August 31, 2009 • 3:44 pm 2
Benjamin Sloan at The Daily Mississippian wrote a great recap of this past weekend’s Oxford Music Festival. I’ll be doing a recap of my own this week, but this one will be hard to top.
Go to the article at The DM’s site >>
Filed under: Entertainment, Music, Show Reviews
June 17, 2009 • 12:44 am 0
[Note: This is my new format for reviewing shows. I basically answer the question, "Would I go see this artist/band the next time he/she/they are around?"]
And the answer for Damion Suomi is HELL YES! He opened for Sanders Bohlke tonight in the front room at The Lyric, which is called the Red Bar. It’s a cool, intimate setting with a pretty small capacity (100 or so?), and it was the perfect venue for tonight’s show.
Damion has a great stage presence and voice and is backed by Shivawn McCarthy on violin, who has quite the presence of her own. He did something that I love and saw recently when Mark Adamec of Sleeping Bulls did it at the Music and Movies Night at The Lyric a couple months ago.
I’ve described that moment to some friends of mine as one of the top 20 music moments in Oxford that I’ve experienced. On that night, following two other great acts, Stuck in the Mud and Tate Moore and the Cosmic Door, Mark grabbed his chair and guitar from the big stage, moved down in front of said stage with no microphone, and within a minute’s time had everyone’s full attention. And I mean FULL attention, as everybody found a seat, and you could have heard a pin drop in the place as Mark belted out song after amazing song.
Tonight, Damion Suomi, after a couple songs, left the stage and placed himself a couple feet from the closest spectators (me among them), and proceeded to give us a show that in a fare world would only be reserved for the most special weekend night of the month. But this was a TUESDAY, and well, sometimes life isn’t fare in a good way. We got way more than we deserved on a Tuesday night, I do believe, and we are not complaining. Great vocals and songwriting and the ability to command a room. There was even a sing-along to end the set.
Sanders Bohlke and crew then took the stage, and as I mentioned in last week’s Local Voice column (which I do need to start posting here again, sorry), his recent backing band is phenomenal. Lyon Chadwick (violin), Dave Woolworth (upright bass), Sean Kirkpatrick (vocals, guitar), and Ian Kirkpatrick (drums) provide the perfect compliment to Sanders’ amazing talent.
So yeah, good Tuesday.
Marc Adamec at The Lyric 5.14.09
Damion Suomi at The Lyric’s Red Bar 6.17.09
Filed under: Entertainment, Music, Next time?, Show Reviews
June 11, 2009 • 11:44 am 0
This column originally appeared in The Local Voice #82 (June 11, 2009).
I don’t know if I could have survived the heartbreak at Swayze Field this past weekend had it not been for the comforting sounds coming from the stages around Oxford. We did get to revel in one victory on Friday night, and I did so at the Rocket 88 show at Rooster’s. The show had a little extra punch as Patrick McClary sat in to provide additional guitar and vocals. The band had fun with some new songs, and it was a really cool show.
The Sanders Bohlke show at Proud Larry’s leading up to the weekend was phenomenal, as Sanders was backed by a new cast of artists. Lyon Chadwick (violin), Dave Woolworth (stand-up bass), and Sean Kirkpatrick gave the show a great new spin. I love the combination of the violin with a stand-up being played with a bow.
Some touring bands gave us great shows as well. Pert Near Sandstone played to a sparse intercession crowd last Monday, but gave us their best in spite of that. They are a very talented band, and I hope they make it back through some time soon.
One of the more memorable nights of the past two weeks was actually on a Monday, which is especially strange for me, as I try to keep my Mondays tame. I couldn’t resist getting out to see a bit of Pokey LaFarge at Parrish’s though, and I was not alone. The place was packed with folks who were really into Pokey’s energetic brand of riverboat soul, and he and his band did not disappoint. They had the whole room moving for most of the night. Pokey will be back in Oxford on July 3rd at Taylor’s Pub.
The show I’m most looking forward to is the first of the next couple of weeks. Mayhem String Band will play Proud Larry’s tonight (6/11). They’ve been wearing the road out this year in support of their new album, Land Pirates, but thankfully, have made their way back home to give us what will be one hell of a show I’m sure.
Looking a little farther out, now that baseball season is over, we can officially start counting down to the North Mississippi Hill Country Picnic, which takes place Friday and Saturday, June 26- 27. This is always my favorite weekend of the year. It’s the most laid back festival of its size that I’ve ever been to and features some amazing music. Early Bird ticket prices end this weekend and can be found at their web site, nmshillcountrypicnic .com.
This column originally appeared in The Local Voice #82 (June 11, 2009).
Filed under: Entertainment, Music, Show Reviews, Upcoming Shows
February 12, 2009 • 1:37 pm 0
Today’s Thacker is not to be missed, featuring the North Mississippi Allstars, Clarrissa Romano and the Dirty Allstars, John Sinclair, and cold drinks from The Lyric bar. And judging from this email a friend of mine at OxfordMississippi.com sent me, the Old Crow/Felice Brothers show this weekend should be one for the books. Here’s what he said:
Damn that was fun! You better go ahead and buy *** some nice jewelry so you can sneak away on Saturday night. Old Crow has come a long way. Felice Bros played with them for most of the second set. When Old Crow plugged in they came across like The Band. New songs sound awesome. Quite a few of them get away from the old time string band sound and just rock. I can’t remember the last time I saw a band(s) having that much fun on stage. I think they would have played all night. Some highlights of the newer songs: Humdinger, Tennessee Pusher, Methamphetamine, Down Home Girl, Mary’s Kitchen (about Memphis Barbecue), Alabama High-Test. Encore included the Felice Brothers’ song Frankie’s Gun (rocked), Uncle Neil’s Tonight’s the Night and Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust. These guys will definitely tear Oxford up on Saturday.
Filed under: Entertainment, Music, Show Reviews, Upcoming Shows
February 5, 2009 • 1:57 pm 0
Sickness and work led to me missing the deadline for this week’s Local Voice. So here it is online only.
I saw some really cool shows in the past two weeks, and the main theme was Mister Baby. I saw them open for Mayhem String Band at Larry’s for what was an amazing show by both bands. I caught them at Blind Pig and at Taylor’s Pub. I even spontaneously hopped in the band bus with a friend and went up to the Baby/Mayhem show at Newby’s in Memphis Saturday night. It was well worth the trip. We have one more day to catch them before they head back east, on Thacker Mountain Radio at 6:00 and a couple hours later at A Day in the Life Beatles Tribute Show at Proud Larry’s.
The Yonder Mountain String Band show at The Lyric also sounded great, as did the Balance show at Taylor’s.
The show I’m looking most forward to is the Old Crow Medicine Show with The Felice Brothers at The Lyric on February 14. This would actually be my most anticipated show if it were only Felice. Their show at Proud Larry’s was probably my favorite show of 2008. Old Crow and Felice in one night at The Lyric is a no-brainer. Making the trip up to Memphis to see them the next night at the new Minglewood Hall is also tempting.
Some other great shows that I’ll be catching are North Mississippi Allstars (The Lyric, 2/12), A Day in the Life Beatles Tribute Show (Proud Larry’s, 2/5-6), and Dark Star Orchestra (The Lyric 2/5).
While those are individual shows I’m most looking forward to, the weekend I’m anticipating most is the Oxford Film Festival, February 5-8. The Thursday get’s kicked off with YAC’s Martinis on Ice at The Ice House from 5:00-6:00. Then, it’s up the hill to Thacker Mountain Radio where Eric Deaton and Mister Baby will perform. The Yalobushwackers will have a special song to sing on this show, an unreleased Charlie “Love” Jacobs number, “Bughouse,” which we included on this year’s film festival compilation CD. The CD is a great collection of current Oxford music with a couple classics mixed in. Special thanks to Andrew Ratcliffe, Winn McElroy, Amos Harvey, and all the musicians for helping make it happen. More on this CD here soon!
The film festival itself is one of my favorite weekends of the year. There are music elements of the festival as usual, primarily the music video block on Saturday at 4:00. My favorite part of the festival every year is the Awards Ceremony, where some of Oxford’s most creative minds put on a heck of a show. The Sunday “best of” lineup gives an opportunity to catch the movies that were missed or worth a second viewing.
Go to the Oxford Film Festival schedule >>
The Spirit of the Hoka statuette given
to winners of Oxford Film Festival Awards
Filed under: Entertainment, Music, Show Reviews, Upcoming Shows
January 30, 2009 • 3:25 pm 0
Last night’s Mayhem String Band show with Mister Baby opening was absolutely amazing, one of the best Mayhem shows I’ve ever seen.
Be sure to stop by Blind Pig for happy hour today for some more Mister Baby!
Filed under: Entertainment, Music, Show Reviews, Upcoming Shows
January 26, 2009 • 9:46 pm 0
This column originally appeared in The Local Voice #72 (January 22, 2009).
I didn’t get to see as much music as usual, but two shows that I saw stand out. The Mayhem 88 show at Proud Larry’s was pretty much a dream show for me as it combined all members of two of my favorite bands: Mayhem String Band and Rocket 88. They all switched in and out seamlessly, playing songs of both bands and appeared to be having as much fun as the audience.
The other show that stands out in my mind was The Sleeping Bulls‘ show at Two Stick. Marc Adamec’s vocals are just amazing, and Lyon Chadwick’s violin is a great compliment. David Gilmore was on the keys instead of his usual pedal steel, and while I love his work on the pedal steel, the change of pace was nice.
The next month is absolutely amazing on the music front, getting started with the likes of Alejandro Escovedo (Proud Larry’s, 1/31), Yonder Mountain String Band (The Lyric, 2/3) and Dark Star Orchestra (2/5, The Lyric).
The band I’m most looking forward to is one I had not heard of until a couple months ago. Mister Baby is a Crozet, Virginia, based act featuring the songs of Megan Huddleston accompanied by Ferd Moyse on the upright bass. The first time I heard Megan’s voice, my jaw dropped, and then I listened to the same song about ten times. She usually plays the electric guitar, and the songs are quirky and energetic. Mister Baby will be in town for a week, opening for Mayhem String Band at Proud Larry’s (1/29), and following that with shows at Blind Pig (1/30 happy hour), Taylor’s (2/4), and Thacker Mountain Radio (2/5). I’ll be catching them all.
Filed under: Entertainment, Music, Show Reviews, Upcoming Shows
December 16, 2008 • 9:52 pm 1
This column originally appeared in The Local Voice #69 (December 11, 2008 ).
I’m actually going to look back a little further than two weeks in this issue. In honor of Two Stick’s Ten Year Anniversary, I’d like to briefly look back at a few of my favorite shows there over the years.
When Two Stick opened in ‘98, I was in school at Ole Miss. My best friends and our girlfriends almost immediately adopted the Two Stick bar as our spot for dinner on the weekends. We would literally take over the small space, eat sushi (the first time this was an option in Oxford), drink, and be merry, sticking around for music, if there was any. At this time, Two Stick was about a quarter of the size that it was post-expansion (and then post-move), and the “stage” was in the elevated area where people would sit on cushions to eat during the dinner hours.
On that stage, I saw the band that is still my favorite to this day. Thamusemeant, of Santa Fe, came through, and Aimee Curl had me at sound check. Although still obscure on a national scale and now part of a Virginia outfit named Furnace Mountain, she is still my favorite living female vocalist.
The expansion made more room for music, and the schedule was usually filled with bands I loved or would soon love. One show on the big stage that I’ll always remember is the Wild Magnolias’ Mardi Gras show that ended in a parade of band and audience members around the square. I remember many great Cary Hudson Trio shows during the Blue Mountain hiatus and then the Double Decker night surprise reunion of Cary and Laurie a couple years ago, the first time they had played together in seven years. Thankfully, it was a lasting reunion that we’re still enjoying.
A couple of recent shows at Two Stick rekindled some of those old memories. The Herman Green Benefit featuring Willie Waldman featured some great horns and cool visual art going on in the background. This past Saturday, Pithecanfunkus Erectus played to a packed house as well.
There were a few other highlights on the music scene in the past couple of weeks as well. After the Rebels 45-0 domination of the Bulldogs, I celebrated by beating a path back and forth between Rocket 88 at Proud Larry’s and Mayhem String Band at Parrish’s. I saw a couple of good shows with energetic crowds at Rooster’s. Kirk Smithhart Band and Gary Burnside both had the bodies swaying.
The Caroline Herring show at Larry’s last Wednesday was one for the books. It was an early show, one where the sizeable audience was completely quiet during the show. I had forgotten how amazing a Caroline Herring show can be and was inspired by her “Song For Fay” to go home and pick up my favorite book (Larry Brown’s Fay) for another read.
The holiday season is upon us. That means less music on the calendar, but the next couple of weeks are enough to keep me happy. Hayes Carll will be back at Proud Larry’s as a nice consolation prize for the Todd Snider fans. Carll played Larry’s in the spring, and I really enjoyed it, making a comparison to Snider afterwards. Charlie Mars returns to the Larry’s stage the next week (12/18), and after his impressive show there a few weeks ago, I’ll be counting down the days to this one. The same stage receives Sanders Bohlke, Aaron Hall, and Jon Black a couple of nights later (12/20). Nicely done.
Rooster’s keeps bringing us the blues, and the show I’m most looking forward to on their schedule is the Eric Deaton Trio. I’ve long thought Deaton is one of the most underrated guitarists around.
Those making plans for the Cotton Bowl in Dallas should consider The Lexington Brothers’ show on New Year’s Eve at the Hyatt Regency, hosted by the Ole Miss Alumni Association. To ensure your spot at this event, you must contact the Alumni office at 662-915-7375 by 5 pm on December 18. A big one in Oxford that night will be Blue Mountain at The Lyric.
This column originally appeared in The Local Voice #67 (December 11, 2008 ).
Download and read The Local Voice issue no. 69 PDF >
Filed under: General, Music, Oxford Life, Show Reviews, Upcoming Shows
December 4, 2008 • 2:08 am 0
I had forgotten how great Caroline Herring is. I was reminded tonight.
I had a plan to start the evening. The basketball Rebels were playing West Virginia and the game started at 8:00. Caroline started at 8:30 at Larry’s. My plan was to catch the first half of the game (my first foray to the Tad Pad this season) and head over to the square for Caroline at half time. A work emergency (it ended up ok) kept me from making it to the game, but I caught the first half on the tube as I worked at home. I finished putting out the fire and headed to Proud Larry’s at half time of the game, with the intention of keeping up with the game while listening to Caroline.
From the moment I walked in the door, I was captivated. As I said, I had forgotten how amazing Caroline Herring is. I won’t forget again. The audience was completely focused on her with no talking. And I mean NO talking. That is a rarity these days, but it was well deserved.
One thing Caroline inspired me to do is read Fay again. Larry Brown’s Fay has been my favorite book for a while now and will probably remain so for a while. Caroline has a tune called “Song for Fay” that she wrote about the book. When I recommend the book and someone asks me what makes it so great, I say, “It’s the character. She sticks with me to the point that I’ll be walking down the sidewalk and meet a girl and she’ll remind me of Fay.”
One thing I don’t do enough of is re-read books that I love. I’ll be reading Fay again for the next few days and enjoying every minute of it. Maybe I’ll be inspired to start writing again too.
Thanks Caroline.
Go to Caroline Herring’s web site >>
Go to Caroline Herring’s Myspace >>
Filed under: Entertainment, Music, Show Reviews
November 17, 2008 • 2:06 pm 0
This column originally appeared in The Local Voice #67 (November 13, 2008 ).
Bluegrass was the theme for the past two weeks. The Del McCoury Band at The Lyric was a show and a night I’ll remember for quite some time. Del has one of those voices, one so great that if he had chosen another profession, it would be a slap in the face of his Maker. Surrounded by a truly professional and at times awe-inspiring band, Del (69) just keeps on going, having mastered his craft to the point of perfection.
A couple of Mayhem String Band shows got us warmed up for Del and his boys. Mayhem brings an energetic twist to bluegrass, one that appeals to a broad audience. They opened for Del at The Lyric after wowing an intimate crowd across the street at the debut of Music in the Hall. MITH is a small gathering of friends and music fans. Those interested in checking it out should go to OxfordMusicSnob.com and drop me a line.
The following night saw another debut, that of George McConnell’s new band and his series of Virtual 45s. This was a rocking show, as expected from a band comprised of McConnell (vocals, guitar), Daniel Karlish (vocals, guitar, lap steel), Tommy Turan (bass), and Kenny Graeber (drums). I continue to be amazed by Karlish, a former Oxford resident now calling Nashville home. When McConnell and Karlish are on stage together, there are many moments when my friends and I turn to each other with a look of disbelief. They are simply masters of the guitar. Turan and Graeber, also two of the best at what they do, give them a great foundation to work with.
One band that I had never heard, but am intrigued by after hearing their online material, is The Bridges. They will be at Proud Larry’s on November 18. Larry’s has a few more shows that I want to see: Alvin Youngblood Hart (11/15), Shannon McNally (11/20), and John Barrett’s Bass Drum of Death with The Howlies (11/22).
The Lyric has a couple of great shows approaching as well, on back-to-back Fridays. Jimbo Mathus’s Hillbilly Hayride with Mayhem String Band opening (11/14) will be an amazing night. Jimbo has always been one of my favorites. He just has that edge, something special that’s needed to be a great musician. He has assembled an impressive band that mixes a little bit of a country and western sound with the bluesy style I’ve always identified with him.
A week later, Robert Earl Keen will take the same stage. Keen is one of the truly great Texan singer-songwriters. He is what a lot of the pretenders wish they could be. This will be Keen’s first time back in Oxford since he played the Larry Brown Tribute Concert in 2007. It’s sure to be a great return.
This column originally appeared in The Local Voice #67 (November 13, 2008 ).
Download and read The Local Voice issue no. 67 PDF >
Filed under: Entertainment, Music, Oxford Life, Show Reviews, Upcoming Shows
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