If you live someplace near where they are playing and love crazy punked out bluegrassy rock - you should go.
I'll keep an eye out for the Chicago show. If there are any other Chicagoistas who want to check it out, let me know.
Diving into this thread because I encountered a musician last night who just freaking blew me away. John Boutte is a vocalist from New Orleans. I went to see Paul Sanchez (who plays with both Cowboy Mouth and Lonesome Traveler, both worth checking out). I'd heard of John before from Paul - they're very close friends and often write together, and Paul had brought John along for his first-ever trip to Chicago.
I can't even articulate what an experience this guy is. A little jazzy, a little soul, a lot of New Orleans. (Another musician commented that he was like a new Belafonte - John, who is wee, responded that in Switzerland, where he plays a lot for some reason, they call him Belafontini.)
You can hear a bit of his stuff at his web page [link] or, better, at his myspace [link] - he apparently blew people away at Jazzfest this year with his version of Louisiana 1927, which had people weeping last night. Another fave of mine there is "At the Foot of Canal Street" which he and Paul wrote together. You don't get the full experience just from listening, though - this guy sings with every bit of blood and bone and heart and seeing it is something that will stay with you for a long time. Go! Listen! Buy! And if you ever spot him performing nearby, by all means get your ass down there.
The Chicago show is August 25th at the Empty Bottle. (I found the show on the Chicago Reader's Early Warnings page.)
I am honestly surprised that there are still tickets available. I guess I am just used to Lawrence, where normal-circumstance SLR tickets sell out in an hour.
brenda/other chicagoistas - I will definitely be there w/another displaced Lawrencian, feel free to e me at my profile addy if you'd like to meet or get a drink before the show.
Absolutely.
Video from last night if anyone's interested: [link]
Well, there you go; I bought and gave up a ticket for Richard Thompson this week. I hope he's a grouch with terrible personal hygiene 'cause it'd make me feel a lot better. Validation?
Well, he did refuse to work with me on my book.
One of these days I'll resume posting, but for now it's another quick hit.
Heard a couple interviews on Fresh Air recently about two older, more-or-less unknown country singers, Wayne Scott and James Hand. Was so taken with both that I bought their CDs, and I'm completely bummed that my father lost his hearing a few years ago & can't enjoy them. Sent a couple tracks to B'rawk2, including Scott's "Sunday with My Son" for proud papas Corwood and Hec. But everybody else should listen, too.
Okay, music peoples, help me find a song. Does *anyone* have a MP3 of "On the Amazon" by Don McLean? iTunes doesn't have it, and I don't particularly want to buy an import CD for one song.
Anyone?
Thanks, Joe! James Hand plays at the Saxon Pub every Thursday evening for happy hour and often opens for Redd Volkaert's band Heybale at the Continental late on Sunday nights. Hint hint.
Corwood, that sucks. I could get the recipient of my ticket to shout out inappropriate requests or some such. He owes me; I gave him a ticket for Richard Thompson.
