In addition to all the recorded music that finds its way to me, I was fortunate to hear a lot of really great live music last year. Â Here were some of my favorite sets of 2013.
Session Americana featuring Kevin Gordon – Session Americana headlined the first night of our Twangville music festival with earlier performer Kevin Gordon sitting in for a couple of songs. Â Depending on the year, I see 50-75 performances annually, and on the strength of just one song, Colfax, this ranks in the top 10 of anything in my recent memory. Â I’m sure it helps that I was in one of the small town marching bands Gordon sings about, but I think just about anyone in my generation has to be struck by the powerful picture the song paints.
Fred Eaglesmith & the Traveling Steam Show – Seeing as much live music as I do, I really appreciate when a band steps out beyond just playing what’s on their records and turns a performance into a real show. Â Some groups are known for their live shows, but every now and then someone unexpected moves into the performance art realm. Â This year Fred Eaglesmith and his band closed both Thursday and Friday nights at the Old Settler’s Music Festival, and their mix of 60’s blues review, vaudeville show, and political tent revival was a full fledged spectacle.
Shovels & Rope – Being the opening act for a stage in one of the multiple day music festivals has to be one of the most challenging gigs in the music business. Â The audience (and maybe the musicians) are tired and hungover. The crowd is just assembling and the music competes with setting up gathering spots and tales from the previous day’s events. Â When it’s done right though, the opening set raises the bar for the rest of the day and can really elevate an entire day’s experience. Â Shovels & Rope did just that opening the Arrow Stage on day two of Hardly Strictly Bluegrass this past fall.
Sarah Borges – Headlining the second day of our Twangville Music Festival at the Lizard Lounge in Boston, I’m sure I’m a little biased toward this pick. Â But damn, she put on a great rock and roll show and left everyone with just the right amount of ringing in their ears and musical enthusiasm to take advantage of their second wind and go find some after hours music clubs.
Donna the Buffalo – The Herd gets a little thin out here on the west coast with the long tail of fandom getting sparse 2000 miles from home. Â Playing Moe’s Alley in Santa Cruz this past fall, DtB still managed to put on the kind of reggae/rock/Cajun/blues/Americana show for which they’re renowned. Â And after being together for 20 years, they are as tight sounding a band as any you’ll hear.
About the author: I've actually driven from Tehatchapee to Tonopah. And I've seen Dallas from a DC-9 at night.