Review - Feb 26th - Anya Marina, Jay Nash, Greg Laswell

There was so much music going on at The Evening Muse during this early show that its hard to keep straight in my mind who was doing what with whom! These three musicians on tour together is pure musical ecstasy, that's for darn sure! It's not often that three nationally recognized musicians get into the same schedule, but these three are friends from way back and it shows - not only in the ease with which they support each other but also in the friendly banter that only occurs between real friends.

Read on for the rest of the story & photos......

Cheers,

Monty

Saturday Night Lights! JoAnna Lynne, The Stellas, Last November, No Second Troy, Flagship

Overall this night was a definition in sensory overload - in a good way. All of the musicians that entertained us this evening had a distinctive sound within the defined boundaries of rock'n roll. It's this diversity that has kept three generations of music lovers rocking and I personally hope it stays that way. Keeping the music scene live, keeping the energy level high, keeping the rest of us guessing about what will come next around the bend.

JoAnna Lynne & Chidori

As is normal the night was split into two shows. First was an early show featuring an acoustic set by The Stellas with folk/indie singer-songwriter JoAnna Lynne. The abnormal part of the evening was that the usual transition of people did not occur between the early and late show crowd. The people and genre generally remained constant between the shows. It did get a little younger, but generally because the younger folks tend to come out later in the evening.

The Stellas

The late show continued a theme of high energy rock'n roll with Last November leading off followed by the Washington DC group No Second Troy. The closer of the night was Flagship, a hard driving group from Charlotte.

Last November

No Second Troy





Flagship

Click on the appropriate links to reviews and photographs of each group from the Early show as well as the Late show.


This was a really nice night of music at Charlotte's Evening Muse.



Cheers,



Monty

Sunshone Still

Chris Smith, the brainchild behind the alt/country sound of Sunshone Still, brought his unique sound and story to the Evening Muse Friday night the 13th of February. Supported by a group of guys including Flavio on Bass and an amazing add of Steel Guitar by Rodney, Lanier Sunshone Still played most of the songs from their debut album "Dead Letters" and about half of the tunes from "Ten Cent American Novels".

The uniqueness of this contemporary alt/country band cannot be understated and requires a little explaining to gain a full appreciation for what was heard Friday night at the Muse.

It starts with Chris Smith being from Columbia, SC - via Austin, TX - via Nashville, TN. It's that Austin component that influences the sound the most as the songs from "Dead Letters" were all written during Chris' tenure in the Texas music capital. It took three years for this debut album to come to fruition, but it gave Chris the confidence to undertake a rare musical task - writing a concept musical production chronicling the life of Kit Carson. This biography takes its form in the sophomore album titled "Ten Cent American Novels". As I listened to this nights performance I felt the quiet of a west Texas night in the Chisos mountains of the Chihuahuan desert.

Chris' amazing talents, storytelling ability in almost a whisper, performed perfectly by the band in the style of arrangement envisioned for this album allowed the listener to follow many of the stories with visions of the events.

Probably the best news of the night was Chris' recent discovery that he had "slipped one by the goalie" and will soon be a proud father! Reason for this talented musician to celebrate!

I truly hope you take the time to go out to the Sunshone Still MySpace page and/or website to have a listen to some of these tunes. I know you'll find them as amazing as I did.

Hit this link up to see some photos of the nights performance.

Here's the set list from the night:

1. A Pallet Of Buffalo Robes (Widows Blues) - Ten Cent American Novels


2. Roan Mountain - Dead Letters


3. Land of Tar & Cotton - Dead Letters


4. Fireflies - Dead Letters


5. Damn You California - Dead Letters


6. The Winning of Waa-Ni-Beh - Ten Cent American Novels


7. Barstool - Dead Letters


8. Saturdays In The Sky - Dead Letters


9. Blood and Thunder (Burn The Damn Thing) - Ten Cent American Novels


10. Black Weeds' Submission - Ten Cent American Novels


11. Klamath Lake (It was a Perfect Butchery) - Ten Cent American Novels
    

Cheers,

Monty

Lucy Kaplansky

New York City singer-songwriter Lucy Kaplansky graced the stage of Charlotte's Evening Muse Friday night, the 13th of Feb '09. Performing to a very full house, Lucy mixed her story-telling melodies to guitar as well as keyboards. Lucy reveled in stories of her daughter Molly as well as a few of her recently passed Father. She shared one his songs - entitled Pi - a cute mathematical number playing on the value of Pi as well as several other algebraic terms.

It was a pleasure listening to this intellectual (PhD in Psychology) serenade the audience with her diversity of self scribed indie tunes as well as well known numbers from other songwriters & well known singers. Sharing these songs of sweet beauty had members of the audience thanking Lucy for coming to our little house and allowing such an intimate interaction.

It was certainly a performance which will not soon be forgotten by the numerous fans present. Be sure to check out Lucy's website and her latest CD - Over The Hills (2007) Red House Records.

You can check out photos of her performance at this link.

Cheers,

Monty

Girls Guns & Glory - 02/10/09

WOW!! These guys are for REAL! Girls Guns & Glory may sound like the title of a Billy-The-Kid western remake, but its the nombre of a Boston band that rocks Americana style with the lyrics of a Roy Orbison and the sound of progressive country.

The groups lead singer and primary lyricist, Ward Hayden, has written some witty tunes that tell life's stories with smooth eloquent vocals - has hints of the Roy Orbison sound too! Colt Thompson shreds the lead guitar with crystal clarity providing exceptional rock'n sound when called upon and can also bring tears from his instrument when the country tunes call for a love song melody. The group is completed by bassist Bruce "IV" Beagley and John Graham on drums.

These guys are solid in their timing, experienced in entertaining the audience and full of confidence in their musical capabilities. They should be too. They've just released their fourth album - Inverted Valentine - which has reached No. 8 on the national AMA Chart and No. 2 on the Roots Music Report!!

Another charming aspect of these guys is the time they spent with the folks that came out to see them on this Tuesday night. They spent at least 45 minutes after the set just talking and having a beer with the 30 or so folks who hung around after the show. I hope everyone who wanted a CD was able to get one. I and the people around me all purchased one of each of the three they had with them. This was an easy decision after listening to them for the 100 minute set they performed.

Normally the Evening Muse is closed on Tuesday but I'm sure glad Lea and Joe booked these young lads in on this night. Wouldn't surprise me at all to see this band break out in 2009 - might be the last time I get to see them in a listening room from 10 feet away!

Here's a link to some photos from the great fun!!

Link to Girls, Guns & Glory MySpace page where you can hear a few tracks as well!

Cheers,

Monty

p.s. A special set of props to Laurie & Don for the heads up on this show!

Amy Speace & The Tearjerks

Thursday night I was once again able to enjoy the uplifting ballads and soft americana rock of Amy Speace and The Tearjerks.

The pure pleasure of listening to her in such a fine listening room environment as The Evening Muse kept all senses on overdrive! You feel personally attached as Amy shares stories ranging from her favorite beer to attempts at being creative in upstate New York shacks - sorry, Cabins. Amy has a lot of stories to tell..

With Manhattan as her front yard and Newark as her backyard, this city girl from a place just south of Fort Lee, NJ on the Hudson river creates her sound from what she hears in her head and what she experiences around her.

Amy's Americana/Folk/Indie sound is highlighted on her 2006 CD titled "Songs From Bright Street" and continues on her next CD "The Killer In Me", due out this spring.

Currently on tour, Amy will spend the next month or so in Tennessee and North Carolina before heading back north for the spring season. Keep an eye out for this singer-songwriter in the hopes she comes to a venue near you. You can preview her music on her MySpace page.

Here's a link to a few photos from Amy's performance.

Doug & Telisha Williams opened for Amy. Go here to view photos from their set.

Cheers,

Monty

Tosco House Party - Feb 2009

Providing a safe environment where musicians are encouraged to reach within themselves to explore their talents, given an opportunity to try new material on a live audience, afforded a platform to introduce themselves to a new city, or simply a box to stand on from which to showcase their individuality - all of this is embedded in the formula that is known as the Tosco House Party. It's been said over and over that you never know what you'll see the first Wednesday of each month as John Tosco welcomes these folks into his "living room" and this month was no exception.

Several folks joined the party for the first time. South Africa native Justin Taylor is an impressive singer/songwriter whom we were fortunate enough to hear sing a couple of different tunes. Carey Marshall also joined us for the first time at a THP night. Carey sang a beautiful ballad while caressing the ivories of the piano. Since she is newly relocated to Charlotte I hope we get to see her again real soon. And a first for me was seeing the extremely talented Ben Hernandez just tear it up on a harmonica while serenading us with his powerful voice.

Of course another benefit of the THP is being able to watch the young budding musicians of Charlotte continue to gain confidence and explore their talents. I continue to be impressed with the songwriting of Charlotte Parrot, a local high school sophomore. Isaac Strap of the band Moses Cherry reached way down deep to entertain us with a great rendition of a 1920's era blues tune - I didn't catch the name, but perhaps he can post a comment here to share it with us?? :-)

Another cool night at the Tosco House Party - its really comfortable in John's "living room" at the Evening Muse. First Wednesday of each month - hope to see you there.

Photos from the show can be seen here.

Cheers,

Monty