Archive: 2009

For three nights, at the end of 2008, a six piece band from Stillwater, New Jersey held court at Portland’s Aladdin Theater. The imaginative music machine that is Railroad Earth descended on the Rose City for a sold out three night stand, bringing along hundreds of fans from around the country to dance and sing along, reconnecting with other, like minded RRE fans (they refer to themselves as ‘Hobos’) in a deadhead-like, brotherly manner.

For starters, I met up with John and his new camera, from Tacoma. The camera was a Christmas present (Duh, it’s December thirtieth). Anyway, while we chat away, up comes Howie, from Brooklyn. He exchanges hugs while changing his shirt. It may be cold and rainy outside, but Howie is going to get tank top warm in the front row tonight. There was Marv and L.T. from Ventura, California, Sam from Nevada City, Nevada, Kurt from Nampa, Idaho. Frank was from outside Denver, Arvada I think he said. Jack and her boyfriend Will came all the way from Butte, Montana.

I was surrounded by visitors. Tourists. Tourists with cameras and cell phones and changes of clothing. I asked myself, “When did the Aladdin become a vacation destination?”

Apparently, it becomes a destination spot when Railroad Earth put down three days worth of roots. Known for their wizard like mastery of their instruments as well as their ability to improvise and accentuate each others talents, RRE dedicated this particular run as a New Years Celebration of Land, Sea and Air. Three themed, multi-set nights of world class Americana, roots/rock/bluegrass/jazz delivered in the cozy confines and wonderful acoustics of the Aladdin Theater.

READ ON for more of A.J.’s thoughts on RRE @ the Aladdin…

It’s been quite some time since the HT Crew got together for an old fashioned cookout. With the year rapidly ending, we figured we’d round up the gang, throw some logs on the fire, crack open a few Anchor Christmas Ales and do some grilling for another rousing rendition of At The Barbecue.

About six months back we offered up our favorite albums of the first half of the year, this time around we thought we’d check back in and find out what everyone’s favorite of the entire year was and give our version of a “Best Of” list. So sit back and find out just what’s been burning up our iPods this year. READ ON after the jump to see our albums of the year…

Oliver Stone’s 1991 biopic on The Doors focuses a bit too much on singer Jim Morrison’s obsession with death, but does a good job of showing the sex, drugs and rock and roll scene the Los Angeles-based quartet came up in during the late ’60s. Val Kilmer does a fine job of bringing Morrison back […]

Not so secret Matisyahu show at Rockwood Music Hall in NYC tonight

After 15 years as a founding member of Oklahoma’s Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, bassist Reed Mathis is leaving the band to explore other musical endeavors. New members Chris Combs on guitar and lap steel and Matt Hayes on bass were introduced to the JFJO fanbase at their sold-out New Year’s Eve show in Tulsa. The reconfigured band makes their next appearance on Saturday night as part of the 2009 Winter Jazzfest.

READ ON after the jump for a list of upcoming JFJO tour dates…

Among all the surprises that My Morning Jacket unleashed at their instantly epic New Year’s show at Madison Square Garden was a pair of duets that lead singer Jim James performed with indie-pop singer Nicole Atkins. The duo teamed up for a covers of Tammi Terrell and Marvin Gaye’s You’re All I Need and simply […]

Pitchfork declares their love for Animal Collective’s MPP

Today marks the frst work day of 2009 for the majority of Americans and while we’re as unhappy as you are to get back to biz, we’ve got a full slate of posts planned to keep you entertained. Let’s kick things off with some links… Check out who introduced Death Cab on the Late Late […]

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WC5EpdlzhPY Stanley Jordan w/ Umphrey’s – 40’s Theme – 12/30/2008

Photos by Chad Anderson of My Morning Jacket at Madison Square Garden, New York, NY on 12/31/08

He's consistently a good interview, but no matter how many times you get the privilege, you come away with the same sense of wonderment: Warren Haynes is mentally organized. Granted, he's a lot of things, and you have to expect as much, given how many projects he's been juggling for how many decades now—and how in the next six months alone he'll be on tour with Gov't Mule and the once-again-reconstituted Dead, as well as play solo shows and hold it down with the Allmans for the just-confirmed 2009 Beacon Theater run.

Because Boulderado: Live at the Fox 2008 comes so closely on the heels of 2007's splendid live document Keep on Marchin', both casual listeners and died-in-the-wool fans may question the validity of another double-CD live set from The North Mississippi Allstars.

Rothbury 2009 looks like a go thanks to an agreement between AEG Live and A U.S. Bankruptcy Court trustee that allows the concert promoter to lease the Double JJ Ranch in Michigan once again this summer. The owners of the Double JJ Ranch, which hosted last year’s successful Rothbury debut, filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy […]

We’ve added a link to taper Scott Bernstein’s crispy recording of My Morning Jacket at MSG to Grousing The Aisles – Download NYE Shows

Earlier this week the HT Staff picked their favorite albums of ’08, when we gathered Around The Barbecue. To continue on our year-end house cleaning, we’ve got another list. Back in early July I dropped my Top 6 Of The First 6 list, and since we’re not ones for traditional Top Ten around these parts I figured I’d revisit that format to round out the year’s releases.

The second half of the year saw releases from a number of my favorite artists, many of which made it on this list. So let’s get to my favorite six albums that were released in the last six months of 2008…

6. Blind Pilot – 3 Rounds and a Sound

This album was a late discovery for me – despite its July release. I literally picked it up several weeks back after hearing it mentioned on NPR during All Songs Considered’s Year In Music show and haven’t been able to stop listening to it since. Blind Pilot have taken the White Stripes/Black Keys minimalist band model of guitarist and drummer and unplugged it – though live they play with a nine-piece band. The Portland, OR duo’s debut is chocked full of strummy, lush indie-folk that would provide the perfect Sunday morning soundtrack and has helped to cement the Pacific Northwest’s stronghold on producing some of the best albums of the year.

READ ON for Some Dude’s top five releases of the second half of ’08…

Brother’s Past – The Note – West Chester, PA The Setlist: Set 1: Crutch*, Dead Clowns, One Rabbit Race > fykm > ORR Set 2: Big Blue Apples > countdown > everything must go > secret > BBA, Charity, State Police > Machine> Gangs > machine, TLTC > Squeeze Encore: LTLO * w/ gonzo ending […]

The Disco Biscuits – Nokia Theatre – New York City, NY [Photo by Jeremy Gordon] The Skinny: The Disco Biscuits ended a monumental five night New Year’s run by looking to the future with the debut of three new songs at the beginning of the marathon three set show. The Audio: Not yet. Keep your […]

Umphrey’s McGee – Auditorium Theater – Chicago, IL [Photo by Noah Schipani-Trivier] The Skinny: Umphrey’s McGee welcomed “Queen of the Blues” Koko Taylor, a full horn section and the Chicago Mass Choir to join them for what even the most jaded of Umphreaks are calling the best Umphrey’s New Year’s show of all-time. The Audio: […]

After weeks of letting the episodes pile up on my DVR I finally sat down to watch Elvis Costello’s new talk show on the Sundance Channel – Spectacle: Elvis Costello With… and have been absolutely mesmerized by Costello’s intelligence and wit in engaging his guests. Costello seems to have a knack for getting people to […]

Following  Phish’s Saturday night Hampton Coliseum performance on March 7th Steve Kimock and Friends featuring Melvin Seals will be performing at The NorVa, Norfolk, VA." This show is being staged in celebrating Passion Presents 5th Anniversary. The Norva is just a short 20 minute drive from Hampton. Doors open @ 11:00, show starts at midnite […]