soihadto, Brewer's Art, The Water and more...

At last year's Food Network Wine & Food Festival we ran into Chef Duff from the Ace of Cakes who informed us that he plays in a band that pre-dates the cable show. The band is the "lyrically" liberated ..soihadto and has been playing together for about four years. Their motto is "hold the vocals"; thus a show is all music all the time. Their sound is part funk, part punk, sometimes techno - something we normally don't listen to on a day to day basis. However since they had scheduled at show at the Orion Sound Studios we decided to pair their music with some fine Resurrection Ale from Brewer's Art and invite them on MyJoogTV. After the tasting we stuck around to tape a few songs for the podcast. That is, we only expected to stick around for the first few - but instead - stayed for the total set - we had totally gotten hooked to their sound. There's a lot of rhythm, subtle percussion and funky bass. And best of all, the electric guitar blended right in - and was never over the top. You just can't help getting into the groove. And as a bonus for staying to the end, their last song of the set was my favorite. Make sure you take a look at our video when released at MyJoogTV. 

Opening the session was a two man outfit that emits way more sound than your usual duo. That's right, The Water is a full band. How do they get that sound. Before each song, they record a guitar riff, or possibly some bass, or piano - and then let that loop through while they jam on the drums or electric guitar. It works. Mostly you sit mesmerized while they interchange instruments and hear this powerful sound emerge. Perhaps later this fall, The Water will join whatever form soihadto evolves into on tour. That will be one series we will not miss.

Paul Thorn & Patrick Sweany @ the Rams Head Onstage

Last night we attended the best concert of the year. Hands down. Paul Thorn with Patrick Sweany opening. Actually the night opened awkwardly as Sweany broke a string the very first song. But after a brief delay he showed why he is a rising star. His soulful vocals reflect a combination of Sam Cooke and Otis Redding and his guitar playing - pretty awesome. Expect a new CD from Sweany early next year. Can't wait.

Usually when an artist is pimping a new CD, you have to bear through the new songs to get to the older songs which made you follow the artist in the first place. That is what I was expecting for Thorn's Pimps & Preachers. Not this time. Yea, he played some old ones like Long Way from Tupelo and Burn Down The Trailer Park and Where Was I?; but his new songs were better than these classics. And as expected, the songs were laced with humor and morality lessons - particularly the lessons that make you think. For instance - "The more I learn they less I know" from I Hope I'm Doing This Right or the entire You Might Be Wrong, which brings up the interesting contradiction that with the diversity of religious thought - someone is wrong. And that coming from the son of a Pentecostal preacher. That also explains the title track - on one shoulder his father; on the other, his uncle - a pimp.He played practically the entire CD, Tequila Is Good For The Heart, Love Scar, Better Days Ahead and the hilarious I Don't Like Half The Folks I Love. The only disappointment is when the show ended - and it ended with classic Thorn as he walked off stage into the concert hall to personally thank fans for attending. Fortunately he's coming back to town next month, this time playing at the The Birchmere and then in October at the The 8X10 in Baltimore. I'm purchasing my ticket now.

Mid-week in Washington D.C

There are two great shows scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday of this week for those living in the Washington D.C. area. To the south, Doc Watson is performing two consecutive nights at the The Birchmere starting Wednesday August 25th. You never know how long this legend will continue touring so this is a great opportunity to hear this extraordinary flat-picking. And to the north, Paul Thorn brings his americana-gospel sound to the Rams Head Onstage where he will be playing classics like "800 Pound Jesus" or something from his latest, Pimps & Preachers. Opening for Thorn is a very entertaining blues artist, Patrick Sweany. Sweany was selected by Roy Book Binder to play at Doc Watson's Merlefest in 2009 on the "The Greatest Acoustic Blues Show on Earth" ticket. The guy can play.

Three Days at WolfTrap

Starting today, Wolf Trap has three straight days of excellent music - particularly for a Sunday->Tuesday night. The series starts tonight with Great Big Sea - saw this Canadian band a couple times at Merlefest - a great set of alt-irish-folk-rock each time. Monday night brings forth Train and NeedtoBreathe. Enough said. The series concludes with heavy metal influenced flamenco artists Rodrigo y Gabriela. The best guitar work you will ever see. Period.

MyJoogTV: Uncle Dave Huber @ Black Ankle Vineyards

Last night we filmed our third episode of MyJoogTV, where we pair musicians with makers of wine, beer, and spirits. This show featured Ed Boyce, co-owner of Black Ankle Vineyards in a discussion of wine and blues with Uncle Dave Huber, a local blues musician. Specifically, we discussed terrior, Black Ankle wines, markets, and the blues. We then filmed a couple songs performed by Uncle Dave. The video podcast should be available at the end of the month.

MyJoogTV: Holy Ghost Tent Revival @ Flying Dog Brewery

Tonight we film our second episode of MyJoogTV, where we pair musicians with makers of wine, beer, and spirits. This show will feature Holy Ghost Tent Revival in a discussion of beer and music with Abby Casarella, from Flying Dog Brewery. We plan on discussing touring, beer labels, Frederick, and anything else that comes to mind. We will then follow HGTR to Cafe Nola where they will be performing this evening. The show starts at 9:00 and best of all, it's FREE; come on out to see a great show. Plus Flying Dog beer is served at the cafe. And the video podcast should be available at the end of the month.

Big Joe & the Dynaflows

One of the most longest serving bluesmen in the Washington D.C. area is Big Joe Maher, who has played in the area for at least the last 30 years. I first heard him with the The Uptown Rhythm Kings, then with the Tom Principato Band, before he started the five piece Big Joe & The Dynaflows. Good Rockin'Daddy is still one of my favorite CDs and since that release this band has continued to master the New Orleans blues and jump swing sound. That's why the WSDC Swing Dance Committee is always in attendance.And this past Saturday, we got a chance to see the band in action at the Reston Town Center for a free live concert. There was a strong turnout and as soon as the music began, the dancers were out front. What a nice way for a family to spend an evening.

Music City Roots

Music City Roots now available in HD feed. | A weekly live radio show from the Loveless Cafe, Nashville, Tennessee. Featuring Americana, Bluegrass, Folk, Blues, Jazz, Rockabilly, Western, Swing, Country, Acoustic, Celtic, Cow Punk, Big Band, Pop, Newgrass, Rock and...

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Desert Rose Band @ Birchmere

This weekend The Birchmere has an interested two day bill with the Desert Rose Band. The band is comprised of Chris Hillman, Herb Pedersen, John Jorgenson, JayDee Maness, Bill Bryson, and Steve Duncan. I'm not familiar with the other artists, but any band with Hillman and Jorgenson onboard is worth seeing. Tickets are $$39.50. Here is the official bio: "The Desert Rose Band was formed in 1985 with primary songwriter Chris Hillman on lead vocals, guitar, and mandolin. Other members, culled mainly from Southern California session players, included banjoist/guitarist Herb Pedersen, guitarist John Jorgenson, steel guitarist Jay Dee Maness, bassist Bill Bryson, and drummer Steve Duncan. Their first single was a 1986 cover of Johnnie & Jack's "Ashes of Love," which climbed into the country Top 30. Their self-titled debut album followed in 1987 and spawned a number one hit in "One Step Forward," plus two more Top Tens in "Love Reunited" and "He's Back and I'm Blue." 1988's Running produced two number one smash hits, "I Still Believe in You" and "Summer Wind," as well as the number three hit "She Don't Love Nobody." 1990's Pages of Life brought their final Top Ten hits in "Story of Love" and "Start All Over Again." Three albums were recorded between 1991-1993, "True Love", Traditional" and "Life Goes On". The Desert Rose band has won three Academy of Country Music Awards and has received several nominations from the Country Music Association and the Grammys."

MyJoogTV: Cadillac Sky @ Tarara Winery

Last night we filmed our inaugural episode of MyJoogTV, where we pair musicians with makers of wine, beer, and spirits. This show featured bluegrass sensation Cadillac Sky in a discussion of wine and music with Jordan Harris, the winemaker at Tarara Vineyard & Winery. Specifically we discussed the similarities with wine making and composing music as well as the shared experience of facing critics - consumers, experts, and within the industry. During the discussion we sampled three yet to be bottled wines in Tarara's new "Nova" series. These wines are made from the best grapes grown in specific vineyards or appellations and the futures are actually already sold out. The episode also includes a songs from Cadillac Sky's performance that evening at the winery and should be ready for download in two weeks. Thanks also to Echo Propp, from WAMU Bluegrass Country, for participating as well.