As burlesque bumps, grinds and laughs its way back in vogue, the art of its’ golden eras, from Nouveau to the 50s, shimmies in alongside it. Montmarte had Lautrec, (or, perhaps more appropriately, his now lesser known but then more famous mistress, model and contemporary, (though not necessarily in that order), Suzanne Valdon.). The Neo-Burlesque… Continue reading The Apple of the Big Apples' Eye
My Grandmother, Edith Bissette, grew up in a musical family in rural Virginia and North Carolina in the 30s and 40s as the changes Mike Seeger describes were taking place. She expands on what Mike describes above as she tells us not only what the advent of radio was like in the rural South, but… Continue reading My Grandmother: Music in the Rural South, 1930s-1950s
Mike Seeger has helped bring the music of the rural South to popular attention. He did this as a folk musician in the 60s, bringing traditional musicians not yet well known to the forefront of popular attention and continues to do so through performances and archive work today. It is in part through his influence… Continue reading From Appalachia to Folk & Traditional Music Festivals Past and Present: The Mike Seegers' Unique Lifes' Work
Recently, Ivan Neville commented, “Derek Trucks is a happening deal. He’s the best guitar player I’ve heard in years.” And, he’s absolutely right. It is praise such as that, coming from his musician peers, that has followed Derek Trucks‘ entire life. Touted as a genius guitar virtuoso when he wasn’t out of high school, Trucks… Continue reading Derek Trucks Band
Grateful Web recently caught up with Ivan Neville while he was in Maryland. The phone interview had to be postponed for two hours while Neville enjoyed some crab cakes, reputed to be the best in the country. “I’m in Baltimore ” he said. “You’ve got to have crab cakes, and I want to give them… Continue reading Dumpsta-Divin' with Ivan Neville
British-born keys player Jon Cleary now makes New Orleans his home where he has immersed himself in a social structure that lives and breathes music. He offers a unique perspective on the cultures that produced New Orleans popular music. “In New Orleans, music is such an important part of the culture here,” says Cleary. It… Continue reading Jon Cleary On New Orleans Music: Part Two
Jon Cleary’s upbringing, amid a family of musicians in England, clearly put him on his lifepath. He was destined to be a musician. “There was never any question,” he says. “That was all I really ever wanted to do.” His family, however, weren’t just players, they were avid enthusiasts and collectors. “Everybody in the family… Continue reading Jon Cleary On New Orleans Music: Part One
In a rare Grateful Dead booking configuration, this year’s 10,000 Lakes Festival will feature not only found Dead member Bob Weir and his band Ratdog, but also Chicago’s Mr. Blotto and New Riders of the Purple Sage. Mr. Blotto is touring in support of their latest album, Barlow Shanghai, a collaboration with gifted Dead songwriter,… Continue reading Bob Weir, New Riders of the Purple Sage, Mr. Blotto, & Festival Philosophy
Of all the great artists making the rounds this year, none have been more ambitious than Umphrey’s McGee. They released the follow-up album to Safety in Numbers called The Bottom Half; a risky two-disc endeavor of leftover studio gems and insightful audio fragments. The band has also since embarked on a national tour that will… Continue reading Grateful Web Interview with Jake Cinninger
The last eight months have been kind of a crossroads period for San Francisco rockers, New Monsoon. Not only did they recruit a new bass player, but also lost their two key percussionists who have left the band indefinitely. In today’s fragile music scene, this situation could have been disastrous. However, New Monsoon has managed… Continue reading Grateful Web Interview with New Monsoon's Ron Johnson
