Cornmeal 11/12/10 Toads at Lily's Pad

Tiny upstairs venue with no real stage, presented no problems for off the hook Cornmeal. Saw these Chicago hillbillys at the 09 Vibes and the can really play. Bass, fiddle, guitar, banjo, and drums could not be contained by the small Lily's Pad. Kind of cross between Railroad Earth and Yonder Mtn String Band. Great harmony vocals starts most tunes that launch into bluegrass frenzy. The music has a whirling dervish pace that had the whole crowd moving. Lots of boardies in attendance which is usually an indication that you've hit the right show

Robert Randolph 11/11/1 Toads

Sacred steel guitar virtuoso Randolph never ceases to amaze. Played some standards: The March, People Get Ready, If I Had My Way. With little sister and cousin Danyell helping with vocals, this band had their game on. Randolph had some ladies come up on stage for Shake Your Hips, played an extendo vamp of Thriller. Closed with an excellent Voodoo Chile Slight Return.

Michael Franti and Spearhead 11/09/10 Toads Place

Say what you will about Franti opening for John Mayer or his music backdrop for the recent Corona TV ad, this guy is all about positive vibe. His high energy shows have leaned more toward peace and love pop than historical militant rap reggae. Judging from the packed house at Toads on this evening, the crowd didn't mind. Most material was from Yell Fire recording to the present with perennial Sublime cover Love Is What I Got. Franti takes some heat from hardcore fans for this pop turn, but look around the audience and realize that he now reaches multiple fan base factions. There was even a kid still awake at 12:30 to help with the closer.

Stephan Crump and The Rosetta Trio 11/5/10 Firehouse 12

Standup bass player Crump with guitarists Liberty Elliman and Jamie Fox (the original one). Capable set from these young Brooklyn jazzbos. It's always great to see the upright bass leading a combo. Last time I saw Liberty he was scorching with Henry Threadgill at Wesleyan. This trio was more song-oriented with decent interaction among the three. I was hoping for a little more fire from these guys, it seemed as if the playing was restrained. The room was 3/4 full and the acoustics, as always were top notch

Patti Smith 11/4/10 Yale University

As part of the Master's Tea program, rock legend Patti Smith spoke about life, art, and her new book a memoir of Robert Mapplethorpe. Witty and raspy, Smith described three crossroads in her life: moving to NYC from NJ in the late sixties penniless and excited, starting a family outside Detroit( with late husband Fred "Sonic" Smith), and returning to the public life to record "Gone Again" as a tribute and collaboration with Fred. Several times during this talk she reminded us she is NOT a musician, but an artist focused on the merging of poetry with music. It was a treat to see such an icon talk candidly of her career. I couldn't help but notice the odd juxtaposition of hallowed halls and tables of finger food with this artist who talked of sleeping in graveyards in NYC. I guess people do have the power.

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.