Gigs

[StephanieL]

The Preservation Hall Jazz Band at Cal Performances.  They put on a great show, but as N noted, the venue may have been a little too large.  The miking was off, and at one point the pianist did a solo so that the brass players' mikes could be adjusted.  They're coming back for SF Jazz's Summer Festival, so maybe we'll go see them in that smaller space.

BTW, they did a nice little second line tribute for Wayne Shorter.

[mitchells]

Krasno Moore Project.  Guitarist Eric Krasno (Soulive and Lettuce) and drummer Stanton Moore (Galactic) team up to cover female artists on their new instrumental album including Aretha Franklin, Amy Winehouse, Nina Simone and Sharon Jones among others.  I'm a big fan of their other bands so was interested in seeing this. Unique takes on the songs with excellent arrangements. They also covered the Beatles, The Meters, Jerry Garcia Band and a few songs from their respective bands. Very enjoyable evening of funky, jazzy, bluesy tunes. They are at the Blue Note in NYC the next 4 nights with Christian McBride sitting in with them tonight. 

[bloviatrix]

On 2/27/2023 at 4:42 PM, joethefoodie said:

A lot over the past month. He recently completed an unprecedented 10-night (solo, but not always) stand at the intimate Gramercy Theatre. And now he's on a short tour with the band (that's Davey Faragher and Charlie Sexton behind him).

i have memories of when Sexton was the hot new thing. I recall seeing him play at Tramps in the early/mid-'90s.

[small h]

3 hours ago, bloviatrix said:

Charlie Sexton

OMG, I saw him when he was like 17. Somewhere. I forget where.

[mitchells]

The sometimes happy but today dreaded day when the actual Jazzfest music schedule comes out. https://www.nojazzfest.com/downloads/2023-nojhf-7day-cubes.pdf

FOMS (Fear Of Missing Something) is a thing and this year worse than ever. There are four bands I want to see that are all playing at the same time on Sunday, April 30. Tedeschi Trucks Band, Los Lobos, Marcus King and The Midnight Disturbers.  On Friday deciding between Wu Tang Clan, Mavis Staples and Lizzo is no picnic either. 

 

[mitchells]

Wilco. They are at the top of their game right now off of their latest album release, Cruel Country. They are playing 3 nights at The Capitol Theater with no repeaters. If we didn’t have plans tonight I’d go see them again. It was that good. Jeff Tweedy was very engaged with the crowd. And Nels Cline has to be one of the best guitarists playing today. Go tonight if you can. 

[small h]

You made me want to go to Solid Sound again, and it doesn't look like it's happening this year. 🙁

[mitchells]

Back from a week in New Orleans and so many great sets and singular moments. 

Anders Osborne tore up Tipitinas with 3 horn players and a Mike Dillon on percussion. After the first song, someone next to us looked at us and simply said, "I am so happy right now." A great Jazzfest kickoff. 

Friday:The Seratones, the first band on the big stage at Jazzfest with a truly inspirational set putting everyone in an even better mood.  Super group Dragon Smoke with Ivan Neville, Eric Lindell and Galactic rhythm section, Stanton Moore and Rob Mercurio. Wu Tang Clan with the Soul Rebels turned into a huge party at the Congo Stage.  We missed it but people were raving about Robert Plant and Alison Krauss singing "When the Levee Breaks." Plant also showed up at Preservation Hall at midnight. 

Saturday: Maggie Koerner with a terrific backing band. I say this all the time but I have no idea how she isn't famous. Great performer who writes intense, gripping songs. Leo Nocentelli ditching his acoustic guitar for an electric one and blowing out Ain't No Use in the pouring rain and not a single person left. I was drenched but smiling. Sonny Landreth playing Blue Tarp Blues and the rain magically stopped. Irma Thomas in the Gospel tent never gets old. Christone Kingfish Ingram in the Blues Tent followed by Corey Wong's last two songs in the Jazz Tent. 

Saturday night: Trombone Shorty has his annual show at the spectacular Saenger Theatre with a slew of special guests. This year included Mavis Staples, Taj Mahal, Eric Church, Steve Miller, Kermit Ruffins, Christone Kingfish Ingram (he played a magical Hey Joe) , Robert Glasper and Cory Wong (with a mesmerizing solo). 

Sunday: One of the best days of weather and music I ever experienced at Jazzfest. Mdou Moctar playing African blues. Insanely good. Dumpstaphunk brought the funk as always. Los Lobos closing with Bertha with everyone singing along. Tedeschi Truck Band closing the main stage and playing Midnight in Harlem.  I've never experienced such quiet at an outdoor festival while Derek was in the midst of his subtle yet impactful solo. 

And yesterday, was able to catch Maggie Koerner doing a 45 minutes set in a park in the Bywater to raise money for the community.  

What a week. This festival is like no other because of all of the local music and that it takes place in New Orleans.  Already looking forward to next year. 

[mitchells]

Even though I must have seen close to 40 bands perform over a week in New Orleans, I couldn't pass up the  Drive By Truckers a few days after getting home. At the Bowery Ballroom and they didn't disappoint although they did start much later than I was hoping.  A good mix of old and new and Hood and Cooley songs. 

[small h]

Caroline Polachek, Ethel Cain & True Blue at Radio City Music Hall. It's been a few years since we were in a venue this big for a show. I think the last one was The Eagles at MSG, and this crowd was, uh, younger. And very enthusiastic! And knew all the words. Three women, all with strong and very different voices, lots of dreamy lushness from the openers (True Blue even sampled a little Fleetwood Mac, in case the Stevie Nicks outfit wasn't enough of a clue), and high energy. Polachek has more of a range, style-wise, than I expected, and she sure knows how to work a room.

[Wilfrid]

If I was in Barcelona on Thursday I could see Hinds, the best (active) pop band in the world play at the summit of Montjuïc. And the better news is that I could get out early because they are supporting Coldplay and who cares? As it happens I will be flying back home from Denver, but I would love to be there.

[Wilfrid]

Anyone who knows me would understand that seeing Hinds playing above Barcelona would be a highlight of my life.

[joethefoodie]

6 hours ago, Wilfrid said:

Anyone who knows me would understand that seeing Hinds playing above Barcelona would be a highlight of my life.

When I saw that Hinds are opening for Coldplay (3 shows!), I felt the same way as you...just go for the opener.

I did happen to see Coldplay at the Garden many years ago. Great record company seats (i.e. free).  I think we may have left early.  Best part of the show was the number of (quite lovely) women in attendance.

Never quite understood the infatuation with Chris Martin, though I guess he's a pretty boy.

Last night saw Wesley Stace (nee John Wesley Harding) at City Winery.

Night before last saw Rhett Miller at City Winery. Can't believe the Old 97s have been around for 30 years.

City Winery is a lovely venue, lovely location.  Crossing West Street is somewhat like taking your life into your hands...wait 10 seconds, even after the light for traffic on West Street turns red.

[Wilfrid]

Oh yes, no time for Coldplay.

But per light-hearted comments in another thread, although they have that gig today, Ana still found time to reply to my message about it on IG. ❤️

[bloviatrix]

8 hours ago, joethefoodie said:

Night before last saw Rhett Miller at City Winery. Can't believe the Old 97s have been around for 30 years.

So envious. I saw him play Summerstage many years ago on a joint bill with Teddy Thompson (son of Richard and Linda Thompson) and Ollabelle (which features Amy Helm, Levon Helm's daughter). And the Old '97s never disappoint.