Album Review: JJ Grey & Mofro - Ol’ Glory

On February 24th JJ Grey & Mofro release their newest album Ol' Glory. I listened to an early stream and can say Grey has recorded a winner. You can be sure there's plenty of Grey's signature bluesy and soulful vocals, lyrics based on his northern Florida home, and a great backing effort by Mofro (Anthony Cole - drums, Andrew Trube - guitar, Anthony Farrell - organ, Todd Smallie - bass, Dennis Marion - trumpet, and Jeff Dazey - saxophone). In fact Grey gave the band more freedom to arrange the music by not recording the songs before hitting the studio. He'd vaguely describe what he wanted and let band members improvise. The result is killer. Every Minute is vintage old school Grey and A Night To Remember is where the horns take over combining with Grey's soulful vocals to form one funky song with an extended guitar solo to boot. Turn Loose is complete 70's funk and Brave Lil' Fighter falls within another era. And if you haven't danced by the time Ol' Glory is over, something is wrong. For those in the D.C. area the band plays the Nightclub 9:30 tonight February 18th. Pair with Jacksonville's Bold City Brewery. Cheers.

Indie Beer & Music at the 9:30 Club

During this week, hundreds of craft brewers have invaded Washington D.C. for the 2013 Craft Brewer's Conference and many of these individuals and other members of the Brewer's Association were on hand Wednesday night when the The Feelies played at the 9:30 Club. Sam Calagione, owner of Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, is a fan of the band and sponsored the show by supplying about a dozen of their unique brews at a nice price - $5 a beer. And before the show Calagione gave a short speech, first thanking the 9:30 Club for being one of the brewery's first clients in DC, and then encouraging and thanking the audience in support of the craft beer industry. Even with the industry growing, they still only represent 6% of total beer sales, with the mass produced breweries taking 83% (imports represent the remaining 11%).  He also discussed the common characteristics between indie music and indie beer: the self promotion, self distribution, word of mouth marketing.... The music and show were great. Awesome rhythms and guitar paired with 60 Minute,  Raison D'être, and Burton Baton, a 10% abv bomb where the ale is aged in oak. But so, so smooth. Probably had one or two too many......cheers to indie beer and music.

Beer-Music-Mash-Ups in D.C. During Craft Brewers Conference

Starting the week of March 25th, the D.C. metro area will be inundated with craft beer as the city hosts the annual Craft Brewers Conference (CBC). Now the CBC is primarily focused on beer professionals - particularly the craft brewer's themselves -so why should laymen really care? Well for starters, dozens of craft brewers are ready showcase their beers at area bars and restaurants. That means RFD, Churchkey, Birch & Barley, Jake Rose, The Black Squirrel, Smith Commons, Meridian Pint, and all the rest will be hosting tap takeovers and beer dinners each night after the conference. Check out DCBeer for a complete schedule. But most importantly, craft brewers are pairing with local music venues to showcase their brews during several Beer-Music-Mash-Ups. Alright! And many of these are regional pairings like the Cris Jacobs Band with Heavy Seas Brewing Company and The Infamous Stringdusters with Devils Backbone Brewing Company.

9:30 Club
3/27: Dogfish Head Craft Brewery presents The Feelies
3/28: Flying Dog Brewery presents "Festival De Cans" with Escort
3/29: Devils Backbone Brewing Company & All Good present The Infamous Stringdusters

The Hamilton
3/25: New Belgium Brewing Company presents Elephant Revival
3/26: Sierra Nevada Brewing Company presents The Mother Hips
3/27: Abita Brewing Company presents The Revivalists 
3/28: Heavy Seas Brewing Company  presents Cris Jacobs Band
3/29: Brooklyn Brewery  presents Here We Go Magic

The Back Cat
3/27: DC Brau Brewing, Ska Brewing Company, and Country Malt Group presents: The Pietasters

Decisions, Decisions for Saturday Night - November 10th

I wanted to get out this Saturday to see some live music and now I'm completely torn; there are so many good shows that evening. Closest to home, jazz guitarist Charlie Hunter is performing at Jammin' Java. But then Ani DiFranco and Stephanie Mills are playing at the area's two most popular larger venues, the Nightclub 9:30 and The Birchmere respectively.  But I love the blues and the The Smokin Polecats are set to play The Zoo Bar. Then again, some rock n' roll might be nice with Justin Jones at the Rock & Roll Hotel.  And finally, our friends, William Walter & Co. return to town for their monthly gig at Whitlow's On Wilson. Any suggestion?

Update: And how could I forget the fiery Tinsley Ellis at The State Theatre.

Justin Jones, Jason Isbell, American Aquarium - One Night Together at the 9:30 Club

For those of us in the Washington D.C. area, this Friday January 14th provides a rare triple treat downtown at the 9:30 Club: Justin Jones and The Driving Rain, Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit, and American Aquarium. We'd go see each of these acts individually - but all together under one roof - this is one night not to miss. Justin Jones is a local artist, who has finally received recognition to headline such an event. He has a powerful raw sound that holds an audience. Hope he plays "California". Jason Isbell is the former  Drive By Truckers guitarist and songwriter who moved on to a solo career with the 400 Unit. We've seen Isbell with the Truckers, solo, and fronting his new band - each time completely entertaining. Not only is he a guitar wizz - but also a formidable songwriter. We first caught American Aquarium at last year's Floydfest and as is our background - loved their alt-country, rootsy sound. Add in some old school country pedal steel, some rockin' guitar work, and a tight sound and this is a band going places.