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A Bullet for the Dude-ette

8/14/2009

Ok…anyone who knows me has heard me sound the call to support your local music scene. I (literally) own the button and truly believe it important to support the arts in your local area. What I have failed to say is that sometime doing so will cause you to get hurt…to take one, or two, or twenty, for the team. I took a large blast for the local team this past week at the urging of a friend and I’m thinking that only a large bottle of Captain will fill the wound…or at least initiate the healing process.

Me being me, I have been scratching my head trying to find that wonderful “good thing” about this week’s…ummm…event. So here goes. AT LEAST THE ARTIST (used loosely) was out there doing what she loved even if the crowd was trying to figure out a way to get their drunk on before the 30 minute set was over. To paraphrase an old adage, “nothing is ugly after a 6 pack”. This time I think we needed a keg a piece in order to take the ugly away. But at least she was out there enjoying herself…singing her songs, doing her thing instead of sitting at home wondering what if. Comfort comes in knowing that someday soon my ears will stop bleeding, I know they will.

So, yeah, PLEASE continue to support your local music and arts scene. You may, on occasion, have to dodge a bullet but when you are there when a thing of true beauty comes onto the small stage, you will not forget nor will you regret being there.

Peace,

z

© 2009 Wrosesongs

All Rights Reserved

Memories and Music

8/8/2009

I think I am still amazed at the transformations that take place when a loved one is facing death. I have traveled this road recently and am hoping to find the end of mourning so that I can once again celebrate the life that was, that is, that will be.

My writings ended about the time that my dear friend got a shitty diagnosis from his physician…the cancer he had been fighting and seemed to be winning against returned with a vengeance…stage four with a short prognosis for survival. He beat the time clock by a few short months and we celebrated each and every one of those days as they clicked by.

David died in January of this year, defying the odds of making it to the beginning of November 2008. He fought a hard battle and although no longer here, in the flesh, he won. He won through his legacy: The love people express for him, the memories, and his love of music.

I cannot help but think about my dear friend when hearing particular artist and songs such as The Beatles, Rush, Vienna Teng, and Over the Rhine. He lives in every note that these artist play…he hangs on as a memory that I do not want exorcised.

Although we never shared his music together, the only cd I could listen to end-to-end for weeks after David’s death was Matthew Ryan vs The Silver States. I still have not figured that one out yet. Maybe it has something to do with having NOT shared this music together…or possibly themes and notes…?

We recently celebrated the first of David’s birthdays without him. It was weird to say the least. I understand from the hospice personal who work in the same building as I do that the 1^st are the hardest after losing a loved one. I really hope it gets easier from here.

I miss you David and think of you all the time…especially through song.

Peace,

Z

© 2009 Wrosesongs

All Rights Reserved.

Fleet Foxes

song that has been playing in my head:

Theresa Andersson - Birds Fly Away

- As Featured on the Conan O'Brien Show 2/4/2009

One of my fave vids so far...

yeah, the year is young but ya gotta start somewhere. :)




~peace,
z

After Thoughts: We Are One Obama Celebration Concert

1/18/2009

Like a lot of Americans, I just watched the Barack Obama “We Are One” Celebration Concert on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

I enjoyed the audience pans that showed Americans of every color partying together in hopes for a better tomorrow.

I enjoyed watching our President elect grooving to Stevie Wonder, singing along, AND knowing the words to Higher Ground.

I enjoyed the on stage talent coming together. Black, White, Latino, Irish…,etc joining together to bring this event to us in celebration of this dream 46 years in the making.

But, I can’t help but be a little amused that the concert event to celebrate an incoming president who has worked for the past two years to bring hope to all…who has worked diligently over the past two years to include ALL Americans in his plan was exclusively broadcast on HBO or HBO.com. Man, this would have been a good opportunity for the stations to forget about themselves and bring this momentous occasion to all. I guess inclusion ends at the checkbook.

Peace,

z

RIP: Odetta dies at 77

American folk music legend Odetta dies at 77

By POLLY ANDERSON, Associated Press Writer NEW YORK – Odetta, the folk singer with the powerful voice who moved audiences and influenced fellow musicians for a half-century, has died. She was 77.

Odetta died Tuesday of heart disease at Lenox Hill Hospital, said her manager of 12 years, Doug Yeager. She was admitted to the hospital with kidney failure about three weeks ago, he said.

In spite of failing health that caused her to use a wheelchair, Odetta performed 60 concerts in the last two years, singing for 90 minutes at a time. Her singing ability never diminished, Yeager said.

"The power would just come out of her like people wouldn't believe," he said.

With her booming, classically trained voice and spare guitar, Odetta gave life to the songs by workingmen and slaves, farmers and miners, housewives and washerwomen, blacks and whites.

First coming to prominence in the 1950s, she influenced Harry Belafonte, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez and other singers who had roots in the folk music boom.

An Odetta record on the turntable, listeners could close their eyes and imagine themselves hearing the sounds of spirituals and blues as they rang out from a weathered back porch or around a long-vanished campfire a century before.

"What distinguished her from the start was the meticulous care with which she tried to re-create the feeling of her folk songs; to understand the emotions of a convict in a convict ditty, she once tried breaking up rocks with a sledge hammer," Time magazine wrote in 1960.

"She is a keening Irishwoman in `Foggy Dew,' a chain-gang convict in `Take This Hammer,' a deserted lover in `Lass from the Low Country,'" Time wrote.

Odetta called on her fellow blacks to "take pride in the history of the American Negro" and was active in the civil rights movement. When she sang at the March on Washington in August 1963, "Odetta's great, full-throated voice carried almost to Capitol Hill," The New York Times wrote.

She was nominated for a 1963 Grammy awards for best folk recording for "Odetta Sings Folk Songs." Two more Grammy nominations came in recent years, for her 1999 "Blues Everywhere I Go" and her 2005 album "Gonna Let It Shine."

In 1999, she was honored with a National Medal of the Arts. Then-President Bill Clinton said her career showed "us all that songs have the power to change the heart and change the world."

"I'm not a real folksinger," she told The Washington Post in 1983. "I don't mind people calling me that, but I'm a musical historian. I'm a city kid who has admired an area and who got into it. I've been fortunate. With folk music, I can do my teaching and preaching, my propagandizing."

Among her notable early works were her 1956 album "Odetta Sings Ballads and Blues," which included such songs as "Muleskinner Blues" and "Jack O' Diamonds"; and her 1957 "At the Gate of Horn," which featured the popular spiritual "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands."

Her 1965 album "Odetta Sings Dylan" included such standards as "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right," "Masters of War" and "The Times They Are A-Changin'."

In a 1978 Playboy interview, Dylan said, "the first thing that turned me on to folk singing was Odetta." He said he found "just something vital and personal" when he heard an early album of hers in a record store as a teenager. "Right then and there, I went out and traded my electric guitar and amplifier for an acoustical guitar," he said.

Belafonte also cited her as a key influence on his hugely successful recording career, and she was a guest singer on his 1960 album, "Belafonte Returns to Carnegie Hall."

She continued to record in recent years; her 2001 album "Looking for a Home (Thanks to Leadbelly)" paid tribute to the great blues singer to whom she was sometimes compared.

Odetta's last big concert was on Oct. 4 at San Francisco's Golden State Park, where she performed in front of tens of thousands at the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival, Yeager said. She also performed Oct. 25-26 in Toronto.

Odetta hoped to sing at the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama, though she had not been officially invited, Yeager said.

Born Odetta Holmes in Birmingham, Ala., in 1930, she moved with her family to Los Angeles at age 6. Her father had died when she was young and she took her stepfather's last name, Felious. Hearing her in glee club, a junior high teacher made sure she got music lessons, but Odetta became interested in folk music in her late teens and turned away from classical studies.

She got much of her early experience at the Turnabout Theatre in Los Angeles, where she sang and played occasional stage roles in the early 1950s.

"What power of characterization and projection of mood are hers, even though plainly clad and sitting or standing in half light!" a Los Angeles Times critic wrote in 1955.

Over the years, she picked up occasional acting roles in TV and film. None other than famed Hollywood columnist Hedda Hopper reported in 1961 that she "comes through beautifully" in the film "Sanctuary."

In the Washington Post interview, Odetta theorized that humans developed music and dance because of fear, "fear of God, fear that the sun would not come back, many things. I think it developed as a way of worship or to appease something. ... The world hasn't improved, and so there's always something to sing about."

Odetta is survived by a daughter, Michelle Esrick of New York City, and a son, Boots Jaffre, of Fort Collins, Colo. She was divorced about 40 years ago and never remarried, her manager said.

It’s Alive: Jolie Holland

Grimey’s 11/4/2008

Former Be Good Tanyas bandmate, Jolie Holland graced the floor of Grimey’s make shift staging area for a short acoustic in-store performance. Scheduled just two hours before her appearance at the Belcourt Theater, a small but faithful crowd came out to support her.

Upon taking her spot, Holland stated, “I am trying to pretend that you all are not here to hear me sing…” It was that kind of vulnerability that Jolie Holland shared throughout her 30 minute set.

She asked for request after her first song, but after considering the first suggestions, replied, “yeah, but I would fuck them up”. She was saved by a late crowd request for “Mexican Blue” which she mused about before singing.

I went to this show at the urging of an out of town friend, so I had no idea what I was getting into. During the 3-4 song set, I kept thinking that Jolie Holland is what would happen if Lucinda Williams and Karin Bergquist of Over the Rhine had a baby. It would be interesting to hear if that allusion holds up during a full band outing.

No new ground was broken tonight…but it doesn’t always have to. This was a good way to spend a couple of minute at the beginning of the weekend. Jolie Holland was a delight to listen to.

Peace,

zss

© 2008 Wrosesongs

All Rights Reserved

It’s Alive: Hotel Café Tour

Exit/In – 10/21/2008

With a lineup boasting Katie Herzig, Erin McCarley, Garrison Starr, Meiko, Priscilla Ahn and Ingrid Michaelson, the Nashville leg of the Hotel Café Fall Tour came out of the gate sounding like a sure winner. Even with these names, the evening did not live up to its promise.

First, there was a resounding call in the audience to take a contract out on the most annoying MC I have ever encountered. At one point during the evening, Garrison Starr looked as if she was ready to slam him head first into the concrete Exit/In flooring. He was an obnoxious deterrent to the talent on the stage and yes, sadly set the platform for what was to come.

Secondly, the concert, scheduled for 8pm finally began a little after 9:30pm. The late start coupled with the duration of the show led some fans to become frustrated when they realized that they would not be able to stay around until the end. As a matter of fact, my friend and I left a little after mid-night and the show was still rolling on with noticeably much less in attendance than at the beginning of the evening. But this did not hurt the house since they already got paid…right

Meiko, a new name to me, led off the night and seemed to have quite a few followers in the audience. Sadly, her songs were filled with predicable rhyme sequences and her presentation brought nothing new or really memorable…well, until the end when she performed a song ‘backhandedly’ dedicated to the stalker like girlfriend of one of her male friends.

Another new name, Priscilla Ahn was fun, likable, and interesting. Her banter was engaging and full of humor. During the evening, Ahn introduced the Kazoo as a valid pop accompanying instrument and made it sound good! She is an artist I will be take time to learn more about.

Standout performances of the night were Ingrid Michaelson, Katie Herzig, and Erin McCarly but over all, the Hotel Café festivities at Exit/In was in reality more like a yawn fest. It felt long, unbalanced and very disconnected; too bad because there was so much hope for the money.

Peace,

zss

© 2008 Wrosesongs

All Rights Reserved

It’s Alive: Edgar Meyer & Chris Thile

Grimey’s 10/19/2008

What a beautiful marriage Sunday afternoon was as Grimey’s hosted Edgar Meyer & Chris Thile for an in-store performance of their hard to define collaboration.

Touring in support of their new self-titled cd, the Double Bass Master and Mandolin Virtuoso have found new ways to meld their jaw dropping talents into an accessible package that they have allowed us mere mortals to peek into.

Drawing from bluegrass, folk, country and classical music for their instrumental offerings, these two musicians have a stage dialogue that sets them apart from the majority of players on the circuit today. They move effortlessly from genre to genre and have fun infusing a bit of improvisation into their compositions.

Previously, Edgar Meyer has collaborated with musicians such as Bela Fleck, Yo-Yo Ma, Sam Bush, and Mark O’Conner. Chris Thile, on the other hand, is best known for his work with the critically acclaimed Bluegrass influenced band, Nickle Creek.

I would not have imaged these players on stage together with these instruments…but it makes sense. They work well together and the respect that they have for one another illuminated the small Grimey’s playing area.

It was fun seeing Meyer and Thile play in a musician’s town. I watched many in the filled to capacity room finger their own air instruments to accompany what was going on in front of them. I heard gasp when difficult runs were completed with ease. I sensed a respect and joy not only from the stage, but also from those surrounding the performance area.

It’s nice being in a city that brings greatness to the masses.

Peace,
zss

© 2008 Wrosesongs
All Rights Reserved

It’s Alive: NeedToBreathe

Exit/In 09/27/2008

Last weekend, rising band, NeedToBreathe, filled any and all space in the Exit/In with their tight melodic rock sound.

The South Carolina band, which includes brothers Bear and Bo Rinehart, moved effortlessly from straight rock and pop to Southern tinged blues. Their well crafted songs and energetic stage presence got the room moving while showing the band’s musical abilities without seeming to show off.

Going into the venue Saturday night, I was only familiar with one song. Our local progressive Rock Radio Station (wrlt.com) recently placed “More Time” off of the band’s release, The Heat into their on-air rotation.

Although a band that falls into the Christian music genre, they are basically a band that happens to be made up of believers. And yes, that influence is very obvious in most of their songs. BUT, NeedToBreathe is not sloughing. They have worked to bring artistry to their work and have made their songs pretty accessible to just about anybody.

Two thumbs up for a fun filled Saturday night.

Peace,

zss

© 2008 Wrosesongs

All Rights Reserved

Music News: Bruce Springsteen to play Superbowl Half-time

The Boss to play Super Bowl halftime

NEW YORK (AP) — Another Super Bowl, another rock 'n' roll superstar at halftime.

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will perform at this year's Super Bowl halftime show in Tampa, Fla., the NFL and NBC announced Sunday night.

Continuing a run of major talent that has lately included the Rolling Stones, U2, Paul McCartney, Prince and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, the biggest television event in the nation will showcase one of its most beloved rock 'n' roll artists. The Super Bowl will be played Feb. 1 at Raymond James Stadium.

Last year's halftime show was watched by more than 148 million viewers in the U.S., the NFL said in its release. It wasn't always that way: For years, the game's halftime show was made up of local and college marching bands and drill teams.

Chubby Checker in 1988 was the first popular musician to perform at halftime, and Michael Jackson upped the ante in 1993. His sister Janet provided the show's most infamous moment with 2004's "wardrobe malfunction" — and the show has stuck with straight ahead rock acts ever since.
On the Net:

* http://www.nfl.com

Just Saying: David Byrne at Grimey's

I like being employed - i really do -- but NOT when David Bryne is doing an in-store right down the road from me.

My job just didn't get it -- they didn't understand that i needed an extended lunch break in order to stand in a crowded record store and stare at him...and possibly babble something about him being one of my musical heroes.

He freaking road his bike to Grimey's, talked with people and signed stuff.

I am not normally starstruck, but he is different. Byrne chose to take musical chances when others were living safe. He "stopped making sense" long time ago.

His people called the store to ask if it was OK for him to stop by and do an in-store...and I had to freaking work!!!!

BUT...peeps I know were there....and peeps I know talk about how nice and humble a man he is.

And I had to freaking work!!!

peace,
z

Spin Cycle: Brooke Waggoner – Heal For the Honey

Released: 9/9/2008

Heal For The Honey, Brooke Waggoner’s first full length cd has finally been released and has proven to be a fantastic follow-up to her acclaimed ep, Fresh Pair of Eyes, which was offered as a free, ear tickling, download beginning in July 2007.

Waggoner, a Louisiana native, who studied classical piano, went to Louisiana State University to study Music Composition & Orchestration with hopes of one day having a career in scoring soundtracks and musicals. That all changed when she started attending live concerts while in school. There, she was introduced to a whole new world of music other than the classical compositions of her youth.

It’s not often that I find it hard to take a disc out of my cd player; Heal For The Honey is one of the exception. With songs that are at once reflective and playful, I keep going back to find another little treasure that I may have missed in my first 100 listens.

What I truly like about Heal For The Honey is that Brooke Waggoner does not sound like the thousands of other girl singers that I can pluck off of any store shelf. She has artfully blended classical and pop influences while masterfully blending her voice and piano in a stirring record that will long be remembered.

Peace,

zss

© 2008 Wrossongs

All Rights Reserved

It’s Alive: Amy Rigby & Wreckless Eric

Grimey’s 09/18/2008

What a fun In-store performance by Amy Rigby and Wreckless Eric (Goulden)!

The couple, who were married in April and now live in France, is on a short American tour celebrating their new self produced, self titled album on Stiff Records.

Although Eric and Amy shared the stage and sang together, the feel Thursday evening was more of a collaborative effort than of a duet act. They have found a way to play together while highlighting one another’s strengths.

Amy Rigby has been known in recent years as a quiet folky singer/songwriter while Eric has a reputation for being ranty and edgy. The chemistry between the two works though. The enjoyment that they have for one another is evident. Even as surly as Eric can be, he softens when talking about his wife. It’s very sweet.

I learned new ways for words that start with *F* and heard the proper use of wanker. Now I need to find a way to fit my new education into my daily life. ;)

All best to Amy and Eric.

Thanks you two, I had a great time.

Peace,

zss

© 2008 Wrosesongs

All Rights Reserved

SPIN CYCLE: Ani DiFranco – Red Letter Year

Release: September 30, 2008

“Got Myself A New Mantra: Don’t Forget To Have A Good Time”.

A copy of Ani DiFranco’s new release made it into my hands earlier this week and I have been trying to absorb it ever since.

Along with the title track which brings to mind the troubles in New Orleans, Red Letter Year, the newest offering from Ani DiFranco, tackles love, life, celebration, politics, and the life long struggle of learning to accept oneself as is.

There is simplicity to Red Letter Year as DiFranco discovers the joys found in loving and letting go. It finds the Maverick Folky hopeful and relaxed. It is a laid back, well produced, and intimate Ani DiFranco. This is an Ani who has learned in the past two years that you don’t always have to yell or beat others over the head to get your point across. This is Ani the mother, Ani in love, Ani contented.

Have no fear, this quieter Ani is still denouncing sexism, consumerism, and the Iraq conflict. She is just talking this time instead of yelling.

Co-produced by DiFranco’s partner Mike Napolitano, Red Letter Year was recorded in New Orleans and carries that favor throughout with tasteful inclusion of orchestrations that color many of the tracks, most notably the reprise of ‘Red Letter Year’, which closes the disc.

The Rebirth Brass Band was called upon to add joyous instrumentation to these songs of renewal. One can almost envision a party breaking out in the studio as the trombones, trumpets, and saxophones add celebratory punctuation to the stillness.

I am enjoying getting to know this Ani. It’s nice sitting down to chat for awhile.

Peace,

zss

© 2008 Wrosesongs

All Rights Reserved

It’s Alive: Next Big Nashville 2008 – Day 4

September 13, 2008

Today began with free beer, free food and a softball game hosted by American Songwriter Magazine at Greer Stadium.

The Industry Kicked the Writer’s asses…so what else is new? ;)

A quick stop was made to Grimey’s Outside sale and party where a few non-descript items were plucked out of the “take one” bins.

Hopefully one day soon, I will take the time to investigate them.

On the way home, I smiled happily while fantasizing about the sweet nap I planned to take right after wrapping up a few errands. This evening promises to be another very busy NBN ’08 event and I didn’t want the tired grumpies to take hold of me.

Saturday travels were nice since we only had to go to one venue for the entire evening – ok, technically two, but upstairs/downstairs…baby, that’s doable!

Once arriving at the Cannery, we caught Sam and Ruby mid-note into their set which was not scheduled to begin until 9pm. We later found out that some other scheduling issue forced the venue to push show time by 15 minutes.

Maybe it was the rush to stage, or just an off night, but I found Sam & Ruby’s performance a little rough. After hearing so much about this duo, I wanted to like them. The songs on their myspace caught my attention and begged me to find out more…then I did…and was disappointed.

Only knowing their music through word of mouth and the internet, I am unfamiliar with their song titles, but there were a few times during their set that I was hopeful…almost saying aloud, “Come on, you can do it…” only to be left flat once again.

I am hopeful enough to chalk it up to a bad night and plan to visit this band again. I just don’t want to give up that easily.

Brooke Waggoner was rushed to the stage soon after entering the Cannery Ballroom. Under the impression that she had a few minutes of breathing room before beginning, she appeared to be a little wide-eyed at first, but that all faded away as soon as she struck the first chords on her keyboard. The powerful WOW factor hushed the room as Ms. Waggoner presented her infectious classical-piano driven pop music.

Waggoner was engaging, sweet, risky, familiar, impressive, and memorable. Goodness woman! Keep up the awesome work!

The Mercy Lounge beckoned us upstairs for Erin McCarley’s thirty minute showcase. McCarley is quickly becoming one of Nashville’s singer/songwriter darlings with her cautious and fiery approach to music. Supported on keys by K.S. Rhoads, she appeared comfortable and shy on the stage, the mixture of which played out powerfully.

It is possibly the inconsistencies that play together so well for Erin McCarley. Even here, I have used descriptors such as Cautiously & Fiery, Comfortable & Shy to describe the musician and her music…they are so intertwined and add so much to the mysteries she reveals through her songs.

McCarley is a keeper.

Back downstairs, we were informed that The Features, originally scheduled to play another venue were going to close out the night right after Ten out of Tenn featuring: Butterfly Boucher, Erin McCarley, Andy Davis, Tyler James, Trent Dabbs, Matthew Perryman Jones, Katie Herzig, KS Rhoads, and Jeremy Lister completed their performance.

Fresh off of a short tour in Willie Nelson old bus, the tight little ensemble (minus Griffin House) hit The Cannery Ballroom stage utilizing one another as accompaniment for their solo songs.

The audiences’ sense of pride for this group of performers was almost palatable. They have done a great job, not only of representing their music, but also of representing Nashville.

Stand out performers for the evening were Jeremy Lister and an almost quiet K.S. Rhoads. Rhodes performed The Bayonet and the Cigarette as his solo selection and had the crowd cheering from beginning to end. Lister appeared more confident this time around…like a light had been turned on…like he realized sometime recently that “Yeah, I can do this…”

A second wave of this group is scheduled to take to the road later this year. It is with happy anticipation that I await this promise to see the light of day.

Wrapping up NBN ’08 at the Cannery Ballroom were The Features, a band best known for their quirky new-age influenced pop. The front of the stage quickly filled with smiling, screaming, swaying, and singing underage girls – you know…the ones with the big black sharpie induced X’s etched onto the backs of their hands, who, it appears, are among the bands biggest fans. Watching the fans was almost as entertaining as watching the band – well, for a little while.

We stayed for a few songs then decided to beat the rush out of the parking lot.

From where I sat, Next Big Nashville 2008 was a great success. I am already looking forward to next year to see what will be offered to those of us lucky enough to live in this big ‘ol crazy music saturated town.

I love my city.

Peace,

zss

© 2008 Wrosesongs

All Rights Reserved

It’s Alive: Next Big Nashville 2008 – Day 3

September 12, 2008

I am so excited about tonight’s NBN ’08 line-up. The shows I have been giddy about happen this evening.

Tonight, we began our trek at The Basement to check out Jennifer Niceley, an artist who summons up the spirits of Billie Holiday and Nina Simone right down to phrasing and tonality. It was hard to tell where Niceley’s influences ended and she began. Although she presented a well executed, laid-back set, I found myself desperately wanting to know the music of the nice young lady before me. She is one to watch…as soon as she finds her own skin.


After killing a little time, my friend and I headed to 12th and Porter for Tyler James.

What James lacks in vocal power, he more than makes up in accessibility. He has successfully broken down the dividing wall by making himself vulnerable through his lyrics and stage banter thus welcoming the audience into his world for at least a little while.


Soon after James tapped out his final note, we sprinted four blocks over and about 3 block down to The Cannery Ballroom/Mercy Lounge where we would be spending the remainder of the evening.

Paper Route took the stage very near their 10:15pm start time to a full room of eager listeners.


Playing music that can be loosely described as Electronic-Americana-Rock or any variation of those themes, Paper Route boldly shares their wounds, fears, struggles and hopes in a harmonious explosion of sound. Friday night, they laid bare their souls once more as we, the audience, nodded our heads in time to the music and in quiet recognition of our like vulnerabilities.

Still in Paper Route after-glow, it was time to head upstairs with a good portion of the crowd to The Mercy Lounge for Jeremy Lister’s solo performance (he appears Saturday with Ten out of Tenn).

Lister transplanted to Nashville from Mississippi in 2003 in pursuit of his passion for making music. After setting up camp, he started playing writer’s nights until he finally caught the ear of a rep from Warner Brothers Records.


Jeremy appeared fit and ready to play to the packed room before him. The audience was captivated and sang along to his stand out performance of “Some Other Time”. His energetic performance was a great advertisement for his current EP, "Just One Day", while nodding toward his long anticipated full length CD due in 2009.

AutoVaughn’s set begin in the Cannery Ballroom in the middle of Jeremy Lister’s set. I made it back down stairs in time to hear the final two songs from this awesome band.


I have seen AutoVaughn a couple of times and they have never been a disappointment. One can tell instantly that the stage is where these gentlemen belong. Not only are they tight musically, they are just damn fun to watch. That is saying a lot for a band that seems to be playing somewhere every night of the week. They are doing what they are supposed to be doing and it shows.

The night closed with SuperDrag! Any complaints of tiredness were vanquished as soon as John Davis and company hit the stage.


I had forgotten about this band but was snapped back when songs like “Do the Vampire” were played and I found myself singing along.

Are old songs like riding a bicycle? Once you learn them, you never forget?

It was fun watching Tom Pappas, the man of endless energy, jump and duck-walk across the stage while Davis screamed and sang his self completely sweaty. It was beautiful and we loved it!


Nice ending to day three.

Cheer!
Zss

© 2008 Wrosesongs
All Rights Reserved

It’s Alive: Next Big Nashville 2008 – Day 2

September 11, 2008

Day Two of NBN ’08 has come and gone and what a day it was.

My traveling companion and I begin the night relatively early by relaxing at Edgehill Studios and Café to take in the beautiful sounds of Chickamauga, Georgia native, Angel Snow. Presenting music described as "classic Americana folk with a modern edge", Snow is beginning to make a name for herself around Nashville. Her songs were like adding candlelight to the small Edgehill Studios stage.

Husband and wife duo, McClain took the stage after Angel Snow. Travis and Lindsey offered sweet harmonies wrapped around American/Folk melodies that brings to mind a coupling of Eastmountainsouth and Joshua Radin.

After making a stop to pick up a third party, we headed to 12^th and Porter hoping to see Peter Bradley Adams but that wasn’t in the cards for us but we were able to catch Cassino and their fun to watch, chair playing drummer.

Although Cassino’s songs were well executed, lack of distinction made their set sound like one long song. That said, this band does show promise and it is because of that promise that I am interested to see them after they work to add a little more variety into their song-smithing.

Next stop…The Anchor to take in Lorien.

Going to the Anchor was the first festival roadblock my friends and I faced. The church venue was running behind schedule…about 30-45 minutes behind posted start times and we were soon to find out why – or at least little of why.

Whether it was the band or the sound engineers, thirty minutes was spent on sound check – a no-no in a festival atmosphere…‘fix it in the mix’ became the mantra of many in attendance. The wait coupled with lack of adequate air control forced a lot of people out of the doors before the first ‘true’ note was played…my friends and I left after 1 ½ songs in order to catch Megan McCormick at The Basement.

Entering mid-set, Ms. McCormick’s powerhouse performance redeemed the latter part of the evening for me. Her command of the stage and true knowledge of her songs held the attention of the audience who begged for more of her bluesy/rock presentation.

McCormick, backed by a band that is as connected to the music as she is, added an intimacy to the fire. McCormick is an artist to watch.

Matthew Perryman Jones closed out the evening with a rocking late night performance. Showing his gentle humility, Jones acknowledged the audience a few times for choosing to come out to support him when there were so many other artist to choose from who were playing in the city that night. We were rewarded, in a sense, by an appearance from former Toad the Wet Sprocket front man, Glen Philips, who took the stage at the end of Jones’ set and graced us with three tunes from the old days. I think I’m still smiling.

Friday is another day of jumping from venue to venue. Good thing I took the day off in order to catch up on my sleep.

Peace,

zss

© 2008 Wrosesongs

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