LAST CONCERT: Newport Folk Festival. Go to NPR.org and search Newport Folk Fest for many live shows available for FREE. The rest can be obtained via the NPR: Live Concerts from All Songs Considered Podcast, (search All Songs Considered Podcast in the iTunes store)
Here's a rundown of each day:
On Saturday, we got in a little late missing Sallie Ford, and the Felice Bros. We caught Freelance Whales, who played a great set matching up the enthusiasm and crisp vocals from their album Weathervanes. I had my doubts whether they could pull this off, after hearing their Daytrotter session, but they succeeded.
Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three were fantastic. A special surreal occurrence happened as I was expecting my friend to come over to the stage to catch some of the show, just then Ryan Koenig, washboard & Harmonica extraordinaire, blurts out (somewhat over Pokey) "Hey there's Matt" I thought nothing odd at the moment to look stage left myself to see my ol' pal walking past the stage for a good spot. Turns out, outside of being great musicians, those fellas from St. Louis are also great folks to friend as well.
For as tight as I had recently posted the new album to be (Middle of Everywhere Album Review) they are even better live. Ryan Koenig has really come into his own as a near rival to Pokey LaFarge for his showmanship skills. Not to mention that I heard the best harmonica and kazoo playing of my life. John Popper really has nothing on these guys. Checking out the NPR: Live Concerts from All Songs Considered Podcast is a must, as you can hear a battle between Ryan & guitarist Adam Hoskins emceed by Pokey mid set.
Stay tuned to the blog for a re-cap of the Gillian Welch vs. Tegan & Sara vs. Devil Makes Three conundrum. I had it written last night, but my internet was out and I deleted it by mistake.
Finally Saturday was closed on the Fort Stage with a great set from the Decemberists. All I really wanted was to hear the 'Mariner's Revenge Song', as I heard delicious rumor that they act out the song. The lived up to my expectations and then blew me away. The surroundings of beautiful Adams State Park, in the not so sweltering July sun of Newport Rhode Island gave Colin Meloy & company a welcome home for an hour twenty. Even if his ire aimed into the harbor at the yacht crowd was somewhat misplaced given the location, his songs were well received by all. I had recently expanded my Decemberists
collection, so it was like a reinforcement of three new albums all at once. (I finally laid my hands on the King is Dead & Castaways and Cutouts, plus giving more attention to The Hazards of Love)
Sunday at the Newport Folk Festival was just over indulgence. I'll detail the result of my other Newport line-up Battle between David Wax Museum and Brown Bird soon. But I can tell you now that the Carolina Chocolate Drops are as skilled as they are authentic. And their passion for knowing their musical history is exemplified in their well played and well written compositions. I missed out on a great show from Trampled by Turtles as I couldn't resist finding out what made Jack White so interested in recording an album with Wanda Jackson
. I picked up The Party Ain't Over just a few days before the festival. I must say it was eerie to hear Amy Winehouse's cover of 'You know I'm No Good'
for the first time, the day she died, but I digress. The stories Wanda Jackson told were awesome. It so took me back to having many a rambling conversation with my grandmother. But that's what you get when you listen to a 71 year old legend. The stories were fantastic talking about #1 hits here and there, touring with Elvis or Johnny Cash, and working with Jack White. I would love to tell you about seeing Chris Thile & Michael Daves or about Justin Townes Earle on the Quad Stage, or about ending the day with the Civil Wars. However, I had to be prudent and drive back to NJ, as the wife had to be at work early the next day.
NEXT CONCERT(s): Although I missed Justin Townes Earle at Newport, I plan on making it happen at a FREE show September 3rd in Philadelphia for the WHYY Connections Festival. I don't know if I'll get to see anyone else as of course, days off mean hanging out with family or working on the house, but I plan on getting at least the set in with JTE.
Perhaps I can get the best of both worlds and take the wife and child to enjoy the vibes.
I was very skeptical at first getting into Justin Townes Earle. It's not too often that you get a successful "son of", but it appears that he already rode his daddy (Steve Earle)'s fame, and had a dramatic crash & burn once already. However, I picked up 'Harlem River Blues'
from Spin's free Bonnaroo 15 track download (sorry guys, it's no longer available), and I can't get enough of this song.
After getting hooked, I sought out some more Justin Townes Earle, and found his most recent (FREE) Daytrotter Session. 'Mama's Eyes' after reading/seeing what he's been through comes across as straight from his heart.
Justin Townes Earle - "Mama's Eyes" Live at Paste
Also this month are the Low Anthem downstairs at World Cafe Live with William Elliott Whitmore. I really need to get up to speed on W.E.W., as I really love previous Low Anthem openers, Annie & the Beekeepers and Daniel Lefkowitz (now Futur Primitif).
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I'm also excited to see the Low Anthem with Mike Irwin as the newest member. Mat Davidson left earlier this summer for Spirit Family Reunion, taking away his immense skills on several instruments including the saw. But this is not a simple interchangeable swap. No disrespect mean to Mike Irwin, as I have only heard him play trumpet. However, he is a known commodity as a trumpet player in the NYC music scene. I can say in the brief time I've had to chat with Mike, and to listen to him play, I am excited and ready to hear his contribution to these sometimes fluid compositions. I also wonder whether, long time pal to Ben Knox Miller, Graham Smith will be playing the saw or really what part he will have? Although the Low Anthem is amazing with their rotating chairs abilities, I think it will be different with out Mat. But as it was an evolution make Jocie Adams a more integral piece to the unit, it will be either an continuing evolution for the band to add Mike Irwin and his skills.
Upstairs at World Cafe Live at the end of September are Brown Bird, middle on the bill with Dark, Dark, Dark and Pillars & Toungues. I really am loving the Sounds of Ghosts E.P., and 2009's The Devil Dancing. I am really, looking forward to getting my hands on Salt for Salt to review for you all. I can't say I've been this into a band right away for some time, as I am with Brown Bird.
CONCERT(s) TBD FOR OCTOBER:
David Wax Museum at Longwood Gardens - Kennett Square, Pa. This is a private event for members of the gardens. Fortunately I've been friends with a member for a decade now, and I was responsible for exposing her to D. Wax & co (I hope tickets are still in the works). I think this show will be everything I am looking for out of a David Wax Museum show. Intimate and Awesome!
Pokey LaFarge & the South City Three in Philadelphia @ World Cafe Live.. How can I miss this?
Pokey LaFarge & the South City Three in Pittsburgh @ Club Cafe. This is the smallest, yet awesome venue I have been to for national acts. If you have any interest in real music and live in Pittsburgh, this is a must. I personally plan on taking a half day from work, and driving across the state, solo or not, to catch this show. I have already personally guaranteed a friend would enjoy the show that I will pay for his ticket if he wasn't impressed with the show.
Portugal the Man @ TLA in Philly. The Wife's cousin loves them. I love to share the love of music. Plus they've got some killer tracks. 'The Dead Dog'
, 'Lay Me Back Down
', and 'People Say
' are the best of what I've found so far
Blitzen Trapper
@ TLA in Philly - Have you heard 'Black River Killer'? Did you get a chance to hear 'Heaven And Earth'? I can only imagine what standout track will be dropping on the new album. Plus after listening to their Daytrotter Session (FREE) why not?
Enjoy!, or should I say Wish Me Luck!
Here's a rundown of each day:
On Saturday, we got in a little late missing Sallie Ford, and the Felice Bros. We caught Freelance Whales, who played a great set matching up the enthusiasm and crisp vocals from their album Weathervanes. I had my doubts whether they could pull this off, after hearing their Daytrotter session, but they succeeded.
Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three were fantastic. A special surreal occurrence happened as I was expecting my friend to come over to the stage to catch some of the show, just then Ryan Koenig, washboard & Harmonica extraordinaire, blurts out (somewhat over Pokey) "Hey there's Matt" I thought nothing odd at the moment to look stage left myself to see my ol' pal walking past the stage for a good spot. Turns out, outside of being great musicians, those fellas from St. Louis are also great folks to friend as well.
For as tight as I had recently posted the new album to be (Middle of Everywhere Album Review) they are even better live. Ryan Koenig has really come into his own as a near rival to Pokey LaFarge for his showmanship skills. Not to mention that I heard the best harmonica and kazoo playing of my life. John Popper really has nothing on these guys. Checking out the NPR: Live Concerts from All Songs Considered Podcast is a must, as you can hear a battle between Ryan & guitarist Adam Hoskins emceed by Pokey mid set.
Stay tuned to the blog for a re-cap of the Gillian Welch vs. Tegan & Sara vs. Devil Makes Three conundrum. I had it written last night, but my internet was out and I deleted it by mistake.
Finally Saturday was closed on the Fort Stage with a great set from the Decemberists. All I really wanted was to hear the 'Mariner's Revenge Song', as I heard delicious rumor that they act out the song. The lived up to my expectations and then blew me away. The surroundings of beautiful Adams State Park, in the not so sweltering July sun of Newport Rhode Island gave Colin Meloy & company a welcome home for an hour twenty. Even if his ire aimed into the harbor at the yacht crowd was somewhat misplaced given the location, his songs were well received by all. I had recently expanded my Decemberists collection, so it was like a reinforcement of three new albums all at once. (I finally laid my hands on the King is Dead & Castaways and Cutouts, plus giving more attention to The Hazards of Love) Sunday at the Newport Folk Festival was just over indulgence. I'll detail the result of my other Newport line-up Battle between David Wax Museum and Brown Bird soon. But I can tell you now that the Carolina Chocolate Drops are as skilled as they are authentic. And their passion for knowing their musical history is exemplified in their well played and well written compositions. I missed out on a great show from Trampled by Turtles as I couldn't resist finding out what made Jack White so interested in recording an album with Wanda Jackson. I picked up The Party Ain't Over just a few days before the festival. I must say it was eerie to hear Amy Winehouse's cover of 'You know I'm No Good' for the first time, the day she died, but I digress. The stories Wanda Jackson told were awesome. It so took me back to having many a rambling conversation with my grandmother. But that's what you get when you listen to a 71 year old legend. The stories were fantastic talking about #1 hits here and there, touring with Elvis or Johnny Cash, and working with Jack White. I would love to tell you about seeing Chris Thile & Michael Daves or about Justin Townes Earle on the Quad Stage, or about ending the day with the Civil Wars. However, I had to be prudent and drive back to NJ, as the wife had to be at work early the next day. NEXT CONCERT(s): Although I missed Justin Townes Earle at Newport, I plan on making it happen at a FREE show September 3rd in Philadelphia for the WHYY Connections Festival. I don't know if I'll get to see anyone else as of course, days off mean hanging out with family or working on the house, but I plan on getting at least the set in with JTE.
Perhaps I can get the best of both worlds and take the wife and child to enjoy the vibes. I was very skeptical at first getting into Justin Townes Earle. It's not too often that you get a successful "son of", but it appears that he already rode his daddy (Steve Earle)'s fame, and had a dramatic crash & burn once already. However, I picked up 'Harlem River Blues' from Spin's free Bonnaroo 15 track download (sorry guys, it's no longer available), and I can't get enough of this song. After getting hooked, I sought out some more Justin Townes Earle, and found his most recent (FREE) Daytrotter Session. 'Mama's Eyes' after reading/seeing what he's been through comes across as straight from his heart.
Justin Townes Earle - "Mama's Eyes" Live at Paste
Also this month are the Low Anthem downstairs at World Cafe Live with William Elliott Whitmore. I really need to get up to speed on W.E.W., as I really love previous Low Anthem openers, Annie & the Beekeepers and Daniel Lefkowitz (now Futur Primitif).
I'm also excited to see the Low Anthem with Mike Irwin as the newest member. Mat Davidson left earlier this summer for Spirit Family Reunion, taking away his immense skills on several instruments including the saw. But this is not a simple interchangeable swap. No disrespect mean to Mike Irwin, as I have only heard him play trumpet. However, he is a known commodity as a trumpet player in the NYC music scene. I can say in the brief time I've had to chat with Mike, and to listen to him play, I am excited and ready to hear his contribution to these sometimes fluid compositions. I also wonder whether, long time pal to Ben Knox Miller, Graham Smith will be playing the saw or really what part he will have? Although the Low Anthem is amazing with their rotating chairs abilities, I think it will be different with out Mat. But as it was an evolution make Jocie Adams a more integral piece to the unit, it will be either an continuing evolution for the band to add Mike Irwin and his skills. Upstairs at World Cafe Live at the end of September are Brown Bird, middle on the bill with Dark, Dark, Dark and Pillars & Toungues. I really am loving the Sounds of Ghosts E.P., and 2009's The Devil Dancing. I am really, looking forward to getting my hands on Salt for Salt to review for you all. I can't say I've been this into a band right away for some time, as I am with Brown Bird.
CONCERT(s) TBD FOR OCTOBER:
David Wax Museum at Longwood Gardens - Kennett Square, Pa. This is a private event for members of the gardens. Fortunately I've been friends with a member for a decade now, and I was responsible for exposing her to D. Wax & co (I hope tickets are still in the works). I think this show will be everything I am looking for out of a David Wax Museum show. Intimate and Awesome!
Pokey LaFarge & the South City Three in Philadelphia @ World Cafe Live.. How can I miss this?
Pokey LaFarge & the South City Three in Pittsburgh @ Club Cafe. This is the smallest, yet awesome venue I have been to for national acts. If you have any interest in real music and live in Pittsburgh, this is a must. I personally plan on taking a half day from work, and driving across the state, solo or not, to catch this show. I have already personally guaranteed a friend would enjoy the show that I will pay for his ticket if he wasn't impressed with the show.
Portugal the Man @ TLA in Philly. The Wife's cousin loves them. I love to share the love of music. Plus they've got some killer tracks. 'The Dead Dog'
, 'Lay Me Back Down', and 'People Say' are the best of what I've found so farBlitzen Trapper
@ TLA in Philly - Have you heard 'Black River Killer'? Did you get a chance to hear 'Heaven And Earth'? I can only imagine what standout track will be dropping on the new album. Plus after listening to their Daytrotter Session (FREE) why not?Enjoy!, or should I say Wish Me Luck!
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