Henry Wagons: "Expecting Company?" (2013) CD Review

No other performer excites me these days quite like Henry Wagons. Rumble, Shake And Tumble, the full-length album from 2011, is full of great tunes and delicious, somewhat twisted energy. That year I saw the band perform at a small venue in Los Angeles, and it was one of the best concerts of the year.

So I was seriously thrilled to hear the new solo EP by Henry Wagons. Titled Expecting Company?, this collection of seven songs confirms his place as one of the most exciting musicians around. I’m completely sold on this guy’s talent, and I’ll definitely be paying close attention to everything he does from now on (well, everything he does musically, that is). All of the material on Expecting Company? is original, and Henry plays most of the instruments on these tracks. Si Francis joins him on drums for four of the songs.

One of my favorite elements on this album, however, is the female vocals. Most of these tracks are duets, and the vocalists are all impressive. The more I listen to this album, the more entranced and enamored I become.

There is a great freedom in this album. Henry clearly is not trying to restrain himself, but gives his creativity free rein. And it bounds in several directions, finding a temporary home in the late 1960s – at least on a few tracks. But there is country and folk here as well. What amazes me is that he does everything so well. It’s like each experiment pays off. I feel like if he were Frankenstein, his monster would have turned out just fine.

By the way, check out the cover. With the title in quotation marks, and the songs listed on the front, it totally fits with the 1960s feel of several of the tracks.

“Unwelcome Company”

Expecting Company? opens with “Unwelcome Company,” which has an intense late 1960s feel. You expect sexy go-go dancers with light playing on their torsos to rush into your room brandishing guitars and silver pistols. Two quick drums rolls open the song like machine gun bursts. And Henry sings, “The gentle patter of angel’s toes/Circle round my bedside and brush against my nose.” It sounds a bit like something from Wild In The Streets.

And then Alison Mosshart comes in on vocals. She sounds like a sex kitten who will tear you to pieces with her claws and leave you smiling. She’ll betray you, and you can’t fault her. And when they sing together it’s like the Airplane was hired to do a soundtrack for a weird film. It’s when Henry sings, “Everywhere I go they follow/Everywhere I go they follow me” that he returns to familiar ground. But only briefly. I love those short spurts of electric guitar. Basically, this song blew me away.

“I’m In Love With Mary Magdalene”

“I’m In Love With Mary Magdalene” also has that sort of feel, while adding to it that familiar country rhythm, though then taking it and twisting it into a strange tale of lusting for Mary Magdalene. Henry sings, “Spent all night immersed in prayer/Why must my mind always take me there” (and then Sophia Brous responds with similar lines: “Why must your mind always take you there”). There is actually something sexy about this song, due in large part to Sophia Brous’ vocals, which are amazing. And then it ends on such a pretty note.

“Give Things A Chance To Mend”

Henry Wagons switches to country for “Give Things A Chance To Mend.” But it’s the country of days gone by. We’re in another time, or rather Henry pulls that time to us to make it now. The song is a plea to take a moment and not to make a hasty exit from the relationship, but rather give things a chance to get better. It’s a cool love song. Grab a beer and think of that special, problematic someone. This one is a duet with Jenn Grant, who completely, perfectly captures that old feel. What a great voice. This tune also features pedal steel by Seamus O’Sullivan.

“I Still Can’t Find Her”

I love how low Henry’s voice gets on the opening line of “I Still Can’t Find Her”: “Blow the dust.” The more I listen to Henry Wagons, the more I’m impressed by his vocals. And he does some interesting stuff on this one. And I really like this section: “My mother’s cousin Deborah cheated on her husband Wayne/Wayne’s photo’s been placed by Bill/And that seems a little harsh to me, Debbie.” It’s Debbie’s name coming after that pause that cracks me up every time. That has to be one of the most effective uses of a pause ever in a song. And then to top it off, there’s a spoken word bit. That’s Robert Forster performing; Forster co-wrote this tune with Henry Wagons.

“A Hangman’s Work Is Never Done”

Things get a little strange with “A Hangman’s Work Is Never Done.” This is a wonderfully messed up tune, and will work well on a cool Halloween mix CD. Seriously. It’s a dark tune, but with a drum beat slightly reminiscent of something like “Radar Love” or “Ballroom Blitz.” There’s some killing toward the end. Patience Hodgson provides some excellent vocals.

“Give Me A Kiss”

“Give Me A Kiss” is more in the folk vein, but with a weird carnival waltz atmosphere. My favorite part is Gossling’s vocals. Holy moly, these two make quite a couple. Check out these lines they sing together: “Let’s stop this before it gets worse/There’s room for both of us in this hearse/Raise your glass now to this toast/Let’s split at this fork in the road.” I love this song, and I wish it were longer. I want more.

“Marylou Two”

Expecting Company? concludes with “Marylou Two,” a sort of sequel to (or re-working of) “Marylou,” the final track from Rumble, Shake And Tumble. This one is more of an acoustic folk version, and as a result has an immediate and vulnerable feel. Basically, it’s like the very end of the original version, but expanded to a full song of its own. “And I can’t break free from you, Marylou.” This is also the only track that is not a duet.

CD Track List

1. Unwelcome Company
2. I’m In Love With Mary Magdalene
3. Give Things A Chance To Mend
4. I Still Can’t Find Her
5. A Hangman’s Work Is Never Done
6. Give Me A Kiss
7. Marylou Two

 Expecting Company? is scheduled to be released on January 22, 2013 on Thirty Tigers.

My Ten Favorite CDs Of 2012

This year saw the release of a lot of great music.  Making a top ten list is always a bit difficult, and a bit unfair, as there is generally something that I'm forgetting, and different music hits me harder at different times. But I love to make lists, so here I go.

Just so you know, this list is only full-length new studio albums from 2012.  I didn't include any re-issues, compilations or live albums, so a lot of great material didn't make this list, such as re-issues of Grateful Dead Dick's Picks CDs and Los Lobos' Kiko 20th Anniversary Edition.  Also, EPs don't count, so Martin Sexton's wonderful Fall Like Rain is not on the list.

So here they are, my favorite albums from 2012.

10. Ruthie Foster: Let It Burn

The year started off really well with some excellent January releases, including the new one from Ruthie Foster. This album was going to make the list just for that incredibly sexy version of "If I Had A Hammer."  I was listening to it again the other day, and it still blows me away. But the rest of the album is really good too. Ruthie Foster has an excellent voice, and on this release she is joined by The Blind Boys Of Alabama.  By the way, she puts on a good concert, so go see her if you get the chance.

9. Christa Couture: The Living Record

Christa Couture is an excellent singer/songwriter with a truly wonderful voice. Her 2012 release, The Living Record, features all original material. Some of my favorites are "Lucky Or Lost," "Pirate Jenny And The Storm" and "Wooden Shoes And Windmills." But it is "Pussycat Pussycat" that is the most surprising tune on the album. This one has a funky edge, and there is something flirtatious and sexy in Christa's vocal delivery. It is one of the coolest songs I've heard this year.

8. The dBs: Falling Off The Sky

Falling Off The Sky is The dBs' first new album in twenty-five years, and the first album with the band's original lineup since 1982. This album is a lot of fun. I'm particularly fond of "The Wonder Of Love," "Write Back" and "She Won't Drive In The Rain Anymore." And I seriously love "The Adventures Of Albatross And Doggerel."  It's a catchy tune, and has an interesting structure, with its strange section in the middle where he sings, "I can see everything/I can hear everything/But I can't do anything for you" (with a strange Felini feel for just a moment behind the vocals). It is one of my favorite songs of the year.  It was written by Chris Stamey.

7. The Trishas: High, Wide & Handsome

The Trishas are four female singer/songwriters with gorgeous voices and tremendous songwriting ability. Each singer has a distinct voice, and when they harmonize, the sound is beautiful.  I like the entire album, but "Looking At Me" is the song that really made me fall for them. It's a beautiful tune, and the lyrics are wonderful. Here is a taste: "Well, a fire burns slow if you know how to build it/The heat travels up from the ground toward the trees/And when the winds change, I know smoke follows beauty/I follow it up till it's you that I see/Oh, it's a shame, it's a shame/The last one to know is the first to complain/Oh, beware of the dark/For all of your secrets are shared with a spark."

6. Paul Kelly: Spring And Fall

Paul Kelly's 2012 release, Spring And Fall, is an album full of great, honest love songs. This is a seriously strong album. Some of my favorite tracks are "For The Ages," "Time And Tide" and "Sometimes My Baby."  "Sometimes My Baby" has an excellent instrumental section which made me completely fall for the song. Besides music, one of my passions is Shakespeare, and Paul Kelly includes a song from Twelfth Night as a hidden track on this album. Titled "Where Are You Roaming," it is sung by Feste in Act II Scene iii, after Toby asks for a love song.

5. I See Hawks In L.A.: New Kind Of Lonely

I've been a fan of I See Hawks In L.A. for a while now, and I have to say that New Kind Of Lonely is the best album they've released.  This album, even more than the others, really demonstrates what a great, emotional and wise voice Rob Waller has. Plus, this group has great harmonies, which you can hear on basically every track, but especially in a song like "Mary Austin Sky."  This album features the fun "I Fell In Love With The Grateful Dead" (a tune I can relate to).  The entire album is strong, but my absolute favorite is "If You Lead I Will Follow," a wonderful and gorgeous country song. Check out these lyrics: "The angels are singing/And I'm still clinging to the crack at the end of the ledge/You're calling to me/Denying gravity/I close my eyes and step over the edge."  This is one of my favorite songs of the year.

4. Holly Golightly And The Brokeoffs: Sunday Run Me Over

I love this duo. Their 2011 release was one of my favorites of that year, and this year's album, Sunday Run Me Over, is also fantastic.  Most of the songs are originals, but they also do a few interesting covers. They do a take on Wayne Raney's "We Need A Whole Lot More Of Jesus (And A Lot Less Rock And Roll)," changing it to "We Need A Whole Lot Less Of Jesus (And A Lot More Rock And Roll)," about how the Jesus freaks want to direct the nation, regardless of the large numbers of people who don't believe in that nonsense. Their cover of Mac Davis' "Hard To Be Humble" cracks me up.  But of course it's their original material that really makes this album special, particularly "One For The Road," "Turn Around" and "Goodnight."

3. Marley's Ghost: Jubilee

I became a fan of Marley's Ghost a few years ago when I heard Ghost Town (which is a great album). The band's 2012 release, Jubilee, is even better. In addition to some excellent original material (such as "Rollin'" and "South For A Change"), there are some darn good covers (including a take on "It's All Over Now" that completely blew me away). And to top it all off, this album features some wonderful guest players, including John Prine and Emmylou Harris.  (And there is even some yodeling on the album's last track.)

2. Stephane Wrembel: Origins

Stephane Wrembel is an amazing, astounding musician. His new release, Origins, is the only instrumental album to make the list. It's a seriously incredible album.  By now, probably everyone has heard "Bistro Fada," a tune Wrembel composed for Woody Allen's Midnight In Paris. I love that song, but the rest of the album is equally enjoyable and impressive. I was lucky enough to catch one of Stephane Wrembel's concerts this year, and it was one of the best shows I've seen.

1. Leonard Cohen: Old Ideas

My number one choice of the year probably comes as no surprise to anyone who knows me even a little bit. Leonard Cohen is the world's best living songwriter, and his 2012 release, Old Ideas, is his best album in at least two decades. Every song is wonderful. My current favorite is the final track, "Different Sides," which has the line, "Stop writing everything down" (a line which is also on the cover of the Leonard Cohen journal a friend bought for me at one of his concerts).  This album also features "Darkness," a song he introduced during that wild three-year concert tour. The first time I saw him perform it was in San Jose in 2009, and it immediately became a favorite.  "Lullaby" was also performed at several stops on that tour, but unfortunately I wasn't at those particular shows.  Old Ideas opens with another wonderful song, "Going Home," which I saw him do at a stop on his new tour (it was one of the encores). In that song, he refers to himself as "a lazy bastard living in a suit."  I think people have finally let go of that misconception that he's a depressing songwriter.

Chris Stamey: "Lovesick Blues" (2013) CD Review

Chris Stamey is most well known as one of the founders of the dBs. He recorded a couple of albums with the band in the early 1980s before embarking on a solo career.  And then this past June, the dBs released Falling Off The Sky, the band's first album with the original lineup since 1982's Repercussion. It's an excellent album, and is on my list of the ten best of 2012. Chris Stamey is not one to relax, however, and now he is releasing a new solo album titled Lovesick Blues.

This solo material is quite a bit different from the dBs album. It's certainly more in the singer/songwriter vein, but with some gorgeous pop sounds. This is not a folk album. There is a beauty to so many of these tracks, particularly in something like the acoustic "Wintertime" (with lines like, "I hold you from the cold/You tell me a story you already told/And it's wintertime/And the days grow short"). This album really has its own sound, though the vocals remind me at times of some 1960s pop, as there is something of an innocence there, like a fresh look at the world. And yet there is also wisdom and experience, a voice that is well traveled. It's an interesting combination, and then a song like "Occasional Shivers" has a definite late-night lounge or jazz room feel.  There is certainly a lot to enjoy on this CD.

"Skin"

Lovesick Blues opens with "Skin," an interesting love song that I am into immediately. Chris Stamey's voice on this one, and the way he sings it, remind me of some of the sweeter songs by Phish (like "Silent In The Morning"). The lyrics too have something of a Phish feel. Like these lines, which begin the song: "I slip out of my skin/That's how it begins/And drift across the room into you/You look a bit surprised." And these: "I look like I'm asleep/But I'm just incomplete/I watch myself the way that you do." This song feels like morning, bright with possibilities.  "We see everything twice/We see it once as me and once as you."  I also like the percussion on this tune. It's a really sweet song to open the album.

"London"

There is something beautiful about "London." It's this connection between singer and the person he sings to, and the emotion in Stamey's honest delivery. It's like an intimate letter, and interestingly it's the mundane details that make it feel intimate. Like trying to create an accurate picture to share with the person, to feel closer.  Here is a taste of the lyrics: "Why don't you stay home/I'll call you when I get up/I've been thirteen hours on the motorway/I think the bass player quit/I've got three more weeks of overdubs." At the end, the vocals fade as the strings become almost harsh, a revisiting of the song's opening moments, giving the song a circular feel, as if things won't change.

"You n Me n XTC"

"You n Me n XTC" has a ridiculous and infectious joy, particularly in its chorus.  Being a fan of road trips and living in Los Angeles, I particularly enjoyed these lines: "We lost the brakes around Santa Fe/And the 8-track blew later that same day/By the time we got to Los Angeles/There was nothing left of our sanity." So they'll fit right in then. (And you can add this song to the list of tunes that mention Hollywood and Vine.) This song reminds me a bit of "Learning To Fly" by Tom Petty. It also makes me think that I need to get my turntable fixed, as all my XTC stuff is on vinyl.

Seamus Kenney plays trombone on this track.

"The Room Above The Bookstore"

I'm a huge Leonard Cohen fan, and one certain way to get my attention is to make a reference to him or his music. The first line of "The Room Above The Bookstore" is "It's a Leonard Cohen morning," so I'm drawn in immediately. Of course, mentioning him can be dangerous, because it sets expectations high, and lyrically no one can match him. So now I'm listening more attentively, more critically, particularly to the song's imagery.

Here is a taste of the lyrics: "And you talk about last evening/In a sly, ironic tone/While waiters clear the tables/And sparrows clean the bones/We are hidden in the shadows."  And: "In the hotel round the corner/We have packed our memories/We've pocketed our souvenirs/And folded our unease." This song has a slower, somewhat hypnotic tempo, which helps it get under your skin.

"Lovesick Blues"

"Lovesick Blues," the album's title track, starts off slowly and with lyrics to match that tempo - "So tired of being alone/Too tired to pick up the phone/There's no one I want to be/There's no one I want to see/I've waited so long." The song does kick in a bit, but with these lines, "Sometimes I feel so sad/Mostly I just stay mad/I've shut out all my friends/There's no way to even pretend/That it will ever change." So even as the song becomes more powerful, it's almost like more strength in the resignation to the circumstances. It's truly moving. And his voice sounds strong, yet so vulnerable on the lines, "And I don't have a clue/What I will do without you." Then there is a beautiful, yet sad, instrumental section that reminds me just a bit of George Harrison at moments.

Carrie Shull plays oboe on this track.

"If Memory Serves"

Lovesick Blues concludes with "If Memory Serves," a joyful little pop gem with bit of a mid-1960s feel (there's a Beatles influence). It's a catchy tune, with a humorous element as well, obvious in lines like "I feel sure I never will forget you/By the way, do you spell it with a 'k' or 'q'/And today I think I met someone new/If memory serves," which end the song (and album).  By the way, that's Jeff Crawford on the toy piano (I love that section).

CD Track List

1. Skin
2. London
3. Astronomy
4. Anyway
5. You n Me n XTC
6. I Wrote This Song For You
7. The Room Above The Bookstore
8. Wintertime
9. Occasional Shivers
10. Lovesick Blues
11. If Memory Serves

Lovesick Blues is scheduled to be released on February 5, 2013 on Yep Roc Records.

December 2012 Concert Calendar

Here is a list of concerts you might be interested in for the month of December. Most of these are bands that I've reviewed, though some are some bands that I haven't yet written about, but really like. If you can, try to check out at least a few of these shows. I will try to add to this calendar as much as I can throughout the month.

December 1, 2012  (Saturday)
Antje Duvekot  -  98.7 WFMT-The Midnight Special, Chicago, IL
Steve Forbert  and Patty Larkin  -  AT&T Center, Dallas, TX
Kinky Friedman  -  Off Broadway, St. Louis, MO
The Monkees  -  The Paramount, Huntington, NY
Patrolled By Radar  -  Private party
Ellis Paul  -   Ontario Center for Performing Arts, Oswego Music Hall - McCrobie Building, 41 Lake St, Oswego, NY  -  8:00 p.m.
Martin Sexton  -  World Cafe Live    , Wilmington, DE
Keller Williams  -  Granada Theater, Lawrence, KS

December 2, 2012  (Sunday)
Leonard Cohen  -  Colisee Pepsi, Quebec City, Quebec
Antje Duvekot  -  Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL
Steve Forbert and Patty Larkin  -  Dosey Doe Acoustic Cafe, The Woodlands, TX    
Kinky Friedman  -  The Blue Door, Oklahoma City, OK
The Monkees  -  The Beacon Theatre, New York, NY
Ellis Paul  -  University Cafe, 100 Nicolls Rd., Stony Brook, NY  -  2:00 p.m.

December 3, 2012  (Monday)
Kinky Friedman  -  Oklahoma Jazz Hall Of Fame, Tulsa, OK

December 4, 2012  (Tuesday)
Leonard Cohen  -  Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario
Kinky Friedman  -  Oriental Theater, Denver, CO

December 5, 2012  (Wednesday)
Leonard Cohen  -  Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario

December 6, 2012  (Thursday)
Steve Forbert  -  Old Rock House, St. Louis, MO
Kinky Friedman  -  The State Room, Salt Lake City, UT
Keller Williams  -  The Handlebar, Greenville, SC

December 7, 2012  (Friday)
Leonard Cohen  -  Scotiabank Place, Kanata, Ontario
Steve Forbert  -  Knucklehead's, Kansas City, MO
Kinky Friedman  -  McCabe’s Guitar Store, Santa Monica, CA
Carrie Newcomer  -  Unitarian Universalist Church, Bloomington, IN 
Ellis Paul  -  CSPS, 1103 S. 3rd Street SE, Cedar Rapids, IA  -  8:00 p.m.
(With special guest Radoslav Lorkovic)
Martin Sexton  -  Infinity Hall, Norfolk, CT
Keller Williams  -  The Pour House, Charleston, SC

December 8, 2012  (Saturday)
Steve Forbert  -  All Soul Acoustic Cafe, Tulsa, OK
Kinky Friedman  -  Maverick Saloon, Santa Ynez, CA
Patrolled By Radar  -  Cinema Bar, 3967 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City, CA
Ellis Paul  -  The College School, 7825 Big Bend Blvd, St. Louis, MO  -  1:00 p.m.
(special family show)
Ellis Paul  -  Off Broadway Nightclub, 3509 Lemp, St. Louis, MO  -  7:00 p.m.
Martin Sexton  -  Tarrytown Music Hall, Tarrytown, NY
Keller Williams  -  The Pour House, Charleston, SC

December 9, 2012  (Sunday)
Kinky Friedman  -  Zoey’s Cafe, Ventura, CA
Ellis Paul  -  Vaudeville Mews, 212 4th St, Des Moines, IA

December 10, 2012  (Monday)
Kinky Friedman and Mojo Nixon  -  The Belly Up, Solana Beach, CA

December 11, 2012  (Tuesday)
John Cale  -  El Rey Theatre, Los Angeles, CA
Leonard Cohen  -  Budweiser Garden, London, Ontario
Kinky Friedman  -  The Prime Cut, Bakersfield, CA

December 12, 2012  (Wednesday)
Concrete Blonde  -  Sinclair Music Hall, Boston, MA
Kinky Friedman  -  The Mucky Duck, Monterey, CA
Yonder Mountain String Band  -  Strings & Sol at Dreams Tulum Resort, Tulum, Mexico

December 13, 2012  (Thursday)
Leonard Cohen  -  K-Rock Centre, Kingston, Ontario
Concrete Blonde  -  Irving Plaza, New York, NY
Antje Duvekot  -  One Longfellow Square, Portland , ME
Kinky Friedman  -  Private Party, Santa Cruz, CA
Yonder Mountain String Band  -  Strings & Sol at Dreams Tulum Resort, Tulum, Mexico

December 14, 2012  (Friday)
Concrete Blonde  -  Stone Pony, Asbury Park, NJ
Antje Duvekot  -  Oberon, 2 Arrow Street, Cambridge, MA
Kinky Friedman  -  Studio E, Sebastopol, CA
Ellis Paul  -  Cactus Café, University of Texas, 24th & Guadalupe, Austin, TX
(with opening act Rebecca Loebe)
Yonder Mountain String Band  -  Strings & Sol at Dreams Tulum Resort, Tulum, Mexico

December 15, 2012  (Saturday)
Leonard Cohen  -  Wang Theatre, Boston, MA
Antje Duvekot  -  Circle of Friends Coffeehouse, Franklin, MA
The English Beat  -  Mystic Theatre, Petaluma, CA
Kinky Friedman  -  The Palms Playhouse, Winters, CA
Ellis Paul  -  Jefferson Freedom Cafe, 1st Jefferson UU Church, 1959 Sandy Lane, Fort Worth, TX
(with opening act Rebecca Loebe)
Yonder Mountain String Band  -  Strings & Sol at Dreams Tulum Resort, Tulum, Mexico

December 16, 2012  (Sunday)
Leonard Cohen  -  Wang Theatre, Boston, MA
Antje Duvekot  -  University Cafe, Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY
Kinky Friedman  -  Moe’s Alley, Santa Cruz, CA
Yonder Mountain String Band  -  Strings & Sol at Dreams Tulum Resort, Tulum, Mexico

December 17, 2012  (Monday)
Concrete Blonde  -  9:30 Club, Washington, D.C.
Kinky Friedman  -  St. Clair Theater, Modesto, CA

December 18, 2012  (Tuesday)
Leonard Cohen  -  Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY
Concrete Blonde  -  Cat’s Cradle, Carrboro, NC
Kinky Friedman  -  Cafe Du Nord, San Francisco, CA

December 19, 2012  (Wednesday)
Concrete Blonde  -  Variety Playhouse, Atlanta, GA
Kinky Friedman  -  Aladdin Theater, Portland, OR

December 20, 2012  (Thursday)
Leonard Cohen  -  Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
Kinky Friedman  -  W.O.W. Hall, Eugene, OR

December 21, 2012  (Friday)
Concrete Blonde  -  Park West, Chicago, IL
Antje Duvekot  -  Jammin' Java, 231 Maple Ave. East, Vienna, VA

December 22, 2012  (Saturday)
Concrete Blonde  -  Variety Theatre, Minneapolis, MN
Antje Duvekot  -   Steel City Coffee House, 203 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, PA

December 23, 2012  (Sunday)
Antje Duvekot  -   Union Hall, 702 Union Street, Brooklyn, NY

December 24, 2012  (Monday)

December 25, 2012  (Tuesday)

December 26, 2012  (Wednesday)

December 27, 2012  (Thursday)
Reverend Horton Heat  -  Fonda Theatre, Los Angeles, CA
Keller Williams  -  Brooklyn Performing Arts, Wilmington, NC

December 28, 2012  (Friday)
Phish  -  Madison Square Garden, New York, NY 
Keller Williams  -  Neighborhood Theatre, Charlotte, NC
Yonder Mountain String Band  -  Boulder Theater, Boulder, CO

December 29, 2012  (Saturday)
Ellis Paul  -  One Longfellow, Portland, ME  -  2:00 p.m.
(Family show)
Ellis Paul  -  One Longfellow, Portland, ME  -  8:00 p.m.
Phish  -  Madison Square Garden, New York, NY 
String Cheese Incident  -  1stBank Center, Broomfield, CO 
Paul Thorn  -  3rd & Lindsley, Nashville, TN
(with special opening act Steve Forbert)
Keller Williams  -  The NorVa, Norfolk, VA
Yonder Mountain String Band  -  Boulder Theater, Boulder, CO

December 30, 2012  (Sunday)
Ellis Paul  -  Club Passim - Ellis Paul's 16th Annual Holiday Ball, 47 Palmer St., Cambridge, MA  -  6:00 p.m.
Ellis Paul  -  Club Passim - Ellis Paul's 16th Annual Holiday Ball, 47 Palmer St., Cambridge, MA  -  9:00 p.m.
Phish  -  Madison Square Garden, New York, NY 
String Cheese Incident  -  1stBank Center, Broomfield, CO 
Keller Williams  -  The National, Richmond, VA
Yonder Mountain String Band  -  Boulder Theater, Boulder, CO

December 31, 2012  (Monday)
Cake  -  The Wiltern, Los Angeles, CA
Entrain  -  Blue Ocean Music Hall, Salisbury, MA
Steve Forbert  -  Ocean County Library, Toms River, NJ
Ellis Paul  -  Club Passim - Ellis Paul's 16th Annual Holiday Ball47 Palmer St., Cambridge, MA  -  7:00 p.m.
Ellis Paul  -  Club Passim - Ellis Paul's 16th Annual Holiday Ball47 Palmer St., Cambridge, MA  -  10:00 p.m.
Phish  -  Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
String Cheese Incident  -  1stBank Center, Broomfield, CO
Keller Williams  -  Marathon Music Works, Nashville, TN
Yonder Mountain String Band  -  Boulder Theater, Boulder, CO