots music and play it well.  They played to an enthusiastic crowd at Momo's.  They will be releasing their first EP any time now.  I've heard it and think they've got great things to come. Lastly I caught a young band from St. Louis, John Henry and the Engine whose music has tastes of cosmic rock as well as soul and americana.  He played at Jovitas at the Twangfest Showcase (a large summer music festival also out of St. Louis- twangfest.com).  He mentioned that the band will be recording again soon.  Their first full length cd entitled Under The Yellow Moon is available now.

Last fall I was able to spend a week down in Texas, mainly around San Antonio. I had my itinerary: eat at as many bbq joints as I could and listen to as much live music as I could... oh, and attend the work convention I was there for as well! My first stop was the town of Gruene (pronounced "Green"), which is about a half hour outside San Antonio on the way to Austin. It was in Gruene that I discovered where they can spread my ashes, Gruene Hall. Many of you reading this have probably been there, but for those who haven't, it is worth the trip. What a great place for live music. I was fortunate enough to be there on a day when they were hosting an all-day party called the Texas Style Musicfest, part of the Ray Wylie Hubbard weekend-long Gruene Music and Winefest. The Hall is fairly open, and they have a courtyard area you can escape to for a break and to sample the "grape juice." Music started early; it had to, nine acts were scheduled. This is a place that loves music so much it won't allow for a lull in the action. Two separate stages bookend the crowd in the middle of the hall, so there was never a break in the music! When one band ended you just turned around! I met Gregg Geil there just as the music started and was treated to performances by Micky & the Motorcars, Bleu Edmondson, Randy Rogers Band, Seth Walker, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Carolyn Wonderland, Brandon Rhyder, Tom Gillam and Tractor Pull and Stoney LaRue. You can tell these musicians love what they do and love being around each other. Charlie Sexton came down from Austin to sit in on drums for Tom Gillam. What a great event at The Americana Music Taj Mahal. Seth Walker On the other end of my trip I was able to visit another of Americana's "Holy Sites", Floore's Country Store on the far outskirts of the San Antonio area. On the bill for the evening were two bands whose most recent CDs I was able to review, Texas Sapphires and Band of Heathens.  The musicians in these bands are the kind that can play anything and switch instruments frequently. I swear some of them could probably play "Flight of the Bumblebee" on a yard rake. The Sapphires show pays homage to classic country-western delivered in their own high energy manner by the guitar and voice of Billy Brent Malkus, the sweet voice of Rebecca Lucille Canon and the musical versatility of "Slim Bawb" Pearce.  And this was the opening act?! Most of you who visit this site have heard of Austin's Band of Heathens, one of the best bands on the Americana scene today. The band boasts three excellent songwriters each of whom bring a slightly different sound to the band. Each handle vocal duties as well, giving the band a broad range of song styles delivering something new and fresh with just about every song they perform. The songwriting and vocal duties are handled by the trio of Gordy Quist, Colin Brooks and Ed Jurdi. They're a rock solid band and delivered a great show.  If they come anywhere near you do yourself a favor and check them out.  Heck, they're worth traveling across the country to see!  Unfortunately I had to leave the next day and return to the land of Kid Rock and White Stripes (not that there's anything wrong with that...!)

If you have a blues lover on your holiday list, I've got a stocking stuffer for you.  Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters have recently released a live dvd entitle Hope Radio Sessions. The disc was actually recorded in 2007 in Massachusetts at Wellspring Sound Studios near Boston.  The strat-master and founding member of Roomful of Blues delivers over two night in front of a very small, lucky audience. The video not only makes you feel like part of the audience, but a fly on the wall able to move around the room. You enjoy the sets from any angle and buzz in close enough to see the lights shine off the strings! The Broadcasters feature Lorne Entress on drums, Dave Limina on Hammond and piano and Jimmy Mouradian on bass.

Especially great was the second night of recording when Ronnie welcomes guests Michael “Mudcat” Ward on bass and piano and Nick Adams, whose hollow bodied Gibson lends a softer compliment to the “sass and attitude” of Ronnie’s Strat. My favorite tunes on the DVD are “Eddie’s Gospel Groove,” the first night, and Ronnie’s ode to his best friend, “Blues for Otis Rush” on night two. I’m a longtime fan and have seen Ronnie live, so I was thrilled to hear a live DVD was coming. The production and sound are first rate. The disc also features a few surprises. Ronnie adds two solo acoustic pieces, Lightnin’ Hopkins “Thing” and a gospel tune “I Shall Not Be Moved,” which he plays in a room at the studio. Another feature is a 10 minute interview of Ronnie conducted by the producer of the disc, Holger Petersen. The interview gives an insight to Ronnie, the person, and many of the musicians who helped and influenced him throughout his stellar career. Ronnie has greatly curtailed his touring, so this wonderful DVD is likely going to be your only chance to see him “live” any time soon!