Category Concert Reviews
James McCartney @ The Bluebird Cafe / Nashville TN / June 11, 2013
I would have gone to see James McCartney at the Bluebird even if his famous father wasn’t playing Bonnaroo just three nights later. I’ll admit that I hoped Macca might find Nashville’s famed venue to be the perfect place to see his 35-year old, only son perform. He didn’t. Rare for the Bluebird, advance tickets […]
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit @ Grimeys New & Preloved Music / Nashville TN / June 11, 2013
Just carry yourself back to me unspoiled From across that lonesome ocean Bob Dylan From “Boots of Spanish Leather” These classic Dylan lines are tattooed across Jason Isbell’s left forearm, perhaps a reminder of his new-found sobriety. His much anticipated and highly acclaimed new record, Southeastern, epically documents the torment and drama that he has […]
Hall & Oates @ Ryman Auditorium / Nashville TN / June 2, 2013
It’s hard to believe that it has been 38-years since I first saw Daryl Hall and John Oates perform. Well before their MTV-fueled era of superstardom, they were well known locally thanks to free-form radio. That first time they were merely an opening act for Leo Sayer at New York City’s intimate Bottom Line. I […]
Those Darlins @ East Park / Nashville TN / May 25, 2013
Nashville is a great town for free outdoor concerts, and the new East Side Hootenanny event is the latest to join the mix. I was quite excited to see the recent show there by Nashville’s own, Those Darlins. It turned out to be a lovely spring day, and I arrived late afternoon to an East […]
Ellie Goulding @ Ryman Auditorium / Nashville TN / May 20, 2013
I am usually willing to see a new artist in concert even though I may be more familiar with their name than their music. These days thanks to Spotify, I can first sample their completed works without even having to open my wallet. Such was the case recently for the Ryman show by British electronic […]
The Avett Brothers @ Bridgestone Arena / Nashville TN / May 18, 2013
Even though they had already played the Bridgestone Arena to a packed house back in October 2011, it is still quite surprising to me that North Carolina’s Avett Brothers have a big enough local fan base to play a venue this size. The sold-out audience of about 15,000 fans filled the place. (The upper nose-bleed […]
Rodriguez @ Ryman Auditorium / Nashville TN / May 13, 2013
Hearing 40-year old songs performed from the Ryman stage is not in itself unusual. However, hearing songs that have been pretty much kept from American audiences for that long is another story. Such a story is the tale of Sixto Rodriguez. His tale was recently brought to light in the brilliant, 2012 Academy Award winning […]
Josh Rouse @ Grimey’s New and Preloved Music (April 20, 2013) and Third & Lindsley (April 21, 2013) / Nashville TN
I once said to Josh Rouse “You are my favorite artist younger than me.” Despite a string of recent records that weren’t totally to my liking, his latest LP, The Happiness Waltz, and his recent live Nashville appearances have reaffirmed the truth of that statement. The native Nebraskan, currently living in Spain, returned to his […]
Billy Bragg @ The Belcourt Theatre / Nashville TN / April 17, 2013
The other night I went to hear a political dissertation, and a concert broke out. That is one way to describe a Billy Bragg show, but it certainly would pay a disservice to his splendid musical talents. Mr. Bragg’s politics are no secret. His views are so far left he makes Steve Earle seem like […]
Richard Thompson Electric Trio @ Third and Lindsley / Nashville TN / April 6, 2013
I have always had great respect for the talents of Richard Thompson; however, it has been difficult for me to fully relate to this venerable British folk singer-songwriter and guitarist. His songs seemed to come from another culture. His overall sound was simply too dark and brooding for my taste. Nonetheless, his reputation amongst the […]
Music City Mike 