Album Review: Todd Day Wait’s Pigpen - travelin' blues

On Sunday of the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, we State Line Bar & Grille headed inside to watch the Redskins and hopefully, hear some good music from whomever was scheduled. And we weren't disappointed. New Orleans based trio, Todd Day Wait’s Pigpen, kept us entertained throughout the first half. We encountered frontman Todd Day Wait at the last show later that evening and learned about his compelling and brave past. In 2009 he left everything behind in Columbia, Missouri and headed west in a vegetable oil-powered airport shuttle bus. After journeying to California he eventually ended up in New Orleans playing the French Quarter streets and meeting current band mates Matt Dethrow (upright bass) and George Aschmann (fiddle).  From these travels he picked up influences of country, blues, folk, soul and early R&B. And these styled meld together in their album travelin' blues. Todd Day Wait  brings plenty to this release, not only vocals and songwriting, but multi-instruments in the guitar, mandolin, banjo and Fender Rhodes. The title track is reminiscent of Charlie Pool whereas New Orlean's influences seep in during the next few tracks. The final track, Roll to Alabama, is my favorite - reminds me of another contemporary jazz outfit Blair Crimmins and The Hookers.  Pair with rum produced in New Orleans by Celebration Distillation

August Shows: Enter the Haggis, Girls Guns and Glory, & Blair Crimmins and The Hookers

August was filled with family vacations but I did get a chance to see a few excellent shows starting with Enter the Haggis playing at the Nottoway Park Vienna concert series.  I've been following this Canadian Celtic Rock band for a number of years now since I first heard them at Jammin' Java. This evening they played several songs off my favorite of their releases, Gutter Anthems, as well as several new songs available from their new love CD, Live At Saint Claire.These guys are fun to listen to so take a look at their tour schedule for the remainder of '04.

Next up was Americana, Country, Rock band Girls Guns and Glory as they opened for Sarah Borges at IOTA Club. I really shouldn't write opened for because they were touring with Borges in order to support their join LP single “Mixed Messages". They performed several songs from their #1 rated release Good Luck - I'm singing All The Way Up To Heaven to myself right now - as well a a few with Ms. Borges. There's some nice chemistry with these Boston area natives. And Borges is one cool cat, when not performing with the band, she hung out in the audience dancing and singing along.

The next evening I caught Atlanta based old time jazz player Blair Crimmins and The Hookers in Georgetown's Gypsy Sally's. Last I saw Crimmins, the band was opening for Yarn at this venue, and now the main event. This is one act I highly encourage you to see. The music is fun, the band is entertaining, and multi-instrumentalist Crimmins also writes clever lyrics. Having an expanded playlist, the even turned a few covers into a gypsy jazz sound. The highlight was the band marching through the venue, over the bar, playing and dancing to Cajun Mardi Gras Song. Go see this band.

First Look at Gypsy Sally's with Yarn & Blair Crimmins and the Hookers

A couple months back Gypsy Sally's opened in Georgetown with an incredible first month lineup. November has been no slouch either and I finally had no excuse to visit when our new friends Blair Crimmins and The Hookers  opened for old favs Yarn. We joined the hooker bandwagon in September after viewing their performance at Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion and a serious listen to their latest CD Sing-a-Longs. Yarn has been a staple musical diet since Floydfest, The Festy, Firefly Vodka, and Almost Home.  Seems like many folks had the same impression as me since the venue was nicely populated - more Yarnies then Hookers, but all saw a great night of music from both. The Hookers were tight, entertaining horns, some serious banjo and guitar work by Crimmins, and lyrics that won over the crowd. I heard one onlooker exclaim that "they've been transported to the French Quarter".   Yarn seamlessly opened bringing a stampede of diners to the dance floor where they remained the night dancing and singing to Yarn's now classic alt-country. A typical great set, this time, I believe, inspired by Andrew Hendryx's mandolin.   Looking forward to listening more to Shine The Light On with songs such as Angel Place That Halo, Bobby Weeks, and Take Me First. Cheers and pair with Breuckelen Distilling or New York Distilling Company Gin and Whisky.  Oh yea, I'll be a frequent visitor to Gypsy Sally's - great food; decent beer list; and solid lineups.

Yarn

Blair Crimmins and the Hookers

Blair Crimmins and The Hookers "It Don't Have To Rain" during a Rainy 2013 Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion

One of the coolest acts we stumbled upon at the 2013 Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion was Blair Crimmins and The Hookers, an old-time jazz outfit based out of Atlanta, Georgia. In fact, Crimmins is so beloved in the Atlanta area, he was just named Best Songwriter by Creative Loafing, this after being voted onto the same outlet's Lustiest list. So what makes Crimmins and the Hookers this popular? Could it be that the 1920's ragtime, blues, and jazz are timeless, particularly when given a little rockn' edge?  Could it be that people are tiring of simple pop melodies? Or could it be that Crimmins and the Hookers are extremely entertaining. Probably all of the above.

For me, what makes their music more impressive is that, as the award above suggests, is all original music - just wrapped in an old time theme. Crimmins can concoct some clever lyrics indeed - "Cause it don’t have to rain to be a rainy day" - "Talking off each others heads while I’m just sitting here stuck in mine" - or the entire Roll Over Bessie.  This is good stuff so check out their newly released CD Sing-a-Longs or our four, rather poorly shot, videos from BRR. Here's their song, "It Don't Have To Rain" in the midst of a rainy afternoon in Bristol. Cheers.