All Reviews Articles

Xavier Rudd & the United Nations with Mike Love

Experiencing these musicians in one of the most beautiful places to see live music, the Chautauqua Auditorium in Boulder, CO was a wonderful experience and a memory that will stay. The landscapes that surround the foothills of Boulder make an aesthetic canvas for a perfect evening. There were people having picnics on the lawn, while… Continue reading Xavier Rudd & the United Nations with Mike Love

Steve Kimock with Bob Weir | Sweetwater

Iconic guitarist and composer Steve Kimock is a fixture in many different contexts. It’s hard to think of a musician who’s more adaptable and melodically resourceful. While his style gets unfairly lumped into the jam category, those more knowledgeable know better. It’s best to regard him as a purveyor of free music. Jerry Garcia admired… Continue reading Steve Kimock with Bob Weir | Sweetwater

Mason Porter: Key To The Skyway | Review

In less than ten years, Pennsylvania alt-grass group Mason Porter has built an honest following. Genuine musical expression and staying true to one’s roots can be challenging when critics marginalize through categorizing and genre labeling. It seems as if the quintet isn’t really bothered by anybody else’s opinion on what type of music they play,… Continue reading Mason Porter: Key To The Skyway | Review

Chris Robinson Brotherhood | Denver, CO

Chris Robinson Brotherhood (CRB) is much more than individual players built around a popular musician. While there’s no doubt that Chris’ past with The Black Crowes has helped fuel their ongoing surge, it’s unfair to the band and their music to label it as such. This is a band in the truest sense, and over… Continue reading Chris Robinson Brotherhood | Denver, CO

Sufjan Stevens | Austin, TX | Review

After hearing from dozens of people that Sufjan Stevens puts on one of the best live shows, I knew I had to go when I saw he announced a date in Austin. The venue was Bass Concert Hall, typically reserved for orchestras, ballets, and classy events that exist on a plane far outside my reach.… Continue reading Sufjan Stevens | Austin, TX | Review

The New Mastersounds: British Funk Goodness

It was a bill that was full of bands that I have been anticipating seeing. I have seen members in each band play individually in all-star jams and as guests with other bands, but this was what I was waiting for. The New Mastersounds together with Analog Son and Adam Robinson & the Funky Monks… Continue reading The New Mastersounds: British Funk Goodness

The Meters Experience | Sweetwater Hall

In a recent conversation we had, guitarist Leo Nocentelli laid down why music from New Orleans was so distinct. “There are only a few cities that have a reputation of having a sound… [New Orleans] is a unique city that has its own identity. When a New Orleans record hits the radio, you know where… Continue reading The Meters Experience | Sweetwater Hall

Bombino | New Parish | 5/12/15 | Review

One of the prolific 21st century musical breakthroughs from the East to West is the story of Bombino. Omara “Bombino” Moctar was born in Niger to a family of nomadic Tuaregs near the town of Agadez. Spending much his childhood in an encampment with seventeen siblings, he strayed from the norm of tradition and became… Continue reading Bombino | New Parish | 5/12/15 | Review

RAH's Electro-Pop Circus Hits the Gothic

When I published a review of RAH‘s last show from the Bluebird Theater a couple of months ago, I knew and predicted that they would take off like wild fire, but I did not know it would happen this quickly. Since that opening gig, they have added bassist, Nat Lombardo, who absolutely tore it up… Continue reading RAH's Electro-Pop Circus Hits the Gothic

Brothers Comatose w/ Phil Lesh | Review

It was bound to happen that the San Francisco-based Brothers Comatose, one of the hottest bohemian bluegrass bands on the circuit would wind up pickin’ and grinnin’ from the Terrapin Crossroads stage at Phil Lesh‘s lair in San Rafael, California. On May 9 it came to pass, tearing up the Grate Room with the Terrapin… Continue reading Brothers Comatose w/ Phil Lesh | Review