Wednesday, August 4, 2010
JESS KLEIN at Wyldwood House Concerts 7-24-10
A great night, this was. Jess put on one spectacular show! She had the great Scrappy Jud Newcomb on lead guitar along with Mark Addison on bass. Maybe it was the full moon, being out under the stars, the cicadas keeping rhythm, whatever it was, I haven't seen a better show from Jess. She sang and played passionately, each and every song. 2 sets, including a few special guests, Ben Mallott, Noelle Hampton and Ray Bonneville. Ben sang "Fool" with her and Ray did one of his own, "Shy Star" with Jess singing the Eliza Gilkyson part, and they did an old blues tune, can't remember now which one, maybe an old Blind Willie Johnson, anyway, it was really good. Jess is such a good writer and it was awesome to sit there and listen to her lyrics with pristine sound and sung with such gusto as she did! "hearts break, birds fly" what a line
Lastly, Claire Small opened. We'd heard her the week before as an opener for Noelle Hampton and liked her straight away. Seeing her on this night with her bass player, Matt Eskey, was another affirmation for us that we want to see and hear more of her. A singer/songwriter on the Americana side of town, we look forward to listening to a lot more from Claire. She's currently on the rode opening for Asleep at the Wheel. Very cool!
Cover was $10. Another Austin bargain.
The Wyldwood space is neat. As far as house concerts go, definitely my favorite place to be.
Lastly, Claire Small opened. We'd heard her the week before as an opener for Noelle Hampton and liked her straight away. Seeing her on this night with her bass player, Matt Eskey, was another affirmation for us that we want to see and hear more of her. A singer/songwriter on the Americana side of town, we look forward to listening to a lot more from Claire. She's currently on the rode opening for Asleep at the Wheel. Very cool!
Cover was $10. Another Austin bargain.
The Wyldwood space is neat. As far as house concerts go, definitely my favorite place to be.
GULF COAST BENEFIT with PAPA MALI and LOST BAYOU RAMBLERS 7-23-10 at Hotel San Jose Parking Lot
A fundraiser for the Gulf Coast due to the oil spill. Held in the parking lot between Jo's Coffee and Hotel San Jose, it featured live music and for $10 you could get a shrimp boil plate. They had various vendors selling t-shirts and also educational information booths pertaining to our coastal environment.
The Lost Bayou Ramblers really ramped the crowd up with their zydeco Cajun sound. They were a real treat to listen to.
Papa Mali was next and he seriously funked up the place. It was great!
$10 donation to get in, $10 for the shrimp plate, great live music and neat comaraderie among all. Fantastic evening!
Photos are from Austin360.com
Photos are from Austin360.com
RAY BONNEVILLE at Cactus Cafe 7-22-10
I'm late to the party with Ray but better that I did, at least, get there. I'd seen him one other time, a couple of years ago with Mike Meadows (percussionist for PorterDavis). At that time, maybe because it was more of a party atmosphere, at an unofficial SXSW show, I remember liking him but not being knocked out, you know?
Well, not after this night at the Cactus. Man, is he ever good! What a groove his music has! He's Cajun bluesy and very melodic, heckuva writer, great guitarist, the whole enchilada, as they say. I can't recommend him enough. All I know is, I will see him live every chance I get from here on out.
Besides guitar he plays harmonica and solo, he has what I call a piece of plywood on the floor mic'd up, that he uses to tap out a beat. That's probably not what it is but it's what it sounds like. Really sounds cool on his songs. I also love his phrasing and the way some words, at the end of a line, just kind of fade away. You'd have to hear him, such a soulful guy. Speaking of which, you should buy straight away his most recent release called "Goin by feel." I haven't stopped playing it since I bought it. There is one song on it called "I am The Big Easy" which is the best song I've heard written about the aftermath of Katrina.
One other thing, I was familiar with a song he wrote many years ago called "Two Bend In The Road." I have it on a Louise Taylor cd and I love her version. Anyway, there is a verse in it, goes like this:
"The butterfly in the wind
he don't know how fragile his wings are
he don't know
love's a lot like him now
fragile just like him"
That is one heckuva verse, by anybody, period. What an image that conjures up.
At any rate, check Ray out as quickly as you can.
Details - the show was free, room was packed and I hope he made good tips because he is terrific and put on a fantastic show.
Well, not after this night at the Cactus. Man, is he ever good! What a groove his music has! He's Cajun bluesy and very melodic, heckuva writer, great guitarist, the whole enchilada, as they say. I can't recommend him enough. All I know is, I will see him live every chance I get from here on out.
Besides guitar he plays harmonica and solo, he has what I call a piece of plywood on the floor mic'd up, that he uses to tap out a beat. That's probably not what it is but it's what it sounds like. Really sounds cool on his songs. I also love his phrasing and the way some words, at the end of a line, just kind of fade away. You'd have to hear him, such a soulful guy. Speaking of which, you should buy straight away his most recent release called "Goin by feel." I haven't stopped playing it since I bought it. There is one song on it called "I am The Big Easy" which is the best song I've heard written about the aftermath of Katrina.
One other thing, I was familiar with a song he wrote many years ago called "Two Bend In The Road." I have it on a Louise Taylor cd and I love her version. Anyway, there is a verse in it, goes like this:
"The butterfly in the wind
he don't know how fragile his wings are
he don't know
love's a lot like him now
fragile just like him"
That is one heckuva verse, by anybody, period. What an image that conjures up.
At any rate, check Ray out as quickly as you can.
Details - the show was free, room was packed and I hope he made good tips because he is terrific and put on a fantastic show.
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