Spoon Dates and Album Release Change

Many are anticipating the release of Spoon's new album Transference, which has now been moved up to January 19th on Merge Records. The first single off of the album, "Written In Reverse," will be available for digital download tomorrow December 1st. Additionally, a 7-inch vinyll will be available for the single on January 5th which will include the B-side "Mean Red Spider." Spoon has been highly regarded in the indie world since the 90's, but were put on the map after the success of their previous two albums, Gimme Fiction and Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga. Spoon also announced the first leg of their tour in support of their new album. Stops include Boston, San Diego, London, and Amsterdam.

Spoon 2010 Dates:
12/03/09 Thu Midland Theatre Kansas City, MO
12/04/09 Fri Orpheum Theatre Boston, MA
12/11/09 Fri The Crystal Ballroom Portland, OR
12/12/09 Sat RIMAC Arena San Diego, CA
12/31/09 Thu Riverside Theater Milwaukee, WI
02/14/10 Sun King Tuts Glasgow, GB
02/15/10 Mon Academy 3 Manchester, GB
02/16/10 Tue Electric Ballroom London, GB
02/18/10 Thu The Paradiso Amsterdam, NL
02/19/10 Fri Luxor Koln, GER
02/20/10 Sat FrannzClub Berlin, GER

spoontheband.com

Perry's Pick: Sydney Wayser

We're changing the pace a bit this week for Perry's Picks in order to cater to your lingering tryptophan hangovers and cozy holiday moods. Sydney Wayser, a Los Angeles native turned New Yorker, is a 22 year old multi-instrumentalist and brilliant vocalist who is making a name for herself with two full length albums already under her belt. Artistic and bright, Wayser's vocals are traceable to the colorful indifference of Fiona Apple or Mirah while maintaining a vibrant jubilance reminiscent of Regina Spektor or Leslie Feist. Wayser's French-American roots shine through beautifully in her relaxed Sunday morning jazz styles, incorporating upright bass and creative percussion into her full band sound. Her vocals are smoky and airy, but do not lack the soul of a Chan Marshall or Madeleine Peyroux. Her latest release, The Colorful, is exactly as it is titled, containing a wide spectrum of musical styles and an overall animated approach. Wayser does not only shine in the studio, but rather radiates the same attitude in her impressive live performances where she is accompanied by a three-piece rhythm section. While on the surface her unique vocals are an immediate draw, her songwriting is both playful and complex. Drawing influence from anything ranging from Woody Allen movies to Nick Drake albums to toys, Wayser's way with words shows her youthful but sophisticated grasp on life and her ability to translate her outlook to song. With a background that expands beyond just a pianist and vocalist, Wayser's choice of instrumentation is open-minded and shows her ability to work well with producer and bandmate Blaze McKenzie. Her name is spreading well throughout the New York and Los Angeles areas thanks to praise from critics from NPR music, Daytrotter, and Smoke Music. While Wayser is quickly gaining momentum, she is asking for assistance from fans to support her "Sydney Wayser's Lonely Hearts Club Van" fund. She is depending on fan donations to help fund a spring and summer tour and in order to gain such donations, she is offering various prizes and incentives. To check out the campaign, take a look at her kickstart page. Sydney Wayser is a clear talent that should appeal to a wide array of listeners, so be sure to pick up her latest album The Colorful and check her out on the road if you have a chance.


Bells

Sydney Wayser | MySpace Music Videos

sydneywayser.com
myspace.com/sydneywayser

Avett Brothers Spring Tour

Alternative folk trio the Avett Brothers are embarking on a massive Spring tour in support of their latest release I and Love and You. The album, which was produced by the legendary Rick Rubin, has received universal praise from critics and sold over 40,000 copies in its first week alone. Their tour will take them from the southeast out to the west coast for a total of 26 dates. The band also recently completed filming for their appearance on the PBS special Austin City Limits which will air January 23rd on PBS. Catch these guys on tour this spring and pick up a copy of I and Love and You which is in stores now.

Avett Brothers Spring Tour:
12/30/09 Wed Tennessee Theatre Knoxville, TN
12/31/09 Thu Asheville Civic Center Asheville, NC (w/ Langhorne Slim)
01/01/10 Fri Fox Theatre Atlanta, GA (w/ Langhorne Slim)
01/03/10 Sun Granada Theater Dallas, TX (w/ Samantha Crain & the Midnight Shivers)
02/24/10 Wed Ohio University Athens, OH (w/ The Low Anthem)
02/26/10 Fri The State Theater Ithaca, NY (w/ The Low Anthem)
02/27/10 Sat House Of Blues Cleveland, OH (w/ The Low Anthem)
02/28/10 Sun Murat Egyptian Room Indianapolis, IN (w/ The Low Anthem)
03/02/10 Tue Missouri Theatre Columbia, MO (w/ The Low Anthem)
03/03/10 Wed Rose State College Midwest City, OK (w/ The Low Anthem)
03/05/10 Fri First Avenue Minneapolis, MN (w/ The Low Anthem)
03/06/10 Sat Turner Hall Ballroom Milwaukee, WI (w/ The Low Anthem)
03/07/10 Sun House of Blues Chicago, IL (w/ The Low Anthem)
03/09/10 Tue Michigan Theatre Ann Arbor, MI (w/ The Low Anthem)
04/17/10 Sat Fox Theater Oakland, CA
04/18/10 Sun Grand Sierra Theatre (Reno Hilton) Reno, NV
04/20/10 Tue Boulder Theater Boulder, CO
04/21/10 Wed Boulder Theater Boulder, CO
04/23/10 Fri Rialto Theatre Tucson, AZ
04/24/10 Sat Mesa Arts Center - Ikeda Theater Mesa, AZ
04/25/10 Sun Stagecoach Music Festival (Empire Polo Fields) Indio, CA
04/27/10 Tue Crest Theater Sacramento, CA
04/28/10 Wed Arlington Theatre Santa Barbara, CA
04/29/10 Thu House of Blues San Diego, CA
05/02/10 Sun MerleFest Wilkesboro, NC
05/29/10 Sat DelFest Cumberland, MD

theavettbrothers.com

Tuesday Tribute: Spin Doctors

Emerging in the 1980's from New York City along with buddy John Popper (of Blues Traveler fame) were Chris Barron and Eric Schenkman who would go on to form one of the early 90's biggest sensations, the Spin Doctors. Bridging the gap between outstanding live jams and radio friendly pop, the Spin Doctors' bass-heavy sound and playful lyrics were blasted at every college party for a solid few years. While the band achieved tremendous success with hits like "Two Princes" and "Little Miss Can't Be Wrong," people tend to overlook the amazing energy that this band put into their live performance. The funky slap bass of Mark White locked in with the solid drum grooves of Aaron Comess as well as the lead licks of Eric Schenkman and the stage presence of frontman Chris Barron in a live setting all played a significant part in attracting both neo-hippies as well as 90's pop rock fiends. The band took off after the release of their debut album, Pocket Full of Kryptonite in 1991 and then in 1992 they toured with Blues Traveler, Phish, and Widespread Panic as part of the first ever H.O.R.D.E. festival. As the band's popularity began to wane later in the 90's, Chris Barron suffered a vocal chord paralysis that left him unable to speak well, let alone sing. Despite given a 50/50 chance to ever sing again, he gained his voice back a year later and reunited with the Spin Doctors in the early 2000's. The band released a studio album in 2005 called Nice Talking To Me and they still play scattered gigs, but have never seen the radio or touring success that they had in the 90's. The Spin Doctors could be one of the more underrated bands of the past 20 years. With stations like VH1 criticizing the Spin Doctors' biggest hit "Two Princes" for being "awesomely bad," few people take the time to explore their deeper cuts which were responsible for giving them their notable live following. It is because of this that this week we go back and explore some of the Spin Doctors' material.

First up this week is a playful rendition of the party anthem "What Time is It?" live on David Letterman in 1993. Gotta love the stage presence of Chris Barron, and it seems as though Demi Moore enjoyed the performance too.



Up next is the band doing their bluesy tune "Cleopatra's Cat" live at Woodstock '94. The lead riff on this song is completely mean and it looks like the band drew a pretty decent crowd. Check out Mark White's rainbow bass, yikes!



The band gets a bit of help from Elmo and friends for a version of "Two Princes" on Sesame Street. This rendition is lyrically tweaked to emphasize the importance of sharing and cooperation. Nice!



Last up, the boys are paid a visit by the great Roger Daltrey for a version of The Who's "Substitute" on David Letterman. Daltrey still sounds pretty young in this recording and the Spins look like their having a blast.



spindoctors.com

Furthur Add Late Winter Dates

The latest side project to gain buzz within the Grateful Dead world is Furthur. Consisting of Bob Weir and Phil Lesh at the front and backed by Jeff Chimenti (Keys) and Jay Lane (drums) of RatDog, John Kadlecik (guitar) who just announced his departure from Dark Star Orchestra, and Joe Russo (drums) who is known best for being half of the Benevento/Russo Duo. The collective came together over the summer after The Dead had completed their Spring and Summer dates and were met with a terrific reception at the eight shows they played earlier this fall around the country. It seems as though Furthur could be the future of Dead reincarnations seeing as they have charted a very impressive tour for late this winter.

Furthur 2010 Dates:
February 5 Miami, FL Bayfront Park Amphitheatre
February 6 Orlando, FL Hard Rock Live
February 8 Atlanta, GA The Tabernacle
February 9 Asheville, NC Thomas Wolfe Auditorium
February 10 Charlotte, NC Bojangles Coliseum
February 12 Hampton, VA Hampton Coliseum
February 13 Faifax, VA Patriot Ctr, George Mason Univ.
February 14 Ithaca, NY Barton Hall, Cornell University
February 15 Lehigh Univ. Bethlehem, PA Stabler Arena
February 17 Buffalo, NY Shea’s Performing Arts Center
February 18 Manchester, NH Verizon Wireless Arena
February 19 Amherst, MA Mullins Center, Univ of Mass
February 20 Utica, NY Utica Auditorium
February 22 Newark, DE Bob Carpenter Ctr, Univ of Delaware
February 23 New York, NY Radio City Music Hall
February 24 New York, NY Radio City Music Hall
February 26 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Arena
February 27 Atlantic City, NJ Trump Taj Mahal, Estess Arena
March 2 Chicago, IL Auditorium Theatre
March 3 Chicago, IL Auditorium Theatre
March 8 Portland, OR Portland Memorial Coliseum

further.net

moe. Winter Tour

2010 marks moe.'s 20th anniversary and the boys are kicking it off with a short celebratory tour. After playing in Warrren Haynes' 2009 Christmas Jam on December 12th, moe. will spend January playing 7 shows around the northeast. moe. have also announced that their annual winter festival, Snoe.down, will take place March 26th through 28th in Rutland, Vermont at Spartan Arena and and at the Killington Ski Resort in Killington, Vermont. A limited number of early bird tickets are on sale now for an overwhelmingly reasonable price of 69$. Early bird VIP passes are also on sale now for only 135$. This is one of the better priced festivals you will find, so if you think you want to go, don't wait to make your purchase. For more information, visit snoedown.com

moe. Winter Dates
12/12- Christmas Jam- Asheville, NC
1/22- Roseland Ballroom- New York, NY
1/23- Roseland Ballroom- New York, NY
1/27- Sherman Theatre- Stroudsberg, PA
1/28- Harro East Ballroom- Rochester, NY
1/29- House of Blues- Boston, MA
1/30- State Theatre- Ithaca, NY
3/26- Spartan Arena- Rutland, VT
3/27- Killington Ski Resort- Killington, VT*
3/27- Spartan Arena- Rutland, VT

*Outdoor Afternoon Show. More acts to be announced for Snoe.down 2010.

moe.org

Perry's Pick: Jesse Dee

One of the musical highlights of this decade has been the resurgence of vintage soul singers in popular music. Names like Amy Winehouse, Sharon Jones, and Raphael Saadiq were all able to bring music fans back to yesteryear with their throwback hits and killer backing bands. The latest talent to dip his pen in the nostalgic ink is Boston's own Jesse Dee. Following in the footsteps of fellow Boston golden boy Eli "Paperboy" Reed, Jesse Dee's feel-good vibe and soulful swagger are dragging even the most flat-footed folks out on the dance floor. With a voice that is traceable to R&B classics such as Sam Cooke, Arthur Conley, and Al Green, Jesse Dee does an exceptional job modernizing his sound just enough so that it constantly sounds fresh and doesn't feel as though he is simply milking the nostalgia factor. His slick set of pipes are finely complimented by his greasy G. Love guitar licks and his very solid backing backing band. Live, he is backed simply by 3 other musicians, but is able to produce a full and explosive sound. In the studio, Jessie Dee is assisted by a large collective of horn players, backup singers, percussionists, and other various talents. His latest release, Bittersweet Batch, has turned heads both locally and internationally. He does a great Marvin Gaye on cuts like "Yet To Come," while the simplicity of acoustic guitar in "Slow Down" helps to add shine to his already polished vocals. Jessie Dee is achieving quick success and rapidly gaining a heavy fanbase worldwide. He has opened for the likes of Al Green and Etta James and is currently up for a Boston Music Award for R&B Act of the Year. Jesse Dee also just released a holiday tune called "Underneath The Christmas Tree" which is sure to liven the spirits this season. Be sure to pick up Jesse Dee's Bittersweet Batch and if you have the chance, don't miss seeing him live as well.



myspace.com/jessedee

2010 Festival Update

Since my last report, there have been a few more big date announcements in the festival world. Perhaps summer's most popular festival, Bonnaroo, will take place June 10th-13th back in Manchester, Tennessee. Bonnaroo has drastically grown since its formation in 2002. Some say this growth has been for the better, while others complain about commercialization, over-attendance, and a diversification of lineup choices. Regardless, Bonnaroo 2009 saw headliners such as Phish, Bruce Springsteen, and the Beastie Boys, so they must be doing something right. A holiday ticket presale begins next Friday, November 27th and tickets start at 209.50$. To purchase tickets, visit bonnaroo.com. Also recently announced are the dates for the 2010 Wanee Festival. This year's Allman Brothers classic will take place April 16th and 17th in the Spirit of the Suwanee Music Park in Live Oak, Florida. Taking place at one of the Nation's most beautiful outdoor music settings, the Allman's usually do a great job scrapping up a solid lineup for this festival season kickoff. For more information on this event, visit Wanee's very cool website at waneefestival.com. Lastly, the dates of Gathering of the Vibes 2010 were just announced. The festival will once again take place in Seaside Park in Bridgeport, CT and this year's dates are July 29th to August 1st. The festival was created in honor of Jerry Garcia, so it is only appropriate that Gathering of the Vibes 2010 is celebrated the weekend of Jerry's birthday. Early bird tickets go on sale next Friday, November 27th. For more information, visit the Vibes website at gatheringofthevibes.com. Keep checking up for more festival updates and lineup announcements.

Akron/Family Winter Dates

Brooklyn indie rockers Akron/Family have just added a bunch of winter dates that will take them all over the southeast. The band is currently finishing up a leg of international dates that brought them across Europe and Australia. Akron/Family has been working hard since the release of their latest album Set 'Em Wild, Set 'Em Free, which helped put their unique brand of hippie folk on the radar. The band is revered for their interactive and energetic live show, so catch them on the road while they're still playing for modestly sized crowds.

Akron/Family Winter Dates:
02/17/10 Wed Artistika Cafe Greensboro, NC
02/18/10 Thu 40 Watt Club Athens, GA
02/19/10 Fri The Backbooth Orlando, FL
02/20/10 Sat Club Downunder Tallahassee, FL
02/21/10 Sun One Eyed Jacks New Orleans, LA
02/23/10 Tue Walter's On Washington Houston, TX
02/24/10 Wed The Parish Austin, TX
02/25/10 Thu Granada Theater Dallas, TX
02/26/10 Fri Hi Tone Memphis, TN
02/27/10 Sat Exit/In Nashville, TN
02/28/10 Sun Pilot Light Knoxville, TN
03/03/10 Wed Music Hall Of Williamsburg Brooklyn, NY

akronfamily.com

Tuesday Tribute: Dr. John

New Orleans music is one based on deep rooted tradition. Having played a huge part in the spread and popularity of jazz, funk, and zydeco music, New Orleans is one of the music capitals of the world. One of the biggest names and most venerated musicians from the bayou is Mac Rebennack, better known as Dr. John. One of the most recognizable voices in modern music, Dr. John has had an eventful solo career and has been a part of many successful collaborations. Dr. John's 1968 debut album, Gris Gris, is considered one of the all-time greats and sounded very original in an era when psychedelic rock and guitar-gods ruled the airwaves. Sparked by the popularity of the single "Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya Ya," the album was heavily influenced by Creole culture and proved that Dr. John was an experimental composer from the get-go. Although he was rarely in the forefront of American music, he once again achieved notoriety in the 1970's for his work covering popular New Orleans standards such as "Iko Iko" and for funkier, horn-driven originals such as "Right Place Wrong Time." Dr. John gained the respect of many artists in the music world such as The Meters, Allen Toussaint, and The Band, who featured Dr. John in their famous final show, The Last Waltz. Another person whom Dr. John had an influence on was Jim Henson, who fashioned his character Dr. Teeth after Dr. John. Dr. John has continued to record and perform to the present day. Much of his recent work has benefited the victims of Hurricane Katrina and helped to rebuild New Orleans both physically and in character. Dr. John is an incredible musician and personality who embodies the New Orleans spirit, so this week, we send a tribute out to him.

The first video this week is of the Doctor playing "Such a Night." This is the same tune that he plays with the band on The Last Waltz, but this version features some help from Jools Holland and his horn section as well as Eric Clapton. You get a good sense of just how respected he is when Clapton doesn't even step out for a solo.



The next video is pure gold. Etta James sits in with Dr. John for a version of her tune "I'd Rather Go Blind (Blind Girl)." Etta absolutely rips it up on this one and Dr. John doesn't do a bad job making it a duet either.



Here's one of Dr. John doing "Iko Iko" with an impressive line-up that includes Ringo Starr, Levon Helm, Rick Danko, and Clarence Clemons. Dr. John is sporting some nice Mardi Gras apparel for this tune.



Last up is Dr. John pairing up with Johnny Winter for a take of "Talk To Your Daughter." Both of them step out for solos and they also give a little time for the blues harp player to lay down some licks.



drjohn.org

Hot Chip Tour

British electrogeeks Hot Chip are gearing up for the release of the new studio album One Life Stand on February 9th. In support of the new album, the band has announced a series of shows both in Europe and in North America. Hot Chip's last album, Made In The Dark, was regarded as one of 2008's best albums and helped spark a fire of praise from what was previously a small buzz. Opening for Hot Chip for their North American dates are fellow Brits, The xx. Check out Hot Chip's new album One Life Stand on February 9th and keep your eyes out for possible additional US dates.

Hot Chip Tour:
02-12 Glasgow, Scotland - Academy
02-13 Edinburgh, Scotland - Picture House
02-15 Nottingham, England - Academy
02-16 Leeds, England - Academy
02-18 Newcastle, England - O2 Academy
02-19 Manchester, England - Academy
02-20 Birmingham, England - O2 Academy
02-22 Bournemouth, England - O2 Academy
02-23 Bristol, England - O2 Academy
02-24 Norwich, England - O2 Academy
02-26 London, England - O2 Brixton Academy
02-27 London, England - O2 Brixton Academy
04-16 Oakland, CA - Fox Theater *
04-19 Chicago, IL - Riviera Theatre *
04-20 Toronto, Ontario - Koolhaus *
04-22 New York, NY - Terminal 5 *
04-24 Washington, DC - 9:30 Club *

*With The xx

hotchip.co.uk

Perry's Pick: Township

Psychedelics, mullet-rock, hair-metal, and southern twang are four very different terms that you might use to describe Township. Hailing from Boston Rock City, these four dudes could be the manliest rockers to represent The Bean in a long time. Township definitely have a nostalgic appeal, but it hard to pin their sound to a specific decade. They possess the in-your-face inventiveness of The Who, the southern seventies scream of The Faces, and the sweaty glamor of Jane's Addiction, while adding their own modernized feel. Drawing similarities to other local sounds, Township trip over to the psychedelic realm of Apollo Sunshine while maintaining the burliness of Boston brethren Bang Camaro. Their latest self-titled released contains track after track of edgy rawk thats driven by fuzzy bass grooves and husky, stomping drum beats. Face-melters is the description that best fits the fiery guitar solos that help complete the puzzle. Bearded and mustached, the Township personality reeks of manliness, especially with song titles like "Beaver Fever" and "Summer of Dudes." The buzz around Township is quickly leaking outside of the northeast, hinting that the boys might be on-deck to be Boston's next rock representatives. Critics have lauded both Township's studio work as well as their live performance, exaggerating the fact that the whole Township package is soaked in originality. Be sure to check out their latest release, Township, and for a full experience, get out and see these guys live.



thefamilytownship.com
myspace.com/thefamilytownship

The Who to Perform Super Bowl Halftime Show

In the list of most American things, football ranks up towards the very top along with apple pie and obesity. The Super Bowl is perhaps America's biggest sporting event, so big in fact that it practically has its own holiday. This coming Super Bowl Sunday gear up for the classic, fist pounding rock of The Who. With a whole catalog of hits, its tough to tell what these guys may squeeze into the 3 or 4 song set that is typically allotted. "My Generation"? "Pinball Wizard"? "Baba O'Reilly"? I guess we'll have to wait and see. This year's Super Bowl will be played on February 7th in Miami, FL.

thewho.com

Greyboy Allstars December Run

The venerable west coast funkateers known as the Greyboy Allstars are gearing up for a series of dates this December that will lead up to a New Year's Eve show in Denver at the Ogden Theatre. Lately, the band hasn't maintained the loaded touring schedule that they have in years past due to many successful side projects. Saxophonist Karl Denson has been very busy with his solo band Karl Denson's Tiny Universe. Check out their latest album Brother's Keeper, it's one of the year's best jazz-funk releases. Guitarist Elgin Park was busy scoring Judd Apatow's latest film Funny People while Robert Walter and drummer Aaron Redfield have produced and performed on albums by other bands and artists. The upcoming mini-tour will bring the Greyboy Allstars over to the east coast for series of dates and then back to the west coast by the end of the month. If any east-coasters are unfamiliar with these guys, a good east coast comparison is Lettuce, but with a bit more sax and B3. Basically, the Greyboy Allstars know how to start a party, so if you're starting to cool off to this chilly east coast weather, come out for a show and watch these guys bring the heat.

Greyboy Allstars December Tour
12/15- The Asylum- Portland, ME
12/16- The Paradise Rock Club- Boston, MA
12/17- Toad's Place- New Haven, CT
12/18- 9:30 Club- Washington, DC
12/19- Fillmore NY at Irving Plaza- New York, NY
12/20- World Cafe Live- Philadelphia, PA
12/23- Belly Up Tavern- Solana Beach, CA
12/31- Ogden Theatre- Denver, CO

greyboyallstars.com

Yonder Mountain String Band Cabin Fever Tour 2010

Yonder Mountain String Band announced their annual Cabin Fever Tour which will take them all throughout the Midwest and Southeast. The band will do New Year's Eve at the Fillmore Auditorium in Denver and cap off the tour with a series of sets at Jam in the Dam 2010 in Melkweg, Amsterdam. Yonder is perhaps today's most popular touring bluegrass bands. They do a great job of modernizing the somewhat fading genre by doing interesting cover selections and keeping their live shows upbeat and in-your-face. Check these guys out if they come to a venue near you.

Yonder Mountain String Band Tour:
12/29/2009 Theatre Boulder,CO
12/30/09 Wed The Fillmore Auditorium Denver, CO
12/31/09 Thu The Fillmore Auditorium Denver, CO
1/26/2010 George’s Majestic Lounge Fayetteville,AR
1/28/2010 House of Blues New Orleans,LA
1/29/2010 Tabernacle Atlanta,GA
1/30/2010 War Memorial Auditorium Nashville,TN
1/31/2010 WorkPlay Soundstage Theatre Birmingham,AL
2/3/2010 Orange Peel Asheville,NC
2/4/2010 Orange Peel Asheville,NC
2/5/2010 Music Farm Charleston,SC
2/6/2010 Tennessee Theatre Knoxville,TN
2/10/2010 The Social Orlando,FL
2/11/2010 Freebird Live Jacksonville Beach,FL
2/12/2010 Revolution Live Ft. Lauderdale,FL
2/13/2010 The Ritz Ybor TAMPA,FL
2/14/2010 Soul Kitchen Mobile,AL
2/17/2010 Headliners Music Hall Louisville,KY
2/18/2010 Lifestyle Communities Pavilion Columbus,OH
2/19/2010 The Pageant St. Louis,MO
2/20/2010 The Pageant St. Louis,MO
2/21/2010 Cain’s Ballroom Tulsa,OK
03/21/10 Jam In The Dam, Melkweg Amsterdam, NL
03/22/10 Jam In The Dam, Melkweg Amsterdam, NL
03/23/10 Jam In The Dam, Melkweg Amsterdam, NL

yondermountain.com

Tuesday Tribute: Steve Winwood

Steve Winwood could possibly be Rock n Roll's greatest legend that not enough people know a lot about. Spencer Davis Group, Traffic, and Blind Faith are just a few of the collectives that Winwood has masterminded as he has gradually earned the utmost respect in the music business. When Winwood was only 15, he entered the music business playing the Hammond B3 and blowing people away with his spectacular voice as the lead singer for the Spencer Davis Group. Hits such as "Gimme Some Loving" and "I'm a Man" got his name on the map early before he left the group to be a founding member of the groundbreaking group Traffic. Traffic is seen by many to be rock's first jam-band because of Winwood's ability to lock in a groove with Jim Capaldi, Dave Mason, and Chris Wood while leaving ample room for improvisation. Winwood also stretched out his repertoire to the guitar, which can be heard on such Traffic hits as "Dear Mr. Fantasy." Around this time, Winwood met up with guitar-master Eric Clapton and the two formed supergroup Blind Faith along with Ginger Baker and Ric Grech. The project was short-lived, but their self-titled album is still considered a classic. One of Winwood's best qualities is his ability to "get with the times." Once Traffic split up, Winwood had a successful solo career throughout the 80's with hits that included "Higher Love," "Valerie," and "Back in the High Life Again." Winwood continues to release albums quite proficiently and has toured throughout the current decade. Winwood was included in Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival in 2007 and he is currently touring with Clapton all around the world. Steve Winwood may never receive the individual attention he deserves, but behind the godly praise that guys like Clapton, Hendrix, and Jimmy Paige receive, Winwood is a Rock God in his own right. This Tuesday, who honor Steve Winwood's greatness.

The first video this week is from way back in 1967 when Winwood was still tickling the ivories for the Spencer Davis Group. Winwood's vocals in this clip are absolutely mind-blowing; it's no wonder this song is such a classic. If I could recommend an album, the Traffic album "Live at the Canteen" features great takes of this tune as well as "Medicated Goo," "Dear Mr. Fantasy," and others.



Next up is a nice live take of Traffic doing "Light Up or Leave Me Alone." Jim Capaldi sings this one, but Winwood steps up on the axe for a few solos. The whole band looks like they might have "lit up" before this tune.



80's Winwood was perhaps most famous for the upbeat "Higher Love." But another great tune, while totally soaked up in 80's cheesieness, is "Back in the High Life Again." Here's the official music video for the song.



While a bit shaky on the video quality, the final video shows Winwood being joined by Eric Clapton on stage for "Dear Mr. Fantasy" in 2009. The two clearly show-off their unfathomable chops, but check out Clapton's drummer, Abe Laborial Jr., tear up the kit as well.



stevewinwood.com

2010 Festival Updates

Festival season 2010 is a long way from now, but it never hurts to start your vacation planning a little earlier than usual. The festival that seems to be at the top of today's news is the Sasquatch! Music Festival that takes place annually at the Gorge Amphitheatre in Washington. Organizers have announced that the festival will once again take place on Memorial Day Weekend and while no lineup announcements have been made, Pitchfork reports that Pavement will be one of the 2010 headliners. Special 3-day early-bird tickets are already for sale for Sasquatch! on their website. Lollapalooza, Chicago's big summer classic, will be returning to Grant Park on August 6-8 2010. Early bird tickets have already sold out for Lolla '10, but organizers would like to hear from you as to who you would like to see play next year's festival. As it reads on the website:

"Tell us who you’d put on next year's Lollapalooza lineup, happening August 6-8, 2010. Give us your Top 5 artists — monster headliners to bands we’ve never even heard of -- from rock to avant-garde, indie to hip-hop, and all the sounds in between. Speak up by November 10. We’ll collect all of your ideas, then see what we can make happen."

Thats not much time to act, but if you're thinking about attending, its worth a submission. Just visit their website to do so. Below are a few more dates announced for other popular summer festivals.

Wakarusa
-June 3-6, 2010, Mulberry Mountain in Ozark, AK
-wakarusa.com

Mountain Jam
-June 4-6, 2010, Hunter Mountain in Hunter, NY
-mountainjam.com

Jam in the Dam
-March 21st-23rd, 2010, Melkweg in Amsterdam, NL
-jaminthedam.com

Desert Rocks Music Festival
-June 10th-13th, 2010, Moab, UT
-desertrocks.com

Check back because more will be announced as we approach summer of 2010.

Perry's Pick: Mondo Gecko

Massachusetts' latest contribution to the jam scene is a five-piece funk rock outfit called Mondo Gecko. With a strong emphasis on live improvisation, the group features driving lead guitar similar to Umphrey's McGee contrasted with the funkier clavinet and keyboard lines reminiscent of Phish's Page McConnell. Also similar to Phish is Mondo Gecko's grassroots approach of playing local venues, building upon a dedicated fanbase, and involving friends and family with street team, merchandise, and touring assistance. The group has played all over the northeast and it would not be surprising if they started to tour nationally within a short period of time. Musically, Mondo Gecko is not restricted by a single genre, but rather fuses elements of rock, jazz, funk, and reggae among other musical styles to make for a live experience that covers all cylinders. Each member is well-seasoned, having played in other local groups previous to Mondo Gecko, so they all bring a unique personal style to solos as well as to the band's sound as a whole. Their story-like songwriting nicely compliments the full instrumental groove that backs them. The glue of the group is the interlocking groove of bassist Andrew Walley and drummer Aaron Morey, who together provide a catapult for guitarists Brad Garone and Luke Stratton to contribute explosive solos or share in the groove with funky rhythm licks. Weaving in and out of the guitar is keyboardist Eric McEwen who lends a whole different perspective, taking many different tones and lending a unique attitude to every song. Mondo Gecko are still getting on their feet, but thanks to a constantly loaded gigging schedule, their name is spreading like wildfire throughout the jam community. Their open taping policy has created plenty of opportunity for new listeners to hop aboard, but to get the full experience, you must get out and see these guys live.

Here's a taste of some live Mondo Gecko with the 2-part tale of "Poncho."





mondogecko.com

myspace.com/mondogeckomusic

John Mayer & Spearhead Tour

John Mayer will be out on the road again this winter hitting big arenas all across the country. Opening for Mayer on the tour is Michael Franti & Spearhead. Mayer will be touring in support of his upcoming album Battle Studies, which will be in stores later this month. It isn't specified as to what kind of band Mayer will be touring with. It's undeniable that the man is a great talent, but it is hard to tell when he's going to show up to play to hardcore blues fans or if he is going to play for the teenage pop fans. When Mayer wants to play, however, he can hang tough with the best of today's players. As for Franti, he makes great music and brings great energy, but there's only so many times you feel like responding to his signature, "How you feelin'!!!" If you want to see a future legend and you don't mind shelling out a little bit of cash, Mayer is your guy.

John Mayer and Michael Franti & Spearhead 2010 Tour Dates:
02/08/10 Mon North Charleston Coliseum Charleston, SC
02/09/10 Tue BJCC Arena Birmingham, AL
02/10/10 Wed Sommet Center Nashville, TN
02/12/10 Fri The Palace of Auburn Hills Auburn Hills, MI
02/13/10 Sat Air Canada Centre Toronto, ON
02/16/10 Tue Scotiabank Place Kanata, ON
02/17/10 Wed Bell Centre Montreal, QC
02/19/10 Fri Mohegan Sun Casino Uncasville, CT
02/20/10 Sat Verizon Center Washington, DC
02/21/10 Sun Wachovia Spectrum Philadelphia, PA
02/24/10 Wed TD BankNorth Garden Boston, MA
02/25/10 Thu Madison Square Garden New York, NY
02/28/10 Sun Van Andel Arena Grand Rapids, MI
03/01/10 Mon Bradley Center Milwaukee, WI
03/02/10 Tue Xcel Energy Center Saint Paul, MN
03/04/10 Thu Qwest Center Omaha, NE
03/05/10 Fri The Ford Center Oklahoma City, OK
03/06/10 Sat Toyota Center Houston, TX
03/08/10 Mon Frank Erwin Center Austin, TX
03/09/10 Tue American Airlines Center Dallas, TX
03/10/10 Wed New Orleans Arena New Orleans, LA
03/12/10 Fri Nationwide Arena Columbus, OH
03/13/10 Sat Freedom Hall Louisville, KY
03/15/10 Mon Greensboro Coliseum Greensboro, NC
03/16/10 Tue John Paul Jones Arena Charlottesville, VA
03/17/10 Wed Philips Arena Atlanta, GA
03/19/10 Fri FedEx Forum Memphis, TN
03/20/10 Sat The Scottrade Center St. Louis, MO
03/22/10 Mon Sprint Center Kansas City, MO
03/23/10 Tue Pepsi Center Denver, CO
03/25/10 Thu Staples Center Los Angeles, CA
03/26/10 Fri HP Pavilion San Jose, CA
03/30/10 Tue Rose Garden Arena Portland, OR
03/31/10 Wed Key Arena Seattle, WA
04/01/10 Thu General Motors Place Vancouver, BC
04/03/10 Sat Pengrowth Saddledome Calgary, AB
04/04/10 Sun Rexall Place Edmonton, AB
04/06/10 Tue Credit Union Centre Saskatoon, SK
04/07/10 Wed MTS Centre Winnipeg, MB
04/08/10 Thu Fargodome Fargo, ND
04/10/10 Sat United Center Chicago, IL

www.johnmayer.com

Festival 8 in 3D

Are you like me and missed one of the most epic music events of the year this past weekend in Indio, CA? Well luckily, for those of us who were not at Phish's Festival 8 this past weekend, it seems as though a 3-D concert film will be made from the event similar to the U2 3-D movie that was recently released. As reported by the Desert Sun:

"Phish is getting a wide theatrical release next year of the 3D movie they shot at Festival 8. Their advertising and publicity budget will be tiny compared to other nationally distributed films because they have such a direct relationship with their fans online."

No details about a release date have been specified, but considering the rave reviews that the U2 film got, this is definitely something for Phish fans to look forward to.

Tea Leaf Green Winter Tour

San Francisco mellow jammers Tea Leaf Green are hitting the road again this winter for their One New Day Tour. With last year's release of Raise Up the Tent as well as last year's addition of bass-wizard Reed Mathis to their lineup, Tea Leaf Green is stronger than ever. Sophisticated, keyboard-driven jams complimented by colorful whimsical lyrics are the heart and soul of Tea Leaf Green's lazy Sunday tunes. One of the hardest working live bands out there, the group has taken their West Coast sound on the road for the majority of the past decade and has grown and sharpened with each tour. The band will perform New Year's Eve in Phoenix, AZ and then make their way to the east coast. The tour will culminate with two nights at the Crystal Bay Club Casino in Las Vegas. Be sure to catch these guys while they're still playing modest venues.

Tea Leaf Green One New Day Tour:
11/20/09 Moe's Alley Santa Cruz, CA
11/21/09 Moe's Alley Santa Cruz, CA
12/20/09 Hopmonk Tavern Sebastopol, CA
12/31/09 The Compound Phoenix, AZ
01/13/10 three20south Breckenridge, CO
01/14/10 Fox Theatre Boulder, CO
01/15/10 Bluebird Theater Denver, CO
01/16/10 Belly Up Aspen, CO
01/17/10 Aggie Theatre Fort Collins, CO
01/20/10 Bottleneck Lawrence, KS
01/21/10 Cabooze Minneapolis, MN
01/22/10 High Noon Saloon Madison, WI
01/23/10 Lincoln Hall Chicago, IL
01/26/10 Bluebird Bloomington, IN
01/27/10 Blueberry Hill (The Duck Room) St. Louis, MO
01/28/10 20th Century Theatre Cincinnati, OH
01/29/10 Mountainlair Ballroom Morgantown, WV
01/30/10 9:30 Club Washington, DC
02/02/10 Jefferson Theater Charlottesville, VA
02/03/10 Chameleon Club Lancaster, PA
02/06/10 Paradise Rock Club Boston, MA
02/13/10 Crystal Bay Club Casino Crystal Bay, NV
02/14/10 Crystal Bay Club Casino Crystal Bay, NV

tealeafgreen.com

Tuesday Tribute: Paul Simon

It doesn't take much effort to get on YouTube and be overwhelmed by the Paul Simon relics that flash before you, so this week, I will honor the man himself. Paul Simon gained fame as one half of the Simon and Garfunkel duo and the group prospered until their breakup in 1970. After the breakup, both artists went their separate ways, but Simon proved to be the most successful. The duo reunited for the first of many occasions for a free concert in New York's Central Park. The show was attended by over 500,000 and helped the two musicians reform for a brief tour in 1982. Perhaps Simon's greatest solo work is 1986's Graceland. Much of the album was recorded with the assistance of the African collective Ladysmith Black Mambazo and is famous for such hits as "Graceland," "You Can Call Me Al," and "Diamonds on the Soles of her Shoes." The album helped relaunch Simon's name back into the forefront of American music and helped shine a spotlight not only on Ladysmith Black Mambazo, but on African music in general. Simon has done various solo projects over the past two decades and has reunited with Garfunkel on various occasions. Today, he is recognized as one of America's greatest living songwriters and has become an icon of America and more specifically New York City.

The first clip this week comes from a concert in Zimbabwe in 1986. Ladysmith Black Mambazo joins Simon on stage for a take of "Diamonds on the Soles of her Shoes." Some great stage presence from all parties involved, but check out how well the bass player can get around.



Up next is a video that is sure to bring a smile to your face. Paul Simon is shown here performing "Me and Julio Down By the Schoolyard" on Sesame Street. The spotlight is almost stolen from Simon by an anxious young girl who tries to encourage her peers to get up and dance.



Much of Simon's best songwriting is from his days with Art Garfunkel. Here is a clip of him doing "The Only Living Boy in New York" on a British television show.



Lastly is one of the better feel-good tracks of all time. Chevy Chase lends a helping hand for the goofy music video for "You Can Call Me Al." If you do not have Graceland, it is an essential for any collection.



www.paulsimon.com

Halloween Music Madness: Widespread Panic, Disco Biscuits, moe.

Widespread Panic, 10/31/09, Austin Music Hall, Austin, TX
Set I: Waitin' For The Bus* > Chilly Water > Rock > Chilly Water, Trouble, Gimme > You Got Yours, Give, Mama Told Me Not To Come > Red Beans
Set II: Come As You Are^ > Bowlegged Woman, The Last Straw, Holden Oversoul > Jam > Vampire Blues, Imitation Leather Shoes > Drums > Bust It Big > Pigeons, Lake Of Fire# > Henry Parsons Died
Encore: This Masquerade%, Postcard, Flat Foot Flewzy
*ZZ Top Cover
^Nirvana Cover
#Meat Puppets Cover
%Leon Russell Cover

The Disco Biscuits, 10/31/09, Auditorium Theatre, Chicago, IL
Set I: Strobelights and Martinis, Pimp Blue Rikki, Flash Mob > Mindless Dribble > Caves of the East > Mindless Dribble > Confrontation
Set II: Stone > The Devil's Waltz, On Time > Confrontation > Spraypaint > Tempest > Tricycle > Spraypaint, Spy, I Am One*
Encore: Save The Robots > Run Like Hell
*Smashing Pumpkins Cover

moe., 10/31/09, Washington Avenue Armory, Albany, NY
Set I: The Ghost Of Ralph's Mom, Godzilla, Farmer Ben, You Can Call Me Al*, We Got The Party^, > George, Echoes#
Set II: Stash@, meat. > Eyes Of The World% > Echoes#, Rebubula > Dark Star% > Rebubula,
Encore: Fuck Her Gently$, Don't Fuck With Flo, Crab Eyes
*Paul Simon Cover
^Miley Cyrus Cover
#Pink Floyd Cover
@Phish Cover
%Grateful Dead Covers
$Tenacious D Cover

Listen to the moe. Halloween show below:

Phish Festival 8: Setlists and Photos

This past weekend was Phish's Festival 8 at the empire Polo Grounds in Indio, CA. For all of you east coasters like myself who couldn't make the trip, here are some setlists and photos to help give you a sense of this unbelievable weekend. The special Halloween "costume set" on Saturday was the Rolling Stones classic "Exile on Main St." and was assisted by the incredible Sharon Jones on backup vocals, as well as a horn section consisting of David Guy, Tony Jarvis, and David Smith, and backup singer Saundra Williams. Sunday also featured Phish's first ever all acoustic day set. Phishbills (a play on Playbill) were circulated throughout the Festival Grounds which not only unveiled the costume album, but just about ensured the 2009 New Years Eve run in Miami at the American Airlines Arena. Check out the setlists and photos below.

Friday, October 30th, 2009
Set I: Party Time, Chalkdust Torture, Moma Dance, NICU, Stealing Time From The Faulty Plan, Stash, I Didn't Know, Poor Heart, Cavern, Beauty of a Broken Heart, Ocelot, Time Turns Elastic
Set II: Punch You In The Eye, Down With Disease > Prince Caspian > Wolfman's Brother > Piper > Joy, David Bowie*, Harry Hood, Golgi Apparatus
Encore: Character Zero
Saturday, October 31st, 2009
Set I (Afternoon): Sample In A Jar, The Divided Sky, Lawn Boy, Kill Devil Falls, Bathtub Gin, The Squirming Coil, Runaway Jim > Possum, Run Like An Antelope
Set II (Night) - The Rolling Stones - Exile on Main St.: Rocks Off, Rip This Joint, Shake Your Hips, Casino Boogie, Tumbling Dice, Sweet Virginia, Torn and Frayed, Sweet Black Angel, Loving Cup, Happy, Turd On The Run, Ventilator Blues > I Just Want To See His Face, Let It Loose, All Down The Line, Stop Breaking Down, Shine A Light Soul Survivor
Set III (Night): Backwards Down the Number Line > Fluffhead, Ghost, When the Circus Comes, You Enjoy Myself Encore: Suzy Greenberg
*Exile on Main St. & Suzy Greenberg featured Sharon Jones, David Guy, Tony Jarvis, David Smith & Saundra Williams

Sunday, November 1st, 2009
Set I (Afternoon Acoustic): Water In The Sky, Back On The Train, Brian And Robert, Invisible, Strange Design, Mountains in the Mist, The Curtain With, Army Of One, Sleep Again, My Sweet One, Let Me Lie, Bouncing Around The Room, Train Song, Wilson, McGrupp And The Watchful Hosemasters
Encore: Driver, Talk, Secret Smile
Set II (Night): AC/DC Bag, Rift, Gotta Jibboo, Heavy Things, Reba, The Wedge, Guelah Papyrus, Undermind, Sparkle, Split Open & Melt
Set III (Night): Tweezer > Maze, Free, Sugar Shack, Limb By Limb, Theme From The Bottom, Mike's Song > 2001 > Light > Slave to the Traffic Light
Encore: Grind, Esther, Tweezer Reprise















Photos courtesy of jambase.com