The Ruby Suns w/ The Union Line 10/26/10 Cafe Nine

California rockers The Union Line open the show. Organ, two guitars, bass, and drums sounded like one of my favorite new bands, Blitzentrapper. Lots of percussion and good vocals.

Headliner Ruby Suns hail from Auckland, New Zealand. Touring unit was three guys ( studio unit has more members). Drums, bass, and guitars synths put out alot of sound for three guys. They set up on the floor citing the "musicians living room" as a reason to ditch the stage. Show opened with a rousing cover of Prince's "I'll Die for You". Sang one tune in their native NZ tongue. "Oh Mojave" from the Sea Lion album on the SubPop label was a standout. Closed the show with "Runnin Up That Hill" a Kate Bush cover.

Little Teeth 10/12/10 Cafe Nine

San Francisco freak trio reminded me of Yoko or Bjork in their delivery. Two girl harmony front women with helper dude on drums and bass. The women were adorned with various shakers and rattles which added to their distinctive sound. Ukelele, banjo, and glockenspiel were also used. One glock-oriented "song" had the guy playing his on the floor in front of the bathroom, while the ladies played theirs on stage. Finale had the trio doing an acapella chant percussion circle in the audience that was truly original. This was definitely a SF-values tour.

Julian Lage Group 10/01/10 Firehouse 12

Got the last seat for the second set for Lage's quintet. Group consisted of cello, sax and melodica, standup bass, percussion, and Lage on guitar. More song oriented than most avant sessions that I have seen at Firehouse 12, but a welcome change. Lage is a deft picker with speedy fills. Percussionist used no sticks, just hands and fingers the entire time. Excellent duet with Lage and bass. Inventive closer 123 Butler (address of "the best guitar store ever") was a standout. Youtube Lage as a young prodigy on the show Jules At Eight.

Broken Social Scene w/ Sea and Cake Toads 9/19/10

Arrived to the post-rock sounds of Sea and Cake. This Chicago band has been around for some time. The vocals, while distinctive, give similarity to all songs sung. The instrumentals were solid but could have benefitted from some exotic instrumentation. Saw this band open for Tortoise a few years ago and sounded as if they haven't evolved since then.

Headliner BSS is a Canadian "collective" not unlike Arcade Fire. The multiple guitar attack, sax, trumpet, female vocal, and smart-ass frontman were great. With that many bodies on stage, songs can ebb and swell. Sometimes collectives can get lost in their own democracy, but this group seemed to be able to retain it's focus. Their latest release Forgiveness Rock Record was the main source of material. Download Texaco Bitches for a feel of BSS.

Gospel Service 8/29/10 Unitarian House New Haven

Friend of Maureen invited us to a service at the Unitarian House that included some gospel singers from Dixwell Avenues Church On The Rock. Forget Ipod mashups of Britney Spears and The Residents, this was a real life mashup. With staunch lefty Unitarian backup band, lead singer Lavern belted out God Did It , Hold On, and a New Hallelujah. It was impossible not to sing.

Barrence Whitfield and The Monkey Hips 8/28/10 Cafe Nine

Veteran Boston R&B wailer Whitfield makes a Friday night showing at the Nine. He has the pipes and the attitude to keep the show going. His trademark WAHH noise acts as percussion. The band had drums, guitar, bass, and crazy sax. These guys were tailor-made to cover Screamin' Jay Hawkins I Put A Spell On You. In fact, Whitfield reminds me of Hawkins. Excellent encore was Elvis Costello's What's So Funny Bout Peace, Love , and Understanding. Whitfield's recording with Tom Russell Hillbilly Voodoo is one of my most played recordings. No, he didn't do The Cuban Sandwich song, but I asked him anyway. Barrence is still wailing..... saw him many times with the Savages at Toad's back in the day.

Joe Morris, Matthew Shipp, Joe Hobbs, Gerald Cleaver 08/21/10 NH Jazz Festival

The four pm slot was taken by these veteran improvisors. Leader Morris on bass, Hobbs on sax, Shipp piano, and Cleaver drums. I saw two extended free jazz improv blasts. Hobbs was particularly impressive on Coltrane sheets of sound. Always a treat to see Shipp, whether with William Parker or anywhere else. His keys work is fluid without sounding abrasive. Growing up in the Morris Cove area, Morris also teaches at the Boston Conservatory.