The Good Times Rolled at Jazz Fest

Jazz & Heritage Festival
New Orleans, Louisiana
Story coming soon.


photos:
1. parade
2. Henry Butler at Snug Harbor
3. Walter Wolfman Washington at Preservation Hall

Barrage Dazzles the Crowd at Wolf Trap

Barrage, The Barns at Wolf Trap, April 17

The fiddling sensation Barrage came to the Barns at Wolf Trap for two nights last week to dazzle audiences with their music and dance. Five violinists accompanied by a three-piece rhythm section played two full sets in support of their latest disc, High Strung.

The high-energy musical fusion the band plays is extraordinary. They covered an impressive array of genres: Celtic, Cajun, bluegrass, klezmer, pop, disco, swing, and traditional songs from France and Ukraine. The sold-out crowd could barely sit still through "Sing, Sing, Sing," and that’s fine because band members asked for the audience to let loose and many clapped and cheered.

From interpretations of Ravel’s "Bolero" to the Beatles "Elanor Rigby," the band showed off their original arrangements. The vocals were a bit muffled in the mix but the bulk of the show was instrumental and it never detracted from the show.

Band members came from Canada, Germany, and the United States. The band originated in Calgary, Canada and the cast rotates during the year based on an intensive competition. This configuration of Barrage thoroughly entertained.

ACL Wish List

Updated April 29

The best bits of music festivals are usually the smaller acts speckled throughout the day but it's still nice to be excited about a headliner or two.

This is why my heart sank at rumors of the Austin City Limits fest, October 2 - 4, this year:
Pearl Jam, Kings of Leon, Dave Matthews Band and Ghostland Observatory. Should these be the headliners, (other than Kings of Leon who have become a pretty decent rock band), I will either
1. Take an evening swim in Barton Springs.
2. Be the happy Jew dancing around the gospel tent.
3. Leave early for a nap, shower, and some ribs.

Only one act on the below wish list came true: Arctic Monkeys. I am quite happy about two headliners: John Legend and Levon Helm. And there are quite a few fantastic daytime acts, including a good representation of New Orleans stuff:
Henry Butler (pictured here); Preservation Hall; Walter Wolfman Washington; Papa Mali; Marva Wright; Rebirth Brass.

And among the other confirmed acts I'm excited about:

Andrew Bird

Lily Allen

Flogging Molly

Decemberists

Black Joe Lewis

!!! ("chk chk chk")
Brett Dennen
David Garza
Medeski, Martin & Wood
Devotchka

The ClubD ACL Wish List (written before the lineup was announced):

Los Lonely Boys (aren't the Garza brothers from Texas?)
Pete Yorn (new album coming out, opening for Coldplay some dates this summer)
Jason Mraz (he's a ball o' joyful fun)
The National (American bands who sound British get high marks in my book)
Gogol Bordello (bring 'em back!)
Ray Lamontagne (a voice that pierces the soul)
Springsteen (how much fun would that be?!)
Bela Fleck (still have not seen him but hear great things)
Neko Case (bring her back!)

and on the UK and Ireland front:
Franz Ferdinand: These Scottish boys create a veritable dancing frenzy at their shows.
Muse (they're opening for U2 this spring. Anything is possible)
Arctic Monkeys (the lead singer kid is pretty damn awesome)
U2 (doubtful--as they are around VA and PA then)
Keane: the new stuff is really good.
Bloc Party (Just missed 'em here so that'd be a nice treat)