Posts by Doug Collette

With the tragic passing of founding member Richie Hayward, Little Feat suffered what is undeniably the band's greatest loss since the untimely death of its mastermind Lowell George. But the venerable group has enlisted some redoubtable reinforcements for its 16th studio album Rooster Rag.

Heady sounds generated by a hirsute bunch, The Chris Robinson Brotherhood’s Big Moon Ritual might seem a contrived throwback to a past long, if the music didn’t sound like it came perfectly natural to them.

The alternative country movement occurred over ten years ago but don’t tell that to Burlington Vermont’s Waylon Speed. Not that they want to fit comfortably in any niche: they are as apt to cite Fugazi as an influence as the Grateful Dead. And the quartet really doesn’t sound like either of them. But the description on Twitter struggles mightily and fails to capture the essence of the band too: filthy rotten underground outlaw dirt rock.

It’s will-nigh impossible to resist the temptation to flip through Canyon of Dreams. Its dimensions may not quite fit the definition of ‘coffee-table book,’ but its plethora of photos make it an ideal piece to casually pick up and peruse.

The fourth studio recording by Burlington VT’s Waylon Speed is a logical extension of their previous projects. Within roughly two years, the quartet has released their eponymous debut CD, a deliberately schizophrenic double album (Horseshoes & Hand Grenades), then a four-cut EP (Boots), all of which have primed the pump for Valance.

That relish no doubt has to do with the relatively new presence of percussionist/vocalist Jano Rix. Chris and Oliver are now separated at their own microphones stage left and right to accommodate a clear sightline to the new addition to the band, so Rix’ presence presents The Wood Brothers as a versatile three-man band that often sounds twice its size. And it's not just when he joins in singing as he did when the threesome gathered round a vintage mike for "Liza Jane;" Rix’ agile drum work brings The Woods to the threshold of an even more vigorous and assertive approach.

Any music lover who relished Billy Martin's collaboration with John Medeski, Mago, will not only anticipate the master percussionist's self-produced work with Wil Blades, but be eminently satisfied with it as well.

To proclaim that Lettuce avoids the usual pitfalls of contemporary funk is a left-handed compliment for sure, but it does say more than a little about the power and cohesion of Fly. In the diversity of material and arrangement, not to mention the savvy musicianship and production by which the band parlay their skills, this album is the sound of a group full of the confidence that comes with validation of their chosen style.

If you’re looking for a benchmark of grassroots support for a rock and roll band, you needed go no further than Waylon Speed’s CD release party at Higher Ground’s Showcase Lounge on April 28th. Guitarist Kelly Ravin and bassist Noah Crowther were probably no more or less earnest than any other local band would be in their expressions of gratitude to a comfortably full house on a return home from tour, but this Saturday night audience responded intelligently to a single set that was as unpredictable as this band is eclectic.

The first of two live recordings set to be released in 2012, Sky High effectively captures all the charm and empathetic musicianship The Wood Brothers have demonstrated on both their previously released studio recordings and in their  frequent live performances.

With Luther Dickinson’s enlistment in the Black Crowes back in 2007 and his subsequent return to The North Mississippi All Stars, he’s inspired himself to nurture his propensity for collaborative projects. With The South Memphis String Band, a collaboration with Jimbo Mathus and Alvin Youngblood Hart, Dickinson  lends his versatile blues rock guitar playing to yet another roots project.

Dr. Dog stopped at Higher Ground on the eve of spring in support of their self-produced Be The Void, reaffirming the notion it’s as enlightening to follow this band’s progression by catching their live shows as obtaining their studio albums. In their second appearance filling the larger room at Higher Ground, the Philly eccentrics suggest their most recent recorded work project, is leading them in improvisational directions quite unlike their show here a year ago.

Because “Mr. Mojo Risin'” is an anagram for vocalist Jim Morrison’s name, it’s mislabeling of a sort to attach it as the title for this DVD.  Virtually all the content focuses on the music of The Doors rather than the myth of, most of which surrounds the lead singer.

Simone Felice’s first true solo work upon departing from The Felice Brothers consists of ten vivid tales recounting people in places not just obscured by shadows, but also lost in them, searching search for enlightenment to erase the sense of dislocation that afflicts such characters as the principle of “Hey Bobby Ray,”

With a similar but more extensive offering including other musicians set to be conducted at this year’s Wanee Festival in April, Jorma spent a few minutes with Doug Collette discussing the various ways he takes pleasure in life right now, not to exclude the time with friends and family apart from music, the fruits of which he was enjoying at the time of this conversation.

The DVD portion of JJ Grey & MoFro’s Brighter Days is more than just a concert video. It is a combination travelogue and biography that illustrates the frontman’s roots so vividly, the impact of the story is as powerful as the joyfully explosive end result of those roots, namely the Mofro concert that comprises the bulk of the playing time.

The casual listener might be surprised to learn Live at the Golden Bear 1983 is the third live Plimsouls album to be release in recent years. One listen to Beach Town Confidential from start to finish, however, will explain why the demand is there: this is blood and guts rock transcending fashion (both the punk and new wave of its era), the likes of which will always stand the test of time.

As much of a pleasure as it is to be able to witness such brilliance in a warm intimate setting, any of the attendees (whose number never topped 50) might wish it was pure choice, as a respite from larger venues and bigger crowds, rather than necessity on the part of the artists: a hat was passed in lieu of admission charge. Be that as it may, the purity of the music was right in tune with the air of the clear starry night outside, an unofficial soundtrack for the winter season if there ever was one.

The North Mississippi Allstars' 11.11.11 Live is emblematic of this band’s understated approach to their career since reuniting for last year’s Keys to the Kingdom. Released with little fanfare through their own website, available as digital only audio and double DVD in economical packaging on their own ‘Sounds of the South’ label, 11.11 finds NMA embracing their collective role as contemporary heirs to the longstanding tradition of the blues.

On first listen to the new Dr. Dog album, Be The Void, the group’s inimitable exultation emerges almost immediately and that, along with a willfully primitive recording style, distinguishes this recording as much as their past work.