Favie: Dave Matthews Band

Yes, Dave Matthews Band is one of my favies.  Some of you would be pleased by that, but I have encountered many that have never learned to appreciate their keen artistry.  However, in my hopeful journey of becoming a self-proclaimed "musicologist," I have learned to respect others' musical opinions (usually).  So, let's talk about the wonderful artistry of DMB.

I must begin with an explanation of the "jam band" (if you are unfamiliar with all of this, then please do yourself a favor and make homework out of this).  It can be argued that "jam band" had its beginnings with The Grateful Dead.  The term is given to groups who play a wide variety of genres including jazz fusion, blues, progressive bluegrass, funk, country, world, and more.  Just in case you misinterpreted that last sentence, you will not find a "jam band" that can be labeled into a single genre; a single "jam band" will play a mixture of genres.  Basically, the "jam band" is not bound by any set of rules as they create.

Before we continue, here are a few "jam bands" for you to look into:  Phish, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Blues Traveler, Widespread Panic, Rusted Root, Umphrey's McGee, The String Cheese Incident, Leftover Salmon, Galactic, and John Butler Trio.

Wikipedia gives this list of genres for DMB: "rock, jazz fusion, folk rock, bluegrass, funk rock, world music, alternative rock, country rock."  I would agree that the list is pretty accurate.   This is definitely something that makes this band so enjoyable.  Every song gives you something different to appreciate.

Now, let me explain the thing that I probably enjoy most about DMB.  In music, we use the term "technical" to describe a piece with complex rhythms, melodies, and song structure.  I love to listen to a band that will show their "technicality" through songs that will change time signatures several times and try to keep up with them.  Does this mean that I am a "music geek?"  Probably.  I have no shame, though.  Here is one of my favorite DMB songs that really shows their technicality (and try to keep up with it)...

While their saxophonist, Leroi Moore, is definitely missed, the current line-up is unbelievable with a drummer that is arguably one of the best in the world, a guitarist not to be reckoned with, and a saxophonist worthy enough to have a long-term place with Bela Fleck.  Often, bands center around their strongest link, but every member of DMB is extremely valuable to the group. 

Not least of all, these guys are certainly one of the best live acts by far.  Their repertoire and style allows for them to make every live performance unique and different.  No matter how many times you attend one of their concerts, you will get something different.  There is nothing boring and stale about them.

So, if you are not familiar with Dave Matthews Band, then I recommend you change that.  If you only know their radio hits, then I recommend you dig deeper.  If you have not seen them live, then try to make that happen.

Now, here is your assignment:  Go to Youtube and search Dave Matthews concerts, pick one of the full concerts, and enjoy.  You're welcome.

Festie: NO Jazz Fest 2013 Review

Okay, I have a confession to make.  I have only been to two music festivals.  For someone that makes a hobby out of music as much as I do, you might see this as something to be ashamed about.  Well, I have two things to say:  money, money, money.  That was more than two things (actually, just one), but you get my point.  You usually have to figure out how you will pay for travel, where you will stay, and then pay for the actual festival.  Plus, you have to make sure you can even take time on the specific dates.  Obviously, this does not normally pan out for me.

However, this year, things lined up just right for my wife and I to FINALLY make it to the New Orleans Jazz Festival.  I definitely did not prefer the circumstances that allowed for us to make it to Jazz Fest, but it was certainly an unexpected blessing.  So, let me give you my review:

Performances: (in order of our viewing)

• Better Than Ezra:  These guys can definitely be put into the ranks of 90s rock bands such as Gin Blossoms and Toad the Wet Sprocket, but they know how to put on a show.  It helped that they are from Baton Rouge and got their big start in New Orleans.  However, they are funny, entertaining, and worth seeing more than once.  I have actually seen Gin Blossoms live as well, and BTE was way better.
• The Nevilles:  Formally The Neville Brothers, but took off the "Brothers" when Aaron Neville took off to do his own thing.  Very entertaining and extremely talented family.  There were a lot of Nevilles on that stage.
• Dave Matthews Band:  By far, the best live performance I have seen.  There are a lot of bands that sound great live, but they still produce a sound that sounds like you are listening to their studio album.  DMB gives you this clean, incredible sound that sounds live.  They kill it on stage.  Plus, their repertoire is so large that it is almost impossible to ever see the same show twice.  I would be more than happy to see them any chance I get.  It is also great that Tim Reynolds is now in the band full-time.
• Mutemath:  First band we saw on our 2nd day at the festival.  This is a Christian band with a very unique sound.  It is also impressive that they made it to the Gentilly Stage (which is the 2nd main stage at NO Jazz Fest).  All of the band members are from New Orleans and this was their first time at NO Jazz Fest.  I think it was pretty clear that they were nervous and seemed to take a while for them to get real comfortable.  By the end, they were really fun to watch.  Overall, they produced a great sound and, by the end, showed that they can put on a great show as well.  I would like to see them again sometime.
• Galactic:  This is an extremely talented band.  I enjoy keeping up with their drummer, Stanton Moore.  However, while I love jazz, their style doesn't always do it for me.  Yet, there are many people who love them.
• The Little Willies:  This is a project that Norah Jones got into.  Jess and I thought it would be worth it to check them out.  They got together out of a mutual love for classic country songs.  Similar to my take on Galactic, their style doesn't do it for me.  However, if you are a big fan of Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, and other classic country artists, you would love them.
• Phoenix:  I really like this band a lot.  I own two of their albums, which I have listened to quite a bit.  It only made since that we would go check them out.  Actually, we were going to see Fleetwood Mac, but the crowd was too overwhelming for us.  I have to admit that I was a bit disappointed.  Don't get me wrong, these guys produce a great sound and perform their music well.  However, I felt that they did not add anything new to the music you have already heard from their albums.  During one of the instrumental songs, I'm pretty sure the lead singer just lied down and waited for the next song.  It was fun to watch them for the first several songs, but then we quickly found ourselves fairly bored.  So, we decided to try for Fleetwood Mac again.
• Fleetwood Mac:  Honestly, after Dave Matthews Band, we had been fairly disappointed with our 2nd day at the festival.  No one even came close to comparing.  But, then we caught the last 40 or so minutes of Fleetwood Mac's show.  (Actually, we listened to the beginning of their performance while waiting in line to the port-a-johns, and we tried to make it to the stage but the crowd was extremely overwhelming.)  This band has been active since 1967, and they still know how to rock your face off.  From Stevie Nicks unforgettable alto voice to Mick Fleetwood's charisma to Lindsay Buckingham's shredding of the axe, Fleetwood Mac completely redeemed our day.  We were able to catch two songs including Go Your Own Way.  Then, they came back out for an encore.  Mick Fleetwood fired up the crowd with a long drum solo, and then they ended the whole show with Don't Stop.  I strongly recommend this band live if you get the chance.

Food:  New Orleans definitely has a style of food all their own.  If you like it, you can only imagine how good the food is at the Jazz Fest.  It is certainly one of the main highlights of the festival (after the music, of course...but, maybe not for some people).

Bonus:  If you ever make it to the New Orleans Jazz Festival, you can find free parking in the patient/visitor parking lot at the LSU School of Dentistry.  This will save you from $10-25.  Few people know about this parking lot.  We found it, at most, half full both days that we went.  Pays off to know locals.  You're welcome.

Enjoying some great food while listening to Better Than Ezra

 

 Dave Matthews

 The Little Willies

 Fleetwood Mac

Freebie: 5 Josh Garrels' Albums

Yes, that's right!  Josh Garrels is giving away 5 albums through Noisetrade.com.  Here is the link...

http://noisetrade.com/joshgarrels

Actually, this is his entire catalog.  Josh Garrels is an amazing musician.  You should jump on this while you have the chance.  But, here is the REALLY cool thing...100% of tips given will go to World Relief towards the restoration of Congo.  This is a cool thing.  I recommend you go get some free albums worth having and donate some money for a good cause.  Those are definitely two things that go very well together.

Freebie: Hem

ATTENTION ALL FOLKIES:

If you have not heard of Hem, you will wonder why.  That is what I am asking myself right now.  Noisetrade to the rescue once again.

This group already has almost 14 years, 5 LPs, and a few EPs under their belt (with another LP on its way).  Therefore, this band just happened to slip by me.  Just had a friend message me to basically ask where I have been.  Don't judge me...I can't listen to everything.

Let me share a sweet story that truly endears this group.  The first two members of the group put out an ad to find a lead singer.  The result was a barrage of terrible demo tapes.  Months later, Sally Ellyson called one of the guys in response to the ad saying that she was not really a "singer" (humility adds so much to artists).  They told her to give them a demo, and she gave them a set of old lullabies sung a capella.  The rest is history and you can listen to that voice for yourself.

So, don't miss out on a FREE ALBUM...http://www.noisetrade.com/hem/funnel-cloud.  Now, I can sleep tonight knowing that I have done my Freebie-duty.

Absolutely beautiful song...I could go to sleep every night with this...

Newbie: cdza (a.k.a. collective cadenza)

Well, I think that I stumbled upon something pretty amazing today.  I owe thanks to a Facebook friend that posted this video...

I enjoyed the quality of the video, sound, and musicianship so much that I had to google search "cdza" (which thankfully worked much better than google translate).  My curiosity immediately peaked when I read their tagline, "We create musical video experiments."  The outcome is fantabulously entertaining (although occasionally cheesy).  They have created 16 experiments so far and release a new one every other Tuesday.  I will share three more of my favorites, beginning with my most favorite...

Oldie: Steve Winwood

So, sometimes I just really enjoy educating people in music legends.  There are those legends that no one can deny and everyone knows about (i.e. The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton, etc.).  Then, there are those that almost everyone has heard, many cannot name, and even fewer truly understand the mark they have left in music.  One such legend is Steve Winwood.

Anyone that knows his name might first think of his solo work in the 80s.  For example...

But, I would bet you have heard that voice from an earlier era.  Steve Winwood began his career in a band named The Spencer Davis Group, in which he became the frontman when he was 15.  Never heard of them?  Well, I'm sure you have heard this...

He later formed a band called Traffic.  Traffic is probably a little more obscure than many classic rock bands, but if you like classic rock, you should definitely take some time to get to know their work.  Here is a little taste...

Well, his work on the keys and that voice led him to work with one of the aforementioned well-known legends.  Steve ended up joining forces with Eric Clapton in a band named Blind Faith (along with Ginger Baker of Cream).

In 2009, Steve joined Eric Clapton again on a tour.  In fact, prior to that, they released an excellent album from a concert they did together at Madison Square Garden in February 2008.

I take the time to write this post because I think more people need to know the mark Steve Winwood has left on music.  I have only given you a small taste of his work and hope that this has whet your appetite.  Now, go and enjoy more of this music legend.