Grateful Dead: "Dick's Picks Volume 32" (2012 re-issue) CD Review

While most of the Grateful Dead live recordings have understandably focused on the band's 1970s shows, it's great to hear some music from the 1980s. And 1982 in particular was an interesting year for the Dead. That was the year they introduced some of the material that would eventually find its way onto their 1987 studio release, In The Dark, including "West L.A. Fadeaway," "Touch Of Grey" and "Throwing Stones." And at the time of this concert, Jerry Garcia had just turned 40. This two-disc set contains the complete show the Grateful Dead performed on August 7, 1982 at Alpine Valley Music Theatre, in East Troy, Wisconsin. (The encore is moved to the end of the first disc, because it wouldn't fit at the end of the second.)

By the way, the liner notes include a copy of a local newspaper review of the show. I always find those interesting, and often the writers get the songs mixed up. The writer of this review is no exception, declaring the band played "Me And Bobby McGee" that night. They did not; they did play "Me & My Uncle," the song most often played by the Dead during their career.

First Disc Contains Set One

The Grateful Dead opened that night with "The Music Never Stopped," always a fun song to dance to. The mix is a bit strange - Brent Mydland's keyboards are a lot louder than Jerry Garcia's guitar. And then it suddenly goes into "Sugaree," which is a surprise. Jams like that didn't often open shows in the 1980s. Usually the first set was a start-and-stop sort of affair, with the boys pausing between songs to choose the next tune. This "Sugaree" doesn't really stand out until the jam halfway through, which is pretty good. And then, after a somewhat hesitant link, the band goes back into "The Music Never Stopped," and it's a fun little jam. All in all, a very good start to the show.

"Big River" features a good jam, particularly Brent's work on keys. This is an excellent rendition of this tune. The band is starting to really cook here.

Jerry's voice is straining at times during the first set, but that only adds to the emotional impact of a song like "It Must Have Been The Roses."

It's fun to hear an electric version of "On The Road Again" (a song that was featured on the band's 1981 live acoustic release, Reckoning). And Bob Weir's laugh in the middle of the song is delightful. Bob is clearly enjoying himself on this one, and that helps this little gem become one of the first disc's highlights.

The first set ends with an excellent version of "Let It Grow." Jerry's guitar is gorgeous at moments. And listen to that guitar rhythm around the 1:40 mark - it last only a few seconds, but is fun. And then the song takes on a sort of Latin feel a little before the three-minute mark. This song features a nice long jam with lots of changes. And I love that sweet moment when it comes out of the jam just before that great ending, with Bob giving it his all.

Disc Two Contains The Second Set

The Dead start the second set with "China Cat Sunflower." The jam toward the end of "China Cat Sunflower" has a groove the song usually doesn't have, and it's definitely cool - a great energy. And that leads into "I Know You Rider." Jerry's playfulness at the beginning of that tune is wonderful. And the vocals sound perfect. Ooo-wee, a nice fast-paced rendition.

From there, they go into another great tune to dance to, "Man Smart, Woman Smarter." This is a song that is led by its beat, and drummers Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart are completely grooving on it.

Maybe it's me, but something sounds really off during the beginning of "Ship Of Fools." And though Jerry had just turned forty, he still sang, "With thirty years upon my head." Jerry's vocals are really straining on this one.

"Playing In The Band" starts off as nothing special, but the jam really takes off. It is the drummers who get the jam up to a good level, with everyone following the pace they set approximately five minutes in. And check out some of the crazy stuff Brent is doing. Wow. What started as a sub-standard "Playing" becomes the highlight of this disc. Seriously, you have to check it out.

"Playing" leads flawlessly into "Drums," and Bill and Mickey really go at it. They keep up the pace for the first two and a half minutes of their solo before going off into Weirder territory. And "Space" begins with the drummers still on stage, which is always great. And this is a pretty intense "Space" - no hesitant notes here, no meandering. This is loud, insane, haunting and dangerous. I love it. It's due in large part to the presence of the drummers through the first three minutes. After they leave, "Space" calms down quite a bit.

"The Wheel" begins sweetly, as all the great versions of this song do, then builds in energy. I never get tired of this song, and I always thought it was a great tune coming out of "Space" (they played it out of "Space" at my first show).

"Morning Dew" is always appreciated, and this version is great. Jerry gets really quiet on "I guess it doesn't matter anyway," and the entire band gets quiet behind him. It's beautiful. And of course it then builds again before the end. It ends abruptly, going into a somewhat messy "One More Saturday Night" to end the second set.

CD Track List

Disc One

1. The Music Never Stopped >
2. Sugaree >
3. The Music Never Stopped
4. Me And My Uncle >
5. Big River
6. It Must Have Been The Roses
7. C.C. Rider
8. Ramble On Rose
9. Beat It On Down The Line >
10. On The Road Again
11. Althea
12. Let It Grow
13. U.S. Blues
    

Disc Two

1. China Cat Sunflower >
2. I Know You Rider
3. Man Smart, Woman Smarter
4. Ship Of Fools
5. Playing In The Band >
6. Drums >
7. Space >
8. The Wheel >
9. Playing In The Band >
10. Morning Dew >
11. One More Saturday Night
    

Musicians

The Grateful Dead at the time of this recording were Jerry Garcia on lead guitar and vocals, Bob Weir on rhythm guitar and vocals, Phil Lesh on bass, Brent Mydland on keyboards and vocals, Bill Kreutzmann on drums, and Mickey Hart on drums.

Dick's Picks Volume 32 is scheduled to be re-released on January 24, 2012 through Real Gone Music. Also being re-released that day is Dick's Picks Volume 33. Both volumes were originally released in 2004.

Dick's Picks Volume 34 was re-released on November 22, 2011. Volumes 35 and 36 were also released on that date.

Meet Me At Mardi Gras (2012 Compilation) CD Review

Now that Christmas is safely in the past and good Christian folks have tossed their trees to the curb, we can get ready for the real holidays - Mardi Gras and St. Patrick's Day. These are also the two holidays with the best music. No question about it. First up is Mardi Gras, which falls on February 21st this year.

If you've never been to New Orleans for Mardi Gras, I highly recommend you make the trip. Until then, you can use this compilation, Meet Me At Mardi Gras, to create the carnival atmosphere in your own home. It will definitely put you in the right mood, in the right frame of mind. And if you play it loud enough, don't be surprised if your neighbors gather beneath your window, demanding you flash your tits or toss them some beads. And you'll be happy to comply.

Meet Me At Mardi Gras features a good range of artists such as New Orleans Nightcrawlers, Larry Williams, Al Johnson and Marcia Ball.

"Say Na Ney"

This compilation begins with "Say Na Ney" by The Soul Rebels. This is a song that describes New Orleans during the celebration, with lines like "People walking around/Party all over town." It has a good groove, but it does feel just a bit too slow after a while. But then there is a cool horn section which saves the song right at the moment when it otherwise might start to wear on you.

"Goin' Back To New Orleans"

The album really picks up with its second track, "Goin' Back To New Orleans" by Joe Liggins & The Honeydrippers. This is a great old tune that is so cool that you actually become a hipper person just by listening to it. Seriously. Try it. There is something sly and sexy in the horn solo, and the piano lead is wonderful too. If some of those nasty New Orleans vampires were draining me of blood, I'd be okay with it, as long as this song was playing. That's how cool this song is.

"Funky Liza"

For more recent New Orleans music, this compilation presents "Funky Liza" by New Orleans Nightcrawlers, a band that formed in 1994. This is one of those songs that creates the atmosphere of a party by having a lot of background noise - folks shouting and talking and sometimes singing along. Sometimes that sort of thing can be annoying, but this band makes it work. This song is nice extended jam, and you'll catch little teases of other Mardi Gras tunes. "Funky Liza" was originally included on their 1997 release, Funknicity.

"Jockamo A.K.A. Iko-Iko"

A Mardi Gras compilation has to include a version of "Iko Iko," and this one presents a 1950s rock version by Larry Williams. This song is always fun, but this particular version surprised me. I'd never heard it done quite this way before, being more familiar with the Dr. John and Grateful Dead versions. The only problem with this version is it's over so quickly. It's only a minute and a half long. What a tease. Program your CD player to repeat it a few times. (Remember when you first heard this song, and you tried to decipher the lyrics - a friend of mine thought it was "chuck morphine all the day.")

"Carnival Time"

Al Johnson's "Carnival Time" is one of the most famous songs associated with the holiday, and it's the song Johnson is most well known for. This tune was recorded in 1960, and it totally holds up. It has that great New Orleans energy and vibe. Here is a bit of the lyrics: "Well if you put in a nickel, well now I'll put a dime/We can get together now and drink up some wine/All because it's carnival time." I don't think those prices are still valid. If you head to New Orleans, be sure to take more than fifteen cents. But however much money you have, you'll be sure to hear this song. After all, "It's carnival time and everybody's having fun."

"Go To The Mardi Gras"

Another seriously fun song is Professor Longhair's "Go To The Mardi Gras." It features some whistling to get you going before the vocals even start, setting the tone. This song's beat will have you shuffling through the streets with a big smile on your face. (This song is also called "Mardi Gras In New Orleans.")

"Do Whatcha Wanna, Part 3"

The fun vibes continue with ReBirth Brass Band performing "Do Whatcha Wanna, Part 3." That's sort of the message or philosophy behind the celebration of Mardi Gras - Do what you want to do. It's all good. People get really loose during this holiday, and this is a loose party song to go along with it. Grab a drink and a few inebriated dance partners and enjoy. And, as they shout right at the end of the song, "Shake that ass."

"Meet Me With Your Black Drawers On"

This compilation concludes with Chuck Carbo's "Meet Me With Your Black Drawers On," from his 1993 release, Drawers Trouble. This is by far the bluesiest (is that even a word?) song on Meet Me At Mardi Gras. But that doesn't mean it's a downer. Far from it. This song has a good groove, and some nice work on horns.

"Meet Me With Your Black Drawers On" was written by Jeannie & Jimmy Cheatham (and originally recorded by them in 1984). Here is a taste of the lyrics: "You don't have to worry/I'll never leave you all alone/Baby, you don't have to worry/I'll never leave you all alone/If you need me, baby, meet me with your black drawers on." Sure thing, that's not too much to ask. And that line "I'll never leave you all alone" straddles that fine line between comforting and stalking.

CD Track List

1. Say Na Hey - The Soul Rebels
2. Goin' Back To New Orleans - Joe Liggins & The Honeydrippers
3. Mardi Gras Mamo - Zachary Richard
4. Funky Liza - New Orleans Nightcrawlers
5. La Danse De Mardi Gras - Steve Riley & The Mamou Playboys
6. Jockamo A.K.A. Iko-Iko - Larry Williams
7. Carnival Time - Al Johnson
8. Big Shot - Marcia Ball
9. Go To The Mardi Gras - Professor Longhair
10. Do Whatcha Wanna, Part 3 - ReBirth Brass Band
11. Tipitina - Bo Dillis & The Wild Magnolias
12. Meet Me With Your Black Drawers On - Chuck Carbo
    

Meet Me At Mardi Gras was released on January 10, 2012 through Rounder Records.

Keller Williams: "Bass" (2011) CD Review

Keller Williams has since the beginning of his career tried different things, never being one to stick to the path of the tried and true - and the results have been wonderful. His has always been an original approach to music, often performing as a one-man jam band, playing to his own loops. (That's how it was when I first saw him open for RatDog more than a decade ago.) Keller Williams doesn't shy from exploring new musical territory. It's one of the things his fans appreciate about him. He even released a children's record, simply titled Kids (though I suppose these days that's not an unusual thing for an artist to do).

Once again, with Bass, his 17th album, he's trying something new. For this album he has recorded no guitar parts. That's right, no guitar whatsoever. Also, no looping.

Bass is not a solo album. The music on this release is that of a trio, which they refer to as Kdubalicious. The album is full of bass (as the title suggests), and so full of good grooves that Keller fans will certainly appreciate. And those who are new to Keller will find themselves getting blissfully immersed in these tunes. And Grateful Dead fans take notice: one of these tracks was co-written by Robert Hunter.

Keller infuses this material with humor, often self-referential humor. Also, he's not afraid of putting the album's longest track first.

"The Sun And Moon's Vagenda"

The lack of guitar is immediately apparent with the album's opening track, "The Sun And Moon's Vagenda." The bass takes a prominence that it usually doesn't. The song is driven by bass and keys. The bass even takes a lead part a few minutes in, and it's delicious, my favorite section of the song. The band functions as a jazz trio during an extended instrumental section. A funky jazz trio. But can someone tell me what a "vagenda" is?

"2 B U"

The band switches to a fun reggae groove for "2 B U." This is music that makes me want to turn off my lights, light up a joint, and dance around my apartment. Here is a taste of the lyrics: "And where do you go when your body stays behind?/I want to go there just for a minute/How do I get there/Will you show me the way/Will you please share?" I absolutely love the keys on this song. And there is a moment when the keyboard reminds me a bit of Jerry Garcia's guitar from the late 1970s (around the three-minute mark).

"Hey Ho Jorge"

Because of the prominence of the bass, a lot of this album has a great funky feel, and "Hey Ho Jorge" in particular has a heavy funk edge. Even in its lyrics - "I eat the funk." This song features some humorous lines, like "I don't think I've been right since I cut my hair." Also, as in several songs from this release, Keller makes playful references to his own music and collaborators, like in the line "I just want to be with you and grow a beard like Larry Keel." Larry Keel, of course, performed on the Keller & The Keels albums, Grass (2006) and Thief (2010).

"I Am Elvis"

"I Am Elvis" sounds a lot like Paul Simon - Paul Simon in the 1970s, that is. It has that sort of easy groove, that friendly vibe that marks Simon's 1970s output. But it is then mixed with a bit of a reggae beat for the chorus: "And it's all in my mind/I live inside my imagination/It's all in my mind/My imagination stays on vacation/And I like to go there when I have the time/Which is all the time." There is even some playful whistling halfway through the tune. I don't think it's possible to dislike this music.

"Thinking Out Loud"

"Thinking Out Loud" is another reggae tune with a wonderfully playful vibe. That playfulness is matched in the lyrics: "Contemplating and thinking out loud/Can you hear what I say/Was that out loud?/I think I'm thinking out loud/I'm thinking out loud/I think I'm thinking out loud." This is one of my favorite tracks from this release. The pace picks up a bit around the five-minute mark, during a groovy little jam. There is some studio banter at the end of the track that I could do without, but no matter - this is fun song.

"Super Hot"

"Super Hot" is probably the album's best track. This song made me burst out laughing. And I have to wonder when guys first hear this song in concert if they suddenly let go of the girl in front of them. Because Keller sings, "For every super hot girl in the front row/There's a super insecure dude standing behind her/Holding onto her waist as she pelvic thrusts the stage."

This song, more than any other, lifted me out of my home and carried me to a concert venue. The picture this song paints is so vivid. And of course it's got a great groove. It's a song about performing, including jokes about teleprompters. Most of the jokes are about Keller himself, in lines like: "People ask me why I play with my eyes closed/Is it a form of concentration" and "Or are you just high/And you want to hide your eyes," and then a bit later "I'm just probably high." I completely love this song. I'm fairly certain you will too, unless you've never been to a rock concert.

"Hobo Jungle"

"Hobo Jungle" was co-written by Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter. For anyone expecting "Terrapin," forget it. Think rather of some of the sillier, lighter fare of his solo albums. That's not to say this is a bad song. Not at all. In fact, I really dig this tune. It's seriously fun. And it does have something to say. But it's not one of those sublime lyrics that Hunter delivers on occasion.

Check out these lyrics: "I don't want to tell you, honey/What your baby does for money/I wouldn't tell you if I knew/But I can guess, and so can you/I don't want to tell you, honey/What your neighbor does for money/I don't know what she does for cash/But it just might've give you the rash/But money doesn't come for free/The last time I checked my memory/Ways to get it run the gamut/From 'praise the lord' to plain 'goddamnit.'" Pretty damn good, right? And I love Jay Starling's work on keys.

CD Track List

1. The Sun And Moon's Vagenda
2. 2 B U
3. Hey Ho Jorge
4. I Am Elvis
5. Hollywood Freaks
6. Thinking Out Loud
7. High
8. Buena
9. Super Hot
10. Hobo Jungle
11. Positive
    

Musicians

The musicians on this album are Keller Williams on bass and vocals, Jay Starling on keyboards and vocals, and Mark D. on drums and vocals.

The cover art is by Richard Biffle.

Bass was released on December 13, 2011.

Sons Of The Never Wrong: "One If By Hand" (2000) CD Review

Sons Of The Never Wrong are a Chicago-based folk trio. One If By Hand is the band's third album (and the first on Gadfly). There is a joy and an exuberance and an intelligence in this music. I'm really taken with this band's sound. All but one track are originals. And each of the three members contributes tunes to this album. Deborah Lader also did the cover artwork, as well as some of the photography.

"Madame Butterfly"

For a moment at the beginning, the album's opening track, "Madame Butterfly," is sung acappella, the three voices each saying "Hello." Then the acoustic guitar comes in, with the three voices coming together, and then each taking its own part. I love their voices - each powerful, each distinct, but the beauty is truly realized when all three are combined. This song has a sweetness, in its instrumental section as well as in the vocals.

Here is a taste of the lyrics: "I gotta go now, I hear the beating of her wings, and every few days she gathers up five or six of us/and she makes us sing songs of how we love her, of her beauty, and all that it belies/hopeless refrains from the cocoon of madame butterfly." I really love this song. It's folk, but this band has its own style, its own sound. "Madame Butterfly" was written by Bruce Roper.

"Comet"

"Comet" is beautiful. It's a sweet song, almost like a prayer from one heavenly body to the rest. And with humor; check out the song's last two lines: "And that's me I'm a lonely planet, and that's you old William Blake/and that's love sometimes lost in heaven: God's first and His last mistake." "Comet" was written by Sue Demel.

"Jonah"

"Jonah" reminds me a bit of The Nields, something in the vocals and the spirit of the piece (also, at times, this song calls to mind Laura Love). This one is driven by a full percussion sound, which is wonderful (think Clan Dyken or Entrain). Even with these similarities, the song is original. And even a cliche like "you can run but you cannot hide" feels fresh on their tongues. "Jonah" was written by Bruce Roper.

"Hallelujah For The Getaway"

"Hallelujah For The Getaway" is folk-pop ("folk-pop" is kind of fun to say; try it), and it has a bright energy. This song has a reference to one of my two favorite writers in the line, "With her good friend Vonnegut." (There is a reference to my other favorite writer in the album's final track, with its line "We can be Romeo and Juliet.") "Hallelujah For The Getaway" was written by Bruce Roper.

"Getting Better"

For the album's only cover song, the band tackles The Beatles' "Getting Better" from Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. They certainly make it their own. It takes a moment to recognize it. But their bluegrass-like take on it works. And during the song's most serious lines, the song's tone becomes more serious too. It really drives those lines home (also by pausing just before them): "I used to be cruel to my woman/I beat her and kept her apart from the things that she loved." And then the song's brighter tones return on the lines "I'm doing the best that I can/I admit it's getting better." It's actually really effective.

"Magnetic Poetry"

The odd phrasing in "Magnetic Poetry" completely hooked me right from the start. The first line is "Words can bleeding, hearts we're reading, this one's for thee." Then it's revealed this is poetry on a refrigerator - those individual words we all like to play with, arranging those few words into something interesting. Thus, "magnetic poetry." The last lines are "I fell for your magnetic, technical, genetic, kinetic, apoplectic, frenetic, apathetic, phonetic, cryogenic, metallic, eclectic, italic, magnetic poetry." I could do without the bit of laughter at the end; my own laughter suffices. This one was written by Deborah Lader.

"Teva"

Some of "Teva" (and yes, the title refers to the sandals) is done in a sort of talkin'-folk style. This song is about looking for answers in that usual, crazy places. These lines had me laughing: "Soon became a Unitarian shortly after the dawning of the age of Aquarius ending up in an ashram to proclaim reality/She was married to a Mormon, she was a pastor for Zoroaster, and her personal trainer was in bed with Shirley MacLaine/And L. Ron Hubbard had a web page that she was taken with at a certain age, but when I found her she was standin' in the rain." (The female echo of "Shirley MacLaine" is great.) And sure, L. Ron Hubbard is an easy target, but one we should take aim at whenever possible. (I think the only way to deal with Scientology is to ridicule it out of existence.)

"Teva" was written by Bruce Roper, and features David Lader on harmonica.

"Home Hymn"

"Home Hymn" really took me by surprise. It's gorgeous, while of course being sad too, with lines like "I'm ready now come pick me up, I'm sick and tired of this earthly stuff." I am astonished at how much I love this song. Usually songs with such strong and obvious spiritual tones turn me off. At times, it reminds me a bit of Stephanie Mechura. It also has hints of "Amazing Grace." "Home Hymn" was written by Sue Demel.

CD Track List

1. Madame Butterfly
2. Comet
3. Jonah
4. My Last Boyfriend
5. One Simple Question
6. Hallelujah For The Getaway
7. No 1-4 Me
8. Getting Better
9. Secrets
10. Magnetic Poetry
11. Teva
12. Home Hymn
13. Sleeping Bag
    

Musicians

Sons Of The Never Wrong are Bruce Roper on vocals, guitar and keyboard; Deobrah Lader on vocals, guitar, banjo, mandolin and spoons; and Sue Demel on vocals, guitar and strumstick.

Joining them on this recording are Al Ehrich on stand-up and electric bass, Heath Chapell on drums and bongos, Carlos Cornier on congas and Latin percussion, Paul Dawidczyk on jaw harp, Cathy Kuna on cello, David Lader on harmonica, Bob Long on keyboard, Victor Sanders on electric guitar, Ira Sullivan on tenor sax and flute, Evan Silver on vocals, and Barb Silverman on washboard.

One If By Hand was release on August 15, 2000 on Gadfly Records.

Buy CDs (The Future Of Music Depends On You)

I had a horrible nightmare. That basically everything my friends have been warning me about came true. That Scientologists completely took over the film industry and forced everyone to work on a series of Battlefield Earth sequels. That religious groups gained total control of the government and initiated wide-reaching censorship and compulsive prayer in schools and at baseball games. That Webster's officially recognized "text" as a verb. And worst of all, that they stopped making compact discs. Because people stopped caring about music. It was terrifying.

The end of CDs would mean the end of a lot of music. Because pop artists would then only release the singles. Because people will only download songs that they already know, which means only the songs that get played on the radio. So after a while, bands would stop recording songs that producers don't think of as singles.

Think about it. When you were a kid, you heard "Stairway To Heaven" on the radio, so you bought Led Zeppelin IV. Which then let you in on "Misty Mountain Hop" and "Going To California." You bought Toys In The Attic for "Walk This Way" and "Sweet Emotion," but man, what a thrill when you put the record on and heard "Uncle Salty" and "Adam's Apple" and "Big Ten Inch Record." You heard "Centerfold," bought Freeze-Frame, and then got to enjoy "Angel In Blue" and "Piss On The Wall." You bought American Fool for "Jack And Diane," but then were rewarded with "Thundering Hearts." Think about the Modern English album, After The Snow. Sure, you bought it for "I Melt With You," but that whole record is fantastic. And you'd never know otherwise, because none of those other tracks ever got airplay.

Think of all the great music we'd be missing if folks just extracted the one song they wanted from an album. Albums are art. The songs are in a particular order for a reason. It's the order in which the artist wished to present them, the order he or she or they wanted you to hear them. We need to respect that. Downloading one track is like telling these songwriters that you know more about their art than they do. And you don't. So buy the damn CD.

Besides, CDs have information. Liner notes. Lyrics. Songwriting credits. And album cover art. Sure, it's much smaller than when vinyl was king. But at least it's still there. And you also have the physical connection to the music - holding the CD (by the edges, please) and putting it into the CD player and pressing "play." That truly connects us to the music in a way that downloading can't. And yeah, it's not as great a thrill as putting that needle gently into the groove, but it's something.

As a society, we need to become more connected to creativity, to art, to music, not less so, if we're to survive in any meaningful way. Because let's face it - now that we have the technology that allows us to communicate with everyone we ever met, most people can't carry on a real conversation. We are totally losing our humanity, and no, I don't think I'm exaggerating here. When horrible sites like Twitter forbid us from writing in complete sentences, when folks speak only in abbreviated form (and then can't recall what the abbreviations even stand for), when our musical choices are lessened because technology has destroyed an art form, I say yes, we are losing our humanity.

So please, continue buying CDs. Don't let my nightmare come true. (And don't use the word "text" as a verb. It's a noun. Also, "waitress" is a noun.)

January 2012 Concert Calendar

Here is a list of concerts you might be interested in for the month of January. 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 be adding listings throughout the month, so please check back again later.

January 1, 2012 (Sunday)
Ellis Paul - One Longfellow Square, Portland, ME

January 2, 2012 (Monday)

January 3, 2012 (Tuesday)

January 4, 2012 (Wednesday)

January 5, 2012 (Thursday)

January 6, 2012 (Friday)
David Bromberg with Hot Tuna - Lobero Theatre, Santa Barbara, CA - 8:00 p.m.
Patrolled By Radar - Rafters, 202 Old Mammoth Road, Mammoth Lakes, CA - 9:00 p.m.
Ellis Paul - Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs, NY - 7:00 p.m.

January 7, 2012 (Saturday)
Antioquia - Ashkenaz, Berkeley, CA
David Bromberg Quartet with Hot Tuna - The Fillmore, San Francisco, CA
(Benefit show for the Bill Graham Foundation)
Entrain - Matterhorn, Sunday River, ME
Moonalice - George's Nightclub, San Rafael, CA
Patrolled By Radar - Rafters, 202 Old Mammoth Road, Mammoth Lakes, CA - 9:00 p.m.
Ellis Paul - Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs, NY - 11:00 a.m.
Special Family Show
Ellis Paul - City Winery, New York, NY - 8:00 p.m.
Sons Of The Never Wrong - Uncommon Ground On Devon, Chicago, IL

January 8, 2012 (Sunday)
David Bromberg with Hot Tuna - Paradise Performing Arts Center, Paradise, CA

January 9, 2012 (Monday)

January 10, 2012 (Tuesday)

January 11, 2012 (Wednesday)
Marshall Chapman - The Station Inn, Nashville, TN - 9:00 p.m.

January 12, 2012 (Thursday)
Ellis Paul - Club Cafe, Pittsburgh, PA - 8:00 p.m.
(Ellis opens for Chris Smither)

January 13, 2012 (Friday)
Aimee Mann - Two River Theatre, Red Bank, NJ
Ellis Paul - Musikfest Cafe, Bethlehem, PA - 8:00 p.m.
(Ellis opens for Chris Smither)
Sons Of The Never Wrong - Davenport's Piano Bar & Cabaret, Chicago, IL

January 14, 2012 (Saturday)
Antioquia - The Crepe Place, Santa Cruz, CA
Ruthie Foster - Attucks Theater, Norfolk, VA
Aimee Mann - Landmark Theater, Port Washington, NY
Patrolled By Radar - Farmers Market, 6333 West 3rd St., Los Angeles, CA - 8:00 p.m.
Ellis Paul - World Cafe Live At The Queen, Wilmington, DE - 11:30 a.m.
Special Family Show
Ellis Paul - World Cafe Live At The Queen, Wilmington, DE - 8:00 p.m.
(Ellis opens for Chris Smither)

January 15, 2012 (Sunday)
Entrain - Snow Barn, Mt. Snow, ME
Ruthie Foster - Mountain Stage, Charleston, WV
Aimee Mann - Emelin Theater, Mamaroneck, NY
Ellis Paul - NightCat, Easton, MD

January 16, 2012 (Monday)

January 17, 2012 (Tuesday)
Aimee Mann - The Iron Horse Music Hall, Northampton, MA

January 18, 2012 (Wednesday)
Aimee Mann - Stone Mountain Arts Center, Brownfield, ME

January 19, 2012 (Thursday)
David Bromberg - Pioneer Place On 5th, St. Cloud, MN
Gaelic Storm - Plaza Theatre, Orlando, FL
Aimee Mann - Somerville Theatre, Somerville, MA
Martin Sexton - The Ark, Ann Arbor, MI

January 20, 2012 (Friday)
David Bromberg Quartet - Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis, MN
Judy Collins - Woodstock Opera House, Woodstock, IL
Dean Fields - Burlap And Bean, 204 S Newtown Street Rd., Newtown Square, PA
Gaelic Storm - Culture Room, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Diana Jones - The Folkus Project, Syracuse, NY - 8:00 p.m.
Aimee Mann - Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield, CT
Ellis Paul - Outpost In The Burbs, Montclair, NJ
Martin Sexton - Park West, Chicago, IL
Sons Of The Never Wrong - Davenport's Piano Bar & Cabaret, Chicago, IL

January 21, 2012 (Saturday)
David Bromberg Quartet - Shank Hall, 1434 N. Farwell Ave., Milwaukee, WI
Ruthie Foster - Crockett Civic Theater, Crockett, TX
Gaelic Storm - Pasco-Hernando Community College, New Port Richey, FL
David Hidalgo & Louie Perez - Downey Civic Theatre, 8435 Firestone Blvd., Downey, CA
I See Hawks In L.A. - Claremont Folk Music Center, 220 Yale Ave., Claremont, CA
Diana Jones - Will Rogers Theater, Saranac Lake, NY - 7:30 p.m.
Aimee Mann - Bearsville Theatre, Woodstock, NY
Ellis Paul - Common Fence Point Community Hall, Portsmouth, RI
Martin Sexton - Stoughton Opera House, Stoughton, WI
Sons Of The Never Wrong - Stained Glass Coffeehouse, Deerfield, IL

January 22, 2012 (Sunday)
Anita And The Yanks - Muldoons, Newport Beach, CA
David Bromberg Quartet - Old Town School Of Folk Music, Chicago, IL
Judy Collins - Wolf Trap, Vienna, VA
Diana Jones - Kathryn's Space, New York, NY
Ellis Paul - Watercolor Cafe, Larchmont, NY
Martin Sexton - Fitzgerald Theater, St. Paul, MN

January 23, 2012 (Monday)
Gaelic Storm - Lyric Theatre, Stuart, FL
Aimee Mann - Rams Head On Stage, Annapolis, MD

January 24, 2012 (Tuesday)

January 25, 2012 (Wednesday)
Judy Collins - The Seasons, Yakima, WA
Aimee Mann - The Birchmere, Alexandria, VA
Martin Sexton - Colonial Theater, Idaho Falls, ID
The Watson Twins - Triple Door, Seattle, WA

January 26, 2012 (Thursday)
Judy Collins - Craterian Ginger Rogers Theatre, Medford, OR
Gaelic Storm - Variety Playhouse, Atlanta, GA
Ellis Paul - Private show
Aimee Mann - World Cafe Live, Philadelphia, PA
The Watson Twins - Doug Fir Lounge, Portland, OR

January 27, 2012 (Friday)
Judy Collins - Admiral Theatre, Bremerton, WA
Gaelic Storm - Neighborhood Theatre, Charlotte, NC
James McMurtry - Cheatham Street Warehouse, San Marcos, TX
Patrolled By Radar - The Tap, 3499 Main St., Mammoth Lakes, CA
Ellis Paul - Soiled Dove Underground, Denver, CO - 7:00 p.m.
Aimee Mann - The Music Hall Of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY
Sons Of The Never Wrong - Davenport's Piano Bar & Cabaret, Chicago, IL
Lucinda Williams - Royce Hall, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA

January 28, 2012 (Saturday)
Judy Collins - Choctaw Events Centre, Durant, OK
Entrain - Martha's Vineyard Chili Fest, Martha's Vineyard, MA
Gaelic Storm - The Handlebar, Greenville, SC
Patrolled By Radar - Davidson's Distillery, 275 E. 4th St. Reno, NV
Ellis Paul - Avogadro's Number, Fort Collins, CO - 5:00 p.m.
Aimee Mann - Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY
They Might Be Giants - Royce Hall, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA - 3:00 p.m.
Special Family Show
They Might Be Giants - Royce Hall, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA - 8:00 p.m.
30th Anniversary Show

January 29, 2011 (Sunday)
Judy Collins - One World Theatre, Austin, TX
Ellis Paul - Vilar Performing Arts Center, Beaver Creek, CO - 7:30 p.m.
The Watson Twins - The Independent, San Francisco, CA

January 30, 2011 (Monday)

January 31, 2011 (Tuesday)
Ruthie Foster - Grammy Museum, Los Angeles, CA
The Watson Twins - Troubadour, Los Angeles, CA

January 2012 Update (With Links To All Reviews)

Howdy, everybody. Well, it's another year. Last year saw a lot of great CD releases, and I expect this year will be pretty amazing too. After all, we get a new Leonard Cohen album this month. That guarantees this year as a fantastic year for music.

At the beginning of each month, I'll include a link to the blog entry that lists all of my articles, arranged by subject, so that they're easy to find. That link is this:

List Of All My Music Articles

I add to that blog each time I post a new review.

It's been my intention with this blog to let people know about all the great music that's out there. So I tend to write about CDs and bands that I like. Sure, there might be an exception now and again. But I have no desire to tear apart some new band that's out there struggling to find a fan base. What I want to do is let people know about new bands they might not have heard of yet, and to remind them of some bands they might have forgotten. And to keep people up-to-date with all the great new releases, as well as concert listings. Basically, to share my love of music with anyone who cares to read this.

And for anyone who might be interested, I thought I'd let you know that my friend Jason and I started a greeting card company (yes, seriously), and a series of short films that are tied in with the characters from the greeting cards. And of course we have a blog. For anyone who'd like to check it out, the company is called Grandmother's Fanny Game. I actually sing in the newest episode, but please don't hold that against me, and don't think it has any bearing on my musical taste.