Treatful

Because I know how you like it: Barnstar covering the Traveling Wilburys' "Handle With Care," downloadable at Mark Erelli's website. Barnstar is the "fake" band of Zack Hickman's with varying members, recently including the Old Train himself (Taylor Armerding), Charlie Rose, and Mark Erelli. This clip is from Barnstar's show in March at the illustrious Cantab Lounge. Of course I was in attendance, along with a couple other bluegrass fans.

I swear I can hear Amanda laughing when Hickman first croons on this track.

If you're feeling just slightly sketchy you can rip all the past songs of the month from Erelli's parent directory. They were free before so there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with this, right? (I plan on buying a couple CDs, Mark, I swear!) A lot of great tunes in there, including some from past Covers Nights at Club Passim.

Panoramic Pickin'

The Scottographer has some great panoramic shots up from last week's show at the Cantab Lounge: Jake & Taylor Armerding playing with Zack Hickman and Charlie Rose (not that one).

All Songs Considered

I'm sitting here alone in the office listening to Tom Waits' "Glitter and Doom" tour from this past summer, courtesy of the recording over at NPR's All Songs Considered blog.

This past week I've been listening to the All Songs Considered podcast, hosted by Bob Boilen of All Things Considered. The podcast is great, with weekly episodes covering a wide variety of stuff - a lot of eclectic stuff I would have never heard otherwise. Several of the episodes I've heard recently include the Best Music of 2008, "The 1980s: Were They Really That Bad?", "1,000 Recordings to Hear Before You Die," from Tom Moon's book of the same name, "Listener Picks for 2008," and "The Year's Overlooked Gems." On the show Boilen, producer Robin Hilton and assorted guests talk about the specific songs they play but they also talk about music itself - metamusical musings that come off occasionally touchy-feely, rarely snobby, and often times quite interesting.

There's also a separate podcast devoted to entire concerts - the All Songs Considered Concert podcast - all for free! Great, great stuff. And a special thanks to Mark Erelli for telling me about it!

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The second song from "Glitter and Doom" is "Down in the Hole," and it is glorious.

Waits is one of those artists whose name I feel like I hear quite a bit but I have had almost no exposure to his music aside from the aforementioned tune's use as the title track to The Wire. But I'm really liking what I've been hearing so far. His voice is like nothing I've ever heard, and his songs are great stories as well as having a really good sound. "Black Market Baby" just came on, which was the song Erelli covered at last week's show.

Covers Night

Last night I went to see Covers Night at Club Passim along with Rhode and Pickin' Baines Johnston. The act was packed with the star power of Jake Armerding, Zachariah Hickman, Mark Erelli, and Lori McKenna. For the last several years this group of artists has delighted the patrons of Passim with an annual show of covers of music from a myriad of genres and time periods. The musicians themselves come out of the bluegrass/folk/country tradition, and incorporate these flavors in their own renditions. Armerding, Erelli, and McKenna took turns singing lead vocals on their choice songs while Hickman provided upright bass, pump organ, backup vocals, witty one liners and inspired yelps throughout.



The show was fantastic. Not only was the music excellent, but it was an entertaining couple hours with the performers cracking jokes, playing off each other, and demonstrating a comfort with each other that made for a fun show.



Regular readers know that I've been a fan of Armerding and Hickman for the last couple years. I think I saw Erelli play at one of many shows at the Cantab - probably with those two. Very talented, great voice.



McKenna was a complete unknown to me, but she's a Commonwealth native with several folk albums who's toured with Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, among others. Erelli toured with her as well. She was incredible - a tiny woman who has some shockingly serious pipes. Beautiful, powerful voice that worked wonderfully on her selections. She has a wistful sound. One of the best female voices I've heard, up there with the likes of Krauss.



The set list, from what I remember:

• "Hard to Say I'm Sorry" by Chicago (Armerding)
  
• "Black Market Baby" by Tom Waits (awesome version sung by Erelli)
• "Deep Red Bells" by Neko Case (cool tune; haunting - Erelli)
• "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" by Gordon Lightfoot* (Armerding did the late Canuck proud. This one was probably the highlight of the evening. For my table, anyway.)
• "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" by Cyndi Lauper (Cheesy pop sung elegantly by McKenna with humorous backup vocals from the gents)
• "Take a Bow" by Rihanna (McKenna)
  
• "White Horse" by Taylor Swift (McKenna - brought a maturity and respectability to youthful pop)
  
• "Purple Rain" by Prince (Incredible performance from Erelli on this. Got the whole crowd singing along.)
  
• "Orange Juice Blues" by Bob Dylan & Richard Manuel (Erelli)
  
• "Greenbacks" by Ray Charles (awesome uptempo number by Erelli)
• "He's a Tramp" by Peggy Lee (eclectic, smoky number from Armerding)
• "More Than Words" by Extreme (the duo of Armerding and Erelli performed this in amusing, uncomfortable homoerotic fashion while Hickman and McKenna mock danced in the arm-length, no-hip contact middle school style offstage)
• "Carol of the Bells" by Leontovych (Armerding, Erelli, Hickman)
• "Ode to Billie Joe" by Bobbie Gentry (amazing rendition by McKenna)
  
• "All Apologies" by Nirvana (perhaps the oddest selection from McKenna but it worked as a closing piece)
  

Erelli probably had the best selections of the night for quality, variety, and performance.

What am I forgetting here? Erin? Scojo?

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*

JERRY: Hey. How's the new place?!

GEORGE: Gone. (Moves over to a chair in the living room. Kramer takes the carton of food to the table, and begins eating) The tenant association made me give it

to this guy because he was an Andrea Doria survivor..

ELAINE: Andrea Doria? Isn't that the one they did the song about?

JERRY: (Correcting her) Edmund Fitzgerald.

ELIANE: I love Edmund Fitzgerald's voice.

JERRY: (Gives Elaine a look) No, Gordon Lightfoot was the singer. Edmund Fitzgerald was the ship.

GEORGE: (Talking about his would-be apartment) You could fit 15 people in that bathroom..

ELAINE: I think Gordon Lightfoot was the boat.

JERRY: (Sarcastic) Yeah, and it was rammed by the Cat Stevens.

KRAMER: (Like a teacher) The Andrea Doria collided with the Stockholm in dense fog 21 miles off the coast of Nantucket. (Makes a clicking sound with his tongue)

The Amazing Armerdings: Pickin' Ain't Just on Tuesdays Anymore

Last night I saw Jake Armerding perform at Club Passim in Harvard Square. Passim is a Folk Music and Cultural Center celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Passim is also home to Veggie Planet, a haven for vegetarians, vegans, and everything else non-animal and non-alcoholic (a disturbing, if not altogether unexpected, revelation upon glancing at the menu upon sitting down). The crowd leans perhaps a bit too left/crunchy/psyched-about-soy for me (the opening act, Seth Glier, waxed disdainfully about his 98 year-old Republican grandma and played an unflattering emo-ish tune written from the perspective of George W. Bush - "I Just Want to Make My Daddy Proud"), but the venue is actually pretty cool. About twenty or so small four-seat tables, additional chairs lining the walls, and a decent sized stage up front. Low ceiling, intimate setting, very friendly staff, great sound system, and a much-appreciated quiet, respectful (read: sober) audience.

I attended with Pickin' Baines Johnston, Lydia, Amanda, Josh, and Laura. We had all seen Jake play at the infamous Cantab Lounge on several occasions. This evening, as he often does, Jake was playing with his father, Taylor, the "Old Lonely Train," the "Ol' High & Lonesome," who plays a mean mandolin and has an ethereal high croon the likes of which are rarely heard in the northeastern metropolises. Zack Hickman, he of the three-piece cream suit and waxed 'stache, plays the stand-up bass like nobody I've ever seen. It's impossible to describe effectively, but he simply jams on it, dancing around it, strumming and plucking with frenetic energy, slapping it viciously at times, occasionally yelping out an emphatic "Yeah!" or "Come on!" when the group is playing an up-tempo instrumental bluegrass number. Quite the talented character. This trio forms the core of Jake Armerding's band, but he often cycles in other people - an additional fiddler, banjo or guitar player. Last night he had Kevin Barry - evidently somewhat of a local Boston pro - on the lap steel and electric guitar. A truly amazing sound. The mellisonant, smooth twang of the lap steel is simply mesmerizing and Barry had a few stellar solos. Jake himself is a tremendous fiddle player, but also plays the guitar and mandolin and has an excellent voice. His sound is hard to qualify - inspired by traditional bluegrass, folk, and country but very bluesy with a touch of rock.

They played half the tracks off Jake's 2007 album Walking on the World, including "Hole In The Sky (Mandolin Man)," "The Fleece," "Keep The River On Your Right," "Assassination Blues," "Critical Eye," and "My House." I have this excellent album, and hearing these tracks performed live with certain elements changed or added was great. Jake played some of his older songs and threw in a few classic bluegrass tunes, including a "Hallelujah"-type song in which he and his dad held looooong notes and produced beautiful harmony.

Fantastic show. Well worth the $15. A long set - all the better after seeing their gigs at the Cantab which always end too soon.

Jake said that he, his dad Taylor, and Zack are going to hit the studio next month to record an entire album. I am really looking forward to this one.

Jake's back playing at Passim on 12/18 with Mark Erelli and Lori McKenna - back-to-back cover shows. I think I might have to check that out.

Support local music!

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Conversation snippets:

MRhé: "I like this place, but it doesn't quite have the same joie de vivre as the Cantab."
Lydia: "That's because there's no beer."

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Amanda: "How's the cake?"
MRhé: "It's pretty good but it needs something..."
Amanda: "Like animal products?"

Listen

This was a great day. Live music in the summer sun - does it get any better?

Happy Birthday, Richie!

Saw Bon Jovi rock the Garden last night! Awesome show - one of the best I've seen. The place was full of energy and despite its being Jon & co.'s 95th show of the tour, there wasn't a hint of mailing it in - he was turned up to 11 the whole night. Really tremendous show.

Evidently it's Richie Sambora's birthday today, so after they "finished" they came back onstage and the Garden sang him "Happy Birthday" (How cool would that be to have thousands of people singing to you?). Then Jon & Richie played an acoustic version of "Wanted Dead or Alive," Jon's favorite song. Sheer schtonk.

The All-American Rejects opened and actually put on a good show. They've got a few dece songs.

Props to Benoc for getting the tix!

Social Calendar: Week of 6/23

Tuesday, 6/24: Pickin' MF Tuesday! Attending guests include A-side, Pickin' Baines Johnston, and Ben "I haven't blogged since Bush was in office" Oculus. RSVP to HTFO@sweetrigs.net.

Thursday, 6/26: The opening night of summer 2008's Blues Barge at the Boston Harbor Hotel featuring the James Montgomery BluesBand! Attending guests include A-side, Hendrick's, and a helluva summer evening if my weather widget is at all trustworthy.

Saturday, 6/28: One of my roommates is in the musical "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas," playing at UMass Boston's McCormack Theater. For more info, visit www.encoreboston.org.

Sunday, 6/29: The New Charles River Run! 7.5 mi. Anyone not fit to run can line up behind me - I'll need the head start.

Sponsored by Hanging Out, Inc. (charter member of the Association for a Schtonky Society).

Comments, questions, and concerns can be directed to Dr. Thirsty F. Goodbeers, President, H.O.I.*

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*Gotta give a nod to Scottoway Jokesalot for this last bit.

Waterfront Tunes

The Blues Barge at the Boston Harbor Hotel is soon to be afloat once again! Check the schedule of events here. The Blues Barge kicks off the summer on Thursday, June 26th, with my man James Montgomery bringin' it on home with his particular brand of harmonica-driven blues, learned from the masters. Great shows at a fantastic venue: the Blues Barge is where A-side kicks it on Thursday evenings in the summer.



The show is the Thursday after I get back from my tour abroad. You can bet the cost of a RyanAir ticket from DUB-BUD (which is actually quite reasonable) that I'll be there.

(Implicit suggestion: so should you. B-siders and below need not attend.)

Cantabulous

Mobile post sent by MRh using Utterz. Replies.

New Music

I've been listening to a fair amount of new, interesting music recently. I enjoy a wide variety of genres, from the latest in hip-hop, to the inimitable Quick Six, to the following artists:


Credit for this goes to Laura, who introduced me to Anat Cohen's music when we saw her perform about a month ago at the Regattabar at the Charles Hotel. A very cool, intimate venue, and Cohen put on a great show. Her sound is a smooth jazz that draws on a lot of different influences - her native Israel, American jazz greats, Brazilian music - and she's got great energy when performing live. She's extremely talented on both the saxophone and clarinet - she plays the latter with an incredible verve. I bought Poetica pretty much because of one song that struck me when she played it live - "Hofim (Beaches)", which is evidently an old Israeli song. Loved the melody. Her music has a chill vibe to it, and it's great to put on when you're in the mood to just sit back and relax at home.

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Walking on the World is Jake Armerding's 2007 album. Armerding is a young and very talented musician from the Boston area (or at least New England - not too sure about this). I've seen him play several times at the Cantab Lounge in Central Square, Cambridge, MA. They do bluegrass there on Tuesday nights. He grew up playing with his dad, Taylor Armerding, and was schooled in the traditional bluegrass style.

On Walking on the World, Jake mixes old school bluegrass with bits of pop, rock, and blues influences, creating a melodic, emotional lineup of tunes. His songwriting, musical talent and excellent voice are a pleasure to listen to.

Schoolin' Them Dice

Last night I saw the James Montgomery Blues Band rock the Blues Barge at the Boston Harbor Hotel. Laura was the only one who chose to be A-side and check out the scene. Montgomery is the consummate showman, and put on a tremendous performance as usual. During one of the set breaks I ventured into the Wharf Bar in the hotel, where I chatted with the bartender and some grim dude at the end of the bar about the Sox and their rainout last night. The grim dude said something like, "Have you been listenin' to that guy out theah? I heard 'im play thirty yeeahs ago!" That was fun. I also got a $12.50 martini. But it was a big one, and it was Hendrick's. Pure delight.

Female Performing Artists - Live! - Free!

Yesterday evening was filled with live entertainment. After work I met Laura, Laurie, her roommate and friends over at Copley Square to take in Brandi Carlile with the Dennis Brennan Band at the kickoff for the Summer Concert series sponsored by 92.9 WBOS. We just heard the very close of the opening act, so I have no opinion on Brennan - he's fantastic I'm sure. I had never even heard of Brandi Carlile, and committed myself to what felt unnervingly like a Lilith Fair-esque chick music extravaganza. But the ladies love her, and it was a stepping stone to a later planned event, and as I am very open when it comes to music, I was willing to give Brandi a shot. Free, live music on a perfect July evening? Sign me up. (The likelihood of an extremely favorable ratio also did not fail to be included in my calculus.)

She rocked. She really did. One of the girls described her before the show as "our generation's Janis Joplin." I took this with a grain of salt, the hyperbole of music fans being something with which I am all too familiar. However, she really did remind me of Janis up there with her throaty, breaking, almost-screeching-but-not-offensively-so, emotionally raw, powerful voice. The girl's got some serious pipes. She had a great stage presence. Very cute, girl-next-door, looking vaguely Lindsay Lohan-ish. She also sported a BoSox cap for the encore, and claimed that the Sox were her one sports obsession. I have an inkling she may be a recent band wagon-rider, but I won't hold it against her. Her repertoire definitely has its share of estrogen-tinged angst, but it's good music, and the live performance was great. A couple high points of her set were her covers of "Fortunate Son" and "Folsom Prison." I only actually recognized one of her songs, "What Can I Say," which, I have since discovered, featured on Grey's Anatomy, and - much to my chagrin - I probably first heard it back when I was watching that cheesy nighttime soap on a weekly basis (TV program selection is one of the very few problems of living with females, I've found).

Brandi was solid on the whole for someone almost entirely unfamiliar with her music. I'd say the quality of the music was high, with a couple more mellow tunes mixed in with some upbeat, high-energy songs. Really quite the pleasant surprise.

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After the show we made our way over to the Blues Barge at the Boston Harbor Hotel and met up with Scott Lee Hooker to take in the last set of Toni Lynn Washington. Again, an artist with whom I was entirely unfamiliar, but Toni played a nice, smooth set of slightly mellow blues infused with a bit of rock, funk and jazz. Toni fit to a T the archetypal image I had in my head of a "blues queen" - a fairly healthy-sized older black woman in a red dress, moving perhaps a bit slower than she used to, fanning herself onstage with a black fold-out, inquiring of the crowd on numerous occasions as to their desire to rock out, and her unflagging insistence that she was going to rock us, our lack of enthusiasm and desultory clapping notwithstanding. The front of the barge was once again packed with people dancing to Toni's smoky, sultry tones in a variety of shockingly off-beat, limbs akimbo flailing for the most part (I know, perhaps I shouldn't criticize since I was sitting on my duff, but some of these folks were pretty bad. They seemed to be enjoying themselves though.) Toni gave a shout-out to one little kid on the barge with his dad. The kid was maybe 5 or 6 years old, and put on a display of the most salacious hip gyration and pelvic thrusting I've seen outside of a fraternity dance party. Hilarious and slightly unsettling.

All in all a great evening.

Thursday Night Is Blues Night

Last night I caught the last set of the James Montgomery Blues Band, performing on the Blues Barge at the Boston Harbor Hotel. Every Thursday night as part of the BHH's Summer Series they have some big names in blues play on the barge floating just inside the main patio area behind the hotel. On Tuesdays they have soul, swing on Wednesdays and they show classic movies on Friday nights.

Montgomery and his band put on an awesome show. I saw Montgomery a few years ago down the Cape and remembered that he put on a good show, but last night he and his band brought the house down. They tore it up with some high-energy blues, including a couple classics ("Hit the Road, Jack" and "Who Do You Love"). Tons of twangy guitar and Montgomery's incredible harmonica playing. He really jams on that thing; it's a sight to behold. The band was tight, the acoustics were fantastic, and it was a simply tremendous live show. Seeing them play for 30 minutes or so made me want to go out and buy some of Montgomery's music; they were that solid.

The venue is great: on the water, outdoors in the cool summer evening. People can even dance on the front part of the blues barge - and dance they did last night, in a thoroughly arrhythmic fashion for the most part. The restaurant there has tables lined up all along the edge of the patio, providing a great view of the performance as well as quality food and beverages (from what I hear).

Montgomery's back on August 23rd. You can bet your next paycheck I'll be there. But I definitely want to check out some more shows in the meantime. Also, did I mention: free?

Will you meet me in the middle?

I went with the roomies to see America and Chicago play last night at the Bank of America Pavilion. It was pretty awesome. Despite the horrendous cold and wind (for the middle of June - wtf?!?!?!) we had a great time. Some of you may be aware that "Sister Golden Hair" is, for reasons lost to posterity, Club 259's anthem. The opportunity to hear America play that live was the single reason we went to the concert. But the show was great - Chicago is one of those bands whose music I don't know by name, but they kept playing songs that I recognized. And they were actually a lot less muzak-y than I figured they would be; they really rocked the joint on a few numbers.

Also, these bands have been making music and touring for more than a decade longer than I've been alive. We actually felt young at this show!