This was the first night of a series of hyped up, Grateful Dead infused, powerful shows that lasted almost a week. There were three shows at the Ogden Theatre, one Bisco Inferno extravaganza featuring Break Science and Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann on drums, and a Billy & the Kids show at the Ogden featuring… Continue reading Disco Biscuits | Ogden Theater | 4/15/15
When I was going through a period in my life where I thought there was a real chance I would become a percussionist in a reggae band or a ska legend, my dad would casually say things like “When I saw the Wailers here…” or “The first time I saw Bob Marley…” and I would… Continue reading Willie Nelson | SXSW | 2015 | Review
While classic rock giants such as the Rolling Stones, The Who, and even the Dead are booking gargantuan sport stadiums, legends of jazz have a distinctly different approach. Popularity aside, jazz naturally thrives in intimate venues. The music wouldn’t sustain it’s full power in much larger than a cozy theatre. The comparison is only novelty… Continue reading Billy Cobham | Spectrum 40 Live | Yoshi's
When a legendary reggae band tours with the hottest new reggae act on the touring circuit the result is a sweaty dance party with a lot of chucking going on. After touring for 40 years, Steel Pulse knows how to do it, and they also know how to seek out other talented musicians because Satsang… Continue reading Satsang & Steel Pulse: Rocky Mtn Reggae Fever
Every time that I have seen Random Rab or saQi it has been an incredible memory. Therefore, when I heard they were both coming to the Fox Theater, amongst other stops in the state, I had to make sure that I was in attendance. The first time that I saw Rab was a special secret… Continue reading Random Rab Melts Boulder, CO | 4/3/15
Taarka is a little (although sometimes bigger) indie folk / gypsy-jazz / bluegrass band from Lyons, Colorado. And if you lived here through the tragic floods of 2013, you know that the town of Lyons was ravaged by the unrelenting waters. It has been a long road to rebuild, and David Tiller and Enion Pelta-Tiller,… Continue reading Taarka | Walnut Room | 3/28/15 | Review
Keith Richards’ blending of rhythm and lead guitars, the “ancient art of weaving,” is nothing new. In fact, it’s relatively common. It doesn’t take a trained ear to recognize, but one night with the southern guitars of The North Mississippi Allstars and Anders Osborne is enough of a case study in showing how to do… Continue reading North Mississippi Osborne | Ogden Theatre
#nevermissasundayshow Sounded a general advisory from the official Yonder Mountain String Band‘s official Facebook page. Kinfolk swarmed from as far as 250 miles away to fill George’s Majestic Lounge in Fayetteville, Arkansas last Sunday in anticipation for the country’s premier bluegrass/jam sensation. Being only my second time seeing YMSB with the additions of Jacob Jolliff… Continue reading YMSB | George's Majestic Lounge | 4/12/15
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
