Jam On

In the spirit of the jam bands, this playlist will last for ever!  When you think of "Jam Bands", one most likely to come to mind is The Grateful Dead.  Probably, the most successful jam band in history.  I'm not a deadhead, but have met a few in my travels.  Once Jerry passed on, there was quite a void for many die hard fans.  Where could they go and drop acid with thousands of their closest friends?  The days of Grateful Dead concerts are gone, but through the years, a few bands have stepped up to the plate to continue the tradition of getting on stage and jamming to were ever the music and crowd takes them.

Some of the more known jam bands that have carried on the tradition are The Allman Brothers Band, Phish, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, The Marshall Tucker Band, Derek and the Dominos, The Black Crows, Blues Traveler, Widespread Panic, and of course... Dave Matthews Band.  As you can see by the list, just because you are a "Jam Band", doesn't mean you play similar music as all the other Jam Bands.

With the popularity and rise of more and more Music Festivals, there's now another consistent platform (other than college towns), for jam bands to live on!  Some of today's jam bands you may not have heard of are Lettuce, STS9, Perpetual Groove, Umphrey's McGee, K-Dub, The John Bulter Trio, Gov't Mule, Yonder Mountain String Band.  There are many more!  This playlist is mainly loaded with the less known Jam Band's of today, but I added a few jam "standards", because there just to damn good not to include.  One word of caution.  You may find yourself saying, "this song is really good", or "how did this crap get on the playlist"!  As long as you give the song a chance, don't feel guilty if you hit the "next" button:)

So find you're favorite chair, "smok'm if you got em", hug your speaker, and give a listen!

https://open.spotify.com/user/1281390552/playlist/5mz7Ae34pxBXrqaQ7MTE5z

But wait, there's more.  Below is my second "that's what I was thinking of" playlist is linked below.  The second week of music artist I texted out to my sisters were The Civil Wars, Alabama Shakes, and St. Paul & The Broken Bones.  If you see St. Paul & The Broken Bones in concert, you will have a new appreciation for there music.

https://open.spotify.com/user/1281390552/playlist/6r5cPfWirkw6MN7VtH1kCC

But wait, there's even more!  I've been filled with guilt after sending out the "Old is New" playlist.  Okay... not too guilty, after all, it was several weeks ago.  There are two other artist who deserve to be included in the playlist.  Early June, Paul Simon released is newest work.  This guy has been in the business for over 50 years!  I listened to the album, but just wasn't in the mood.  The second time around, I got it!  Paul got my attention in the late 80's with his release of Graceland.  You know the fresh new collaboration sound Mumford and Sons just released with African artist Baaba Maal?  Paul was doing stuff like that over 20 years ago.  The latest album, Mr. Simon collaborated with an Italian EDM artist.  Give it a go!

My other addition to the "Old is New" playlist is someone who unfortunately is no longer with us.  One of the most unique, innovative, genuine artist of my generation.  Even with a terminal illness, which he decided to battle privately with wife by his side, David was making music.  His latest album was released on his 69th birthday (January 8th).  Several songs were digitally released in December and as with his previous works, as soon as they were available critics and fans were attempting to figure out the meaning.  Two days after the full album was released, it became clear.  The first line in "Lazarus" is "Look up here, I'm in heaven".  David Bowie past away on January the 10th.  Your music lives on!

https://open.spotify.com/user/1281390552/playlist/38UbCSrDoKnlKv3BVAKG8A

Roaming in the Music

So I was thinking this week would be all about newer artist getting back to some blues rock roots, but then there was so many other good new music out there, I just couldn't keep on track.  So then, I figured to just go with it.  Let the musical ADHD take over and see what happens today!  Jeannie and I worked out in the yard most of the day, still trying to recover from our failed attempt at having a landscaper come to the house a few months ago.  While slaving away in the FL sun, figured a little Barns Courtney would be good motivation.  Barns is a great new artist, but doesn't have much music on Spotify.  The reason he doesn't have much music on Spotify is he just doesn't have much music anywhere!  I'm sure there will be more from him soon.

So bag the Barns, and move on to someone else new.  Firekid should do it.  Jeannie and I just happened to see him in Nashville opening for Boy & Bear the first time they played in the states.  Firekid, good, but not what I was looking for.  How about The Strumbellas... they're a new, interesting sound.  B0RN's pretty good... need to add a few of their songs.

Taking a "storm blowing through" break from yard work.  What about getting back to "blues rock roots" idea?  You can't get any better than Joe Bonamassa!  Joe's good, but what ever happened to the blues kid who released "Lie to Me" when he was 15 years old?  Crap, Johnny Lang is 35 now!  Okay, back to Joe.  You can't play Joe without getting Beth Hart into the act.  They've been making music together for years.  Isn't that young English kid, Jake Bugg, bluesy?  Good, but let's move on.

The Record Company.  Their first album was a real DIY project.  Everything was set up in the bass players house, and they hit the record button.  Worked out well for them!  Taking a left turn now.  Next is a band that's been around since the late 80's.  Someone told me about them when I was at "Rush's 40 Anniversary" tour.  Yes, I'm still and Rush fan, and yes, they have been playing music for over 40 years now!  One "Porcupine Tree" song in here just in case Shane's listens to this weeks playlist.  They are one of those "How did we miss them" bands.  If you like the song, I highly recommend listing to the whole "In Absentia" album.  It won't be the last time you listen.

Another storm running through... get to take another break from yard work.  Back to the sort of "Blues Rock" theme.  X Ambassadors have been making their mark lately.  They were recently down in FL at the Okeechobee Music Festival.  Another good live act.  Speaking of live acts, Lucinda Williams is top notch!  Another artist that's been playing for over 40 years.  Only decided to put one of her songs in the playlist.  If you like, check her out.  One of the most unique funky vocal styles that will grow on you... if you give her a chance.  Little more Firekid?  How about someone from the 70's still making music?

Done with yard work for the day.  Back to the new artist.  Tom Odell is Englishman that's the same age as Harrison.  Released his first album 4 years ago.  Good stuff.

To stay true to my ADHD music theme this week, wait, was I still trying to keep a blues rock theme?  Whatever!  The last artist on the list is because I put a "Roadkill Ghost Choir" t-shirt on after cleaning up from the yard work today.  Figured, why not add a few more to round it out to 30 songs.

https://open.spotify.com/user/1281390552/playlist/1L6dLQljOPNRoqD5d4lb0l

Enjoy the music!

Bowen Island Rich in Music

Anyone wondering if there was going to be a blog during Jeannie's and my vacation?  While in Seattle, I was tempted to explore what the city had to offer... post the 90's grunge rock era!   But, then there was a rain forest to wander, a sea to splash around, beer to drink, fireworks to see, and a cool city to explore.  No time to get into the music culture.  But that's okay, little did I know what treats lay ahead on a little island west of Vancouver, BC.

Within a few minutes after getting to our Airbnb house on Bowen Island, we both realized this was a home built with a foundation of music.  So many instruments all around, pictures of concerts, recording equipment, I just had to find out more.  By the pictures downstairs, there was a handful of albums.  The Pied Pumpkins, Shari Ulrich, The Hometown Band... wait, what was the name of the person that we rented this house from?  Sharon Ulrich was the owner.  She was the music connection!  Off to Wikipedia I go.

So way back when (late 70's) while I was just starting to rock out to a Canadian band from the other side of the country (who would end up being one of my all time favorite bands), this young lady was making some fine music rooted in bluegrass.  In 1982, Shari received a JUNO award (that's Canada's Grammy Award equivalent) for "Most Promising Female Vocalist of the Year".  Did she fad away?  No!  Her latest album was released two years ago.  Her and two other artist (known as BTU), just released an album this year.  Turns out, her daughter Julia edited, produced and did the artwork for the new album.  A music family indeed!

So was that the only music coming out of Bowen Island?  Turns out there's a few folks around this island making music.  Bluegrass, Folk, Jazz/Blues, Country, EDM, stuff you really can't classify clearly, all represented here.  Off to Spotify I go!

Sure you say, There's not going to be much music from Bowen Island on Spotify.  Well, there's more than I was expecting!  There were a few artist, like Roger Arndt, Pauline Le Bel, and David Graff that didn't have a voice on Spotify.  But I did find Buff Allen (Jazz percussionist), Christie Grace (Jazz/Blues singer), Corbin Keep (wild cellist), Julie Vik (not sure yet), Black Molly (EDM), and the one who started me down this road, Shari Ulrich.  So sit back and enjoy the music from Bowen Island,  One listener alert, there's several more songs with Shari than the other artist.  Why? maybe because it was her house we stayed in, maybe because she's got a great voice maybe because she's was so nice when we meet her, maybe because its all of the above!

https://open.spotify.com/user/1281390552/playlist/3PHbFwRMj6ktGVRwu46S1w

Enjoy the music,

Craig