Davy's Got The Blues

I had missed my previous chance to go see Isle of Man’s blues guitar wunderkind Davy Knowles and his band Back Door Slam a couple of months ago, and I made sure I didn’t take any chances this time. And the kid didn’t let me down. I was in the mood for some fiery blues guitar, and that’s what I got last night at the Rock & Roll Hotel.

Looking a bit like a younger, shaggier version of another English Davy (Jones), the fresh-faced Knowles (22) sounded like Paul Rogers (Bad Company), and played like Stevie Ray.

Back Door Slam kept things pretty basic on bass and drums, leaving plenty of room for the singularly-talented Knowles to lead the way on rhythm and lead guitar. Mixing in covers like Neil Young’s Cortez the Killer” and CSNY’s “Almost Cut My Hair” with originals throughout their set, they were always sure to include the sweet release of a string-bending guitar solo for the audience to eagerly look forward to.

Is Knowles groundbreaking? Not necessarily, but he’s extremely good and soooo young, and it’s very cool to see a rising guitarist up close. Plus, he’s been associating with some old masters in the field, playing and touring with guys like Warren Haynes, Joe Satriani, Jeff Beck, Peter Frampton, so I think we’ve got more good things to look forward to.

A Case of the Fridays - Thanksgiving Edition

Bluesman Bobby Parker will help you get your holiday blues on this Saturday, November 28th at Madam’s Organ in Adams Morgan. With stinging guitar licks and years of experience playing and touring with musicians such as Bo Diddley, Sam Cooke and Chuck Berry, the blues are in his bones, and you can hear it when he plays and when he sings. Born in Lousiana, but a DC-area resident now, check him out above at a Madam’s Organ gig a year ago.

For a folkier sound, check out Elvis Perkins in Dearland at the Rock & Roll Hotel in Washington, DC, Wednesday, December 2nd. With a haunted voice, Perkins and his small band of multi-instrumentalists create beautiful Americana with an air of darkness.

MP3: Shampoo – Elvis Perkins in Dearland

More Photos from Pink Jams!

Ted Garber and Justin Trawick resplendent in pink (light)

Ken Wenzel & Adrian "Hardkor" Krygowski

Keith Center of The Dreamscapes Project and guest

Ted Garber, Malik Starx & Jean Finstad onstage with Justin

Justin Trawick

All photos courtesy Brian Flores

Pink Jams! - The Review

Pink Jams!, the project started by Christa Floresca to raise money for breast cancer awareness, held its inaugural benefit concert on Wednesday at the Clarendon Ballroom. The event, which was emceed by Miss District of Columbia 2008 Kate Marie Grinold and included an appearance by Washington Redskin cheerleaders, featured musical performances by local rockers Memphis 59 and the Justin Trawick Group. Among the many attendees of the cause were local rockers Ted Garber, Adrian "Hardkor" Krygowski, and The Dreamscapes Project's Keith Center.

Opening act Memphis 59 showcased their up-tempo take on the "No Depression" sound, highlighting the tracks from their forthcoming album Ragged But Right. Combining rock, country, and a dollop of Twin Cities punk sensibility, these Arlington rockers warmed the crowd up with their earnest and often humorous takes on life, love, and heartbreak. Their pièce de résistance was an energetic cover of The Replacements' "Alex Chilton".

Headliner Justin Trawick took the stage with his band after a short break to build on the toe-tapping intro from Memphis 59. Showcasing the "urban folk rock" sound that incorporates hints of G. Love, Digital Underground, and the Afghan Whigs, Justin kept the crowd moving with his forthright yet danceable tunes. As if his usual versatility wasn't enough for this special event, he even managed to work a waltz into the evening. In addition to his usual band, which consists of bassist Jean Finstad, drummer Danny Schwartz, guitarist Josh Himmelsbach and saxophonist Ken Wenzel, Justin had a little musical assistance from Ted Garber and frequent collaborator Malik Starx.

Memphis 59 getting their alt-rock on!

Justin Trawick showing why he's the hardest workin' man in the DC music scene

Concert photography courtesy of Brian Flores

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!