Making it count…

In trying to get my head around what our town’s musical landscape will be without Page Wilson around, I came across the above photo of a gathering of musical compadres taken at the Moondance Saloon in Shockoe Bottom in November of 1998.  We all looked and were a little younger of course, and three friends pictured are no longer available for such spontaneous sessions of music making.  Jerry Mullins, Joe Sheets, and now Page.  We survivors are now more obligated than ever to keep that flame alive…that torch of friendship and common bonds that are the true stuff of life.   Those of us who get to hang around people like Page Wilson, whose passion for making and sharing his purebred American mongrel music was tireless, must redouble our efforts to keep the flame burning.  To practice hard, to support those who make a living enriching our lives with their artistry and to lend a hand to those who are struggling.  Page would often say with pride that he’d spent thirty-some years making a living off of music…as a singer, songwriter, band leader and radio host.  Sadly his declining health took away his ability to keep his long string of successes going.  But before he was forced off the road and off the air, he accomplished so much…go find a copy of his 1983 album Road Tired, Wired and Ready and listen to a uniquely powerful voice rendering well-crafted original songs.  Remember his generous spirit inviting the likes of Terry Garland, Susan Greenbaum and the Jackie Frost Ensemble to join him and his band Reckless Abandon in concert with the Richmond Symphony.  Look back longingly on those countless Saturday nights in Page’s make believe kitchen deep in the Chickahominy Swamp where all manner of roving musicians would gather around the table to chow down, chew the fat, and share tasty homemade tunes on the radio. Page understood the power of imagination and from his shack in the swamp, would preach the gospel of music.  His congregation was large and loyal, and as a long-time member, I’ll be forever grateful for having had a seat on the front porch.  Richmond’s roots music champion has been silenced but his mark is indelible.  And his pain is over.  Rest well Page.

Barnum & Bailey…not!

Whether you were a knowing fan or an innocent who stumbled unsuspecting into the Jepson Theater at UofR this past weekend for one of the dazzling performances by the French Canadian troupe Cirque Eloize, it was surely time very well spent…I’d never seen anything like it.  Such boundless energy, athleticism and choreography with dramatic staging, sound and lights.  It was a circus-sans-animals screaming into the new millennium with all its street sensibility and savvy.  Granted this is another less-then-musical journal entry but the throbbing and sinewy soundtrack was a huge part of this stunning night of balancing, juggling, in-line skating, bike tricks, aerial bravado and the most imaginative trampolining one could imagine.  Sorry if you missed it, but if the chance ever repeats here or anywhere, soak it in.  It’s show business at its powerful and engaging best.

Those who remember the successful folk string band Trapezoid led by Paul Reisler back in the seventies may well want to head down to Richmond CenterStage’s Rhythm Hall this coming Friday as Paul makes it very clear what he’s up to these days with his group A Thousand Questions playing a benefit for the national in-school songwriting initiative Kid Pan Alley.  Paul’s bandmates on this night will be harmonica phenom Howard Levy (now reunited with the original Flecktones), perennial Grisman henchman Joe Craven and gifted singer/songwriter and past JAMinc/In Your Ear guest Amy Speace…a potent lineup promising a memorable evening with proceeds going to Paul’s brilliant labor of love described in this compelling video.  Tickets here.

Empowering our kids with self-made music

 

Another benefit this Friday finds former John Denver and New Kingston Trio banjo man and composer of “Grandma’s Feather Bed” Jim Connor at Goochland High School helping raise money for the music department out there.  Tickets are just seven bucks and available here.

And as a third option, for those feeling really cheap and selfish, you can look in on those inbreds from Limber, West Virginia playing the Ironhorse in Ashland.  That’s right, Big Red, Harry, Slim, Rusty and Tiny Johnson are back in a big way as the Big Boss Combo…with no cover!  A serious bluegrass bargain, even if mysterious cousin Bentley doesn’t ever show up again.

 

All of us with JAMinc and In Your Ear Recording were tickled to hear that our first compilation CD of Studio A concerts is a finalist for this year’s Independent Music Awards.  Read all about it and even vote for it here.  Better still, buy yourself a copy via CDBaby at our JAMinc website or download it at In Your Ear’s website.  All proceeds benefit JAMinc’s school outreach programs…winners announced on March 29th.

 

Full disclosure up front:  the one on the right is daughter Emily, who’s had the good fortune over the past few years to be included in an enriching musical enterprise that’s now evolved into the group East of Monroe.  Richard Ward, Gary Ferguson, Jackie Frost and Billy Budd along with our dear departed friend Dave Giegerich have been faithfully and carefully woodshedding despite the inconvenience of homes spread from Baltimore to Fredericksburg to Urbanna to Richmond.  Because of that and the challenges of Dave’s extended illness, the band has yet to perform in public, save for their moving rendition of “Go Rest High On That Mountain” at his memorial service.  But now it’s time to pay tribute to their missing bandmate and try out all those songs they’ve been so lovingly fine-tuning all these many months for a real audience.  The venue for EOM’s debut is fittingly Ashland Coffee & Tea on Saturday, March 19th.  I’ll be packing a handkerchief.

 

I just went back and watched a TiVoed Austin City Limits performance by Sam and Sarah Beam and their tasteful band, collectively known as Iron and Wine.  This is thoughtful, lyric-driven music with Sarah’s ethereal harmony supporting Sam’s lead and the combination has been wildly successful.  Heck, they’re playing Bonnaroo this year.  Cool thing is, they’re also playing the National on April 27th.  Cooler still is the band that created all that buzz at FloydFest last year The Low Anthem is opening.  And the coolest thing of all is that I have a pair of free tickets to the tenth one of you to email me at mail@timtimberlake.com and say “I’m in.”  Perhaps you will be.  And MerleFest along with my 33rd year of wedded bliss start the very next day.  Life is good.

 

It might be a good time to start some ‘save the date’ entries in your calendars as the Friday Cheers lineup’s just been announced with notables like Sharon Jones & the Dap- Kings, Yonder Mountain String Band and the David Grisman Sextet headed to Brown’s Island.  Some will squirm about the price of admission which is a little higher than the two bucks charged last season, but given the quality of the lineup, it’s still a steal and you can get a season pass for just $35.  A big deal.

Another split season of Groovin’ in the Garden is being firmed up and like last season, May’s concerts are set at Lewis Ginter and June’s at Maymont for eight or nine consecutive Thursdays.  Can’t name names yet but you’ll be very interested…promise.

 

A couple of eagerly anticipated albums are due out soon:  another collection of originals from the multi-faceted Steve Martin and his solid road band the Steep Canyon Rangers.  It’s called Rare Bird Alert dropping March 15th.  Click here to download the title track.  While you listen, spend some time exploring his very entertaining website.

And after her extended hiatus to run with Robert Plant, Alison Krauss has regathered her stellar band Union Station and is about to deliver what promises to be a worth-waiting-for collection called Paper Airplane.  Release date-April 12th.  You can download that title track here.  Pure vintage AKUS.  We’ve missed you guys.

River’s up and so am I.  Hope springs eternal…TT

(This time, all illustrations except for East of Monroe photos are from artist websites.  JAMinc compilation cover art by Jay Bohannan)