Author Archives: grnarrow

About grnarrow

Setlist Architect/Art Scene Checker-Outer/Sound Feeler

Run Down the Sound

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Feeling a little beat up this week, but still managed to give away a pair of tickets to the upcoming Chicago Bluegrass and Blues Festival and do a live on air interview with Skip Von Kuske from the Vagabond Opera….The chase started as soon as I hit the “GO” button.

Demon Woman- Flight of the ConChords
What the Hell were you Thinking- Neal Fox
People got to be Free- Keb Mo
Turnin’ Pages- Peter Wolf
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Streetwalkin’ Ed- Randy Edelman
Evil Ways- Rusted Root
One More Day- the Wood Brothers
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Albert’s Shuffle-Bloomfield/Kooper/Stills (live)
Before you Accuse me- Bo Diddley
Bad Dream- Eddy Clearwater
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the Eternal Is- Jason Ricci & New Blood
Good Excuse- the John Butler Trio (live Studio 92)
Word Up- Deni Bonet
VooDoo Man- Nikki Armstrong (live)
Do the Do- Mama Roo
Give me Back my Numbers- Geoff Achsion
Treat a Dog- Andrew Black & the Naturals
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Mr. Pitiful- Tower of Power w/Sam Moore
One in Seven- Soulive
the Sax Pusher- Fort Knox Five
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** Interview with Skip von Kuske of the Vagabond Opera**
Ganef- the Vagabond Opera
And then you’re gone- Pink Martini
the Transformation into Marlene- the Vagabond Opera
Red Rat- Fourth Ward Afro Klezmer Orchestra
Contada Ridiculata- Marchforth Marching Band
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Soul Makossa- Revolutionary Snake Ensemble
A Lover like me- Binky Griptite w/the Sugarman Three
Thunder Chicken- the Mighty Imperials
Back at the Boathouse- Breakestra
Animated Creation- Jamaaladeen Tacuma
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Makai & Tacoma- Jon Irabagon
Well you Needn’t- Cory Wong Quartet
Captured in a Moment- Jeff Coffin/Charlie Peacock
Ode Ma Ti P’Ogidan Soko- King Sunny Ade
Calypso Blues-Nat King Cole(Damian JR GONG Marley & Stephen Marley Mix)
One Love- Playing for a Change
Papa was a Rolling Stone-the Temptations (DJ Jazzy Jeff/Pete Kuzma Solefull Remix)
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It’s More Expensive for this- Snooze
Dance this Mess Around- the B 52s
Voulez Vous- Arling & Cameron

Ceiba Funkraiser

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Funk for the forest! All proceeds support the Ceiba Foundation for Tropical Conservation. Ceiba works with rural landowners in Ecuador to help create and sustain locally-run biodiversity reserves. The Lalo Loor Dry Forest and El Pahuma Orchid Reserve are two examples of our lands-in-private-hands approach, which empower local people to successfully manage their own resources. Ecuador is one of the world’s most biodiverse countries, so every penny raised in the US has an enormous conservation impact there. Tonight’s terrific entertainment line-up will start at 8:00pm. With an auction and other events to be held throughout the night — you could walk home with a fabulous tropical orchid! Check out the awesome lineup: “If Chafo was a stew: Funk would be the broth, Reggae, Blues and Hip-Hop would be the ingredients, and Latin would be the spice.” No tropical party would be complete without a heavy dollop of musica latina, you can feel the equatorial heat! The Gomers – “One of the best bands I ever saw, a legendary and inestimably important band, but more than that. Not so much a band as – well, more like a squad of gods. A God Squad. A full-on, balls-out God Squad of Rock.” These cats can do just about anything, and this evening they will purr out some of the funkiest tunes in the forest. Tani Diakite & the Malian Blues Band’s rootsy, danceable groove earns the band most of its accolades. But the group…is also about producing good vibes.” An original blend of African sounds, Tani and friends put out a groove that’s irresistable. WADOMA is a West African Dance troupe that “brings the colorful fabric of African life to the Midwest.” Drum-laden rhythms pour from this group, they are sure to get your tail wagging!

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WOMEX

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See what some folks are calling: “The most important international professional market of world music of every kind. This international fair brings together professionals from the worlds of folk, roots, ethnic and traditional music and also includes concerts, conferences and documentary films. It contributes to networking as an effective means of promoting music and culture of all kinds across frontiers.” UNESCO Global Alliance for Cultural Diversity

“WOMEX, the biggest world music trade fair on the planet” The Australian

“World music fans and professionals must etch one event permanently into their diaries: the WOMEX conference, exhibition and festival! […] It was my first time attending this world music expo in Sevilla, and I am totally addicted now! In addition to meeting hundreds of bookers, labels, cultural promotion agencies and musicians, the highlight is catching 45 [49!] bands from around the world live in concert.” Madanmohan Rao, World Music Editor at Rave Magazine & RJ, India.

Check out the Hip Happening at WOMEX

Old Crow Medicine Show

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The Barrymore Theatre has been my one time a week stop, this time for more twang and stringed instrumentation. Old Crow Medicine Show gave the sold out crowd a “humdinger” of two sets. Raucous Bluegrass and country rock, jams into fiddle psychedelia lead the evening into a that feeling I had when first drinking beers in the back woods where only the four-wheel drive equipped vehicles could get you in and out. The music of this night gave me a sense of my youth as it is still being tamed by my adult (some would say) life. I have been spinning these guys on my show since I began some 6 years ago and would easily bump several acts in the similar vein to the side over if they were around playing. The gig is more than a gig, it is a hoe-down party built for overalls and smiles, flannel shirts and tie dyed skirts……It was nice to hear the variety in their on stage “twangings” and the variety in the crowd.

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One for a friend….

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From the “untucked Shirt club” to the witty conversation about, well all of it as seen & felt through a special spirit…a snack master and musicians musician but most importantly, a friend. I hope this show would have Adam laughing, jamming and proud to be a part of…I hope I did him well this time. 5 hours of music….

At the Mall- JJ Soul Band
Let’s Go- the Pines
The Thrill is Gone- Garcia/Grisman
Oh, Atlanta- Alison Krauss
Drag ‘N’ Fly- Dale Watson
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Rockin’ in the Parlor- Can Kickers (live)
Congress- Enter the Haggis (live)
Shubbee’s Doobie- Bela Fleck & the Flecktones (live)
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The Water’s Always Changing but the River..-Samuel James
Desert of Love- David Gans
Hey Now Now- Chris Huff
Cigarette- Akiva
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Kansas City- Davis Coen
Borrow your Love- Carey Bell
Hard Lovin’ mama- Katie Webster
You Can’t Take it w/You- EG Kight
Told me a Lie- Sean Costello
Blues for Luci- Pedro Arevalo
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the Shadow Government- They Might be Giants
the Candy Man- Cibo Matto
Child in the Sunburst Pyramid- Turn me on Dead man
Wondermint- Turn me on Dead man
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the Joker- Wes Montgomery
Honey Burger’s grill New Mix- Skeebo Knight
Bruce Lee- Skeebo Knight
***On Air Chat w/PaulE Drums for concerts4cures***
Can you Feel it-Soul Summit feat Maysa (live)
Cold Plate (intro/reprise- King Johnson (live)
Snack Master-Skeebo/Marcus/Adam
Chicken/Good Fortune- King Johnson (live)
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I Thank you- Tower of Power feat Tom Jones
Funky Belly- the Mighty Imperials feat Joseph Henry
Testify- Cadillac Jones
I know you don’t Know-Zigaboo Modeliste & Gaboon’s Gang (live)
Treadneck- the Dynamites feat Charles Walker
Bass in your Face- Jamaaladeen Tacuma
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Avood Mehava-Soulico feat. Oren Barzilay
Cyclic- Jazzanova
Another New Day- Jazzanova
Mister Magic-King Britt’s Philly Experiment (DJ Ghe Mix)
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Thirteen Men- Ann Margaret
Besame Mucho- Herb Alpert & Lani Hall (live)
Slowly- Max Sedgley
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Wicked Funk- Kwaanza Posse
Set the Children Free- Larry McDonald & Toots Hibbert
Rara Ti Celia- Boukman Eksperyans
Sunrise- Mark Weinstein & Omar Sosa
Invocation- Mark Weinstein & Omar Sosa
Ugly Woman- Andy Narell + Relator
Destinos- Billy Cobham & Asere
Danza Ritual- Uxia
Guitarra Negra- Gipsy Kings
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Blew my Top- Geoff Achison
Finest Flower- King Johnson (live)
Fat Redneck Gangster- Garage a Trois
Reinhardt Rag-Keller Williams w/Moseley/Droll/Sipe (live)
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Backbone- Euforquestra
Orange Blossoms- JJ Grey & Mofro
Heaven Has no Mercy- Honeytribe
Back Door Man- Mama Roo
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You Talk too Much- Joe Jones
Dirty Water- the Inmates
Have you Ever- Joe Tex
Besa Mi Bottom Turn-the Ramblin’ Ambassadors
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Nora- Neoton
Gotcha- Lesnizver
Strenge- Dva
Shanti Mantra- Ravi Shankar

Michael Bellar As Is Ensemble

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The As-Is Ensemble is the sound dwelling of musician/producer Michael Bellar. The album is one that’ll easily get your ears perked up waiting for the next note and the next transition. The As-Is Ensemble has shared billings with many alt-jazzy artists and acts such as: Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, John Scofield, Medeski Martain and Wood and formerly were the house band at the world famous Blue Note jazz club in New York City. I look forward to sharing more of this album with you, and I am going to dig in deeper to the other two studio albums (“Like it Is” & “React”). On this latest release in 2009, “Turned On Turned Up” features Rob Jost on bass (Bjork/Imogen Heap), Brad Wentworth (Ryan Keberle/Aretha Franklin) on drums and Percussionist Robert Di Pietro (Norah Jones/Jessie Harris).

B Whatever U Wanna B

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Boo!
Trapped- Jake Shimabukuro (live)
Trouble on Congress Street Rag- Samuel James
All your Love- Otis Rush
Got Lucky Last Night- Lonnie Brooks
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Girl Next Door- Loomis & the Lust
02- the Malah
Minor Swing- Mattias IA Eklundh
Weasel Pot Pie- That 1 Guy
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Cumbia Caimera- El Combolinga
Ritmo de le Noche- Gipsy Kings
Fuga- Tiempo Libre
El Tilingo Lingo- Los Lobos del Este de L.A.
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Boris the Spider- Tom Constanten
Fem (Etude #8)- the Bad Plus
Warsaw- Luminescent Orchestrii
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Black Magic Woman- Albert Kuvezin & Yat Kha
Duet- Chirgilchin
Eldek kYS- Chirgilchin
Intro->In the Room Where you Sleep- Dead Man’s Bones feat. the Silverlake Conservatory of Music Children’s Choir
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Power Patriot- Garage a Trois
Funky Boots march-Chris McGregor’s Brotherhood of Breath
Rana Sylvatica- Ergo
Hide-Jason Adasiewicz’s Rolldown
the Invasion Song-Eldad Tarmu Chambler Jazz Ensemble
Happy Hour on Planet Zarg- Project Two
Slow Numbers- Morphine
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Get it How you Live- Slavic Soul Party
Daraboukaton- Soulico
the War of Ideas- DJ Spooky
Dazed & Confused Dub- DJ Spooky w/Golden Hornet Project
Fade out- Jazzanova
Hanazono- Jazzanova
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I Suppose There’s a Hole in my Life- Charlie Cheney
**On Air Conversation w/Charlie Cheney**
Giant Chicken- Charlie Cheney
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Thank you…-Barry White
I Put a Spell on you- Merl Saunders & Friends (live)
Something for Cat- Four Piece Suit
Eleanor Rigby- Wes Montgomery
Groove on- the Godfathers of Groove
Frankenstein- Marcus Miller
Sebastian- Fourplay
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Hip Hopera- DJ Logic
BesameMucho- Worldwide Groove Corporation
More & More of your Amor-Nat King Cole (Bitter:Sweet mix)
Misty Mountain Hop-Michael Bellar & the As Is Ensemble
Rumor- Christian Scott (live)

Took a Trip on Railroad Earth

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It has been many years since I was told I should check out Railroad Earth doing their thing live and each time something either came up or it just never worked out….well, this time I made sure to make sure I was there and I was not disappointed. There is something to their “jamgrass rock” that really gets me feelin’ more than alright. While I missed the opening act of Vince Herman’s Great American Taxi this time around to watch baseball, I am sure that the billing of there two acts made so much sense (after all I caught G.A.T’s set last time around), and drew the right kind of crowd for each set…certainly I couldn’t get enough of that down home feeling I was getting from the people in attendance. I love the fiddle, I love the mandolin and I love rockin’….so put those three things together and you got such a trip on the Railroad Earth that you don’t care to know where or when your stop arrives. For their part, RRE kicked it into overdrive towards the end of their first set and the explosiveness continued when they returned to the stage, leaving me to ask myself, “What took you so long to get to one of their shows?” And I am now able to say simply…FINALLY.

I Told you I was Freaky

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The newest Flight of the Conchords from HBO and Sub Pop Records is as charming as the boys themselves. I know what you’re thinking…isn’t is dangerous to invite Brett and Jermaine into your home, or for a long car trip….but I think these thirteen tracks are sure to make you think differently and often chuckle out-loud wherever you might be listening in. From “Sugarlumps” to “You don’t have to be a Prostitute”, the catchy pop of Flight of the Conchords‘ “I Told You I Was freaky” makes me want to say thank you in special ways to the person who introduced me to the show and the music that oozes out of these goofy lads.

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Wadada Leo Smith~Spiritual Dimensions

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one disc: Golden Quintet
Two Disc: Organic
2009 Cuneiform Records.

Makes me happy to have ears. Improv Jazz that takes improvisation and twists it anew into something not only heard, but into a figure at times, a shape or form. This music keeps me guessing and wanting to be a part of a this in a live setting. Of course Wadada Leo Smith takes the trumpet to all levels of new and beyond, and i mean deep in the portions of my mind where my ears must have dug a secret tunnel, this trumpet sound found a place to gather…allowing me extra time to digest and think it through. The Golden Quintet was recorded live at Vision XIII in June of 2008 and features Vijay Iyer on piano/synthesizer, John Lindberg on bass and Pheeroan AkLaff on drums. The Organic portions was recorded live in New Haven at Firehouse 12 in April of 2009. Featuring Michael Gregory on electric guitar, Brandon Ross on electric guitar, Nels Cline on 6/12 string electric guitar, Okkyung Lee on cello, Skuli Sverrisson on electric bass, John Lindberg on acoustic bass and Pheeroan AkLaff on drums.

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Julian Marley & the Uprising

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JULIAN MARLEY & THE UPRISING featuring STEPHEN MARLEY “AWAKE” NORTH AMERICAN TOUR 2009 hit Madison at the Barrymore and was there a feeling of unity inside the walls. The conscious awareness of the music made it easy to get immersed in the positive vibe Julian brings around with him, and shares in the message of his lyrics and the island rhythms of the band. The crowd was diverse and never divided as we were always under the guide of the Rastafarian spirit as it too was AWAKE with this night’s uprising. Featuring many tracks off the new album, the songs were traveling throughout the hall on the wings of smoke and gladly they collided with a couple of Bob Marley classics~because after all, why not start from the beginnings. With a few songs left for the night, Stephen joined on stage and the electricity of that collaboration took off with more power than any man made facility could conjure up, the attitude & altitude of the performance was on the rise..
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…the bouncing, the smiling and the IRIE feelings were the bond that kept this night’s unity alive and breathing. It was a time when Reggae music came to life as Autumn has been ready to change to Winter, and this show helped keep a little summer time in my mind.

Biz Z Times Studio-Wise

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Today was a busy time in the studio world for me, a phone conversation with a rock legend….an attempt at a Julian Marley chat not materializing as the signals weren’t bouncing correctly, an extra hour and a new DJ shadowing me in the Captain’s chair….All and all, it was a fun place to be:

Canaries in the Mind-Elliott Murphy w/Olivier Durand
In the Seam- Yonder Mountain String
Blues of Sin/Babylove- pat mAcdonald
Bad Weather- AKACOD
In a Gadda da Vida- Albert Kuvezin & Yat Kha
Chabiba- Tinariwen
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Hey Pockey Way- Grateful Dead (live 3/31/89)
Hit it & Quit it- BD Lenz
Speaker Freakers- J Russell w/Dave Fiuczynski
Glass Tables- Zevious
Cogs in Cogs- Gentle Giant
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Gotta Serve Somebody- Shirley Caesar
Smile- Lily Allen
Limousine- Shemekia Copeland
the Stumble- Freddie King
Feelin’ Right on a Saturday Night- the Velvetiers
Walk this Way- Zydecosis
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When the Levee Breaks- Bonerama
LT. Cassaway- Microscopic Septet
Baltika- Slavic Soul Party
Chaal Baby- Red Baraat
Immigrant Punk- Gogol Bordello
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Comfort Zone- Fourplay
Summertime at Bamako-Keletigui Diabate w/Habib Koite & Bamada
Squashing Pollyanna-Michael Bellar & the As Is Ensemble
Runaway- Gentle Giant
**On Air Conversation w/Kerry Minnear of Gentle Giant**
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Fever(More Cowbell Mix)- Worldwide Groove Corporation
Awake- Julian “JuJu” Marley
All Night- Damian “Jr Gong” Marley
Sharp as a Razor- Julian “JuJu” Marley
Sugar Pie-Melody Makers/the Wailers feat Ziggy Marley(live ’81)
Shakara/Lady Prt2-Cheikh Lo/Les Nubians & Manu Dibango feat. Chateau Flight
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When you Gonna Learn(Didgeridoo)-Jamiroqui
Didgin’ Out- Jamiroqui
Vindaloo- Cadillac Jones
Wildlife- Vernon Reid & Masque
Boss Theme- Steez
Left, Right & Center- Victor Wooten
Torture- Future Rock
———————
Externity (Reprise)- EOTO
Put ’em Up- Soulico feat. Lyrics Born & Axum
Brothers & Sisters- Brother Ali
The Preacher- Brother Ali
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The Jungle Comes Alive- the Jamaica Boys
Looking for an Answer-the New Mastersounds w/Dionne Charles
Fi’ Fo’- BD Lenz
Big Brother- the Vijay Iyer trio
A New World….-the Terence Blanchard Group
Open the Door-Hugh Masekela w/Malaika

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Gentle Giant live 1970’s

2 New from Putumayo

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I have been playing tracks off of “Jazz Around the Globe” for a few weeks now, I feel like I know this album through and through and it has given me time to remember that this thing we all love, music… is everywhere. There are some incredible jazz journeys to speak of and it is so nice to feel as if the captured tunes on a compilation fill the space….after all..space is the place. For me the eleven tracks relay the inner beat of the globe, as felt from the feet upward. The Kora Jazz Trio and Sherele as well as Keletigui Diabate w/Habib Koite & Bamada and Hugh Masekela featuring Malaika leave footprints within me that jazz music’s wind cannot wipe away. To no surprise, I was especially blown away with the song “Destinos” performed by the jazz fusion drummer great Mr. Billy Cobham with Asere….the song was written by trumpter Michel Padron, who is the featured soloist on the track. My words won’t do this album justice…it’s one for your shelves.

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As is (and part of me can’t believe I am saying this) “A Family Christmas” also released by Putumayo. I am not one for the sap that flows musically from the Christmas song tree, but this collection is has itself a festive takes on some Christmas classics, most of which families have passed down global from generation to generation. Add the shake of Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s “Is zat you Santa Claus?” and the rattle of Leon Redbone’s “Let it Snow” mixed with the roll of The Christmas Jug Band featuring Angela Strehli & Maria Muldaur and stir it all up with the sweetness of Sam Bush‘s version of “Sleigh Ride” and you have got yourself all the makings of a happy holiday season…..and a perfect stocking stuffer!!

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After the Air Raid~ZEVIOUS

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From our friends at Cuneiform comes a new release that has a grip on me right after the first listening. To be honest, after playing one track on the show, I had three phone calls asking for some insight as to what Zevious is all about. Mike Eber on Guitars, Johnny DeBlase on electric & upright bass and Jeff Eber on drums make a sound at times that is electric jazzed punk and at other times the odd metered groove filled jam-scapes reveal a new fusion unlike most I’ve tried before. There are moments in this album that I want to re-live, at different times to see how I hear it at that moment. Can’t wait to find the right emotions for each track, it hits me just right!!!!

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