The Old Ceremony at Iota

The Old Ceremony,
Iota, Arlington, Virginia
Feb. 26

On their first date of a northbound tour to promote their newest album, Walk on Thin Air, The Old Ceremony played a masterful set at Iota. These guys represent what is funky and fresh about rock: they're a tight quintet with a dynamic vocalist, complemented by violin and keyboard/xylophone.

Incorporating elements of jazz and punk into their versatile sound, the Raleigh, NC-based band went through such catchy songs as "Papers in Order" and "Get to Love" from their previous album. And they played a handful of their sweet and sultry ballads, such as the jazzy "Reservations," from that same album. The new songs are a continuation of this same sound.

I must thank bassist Matt for spilling a beer on me at Zaytinya last year. Had it not been for that incident, I might never have discovered these guys. The band was running late to their gig at Rock and Roll Hotel, and I was running late to interview the manager of that club for a spotlight story for On Tap. Realizing we were going to the same place, they gave me a ride to the club. Due to the interview, I missed their set that night and finally got to seem them live last night. It was an outstanding show!

Summer Preview: A Ballpark Hit

Billy Joel and Elton John, July 11
at Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.

It’s official: Nationals Park will play host to its first concert this summer. On July 11, piano rockers Billy Joel and Elton John will share the field for a co-bill. The two musical buddies started touring together back in 1994 and have repeatedly performed together over the years.

I missed that first tour in 1994, as I had spent that summer studying in Russia. But I caught them some eight years later at what was then the MCI Center in Washington. The Rocket Man and Piano Man each performed a set, each sang a couple of the other’s songs, and they did a couple of duets. I remember Joel joking how Elton John had looked through his concert wardrobe and saw nothing but black suits, so John took one of his own brightly colored ties, cut it in half, and stuck it on Joel’s lapel. “We need to give you a splash of color,” John had told Joel.

Joel’s and John’s mutual respect and friendship bring out memorable performances and some levity, but don’t expect too many surprises. I’d love to be proven wrong here. Their joint show tends to be an evening of greatest hits with a couple of duets mixed in. For me, I’m quite happy with John’s greatest hits. Bring on the “Crocodile Rock.” But for Joel, I thrive on the rarities.

Joel’s solo shows in recent years have followed a standard set list with one or two rare gems thrown in. I’ve attended numerous Joel shows in recent years hoping for the unexpected, and I’ve been happily surprised several times. He tossed in “Sleeping With the Television On,” and “Stiletto” in Boston a few years back; and “Everybody Loves You Now” from Cold Spring Harbor has become a live standard of late. And my friend called earlier this month from a recent show in Florida to say Joel pulled out “Travelin’ Prayer.” That’s about as deep a track as a longtime fan could hope for.

The July 11 show is reported to follow a similar format to their previous tours together. It’s definitely a don’t-miss show. Longtime Billy and Elton fans will enjoy singing along to their hits and watching their interaction, and perhaps a surprise or two will work its way into this show.

Jason Mraz, Ben Folds Play GW's Smith Center

Two talented singer-songwriters played full sets on a co-bill at the George Washington University on Friday night. Ben Folds and Jason Mraz rocked the small arena, both focusing on newer material.

Unfortunate for Ben Folds, the crowd was chatty and quite impatient as he rolled through much of his newest material, and he admitted late in the set he realized many folks there probably never heard of him before.

But two new songs fully captured the crowd’s attention: one was a fictitious rollicking song about a Republican lawyer whose liberal date got coked up at a Christmas party and ruined his chance of making partner, called “Bitch Went Nuts." The other song, which can also be found on his 2008 album, and third solo effort, Way to Normal, was “Free Coffee,” in which Folds places two Altoids cans inside the piano, on the strings, and uses a distortion pedal to create a synthesizer-harpsichord sound. About midway through the set, the crowd was rapt and gave him the respect he deserves.

Whatever Folds performs, he does it with such gusto, singing his sardonic lyrics and unleashing his anguish on the piano. Still, longtime fans want to hear the old stuff, including songs from his former trio known as Ben Folds Five. Surprisingly, he didn’t play anything from his debut Five album. No “Underground.” No “Philosophy.” But he gave fans a few familiar tunes, including “Landed,” and “Rockin’ The Suburbs” as well as a couple from “the Five,” notably “Army” and perhaps his best-known ballad, the heart-wrenching “Brick.”

Next up, Jason Mraz and his band emerged to thunderous applause and screams. The crowd was continually energized by Mraz repeatedly referencing and thanking GW for hosting him, though much less enthused whenever he brought up it being the eve of Valentine’s Day. He told the guys who groaned not to worry about buying anything, that the girl is just happy if you show up.

Backed by a tight band that includes the dynamic percussionist Toca and ahorn section that did choreographed sways and individually showed their chops during a couple of solos, Mraz puts on an engaging show. Blending rock, reggae, funk, and jazz, this fusion is complemented by his sweet vocals that at times soar beautifully into the uppermost range.

Mraz wasted no time launching into his debut album hit “Remedy,” the second song of his set, and the crowd was up and hopping. During the final chorus, he had the ladies singing the chorus, “I won’t worry my life away, ay ay…” and had the guys simultaneously singing the chorus to Oasis “Wonderwall.” It worked well.

Mraz’s biggest ovation came during his latest hit, “I’m Yours” from his latest album, We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things. When he emerged for the encore, Mraz cleverly said, “Today is Friday the 13^th, and Jason is back.”

Jayhawks Frontmen Play the Birchmere

Gary Louris and Mark Olson, the Birchmere, Alexandria Virginia
February 12

Jayhawks frontmen Gary Louris and Mark Olson are still making music together. It's a natural fit. Their vocal harmonies are flawless, a little reminiscent of Simon and Garfunkel. The folk-rock duo got a fantastic reception at their Birchmere show, as they played songs from their latest cd, Ready for the Flood, and a host of Jayhawks songs.

Hello Dolly!

February 11

As spunky as ever, country music star and philanthropist Dolly Parton speaks at the National Press Club about her music career, her Imagination Library, her connection with Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the Broadway musical 9 to 5 set to open this spring.

Responding to a question about her favorite artists, Dolly admitted she doesn’t have much time to listen to others’ music because she is so busy. Dolly, the musician, had been busy working on her latest mainstream country album, Backwoods Barbie, released last year. And, her hit movie “9 to 5” has become the inspiration for a Broadway musical set to open this spring. She said the script is witty and holds true to its time period, the 80s, as do the costumes.

Speaking of wardrobe, she joked about getting chided, sometimes even called “trashy,” over the years for her glitzy wardrobe. “It’s a country girl’s idea of glam,” she said, also a line from the title track of that album.

Yet another musical project, Dolly also is set to release an eight-song album, Sha-Kon-O-Hey, Land of Blue Smoke, celebrating the heritage and people of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Dolly has been named spokeswoman for the park as it celebrates its 75^th anniversary. In honor of this milestone, she's donating all proceeds of this album’s sales for the first year to benefit the park.

“The Smokies are a part of my DNA,” Dolly said, having grown up by the foothills of the park. It’s still free, she said, and in this day and age, “free is good, isn’t it?” Great Smoky happens to be the most visited U.S. national park, she boasted, with some 10 million visitors per year. Sha-Kon-O-Hey is also about to become a musical, to be performed at her Dollywood theme park in Nashville beginning this spring.

Dolly, the philanthropist, has also been busy being “The Book Lady,” a title in which she takes great pride. A small project she started in Tennessee, the Imagination Library, which sends one book a month to kids from birth until age 5, has expanded to 1,000 communities in three countries. The program has mailed some 20 million books to date.

Dolly grew up one of 12 children. Her dad could not read or write but had a strong work ethic, and her mom endowed her with creativity. Dolly, the author, has a children’s book coming out in June, titled, I Am a Rainbow.

While Dolly has written thousands of songs throughout her career, she admitted her favorite is one called, “Coat of Many Colors.” The lyrics tell of a raggedy coat her mother had made. Little Dolly would come home upset that kids had made fun of the coat and that she was poor. Her mother then told her the biblical story of Joseph and the colorful coat to give her pride. Dolly said her mother told her they had love; kindness, and understanding, things that money can’t buy. “That song represents family, my own philosophy, and will always be dearest to my heart,” she said. Asked if her songwriting has evolved over the years, she said, “I always write my songs from the same place,” staying true to her roots.

She spoke at length about getting her start on the Porter Wagoner show in the mid-60s. Dolly told him she’d stay for five years or so and then had plans to go off on her own. Although they wound up lifelong friends, Wagoner sued her at the time for leaving the show. She then sat down and wrote, in just a couple hours, a song based on caring deeply for him but having to leave. That song was “I Will Always Love You,” her first hit, and one much later popularized by Whitney Houston. When she sang it to him, he told her she could leave provided he could produce that song.

When asked her most surprising hit, she cited “Here You Come Again,” released in 1977, coming off the heels of her leaving Wagoner’s show. “Everybody said it was a big mistake to leave the show, but then [the song] sold a million copies right away.”

Dolly said she would like to be remembered as someone who did what she wanted to do, followed her dreams, and that she didn’t keep it all for herself. “I’ve enjoyed giving back and I want people to think of me as someone who did care and did try.”

The first book her Imagination Library gives to kids is The Little Engine that Could, a book she fondly remembers for its positive message that if we believe in ourselves, we can accomplish anything. She is living proof of that. She said, “I’m the little engine that did!”

Brett Dennen Charms the Sold-Out Crowd at the State Theatre

Brett Dennen
State Theatre, Falls Church, VA
Feb 6

This up-and-coming singer-songwriter impressed the sold-out crowd at State Theatre with his smoky-smooth vocals, a cross between Paolo Nutini and Teitur. Some have drawn comparisons to a young Bob Dylan. This California boy has a bright career ahead. He's touring to support his chart-topping album, Hope for the Hopeless. His single "Make You Crazy" is an infectious ditty that features Afrobeat musician Femi Kuti.

Much of his repertoire is mellow, blending alt-indie rock and jazz. He stepped up toward the encore with a beat that had the crowd clapping and dancing all over the room.

Definitely one to watch...

Three Gals and Their Buddy at the Birchmere

Patty Griffin, Emmylou Harris, Shawn Colvin, and Buddy Miller
Feb. 4, the Birchmere, Alexandria, Virginia

Four veteran musicians who have worked together on the road, and who just plain really like each other, came together to play the Birchmere for two nights to open their tour. Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin, Shawn Colvin, and Buddy Miller have titled this tour, "Three Girls and a Buddy tour," though Miller will take a hiatus to perform at the Grammys this weekend with Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, who he toured with last year.

The four remained seated for the two-hour show, taking turns singing their own songs, each other's songs, and a few covers--often harmonizing and collaborating on guitars and percussion--and telling stories. Two beautiful covers they harmonized on together were the BeeGees ballad, "To Love Somebody," led by Miller, and the Beatles' "I'll Be Back," led by Colvin.

It was a lovely, intimate evening.

Check out Dave's blog for more impressions of the show.


Set List:
ELH - Jupiter Rising
PG - If I Had My Way, I’d Tear This Building Down (Blind Willie Johnson)
SC - Trouble
BM - Does My Ring Burn Your Finger
ELH - Strong Hand (Just One Miracle)
PG - Our Love is a Dud
SC - I’ll Be Back (Beatles) - with PG and ELH harmonizing
BM - To Love Somebody (Barry and Robin Gibb)
ELH - My Antonia - with BM
PG - I Want to be With You Always (Lefty Frizzell)
SC - Summer Dress
BM - Poison Love (Mrs Elmer Laird)
ELH - Moon Song (Patty Griffin)
PG - Not a Bad Man
SC - Witchita Skyline
BM - Shelter Me
ELH - This is to Mother You (Sinead O’Connor) w/ PG and SC
PG - When it Don’t Come Easy
SC - Venetian Blue
BM - Written in Chalk w/ PG taking Julie Miller’s (Buddy’s wife’s) part
ELH - Boulder to Birmingham

Encore
All - To Know Him is to Love Him (Phil Spector)
All - Mary (Patty Griffin)

Andrew Bird: A Unique Soul

Andrew Bird, the 9:30 Club, February 3

Playing a nearly two-hour set, the multi-talented, classically trained violinist Andrew Bird, also apparently a professional whistler, mesmerized a packed house at the 9:30 Club. He played violin; he plucked the violin; he sang; he played guitar; he whistled, and he kept things interesting with a lot of creative looping.

Longtime Bird fan Orr Shtuhl enjoyed the show and was most excited to hear one of his favorites,"Why?" off The Swimming Hour. The song was one of the only older songs he played other than "Privateer," a new song that Bird reworked from an earlier song, "The Confession."

Set List:
(courtesy of NPR's "All Things Considered" where you can listen to a podcast of this show)

Instrumental from Soldier On EP
Water Jet Cliche
Masterswarm
Oh No
Effigy
Natural Disaster
Tenuousness
Nomenclature
Not A Robot, But A Ghost
Privateers (formerly The Confession)
Plasticities
Anonanimal
Fitz and the Dizzyspells
Imitosis
Souverian

Encore:
Why?
Tables and Chairs

The Pretenders Are Still Rockin'

The Pretenders, 9:30 Club, February 2