Yarn @ The Tin Angel in Philadelphia

Last night may be the best surprise I've had in a long time, I found myself standing in Tin Angel amongst a small crowd of 40 or so, and suddenly I heard "Introducing Yarn". Sweet. Let me preface the review of the show to say I've been slightly addicted to their 2007 release of "Yarn" for the past couple of months. 

It amazes me that a band with such well crafted sound and craftsmanship didn't pack the Tin Angel to back of the bar, let alone a larger venue. You didn't want a chair for the two and half hour set straight through, with a break only long enough to drink a glass or two of whiskey. And who could blame them, what better way is there to compliment the powerful sound coming across from the stage. 

More coming shortly, for the moment back to work.

Wilco's New Album is Streaming

Well here's the link if you want to give it a first listen. 

NYT Article | Freeing a Mentor From His Mythology

Interesting article from the New York Times regarding Steve Earle, his mentor Townes Van Zandt and the new album he's releasing Tuesday covering Townes music. It's a good read and quick.

The Heavy Pets Rock Logan House

It was quite the show for a $5 cover, The Heavy Pets stopped at Kelly's Logan House on Saturday night to a full house upstairs crowd. If you haven't seen them they're like the offspring of perpetual groove and Lotus that grew up with the Disco Biscuits. They have a solid sound and played straight through from 10 p.m to just a little past 1 a.m. No set break needed for this band, just solid jams, cool rhythms mixed with a few tightly woven vocal additions. I'll be sure to add them to my Bonnaroo schedule, which is a nightmare already, but that's another post. 

I don't have the set list for last night yet, but here's a recording of a show on May 3rd for a little sound bite. Enjoy. 

Bonnaroo Band in Wilmington Saturday

The Heavy Pets while on their National tour will be making a stop this Saturday May 9th, at the Logan House prior to heading down to Bonnaroo this year. In addition to the 'roo they'll also be playing other great festivals such as; Wakarusa and Summer Camp. Cover is $5 at the door, show starts at 10pm! 

JJ Grey & Mofro, Karl Denson's Tiny Universe are coming to the Trocadero

It's time to get the funk on at the Trocadero, JJ Grey & Mofro along with Karl Denson's Tiny Universe will playing the intimate venue on May 29th, show starts at 9pm, and tickets are on sale for $24. I saw Karl Denson's show four years ago at the Clifford Brown Jazz Festival followed up by a show at Bonnaroo, and he packs in the funk for a good time. While at Mountain Jam last year during a rainy Saturday afternoon while recovering from a long Friday night I found the sweet sounds of JJ Grey & Mofro, only to come home and immediately buy their album. Can't wait for this show as I sadly have to miss the Jam on the mountain top this year. 

Fleet Foxes | Pre-sale begins today! May 6th

The Fleet Foxes from Seattle will be coming to Philadelphia on July 30th, at the Electric Factory, the ticket pre-sale begins today! Go here. If you can't make it out to see them in Philly, I would strongly suggest heading to All Points West on July 31st, where they will also be making an appearance. In addition you'll spot the National, MSTRKRFT & Ra Ra Riot. 

Here's a clip from the Fleet Foxes performing with Wilco, covering Bob Dylan's "I Shall be Released"

The Dead | Philadelphia

Where to start off is a tough question. So I only made it to one show, Friday which was unbelievable, and have been spending tonight winding my way through Saturday's. Being fairly new to the Dead/Grateful Dead and too young to have ever seen Jerry I was awe inspired with the show. I've seen Bobby, Phil and Warren all separately with their respective bands before during countless festivals, but seeing them all together was a treat. 

Friday they wound us through just under three hours of the early sounds of the Grateful Dead, opening their first set with Playing in the Band, leading into Mississippi Half Step. Other highlights in the first set included Shakedown Street, Hard to Handle, and A Friend of the Devil back into Playing. We made a euphoric lap around the spectrum, trying to find any enjoyment we could in a tall glass of coors light and abounding spinning hippies. 

Coming back into the second set I enjoyed the long winding, funky jam of Alligator > Caution > Drums > Space. They've been pretty reliably in playing Drums > Space, so the addition of to other older funky tunes were a nice addition. Closing out the set was a fantastic version of Sugar Magnolia. To cap the evening, Box of Rain was our encore to the delight of an enthusiastic crowd. 

I have mixed thoughts on missing out on the Saturday show and seeing the shuttering of the Spectrum, to which they closed the building with Sampson and Delilah, and Bobby's vocal "...If I had my way, I would tear this old building down..."

Friday 5/1 | Spectrum Set List

Set 1

Playing In The Band >

Mississippi Half Step >

New Speedway Boogie

Shakedown Street

Duprees Diamond Blues

Hard to Handle

Friend Of The Devil >

Playing Reprise

Set 2

Jack Straw

Alligator >

Caution >

Drums >

Space >

Loose Lucy

Comes a Time > 

Cold Rain & Snow

Sugar Magnolia

Encore

Box of Rain