Ha Ha Tonka w/ Ellison Jackson 2/8/12 BAR

Unpolished opener EJ almost forced an early departure. It wasn't that they were bad, they had some good ideas just needed some practice. The keyboard player would not have looked out of place in the high school pep band. Ha Ha Tonka was a different animal entirely. I see them billed on most of the major SE festivals. Kind of a Lynyrd Skynyrd meets power pop ethos. Two guitars, bass and drums with occasional sweet mandolin, this was a road-worthy band.

O'Death w/ Brown Bird and The Proud Flesh BAR 1/25/12

Another winner lineup for Manic Productions. Caught the last couple tunes of The Proud Flesh. RI's Brown Bird (See Cafe Nine review a few posts ago) kicks it again. With civil war era beard, Brown Bird has the two-person americana down slow dirges and uptempo hoots with excellent harmony vocals were great. Headliner O'Death from Brooklyn were high energy. Guitar, ukelele, trombone, bass, drums, and frenetic fiddle created a lot of sound for this packed house. O'Death frontman had the Abe Lincoln beard too! Glad to have these free shows back at Bar, always inspired listening.

Eleanor Friedberger w/ John Wesley Harding 1/7/12 The Outer Space Hamden

First time at the alcohol-serving Outer Space (which is across the parking lot from the all-ages Space) to see Fiery Furnace vocalist Friedberger and Brit-folkie Harding. Unusual pairing and was hard to see if they were romantically or use artistically linked. Eleanor's rough-edged singing which is a trademark sound of the Fiery Furnaces was sanded down a bit for this coffee-house type setting. The house was packed for a Saturday night and while it was difficult to see the stage from the bar, I could see this venue hosting some good shows. After Hamden, these two were off to Australia for some winter festivals

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.