The Latest
by Staff
11/16/08
Reed Mathis Responds to TLG Backlash
As previously reported, Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey bassist Reed Mathis will take over for Ben Chambers in Tea Leaf Green beginning this December. While many fans are excited about Mathis’ new direction, others are decrying the bassist’s shift from jazz to more rock-based textures. Mathis is taking his naysayers head-on and posted a lengthy message via JFJO’s Yahoo Group. Below is an except from the bassist’s comments:
First, Jacob Fred is the greatest band in the history of the universe. I just got word that we are actually Beethoven’s favorite band of all time. Hendrix, too. and Bird. They all like Jacob Fred almost as much as I do. We just confirmed a 20-night run at Carnegie Hall in 2010, and I’m pretty sure the record we’re working on is going to go triple-platinum. For real. I hear you, though. It is, possibly confusing.
Jazz didn’t start out elitist. Originally, it was FOLK music. Made by semi-illiterate accidental-scholars who simply wanted to party and let people party. The fact that the opera houses of 1890’s New Orleans could only afford a single pianist (rather than a full orchestra), who coincidentally had a night gig at a brothel and a buddy in a brass band is a happy accident in the culture, and the upside of the karma of slavery. We are so fortunate that this happened. Elvis, Dylan, and the Beatles were created by SOCIETY to fill the gap that Bird opened. Young people need to dance and get laid, and sing along. Jazz once provided this service. Then it became “higher music.”
We have to worship what is already here. We have to play the music that all people are composing. I believe that Tea Leaf Green does this. I believe Jacob Fred does this. All musicians express the music of all people. Some musicians express the fear and isolation of the socially excluded. some musicians express the joy and comfort of being a tribal people. some musicians express both, because most of us feel both extremes. The RANGE of human experience… this is our subject.
I’ve learned a lot from Mr. Josh Raymer. And I don’t have to tell you that I’ve learned a lot from Mr. Brian Haas and Sean Layton, and Matt Leland, and Jason Smart, Steve Kimock, Robert Walter, Marco Benevento, Matt Chamberlain, Zack Najor, Karl Denson, Skerik, Mike D, the brothers Barr, Stephen Perkins, Joe Russo, Jon Fishman, Peter Apfelbaum, Jamie Janover, Jeff Coffin, my parents & uncles, Peter Tomshany, Annie Ellicot, and a hundred amazing others. Should I not add to this list?
To me, the whole concept of hierarchy is fear-based. The musical continuum is, if anything, a SPHERE…not a line. 3-D, baby! Nothing in front, nothing behind. nothing above, nothing below. it’s all spinning and equal. Plus, in the words of the great John Cage, “A music’s only value is in it’s USE.”
Any thoughts? Let’s blog it down, friends.
love, Reed
Mathis first show with TLG will take place December 7 at Santa Cruz, CA’s Rio Theatre.
Umphrey’s Holiday Keyboard Benefit
A few weeks after his cohorts Brendan Bayliss and Jake Cinninger stage their acoustic holiday show, Umphrey’s McGee keyboardist Joel Cummins will host his own annual Holiday Keyboard Concert. The gig will take place at Chicago’s Schuba's on December 21 and finds Cummins playing with OM Trio keyboardist Brian Felix. Fittingly, the second annual gig will benefit Keys-4-Kids. Umphrey’s McGee will appear at Nashville, TN’s City Hall tonight.
The Disco Biscuits Confirm Intimate Pre-NYE Club Show
The Disco Biscuits will open their New Year’s Eve run with an extremely intimate show at Philadelphia’s Theater of the Living Arts on December 27. Tickets for the show will go on-sale tomorrow, November 17, at Noon EST and a number of ticket packages will be offered. The group is also finalizing its upcoming European tour, which is timed with Jam in the Dam. The group will hit a handful of countries from March 13-23 and suggests fans use London as a transatlantic hub. The Disco Biscuits’ Marc Brownstein and Aron Magner will perform with The Join at Atlantic City, NJ’s House of Blues tonight.
Donna the Buffalo, Ollabelle and David Gans Play for Rex this Weekend
The Rex Foundation’s annual fall New York benefit will take place tomorrow, November 17, at the Highline Ballroom. The multi-band event will feature performances by Donna the Buffalo, Ollabelle and special guest David Gans. A special VIP package includes pre-concert cocktails, a meet and greet with the artists and special seating. Looking ahead, another Rex Foundation benefit will take place at San Francisco’s Warfield featuring Bob Weir and RatDog, Little Feat and The Waybacks.
Kimock, Janover, Travis and Hann
Denver’s Cervantes’ is scheduled to host an intriguing jam session later this month. On November 30 and December 1 the venue will bring together Steve Kimock, Jamie Janover, Michael Travis and Jason Hann for a unique gig being billed as kimEOTOver. Given Travis, Hann and Janover’s stylistic leanings as of late, the night will likely find the four musicians exploring a variety of electronic-based improvosational music. Meanwhile, Kimock will appear at Lake Buena Vista, FL’s House of Blues this evening.
Dave Matthews Band Enlists Robert Randolph at West Point
Dave Matthews Band spent the past two nights performing at West Point, NY’s Eisenhower Hall Theater as part of the AT&T sponsored World's Loudest Pep Rally. The students at the United States Military Academy scored the final two DMB performances of 2007 by Dave Matthews Band by sending in the most text message invites of any school in the country. Robert Randolph & the Family Band supported the group on both nights and the pedal steel ace appeared with the evening’s headliner on “Louisiana Bayou” Wednesday and “All Along the Watchtower” on Thursday. Perhaps because of his surroundings, Matthews also omitted the line “lights down you up and die" during “Ants Marching” last night.
The gigs marked Dave Matthews Band’s final confirmed appearances for the 2007 calendar year. The group will release the new album Live at Piedmont Park, which features appearances by Gregg Allman and Warren Haynes, later this year. Fans who pre-order the live album will also receive a disc of additional 2007 tour highlights.
Benevento, Russo, Gordon and Barr
The Benevento/Russo Duo opened a brief run of northeast shows last night at South Burlington, VT’s Higher Ground. The evening began with a set by an all-star version of Chris Harford and the Band of Changes featuring Marco Benevento, Joe Russo and Scott Metzger. Soon after the Duo opened their performance with “Something for Rockets,” before Slip guitarist Brad Barr took the stage for the majority of the group’s show. Barr played on a variety of Duo staples, including “Sunny’s Song,” “Becky,” “Play Pause Stop” and an extended version of “Scratchitti,” before Russo and Benevento closed their set with three songs, including “Hate Frame” and “9 x 9.”
Russo has been writing more and more music on the guitar, so the Duo has been experimenting with playing with different guitarists throughout their fall tour.
Barr returned during the Duo’s encore for a version of “Mephisto” that also featured Mike Gordon. The former Phish bassist played one of Barr’s backup electric guitar, marking the second time the four musicians have collaborated together at Higher Ground (the first being April 6, 2006, a night that also featured appearances by Jon Fishman and most of Jazz Mandolin Project). Barr will perform with the Duo tonight at Woodstock, NY’s Bearsville Theater.
11/15/08
The Neville Brothers Return to New Orleans for Jazz Fest
The Neville Brothers will make their first post-Katrina hometown appearance at the 2008 edition of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.
For the first time since 2005, Jazz Fest will be held over a seven day period, April 25-27 and May 1-4.
“The return of Aaron, Art, Charles and Cyril Neville to New Orleans and to Jazz Fest is as powerful a statement as possible about the return of our culture to the city,” says Quint Davis, Jazz Fest’s producer/director. “They’re back, which means we’re back!”
As is tradition, the group will closeout the festival on Sunday, May 4. Other confirmed performers include Maze featuring Frankie Beverly and Tim McGraw.
Les Claypool’s Mad Hatters Ball
Les Claypool will host his third annual Mad Hatters Ball at San Francisco’s Fillmore Auditorium on December 31. As in years past, the busy bassist will host a contest for most original hat with “with fabulous prizes to be won.” On a recent episode of Relix’s Cold Turkey Les Claypool talks about his annual New Year’s Eve performance and his film, Electric Apricot: Quest for Festeroo. As of press time, Claypool’s only other confirmed date is an appearance at Langerado alongside the Beastie Boys, R.E.M., Phil Lesh, The National, Keller Williams, the Disco Biscuits, Umphrey’s McGee and Medeski Scofield Martin & Wood, among others.
Vote for New Monsoon
Former New Groove of the Month New Monsoon is currently in the finals for the
the Rolling Stone Magazine/Hennessey Indie Music Revue. The winning band will be featured in the magazine and will score a trip to New York for a recording session. Each month for the last year three bands have been featured and voted on. New Monsoon won its month, moved on to the finals and is currently in the lead for the contest’s prize. Voting is open until November 26 and visitors can vote once a day until then. Please click here to vote. New Monsoon will perform at Solana Beach, CA’s Belly Up tomorrow.
Toubab x Four
Toubab Krewe will closeout 2007 with four east coast performances. On December 27 and 28 the former New Groove of the Month will perform with klezmer favorites Golem at New York’s Bowery Ballroom and Philadelphia’s World Café Live, respectively, before headlining two hometown shows at Asheville, NC’s Orange Peel. Sacred Steel stars The Lee Boys will support the group on December 30, while the Snake Oil Medicine Show will open on December 31. From there the group will travel to Florida for a handful of performance aboard the traveling Jam Cruise.
The group is also working on its sophomore album with Grammy winning producer Steven Heller, which is slated for release in March of 2008. For more on the group’s recording plans, please read Mike Greenhaus’ interview with Toubab Krewe in the November issue of Relix.
More Nathan Moore
Singer/Songwriter/Slip associate Nathan Moore will offer a two hour live performance and interview on WXJM 88.7 FM Harrisonburg from 8-10 PM this evening. The performance will be webcast online and is the first of several upcoming appearances Moore has confirmed in support of In His Own Worlds. Moore will also stop at Staunton, VA's Shenandoah Pizza (11/17), appear on WNRN, 88.1 FM's Acoustic Sunrise with Anne Williams (11/28) and make a free appearance at Lovingston, VA’s Rapunzel's Coffee & Books (11/30), before traveling west for performances with The Slip as Surprise Me Mr. Davis at San Francisco’s The Independent (12/6) and Santa Cruz, CA’s Moe’s Alley (12/7-8). In December he'll also play a solo show at San Francisco's The Conneticut Yankee (12/9) and jumpstart his old group ThaMuseMeant for a late 2007 gig in Staunton, VA.
The Umphrey's McGee Tenth Anniversary Black and White Ball
Umphrey’s McGee will step things up at Chicago’s Aragon Ballroom to celebrate its ten year anniversary on New Year’s Eve. As previously reported, the evening will open with “a very special video tribute to the first ten years of Umphrey’s McGee” and the group encourages fans to dress for the occasion. A message on the group’s webpage says the following:
We're rolling out the red carpet, getting ready to pop the corks, and have lots of fun stuff planned to style it up this New Years! Black and White dress is requested (not required), so put on your bling and dancing shoes and come to the show. If black and white aren't your colors, don the fanciest duds you can and join in the celebration. There's nothing you need to do to participate, and it's completely optional. Just make it fun and be ready to ring in the New Year and celebrate 10 Years of UM in style!
Umphrey’s McGee is also allowing fans to preview the song “The Floor” on the group’s official Facebook page. The sextet introduced the new number on Halloween, making it the latest addition to the group’s repertoire.
Chris Barron Time Travels
Chris Barron will take a break from the Spin Doctors to tour with his new band the Time Bandits. The group is currently focusing on material from Barron’s second studio album, the reflective, Americana-influenced Pancho and the Kid, but will also draw from the Spin Doctors’ catalogue. The Time Bandits will hit the road after Thanksgiving for a series of southeast shows, beginning November 30 at Roanoke, VA’s Awful Arthur’s. The group will then make stops in Nashville (12/1), Chattanooga (12/3), Knoxville, TN (12/4), Spartanburg, SC (12/5), Asheville (12/6), Raleigh, NC (12/7) and Richmond, VA (12/8), before wrapping up in Arlington, VA’s Iota on December 9.
11/14/08
Jon Fishman Drew Emmitt and Vince Herman to Join Del McCoury on New Year's Eve
The Del McCoury Band will ring in the new Year with a number of notable guests. The band's performance at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium is being billed as The Del McCoury Band & Friends and the night will include appearances by Phish drummer Jon Fishman, Leftover Salmon's Drew Emmitt and Vince Herman as well as the Steep Canyon Rangers. Del and the Boys will be in the northeast this coming weekend, starting with a performance on Friday night at the East Hartford Cultural Center in East Hartford CT.
A Benefit for Bill Laymon
In 2005 David Nelson Band bassist Bill Laymon contracted the tropical disease typhus while living in Hawaii. Due to a weakened immune system that resulted from the Typhus, he was diagnosed with bladder cancer. Laymon is now cancer free, however like many musicians he has no health insurance and his medical bills mounted. In an effort to defray these costs, a number of his friends are appearing together this Sunday at the Throckmorton Theatre in the Mill Valley, CA. The Benefit concert will feature David Nelson and Friends with Nelson, Barry Sless, Pete Sears, John Molo and Mookie Siegel. The night also will include a set from the original David Nelson Band with Laymon and drummer Arthur Steinhorn.
Col. Bruce & The Quark Alliance To Give Thanks To Chank in Atlanta
This coming Saturday, Smith's Olde Bar in Atlanta will host the CD Release Party for Col. Bruce & The Quark Alliance. The group's new disc Give Thanks To Chank, draws together thirteen compositions written by Bruce Hampton and Jeff Caldwell and the track "Lanerville" also features guest appearances by Ike Stubblefield and Grant Green, Jr. The Quark Alliance, which consists of Hampton, Caldwell, Kris Dale and Mark Letalien, will perform throughout the south over the coming weeks and will wrap up 2007 with a three show New Year's Eve run in Roanoke, VA at 202 Market.
Brad Barr To Join The Duo for A Few
Brad Barr will lend his guitar (and himself) to the next three performances by the Benevento Russo Duo. Joe Russo has been composing new material on the guitar as of late and Barr will appear on a number of those songs. The Duo recently returned from a west coast tour where Tom Hamilton (Brothers Past) appeared in such a role and now the Slip guitarist will try his hands at the material. Barr will do so during the band's appearances at Higher Ground (Thursday), Bearsville Theater (Friday) and Pearl Street (Saturday).
Searching for WMD'S in the Northeast
Keller Williams is currently gigging with his new band, the WMD'S. This group, which features Williams, Keith Moseley, Gibb Droll and Jeff Sipe, debuted earlier this year at Summer Camp but otherwise has remained in southern climes. However the band has announced some limited 2008 dates, which includes at least one performance north of the Mason-Dixon line, with additional area gigs presumably to follow. On February 23 the group will be at the Sugarloaf Ski Resort in Carrabassett Valley, ME. The WMD'S also have confirmed two Texas performances: on January 25 at the Dallas House of Blues and on the 26th at La Zona Rosa in Austin. Tonight the band is in Ft. Lauderdale at Revolution.
Ben C. Exits Tea Leaf Green
Bassist Ben C. has left Tea Leaf Green after almost a decade on the road. In an official message posted on the Tea Leaf Green forum, the Jammy-winning musician said the following:
After ten great years on the road as a touring musician, I have come to the realization that this life is not for me. As a result, I have decided to leave Tea Leaf Green to pursue some of my life’s other passions. I wish my brothers in the band only the best. Their future is surely bright. Most of all, I am so grateful to my family, friends, and fans. You’ve always encouraged my free spirit; thanks for your continued support.
The members of Tea Leaf Green have spent the past few weeks focusing on a number of different side-projects. Most recently, keyboardist Trevor Garrod has formed his own Trevor Garrod Band and guitarist Josh Clark has signed on to tour with Particle as a temporary guitarist.
Tea Leaf Green will continue on, however, with Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey bassist Reed Mathis stepping up to the plate. Mathis has played with Tea Leaf Green in the past, including a memorable jam at High Sierra in July. The new lineup will make its official debut at Santa Cruz, CA’s Rio Theatre on December 7.
11/13/08
Lake Trout Confirms Late 2007 Shows
Lake Trout has been missing in action for much of 2007, but will return for a handful of December shows. The Baltimore-bred indie-rock group, and former New Groove of the Month, will appear at Philadelphia’s North Star Bar on December 13, Baltimore’s Ottobar on December 21 and New York’s Highline Ballroom on December 22. Lake Trout offshoot Big in Japan, which focuses on the improvisational dance music the group once explored, has spent the fall backing UNKLE on the road.
Phil Lesh, R.E.M. and the Beastie Boys to Headline Langerado
Langerado has confirmed its initial 2008 lineup. After two years in Sunrise, FL, the multi-band event will move to the Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation and feature an expanded, eclectic lineup. The sixth annual event will feature headlining performances by the Beastie Boys, R.E.M. and Phil Lesh & Friends. Other performers include 311, Matisyahu, Thievery Corporation, The Roots, Gov't Mule, Ani DiFranco, Ben Folds, G. Love & Special Sauce, Medeski, Scofield, Martin & Wood, Built to Spill, The National, Les Claypool, Umphrey's McGee, The Disco Biscuits, Keller Williams, Mickey Hart Band, Of Montreal, Robert Randolph & the Family Band, The Wailers, funky Meters, Citizen Cope, Antibalas, !!!, Dark Star Orchestra, Ozomatli, Sam Bush, Minus the Bear, Ghostland Observatory, Arrested Development, Blind Melon, Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars, The New Deal, Benevento Russo Duo, Perpetual Groove, Railroad Earth, Martin Sexton, The Avett Brothers, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, The Walkmen, Dr. Dog, Indigenous, State Radio, Vampire Weekend, The Bad Plus, The Felice Brothers, Pelican, Yard Dogs Road Show, Brett Dennen, Earl Greyhound, The New Mastersounds, Dan Deacon, Josh Ritter, Pete Francis, Ryan Shaw, Blitzen Trapper, Matt Pond PA, The Dynamites feat. Charles Walker, Bassnectar, Balkan Beat Box, The Lee Boys, Shout Out Louds, Golem, The Wood Brothers, Busdriver, Raq, Will Hoge, Spam Allstars, Phix, American Babies, The Heavy Pets, Backyard Tire Fire, The Postmarks, Steel Train, Hoots and Hellmouth, Jonah Smith, Pnuma Trio, Awesome New Republic, That 1 Guy, Trevor Hall, American Bang and the School of Rock All-Stars.
As previously reported, Langerado will take place from March 6 to 9, 2008, featuring onsite late-night shows and an expanded camping option. Tickets for the event will go on sale November 15.
More MOFRO in 2008
J.J. Grey & MOFRO will spend much of 2008 off the road working on a new studio album, but not before hitting the road for another round of winter dates. The group will begin 2008 with a three night run at Lake Worth, FL’s Bamboo Room from January 3-5, before its trek opens with an appearance at Gainesville, FL’s The Venue on January 23. From there, the group will make stops in Hattiesburg (1/25), Jackson (1/26), Oxford, MS (1/29), Memphis (1/30), Birmingham AL (1/31),Nashville TN (2/1), Atlanta (2/2), Raleigh (2/7), Asheville (2/8) and Charlotte NC (2/9). The group also warns that fans should “make sure to catch one of these shows, as the band will be recording after
this tour, and may not be touring until late 2008.”
MOFRO will appear at Pocatello, ID’s Idaho State University this evening. The group will celebrate New Year’s Eve with a three night run at Jacksonville, FL’s Freebird Live from December 29-31.
Umphrey’s Drummer Picks Up Gigs, Plays Hip-Hop
Umphrey’s McGee drummer Kris Myers has put together some interesting side-projects to occupy himself while his band enjoys a few days off the road. On November 21, Myers will offer an evening of “live hip-hop and house” at Chicago’s Lucille's with a group that consists of Dylan Jones (Rhymefest, Elevation) on guitar, Tim Lincoln (Juice, Liquid Soul) on bass, producer Greg Spero on keyboards and DJ Savage (Treologic). A few nights later, he will also play with Drop Q at the popular Windy City venue Kinetic Playground. If that’s not enough, this evening the drummer will offer some free jazz at Chicago’s Webster’s Wine Bar along with his Kris Myers Trio. Umphrey’s McGee will appear at Charlotte, NC’s Amos’ Southend this Thursday.
Soulive Announces NYE Plans
Soulive has confirmed its New Year’s itinerary. The group, which is touring behind its new vocal record No Place Like Soul, will perform at New York’s Nokia Theatre from December 28-29 with The Greyboy Allstars, before headlining its old haunt Boston’s Paradise Rock Club on December 30 and 31. Looking ahead, Soulive will also perform aboard both JamCruise in January and the John Mayer Cruise in February, before playing the University of Maryland on February 10. Look for an interview with Soulive’s Eric Krasno on the site early next week.
David Byrne Headed to Asia, Radio City
David Byrne has confirmed the “Winter 2009” leg of his solo tour. As previously reported, Byrne has spent the fall on the road with in support of his recent collaboration with Brian Eno, Everything that Happens will Happen Today. The former Talking Heads leader will now also travel to Asia in January for appearances in Hong Kong (1/19), Singapore (1/21), Osaka (1/23) and Tokyo (1/27-28), before returning for another round of U.S. dates. Though Byrne’s full winter itinerary is still being determined, we can safely confirm that the singer/guitarist’s will appear at Seattle’s Benaroya Concert Hall on February 18, Spokane, WA’s Martin Woldson Theater on February 19 and New York’s Radio City Music Hall on February 27. European fans will then be treated to a round of Everything that Happens will Happen Today dates.
Keller Williams to Host 7th Annual Holiday SPCA Benefit
On December 26 Keller Williams will host his 7th annual benefit concert for the SPCA of Fredericksburg. The hometown gig will take place at Virginia’s Fredericksburg Fair Grounds and finds the guitarist delivering a solo performance, followed by a set of reggae tunes while accompanied by Fredericksburg’s own The Transmitters. 100% of the profits from the event will go to the SPCA of Fredericksburg, a “no-kill” shelter whose mission is to promote, advocate and provide compassionate and proper care of companion animals. For more information on SPCA of Fredericksburg please visit their website at www.spcafred.org.
Keller Williams will appear at Orlando, FL’s House of Blues with his WMD'S this evening.
Phil Lesh and Friends Close Fall Tour with Three Sets, Special Guests and a Nudie Jacket
On Sunday Phil Lesh and Friends closed out their extended fall tour with a four hour performance at New York’s Nokia Theater. As they have on occasion when time permits, the quintet offered a surprise acoustic tweener set as well, consisting of rootsy fair like “Attics of My Life,” “Til the Morning Comes,” the instrumental “Jerusalem Ridge,” “Deep Elem Blues” and “Ripple.” For the brief interlude, Lesh picked up the upright bass and dawned one of the colorful nudie sequined jackets the Grateful Dead wore around the release of Wake of the Flood. At the start of Lesh’s third set, a fan was selected from the crowd to lead a surprise onstage toast to the quintet, which segued into a balloon drop and electric performance. Larry Campbell’s wife Teresa, a talented musician in her own right, also sang backup on a handful of acoustic selections and “Peggy-O” at the start of the Lesh’s third set. Saturday’s set was also notable for including Lesh’s first performance of “One More Saturday Night” without Bob Weir.
Phil Lesh and Friends will celebrate Jackie Greene’s birthday with a performance at San Francisco’s Warfield Theater on November 27.
11/9/08
Electric Apricot: Quest for Festeroo Hits Theaters
Les Claypool’s jam-rock mockumentary, Electric Apricot: Quest for Festeroo, hits theaters today. The film, which follows the farcical hippie-rock group Electric Apricot through the west coast’s maze of clubs, festivals and recording studios, was recently picked up by National Lampoon and will be distributed at theaters across the country. In the most recent episode of Relix’s Cold Turkey, the self-proclaimed “busy beaver” discusses the film offers listeners one of the film’s hit songs. For a complete list theater’s screening the film, please click here.
Grace “Gold Dust Woman” Potter
As Grace Potter’s tour with Gov’t Mule has progressed, the new friends have continued to collaborate on a mix of classic rock covers. Last night, at Los Angeles’ Henry Fontana Theater, Potter took the stage with Gov’t Mule for a cover of Stevie Nicks’ “Gold Dust Woman.” On Wednesday Potter also performed with Gov’t Mule at San Diego’s 4th & B on version of Al Green’s “Take Me to the River,” one of their most popular collaborations this fall. The two groups will likely collaborate once again at San Francisco’s Fillmore Auditorium this evening.
Steel Train’s Extra Antonoffs
Jambands.com film critic Evan Winiker returned home to New York last night for a headlining performance at the Bowery Ballroom with his band Steel Train. To mark the occasion, group frontman Jack Antonoff brought out his father “Little Rickie” Antonoff to play guitar on “Firecracker” and his sister, fashion designer Rachel Antonoff, to sing on “Dakota.” Both songs appear on Steel Train’s new studio album Trampoline. The evening’s opening act, The Early November’s Ace Enders, also appeared with the group during its set.
Steel Train will appear at Rochester, NY’s Water Street Music Hall this evening and Cambridge, MA’s TT The Bears Place tomorrow.
Radiohead Playing for Free Online (Now)
First Radiohead gave away their new album In Rainbows and now the group is offering a free performance in their recording studio. The legendary British band is currently running through a selection of songs live at www.radiohead.tv. The gig is another of the group’s self-proclaimed “experiments” and recalls the Beatles in-studio performance of “All You Need is Love” on Our World, the first ever live global television link, in 1967.
Papa Grows Buzz
While a number of their New Orleans brethren were paying tribute to Fats Domino uptown, Big Easy favorite Papa Grows Funk performed downtown at New York’s Lion’s Den. Area mainstays BuzzUniverse opened and, before breaking into a cover of Bobby Charles' "Down South in New Orleans", were joined on tenor sax by PGF's Jason "Big Wind" Mingledorff. The group then returned with Mingledorff for an unexpected encore of the funk classic "The Chicken." After paying tribute to Domino, Ivan Neville also booked it downtown to join Papa Grows Funk during their set. Papa Grows Funk will appear at Boston’s Copperfield's, while BuzzUniverse will hit Burlington, VT’s Nectar’s on November 15.
West Coast Collaborations on the East Coast
Long Beach, CA’s Delta Nove and San Diego, CA’s On The One are currently running through the southeast on a joint tour. Last night the friends offered fans at Charleston, SC’s the Pourhouse a taste of their home coast flavor through a number of funk collaborations scattered throughout the night. Most notably, Delta Nove saxophonist Rob Covacevich and On the One saxophonist Jesse Molloy teamed up to deliver a James Brown medley at the end of Delta Nove’s set.
Delta Nove heads to Macon, GA tonight to support Perpetual Groove at the Cox Capitol Theatre, before they are joined by On The One at Asheville, NC’s the Emerald Lounge for the final night of their joint tour.
The 5th Annual Mark Vann Foundation Benefit
The 5th annual Mark Vann Foundation Benefit will take place at Colorado’s The Boulder Theater on December 14. The multi-band event, which pays tribute to the life of the Leftover Salmon co-founder, has blossomed into an annual tradition featuring a number of Vann’s closest friends an collaborators. This edition of the benefit will feature Billy Nershi’s Honkytonk Homeslice, Great American Taxi and a handful of still unannounced performers. Since Nershi will spend a good deal of the fall on the road with Vann’s former bandmate Drew Emmitt, it seems only natural that he will perform in some capacity as well.
A night later, on December 15, Honkytonk Homeslice
will co-headline a show with Great American Taxi at Denver’s The Oriental Theater. As they have on several occasions recently, Honkytonk Homeslice will expand its lineup to include a few addition players for the gig, including drummer Christian Teele and former String Cheese Incident bassist Keith Moseley.
Al and Diane to Open for Al and The Transamericans
Al Schnier will pull double duty twice this weekend. On both Friday and Saturday the moe. guitarist will play with his longtime side-band Al and The Transamericans and, on both evenings, Schnier will also offer an opening set with his wife Diane as Before Cowboys. Tonight’s performance will take place at Albany’s Red Square, while tomorrow’s gig will be held at Saranac Lake, NY’s The Waterhole. moe. will appear in Amsterdam on November 19.
Leo Nocentelli, Ivan Neville, Eric Krasno and Friends Salute Fats Domino
Last night, the reclusive Fats Domino made his first New York appearance in several decades at a benefit celebrating the release of the star-studded compilation CD Goin' Home: A Tribute to Fats Domino at the Pink Elephant. Early in the evening, an all-star ensemble featuring Meters guitarist Leo Nocentelli, keyboardist Ivan Neville and his Dumpstaphunk bassist Nick Daniels, alto saxophonist Donald Harrison Jr., Soulive guitarist Eric Krasno and longtime scene drummer Adam Deitch played a mix of Meters originals and other New Orleans party anthems like "Look-a Py-Py."
After a short set, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg presented Fats Domino with the key to New York City, calling the piano player "an American legend." According to those in attendance, Bloomberg appeared loose, joking with Domino onstage like an old friend. Domino then offered his first New York performance in many years,
running through an aborted version of "Blueberry Hill" with his all-star band, before fading into the wings while Nocentelli finished the song. He later returned with his peer Lloyd Price for a version of "Lawdy Miss Clawdy," a song the pair recorded early in the rock 'n roll era.
While big-name Fats Domino supports like Bruce Springsteen, B.B. King and Norah Jones didn't show, the gig did feature short spots from a few living legends including Toots Hibert and New Orleans producer Allen Toussaint. Profits raised from the event will benefit the New Orleans-based Tipitina's Foundation. Fats Domino will sign copies of the tribute album at New York's Border's Columbus Circle this evening.
11/8/08
Langerado Lineup Announcement Delayed
The announcement of Langerado’s 2008 artist lineup has been delayed. The sixth annual festival, which is scheduled to take place at Big Cypress from March 6-9, will now confirm its initial lineup in the coming days. Tickets for the event will still go on-sale November 15. Please check back at www.langerado.com and www.jambands.com for the festival’s initial artist announcement.
Keb’ Mo’, Todd Park Mohr and Friends Play for Change
A number of roots-rock and world musicians will participate in a Playing for Change Benefit concert at Denver’s Paramount Theatre. The gig will take place at 8 PM this evening, featuring performances by Grammy-award winner Keb' Mo', Big Head Todd and the Monsters’ Todd Park Mohr, Zimbabwe guitar legend Louis Mhlanga, Northern Ghana master drummer Mohammed Alidu, Tibetan freedom song slingers The Exile Brothers and Italian steel guitar player Roberto Luti.
Proceeds from all concert tickets, silent auction donations and purchases of hand-made merchandise from African, Nepalese, and Tibetan artists will be utilized by The Playing For Change Foundation to build and support its first music school in the township of Guguletu, South Africa. Other foundation initiatives include the Mehlo Arts Center in Soweto, South Africa and Tibet Refugee Centers in Nepal and India. For more information, please visit www.PlayingForChange.com.
"California Love" in New York
While enjoying a rare night off from Phil Lesh & Friends’ recent run of shows at New York’s Nokia Theater, keyboardist Steve Molitz made a one-off appearance with the Willie Waldman Project at New York’s Jazz Standard. In addition to its creative namesake on trumpet, this version of the Willie Waldman Project featured Molitz on keyboards, Gent Treadly’s Greg Koerner on bass and moe.’s Vinnie Amico on drums. The ensemble ran through a mix of material in the style of Waldman’s Banyan band with Stephen Perkins, and, after riffing about the east coast and west coasts, finished the night with a spontaneous version of Tupac Shakur's "California Love." Molitz will perform with Phil Lesh & Friends at New York’s Nokia Theater once again this evening.
Umphrey’s McGee’s Acoustic Holiday Show
Umphrey’s McGee guitarists Brendan Bayliss and Jake Cinninger will host their 5th annual acoustic holiday show at Chicago’s The Vic Theatre on December 7.The charity gig will raise money for USTORM and, likely, feature some surprise covers and additional members of the Umphrey’s McGee family. Tickets for the event will go on-sale Saturday, November 17, at 10:00 AM. The full group will also make an acoustic appearance at Ann Arbor, MI’s Border’s on December 1, before their gig at the Michigan Theatre that evening. Umphrey’s McGee will perform at Bloomington, IN’s IU Auditorium this Friday.
Brotherhood of Groove Featured on TLC
Brotherhood of Groove bandleader Brandon Tarricone will be featured in this week’s edition of the popular TLC’s program Flip That House. The show is a 30 minute long reality program geared toward the new trend of quickly buying, renovating and reselling homes across the country. Each show begins with the purchase of a property and follows the owner step-by-step until it is ready to go back on the market. The episode will feature footage of Tarricone’s recent house-flip from start to finish, along with previously unreleased BOG tracks and live video clips.
"I’m thrilled to represent the people and music of New Orleans in this type of national venue to really show people in other areas all of the good stuff going on here and shed some positive light on our city," Tarricone said in a statement. The house featured on the show is located in the Broadmoor area of New Orleans and sat in over eight feet of water in the days following Katrina.
The episode is set to air November 10 at 9 PM EST.
Dispatch DVD to Document MSG Shows
After shocking even industry insiders by selling out New York’s Madison Square Garden for three nights in a row this summer, Dispatch will release a concert film documenting its recent reunion. Dispatch: Zimbabwe Live at Madison Square Garden follows the trio’s on-going efforts to raise money for the frightening situation in
Zimbabwe and will include 2 hours of live concert footage and behind the scenes interviews. The DVD will be sold in eco-friendly recycled packaging and come with a ten-song companion CD of the band's favorite performances from the reunion dates. Also inserted in each package will be a DropCard, allowing fans to download audio from the DVD. The set, which was directed by longtime Relix contributor Danny Clinch, will hit stores on January 29.
A portion of the net proceeds from Dispatch: Zimbabwe - Live at Madison Square Garden will also be donated to the Dispatch Foundation and its efforts in Zimbabwe. The film’s setlist includes “Here We Go,” “Open Up,” “The General,” “Bats In The Belfry,” a series of collaborations with the African Children¹s Choir and a pair of songs recorded on the roof of the group’s fabled van Wimpy in the middle of MSG’s floor. As of press time, Dispatch has no future reunion plans.
I’m Not There (and Neither is Cat Power)
Last night, an eclectic mix of musicians celebrated the release of the soundtrack for Todd Haynes’ forthcoming Bob Dylan film I’m Not There with a benefit performance at New York’s Beacon Theatre organized by promoter Michael Dorf. Despite an impressive lineup, which included Dylan’s former keyboardist Al Kooper, singer/songwriter Mason Jennings, modern rock heroes My Morning Jacket and live hip-hop favorites The Roots, a number of empty seats remained at show time and sound problems plagued many of the evening’s performers. The event also featured a few no shows, including Cat Power, who bowed out in the days leading up to the event, Michelle Shocked, who missed her flight, and several key members of the backing band Million Dollar Bashers, including John Medeski and Wilco guitarist Nels Cline. Slow transitions between performances also gave the evening a disjointed feel.
The evening did, however, feature a handful of choice performances, including The Roots’ live mash-up of “Masters of War” with “Star-Spangled Banner.” A streamlined version of the Roots’ rolled a version of the song—which also includes gestures from Jimi Hendrix’s “Machine Gun”—out at another Dylan benefit organized by Dorf last November and have performed the song regularly ever since. The evening’s first performer, Marcus Carl Franklin, the child actor who appears on the film, started the night with an enjoyable version of “When the Ship Comes In,’” while Calexico backed Joe Henry, Mark Lanegan and Jim James on a selection of songs. The latter performer arrived onstage with a fresh shave and a hoody and belted through a powerful version of
“Goin’ to Acapulco,” without ever removing his hands from his pockets. He returned later in the show with his guitar and his band, My Morning Jacket, for ‘Tonight I’ll Be Staying Here With You,” a number the group often covers in concert.
Fabled Dylan associate Al Kooper led his band, the Funky Faculty, and special guests Uptown Horns through a faithful rendition of a song he recorded with Dylan, “It Takes A Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry,” and appeared with a variety of performers throughout the night. Several indie-centric artists took the stage throughout the evening, including Gomez’s Ian Ball and Olly Peacock for “Don’t Think Twice It’s Alright,” and an expanded version of Yo La Tengo featuring Stanley "Buckwheat" Dural for “I Wanna Be Your Lover” and “Fourth Time Around.” Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks rallied the crowed with a fun twist on “Subterranean Homesick Blues” and Mason Jennings performed a straightforward, solo version of “The Times They Are A-Changin’.”
Though Michelle Shocked missed her flight, Jimmy LaFave, with whom the songwriter was suppose to share a debut, still offered a version of “Buckets of Rain” and Tift Merritt made an unannounced appearance to play “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall.”
Sonic Youth guitarist Lee Ranaldo led an alternate version of the Million Dollar Bashers group he assembled for the Dylan tribute through a handful of songs, with a revolving cast, including J. Mascis and John Doe, stepping up to the microphone for a number each. Kooper also filled in for Medeski throughout the segment.
At the end of the night most of the evening’s cast, including the Roots and the Million Dollar Bashers, took the stage for a show-closing version of “All Along the Watchtower.”
11/7/08
PBS Plus Page
On Friday we reported that Page McConnell would perform with his friends PBS at Burlington, VT’s Metronome. McConnell was indeed in attendance and took the stage midway through PBS’ first set for a version of “All We Want to Do.” The keyboardist then remained onstage for the rest of the group’s set, which included “Message from PBS,” Curtis Mayfield’s “Check Out Your Mind,” The Meters’ “Funky Miracle,” Sly & the Family Stone’s “Sing a Simple Song” and Bob Dylan’s “Rainy Day Women #12 & 35.” McConnell returned for a few songs after set break as well, including “I Get High,” Pink Floyd’s “Us & Them,” “PBS Funks the Best” and Jimi Hendix’s “Voodoo Chile”
PBS has also recently confirmed that it will spend New Year’s Eve at New Orleans’ Howlin' Wolf with Ivan Neville’s DumpstaPhunk.
Hanson Tries Tea
First they jammed with Bob Weir at Wetlands, then they recorded with John Popper and, now, former teen idols Hanson have shared the stage with a member of Tea Leaf Green. On Monday Tea Leaf Green keyboardist Trevor Garrod supported Hanson at San Francisco’s The Fillmore with his solo band. Garrod likely introduced himself to a number of new fans by running through a handful of songs, including “Middle Son,” “Long Way to Texas,” “Caged Canary” and “Pretty Jane,” before the evening’s headliner took the stage. While Hanson did not invite Garrod to sit-in, they did offer an acoustic arrangement of “MMMBop” more inline with their current roots-rock sound.
Though the members of Tea Leaf Green are devoting the next few weeks to side projects, the group will reconvene for shows at Santa Cruz, CA’s Rio Theatre and West Hollywood, CA’s The Troubadour on December 7 and 8, respectively.
Marco Benevento & Friends
Marco Benevento will host a weekly residency at New York’s Sullivan Hall---the club formally known as the Lion’s Den---this January. Since the summer, the longstanding club, which hosted String Cheese Incident’s first New York City play among many other shows, has been renovated and reopened with a fresh feel and new sound system. Benevento will appear at the Sullivan Hall each Thursday in January with a different group of friends. Confirmed guests include: Sex Mob slide trumpeter Steven Bernstein, DJ Olive and drummer Bobby Previte (1/3), Slip guitarist Brad Barr (The Slip) and Thamusemeant upright bassist Aimee Curl (1/10), drummers Billy Martin and Calvin Weston and saxophonist Skerik, (1/24) and Slip drummer and JFJO bassist Reed Mathis (1/31). A handful of addition guests will be added in the coming weeks, including the full lineup for Benevento’s show on January 17.
The Benevento/Russo Duo will also play a series of Northeast shows later this month. The paired performers will appear at South Burlington, VT’s Higher Ground (11/15) with Chris Harford's Band of Changes, Woodstock, NY’s The Bearsville Theatre (11/16), Northampton, MA’s Pearl Street (11/17) and Brooklyn’s the Music Hall of Williamsburg (11/21). The latter gig will also feature support spots from Mocean Worker and Something for Rockets.
moe. Makes Winter Plans
moe. scaled back on its typically lengthy fall tour to work on a new studio album, but plans to pickup the pace again in early 2008. The quintet had confirmed a round of winter dates, scheduled to begin with an appearance at San Francisco’s Fillmore on January 17.
From there the group will make stops in West Hollywood (1/18), Anaheim, CA (1/19),
St. Louis, MO (1/24), Milwaukee, WI (1/26), Columbus, OH (1/30), Buffalo, NY (1/31),
Philadelphia, PA (2/1) and Boston (2/2). A handful of additional dates will likely be added in the coming weeks. As previously reported, moe. will head to Amsterdam for pair of shows in November, before celebrating New Year’s Eve with performances at New York’s Fillmore at Irving Plaza (12/30) and Radio City Music Hall (12/31). The group will also tape an episode of eTown live at Colorado’s Boulder Theatre on December 17.
Earl Greyhound Confirms New Year's Plans
Rock-trio Earl Greyhound, who spent the summer on the festival circuit and recently supported Gov’t Mule, have confirmed their New Year’s Eve plans. The group will ring in 2008 at New York’s relatively intimate Mercury Lounge after supporting alt-rock hero Chris Cornell for most of November. The trio will appear with Cornell at North Myrtle Beach, SC’s House Of Blues this evening. For more on Earl Greyhound, please download the group’s recent appearance on Relix’s Cold Turkey.
George Porter Jr. Celebrates 60
New Orleans legend, and longtime Meters bassist, George Porter Jr. will celebrate his 60th birthday by hosting a jam session at New Orleans’ The Howlin' Wolf on December 26. The evening will draw together a striking number of the bassist’s closest collaborators, including current bandmates Brian Stoltz and Russell Batiste, Mark Mullins & Bonerama, Ivan and Ian Neville, Tony Hall and many other local celebrities. Admission to the show also includes a buffet dinner.
Porter is currently on the road with PBS and will perform at Richmond, VA’s
Capital Ale House this evening. For a deeper look at his current projects, please pickup a copy of the September/October issue of Relix.
The North Mississippi Allstars Family Reunion
The North Mississippi Allstars will host another family reunion this Thanksgiving weekend. The two-day affair will take place on November 23 and 24 at Memphis, TN’s Young Avenue Deli, featuring a performance by the trio and special guests each night: Friday’s festivities will feature two groups associated with Jim Dickinson,
Sons of Mudboy and Amy Lavere, while Saturday’s show will include the family patriarch himself and a reunion performance by the Dickinson Brothers’ previous band D.D.T. Meanwhile, the North Mississippi Allstars will perform at Buffalo, NY’s Center for the Arts this evening with Mavis Staples, Charlie Musselwhite and Joe Krown. For a look at the NMA’s current tour, please read our recent site interview with Luther Dickinson.
11/6/08
The Grateful Dead Launch New Road Trips Series
After releasing 36 titles under the Dick’s Picks banner, the Grateful Dead will launch a new regular archival series through its current label Rhino. According to a release from the band, with the new Road Trips series the Dead hopes to “plug in a few more pieces of the Grateful Dead puzzle by putting the spotlight on different tours and series of shows that have been neglected through the years.” The series’ first volume spotlights the Dead's fall 1979 East Coast tour, which took place early in keyboardist Brent Mydland’s tenure with the group. Highlights include a segue between "Dancing in the Street" and "Franklin's Tower," jams based around "Playing in the Band" and "Terrapin Station" and the then relatively new "Shakedown Street." The set was pulled from the master tapes in the Dead’s vaults and mastered in HDCD by Jeffrey Norman. From now on, every Road Trips release will also come bundled with a elegant booklet containing an essay about how the music on the discs fits into the Dead's history, plus a variety of rare and never-before-seen photographs.
New to The Breakfast’s Menu
A week after Mike Gordon jammed with them at Burlington, VT’s Higher Ground, Jammy winners The Breakfast welcomed another special guest to the stage at Croton-on-Hudson, NY’s Croton Harmon High School on November 3. While The Breakfast’s Adrian Tramontano was at his wife Tangie's bedside awaiting the birth of their child, his 15 year old drum prodigy and student, Caitlin Kalafus, sat-in for the group’s entire set. In more important Breakfast news, since then Tramontano welcomed a very healthy, 7lbs, 2 oz Gibson William Tramontano into the world. According to the group, “reports that Gibson was born with a silver drumstick in his mouth are still being investigated.” The Breakfast will appear at Hartford, CT’s Sully's on November 10 and Newmarket, NH’s The Stone Church on November 16.
Cold Turkey: Extra Stuffing
A note from Cold Turkey producers, and longtime Jambands.com staffers, Mike Greenhaus and Benjy Eisen:
We've always felt that no month screams Cold Turkey quite like November and, to
celebrate, we are stuffing a few extra episodes onto our servers in time for
Thanksgiving. From now until December we will be uploading a new episode of
Cold Turkey every Sunday, Wednesday and Friday, including exclusive interviews
with Ben Harper, Les Claypool, Death Cab for Cutie, Shooter Jennings, Thievery Corporation, Warren Haynes, Derek Trucks, Mickey Hart, Susan Tedeschi, Dispatch, Editors and many, many more. It will all culminate with the Clifford Ball of all Cold
Turkey podcasts, our 150th episode on November 28. In the meantime, please
download these recent podcdasts with The Shins/Gogol Bordello and Deep Banana Blackout.
Critters Buggin Get The Clackervalve and the Old Clobberd Biscuits Out and Smack the Grand Ham Clappers Mother
On Halloween freaky jazz collective Critters Buggin released their long awaited live DVD Get The Clackervalve and the Old Clobberd Biscuits Out and Smack the Grand Ham Clappers Mother. The DVD, which is available at local Seattle, WA retail stores and on Crittersbuggin.com, captures the group’s performance at the Warsaw Summer Jazz Days in 1999. The gig was shot by a high quality multi-camera team for Poland’s national TV station recorded live to 2 track, using a mics/board matrix recording. The performance took place in The Palace of Culture and Science,
a giant Stalin built building, complete Soviet touches. The DVD also includes a pair of
self-proclaimed “bizarre intro films” made by Word Public for the band's Tokyo shows in 2004. Though Critters Buggin is currently off the road, a number of the group’s members, including Mike Dillon, Matter Chamberlain and Skerik, have gigs scheduled throughout the coming months.
Jam for George
A number of familiar faces came together Saturday for Spartanburg, SC’s Jam for George. The all-star gig celebrated the life of hometown hero George McCorkle, who played rhythm guitar in the Marshall Tucker Band from its inception in 1972 until 1984. The event featured a who’s who of southern rock and jam favorites, including Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Artimus Pyle and JoJo Billingsley, Charlie Daniels Band’s Tommy Crain, Commander Cody’s Mark Emerick and McCorkle’s former Marshall Tucker Band bandmate Jerry Eubanks. Highlights included versions of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Simple Man” and “Sweet Home Alabama” that found Pyle and Billingsley performing with the Alabama-based Southern Boys and Crain’s take on the Allman Brothers Band’s classic “Jessica.” Emerick also joined Crain’s Crosstown Allstars & Friends for “Long Haired Country Boy,” while George’s son, 31-year-old guitarist Justin McCorkle, played with the Southern Boys’ throughout their set. One of the day’s most tender felt moments found
Pyle, a survivor of the 1977 Skynyrd plane crash and a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, reminding the crowd that “George was the one who got [him] the audition for Skynyrd” after Bob Burns left the group in 1974.
The day long event concluded with an all-star jam featuring a choice flute solo by Eubanks on Toy Caldwell's “Can’t You See” and McCorkle's “Fire on the Mountain.” Michael Buffalo Smith, who helped organize the benefit, handled lead vocals on the MTB classics.
An Ominous Seapods Reunion
Seminal upstate New York jamband the Ominous Seapods will reunite to celebrate the 40th birthday of bassist Tom "The Old TP" Pirozzi. The gig will take place January 12 at Albany’s Red Square, on a bill also featuring former God Street Wine frontman Lo Faber, Seapods offshoot Raisinhead and the Holiday Ramblers. The Ominious Seapods officially split in 2000, but have reunited a handful of times over the years, including a series of New York gigs in 2003 and an appearance at the Gathering of the Vibes in 2005.
HeadCount Hires Executive Director, will Begin Compensating Local and Regional Leaders
Since today is Election Day, it only makes sense that we offer some news from HeadCount, the voter registration group co-founded by Andy Bernstein and Marc Brownstein. This week the nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization announced that it has hired a fulltime executive director and will begin paying modest, performance based stipends to the leaders of local and regional voter registration street teams. Applications are being accepted through a volunteer sign-up link on www.headcount.org.
The development follows the appointment of former Time Warner Inc. Vice President of Corporate Relations Virginia McEnerney as HeadCount’s first executive director. McEnerney, who once ran Time Warner’s philanthropic programs, first came in contact with HeadCount through her husband, veteran scene-scribe and author of The Phish Book, Richard Gehr.
“Having Virginia as executive director really takes HeadCount to the next level,” says Bernstein, who will remain an unpaid volunteer. “She brings incredible experience, credibility and expertise to what we are doing.”
Bernstein noted that HeadCount will remain a volunteer-driven organization, and that most of the thousands of street team representatives will not be paid and simply join the organization “out of love for music, community and democracy.” But, Bernstein emphasized that stipends of up to $1,000 will be offered to local and regional street team leaders who show the strongest commitment to the organization. “We’re looking for the most reliable, dedicated and capable people in the live music scene to be our leaders in 2008,” he said in a statement. Since 2004, HeadCount has registered close to 60,000 voters and expects to register at up to 200,000 more over the next 12 months. For more on HeadCount, please read the organization’s monthly column on Jambands.com .
Phil and Ryan Take Two
Last night Ryan Adams celebrated his birthday by playing with Phil Lesh & Friends for the second time in under a week at New York’s Nokia Theater Times Square. After leading his band through a version of "Happy Birthday" and dropping balloons at the start of his second set, Lesh invited Adams out to play guitar and sing lead vocals on “Eyes of the World.” Adams remained onstage for the rest of Lesh’s set and encore, which included “Scarlet Begonias,” “China Cat Sunflower,”“Bird Song,”“Going Down the Road Feeling Bad,” “Ripple,” “I Know You Rider,” “Uncle John’s Band,” “Dark Star,”
“Franklin's Tower” and “Wharf Rat.”Lesh’s first set also featured a notable guest, Los Lobos’ Steve Berlin, who played keyboards and saxophone on a handful of songs, including “Viola Lee Blues,” “Operator” and “Sugaree,” among others. Phil Lesh & Friends will continue their run of shows at the Nokia this evening. Since Adams doesn’t begin his European tour until Sunday, it is entirely possible he may stop by the Nokia in the coming days for another set of songs.
11/5/08
Goin' Home: An Evening Honoring Fats Domino and the Music of New Orleans
An eclectic mix of musicians will pay tribute to Fat Domino at New York’s Pink Elephant this Thursday. Antoine "Fats" Domino is scheduled to make his first trip to New York City in over 20 years to celebrate the release of Vanguard Records’ Goin' Home: A Tribute To Fats Domino compilation CD. To mark the occasion, a number of musicians featured on the recording will anchor a benefit for the Tipitina's Foundation at the Pink Elephant, including Ivan Neville, Gavin DeGraw, Leo Nocentelli, Eric Krasno, Adam Deitch, Olu Dara, Michelle Branch, Toots Hibert and Lloyd "Lawdy Miss Clawdy" Price, among others.
Earlier in the day, Domino will perform his signature "My Blue Heaven" on The Late Show with David Letterman with Norah Jones, one of the artists who appears on the compilation. The following morning he will appear on The Today Show and, later that evening, Domino will make a rare in-store appearance at Borders in Columbus Circle, signing copies of "Goin Home" from 7 to 9pm. Other artists who appear on the tribute album include Paul McCartney, B.B. King, Neil Young, Joss Stone, Lenny Kravitz, Elton John and Tom Petty, among others.
Old Friends Panic in North Charleston
A number of familiar faces took the stage with Widespread Panic at North Charleston, SC’s North Charleston Coliseum this weekend. On Friday Outformation supplied support duties and guitarist Sam Holt, who served as Michael Houser’s tech. for years, took the stage for Panic’s “Tie Your Shoes” and J.J. Cale’s “Ride Me High,” before Outformation percussionist Jeff "Birddog" Lane made his way to the stage for an extended drum segment. During the group’s opening set Jimmy Herring also stepped out a bit early for versions of “Can’t Change the Past” and “Titles of Movies Will Not Appear on Bill.”
Then, on night two, Randall Bramblett opened and performed with Widespread Panic on “Second Skin” and “Flat Foot Flewzy.” Widespread Panic will appear at Miami Beach, FL’s The Fillmore Miami Beach at the Jackie Gleason Theatre tomorrow evening.
Jackson Browne, Peter Frampton, Bruce Hornsby and Stockholm Syndrome Confirmed for X-Mas Jam
Warren Haynes has confirmed the initial lineup for his nineteenth annual X-Mas Jam. In addition to Gov’t Mule, the multi-band bill will feature appearances by Jackson Browne, Peter Frampton, Bruce Hornsby, G. Love and current tour companions Grace Potter & The Nocturnals. The gig will also feature a reunion performance by Dave Schools and Jerry Joseph’s Stockholm Syndrome project, while Mike Barnes, Mike Farris, Audley Freed, Kevn Kinney, Greg Morrow and Col. Bruce Hampton will all appear at various points throughout the night. As previously reported, the 19th Annual X-Mas Jam will take place on December 15 at North Carolina’s The Asheville Civic Center, with a now annual Pre-Jam taking place a night earlier. A handful of guests will be added to the charity gig’s lineup in the coming weeks.
NMA: Return to Hernando
The North Mississippi Allstars will release their fifth studio record, Hernando, on January 22. The disc is the group’s first release since 2005’ Grammy-nominated Electric Blue Watermelon and the first on their own label, Sounds of the South Records. The disc’s name is taken from the town where the trio spent their formative years.
“This is definitely our most focused record of original music that we’ve done,” Luther Dickinson said in a statement. “This records stands alone…we don’t draw as much on our Hill Country roots. We’re a blues rock band and set out to make a blues rock record.”
The album was recorded by family patriarch Jim Dickinson and features 11 songs of mostly original material. In other NMA news, on Friday drummer Cody Dickinson sat-in with Rose Hill Drive at Chicago’s Martyr’s. While in town as part of the Solid Blues Tour, Dickinson stopped by the venue and played washboard on a little jam before the trio offered a cover of the Beatles’ “Helter Skelter.” The North Mississippi Allstars will appear at Mt. Clemens, MI’s Macomb Center for Performing Arts this Tuesday.
Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood to Play MSG
Former Blind Faith bandmates Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood will reunite for a three shows this February. The estranged friends performed together for the first time in years at England’s Rockslide Festival in May and at Chicago’s Crossroads festival in August. In addition to Blind Faith staples like “Presence Of The Lord” and “Can't Find My Way Home” the pair also ran through Robert Johnson's “Crossroads” and a mix of solo material.
“On one of those random flights between European countries, Eric was talking about doing a Blind Faith reunion at Crossroads and was like ‘Pearly Queen’ would sound good with slide on it, you should learn that one,” says Derek Trucks, who toured with Clapton last year. “I was like, ‘I don’t know that one’ and when we got to rehearsals I was like, ‘shit I should have learned that one’[laughter].”
Though Clapton recently played with Blind Faith drummer Ginger Baker during Cream’s high profile reunion, bassist Ric Grech died in 1990, thus ruling out the possibility of a full reunion. Clapton and Winwood will perform at New York’s Madison Square Garden on February 25, 26 and 28.
Bob’s Friend Mike
As first hinted right here last week, Mike Gordon performed with Bob Weir & RatDog at Burlington, VT’s Memorial Auditorium Friday night. The former Phish bassist appeared midway through RatDog’s second set on a jam segment and later returned for reprises of “Bird Song” and “Cassidy.” While Weir and Gordon have played together on several occasions recently, most notably in front of Congress in January, the bassist has not played with RatDog since the 2002 Jammy Awards. On Saturday night Weir also performed the later day Grateful Dead song “Days Between” for the first time with RatDog at Albany’s Palace Theatre.
RatDog will perform at Reading, PA’s Sovereign Performing Arts Center this Tuesday.
Tonight’s Freekbass Performance Cancelled
Cincinnati’s Freekbass has been forced to cancel its performance this evening, November 5. The group was scheduled to appear at New York’s S.O.B.’s, which is temporally closed due to a health code violation and will not reopen in time for the group’s gig. Northeast fans looking to catch the group this week can still see them tomorrow at Ewing, NJ’s The College of New Jersey. Freekbass has also confirmed that it will spend New Year’s Eve at Yellow Springs, OH’s Peach's.
Phil’s Friend Ryan
After performing at New York’s Hammerstein Ballroom on Halloween, Ryan Adams stuck around his hometown for a few days to play with his occasional collaborator, Phil Lesh, at New York’s Nokia Theater Times Square. Adams took the stage by surprise at the start of Lesh’s third set Friday and fronted Phil Lesh & Friends on a version of “Wharf Rat,” the first song he played with the former Grateful Dead bassist during their initial meeting at the 2005 Jammy Awards. Adams then remained onstage with Phil Lesh & Friends for the remainder of the group’s set, playing on such selections as “Franklin's Tower,” “Stella Blue," “Fire On The Mountain,” “Dark Star,” Pink Floyd’s “Eclipse,” “Terrapin Station” and “Sugar Magnolia” (“Eclipse” featured some offstage backing vocals from Ollabelle’s Amy Helm and Teresa Williams). Adams’ surprise appearance marks the first time the often erratic guitarist has performed with Lesh since October 2006, though Lesh still includes a mix of Adams originals in his regular rotation.
Phil Lesh & Friends will return to the Nokia Theatre Times Square this evening. The group has also added a hometown show at San Francisco’s Warfield Theater on November 27, which is being billed as “Jackie Greene’s Golden Birthday Celebration.”
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