One of the highlights of SXSW is Alejandro Escovedo’s Sunday Night Extravaganza. And, as I’ve written here, one of the highlights of this year’s show was seeing Mike Barfield. Here’s a classic video from the Barfield archives. Let’s get funky now.
Dr. John – Locked Down
Dr. John is an institution. With his characteristic mystical groovy-gumbo-voodoo schtick and funky keyboard playing, he has been a force in American music since his groundbreaking Gris-Gris in 1968. His early 1970s work, including Dr. John’s Gumbo and In the Right Place were instant classics.   A gifted piano (and occasional guitar) player, Mac Rebennack, or Dr. John, […]
Monday Morning Video: Missing Levon
It was just shy of a month ago that we lost Levon Helm, a true legend of rock and roll. The outpouring from the music community was immediate and immense. Here are but a few of the musical tributes (see below for the playlist details). Levon, you will be missed. Simone Felice performs “Radio Song†[…]
SXSW 2012: Say What?!
One of my favorite parts of SXSW is the crazy things you see and hear along the way. Here are a few choice selections. I was going out with an actress, that was my first mistake. She was going out with a musician, that was her first mistake. Antonio Lulic It’s a real treat for […]
Old Settlers Music Festival 2012
I’ve been fortunate enough to have attended quite a number of multi-day music festivals over the years, from the Veiled Prophet Fair to the Monterey Jazz Festival and Telluride to Hardly Strictly Bluegrass.  For my money, though, it’s really hard to beat the Old Settler’s Music Festival.  Held 20 miles or so outside of Austin […]
Jim Hanft – Weddings Or Funerals
“You can’t judge a book by its cover” is such a well known saying that it’s become cliche. Â But I was reminded of it listening to the lastest release from Jim Hanft, entitled Weddings Or Funerals. Â The album starts off with Kerosene, that with it’s guitar and soft snare sound immediately made me think of […]
SXSW 2012: The Sounds, Part 2
Antonio Lulic A late start at the venue limited me to just a couple of songs from this singer-songwriter from North East London. His songs have a quiet intensity and his voice a weathered timbre, a pairing that combined for an impassioned performance. Audio Download: Antonio Lulic, “Hey, It’s Okay” [audio:http://dl.dropbox.com/u/17612247/Antonio%20Luli%C4%87%20-%20Rough%20-%201%20-%20Hey%2C%20It’s%20Okay.mp3] Glen Hansard The skills […]
SXSW 2012: The Sounds, Part 1
Bahamas Former Feist guitarist Afie Jurvanen, who performs as Bahamas, caught my ear with his second release earlier this year. Live he takes it to another level, creating an ambiance that makes his already strong songs even stronger. Part of the reason is the distinctive make-up of his band: electric guitar, drums and two back-up […]
SXSW 2012: Springsteen
Now did you really think that I could talk about SXSW and not mention Bruce Springsteen? Springsteen delivered the conference keynote and then joined the E Street Band and guests that evening for an unforgettable performance. The keynote speech was clearly geared towards the musicians in attendance. Springsteen delivered a rollicking history of rock and […]
Monday Morning Video: SXSW 2012
There are literally thousands of performances that take place across Austin during SXSW. Here is a small sampling for your listening and viewing enjoyment. See below for a detailed list of the performances in this video playlist. Tom Morello, “World Wide Rebel Song” from the New West day party Bahamas, “Caught Me Thinking” The Lumineers, […]