Freaker Scene
3/4/09 Great American Taxi, Matt Pudas & the North Country Bandits @ the Cabooze
3/4/09 Great American Taxi, Matt Pudas & North Country Bandits @ the Cabooze
name in lights * foto: timmy
Whenever the mountain seasoned renegade Great American Taxi rolls into the Twin Towns lots of people get way excited & ready to roll myself included. The Cabooze was mightily abuzz with the north country vibe beginning with Matt Pudas & the North Country Bandits as well as Nick “The Feelin” Mrozinski starting the bonfire of music to warm the hearts & bodies of the friendly crowd.
Then it was time for GAT’s trademark “Americana Without Borders”™. The always freaking Taxi sonically & rampantly took us for a joy filled rootsadelic ride trippin down our West Bank watering hole like holy highness hailing down from the wild Rocky Mountain highlands.
Vince sings the North Country Song 3/4/09 * foto: timmy
Here’s a brief history of GAT as I’ve been told: my friend Vince Herman, once his main squeeze Leftover Salmon decided to go the way of indefinite hiatus, had the wise notion that he would get a bunch of his Boulder area uber talented buddies, who he’d been dying to play with together to jam & see what might happen. There was an environmental benefit they did together as well that helped the cohesion. Well folks, soon after the Taxi was formed & rolling out road ready & passenger friendly to say the least. That was a few years ago & I’m delighted to see them going strong still & getting stronger I might add. Also to note is that GAT put out a great record called “Streets of Gold” on their own in 2007. Check it.
During their nearly 2 hour set, there was much freakadelic music & fun blazing from the stage into the air & dancefloor & then back at the stage again. This is how things work at a freakout hoedown Taxi style.
GAT= Chad Staehly (keyboards, vocals), Vince Herman (guitars, mandolin, vocals), Chris Sheldon (drums, vocals), guest Matt Pudas (on harmonica), Edwin Hurwitz (bass), Jim Lewin (guitar, vocals)
Vince led the pulsing stoner fiendish
charge as the band wailed thru much excellent material including fun
quirky original “Lumpy, Beanpole & Dirt”, “Mystery Train”, improv
savvy “North Country Song”, fun lovin’ “Fuzzy little hippie girl”,
lifestyle anthem at warp speed “Nobody’s Business”, classic “American
Beauty”, “Kentucky Home”, “Like a Road” (popularized by the Jerry
Garcia Band) & as part of a party down freak-for-all encore
Leftover Salmon frenzy fare “Wake & Bake”. There were many
tunes that featured Matt Pudas (who’s main gig is lead singer for White Iron Band) on harmonica, Nick “The Feelin” on keyboards & the Bandit’s fine string ace Drew Druckrey on mando.
The Taxi rides with Matt Pudas * foto: timmy
There were a few festive birthdays of note happening: Chad Staehly GAT’s amazing keyboardist, & Mpls scene darlings Nate A (Dogg) & Chris Castino (Big Wu, Cheetah Nunchuck). Best wishes to them all.
Birthday freak Nate A (Dogg) @ Joint
Now remember that the cruising altitude of this zany band is considerably higher than that of most other touring musical act. So adjust yourself accordingly if you please.
After the exhilarating show, I hung backstage in the green room catching up with Vinny & the guys after which even going so far as help them load out some gear. Yes, my band friends know that I can still hump some gear in my day.
Watch for Great American Taxi on the summer festival circuit as they are doing DelFest (5/23/09), Bandit County Fair (6/12, 13/09) in deSoto, WI with White Iron Band, Smokin’ Bandits & others & I believe the Big Wu Family Reunion X at Harmony Park outside Geneva, MN & others I’m sure.
Another cool thing about Vince & his antics is that he’s constantly adding little spontaneous observational nuances to his lyrics as he sings. The wondrous result is that this gives the impromptu flavor of you-never-know-whats-coming-next & truly makes it personal to each performance. You really gotta see this to believe it. As Vince would say “everybody freak out!”... All aboard!
Freak note: On the good news front: This year Leftover Salmon will be freakingly celebrating their 20th Anniversary with some crazy shows at the Fillmore in Denver (no dates known at press time). So get yourself to the mountains & get your polyethnic Cajun slamgrass on. It’s gonna be some massively monster large unadulterated uncontrolled fun for all.
name in lights * foto: timmy
Whenever the mountain seasoned renegade Great American Taxi rolls into the Twin Towns lots of people get way excited & ready to roll myself included. The Cabooze was mightily abuzz with the north country vibe beginning with Matt Pudas & the North Country Bandits as well as Nick “The Feelin” Mrozinski starting the bonfire of music to warm the hearts & bodies of the friendly crowd.
Then it was time for GAT’s trademark “Americana Without Borders”™. The always freaking Taxi sonically & rampantly took us for a joy filled rootsadelic ride trippin down our West Bank watering hole like holy highness hailing down from the wild Rocky Mountain highlands.
Vince sings the North Country Song 3/4/09 * foto: timmy
Here’s a brief history of GAT as I’ve been told: my friend Vince Herman, once his main squeeze Leftover Salmon decided to go the way of indefinite hiatus, had the wise notion that he would get a bunch of his Boulder area uber talented buddies, who he’d been dying to play with together to jam & see what might happen. There was an environmental benefit they did together as well that helped the cohesion. Well folks, soon after the Taxi was formed & rolling out road ready & passenger friendly to say the least. That was a few years ago & I’m delighted to see them going strong still & getting stronger I might add. Also to note is that GAT put out a great record called “Streets of Gold” on their own in 2007. Check it.
During their nearly 2 hour set, there was much freakadelic music & fun blazing from the stage into the air & dancefloor & then back at the stage again. This is how things work at a freakout hoedown Taxi style.
GAT= Chad Staehly (keyboards, vocals), Vince Herman (guitars, mandolin, vocals), Chris Sheldon (drums, vocals), guest Matt Pudas (on harmonica), Edwin Hurwitz (bass), Jim Lewin (guitar, vocals)
The Taxi rides with Matt Pudas * foto: timmy
There were a few festive birthdays of note happening: Chad Staehly GAT’s amazing keyboardist, & Mpls scene darlings Nate A (Dogg) & Chris Castino (Big Wu, Cheetah Nunchuck). Best wishes to them all.
Birthday freak Nate A (Dogg) @ Joint
Now remember that the cruising altitude of this zany band is considerably higher than that of most other touring musical act. So adjust yourself accordingly if you please.
After the exhilarating show, I hung backstage in the green room catching up with Vinny & the guys after which even going so far as help them load out some gear. Yes, my band friends know that I can still hump some gear in my day.
Watch for Great American Taxi on the summer festival circuit as they are doing DelFest (5/23/09), Bandit County Fair (6/12, 13/09) in deSoto, WI with White Iron Band, Smokin’ Bandits & others & I believe the Big Wu Family Reunion X at Harmony Park outside Geneva, MN & others I’m sure.
Another cool thing about Vince & his antics is that he’s constantly adding little spontaneous observational nuances to his lyrics as he sings. The wondrous result is that this gives the impromptu flavor of you-never-know-whats-coming-next & truly makes it personal to each performance. You really gotta see this to believe it. As Vince would say “everybody freak out!”... All aboard!
Freak note: On the good news front: This year Leftover Salmon will be freakingly celebrating their 20th Anniversary with some crazy shows at the Fillmore in Denver (no dates known at press time). So get yourself to the mountains & get your polyethnic Cajun slamgrass on. It’s gonna be some massively monster large unadulterated uncontrolled fun for all.
2/13/09 The Toasters @ Triple Rock Social Club
2/13/09 The Toasters, Umbrella Bed, the Prizefighters @ the Triple Rock Social Club
Bucket leads the Toasters * photo credit: DeGross Punk Photography
I was nearly in dance spasmic state to see New York City’s The Toasters,
a luminous high energy band that was so dear to me way back in the
early 90s (they always played the Cabooze back then) arrive on the West
Bank for a Friday the 13th show at the Triple Rock Social Club, which I think is a very cool venue.
The opening bands were both good, one of which was Umbrella Bed.
Lots of horns & got the dancers warmed up swiftly while holding
their own for their whole show. I was impressed.
Umbrella Bed thrills & dazzles * photo credit: DeGross Punk Photography
28 years
strong & the New York City Toasters are considered royalty &
are still cooking & busting out the skankin’ ska for the eager masses. Founding frontman Robert “Bucket” Hingley as always leads the charge & does it ever so well I might add.
Robert "Bucket" Hingley: Ska Royalty * photo credit: DeGross Punk Photography
When I researched for this blog I learned a few things about ska. First, the 1st wave of ska was the Jamaican variety in the 60s (which many think of as the precursor for what became known as reggae). Then the 2nd wave was in the 70s, which morphed into the 3rd wave that was more British & more punkish ska emerging in the 80s. This is where the Toasters fit in. Many of my generation were introduced to this in our teens & musically formulative years. What I gathered also is that now we have started the 4th wave. Wow, that’s some rich history.
The Toasters * photo credit: DeGross Punk Photography
Some of the tunes that were launched from the crowded stage were the anthem-like opened “Two Tone Army”, “Run Rudy Run”, “Shocker” (I believe was played), “Weekend in L.A.” & the killer encores were “Life in a Bubble” & the call to action “Don’t Let the Bastards Grind You Down”.
Keeping the dancefloor ablaze * photo credit: DeGross Punk Photography
Even if you don’t listen to much ska, I highly recommend that you listen to the Toasters. They are absolutely likeable & their horn driven sound may grow on you like you wouldn’t expect. Try them. The Toasters are hot right now too as they are playing America then lots of shows in Europe & even Russia in the near future. I toast to them!
The Toasters 2/13/09 * photo credit: DeGross Punk Photography
Sidebar: Immense thanks to DeGross Punk Photography for sharing the excellent images. Check out the cool blog @: www.myspace.com/degrosspunkphotography/
Bucket leads the Toasters * photo credit: DeGross Punk Photography
Umbrella Bed thrills & dazzles * photo credit: DeGross Punk Photography
Robert "Bucket" Hingley: Ska Royalty * photo credit: DeGross Punk Photography
When I researched for this blog I learned a few things about ska. First, the 1st wave of ska was the Jamaican variety in the 60s (which many think of as the precursor for what became known as reggae). Then the 2nd wave was in the 70s, which morphed into the 3rd wave that was more British & more punkish ska emerging in the 80s. This is where the Toasters fit in. Many of my generation were introduced to this in our teens & musically formulative years. What I gathered also is that now we have started the 4th wave. Wow, that’s some rich history.
The Toasters * photo credit: DeGross Punk Photography
Some of the tunes that were launched from the crowded stage were the anthem-like opened “Two Tone Army”, “Run Rudy Run”, “Shocker” (I believe was played), “Weekend in L.A.” & the killer encores were “Life in a Bubble” & the call to action “Don’t Let the Bastards Grind You Down”.
Keeping the dancefloor ablaze * photo credit: DeGross Punk Photography
Even if you don’t listen to much ska, I highly recommend that you listen to the Toasters. They are absolutely likeable & their horn driven sound may grow on you like you wouldn’t expect. Try them. The Toasters are hot right now too as they are playing America then lots of shows in Europe & even Russia in the near future. I toast to them!
The Toasters 2/13/09 * photo credit: DeGross Punk Photography
Sidebar: Immense thanks to DeGross Punk Photography for sharing the excellent images. Check out the cool blog @: www.myspace.com/degrosspunkphotography/
2/12/09 Michael Franti & the Spearhead @ the State Theater
The post life changing election return of San Freakcisco’s Michael Franti & his Spearhead to the roomy State could not have been more sweetly anticipated by fans like myself. This was billed as the “Hey World! Tour 2009” & also featured the lovely & talented Cherine Anderson of Kingston, Jamaica, who is known as the “Queen of Dance Hall Soul” (& is also a good friend of Michael’s). Also on the bill with Cherine was Courtney John.
Cherine Anderson Queen of Dance Hall Soul
As at any Spearhead show, there are always many glimpses of special moments & cumbia type epiphanies throughout. Some of these happening on this splendid occasion were Michael pulling dancers out of the crowd to the stage, bringing up 2 elated local kids to jam on guitars, personal stories, unexpected covers & many others.
My spirited (spearited) entourage & me had a truly fun blast of a time dancing mostly in the aisles as security was surprisingly tame. I wanna extend huge thanks to Spearhead for the music & vibe, all my friends present for sharing the experience & my friend Kristi (of Blackbird Photography) for sharing her amazing photography.
Me & my peeps pre-party before the show...
2/7/09 Galactic @ the Cabooze
2/7/09 Galactic @ the Cabooze
New Orleans’ own Galactic tore straight up out of the gate at the Cabooze with a combustible firestorm of their brain bending limb bouncing high octane hybrid funk. The G-men explored adventurously much of their ever expansive wellspring of material while also giving some stage time to their hopped up hip hop friends Gift of Gab (from Blackalicious) & Lateef the Truth Speaker.
Galactic 2-7-09 Cabooze * foto: timmy
I want to foreward this entry by revealing that I have been seeing & knowing Galactic since their very first emergence in New Orleans many years ago. They have become friends of mine & they have always treated me like a part of their scene family. For this I am very grateful.
Galactic funking up the joint.. * foto: Cosmic Schell
The groove intensive 1st set was highlighted by tunes like funk crazed “Moil”, “Linthead”, “D Boy”, Jimi’s “Manic Depression”, future funk fallout “Technocheck Collision” & dance seductive “Salt Baked”.
Guitar master Jeff Raines shredding * foto: Cosmic Schell
Set 2 careened alive with stuff like opener “Dumptruck”, brass band savvy “Buck it like a Horse”, “Pungee”, Katrina spawned “FEMA”, intragalactic “Doublewide” > Zep’s “Whole Lotta Love” & excellently encoring with frenzied “Tiger Roll” > “Bounce Baby” finishing with happy ending “Santa Cruz”.
Ben Ellman on baritone sax * foto: Cosmic Schell
The show registered high on my show going richter scale deepening my belief in big easy hard driving grooves & the natural born urge to move on the quaking dancefloor. Makes me can’t wait for Jazzfest.
Galactic *future funk* foto: Timmy
New Orleans’ own Galactic tore straight up out of the gate at the Cabooze with a combustible firestorm of their brain bending limb bouncing high octane hybrid funk. The G-men explored adventurously much of their ever expansive wellspring of material while also giving some stage time to their hopped up hip hop friends Gift of Gab (from Blackalicious) & Lateef the Truth Speaker.
Galactic 2-7-09 Cabooze * foto: timmy
I want to foreward this entry by revealing that I have been seeing & knowing Galactic since their very first emergence in New Orleans many years ago. They have become friends of mine & they have always treated me like a part of their scene family. For this I am very grateful.
Galactic funking up the joint.. * foto: Cosmic Schell
The groove intensive 1st set was highlighted by tunes like funk crazed “Moil”, “Linthead”, “D Boy”, Jimi’s “Manic Depression”, future funk fallout “Technocheck Collision” & dance seductive “Salt Baked”.
Guitar master Jeff Raines shredding * foto: Cosmic Schell
Set 2 careened alive with stuff like opener “Dumptruck”, brass band savvy “Buck it like a Horse”, “Pungee”, Katrina spawned “FEMA”, intragalactic “Doublewide” > Zep’s “Whole Lotta Love” & excellently encoring with frenzied “Tiger Roll” > “Bounce Baby” finishing with happy ending “Santa Cruz”.
Ben Ellman on baritone sax * foto: Cosmic Schell
The show registered high on my show going richter scale deepening my belief in big easy hard driving grooves & the natural born urge to move on the quaking dancefloor. Makes me can’t wait for Jazzfest.
Galactic *future funk* foto: Timmy
2/5/09 North Mississippi Allstars, Hill Country Revue @ the Cabooze
2/5/09 North Mississippi Allstars, Hill Country Revue @ the Cabooze
Hill County Revue heats up the Cabooze * foto: Timmy
This tour was billed the “Do It Like We Used To Do” tour in support of a box set (2 CDs, 1 DVD) with the same name. Cody Dickinson & Chris Chew’s new project Hill Country Revue has naturally morphed into a full blown hill countrified rock band that is completely at home on stage all while truly enjoying each others’ playing & the resulting music. They love to take it to the road touring whenever Luther is playing with the Black Crowes, which was a lot last year.
Luther tears up the frets * foto: Dimitri R.
Besides Cody (who plays drums & some guitar) & Chris (bass), HCR consists of guitarist Kirk Smithhart, percussionist Ed Cleveland & singer Dan Coburn. Depending on the gig, they sometimes have others as well.
HILL COUNTRY REVUE HCR stage setlist 2-5-09
Hill Country Revue’s scintillating opening set was absolutely slamming. As the way they roll, Luther sat in a bunch & the collective whole of HCR easily electrified us the crowd overwhelmingly.
Luther
* foto: cosmic
Schell
Cody does his thang * foto: Timmy
Some of their songs were “Georgia Women”, “Dirty Shirt”, “Let Me Love You”, “Growin” & R.L. Burnside’s “Alice Mae”. Also Cody had an amazing washboard solo (that is sometimes called “Psychedelic Sex Machine”). Cody told me after the set that HCR had an album done & coming out soon that he was very pleased with & hinted that I would dig it too. I can’t wait to hear it.
Luther Dickinson * foto: Dimitri R.
NMA came out swinging like an adrenalin spiked tazmanian devil twisting all of our minds & bodies with ultra crushing cosmic force & bombastic ease. The Allstars served up scorching hot fare of foot stomping hill country bluesified psychedelia tinged rock.
Chris Chew on da bad ass bass * foto: Dimitri R.
NMA’s first set featured tunes like opener “Write me a few lines” > “Drop Down Mama”, “Sugartown”, “(Shake) Yo Mama”, Chris Chew sung “I’d Love to be a hippy”, “Ass”, “Keep the Devil Down”, “Freedom Highway”, “Po’ Black Maddie” > “Skinny Woman” & “Shake ‘em on down”. The second set opened with Grand Funk’s “Some Kind of Wonderful” & was highlighted by “Mississippi Boll Weevil”, “Never in my days” > “Bang Bang Lulu” > “Im a Ram”, “Muddy” with encores “Goin’ Down South” & Jimi Hendrix’s “Hear My Train a’Comin’”. Somewhere in there, Luther initiated a tempestuous tease of “Make My Funk the P-Funk”. Simply astonishing.
Luther electrifies the night * foto: Dimitri R.
The show was a real blazer & I was bouncingly having the time of my music adventuring life as I tend to on nights like this. Afterwards, I had the high honor of late night hosting Luther, Kirk & Ed along with some of my friends at my castle where we listened to vinyl & old Allman Bros. bootlegs till nearly dawn. A fun low key post party to truly match the awesome night of live music. Thanks goes out to all involved. World boogie was once coming. Now it’s here!
Luther sings & shines his soul * foto: Dimitri R.
Hill County Revue heats up the Cabooze * foto: Timmy
This tour was billed the “Do It Like We Used To Do” tour in support of a box set (2 CDs, 1 DVD) with the same name. Cody Dickinson & Chris Chew’s new project Hill Country Revue has naturally morphed into a full blown hill countrified rock band that is completely at home on stage all while truly enjoying each others’ playing & the resulting music. They love to take it to the road touring whenever Luther is playing with the Black Crowes, which was a lot last year.
Besides Cody (who plays drums & some guitar) & Chris (bass), HCR consists of guitarist Kirk Smithhart, percussionist Ed Cleveland & singer Dan Coburn. Depending on the gig, they sometimes have others as well.
HILL COUNTRY REVUE HCR stage setlist 2-5-09
Hill Country Revue’s scintillating opening set was absolutely slamming. As the way they roll, Luther sat in a bunch & the collective whole of HCR easily electrified us the crowd overwhelmingly.
Some of their songs were “Georgia Women”, “Dirty Shirt”, “Let Me Love You”, “Growin” & R.L. Burnside’s “Alice Mae”. Also Cody had an amazing washboard solo (that is sometimes called “Psychedelic Sex Machine”). Cody told me after the set that HCR had an album done & coming out soon that he was very pleased with & hinted that I would dig it too. I can’t wait to hear it.
Luther Dickinson * foto: Dimitri R.
NMA came out swinging like an adrenalin spiked tazmanian devil twisting all of our minds & bodies with ultra crushing cosmic force & bombastic ease. The Allstars served up scorching hot fare of foot stomping hill country bluesified psychedelia tinged rock.
Chris Chew on da bad ass bass * foto: Dimitri R.
NMA’s first set featured tunes like opener “Write me a few lines” > “Drop Down Mama”, “Sugartown”, “(Shake) Yo Mama”, Chris Chew sung “I’d Love to be a hippy”, “Ass”, “Keep the Devil Down”, “Freedom Highway”, “Po’ Black Maddie” > “Skinny Woman” & “Shake ‘em on down”. The second set opened with Grand Funk’s “Some Kind of Wonderful” & was highlighted by “Mississippi Boll Weevil”, “Never in my days” > “Bang Bang Lulu” > “Im a Ram”, “Muddy” with encores “Goin’ Down South” & Jimi Hendrix’s “Hear My Train a’Comin’”. Somewhere in there, Luther initiated a tempestuous tease of “Make My Funk the P-Funk”. Simply astonishing.
Luther electrifies the night * foto: Dimitri R.
The show was a real blazer & I was bouncingly having the time of my music adventuring life as I tend to on nights like this. Afterwards, I had the high honor of late night hosting Luther, Kirk & Ed along with some of my friends at my castle where we listened to vinyl & old Allman Bros. bootlegs till nearly dawn. A fun low key post party to truly match the awesome night of live music. Thanks goes out to all involved. World boogie was once coming. Now it’s here!
1/23/09 The Big Pink "A Celebration of the Last Waltz" @ The Cabooze
1/23/09 The Big Pink: A Celebration of the Last Waltz @ the Cabooze
These local talent studded tributes to the Band’s final show “The Last Waltz”, which happened in 1976 (& was documented by Martin Scorcese in a movie in 1978), are popular all over the country & our Twin Cities are no exception as this show at the Cabooze exemplifies.
The “Band” for this crowded (possibly sold out) show was played by Jonny Herchert as Robbie Robertson, Rob Hilstrom as Richard Manuel, DJ Russ as Levon Helm, Pete Sands as Garth Hudson & Chad Whittaker as Rick Danko. Some of the guest “friends” joining in were playing Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Van Morrison, Eric Clapton, Dr. John, Joni Mitchell, Ron Wood, Muddy Waters, the Staples, Paul Butterfield, Emmy Lou Harris & others including some great horn players.
Ace guitarist Jon Herchert riffs up Robbie Robertson
On this below zero arctic numbing night,
nothing could feel better than a warm big venue filled with friends
& local musicians playing prolific timeless music strengthening our
community & bringing us together.
Some of my best highlight peaks on
this night were faves like “Ophelia”, “The Weight”, Dylan’s “Baby Let
Me Follow You Down” & “I shall be released”, Dr. John’s “Such a
Night”, Van Morrison’s “Caravan”, Neil Young’s “Helpless” &
especially the wondrous encore of the Band’s “Don’t Do It”.
Chad Whittaker (Danko), Dan Israel (Dylan), Jon Herchert (Robertson)
After hearing last year’s version of this was really good & very well attended, I attended this year’s tribute on a last minute whim. I was very pleased with the entire evening & left feeling charged positively. I’ve heard these Last Waltz themed show go over big all over music scene nationally. I can see why. Good times were definitely had.
This one is from the real Last Waltz 1976
These local talent studded tributes to the Band’s final show “The Last Waltz”, which happened in 1976 (& was documented by Martin Scorcese in a movie in 1978), are popular all over the country & our Twin Cities are no exception as this show at the Cabooze exemplifies.
The “Band” for this crowded (possibly sold out) show was played by Jonny Herchert as Robbie Robertson, Rob Hilstrom as Richard Manuel, DJ Russ as Levon Helm, Pete Sands as Garth Hudson & Chad Whittaker as Rick Danko. Some of the guest “friends” joining in were playing Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Van Morrison, Eric Clapton, Dr. John, Joni Mitchell, Ron Wood, Muddy Waters, the Staples, Paul Butterfield, Emmy Lou Harris & others including some great horn players.
Ace guitarist Jon Herchert riffs up Robbie Robertson
Chad Whittaker (Danko), Dan Israel (Dylan), Jon Herchert (Robertson)
After hearing last year’s version of this was really good & very well attended, I attended this year’s tribute on a last minute whim. I was very pleased with the entire evening & left feeling charged positively. I’ve heard these Last Waltz themed show go over big all over music scene nationally. I can see why. Good times were definitely had.
This one is from the real Last Waltz 1976
1/16/09 The Wailers @ First Avenue mainroom
1/16/09 The Wailers @ First Avenue mainroom
I was very excited for this occasion as there’s no better place to see the Wailers than at our premier historic live music venue First Avenue. The very roots of reggae music as we know it have direct links to the Wailers, whom most famously were fronted by Bob Marley.
The good news here was that the Wailers were poised to play the whole ‘Exodus’ album in it’s entirety & the not so good news (for me) is that I arrived late & got there right afterward but graciously still in time for another hour & a half of their roots rock reggae that legends are made of.
The band is fronted these days by Elan, who is a truly amazing singer & animated human spirit. Holding it all down on bass is the original “Family Man” Barrett who always shine so brightly as did the whole wonderful band.
The Wailers
Some of the mesmerizing goodness performed were genuine roots classic “Redemption Song” (which started out with just Elan, then some guitar & finished strong with the full band), sweet “Mellow Down”, prolific bond bender “Dem Belly Full (but dem hungry)”, emotive “No woman, no cry”, touching “Is this Love?”, dance encouraging “Keep on Movin”, my absolute fave highlight of the night “Trenchtown Rock” & the timely double dose of “War” > “No More Trouble”.
The vibe was high & supremely positive all night & I had a full on blast dancing with my friends. Don’t miss any chance to see these magnificent purveyors of irie. Keep this blessing enriched blessed music alive.
I was very excited for this occasion as there’s no better place to see the Wailers than at our premier historic live music venue First Avenue. The very roots of reggae music as we know it have direct links to the Wailers, whom most famously were fronted by Bob Marley.
The good news here was that the Wailers were poised to play the whole ‘Exodus’ album in it’s entirety & the not so good news (for me) is that I arrived late & got there right afterward but graciously still in time for another hour & a half of their roots rock reggae that legends are made of.
The band is fronted these days by Elan, who is a truly amazing singer & animated human spirit. Holding it all down on bass is the original “Family Man” Barrett who always shine so brightly as did the whole wonderful band.
The Wailers
Some of the mesmerizing goodness performed were genuine roots classic “Redemption Song” (which started out with just Elan, then some guitar & finished strong with the full band), sweet “Mellow Down”, prolific bond bender “Dem Belly Full (but dem hungry)”, emotive “No woman, no cry”, touching “Is this Love?”, dance encouraging “Keep on Movin”, my absolute fave highlight of the night “Trenchtown Rock” & the timely double dose of “War” > “No More Trouble”.
The vibe was high & supremely positive all night & I had a full on blast dancing with my friends. Don’t miss any chance to see these magnificent purveyors of irie. Keep this blessing enriched blessed music alive.
1/15/09 Cheetah Nunchuck @ the Downtime
1/15/09 Cheetah Nunchuck @ The Downtime
The bitter cold couldn’t stifle the urge to groove & so it was off to Dinkytown to catch a fabulous band comprised of some good friends, which has never ever let me down. I’m talking Cheetah Nunchuck strutting their funky ass stuff down at the Downtime Bar. Another cool feature of these shows is that the players are always encouraging friends to sit in (this time a bassist named Zack was brought up) & so each night is uniquely different.
For this particular night on a spontaneous whim I decided to turn on a dear dear friend to this rhythm driven dance friendly 7 piece super group of some of the Twin Cities best musicians (Matt Darling on trombone, Chris Castino on guitar, Casey O’Brien on bass, Jared Rush on B3, etc). Braving the elements for this was very much worth the reward, which was a truly fun experience. So get your Cheetah on if you dare.
The bitter cold couldn’t stifle the urge to groove & so it was off to Dinkytown to catch a fabulous band comprised of some good friends, which has never ever let me down. I’m talking Cheetah Nunchuck strutting their funky ass stuff down at the Downtime Bar. Another cool feature of these shows is that the players are always encouraging friends to sit in (this time a bassist named Zack was brought up) & so each night is uniquely different.
For this particular night on a spontaneous whim I decided to turn on a dear dear friend to this rhythm driven dance friendly 7 piece super group of some of the Twin Cities best musicians (Matt Darling on trombone, Chris Castino on guitar, Casey O’Brien on bass, Jared Rush on B3, etc). Braving the elements for this was very much worth the reward, which was a truly fun experience. So get your Cheetah on if you dare.
1/12/09 George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic @ First Avenue mainroom
1/12/09 George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic @ First Avenue mainroom
The brutal sub zero temps & cruel inhumane windchills couldn’t keep me away from getting it on by means of the full blown funk on the freakin’ dancefloor that I find essential to life. The bitter arctic front met the sweet scorching hot funk of George Clinton & his 20+ entourage band mob Parliament / Funkadelic at Minneapolis’s most celebrated nightclub First Avenue for a fairly intimate rambunctious crowd several hundred strong.
The P-Funkers did an early set to feature some of their grab bag of danceable talents. Once the main event set began, it wouldn’t let up for an elongated funk fuelled 3 hours long musical mothership groove spasm. George came out about a half hour in to readily raise the temp & the already rising energy level.
Some of the musing material that was fondled over the duration of this funkathon were the body bending “Cosmic Slop”, party potent “Bop Gun”, semi rare old schooler “Funkintelecky”, self fulfilling “We Got the Funk”, highly lit “Maggot Brain”, sexy smokin’ “Red Hot Mama”, uber classic hit “Flash Light”, desirous “Make my Funk the P-Funk”, sticky skunk funk “Something stank & I want some” (featuring George’s daughter Sativa on vocals & was heightened by George & the band puffing on a huge fatty joint onstage), crowd quaking “Bounce to This”, climaxing “Atomic Dog” (with feverishly heated dancers invited up from the audience) & many more too.
I caught a Euro aired interview of the 67 year young George Clinton where someone asked him how long would he keep funking & George casually said that he was just getting started, which made me love him & his music even more. Of his core band (20-30 funksters), many have been loyally be his side since the 70’s (some longer than others). I had the pleasure of interviewing Clinton in 1998 for the Weekly Freak magazine (& my underground TV show), which stands as a true highlight of my blessing enriched career. The super cool band member I’ve known the best is my friend P-Nut, who is always an entertaining figurehead of any p*Funk show (this one included) always singing & cheerleading his ass off.
George has a new 2008 cover record out with his self described “Gangsters of Love” featuring friends like Santana, Sly Stone, Red Hot Chili Peppers, El Debarge, Kim Manning, Kim Burrell & others. Uncle Jam aka Dr. Funkinstein aka George Clinton & Parliament / Funkadelic are fully alive & running hot bursting with the real deal funk in 2009. So please get yourself some. Do it & never look back.
The brutal sub zero temps & cruel inhumane windchills couldn’t keep me away from getting it on by means of the full blown funk on the freakin’ dancefloor that I find essential to life. The bitter arctic front met the sweet scorching hot funk of George Clinton & his 20+ entourage band mob Parliament / Funkadelic at Minneapolis’s most celebrated nightclub First Avenue for a fairly intimate rambunctious crowd several hundred strong.
The P-Funkers did an early set to feature some of their grab bag of danceable talents. Once the main event set began, it wouldn’t let up for an elongated funk fuelled 3 hours long musical mothership groove spasm. George came out about a half hour in to readily raise the temp & the already rising energy level.
Some of the musing material that was fondled over the duration of this funkathon were the body bending “Cosmic Slop”, party potent “Bop Gun”, semi rare old schooler “Funkintelecky”, self fulfilling “We Got the Funk”, highly lit “Maggot Brain”, sexy smokin’ “Red Hot Mama”, uber classic hit “Flash Light”, desirous “Make my Funk the P-Funk”, sticky skunk funk “Something stank & I want some” (featuring George’s daughter Sativa on vocals & was heightened by George & the band puffing on a huge fatty joint onstage), crowd quaking “Bounce to This”, climaxing “Atomic Dog” (with feverishly heated dancers invited up from the audience) & many more too.
I caught a Euro aired interview of the 67 year young George Clinton where someone asked him how long would he keep funking & George casually said that he was just getting started, which made me love him & his music even more. Of his core band (20-30 funksters), many have been loyally be his side since the 70’s (some longer than others). I had the pleasure of interviewing Clinton in 1998 for the Weekly Freak magazine (& my underground TV show), which stands as a true highlight of my blessing enriched career. The super cool band member I’ve known the best is my friend P-Nut, who is always an entertaining figurehead of any p*Funk show (this one included) always singing & cheerleading his ass off.
George has a new 2008 cover record out with his self described “Gangsters of Love” featuring friends like Santana, Sly Stone, Red Hot Chili Peppers, El Debarge, Kim Manning, Kim Burrell & others. Uncle Jam aka Dr. Funkinstein aka George Clinton & Parliament / Funkadelic are fully alive & running hot bursting with the real deal funk in 2009. So please get yourself some. Do it & never look back.
1/9/09 The Butanes with Willie Walker @ McMahon's Pub
1/9/09 The Butanes with Willie Walker @ McMahon’s Pub
On the eve of a luminous full moon, this show brightened up a cold Friday night. I have loved the Butanes for many years now (they formed in 1983) & I couldn’t be happier that they are still alive & kickin’ out the soul blues & funk. When we arrived at McMahon’s (in a former jaded life the Poodle Club) the band was cooking up some bluesy stew.
This great band has been anchored by scene luminaries (& friends of mine) Curtis Obeda on guitar & John Lindberg on bass. As a special guest for this occasion was Willie Walker, who is a music legend first gaining acclaim in Memphis. [special note: Curtis’s lovely wife Lolly has a wonderful radio show “The Sugar Shop” (for over 20 years), which airs every Friday 3-6pm on our beloved KFAI FM 90.3 in Minneapolis & 106.7 St. Paul.]
The Butanes
The hot soul stirring music heated
up the brutally cold night as the Butanes careened thru many thrilling
songs including one by James Carr that they hadn’t attempted since 1994
performed in sheer spontaneity as well as another classic James Carr
tune “Pour Water on a Drowning Man” (single released in 1966) sung by
“Wee” Willie Walker that was outstanding. The whole night was
electric & steeped in R&B drenched soul.
The Butanes have recorded a fine live album at the Cabooze on the West Bank of Minneapolis called “Night & Day” released in 2001. Also they have joined forced with Willie Walker for 2 records: “Right Whre I Belong” in 2004 & “Memphisapolis” in 2006 both nicely showcasing Willie’s deeply sweet soul music.
The Butanes play McMahon’s every Friday
night & every Wednesday at the Eagles Club #34 in South
Minneapolis. The partial list of star artists that they have
backed over the years (on their website) is unbelievable. Please
catch them when you can.
On the eve of a luminous full moon, this show brightened up a cold Friday night. I have loved the Butanes for many years now (they formed in 1983) & I couldn’t be happier that they are still alive & kickin’ out the soul blues & funk. When we arrived at McMahon’s (in a former jaded life the Poodle Club) the band was cooking up some bluesy stew.
This great band has been anchored by scene luminaries (& friends of mine) Curtis Obeda on guitar & John Lindberg on bass. As a special guest for this occasion was Willie Walker, who is a music legend first gaining acclaim in Memphis. [special note: Curtis’s lovely wife Lolly has a wonderful radio show “The Sugar Shop” (for over 20 years), which airs every Friday 3-6pm on our beloved KFAI FM 90.3 in Minneapolis & 106.7 St. Paul.]
The Butanes
The Butanes have recorded a fine live album at the Cabooze on the West Bank of Minneapolis called “Night & Day” released in 2001. Also they have joined forced with Willie Walker for 2 records: “Right Whre I Belong” in 2004 & “Memphisapolis” in 2006 both nicely showcasing Willie’s deeply sweet soul music.
