Greens last night- pre-Halloween at MBC

The Greens performed last night at the Marietta Brewing Company. This was a fairly sparse crowd; perhaps with the confusion of the MBC's status, the WVU football game and the like. The Greens put on a great show. The Greens were decked out in Halloween costumes. Nate as a golfer from some previous era; Ben had an outlandish tall hunter's cap that was decorated to be a stalk of asparagus. Andy was Frank Zappa; complete with dark goatee and eye brows; a rather large nose (which he could not keep on while playing) and a long dark shaggy wig of zappa-like hair. A number of new songs were worked in again (like last week), including a very impressive new song, with lyrics about women wrestling. This is an intriguing work of almost literary creativity.
I won't even go near describing Danny's Halloween costume; you'll have to ask him or the band.
I had a good talk with Steve Wells about booking acts into the area, some recent shows he's seen, upcoming (2010) Blues scene stuff.
The set list for the night was almost entirely different than last week's show at JP Henry's- reminding of how deep the Greens song list is, and where they can go on any given night. The layout at MBC isn't prime for the dancing tunes, so there was a lot of great guitar work on rockers, and good instrumental jams, plus the aforementioned new songs worked in.

Avett Brothers last night in Huntington

I went to see the Avett Brothers last night at the Keith Albee Theater in Huntington. There was a high energy crowd getting into the Avett Brothers music for the whole show; everybody standing for the whole show on the main floor. They put their customary high energy performance out there for the adoring audience. The two brothers moving around among instruments, and their two string side men putting on an intense and driven show; and throngs of fans singing along throughout the evening. The theater (first time for me) is a great venue.

Avett Brothers preview for Nashville Show (Ryman)

Nicole Atkins and the Black Sea
Date/Time:Sat., October 31, 8:00pm
The Avett Brothers at The RymanBrothers Done Worked it OutChris Parker
Many a baseball prospect falters on their way to the Big Show. Promise sours. Yet anyone that saw the Avett Brothers play knew they had the tools. The songwriting’s sharpened with each outing, but it jumped several levels on 2007’s Emotionalism, which showcased even heftier pop craftsmanship. Now their Rick Rubin-produced major-label debut, I And Love And You, delivers their breakout performance. Rubin adds layers of depth without crowding the canvas, while the Avetts fashion their richest slice of rootsy pop sophistication. A year’s-best-list lock, the album gives off beauty and intelligence that reach an apotheosis on the stunning “The Perfect Space.”

Greens at Marietta Brewing Company back on the schedule!

The Greens show at Marietta is back ON the schedule on the Greens myspace site, and the Brewery's site. Sorry for contributing to any confusion, just trying to keep up on things.

Jeffrey Foucault's Prine album

I also have recently received the Jeffrey Foucault CD mentioned previously, and have been playing it through, joyous in the deep song pool of John Prine, and how folks could pick an intriguing selection to pay tribute. There are some versions that take some adjusting to, but you like them just the same! And some great vocals and instrumentation throughout. I'll perhaps review more "song by song" at some point.

Robert Earl Keen's new CD

I received Robert Earl Keen's new CD The Rose Hotel in the mail yesterday, so have been taking my first listens. Keeping up with his great songwriting and great instrumental stuff. I like having the Townes Van Zandt song worked in (Flying shoes) and the Greg Brown song. I also really like the Levon Helm tribute song!!!!!!!

Greens show at Marietta Brewing Co. is OFF their calendar

I don't know what this means exactly, but the Greens have taken their scheduled Oct. 30th show at the Marietta Brewing Company off their my space gig schedule. So if someone knows something more about this, they could let me know!

Creepy or Cool?

There is this thing now, when I post a blog, if I have mentioned something in the blog, that a little ad pops up on the right hand side when I post with something related to what I have written about in my blog. Like the last post, I mentioned the rock and roll hall of fame, and there pops up something about that!!!

The Night They Drove Ol' Dixie Down

I forgot to mention last week, while at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, I saw a handwritten version of Robbie Robertson's lyrics to The Night They Drove Ol' Dixie Down. I was struck by the slight differences to the commonly performed version; and wish I had written down the lyrics, or secretly tried to snap a picture of them. I just remember it was interesting, and was thinking it would be nice to sing that version, when I stand in with the Greens occasionally and sing this song.

Greens have 'em up 'n' dancin' last night at JP Henry's

The Greens were back to their old familiar tricks of putting on a high energy show with plenty of interaction with a fun-loving audience of dancers. This was a classic Greens show; many fan favorites either played as part of the "original plan" or hollered out as requests, and many new songs, that on occasion, Ben and Nate hadn't even heard yet!!! Some tight little instrumental jams; some changes of tempo; and just the minimum of properly placed covers to connect the genres in intriguing ways. It was a decent crowd; lots of the old loyal tried and true out for a Greens vaccine. Keep watching for any last minute news, but as of now, the Greens will be "pre-halloween-ing" at Marietta Brewing Co. next Friday, October 30th; then back to Morgantown for the "real" Halloween.

review of new Dolly Parton compilation

A hefty new collection reflects the many facets of Dolly Parton’s talentShare By Michael McCall
Published on October 21, 2009 at 8:48am
Details:



Dolly
By Dolly Parton (RCA Legacy)

Twenty-one years ago, a Nigerian newspaper editor touring U.S. dailies stopped by Nashville newsrooms, a visit that coincided with the Country Music Awards. Asked to escort this studious political journalist to the event, I quickly found that he knew little about American music. When I ran down a list of country music legends, he recognized only two: Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton. "You're in luck," I said. "Both are on the show tonight."

A broad smile shattered his solemnity. "I will see Dolly Pah-ton?" he exclaimed in accented English. "Quite a lot," I replied. "She's the show's host." When Parton opened with a cheerful sing-along, "If It's Coming From the Country, It's Coming From the Heart," he was among the first to start clapping along.

A sweet, upbeat ditty, the song couldn't have meant anything to this purposeful and burdened civic leader. But he wasn't responding to words—Dolly's spirit and charisma crossed all borders and needed no translation. It lifted him from his seat and provided all the reason necessary to shed the weight of his responsibilities for a few joyous moments.

Driving to his hotel, we discussed Parton's music: He couldn't name a song, and as I ran through a few, only "9 to 5" seemed to ring any bells. I wish we could have spent a few hours sifting song by song through the early years that made Parton such a respected and beloved songwriter before the world learned of her gifts as a personality. He had responded to her uplifting spirit as an entertainer—and no doubt to the curves of her famously outsized body. But I think his respect for her would have only deepened if he realized how powerfully she'd written of poverty, cruelty, betrayal and injustice, as well as that indomitable humanity people can muster in the harshest of circumstances.

The whole Parton picture—in all its brilliance and its occasional moments of corniness and misguided directions—comes into sharp focus on Dolly, a four-CD, 99-cut box set due out Oct. 27 on RCA Legacy. Surprisingly, it's the first extensive box set of her studio recordings. Although it leaves out the fine bluegrass recordings of the last decade, it does a good job of following her from her tentative beginnings on homegrown recordings (where she sounds inspired more by Brenda Lee than Kitty Wells or Loretta Lynn), through her formative period on Monument Records into the glorious star-making years on RCA and her superstar stint on Columbia.

That Parton's career hasn't previously received the honor of an in-depth collection illustrates how the full scope of her creative strengths sometimes gets downplayed in the klieg-light glare of her status as an iconic superstar. Even among music fans, she tends to get recognized for her classic duets with Porter Wagoner and Kenny Rogers and for her stories of enduring hard times ("Coat of Many Colors"), of postcards from down home ("My Tennessee Mountain Home"), of gothic drama ("Jolene"), of love and transition ("I Will Always Love You," "Love Is Like a Butterfly") and her crossover ditties ("Two Doors Down," "Here You Come Again").

But her darker material rarely receives the same celebration, although it should. Parton's ambition always has shot off in several directions at once, quickly assimilating her influences before distinctly stamping them with her own vision—often a distillation of both inspiration and calculation. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, as the street-level poetry of Tom T. Hall, Kris Kristofferson, and Mickey Newbury drew reams of praise, Parton began reeling off story songs as fiercely realistic and gritty as anything by her contemporaries.

All of it stood out because Parton drew on the most desperate stories culled from her impoverished mountain roots. The betrayed innocent pregnant girl in "Down From Dover," the hippie mountain girl of "Just the Way I Am," the hobo misfortune of "Gypsy, Joe and Me," the prostitute who loses grip on her dreams in "My Blue Ridge Mountain Boy," the complete lack of romance in the bitter family tragedy of "Daddy's Mountain Still," the woman institutionalized by her lover in "Daddy Come and Get Me," the open sexuality of "The Last One to Touch Me," and the randy young girl who loses her older lover to her mother in "Traveling Man"—all of them bear the unmistakable touch of a gutsy young artist whose creative outpouring rivals the most distinctive writers of her generation.

Dolly serves as a crisp reminder of other aspects of Parton's career, from the outstanding arrangements and picking of Nashville's A-team players to just how goofily clumsy she sounded as a dance-pop diva in 1980s Hollywood. Through all her phases, Parton's never stopped—she just changed where she looked for inspiration. As the singer and DJ Laura Cantrell writes in the liner notes, whenever she's asked to recommend Parton albums, she asks, "Which Dolly do you want?" Finally, all of them can be found in one place.

Email music@nashvillescene.com.

Old Crow Medicine Show in Nelsonville

A quick show announcement comes from Stuart's of Old Crow Medicine Show coming on November 16th (a Monday night.) This is great news, and a great opportunity! Stuart's has some great things in November, including their annual event on the 14th. Get some tickets and support a GREAT organization, and treat yourself to great music and entertainment!!!

Greens in Parkersburg this Friday night!

A new entry into the Greens schedule this week, indicates they are playing at JP Henry's in Parkersburg this Friday night. It will be great to see the band, since they are not playing in the Mid OHio Valley as much as before. With the recent show in Doddridge Co. and an upcoming show in Marietta, they are few and far between over in these parts. The two shows around Thanksgiving at 6 Pence will hopefully be big reunion type get togethers for their many loyal MOV fans. Please spread the word about Friday's show and give the guys a big return welcome to the MOV.

Blake McClellan's video footage of the John Prine Tribute

Blake (Matt's roommate from college!) shot hours of footage at the John Prine tribute show last week. He has toiled hard to produce it in DVD format. I am the proud possessor of a copy. If any of the musicians would like their section, or to see it, let me know. We may look at making a few short song-length video's to post here, or elsewhere.

Rock N Roll Hall of Fame

Marty and I went to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland last week, on a short little mini-vacation. I can get so consumed with the displays especially the hand written lyrics, the playbills/ posters, and those kinds of "down to earth" artifacts of musicians' lives. The inductees by year movie was interesting to see footage of various artists over time. Bruce Springsteen was the featured display on the upper floors.

Avett Brothers coming to Athens (next February!)

Bought tickets to see the Avett BRothers in Athens next February. Front row section was already sold out in the first little bit of tickets going on sale.

John Prine Tribute show review

We had a blast last night at the 7th annual Mid OHio Valley John Prine Birthday tribute here in Parkersburg. 8 musicians performed for almost 5 hours of solid, diverse songs celebrating John Prine's music and life. Things went smoothly with only the challenge of keeping all the musicians with a time slot they preferred to complicate my life!!! They are all very gracious, and dedicated to participating in this sort of benefit; we got lots of interest looking ahead to the Johnny Cash tribute in February already!!!
I'll do some more re-capping later, just wanted to get this first post in, thanking all the musicians, the sound guys, JT and Corey and Mike, and all the enthusiastic supporters who came out. Thanks to the wait staff at the 6 pence for a exhausting night of keeping up with the good size crowd. These events are great fun, get some good folks together, and keep momentum going that these events are worthwhile endeavors.
Thanks to: Matt Starcher, (especially for all his "lead up" enthusiasm for the event), Steve Peck, Gene Britton, Don Baker, Nick Barry, Jonny Nutter, and Greg Bailey who all performed great sets of inspired music!!! I hope some of them will tag onto this post, with their set lists or observations, but as I talk to them I'll get some further commentary. Blake took 4 hours of video footage, so we'll see if anything can come of that, for posting.
There were a lot of prizes given out, so hopefully people remember that fondly. On to the next events!!!!!!

John Prine tribute tomorrow night

We're down to one day away for the John PRine tribute here in Parkersburg. I hope you'll make one last good pitch to get some folks to come out and enjoy a great evening of music and hopefully stories and fun, celebrating the music of John Prine. 9 Pm at Six Pence Pub, 1956 7th St. Parkersburg. $5 donation, (aw heck, be generous, give a little more, or put in a bid for a John Prine piece of jewelry from Crabby Char's Charms. We promise you won't hear "Grandpa was a carpenter" anymore times than you want to. I'm still looking for a small-ish blue umbrella for all the musicians to sign for my music memorabilia hall of fame. I hope you have some John PRine on your i-pod today. Today's weather forecast: "hide the pain, while rain makes up my mind."

I blustered right by, post # 1500

I had been keeping milestones, but this 1500 post just slipped by me. I write to chroniclize the music that keeps me fired up. I think I have stayed pretty true to:
The local live music benefits that I organize for my non profit organization; news about my son Andy's band (The Greens), the local music scene in and around Parkersburg and Marietta, and music in the Americana vein that I love so dear. And shows that I go to wherever they may be. I get woe so little actual feedback, but lots of little hints that people are getting something out of my posts, and the occasional BIG morale boost. I still haven't written that epic music novel about my lifelong journey of music. I am completely undaunted in my vision of bringing good music to the Mid Ohio Valley wherever and whenever I can. I deeply appreciate the great circle of musicians who support our tribute benefits (now, going on year after year). I am always seeking feedback and input into what else I (we) could be doing.

review of Jeffrey Foucault's new album of John Prine songs

Recorded in the old, wood-paneled president's office of a defunct bank in a series of late night sessions over the course of a year, Shoot the Moon Right Between the Eyes: Jeffrey Foucault Sings the Songs of John Prine offers compelling new interpretations of thirteen John Prine originals. In solo and duet arrangements with friends and touring companions including Eric Heywood (Ray LaMontagne, Richard Buckner, Son Volt) on pedal steel, Mark Erelli on electric and lap steel guitars, David Goodrich (Chris Smither) on electric guitar, Peter Mulvey on acoustic lap slide, Kris Delmhorst and Annelies Howell on backing vocals, and Zak Trojano on drums, Foucault conjures a terrain both spare and atmospheric.
Raw and intimate, Shoot the Moon Right Between the Eyes covers both familiar and lesser-known songs spanning twenty years of Prine's career. You can hear the amplifiers pop, the heater tick on, and the chairs creak as Foucault settles down to capture Prine's timeless simplicity and depth while leaving his own indelible stamp on songs like 'The Late John Garfield Blues', 'Storm Windows', and 'He Was in Heaven Before He Died'.

Says Jeffrey, "When I was seventeen my Dad brought home John Prine's first album and it became my private religion for a while. I learned to play the guitar by learning his songs, and my Dad and I still play them around the table after supper when I'm home. They've kept me company for years in hotel rooms and foreign countries, on stage and away from it, telling the truth in beautiful and unexpected ways. This is a record I always wanted to make".

Last night's musicians' get together

I had an enjoyable get together with some of the musicians to perform Saturday night at the John Prine Tribute. Several others stayed in touch about the show. I met a new musician, Gene Britton, who sounds like he'll have some good songs to play. He also has a friend who has a John Prine story to tell. Steve and Carol came out, and I am glad to hear Steve survived a health scare about a week ago, and looks fit as a fiddle. They will be singing a duet or two, and Steve will be putting his usual energy into a good set and connection to the honored musician. Matt Starcher is putting lots of great energy into promoting the show, and his own set, and bringing others to the show, etc. He has lined up a guy who will do some video taping footage of the performances. Jonny Nutter and Don Baker checked in also, and are rarin' to go. I've been seeing Nick Barry quite a bit the past few weeks, so he'll be fine form.

Crabby Char's Charms

Visit www.crabbycharscharms.com for a fun John Prine connection. Charlene makes jewelry using John Prine's lyrics- She generously donated 5 pendants to the benefit this Saturday. Three of them are "illegal smiles" one is "blow up your TV" and one is "broken hearts and dirty windows." She sent along a great picture of her with John at a concert in Wisconsin, and one of her with Jason and Dave. I would like to encourage folks supporting her craft.

Reminder to visit the JP Shrine website

Reminder to visit the www.jpshrine.org website for all things John Prine. There on the main page are several birthday tributes around the country, with ours here in the Mid Ohio Valley right up there. There is one (in its 9th year) in Houston Texas, and a radio tribute on Friday night. There are links to lyrics, chords, stories of how he came to write the songs, trivia, reviews of shows, chat room discussions, news of things related to John and his musicians, and all kinds of gooooooood stuff. Before the show Saturday here in Parkersburg, you should make it a point to visit the website to get psyched up, and find some info to stump some of the other fans in attendance.
We are having the usual musicians get together tomorrow night at 6 at 6 Pence Pub to share set lists, trade song ideas, and get to know who else is playing.

'the loan sharks were sharking........ practically everyone was there......."
the Italian sausage was ssssssiiiizzzzzllllllliiiiinnnnnnngggggggggg.

John Prine Tribute show - less than a week countdown

We are in the home stretch to promote the John Prine Tribute show this coming Saturday night, October 10th here in Parkersburg. 9 Pm at 6 Pence Pub on 7th St. $5 donation, to support the work of Children's Home Society of WV. A bunch of great, enthusiastic musicians will each play a set of songs honoring the music of John Prine.
I go back (interrupt me if I've already told you this) a long way in my love of John Prine's songs. I was a confused college freshman or sophomore at Wittenberg University in Springfield Ohio. A dorm mate introduced me to the music of John Prine, with a copy of the original self-titled album. We listened to that thing for hours, and chuckled at the funny songs, and got hooked with the story songs, and great slant on the "human condition." Sweet Revenge and Diamonds in the Rough followed; moving sideways to discovering Steve Goodman (Somebody Elses Troubles), and the rest is history. Learning a few Prine songs on the guitar in the next few years, enough to play around campfires and such.
When I walk down my street route to my daily (usually) exercise walk, and hear John PRine tunes coming from the house where all the workers live who work for the roofing company down the street, it perks me up/ gets my attention / gives me a sense of connection with other Prine afficiando's everywhere.
Hope you'll come out an enjoy a great evening of music, and some good comaraderie with some other great folks.

Marietta Brewing Company

I saw an article in the local newspaper Sunday, indicating the dire financial situation of the Marietta Brewing Company. The Greens show scheduled at the end of the month may be the end of an era (Oct. 30)

Parking Lot Music Fest

Well, we finally pulled off a parking lot music festival (as part of a wider fund raising event, including car wash and food) on Saturday. We have been toying with this concept for a long time, and it came off. We had absolutely beautiful fall weather. Four musical acts made up the day, Reign of Ash kicked it off, and offered their basic sound equipment for the rest of the day. So they stayed and supported the other musicians. Next was Troika, a three piece, including two staff members of our Shelter. They were in the solid classic rock genre with some Stones, Hendrix, and Neil Young, among their selections. Then was Severed Chains. And it finished up with Nick Barry. There was bustle and activity all afternoon, and a festive feel to the event. The bands all were gracious in their willingness to participate, and they all poured themselves into their sets, with lots of energy and drive.

DADDY

I'd sure like to bring DADDY to the Mid OHio Valley. Stay tuned for updates on dialogue. Send me your ideas; visit their facebook, my space, website, reverbnation, any and everything. Get psyched up; get pumped up.

Though its raining now........

Tomorrow we will try again to have a parking lot music event here at CHS-Parkersburg. I still can't commit to memory the band / musician line up, so I won't run the risk of offending someone. I think there are 5 acts or so. Starting at noon and running till 4 pm or so; food off the grill by Melvin; a car wash if you want one. A fundraiser with all the musicians donating their time. Could be the start of something great for the future of live outdoor music in the mid town area of Parkersburg. You can say you were there for the start of something big; maybe 39 years worth of tradition or something. Music of all sorts of genres.

"I woke up this mornin', things were looking bad.....

seemed like total silence was the only friend I had; a bowl of oatmeal tried to stare me down; and won. It was twelve o'clock before I realized I was having: no fun. AAWWW but fortunately, I have the key to escape re al i ty.

One week and one day till the 7th Annual John Prine tribute show here in the Mid Ohio Valley- as a benefit for Children's Home Society of WV-Parkersburg. This is October 10th 9 pm at the 6 Pence Pub on 7th St. in Parkersburg $5 donation at the door; advance tickets are nice, 'cause then we feel we get the donation ahead of time!
Great line up of enthusiastic musicians ready to play some Prine tunes.
We had 5 good years at the Wheel House, last year at the 5th St. Pub in downtown Parkersburg, and this year out 7th St. Come on out and have a great night of Johnny PRine tunes, and good fellowship.

Hot dog bun, attila the hun, my sisters a nun.