10,000 Maniacs: “Twice Told Tales” (2015) CD Review

Formed in 1981, 10,000 Maniacs have gone through several changes in their three decades, the most obvious still being the departure of singer Natalie Merchant in 1993. Mary Ramsey took over on lead vocals that year, and then departed in 2001, returning in 2007. In addition to Ramsey, the current lineup includes original members Dennis Drew, Steven Gustafson and John Lombardo, along with Jerome Augustyniak, who joined in 1983, and Jeff Erickson, who joined in 2001 after the death of founding member Rob Buck. Folk music has always had a strong influence on the band, but until now they’d not released an album dedicated to that genre. Their new release, Twice Told Tales, is a collection of British Isles folk songs, but with a definite 10,000 Maniacs spin to them.

The album opens with “Lady Mary Ramsey I,” a pretty, though brief violin instrumental track that immediately gets us in the right mood. It is followed by “The Song Of Wandering Aengus,” a poem by William Butler Yeats beautifully sung a cappella by Mary Ramsey. It is after that that 10,000 Maniacs move into the traditional folk songs with their rendition of “She Moved Through The Fair,” a well-known tune that has been covered by many artists over the years, including Pete Seeger, Fairport Convention and Sinéad O’Connor. This version has a beauty, and more of a pop feel than many other versions. Mary changes the gender, singing “He moved through the fair.”

They follow that with “Dark Eyed Sailor,” which opens with a typical traditional folk line, “As I roved out one evening fair.” There is a bright, pop feel to this rendition. But one of the most catchy and fun tunes on this CD is “Misty Moisty Morning” (which is often titled “One Misty Moisty Morning”). This band does such a great job with this song, and this track is one of my personal favorites. There is such happiness in Mary Ramsey’s vocals, and there is a nice instrumental section as well. I also love what this group does with “Bonny May,” a song that’s been recorded by June Tabor and Damien Barber & Mike Wilson. This might be the best version I’ve heard, and I especially love the short instrumental section.

They deliver an excellent and intense rendition of “Greenwood Sidey” (a song also known as “The Cruel Mother” and “Down By The Greenwood Side”), letting Mary Ramsey’s vocals dominate the track. “She took out her wee pen knife/All the lee and loney/There she took the sweet babe’s life/Down by the greenwood sidey-o/She wiped the blade against her shoe/All the lee and loney/The more she rubbed the redder it grew/Down by the greenwood sidey-o.”

I’ve heard a lot of versions of the Irish folk song “Carrickfergus” over the years (it’s often played at Irish pubs, with its line “I’m drunk today, and I’m seldom sober” being sung happily by the crowds), and this one by 10,000 Maniacs is sweet and pretty, but with a certain pop bent to it. They also do a sweet rendition of “Wild Mountain Thyme.”

“Marie’s Wedding” is one of my favorite tracks, with a bright energy that should get you dancing. I particularly love the work on violin during the instrumental sections. The album then concludes with “Lady Mary Ramsey II,” leaving us as it began, with a wonderful and pretty instrumental track.

CD Track List

1. Lady Mary Ramsey I
2. The Song Of Wandering Aengus
3. She Moved Through The Fair
4. Dark Eyed Sailor
5. Misty Moisty Morning
6. Bonny May
7. Canadee-I-O
8. Do You Love An Apple?
9. Greenwood Sidey
10. Carrickfergus
11. Death Of Queen Jane
12. Wild Mountain Thyme
13. Marie’s Wedding
14. Lady Mary Ramsey II

Twice Told Tales is scheduled to be released on CD and on vinyl on April 28, 2015 through Cleopatra Records.

The Brian Kinler Band featuring Francesca Capasso: “The Race Against Time” (2015) CD Review

Jazz pianist Brian Kinler goes in a new direction with his new release, The Race Against Time. This album finds him in the realm of dance music on several tracks. There were hints of this direction in his previous release, Not Your Everyday Amateur, particularly in songs like “The Bean Tree” and “The Ecstasy Of St. Teresa.” Perhaps more surprising is the presence of vocals, a first on a Brian Kinler Band CD. Of course, he’s long had vocalists join him on stage during his concerts. And if you’ve seen him in concert in the last few years, you’ve heard the incredible vocal talent of Francesca Capasso, who provides vocals on many of this CD's tracks. As on his previous release, Brian Kinler plays keyboards on this album, playing the parts of several other instruments. I wouldn’t be surprised if I heard a couple of these tunes the next time I’m out on the dance floor at a club. But if you’re not into dance music, don’t worry, there are still some tracks that will appeal to you, including “Coldest Part Of You,” which he has performed at recent shows.

The album kicks off with “Bombshell,” a completely delicious dance tune that Brian Kinler co-wrote with Francesca Capasso, who provides some perfect vocals. Francesca first performed with The Brian Kinler Band in June of 2012, and immediately impressed the audience. Since then, she’s sung with him several times, and now adds her creative juices to the mix in the writing of this excellent tune. Her energy is fantastic, and I totally dig that sort of spoken word section: “Last night when I saw you in the bar, you were wearing those tight blue jeans/I knew I just had to touch you and make you all mine forever/Or at least for the next few minutes.” Though as much as I love her vocals, it’s that great instrumental bridge that really makes this tune something special. I fully expect to be dancing to this song soon at some of the West Hollywood clubs.

“Don’t Need Your Love” has a good dance vibe as well, but begins as a moodier piece. That mood is allowed to sink it and grab hold before Francesca comes in on vocals more than a minute into the song. “You said you’d never mess me up/But you did just that.” And the song builds from there, and is actually really catchy. Francesca acts as her own back-up singer on the chorus, and those are some of my favorite moments of this track. And I love the way she delivers the final lines.

“Clouds From Up Here” is an interesting track, for in some ways it takes us back to some of Brian’s earliest music, with vibes reminding me of some of the work on Two, while at the same time has a dance groove, with pop vocals by Francesca Capasso. Plus, it features Andrea Whitney on violin, and her presence is always appreciated.

“Racing Against Time” is a beautiful instrumental track which should appeal to longtime Brian Kinler fans. This song is full of passion and compassion, sadness and hope, and is one of the most moving pieces on this CD. It’s followed by another instrumental track, “The Calling,” which has a very different feel. While there is a strong emotional core to this song, its groove is that of an 1980s dance tune. I really like the somewhat quiet section dominated by percussion partway through (though I know it’s all provided by keyboard), leading to a brighter, fun groove which takes over. “Chateau” likewise has a strong dance beat, but with some beautiful work on keys over it.

“Look In Your Eyes” has something of a wonderful 1980s vibe, but opens up into a great modern dance tune. This one was co-written by Brian Kinler and Francesca Capasso. You just want to be Francesca’s toy when she sings, “Take me on your magic tour/And let’s not be discreet/I’ve got something special, you have what I need/Open up your mouth, boy/I have a lust to feed.” She really lets loose. This one should get you moving. “I’d Give Up Everything But You” also has an ‘80s thing happening, and is another to get you out on the dance floor. Here is a taste of the lyrics: “I have regrets/I don’t care about all of your threats/Somehow there’s absence in your heart/I’d give up everything but you.” If the clubs don’t play this one, then you’ll just have to turn your home into a club and turn this track up and dance the night away. It’s such a great tune.

“Coldest Part Of You” is one that will be familiar to fans, as it’s one Brian has performed in concert. This gorgeous rendition features vocals (but no lyrics) by Francesca Capasso, and some tremendously beautiful and moving work on violin by Andrea Whitney. This is one of my personal favorites. The album then concludes with “The Lost City,” an excellent instrumental track. I’m particularly fond of this one once it kicks in, around the minute and a half mark. That section just has me smiling every time I listen to it, and the end is so joyful, making this track another highlight for me.

CD Track List

1. Bombshell
2. Don’t Need Your Love
3. Clouds From Up Here
4. Racing Against Time
5. The Calling
6. Chateau
7. Look In Your Eyes
8. I’d Give Up Everything But You
9. Coldest Part Of You
10. The Lost City

The Race Against Time was produced by Andre Mayeux and Brian Kinler, and was released on March 10, 2015. By the way, the cover is a nod to the poster for the 1985 film Into The Night, starring Jeff Goldblum and Michelle Pfeiffer. This totally fits with the sound and vibes of this album, with a strong 1980s influence heard on many of the tracks.

Ray Wylie Hubbard: “The Ruffian’s Misfortune” (2015) CD Review

In “Mr. Musslewhite’s Blues,” Ray Wylie Hubbard sings, “This will help you if you got the blues/This will save you if you got the blues.” The line refers to a harmonica (and is followed by a very cool harmonica solo), but it could easily refer to Ray Wylie Hubbard’s new album, The Ruffian’s Misfortune, on which the song appears. This album is full of great bluesy vibes, certain to keep your heart pumping. But there are also some tunes more in the folk realm, such as “Too Young Ripe, Too Young Rotten,” and some more in the rock realm, as “Chick Singer Badass Rockin’” in which he sings, “Says rock ‘n’ roll is flat-out lawless and Joan Jett is a goddess.” Amen. That song is also one of several tunes on this CD with nods to early Rolling Stones, as he mentions Sticky Fingers and Let It Bleed. This is such a great album, and I completely love his voice. Ray Wylie Hubbard’s son, Lucas Hubbard, plays acoustic and electric guitars on this album. The McCreary Sisters provide harmony vocals on “Barefoot In Heaven,” giving us a good dose of gospel. All tracks are originals, written or co-written by Ray Wylie Hubbard.

Ray Wylie Hubbard kicks off the album with “All Loose Things,” an excellent tune with a kind of heavy country twang to its blues, which is bloody delicious. This tune mentions Kevin Welch in the line “A scarecrow’s a-singin’ a song by Kevin Welch/Thunder is rumbling as if the devil himself had belched.” I also dig this line: “The blackbird says the gods can’t save us from ourselves.” The blues continue with “Hey Mama My Time Ain’t Long,” which also mentions the devil in its lyrics, and includes a reference to The Rolling Stones: “And there’s the faithful singing ‘Sister Morphine’” (a sly line, as Marianne Faithfull co-wrote “Sister Morphine” and released her own version in 1969). This one was written by Ray Wylie Hubbard and Jonathan Tyler. Brad Rice plays guitar on this track.

On “Too Young Ripe, Too Young Rotten,” Ray Wylie Hubbard goes more in the folk and country realm, and his vocals have a great intimate feel. This is one of my personal favorites of this album. There is a certain beauty to its sad vibe which is really effective. Plus, there are some excellent lyrics. Check out these lines: “Needs and threads, linen and cotton/May my sins be forgotten/Too young ripe, too young rotten” and “She shares her breath now only with the darkness/She owns a heart wilder than most.”

“Bad On Fords” is a fun kick-ass country rocker, and is another tune in which he mentions The Rolling Stones: “I was raised on The Rolling Stones.” It has a cool outlaw vibe, and its main line is “I’m bad on Fords and Chevrolets, but I’ll be good to you,” which makes me smile every time I listen to this album. And there is humor in his voice when he sings, “And I bet you ain’t a debutante.” “Bad On Fords” was written by Ray Wylie Hubbard and Ronnie Dunn.

“Jessie Mae” is another favorite of mine. It has a great folk/blues base, with some cool work on percussion by Rick Richards. Eleanor Whitmore adds fiddle to this track, which is another element that makes this song a highlight. “Like a hammer and nails on the lowest string, on the lowest string/Oh Jessie Mae, oh Jessie Mae, every time you sing, black angels dance.” The album concludes with “Stone Blind Horses,” another of the album’s highlights. It’s such a beautiful and moving song. Here is a taste of the lyrics: “And there’s ghosts all along the highways/And there’s storms out on the sea/My only hope is somewhere in the heavens/Someone says a prayer for me.” And it features some nice work on harmonica.

CD Track List

1. All Loose Things
2. Hey Mama My Time Ain’t Long
3. Too Young Ripe, Too Young Rotten
4. Chick Singer Badass Rockin’
5. Bad On Fords
6. Mr. Musselwhite’s Blues
7. Down By The River
8. Jessie Mae
9. Barefoot In Heaven
10. Stone Blind Horses

The Ruffian’s Misfortune is scheduled to be released on April 7, 2015 on Bordello Records.

Shanti: “Shanti” (1971/2015) CD Review

Shanti was a group in the early 1970s that combined rock, pop and jazz elements, with a heavy Indian influence, not only using traditional Indian instruments but also including Indian musicians in the lineup. There is also a psychedelic jam vibe to their music, and band member Zakir Hussain later played with Mickey Hart in Diga Rhythm Band. Shanti released only one LP, a self-titled album which is now finally getting a CD release thanks to Real Gone Music. This CD release features new liner notes by Richie Unterberger.

The album kicks off with a good rock tune, “We Want To Be Free,” which features some excellent work on guitar and a great groove. It’s the instrumental sections that really shine on this track. Fans of late 1960s San Francisco music will definitely find a lot to enjoy here. That track is followed by “Innocence,” one of the two longer songs on this album (this one clocking in at nearly eleven minutes). This one has much more of an Indian feel, beginning as a meditation and then taking on a wonderful rhythm a couple of minutes in, which then develops into more of a rock thing. There is a very positive feel to this instrumental track, and it goes into some exciting areas. It was written by Aashish Khan, the band’s sarod player.

Aashish Khan also composed the album’s other long instrumental track, “Shanti,” which is just under fifteen minutes. This one has more of a rock vibe from the start, but with a delicious Indian influence, and it gets kind of wild at times. There is even a percussion section, which leads briefly into a surprisingly familiar groove before returning to the percussion solo. And this extended drum solo is only one reason why this is one of my favorite tracks. “Shanti” also puts this band in that list of bands having a song sharing the band’s name – along with groups like They Might Be Giants, Bullied By Strings, I See Hawks In L.A., Bad Company and Kajagoogoo.

“Lord I’m Comin’ Round” totally succeeds as a rock tune, with nice work on vocals. And the album concludes with “I Do Believe,” a soft, kind of sweet, and very short acoustic tune.

CD Track List

1. We Want To Be Free
2. Innocence
3. Out Of Nowhere
4. Lord I’m Comin’ Round
5. Good Inside
6. Shanti
7. I Do Believe 

This CD issue of Shanti is scheduled to be released on March 10, 2015 through Real Gone Music.

Double Naught Spy Car & Stew: “Panorama City” (2015) CD Review

Panorama City, the new album by Double Naught Spy Car & Stew, was improvised in the studio, according to a note on the CD case, without rehearsals and without any second takes. This is certainly the band that can pull off this sort of thing and come out the other side with some great material. Double Naught Spy Car includes Paul Lacques on guitar and dobro (you might know him also from his work in I See Hawks In L.A.), Marcus Watkins on guitar (he’s played with Nina Hagen and has his own group, The Marcus Watkins Sintet), Marc Doten on bass and keyboards (he’s played with Shelby Lynn and Dave Alvin, among others), and Joe Berardi on drums (you might know him from his work with The Fibonaccis and Non Credo, and he’s played with Donovan and Ann Magnuson). And of course Stew is known for his work with The Negro Problem, as well as for the musical Passing Strange. Sure, some of the music is a little nutty and sometimes gets just a bit repetitive and messy. But that’s the nature of the experiment, and I sometimes prefer the realness of something messy over the contrived feel of more polished music. This is an album that I dug the first time I listened, but which I appreciate more and more. There is a lot to sink your teeth into here.

“Chat Noir” has kind of an odd, dark feel, particularly at the beginning, but also mentions K-Mart in its lyrics, so you know not to get too carried away by its tone. “Sweet Jackie’s Revenge” is a more interesting track, with a spoken word style that actually calls to mind at times some of the louder work of King Missile. Yes, seriously. There is also a kind of beat thing happening here that is fantastic. But figuring out where to come in with your finger-snaps might be difficult – and unnecessary, as the band is filling out the poetry with inspired sounds. There is some seriously cool work on guitar on this track.

But my favorite track is “Blue Dust,” with its slow, delicious acoustic vibes. Like a country song twisted around a bluesman’s bloody arm. And with great and surprising lines like “She’s an uncharted member of the upper crust” and “She says she’s just waiting for that train to rust.” Improvised? Wow. Just fucking wow. And I dig what Joe Berardi is doing on drums. Basically, I love this song.

“Bodhi Tree Mama” quickly develops a very cool groove, and they play with it for a couple of minutes before Stew comes in on vocals. This is such an unusual song, because it simultaneously feels like a bit of funk and a meditation. You could move to it, or sit with it, and be very happy either way. It’s followed by “Bumpin’ Morton Subotnick,” which opens with the question, “Is Moorpark a boulevard or avenue?” (The answer, by the way, is – surprisingly – “street.” Moorpark Street is located in the San Fernando Valley.) Stew asks the rest of the band while they begin another excellent groove. You can’t really hear the answer, if there is one, and Stew gives up and sings the first line of the song, “Cruising Moorpark,” leaving a gap after “Moorpark” where “Avenue” or “Boulevard” or “Street” would be. This song has a great sense of humor, with lines like “Don’t tell me it’s the wrong approach/I’m Morgan Freeman and you’re the acting coach” and “Tuesday night in Tarzana, what the hell did I expect?” I love what Stew does vocally on this track. This is another highlight for me.

“President” has more of a straight rock flavor, but with some less-than-usual lyrics. “Behind My Green Door” is a groovier tune and again with some unusual lyrics. “Keep the torture chamber tidy/Bring the homegrown from the hills/Call the lawyer nightly.” There is also a cool drum solo midway through. The album then concludes with “Blowoff Therapy,” which has more of a trippy vibe which I like.

CD Track List

1. Chat Noir
2. Sweet Jackie’s Revenge
3. Marcy Boo Coo
4. Blue Dust
5. Bodhi Tree Mama
6. Bumpin’ Morton Subotnick
7. Batgirl
8. President
9. Behind My Green Door
10. Blowoff Therapy

Panorama City is scheduled to be released on April 14, 2015 on 11 Foot Pole Records.

The Magical Mystery Psych Out: A Tribute To The Beatles (2015) CD Review

January saw the release of Stoned: A Psych Tribute To The Rolling Stones, and so of course it’s only fitting that The Beatles get a similar tribute. The Magical Mystery Psych Out: A Tribute To The Beatles focuses on the psychedelic elements of the band’s music, and is perhaps even better than the Rolling Stones tribute album. There is an interesting selection of compositions. You might think a compilation like this would focus on Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, but there are actually no tracks from that album. I’ve always preferred Revolver anyway, and this tribute includes a few selections from that album, as well as a few from The Beatles (known forever as The White Album).

This CD kicks off with Electric Moon’s version of “Tomorrow Never Knows,” the perfect song to open a psychedelic tribute to The Beatles. This is one that the Grateful Dead covered in their later years, pairing it with The Who’s “Baba O’Riley.” Electric Moon does a great job with it, bringing up the guitars a bit and slightly downplaying that excellent drum beat. “Rain” is another Beatles song that the Grateful Dead covered, and here it is done by Sugar Candy Mountain, a band based in Oakland. I really like their version, with some sweet backing vocals and moments of exploration toward the end.

“Julia” is performed by The Vacant Lots, one of only two bands from Stoned to be represented on Magical Mystery Psycho Out. They give it a sort of 1980s new wave feel, which oddly works quite well. It’s obviously a large departure from the soft, intimate feel of the original recording from The White Album. KVB, the other band to be represented on both tributes, does a somewhat slow, dark version of “Taxman.” And Kikagaku Moyo’s “Helter Skelter” is loud and intense, with violent, twisted tones that call to mind the song’s screwed up interpretation by Charles Manson.

The Blank Tapes deliver a totally groovy and fun rendition of “The Word,” a song originally from Rubber Soul. Since this was never my favorite Beatles tune, I’m surprised to find this to be one of my favorite tracks on this collection, but it’s just so damned good. “Love You To” is another highlight, and this version by Fantasmes incorporates those Indian vibes of the original and is one of the trippiest tracks of this CD. I’m also quite fond of Quilt’s rendition of “Cry Baby Cry.”

CD Track List

1. Tomorrow Never Knows – Electric Moon
2. Rain – Sugar Candy Mountain
3. Julia – The Vacant Lots
4. The Word – The Blank Tapes
5. Martha My Dear – The Ruby Suns
6. Taxman – The KVB
7. Come Together – The Underground Youth
8. Love You To – Fantasmes
9. Cry Baby Cry – Quilt
10. And I Love Her – The Lucid Dream
11. Helter Skelter – Kikagaku Moyo
12. Sun King – Strangers Family Band

The Magical Mystery Psych Out: A Tribute To The Beatles is scheduled to be released on March 3, 2015 on Cleopatra Records.

March 2015 Concert Calendar

I started this blog to let people know about all the good music that's out there. Here is a list of concerts you might be interested in for the month of March, 2015. Most of these are artists that I've reviewed, though some are some bands that I haven't yet written about, but really like. I will try to add to this calendar as much as I can throughout the month.

March 1, 2015  (Sunday)
Greg Brown  -  Iron Horse Music Hall, Northampton, MA
The Coal Porters  -  The Kitchen Garden Cafe, 17 York St., Kings Heath, Birmingham, England
Gaelic Storm  -  South Orange Performing Arts Center, South Orange, NJ
Willy Porter  -  The Alberta Rose Theatre, Portland, OR
Martin Sexton  -  W.O.W. Hall, Eugene, OR
Brooks Williams  -  Ohio Brown County Inn, St. Martin, OH

March 2, 2015  (Monday)

March 3, 2015  (Tuesday)
The Blank Tapes  -  Neurolux, Boise, ID
Gaelic Storm  -   Rams Head, Annapolis, MD
Los Lobos  -  Waterville Opera House, 1 Common St., Waterville, ME
Martin Sexton  -   Rendezvous, Chico, CA

March 4, 2015  (Wednesday)
The Blank Tapes  -   Kilby Courty, Salt Lake City, UT
Gaelic Storm  -   The Birchmere, Alexandria, VA
Hot Club Of Cowtown  -  Club Cafe, Pittsburgh, PA
Los Lobos  -   Wilbur Theatre, Boston, MA
Los Lonely Boys  -  Tupelo Music Hall, Londonderry, NH
Anita Mansfield  -   Little Bar, 757 S. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, CA  -  9:00 p.m.
Patrolled By Radar  -  Three Clubs, 1123 Vine St., Los Angeles, CA -  10:00 p.m.
Tom Paxton  -  South Orange Performing Arts Center, South Orange, NJ
Martin Sexton  -   Arcata Theatre, Arcata, CA
Sugar Candy Mountain  -  The Chapel, San Francisco, CA

March 5, 2015  (Thursday)
The Blank Tapes  -   The Bunkhouse, Las Vegas, NV
Gaelic Storm  -   The Birchmere, Alexandria, VA
Hot Club Of Cowtown  -  Hill Country Barbecue Market, Washington, D.C.
Alexz Johnson  -  Hotel Cafe, Los Angeles, CA  -  8:00 p.m.
Los Lobos  -   The Space At Westbury, Westbury, NY
Los Lonely Boys  -  Tupelo Music Hall, Londonderry, NH
Ellis Paul  -  Club Cafe, 56-58 South 12th Street, Pittsburgh, PA  -  8:00 p.m.
Tom Paxton  -   Tarrytown Music Hall, Tarrytown, NY
Red Molly  -  Strange Brew, Austin, TX
Martin Sexton  - Knitting Factory, Reno, NV
Keller Williams  -  McDonald Theatre, Eugene, OR

March 6, 2015  (Friday)
The Blank Tapes  -   The Orpheum, Flagstaff, AZ
Bombadil  -  Savannah Stopover Music Festival, Savannah, GA  -  8:00 p.m.
Antje Duvekot  -  Six String Concerts, Columbus Performing Arts Center, Columbus, OH
Gaelic Storm  -   Grand Opera House, Wilmington, DE
Hot Club Of Cowtown  -  Towne Crier Cafe, Beacon, NH
Los Lobos  -   Capitol Theatre, Port Chester, NY
James McMurtry  - Granada Theatre, Dallas, TX
Ellis Paul  -   Columbus Performing Arts Center, Shedd Theater, 549 Franklin Ave, Columbus, OH  -  9:00 p.m.
Tom Paxton  -   City Winery, New York, NY
Red Molly  -   Mucky Duck, Houston, TX
Martin Sexton  -   Bimbo's, San Francisco, CA
Keller Williams  -   The Showbox, Seattle, WA

March 7, 2015  (Saturday)
The Blank Tapes  -   Constellation Room, Santa Ana, CA
Paula Cole  -  Club Passim, Cambridge, MA
Antje Duvekot  -   Topp-Line House Concerts, Avon Lake, OH
Mike Frost Band (featuring Lauren Meccia)  -  Blues Boulevard Jazz, Greenville, SC
Gaelic Storm  -   Strand Capitol PAC, York, PA
Hot Club Of Cowtown  -   SubCulture, New York, NY
Los Lobos  -   World Cafe At The Queen, Wilmington, DE
Anne McCue  -  Black Dog Concerts, Chicago, IL
James McMurtry  -  Gruene Hall, New Braunfels, TX
The Nields  -  Cornell Folk Song Society, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Joan Osborne  -  Iron Horse Music Hall, Northampton, MA
Tom Paxton  -   Patchogue Theatre, Patchogue, NY
Red Molly  -   The Kessler Theater, Dallas, TX
Martin Sexton  -   City Winery, Napa, CA
The Whooligans  -  O'Malley's On Main, Seal Beach, CA  -  8:00 p.m.
Brooks Williams  -   Lingfield And Dormansland Community Center, Lingfield, Surrey, UK
Keller Williams  -   Wonder Ballroom, Portland, OR

March 8, 2015  (Sunday)
Gaelic Storm  -   Stockton Performing Arts Center, Gallway, NJ
Hot Club Of Cowtown  -  Shalin Liu Performance Center, Rockport, MA
Los Lobos  -   State Theatre, New Brunswick, NJ
Tom Paxton  -   Richard P. Marasco Center For The Performing Arts, Monroe Township, NJ
Martin Sexton  -   SLO, San Luis Obispo, CA

March 9, 2015  (Monday)
Anne McCue  -  Tip Top Deluxe, Grand Rapids, MI
Pugwash  -  Iron Horse Music Hall, Northampton, MA

March 10, 2015  (Tuesday)
The Blank Tapes  -   Casbah, San Diego, CA
Antje Duvekot  -   SPACE, Evanston, IL
Gaelic Storm  -   Taft Theatre, Cincinnati, OH
Hot Club Of Cowtown  -  Iron Horse Music Hall, Northampton, MA
Brooks Williams  -   The Hoy at Anchor Folk Club, Westcliff-On-Sea, Essex, UK

March 11, 2015  (Wednesday)
The Blank Tapes  -   The Echo, Los Angeles, CA
Gaelic Storm  -   Barrymore Theatre, Madison, WI
Hot Club Of Cowtown  -   World Cafe Live, Philadelphia, PA
Martin Sexton  -   Soho Club, Santa Barbara, CA
Chris Trapper  -  Listening Room, Syracuse, NY

March 12, 2015  (Thurday)
Antje Duvekot  -   Trinity House Theatre, Livonia, MI
Gaelic Storm  -   Meyer Theatre, Green Bay, WI
Alexz Johnson  -  Hotel Cafe, Los Angeles, CA  -  10:00 p.m. 
Anne McCue  -   New Vintage, Louisville, KY
Martin Sexton  -   Belly Up, Solana Beach, CA
Melvern Taylor And His Fabulous Meltones  -  Toad, Cambridge, MA  - 7:30 p.m.
Chris Trapper  -   Private show, Washington, D.C.

March 13, 2015  (Friday)
The Blank Tapes  -   Leo's, Oakland, CA
Antje Duvekot  -   Black Crystal Cafe, Ann Arbor, MI
Gaelic Storm  -   House Of Blues, Chicago, IL
Hot Club Of Cowtown  -   Susquehanna Folk Music Society, York, PA
Willie Nile  -  Club Passim, Cambridge, MA
Ellis Paul  -  The Strand Theatre, 345 Main St., Rockland, ME  -  7:30 p.m.
Willy Porter  -   Live Well Nightclub And Cafe, Nisswa, MN
Martin Sexton  - El Rey Theatre, Los Angeles, CA
Chris Trapper  -   Palmetto Brewery, Charleston, SC  -  8:00 p.m.
The Whooligans  -   The Auld Dubliner, Long Beach, CA  -  10:00 p.m.
Brooks Williams  -   Oxhill Village Hall, Oxhill, Warwickshire, UK


March 14, 2015  (Saturday)
Bombadil  -   Green River Revival, US National Whitewater Center, Charlotte, NC  -  1:00 p.m.
The Coal Porters  -   Swiss Cottage, Twyford, UK
Antje Duvekot  - Freshwater Art Gallery, Boyne City, MI
Gaelic Storm  -   House Of Blues, Chicago, IL
Hot Club Of Cowtown  - Mexicali Live, Teaneck, NJ
Josh Lederman And The Cambridge-Somerville All Stars  -  Plough And Stars, Cambridge, MA - 4:00 p.m.
Anne McCue  -   Lafayette's, Memphis, TN
Patrolled By Radar  -  Melody Bar, 9132 S. Sepulveda, Los Angeles, CA  -  10:00 p.m.
Ellis Paul  -  The Stone Mountain Arts Center, 695 Dugway Rd, Brownfield, ME  -  8:00 p.m.
Martin Sexton  -  MIM Music Theatre, Phoenix, AZ
Chris Trapper  -   Our Kind Of Folk, Tampa, FL  -  8:00 p.m.
The Whooligans  -   Saint Nicholas Parish Hall, Laguna Woods, CA
Brooks Williams  -   Chapel Arts Centre, Bath, Avon, UK

March 15, 2015  (Sunday)
Martin Sexton  -   Rialto Theatre, Tucson, AZ
The Whooligans  -   The Red Leprechaun, Long Beach, CA  -  7:00 p.m.

March 16, 2015  (Monday)
Martin Sexton  -   The Lensic, Santa Fe, NM
The Whooligans  -   Muldoon's Irish Pub, Newport Beach, CA

March 17, 2015  (Tuesday)
Gaelic Storm  -   Pabst Theater, Milwaukee, WI
Anne McCue  -   Conundrum Music Hall, West Columbia, SC
The Whooligans  -   Nadine's Irish Mist, Sunset Beach, CA

March 18, 2015  (Wednesday)
Tom Paxton  -   The Dakota, Minneapolis, MN
Brooks Williams  -   Dunfermline Folk Club, Dunfermline, Scotland

March 19, 2015  (Thursday)
Gaelic Storm  -   Harrah's, Kansas City, MO
Los Lobos  -   The Triple Door, Seattle, WA
Anne McCue  -   Music On Maxwell, Greenwood, SC
Willie Nile  -   Rough Trade NYC, Brooklyn, NY
Tom Paxton  -   The Dakota, Minneapolis, MN
Chris Trapper  -   Rio Theatre, Santa Cruz, CA  -  8:00 p.m.
Brooks Williams  -   Edinburgh, Scotland
Keller Williams  - Wheeler Opera House, Aspen, CO

March 20, 2015  (Friday)
Gaelic Storm  -   Surf Ballroom, Omaha, NE
Los Lobos  -   The Triple Door, Seattle, WA
Anne McCue  -   Grits And Groceries, Belton, SC
Willie Nile  -  Tin Angel, Philadelphia, PA
Ellis Paul  -  Trinity Episcopal Church, 44 E Market Street, Bethlehem, PA  -  8:00 p.m.
Tom Paxton  -   Stoughton Opera House, Stoughton, WI
Railroad Earth  -  Belly Up, Solana Beach, CA
Red Molly  -   Community Church Concerts, 106 Purefoy Rd., Chapel Hill, NC
Martin Sexton  -   Belly Up, Aspen, CO
Chris Trapper  -   City Winery, Napa, CA
Brooks Williams  -   The Hawth, Crawley, West Sussex, UK
Keller Williams  -   Canyons Resort, Park City, UT


March 21, 2015  (Saturday)
Bombadil  -   Cat's Cradle, 300 E. Main St., Carrboro, NC  -  8:30 p.m.
Antje Duvekot  -   Stone Soup Coffeehouse, 50 Park St., Pawtucket, RI
Los Lobos  -   The Triple Door, Seattle, WA
Anne McCue  -   Blue Note Grill, Durham, NC
Lori McKenna  -  Iron Horse Music Hall, Northampton, MA
Ellis Paul  -  Cafe Lena, 47 Phila Street , Saratoga Springs, NY  -  10:00 a.m.
(Family show)
Ellis Paul  -  Cafe Lena, 47 Phila Street , Saratoga Springs, NY  -  8:00 p.m.
Tom Paxton  -   Old Town School Of Folk Music, Chicago, IL
Railroad Earth  -  Belly Up, Solana Beach, CA
Red Molly  -   Paramount Center For The Arts, Bristol, TN
Martin Sexton  - Boulder Theatre, Boulder, CO
Chris Trapper  -   Palace Of Fine Arts, San Francisco, CA
The Whooligans  -   The Auld Dubliner, Long Beach, CA
Brooks Williams  -   The Castle, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, UK

March 22, 2015  (Sunday)
Dave Alvin and Phil Alvin  -  Iron Horse Music Hall, Northampton, MA
Los Lobos  -    Elsinore Theatre, Salem, OR
Tom Paxton  -   Old Town School Of Folk Music, Chicago, IL
Chris Trapper  -   Crest Theater, Sacramento, CA  -  7:30 p.m.

March 23, 2015  (Monday)

March 24, 2015  (Tuesday)
Martin Sexton  -   Duling Hall, Jackson, MS
Yonder Mountain String Band  -  Pink Garter Theatre, Jackson, WY

March 25, 2015  (Wednesday)
Willy Porter  -   City Winery, Chicago, IL
Martin Sexton  -   WorkPlay Theatre, Birmingham, AL
Sugar Candy Mountain  -   Treefort Music Fest, Boise, ID
Chris Trapper  -   Aladdin Theater, Portland, OR
Yonder Mountain String Band  -   Wilma Theatre, Missoula, MT

March 26, 2015  (Thursday)
Patrolled By Radar  -   Pappy & Harriet's, Pioneertown, CA  -  8:00 p.m.
Martin Sexton  -   Minglewood Hall, Memphis, TN
Melvern Taylor And His Fabulous Meltones  -  Toad, Cambridge, MA  - 7:30 p.m. 
Chris Trapper  -   Benaroya Hall, Seattle, WA
Brooks Williams  -   Rothbury Roots, Rothbury, Northumberland, UK
Keller Williams  -   WorkPlay Theater, Birmingham, AL
Yonder Mountain String Band  -   Crystal Ballroom, Portland, OR

March 27, 2015  (Friday)
Hot Club Of Cowtown  -    Franklin Theatre, Franklin, TN
Los Lobos  -    Fitzgerald's, Berwyn, IL
Willie Nile  -   Tin Pan, Richmond, VA
Patrolled By Radar  -   Surly Wench Pub, 424 N. 4th Ave. Tucson, AZ  -  10:00 p.m.
Ellis Paul  -  Me & Thee Coffeehouse/Unitarian Church, Marblehead, MA  -  8:00 p.m.
Willy Porter  -   Pabst Theater, Milwaukee, WI
Red Molly  -   Shea Theater, Turners Falls, MA
Martin Sexton  - City Winery, Nashville, TN
Tea Leaf Green  -  McDowell Mountain Music Festival, Phoenix, AZ
Chris Trapper  -   Benaroya Hall, Seattle, WA
Keller Williams  -   Track 29, Chattanooga, TN
Yonder Mountain String Band  -   Neptune Theatre, Seattle, WA


March 28, 2015  (Saturday)
The Coal Porters  -   Fairbourne Village Hall, Fairbourne, Gwynedd, UK
Antje Duvekot  - First Encounter Coffeehouse, North Eastham, MA
Hot Club Of Cowtown  -   Eddie's Attic, Atlanta, GA
The Howlin' Brothers  -  The Lobero Theater, 33 East Canon Perido St., Santa Barbara, CA
Josh Lederman And The Cambridge-Somerville All Stars  -  Plough And Stars, Cambridge, MA - 4:00 p.m.
James McMurtry  -  Continental Club, Houston, TX
Willie Nile  -   Lauren K Woods Theatre, W. Long Branch, NJ
Patrolled By Radar  -   The Spirit Room, 166 Main St., Jerome, AZ
Ellis Paul  -  Music at Lillypads, 27 North Road, Peace Dale, RI  -  7:30 p.m.
Red Molly  -   Sounding Board, Hartford, CT
Martin Sexton  - Variety Playhouse, Atlanta, GA
Chris Trapper  -    Seasons Performance Hall, Yakima, WA
Keller Williams  -   Orange Peel, Asheville, NC
Yonder Mountain String Band  -   McDonald Theatre, Eugene, OR

March 29, 2015  (Sunday)
Hot Club Of Cowtown  -  Charles H. Morris Center, Savannah, GA
Red Molly  -  Club Passim, Cambridge, MA  -  5:00 p.m.
Red Molly  -  Club Passim, Cambridge, MA  -  8:00 p.m.
Martin Sexton  -   Visualite Theatre, Charlotte, NC
Chris Trapper  -    Main Street Studios, Walla Walla, WA
The Whooligans  -   Nadine's Irish Mist, Sunset Beach, CA  -  4:00 p.m.
Brooks Williams  -   Hitchin Folk Club, Hitchin, Herts, UK

March 30, 2015  (Monday)
Hot Club Of Cowtown  -  Charles H. Morris Center, Savannah, GA
Martin Sexton  - Carolina Theatre, Durham, NC
Chris Trapper  -    Flowery Trail Coffeehouse, Chewelah, WA
Yonder Mountain String Band  - Van Duzer Theatre, Arcata, CA

March 31, 2015  (Tuesday)
Hot Club Of Cowtown  -  Charles H. Morris Center, Savannah, GA
Chris Trapper  -    Flowery Trail Coffeehouse, Chewelah, WA