Archive: 2009

As we plunge deeper in the winter months, there’s nothing like getting out and seeing some funk music to get your ass shaking to keep that seasonal depression at a minimum. For those of you on the West Coast you’re in luck as two great New Orleans-based acts Dumpstaphunk and the Rebirth Brass Band will […]

25 Singer-Songwriter Albums That Shaped the Decade chosen exclusively by Stranger's Almanac editor – Jason Gonulsen

Phish kicked off their New Year’s Run of four shows at the American Airlines Arena down in Miami last night. READ ON for last night’s setlist…

For the third annual John Coltrane edition of Stormy Mondays, we turn our attention to the very end of saxophonist Eric Dolphy’s tenure with the band. From November of 1961 in Stuttgart, Germany, we have a pretty Every Time We Say Goodbye, and then a long, fluid My Favorite Things. [Photo by Herb Spitzer] To […]

On Friday, we brought you the rather sad news of the passing of singer-songwriter Vic Chesnutt who died at the all too young age of 45. Chesnutt’s name is familiar to jamband fans as he had a longstanding relationship with fellow Athens-based act Widespread Panic over the years, releasing two fantastic albums with the Southern […]

I’ve lived in Portland for about 30 years now. In that time I have come to believe that the average Portland resident is just a bit different than most other people in the world. There’s a certain something that diverts their brain waves slightly off the course most would consider normal. This is, for the most part, a good thing. At other times, the differences backfire, with curious, befuddled results.

I’m referring to last week’s Northwest run of concerts by the Cascadia Yulegrass Project, in particular, their Portland stop on December 20th. Let me explain. The ticket clearly said “Doors open at 6pm, Show begins at 7pm”. I was in line, out in the rain on NE Russell St. at 6:15.

In line with me were 25 or 30 people, almost all of them expressing derision at standing in the rain while waiting for the venue to open the doors. The foursome in front of me had come from dinner out and was lucky to find an umbrella in the trunk of their car. The girl behind me chatted on the phone to her friend on the way, “Find a parking spot, but don’t rush. I’m still standing in the rain”. There were several families with young children in line also. The kids were antsy and complaining about the rain, splashing the occasional puddle dry in their frustration.

No explanation was given for the lateness as the doors opened a little past seven. The venue was set up in a bit of a different configuration. There were several couches set up directly in front of the stage, separated from the rest of the crowd by a row of low, black curtains. Then there were about a dozen rows of folding chairs behind them. The couches were for VIP ticket holders. They also had their own cash bar, to the right of the stage. From my vantage point at the front row of seats, I could spot dozens of concert goers being turned away at the low curtain, redirected to the general admission bar, upstairs in the balcony.

READ ON for more of A.J.’s thoughts on Cascade Yulegrass…

Born Henry Saint Clair Fredericks, Taj Mahal has been putting out albums full of his brand of blues music for over 40 years. Here’s Taj with a scorching version of Ain’t That A Lot Of Love from his appearance in the Rolling Stone’s 1968 concert flick Rock and Roll Circus… [youtube]XaYxj2nVSvc[/youtube] Taj Mahal – Ain’t […]

If you aren’t quite up for ringing in 2010 watching Jennifer Lopez perform on Dick Clark’s New Years Rockin Eve (ABC 10PM), which is hosted by Ryan Seacrest, check out VH1 Classic at Midnight for Rush in Rio. Shot at Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro during the final concert on the Vapor Trails Tour, […]

Former Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page says he has an album’s worth of new material that he plans to release and tour behind in 2010. After failing to get singer Robert Plant to rejoin Zeppelin after the band’s 2007 reunion show at London’s O2 arena, the legendary axeman now intends to go it alone. "We’re […]

Emilie’s shows are quite the spectacle:  a sexually charged mix of Victorian and Gothic, Burlesque and Vaudeville, Metal and Electronica, backed by all-female backup singers “The Bloody Crumpets.”  Autumn also runs her own clothing, accessory and perfume lines via the company that she co-owns with “Lee Queen of Tarts,” Lee Ann Helmer, WillowTech House.  The absolutely riveting Emilie was awesome enough to spare Glide a few moments backstage at her recent Williamsburg, Brooklyn Music Hall performance.  The show did not disappoint.