Category Archives: SHOW “G”-Views

Last night was spent hanging out in a setting that was G-RATE. (GREAT) The Barrymore Theatre had an invitation only party to celebrate many things including the PACKERS/GIANTS game on Sunday, so many folks were dressed in their Packer green & yellow. There was a pot luck of delicious treats that kept my insides warm and free beer, free good beer I should mention most of the night. There was a live DJ and equipment set up for people to jam together on stage and until 10pm, the young ones were allowed to run, jump and have fun there own chosen way. It was a great way to get connected up with some kind folks and certainly, the Barrymore is always a happenin’ spot regardless of the invite only or concert night status. The scene here is very fitting for the always changing chameleon that is greenarrowradio. A big thank you to Steve and his Barrymore staff for making it a night to set all other things aside and have a good time. THANKS!

This is never easy. This year was no exception.

30. Lipbone Redding – Hop the Fence & Una – One
29. Corey Harris – Zion Crossroads
28. Eccodek – Voices have Eyes
27. Going Home – A Tribute to Fats Domino
26. Marco Benevento – Live at Tonic
25. Guvna Dub – the Guvna Dub Sessions
24. Geoff Achison & the Souldiggers – Souldiggin’ live
23. the Greyboy Allstars – What Happened to T.V.?
22. Secretary – the Secret Life of Secretary
21. Slavic Soul Party – Technochek Collision
20. Anoushka Shankar/Karsh Kale – Breathing Under Water
19. Galactic – From the Corner to the Block
18. Charlie Hunter Trio – Mistico
17. Cashman – Texassippi Stomp & Rough Guide to Latin Funk
16. Baby Elephant – Turn my Teeth Up!
15. the Yardbirds – Live at BB King Blues Club
14. JJ Grey’s Mofro – Country Ghetto
13. Tinariwen – Aman Iman
12. the Budos Band – II
11. Bernie Worrell – Improvisczario
10. Skeebo Knight – Jekyll Island Nights
09. Healing the Divide – Concert for Peace/Reconciliation
08. Putumayo presents – a New Groove
07. Cameron Mizell – Life is Loud
06. Sharon Jones & the Dapkings – 100 days 100 nights
05. Desdamona – the Source & Sirsy – Revolution
04. Karl Denson Trio – Lunar Orbit
03. Pop Levi – the Return to Form Black Magick Party
02. A.K.A.C.O.D. – Happiness
01. Club d’Elf – Perhapsody Live

as you can tell, there are a couple of ties and if I were to try and do this again, along with pulling out most of my hair…it could come up a whole lot different. Thanks to all the fine artists that put out excellent releases in 2007. Looking forward to listening and sharing a whole new lot in 2008.

-G

The High Noon Saloon was the spot for the Holidaze in Hicksville as Mr. Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks graced our Madison grounds with a true treat, as a matter of fact, this one goes down as a classic. Not only was it the season for holiday cheer as only Dan Hicks can share (I believe the one phrase in the show was lets get these Christmas songs out of the way, hey hey) , but it was also Mr. Hicks’ birthday. There was even a cake. Oh yeah there was a show. As expected except better, the show seemed to be more than a show, an experience. Folk swing is somewhat the style of the music, but man…..there was some kicked up blues riffs, so finely timed dance steps and a barrel, check that, a building filled with a humor so sincere to this night that you couldn’t go home without feeling connected. There were plenty of old classics to rejoice in….from I Scare Myself (which really blew the top off the place)and the nights closer of How can I Miss You When You Won’t go Away, but for me the stopper was the rendition of the Tom Waits song The Piano Has Been Drinking. While this show can be compared to others in the long and brilliant career of Dan Hicks, there was so many thrilled audience members that I would have sworn this was there first time witnessing the event that is Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks. I also noticed that while the room was filled up nicely, there was plenty of room for some younger ears, I really think that this music and the way it is presented to a crowd is something for the younger crowds to share in. Madison’s own Harmonious Wail and their Gypsy Swing music opened the show and was all that I have heard people say and more. Be sure to check them out also.

Listen to my first conversation with Dan here.

Listen to my second conversation with Dan here.

Mr. Dan Hicks and MisterG 12/09/07

One of the most electrifying shows I have seen in a long time. Youssou N’Dour et le Super Etoile de Dakar brought West Africa, heck all cultures present together for an unforgettable night of dance, positive rhythms and shared spirit at the Wisconsin Union Theater. This was a few hours of community led by a powerful sermon by one of the most powerful voices on any continent. Carrying his storytelling and roots of Senegalese music, Youssou N’Dour does create a sound that is a force strong enough to combine all into one. The Griot Percussion mixed with Afro-Cuban arrangements is a sound that can flourish in any land, there is nostalgia in those songs and even I, who knows only a slight peek into the French dialect can feel it. It is a celebration.

Robert Fripp perhaps best known for being the guitarist for, and only constant member of, the progressive rock band King Crimson. His work has spanned over four decades, encompasses a variety of musical styles. He was offered a teaching position at the American Society for Continuous Education in Claymont Court, West Virginia in 1984. He had been involved with the ASCE since 1978, eventually serving on its board of directors, and had long been considering the idea of teaching guitar. His course, Guitar Craft, was begun in 1985, one of the results of which was a performance group, “The League of Crafty Guitarists,” which has released several albums. And last night at the Majestic Theatre in Madison, there were 11 crafty acoustic guitars with their guitarists, and one Robert Fripp. There were moments were I felt like my skin was unzipped and my bones, muscles and tissue had a chance to prowl around under the night sky. There was music and sounds from other worlds, places I have not seen before. There was so much amazing timing, like that of a spacecraft taking off precisely at the most opportune moment where liftoff will only be successful. Mister Fripp must have taken a trip through outer space and recorded the sounds of space, as I have thought them to exist. There were explosive moments like a star being born and there were times where the Giant of the Woods was stomping through a tiny forest right onto my front porch. This ensemble or guitar orchestra is always something to behold and this night was one to remember, and to share with others. I hope all of you get a chance to experience the sound like Mister Fripp creates and it penetrates you with inquisition and a sense of where your space is. You are never-ending.

Mister Robert Fripp

They are calling it the Tornado Alley Tour 2007 and this was a billing that has smart written all over it. Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit kicked the room into overdrive from the first chorus. For the past six years, Jason was one of three frontmen for the Drive-By Truckers, and although fans may have been shocked by his leaving the band in April, when you fill your ears with his solo debut Sirens Of The Ditch it will only reassure you that his music has its own unique voice. His songs are written with intelligence that starts in the heart and for the set here in Madison, his group had all the intentions of making sure we knew that. Featuring many songs of the new album, there was a taste of Psycho Killer and Into the Mystic, just to keep us in check. I will see this band again and am ready for it. Then came Cracker. Now I will admit that I have not surrounded myself with a lot of their music over the years, but damn what a great live act. This band is a rock and roll wall, solid from the floor up and man, the songs I didn’t know were even better than those I recall. There is humor, endearment and most of all a satirical smartness about the songs, phrases that jump out at you and stick there for a while where many artists don’t get to take you. If your plate is ever with an empty section on it, fill it up with some CRACKER and see what sticks. The host of this event, the High Noon Saloon was a perfect venue to showcase true musicianship with artists that ooze of their appreciation for the audience and their songs. Where else but at a place that offers live event 7, that’s right, seven nights a week. So if you can, go there and support live music.

Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit

When Desdamona and Carnage the Executioner work their lyrical content and hand-woven catastrophe tapestry orally attached to beats the outcome is a dynamic being known as Ill Chemistry. The hip-hop heard when they collide is so damn raw and open that it makes a listener hit the refresh button on their minds. I was fortunate enough to catch the show here in Madison right at the University and man, was I overwhelmed with the power of beatbox and the rhythm of the rhymes. With loops in loop and mics in hand, Ill Chemistry brings meaning and life to words….you can see the actions and feel the chest rise in these words. Dez and Carnage worked the night with another Minneapolis product, The New Congress. The New Congress are the winners of the 2006 Minnesota Music Awards for Best R&B Artist/Group and R&B Album for their release “Everybody Gets Up“. They also earned two Los Angeles Music Awards in 2006 for Neosoul Artist of the Year and R&B Single of the Year for “Make You Move“. Once you take a listen to this band, you’ll be ready to vote in the New Congress.

With one of my favs. Desdamona 11/3/07

Check out my previous conversation with Ms. Desdamona here.

Vermont-based rock band Grace Potter and the Nocturnals opened up for Gov’t Mule on Tuesday night, this is where the story begins. Smart opening acts cannot be talked about enough. The stage was left on fire by Miss Potter & the Nocturnal ones with a rockin’ rhythmic percussion colliding with the roll of thunder from an appreciating audience. The approach to their music is as old fashioned as a proper root beer float but as timeless as those great songs are. Yeah, I said great. This is one act to catch, bring a glove or a paper sack, whatever it takes to make sure you don’t miss a set of musicians made to play music together. Speaking of…Man was Warren Haynes ON for this one. Did I mention that Gov’t Mule was visiting us here in Madison? It was a show that I will always remember being in attendance for. ” I was there when…” The energy was electric. As with any MULE show, there were the cool ones from others, CREEP was a nice seasonal choice… but really this was a show that was great from start to finish, the innovative drum solo of Matt Abts bring too many words to mind that I remain speechless. Overall and Under-some this was the place to be and I am grateful for the Barrymore Theatre for being a great stable for Mule and allowing me to pretend it was a Saturday night on a Tuesday.

First Set:
1. Slackjaw Jezebel
2. Thorazine Shuffle
3. Banks Of The Deep End
4. Empty Pages
5. Temporary Saint
6. Creep
7. Unring The Bell Shakedown Street Tease
8. About To Rage
9. Lola Leave Your Light On Lola Intro

Second Set:
1. Brighter Days
2. Like Flies
3. Reblow Your Mind Get Up, Stand Up Jam
4. Streamline Woman->
5. Drums
6. Brand New Angel
7. Many Rivers To Cross
8. Mule 3rd Stone From The Sun Jam
9. Into The Mystic

Atlantic Waves, London International Festival of Exploratory Music, is getting bigger, better and more global. Innovative international collaborations and outstanding creative musicianship have been sought out for the 2007 program, which is based on world premieres. This year the much praised festival features 22 concerts within 8 days, with over 70 artists from around the world, including Portugal, Brazil, Cape Verde, Angola, Israel, Lithuania,Georgia, UK, France, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Finland, Denmark, Austria, Switzerland, USA, Canada, Japan and Australia. A rather special program even for cosmopolitan London. This year’s festival includes the Grand Divas of Fado (at the Queen Elizabeth Hall), the Portuguese Guitar Masters (at St Giles Cripplegate), three Lusophone clubnights exploring soundclash, techno/electro and ghettotrash (all at Cargo), and three world class experimental audiovisual electronica nights at the ICA. With an extraordinary mix of new music for the “quench-ment” of all pallets ongoing between 1st and 11th November, the Atlantic Waves 2007 event promises an unmissable line-up of artists and genres.

Atlantic Waves info:
T: 020 7908 7622

file this one under “if I had me a magic carpet”

When I got home from the Tommy Emmanuel show last night at the beautifully renovated Majestic Theater in Madison, I tucked my guitar away and asked it why, and how Tommy could think of those things he does with his very own guitars. I swear he has a couple of spiders or octopus attached to his own hands at times, my gosh can he make magic happen on the stage. When he starts a song, you can actually see the music form around his body as he presents it to the awe-struck people in attendance. When featuring his rendition of Somewhere over the Rainbow, I heard tears falling from the crowd…TEARS! In his storied career, including 16 recordings, Tommy has set sales records that have yet to be broken and performed with hundreds of musical legends including Chet Atkins, Les Paul, Keith Urban, Eric Clapton, Sir George Martin, Tina Turner, Joe Walsh, Stevie Wonder, Nokie Edwards (of the Ventures), Hank Marvin, the Lexington (Kentucky) Philharmonic, the Dortmund (Germany) Symphony, and the Western Australian Symphony Orchestra. Whenever and wherever you might get a chance to see or hear Tommy play or create his music, treat yourself to a feeling of “That’s Incredible” and stay for awhile. By the way, my guitar had no answers for me.

A true class act:Mr. Tommy Emmanuel C.G.P.

Looking for something to do on the 19th and 20th of October….go check out my friend Sara Wasserman live. On the 19th Sara will be at Blue Nile and on the 20th at Jayne Marie on Cross Lake. Sara is a singer-songwriter whose vocals have captivated audiences everywhere, accompanied by her father, Grammy-winning bassist Rob Wasserman and Los Angeles-based producer/pianist Randy Emata. New Orleans trumpet legend Irvin Mayfield will appear as a special guest. They will perform an evening of Sara’s original songs from her forthcoming debut CD of acoustic soul and blues, as well as classic standards and high moments of musical improvisation. Her upcoming release features collaborations with Aaron Neville, Lou Reed, Soulive, and Christian McBride, among others. Sara showcased at SXSW ’07, and her original song “You Got Me” was recently featured on ABC’s hit show “Falcon Beach.” I have a feeling that these are going to be the types of show not to be missed. If you happen to run into Sara or her father, tell them MisterG sent you their way.

Follow Sara’s voice to feel that smile you needed.

Check out my conversation with Sara a bit ago here.

…and my conversation with her father Rob Wasserman here.

Glenn Jones: Against Which the Sea Continually Beats released on the Strange Attractors label is instantly gets across the sounds that are sensitive yet firm, a raw power only found in nature rises off the strings. Beautifully rolling melodies, like a hike through the Maine wilderness, personify the musical trail with the feeling of being there. Since 1989, Glenn Jones has led Boston‘s (go SOX!) “avant-garage” instrumental rock band Cul de Sac, whose musical adventures are documented on nine albums to date. Against Which the Sea Continually Beats, Jones’s second album, is a triumph of acoustic guitar composition, an innovative welding of sound and form. Recorded in Martha’s Vineyard, the peaceful, seafaring setting of this island community inspired these recording sessions, lending an air of tranquility that served as a perfect fit to create such art. The eleven tunes on Against Which the Sea Continually Beats travel from Delta to Appalachia, from classical to a cinematic sort of folk sound in a language that is purely imbued in the artist’s own musical vernacular.

To experience the Anoushka Shankar Project is to open yourself up to the wonders of mental movement. For this project, Anoushka is joined onstage by: Tanmoy Bose– tabla, Ravichandra Kulur– flute, Leo Dombecki– piano, and Jesse Charnow– drum kit. In 2007 the tour consists of new, acoustic versions of select pieces from Anoushka´s album Rise, new and as yet unrecorded compositions by her, and a showcase of some of her father Ravi Shankar´s finest Raga creations. The fusion of traditional Indian Classical and masterfully arranged audio interpretations featuring a blend of instrumentation, consumes your senses in a timeless moment of rapture. This project is certainly a step into the modern musical times with a strong sense of understanding where people have been drawn in in the past. There is a vision to this music. As with her father Ravi Shankar, the ability to listen and hear have in my humble opinion, placed Anoushka in a position to shape and invent within the structure of music, and create new boundaries for others to gain inspiration from. With a mixing of perspective, reflection and exploration, that magic of the Sitar should aptly be the choice to create these new stories. Sometimes it’s hard to turn the page, but in this case…..who KNOWS what’ll be next….SPEAKING OF…..

I invite you to check out a new project that features Miss Shankar and Karsh Kale.

Also, take a moment and re-visit my conversation with Anoushka about one year ago….ENJOY

..with Anoushka Shankar 10/5/07

What can be said that hasn’t been….for me, the show usually begins when Victor Wooten gets his bass some “alone time” on stage. Not to disappoint, this bass space was far-reaching, oft-exploratory and bone-a-fide funky at times. Jeff Coffin kept reminding me why sax is so damn good. Just imagine the Flecktones without it. Yeah, I agree. Where o’ Where are you tonight….Futureman is one cool cat (check out my past interview with Roy Wooten) with his unique blending of percussive magic from this world and beyond I found myself happily lost from thoughts other than “the moment” while he worked his art in front of our eyes. Speaking of right in front of our eyes, Bela Fleck can make his fingers appear like they wiggle and jive right in front of you, wherever you sit or stand at a show. He not only uses those banjo strings to play to us, but thankfully has found a way to use those strings to bring us to the music…with so much to take out of a Flecktones show, I really got a kick out of the rendition of the Beatles “Come Together“, just so perfectly true on that night.

Rage Against The Machine frontman Zack De La Rocha has completed his debut solo album, which was seven years in the making. De La Rocha collaborated closely with The Mars Volta drummer Jon Theodore, and Billboard.com quotes a source that says it sounds like “Led Zeppelin meets Dr. Dre.” Since leaving the band in 2000, De La Rocha has worked with several artists including DJ Shadow and Trent Reznor, but it is not yet known if these artists will feature on the album. The report also reveals that some of the album was recorded at an eco-friendly studio in Los Angeles, owned by Jack Johnson. Since De La Rocha is currently unsigned, a release date is unconfirmed.

Meanwhile, reunited Rage Against The Machine play the following shows this fall:

New Orleans, LA City Park (Voodoo Music Experience) (October 27)
Las Vegas, NV Sam Boyd Stadium (Vegoose Festival) (28)

Something to look forward too times two.

West Africa never felt so close as it did on Sunday night when Toubab Krewe took the stage at the High Noon Saloon in Madison. There is some kind of wonderful happening when the cultures of a roots-centric West Africa and the rockin’ of the rolling hills in North Carolina collide in a rhythmic force so powerful you can feel the earth take a breath of contentment. The soles of people bare feet were in step with the beats of a sound so “in the now” that you could almost see people embark as if they stepped foot in the transporter room on Star Trek. The band sweats out exploration and expansion, and the music that follows them on the stage beams with excitement and demands that you move along whichever way you choose. They have been features at venues such as the Bonnaroo and Vegoose festivals to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Their live shows and self-titled debut album have won international acclaim from the New York Times, Global Rhythm, fRoots, NPR and more. The members of Toubab Krewe developed their unique sound over the course of numerous extended trips to Mali, Guinea, and Ivory Coast, where they immersed themselves in the local culture and studied and performed with luminaries such as Lamine Soumano, Vieux Kante, Madou Dembele and Koungbanan Conde.

Opening the show was Yawo. The set was an elaborate blend of afro-cuban beats and funky scales which took potions of his Togo, West African homeland and global rhythms which manage to combine luscious melodies with a get-up-and-groove music that won over the crowd easily.

Yawo at High Noon Saloon

TOUBAB KREWE 9/16/07 Madison WI

The signature sound of The Chicken Chokers combines a string pounding 4-man rhythm section, ever-crazed fiddling, infamous ‘air-raid siren’ vocals, and the hallmark Chicken Choker Big Boy Chorus. Throughout the 80’s the Chokers entertained many, influenced a select few, and recorded 2 albums for Rounder Records before exploding in all musical directions. Recent twenty year reunions reveal that the Choker Drive survived the explosion. Combining the unvarnished, primitive energy of the early years with sound scrapbooks from 5 separate musical journeys, the band endures, still inspiring amateur dancers and professional revelers to higher states of consciousness. This album is kind to your ears and your feet at the same time. It is a blend of ten recognizable tracks with one original, yet with the Chokers’ twist to some of these ole favorites, you’ll be heading off on your own musical explosion. Be warned…this album comes complete with strings attached.

Muddy River release ’07

Talk about down-tempo tres chic pop that can chill out the warmest of listeners. This eclectic, multi-instrumental SoCal-based trio that likens their distinct sound to “an experiment in Latin, blues, trip-hop and soul.” UNA has left a mark with me by the Portishead/Morcheeba sound-a-like moments with just as much trip as hop and soul. If UNA is the focus at any local or near -enough-bye chillout club, get there and be ready to groove graciously, with slow rhythms and conscious beats…aware yet never over dominant. Who/What is UNA? Jazz/electronic explorers combining the sultry voice of Jennifer Cook with the inspired keyboards and guitar of The Mighty One (Richard Larsen), and the down-tempo turntables of Eddie Barajas. I have a good feeling and a sneaky suspicion that listening to this album, ONE by UNA, will make you the cool kid on the block.

You like punk rock? You like the sounds of underground rock -n- roll? TRUE punked out rock and roll? Let me tell you what should be in your player tomorrow and there is no surprise it is a Wicked Cool Records release. Long known to have the best sound of any room in the world, where the sounds would begin to live within your body..CBGB‘s was and will always be a legend of and within New York City’s underground music scene. Thankfully some of the artists of that scene trickled out above ground now and again. Hilly Kristal started it in 1973 and even though the initials stood for Country, Bluegrass, and Blues it would be the birthplace of Punk. This great release known as Little Steven’s Underground Garage presents: CBGB FOREVER has Fourteen studio tracks, including RARE cuts from Green Day, U2 and Foo Fighters. Plus additional songs from Audioslave, Ramones, Good Charlotte, Talking Heads, Rancid, Velvet Revolver and more. Liner notes by Lenny Kaye (guitarist for Patti Smith Group & producer of NUGGETS compilation). Features artwork by Arturo Vega, artistic director for The Ramones. I can feel myself there again, as I was fortunate enough to see a few shows there, especially when hearing the middle of the album Patti Smith Group doing Till Victory. If you were another fortunate soul who stepped into the doors and walked the walk, you need to add this to your history…if you were not able to get there, this will help give you a good idea of just how good it rerally did sound at CBGBs.

CBGB FOREVER & RIP Mr. Hilly Kristal

Every year, for the past 41 years, there has been the Orton Park Festival, and this year was no exception. Sunday was the day I spent time there, and here’s why. First, the weather was finally splendid, absolutely. The local to the Madison area Balkan-ic Reptile Palace Orchestra with fiery Anna Purnell in the lead will get everyone dancing in mid-afternoon. The set was wild, ecclectic and there was an array of moment in the crowd that would have made the Wachowski brothers re-think The Matrix. From there, The Fareed Haque Group treated a large crowd of smiling faces to some Jazz-infused ragas on Haque’s sitar as well as some spacey jams while playing guitar and accompanied by is group to just plain rock. You can tell that extensive travels, especially long stays in Spain, France, Iran, Pakistan and Chile, exposed Haque to different musics from a very early age, and these influences stuck. In 2001 Fareed co-founded the jam super-group Garaj Mahal, joined George Brooks’ group Summit, featuring Zakir Hussein and Steve Smith and continues to record and tour with the amazing Fareed Haque Group.

Madison’s Reptile Palace Orchestra

Fareed Haque

I also remember trying the same delicious local wheat beer twice….and now you know that too.