Brendan Taaffe & The New Line's African Reimagining of Irish & Appalachian Tunes - Can't Hold the Wheel

Zimbabwean mbiras

For the past week, I have not been able to stop listing to Brendan Taaffe & The New Line's new release Can't Hold the Wheel. Taaffe has taken traditional folk songs and rearranged them with a blend of African rhythms many by using the Zimbabwean mbira. This instrument is a series of tuned metal keys fixed to a resonator. Taaffe currently resides in Vermont and has assembled a very talented cast of New England roots musicians for The New Line consisting of Adam Hurt on gourd banjo, Stefan Amidon on percussion and vocals, Colin McCaffrey on electric guitar and bass, Mike Olson on trumpet, and Heather Masse on vocals. Masse's vocals on Doc Watson's Red Rocking Chair and harmonies in The Old Churchyard and Goodnight Irene are sweet. Olson's trumpet in Nobody 'Cept You is like a lulliby and I think Hurt's soft banjo throughout helps blend the African rhythms to American folk. Fall On My Knees, Red Rocking Chair, and Train on the Island are my favorite tracks. For folk lovers, you will enjoy this release. Pair with and enjoy the live music at Brattleboro Vermont's Whetstone Station Brewery. Cheers.

Is It Too Early To Start Planning for Merlefest 2015?

Merlefest - April 23-26 2015, Wilkes Community College, North Carolina.

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

Halloween with The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band at Jammin' Java

Halloween brought the heroes of the WWF Championship Wrestling to Jammin' Java with our heroes The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band. It had been ten months since the band last played at this venue and I've been aching for signs of new music on the horizon. And, yes there is. The band will release a new album February 17th and we heard a sneak preview of a few tracks including the signature song Pot Roast and Kisses. And the opening track, Let's Jump a Train, will be typical high octane big damn band. In December, the band will be releasing a 7" 45 with one side Pony Blues by Charley Patton and the other, Willie Dixon's Can't Judge A Book By The Cover. The future looks good. We also heard old favorites like My Soul to Keep, Mama's Fried Potatoes, Glory, Easy Come and Easy Go, and Clap Your Hands., plus the Reverend play a three string paper cigar box guitar. Pretty awesome. One interesting change is that the Reverend replaced his glaring stare with a more jovial dancing demeanor. Life is good. Cheers.

CD Review: Jarekus Singleton - Refuse To Lose

Perhaps the most exciting new artist I "uncovered" at the 2014 Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion was bluesman Jarekus Singleton. This guy has a presence - both charisma and guitar prowess - that just captivated the crowd - including me. Plus I learned he's a fan of Albert King - so I'm even more enamored.  His background is the inspiration for his inaugural Alligator Records release Refuse To Lose. Just listen to the title track how this once promising college basketball player returned to the guitar for inspiration. His voice is soulful, his guitar playing - funky and hot. But make sure you concentrate on the lyrics. Anyone who has hit a tough spot can relate - with Crime Scene and Blame Game my favorites. The album also features James Salone on the organ, Ben Sterling on bass, John "Junior" Blackmon on drums and percussion. Pair with beer from Jackson Mississippi's live music and now brewery Hal and Mal's. Cheers.

Album Review: Bryan Elijah Smith - These American Hearts

At this year's Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion I planned part of my schedule around Bryan Elijah Smith and what a good call. he band is tight, with their self described alternative Americana sound rockn' the stage. Too bad it was an early show; a few beers with this band in the evening would kill it.  Afterwards I headed straight to the merch store to pickup his latest release: These American Hearts - featuring The Wild Hearts. TThe album is a collection of songs describing the various emotions that life on the road produces. A month after BRRR, I haven't put this CD away. It's addicting. The musicianship of  Smith & The Wild Hearts (drummer Justin Shifflett, pianist Jeff Miller, violinist Jay Austin, and mandolinist Ethan Hawkins) is outstanding - like I said - a tight band.  Pair with the Shenandoah Valley's Three Brothers Brewing. Cheers.

Album Review: Billy Strings & Don Julin - Fiddle Tune X

If you like fiddle tunes, then you need to rush out and grab this new release from Billy Strings & Don Julin: Fiddle Tune X.  The catch, is that there isn't a fiddle in these tunes, just a guitar and mandolin. But boy, can these two play. 22-year-old guitarist Billy Strings and mandolinist Don Julin tear it up; pure energy. The vocals? Straight out of the Appalachian mountains. This is one downright enjoyable album - even when they slow it down with " Lonesome Moonlight Waltz" or "I Am A Pilgrim". But for me, "Beaumont Rag" says it all. Pair with Michigan's Short’s Brewing Company where the duo perform November 1st.

Album Review: Sons of Bill - Love & Logic

Charlottesville Virginia is fast becoming a major music town and one of the reasons is Americana Rock band Sons of Bill. The trio of brothers (James, Abe and Sam Wilson), along with Seth Green and Todd Wellons, have just released a new album Love & Logic. I was able to listen to the album from the Garden & Gun First Listen, and it looks like the band retains their roots rock style with a hint of Tea Leaf Green grand sweeping sound. Don't worry, there's still plenty of power ballads, pedal steel, and catchy lyrics reminiscent of previous work. "Road to Canaan" is my favorite track, with "Lost in the Cosmos (Song for Chris Bell)" a close second; but the new style is in spectacular display in "Bad Dancer". Listen to the end because "Hymnsong" is classic Sons of Bill. Pair with Charlottesville brewery Three Notch'd Brewing Company. Cheers.

Album Review: The Devil Makes Three - I"m A Stranger Here

Hard to believe, but the Americana blues outfit, The Devil Makes Three is out with their fourth album, I’m a Stranger Here, produced by Buddy Miller and recorded at Dan Auerbach’s (The Black Keys) Easy Eye Sound in Nashville. That's a good start. The trio of guitarist/frontman Pete Bernhard, stand-up bassist Lucia Turino, and guitarist Cooper McBean meld many genres into a rally interesting sound. From Stranger to Goodbye Old Friend, this release is full of darkness and sorrow; reflecting the band's maturity; but the compositions are excellent. Love this release. Favorite track is A Moments Rest; love the banjo picking and strings. There is also a guest appearance by The Preservation Hall Jazz Band as they lend a hand in the gospel laced Forty Days. Pair with their hometown brewery Whetstone Station Brewery from Brattleboro Vermont. Cheers.

Album Review: Progressive Bluegrass with Front Country - Sake of the Sound

I knew that voice was familiar when I heard the first track (Gospel Train) of Sake of the Sound, the debut album of Front Country a Bay Area collection of like minded musicians. That familiar voice, Melody Walker, whose Gold Rush Goddess and We Made it Home (with Jacob Groopman) we've reviewed in the recent past. Joining Walker and Groopman to form Front Country are Adam Roszkiewicz, Jordan Klein, Leif Karlstrom, and Zach Sharpe. This band is tight as evident by winning the 2012 Rockygrass band competition and in 2013 the equivalent at Telluride. Walker handles most of the vocals and has the range for gospel to melodic as in the title track. The second song, One Kind Word, encapsulates this band's abilities: Walker's vocals, tight harmonies, individual picking, all melding into one glorious song. The same with the album. Can't believe I missed their East Coast swing into Raleigh for the IBMA's World of Bluegrass.Won't make that mistake again. Pair with Magnolia Gastropub and Brewery. Cheers.

2014 Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion - Another Successful Musical Experience

A week has already past since attending the 2014 Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion and I've been humming new songs I've heard the entire time. Bristol hosts one cool festival, with venues hosting music in both Virginia and Tennessee along State Street. We started the festival at O' Mainnin's for a quick Wolf Hills Brewing Company, after a 5+ hour drive, with The Whiskey Incident onstage. My Dad wanted to check out The Lonetones so we headed to Borderline Billiards and that was a good call. Good songwriting, nice array of instruments - including a cello, and another Wolf Hills. I very good start to the festival. Afterwards we hurried to the The Paramount Center for the Arts  for Willie Watson of Old Crow Medicine Show and found a very packed theater. Only the last rooms in the back. And Watson delivered with the old timers act playing some old public domain songs as well as a couple originals.  Watson also played a set afterwards at the 620 State stage to an even larger crowd. He is quite the popular act. After a quick bite it was time for Emmylou Harris and this was the largest crowd I've seen for any artist at this event. After a couple songs in the way back we too a side street for a spot adjacent to the stage that provided obscured views, but a good listen. And she was the ultimate Emmylou - graceful - but with a powerful backing band. Despite the great sound we left a tad early for the highlight of the night: Sturgill Simpson. His last two releases High Top Mountain and Metamodern Sounds In Country Music found a permanent residence on my phone. And Simpson showed why he's a rising star - great voice, songwriting, and backing band. Once again, the highlight of the evening and perhaps the festival.

Saturday started with Fiddlin Carson Peters, a master fiddler and showman at ten years old. Keep an eye on that kid. This was followed by a new tradition, a Starr Hill Brewing Grateful Pale Ale at the Piedmont stage - this day listening to Virginia based Bryan Elijah Smith and the roots rocking Wild Heart Revival band.  The band was incredible and I look forward to listening to their new release These American Hearts. Holy Ghost Tent Revival followed on the same stage and rocked the festival playing their new release, Right State of Mind, as well as a very cool cover of Joplin's Piece of My Heart.  Lunchtime brought us to Quaker Steak & Lube and hometown girl The Annie Robinette Band, but I snuck out to see Alligator recording artist Jarekus Singleton. This was the find of the festival - funky blues, classic blues guitar, and a great backing band. His Refuse to Lose is on my playlist right now. My Father, being on a Shel Silverstein kick, recommended The Giving Tree Band, and what a recommendation. This Illinois band is talented - check out their gospel finale. We saw two of their sets - great compositions and musicianship. Eventually it was time again for another set by Sturgill Simpson followed by another new treat, St. Paul and The Broken Bones. Motown soul meets Muscle Shoals; this is one entertaining bunch. Saturday's finale was the legendary Ray Wylie Hubbard and he played his top arsenal Snake Farm, Mother's Blues, Redneck Mothers, Choctaw Bingo - among others. What a night.

Holy Ghost Tent Revival had recommended Oregon's The Quiet Life, so Sunday started off again at the Piedmont stage with another Grateful Pale Ale and more good music.  This is a band to put on your radar. With football Sunday we staked out barstools at the State Line Bar & Grille and listened to Todd Day Wait's Pigpen a three piece folk band from New Orleans. Good enough to purchase their CD. Next up was Arkansas native Adam Faucett who has it all, a mesmerizing voice, plays a good guitar, and nice songwriting. Look at Gypsy Sally's in November. We had to depart his set early for Shaver, Sunday's headliner and my favorite Texas outlaw artist. He's up there, only sings, but his voice remains true. I Want to Live Forever. After autographs, we were able to hit the tail end of Dale Watson and his Lone Star show. A classic. The festival finished where it all started, O' Mainnin's,with King Super and the Excellents singing Del Shannon. Pretty cool. Another great festival.

Photos are available at the MyJoog Facebook page and videos on the MyJoogTV YouTube channel. Cheers.

Album Review: Holy Ghost Tent Revival - Right State of Mind

I always look forward to seeing Holy Ghost Tent Revival perform at the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, but this year will be even more special after listening to their just released album - Right State of Mind. The band has successfully transitioned from a horn infused jam band jazz sound to a horn infused classic rock-soulful sound. The band was tight previously, but this new sound should raise their visibility exponentially.  This album has some jam band qualities but also more subtle notes such as Sun/Shadow (my favorite track) and If I Lie. Trouble With Truth is another cool song, and check out the harmonies in Big Big World. Once again, HGTR is Stephen Murray, Matt Martin, Kevin Williams, Hank Widmer, Charlie Humphrey, and Ross Montsinger. Go out and meet these Carolina boys. And of course, you need to pair with Flying Dog Brewery.

Album Review: Lost & Nameless - When You Walked Into the Room

Not wasting any time Lost & Nameless is out with their second release of the year, this time When You Walked Into the Room (release date September 6th). We reviewed Empty Spaces this Spring and the latest is a continuation of this folk-fiddle-rockn' sound. The six songs feature Patrick Conway on vocals, guitars and banjo; Chris E. Peterson on mandolin, fiddle and vocals; Nathan Quiring on piano, organ, accordion and vocals; and Peterson’s protégé, Kimberly Zielnicki, on vocals, fiddle, bass and piano. The title track attracts your attention as Conway describes love at first sight while the next track (Say Goodbye) juxtaposes that thought by describing a relation's end. She has quite the voice and a way with melodies, doesn't she? Harmonies are the theme in Have We Lost and May I is an interesting track as it is a 2,000-year-old Buddhist prayer set to music. The EP finishes with a rousing instrumental combining “Matthew’s Reel” by Erin Shrader and “Reel a Levis Beaulieu”, a traditional French Canadian fiddle tune. Cheers to good music.

Album Review: Cahalen Morrison & Country Hammer - The Flower of Muscle Shoals

I've been following the alt-county sound of Cahalen Morrison & Eli West, for a year now, and see that Morrison has stepped out on his own with his new project:  Cahalen Morrison & Country Hammer: The Flower of Muscle Shoals. And this is a keeper. "I've Won Every Battle, But I've Lost Every War" is powerful with it's subtle guitar and tight harmonies. "Sorrow Lines the Highway of Regret" is classic honky tonk and check out the guitar in "Over and Over and Over Again". Then there's a little Tex-Mex in "San Luis" and Hobbled and Grazing". There's a lot of different sounds throughout - and lovers of the accordion and pedal steel will not be disappointed. The Country Hammer is composed of Country Dave Harmonson on pedal steel, Jim Miller n guitar and additional vocals, Robert Adesso on guitar/harmony vocals, Mary Maass on fiddle, Ethan Lawton on drums, and Michael Thomas Connolly on bass and accordion. The release was recorded at Empty Sea Studios in Seattle, which shows that the pacific Northwest is a new outpost for roots music. Pair with Seattle's Fremont Mischief. Cheers

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.