Master Class

A lighter than usual crowd at West End Assembly of God Saturday for Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver’s annual bluegrass gospel event likely resulted from later and less promotion this year, but those of us who did  get the word were treated to yet another stirring performance by the ever-evolving band that owns this sub-genre.  Doyle’s latest class of young players maintained the high levels of perfectly arranged harmonies sung to rock-solid accompaniment that the boss expects.  But what’s this?  There’s a drummer now?  Yep, and despite the potential flack from traditionalists, and thanks to the subtlety of former Quicksilver bassist Carl White, it worked.  It certainly wasn’t the distraction one may have feared.  And Carl, who slid into Jamie Dailey’s slot on his departure a few years ago, still managed to make it to center stage to horse around with Doyle and even sing his moving “Help Is On The Way.”  The main vocal trio now consists of Doyle, bassist Corey Hensley and guitarist Mike Rogers with their tasteful young Dobro man Josh Swift adding bass vocals when a quartet was called for.  Sidemen are now Jason Barie on fiddle and a 20-year-old Crowe clone named Jessie Baker .  The evening was capped with a heartfelt tribute to departed WEAG pastor Fred Spivey that included a powerful take on “Precious Memories” led by Mike Rogers.  Fred leaves an unfilled vacancy. The Quicksilver revolving doors continue to spin and you can always count on Professor Lawson to deliver his well-honed message loud and clear.  Amen and amen.

For those who missed Kip Williams’ hot band Bop Nation at our In Your Ear show last month, you get another shot tonight at Capital Ale downtown starting at 8pm.  Seasoned veterans Keith Horne, Steve Kessler, Mike Ess, and Kevin Simpson work the groove with taste and touch.  $8 cover.

We’ve been waiting for this one since last July’s FloydFest when Morwenna Lasko and Jay Pun and their quartet captivated the reverently quiet crowd gathered at the Front Porch stage by lantern light during the Friday night power failure.  Without a PA, these Berklee-bred artists held us spellbound.  Morwenna and Jay have played AC&T since as a duo, but add bass and percussion Friday night and it should be sublime.  See you at 8p on the tracks.  And Saturday, AC&T’s most prolific player BJ Kocen and his Gobstoppers hold forth for another fine evening of collaboration with the likes of Jackie Frost, Tater Brad Tucker, George Garrett, Jim Wark and Chris Fuller.  The Gob stops here…again.

    The compelling Americana band Yarn, playing AC&T on March 2nd, comes highly recommended.

The night before has legendary Leon Russell playing the Hat Factory on the canal, and the night after, Thursday March 3rd, we’ve got America’s reigning old- time fiddler Bruce Molsky back at In Your Ear Studio A after a five-year absence.  Not too soon to reserve your seat at at the JAMinc website as it will surely sell out like it did last time.  Heck we can only put 80 chairs in there. 

Bluegrass patrons and players have a great chance to exercise their passion at Grandpa Eddie’s in the far West End on Saturday, the 26th during the 2nd annual day-long jam benefitting the Fisher House.  East of Afton and a host of other bands will hold down the stage for the 12-hour marathon but spontaneous participation is encouraged.  Here’s your chance to try out your chops on “Rocky Top” with the big boys.  Read more from today’s Times-Dispatch.

And here’s a save-the-date for Memorial Day weekend…the first Virginia Traditions & Tunes festival at the Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen.  Think of it as a warm-up for this fall’s Richmond Folk Festival, only featuring all Virginia artists and craftspeople.  A great musical lineup already including Wayne Henderson and the Dixie Bee Liners.  JAMinc’s a participating sponsor.

Oh, almost forgot, soulful Steve Bassett plays AC&T TONIGHT with a couple sets worth of his original tunes, including this one which is my favorite, along with that other Breezy thing he wrote with Robbin Thompson. What a great hook. 

What’s this?  Richmond’s perennial source for viable musical alternatives is now a weekly columnist for the Times-Dispatch?  True that.  Here are his introductory remarks.  Bopst will stir it up for sure.

Spring peepers are already out…can that be?

TT

(Yarn and Bruce Molsky photos from their websites)