Brown Bird w/ The Wrong Reasons and D.Charles Speer

Opener D. Charles Speer and the Helix brought some psychobilly to Cafe Nine. With lamb-chopped frontman Speer seemed as if "they grew up in Minnie-Pearl's screenporch." The Wrong Reasons were up next and sounded as if they "had swordfishtrombones on 8-track." Excellent band from Rhode Island Brown Bird had a thing for Iron and Wine. The crowd was flush with young men with santa beards and tattooed women. Lead guy on strings and kick drum with accomplice on violin, cello, and stringbass.

David Wax Museum 11/30/11 Bar

Local outfit Dr. Caterwaul... started this free show. They closed with a memorable version of Tom Waits "Dirt In the Ground" from the Bone Machine. Adam Matlock on accordion and vocals is an eclectic treat. From Boston, David Wax Museum is a latin tinged folk amalgam that rocked. Male/female vocals, ukelele, violin, homemade drums, clarinet,and saxes really impressed in the back room of Bar. This band has a penchant for hopping off stage and parading through the crowd and this venue was perfect. The female violinist played and sang from atop the sound console and even led the line into the private party "pods" off the bar. "Yes Maria, Yes" and some beautiful hymns were the show highlight. This band needs a live recording or an offering that better reflects their true form.

Memorial Service for Matthew Grant 11/26/11

Music happens. Sometimes its a venue, an attitude, a vibe, and sometimes it's personal. Family friend Matthew passed in November. His memorial service gave insight and punctuation to all things Matthew. As we mourned, the service was concluded with a beautiful rendition of Amazing Grace sung by Rick Allen with Chris Coyne on acoustic guitar. We've all heard this song a million times....but not like this version. The power of song is revealed in many ways that enrich our lives. I will never hear Amazing Grace the way I heard it at this service. Thank you Rick and Chris and peace to you Matthew.

Turbine 11/19/11 Stella Blues New Haven

Brooklyn prog-groove band Turbine was befriended or should I say "friended" by our crew a couple of Vibes ago. Ryan and the boys keep on rockin with their critically acclaimed new recording. Stellar guitar leads and Ryan on synthesizer-harmonica make for an action-packed night. Add some covers Power of Soul, and Herbie Hancock's Rockit and you are right back on the sea wall.

Marty Ehrlich Rites Quartet 11/11/11 Firehouse 12

Ehrlich on sax and clarinet, Ben Perowsky on drums, Ron Horton on trumpet, with standup bass (instead of Erik Friedlander on cello!) Second time in a row that F-12 group was missing a key component of what lured me to the show. Ehrlich was great as was Perowsky (of Lost Tribe fame in the 90s). These accomplished musicians were adept at moving songs from straight ahead to free without skipping a beat.

Glenn Jones 11/4/11 Neverending Books New Haven

Musty lo-fi hovel was the perfect place to see John Fahey disciple Jones. He played 6 and 12 string, banjo, national steel slide with songs from Martha's Vineyard , in memory of Jack Rose, and for a little girl (neighbor? relative?). Jones recently retouched a chunk of Fahey's career. Deliberate blues-americana served up to 25 or so hungry listeners. Final piece was a "duet" that he performed with Espers, Yo la tengo, and Chris Corsano. This time the duet was with a young woman (from Colorguard) who played what looked like an ancient phonograph with an album of gospel tunes weighed down by a coffee can. Various other switches and dials were employed to create "percussion" over Jones delicate playing.

Malcolm Holcombe 10/25/11 Cafe Nine

Like a cross between Tom Waits and John Hiatt, North Carolina singer songwriter Holcombe spun tales with just acoustic guitar and gravel voice. Inter-song banter ranged from insightful to deranged with stories of tater salad and weird California. To Drink The Rain was a highlight from his recent recording

Fela The Musical Shubert Theater New Haven 10/22/10

Original Broadway Cast comes to New Haven for three days. With Aaron Johnson of the Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra on trombone and musical direction and Bill T. Jones on choreography, this show packed a punch. A musical biography of Fela Kuti was full of Fela hits. A bevy of wives/dancers completed the visual. After Fela introduced us to the Shrine his famous Lagos nightclub, Fela urged the predominantly white crowd to explore their "clock" of rhythm. Followed Fela's journey to England then LA then back to hostile Nigeria. The ending dance sequence to the orishas was truly memorable.

Harriet Tubman 10/14/11 Firehouse 12

Harriet Tubman a downtown supergroup formed in the nineties and dormant until recently boasts Brandon Ross on guitar, Melvin Gibbs bass, J.T. Lewis drums, Graham Haynes on electronically processed cornet, DJ Val Inc. and DJ Logic on turntables. The new project takes Coltrane's Ascension as a jump off point to futuristic funkjazz. Unfortunately, DJ Logic was stuck in Japan the night of this show. Ross seemed to have some sound issues on set 1 and stomped off momentarily leaving Gibbs to show off some explosive 5-string bass. Haynes always the extraterrestrial coaxed weird sounds from the processed cornet. The highlight was DJ Val Inc. with her Sinead O'connor hairdo offered excellent song-bending percussion which played well with Lewis. Sadly, we are left to imagine this project with DJ Logic in attendance

Erik Friedlander's Bonebridge 10/7/11 Firehouse 12

Friedlander's recent project Bonebridge is an homage to bluegrass camp. Friedlander on cello, Doug Wamble on guitar, Trevor Dunn on bass, and Mike Sarin on drums. The cello plucked and bowed was front and center with Erik looking as comfortable as with John Zorn's atonal Masada projects. Warm song structure with little improv made for an enjoyable listening experience which would have appealed to a wider than F-12 audience. Erik's extensive and varied career is worth digging in to.

Yo La Tengo 9/23/11 Toads Place New Haven

New Jersey skronkmeisters brought their convulsive feedback to Toads Place. Georgia, Ira, and James have been plying their trade since the 80s. Recent success with albums like Popular Songs, and Summer Sun were touched on in this high voltage show. Free to Fall and an excellent rendition of Pass The Hatchet were the highlights. These musicians are true artists and musicologists who have a true vision. Ira chided Toads place for showing a football game during the show. Opening act The Joiner Inners were picked from a letter they wrote YLT.

Deer Tick 8/25/11 Beachcomber Wellfleet MA

Providence band chugged its way out to the Comba for a rocking pre-hurricane Irene set. Known for its boozy live shows, this band lived up to the hype. With cadre of followers who knew every lyric, Deer Tick rocked a packed house. Originals from Black Dirt Sessions, Maybelline, Impromptu Swimmin in a Hurricane were all great. When frontman singer wasn't pouring beer on drummer's cymbals, making out with keyboard player, spraying beer and sandwiches on the crowd, he held it down with straight rock and roll. A fitting exit, the band "escaped" through a window to a show ending wall of feedback. If this band can stay alive, they are certainly worth watching.

Fishtank Ensemble w/ Dr Caterwauls Cadre of Clairvoyant Claptraps 8/11/11 Cafe 9

Its been way to long since the last entry of Cafe 9. DCCCC with cello, accordion, fiddle, banjo, and drums plucked and harmonized their way through world folk songs and chants. The homemade looking banjo came out for a gypsy inflected take on London Calling. Fishtank Ensemble from LA took the stage late. Fiddle, standup bass, flamenco guitar, and female lead vocals with saw. Thats right, this woman played an excellent saw (youtube them). Truly a family affair, the woman's 4-yr old boy hung out on stage as well, gypsy tradition? Folk songs from Turkey, Greece and Romania , and France filled the set. The singer even growled her way through Fever. Mildly revamped Cafe 9 had a great painting of Captain Beefheart which seems fitting of the venue.

Steely Dan 7/29/11 MGM Grand Theater

What do you do if your band had a string of hits in the 70s, never toured, took your name from a William Burroughs-penned sex toy.......tour americas casinos with a top notch band of young jazzbos. Steely Dan does this because they can. After years of non touring in their heyday, the lords of the hipper-than-thow Becker and Fagan hit Ledyard. My Old School, all of the Aja album, Dirty Work, Kid Charlemagne, Bodishattva, Black Friday were highlights. Becker's great spoken word intro to Hey Nineteen was hilarious. Band intros to Papa Don't Take No Mess was a nice touch. I don't frequent this venue but this show was a keeper, thanks to LB.

John Butler Trio, Rhythm Devils, Dr. John and the Lower 911, Toots and the Maytals GOTV 7/24/11 Seaside Park

Final day of a sweltering weekend. Starts off with reggae legend Toots and the Maytals. Toots was spry and full of activity on stage as he ran through his set of reggae classics. Dr. John looked like he rolled out of bed but was excellent. Google this legend to see how many projects he has touched over the years...we were in the right place right time for this one. Caught a little of the zaniness that is regional outfit Rubblebucket on the second stage. Rhythm Devils with its allstar lineup: Bill Kreutzman, Mickey Hart, Keller, Steve Kimock, Reed Mathis gave an extra push of Grateful Dead that vibesters were jonesing for. Environmental activist and guitar phenom John Butler ended the day on a good note. I have always admired this Aussie's attitude and chops. Only 364 days till Vibes 2012 (maybe Rush will be there sic)

Jane's Addiction, Elvis Costello, moe., DBB, Sister Sparrow, Tea Leaf Green GOTV 7/23/11 Seaside Park Bridgeport

Tea Leaf Green has been plugging away on the jam circuit for years, With Reed Mathis on bass these guys noodled the second stage. Regional band Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds showcased front woman Arleigh Kincheloe. This 22=yr old can rock with full horns and harp player, this band is worth repeated viewing. Deep Banana Blackout's set is getting very predictable. Jen Durkin has swagger and Fuzz has chops, but DBB has lost it by not mixing up their shows. moe. was great considering their last appearance at the vibes was cut way short by a thunderstorm. Elvis Costello was fantastic, every time I see this man he never fails to impress. Elvis jammed it up with Angels, Watching the Detectives, Don't Go Back to Chelsea, Everyday I write the Book and closing with What's So Funny Bout Peace Love and Understanding a perfect ode to the hippie masses. Closing the main stage was Jane's Addiction. After seeing Jane's in the 90's, I didn't think it was possible for Perry Farrell to get weirder....I was wrong. The spectacle of rubber-clad dancers being swung and suspended from the stage banter about Dead Tapers, the whole "where's my booze?" audience chiding was hysterical. All the Jane's standards plus my favorite 3 Days was great. Lackluster late-night from Perpetual Groove rounded out this enjoyable day.

Futhur, Levon Helm, Big Gigantic, Caravan of Thieves, Tedeschi-Trucks Band, Taj Mahal, Kung Fu, Big Sam's Funky Nation GOTV 7/22/11 Seaside Park

Start the day with a healthy dose of funk from Big Sam's, we are still at shady grove so Sam can't deride the Steeler's Man. Local group Kung Fu starts the second stage equal mix of jam and Zappa-esque fills from guitarist Tim Palmieri. Standard set from Taj, always great to hear him play Katy. Tedeschi-Trucks have a new record and an expanded lineup. Susan took over vocal duty with Mike Mattison for an awesome set, this "big band" of jam and blues were great. Levon's band rounded out by Larry Campbell and wife, and Levon's daughter Amy played Band classics and americana standards. Furthur's show started strong with some highlights such as the Beatles Golden Slumbers. Second set fizzled and ended with no encore much to the chagrin of the salivating crowd. Late night showed off Colorado's Big Gigantic a sax-turntable and drums duo with a cool light show

Dark Star Orchestra, New Mastersounds, Roots of Creation, Infamous Stringdusters Oli Brown Band 7/21/11 GOTV Seaside Park Bridgeport

After some minor stress to land in Boardietown (thanks to Sneaky Jack), we set up our 4-day home by the sea. First up was Oli Brown on the second stage. Solid blues licks from the Brit guitar phenom. Main stage had the Infamous Stringdusters showcasing the weekends best bluegrass. Standup slide guy was impressive. Did not remember this band carrying that many members but there is safety in numbers. Local reggae Roots of Creation iried the second stage. DSO rocked the main stage with an improvised set. DSO usually performs one historic setlist. Tonight's show was an amalgam of favorites that did not disappoint. After some chillin by the water, late night funk was in order courtesy of the New Mastersounds. Another Brit band with excellent chops. Singer/guitarist wrung out the Clash's Lightning Strikes (not once but twice) for a half hour encore. Do not miss this band if they come to your town!

Green River Festival 7/17/11 Greenfield MA

Emmylou Harris, JJ Grey and Mofro, Grupo Fantasma, Eilen Jewell, Locos Por Juana, Thomas Mapfumo and the Blacks Unlimited, Wanda Jackson, Patty Larkin.

Entered the festival to the strains of Regrooving the Dream and Stranger's World two of my most favorite Patty Larkin recordings. Patty, from Wellfleet continues to pump out excellent recordings. Next up was the 73-yr young Wanda Jackson. Produced by Jack White, Wanda's new album covers Amy Winehouse and Elvis Presley. Wanda growled her way through Heartbreak Hotel, god bless her for getting on stage with her 1950's sweater in 90 degree heat. African ex-pat Thomas Mapfumo brought some highlife music to the second stage. Highlife, the guitar-percussion precursor of afro-beat has a very distinctive danceable cadence. Boston local and Greenriver staple Eilen Jewell gave the honkytonk americana treatment to the main stage. Locos por Juana a latin trio with a monstrous trombone player brought some high energy to the dance tent. Festival highlight JJ Grey and Mofro were fantastic! Swampy vocals and searing guitar leads were the reason to be here. Mofro played Brighter Days, Lochloosa, Ho Cake, an Otis Redding cover, Orange Blossom Special, and several cuts off the recent (and excellent) Georgia Warhorse release. Festival closer Emmylou Harris has been at it for years. Wrecking Ball, one of my favorite EH records was heavily tasted. Her version of Gillian Welch's Orphan Girl was a great way to cap a hot and fun day

Natalie MacMaster New Haven Green 6/18/11

Saturday evening at the A/I festival brought Natalie MacMaster. A fiddler from the Cape Breton section of Nova Scotia, Natalie played Irish-type tunes. Reels and medleys made up the program. A good crowd showed for a perfect weather evening

Jose Conde w/ Cosmic Jibaros 6/12/11 New Haven Green

Bridgeport natives Cosmic Jibaros started off this Sunday set as part of the A/I festival. Like a local Ozomatli, I've always loved these guys. Frontman Rick Reyes has a good voice with tunes in english and spanish. New York latin sensation Jose Conde was up next. He had a breezy feel that was not cheesy.

tUneYarDs w/ Buke and Gass and Fake Babies 5/17/11 Daniel St

Sizable crowd drowned out local outfit Fake Babies. Poor stage geometry at Daniel St did not make for a good view of Brooklyn's Buke and Gass. This duo of baritone ukelele and guitar/bass smash and homemade percussion was the perfect opener for Tuneyards. From Frisco with some childhood ties to Milford CT, tuneyards rocked their brand of indecipherable yelp-rock. Bass, two saxes, and leader on vocals and ukelele played a great set to a rapt crowd. The vocals seem to be a cross between a yodel and a tribal chant, with some words thrown in. The lead singer had some face-paint and purple wings (like the you-tubable video for "bizness") All players banged on percussion which added to the tribal sound. I got up close to see that the bass player had a pulley, a box grater. and a cup to bang on. Truly original and bound for Europe, Tuneyards were awesome.

Xavier Rudd 5/15/11 Toads Place

Aussie Rudd has an unusual twist on the one-man-band, a digeridoo. Mix one part Keller Williams, one part Michael Franti, one part Dr. Didg one part Paul Simon and you have Xavier Rudd. Sometimes played acoustic guitar and didg and others with drumkit and didg. A frantic stagehand helped line him up for each tune. Songs had a quiet folk start then ended with didg-fueled frenzy. Packed house really enjoyed Xavier.

T.S. Monk Sextet 5/7/11 Woolsey Hall

My dynamic daughter has a dynamic TAG teacher named Marcella Monk Flake. The Monk in her moniker comes from her uncle, Thelonious. As a benefit for 8th grade TAG, T.S. Monk played a benefit at Woolsey Hall for the TAG program. After a warmup by the local H.S. jazz band, Monk's sextet took the stage. Soprano sax, alto sax, trumpet, bass, piano, and Monk on drums breezed through some standards: Song for Ray, Evidence, and Think of One. Must have been great to grow up in a house with a piano and Thelonious. T.S. said that his job was to answer the door when Coltrane, Miles, Diz , and Bird came by....a dream job for a jazz fan.

Guitar Chamber Music 5/4/11 Sprague Hall

I always look forward to Benjamin Verdeery's direction of classical and guitar work that he showcases at the beautiful Sprague Hall. Ben teaches modern classical composition and this program was a series of duets, trio, then an ensemble piece. The duet pieces included works by Bartok, Joan Tower, and Toru Takemitsu. The violin-guitar duets of short Bartok works were great. A trio of drums, electric guitar, and electronics performed Ornette Coleman's Lonely Woman Suite. The final piece was Terry Riley's In C. Twenty-four musicians played 52 "modules" of the note C. Only at Yale could one view this production. Oboe, bass clarinet, flutes, piccolo, national steel slide guitar, guitars, bass, violin, viola, percussion all played the note C at various speeds and octaves for 40 minutes! Riley would have been proud of that performance. Verdeery cracked up when one audience member yelled "encore". What's next In D?

Amir Elsaffar 4/29/11 Firehouse 12

An extension of Elsaffar's work Two Rivers a jazz-middle east blend paying homage to the Tigris and Euphrates. This group consisted of Elsaffar on trumpet, percussion, and voice, sax, bass, drums, and a percussion duo with oud and dumbek. Compelling tunes with Elsaaffar and Ole Matheson on sax. There was no explanation or solo given to the percussionists which detracted from the blending of a traditional jazz quartet and the exotic sounds of Iraq (no carpet-bomb percussion!). I love the Firehouse and the breadth of sounds they display, but not all listeners are familiar with what's happening on stage, it is incumbent on the performer(s) to briefly describe their angle.

Mike Watt w/ Northampton Wools 4/5/11 Daniel St.

Arrived for the last tune or tune from Thurston Moore's drone duo Northampton Wools. I'm always amazed at the segue from punk-spew to drone happens. Thurston is an icon and the hipster crowd would have gladly paid to watch him sudoku. Mike Watt takes the stage with standard punk outfit: guitar, bass, and drums. As leader and bassist for the Minuteman, Watt is like the Thomas Jefferson of punk. The band charged through Watt's new release The Hyphenated Man, a concept album about Heironymous Bosch paintings he viewed while in Spain touring with the Stooges. Watt can certainly play and spiel, the sound was Beefheart meets Black Flag, or show tunes for the criminally insane.

Vetiver w/ Sara Lee Guthrie and Johnny Irion 3/26/11 The Space

Made the last few tunes of Sara and Johnny. Daughter of Arlo, this pair had good stage chemistry. Able to rock the folk tunes with the help of some Vetiver musicians. Andy Cabic and Vetiver have been to the area several times in recent years and I was glad to have caught them at the low-jey Space. Have been listening to their 2008 release Tight Knit from which some tunes came. Things of the Past album was an exercise in covering little known tunes from the 70s and 80s. Cabic says new record to come out in June.

Keller Williams 3/24/11 Toad's Place

Standard Keller show: Shakedown Street, Runnin on Fumes, Blazeabago> Dear John> Blazeabago, Tell Me Somethin' Good (by Rufus W/ Chaka Khan), Glory and Consequence (by Ben Harper. Good crowd for a Thursday. While groovin to a Keller concert staple, David Bowie's Golden Years, I mentioned to a nearby Freeker that I had seen Bowie and Tin Machine on that very stage. " You saw Keller with Tin Machine?" No dude, just another fragmented pass-it-down in Keller-land

Family Band w/ Lys Guillorn 2/16/11 Bar

Woozy local Guillorn played singer-songwriter material as an opener to this show. I'm unnerved when the artist looks at the soundman and says " do I have time for five more?" Guillorn's smart lyrics were lost in her muddy delivery. Brooklyn hipsters the Family Band played fuzzy reverb drenched rock. I liked the female singer, but the set offered no memorable tunes or performance.

The Piano Lesson 2/9/11 Yale Repertory Theater

August Wilson's "The Piano Lesson" was expertly performed at the Yale Rep. Wilson's plays offer insight into the African-american experience of the early 1900s. The story has a brother and sister arguing over the fate of the family piano. Boy Willie wants to sell and move on, while Berniece wants to preserve the memories associated with the piano. The lessons are many and the acting was stellar. Musical notes took form as worksongs, railroad songs, and tales of Parchman Farm. Live theater really is a treat.

Iron and Wine w/ Edie Brickell 1/29/11 Radio City NY

Exciting trip to the big apple had the whole family at this show. We arrived part way through Edie's set. Pop girl Brickell penned the 1988 smash What I Am, married Paul Simon then started a family. She offered a sleepy set with Charlie Sexton on guitar. Headliner I/W is the brainchild of bearded bard Sam Beam. Started out with Beam on acoustic, banjo, and two female backup singers. Playing songs off the new release, and some older tunes, Beam was beaming at the chance to play this hallowed venue. Halfway through he brought out horns, percussion, and electronics which added an awesome twist on some I/W favorites. Songs differed dylanesquely to the point that one audience member yelled "Judas!" Beam responded to the crowd that "Judas was Jesus' favorite" Boy with a Coin, House By the Sea, Lazarus were all stellar. Closed with a a discoey Cinder and Smoke. Thanks to Moe and Rachel for a great concert experience, remember, You Can Do It!

Charles Lloyd's New Quartet 1/28/11 Crowell Hall Wesleyan

Veteran sax man Lloyd with Jason Moran (piano), Eric Harland (drums), and Reuben Rogers (bass) played to a full house at Crowell. Sold out when I arrived, I was lucky to get the first no show (row D center!). Lloyd's music has a spiritual quality and was the perfect antidote for three feet of snow. His warm tone and effortless fills are exotic and familiar at the same time. Moran's wife (opera singer) offered great renditions of "Go Down Moses" and "Lift Every Voice and Sing". Lloyd also played flute for one tune. To close the show. Lloyd recited a beautiful poem with Moran backing. Lloyd's California late sixties residency had his group at the junction of jazz and rock and can be heard on recordings by the Doors and Canned Heat. His group was the first jazz act to play at the Fillmore. Years later at Wesleyan, in his signature hat and dark glasses, Lloyd and company kicked it. He looked in cognito, disguised as himself.

Sharon Van Etten w/ Plume Giant 1/19/11 Bar

Return of the free shows at Bar on Wednesdays not Sundays. Excellent opener Plume Giant sported his and her violinists with acoustic guitar. Close vocal harmonies and imaginative songwriting make me a fan of Plume Giant. Covered a Strokes and Otis Redding song.

Headliner Van Etten is a Brooklyn folkie who had echoes of Beth Orton. Many songs were sombre and had a sameness to them. Group consisted of SVE guitar/vocals, bass, and drums. Odd looking squeezebox-keyboard was not played while I was in attendance.