Top 6 Live Music Picks for '06
'Tis the season for year end reviews and countdowns that highlight the top occurrences or highlights of the past year. As we get ready to delve into a new year, there is some satisfaction in reflecting on the events of the past year. In the spirit of these shameless year end reviews and because I am a passionate live music lover, this post will include my top 6 Live Music Picks for 2006:
Disclaimer: I would never be presumptuous enough to argue that these are the "end all, be all" best live music events of the year. There are way too many to say that this is an all inclusive list. However, according to my (rather limited) experience this is what I will classify as the top live music picks of the year. This list does not necessarily reflect the best or the greatest, and it is not presented in any order of importance or quality other than chronologically.
1. Darrell Scott Band, Artscenter, Carrboro, NC
Darrell Scott is a poignant songwriter. He is able to tell a story with humor and humanity, and his musicianship is phenomenal. I have seen Darrell Scott perform in many different configurations. I have seen him solo with just his guitar, and other assorted string instruments. I have seen him with songwriter lineups where he is always able to jump right in on any song and add texture and depth to the music of sometimes unfamiliar songs. I have seen him perform with his father, who interestingly wrote songs as Darrell was growing up in the same vein as Hank Williams and Johnny Cash although never reaching that level of notoriety. And I have seen Darrell perform with his Band which included Matt Mangano on drums and Casey Driesen on fiddle on this January night. Hearing his familar songs in new interpretations with this lineup is the first live musical highlight of 2006. The Artscenter gets props for providing a venue that attracts many prolific artists, and the clientele that frequents the Artscenter is always respectful and reverent. The chemistry between these guys was fantastic and Darrell never disappoints. Highlights: "I Still Miss Someone" (cover of Johnny Cash tune) and "Theres a Stone Around My Belly"
2. Jim Lauderdale and Donna the Buffalo, Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival, Silk Hope, NC
I've posted about the Grassroots festival before, but again this makes it in as another live music highlight. The magical venue of Shakori Hills hosts Spring and Fall music festivals with an Americana and world beat flair. In the spring we were treated to a set from Jim Lauderdale, who by the way was nominated for a Grammy this year for best bluegrass album, who fronted the booty-shake inducing Shakori Hills houseband-Donna the Buffalo. The venue nestled in the tranquil farmlands of Chatham county NC provides a laid back and beautiful atmosphere in which to enjoy the festivities. I love Jim's songwriting and performer appeal. He always wears his rhinestone cowboy attire and never tires of the "I'm sweating" jokes (example: It's so hot, I'm sweating like Dick Cheney at Dixie Chicks concert, or Newt Gingrich at a KD Lang concert, or Karl Rove at a Steve Earle concert, etc). I enjoy Jim when he performs solo, but performing with Donna the Buffalo always makes for some rocking and fun live music. Highlights: "Ginger Peach: and all of Jed's solo guitar work throughout.
3. Phil and Friends with G.R.A.B. Alltel Pavilion, Raleigh, NC
You can take the girl of out the deadhead community, but you can't take the Deadhead out of the girl. I will always be faithful to these traveling minstrels. The musical philosophy, transcendent and improvisational musicanship, and solid songwriting and lyrics are what attracts me to the Grateful Dead. You either get it or you don't. I have heard that some people just can't understand the phenomenon, like it's some analytical problem in which to solve. That is the first problem, you don't think about -you just feel it. And it's not elitism or arrogance that makes me say this, please don't get me wrong.
I am tapping Phil and Friends as another musical highlight of the year. Phil Lesh, the Grateful Dead bassist, has assembled some of the finest "Friends" lineups over the years that have included the likes of Warren Haynes, Jimmy Herring, Trey Anastasio, Paul Barrere and Billy Payne (of Little Feat), Steve Kimock, John Molo, Rob Barraco, John Scofield, Larry Campbell, Barry Sless, Chris Robinson (yes, or the Black Crowes), Joan Osborne, Ryan Adams-just to name a few. Anyway, as former deadheads you may find yourself entrenched in one of the two camps. There is Bob Weir's Ratdog and Phil Lesh's Friends. Phil's lineups are the superheros of jambands and Ratdog is made up of tight and competent musicians. Phil tends to improvise much more than Ratdog and his interpretations of Grateful Dead gems is at times meandering and aimless. But nonetheless uplifting and transcendental as if taking off on some musical journey of soundscapes and melodies. Some can't stand his vocals, but I still enjoy seeing the Phil lineups each and everytime. Highlights: cover of the Stones "Gimme Shelter" and the everloving "Shakedown Street"-"don't tell me this town ain't got no heart."
4. Roger Waters, Nissan Pavilion, Bristow, VA
Former bassist of Pink Floyd offered a tour this year that has to be one of the top live music highlights. Again opposing camps are formed with the remnants of the Floyd. Dave Gilmour, guitarist, who came on after Syd Barrett's mental decline is still touring and has fronted the newer version of Pink Floyd back in the 1990s. He evidently was touring this year too. Roger Waters has had a solo career apart from the Floyd and he did not disappoint on this September evening. Full on some of the best Mexican food, we enjoyed the Pink Floyd standards and some new material which included a song about a experience Roger had while a youth travelling and his car breaking down in Lebanon. A family took him in and treated him as an honorable visitor. The message of the song is that we are quick to assume that all Arab people are terrorists. Also another sensitive topic addressed in this song is that terrorism is terrorism no matter who makes the rules about it. There is also some good cracks about Texas education and a plea to Americans with our shopping malls and freedom of speech not to ruin it for the rest of the world. Roger was naturally treated to some boos during this tour, especially as a large inflatable pig was launched the included such epitephs as "Impeach Bush" on the hind end. The northern Virginia crowd was a little more accepting of this and we all watched as the pig on the wing was released and floated off into the black night. The second set consisted of a full peformance of Dark Side of the Moon. Highlights: "Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun" and the ultimate guitarist move- in the middle of a killer guitar solo during the Dark Side of the Moon performance he took the time to push his long hair out of his face as if to say "Take that Dave Gilmour. I can solo with both hands tied behind my back or at least while styling my long flowing hair."
5. Thanksgiving Jam featuring Jon Shain and friends Cat's Cradle, Carrboro, NC
When my husband and I first moved to the Triangle area we became fans of small local band named Flyin' Mice. They got a horrible review in the entertainment rag in Raleigh that likened them to the Grateful Dead and the reviewer went off on a tirade about copy cat bands. My husband wrote a letter to the editor expressing his disagreement with the review that was printed and Jon Shain contacted him to work on some promotional materials. Flyin' Mice has long been broken up but Jon is still very much active in the music community, His style is characterized as "Piedmont blues with bluegrass, rag, and swing." He is an extaordinary picker and engaging entertainer. We were treated to a pre-Thanksgiving jam on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. The first set was phemonenal with Jon trading off tunes with Greg Humprhies (of Hobex & Dillon Fence), Cyril Lance, and Will McFarlane (played w/Bonnie Raitt and Wilco). They surely did not disappoint and we were captivated by the songs, the music, and the performance. The second set was good too, although it was admittedly hard to top the first set. We definitely got our fill on this November night.
6. Warren Haynes 18th Annual Xmas Jam Asheville, NC
I would be totally remiss not to include the Xmas jam in my top picks. Warren (of Allman Brothers and Govt Mule fame) has put on the Xmas jam for the past 18 years as a benefit concert for Habitat for Humanity. The lineups are awesome and the overall value of this ticket is priceless. It usually starts around 7 pm and can go on until 3:00 in the morning with very short breaks between sets. This year we ended a little early at 2:30 am. The lineup included Jon Popper and DJ Logic, Taj Mahal Trio, Marty Stuart and his Fabulous Superlatives, The New Orleans Social Project (WOW!!!!), Dave Matthews (insert screams here-although not from me), Govt. Mule, and many many more. Branford Marsalis sat in with many of the performers and he can really light up a stage. Oh yeah, the other special guest....may I have a drumroll please....Taylor Hicks, American Idol 2006, sat in on a couple of numbers lending his vocals and harmonica playing. We joked about him being kind of like a medfly-you couldn't get rid of him and he was insistently asking for his mics to be turned up. Overall, this was such wonderful experience and we will be back again next year.
So there it is my top live music picks of 2006. As previously stated this is my humble opinion and I know there were plenty of performances over the past year I missed: Cream at MSG, Springfest & Magfest on the Suwannee, and the many other festies out there which always provide plenty of jams.
So au revoir 2006 it seems like we just met and now it's time to say goodbye. I hope your successor, 2007, will bring all of you readers goodness, and if it's not too much to ask just a little light and peace on earth.
Disclaimer: I would never be presumptuous enough to argue that these are the "end all, be all" best live music events of the year. There are way too many to say that this is an all inclusive list. However, according to my (rather limited) experience this is what I will classify as the top live music picks of the year. This list does not necessarily reflect the best or the greatest, and it is not presented in any order of importance or quality other than chronologically.
1. Darrell Scott Band, Artscenter, Carrboro, NC
Darrell Scott is a poignant songwriter. He is able to tell a story with humor and humanity, and his musicianship is phenomenal. I have seen Darrell Scott perform in many different configurations. I have seen him solo with just his guitar, and other assorted string instruments. I have seen him with songwriter lineups where he is always able to jump right in on any song and add texture and depth to the music of sometimes unfamiliar songs. I have seen him perform with his father, who interestingly wrote songs as Darrell was growing up in the same vein as Hank Williams and Johnny Cash although never reaching that level of notoriety. And I have seen Darrell perform with his Band which included Matt Mangano on drums and Casey Driesen on fiddle on this January night. Hearing his familar songs in new interpretations with this lineup is the first live musical highlight of 2006. The Artscenter gets props for providing a venue that attracts many prolific artists, and the clientele that frequents the Artscenter is always respectful and reverent. The chemistry between these guys was fantastic and Darrell never disappoints. Highlights: "I Still Miss Someone" (cover of Johnny Cash tune) and "Theres a Stone Around My Belly"
2. Jim Lauderdale and Donna the Buffalo, Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival, Silk Hope, NC
I've posted about the Grassroots festival before, but again this makes it in as another live music highlight. The magical venue of Shakori Hills hosts Spring and Fall music festivals with an Americana and world beat flair. In the spring we were treated to a set from Jim Lauderdale, who by the way was nominated for a Grammy this year for best bluegrass album, who fronted the booty-shake inducing Shakori Hills houseband-Donna the Buffalo. The venue nestled in the tranquil farmlands of Chatham county NC provides a laid back and beautiful atmosphere in which to enjoy the festivities. I love Jim's songwriting and performer appeal. He always wears his rhinestone cowboy attire and never tires of the "I'm sweating" jokes (example: It's so hot, I'm sweating like Dick Cheney at Dixie Chicks concert, or Newt Gingrich at a KD Lang concert, or Karl Rove at a Steve Earle concert, etc). I enjoy Jim when he performs solo, but performing with Donna the Buffalo always makes for some rocking and fun live music. Highlights: "Ginger Peach: and all of Jed's solo guitar work throughout.
3. Phil and Friends with G.R.A.B. Alltel Pavilion, Raleigh, NC
You can take the girl of out the deadhead community, but you can't take the Deadhead out of the girl. I will always be faithful to these traveling minstrels. The musical philosophy, transcendent and improvisational musicanship, and solid songwriting and lyrics are what attracts me to the Grateful Dead. You either get it or you don't. I have heard that some people just can't understand the phenomenon, like it's some analytical problem in which to solve. That is the first problem, you don't think about -you just feel it. And it's not elitism or arrogance that makes me say this, please don't get me wrong.
I am tapping Phil and Friends as another musical highlight of the year. Phil Lesh, the Grateful Dead bassist, has assembled some of the finest "Friends" lineups over the years that have included the likes of Warren Haynes, Jimmy Herring, Trey Anastasio, Paul Barrere and Billy Payne (of Little Feat), Steve Kimock, John Molo, Rob Barraco, John Scofield, Larry Campbell, Barry Sless, Chris Robinson (yes, or the Black Crowes), Joan Osborne, Ryan Adams-just to name a few. Anyway, as former deadheads you may find yourself entrenched in one of the two camps. There is Bob Weir's Ratdog and Phil Lesh's Friends. Phil's lineups are the superheros of jambands and Ratdog is made up of tight and competent musicians. Phil tends to improvise much more than Ratdog and his interpretations of Grateful Dead gems is at times meandering and aimless. But nonetheless uplifting and transcendental as if taking off on some musical journey of soundscapes and melodies. Some can't stand his vocals, but I still enjoy seeing the Phil lineups each and everytime. Highlights: cover of the Stones "Gimme Shelter" and the everloving "Shakedown Street"-"don't tell me this town ain't got no heart."
4. Roger Waters, Nissan Pavilion, Bristow, VA
Former bassist of Pink Floyd offered a tour this year that has to be one of the top live music highlights. Again opposing camps are formed with the remnants of the Floyd. Dave Gilmour, guitarist, who came on after Syd Barrett's mental decline is still touring and has fronted the newer version of Pink Floyd back in the 1990s. He evidently was touring this year too. Roger Waters has had a solo career apart from the Floyd and he did not disappoint on this September evening. Full on some of the best Mexican food, we enjoyed the Pink Floyd standards and some new material which included a song about a experience Roger had while a youth travelling and his car breaking down in Lebanon. A family took him in and treated him as an honorable visitor. The message of the song is that we are quick to assume that all Arab people are terrorists. Also another sensitive topic addressed in this song is that terrorism is terrorism no matter who makes the rules about it. There is also some good cracks about Texas education and a plea to Americans with our shopping malls and freedom of speech not to ruin it for the rest of the world. Roger was naturally treated to some boos during this tour, especially as a large inflatable pig was launched the included such epitephs as "Impeach Bush" on the hind end. The northern Virginia crowd was a little more accepting of this and we all watched as the pig on the wing was released and floated off into the black night. The second set consisted of a full peformance of Dark Side of the Moon. Highlights: "Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun" and the ultimate guitarist move- in the middle of a killer guitar solo during the Dark Side of the Moon performance he took the time to push his long hair out of his face as if to say "Take that Dave Gilmour. I can solo with both hands tied behind my back or at least while styling my long flowing hair."
5. Thanksgiving Jam featuring Jon Shain and friends Cat's Cradle, Carrboro, NC
When my husband and I first moved to the Triangle area we became fans of small local band named Flyin' Mice. They got a horrible review in the entertainment rag in Raleigh that likened them to the Grateful Dead and the reviewer went off on a tirade about copy cat bands. My husband wrote a letter to the editor expressing his disagreement with the review that was printed and Jon Shain contacted him to work on some promotional materials. Flyin' Mice has long been broken up but Jon is still very much active in the music community, His style is characterized as "Piedmont blues with bluegrass, rag, and swing." He is an extaordinary picker and engaging entertainer. We were treated to a pre-Thanksgiving jam on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. The first set was phemonenal with Jon trading off tunes with Greg Humprhies (of Hobex & Dillon Fence), Cyril Lance, and Will McFarlane (played w/Bonnie Raitt and Wilco). They surely did not disappoint and we were captivated by the songs, the music, and the performance. The second set was good too, although it was admittedly hard to top the first set. We definitely got our fill on this November night.
6. Warren Haynes 18th Annual Xmas Jam Asheville, NC
I would be totally remiss not to include the Xmas jam in my top picks. Warren (of Allman Brothers and Govt Mule fame) has put on the Xmas jam for the past 18 years as a benefit concert for Habitat for Humanity. The lineups are awesome and the overall value of this ticket is priceless. It usually starts around 7 pm and can go on until 3:00 in the morning with very short breaks between sets. This year we ended a little early at 2:30 am. The lineup included Jon Popper and DJ Logic, Taj Mahal Trio, Marty Stuart and his Fabulous Superlatives, The New Orleans Social Project (WOW!!!!), Dave Matthews (insert screams here-although not from me), Govt. Mule, and many many more. Branford Marsalis sat in with many of the performers and he can really light up a stage. Oh yeah, the other special guest....may I have a drumroll please....Taylor Hicks, American Idol 2006, sat in on a couple of numbers lending his vocals and harmonica playing. We joked about him being kind of like a medfly-you couldn't get rid of him and he was insistently asking for his mics to be turned up. Overall, this was such wonderful experience and we will be back again next year.
So there it is my top live music picks of 2006. As previously stated this is my humble opinion and I know there were plenty of performances over the past year I missed: Cream at MSG, Springfest & Magfest on the Suwannee, and the many other festies out there which always provide plenty of jams.
So au revoir 2006 it seems like we just met and now it's time to say goodbye. I hope your successor, 2007, will bring all of you readers goodness, and if it's not too much to ask just a little light and peace on earth.
posted by amyd | 12:46 PM
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