Steely Dan brought its “Rockabye Gollie Angel” summer tour to Ravinia in suburban Chicago, and it was a jazzy and classy affair. The two performances at the upscale open-air music venue featured a special set from Chicago-based jazz guitarist Bobby Broom instead of tour opener Elvis Costello and the Imposters. Broom’s Organi-Sation trio, initially formed… Continue reading Steely Dan | Ravinia Festival | Review
Col. Bruce Hampton and the Aquarium Rescue Unit‘s reputation rests on freelance improvisation and artisanal jazz and blues, but twenty-five years of observational polish didn’t hurt the second of two nights at the Fox Theatre in Boulder, Colorado. Like old friends shooting the breeze, they’d already revitalized their well-established familiarity. The sights and sounds were… Continue reading The Aquarium Rescue Unit | Fox Theatre
Never miss a Sunday show is a phrase everyone should know. Celebrating their 31st Red Rocks show The String Cheese Incident finished off a great weekend with a Sunday night show. Joined by Nahko and Medicine for the People, Sunday was hot, bright and full of energy. The show was blessed by a traditional Native… Continue reading String Cheese Incident | 7/26/15 | Review
In French the phrase “Je ne sais quoi” means an inexpressible something, a little something extra or a quality that eludes description. With over 20 years of touring under their belt The String Cheese Incident brings that “je ne sais quoi” to their live shows. Whether it be a cover, a special jam or a… Continue reading String Cheese Incident | 7/24/15 | Review
Marco Benevento returned to The 1Up-Colfax on 7/25 for a fun filled evening of Piano Rock. Having never seen either Marco Benevento or his opening act The Jaden Carlson Band I didn’t know what to expect. The Jaden Carlson band is a name worth remembering. Comprised of 15 year old Jaden on Guitar, Will Trask… Continue reading Marco Benevento | 1up Colfax | Review
It’s been more than 20 years since “Candy,” B-52s lead female vocalist Kate Pierson‘s duet with Iggy Pop. Pierson has fulfilled the promise of that Top 40 hit with her first solo effort Guitars and Microphones released earlier this year. Finally, her voice is up front and center, with an overall sound that is heavily influenced by… Continue reading Kate Pierson | City Winery | Review
Jamgrass titans Cornmeal have gone through quite a bit of transition in the last few years. Banjoist Wavy Dave Burlingame and Bassist Chris Gangi bid an amicable farewell to longtime band mates Allie Kral, J.P Nowak and Kris Nowak. It was a sad parting for loyal followers of the band who built an impressive tour… Continue reading Cornmeal | Slow Street | Review
The jam band problem is that any inventive act breaking onto the scene is compared to somebody already playing. And the truth about “jam bands” is that often the music is too complex to put into words. It’s more about how it feels. Jam rockers Achilles Wheel could be compared to the Allman Brothers or… Continue reading Achilles Wheel | Peri's Bar | Review
Not many music ensembles stand the test of time. Most can’t even handle the road… 29 years now, Widespread Panic has been king of the road. Located in a considerably small municipality, the Arkansas Music Pavilion played host to a smorgasbord of colorful ‘spreadnecks’, some who have been on tour with the band all spring… Continue reading Widespread Panic | 7/17/2015 | Review
Last Friday I had the pleasure of attending the Greener Grounds “Photosynthesis” EP release party at the 1Up Colfax in Denver, CO. I could sit here and write the typical compliments to an up and coming band that releases some really great music… but I won’t. What I’m going to talk about is something special… Continue reading Greener Grounds | The 1up-Colfax | Review
