Album Review: Anders Osborne and North Mississippi Allstars or N.M.O. - "Freedom & Dreams"

Southern bluesmen Anders Osborne and North Mississippi Allstars have teamed up as N.M.O. and released an new album: Freedom & Dreams. I mean just image, two of the best guitarists, Osborne and Luther Dickinson, playing the guitar together as they did in the Southern Soul Assembly tour with JJ Grey and Marc Broussard. According to Dickinson, "Freedom and Dreams is extremely honest and captures NMO's relaxed chemistry so well, most of these songs did not even have a proper count off or beginning. We were interested in combining Anders' singing and songwriting with NMA's groove and aesthetic to create something unique that neither of us could do without the other — a type of modern Southern folk rock." And they get pretty close to this. There is obviously great guitar work; soulful vocals, and Cody Dickinson on drums - pretty tight. You can hear for yourself as the album is streaming on Osborne's site. I think the album hits its stride in the middle with Shining (Spacedust), Brush Up Against You, and Annabel - this being my favorite track. On Saturday (Feb 21), I'll be pairing N.M.O. at the Jefferson Theater (Charlottesville, VA) with Champion Brewing Company and on Monday (Feb 23) at The Birchmere (Alexandria, VA) with Port City Brewing Company. Cheers.

The Apparently Not-So-Farewell Dr. Ralph Stanley Farewell Tour

Since I started following the bluegrass scene on a fairly regular basis, it's been a personal goal to see perhaps the last living founder of old time mountain music, Dr. Ralph Stanley perform live. And when the good doctor stated that this was his farewell tour I targeted their show on October 20th at The Birchmere. In order to prepare for the evening I watched the Clinch Mountain Boys perform the previous week at the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival. Over multiple viewings of the festival archives I saw that the band was extremely tight and fronted effortlessly by Stanley's 21 year old grandson Nathan Stanley.  While the youngest Stanley sings lead on many songs; there are plenty of vocals and harmonies from his grandfather as well as most of the Clinch Mountain Boys.

And this was very close to what we saw at The Birchmere; Dr. Ralph was in great form, the band was tight, and as a bonus former frontman, and son, Ralph Stanley II joined in for a few songs. They played old Stanley Brother's songs, popular songs such as Orange Blossom Special, and requests from the audience as if they were planted. This is one professional outfit. We even got to hear fiddler Dewey Brown play the Shofar - a biblical horn instrument made from a ram's horn. Pretty impressive. But the evening was all Dr. Ralph as he sung O Death, Man of Constant Sorrow, and Angel Band - repeating the verses for the last two multiple times as the crowd cheered him on.  Although he seemed to tire on occasion, he is 86 after all, he hung tough the entire evening and stated at the end that he's not done yet. He told us that at the time he announced his farewell tour he meant it; but now, he aims to keep performing as long as the good Lord allows. Thus, we hope to see the entire Dr. Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys next year; same place, same time. Or perhaps earlier at the Stanley conclave for the 44rd Annual Memorial Bluegrass Festival held Memorial Weekend and a new version slated for Labor Day weekend. We also plan on catching Ralph II and his band at the Lucketts Community Center December 7th. Cheers to a great night of old time mountain music.

Paul Thorn Rocks the 2013 Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion

Perhaps one of the best performances given at the 2013 Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion. was by Paul Thorn as he performed songs from throughout his portfolio and then waded into the crowd on his closing number. I first heard Thorn many years ago when XM Radio played his song 800 LB Jesus. Like many, I was attracted to his folksy and disarming demeanor. But in the end, his songs are heartfelt, meaningful, clever, and always a good listen.   

Thorn will be in the D.C. area November 21st as he opens for Joe Ely at The Birchmere. And here are two videos from the festival, the first of 800 LB Jesus and the second, of Thorn working the crowd. Cheers.

SOUNDCHECK: Sam & Del Duo Prepare for the Birchmere

Sadly, I missed this November performance at The Birchmere featuring Sam Bush and Del McCoury; but The Bluegrass Situation was there. The duo have a few more shows scheduled together in late February and late March so check out the Sam Bush On The Road page. Oh, and perhaps Delfest?

Loads of Live Music Choices on the Birthday

This Saturday January 5th, I plan on heading out to watch a live show for my birthday. The issue; too many viable options. I would like to start the day at Paradise Springs Winery with Doug Parks - but that's the easy part. It get's complicated at night. I could head west into Loudoun County for some folk or bluegrass with Andrew McKnight and Beyond Borders at the Franklin Park Performing & Visual Arts Center or Dark Hollow Bluegrass Band & The Virginia Ramblers at the Lucketts Community Center. Contrarily, I could head in the opposite direction, into DC for the Jamie McLean Band at Hill Country BBQ or to the  The Hamilton and Ryan Cabrera, Tyler Hilton, & Teddy Geiger. My wife would enjoy that one. Then there's Alexandria and The Birchmere for the Pat McGee Reunion Show. But then again, there are my local venues; Wolf Trap - The Barns (Ari Hest), Jammin' Java (Michael Clem), IOTA Club (Melodime), or Dogfish Head Alehouse (William Walter & Co. ). That's a lot of music options. Thanks to all for coming to D.C. Cheers

Kasey Chambers Inspires Us with Storybook

You miss the old styled country vocals of Patsy Cline or Loretta Lynn? Well there's a contemporary artist who sounds quite similar, Australian Kasey Chambers. And on Monday July 30th, Sugar Hill Records releases her latest CD, STORYBOOK, a " fifteen song release of songs that inspired Kasey to become a musician".  There are several "iconic" songs from Gram Parsons (Return Of The Grievous Angel), James McMurtry (Too Long In The Wasteland), John Prine (Leave The Lights On), and Townes Van Zandt (If I Needed You) - among many others. Even Cyndi Lauper and True Colors; Chambers' vocals are something special with that song. My favorite, though, is Fred Eaglesmith's Water In The Fuel; but then there's Paul Kelly's Everything's Turning To White - quite the powerful song. And then Kelly joins her on Hank Williams' classic I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry. An unbelievable duet.  Okay, there's something special with every song on this CD. Check it out. And for those in the Washington-Baltimore area she will be performing at the The Birchmere on August 10th and the Rams Head Onstage August 13th. Hope to see you there.

Dr. Ralph Stanley To Release a New Gospel Album, "A Mother’s Prayer"

It's hard to believe, but the legendary Dr. Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys is releasing a new gospel CD, "A Mother’s Prayer". And like most musicians, he's supporting its release with a tour at several venues across the United States. I didn't think we'd see this day again to hear that chilling a cappella voice or his clawhammer banjo style. I've read Man of Constant Sorrow: My Life and Times twice -and still use it as a reference. The CD will be released April 19, but I wouldn't be surprised to see some copies available at one of his shows. Here's a short video that describes the CD.


Ralph Stanley: A Mother's Prayer Video Preview from Rebel Records on Vimeo.

Dr. Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys - Sellersville Theatre Sellersville, PA: Friday, February 10, 2012 @ 8:00 PM

Dr. Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys - Hylton Performing Arts Center Manassas, VA: Saturday, February 11, 2012 @ 8:00 PM

Dr. Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys - B.B. King Blues Club New York, NY: Sunday, February 12, 2012 @ 8:00 PM

Dr. Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys - Jefferson Theater Charlottesville, VA: Thursday, February 23, 2012 @ 8:00 PM

Dr. Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys - Avalon Theatre Easton, MD: Friday, February 24, 2012 @ 8:00 PM

Dr. Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys - Shepherdstown Opera House Shepherdstown, WV: Saturday, February 25, 2012 @ 8:00 PM

Dr. Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys - The Kent Stage Kent, OH: Saturday, March 03, 2012 @ 8:00 PM

Dr. Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys - College of Du Page Arts Center Glen Ellen, IL: Saturday, March 24, 2012 @ 8:00 PM

Dr. Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys - The Midland Theatre Newark, OH: Sunday, March 25, 2012 @ 8:00 PM

Dr. Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys - The Ark Ann Arbor, MI: Friday, April 06, 2012 @ 8:00 PM

Dr. Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys - Mountain Arts Center Prestonsburg, KY: Saturday, April 07, 2012 @ 8:00 PM

Dr. Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys - Empire Polo Field Indio, CA: Saturday, April 28, 2012 @ 8:00 PM

Dr. Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys - Carolina Theatre Greensboro, NC: Friday, June 08, 2012 @ 8:00 PM

Dr. Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys - The Birchmere Alexandria, VA: Saturday, June 09, 2012 @ 8:00 PM

Dr. Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys - Mountain View Park Wind Gap, PA: Sunday, June 10, 2012 @ 8:00 PM

Dr. Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys - Bill Monroe Music Park & Campground Bean Blossom, IN: Saturday, June 16, 2012 @ 8:00 PM

MyJoog Events for January 2012

Here is our MyJoog calendar for January 2012 - hoping to film some MyJoogTV episodes with Peyton Tochterman at The Birchmere.

The Fred Eaglesmith Traveling Show - Jammin' Java Vienna, VA: Wednesday, January 04, 2012

Jason and The Scorchers 30th Anniversary Tour! - IOTA Club Arlington, VA: Thursday, January 05, 2012

The Michael Clem Trio: Michael Clem Birthday Show - Jammin' Java Vienna, VA: Friday, January 06, 2012

The Pat McGee Band REUNION SHOW! All Original Members! - The Birchmere Alexandria, VA: Friday, January 06, 2012

The Pat McGee Band REUNION SHOW! All Original Members! - The Birchmere Alexandria, VA: Saturday, January 07, 2012

The Fitzmaurice Band - Colonial Tavern Fredericksburg, VA: Saturday, January 07, 2012     Shane Gamble - Mad Fox Brewing Company Falls Church, VA: Thursday, January 12, 2012     Memphis 59 - Hill Country Washington, DC: Thursday, January 12, 2012     Frank Solivan's Friends and Family Show - The Hamilton Washington, DC: Friday, January 13, 2012

William Walter & Co. - Whitlow's On Wilson Arlington, VA: Saturday, January 14, 2012

Ellis Paul - NightCat Easton, MD: Sunday, January 15, 2012     Yarn - Hill Country Washington, DC: Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Robert Earl Keen - Rams Head Onstage Annapolis, MD: Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Robert Earl Keen-All Standing in the Bandstand! - The Birchmere Alexandria, VA: Thursday, January 19, 2012     Mavis Staples w/Eric Scott - The Hamilton Washington, DC: Thursday, January 19, 2012     Tom Principato Band - The Hamilton Washington, DC: Friday, January 20, 2012

Robby Hecht - Wolf Trap - The Barns Vienna, VA: Friday, January 20, 2012

Tab Benoit - The State Theatre Falls Church, VA: Friday, January 20, 2012

Scott Miller - IOTA Club Arlington, VA: Friday, January 20, 2012

Tara Mills - Shepherdstown Opera House Shepherdstown, WV: Friday, January 20, 2012

Railroad Earth - Jefferson Theater Charlottesville, VA: Saturday, January 21, 2012

Cheryl Wheeler w/Peyton Tochterman - The Birchmere Alexandria, VA: Saturday, January 21, 2012

Bryan Adams: Bare Bones Tour - The Music Center at Strathmore North Bethesda, MD: Monday, January 23, 2012

Ryan Adams - The Music Center at Strathmore North Bethesda, MD: Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Steve Earle - Rams Head Onstage Annapolis, MD: Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Widespread Panic - The Fillmore Silver Spring Silver Spring, MD: Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Widespread Panic - The Fillmore Silver Spring Silver Spring, MD: Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Langhorne Slim - The Southern Café and Music Hall Charlottesville, VA: Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Ari Hest - Wolf Trap - The Barns Vienna, VA: Thursday, January 26, 2012

All Good Presents Donna the Buffalo - The State Theatre Falls Church, VA: Friday, January 27, 2012

Friday Night Eclectic: "The 9" Songwriter Series - The Music Center at Strathmore North Bethesda, MD: Friday, January 27, 2012

Bill Kirchen & Too Much Fun - Wolf Trap - The Barns Vienna, VA: Friday, January 27, 2012

Sol - JV's Restaurant Falls Church, VA: Friday, January 27, 2012     The Tommyhawks - The Hamilton Washington, DC: Friday, January 27, 2012

Laura Gibson w/ Cotton Jones - IOTA Club Arlington, VA: Friday, January 27, 2012

Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper - Lucketts Community Center Leesburg, VA: Saturday, January 28, 2012     The Highballers w/ the Weathervanes - Jammin' Java Vienna, VA: Saturday, January 28, 2012

JJ Grey & Mofro with Monkey Junk - The State Theatre Falls Church, VA: Saturday, January 28, 2012

Ryan Montbleau Band - NightCat Easton, MD: Sunday, January 29, 2012     Hill Country Live Wildfire Benefit - Hill Country Washington, DC: Monday, January 30, 2012