My Morning Jacket decided to record their latest release, Circuital (May 31st) in a Louisville, Kentucky gymnasium, in stark contrast to the Manhattan studio environment that 2008’s Evil Urges spawned from. The change of scenery helped the band to produce a more organic sounding record with the end result ultimately proving that the Louisville five-piece… Continue reading My Morning Jacket: Circuital | Review
AgesandAges have been described as “big tent revivalists.” Some lump them into the cult category, alongside Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, as they have a seven piece touring band, beards, both male and female members and lyrics like “We’re living in a fortress, safe from the madness. Keeping every promise.” The Portland, Oregon based… Continue reading AgesandAges | Bluebird Theater | 7/20/11
I am a sucker for old-time music, the older the better. Slices of history that echo the times and evoke images of gone eras. The three young ladies of Mountain Man sing some amazing covers of old-school songs mixed in with their originals, which are at least as good. But I must admit I was… Continue reading Mountain Man | Larimer Lounge | 7.16.2011
“Woke up this morning, what do I see? Three thousand cameras pointed at me.” Taken out of context, the first lyrics Ben Folds sang at the Ogden Theater on Wednesday (from “Levi Johnston’s Blues,” Lonely Avenue 2010) made me feel a bit guilty for sitting at the foot of the stage shooting pictures. It had… Continue reading Ben Folds | Ogden Theater | Denver, CO | 7/13/2011 | Review
84 year old Bluegrass legend Ralph Stanley braved the thin Colorado air on Sunday for a show at the Boulder Theater. One of the most iconic and influential artists in bluegrass, Dr. Stanley (he’s actually got an honorary doctorate of music from Lincoln Memorial University in Tennessee) and his Clinch Mountain Boys showed the bluegrass… Continue reading Ralph Stanley + Sierra Hull | Boulder Theater | 7/10/11
I have not been to the Bluebird Theater in Denver in a while, and at the same time I have not seen the boys from Boulder since I reviewed their show from the Khyber in Philadelphia about three years ago. At that show, I presented the band with pictures that I took of them from… Continue reading Rose Hill Drive | Bluebird Theater | 6/17/11
On Sunday afternoon The New Mastersounds were finishing up a remarkable set of true funk as Renard “Ras I Ray” Shy, Sr. (bassist/singer for Easy Star All-Stars) sat in the audience at Red Rocks Amphitheater enjoying the music and mingling with fans. Something about reggae goes perfectly with Red Rocks. The naturally rock-walled, open air… Continue reading UM, Easy Star All Stars & Mastersounds | 7/3/11
I have to admit, I am not an avid Phish follower. I don’t travel to see them, I haven’t bought an album since Farmhouse, and I hadn’t really enjoyed a live show since Greensboro ’03, but this show reminded me of all the things I had forgotten. I love running into all kinds of people… Continue reading Phish | Merriweather Post Pavilion | 6/12/11 | Review
As I pulled down the street to get to the parking garage, I was surprised to see Michael Franti on the street doing some stretches on the side of the tour bus. I was glad to see he was wearing shoes, since these Baltimore city streets are no joke. It’s the beginning of the club… Continue reading Michael Franti | Rams Head Live | 6/17/2011
The Band of Heathens is a touring machine. Friday night was their third trip to Colorado this year, the second in support of their 2011 LP Top Hat Crown & The Clapmaster’s Son (released March 29th). This weekend at Cervantes‘ in Denver the venue was packed and the enthusiastic vibe between the artists and the… Continue reading On the Road Again: The Band of Heathens return to Denver
