Root Down in the Shadow

Today's post is the first READER EDITION 2012 Album of the year list! I may have started this blog to share my music finds, but it was never intended to be just my views. Anytime I catch up with a music friend, the first question is "Whatcha listening to these days?" Likewise, while putting together my year end lists, I asked a few of my music enthusiast friends to contribute their lists as well! The first post is from James Ferris, a Pittsbugrh local, college friend, and one of the few people I know with a music collection that puts mine to shame.  He likes The Weedrags, Leadbelly, and Kid Rock. READER EDITION 2012 Album of the year list - JAMES FERRIS EDITION! 1 – 3. The Weeknd , “ Trilogy” The Weeknd emerged into the world so fully realized, so self-aware, it’s hard to believe that Abel Tesfaye was only 21 when he simultaneously released three albums last year, each one a fully formed, unique piece of music. Tesfaye’s delicately balanced falsetto summon

IAMDYNAMITE "Stereo" from SUPERMEGAFANTASTIC This Detroit duo released their debut album this spring, and has been leaving their mark across the country ever sense. Just check your local alt radio station website, and chances are there is a studio session. Just don't miss them when they come through town . FREE SONG ALERT Yukon Blonde – Stairway Found via CMJ FreePlay:March 2012 and previously posted as a Free Track These United States – Dead & gone Looking at the Boston scene, I stumbled onto Music Savage and it's killer mixtapes I found These United States on the April '12 mix. Although the album released in '11, it kicked butt in '12!!! Diamond Rugs – Tell Me Why via American Songwriter's MUSE JULY SAMPLER Rivaling only Jack White , Dan Auerbach (Black Keys, Grace Potter, Dr. John), or Steve Moore ( of Zombi, Titan, Miracle. a/k/a Lovelock, Gianni Rossi.) for amount of projects, Deer Tick' s John McCauley

1. The Right Now , "I Can't Speak For You" Although the first single on Gets Over You is "He Used To Be", I am willing to bet that it will be "I Can't Speak For You" that launches this Chicago band to stardom! Other stellar tracks on the April release are "Half As Much", "Tell Everyone The Truth", and "Should've Told Me" "He Used To Be" by The Right Now For more, check out the concert review & interview done this April with Root Down In The Shadow 2. Nick Waterhouse – Is That Clear Free at Amazon this month : Rising Stars of 2013 3. 'Medicine Spoon' from Ruby Velle and the Soulphonics 'Found via Spinner.com's MP3 of the day Podcast, 'Medicine Spoon' from Ruby Velle and the Soulphonics' September release It's About Time . 4. The Cactus Channel From the August release Haptics Emanuel Ciccolini *** still a free download via the KEXP Song of the da

Wish Lists, Best of list, Worst of list, It's the list time of year, really anything you can think of.   Here we will take a stab at the Root Down In The Shadow - Song of the Year. With tons of great music out there I decided to break these down into a few categories.   We'll have Pop/Rap , Funk , Expecting more in '13 , Rock/Metal/Alt Metal , Local , Fun & Old School .  But to get this started right, we'll kick off with the basic Song Of The Year.   Everyone should have heard these by now, and should love them.   Check the links.. some of these songs are FREE DOWNLOADS!!!! In no particular order... 1. "TEBOWIE" by Jimmy Fallon  When I first heard about this song, I wanted nothing to do with it, as the Tebow phenomenon was just so tiresome.  But after I bought Blow Your Pants Off for the wife, for her anniversary present, I couldn't get enough of this son.  Jimmy Fallon completely nails this song, including an incredible Bowie impression! I cn

Concert reviews are somewhat of a staple here at Root Down in the Shadow.  This concert review is quite special, as it comes from a concert buddy!  What better way to share the joy of music than to hear what a friend of the site thinks! So, without further hesitation.  The first contributor post, by my special concert bud, Mariel Lorenz!   Although there are some great clubs in Philly, if you’re out in the ‘burbs and want to see some up and coming bands, look no further than in Doylestown on a Saturday night. M.O. M.’s ( Maxwell on Main ) hosts the Craft Culture series featuring local bands and even some not so local ones. Plus it’s all free, which can always sweeten the deal for music lovers who are searching for new sounds to get into. This past Saturday, there was certainly a packed house for the double bill of Our Griffins and Cruiser. Two bands with very different styles, but both had great EP’s which I was curious to see translate live. First up was Our Gr

1. Spirit Family Reunion - "Green Rocky Road" Traditional Sandwiched in the middle of their incredible 2012 release No Separation , this traditional has become owned by the Brooklyn sextet. Green Rocky Road has been played in the past by such folk stars such as Arlo Guthrie or Elizabeth Mitchell, but none has taken the song on with such a life! Mat Davidson on fiddle & Maggie Carlson on banjo have absorbed every note and tone of the song and bring it alive. Just watch the video once(Skip ahead to 4:05), and you will be hard pressed to not want to watch and hear more from this band. On this short 3 song set, you get a great glimpse into this jovial and upbeat band. Spirit Family Reunion - "Green Rocky Road" Tiny Desk Concert If you have the opportunity, go see this band live !  Pittsburgh that means YOU. Spirit Family Reunion is coming to Club Cafe on December 11th! Previously Featured:  Concert Review April 2012 or Concert Review October 2011

I've never been a fan of end of the year lists that down allow you to experience the selections.  Just reading about some great songs doesn't allow validation of the list.  For this brief list, I placed a playlist on the Daytrotter.com website, so everyone can hear it! You do need to register for the site to listen to the list, but it is so worth it.  For $2/month you get access to some of the best sessions out there for live music PERIOD.  You can register for a free trial, to see how great it is on your own.  If you are not interested in the site.. Here's a rundown of the list! Although a short list, I didn't want to waste time with so-so songs.   The first two are from the must have session, Mumford & Sons and Friends . #1 Reincarnation , is a Roger Miller standard. In this take, the "friend" of Mumford & Sons is Taylor Goldsmith of Dawes . It's such a simple and pure song, that I find my self singing it to my daughter during ou

Despite being on a writing hiatus these last several months, I have not left my obsession of concerts and new music.  I am very eager to share some of my recent exploits with my readers, including some albums to add to your holiday wish lists.  But before it's too late, I owe some of you a much needed Concert Preview post! Here goes! First up: SPIRIT FAMILY REUNION . When Spirit Family Reunion comes to town, you won't be lost in the glitz and glamour.  In fact, you rarely see singer Nick Panken outfitted in much more than a white T-Shirt!   With or without setlist, what you do have is a pure love for the bringing their joyful noise to the fans.  What comes to mind is Revival when listening to this sextet.   Whether spiritual, traditional or folk, it's a sound that can only leave you warm inside and smiling on the outside.  NPR Tiny Desk concert for Spirit Family Reunion go to http://spiritfamilyreunion.com/#shows Nov 14 Maxwell's Hoboken, NJ Nov 15 IOTA

Thanks to the fine folks at David Wax Museum, a year ago I found the most wonderful trio, Pearl And The Beard last November.   It was a great start to my fan-hood of these Brooklynites.  I saw them open for David Wax at the end of November , during an incredible show.  I loved them, the wife loved them, and most importantly Molly loved them.  Not to mention videos galore on the internets of these fantastically and artistically talented musicians.  Jeremy Styles : photo by Jeff Coon Although I had my new Killing the Darlings vinyl and the most awesome Daytrotter session to listen to, my desire was to see them live again.  This quest to see them again was frustratingly fruitless for the next year.  I missed them in Wilmington, DE due to lovely back spasms (mine, not theirs).  I had a conflict with a Brown Bird/Devil Makes Three show.  There was another show in NJ that was cancelled.  Then, I missed a free show in Harrisburg, Pa while I attended a closer Pokey LaFarge show at the

Earlier, this spring, I was turned onto SUPERMEGAFANTASTIC and I loved it the first time I heard it.   The interwebs say the sounds is "Exploding with thunderous beats and crunching power chords, IAMDYNAMITE establish themselves as a two-piece rock and roll force to be reckoned with on their debut LP SUPERMEGAFANTASTIC .  Armed with a single guitar, a basic drum kit and locked-in harmonies, the energy from the duo burns through speakers and electrifies off the stage whenever IAMDYNAMITE unleashes their unprecedented brand of noise." I gave my two cents back in March, when I gave the FREE MUSIC ALERT out to the Root Down In The Shadow readers .  I loved the album then, and it still is finding a happy home in my steady rotation, despite new songs coming in every week.   I just missed their Philly date in early June by one day as I was coming back from a vacation, but when I saw the notice of the the Radio 104.5 Summer Block Party Series at The Piazza with

All things considered, XPoNential Festival 2012 Day 1 was incredible.  Last year , the festival was just not doable due to the insufferable heat.  I only made it to one band each day, seeing the fantastic Ted Leo & the Pharmacists and Hayes Carll !  This year there were major concerns again due to heat earlier in the month, then a terrible weather forecast calling for rain & thunderstorms!   No such issues actually became realized as there were incredible bands galore, cool temps, and the only precipitation never touched the ground due to the tremendous crowds! City Rain started it off on the JerseyArts.com Marina Stage.  The Philly band did a great job getting the crowds amped up.  "Watch Out' from the Watch Out EP was great live, as was the rest of the material, which to be honest was not what I expected!  Kudos City Rain ! David Dye did the introductions for the next band, thrilled that the current #1 independent band was gracing the stage, proud that XPN was i

Elizabeth Mitchell and band graced the Wilmington, DE waterfront on a recent Saturday morning for a wonderful Kindie (Kid-Indie) show at the Grand Opera House!  Fittingly, as her first album was intended to be for her family, it's with no great irony that the band is made up of her family!  Her husband Daniel Littleton handles the guitars and backing vocals.  His brother Miggy was on the drums right behind his wife and fellow kid artist The Good Miss Padgett !  Miggy & Anna's daughter held the enviable position of dancer and idea giver!  Nearly family and great friend Jean Cook plays the violin. The star of the show, one could argue is the daughter of Elizabeth Mitchell and Daniel Littleton, the amazing Storey Littleton.  She wonderfully takes on the recorder on 'You Are My Sunshine', harmonica on 'Who's My Pretty Baby' and backing vocals on many songs but most prominently on 'Three Little Birds' and 'Lovely Day'. The true star is c

Root Down In The Shadow recently caught up with Stefanie Berecz of The Right Now , taking the opportunity to learn more about this intriguing band before their set at World Cafe Live! Here are some excerpts from that conversation! Root Down In The Shadow:  Who's a bigger inspiration for you, Sharon Jones (of Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings) or Charles Bradley (of Charles Bradley & Menahan Street Band)? Stefanie Berecz:  It's got to be Sharon Jones and her never give up attitude! RDITS:  What came first your sound or the band? SB:  First was meeting Brendan O'Connell .  He's the mastermind.  Every band needs a Brendan O'Connell!  I didn't realize I would be in this style band.  I grew up on Pop, R&B, and Soul.  Really, all the pieces came together after meeting Brendan.  The first album was a learning process with the band.  We were still developing, still evolving.  Album number two, Gets Over You , is where we really embraced the vibe, the fee