Matthew Ryan Jams In Fairfax

This past Friday I found out that one of my favorite singer/songwriters, Matthew Ryan, was doing a private house concert nearby, in Fairfax. One of my fellow music bloggers, Pete from Ickmusic, cleared things for my attendance, and my rainy Friday was made.

Driving out I had no idea what the house in question and atmosphere would be like. Turns out it was hosted by some very cool folks at a well-decorated house, and there couldn’t have been more than 20 or so people there. So we’re talking a nice intimate setting, with Matthew Ryan standing up and playing in the living room, hanging out with the everyone the whole evening. How cool is that?

Anyway, the two-set show was excellent. There’s just something so immediate about listening to someone just play and sing directly, and not having to hear their sound sent through a PA system. It was mostly Ryan with his acoustic guitar and a bit of harmonica, and he was in very strong voice. He played a good number of tracks off of his new CD, Dear Lover, and he hit a lot of my old favorites, too (especially enjoyed “Me and My Lover”). The audience got him talking throughout the evening; he’s very compelling to listen to, revealing a few stories about the music industry and answering questions about the logistics of being a musician.

Great evening, and thanks to John for hosting.


Concert photograph courtesy of Ben Maphis

Springsteen @ Verizon Center 11/2 – A Review

Bruce Springsteen has recently done a lot to revivify the tradition of American folk music. Not the sixties love and flower power, Joan Baez kind of folk, but the folk that forms the very roots of rock and roll; simple, unadorned songs that relied upon the power of the voice, of the word and of the spirit―dustbowl ballads, spirituals, church hymns―to tell the sad stories of the disasters, injustices and back- and heart-breaking labor that built this wide land of ours. So when my two sons became big fans and my husband suggested initiating them into the rite of the rock and roll concert with a Bruce Springsteen show, I agreed. Better Springsteen than one of the made-for-TV bands, like Daughtry or Nickelback, that befoul their iPods. Though no Brucehead or Stringbean, or whatever the legions of Bruce believers call themselves, I have always liked his honest, hardworking rock and roll and his evocative lyrics about hard luck heroes, gritty streets, pretty girls, fast machines and the open road.

I hadn't been to a stadium concert since, well, since the last time I saw Bruce Springsteen, some ten years ago, in Portland, Oregon. Then in his early fifties, he wore knee pads and cartwheeled and somersaulted across the stage. Now, months after he appeared on the cover of AARP magazine, he has brought his exuberant gymnastics to a more spiritual level, holding his guitar aloft in the air like a Bible as he delivers the gospel of rock and roll. Springsteen, who like the Pope, is both head of the church and a living manifestation of its god, led his worshipful acolytes through a two-and-a-half hour evening of sweat drenched celebration and glory. The faithful danced with arms pumping the air, testifying at the top of their lungs and chanting the name of their prophet, "Bruuuuce, Bruuuuce." If you were lucky enough to be belly-up to the stage, you could stroke him lovingly on the thigh, touch his hand. The audience was a partner in the performance, and Springsteen crowd surfed, pulled a young boy on stage to sing, and let us belt out the opening verses of "Hungry Heart" and the chorus to "Pink Cadillac." The audience, though trending heavily towards those eligible for AARP membership, spanned the generations and everyone knew the songs.

Backed by the masterful E Street Band, as well as a violinist, some accordion players and various other musicians, all dressed in black and standing with legs wide as they worked to keep up with the Boss, Springsteen delivered hits old and new, as well as playing the entire "Born to Run" album. After "Jungleland" came to a dramatic and emotional end, Springsteen announced it was an event never to be repeated, and the audience felt privileged to have been witness. Then he took requests from the crowd, something that must be a Springsteen tradition, for many people came bearing posters. The closing songs were covers, starting with an 1855 hymn, "Hard Times Come Again No More," performed as a lush anthem, and soaring to an end with "Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher and Higher."

**Special thanks to Alice Stephens for contributing this review**

Matthew Sweet/Susanna Hoffs CD Giveaway

Power-popper Matthew Sweet and lead Bangle Susanna Hoffs are at it again as duo “Sid N Susie.” Last time around it was 2006, and they were covering 60s classics. This time, they’ve progressed into the 70s, covering songs by acts like Fleetwood Mac, Rod Stewart and Mott the Hoople.

They’ll be in the area for two shows – this Sunday, November 8th at the Birchmere, and Monday, November 9th at the Ram’s Head Tavern in Annapolis. And I’m giving away a copy of their new CD, Under the Covers Vol. 2. To enter this contest, just leave a comment after this post, making sure there’s a way of getting in touch with you. The contest ends Friday at 5:00pm (EST), and a winning comment will be drawn at random. Good luck!

Guster @ 9:30 Club

One of my favorite bands, Guster, concludes their sold out two-night stand at the 9:30 Club this evening (10/30). They’re on their aptly-titled Lost & Gone Forever Ten Year Anniversary Tour celebrating the 10-year anniversary of their strong-from-start-to-finish Lost & Gone Forever album. Catchy songs with beautiful harmonies and percussive hand percussion – what more could you ask for? Anyway, two sets, no opening act, and they'll be playing Lost & Gone Forever in its entirety as the second set.

I caught last night’s show, and they definitely fleshed out the arrangements of the album nicely, incorporating a few guests (which I won’t reveal) into the festivities in true Guster fashion. Lead singer Ryan Miller got stronger as the night went on, with the perennial underrated “other voice” Ryan Gardner and Joe Pisapia providing lush harmonies and backing vocals, so essential to their sound.

I must say, it was great to see drummer Brian “Thundergod” Rosenworcel going old-school and taping up his hands to play a good deal of hand percussion. On recent albums he’s been playing a lot more conventional kit drum, but it just doesn’t pack the same energy as his hand percussion.

Their first setlist focused mainly on tracks from later albums (none, sadly, from Parachute), plus they threw in some first-listens of songs from their upcoming new album. I was pretty psyched to hear them play “X-Ray Eyes,” and they did a simply hypnotic version of “Come Downstairs & Say Hello.”

Yeah, the show’s sold out, but you most likely pick up a ticket off of Stubhub or from somebody out front of 9:30 Club.

Todd Wright Joins the 40/40 Club

Singer/songwriter/producer Todd Wright, former lead singer of Getaway Car and occasional player with the Pat McGee Band (among other things), has got a pretty cool project going on. Begun back on 9/30/09, he’s writing, recording and releasing one song every week for 40 consecutive weeks, culminating with his 40th birthday. Songs will be available for free download every Wednesday. That’ll be 40 songs in 40 weeks. Wright’s got a wicked pop sensibility, and some great production values, so it’s worth checking out.

You can catch him live Sunday, November 1st at the Rock n’ Roll Songwriters Circle at Jammin Java, along with Luke Brindley, Anthony Fiacco and Shane Hines. And download a song a week every Wednesday - just use the link below...