February 2010 MyJoog Calendar

Our live music calendar is increasing in respect to last month's slow schedule.

Gaelic Storm - Rams Head Onstage Annapolis, MD: Tuesday, February 02, 2010

Gaelic Storm - Rams Head Onstage Annapolis, MD: Wednesday, February 03, 2010

Buckwheat Zydeco - Wolf Trap - The Barns Vienna, VA: Wednesday, February 03, 2010

Gaelic Storm - Rams Head Onstage Annapolis, MD: Thursday, February 04, 2010

Janine Wilson - IOTA Club Arlington, VA: Thursday, February 04, 2010

Buckwheat Zydeco - Rams Head Onstage Annapolis, MD: Friday, February 05, 2010

Scott Miller - IOTA Club Arlington, VA: Friday, February 05, 2010

The Iguanas plus Chopteeth Afrofunk Big Band - The State Theatre Falls Church, VA: Friday, February 05, 2010

Hard Swimmin Fish - Bangkok Blues Falls Church, VA: Saturday, February 06, 2010

Dan Paisley & The Southern Grass - Lucketts Community Center Leesburg, VA: Saturday, February 06, 2010

Galactic - Nightclub 9:30 Washington, DC: Saturday, February 06, 2010

Dr. John - Rams Head Onstage Annapolis, MD: Sunday, February 07, 2010

Tab Benoit - Rams Head Onstage Annapolis, MD: Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Shemekia Copeland - Wolf Trap - The Barns Vienna, VA: Thursday, February 11, 2010

Cracker (acoustic) - Jammin' Java Vienna, VA: Thursday, February 11, 2010

Skyla Burrell - The Cat's Eye Pub Baltimore, MD: Thursday, February 11, 2010

B.B. King - DAR Constitution Hall Washington, DC: Thursday, February 11, 2010

Justin Trawick - Lion & Bull Haymarket, VA: Thursday, February 11, 2010

Hollis Brown - Lion & Bull Haymarket, VA: Friday, February 12, 2010

Remington Ryde / Ernie Bradley & Grassy Ridge - Lucketts Community Center Leesburg, VA: Saturday, February 13, 2010

Hollis Brown - The Red and the Black Washington, DC: Saturday, February 13, 2010

Deanna Bogart - Jammin' Java Vienna, VA: Saturday, February 13, 2010

The Nighthawks - Rams Head Onstage Annapolis, MD: Saturday, February 13, 2010

Tab Benoit - The State Theatre Falls Church, VA: Sunday, February 14, 2010

Eric Lindell - Jammin' Java Vienna, VA: Monday, February 15, 2010

Joe Firstman + Ernie Halter - Jammin' Java Vienna, VA: Tuesday, February 16, 2010

An Evening with Tony Trischka - Jammin' Java Vienna, VA: Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Geno Delafose & French Rockin' Boogie - Wolf Trap - The Barns Vienna, VA: Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Eric Lindell - Rams Head Onstage Annapolis, MD: Wednesday, February 17, 2010

The Disco Biscuits - Rams Head Live Baltimore, MD: Thursday, February 18, 2010

JD Souther - Wolf Trap - The Barns Vienna, VA: Thursday, February 18, 2010

The Guthrie Family Legacy Rides Again - The Birchmere Alexandria, VA: Friday, February 19, 2010

Eric Sardinas w/Joanne Shaw Taylor - Rams Head Onstage Annapolis, MD: Friday, February 19, 2010

Hal Ketchum - The Birchmere Alexandria, VA: Saturday, February 20, 2010

John Mayer with Special Guest Michael Franti & Spearhead - Verizon Center Washington, DC: Saturday, February 20, 2010

Country Gentlemen Tribute Band w/ Bill Yates - Lucketts Community Center Leesburg, VA: Saturday, February 20, 2010

Po' Girl - IOTA Club Arlington, VA: Monday, February 22, 2010

Flogging Molly Green 17 Tour - Rams Head Live Baltimore, MD: Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears - Rock & Roll Hotel Washington, DC: Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue - The State Theatre Falls Church, VA: Thursday, February 25, 2010

The North Mississippi Allstars - The State Theatre Falls Church, VA: Saturday, February 27, 2010

US Navy Country Current / Blue Moon Rising - Lucketts Community Center Leesburg, VA: Saturday, February 27, 2010

Wakarusa 2010 Lineup Announced

This week the lineup for the 2010 Wakarusa music festival was announced. This four day event is held at the Mulberry Mountain in Ozark Arkansas from June 3rd through June 6th. Tickets are currently $129 for the entire festival with other VIP options available. The price is most definitely worth it. Check out the lineup:

* STS9
* The Disco Biscuits
* Slightly Stoopid
* John Butler Trio
* Blues Traveler
* Dweezil Zappa Plays Zappa
* Bassnectar
* Railroad Earth
* The Machine performs Pink Floyd
* JJ Grey & MOFRO
* Lotus
* Rebelution
* ALO
* Tea Leaf Green
* Boombox
* Black Joe Lewis
* Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk
* EOTO
* James Zabiela
* Split Lip Rayfield
* Hayes Carll
* Sub Swara
* Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers
* Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band
* Trampled by Turtles
* Wookiefoot
* Mishka
* Big Gigantic
* Truth & Salvage Co.
* Fort Knox Five
* Mountain Sprout
* Band of Heathens
* Last Waltz Ensemble
* Cash'd Out
* Earl Greyhound
* Bluetech
* The Uglysuit
* Passafire
* Simplified
* Hoots & Hellmouth
* Resident Anti-Hero

CD Review: John Jorgenson & The Texas Sapphires

Sometimes we will receive a new CD in which automatically generates a "Wow, I had no idea". And that feeling occurred while listening to the first track of The John Jorgenson Quintet's "One Stolen Night". His guitar playing is simply "dazzling" - in his "gypsy jazz" style. What an eye opener - I had no clue; and I instantly regretted not seeing him at Jammin' Java this month. What a shame.

Jorgenson has a long history - being a member of Elton John's band, fronting several bands and accompanying artists ranging from Bonnie Raitt to Earl Scruggs. I can see why they wanted him - his guitar playing is truly amazing - exemplified by this CD and the first track "Red on Red". How does he maintain the temp? "Slide Sister Slide" is catchy - almost like a theme song; but its "One Stolen Night" which is my favorite song. Part gypsy - part Latin - a classic. The tempo increases as "Mediterranean Blues" oscillates between Jason Anick's violin and Jorgenson's guitar and then retreats during "Souvenirs Des Nos Peres" as Jorgenson performs on the clarinet. "Kentucky Kastinos" is a jam band song and reinforces Jorgenson's picking ability. And we head down the Danube - where you can find the world's best gypsy music - in "Hungaria". Up to this point, this was an all acoustic album, when out of nowhere Jorgenson belts out some jazzy lyrics in "Dr. Jazz". The CD finishes with more traditionally inspired gypsy jazz similar to the title track. Stay to the end - "Dark Romance" is sweet. All in all - an eye opening CD; an instant favorite.

We also received a second compilation from Jorgenson, this time in association with the Orchestra Nashville - "Istiqbal Gathering". This CD is an orchestration - only half a dozen songs - with a couple over ten minutes in length. To be frank, initially I didn't enjoy this CD as much as "One Stolen Night" - but not because of any deficiency in the performances. In fact, Jorgenson was simply amazing - however, whereas the Quintet is able to complement each other - in the first track, the orchestra at times overwhelms Jorgenson. Right when I started getting into Jorgenson's guitar, a flute or trumpet would over shadow it. To my liking, Jorgenson takes center state during the second track ("II. Seaside Waltz") and by the third track the entire orchestra is complementing each other. At this juncture, I was hooked; it's playing in the background right now. I'd love to see this performance at the Kennedy Center or Wolf Trap.

The next CD under review is the latest from The Texas Sapphires, "As He Wanders...". This is also an instant favorite for a number of reasons. First, no two songs sound the same. One may be interpreted as traditional country, another alt-country. Then again, some have a bluegrass flavors - another - southern rock. Second, I have a soft spot for bands with both a male and female vocalist. This may be a result from listening to Donna the Buffalo all these years, but I love this pendulum and especially in this CD - from male honky tonk to traditional Patsy Cline country. Third, its the instrumentation - plenty of pedal steel, with some banjo, mandolin, dobro - thanks “Slim Bawb”. And finally, since front man Billy Brent Malkus hails from the Chesapeake, his stories mentioning Baltimore resonate with me. As does the song "How Did I Get So Sloppy Drunk (When I'm Drinking Neat)" - particularly the line - my friends say to mix her down - but I just don't like it sweet.

There are several other excellent songs, starting with the first track, "Nashville Moon" - composed in the rockin' Texas alt-country tradition. This song could be confused with Reckless Kelly or The Randy Rogers Band. Great guitar work as well. Ms. Cannon takes over in "190" - which exemplifies the nice change in pace with the vocals - and the pedal steel. I love her voice; this song and "Make Him Make Me" are her best. Want real country try "Stunt Double" or "Spirits"; some fine picking - "Freiheit Rag". My favorite song may be "Riddled Days" - performed as a waltz - with some mandolin solos - an awesome song.

The Texas Sapphires are based out of Austin and are comprised of the aforementioned Billy Brent Malkus, Rebecca Lucille Cannon, and Bob “Slim Bawb” Pearce - with several artists filling in on various songs. Check out their website for more bio information - and while there take a look at their previous work, particularly Valley So Steep - which was produced by Lloyd Maines.

Wanee Festival 2010

We want to alert our readers that the lineup has been announced for one of the best southern rock n' roll events of the year: Wanee Festival 2010. The festival is held April 16th & 17th at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, Florida - near Lake City. Tickets go on sale this Friday the 22nd and through February 22nd, the early bird price is $158. That fee increases to $178 from February 23rd to April 14th and increases again at the gate to $188. This year's lineup is amazing:

• Allman Brothers Band (2 nights)
• Widespread Panic (2 nights)
• Gov't Mule
• Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi
• Bob Weir
• Stephen Stills
• The Black Keys
• Dr. John
• Hot Tuna
• John Medeski, Robert Randolph, and The North Mississippi Allstars performing as The Word
• Papa Mali
• Johnny Winter
• JJ Grey & Mofro
• George Clinton
• Funky Meters
• Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings
• The Wailers
• Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk
• Particle
• Colonel Bruce Hampton
• Devon Allman’s Honeytribe
• Scrapomatic
• Bobby Lee Rodgers
• Randall Bramblett
• Jaimoe's Jasssz Band

Statement by Wyclef Jean on Haiti Earthquake

Today we saw Wyclef Jean give a few interviews on different news outlets pleading for assistance to help his native countrymen. His blog contains current tweets plus a statement he released jsut after the disaster:

"Haiti today faced a natural disaster of unprecedented proportion, an earthquake unlike anything the country has ever experienced.
The magnitude 7.0 earthquake – and several very strong aftershocks – struck only 10 miles from Port-au-Prince.
I cannot stress enough what a human disaster this is, and idle hands will only make this tragedy worse. The over 2 million people in Port-au-Prince tonight face catastrophe alone. We must act now.
President Obama has already said that the U.S. stands ‘ready to assist’ the Haitian people. The U.S. Military is the only group trained and prepared to offer that assistance immediately. They must do so as soon as possible. The international community must also rise to the occasion and help the Haitian people in every way possible.”
Many people have already reached out to see what they can do right now. We are asking those interested to please do one of two things: Either you can use your cell phone to text “Yele” to 501501, which will automatically donate $5 to the Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund (it will be charged to your cell phone bill), or you can visit Yele.org and click on DONATE.

January 2010 MyJoog Calendar

Here are the shows we have added to our calendar for January.

The Asylum Street Spankers - Jammin' Java Vienna, VA: Thursday, January 07, 2010

Springfield Exit / The Hillbilly Gypsies - Lucketts Community Center Leesburg, VA: Saturday, January 09, 2010

Cracker - Nightclub 9:30 Washington, DC: Thursday, January 14, 2010

John Jennings & Friends - Wolf Trap - The Barns Vienna, VA: Saturday, January 16, 2010

Carolina Chocolate Drops - The Birchmere Alexandria, VA: Monday, January 18, 2010

Paul Cebar and the Milwaukeeans - Wolf Trap - The Barns Vienna, VA: Friday, January 22, 2010

Enter the Haggis - Jammin' Java Vienna, VA: Friday, January 22, 2010

Dirty River Band / Audie Blaylock and Redline - Lucketts Community Center Leesburg, VA: Saturday, January 23, 2010

Loudon Wainwright III - Wolf Trap - The Barns Vienna, VA: Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Shawn Mullins & Justin Trawick - The Birchmere Alexandria, VA: Friday, January 29, 2010