Thursday, December 10, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
KGSR 19TH ANNIVERSAY CONCERT at Texas Union Ballroom 12-5-09
This wing ding is a very cool affair. Every year KGSR does this. It's a free concert with free food catered by Salt Lick BBQ, along with a cash bar. The doors open at 6:30pm, general admission seating and the concert starts at 7:30 so you have about an hour to get your food. Then you settle in for a 4 hour concert that is broadcast live. There are special surprise musical guests so it's always fun to try and guess who they might be. The announced guests were The Gourds, Rosanne Cash and Bob Schneider.
You have to win tickets to get in. They have call-ins, tweet-ins, online chances and for the week before the show they have remote location events. You go, put your name in the hat and pray they pull it. We went to the first remote and I was the first name pulled. Praise Jah!
The special guests turned out to be Charlie Mars and Ian McLagan.
Charlie Mars opened the show, did 3 songs including his big hit "Listen to the Darkside." He was solo, acoustic and very much held the crowd. I liked him.
Next came Ian McLagan and he brought Scrappy Jud Newcomb (killer guitar player here in town) with him. They did 3 songs, 2 off his latest, including the title track "Never Say Never" and "Spiritual Boy." Then he brought out Jody Denberg. Jody is the heart and soul of KGSR but this was his last official act, broadcasting the concert. There isn't a musical person in this town who won't miss listening to him. He and Ian go way back. Back to the days when Ronnie Lane was living in Austin. Those 2 names should make you think of the band Small Faces as they were both in it. So...Ian brought Jody out to sing along to the Ronnie Lane song "Kuschty Rye." If you're not familiar, go listen to it. A rollicking rocker! Anyway, it was a great moment for everybody there.
Next came The Gourds and they were so much fun. They play that TexMex, bluegrass, swampy, country rock and roll. We got a 45 minute set with fun stuff like "Tex-Mex Mile" and "Country Love." The Gourds are good and they are fun. Kevin Russell is a great front man.
Then came Rosanne Cash along with John Leventhal on guitar and harmony vocals. They did a beautiful acoustic set. It was heavy on songs from her latest record, "The List." I'm sure you know the story behind it. When she was 18 her dad gave her a list of the top 100 country songs he felt she should be familiar with. All these years later she decided to make an album with some of those songs. On this night we heard: "Motherless Children," "Sea of Heartbreak," "Take These Chains from My Heart," "I'm Movin' On," "Heartaches by the Number," and "Long Black Veil." Again, she played "What We Truly Want" for Jody and "Seven Year Ache." But she also played a heckuva surprise. She said if her dad had made the list 101 songs instead of 100 she thinks the following might be the 101st. Rosanne then proceeded to sing "Ode to Billie Joe." I am telling you what, oh my God, stunning! The arrangement, John Leventhal's beautiful guitar work and Rosanne singing it like well, like she lived it. And it can't get more real than that, you know? You could have heard a pin drop in that place. It was completely goose bumps, hair standing up on the back of your neck for the entire song. Really, I can't begin to tell you about it and do it justice. Suffice to say, I sure hope she records it in the future. Man!
Ending the show was Bob Schneider. He had his full band. Started out with several on the piano, working up a head of steam slow but sure. Then moved to the guitar and started rocking pretty well. His accordion/trumpet playing sideman went nuts and put on a helluva show, jumping around the stage like he was on some serious drugs. It was great fun to watch! The rest of the band was oblivious and played like he wasn't there. It was hilarious. Bob closed the show with 3 blow the roof off, dancing numbers including "Bombanaza" and "Tarantula." Everybody was up, dancing and singing.
There was not one dull moment the entire evening. A great night. A great send-off for Jody.
Got a nice video or Rosanne Cash doing "Sea of Heartbreak." Go here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyNhnSeG4Z4
You have to win tickets to get in. They have call-ins, tweet-ins, online chances and for the week before the show they have remote location events. You go, put your name in the hat and pray they pull it. We went to the first remote and I was the first name pulled. Praise Jah!
The special guests turned out to be Charlie Mars and Ian McLagan.
Charlie Mars opened the show, did 3 songs including his big hit "Listen to the Darkside." He was solo, acoustic and very much held the crowd. I liked him.
Next came Ian McLagan and he brought Scrappy Jud Newcomb (killer guitar player here in town) with him. They did 3 songs, 2 off his latest, including the title track "Never Say Never" and "Spiritual Boy." Then he brought out Jody Denberg. Jody is the heart and soul of KGSR but this was his last official act, broadcasting the concert. There isn't a musical person in this town who won't miss listening to him. He and Ian go way back. Back to the days when Ronnie Lane was living in Austin. Those 2 names should make you think of the band Small Faces as they were both in it. So...Ian brought Jody out to sing along to the Ronnie Lane song "Kuschty Rye." If you're not familiar, go listen to it. A rollicking rocker! Anyway, it was a great moment for everybody there.
Next came The Gourds and they were so much fun. They play that TexMex, bluegrass, swampy, country rock and roll. We got a 45 minute set with fun stuff like "Tex-Mex Mile" and "Country Love." The Gourds are good and they are fun. Kevin Russell is a great front man.
Then came Rosanne Cash along with John Leventhal on guitar and harmony vocals. They did a beautiful acoustic set. It was heavy on songs from her latest record, "The List." I'm sure you know the story behind it. When she was 18 her dad gave her a list of the top 100 country songs he felt she should be familiar with. All these years later she decided to make an album with some of those songs. On this night we heard: "Motherless Children," "Sea of Heartbreak," "Take These Chains from My Heart," "I'm Movin' On," "Heartaches by the Number," and "Long Black Veil." Again, she played "What We Truly Want" for Jody and "Seven Year Ache." But she also played a heckuva surprise. She said if her dad had made the list 101 songs instead of 100 she thinks the following might be the 101st. Rosanne then proceeded to sing "Ode to Billie Joe." I am telling you what, oh my God, stunning! The arrangement, John Leventhal's beautiful guitar work and Rosanne singing it like well, like she lived it. And it can't get more real than that, you know? You could have heard a pin drop in that place. It was completely goose bumps, hair standing up on the back of your neck for the entire song. Really, I can't begin to tell you about it and do it justice. Suffice to say, I sure hope she records it in the future. Man!
Ending the show was Bob Schneider. He had his full band. Started out with several on the piano, working up a head of steam slow but sure. Then moved to the guitar and started rocking pretty well. His accordion/trumpet playing sideman went nuts and put on a helluva show, jumping around the stage like he was on some serious drugs. It was great fun to watch! The rest of the band was oblivious and played like he wasn't there. It was hilarious. Bob closed the show with 3 blow the roof off, dancing numbers including "Bombanaza" and "Tarantula." Everybody was up, dancing and singing.
There was not one dull moment the entire evening. A great night. A great send-off for Jody.
Got a nice video or Rosanne Cash doing "Sea of Heartbreak." Go here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyNhnSeG4Z4
ROSANNE CASH at Waterloo Records 12-5-09
How lucky are we to be here in Austin? Saturday morning, 11am and we're at Waterloo Records standing 4 feet away from Rosanne Cash and John Leventhal. They were in town for a performance at the KGSR 19th anniversary concert which would be later that evening. So, why not a little free, in-store to promote her new album "The List?"
They played about a 1/2 hour and then signed for everybody who wanted something autographed and believe me, the line was very long.
We got to hear from "The List" the following: "I'm Movin' On," "Sea of Heartbreak," "Long Black Veil," and "Girl from the North Country." She also did "What We Really Want" which was a special request from Jody Denberg. He is, I mean was, boy, that is hard to say, the heart and soul of KGSR but this was to be his last day at the station. He was at the in-store and Rosanne asked him what he'd like to hear. They finished with "Seven Year Ache."
Not great enough that we got to hear Rosanne in an intimate, free form like Waterloo but also having John Leventhal (her husband) play with her was really cool. He produced "The List" and is a great guitarist, period. He's produced the best Shawn Colvin records, also.
I had to take a picture of the store owner, John Kunz, introducing Rosanne and John. Loved his having on the Cash shirt!
Oh yes, I got a pretty good video of their opening number, "I'm Movin' On." See it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlCEfcSoZX4
They played about a 1/2 hour and then signed for everybody who wanted something autographed and believe me, the line was very long.
We got to hear from "The List" the following: "I'm Movin' On," "Sea of Heartbreak," "Long Black Veil," and "Girl from the North Country." She also did "What We Really Want" which was a special request from Jody Denberg. He is, I mean was, boy, that is hard to say, the heart and soul of KGSR but this was to be his last day at the station. He was at the in-store and Rosanne asked him what he'd like to hear. They finished with "Seven Year Ache."
Not great enough that we got to hear Rosanne in an intimate, free form like Waterloo but also having John Leventhal (her husband) play with her was really cool. He produced "The List" and is a great guitarist, period. He's produced the best Shawn Colvin records, also.
I had to take a picture of the store owner, John Kunz, introducing Rosanne and John. Loved his having on the Cash shirt!
Oh yes, I got a pretty good video of their opening number, "I'm Movin' On." See it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlCEfcSoZX4
Friday, December 4, 2009
BETTYSOO at Central Market 12-3-09
First show back in Austin since she left mid-October for a European and East Coast tour.
Central Market is just what it sounds like. A grocery store. But this is Austin so you have not only live music but good live music everywhere. Including your local grocer. On Thursday nights this store has live music for free during the dinner hour, 6:30 to 8:30 or so. A little stage is set up in the dining area.
It's a different deal. You can't go expecting to sit through a real show. People are coming and going, eating dinner, shopping, etc...it's a low key affair. The music is quieter, kind of background to the surroundings, I'd guess you would say.
We hadn't seen BettySoo in 2 months so it didn't matter to us. We just needed our fix : )
She had the trio version on this night, Will Sexton on lead guitar and the Mail Man on drums. It was a very laid back first set. The second set picked up a bit. A few highlights for me were #1 she did a nice cover of "Morning Song for Sally" which I hadn't heard her do before and I would love to hear again in a real listening room #2 she did a Jimmy LaFave cover as he happened to be sitting a few tables back from us, eating dinner and listening to her #3 she played that Ralston Bowles cover "What Do You Want From Me Now?" which she completely kills, every time.
So, it was a fun way to spend a couple of hours on a cold, for Austin, Thursday night.
Kind of another cool thing. Just makes me appreciate how music, ok, and the internet, really brings people together. This whole "friends" on Facebook thing, right? I have all of these "friends" who I don't know and many I'll never meet but we share a common interest: passionate music fans. So, I'm sitting at a table in a grocery store in Austin when a guy walks by, stops and says "Debbie, right?" and I say "yeah, Shuichi?" and he says "yes." Kind of like 2 people who have set up a meeting but not exactly sure who they're looking for. Except we hadn't, he lives in Japan, we've never met, never talked, except on Facebook and here we are, meeting up in a grocery store in Austin, recognizing each other and it all seems so normal! Turns out he is in Austin for a couple of weeks to take in as much live music as he can, is also making a film about music in Austin and is doing some additional filming.
Really, how cool is all of that?
Central Market is just what it sounds like. A grocery store. But this is Austin so you have not only live music but good live music everywhere. Including your local grocer. On Thursday nights this store has live music for free during the dinner hour, 6:30 to 8:30 or so. A little stage is set up in the dining area.
It's a different deal. You can't go expecting to sit through a real show. People are coming and going, eating dinner, shopping, etc...it's a low key affair. The music is quieter, kind of background to the surroundings, I'd guess you would say.
We hadn't seen BettySoo in 2 months so it didn't matter to us. We just needed our fix : )
She had the trio version on this night, Will Sexton on lead guitar and the Mail Man on drums. It was a very laid back first set. The second set picked up a bit. A few highlights for me were #1 she did a nice cover of "Morning Song for Sally" which I hadn't heard her do before and I would love to hear again in a real listening room #2 she did a Jimmy LaFave cover as he happened to be sitting a few tables back from us, eating dinner and listening to her #3 she played that Ralston Bowles cover "What Do You Want From Me Now?" which she completely kills, every time.
So, it was a fun way to spend a couple of hours on a cold, for Austin, Thursday night.
Kind of another cool thing. Just makes me appreciate how music, ok, and the internet, really brings people together. This whole "friends" on Facebook thing, right? I have all of these "friends" who I don't know and many I'll never meet but we share a common interest: passionate music fans. So, I'm sitting at a table in a grocery store in Austin when a guy walks by, stops and says "Debbie, right?" and I say "yeah, Shuichi?" and he says "yes." Kind of like 2 people who have set up a meeting but not exactly sure who they're looking for. Except we hadn't, he lives in Japan, we've never met, never talked, except on Facebook and here we are, meeting up in a grocery store in Austin, recognizing each other and it all seems so normal! Turns out he is in Austin for a couple of weeks to take in as much live music as he can, is also making a film about music in Austin and is doing some additional filming.
Really, how cool is all of that?
BAND OF HEATHENS at Momo’s 11-27-09
This was a 4th anniversary show. The band got it's start at Momo's. Turns out they each had separate gigs at the club, started sitting in with each other and from those beginnings as a band to 4 years later appearing on the tv show Austin City Limits. Pretty cool!
I love their country rocking sound, harmonies, killer melodies. But I've never bothered to know their names or differentiate between the styles the 3 ring leaders have. For some reason, on this night, a light went off and I sat there marveling at how talented each is, both vocally and instrumentally.
You have 3 very distinct voices. Colin has that gravelly, soulful, smoke 'em if ya got 'em sound, Ed is high pitched, kind of in your face (in a good way, you know, he kind of makes you sit up straight and pay attention) and Gordy has a really nice tenor you could listen to for hours on end.
Previously, I had fixated on Colin as the guitar player of the 3 but I see now each can take the lead and run with it. How I was oblivious to this before is beyond me.
It strikes me more than ever now that it must be a delicate balance to have that much talent in one band and not have egos take over. They seem to handle it all well and share the wealth. I hope it continues because they make great music together.
It was a tremendous show, well over 2 hours with many special guests including Guy Forsyth, Seth Walker and Warren Hood. The joint was packed to the rafters and they pretty much blew the place apart. It was just a fun, fun night of Austin music at its best.
A former, original member of the Heathens opened the show. His name is Brian Keane and he has a killer band including Rachel Loy on bass/harmony vocal and a very animated drummer who is a blast to watch. First time seeing Brian but I liked him and will look to go see more of him. Will also check out Rachel Loy.
I took several videos but the one I like best is "Jenny Was A Keeper" with Guy Forsyth wailing on harmonica. See it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pT1jje_ileo
I love their country rocking sound, harmonies, killer melodies. But I've never bothered to know their names or differentiate between the styles the 3 ring leaders have. For some reason, on this night, a light went off and I sat there marveling at how talented each is, both vocally and instrumentally.
You have 3 very distinct voices. Colin has that gravelly, soulful, smoke 'em if ya got 'em sound, Ed is high pitched, kind of in your face (in a good way, you know, he kind of makes you sit up straight and pay attention) and Gordy has a really nice tenor you could listen to for hours on end.
Previously, I had fixated on Colin as the guitar player of the 3 but I see now each can take the lead and run with it. How I was oblivious to this before is beyond me.
It strikes me more than ever now that it must be a delicate balance to have that much talent in one band and not have egos take over. They seem to handle it all well and share the wealth. I hope it continues because they make great music together.
It was a tremendous show, well over 2 hours with many special guests including Guy Forsyth, Seth Walker and Warren Hood. The joint was packed to the rafters and they pretty much blew the place apart. It was just a fun, fun night of Austin music at its best.
A former, original member of the Heathens opened the show. His name is Brian Keane and he has a killer band including Rachel Loy on bass/harmony vocal and a very animated drummer who is a blast to watch. First time seeing Brian but I liked him and will look to go see more of him. Will also check out Rachel Loy.
I took several videos but the one I like best is "Jenny Was A Keeper" with Guy Forsyth wailing on harmonica. See it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pT1jje_ileo
BEN MALLOTT and NOELLE HAMPTON at Momo's 11-25-09
This was a Thanksgiving Eve show. Ben did a Wednesday night run at Momo's through November and somehow the month got away from me until the last one. I wanted to see him with his band because previously I'd only seen him solo, in some type of song swap or collaboration with another singer/songwriter. Kind of wanted to see if he rocked or not! Turns out he does! I've always liked his writing, his voice and it was so nice to see his show with a totally different feel to it.
The opener, Noelle Hampton, I had heard of but never heard. What a great surprise! We caught most of her set. She had us toe tapping and bouncing in our seats the whole time. I liked her voice, melodies and can't wait to hear/see her again!
I tell ya, I was shaking my head thinking about all of the talent in this town. It's crazy. Unless you're here living it, you really can't imagine it, I don't think.
$7 cover, can't beat it
We left Ben's show a little early to dash over to the Saxon Pub for Slaid Cleaves. Got there just as it had sold out and got turned away. Oh well, can't get a four bagger every time up.
The opener, Noelle Hampton, I had heard of but never heard. What a great surprise! We caught most of her set. She had us toe tapping and bouncing in our seats the whole time. I liked her voice, melodies and can't wait to hear/see her again!
I tell ya, I was shaking my head thinking about all of the talent in this town. It's crazy. Unless you're here living it, you really can't imagine it, I don't think.
$7 cover, can't beat it
We left Ben's show a little early to dash over to the Saxon Pub for Slaid Cleaves. Got there just as it had sold out and got turned away. Oh well, can't get a four bagger every time up.
BELLEVILLE OUTFIT at Gruene Hall 11-22-09
This will be short & sweet as I only saw their first set. Down at Gruene Hall for a friend's birthday gathering.
Had only seen this band once before and thought they were terrific. In the year plus since I'd seen them, nothing has changed. They are great! Truly unique sound. Take swing, country, jazz, big band, roots, bebop, mix it all up and out pops these folks.
They are fun to watch, also. The keyboard player, Connor Forsyth, with his curly hair flopping, bounces all over his seat. The 2 front people, Phoebe Hunt (violin) and Rob Teter (acoustic guitar), are very expressive.
It was far too short a time to hear them.
No cover. Sunday afternoons are free at Gruene.
Had only seen this band once before and thought they were terrific. In the year plus since I'd seen them, nothing has changed. They are great! Truly unique sound. Take swing, country, jazz, big band, roots, bebop, mix it all up and out pops these folks.
They are fun to watch, also. The keyboard player, Connor Forsyth, with his curly hair flopping, bounces all over his seat. The 2 front people, Phoebe Hunt (violin) and Rob Teter (acoustic guitar), are very expressive.
It was far too short a time to hear them.
No cover. Sunday afternoons are free at Gruene.
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