Quality Quartet…

I’m musically replete after four engaging nights in a row of live performance last week and I only regret I wasn’t able to make it five to hear Love Canon at VCU’s Singleton Center on Sunday afternoon.  But more on that supergroup another day.  Back to last Wednesday for a wholly unexpected pleasure at UofR’s Camp Concert Hall thanks to resident ensemble eighth blackbird.  The renowned sextet was joined by guitarist/composer Steven Mackey and actor/vocalist Rinde Eckert for an experiential interpretation of a psychological study where subjects were shown out-of-focus slides and timed on how long it took to recognize what was pictured after they were snapped into focus.  Pretty deep stuff for a mind like mine but the caliber of the performances managed to draw us in deeper as things progressed.  I’d never witnessed anything quite like it and though I struggled to absorb its message, I was moved by its imaginative intensity.  It’s good to leave the comfort zone once in a while.

Thursday brought the long-anticipated arrival of the Bee Eaters in Richmond for an ambitious but more accessible night of music at In Your Ear studio A.  The sensational foursome drove all the way from Boston to spend the day with us including a stop to play for the always-receptive kids at Mary Munford Elementary.  With Tristan Clarridge and his sister Tashina on cello and violin respectively, Wes Corbett on banjo and Simon Chrisman on hammer dulcimer, the Bee Eaters mesmerized the gallery with two sets of intricate originals and choice covers that included Beatle staples“Eleanor Rigby” and “You Won’t See Me.”  Not your standard string quartet for sure…resulting in a unique sound that you can savor by snagging their superb Darol Anger-produced eponymous CD.  It might end up as a soundtrack for some of your best times ever.  Start with taking it along on your iPod for a spring walk in the woods.  Perfect.

Friday night took us back to Ashland Coffee and Tea for an exhilarating night of solid bluegrass compliments of the fledgling power band, the Boxcars.  Dan Tyminski’s return to his spot beside Alison Krauss in Union Station found former bandmates Adam Steffey and Ron Stewart looking for a gig, so they just started from scratch.  With talented guitarist Keith Garrett, veteran John Bowman on fiddle and banjo and a rock-steady Harold Nixon on bass, these guys plowed through the great material on Adam’s solo album One More For The Road and well chosen tunes from the Boxcars’ debut release due later this year.  All but Nixon sing individually and collectively and they take full advantage of the versatility of their bookends Stewart and Bowman.  The two are both outstanding players of both banjo and fiddle and they spent the night taking turns to great effect.  It was only the second real show they’d all done as a band but if they’re already this good and having such a good time at it, the tracks ahead look long and winding for the Boxcars.  All aboard!

Saturday saw us back by the tracks at AC&T to share in the lovefest for hometown bon vivant B.J. Kocen and the release of his new CD, The Breaks.  B.J.’s love for music and life are contagious and the sold out crowd savored all ten tunes in the album, all originals, all sensitively supported by Charlottesville’s Paul Curreri and Devon Sproule on guitars, keys and backup vocals along with Bob Bowen on bass and Stephen Lecky on drums.  Curreri and Sproule set the right tone as a delightful opening duo, making those like me who heard them for the first time hankering for more.  B.J. has been hatching this project for most of his adult life and the joy of his finally getting to the finish line was palpable.  More musical compadres, Jackie Frost, Brad Tucker, George Garrett and Jim Wark, joined him as the Gobstoppers for a rousing finale.  Stop by Glave/Kocen Gallery on West Main to see some fine art and pick up a copy of the CD.  Or check out one of the Kocen-hosted songwriter nights every Tuesday at AC&T.  He’s a busy boy and a seriously nice guy.

Great shows down the road at AC&T this spring…check the Website and sign up for their email alerts.  And now in the former home of Bogart’s at 203 North Robinson, Balliceaux is featuring live music most nights thanks to the wide-ranging musical appetite of Chris Bopst.  Tune in to his delectably eclectic streaming radio show on RVA News…ears wide open.   The National’s bringing the soulful folkster/guitarist Amos Lee to town on March 23rd. Tell me where he went to college and we’ll put you and yours on the guest list for the show.  I’ll draw from all correct answers sent to mail@timtimberlake.com.

The Virginia Foundation for the Humanities is one of many arts and cultural institutions facing serious funding cuts and possibly dissolution if measures pending in the General Assembly are passed.  The VFH has been a key player in the National and now our Richmond Folk Festival with Jon Lohman and his colleagues responsible for the always-compelling folklife area each year.  Take a few minutes to make your voice heard if you feel eliminating support for this important work is the wrong way to balance a budget.  Learn more here.

TT

(Thanks to photographer friends Andy Garrigue for the Bee Eaters, Dean Hoffmeyer for the Boxcars shot and Scott Elmquist for the B.J. Kocen pic. The rest are from artist websites.)