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