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. 

Fitz and the Tantrums with The Capitol Cities

Fitz and the Tantrums and The Capitol Cities dropped by the Madison Theater on Thursday night to a near sold out crowd to show off their unique sounds. I have only seen these two bands at large festivals and enjoyed seeing them in a more intimate location. Both of these bands have great crowd interaction and are well known for putting on an epic live performance. The crowd was dancing hard at this one!

Images by Doug Siegel

North Mississippi Allstars – Deep South Rock Comes to All Good

Luther Dickinson with the North Mississippi Allstars

The North Mississippi Allstars brought the heat to the main stage Sunday afternoon at All Good Music Festival and Campout 2013.  Their blend of southern rock and blues was exactly what the doctor ordered for the crowd who had been there partying since Thursday night.  The North Mississippi Allstars are a three-piece featuring Luther Dickinson on guitar and vocals, Cody Dickinson on drums and keyboard, and Chris Chew on bass.  It is hard to believe that so much sound can come from only three people.  The Allstars’ set was filled with a variety of first-rate tune including some classic covers.  They played “Hear My Train a Comin’” by Jimi Hendrix and “Goin’ Down South” by R.L. Burnside amongst others.  During the show, each member of the band swapped places and instruments, so all three played each instrument.  This is very unique demonstrates the musical ability of each of these fine musicians. 

The Stepkids Breakthrough at All Good

Jeff Gitelman with The Stepkids

Newcomers to the scene, The Stepkids, played a short yet solid set at All Good Music Festival and Campout 2013 at Legend Valley in Thornville, Ohio.  They had a primo slot on Friday afternoon sandwiched between All Good staples Darkstar Orchestra and Leftover Salmon.  Hailing from Bridgeport, CT, The Stepkids consist of guitarist/vocalist Jeff Gitelman, bassist/keyboardist/vocalist Dan Edinberg, and drummer/vocalist Tim Walsh.  The Stepkids were a pleasant surprise being a relatively unknown band to most of the people there.  They would fluently switch in and out between groovy psychedelic jams and layered jazzy ensembles.