When relating to the Grateful Dead, the term cover band is a sticky one. Some joked that the Dead were the best cover band in the world. Close fans and family understood their powers more clearly. Rather than a cover band they were more of a snowball collecting remnants of America’s musical past. So the… Continue reading Dark Star Orchestra | GAMH | San Fran, CA
This year slamgrass pioneers Leftover Salmon celebrate their twenty-fifth anniversary. Beyond the musical splendor, a blend of Cajun, bluegrass, zydeco, and hard psychedelic rock, is a lovable raucousness. Their triumphant resurgence into fulltime touring has been strengthened by the presence of founding Little Feat pianist Bill Payne. It’s fitting since Payne, Vince Herman and Drew… Continue reading Leftover Salmon with Phil Lesh | Review
Although this night did not turn out exactly how it was intended, it was still a beautiful night of sweaty blues. It was supposed to be a double bill of John Hammond and Charlie Musselwhite, two members of the blues hall. Unfortunately, John Hammond had to cancel due to the sickness of his wife. As… Continue reading Charlie Musselwhite | Boulder Theater | 3/20/15
Few eastern musicians have made a stronger connection to the west than Zakir Hussain. It is fitting since his father; legendary tabla virtuoso Allah Rakha, popularized the instrument worldwide and pioneered North Indian traditional music to England and the Americas. His mastery and theoretical genius certainly influenced a young Mickey Hart, drummer from an experimental… Continue reading Zakir Hussain & Celtic Connections | 4/2/15
They say you’ve got to crawl before you walk, so I guess you have to walk before you dance. The occasionally cooperative early-spring evening presented itself this past Friday in Denver, so I said why not. The near-mile trek from River North Brewery to Cervantes procured flashbacks to the Five Points Jazz Festival as I… Continue reading New Orleans Suspects | 3/27/15 | Review
Last week Denver based bluegrass band Trout Steak Revival played a sold-out show at The Bluebird Theater to showcase their new album Brighter Every Day. Banjo player Chris Pandolfi from The Infamous Stringdusters produced the album and sat in with the band for their album release. Trout Steak Revival is killing it – bringing a… Continue reading Trout Steak Revival | Bluebird Theater
On March 3rd, Durham’s Performing Arts Center was the site of a show that if you were fortunate enough to attend, will stand as one of the shows of your lifetime. If you are familiar with the Grateful Dead’s March 29th, 1990 show with Branford Marsalis; get that show roaming around your mind. If you… Continue reading Gov't Mule with Scofield & Marsalis | Durham
This was a special night for many reasons. First and foremost, it was a resurrection of a historic Denver landmark. And what better way to revive a landmark then to preserve its history with a music twist? Baur’s is a restaurant and a listening lounge, which will play host to some of music’s favorite gems.… Continue reading Jon Cleary Trio | Grand Opening of Baur's
While the “core four” remaining members of the Grateful Dead are hanging up their collective spurs this Fourth of July weekend, Dark Star Orchestra has no intention of ending their road warrior ways. Dark Star will be in Chicago for the festivities and a performance for the Rex Foundation on July second, and it only… Continue reading Dark Star Orchestra | Boulder Theater | 2015
On the heels of his newest LP Shadowboxing, the west coast hip hop entity known as Zion I came to the Fox Theater with Los Rakas, Locksmith, Kev Choice, and J. Lately to spread the word of the Rapture World Tour. I walked in during the tail end of Kev Choice’s last few tunes. He… Continue reading Zion I & the Rapture World Tour | Review
