Where there's smoke.....there's fire

The old adage, “where there’s smoke, there’s fire” was confirmed this past weekend as the band, Dragon Smoke pulled into San Francisco for a stop at The Independent, one of the best venues in the city to enjoy a show. Known for it’s excellent light and sound, it was a perfect evening with one of the finest bands working in New Orleans (or anywhere else for that matter). Dragon Smoke delivered one of those elusive performances one always hopes to see and hear once in a while. One that is perfectly paced, that has plenty of dynamic and emotional range and delivered by a band where one can sense they are right there…in the moment….at the top of their game. Played to a packed sold out house, the band played until way past midnight and the crowd responded in kind; loudly expressing their joy and satisfaction.

Drum Lovers Unite for Mickey Hart

Mickey Hart

Returning to Asheville, North Carolina’s famous musical venue and social club, The Orange Peel, was one of the founding percussionists of the Grateful Dead, Mickey Hart.  The heavy rhythm and percussion oriented Mickey Hart Band came through in a rolling thunder, playing to a packed out club with Deadheads from all over and of all ages.  The current lineup for the Mickey Hart Band is Mickey on percussion, Crystal Monee Hall on vocals, Joe Bagale on guitar and keys, Reed Mathis on bass guitar, Gawain Matthews on guitar, Sikiru Adepolu on the talking drum and other percussion, Greg Schutte on Drums and Jonah Sharp on keys.  Mickey Hart has spent much of his life studying music from all over the world, and it shows in his versatile range of skills in different types off percussion including djembes of all sizes, cowbells, and digital drum machines.

Phish Warming Up For New Years Run At Madison Square Garden

This month Phish will play a four night stand at New York's Madison Square Garden in the heart of New York City. This is the fourth consecutive New Years run at the legendary venue. The shows begin on December 28th and go up until New Years. Phish has played MSG twenty seven times since December of 1994. Stay tuned for photos of this year's epic performances! 

Images by Doug Siegel

Toubab Krewe with special guests Baoku Moses and The Image Afrobeat Band

Got a chance to catch up with my old buddies out of Asheville last night at the Madison Theater. The Toubab Krewe put on a good set as usual and gained a lot of new fans. Most of the people I talked to in the room said they have never seen Toubab before but had heard of their original sounds. Baoku Moses and The Image Afrobeat Band also played a great set of originals. They are currently based in Cincinnati as Baoku is originally from Nigeria. Check out more at www.toubabkrewe.com

Images by Doug Siegel

 

Furthur Brings Out Guests at All Good 2013

Phil Lesh with Furthur

Furthur, the newest and most epic reincarnation of the Grateful Dead since Jerry Garcia’s passing, attained the much anticipated headlining slot at All Good Music Festival and Campout 2013.  They played two sets during a four hour set Saturday night from 8:15-12:15.  Led by Grateful Dead alums Phil Lesh and Bob Weir, Furthur also features talent from Joe Russo (Benevento Russo Duo, American Babies), Jeff Chimenti (Ratdog), John Kadlecik (Dark Star Orchestra), as well as Sunshine Becker and Jeff Pehrson on vocals.  Their performance was incredibly on point.  As usual, Furthur just kept cranking out the classic tunes with professional musicianship.  It was almost as if this show featured everyone’s favorite songs.  The first set featured jams such as “Uncle John’s Band” and “The Music Never Stopped.”  The last three songs featured Andy Falco, who is the guitarist from sensational bluegrass band The Infamous Stringdusters. 

Save the Leftovers

Vince Herman with Leftover Salmon

Leftover Salmon, the bluegrass rock stars from Boulder, Colorado, took to the stage Friday afternoon at All Good Music Festival and Campout 2014.  Their set was right in the middle of the day after Dark Star Orchestra and before the John Butler Trio, so needless to say the crowd was ultra hyped.  The best part of All Good Festival is the lack of overlapping sets, so the audience can sit in one place and see all of the music that they want to see.  Accordingly, the fans on Friday afternoon were content as could be, especially the ones lying in the hammocks in the wooded area.  Leftover Salmon came through with their expected high energy performance that had the crowd hootin’ and hollerin’. 

Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue Bring the Funk

Trombone Shorty 

Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue is a brass band from New Orleans who brought such fresh flavor and style to All Good Festival 2013.  The six members of the band, including Shorty of course, brought a unique vibe and style to the stage with two percussionists, two saxophones, guitar, bass, and of course a trombone.  They even had an extra percussionist sit in with them for a few songs.  Their sound is a combination of jazz, blues, and the most authentic sounding effortless New Orleans funk you can imagine.  These guys have such a high energy style that they can keep every song fresh and sounding brand new.  Orleans Avenue has been creating quite a buzz lately and they accordingly they earned themselves a prime Saturday afternoon slot before Grace Potter and the Nocturnals.