John Hiatt at City Winery, SoHo New York - Images and article by Bill Kelly

John Hiatt completed a multi-night “Residency” at Michael Dorf’s City Winery Sunday evening, playing songs from his new release “Dirty Jeans and Mudslide Hymn” along with old stalwarts including “Memphis In The Springtime”, “Thing Called Love” and “Slow Turning”.  Along with writing major hits for other artists, Hiatt is a consummate, durable performer.  Hiatt’s song portfolio is an example of classic Americana, gritty Southern rock sounding at home in an old industrial section of Manhattan.  Hiatt sings of love and redemption, resentment and joy.  Humor flickers through like “kids in the back banging like Charlie Watts”.

Daughter Lily opened the show, proving that musical talent is certainly inherited. Hiatt took the stage with his Combo and thanked the crowd for coming out on a Sunday night, quickly rewarding them with songs ranging from grungy rock to soulful blues.  Watching Hiatt is like watching a life, full of expectation, sorrow, longing and hope.

Panic closes Fontanel!!!

By Butch Worrell

It was a beautiful fall evening when Panic struck Fontanel. Thousands of people were blown away by the lights and sounds of Panic. Heads down, arms in the air , dancing, caught up in the Panic. Widespread Panic to be exact. The first jamband to play here brought in a different crowd from what your correspondent had been seeing all summer there. They did not disappoint their fans, delivering a great night of music. It’s sad to see the season close at Fontanel but next year promises even more incredible shows there. I can’t wait.

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Rosanne Cash Lights Up Broadway - Beacon Theater, New York. Shares Bill with the Jayhawks - Images and Article by Bill Kelly

Drawing from a deep well of country, rock pop and blues tradition, Rosanne Cash played a warm, career-spanning set in front of a sell out crowd at New York’s Beacon Theater. Many of the evening’s selection were from her 2009 release“The List”, based on a list of 100 essential country songs given to her by her father. Raised by her mother in California, Cash was basically unaware of her birth right, trying acting and traveling abroad until joining her father on tour as a wardrobe assistant. Over time, Cash was influenced by Johnny, but developed a writing style uniquely her own.  Cash brought that broad set of musical diversity to the Beacon show,  covering Dylan’s “Girl From the North Country” and a wonderful version of the old Bobby Gentry hit “Ode To Billy Joe”.

Like much of Cash’s writing, the show was autobiographical and introspective, the story of a child of Country royalty at home in New York.  She managed to bring the warmth of traditional music and rebellion of rock and hard country into the same set.  As the audience cheered at the close of her set, she turned and thanked the crowd, remarking that it was “Great to be home”.