Sharper Harper

One of my fellow Folk Festival volunteers was there even though he hadn’t heard of Jesse Harper, or Daniel Clarke or John Winn or Darrell Muller.  He had seen guitarist Trey Pollard in some other configuration, but suffice to say, he wasn’t prepared for what unfolded Friday night at Ashland Coffee & Tea as Jesse gathered his main men to do a couple of richly-rendered sets brimming with Harper originals and choice covers.  Jesse has all the goods that could take him to the next level…with solid self-penned tunes like
“Run,” “Falling,” “Porch Swing,” “Memphis,” and “One True Thing” along with an expressive, evolving vocal style and smartly tasteful guitar work.  He’s a total package ready to break through the artistic glass ceiling.  It was a joy to watch and listen to these guys take great delight in each others’ contributions and Kay Landry’s sensitive work on the mixing board brought every nuance to the all-in-the-family trackside crowd.  Though it’s not as good as being there, here’s a video of their take on Johnny Mercer’s “I’m An Old Cowhand” I shot with my new phone (and my very first YouTube upload). It’s always a treat when Daniel’s in the band especially given his busy schedule touring with the Dixie Chicks and the Court Yard Hounds.  Here’s Danny C dueting with Emily Robison at a Court Yard Hounds gig up in Rochester, NY this summer.  And he’s completely jazzed about k.d. lang’s upcoming country-flavored album they’ve been finishing up in Nashville.  He’ll be out globetrotting in support of that March release for most of 2011.  Pretty cool.

And the ever-versatile John Winn took a vocal turn on “With A Little Help From My Friends,” and performed perfect fills on sax, flute and clarinet.  John brings his quartet consisting of Adam Larrabee on guitar, Randall Pharr on bass and Brian Caputo on drums to a 7pm free show in the beautifully restored Henrico Theater on Nine Mile this Thursday night.  Free, but reservations required at 328-4491.  And if Daniel makes it back from his Hounds gig in Minneapolis, he’ll probably sit in too.  The boys love to play.

Another Harper was in the audience that night…mando prodigy Harper Speagle-Price (at left with fellow 8-stringer Sam Bush) fresh from an inspiring summer soaking up the music at Mt. Shasta Camp in California and other western outposts.  Hear what her fingers are thinking now at Ellwood’s Coffee this Friday night from 8-10pm…Jack Cowardin sits in on fiddle. 

They’ll be up against those roving Johnson Boys that night…that’s right, the Big Boss Combo heads north for a no-cover stop at the Ironhorse across the street from AC&T.  The tunes and the wisecracks run from 9 to midnight…Rusty, Harry, Tiny, Slim and Big Red will be expecting you.

Back up one night and enjoy the newly formed but well-seasoned Commonwealth Bluegrass Band (above) during their monthly stop at Gus’s Italian Cafe in Mechanicsville this Thursday from 6:30 to 9.  No cover but get there early if you want a table.  They’ll be at their fresh-out-of-Galax best.

And head-mongrel Page Wilson with his Reckless Abandon band shares the bill with Brad Spivey and the Honky Tonk Experience this Saturday night at Pocahontas State Park down in the big amphitheater.  Page’s bum knee has made for tough going this summer…head on out and show him some love, and enjoy some homemade all-American music.

Taking second runner up mandolin honors at Galax this year was Brian Muller who joined his dad Paul, uncle Damian and Galax resident Ken Melton for the annual bluegrass gospel service at Hebron Church out in Goochland Sunday. Paul can always be counted on to deliver a well-chosen and -executed set list for this much-anticipated summer sing…it was recorded for a subsequent CD…let me know if you want one…including classics like “A Beautiful Life” and “The First Step To Heaven” in fine four-part harmony.

We’re getting excited about getting the JAMinc/In Your Ear fall schedule started on September 10 with Mike McAdam and Ericson Holt.  Check their websites and call Wally to make your reservations at 804.320.7067. 

Enjoy the blessed relief of temps in the eighties all week…a well-earned break.  And a hydrilla-free James River.  How did that happen?   TT

(Commonwealth Bluegrass Band photo by Si Cottrell)