We’re very happy to be returning to the Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion in Bristol TN/VA for the third year in a row. We love the town, the festival, and the people so much that we even wrote a song about it. We’re playing two shows this year (sponsored by our friends at Blowfish Emporium):
O’Mainnins – 11:59 pm, September 18th
Dance Tent – 2:15 pm, September 19th
Hope to see you there!
Hi folks, I’ll be playing a solo acoustic show at Rockwood Music Hall on Saturday, July 24th, 5pm. This is the first solo show I’ve played in a long time and it will give me a chance to play some songs that I don’t play with the band. I might even convince my wife, Ginny, to sing some songs with me. Also look out for other special guests. Hope to see you there!
Grant
Come on out to our record release show next Thursday, May 20th, at Rockwood Music Hall on the big stage! We go on at 11, we’re playing an hour set, and there’s no cover. They just added the new, larger stage next door to the old stage, and everyone says it’s a great room with killer sound, so we’re really looking forward to it. Hope you can make it!
Also, we’re playing at the Taste Williamsburg Greenpoint benefit this Sunday, May 16th, on an outdoor stage between Berry and Wythe on North 11th. 1pm. Come out and enjoy the music and some delicious food!
We’re thrilled to be playing at the Taste Williamsburg Greenpoint Benefit next Sunday, May 16. Come hear us play on an outdoor stage on North 11th Street (between Berry and Wythe) while sampling the wares of some of the best restaurants in the Burg. Can you think of anything better to do on a Sunday in May than eat delicious food and listen to the MPs? We sure can’t…
Here’s the event website: http://www.tastewg.com/
And for tickets, go to: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/101127
See you there!
Due to strategic restructuring, the Question of the Week will heretofore be called the Question of the Moment! Hopefully we’ll get them out fairly often, but we’re not making any promises! We have music to make!! Stop pressuring us, blogosphere!!! We need some space!!!!
What was the last live musical performance that you really enjoyed, Matt?
I would have to say Leonard Cohen at Radio City(!) last year was pretty outstanding. Really one of those once in a lifetime sort of shows. Cohen touched upon most of the classics: ‘Bird on a Wire,’ “The Future,’ ‘Everbody Knows,’ ‘Famous Blue Raincoat,’ ‘Hallelujah,’ ‘Chelsea Hotel,’ and on and on and on… His band sounded great, and the wonderful Webb Sisters provided some sweet backing vocals. Check out the ‘Live in London‘ record, recorded in ‘08, to get a sense of what the ‘Canadian Dylan’ is sounding like these days.
What have you been listening to lately, Chris?
I seem to come back to this album every few months and feel like I’m always uncovering a new aspect to it, or appreciating it on a deeper level. The tight interplay of piano and voice on “My Old Man” and “Blue,” for example, not only create a perfectly self-contained texture, but also showcase Joni’s complete command of the songwriter’s craft. James Taylor and Stephen Stills’ guitar arrangements sound amazingly fresh and contemporary throughout (“Carey”, “All I Want”, “California”), and provide a wonderful contrast to the piano-based tracks. Seen through the lens of today’s music scene, Blue lays the groundwork for at least two generations of artists in the singer-songwriter mold, who, in most cases, still aspire to match its conception and execution.
Ray Charles – Pure Genius – The Complete Atlantic Recordings Disc 1
Ray’s prodigious output at Atlantic is often singled out for the creation of the R&B sound, which defined a musical and cultural generation with its previously unthinkable blending of the gospel and blues traditions and emphasis on danceable rhythms that were, at the time, considered outrageous in themselves. However, there is a parallel story being played out here – the dialogue between Ray and his producers that helped turn him from a blues/jazz imitator into a truly unique, genre-busting legend. Atlantic gave Charles the support and space to express himself, while encouraging him to experiment and introducing him to new and risky songwriting ideas and production techniques.
What have you been listening to lately, Grant?
MGMT, Congratulations. I’ve been getting into MGMT’s new album since it came out a few days ago. It’s really cool, melodically complex psychedelic-surf music. Listening to them is like staring into a beautiful child’s eyes and seeing a yawning abyss. Both frightening and strangely compelling. Click here to see their video for “Flash Delerium” which is currently haunting my dreams.
Peter Green, The Anthology. Another artist with “abyss eye,” probably because he ingested massive amounts of acid in the sixties, is Peter Green from the first incarnation of Fleetwood Mac. In my opinion, Green is the greatest English blues guitar player (sorry Eric–I still love you, though). His tone, both in his singing and his playing, is simultaneously soulful and lilting, earthy and otherworldly. My favorite songs of his are “Man of the World” and “Rattlesnake Shake.” Check out a great documentary about Green here.
Bruce Springsteen, Darkness on the Edge of Town. Finally, someone who definitely does not have “abyss eye” (or maybe he just hides it better?) is Bruce Springsteen. I’ve been listening a lot to this album lately. Appropriately enough, it has a darkness and an edge that makes it my favorite Springsteen record, especially the second side. Vinyl baby! You can’t beat the boss.
What have you been listening to lately, Rick?
Errol Garner, Concert by the Sea. As a keyboard player, right and left hand interdependence is paramount. Errol is at his best when at expressing free thoughts with his lead hand, often purposely playing ahead and behind the beat, all the while keeping a consistently straight-forward and perfectly balanced rhythm and tempo in his accompaniment. Both this and his polyrhythmic statements are showcased on this great recording.
Steely Dan, the Royal Scam. The most guitar-heavy recording by the ironic duo, this album borrows as much from hard rock as it does from jazz, with exercises in strict syncopation and harmonic integrity. With lyrics about LA heroin dealers and obsessively safe sex, you really can’t go wrong. Plus the Eagles suck.
[Note: the views of Rick Fox do not necessarily reflect the views of all Morning Pages members. Grant likes the Eagles. 
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Hi Folks, we’re gonna try something new. Here’s the idea: Every week, we’ll ask all seven Morning Pages a question and we’ll post one member’s answer every day for your reading enjoyment. Here’s our first question…
What have you been listening to lately, Matt?
Willie Nelson-Phases and Stages I can’t tell you how much I love this record. It is a great document of the dissolution of a couple’s marriage, with one side of the record from the man’s point of view, and one from the woman’s point of view. Too many great tracks here: ’Pretend I Never Happened’ and ‘Bloody Mary Morning’ stand out as gems amongst gems…
What’s Goin’ On-Marvin Gaye This album is like going to church for me. That’s it. Some of the coolest bass, drum and percussion interaction on any record that I know of. Completely outside of the box, with sparse but moving piano/strings/horns/etc. And the songs are very powerful and conversational, from a lyrical standpoint. And it plays like one seamless song.
