MyJoog Blog

The Soulful Mavis Staples and Loveblock 2013 Pinot Noir

2017-02-27T08:05:00.000-05:00

This is the second consecutive vintage of Loveblock Pinot Noir 2013 ($37, 14%) that I've received as a sample and this New Zealand wine captivates me. The grapes are grown in Loveblock's high altitude "Someone’s Darling" Vineyard (Central Otago), which owners Erica and Kim Crawford have had accredited with Sustainable Winegrowing (SWNZ). The wine is powerful, yet classy; exhibits fresh fruit, yet dusty herbs; and finishes with bright acids, yet smooth tannins. A very complex wine that's a gem to drink. Another gem is R&B gospel singer Mavis Staples. With each sip of the Loveblock, Staples's soulful, smooth, yet dusty vocals seemed to emanate from the wine, whether the gospel sound of One True Vine or the soulful R&B of Livin' On A High Note. And when the band breaks out the electric guitar and horns while she's singing gospel, that captivates me as well. And by chance Staples is traveling through New Zealand and Australia this spring. Cheers.

Cusumano Nero d'Avola, Pizza, and Sarah Jarosz's Undercurrent

2017-02-22T11:04:00.002-05:00

This month I received a unique sampling package of the 2014 Cusumano Nero d'Avola ($15) packaged with a pizza making kit. The obvious message is that this Italian red wine from Sicily pairs well with America's favorite food. The Cusumano Winery is operated by brothers Diego and Alberto Cusumano with the vineyards for the Nero d'Avola located in the dry and hot climate of southern Sicily - the grape's historic homeland

The Cusumano Nero d'Avola is a palate pleaser with it's strength due to its relative simplicity. You will not be overwhelmed from any one characteristic; instead the simple and straightforward nature of the wine works wonderfully. The nose is fresh and jammy, the palate red fruit and leather with light texture, and the tail comes across with light and tannins. And the wine's relatively high acidity provides the bond to pizza - cutting through the cheese and tomato. Here's W. Blake Gray explaining why at WineFix.

Sarah Jarosz had a big last week when her fourth album, Undercurrent, was awarded the 2017 Grammy for Best Folk Album. (Jarosz was awarded a second Grammy for Best American Roots Performance as well.) I immediately downloaded the album and soon realized that, like the wine, the strength of this release is also in it's simplicity. Most of the song's are simply Jarosz and her guitar, showcasing her sweet vocals and picking skills. When the electric guitar appears, it is present, but not overwhelming. My favorite tracks are House Of Mercy with Jedd Hughes, Everything To Hide, and Still Life with I'm With Her band mates Aoife O'Donovan and Sara Watkins providing exceptional harmonies. All songs worthy of a Grammy. Cheers.

Otis Gibbs - Mount Renraw and Sagamore Spirit Rye Whiskey

2017-02-17T08:24:00.002-05:00

I've been following folkster Otis Gibbs since hearing The Darker Side of Me - a song I was convinced was done by Johnny Cash. This year Gibbs released his seventh album, Mount Renraw, which includes similarly meaningful songs - simply performed but complex in thought. The mid section is the strength of this album starting with Sputnik Monroe - another Johnny Cash style ballad. This song tells the story of wrestler Roscoe Monroe Brumbaugh who single handily desegregated sporting events in Memphis. One night he refused to wrestle unless the black patrons could sit anywhere and not just in the balcony. Empire Hole honors all working fathers and contains the enshrining line: "there's a graveyard my Daddy now calls home". The song also references how Gibss' native Indiana was the source for the limestone used to build the Empire State Building (Indiana limestone is the nation's stone as it was also used in building the Pentagon, Washington National Cathedral, Rockefeller Center, the Biltmore Estate, Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Ellis Island -- among many other notable structures). The album continues with Blues for Diablo and its haunting fiddle and 800 Miles with the soothing fiddle and simple guitar.

I paired Mount Renraw with the Maryland produced Sagamore Spirit Rye Whiskey ($40) - a working man's whiskey despite the fact that the distillery is owned by Maryland native and Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank. Eventually the rye will be sourced from Plank's Sagamore Farm in Glyndon, Maryland and distilled in Baltimore but for now they are bottling from the infamous MGP of Indiana located in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. The 4 year aged whiskey is a blend of "two rye recipes (one that is high rye-based and another that is low rye-based)" and is cut to 83 percent using Indiana limestone rich water. The nose is noticeably spicy and caramel which carries over into the middle mouth where it remains through the smooth finish. A very nice pairing of music and rye whiskey.

Update: The post was revised to state that the Sagamore Spirit Rye Whiskey is aged 4 years instead of 2 years.

Cris Jacobs - Dust to Gold with Heavy Seas 21 Anniversary Ale

2017-02-10T14:37:00.001-05:00

Many of you may be familiar with Chris Jacobs as the front-man for the jam band The Bridge. However, since that band went on hiatus five years ago, Jacobs has segued into a successful solo career as showcased by his latest release Dust to Gold. Although the album was released a few months ago, I revisited it while consuming theHeavy Seas Brewing 21 Anniversary Ale. This is a high octane (10.5% abv) Imperial Rye ESB which was aged 60 days in used Sagamore Spirit Rye Whiskey barrels. The result is an incredibly smooth beer, malty but balanced and the heat dissipates with a slightly spicy finish.

Dust To Gold is also mellow and spicy containing a mixture of soul, gospel, and acoustic and electric blues punctuated with Jacob's "whiskey soaked vocals". I enjoyed all the tracks but pay special attention to Kind Women, Hallelujah Hustler, Cold Carolina, and Leaving Charm City. Cheers to Baltimore's string music and beer scene. .

The Infamous Stringdusters - Laws Of Gravity & Devils Backbone Brewing Company

2017-01-20T09:34:00.000-05:00

Grammy nominated The Infamous Stringdusters (Andy Hall - dobro, Andy Falco - guitar, Chris Pandolfi - banjo, Jeremy Garrett - fiddle, and Travis Book - upright bass) -- are synonymous to good music and good beer. Their music is a fusion of what I would call campfire dancing music and contemporary newgrass. As for beer, think the Charlottesville beer scene and Devils Backbone Brewing Company - host venue for The Festy Experience music festival. Here's a video of Travis discussing both beer and music at the inaugural Festy many years ago. And if you plan to attend the 2017 addition in October expect to hear plenty of music from Laws of Gravity, The Stringdusters latest release which dropped January 13th.

In this release the band returns to their.progressive bluegrass roots with a theme of the freedom as a result of life on the road. Something they should know rather well. Rotating lead vocals, solos, and tight harmonies provide an expected and consistent bouquet. But there's also a touch of soulful blues with This Ol’ Building and Back Home, which in addition to Soul Searching and Sirens, lift the mid palette and are the strongest section of the album. The tail finishes with high energy effervescence with Let Me Know and I Run To You. Classic Stringdusters.

The one problem with this release, and for that matter all the Stringdusters' seven studio releases, is that it can never capture the spirit of their live performance. Case in point is Sirens. The instrumentals are tight - but I'm sure the band blows away audiences performing this song live. Fortunately there are plenty of upcoming tour dates to experience a fantastic live show. I'm targeting the January 27th show at the 9:30 Club.

My favorite pairing option for Laws of Gravity is this DBBC Adventure sampler twelve pack. It includesthe Flor De Luna Belgium Blonde Ale, Berliner Metro Weiss, Smokehouse Porter, and Single Hop IPA. I hit all cylinders when fueled with a Berliner Weiss or Smoked Porter - as do the Stringdusters often in Laws of Gravity. Cheers.

It's Not Too Early to Plan for the 2016 Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion

2016-07-16T13:43:00.000-04:00

Frequent readers will know that the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion is one of our favorite music festivals. (See past coverage.) Where else can you enjoy live music at a large outdoor pavilion or inside a coffee shop or perhaps an historic theater or a billiards hall. Only in Bristol Tennessee and Virginia. And the price for a 3 day ticket ranges from an early bird $50 for three days to only $100 at the gate. In addition to headliners Loretta Lynn and Buddy Guy, the lineup is spectacular as listed below with special attention to Cracker, Hayes Carll, Darrell Scott, Scythian, Blair Crimmins & the Hookers, Mike Farris, and The Tillers. Hope to see you there.

Delfest Single Day Tickets Now Available

2016-04-27T16:12:00.000-04:00

Delfest, the three day music festival running over Memorial Day Weekend is now selling single day tickets ($60) as their 4 day package is sold out. This Bluegrass-Americana based festival is held at the Allegany County Fairgrounds in Cumberland, MD (2.5 hrs from Baltimore and DC). The lineup is crazy good with Del McCoury and The Travelin' McCourys headlining as usual. Then I'd be following
Tedeschi Trucks Band, Railroad Earth, Sam Bush Band, Yonder Mountain String Band, The Wood Brothers The Infamous Stringdusters feat. Nicki Bluhm, Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen, Cabinet, Larry Sparks & The Lonesome Ramblers, Dale Ann Bradley, Elephant Revival, Aoife O’Donovan plus many more excellent artists.

Album Review: Hackensaw Boys - Charismo

2016-02-02T15:56:00.000-05:00

The last two days I've listened to an advanced copy of the Hackensaw Boys upcoming album Charismo. It is produced by Larry Campbell who was the ringleader of Levon Helm's band it's last few years. The album will drop on Tax Day by Free Dirt Records and I recommend using your refund to procure this release. The band has evolved over the years with the current iteration a trio consisting of founder David Sickmenn, who returned after a long hiatus in 2012, festival favorite Ferd Moyse, and Brian Gorby, who inherited the album's namesake - the Charismo - from Justin Neuhardt.

The songs on Charismo are all original written by Sickmen and Moyse and a good ear can distinguish them. There's more sophistication and maybe more seriousness to the songs, and not the jamming thrillers we loved at festivals. But the harmonies are still killer. The opening track "Don't Bet Against Me" is in my opinion the best track with "Happy For Us in the Down" and "Flora" two more favorites. Festival goers will want to listen to "Limousin Lady". As much as I'd like to pair this album with Veritas Winery, where the band plays often, but Starr Hill Brewery seems a better option. Cheers.

Why Does Christmas Remind Me of Johnny Cash - ' Hurt"

2015-12-09T16:10:00.001-05:00

For some reason every Christmas season I think of Johnny Cash and lately his last few albums produced by Rick Rubin like the Grammy Award-winning American IV: The Man Comes Around.The second track, Hurt, is a powerful song written by Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails, but seemingly fit more for the Man in Black.

Album Review: Mipso - Old Time Reverie

2015-10-27T12:14:00.004-04:00

I'm still rather troubled that this year I missed all the major music festivals I usually attend like Merlefest, Floydfest, and Bristol Rhythm & Roots. However, I've found a North Carolina quartet that is helping alleviate that pain. Mipso is a modified bluegrass band that should be part of Floydfest's Emerging Artist Series. And I say modified since they are not a traditional bluegrass band - and not newgrass either. Their latest release Old Time Reverie showcases this unique Appalachian sound. My favorite track is Bad Penny, shades of Americana fused with old time country. Everyone Knows is close behind. Mipso consists of Jacob Sharp (mandolin), Joseph Terrell (guitar), Wood Robinson (bass), and Libby Rodenbough (fiddle). The album showcases their tight harmonies and individual instrumentation. Pair with Chapel Hill's Top Of The Hill Brewery. Cheers.

Album Review: Jason Boland & The Stragglers - Squelch

2015-10-21T13:49:00.004-04:00

Based on attendance from shows in the DC area, Jason Boland & The Stragglers must have a solid national audience which should only increase after the band's eighth album, Squelch. Boland's signature gravelly vocals and the pedal steel guarantee a solid country sound; although there are other genre's mingled in. See The First To Know and the rockn' It's Alright to Be An A*Hole. Yet, the Texas Country vibe is what shines the brightest, songs like the opening track Break 19, Heartless Bypass, and Do You Love Me Any Less. And listen to the end, Bienville is a fine Texas waltz. Pair Squelch with Stillwater Oklahoma's Iron Monk Brewing Company. Cheers.

Album Review: Tellico - Relic And Roses

2015-06-19T15:18:00.002-04:00

I'm an admitted dobro and pedal steel junky, so it shouldn't be surprising that I totally enjoyed Tellico's dobro and steel laced debut release: Relic And Roses. Of course there's more to this album then just Aaron Ballance on the aforementioned instruments; Jed Willis contributes solid mandolin and clawhammer banjo; Jon Stickley (producer) of the Jon Stickley Trio; and then there's Anya Hinkle (guitar, fiddle) and Stig Stiglets (bass). You may be familiar with these names from their Dehlia Low days and the two wrote all tracks except the Neil Young White Line-River of Pride medley. Their songs are rootsy and full of life, whether uplifting or sorrowful. The album starts with an authentic Appalachian sound in Backstep Blues but its Can't Go Home Again where the album hits its stride. Just hear those instruments. Would love to hear the playful Hawkeye Pierce and Honeycutt Blues live, and Farewell Winds is the most powerful track - until you hear Mexico 1995. This is a tremendous debut effort; suburb orchestration and songwriting. Well done. Pair with Blonde Whiskey from Asheville Distilling Company. Cheers.

Album Review: Sour Bridges - Entertaining Americana Rock

2015-06-09T12:02:00.001-04:00

Austin-based band Sour Bridges proves that Americana-rock bands need not fear the banjo or fiddle. Brothers Bill and Matt Pucci have combined their love of bluegrass with electric guitar and bass and an occasional keyboard to create a funky, vibrant sound. Last month the band releases their self titled album, the third in their portfolio. My favorite songs are those where the fiddle and banjo are prevalent such as Teddy, Cocaine Lorraine, and Workin' Boy. Kat “Mama Kat” Wilkes (fiddle), Dalton Chamblee (drums), Jack Bridges (vocals, bass guitar) and "hired gun" Ben Morgan (keys) round out the team. The waltzy Meet You There showcases the band's tight harmonies and Bumble Bee their rustic pickin' ability. This is an impressive release; all songs diverse and entertaining. Pair with Richmond Virginia's Hardywood Park Craft Brewery where the band performs June 28th. Cheers.

Album Review: Robyn Ludwick - Little Rain

2015-06-05T06:00:00.000-04:00

Last year the "Queen of Modern Texas Country Soul", Robyn Ludwick, released Little Rain and recently I finally got around to purchasing a copy. The descriptor is spot on, as the album combines a bit of bluesy soul to that Texas Americana sound. The album was produced by Gurf Morlix who also featured his considerable talent on the guitar, keyboards, banjo, pedal steel, and backing vocals. Husband John Ludwick (electric and upright bass) and Rick Richards (drums) round out the musical cast. The opening track, Longbow, OK, sets our high expectations for this release with it's tale of love gone bad. Seems like a constant theme as the Heartache continues with her soulful vocals - at times backed by haunting music. Lafayette is a favorite track where Ludwick displays more range and Little Weakness all Americana. If you are still not convinced, consider that Ludwick is the sister of Charlie Robison and Bruce Robison. Would love to hear the singing at that family reunion. Pair Little Rain with the Lost Maples Winery, the closest winery to Ludwick's Bandera Texas hometown. Cheers.

Album Review: Kym Warner - Everything That Brought Me Here

2015-06-03T11:38:00.001-04:00

Last month I attended another great house concert, this time featuring Kym Warner and Warren Hood, where the duo thoroughly entertained the captive audience. You should know Warner as a founding member of the Grammy nominated bluegrass outfit The Greencards. And Hood has an impressive following among The Waybacks fans as well as anyone from the Austin area. The duo were brilliant; entertaining with stories, humor, and music - many of these derived from Warner's debut solo album "Everything That Brought Me Here". Simply, this album is fantastic - the all acoustic release displaying Warner's mastery of the mandolin as well as the impressive musicianship of his guest musicians: Andy Hall (dobro) of the The Infamous Stringdusters, Tommy Emmanuel, Jedd Hughes, Carl Miner, Jake Stargel, Bill Whitbeck, David Beck, Brian Standefer, Jeff Taylor, Eric Darken and Dan Dugmore. I've had the album running continually during the day for the past few weeks and never tire with particular standouts in City to the Bay, El Paloma, Start Your Engines, San Leanna, and the highly relevant Great Falls. You won't be able to see Warner solo or with The Greencards this summer as he is touring with Robert Earl Keen as a member of his bluegrass band. In any event, pair Everything That Brought Me Here with Austin's (512) Brewing Company. Cheers.

Dom Flemons Offers Free Download of "What Got Over" EP

2015-05-21T13:46:00.002-04:00

Carolina Chocolate Drops alum and talented multi-instrumentalist Dom Flemons is offering a free download of his What Got Over EP through May. After the free download period, the EP will be available in the following stores. Here's Flemons describing how the EP evolved.

When I recorded Prospect Hill back in January 2014, I knew from the beginning that I would have a lot of extra songs. Overall, we recorded about 30 tracks and I was only able to include a portion of these on the final album. On my What Got Over EP I present a few tracks that I felt were too good to leave in the vault. Included on this EP are also a few alternates to the main tracks I picked for Prospect Hill—versions in which I experimented with the sound and instrumentation but in the end they didn’t make the final cut.
Enjoy this companion as one more testament to 2014: The Year of the Folksinger with the hope that the music will push on! We all can use a few extra sets of hands to help in the cause of making good honest music. I want to present this collection as a thank you to all the fans and lovers of good music. This one is for you! Catch you all down the road!

And these songs are too good to leave in the vault. First timers would never guess these are contemporary songs; full of old time instruments and a throwback vocals. The harp laced electric blues in Clock on the Wall is an exception; actually a terrific exception and a new side to Flemons I've never heard. The remainder of the EP is pure Flemons the historian. Go listen.

Album Review: Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds - The Weather Below

2015-05-20T07:46:00.002-04:00

If you're planning on attending Floydfest this year, then get a preview of one of the scheduled artists, Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds, through their latest release The Weather Below. Produced by Ryan Hadlock and recorded at Bear Creek Studio just outside Seattle, WA; the album's rock and soul tinged sound merits a listen. The attraction starts with Arleigh Kincheloe's sultry and powerful vocals and is augmented by vibrant horns (Phil Rodriguez (trumpet), and Brian Graham (saxophones)). Then the harmonica (Jackson Kincheloe) merges with the guitar (Sasha Brown) and blends seamlessly with the bass (Josh Myers) and drums (Dan Boyden). Just check out Don't Be Jealous. That's a tight track. So is Cold Blooded - love the opening guitar riff. The title track, Borderline, We Need A Love, and Catch Me If You Can are also favored songs. Pair with NYC's Kings County Distillery - home to an awesome band - Sister Sparrow & the Dirty Birds.

Album Review: Grant Dermody - Sun Might Shine on Me

2015-05-19T08:06:00.002-04:00

If you are a fan of acoustic country blues and harmonica, then the latest from Seattle blues harmonicist Grant Dermody is for you. Sun Might Shine on Me was recorded in Southwest Louisiana at the studio home of Dirk Powell (Joan Baez, T-Bone Burnett, Balfa Toujours) and the release is reminiscent of historic recordings whether from the Mississippi Delta, Appalachia, or Cajun country. Dermody is joined by a fleet of talented players in Creole fiddler Cedric Watson (Pine Leaf Boys), Creole swamp-pop elder drummer Jockey Etienne (Slim Harpo); Seattle-based blues and folk guitar master Orville Johnson (Laura Love), and Texas-based blues mandolinist Rich Del Grosso (Howard “Louie Blouie” Armstrong). When You Left pretty much exemplifies the album; slow and steady acoustic guitar, harp, and Dermody's raspy vocals. Check out So Sorry To Leave You and J'ai Passe as well. Pair with Southwest Louisiana's Bayou Teche Brewing. Cheers.

Lockn' Music Festival - Best Lineup in 2015?

2015-05-18T14:35:00.003-04:00

The lineup for the 2015 Lockn' Music Festival is hard to ignore. Held September 10-13 at Oak Ridge Farm in Arrington,Virginia; this camping festival has perhaps the best lineup of 2015. Just look at the opening night with The Doobie Brothers joining The String Cheese Incident as The Doobie Incident, Little Feat, Galactic, and Deer Tick. The rest of the weekend continues with a who's who of jam band and classic bands: Widespread Panic, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Robert Plant, Phil Lesh & friends (Warren Haynes, Carlos Santana) , The North Mississippi Allstars, Anders Osborne, Steve Earle & The Dukes, Umphrey's McGee, Hot Tuna, Melvin Seals, and soon and so on. You get the picture. A four day pass is $285 with various camping options. There will be plenty of beer food venders as well along with activities such as mountain biking courtesy of CAMBC (Charlottesville Area Mountain Bike Club) and swimming through Water Lockn'. Hope to see you there.

Album Review: Woody Pines Upcoming Self Titled Release

2015-05-14T06:00:00.000-04:00

If you are a fan of Old Crow or Pokey LaFarge, Woody Pines upcoming self titled album on Nashville’s Muddy Roots Records label should be your thing. In fact, Woody Pines and Gill Landry toured together previously as a jugband. The album combines that sound with a little country blues and rootsy country to create one special release. Pines is augmented by Skip Frontz Jr on bass and Brad Tucker on electric guitar, with the album produced by Grammy-winner Mitch Dane and mixed by Vance Powell. Two tracks you must seek out are Little Stella Blue and Make It To The Woods; one soft, the other rough and bluesy - but both excellent songs. Delta Bound is another great blues song; Walking Stick and Black Rag Swing will be festival favorites. The album is due out May 28th and pair with the several breweries where the band is performing this summer: Triumph Brewing Company, Bearwaters Brewery, and Marietta Brewing Company. Cheers.

Album Review: The Honey Dewdrops - Tangled Country

2015-05-12T13:24:00.003-04:00

Five years ago this summer I heard the The Honey Dewdrops for the first time at Floydfest 9 and came away very impressed with the acoustic duo. Now Laura Wortman and Kagey Parrish are set to release their 4th album Tangled Country - an original collection of rootsy folk and blues. The album was recorded in their Baltimore hometown, produced by Nicholas Sjostrom (also playing bass and piano) and featuring Dave Hadley on pedal steel and E.J. Shaull-Thompson on drums. Wortman and Parrish have been performing together since 2003 and their stripped down sound is powerful starting with Wortman's vocals. She's simply impressive, then combine Parrish's soft harmonies as in Lowlands, Horses, and Numb and you have some excellent songs. Loneliest Songs and Parrish's lead in Fair Share Blues are my two favorite tracks. Listen to the end because the musicianship in the last track Remington pretty much sums up this enjoyable release. Pair with my favorite Baltimore brewery, Brewer's Art. Cheers.

Album Review: Todd Grebe and Cold Country - Citzen

2015-05-07T18:00:00.000-04:00

I followed Bearfoot many years ago and then lost track of the band after a few member changes. Last week, however, Hearth PR provided a recollection of the bluegrass band by sending me the newest release from Todd Grebe and Cold Country, titled Citizen. It appears that Grebe joined the band in their final years, then married longtime member, Angela Oudean, and returned to Alaska to form the new band. They also left their bluegrass sound in Nashville for this album is all honky-tonk country and Americana and its a good one. (Although I should note that they returned to Nashville to record this album at The Butcher Shoppe studio with Grammy-award winning recording engineer David Ferguson). The musicianship is excellent with Oudean, harmonies and of course fiddle, Nate May (telecaster), Larry Atamanuik (drums), Mike Bub (bass) with special guests Steve Hinson (pedal steel), renowned Nashville session pianist Jimmy Wallace (piano) and Bearfoot alumni Megan McCormick (guitar). But it's Grebe's dusty vocals and songwriting that makes this release unique. Some of the lyrics have a John Prine quality with one of my favorites on the title track: "freedom isn't free; but I'm pretty sure it ain't costing for me". Other favorite tracks are Luckiest Man Here On Earth, Ain't That Fine, and You'll Never Find Me. Pair with one of my favorite beers, the Smoked Porter from Alaskan Brewing Company. Cheers.

The Steel Wheels Presents the Red Wing Roots Music Festival - A Phenomenal Lineup

2015-05-05T12:53:00.003-04:00

For the past few years, MyJoogTV alum The Steel Wheels have hosted the Red Wing Roots Music Festival and this year the event is being held July 10th-12th at Natural Chimneys Park in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley Virginia. Each year the lineup rivals many of other local festivals such as Floydfest and 2015 is no exception. The headliners are outstanding, but its the local talent that elevates this lineup and should encourage your participation. First, there's The Steel Wheels, an extremely talented source of roots music and generally great guys. Then there's fellow Virginians or Appalachians Scott Miller, Bryan Elijah Smith & The Wild Hearts, Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen, Sunliner (Travis Book and Sarah Siskind), Missy Raines & The New Hip, Chatham County Line, and Jon Stickley Trio. Then there are the imports such as Eric Lindell, The Brothers Comatose, Cahalen Morrison & Eli West, Billy Strings & Don Julin, Spirit Family Reunion, and Nikki Lane. Oh yea, the headliners. How about Robert Earl Keen featuring his bluegrass band, the Punch Brothers, The Wood Brothers, Elephant Revival, The Travelin’ McCourys, and Sara – Sarah – Aoife (Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz and Aoife O’Donovan). Pretty impressive. Tickets are reasonable at $129 for three days of great music. The area is also an outdoors man paradise with bike trails, hiking, fishing caverns and local wineries and breweries.

Album Review: Retro Soul from Major And The Monbacks

2015-05-04T06:00:00.000-04:00

I've always had a soft spot for bands with horns and that trend has continued with the eight-piece band Major and the Monbacks. After performing together for seven years, they have finally come around to recording their debut, self titled album (release date May 12th). And it's a good one. There's horns a plenty, a sophisticated sound, high energy dance tunes, and tight vocal harmonies. While in high school in Norfolk, VA, twin brothers Neal (guitar, vocals, keys) and Cole (bass) Friedman formed the precursor of what would eventually become Major and the Monbacks with classmates Michael Adkins (guitar, vocals, harmonica, keys), Harry Schloeder (guitar, vocals, keys), and Tyler Wes (percussion, hype). Nate Sacks (saxophone), Bryan Adkins (drums), and Aaron Reeves (trumpet) round out the eight pieces. Pair this excellent album with Norfolk's Smartmouth Brewing Co. Cheers.

I Can Hardly Wait - slow start to the album, then.....
Somedays - an instant classic; best track
Annabelle - starts slow but gradually gains a full head of steam
Don't Say A Word - hear a little JJ Grey in this one
She Don't Knock - sophisticated soul
Sunshine - vocal harmonies abound in this pop song
Be My Baby - starts with 1950s do whop pop; leans towards Holy Ghost Tent Revival
Magnolia - notice the keys and guitars
Fool - there's some St. Paul and The Broken Bones
I Do - fast pace finale

Album Review: The Lonesome Band - Running Alone

2015-04-30T13:53:00.004-04:00

For the past couple of weeks I've been fixated on the debut album for the Austin based The Lonesome Band. Titled, Running Alone, this all original album sounds a bit like Hank III, a bit like Robert Earl Keen, both backed by a jam band. The Lonesome Band consists of Anthony Lucio (guitar), Sam Whips Allison on lead guitar, Barrett O’Donnell on bass, and Miguel Gilly on drums. On the album, the band is augmented by Alex McMahon (pedal steel), Chojo Jaques (fiddle), and Larry Eisenberg (keyboard).

It was the drum beats (actually Bill Payne on the album) on the opening track - Agree to Disagree - that captured my attention. Then I noticed that the vocals sounded a bit like Hank III, with the storyline reminiscent of REK. But it was their rockin' jam band sound that kept my attention. Check out that lead guitar; Danny Gatton would be proud. Other REK-like tunes are Halfway There (perhaps my favorite track), Love I've Never Known, and Make 'Em Dance. That's Just Me is another great song with excellent instrumentation as is Running Alone, where the jam band really comes alive. And they wouldn't be a Texas band without a waltz - The Lonesome Waltz. These guys need to come to Hill Country BBQ or Gypsy Sally's. Pair with Austin's Uncle Billy's Brew & Que, located just over the river from 6th Street. Cheers.

Update: Forgot to include the release date for "Running Alone": May 12th, 2015.