If you don’t have an iClips account, go here . What are you waiting for????

All times are Eastern and any updates to the schedule will be here.

Saturday, August 1

• 1:50 – Trail of Dead
• 3:05 – Electric Touch
• 3:55 – Heartless Bastards
• 4:40 – Seasick Steve
• 5:30 – Fleet Foxes
• 6:20 – The National
• 7:10 – Neko Case
• 8:00 – Black Gold

Sunday, August 2

• 1:10 – White Rabbits
• 1:50 – Cage the Elephant
• 2:40 – Cool Kids
• 3:30 – Postelles
• 4:10 – Chairlift
• 4:55 - Steel Train
• 5:45 – Tokyo Police Club
• 6:35 – TBA
• 7:25 – Gaslight Anthem
• 8:15 – Elbow
• 9:05 – Gogol Bordello
• 9:55 – TBA

If you don’t have an iClips account, go here and sign up and relax for the weekend.

All times are Eastern and any updates to the schedule will be here.

Friday, July 10

• 7:15pm – Todd Snyder
• 7:45pm – Les Claypool
• 9:15pm – TBA
• 10:00pm – Bob Weir & Ratdog
• 12:00am – Jackie Greene
• 12:45am – moe.

Saturday, July 11

• 6:30pm – Yonder Mountain String Band
• 8:00pm – Lake Trout
• 8:30pm – STS9
• 10:00pm – Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk
• 10:45pm – Ben Harper & RELENTLESS7
• 12:15am – TBA
• 1:00am – Umphrey’s McGee

Sunday, July 12

• 2:40pm – Tea Leaf Green
• 3:55pm – BK3 feat. Bill Kreutzmann
• 4:55pm – Dark Star Orchestra

The iClips folks will  start in Rothbury, MI this weekend with their FREE live Couch Tour of Music Festivals, which also includes Mile High in Denver in a couple of weeks,  All Points West at the end of the month, Lollapalooza the following weekend and ending at the Austin City Limits Music Festival on Oct 2nd – 4th.   Very Nice……

I plan on spending a bit of time on my rear end this long July 4th weekend, so this fits right in with my plan to watch a couple of Cubs games, eat well and drink a bit of Wild Turkey.  A couple of hours of SCI goes right along with that…. as well as Brett Dennen , Grace Potter, Toots and Umphrey’s McGee.  Hmmm,  might need more Wild Turkey.

So if you don’t have an iClips account, go here and sign up.  Doesn’t cost anything and you get to see great music for the rest of the summer and into the fall.

All times are Eastern , and of course are subject to change.  All updated info is here.

Friday, July 3

• 1:45pm · King Sunny Ade
• 2:45pm · Brett Dennen
• 3:30pm · G. Love and Special Sauce
• 4:15pm · Keller Williams
• 6:30pm · Damian Marley and NAS
• 8:00pm · Toubab Krewe
• 8:45pm · The String Cheese Incident
• 12:30am · The Disco Biscuits

Saturday, July 4

• 1:30pm · Ralph Stanley
• 2:15pm · Martin Sexton
• 3:30pm · Jackie Greene
• 4:45pm · Son Volt
• 5:30pm · The Black Crowes
• 7:00pm · Railroad Earth
• 8:30pm · John Butler
• 10:00pm · Lotus
• 11:30pm · STS9

Sunday, July 5

• 1:45pm · Toots and the Maytals
• 3:00pm · Four Finger Five
• 3:45pm · Yonder Mountain String Band
• 5:15pm · The Hard Lessons
• 6:00pm · Willie Nelson
• 7:30pm · Grace Potter
• 8:45pm · Flogging Molly
• 10:00pm · Ani DiFranco
• 11:45pm · Matisyahu
• 1:00am · Umphrey’s McGee

Had a great time back in 2007. Will I make a return trip this year?  Ton of music in City Park and people watching in the French Quarter on All Hallow’s Eve certainly has its allure.

A lot of these bands I have never seen before but no Galactic or Bonerama???

• KISS
• Eminem
• Janes Addiction
• Widespread Panic
• The Flaming Lips
• Justice
• Gogol Bordello
• Wolfmother
• Street Sweeper Social Club
• Eagles of Death Metal
• The Black Keys
• The Pogues
• Ween
• Silversun Pickups
• Janelle Monae
• The Cool Kids
• Meat Puppets
• Mutemath
• Q-Tip
• Fischerspooner
• Brand New
• D12
• American Bang
• Generational
• Earl Greyhound
• Squirrel Nut Zippers
• Black Lips
• Down
• Mates of State
• All Time Low
• Robert Randolph & the Family Band
• The Knux
• George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic
• JJ Grey & Mofro
• Alejandro Escovedo
• Shooter Jennings
• Sarah Quintana
• Drive-By Truckers
• Eric Church
• Ledisi
• Rebirth Brass Band
• New Orleans Bingo! Show
• Leroy Jones Group
• Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue All Stars
• Big Sam’s Funky Nation
• Benjy Davis Project
• Papa Grows Funk
• DJ Soul Sister
• Rotary Downs
• Andrew Duhon & The Lonesome Crows
• MarchFourth Marching Band
• Amanda Shaw
• Cyril Nevilles Blues Revue with Tab Benoit, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux & Johnny Sansone
• Beausoleil
• Leo Jackson & The Melody Clouds
• John Mooney & Bluesiana
• Quintron & Miss Pussycat
• Fleur De Tease
• Suplecs
• Little Freddie King
• Preservation Hall Stars with Special Guests
• The Happy Talk Band
• Lil Brian and the Zydeco Travelers
• Why Are We Building Such A Big Ship?
• Ratty Scurvics
• Mynameisjohnmichael
• Loose Marbles
• Luke Winslow King
• Dan Dyer
• Walter “Wolfman” Washington & The Roadmasters with The Dirty Dozen Horns
• New Orleans Klezmer AllStars
• Glasgow
• Leroy Jones
• Mas Mamones
• Zydepunks
• White Bitch
• New Orleans Jazz Vipers
• The Vettes
• Lucys Walk
• Erick Baker
• TBC Brass Band
• MC Trachiotomy
• Bones
• From Legends to Nancy
• Brother Taisuke Mass Choir
• Katey Red & DJ Papa,  Big Freedia, Sissy Nobby
• Davis Rogan

3 day passes with no surcharges are going for $169 and the VIP passes will set you back $475 for extras such as lunch and dinner buffets, reserved parking, raised viewing areas and much more.

Outside of Telluride

Been off doing the working thing and not doing any updates since my last trip to Telluride, but here I am again for the Telluride Jazz Celebration.

Since I left the “Cubicle From Hell” at the end of 2008, my intention was to take a few months off, eat well, gain a few pounds and work a bit on this website and a few other ideas I have in my head. About a week went by and had a phone call from somebody I worked with a long time ago inquiring about my availability.  I was initially reluctant but said he was looking for people to work from home.

Long story short, I moved from the “CFH” to the “Man Cave” and it is a much happier place to be….  but my original intentions went totally down the toilet.  Well, I have gained a few pounds.

So I am back in the mountains for a little time away and here is what I have to offer as far as pics.  My camera abilities seemed to have went to hell on Friday watching On The One and Ozomatli so that is why no photos of them, my bad…

Eyvind Kang (viola), Rudy Royston (drums) and Bill Frisell

Kenny Walker (bass), Paul Romaine (drums)

Telluride Jazz Allstars

Marco Benevento

Marco Benevento and Joe Russo

I am a little partial to the bands from New Orleans ( ok, a lot partial) so that is why I have a few more shots of them vs. other bands.  I first saw Christian play with Donald Harrison several years ago and caught him with his own band at Voodoo Fest in 2007.  A huge talent and if he is ever near you, make sure to catch a performance.

Christian Scott Quintet

Christian Scott Quintet

Christian Scott Quintet

Whatever butts where not out of the seats for Christian’s set, Rebirth Brass Band unearthed the rest of them.  I can’t count how many times I have seen these guys over the years and even with a revolving crew of musicians they still are always a crowd favorite.

Rebirth Brass Band

Bill Frisell Trio

A great way to end Saturday with the funk of Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe.  Met him last year at JazzFest and was  not only nice but extremely funny.

Karl Denson's Tiny Universe

Karl Denson's Tiny Universe

The Balloon Festival was also going on this weekend and Rebirth did a 2nd line down Main St after the fest with the Balloon Glow.  Wind was up a bit so the balloons were not out but they did have a few people letting off a little gas.

Rebirth Brass Band On Main St.

Rebirth Brass Band on Main St.

Young Rascalzz Jazz Project

Kenny Walker Sextet

Kenny Walker Sextet

 The Donald Harrison Quintet started off playing straight jazz but toward the end of the set had the peep’s on their feet with New Orleans standards such as  ”Iko Iko” and “Hey Pocky Way”.  Huge kudos to the piano player who came down with altitude sickness but never missed a beat inhaling oxygen from a bottle the whole set.  And for all the trivia buffs out there, I did not know that Christian is Donald’s nephew.

Donald Harrison Quintet

Donald Harrison Quintet

Donald Harrison Quintet

Donald Harrison Quintet

Donald Harrison Quintet

Hands down my favorite performance of the weekend was Lizz Wright.  Not sure why she has not crossed my radar before but will be on my list as a must see in the DFW area or elsewhere.  Not only great with her band but her voice certainly was fantastic a cappella.

Lizz Wright

Lizz Wright

The weekend ended with the Jimmy Herring Band with just straight up instrumental.  Super tight band but after a few songs with the wind picking up and the sun going down, it was back to the hotel.  Another great weekend in the Rocky Mountains….

Jimmy Herring Band

I have been on the sidelines in regards to this website since I got back from Telluride as I finished up my contracting job, otherwise known as the “Cubicle from Hell”.  My last day was Dec. 30th and now my plan for the next few months is to take some time off, do a bit of traveling and do some cosmetic work to this website as well as probably start a couple others.  More on that in the future….

Festival plans for 2009 to this point only include JazzFest back in New Orleans and probably back to Telluride for Blues and Brews Festival but Wakarusa moving to Mulberry Mountain in Arkansas sounds intriguing also.

Speaking of the “Big Easy”, if you are interested in the supporting the work of some fantastic musicians from New Orleans, head on over to Threadhead Records.   This non-profit organization was started by some great people that reside on the forum for the JazzFest website and so far have raised over $70,000 for helping artists with getting their CD’s recorded.  The goal is for the musicians to pay the organization back with a bit of a premium going to the New Orleans Musicians Clinic, another worthy endeavor.

Enjoy your New Year’s Day and  I will be back with a vengeance here in the next couple of weeks as I do my best to inform you of what is going on in the music festival world.

The Blind Boys Of Alabama

Jimmy Carter of The Blind Boys of Alabama

Next up was The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band and I was not sure what to expect but the festival program said something like ” Robert Johnson on crack”.  After about 20 minutes, I was thinking a high octane version of George Clooney’s movie ” Where Art Thou”.  Highly entertaining.

The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band

Two Louisiana bands again were sandwiched in the middle of the lineup, The Chris Thomas King Band and The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, to bring a bit of life to the crowd.

The Chris Thomas King Band

The Dirty Dozen Brass Band

Roger Lewis of The Dirty Dozen Brass Band

The Derek Trucks Band made their appearance as the sun was setting and the temperature dropping.  Susan Tedeschi came out toward the end to lend her own special sets of skills and to get the crowd warmed up for the closer of the festival.

The Derek Trucks Band

The Derek Trucks Band

The Derek Trucks Band

Etta James…. How could I come up with enough adjectives to describe the Queen of the Blues???  I haven’t seen her in a few years and was not sure what to expect since she has had medical problems recently.

Well. the Lady still has the spunk, sassiness and the voice of angels that I have come to know in the many times I have seen her.  For a little over one hour, she captivated the crowd with her usual antics with the band and singing old standards such as “You Can Leave Your Hat On” and “Sugar On the Floor”.

Does it get any better than Etta James singing “At Last” in the backdrop of beautiful mountains of Telluride???

Not in my mind….

Etta James

Etta James

Etta James

At the end of the show, she walks offstage and sits on her scooter and I thought was headed to the back of the stage.  Instead, she took a sharp right, cuts across the stage, almost takes out her two guitar players and then assumes the position below.  Classic….

Etta James

The day started out with Trampled Under Foot, a family band that won the International Blues Competition earlier this year.  Nick Schnebelen won the Albert King Award for most promising guitarist and sister Danielle has a commanding voice as well as skills on the bass.  I highly recommend if they come through your area.

Trampled Under Foot

Trampled Under Foot

Next up were two Louisiana acts that got the crowd on their feet or at least dancing in place as their were standing in line for beer.  I have seen Big Sam’s Funky Nation several times and they put on their usual high energy show. Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers continued with his own twist on zydeco that raised the electricity level even higher.

Big Sam's Funky Nation

Big Sam's Funky Nation

Big Sam's Funky Nation

Big Sam's Funky Nation

Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers

Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers

Closing out the day were the John Butler Trio, G-Love and the Special Sauce and Gov’t Mule.  First time I have seen JBT live and the guys from Australia certainly know how to bring it to the stage.  G-Love continued with his hip hop blues and Mule was excellent as usual with Susan Tedeschi and Ron Holloway making appearances.

John Butler Trio

John Butler

G-Love

G-Love

G-Love with John Butler

G-Love with "Big Sam"

Gov't Mule

Rising early, it certainly seemed as though the mountains had also turned a bit more white overnight…

I will let the pics speak for themselves, but everybody put on a good show.  Susan Tedeschi has a new album coming out soon and played a lot of new music and even though Joan Osborne had to follow Susan, she did a fantastic job.  John Hiatt was…. typical John Hiatt.

Mama Cookin'

Back Door Slam

Canned Heat

Susan Tedeschi

Susan Tedeschi

Ron Hollaway

Joan Osborne

Joan Osborne

John Hiatt

John Hiatt

I have landed back in one of my favorite parts of the country for the Telluride Blues and Brews Festival and spending a few days before the festivities relaxing and enjoying the scenery.

I have been somewhat out of the writing mood lately due to an aching back and the attitude that goes along with it, as well as working way too many hours at my real job.  But the “Cubicle from Hell” will have to make it without me this week as I relax to the sounds of John Hiatt, Susan Tedeschi, Gov’t Mule and Etta James, as well as many others.

My posts this week will probably be more of a visual nature rather than dialogue, but I will try to give you the low down on what is going on.