Former Byrds leader Roger McGuinn billed this concert as a “one-man play” based on his 1996 CD Live From Mars, which features a collection of live recordings that chronicle his career up to the dissolution of the Byrds in 1972. McGuinn seldom strayed from the music and banter of the CD, frequently changing guitars and [...]

While the real world is tough on outsiders, they’ll always be welcomed in the land of thinking-person’s music. Toronto troubadour Ron Sexsmith has perfected the outside-looking-in perspective; stuck in my head is an image from “Pretty Little Cemetery” off his latest album, Other Songs. He and his son are sitting on a bus, watching the [...]

It was obvious from the start of Kim Richey’s half of this double bill that this would be a friendly, family affair. Richey and her band had been on this same stage only four months prior, opening for Junior Brown, and plainly had made some new fans. From the opening blasts of “Every River” and [...]

Although Santa Fe, N.M. is not renowned for having a thriving music scene, one weekend every August the town becomes the world capital of Native American music. In recent years, as an adjunct to the annual Indian Market (the biggest tourist draw of the year), there have been concerts featuring some of the biggest names [...]

Five years ago, Billy Dankert’s decision to exchange his life as a rock ‘n’ roll drummer for a higher education effectively ended the run of one of Minneapolis’ best bands, the Gear Daddies. But now, even as he follows the call of academia, an itch to perform remains.
From the moment Dankert strapped on his guitar, [...]

Perhaps it was the intoxicating effects of the laughing gas, or maybe the tour bus has carbon monoxide buildup, but Loretta Lynn seemed punchy, even recklessly zany at her second of two sold-out shows at the Little Nashville Opry. “My tooth broke off today and I put it in a box of Tic-Tacs until I [...]

At this juncture of Lucinda Williams’ career concerts afford not only a chance to hear her perform old favorites, but also the only chance to hear what she’s been up to since she released her last album five years ago. With a new disc delayed by her own insistence on re-recording material, and with her [...]

Here’s where it’s tough for a band — playing for a crowd numbering in the low 20s on a Wednesday night in Raleigh. To the Gourds’ everlasting credit, they didn’t do this show on automatic pilot. In fact, what could have been a disheartening evening turned out to be a darned fine experience.
Extensive touring in [...]

Some people claim that size doesn’t matter. If you’re talking about live music, however, audience size is usually considered a key factor. When Mike Ireland & Holler stepped onto the hallowed Schubas stage, there were 10 people in the crowd (not counting the club’s employees). Since its debut album (on Sub Pop) won’t be out [...]