Reviews
This past Friday night at the Gothic Theatre in Denver, CO, two bands collided to make one of the funkiest sounds and meaningful tributes to other artists that they have ever made. The energy in the room was evident by the crowd’s fearless dancing. These are two of the fastest-rising bands in our music scene, and together with some special guests, they produced. Analog Son was created by guitarist Jordan Linit (Kinetix, Ableminds) and bassist Josh Fairman (Kinetix).
Readying themselves for an extensive winter tour that reaches as far East as Chicago, Bay Area bluegrass group Hot Buttered Rum performed a low key and blistering show on a Saturday night at Moe’s Alley in Santa Cruz, CA.
Keller Williams' KWatro came to town last Friday. I was anxious to see what songs and what style would be played. I had heard Keller do funk, bluegrass, rock, reggae and pop. Among a few others I am failing to mention. With the addition of three other musicians there is also an entire new ensemble to experience. I had head heard Keller play with The Keels, The String Cheese Incident and Yonder Mountain String Band.
Since the mid 90’s Wilco has progressed its sound into something perfect. The Chicago based, indie-rock/alt-country, group proved this to fans on the first stop of a twelve-gig tour through the East Coast. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania’s Benedum Center – known for hosting Broadway shows, Orchestras, and other theatrical performances – was left cheering on their feet after a nearly two-hour set.
Steve Kimock’s imaginative guitar and improvisational prowess continues to evolve. For over forty years he’s crafted boundless music that captivates and expands consciousness. His compositions are distinct in melody and temperament, while his approach will undoubtedly modify as every tune develops, as its own singular organism at any given performance. He began his professional career in the early 1980s as co-founder of the cherished Bay Area band Zero.
The ever-changing Everyone Orchestra and its ringleader Matt Butler is a carnival collective of musicians juggling their instrumental talents in an all-out improvised landscape.
In a time where any musician can self-produce and release their own independent album, up-and-coming talents need to set the bar extra high, or at least posses image marketability. The story behind music industry insider Matt Reynolds’ debut release is far from this trend. The longtime road manager for Grateful Dead tribute favorite Dark Star Orchestra has released his impressively diverse Been Long Gone after years behind the scenes.
There’s something about Grateful Dead tunes that no other song, lyric or melody can really duplicate. There’s something about a Grateful Dead song that reminds you of every happy moment, every smile you’ve seen from a stranger, and makes you want to dance. I was lucky enough to roll in the New Year with that warm, comforting feeling of the Grateful Dead with the longest touring Grateful Dead cover band, and one of my greatest muses, Dark Star Orchestra.
There’s something truly special about a New Year's show. Everyone puts on their best and celebrates a long year of work. Every year Colorado is particularly lucky to host a number of great bands who seem to compete for the coveted “Best Show” among fans. In epic fashion, The String Cheese Incident returned to the 1st Bank Center for a ritual 3 set show. Filled with unique surprises, this show elevated the possibility for live music.
Cornmeal revved the engines for high energy bluegrass in Chicago on New Year’s Eve, 12/31/2015. They opened up the evening at The Vic Theatre with Edge of the World, an ordinary Cornmeal song with an ambition to fall off the edge of the world to see what happens next. It was an appropriate choice for the kick off of such a holiday show. From there, they did some more Cornmeal classics – River Gap and Jenny. It was a welcome home for th
