1.26.2011

Smooth Sailing…

sailor bob story_picnik

Acknowledging that this is a music-oriented blog, I can’t ignore an overwhelming achievement witnessed this past Saturday at the Byrd Theatre.  A grateful generation that came of age as loyal schooner mates of Channel 12’s Sailor Bob Griggs and his crew of characters were able to savor the memories evoked by a masterful 90-minute documentary screened before a full house moved to tears and frequent rounds of spontaneous applause.  Bob’s warm and witty presence on our hometown TV screens during the 60s and early 70s gave him celebrity status not seen here before or since.  His daily live shows with Gilliver Gull, Mr. Mouse and Bluebird endeared him to children with his drawing and musical stories as it ensnared the grownups with often hilarious improv.  The Sailor Bob Story lovingly captures this precious time in our past with on-air and behind-the-scenes clips, interviews with those involved in producing the show and some quality time with Bob himself, a humble and unassuming hero if there ever was one. SAILORBOB4

The VGO Productions team (above) that crafted this fitting tribute to Sailor Bob’s life and legacy enjoyed a well-earned moment in the spotlight at the Byrd.  From left, director Paul Roberts, producer Leslie Custalow, videographers Tim Wright and Charlie Reilly, video wizard Guy Spiller and original music composer Frank Coleman.  Frank gathered a studio full of Richmond’s most accomplished players to provide just the right sonic foundation for these perfectly-edited nostalgic images…including Charles Arthur, Daniel Clarke, Stefan Demetriades, Chris Fuller, Randall Pharr, John Winn and Forrest Youngme byrd sailor bobIf you missed the premiere, you missed a heartwarming celebration of a career that mattered, made all the more special by Bob’s being there to absorb all the love in the room.  But The Sailor Bob Story will see its first air time on Tuesday, February 8th at 9pm on WCVE/Channel 23.  So you’ll have another chance.  And your chance to own your own DVD of the doc with lots of extras will come soon at the official Website.  And the Virginia Historical Society has committed to archiving and displaying the extensive collection of Sailor Bob video, artwork and memorabilia.  Stay tuned.  Incidentally, the aforementioned Coleman & Fuller will continue their long-running ‘brotherly love’ tour this Saturday at the Iron Horse in Ashland from 9-12.  No cover…no kidding!

contours-promo-blueW - Copy_picnikOur day of re-living the best of the 60s continued that night at the CenterStage Carpenter Theatre as the Richmond Symphony feted 50 years of Motown with one of Berry Gordy, Jr.’s chosen groups, The Contours of “Do You Love Me” fame.  Despite having only one remaining member from the era of their one big hit, Sylvester Potts, the stylish quartet had us boomers singing along with songs wisely picked from the Smokey Robinson/Temptations/Four Tops set lists at the expense of their own.  It was an entertaining show but from our seats (orchestra right, row Q) the symphony was effectively inaudible behind the Contours’ six-piece band.  Conductor Erin Freeman appeared to be doing pantomime…was it just me?  Disappointing but a fresh reminder of how solid and durable those Motor City melodies remain.

ac&t

ted pitneyLooking ahead for the next few weeks, we’re eager to catch Teddy & The Roosevelts for the first time, the latest evolution of King Wilkie co-founder/guitarist/composer Ted Pitney.  Opening will be our favorite Honky Tonker unplugged-Brad Spivey doing a solo set starting at 8p on the tracks at AC&T.  As we move into the shortest month, don’t miss the return dirtykitchenband_picnikengagements of

 

Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen on February 2

 

 

and the Honey Dewdrops on Feb 5honey dewdrops web

morwenna & jay 1And dazzling C’ville violinist Morwenna Lasko and her guitar-wielding pal Jay Pun return with bass and percussion this time around…that’s right, the Lasko/Pun Quartet on Feb 18. They were a hands-down highlight at last summer’s Floydfest.  Not to be missed.  All coming soon to AC&T.

BillyTaylor_depth1The Richmond Jazz Society hosts another of its terrific Guest Educators Series at the Capital Ale House music hall downtown on Feb 8th in tribute to the great pianist/educator Dr. Billy Taylor who passed away in late December.  Some of our town’s best players including Debo Dabney, Dr. Weldon Hill, Russell Wilson and Lucy Kilpatrick will perform on twin grand pianos.  Tickets available here.

Our next JAMinc/In Your Ear Studio Concert comesdana and susan r up on Thursday, February 10 with the engaging folk duo Dana & Susan Robinson from Asheville, NC.  These two life-and road-mates armed with guitar and clawhammer banjo promise an intimate evening of traditional treats, enhanced of course by our trademark pre-show pot luck buffet.  Reservations right here.

Almost forgot about a great band headed for Kenbridge this coming Saturday thanks to Chris Gowin who runs “Virginia’s Country Legend,” WSVS 800 AM in Crewe:  frequent IBMA bass player of the year Missy Raines and her talented young group, The New Hip.  The WSVS studios are being faithfully restored to look and sound like they did back in the early 50s when Flatt & Scruggs were regulars.  It’s a very cool and commendable project that’s well underway.  Go Chris!

Dala1Parting gift for this post is a video from a new Canadian duo named Dala whose first Compass Records CD Everyone is Someone is just out this week and is generating loud and loving buzz in the pop-folk arena.  Check out Amanda Walther and Sheila Carabine singing “Horses.”  Nice.

For those who’ve seen the remarkable Oscar-nominated film The King’s Speech, did any of you think of Mel Tillis?

Hoping for a cloudy Ground Hog Day…

TT    

1.07.2011

A Running Start…

P1140454[1]The much anticipated holiday season is behind us and I’m left with the familiar ‘too much of a good thing’ feeling and a sense of relief that things are settling down.  But there’s only time for catching a quick breath, as the first few days of the new year are rife with opportunity to make good on that resolution to catch more live music in 2011.  You did make that one too, right?  My two most recent outings, a heartwarming holiday concert with the Richmond Pops Band and the Richmond Choral Society and last night’s run to AC&T to catch the up-and-coming Commonwealth Bluegrass Band, both pressed the right buttons and whetted the appetite for more.  Here’s a cool behind-the-scenes video shot by CBS 6 meteorologist Carrie Rose from the CBB’s appearance on “Virginia This Morning.”  They’re doing a dandy cover of Sammy Shelor’s “Ernest T. Grass.” How convenient.  On Friday…

ac&t…there’s a return trip to Ashland trackside to check out a new grouping of seasoned players, the Beachley/Scott BandDarren Beachley and Barry Scott are both alums of Doyle Lawson’s Quicksilver University.  Darren just disassembled his Legends of the Potomac that included Tom Gray and Mike Auldridge…Barry did the same with his gospel ensemble Second Wind.  The new pairing has lots of promise, especially in the vocal department…we’ll get back with you on that.

P1170205Also tonight, a very Bogart’s Friday night as John Winn and some of his peerless peers like Adam Larrabee, Devonne Harris, Randall Pharr and Daniel Clarke stroll down jazz alley in their own inimitable style.  Of course the old Bogart’s on Lombardy is now Balliceaux and you might finish the night there with the irreverent grass of the Flesh Mountain Boys in Chris Bopst’s back room.

robbin at norva 12-09 zachary reidSaturday marks another Robbin Thompson Band revival at the National.  It was just too much fun and too well-received a year ago to not do it all again.  Plus, they’ve got a terrific concert DVD to push, so if you didn’t catch them last January, or even if you did, here’s a great chance to hear five reasons (Robbin, Velpo Robertson, Eric Heiberg, Rico Antonelli, and Audie Stanley) why Richmond is a bona fide music town.  Just read Don Harrison’s great piece in the current issue of Style Weekly.  And RT does a solo gig at AC&T on the 14th.

JAMinc gets 2011 off to a jazzy start this Thursday the 13th, with power-percussionist Kip Williams and some top hand-picked players like bass monster Keith Horne (remember Secrets?), Mike Hawkins, Steve Kessler, Mike Ess, and Kevin Simpson.  Heck, Robbin might render one or two with this band too.  We’ll be having another of our famous pot-luck heavy hors d’oeuvre buffets before the show so bring something tasty starting at 6:30 and enjoy some tastefully funky fare in the perfect acoustic setting of In Your Ear Studio A starting at 7:30.  Reservations online here.

P1170318Fans of grass rockers Cadillac Sky, already reeling from the loss of lead singer/writer Bryan Simpson, now face the news of the band’s “indefinite hiatus” as revealed in this post on their website.  One of the most musically fertile acts of the new millennium, much like King Wilkie, leaving us way too soon.  Here’s the tune that hooked me on Bryan’s image-laden creativity from the start.  I’d frankly rather make up my own visuals for this haunting song…maybe just listen with closed eyes the first time through.

Thankfully still very much alive, the Infamous Stringdusters are out of the new year’s gate at a full gallop after their Grammy nomination (Best Country Instrumental) for Magic #9.  See how they do as the golden gramophones are handed out in L.A. on February 13th.  The Dusters’ five-string man Chris Pandolfi has gotten into doing some really fun stop-animation

Stringdusters Ski Tour/Caper
promoting their winter ski tour.  Looks like the boys had some extra time on their hands…good times.

davegiegerichThe recent loss of our friend Dave Giegerich has brought comforting expressions from so many.  Read Dave’s East of Monroe bandmate Gary Ferguson’s heartfelt tribute here, and this from Robin Williams’ latest newsletter: 

2010 ended with sadness for us. For the last 14 years we've done Hank Williams tribute shows in between Christmas and New Years. Standing on the far left for all those years has been Dave Giegerich playing steel and dobro. In September he had a bone marrow transplant and the word out on the street was that he was doing good. He and we were all hoping that he'd make this year's shows but his doctor ruled it out. We played the first show without him and took pictures and signed a poster to give to him. He never saw them. He died suddenly the next day. We all played one more show with broken hearts. Literally, to know him was to love him. He left this world without an enemy. We should all hope for that to be said about us. Our hearts go out to Pam, his wife, and his two sons, Axel and Carter. Steeling good/Steeling good/He was a mighty man and he was steeling good.”

What promises to be a fitting tribute to a life well-lived and music well-played, will be held in downtown Baltimore at the Maryland State Boychoir Center for the Arts at 3400 Norman Avenue, 21213 at 2pm on Saturday, January 15th.  We’ll make a joyful noise.

TT

(Robbin Thompson photo by Zachary Reid)