Fresh Bread

Austin City Limits - Upcoming PBS Broadcast Dates

   Since Ricky Nelson took the stage in 1976's pilot episode, Austin City Limits has been a showcase of who's who in music....and always by their standards.  A cornicopia of incredible bands and artists have graced the ACL stage (which is indoors despite looking like its not).  I'm really excited for the next few months as PBS is hooking it up with plenty of ear-pleasing music on ACL.  Some highlights (broadcast on these dates in most areas):

                                                         

Ryan Adams - January 21st

Widespread Panic - January 28th

Death Cab For Cutie and My Morning Jacket - Feburary 4th

Wilco and Bright Eyes - March 11th

Modest Mouse and Guided By Voices - March 18th

the Flaming Lips and the Shins - April 1st

Trey Anastasio - April 8th

Jack Johnson and Rilo Kiley - April 15th

the Killers and Spoon - May 13th

Franz Ferdinand - May 27th

See when ACL is broadcast in your area here

Tapes 'n Tapes - the Delancey 1.7.06

  Hoping for a 'bountiful 2006', Minneapolis band Tapes 'n Tapes set out this past week on a east coast touring jaunt.  Saturday they took the early slot at Lower East Side venue, the Delancey (my first show at this spot).  Coming on stage right at 9:30, T 'n T started out slowly, building up their set the entire hour into a great finish.

My favorites of the night were 'Manitoba' (an excellent song with a good jam section), 'Cowbell' and 'Icedbergs'.  What really impressed me was how tight this groups sound is (which was kept on point by drummer Jeremy Hanson), especially after reading Sixeyes' interview with the band (there's mp3s too!).  Formed in the spring of 2003, this band has seen more lineup changes than Jethro Tull...well, not really but stability is not a word I would use to describe the band's lineup. 

The band released their first LP 'the Loon' last year.  They are not sure when they will be recording the follow up but one thing is for certain:  expect Tapes 'n Tapes to have a solid and 'bountiful' 2006.

Three more times to catch T 'n T in NYC this week:

1/08 @ piano's
1/09 @ mercury lounge
1/12 @ rothko

and in Chicago (Dan!!!) on 1/14 at Schuba's

download 'Manitoba' here

view the rest of my pics here

brooklyn vegan was there, too

The Wood Brothers - Living Room 1.5.06

This time around, the Brother's Wood came to put on a show.  At Satalla back in October, the atmosphere of the show was low key...almost respectful in a 'church going' kind of way.  Maybe it was Satalla's open room, the fact it seemed somewhat empty and cavernous, that kept the band and audience restrained.  Whatever it was, the Living Room brought out a more lively and interactive show from the Wood Brothers.

Lead singer, older bro Oliver Wood, appeared more comfortable in front of the mic this time around.  Singing the majority of lead vocals, Oliver delivers a soulful sound as he lays down his own A-town guitar style.  During a cover of the Beatles 'Fixing A Hole', Chris  performed a monster bass solo complete with 'drum' tangents on the body of his upright bass.  His spider-like fingers move gracefully and quickly up, down, and all around the neck of the bass.  After the solo and before returning to the chorus:

Chris:  "Sorry 'bout that".

Audience member:  "Don't be sorry!"

Oliver (sarcastically):  "No, because that is completely normal!"

No Oliver, it is not normal to be as incredible a bassist as your brother.  During the show I wondered how killer a Bass Competition between Chris and Victor Wooten (of Bela Fleck and the Flecktones...he's got skills on bass) would be.  It would probably end up a tie or going to the cards after the 15th with Victor winning by a 'bass toss'.

An amazing version of the band's own 'Glad' was my personal highlight.  It was good to see you, Wood brothers, and I'll be glad to see you again (Feb 9th at the Living Room again). 

Robert Randolph and the Family Band - the Norva 12.29.2005

  Another hometown show!  Pedal Steel virtuoso Robert Randolph visited the Norva with his Family Band on Thursday, December 29th.  I could not pass up the opportunity to see a full show of this incredible band.

Opening with a great instrumental rendition of Jay-Z's 'Jigga What Jigga Who', the family band stirred up the packed Norva immediately.  Randolph was definitely in the mood...huge smiles from ear to ear as he laid down a funky-fresh pedal steel sound.  'I Need More Love', a Randolph original, was incredible. 

Other highlights:  a cover of ZZ Top's 'La Grange' complete with a cornucopia of dancing honeys on stage (see pics); an instramental 'Billy Jean'; the bouncer who let me take some pics from the handi-zone!

View Pics Here

Stream some live RRFB songs here

Stooges Music Group - Station 51 12.23.2005

The first night of my holiday vacation I attended a Make-A-Wish Foundation benefit on Granby Street in Norfolk, VA.  This private party was held at Station 51 (formerly known as Aroma) - a large, high ceiling restaurant/night spot.  It was great catching up with lots of old friends but the highlight was the band - the Stooges Music Group. 

Previously - Stooges mp3s - As I've said before, I'm a big fan of this group.  The successfully blend jazz/nawlins brass and hip-hop/rap into an irresistible sound that begs a crowd to match it's intensity.  This proved difficult at Station 51.  I would say only 25 percent of the room were there to enjoy music...most saw it as an opportunity to play 'catch-up'.  The Stooges did their best to get the room going...they even went as far as to enlist the help of one drunk ass 'Tim Dawg' to liven up the crowd...lol.

Once again the Stooges did not play my favorite song 'Can't Be Faded'.  I swear they are not playing it on purpose so they get me to come back in hopes of seeing the 'St. Stephen' of Stooges songs! 

                   

Phish '12.31.1995' CD Release Party

'Retired' band, Phish, held a party last night at BB King's in Times Square.  No, not to announce their reunion (which will happen in 2006) but to celebrate the release of a brand new box set.

Considered one of the best shows of the nineties (as voted by Rolling Stone), the phamous 12.31.1995 Madison Square Garden show is legendary amongst Phans (my choice).  This was evident as soon as I entered the downstairs lounge.  The house was packed, the music was loud ('Sand' from Big Cypress), and it kinda felt like the boys may actually walk out and play a song or two - there was so much excitement and anticipation.

Kevin Shapio, Phish's archivest and emcee for the night, introduced the the show shortly after 9pm.  The 'show' was actually 3 large screens with the band's show footage sync'd to the music.

Highlight:  Exchanging pleasantries with Mike 'Cactus' Gordon, the bassist. 

*sigh* I'll save my explanation of why Phish breaking up was the best thing for me (which it was) for another post....but I do miss gearing up for and attending a run of shows.  I hope Ernesto gets his shit straight.

until then:  Some Trey > No Trey

The Changes - Mercury Lounge 12.17.05

Saturday night I finally was able to see I Rock I Roll recommended the Changes (via Chicago).  I arrived at the Mercury Lounge just before 10pm as the boys were finishing setting up their gear. 

This band has a couple hands in the Eighties...but that's cool and so is their sound.  This was showcased on one particular song for me, 'The Machine', a pulsing up tempo dance groove.  Many times throughout the night it seemed as if the lead singer attended Tom Jones' school of vocal delivery. 

Standout:  the drummer.  This guy can play and it appeared as if he was the only one actually into the gig.  He earned the lunch pail for sure. 

It's a shame that it took until the final song for the house to really begin to move.  I guess that's what a few shows in a row in the city will do to a band.  I look forward to seeing them again though!

Check out their myspace page for song samples...

The rest of my pics are here

Jenifer Jackson - the Living Room 12.5.2005

On my way out the door to see sultry singer/songwriter, Jenifer Jackson, at the Living Room.  What a cool chic...Jenifer knows how to keep a crowd entertained with witty banter in between her songs.  She is also a good friend of my roomate, JK.

I've only seen her perform solo before; tonight, she's bringing the calvary for a full band show! 

Haley Bonar - Piano's 12.2.2005

I'm in love.  My crush's name?  Haley Bonar. 

On a windy Friday night, I braved the cold to see a singer I had never heard before...just rave reviews about her music. 

I was not dissapointed as she had me breathless from the first note of her Rhodes piano.  This stunning South Dakotan, now residing in St. Paul, MN, is as gorgeous as her voice is - very dreamy.  The highlights were 'Drinking Again' and a new song off the soon-to-be released "Lure the Fox" (sometime in early 2006).  Bonar is an excellent song writer; she paints beautiful pictures with her songs.  Let us hope for a quick return to NYC!

Check out a few of her songs at her Myspace.com Page

CYHSY! - Conan O'Brien Show 12.16.2005

Back in June, I miraculously found out about Gothamist.com's Movable Hype 3.0 featuring Clap Your Hands Say Yeah! (June 20th, 2005 at the Knitting Factory)  the night before the show.  Through the beauty of online purchases via ticketweb, I secured a ticket to this show.  Incredible is a word I would stamp on their performance.  By the way, David Bowie was there as well!!  Pinch me, please.

Since I moved to NYC last November, I have 'found' many bands I really, really like.  Brooklyn-based CYH sit atop that list.

See for yourself on December 16 as the boys will make their National TV debut on Late Night With Conan O'Brien. Please set your tivo's accordingly.